Tag: Traveling

My Trip To Malta and Amsterdam

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Some things never come in to plan as one may expect.This trip was no different. When we flew from the Toronto Pearson Airport the night before arriving to Amsterdam, our light was delayed by 45 minutes. Okay, no big deal, these things happen almost all the time for flights. So we arrive the Saturday morning with a few delays with the plane, so long story short, we missed our flight to Malta. At first I was not happy, but there was a sense that all would work out fine in terms of the trip, and it did, Amsterdam became an addition to the trip in an unexpected but adventurous way.

Amsterdam:

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As most know, Amsterdam, is a very liberal city, with multiple cultures combined, their love of bikes and public transportation, and of course the world famous red light district ( you are not allowed to take pictures of the workers for obvious reasons), the city is full of intrigue while the night becomes alive with tourists around the world.Now while Amsterdam is known for their wild, liberal spirit in the Dutch air, Malta is more traditional.

Amsterdam

Malta:

Just located between Sicily and Tunisia (North Africa), Malta is what I call a hidden gem. Out of all the countries I’ve visited, it is understandable why people ask… why Malta? Where is Malta?I’ll tell you why.This small Mediterranean island in Europe has a lot of interesting history. Now to start, the Maltese language is a mixture of Arabic, Italian and English. Malta was once ruled by all three of these cultures which explain the influence. The island’s two official languages are Maltese and English, while Italian is spoken in a conversational tone. Like any period in history, particularly in World War Two, a turn of events occurred and the British ruled the country until their independence. The Catholic religion is predominant in Malta. Everywhere you go, you see a church as being Catholic is of huge importance there.

Near The Island of Comino
Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon

Malta is a place not just for worship, but also somewhere to just get away and explore the scene as it is truly a sight for sore eyes. The Blue Lagoon is beyond what you see in pictures, plus it is no wonder why Hollywood loves filming in places like this. You never see water this blue, clear and serene, it’s a bucket list you never knew you needed to accomplish. Just beyond anything and it brings shock to see such a picturesque place, almost like a painting.

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Blue Grotto

Being on a little boat can be both terrifying and exciting, while the water can bring a sense of peace. The caves of Blue Grotto is unlike anything that I have seen. For any traveler, it gives you the reasons as to why we love… traveling because you don’t see stuff like this anywhere. You explore and you watch in wonder. Blue Grotto is a place for the divers and swimmers alike who want to do just that, explore.

The Food:

Like anywhere you go, there is always a staple food or drink. Now the standouts in this island for food would be their pies and pastries. Malta had this cheese pie that was addictive you really don’t need to know the calories in a pie. And Kinnie is soft drink you should at least try once as it is acquired, but refreshing.20190601_090011.jpgWhen you talk about island hopping from Malta, there is Comino which only has a population of three people including a cop, and Gozo, where Game of Thrones was filmed (not the reason why I went), your trip will be fulfilled.So when someone asks you why Malta instead of the more popular places like Barcelona, Paris or Rome… now you know the big charm of little Malta.

Valetta

How I Prepare For My Trips Abroad

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Ah it’s that time of year again… vacation time!

So if this is the first time you are reading my blog, I can’t stress how much I love to travel. Within five years, having ventured to nine countries, commuting to three continents, it’s pretty safe to say that I am a world traveler. As many adventurists know, once you get stung by the traveling bug you just cannot stop. I know that I have many more countries to explore, sightsee, and just be present in my surroundings along with experiencing a different culture.

This month I will be going on another adventure, once more. But before I disclose where I will be traveling (discreetly since more information will be disclosed when I come back), here are some ways that I prepare for my vacation.

 

 

1. Doing My Research

Doing research to any country where you may be a foreigner to is crucial for numerous reasons. If for any reasons that may require you to cancel your trip, prepare for the worst in terms of safety, poisonous insects and viruses that require vaccinations, or a water crisis (like the time I traveled to South Africa last year in April which was the height of the crisis), you need to be aware of what’s going on for the proper precautions taken. I can’t stress this enough about the importance of doing your homework.

2. Checking To See If Your Passport Needs To Be Updated

Trust me on this, you don’t want to already be commuting to the airport to a country that requires your passport to be valid within 6 months before expiration when yours expires in just a month. The security won’t have it and you will have 2 options that will not benefit you at all (one being paying a fine and two to not fly). So this is another reason as to why doing your proper research will benefit you in the long run. Different countries within different continents have different rules on the expiration date on a passport. I can’t stress this enough.

3. Getting The Best Sleep The Day Before

Because you may not get any sleep at all on the plane if you are like me. Plus once you enter the airport, if you haven’t yet… get your boarding pass, check in your luggage, and my least favourite activity, do a security check up which can include taking your shoes off. This is why there’s a requirement to show up at least three hours before the departure.

4. Jogging

I had to add this in since I love running. Pretty much before any trip, a good workout will energize you that results (may or may not in my case) in possibly sleeping on a plane.  Also there are endorphins released resulting in good moods hence since you will be on an adventure so why be mad? Plus you are doing a lot of walking especially on a layover when you arrive in one country for let’s say an hour, flying to another.

