Maybe you’ve just wanted to have a detox period?

Or perhaps you wanted to cut out the alcohol altogether?

I know I’ve wanted to cut down for some time and I occasionally take a detox period where I go cold turkey.

If you find yourself being tempted into splashing your cash on something like the sandle that allows you to store alcohol within it - Get Drunk On The Beach: Booze Holding Scandle, then maybe it’s time for a break?

Before setting off around the world I had the impression that it would be a lot easier to restrict my intake of alcohol on the road. Unfortunately (especially with the cheap beer in Asia), I found this much more difficult than I had thought it would be.

Icy Cold, Cheap Beer

On many occasions during my travels I’ve found myself sat in a nice quint restaurant watching the waves lapping onto the beach, a clear sky and sparkling stars twinkling in the sky above. In the distance you could see the lights of the fishing boats on the horizon, even though it was the late evening it was warm enough for shorts and a t-shirt.

For some strange reason the conditions described above led me to the thought of a nice cold beer. Admittedly those thoughts are usually stronger when I turned around to see a waiter carrying a large icy cold larger to the table next to me. Somehow a soft drink just doesn’t do it.

Party Animal

On top of the lure of cheap beer is the social aspect of traveling . Socialising often leads to alcohol consumption, I find it almost impossible to stay on the non-alcoholic drinks.

I thought it would be easier whilst traveling as at home even before I had made it to the bar there would be a beer waiting for me that I hadn’t even asked for.

After three months on the road, I couldn’t remember the last evening I had spent where I hadn’t had a beer.

Step 1 - Pick A Goal

- Do you want to cut down on the amount of alcohol you consume?

- Or do you want to take a break from drinking altogether?

- You may even want to give it up completely.

Choose your goal and be clear about what you want to achieve.

Step 2 - Pick A Method

Method 1 - Settling In One Place

One of the best methods for cutting down on your alcohol consumption is to stay in one place. Move out of the hostel, rent a room in a house, work and basically remove yourself from the backpacking scene for a while.

What the aim is here is to remove yourself from the places and situations where drinking is most likely to occur.

The crazy social aspect of staying in hostels and the whole backpacking scene will usually involve a large amount of drinking.

By getting away from that scene and filling your time with work you’ll tend to be pretty worn out by the end of the day and opt for an early night. If you intend to work on your travels you’ll already be half way to cutting down on your alcohol intake.

With the routine and stability of working, you’ll have less time for drinking and less tolerance for a hangover before work.

Method 2 - Keep Busy, Always On The Move

With this method you may find it difficult to abstain from drinking alcohol altogether but it could help you to cut down.

By keeping yourself busy whilst traveling you’ll have less time to sleep in recovering from a hangover. Plan so that you have plenty of sight seeing for the following day, only returning to the hostel/guest house in the evening.

By doing this you’ll find that you’ll be pretty tired after a hard day seeing all the sights and in turn you’ll want an early night.

Following up the sight seeing with a tight schedule will force you into having an early night and you’ll be less likely to consume too much alcohol because of the early morning rise.

The key to this method is to keep busy and always on the move.

Both these methods require you to remove yourself from situations where you could have a drink or be more likely to drink more. If you can find other ways to avoid situations where you’ll be exposed to a drinking culture then you could try them and they maybe equally effective.

Why Cut Down At All?

While alcohol can be a very social drug, it also has health implications if it is abused. Moderate drinkers tend to live long than excessive drinkers and surprisingly longer than complete abstainers.

As a budget traveler you usually need as much spare cash as possible, by cutting down on the alcohol front you could save quite a bit of money for other activities.

Personally I can always tell the next day if I have had a drink the night before. I’ll feel very sluggish even if I have only drank one or two beers.

Here is a great article for men on alcohol consumption from Malehealth.co.uk - http://www.malehealth.co.uk/userpage1.cfm?item_id=146 .

Do you want to give up alcohol for a month?

Do you fancy cutting down on your alcohol intake on the road?

Let us know by commenting below…

Perhaps you’re planning your first trip around the world and are unsure if you really need to be taking so much gear?

The days are suddenly slipping by and the day of your departure into the unknown is becoming ever closer to reality. So many questions circle in your head, “will I be safe?”, “am I taking too many things”, “am I doing the right thing going alone?”. The fear of the unknown always seems to have a certain effect on you as a first time traveler.

Having been through the whole learning curve of being a first time traveler I’ve made my fair share of mistakes along the way. From planning too much, to taking items that I really didn’t need. In hindsight I would have changed a few things.

Planning

1. Planning Too Much

It is an easy trap to fall into as a first timer traveler. There is a tendency to fear the unknown, in order to combat the fear you plan. Whilst planning the first part of your trip is always a good idea, over planning can lead to a lack of flexibility on your trip.

I have known people to plan, in detail most of their trip before they’ve even left. A big part of going traveling is having the freedom to make decisions on a whim, but if you’ve made a detailed plan it’s far less likely you’ll be able to deviate.

