Get In the Hot Spot with Australian Travel Blogger Annabel Candy

Uluru travel tips and things to do

Get In the Hot Spot is for travel loving women aged 40+ who want to be more adventurous, have more fun and feel fabulous. I’m here to help you stay active and live your dream at any age.

Being adventurous doesn’t mean you have go skydiving! Adventure can just mean getting out of your comfort zone or changing your routine. Either way you’ll shake things up and feel more energised.

Listed by Feedspot as one of the Top 50 blogs in Australia, Get In the Hot Spot covers a range of travel interests including:

  • Adventure travel, like hiking or biking holidays;
  • Eco-travel, nature and wildlife;
  • Luxury travel and spa breaks;
  • Family travel;
  • Girl’s getaways for time out from the kids;
  • Noosa and the Sunshine Coast because I’m a local;
  • Food and cultural experiences;
  • World travel (of course!).

guided Walk in the Rocky Mountains

I’m Annabel Candy: copywriter, travel blogger, self-employed mum and delightful misfitMost people love travel but I’ve designed my life around it; so far I’ve lived in eight countries and traveled to over 40.

I started Get In the Hot Spot when I moved to Australia in 2010 to share my passion for travel and now have over 126,000 happy readers a year.

My writing’s been featured in print in Australia and overseas and on some of the biggest blogs in the world including Gadling, Zen Habits and the Huffington Post.

Life’s been good to me and I practice daily gratitude but there have been tough times too including battles with depression and a recent midlife crisis I tried to overcome by doing a different exercise every week for a whole year. PhewYou can read more about it in the 52 Exercises Quest.

I cover both the good and the bad here because life isn’t one long holiday (although I wish it was!) so we have to deal with everything it throws at us. But the focus is always on travel, adventure and having fun because that’s what I want more of in life.

Would You Like to Get In the Hot Spot?

Get In the Hot Spot is a seriously fun travel and lifestyle blog where you can escape with travel stories and personal writing and get inspiration and tips to stay healthy so you’re ever-ready for adventure plan your next escape.

My travel blog is called Get In the Hot Spot because:

  • A hot spot is a lively, exciting place.
  • Putting yourself in the hot spot means challenging yourself.
  • I want everyone to enjoy life in their own personal hot spot.

Together we’re a winning team and I’m your personal cheer leader helping you get fitter than ever before and bring your travel and adventure dreams to life.

Above all I promise to write blog posts that are uplifting and inspirational, that fit your travel or adventure goals and are easy for you to copy if you’d like to follow in my footsteps.

Join 24,000+ Followers Now

Subscribe now for free weekly email updates so you don’t miss the hot stuff.

More about Annabel Candy, Australian Travel Blogger and Travel Writer

Annabel Candy completes the Stampede muddy obstacle race in BrsibaneMy twenties were dedicated to travel, my thirties to parenting and, during my forties, I’m focusing on travel writing and helping other people live their travel dreams. Here are a few facts about me.

I work from home on the stunning Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. I’m not a true Aussie (I have British and New Zealand passports) but I enjoy living in Noosa, a famous Australian holiday resort that’s a popular holiday spot for the rich and famous. Sir Richard Branson owns an island here but we don’t hang out together much!

Noosa by Australian Travel Writer and Blogger Annabel Candy

I work for myself. My husband Rich and I set up our business in 1998 when I was pregnant with our first child. We run a web and blog design company called Mucho because Rich wanted to be the Mucho Man. We design websites for small business owners and specialize in digital travel marketing. We’d love to design your blog or website and you can also hire me as a copywriter, freelance writer or for hot digital marketing advice. If so email [email protected] now to get the conversation started.

I’m a professional writer: I love all types of writing especially freelance travel writing and web copywriting.

I love learning and have two degrees: a BA in French and English and an MA in Design for Interactive Media  which I scored in 1996 making me an accidental digital marketing pioneer.

I wrote Successful Blogging in 12 Simple Steps to help other small business owners tap into the power of blog marketing.

I’m a great escape artist: I was born in the UK and have lived in the USA, France, Zimbabwe, Laos, New Zealand, Costa Rica and AustraliaWe lived in an over-the-water house in Bocas del Toro Island in Panama for a month too which was sensational but I don’t count that. I’ve traveled in Europe, the Middle East, South East Asia, North America, Africa, India, Central America, Australasia and the Pacific Islands. I really want to visit South America too. 

