BBOE: THINGS THAT WILL KILL YOU

Here is the first installment of the BIG BOOK OF EVERYTHING post series.
A collection of things I've learnt while living abroad, the kind of things you can not learn until you've done so.

One of the few things you do not have the option to bring with you when moving countries is your typical day to day set of ideals and knowledge. For example, Don’t touch this- it gets hot and you will be branded. You haven’t really experienced summer until you've jumped in your car in Oz, gone to clip your seatbelt and been branded by the scorching hot metal buckle. Don’t bike when it’s icy- you WILL stack it & make an utter fool of yourself & I have the battle scars to prove it, courtesy of Holland. Don’t dress like you’re going to a club when you’re wandering a muslim country. Other than the complete disrespect, unless you’re up for being oogled at & shamed- just don’t do it. Don’t bother trying to buy anything on Monday morning in Europe- you more or less can’t. Don't plan to drive through the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium around 8pm- You'll be stopped by road blocks as the Last Post service is held. All the simple do’s and don’ts that we ‘just know’ make a huge difference in how we go about our days. You don’t realise just how much of a difference knowledge of the little day to day inconveniences can make. Moving abroad comes with a whole new set of rules and guidelines. Each country has their own big book of everything – and sadly no one’s there to hand it to you when you arrive. Never fear though! The unknown is a huge part of the experience and one of the best things about living abroad, right? Navigating a new land is one of the few ways an adult can once again experience life as if they were a child. Back when no meant I’ll do it anyway and see what happens, when the only way to know how it tasted was to stick out your tongue & lick it, back when written guidelines and spoken wisdom was all but mumbo-jumbo and the only way to really learn was to just get out there and make mistakes.

BBOE EDITION ONE: Things that will kill you.

I’ve recently moved from Malaysia to the Maldives. Prior to Malaysia I spent some time at home in Australia and before that I spent a year living in the Netherlands. So you can imagine how vastly different my big books were and how little was interchangeable between them. Here’s a little snapshot of what I’ve learnt about the Maldives so far

1. Sand is no longer just a part of the beach it’s a part of every aspect of your life. It’s in your hair, your bed, your room, your nickers, your shower, your shoes and no matter how many times you sweep the house it will always find a way to be a part of the floor.

2. When it rains, it pours. There’s nothing quite like the swift and sudden downpour of tropical monsoon rain!

3. The main event, and spotlight of this post? ANIMALS!

Every country you go will be filled with its own set of weird and wonderful animals. They might want to kiss, cuddle, chase, eat or even kill you. And you’re going to need to know which actions to look out for prior to heading in for a pat. Being born and raised in Australia meant I grew up with two facts about animals drilled into me. 1. Accept they are everywhere and 2. Don’t be afraid, but keep in mind almost every animal you’ll encounter in the backyard probably has the power to kill you. Now, I’m no novice to creepy crawlies in my room HOWEVER- I can tell you that nothing has ever made me jump quite like this guy:

This is a crab. A big, brown giant crab (okay he's not that big) and he was getting his creep on in the corner of my room the other day. Can we just take a moment to appreciate how equally freaky, strange and cool it was that there was a CRAB in my room?! A crab. In my room. How did it even get there? This little guy shot me ten miles past terror because at a glance it appeared to be an oversized monstrosity of a huntsman spider. All too familiar with a spider in the corner back home I jumped to the immediate conclusion that it was a giant spider and it was infact going to kill me. It took me a few minutes to collect myself and as I went in for a closer inspection I realized the spider-strosity was actually a crab.  A CRAB.

The very next day I was strolling along the beach, ankle deep in the clear blue water. Minding my own business & testing out my new underwater camera, I was determined to snap some pictures of the little sharks darting around my legs. Suddenly out of nowhere sand started to cloud the water and I watched in shock as a GIANT stingray flapped its wings, slowly revealing itself from beneath the sand – right in front me. In fear of becoming the next Australian casualty to death-by-stingray, I froze. I had never been in such a situation and actually had no idea what to do. Will it hurt me? Are stingrays vicious? If I run will it freak out and attack me? Is this a stand still & don't move kind of situation? I was conflicted by the age old fight or flight. Or in my case- Bend down and take some Stingray & me selfies or wade out the water and run for my life. With a two or so metre long stinger I wasn’t really up for taking this beast on- but I also wasn’t going to leave without some kick ass snaps to mark the experience! Quickly and quietly I moved to a comfortably close position, snapped some pictures and got the hell outta there. All the while being eyeballed by the beautiful beast. See had I been given the BBOE: Maldives edition- I would have had the answers. However, since there is no much thing and this is all part of the fun - I'll be learning through my own experiences & jotting down and sharing my thoughts with you as I create my own BBOE based on day to day happenings. :D
Look out for upcoming posts BBOE Holland edition, and later Living in Asia!

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CURIOUS CUBES

THE CURIOUS CUBE HOUSES OF ROTTERDAM

During my year living in Holland I took the liberty in attempting to cover as much of this country as I could. Neighbouring Den Haag where I lived, is the brilliantly quirky town of Rotterdam.

Other than the lure of Primark and other shopping escapades I was drawn here in the hope of locating and exploring the curious cubic housing complex I’d heard so much about.

