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Abu Dhabi
OK, so it’s finally happening. After all that bragging and boasting on the phone the time has arrived to show off the brilliant UAE capital to all our friends and family.
There is a lot to consider as we prepare to play tour guide in the city; never fear, though, there is so much to be proud of in our amazing emirate and enough activities to fill a lifetime of holidays. The hardest thing might be deciding what not to do. Let’s embrace our visitors and treat them to an unforgettable getaway – Abu Dhabi style.
Whether you’re here on holiday, you’re new to the country or you’ve been here a while, your time in Abu Dhabi still requires some careful planning. There’s just so much to do here you can’t possibly experience absolutely everything that’s cool about this city in only seven days. So to help you make the most of your stay, here are our top tips for the perfect week in the capital.
Day 1 - Corniche, Emirates Palace and Heritage village
Let’s start the day by enjoying a scenic stroll through the Corniche. The Corniche is one of the most beautiful stretches in the UAE, made up of an eye-catching 8 km of manicured waterfront lined with cute cafes, play areas and an award-winning beachfront. Part of the appeal of a holiday in Abu Dhabi is the lovely weather, so why not kick off your week with a good old-fashioned sunbathing session? The city has so many brilliant beaches to choose from, but the huge Corniche is a great place to start. It doesn’t cost a single dirham to access and the pathway to of the Corniche Park are perfect for jogging, walking or cycling on. It boasts a huge inflatable waterpark, an outdoor gym, yoga classes and loads of food trucks.
While walking along the Corniche it’s impossible to miss the Founder’s memorial is a permanent tribute of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE and a great place to learn about him through art, nature, words, stories and multimedia experiences. The centerpiece of the memorial is a public artwork named The Constellation, a dynamic 3D portrait of Zayed that can be experienced differently from around the city.
From the end of the Corniche, a 5 minutes walk will take you to Emirates Palace, possibly the most opulent of Abu Dhabi’s hotels. It’s worth a visit just to see the beautiful building and amazing grounds. But if you can keep a couple of hours free in your afternoon for the most majestic, gasp-inducing of afternoon tea experiences, make a royal appointment at Emirates Palace. The Royal Afternoon Tea Affair is a step above the usual cucumber sandwich fare, too, with luxurious bites such as 24k gold-crusted salmon sandwiches on pumpernickel bread, king crab on brioche, plus freshly baked scones and decadent dessert.
With your belly full, take a taxi to the Heritage Village fora blast with the past. Embracing the vibrant, progressive and thoroughly modern Abu Dhabi is brilliant, but it is nice to take a glimpse into the past now and again, too. Modern-day Abu Dhabi is glitzy, lively and buzzing with excitement. But it’s fascinating to see what it was like before it was transformed into the bustling metropolis that it is today. You can retrace the steps of the emirate of a bygone era at Heritage Village, a faithful reconstruction of a traditional oasis on the Corniche breakwater. Replicating everyday life in the pre-oil era of the UAE, this walled complex contains a fort (used to repel invaders from the sea), a souk (for trading goats and other goods), and a mosque. Check out the open museum to get up close with traditional aspects of the desert way of life, from a goat’s hair tent to a campfire with coffee pots. Visitors can also get a first-hand look at a series of workshop where craftsmen showcase skills such as metalwork, glass blowing, pottery, weaving, spinning and pottery before picking up mementos at the spice shop, which offers a wide range of dried herbs, handmade soaps and treasured trinkets. This is a fun way of learning about the history of the city, and it doesn’t cost a thing.
Day 2 - Louvre, Manarat, Mangroves national park
Since opening in November 2017, the Louvre Abu Dhabi has been named one of the Seven Urban Wonders of the World. This dream development that was more than a decade in the making has proved well worth the wait. The structure of the museum really is beautiful. Before you even start to examine the amazing objects that are housed inside, you’ll be totally wowed by the building. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, this is the kind of building that was made for Instagram. The Rain of Lightroof is made from thousands of metal stars, and when the sun filters through the gaps, the effect is absolutely stunning. Just walking around the promenade, looking out over the water and photographing the cool tree statue and other striking piecese of art is a brilliant experience on its own. Then when you get inside, the collection of more than 900 incredible artworks and artefacts is out-of-this-world amazing. The landmark venue is home to hundreds of incredible works of art, spanning centuries and civilizations, from artistic visionaries such as Van Gogh and Andy Warhol to Leonardo da Vinci.
However, Louvre Abu Dhabi is not he sole artistic hub of Saadiyat Island. A short taxi ride will take you to Manarat Al Saadiyat. There’s always so much going on at this arty hub. Whether you’re into music, cinema. Art, or just want to work on your own creative skills, you’ll find something to capture your interest at Manarat Al Saddiyat. This establishment was the first piece in the Saadiyat Cultural district jigsaw, and its program is always full of workshop, gigs, art fairs and other special events. Head to the drop-in studio to have a go at creating your own work of art for 30 dirhams. All the materials are provided and art instructors are on hand to offer inspiration. Meanwhile, the Cinema Space is a legendary Abu Dhabi institution. Free screenings of restored classics and contemporary world films are shown every Monday and Saturday.
Before you arrived in Abu Dhabi, you might have imagined that it was a place made up entirely of skyscrapers and sand. But many people don’t realize the city is home to so many areas of natural beauty as well. The Mangrove National Park contains thousands of mangrove trees and a huge variety of wildlife. There are still plenty of gorgeous views of the lush mangroves to take in, but you won’t see them at such sedate pace from the land. A taxi ride from Saadiyat to downtown Abu Dhabi will take you to the Mangroves Anantara hotel where you can rent a kayak to explore the natural park. Have yourself an “oar-some” time by picking up a paddle and taking to the azure waters for a fine kayaking session. There aren’t many better ways to explore the vast mangrove forests, and you can even journey to some of the emirates vast network of idyllic islands while doing so.
