#TravelThursday Beware the slump

Travelling is fun but always beware the slump.

That's when you come back and everything just feels 'bleh'.

The holiday helped you forget but now you are back to school / work / search and same ol' same ol' routines.

So how to beat the slump?

1. Come back early.

I find that the difference between when i come back the day my leave ends and a little while before is clear. They both suck (who wants to ever come home from a holiday) but the latter sucks less.

2. Ease into it

When you come back and immediately meet and try to deal with a heavy work load, you run the risk of physical and emotional trauma. Take things slow, especially for the first few days!

3. Bring your trip with you

Souvenirs and other memories from your trip will help keep you 'there' while you are here. Be it something as simple as a seashell or something as big as local art, anything that reminds you of your trip helps beat the slump.

Believe me, i'm taking my own advice!

#Chikasays #TravelThursday: 5 beautiful reasons Kenya is my next stop

BY CHIKA

So where is your next travel stop this year? For me, i think it might be Kenya. Why? Well i was scrolling through Twitter, when i stumbled upon some pictures of Kenyan wildlife that are totally adorable.

And now i find i might be packing my bags to Nairobi. I would like to share some of them with you here:

Ready?

1. This picture of a sea turtle with fish riding on its back was taken at Watamu beach and it made me smile.

Meanwhile, Watamu beach is near Mombasa Kenya, and not only can you spend time on really beautiful beaches, you can also watch sea creatures, if you are an avid diver.

2. Next up is, this really dope picture of a man feeding an elephant:

The picture was taken at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. According to their Twitter handle @DSWT, they are pioneers in the rescue, rehabilitation & release of orphaned baby elephants, and actively work to conserve all wildlife and wilderness areas in Kenya.

I would love to go visit and feed baby elephants too.

3. Giraffes against the beautiful brown of a safari is a beautiful sight to see.

These giraffes are at home in the Massai Mara, a large game reserve in Narok County, Kenya. The Massai Mara is quite close to the Serengeti National Park in Mara Region, Tanzania. 

I also noticed that there are several other beautiful sights in this park i really need to see.

4. Dolphins diving is another of my favorite things to watch

I will also likely visit Kenya's wildlife services, apapart from watching animals all day, i will ask them if i can take home a pet dolphin.

5. Watching the migration of wildebeest from a hot air balloon has to be on everyone's bucket list.

I can't wait to get on a hot air balloon and watch the whole of the Serengeti beneath my feet.

Who wants to come?

#TravelThursday: Fond memories of travelling by Road

When i was younger we would go visit my grandmother in Ijebu-Ode. We went by road, usually in two cars with my parents, my sister and my cousins. 

I learnt the joy and restlessness that comes with travelling by road then. We always started out excited. My dad would check the car and papers to make sure everything was fine, we would pack snacks and drinks and i would worry about NOT needing a bathroom break. I hated the thought of needing to go on the road!

We usually started off singing, joking and telling stories. Then one after the other, we would fall asleep till only the person driving (i hope) was awake.

And then just as it felt like we could not take it any longer, we would see the famous turn welcoming us to Ijebu Ode.

I loved it!

In school, i once had the 'pleasure' of travelling by road with boys and girls from two other schools to Abuja. I remember bits and pieces of the journey to and fro- getting acquainted, conversations about nothing, the stops we made and the things we bought, having the soda i packed in my bag burst open and ruin my clothes, giving out awards and just loving it.

Then there was NYSC and my trips on commercial buses. First you had to get to the park early enough, then get a good seat, and then hopefully tune the world out. I loved stopover in Benin; i would browse through novels, stretch my legs and wonder again why i was doing this? Once in a while there was a fear of being waylaid or the bus breaking down but all that would go away as soon as i saw the "Welcome to..." signs and in Lagos, my daddy's smile.

I have had to go by road to a few other places and one thing i know about travelling about road is it is better experienced with friends or at least a great book!

If you can bear the cramps (which can be eased by light exercise in between), the learning to drink enough to stay hydrated but not so much that you need a million bathroom breaks (hands down the worst thing about road travel for me), and the carsickness (eased by meds or simply chewing gum), travelling by road is full of fun, awesome scenery and erm..erm... that's all i have got.

What do YOU like about travelling by road?