2. Booking Too Many Tours

As the departure date creeps closer fear begins to set in, fear of the unknown. This often leads the first timer to look for some kind of safety net, it often comes in the form of a tour. While tours can be good fun, for me they do take the “traveling” element out of the experience, as all your arrangements tend to be made for you.

I take a tour when I feel I want to put my feet up and let someone else do the leg work for a change, then I can just sit back and relax. I don’t often like to take tours as most trips can be done independently.

3.Taking a Last Minute “Friend”

Fear of “going it alone” can see the first timer hunting for a travel partner to join them on the trip. Instead of being selective about who their travel partner will be they just pick anyone who is willing. In this scenario arguments can set in early causing major friction and not pleasant start to a dream journey. See my article - Traveling Alone Or With A Friend .

Gear

4.Buying a Huge Rucksack

For some unexplainable reason a lot of first time travelers opt for the biggest backpack they can find in the shop. In the mind of a first time traveler the longer the length of the time away, the more gear they have to take with them. In turn requiring a huge backpack for the hairdryer and four pairs of jeans. Also see my article - Why Travel Light?

5.Taking Too Much Gear

As with point 4. now having bought the large backpack the first time traveler now has to fill the bag with gear. There is a tendency to buy new clothes, new gadgets and security locks. What the first time traveler isn’t told is that they can buy most of the items they require out on the road. In many regions the items they require will be far cheaper than buying them back home. See my article - Should I Take My Laptop Traveling? .

6. Taking a Mobile Phone

There seems to be a large number of people traveling today carrying mobile phones. For me I prefer to travel without one, I want the freedom of being away from home without anyone being able to contact me anywhere in the world. Using the Internet and emails is enough for me to stay in contact with love ones back home, a mobile phone is just another expensive item to worry about losing or being stolen.

7. Taking a Beach Towel

A towel takes up a large amount of room in your backpack and is also pretty heavy. Lightweight travel towels are a good idea, or if you don’t want to take one at all you can also pick one up on the road.

8. Taking a Sleeping Bag

Sleeping bags can often be useless if you’re traveling in a hot humid weather. If you are traveling in such climates it’s often a good idea to purchase a sleeping bag liner and use that instead. The liners take up a tiny amount of room and often come in handy in dirty hostels and guest houses, where a sleeping bag would just be far too hot.

9.Taking a Water Proof Jacket

Before my own trip most travel guides suggested taking a water proof jacket of some sort. I used it twice, it proved quite useless as the weather was so humid. I’d sweat so much when wearing it that I might as well have just got wet in the rain.

Besides you can always purchase a cheap poncho on the road that you can use and dispose of when you like. Obviously if the weather is less hot and humid a water proof jacket will come in useful, but on the other hand you could just go for the poncho option.

Out on the road

10. The Fear of robbery

Before their trip has even started the first timer is worrying about being robbed on the road. Various scare stories circulate making the unknown sound like a scary place when in reality it is probably safer than their home city. As long as you keep your wits about you like in any town or city around the world you should be fine.

I believe I had a much greater chance of being mugged in London than out on the road. To combat the fear of robbery the first timer will buy various security devices, padlocks are fine but taking a pack safe is a little extreme (see my article - How To Avoid Being Mugged When You’re Traveling).

The key to not losing anything of value is to not take anything of value in the first place, or by making sure anything slightly valuable to you is on your person at all times.

11. The Fear of Illness

I remember someone telling me before my trip around the world to brace myself for illness and food poisoning. I was only really ill once and it was simply my own fault, I ate some dodgy train food in Thailand, the mistake I made was a basic one.

The best way to ensure that you won’t get food poisoning is to make sure the food is cooked properly. On many street stalls and outdoor restaurants you can watch as they cook the food, it is the food that you don’t see being cooked that is more of a worry. On my trip I was ill less times than I normally would be in a year back home in my day to day life.

The Fairy Tale

12. The Belief That Everyday Will Be “Amazing”

I noticed a topic posted on a travel forum recently where a girl had gone traveling. She was about three days into the trip and complaining that she was bored and that she had not met anyone yet.

It seems that a lot of people are told that by going traveling they’ll have “an amazing time” and “you’ll meet some many people”. Both statements are usually true, but what the first time traveler isn’t told is that there will be many days when you spend time on your own or days where you don’t have “an amazing time”.

Sometimes you will be lonely and sometimes you won’t be doing amazing things. You tend to get out of traveling what you put into it. For me traveling isn’t always
“amazing” everyday, it has its ups and it’s downs at times. That is exactly what makes it such a character building and memorable experience.

How many people’s favourite travel stories emanate from a bad day on the road?

A little fear is a good thing, but too much can easily cloud your judgment. You’ll make mistakes as a first time traveler, you learn and develop as your journey progresses.

Things you worried about at the start will seem insignificant and you’ll find yourself much more confident with what the world can throw at you.

Have you made any mistakes as a first time traveler?

Feel free to comment below…

The Gold Coast is an amazing place to visit whilst in Australia.  It’s a very popular destination with Australian’s and for good reason, there’s some great waves and almost perfect weather year round. There are plenty of activities and sights on the Gold Coast and your credit card won’t take a battering because we have 10 of the best free things to do for free:

#1 Hit the Beaches - Swim or surf at one of many Gold Coast Beaches, all free to the public. Many swimming beaches are patrolled by lifeguards and are protected from sharks but be sure you only swim between the flags.

