Regular readers will know by now that I never leave home without my power station. Whether I’m camping, road-tripping, or on a city-break with my laptop and phone, a reliable source of power comes with me everywhere I go.
And it’s not just because I can’t go a day without my phone (though that’s also true!). It’s also the comfort of camping with a running fridge for keeping food; for air-con when you’re road-tripping through the desert, and for being able to power lights for safety.
It’s also necessity when you have to face severe energy shortages, which many countries around the world, especially developing nations, constantly do.
So I’m not willing to sacrifice electricity when I travel – yes, because of the safety and convenience, but also because you simply don’t have to.
My favorite portable power station to date has been the Bluetti AC200 (I wrote this review), which has now been made even more powerful with its latest product update: now the AC200P.
Read More
Recent stats show that roughly 14 million couples in the U.S. alone are in a long distance relationship. Whether it’s going away to college, military deployment, or simply falling in love while traveling, there are many ways couples are finding themselves in a long distance relationship.
We’ve gathered up the Top Ten Long Distance Relationship Books and Guides that will help you gain insight into the world of long distance relationships. We’ve included some of the latest releases, best-sellers of the past decade, and a few LDR fiction novels.
Read More
It can be difficult to stay emotionally connected in a long distance relationship, but two things that can really help you is having good communication and building trust with your LDR partner.
When it comes to effective ways to communicate with your long distance partner, technology now provides us with a wide range of long distance relationship communication devices that allow us to easily connect with a long distance love whether it’s through emails, texts, or Facebook messages. It’s not so much about the frequency of your long distance relationship communication that’s important, rather the quality of your exchanges which is essential.
Long distance relationship trust issues are one of the leading causes of long distance relationships breaking down. It’s not that these types of relationships are more prone to cheating or lying, rather the forced distance can easily make you feel less secure or certain about your bond.
That being said, there are long distance relationship red flags to look out for so you don’t get taken advantage of. Rebuilding trust in a long distance relationship after that trust has been broken can be much harder when you live far apart.
Let us take a look at how you can create better communication in your long distance relationship and in doing so build greater trust between you and your LDR partner.
Read More
When you’re planning on going away, packing can be the most stressful part of preparation.
Packing the right travel essentials can make or break a getaway, but what would it be like to travel like an A-lister? And how can you get the same look for less?
We’ve had a lot of fun this past week playing with the Cashlady travel pack, a handy free online tool that makes it easy to budget and plan the things you need to bring with you.
You set your budget, set your gender, and the tool makes a set of product recommendations for all of the carry-on essentials you’ll need to pack.
And while I’m always traveling on a budget, if you want a glimpse into the lives of the rich & famous, just select ‘Blow The Budget’ and discover a world of eye-watering, diamond-encrusted opulence!
Read More
Maintaining your sex life in a long distance relationship can be a bit tricky, but there are many long distance relationship sex ideas out there to keep the spark alive. Thanks to video messaging and endless pleasure devices, you don’t’ necessarily need to go through dry spells when separated from your long distance partner.
Each relationship will of course be different when it comes to the role that sex will play, with some considering sex a major factor while others deem it as just another component of their bond. We’ve put together a helpful guide that explores the role sex plays in a long distance relationship.
We’ll cover how to be safe and responsible, navigate the world of sexting and phone/computer sex, how you can feed your urge for sex when apart, and how the use of pornography can affect your long distance relationship.
Read More
As travel around Australia begins to open up again and with Christmas just around the corner, you’re probably starting to plan your next adventure.
Whether you’re heading interstate to see family, or you’re planning an overseas trip in the future, there’s a lot you need to consider in the lead up – what to pack, how much money to take, and what to do when you get there.
If you vape, there’s an added stress of whether or not you can take your vape on the plane, or if you can even take it in the first place. The following tips will assist.
Read More
Knowing when the right time is to make your relationship official, or at least bring up the discussion with your partner, can be a daunting task. You don’t want to potentially scare them away, but at the same time it’s often important to find out where you both stand.
You often hear people these days say a relationship is not official until it’s “Facebook official”, but how long should you wait to make a long distance relationship official and what exactly is the meaning of an official relationship?
Before you decide to change your official relationship status, let’s look at some of the signs you should make your relationship official, ways to make it official, and the importance of setting terms for your official relationship.