Although you can still see the towering buildings of the Downtown area from the water, it feels far removed from all the hustle and bustle of the city. Head here a few hours before sunset and hire yourself a couple of kayaks. Then you are free to explore the waterways between the trees, hunt for wildlife and rest on the secluded beaches at your leisure. Afterwards you can grab a coffee from one of the many food outlets along Eastern Mangroves Promenade, then sit back and relax as you watch the sun go down.
Day 3
Take a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Mere words cannot do this magnificent landmark justice. Put simply, it is an awe-inspiring architectural marvel that you must visit. Voted the world’s second favorite landmark (ranking above iconic tourist attractions such as the Taj Mahal and the Sydney Opera House), the gleaming white structure boasts 82 domes, the world’s largest hand-woven carpet and a chandelier bedded with one million crystals. Free guided tours are held during the week, with knowledgeable staff on hand to answer questions and boost your understanding of Islamic culture. The bold vision of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayhan is a fitting legacy to his leadership.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the most important things to see while you are staying here in the capital. Just driving past it for the first time is enough to make your jaw drop. With countless gold-embellished white domes, it really is a beautiful creation (and one of the biggest of its type in the world). The structure can hold up to 40.000 people, and it was inspired by designs from Turkey, Morocco, Pakistand and Egypt. The iconic prayer hall holds the world’s largest chandelier, and the experience of wandering bare foot around the immaculate passage ways is totally humbling.
Stroll around Umm Al Emarat Park. Abu Dhabi is blessed with many picturesque green spaces and Umm Al Emarat Park in the Mushrif area is one of the best. One of the largest and oldest park in the city it is home to an animal barn, amphitheater, botanical garden, children’s garden and many other wonderful features. Take a picnic, go for a jog or just enjoy walking around. On a Saturday afternoon, you can also experience the Ripe Market. This community event features more than 100 awesome stalls full of fruit, vegetables and other local produce. So whether it’s fresh food you want or a little something to spruce your home, you can be sure the Ripe Market has the answer. But it’s not all about splashing the cash, there’s live music, entertainment, workshops and activities also on offer.
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AirBNB
Airbnb has completely changed the game for travellers.
No longer do we to have face the all too limited choice between a hotel or hostel for our accommodation. Now we have the potential to choose a cute little Parisian studio, a townhouse in New York’s hipster district, a secluded Italian farmhouse or a modern, centrally equipped apartment in London – and everything else in between. And we get to have it all to ourselves.
We’ve used Airbnb countless times, from short weekend trips to Berlin, week long stays in Buenos Aires and nearly a month in Brazil. And it’s something we’ll continue to use for lots of future adventures.
With its dramatic global growth, it’s now a more feasible alternative for long-term slow travellers too and it helped us out more than once during our two year Latin American adventure. In fact, alongside housesitting, a week or two in our own place when we were just about ready to kill our dorm mates (through no fault of their own) and had pretty much got bored of travel, it saved us.
Whilst it may not come with a four-legged friend, and it’s certainly not free, renting on Airbnb can often work out significantly cheaper than a hostel or hotel, especially if there’s more than one of you or you plan on staying for more than a week. It’s also a great way to get out of the hotel district and into a real neighbourhood, which is a fantastic thing in our opinion!
However, for first-timers used to the flexibility, convenience and security of a hotel/hostel, we recognise that Airbnb can be a little daunting. And maybe a little strange. That’s why we’ve come up with this beginner’s guide – so that you can understand how it works, learn from our mistakes, find the perfect room or apartment, and hopefully save a bit of money on your next trip!
Set up a profile
As you can imagine when people are renting out their home, they want to be pretty certain that you are who you say you are. That means that once you create a profile (complete with great photo!), in order to be accepted for a number of bookings you will need to go through an additional verification process. This is pretty easy to do but will involve linking a social media account, uploading a photo ID (driving license, passport) and confirming your email address and phone number.
Check out previous reviews
If your Airbnb of choice has been around for a while, there should lots of comments from previous users. Read them.
Of course, don’t focus on the single bad review in a sea of gleaming references, but if lots of people mention that the area isn’t great, that the flat was a mess or that the host was useless, it’s probably worth moving on to the next rental.
If you’re truly an Airbnb virgin, we’d recommend that your very first rental is in fact one with lots of good reviews. Once you’ve been through the system a few times, you’ll be more likely to let certain ‘quirks’ slide and understand the process better, but newbies may need to ease themselves in gently. We think Airbnb is amazing, so we want your first time to be great!
Be aware of weekly / monthly discounts
A substantial proportion of Airbnb hosts knock off a significant amount for stays of a week, and even more for stays of a month – which is why it’s so popular with digital nomads and long-term travellers.
In fact, on a couple of occasions we’ve discovered that by actually booking longer than we’ve technically needed or wanted, it’s worked out cheaper.
Check the location
After a particularly ‘interesting’ stay in the suburbs of Toulouse, we’ve learnt to check and double check the location of our potential Airbnbs verrrry carefully. One factor that affects the price of properties quite significantly is location, so if it seems too good to be true, make sure that you’re not in the middle of nowhere or the sort of place you shouldn’t go out in at night.
Another good way to assess this is in the comments. Remember, the host can say anything and, as a first-time visitor to the city, you might not be aware of the city’s no-go areas. Previous guests are usually pretty good at alerting future guests to this in the reviews. Similarly, simply looking at a flat on a map can be misleading – before booking, check out public transport options to/from the city centre from the apartment to make sure that there is a convenient and cost-effective option and that you are not hours away from the sights you want to visit on your trip.
