Category: Travel

Nusa Lembongan – Bali

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, here I am back in the tropics. Back in my natural habitat.
Yes, those who know me well, know that I am at my happiest where it’s hot.

Almost 2 weeks ago we landed in Bali for a 4-week vacation. It is kind of a strange vacation because, to be honest, I feel like I leave here. As soon as we stepped out of the airport I was welcomed by the unmistakable smell of Bali. Incense and frangipani…a bit of pollution as well but hey that was ignored for a moment.

I had teary eyes on our taxi ride from the airport to our accommodation in Sanur, only 20 minutes away. While feeling happy, free and liberated, I felt the old self me.

Nusa Lembongan, Little Paradise

As I write this, I am sitting outside our home, for the time being, a cosy bungalow in Nusa Lembongan a small island only a few kilometres from the south-east coast of Bali.

It is very easy to get to Nusa Lembongan by speedboat from Bali. There are many services departing throughout the day from the north of Sanur beach provided by several operators.

We picked Sunrise speedboats. Actually, we did not have much of a choice as we were lead there by a friendly local. We paid 550,000 Rupiah each for an open return ticket that includes pick up and drop off from/to your hotel.

Prices are very similar to all the operators. They range between 500,000 and 550,000 Rupiah return and they all include pick up and drop off to/from your accommodation.

It takes approximately 30 minutes to reach Nusa Lembongan.

A Comfortable Home

We arrived at Jungutbatu, the main village on the Island, and then transported on a local transport to our accommodation, Kubu Homestay, only a few minutes walk from Mushroom Bay and just around the corner from Sunset point.

We love it here. Komang and Kadek, our hosts, and their 3 lovely children are wonderful and very welcoming. They make sure their guests have a good time. There is a nice view of the sea just behind some empty land opposite the guest house, which makes me think that probably in no time there will be some other property built on it obstructing the view.

One of the reasons why we picked Kubu Sunset is because there is a pool. It is perfect to chill out when returning from the beach in the afternoon.

It does not feel like a holiday. In fact, it is not a holiday. It is a home for now. Let’s say we relocated here for few weeks. At the end of the day, home is where you park your bags.

Click here to check availability at Kubu Sunset and claim your €15 discount on your stay! It’s a gift from me, everybody loves a discount.

Have you been to Nusa Lembongan? Share your thoughts and experience in the comments 🙂

21/05/2018
Multi-day Hike Essentials for Hiking in New Zealand
Before setting off on a multi-day hike, there are several important multi-day hike essentials you need to organise.

Hiking is such a good way to stay healthy. Dom and I have just done a 5-day hike of the Abel Tasman National Park in the South Island. We wanted to be prepared for any eventuality, consequently, we spent a few weeks thinking about and researching what to bring with us.

Since it is winter here in New Zealand, we had to consider warm clothes and the what ifs in case of heavy rain etcetera. We did not want to have to carry super heavy backpacks either, therefore we had to choose items that would not have had a huge impact on the weight.

Remember, those multi-day hike essentials should be essentials. Think about what you really need to survive those days rather than what you would like to have with you.

There are huts and campsites along the hiking traks. Dom and I stayed in the huts because it was very cold.

Multi-day Hike Essentials List

Comfortable and good quality boots

Your boots need to be your priority. You will be walking a lot, therefore you need comfortable boots. Best if they are high up to your ankle. You also want to make sure they are waterproof. You do not want wet and sore feet because they will make your walk miserable.

A light and comfortable backpack

I have an awesome backpack. It is light, small and super comfortable on the back. I am a small person (1.52mt at the most and quite slim), the last thing you want if you are a pint-sized woman is a bulky and heavy backpack. My backpack of choice is an Osprey Kestrel 58 which is already 4 years old. I looked online and could not find it anymore, but you can still easily find an Osprey Kestrel 48 (identical to the one I have just a little bit smaller) or a Kestrel 68. They come with a rain cover which is a great add-on.

A cosy and warm sleeping bag

If you are are hiking during winter or in a place where it might get cold at night, a good quality warm sleeping bag is definitely one of the must-have multi-day hike essentials.

