Kia Ora! Welcome!
Hey! I’m Lee-Anne, a proud Kiwi who, after completing their OE, decided to swap the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand for the eclectic streets of London, after a glorious decade of embracing the Glaswegian spirit in Scotland, When I’m not travelling, I work in the culture sector based in the heart of London’s West End.
My blog began as my digital travel diary – a collection of tales from my travel and snapshots of the world as seen through my lens. It’s continues to be my virtual passport, each post is a chapter of my grand adventures.
Overseas Experience (OE) a New Zealand term for an extended overseas working period or holiday. Sometimes referred to as "The Big OE".
Why Barefoot in Jandals?
For those of you who are curious about the name, Barefoot in Jandals, I wanted the name to reflect my New Zealand background. There is nothing more us New Zealanders love more than wandering around in bare feet. And when we can’t walk about bare feet we get our jandals (flip flops) out. When I travel I always pack my jandals/flip flops and prefer to wear them (weather permitting) over my other shoes!
Solo Explorer Extraordinaire & Hiking Nomad
I navigate the world solo, fuelled by a passion for exploration and a love for embracing the unknown. I seek out the unusual, diving headfirst into new experiences, one passport stamp at a time.
I’m happiest when I’m snuggled up on the window seat of a train. There’s something magical about rail travel, watching the countryside and cityscapes pass by, something that you don’t experience in the air. It’s nice pace of travel, you can arrive at the station moments before departure (but not too late!) and freely wander the aisles.
When I’m not enjoying the luxuries of train travel, you’ll find me lacing up my hiking boots, exploring the trails around the UK and the world.
Curiosity is My Constant Companion
Every street, every trail, every culture, there’s always something new to learn and share.
I’m not just an explorer but also a meticulous planner. I blend the excitement of spontaneity with the precision of a well-crafted itinerary. After all, every great adventure is a perfect mix of curiosity and careful planning!
The ADHD Twist
I’m a late-diagnosed ADHDer, and upon reflection, it explains so much about my travel style and why I see the world differently to everyone else. My dislike for crowds was never me being purposely problematic; it was sensory overload in disguise. Those mid-trip burnouts weren’t me being weird; they were my brain hitting pause. ADHD is and has always my secret travel superpower (even if I didn’t know it), it’s the reason behind my endless curiosity, impulsiveness, and ability for noticing every small, beautiful detail. For years I travelled feeling like the odd one out; now I travel with understanding, confidence, and a spark that feels entirely mine.
Foodie by Heart & Passport
A self-proclaimed foodie, I believe that the best way to understand a culture is through its cuisine. From street food to restaurants, I love to embark on a gastronomic journey around the world, savouring flavours that tell stories of places and people.
When I’m not exploring, my kitchen becomes a playground for my baking experiments. During the pandemic, I decided to explore the world via baking and am still on a mission to bake desserts from every single country.
Want to Know More
If you have any questions or want to know more about me, send me an email.