Thailand

5 Ways to See a Different Side of Thailand in Chiang Mai

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A Different Side of Thailand

When you think of Thailand, what names leap immediately to mind?

If you’re Australia, chances are you’ll be most familiar with Phuket’s beaches and bars.

Maybe you’re thinking of hot, steamy Bangkok with its shopping, ping pong shows on Soi Cowboy, and the abundance of debauchery to be found.

Maybe it’s scuba diving on Koh Tao or the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan that leaps immediately to mind.

For me, Thailand will forever be best represented by Chiang Mai in the country’s north. It may not have the world class beaches of Phuket or the bar scene of Bangkok, but it’s got charms all of its own – especially for those who want to see Thailand from a slightly different angle.

Why Chiang Mai?

As a travel blogger, Chiang Mai has been something of a holy grail for some time now. Up until Thailand’s recent changes to visa law made it difficult to do visa runs to Cambodia or Laos every three months – this quiet city in the heavily forested north of the country had become a haven for digital nomads.

Cheap rent, cheap food, wonderful people, and a laid back lifestyle that you couldn’t find in the more tourist heavy places like Phuket or Bangkok? It’s a dream location for somebody who wants to make a living writing without living in their parents’ basement.

Or cottage, in my case >_>

What I found most charming about my visit to Chiang Mai was that it felt just a little bit more authentic than what I’d seen in Phuket, Bangkok, or on Koh Phangan. While tourism is still a major industry up in the country’s north, it’s tourism of a slightly deeper sort.

With that in mind, I thought I’d share five ways you can use Chiang Mai to see a side of Thailand that goes beyond beaches and bars.

5 Ways to see a Different Side of Thailand

Services like WithLocals give you access to locals who are happy to show you around their home city.

#5 – Attend a Muay Thai event

Muay Thai is a religion in Thailand.
Muay Thai is a religion in Thailand.

It’s true that you can see Thailand’s most famous sport taking place almost anywhere in the country. In Phuket, we couldn’t walk a block without a truck passing by loudly advertising an upcoming fight – and I imagine it would have been the same in Bangkok as well.

Sitting on plastic chairs in the car park behind a large department store, we watched amateur fighters from across the north beat seven shades of shit out of one another in a rickety ring under hastily erected lighting.

The entire affair had a distinctly amateur feel about it, but that was a huge part of its charm. Far from the over-crowded stadiums and overpriced food we’d heard about in the country’s south, this was an entirely more intimate affair. The fighters – winners and losers alike – would wander past us on their way to and from the ring, and the crowd of two dozen or so chose their favourites and shouted their support.

Rather than feeling like an event put on to impress foreigners, it seemed like something that the locals could get behind. Indeed, quite a few locals were in attendance. It made for a really fun, memorable night out.

#4  – Wander the markets

The sights, tastes, and smells of a local market are a real window into local life.
The sights, tastes, and smells of a local market are a real window into local life.

I’ve had something of a love affair with street markets ever since discovering them while living in South Korea. You really get to know a country by exploring the markets that are set up by locals, for locals.

While there are definitely markets that cater to the tourist scene, it pays to venture a little farther afield to find the ones where the locals shop for their produce and goods. Rather than seeing a million “Same Same, but Different” t-shirts – you’re instead assaulted by the smells, sights, and sounds of daily life in Thailand.

It’s in these local markets that you’ll find amazing street food made in the way the locals love it. It’s here you’ll see local kids playing while their parents barter over goods, and where you’ll not be harassed quite so often by over-eager vendors looking to sell you ‘traditional Thai pants’ that you never see anybody wearing.

#3 – Visit the Elephant Sanctuary

If you’ve spent any time in Thailand before, chances are you’ll have seen an elephant.

In fact, chances are you’ll have seen an abused elephant.

It’s a sad aspect of Thai life that elephants are – by and large – used and abused in entirely inhumane ways. They’re made to wander the streets so that tourists can pay a few baht for a photo. They’re made to carry foreigners through scorching heat while their handlers beat them.

When you’re exposed to this abuse, it makes it nigh on impossible for you to enjoy playing a part in the systematic abuse of such beautiful creatures

If you really want to interact with elements while keeping your soul clean, a visit to the Elephant Nature Park is a must. Far from being a place that exploits elephants, here you’re able to volunteer to work with these beautiful animals.

While I didn’t get the opportunity while I was in Chiang Mai, it’s something I sorely want to do when I inevitably return to Thailand.

