We’ve all done it fast: the whirlwind trip. You skid into town and visit a good cafe, an interesting church/temple/museum, a quirky market, sleep in a 5-40 person dorm, strap on the money belt and the backpack, and roll out again on an early morning bus between 24 and 72 hours later. But what about the slow?
Accommodations
Here’s episode two of our Travel Talk series. We decided to do something different with this one and asked other people in the hostel for tips. We were staying in Quito, Ecuador at the Secret Garden Hostel. The hostel had a beautiful view of the city. We enjoyed it so much that we stayed for a week and a half to celebrate one of Ecuador’s biggest holidays.
This is my open letter to you hostel owners so you can create an even better environment for backpackers and make traveling even better.
I’ve stayed in my fair share of hostels. Small ones, big ones, stinky ones and downright awesome ones. All throughout Europe (and indeed the world), you’ll encounter different types of people sharing your space when you bunk down in budget accommodation. Some people will be cool and you’ll stay in touch, others you’ll want to get as far away from as possible. From my personal experiences, here’s a few of the very many different walks of life you’ll encounter in hostels on your travels.
The party doesn’t stop on Haadrin Beach, Koh Phangan, Thailand. Everyday music is blasting throughout the beach and buckets of alcohol are sold in every corner. Once a month though, the Full Moon Party takes the beach on full force. Many backpackers flock to Koh Phangan making it difficult to find accommodation in such a small town. Most places require a minimum of three to four nights stay for the party as well. Booking ahead is essential and finding the proper place to stay is just as important to take full advantage of the party.
If you have traveled anywhere on a budget, you have likely experienced the joys of hostel living. I’ve been traveling for the last nine months, and in that time I’ve grown to love hostels. The friends that are made, the stories that are shared, the beers that are consumed, and the connections that are solidified.
Ever since spending 3 nights at Rocking J’s Hammock Hostel in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, I have been obsessed with hammocks. I was a bit apprehensive about spending the night in a hammock, but it was the cheapest option in town. For only $4 at the time, you got a storage locker, a sheet, and your very own hammock. That super sturdy Brazilian hammock hugged me like a mama rocking her child and I slept the best I had in years.
“Aren’t you worried about travelling alone?” It’s a question I get asked all the time. Friends and colleges who have never backpacked always ask this. ‘Don’t you worry about making friends?’ The answer is always the same. Of course not. So today I’ll dispel a few worried thoughts about Travelling Solo, share a few tales, and give a few tips for those who are still concerned.
Teresa and I have recently went on a three day tour starting in Uyuni, Bolivia and passing through the many attractions in the surrounding area including Salar de Uyuni, Laguna Verde, hot springs, and lots of the beautiful nature Bolivia has to offer in the south. After going to about 6 different agencies,we had found that nearly all gave around the same price and could only bargain a small amount if possible. Most tours pass by the same exact places as well. After three days, we found all agencies failed to mentioned a few things.
First of all, for some, the thought of traveling to Nicaragua is unsettling. A third world country ravaged by war in the 70’s and 80’s, the second poorest country next to Haiti in the western hemisphere, and political corruption. However, the thought of backpacking in Nicaragua takes on a whole new vision.
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