#TravelThursday: Learning a new language

Travelling to a country where they speak a totally different language from yours can be terrifying but you probably only do that when you have a friend that speaks the language or someone there you know.

There is nothing wrong however with learning the basics and here some great ways of doing that.

USE AUDIO RECORDINGS

You can download audio files of the language and listen while you go about your daily business. Before you know it, you will be saying "bonjour" and "ekaro" like... well, you.

DICTIONARY

A language dictionary which compares the language you want to learn and that which you already know is handy before and during yyour trip.

Just know noone looks cool whipping out a book on a busy street to ask questions.

*shrug*

TV

Tv shows and programs in the language you want to learn are also indispensable at this point, so binge on them. Watch, watch, watch and listen. You will be pleasantly surprised how much of it you actually pick up.

LITERATURE

If you prefer to read, literary fiction and language texts. One of my favourites is the "Teach Yourself..." series. I once taught myself Germanbut because i had noone to speak it with i forgot all of it. Which is why the last tip is crucial.

INTERACT DAILY IN THE LANGUAGE

If you don't practise you will forget. Speak the language daily either to someone in person or via skype.

#TravelThursday Creative ways to save money on your next trip

So the recession is in, but people still have to travel, right? Of course. Like the popular saying goes: "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."

So how to save money in this recession while still traveling? Sign me up! Well, it does involve a little bit of effort, but the amount in savings? Totally worth it!

Let's take the tips step by step shall we?

BEFORE TRAVELING

Best travel deals

Always look out for sweet travel deals, depending on where you are going and when. There are likely to be travel or tourism agencies offering packages that could help you save a chunk of money. Be on the look out.

Best time to travel

Naturally, peak perods mean more expensive everything- flights, accommodation etc. Be a rebel and take trips during off peak periods instead. Added advantage is you also avoid the crowds.

DURING YOUR TRIP

Pro bono and Group tours

Some trips come with your hotel package and you can take advantage of that. Another thing to take advantage of is group tours as this automatically brings the price down. A lot of tour companies in Dubai for example, offer the Desert Safari and similar guided tours. 

In some places, week day tours are cheaper than weekend tours so check for that.

Travel like a local

If you are in a group, you can travel like a locale. This means using the public transportation system and eating at some of the local bars.

Put safety and health first though!

The Joy of Duty Free

I like to save some money for shopping at the airport when coming back home. It's duty free and you can get some great deals.

Got any other tips you would like to share?

#TravelThursday Surviving Long Trips

Long trips are the worst! You just want to get to your village, your honeymoon destination, your friend's birthday getaway or camp site but first you have to sit for hours.
Yuck!

I remember long trips to my granny's house in Ijebu when I was in school, and being with my sister and cousins made it bearable. I've also learnt some tricks for long flights and thanks to my cousin, long journeys via sea as well.

Check out some below!

BEFORE THE TRIP

Dress Comfortably
Avoid tight clothing, heels and other things that might seem like a good idea when you leave home but will leave you slightly ill and very uncomfortable hours later.

My go to is usually a pair of jeans and a top, with a jacket incase it gets cold, and usually flats and socks.
If you are flying, you don't want shoes that you need to lace up, relace, then spend minutes wearing again as you go through scanners!

Watch what you eat and drink
It is advisable to have some water so as to be hydrated but watch what you eat and drink so you are not nauseous during the trip, and so your bathroom breaks are cut to a minimum.

Imagine a long bumpy bus ride?

Check the car
For road trips, please do check all the things you need. Tyre pressure, fuel in the tank, engine oil level etc. Also ensure you have proper documentation for all the stops along the way. This is not the time to ride with someone who does not have a license.

DURING THE TRIP

Get your Entertainment on!
Long trips are a great excuse for catching up on movies you've bheen wanting to see, music you have been wanting to listen to and all those novels you have not had time for.

And hey, if it is really long, get adventurous and see a movie you would usually never go to the cinema for or listen to a random album.

Get Creative!
Budding writer? Write. Artist? Draw? Songwriter? You know what to do.
Long trips are the perfect opportunities for discovering your creative side and letting it shine.

Take Breaks
If you are on a road trip, stop once in a while to just relax a little, especially for the driver.

