Backpacking and travel your way around the world - Theme

Image

Travel opportunities, tips, discussions and all about backpacking and world travel

Table of contents of the subject

Backpacking and travel abroad

Pick your destination  - Check your travel documents - Insure your activities - Pack your stuff - Fair backpacking - Sustainable travel

What is backpacking, travel or a vacation?

  • Travel means your movement from one location to another location. This movement can be made for different reasons.
  • A journey means traveling from one place to another, especially when involving a considerable distance
  • A long trip abroad means a trip starting at about three months, with some travelers traveling for six months, a year or even several years.
  • A travel around the world trip is a journey with multiple destinations on multiple continents. You travel alone, or with your travel partners, from country to country and continent to continent. A classic world trip calls at every continent or passes through at least every meridian.
  • Backpacking generally means traveling low-cost, independent, using local transport and preferably immersing yourself in the local culture and carrying your necessary possessions in a backpac, or al least not in a suitcase.
  • A vacation is a trip where an individual or a group spends a leisure stay elsewhere for a limited period of time

What are the pages involved regarding travel and backpacking?

What countries, regions and cities are related to travel and backpacking?

What are the main activities related to travel and backpacking?

What are the main organizations and sectors related to a travel and backpacking?

What are main study fields related to travel and backpacking?

    What internships are related to travel and backpacking?

    • See for internships and getting word experience abroad the main page about Internships and work experience
    • Check below for blogs, organizations, experiences and tips

    What volunteering jobs are related to travel and backpacking?

    • See for volunteering, project support and volunteer projects the main page about  Volunteering and projects
    • Check below for blogs, contributions and tips

    Which work abroad is related to travel and backpacking?

    • Check for jobs abroad, summer jobs or work and travel the main page about jobs, travel and work abroad
    • Check this page for blogs, contributions and tips

    Which competences and values are related to travel and backpacking?

    Which Worldsupporter goals related to travel and backpacking?

    What are the main topics in Dutch?

    What is the world?

    What is the world?

    Image

    What is the world?

    • The world generally refers to the earth and everything that lives, grows and flourishes on it. The earth as the home of all animals and nature.

    What meanings does the world have?

    • Sometimes the world does not only mean the earth and everything on it, but also the universe in which the earth moves.
    • Sometimes the world only means the immediate environment of all people on earth, as with the expression 'in the current world', or when one wants to describe society
    • Sometimes the world and its existence are also given a religious meaning, for example when it concerns the origins of the world

    What is a scientific definition of a world?

    • A world is the whole of everything that is, what has been and what will be. The whole of reality, of all space and time

    What is a continent?

    What is travel?

    What is travel?

    What is travel?

    • Travel means your movement from one location to another location. This movement can be made for different reasons.

    What is a journey or voyage?

    • A journey means traveling from one place to another, especially when involving a considerable distance
    • A voyage means usually a long journey to a foreign or distant place, especially by sea.
    • A voyage of discovery means a journey undertaken to discover new places.
    • A pilgrimage means a journey to a place with special religious significance and a home-work trip is a fixed route from home to work.

    What is long trip abroad?

    • A long trip abroad is a trip starting at about three months, with some travelers traveling for six months, a year or even several years.

    What is a travel around the world trip?

    • A travel around the world trip is a journey with multiple destinations on multiple continents. You travel alone, or with your travel partners, from country to country and continent to continent. A classic world trip calls at every continent or passes through at least every meridian.
    • A world trip can be made by any means of transportation and can be short or long in duration.

    What is a backpack trip?

    • Backpacking generally means traveling low-cost, independent, using local transport and preferably immersing yourself in the local culture and carrying your necessary possessions in a backpac, or al least not in a suitcase.
    • Backpacking has evolved to a mainstream form of traveling and is not limited to low cost travel any more
    • Backpackers can be of any age, but are typically aged 18 to 25

    What is a vacation?

    • A vacation is a trip where an individual or a group spends a leisure stay elsewhere for a limited period of time

    What is a business trip?

    • A business trip or business trip is a trip undertaken from a work situation.
        What is a travel around the world trip, and what are the best routes?

        What is a travel around the world trip, and what are the best routes?

        What is a travel around the world trip?

        • A travel around the world trip is a journey with multiple destinations on multiple continents. You travel alone, or with your travel partners, from country to country and continent to continent. A classic world trip calls at every continent or passes through at least every meridian.
        • A world trip can be made by any means of transportation and can be short or long in duration.

        What is a long trip abroad?

        • Generally speaking, a long trip is a trip starting at about three months, with some travelers traveling for six months, a year or even several years.

        How long does travel around the world take?

        • Do you need a year or is a month or four enough? A question that for most travelers is largely determined by employer, school, university, etc. What also comes into play for them is how long you need for a particular region or country.
        • Of course, it also depends on your itinerary and budget. In practice, almost no one manages to make a real world trip in one year. Often entire continents have to be skipped in order not to run out of time or money.
        • Anyone who wants to make a trip from Australia through Southeast Asia to India and/or China can basically do it in three to five months. You will then be in a country almost as long as most other world travelers who also have other continents on their schedule.
        • When you skip expensive countries like Australia, New Zealand, the U.S. and some South American countries, it's a lot more financially attractive to go for a year instead of a few months. After all, your biggest expense, the flight, is already done by then.
        • The advantage of going away for a year is that you can totally flip your travel itineraries and stay in one place for a long time more easily without throwing your schedules into too much disarray.
        • If you go away for about three months, then a number of other advantages come around the corner, tickets are often cheaper, you have easily saved your travel budget together and with work and studies, it is sometimes just manageable.
        • can cost money and take a long time.
          From Nepal you can both enter China (Tibet), and fly to Bangkok (Thailand): so you can always adjust your trip from Kathmandu.
          Obviously, everyone wants to avoid as much as possible having to travel back pieces to continue the route from a point where you have already been. If this starting point turns out to cost you a lot of money (sometimes the case) try to plan it so that on the return trip you can still travel through a new part of a country or region.
          Building Transsiberia Express in is often easier (in terms of visas) and more convenient at the beginning of your trip.
          In general; the more you book in advance, the more expensive it becomes. Students and travelers who travel around during the off-season can often enjoy cheap deals. Just be aware that pre-booked tickets are sometimes valid for a maximum of 6 months or still need to be arranged with additional single tickets locally. In the latter case, of course, you do take the risk that prices may change in the meantime.
        • Building in from Latin America to Australia/New Zealand or vice versa can make the trip firmly more expensive.
          Flying from Latin America to Africa or vice versa can also make the trip a lot more expensive. Airport taxes make the total price quite a bit more expensive.
          Overland connections are in principle not part of world tickets, but are included in tickets where the fare depends on the number of miles.

        What are favorite destinations during a world trip or long journey of 3 to 4 months?

        • Tip: Hippie route (overland to India) - Pan-American highway: Mexico to Panama - round-the-Middle East - simple 'Round-the-World'.
        • Top: Round Southeast Asia - South and East Africa or Madagascar - India, Nepal and Tibet, Trans-Siberia and China - round the Andes (Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador)

        What are favorite destinations during a world trip or long journey of 6 to 8 months?

        • Tip: Gringo Trail in South America, hippie route with Southeast Asia included - an average 'Round-the-World'
        • Top: Round Southeast Asia with India / China / Myanmar (Burma) - Madagascar and Southeast Africa- Trans-Siberia + China and Southeast Asia

        What are favorite destinations during a world trip or long journey of 9 to 12 months around the world?

        • Tip: Trans-Siberia / China / Southeast Asia / Australia - the Silk Road
        • Top: Round Southeast Asia - India and or China and Australia and/or New Zealand - Africa overland - Tip: hippie route with Southeast Asia and Australia - an extensive 'Round-the-World'

        SPOTLIGHT

        Top 100: what are the best travel destinations in the world, the best trips and best travel times?

        Top 100: what are the best travel destinations in the world, the best trips and best travel times?

        Image

        Top 100 destinations and activities abroad

        • Where to go on a trip?

        • Where to go on vacation in which particular period?

        • What are the best activities to do where?

        • What are the best destinations for a trip, trip, vacation or activity abroad do?

