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putschki1969 · 6 years ago

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Japan ~ Summer 2018 #1 🎌🗻

Quick introduction: Hello my lovlies!! As most of you might already know, I went to Japan this summer. It was a rather spontaneous decision based on the fact that both Hikaru and Wakana had announced their solo lives. At that point I was suffering from a serious case of Kalafina withdrawal so I felt like I had no choice but to go. I just needed to see them. Also, it was my 30th birthday so I thought I would treat myself. You only turn 30 once, right? On a side note, the timing finally gave me the opportunity to do something I had wanted to do for a few years now. Climb Mount Fuji. o(〃＾▽＾〃)o So yeah, that’s the backstory of my trip. I stayed in Japan from July 30 till August 14 and pretty much my entire trip was dedicated to Kalafina Pilgrimage. Let me tell you this, it was by far the best summer vacation of my life, worth each and every penny! And believe me, there were a LOT of pennies involved XD

Notes: Once again this is coming pretty late but not as late as my previous travel report so that’s a good thing. It took some time to gather my thoughts and put them all into words. This report will be a bit different from the last one since I thought it would be nice to include some travel tips here and there. I guess you could see this as some sort of travel/Kala-guide. Many of my followers have never been to Japan so I guess some general info would be useful to make things easier for you if you ever decide to travel to Japan.

Please note that this is Part 1 of my report. The other parts will follow in the near future (hopefully).

Without further ado, let’s get to it 〈(•ˇ‿ˇ•)-→

July 29 (Sun) ~ July 30 (Mon)

My flight to Japan was scheduled for Sunday July 29. Finally a direct flight again. I HATE layovers with a passion. As always I couldn’t sleep on the plane so I watched all kinds of movies (Blade Runner 2049, The Greatest Showman, Love Simon, Red Sparrow and La La Land - I really don’t get the love for La La Land o.O). 11 hours later I landed at Narita Airport (8 am the next day JST). The second I stepped out of the plane and walked through that tube thingy that connects planes to the airport I thought I was gonna die, it felt like I had just opened an oven and a blast of heat and steam washed over me. To say it felt like a sauna is an understatement. Thank God the tube was rather short and I was soon insiden the airconditioned Narita Airport. I took my time there since I knew I wouldn’t be able to check into my hotel before 14:00. Got my luggage, got my wi-fi sim card, got my JR Pass, charged my Suica, got some instant Chai from Starbucks (the one that Hikaru had just recommended in a blog post XD), bought some fancy looking writing paper (for my letters to Hikaru and Wakana). So yeah, I basically chilled and caught up on all the stuff that I had missed while I didn’t have internet. Around noon I took the Narita Express to Tokyo. I always take the N’EX because it’s super convenient and fast. The fare is high but it’s covered by the JR Pass. From there it’s just one station on the Yamanote Line to my hotel. When I am in Tokyo I always stay at a business hotel in Kanda. Cheap and convenient. Ugh, the short walk to my hotel was hell. Carrying a backpack, shoving my luggage ahead of me, all of that in the middle of the day with the sun blasting down on me. Thankfully two locals took pity on me (I must have looked like I was about to die XD). They helped me with my luggage and brought me to my hotel. All the way I kept apologising because I honestly didn’t expect them to carry my stuff. I was like, “no, no, don’t do it, I will carry it myself!!” But nope, they were pretty stubborn about it. Ahhhh, everyone is so kind, it always makes me happy to be back in Japan. I guess those are the perks of looking like a small girl, everyone feels the need to help you XD Anyways, I checked in, freshened up and then I did a bit of shopping in Akihabara. Nothing extraordinary, mostly I just looked for second hand Kalafina stuff XD (as I always do) During this trip I didn’t buy a lot though. A couple of singles (One Light and Blaze), the LEs for “After Eden” and “far on the water”, that’s about it. I came across re/oblivious but meh, it was too expensive for my taste, that CD isn’t too high on my priority list at the moment if I am being honest. Anyways, I didn’t do much else that day since I was pretty exhausted from my flight and I definitely needed to rest considering all the things that were lying ahead of me. Before I headed to bed I wrote my letter for Hikaru (thank God I bought a bunch of stationary because I screwed up so often and had to start on a new paper XD) and that’s a wrap for my first day in Tokyo.

❗ Some tips ❗

Try not to travel to Japan in the summer time! Flights are crazy expensive, there are lots of typhoons, most places are brimming over with people (Japanese and tourists alike) and the awful humidity makes you want to kill yourself.

Get a JR Pass if you plan to travel a lot by train/shinkansen (long distance trips). Believe me, it pays off to have one even though the price might seem a bit scary. I like to get to places fast, don’t wanna waste my time by using slow trains or buses. That’s why for me the JR Pass is perfect but it might be different for some of you.

Get a Suica. While the JR Pass is quite convenient, it doesn’t cover any of the metros and other stuff. In most cases you will be able to get around using just JR lines but sometimes it will be much easier to just take the metro or a bus and in these cases a Suica comes in quite handy. You simply charge your card and off you can go.

Get a rental sim card or a portable pocket wi-fi. The first time I went to Japan back in 2014 I didn’t have either of the two and man, I still don’t know how I survived, having no internet sucks. Wi-fi is super important, you can use google maps for orientation, you can always stay in contact with other people. You really shouldn’t travel without it. I recommend sim cards (if your device is unlocked) because the coverage is just much better. Some pocket wi-fis don’t work well in rural areas or underground. Definitely pre-order and don’t get it at the airport (so over-priced there!). I always have my rental delivered to the airport post office. In the past I have used the CDJapan service because it’s super reliable but there are other (cheaper) options I think.

I’d recommend you stay in the Kanda area or close to it: This only goes for people who want to stay in a hotel, if you are wiling to stay in hostels/shared housing the Asakusa area is probably better suited for you. Anyways, this area has a lot of so called business hotels. The rooms are small and basic but really, it’s all you need. And it’s not too expensive. While there are business hotels in other areas, Kanda is just a super convenient location in my opinion. Just one JR station away from Tokyo (down)/Akihabara (up). There’s a direct JR express connection to Shinjuku. Last but not least you have the Metro Ginza Line which connects you to the fancy-schmancy area of Tokyo.

July 31 (Tue) ~ Hikaru Birthday Event

I already posted a pretty extensive report about this day (☞^o^) ☞ HERE! Be sure to check it out if you haven’t already (I have edited it a lot ever since I first posted it). However, there are still a couple of things I didn’t mention there. That day I got my package from Fril with the Keiko Lily Brown blouse and Wakana Candy Stripper sweater I had wanted for a super long time. Too bad it was too hot to wear either of those. Aside from the two clothing items, I also finally got my Harmony magazine and my Hyakka Ryouran key pendants. And of course all the Hikaru merch. Ahhhh! It was a truly glorious Kala-day and I felt like I was being showered with all kinds of Kala-stuff. This was also the start of my Kalafina Pilgrimage (as I like to call it XD). As I have mentioned in my report, my friend Sai and I went to La Maison Kioi. I had already been there during my January trip but it’s such a lovely place that I didn’t mind going again. Still haven’t been to the private room though T_T Such a shame. But it’s on my to-do list. One day I will be in that private room!!! Then we went to Afternoon Tea - Tearoom. It’s the place where Hikaru bought her calpis lassi. We went to the shop in Shibuya Mark City in case any of you wanna go there too. The lassi was okay, nothing spectacular but not too bad. I guess you need to like the taste of calpis. After the live when I got home I immediately had to look for Hi-chan’s blouse. And YAY, I managed to find it super quickly. The price shocked me to be honest. It was almost 100 bucks even though it was already 50% off. At that time I didn’t really wanna buy it because I thought it was too expensive but oh well, I changed my mind XD (but more on that in a later post...)

❗ Some tips ❗

Try using pages like Fril or Zozoused to find old Kalafina fashion items. On my twitter account you can find all my detective discoveries (there’s pretty much nothing else there). You can make awesome deals on those sites. Kala-clothes are super expensive as we all know but when you buy them used, they are MUCH cheaper. The Japanese take a lot of care of their clothes so even their used items will be in great condition.

Try to get to the venue of a Kalafina live as early as possible if you want to buy all the merch. Yes, I know it’s rough and it feels like a waste of time to stand in line for hours on end but believe me, it’s worth it. I have seen many people underestimate the whole lining-up thing. As a reference, we were there at 10 am, the sale started at around 1 pm iirc. It was a small event on a weekday but still, by the time we arrived at the venue there were already around 25 people lining up and afterwards there came a ton more.

Try to bring little souvenirs from your country when you plan to meet up with fellow Kala-fans. Doesn’t have to be much, maybe some small chocolates or something. Everyone will appreciate the gesture and you won’t feel so bad when you receive a ton of stuff from the people around you.

Aug 1 (Wed) ~ Aug 2 (Thu) a.k.a. Mount Fuji Climb

The toughest two days of my trip (my entire life if I am being honest). Ever since 2016 (when Keiko first voiced her wish to climb Mount Fuji) I have had this idea stuck in my head. You know me, I am a crazy-Keiko-fan, she is my idol, my inspiration, literally the love of my life (♥ω♥ ) ~♪ When she said that she wanted to do it I KNEW I had to give it a try too. However, for the longest time I didn’t know if I would ever be able to do it. For one I am basically the least active person on this planet and two, summer is the official climbing season and I had never actually planned to travel to Japan in the summer time. But then all of a sudden the stars aligned and everything fell into place. When I decided to travel to Japan this summer I also decided that I would use the opportunity to climb Mount Fuji. There was no way around it. Plus, I thought it would be a great challenge for my 30th birthday (which was on Aug 2). In preparation I did a lot of cardio and leg strengthening, I also tried to walk AT LEAST 5 km every day for about two months. I met up with Sai at 11 am on Aug 1 (I am so glad I convinced her to come with me - she is a fellow crazy-Keiko-fan XD). We had some lunch at Shinjuku Station (I went for pizza because I thought I could use a lot of energy - and yup, I was right!). Then we took a direct bus to the 5th Station on Mount Fuji where we ate even more food (some overpriced curry). After acclimating for a while we started our hike at around 6 pm. We tried to be all inconspicuous and pretended to be part of a group led by two tour guides. These tours usually cost a lot of money and you can’t just take part in them but I think the tour guides took pity on us because we were all by ourselves (and we are both small so we probably looked like little girls). Or I don’t know, maybe they thought we were annoying gaijins but at any rate, they didn’t tell us to get lost so I guess that’s a good thing. The pace of the group was SUPER slow (which was good because it helped save a lot of energy). I had my issues walking in the group because I can’t stand crowds but it was probably for the best. After about an hour it started to get dark (thank God we all had our head lights because the darkness up there is unbelievably black, you don’t see anything). Soon after it also became freezing. You didn’t notice it when you were walking but whenever we took a break, you could feel the coldness creeping up on you (especially with all the sweat on your body). The entire climb took about 10 hours I would say (much longer than most reports had suggested). Obviously we took some breaks in between but for the most part all we did was climb (at a very slow pace though). Half of the hike we walked together with the group but then they stopped at a hut to rest there. We hadn’t booked a hut so we continued by ourselves but at that point there were so many people on the mountain that you were never alone.

Here comes the embarrassing part. Half-way up I had a full on panic attack. Like literally, I was hyperventilating, I was crying, believe me when I tell you, it wasn’t pretty, I was a mess. Some of the people around us thought I had seriously hurt myself or something but really, it was just me having a meltdown. Quick backstory: I suffer from a serious case of vertigo, I mean sometimes I can’t even walk stairs without getting dizzy. Now for the most part the climb wasn’t too bad. At least until we reached the 7th Station. It was exhausting of course but we had chosen the easiest trail (Yoshida), I was trying my best to always face the mountainside, I never looked down and I had my friend walk between myself and the hillside. But between the 7th and 8th Station the terrain was HORRIBLE: There are lots of steep, jagged-edged rocks. It’s very dangerous (or at least it FELT very dangerous to me). I was frightened to death. I had to use my hands and because I am so small I often had to hoist myself up the HUGE rocks. I was pretty much on my hands and knees for who knows how long. I tried to find the small rocks but sometimes there just wasn’t a way around a big one. The path got narrower as we continued along and there were sections where the ledge of the mountain was barely half a metre away from us! Can you imagine??! HALF A FREAKING METRE! That’s nothing. (*/ω＼*) Sometimes there wasn’t even a rope! Not that a tiny rope would have saved me from falling down (but you get my point!). You couldn’t really see anything, you just saw the blackness next to you. I tried to focus on myself and the person in front of me. And I held onto the mountain as best as I could. This is where being in a group came in handy. Because I was surrounded by people, I was literally FORCED to continue, I couldn’t just stop. This was honestly the scariest and most physically demanding thing I’ve ever done in my entire life. And then when we were taking a short break at one of the huts, I was having my crazy breakdown. I don’t know why it happened at that point, maybe because I couldn’t believe what had just happened. Or maybe I was scared of what would still happen. No idea, but I was close to giving up. I am so grateful to Sai for being by my side, she provided so much support and comforted me. I tried to think of Keiko and how I was doing this because of HER. Somehow, it helped a lot, keeping her in mind provided me with lots of strength. I am not a religious person but I guess this comes close to what people feel when they ask for a little aid from God...(sorry, this might sound blasphemous to religious people but I think it really was like that. It was like having a comforting presence around me that guided me ahead). Oh well, slowly but surely I managed to calm down and then the tour guide said that these had been the scariest parts and the rest of the hike wouldn’t be as bad. What a relief!! Soon after the group took shelter in a hut while we continued onwards. I really wanted to see the sunrise. The final parts were tough, I am not gonna lie. There were so many people that the trail got congested, the terrain was steep again and the summit felt like an eternity away. Then FINALLY at around 3 or 4 am (I don’t reallly know anymore) we reached the top. Sai and I fell into each other’s arms. We cried, we celebrated. We had done it!! ( •̀ᄇ• ́)ﻭ✧ All thanks to Keiko!!! BANZAI!! We found ourselves a nice place and waited for the sun to rise. At this point we were freezing and exhausted so the sunrise didn’t feel as epic as I had expected (or maybe my expectations were too high). It also started to get a bit cloudy so the clouds obstructed the view. But still, mind-blowing experience.

We warmed ourselves up a bit in one of the huts, had some breakfast (or at least Sai did, I just had a coffee - was still feeling a bit off due to my panic attack) and checked out the crater. Then it was time to make our way down. Thankfully you are taking a different trail than the one up. The way down is basically the trail the bulldozers use to transport stuff up and down the mountain. The road is slightly steep but nowhere near as steep as the way up. It’s also not as narrow so you don’t feel like you are falling off the mountain any second. What makes it difficult though is the slippery gravel. You have to be really careful not to slip. Walking downhill is also really hard on the knees and feet so we were in quite some pain. Once again it took longer than expected. I think we walked for about five hours in total until we reached the 5th Station. We took a lot of breaks though and listened to Kalafina. It felt amazing and eased our pain. The further we went down the hotter it got. [I am really surprised I didn’t get sick after the whole thing, so many temperature changes, so much freezing, so much sweating, so much physical exertion and sleep deprivation...I am really proud my body made it through all of that XD] Unfortunately we missed the bus we had reserved for 11 am but thankfully that wasn’t a huge issue because we managed to get seats on a later bus at around 1 pm I think. At around 3 pm we arrived at Shinjuku Bus Terminal and were hit by the Tokyo humidity. The air was so nice and crisp up on the mountain (even on the 5th Station)!! It was a huge shock to be back in the oven that is Tokyo. The plan was to go back to my hotel to freshen up a little and then have some celebratory dinner together. That’s when I had my second breakdown. The hotel staff wouldn’t let Sai come up to my room. I mean, I know the rules, single bedrooms don’t allow visitors but hell, we looked like shit and we hadn’t slept and we were dirty and sweaty and we really just wanted to freshen up a little. I thought they would understand...but they didn’t ...I felt horrible about that because things weren’t going according to plan. I didn’t know what to do, I certainly wasn’t going to leave Sai waiting in the lobby while I freshened up. So yeah, I was just sad and frustrated and exhausted which led to a ton of crying. Once again Sai was the one to provide comfort. We eventually decided to just go have dinner in our current attire. To hell with dirt and sweat. We went to Akihabara, found ourselves a nice Shabushabu place and stuffed ourselves with a ton of meat XD Too bad I forgot to take pictures, it truly was a wonderful meal! We really needed all that meat to recharge our batteries. Then we parted ways and I went back to my hotel. After getting all the dirt and sweat off me I called my family because everyone wanted to talk to me, it was my birthday after all. Then I fell into bed and had a nice refreshing sleep. All in all it was an “interesting” and eye-opening experience, probably the most scary yet exciting thing I ever did. I feel proud of what we achieved during these two days and I will forever treasure the memories. Kalafina has influenced my life like nothing else. They have made me become a better person, a stronger person. This experience has made that very apparent. Without my love for Keiko I wouldn’t have been able to do this. She really inspires me every day and I felt so incredibly close to her while I was up on that mountain. Combined with my nail appointment the next day, this was probably the closest I ever felt to her. It was like a soothing balm after not having heard anything from Keiko in such a long time. Last but not least, I gained an amazing friend. Sharing this experience with Sai felt special, it’s almost like there is a bond between us now.