On a plane, ensure you walk up and down the cabin once in a while as it is recommended by doctors. Do the same for sea travels as well.

Stay Fresh
I know a lot of us worry about staying clean during long flights and trips.
One thing to do is pack small siye versions of hygiene products like your toothbrush and paste, roll on or some kind of eau de toilette, baby wipes etc.

That way, you can freshen up during the trip and once you get to your destination.

#TravelThursday: 5 places where the sun never sets!

In Nigeria, we have fairly normal daylight and nighttime conditions, so when it is between 6 pm and 7 pm, the sun sets and the day starts to grow dark, right?

Now imagine a place, where it is daylight for 24 hours, a place where the sun never sets! Where you actually need to check the time, to know when to call it a night and go to bed.

For some, it is strange at first, so strange that they find it difficult falling asleep, because the normal conditions of darkness are not there. Yet, there are people who are used to the sun shining bright at 11pm! Where? Here are 5 places where this happens:

NORWAY

Norway is popularly called the land of the midnight sun. This is because for about 76hours between late May and late July, the sun remains high in the sky for about 20 hours every day.

To sleep, you will probably need heavy curtains to shut out the sunlight, or you might find yourself tossing and turning all night, if you are not used to it. Research says that this happens because of Norway's high altitude, so the period of refracted sunlight is longer.

FINLAND

In parts of Finland, they have daylight for 24 hours on some days.  No sunset, just the sun shining all day and all night.

And then on the other hand they experience no sunlight for some days during the winters. Just darkness all day and all night. Talk about extremes!

SWEDEN

In Sweden, for up to six months in the year there is constant sunshine all day and then on other days the sun sets at about midnight and rises at 4am! I think Sweden should be called the sunlit country.

ALASKA

Like Norway, the sun does not set in Alaska, from late May to late July and sets in the summer around 12.30am. This is partly because Alaska is just south of the Arctic Circle.

ICELAND

The Icelandic football team was one of my favorites during the Euro 2016 tournament and apart from being a beautiful country with peace loving people, the sun never fully sets in Iceland during winter, constant sunlight all day long! It sets for about 3 hours during the summer from 12 am - 3 am.

Knowing how it can be hard for some people to sleep when there is light, i sure am glad i live where the sun sets!

#TravelThursday: Staying healthy while on holiday

Travelling is a lot of fun but you know what is not fun? Falling ill while on holiday. Yuck! Who wants to go through that?

To avoid falling ill and spending your holiday in bed, check out some of the things you can do.

BEFORE YOU GO!

- Get a check up!
Have your doctor do a quick once over to ensure everything is a okay!

- Get your travel insurance done!
While some visa applications require you to have travel insurance, if you are going to a visa free place, still get some kind of insurance for yourself.

- Take the meds you need
If there are certain medications you need to take then you should take them along. Have your own mini first aid kit which includes bandages, plasters, pain relievers etc.
Lastly remember, the fact that something is over the counter in your country does not make it same all over.

You know any health issues you might have. So ensure you stock up on meds to take with you. Do not forget your meds!

- Do your research!
Check out what precautions are necessary for where you are going and also what to avoid.

- Have a medical contact!

DURING THE TRIP.

- Mind what you eat. ..
And Drink!

I am pretty adventurous when it comes to food but always be cautious, especially if you have allergies. Most restaurants will tell you what's in the food so that's fine but be careful about eating at just any place or even fruits etc. And be extra careful when it comes to water!

- Stay active and alert
Exercise a little but don't over exert yourself.

- Wear appropriate clothing
If you are in a cold place, stay warm. If it is warm, ensure your clothing is loose. It might seem basic but it is easy to forget. Shawls and jackets are a girl's best friend!

- Be careful with insects and animals
(Even here please. Lol)

WHEN YOU COME BACK
- See a doctor!
Do another post trip check up

- Ease back in
Rest for an extra day if you can before going back to work / school to avoid breaking down!

I hope these help.

#TravelThursday: Top 5 weirdest tourist attractions in the world

Tourist attractions are one of the major reasons people travel. The need to see something different, something weird, something new, drives millions into planes to remote locations every year.