        Where is the best place to go if you want to travel briefly in the fall for pleasant weather....and don't want to suffer from jet lag (leaving from Europe)

        • Spain : Málaga, Canary Islands
        • Madeira
        • Malta
        • Greece : especially the southern islands
        • Cyprus
        • Turkey : especially the south coast
        • Jordan
        • Egypt : Dahab / Sinai & southern Egypt
        • Cape Verde Islands
        • Morocco
        • Kenya combine the beaches at Mombassa or Malindi with a 'short' trip to nearby game parks
        • Tanzania : Zanzibar and/or Pemba, please note the visa application process and health requirements

        Where best to go if you want to travel short in winter for pleasant weather....and you don't mind a little bit of jet lag (departing from Europe)

        • Spain / Canary Islands
        • Israel (please pay attention to the political situation)
        • Iran (please note the political situation)
        • Oman
        • Egypt : the southern part along the coast and the Nile
        • Gambia
        • Senegal
        • Ghana
        • Kenya
        • Tanzania : including Zanzibar and/or Pemba
        • Seychelles : for those with a slightly larger budget
        • Mauritius: for those with a larger budget
        • Reunion: super green French-speaking paradise
        • Comoros: exclusive islands
        • São Tomé: special and pleasant island
        • South Africa: Cape Town and surroundings for one or two weeks

        Where is the best place to go if you want to travel briefly in the summer?

        • China: Beijing
        • Bali: ideal island for one or two weeks, but a short flight
        • Maldives: if you need rest or like diving or snorkeling
        • Thailand: the most southern beaches on the east coast, or a tour in the north
        • Sri Lanka: beautiful and varied island for a vacation of one, two or three weeks
        • China: the south coast of China and/or part of the west, Hong Kong (with day trips or a few days into the rest of China)
        • India: Goa for the real beach vacation, Kerala for variety

        Where best to go if you want to travel briefly in winter with cooler weather

        • Skiing in Turkey
        • Vancouver and environs (skiing in the Rockies)

        Where is best to go if you want a short trip in spring (departure Europe)?

        • Madeira & Azores: for hiking, whale/dolphin watching, diving and good food
        • Malta: after mid-April the average temperature is 20 degrees
        • Greece: on Crete, the average temperature is above 20 degrees from May onwards

        Where is the best place to go if you want to travel to a beach destination?

        • December / January
        • February / March
        • April / May
        • October / November

        December / January

        • Egypt: the coast is only really warm in the southernmost part. In the southern part along the Nile the temperature never drops below 23 degrees. The Red Sea area including Eilat is slightly less sunny.
        • Canary Islands: the average temperature is just above 20 degrees. The sun only starts shining properly in March.
        • Florida: the temperature is around 23 degrees, there are as many as six to seven rainy days these months.
        • Malaysia
        • Kenya
        • South Africa: around Cape Town
        • Mexico: in Yucatán on average only four rainy days, in March it gets even better!
        • Cuba & Jamaica: Caribbean Islands always have some rain but it remains warm: about 30 degrees.

        Risk:

        • Mallorca:
        • Malaga:
        • Bali: relative rainy season

        February / March

        • Egypt: the beaches in the Sinai and central Egypt are warming up.
        • Morocco: the south is already nice and warm, above 20 degrees in March
        • Canary Islands: number of rainy days goes from eight in December/January to five in February and March
        • Dominican Republic: rainy days from seven to eight in December/January to five to six.
        • Antilles: on Curaçao, it rains ten days in December/January, only five days in February/March.
        • Malaga: small risk, the temperature is 18 degrees but the sea water about 14 degrees and it rains seven more days in the month.

        April / May

        • Malta: after mid-April the average temperature is 20 degrees
        • Crete from May the average is above 20 degrees

        October / November

        • Egypt: the beaches in Sinai and central Egypt are still nice.
        • Morocco: if you stay in the south, you have the least risk of rain.
        • Brazil: in the north-east it is now great weather and there are beautiful beaches to be found
        • Madeira: still above 20 degrees on average, then just below that until April. As many as nine rainy days!
        • Crete, Cyprus & the Turkish coast generally stay nice until mid-October.
        • Tunisia, Malta: after mid-November still about 20 degrees.
        • Spain (Malaga) also still always about 20 degrees

        Where's the best place to go if you want a weekend getaway abroad (departure Europe)?

        • While in the past you could only go to Antwerp, Brussels, London or Paris for an affordable weekend getaway, these days Nice, Barcelona, Rome, Budapest, Vienna and Istanbul are also among the affordable, and feasible options. Even it is no longer unthinkable to fly to New York for a weekend bit jet lag!)
        • Also consider Marrakesh, Seville, Malaga, ....

        Where is the best place to go if you want to travel for a week to ten days (departure Europe)?

        • These days it is increasingly easy to choose a destination far away even for short vacations: taking the car to Italy to go skiing takes as long as a flight to Thailand. Moreover, because of the many new impressions you gain during that time, and the certainty of heat or sun, the return on a short, distant vacation can be a lot higher. In addition, cheap, short vacations to Mediterranean and Canary Island countries have increased dramatically. The danger with these latter vacations is that you go at a time when the water is still freezing cold, the temperature is disappointing or the rain is pouring down.
        • Taking into account the possibilities of seeing a lot in a short time and traveling little, the flight time and the temperatures, you will get an overview of the best destinations for the “short” vacation below:

        Top:

        • Madeira (hiking/diving/eating) - Dahab/Sinai in Egypt (snorkeling/diving/beaches) - Malta - Jordan - Cape Verde Islands - The “green” Caribbean islands like Guadeloupe, St. Lucia and Martinique

        Tip:

        • Azores (archipelago west of Portugal) - Maldives (if you need rest or like diving or snorkeling) - Zanzibar - Jamaica - Seychelles - Mauritius - Israel (in quiet times)

        Where is the best place to go if you want to travel for two weeks ?

        Top:

        • Yucatan (East Mexico) - Southern Thailand - Zanzibar and Pemba - Fiji - Cuba - Senegal - Jordan - Costa Rica - East Coast Malaysia - South Africa (East or West) - Ghana - Sri Lanka

        Tip:

        • Kerala (South India) - Reunion (green French-speaking paradise) - Comoros (Island group between Madagascar and Mozambique) - São Tomé (island west of Central Africa) - Iran - Oman - Panama - Cape Verde Islands - Benin - East coast of China - Goa and Hampi (South West India) - Vancouver and environs

        Where is the best place to go if you want to travel away for three weeks?

        The ideal time for exploring a country or part of a somewhat larger country is three to four weeks. Even world travelers usually don't spend much longer in the same area. In that time you can both travel around, visit cities and rest for a while. Do try to pick destinations where you don't have to travel three days to get from one highlight to the next.

        Top:

        • Nepal - Sri Lanka (with or without the Maldives) - Zanzibar and other Tanzania - Malawi - Bolivia -Peru - Ecuador - Southern China - Southern Philippines - Northern Brazil - Panama and Costa Rica - Northeast Australia - Laos - Trans-Siberia to Mongolia (fly back)

        Tip:

        • Darjeeling and Sikkim (Northeast India) -Sulawesi - Eastern islands of Indonesia - Mali and Burkina Faso -Ethiopia - Cameroon -North Argentina - Sumatra -Kerala and Tamil Nadu (South India) -Guatemala and Honduras - Alaska

        Where's the best place to go if you want to travel for four weeks?

        Top:

        • Laos and Cambodia -Tibet and Southwest China or Nepal - Combination between Peru and/or Bolivia/Ecuador -North and South India -Kenya and Tanzania -Ecuador and the Galápagos -Madagascar -Trans-Siberia to China (fly back)

        Tip:

        • Mayan Route (Yucatan/Guatemala/Belize) - Northern India and the Himalayan region - Argentina and Chile -South Africa (West and East) - Route 66

        Where is the best place to go if you want to travel for a few months to a year?

        • How long should your world trip be? Do you need a year, or is a month or four enough? Of course, this depends largely on your itinerary and your budget. In practice, hardly anyone manages to make a real world trip in a year. Often whole continents have to be skipped in order not to run out of time or money.
        • Anyone who wants to make a trip from Australia through Southeast Asia to India and/or China can basically do it in three to five months. You will then be in a country almost as long as most other world travelers who also have other continents on their schedule.
        • When you skip expensive countries like Australia, New Zealand, the U.S. and some South American countries, it is a lot more financially attractive to go for a year instead of a few months. After all, your biggest expense, the flight, is already done by then.
        • The advantage of going away for a year is that you can totally rearrange your itineraries and stay in one place for a long time more easily without throwing your schedules into too much disarray.

        Where is the best place to go if you want to travel for three to four months?

        Top:

        • Around Southeast Asia - South and East Africa or Madagascar - India, Nepal and Tibet, Trans-Siberia and China - Around the Andes (Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador)

        Tip:

        • Hippie route (overland to India) - Pan-American highway: Mexico to Panama - around the Middle East - simple “Round-the-World”
        • Backpacking and traveling around the world

        Where's the best place to go if you want to travel for six to eight months?

