G'day! I'm Chris. I left my home in rural Australia back in 2007 to pursue a life less ordinary.
I specialize in ambitious travel - bucket list worthy journeys such as the Great US Road Trip, the ultimate African safari, and following the length of the Silk Road.
There are some items on my bucket list that I’m less eager to check off than others.
Kiss a girl from every country? Sounds like fun!
Go on a food crawl in Portland? Sign me up!
Go swimming with sharks? … do I have to?
It’s not that I’m adverse to the idea (else it wouldn’t be on the list to begin with), it’s just that it’s on there in the same way that I want to learn how to play Stairway to Heaven on the guitar is.
I love the idea of having done it, but the actual doing of it daunts me.
Swimming with Sharks in Dubai Mall
I’d just arrived on location in Dubai when it was suggested that we head to the Dubai Aquarium to go swimming with sharks.
While I’d known the activity was likely to be on the list, I’d shown up to Yahoo’s 48th floor office in general attire. I certainly hadn’t anticipated being thrust into the shark tank right off the bat.
Still, Australian pride was on the line. I’d joked about how Aussies ride sharks to school and wrestle crocodiles in PE; I could hardly balk at the idea of having a wee swim with some harmless tiger sand sharks, could I?
My boasting only worsened my situation as we drove to the Dubai Mall. I foolishly mentioned I already had my PADI Scuba Certification (I was lucky enough to learn to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef back in 2010) and in doing so talked my way from snorkeling with sharks from the safety of a cage to going right into the aquarium with them.
When will you learn to shut your mouth, Chris!?
One brief safety demonstration and refresher course later, I was thrust into the spotlight.
Cameras were rolling, my heart was pumping, and the sharks were waiting.
Pre-dive nerves aside, this was such an exhilerating experience. Even knowing that tiger sand sharks weren’t likely to take a bite out of me, it’s still a surreal moment having an open-mouthed shark swim towards you.
Your baser instincts are screaming at you to flee, but there’s really no need. It’s all done in such a professional, relaxing manner that you feel completely safe.
For those who don’t dive (or who don’t want to get up close and personal with a shark), the option is also there to simply snorkel in the aquarium from the safety of a cage.
Would I do it again? Sure.
Will I tackle it in the open ocean someday?
I’ll get back to you.
Your Say
Would you ever swim with sharks?
My shark diving experience was funded by Hidden Dubai, a campaign jointly arranged by Emirates, Yahoo, and Dubai Tourism to highlight adventure travel activities within the city. All opinions are my own.
Whether you’re moving abroad for an extended world tour or you’re relocating to pursue a career in ESL teaching like I did, the question of what to do with your stuff inevitably comes up.
I’ve moved abroad three times now: to Gwangju in 2007, to Busan in 2011, and to Nanjing in 2012. Each time I’ve been faced with the question of what happens to the things I’ve managed to amass over the time I’ve been home.
Chances are, you’ve been so busy filling out visa paperwork, figuring out your budget, deciding what to take, and practising a new language that your head is spinning. Even the third time around, I was still overwhelmed by just how much needed to be done before I bade farewell to my family and boarded that plane.
It’s sometime in the last few weeks before you leave that it hits you: what are you going to do with your belongings once you step on that plane? You can’t take that expensive fridge up in the air with you! Your DVD collection won’t fit into your checked luggage, and that gaming tower you’ve spent entirely too much time on can’t be carry on either.
(I’m sorry, am I projecting? I’m already dreading having to say goodbye to my PC at year’s end)
Oh God. What am I going to do with all of my crap? Photo by davidd.
Luckily, you’ve got a few solutions to the problem of what to do with your belongings when you move abroad.
1. Store Them
Storing your belongings is probably the most commonly chosen option when looking to move overseas for a period of time. I’m lucky enough to have parents who own a big property with a few large storage sheds in which I can put my stuff, but not everybody is in such a fortuitous position.
The other option is to store your belongings with a professional company. It’s relatively inexpensive and means that you get to keep all of your property safe in the knowledge that your younger brother isn’t going to lose it.
Seriously, Izaak on the Road, you owe me a Nintendo DS and an iPod Classic.