This peculiar design is the innovation of Dutch architect Piet Blom. The challenge? Design and build a housing structure utilizing the space above a pedestrian overpass.  At a glance it appears as if a bunch of huge yellow blocks have fallen from the sky and crash landed into this imperfectly perfect cubic-cluster. Blom describes his work as being the structural representation of an abstract yellow forest- a home among homes. With each house representing a tree and each tree connecting with the next to make a forest. With such a wacky design and musky yellow colour scheme it’s no surprise this is a product of the 70’s. Blom actually built three test houses in Helmond back in 1974 which lead to the construction of 18 fully functioning homes popping up in 1977. It wasn't until the early 80s construction on the Rotterdam 'Forest' started. Believe it or not, all but one of these curious cubes are occupied. Who wouldn’t want to call a giant yellow tree-house block hanging on to an overpass, home? The one left over is open to the public and was actually purpose built as a late edition due to the high numbers of curious cats disturbing the residents as they tried to get a peek inside these homes.

With a total floor space of 100sqm, these fully functioning houses are actually made up of three floors! The ground entrance floor, an open plan kitchen & living floor and top floor with two bedrooms and a bath. Due to the walls being angled at 54.7 degrees only a small proportion of the floor space can actually be used- the angles do make for wonderful viewpoints out the windows though!

If the show cube isn't quite enough for you, as of 2009 STAYOKAY Dutch hostel company bought and converted one and for roughly $25AUD you curious cats can choose to stay there!

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GLAMPING FRANCE

C'est quoi? – What on earth is this glamping, you say?
First, forget everything and anything you ever knew about camping. Take all the extras expected from a hotel stay, some candles, crisp white sheets, sheer curtains, a group of wild horses, the sound of a crackling fire against rural silence and add little pinch of luxury – now bundle it all up into a simplistically beautiful little cottage made of canvas & throw it into the Suisse National Park of Normandy, France. This was my glamping experience. During the year I lived in Europe I was very blessed to have been brought along on many working holidays. One of which was to the Reinhill Ranch in Normandy. When I was told we were to be going ‘glamping’ naturally I thought I’d misheard and was ready for a bug-filled dig your own toilet kind of camp trip. Nope! We were in fact, going glamping – glamorous camping. This new age idea of camping for the non-conforming-camper meant we’d more or less be staying in a petit hotel de luxe (little luxury hotel) that was posing as a tent on a campsite. 
En route: Netherlands – France. The five of us (including Sally, our Bernise Mountain dog who may as well be a person due to her incredible size & amazing nature) all packed into the car and hit the road. After stopping for breakfast in Holland, lunch in Belgium & six hours’ worth of city, highway, country and rural towns we reached Normandy, France. Upon arrival our bags were taken and we were driven in a buggy deep into the property. As we drove up and over the last hill the beauty of the French country side started to reveal itself. Passing horses, ponies, pigs, ducks, an assortment of gardens and getting into the ranch/farm-stay spirit I could make out our soon-to-be-home gleaming in the early sunset. Perched at the far end of the field closed in by a dainty wooden fence and surrounded by a group of wild ponies stood our safari-style tent amidst the breathtaking atmosphere of rural France. Tout simplement sensationnel. Simply stunning.

Tucked away in the French countryside surrounded by lush greenery and rugged brown farmland this charming little tent-suite featured a master room, second bedroom and a large open living area complete with a wooden stove top, open fire, dining set & lazy-day chairs. The simplistic rugged interior gave all the feels of a tent while boasting all the simple benefits of a serviced hotel. Over the next week we spent our time doing a little of everything and a lot of nothing. Ce’st la vie, et il est grand. –It was pure bliss. The incredible staff working at the Ranch were beyond helpful and really made us feel not only at home but a part of the team. A huge shout out goes to Bob, Alison & the whole Reinhill team, I really can’t thank you enough for the incredible time we had with you! The best part about the trip? Switching off, disconnecting, doing nothing and being one with nature. Running, skipping and playing explorer with the kids around the property, chasing the wild ponies, grooming & riding the horses, trying our luck at horse training and welcoming each night with a glass of wine or hot coco snuggled up in blankets and telling stories over the soft crackling of our indoor fire. The worst part of the stay? When the time came to snap back to reality and say goodbye to our humble hideout. 

Glamping is for those wishing to experience all that is camping without actually experiencing anything that is camping. It’s for the designer traveler, the friendly family, the love-bug couple or anyone really looking for an unforgettable escape among nature.
It’s definitely one for the bucket list and I highly recommend Reinhill ranch as the place to tick it off.

 Once you go glamping... 


Check out some other GLAMPING LOCATIONS around the world, or get in touch with Bob & his team @ the REINHILL RANCH for some horse riding, or SAFARI-NORMANDIE to speak with someone to book a glamping trip at this magnific ranch!

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SHAPE UP OR YOU CAN'T SHIP OFF

WHY I WON'T BE WORKING ON A CRUISE SHIPEarlier this year I landed my third job with a cruise line. Yep, my third job. This time was going to be different though. This time I was going to finally make it on board and enjoy the amazing experience of sailing the world while working a job that I loved.  I seemed to be really really good at getting jobs and not so great at ever actually gracing them with my presence. The first time I was offered a position I had to turn it down due to a conflict of contracts and the second time I couldn’t go or I may have ended up in jail. (I’ll explain below) Third times a charm, right? WRONG. Apparently cruise ships just aren’t the workplace for me.