        Top:

        • Round Southeast Asia with India/China/Myanmar (Burma) - Madagascar and Southeast Africa -, Trans-Siberia + China and Southeast Asia

        Tip:

        • Gringo Trail in South America, hippie route with Southeast Asia - a mean “Round-the-World”
        • Backpacking and traveling around the world

        Where's the best place to go if you want to travel for nine to 12 months

        Top:

        • Round Southeast Asia -India and or China and Australia and/or New Zealand - Africa overland (Tip: hippie itinerary with Southeast Asia and Australia - an extended 'Round-the-World'

        Tip:

        • Trans-Siberia / China / Southeast Asia / Australia - the Silk Route

         

        What are the best places to visit in the World?

        What are the best places to visit in the World?

        Image

        If you just want to do nothing or are looking for some 'fun', these are popular 'hangouts'.

        Goa

        • In southern India, 17 hours “bus ride” from Bombay.
        • Once known as the hangout of the Hippie Trail, today it attracts mostly travelers who come for the trance parties. Many rent shabby shacks for an extended period, making accommodation for a few days scarce. The beaches are scattered and all attract different crowds, except for the cows and traders!

        Byron Bay

        • On the east coast of Australia, by bus 12 hours north of Sydney.
        • Originally a sleepy town where mainly surfers went who came for the 30 km long sandy beach. Due to the hippies, it later became Australia's new age center and today is a place for weary travelers to catch their breath and relax.

        Gili Islands

        • Indonesia, east of Bali and northwest of Lombok.
        • The main reasons to go here are sun, sea, beach and partying. Gili Trawangan in particular is a great place to go if you like partying, diving and snorkeling. If you are looking for peace and quiet and just trying to avoid the tourists, it is better to go to Gili Meno or Gili Air. From the port town of Bangsal, you can get there in 20 to 60 minutes. Besides the “outrigger boats” to the Gili's, you will also find many scammers and annoying cab drivers and captains in Bangsal. To avoid trouble, many people choose the long crossing from Sengiggi, Lombok.

        Zanzibar

        • Tanzania, by boat from Dar es Salaam.
        • Does this need any further explanation? Powdery white beach, fresh fish & cold beers. In the sea you share your hot bath with dolphins (do so responsibly!).
        • Stone Town has atmosphere, stunning Arab architecture, you eat delicious food in the park and market. Get lost in the winding, narrow alleys and you never have to leave. Do realize that with Ramadan it is difficult to get a beer and the clubs are closed.

        Rurrenabaqu

        • Bolivia, a long hard trek by bus from La Paz.
        • Chilling in the Bolivian jungle, if you drink as many beers as you see crocodiles, you'll end up drunk in your hammock every night. The perfect starting point for Amazon exploration. Many have trouble getting out of here. Literally, when the rainy season starts and the roads get (even) worse. But why on earth would you even leave your hammock?

        Ko Pha Ngan

        • Thailand, 15 hours by bus/boat from Bangkok.
        • The party island of Thailand where about 5000 people come to party every month during the 'full moon' parties. Nowadays there are also 'half moon', 'quarter moon' and even 'no moon' parties. Come a few days early if you want to be assured of a room.

        Dahab

        • Egypt, Red Sea, 8 hour buses from Cairo or an hour cab from Sharm.
        • No matter where you come from, the waterfront tents with the logs, cushions, rugs and bongs are relaxing for everyone! Unfortunately, the coral has been trampled or destroyed by fishermen over the years and you can't really snorkel there now. Fortunately, there are more and more villages where you can still dive and snorkel.

        Alter do Chão

        • Brazil, two days of boats from Manaus.
        • With the crowds and filth of passenger ships on the Amazon, this is a welcome stopover. Get off the boat in Santarém and take the bus to this delightful town. The biggest attraction are the sandy Amazon beaches that give you a pleasant island feel. People put patio furniture in the water so you can enjoy your beer sitting in the Amazon.

        Pokhara

        • Nepal, 6 hours of buses west of Kathmandu.
        • This lakeside town still attracts many mountaineers just returning or getting ready for the Annapurna. You can canoe, buy climbing gear or just eat brownies in the cafe and watch the mob.

        Lhasa

        • Tibet, “the roof of the world” at 3595 meters above sea level.
        • Lhasa is one of the most remarkable cities in Asia. The Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple, the Tibetan people, breathtaking. Take your time to walk around or just spend a day like the Tibetans around Barkhor Square. Keep in mind the altitude though, take it easy especially the first few days.

        Cape Maclear

        • Lake Malawi, Malawi, 5 hours by bus from Blantyre AND 20 km hitchhiking.
        • This is a real classic hangout spot for backpackers with cold beer, hammocks and water sports from kayaking to scuba diving.

        Bocas del Toro

        • Panama, 100$ and an hour flight from Panama City or bus.
        • An island group where you can enjoy fun nightlife, stunning underwater world & good food. Rent a canoe and go to Bastimentos, spot birds on Bird Island or borrow a fisherman's dugout canoe and try to stay dry. The diving is brilliant and inexpensive. And, do me a favor and check if the guy with the homemade airplanes is still running down the main street of Bocas.

        Dali

        • Southwest China, 5 hours of buses northwest of Kunming.
        • People say this is the best place in China to take a break from traveling. It is a nice little place where you can treat yourself to cappuccino, pizza and cheap Chinese beer again. Among other things, you can rent bikes or take the bus to one of the local markets in the area. By the way, Dali is also very popular with the Chinese tourist themselves, who you will see passing by in groups, complete with caps and tracking flags!

        Vang Vieng

        • Northern Laos, 6 hours by bus from Vientiane.
        • Drugs is the main reason many travelers come to Vang Vieng. Apart from taking drugs, you can mostly drink a lot there, eat pancakes, watch the TV series Friends and float down the river in a rubber band. If this is not what you are looking for, it is better to skip Vang Vieng.

        Lamu

        • An island off the coast of Kenya, 7 hours travel north from Mombasa.
        • This island is home to Kenya's oldest town, Lamu, which still attracts many travelers. Lamu has a relaxed atmosphere and many travelers fly back and forth over the beautiful beach on their way to or from distant islands. Or rent a dhow (traditional Kenyan sailboat) and set sail.

        Jericoacoara

        • Brazil, 6-hour buses from Fortaleza.
        • Sandy white beaches, as yet no paved roads and for those who do more than create a hangover and sleep it off: super good kitesurfing opportunities. Huge sand dunes and a welcoming vibe complete it.

        Where is the best place to go when going to the tropics for the first time?

        Top:

        • East Coast Malaysia
        • Java and Bali
        • Northern or southern Thailand
        • East Mexico
        • Egypt
        • Australia

        Tip:

        • Costa Rica
        • Vietnam
        • Ecuador
        • Sri Lanka

        Where's the best place to go if you want to go malaria-free to the tropics with kids?

        Top:

        • Virtually all of the Caribbean (parts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti have malaria, among others)
        • Almost all of Malaysia (mainland and Sabah)
        • most of Thailand
        • Almost all of South Africa
        • Cebu ( Philippines)
        • large part of Namibia
        • The North East of Australia

        Tip:

        • Large part of Ecuador
        • Large part of Peru
        • Large part of Bolivia
        • Reunion
        • Large part of Mexico
        • Large part of Brazil
        • Singapore
        • Egypt

        Where's the best place to go when traveling alone as a woman?

        Top:

        • Thailand
        • Malaysia
        • Australia
        • New Zealand
        • Indonesia
        • Singapore

        Tip:

        • Sri Lanka
        • China
        • Canada

        What are good destinations for those who want to volunteer at a mature age?

        • Central and South America: There are various volunteer opportunities in arts & crafts including Guatemala, Mexico, Peru.
        • Bolivia: institute for the blind, shelter for street children, children's museum in Sucre, orphanages, schools, health care around Cochabamba, Indian people at Lake Titicaca.
        • Bolivia: English at the university in Cochabamba and getting Spanish or Quechua lessons yourself.
        • Chile: teaching.
        • Ghana: Helping with projects in schools, childcare and health care, journalism-radio; work can range from giving information to helping with education + translation. Projects near Accra, Kumasi, Cap Coast, Takoradi and Koforidua.
        • Kenya: volunteering in a Banda (Kenyan village) or public health center.
        • Namibia: teaching volunteer in schools or university.
        • Senegal: projects around Dakar in the field of human rights, in child care or health care and many in schools, please note that the language is French, so if you do not speak it you can take a course beforehand.
        • Sri Lanka: teaching English in small villages across the country to children and adults.
        • South Africa: in the Waterberg region you can teach English (but also sports or something else) to children of local farm workers.

        What are good destinations for wildlife watching and volunteering with animals?

