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sierrawestla · 5 years ago

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THE SAINT FROM AMERICA BY Gil Roscoe

The idea came to me when I was twenty-four. Why not try to go around the world? I’d do it on my own with a backpack. I’d camp and stay in youth hostels. I’d see if I could find work along the way. It seemed like a quixotic dream, but the possibility possessed me. I began to set about arranging for it. In September of 1974 my mother dropped me off on a highway in southern New York. I stuck my thumb out and headed west.

Over a year later, in December of 1975, I woke up in a cheap hotel in Jodhpur, India. I was living on the money I had saved while juggling two jobs in Perth, Australia for three months. On this day my plan was to walk up the hill north of the city and take a tour of The Old Fort that once defended Jodhpur. I didn’t know that in the hills between the city and the Old Fort lived a community of holy men.

I walked by one of these men as he sat in front of his hut. He called me over. He spoke English and was very interested in who I was and the history of my life. I told him I was attempting to go around the world. The conversation immediately stopped and he just nodded his head for a few seconds. The next thing he did was to ask me to stay with him in his little hut. I thought it might be interesting, so I agreed.

In India people don’t only want to know if you’re having a good time on your trip. They will often ask, “What is the purpose of this journey?” To the holy man my attempt to go around the world was not the whim of a young American with endless wanderlust. To him it was a pilgrimage with huge spiritual implications. The word spread quickly among the community that a man on a holy mission was staying with one of their fellows. The local Saddhu came and paid me a visit. My host translated his questions and my answers. I must have passed the test because I was readily accepted as one of them. My quest to circle the globe had given me instant holy man status. I enjoyed two days of conversations and invitations. I drank a lot of tea. I painfully discovered that a lot of chai can be a bad idea in a location where it’s hard to find a place to pee.

Then everything changed. Word got out down in the city of Jodhpur that there was a Saint from America up in the hills. People started coming to see for themselves. It got kind of crazy. They would tell me about their lives and ask my advice. They would argue over who would get to talk to me next. One man wanted me to assign him a task to perform in order to prove his worthiness to speak with me. The dinner and lunch invitations were hard to keep straight in my head. A French anthropologist happened by while doing some research on local languages. He just shook his head when I explained to him how I had become an instant saint. After a week of this it got to be too much. I made a plan to slip away to the train station. I would head for Jaipur and relax for a few days. I desperately needed to feel like normal, unholy me again. People were making life decisions based on my advice. I couldn’t handle it anymore.

One man had wanted to meet with me the next day to discuss some aspect of his life. He was the only one I told that I would be leaving by train the next morning.

My sneak-away from the hills was quietly successful. But of course, there were a dozen people at the train station. They had flowers for me. They bowed as this world-circling pilgrim retreated from the most attention he’d ever had in his life. I had learned that being a saint is very tricky business. I was done with it.

Gil Roscoe is a novelist living in Los Angeles. His books are available on all ebook services.

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hanni1011 · 5 years ago

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Bali - The paradise

07.01.-17.01.2020

Dienstag hat uns unser Flug nach Bali geführt - nie wieder ein Flug mit der Airline Malindo Air! Verdammt hungrig in Bali angekommen, wurden wir von unserem Fahrer (Freund von unseren AirBnb-Vermietern) abgeholt. Die 1,5 stündige Fahrt haben wir uns mit Komang unterhalten und die Landschaft betrachtet und zwischendurch einen Stopp beim Supermarkt für etwas essbares gemacht. Unsere sehr schöne AirBnb-Wohnung zwischen Reisfeldern mit wunderschöner Aussicht lag ein bisschen außerhalb von Ubud, wodurch wir aber nichts von den Trubel und den ganzen Lärm mitbekommen haben. Nach einem power nap und einer Dusche, sind wir mit den Vermietern von der Wohnung mit deren Scootern in die Stadt gefahren. Dann haben Niek und ich uns ein sehr schönes Restaurant für unser Dinner ausgesucht. Wieder zu Hause gab es noch einen Tee mit den Einheimischen und dann ging es auch schnell ins Bett zum schlafen!

Den nächsten Tag haben wir erstmal ausgeschlafen, hatten dann ein günstiges und sehr leckeres Frühstück in der Nähe von unserem AirBnb und sind durch die Straßen Ubuds gelaufen. Ein Besuch im Monkey Forest durfte natürlich nicht fehlen - überall umzingelt von Monkeys in den Bäumen, die umher gesprungen sind. Nach der sehr entspannten balinesischen Massage, gab es lunch und dann ging es auf den Markt! Von allen Seiten angeschrien - „cheap, cheap!“, „special price“, „Taxi“, „buy one“, „looki looki inside“, „come in“, ... so wie man sich das halt vorstellt :-D - haben wir Abendbrot gegessen und sind zurück nach Hause gelaufen.

Der folgende Tag war wieder sehr entspannt: Frühstück, ein gaaaaaaanz langer Spaziergang durch Ubud - fucking hot, der Schweiß lief nur so runter -, es gab Kuchen, und zu Hause haben wir essen für unser Dinner auf unserer eigenen Terrasse bestellt.

Freitag ging es mit unserem Driver Komang um 9 Uhr nach Denpasar und wir haben eine komplette Runde durch den Süden Balis gemacht. Wir haben uns Nusa Dua, Kuta, Sanur (alles sehr schöne Orte) und einige Strände angeguckt - hatten aber natürlich keine Badesachen mit :-)

Samstag haben wir uns auf den einheimischen Farmers Market gefreut und einige Zeit dafür eingeplant- Fehlanzeige! Der ganze Markt bestand aus zwei Ständen, die in 10 Minuten abgehakt waren :-D Dann haben wir so gut wie den ganzen Tag auf dem großen Markt verbracht und Souvenirs für Nieks Familie gekauft. Den Tag hatten wir auch den ersten Regen tagsüber, aber wir sind ja nicht aus Zucker. Nach der Pizza zum Dinner, ging es wieder nach Hause - genau rechtzeitig ! Ein paar Sekunden später hat es wie aus Eimern geschüttet.

Den letzten Tag der Woche haben wir unsere Wäsche zur laundry gebracht und sind dann nach Sanur für unseren Beach Day gefahren - mit einem Stopp bei einer Silber-Gold-Fabrik, bei der wir uns die einzelnen Schritte der Herstellung angucken konnten. Angekommen in Sanur sind wir den Strand auf der Suche nach Frühstück entlang gelaufen. Dann endlich fündig geworden, haben wir uns für Artotel Beach Club entschieden. Für wenig Geld haben wir Liegen in der ersten Reihe am Strand inclusive Brunch mit all you can eat- Buffet und einem Pool mit Bar für den ganzen Tag gehabt - wunderschön! Nach dem Frühstück, sind wir zum Supermarkt für ein Sudoku Buch gelaufen. Völlig verschwitzt zurück gab es im Pool erstmal unser Bintang-Bier, bevor wir dann das all-you-can-eat-Buffet für unser lunch ausgenutzt haben. Dann ging es zum bräunen und dösen auf unsere Liegen am Strand. Nach dem Schwimmgang im Meer, haben wir doch wieder das Bier im Pool bevorzugt :-D In einem romantischen Dinner-Bett mit Lichtern gab es dann Pizza... ein wunderschöner Tag ! ... mit einem nicht so schönen Ende... wieder zu Hause angekommen ging es Niek mit Bauchschmerzen nicht so gut. Beide nachts aufgewacht, mussten wir uns mit der Toilette abwechseln- alles an Essen und mehr kam wieder raus - Durchfall und dauerhaftes Übergeben...