Check the facilities carefully
Whilst you can select certain facilities within the search function, it’s really important that you check the facilities listed very carefully.
A good example of this is whether or not there is a kitchen. We’ve found several apartments where it stated there was a kitchen (the host had selected it in the facilities check-list) but in the written description, it became clear that this was purely for making breakfast or using the microwave – not at all suitable for cooking a proper meal.
We’ve also found it really useful to double check about the quality of the internet connection and whether their claim to aircon is actually true. Whether hosts intend to mislead potential guests or not, sometimes what is specified is neither correct nor accurate. So, if you depend on quick internet or plan on cooking lots of meals, it’s best to make certain before spending your money and confirming your booking.
The price depends on numbers of occupants
Unsurprisingly, if you plan on bringing a horde of mates with you, it’s going to cost a little more than a couple’s retreat.
You can put the number of guests in the initial search, so please do so or your results will not reflect the true cost of your stay, and you may miss out on better value accommodation.
Be flexible
If you’ve already booked your flights, then of course, you’re going to be limited. However, if you’re dreaming of a long weekend in Rome, then it might pay to check out the accommodation options in tandem with potential flights. By looking at availability a week or few days either side of your preferred dates, you might find an absolute gem of an apartment available within your budget.
There really is something for every budget
When you’re brought to your initial search results page, some of the nightly rates may look more like weekly. However, do not fear – Airbnb really does cover every budget (it’s just that it covers some very large budgets too!). Have a tinker about with the search criteria and request that only rentals within you min/max budget appear.
For those travelling independently and on a smaller budget, consider renting a private room as opposed to the entire place. It will be significantly cheaper and give you the opportunity to make some local friends – but don’t forget….
...if renting a private room you need to check the small print
As we use Airbnb to get a little alone time, we usually choose to rent entire apartments rather than private rooms. However, on a recent last minute trip to Valencia in peak tourist season, when anything that was vaguely pleasant and affordable had been booked up for months, we had to look into renting a room instead. There are so many extra things to consider when doing this!
Things such as who will I be sharing with (some people run there apartments like hostels and rent out multiple bedrooms to different people), what is the bathroom situation, is security a concern (most private rooms don’t have their own locks), does the host have kids (that’s certainly an apartment we’d choose to pass-over) and will I have access to all the facilities (several places we’ve come across limit you to your room only) are all issues that need to be considered.
Ask questions in advance, understand that each private room offer may differ vastly in terms of what they’re offering and, if you aren’t comfortable with what’s on offer, do not book.
Don't forget extra fees
When you’re working to a particular budget, you need to consider the extra fees that will be applied. For starters, an Airbnb service charge applies to all bookings and is non-negotiable. Additionally, a significant number of hosts will apply a hefty cleaning fee to your rental cost. Often, an apartment that is perfect for your budget on first look will reveal itself to be way more than you can afford when you factor in all these costs.
Also bear in mind security deposits. We’ve only ever rented one place that required this, and had no problem getting it returned, but always check the small print to establish whether this is applied to your booking. Unless you completely wreck the place, you’re unlikely to lose it, but if it means having an extra couple of hundred pounds stopped on your credit card – it might not be money you have to spare.
Booking is not always instant
So, you’ve found your perfect apartment and you want to get it locked in as soon as possible. Unfortunately however, it’s often not that straight forward.
Whilst there are certainly a number of ‘instant book’ properties on the website (those with the lightning bolt next to them), for most you have to contact the host to check the availability. This may mean a quick response and a booking not long after, but in some situations, such as during high season, you’ll be met with stoney silence or a polite message from the host stating that they’re fully booked.
And so, it’s on to the next one!
...which is why you need to contact lots of hosts!
From years of booking with Airbnb, we’ve learnt to send out lots of feeler messages to potential hosts. Of course, it’s probably best not to approach places you have no interest in staying, but usually you’ll find a handful that fit your requirements – send them all a message!
This way, you should always secure at least a couple of offers and pre-approvals and hopefully, you won’t be left homeless for the night.
And remember, when you do reach out to potential hosts, add a few lines about yourself, why you’re visiting their home town and why their place would be perfect! If they like you and have availability, then they’ll often reply quickly and ‘pre-approve’ you, which means your booking can be made much quicker.
It's not a hotel
If you’ve been used to a concierge service or on-site assistance, Airbnb could be quite a shock. Whilst a number of hosts are available to check you in personally, provide a tour of the property and tell you how everything works, lock-boxes or keys with neighbours (who often don’t speak English) are not uncommon. In case this happens, it’s often best to ask your host any important questions prior to arriving at the property.
You’ll also be responsible for your own housekeeping. This might not be a problem if you’re only there for a couple of days, but if your stay is longer than a week, you’ll need to consider the issue of clean towels and sheets. We’ve never stayed anywhere where these have been changed during our stay, so for long-term rents it’s worth renting somewhere with washing/drying facilities etc or a laundrette nearby.
Not all rentals are created equal
Every Airbnb will be a little bit different – often dependent upon the motivation for the rental.
You see, as the company has grown, so too have the number of hosts utilising the site as a business, meaning it’s really not uncommon to stumble across users with 25+ different properties in one city (this is now generating a lot of controversy in some cities).
The benefits to renting with one of these guys is that you do achieve much more of a hotel set-up. There won’t be any clothes in the wardrobe, photos of the owner or knick-knacks about the place, but often you also won’t find cupboards full of condiments or plenty of tea bags. Of course, there are exceptions, and a number of these ‘business renters’ have supplied fridges stocked with beer and even a Nespresso machine.