        • Mauritania (wintering migratory birds)
        • Georgia (bird of prey migration)
        • Pantanal (Brazil / Argentina)
        • Mindo (Ecuador)
        • Amazon (Peru / Brazil)
        • Taman Negara (Malaysia)
        • Namibia (mega canyons & red dunes)
        • Belize (Wetlands)
        • Ecuador (Amazon, Galapagos Islands)
        • Costa Rica (Tropical Rainforest)
        • Nepal (Himalayas)
        • USA (the natural parks in California)
        • Argentina / Brazil (Pantanal)
        • Favorite locations for viewing fish and wildlife near the water
        • Ecuador (with the unparalleled Galapagos Islands: swimming with penguins and seals)
        • Canada, Norway (watching killer whales)
        • South Africa (shark diving)
        • Cayman Islands (swimming with rays)
        • Namibia (walk among the largest seal colony in the world)

        What are good destinations for a language course during your holiday?

        What are dream destinations that won't break your budget?

        India

        • ndia has long been known as a cheap country. But what you may not realize is that there is more to India than just Bollywood films, elephant rides and crazy traffic. How about a trip to the North? Go climbing in Ladakh where the mountain peaks are gigantic and the air is cool. Or how about surfing in Port Blair – this is in the middle of Bengal Bay and very cheap. This classic backpacker destination offers plenty of adventure.

        Nepal

        • The land of Mount Everest and the Sherpa people has long been known to budget travelers. After decades in the spotlight, Nepal still remains one of the best destinations in the world. Trekking is great and the small budget you need for living means your trekking can continue 'until St. Juttemis'. For many experienced travelers, Nepal is one of the top destinations. And what's most amazing is that it doesn't cost a fortune to add Nepal to your top destinations.

        Indonesia

        • The pristine beaches are still the poster child and you can still experience the same good life as has always been there. If you like surfing or lying on the beach, this is a fun, adventurous destination that is also dirt cheap. As long as you don't go to the resorts where many tourists go, it is not difficult to spend less than 15 euros per day.

        Iran

        • Forget the propaganda and experience the country that meets all requirements. First of all, it is cheap: for +/- 20 euros per day you can stay in a mid-range hotel and eat your way around. What you won't find is mass tourism. You can see the wonders of the ancient world without encountering all those groups of tourists. In fact, it is a country that loves and deserves visitors. The local people are incredibly friendly towards travelers. In January, go for the ancient Persian midwinter festival of Sadeh where you celebrate the creation of fire. For experienced travelers, but check the safety situation.

        Poland

        • Eastern Europe was always dirt cheap during the Cold War. Now that there is peace, costs have risen sharply. However, Poland is still cheap: for a daily budget of 15/20 euros you can easily travel through the country. Poland is a country that has often been invaded by other countries, making it now bulletproof. This EU member is doing better and better, so get there quickly before prices are as high as in other countries. Small villages are picturesque and cheap to visit, take the small village of Krasnystaw in the Lubelskie region. This is a veritable wonderland for the cheapskate.

        Laos

        • Southeast Asia is the promised region for cheap travel. Laos may not have the beaches of Thailand or the fame of Vietnam but it has what it's all about. For only 10 euros per day you get what you need. It leaves you free to go to the pristine river valleys or to the chill micro-villages along the Mekong River. The cheapest way to get there is by boat from Chiang Khong, Thailand. The boat trip costs around 35 cents. The best experiences in life are still free – like the beautiful waterfalls at Tat Sae in Laos.

        Sudan

        • It's hard to travel to, hard to get into, and hard to understand. Sudan is mainly in the news with negative reports. What people should also know is that the locals are proud to receive guests and that there are beautiful things to see in the country. In the north you can view pyramids and other valuables of the ancient world and you will probably be the only one to see them at that time. Falafel will cost you less than 75 cents and a bed for a night not even 7 euros. However, it will not be a dream destination for everyone. Make sure you are well informed before and during your trip.

        Honduras

        • If you are looking for a scuba diving destination where you can spend your entire budget on going under, Honduras is the place to be. A place to sleep will cost you about 7 euros per night and meals are available for even less money, so a little money can go a long way. Honduras is located next to the Caribbean Sea, so you have more than enough time to enjoy the golden beaches. The developers haven't invaded Honduras yet, but you better be quick before they do. After snorkeling and kayaking around Roatan's West Beach, you can visit the UNESCO heritage Archaeological Park of Copán.

        >

        Morocco

        • "Do you want to buy a carpet? Come over here, my brother has a shop." Yes, Morocco is the country of sales techniques. But you won't need much convincing to go and see it anyway. The country has a rich, distinctive culture and is a great country to see how far your money can go – living costs are around 30 euros per day, but the beaches and markets are free to visit. The more local you become, the cheaper it will be. Traveling between major cities is cheapest by train.

        Jordan

        • Most people only know one destination in Jordan – Petra. But what a destination to get to know. Made famous by the final installment of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, it is a Middle Eastern must-go. You don't have to be an archaeologist to find bargains: a bed for a night is a paltry 3 euros and a meal costs half that. Jordan is rarely visited in the Middle East and can easily be combined with another cheap country, Egypt. Just remember to bring your fedora and bull whip. The necessary visas are issued at the Wadi Araba and Sheikh Hussein Bridge crossings; be aware that visas cannot be obtained if you apply for them upon arrival at the King Hussein Bridge.

          Where can you check the climate or costs

          Destinations and countries

          What are the cheapest travel destinations, and the most expensive destinations in 2024?

          What are the cheapest travel destinations, and the most expensive destinations in 2024?

          What are the cheapest travel destinations, and the most expensive destinations in 2024?

          • 18% of the population in the Netherlands goes a vacation intercontinentally. Funny enough, it can end up a lot cheaper to go (a little) further away. For more than 18 years, the British Post Office has published a list of the world's cheapest vacation countries. This Holiday Money Report (2024) compares exchange rates, costs of food and drinks and the prices of tourist attractions.
          • What are the most expensive places in the world to go to (2024)? The most expensive places in the world are Costa Rica: Tamarindo at €186, United States: New York with €169 and Antigua: St John's with €163 (amounts rounded). 
          • The price listed after the destinations is the average accumulated price of coffee, beer, cola, a glass of wine, a bottle of water, sunscreen, anti-insect spray and a three-course meal.
          • For the first time, Vietnam tops the list of cheapest holiday destination this year. This is mainly due to low prices in restaurants and bars and a significant drop in the value of the Vietnamese dong. For the eight most purchased products by tourists, coastal hotspot Hoi An leads the list: beer costs only €1.36, Coca-Cola €0.84 and sunscreen €4.35.
          • So those who want to go on a vacation cheap should be outside of Europe, according to Holiday Money Report's latest vacation price list. Vietnam tops the list, which is due to low prices in restaurants and bars and depreciation of the Vietnamese currency the dong. Beer can be had for €1,40, cola for €0,85 euros and sunscreen for €4,50.

          ' Low cost' travel destination in the world in euro's per day

          1. Hoi An, Vietnam: €60,22

          2. Cape Town, South Africa: €63,95

          3. Mombasa, Kenya: €64,64

          4. Tokyo, Japan: €69,48

          5. Algarve, Portugal: €70,24

          6. Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt: €72,21

          7. Sunny Beach, Bulgaria: €73,53

          8. Kuta, Bali: €74,50

          9. Marmaris, Turkey: €77,75

          10. Paphos, Cyprus: €86,28

          It would be interesting to take out the sunscreen and bug spray, and an one-course meal or daily dish would also be fine with me. And lessen the travelcosts.... mhmmmm. What do you think? I am especially curious what my digital nomad friends think of this list.

           

          Planning your trip for travel abroad: where and when to go?

          Planning your trip for travel abroad: where and when to go?

          When to plan a travel trip?

          • When you are planning a trip it is important to know what is the best time to visit a specific country. It can be pretty disappointing to find out that it is actually rainy season, while you planned to spend a few weeks on a sunny tropical beach. When it is winter north of the equator, it is summer on the other side. The summer is not automatically the best time to visit certain areas. In short, when to go can be quite a complicated matter. When you are going to your dream destination make sure to check the weather and other conditions during the time of your visit!

          What are tips concerning the travel time?

          • Often the rainy season in a tropical country is not as harmful as it seems (Indonesia, Thailand). Most of the time the weather is fine, unless you are very unlucky. Look for a destination where the weather differs per region, so that you can always escape from the rain.
          • Watch out for places that are known for extreme weather circumstances. Natural phenomenons such as hurricanes and cyclones are usually not a lot of fun.
          • If you are going scuba diving, make sure that during the time your visit the sea is not to rough, so that the visibility is clear.
          • In some areas it is important to be aware of common diseases, such as malaria and dengue, which are being spread during specific weather or seasons.
          • Going to Africa to see some wildlife? Make sure you plan your trip when the wildlife parks are open. You do not want to find out that the park is closed when you already in Tanzania.
          • Some places can be a lot of fun to visit during special events, such as carnival in Brasil, a mid-summer night party in Scandinavia etc. Sometimes it is better to avoid certain events. Try, for instance, to find a restaurant that is open during the Ramadan in a Muslim country.
          • Unfortunately our climate is changing, so you cannot completely rely on the information that is available. It happens more and more that locals tell you that it is the first time in thirty years that it is raining this early in the season or that they don’t understand where all the clouds are coming from.
          • People have different opinions about the best time to visit a specific region. Some people like to go to a place when it is 40 degrees Celsius, while other people already think 20 degrees Celsius is too hot.
          • Be aware of the difference between minimum and maximum temperatures. The minimum temperature in San Francisco in the summer is 12 degrees and the average temperature is 18 degrees. This means that in the evening you will need a sweater.
          • Be aware of height. Ecuador is a tropical country, but the capital Quito lies 3.000 meters above sea level. This means that it can be very warm during the day, but very chilly in the evening.
          • The temperature of the sea water can be much colder than the temperature of the air. The weather in Tunisia might be OK in February or March, but swimming can be very unpleasant at that time of the year.