Storage services like Fort Knox Storage here in Australia provide secure facilities for your belongings at a competitive rate. You can click here to have a look at their services. Best of all, you can reclaim your property as soon as you return!
A storage unit can save you a lot of headaches.
2. Sell Them
This is perhaps the most drastic approach to the problem, but it’s a fantastic way to top up your travel coffers before hitting the road.
There are plenty of second-hand selling websites such as eBay or Gumtree out there for the enterprising seller to make some money out of their upcoming move. Most online classifieds are free to advertise on, making them a fairly easy option.
Alternatively, why not make a day out of it and hold a garage sale? Everything must go!
My sister and her husband recently did this when moving to Melbourne, and made some handy extra spending money by selling the things they didn’t need.
3. Take Them With You
If you’re lucky (or rich), there’s also the option to take your things with you when you’re moving abroad. Many larger companies will pay a relocation allowance to get you on board, and there are freight services that will gladly move your possessions both domestically and internationally.
It’s humbling seeing your life reduced to a pile of boxes. Photo by Great Beyond.
I contemplated taking this option when it came time to leave China midway through 2014. Over the course of two and a half years I’d amassed quite a bit of stuff, and taking it all with me on the plane wasn’t an option.
Ultimately, I went for a middle ground and made use of China Post’s criminally cheap international shipping rates – but I’d given strong consideration to a relocation specialist whose rates were surprisingly good.
4. Rent Them Out
This isn’t an option a perpetual rambler like myself will ever have, but if you own your house and it is currently fully furnished and you’re wondering what to do with it all, why not simply rent or sublet?
Property agencies will take over the day to day management of tenants and you as the owner will reap the majority of the rent. This is a good option if you plan on returning to the country and would like to live in the house or apartment later.
5. Give Them Away
If it’s good enough for Alexander Supertramp, it’s good enough for you. If you’re not using it and don’t have a planned return date, why not just give your stuff away to those who will use it?
Many charities are in constant need of furniture to provide to those less fortunate. If there are any pieces that don’t sell, you don’t want, or are otherwise superfluous; why not donate them to a charity? Those who are less fortunate would be grateful for your kindness.
You don’t need that stuff! Give it away to help somebody who does! Photo by Mike Mozart.
Or, if that’s a bit too Mother Teresa for you, why not give them to a friend or family member who could use them? I know my old PC found a new lease on life in the hands of a younger brother, and my DVD collection was certainly appreciated around the house.
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Well there you have it! What tips will you take away from this article? Perhaps you’re interested in renting your property in order to return later? Maybe a storage space is up your alley, or maybe you want to sell or give away your belongings?
Perhaps you just can’t bear to be parted from your goods and will have them shipped to you.
Your Say
If you’ve made the move already, what are your tips for what to do with your belongings when you move abroad? Let us know in the comments below!
Introducing the world’s newest superhero: Aussie Man! I try my hand at flyboarding.
I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings – John Gillespie Magee Jr
There’s a moment right before your body surges up and out of the water that you feel that this isn’t natural. Your body is being propelled up and into the air without any effort of your own, and the force beneath your feet that pushes you upward seems frightening.
And then, in that moment after you slip beyond the clinging confines of the water and up into the air, you’re at once both exhilerated and terrified. The air is cold up here. The world doesn’t look as it should.
While I soar high overhead, my cameraman watches from below in the water.
You’ve seen the world from great heights before, but always from a point that felt concrete: a lofty vantage point of solid earth or a tube of steel rocketing through the air. Now, you ‘stand’ with only twin jets of water beneath you.
The boots you’re wearing, strapped to your feet, are not solid ground. They rock and twist and tilt with every slight movement you make, and there’s the ever present reality that should you over-balance you’ll plummet the 3, 6, 8 metres back into the water.
Managing to look calm and collected while I inwardly panic.
It’s a kind of magic, this temporary flight. Is this how Superman feels when he hovers – arms folded across his chest – and looks down on the world he’s sworn to protect?
And then, with the barest movement, the spell is broken and I’m falling back into the water – Icarus flown too close to the sun.