#2 Bushwalk in the Gold Coast hinterland - All gold Coast National Parks have free entry and the views and fauna are breath-taking. You can run through an ancient rainforest, walk under a waterfall, and swim in a mountain stream without paying a cent

#3 Gold Coast Botanical Gardens - The 31 spectacular hectares of Gold Coast City’s Regional Botanic Gardens offer residents and visitors a green haven in the middle of a bustling metropolis. There’s something for everyone - horticultural display gardens, a world class sensory garden, mangroves to mountains transect displaying local species in garden settings, a native butterfly garden, rose gardens, an extensive boardwalk system around the central lake, picnic areas, children’s playground, and even an off-leash dog exercise area.

#4 Pacific Fair - Be a mall rat for a few hours and walk around the massive mall. There are 7 major stores including Myer Department Store as well as About 300 specialty retailers and a vast array of bars, restaurants, cinemas, cafes and the Food Court.

#5 Cascade Gardens & Library - Cascade Gardens is a sensational waterfront park located on the Gold Coast highway on the border of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. Facilities include a library, gazebo, glass house and man made waterfall and walking tracks.

#6 Springbrook National Park and Numinbah Forest Reserve - http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/park/index.cgi?parkid=31 Springbrook National Park | Distance: 700 metres | Duration: 15-30 minutesThe name says it all. Come to Springbrook National Park to see for yourself highest lookout on Springbrook Plateau passes through some ancient Antarctic Beech forest. The lookout lives up to its name by providing a panoramic view across Mount Warning to Byron Bay and Coolangatta, though the view can also quickly disappear in the fog and mist that can suddenly roll in from the coast.

#7 Go Bush - All gold Coast National Parks have free entry and the views and fauna are breath-taking. You can run through an ancient rainforest, walk under a waterfall, and swim in a mountain stream without paying a cent.

#8 Marina Mirage - A great place for a stroll would be at the Gold Coast Spit has a great boardwalk around the marina. Enjoy the views of the sun glistening on the water housing million dollar boats. If your in the mood you can even window shop such designer boutiques as Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Calvin Klein and Carla Zampatti just to name a few. Marina Mirage even has a large walk through bird avery with no admission fee.

#9 Skateparks - The Gold Coast strip has a number of free skateparks ideal for skaters, in-line skaters and bmx’ers looking for a smooth surface with bowls, ramps, roll-ins. Check out the skatepark at the end of the runway of Gold Coast Airport but phone 5581 6782 for one near you.

#10 BMX Track - There’s a BMX track on the Currumburra Road which is floodlit for nighttime riding and offers a challenging circuit. Bring some food and make a day of it using the free electric bbq’s and water fountains.

At any given moment in my life, I’m sitting blankly in from of a computer monitor wondering where to go. Notoriously indecisive, I always end up on a plane (or foul 3rd class train) somewhere, anywhere. Anywhere is always a fresh change of pace, but there are a few places I’ve encountered in my short life, that are a measure above “anywhere.”

There are also destinations that are ripe for change, good or bad, is doesn’t typically matter. Destinations ripe for the picking. My list is only a reflection of my travels, and my experiences, and is certainly not meant to be all-inclusive. But then, I suppose this is a matter of quality over quantity.

Are you sitting blankly in front of computer monitor? These are places to go NOW, before you regret not taking the opportunity:

1 . North Korea: Yes, you can go north of the 38th parallel. If you have deep pockets, you can take a cushy tour of Pyongyang via Beijing. For those on a tighter budget, I recommend a day-trip to Kaesong from Seoul (you must join a tour). Independent travel it is not, but the setting is priceless and truly once-in-a-lifetime.

2. Glacier National Park, USA: If you Google this famous national park, you will undoubtedly pull up a number of sites about glacial melting and global warning. All of the glaciers in this amazingly Montana park are melting at hair-raising rates. In fact, it is expected that Glacier National Park will have no more glaciers by the year 2030. If that’s not enough to get you moving, take my word on this one: Glacier NP is the single most beautiful landscape on earth . . . and you can’t argue otherwise unless you’ve been there. Drive up Going-to-the-Sun Road and watch the sunset on Avalanche Lake.

3. Beijing, China: Beijing need not be touted for its impressive sights. Let me guess- its been on your to-see list for a while now? Here are your reasons to go NOW- Pollution and destruction. At the risk of sounding like a pessimist, Beijing’s famous hutongs are being torn down at a rapid pace, and the smog is only going to get worse.

4. The West Bank, Palestine: The West Bank holds a special place in my heart- not only because of my time spent living and working as a journalist there- but also because it served as one of my first “homes-away-from-home.” I would argue that there is never a bad time to visit the West Bank. Yes, like North Korea, it is easily accessible and navigable, despite what you may have heard. Okay, maybe not “easily,” but you can do it. Many areas, such as Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Jericho, are safe and tourist-friendly. Of course, check the news before you travel and do your research. I’ve always felt that the best way to understand a conflict is to experience it, and that no less true in Palestine. And while you’re at it, stop in Israel, so you can get both sides of the story.

