Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 59)
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Gap Year Travel. Things To Consider.
What is a “gap year”?
So you may have heard the term thrown around a lot. The proverbial “gap year”. What is it???
In the USA, it is effectively a year taken out between high school and college in order to broaden person’s cultural, professional, personal and practical awareness.
Gap Years actually started in the UK in the seventies as a way to fill the 7/8 month gap between student’s final exams and them starting university. In the UK, that gap was to be used to help students in their development, usually through an extended international experience, typically volunteering or doing some kind of different work away from the areas of their intended studies.
Solo or group travel?
Deciding whether to go alone or to find a group of like minded people, all interested in doing a gap year away in the destination or multiple destinations is down to personal choice. Some people prefer to go alone and it acts as journey of self discovery and development, whereas other people are happier in groups and can build new friendships that can last a lifetime. Going solo or in a group is not set in stone, maybe you could start off solo and make new friends quickly and then travel and work with these new friends. Or vice versa, you might get tired of the same people and routine so you can venture out on your own to a new location and do some solo travel to clear your head. Regardless of going solo or in a group, you should take out specific gap year insurance. Investigate your gap year travel insurance before you go!
Some pre-checks to consider
- Location/destination culture: There may be certain norms and traditions in the country or location you intend to travel to. Knowing some of these basics will help you fit in and make sure not to offend any locals. After all, you are coming in on their territory! So learn the norms and know what behaviour is allowed and not allowed.
- Food and drink: If for example, you are travelling to Asia, there may be very different foods on offer that you wouldn’t get as normal in the Western world, such as street food with different meats and seafood. Be aware that your digestive system might not be used to this and you might be sick for a day after trying exotic foods!
- Healthcare standards: Do your research on the healthcare provision of the country and specific location you are travelling to or working in.
- Safety & crime rates: Knowing if it is safe to walk around at night or particularly if you are a girl, is certainly a consideration. Some parts of the world have much higher street crime rates and will mean you’ll have to be extra vigilant with your belongings and how you conduct yourself in public.
Most of all, your gap year will change you for the better and you will fondly look back on it in years to come and remember all of the great things you did, places you saw and friends that you made for life. So enjoy!
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How to Teach English as a Foreign Language in France
Whether teaching English as a foreign language is a dream career, you’re considering it just to get some money together whilst looking for another job, or you’d like to do it to gain some experience whilst studying for your master of education in adult and continuing education, France is the perfect choice of destination. English teaching is a huge industry in France, with a high demand for great English teachers and thousands of foreign nationals working in language schools across the country. Whether you are currently a student or a graduate, here are our top tips for landing an English teaching job in France.
Tip #1. TEFL Isn’t Always Necessary
If you are considering moving to France to teach English, then you might be led to believe that beforehand, you will need to gain the TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualification. However, bear in mind that this isn’t always necessary. For example, if you already have an English degree or are currently studying for your online MEAD degree as a fluent native English speaker, then you’ve probably got just as much chance of being accepted for an English teaching position in France as those who’ve completed TEFL. So long as you have great social skills and a good grasp of the English language and grammar, you’ll be in with a fighting chance.
Tip #2. Choose the Right School
There’s a huge range of academies and private language schools available in France. However, with hundreds to choose from in the capital city of Paris alone, the reality is that you can find some which are much better than others. Others are going to be worth avoiding as much as possible, so it’s always a good idea to conduct your own research beforehand to determine where you’re going to apply and where you’re going to steer clear of. Thankfully, there are several bloggers and online reviewers who’ve made all the information readily available to the public online, so all it takes is a quick Google search to come up with a shortlist of schools that sound good to you.
Tip #3. Decide If You Want to Be Self-Employed
Some schools in France will ask you if you have ‘auto-entrepreneur’ status, which basically means that you are self-employed rather than being an employee of the school or academy at which you will teach. Whilst it may mean that you’ve got less guaranteed work, it can also have a number of benefits, including the ability to demand a higher rate of pay or more flexibility in your working hours. If you are planning to teach English to adult learners in France whilst studying for your online college degree, then this could be an ideal option since it will give you more flexibility and freedom in your schedule. However, the catch is that if you are self-employed, then you’ll need to sort out your own social charges, which might not be worth it for just a short stay.