Anyone who’s tried, applied or worked on a ship knows what a painfully long process this can be. After sending off a number of applications directly and indirectly to an array of cruise ship companies sometime early this year I received a reply. One should be excited, right? Not really.. generally speaking this meant I was only one foot in on the nine mile path to actually stepping on board. The application over the next few weeks went a little something like this:
Make an online account, confirm email, log in, complete questions & scenarios, wait to have answers approved, add a profile online, wait to have said profile approved & accepted, add previous experience and desired job, wait to have experience cross checked, approved and accepted, submit a resume, wait for resume approval, add contact details, wait while contact details are confirmed, continue checking online for an invitation to complete a phone interview, pick one of the time slots available, wait for chosen time slot to be approved and locked in, complete the phone interview, regularly check back online to see if I passed the interview..  PASSED & APPROVED. -Please wait to be contacted by a cruise rep to arrange a second phone interview.
YEAH! I’d made it this far. Keep in mind none of this information has yet to reach an actual cruise ship – these are the steps to being pre-approved and put on the ‘potential list’ of a cruise ship staff recruiter who would then liaise with the cruise line. Many ships won’t actually accept direct applications & which recruiter you apply to depends on where you live and where you’re from.
This was the reason I never made it to my second cruise ship job – To complicate my second go at shipping off was the fact that I was indeed an Australian living in Europe at the time of application. This meant I couldn’t apply to a European recruiter without an EU Passport & for obvious reasons the AU recruiters were unable to process me as I was living abroad. Keeping to theme though this issue was never mentioned until I sent off my passport to my UK recruiter to finalize the position I’d been offered. Instead of receiving my ticket and departure information I received a short and sweet email “Hi Ashlea, I see your passport was issued in Australia? I’m really sorry to have to tell you this, but we only recruit EU passport holding staff due to our visa regulations. We’d really like you on board one of our ships though, do you have an EU Passport?” – I’m sorry lady, but did you not read the section clearly stating my nationality was Australian? Or that I ticked only Australian in the ‘valid passport’ section? Grrr. STRIKE TWO.

Fast forward back to this most recent application. With my profile now complete, approved and with the recruiters I was told to sit tight and await the notification of vacant positions. One morning I woke up to an email stating Disney was looking for staff & they’d love to consider me. AH! A sigh of frustrated relief. ‘Consider me’ - like the nine pages of information I’d already provided the recruiters wasn’t enough to know whether or not they’d want to hire me, merely enough to  CONSIDER the possibility of letting me join the maybe list of potential candidates who would then possibly be given a shot at impressing them. Sheesh. A second phone interview was scheduled with a rep from Disney & I was told more or less I’d been accepted and that it was going to be a further 2-3 months of pages, paperwork and preparation before I would be posted to my ship. It’s happening! I will have to wait.. but it is happening!

Cruise lines typically have a 3-6 month intake and if their staff turnover is high (how many members of current staff renew their contract) they’ll be looking for less newbies. This particular intake happened to have the highest staff turnover Disney had ever seen – so there were very few places on offer. Over the next few weeks I bounced back emails with my rep and started putting things in place when one peachy morning I woke up to my contract. HORAH! All that was left to do was sign it & send it off and this was a done deal. Reading through the contract, one section caught my eye. THE DISNEY LOOK BOOK. A real gem of a section. This wonderful 11page information booklet is the Disney bible of do’s and don’ts. How to look, what to wear, how to act and written evidence of why everything Disney looks so perfectly polished and shimmy-clean. With everything from cartoon drawings of how one may trim facial hair to at what exact height your socks should sit- this book covered it all. (& then some) So came the page on piercings & appearance and everything came crashing down. NO VISIBLE TATTOOS OR PIERCINGS.  BUM BUM BUM…
Back when I was freshly 18 I had taken myself on down to the tattoo parlour and got inked. I believe now it was somewhat more of an I’m-18-I-can-do-what-I-want and less of ‘I really want this design’ kind of situation. Don’t get me wrong, I am an avid fan of tattoos and don’t by any means hate mine, however had I really taken the time to consider my piece I would have had the design tweaked & the placement elsewhere.
My heart sank a little as I continued to read through the book, tattoos may be covered with makeup IF and ONLY job position does not involve direct contact with children. My career and heart thus far lay with the smiling faces of teenytots & after conversing with my rep, sending pictures off to Disney and awaiting a reply it was decided that the 1cm worth of tattoo still visible when wearing the uniform shoes, was going to be unacceptable for the position I was offered. STRIKE THREE.

What would have been awesome is if on the first page of the recruitment site there was a big warning sign reading ‘If you have any visible tattoos, piercings you don’t fancy removing or any other weird of wonderful things we won’t be okay with – save yourself and TURN AROUND NOW’.
I feel I should mention not all cruise lines are this tough. I know I could have applied / worked with another company without any problems it just so happened to be Disney who were looking for my expertise at the time & they have the most rigid grooming guidelines (& rightfully so, they do have a reputation to uphold.. this is Disney we're talking about).  

This unfortunate reality meant I was not going to be shipping off anytime soon. For the THIRD time this dream had once again defeated me and slipped between my fingers.
Or in actuality was stopped by the tattoo on my ankle. The little 4x2cm tattoo that happened to be none other than a dream catcher had caught my dream & was preventing it from happening. Ironic, right? Are dream catchers not supposed to filter out the bad dreams? Not hold on to the good ones? Perhaps I was going to fall over board or something terrible would have happened, who knows? Apparently I never will.
The lesson here? If you’re looking for a cruise job-Be sure you can shape up before applying to ship off.

