Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 48)
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3 Careers That Allow You to Travel More
If you’re anything like me, then you’re constantly searching for ways to be able to travel more. It’s hard to find the balance between travelling and making money to fund that travel. So if you’re trying to think up ways to pay for your next adventure, read on to learn about these three careers that allow you to travel more.
1. Self Employment
This is probably the best of all options although it does come with some challenges. The first one finding a space in the market where you can work for yourself. You can consider online work, such as freelancing, blogging, consulting, teaching a language online and the list goes on. If you want to do something in person, it may be a little more challenging to get started as non-remote work tends to have a higher startup cost. One of my friends works as a builder works very hard on projects and then takes time off to travel. He will essentially skip a project to go away and when his company starts the following project he will be involved. Construction can be a really interesting career as well as a practical life skill, if you’re interested in building you might also be interested in looking at the best portable bridge hire for your next project.
2. Mining
Working in a mine might not be your dream career, but it’s a booming industry in many parts of the world and offers an interesting lifestyle. Due to the fact that many mines are located far away from main cities and towns, people who work in mines are often given very generous time off in order to spend time at home. You can choose to use this time to travel. I have plenty of friends involved in the mining industry in Australia and instead of spending their time off at home, they choose to pop away to Bali or Indonesia for a vacation before getting back to work. At the mines there are so many types of jobs, from engineers right through to chefs, so even if this is not something you studied, if the mining lifestyle appeals to you, you might be able to find a career that works for you! If you’re looking for a transformer oil purifier, check out http://filtervac.com/product/transformer-oil-solutions/transformer-oil-purifier-model-vph/
3. Teaching
I wouldn’t suggest getting into teaching just for the lifestyle, as the reality is teaching is a lot of work behind the scenes. Yes, of all the professions they have one of the most generous leave schedules, but it can be a lot of extra hours marking, preparing lessons and so forth. If you love teaching and enjoy that feeling when someone ‘gets it’ then teaching could be a fantastic way for you to earn a living, make a difference and also save for travel. Depending on where you look to teach, you will usually have the entire summer vacations off, as well as generous holidays for Easter and Christmas. You can also look into the option of teaching English overseas in order to be based in a foreign country where you can use that as a base for traveling the region!
Finding a job that you enjoy and that allows you to travel more is a wonderful way to ensure that you have enough money to see the world. Use these three suggestions to get yourself on the right path to working and traveling as much as your heart desires!
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4 Ways to Save for Your First Home
Yes, this is a travel blog and for a very long time figuring out how to travel as much as possible was my main focus in life. But as I approached (and passed) the 30-year-old benchmark, I became more interested in other things too. That’s not to say my love of travel waivered, just that I wanted to find more balance in my life. One of my main focuses was on buying my first property. My husband and I saved very hard and bought an apartment that we currently rent out on Airbnb for a tidy profit. Since then we’ve also bought land and are constructing our first family home. While it’s been a very exciting process, it has involved a lot of sacrifices and changes to ensure that we reached our savings goals. Here are my top 4 ways to save for your first home to get you inspired and on the right track.
1. Find Some Inspiration
The first thing you’re going to need to do is to get inspired. Unless you come from a wealthy family that are able to help you get into the home ownership club, you’re probably going to have make some sacrifices to ensure you reach your goals. This can be challenging, especially in a world that’s so consumption based. I suggest finding some inspiration of what you want in your home. I personally love browsing Better Homes and Gardens MCR Bahamas and seeing all their beautiful homes. Not only has it influenced the style we want for our home, but it also makes me dream of having one of these homes for myself. Some people use Pinterest as an easy, visual way to get inspired. Others prefer to make a physical vision board to inspire them. Whatever you choose, just make sure you keep it at the forefront of your mind to keep yourself inspired!
