Back in January 2020, 2 weeks upon our arrival in Najran, we went to a park which was a little far from our hostel. I remember it being a wide field with a lot of people doing picnics on huge mats on the grass, just relaxing under the cold sky and enjoying with their families and friends. We just ate with our new found Filipino friends and walked around the park and took photos.

Then months later, I saw my colleagues posting photos of a place with Go Karts and ATV rides. Since there's not much to do here in Najran, I told my friends about it so we too can go and try it out ourselves. Little did I know that it was located in the same park we went to before. But it seems like Happy Land wasn't there yet back then. 

Getting to travel the world is a great privilege, even if it's a hard-earned privilege for some. Thailand is one of the most popular countries to visit for a variety of reasons, especially with younger generations. Aside from the rich party culture that can be found in some locations, it also has vast amounts of natural beauty, including happy, friendly people who will be glad to talk to you about the history and culture, and delicious food, often cooked fresh and can be found on the roadside. You could go to Thailand simply to chill out on the sprawling beaches and go to parties every night. However, there many people prefer a more meaningful brand of travel, whether it’s for personal or professional reasons, there is so much to discover in Thailand. You can take a different approach to your time in Thailand if you like getting under the skin of a country.

Perhaps you are looking to move there and you’re needing somewhere to stay and looking for the best area to live in. You could opt for a townhouse in Bangna and see what areas are the best for what you want, whether it’s social life, art, culture or food. Thailand in general has all of these in abundance and that's what makes it such a good place to travel to, as a business person, on a holiday or with a partner.

photo grabbed from https://pixabay.com/photos/dancer-asia-art-bangkok-pretty-1807516/

Volunteer Or Get A Working Visa
One way to experience the authentic side of Thailand is to volunteer. You can give your time and energy, and perhaps your expertise, to benefit the local community. There are a few different ways you might decide to volunteer in Thailand whilst you’re there. One of the things you can do is work with children and in schools as they are always in need of teachers and to help teach kids English, it’s vital for most countries. You could start teaching them English, how to play sports, or how to use a computer even as some may not have even used one before in certain areas. As well as working with the children, you could also be working with minority groups, such as Cambodians. You could also seek out conservation projects to help protect
Thailand's natural beauty, as well as learn how they survive and their life long traditions which enable them to thrive.

Learn Some Thai - But Beware, It’s Tricky!
The Thai language perhaps isn't the first one anyone thinks of learning, mostly because it is not widely spoken, it is very difficult to learn and it sounds hard to wrap your tongue around. But if you're keen to spend some time in Thailand, it's polite to learn at least a few key phrases and it will help the locals warm to you. If you go beyond the standard phrases of please and thank you, you can also make it easier to connect with local people and even make friends. You might find that it's easier to get along with a bit more of the language and that it opens up new experiences for you. You could take lessons, try to teach yourself a little or just attempt to pick
some up from the locals. This can be done in a classroom or online of course but a classroom will allow you to feel more immersed in the life and culture in the country.

Connect with Locals And Meet New Friends
The previous two things can both help you to connect more with local people on your travels. Some people have the tendency to only socialize with fellow travelers. However, if you take the time to get to know some locals, you could get a much more authentic view of Thailand. A little bit of the language will get you a long way, as people are sure to appreciate your effort. Volunteering is a great way to spend time within a community too. This may allow you to get involved with outdoor activities, go on road trips or just generally feel more part of the culture.

Do Something You Really Enjoy
If you want to really connect with Thailand and its people, then it can be helpful to explore one of your passions while you're there. For example, it's a great time to work on your writing or photography skills. But if you’re not creative, that’s OK too, there are lots of sports and museums, temples and trails to explore and this can be done on foot, in tour groups or by bicycle if you love cycling, it’s also a great way to keep fit and healthy and is really worth doing. Doing something you love while you're in Thailand will help you see what the country has to offer and allow you to feel a little more at home when you’re there. The prices of things in thailand are going to be significantly cheaper than in the west, and this will be beneficial if you're
wanting to do a lot of exploring. It will not be expensive to buy food, so if you start a cooking class, then you can put your skills into action in your own kitchen and enjoy the Thai cuisine.