Apart from the really beautiful sights we can see when we travel to tourist attractions, there are also really weird ones. Check out this list based compiled by Cntraveler. Here we go:

New Zealand's Steepest Street

You know how some streets can slope gradually when you walk down, this street, the Baldwin Street in Dunedin, New Zealand is in the Guinness book of records as been the steepest of them all.

It is 1,150 meters long and has a 19-degree slope, it would be near impossible to drive up this street, and walking up it would be a form of exercise.

Nebraska’s Carhenge

If you are a student of history, then no doubt you would have heard of Stonehenge, a group of really large stones arranged in a circular form, no one is sure who built it till now.

Somewhere in Nebraska, an artist named Jim Reinders decided to do something similar in memory of his father, using cars arranged in a circle. The cars are their original sizes, models painted gray. A site you might not forget.

China’s upside down house

Have you ever felt like your life was upside down? Well, if you get to to the China Folk Painting Village in Fengjing Ancient Town, just south of Shanghai, China, you might see what it would really feel like to have your life upside down.

In the upside down house, the furniture and everything else is arranged in a way that appears to defy gravity. Imagine standing on your ceiling.

South Africa’s Big pineapple

In South Africa’s Eastern Cape, there is a pineapple industry. Yet, the most weird thing is the 55-foot-high fiberglass pineapple.

Imagine a three story building high pineapple. After checking out the 360-degree view, you can also watch a film about the area’s agriculture and how pineapple is processed.

Thailand’s Hell Garden

Let us assume, you want to know what Hell looks like, well you can learn a lot in Thailand’s Hell garden.

The Wang Saen Suk’s “hell garden” shows you, in disturbing detail, what to expect in Hell, with life-size statutes. Many will come back from a visit to the garden as saints.

So which would you like to visit first?

#TravelThursday 5 best Beaches around the world

Ever wondered why you love beaches?

Scientists claim it is because we spent a lot of our time by the water while evolving. "Eez daaaat?".

I think we love the peace, the calm, the "I'm not driving in traffic cussing anyone out" emotions. Lol.

Beaches are great places for fun and introspection too. Now, finally, on to that list:

1. Lopes Mendes, Ilha Grande, Brazil

We may be more interested in Brazil now because of the Olympics but Brazil boasts one of the best beaches in the world.

Lopes Mendes is two miles of unspoiled, deserted, powder-white sand that leads to some of the world’s clearest waters. And o, noone sets up beach shacks or restuarants here so it really is just you and nature.

2. Bora Bora Islands, Tahiti

The Island of Bora Bora is just a little under a one hour flight from the island of Tahiti or Moorea. The lagoon is so beautiful you would think an artist painted it! I can't wait to be there!

3. Seychelles beaches

 

Yay!

Finally!

The only one of these five beaches i have been to o.

Anse Source d'Agent which is across the island of La Digue, is one of the most photographed beaches in the world.

4. The Hamptons, New York

Well! Turns out that contrary to what we see on E!, the Hamptons are not just nightlife and rich kids.

They are also peaceful beautiful beaches and rich kids!

5. Barnes Bay, Anguilla

There are 33 pristine beaches on pancake-flat Anguilla, but Barnes Bay seems to have the softest sand imagineable (no rocks or shells) and far fewer crowds than say Sandy Ground or Shoal Bay East. It is located in the Leeward chain of islands, east of Puerto Rico.

I am aiming to visit all the ones on this list and a few more but which beach would you love to visit?

#TravelThursday Let's go partying!

Travelling is fun, especially when you experience all the things your destination has to offer, including the nightlife!

But, is there anything you need to know or watch out for when travelling?
Let's see...


FIND A GUIDE

If you are travelling to a place where you already have a friend that lives there, good for you. But even if you do not, never fear. You can ask tour guides, hotel staff etc but PLEASE take precautions.

The aim is someone who knows all the fun spots and places to stay away from!


KNOW THE LAWS

You know what would really suck? If you were far away from home on holiday, having the time of your life, and then, you got arrested!

Learn the dos and don'ts of where you are. What is allowed and what is banned? Are there age restrictions for buying alcohol or being in a club?

FOOD AND DRINK

I think this is even important at any time of the day, but especially at night, because if you take in something not compatible with your body system, medical care might be harder to get.

So watch what you eat or drink, avoid trying out strange foods, especially if you have allergies.