2. Get Realistic About the Costs
I think the most important thing when you’re saving for anything big like property is to get realistic about the costs. Are you hoping to build? Are you aware of how much the building license will cost and the lawyer’s fee for changing over the titles? These costs might surprise you so it’s good to ask around your friends and family to see what the going rates are. Likewise, if you’re building in a hard to reach the site, you might need to hire some specialized equipment which can really add up. Be sure to take these extra costs into consideration before committing to a project.
3. Track Your Spending for a Month
You’re going to need to track your spending for a month at least – if you’re not already – so you can see where you are spending your money. Without knowing where your money is going, it’s close to impossible to make effective changes to your spending. There are plenty of apps out there that are designed to make tracking your spending easier, I suggest downloading one and tracking for at least a month. Longer is better if you can. If you’re hoping to head away on a holiday while saving for a house, I suggest choosing something like a cruise where all your expenses are included in a fixed rate. This makes it a lot easier to plan your budget and to not overspend, ensuring you maintain your savings goals. If you’re thinking about booking a cruise, click here to get some inspiration.
4. Figure Out What are Your Essentials
Once you’ve got at least a month’s worth of data, you’ll be able to see what parts of your spending is essential – things such as rent, groceries, petrol etc tend to fall into the essential category and what is additional spending, such as entertainment, clothing, your Starbucks bill and so forth. Everyone’s budget is personal to their income and spending, so while I wont make specific suggestions on how to cut down on spending and increase saving, I suggest listing out all your categories and deciding what’s essential and what is a luxury. You might find it helpful to set specific budgets for each category so you can control your spending and ensure you are saving a good amount of money each month.
Buying your first property is an exciting financial decision. The more you can save, the better off you’ll be financially as you’ll be able to purchase with a smaller mortgage, saving you considerable money in the long run. Use these 4 simple tips to get your house savings off to a good start.
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3 Simple Ways to Adjust to Home Life After Traveling
I wont lie, coming back from a trip and sliding back into a normal routine can be challenging. The longer you’re away, the harder it can be and ‘reverse culture shock’ is a real thing! If it’s your first time coming home, you might be surprised by how hard you find it. Most of my friends weren’t super interested in hearing about my extended travels, it felt like the entire thing faded away into a long distant memory fast. I’ve gone on many long trips and come back home each time, so I’ve found these three simple ways to adjust to home life after traveling that really help me adjust faster and feel happy about not being on vacation – well as happy as you can be!
1. Order Things Online
It can be a bit of a bummer getting home and getting stuck into errands, supermarket runs and paying bills. Nothing says “my vacation is over” like spending an hour in the bank. I like to do some online grocery shopping before I even get home so I know I’m going to have food coming and I can get back into a healthy eating routine as soon as possible. There are also more interesting things you can order online, such as freedomjars.com which are delicious jar-meals that can be delivered to your home or office. I also really enjoy having good quality wine regularly delivered as I love to have a glass of wine after a long day, or having a spare nice bottle of wine that I can gift to someone if I’m invited to dinner. Check out Naked Winery custom wine club for your wine delivery needs!
2. Plan Fun Things in Advance
I always feel like when I come home that my friends and family are busy and I get it. Modern life is busy – we each have to balance our time between our significant others, children, friends, family, work, fitness and then any other social commitments. It can take me a few weeks to catch up with a friend, even if we both keep trying to find time to see other. I like to plan some fun things in advance to do with my friends and family before I even get back into the country so that I’m excited to see them and have things to look forward to. Try different things like an escape room with a group of friends, or maybe heading to a local music performance with your parents. I find when we’re traveling we’re more open to new experiences, but doing these things at home is a great way to keep the adventure alive.
3. Make a Photo Book
At some point it may feel like your trip didn’t even happen, that it was just a distant dream. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably good at uploading a few pictures online to either Facebook or Instragram, but somewhat useless at printing out photos. That’s OK, I completely understand! Taking the time to make a photo book is a wonderful way to remember your trip, but also a special way to keep it around so you can look back on your favorite memories. I like to make a photo book for each trip and I keep them laying around on my coffee table, so that guests can browse through them too.
These are my top tips for making the transition back home as easy as possible. If you have any suggestions, please leave them in the comments below.
