My experience of picking up hitchhikers, and why we should be more willing to embrace helping out our fellow travellers.
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Backpack relationships
Holiday relationships. So many of us have had them, right? But does the significance of them change when the holiday isn’t a holiday, but a backpack trip? I wrote this post a day before learning that a man with whom I’d had a very short backpack ‘fling’ had died, only a few days before. After returning from the trip on which I met him, we kept in touch for over a year. This June he was supposed to visit me as an add on to a family trip. A month before, he cancelled. Turns out, he knew about his illness but was too stubborn to tell anyone. I dedicate this…
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How to get a Couchsurfing host to say yes
Couchsurfing is undoubtedly one of the best thing to happen for budget travellers. This guide should help you secure the host you want.
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Bucket list locations: Robot restaurant, Bangkok
The robot restaurant in Bangkok is a 'must do' destination for travellers in Thailand.
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Bucket list locations: Oasis, Huacachina, Peru
The tiny desert oasis of Huacachina, Peru, has some of the most breathtaking sand dunes in the world.
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Bucket list locations: White temple, Chiang Rai
The White temple (Wat Rong Khun), in Chiang Rai, Thailand, is possibly one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture I’ve ever seen. The worst bit? I only got to visit it by chance, when my connection bus on the way to the Thai border made a stop there. I’d heard about it, but hadn’t been ‘sold it’ enough to make the journey to see it. I’m going to try make the sell to you now!!!! The temple is actually privately owned, after a local artist decided to fund the rebuilding of the very run down structure, using his own money. He now intends for the area adjacent to the…
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24 hours in Puebla, Mexico
Puebla is one of Mexico’s biggest cities, located just a couple of hours South East of Mexico City (check out my Mexico City 3-day guide). Usually missed out in favour of some of the better known tourist locations, Puebla is only a 3 hour bus journey from the capital. I was fortunate enough to be taken on an overnight trip to find out what was so special about this Spanish colonial city. Here’s why you should too… Mexican Street of Colour Situated near the zocalo (centre), this little street was lined with cafes, antique stores and pretty painted houses. Locals stand in the doorways to their shops, and will happily chat…
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Things to know before you visit Havana, Cuba
Taking a trip to Cuba before it gets completely devoured by tourism? After a little stint in bustling Havana, this is what I found out… You won’t get the Cuban exchange rate the web tells you The Cuban currency is a closed one, meaning you can’t buy it outside of Cuba, and you need to get rid f it before you leave. This gives the Cubans a lot more power over what rate you get. The web told me I’d get 1.24 CUC to the pound. The airport gave me 1.19. There was nothing I could do but accept it to get my transport into the city. I was also told…
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6 Photos to give you Scotland Wanderlust
For all my travelling, I was a late starter in the exploration of my own little country (much to the dismay of my very patriotic father). Looking back, my lack of Scotland exploration was shameful, given that a weekend trip to the highlands from Edinburgh is more than doable with a little forward planning. In 2017, Scotland was voted Rough Guide’s “most beautiful country in the world”, pipping New Zealand, Canada and Italy to the top spot. Our enormous lochs, dramatic landscapes and crumbling castles had the reader poll singing the country’s praises, and inspired a whole new set of travellers to book their tickets to see what all the…
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What not to pack for Thailand
Two years living in Thailand means that every time I go back, I pretty much go with an empty bag. Thailand was my first ever solo backpacking stop, and I wish I’d known not to take the following as a backpacker/someone who set up camp for years… (sorry if this feels a bit female orientated, but… er.. I’m female?) Mosquito repellent It was one of the first things I was told to buy.. “get yourself down to Boots and buy a huge bottle of the strongest Deet you can find”. …..Don’t bother! First of all, those wee Thai mozzies don’t give a rats ass about your Deet.. they’re still going…