Thermal undergarments

These are a must if you are hiking in cold weather. Make sure to have two changes of merino wool (preferably) or polypropylene tops and leggings (just in case one gets wet or smelly). Wool is 100 times better as it does not smell and it does not seem to get wet either. If it does, it will dry fast. To be honest, I used the same merino top under my fleece for the whole 5 days and it was perfect. Remember as long as your core is dry and warm, the rest does not matter.

A change of clothes to wear in the night

If you get wet during the walk, the last thing you want is to stay wet throughout the night. Bring a spare change of clothes to change into.

Wolly or thermal hiking socks

Again, you want to take care of your feet. Count these in your multi-day hike essentials; remember happy feet happy you. Bring one pair of socks per day just to make sure you have enough. You can wear a good pair of wool socks for a couple of days.

Waterproof jacket with hoodie

Just in case it rains, you want something to help you stay dry. An emergency poncho is also handy.

Towel

Pack a micro fibre fast drying towel. It does not take much room in your backpack and it dries fast.

Camping gas cooker and cooking utensils and pots

You just need a simple gas cooker, one small pot and a cup plus a couple of spoons. A swiss army knife is also very handy.

Food

This is the fuel of your multi-day hike essentials. I can guarantee you that you will be hungry. Yet, you do not want to have a backpack stuffed with heavy foods, hence you have to choose your food wisely. You need food that will fill you up and give you energy:
- lots of nuts and dried fruit
- instant porridge sachets
- packs of dry meals (very light to carry and they do not require cooking. Just add hot water to bring them back to life) and sachets of precooked rice for dinner
- coffee bags
- bread rolls, salame and cheese for lunch
- chocolate
- energy bars
Bring food for each day of the hike plus one day of extra food, just in case you encounter delays.

Water

Bring a bottle of water for the walk. Make sure to pack tablets for treating water as well. There is drinking water in most huts and camping sites but it is better to prepare yourself in case there isn’t.

Torch and candles and matches/lighter

Be sure to pack these items. There is usually no electricity in the huts and campsites, therefore it will be very useful to have them. There are normally wood burners in the hut. Do not forget matches or a lighter to start a fire.

Toilet paper and rubbish bags

Most of the huts and campsites have toilet paper, but just in case bring a roll with you. You also need to take rubbish away with you, make sure you have rubbish bags.

Final Thoughts on multi-day hike essentials

These are basically your multi-day hike essentials. Finally, if you have more room, you might want to consider some nice to have items. These might be playing cards, a Kindle rather than a book (for the evenings), a bottle of wine (we had one for the first night), camera, binoculars, pen and paper.

Prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure and most of all lots of fun. Probably it will be one of your best adventures.

Have you done a multi-day hike? What are your thoughts and suggestions? Feel free to comment below or contact me using the contact form.

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22/08/2017
5 Reasons For Travelling – Why Travelling is good for you
There are many reasons for travelling. Travelling is indeed one of the best things (if not the best thing) in the world.

Once you start travelling you get hooked. It is like a drug; the more you do it, the more you want to do it. There is no way of travelling that is better than another one. We are all individual different people, and we all have different
taste and wishes.

We all choose what makes us happy and what best satisfies our travel bud. Whether it is adventurous travel, backpacking, luxury travel, cruises and so on, travelling will always bring joy and fulfilment to the people involved.

I remember when I started travelling/backpacking back in 2002. I used to go around the world by myself, hooking up with cool travellers; it didn’t matter where I was sleeping as long as it was cheap (after all I did not even sleep that much!)

Travelling opened my eyes and my mind to a new world and shaped me into the person I have become. I enjoy living a laid back adventurous life that puts me in contact with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

Some things that are normal for me, some people cannot even begin to grasp the concept of them. For example, using a bum gun in Asia instead of toilet paper. When I told this to my folks back home they looked at me in disgust. They do not actually realize that it is far more hygienic and ecologic than using toilet paper. I think everywhere in the world people should use bum guns.

Or another example, eating sat on the floor with legs crossed. I love it! Every night in my own home I sit on the floor cross legs and eat my dinner Thai style. If you do this in the civilized world people think you grew up in the jungle! Let alone eating with your hands 🙂

Thes are just some small example of behavioural changes in your personality once you start living a nomadic simple life. Less is more. You realize that you do not actually need much stuff to live and most important you do not need stuff to make you happy.

Even though I am living in Auckland at the moment, I totally refuse to get sucked into what society normally do. The only material things I purchased since being here are some winter woolly clothes just because I really did not want to die of hypothermia or freeze to death.