          How much time you need to visit a certain regions or countries?

          • For most travelers the answer to this question depends on their school, university, job, family, friends etc. The only question that really matters for them is how much time you need to visit a certain regions or countries. For people who are traveling for a few months or longer, there are some extra factors to take into consideration:
            • When does the travel tiredness strike? (the moment you are fed up with all those amazing temples)
            • What can you do to avoid travel tiredness?
            • When becomes traveling a "race"?
            • How long does it take to travel over land though a certain continent?

          A week to two weeks

          • In recent years it has become much easier to take a shorter/in between break/holiday to a far away destination: you can go by car to Italy to go skiing (depending on where you are coming from). Cheap tickets are also available to countries in the Mediterranean sea and even to some Caribbean Islands. The downside of these cheap last minutes is that people run the risk of arriving at a destination where the water is freezing cold, temperatures are low or heavy rainfall spoils your stay.
          • Depending on the flight time the following destinations are suitable for a short holiday:
          • Between November and April/May: Sri Lanka, Maldives, Gambia/Senegal, Zanzibar, Goa, Caribbean Islands, Florida, Bali, Thailand and Mexico.
          • The temperature is not as stable but the Canary Islands, Jordan or the Red Sea (scuba diving) also great places for a one or two week holiday.

          Three to four weeks

          • The best time to explore and get familiar with a country or a large part of a country is somewhere between three to four weeks. Even most “world” travelers do not stay much longer in a particular area. In three or four weeks you can easily travel around, visit a few cities and still have some time to relax and take it easy. Try to avoid areas where it will take up to 3 days to travel from one highlight to another.
          • The best destinations for three to four weeks on holiday are: Ecuador, Peru/Bolivia, Guatemala/Honduras, Southern Africa, China, Tibet, North India, Nepal, South India, Thailand, Malaysia, parts of Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, the US West Coast.

          From a few months to a year

          • How long should your world trip take? Do you need a year or is a month or four months sufficient? Of course this depends on your travel plan and your budget. In practice not many people manage to do a proper around-the-world trip in a year. Due to limited resources or time most world travelers will have to skip large parts of the world. If you would like to make a trip from Australia to India through South East Asia to India and China it is possible to do this in three to five months. When you do this you spend just as long in one country as it takes other world travelers to travel several continents.
          • Skipping expensive countries, such as Australia, New Zealand and North America, is a good way to save money, so that you can stay away for a longer time. The more time you have for your trip the easier it will be to change your plans completely or stay at one place for a longer period without ruining your plans.
          • When you are traveling for less than three months you probably don’t need an expensive travel insurance, tickets will be cheaper, it is easier and quicker to save the money for your trip and it will be much easier to fit into your study schedule or work.

          Best travel times: what is de the best time to go to ...?

          Asia

          • North Thailand: the best time is from November to February, least favorable seasons are from April to September. During the latter period South East Thailand is the best place to visit as well as the South.
          • South Thailand: best time to visit is March to May.
          • Laos: best time to visit is from November to February.
          • Myanmar(Burma): best time to visit is from November to February.
          • Indonesia: relatively calm weather, no extreme seasons.
          • Malaysia: only from November to January the weather is not as good as the rest of the year.
          • Himalaya: Eastern India: best from April to November.
          • Nepal and Western India: best time to visit October to December and February to April.
          • Tibet: best time to visit May to October. From November to March it can be (too) cold and there can be a lot of snow.
          • Mongolia: best time to visit from May to October.
          • China: best time to visit March/April and September/October.

          Latin America

          • The Andes (Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru): from June to September is the best time to visit, but this area is accessible during the whole year.
          • Bolivia: December to April in the Andes is the best. In the Amazon you will then be bothered by the mud, insects and other inconveniences.
          • Peru: it is better to avoid the months December to April when you want to visit Machu Picchu/Cuzco. The Amazon: May-July are the “best” times for a visit. From December to April it will rain even more than is usually does. During the rainy season in the Peruvian Amazon it rains two times a day on average, but in between the showers the weather will be fine.
          • Iguazu Falls: December-April is the best time for a visit.
          • Central America: best time to travel is from December to April/May, after these months the rainy season begins. Countries with nicer weather during these months are: Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.

          Africa

          • Southern Africa: April-September are the best for visiting. For Cape Town and the surrounding areas November-March are the best times to visit.
          • Eastern Africa: June to October is the best time for visiting, followed by December to February.
          • West Africa: November - December are the best time to visit.
          • The best times to visit the wild parks in Southern Africa are in the European (late) summer (during the dry season the animals will come out to the drinking spots where you can see them) but there are other good periods for a visit.

          Middle-East

          • During the summer it can get very hot, but the other seasons the weather is usually fine.
          • Be aware that in winter the northern part can become ice cold and in the south it can get surprisingly cool.

          Europe

          • Northern Europe: countries such as the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Germany are quite cold and humid to visit during the period November-March. These months are, however, ideal for skiing activities (In Switzerland, Austria etc.). April-September is a very pleasant time for traveling throughout Europe, as temperatures do not tend to be very high.
          • Southern Europe, including countries like Spain, Italy, Greece, France and Portugal, has a pleasant climate with sunny days throughout the year, although the summer months July and August can be unpleasantly warm on some days.

          North America

          • Canada and Alaska can be very cold and dark during the period November-March. The period outside these months would be more suitable to visit these countries, but since it concerns such a wide area, there are a lot of regional differences.
          • The United States also varies per region, but in general has cold winters, hot summers and mild fall and spring seasons. The south can be very humid with sporadic rainfall and has two subtropical seasons, contrary to most states.
          • Mexico has a wet and a dry season, with warm and humid weather throughout the year. Mexico also has a hurricane season lasting from June through November.

          SPOTLIGHT

          World habits, food customs and country philosophies - Theme

          World habits, food customs and country philosophies - Theme

          Image
          Habits, customs and philosophies from all around the world Table of contents What are habits and customs? What are typical Asian habits, food customs and philosophies in Asia? What are typical European habits, food customs and philosophies in Europe? What are typical Latin habits, food customs and philosophies in South America? What are typical Mediterranean habits, food customs and philosophies....... read more
          Sustainable live, travel and work - Theme
          Packing your things for abroad: blogs and contributions of WorldSupporters - Bundle

          Packing your things for abroad: blogs and contributions of WorldSupporters - Bundle

          Collection of tips, experiences and stories from fellow WorldSupporters about packing your backpack or suitcase.

          Choosing sustainable outdoor gear

          Choosing sustainable outdoor gear

          Image

          In 2019, it's hard to ignore thinking about how your consumption choices affect the world. While you're probably familiary with the bad impacts of flying, the meat and dairy industry and the plastic soup that we call oceans, the textile industry hasn't entirely made it's way into the spotlights. 

          A couple of months ago I saw the documentary "Stacey Dooley Investigates: Fashion's Dirty Secrets". While I was aware of terms like sustainable fashion, I had never been presented with the blunt facts or shocking images that come with it, nor had I tried to read into it. The fast fashion industry comes at a huge cost to the environment; water pollution, toxic chemicals, fashion waste and transportation costs. Furthermore, the water footprint of fabrics like cotton, and even more shocking, organic cotton, is huge. And while we are on the safe-side of the fashion industry (for now...), millions of people are suffering from the fashion choices we maken. 

          Fast fashion is an industry focusing on low costs and speed. In reducing the costs for clothes, companies often choose for the cheapest countries with little (enforced) rules on environmental impact. The vibrant colours you love so much in your clothes, are often created with the use of toxic chemicals of which the residues end up in rivers and oceans, making this practice the second largest pollutor of clean water, following the number one we're all aware of; agriculture. By making such choices, fashion companies can constantly provide new collections at low costs, and the consumer is presented with cheap attractice new options all the time. In turn, this has caused a high-turnover of clothes in people's closets. Whereas in the past you used to have the same trousers for years, now you might have worn them 5 times before buying new ones and sending these to the second hand shop, hence the increasing amounts of textile waste. 

