6 reasons why you should travel sooner rather than later

Thinking about travelling? Don't just talk about it - plan it, save it, book it and go! Here are my top 6 reasons on why you should travel sooner rather than later, before FOMO creeps in. 

1. No responsibilities

You're young and responsibility-free. Why not book that flight now before you have the stresses of work, mortgages and nappies? Seriously, I saw a couple walking through Saigon the other week with their traveller bags on their backs, and the mum was carrying a baby on her front. A BABY. Literally they looked like they were having the most stressful and sweatiest experience. That baby is so not going to remember or appreciate the experience either. Top effort though. 

2. You're not getting any younger... or fitter

Do you really want to travel with that bad back you've only recently developed, that exercise induced asthma that has some how appeared or a medication box the size of small child? The older you get the likeliness is you're not going to be as fit as you once were, and nothing will seem more of a nightmare than jungle trekking, mountain hiking or bungee jumping. 

Also, I'm no doctor, but I'm pretty sure as you get older your bladder gets worse too. It wouldn't be any fun constantly thinking when and where your next visit to the toilet will be. Just plan your trip now... no one likes an incontinent traveller.

''We're not even half way yet?!" Go on Rach.

3. You won't get FOMO

The 'fear of missing out'. This is a thing. Do you really want to get to 30 and have that FOMO feeling? People you went to school with are uploading Facebook profile pictures of them and a cool animal or with a wicked scenic view from around the world. Don't have the FOMO and travel while you can. Before you know it you'll be stuck in the same daily routine, the only person liking your profile picture will be your mum and the chance to travel will be harder than ever. 

4. Fear of the unknown

Travelling when you're older means you have more life experience. But this isn't necessarily a good
thing. It may mean you're more likely to be paranoid about things going wrong. What happens if you miss that one bus, or if you get lost in a new city with no phone or if that new friend you made is actually using you as a drugs mule (Bridget Jones). Constant worrying and over-thinking can only spoil what is suppose to be the time of your life. 

My friend Charlie taught in South Korea before he came to Vietnam and explains how with age comes the constant expectation of things to go wrong. 'Flying out to Korea was one big, exciting adventure for me. But when I came to Vietnam it was different, I seemed to worry more. This comes with age and experience".

5. Less willingness to slum it

In your 20s you're more likely to book a dorm room in a scabby hostel for £4 a night. It's cheaper and you're likely to meet more people. When you're older, comfort will probably be a main priority and a 3* hotel will seem more appealing. But where's the fun in that? No funny stories come from posh hotels. I mean, who wouldn't want a noose in their dorm room?

6. You've got the rest of your life to get a career 

I've mentioned this quite a number of times in my blog. You have the rest of your life to get that 9-5 lifestyle. Though you may have your desired career, it could probably mean you sacrifice any significant periods of time off for travelling. Just travel now. Go on. 

Thailand Countdown: ONE WEEK!

Does this look good? No idea.

When I lived in the UK, I like to think I kept my wardrobe updated and i always loved splashing out on new outfits after payday. I knew what I liked to wear and what suited me and what didn't. Shopping was my favourite hobby. However 5 months living in Vietnam, going clothes shopping is genuinely my idea of hell. 

I first arrived here still with a love of clothes, and with everything so cheap compared to the UK, it was shopping heaven. Places like Ben Tanh Market and Saigon Square in the centre of the city have hundreds of stalls selling Forever 21, Zara and Topshop clothes which haven't made it abroad for some reason or another. And there's no set price. So if you're good at bartering you can often get a bargain. I bought a Zara dress for 120,000 once - roughly £3. So great.

Unfortunately this novelty soon wore off. These markets are right in the middle of District 1- prime tourist area.  You have to really be in the mood to shop (a bit like how I used to feel about TK Maxx) and deal with market owners literally grabbing you. Often they want insane prices for things you can barter down to a quarter of the original price. One woman wanted me to pay 450,000 dong for a bag, which I got for 100,000. Ridiculous. Though, you can see how they get the prices. Tourists are in the mindset of how I was when I first arrived - comparing prices to back home makes you feel like 450,000 dong is a bargain when it really really isn't.  

You also have to be prepared for absolute bluntness. If you're a UK size 10 or above, they won't see any issue in saying 'No. Too fat.' about that dress you actually quite liked. Those bloody tiny Asian genes. Living over here I often feel like I am the BFG.  

