Posts by : Izy Berry

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been interested in taking a river cruise. Unlike normal cruises, you’re taken directly to some of the best spots in the world- since so many great towns and cities were originally built on rivers.

I recently read this infographic about some of the world’s rivers, and it made me even more excited to spend some time on a river or two!

Did you know that the Nile river is 4100 miles long? It runs through Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Zaire, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, and of course, Egypt.

The ancient Egyptian calendar was based on the 3 Nile River cycles. Each season was made up of 4 months, and each month was 30 days- similar to the way our calendar works today.

Along the Nile, you’ll see the Temple of Edfu, the Valley of the Kings, the Great Pyramid of Giza, and the Temple of Luxor. You’ll also see lots of wildlife, so keep an eye out for black rhino, hippopotamus, Nile monitor, wildebeest, gazelle, and crocodile.

The Amazon River is another super long river, and travels through Peru, Columbia, Brazil, Bolivia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Guyana. This massive river discharges an average of 200 million litres per second. That’s a lot of water. Not to mention that along this 4000 mile river, you won’t find a single bridge.

If you love animals, the Amazon River is an amazing trip> Have you heard of the pink dolphins? You’re also likely to spot anacondas, black caiman, giant river otter, piranhas, and Amazonian manatee.

The Yangtze is the third longest river in the world, running for 3900 miles. You’ll find it in china, and the drainage basin of this river covers 20% of the country. Expect to see Three Gorges Dam, Fengdu Ghost City, Goddess Stream, and plenty of Giant panda. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a snow leopard.

The Mekong is also in China, although it flows through Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar as well. 75% of the annual flow of the Mekong is between July and October (with the monsoon). Be sure to keep an eye out for Mekong freshwater stingray, siamese giant carp, giant river carp, giant pangasius, and Mekong giant catfish.

Heading over to Europe, you’ll find the Danube, which is 1777 miles long. This river is one of the most important shipping routes in Europe, and connects with the Black Sea and Atlantic Ocean. It flows through Serbia, Germany, Croatia, Ukraine, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Austria.

If you travel down the Danube, you’ll see incredible cities like Melk, Bratislava, Passau, Budapest, and Vienna. You’ll also be travelling near 200 species of fish, pond turtles, great white pelicans, and beavers.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, and you’ll find even more interesting information in this excellent infographic. Take a look to learn more about the rivers of the world.

A trip to a Southern African safari lodge is a trip of a lifetime and planning it can become a little overwhelming at times. Packing for any trip remains one of the most stressful aspects of an adventure. Being prepared often can often make a good trip a great one. Therefore taking the right clothes, accessories and gear is of vital importance. Here are 5 tips to help reduce the inevitable packing stress.

Tip 1: Travel Light

Comfort will be your priority out in the African wilderness. Don’t pack more than you need. Your first instincts might tell you to pack your best, but looking flawless becomes inconsequential once you’ve immersed yourself in the African wild. I found that it is truly all about embracing nature.

Tip 2: Bring the right clothing

The right clothing makes a huge difference to your safari experience. The sun can be relentless so choose light clothing and, if you’re like me, bring something with sleeves because the Africa sun can get the best of us. Bring colors that blend into the savannah since you will most likely be going on walks and avoid wearing any loud colors or prints. The weather can change pretty quickly out there so be sure to bring a light jacket that’s easy to store once it heats up a bit. Six pure cotton shirts (a mix of short and long sleeved shirts is advised), two pairs of pants, two pairs of shorts and a jacket should be perfect for a 4-day trip. Bring a pair of walking or hiking shoes, a pair of trainers. I also find that flip-flops are ideal for your post hike relaxation session.

Tip 3: Who needs makeup?

Don’t bother packing your makeup. All I brought was some blush and foundation, which took all of two minutes to apply. If you know you’ll feel like dressing up a bit in the evening, then bring a small kit, but I quickly found that once you’re here there is no time or need for it.