Read More
It goes without saying that long distance relationships make it difficult to stay in touch with your partner. Because you find yourselves separated by distance, you are not afforded the luxury of being able to easily and frequently go on dates together, greet each other with a kiss, or spend quality face to face time. So how exactly do you keep the romance and the relationship alive in a long distance relationship?
Let us explore the difficulties of long distance relationships “LDR ” and offer advice on how often you should meet up with your long distance partner. We will also offer up some creative ideas on how to keep the relationship alive despite the long distance.
Read More
One of the most exciting times of any long distance relationship ( ldr ) is when the two of you can manage to meet up in person. For many long distance couples, meeting up can be difficult, especially when trying to figure out where and when you should meet your long distance partner for the first time.
Let us take a look at how to meet up with your long distance partner, where to meet them, and when to meet them. We’ll also offer some advice on ways you can make the most of the time you have with your long distance partner when you do get the opportunity to meet up in person.
Read More
The goal of many long distance relationships is ultimately being together permanently. While many couples in long distance relationships have indeed met before and are maybe even lucky enough to meet up on a regular basis, a large number of long distance relationships that start online involve two people that have never yet met in person.
Driving or flying to meet a long distance boyfriend or girlfriend for the first time can be stressful and worrying. You are hoping that the person you have developed strong feelings for online will love you just as much if not more in person. Finally meeting your long distance love can help solidify the relationship or it can lead to the relationship breaking down.
Let’s dive into your online long distance relationship first visit and hopefully give you advice on what to expect when meeting the first time. While you might be most worried about what to wear when meeting your boyfriend or girlfriend for the first time, there are more serious issues to be aware of.
Read More
Healthy relationships are built on trust, but gaining trust in a long distance relationship where you may have met online and not yet met in person can be hard to build. While you definitely can meet genuine nice people online, there are a number of things to watch out for with online long distance relationships where you haven’t physically met the other person.
You may be asking yourself why someone would fake a relationship. The internet makes it easy for people to create fake online profiles and develop fake relationships with others. This may be done to pressure you into giving money to them, steal personal information from you, take advantage of any vulnerabilities you may have, or simply as some kind of sick twisted joke.
So how can you tell if your online long distance relationship (LDR) is fake? Let us look at some of the warning signs to watch for that may prove your relationship is fake or unhealthy.
Read More
It seems like meeting one another in person would be a prerequisite for beginning a relationship but as we have learned, this is not the case in today’s society. Many long distance relationships begin from two people meeting online that may live thousands of miles apart, making actually meeting up a difficult task.
Let us explore long distance relationships where couples have met online but have not yet met in person. We’ll look at the pros and cons of online dating as well as some of the dangers of online long distance relationships.
Read More
A long distance relationship or LDR can be difficult for anyone, but especially so for teenagers and young adults. Time can seem like an eternity when we’re young and being forced to have patience until you and your long distance boyfriend or girlfriend can work out how to be together permanently can prove to be extremely stressful for many teens. But this doesn’t mean that long distance relationships can’t last in your high school years.
While maintaining a long distance relationship during your teenage years may be more difficult, developing such a relationship can actually be a blessing for some young adults who might find a traditional relationship too time-demanding. Having forced distance between you and your love interest can allow you to focus on your studies, goals, and future career.
Let us dive into the world of teens and young adults who might find themselves in love with someone across the country or the other side of the world.
Read More
Most people find themselves in a long distance relationship by chance. There are countless long distance relationship stories where couples have fallen in love after meeting while on vacation or during international business meetings. Traditional relationships can be difficult enough, but throw in separation by long distances and you can find yourself in a long uphill struggle to make your long distance relationship successful.
If you find yourself in a new long distance relationship or maybe are even looking to start a long distance relationship because of how adventurous it may sound, read on to see how you can start a long distance relationship yourself.
Read More
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many aspects of culture around the world, and the world of sport is no exception. Major sporting events have faced unprecedented restrictions, including postponements and, in some cases, full cancellations.
The most notable of all – the Tokyo Olympics.
Not since WWII has the world seen so much disruption to sporting events. Very few countries have managed to continue with sports with little or no disruption, and even those that have been able to proceed as normal have most likely gone against health advice in doing so.
Players’ salaries have been cut, and jobs have been lost thanks to restrictions on large gatherings in stadiums. Who would have thought we’d ever see the day when games were played in stadiums with no fans.
