Has Travelling Changed Me?

It is often preconceived that once you go travelling, it changes who you are.

This is true to a certain extent but some people think this change is a bad thing. This is not necessarily true. Without a doubt, travelling to completely new place, meeting the local people and trying new things will change you. However, since returning home from 4 months in South East Asia, I don't believe I have changed, rather my perspective has.

Naturally, seeing poverty for yourself and not just on some daytime TV ad is a real learning experience. Trying to understand the history of the countries I have visited is fascinating. 

Sometimes, learning about a countries past can affect you. Whilst I was in Cambodia, I was reading a book called 'Cambodia's Curse' by Joel Brinkley, and I was shocked about how little I knew surrounding the tragic history of this country. For those who don't know, Cambodia experienced it's own genocide not too long ago. The Khmer Rouge killed up to 2 million Cambodians through labour camps and mass executions. Learning about the dark history was horrifying, and after that day I realised how incredibly lucky I am to be living in a society where my human rights are not taken away from me. Now, I try and look at life in a different way, and appreciate how lucky I am to live in a country with so many opportunities.

Even looking at the local workers in countries such as Indonesia makes me realise how thankful I am to have access to a world-renowned education system, where my level of education doesn't depend on the amount of money my family has, and my career choices are numerous.

So of course, experiences like that can change your perspective. 

In fact I am grateful to have had the opportunity to realise that I was taking life for granted.

I think travelling also prevents me from becoming narrow-minded. It is so easy to become so comfortable living in your small town, with your small group friends and the same routine. Travelling makes me realise that there is a big wide world out there, which is so different from the life I live and has so many opportunities.

Have you ever considered doing a working visa in Australia or New Zealand? Or how about looking for a job in Ho Chi Minh? There is no written rule saying you have to live your entire life in the country you were born. There is so much more to life than finding a partner, getting married and having a baby, something I often feel pressured to do at home.

I am more open-minded after travelling. I realise how nice it is to have a clean, western toilet or my own bed. How comforting a decent cup of tea can be. How there's more to life than going on holiday to get drunk when you can talk to the locals, find out about their religion and their traditions.

As for family and friends, I don't think I have changed around them. I have met so many people whilst in Asia, but I can still go back to my hometown friends and be exactly the same as I was before. Travelling doesn't change your personality. It just means I have more stories to tell over a bottle of wine.

On a final note, I do think I have become much more of an interesting person. I now have friends based all around the world (thank you facebook), and I also have so many stories to tell which is definitely a positive thing. If I met someone who had travelled the world, that's automatically something different about them that I would love to know more about.

The next time you meet someone who has travelled, listen to their stories. You might just be inspired to travel yourself. That's all for now.

The Best Hostels in South East Asia

I stayed in many hostels during my time in Asia, some good, some bad. There were a few that really stood out for me, so much so that I'd recommend them to anyone. Here is a summary of my favourite hostels!

Suneta Hostel KhaoSan, Bangkok

Our first few nights in Bangkok were pre-booked before we left, which is always a good idea when you are travelling to a completely foreign country for the first time. This hostel was situated just a five-minute walk from Khao San road, which was perfect and right in the heart of the backpacker district. Word of advice, do not stay actually on Khao San road. It's loud, sleazy and not very pleasant.

This hostel was cheap but still really nice. The rooms were spacious even though there were a large number of beds, and they each had a curtain for extra privacy. The toilets are really well maintained, with shampoo and shower gel provided. Even though there were only two showers, there was never a queue. A hairdryer is also provided, which is a luxury whilst travelling!

Breakfast was included which was nice, and was served till 11am giving us the opportunity to lay in to try and combat the jet lag. Free tea and coffee can be made throughout the day. There is also a small social area, but was a little unsocial.

Thai Thai Hostel, Chiang Mai

I have so much love for this little hostel. The staff were incredibly friendly and happy to help you with any query you may have. Breakfast was included which was simple but is a nice added touch. I actually had one of the best sleep at this hostel. The beds aren't anything special, but it was super clean and had such a tranquil atmosphere. The bathrooms were spotless, and there's also a rooftop terrace which was great for catching the sunset. Also on the second floor is a little sofa with a TV that you can use to watch Netflix.