❗ Some tips ❗

Take Mount Fuji seriously! I think I really did, I prepared myself thoroughly but still, I wasn’t 100% prepared for the experience. So yeah, do not underestimate the climb! People often say it’s an easy climb but that’s not true. It’s certainly not the Everest but it IS a challenge. At some point or another the altitude WILL get to you and the temperature changes are not to be taken lightly. Plus, you have to be in good physical shape.

Good shoes are key.

Bring lots of clothes. It gets VERY cold at night (the temperatures can drop below 0°C). Ski wear is often recommened. Definitely some layers. A hat, a scarf, some gloves and of course a head light. Also, some oxygen in case you suffer from altitude sickness (it’s sold on the huts).

Hydration is actually overrated. If you walk at a slow place (like we did) you won’t need a lot of water. At least we didn’t. So it’s best not to burden yourself with unnecessary weight. I would say a small bottle is enough, no need to bring 3 litres or whatever. It might be different if you walk during the day since you are constantly under the sun.

Even on the easiest trail (Yoshida) there are very dangerous parts so be careful and take things slowly. And be mindful of people behind you!

Decide whether you want to climb at night or during daytime (or both). We decided on a night climb without staying at a hut. This is physically demanding and not many people recommend it but you save a lot of money and time. Hiking during the day and taking shelter at a hut during the night might sound like a good idea but there are downsides to it. First of all, you are constantly under the sun. Secondly, the night at the hut will cost you A LOT and it will make your entire trip a lot longer. Plus, it is most likely not as re-energising as you might think because you will not get proper rest due to all the people around you. Lastly, there are still a couple of hours of night climbing left if you want to see the sunrise. So yeah, that’s why I decided against a day climb.

Expect to pay around 10 bucks to be able to hike up Mount Fuji. It’s some sort of mandatory donation. Also bring lots of 100 yen coins with you because you will need those to use the various bathrooms (which are quite horrible and have no running water so you better mentally prepare yourself for that).

Reserve your bus seats in advance but give yourself PLENTY of time. A one-way bus ticket costs around 20 bucks.

Aug 3 (Fri) ~ Nail appointment at ROI Salon

I didn’t do anything that day except go to my nail appointment (I was still exhausted but surprisingly not in a lot of pain. YAY!). (☞^o^) ☞ HERE’s my thorough report of my experience. Be sure to check it out. I fangirl a lot and I have since edited it quite a bit XD As I have mentioned above, my climb and this appointment have made me feel super close to Keiko. I don’t know how to explain it but I felt a connection. Plus, hearing that Keiko is doing fine, that she is finally getting some well deserved rest, it made me happy. I never had my doubts that Keiko was doing fine but to actually hear it felt nice. So yeah, the first few days of my trip were filled with Kalafina Love. During the Birthday Event I felt like an intimate connection was formed between Hikaru and myself and even though I didn’t actually get to meet or see Keiko, I DID feel close to her. （´・｀）♡ So many wonderful experiences in such a short little time! Absolute PERFECTION.

❗ Some tips ❗

A reservation HAS to be made in advance! You can do it online!

In your reservation you should mention that you are a Kalafina fan (just so both Keiko and Megumi get the option to change their appointments if they want to - in case Keiko’s appointment aligns with yours)

Be reserved and respectful, DO NOT PRY for information! If information is shared willingly with you that’s totally fine but don’t be the one to initiate anything. Don’t be that creepy stalker fan

All right, that’s it for Part 1...Thanks to everyone who made it to the very end of this post!! (*＾▽＾)／ I know it was a lot. In Part 2 I will talk about my Hikaru Pilgrimage in Toyama.

#kalafina #personal #travel guide #japan summer 2018 #mount fuji #japan #tokyo #wakana #keiko #hikaru #hikaru birthday event #long post #long text post #picture heavy #keiko nails #part 1

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prettytoxicrevolver · 7 years ago

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Leave | Daniel Seavey

Requested? Yes indeed! @kodieoirskott Hope you like it!

Warnings? Swearing?

Word Count: 1,945

(R/P/N) = Random persons name

“Hey good lookin.”

You instantaneously roll your eyes at the familiar voice that belonged to none other than Daniel Seavey. Your best friend snickers quietly as you turn around to face him.

“May I help you Seavey?” You ask sarcastically.

“I was wondering what you were doing after school?” He asks.

“None of your business.” You sass.

Before he can say anything else, you walk away towards your class. (Y/B/F/N) quickly follows behind you ad when you turn your head to look at her, a wide smirk is placed on her lips.

“What?” You ask.

“How long are you going to avoid him? Everyone knows you like each other.” She says.

“I don’t like him!” You exclaim.

“Mhm.” She responds.

“Whatever. I’ll see you at your house later okay?”

She nods her head and you both go your separate ways. As you walk to class you couldn't help but think about what (Y/B/F/N) said.

You had known Daniel since you were in the sixth grade. You were new to the school and didn’t have any friends. So, instead of going to the cafe for lunch you went to the library to eat and read by yourself.

One day, Daniel had been there. He was behind on a project and needed to work through his lunch period. He was looking for a specific book when you caught his eye. People rarely spent time in the library on their own accord. He noticed you eating by yourself and without thinking about it twice he started walking over to you.

‘Hi.” He said as he approached the table you were sitting at.

You looked up with a startled expression. No one was ever in here at this time and the sudden appearance of the boy scared you.

“Hi.” You responded quietly.

“Why aren’t you eating in the cafe?”

“I don’t really have any friends.” You respond shyly.

Daniel had frowned at this. How did she not have any friends? Instead of asking, he sat down next to her and stuck his hand out for her to shake.

“I’m Daniel. We can be friends if you want.”

You take his hand with a shy smile crossing your features. “I’m (Y/N).”

You and Daniel spent every lunch hour after that together in the library. You two had found out that you had a lot in common and quickly became very close. He introduced you to his other friends and they soon became your friends.

However once you reached high school, Daniel had started to change. You two grew further and further apart and he became one of the populars. He joined a band and really delved into his music, leaving you in the dust.

Along with his popularity, came the title of a heartbreaker. He had girls swarming him for awhile and each one he broke their heart. You vowed that with this new Daniel, your friendship would never be the same so you cut him out of your life. You didn’t have time for an of his high school bullshit.

“Miss (Y/L/N), late again.” Your teacher says when you walk into the classroom.

“Sorry sir. I got distracted. Won’t happen again.” You say as you walk to the back of the classroom to take your seat next to Corbyn.

Even though Daniel and you weren’t friends anymore, you were still friends with his friends. Corbyn and you were the closest right off the bat. Sometimes you and him were even closer than Daniel and you were always grateful that he hadn’t changed when you hit high school.

“What happened?” Corbyn asks knowing you would never be late to class on purpose.

“Daniel.” You respond easily.

Just as you say his name, he strolls into the room with ease. He takes his seat, a few desks away from yours and the teacher gives him the same sass he gave to you.

“Today, we are starting our final group projects. Before you get too excited, I already picked your partners.”

You lean back in your seat and sigh. You didn’t like anyone else in this class besides Corbyn and with your luck he would most likely pair your with Daniel. You cast Corbyn an annoyed glance and he nods understandingly.

“Five bucks you get paired with Daniel.” Corbyn whispers to you.

“I’d lose that bet in an instant.” You whisper back.

“Corbyn and (R/P/N).” Corbyn smiles sadly at you before moving over to his partner.

“(Y/N) and Daniel.”

“Shit.” You whisper to yourself and you see Corbyn smirking at you from across the room.

You roll your eyes at him and he shakes his head at your actions. Once Daniel sits down in front of you, you turn towards him with an unamused expression.

“I guess we are hanging out today after all.” He says with a smirk.

“Actually we’re not.” You respond with a sarcastic smile. “I have plans with my friends tonight. We’ll work on the project another night.”

“Fine. Still have my number?”

“If it’s still the same.”

You grab your bookbag and walk out of class so you can wait for Corbyn. When he walks out you two head towards his car to head home. When you get to your house, you and Corbyn clean up a bit before your other friends would come over for your weekly Friday night hang out.

“So what’s up with you and Daniel?” (Y/B/F/N) asks.

“We have to work together on a project.” You say shrugging your shoulders before taking a sip of your arizona.

“Is that all?” Corbyn says wiggling his eyebrows.

“For fucks sales guys we’re not dating!” You exclaim.

“Not yet.”

After hanging out for a few more hours, everyone decides to head home. You clean up the house before heading upstairs to bed. Your almost asleep when your phone rings loudly next to you. You reach over and lift it to your sleepy eyes.

“I’ll see you at Starbucks tomorrow. 12 o’clock don't be late.” -Daniel

You lock your phone and pass out instantly, the text fading from your mind and your dreams taking over. When you wake up, you notice it’s 12:30 and you have two missed calls and five text messages from Daniel. Most of them consist of him asking you where you were.

You suddenly remember his text from last night and gasp loudly. You jump out of bed and get dressed in minutes. As you run out the door you slip your bookbag on your back and call Daniel as you get into your car.

“I’m assuming you overslept?” He says before you can say anything.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He assures you. “I’m sitting in a booth near the back, already ordered your usual.”

“How did you remember?” You ask incredulous.

“I don’t think I could forget. Now hurry up.”

After you hang up with Daniel you quickly drive over to the nearest Starbucks. When you walk in you spot Daniel immediately. He was sitting in the back just as he said with a textbook in front of him and coffee across from him.

You make your way towards him and when he spots you he smiles widely. You slide into the booth across from him and pick up the coffee. He goes to say something but you hold up one finger as you take a sip.

“A caramel brulee latte. You got it right.”

He smiles proudly before responding. “Told you I wouldn’t forget.”

“So what do you want to do this project on?” You ask as you place your coffee down and pull your backpack up next to you.

Daniel begins to explain his idea to you and you nod along. By the end of it you agree to the pretty ingenious idea and pull out your books so you two can get started. After two or three hours of working you lean back against your seat and sigh.

“My brain is fried and I’m out of coffee. I need a break.”

“I’ll go get you a refill.” He offers before standing up.

He comes back moments later with a caramel frappe and you smile up at him. You were surprised he still knew you as well as you still knew him. You figured when he left you in the dust he also left any memory of you with it. Little did you know Daniel remembered just as much as you did.

“So, how have you been?” He asks after setting down his drink.

“No.” You retort instantly. “You don’t get to do that.”

“Do what?”

“Act like everything is okay. We haven’t talked in four years and we don’t have to start now.”

Before he can respond you stand up and grab your things. He’s quick to follow, grabbing your wrist lightly, halting your actions.

“(Y/N) please.” He begs.

Instead of responding, you pull your arm from his grasp and walk away. When you get to your car you get in and drive home as quickly as possible. When you park in your driveway you lean against your seat and turn off the car.

It was too much. Seeing Daniel again, talking to him like nothing happened was all too much. Every feeling you had for him since the beginning of your middle school years came rushing back. You couldn’t, no, wouldn’t have your heartbroken by this boy again. You couldn’t bear it.

You avoided Daniel for a few days after, trying to push away the feelings that came back out of nowhere. You were sitting in your living room watching the newest episode of riverdale when the doorbell rang. You figured it must have been Corbyn because you had been pretty distant recently and refused to talk about what was going on.

However, when you opened the door, there stood Daniel. He looked exhausted and upon seeing your face he sighed. You go to shut the door again but he’s quick to stop it with his foot and slip past the door.

“What do you want Daniel?” You ask knowing he won’t take no for an answer.

“What did I do to make you hate me?”

“You seriously don’t know?” You ask as anger builds inside of you. “You left me at the start of high school so you could be popular. You left your best friend and you broke my fucking heart! So I’m sorry if it ever seemed that I hated you. But you deserved it.” By the end of your little speech you’re breathing heavily, the anger finally bubbling over.

“I never knew.” He says quietly.

“Yeah that was kind of the point.” You spit angrily.

“(Y/N/N) I’m so sorry I never meant…”

“Just get out Daniel.” You whisper harshly.

He starts to walk towards the door but instead of leaving he turns back towards you. He closes the gap and goes to pull you towards him.

“I told you to leave.” You say pushing against him.

“No. I’m not leaving you again.”

You fight against him but he only pulls you closer towards him. You eventually give up and go limp in his arms. He holds you at arms lengths and places his hands on your cheeks making you look at him.

In an instant his lips are on yours and you go to fight him but his hands on your face stop you. You find yourself melting into his arms and you pull him closer. When you break apart he places his forehead on yours and presses a chaste kiss to your nose.

“I’m never leaving you ever again. I promise.”

#daniel seavey #corbyn besson #zach herron #jack avery #jonah marais #daniel seavey imagine #corbyn besson imagin #zach herron imagine #jack avery imagine #jonah marais imagine #why dont we #why dont we music #why dont we imagine #imagine

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carpostnet · 5 years ago

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Thoughts on the Tata Tigor EV Electric Sedan

The story of the Tigor EV Electric Sedan begins with a authorities contract. For as soon as in 2017, the babus get it proper – as they take an excellent resolution of kick beginning the nascent Indian EV four wheeler market, with a stimulus. So an order of ten thousand automobiles is tendered. When all the bets appeared to be on Mahindra strolling away with the order, Tata Motors emerges as the darkish horse.

Having began my profession with Tata Motors, I’m stunned. The firm just isn’t actually recognized for its agility. To proceed the babu story – what they didn’t anticipate – is the hostile response to EVs that the sarkaari drivers would have. Used to the perks of siphoned petrol and diesel, the drivers’ resistance developed, as they may not determine easy methods to siphon electrical energy! But the greater subject, at the least from the Tigor EV perspective, was the decrease vary. And particularly, when it received in comparison with the different participant, in the two horse EV car race in India, the E-Verito. The episode jogs my memory of the story, of the demented man who goes to a city and locations an order with the carpenter, who in flip goes on to rejoice by enriching the baker – and many others – and usually the city will get again its financial system. Later on, the carpenter realises that the order was a spurious one, however by then it would not matter – the velocity has come again in circulation in the financial system, and as the three idiots would say, all izz properly. Like the madman in the above story, EESL realised that that they had goofed up on the specs – and determined that the greatest method to save face was to postpone accepting deliveries. And so right here was Tata Motors, who had spent massive bucks on creating the Tigor EV, questioning what to do with the Tigor EV.

Earlier N. Chandra, the new chairman of the Tata group, had different plans. He created a particular EV division at Tata Motors, which is impartial of the Commercial and Passenger Car enterprise. The division has its personal President – who reviews on to the Tata Motors MD. The consideration of the prime administration made a distinction. Instead of jettisoning the Tigor EV after the lack of Government orders, the firm determined to vary route and promote the car to fleet operators. And guess what, the fleet guys gave the identical suggestions, as the authorities – give us extra vary. And TML listened. In Oct 19, they upgraded the battery pack – and received the vary as much as an ARAI accredited 213 km. A standard Ola / Uber car does about that a lot in a day – in most cities in India, with the exception of the sprawling NCR. So I believe 200 km is a candy spot for the fleet guys. Increase the vary additional, and you’ve got each value and weight penalties. With BS 6 coming in Apr 20, most car corporations are out of the blue going to be discovering diesel going out of trend. The urea tanks required in diesel automobiles to satisfy NOx emission requirements aren’t actually endearing themselves to car homeowners. So now is an efficient time for corporations to start out providing the electrical drivetrain as an choice to petrol. Of course, at double the worth. There is extra logic to this transfer than that. Given the dismal volumes in India for EVs, it is smart to unfold the mounted value of car improvement – R and D, sheet steel dies, homologation et al – over bigger variety of automobiles. This approach, you may have EVs that do not burn the trousers together with the customers’ pockets. Platform sharing appears to be like to be the approach ahead for everyone.