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Top 3 Delicious Drinks to Try Around the World
If you’re anything like me, then part of traveling the world is trying new food and drinks around the world. I feel like drinks are often overlooked, but the truth is there are a ton of different drinks around the world that are unique to the region or have their own flare on a common drink. Here are some of my top 4 favorite drinks I’ve tried around the world.
1. Cambodian Coffee
You’ve probably heard how wonderful the coffee is in Italy, and it really is. I didn’t have a bad coffee my entire time there. However, I was expecting that. A surprise for me in the coffee world was when I was in rural Cambodia and tried iced coffee. It seemed to be a perfect mixture of about 50% condensed milk with the other 50% being coffee. It was served over ice and the perfect blend of sweet milk with delicious coffee. Although I tend to avoid sugar in my coffees usually, in the Cambodian heat it was a welcome treat. You can try to make this at home (maybe don’t use 50% condensed milk, I would probably start with a lower ratio). If you don’t have a coffee machine, why not buy a commercial espresso machine now so you can make delicious iced coffees whenever you like!
2. Elderberry Syrup
You’ll either love it or loathe it, but the truth is Elderberry is widely considered a magic remedy for the flu and other illnesses. It’s commonly used in Europe and the United States, and if you’re from somewhere else in the world – like me – you might have not tried it. I actually really love it and was introduced to this magical plant while living in the Czech Republic as an au pair. You can easily make elderberry syrup at home, perfect for the flu season. You’ll need to get some whole elderberries, which you can find here https://www.botanicuniverse.com/products/elderberry-whole and you’ll need to cook them down into a syrup which is fairly easy!
3. Michelada
If you’re a beer lover who also likes a good bloody mary then I have a feeling you’ll like the michelada. Considered a staple in Mexico and Guatemala, it’s the perfect summer drink. It’s made from mixing tomato juice with beer, lime, hot sauce, worcestershire sauce, salt for rimming and in the mix and some lime wedges for garnishing. Here’s a great michelada recipe to get you started, but as with everything it’s best to experiment to see what ratios you like most!
While these drinks are best enjoyed where they’re from – with these handy tips you can have that ‘traveling feeling’ at home while sipping on your beverage of choice – cheers!
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Experiencing new styles of holidays
Whether we’re holidaying across the UK or taking a trip abroad, we always look forward to our short break away from work. However, did you know that holidays were an idea dating back to Ancient Rome and a lot of wealthy Romans took holidays that lasted two years?
Like we mentioned, we can’t wait to travel, and more people are doing than ever before. So much so, the Office for National Statistics reported that in 2017 there were 72.8 million visits overseas by UK residents, showing a 3% increase on the previous year. This figure is only set to increase even further after a survey of 25,000 British travelers found that 11% of respondents would like to travel more in the future.
With our consumer habits changing, holiday trends are shifting too. But what does that actually mean for holidaymakers, local communities and businesses across the globe?
Sustainable Trip Initiatives
When you think of fair trade, you may think of organic coffee — but you can have fair trade holidays too. Holidaymakers can integrate themselves into the communities who are behind the products we frequently buy!
If you’re looking to learn more about traditions in other countries, there is one stand-out initiative call Meet the People Tours. These trips are organised so that the people living and working in these communities are better off as a result. From visiting development projects and having your ideas of developing countries challenged, you’ll truly feel that you’re making a difference from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave.
Opting for greener measures
We’re still indulging on holidays, but more people are searching for phrases around eco-friendliness in relation to booking a trip abroad. Along with veganism, flexitarianism and other lifestyle choices, these types of holidays have captured the public’s attention and will likely become the norm for future generations who will be more environmentally conscious.