Tip 4: Miscellaneous things you should pack

Pack sunscreen, it is probably one of the most important things on the list. Bring mosquito repellent and a little first aid kit (most tour companies and lodges have one, but I find its always best to bring your own). Don’t forget to bring any allergy or prescription medication you might need. You will be out in the wilderness, unable to run to the nearest pharmacy. Bring a nice small bag to carry everything for the day. You will definitely need some sunglasses. It’s a good idea to get a couple of cheap ones, since they tend to drop and break. Nothing hurts like losing your favorite sunglasses. Don’t forget you need to get all your vaccinations 2 weeks before leaving.

Tip 5: Hats

Bring a couple of hats. I brought a lovely floppy sun hat and a cap. I found that the floppy hat was nice for lazing in the sun, but a cap does a wonderful job of keeping your hair in check on a windy game drive.

When you hear about people traveling to India, they usually are going for the cultural and spiritual riches that can be found there. There’s nothing wrong with that. India is, indeed, a culturally rich country. However, that does not mean it cannot offer other kinds of unforgettable experiences. If you do a little research, you can find a lot of fun and challenging opportunities as well. So if you decide to go to India, don’t forget to put them down on your itinerary.

Raj Mandir Cinema (Jaipur)

If you are a cinema enthusiast, then you are going to love that movie theater. It’s spacious enough to accommodate a lot of people. It gets so chaotic at times that you can say there is a huge movie premiere. The seats are comfortable; the interior design is pastel-colored, and the atmosphere is lively. It’s more fun than your usual movie night. It’s the ideal place to watch one of those Bollywood movies Indians cherish so much. It’s ok if you don’t like the movie, not everybody does, but you don’t go there for the movie. You go there for the experience.

Quick tip: just two minutes away you can get to MI Road, and you’ll find several lassi shops there. You’ll have the most delicious sweet lassi you have ever tasted in your life.

Kinnaur, Lahaul, and Spiti (Himachal Pradesh)

It is also called the ‘loop,’ and it’s only meant for people who like adventure more than anything else. Some people train for months, just because the route is worth it. It starts in Shimla and ends in Manali, but it’s what’s in between that matters. You’ll end up in places that you wouldn’t believe existed. You’ll be surrounded by mountains with their tops covered in snow; you’ll reach villages like Kalpa, Nako, Dhankar, Kaza, and many others. As a bonus, you’ll also reach one of the oldest Tibetan temples. I can honestly say that the loop resembles some sort of hidden location in the middle of the mountains. You should take your time and spend about 12-14 days to finish the loop. It will provide the best memories you’ll have from India. Nothing will ever top that experience.

Paragliding in Goa

Paragliding hasn’t been popular in India until Himachal Pradesh hosted the very first world cup of paragliding. Since then, you can do this wherever it’s possible. Goa is not the only paragliding attraction, but it’s among the warmest. If you feel up to it, you can paraglide in Bir. You can fly over the deep blue sea and watch the golden beaches. It’s a fantastic view. No need to worry about safety, though. You’ll have instructors and professional pilots to keep you safe.

These three are just a glimpse of all the fun you can have in India. I don’t know why some people avoid this destination. It has a lot to offer, a vacation there is quite affordable, applying for an India e-visa is a piece of cake so getting there is not an issue, and the experiences are simply unforgettable.

It’s almost April. How are those New Year’s resolutions going? Have you kept them all? Probably not, right? But don’t worry, you still have plenty of opportunities to make 2007 the best year you’ve had yet.

Here’s how you do it:

Get in shape

Yeah, sorry, but round is not a shape. If you’re serious about getting in shape, consider this your wakeup call. There are a few things you can do to make the weight come off quickly. Try intermittent fasting, which is about eating your calories at certain times so your body has longer to burn those calories off when you’re not in your “fed” state. Be sure to take up lifting, since the more muscle you have, the more fat you’re burning- even when you’re just lying on the couch.

For people who have been wondering why they can’t seem to lose weight. IIFYM could be the way to go. This stands for If It Fits Your Macros, and it’s about tracking your food. You can then see exactly how much calories you’re eating, and understand how many you need to eat to lose weight. For people who find it hard to be social while “on a diet” IIFYM is a good option since you can just cut some carbs and calories a day or two before a big event or just work out your food to fit in a treat every now and again.