The best method to do a coronary heart transplant in a petroleum car, is to make use of the engine area for the motor and related electronics – and the area for the gasoline tank for the battery. And that is precisely what Tata has executed. Tesla has its battery pack operating all alongside the flooring, however then Tesla is a ground-up EV. Interestingly, the greater battery floor space of the Tesla additionally presents a hearth hazard – as there have been incidents the place Teslas have flamed up by items of steel mendacity on the highway. The new Tigor will get a 22 kWh battery, which is up from the 16 kWh one earlier. The 30 kW motor does an enough job of dealing with regular city visitors. The battery is a prismatic LFP pack. Heart transplants include their very own negative effects. What a petroleum car DNA engineer nonetheless doesn’t perceive, is how necessary the battery, aka gasoline tank, in an electrical car is. Imagine designing a Tigor sized car with a scooter gasoline tank – that is the scenario with EVs immediately. And in such a scenario each drop counts. So effectivity is the identify of the sport – and never the brute drive effectiveness – which Tata’s ERC has been used to, of their greater than 50 years of engine constructing. The first rule of effectivity is to journey gentle. I roam round the county with a backpack – and the size of the journey doesn’t matter – so long as I get to do my laundry on a regular basis. On the identical strains, frugality must be the DNA with EV design. How to get the most out of each Watt-hour of vitality saved in the battery. And we hope that the Nano classes of frugality haven’t been forgotten by the Tata Motors crew.

Here are the low hanging fruit for upping effectivity. Low rolling resistance tyres, that are a wee bit over inflated to get extra juice out of the battery pack. TML crew knowledgeable us that the tyres do have lesser resistance – however I couldn’t see the Toyota Prius type of treads in them. The air-con requires about four kW energy. For a 75 kW petrol car it’s simply 5% of output, however for an electrical it’s greater than 10%. The identical cooling unit additionally has to do a job of cooling the battery pack – and that is necessary – as batteries don’t like being on the fallacious facet of 40 diploma Celsius. The distinction in inside temperatures in white car parked in the solar, when contrasted to a black one parked for the identical variety of hours, will be as a lot as 5 diploma Celsius. No marvel, most Tigor Electrics bought are white. My recommendation to future EV consumers could be, it doesn’t matter what the coloration of your cash, however let your EV be white!

And now coming to the excessive hanging fruit – weight. Here is my estimate of the weight break-up of the Tigor EV.

Battery Pack – 215 kg

Motor and drive practice – 85 kg

Body Shell – 300 kg

Steering and Suspension – 150 kg

Seats, Dashboard et al – 150 kg

Electronics and cabling – 150 kg

Air conditioning and Cooling – 100 kg

Tyres, together with stepney – 80 kg

A complete of 1200 kg – which is about the identical as the petrol / diesel variants. The underlying philosophy being that if the weight stays the identical, the dealing with would stay the identical. Maybe we will query this philosophy. Maruti, in spite of everything, has grow to be market chief in India, as a result of it is automobiles are usually lighter than competitors – with in fact, the concomitant enhance in gasoline effectivity. Government has taxation norms for petrol/diesel automobiles based mostly on the size of the car. For EVs the slabs needs to be weight based mostly – in order that relative vitality guzzlers like the tremendous heavy Teslas – if and once they come into the Indian market – find yourself paying the highest taxes. The best factor in weight is to do away with the spare tyre. Not joking! The Mahindra E2O was really bought in European markets with no spare wheel – and the frunk (the entrance boot) really had a fish basket. And in addition – the Tigor proprietor would additionally get extra boot area. But coming again to heavier points – the exterior panels are the costliest – and it will not make sense to the touch them. But the inside sheet steel will be checked out. With lesser load in the engine compartment, there might be some weight saving prospects there. Since the car runs smoother, and would sometimes not be a rural off roader, there will be extra weight financial savings in the suspension too. I imagine TML is working on lowering weight in the cab space – we imagine that the seats of the newer Tigor are lighter. What prevents extra investments in weight discount is the uncertainty about volumes. Group chairman Chandra is prepared with investments, proviso to gross sales occurring. Chicken and egg. The goal needs to be to get the Tigor weight all the way down to lower than a ton.

The different variable that performs a call in car shopping for, particularly EVs, is preliminary value. The operating value at 1 Rupee a km is a wow ingredient. But the preliminary spend of 13 lakh + is a dampener. The greens would love this worth – and the excellent news for the greens is that the car is now out there for particular person homeowners. However, with FAME subsidies not being given to people, it will be a good suggestion for revolutionary accountants to give you monetary jugaads which may give firm homeowners the cloak of changing into a fleet proprietor – and get the subsidy. We don’t actually count on TML to endorse this conduct, which is on borderlines between good and dangerous ethics. But the moral issues would get sorted out when a fleet proprietor leases the automobiles to people or corporations. The different benefit of leasing an electrical is that it de-risks the proprietor, as she doesn’t have to fret about upkeep. My recommendation to TML could be to start out the leasing service itself. Why let aggregators take away a market – and make a commodity out of cars. The belief in the Tata model will make a lease from Tata simpler for customers to purchase. Till date, business banks have been fearful of lending loans for EV purchases, not being too positive of what the residual values of the automobiles are going to be. Auto producers now have to put cash the place their mouth is – and inform customers by their actions about the belief they’ve in the automobiles they’re constructing. We have seen that occuring with Revolt in the electrical bike area – and the glorious response it has acquired from the market. Time for an encore in automobiles, TML! Jugaad apart, most of our desi sensibility loves seeing extra inexperienced in the pocket than exterior of it. The battery pack is the greatest value driver of EVs. My guess is that we’re battery vitality storage prices of about 500 $ per kWh. So there goes 11,000 {dollars} or Rs. eight lakh straight. Battery swapping has potential to decrease this value. If swapping can occur in the identical time {that a} fleet driver spends at a CNG pump, then we’re good. We will nonetheless want an actual life vary of 100 km – as we count on a fleet proprietor to drive round 200 km a day. The authorities generally is a big enabler over right here. The crucial in battery swapping is requirements. And right here is the place the babus appears to have adopted a wait and watch mannequin. Even easier stuff like charging ports haven’t been standardised – as the babus anticipate the extra developed nations to actually, take cost.

In the good previous days of petrol automobiles, the Americans would provide big variety of engine choices. Maybe the time has come, to supply an enormous variety of battery choices in the Tigor EV. Batteries, being modular, work on a special paradigm. Economies of scale occur at the module stage. And once more, if corporations get collectively to outline these commonplace modules, everybody stands to win on this cooperative-competitive sport. Most people and small fleet homeowners wouldn’t be investing in the excessive present quick charging infrastructure. It takes 11 hours to do a full cost with sluggish charging for the Tigor EV. A type of boundary line for in a single day charging. One shudders when one thinks of the 18 hours it takes to cost the 35 kWh Hyundai Kona on sluggish cost. But then with a 452 km vary (ARAI determine), you are able to do a cost each Sunday. One extra choice that may be provided in the Tigor EV is with out capacity for quick charging. Am positive it will shave off a lakh from the worth. And now that I’m on it, my suggestion could be to shift the sluggish charging port to the facet – with much more area to drag out jammed charging ports. Like in Volvo buses, you may have hoses that go into the gasoline tank from either side, the firm can have a look at having the sluggish and quick charging ports on both facet of the car – in the identical slot as the gasoline tank flap. Combined with a decrease battery dimension, the magic determine of sub 10 lakh might be reached for the private car person. To finish; would I purchase this car? Hmmm… Real life vary is about 150 km. Now for E2O customers who’ve lived with 100 km vary, to not point out Reva customers who lived with 60, 150 is certainly a step up. If we have a look at typical city drive cycles, most are lower than 100 km. So in a way, the Tigor will meet your week day wants. So if you’re already an E20 person, who has discovered the E20 to be becoming in your drive cycle, and there’s one other ICE car in the storage, then do check drive the Tigor ASAP; this might be E20 substitute. But if the EV goes to be your single car, and you intend to do lengthy drives on weekends, vary anxiousness can occur. A bit of chicken tells me that the Tata Nexon EV launch is only some months away. And with a worth differential of some extra lakh – and a variety distinction of greater than 100 km – weekend drivers, wait and watch!

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sonicpositive · 7 years ago

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dark mod sarah show us the forbidden merch

you wanna see the merch? *laughs evily*

this isn’t all of it, but it’s a pretty good chunk of it.

Here’s the only poster I have hanging up right now, from a Nintendo Power when the game came out. Not pictured is a Sonic 2 poster from when that game came out (got that one at a yard sale, lucky me), a poster of a lot of the Sonic cast (not sure where I put that one), a Sonic Boom poster (from Sonic Boom 2014, when I went), and a signed Crush 40 poster.

I’ve had this clock forever so it kinda fell off the wall and broke, but I still love it.

A Sonic 20th anniversary magazine by Games Master (is this official merch? I think it might be?) and the Sonic Generations poster it came with (too big to open up), and a Green Hill mug.

Tracy Yardley drew this eheheh. Also on the back are some notes he wrote in pencil, I think they’re about Pirate Plunder Panic? But don’t count me on that since I can’t read them too well.

Sonic Adventure 2 10th birthday edition, this is actually kinda cheap on Amazon, like 30 bucks maybe? Good stuff.

Too many Sonic shirts to show off, so here’s a couple.

Johnny Gioeli wore this ehehehehh

My plushies, some figures, and a Tracy Yardley drawing.

uh this is a giant thing I guess (it’s actually a backpack but I’ve never used it)

Too many DVDs to show off so here’s 4. I swear that Sonic OVA DVD was my thing in middle school, I watched it SO much back then and it’s covered in scratches but it still works perfectly and is my pride and joy.

this is an old thing

History of Sonic Book (Had it since it came out, still has that new book smell, and it looks like new even though my cat did some...unfortunate things to it once and I had to get it cleaned off.) Also there’s my stack of Sonic X issues.

TOO MANY COMICS

Don’t count me on this but I wanna say it’s around 160-198, and then 218-present, plus most of the Universe issues and all of the Boom ones. And there’s some assorted ones from 1998 in there too.

These are all my CDs, so for some bonus points have my non Sonic ones too (Big Time Rush and Cash Cash ehehhe

That’s not everything I have but I think it’s the bulk of it anyway. I have some other stuff like a Super Sonic cup, a belt buckle that spins, some giant Sonic Boom bags (again from Boom 2014), a classic Sonic jacket...uh you get the idea I guess. But I hope these pics are good :)

#mod sarah

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projectmedusarp · 7 years ago

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Welcome Kara! We’re pleased to announce your audition for Nova Sinclair / Pyrokinesis has been accepted! Please send an ask to the main from your account within the next 24 hours so we can set you up with the OOC blog. We can’t wait to have you join us!

NAME: Kara

AGE: 26

TIMEZONE: EST (Eastern Standard Zone)

PRONOUNS: She / Her

ACTIVITY LEVEL: I’m normally pretty active during the day/night, but my schedule can be a bit unpredictable because I’m a nanny and the kids aren’t organized enough to tell me when they need rides ahead of time lol. So sometimes I have to randomly disappear to take them places. During the summer, I’m pretty much free after 1pm but for driving kids around (and I have most weekends off). During the school year, freedom comes roughly after 3:30 or so.

PREVIOUS ROLEPLAY EXPERIENCE: I’ve been RPing since I was eleven and on neopets so… god, like, fifteen years? Roughly six on tumblr.

PERSONAL TUMBLR CONTACT: Link Removed

TRIGGERS: Incest

CHARACTER: Nova Sinclair

PRONOUNS: She / Her

AGE: 31

FACE CLAIM: Natalie Dormer

POWER: Pyrokinesis

QUOTE: “The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”

PERSONALITY:

Witty - Nova’s got a quick sense of humor and a snappy retort for pretty much any situation. She is a clever woman with a sharp mind and tends to use jokes as both defense and offense. It’s a talent that gets her far with her writing and it’s good in sales, as it tends to make people relax around her.

Affable - Nova is the agreeable sort with a talent for making people feel comfortable around her; it’s that old school southern charm. However, though it takes a hell of a lot to rile her up, she is not what anyone would call a pushover. Mostly she’s agreeable because she just doesn’t have the patience for conflict and avoids it if she can help it. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar, after all (though she’s never really understood why anyone would want to catch flies).

Curious - Some call it nosy, Nova prefers curious. She likes to know things, likes to be involved. She likes to know about people and she likes to learn about a variety of topics. Of course, sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong has gotten her into trouble a time or two, no matter how hard she tries to avoid it. Some people don’t appreciate others poking into their business. Especially a writer who will (and has) used stories she hears in fiction.

Imaginative - Nova creates situations in her head and sometimes can conflate them into something worse than they are because she tends to imagine the worst possible outcome. It serves her well in her writing. Not so much in real life, however.

Ambitious - Nova has worked her way up from the bottom to the top, a true rags to riches story that she tends to keep to herself. She has always had big dreams and is good at getting what she wants. She isn’t above doing whatever has to be done to meet her goals.

Reserved - A lot of people let Nova’s friendly, cheerful front deceive them into thinking she’s easy to get to know. She isn’t. She’s secretive and not at all forthcoming about herself or her life. She doesn’t let people in easy and trust has to be fought for. She likes to keep herself to herself and it’s hard to get past the high walls of privacy she’s built to the person beyond it. Though Nova has plenty of acquaintances, there aren’t many she’d call friend and she prefers it that way.

Judgmental - Nova’s far from easy to impress and if you make one wrong move, she’ll judge you for it instantly. She’s got a strong sense of what she’ll tolerate and what she won’t and she tends to be quick to write people off when they cross it. Second chances aren’t her forte. Friendly, sure. Forgiving? Not so much.

BIOGRAPHY:

Nova was born in New Orleans and lived there with her single father until the age of ten, when he was killed in an accident on the construction site he was working on. Nova was left with very little and she didn’t much like foster care either. At around thirteen, she ditched her foster home and became a bit of a street urchin. Easy to get lost in a city the size of New Orleans, and that’s exactly what she did for a very long time. She mostly conned people out of their cash with a sweet smile and her big, bright eyes, asking for bus fare from strangers or a couple of bucks for lunch because “my daddy gave me some cash this morning, ma’am, but it must’ve fallen out of my pocket on the way to school.”

Ever since she was small, however, Nova had a quick and creative mind and she used it to her advantage. It meant that even on the streets, she had big dreams and a strong will, one that would get her on her way to the top. When she was sixteen, she lit out of New Orleans. She worked on a river boat for a time, sailed her way up to Memphis, then took a bus over to New York City. In Nova’s mind, that was the place to be when you had big ambitions and wanted any chance of making them come true.

With nothing but a backpack full of clothes, a battered notebook of scribbled stories, and forty-seven dollars in her pocket, Nova set up at a local shelter and breathed in the air of the big city. She liked it immediately, the brisk pace, the clipped northeastern accents, the way everyone minded their own business. It was exactly what she’d been looking for and Nova was gonna make it work for her.

It was in this shelter that she met Dotty Fisher, a middle-aged shelter worker who took a particular shine to Nova in her early days in New York. Nova liked her too, this woman with a kind smile who made her think of how a mother should be. Bit by bit, she began to trust Dotty, even let her read some of her stories. When Dotty came to her about the idea of getting her GED and trying to go to college, Nova enthusiastically set about doing it all and ended up graduating with honors a handful of years later. She got a job and a crappy little studio apartment and got to work soon after. She had much bigger fish to fry.

Nova’s first novel was published when she was twenty-five, a thrilling mystery that became a best selling novel. Following that success, Nova purchased a small bookstore, which she now runs while writing on the side. Since the first novel, she’s written two more, both hugely popular, though her preference for anonymity meant that she’d written all of them under a pen name.

Nova was quietly celebrating a movie deal in the works for her first novel when she drank the tonic water that would chance her life as she knew it. It was definitely a bit of a shock for someone whose life is spent surrounded by paper to discover she could manipulate fire – all she’d been thinking was how she wanted the fire in the fireplace to burn a little hotter, a little brighter, and suddenly the flames shot so high that they blackened the stone mantle – and she has been quietly and curiously testing her powers out since.