Panama by Australian Travel Writer and Blogger Annabel Candy

I’m married with kids: We have two boys and a girl. Our lads are at high school now and living with teenagers is another adventure altogether.

Learning to surf at 40 (+!) and loving itI like a challenge: I’ve tried white water rafting and bungee jumping. I learnt to surf when I turned 40 and I skydived aged 45. In a word. Eeeek.

I’m living my dream: My childhood dream was to be a writer, live by the sea and have children. I now live in a tropical climate near stunning beaches and divide my time between writing, family and enjoying nature. Don’t hate me, you can do it too.

I’m obsessed with positive ageing: Life’s been fun but I believe the best is yet to come and hope I never settle down permanently. I still have many outstanding travel dreams on my travel bucket list including more travel around Australia, to South America, Central America and Asia, and a deep yearning to return to Africa and Europe. I know that will happen in the fullness of time.

Strange but true! More random facts about me:

  • Annabel Candy baby photoI’m a crazy cat lady.
  • I was a fat baby and a skinny kid who grew up in the countryside and who’s best friend was a chicken called Penelope.
  • I love languages and will murder any language when I’m travelling because it’s so fun speaking in foreign tongues.
  • When I go on press trips under dietary requirements I always write ‘must eat chocolate at least twice day’. I’m serious. I love it. Especially Terry’s Chocolate Oranges, Mint Aeros, chocolate gingers, posh truffles and Moser Roth dark mint chocolate (from Aldi) which, despite my best intentions about eating Paleo and sugar-free, I gobble several bars of every single day.
  • I’m incredibly nosy and convinced you’re way more interesting than me.
  • I’d (still!) like to write a book one day.

Thank You for Joining Me at Get In the Hot Spot

australian travel write and blogger annabel candy at UluruI’m excited about helping you be more adventurous, have more fun and feel fabulous.

Subscribe now for free weekly email updates and I’ll help make your travel dreams come true.

Happy travels!

x Annabel
_______
Annabel Candy
– Member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers
– Founder of Get In the Hot Spot
– Best Inspirational Travel Blog 2014 – HotelClub
– Finalist for Best Digital Contribution 2014 – Australian Travel Writing Awards

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

19 Comments

  1. Kathi April 23, 2009 at 7:59 pm

    Hi Annabel,

    I just found your blog through an expat forum. Thanks for giving me a glimpse of what life would/could be for us. My husband and I consider moving abroad in about 2 to 3 years, we’ll see. We currently live in Austria, my husband is from Germany. He’s a technical engineer (chemist) and I’ve a degree in communications, working as a marketing assistant in tourism. Australia would be my husbands first choice (he’s been there a few years ago), but as far as I just know it from TV documentaries/movies and travel magazines, we have to see and wait until we can visit this beautiful land one day to make a choice.

    I’ve searched the Internet today quite a bit for visa information and it seems pretty hard to get into Australia with this point system. Is it really that tough? How is the job market really?

    Wish you a happy weekend from almost the other end of the world,

    Kathi

  2. getlostwithlozza June 5, 2009 at 11:38 am

    Hey Annabel just wanted to say a big thank you for all your comments and links on twitter. You have inspired me to pick up my pen again and start writing down all the crazy ideas I have for stories, one of them is even starting to take form.
    Thanks again and keep up the great fun comments you have certainly helped me.
    Cheers :)

  3. snow white June 19, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    Well well what an amazing character you are and what a fantastic life you’ve been leading. All those countries and all those experiences amazing and thoroughly enjoyed reading. My first time on a plane was two years ago on emigrating to the gold coast lol. I’ve never lived have I????
    Anyway just wanted to say hi and no doubt will be back a few times more yet to read some more of your adventures.

  4. Eric Richardville June 26, 2009 at 4:24 pm

    I love your blog. Your stories are funny and intellectual. Your life has been full of adventure. Thank you for the inspiration that you bring and for all the great post you write.

    • Annabel Candy April 24, 2009 at 11:31 am

      Hi Kathi,

      Thanks for your comment on In the Hot Spot. It’s great to hear it gave you a glimpse of what your life would be like in Australia.

      Unfortunately I don’t have much information on the points system for immigration but I think it helps if you are under 45 years old. You can find more information at the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship website http://www.immi.gov.au/immigration/

      As for the job market. I think it will be as tough here as it is in many places around the world at the moment. I have been hearing that some recent immigrants are going back home because they cannot find work and it is hard in a new country without a network and contacts. Very sad.

