While we’re normally discovering new corners of the planet or marketing Contiki’s hella amazing trips, here the global six-two and Contiki team share how they’re filling the days and still dreaming from their home countries…
1. Amy Bonifas, six-two Editor, London
Your iso experience in one sentence…
What day is it?
What’s keeping you sane?
Ordering posh rosé via Deliveroo and my partner dancing goofily around the kitchen while he makes a morning coffee. Oh, and Annie Mac’s Power Down Playlist (on BBC Sounds and Spotify). It’s the ONE for winding down in the evening.
What meal have you enjoyed recently?
Our local fish and chips. Sure, we live nowhere near the sea in South London but sometimes you just need a plate of golden food and a pint of golden beer.
What are you struggling most with?
Other than not seeing my closest family, I guess that would be ‘the calendar of cancelled plans.’ We’ve adapted as many of our celebrations as possible – from the 30th birthday garden rave to my Zoom hen do and a pizza party with my besties.
What have you learnt about yourself?
That I actually DO have the patience to puzzle, and boy is it calming.
Which destinations are you dreaming about?
I recently watched Race Across The World and it’s given me serious wanderlust. I’ve added Oaxaca’s Hierve el Agua – pale turquoise mineral pools of joy – and a Gaucho experience in Argentina to my list.
2. Tina Burke, six-two Writer, Sydney
Your iso experience in three words…
Netflix, sweatpants, strolls.
What are you struggling most with?
Sleep! I’ve enjoyed a lifetime of insomnia and right now it’s off the charts. Midday naps are my best friend.
What’s keeping you sane?
Memes. In all seriousness, seeing all the memes, viral tweets and videos has shown me that we’re all so alike and many of us are struggling with similar concerns right now. It’s comforting… and funny.
Which destination are you dreaming about?
After months inside my own house, I’m craving a bit of the great outdoors. I’m dreaming of heading back to New Zealand and ticking a few more scenic spots off my bucket list.
What are you watching and reading?
How long can one list really go on for? I’ve been watching Normal People, Schitt’s Creek, Outlander and my old favourite, Parks and Recreation. My failsafe book recommendation to you all is A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman – it’s beautiful.
What are you most grateful for?
My family and dogs. I am far too obsessed with my doggos (below) and spend a LOT of the day complimenting their fluffy paws, big stretches and cute nap poses. My phone is just dog photos right now. I’m grateful for my family because they ‘like’ and respond to the 73 dog photos I send every day.
What are you most looking forward to?
The beach! Nature walks! Weekend drives! With the bushfires and Covid-19, I feel like I didn’t do a lot of the activities I would normally do in summer and autumn here in Aus. When we’re allowed back out and about, I can’t wait to go off with my friends and family on day trips and weekend adventures.
3. Toni Ambler, CMO, Queensland (via Sydney)
What meal have you enjoyed recently?
None, I’ve just emerged from two weeks of hotel quarantine in Sydney after travelling from London, and the food was horrible!
What are you most grateful for right now?
Spending this time 24/7 with my children. The juggle of being a mum, working full-time and a school teacher is a nightmare, but I find them incredibly calming among the stress and anxiety. Their innocence always gives me a reality check at the end of every day.
What are you watching?
Frozen 2 or Moana during the day and The Last Dance in the evenings.
What are you most looking forward to?
Having some place to be.
Which destination are you dreaming about?
Italy. We were set to return to our wedding location this European summer in Positano and we usually make it to Italy every year. My heart breaks for Italy and what their tourism industry will go through as a result of this.
What’s keeping you sane?
An hour of Pilates each day to escape the madness, cups of lemon and ginger tea and Netflix binges.
4. Dom Oliver, six-two Writer, London
What are you struggling most with?
Seeing friends. Hugging friends. We have to feel grateful for the way we can connect from quarantine, but Zoom is a weak facsimile for real life. Subtle body language, touching someone’s arm while making a joke, true eye contact… these are the things I miss most. Speaking from our rows of pixelated rectangles we’re like a gallery of replica paintings: unsatisfying imitations of what makes us human.
What’s keeping you sane?
Despite that, virtual chats with friends and family are obviously keeping my head screwed on. You can’t help but dream of the future when you’ll get to experience the world with them all again. Also wine. Lots and lots of wine.
Which destination are you dreaming about?
Where am I not dreaming about? There’s something about Greece that’s so appealing to me right now. Azure waters, whitewashed buildings, bronze skin, fresh food and warm people. Colombia was on my list before all this happened, who knows if I’ll have the same intentions when we emerge.
What are you most looking forward to?
My friend taps me on the shoulder and I see beer slosh onto the table as they precariously place four pints down. The air is filled with the hum of conversation and laughter as I squint and look around me, watching the late summer sun beat down upon a classic London beer garden. I can dream, right? Don’t tell me this is a 2021 thing. Please don’t tell me that.
What are you most grateful for?
Four walls, my job, my health. But also the internet. Where would we be without it? Though saying that, I may have written a novel or something by now…
5. Lianne Chin-Fook, Marketing & Digital Strategy Manager, Toronto
Your iso experience in one sentence…
I think I’m a homebody at heart.
What meal have you enjoyed recently?
15-layer lasagna I made at home – I love cheese. Also, in true Canadian spirit, I made a homemade poutine for the first time last night.
Which destinations are you dreaming about?
Japan – I’ve always planned to return but I may bump it up a spot or two since lockdown. Anywhere in beautiful Scandinavia – I’ve heard such good things about all of these countries and I almost booked a trip there in March.
What are you listening to?