Eating in Asia is like a multi-orgasm to the taste buds - your senses assaulted by a whole new world of powerful aroma and flavour. Over hundreds of different types of spices and sauces give Asian cuisine that unique taste that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. It might pose as a challenge to many travellers who have yet to subdue to Asia’s culinary quirks. With some tips, eating in Asia can be a true adventurous way of discovering the East. But be warned, it’s not for the faint-hearted…

1. Visit the locals’ favourite haunts

An eatery crowded with locals definitely looks more promising than one swarmed with lobster-tanned tourists. Don’t rely on Lonely Planet; speak to the locals about their favourite haunts! Hongkong’s Dai pai dong (cooked-food stalls) hidden in dark alleys are frequented by the locals and offer authentic Gong Zai Mee (typical Hongkong noodles).

2. Price does not necessarily mean quality

The budget stalls lining the streets of Ben Thanh Market in Saigon offer juicier Cha Basa (fried frog legs)

than the upmarket restaurants, and they cost a quarter of the price! If food-poisoning is deterring you fro

m these stalls, then work hard on strengthening your stomach, because Asian food isn’t for the lily-livered.

3. Street hawkers – an authentic touch

Whether it’s the Filipino Isaw Manok (grilled chicken intestines on a skewer), Thai Kai Mot Phat (stir-frie

d ant eggs), or the infamous Hongkong Chau taufu (stinky fermented tofu), they all gained fame for a good reason. So give it a go, and find out the reason for yourself!

4. Curiosity does not kill the cat

So you’re in an eatery, wondering what to order… quit staring at people around you! It never hurts to be friendly and the locals are more than happy to talk about their local delicacies. Pick up some useful local language, like ‘Oishi neh?’ (Japanese- tastes good?), and you’ll know what’s good to order and what’s not!

5. Stop ordering the same dish

Despite your love affair with the Indonesian quintessential dish, Satay (barbequed meat on skewers served with peanut sauce), there are tons of other mouth-watering dishes that are worth a go — try the Redang Daging (beef simmered in spicy coconut milk) or Tauhu Telok ( fried tofu topped with sweet black sauce and beansprouts) the next time you’re in Indonesia!

6. Don’t let chilli get in your way

Even if you’re not a fan of spicy food, don’t give up on the piquant Korean Kimchi Chigae (spicy cabbage and

pork belly soup); just ask for it with less chilli, you’ll know what you have been missing out on! If the Taiwanese Mala Huoguo (spicy and sour soup in a hotpot) is too much for you to handle, try the hotpot with ginger chicken soup instead – you get to taste the famous local delicacy without the numb lips!

7. Eat like the locals

Observe how everyone eats around you, if slurping cold Japanese soba noodles loudly, and eating Indian Briyani rice with your hands is what it takes to savour the real taste of it, then do the same! You can’t go wrong with years of traditions!

8. Visit the wet markets

You’ve never had a real taste of a country’s culinary scene without a tour of the typical Asian Pat Sat (wet markets) – watch the fishmongers scale some fresh tuna, or chop off the heads of live frogs. Thousands of sauces and chilli, scorpion soaked in whiskey, and many other odd products make the market a must-see!

9. Try vegetarian food in the Temples

Several monasteries and temples allow you to share authentic vegetarian food with the monks – you don’t have to be a Buddhist or Hindu, but respectful behaviour is expected from you. The Wenshu temple in Sichuan, China and the Sri Harmandir Sahib (The GoldenTemple) in Amritsar, India provide delectable vegetarian food.

10. Leave the best for the last – desserts and fruits

Asian desserts and fruits are as colourful and extraordinary as they can get- rambutan, longan and dragonfruit with their distinct taste. Never judge a durian by its prickly and obscured appearance; they don’t

name it ‘the King of Fruits’ for nothing! The Singaporean Ice Kachang (crushed ice with syrup and fruits) and Burmese Hpa Lu Da (Grass jelly with sago) can also cool you down in that sizzling tropical heat!

No matter what sort of eater you are, you are spoiled for choice in Asia – the healthy dieter will love fresh and raw Sashimi topped with zingy wasabi, the heavy eater might go for the Singaporean laksa (coconut curry noodles soaked with semi-raw cockles), while the adventurous ones with a strong tongue can have their share of the Thai tom-yam soup that will definitely give them a refreshed spiced-up zest.

The art of travel is exhilarating and romantic; it tests our endurance and provides us with the rare and often ephemeral chance to live outside of ourselves. Traveling shrinks the world exposing us firsthand to the best and worst of humanity, the grandest and most destitute of extremes.

Having traveled around Africa recently and before that Southeast Asia, I have found myself face to face with the harsh realities of the developing world. As a westerner, more specifically, as an American traveler, I have had the luxury of walking the divide between some of the most beautiful and relaxing resorts the regions had to provide and conversely, some of the most impoverished rural and urban communities, a true reflection of the experiences of the majority of the people in most of these regions.