          What can you do?

          I was shocked by what I saw in the documentary and it totally changed my view on fashion. I'm not the only one, many blogs can be found on the internet regarding sustainable fashion, or even cutting out clothes shopping as a whole (check out this girl who didn't buy clothes for a year). While the latter option is something I might consider as a new-years resolution next year, it's a bit difficult with my upcoming trip and my lack of outdoor clothing. Therefore I have found some other ways to reduce my environmental fashion impact, which I would love to share with you. 

          First of all, the number one rule is buy less. It's a simple solution to a big problem, buying less means less waste, less chemicals, less transportation, less water use etc. This is immediately connected to the second thing: buy recycled and good-quality. Recycled clothes are often the best as little pressure is put on virgin resources used for new clothingBuying good quality means the clothes will last longer and therefore again, you'll also have to buy less. However, not all good quality fashion is sustainable, so make sure to look at the brands. 

          Since this blog is about outdoor brands, I want to give you a list of brands that from most sustainable to least sustainable based on the amazing website "rankabrand.org". 

          Vaude 
          Vaude scores the highest in the list of outdoor brands and therefore achieves a B-label. This is due to their use of 100% green electricty, their policies regarding toxic substances and their waste and packaging management. Furthermore they are a member of the Fair Wear Foundation. 

          Jack Wolfskin
          Jack Wolfskin is assigned a C label. They have implemented several measures to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and work with organic cotton and certified manufacturers. However, they are not entirely transparent about their practices and therefore many impacts remain unknown. 

          Fjällräven & Patagonia
          Even though I've repeatedly been told Patagonia is one of the most sustainable brands, both Fjällräven and Patagonia score a C-label as well on the rankabrand website. Since the website uses a strict set of criteria, if the brand is not transparent about this, or does not publish results on their impacts, they score rather low. 

          Other C-labels are assigned to Pyua, Trigema, Schöffel, Norrona, Deuther. Furthermore, D-labels are assigned to Bergans, Burton, Icebreaker, Regatta and Millet

          When looking at a review of the fair cottage websiteVaude again pops up as the top sustainable choice, followed by Houdini and La Sportiva. 

          The Greenpeace campaign "detox our fashion" on the use of PFCs (long-term severe pollutants) also gives an overview of the big outdoor brands. Their detox champions are again Vaude, and Paramo and Rotauf. The brands that are moving towards becoming more sustainable but that are definitely not their yet are The North FaceHaglöfs, Black Yak, Jack WOlfskin, Mammut, Salewa and Norrona. The brands that score the worst are Arcteryx, Columbia and Patagonia. While they mention that Patagonia is one of the leaders in sustainability, they are definitely falling short in their detox from PFCs. 

          Interestingly, an independent website, theprch.com, puts Patagonia as the most sustainable brands out of a list of outdoor brands. Patagonia is refered to on many websites and in many articles as one of the most sustainable brands due to, for example, their focus on recycled fabric. While they score the highest on theprch, the website does mention that they are far from perfect and not very transparent. However, they do provide a lot of information on how they try to reduce their impacts, while many other companies hardly make any efforts at all. 

          Patagonia is followed by REI, which has a B score. In the D category, the North Face, Mountain Hardware, Mammut, Marmot, Columbia, Black Diamond and Arc'teryx are listed. The worst brands, according to this list, are SmartWool, Sea to Summit, Osprey, Big Agnes, Coleman, Exped, Five Ten, Granite Gear, Gregory, Kelty, KUHL, MSR, NEMO
          If you want to know more about how these brand were scored, check out the theprch website

          All in all it seems that Vaude is definitely the most sustainable brands. Whether Patagonia follows, I'm not sure. They mentiion that they try to do a lot to be more environmentally friendly, but they lack actual reporting and therefore score quite low. Furthermore, they are not active in reducing their PFCs. I think it's best to buy products from Vaude, look into what products you buy from B/C categories, and definitely avoid the brands with a B-label. If one of your brands is not in the list, you can request RankaBrand to review it through this page. 

          Last of all, I want to mention the option of second hand clothes. While it can be tricky with outdoor clothing, there are still plenty of options to find good clothes. Check out second hand (outdoor) shops, people selling clothes on the internet, shops, or even brands selling used clothes (https://www.rei.com/used for example). 

          Well, hopefully this helped you in making your sustainable outdoor shopping easier! Let me know if you have any more ideas, thoughts, tips or comments below :). 

          Cheers

          Hannah

          Drink SAFE with a Tulip Water Filter

          Drink SAFE with a Tulip Water Filter

          Image

          What if you are traveling and no shops around and need water, use a Tulip Water Filter to make clean water!

          The Tulip Siphon is a lightweight portable water purifier that is easy to use and store. It purifies 4–5 liters of water per hour. The filter can be used in emergency situations as well as for daily usage. It has a unique backwash function making sure that the filter stays clean and fit for purification and a fast flow rate. The Tulip Siphon lasts up to 7000 liters. After which the candle can be easily replaced.

          Watch the video how it works here

          You can buy the Tulip Siphon at JoHo Support Centers

          Travel lifesaver - a period cup

          Travel lifesaver - a period cup

          Image

          So, a bit of a different topic today, but one that you can't ignore when travelling as a woman, period. I mean, periods! Yeah, it's the one thing I'm always worried about. Ah, let's book a skiing holiday! Oh no, what if I have my period and two full days of cramps? Let's go diving! Ohhhh, but what if......................... Sometimes life sucks as a woman, and while it's a bit easier if you can take a contraceptive pill and have the upper hand over your periods, I can't, so I've had to work my way around it. Aside from that, putting a bunch of hormones in your body is something I'm not very fond of anyways because of all the side-effects it can have, although some women of course hardly experience any! Since there are more women who have to, or want to, get rid of all the hormonal stuff, the period-market is opening up! Yay. A couple of years ago I've found my near-perfect solution and while it still sucks to have my period, and to be subjected to two full days of pain, it has made my life a lot easier. 

          A cup!? Yes, a cup....... 

          About three years ago, I saw this add on Facebook for the Organicup. What? A cup? For your periods? How does that work? I had no idea, but it caught my attention! I was trying to live more sustainably and to reduce my waste, so this seemed to fit right into my lifestyle. After doing some research I found out that there were a couple (not as many as today) of period-cups on the market. These are small cups, that you can insert in your you-know-what, and which you have to empty around 3 times a day. You'll never need tampons or sanitary napkins ever again! WHAT A BLESSING! And if you use them correctly they can last for 10 years. Imagine how much money and unnecessary waste you can save! I was convinced, so I decided to buy one. Since the Organicup had good reviews, is vegan and free of chemicals, this was going to be the one. 25 euros, but only the best for my.... since I wouldn't want to put any chemicals in there (I believe this can be the case with some of the cheap cups you can buy on AliExpress for example). Now there are many more options, of which probably a bunch are safe. The only way to know which one is best for you eventually, is just to try them out. Which was what I was going to do. Eventually, I found the Organicup quite stiff, which didn't work for me, but in Germany I bought a Fair Squared cup (which was also slightly cheaper) which was a lot more comfortable. Unfortunately I totally burned it because I was boiling it and forgot, so I had to buy a new one. It seems like there can be minor differences since this one works a little bit less well for me, but I'm still super satisfied and wouldn't want to go back to anything else anymore!

          The first try

          Within a couple of weeks the cup arrived. There are two sizes, the small one for women whom haven't had kids, and the bigger one for women who had. The thing looked a bit uncomfortable, and I couldn't imagine not feeling that thing the whole day even though that was what many women mentioned. After reading through the instructions of how to use it (boil it first, fold it double and insert and twist), I decided to give it a try. It was a bit uncomfortable at first, so I decided not to ditch my previous period-stuff immediately. I would definitely recommend to combine it with sanitary napkins or panty-liners on your first couple of tries, just to make sure you get a hang of how to put it in. The important part that I only found out after a couple of tries, is to twist the thing after putting it in. In that way you make sure it creates a vacuum, so that no stuff can pass it. Then, depending on how heavy your periods are, you have to empty it a couple of times a day, since it fills up. I believe it is recommended not to leave the cup in for more than 12 hours at the most, but emptying it more often is of course more hygienic. 

          Cleaning 

          This is where I started to appreciate the toilets with a little tab inside of the toilet room. What a lifesaver! Although I believe these cups shouldn't be a taboo anymore, I do feel slightly awkward walking around with a cup with my period blood and emptying it in the sink next to someone who's washing their hands. But well, sometimes there's just no other option. Every time you take it out and empty it in the toilet, you have to clean it before using it again. The best way is just to wash it with some water (and make sure the vacuum holes on the side are clean as well). I usually do this in the shower in the morning, which makes things a lot easier. However, if water is not at hand (which is the case in some washrooms), then there are three other options; (1) bring your own bottle of water and just wash it above the toilet, (2) clean it as much as you can with toilet paper, (3) use the Organiwash or Organiwipes. 

