Travel Tips
efficient packing

Five Pretty Useful Travel Hacks

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Must Have Travel Hacks: JustFly’s Fave Travel Tricks

The fact that travel should be fun should be self-evident. It doesn’t pay. It doesn’t feed you. It doesn’t hold you at night while you sob into your pillow moaning “Hold the door” over and over again.

Travel is fun, but preparing for travel can be a stressful process. Not only are you trying to condense the things you require into a relatively small space, but you’re contending with your own preference towards procrastination.

messy bedroom
My room while packing. May not actually be my room. Image courtesy of ElCapitanBSC.

Sure, you could be packing or making a travel playlist, but there’s ever so many episodes of How I Met Your Mother that aren’t going to rewatch themselves.

And haven’t you always wanted to sort your sock drawer by brand name and colour?

Even once you get passed one’s own ability to self-sabotage at every turn, there’s all of the little things you need to contend with. Limits on liquid sizes, all of the cords you need to maintain your tenuous grip on your social networks while away, condoms (in the vain hope that you’ll strike it lucky), medicine you almost certainly won’t need, something to keep you sane while waiting on security…

This shit adds up.

I could claim credit for all of the nifty ideas that are about to follow, but that isn’t fair. The ideas below come from JustFly, a travel agency who have figured out a thing or two in their time in the industry.

I’ve just taken their good ideas, rewritten them, and given myself a congratulatory pat on the back for getting some work done tonight.

Deodorant Safe

According to JustFly’s review, a deodorant safe is a must have.

This isn’t, as I believed at first, a safe in which you should store your precious collection of Axe Body Spray. Quite the opposite – it’s a deodorant can where you can store your valuables. This seemed dubious to me, but a quick Google of deodorant safes shows they are, in fact, a thing.

While your wallet might get nicked and your bags may get rifled through, chances are that the smelly miscreant liberating of your belongings is unlikely to take the time to steal your deodorant.

deodorant safe travel hack
Dammit, Cody, if you keep telling people about your deodorant safe, it becomes a misnomer. Image courtesy of hodag.

Other options for places to hide your valuables are toilet rolls (preferably with paper still attached), socks, or garments with hidden pockets like those in Adventure Underwear.

I wouldn’t advise muling it. No amount of spending money is worth that.

Uses Straws As Travel-Sized Shampoo and Lotion Carriers

Nothing says “I’m a creepy foreigner” quite like the suggestive jut of a tube of sunscreen crammed into your front pocket.

lotion fat man
“Sorry guys, I only brought enough lotion for me” – Image courtesy of Charlie Llewellin.

Rather than having to lug an entire tube (or, heaven forbid, pump top bottle) of sunscreen everywhere you go, you can use straws as tiny personal carriers.

Don’t believe me? Lifehacker wrote all about how to make your own DIY travel-sized lotion bottles.

Me? I’ll likely continue forgetting to pack it and then having to choose between paying tourist prices or being slow roasted.

Glasses Case = Cable and Headphone Case

I recently wrote about how your obsession with your electronics has turned you into an insufferable asshole, but if you must keep your electronics with you, here’s a travel tip I actually use myself.

Rather than attempting to untangle a nest of cables upon arrival, you can save yourself a lot of headaches by either buying a cheap glasses case or using one you already have as a place to neatly roll and store your cords and headphones.

tangled cables
“Alright guys, Chris brought three tablets again. We’re going to need backup”. Image courtesy of US Army Europe Images.

I even store my SD cards in my case, since my glasses are usually on my head and my SD cards would look stupid there.

Binder Clip Doubles As Razor Protector

If you’ve seen me after a few weeks on the road, you’ll know that I rarely (if ever) remember to bring a razor along for the ride.

Honestly, it’s not even laziness. If you had a face like mine, you’d try to cover it up too.

But if you insist on maintaining a thin veneer of civilized behaviour while abroad, you’ll probably have a razor along for the ride. If so, whack a binder clip on the end to protect your belongings and the digits of over-zealous airport security officers.

Or don’t and live dangerously. Some people just want to watch the world burn.

severed hand
“How did he lose his arm?” — “The proud fool didn’t pack any binder clips”. Image courtesy of Andrew Mason. (Not an actually severed hand)

Bring A Power Bar, Buy People’s Love

While you’ll no doubt remember your iPhone charger and your other travel essentials, packing a power board (otherwise known as a power bar or power strip) is a good way to win the adulation and adoration of your peers.