Thailand isn't just for partying and drinking, like you may have first thought. If you're planning a visit, make sure you explore all the wonderful things there are to see and do. If you’re going for work, then make sure you have a plan of where you want to live or have to live, what the best areas are and places to help you through such as doctors clinics, embassies and pharmacies, just to be sure that you know what to do in case something arises. Overall it’s a welcoming place which can help you learn about the world as well as spiritually and educationally with so
much history at its fingertips, you can be sure you will learn something valuable staying in the far eastern magical world that they call Thailand.

As a first timer OFW, i can honestly say that I didn't think much about my luggages. I just knew that I had to bring my stuff, have it weighed without getting over the limit and carry on with the whole travel experience. Little did I know that from the entrance of the airport up to arriving in my country of destination, I had to carry all those weights with me. It made me a bit stressful for quite some time.

Using just any type of luggage I saw at the house, I didn't realize how important it is to avail a very lightweight luggage, but sturdy at the same time. Having experienced all those hassle just this December when I travelled from the Philippines to Saudi Arabia made me look for must have luggages for my vacation to the Philippines hopefully this December 2020.

Upon checking the internet, again, I had no idea how expensive luggages can be, especially top brands. So I tried looking for an alternative to Samsonite that would cater to what I need with less price, i stumbled upon NaSaDen.

NaSaDen, a company that originated from Germany, provides luxurious luggages, suitcases and travel accessories at affordable prices. Also known as DreamBox, this luggages are designed to get you with comfort and ease from your home to the airport check out counter, having you onboard and enjoying your flight without any worries. They custom build our DreamBox to suit your needs. Every item is thoroughly checked ensuring that every single DreamBox is of the highest quality before it reaches customers.

For someone planning on a vacation,  I decided to look for a luggage that's good for 1-3 days, lightweight, durable, stylish but still affordable. Sharing you my top choice from NaSaDen: the New Schloss Sanssouci Series 22".


What I love about this luggage is that:

• First, there's a lot of color to choose from and they have it in rose gold
• Has a duel, 4 wheel spinner that makes it easy to stabilize and to move around
• Lightweight
• Very durable with buckle lock made out of stainless steel and enhanced strength padded handles made of metal parts
• Extra material added for soft and comfy inner linings

• Simple and modern style with built in TSA lock
• It has a 1 year warranty.
• Lastly, it would only cost me $306 and if you purchase using afterpay, you get to avail it in 4 interest free installments!

I welcomed 2020 away from my loved ones. Last december, thinking of celebrating the holidays far from my kids and family was heartbreaking. But thanks to my new found friends here in Saudi Arabia, I felt a bit happy and relieved that I do not feel too homesick. Plus the fact that me and my family always use the video messengers to have small chitchats made me miss them less.

Travelling and seeing the world is on most people’s bucket list. We all want to experience something authentically exotic and rugged. Be it, visiting temples in the foothills of the Himalayas, or breathing in the soil rich air of the rainforest in British Columbia, or experiencing the hustle and bustle of the street markets in South East Asia, we all have something we want to see and do. Usually, we will fly to a destination and look about a city or a part of the world we are interested in and fly back, but this means missing out on many less travelled destinations.

To truly see and experience a country, its landscape, terrain, countryside, culture, wildlife, people, you need to get out of the cities and away from the beaches and travel by car absorbing the scenes around you. This means that all you need to do is to hire a car, and away you go.

Here are some fantastic road trips you must try:

Perth, Australia.

There is a terrific one-week road trip in Perth where you can explore some of the best-kept secrets of the land down under. Drive along the open road, through the desert, and see a kangaroo in its natural habitat. All you have to do is hire a car from Burswood Car Rentals car hire promo and feel that freedom only driving can give you.

Image from Pixabay

The Ring Road, Iceland.

To develop a real feel for the land of fire and ice, why not take some time out to travel the 828 mile long Ring Road tour. The trip starts and ends in Reykjavik and along the way you will see the Golden Circle, the scenic Snaesfellsnes peninsula, with its lava fields, and lava tube caves.

If you are a bit of an adventurer, you will want to stop and explore these marvels of nature, so get out and hike the rugged terrain. You will also be able to stop wherever you want and stare up at the Northern Lights. Hiring a car is easy, and gets you to places you would never usually go.

The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland.