#2 – Get outdoors

Sure, the beach counts as the outdoors, but there’s more to Thailand than just crystal clear water and white sand beaches.

Chiang Mai (and most cities in the north) offer you an opportunity to really get out and enjoy the rain forests and mountains.

Zipline companies such as Jungle Flight and Flight of the Gibbon are a great, exhilarating way to see the jungle from a different angle, but there are also plenty of tours that offer you the chance to hike, ride, ATV, or even white water raft your way through the beautiful mountains and forests.

The helmets and harnesses all ready to go before our day at Jungle Flight.
The helmets and harnesses all ready to go before our day at Jungle Flight.

#1 – Learn to cook Thai food

It doesn’t get more authentic than this.

Don an apron, wander the markets to pick your fresh produce, and then learn from a local how to cook food the way the locals like it.

Valentine's Day 2013 and we're all in the kitchen!
Valentine’s Day 2013 and we’re all in the kitchen!

Nomadic American and I spent Valentine’s Day 2012 taking a romantic Thai cooking class and it was one of the most fun experiences we had. Our teachers didn’t just educate us on how to make green curry or how to roll spring rolls, but also interacted with us on a personal level. They told local jokes, shared stories from their past, and genuinely connected with us in a way that was far more pleasing than any smiling tour guide had managed in the south.

The Thailand section of WithLocals has an abundance of cooking experiences for you to consider.

Your Say

Beyond the beaches and the bars, what did you see or do in Thailand that made it a memorable experience for you?

Cover photo courtesy of TravelFreak.net

Changzhou, Theme Park Review

Halloween at the Changzhou Dinosaur Park

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Halloween in China

It was October 2012 and Halloween was fast approaching. With Nomadic American fresh into the country and feeling a little homesick, we decided to do something for the Halloween weekend to act as both distraction and unorthodox celebration of the popular US holiday.

Having grown up in Australia, where Halloween is mostly just an excuse to host a party at which men wear suits and girls wear the sluttiest outfit possible, most of my understanding of the holiday comes from US TV and movies. I can’t attest to whether or not the Changzhou Dinosaur Park did the holiday justice from an American perspective, but it was certainly a fun alternative to spending it in my apartment in Nanjing.

Known also as China Dinosaurs Park and China Dinosaurs Land, Changzhou Dinosaur Park certainly laid on the dinosaurs element.

The park was decorated for the occasion with pumpkins, ghosts, and even scarecrows.
The park was decorated for the occasion with pumpkins, ghosts, and even scarecrows.

Getting to the Changzhou Dinosaur Park

Getting to Changzhou is quite easy. As one of the many large cities in the populous Jiangsu province, it is well connected to other cities by both bus and the high speed G-Trains. Some advertisements even place it in Shanghai, due to its relatively close proximity.

To get to Changzhou by train takes approximately 45 minutes from either Nanjing or Shanghai.

Once in the town, most taxi drivers will know the Changzhou Dinosaur Park, as it is one of the most famous tourist spots not only in the town – but in the province.

Alternatively, you can take either the #26 or the #302 bus – both of which travel to the park.

Entry into the Changzhou Dinosaur Park is 80rmb (approximately $15) and half as much for children.

Why a Dinosaur Park?

Chinese theme parks are known around the world for their unorthodox or downright confusing themes. World Joyland, near the Dinosaur Park, is infamous for its unlicensed use of World of WarCraft and StarCraft imagery in its park as well as being a blatant copy of Islands of Adventure in layout, complete with dodgy Disney merchandise.

While Beijing boasts a theme park that is an unabashed knock-off of the Disney parks (Shijingshan Amusement Park), there’s even a midget theme park (the Kingdom of the Little People) in south-western China.

In this case, however, Changzhou has a basis for its dinosaur park. At the heart of the amusement park is a large museum where visitors can learn about dinosaurs, as well as seeing the fossils of locally discovered dinosaurs such as the Sinosauropteryx, Brachiosaurus, and Hadrosaurus.

From these relatively humble roots, an entire dinosaur themed park has sprung up – complete with cavemen, dinosaurs outfitted for battle Dino Riders style, and everything in between.

The Dinoconda

The biggest reason that I wanted to visit the Dinosaur Park was to go on a few rides. As you can probably tell from my collection of theme park reviews, I’m an unabashed fan of thrill rides. On this front, the Changzhou Dinosaur Park does have one very worthy contender.

