Travel Tips: Money Matters
I wrote a nice long post about how much I saved (or wanted to save) for my 6 month trip to Asia based on where I was going, but there are a few general budgeting tips and recommendations I have no matter where you go.
Applying Marie Kondo to your life.
We include a lot of things in our day to day, things, rituals, people, food, work. And I don’t think I’ve ever taken a proper look at which ones spark joy versus which ones feel like a burden or responsibility that I don’t need in my life. I’ve taken a look at my life and applied the ‘Spark Joy’ principles every aspect.
Laos Guide: Crossing from Thailand
First off, there are a few ways of getting into Lao, but this post is about the crossing from Thailand into Laos via the Mekong River. The two day slow boat was a trip I won’t forget and a fun way to spend the first couple days in a new country. Check out my tips for taking the cruise and what to do.
Laos Guide: Luang Prabang
In my previous post, I wrote about my journey into Laos from Thailand. It was an unforgettable journey, and the people that I met made it all the better. Here is a quick guide on what to do in Laos from my point of view!
Travel Tips: How to Travel Light
I’ve done enough travel with carry on and backpacks to really understand the value of packing light and how to do it well. Do I always take my own advice? Not always, but when I do, I usually follow these.
Halfway done, what I’ve learned.
It both feels like yesterday that I left and I also feel like I’ve been gone for ages. I feel like I’ve already grown so much and my perspective on the world, much like every trip I take, has changed. It’s a beautiful feeling to know that you’ve grown and been able to see so much. Here are 7 things I’ve learned so far.
January Inspirations
Even though I’m traveling right now, I’m still feeling so inspired by the decor around me. I can’t wait to have home again! In the meantime, I put together a few things that are inspiring me this January including a few travel tips and things I want to learn this month.
Travel Tips: Staying Healthy
This is something I can definitely talk and write about. It’s a bit brutal, but the key is preparing yourself, especially if you’re traveling. Here are a few tips on staying healthy while traveling and what to do when you are ill!
New Year’s Resolutions 2018
December is over and your Christmas season is coming to a close. If you’re like me, you have friends that are scrambling to find NYE plans and find the best way to celebrate with others It’s that time of year again to create resolutions and find ways to improve your next year. Here are a few of mine that I set last year in my New Years Resolution post from 2017 and what I actually did.
What to Do: Hoi An
What started as a three day stop quickly turned into almost two weeks in this amazing place. I fell in love with the beach, the waves, the pedal bike rides and the laid back lifestyle of the Old Town. I fell in love with the people, the walks through town, my morning coffee, and the waterfront lunches. By far, my favourite place in Vietnam, here are a few things that I recommend when you go!
Spending Christmas Abroad.
This isn’t my first year celebrating my Christmas abroad, however it’s the first time I haven’t had a Christmas at home. I’m somewhat sad about it since I do love Christmas, but I did prep for it by writing Christmas cards before I left, and wishing everyone love before I left. Here are a few ways to celebrate the holidays when you’re abroad
What to Do: Sa Pa
First off, Sa Pa is this city/town, with surrounding towns that make up a northwestern part of Vietnam. Laying very close to the Chinese border, this place takes a bit to get to from Hanoi, but it’s well worth it to escape the city and be immersed in a bit of culture.
What to Do: Ha Long Bay
Now, after arriving at my hostel in Hanoi, I was overwhelmed with the amount of trips that were offered, everyone from your front desk, to tour company, to shack by the side of the road had tours they could book for you, and they promised they had the most exclusive deal. I’m going to start off this post with a few tips on finding the right tour and what you can expect to pay!
What to Do: Hanoi
I don't know about you, but I love hostel travel. I've been spoiled in meeting great people and hanging out with them during my stays and I end up becoming long term friends with a lot of them. I lucked out in Hanoi, staying in the Old Quarter at the Old Quarter View Hostel, right in the heart of the happenings of Hanoi and right where all the food and activity was.
Long Term Travel Checklist
So you've booked a long term trip and you're excited to leave. Now what! There are probably a million and one things that you have to do and think about before leaving, especially if you're considering not coming back, or there are other options out there for you that you want to take advantage of!
What they don’t tell you when you go long-term traveling
I’ve gone on quite a few trips, and every time I leave things change and I’m never prepared for it. I am terrible with change (i’m working on it), but here are a few things that I’ve noticed no one tells you about when you traveling.
Visas in SE Asia
In preparation for my trip out to SE Asia, i've been researching which countries I'll need a Visa for and how long can you travel around those countries before requiring a visa if possible. Please keep in mind these might change and fluctuate, so click on the countries included to go to their government sites!
Loss of a Friend
As I write this, I have just found out a close friend of mine had passes away suddenly. I’ve been told “you’ll get used to it”, “things will get better as you get older”, “you’ll eventually get used to it when people you know start to pass”. This isn’t my first friend to pass away suddenly at a young age, and it hasn’t seemed that it hurts any less. Here is a personal post with just a few thoughts on young loss.
Long Term Travel: Budgeting in SE Asia
Although I love to travel, I've only spent 2-3 weeks here there and everywhere, but I try and go somewhere far off once or twice a year. Budgeting for both is difficult. You have to take into account the cost of traveling often, flights, whether you splurge because you're only somewhere for a few weeks, or need to stretch out your savings over a long period of time, and so many little things.
Turning 27
This year I'm turning 27, and I'm not going to lie, it scares me. I'm entering into my late 20's and I feel like I still don't have anything figured out. I don't have long-term plans and I don't have any short term goals.
But I really thought about it, and 27 is a year to really figure out what I want in life. It's a year that I can spend really figuring out what I want to do, where I want to live, where I want to go and who I want to surround myself with.