Paris has some of the best wine tasting places i have been to, yet i will not jump in and just drink anything without checking properly. Unless you want to spend youur fun night in the toilet.

MONEY

Apart from changing to the right currency, before you carry yourself out of the house, you also have to be sure of how much things cost.

Hennessy and Moet are not the same price everywhere, so please know prices before ordering, especially if you are in a strange place.

Do not be so sure, you can swipe your card. And always carry extra money for emergency, you don't want to end up washing plates in a strange club somewhere.

I hope these tips help!.

#TravelThursday Olumo Rock... an experience i will never forget!

I remember being in school and going on excursions. One of the most fun excursions ever was to Olumo Rock in Abeokuta. That day, i learnt a little more about myself (like lengths i would go to to go on an excursion and that when push comes to shove, i will push myself). More on those lessons later but let us talk about Olumo Rock and how it is one of the tourist attractions we have in Nigeria.

Some things have changed since i went, and some stay the same. But why should you check Olumo Rock out!

CAVES

The caves in Olumo rock smell of history and time.. 

The rock served as a shelter for many of the survivors, who were said to have hidden in specific areas inside the caves located inside the rocks to evade attacks from enemies. Those caves still bear the stories of the people who lived in them and that is how Abeokuta got its name (Under the Rock).

THE OLD WOMEN

There are women living in and around Olumo rock, really old women, they usually take their time to explain to you the history of the rock, and how they felt growing up in its shadow. No history tracher can give you that! 

If you are lucky, you might meet the 'Iya Orisa' who will tell you the story of the civil war that hit Egbaland. Stories you won't forget easily. 

SOUVENIRS

Don't leave without buying souvenirs like wrist bands and necklaces. You get something cute to tell stories with, and the people there make a living. So thank you, in advance!

GETTING TO THE TOP

If you are scared of heights, i don't think you will make it up there, but if you do,  you will be look down at Abeokuta all spread out before you in all its awesome glory. I tend to be a scaredy cat like most last borns but for this i really pushed myself and though i almost slipped once or twice, i made it to the top. When i got there, i had like a rush of emotions going through me- like wow Tosyn, you can do anything!
It was a great feeling!

There you have it!
Now hope next time we see, you can say to be proudly, i make it under the rock!

#TravelThursday: Tips on Tipping... ha ha ha

Hey!

So it is another #TravelThursday and this time, i wanted to chat a little about tipping!
You know how you travel and you are a bit lost as to how, when and if to tip? I remember a scene in a movie once where after the bellhop had brought the luggage in, he just sort of stood around and the guest did not know why till they explained to her that she was supposed to have tipped him.
Then even when you want to tip, you may not know how much may be too much or too little!
It really can be confusing but here are some tips that can help you get out of that...

- CHECK before you TIP!

Why? While tipping is celebrated and expected in some places, it is actually frowned upon in others, Fir example, tipping in countries like Japan, China, Vietnam and Malaysia is a no no while a lot of European and African countries welcome it.

- LOOK out for the TIP jar
Some restaurants, hotels, and even cabs have tip jars strategically placed so you can just put in the jar.
Then in some countries, tips are already automatically added to your bill ('gratuity').

In these cases, if you still want to leave something because of how good the service was or directly for one person, you can then leave a little smaller than you normally would.

- CALCULATE and CONVERt
Grr!
Who really wants to calculate?
Well you have to so you get a good range of what to tip.
You can give waiters, shop assistants etc a percentage of your total bill; perhaps 5 - 10percent. Anything from 5 to 20percent is acceptable.
Another good trick is to convert!
When you are spending different currency, you may feel a bit lost but if you convert it to your home currency in your mind, you can then determine how much you would tip at home and then give the equivalent.

- PLAN to come back? You better TIP!
You tend to tip where the service has been exceptionally good but i recommend tipping at places you want to be remembered. That way, you become a 'customer' as we say over here.

I hope these tips help you guys.
Do you have any travel tips of your own?

My tour guide at Cousins Island. I was very fascinated by his skin 

TravelThursday; My Travel Pet Peeves

I love travelling, i love talking about travelling, and i love s.h.a.r.ing pictures and my travel experiences.
BUT! With all of this, there are still some things i do not like about travelling. A few of these make part one of my 'Travel Pet Peeves".