PHOTOS SNAPPED ON BOARD THE SAPPHIRE PRINCESS WHILE CRUISING THE INSIDE PASSAGE OF ALASKA
A FEW YEARS BACK. LOOK OUT FOR MY UPCOMING POST ON THIS SCENIC ADVENTURE!

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SINGAPORE

LOOKING DOWN OVER SINGAPORE FROM THE MARINA BAY SANS HOTEL SKYWALK

THE FACTS

People: 5.31m

Language: Singapore actually recognizes four official languages: English, Malay, Chinese & Tamil.
Currency: Singapore Dollar (SIN)
Climate:  Singapore has a tropical climate and is warm & humid year round. With highs of 32 and lows of 23 you won’t be needing any sweaters!
Events: Chinese New Year brings with it festive decorations, markets and various events such as the Chingay Parade. Keep in mind prices will jump during this time.
 Safety:  In my opinion it doesn’t really get much safer than Singapore. As any normal tourist spots just keep an eye out for pickpockets & be wary when leaving your stuff on Sentosa – things have been known to go walkabouts from bags left unattended on the beach.

FIRST THINGS FIRST
HOW? Getting around Singapore is cheap & easy. Cab prices are low & the MRT (train) will get you anywhere you need to be in a really uncomplicated manor. For a single ticket you’ll be looking at around

$1.50 AUD or you can purchase the Singapore 3day tourist pass for $18 AUD +$9 refundable deposit. This will get you unlimited travel on almost all of the transit options. (1 or 2 day passes also available). Transport from the airport into the city via cab will cost you around $20 AUD. 
WHERE? Accommodation in Singapore isn’t as cheap as its neighbouring countries, budget hotel/hostels start at around $20 AUD on the cheaper scale ranging anywhere up to $50. Check out this great little hostel SHOPHOUSE The social hostel –Although I haven’t stayed in this fresh little gem of an indie boutique I stumbled on their page during my accommodation search & it’s definitely one I’d be keen on checking out. Rooms starting at around $23AUD. Hotel suites typically start at around $95 pp/pn. If you’ve got some money burning a hole in your pocket I’d HIGHLY recommend a splurge at the MARINA BAY SANS HOTEL. The view from the top is incredible and the rooms and suites are beautifully set out. (Although you can pay to go up & see the view from the skydeck – the infinity rooftop pool is reserved exclusively for guests & makes this stay well worth it)
WHEN? If you’re not a fan of the rain avoid monsoon season (November – January) To avoid inflated costs avoid travel during peak season. (December-mid June)
HOW MUCH? Save money by eating in places like Little India or China Town and make use of the fantastic MRT system. Keep aside around $100 AUD to ensure full access/entry to all the theme parks and activities Singapore has to offer. Avoid the many shopping spots to prevent the ‘have to have’ moments you’re likely to experience over and over again.

Day 1. The day trip
Two of Singapore’s main attractions (& all day affairs) are SENTOSA ISLAND Asias ‘Island playground’ Head on over for some ‘playcation’ on this island of fun. Enjoy the 360 views over Singapore as you make your way over in Singapore’s iconic Cable Car ($22AUD). Once you’re there- the Islands full of things to do and places to see. Entry will cost roughly $45AUD for an All-day (almost)all-access Play Pass. Get your thrills at Universal studios, your spills at Underwater World and your chills at the WWll memorial at Siloso Point (Singapores only preserved coastal Port) Spend the rest of the day soaking up the sun and enjoying the waves at one of the many Beaches Sentosa has on offer. Don’t miss the view from the Tower & look out for the giant Merlion replica! & SINGAPORE ZOO Singapore Zoo is known to be one of the biggest and best in the world. Housing over 3500 animals this 280,000sqm animal-wonderland is one to be explored and enjoyed for both the old and young. Adult entry will cost you around $20AUD.

Day 2. ☑ The tourist checklist

     
BOTANIC GARDENS For your first stop get up early & head down to the Botanic Gardens. (free entry) Nothing in Singapore really gets going until around 11am so spend the morning exploring this green wonderland filled with waterfalls, streams, rainforest & over 1000 species of orchid.

THIAN HOCK KENG TEMPLE Built in 1820 this beautifully designed traditional Chinese temple is not one to miss- admission is free! (That’s what I like to hear!)

THE MERLION Standing tall and proud this 37m lion-headed fish is Singapore’s national mascot. Keep an eye out for smaller variations scattered across the city as well as the giant replica on Sentosa Island.

CHINATOWN Or ‘Niu Che Shui’ as the locals call it, meaning ‘Bullock cart water’ earned its name from locals once collecting fresh water in bullock-drawn carts for their homes. This is the one stop spot to get a sense of the Chinese culture and influence throughout Singapore. Explore the temples, shop and bargain at one of the many stalls and grab some traditional Chinese food from one of the many stores speckled down the Chinese food street. 

LITTLE INDIA This ethnic neighbourhood lay just east of the river and reflects elements of the traditional Tamil culture. Wander through one of the many temples, take a historic walk down Petain road and head on into the Arcade for some shopping! All while enjoying the aromas of exotic spices and burning incense.

