Trailfinders work training and random reunions.
Towards ther middle of 2019 I had enough of the spa industry and longed for a career in the travel industry. This came true when I got the job with Trailfinders and was sent off to London to share a flat with new friends and take part in 5 weeks intense training- and boy was it intense. Durinf my time in London I managed to reunite with friends from all parts of my life. I got to reunite with Nicola who was my first every travel buddy in 2007 when we met in Australia (we have reunited many times in Ireland and UK since then), Lucy and her crew, who I had travelled with in Canada in 2010 and had been to see her and her family many times in Kilkenny since then, Carla who I had met during my first yoga teacher training in India in 2013 and i even got to reunite with old ship friends when they docked in London for the weekend. It was an adventurous 5 weeks.
Whilst here, I couldnt help but go to the Westend to see some musicals including Wicked, Waitress (where I randomly bumped into my ship friend Johnny who was now back working at the theatre)-thanks for the half price drinks mate, and Come From Away which was amazing. I explored the posh areas of Chelsea, Notting Hill, Kensington and Camden (where we were staying) amongst other parts of London and became oh so familiar with the tube once again. One night we even had a very random encounter with the band Walking on Cars- turns out a colleague of mine from Kerry is best friends with them and had planned to meet them for drinks whilst another colleague and myself were out meeting my friend Lucy and her crew. He invited us to come hang out with them- and with my colleague Amy being a huge fan, this would be a night to remember for sure. My ship friend Sumeet came out and all of a sudden there we were- Trailfinders colleagues, old ship friends and a famous Irish band, sitting around a big table or dinner before hitting the town for a spot of dancing until thr wee hours. You just couldnt plan these things if you tried.
It was so nice to have the opportunity to reunite with old friends during this time but also to meet some new friends through my job and get to attend various events too. We went to a travel speed dating style event which was set at breakfast time and was rather interesting, involving us sitting at different tables with different South African suppliers (safari or hotel suppliers) and learning about their business in a few minutes before moving on with the ring of a bell. We also had an all you can drink event hosted by another company based in South East Asia which was fun- Pierce Morgan even had to vacate his space in the pub because it was reserved for us- he wasnt happy!
As fitness goes, I got in a few runs during my time there, both through Hyde Park and Holland Park as well as attending a few yoga classes at Core Collective- studio to the stars apparently ( well the Made in Chelsea stars anyway!). It was a busy 5 weeks full of study, destination learning, reunions and new experiences. I even managed to get my two colleagues Amy and Kelly onboard Viking for sneak peak at their brand new ship as well as a delcious buffet lunch- they were delighted, and I was delighted to see some familiar faces from my first and second contract with Viking including Sergio who I would stay with in Mexico. A friend of mine managed to get me free tickets to Bob Dylan/Neil Young in Hyde Park too, which made my entire life, I was so sad I had missed the irish show and was even more sad that this one was sold out. Thank you so much for that!!
London was awesome and no matter how many times I go back, there is always something new to discover. Now to plan my next visit back??
Whilst here, I couldnt help but go to the Westend to see some musicals including Wicked, Waitress (where I randomly bumped into my ship friend Johnny who was now back working at the theatre)-thanks for the half price drinks mate, and Come From Away which was amazing. I explored the posh areas of Chelsea, Notting Hill, Kensington and Camden (where we were staying) amongst other parts of London and became oh so familiar with the tube once again. One night we even had a very random encounter with the band Walking on Cars- turns out a colleague of mine from Kerry is best friends with them and had planned to meet them for drinks whilst another colleague and myself were out meeting my friend Lucy and her crew. He invited us to come hang out with them- and with my colleague Amy being a huge fan, this would be a night to remember for sure. My ship friend Sumeet came out and all of a sudden there we were- Trailfinders colleagues, old ship friends and a famous Irish band, sitting around a big table or dinner before hitting the town for a spot of dancing until thr wee hours. You just couldnt plan these things if you tried.
It was so nice to have the opportunity to reunite with old friends during this time but also to meet some new friends through my job and get to attend various events too. We went to a travel speed dating style event which was set at breakfast time and was rather interesting, involving us sitting at different tables with different South African suppliers (safari or hotel suppliers) and learning about their business in a few minutes before moving on with the ring of a bell. We also had an all you can drink event hosted by another company based in South East Asia which was fun- Pierce Morgan even had to vacate his space in the pub because it was reserved for us- he wasnt happy!
As fitness goes, I got in a few runs during my time there, both through Hyde Park and Holland Park as well as attending a few yoga classes at Core Collective- studio to the stars apparently ( well the Made in Chelsea stars anyway!). It was a busy 5 weeks full of study, destination learning, reunions and new experiences. I even managed to get my two colleagues Amy and Kelly onboard Viking for sneak peak at their brand new ship as well as a delcious buffet lunch- they were delighted, and I was delighted to see some familiar faces from my first and second contract with Viking including Sergio who I would stay with in Mexico. A friend of mine managed to get me free tickets to Bob Dylan/Neil Young in Hyde Park too, which made my entire life, I was so sad I had missed the irish show and was even more sad that this one was sold out. Thank you so much for that!!
London was awesome and no matter how many times I go back, there is always something new to discover. Now to plan my next visit back??