Ireland is not called the Emerald Isle for no reason and to truly experience why you need to get in your car and travel along the Wild Atlantic Way. You could travel from the Northern Headlands with its rugged and craggy beauty, to the Haven Coast in the south where you can explore the ancient tombs. In a car, you can become one with the country and begin to understand the land and its people in a way you couldn’t if you flew into a particular area and stayed there.

There is nothing quite like allowing the road to take you to places you never normally would go. You don’t need to travel the beaten track, take back roads, and diversions wherever and whenever you like. Driving through a country nourishes the soul in a way that flying in and out of a bust airport is wholly unable to do. Road trips allow you to gain a new perspective on the world around us with all its vastness and beauty.

A trip or holiday for most of us can be an escape from the world and an opportunity to embrace a plethora of brand new things. A holiday can however come hand in hand with certain disappointments. These disappointments usually present themselves as the things we wish that we would have done. Today we are looking at some tips for things you should absolutely do to get the best from your next trip.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/mountains-under-bleu-sky-2912996/

Visit Everything

When it comes to arriving in a new country, there are two types of people. There is the beach dweller; they will generally spend the entire holiday lay on the beach, burning to a crisp. The second type of person is the adventurer, the person who wants to be on the move, as you’re here, that is probably you.

The biggest regret an adventurer has is not seeing enough, and this is why one of the best things you can do is find Custom Small Group Tours. These tours are usually more personal, and you will get to see far more than you would generally on your own.

Having the experience of somebody at your side that not only knows the local area, but they are also a trustworthy source can be a great form of comfort. Being in a strange country can be a nervous experience, especially in some places in the world.

You should make every effort to visit as many places as possible; after all, one of the most common phrases you will hear from every adventurer goes like this “I wish I visited…”

Capture Every Moment

Capturing every moment of your trip can be one of the most amazing things you ever do. It not only helps you secure those magical moments that would otherwise only exist in your mind. It also enables you to capture the moments so you can share them with loved ones at a later time.

If you are on a more extended trip or maybe you are away travelling the world. Documenting the journey is an excellent way of communicating with everybody back home. Of course, for some people, this documenting turns into travel blogging, and the whole thing could ultimately become a successful business before your very eyes.

Embrace The Culture

One of the most amazing things you can do when visiting a new country is to embrace their culture. Embracing culture is something that not a lot of people seem to do nowadays.

When it comes to embracing the culture, it can help you enjoy your time so much more, the more you embrace, the more the locals warm to you and you can gain some amazing things when the locals get involved.

Embracing culture can make more difference than you can even imagine, you can go from an outsider to being treated like one of the locals in no time at all. This can see you sampling some fantastic cuisine or even taking in a local ritual. These are the moments that holidays are made of, so don’t shy away from them.

There are many perks of living the transatlantic traveling lifestyle. You get to see the
wonders of the world, immerse yourself into different cultures, try different foods, meet new people. The list is endless and varies depending on the individual desires of a person and what is important to them.

What about if you fall in love with a place so much so that you think about starting your life there? Much like moving to a different area of your home country, there are a few things to work through before making the ultimate decision to pack up your life and start again in a new country.

Moving home in itself is a huge task--combine that with moving overseas, and you have the potential for a logistical nightmare! Here is a list of those things to help you along the way of living in your dream country.

Start Learning The Language

‘Ah, but so many people can speak English! What’s the point?’ is an attitude displayed by many people when they encounter the issue of language. While it may be true in some cases, there’s always going to be room for misinterpretation and other language barriers. Not everybody speaks English, and taking the time to learn some basic phrases will not only make you feel more comfortable in a new environment, but it will also allow you to start to form relationships with those around you.

Language learning apps such as duolingo are increasing in popularity. They turn the concept of learning languages into a game--offering a wide range of languages to learn, too!

Take Another Trip

The romantic feeling of entering a new country can lose its novelty pretty quickly, especially if you visited in a particular season--for example, German markets at Christmas time may host all of the magic of the season, but in rainy autumn, may not seem so appealing.

Take a trip during a different season to see if you could hack it living in this new country when the weather changes.

If you previously stayed in a nice hotel, try renting an AirBnB for a couple of weeks, to immerse yourself into the local community. You’ll also have the opportunity to try and cook like a local and shop in their stores. All of these things will help you to see if you can really see yourself living there in the longer term.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/gray-and-brown-pagoda-2870116/

Start to Speculatively Job Search

It’s all very well and good to have the dream of moving overseas, but one of the things that you may have to leave behind is your job. You need to find ways of supporting yourself financially so you are able to live the life you want overseas.