The exhilaration of flying is too keen, the pleasure too great, for it to be neglected as a sport – Orville Wright
Flyboarding in Dubai
The beginning of my day was entirely less poetic. My ride with the Hidden Dubai crew through the urban jungle of one of the world’s most famous cities is as unremarkable as the car park we pull into.
Dubai’s Fishing Harbour is bristling with the masts of boats owned by people who are far wealthier than I can ever hope to be, but it’s too an unassuming dock that we’re bound. After handing over the 300 AED ($105 AUD) for my flyboarding experience, I’m given a quick introduction to the technology, strapped into the boots, and sent on my way.
Ready? Ready!
To get to our flight zone, I lay on my belly Superman style and use the yets to tow the jetski out of the harbour and away from the expensive boats. It’s a strange feeling cutting through the water at speed without moving my arms or legs, but I soon have the knack of leaning left or right to guide our passage.
We emerge from the harbour, hang a hard right, and soon come in sight of a beach.
And then it’s on. I’m flyboarding and it is magnificent
It’s a heady experience, and one I’m eager to have again someday. The cost may seem a lot for a mere 20 minutes of entertainment, but damned if it wasn’t one of the most memorable things I’ve done on the road.
You can learn more flyboarding and about how you can get out of the water and into the air (and then back into the water again) by visiting Searide Dubai.
Want to know more about everything Dubai has to offer, visit Hidden Dubai for more videos and insider info on why Dubai is so much more than you imagined.
I’ll leave you with one quote I feel best summarised my time in the air (however brief). It definitely rings true.
The knack of flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss – Douglas Adams
Your Say
Have you ever tried your hand at flyboarding? What was your experience?
Is flyboarding something on your bucket list?
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My flyboarding experience was paid for as part of the Hidden Dubai campaign in collaboration with Yahoo, Dubai Tourism, and Emirates. All opinions are my own.
A younger, slightly less bald Aussie on the Road enjoying his first backpacker experience back in 2010.
Travel Indulgences on a Backpacker’s Budget
Backpacking is one of the most independent and intimate ways to travel the world. You experience a closeness with the world around you that you can’t hope to encounter when on a package tour or staying in a five-star resort. For some, this ‘rough’ kind of travel might seem a bit daunting – but there are ways you can get a few creature comforts without sacrificing the opportunity for authentic experiences.
With several thrifty tips, you’ll be able to indulge yourself while you travel and still have the quintessential backpacker’s experience.
How to Score an Upgrade to Business Class
If this is your first rodeo, it’s probably a safe bet that there you aren’t going to have a few thousand frequent flyer points to spare. Though it is by no means guaranteed, there are ways to increase your chances of getting bumped up from economy to business class. For one, solo travellers are much more likely to get upgraded. Business travellers don’t typically fly on Saturday and Sunday mornings, so it’s worth booking your flight during the weekend.
Though it is by no means guaranteed, there are ways to increase your chances of getting bumped up from economy to business class. For one, solo travellers are much more likely to get upgraded.
Fair Warning: Business class will ruin you for economy. Photo by Kenneth Lu.
Business travellers don’t typically fly on Saturday and Sunday mornings, so it’s worth booking your flight during the weekend. Airlines also value loyalty, and if you have flown with the same airline a number of times already, your chances increase again.
Upgrade availability can also be found on the airline’s website 24 hours prior to departure. Online check-in is also possible at this point, so the earlier you check in, the more likely you are to be upgraded to business class by the airline.
Live Like a Nomad, Eat Like a King
You shouldn’t travel under the misconception that a backpacker’s budget won’t allow for occasional dining out or indulging in quality food. Instead of surviving on cereal for breakfast, a packed lunch. and microwave noodles every day, these tips will ensure that you cut down on the cost of eating without having to sacrifice the experience of dining out.
Lunch specials are everywhere, and an average lunch meal is almost always cheaper than the average dinner. In Australia, you’ll find great deals on pub meals all over the country – with a main usually no more than $10.
The humble chicken parmigana is an Aussie staple and usually only $10 at lunch.
Most international hostels include free breakfast and though they aren’t usually anything extravagant, they are plentiful. Take advantage. Fill up on high protein foods such as eggs or treat yourself to oatmeal, which keeps you full for longer.