Fix und fertig haben wir unseren Tagesausflug für Montag abgesagt und den ganzen nächsten Tag im Bett verbracht. Nach einer morgendlichen Toiletten-Runde war aber erstmal alles gut. Wir haben viel geschlafen, Filme geguckt, leichtes Essen (Suppe, Brot, trockene Kekse, Cola) bestellt. Abends kam dann bei mir alles oben wieder raus - einfach nur ekelig ! Nach einem kurzen Spaziergang an der frischen Luft, und einem leichten Abendbrot - was zum Glück drin blieb - ging es mir einigermaßen wieder gut.

Dienstag haben wir uns gewagt, unseren Tagesausflug in den Norden Balis zu starten. Mit Komang ging es morgens um 9 zu den heiligen hot springs, bei denen wir zwei Stunden verbracht haben - sehr schön ! Danach ging es zur coffee Plantage mit einem Tee und Kaffee tasting. Wir haben Luwak-Kaffee probiert (eine Art Katze, die die Kaffeebohne isst, die hinten wieder rauskommt) - schmeckt wie ekeliger schwarzer Kaffe :-D Danach haben wir uns einen sehr großen Tempel mit einem heiligen Bad für die Einheimischen angeguckt. Auch die Riceterraces waren sehr beeindruckend. Nach unserem lunch dort, ging es noch zu einem Tempel in Ubud und dann fix und fertig nach Hause!

Auch Mittwoch hatten wir wieder einen Tagesausflug! Um 9 Uhr ging es den Osten. Unser erster Stopp war der größte Tempel Balis: Wir haben einen Sarong (Tuch als Rock) bekommen, sind mit Scootern und einem Guide zum Tempel gefahren und hatten dort eine Führung, die sehr beeindruckend war. Wir haben uns danach noch zwei schöne Wasserfälle und einen Elefanten-Tempel angeguckt.

Donnerstag war dann Nieks und mein letzter ganzer Tag. Wir - oder besser gesagt Niek :-D - haben lange geschlafen, hatten ein leckeres und langes Frühstück und haben den ganzen Tag nochmal in Ubud verbracht. Es gab eine Ganzkörper-Massage und ein letztes schönes Dinner. Insgesamt ist Bali traumhaft! Ich würde nicht wieder 10 Tage in Ubud schlafen, aber der Süden mit den Stränden und der Norden mit Gebirgen, Wasserfällen und Templen waren einfach nur wunderschön !!

Heute sind wir dann um 9 mit einem Taxi zum Flughafen gefahren und haben auf unsere Flüge gewartet... unsere Wege haben sich dann nachmittags getrennt. Nach dem sehr tränenreichen Abschied, ist Niek in sein Flugzeug zurück in die Niederlande und ich in mein Flugzeug nach Perth an die australische Westküste gestiegen. Nachher fahre ich dann mit dem Bus nach Fremantle (ein Vorort von Perth) zu meinem Hostel, in dem ich die nächste Zeit arbeiten werde.

Miss ya and see ya soon !

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perthfoodreview · 5 years ago

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INVITED // THE ONLY TYPE OF RINGS YOU NEED 💍 // Featuring cocktails, lager and onion rings from the revamped Lazy Lee, Hostel G on Stirling Street, Perth. Menu on @perthfoodmenu The Christmas Special cocktail: Sneaky Santa Slip (aud10) was delish - it was a bit sour and so appetising. Also tried the Leechee Mojito (aud12 - refreshing with lychees), Lazy Sex on the Beach (aud9 - very fruity like a fruit punch) and Lee’s Unbeerable Brew (aud5). I don’t normally like beer but this lager was so easy to drink - it wasn’t bitter or dry at all. Crisp and clean taste. And of course - the only rings you need - Loved the crispy onion rings (aud6) heaps. Generous and really reasonable pricing for cocktails. This spacious burger bar is perfect for hangouts - complete with snooker and footsie tables, board games and two new VR stations. Definitely check this fun place out for yummy burgers, cheap cocktails and its chilled-out vibes. 🤙🏼 #lazyleeperth #hostelgperth #cocktails #lager #onionrings #perthcocktails #perthfoodreview (at Lazy Lee Perth) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5u_5MTjNaC/?igshid=1izrkc5wwr0w7

#lazyleeperth #hostelgperth #cocktails #lager #onionrings #perthcocktails #perthfoodreview

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thistransient · 6 years ago

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My confusion at having nothing in particular to do definitely turned into full on panic when I drove back up to Perth with only the very vague plan to "go north" and one night booked at a hostel (that turned out to have no available cheap parking and extremely misleading information about cash payments). I spent the afternoon planning a nice road trip and doing laundry, then simultaneously got a reply from the latest doctor telling me to make an appointment, and also realized the campsite for my first stop wasn't open til November. This small catalyst, combined with hunger induced depression, sent me into a swift downward spiral that culminated in booking an Airbnb in a northern suburb because I really, really cannot take it with the hostels anymore. I had, in fact, totally forgotten about Airbnb as an option until last night. I left the prices in euro to feel better about the numbers, and used my U.S. card to avoid the horrifying drop in my NZ bank account.

This morning my oldest friend in the U.S. (well, not age-wise, but the longest running friendship, which is saying something because I have a hard time maintaining relationships) told me she's set her wedding date for next year. I've long established that this is the only event I'd be willing to go back for (barring death of immediate family). She's also quite goth and will be doing a costume-themed wedding on Halloween, which should be fun (she's a Nuyorican living in the Deep South, fyi).

This ads a new element to the attempt to juggle my transition with finding a job in Australia and visiting everyone in Asia. I had always told myself that if I went back to the U.S. I was going to buy a car, take a trip to see my friends, collect all my belongings from their various storage spaces (especially since my parents plan to move after my brother graduates), and generally Sort Things Out. I am so not ready to do that as soon as next year.

#internal screaaaaming

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bookingbuys-blog · 6 years ago

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My 12 Favorite Cities in the World

Updated: 8/4/2019 | August 4th, 2019 (Orignally posted in 2011) When you travel for a living, you get asked a lot of questions as you bounce from one hostel to another. The top one: what’s your favorite country? The second most asked question: what’s your favorite city? I’ve spent a long time traveling the world and have been to hundreds upon hundreds of cities in the world. There are so many that I love for many different reasons – some for art, some for history, some for the food, most for the people. But, to me, the ones that stand out the most are the ones where I feel most at home. They are places I visit and feel connected too. Their energy and my energy match. I move around them with ease, I feel at one with the culture, and tempo of the city. I think to myself “Yeah, I could live here.” Not just visit but live. And, when I think that, then I know I’ve found a special place. So what are my favorite cities in the world? Where are the places I feel that way? They are here: My 12 Favorite Cities Amsterdam Paris Bangkok Stockholm New York City Chicago Vancouver Queenstown Perth Hong Kong London Reykjavik 1. Amsterdam

I can’t say exactly how many times I’ve been to Amsterdam, but it’s in the double digits. And, for a brief time at the end of 2006, I lived there as a professional poker player (Seriously. It’s one of the more interesting random facts about me!). The fast-paced life, friendly locals, easy access to the rest of Europe, picturesque canals, and great architecture keep me coming back. Plus, it being Amsterdam and all, there are tons of weird and quirky things to see and do there too! In some ways, Amsterdam reminds me of my hometown of Boston, which might be why I love it so much. The brick buildings, fast-moving people, austere vibe. It feels like home. Favorite activity: Boating through the canals with friends. Visiting Amsterdam? Check out my complete budget travel guide to Amsterdam! It’s hundreds of pages long and will help you plan the best trip there! 2. Paris

