Blog Archives

Backpacking VS Flashpacking.

Posted on June 8, 2020 by Bemused Backpacker — 4 Comments

What exactly is Flashpacking and why and how do I do it? Upgrading to more comfortable accommodation, eating out at nicer restaurants and splurging or spoiling yourself from time to time can be done on a backpackers budget, if you…

Tagged with: accomodation when travelling, backpacking, budget accommodation, budget travel, flashpacking, travel, types of accomodation, upgrade
Posted in Travel Video

A Rare Travel Surprise In The United Arab Emirates.

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Bemused Backpacker — 12 Comments

After 20 years of travel I still haven’t lost a sense of wonder or bemusement about the world, but it is not often now that a destination can really surprise me. A recent visit to Abu Dhabi not only threw me a huge curve ball with how much I ended up loving the country, but gave me a timely reminder of why I love travel too.

Tagged with: Abu Dhabi, gap year, travel, UAE, United Arab Emirates
Posted in Travel Talk

How To Turn Travel Disasters Into Travel Opportunities.

Posted on March 23, 2020 by Bemused Backpacker — 12 Comments

I have always said travel disasters can often become your best travel stories, but there can be a more practical advantage when things go wrong too, if you know how to take advantage of them. Be creative, stay positive and learn how to turn a problem into a golden opportunity when you travel.

Tagged with: do I get compensation for cancelled flight?, flight cancellation compensation, flight delay compensation, gap year, how long does a flight have to be delayed for compensation?, how to deal with things going wrong on a gap year, travel, travel disasters, travel insurance, upgrade, what can go wrong on a gap year, what to do if things go wrong on your gap year, what to do when things go wrong on your gap year
Posted in Travel Tips

Top 10 Ethical Wildlife Experiences For Your Gap Year Bucket List.

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Bemused Backpacker — 17 Comments

Many people who dream of traveling the world have a bucket list, and wildlife experiences are quite often right at the very top. The big problem is ensuring that you aren’t contributing to the widespread abuse of animals in the tourism industry and that you are instead observing animals in an ethical and sustainable way to ensure that travel and tourism has a positive impact on wildlife. Here are the top 10 ethical wildlife activities you can safely add to your bucket list right now.

Tagged with: bucket list, does wildlife tourism harm animals, how to interact with wildlife on your gap year, illegal wildlife trade, responsible wildlife tourism, safari, travel, volunteering with wildlife, wildlife, wildlife conservation, wildlife exploitation, wildlife exploitation in tourism, wildlife tourism, wildlife volunteer work abroad, zoo
Posted in Responsible Travel

Travelling In Gujurat During Navratri.

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Bemused Backpacker — 28 Comments

India is already one of the most colourful and vibrant destinations on the planet and Gujurat is no exception to that rule. Already one of India’s most diverse and culturally rich states, the festival of Navratri turns Gujurat into one long, extravagant, over the top and dizzying celebration, and visiting Gujurat during Navratri will be one of the most lively and sensory overloading experiences you will ever have, even if you don’t get to play the Garba yourself!

Tagged with: experiencing Navratri, Garba, Garba Naratri, Gujurat, India, India festivals, Navratri, Navratri festival, playing the Garba, things to do in Gujurat, travel
Posted in Destinations

Should Travellers Boycott Controversial Destinations?

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Bemused Backpacker — 55 Comments

There are plenty of destinations around the world that have what some consider controversial political or cultural stances on many issues, from women’s or human rights abuses to LGBTQ issues or the actions of oppressive dictatorships to name but a few, but does that mean travellers should boycott a destination? Should your ethical or moral viewpoint dictate where you travel to? What would you do?

Tagged with: backpacking, boycott destinations, ethical travel, gap year, travel, travel boycott, what is a travel boycott
Posted in Responsible Travel, Travel Talk

The Essential Guide On What To Pack For Day Hikes On Your Gap Year.

Posted on August 5, 2019 by Bemused Backpacker — 10 Comments

Whether you are trekking into a jungle, walking a desert trail or enjoying a hiking adventure to a specific attraction, hiking is a hugely popular activity for many backpackers on the gap year or travels around the world. Here is your ultimate guide on what to pack for a day’s hiking adventure.

Tagged with: adventure, Adventure Travel, hiking, packing, packing lists, packing lists for hiking, travel
Posted in Travel Lists

Dealing With Reverse Culture Shock After Your Gap Year.

Posted on July 16, 2019 by Bemused Backpacker — 36 Comments

Reverse culture shock refers to the experience of isolation, disorientation and struggle to readjust after you come back from your gap year, and it can hit you hard if you are not careful and should not be ignored or underestimated as it can lead to a lot of serious mental health problems. Here are some ways you can deal with the shock of returning home from your travels around the world.

We All Have Bad Days When Travelling. And That’s Okay.

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Bemused Backpacker — 20 Comments

There is a definite perception, probably fuelled by the rose tinted lenses of social media, that when we are travelling everything is perfect, every moment is an Instagram moment and we are all perfectly happy all of the time. Well that isn’t true, life isn’t like that at all, but the important thing to remember is that no one should really expect it to be.

Tagged with: backpacking, bad day when travelling, homesickness, mental health awareness, travel, travel burnout, travel health, travel mental health
Posted in Travel Talk

Responsible Wild Bear Watching In Slovakia.

Posted on June 17, 2019 by Bemused Backpacker — 10 Comments

Bear watching in Slovakia with Adventoura Slovakia is the ultimate responsible wildlife adventure! Slovakia has over 700 wild brown bears roaming free in the mountains and I couldn’t pass up the chance to spot a wild bear on a bear tracking trip. Especially when I heard how the adventure tour company adhered to responsible best practices in wildlife tourism.