Introducing, the Dinoconda.

The Dinoconda is one of the top five coasters I've had the pleasure of riding.
The Dinoconda is one of the top five coasters I’ve had the pleasure of riding. Photo by Tenacious Libbs.

As one of the relatively few 4-D Rollercoasters in the world, the Dinoconda was an absolute pleasure to ride. You start the ascent backwards and, when that mighty steep drop comes, you’re tackling it both backwards and upside down. It’s an utter blast!

As you can see from the above video, it is one hell of a ride and totally worth the 2+ hour wait.

Other thrill rides are the park include the Crazy Dragon (a gyroswing similar to The Claw at Dreamworld), the Rubra, and a number of higher energy water park rides in the attached Peak Water World.

The Rubra rocks back and forth at China Dinosaurs Land.
The Rubra rocks back and forth at China Dinosaurs Land.

Other Rides & Attractions

The park does, of course, boast other rides – although none of them manage to approach the sheer radness of the Dinoconda.

Throughout the various themed ‘worlds’ (Rubra, Cook Suker Grand Canyon, Magic Rainforest, Neverland, and Fort Aventura) there are all of the theme park staples, including plenty of kid specific rides in Neverland and the aforementioned water park. Sadly, this particularly part of the park wasn’t opened on the cold and rainy October day that we visited.

The Chinese love a good wave pool.
The Chinese love a good wave pool. Photo by Tenacious Libbs.

There are also a variety of other, non-ride attractions around. We stumbled past a great many shows that we wouldn’t have been able to understand with our rudimentary understanding of Mandarin.

Nomadic American did, however, avail herself of the opportunity to be lifted up by an elephant. While I’ve since decided that elephants used in such a manner are almost invariably abused and would not condone such a thing now, at the time we could plead ignorance.

And it was kind of cool to see the celebrity reaction the pretty white girl got when the elephant hefted her into the air.

Nomadic American makes a new friend at the Changzhou Dinosaur Park.
Nomadic American makes a new friend at the Changzhou Dinosaur Park.

While we didn’t stick around long enough to see it (it was cold!), there is also a night parade each evening that illuminates the darkening streets in pretty stunning style.

The night parade sees plenty of illuminated dinosaurs roaming the streets.
The night parade sees plenty of illuminated dinosaurs roaming the streets. Photo by Tenacious Libbs.

Food

Theme park visits are all about junk food, if you ask me. I can’t imagine a day at an amusement park without hot dogs, soda, and whatever other sickly sweet, highly unhealthy food tickles your taste buds.

Nomadic American double-fisting ice cream cones, boi!
Nomadic American double-fisting ice cream cones, boi!

On this front, Chinese theme parks struggle a little from a western viewpoint. While the food on offer is rarely healthy, it’s Chinese street food – which means it’s often jarringly spicy or boasts meat of a mysterious origin.

The park did have a KFC and a McDonalds, if memory serves, and even had the world’s saddest TCBY. I’m not sure if The Country’s Best Yogurt knows that it has a Chinese branch, mind…

Oh Yeah, Halloween…

With the exception of a lot of effort put into decorations, the park also had a number of spookier attractions added for the occasion. There was a haunted ghost walk that we never did get an opportunity to explore, but we did both partake in a little face-painting for the occasion.

I call on my years of theatrical experience to hold perfectly still while having my face painted.
I call on my years of theatrical experience to hold perfectly still while having my face painted.

In Summary

Changzhou Dinosaur Park/China Dinosaurs Land/China Dinosaurs World is a fun day trip if you’re based out of Shanghai, Nanjing, or Changzhou. There are enough rides and attractions to entertain all ages, and there’s the added experience of seeing how the Chinese do a theme park.

I found it to be a much more pleasant experience than my visit to Happy Valley Chengdu, and there was something quite charming about the abundance of cheesy dinosaur paraphernalia scattered around the park.

You can learn more about China Dinosaur Park at their website.

Australia, Travel Daydream
Uluru (or Ayers Rock) is one of Australia's most famous sites.

Travel Daydream: Northern Territory, Australia

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Daydreaming About Australia

In our hurry to see and experience as much of the world as possible, it’s not uncommon for globetrotters to overlook the many places in their own country that warrant a visit.

Maybe it’s a case of knowing that it will be there when we decide to settle down, or maybe it’s just that the things in our backyard don’t feel quite as exciting as far off vistas and exotic night markets.