Ever since I stepped out on the Champs Elysées, I knew Paris was it. It was everything I dreamed it would be I was in love from the first moment. Sure, Paris is large and expensive and bursting with tourists. But what big city isn’t like that? Paris is beautiful, vibrant, and filled with great food and history. Being here is like being in a real-life romantic comedy. I love the city so much I even moved there for a good chunk of 2019. It really does live up to all the hype, especially when you move away from the tourist areas and into the local places more. Favorite activity: Picking up some good food at the market and having a picnic. Get my complete budget travel guide to Paris and plan the perfect trip! It’s hundreds of pages long and will help you plan the best trip there! 3. Bangkok

I hated Bangkok the first few times I traveled there. It was simply a dirty, polluted city with no redeeming qualities. It wasn’t until I moved there that I fell in love with it. Bangkok, it turns out, is an easy city to live in — there’s lots to do, plenty of events, great bars, wonderful food (nothing beats Thai street food), and even more wonderful people. It’s just a bad tourist city. There’s just not a lot to do there for a tourist. It’s a city you live in. Living in Bangkok showed me that looks can be deceiving and that there is more to a city than what you see on the surface. You just need to be willing to look a little deeper. And, when you do, you always find something special. Favorite activity: Live music at Brick Bar or eating noodles at a street stall. If you’re visiting Bangkok, check out my complete budget travel guide to Bangkok! It has everything I know about the city in one easy place. 4. Stockholm

I have a strong affinity for all things Scandinavian, and Stockholm is no exception. I’ve been there a handful of times over the years, and I even tried to move there years ago (it didn’t work out). I think this city is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. The reds and greens of the buildings have an Old World charm that rivals cities like Prague, and during the fall, the changing leaves only highlight that beauty. Stockholm is also very historic, with a high quality of life, and the Swedes in the city are super friendly and welcoming. It’s not a cheap city to visit, but it’s worth every penny! Favorite activity: Getting lost in the maze of historic streets in Gamla Stan. Check out my budget travel guidebook to Stockholm and plan your trip today! 5. New York City

New York City is a place where dreams are made into reality and there is always something to do, something to see, or a new place to eat. The city is so multicultural that when I feel like I need to travel but I can’t, there’s an ethnic area of the city that will give me my fix. I love NYC. It is the heart of the world to me. It is a non-stop place where you come to make it in the world. You can always find something to do, world-class food, people from all walks of life, and just a hustler vibe. I spent close to five years living there and visit at least once a month (when I can). It is the city you see in the movies. Favorite activity: Walking the High Line and cooling off with drinks at the Grey Mare. (Tell Marcos I say hi!) Since I spent so much time there, I wrote a budget travel guidebook to New York City! Pick it up for all the insider info you need! 6. Chicago

After NYC, Chicago is probably my favorite US city, especially in the summer time. While the winter months here can be brutal, this lakeside city seems to come to life after it emerges from its long and cold winter. Along with its lively atmosphere, the food here is delicious and the architecture is second to none. There’s a vibrant energy during the summertime as everyone is out in the parks, cafes, rooftop bars, on the lake, and watching the Cubs. Chicago is just awesome. Favorite activity: Going to a Cubs game! For more, read our destination guide to Chicago and start planning your trip today. 7. Vancouver

I think this must be one of the most livable cities in the world. I’d certainly live in it, which is my benchmark for whether or not I really like a place. In Vancouver, you can go from the city into the mountains in minutes. I think that is really the highlight of the city for me — the fact that I don’t have to go far to be with nature. Not only is there incredible nature nearby but there’s a park so big in the middle of the city, I often feel like I am in the center of a forest. Add in a vibrant food and art scene, and Vancouver is definitely a world-class city. It’s not a cheap city to live in, but that’s the price for all the amazing things Vancouver has to offer! Favorite activity: Hanging out on Granville Island or walking around Stanley Park. Read our desintation guide to Vancouver and start planning your trip today. 8. Queenstown

Perched on a lake in the stunning South Island mountains of New Zealand, Queenstown is a high-energy resort town for adventurers. This isn’t your typical city, as travelers come here because they want to be outside. There’s bungy jumping, hiking, rafting, zip-lining, boating, and tons more. It’s a paradise for the outdoorsy type and the perfect city for people who don’t like big, crowded cities. The city and surrounding area are postcard-perfect (much like the rest of the country! I would jump on a plane and head back there right now if I could. Favorite activity: Hiking the surrounding mountains. Read our guide to Queenstown to plan your next adventure there. 9. Perth

Perth, Australia, is more like a big town than a city — and I think that’s what I like about it. It’s big enough to have a lot to do but small enough to feel cozy. I love Perth because of that small-town, big-city feel and for the fact that it’s on the water and has a great nightlife. Not only that, but Perth is a great jumping-off spot to see the western Australian parks and natural sites, and it’s also close to hip Freemantle, which is home to my favorite Australian brewery: Little Creatures. I find it much more personal than other towns in Australia. Favorite activity: Relaxing at the beach Read our budget travel guide to Perth for more information! 10. Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the best cities in the world for foodies. I always stop in when I’m in Asia and stuff my face with some of the best dumplings in the world. The city is busy and dense (it’s one of the most densely populated places on the planet) but it has a fun nightlife and tons of activities to keep you entertained, from markets to temples to nearby hikes outside the city. While the city offers an interesting mix between eastern and western cultures, what really sets Hong Kong apart from other massive, dense cities is just how clean and well-organized it is. Getting around is a breeze, making it an easy and fun place to explore for a few days — or more! Favorite activity: Eating dumplings! Get my comprhensive budget travel guide to Hong Kong and know all the best local spots to visit! 11. Reykjavik

Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in the world. As a budget traveler, you’d think that would keep me away but let me tell you something: it’s absolutely worth the price. Reykjavik has tons of cozy cafes, wild clubs, cute architecture, and friendly pubs. It’s tiny, yet you can easily spend a few days here and not get bored (especially if you’re a night owl. Icelanders love to party). Fortunately, as the tourism industry grows, there are more and more free (or cheap) things to do in the city. And with Icelandair offering free stopovers on flights between North America and Europe, it’s never been easier to visit this charming Scandinavia capital. Favorite activity: Cozying up in a cafe to read and people watch. Get my comprehensive budget travel guide to Iceland here! 12. London

As a history nerd, I’ve always loved visiting London. Some of the best museums in the world are there — and they are all free (there are tons of other free things to see and do as well). But it wasn’t until last year when I spent a month in the city that I really “got” it. I understood why people loved it. There was a charming sophistication to the place. Strolling the streets of the city, enjoying the markets, taking in the history of the place, laying in the park, and having a pint outside a pub? Heaven. Paris will always have my heart but London comes close. Favorite activity: Visiting as many museums as I can and then drinking at a pub. Check out our travel guide to London to plan your trip. *** There are you have it! My favorite cities in the world. Leave a comment on this post and let me know what your favorites are – and why! P.S. – I just released a new book! It’s called “Ten Years a Nomad” and it’s about my ten years backpacking the world and the lessons I learned from it. It features tons of stories I’ve never told on this blog and is a book that delves into the why of travel! Click here to learn more, grab your copy today, and meet me on my book tour! Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: World Nomads (for everyone below 70) Read the full article

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tamboradventure · 6 years ago

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My 12 Favorite Cities in the World

Updated: 8/4/2019 | August 4th, 2019 (Orignally posted in 2011)

When you travel for a living, you get asked a lot of questions as you bounce from one hostel to another. The top one: what’s your favorite country?

The second most asked question: what’s your favorite city?

I’ve spent a long time traveling the world and have been to hundreds upon hundreds of cities in the world. There are so many that I love for many different reasons – some for art, some for history, some for the food, most for the people.