Interestingly, almost 90% of travelers want to travel more sustainably. With such high figures, it’s clear that this is a market more businesses in the hospitality and travel market should be tapping into. You could argue that sustainable travel is subject to a person’s environmental standpoint, and while this is true, the same report also revealed that 46% of people believe sustainable travel is staying in an eco-friendly or green accommodation. There are many reasons why more people are opting for this type of accommodation though. For example, 40% said that they wanted to reduce their environmental impact. On the other hand, 34% said this was to have a locally relevant experience and a further 33% said they wanted to feel good about where they rested.
But these people have been influenced. 60% said that this idea sparked from taking in the natural sights from their previous trips – such as coral and rain forests. Also, 54% said that they had noticed the visible impact tourism had on places that they themselves had visited, while 47% went on to say that their decision was after seeing the positive impact sustainable tourism had on local communities. Furthermore, 32% said they felt guilty about how their holidays impact the environment.
Although people want to intentionally act greener, they also are conscious of the price. As these trips tend to require fine planning and research, they could potentially be more costly than your average trip to Spain. However, 67% of travelers in the report said that they were prepared to spend up to 5% more on their travel to ensure it had a low impact on the environment.
People want to have a new experience when they’re actually booking their trip too. Figures from the same survey found that four in 10 people say that booking sites should offer an eco-friendly filter. Although this doesn’t seem like a step a lot of travel sites are taking, some have began adding pages to represent these trips and advertise them publicly. As well as this, 32% of people call for an international standard that can identify eco-friendly accommodation. If travel companies and hotels acknowledge this growing requirement from travelers now, it could keep them ahead of the competition. Hopefully, 2019 will be the year where we see more sustainable trips!
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When booking a hotel what ratings should you pay attention to?
Many of us like to scour around online before committing to booking a hotel for our trips away. According to TripAdvisor’s Path to Purchase report in 2017:
- 33% of people around the world visit travel sites
- 74% of hotel purchasers check TripAdvisor
With so many of us reading and checking online reviews, the question must be asked: just how important are star ratings in the modern world of hospitality? Do people still value them, or are they deemed less important than the words of a (purportedly) real guest experience?
In this article, we’ll explore the star standard for the hotel industry to find out if guests can still glean worthwhile information from it.
A history of stars
It used to be that a hotel’s star rating was the go-to check for travellers looking to book a room. The star system used to be quite simple and, without the digital word of mouth, really the only information guests had to go on.
Now, the star system is as varied and unsettled as they come, with hotels claiming everything from five to ten stars instead of the traditional rating. Plus, many have noted that a four-star hotel in Madrid might not feel the same as a four-star Brighton Hotel.
This is down to the fact that there is no global star rating system.
The star-rating system for the UK was introduced in 1912 by the AA as a means of classifying hotel standards. Back then, the maximum number of stars was three. It wasn’t until 2006 that the AA developed the Common Quality Standards with the help of a number of UK tourist boards, which increased the maximum rating to five stars. Plus, in 1956, the AA introduced an additional Rosette Award scheme to ‘assess the quality of food served in restaurants and hotels’.
The AA’s UK hotel star rating system
The basics
The AA’s star system has a basic level of entry requirements that must be fulfilled regardless of star level. These include:
- Public liability insurance
- Fire risk assessment
- Food safety/hygiene compliance
- Health and safety compliance
- Planning compliance
- Licensing compliance
- Hotel Proprietors Act compliance
- Data Protection Act/GDPR compliance
- The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 compliance
- Equality Act 2010 compliance
- Safety and security minimum requirements
- This includes staff to be on site and on call 24-hours a day, printed instructions for emergencies in the night and for evacuation procedures in every bedroom.
- Symbols, diagrams, and multilingual emergency notices in every bedroom.
- Registered guests should have access to the hotel at all times, with the hotel entrance illuminated in the dark and identifiable. Lighting in all public areas, stairways, and landings.
- Telephone access 24-hours a day.
- A key or card for guests to lock bedroom doors inside and out, and security fittings on windows.
In addition to the above, hotels looking to enter the AA star system need to abide by a minimum level of maintenance, such as fixtures, electrical and gas equipment in the building being clean and fit for purpose. There’s also a minimum requirement for cleanliness, with the AA stating that there must be ‘a high standard of cleanliness maintained throughout the property’ regardless of star level — cleanliness is not expected to vary between star level.