We actually quite enjoy staying in someone’s home, but there’s no denying there’s a difference. Here, you are surrounded by treasured possessions and fragile keepsakes, shelves full of books and a real sense of the place and city that you’re living. Whilst you should still make yourself at home in these rentals, everything should be treated with the upmost respect – and that includes not rooting through their underwear drawer!
Just remember as well that if you have that one truly amazing experience in a genuine ‘home’, the next one may well not measure up – each host is different and offers a different level of care or support. Some will sit down with you and explain where to find hidden gems in the city, whilst others will just give you the key and leave.
Only pay via AirBNB secure system
This should be obvious, and yet we ourselves have been asked to pay external to the website. Whilst it may be tempting to avoid the Airbnb service fees (which can become pretty steep should your stay be of significant duration), you will lose all the protection that the company can give you should everything go tits up! Also, if someone is asking you to pay outside the system, you really have to question their motivations.
Communication is key
As we’ve mentioned elsewhere in this article, once you’ve got your reservation sorted, communication with your host is really important.
Let them know when you’ll be arriving and the best way to contact you. You may well be in a country where you don’t have internet, so those messages your host sends with Whatsapp on the day of your arrival will be lost in cyberspace until you hit internet again.
Find out all the important information before you board your flight, train or bus. Mobile phone number, address, how to get to the accommodation, specific instructions for entry – all are essentials that you’ll need to store off-line. The Airbnb app has a number of these available even without internet, so make sure you download it.
If you want to check-in a little earlier in the day, or your flight home doesn’t leave till late at night, make your host aware in advance. We’ve found people to be quite flexible and willing to suit our schedule, but only when they are given a heads up.
The hosts get to review you too
We told you earlier how important reviews are when choosing a place to rent, however do remember that your hosts can leave a review about you too.
Their purpose isn’t to moan that you left a sock in the bed or a bit of sand in the shower, but if you leave the flat in an absolute tip, with bags full of rubbish in the kitchen and a broken bathroom door, they may well call you out for it.
Despite paying a cleaning fee, the unwritten rule is that you leave the place reasonably tidy upon departure – make sure you do.
What if I need to cancel?
What happens next really does depend upon the property.
Some are very flexible, and even cancelling last minute means you’ll only lose the Airbnb fees. However, some others (especially if you’ve booked during high season) are much stricter, and even cancelling 30 days before your reservation will see you sacrificing a significant amount of the total booking fee.
The hosts can opt for a ‘Flexible, Moderate, or Strict’ cancellation policy, and their choice will be very clearly marked in the rental information. Always make sure to check this small print, especially if you’re booking quite far in advance.
Once you’ve clicked on the hyperlink, you’ll be taken to the cancellation policy page where it very clearly outlines exactly what you’d be entitled to in the event of a cancellation.
You should also be aware, that although rare, hosts sometimes cancel too. In fact, this happened to us, at incredibly short notice. Should this happen to you, depending on how far in advance, your host may well face a financial penalty. Although we managed to secure alternative accommodation at really short notice (on the day in fact!), we have heard of situations where Airbnb have assisted users to find another place to stay (sometimes providing additional funding if the cancellation is last minute).
AirBNB has a resolution team
If the above happens to you, there is thankfully support at hand. If your host cancels unexpectedly, or your dream apartment turns out to be not so perfect, then Airbnb does have a fantastic resolution service. We’ve never really had to use them, but travellers we know have had great success in getting issues resolved and support very quickly.
If you’re not happy, don’t be afraid to reach out – that’s what they’re there for!
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Emirates Bio Farm
Our start of 2020 was in a farm, but not any farm, the Emirates Bio Farm! I had put my eyes on it for quite a while, checked their website, their farm tours, their events. Unfortunately it’s not a quick drive from Abu Dhabi, so we kept postponing it forever. In the end we decided to book for the New Year brunch and tour! On the 1st of January we hit the road around 10, aiming to be there at 11.45, in time to sign up before our farm tour starting at 12. When you are almost there, the beautiful Omani mountains start appearing in front of you, then you reach the place and you can’t believe how much greenery there can be in the middle of the desert.
It’s in fact the largest private organic farm in the UAE. It was established in 2016 on a 250,000 Sqm facility to continue the founding principles of advocating for environmental protection, health and well-being of all UAE residents – a guiding principle which they embrace from the teachings of sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE and an early champion of environmental protection.
At 12 they took us on a half an hour tour on the tractors around the farm, they told us the story of the place, how they transformed the desert sand into soil where you can grow quinoa, lettuce, kale, carrots, beetroot, tomatoes, eggplants and a lot more. The irrigation system takes the water from 100 m below ground and takes it throughout the whole farm. The soil is a mixture of sand, compost and chicken poop (there are 15000 chicken on the farm, which produce 8000 eggs a day).
The tour ends with a visit to the greenhouse, where with an ingenious mechanical system, the air is cooled down and even in the hot UAE summers they are able to grow plants.
The buffet lunch was just amazing, with a huge variety of dishes, all made with the freshly grown vegetables from the farm. Before the drive back to Abu Dhabi we stayed a couple of hours reading in one of the greenhouses, slept a bit and head back home with a few veggies and plants.
Conclusione
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Hestra Ergo Grip Active Gloves
Hestra place the Ergo Grip Active within both their ‘Alpine Pro’ range and the ‘Outdoor’ category, which hints at their versatility. Ergonomic construction, supple and durable leather and the addition of a Gore Windstopper membrane ensure these gloves can be useful in almost any situation.