I am an advocate for tourism that sustains and supports local communities. If you have ever wondered about life beyond the resorts, if you have ever longed for genuine interactions with the people in the communities within which you travel, here are some pointers on how to diversify your trip, shake things up a bit and leave a positive footprint.

1. Patron the Central Markets

A great way to get to know the community in which you are traveling is to visit the Central Market. Most destinations will have a central market of some sort where craftsmen and women gather to sell goods. The sights and sounds of these vibrant community meeting places alone are very unique. Central markets are a great way to familiarize yourself with the local culture and to interact with the members of the community. Be prepared to haggle and chances are you’ll walk away with some pretty fantastic gifts. The great thing is that this money is pumped directly into the community, directly into the pockets of the members of the community.

Central Markets are also a great way to get a feel for the food in your region of travel. Take the time to peruse the stands. Vendors are typically more than happy to talk to you about their produce, granted you speak the same language that is. I ate so well and inexpensively in Thailand, Malaysia, Swaziland and Mozambique this way. The passion fruit in Mozambique actually became an obsession of mine and I became really good friends with the lady whose passion fruit stand I visited almost everyday.

2. Seek out locally owned restaurants

Part of the allure of traveling to a new nook in the world is sampling the cuisine. When traveling to the developing world that can be scary because it is hard at times to know what you can and can’t eat. Many tourists make the mistake of eating only at resorts or ex-pat owned establishments where the food is not only familiar, but typically very safe. You can get some great food this way, food that reminds you of home and at times while abroad that can be very comforting; however to truly experience a culture through its cuisine, you’ve got to take the plunge. First you must get a sense of what you may and may not eat in the region you are staying in as a non-local, and then you’ve got to ask around. Ask the waiters and waitresses at the resort restaurants where they eat. Ask people at the central market where you can find a good locally owned restaurant. Many of my best meals were taken at locally owned establishments. It’s a great way to make sure that the community is positively being affected by tourism. All too often, tourist dollars don’t move very far past resorts, resorts which are typically owned by foreign entities.

Many Central Markets also have dining areas and restaurant stands. These are great for a quick snack or refreshments. And if you’re traveling on a budget, you get much more bang for your buck.

3. Patron community fair trade shops

Depending where you are in the developing world, there will most likely be a fair trade artisan shop, supported by a local NGO or nonprofit. Though typically more expensive than Central Markets, these places are a wonderland of authentic crafts and goods. I have found community fair trade shops in every country and region that I visited in both Southeast Asia and Africa. Most of these centers are located in areas heavily trafficked by tourists. All of the centers were backed by a local NGO or business. My favorite was a craft center/internet café/restaurant in the Cape Coast of Ghana, which was organized and assisted by Peace Corps volunteers. Not only did I get some great meals, but I bought some beautiful sculptures and prints as well.

4. Get involved, volunteer!

Volunteer vacations are growing in popularity. Wherever you go, particularly in the developing world, a helping hand is always needed. Depending on the length of your stay, you may volunteer at certain organizations from a weekend to a few months or even years. Research the charity organizations, non-profits and NGO’s in the region where you will be traveling prior to your departure. There are literally thousands of agencies and businesses that place and send volunteers overseas. It can even be as simple as google searching say “orphanages in Nepal” or “charities in Mexico City”. If possible, establish communication with potential organizations before you go. Volunteering is such an amazing way to honor your experience in another country. While in Ghana, I volunteered at an orphanage on the Cape Coast, while in Thailand, I volunteered with an organization doing Tsunami relief work and found myself painting fisherman boats, while in Mozambique, I volunteered at a local university where I led recycling workshops and assisted another NGO with their weekly community beach clean ups.

Me and some of my students at the orphanage in Ghana

Typically all you need is the desire to help. I certainly didn’t have any experience working in orphanages, painting fishing boats or doing environmental clean-up. The work is intuitive and rewarding.

5. Check out the local culture

I find that there is an abundance of activities for a traveler to partake in that are rooted in the culture of the local community. Go and seek out community owned museums and exhibits. Seek out areas of interest. Find the concert halls or music events. Attend a sporting event frequented by locals. These are the moments that shrink the world and help us to appreciate and revel in the beauty and mysteries of other cultures. While we are patronage these events we are simultaneously pumping honest money into the local communities.

While in Thailand and Malaysia I visited museums and temples and sought out tours run by local groups. While in Ghana, I attended football matches, went to drumming performances on the beach, visited museums and slave forts, while simultaneously pumping money into the local community. In Southern Africa, there was no shortage of beautifully run locally owned museums and art spaces. These spaces can easily be overlooked but are a great way to experience the culture and art of the community in which you are traveling.

To truly travel, to seek to know the world, one must move beyond the familiar, beyond the comfortable and into the beautiful and sometimes to be honest, not so beautiful unknown. Resorts are lovely and restorative, they provide us with our own slice of the West set against the backdrop of the paradise of the developing world where oftentimes we are shielded from the desperate realities that are so prevalent just beyond their boarders.