A big breakfast is guaranteed to keep you going until late afternoon when you can enjoy dining out for a late lunch – this also means you will only need a light (and likely cheaper) dinner.
I couldn’t in good conscience advise giving up alcohol, but choose your battles. Avoid drinking at hotels or upmarket restaurants, and instead avail yourself of the age-old ‘pre-drinks’ concept. Hit up a grocery store, corner store, or liquor store to grab your drinks and make sure you’re merry before hitting the bars or clubs.
If you are backpacking around Australia, it’s near impossible not to take advantage of some of the world’s best restaurants. If your aim is to dine like a king, sign up with Yumtable.com.auand gain access to special offers at a wide range of restaurants across the country.
Find Last Minute Hotel Discounts
Part of the charm of backpacking is bunking with a dozen strangers, and staying in a hostel comes with the territory of backpacking. But you’d be forgiven for preferring your own bathroom and not wanting to share a bunk bed with a habitual snorer.
A few nights in a hotel could be the breather you need, but you’re probably already mentally calculating how much the accommodation fees will set you back. Thankfully there are ways to avoid excessive costs if you are prepared to be a little flexible.
After a few weeks of cramped dorm accommodation, a hotel room is going to feel like luxury. Photo by Canadian Pacific.
Hotels want to be at full capacity for the evening and will lower their rates on the day the closer it gets to check in time. Third-party booking sites like wotif.com, expedia.com, quickbeds.com etc. are frequently updated and are extremely useful in monitoring the fluctuation of nightly hotel rates.
Two bedroom or three bedroom apartments/rooms are much harder to sell than single or studio rooms, so hotels will often advertise vacant one bedrooms even if there are none available (to ensure a sale either way), then offer the guest a complimentary room upgrade on arrival. There’s no reason why a backpacker can’t enjoy a night of pure luxury!
Free Accommodation
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention a service like Couchsurfing. While you’re not likely to land something spectacularly comfortable (indeed, the fact you may be sleeping on a couch goes with the territory), you’re still going to be saving some money by staying with somebody for free.
Couchsurfing also has the added benefit of letting you meet a local who can furnish you with advice on what to do, where to go, and the best food to eat. It’s a great way to build a network from the moment you hit the ground.
With the money you save staying somewhere for free and getting insider tips on the city, you’re going to have a little extra cash for extravagances such as extra drinks or a ticket to that attraction you weren’t sure you’d be able to afford.
Blog
Perhaps the biggest perk of having a travel blog of some reknown is that it does occasionally mean I get to partner with hotels, hostels, and tour companies to review their product. In exchange for my review and social media coverage, I’m often able to pick up a free or substantially reduced tour or room.
You didn’t think I could afford to stay in places like the Four Seasons Serengeti on my meagre earnings, surely?
A pool with a view. I never wanted to leave the pool at the Four Seasons Serengeti.
While you can’t just set up a site on Blogspot and demand a discount, the opportunity is certainly there if you’re willing to do the hard yards and get your name out there.
Resources like Travel Blog Success are a great way to learn the ropes and hit the ground running, and many of the biggest bloggers out there (including the likes of Adventurous Kate and yTravel) can attest to the value of such programs.
Your Say
What are your tips for scoring a bit of luxury when you’re on a budget?
I guess this post comes with two announcements attached:
a). The new look, 1000 item bucket list page is set to launch within the next fortnight;
b). I’m returning to China in June for a whirlwind tour of Beijing as well as a return to my former home, Nanjing!
I’m pretty chuffed about both if I’m being honest. The opportunity to check Beijing off my bucket list (something I somehow failed to do in 2.5 years living in China) is one I’m stoked to finally have.
The new look bucket list is going to be a hell of a lot of fun. We’re talking sexy bucket list items, boozy bucket list items, adventure travel, romance, paranormal activities, life experiences, and plenty of obscure ones as well. That doesn’t only give me (and you) a huge check-list to work on, but also plenty of opportunities for fun ‘how to’ articles that I hope will inspire.
But I’ll talk more about that later. For now, I thought I’d focus on my upcoming trip to Beijing and a few of the bucket-list worthy things to be done in China’s capital.