Alone, of course. With someone like Nova whose ear was always to the ground, it was impossible to miss the murmurs of disappearances plaguing the city…

HEADCANONS:

Sometimes when Nova is stuck on a particularly hard section of her writing, she’ll sketch out a scene to try and form a picture in her head. She has no real talent for drawing, however, so her desk is often littered with nonsensical stick figure drawings, most of which are only half finished.

Nova is a notorious pen chewer. It’s a habit she hates, but can’t seem to break. At least twice a pen has exploded in her mouth and her face has been stained with ink for days, but no matter what she tries, she can never get herself to stop.

Nova bought her own store instead of keeping her job at someone else’s because it means she can mostly set her own hours and doesn’t get in trouble if she’s a few minutes late getting back from lunch or if she shuts the doors a few minutes early. For this reason, there are no store hours posted on the store front and those who want to shop there kind of just have to get lucky about when they decide to go. Surprisingly, her most frequent shoppers tend to find this charming. She has one regular who acts unfailingly surprised any time he shows up and she’s actually open.

She’s a deep sleeper, the kind of person who likes sleeping in a freezing cold room with tons of blankets piled on top of her. She tends to keep late hours and wake up late, so the book store is never actually open before noon on any given day.

Nova is queer as a two dollar bill. It’s not something she flaunts, but it’s not something she hides either. She’s just always been more interested in and more comfortable with women.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Nothing currently (:

#accepted #pmaccepted #accepted audition

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marsymallows · 5 years ago

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Yes, you read it right! I finally did it! I went on a solo trip for the first time and it’s for my 30th birthday!!

I’ve been thinking of doing this for the longest time as I love TRAVELING, and lately, I love being ON MY OWN. Put those together, and what do you get? Labo! Seriously, you can just do the math! Haha!

I booked this trip probably around April (when we got our bonus) and when PAL had one of their seat sales, which was very timely. I did not book any baggage allowance yet as I wanted to backpack around the island and I wanted to teach myself how to pack light this time. So total cost was around Php 1,100 round freaking trip!!!!!!

Weeks prior to the trip, I wasn’t sure if I was gonna push through as the weather didn’t look so good, plus I was a bit short on moolah as I am not doing well at my sales job, but since I was turning 30 naman na and I saved up pa rin naman, plus, I, really, really wanted to do something new, I did it!!! My adventurous self was poking me constantly that I got annoyed so sige na, push na this!

The week prior to the trip, I was still sooooo busy implementing activities. I even traveled to one of my remote territories the day before, so you can just imagine how tired I was from the long drive, but that didn’t stop me! In fact, I was sooooo excited, I packed my bag a few days prior. Usually, I’d pack my luggage the night before a trip, which brings me to ehem, the things I learned on my first ever solo trip!

PACK YOUR BAG EARLY! – Ok so you guys probably already know this, but did I say that this post was about you? Charot! Nang-away? Anyhooooo, I normally pack my bags the night before, coz that’s the time that I don’t have to worry about my deodorant getting lost in my luggage when I haven’t put on any yet. Same with my slippers, undies etc. This time, I started packing my stuff at least 2 days prior, so I had time to sort through my beach OOTD’s, my swimwear, my scarves (always!). I had time to check my travel toiletries so I could buy whatever’s lacking. I was also able to organize my stuff in separate travel pouches especially my cords, chargers, batteries!

RESULT:I was able to eliminate excess stuff as I had time to really think about what I am going to wear based on my itinerary. Unfortunately, I still had to buy prepaid baggage allowance. I guess I really am no expert at PACKING SHYET, I mean, PACKING LIGHT. I guess this was still a FAIL, nevertheless, I still tried (so it’s a WIN too!) and that’s what matters. For my next beach trip though, I would really want to pack less than 7kg! Challenge accepted!

my backpack weighed 10kg at 50L! My shoulder bag weighed 6.5kg! LIGHT PACKER BA KAMO? Haha!

DO A LOT OF RESEARCH! NO ONE’S GONNA DO IT FOR YOU THIS TIME! Normally, my brother and sister would do all the research for our family trips, from the itinerary, to hotels and transport to restaurants to try and shopping districts to visit. Same with trips with my friends. I have a friend in Cebu who does all the financial stuff, so we would all just depend on her on how much we would all have to pay individually when the bills come. The only time I did really heavy research was for our first Japan trip coz I had all the time in the world (I was unemployed at the time haha). So It’s not like I am useless when traveling. See, I could do it if I want to, and this time, I HAD TO. Thanks to all the bloggers, vloggers, influencers, Biyahe ni Drew, and my bro for all the tips, the tricks and all the things they learned from their trips to Camiguin.

RESULT: I was able to browse through different options and finally book my accommodations the best way possible (Thanks Agoda and Booking.com). I was able to put together my own itinerary (without having to consider the preferences of another–yay for solo trips). Although 70% of my research was literally just spoon fed by my brother who went to Camiguin a few months earlier, I still am proud of myself for being able to juggle these last minute reservations with TONS of WORK!!

IF THERE’S AN OPTION TO PAY CHEAPER, GO FOR IT! – This is probably a result of doing number 2 too. No, it’s not the #2 you’re thinking about! I was referring to DOING YOUR RESEARCH.

If you happen to find out how much things really cost ahead of time, say for example, renting a scooter to go around the island on, you wouldn’t pay Php 500 for a 24 hour use!!!! And yes, I am speaking from experience. Sadly, I forgot how much my brother paid for his when he rented one. I didn’t have time to scroll through our looooooooooong IG conversation, so I paid Php 500 instead of just Php 250-300!

When commuting, try to find out how to go around like the locals do (thanks bro and our hotel receptionists for the tips!)! It would help you save big time! On my 3rd day, I commuted on Camiguin’s public transport, aka their relas/motorelas and paid around Php 11 the most!

Camiguin motorela and the Samuel by Vjandep restaurant in the background!

Also, when you’re alone in say some sort of public pool with tables for rent, you don’t have to rent a whole table for your stuff and pay Php 75. Sadly, I also did, when I could just have left my bag and slippers beside the pool itself.

For food, try walking around your hotel, look for restaurants where the locals eat, or again, do your research and check reviews of previews visitors to get the “bung for your buck!”. You don’t really have to go cheap for food, but it would be soooooo nice to have a sumptuous for an incredibly affordable seafood lunch or dinner!

Hayahay Cafe’s famous smoothie bowl!

For your accommodation: Since this was my birthday trip, I booked a night at a pricier place, Ysla Beach Camp and Eco Resort for the glamping experience and I must say that it was worth every penny! Then I transferred to a budget hotel, GV hotel which was equally worth my hard earned money coz it was in the middle of everything and I was really comfortable as well! My room was just Php 500 a night! I just added P25/night to transfer to an air-conditioned room. I will be making a separate post for my trip itinerary so I will be writing a more extensive review of the land arrangements!

Another tip for budget travelers going to Camiguin, I paid friggin Php 200 for my boat ride to White Island instead of Php 450-500, though the guilt trip afterwards still kills me to this day! LOL! Instead of finding and convincing a group of 3 or perhaps a couple to take you along with them on their boat (boat can only accommodate 4 tourists and 2-3 boatmen) before you go to the cashier, try going directly to the cashier at the port and wait for a group to approach her and pay her, before you tell them that you are on your own and you’re looking for a group to join. This way, they would have paid their 550 each and you’re just gonna have to pay a joiner fee of Php 200. You can talk to the group if they wish to split the payment equally and pay them after. That’s what I did, but the couple didn’t want my money! So I saved 300-350 bucks! Again, I don’t recommend this, but you can most definitely try!

RESULT: Need I say more?

MAKE SURE TO LET PEOPLE KNOW YOUR ITINERARY! – I was in constant communication with my brother and my family, just in case I get in any accident or into any serious situation. And you can also get in touch with friends through video call if you can! It will be less lonely! LOL!

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RENT A SCOOTER OR MOTORCYCLE! – I need not emphasize this!! This is the best way for you to go around the island, on your own time and terms. Of course, there are risks of you being flagged down by NPA’s (JK! there are NONE!), or crashing with no one to rescue you (there’s no cell service in some parts of the island) or getting robbed (not that I heard any) but it’s part of the adventure! TBH, it was my first time riding one and I was manhandled by it. JK! The first time I was ever on a scooter (which was manual transmission pa) was back in high school/college (about 10-15 years ago) and my tito was just letting us have a feel of it around an almost carless cemetery. So I have no experience of riding one on public roads ever, but like what they always say, long as you know how to ride a bike, you’re good to go! Funny coz when the owner was handing it to me, I asked him 3x how to lock the bike when getting off (to avoid it getting robbed), how to start the ignition etc that he started to worry too. He even offered to drive me around instead, but I was firm to say “hindi kuya, gusto ko ako lang!” Tapang-tapangan eh! Solo travel nga diba? Nagtataray na naman? Char! Kidding aside, I told him firmly but in a nice way that I wanted to go around on my own. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to write about it here as part of my personal milestones! Yun lang pala!

LESSONS LEARNED: Always bring your driver’s license with you when you travel. I left mine at home, in Cebu, so I drove to the airport and back without one too! So, on my 3rd day in Camiguin, I commuted on motorelas, which was equally fun as it got me to talk to the locals and foreign tourists alike!

BE SURE TO KNOW YOUR WAY AROUND THE ISLAND! – Download the map so you could still navigate offline! Know where the tourist spots are! Ask around! I relied on Google Maps the whole time and it’s a good thing that you can literally go around the island via their circumferential road!

SUPPORT LOCAL! – This one I’m proud to say I do in all my travels! Who doesn’t? Try the local cuisine all you want coz you are gonna miss them for sure! I always make it a point to buy cute artisan products coz I love ANYTHING HANDMADE and HANDCRAFTED and ANKLETS! The one I wore on this trip was from El Nido! Talk to the artists or restaurant owners and ask them about their passion, for inspiration in your own life! LESSON LEARNED: Talking to owners and artists is what I got to learn how to do in future solo travels! I need to be less awkward and less shy! LOL!

BUY A TRIPOD WITH BLUETOOTH REMOTE CONTROLLER! – This was probably the first on my list of things to buy before I went on this trip! My friend, Dee recommended the Xiaomi selfie stick and tripod in one! It doesn’t extend that long, but it is sturdy and reliable as hell! Dayum these Mi products really are worth your money! You can easily slip it inside your beach bag as it isn’t bulky at all! You can also attached the bluetooth controller into the stick so you don’t have to worry about it getting lost! Got it for P799!

MAKE FRIENDS! – I traveled solo to have peace of mind and to not worry about wasting other people’s time, but it wouldn’t hurt to talk to a few strangers along the way. I may be an introvert, but that definitely doesn’t mean that I’m antisocial. There’s a thick line between those two coz I love talking to people. Ang defensive? I like getting to know people and hearing their stories, but in an intimate way. I don’t like big groups unless I’m comfortable with everyone. I get energy from having time for myself, but also from talking to people who inspire me, have a laugh with me and all that shizz.

In this particular trip, I got to know 2 other guests at Ysla Beach Camp. We only got to talk at breakfast before we all checked out and like everyone I met on this trip, they were surprised that I was on my own! I found out that one of them was from Cebu too, and they gladly shared tips on where to spend the sunset at.

The night before, it was one of the senior staff, ate Bing whom I talked to while waiting for my food. She shared stories about the whole Biyahe Ni Drew Crew including the main man himself **coughs so gwapo! **coughs and compared him to Atom Araullo who also visited their resort in the past.

At the Church ruins, I met this little boy named Christian, who took all of my amazing IG-worthy photos. He directed me and shot my photos in less than 5 minutes! Fastest photoshoot ever and I was surprised by how beautiful everything turned out. Walang tapon!

Lastly, on my motorela ride back to the airport (which took less than 10 mins), I met this hilarious couple who pep-talked me about career women marrying late in life. Buti na lang kasabut na ko ug Bisaya (ngek mali pa rin pala!) and was laughing the whole time, I almost missed my stop! LESSON LEARNED: Travel solo and talk to strangers, one thing you won’t be able to do much when you’re traveling with someone! And one more thing, be courteous and grateful and give the locals your best smile always!

BE GENEROUS WITH YOUR TIPS! – I know that it sometimes feel unnecessary to do so, but find it in your heart to give back because people working in tourism even those kids who offered to take such good photos of you deserve it! I know most of you are probably so generous when traveling, so good for you!

BRING A BOOK OR TWO! – This may be the right time for you to finally start the book you’ve been wanting to read for the longest time, so make the most of it! It will be perfect especially if your room has no TV and no WIFI!

BE ONE WITH NATURE and ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS! – Go camping! Wake up early and catch the sunrise by the beach! I never miss sunrises on vacation! It’s my most favorite thing to do! Usually while walking along the shore, I’d be accompanied by dogs and I would meet a couple of fishermen prepping their boat and nets! Go out and enjoy the view and the fresh air! Go for a swim! Take lots of photos and videos to reminisce memories with! Then get rid of your phones for a while or maybe just go offline for a bit and turn off your playlists and listen to the sound of nature instead! Reflect and contemplate. Paint!Pray! Walk around the city early in the morning before everyone wakes up! Walk around at night too especially if the area looks safe! Enjoy these little, big things! LESSON LEARNED: BEING ONE WITH NATURE IS ONE OF THE BEST FEELINGS IN THE WORLD!

BE GRATEFUL! – Life is beautiful so be grateful for opportunities to travel, to try something new, to meet new people, learn about their culture, for the chance to unwind and rest from all the chaos, for the time and space to reflect on your life. Good things are always present in our lives and we just fail to recognize them! For this trip, I thank the Lord over and over again. I was anticipating some travel mishaps, but I almost had none! I’m grateful that I did not crash my scooter, nor did I encounter a police checkpoint. I’m grateful for all the people who assisted me.

awra awra thanks to my selfie stick/tripod!

I’m grateful for the people who shared their stories with me! I’m grateful for the beauty that is Camiguin! It is now my favorite trip by far because I did it NOT ON MY OWN, but with GOD and with EVERYONE who helped me out!

Things I Learned from my First Ever Solo Trip / Camiguin Yes, you read it right! I finally did it! I went on a solo trip for the first time and it's for my 30th birthday!!

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rebeccahpedersen · 6 years ago

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Who Really Wants To Move, Anyways?

TorontoRealtyBlog

Renovate or move?

It’s an age-old question, one that a lot of people in Toronto ask themselves, and a tough one to answer no matter how you look at it.

Renovate or move? In a perfect world, it would be neither. The current abode would be great, the inhabitants would be happy, and the “bother” of moving or renovating would not be necessary.

I don’t know anybody that actually likes moving, although I suppose if you were moving into a bigger, better home in a premium area, there would be no qualms.

Unless, of course, if you were me.

Throughout childhood, my parents had this weekend ritual whereby they went and looked at other people’s houses. I didn’t quite understand it at the time, nor why they always went with this guy named “Richard.” This went on for what seemed like my entire childhood, but since things always seem longer, bigger, or more substantial when you’re younger, perhaps it was only a short period of time.

In any event, I didn’t really understand what they were doing, but my sister informed me that they were looking to buy a home. “Cool,” I thought, not really grasping the idea of moving. They never did buy anything anyways. Life went on, and they’d go see more homes with Richard thereafter, and it went on, and on.

One night in the spring of 1992, my father was out late, and when I asked where he was, my mother said, “He’s working on a house.”

Of course, I assumed this meant he was putting on a new roof or something, but it wasn’t until my sister explained, “He’s going to buy it for us, and we’re going to move,” that my heart started racing.

Move from 128 Parkhurst Boulevard? My home of 12 years? Never.

I don’t know if children really get anxiety, but I do believe I had it that night. I wasn’t interested in playing Super Mario II, I didn’t want to watch Family Matters on TV, nor did I have the appetite or wherewithal to take the white icing out from in between a dozen Oreo cookies to make one, massive, disgusting cookie-sandwich.

The phone rang later that night – the home phone, back when that was a thing; back when you would answer, “Hello?” and not actually know who it was. My Dad said, “Hey buddy,” and I asked him, “What happened? How did it go?”

I’ll never forget the words, the tone, and the pause before he answered: “We bought it.”