But, to me, the ones that stand out the most are the ones where I feel most at home. They are places I visit and feel connected too. Their energy and my energy match. I move around them with ease, I feel at one with the culture, and tempo of the city.

I think to myself “Yeah, I could live here.” Not just visit but live.

And, when I think that, then I know I’ve found a special place.

So what are my favorite cities in the world? Where are the places I feel that way? They are here:

My 12 Favorite Cities

Amsterdam

Paris

Bangkok

Stockholm

New York City

Chicago

Vancouver

Queenstown

Perth

Hong Kong

London

Reykjavik

1. Amsterdam

The fast-paced life, friendly locals, easy access to the rest of Europe, picturesque canals, and great architecture keep me coming back. Plus, it being Amsterdam and all, there are tons of weird and quirky things to see and do there too!

In some ways, Amsterdam reminds me of my hometown of Boston, which might be why I love it so much. The brick buildings, fast-moving people, austere vibe. It feels like home.

Favorite activity: Boating through the canals with friends.

Visiting Amsterdam? Check out my complete budget travel guide to Amsterdam! It’s hundreds of pages long and will help you plan the best trip there!

2. Paris

Paris is beautiful, vibrant, and filled with great food and history. Being here is like being in a real-life romantic comedy. I love the city so much I even moved there for a good chunk of 2019. It really does live up to all the hype, especially when you move away from the tourist areas and into the local places more.

Favorite activity: Picking up some good food at the market and having a picnic.

Get my complete budget travel guide to Paris and plan the perfect trip! It’s hundreds of pages long and will help you plan the best trip there!

3. Bangkok

I hated Bangkok the first few times I traveled there. It was simply a dirty, polluted city with no redeeming qualities. It wasn’t until I moved there that I fell in love with it.

Bangkok, it turns out, is an easy city to live in — there’s lots to do, plenty of events, great bars, wonderful food (nothing beats Thai street food), and even more wonderful people. It’s just a bad tourist city. There’s just not a lot to do there for a tourist. It’s a city you live in.

Living in Bangkok showed me that looks can be deceiving and that there is more to a city than what you see on the surface. You just need to be willing to look a little deeper.

And, when you do, you always find something special.

Favorite activity: Live music at Brick Bar or eating noodles at a street stall.

If you’re visiting Bangkok, check out my complete budget travel guide to Bangkok! It has everything I know about the city in one easy place.

4. Stockholm

I think this city is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. The reds and greens of the buildings have an Old World charm that rivals cities like Prague, and during the fall, the changing leaves only highlight that beauty.

Stockholm is also very historic, with a high quality of life, and the Swedes in the city are super friendly and welcoming. It’s not a cheap city to visit, but it’s worth every penny!

Favorite activity: Getting lost in the maze of historic streets in Gamla Stan.

Check out my budget travel guidebook to Stockholm and plan your trip today!

5. New York City

I love NYC. It is the heart of the world to me. It is a non-stop place where you come to make it in the world. You can always find something to do, world-class food, people from all walks of life, and just a hustler vibe.

I spent close to five years living there and visit at least once a month (when I can).

It is the city you see in the movies.

Favorite activity: Walking the High Line and cooling off with drinks at the Grey Mare. (Tell Marcos I say hi!)

Since I spent so much time there, I wrote a budget travel guidebook to New York City! Pick it up for all the insider info you need!

6. Chicago

After NYC, Chicago is probably my favorite US city, especially in the summer time.

While the winter months here can be brutal, this lakeside city seems to come to life after it emerges from its long and cold winter. Along with its lively atmosphere, the food here is delicious and the architecture is second to none. There’s a vibrant energy during the summertime as everyone is out in the parks, cafes, rooftop bars, on the lake, and watching the Cubs.

Chicago is just awesome.

Favorite activity: Going to a Cubs game!

For more, read our destination guide to Chicago and start planning your trip today.

7. Vancouver

Not only is there incredible nature nearby but there’s a park so big in the middle of the city, I often feel like I am in the center of a forest. Add in a vibrant food and art scene, and Vancouver is definitely a world-class city. It’s not a cheap city to live in, but that’s the price for all the amazing things Vancouver has to offer!

Favorite activity: Hanging out on Granville Island or walking around Stanley Park.

Read our desintation guide to Vancouver and start planning your trip today.

8. Queenstown

The city and surrounding area are postcard-perfect (much like the rest of the country! I would jump on a plane and head back there right now if I could.

Favorite activity: Hiking the surrounding mountains.

Read our guide to Queenstown to plan your next adventure there.

9. Perth

Not only that, but Perth is a great jumping-off spot to see the western Australian parks and natural sites, and it’s also close to hip Freemantle, which is home to my favorite Australian brewery: Little Creatures. I find it much more personal than other towns in Australia.

Favorite activity: Relaxing at the beach

Read our budget travel guide to Perth for more information!

10. Hong Kong

While the city offers an interesting mix between eastern and western cultures, what really sets Hong Kong apart from other massive, dense cities is just how clean and well-organized it is. Getting around is a breeze, making it an easy and fun place to explore for a few days — or more!

Favorite activity: Eating dumplings!

Get my comprhensive budget travel guide to Hong Kong and know all the best local spots to visit!

11. Reykjavik

Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in the world. As a budget traveler, you’d think that would keep me away but let me tell you something: it’s absolutely worth the price.

Reykjavik has tons of cozy cafes, wild clubs, cute architecture, and friendly pubs. It’s tiny, yet you can easily spend a few days here and not get bored (especially if you’re a night owl. Icelanders love to party).

Fortunately, as the tourism industry grows, there are more and more free (or cheap) things to do in the city. And with Icelandair offering free stopovers on flights between North America and Europe, it’s never been easier to visit this charming Scandinavia capital.

Favorite activity: Cozying up in a cafe to read and people watch.

Get my comprehensive budget travel guide to Iceland here!

12. London

As a history nerd, I’ve always loved visiting London. Some of the best museums in the world are there — and they are all free (there are tons of other free things to see and do as well).

But it wasn’t until last year when I spent a month in the city that I really “got” it. I understood why people loved it. There was a charming sophistication to the place.

Strolling the streets of the city, enjoying the markets, taking in the history of the place, laying in the park, and having a pint outside a pub? Heaven.

Paris will always have my heart but London comes close.

Favorite activity: Visiting as many museums as I can and then drinking at a pub.

Check out our travel guide to London to plan your trip.

***

There are you have it! My favorite cities in the world. Leave a comment on this post and let me know what your favorites are – and why!

P.S. – I just released a new book! It’s called “Ten Years a Nomad” and it’s about my ten years backpacking the world and the lessons I learned from it. It features tons of stories I’ve never told on this blog and is a book that delves into the why of travel! Click here to learn more, grab your copy today, and meet me on my book tour!

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and that will save you time and money too!

The post My 12 Favorite Cities in the World appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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lcgjjdh-blog · 6 years ago

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We are the generation of online entrepreneurs and digital nomads. We travel more than ever and sometimes we lack inspiration for our future trips. Let me inspire you! I created this list of 30 countries you should visit before you turn 30 and the reasons to visit them.

Of course, everybody has a different lifestyle and spending level, but none of these locations is really expensive and totally unaffordable and many of them you can visit in one trip. It’s not impossible to travel so much and if you’re interested how can we afford to travel every month – you can read this post.

How to combine countries and visit more of them in one trip, so you can really visit all these 30 countries before you turn 30, I’ll tell you at the end of this post.

30 countries you should visit before you turn 30

1. Thailand

From Bangkok to James Bond Island, from vicious Pattaya to Buddhist Temples in Ayuthaya, Thailand has so many things to offer to its visitors and is definitely one of the 30 countries you should visit before you turn 30. It’s even possible to go volunteering there and many people, who did that, said they had the best time of their lives. You can also, of course, just buy a ticket to Thailand and enjoy your holiday, like we did. Read some of our posts about Thailand here.