MARINA BAY 
1. Marina Bay Sans Hotel The incredible architecture of this hotel stunned, awed and amazed designers all over the world & has not only become an icon in its own right but reinvented Singapore’s skyline. Soak up the view from the harbour then head in & up to get a view of the city like no other. ($18AUD)
2. Singapore Flyer Head up for a spin in the world’s largest observation Ferris Wheel. Standing 165m tall and offering 360 views of Singapore – the iconic flyer is one to tick off the list.
3. Shopping Funan Digital Life Mall is home at all things IT & Suntec City Mall- everything else. Covering a huge 1million sqm area this shopping hub has it all- Check out the Fountain of Wealth while you’re here- listed as the world’s largest fountain in the Guinness Book of World Records.

SHOPPING Singapore’s home to some of the best shopping in the world and the place to start is along orchard road. Lined with local and international brands this street is heaven for those who like to shop. For the young, hip & fashionistas – flock on down to Haji Lane tucked away in an alley of the Muslim quarter. Although I missed this spot, I’ve been told It’s worth the visit. Some other great shopping complexes to note are ION (on Orchard), Wisma Atria, Paragon and NEX.

BOAT QUAY after you’ve dropped your shopping back to your room jump on the MRT down to this vibrant and busy area. Get yourself a ticket ($18AUD) & hop on board a river cruise. Spend the next hour or so watching the city come to life as the evening sets off. Pass by the Merlion, river statues, French concession & get a great view of the Marina Bay Sans standing tall over the Harbour. Once you hit land enjoy the night wining and dining at one of the many alfresco pubs, clubs or restaurants around Clarke Quay.

TIPS & FYI *

EAT COCONUT JAM Stop in to the local supermarket or bakery & purchase a jar of Kaya coconut jam. Slather some of this sweet, green & creamy spread on a piece of bread & enjoy! Kaya jam is a South East Asian breakfast delight & used in many deserts. I don’t have words to describe the pleasure party packed into this jar & bought as many jars as my baggage allowed on departure.
PACK YOUR OWN LUNCH ON DAY TRIPS Save money at Singapore Zoo & Universal Studios by bringing along your own lunch. Like any other semi/isolated tourist attractions – food prices can be pretty high. 
INTERNET OR PHONE SIMS Starhub has some great short term packages. Roughly $16AUD will get you a 5 day unlimited (HI-Speed) data sim.
KNOW THE LAW BEFORE YOU GO Justice in Singapore can be harsh. Minor offences such as spitting, littering or chewing gum can carry heavy fines. (There is a method to this madness – have you noticed how spick and span the city is?! -Power to you Singapore.)

HANDY-DANDY PRINT LIST

Police: 999
Ambulance & Fire: 995
Marina Bay Sans Hotel: 10 Bayfront Avenue, (MRT Bayfront station) 65-6688-8897
Singapore Zoo: 80 Mandai Lake Road, 65-6269-3411, O/hrs: 8:30-18:30 daily
China Town: China Town MRT station (NEline)
Little India: Little India MRT station (NEline)
Botanic Gardens: 1 Cluny Road 259569; 65-6471-7361, O/hrs: 8:00-19:00 daily
Shophouse Hostel: 48 Arab Street, 65-6298-8721
Thian Hock Keng Temple: 158 Telok Ayer Street, (MRT: Tanjong Pagar EWline)

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SURVIVAL KIT FOR A HORRIBLE HOSTEL

Most of the time hostels are awesome. Though sometimes they’re just down right horrid. Whether it’s the hostel its self, the people you’re bunked in with or the whole package – you’re likely to come across a hostel on the little-less-lovely side if the line. But hey, when you’re paying next to nothing to bunk in for the night you can’t really be expecting breakfast in bed. Here's a list of five things I've wished I had at one point or another.

A TOWEL. With bed sheets that have been used more than a hashtag #throwback on a Thursday it takes almighty strength to get comfy laying in the thought of stale fluids and romp-nights that your bed has seen. A quick & simple pick-me-up or better yet cover-me-up is to strip the bed, lay down your towel & sleep on that. It has only happened once- but I’ll admit to sleeping on a towel, switching my blanket for a coat & rolling up a scarf for a pillow.

THONGS. To clear things up for the Americans- I’m talking about the thongs for your feet.  I can’t stress enough how important a pair of flip-flops are when travelling. Not only are they quick and easy to slip on when running outside to see what the commotion is but they’re often incredibly necessary in the shower. Whether the bathroom’s spick-spunky  clean or down right dirty something about standing and showering on the muck shed from the last 8 backpackers.. just doesn’t appeal. 




POTPOURRI BAG Or scented something. I know this sounds completely weird and unnecessary but your nostrils will thank me when you’re stuck in a 10-bed dorm full of au-natural hippy enthusiasts who believe showers are for those tied down by the modern world. Throw one under your pillow & try to forget the nine different scents of awful coming from the bunk below. I first experienced all that is the death-chamber hostel dorm when I walked into my room @ St Christophers in Berlin- amazing city, great hostel, cool group of people – not so cool being bunk #2 / 10 filled with said children of the earth.



WIPES.  Being that it’s typically the norm & a rule of thumb that if you use it - you wash it. You’re sure to come across the not so washed pots, plates and pans sporting chunks of last night’s dinner. Understand that not everyone’s kitchen skills are quite on par with your cleanliness standards nor a priority of those to go. Having a handy set of kitchen or all purpose wipes will help ease your worries and give what you use the once over. In my experience, kitchen wipes or baby wipes actually come in handy for basically everything & anything & if my spidy-sense is correct, you’ll be pulling them out left right and centre.

EARPLUGS. Whether it’s the party downstairs, the card game going on in the corner or the couple banging like bunnies in the bunk above- There will come a time one will wish they’d packed plugs.

