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11 Exciting Things To Do In Bali, Indonesia

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Travel to the small island of Bali is on the rise and is one of the hottest tourism destinations. So we wanted to give you our insider tips on all the best things to do in Bali. For being a relatively small island, there are LOTS of things to see and do while you’re here. It’s a beach lover’s paradise and this island offers much more than you may think. Bali is a great area to relax and rejuvenate with a relaxing vacation.

Find out how we got this trip for free!

Staying here for at least a week is needed in order to take in all of the sights in the area. Two weeks will allow you to see and do more without feeling rushed or stressed. During your time, you will want to ensure you see the following sites:

Top things to do in Bali

Table of Contents

1. Go scuba diving

One of the best things to do in Bali is go scuba diving! Indonesia has some of the best scuba diving in the world, some of which can be found on Bali.

At the far northeast corner of Bali, you will find the tiny town of Tulamben. While this town itself may be quite sleepy, as soon as you dip below the ocean’s surface you will see a ton of life. Diving in this area is incredibly affordable and there are lots to see and do. In this area, there are 15 dive sites that have been set up for the public.

going scuba diving in bali is one of the best things to do in bali

One of these sites includes a massive WWI cargo ship: the USS Liberty Shipwreck. For those who are looking for a great wreck dive in Bali, this is it! It sits just off the coastline just waiting to be explored. It ran aground and the volcano pushed it back out to sea. It still has some of its cargo aboard along with its guns. It ranges from 25 to 100 feet deep making it able to be swam through quite easily.

There is a statue garden below the sea where you can see a cluster of about 20 statues that have since developed reefs around them.

Scuba diving in the area is the main attraction. We didn’t find a lot of activities to do so make sure your hotel has a pool to relax by. Completely immersed in the culture, this tiny town is a step back in time. You can visit the nearby villages to get a truly unique experience while staying in this area.

We stayed at a small diving hotel seconds away from the beach. When we were not diving in the sea we were soaking in the many pools. The hotel provides you with free snorkel gear, although there is not much to see when snorkeling.

Tip: Hotels, especially in this area, hate when you book through Agoda.com. The site seems to take a lot of the profits so the actual hotel is left with only a little of what you paid. You will often get less service when booking from this site. In this particular hotel, “less service” meant a separate resort where we were the only people staying at this location and had our own private pool. While we loved the private oasis, we would way rather give the money to the actual business owner than to a big corporation.

2. Visit the rice terraces

The rice terraces in Bali are lush and beautiful, a true sight to behold. While visiting can seem quite touristy, we classify it as one of the best things to do in Bali! We visited the Tegalalang terraces north of Ubud. You can get a first-hand look at this specialized farming technique while walking the endless trails through the terraces. Just remember which way you took so you don’t get too lost.

You will want to bring your camera as this is a cool spot that provides the perfect backdrop for your Instagram photos. You can take tours through the fields hiking all up to the plantations. We recommend getting here early in the morning to beat the crowds and the heat. Also, be sure to pay tolls depending on how far and where you want to walk.

There are lots of shops in this area that provide some excellent shopping. The items sold are a boho-inspired dream including handmade quilts, dream catchers, lace bags, and more. There are also many restaurants in this area that offer delicious food with an outstanding view.

Visiting the Bali rice terraces are one of the best things to do in Bali

3. Visit a neighbouring island

While we’re busy telling you about all the best things to do in Bali, it’s worth mentioning the many islands surrounding Bali. The two most visited are the Gili Islands and Nusa Penida.

The Gili Islands are actually located off of the east coast of Lombok (the island just west of Bali) But are worth a shout-out. If you have the time to spare taking the boat ride to the Gili Islands is something you will not regret. The white sandy coastlines are a beach bum’s dream. This laid-back lifestyle is the place to go if you are looking for some snorkeling with sea turtles, scuba diving, and refreshing seaside cocktails. It’s also a great place to learn to surf.