I went in to the markets last week to get some holiday items, as my Thailand trip is just 7 days away. I figured I hadn't actually been shopping in about 4 months! (I would go at least once a week in the UK) and I literally had no idea what to look for. It was the most unsuccessful day ever, and I know I have to go there again to find at least one nice outfit. It's going to be horrendous. 

In September however I'm going to be visiting Hoi An again, and I literally cannot wait! This is the place where it's renown for cheap custom made clothing. The shop owners just take a few measurements and have whatever item you want ready the next day. So I'm sure I will find something there. 

Thinking about it, it's probably a bit bad I've let my interest in clothes go a bit. Other than my work clothes, outfits similar to this pictured  below is what I find myself wearing on a daily basis. I'm quite enjoying that though, as I know it's just for this period of my life. I know when I eventually return home I'll get back into the shopping swing again... I might just need a little guidance!

This time last year

I sometimes find it interesting to stop and have a think about what I was doing on the exact day this time last year. Having gone the typical 'school, sixth form, university' route, it's never seemed much different. The only differences between the years really being the amount of studying I was doing, my change in hair colour and the extra weight I'd put on.

But sitting on a small plastic chair on the side of a road in Vietnam, eating pork and rice for my breakfast (I'm gagging for some coco pops) it appears that my "this time last year" reflection could not be anymore different.

On June 19th 2013, I was preparing for a graduate communications job with the NHS. I'd got through to the second round, and there were two of us going for one position. With my trouser suit on, answers prepared and feeling so nervous I thought I was going to shit myself, I travelled down to London for the second time.

It went really well, but unfortunately the job went to the other candidate who had more experience. I was pretty devastated. It was a position I really wanted - and would definitely still want. But that's life - my regular response to things that don't go according to plan.

I know it sounds so cliche, but everything does happen for a reason. If I had got that position, I would have moved to London and set in to the 9-5 routine that so many of my friends have. I definitely wouldn't be teaching in Vietnam. Nor would I have been making all these plans to go to other countries, or would I have met such great people. I probably wouldn't have seen a dog riding a motorbike either (great photo skills Heather).

If someone would have told me this is what I'd be doing in a years time I would have laughed and said yeah alright then. 

There is a part of me that wishes I would have tried a little harder in finding a graduate job. I see my friends doing so well at the moment and part of me wishes I'd gone with that route straight away too. But then I think, I've got the rest of my life to do that. I'm only 22 and I feel I want to see the world before I settle down and put my foot on the career ladder.

The tefl qualification gives me the skills that (I hope) will make me look appealing to a potential employer. It also allows me to live and work all over the world. Which is obviously pretty cool.

My life plan seems to change on a weekly basis at the moment. I know that I'll be heading back to the UK at some point next year, but for how long I don't know. If I can find a graduate job in something I truly want to do I would definitely stay. But if not, I would definitely consider teaching again in another country. 

Who knows... on June 19th 2015 I may be doing something completely different to what I predict, which is pretty exciting. 

#ExpatProblems

There are things that can make life as an expat in Vietnam a bit of an issue sometimes. I've come up with 15 of these daily struggles and have decided to express my thoughts. A bit like blogging therapy I guess. Apologies in advance for the rant. 

1. "Motorbike, marijuana?"

I'm already on a motorbike. Why would I want to get off my own bike to get on to yours and pay you to take me to the place where I was already driving to. Thanks for the offer though.

2. Hello teacher being shouted at you in the street

Just because I'm white doesn't make me a teacher. But yes, hello I am a teacher.

3. Cadbury's and tea

I thought I'd gone to heaven when I found Cadbury's chocolate in the local supermarket by my new house. Yes it's in a cadburys wrapper but oh my god no it doesn't taste the same. Also can someone from home please send me some PG Tips, Lipton isn't doing it for me.

4. Being the only white girl at your local pho place

I've had a long day, I just want to eat my noodle soup in peace. Can the whole restaurant please stop staring at me? Many thanks.

5. Time difference

Something that I will never get used to. Six hours ahead means I can only Skype my friends and family on their days off. 

6. Coronation street

I'm not ashamed. Last thing I knew, Tina had run off because Peter wanted to stay with Carla, and Roy was in a whole world of troubles. RIP Hayley Cropper. Also apparently Ken Barlow is coming back? Such a nightmare not knowing what's going on in Weatherfield that's for sure.

7. Breaking into a sweat one minute after leaving the house

Being from the UK, I have, and never will, get used to this heat. Luckily, my grade 1s are bloody lovely and say I look beautiful even if I rock on up to class dripping with sweat. I never knew before living over here that you can actually sweat from your knees? 