The hostel isn't centrally located, but it is still near the center and taxi's are so cheap that it was never an issue. In the foyer they have loads of leaflets for all the activities that you can do in Chiang Mai (such as the elephant camp and cooking classes), and most of these will offer to pick you up from the hostel.

Slumber Party Hostel, Krabi

Warning, this is a party hostel! Do not go here if you are not that type of person. When we first arrived, the bar crawl was scheduled for that night. A (small) plate of food was also provided which is great for backpackers on a budget! For the bar crawl, you simply buy a t-shirt (for 600 baht when we were there) and join everyone downstairs at the bar for buckets and drinking games! It is so much fun and a great way to meet people. They will even offer a free taxi ride to the first bar. The rooms are clean and the beds are like the capsule form, which offers complete privacy. You will even get shots poured down your throat whilst you're getting ready! Don't say I didn't warn you!

Freedom Hostel, Hue

This hostel offered a family dinner, which is another great way to meet fellow travelers, and really learn about the Vietnamese culture and food. It cost cheaper than eating out would (which is still really cheap) and gave me a chance to try new food. Breakfast is included and the toilets/rooms are also to a high standard. A curtain can be pulled across on all beds, and the location is within walking distance of the bridge.

Family Dinner

One Stop Hostel, Siem Reap

Ah... One Stop! Having ended up with 6 nights to spend in Siem Reap, we booked the first two here. This place ended up being one of my favourites out of the entire trip! It had such a calm, relaxing atmosphere and was in the perfect location. It is situated literally across the road from Pub Street, and at only £5 a night, is so worth it! The staff are so friendly (as are all Cambodians) and the place is perfect to get a good nights sleep before a 4am wake-up call to explore Angkor Wat. Breakfast can be purchased here for so cheap and they do the most amazing pancakes! There is also a TV to watch a film from their huge selection. They have another chill-out area on the second floor, and then a rooftop garden at the top. The toilets are big and include shampoo, shower gel and hairdryers, and there was always one available.

Fave Hotel, Bali

I stayed here for my birthday as we wanted something a little nicer than a hostel. For only £6 a night, we had a basic hotel room which was far from basic! The bathroom was incredible! It is so nice to have a hot shower for once.
They also threw in free bottled water, toothbrushes and slippers. There is a buffet breakfast with an egg station, so you can order your eggs how you like it, as well as unlimited choice of traditional Indonesian food. There is also a swimming pool, although it's sort of inside so there is no sunbathing area. The staff were so sweet to me and would not stop wishing me a happy birthday. They also brought out surprise birthday pancakes (with cheese on the top?) which was amazing. Location-wise, it is very close to Seminyak but you would need a taxi to get to Kuta.

Swimming Pool

Rumah Roso Homestay, Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is a place that not many travelers go to (post about why that shouldn't be the case coming soon) so there aren't many hostels, but there are loads of guesthouses. This one is situated within walking distance of the Sultan's palace, and also close to the road where you can find the backpacker bars. On our first night here, we got talking to the owner who was so helpful and offered to take us to the nearby temple called Borobudur. Us being the careful travelers that we are immediately thought this would come at a hefty price, but it worked out way cheaper for us and gave us the opportunity to see the countryside surrounding Yogyakarta. The city is one of the cheapest places I've ever visited, probably because there aren't many tourists around, so sleeping and eating within budget is easy here. Every single member of staff here are incredibly helpful and friendly, whether you want to ask for directions of get them to call you a Go-Jek (Indonesian Uber). Laundry is super cheap here and the rooms were perfect. A traditional Javanese breakfast is included to!