These gloves felt superb from the first try-on. The pre-curved fingers of the Ergo Grip construction are a large part in that. At first I thought this feature was not needed as I had never had gloves that were shaped to hold items easier and never felt like I needed. After using the gloves for a couple months now I am in love. The gloves hold a pre-curved shaped to allow your fingers to actively grip items with ease.
But it is the choice of materials that really makes the difference. The leather is soft and fine enough to feel like a second skin yet gives a surprising amount of grip as well. The Goat leather used on the palm of the glove has broken in nicely and now even moves better than before. Every stitch on the Ergo is in line and feels perfectly placed. The backs is made with a breathable but Windproof Gore-Tex lining to keep out the breeze. It allows for great movement and space for the knuckles to move as well. The index finger has a leather reinforcement patch, cut away to allow easy bending of the finger. This provides a little extra protection when using, for instance an ice-axe.
The surprise though is the very simple brushed polyester lining – the fine denier and soft touch go a long way to creating the feel of a dextrous but substantial glove. The lining is also a great indicator of the quality of construction; it maps to the outer flawlessly with no excess, baggy material, and in a close-fitting glove that is no mean feat.
The Ergo grip is not fully waterproof which is somewhat of a downside, for that you will have to spend another $60 for the Ergo Grip Outdry.
The gloves were tested hiking in the UK and canoeing in both Sweden and Canada in late-Autumn. What I didn’t expect was the degree of warmth these minimalist gloves are able to provide. The Windstopper no doubt has an effect (although placing it only on the back of the hand greatly aids breathability) but the brushed polyester is clearly punching above its weight in this regard. The gloves secure with a Velcro strap and a stretch collar for easy on and off. Using the Velcro was very easy and it gives a great feel when strapped up.
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10 mistakes every first time traveller till make (and how to avoid them)
Gearing yourself up to go travelling for the first time can be daunting. Whether you’re backpacking for a year or just for a few months that first adventure is a whirlwind of emotions and planning.
And yes you are going to mess up a few things – it’s only natural!
We can give you a heads up on a few common mistakes we’ve seen heaps of first time travellers make so you can hopefully avoid them and streamline the stress out of travelling…and yes we are guilty of making a lot of them ourselves!
Taking Too Much Stuff
Even now we have this problem! Figuring out what to take and what to leave behind is a nightmare – but what if XXXX happens, how about XXXX?! It’s stressful simplifying your life into a single backpack.
The old saying goes “lay all out your stuff out on the bed and halve it” ….and it works!
The worse thing though is if you’re heading through a variety of climates – sure it might be swelteringly hot in Asia but New Zealand will have snow by the time we get there. The best advice on this we can offer is remember you can always buy new stuff on the road and offload some old stuff.
We are still guilty of trying to over pack now, it’s a hard habit to break. You’ve got to be ruthless! Trust us you might pack 10 t-shirts but you’ll probably only wear 5. If you REALLY have to pack heaps of stuff we are sure you’ll soon get tired of lugging it around and you can always lighten the load by donating clothes to charity shops en-route.
Not Saving Enough
The other half of the saying after halving your clothes is to double your money. Many people underestimate how much travelling can cost – especially when you’re budgeting in flights and travel insurance too, so do some solid research. Our best advice on this is to budget around $1,000 a month – as it tends to even out across countries. The worst thing you can do is leave quickly and suddenly realize you don’t have enough dollar behind you – worrying about money will wreck your trip.
So even if it means delaying your planned departure date it’ll be worth it in the end.
Not Researching Costs
Along with the budgeting research make sure you have a rough idea of how much things like taxis, hotels/hostels and food should cost you. That way you hit the ground running and wont end up paying $40 for an airport taxi when you could’ve bartered to $20 or even got the shared shuttle for $10!
Planning Too Much...
Ok so we’ve told you to do some planning to avoid some mistakes and save some money – but on the flip side you can over plan.
Don’t land somewhere and have the next 3 months of your travels planned out day by day, where’s the fun in that!
Make sure you have a rough idea of where you’re heading but enough flexibility to embrace opportunity.
…Or Too Little!
If you haven’t over planned the extreme you might fall into is to land in a place with NO plans. That’s just as disastrous, especially if you’re only just starting out on your travels. We always have a few things in mind for each place – whether is some restaurants, places to stay or a couple of day trips.
Suddenly landing in a new place with no idea on where to stay or what to do is the worst way to start any adventure!
It’s also important to make sure you know what the deal is with visas too. Some airlines wont let you on without onward flights (we’ve experienced this first hand with Singapore!) but also make sure you know if you can get a visa on arrival or places if you’ll need something like the ESTA visa for the USA and have to apply before travelling.
Along with this comes the length of stay (usually in days, which includes the day of arrival!) and many countries such as Thailand will impose hefty fines if you overstay and in some cases you can even get banned from re entering for a certain period of time.
Travelling Too Fast
This is a personal pet peeve of ours! I’ve met people who have travelled to 50 countries…sounds good hey?
But then you learn they did that in like 2 months and all we can think is “well you cant have really travelled them much if you’ve blasted through them that quickly“!
This isn’t a race guys, nor is it about collecting passport stamps! The whole point of travel is to embrace the country, the culture, the food, the experiences.
a lay-over in a country doesn’t count, so get over yourself!
Our advice is always that it’s better to spend more time exploring less places than rushing simply for the sake of saying you’ve been there.
….so yeah – take your time and really enjoy everywhere, you’ll avoid backpacker burnout too…travel slow, travel far!
Underestimating Distances
Maps can be pretty deceiving sometimes and we’ve met a lot of people who have massively underestimated the distances between places – both actually distance but also travel time.