Thailand

2. Morocco

From Agadir to Marrakech, Morocco is full of amazing cities and towns. Morocco is safe, beautiful, cheap and luxurious at the same time. You’ve probably seen plenty of photos on Instagram, featuring the hotels, which look like palaces – Riads. Staying in one of them is not that expensive at all. You can read about our adventures in Rabat and Marrakech here.

Marrakech

3. Mexico

Mexico is a very accessible destination for all the Northern Americans and it’s really amazing. Mexico has so many fabulous colourful cities like Puebla or San Cristobal and perfect resorts (see the top 10 in this post) in places like Cancun, Riviera Maya or Puerto Vallarta. And of course, in Mexico, you can try the most delicious guacamole in your life or take some colourful photos in lovely Coyoacan – one of the best districts of Mexico City.

Mexico – Riviera Maya

4. Belarus

Instead of reading how and imagining, how was the life back in the USSR, just head to Belarus. The capital, Minsk shows you how the life was in the 70s or 80s. Not much has changed since then in the city and it’s really really interesting. Read about top 10 things to do in Minsk, Belarus in this post.

Minsk

5. Cuba

Cuba is a unique country and my advice – you should visit it now before it changes. And believe me, it will change. Cuba is poor, but just as many other poor countries, it’s quite expensive for the foreigners. Don’t have too high expectations for food in Cuba, but their rum is one of the best in the world. Also, Cuba is all about the atmosphere and I didn’t meet anyone, who didn’t like this amazing island.

Cuba

6. France

If you ask any person in the world, who hasn’t travelled outside his/her country yet, what do they want to visit, they would probably answer Paris. Paris was featured in so many iconic movies, books and it was a huge fame about it. It’s not a secret that over the last 30 years Paris changed a lot (and not to the best, unfortunately, some districts are now quite dangerous), however, it still has so many charming, cute and fabulous places! France is not only Paris, of course, and you can visit some pretty amazing places like Carcassonne or French Riviera or Bordeaux. So France definitely deserves MANY trips, but you have to visit it at least one before you turn 30!

Impressive Carcassonne

7. Norway

Norway is expensive, so to travel there you’ve got to know your ways. If you’re before 30, you can still enjoy backpacking (don’t get me wrong, people after 30 do plenty of backpacking activities too, but usually (not always, but USUALLY), when you turn 30 and work full-time you want to have some certain level of comfort, besides you will probably have a family at some point and bringing your newborn to the hostel would definitely be a bad idea) and live in hostels, so that would help you to save a lot. While Norwegian capital, Oslo is not that impressive (read my post about my short layover in Oslo), but Norwegian nature and fjords are definitely some of the most beautiful places on Earth!

Norway from the window

8. Japan

Japan is unique! It’s a totally different world and I’m dreaming of going there one day. People say it’s impossible not to like Japan. Again, as a young person you can enjoy Japan on a budget – staying in some capsule hotels will be somewhat intriguing and buying ready meals in the supermarkets will be definitely an interesting experience. That’s why Japan is one of the 30 countries you should visit before you turn 30.

Japan

9. USA

(in case you aren’t from the States) or even if you are: The USA has cosmic landscapes, amazing beaches, cities full of culture and history – that’s why you need to visit the States at least once in your life. The USA is one of the best countries in the world for road trips – you can do the iconic route 66 or the West Coast or even the East Coast. What you should visit is the Natural Parks – they are incredible! I also enjoyed Miami Beach – its atmosphere is great and shopping there was beyond my expectations and also I somewhat enjoyed New York City.

Colourful Miami Beach

10. Russia

Russia is the biggest country in the world – so if you have one of these cool scratch maps of the world, it will seem like you have visited half of the world just after scratching the whole territory of Russia. However, there are of course more reasons to visit Russia than filling your scratch map – the Kremlin in Moscow is really impressive, St. Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, the North of Russia – Karelia has amazing nature, Nizhny Novgorod has a fabulous EDM music festival – Alfa Future People, Kamchatka is cooler than Iceland and of course, Lake Baikal and the famous Trans-Siberian Railroad. Enough reasons to visit Russia? Check these 5 reasons to visit Russia right now and don’t forget to include Russia in your travel list of 30 countries you should visit before you turn 30.

11. Hong Kong

If there’s the best place for a student exchange in the world, I think it’s Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a paradise for students and I enjoyed every second of my exchange in Hong Kong! Amazing nature, interesting culture, best nightlife in the world, free alcohol, beautiful skyscrapers. What else do you need?

Hong Kong

12. Argentina

I haven’t visited Argentina yet, but it’s in top 5 of my bucket list for the next couple of years. Argentinian food, culture and nature are amazing! And Patagonia – the most beautiful part of Argentina is definitely a must!

Patagonia

13. Italy

I haven’t met a single person in my life who didn’t like Italy (same goes for Cuba, but the difference is, almost everyone I know, has been to Italy and only a few have been to Cuba). Seriously, I even asked on my Instagram with 30.5K followers whether there’s somebody who actually disliked Italy. And there was no one. Is it a valid reason to visit Italy? No? Well, then there’s Rome with it’s cultural heritage, romantic city Verona, home of Rome and Juliet; the famous city of canals, Venice; the cradle of university education – Bologna; beautiful city of art – Florence; city of opera – Milan, the city of food – Naples; amazing Sardinia and authentic Sicily. There are SO many places to visit in Italy!

Naples city panorama

14. Scotland

Scotland is part of the UK, but yet it’s a different country. Is has incredible nature (Highlands look like they are from a different planet, same goes for the Isle of Skye), beautiful unique architecture – just look at Edinburgh and amazing & kind people! If you’re a student, you’ll love studying at the University of Edinburgh and if you’re a tourist, you can visit Edinburgh on a budget. Glasgow is also great and definitely deserves a visit! As well as Inverness, St. Andrews, Perth, Oban and many other places!

Scotland

15. Singapore

Singapore looks exactly like the city of future (I feel that’s how the future will look like). It’s sustainable, modern, beautiful and represents a huge mix of different cultures and religions that perfectly coexist together. Singapore has some amazing & fun attractions like the Gardens by the Bay or the Universal Studios Singapore and it even has a beach. The only problem – Singapore is quite expensive, so you need to save for a while in order to be able to experience all that Singapore has to offer!

Garden by the Bay

16. Tanzania

There’s incredible island Zanzibar, there’s Safari, what else do you need to enjoy your holiday? Tanzania is one of the safest countries in Africa and a great destination for tourists, that’s why it’s one of the 30 countries you should visit before you turn 30.

Zanzibar

17. Bulgaria

Bulgaria is one of the cheapest destinations in Europe, but in my opinion, it has one of the tastiest food in Europe and great party destinations for Europeans! Sunny Beach and Golden Sands are extremely popular summer party destinations – they are cheap and fun and if that’s what you’re looking for – head there! If you’re just like me and prefer quieter locations – Varna is the place to go! Nice beaches, cheap prices, good weather, friendly people and amazing food – what else do you need?

Varna

18. Peru

Peru is home to one of the new wonders of the world – Machu Picchu. While some say that Lima is not that impressive, Cusco is a place to go in Peru. There are llamas everywhere, just like sheep in Scotland, and the locals wear their very colourful traditional outfits. Also, it’s always quite cold there, because of the elevation!

Peru

19. Greece

Greece is one of the most popular summer destinations in Europe and Santorini island in Greece of one of the most instagrammable places on Earth. However, other Greek islands like Rhodes and Crete also deserve your attention! We did a crazy Balkan trip last year and also visited Athens and Thessaloniki and enjoyed them a lot!