You might be fortunate enough to run your own business, or have the opportunity to work remotely, but you’ll need to consider time-zone differences based on business needs, too.

Look on local job listings to see if there are any jobs that match your skills and consider tailoring your resume to meets the needs of the employer.

Think About Where You’ll Live

Like the buzz of the big city, the relaxing sounds of the sea, or the quite remote areas of the country? Think about how these things will affect how and where you look for a property to live in.

Many visas won’t allow settlement immediately, so search for the best places to find rental properties...or sewa rumah in Indonesia, alquiler in Spain, or even аренда недвижимости in Russia. This way you’re not committing to staying in one place beyond the allowances of your visa.

Be aware-- even in short-term rentals, the lettings people will likely want you to provide references from previous landlords, and evidence of up to 3x the monthly rent in total household income.

Check Legal Requirements

There are some countries you are able to visit for up to three months without a visa, and there are others that require multiple visas for various reasons. Make sure you’re well versed in these requirements before throwing all of your money away to move overseas. Prepare for the piles of paperwork that will likely need filling in, by organizing all of your bank statements, mortgage and tax bills into an expanding file. Make sure to have enough time on your passport to travel to your potential new country, as well as having at least 6 months left for if you plan to return to your home country at any point.

All of these things should be done at least 6 months prior to your planned move.
Then it’s time to get packing!

If you're looking to jumpstart your life with a little adventure, then geocaching is the perfect recreational activity for you to try. You'll get a chance to explore the wilderness, breathe in the nature around you and end up with a treasure along the way. Here are some tips for beginners:

You must have a GPS unit
Geocaching is impossible without a GPS device. A smartphone can be an excellent replacement for a locator if you are just starting out. It won’t provide the necessary topological maps needed for advanced explorations.


Nevertheless, it will get the job done for short and compact journeys. If you follow the directions carefully, it will lead you to the desired destination. Just make sure you don’t focus too much on the arrow and forget about your surroundings.

Try using all of your senses
Using a GPS locator is of great importance when you're out looking for the hidden treasure. But, it can only do so much. The tracking device will surely bring you closer to the cache. However, after you get near enough, you will need to use your senses. These ones will definitely make sure you do: https://landroverexplore.com/stories/7-amazing-geocaches-to-discover/
If you're having trouble finding the container, make sure to look for items that seem like they don't belong there. Use your eyes and focus hard on the surroundings, and try to locate something that looks out of place. Try touching different objects and lifting them up. Carefully check whether they hide something as well.  Moreover, many people will camouflage their containers into places that most people wouldn’t look.

Bring a pen and a notebook

The year is winding down, and it’s time to reward yourself for a job well done all year long. It doesn’t matter what you’ve been up to; you deserve a vacation.

In as much as vacations are a time to relax and have fun, your destination choice can set the pace for your next year. It can also help you appreciate life a lot more and discover yourself. That said, where should you jet off to for a vacation?

To start with, fine-tune all the facets of your travel so that you have no last minute worries. Select a destination early, book accommodations and find out what you’ll do when there. Yes, spontaneity is thrilling, but sprinkling spontaneity into a plan is even better.

www.granicus.com

Your destination is Santa Barbara, and you’ve made a fantastic choice since this is a famous Spanish style town in California. Your experience from the minute you arrive is worth writing home about, especially the breathtaking architectural designs, waterfronts lined with palms, mountain cover, Santa Barbara Chocolate, and alluring sunsets.

www.santabarbaraca.com

The graceful town is welcoming and warm like home but better. Many of the tourist attractions in Santa Barbara are close to each other. Therefore, you have an opportunity to experience the town in its entirety.

Additionally, you get to join in the festivals that take place in the town. Therefore, here are three areas you should not skip when you visit Santa Barbara.

Three places to visit when traveling to Santa Barbara

•    Mission Santa Barbara

www.santabarbaramission.org

The most iconic landmark in the city is worth a visit to the picturesque setting. The mission’s style is a significant influence on architecture in the town. While you’re at the Mission, don’t forget to pop into the museum that holds exquisite art pieces from the colonial period and other artifacts.