I dropped the phone. My pink phone; the one my sister handed down to me when she got her first cordless. I dropped it right on the floor, right out of my hand, and I started to cry immediately.

My sister picked up the phone and was elated. She was in Grade 8, ready to start high school in the fall, and the idea of moving up to Bessborough Drive, into a bigger house, was exciting.

I was curled up in the fetal position in the corner of the room, crying, one step from sucking my thumb.

I was 11-years-old, and this house was all that I ever knew.

My bedroom was tiny, the window stared out at the house next door, but it was my bedroom. It was my domain.

Actually, I think I have a photo of that somewhere, believe it or not.

Here we go:

Yup, that’s my bedroom in 1992.

That’s a “ghetto blaster” on the bed. And I can see my “Casio” keyboard sticking out from behind what I always thought was a massive wooden headboard, but is actually like doll furniture considering that’s a single bed. That’s what I meant about how everything seems larger in your mind.

Anyways, that’s about 80% of my bedroom. There was a window on the other side, a shelf above the bed, and a small closet. It was “home.”

I didn’t want to know which house my Dad had purchased, where it was, or what it looked like. I just knew that I didn’t want to move.

It was irrational, but so too are children.

I wrote in my “Diary” that week at school that I wanted to set my new house on fire, and Mrs. Withers wrote back in her cursive-writing comments, “Oh, that would be too bad. Your family has purchased a very nice home. I think you’ll enjoy it.”

A few weeks later, I was walking down Parkhurst Boulevard and from afar, I could see a sign on the lawn.

I got closer, and there it was: “FOR SALE.”

I was so angry. I drop-kicked it, but the sign was on a swivel, and it merely swang back a little as I fell to the ground.

I took my Easton baseball bat out of my backpack; all 30-inches, 24-ounces, and swung it at the sign. It made a huge dent, but one that only I would notice.

That weekend, we went to the “new house” at 96 Bessborough Drive, and I wasn’t impressed.

It was a huge home, and my Dad was going to renovate and add-on, but I didn’t care. I didn’t even know where we were (ironic, since it was like 8 blocks away), the street was way too busy (even though it wasn’t), I didn’t like the look of the neighbours (even though I almost never played with the kids on Parkhurst), and the owners had a dog. And I didn’t like dogs.

I told my Mom and Dad, “I’m not moving.” But my Dad simply said, “Will you come visit us though?”

My sister was already making party plans for that fall, and she and her friends would ride their bikes by the new house at lunch-recess, but had never really ventured to the other side of Millwood Road. In fact, it now dawned on me that if we moved to this house, I wouldn’t be able to walk home after school with my friends! Fraser and Jeff both lived north of the school, as did I. We walked home together every day after school, for years! Chris too! Who was I supposed to walk home with now? Who lived down that way? What the hell was down there anyways?

Leaside is tiny, but at 11-years-old, the idea of going in the other direction, eight blocks “thatta-way” scared the crap out of me.

And living in somebody else’s house? That was so unappealing.

From birth, I only knew one home. I knew every square inch of it; even under the back patio, where I would venture to find tennis balls that had made their way under the bottom step, or to find quarters that had slipped through the boards. I knew the roof of my garage, where I almost blew off my fingers with M-80’s the year before. I knew behind the clubhouse (we had a clubhouse, but the raccoons sort of lived there) where I was obsessed with digging. That was my hobby, seriously. Digging a large hole, for no reason. Just digging. And I had really worked on it! It was eight feet, and I needed a ladder to get in and out!

The concept of moving was difficult to grasp, and the concept of selling our house was something else altogether.

My mother made us pack up our toys, clean our play areas, and even get rid of a lot of our clothes!

The kicker came one day when I came home and found my hole, my precious hole, had been filled in with dirt.

My mother had to do that herself, by the way. Today, I feel awful thinking about my mother outside with a shovel for two hours, filling in a hole that, for some reason, her son dug. But she told me, “We can’t have buyers falling into some random hole behind the garage, which, for some reason, you filled with spikes last week!”

True story.

I tried my best to hold up the sale.

I had this rubber-vomit that dated back to my “gag” days, when card tricks, flash paper, and those packs of gum with the snap-like mouse-trap thing were all the rage, and I would always make sure to come home at lunch and put the fake vomit in the front hallway so it was the first thing that buyers saw when they came in.

I could always tell when somebody had been in my room too.

My light switch was covered with my “baseball player” wallpaper; a nice touch by my mother. And one day, the switch, and the player, were upside-down.

My Mom said, “It must have been the Cinderella’s,” which I suppose was the early-90’s term for Realtors. I actually haven’t heard that term since.

I remember when “offers” came in on the house, and I remember my Dad arguing with Richard all the time. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to have my Dad as a client, wow.

The house was listed at $399,000, and then $389,000, and then $379,000. Once it was listed at $369,000, it eventually sold for $362,000.

The house we purchased was a whole other story! $999,000, then $899,000, then $799,000, then $699,000, then $599,000, and my father bought it for $565,000. Different market, right?

Once the house was sold, it was just a matter of waiting for D-Day. That was what I called moving day, anyways.

The summer was our last in that house, and starting Grade 7, with an influx of kids from Bennington & Rolph now invading our quaint Bessborough, I was distracted from the September 30th move date.

Seriously. Twenty-seven-years later, and I remember the date.

I remember my mother wanting me to “stay out of her hair,” as the saying went back then, and giving me about ten bucks in quarters to go up to Pizza Pizza and play Mortal Kombat for a couple of hours. This was when arcade games were everywhere.

We had the world’s worst movers, and they literally put our crap anywhere in the house. I’m talking mattresses for the bedrooms, in the basement or kitchen. It was absurd.

It seemed to take us three months to fully unpack, and some things just stayed right in their place for more than a decade until the house was eventually sold.

Two weeks after we moved in, we went back to the old house for a “goodbye,” as the three of us kids had been pestering my mother to go back. After we walked in, separated, and went to our own special places, my Mom found me on the floor of my room, hugging the carpet. “Oh Lord, I knew this was a mistake,” she said, and then shuffled us back into the station wagon to pull out of the driveway for the very last time.

Over the next couple of months, it became very apparent that moving was not such a bad thing. I had a larger bedroom, the house was bigger, the yard was bigger, and there was more space for us kids to get away from one another, and have our own time and place to spend with our friends.

It wasn’t long before I would look back and ask, “Why didn’t I want to move?”

But it’s not easy to pull the trigger, whether you’re the one buying, or you’re just a naive kid who doesn’t know any better.

You know what?

I was going to talk about this “Move vs. Renovate” article I saw on a mortgage broker news site this week, and provide a brief, one might say, “folksy” intro.

But then I felt like writing. And sharing. And it bodes well with my laid-back Friday theme, so it became a blog unto itself.

Here’s the article, albeit somewhat lackluster after my brief childhood fable, but enjoy!

“Most Canadians Prefer Renovations To Moving If Given A Windfall – Survey” Mortgagebrokernews.ca

A recent survey found that most Canadians are satisfied with their current neighbourhood and would rather renovate their current home than move.

According to a poll conducted by online rate finder RateSupermarket.ca, if presented with a $50,000 windfall, 50% of Canadians prefer to stay put and renovate their existing home while 30% would choose to move.

“Given the current real estate market and tightening mortgage rules, renovating your existing home makes a lot of financial sense for many Canadians,” said Janine White, vice-president of marketplace and strategy at RateSupermarket.ca. “Our survey shows that Canadians understand and appreciate the value of their real estate investment.”

The survey also found that 40% of respondents felt that renovating will increase the value of home, and 32% reported that moving is ‘too much hassle.’ More than a quarter of respondents (28%) stated that they would stay put because they don’t think they can find a house right now within their budget.

Almost eight in 10 (78%) of respondents said that they like their current home or neighbourhood, with almost six in 10 reporting this as their top reason for staying in their home. Additionally, the RateSupermarket.ca survey indicated that rural and suburban Canadians would prefer to stay in their homes, with 54% of suburban and 59% of rural dwellers saying they’d renovate, against 44% of urbanites.

The survey also revealed a split between younger and older respondents. In fact, 43% of Canadians aged between 18 and 34 say they’d move, while only 15% of Canadians over 65 would leave their current house. Less than 20% of Canadians aged 55 and over say they’d buy a new home while 43% of millennials felt this way.

“The desire to stay put by older Canadians may stem from them being more established in their current homes,” said White. “Those in their 20s or 30s are looking to acquire some equity and build their financial portfolio, which translates to their greater willingness to move. Additionally, the added transfer tax, moving costs and general hassle of moving houses might deter some Canadians.”

The post Who Really Wants To Move, Anyways? appeared first on Toronto Realty Blog.

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montalbanotechnology · 7 years ago

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Why You Should Consider Bali Real Estate And Booming Tourism

Jordan Roy-Byrne: Hello again everyone and welcome back to the Atlas Investor Podcast with Tiho Brkan. This is episode number 14. Well, it’s been a little while since we recorded our last podcast and the reason for that is we were going to record but then Tiho got a cold and was having trouble speaking. He had to rest his voice, then I got a cold immediately after that, and Tiho has been traveling like crazy in recent weeks, but we’re glad that we can finally make this happen and Tiho, so are you ready today? How are you doing? I know you’ve been traveling a lot, tell us what country we’re going to cover today, and where you are as we’re recording now.

Tiho Brkan: Hello Jordan and hello everybody. Thank you for listening to the podcast. Yeah, I’m still nurturing a bit of the flu, but yeah, you made me sound like one of those singers that cancel a concert. And then all the fans get really angry at them. Yes, I had a bit of the flu and it was pretty annoying over the last week or week and a half as I’ve traveled extensively through Southeast Asia, and today we’re going to cover Bali. Just finished two weeks in Bali and it was a wonderful time, unfortunately, some of it with the flu at the end, but hey, what can you do? I’d still take Bali with the flu over no Bali.

Jordan Roy-Byrne: Tiho, as we get started with Bali, first I want to know, that picture that our YouTube followers and those following on theatlasinvestor.com can see, please let us know where that beautiful spot is.

Tiho Brkan: Okay, so we will discuss Bali in depth for those who don’t know it. This is Seminyak area, and this is called Potato Head Beach Club, and it has one of the most wonderful sunsets that you can ever see. So basically it’s a pool and in front of it is a beach. It has a wonderful couple of restaurants there and a great place to lounge.

I think both local, and in particular, western tourists, would line up in the morning around 9 o’clock and they will try to get one of these beach beds so they can have it for the whole day because you can’t reserve it. It’s first come, first serve. It is definitely a very, very popular place. I really, really like it. I’ve been there many, many times.

Jordan Roy-Byrne: Okay Tiho, so let’s move on from that. We’ll get to some of the sites and more later but let’s just start off with some basic and general information about Bali.

Tiho Brkan: Okay, well we’ll discuss Bali and Indonesia together.

Bali is just one of the little islands in the southern part of Indonesia. Indonesia is a huge country comprised of many, many islands and we have over 260 million people living here. And it’s a US$1.1 trillion economy, but the living standards and GDP per capita is quite low at US$4,100. So quite low per person. The local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah, and we’ll discuss it more in depth later in the podcast, and how it has performed over the last two decades as well as the last few years.

For those living in more developed countries, and that regularly listen to us, like Europe, and the United States, and Canada, and Australia, Indonesia does have a stock market ETF. It actually has 2, so it’s quite easy to invest in Indonesian corporations and Indonesia itself.

When it comes to property, it’s pretty difficult for various reasons, which we will learn here shortly. In Bali, in particular, there are two ways to purchase property, either freehold, which is what most of us foreigners or westerners normally use to, where you are, for example, an Australian citizen and you buy a property in your name and you keep it and you give it to your family later on, and it’s basically yours forever. And then there is leasehold where you lease the land, or the actual land and the property from the actual owner, for a certain amount of years and we’ll discuss that later. And so the prices vary because of that.

It’s basically either buying the property or property and the structure, or you are renting it over the long, long-term, let’s say 20 or 30 years from the local owner. That is because it’s very difficult for foreigners to purchase real estate in Indonesia under their laws.

Moving along, Bali, in particular, is a very interesting spot due to tourism. It’s a tourism mecca. And it continues to grow and according to some statistics, by the Euro Monitor and the World Bank. When we look at international arrivals, which basically means people with international passports other than Indonesian passports, who stay more than 24 hours, so overnight stay, the growth in Bali and Denpasar, which is the capital of Bali, is extraordinary to the point that it’s the fastest growing in the world.

The growth rates for tourism are extraordinary. And for anyone that’s visited Bali, and understands the variety of things that Bali offers, it’s quite understandable. It’s such a beautiful place. Also, it’s quite an interesting place from a tourism perspective, and retirement perspective, and for holidays, weddings, enjoyment, all that kind of stuff.

However, when it comes to business, Indonesia is not the easiest place to do business. The laws and the corruption get in your way as well and when it comes to tax rates, Indonesia is kind of in the middle of the pack when it comes to the whole world. On one hand, the corporate taxation isn’t too bad. It’s at 25%, but when we look at the recent newest reforms, even the United States is now more attractive. Nearby Singapore is at 16.5%, and nearby Hong Kong is at 16.5% too. So from that aspect, Indonesia is a little bit high for the region. Individual tax rates are also somewhat high and they do have a value-added sales tax or a value-added tax or GST as we call in Australia, so that’s 10%.

Generally speaking, Indonesia is not the easiest place to do business, but a huge amount of opportunity exists and at the same time as well, demographics are pretty good. I think the country with such a high population and such high growth rates, can continue to do very well and especially for those who have local partners and local connections to start a business or continue to expand their businesses from elsewhere.

Jordan Roy-Byrne: Now, Tiho how is the overall standard of living in Bali? And I want to know how that compares to the rest of Indonesia.

Tiho Brkan: Sure, well because Indonesia has so many islands, the standard of living varies everywhere. The majority of the country is quite poor, but there are certain parts which are more populated and dense, that have a decent standard of living. Now, the standard of living is different for locals and expats. For example, when looking at Bali, the cost of living is quite low. And if you live like a local, you can get by with a minimum amount of money, like a backpacker for example. That’s very possible.

At the same time, for those that enjoy the luxurious lifestyle or what they’re used to in the west, or they have a maid at home, all of these things can be afforded in Bali because the labor costs are cheap. So generally speaking, the living standards in my opinion, (if you’re earning western kind of salaries, but living in Bali), is pretty good because you get, as we would say, a good bang for your buck. So the value is pretty good Jordan.

Jordan Roy-Byrne: Okay, and how about the overall Indonesian economy? How has it been performing in recent years?

Tiho Brkan: Well, it’s been growing at a pretty good pace. GDP growth rarely falls below 5%, except during the 2008 global financial crisis, or the slowdown recently in 2015 for the emerging markets. Then, China and Asia and the whole Asian export machine kind of slowed down. And that is because of the US dollar, which was rising at the time. So Indonesian growth has really come off since 2011 when the US dollar bottomed and started a bull market, but growth has still been decent, despite the fact the country is not growing as close to 7% as it was before.

Exports are one of the best measurements of actual growth, and one in particular that I like to use a lot. As the US dollar bottomed, Indonesian exports, naturally, and obviously, have suffered and we’ve only seen a little bit of recovery over the last 12 to 18 months. But that peak back in 2011 has still not been exceeded when we measure in US dollars. So some stagnation at the moment, but still decent growth.

Jordan Roy-Byrne: Okay, we touched a little bit on the cost of living, but could you compare that to the other countries that you’ve visited and the other countries that we’ve covered in our past podcasts?

Tiho Brkan: Sure, well as regular listeners know, I have visited most of Europe including Prague, Budapest, Zagreb, Belgrade, Montenegro, which is some parts of southern Europe. Also, Berlin. And then recently I was in Singapore, which is quite close and a neighbor of Indonesia. And Singapore is a lot more expensive than Bali, and Bali as a whole is a large island.

So depending on where you live, the cost of living will be different and it depends, as I was saying before, on the way that you live, if you come to Bali expecting all the things that you’re used to living in New York or London, (for example going to a high-end restaurant and staying at high-end resorts or serviced apartments), it will be decently expensive, relative to the way the locals live.