Whatever the reason, I find myself today daydreaming not about somewhere far away – but somewhere within my own country that I’ve somehow failed to make it to so far: the Northern Territory.

Why the Northern Territory?

It’s not as if the Northern Territory is a well kept secret. One of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, Uluru (or Ayer’s Rock, to some) rests in the territory’s south and is an immensely popular spot on any Australian itinerary.

The fiery red monolith is a powerful symbol of both Australia’s Aboriginal history and its ancient geology, with photos from both sunrise and sunset among the most enduring images to come out of Australia.

But the large territory offers far more than just the opportunity to see the instantly recognisable Uluru up close and personal. There are a number of other reasons why I’d love to someday take a long, lazy tour of the Northern Territory.

More than anything else, the Northern Territory offers locals and visitors alike to experience the wilder side of the great southern land – getting up close and personal with some of the most stunning landscapes in the world.

Uluru

A visit to Uluru is right up there with seeing the Sydney Harbour Bridge & Opera House, going cafe hopping in Melbourne, hitting one of the beaches in Queensland, and seeing the Great Barrier Reef when it comes to “must do” things while in Australia.

The 348m high and boasting a massive 9.4km circumference, this massive sandstone formation is perhaps most famous for the way it seems to change colour at different times of day.

A three day pass to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park comes in at a very affordable $25, and offers the opportunity to not only see Uluru – but also to take in the nearby Olgas,

The Olgas are almost as stunning as their more famous neighbour, Uluru. Photo by Reto Fez.
The Olgas are almost as stunning as their more famous neighbour, Uluru. Photo by Reto Fez.

You stand at the very heart of the great southern continent, and when you get away from the tourists – it’s easy to feel like you’re the only person in the world as you stand underneath the big sky and hear only the wind and the rustle of low shrubs.

(While I’ve not been to Uluru, I grew up in the Outback and remember well that immense feeling of solitude)

Nearby Alice Springs has outgrown its rural roots and has become a real tourist haven these days, with everything from hostels to five star resorts placed to cater to those trekking inland to see this ancient and sacred site.

Kakadu

Located just a few hours from Darwin, the largest city in the Northern Territory; Kakadu National Park is a verdant world largely untouched by humankind. Here some of Australia’s most iconic wildlife and flora can be seen on foot, by car, or even by boat.

The infamous saltwater crocodile can be encountered in its natural habitat, and bird-watchers will be treated to what Australian Geographic describes as the best bird watching environment in the country.

The saltwater crocodile is one of Australia's most feared and misunderstood creatures. Photo by Charles Strebor.
The saltwater crocodile is one of Australia’s most feared and misunderstood creatures. Photo by Charles Strebor.

Tour companies such as Gagudju Dreaming take a lot of the planning work out of your hands, and instead leave you free to sit back and soak in one of the most ancient and breathtaking landscapes Australia has to offer.

Whether you take a 4WD out to explore the canyons and waterfalls, or go out on a Yellow Water Tour to see crocodiles in Australia’s most famous wetlands – Kakadu offers an unmatched opportunity to see Australian flora and fauna without cages or crowds of tourists to contend with.

Darwin

Once seen as something of a backwoods by fellow Australians, Darwin’s proximity to Asia and the continuing growth in tourism has seen the city really come into its own as a dynamic and fascinating place to visit.

Its proximity to Kakadu, the beautiful Litchfield National Park, and the nearby Tiwi Islands makes it a great base of operations from which to explore the best the Top End has to offer. The Tiwi Islands, where you can get a more complete understanding of traditional Aboriginal Australian life and culture, is a particularly intriguing prospect for those who want to learn about Australia as it was before European colonisation.

While it makes a great base, there’s also plenty of reasons to spend some time exploring Darwin itself. An emerging cafe scene aims to rival the likes of Sydney and Melbourne, while the city’s market culture gives it a decidedly international feel as you wander through international food stalls and local arts & crafts.

It’s a laid back kind of city – a place where things such as the Deckchair Cinema and the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets put visitors in mind of a simpler, more relaxed time.

The Mindil Sunset Markets is just one of many markets in Darwin. Photo by MrDays.
The Mindil Sunset Markets is just one of many markets in Darwin. Photo by MrDays.

Arnhem Land

About as far removed from civilization as you can get without giving up all of your conveniences, Arnhem Land is described as one of Australia’s last true wildernesses.