The differences between levels
From here, the differences between star levels becomes more apparent in the AA’s Common Quality Standards. For example, where a one-star hotel is required to offer an iron and ironing board, a five-star hotel is expected to offer 24-hour return laundry service. A one-star hotel can verbally explain the breakfast menu, where a two-star hotel must have a clean, well-presented menu provided for breakfast items. But then for dinner provisions, both one and two-star hotels (as well as three and four) all need to serve dinner at a specific time advertised, communicate if no dinner is provided, and can provide a self-service buffet. The only difference in dinner requirements is for five-star hotels, which need to provide all courses, served to guests at their table.
There’s a huge level of detail for the requirements of each level outlined in the full document, which can be accessed here. But just how relevant is it in this digital age?
The problem with stars
The problem keeps coming back to the fact there’s no global star standard. Other countries run their own systems, with some having multiple different boards with their own star systems. Some hotels might even give themselves their own ‘unofficial’ star rating. Then, there’s the matter of tour operators running their own star rating system, which can make four-star hotels look like five-star hotels to unsuspecting bookers.
Even within the UK, a hotel may have an AA two-star rating, but a tour operator may advertise it as three-stars based on their own rating system.
The rise in trusting reviews
It’s hardly surprising then that more and more people are turning to review websites before booking a room. Plus, it seems there is an increasing level of trust in those online review and ratings.
Back in 2009, C. Cox et al noted that while 95% of internet users at the time relied on online research as part of their travel information search process, few were actively trusting them as a primary means of gauging a hotel’s quality. This was deemed to be because ‘[it] is not always easy to identify and access the profile of people who post information on blogs and other social networking sites, [so] the reader cannot easily gauge the credibility of the information provided’ (pg. 749).
Fast-forward nine years, and we’ve become very trusting of what we see online, with a reported 84% of people placing online reviews on the same level of trust as a recommendation from a friend. As mentioned at the start of this article, one of the main ways potential guests scout out hotels is to look on TripAdvisor, meaning they are placing a lot of value in the ratings there compared to the star-rating of a hotel.
The risk of ratings and reviews
But even that isn’t wholly without flaws. It is as relevant now as it was in 2009; we simply do not know much about the person who rates or reviews a hotel on TripAdvisor and the like. In fact, there’s even a ‘fake review’ market present in the digital world that is said to be able to get around the detection processes in place. So much so that one man managed to get a restaurant that doesn’t exist rated as the top restaurant in London.
Which holds more value?
So long as you know to look out specifically for AA stars, the star rating system is useful for knowing the minimum you will receive from a hotel. By checking the minimum requirements set out by the AA, you can see the standards the hotel had to achieve to be granted not only entry to the star system at all, but the star level they have achieved. For example, the AA has rated The Majestic Hotel as a four-star hotel. You can take this and check their Common Quality Standard to find out that this means the hotel must provide such things as televisions with a screen larger than 24 inches, and a high degree of spaciousness within the rooms.
This forms a good foundation for what to expect of a hotel. From there, a look at guest reviews can help to cement an idea of the experience, but with caution for the above-mentioned flaws for the online review process.
All in all, it seems a certain degree of balance is required when considering ratings, reviews, and stars. Approached the right way, they can provide a keen insight into your potential booking. Just remember to check which stars are being shown!
Sources:
https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/uk-hotel-chains/article/hotel-star-ratings-explained
https://www.theaa.com/hotel-services/ratings-and-awards
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/advice/Confusion-over-hotel-star-ratings/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8603430.stm
Carmen Cox, Stephen Burgess, Carmine Sellitto & Jeremy Buultjens (2009) The Role of User-Generated Content in Tourists’ Travel Planning Behavior, Journey of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 18:8, 743-764
https://www.inc.com/craig-bloem/84-percent-of-people-trust-online-reviews-as-much-.html
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Take A Trip to See the World’s Best Casinos
Do you want your next holiday to have a touch of glamour? Forget luxury resorts and take a trip to visit some of the best casinos in the world instead. You can try your hand at placing a few bets and maybe even win a few Bonus spins on slots, whilst experiencing the opulent surroundings of the hangouts of some of the wealthiest gamblers in the world. Here, we run through the top three most impressive casinos to make sure you include on your itinerary.