With outlet availability always frustratingly limited (especially at airports), you could go from being “that arsehole hogging the only outlet” to “that genuinely intelligent and good looking bloke who let me use his power board”.

couple breaking up
Her iPhone fully charged, Cassie decided it was time to end things with Jasper. Image courtesy of Getting Over a Break Up.

Not only does this win you brownie points with your fellow travelers, but it also keeps them tethered within conversation distance. Time to subject them to the plot for your Twilight fan faction!

Want to go all Inception and travel hack your travel hack? You can coil your cords around your power strip as a way to avoid them getting tangled up.

Of course, this renders your glasses case absolutely useless, and it’s been feeling so bad about itself lately. Shame on you.

Power board too big? A double adapter is the new double date.

Your Say

What are your travel hacks?

Want to learn a few more ways you can use mundane household objects to be a more organised traveller? Google is your friend. Don’t be lazy.

Or go here. Don’t say that I don’t ever do anything for you.

Featured image courtesy of cmor15.

Accommodation, California, Destinations
california palm trees blue skies

The Royal Treatment in San Diego: King’s Inn Review

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A Late Change: Where to stay in San Diego?

When it became clear that the Super Bowl was going to throw a spanner into the works with our trip, it necessitated some last minute adjustment to our itinerary. Not only did we have to flip San Francisco and LA around on our itinerary, but Lake Tahoe was no longer feasible and we needed a new stop between LA and Vegas.

That stop? Sunny San Diego!

california palm trees blue skies

With only a few weeks before the trip, my fearless assistant, Zorica (you can find her at EuroTribe) went into overdrive and was able to arrange a few last-minute partners for the Great US Road Trip.

I’ll be writing about my experience exploring San Diego wine country next week, but I couldn’t not write about the fantastic experience we had at our hotel in San Diego.

king's inn san diego room
Image courtesy of King’s Inn.

King’s Inn, San Diego

I can’t speak highly enough of the King’s Inn in San Diego. Not only were they a late saviour in helping to make the trip possible, but they were also one of my favourite hotels from the entire trip.

Why?

There were a few reasons:

Great location

Located just off the highway at the aptly named Hotel Circle, King’s Inn was in a great central location for accessing San Diego proper or getting out to our friend’s place on the fringe of town for the Super Bowl festivities.

king's inn san diego
Located right off the highway, it was super easy to get to and from. Image courtesy of King’s Inn.

Great service

I spoke at length with David, the hotel’s manager and the man who has poured a hell of a lot of his heart and soul into revitalizing the hotel. One of his points of pride was that the staff were always willing to do more than what was expected of them.

When times were hard and renovations weren’t possible, David instead focussed on improving the one area that costs no extra: customer service. It shows in the way the staff carry themselves. They’re either genuinely happy to be helping you out or the best actors in the world, and with Tinseltown just up the highway, I’m inclined to believe it’s the former.

king's inn reception foyer
We arrived four hours before check-in, but the friendly staff looked after our stuff and let us change for our Super Bowl party. Image courtesy of King’s Inn.

When I asked a few different staff members for their recommendations for local restaurants or activities, they all answered with their own flavour. There was no company line to be spouted out, and everybody had a vivacious and fun personality.

From the long-winded chats with the girls at Waffle Spot to the bubbly conversations with the reception staff to casual interactions with the cleaning staff as they went about their work, there was a clear focus on customer satisfaction and creating a warm atmosphere. That’s a winner in my book.

waffle spot san diego interior
Waffle Spot was hard not to like. Brightly coloured and with walls plastered with hand-drawn King Waffles, it had an infectiously fun vibe. Image courtesy of King’s Inn.

Great facilities

San Diego was a pit-stop for relaxation rather than tourism, and so we needed a few essentials:

  • Good food nearby;
  • Reliable WiFi;
  • A pool to relax by;
  • A place to do laundry;
  • A gym so I could pretend I was still working out.

King’s Inn checked all of the boxes in this regard. Whether I was chilling out by the pool with my Kindle, streaming Raw over a pizza in my room, or sipping an ice cold beer at the attached Mexican restaurant, I was definitely feeling that chill San Diego vibe.

amigo spot king's inn san diego
Amigo Spot serves up flavourful Mexican cuisine with a California twist. Image courtesy of King’s Inn.

The on-site gym isn’t anything terribly fancy, but it had a decent selection of free weights and cardio equipment.