Get saving

If your savings account is sadder than it has ever been, it’s time to do something about it. You just can’t be your best self if you’re continually worrying about whether you’ll have enough money to cover basic necessities. Not to mention, we’re all living longer than ever which means a long retirement that you’ll need money for.

Instead of going out to the casino or clubs, stay in and play online casino games. Instead of buying lunch every day for work, do some meal prep and take in a healthy lunch from home. Instead of paying for that expensive gym subscription, use the local park for running and body weight exercises. Small changes can make a huge difference. Just don’t forget to treat yourself occasionally and set smart goals.

Make friends

I get it, it can be super hard to make new friends when you’re an adult. But people get busy and it’s not uncommon to find that your bestie is suddenly all wrapped up in her kids or your favourite girlfriend has been travelling the world for years. It is possible to make new friends, you just have to go out of your way to do it. Try a new activity, learn a new language at the local night school, or join Couchsurfing meetups. You’ll find that there are plenty of other adults who are also looking for new friends.

Want to make sure 2017 is your best year ever? Check out some of our great posts over at the Flybyblog.com 

Landscape photography can be very rewarding – you get to travel to exciting and unique locations, bear witness to some of the most breathtaking phenomenons of Mother Nature, and, if it is your job, be paid. Landscape photographers always have his or her own bucket list of locations they lust after, while others simply every single destination for what it is. From sprawling landscapes to culture and wildlife, some locations will make even the most seasoned landscape photographer weak in the knees.

Iceland

The Land of Fire and Ice, Iceland looks like a country that has come right off the pages of a G.R.R Martin novel. From dramatic landscapes to volcanoes, glaciers and the legendary Blue Lagoon, Iceland truly offers once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities.

Patagonia

Landscape photographers will be blown away by the rugged terrain and awe-inspiring panoramas of the mountainous region Patagonia. One of the most iconic sights has to be the snow-capped peaks rising above the lakes of Torres del Paine National Park, which is a good place to start. But let’s not forget about the picturesque lakes, pristine waterfalls, sand dunes and frosty lagoons just waiting to be snapped.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

The Okavango Delta is one of the most breathtaking regions in the world. It is located in the Kalahari Desert in Botswana and holds the honour of being the world’s largest inland delta. The Okavango Delta is a wildlife lover’s paradise, and you will be able to capture a variety of wildlife in their natural habitat. Think buffalo, giraffe, lion, elephant, hippo and zebra. Botswana is one of the most popular safari destinations in Africa, so expect some incredible photographic opportunities, and don’t forget about that famous African sunset!

The American Southwest

The American Southwest is home to majestic regions like the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Horseshoe Bend, Sedona, Bryce Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Monument Valley. This in itself will make any landscape photographer excited. The incredible weather, jaw-dropping vistas, landscapes, and natural wonders make this area one of the most loved locations in the world for landscape photography.

Victoria Falls, Zambia

Victoria Falls is one of those ‘must photograph’ locations. Capturing the beauty and magnificence of the Vic Falls, as it is affectionately known, is possible from almost any angle, although those in search of the most unique shots should jump at the opportunity to book a helicopter flight for an up-close-and-personal experience.

Antarctica

While not your typical tourist destination, Antarctica has become more popular over the years for photographer and adventure seekers. The remoteness, tranquillity and immense beauty of the region will take your breath away, while the wildlife and landscapes of the area provide some of the most incredible photo opportunities imaginable. Every photographer should strive to capture the beauty of Antarctica at least once in your lifetime.

When was the last time you heard of someone staying in a B&B? It’s become as uncool as it was to be seen with your mum in public when you were 13. This is a sad state of affairs though, since B&Bs are a great option and in my opinion, will ensure a better stay than the usual boring hotel every time.

As someone who does a lot of travel by myself, one of the things I really like about staying in a bed and breakfast is the fact that I can meet new friends. Because there are usually far fewer rooms in an AirBnb and more communal areas plus an intimate environment, you really can meet people from all over the place- which is great if you’re on the tourist trail since you can share advice and stories. There are few things lonelier than checking into a hotel by yourself after a long flight, eating that sad meal alone, and watching everyone else hanging out together before you go back to your room.