8. Stealing toilet paper on nights out because you're too poor to buy your own

Oh no. That's probably just my own problem, not an expat problem. Moving on...

9. Missing out on special occasions

This is the worst thing. You so wish that you could pay your family and friends a surprise visit, but a sign with cute Vietnamese kids will have to do instead. Works a treat.

10. Dry shampoo 

Is there anywhere in Asia that sells this? I need it.

11. Wine

Refusing to pay 60,000 for a glass of wine because that is just too much dong - it's just over a pound.

12. Monsoon season

Leaving your house in the rain, and then arriving at your school soaked expecting other teachers to be the same. Oh no, it hasn't rained in this district has it.

13. Saliva 

The Vietnamese love a good spit. Especially when they're on their bike in front of you and the wind is blowing in your direction. Yum.

14. Socks

My housemate came up with this, and oddly this is a big deal. We would love to just put a pair of socks on under our shoes. However, wearing these with flip flops is just not going to work.

15. Black make up wipes

There's nothing quite like coming in from a long day and wiping black off your face with a make up wipe. Mmmm pollution. 

The Solo Traveller

Travelling alone can be a very daunting prospect. The pressure of organising everything yourself, the lonely airport times and the lack of people around when things go wrong are sometimes not ideal. However, I'm here (along with some others) to tell you why it could probably be the best thing you decide to do.

My Experience

Before coming out to Vietnam, I had never really done much travelling by myself. In summer 2012, I flew out to San Francisco by myself but then met up with a group of 15 and travelled the width of the country in a bus. Though I had such a great time and saw so many places, I couldn't help but feel I wanted to spend longer in certain places. However there were 15 other peoples decisions to consider too, so I couldn't really do what I truly wanted. Spending 24/7 with the same people for a month got pretty intense at times too. Don't get me wrong I had a once in a lifetime experience doing that trip, but if I was to do it again, I would maybe do parts of it as a solo traveller.

During my time off from teaching, I've managed to travel to other parts of the country. I visited Nha Trang during my brothers visit, and have also spent time in Hoi An and recently Phu Quoc by myself.

Travelling to Hoi An and Phu Quoc alone meant I could do what I wanted. I if wanted to spend all day at the beach I could, or if I wanted to take a bike tour I could. I wasn't restricted by someone else's mood that day or whether they wanted to do something else. You can also be flexible with time and how long you want to spend in one place.

It also built my confidence. I stayed in dorm rooms in hostels on each visit, and being alone means you will literally talk to anyone. You meet so many interesting people that you may have not spoken to if you were travelling with a boyfriend or group of friends. You could have completely new experiences because of the people you meet. 

Of course I can see the benefits of travelling with others too. In Hoi An, I had a slight drama getting back to Saigon and I thought I was potentially stranded half way up the country. I also had no phone. This situation would have been less stressful if I had someone with me.

Another con to travelling alone is taking photos. There's only so far your arm can stretch to include you and a scenic view. If there's no willing person around to take your photo it could be an issue. Though this problem is quickly resolved with the invention of the self facing camera. Praise The Lord.

Lucy's Experience

One of my oldest friends, Lucy, is probably one of the most well travelled people I know! She's been to South America, China, all over Europe and Vietnam either on her own, with a boyfriend or with friends. She explains the pros and cons to being a solo traveller.

"Travelling by myself has taught me to be truly independent and how to enjoy my own company. You have to be 100% responsible for your safety, money and you have to trust yourself... Which is a good thing to do!"

"In my experience, I think you're less likely to meet as many people, as pairs/couples seem to be more intimidating than single travellers. You're maybe less likely to forge long-lasting friendships because you don't have the need to confide in a new friend if you already have a travel buddy"

There are obviously cons to anything in life, including travelling alone. Lucy explains how for her, security was the main thing.

"Having spent time travelling alone in South America, you can sometimes feel a bit more vulnerable if you aren't travelling with someone else. In a pair/couple you have a shared responsibility for things like money, decision-making and your own safety. Also if you're sick there's someone to look after you"

"I feel happiness is only true when shared with someone and it's lovely to make memories for the future if you're travelling with a friend or partner. You get to share the excitement of planning the trip,
and remembering it afterwards"

Rachel and Heather's Experience

Friends I've made in Vietnam also express how travelling alone has its benefits.

During our time off, Rach recently spent a week in Ha Noi and then travelled across to Ha Long Bay. "I met and spoke to different people from all over the world that I wouldn't speak to normally. Its definitely made me more independent". She is also a classic example of the selfie. Haha love you Rach.