There’s no debating that Beijing is one of the most iconic world cities on the map. It’s right up there with New York, London, Tokyo, and Paris when it comes to city’s that tourists around the world are immediately drawn to.
How could it not be? The city’s history dates back to the 11th century BC, and landmarks such as the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven date back to the 14th century AD. Sections of the Great Wall of China are even older than that.
It’s not just history that needs to be seen though, there’s plenty of culture to be experienced and present day thrills to be chased. Below you’ll find my ten item Beijing bucket list for your reading pleasure. Here’s hoping I can check them all off in four days!
#10 – Barter in a Chinese Market
The sights, sounds, and smells of a Chinese market really need to be experienced to be believed. One can’t do justice to just how chaotic and enthralling markets are with mere pictures or words, and I’ve found that each city has subtle differences that mean even my experiences in Shanghai or Chengdu won’t do Beijing’s market scene justice.
Chinese markets are a riot of noises, sights, and sounds. Photo by pilaar39.
Whether you’re looking for authentic street food, tacky souvenirs, genuine antiques, cheap knock-offs, or a simple people watching experience: the Beijing market scene has something to draw you in.
The Panjiayuan Flea Market, Silk Street Market, and Zoo Markets are among the most famous in the city, but there are countless options for those willing to look.
Wherever you do go: be prepared to haggle and haggle hard. You’ll be getting a sizable foreigner mark-up!
#9 – Soak in China’s history in its museums
Some might argue that you’ll get a better look at Chinese history by visiting Taipei (where relics were stolen/taken after the Communist Party came into power on the mainland), but there is still an abundance of museums in Beijing that offer you a window into the country’s rich history.
As far as museums in Beijing go, the Beijing Capital Museum is arguably the biggest and the best, with seven floors dedicated to the country’s long history. Also worth mentioning for history buffs is the Palace Museum (otherwise known as the Forbidden City), but we’ll discuss that farther down the list.
For those who want to soak in China’s rich artistic history, the National Art Museum of China and the Beijing Theatre Museum both offer insight into the country’s cultural tapestry.
#8 – Visit the 798 Art District
Chinese art doesn’t end with silk tapestries and exquisite calligraphy. While these might be the more famous forms of art to come out of China, the art scene continues to thrive and evolve even today.
Much like M50 in Shanghai, 798 Art District is a region of Beijing dedicated to showcasing “cutting edge art” in all of its forms. Wandering this old industrial complex, you’ll see sculptures, paintings, installments, and even music on display as a young, vibrant new artistic movement makes its voice heard.
You may have come to China to see its history, but don’t neglect its very groovy present.
If the Imperial sites represent old China, 798 very represents its present and future. Photo by Jirka Matousek.
#7 – Pay your respects at the Ming Tombs
The Sacred Way leads into the Ming Tomb complex. Photo by SteFou!
Dating back to as early as 1368, the Ming Tombs outside of Beijing act as the final resting places to no less than thirteen of the Ming Emperors. Incidentally, the very first Ming Emperor is actually buried in my former home city – Nanjing.
Today, just four sections of this elaborate funerary complex are open to the public; but it’s a key day trip out of the city for those who want to escape the city and take in some serenity. The immense complex is not only a display of Chinese architecture and history, but also an opportunity to experience some greenery amidst the well manicured gardens.
#6 – Eat Beijing duck in Beijing
Chinese food may not have always been my cup of tea, but you’d be a hard man to please if you didn’t enjoy a bit of Beijing (Peking) duck. What better place to try one of China’s national dishes than in the city that gives it its name?
Served with savoury pancakes, sweet bean sauce, cucumber, and spring onion; crispy skinned Beijing duck is an absolute delight.
Succulent Beijing duck is one of my favourite Chinese dishes. Photo by Alpha.
Of course, if that isn’t for you – there’s a wealth of flavours to be found from across China. Flavourful dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, hot pots, and the best of Sichuan, Xinjiang, Guangdong, and so many more are just begging to be tried. I’m hungry just thinking about it.
And if you’re feeling really adventurous, wash it all down with a little baijiu – China’s national spirit (although jiu means wine, it is not actually a wine). It’s a foul-tasting and potent brew, but when in Rome China.