Much of the developing world has felt the negative impact of Western influence, however as a new generation of travelers, we have the power to weave more positive interaction through our actions. Resorts are lovely, everyone should spend a moment or two in luxury, but traveling is about so much more than a luxury vacation, it is about heart, it is about experiencing, it is about leaving a positive footprint and giving back to the communities who have so graciously hosted you.

Have you ever had someone cling onto you whilst traveling?

Have you ever had a traveller moaning about everything, how it’s better back home?

Picture this, you’re sat around a small table with two travel buddies you’ve met in a quint little restaurant when a fellow traveler you met earlier at the hostel reception sits down to join you. After a while he becomes more predominant in the conversation, randomly dropping names of remote places he’s been to despite it being irrelevant to the conversation. You let it go, but after a while he keeps dropping in the name of the place he thinks must impress. His favourite line seems to be “When I was in - Insert Impressive Location Here - …”, he’s not impressing anyone but himself.

Congratulations - You’ve just met “The Place Name Dropper”.

I wrote this article as a follow up to the article - How To Ditch Your Travel Mate , I would recommend reading this article first.

Here are 8 ways to identify your fellow traveler:

1. The Independent Explorer

This traveler needs no-one but themselves, self sufficient and determined on the surface. They’ve usually been to the most remote country in the world. Later you find out they really went there on a package holiday with their parents ten years ago.

They often like to tell you how they understand the countries culture in a superior manner to anyone else. The way they do this is to befriend a local motor taxi guy and buy him dinner and a few beers, this usually constitutes obtaining a deep understanding of a country and it’s people. The motor taxi driver jumps at the chance, who wouldn’t? Free dinner and beer?

The Independent Explorer likes to pretend they go to the places where no one has gone before. In reality they don’t really know much about the country itself and only want to go for the kudos points.

How To Spot One:

• - They’re usually alone
• - They like to walk bare foot, this proves they’ve been to a really poverty stricken country. Maximum kudos!
• - They have a love for “fisherman’s trousers”, dread locks and any other traveling cliches.
• - The Facial hair is a giveaway, the longer the beard, the longer they’ve been away. Longer the beard the better.

2. The Cling On

Fearful for their own life should they be on their own too long the “Cling On’s” favourite catch phrase is “Shall we go together?”. Their natural instinct is to find the nearest backpacker and to cling to them for guidance, they don’t let go unless they find another backpacker. They have no confidence or independence and are usually on their first long trip away from home, but don’t be fooled later on they may turn into a Independent Explorer. Most travelers have themselves been a “Cling On” at one time or another. The Independent Explorer’s frown upon the Cling On’s with disdain and do whatever they can to avoid contact.

How to spot one:

• - Wearing a brand new 70L+ backpack
• - Fresh faced, no facial hair
• - Far too much gear with them
• - They usually carry a well organised folder for their travel documents
• - A money pouch or bag for the waist is a must

3.Captain Club 18-30’s

These travelers have come away for all the wrong reasons. Sometimes I suspect they caught the wrong flight, they missed the flight to Ibiza. Often found in Australia and also in Bangkok these travellers like a bit of a party, mostly every night. They’re not really fond of foreign cuisine opting for the local KFC or Burger King to combat the hangover. Captain Club 18-30’s will crash into your dorm at about 3am, turning the lights on and off is optional. They’ll stumble into every piece of furniture in the room possible before falling into bed and snoring as loud as psychically possible.

How to spot one:

• - Often wearing a football shirt, they enjoy a nice baseball cap
• - With a beer in hand before 12pm
• - They can often be seen roaming in packs

4. The Action Planner

These travelers have a major problem with just “going with the flow”. The guide book is their best friend and planning the next month of the trip in detail is vital to its success. Their trip tends to undergo more planning than a military operation.

How to spot one:

• - They’ll be carrying a guide book under their arm
• - They won’t be chilling out watching TV or a DVD in the hostel

5. The Moaning Traveler

A day spent with this traveler could lead to suicide. They like to moan about everything possible, the food, the price, the location, the facilities etc. The Moaning Traveler’s favourite trick is to compare everything to back home, obviously everything at home was much better. Leaving most people to question “why did you bother going travelling?”

How to spot one:

• - Very difficult to pin point at first glance
• - Can be found complaining in a restaurant or at reception

6. Mr Competitive

To this traveler everything and anything is a competition. They have been just about everywhere and done pretty much everything in they’re life. They’re not only a CEO of a company but in their spare time they’ve been saving baby seals from being clubbed to death. Their prime purpose of traveling is to be able to tell people they’ve been. They jump at the chance to stay at a secluded monastery for a month, not because they want to, but because it’ll be a great story to bore people with. They feel a need to justify themselves in life and to be better than the next person.

How to spot one:

• - Usually talking loudly about their own past achievements in life
• - Sat around telling people how good their life is

7. Little Miss Prozac

This optimistic traveler is always bright, happy and joyful. Everywhere they have ever been on their travels it has been “Awesome” or “Amazing”, they have never been to one place that they haven’t enjoyed. They could break both legs and their arms and they’d still be looking on the bright side. The world is wonderful and full of fluffy bunny rabbits.