      The best thing I can say is do your research thoroughly and follow your dream when the time is right. If you and your husband are able to visit for a while that would be the best way to find out if it would be the right move for you.

      Please don’t forget to subscribe to my website as I am just starting out. To subscribe follow this link:

      http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=http/inthehotspotwordpresscom&loc=en_US

      I know some people are concerned about privacy but here are three great reasons to subscribe:

      1. You’ll know when In the Hot Spot is updated and if it sounds interesting you can then revisit this site.
      2. Your email address will be kept private. Yes, I promise it will not be shared with anyone. Ever. I guarantee you privacy and will never send you any spam. Just an email from me when In the Hot Spot is updated. In the perfect world this would be daily but realistically it will probably be less often.
      3. You can unsubscribe at any time.

      Many thanks again for your comments and good luck with all your travel plans!

  5. Darrin August 16, 2009 at 9:54 pm

    You are a character …..love it!!!

  6. Joe Hartman November 7, 2009 at 10:31 am

    Hey, I just wanted to say I saw your guest post on Zen Habits, and although the post about decluttering my house didn’t interest me, I checked out your blog and it looks amazing! The goals you have of travel and writing are similar to mine, although you have gotten further on them than me. Your current dream of living on a beach, surfing, taking care of your kids, and writing sounds so amazing. I subscribed, and keep it up.

  7. hellen November 7, 2009 at 6:13 pm

    Hi Annabel,

    I just found your blog through zenhabits and I really love your articles.

    Your stories are very Inspiring.

    Thank you for your sharing.

    BTW, I’m a Chinese girl.

  8. Kelsey November 13, 2009 at 5:23 am

    Annabel,
    I found your blog through your guest post on ProBlogger. Great blog– I’m so impressed that you and your family followed your dream and lived in Costa Rica! I someday hope to do the same thing with Greece, maybe for a summer.

  9. Michael Kennerley November 15, 2009 at 5:03 am

    Just browsing, stopped, read, liked, subscribed! It was that easy and quite by accident. Nothing starts without a dream coming first, and then acting on it. I admire people who have done that and are doing just that. Congratulations. Keep on doing – and don’t stop writing.

  10. Chartreuse December 7, 2009 at 1:05 pm

    Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog, Annabel, and for introducing me to yours. We’re nearly neighbours on the Coast, so it’s good to know you’re out there. And I see ‘Laos’ in your travel background! We lived there for several years while working on aid projects, and I hope to get back there again one day. I’ll certainly be following your blog. If you’ve seen mine, you will know that we can use a few positive messages at the end of a tough year. It certainly helps that we live in one of the world’s most beautiful spots!

  11. Hellen February 1, 2010 at 9:57 pm

    Hi Annabel, I’m the blogger of Coffeelife. I noticed your comment in Coffeelife and google translation translated English into Chinese very well.
    It’s very funny. I love your blog and hope that more Chinese netizens are inspired from your articles.

  12. Hellen February 1, 2010 at 9:58 pm

    Hi Annabel,

    I’m the blogger of Coffeelife.
    I noticed your comment in Coffeelife and google translation translated English into Chinese very well.
    It’s very funny.

    I love your blog and hope that more Chinese netizens are inspired from your articles.

  13. Mick February 27, 2010 at 5:39 pm

    Annabel,
    Love the site.
    You obviously love what you doing and it shows.
    I will definitely be an avid reader.
    Looking forward to catching up next month.

  14. Jerry April 10, 2010 at 6:01 am

    Hi Annabel,
    Great site! I blog sporadically and came across one of your articles at ProBlogger. Thanks for working so hard to put out quality writing that enriches peoples’ lives.

    -Jerry

  15. Imran Anwar April 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm

    Saw your guest post in a writing feed I subscribe to. Clicked to follow @JohnBirmingham you mention in there and credited your @inthehotspot ID mentioned on your blog but, FYI, Twitter reports that as a non-existent ID.

    IMRAN

    • Annabel Candy April 17, 2010 at 2:23 pm

      Thank you, I just changed my Twitter name from inthehotspot to getinthehotspot:) Should be working now!

Comments are closed.

24,248 Followers

We Love:

Hamilton Island