5 Reasons for Travelling (But Honestly There are Hundreds!)

1) Travelling is fun, exciting and it gives you freedom

Freedom is for me the most important thing. There is nothing like the feeling of not belonging anywhere and to be able to pack your bags and leave whenever you want. The feeling of excitement you get from travelling is fantastic. There is so much to do and to see and it will surely be fun. This is surely one of the best reasons for travelling.

2) Travelling grows your self-confidence and self-esteem

You might not believe this, but everything is possible when you travel. Especially if you find yourself in a tricky situation where you have no one to help you. You find strengths and resources that you did not know you had.
It is all in the mind. When there’s a will there’s a way. You will be surprised by how much self-growth you will achieve from travelling.

3) Travelling is good for your health

This must be among the best reasons. Traveling is good for both your physical and mental health. In a couple of occasions, I went travelling when I was not in a good mental place and I came out at the other end like a new person. Travelling heals you; partly because, as above, you start believing in yourself more but also because you get to see what our beautiful world offers and your mind focuses on all the beauties of why this life is worth to be lived.

Physically, travelling makes you stronger. This is possibly one of the greatest reasons for travelling. You are always walking with your backpack and probably spend a lot of time walking from place to place, hiking, swimming, scuba diving maybe and possibly running. You will be super fit with no need to join a gym. The beauties of nature will be your workouts playground.

4) You will meet a lot of like-minded people

This is probably the more obvious but it is worth mentioning. If you are a solo traveller you don’t need to worry. You will come across to hips of people like you that want to meet other people, make friends and have a good time. I remember when I used to travel solo I never carried a travel guide (when I started there were no smart phones and the internet was not so widely available either). I just used to talk with people and listen to their recommendation. If I was meeting someone that was going to a place that sounded cool, I would join in and go along. You can do the same as a couple. Dom and I really enjoy hooking up with other people, we do not keep to ourselves when we travel.

Don’t worry if you are a little shy. There are plenty shy people travelling, I am one myself.

5) You open your eyes to other realities

This can be sometimes a bit hard, but it is good to come across to the reality of other cultures and countries. It is not always roses what you will see. You will see poverty, overworked people and probably even child labour.
Unfortunately, those are real things and you will come across to them if travelling in poorer countries. It will make more aware of what is happening and maybe you might feel inspired to do something to help.

Where to Next?

Our next adventure will be two weeks in New Zealand South Island including a 5 days hike of the Abel Tasman National Park. I am very excited, the walk is approximately 60 km along the coastline. It is winter here, so it will probably be a little cold and we might encounter rain. But it is all part of the fun, isn’t it?

Stay tuned for updates on tips for a multi-day hike and tips on hiking the Abel Tasman Great Walk in the winter.

Why are you travelling, what are your reasons for travelling, what was your best experience so far? Feel free to comment and share.

Have you Decided on Your Next Destination Yet?

Click on the picture below to find amazing deals on your next destination!

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27/07/2017
Live in Someone Else’s Home – Book Airbnb
More people seem to book Airbnb accommodation more often. If you are travelling on a budget but enjoy staying in comfortable accommodation, or if you are a nomad enjoying living in other people’s houses, you have probably already heard of Airbnb.

Airbnb has been quickly taking over the old school way of staying in hotels or hostels. More and more travellers are now choosing to book Airbnb accommodation.

Dom and I have often opted for Airbnb accommodation while travelling because it is a way to really feel at home. You just need to rock up with your backpack, unpack, put your feet up and relax.

The difference with an Airbnb accommodation is that you are staying in real fully furnished houses with all the comforts you need for a fraction of a hotel price. Ok, some houses can be expensive but it all depends on what you are looking for.

Many people have decided to live in Airbnb accommodation as a lifestyle. You basically do not have to buy anything to make a house your home, because someone has already done that for you to enjoy.

If you are not signed up with Airbnb yet, click on the image below to register and get a GREAT DISCOUNT on your first booking! Book Airbnb now.

If you are a couple, a group of friends or even a family, your best bet is to rent an entire house or apartment. Usually, there is a good price reduction on longer stay such as a month and over.

If you are a solo traveller or you simply want to meet new exciting people, you can opt for renting a private or shared room in a house.