How to spot one:

• - Usually wearing a big smug smile
• - Their travel blog - usually from the perspective that everywhere they have been is “Awesome” or “Amazing”

8. Place Name Dropper

Most of us drop a place name in the conversation now and again, but the real Place Name Dropper does it when the place is completely irrelevant to the conversation. They do this in the hope that it’ll create kudos with the other members of the
group. These travelers thrive on the conversation and the chance to pretend to be superior to others by where they have been travelling.

How to spot one:

• - Watch conversations closely for a place name drop

There are many different personalities traveling the globe, some you’ll love and others you’ll dispise. During your travels you’ll develop, from being slightly timid and fearful of the unknown to being more confident and out going.

Most travelers will become part of the different types of travelers above at one time or another. At times I have been a “Cling On” and sometimes I’ve been a “Place Name Dropper”, traveling is a great way to learn about yourself.

While you’re traveling you’ll often see yourself as one of the 8 types above, but that’s all good! It’s all part of you developing and learning as a person and a traveler.

Do you have an opinion on the 8 different types of travelers?

Can you identify any more of your own?

Feel free to comment below…

Be it volunteering at a Turtle Conservation Park in Ecuador, constructing a school in the rural suburbs of Bombay, or counseling women with AIDS in Rwanda – anyone of us can help. Instead of travelling like the average backpacker, why not do something more and improve the lives of a unique community? Like you, I decided to find out for myself.

Armed with that zest and energy, many can’t wait to throw themselves into the unknown. Wait a minute… where do I start from? How do I go about it? How can I sustain myself financially?

Fret not, with a few pointers, you’ll find yourself on the next plane to Timbuktu, ready to set off on a life-changing experience. Before you pack your bags and jet off, these are some questions you could ponder over.

1. Can you handle it?

Do you frequent hostels and campsites when you travel, or are you a swanky hotel visitor? Whatever the case, volunteering in rural communities might mean sleeping in the wild, and showering only once a week, and unpredictable loss of electricity. Are you game for it?

2. Are you volunteering for the right reasons?

Volunteering has become more of a trend now amidst young travelers, thanks to the strategized marketing skills of `voluntourism’ companies. Even celebrities go into the wild as ambassadors of the UN. But are you really keen to contribute to the less fortunate, or are you just an Angelina Jolie-wannabe? Remember it’s not about you, it´s about them.

3. How and where should I volunteer?

Be it Latin America, Southeast Asia or Africa, think of what you´re good at, and start from there. Help out at a wildlife conservation centre (http://www.greatgreenmacaw.org/index.htm), work as a medical relief in Cambodia (http://angkorhospital.org) or educate people about AIDS in Tanzania (http://www.chawakua.org) - you just need to know where your specialty is needed. Work camps require all sorts of expertise – whether you are a computer engineer or an artist, there is always somewhere that needs your help.

4. How long should I stay?

A month or two is not enough to make a difference. Monetary donations might go a long way, but the whole idea of volunteering is to get your hands dirty, put in hard work and sweat in return for a better life for these communities. Save hard before the trip, US$300 per month should be more than enough to sustain yourself, depending on where you go. If you don´t have the time, quit your job! Trust me, it´s definitely worth it!

5. How much should I pay for a volunteer program?

US$2500 for a month of volunteering is a crazy amount for a program fee – it’ll probably end up in the pockets of international companies that act as middleman. Do away with the middleman and get in touch directly with the local grassroots organization. Buffalotrails Africa (http://buffalotrails.moonfruit.com/) requires no program fees; a small amount of 250euros for 1 month of accommodation and food is to be paid to your local host.

So after cracking your brains up, you´ve plunged into the unknown. You find yourself in a new environment, here with a noble cause of helping others, how do you make the most out of it?

Learn the local language

In East Africa, you might find kids calling you names along the way, ‘Mzungus’ (white people) and many a time, `give me money!’. But with a few words of wisdom, such as ‘Hujambo!’ and ‘Habari?’ (Hello! how are you?), you´ll find them speaking to you in Swahili with a new found respect, and treating you like one of them.

Live like the locals

The best way to integrate into the local community is to live like them. A homestay is usually the ideal channel of getting to know the natives well, and adapting to their way of life- eating with your hands, having a bath in the river, or sleeping in a mud house made of cow dung – it all makes your experience way more memorable!

Be opened and adventurous

Try the local deep-fried pigs’ intestines or the traditional barbequed sheep’s head- You’re in for a treat! Don’t just hang out with fellow volunteers, mingle with the locals. They’re definitely intrigued with your culture, and might just become your life-long friends!

Have initiative and never be a hassle

Volunteering involves being proactive in taking on tasks, and suggesting new ways to improve things. Sitting around and waiting for things to happen only make you more of a hassle. Get involved and start doing something already! Be contented with what you are provided with – don’t expect a maid to do your laundry!

Don’t try to change the world

All of us have had the noble resolution of changing the world- but when reality hits, it´s not going to be easy. Many of these rural tribes have lived their lives the way they do for centuries, don´t expect them to work the same way as you do. Don’t try to change the way they are, work around it and you might find a better way to improve things.