All this said, sport has begun to return for many countries and continues to push on. So let’s look at how some of the major sports around the world have been affected by the pandemic, and what we can expect going forward.
Read More
Australia has a long history of sheep farming, and within 50 years of their arrival in 1788, sheep had become the main source of income for Australian industry.
29 sheep arrived in Australia with the British First Fleet. 230 years later, wool markets around the world are dominated by Australian exports, and our country has more than 27 million sheep; raised largely for wool over meat.
Humble farming has defined Australia for centuries, and sheep are considered the iconic Aussie flock; farmers continue to work sheep stations throughout the country to feed and clothe the nation.
A true-blue producing nation, there are now 85,681 farms across Australia, and many sheep properties invite you to stay; to swap those white sneakers for gumboots and experience country life in a real and authentic way.
One such property is Rathmore, an hour from Hobart in Tasmania’s Central Highlands; a historic sheep property settled in 1828, which is unique in offering a choice of accommodation.
Choose to stay in the beautiful sandstone homestead with the land owners, with grand bedrooms and period furniture, or in the historic shearers’ quarters, recently revived to offer a country experience that is rustic chic.
Read More
The phrase “caters to every type of traveler” has become an increasingly overused cliché when it comes to describing destinations. While there may be a number of cities that fulfill the needs of different travel personalities, there are a rather limited number of cities that can really claim to be a leader in so many travel categories.
But whether you’re a business traveler, backpacker, foodie, adventure seeker, eco-tourist, or traveling as a family, you’re guaranteed to love Singapore.
As one of the world’s top 5 most visited cities, Singapore has managed to create a safe, vibrant, and state of the art city. It’s also a “green city” where many of its buildings and skyscrapers have been transformed into living gardens.
This culturally diverse city has become a hub for business travelers, offers plenty of parks and attractions for families, is a melting pot of exotic culinary flavors, offers world-class shopping, and still somehow manages to conserve tracts of nature filled with wildlife.
If you’ve never been to Singapore, check out this Singapore travel guide for first-timers to get the low-down on where to stay, eat, shop, and play (and join this Singapore Facebook Group for travel planning).
Read More
Whether you’re arriving in Dominica by cruise ship, commercial plane, or private jet, this volcanic, rainforest-covered island offers up plenty of ways to simply kick back and relax. It’s Dominica’s adventure scene, however, which makes this a truly unique and rewarding Caribbean holiday.
There’s no shortage of beautiful islands to choose from in the Caribbean, but one gem that is often overlooked in the Windward Islands group is Dominica. Remarkably different than other nearby islands both in terms of culture and natural landscapes, Dominica is finally starting to gain attention as the next hot ecotourism destination.
Having been a filming location for Pirates of the Caribbean, you too can partake in your own exciting adventures including jungle jeep safaris, scuba diving, rowboat river journeys, river tubing, and horseback riding both on the beach and actually in the sea.
Two-thirds of Dominica is covered in rainforest, much of this untouched land home to national parks filled with waterfalls, hot springs, and other natural wonders. While narrowing down the best things to experience in Dominica definitely isn’t easy, here are my top five things not to miss on your next Dominica getaway.
Read More
I’d be willing to bet that most of us like to test our luck from time to time. Whether it’s tossing some spare change in a slot machine or placing a wager on your favourite sports team, the thrill of walking away with some unexpected cash is enough to bring a smile to anyone’s face.
You’ll find gambling opportunities on every continent including Antarctica. Yes, even Antarctica in all its harshness offers up a modest little casino at the Argentinean Esperanza Research Base!!
All up, there are roughly 10,000 casinos worldwide and plenty of other ways to gamble such as with horse racing and betting on world-class sporting matchups.
And now with the internet and online gambling available right on your smartphone or laptop in many countries, gambling has never been easier. If you’re looking for the top countries to enjoy your own bit of gambling, you’re in luck!
I’ve rounded up my top lucky 7 gambling destinations in the world.
Read More
Restricted to Tasmania during the pandemic, Mike and I have made an effort to explore our home state. Though being ‘confined’ to such a naturally beautiful island with a number of world famous wilderness destinations free of crowds and chaos is far from limiting!
Our experience in the Huon Valley was the perfect balance of wild exploration, while still being able to relax in luxury after days full of dramatic adventure; a balance made possible by checking into the ultra modern Cygnet Retreat.