          Before every first use, make sure to boil it in water for about 5-10 minutes as to fully clean it. This is the only real obstacle I found while travelling. During my last trip, which would be a packpacking trip through Asia for some months, I was mostly worried about this part. Staying in a hostel, there are always people around you, so boiling a period cup in a hostel pot can be a bit awkward. Or maybe there isn't even a kitchen available, if you're in the middle of the jungle for example. To work my way around this, I looked for other options. Eventually I found out about Organiwash and Organiwipes. I figured this would be a good way to clean the cup while not having access to a kitchen or anything, and whenever it would be possibly I would just boil it then. Eventually this worked out well, and makes travelling a lot easier!

          The pros

          For me this cup makes travelling a lot easier. I don't have to worry about where to buy sanitary products, or where to throw them out. It saves tons of money, and I can still take part in activities that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to, such as snorkeling, diving, surfing, or any other sport for that matter. Also, I'm happy that I don't have to use all these throwaway product anymore. So much unnecessary waste every month!! However, the most important reason why I'm happy with my cup is just because it makes life so much more comfortable. I hate the feeling of most sanitary products, it feels unhygienic, you have to change them quite often, and there's a possibility of ilnesses if you don't. With this cup, I really don't feel anything throughout the day (the only problem with this is that sometimes I forget that it is still inside), so yeah, it makes my life a lot easier.

          The cons

          Personally, I can't find many cons, but there are some. The biggest one for me is that every cup is a bit different and it can therefore be difficult to find the right one. If it doesn't go in correctly or doesn't entirely fit well, then it can leak a bit. This is not really a problem, but 100% leakproof is of course the best. On my worst days this isn't always the case with my current one (the previous one, the one I totally burned, was perfect though), so I wear panty-liners on these days anyway. I did recently buy washable ones though (yeah, they exist as well!! :D), since this eventually is cheaper and better. Another con is the washing, obviously. You can't simply throw it away and be rid of it (or well, you can, but this will cost you about 25 euro's every time). However, when you get used to washing it, you'll find your own way to deal with inconvenient situations. The last con I can come up with is that it can take some time to learn how to use it, but that is easily overcome by just trying. 

          All in all, I'm super happy with my period cup. It is my most important travel companion (with the Organiwash) on longer trips and I wouldn't want to live without it anymore. It's definitely worth the money, since you'll save loads in the future, and it adds to your sustainable lifestyle as well! Of course, everyone has their own preferences, so I can only speak for myself, but if you're in doubt about getting one, just try it! And if you have any questions about my experience, just post them in the comments below :). 

          Stasher, reusable, resealable bags

          Stasher, reusable, resealable bags

          Image

          Hi! Recently a good friend of mine surprised me with a present from Japan; a Stasher resealable bag! I never knew this things existed so this was awesome! For hiking I bring resealable bags to store my breakfast (cereals with water) overnight. This means I have to throw away a plastic bag every day. Well, now I don't have to anymore! Furthermore, they are temperature resistant (can even go into the oven and microwave). So, I just wanted to let you know this alternative for plastic resealable bags exists! Another good alternative to plastic, yay!!

          Scrubba Wash Bag

          Scrubba Wash Bag

          Image

          When I'm travelling I always envy people with little luggage. It makes travelling so much more relaxed, convenient and easy. But how do they do it? Why don't they need multiple pairs of pants, a lot of underwear and many, many t-shirts? What if you can't find a washing machine? How do you survive if you're out of clean panties? 

          Well, recently, while preparing my next trip, I found out about the scrubba wash bag. It's a portable wash bag that kind of works like a portable washing machine, but then by hand and as a bag. You simply put your clothes in it, add water and detergent and scrub for a couple of minutes. Because the bag has knobs in the bottom, you can really scrub your clothes clean. 

          I haven't tried it myself, but would really like to bring one with me. It's on the expensive side (50 euro's), which is why I haven't bought it, but hopefully cheaper versions might become available. However, if you have it, you do save money on laundromats. 

          Review 

          Backpacken en reizen - Thema

          EXPLAINED

          Travel insurances and insurances for long term abroad - Theme
          How to stay healthy when you are backpacking, living, studying, traveling or working abroad?

          How to stay healthy when you are backpacking, living, studying, traveling or working abroad?

          Image

          What are the main remarks about staying healthy abroad?

          • Staying healthy during your trip to a foreign country is very important. For each trip you need to think what kind of medicine you have to bring and which extra measures you have to take to stay healthy.
          • Vaccines are not perfect. New vaccines are constantly being released but diseases continue to evolve
          • Some vaccines require a long period to take effect, but it is never too late to vaccinate
          • Health risks within a country can vary from locality to locality and local authorities may be slow to announce outbreaks of disease
          • Common infections contracted by travelers include those which follow contaminated food or water. Find out whether tap water and local food is safe to consume before you depart
          • There are a number of mosquito-born illnesses you can contract while overseas particularly in tropical areas. Be sure to take measures to avoid being bitten such as wearing light colored, loose fitting clothing that covers your arms and legs, regularly applying an appropriate insect repellent and staying in mosquito proof accommodation.
          • Travel websites, such as Lonely planet or Footprint, have useful health information as well.

          How can you plan and organize that you stay healthy abroad?

          • The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all travelers should be covered from diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio, as well as Hepatitis B, regardless of their destination. Since most vaccines don’t produce immunity until a couple of weeks after they’re given, it is advised to visit a physician a couple of weeks before you travel.
          • Make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic to have a basic check-up and find out if any vaccinations or health checks are required at least 6-12 weeks before you depart.
          • Not all travelers to countries where there is a potential risk of infection need to be vaccinated but it is important that you discuss your personal travel plans with a doctor so they can determine the correct vaccinations for your trip.

          How can you travel with medicine?

          • Before leaving home, you should check that your medications are legal in the country you are visiting. You can do this by contacting the country’s embassy or high commission or by looking at official websites.
          • Since the National Health Act was amended in 1999, it is an offense to carry or post Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines overseas unless they are for your personal use, or the use of someone traveling with you.
          • There are restrictions on the amount of PBS medicine that can be carried or sent overseas. When planning to travel overseas with PBS medicine it is important that you:
          • Talk to your doctor and discuss the medicine you will need to take (if you need to take any medicine at all).
          • Carry a letter from your doctor detailing what the medicine is, how much you will be taking, and stating that it is for your own personal use.
          • Leave the medicine in its original packaging so it is clearly labeled with your name and dosage instructions.
          • If you intend to travel with large quantities of medicine, including over-the-counter or private prescription medications, you should ask your doctor, dentist or pharmacist to provide you with a letter explaining why you need to carry such quantities.
          • If you have to inject your medication it might be preferable to carry your own needles and syringes but you should check with the embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting to make sure that this is acceptable. If you buy needles and syringes while overseas, be sure that you buy packs that are sealed and sterile. If you need to carry needles and syringes with you on the plane, inform your airline before you travel and if necessary, arrange a letter from your doctor explaining why you need to carry them.
          • It is important to be aware that some items purchased overseas may be packaged under a different brand name to those of the country of your destination. Keep an eye on the strength and active ingredients of similar-sounding medications overseas, they can vary.

           

          Surviving disasters abroad: main content and contributions

          Surviving disasters abroad: main content and contributions

          Surviving disasters abroad: main content and contributions

          what should you do during a volcano eruption, and how dangerous is climbing an active volcano?

          what should you do during a volcano eruption, and how dangerous is climbing an active volcano?

          Image

          In which countries do volcanic eruptions occur?

          • Most volcanoes lie on fault lines where tectonic plates meet. These areas with active volcanoes are usually also places with an increased risk of earthquakes
          • The other volcanoes are located in so-called 'hotspots'; this type of volcano can for example be found in Iceland, Hawaii, Ethiopia and Reunion.
          • The largest numbers of active volcanoes are found in Indonesia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, the east coast of the US, Ecuador and Chile.
          • Active volcanoes attract many visitors every year who want to see, feel and smell, sometimes up close, what a volcano actually is. Popular volcanoes to visit include: Kīlauea (Hawaii), Etna (Italy), Merapi (Indonesia), Villarica (Chile), Cotopaxi (Ecuador), Volcán de Fuego (Guatemala) and Aso (Japan)

          How can you prepare for a possible volcanic eruption?

          • Volcanic eruptions, especially large ones, can now be predicted quite well by volcanologists
          • The dangers and frequency of eruptions vary by volcano type, year and location
          • The authorities involved usually have extensive evacuation plans in place and also a warning system for residents
          • When you visit an area with an active volcano, you can obtain information locally about these plans and systems

          What are the dangers of a volcanic eruption?