Do you have any horror stories, or must have items to help you pull through? 
COMMENT BELOW & SHARE YOUR STORY!

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5 UNEXPECTED JOYS OF TRAVEL

We all know how exciting travel is or at least we are anticipating it. We’re ready to be captivated by the scenery, in awe of the must see sights and excited by the atmosphere. Here is a list of five unexpected things from my experience, that will bring you joy along your trips.

1.  HOME BRAND HAPPY

Forget the Eiffel tower or the must see sights & just head to the local supermarket. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a travelbug suddenly jump for joy in the middle of a crowded shop. Pointing and smiling completely unaffected by the local stares, because they’ve unexpectedly stumbled upon something from home. HEY! I HAVE THAT AT HOME! THAT THING COMES FROM WHERE I’M FROM! THAT IS ME! THIS LITTLE INSIGNIFICANT THING RIGHT HERE COMES FROM MY COUNTRY AND THEREFOR REPRESENTS EVERYTHING AWESOME ABOUT ME AND 
MY LIFE AND ITS HERE ON YOUR SHELF AND RIGHT NOW IN THIS MOMENT... It’s the little things. Whether it’s the familiarity, the reminder of home or the fact you really wanted what you found- we’ve all had the little ah!-moment in our minds when stumbling on a home-made brand.

2.  DITCHING THE MAP

There comes a time in ones travels when you’re sick of prepping, planning and probing a map and you decide to just take the leap and wing it. Sometimes this joy is forced upon us by the rain destroying all that was our directional papers or because apple has yet to perfect battery life & your itinerary was on your phone. Whichever way you find yourself in this position, once the complete freakout of having no idea where you are or how to get where you’re going starts to fade; you’ll feel the sense of adventure and excitement bubbling up inside as you take a deep breath, hold your head high & follow your nose. –YOU’VE GOT THIS.

3.  BEING NIJEL-NOBODY

Whether you’re standing on the top of a cloud-covered mountain in the Alps, in a puddle of a deserted alleyway in China, amongst the autumn fall of the woods in Czech Republic or solo in an empty multi-story carpark in America there’s something really special and beautiful about finding yourself in a place where no one knows your name much less your story, without a soul in sight & alone in an open space abroad.

4.  THE EMOTIONAL FLASH-MOB

So you’re getting your dance on in the local club of a non-english-speaking country when suddenly wonderwall comes on, or any other one hit wonder from your high school playlist & you find yourself arm in arm with twenty other drunken dreamers singing in broken English or screaming the few words of the song they can make out and repeat. Welcome to the emotional flash mob; upon completion of the song carry on dancing like it never happened but sneak a little smile about the fact that a bunch of people abroad also grew up loving the songs you did- even if they haven’t a clue what they’re about.

5.  WHEN THEY THINK YOU'RE A LOCAL

We all love travelling. We’re proud to be on the road and are the first to start ranting about where we’ve been and where we’re going. AND YET when a local or more importantly a fellow tourist asks you for directions it serves as a quiet and simple success. You’ve done it. You’ve been here long enough to blend in like a local or successfully turned off the bright red sign that hovers above your head generally reading TOURIST. This person trusts enough that you will know how to help them & they picked YOU out of all the people around to ask for directions. OHHHHHH-yeah.

Sometimes it’s the little things in life. :)
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7 CHARACTERS WORKING ABROAD & HOW THEY DID IT

So you want to work abroad?
& who wouldn't?! This is the first thought to the incredible journey that comes with living and working in a foreign country. I honestly can't express enough just how life changing this experience can be, nor how easily it can be achieved. WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY. Since first deciding to pack my things and begin the daunting search on how to get hired abroad, It's come to light how many options one actually has. We're lucky to be living in a time where the worlds industries are no longer separated by sea and there's a huge push to globalize almost everything. With so many resources on the net, and the easy access of being able to search the job boards overseas as if you were right there scanning the local news paper- There's really been no better time to get moving. Having lived and worked so far in four different countries (including my own) I've uncovered and encountered roughly seven different roles and types of people you'll come across. Here's my list of the basic who's why's how's and where's of these characters.

THE ENGLISH TEACHER  Normally bunking in with a bunch of fellow travel-seeking teachers. You’ll hear them boast, relish, moan and groan about the joys, challenges and frustrations that come with teaching someone a foreign language. You don’t have to be fluent in your chosen countries language & simple knowledge of the basics will get you by. The path to teacher-success begins with completing a language teaching course. The most widely recognized providers of said course is TEFL (Teaching English as a foreign language) or TEOSL (Teaching English to speakers of another language) Both qualifications can be obtained either online at your own pace spanning over a 6-12 week window OR by attending the hands on weekend course typically on offer at your local TAFE. These courses start at around $250 AUD and will see you qualified and on the job hunt in no time. Keep in mind, unless working through a package program not all positions will include transport abroad or a place to stay.

THE STUDENT  You'll find the future of our globe speckled all around the world lapping up life abroad while still 'achieving something' in the eyes of the it’s-well-and-good-to-travel-but-what-will-you-do-after’s. If you’re currently working through your degree, most, if not all Australian UNIs offer wonderful exchange programs all over the world. Live like a local student and experience everything your chosen country has to offer. Programs include language immersion classes and you won’t need to interrupt your study to see the world! Alternatively one can apply as an international student directly to the UNI / College of your choice & hit up your whole degree abroad – though this option is not for those without a pretty heavy piggy bank.. or ten.