Nestled in Southern Tasmania just a short drive from Hobart, Cygnet is now known as the place to escape the fast-paced stresses of our modern day to day.
Read More
Growing up in Hobart, I have many fond memories of heading to our family shack along the coast of Southern Tasmania. It had been years since I had returned to this southernmost part of Australia and I was eager to share the area with my American husband.
Basing ourselves in Dover, this region is defined by a culture of holiday homes; you won’t find high-rise cookie-cutter hotels here; it’s authentic living in seaside towns, from cosy waterfront studios, to beach-side bungalows, and locally owned villas in forested surrounds.
Surrounded by wilderness and relaxation, we were fortunate to stay at what must be Dover’s most unique and stunning property, a turn of the 20th century farmhouse that has been very much renovated into a luxury holiday home.
Known as the Peninsula Experience, this unique and secluded property actually boasts two separate houses which includes The Cape House and The Boat House. This is our experience at The Cape House.
Read More
The Huon Valley has long been a popular day trip option from Hobart. After-all, just a 30 minute drive south of the city and you’ll be at the source of some of the finest food and freshest ingredients in the country.
Apple growers, craft cider makers, boutique winemakers, salmon producers, and other homegrown produce means even many locals make the drive just for lunch.
But this is a region defined by more than just its food excellence, and if you’re visiting the State, the traditional day trip from Hobart won’t even come close to doing the region justice.
Because on top of the apple cider, salmon sushi, and mouthwatering apple pie (trust me, you’ll order two servings), the Huon Valley also serves up incredible natural beauty, and a huge range of adventure. And they serve it to you on a platter!
The Huon Valley is full of beaches, caves, thermal springs, and is the gateway to the southern forests and World Heritage Wilderness Walks. You can explore by jet boat, hang glider, foot, or car, and if you’re hungry inbetween, fuel up on produce from local roadside stalls.
The Huon Valley is not a day trip destination. It’s worthy of far more time. We recommend at least four to five days for exploring the region.
Read More
In light of our changing world, having wanderlust is not as easy as it used to be. Social distancing and pandemics have created a need to carve out our own space, and international border restrictions are changing almost daily.
Not surprisingly, international plans have mostly been cancelled, but recent numbers suggest that travelers are still hitting the road; they’re heading into the great (local) outdoors in record-setting numbers.
Nature is the best way to ground, renew, and engage with your life in a way that helps through these troubling times. People are seeking solace and sanity by getting back to nature, and finding new ways to travel by re-discovering old standbys.
In terms of how the pandemic has affected travel, we’ve got data you’ll find interesting and all the details on how and why travelers are hitting the road now more than ever!
Read More
We’re forced to forgo many comforts when we travel, from familiar food to leisurely hot showers (not every country enjoys a seemingly endless supply of hot water!), and sleeping on a comfortable pillow.
But for all the comforts you sacrifice to hit the road, access to power shouldn’t be one of them. After-all, electricity is one of the most important blessings science has given us!
Power is everything when you travel; keeping your phone charged means communication in an emergency; keeping a fridge going means food for off grid trips, or during a natural disaster / power outage.
Keeping a TV in your van means you won’t kill the family you committed to share a confined space with, and keeping lights charged could save your life during night-time adventures.
But how do you guarentee you have constant access to a reliable source of power? The EB240 is a portable solar power station from MAXOAK which has a huge capacity and load, and is super long lasting for travel in the outdoors, an RV, or even for use as emergency backup power at home.
Read More
It only occurred to me recently that I could travel with a portable massage gun. I had always worked the cost of a spa treatment into my budget, knowing I would definitely be in need after adventures like Machu Picchu and Kilimanjaro.
Though I’m starting to crave massage treatments more and more nowadays, even during fairly chilled out styles of travel; whether it’s from exhausted feet after walking a city all day, or pain and soreness during road-trips from driving long distances.
Maybe I’ve finally gotten soft, or maybe it’s the effects of old age (I swear I’m 32 going on 60!), but either way, I’m starting to really value the physical benefits of massage for making the most of my travels.
To date, I’ve just sucked up the high cost and been paying. Though it’s always a tough internal battle when you look at a spa menu and compare that cost to a flight, or a train!
And while there might not be anything which can completely replace a trained professional, why I didn’t realize I could spend the cost of one treatment to buy my own hand-held massage device is beyond me!
Read More