          There are major differences between one volcanic eruption and another. Although lava can look spectacular, it is certainly not the biggest danger during an eruption

          • Flying, red-hot rocks and steam: Small eruptions can sometimes eject red-hot material and steam from the crater at high speed. These types of explosions are especially dangerous if you are on the volcano itself.
          • Lava flows: The speed of a lava flow can vary between extremely slow and as much as 150 km/h. The hotter the lava, the faster it flows, but there are also various geological aspects that determine whether the lava from a particular volcano will flow quickly or less quickly
          • Pyroclastic flow: when an eruption column collapses during an eruption, a devastating pyroclastic flow or 'flare cloud' is created. In fact, the plume of hot ash and rocks rolls down like an avalanche at up to 90 mph. This current is hotter than 100 degrees and destroys everything in its path.
          • Lahar: A lahar is a mudflow of volcanic material, especially volcanic ash. Lahars are formed when ash and pumice stone, from the volcanic eruption, mixes with rainwater or meltwater. A lahar does not necessarily form on a volcano, if enough ash lands on, for example, a distant mountain, a lahar can also form there due to the weight of the ash.
          • Ash rain: All the ash, grit and stones that are shot into the air in a large plume during an eruption, come down again at a certain point, this phenomenon is called an ash rain. The greater the amount of ash, the more nuisance it causes, such as impassable roads and roof collapses.
          • Tsunamis: Some of the volcanoes on the coast or in the sea can cause a tsunami during an eruption.

          What can you do if you are caught in a volcanic eruption?

          • Because (large) volcanic eruptions are fairly predictable, it is especially important to follow instructions from local authorities when an eruption is imminent or has occurred.
          • When you are on a volcano during an eruption, there is really little you can do. Try to get away from the volcano as some volcanoes can erupt several times in a row
          • Volcano dust will fall in the wider area around the eruption, cover your mouth and nose to protect your lungs.
          • Also try to protect your eyes as much as possible against the sharp ash particles.

          Are you insured for the consequences of a volcanic eruption?

          • Climbing a volcano under the supervision of professional guides will often be covered by your travel insurance.
          • Travel insurance generally does not provide cover if negative travel advice is in force. Only specialized travel insurance for long or special stays abroad can provide a solution here.
          • In the event of an unforeseen volcanic eruption, you are generally insured
          What should you do during an earthquake, in which countries do they occur, and how dangerous are earthquakes

          What should you do during an earthquake, in which countries do they occur, and how dangerous are earthquakes

          earthquake house

          In which countries do earthquakes occur frequently?

          • An earthquake cannot be predicted (well), but in certain countries and areas you are much more likely to experience an earthquake
          • In Indonesia and Mexico you have more than 2000 every year! earthquakes
          • In addition to well-known earthquake countries such as Japan and Chile, Guatemala, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Peru are also annually in the top ten of earthquakes per country

          How can you prepare for an earthquake?

          •  Check in advance whether your country of residence or residence has an official website with reliable information about natural disasters.
          •  Know the earthquake hazards in the area
          •  Consider the structural integrity of the home
          •  Place furniture and appliances so that they will not fall over if the ground shakes violently
          •  Have an emergency bag/kit for each member of the family
          •  Participate in earthquake drills provided by your employer, educational institution or local government

          What to do during an earthquake?

          •  Stay calm, don't panic
          •  Stay indoors if you are already in a structurally sound building or home
          •  If possible, quickly open a door to go outside
          •  Duck under a sturdy desk or table and hold on to it, or protect your head with your arms
          •  Stay away from windows, shelves, cabinets and other heavy objects
          •  Watch out for falling objects. Be alert and keep your eyes open
          •  If you're outside, go to an open space
          •  Stay away from trees, power lines, poles and concrete structures
          •  Move away from steep slopes that could be affected by landslides
          •  If you are close to the coast and feel an earthquake, especially a strong one, quickly move to higher ground to watch for possible tsunamis
          •  If you are in a moving vehicle, stop and get out. Try not to go over bridges, viaducts and viaducts that may be damaged, avoid tunnels

          What to do after the earthquake

          •  After the earthquake: take the quickest and safest way out of the building
          •  Do not use elevators, enter damaged buildings, or use telephones unless necessary
          What should you do in a hurricane, typhoon or cyclone, and how dangerous are strong winds?

          What should you do in a hurricane, typhoon or cyclone, and how dangerous are strong winds?

          cyclone hurricane cloud

          What are the travel destinations with the most hurricanes, typhoons and tropical cyclones, and when is the hurricane season?

          Note: storms don't care much about storm seasons, they can occur earlier or later depending on annual climate variations (and accompanying water temperatures). Climate change makes predicting these extreme storms also more difficult

          • Caribbean: Hurricane season: June 1 - November 30, with most storms forming in September and October. Islands of Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Cuba and Dominican republic are more likely to be struck than Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao
          • United States (including Hawaii): Hurricane Season: June 1 - November 30
          • Mexico: Hurricane Season: May 15 - November (East Pacific) or June 1 - November 30 (Atlantic/Caribbean)
          • Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, China: Typhoon season: Year Round
          • Philippines: Typhoon season: Year Round, peaking in May to November
          • Australia: Cyclone season: November to April
          • Madagascar: Cyclone season: November 15 - April 30, with peak activity in February

          Check beforehand whether your country of residence has an official site with reliable information in regards to natural disasters.

          • are hurricanes, typhoons or cyclones common in your country of living?
          • in which months is the highest activity of typhoons?
          • what are the most common areas impacted?

          What should you do before a hurricane, typhoon or tropical cyclone?

          1. When booking a visit to a hurricane destination during storm season be aware of the risks, accommodation might be cheap, but it comes with a prize
          2. Inspect your house for possible repairs (esp. roof).
          3. Clean drainage to avoid clogging.
          4. Store supplies; food, water, flashlight, batteries, and medical supplies. Canned goods are ideal for food.
          5. When living in a hazard prone or risk area, you should evacuate as early as possible.
          6. Keep up-to-date with the weather forecast (radio/tv/internet).
          7. When living in a flood prone area, move electric appliances to safe, high-up areas.

          What should you do during a hurricane, typhoon or tropical cyclone?

          1. Stay inside and stay calm. Avoid travel.
          2. Keep up-to-date with the weather forecast (radio/TV/internet).
          3. Don't operate electric appliances during flood.
          4. Avoid wading through flooded areas to avoid water-transmitted diseases.
          5. Close the windows and turn off the main power switch.
          6. Avoid the way leading to or along the river.

          What should you do after the storm struck?

          1. Keep up-to-date with the weather forecast (radio/tv/internet).
          2. If your house was damaged, make sure that it is already safe and stable when you enter.
          3. Watch out for live wires or outlet immersed in water.
          4. Boil water before drinking it to avoid diseases.
          5. Do not let water accumulate in tires, cans or pots to avoid creating a favorable condition for mosquito breeding that can cause dengue.

          What are cyclones, hurricanes, tornadoes, tropical storms and typhoons, and what's the difference?

          • Hurricanes, tropical storms and typhoons are forms of a tropical cyclone. They are extreme storms that arise above the sea in tropical areas, and are characterized by rare strong winds, very hard rain and sometimes a lot of damage. They often last several days to sometimes one or two weeks. Tropical cyclones can be up to 1000 km wide, and move depending on local weather conditions
          • A tropical storm is the weakest form of a cyclone.
          • The words hurricane, cyclone and typhoon mean the same thing but are used depending on where the storm originates. Above the Atlantic Ocean and the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean in the Northern Hemisphere we speak of hurricanes. Above the western half of the Pacific Ocean in the Northern Hemisphere we speak of a typhoon. Above the Indian Ocean and in the Bay of Bengal we speak of a Cyclone.
          • A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air at the bottom of a thundercloud. A tornado is no wider than 3 km and lasts less long than a cyclone. This column of air is often visible as a trunk because water vapor condenses into clouds. A tornado also often becomes visible because it causes damage and you therefore see objects, such as sand, leaves and branches, flying through the air.
           
          Crossroads: this content is used in bundle
          Crossroads: related content in the field of
          Montenegro: Updates & Travel
          • Travel in Montenegro?
          • Updates Montenegro
          • Travel in Montenegro?

            • Montenegro, the land of the black mountain, is a magical land where spectacular beaches, ancient towns, deep canyons and a Mediterranean climate come together. Adventurers can get away from tourism...
          Malta & Gozo: Updates & Travel
          • Travel in Malta & Gozo?
          • Updates Malta & Gozo
          • Travel in Malta & Gozo?

            • A great European island where you can dive and eat well. Malta was English territory until 1964 and has developed into a language paradise to improve your English.
            • If you...
          Statistics
          23035 2