ExplorerGirls.com Ambassador Emma Lovell is one Awesome ExplorerGirl! If she’s not home in Australia working on her business she’s out exploring the world. Visiting everywhere from Nepal to Mexico she has made some amazing memories while making tons of friends globally.

If you’re looking to get some inside advice on traveling to some remote destinations or just wondering where the hottest shopping spots are in Asia Emma might be the one to ask.  She is super friendly and full of heaps of ideas and recommendations.

Check it out! We grab Emma and get the goss on her travels and future plans. To get in touch with Emma and read more about her adventures visit her profile page here!

EXP/G:  Travel seems to be a huge part of your life, how did that come about? Who or what inspired you to explore the world?
Emma Lovell: My family is originally from the UK, so in order to spend time with our loved ones, we had to travel. I was on a plane at 18 months old. My parents came here in 1981, and have frequently travelled overseas since. I went to UK and Japan as a toddler and it has never stopped. With many international friends and places to stay, it's simply become part of my life to travel across the world to spend time with those I love.

In 2006, I went away for a GAP year and lived in the UK whilst travelling to Asia and many countries throughout Europe. My love of travel was cemented then and I have been non stop planning and taking trips. I have now lived in 3 different countries, and I think visited 26... at last count. So my goal is now to visit one new destination each year!

 
EXP/G:  Through out the year you have seen some amazing places including Nepal...where else have you been this year and what has been your best adventure yet?
EL:  This year I have visited Bali and Jakarta for some amazing shopping (so much cheaper than Australia and they have Zara) and much need R and R. I was in Singapore in June for a meeting which I have attended for the past 6 years for work. It's great to hang out with delegates and friends from 17 different countries and gain valuable international experience. 
I was then on a Girls adventure trip to Queenstown, NZ, for my annual big ski trip. We did Onsen pools, massages, ate amazing burgers and boarded! beautiful. Quick weekend at Perisher in August for another dose of the snow, before heading to Melbourne and Mt Buller in Victoria at the end of August for my last snow trip of the season.

I love Melbourne and got to meet the lovely Courtney, founder of www.explorergirls.com and we chatted about Travel, only fuelling my desire to get to more places before the year is out!
 
EXP/G:  Where is the most remote place you have been? How did it make you feel?
EL:  Hmmmm this is a tough one. Perhaps Cuatro Cienegas in the north of Mexico. It's the Desert. You can't get much more remote. Mexico is still classed as a third world country and in some parts life is much more simple and basic. In this place there is a very small town with a lovely old Mexico feel, and people are quite traditional.

There are just a few campsites and the main attractions are natural features such as the white sands desert and the amazing clear water pools. I was here with my brother and 3 mexican friends. It was amazing. At night we made a BBQ and talked and swam in the pool and it was just us. The dessert was the best, so far from everything, the sand and the rollng hills were our endless playground.

 
EXP/G:  You've sponsored a child through World Vision in Tanzania for the past six years...what inspired you to start doing that as a teenager?
EL:  I started sponsoring at age 17. I always liked the idea of sponsoring a child and really felt a social responsibility to do it. When I was growing up, it was the most well known and so I knew I wanted to support that one. I would always ask mum and dad to sponsor but they would say at another time. I said to myself "when I have more money, when I'm older".

Always saying later, there will always be an excuse as to why you can't do it, you have to just take action. I worked out one day that my tips for one week of work, sometimes less, could support one of these children for a month. That was my turning point. I went on the computer at the library the next day and chose. I felt an instant connection with Lazaro when his photo flashed on the screen and I have cherished every moment of my experience.
 
EXP/G:  When you travel for adventure, what kinds of activities do you love to do?
EL:  SNOWBOARDING. As you can see in my blogs. I'm just getting into surfing as well so would love to do that. I'm not naturally outdoors adventurous, apart from bushwalking, so usually it takes a trip with someone else to introduce me to these new sports. I've never been camping nor trekking, but i plan to climb kili next year so I have to get practicing.