Before you set plans into stone do some research, ask some people. A mistake here can really mess up your trip and feel you left totally drained and stressed out.
Waiting Too Late For Jabs
When it comes to travelling it’s always good to keep some boring stuff in mind too, especially insurance and vaccines. It might not be the most exciting stuff to deal with but it’ll certainly make life easier.
As soon as you know where you’re going book an appointment with your GP or travel clinic and let them know where you’re heading. Some places you might not need anything, some you’ll need a heap of needles to be stuck in you – it all depends on location and your personal medical history. The main thing to keep in mind here is that some vaccines – like rabies – need a course of jabs across a few weeks.
So basically the earlier you get started, the less stressful it’ll be. Don’t leave it to the last minute!
Worrying About The Small Stuff
Worrying about travelling is totally normal – it’s part of the fear and excitement that we’ll all love about travel so much. The unknown is daunting but don’t let it get to you too much else you’ll be stressing out before you even get on the plane.
Breathe guys!
Not Finding Out For Yourself
When you’re on the road for the first time you’ll be chatting to heaps of new people, hearing about where they’ve been, where they’re going and of course sharing where you want to go to as well. But in every travel conversation there’s always one person who thinks they know everything and are now a walking talking Lonely Planet. They’re usually this self righteous people who are trying to find themselves or after a culturally immersive experience, or try to avoid the tourists.
In short they’re stuck up their own ass and will judge every part of your itinerary and look down at their nose at your newbie backpacker status. The worst thing you can do is take everyones advice on face value. At the end of the day this is your adventure, your money and your life – so if you want to do something don’t let anyone else’s judgement stop you!
Our lives. Our rules.
Now I’m not saying don’t listen, just take everything with a pinch of salt.
Everyone has their own style, agenda, passions – so by all means take their opinion into account, but don’t let others dictate your trip or make you feel bad about your plans.
The bottom line with all of these common mistakes is be prepared!
Do your research, chat to people and give yourself plenty of time to get everything in order.
…but the most important thing you need to remember to do is to enjoy every part of it – the fun and adventure starts at the planning stage!
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Lost Horse Mine Loop
This 6.9 miles loop was definitely among our favourites. When we stopped at the Joshua Tree info centre on the first day the ranger told us that it was a quite popular trek, but unfortunately there were only around ten spots in the parking lot at the trailhead. To beat the crowd it’s best to be there around 8.30 maximum. Depending of where you are coming from it can be quite an early wake up, that’s the down side, the good part though is that the trail is always peaceful and quite because of the limited number of parking spots.
The mine was once owned by Pioneer Johnny Lang who had lost his horse to a gang of thieves, hence the name.
Follow the directions for Keys View and you will find on the left the sign for “Lost horse mine loop”. Drive down the unpaved road for a couple of miles and at the end you’ll find the parking lot. The trail is well indicated all throughout and we definitely suggest you do it clockwise.
The first part hikes the side of a mountain and after a little more than a mile you’ll reach the old mine. The vegetation here is not too exciting, we even thought there must have been a fire recently, since most of the trees were burnt. The old mine it’s the perfect spot for a snack, but we personally didn’t love it, it is surrounded by old and rusty aluminum sheets and it has a quite desolated look overall.
Most of the people once they reach the mine they will head back and don’t continue the loop. If you do, like we did, you’ll actually see the best part of it.
Past the mine you’ll reach the top of one of the Lost Horse Mountains, and get an amazing view of the valley. You’ll then hike down a steep ridge and then up again the side of another mountain. Here the vegetation is more lively and the Joshua Trees constellate the trail. Going constantly up and down makes the hike very exciting. Once you reach the top of the second mountain you are done, it’s all downhill until it actually reaches a flat area.
This last part can be a bit boring, but you still have amazing views in front of you and are surrounded by Joshua Tree. If lucky you can find some shade under one of the big ones and enjoy a snack and a peaceful break.
During these last few miles F. announced “No wonder the Pioneer lost his horse here!”
Here is a map of the trail.
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The hitchhiker’s guide to becoming an expat
I Want to Move Abroad – Where Do I Start?
With 195 countries in the
world, becoming an expat is an enchanting idea. However, moving abroad is an
enormous decision that comes with a laundry list of to-dos and what-ifs — How
do I obtain a visa? Where will I work? What if I can’t find a place to live?
How will I make friends?Becoming an expatriate comes
with its challenges and with a lot of preparation, but at the end of the day,
experiencing all the world has to offer can be a fulfilling life experience
with opportunities to learn about new places and cultures. Living in another
country can push you outside of your comfort zone and force you to appreciate
life in the moment.To help you plan this new adventure, here’s a list of things to keep in mind before moving overseas.
Is your passport up to date?
Before you even begin packing to make the move abroad, make sure you’re legally able to board the plane! If you haven’t traveled in a while, pull that passport out of your drawer, clean off the dust and double check the expiration date. If your passport expires in less than 2 years and you’re not 100% sure how long you want to be abroad, go ahead and renew! Your passport is the most important thing you’ll own when you’re moving overseas. Don’t forget to pay close attention to the dates or the only place you’ll be moving to across the street, not across the world.
What’s your planning timeline?
An international move doesn’t happen overnight! I mean, maybe the actual flight happens overnight but the logistics sure don’t. Give yourself time to organize your life back home and your future move. Prepare your friends and family for the move while ensuring you’re completing everything on your moving abroad checklist (i.e. passport, vaccines, visas). The more in advance you plan, the more organized your move will be!
What will you do with your possessions?