Between teaching in South Korea for a year and arriving in Vietnam last October, Heather travelled Australia and New Zealand by herself.

"I love being able to make my own decisions and not having to please anyone else. Having the freedom to do what you want is the best thing about travelling".

So if you've just finished university or fancy a break in your career, and none of your friends are in the position to come with you - It's not the end of the world, it's your chance to go see the world! So go for it. 

Life is one big holiday

So last Friday I decided to move from District 7 to Go Vap District, to another house my company pay for. It's on the other side of the city, and a bit further away from the main tourist area and where we go out. However, I'm now living with the people I want to live with, as my old house was feeling pretty empty after everyone going back to England for summer. It's a lot more sociable and I even have my own window in my room... No more bat cave!

That was on the Friday and then last Sunday I took a 30 minute flight to Phu Quoc, a Vietnamese Island which is south of Cambodia. As I have limited dong (really I shouldn't have gone on this little holiday, but whatever) I booked into a hostel which cost me £4 a night. I wasn't expecting much. I know I was paying pennies but I wasn't expecting to see this on my first day...

So yeah, that was a bit weird, but the hostel was actually pretty wicked and my time there was a lot of fun.

The first day I spent on the beach, which was literally a one minute walk away. It was beautiful and exactly what I needed to try and get some sort of base tan for Thailand. However, of course I was the dumbest woman and fell asleep...meaning I now share a strong resemblance to a tomato. Fab.

That evening I went to a little restaurant where I was actually the only customer! It was low season in Phu Quoc so the whole island seemed pretty quiet. I ended up eating with the family who ran the restaurant and the food was delicious!

The next couple of mornings, I woke up to an absolute monsoon. As the hostel felt almost like some sort of shack/shed, I was convinced the roof was going to fall through but it was all good. The weather cleared by midday which allowed me to explore the rest of the island. I met some people at my hostel, and we rented motorbikes and drove around the island stopping off at loads of beautiful beaches. It was a great way to see Phu Quoc. For just over £2 a day to rent, i definitely recommend doing it if you're ever visiting the island.        

                                                                                           

Each evening the guys at my hostel and I went to this Vietnamese street seafood restaurant. I haven't really tried much seafood, as I was a fussy kid when I was younger. But everything I had was so good and at 30,000 dong each (under a pound) I was not complaining. After this, we just spent each evening drinking copious amounts of rum and watching films at the hostel. There wasn't really a nightlife on the island, which was fine by me as I was craving a chilled couple of days.

Phu Quoc was genuinely one of the most beautiful places I've ever travelled to. I wish I'd maybe booked one extra night so I could explore the south of the island, but work was calling. I flew back to Saigon and arrived home to a broken shower. Nothing says welcome home from your holiday better than that!

I now have two and a half weeks of work before I head out to Thailand. Life does seem like one big holiday at the moment, and I love it! When else in life am I going to able to go to such beautiful places at such a low price? My return flight to Phu Quoc, three nights accommodation and airport transfers cost me the same price as this Topshop dress. £50. 

Life is pretty sweet.

Thailand Countdown: ONE MONTH!

30 days until I'm reunited with this great lady after 6 months. Three weeks of travelling Thailand before she comes back with me to see Saigon! Amazing.

"How much for a vest top?!"

This past week has been so great and I’ve been treated to restaurants and hotels I couldn’t have afforded if my brother wasn’t so generous. It has also shown me how settled down into Asian life I have become, which to be honest got me feeling a bit odd.

I’ve spent the past week back as a “westerner”, and though I have loved eating out at restaurants, my time in a nice hotel (obviously taking all the given toiletries) and visiting great places, it did make me think about a lot of things. And to be honest, this was mostly how poor I am.

Back in the UK, I was on an OK wage, living at home and was financially comfortable. Coming over here, I knew I would be earning slightly less but that would be ok as everything is that much cheaper out here. That the wage to living expenses ratio would be the same as the UK. I’ll be honest, I was pretty wrong, and towards the end of each month, it’s been a bit of a struggle.

On Richard’s last day we went to the Bitexco Financial Tower in District 1, and to my amazement, I saw a Topshop in there! Literally I couldn’t believe it. I walked (ran) in there and was keen to see if the clothes were any cheaper than the UK. They were the same price.