The laundry, located just by the gym, was affordable and a great addition for budget travellers who might not want to venture off to a laundromat.

king's inn gym san diego
Officially a fitness centre, the King’s Inn Gym helped me work off my pizza indulgence. Image courtesy of King’s Inn.
king's inn laundry
You do laundry here. Image courtesy of King’s Inn.

The King’s Inn prides itself on catering to families as well, and between its pool, the adorable Waffle Spot diner, and the affordable rates, I could definitely see why it is so popular.

If I had one small criticism of the hotel, it would be that the rooms themselves were a little dated in their decor and the bathrooms were a tad cramped. It was far from vacation ruining, but I can’t just spout glowing praise without a little constructive criticism.

bathroom king's inn
I may have spent a good hour in the fetal position in this shower after too many Super Bowl beers… Image courtesy of King’s Inn.

Fantastic food

Another big selling point of King’s Inn with families are its attached restaurants: Waffle Spot and Amigo Spot.

Both are frightfully kitschy in a really fun way, with Waffle Spot a diner straight out of the 1950s and Amigo Spot a colourful Mex-American restaurant with a dive bar feel to it that I quite liked.

Guests at the hotel get discounts at both restaurants, and we well and truly made full use of ours at Waffle Spot. Huge portions of hearty American comfort food were an ideal start to our days, and I loved the sassy waitresses who were always on hand with a fresh pot of coffee or a tale about their travels.

waffle spot san diego king's inn
Sizeable helpings at low prices made Waffle Spot a favourite way to start our days in San Diego. Image courtesy of King’s Inn

We only caught Amigo Spot on our last night in town, but both enjoyed the hell out of a hefty California burrito with an ice cold beer. It’s definitely the kind of place we could have enjoyed a few leisurely beers while watching sport if we hadn’t had an early start ahead of us.

In Summary

I really couldn’t have been happier with King’s Inn. While I’m obviously especially pleased because they were kind enough to sponsor my stay on late notice, it was a genuinely pleasant experience from start to finish.

I’m not a guy who needs a lot out of his accommodation, but King’s Inn definitely exceeded my expectations in the best of ways.

Travel Tips
road trip pacific coast highway

How to be a Great Road Trip Companion

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road trip pacific coast highway

How to be a Good Road Trip Companion

It’s a weird situation I find myself in. I’m a guy who loves nothing more than the open road and a good old-fashioned road trip, but I don’t drive.

You read that right: I just completed a five week cross-US road trip and my hands never once touched the wheel.

Despite this obvious disadvantage, I’ve taken more than a few unforgettable road trips in my life. From San Francisco to New York and along the legendary Karakorum Highway of western China, I’ve honed my skills as a passenger.

I like to think I’m pretty bloody good at it too.

You see, even when you aren’t the one behind the wheel, you’re a vital cog in the creation of an unforgettable trip.

If you’re doing your job right, it will be unforgettable for all of the right reasons.

What does it take to be a good road trip companion? Let me tell you…

Stay Awake!

I can’t stress this one enough. Just because you’re riding shotgun, doesn’t mean you can take the opportunity to doze off or catch up on your old friend, Jamie Lannister.

Your driver is being kind enough to do the driving, so the least you can do is keep your eyes open and keep them company.

Don’t fall asleep on the job! It’s tempting to drift off on long journeys when you’re not the driver but stay awake and keep your driver company – Bethaney, Flashpacker Family

ALWAYS stay awake. This is your most important job as co pilot – Tara, The Traveling Waitress

It’s not just about courtesy either. Your life is in another person’s hands, and all you have to do to keep yourself (and your friend) safe is make sure they stay awake.

How are you going to do this if you’re fast asleep?

road trip sleeping in car
It goes without saying, but your driver should definitely not be sleeping. Image courtesy of smlf

Be Entertaining

As a good passenger, you need to do more than just stay awake and stare listlessly at the road ahead of you.

Driving can be a tedious task, especially when you’re barrelling through West Texas where everything is painted in the same shade of depressing.

Keep up the conversation, make sure the driver is fed and sufficiently caffeinated, and generally be the fucking glorious social animal you are.

couple in tractor
You just know she’s telling him all kinds of awesome stories. Look at that stony faced stare! That’s the German equivalent to hysterics. Image courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.

We had a good playlist, we sang along to all the songs, always had good snacks and plenty of water around and kept the conversation flowing – Tiia, Fangirl Quest

Part of being a good companion is also knowing when to shut up.