Did you find these tips helpful? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.
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How to Spend 2 Days in Koh Samui
Although only 15 miles long and 13 miles wide, Koh Samui is the third largest island in Thailand. According to some accounts, the name is derived from ‘koh’ meaning island and ‘samui’ meaning safe haven. This island’s year-round population of approximately 63,000 residents is augmented by visitors at a rate of 73 percent on any given day.
With a wide range of attractions sites to visit and lots of things to do and see in Koh Samui, two days might not be sufficient. This is where a guide for 2 days in Koh Samui comes in in the equation. Below is a selection of greatest activities and attractions to consider for your 2 days in Koh Samui.
Day 1 visit the coastal area
Daytime: Have fun in the sand, sunbathe and surf
It’s your first day in Koh Samui. Why not consider spending some time in the coastal area, right? Koh Samui is surrounded by gorgeous white sand beaches and crystal clear blue sea. The beaches along the east coast, which include Chaweng beach and Lamai beach, are the hotspots of the town. While in the west coast, you will find that the beaches are wider, and less busy. There are also a wide range of fun beach activities such as diving and snorkeling.
Along with enjoying beautiful, quiet beaches and the gulf shoreline, a 2 days in Koh Samui itinerary should include a visit to a 200 year old home representative of Chinese architecture. Most structures were built of teak wood topped with a red roof.
Sunday brunch in style by the sea
When deciding how many days to spend in Koh Samui, be sure one of them is a Sunday enabling you to treat your taste buds to a plethora of delicacies between the hours of 11:30 A.M. To 7:30 P.M. for Sunday Brunch at Beach Republic. The menu includes oysters, bass, salmon and lobster as well as beef, lamb and turkey. Cheese lovers will be tantalized by a fantastic cheese board. Adult reservations include one free cocktail, beer or wine.
Evening: Shopping
One of the most unusual activities to do in Koh Samui in which to participate is a Walk Street gathering. This is a combination of a farmers market and a specialty vendor area. Each settlement in Thailand hosts this activity on a different night from Thursday through Sunday beginning at 5 P.M. Local vendors such as Chaweng’s Classic Gems pride themselves on the fact that all jewelry offered for sale is created from certified gems.
Day 2 Explore Koh Samui
Daytime: Visit Koh Samui best temples and landmarks
While Koh Samui’s main landmark is a statue of Buddha and a Buddhist Temple, during the 2 days in Koh Samui, it is worth the time to visit the small fishing community of Bophut to experience the laid-back, easy going lifestyle of the island. As more and more tourist accommodations are under construction in Thailand as a whole, there is a concerted effort being waged to maintain the aura of Bophut’s traditional Chinese influence.
Things to do and see in Koh Samui in day 1 should include the Buddha statue landmark and, Koh Samui’s second but lesser known landmark statue of Guanyin, The Goddess of Mercy. To many art aficionados, this figure bears many similarities to that of the Virgin Mary. The Buddha statue towering almost 50 feet above the ground was constructed in 1972.
Evening: Shows and entertainment
Every list relative to Koh Samui Thailand things to do should include a visit to the Tiger Zoo and Aquarium affording visitors the opportunity to get as close as is safely possible to majestic tigers and to enjoy seeing marine creatures in their aquarium habitat. Admission to this attraction includes shows and demonstrations featuring leopards, sea lions and tigers. At various times during the day, bird shows featuring parrots, hawks, hornbills and other flying creatures occur. Visitors also have the opportunity to have pictures taken with critters by professional photographers whose services benefit the zoo.
A definite on your bucket list of activities to do in Koh Samui is to attend a Buffalo Fighting Festival. Similar to an American Rodeo, the arena is separated from spectator seating by wooden fencing. After being showered with water, two male buffalo are released to fight each other until one backs away from its opponent. Each skirmish is presided over by Master of Ceremonies whose duties include explaining the rules for the benefit of visitors and providing entertainment for local Thai spectators many of whom have placed wagers relative to the outcome.