I did that when I travelled solo to Miami. I stayed in a very nice apartment where I met a bunch of other really cool traveller and the owner was just an incredible host with a super friendly dog.

Why You Should Choose to Book Airbnb

#1 As soon as you walk in you feel like at home

That’s it! Someone else has already made your bed and you have all the basic you need.

#2 You do not need to purchase any superfluous stuff

Normally if you want to stay in a place for a longer time (for examples several months), you are most likely to have to purchase items for the kitchen including cooking utensils, pots, and pans. Here you don’t need to because they are already there for you. Normally you also get bed linens and towels! So when you leave again you do not have to worry about selling stuff or moving it with you.

#3 No bills to pay

Forget about electricity and/or gas bills or internet. They are already taken care of and included in the rental fee. You only need the password for the wifi and you are all set.

#4 No need to clean up

If you like me do not like house chores, normally these Airbnb places have a cleaner included in the rental rate. They will come and clean the apartment/house for you and even change your bed sheets.

These are only a few of the benefits of staying at an Airbnb accommodation.

In conclusion, there is only one way to find out all the other benefits that an Airbnb stay will give you. Sign up to Airbnb now and discover the great benefits of living in someone else’s home.

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13/04/2017
5 Tips for an Easier Relocation to Civilization

As some of you already know, Dom and I have recently relocated to New Zealand for awhile. We are currently living in Auckland.

This is the first time I live in a first world country in almost 8 years! The change has been drastic.

We took the decision to move to New Zealand while we were still in Tulum. It was a very last minute choice, we did not have much time to plan ahead.

Dom was offered a business opportunity that he decided to take, so we packed our bags and within almost no time we arrived in Kiwi land.

We were welcomed by rain and cold which persisted for months! Not a great start. On the other hand, it was great to be reunited with Dom’s family. Being around them was like a spot of sunshine in a land of mist.

I did not have any winter clothes and I refused to buy some! I was dressing in layers, onion style, to try keeping warm and I would’t leave my spot on a chair attached to the heater.

To be honest, up to now I still haven’t bought any winter clothes. Soon I will have to accept the fact that I will have to get ready for winter. I thought I had erased that word from my vocabulary forever.

Relocating to a new place is never easy. It takes time to adjust and to get used to the new environment and customs. It is especially difficult if the relocation does not involve tropical beaches, warm ocean, hippie lifestyle,
scuba diving and minimal clothing.

And it is even more difficult if the relocation is to a big city like Auckland and you do not like living in a city.

Oh my goodness! For me it was a proper culture shock! I had gone from living in hippy Tulum to a civilized and expensive “normal” world. I literally felt like Tarzan when he got taken out of his jungle and put in the city.

All I could think was: “Put me back where I was!” I feel like a fish out of water.

We have been here almost five months and I am still not entirely settled. New Zealand is a beautiful country but far from my idea of living my kind of lifestyle.

It takes time to fit in and to find your way in a new place, especially if at first glance it does not offer what you are looking for.

Changes are good anyway. Sometimes it’s good to do things you would not normally do to improve your way of life, knowledge and skills.

I have started to concentrate on things I always wanted to do but always found excuses not to. For example, since being in New Zealand I have started to develop my idea of working freelance from home.

I joined a freelancers’ website and really committed to follow through with this project. Now I am getting regular clients asking me for articles and translations. I am also occasionally doing some Social Media Manager work and I am working on improving my website developer skills.

These are great ways to start a life as a digital nomad, which means next time I will be on the move I will be able to sustain my living by working from a computer. And more important I will be able to live anywhere without having to worry about finding a physical job.

Even a situation that might not seem ideal at the moment, will turn out to be a productive and positive one. Patience is needed. I have to admit that most of the times when it comes to reaching my goals, I do not have patience. I want it all and now!

Here are my 5 tips to help easing the difficulties when relocating to civilization.

1) Keep an open mind – Try not to have expectations. It is good to have an idea of what it will be like, but at the same time leave your mind open. Do not set high expectations because if things are different from what you thought you will end up disappointed.

My idea of New Zealand was the one I made up in my mind when I came visiting in 2013. Of course the situation was different; I was on holiday, exploring and I knew I was here only for few months.

This time I came here for living, well at least for a while. It is a totally different story.

