Tom Boyd has travelled the world, from the beaches of Bali to the streets of LA, but he’s yet to find a city that beats Melbourne.
5 things every Aussie traveller must do in their lifetime
I got my first passport when…
I was eight months old. Mum is from Denmark so we often travelled there in my early years. My first and seventh birthdays were celebrated in Denmark.
My first holiday memory is…
When I was roughly seven years old, my Danish cousins and I were given water pistols for our birthdays, much to the distaste of my mum. My grandfather had a forest so we’d head out into the pine plantations and build huts with whatever we could find on the ground.
I’ve been to 12 countries…
Around a dozen, maybe a few more, but I’ve been to nearly every continent. I’ve travelled to the US, Europe, Asia and Australia.
My first and seventh birthdays were celebrated in Denmark.
My favourite place in Australia is…
Anglesea. I met my wife, Ann,a in Anglesea, as our family holiday house was next door to Anna’s family home, and both our families spend a lot of time there. We’re both very family oriented and head there for most of our holidays to enjoy the beach and laid-back lifestyle with our loved ones.
The place I’d love to visit in Australia is…
The northwest coast, particularly Exmouth and Broome. It looks incredible.
The place I’ve visited most often is…
Indonesia. I’ve been there eight or nine times. I’m an avid surfer so I try to get there as often as I can, and get away from the crowds. I’ve been several times with two of my groomsmen who share my passion for surfing, and also with my wife, Anna.
The place I’d rather be right now is…
As I write this it’s currently 10 degrees in Melbourne, so I’d much rather be surfing in the 28-degree waters in Indonesia.
The place that didn’t live up to my expectations was probably LA because of its traffic and pollution.
The place that most surprised me was…
Los Angeles. It’s so different to anywhere you might go in Australia, and maybe not for the best reasons, either. I couldn’t get over how expansive it was – I hardly even went into the city because of how long it would take us to get there, and how much traffic there was.
The place that didn’t live up to expectations…
Probably also LA because of its traffic, pollution and poor quality of housing compared to the glitz and glam you see on TV.
The advice I’d give to young travellers is…
Be organised but don’t be ridiculously structured. Know where you’re going and when, but give yourself the space to not have to do any one thing in particular, because you will never truly understand how a city or country is until you immerse yourself into its culture.
My holidays are mostly devoted to…
A mix of culture and the outdoors. I love to surf so I often seek out great surfing spots when I’m travelling, whether it’s in Australia or abroad.
The sickest I’ve been on holiday…
I’ve had various bouts of stomach bugs and gastro over the years, everywhere from Europe to Asia.
The best hotel I’ve ever stayed in is, without a doubt, the Padma Resort Legian in Bali.
My go-to dish for room service is…
I’ll usually only eat breakfast at a hotel while I’m travelling. My go-to is always fruit and muesli. Particularly in Indonesia, it’s hard to beat the fresh tropical and often exotic fruit selections.
The best hotel I’ve ever stayed in…
Without a doubt the Padma Resort Legian in Bali. Its expansive, manicured gardens and sparkling blue pools make it the perfect place to relax.
The travel tip I’d like to share is…
Talk to other travellers. I’ve met so many people in transit that live such interesting lives and are exploring the world for similar reasons to me. I’ve learnt so much from these encounters and they’re some of my fondest memories.
Travel has taught me…
How big the world is. It’s made me really grateful for the lifestyle we have in Australia, too. I’m yet to find a place nicer than Melbourne. Although I’ve been to cities all over the world and fantasised about living abroad, I have never found a place better than where I live now.
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