Final Words
With multiple of things to do and see and a wide range interesting places to visit, enjoying all this in a couple of days is impossible especially when you do not plan your trip well. But if you have as little time as two days to spend on this island, this guide should come in handy.
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What you Need to Know About Calories
Most foods we love to eat on daily basis contain more calories than our body need. This is why there is a problem of obesity in many countries. Most food manufacturers are working on ways to reduce calories contained in their products. Restaurants and takeaways are also coming up with healthy cooking ways to avoid adding more calories. Calorie reduction programs are already underway in different countries for example in the UK, the government is striving to reduce the amount of sugar in some foods by 20% before 2020.
Types of food you should avoid eating a lot include pizza, burgers, crispy chips, mayonnaise, chocolate iced doughnuts, fresh chips and tinned spaghetti. A 10-inch takeaway pizza contains 880 of calories, burgers usually have 260 calories and there are 244 calories in a 400g tin of spaghetti. The number of calories required by the body to keep it healthy differs with gender. A man requires an average of 2 500 calories while a woman requires an average of 2 000. There are a number of factors that should be considered to make these numbers applicable, factors such as level of activities, body size, and age. Obviously, a person who does physical work should consume more calories as many calories are burnt during the work.
Tricks to Cut Calories
1. Eat more vegetables and green salad
Your meals should have more veggies or salads. This helps you to reduce intake of food with lots of calories.
2.Know how much calories you taking in
Counting your calories is very important so that you know how much you should cut. Calories can be counted using phone health apps. Clearly, your phone has more uses than just trying to win real money casino jackpots at the best online casino on the internet.
3. Eat less sauce
Sauces like mayonnaise add more calories to your food; therefore it is advisable that you should cut down on your sauces.
4. Cook your own meals
You can control your calories when you cook your own food. There are certain cooking methods that are healthy like grilling, boiling or steaming.
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The Top Reasons Queensland Is The Best State In Aus
When you think of Australia, Sydney and Melbourne spring to mind. After all, they are the most popular tourist destinations in the country. So, it isn’t hard to see why people think so much of New South Wales and Victoria. What with the Opera House and The Great Ocean Road, it is hard to look past both. However, there is one state which does compare, and it is Queensland. Sure, it might not have the same popularity, but it does have the following. Here’s why QL is the best state to visit in all of Australia.
The Great Barrier Reef
Located off the north eastern coast, the Barrier Reef is a living organism which stretches over 2000km. It is home to more than 1500 species of fish, 411 types of coral, and 134 species of sharks and rays. The colours are as exotic and as vivid as you can imagine, and the diving is among the best in the world. Quite simply, it is one of the most amazing tourist attractions in the world which you must see sooner rather than later. In fact, many view it as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Animal Parks & Zoos
If getting into the water with large rays and sharks isn’t your thing, you can go to the many zoos and wildlife centres. To begin with there is Sea World in the Gold Coast, which is home to animals from Polar Bears to Dolphins. If you like, you can even take a boat ride and watch the action from as close as possible. And, if the idea of Orcas in captivity is wrong, don’t worry because there are zero killer whales. Probably the best wildlife park is Australia Zoo. Dedicated to Steve Irwin, you can watch everything from crocodiles to tigers in a safe environment.
The Weather
So, Australia is not known for its bad weather considering the temperatures hit the mid-40s in summer. However, it is their winter now, and the climate in the south can get pretty cold. The likes of Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne experience wind, rain and even snow in the winter, yet Queensland stays sunny. Because it is at the north eastern tip of the country, the climate is tropical from July to July. Indeed, it might be too hot at times, but it is a nice problem to have. It beats watching the rain from your hotel window!