5. Drinking Plenty Water

As we all are aware of the amazing benefits of water. Another addition to the proof of benefits is the fact that drinking water before, during and after a plain ride may help improve any sort of jet lag. So drinking alcohol will not help your situation if you are trying to avoid the dreaded jet lag.

 

6. Packing Not Too Much Clothes

For reasons that include not breaking the bank when you have to pay extra if your luggage weighs more than the requirement, or it’s just too damn heavy to drag along, you want to be comfortable when heading from one place to another. Half the time you are not even wearing all of you clothes.

 

7.  Packing Enough Undergarments

You can never have enough underwear, bras, panties… you name it. This is crucial and I don’t even need to explain. Also other aspects of hygiene are applicable to this including lotion, deodorant, dentil floss, a tooth brush and mouth wash. No one wants to be around someone who does not take care of themselves… just saying.

 

8. Eating A Well Balanced Diet When Flying At Night

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, no words could be any truer. Plus a nutritious meal on a whole will benefit you in ways like for example your head. Flying thousands of feet up in the air will take a toll on you, and not eating at all will make you feel lightheaded. Don’t do that! Eat away.

 

9. Listening To All The Staff Members In The Airport and Airplane

I just think it would be stupid for you to do the opposite. It may cause you your trip.

 

10. Being Friendly/Cooperative Passenger To The Person Beside/Behind/In Front of You

Especially when you have to travel longs hours on a plane, being friendly to everyone without being annoying just makes life easier on a whole for everyone. Don’t be that person who has their stretched all the way to the back when someone behind you is pretty much suffocating, or taking up space when not necessary. I know claustrophobia is a real thing and this is also not fun to experience.

 

11. Where Comfy Clothes

Since going on an excursion requires time and effort, both mental and physical, being in breathable clothing is a must. This also goes for shoes as well. I know some people are all about following their favourite celebrities like Kylie and Kendal, and that’s cool, be Instagram ready, I love fashion and having a look so rock your style in breathable clothing. This is just my suggestion based on my experience with traveling. Doing 30 hours in total of traveling takes a toll on your body. It’s your choice though.

12. Buy Travel Medical Insurance

It does not matter how old you are. Whether you are in your 20’s or 100 years old, please do yourself a favour and buy the travel medical insurance. You never, I repeat, never know when you may need this to come in handy. Health is wealth… you will be doing yourself a huge favour.

13. Taking It All In

Just take in everything… yes I mean EVERYTHING. Because like many major events in life, like planning a wedding, a graduation or even a monumental birthday. The preparation for any milestones are part of the milestone. So just take it all in and with stride because you will get to where you need to be eventually.

So off I go on my next adventure!

Next stop… Malta.

Reasons To Travel

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I’ve been hit by the travelling bug. Last year, I was fortunate enough to travel to Trinidad, Spain, Gibraltar and the Dominican Republic just by creating the time and of course… budgeting. There’s a bit of a love-hate relationship with this adventure… I don’t mind flying, but I cannot stand the turbulence, sometimes how long the flight may take or even the jet lag. With that being said, traveling to another country has more positive aspects that outweigh the negative. Here are eight reasons why you should travel.

1. To De- Stress

When you are stressed about anything including work, school or home, it can be overwhelming. Traveling helps to break your daily routine and resets your mind off of anything that was giving you any form of anxiety. I compare this to jogging as well, since this also infuses the level of getting the creative juices flowing.

2. Meet New People

It’s always interesting to see how other people live elsewhere, plus there are always other travellers that come from all over the world.

3. Learn

Traveling is definitely a learning experience in all aspects. Whether you are leaning about the history of a country, or the religion, food, fashion, art, music and culture, you are not going to comeback being the same. Plus people who work in either a hostel or hotel will give you an enlightening perspective on life.

4. Have Fun

Since you’re spending the money to travel, you might as well have fun. What’s the point of leaving your home if you can’t explore a different country while having fun? You’re doing something wrong if otherwise.

5. The Scenery

Any country you visit will having something to offer in terms of scenery. This is an obvious factor when leaving your country to explore another. Nature always heals.

6. The Food

As a vegetarian this is a huge deal because some countries are not aware of I eat. I don’t find it frustrating, this is actually hilarious because the big aspect with my food lifestyle (since I hate the word diet) is that I don’t eat meat. This is always interesting to see what are main dishes to eat when visiting another country.

7. Stay Humble

When you are going to another country where English is not the first language, being humble is all that you have to be. You are a tourist in their country so you not only have to respect that fact, but, especially someone who lives in a country that has immigrants not speaking a word of English, it gives a sense of emphasizing. It can be a struggle but you’re only staying there for a short period of time as oppose to someone who for example is living in Canada for the longer haul. Just put yourself in their shoes.

8. Be Grateful

First off, if you we able to afford the trip in the first place to see how others live, you have to be grateful. There are people who need visas, be approved the a government for them to travel. As a Canadian all I need, in most countries, is a valid passport. Plus the living conditions elsewhere is nowhere compared to my lifestyle and I’m not even rich. I know that it is a privilege for me to visit another country, knowing that I will have a roof above my head when coming back. Not everyone has that privilege.