Rhodes

20. Cambodia

Cambodia is one of the cheapest countries I visited in my life and it’s a great destination for budget travellers. Cambodia has a great history, amazing historical places like Angkor Wat in Siem Reap and lovely beaches around Sihanoukville. Cambodia is hard to reach by plane (we flew there from Singapore and it wasn’t so cheap, but the best and cheapest way to get there is by bus from Bangkok, Thailand).

Cambodia

21. Germany

Germany has the best beer in the world and the most punctual people (how do these both facts go together, I don’t know). If you’re young, you should definitely visit Oktoberfest in Munich. However, there are so many great places to visit in Germany! I personally recommend you to go to Bavaria (Bayern) and spend a couple of days hiking and exploring lovely places like Berchtesgaden and Bad Reichenhall. I also lived in Hamburg, when I was 15 for two months and it was an interesting experience.

Bavaria

22. New Zealand

New Zealand is an iconic destination for all the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings fans. However, if you aren’t a fan of these books/movies, New Zealand still has plenty of things to offer to you, such as tasty food and incredible landscapes. You can visit on of the most impressive glaciers in the world and that’s quite an adventure!

New Zealand

23. Indonesia

Indonesia is one of the most popular destinations for backpackers & surfers because of its popular island Bali. Bali is the favourite place on Earth for millions of people and you’ve got to visit it at least once to understand why. However, don’t go to Bali in December and here’s why!

Bali

24. Romania

I’ve been to Romania already twice and enjoyed it a lot, that’s why I included it in this list of 30 countries you should visit before you turn 30. Bucharest is the new emerging great destination in Europe and has plenty amazing party places! Bucharest is very cheap and has plenty of things to offer! Check my post about 7 reasons to visit Bucharest! Also, there are amazing places to visit in the Romanian countryside – Brasov, the Dracula Castle Bran and the amazing castle Peles!

Beautiful Bucharest

25. Turkey

Turkey is one of the most popular summer beach destinations for Europe, but that’s not the reason to visit Turkey. The true reasons to visit Turkey are its beautiful capital Istanbul and the balloon show in Cappadocia. Also, there are plenty of interesting places in this country. However, if you only want to visit Istanbul, you can buy a long-haul flight with Turkish Airlines and have a long stopover in Istanbul – that way you can even get a free excursion around the city!

Turkey

26. Vietnam

Vietnam is incredible – it’s very cheap almost as cheap as Cambodia, has amazing beaches and even better food and it’s a great backpacking destination! Have you ever tried Pho? Well, it’s Vietnamese and if you like it, you should definitely go to Japan!

Vietnam

27. Ireland

Ireland is home to Guinness beer (who doesn’t like Guinness?), fabulous Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, Galway and Cork! Ireland is a must-visit destination for the nature lover, seafood lovers and beer connoisseurs and it’s a great destination for young people (despite the fact it’s not cheap at all).

Ireland

28. Australia

One of the last 30 countries you should visit before you turn 30 is Australia. Australia needs at least two weeks, so you see few of the amazing places there are in Australia! The best way to explore Australia – hire or even buy a campervan or a motorhome (whatever you call it) and head on your adventure of a lifetime! If you have more time and money, don’t forget to visit beautiful Tasmania.

Australia

29. India

India is the country of culture and once of the best places for yoga retreats in the world. India is different, it’s really unique and you’ve got to be open minded to enjoy your visit to India (otherwise you’ll just complain about cows on the beach or trash everywhere or unhealthy living conditions). India is a great destination for volunteering.

India

30. Iceland

Iceland has been one of the most popular destinations for road trips in 2016! Why? Because of amazing nature in Iceland – geysers, waterfalls, mountains… There are so many places to see in Iceland. Also, everybody wants to take a photo in the famous blue lagoon. But what if you don’t want to take a road trip to Iceland? Don’t worry, you can stay in Reykjavik and book a couple of tours, just like I did during my solo trip to Iceland in March 2015! Iceland is definitely one of the 30 countries you should visit before you turn 30!

Iceland

Feel more inspired to travel now? Liked any of these 30 countries you should visit before you turn 30? Or you’re still doubting that you’ll manage to see them all so soon? Don’t worry, if you combine them properly, you can visit from 2 to 5 countries in one 10-day trip!

So, combination variants: Thailand + Cambodia + Singapore – 12 days – read how we did it Scotland + Ireland Indonesia + Australia + New Zealand – 14 days Canada + USA + Mexico – great for a 3 week adventure France + Germany + Czech Republic – 10 days Italy + Croatia – 10 days Argentina + Peru Japan + Hong Kong + Vietnam Turkey + Tanzania (flying with Turkish Airlines) Belarus + Russia + Norway

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30 countries you should visit before you turn 30 | Tripsget was last modified: June 13th, 2017 by Liza

The post 30 countries you should visit before you turn 30 | Tripsget appeared first on Tripsget UK Travel Millenial Blog.

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backpackerhostel-blog · 6 years ago

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Busting 5 Myths About Cheap Backpackers Hostels

When people think about backpacker hostels in Perth, they instantly surround themselves with an idea of dull living, but are they right to think of them that way?It might have been true a few years back but today, the situation has changed completely. Many of today’s hostels have hotel-like amenities and provide a comfortable stay with a unique experience.

Read more:- Busting 5 Myths About Cheap Backpackers Hostels

#cheap backpackers Perth

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theoldswanbarracks · 6 years ago

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Cheap hostel in Perth - The Old Swan Barracks

One of the outstanding ways to get massive discounts on a reservation is by booking Cheap hostel in Perth in advance or in the off season when there is a lesser amount of rush of tourists. At that time the cost of hotel rooms is very low. Moreover, the money saved on accommodation can be used to meet up other vital purposes when you are in Perth like eating, shopping, hiring car on rent and so forth.

#Hostels in Perth Australia #Best hostel in Perth #hostels in Perth #Perth backpackers hostel #Backpacker hostel #Cheap backpackers Perth

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theoldswanbarracks09 · 3 years ago

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Hostels in Perth Australia

#Hostels in Perth Australia #Cheap Hostel in Perth

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elevenhoursinfront-blog · 8 years ago