Some of the locals live on such a small amount of money that you’d be shocked. You’d probably fall off your chair, Jordan. So Bali, generally speaking, is similar to Belgrade or Montenegro, and so forth, but knowing what I know about the tourism and going to the nice places and restaurants and hanging out with your friends, and staying at a nice hotel, you would probably be scratching your head and saying, well, wait a minute, Bali is not as cheap as I thought it was. And that’s probably because you’re going to the places that are in demand, and they carry a higher price tag.

Jordan Roy-Byrne: Okay, now, before we get into the next segment and talk about investing in Bali, Indonesia, I guess my last question here would be this. I think Bali is very well known. I think even to people who don’t travel that much, internationally. How does it stand out from other well known international travel destinations? What makes it unique in your opinion as someone who has traveled to so many of these places?

Tiho Brkan: Sure, well Bali is one of my favorite places to visit for a holiday or to relax. In particular, Bali has, what I would call, a Bali vibe. If you’re a surfer or on a budget, you’d love Bali. If you’re getting married, and you have a very high budget and you want a luxury wedding (and I’ve attended one for my best friend and a client, several years ago), you will have a blast in Bali. If you are just coming for retirement and you’re older than 55, 60, you can live an amazing lifestyle in Bali. The temperatures year-round are wonderful. And tourism is quite developed.

I think Bali is one of the only places in the world, if not the only place, where Four Seasons has two hotels. One in Ubud, which is kind of like the rainforest, rice fields area of Bali, which is central, without the beach, right inland. And that’s where the Obama’s recently stayed, in one of the most beautiful resorts in the world. And the other Four Seasons is right near the airport and near Kuta. So that tells you quite a lot about the tourism as well, and it’s one of the fastest growing tourists places in the world.

So basically, the Bali vibe is very interesting from many perspectives. The people are incredibly friendly. While the majority of Indonesia is Islamic, Bali is 90% Hindu, so they’re very spiritual people and very positive people. And they believe in karma quite a lot. You can feel that on the island once you land. So many people go out of their way to be polite and to help you. It’s incredible. I understand why the tourism aspect is going really, really well there. Balinese people are very, very polite, very happy, very positive. Always smiling. And yes, I love it. Plus, I like the big waves, so what’s there not to like about Bali?

Jordan Roy-Byrne: Okay Tiho, as we start, please discuss the asset classes that investors can use to invest in Indonesia and Bali.

Tiho Brkan: Okay, when it comes to Indonesia, I guess we will cover the stock market, the bond market, and the currency market. And with real estate, we will focus on Bali in particular. And for popular areas, that a lot of the foreigners invest in, and that is, I guess, attractive, from many different aspects. So let’s start with real estate first.

Jordan Roy-Byrne: Okay, and as we start with that Tiho, can you discuss the basic fundamentals of investing in Bali? And also the laws that we should know.

Tiho Brkan: Okay, so basically when it comes to laws, it’s not very easy to just come into the country the way one can come to certain European countries or Northern America, or Australia, and then purchase real estate. Unless you’re Indonesian or hold Indonesian citizenship, you cannot own real estate freehold, (or outright, indefinitely).

However, there are certain, I guess, ways to do it, using companies and so forth, which I’m not going to get into right now. But keep in mind, that generally speaking, when you’re buying it personally, as an individual, you cannot do it, but if you were to marry an Indonesian, and have a wife or a husband, that has citizenship from Indonesia, they could do it on your behalf. So that’s I guess one way of doing it for foreigners.

There are other ways of investing in real estate too but with questionable legality. As you know, countries like this, they do have a higher corruption index than others, so corruption is widespread. And certain people will do certain things for you if you bribe them or give them money under the table. And by no means do we at The Atlas Investor recommend doing that, because when you’re putting a large amount of money into an investment, you want to make sure you’re going to get the return of your capital, not just the return on your capital.

So laws are something that one needs to look into. And it’s not easy to invest in Indonesia, but generally speaking, if you do have a good lawyer, and if you do have a good plan or something that you might have questions about, please contact me at theatlasinvestor.com, because I’ve been looking at Bali quite in depth. If you do create a solid plan on how to proceed, then, generally speaking, you might want to learn about Bali real estate, and the key segments or areas of the island.

In particular, I’m going to talk about the four major ones, which are Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud, and Uluwatu.

So basically, Seminyak is your commercial area, it’s a place where there are things like the Potato Head Beach Club and it’s full of restaurants and shops and amazing villas, hotels, resorts. It’s a little bit north of Kuta and the airport. And it’s right on the western part from Denpasar. And the beaches there are decent, and it’s very vibrant. It’s full of cafes, as I said, and very, very high end, when it comes to Bali. Seminyak is already quite developed, and therefore expensive, but it’s the most popular place to stay for people who are visiting. And I really like it.

Then you have Ubud. Ubud is what we were talking about, where the Obama’s recently stayed at the Four Seasons. This is your rainforest, your tropical rainforest and rice field areas, if the people at home never been or don’t know about it, you should Google it and have a look. It’s full of temples and waterfalls and monkey forests. It’s stunning. It’s wonderful. It’s somewhere you would also go to do a yoga retreat or cleanse your soul and your spirit for a few days, disconnect from society. So from that aspect, Ubud is very interesting.

And then you got Canggu. Canggu is the mix of Seminyak and Ubud, so a few rice fields, and also a little bit cool villas, and nice cafes. And a lot of hipsters live in Canggu and a lot of surfers. It’s a very famous spot for surfing.

And then finally there is Uluwatu. It’s not very developed, from the majority of the southern island, but then right on the cliffs and the waterfront, you have some of the most beautiful and most expensive resorts and hotels in the world, including the Bulgari Hotel and the Alila Villa and many others. And Omnia is the new beachfront cliff side bar that recently opened I think a month ago and is absolutely stunning. I think they have one also in Las Vegas and one elsewhere in Europe, like in Monte Carlo or something. So this tells you how well developed some of these places are. And what kind of caliber of clients they attract.

Uluwatu is also famous for beautiful sunsets and surfers because even though you have these high-end resorts just around the corner, a kilometer or two down, you will have surfing villages, where you can get a 50-cent beer and catch waves all day. It’s a really chilled vibe.

So generally speaking, Seminyak is quite expensive. If you’re buying something in Uluwatu, it’s quite expensive on the beachfront too. Canggu is cheaper than Seminyak while Ubud is the cheapest.

So what does all this mean? Well, it’s very difficult to discuss Bali property because we have leasehold and freehold. If you’re buying something freehold indefinitely, and you have the right structure to do so, you’re going to be paying the actual real price of the property. Now, if you’re getting something leasehold, (most leaseholds are 20 years or higher, and up to 25 years, usually, when you’re doing a leasehold on a property that’s 25 years), it’s going to be a lot cheaper than buying it outright for the freehold. So prices vary quite a lot.

Generally speaking, in Canggu, you can buy 1000 square meter block of land for about US$350 per square meter, and it could be something like 100 meters from the beach. There, you can build a villa, and the majority of why Bali is such an interesting property investment, is because of the very high rental yields, due to tourism. So that’s one thing you can do.

Another thing you can do is you can look at a small, little villa with a private pool in a place like Ubud, like a two bedroom, two bathroom, and that can set you back US$100,000. And that can be a leasehold investment for something like 19 to 22 years.

You can also look at Uluwatu properties such as private villas on the cliff with a waterfront ocean. You’re looking at the waves and basically in front of you is just waves, the ocean, and Australia. Something like that can set you back US$3 to $5 Million.

There’s something for everybody, but one thing that a listener should take away is that the Bali real estate is very interesting for those that are looking for high yield. I’ve seen cases where people own villas and they purchased them as foreigners on leasehold for about 20 to 25 years, and they would make their money back in the first 7 to 10 years of this leasehold.

And I guess as the time runs out, the cost of what you can sell your villa for is reduced dramatically. It’s like an option, basically, to own a house, but once you make your money back within the first 7 to 10 years, excuse my French, but you rent the living shit out of it, and for the rest of the time, you have quite large profits, and you make profits back through running the villa.

A lot of this is done passively, because the cost of maintenance, the cost of staff, even having a chef at your villa, maids who clean the villas, are all very, very cheap. And when it comes to taxation, I’ve talked about the taxes earlier in the podcast, but let’s be quite frank, this is Indonesia and from what I see, a lot of the things are never reported. And if the tax officer comes knocking on your door, usually a few thousand dollars or even less under the table is paid and nobody saw anything. I’m not saying this is the smart way to do stuff, but this is the Indonesian way to do stuff.

Jordan Roy-Byrne: Right, you’re just providing the information. And that was some great information on all those places, Tiho, but I actually just have one simple question for you. The value of real estate and all these areas or just combined, how has it performed in recent years?

Tiho Brkan: So Bali real estate has performed very well over the last several years, (let’s say five to seven years), it’s gone up quite a lot. So that’s good news for those who purchased real estate five to seven years ago, and not so good news if you’re looking at buying right now. This is naturally what happened in Seminyak. Prices went up very high and then the villas are kind of spilling over and were moving up towards northwest side into Canggu while remaining close to Seminyak. But now it’s much cheaper to do something in Canggu. And likewise, as Canggu develops, maybe we will go and expand more and more. Tourism continues to grow at exceptional rates, and that’s something that I would like to discuss next, Jordan.

Jordan Roy-Byrne: Tiho, one question I have for you is, the popularity of Bali, has that lead to any downsides in terms of oversaturation, as far as population and tourism there?

Tiho Brkan: Yes, of course. When you have so many people coming to such a small island without too much infrastructure, of course, there’s going to be a lot of negatives. First and foremost, the internet in Bali is not very fast, so for those who run their businesses over the internet, don’t come to Bali for three months thinking you’re going to be able to work like normal. You might have some difficulties there.

Secondly, it’s a small island, with a small population before all the expats and all the tourists started to overwhelm it. Naturally, you can imagine that the infrastructure, the roads, the bridges, were never built for this kind of population increase, despite the fact that it’s a temporary increase. People come and go constantly.

Nevertheless, Bali is suffering from major traffic problems, and one of the friends that was there with me, with his girlfriend, oh my God, they were constantly complaining about traffic. They really let me know. I mean, it doesn’t affect me as much, because wherever I go, I take whatever I have in front of me. And yes, I know traffic is going to be much better when you’re driving on the German Autobahn, where I was in October and November.

There are some positives in Bali and there are some negatives in Bali. It comes with the territory. And finally, of course, with an increase in expats coming, an investment coming, there’s a lot more reports of people engaging in criminal activity and being a bit dodgier.

In particular, when it comes to investments I guess the local people are getting a bit smarter and they’re getting a bit better at negotiation. They can sense that the foreigners are coming in with large amounts of money, and when they see you, they just see dollar signs all over you.

And some of the people that come here and think that this is New York or Los Angeles and that if you buy something, and sign your name on a piece of paper, that it’s all fine and legal, it doesn’t really work like that. I’ve heard some reports of people buying villas and using locals to buy it on behalf of them, as nominees, and then creating some kind of contract that the local person will hold the property in their name on behalf of the actual investor.

And next thing you know, the person who’s got USD $300,000 has vanished, is probably on another island in Indonesia on his yacht, celebrating, and he can’t be reached over email or telephone or anything like that. When you tell the local authorities, this is your house, and it’s actually registered in another person’s name that’s a local, people just kick you out. They’ll say this is not your house. So I’ve heard stories of that nature too.

A lot of downside comes with popularity, but it’s not all that bad. I like to be balanced and speak about both sides. I hope that answers your question, Jordan. There are a few things like that that are a little bit annoying, but nevertheless, Bali continues to grow in touristic ways, at such a fast pace, that I think it’s going to be beneficial for the local people as well as the overall island economy.

Jordan Roy-Byrne: Okay Tiho, I know we’re going to get into the stock market and the currency, but the last question on real estate, do you own anything there in Bali? Have you considered buying anything there? And if so, would it be for leisure or for investment purposes?

Tiho Brkan: Well, that’s a great question, and I think we covered that in our Singapore episode. I haven’t invested in Bali. I have been thinking about it and looking very closely. I do follow the market very closely, and I am looking at opportunities. I would be considering to invest in Bali on a leasehold basis, maybe. And I will be looking at personal enjoyment and leisure as you said, and while I’m not there, I would still, obviously, rent it out and get the benefits of the growing tourism.

So I think it’s like two birds can be hit with one stone. I really like the place from the personal aspect, and I could see myself spending maybe two to three months a year there and especially during the time when Northern Hemisphere is in winter. Some of the recent winters have been quite cold. This winter has extended all the way into April, and it just seems like it’s never-ending. So from that aspect, you might want to consider having a retreat in Bali, and escaping the winter, if you have the global lifestyle. And that could be a huge advantage in your personal life.

Generally speaking, also, Bali offers very high yields. In some cases, I’ve seen villas that yield over 12% to 14% with occupancy rates at about 85%. This is gross yield mind you, so after certain costs, you’re still achieving double-digit returns annually. So if you can spend a certain amount of time in your villa and enjoy it, and then also get a very solid return for the rest of the year by having the right location and the right price and the right villa to attract the customers and the right marketing, then I think Bali is very, very interesting.

Jordan Roy-Byrne: Okay Tiho, now let’s move on and talk about the stock market and the currency. First, let’s talk about the main ETF. I know you mentioned earlier that Indonesia has two ETFs. How has the market performed in recent years?

Tiho Brkan: Well, in recent years, Indonesia has been recovering from the emerging markets slowdown and the Chinese stock market crash, which occurred around August 2015 and lasted into January and February of 2016. The drawdown was about 50% for the Indonesian market up to that point. So that’s similar to what the United States experienced in 2008, but obviously, the Indonesian stock market doesn’t get as much press as it’s not as important in global asset allocation as United States assets are. And therefore, the sharp downturn hasn’t been felt as much.

We’ve seen a recovery since then; however, the Indonesian stock market has been stuck in a range since 2011, which corresponds to the US dollar bottom, and the bull market that began in May of 2011. So Indonesian stocks have kind of underperformed over the last five to six years.

Looking at a longer-term picture, Indonesian stocks were decimated in 1998, as they fell by more than 90% during the Asian financial crisis in 1997 and all the way into October 1998 during the Russian bankruptcy when they bottomed out. And then we had sort of a double bottom in September of ’11, and the end of the dot-com bust in 2002.

From there, we saw a huge bull market and a massive rally, which was only briefly interrupted by the global financial crisis and the Lehman bankruptcy of 2008. The recovery was really, really swift, and the Indonesian market resumed its outperformance and made record highs by 2010. So the bull market in Indonesia stocks from 2001 until 2011 was fabulous.

Indonesian stocks increased by such a huge amount. Obviously, you had to be savvy enough to buy them after the crash of the Asian financial crisis. However, due to such strong performance in the last decade, Indonesian stocks are naturally and obviously, consolidating and they still are on the more expensive side, Jordan.

Jordan Roy-Byrne: Okay Tiho, now let’s talk about valuation. Is the Indonesian stock market cheap or expensive in your view? And how does that compare to other countries in the region?

Tiho Brkan: Okay, so first of all, Indonesian stock market is not as expensive as the United States or Denmark, or even Switzerland, in my opinion. Having said that, it’s not on the attractive side. While the cyclically adjusted price to earnings ratio is about 20, which is not overly expensive nor is it cheap, the price to book is over three times, so that’s where I’m a little more cautious.

When we compare Indonesia to its neighbors, such as Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines we find that the Philippines is similar to Indonesia. It’s not attractive as it’s also trading at high valuations after the previous strong performance. Malaysia and Singapore is a lot more attractive side.

In particular, Singapore, which is in a very cheap basket as I would call it, and Malaysia is not too far either. So I would restrain myself from purchasing Indonesian stocks unless they were to break out technically from the current consolidation and the ascending triangle pattern, which has been forming for the last several years.

Jordan Roy-Byrne: Okay Tiho, now moving on, let’s talk about the currency. What do you see going on here?

Tiho Brkan: Okay, so this is maybe why tourism is booming in Bali in particular. The currency is back to the levels of the 1998 crash. Indonesian currency, called Indonesian Rupiah, was trading at about 2500 to 3000 Rupiah for every single US dollar in 1997. So it went from 3000 to 1 US dollar, towards 14,000 or even 15,000 for one US dollar within a year. So Indonesia suffered a huge crash. Obviously, the stock market went down by over 90%. The overall economy was affected on a large scale.