The Mix Of Cultures
From scuba diving in the Barrier Reef to surfing on Fraser Island, there is plenty to do. But, it is not just the abundance of activities which makes QL great. It is also the mix of cultures. After visiting the world famous animal attractions, you can just as easily venture into the Outback to see them in their natural habitat. Then, if you fancy a bit of luxury, there is always Brisbane which is Australia’s most liveable city.
Simply put, Queensland has it all, which is the main reason it should not be missed.
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5 Things I Never Travel Without
I love a good adventure, but no matter what type of trip I take, I always make sure that I take a few things along with me to ensure my trip is as comfortable as possible. Whether you’re traveling like a backpacker, or you have a unlimited budget, these tips will ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible.
1. A Great Book
I love reading and the truth is when you’re traveling there’s so much down time, such as waiting in airports, on planes, trains, in cars, and even waiting in immigration lines. Often there’s no wifi in those situations, so I prefer to have a book on hand so I can entertain myself and make the time go faster. I personally prefer paper books and it turns out I’m not alone! In a recent poll, Opodo discovered that 78% of Brits choose to read paper books over any other type of reading material. Need some reading inspiration? Check out this list:
Top 10 Summer Holiday Reads
Small Great Things, Jodi Picoult
I See You, Clare Mackintosh
Conclave, Robert Harris
The Essex Serpent, Sarah Parry
This Must Be The Place, Maggie O’Farrell
The Gypsy Moth, Julia Fierro
The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, Arundhati Roy
Hunger, Roxanne Gay
H (a)ppy, Nicola Barker
Sour Heart, Jenny Zhang.
2. Packing Cubes
Packing cubes make unpacking and packing so much easier. You can organise your packing cubes by the type of clothes, for example one cube for all tops, another for dresses and so on. It helps me keep organised and ensures that when I have to pack my bags I can fit more and also get things packed so much faster.
3. Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is probably the second most important thing for me after a good book – just kidding. It’s essential to travel with travel insurance because medical coverage when in a foreign country can quickly become very expensive. Travel insurance gives me great peace of mind and ensures I feel more secure when I’m traveling.
4. International Adapters
If you’re traveling to another country that uses a different plug you’re going to want to buy international adapters in advance. They’re SO expensive in the airport, like 2-3 times the price you can pay for them in a department store. I personally prefer the adapters that have surge protectors as well, which is especially important if you’re traveling to third world countries where the electricity may be unstable.
5. Lonely Planet
I love traveling with a Lonely Planet book as it gives a great summary to what to do, where to eat and where to stay in a new place. It’s compact and has everything you need to get your feet on the ground and your holiday off to a great start!
These are my travel essentials, do you have anything you never want to leave without? Share with me down below:
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3 Reasons Cruises are Amazing for Families With Kids
Traveling with kids can be a bit of a challenge, you have to factor in their nap times if they’re young, how to keep them entertained, and also how you can have a holiday that also feels relaxing for you and your partner. Cruises may be the perfect solution, as they offer a few advantages that traditional holidays struggle to offer as well. For those of you feeling like you really need a holiday, but not sure how you’ll manage it with a few kids in tow, check out these 3 reasons to go on a cruise holiday.
1. A Set Price
Traveling with kids is expensive, because you’re going to have to pay their airfares and often pay a lot ore for accommodation. On top of that you have the costs for meals, which is often frustrating with kids as they tend to just pick at restaurant meals. Going on a cruise ensures that you know the price before you’ve ever stepped out of your door. This means you can better budget in order to maximise the length of your holiday. Knowing exactly how much your holiday will cost before you even arrive can offer a huge peace of mind and reduce stress. There’s nothing worse than getting a bill at the end of your hotel stay and it having additional taxes and fees you weren’t expecting. One set price keeps things simple and ensures it’s easier to plan.
2. Kids Activities
Kids activities are great for a number of reasons, firstly it gives your kids something to do during the day, allowing you to enjoy some much needed adult time. It encourages them to socialise with other kids, which will make their cruise time much more special. It also keeps them busy so by the time they’re back in your room, they’re tired and ready to sleep. It’s one of a parent’s greatest challenges when traveling to find suitable entertainment for their child and to balance their needs and wants against your own. A cruise ship helps make that even easier, ensuring your children love being on a cruise as much as you do.