#5 – Bike the Hutongs
Away from the pomp & circumstance of the Imperial sites and the hustle and bustle of modern Beijing, the narrow lanes and courtyards of the hutongs represent an opportunity to do a little time travel while also immersing yourself in daily life for the poorer residents of the big city.
A local resident takes a nap in one of Beijing’s many hutongs. Photo by Tony Bush.
If you’re wanting to try authentic food as the locals eat it, the hutongs are the place to go. While you can certainly navigate them on foot, it’s a dream of mine to live on the wild side and rent a bike to take it all in.
And until you’ve seen how the Chinese ride bikes, you won’t fully understand just what a ballsy move riding there might prove to be.
#4 – Explore the Parks
China can be an oppressive place at times. Its a rapidly industrialising nation that crams more and more people into finite space with each passing day.
Even after only a few days in a city as big as Beijing (we’re talking a city with a population larger than that of Australia), you might find yourself longing for some greenery and fresh air.
China definitely does green too. The entrance to Lama Temple. Photo by Benjamin Jakabek.
While the latter probably isn’t likely in the city, there are a few green retreats to be explored. They’re another glimpse into the daily lives of local residents as well, so you can take a break from the city while also doing a bit of people watching.
Jingshan Park is probably the city’s most famous park, but there are plenty of parks and Imperial gardens to explore. I’m particularly intrigued by Purple Bamboo Park and the Ethnic Culture Park. The former offers up scenes like those you’d expect from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon while the latter has 55 individual village gardens representative of China’s ethnic minorities.
#3 – Meet Chairman Mao in Tienanmen Square
Say what you will about Mao (and I’ll refrain from saying anything given I’m hoping to live there again someday), but the man was one of the most influential leaders of the 21st century. For better or worse, China as it exists today owes a lot to the man.
Each day, thousands of people line up to pay their respects to the man at his mausoleum in Tienanmen Square. If you can stand the wait, you’ve got the opportunity to gaze upon the man yourself.
A guard stands at attention while Mao watches on. Photo by yuan2003.
If that’s not for you, Tienanmen Square isn’t exactly one to be overlooked. The largest public square in the world has been the site of controversy in its past, but today is an awe inspiring experience all of its own.
#2 – Visit the Imperial Sites
The Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace are as representative of Chinese imperialism as you can get, and all three are located within the city limits.
Alongside the Great Wall and the Terra Cotta Warriors, these three sites represent China’s most iconic landmarks. It’s almost criminal that they can all be seen so close together. While it might be a stretch to do all of them in a single day, it’s certainly possible to visit all three over a 48 hour period.
A truly divine (pun intended) shot of the Temple of Heaven. Photo by Herve BRY.
All three are fantastic examples of Chinese architecture, although only the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven remain truly representative of their history due to the Summer Palace’s continued razing at the hands of colonial powers during past conflicts. Even so, many friends have said that the Summer Palace is their favourite of the three.
While I’m in Beijing, I’ll be lucky enough to tour all three (as well as the Lama Temple) with Tour-Beijing.
#1 – Walk the Wild Wall
You could certainly make your way out to Badaling and say you’ve done the Great Wall. Lord knows, hundreds of thousands do it every year.
To my mind though, if you want to really see the Great Wall you need to do it without hundreds of other tourists fighting with you for the best selfie real estate. That means trekking out to at least Mutianyu, but possibly even farther afield.
A stretch of the Great Wall as photographed by my father. Photo by Tony Bush.
It means extra drive time, but you’ll appreciate it when you’re able to stand alone on a section of the wall and look out over it. It’s about as close to being Jon Snow as any of us will ever get.
I’m trekking from Simatai West to Jinshanling with Great Wall Hiking while I’m in Beijing, and I can’t wait for the photographic opportunities that is going to present.
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If you want to do Beijing in three days and see as much as possible, Robert at Leave Your Daily Hell has a great Three Days in Beijing entry I’d recommend. It’s certainly inspired me in my planning.
Your Say
There’s my Beijing bucket list, but what would be on yours?
I’m sure mine might change a little once I’ve visited the city and soaked in a little of it for myself, but there’s still time for you to make some suggestions!
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