Hi, I’m Debbi!

Explore the world through my eyes as I empower YOU to travel alone on a budget while hiking, eating, and more.

10 Lessons from Living Abroad

September 8, 2020

In the past seven years, I’ve been fortunate enough to call four other countries my “home.”…

Continue Reading 10 Lessons from Living Abroad

Why it’s Important to Chase Your Wanderlust

Krystianna Pietzrak

September 1, 2020

Guest writer Krystianna from Volumes & Voyages details her travel story as well as 7 reasons why you should chase your wildest travel dreams.

Continue Reading Why it’s Important to Chase Your Wanderlust

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5 Lessons My First Solo Trip Taught Me: Guest Post by Alexis Cannella

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mydebstinations

✨ Geeky expat in 🇦🇺 | Lightsaber hiker
🌏 Empowering women to solo travel + be geek chic
💻 Geek writer @sartorialgeek
⬇️ Inspiring through the Force

✨The Second Sister probably has one of the most

When you wish upon a ‘Death Star’ 🌟

🇦🇺 Despite living in Sydney for the past six months, I’m sadly quite clueless about the city and its surroundings.

☀️ The other day, I explored Glebe, Tambourine Bay Park, Sydney Fish Market, Pyremont Bay Park, Jones Bay Wharf, Blackwattle Bay Park, Barangaroo, and Pirrama Park.

🚶🏻‍♀️I walked a whopping 31,000 steps and absolutely loved being outdoors. I try to dedicate two full days a week where I either hike or explore, just because it can be so mentally draining to be in front of a computer the rest of the week.

🌳 Being active in the outdoors (even in the heat!) is essential for keeping your sanity and mindfulness while in the midst of this chaotic year.

💕 Recently, I had the pleasure of chatting with @findingwhyfilm, an independent film inspiring all women to explore the outdoors while advocating for equal representation for WOC who have a passion for adventure.

‼️Check out the link in @findingwhyfilm’s bio to help support them in their @gofundme campaign.

🗺 The film will follow Yudi, an outdoor enthusiast with a remarkable story behind her love and passion for nature. It’ll go beyond just your average adventure film, though.

🌿 “It’s a way of featuring Women of Colour in the outdoors and their unique perspectives, while breaking stigmas and stereotypes, both culturally and socially."

🌸 “If you're like us, you want to see more Women of Colour in outdoor advertisements, social media, and film. There is a void here that we hope to have some part in filling with this film. We hope to share in bringing awareness to all women who love adventure that there IS a place for them in the outdoors, and to advocate for more representation of Women of Colour in outdoor media.”

🏔 Follow @findingwhyfilm as they embark on their filming process in the Grand Teton National Park. Yudi + her filmmaking team are stellar examples of active CHANGEMAKERS who are using their voices and stories to help inspire others.

🙏🏽 Be more like them.

‘SNOKE’ on the water… 🆗, so these photos

‘SNOKE’ on the water…

🆗, so these photos took over EIGHT hours to edit. SWIPE ➡️ to see how we actually got my royal sleeves to stay up, and who actually helped me 🤪

💫 If you have no idea who I’m supposed to be channelling (WATCH STAR WARS ALREADY, PEOPLE!), swipe to the last photo.

🌟 The Sydney Opera House might be one of the most famous landmarks in the world, and I practically cried when I saw it in person for the first time in 2014.

Some facts about the beautiful Opera House:
💙 It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site
💙 It took over 14 years to complete
💙 Its Danish architect, Jorn Utzon, was turned down THREE times for his design before finally beating 232 others in a competition to design it on the fourth attempt)
💙 There are more than 1 million roof tiles on it
💙 Its concert hall houses the largest mechanical grand organ in the world
💙 It was specifically designed to have its interior temperature controlled by the harbour around it (it circulates cold water from the harbour through 35 km of pipes to power both heating and air con inside!)
💙 There is an Australian fur seal who used to frequent the back steps of the Opera House. If you look up “Sydney Opera House Seal” on Google Maps, it’ll pinpoint the location!

💝 Special thanks to @hannahmchutchison for her @sheinofficial code via TikTok, who made this beautiful dress happen! It’s got serious Snoke + C-3PO vibes, so it’ll be a prize in my wardrobe for sure.

If you’ve been to Dubrovnik, did you ‘wall’

If you’ve been to Dubrovnik, did you ‘wall’ in love with it?

👑 Dubrovnik was used as a film location for Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (for the Canto Bight scenes)
👑 While I’ve been to Dubrovnik, this was obviously edited in. I didn’t actually get decent photos on the streets (let alone without crowds). An easy way to revamp old travel photos is by editing yourself in with other outfits (and added lightsabers, because why not?).
👑 Yes, I know that Game of Thrones was also filmed here. No, I’ve never watched it (and probably never will). No, don’t throw tomatoes at me.

🌀 Here’s the thing: Fresh out of uni nine (!) years ago, I never could have fathomed getting to travel as much as I have.

🌀 One thing led to another, one country blended into the next, and my job applications were solely based around ones that allowed me to essentially travel or live abroad.

🌀 You’ll never know what you’re capable of (or what you truly want) if you don’t try.

🌀 If you ever feel like this year is too much to handle, remember that time at home has been secretly a blessing: it’s up to you how you choose to use it.

🌀 Map out your vision boards, save helpful articles, research, pursue those projects you’ve always wanted to start but never “had time” for, and teach yourself (free!) new skills thanks to the power of YouTube.

💕 “There’s some good in the world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for!”
-Samwise Gamgee

🌀 And with that, I bid you adieu as I grab my lightsaber and go for a hike 😍✌🏻

No joke’Sing’, a’Pore’ently I’ve fallen

No joke’Sing’, a’Pore’ently I’ve fallen for this country.

