This was published 4 years ago
My travel life: Liz Watson, vice-captain of Australian Diamonds netball team and Melbourne Vixens player
By Sue Williams
Diamonds player Liz Watson.Credit: Joel Carrett
Liz Watson, vice-captain of netball world champions the Australian Diamonds, who will play in the 2019 Netball World Cup from July 12 to 21 in Liverpool, England. Watson spends most of her year playing with Super Netball team the Melbourne Vixens.
NUMBER OF COUNTRIES VISITED
Four, with many planned for the future.
ANY PASSPORT MISHAPS/MISADVENTURES
Can't say I have but when I was travelling with my netball team, a teammate left her passport in her tracksuit pocket and it went through the wash. It was an adventure to get out of South Africa and back to Australia.
I GOT MY FIRST PASSPORT WHEN I WAS 19 in 2013.
MY PASSPORT PHOTO IS just awkward. Imagine trying to smile but realising you aren't allowed to smile mid-shot.
I CAN'T STOP GOING BACK TO Byron Bay. I immediately feel relaxed there and just happy.
MY LAST TRAVEL DESTINATION WAS England. I travelled to Liverpool for a netball tournament called the Quad Series. It was in January so it was freezing!
MY NEXT TRAVEL DESTINATION IS Liverpool for the Netball World Cup – much more exciting.
I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO being able to play netball for my country definitely tops the list, but also warmer weather, travelling with friends and meeting Mum and Dad in England. They are coming over to watch and then travelling for another four weeks around Europe.
WHAT I REALLY WANT FROM MY NEXT TRIP IS to be able to switch into the time zone ASAP and not wake up at 3am starving because it's technically dinner time. Oh, and winning a gold medal would be nice.
I LOVE TO TRAVEL BECAUSE you can just get lost, make new friends, eat new food and there is no schedule, no deadline ... you can just "wing it", which is what I do best.
MY TRAVEL PHILOSOPHY IS make travelling a priority. Find the time to just leave home for a while and explore. Life is way too short.
THE ONE TRAVEL MISTAKE I ALWAYS MAKE IS forgetting to pack my neck pillow. I think I have about eight because I always have to buy one before I board my flight. Rookie mistake.
THE ONE THING I REALLY DO GET RIGHT WHEN I TRAVEL IS packing. I've learnt not to over-pack – no, I don't need 20 pairs of socks. Other countries have washing facilities, too.
IF I HAD TO SIT IN THE MIDDLE SEAT THE OTHER PASSENGERS I'D WANT ON EITHER SIDE OF ME WOULD BE Kath and Kim [the comedy TV characters played by Gina Riley and Jane Turner]. They would provide some seriously funny entertainment on a long-haul flight.
THE ONE FAMOUS TRAVELLER I REALLY ADMIRE IS [social media sensation] the Bucket List Family. They are a family who sold everything they had and just travelled the world for years. I think the youngest child has been to something like 50 countries already. Pretty impressive.
THE ONE FAMOUS PERSON I'D LIKE TO TRAVEL WITH IS [Australian model and 2017 winner of The Block reality TV series] Elyse Knowles. She looks like she is always up for a fun adventure and I think Byron Bay is also her favourite place.
AIRLINE FOOD IS a no from me! Scrambled eggs on a plane should not be allowed!
AIRPORT SECURITY IS necessary and totally fine, but don't pretend you don't try to avoid eye contact as you go through the random screening.
HOTELS ARE just a place to dump bags and sleep. No other time should be spent in them on a holiday ... you should be going out and exploring.
I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO GO TO the Greek islands, I think from watching the movie Mamma Mia! They look incredible and I do love the beach and warm weather.
I'VE NEVER WANTED TO GO TO nowhere. I would happily travel anywhere, although maybe not so much to places that are freezing cold.
AISLE OR WINDOW? Aisle. I tried to climb over a sleeping passenger from a window seat once, and they woke up mid-climb! Never again. Aisle all the way.
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