THE AUPAIR Scattered around the globe you’ll find a bunch of drank too much, played too hard cases of the overworked and underpaid aupair. This job comes with some pretty wonderful territory and in most cases the pros outweigh the cons. Having been an aupair & had many friends follow suite it makes me giggle how many times I’ve heard the words ‘never again’ out of the aupair’s mouth only to hear they gave in & are once again based in a new city with a kick-ass gig. (Myself included) Don’t be fooled! It’s not all playdates, potties and playdough. Aupairs know how to party and as the work hours are typically only around 35pw you’ll have plenty of down time to hit the road and go exploring. These characters range anywhere from the childcare enthusiast, the uni-grad looking for an epic way to mark their completion or the travel-seeker brazen enough to head abroad & rock someone elses kid having never changed a diaper in their life. The major benefits (other than the little smiling faces) are free rent, food and if you’re lucky.. free travel.

THE TICK BEHIND THE TOURISM INDUSTRY  This lot ranges anywhere from those sailing the sea with a cruise line, the inner workings of the top hotels to the party-going-you-call-this-work? staff of your local hostel. Some less-secured positions within the industry include travel guides, adventure sports, promotional staff and reps. Unless you know where to look or who to ask – these aren’t typically roles you’ll just stumble upon. * Keep an eye out soon for a much more in depth look into obtaining a tourism job abroad.

THE BACKPACKER THAT NEVER WENT HOME You’ll typically come across this kind working for rent in the hostel they checked into over six months ago, running tours for tips in the city they can’t bear to leave or just plain lost & wandering. I came across my first extreme case of the over travelled in Barcelona when I met Tim. I learned a lot about Tim prior to ever seeing his face- He frequented the plaza outside my hostel and at around 8 or 9pm he’d start his nightly rant. Yelling for his mum, his passport, some food, money or for someone to notice him. It became pretty clear he’d lost all of these things and somewhere along the line, his mind. Tim made regular appearances in my hostel dorm when the staff periodically let him in to crash on the floor. I often think of you Tim. Where in the world did you end up? TIM  Last seen: being driven away in the back of a cop car off Las Ramblas, Barcelona.

THE EXPAT & CO This includes the working professional and their entourage. The group may include partners, parents, nannies, maids or the rd culture kids who were born, raised and schooled in a number of different countries- Feeling at home a little everywhere & a lot of nowhere, these kids have had experiences like no other and tend to be far more mature than your everyday school-goer. (When the day comes to create & raise my own, this is an experience I hope to provide). Expats come from all walks of life & span over countless industries. Positions are open first and foremost to those with a specialized degree. On offer through in-house promotions and relocations through major companies. Some of the leading industries posting expats out here there and everywhere are FINANCE, INSURANCE & OIL COMPANIES. Generally shipped off with an expat package you’ll find them frequenting the local bar whinging over wine about all things different & ‘wrong’ with the country. *AHEM –you’re-in-another-country-expect-things-to-be-different. Living amidst customs not your own and conversing over a language your trying to learn does bring with it an array of various challenges. From things as small as being unable to purchase self-raising flour to make cakes (What’s the go Holland?) or having to navigate and source out all new brands of the everyday items. We take for granted the ease of zipping around the supermarket & filling your cart with your usual shopping list. The simplicity of scanning the shelf, locating the label & grabbing the detergent that makes your clothes feel like cotton-wonder-hugs, is something one will NEVER appreciate until lived abroad.

THE SNOW BUNNY If strapping on a pair of skiis & getting paid to hit the slopes sounds like a dream come true- look no further than one of the many ski villages around the world. Mountains lined with the thrill seeking travelbug all over the world are the perfect place to work where you play. Jobs range anywhere from qualified instructors to lift operators and many inbetween. The gig will generally come with housing, food and an all access skipass.

There you have it.
Hopefully I’ve managed to spark a little interest, manifest some motivation & shed some light on the base information when considering your options. For anyone determined enough to make it happen - it really is a dream within reach. If you’d like some more info or direct links to some of the services or ways I’ve found positions feel free to get in touch for some one on one advice thislittlenomad@gmail.com 

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THE MALDIVES

THE FACTS
People: With a mere 5k radius, would you believe 80k Maldivians reside on this tiny island capital? The Maldives on a whole has a total population of roughly 320k
Language: Dhivehi Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa MRF Climate: With an average temp of 29°C (84.2°F) There really isn’t a bad time to go. Monsoon season does run May-November. FUN FACT on 11/4/1978 the temperature dropped to 17.2 & marked the coldest day ever to be recorded in the Maldives. 
Events: Ramadan. During the month of Ramedan locals begin their month of fasting, prayer and spiritual cleansing. A number of various events and festivities happen during this time. However- be prepared to find your stomach growling as you stare into the boarded up, empty and closed doors of the local restaurants
Safety: I've heard much debate lately about the safety of Male & many hotels in the Maldives have actually stopped access boats and tours into the city. Be wary, although even amidst the recent political election week (September 2013) I had no mishaps nor felt unsafe while wandering around. Keep in mind this is a STRICT Muslim country – dress conservatively & be aware/considerate of the local customs and laws.
Cost: The Maldives is a luxury destination. With many retirees, couples or newly-weds flocking here to mark a celebration. I’m not going to share my $saving tips because, well.. quite frankly there aren’t any. I will be making it my personal mission though, over the duration of my time living here, to source some out. - So fingers crossed & stay tuned.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