- The processes

Grr!
Where is my passport? Yellow fever card? Travel insurance? bla la la!
When you travel you have to ensure a lot of things are in place because who wants their holiday ruined because they forgot some process?
And let's not forget how owning a green passport makes things a bit more complicated with visa appointments...

- Packing

Grr!
Why can't i either just buy every single thing i need where i go to, or have a fairy that helps me pack?
First i have to pack here, with things i need, but enough space for what i want to bring back. And i hate all that folding up and fitting things into boxes that comes with packing!

- Unpacking

Because apparently, everything packed must be unpacked.
Hian

- The journey

I do not know about you but i am not aa fan of any mode of transportation that lasts longer than say one hour.
I can barely sit still in traffic so road trips can start off fine but by the second hour i am bored, need to pee and uncomfortable. Then there is all that sea or air sickness, cramped legs, headaches and everything that comes with it.
Nah.

- Coming back

Well.
Self explanatory.

What are your Travel Pet Peeves?

Why I think Iceland Should Win the Euros 2016

Yes, because first off, it will make a great story.
 Iceland the underdog team, winning the tournament? It would be bigger than the story of Leicester winning the English Premier League.

Lol. I am of course now fascinated by Iceand. a nation with the population of over 300000 only. That is like the size of a village in Nigeria o, and almost a hundred thousand fewer people than follow Ronaldo on twitter!

- They are so non-violent, that they do not have an army, navy or air force, plus their police do not carry guns.

- Their national sport is handball. And yes, this country, whose national sport is handball, held a Portugal side with Cristiano Ronaldo playing, to a draw! They have shown great heart.

- Get this- they qualified for their first ever World Cup in 2014, becoming the smallest ever nation to do that.

- Despite their non-violent disposition, one of the most violent characters from the popular Game of Thrones Series is from Iceland. Yup- The Mountain, whose real name is: ‎Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson .



He even made a funny Youtube video, where he threatened, (in jest of course) to remove Ronaldo's head if he scored against his team.

- As for football, experts say because they were not used to football at that level, they did not know all the diving gimmicks and other theatrics. Which means they played clean. Another achievement in my books!



You can see why i am rooting for this peace loving, honest and pure people. I think it is time i visit Iceland myself, who wants to come along?

#TravelThursday My Seychelles Beauty haul

#TravelTip when you go somewhere, check out their beauty products! Every area has that special thing you can only get there so bring some of that magic with you.

I went to Seychelles a few weeks ago and loved the sand the sun and the sea. So what about Seychelles is harnessed to make skin supple and people happy?

Turns out Seychelles has a lot to offer!

First I stumbled on this line called 'Yikings' which has a range of products for various skin types and needs. I copped the lip balm, some scrubs, face mist, skin rejuvenation lotion and cleanser.

Then at a souvenir shop, I found gems like these cute soaps (some already packaged as souvenirs), and lotions.

The natural products I got were mainly coconuts and lemon grass but there was also the peach one just for the smell.

I should have got some sunscreen though! Lol. So that's another tip- don't forget your sunscreen!

So that's my current haul and I'm enjoying using all of them, especially the facial soaps and body scrubs.

What's the best product you've bought while on holiday? s.h.a.r.e!

#TravelThursday Missing EgyptAir MS804

The Greek Defence Ministry says the missing EgyptAir plane travelling from Paris to Cairo made some abrupt turns before losing altitude after making a call.
This is the latest update on the story which broke this morning.

I have been travelling a bit recently and you all know how scary it can be sometime on a plane. So waking up to news about a missing airplane is even scarier.

An EgyptAir flight (Egypt Airbus MS840) went off the radar shortly after entering Egypt's airspace over the Mediterranean Sea is really scary. The plane was said to have been carrying 69 people on board; 59 passengers and 10 crew members (including security officials) .It took off from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris at 11:09pm on the 18th of May, and was expected to land in Cairo, Egypt in the morning on the 19th.
EgyptAir tweeted the plane was missing three hours after it was scheduled to land.

Some reports say there was no distress signal received, while others say one was received ten minutes before it went off radar.
Friends and family members of those on board have gathered at the airport, and now we have to pray hard concerning rescue / salvage missions.