You’ve visited more than 30 countries. What do you love about travelling?
With each trip comes this magical prospect that you may learn something new, or even the possibility that you may just become someone new. I just love that. Travelling is the fastest (and most fun) way to grow, change, and evolve. I guess that’s why trips are so often called ‘life-changing’.
What’s been your favourite travel adventure so far?
Oh, don’t make me pick just one! I’m going to cheat a little and give you a few: Seeing orca whales off the coast of Canada; meeting distant relatives in Greece; attending a traditional wedding in India; and drinking coffee so-good-you-could cry in Panama.
And what has been your worst experience?
Being wildly unprepared for weather has been a big problem with me. Once, I hiked up a snowy mountain in Tennessee in only yoga pants, a sweatshirt and trainers. Yikes!
What sparked your inspiration for Girls Who Travel?
I knew I wanted to write a book about travel—because I could talk about it forever. However, the vast majority of travel books tend to be memoirs and nonfiction, and because of this I was inspired to write travel-themed fiction: a high-gloss, escapist and aspirational take on my topic of choice.
Who or what brought you to Holland Park?
Ever since I studied abroad in South Kensington (where Girls Who Travel is largely set), I have been dying to return. As a student, I didn’t even know Holland Park existed but once I found this charming little pocket of west London, I made it my mission to live here. Luckily, my boyfriend — a modern British gentleman — was happy to oblige.
Can we find you working on your laptop somewhere locally?
I usually work at home but you can often find me recharging with a chai latte in Café Phillies or daydreaming and strolling through Holland Park.
What’s your favourite west London restaurant?
I love having a Sunday roast at the Mitre on Holland Park Avenue. The atmosphere is always lively and it doesn’t hurt that they have the best sticky toffee pudding in town. My other favourite is the farm-to-table outfit, The Shed in Notting Hill. I dream about their lamb chips! (Clearly food plays a bit part in my life.)
How does living in NYC compare to living in London?
In New York, people have a pretty horrible work/life balance. There’s a real culture of one-upmanship: ‘I can work later than you’; ‘I can take fewer vacation days’; ‘I never take lunch’ etc. I think that in London, people work just as hard—they just don’t treat overworking as a badge of honour in the same way that New Yorkers do.
If you could only live in one place in the world, where would it be?
Holland Park, of course! As I writer, I am portable. I’m so grateful to get to live here.
Do you have any tips for women travelling alone?
Dress like a local; if there are no other women around, be careful; and learn a few basic words in the native language (like: ‘one,’ ‘please,’ ‘thank you,’ and ‘bathroom’) — trust me when I say they will take you very far.
What are your travel essentials?
Hand sanitiser and a really great moisturiser—everything else is secondary.
What’s your ethos?
Great question! I have always loved the saying, ‘fortune favours the brave’. I have found that more often than not, the world will reward your risks. It has become my life motto and my modus operandi in regards to any creative project.
Where next?
I’m off to a country wedding in the lovely (and snowy) state of New Hampshire, and then off to South Africa.