HOW? Typically when you find yourself at the International Airport of Male you’ve pre-booked a luxury all or semi-inclusive package with one of the resorts 6-12 months ago. The Maldives number one industry is tourism & roughly 70% of Maldivians living in Male work directly or indirectly within the industry .
WHERE? The Maldives is made up of roughly 1190 islands yet only 200 are inhabited by locals. There’s roughly 200 resorts currently up & running or being developed & prices greatly vary. On average here’s a guide on what you’ll pay.
PICKING A RESORT  Prices start from about $2500 AUD pp/pw for a standard package. Throughout low season, resorts such as Anga Island Resort offer rooms for around $330 pp/pn.  To sleep in style at one of the luxury resorts such as the Four Seasons get ready to fork out about $6500 for a weekly package.  For when nothing but the best will do  you can hire out a private villa at the exclusive Velaa Private Island Resort which will only set you back a mere $33,000 per night. (YEP!- follow the link to check out this little private paradise for rent)

For the solo travellers, young couples or any honey-mooners looking to break out of their love bubble and mix with others during their trip I’d recommend Club Med Kani. (Okay, so I’m being a little biased here because I happen to live on this island) However, if you know anything about the Club Med Spirit, or are hoping to mix, meet and mingle with others as you party on the beach while the sun sets then this is the island for you!
*Look out for my Club Med Kani Feature post coming soon. 

Day 1. Relax & Enjoy it.
So you walk off the plane & are greeted by a rep from your chosen hotel. You’re bags are whisked off and you’re guided straight onto an airport shuttle boat. (I kid you not. You literally walk off the plane, through the door & onto a boat). You climb on board & stare with your mouth open and eyes fixated on your surroundings as you bump and bounce along the crystal blue waters en route to your temporary new home. Get comfy, get acquainted, get outside & explore all the great things your resort has on offer. Each resort will have on offer a wide array of activities, tours and things to do.

SNORKLE-SELFIE. The Maldives is home to some of the best diving & snorkling destinations in the world! 

Day 2. ☑ The tourist checklist

When you can finally bring yourself to consider leaving the island paradise you’re currently lapping up, jump on a boat and head into the capital. Here’s how to kill a day in the city

1. LOCAL FOOD & FISH MARKET After tourism, fishing ranks in no 2 on biggest industry. When you step off the boat at the Presidential Wharf head to the left where you’ll see the bright and busy sight of the local fishermen loading & unloading their recent catch from their brightly coloured boats. Head inside the food markets & try out some fresh local fruit before going on to see the indoor area in which one can pick a fish from one of the many lined up on the tile blocks. For a small fee you can take your freshly purchased fish next door & watch as a line of men clean, skin, cut, jab and prepare your fish. Warning; it is a little gory. Being a vegetarian & not at all a fan of fish the sight and smell was an experience short lived.

2. NATIONAL MUSEUM Peer through the gates as you walk past & head inside for MRF50 and take a look at some of the cities artefacts, like the coral stone head of Lord Buddha.

2. ISLAMIC CENTRE See the golden rooftop of the central mosk appear as you navigate your way to the main landmark in Male. This mosk was opened by opened in November 1984 by then president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

3. FRIDAY MOSK Don’t miss the delicate detailing that covers the walls. Friday Mosk is made up entirely of giant coral pieces that have been carved to fit together like a puzzle – using no glue, cement or binders. – As is the tomb of Sultan Iskandhar that lays infront.



4. NATIONAL ART GALLERY The only creative space to showcase local talent and exhibit some of Males finest artwork. Pieces range from photography, paintings or conceptual works. & It’s free entry!
5. SUBMARINE ADVENTURE Now that you find yourself right back where you started, and having seen the whole city (Yep, that was a full circle!) Jump on the tour boat and head for deep seas. Whale submarine owns and operates the only submarine in the Indian Ocean. Purchase tickets from the airport, Male city ticketing office or through your resort (some resorts include this as part of your package) Watch the vibrant underlife of the Maldives come to life as you slowly descend, peering out from the circular windows of the dimly lit chamber.

TIPS & FYI *
TAKE YOUR TIME You can actually jog around the whole island in roughly 45 minutes so take the time to really soak in the smells, sights and scenes as you explore- you won’t miss anything by dawdling. Go Island hopping! there’s a number of islands accessible to tourists.
KNOW THE LAWS BEFORE YOU GO- As I’ve mentioned there are strict laws in place that carry heavy penalties if not abided by. Some laws may surprise you- for example it is illegal to practice any other religion or possess non-muslim religious materials such as bibles. (Someone I work with actually had her bible and candle confiscated in customs when trying to pass through)
ALCOHOL IS ILLEGAL in the Maldives. Don’t stress- you’ll still be sipping on wine and relaxing with cocktails in the privacy of your own resort, but don’
t be surprised when you get strange looks after trying to order a beer at the local diner. Alcohol is not available in Male.
KEEP IN MIND when purchasing keep sakes to mark your trip, many of the items from the sea won't clear customs on your way back. Especially if you're Aussie & headed for the land down under. Occasionally you'll find bits and pieces made from animal or coral life & some of these are actually prohibited to export.

FUN FACT: You won't be seeing any dogs roaming the streets. This is because they are actually illegal as they're considered unclean. I had a little giggle when seeing the big red customs notice at the airport that read ‘NO DOGS’ beneath the stock standard no firearms or narcotics.

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