Know when to stop talking, there’s a lot to be said about having comfortable silences with your travel companion – not only will they appreciate your consideration when having a bad day, but you will too when they return the gesture – Derek, No Hanging Around

You’d better believe me when I say that after five weeks sharing hotel rooms and the tight confines of a Mustang convertible, there were more than a few times when silence was fucking golden.

There were also times, like when we were winding our way down the Pacific Coast Highway, where talking would have taken away from the show nature was putting on.

Pick your moments, kid. A captive audience doesn’t mean you can recite all of your poetry.

Be a Good DJ

A good playlist is a vital part of any road trip.

Whether we were singing along to David Bowie’s “Dance Magic Dance”, listening with sombre reverance to Nils Lofgren’s “Black Books”, or rocking out to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”, we were almost always accompanied by some good tunes.

wayne's world bohemian rhapsody
Legally speaking, it’s not a road trip until you’ve rocked out to Bohemian Rhapsody.

Always have a solid playlist at the ready. No Bieber – Edna, Expat Edna

When late night radio isn’t cutting it and you sing late 80s early 90s cheesy songs to keep the driver awake – Alexandra, The Florentine

Be an awesome DJ nothing moves a road trip along like great tunes – Tara, The Traveling Waitress

While I wouldn’t go so far as to completely ban any one artist (I suffer from a guilty enjoyment of The Biebs’ new album), the playlist is definitely something that needs to be open to negotiation.

Your driver might not share your love of The Corrs, and you might not have his fondness for the complete works of Kate Bush.

(Seriously, James, I liked Wuthering Heights, but the rest can fuck right off)

Know How to Navigate

Perhaps the single biggest role you have to play as passenger is that of the navigator.

Unless you want your driver to be wrestling with maps or have his head buried in his phone, you’re going to have to be the one making the calls when you’re out on the open road.

Once in town or approaching town, navigate! – Chris, One Weird Globe

Be a good navigator. Don’t tell the drive you should have turned back there but you missed it because you were checking Facebook – Tara, The Traveling Waitress

reading a map
I think you’ve fucked up, Jeff. We’ve lost the car. Image courtesy of CIFOR.

It’s easy to get complacent when the miles are unfolding behind and ahead of you, but you’ll need to be on your game when you’re navigating busy streets and annoyingly hard to find side streets looking for that hotel in LA.

You might be a map person. You might be a Google Maps person.

Whatever you are, make sure the driver knows where they’re going, and do it without too much sass.

Keep your eye on the bumps, not the beauty – Ruth, Exploramum & Explorason

Keep a Positive Outlook

We’ve all been in a car when the driver has lost their temper or had a bit of an emotional meltdown.

Maybe they missed a turn and they’re frustrated. Maybe they’re getting hangry. Maybe they are uncomfortable driving in the rain.

If he takes a wrong turn, just go with the flow – Billie, Sante Fe Travelers

Whatever the reason, it’s important that a good passenger plays the cheerleader and the optimist.

I don’t mean being a relentlessly glass half-full idiot with a shit-eating grin. I mean knowing when to sympathise and when to put on a happy face.

tony abbot shit eating grin
Our very own former prime minister does his best shit-eating grin.

Stay Loyal

This one’s a bit out of left field, but my old friend Jessica at Family in Faraway Places brought it to my attention and I definitely agree with it.

She had the experience of listening to two travel buddies bicker and have their friendship dissolve because Girl A had liked Boy 1, but Girl B had slept with him despite knowing this.

I’m not telling anybody what to put into what holes, but if you’re going to be stuck with somebody for an extended period of time, it’s probably best not to make them unhappy.

You don’t need to be wingman of the year to be a good travel companion, but probably don’t cut your mate’s proverbial balls off, especially if he’s the one in control of the high speed object you’re stuck in together.

wingman
Wingman Level: 10.

Be Prepared

Like a good Boy Scout, it pays to be prepared.

If your friend is doing all of the driving, use your extra time to make sure you have the essentials.

Snacks? Check

Red Bull/Coffee/Water? Check

Car charger? Check

energy drink
My doppelganger shares my enthusiasm for energy drink. Image courtesy of Mike Mozart

On our recent trip, we faced a mini-disaster when we learned only one of us could charge our phone at any given time. The driver needed his to play music, and I needed mine to relentlessly post on SnapChat, Twitter, and Facebook about my every thought and desire.

We avoided a dissolution of the Commonwealth because I had a ZUS Car Charger, which not only charged two devices and charged them quickly, but had an in-built GPS to help us find the car after parking it in a strange place.