Since then, we’ve had kind of a like a large consolidation, and a trading range for the Indonesian Rupiah against the US dollar. US dollar would not strengthen above 12,000 for about a decade, or a decade and a half, and it would not weaken below let’s say 8,000. So it was quite a tight trading range and even during the global financial crisis, there was not that much of a shock. It was decent, but not a major one like 1997, 1998 period.

But in recent years, since the US dollar entered a bull market, the Rupiah has been suffering. Since 2011, it has declined from about 8,000 Indonesian rupiahs per one US dollar towards 14,000 so we’re back to that level of 1997, 98. And one US dollar gets you a decent amount of Indonesian Rupiah, and if you consider the inflation over the last two decades as well, that’s pretty good.

So right now, the Indonesian Rupiah seems to be hanging on by a thread around this important level as the US dollar might attempt to break out. So the question, will the Indonesian Rupiah weaken over the coming years if the US dollar has another strong rally? If so, it will have certain implications for those investing in property, as well as for the stock market too, despite the fact that the stock market is priced in US dollars.

In particular, for Bali property, if you can time it right, and convert your currency into Indonesian Rupiah from US dollars, at the right time whenever the Indonesian rupiah falls, you could get more Rupiah for every dollar you have. Therefore you could end up buying some property at a much, much better discount due to the currency exchange. Especially if you’re quick enough to do it because currency markets move a lot faster and move so much faster than the real estate market does.

And some of the vendors could be selling their villas for x amounts of millions of Indonesian Rupiah. If you have a dramatic move within like 10 to 12 weeks in the currency, you could quickly go and say, hey, I would like to buy this property before a lot of the people even realize what the exchange rate has happened and how they should adjust that to their properties. So sometimes there’s an opportunity of arbitrage there.

Jordan Roy-Byrne: Well it sounds fantastic Tiho. You’ve got me convinced.

Tiho Brkan: Well, that’s good, maybe next time we do a trip together or something. And I’ll show you around, as long as you like the sea, the ocean, and the sand. Sometimes, when you go with a group of people that don’t really like those things, they kind of do their own things and miss the whole point of Bali. They go around and they get stuck in traffic and they don’t really understand that they’re missing out on all the cool spots and all the cool things to do. So I think it’s important to be doing the right things in Bali for what Bali was made for. That means enjoying the nature, the sea, the sun, and the surf, and the sand. The four Ss.

Jordan Roy-Byrne: Absolutely, your points are very well taken. Now, speaking of attitude Tiho, I want to hear your attitude towards the stock market, because it’s been a little while since we’ve covered that on the podcast. And I know you’re going to be discussing that in episode 15, do you want to whet our appetites just with a comment or two on what we’re going to cover in that next podcast?

Tiho Brkan: Yes, so on the 12th of March, we had the S&P 500 peak, and we’ve had a decent corrective move on the downside towards early April. Now the S&P seems to be consolidating in a range between support and resistance on an intraday basis.

On the next episode, we’ll be discussing the moves in the stock market and whether we’re going to go and crack below the 200 moving day average, which has been holding support for the time being, or whether we will break out on the upside, from what seems to be some kind of a small basing pattern.

So whether you’re a bull or bear you can see different things at present. Is it a consolidation before more downside or is it a building base and the correction is finally over before we get more upside? We will be discussing that in the next podcast.

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How to Pick the Perfect Carry On Luggage | Travel Tips

Carry on only. It’s a hell of a lot better than checking your bags. Saves you time, money, and stress. But does your bag fit overhead, or do you have to check it? Picking a bag’s a very personal thing. Everyone wants something different, so what we’re going to do is go over the important things to consider in picking your bag, the main different categories of carry- on, and our favorite model from each.

We��ve put links down there in the description for all the different bags that we mentioned in this video, and if you find this video helpful, please help us out; give us a big thumbs- up, share this video with your travel buddies, and if you haven’t already, hit subscribe and enable notifications. Let’s get Into it. Here’s how to pick the perfect carry-on. First things first, let’s find out what’s allowed for carry-on… Typically, you’re allowed two bags: a main bag, which Is 22 by 14 by 9 in, including handles, straps, and wheels, including a personal bag which could be like a laptop carrier, a backpack, or purse. Now these rules are somewhat flexible unless the flight is super packed or it’s a very small plane, you can get away with bending the rules a little bit. Just remember to be polite, smile and try to make your bag look as small as possible. But if you’re going to buy a brand new bag, you might as well make sure that fits within the size guidelines of the airline so you don’t have a constant headache every time at check-in.

Once you determine the size, next you’ve go to decide whether you want to have a wheeled bag or something with shoulder straps. Having a wheeled bag is more comfortable in the airport, but once you’re out of the airport, wheels are much less versatile. You don’t want to be That Person pulling a roller bag down some cobblestone street in Europe and waking up every single person in the neighborhood. Not to mention stairs. Backpacks also have pros and cons. We prefer backpacks because they’re super versatile; you can get anywhere no matter if it’s dirt roads or hiking or whatever.

The problem is that without a wheeled situation, it’s not really comfortable to carry two bags, no matter what. If you wear two backpacks, you got the backpack and the front pack, and even if you carry a duffle bag, it’s a lot of tension on your arms. If you get a roller bag, you’re going to have to decide whether you want it hard or soft.

Why? Because the hard bag gives you much more protection, and at the end of the day, it’s all about being protected at all times, people. Soft bags are typically lighter, more flexible, cheaper, but they also don’t last as long. Whichever bag you choose, make sure that it has compression and expansion features. This really helps if you’ve picked up a couple of extra souvenirs. You can cinch that down and still squeeze your bag into carry-on. Lastly, don’t forget these other important features: internal packing cubes, easy access external pockets that hold boarding passes, and smart technology that can charge your phone, weigh your luggage, and track missing bags. So now that we’ve gone over some of the general principles to keep in mind when purchasing a carry-on bag, we’re going to go Into each category and choose our favorite bag from each.

You ready? Let’s do it. First up: we have a great overall bag. This is the carry-on by Away. The carry-on is perhaps the best overall bag to get if you’re looking at a roller bag. It’s got a hardshell, but it’s not that heavy and yet still pretty durable. It’s got great internal divisions. There’re two compartments: one’s for clothes; one’s for shoes, toiletries other hard objects. It’s got a bit of smart technology in the form of a battery that can charge your phone. It also has a nylon laundry bag to help you separate out dirty clothes from your clean ones and another cool feature is that they sell a larger version of this called the Check In, and this smaller unit fits inside that, so when you’re not traveling, you can store them upstairs in your attic or whatever and not take up too much space.

Lastly it’s got a built-in lock that’s TSA approved, so I don’t have to worry about security opening it up and breaking it. It’s all very seamless. Overall great value. Unisex ,durable, affordable and pretty good looking, too. Next up: we have the duffel bag, which is probably the simplest and most efficient form of packing, but it’s definitely not the most organized. Why don’t you enlighten us to the history of the duffel bag, Marko? The duffle bag is named after Duffel, Belgium, which was a sail making town back in the day that made sales for Spanish and Portuguese sailors. Prices range from around 20 dollars for a used army-issued duffel bag, to a couple of hundred bucks for some overpriced ones, but we recommend the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel, which like as the name implies, is perfect for holding everything that you own and then some.

At only $79 , this is a bottomless pit that Is absolutely perfect for all your carry-on needs. For all you people who are a little bit OCD, it might not be the best call because organization inside of that Is not going to last for long. It’s perfect for last minute trips because you can throw all your stuff in there without having to worry about running out of space. It also has backpack straps, and it comes in a bunch of different sizes from 30 to 120 litres, starting at just 79 bucks. Next up: we have a Weekender, which is designed for exactly what it sounds like -a weekend away where you have a couple of changes of clothes, but it’s not designed for long term travel.

There’s tons of Weekenders out there. Most of them are leather and on the expensive side, but for this video, we’ve chosen The Novel by Hershel Supply Company, and it cruises in at a cool $85. What we really love about this bag Is the shoe holder, which allows you to bring an extra pair of shoes. The shoe holder Is separated from your main bag, and it’s going to keep whatever clothes you have clean and away from the bottom of your dirty soles. Hershel produces a lot of well priced travel bags, all of which have a really great aesthetic. Herschel Company has really good style, and for this particular Weekender, it’s kind of cool because it has a matching backpack.

So if you’re one of those people who like to buy your luggage in bulk, you can get the backpack and the Weekender together and be one stylish Mofo. Carry-on only for under 200 Bucks. Next up: we got the Patagonia MLC for Maximum Legal Carry- On. As name implies, the MLC is the maximum size for carry-on and combines the best of a backpack with other types of carry-on bags. Essentially, you zip it down the middle and it opens up as if it were a soft rolly bag, but there are no wheels.

It has backpack straps. The outside zipper essentially takes place of a separate personal bag. It has a spot for your laptop, and it’s just really, really well organized. As you can see, there’s really great internal organization. What makes this backpack awesome is that you basically have one large compartment. If you roll your clothes, you have a full week’s worth of clothes laid out side by side, so you never actually have to unpack your bag. You can just see everything at a glance and then you put your dirty clothes in here. You can put your socks and your underwear in these ones… oh yeah, you definitely put your undies in there.

Yep. You slide this over a rolly bag, meaning that combining this with some of the other ones like the Away, you can really carry a lot of stuff on a carry-on flight. Carry this as your personal item, the other one is your carry-on bag, and you are stoked. We’ve already done an entire video dedicated to the best travel backpacks, but these are the bags that we use when we travel: it’s the F-Stop Tilopa. The reason we use it is that it has an internal camera unit known as an ICU, which slides right Into the bottom of the bag. Then you just pack your clothes and stuff on top of it. It’s also got a laptop sleeve, plus plenty of little zippers and straps for carrying tripods.

We’re going to be doing a video about the best camera bags for travel. So stay tuned for that. And if you haven’t already, hit that subscribe button and turn on notifications so you do not miss when those videos come out. All right last but not least, we’re going to finish a video with the high end of the spectrum which Is smart luggage. There’re two main smart bag companies: there’s Raiden and there’s Blue Smart. Ok, so full disclosure.. I do know the founder of this company. I used to write for a magazine he also founded. Blue Smart was a Kickstarter project that had massive success. It spread worldwide and is now about to go into production of their second new and improved version of this bag. It’s got a very cult following for a number of reasons, which we’ll show you now.

Smart Bags are really cool because they work with your phone through apps that can track your bag of it’s lost, weigh your luggage to make sure it’s not over carry-on limits, and they even have auto-locking technology for when you walk away from it. It’s got an external pocket that holds a laptop, has an internal charging unit and holds all your loose items and then locks with your phone. The battery can charge your phone six times. So it’s really strong, and apparently the new version is going to be able to charge even laptops. It’s just generally a more improved version of this original prototype. The Blues Smart retails at $479, making it the most expensive bag on this list, but the second version is coming out even cheaper at $345, which is also going to be 25% more space. It’s bigger; it charges more, and it’s cheaper, basically. The main competitor for the Blue Smart Is the Raiden. The Raiden has a very sleek, beautiful design with tons of different color options so you get to customize your own bag.

It’s made with a polycarbonate shell. The downside is that it scratches easily. The bag is spacious, but the handles do take up a lot of room. The Raiden has a lot of the same features as the Blue Smart: a built-in scale, wireless lock; an app that tracks the weather, calls you an Uber and even tracks down lost luggage. The main difference Is that it’s way cheaper. It’s $295, and it has a five-year warranty. No matter which option you choose, smart luggage Is going to be the way of the future, so I’m sure we’re going to see a lot more competition in this arena in the coming years. That’s our take on carry-on luggage. Hopefully it helps give you some ideas on what’s the right bag for you. If you want any more info on those bags, there are links down below in the description box. As usual if you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a big thumbs- up, share with your friends, and subscribe and turn on notifications, if you have not already.

In the meantime, stay curious, keep exploring, and we’ll see you guys on the road. Peace..

The post How to Pick the Perfect Carry On Luggage | Travel Tips appeared first on theticket-atlanta.

from theticket-atlanta https://theticket-atlanta.com/carry-on-luggage/how-to-pick-the-perfect-carry-on-luggage-travel-tips/

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fashiontrendin-blog · 7 years ago

Text

Some Seriously Discounted Outfits I’m Scared I Might Buy

http://fashion-trendin.com/some-seriously-discounted-outfits-im-scared-i-might-buy/

Some Seriously Discounted Outfits I’m Scared I Might Buy

EVERYTHING IS ON SALE.

This is not new information, I know, but I firmly believe it bears repeating at a high decibel simply because it is a state of digital shopping bliss that remains at the forefront of my frontal lobe while I’m combing the internet for things I want to buy and/or ogle.

There are practical reasons for this sentiment, the main one being that during sale season it becomes significantly easier to justify purchases based on cost-per-wear. Logically speaking, the cheaper something is the more literal bang for my buck I’m getting each time I put it on my person, right? Right.

By the transitive property, that same principle applies to whole outfits. The more on-sale items I stuff a theoretical ensemble with like a Christmas ham, the more justifiable the whole kit and caboodle appears.

Take K&C (kit and caboodle) #1 in the above slideshow, for example. Though not inexpensive even at a 40% discount, the Isabel Marant top gets bumped up to the top of the shopping cart pile of justifiable purchases according to the laws of sale shopping and science due to the potential pairings it portends: an Isabel Marant skirt languishing on My Theresa with the generous promise of a whopping 70%-off. The Prada brogues require further price-slashing before I even consider any wallet-plundering, but doesn’t this cozy Zara sweater clocking in at under $90 sweeten the deal?

Speaking of sweet, I’m really into white sweatpants lately thanks to a little-known sweatpants designer by the name of Kanye West. I already own these Joe’s USA ones but I’m putting them here so YOU CAN TOO. Not only do they basically pay for themselves at the price of $19.95, but I’m pretty sure they also potentially pay for a fair isle sweater, slub cotton henley and quilted coat to go with them. Basic math.

The justification game continues courtesy of these What For boots that I spotted on YOOX during a late-night sale snoop on a recent weekday eve. They look like Marni but they’re under $200 which feels like unicorn territory in my humble opinion, and wouldn’t they go great with this still-too-expensive Protagonist midi dress? I’m bookmarking it for consideration once mega-discount hour hits in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, I’ve got two eyes trained on these actual-Marni earrings that remind me of fish bait, or in this case, clickbait.

What about you? Where are your sale binoculars pointing?

Collages by Louisiana Mei Gelpi.

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touristguidebuzz · 7 years ago

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6 (Non-Millennial) Solo Female Travelers Share Their Travel Wisdom

Kristin Addis from Be My Travel Muse writes our regular column on solo female travel. It’s an important topic I can’t adequately cover, so I brought in an expert to share her advice for other women travelers to help cover the topics important and specific to them! She’s amazing and knowledgable. In this column, Kristin shares some insights from solo female travelers who aren’t millennials!

Every now and then I think about Julie, a 77-year-old woman who stayed at the beach bungalow next to me on the island of Gili Air in Indonesia.

She regaled with me stories about being invited by locals to beach barbecues, her adventures, and the fun she had traveling the world. I felt so empowered during our conversations. She was so laid-back and at peace. This was a woman who had lived a long life and bucked the belief that solo female travel was something for the young. The confident role model in front of me showed me that women of any age can enjoy and benefit from travel.

Over the years while writing this column, I have seen a growing number of women asking, “What about those of us who aren’t twenty-something? Where can I read their stories and connect with narratives that are closer to my own?”

The Internet is awash with young, often Western, women traveling the world. They blog and Instagram and get their stories told in big media. There’s that bias toward youth.

But solo female travelers come in all ages, from all kinds of backgrounds, and from all over the world.

Today, I want to share some of the stories of older women travelers and add their voices to the narratives. So I sat down (virtually at least) with seven women and asked them for their travel advice.

Anne

From: United Kingdom Age: 59 Professional background: Civil servant

Anne had a decent job, a comfortable house, a nice car, and lots of friends and family, but for as long as she could remember, she had felt a desire to leave everything behind and travel the world:

“I was feeling rather bored with my life. I had, for as long as I can remember, felt a desire to travel. Several things kinda coincided to bring me to my decision to ‘just go,’ I fit the new criteria for ‘career breaks’ at work, so I applied for a year of unpaid leave.”

For Anne, the reason for going solo was simple: no one was able to travel with her and she had spent too long waiting for the right time or companion, so she just decided to go alone.