Mai Chau Hostel Lounge, Vietnam

If you go a little off the beaten track, make sure you visit Mai Chau. This place is the Vietnamese countryside. Think rice fields, mountains and very little tourism. For these reasons, this is the perfect escape. Most tourists stay in the lac villages in homestays, where you stay with a local family who will cook for you and give you a true Vietnam experience. We stayed at the Mai Chau hostel, although it isn't really a hostel. The beds consist of a mattress on the floor with a mosquito net, but that is all you need. The dorms are very open, so be prepared to be awoken at 5am to the sound of cockerels. Nevertheless, this place is clean and extremely friendly. The food cooked by the family is absolutely delicious, I recommend trying the pork fried rice and the wood fired pizza. Breakfast is also included. Bikes can be rented here which is the best way to get around Mai Chau. If you're looking for an escape from the big cities and tourist destination, you will most definitely find it here.

Cali Adventures

A few days in Anaheim meant a visit to Disney's other park: Disney California Adventure.

I was very impressed with the theming of this park, and how it ties in with the state it is situated in. It is similar to Disney's Hollywood Studios in WDW, with similar rides and theming, however, being a stones throw away from Hollywood itself made it feel more relevant (if that made any sense). 

My favourite part of the park was Paradise Pier. This is unique to this Disney park and was my favourite place to hang around (and take good Instagram photos).

Let's not forget that my favourite chocolate shop in the world is there (yep, you guessed it: Ghirardelli). Simply walk in, claim your free sample of chocolate, then cross over to the bakery opposite for a free sample of bread! Who doesn't love a good freebie!

The shops and restaurants around here are themed around the San Francisco piers, so it kind of felt nostalgic and like I was revisiting the places I had already been to on this trip.

Paradise Pier is home to a very cool ride, California Screamin', which is a fast rollercoaster that launches you across the lake and sends you flying upside down!

California Screamin'

Also situated here is Toy Story Midway Mania, which is the same as the one in DHS. I really like this type of ride but hate the long queues it has so try and ride this early, because it is so worth it!

Disney California Adventure has some other really cool rides that I would recommend riding. First up is the Grizzly River Run. 

Rapids and I don't really mix, so it was no surprise that I was the one that got the wettest on it! Thank god for Californian sunshine!

The aftermath of Girzzly River Rapids

Around the corner is Soarin' around the World. This beauty of a ride is a Disney classic and will blow you away. I don't want to spoil it but I will say it is a calm, gentle ride where you can sit back, relax and enjoy the experience.

Over on the Sunset Boulevard strip, you will see the looming The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. This is also a Disney classic, and I was so glad I got to ride this before it turns into a Guardians of the Galaxy themed ride. This also attracts long queues so FP it!

I said this is my DHS blog post, but I really recommend taking the time to walk down the Buena Vista Street to take in the detail here. It really is like being transported onto a movie set and there are shops and restaurants situated along the street. Also, the street entertainment is abundant here and is a great way to break up the attractions.

Buena Vista Street

If you head straight to the back of the park, you will enter Cars Land. You will literally be transported into the Cars movie, the set is that amazing! I was really impressed and even got to see the one and only Lightning McQueen. Plus, it is home to the arguably the most popular ride in the park: Radiator Springs Racers.

Word of advice, join the single rider queue if you want to save time!

The good thing about this park is that it has a show for you to take a nice (air conditioned) break from the heat. At this time, it happens to be Frozen: Live at the Hyperion. Now I am a big fan of Frozen but even I am a little overwhelmed by how much of this film we are bombarded with. It's a big film which I haven't been able to escape since it was released. However, I just could not miss seeing it onstage.

As this is the only show there, it is popular and will attract a big queue up to 90 minutes before it starts! If you want a decent seat, get there early!

I started queuing about 45 minutes before and was told that I had a slim chance of getting in. I was actually a little disappointed at the thought of missing it as I knew this was my only chance to see it whilst being here. Luckily, I managed to get in by the skin of my teeth, and I am so thankful that I did because it was one of the best shows I have ever seen.

I am a big fan of musicals and I have seen some great ones, but this was something else! To have such a talented cast sing the well-known songs was really magical, and the set design was even more amazing! As a member of the audience, you really are transported to Arendelle and it is so much more than a corny, karaoke version of the film. Only Disney can recreate Frozen and do it with justice.

People of all ages will love this so if you really want to see, you will be glad to hear that you can get a FP for it! It will be 60 minutes of enjoyment of the incredibly popular film.

