Embark on a remarkable journey with Sheridan-Leigh, a dedicated explorer whose life story is a testament to insatiable curiosity and a passion for travel. From her earliest adventures to far-off shores and bustling streets, she embraced the thrill of discovery. Through parenthood and entrepreneurship, her wanderlust never wavered. Balancing family escapades and personal pursuits, she found purpose in sharing her experiences.
2020 - Current Decade
Fortunately, the disruption of COVID is mostly over, so in the last few months, we’ve been able to make a travel comeback. We revisited Singapore and Malaysia, and of course back to cruising on the Spectrum of the Seas.
Right now mid-2023, we’re spending a few months living and loving the culture of Bali.
Wow, 2020 times have been challenging. With Australia and the rest of the world under lockdown and border restrictions, travel came to a screeching halt. We could only manage a couple of short trips within Western Australia.
Which included:
Mandurah
Swan Valley
Perth City
Rottnest Island
2010 - Decade
As our sons crafted their own paths with friends and interests, I rediscovered my love for child-free travel. While we had frequented destinations like South East Asia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Bali, the time had come to venture further. Our 16-year-old second son joined us on a journey spanning the United States. From Hawaii to Mexico, a road trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, through the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park, and the scenic Santa Barbara Coast.
My husband David Bunney; an already acclaimed International Best-selling Author, pursued a new opportunity… Enrichment Speaking. After honing his speaking and stage skills, we embarked on global adventures via various cruise ships such as Radiance of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Golden Princess, Spectrum of the Seas, and Ovation of the Seas.
Our travels have taken us to incredible destinations like China, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, New Zealand, and the enchanting South Pacific Islands.
2000 - Decade
Like many families, there comes a point when you need to hit the brakes. Work, education, activities, and social commitments demand priority. During this phase, we kept up with family vacations, primarily to Bali (so close, and we love it) and travelled some more within Western Australia.
With our sons now self-sufficient, one highlight trip was to the USA again. We also reignited our passion for cruising. It began with a journey aboard the Sun Princess from Fremantle to Singapore, exploring Penang, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, and Vietnam.
We embraced the Scout Association also as a family, leading us to captivating journeys. From vibrant Jamborees in the Eastern States to immersive cultural exchanges overseas, our involvement ignited a shared spirit of camaraderie and exploration, broadening our horizons and deepening our appreciation for diverse cultures. Travel once again was a huge part of our life
1990 - Decade
After the birth of our first son, the following year brought the arrival of our second. We ventured into yet another business opportunity, and life carried on with increased intensity. The demands of the business limited us to short trips, mainly around Western Australia and Queensland for family visits. Despite the constraints, our yearning for travel remained unrelenting.
Unfortunately, due to unethical business partners and circumstances beyond our control, our business ventures abruptly halted. This flow-on effect ultimately resulted in personal bankruptcy, losing everything we had painstakingly built. It is not until you lose everything, you soon realise what is important in life.
With two young children, a fresh start was our only option. The dream of travel had to be paused as our passports were rendered unusable.
After some time and fierce determination, we managed to rebuild our lives. Travel once again became a significant part, which included our two children. Starting with a nostalgic return to Bali, we then ventured into Singapore and embarked on a two-month exploration of New Zealand. Numerous trips to the Gold Coast and Queensland followed. Sharing new cultures and experiences with our boys added a new layer of joy to our travel adventures.
We were determined to make world travel very much a part of our life. I found that the more places you visit the more you realise how many others there are yet not experienced.
1980 - Decade
Establishing ourselves in Perth, Western Australia, and finding stable employment opened up opportunities for us to venture into Southeast Asia. Our journey began with Bali, sparking a love affair that would span decades. Subsequently, we explored Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia, expanding our horizons and embracing new cultures along the way.
After settling down for a while and making investments in a house and business, our persistent wanderlust continued to draw us into action. We resumed our travels with short visits to Asia, Jakarta, and Bali, along with numerous trips back to Queensland to reconnect with family. Out of nowhere, an unexpected offer arrived for our business, and with a “why not” attitude, we embraced the opportunity. This shift led us into roles as Resort Managers, overseeing hotels and various resorts across both Western Australia and Australia. Our journey eventually took us to the captivating Queensland Whitsundays area, where we immersed ourselves for 15 months. This period included stays in Airlie Beach and on the islands of Hamilton, Day Dream, and Hayman. We also ventured into exploring the renowned Great Barrier Reef and the immaculate Whitehaven Beach.
Being surrounded by international guests and their stories about their countries and experiences only intensified my craving to explore the world. This time, we embarked on a transformative World-trip journey, kicking off in Japan, then heading to Hawaii, Alaska, and down the West Coast of the USA. Our path led us to Canada, where we spent several months exploring a potential business opportunity. When that didn’t pan out, we shifted gears to Europe, purchasing a Kombi Campervan. We wandered through the United Kingdom, Holland, France, Germany, and Spain, until an unfortunate incident in Madrid left us without our belongings. Regrettably, we concluded this adventure and returned to Perth…joyfully discovering my pregnancy.
1970 - Decade
The 1970s encompassed a range of experiences for me. It was during this decade that I met my life partner (1976), with whom I’ve now shared more than four decades of wonderful marriage. However, a significant event during that time was a motorbike accident that left an indelible mark on my life journey.
On a seemingly ordinary Saturday afternoon at 2 pm, a horrific collision with a car drunk driver upended everything in my life. The subsequent hospitalization that lasted almost five months saved my leg, although this was followed by a year of painstaking efforts to regain my ability to walk. Yet, throughout this ordeal, an unwavering determination emerged. This setback wouldn’t deter me from my aspiration to explore the world.
Disregarding family, medical, and lawyers advice we embarked on a long-awaited trip—an initial cruise aboard the P&O Oriana from Sydney, Australia, to New Zealand.
Arriving three days later we disembarked the ship in Auckland New Zealand to begin a three-month stay. During our time, we relied on local bus services to travel between towns and stayed in Motor Camp cabins, similar to caravan parks. Our exploration encompassed both the North and South NZ Islands, allowing us to experience the diverse beauty of the country. I knew I would return to this amazing country many times.
As soon as we got back to Brisbane, we were hit by this overwhelming post-travel depression. We were itching for more worldly experiences. So we put in a lot of work and saved hard until the day after my husband’s 21st birthday. And then, we just packed up our EH Holden and started driving down south. Our parents thought we were just taking a little break, but deep down, we’d already decided we weren’t coming back to live in Brisbane.
We also knew that Western Australia was the gateway to Asia travel, and a great place to start was Bali. Over the following three months, we journeyed across Australia, from east to west and through its heart. We had countless experiences and encounters with fascinating individuals. Arriving in Perth, Western Australia, we initially considered settling in Kwinana due to my husband’s secured work. Yet, upon arriving, we changed our minds and continued up the coast until we discovered a quaint beachside caravan park in Sorrento. And as fate would have it, it was Christmas Day 1979.
The Early Years
Yet, every May, our car would be packed to the brim for the one-hour drive to Maroochydore. This was to change when my parents purchased a holiday home on Bribie Island.
Those family trips, spent with cousins, were pure magic—fishing, swimming, roller skating, and chasing crabs under the moonlight.
Those moments ignited a fire in me for adventure and travel. Even now, the warmth of those memories fuels my wanderlust and reminds me of the joy in simple pleasures.