MGM Grand Casino, Las Vegas
As well as being the largest casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, the MGM Grand is also the largest hotel in the United States; making for some impressive architecture. The resort includes five outdoor pools, rivers and waterfalls as well as having a convention centre, spa, shops, nightclubs, restaurants and the main event; the casino which covers an incredible 171,500 sq. ft. Inside the casino you’ll find 2,500 machines including slot machines that accept $1000 payments with the chance of $500,000 pay-outs, and 139 game tables. You can even place bets on sports here, with its 36 60-inch and 24 42-inch plasma TV screens showing all the live action. The MGM Grand Casino pulls out all the stops when it comes to creating an extravagant experience for its guests; before its renovation in 2012, it even featured a live lion display.
The Venetian Macao Casino, Macao
Macao is a popular tourist destination in China, and home to The Venetian Macao Casino. The Venetian Macao is technically the largest casino in the world as well as the largest hotel in Asia. The casino only officially opened in 2007 and is home to 3400 slot machines and 800 gambling tables, as well as other attractions such as the 15,000 seat Cotai Arena where various shows take place. This arena is world famous and hosts many televised events such as boxing championships and award shows. The casino is a favourite of professional gamblers as it offers a private club for premium guests, with a separate entrance, gaming rooms, lounge, restaurant and even private elevators to their bedrooms.
Tusk Rio Casino Resort, Klerksdorp
The Tusk Rio Casino Resort is situated in Klerksdorp, South Africa and is home to one of the biggest casinos in the southern hemisphere; measuring up at 266,330 sq. ft. The modern 274 slot machines are open 24 hours a day and the casino offers a special service for premium guests, where loyalty is rewarded with exclusive offers as well as guests being able to enjoy a private lounge, slot machines, gambling tables, and private for parking for ultimate easy access to the casino. Like its competitors, Tusk Rio also has a theatre with live entertainment, a conference centre, and excellent restaurants.
A tour of the most impressive casinos in the world can be a truly rewarding experience; you can enjoy amazing live entertainment, fantastic food, marvel at the astounding architecture of the biggest hotels in the world and enjoy luxury surroundings, as well as experiencing the exhilaration of placing a few bets in the most popular gambling resorts in the world. For more ideas on where to travel take a look at thewrongwayhome.com.
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Why Dubai is a Shopper’s Paradise
Shopping in Dubai can be heavenly for the soul. No really, with so much on offer for every taste and style, planning a trip to Dubai just for shopping is not a bad idea at all. In fact, if you live nearby this vibrant city, book your tickets now. Even if you live in trendy urban centers, Dubai shopping can be a lot of fun. So, for instance, book your Dubai flight tickets now to experience some shopping that can offer you maximum retail therapy.
Malls
Visiting the malls in Dubai alone can require a few days. You can begin your shopping trip by walking the many floors of the ‘Dubai Mall’ (the largest in the world) and taking in the vibrancy of this urban structure. For a different experience, you can head to ‘Mall of the Emirates’, which is first-of-its-kind shopping resort.
For a more cultural experience, visit the ‘Ibn Battuta Mall’. Enjoy art along with your shopping at the ‘Wafi Mall’. It can be a different experience than simply visiting the malls with urban designs. For those looking for bargains while shopping in Dubai’s malls, the outlet mall is the place to be. At the ‘Dubai Outlet Mall’, you can find amazing bargains on international design labels.
Souks
No visit to Dubai is complete without experiencing shopping at the local markets or the souks. Even if you don’t plan to buy any gold while in Dubai, go to the ‘Deira Souk’ for the sheer experience of a marketplace for the golden metal. But if you wish to purchase gold here, you can even bargain for the best price!
