My Journal

Surviving Australia, and Missing Dumplings Some trips change you are away. Others only make sense once you come back. When the Wet Season Decides to Stay By the time we left Da Nang in early November, the typhoon wet season wasn’t just arriving it had moved in, unpacked its bags, and made itself very comfortable. […]

Lessons in Life Full Circle: The Day I Returned to Celebrate My Students in Perth A few weeks ago, I was invited back to the college where I used to teach to attend the 2025 graduation ceremony for a group of international students and to give a short speech. To be honest, when the invitation […]

The Travel Reset Button How Slowing Down Recharges More Than Just Your Batteries Some days it takes me three cups of coffee just to remember my own password. That’s when I know I need a reset. And no, I don’t mean a nap I mean the kind of reset you only get when you’re in […]

The Happiness Map – Finding Joy in the Journey A heartfelt reflection on how slowing down reshaped my understanding of happiness. From quiet moments to unexpected connections, I discovered that joy isn’t found at the destination it’s felt in the journey itself. What if happiness had a map? Would it guide us through mountain passes […]

Vinmec Da Nang International Hospital Review Why I’d Fly to Vietnam Before Going Back to an Australian Hospital Testing the Medical and Hospital System in Da Nang, Vietnam Before I dive into my midnight escapade, close your eyes and picture this an Emergency Department in Perth, Western Australia, at midnight on a Friday. If you’ve […]

The Flight from Hell: Surviving Seat-Kicking Kids and Airborne Chaos How it Accidentally Sponsored My Next Holiday I had to make an unexpected dash back to Perth for business, and the family catch-up and seeing Dad turn 93 were just a bonus. Ninety-three, by the way. At this stage, I reckon he’s just competing with […]

No House, No Postcode Just a Life of Slow Travel (and Why Leaving Australia Was the Best Thing We Ever Did) By Sheridan-Leigh | Travel Stories to Guide, Tips to Inspire Three years ago, if you’d asked me what my future plans were, I probably would’ve laughed and said, “Same sh—different day.” I was working […]

My Hair Disaster in Da Nang An expat’s honest (and hilarious) story of a Da Nang perm gone wrong. From salon shock to frizzy regrets—this is one hair adventure you need to read before booking that appointment. The Day I Got Electrocuted for Curls: An Expat Hair Story from Da Nang, Vietnam Alright, here goes. […]

Siem Reap for First Timers Read the actual Siem Read 7-day itinerary A real talk travel guide from Sheridan-Leigh, written with hindsight and heart. Siem Reap is one of those places that dazzles from the moment you arrive. Ancient temples. Colourful markets. Cheap cocktails. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement, and that’s […]

Siem Reap Tuk-Tuk Driver Slow travel, true connection, and one unforgettable man in Cambodia A Cambodia Ride I’ll Never Forget I didn’t expect a tuk-tuk ride to leave such a mark on my heart.But travel can surprise you, especially when you slow down enough to see the people behind the places. It’s been just over […]

Da Nang Vietnam 50th Anniversary of Liberation I have lived in Da Nang, Vietnam, for over a year. This coastal city has been my home except for the occasional visa run. And what a home it has become. There’s something beautifully unspoken in the way Da Nang wraps its arms around you. It’s more than […]

Nam O Reef, Da Nang: A Hidden Coastal Wonderland with a Legendary Past When travellers think of Da Nang, famous beaches like My Khe and Non-Nuoc often come to mind. However, for those seeking a more offbeat and scenic destination, Nam O Reef (Rạn Nam Ô) is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. A […]