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14th April 2017

Steve's alarm went off earlier today. He had to be in for 0800 as it's bank holiday. Shame they're not paying him for it... Cheap foreign labour for you. I woke up at the same time to go to the toilet. I wasn't going down for breakfast with him though, 0730 was too early for me. I got into bed, rolled over and was Zzz within seconds. My alarm went off at 0845 for breakfast with Mel. My subconscious told me I didn't need breakfast and snoozed it. Obviously. Like I do with every alarm... I naturally woke up half an hour later and went down for breakfast. Mel was still in the pancake queue. I had muesli, yogurt and berries with a cup of cheap nasty coffee. Don't get me wrong, I'm no coffee snob, I don't know anything about coffee. I buy Tesco gold at home cos I can't afford anything better. But this coffee is basically tasteless, just like their curry. God, I bet Flinders can't wait for me to Trip Advise them! "Great hostel... Can't decide whether the lift or wifi is the number one bane in my life. The outside is too noisy, the same as the bedroom doors. Don't bother with the free food Thursdays because it's either tasteless because of the flavouring or because you don't get enough". We sat around the table with Sophie, Aimee, Cherry, Imogen and Jacob. Sophie is leaving us soon to go west to Perth. The other four want to go to Cairns to do their farm work. Mel is staying in Melbourne until September to do the East Coast and then West Coast. We would love to do the West Coast but it's more expensive than the East. I left the table to wash my stuff up and went to my room. One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do............ I sat on my bed and applied for numerous jobs, one after the other. I sat in that one spot until 1430 applying for random stuff until I got hungry. I got dressed and left the hostel to go Coles. I needed some more salad as we had ran out... Coles was shut! In fact, looking around, everywhere was shut. Good Friday wasn't good. What's good about Good Friday? This is bad! I went back into the hostel and made broccoli, rice and tuna. Steve's mum is on the hunt for flavoured tuna at home so I'm excited to buy some when we're home. I had lunch on my own but I was surrounded by at least 60 other hostel mates. It was packed. I looked up and I saw Megan and Dan! I met Megan and Dan in Sydney - we all stayed in mad monkey together. Megan and I worked together every morning. I was so excited that they were here staying at flinders. They're just as desperate for work as Steve and I are. I told Dan that Steve was at work with this guy and that he should ring. He did, and he left for work at 1500 straight away they're that desperate. Steve would be happy though. After lunch, Megan was sorting her stuff out in her room. I left the hostel to get my eyebrows done. Stupid mistake - Bad Friday ruined it because the store was shut! They're numpties really, any beautician would make loads of money being open before a bank holiday weekend... Megan and Mel came up to my room to sit and chat. Mel was having one of those really down travelling days. She almost cried and Mel never ever cries. She's hard. She's a Southend stick of rock hard. She was meant to be going out in the evening for her "boyfriends" birthday drinks with his friends. The majority of his friends are girls, too. They've been seeing each other for a month or so but Mel doesn't want to drop the "b" bomb yet but he does. She didn't want to go out but felt rude if she stayed at home. First world problems. Mel pottered about doing her washing, in and out of my room. Megan and I sat chatting until 1830 when the boys walked in from work. Steve did 0800-1800 today and only made peanuts. I felt so sorry for him. He said when Dan walked in, his face lit up. He shouted "what're you doing here?!". They were given beers by the manager at the end of the day which was nice I guess. Still less than minimum wage though. These people are mega rich too. They fly first class no matter what, buy places for 1 million and sell them, drive porches and stuff. Though, anyone that can afford Chanel is rich in my eyes. Don't understand why they can't afford to give them an extra $3 an hour to make it above minimum wage. They're tighter than me when it comes to money! We all sat and chatted for the next hour or so catching up on the last month. Steve's really happy there's a guy here now. Dan loves F1 and I'm even sure he loves football. They'll spend their days in the sports bar. Dan and Megan are both from London and they're in a relationship. It's nice to have someone to relate things with. We all went and grabbed a cheap bite to eat. They weren't able to do a food shop as Coles was shut so they had no choice but to eat out. We sat talking all evening and I just felt so much better having them here already. We're all in the same position and we'll help each other out. They're just so easy going. This is the start of something wonderful, I'm sure.

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vidovicart · 7 years ago

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My Favorite Australian Hostels

I love Australia. It’s one of my favorite countries in the world. I’ve been going for over a decade and have crossed the country more times than I’ve criss-crossed my own. I’ve stayed in countless hostels throught Australia and, today, want to share some of my favorites. Base St. Kilda (Melbourne)

Base is like the McDonald’s of hostels. You get full but you’re not really satisfied. Yet McDonald’s (Base) outdid themselves with their Melbourne hostel. It’s my favorite hostel in Australia. The bar is lively every night, and there are BBQs and events during the week. Moreover, the rooms and bathrooms look really nice and are clean. The bar is open 7 nights a week and they offer free breakfast from 8am-10am. They also have a travel desk, recruitment and jobs desk, and free daily activities. Since people come here to party, everyone is very social and looking to interact. Within moments of my arrival, I had a group of friends to spend time with. I went there during my first trip to Australia and went back this year to see if it was still good. It did my memories justice.

—->Book your stay at Base St. Kilda!

Wake Up! (Sydney)

Wake Up! is, in many ways like a backpacker hotel. With its eight floors, hyper-trendy and clean look, and small common areas, you might think it would be hard to meet people. The large size does make it sort of hard to meet people outside the common areas or your room, but the big bar downstairs (biggest night is Monday) lets you meet all the people you see coming and going. I really liked my time there and I especially enjoyed the high water pressure in the showers and uncreaky beds.

The hostel is located just next to the Central Station so it’s easy to get to and from the airport. The only downside is that it’s more expensive than the cheaper options in King’s Cross so you might want to “splash” out for this one because it’s not cheap!

—->Book your stay at Wake Up! Sydney! Surf N Sun Hostel (Surfer’s Paradise, Gold Coast)

Located in the Gold Coast, you’ll get both surf and sun at this place. A converted motel, this hostel has really friendly staff, a pool, a central location, and is right across from the beach. All good things. Plus they offer a free pick up from the bus station. The owners are these old backpackers who hang out in the hostel once in awhile and are really friendly. Another plus: at the time I was there, it was the only hostel in Surfer’s Paradise that didn’t have bed bugs. They often have free drinks and BBQs for guest too. I ended up staying an extra week there simply because I was having such a good time.

—->Book your stay at Surf n Sun Hostel!

Bunk Brisbane (Brisbane, Queensland)

Bunk has awesome facilities. They have a pool, hot tub, late night bar, and an awesome travel desk. They can also help you find work too. Their kitchen is spacious, their beds are comfy, and the dorm rooms are cleaned daily and have electronic key access. It’s the best place in Brisbane (especially since Base took over Tinbillys!)

—->Book your stay at Bunk Brisbane!

Kimberley Travellers Lodge (Broome)

This hostel is amazing. They have an enormous pool, a huge outdoor area, a gigantic kitchen, a great location close to the beach, and a small, cozy bar that you can order great meals from. Moreover, when the heat of Broome really gets to you, there are hammocks to lie on. They offer shuttle service to famous Cable Beach for free, and the hostel is a close walk to town. What I really love is the huge kitchen. Even during peak time cooking time, you have plenty of room to move around. I hate cooking dinner in hostels because there’s never space and you’re always bumping into other people cooking. Not here. I wish all hostel kitchens were this big. Rates include a continental breakfast daily and they will even arrange complimentary airport transfers!

—->Book your stay at Kimberly Travelers Lodge!

Witch’s Hat (Perth)

The Witch’s Hat is located near the main party area in Perth, Northbridge, as well as near many good restaurants. The staff is really friendly and can really help you with any travel bookings or related questions. There’s a great kitchen and common room here, plus an outdoor BBQ area, comfortable dorms, and a very social atmosphere. They also organize barbecues and events every so often.

—->Book your stay at Witch’s Hat!

Aquarius Backpackers (Byron Bay)

I stayed at this place over Christmas and fell in love with it. They do such a good job at getting people to talk to each and create a really friendly atmosphere. There’s a free meal every night (small meal) and they organize a huge BBQ lunch on Sundays. It’s close to the beach and the center of town, and there’s free wifi by the pool. The dorms are cleaned often but the beds won’t win any major awards.

—->Book your stay at Aquarius Backpackers!

Gilligan’s Backpacker Hostel and Resort (Cairns)

This giant hotel/hostel is where you go if you want to party. The rooms are OK. They have aircon and the beds are comfy but I was less than impressed. But what I did love was the many state of the art kitchens, free airport pick up, wifi, and swimming pool with an open deck bar and massive outdoor pub screens! I had a lot of fun here. Maybe too much. Hard to remember!

—->Book your stay at Gilligan’s!

Nomads Noosa (Noosa)

A cool little hostel that is only 900 meters from the beech. All rooms are spacious and come with their own bathroom. There’s a nice tropical garden, communal kitchen, bar, swimming pool and even a volleyball court! It’s one of the chillest, laidback places I stayed in and the staff was very helpful and friendly!