Try the ‘Bur Dubai Souk’ to buy the most amazing fabric and textiles from the region. You can buy traditional perfumes, spices and handicrafts from the many souks in Dubai. Do try and load up on saffron, spiced teas and dried fruits.
You can also try the slightly modern versions of souks (that are not malls) such as ‘Souk Al Bahar’ for authentic Middle Eastern fares to take back home. You can find local delicacies, handicrafts, textiles and small items at bargain prices. Another great shopping place you can visit is the ‘Souk Madinat’. It can be quieter than the traditional souks as this is not the place for haggling. But it can be ideal for those who wish to enjoy their shopping in relative peace and quiet.
Streets
Street shopping is one of the best ways to experience a new city. Now, street shopping in Dubai may be slightly (or a whole of) different than other places thronged with tourists. If you are in Dubai on a Friday, do not miss the chance to visit ‘ARTE’ – the artisan market. You can find artisans gathering at various locations around the city where you can buy handicrafts, jewelry and various baked goods and other culinary treats. Also, visit the ‘Covent Garden Market’ for quirky dresses and t-shirts, purses and kaftans.
If you wish to see a laidback side of Dubai’s shopping scene, ‘Ripe Market’ may be something you might enjoy. You can check the schedule beforehand as this may change from season to season. You can enjoy authentic foods, crafts and local produce at these various open air markets around Dubai.
If you enjoy shopping, Dubai can be a fun destination to visit. It is the ideal place to go on a quick weekend shopping and cultural trip. If you live in India’s western coast such as in Pune, a quick trip to Dubai is even possible on a whim. You can simply book Pune to Dubai flight tickets and enjoy a few days of different kind of shopping and marketplaces.
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Tips for a stress-free move to Hong Kong
How to manage everything, from packing to international removals, when moving to Hong Kong
Moving to Hong Kong, even for short-term period, is incredibly popular – and it isn’t hard to see why. Hong Kong is one of the most vibrant cities in the world. Choosing to take the plunge and move overseas is one of the biggest decisions a person can make.
In all the excitement of moving, it can be easy to overlook some tasks on your moving to-do list. Packing, getting your documents in order, and organising international removals might not be the most exciting part of a move abroad, they are incredibly important steps.
Following these crucial steps for moving to Hong Kong will ensure a stress-free beginning to your new life overseas.
Decide what you want to take to Hong Kong with you
When moving abroad, it can be tempting to avoid taking larger pieces with you and only take the bare minimum. But moving abroad shouldn’t mean parting with your belongings – especially when they have sentimental value. Carefully planning your budget means that you should be able to account for moving all of the possessions that mean the most to you. A reputable mover such as Excess International can guarantee that your most precious belongings arrive with you, for a reasonable cost. Sending your household contents across the world is their specialty, so they can ensure it’s hassle-free.
Start packing early
It’s a common error to leave packing to the last minute. With so many exciting things to consider when moving to Hong Kong, organising your things can fall by the wayside. But starting early can make one of the more tedious moving chores more manageable. International shipping warrants a certain standard of packing – especially for fragile goods or valuables. Being proactive with careful packing is the key to avoiding breakages. A useful packing tip is to line crates with bubble wrap and load heavier items first.
Make sure you know your way around the paperwork
Before emigrating to Hong Kong, it is of the utmost importance to have your paperwork in order.
Visas
Depending on your passport, you may be eligible to stay in Hong Kong as a visa-free visitor for up to 180 days. You might also have Hong Kong ‘Right to Abode’ or ‘Right to Land’; this means you can work and live in Hong Kong unconditionally. For example, UK passport holders have a ‘Right to Land’ in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong ID Cards
Everyone aged 11+ in Hong Kong is required to hold a Hong Kong ID card.
Octopus cards
Octopus cards are one of the most important little pieces of plastic you can have with you in Hong Kong. This debit-style card is mostly used for public transport, but it can pay for parking, groceries and vending machines.