I'm loving some of my new adventurous friends I have met through snowboarding and surfing. They are introducing me to new sports and helping me to go more regularly. I love it!! The freedom you feel in these two sports, are just phenomenal. Oh and I love Snowmobiling and jet skis. i worked for a snowmobile place when I lived at Big White (I officially got the job because the guy said I was "crazy". apparently a mandatory trait to work in this profession).

Dying to get to a place where I can do these sports again

EXP/G:  What is on your list for the next big adventure?
EL:  It's funny because I always have an answer to the question "so where's your next trip." In December I head to India for yet another massive wedding. I will go to Sri Lanka for a few days, then spend time in India, including Mumbai, Delhi and Goa for New years, then off to Nepal for a few days to stay with my friend in his home. I head to London for 10 days then to visit with family and my big brother who now lives there. Off to America for the last leg of the trip to see my cousin and possibly more of the great USA. So 7 weeks all up.

I will also be climbing Kilimanjaro next year for Alzheimer's Australia NSW in honour of my grandfather who passed away from Alzheimer's 2 years ago. Many more updates to come on this!!
 
EXP/G:  You have started your own company recently graduated from University...tell us more about what you are doing and why?
EL:  I stared my business, Pogojo.com.au, in about 2008. I was always thinking about how much work I put into Uni and what a shame it was that that work could not be shared with other students, it just went to the depths of my filing draw. I mean, graduating with a distinction from Uni makes it worth it for sure, but really I thought there had to be more I could so with this work.

So I met some business partners and they loved the idea and Pogojo was born. It has been growing slowly over the past year since it officially launched, but now that I have graduated, I can throw my all into it. I'm so proud of how far it has come and how I get to use my business and university experience. It's for students to upload their uni work, and when other students download it, they get money. It's so students can learn and earn from one another whilst studying.
 
EXP/G:  You live and grew up in Australia, tell us something you love about your country and why?
EL:  I love Australia's landscapes. We have such variety across this beautiful country, you can be in the city, then the beaches then the country, and almost the outback within 2 hours. We have big open roads to explore so much of the land.

I used to live next to the bush, and then 20 minutes from the beach. I really have had the best of both worlds. I loved just being able to jump down into the bush and go on a big adventurous bushwalk and swim in the river in the valley that sat beside my house. And you cannot go past our sunsets. Stunning pink skies and amazing cloud formations. Sitting on the balcony with a cold drink in the fresh air watching nature's show. Does it get any better?

I'm so lucky to live here.

I also love the openness and friendliness of people. Aussies are very welcoming and we take others under our wing. We look out for one another, and you really see this once you go overseas as we truly bond together.
 
EXP/G:  What is the best travel tip you can give to girls traveling through Australia?
EL:  Stay away from the boys! hhaha they are terrors. I mean this in a joking way. They aren't the most chivalrous when in comparison to the men of Mexico, India and France that I have met, but they will be a good mate. Watch out for the sarcasm and joking around- boys and girls love to mess about and joke around with one another here. You will certainly have some good friends.

And don’t be scared of snakes and spiders.... really you have a far higher chance of being hit by a bus. Just be sensible and follow the warnings.
 
EXP/G:  What is the best travel tip you can give to girls traveling around the world to remote and exotic places?
EL:  Don't take it for granted! Enjoy every moment. Don't rush around taking photos and trying to learn every single thing about everything you are doing. Stop, take a breath and soak in the atmosphere. Remember a feeling. Remember the moment. Close your eyes and take mental pictures. Remember the feeling- this will stay with you much longer.

Use all 5 senses and just enjoy this new experience. 

EXP/G:  What do you never leave home with out?
EL:  Lipgloss!! Adventurous huh! Even when visiting Lazaro, just before we reached the village i touched up the old lipgloss for the piccies. It's my thing.
 
EXP/G:  Snow or Sand?
EL:  SNOW BUNNY!!!

www.ExplorerGirls.com / Courtney Crow

Images: Emma Lovell