Introducing this month’s wild and free traveller, Jenny from Australia.

Hi everyone! My name is Jenny and I am an undergraduate student at the Australian National University. I have been to 22 countries so far and you can find some photos of my travels @jchengg on Instagram. My last trip was to the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore, and I am hoping to visit Central Asia (the Stans, Mongolia and Xinjiang) next!

1. Why do you travel?

I travel to learn about different countries; their history, their culture and their people’s way of life. I travel to see unique landscapes and natural wonders that only belong to certain regions

2. Tell us your favourite: a place to visit, mode of transport and source to get travel info.

Place: My favourite countries are China and Norway. China is grossly underrated; there is so much history to learn about, such a vast range of landscapes (deserts, beaches, rainforests, mountains, you name it), delicious cheap eats and fascinating culture. Norway was simply beautiful, its untouched nature was jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring.

My favourite mode of transport is walking. I walk as much as I can to save money and stay fit while I travel. I also stumble across cute cafes and interesting locals when I walk.

Source for travel info: I usually read online blogs or chat to friends for travel info.

3. What is your favourite travel memory?

I wouldn’t be able to narrow it down. A few contenders include skydiving over the coast in Cairns, hiking Mt Hua in China, driving up the west coast of Norway and every single visit to the Louvre.

4. What's the most important thing you've learned while travelling?

Get out of your comfort zone to make the most of your travels, and don’t let others tell you how you should travel - do it your way! 

5. Who would you love to sit next to on your next flight?

Roger Federer

6. What's your best money-saving tip to travel?

Walk as much as you can, short metro trips add up. If you have time, take the 8hr bus instead of the 1hr plane ride. Make a sandwich instead of eating out. 

7. How do you deal with the post-holiday blues?

I pretty much start planning my next holiday as soon as I get back home.

8. What's one thing you like to do in every place you visit?

Try the local cuisine! You get to learn lots about the place; from local products to methods of cooking, influences on their cuisine, etc.

9. Travelling can leave a big environmental footprint, how do you minimise yours?

I try to walk as much as I can, as I mentioned earlier, I also take buses over planes when time permits. I always carry a reusable drink bottle instead of buying single-use plastic bottles (especially prevalent in Southeast Asian countries). 

10. Plan an around the world trip for us, stopping in one city only on each continent.

Ooo this is really, really tough!

Melbourne, Australia —> Beijing, China —> Cairo, Egypt —> Paris, France —> Banff, Canada —> Santiago, Chile

Each month an enthusiastic traveller will share with us their personal stories from their adventures around the world. If you would like to be featured in the upcoming months, then please drop us a note below or send an email to laurathexplaura@gmail.com

If you would like to read other traveller profiles we have featured, click here.