All that was left was to watch the night time show at Paradise Pier. As it got dark, I took the opportunity to see the different lands with the lights on after reading recommendations. Cars Land is especially good to see in the dark because it looks amazing the neon lights, and you can get some great photo's.

The finale of the day was watching World of Colour. 

This is where classic Disney movies are projected onto the fountains in front of the Mickey Ferris wheel, and it is the icing on the cake for a day spent in Disney's California Adventure.

This also uses FP, so get one for a guaranteed good view.

After standing for god knows how long, it was time to say goodbye to my time spent at Disney. I was really glad to get back to my hotel room and crash on my bed. This day had been the perfect ending to the most perfect trip, and I am so lucky to have been able to travel all this way and visit a place that I love and have dreamed of visiting for so long.

Until next time!

A visit to the happiest place in the world...

A trip to LA would never be completed unless you take a visit to the happiest place on earth... Disneyland!

As a small Disney fan (ok, maybe a huge fan), it would have been wrong for me to have travelled half way across the world and to not have visited the birthplace of Disney.

If you didn't know, Walt Disney chose an orange grove in Anaheim to become the home of Disneyland in 1955. It was the only park he personally visited after he designed it.

With it only being a 45-minute drive from LA, I jumped at the chance and booked myself a 3 night stay at the Anaheim Quality Inn and Suites. I chose this because of how cheap it was, and also I wanted to be within walking distance of the parks. Wow, I was not disappointed! This place was perfect!

After living in hostels for the past 3 weeks, it was so good to have a whole room to myself! This place was so clean and comfortable that I would not turn down another chance to stay here in a heartbeat. Plus, the free breakfast was amazing with its own waffle machine! That in itself had me sold!

breakfast waffles are the best

A short 5-minute walk around the corner brings you to the park entrance. I chose to spend my first day in the Disneyland park.

Walking through the entrance was magical. To have walked the path that Walt Disney himself had walked 60 years before was unbelievable. As a big Walt Disney fan, it was simply a dream come true.

If you have been to any Disney park then the main park is essentially Magic Kingdom. There are many similarities as well as the classic rides that are everywhere, including Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain and It's a Small World.

A few differences include the New Orleans themed square which I absolutely adored. The scenery was incredible and having visited New Orleans just a few weeks ago made it even better.

I took advantage of the single rider (top tip) and walked on to most rides, including my favourite; Indiana Jones! Seriously, I think I went on this ride like 5 times?!

I did a lot of walking so I took a breather by trying my favourite soft serve in the entire world: Dole Whip! Opt for the dole whip float, which is pineapple soft serve on top of pineapple juice. It tastes amazing!!

Dole Whip Float

As I went around, the Halloween season was in full swing. The decorations and pumpkins were out and so was the Halloween theme on a few rides. The best was the Haunted Mansion, which was decked out with Christmas decorations based upon The Nightmare Before Christmas. This made the ride extra popular so I can't stress how much nicer it is to get a FASTPASS for this ride! The added theme makes it 10x better!

Haunted Mansion

To relax for a bit, I took a seat near the castle to watch the Soundsational Parade in the afternoon, which wasn't my favourite of parades I've seen in the past, but was still a nice break from all the walking.

If you want a good view, get there about 30 minutes before as it does get busy quickly.

One of my recommendations is to take a breather from all the rides to walk around the shops. On Main Street USA, there are loads of really good shops where you can buy so much merchandise. Also, there is the famous Jolly Holiday Bakery which does the nicest Matterhorn Macaron! I had seen Instagram pictures of these so was dying to try one. Warning, be prepared to queue based on how popular it is.

Mickey apples for days

The end a perfect day at the parks, I watched the fireworks over the castle on Main Street. I have got to say, I was a little disappointed having seen Wishes at Walt Disney World last year (see blog post here) last year. Unfortunately, I missed the 60th-anniversary fireworks but these were so disappointing. I know it was off season but come on Disneyland! Plus, I was situated just behind a tree which happened to where the fireworks were positioned so it blocked my view majorly.

the best photo I could get!