“Do it! Don’t wait for anyone to do it for you, if you really want to travel, then find a way and don’t let anyone stop you. I am very fortunate in having taken a partial early retirement so I have a small pension, and I allowed myself a budget from the sale of my house. However, I financed some of my travel by using Workaway. The beauty of this for me was not just the financial side of it but more importantly that you are usually living in your hosts’ home and you become integrated into their family and learn the culture of the country.”

Anita

From: Chicago, IL Age: 53 Professional background: Customer account executive

Anita was resistant to traveling alone at first as her mind raced through all the negatives and what if’s that could happen:

“I thought that traveling solo would be lonely, depressing, and not fun. Those opinions turned out to be totally false. I always end up meeting some of the most interesting people while traveling solo. And I always have the most amazing fun doing my thing, traveling by myself.”

“I would love to say my decision to travel solo was about making a statement to the world, being a brave trendsetter for my generation, all about girl power. But I basically went into solo travel kicking and screaming and resentful. However, my need to travel was stronger than my objection to traveling by myself.”

And, like others, she didn’t want to want any longer for the perfect companion or the perfect time. As she told me, “I didn’t want to put it off until the perfect travel soul mate came along so we could travel together on these life-changing adventures. As I got older I realized that time is of the essence. I might not ever meet my travel soul mate…and that’s OK. I’ve come to love traveling by myself.”

When it comes to naysayers, she says, “I show them my travel photos. But in my head, I’m saying to myself ‘while you’re sitting around getting old and judging me, I’m traveling and having the time of my life.’”

You can find out more about Anita and her adventures on her blog, The Social Tourist.

Helen

From: Toronto, Canada Age: 44 Professional background: Marketing and operations

Helen lived a seminomadic life for a year and a half before returning home to work. She has traveled solo to the Galápagos Islands, Kenya, Tanzania, India, Turkey, Jordan, Israel, the West Bank, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, and South Korea.

Of traveling solo, she says she did it “to gain new perspectives on both the world and myself. My travel pursuits have not (and still do not) always match those of my friends and family, but I’m fiercely independent, so I don’t let that deter me from reaching my travel goals.”

Her advice to solo travel hopefuls is to “go for it! You’ll likely discover that you’re stronger and more independent than you thought you were. You’ll learn to be more comfortable with your own company. At the same time, solo travel is a great opportunity to build your social skills, as you’ll find yourself in situations where you’re forced to interact with complete strangers. Don’t be paranoid but trust your instincts — if a location or person seems ‘off,’ steer clear. For a first solo trip, I suggest dipping your toe in the water by choosing a destination that would fit your comfort level, perhaps within your own country or a city where people speak the same language as you do.”

You can read more about Helen’s travels on her blog, Not Without My Passport.

Cate

From: Arizona, USA Age: 72 Professional background: Retired occupational therapist

Cate decided to travel alone since her friends didn’t have the time or the money to do so.

“I went to Hawaii, then pretty much focused on Europe. So far, Rome was way too intimidating. I loved Florence (I have been back several times), and I adore Paris.

She doesn’t worry much about safety as she follows many of the common sense safety rules in the past:

“I avoid trouble by not going out much at night or going to really crowded places. I eat my big meal at noon, have an aperitif in the late afternoon, and a light dinner in my room. I like Airbnb, because someone will know if I don’t come home or will help if I run into trouble.”

She likes to immerse herself, adding, “I try to go for a month at a time, so I don’t feel rushed. I need time to absorb things, to rest, to meditate, etc., so may spend a day doing nothing, and not feel a bit guilty. Using Airbnb makes staying longer an option. Fifty dollars a night for a room is about average, which beats the heck out of $100/night in a hotel. And I try to take tours or classes so I have some contact with people. I spent a week in the Dordogne painting, took a week of French language classes in Tours, then a three-day tour of Andalusia. It was a joy to have someone else deal with the luggage!”

Her advice is “Take your time. Don’t rush. Travel light. Don’t try to cram too much into too little time. Follow your passions. And you can go back to places you really like.”

Julie

From: Manchester, United Kingdom Age: 57 Professional background: Personal and professional development coach

Travel was a dream of Julie’s for more than 30 years. And, when the stars aligned at last, she didn’t dream of waiting for anyone else to join her: she went on a solo backpacking trip.

“It wasn’t daunting, but instead exciting, to be going alone. Doing my own thing, relying solely on myself wasn’t new, and I loved the freedom to find myself again at a point in my life when I was ready to change. I also relished the challenge of finding my own way around. I did have a reputation in the family that I always get lost — and I did! But really, that set me up for this trip — knowing I would get lost and also that I always found my way back home safely!”

When it comes to dealing with naysayers, she says, “You just have to want it enough like I did — I yearned to go ‘one day’ and ached at the thought of missing out on seeing with my own eyes what is ‘out there’ — and that you will find a way somehow, someday.”

Julie also came home with a lot of beautiful new realizations about the world, including “that you can and will overcome problems you meet along the way, that people are there to help too, and you will grow and learn, and develop new skills you would never expect or plan for! Now, for example, I can find my way around and create maps in my head. I just never could do that before.”

Julie currently runs her own business, coaching for personal and professional development, at clearmindco.co.uk. She also maintains a travel blog at Clear Mind Thinking.

Maia

From: Montreal, Canada Age: 40 Professional background: ESL teacher

Maia first went to Europe in her early twenties with a group of girlfriends. She loved the experience and kept planning trips, and when people couldn’t come with her, she went anyway.

“Why wait for someone else, the ‘right’ time, more money, a better plan? Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed to any of us, and if you don’t go and see the world, that’s on nobody but you.”

On her favorite solo travel spot, she says, “Africa is probably my favorite place to travel, period. I’ve been four times to six countries, Tanzania being my favorite for sure. I’ve gone solo each time, but you never really stay that way. The people I’ve encountered have always been so welcoming that I’ve always felt like I was leaving my family and friends even as I returned to Canada.”

And like the other, she didn’t let negatively or people’s opinions get in the way of what she was doing:

“I had someone in my family once say to me that they were against me traveling to Africa alone, so I kind of turned it around: I profusely apologized, said I completely understood such a position and would definitely not burden that person with any of my planning, promised no Africa talk whatsoever and no news while I was there. It didn’t take long for this person to realize that I was going anyway and what a long six weeks that would be with no info from me. Let’s just say he came around fairly quickly and got on board with my trip. I think that’s what people have to do more of. I say do your thing, and if they come around, great, but if not, that’s on them, not you.”

—-

As I corresponded with these women, I couldn’t help notice some central themes: the desire not to let negativity get in their way, the fear but excitement over traveling alone, and the realization these fears were wrong. It’s something I dealt with when I traveled. There’s a certain universality to these fears that knows no age limit. Maybe our preferences and tastes change over time, but wanderlust never wanes for those of us who are adventurers at heart.

And, I think in this online age with so many young bloggers (myself included), it’s easy to forget that every day women of all ages set out to travel the world and, like Julie did for me, help inspire more women to head out on the road too.

Kristin Addis is a solo female travel expert who inspires women to travel the world in an authentic and adventurous way. A former investment banker who sold all of her belongings and left California in 2012, Kristin has solo traveled the world for over four years, covering every continent (except for Antarctica, but it’s on her list). You can find more of her musings at Be My Travel Muse or on Instagram and Facebook.

Conquering Mountains: The ultimate Guide to Solo Female Travel

For a complete A-to-Z guide on solo female travel, check out Kristin’s new book, Conquering Mountains. Besides discussing many of the practical tips of preparing and planning your trip, the book addresses the fears, safety, and emotional concerns women have about traveling alone. It features over 20 interviews with other female travel writers and travelers. Click here to learn more about the book and start reading it today!

The post 6 (Non-Millennial) Solo Female Travelers Share Their Travel Wisdom appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

0 notes

fadingfartconnoisseur · 7 years ago

Text

6 (Non-Millennial) Solo Female Travelers Share Their Travel Wisdom

Every now and then I think about Julie, a 77-year-old woman who stayed at the beach bungalow next to me on the island of Gili Air in Indonesia.

The Internet is awash with young, often Western, women traveling the world. They blog and Instagram and get their stories told in big media. There’s that bias toward youth.

But solo female travelers come in all ages, from all kinds of backgrounds, and from all over the world.

Today, I want to share some of the stories of older women travelers and add their voices to the narratives. So I sat down (virtually at least) with seven women and asked them for their travel advice.

Anne

From: United Kingdom Age: 59 Professional background: Civil servant

Anne had a decent job, a comfortable house, a nice car, and lots of friends and family, but for as long as she could remember, she had felt a desire to leave everything behind and travel the world:

For Anne, the reason for going solo was simple: no one was able to travel with her and she had spent too long waiting for the right time or companion, so she just decided to go alone.

Anita

From: Chicago, IL Age: 53 Professional background: Customer account executive

Anita was resistant to traveling alone at first as her mind raced through all the negatives and what if’s that could happen:

You can find out more about Anita and her adventures on her blog, The Social Tourist.

Helen

From: Toronto, Canada Age: 44 Professional background: Marketing and operations

You can read more about Helen’s travels on her blog, Not Without My Passport.

Cate

From: Arizona, USA Age: 72 Professional background: Retired occupational therapist

Cate decided to travel alone since her friends didn’t have the time or the money to do so.

“I went to Hawaii, then pretty much focused on Europe. So far, Rome was way too intimidating. I loved Florence (I have been back several times), and I adore Paris.

She doesn’t worry much about safety as she follows many of the common sense safety rules in the past:

Her advice is “Take your time. Don’t rush. Travel light. Don’t try to cram too much into too little time. Follow your passions. And you can go back to places you really like.”

Julie

From: Manchester, United Kingdom Age: 57 Professional background: Personal and professional development coach

Travel was a dream of Julie’s for more than 30 years. And, when the stars aligned at last, she didn’t dream of waiting for anyone else to join her: she went on a solo backpacking trip.

Julie currently runs her own business, coaching for personal and professional development, at clearmindco.co.uk. She also maintains a travel blog at Clear Mind Thinking.

Maia

From: Montreal, Canada Age: 40 Professional background: ESL teacher

Maia first went to Europe in her early twenties with a group of girlfriends. She loved the experience and kept planning trips, and when people couldn’t come with her, she went anyway.

“Why wait for someone else, the ‘right’ time, more money, a better plan? Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed to any of us, and if you don’t go and see the world, that’s on nobody but you.”

And like the other, she didn’t let negatively or people’s opinions get in the way of what she was doing:

—-

Conquering Mountains: The ultimate Guide to Solo Female Travel

The post 6 (Non-Millennial) Solo Female Travelers Share Their Travel Wisdom appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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vidovicart · 7 years ago

Text

6 (Non-Millennial) Solo Female Travelers Share Their Travel Wisdom

Every now and then I think about Julie, a 77-year-old woman who stayed at the beach bungalow next to me on the island of Gili Air in Indonesia.

The Internet is awash with young, often Western, women traveling the world. They blog and Instagram and get their stories told in big media. There’s that bias toward youth.

But solo female travelers come in all ages, from all kinds of backgrounds, and from all over the world.

Today, I want to share some of the stories of older women travelers and add their voices to the narratives. So I sat down (virtually at least) with seven women and asked them for their travel advice.

Anne

From: United Kingdom Age: 59 Professional background: Civil servant

Anne had a decent job, a comfortable house, a nice car, and lots of friends and family, but for as long as she could remember, she had felt a desire to leave everything behind and travel the world:

For Anne, the reason for going solo was simple: no one was able to travel with her and she had spent too long waiting for the right time or companion, so she just decided to go alone.

Anita

From: Chicago, IL Age: 53 Professional background: Customer account executive

Anita was resistant to traveling alone at first as her mind raced through all the negatives and what if’s that could happen:

You can find out more about Anita and her adventures on her blog, The Social Tourist.

Helen

From: Toronto, Canada Age: 44 Professional background: Marketing and operations

You can read more about Helen’s travels on her blog, Not Without My Passport.

Cate

From: Arizona, USA Age: 72 Professional background: Retired occupational therapist

Cate decided to travel alone since her friends didn’t have the time or the money to do so.

“I went to Hawaii, then pretty much focused on Europe. So far, Rome was way too intimidating. I loved Florence (I have been back several times), and I adore Paris.

She doesn’t worry much about safety as she follows many of the common sense safety rules in the past:

Her advice is “Take your time. Don’t rush. Travel light. Don’t try to cram too much into too little time. Follow your passions. And you can go back to places you really like.”

Julie

From: Manchester, United Kingdom Age: 57 Professional background: Personal and professional development coach

Travel was a dream of Julie’s for more than 30 years. And, when the stars aligned at last, she didn’t dream of waiting for anyone else to join her: she went on a solo backpacking trip.

Julie currently runs her own business, coaching for personal and professional development, at clearmindco.co.uk. She also maintains a travel blog at Clear Mind Thinking.

Maia

From: Montreal, Canada Age: 40 Professional background: ESL teacher

Maia first went to Europe in her early twenties with a group of girlfriends. She loved the experience and kept planning trips, and when people couldn’t come with her, she went anyway.

“Why wait for someone else, the ‘right’ time, more money, a better plan? Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed to any of us, and if you don’t go and see the world, that’s on nobody but you.”

And like the other, she didn’t let negatively or people’s opinions get in the way of what she was doing:

—-

Conquering Mountains: The ultimate Guide to Solo Female Travel

The post 6 (Non-Millennial) Solo Female Travelers Share Their Travel Wisdom appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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theladyjstyle · 7 years ago

Photo

Every now and then I think about Julie, a 77-year-old woman who stayed at the beach bungalow next to me on the island of Gili Air in Indonesia.

The Internet is awash with young, often Western, women traveling the world. They blog and Instagram and get their stories told in big media. There’s that bias toward youth.

But solo female travelers come in all ages, from all kinds of backgrounds, and from all over the world.

Today, I want to share some of the stories of older women travelers and add their voices to the narratives. So I sat down (virtually at least) with seven women and asked them for their travel advice.

Anne

From: United Kingdom Age: 59 Professional background: Civil servant

Anne had a decent job, a comfortable house, a nice car, and lots of friends and family, but for as long as she could remember, she had felt a desire to leave everything behind and travel the world:

For Anne, the reason for going solo was simple: no one was able to travel with her and she had spent too long waiting for the right time or companion, so she just decided to go alone.

Anita

From: Chicago, IL Age: 53 Professional background: Customer account executive

Anita was resistant to traveling alone at first as her mind raced through all the negatives and what if’s that could happen:

You can find out more about Anita and her adventures on her blog, The Social Tourist.

Helen

From: Toronto, Canada Age: 44 Professional background: Marketing and operations

You can read more about Helen’s travels on her blog, Not Without My Passport.

Cate

From: Arizona, USA Age: 72 Professional background: Retired occupational therapist

Cate decided to travel alone since her friends didn’t have the time or the money to do so.

“I went to Hawaii, then pretty much focused on Europe. So far, Rome was way too intimidating. I loved Florence (I have been back several times), and I adore Paris.

She doesn’t worry much about safety as she follows many of the common sense safety rules in the past:

Her advice is “Take your time. Don’t rush. Travel light. Don’t try to cram too much into too little time. Follow your passions. And you can go back to places you really like.”

Julie

From: Manchester, United Kingdom Age: 57 Professional background: Personal and professional development coach

Travel was a dream of Julie’s for more than 30 years. And, when the stars aligned at last, she didn’t dream of waiting for anyone else to join her: she went on a solo backpacking trip.

Julie currently runs her own business, coaching for personal and professional development, at clearmindco.co.uk. She also maintains a travel blog at Clear Mind Thinking.

Maia

From: Montreal, Canada Age: 40 Professional background: ESL teacher

Maia first went to Europe in her early twenties with a group of girlfriends. She loved the experience and kept planning trips, and when people couldn’t come with her, she went anyway.

“Why wait for someone else, the ‘right’ time, more money, a better plan? Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed to any of us, and if you don’t go and see the world, that’s on nobody but you.”

And like the other, she didn’t let negatively or people’s opinions get in the way of what she was doing:

—-

Conquering Mountains: The ultimate Guide to Solo Female Travel

The post 6 (Non-Millennial) Solo Female Travelers Share Their Travel Wisdom appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

6 (Non-Millennial) Solo Female Travelers Share Their Travel Wisdom http://ift.tt/2zXRLLy

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