Arnhem Land – both east and west – is one of the best places to familiarize yourself with Australian Aboriginal culture and history. Here you can see ancient rock art that predates some of the oldest cultures in the world, as well as having the opportunity to have a more hands on experience with Aboriginal culture with cultural tours, demonstrations, and an opportunity to witness traditional Aboriginal festivals and celebrations.

Arnhem Land offers visitors a chance to see a side of Australian life often unseen by tourists and locals alike. Photo by Ewen Bell.
Arnhem Land offers visitors a chance to see a side of Australian life often unseen by tourists and locals alike. Photo by Ewen Bell.

Entry in Arnhem Land requires a permit from the Northern Territory government, so be prepared to plan ahead if you want to visit this rugged and truly wild region.

Katherine Region

Beloved by fishing enthusiasts, kayakers, swimmers, and nature appreciators around the world – the Katherine Gorge region is just one more example of the Northern Territory’s immense natural beauty.

Dark water beneath and sandstone cliffs above, the Katherine Gorge is a study in serenity. Photo by shellac.
Dark water beneath and sandstone cliffs above, the Katherine Gorge is a study in serenity. Photo by shellac.

The Nitmiluk National Park boasts thirteen sandstone gorges full of waterfalls, sheer cliffs, and isolated swimming holes just begging to be explored. Whether you tackle it on foot or by kayak, it’s likely to be one of the most serene experiences of your life.

Farther afield you find national parks such as Judbarra and desert settlements such as Borroloola, where you can find some of Australia’s best fishing or familiarize yourself with Australia’s colonial history.

An Attainable Dream

Where in the past I’ve daydreamed about such far flung destinations as Tenerife, Egypt, and the United Kingdom – a trek to the Northern Territory is one that is very much within the realms of possibility in the near future.

Researching for this post I stumbled across places I had no idea even existed, and my thirst to visit the rugged north of Australia is all the greater for it.

Your Say

Have you ever visited Australia’s Northern Territory? What were your enduring memories of your time in the Top End?

Need More Inspiration?

Check out these other travel daydreams and get inspired!

Uluru photo by dincsi

Guest Post, Italy

Guest Post: 7 Places to Experience the Real Italy

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Europe, with the exception of London and Edinburgh, remains very much the travel holy grail for me. There’s still so much of it I need to see and – if my bucket list is to be taken into consideration – so many of its women I need to kiss.

While my travel plans won’t see me in Italy any time soon, Francesco of the Gadders Project was kind enough to offer to share some of his suggestions on how to best experience real Italy.

Read on…

Why Visit Italy?

Italy is one of those countries that every traveler, for one reason or another, includes on their bucket list. North Americans love it for food and fashion, South Americans see it as their ancestors’ homeland, shutterbugs love it for the countless photographic subjects it offers, history buffs come for the rich Roman history, and even Northern Europeans dream of its warm, picturesque beaches beaches.

There are countless reasons why a person might wish to visit Italy, but below are the ones I think are the most common:

1)     Try the Italian cuisine

2)     Go shopping in the fashion districts

3)     Admire fast luxury cars

4)     Explore the historic places of the Roman empire

5)     Admire the masterpieces by medieval and renaissance artists

6)     Relax on sunny beaches with calm waters

7)     Explore the countryside on a vintage scooter

But in the end the vast majority of travelers seem to only visit the same 3 places:

ROME – FLORENCE – VENICE.

It’s true that you can achieve the first five items on the above list only visiting Rome, Florence, and Venice.

If beaches are your poison, the usual destination is the Amalfi coast. Scooter enthusiasts swear by Tuscany.

The issue here is that the true essence of travel means stepping outside of these popular places and discovering the diversity that Italy has to offer.

And in Italy there are so many different destinations that you could easily find, for each of those 7 reasons, one place off the beaten track that would leave you open-mouthed.

1) Italian cuisine: Bologna

You can taste a delicious pizza or pasta anywhere in Italy, but if you want to try the some of the best authentic Italian cuisine there’s one region where you have to go: Emilia-Romagna. The homeland of Parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar and Mortadella ham among others, its main city is Bologna, from which the Bolognese sauce takes its name.

Here you can try other typical dishes that you maybe don’t know, like Tortellini (stuffed pasta) and Piadina (a simpler version of Pizza).

It’s more than just amazing, authentic food; Bologna is also a beautiful medieval town with gorgeous architecture.