It was still a nice way to end the night and after walking all day and taking around 30,000 steps, I was so ready for bed and to get a good nights sleep before hitting Disney's California Adventure the next day. Stay tuned for the upcoming post on that park!

California Calling

My Trek America posts may be over but my time in the USA certainly wasn't. I still had one more week of solo travel before it was time to return to the UK, and so I made the most of it by hanging around LA for a few more days.

Originally, I was meant to spend 4 days in LA, giving me plenty of time to see the whole city. Of course, when you're traveling, plans change at the last minute so I ended up with only one full day in LA!

I made use of the time that I had and opted to find the cheapest Beverly Hills tour I could find and explore the Hollywood Hills. As it was so cheap, it did mean going around in some crappy van with no sun protection, so my advice would be to spend that little bit more for decent AC and cover. Nevertheless, I still got to see some pretty cool sights, including some of the famous houses of the rich and famous.

The tour took us to a cool view point of the Hollywood hills and sign, as well as around the 90210 area where we saw amazing houses including Lauren Conrad's house that was featured in The Hills (fangirl moment)!!

It also took us down Rodeo Drive, although I didn't spot any celebs shopping whilst I was there.

I took a walk down to Sunset Boulevard, which is home to the iconic clubs and bars that have hosted famous bands in venues such as Whisky a Go Go and The Viper Room. It was pretty cool, but I was there on my own in the dark so I did feel a little unsafe, especially as there was a protest happening at the same time. I thought it may be better to go back to the hustle and bustle of the Walk of Fame, and it just so happened to be a premiere of Westworld that night!

It was cool so actually see Hollywood in action! I even met JJ Abrahams whilst waiting to spot some celebrities. Pretty cool huh?!

Also, my favourite chocolate shop in the world is based on the walk of fame: Ghirardelli! Seriously, go in there and you are greeted with a free sample! Who could turn down free chocolate?! I may have walked in there multiple times throughout the day...

My next destination was San Francisco! With it being a 5-hour drive from LA, it is the perfect place to visit for a few days. You can either take the freeway route (less pretty) or the coastal route (very pretty) although it does take longer, but the views make it worthwhile.

Going from 30 degrees in LA to 12 degrees in San Fran was a bit of a shock, so I ended up buying a coat in Forever 21 as soon as I got there, so bear this in mind!

There are loads of things to do in San Fran, which is a city like no other! From the steep hills to the piers by the water, you'll find something to do here!

Lombard Street

I wandered around the city for a bit and visited the largest Chinatown in a city, which had loads of cute shops featuring Chinese souvenirs. The restaurants are also nice around this area.

Our first stop was to Lombard Street, the windiest street in the world! It was nice to take pictures, but be warned, the hills do make your thighs burn! From here, we strolled down to Fisherman's Wharf, where the piers are based. Around here is seafood galore, and you can pick up a cheap, tasty meal to eat by the water.

Someone had told me previously that the best corn dogs were found in San Francisco, so I had to try one! My verdict: It was ok, it didn't blow me away and I kind of wished I had tried the fish, but it wasn't the worst!

First taste of the Golden Gate Bridge

Make sure to check out the world's best chocolate shop in this area, yep you guessed it, Ghirardelli (it is the birthplace after all!)

Next on the agenda was a trip up to the Twin Peaks. Basically, this is an awesome viewpoint of the city and makes for some great Instagram pictures. From here, we walked down to the Golden Gate Park which is absolutely huge and would take all day to walk around.

Twin Peaks Viewpoint

Golden Gate Park

The name gives away the next place to visit, which is the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Luckily, the weather was amazing to see it and gave us some really good photos. We walked across the bridge, just taking in the views and the fact that we were walking on the most famous bridge in the world.

There is so much more to do in San Francisco, including a visit to Alcatraz, which unfortunately I didn't have time to do. Union Square is a central place to stay which is close to the shops and cool restaurants, including the Cheesecake Factory which is a must visit.

San Francisco is the perfect place to visit if you are on the West Coast of America. It's only an hours flight away from LA or a 5 hour drive, but make sure it is on your list of places to visit. You will not be disappointed!