Bitexco Tower: The tall building on the right

Back in the UK, it would be pretty normal for me to just buy a £35 pound dress for a night out and then spend money on other bits and pieces. I picked up a vest top and looked at the price. “HOW MUCH??!” I thought. The vest was around 400,000 dong, which I thought was ridiculous! Turns out this is only about £11, a price I would happily pay when I was living in the UK. Now £11 could potentially feed me for a week. I think Richard saw my face and kindly offered to buy it for me, but I couldn’t have that! This 10 minute trip to Topshop showed me that it’s considered designer rather than high street clothing to most Vietnamese, and that I well and truly now think in dong rather than pounds.

Don’t get me wrong, I eat at Western restaurants probably about once a week, however the rest of the time I’m either eating Pho, Com Tam or Bot Chien at the side of a road on the world’s smallest, plastic chair. Like I said, a vest top from Topshop could feed me for a week.  

It seems this post has been a bit of a rant. But this experience allows me to appreciate that I don’t need new clothes or expensive food all the time, and that I can go this period in my life without them. If I was able to afford to eat at Western restaurants every day, believe me, I probably would. But if I did this, I wouldn’t be getting the experience I came out here for. So being a little poorer is allowing me to experience more of the daily Vietnamese life, which I am well and truly embracing. 

The best start to my summer

My brother Richard visited me last week, which was so great! Having someone from home was just what I needed, and it was pretty surreal seeing him in Vietnam. I arrived at his hotel on my bike to meet him last Saturday, and I think it worried him a little seeing me on a motorbike! Though he already knew I drove one over here, I don’t think he knew the extent to how crazy the roads are in Saigon, or that I use it every day. Nevertheless I managed to get him on the bike for a couple of metres (see picture - looking pretty confident on the back there Richard) though he was screaming SLOW DOWN every other second!

Richard had already done all the standard tourist things in Saigon with a tour group he had arrived with, so I will just wait till Breege comes over during the summer. We did however visit China Town in District 5 and the Southern Vietnam Women Museum.

We decided to book a very last minute 45 minute flight up to Nha Trang, a coastal holiday town halfway between here and Hoi An. I think Rich thought he’d seen enough of Saigon and wanted to get away from the constant bike beeping noises-which was the best idea! Spending three days by the beach was ideal.

Nha Trang is a beautiful and relaxing place and was just what I was craving. The first day was spent just chilling by the pool trying to improve on my poor excuse of a tan. I’ve been living in Vietnam for four months and Richard obviously still has a better tan than me. We went out for a good dinner at Nha Hang Yen’s Restaurant. This was genuinely some of the best Vietnamese food I’ve tried since being here. Definitely worth a visit.

   

The next day we went to Thap Ba Hot Springs, a mud bath spa. You sit in a bath of mud for 30 minutes, then a mineral pool and then there’s swimming pools to chill at for the rest of the day. This was bloody nice and though it was a bit of a taxi ride up a mountain, I definitely recommend going to this if you’re ever passing Nha Trang.

We decided to take a morning/early afternoon boat snorkelling boat trip, which I loved! At 22, I had never been snorkelling before, so it was a great first experience. We stopped off at two diving spots about an hour away from shore, and had lunch on the boat afterwards. At 300 thousand dong (about £8) this was a bargain for a 6 hour trip. 

That night we had a meal at The Sailing Club, a beach side restaurant, and it’s safe to say this was the nicest/priciest meal I’ve had since living here. I’m pretty sure the price of a bottle of wine on the menu was the same as my wage packet this month. Life.

At a couple of points on our visit to Nha Trang, I wondered whether I should have found a teaching job there instead. It seemed a lot more chilled compared to Saigon, and living by the sea would have been pretty sweet. Saigon however probably has more things going on for me, and living in Nha Trang I think it would have felt like being on a permanent holiday!

We flew back to Saigon the next day, and I was able to show Richard the area where I live. It was good for him to do this, as he was staying in the main tourist area and taking him to my house, I could show him proper Vietnamese life! We had some Pho at my usual place, and he met the family who run it. I also took him to get a smoothie from the lady down the road - she seemed pretty excited to meet him!

I was very spoilt by Rich the whole week, which I was so thankful for! When I mentioned how horrendous my monthly wage was I think he wanted to feed me up! He even offered to buy me some new clothes before he left but I couldn’t let him. The past week showed me how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family, even when they are the other side of the world! My parents even sent over some treats for me in Richard’s suitcase.

It was pretty sad saying goodbye to Rich, as my post-Vietnam plan (I’ll explain later on) means I won’t be coming back to the UK for at least another year. But I know that at the moment, there really isn’t much going on for a 22-year-old in Norfolk.