I’m big into audiobooks. I’m currently listening to: Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker (educational) and The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary (light read). I’ve also returned to old favourites from the 00’s like NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys. They always put me in a good mood.
What’s keeping you sane?
Writing (for six-two) working out at home and knitting.
What new things have you learnt about yourself?
Before lockdown, I was always and this time has given me a chance to enjoy my space at home. Living in a condo downtown can be a challenge, but your space is what you make of it. We’ve transformed our small living area into our office, workout area and a quiet place to relax. I’ve picked knitting back up, too, and I’ve improved quite a bit. I can read the stitch, fix mistakes and knit faster!
6. Dora Jokkel, Contiki Trip Manager, Budapest
Which destinations are you dreaming about?
Italy, the Austrian Alps, Croatia and the Azores.
Your iso experience in one (or three) sentences…
An emotional rollercoaster. Some days I’m making protein pancakes at 6.30am, walking 15 km and signing up for a new online course. Other days, I stay in bed, watch Too Hot To Handle on Netflix and cry about wasting my 20s in isolation.
What are you reading?
A Year in the Merde by Stephen Clarke.
What meal have you enjoyed recently?
I made a vegan Bolognese with ‘zoodles’ – which are basically zucchini noodles, a low carb substitute for pasta. You just need a veggie peeler or a spiralizer.
What are you struggling most with?
I’m having a really hard time not being able to travel and meet my friends who live in other countries.
What have you learnt about yourself?
Might be cliche but I’ve realised how many things I took for granted. Not just travelling and living abroad but small things like sitting in a cafe or going to a shop without having to wear masks and gloves.
What are you most looking forward to?
WORK! Being back on the road as a Trip Manager and being able to travel again.
7. João Cunha, Digital Designer, London
What meal have you enjoyed recently?
‘Francesinha’ (a delish Portuguese sandwich). My housemates are also from Portugal, so we’re cooking a lot of traditional food so we feel closer to home. Also, BBQ. Everything on the BBQ.
What are you watching?
Killing Eve, every single Monday no excuses. And Ru Paul’s Drag Race always makes me happy.
What are you struggling most with?
I’ve been through different stages of struggle. There were days at the beginning of this pandemic when going to the supermarket was a real challenge. When you’re terrified of something invisible that can potentially harm you and the ones you love, life can become genuinely scary. But right now my biggest struggle is the human connection. I miss spending days at the park with my friends, celebrating in the sun.
What’s keeping you sane?
Definitely exercise and dreaming of Brazil. I’ve also been doing lots of gardening as well. Spring is so beautiful and it’s the perfect time to start growing your own veggies and plants. Sowing is really satisfying – I’ve never realised how happy it makes me to witness seeds become full-grown plants!
What new thing have you learnt?
That I really enjoy doing things at home – cooking and baking were always passions of mine but now I’m also slowly becoming a horticulturist thanks to my outside space. Connecting with nature is really important and has so many benefits for our mental health.
8. Suzie Hill, Head of Marketing, London
Your iso experience in one sentence…
A wild ride.
What are you struggling most with?
Groundhog day syndrome, existential crises, and the amount of dishes that pile up now we’re eating every meal at home. Just, so many dishes. All the time.
What’s keeping you sane?
My brilliant iso-crew and online wine delivery services. I’ve also found putting on an ‘outside’ outfit every day (ok most days) is helping keep a semblance of routine in my life.
What meal have you enjoyed recently?
Freshly baked bread, Northern India-inspired curry and lasagne with slow roasted marinara sauce. I’m always dreaming about Italy so any food that takes me back is a win.
What are you most grateful for right now?
The little things I realise I used to take for granted – seeing green trees outside my window, the nasturtiums I planted last summer that are starting to bloom again, a new episode of Reply All (seriously the greatest podcast in the world. Get onto it).
What are you most looking forward to?
I’d have to say live music and going to all the rescheduled gigs and festivals once this is over!
9. Livia Neffa, Head of Email, London
What have you learnt about yourself during lockdown?
That I’m more resilient than I thought. And that exercising outdoors is much better than going to the gym.
What are you struggling most with?
Being far away from my family who live in Brazil.
What are you watching and reading?
I’ve just finished reading The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. Psychological thrillers are always my favourite. I’ve also been binge-watching Modern Family. It’s always good to laugh during these hard times.
What’s keeping you sane?
My husband, regular outdoor workouts at the park and weekly therapy sessions.
Which destination are you dreaming about?
Puglia, Italy. Hopefully I’ll be able to go before summer ends!
10. Lottie Norman, Head of Content, London
Your iso experience in one sentence…
‘Quarantinis’ have become a thing.
What meal have you enjoyed recently?
I normally eat out lots so lockdown has been a great opportunity to cook at home and experiment in the kitchen. Today’s creation has been homemade spicy tacos.Not quite as good as my fav Mexican but not bad!
What are you listening to and reading?
Lots, music has been a great way to stay motivated whilst working from home. I’ve been mainly listening to new bands, including the US group, Drama, which is a current fave. Virtual gigs and live streams have been a great distraction. When it comes to books, i’ve been reading Lady in Waiting – it’s Baroness Anne Glenconner’s autobiography. Highly recommend for anyone who loves The Crown.
What are you struggling most with?
Not being able to just pop out and see friends and family – it’s really tough. Getting through by FaceTiming my cat, Reggie, from the other room instead.
What new thing have you learnt?
How to colour my own hair. Results are questionable, I will be first at the hairdressers when they open again.
Which destination are you dreaming about?
Too many, but top of the bucket list today is the colours of Colombia in South America. I can’t wait to explore somewhere new and get immersed in a new culture again.