Most likely, you’ve accumulated lots of “stuff” in your life. Sell off everything? Keep things in storage? An important fact of living abroad for a year or more is that everything you own will not be making the move with you. Maybe your parents or a friend has a closet they’re willing to let you store things in. If you have a car, consider selling it! Bedroom furniture, kitchen appliances, clothing items — go through it all and clean it out.
Where are you thinking of moving?
If you’re asking yourself “I want to move abroad where do I start?” chances are you already have a destination in mind. There’s a lot to consider when choosing which destination to settle down in. Consider questions like…
Do you need a visa?
Visas are the gatekeepers into the country you wish to live in.
Making sure you’ve applied for
the right visa is the biggest thing! Each country differs, and unfortunately,
it’s totally up to you to do all the research to ensure you can actually enter
the country. You’ll probably find that there are many different visas when you
go to apply, though if you plan to work, or you’re heading over to study, it’s
really important to apply for the right visa. For instance, restrictions on a
tourist visa won’t allow you to work, and in many countries may only permit you
to stay for 30 days. It’s a big deal if you breach the terms of your visa, so
make sure you’re getting the right one.Visa applications are often
drier than doing your taxes, but print all the forms and information, pull out
your highlighters and read through everything a couple of times. I find that
physically printing something out and being able to highlight it means I
understand the process better than if I was reading it online. I then make my
own checklist of everything I need to do and include. Visa applications can
take a lot of time to process, and they often cost a lot. If you’re denied
because you forgot to include something, you won’t get a refund of your money
or your time. So be meticulous in checking, double checking and triple checking
your applications.The best place to find visa
information is usually on your government website, and the government website
of your chosen country. There may also be a website set up for your embassy in
the country you hope to move to.A simple Google search will usually point you in the right direction but be careful with third party websites that claim they can get them for you fast.
What’s the cost of living like?
Your money will go further in some countries more than others. For example, lunch in Thailand will cost you about 2 dollars while lunch in Rio de Janeiro will set you back more like 8-10 dollars. Consider the cost of living and your budget.
How do I find a place to live?
It’s so much easier to find a place to live when you’re already abroad. Before you move, go visit the country you intend to move to and make sure to get a sense of neighborhoods and pricing. When you arrive, consider renting an Airbnb for a month (you may be able to do at a discounted rate since it is a longer-term stay). This will allow you to dedicate the majority of your time to apartment hunting.
Will I find a community of other expats?
You’ll
quickly realize after you settle into your new home the importance of community
and friendships. If you’re moving abroad alone, it’s important to consider if
there will be opportunities to become friends with other expats or locals. Traveling alone
and working remote can feel isolating at times. It’s always nice to make
connections, whether they’re digitally or in-person.Thankfully,
because of social media, there are so many wonderful online resources for
expats. From private Facebook groups to online forums, there’s really something
out there for everyone.But
don’t forget to get out and explore the city as much as possible. Markets, art
galleries, street food, events. There are always questions to ask and people
interested in sharing their culture with you. Select cafés, shops and
restaurants where you can become a regular. It’s such a nice feeling to be
recognized and sometimes even called by your first name. Most often, this is
the beginning of quite a few friendships.Many expats are eager to meet other like-minded people; others focus on meeting locals—try to do both. There is always a lot of coming and going within the expat community, so it is nice to also have some local friends.
How will you support yourself abroad?
It’s all about the money, honey. Unfortunately, the entire world revolves around it — even small villages in the Philippines. Once you move abroad, how are you planning on continuing to live abroad? You can work online, teach English, move somewhere with a working holiday visa to support your living or survive on hostel and tourism jobs.
Consider where you’ll be relocating and what the opportunities might be. If there are limited options for traditional employment, it’s time to start thinking creatively. In today’s global, connected world it’s possible to have a career and build your own financial path online. Consider what your work history is, what skills you have and what possibilities exist. If you can begin trialing this before you leave your home country, you can have an understanding of what’s required. If you do decide to look for traditional employment, get connected with local expats as soon as possible. People who are on the ground already have a pulse for what’s available and where to start looking. Ideally having some sort of employment in place before you move is the best option.
Plan for transportation
You should try to work out if you are going to need a car. This means you will need to decide if you are going to commute to work or live near your workplace or, perhaps you are lucky and work from home. Even if commuting, perhaps there are public transport options like rail, bus or ferry. You may not need to buy a car if you live in an urban center where it is easier to get around by non-car options.
These days we are a bit spoiled and
always try right away to see if Uber works in the country we go to. If it’s a
far distance though, try a Google search on the best way to get from A to B
using public transportation and use Google Maps on your phone to get info on
the next train/bus and how to get to the platform (you’d be surprised how much
info you get from the Maps app!).With easy-hire car options available, many city-based expats just rent a car for weekends if they are driving outside the city for sight-seeing or doing a trip somewhere. Other expats in the suburbs or regional areas will need to buy a car, and then they will have to think about the requirements for doing so e.g. car purchase process and costs, car insurance costs and if a local driving license is needed to legally purchase a car. Getting a driving license though is often required, so that means getting the necessary paperwork, passing driving tests etc, before buying. Many expats living in the suburbs will end up renting a car until they can get a driver license and meet car purchase requirements.
Ground control to Major Tom (stay close to friends and family back home)
Depending on how far away you move, it’s not likely you’ll have the time and finances to make the trip back home for every holiday. Moving abroad means missing out on important things back home. Birthday parties, weddings, holiday dinners….are all thousands of miles away. The reality is: your move abroad affects your loved ones back home. Are you willing to make sacrifices? WhatsApp is our #1 communication tool to use to keep up with family and friends. You can text internationally with no fees.