—->Book your stay at Nomads!

*** When in Australia, I highly recommend you stay at these hostels. For me, a good hostel has all about the amenities, staff, environment, and comfortable beds. These hostels meet all those requirements (which is why they are usually all full so book in advance!)

Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

For more help planning your trip, check out my guide to Australia travel.

The post My Favorite Australian Hostels appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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melissagarcia8 · 7 years ago

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My Favorite Australian Hostels

—->Book your stay at Base St. Kilda!

Wake Up! (Sydney)

—->Book your stay at Wake Up! Sydney! Surf N Sun Hostel (Surfer’s Paradise, Gold Coast)

—->Book your stay at Surf n Sun Hostel!

Bunk Brisbane (Brisbane, Queensland)

—->Book your stay at Bunk Brisbane!

Kimberley Travellers Lodge (Broome)

—->Book your stay at Kimberly Travelers Lodge!

Witch’s Hat (Perth)

—->Book your stay at Witch’s Hat!

Aquarius Backpackers (Byron Bay)

—->Book your stay at Aquarius Backpackers!

Gilligan’s Backpacker Hostel and Resort (Cairns)

—->Book your stay at Gilligan’s!

Nomads Noosa (Noosa)

—->Book your stay at Nomads!

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The post My Favorite Australian Hostels appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Traveling News https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/my-favorite-australian-hostels/

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holisticpassport · 8 years ago

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The Path to Perth.

I’m actually being semi decent about posting weekly updates! It helps when the events that are happening are positive because I want to share as opposed to dreading writing about negative things that I don’t want to remind myself about. Let’s start with work!

I started work at Five66 Café on Flinders Street (the main street downtown across from the central train station). It’s a cute little café ran by an Indian family that’s conveniently located in front of a tour group departure meetup point, so I meet people from all over the world every shift! The 6am wakeup time was brutal the first week but my body is finally used to it… too used to it because now I wake up every day at 6am instead of just the 3 days I need to. Oh well. I kind of do a bit of everything there, but focus on the coffees. I was doing a pretty crap job my first day, but woman I work with took the time to show me how to properly froth milk for each type of coffee so I feel much better about it now. Only thing is the pay is SO low. Like illegally low that I can make the same amount of money in half the time at my waitress job. I work hard and put in the hours if I feel valued as an employee, and making $13 an hour (when the minimum is supposed to be $20), I’m not sure I can stay at it for very long-- will be searching for something else. My waitress gig is going well though. Feel like I can handle the fast paced work now, and I love the girls I work with! Wish I could get more hours there. They’re closed this week for renovations, but I’m getting some cocktail training today so that should be fun.

Life at the hostel is pretty good. The staff are getting to know me, the social vibe is awesome, there’s always stuff to do every night at the basement bar, a movie room to chill out in, and all of my roomies have been quiet and respectful. I was on a top bunk for a week right next to the door, so every time it opened the light from the hall would wake me up. I haven’t been getting a lot of deep sleep. I’ve felt it too because I’m on the verge of being sick, but that’s also because I haven’t been eating healthy, started drinking again because I’m in that social vibe, and being really active. I’ll work on getting my health back in check this week.

Over the weekend, I worked Wednesday through Sunday 10-12 hours each day and the military guy I met at the pub crawl came back to town so we could attend White Night together (a cultural/art festival that goes from 7am to 7pm with the whole downtown area participating). I certainly regretted staying out until 4am with work at 7am, but still had a lot of fun. And as far as the guy goes, nothing could come from it because he was moving to Cairns (hella far North), but people come into your life for a reason. A friend of mine said the people we meet are mirrors; they show the most present/relevant part of ourselves right now. I think I met him because I’ve finally begun to enjoy who I am and in turn found someone who equally enjoyed those parts about me that I used to think were crazy like being obsessed with Harry Potter, eating raw cookie dough, and aspiring to live a life like Alexander Supertramp (aka Into the Wild guy). If nothing else, I have memories of Spanish dancing, making a pact to make the next 10 years of our lives the best yet, and 5am tram rides talking about politics, open relationships, and playing guitar for each other. White Night consisted of going back to the creepy hospital bar (which I finally learned is called The Croft Institute), watching a live swing band and dancers perform, eating drunken sushi, and observing a light show on the walls of Finders Station.

On Monday night, the hostel was hosting bingo karaoke (karaoke songs on the sheets and when he plays them, if you knew the lyrics you could sing it to get a free shot). Well you all know me and singing…. So that was a fun night. But went to bed at midnight because I had an early rise for some adventures the next day at 8am with a group of 4 other people to the Grampians National Park. It’s about a three-hour drive west of Melbourne, and it was the most perfect temperature, clear day we could have asked for. We stopped off at Boruka viewing cliff, The Balconies, and McKenzie Waterfalls. This was by far the most beautiful place I’ve probably ever seen in my life. I wish we could have stayed for a sunset. I will hopefully get back there again before I leave AU.

Speaking of leaving AU, because I’m embracing this whole living week by week thing, my mind is swirling with ideas of where to go next and what to ultimately do. I’m really aiming for farm work (as I made a connection with a girl on that trip), and can make the money I need in order to be able to go back to Europe this summer. I also don’t want to stay at this café job which will cut my money down in half, and I can’t afford to stay at this hostel anymore. So need to make some moves! I could wait it out another month and do the prawn ship thing, but I don’t know if that offer is still on the table.

On Wednesday I went out to Leonard’s House of Love (no, it’s not what you think). It’s a quirky hipster dive bar off a main street with cheap beers, and I chatted with a girl from work after cocktail training. We talked everything and anything (I’m sensing a common theme with politics when I start drinking… I must be passionate about it or something). Then I went to my old host’s house for dinner to see the kids again since I didn’t them before I moved out, and it was lovely.

**Update 2 days later** I quit the café because it was already bumming me out and the pay just wasn’t worth it. In doing so, it gave me the whole week off because of renovations at the restaurant. I had some time to organize my bags, get rid of stuff, grab a coffee/go for a swim with a friend, and really think about my next moves. Because I’ve done so much in and around the surrounding area of Melbourne except Wilsons Prom, I feel like I’ve seen what I wanted to and gotten what I needed out of my time here. There’s just been a gnawing feeling that it’s time to move on and begin elsewhere. I thought about going up to Sydney to see some friends, do some sight-seeing and try to find farm work up there. I was about to book a flight/care rental, but intuition said that specific place wasn’t right. But I did still need to go somewhere else. I woke up this morning and received an offer for farm work in Shepparton, but the pay was even more abysmal than the café! Then I ran across a posting on a Facebook page for people new Melbourne, and there was a hippy bus leaving on Tuesday for a 4 week trip to Perth (Western Australia). My stomach began fluttering with butterflies and I knew that was it. I wrote to them to see if they had any more seats available, they did, and I booked my spot. I’ve really been embracing the impulsive Aries side of me because the battle with the practical Taurus side of me was getting old and everyone has an opinion, but in the end it’s my life. A lot of people don’t listen to their intuition and just TRUST that everything is going to work out how it’s supposed to. I don’t think I’ve ever been genuinely happier in my life now that I’m past all the bullshit and it’s because I’ve put an emphasis on relying upon myself for happiness; my newest motto is “if you aren’t absolutely obsessed with your life, then change it”. Ironically I’m financially the poorest I’ve ever been, but money is just money. Some are enslaved by it and others believe our government is going to fall apart any second so it wont matter anyway (Or just wishful thinking so I don’t have to pay back student loans. It’s good to dream.) Today, I’m buying a tent and sleeping bag, selling a ton of clothes, and also getting ready for my final trip tomorrow… to Wilsons Prom!

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