633907 GALLERIA VITTORIO EMANUELE

2) Fashion: Milan

Prada, Armani, Gucci etc. have stores all around the world, but if fashion brands are your reason for being, you can’t go past the Milan fashion district and its main street: Via Monte Napoleone.

You’re not only able to window shop among some of the world’s most famous brands, but you’ll also be able to see where it all started – learning about the history behind some of the world’s most renowned labels while wishing you could afford to buy them.

3) Cars: Maranello

Wherever there are luxury shops, there are luxury car parked nearby. If looking or snatching a sneaky pose in front of one is all you’re after, then Italy is your playground. But if Ferrari is your idol, why not to take a tour inside its firm, its museum and its wind tunnel, where Formula One new models are tested?

Pomepi

4) History: Pompeii

If you are passionate about Roman history, Rome is understandably going to be pretty high on your itinerary, but how do you compare the ruins of the Roman Forum (the old city of Rome) – mostly destroyed by the passing of time – with a whole Roman city preserved under volcanic stone for 2000 years and then magically resurrected as it exactly was in 79AC? This is Pompeii.

To look upon this unfathomably ancient city is a rare opportunity to look backwards in time, seeing Roman life not as it is presented in museums – but as it lived and breathed right up until Mount Vesuvius blew its top.

siena

5) Art: Sienna

Florence is the cradle of Italian art, but its neighbor, Sienna was some centuries ago its contender for the works of the most popular artists of the time.

Today you can admire beautiful art in a more relaxing and less crowded atmosphere. Siena is home to masterpieces by the likes Michelangelo, Donatello and many others.

Editor’s Note: Are Raphael and Leonardo also present?

6) Beach: Gallipoli and Otranto, Apulia region

The Amalfi coast is unique in the world with its characteristic coloured villages set along the cliffs; but if you ever thought to go there for some beach time, you were wrong. In a rocky coast where all the coves are occupied by little houses and hotels, there’s no space left for sand!

Apulia is instead the region that forms the heel of Italy’s boot. A peninsula surrounded by turquoise seas and hot yellow sand,  Gallipoli on the west coast or Otranto on the east coast boast some fantastic beaches and awesome resorts.

If most of the Italians prefer to go there on summer holidays, why wouldn’t you prefer it too?

7) Countryside: Orvieto, Gubbio and Assisi, Umbria region

Tuscany, Vespa and countryside are three words that can’t be separated in the common imagination of world travelers, and there are plenty of travel agencies all over the world offering such tours of a region that is perhaps more famous due to advertising than anything else.

Opportunities to explore the countryside exist all over Italy and in every region you can find cute medieval villages where locals live their simple lives.

Orvieto

 

Some of the most characteristic places are in the region of Umbria, just next to Tuscany but, if you have a look at a map, more in the countryside! Towns like Orvieto, Gubbio, and Assisi are true gems that offer a window into the lives of traditional Italian people.

Travel Different

If you are planning to travel to Italy, whether soon or in the distant future,just remember that there’s more to this country than Rome, Florence, and Venice. Take the time to think differently and see what real Italy has to offer.

This is a guest post by Francesco, creator of the Gadders project: if you want to know more of any of the destinations mentioned, you can find them on “Gadders”, a social traveling platform where travelers can review places they have visited to contribute to creating a free user-generated travel guide for Italy.

Your Say

Do you agree with Francesco’s suggestions?

Have any of your own to suggest?

When people visit your country, which less well known areas do you think they should visit?

Countdowns, Travel Tips

Five Road Trip Essentials

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The Allure of the Road Trip

It’s no secret that I’m a big advocate of the road trip. I’m sure a part of that is to do with the fact that as a non-driver I get chauffeured around, but I think it’s more an appreciation of the freedom that a road trip gives you over taking a train, bus, or plane.

Growing up in relatively isolated country towns such as Ben Lomond, Tibooburra, and Menindee – every holiday required the family to pile into the Land Cruiser and embark on a drive that went anywhere from 5 – 24 hours.

Along with memories of Dad’s mixtape of Sting, Phil Collins, and Dire Straits; I also recall the disappointment of being told dinner would be fish cakes rather than McDonalds, and the whistle of the engine once the car had stopped and we’d arrived at our destination – often well after dark.

Those early road trips had an enduring impact, and there are few ways I’d rather travel than in the passenger seat (or the backseat, at a pinch) of a car – tunes blaring, snacks on hand, and adventures ahead to be had.