Before you know it, you have developed a special connection with these amazing natives, and learned more from them than anyone else. Volunteering can be one of the most rewarding and meaningful experiences in life. You wonder if someday you’ll come back and volunteer again… I know I will.

#1 Free tram trip around Melbourne: Any trip to Melbourne isn’t complete without a ride on a Melbourne icon, the tram. And the best way to get around the city is on the free City Circle Tram. The circuit takes about 30 minutes but you can get on and off as many times as you want. City Circle Trams are burgundy and gold in colour and the stops are specially marked.

2# Wander the Narrow Streets and Lanes - Take some time to wander through the quaint, very European narrow lanes of Melbourne’s CBD (Central Business District), especially around Flinders Lane. Mind you, you’ll be tempted to sit and sip lattes because these lanes are lined with delicious cafes and restaurants.

3# Window shopping - Peruse what you cannot purchase. Recommended: Brunswick St, Smith St, Chapel St, Bridge Rd, Acland Rd. Best done with a friend AND the shameless will to enjoy dressing up in things you have no intention of buying.

4# NGV International: Australia’s oldest public art museum and home to one of the country’s most important art collections with everything from Egyptian and Roman antiquities and Asian art, through to Renaissance, Baroque and everything up to and including contemporary art. 180 St Kilda Road. Open daily except Tuesdays, 10am-5pm. www.ngv.vic.gov.au

5# The Ian Potter Centre NGV Australia: Discover more than 20 galleries presenting the history of Australian art from the Colonial period through to contemporary art, plus galleries dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. Federation Square. Open daily, 10am-5pm.

6# Australian Centre for the Moving Image: The first centre of its kind in the world, dedicated to the moving image in all its forms from early cinema to the latest digital media. Two multi-format cinemas, the world’s largest dedicated screen gallery with changing exhibitions and movie/art installations, and hands-on public activity, education and production zones. Federation Square. Open daily, 10am-5pm (until 6pm on weekends).

7# George Adams & State Theatre Foyer Galleries - Free art at the Arts Centre. Get a taste for some ‘high’ culture. Shows and exhibits are always changing so take a look and see what’s inside.

8# The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art: Enjoy photography, video, electronic imaging, painting and sculpture as well as new developments in sound, movement and popular culture at 111 Sturt Street, Southbank. Open Tues-Sun, 11am-6pm.

9# On your bike: Melbourne is a great city for cycling. The Bay Trail starts at St Kilda Pier and heads past historic Luna Park before dropping in at a bustling Acland Street café for cakes and coffee, past the colourful St Kilda Marina, parks, restaurants and sports grounds to finish in Brighton, 6km or 40 minutes later. If you want to walk it will take around two hours.

10# Queen Victoria Market: On the corner of Victoria and Elizabeth Streets, there’s around 1000 traders selling everything from fruit and vegetables, fresh produce and delicatessen goods to clothing, plants and pets sold at this market. Market Days: Tue and Thur 6am-2pm, Fri 6am-6pm, Sat 6am-3pm, Sun 9am-4pm. Closed: Mondays, Wednesdays, and public holidays.

11# Royal Botanic Gardens: 35 hectares of extensively landscaped gardens near the centre of the city on the South Bank of the Yarra. They are widely regarded as the finest botanical gardens in Australia, and among the best in the world. Free guided walks or self-guided audio walks are available. Open daily from 7.30am-6pm April to October and until 7.30pm November to March.

12# SLV - Take a free one-hour tour of the domed La Trobe Reading Room, the elegant Cowen Gallery and the new Dome Gallery at the State Library of Victoria. 328 Swanston St. Open daily, 10am-6pm, and until 9pm Monday to Thursday. www.slv.vic.gov.au

13# Yarra River Art - The Yarra River winds through the heart of the city, providing the backdrop for a vibrant outdoor contemporary art gallery. Wander past sculpture, paintings, architecture and a ’soundscape’.

14# Federation Square - Its a real bustling busy spot and you’ll probably end up there more than once. Oftentimes, there are free activities happening in Fed. Square.

15# Playground Fun - Take your kids to Birrarung Marr, the best playground in the city. Its just behind Federation Square where you can have fun and enjoy the view of the city from the park.

16# St Andrew’s Market - Saturday morning, St Andrews. Can’t miss it, opposite the pub. No expenditure necessary. Lots to look at, a nice grassy knoll to sit on from which to watch the world go by. http://www.standrewsmarket.com.au/

17# Fitzroy Gardens - Step into another world. Explore footpaths & barely-made trails, discover flowers, fairies, dragons & miniature villages. Everything is free except for Cook’s Cottage. The gardens are best place to bring friends & a picnic blanket in the summer.

18# Southgate - If you are in Melbourne in the summer, the heat can be stifling. So stay cool by running through the dancing water fountains outside Crown Casino on the South side of the Yarra!

There are so many great activities and sights available for free around Australia, it means you can make your budget stretch even further and spend the money on things you really want to do.

Stay tuned to our Australia Guide for more budget busting tips for other destinations in Australia.