3. A Room for an Extended Period of Time
Don’t underestimate the comfort of being able to be in the same room for a few days, or weeks at a time. It will allow you to develop a routine with your children, unpack properly and even bring a few more toys to keep them entertained as you wont be lugging them between destination. This will help you relax and will ensure young kids develop a better sense of schedule while away on a cruise trip.
Traveling with kids can be a right challenge, but by choosing a cruise holiday you’re likely to have a more relaxing and enjoyable holiday away with your family.
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Phuket Island: Rum, Speed Boats And Spas
The ‘h’ is silent, so be careful how you pronounce it. Above all else, Phuket is like an oasis in South Asia, because it might just be the last true large population location, where the culture has not bowed down to all others. It’s very proud to be an island, and it’s 50 kilometers long, which makes it the largest in Thailand. The mood is such that it doesn’t really seem like it’s a part of any country, and definitely feels like it should be an island. The people are incredibly laid back. They like to trade, drink, eat, laugh and share stories, but they also like to not take things seriously. This is great if you’re looking to explore Thailand, without getting mixed up with the traditional lifestyle. Phuket has been showing signs of conservatively but nonetheless, approaching great levels of modernity. There are so many things to do and places to explore, but what will leave an imprint on you, is how far the people and island have come.
Image credit – Dan Taylor
Speed boating power
When you’re on an island, you can’t stick to the inner cities, and the countryside, because there’s nothing quite like exploring the coast. Phang Nga Bay is littered with over one hundred miniature islands, all made out of rocky limestone. The beauty of the coast was once given the honor of being in a James Bond film because of the tucked-away caverns of Talu Island. Once only able to be reached by canoe, now you can power through the island on a rumbling speedboat, thrashing up waves and cutting across the light blue sea. It’s a fun activity which lasts for four days, which will also see you dining for lunch at the small floating village of Koh Panyee. At the end of the tour, you’ll be introduced to the warmth of the Naka Island beach.
Photo by – Thomas Wanhoff
Soothing spa
If you take a trip to Thailand and don’t experience the ‘hurt so good’ feeling of a Thai massage, consider that trip a waste. There are many luxury spas, which cater for everyone and take into consideration sensitive skin, aching muscles and if you’re new to the pressures, the massage therapists will apply. Generally, a contemporary Thai spa will include skin care treatments which use the natural oils of the lotus flower. It’s their sacred flower, and the petals are supposed to have mystical healing powers as there are decedents from Buddha. The traditional Thai massage is one of a kind, and no matter where you get it, the only true, authentic massage is in Thailand. Centuries and centuries of knowledge are bestowed upon you with firm, mild and deep pressure strokes. The delicate and almost scalpel-like use of the elbows and knees, to target with precision, the aches, muscles tears and bruised bones to relieve all the pain away, is amazing just to watch.
Clear as day
Distilled Chalong Bay Rum Distillery has one of the purest and finest rums you’ll find anywhere in the South Asian region of Asia. It has some similarities with the Japanese Saki, in the fact that it is see-through and clear as day in color and viscosity, yet it can be drunk on its own without the need to put it into a cocktail. However, after a tour of the distillery, you’ll want to mix it with the exotic fruit on hand, so you’ll have the opportunity to learn how the fancy hotels mix and serve their expensive cocktails. At the cocktail workshop and bar, you can mix your own flavors and be given a taste of the most complex choices many Hollywood stars have enjoyed.
Phuket is no longer that small, quiet little island that wants to mind its own business. Now it’s a modern, jet setting, speed boating-riding, cocktail-mixing bustling island. It’s modern, yet it’s very traditional. It doesn’t bow down to the tourist tastes; it displays what it is with great pride.