2) Focus on positive things – Ok, there are many things you might not like in your new settings, but surely you will find many things you like as well. Think about the little things you were missing in the old place and that you can now find in your new “civilized” country.

It could be anything, from a bottle of your favourite wine to a moisturizing lotion made from only pure natural ingredients found in nature. I can’t get enough of Sauvignon Blanc. New Zealand has the best one.

I know it might sound silly but at the end of the day is the little things that count.

3) Take up a new hobby (or pick up an old one you left aside) and discover new passions – Yes, why not? Depending on what the environment offers, you can choose your new hobby. You might not even have to spend any money on it.

I took up running again and loving it! It is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and to keep fit at the same time. I used to run many years ago and then stopped. I tried to run a few times in Mexico but it was way too hot and not enjoyable at all.

New Zealand is perfect for it, bonus!

I have also ordered some canvas, oil colours and a set of paint brushes so I can start painting again. I used to do it often and I was getting good at it, then I stopped. Actually they just arrived today; I will soon put my Dali’ skills into action.

4) Be patient – It will take time to get settled and organize the basic of your new life. Give yourself time. There will be days when you just want to pack your bags and jet off to a tropical beach far away from everything. Hang in there.

Close your eyes, breath and remind yourself why you decided to make this move. If you made this choice, it must have been for a good cause.

5) Make the most of it – It is easier to say it rather than do it, but it is possible to make the most of a situation that does not seem ideal to start with.

Find your strength, look around with different eyes and most of all chill out and smile. It will come the time when you will proudly say: “I made it!”.

Whatever the reason and the length of your relocation will be, surely it will be a positive experience.

Patience is the virtue.

Having said that, I think I will always be a nomad. Some people are just born this way, it must be in the DNA.

Nowadays you can buy DIY home testing for many things. I should consider one for testing my DNA, maybe my ancestors were true wanderers from all corners of the Globe.

Do you have an experience to share? Drop me a line or post a comment below, I would love to hear about your experience.

26/01/2017
Things to do While Traveling in Mexico
Things to do while Traveling in Mexico

Mexico is one of the most amazing countries to visit. It offers a variety of landscapes and activities that are often difficult to find in just one place.

There is something to do for everybody. Whether you are looking for some hiking adventures, history and culture, breathtaking landscapes, thrilling surf or world class scuba diving, Mexico will be your perfect playground.

If you have a couple of months available or more, you might want to consider traveling the whole country to experience all that Mexico has to offer. If your time is limited, choose an area or itinerary that best suits your needs.
1. Scuba dive in the Sea of Cortez: There are more than 3,000 marine species including Hammerhead Sharks, Sea Lions and Sting Rays just to name a few.
1. The Copper Canyon Railway: The track starts at Los Mochis and crosses some of the most rugged lads in Mexico. The views will be breathtaking.
1. Play Casino Games at Night. There are plenty of casinos you can visit and gamble in Mexico. This is one of the best ways to spend your nights. You can learn how to play in the casinos by practicing in online casino sites as you travel with a bus in Mexico. By the way bus is a great way to travel through Mexico.
1. Indulge yourself in culture in Mexico City: There are plenty museums and parks to visit.
1. Surf the waves in Puerto Escondido: This town on the Pacific Coast is home to amazing waves. Every year it hosts a famous international surf competition.
1. Hike the Selva Lacandona in Chiapas: You can organize a few days hiking in the tropical rainforest. There are several operators in San Cristobal that can arrange guided tours.
1. Eat local food and drink Tequila and Mezcal: Mexico has some of the best food in the world and of course it is the home of Tequila and Mezcal. Indulge yourself!
1. Discover the Cenotes of Quintana Roo and Yucatan: This is the only place in the world where you will find these underground caves/sinkholes filled with fresh water. If you are a certified scuba diver, do not miss the chance of a unique scuba experience.
1. Dive the reefs of Cozumel Island: This is another of the top scuba diving places in the world. Deep dives, drift dives and amazing visibility will take you into a different world.
1. Snorkel with the Whale Sharks: If you are visiting from June to mid-September do not miss your chance to swim with these gentle giants. They can be found off the coast of Isla Holbox and Isla Contoy.
Bus is a great way to travel through Mexico. ADO offers a great service connecting the Country. Some overnight journeys can be very long. Playing online casino games is a great past time when not sleeping.
05/01/2017