Prevent culture shock
We love learning about new cultures and venturing to far-off
lands that we couldn’t have even imagined existed when younger. This yearning
for knowledge and deep interest in new cultures always pushes us to do our
research before we travel to a destination.The more you take time to understand the culture, rituals, and
beliefs of a society, the less likely it is that you’ll be “shocked” when you
step foot off that plane. We’ve spanned the globe and have definitely felt like
a fish out of water in certain countries, cities, or townships, but, our
willingness to be open and accepting is what has allowed us to see the beauty all
over the world.It all depends on your destination and where you’re coming from. For us Europeans, America and the United Kingdom can be a very easy transition as they are similar to Italy. Although, when we decided to move to the Middle East, we had to adapt to the culture and respect the country costumes and traditions.
Learn the language…
Some people find learning a language easy, others struggle.
Some prefer to learn in a formal class while others would rather work at it in
private. Find out what works for you. Being surrounded by the new language all
day – full immersion – is the quickest and most effective way to learn.Let’s be honest, as an adult, it’s extremely difficult to learn
a new language, especially when you’re busy with travel, work, and life! But,
showing natives your willingness to try makes all the difference. A lot of
people are so afraid of making a mistake that they just give up altogether.
Give it a go! Most locals will be happy that you’re trying to communicate, even
if it’s “broken.”To start with, just focus on the basic phrases you need to
get through day to day life: greetings, numbers, food and directions. Then, you
can eat and get home if you get lost. Have a local language radio station on
whenever you can. Simply absorbing the spoken word, with all the intonations
and rhythms, helps set the language in your mind, almost subconsciously.Look at online newspapers written in your chosen language.
They are up-to-date and relevant, and you can use the pictures as clues to aid
comprehension. Following a specific story over a few days can help build and
confirm vocabulary.TV and films help too. Most satellite TVs have some foreign language channels where you can learn while watching. Alternatively, select a different language option on your favorite movie.
…and eat the food!
Go out and try everything! One of the best parts of moving abroad is tasting the cuisine and finding the new ways that people make food. Check out the local markets in your area or see if you can take a cooking class. Make sure to try the restaurants in your neighborhood or ask your neighbors where they like to eat.
Feel at home!
Adding little touches of home, like a simple blanket, candle or a book, really make any space feel like home. Bringing sentimental items into a new space can make it feel cozy. One of my favorite moments of my days as an expat is cooking in my new kitchen. The ritual of doing everyday things while abroad makes everything a little closer to home. It also helps to seek out restaurants that remind you of home.
Getting the opportunity to experience what life is like in other countries and in other people’s shoes is one of the most rewarding things you can ever experienced. When you live abroad, you get the chance to learn and feel what life is really about, and meet new people who can help show you that as well.
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The hitchhiker’s guide to becoming an expat
With 195 countries in the world, becoming an expat is an enchanting idea. However, moving abroad is an enormous decision that comes with a laundry list of to-dos and what-ifs — How do I obtain a visa? Where will I work? What if I can’t find a place to live? How will I make friends?
Becoming an expatriate comes with its challenges and with a lot of preparation, but at the end of the day, experiencing all the world has to offer can be a fulfilling life experience with opportunities to learn about new places and cultures. Living in another country can push you outside of your comfort zone and force you to appreciate life in the moment.
To help you plan this new adventure, here’s a list of things to keep in mind before moving overseas.
Plan your timeline
An international move doesn’t happen overnight. Give yourself time to organize your life back home and your future move. Prepare your friends and family for the move while ensuring you’re completing everything on your moving abroad checklist (i.e. passport, vaccines, visas). The more in advance you plan, the more organized your move will be.
Deal with the clutter in your life
Most likely, you’ve accumulated lots of “stuff” in your life. Sell off everything? Keep things in storage? An important fact of moving abroad is that everything you own will not be making the move with you. Maybe your parents or a friend has a closet they’re willing to let you store things in. If you have a car, consider selling it. Bedroom furniture, kitchen appliances, clothing items — go through it all and clean it out.
Update your passport and get a VISA
Before you even begin packing to make the move abroad, make sure you’re legally able to board the plane. If you haven’t traveled in a while, pull that passport out of your drawer, clean off the dust and double check the expiration date. If your passport expires in less than 2 years and you’re not 100% sure how long you want to be abroad, go ahead and renew. Your passport is the most important thing you’ll own when you’re moving overseas.
Visas are the gatekeepers into the country you wish to live in. Each country differs, and making sure you’ve applied for the right visa is, unfortunately, totally up to you. You’ll probably find that there are many different visas when you go to apply, though if you plan to work, or you’re heading over to study, it’s really important to apply for the right visa. For instance, restrictions on a tourist visa won’t allow you to work, and in many countries may only permit you to stay for 30 days. It’s a big deal if you breach the terms of your visa, so make sure you’re getting the right one.
Print all the Visa application forms and information, pull out your highlighters and read through everything a couple of times. I find that physically printing something out and being able to highlight it means I understand the process better than if I was reading it online. I then make my own checklist of everything I need to do and include. Visa applications can take a lot of time to process, and they often cost a lot. If you’re denied because you forgot to include something, you won’t get a refund of your money or your time. So be meticulous in checking, double checking and triple checking your applications.
A simple Google search will usually point you in the right direction but be careful with third party websites that claim they can get them for you fast. The best place to find visa information is usually on your government website, and the government website of your chosen country.
It's all about the money
Your money will go further in some countries more than others. For example, lunch in Thailand will cost you about 2 dollars while lunch in Rio de Janeiro will set you back more like 8-10 dollars. Consider the cost of living and your budget before jet-setting!
Find a place to live
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