What can your international removals company handle for you?
Labelling, numbering and inventorying your items
Items that you’re bringing overseas must be accurately labelled and inventoried. If you’re using an international removals company, they will do this for you as part of the shipping process.
Making sure that your items are with you on arrival in Hong Kong
International removals companies are global logistics experts. Trying to ship your personal effects and belongings by yourself can be stressful, and lead to things going missing or unnecessary delays. A reputable international removals company can take care of the hard work for you.
Every move is different, with its own unique circumstances and challenges. But these guidelines will help you take care of the nitty gritty, so that you can focus on enjoying an exciting new chapter in your life.
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5 Layout Designs to Incorporate the Eileen Gray Bibendum Chair within any Chamber
The Eileen Gray Bibendum Chair boasts a distinguishably extraordinary dimensional configuration. Posing as a purely iconic article in the contemporary furnishing industry, it requires considerable, introspective assessment for its placement. Dating back to 1929 it exudes a timeless vibe as intended by Eileen Gray. In order to assist your venture in placing this masterpiece, we’ve constructed a vivid guideline of schematic suggestions:
- Symmetrical Accents and a scenic background:
Eileen Gray Bibendum Chair comprises of padded circular tubes, encased within a molded fiberglass shell. A well-proportioned build like this radiates a modern profile, paired with spectacular comfort. Therefore, if you position it as illustrated in the picture above alongside chic, minimalistic furniture pieces like reflective glass, stainless steel, etc. you will be able to emulate futuristic moods within your lounging area. The converging colors, natural backdrop lighting, and refined outlook all complete the look.
- Lounging with wholesome scenery:
Simplicity and elegance are the two standout characteristics the Eileen Gray Bibendum Chair has to offer. Inherently stylistic, bold and flattering by itself, it is perfectly capable of occupying the position of a free-standing article. In the image above you can visualize the serene aura articulated in its refined and sharp lines. If you wish to further augment the space, you can add-on unobtrusive pieces like a solo standing, single colored torchiere lamps, arched or floor-lamps, even light-structured tables as is used in the picture above. To accent, the true beauty, try not to break the color-pattern by supplementing the chair with matching items.
- Contemporary yet cozy:
Despite its strong, daunting presence, the Eileen Gray Bibendum Chair’s versatile material and physical appearance grant it the ability to mold seamlessly in cozy interior environments. The example chosen above shows how open and expansive rooms with the bare minimum can be enhanced with the addition of a humble, tasteful and inherently charming seating option. Hanging acrylics, pastels or portrait oriented paintings behind or around the chair emulates a tastefully dramatic and genteel ambiance. Positioning it parallel to a counter, settee or fireplace adds an eclectic touch.
- Complement your aesthetic lounge with a flare of fancy adornments:
Posing as an artistic focal point, the Eileen Gray Bibendum Chair gives off a very strong yet pleasant aura. If you have a location featuring wide-paned European style windows, mammoth sized rustic carpentry, spacious arrangements, and bohemian ornaments, then choosing from the colorful selection of Cashmere, Boucle Wool, Velvet, Top Grain, Aniline and Vintage options well grant you the freedom to diversify your setup. This is a great way to break free from mundane, dull, mainstream and monotonous designs found in other homes.
- The Dual Effect:
In this illustration, we attempt to demonstrate clean-cut territories that combine sophistication with functionality. The minimal accenting, dark-hued and dynamic space and edgy tones allow for a statement worthy title for the Eileen Gray Bibendum Chair. By showcasing the craftsmanship via dual placement you can establish a neutral-looking setup whilst subtly adding a multidimensional aura of complexity. The beauty of this sample picture is that this look can be integrated into office spaces, homes, and even public platforms.
Owing to the heavy-duty yet comforting nature of the Eileen Gray Bibendum Chair, you can come up with infinite arrangement selections. We’ve provided you with a basic guideline to make your lives a little more aesthetically pleasing.
