Helen Ecclestone

When I’m not at work or travelling I’m…

Spending time with family and friends (baking for them normally) I can be found out and about with my camera and am trying to learn the piano!

My favourite film is…

Cocktail – you have to love 80’s films!

On my RTW trip I spent longer than expected in:

Darwin and LA.

Which place exceeded your expectations on your travels and why?

Kakadu National Park – I wasn’t sure what to expect apart from scenes like those from Crocodile Dundee – I did a 3 day tour from Darwin and it far surpassed just those images from the film. The scenery is breathtaking, the culture and history is fascinating and sleeping under the stars in the bush was an experience I will never forget.

What are your top 5 must-pack items?

Travel washing line, aloe vera gel, camera, iPod and a good book.

What was your first great travel experience?

Inter-railing around Europe, which started in Russia! It was whistle-stop but it was my first real backpacking adventure.

What are your top 3 places in the world?

Australia, Fiji and New Zealand.

Which passport stamp are you proudest of?

Russia.

Where/what would you really like to visit?

Chile and Japan in the Winter.

Have you ever worked abroad? If so explain.

Apart from my winter season in Val d’isere as a Chalet Host, I volunteered in New Zealand and Australia. I took part in WWOOFING (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) which was such a great experience. Not only did I get to live with Australian and New Zealand families, I also got to learn about organic and sustainable farming and explore the area I was staying in and the best bit it was all FREE (well bed and board in exchange for 5 hours work per day)

What’s the funniest/strangest thing that’s happened to you abroad?

I didn’t book my overnight train from Moscow to St Petersburg before I arrived in Russia. No one speaks English and when I turned up to book the train no one could understand me – I started to panic, but fortunately two ladies overheard what was going on and offered to help – one of them spoke English and took control, she booked the train and wrote a note for me to show people if I was lost or stuck again. To this day I have no idea what that note said, except when I showed it to someone on the train, they laughed....

If you had just 24 hours in a big city which one would it be?

New York City – it never sleeps.

What do you miss most from home whilst you are away?

Family and friends if I am away a long time – if it’s a few weeks holiday then usually jacket potato and cheese!