La Huerta old garden is another spot you can’t afford to miss. There are mission-era plants like pomegranates, grapes, citrus, and the prickly pear. A stroll around the Mission Santa Barbara will help you relax and learn about the Spanish colonial era.

•    Stearns Wharf

www.californiabeaches.com

If you’re searching for breathtaking views of the calming beaches and ocean, Stearns Wharf is the place to be. You’ll also experience the beautiful pink glow of the daylight against the Santa Ynez mountains that are the perfect backdrop for a lazy afternoon.

Besides the views, Stearns Wharf has many shops and restaurants where you can indulge in indigenous cuisine and shop unique things. The Barbara museum of natural history is also close by, and you can drop by and wind up with a relaxed ice-cream and views-filled evening.

The Lil' toot water taxi from the Santa Barbara Harbor is a kid favorite and a great way to keep your kids excited while on vacation. Some of the best beach resorts in Santa Barbara are also in Stearns Wharf which means you can choose to stay there.

•    Lotusland

www.tripadvisor.com

It would be an injustice to skip a visit to one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Lotusland is a botanical collection of amazing displays that are bound to soothe away your stress. The dramatic presentation of beautiful, breathtaking plants will make your Santa Barbara memorable.

To sum up

You have so many places to visit and stay while in Santa Barbara. The above three areas should be at the top of your list. They’ll help you kick off your Santa Barbara stay in glamorous style.

If you’re traveling with kids, Santa Barbara is a family-friendly destination that features many kid activities and adventures. That doesn’t mean that you’re left doing kids stuff, you also get to have your fun. Not forgetting shopping in the malls, hiking and watching humpback whales.

There is always that thing about traveling. The way it brings you to another world, different from what you are used to. The culture of each place you go to fascinates you because it means they country and its people are sharing a part of their lives with you.

There are places which you always equate to travel or dream vacation. The Eiffel Tower in Paris, the pristine beaches of the Maldives or the impressive landmarks of Prague. Maybe it’s time to put on your list the exotic places or less populated ones that are as equally beautiful as those more famous tourist spots.

https://www.tripadeal.com.au/deals/1664-14-day-beauty-of-croatia

Croatia is at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, that boasts of its picturesque coastline.  This country is filled with ancient remains of the Roman and Venetian times with fascinating stories to boost. Last 2012, Croatia waved its tourism banner proudly as the Mediterranean’s fastest growing tourist destination. So here are some tips should you choose to visit this beautiful and emerging go-to-country.

1.  Don’t be afraid to ride the ferries or charter a boat.
Island hopping is part of visiting Croatia, although island hopping on your own can be quite a challenge. Most Croatians who reside in the islands own small boats which they use to and fro the islands. You may want to negotiate with them because public ferries usually have limited trips. And you might not want to spend more than 2 days on one island as you want to maximize your time and visit as many places as you can. Check out a boat charter Croatia has to offer so you can bask in the different historical and amazing ruins that this country has to offer.


2.  Croatia and its Patron Saints
Croatia’s population is 90% Catholic according to a recent census. Therefore, each village and town has its own patron saint, and Croatians are especially devoted to “Gospa” or Mama Mary to us. So even with the breathtaking sights around you remember to look for little shrines built throughout the countryside of Croatia to honor her.

3.  Wine and olive oil are a must-try.
Croatia’s wine and olive oil boast of their excellent taste and quality. However, production of these products are of small quantities and made for the domestic market that’s why they are not known worldwide unlike the wines of Italy or olive oil of Spain.

https://www.total-croatia-news.com/lifestyle/23539-are-these-the-best-croatian-wines-of-2017

4.  Dubrovnik is just one of many.
Hear ye Game of Thrones fans!  Explore the Kings Landing in Dubrovnik and relive your favorite scenes. But hey, don’t be so quick to focus all your time at this place, as there are more to Croatia than Dubrovnik.  Three hours away via ferry is the panoramic view that the Island of Hvar offers. From here, you can go island hopping to visit the Pakleni Islands where you can find the most pristine and secluded beaches and coves.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/croatia/dubrovnik

The second largest city in this historical country is Split and should be one of your must-visit places. Aside from the beaches, the boardwalk is lined with different bars and restaurants, shops to buy your souvenirs but even more so its ruins, the Diocletian’s Palace - the massive 4th-century fortress.

Visit Croatia and savor the many wonders this country has to offer.