That doesn’t mean that B&Bs have no privacy though- in fact the opposite is true. I somehow always seem to end up at the hotels that are fully booked that weekend for a wedding or just have non-stop conferences the whole time. That means there’s always a baby crying, people are everywhere, the lobby is packed with people trying to get online, and it’s the worst of both worlds- you’re often lonely while giving up all your privacy at the same time.

Speaking of getting online in the lobby, I think it’s ridiculous when hotels don’t offer free wifi. This is something you never have to deal with at B&Bs, and they’re for sure a more inclusive option, usually including snacks, wifi, and parking. Hotels are the opposite and I’m continually surprised by how much extra I have to spend once I’ve already paid for a hotel- resort fees are especially annoying.

While there are definitely friendly people everywhere, I’ve noticed that you’re much more likely to have great customer service at a bed and breakfast compared to when you stay in a hotel. Often the front desk staff have been working all day, and they just don’t care about your problems. The opposite is true at B&Bs, and you’re often being served by the owner who will usually go out of their way to ensure that you have the best possible stay.

Since these owners are also locals, they can also give you the best advice about where to go and what to see. They usually take the time to ask where you’ve been already and find out what you like to do before they point you in the right direction, and they’re also more likely to help you get away from the tourist hotspots so you can eat where the locals are eating and hang out where they’re hanging out as well.

Is there anything better than a week spend on a beach, with friends and family? Or perhaps your favourite kind of holiday involves snow and racing down the mountain. Or maybe you’re more interested in six months spent backpacking around South East Asia. Regardless of the type of holiday you love, chances are you’re going to have to do some serious savings before you can book your flights and start getting excited. Saving for a holiday can feel overwhelming when you’re just getting started, so I’ve written these simple tips to save for your next holiday to get you ready to tackle this challenge.

1. Set a Clear Budget or Goal
For me, knowing how much I’m planning to save makes everything so much easier. If I’m hoping to save $3,000 for my next holiday in a period of a year, I can see that is $250 that I have to save per month. Breaking it down like this makes it easy to see the saving goals I need to hit each month in order to be able to take my trip. Knowing where you want to end up, will make everything else so much easier.

2. Get Serious About Saving
If you’re normally not saving anything, or not as much as you would like, you’re obviously going to have to make some changes so that you free up more of your money, or so that you earn more so you have spare cash to save. Picking up extra shifts or a casual part time job can be a great way to ensure you have some extra money spare to save.

3. Research
I love reading personal finance books and personal finance blogs as I feel there’s so many tips out there that can help you achieve your goals faster. I wanted to share this helpful money-saving guide by My Voucher Codes called: Your 2017 Money Saving Plan. It’s jam packed with helpful money saving hints, such as blasting debt and focusing on cutting down expenses. The more informational you absorb about money saving and achieving your goals, the more motivated you’ll be.

4. Get Excited
Whether your goal is a trip away, or maybe you want to first save for something a bit more practical like a new car or an apartment, getting excited about your goal will help you have more momentum to move forward. Some people really love to create vision boards, which are basically static boards with pictures of your goals stuck to them. That way you can see them each day, remember where your focus is and be reminded to stay on track. Personally, I have a Pinterest board with my goals and ideas added as digital pins. For me this is simply easier, more organised and easier to update as my goals change. Before I start work each day I spend 5-10 minutes browsing for new pins and looking through my existing vision boards, it really helps me to stay focused!

I hope these tips help you get excited and motivated for your next trip. With some simple changes you can be sitting on a beach sipping mojitos in no time! For more helpful lifestyle blogs, check out Flybyblog.com 

DIY can be a rewarding experience when it goes well, but it can also be an exercise in frustration if it goes poorly. It also carries a large amount of risk, since people who like to do it themselves are often using sharp instruments and power tools.