⬆️ FULL PUN CREDIT TO @happytowander (search her blog + YouTube for “Cheesy Country Pickup Lines” - it’s truly the best content of the web).

🤪 Okay, maybe that first line was a semi-lie. While Singapore is gorgeous and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to go, the humidity was far too much for me to handle!

🥵 As a naturally sweaty (ew) person, I barely wore any clothes during my visits here. However, I’m keen to know WHY so many people love warm weather!

😳 Are you just like me and don’t know what to do with yourself when the temperatures rise, but still want to save 💰? Try the following:

🧊 Head to your nearest @daisoaustraliaofficial @daiso_official store and pick up a Mickey popsicle maker. Pour some juice or Gatorade in the mold, freeze for a few hours, and voila! Free popsicle (or “ice block” if you’re Aussie).
🧊 Pop some ice cubes in your water and pour them on yourself if you’re really dying (is this just me? LOL). Or spritz yourself with one of those fan/water sprayers.
🧊 Freeze fruits and snack on them.
🧊 Take up a new water sport, like kayaking, surfing, or paddle boarding!
🧊 Wander around a heavily AC-blasting venue with proper face covering (usually in Asia, this is the malls).
🧊 Take a scenic drive along the coast and blast your air con (or just roll down the windows).
🧊 Wear cotton clothes and light colours - no synthetic fabrics!
🧊 Go for a swim in one of the more isolated, hidden beaches of your region!
🧊 Cheers with cold beers or mojitos.
🧊 Hang out in the coolest room of your house (preferably one that doesn’t have sunlight blasting in from the windows).
🧊 Plan an outdoor evening picnic/movie night in the comfort of your backyard.

For Sydneysiders:
🧊 Head to Wendy’s Secret Garden (a beautiful shaded area that has Indiana Jones vibes).
🧊 Take one of the ferries at night.
🧊 Check out Tahmoor’s Mermaid Pools.
🧊 Sign up for yoga on a paddle board via @flowmocean.
🧊 Go snorkelling at Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve.

💦 And most importantly, hydrate at all times! If you have any other tips, let ya girl know below! ⬇️

🐨 While many of you are missing international t

🐨 While many of you are missing international travel right now, it doesn’t mean that you can’t find ‘koala’ty ways to bring a country to you!

🇦🇺 Inspired by @brinagoesjapan, here's a few of my tips to bring Australia to the comfort of your home.

💖 The majority of my friends and family have never been Down Under, so these are some easy, free ways to use the internet productively and Aussie-fy your quarters!

➡️ Swipe to see my tips! If you have any tips to add, opinions, and personal advice, please let me know so I can edit this as well.

✨ In the meantime, stay positive, spend your time productively, and continue working on passion projects to keep your mind active.

🌎 The world WILL get to travel again eventually, but for now, use this little guide if you’re keen on experiencing a slice of life here in Sydney.

🇯🇵 This post was inspired by @brinagoesjapan (check out her amazing post of tips for anyone who misses Japan!).

🔮 Girls just ‘wand’ to have fun while explo

🔮 Girls just ‘wand’ to have fun while exploring Hogwarts!

💎 Okay, so @sydney_uni isn’t exactly Hogwarts, but it sure looks like it. I spent several hours in awe of the campus and architecture, especially since I have a fascination with touring university campuses.

🤓 I also have a growing hobby in finding local geek-related or geek-ish things, especially if it means getting to explore new spots!

❓Did you know these fun facts about the University of Sydney?
✨It’s the oldest university in Australia and Oceania and often ranks amongst the best universities in this region
✨ Graffiti Tunnel is where (allegedly) the university designated as a legal space for people to spray paint, write slogans, and create street art, due to them being fed up with student Vietnam War protestors defacing the Quad walls
✨There is actually a “Great Hall” on campus, home to thousands of graduations, exams, plays, and weddings
✨There are no ties to the “Harry Potter” books or films, but the campus is probably the closest you’ll get to feeling like you’re in Hogwarts if you live in Australia
✨ Its library is the largest in all of Australia
✨The Quadrangle is the heart of the university, with buildings that were built from 1854 - the 1960s.
✨ In 2018, it was Australia’s highest-ranked entrant in the QS Graduate Employabilty Rankings, at 4th in the world

💎 All teaching and learning is completely online due to the pandemic, but you’re still able to wander through the campus, explore, and take pictures. Thus, if you’re in Sydney and want a Harry Potter fix, head here!

‘D-O’ know the best part of @thedisneybound? Y

‘D-O’ know the best part of @thedisneybound? You can legit just start pairing the clothes in your closet and be as creative as possible!

✨ Like many, I’m always on a budget. I have a serious obsession with geek fashion but never enough funds to buy things I reeeeeally want, so I’m adding another thing to my huge “to do” list: learn to sew!

💖 I’ve followed incredible cosplayers and creative talent like @alyssahope_ + @brianamatopoeia for YEARS, but never had a base to solidly devote time to the craft.

✨ I’ve been secretly pinning DIY sewing templates, instructions, ideas, and colour boards up the WAZOO in hopes of turning my creative visions into reality on the side.

💖 It would be an absolute DREAM to someday construct a Stormtrooper outfit and be inducted in @official501st , but I have a long way to go until then. (Sidenote: @ohsobetty is an actual member of the coveted legion! Isn’t she SO COOL?!)

✨ While I’ve been doing what I can to pair simple outfits together with the little things I have, I’d dream of nothing more than to learn to make my own LOTR/Star Wars/Harry Potter-themed outfits to hike + travel in (and perhaps inspire you to do the same) 😍

💖 If you design your own stuff, taught yourself how to sew, or are following any and all new passions, drop a comment below so we can encourage each other! 👏🏻

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