Most recently, my brothers and I took the six hour drive from Ben Lomond to Windsor in western Sydney, before Roma from Roaming Required and I took a scenic three hour drive from Sydney up to the Broke Fordwich region.

With a rental provided by Redspot Sixt, all we had to provide was the entertainment and the snacks.

Five Road Trip Essentials

A good road trip has a few essential ingredients, and below you’ll find the five that I find most necessary.

#5 – Snacks

Whether it’s a can of Mother and some Twisties in Australia, a Big Gulp & Twizzlers in the US, or a Perky Nana & Coke in New Zealand – a good road trip needs some thoroughly unhealthy snacks to keep energy levels up when the view loses its luster.

While you can go down the healthy route with sliced fruit, sunflower seeds, and *shudder* water, that’s like going to a five star restaurant and ordering the salad.

Save the calorie counting for when you’re back in the office.

#4 – A Car Charger

In these days where being without electronics is tantamount to one of those dreams where you go to school naked, even a few hours without the phone can feel like an eternity. Chained to work or just needing some Tinder time when the conversation flags, the age of the smartphone has assured nobody need be bored on the road.

Even when there’s no signal; games, music, movies, and books are all just a swipe away. I don’t even know how parents dealt with unruly kids in the time before smartphones and tablets.

As many of us have found it, however; searching for signal burns through your battery. A phone that normally lasts a day suddenly dies within a couple of hours, and even if you can make do without it on the road – chances are you’ll need it to search for directions or bring up your reservation details when you do reach your destination.

On our recent weekend in Broke Fordwich, Roma and I were lucky enough to have an opportunity to road test the Kensington Powerbolt Dual Fast Charge Car Charger. While it’s true that there isn’t a great deal of innovation left in something as tried and tested as the car charger, I do like the spin that Kensington has put on the design, offering a charger that not only charges two devices – but also caters to the fact that not everybody has upgraded to the iOS devices with Lightning Cables.

The charger comes with an in built Lightning Cable, which does mean you don’t have to bring yours along for the ride – but for those with other USB charged devices (including non Apple devices and even the Kindle), there’s also a USB outlet you can use with your existing power cable.

While I don’t drive enough myself to warrant buying one, the charger in question has found a loving home with my brothers and their daily commute to and from work.

#3 – Car games

When conversation just won’t cut it, it’s handy to know a few games. This is doubly true if you’ve got a couple of restless kids in the back and don’t want to entrust your electronics to their grubby little hands.

From old favourites like “I Spy” or “Twenty Questions”, to more sophisticated games such as “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” – a good game can pass the time when the scenery turns repetitive. I’m putting together a list of grown up car games to share with you in the next couple of days, so keep an eye out! Essential reading for any road, train, bus, or plane tripper.

#2 – Good company

It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway) that good company can make a bad trip great, and bad company can ruin even the most fantastic of destinations. In the past I’ve talked about the ten people you should never travel with, so be sure to check that your travel companion to be doesn’t fit into any of those groups!

fear loathing road trip

There’s no real checklist you can use when you’re preparing for a road trip, and that’s doubly true if you’re just looking to get from Point A to Point B and you’re not spoiled for choice.

A good road trip companion can hold up their end of the conversation, isn’t too demanding or picky when it comes to food, and has a relaxed attitude to pit stops, scenic detours, and the inadvertent disasters that strike from time to time.

Their skills ought to cover areas that yours do not. If you’re a crack Google Maps navigator, maybe you need somebody who knows how to make a good mix tape or has a stockpile of funny stories to help pass the time.

#1 – The mix tape

Is it controversial that I think the mix tape (or mix CD, Spotify playlist, or iTunes Playlist) is more important than a good companion?

When your phone dies and the conversation dries up, the last thing you want is a long and awkward silence as the kilometres tick by.

A good mix tape isn’t just there to fill the silence. It can lift flagging spirits, prompt a spontaneous singalong, or even reboot the conversation as you reminisce, discuss, or debate the merits of a certain song.

I’m currently working on my ultimate road trip playlist, so keep your eyes peeled for that!

Safety First!

Above all else, it’s important to stay safe when driving. This is especially true over long distances.

It goes without saying that you should always wear a seat belt and always get plenty of rest.

If you’re traveling with young adventurers, make sure you’ve got a safe child-friendly seat. You can check out reviews on Carseatexperts.com to find the best fit for your little one.

Your Say

What are your road trip must haves?

Do you have any mixtape or road trip game suggestions? I’d love to hear them!