Slater & Gordon have revealed that a large percentage of people who are planning to do DIY are completely unaware of the risks involved with seemingly simple home improvement tasks.

An example? Many people think nothing of working with wood. But when you’re sanding or cutting, sawdust is released into the atmosphere and if you breathe it in, it can cause serious respiratory problems. MDF is a big risk, since urea formaldehyde is used as a bonding agent, which is known to be a carcinogen. That means that if you’re planning to work with it, it’s crucial that you wear a face mask.

Another harmful substance is asbestos, which is commonly found in homes and buildings that were built before the 1980s. This is also linked to cancer, and when it’s left alone asbestos generally isn’t harmful, but if it’s disturbed, the fibres within the asbestos can cause mesothelioma which is a particularly aggressive form of cancer.

One of the risks that many people forget about is the risk of being exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These are found in alcohols, carpet, particleboard, acetone, cleaning products, adhesives, paint, and paint strippers. These can cause cardiovascular issues, along with neurological symptoms like lightheadedness, nausea, headaches, and irritability.

So how do you stay safe if you’re planning to do DIY this year? Firstly, you want to contain any dust in your work area, or make sure you have ventilation that goes outside. You’ll also need to protect the rest of your house so be sure to sweet and clean daily, and spray surfaces with a bit of water before you do any demolition or cutting to keep the amount of dust down. One thing that many people forget to do? Closing air conditioning vents which will prevent the dust from circulating through the rest of the house.

Safety equipment is a must. Before beginning any DIY projects, think carefully about the risks and hazards associated with the work you’ll be carrying out. Any time you’re working with wood or anything with airborne fumes or particles, you need to be wearing a safety mask. The same goes for eye protection, which will prevent things from flying into your eyes while you’re working, and if you’re going to be using loud equipment, hearing protection will mean you’re less likely to begin losing your hearing at a young age.

There are many benefits to DIY, and you’ll be proud when you’ve finished working on your home with your own two hands. However you need to make sure you’re doing it right if you’re going to do it yourself, so stay safe while you’re DIYing this year!

Moving to the country sounds great in theory. For many people they dream of fresh, GMO-free eggs, organic gardens, and kids running around outside as they explore fields and ponds.

But if, like me, you’ve lived in the city for most of your life, this move probably won’t go as well as you’re expecting.

Here are the main things I would miss if I moved somewhere remote:

People

Nope, not friends and family, just people. Imagine being out in the middle of nowhere, and you hear a weird noise. Every car that goes by late at night could potentially be an intruder, going outside requires a flashlight since you won’t find any street lights if you’re living somewhere super remote, and you also won’t have any neighbours to call on in the event that you need help. No thanks.

Convenience

You know those days when you get home after a long day of work, don’t have the energy to make dinner so you jump online or on the phone and order a pizza? Yeah, that’s not happening if I’m living somewhere remote. Instead, I’d be scheduling meals so that I would only need to buy groceries once a week since the supermarket is unlikely to be five minutes away. I also wouldn’t be enjoying high speed DSL, and sure, I could still get my gas bottles delivered, but what about when the electricity goes out and the water pump stops working? No thanks.

Not to mention, what do you do if you need a plumber or electrician? Trades people may be few and far between, and I would probably end up either having to fix things myself (not a good idea) or paying a premium for someone to come all the way out to the boonies.

Culture

Sure, you can absorb plenty of ideas by reading articles and books, exploring nature, and listening to music, but nothing beats museums, concerts, the theatre, and art galleries. Unfortunately, in the country you’re more likely to run into people who have been living in the area for a long time, and since we’re the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with, it makes sense that people who have all grown up together in the country will probably have pretty similar life experiences (and I appreciate diversity).

Friends and family

When you can simply pick up the phone and be hanging out with friends or visiting family within half an hour, it’s going to be a pretty big adjustment to move somewhere where you can no longer do those things. Personally, I find that everyone is so busy that actually scheduling in visits (and then having to drive) would probably mean that these relationships would suffer.

I’m not sure if the benefits of living somewhere remote would outweigh all of the things I would miss, so it’s a good thing I won’t be moving anytime soon!