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3 Reasons to Consider a Last Minute Holiday
Traveling is one of life’s greatest joys, but often life can get busy and travel plans can slide down the priority list. If you’re in the middle of summer, finding yourself without any special travel plans, don’t fret. It can be the perfect situation to have a last minute holiday – often there are ample savings available if you’re prepared to be a little spontaneous. It can also be a great way to solve arguments when you can’t decide where to go, simply choose the cheapest trip, or the trip that’s smack bang within your budget and you can go from there. Here are some reasons to consider a last minute holidays.
1. You May Go Somewhere You Might Not Normally Consider
Often when you’re booking last minute trips, you’ll find that some places may seem a bit overpriced as the flights or transport options have sold out of the cheaper options. This will encourage you to consider different travel destinations that can prove to be exciting! It will also provide you with a list of locations that you might not even consider searching for. For example, you can relax on a Guernsey holiday while enjoying the benefits of a last minute travel booking.
2. You Could Snag a Great Discount
Because often the last minute holidays have flights, or transport options that have not yet sold, businesses are keen to full up plane seats or hotel rooms rather than to just lose money on empty rooms. I personally love a last minute discount when I’m planning a trip, as it just helps ensure I have extra money for activities or for gifts for family members back home. Cutting down the costs of your trip before you’ve even left home is a sure fire way to ensure that you get a great value holiday!
3. The Thrill of a Last Minute Booking
There’s nothing more fun to me than spontaneously booking and planning a trip. Sometimes you just get a craving to go away somewhere new and a conversation with a loved one or friend sparks a fun conversation that ends with “Yes, we should just go!”. It’s exciting to decide to go on holiday when you weren’t planning to and is a sure fire way to ensure that your holiday actually feels like a holiday with some serious vacation time.
No matter your budget, how long you want to go for and when your free holiday time is, you can snag yourself a great last minute holiday with these travel tips.
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Go West – To Perth!
When most people book a holiday to Australia, they only look at the east coast. After all, there are some remarkable destinations along that coast, including Sydney and Melbourne! But have you ever considered traveling out west? The main city on the west coast is gorgeous Perth. It has a strong reputation with tourists, but it doesn’t get quite as many as its cousins over in the east of the country. And that means you won’t have to deal with so many crowds!
So, ready to go and see what Perth has to offer? Here are some fun things to see and do while you are out west!
Perth Zoo
Have you always wanted to stroke a kangaroo? Or how about hold a cute koala bear? If so, then you should head straight to Perth Zoo. You’ll find lots of native wildlife, including Australia’s famous marsupials. And there are lots of other species to see as well, including giraffes, elephants, and rhinos. You don’t just have to walk around and look at the animals while you’re visiting the zoo. You can also go to a talk about the zoo’s conservation or take a tour behind the scenes!
Fremantle Prison
If you want to see some of Perth’s history, you might like to take a tour of Fremantle Prison to hear some of the city’s grisliest stories! There are a few different tours you might like to take, and each one focuses on a slightly different aspect of prison life. For example, take a tunnels tour to see how prisoners used to try and escape into the prison’s underbelly. Or, if you like things a bit spooky, why not book the spine-tingling torchlight tour?!
The Pinnacles
Fancy getting out of the city for a bit? Then get a car from a car rental company and head out to The Pinnacles in Namburg National Park. It’s just a three-hour drive out of Perth. The Pinnacles are weathered rock formations that rise out of the desert and make for a really scenic hiking destination. Plus, they create an awesome backdrop for some cool Instagram snaps!
Kings Park
There is plenty of greenery to see in the city of Perth – you don’t have to head out to the desert to see Australian nature! Just take a stroll through Kings Park. When you are strolling through this large city park, you will be able to spot a lot of native flora and trees. You can also immerse yourself in the park’s artworks and nature by taking a walk along the Lotterywest Federation Walkway. This modern walkway features takes visitors past some of the park’s famous Aboriginal art. If you want some great city views, take the climb up to the top of the DNA tower.
Perth is a really awesome city and definitely worth visiting! In fact, I think it’s so good, it’s certainly worth seeing before you visit Sydney or Melbourne on the east coast!
So, why not book your trip to Western Australia right now?!