You can use the promo code ZUSROADTRIP to get $5 off your own ZUS Car Charger.

Your Say

What do you think makes a good road trip buddy?

I’ve written at length about the worst people to travel with before. Do you have any horror stories about awful road trip companions?

Disclaimer: ZUS provided me with a free ZUS Charger. Opinions are entirely my own.

Christchurch, Destinations
Waiau Riverbridge Bungy Jumping

Christchurch for Adrenaline Junkies

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Christchurch for Adrenaline Junkies

One of the go-to destinations in New Zealand is Christchurch. This amazing city is located on the edge of Canterbury Plains and is surrounded by hills and the Pacific Ocean. It is also the way to New Zealand’s South Island, where you can enjoy a lot of adrenaline-filled activities.

Christchurch offers countless of outdoor adventures perfect for all the adrenaline junkies out there. It is the ideal place to spend your vacation with family or friends. Once you plan your holiday in this stunning region, you will definitely have one of the best days of your life.

When you finally reach the city, you can simply get a car hire in Christchurch and drive your way to countless tourist destinations around the island. Commuting is quite difficult in this place so these cars are the convenient way to explore what the city has to offer.

Where start your Christchurch adventure? Here are some outdoor activities that will pump up your adrenaline:

Bungee Jumping

For the thrill seekers across the globe, Christchurch is the place for an extraordinary bungee jumping experience. You can try this extreme outdoor activity on top of the 135-year-old Waiau Ferry Bridge and free fall 35 meter towards the clear waters of Waiau river. Thrillseekers Adventures organizes the bungee jumping tours and after completing it, you will be given a certificate and a t-shirt. Snapshots are also available to look back at the whole experience.

Waiau Riverbridge Bungy Jumping

Water Rafting

Never miss out the chance to go on a fun water rafting activity when you are in Christchurch. Make sure to visit Rangitata River to experience white water rafting at its best. This river is known as one of the backdrop to the epic fantasy movie, Lord of the Rings. So expect the unscathed landscape and billowing rapids to surely give you a memorable day. You can experience paddling the rapids by making a reservation with Rangitata Rafts who organizes the activity.

Rangitata Rafting christhcurch

Quad Biking

Ride through the breathtaking view of Hanmer Springs by driving quad bikes. You can plow through the rocks, mud, streams, and forest while enjoying every bit of the specially-designed track adventure. Also, there is nothing to worry about  because experienced guides are there to lead you on a safe and exhilarating trip.

Jet Boating

If you are looking for an exciting adventure, then jet boating at the Waimakariri River is a must-try. You can jet through the braided shallows, narrow gorges, and white water rapids. The famous 360-degree spin jet boat, which was first invented in New Zealand, will take your breath away once you engage yourself to this activity. Additionally, you will get to witness the awe-inspiring scenery of the entire place as you skim and spin at high speeds. Several companies such as Alpine Jet and Jet Thrills operate jet boats in the Waimakariri River.

Waimakariri River Jetboat

Skydiving

One of the best places to go skydiving is Christchurch. From the city center, you can free fall between 9000 and 15000 feet in the air at a speed of up to 200kph for 15 minutes. It is every adventurer’s dream to experience this extreme outdoor activity, so try it out even if you are a first-timer or a professional already. Skydiving Kiwis is highly recommended as they offer tandem jumps for beginners.

Skiing

During the months of June to October, Christchurch becomes a paradise for all the snow-lovers and snow sports enthusiasts out there. You can find the top three greatest ski fields here, including Mt. Dobson, Mt. Hutt, and Porter Heights. Every ski field gives you the opportunity to try out different levels of skiing experience. Whether you are an amateur or an expert in this sport, each try is totally worth it.

Mt Dobson Skiing

Hiking

Since Christchurch is popularly known as the “Garden City” globally because of its striking fauna, it is a perfect destination to enjoy some outdoor activities, which include hiking, tramping, trekking, and mountaineering. There are different ways on how you can enjoy your hiking experience here depending on your own preference. You can actually try a three-day or a week-long hike, if you want. Also, this region offers scenic views and impressive natural wonders that will surely take every visitor’s breath away.

On the whole, Christchurch is a haven to those who are in search of electrifying activities. By trying out the adrenaline-pumping activities mentioned above, your stay in Christchurch will be worth it. So, make sure to plan your trip to this city and explore numerous fun adventures. This is the best time to give yourself a little something to look forward to when you are out on a vacation.