Nusa Penida, to the south east of Bali, is another great island in Indonesia to visit. Here you will find amazing scuba diving, snorkeling with manta rays and an authentic Indonesia vibe. You have probably seen the photos of the treehouse hotels that overlook the beautiful Indian Ocean, well you can see all that here. This is a must visit tropical destination for adventurers who enjoy hiking in a lush jungle and lazing on beautiful white sand beaches.

4. See the monkeys that live at Monkey Forest

You may have read about our experiences at Monkey Forest when Myles got punched in the face by a monkey. This was a rare case and in general, these are the only RELATIVELY friendly monkeys on the island. Even though Samara is scared of monkeys, we still consider visiting Monkey Forest one of the best things to do in Bali.

Hundreds of monkeys congregate in this area due to an abundance of food and attention from tourists. These are wild monkeys so it is important to treat them as such when visiting. They can be vicious if provoked so ensure that you are only there to observe but allow them to jump all over you.

NOTE: If you are like us, you may be worried about the ethical practices in this area. Rest assured that we did our research before going and it is actually OK. The monkeys are not in cages or in any way restricted to the area. They are however overfed by lots of tourists so be sure to avoid buying too many bananas when there.

Visiting monkey forest is one of the most fun things to do in Bali

Also, leave your backpack in your car. These monkeys know that you are helpless at fending them off so they will open your bag and go through it. If you have to bring a bag make sure it doesn’t have a water bottle or hand sanitizer. The monkeys actually drink the hand sanitizer and get drunk off the alcohol.

5. Enjoy the local Bali cuisine

One of the best things to do in Bali is EAT! Tasting the local cuisine is one of the best parts of traveling and you will be quite pleasantly surprised with the food in Indonesia. We are huge lovers of all things Ubud. This town is a hippie’s paradise. It has many vegan and vegetarian restaurants set in a lush jungle town. You won’t want to miss this experience as it lives up to its reputation. If you have seen those beautiful resorts tucked amongst the trees in Bali, they were likely taken in this area.

We recommend trying out a different spot every night so you get a full taste of the island. You will not be disappointed. The food in this area is incredibly health-focused so it is a dream for those opting for a gluten, dairy, and meat-free diet.

6. Try surfing some waves

Bali is a surfers paradise and learning to surf is one of the best things to do in Bali. Both Myles and I love swimming so it is a wonder we never tried surfing before. When we were in Kuta that quickly changed as we hopped in the water, board in hand and took on the waves. There are lifeguards on duty within specifically designated areas where you can surf. During our first time out we got pushed to the side and stuck in a rip tide. Luckily we knew what to do to get ourselves out of the situation quickly.

Surfing in this area is incredibly rewarding as you step off of the white sandy beach into the warm water. There are tons of surfing classes that you can take that are perfect for beginners. Surf lessons are incredibly affordable in Bali. While there are surfboards available for rent on the beach, more advanced surfers can rent the best ones when you walk away from the beach to local surf shops.

visiting a beach and going surfing is one of the best things to do in Bali

7. Go snorkeling

The snorkeling in Bali is some of the best in the world. With crystal clear tropical waters that are full of life, you can expect some epic snorkeling. Colorful fish, thriving coral reef systems, turtles, sharks, dolphins and whales are all found off the coast of Bali making this one of the best places to go snorkeling in the world. Going snorkeling in the Blue Lagoon is one of the best things to do in Bali.

Just south of Tulamben you will find the beautiful Amed beach. This is a great place to go for those who are looking to get off the beaten track and head to the more rustic corners of the island. Heading into the water you will find that the clarity in this area is unbeatable compared to other parts of the island. This makes it a snorkeler’s dream. More a group of villages rather than a full town, this is a great place to go to immerse yourself in the culture and everyday life.

8. Embrace Bali culture and local traditions

This island is full of culture. The moment you land you will notice the offering baskets laid in front of every business and home. There is also impressive architecture and temples throughout the island. We love to experience the traditions and cultures of the places we visit. Soaking up the Bali culture at some of the temples around Ubud is one of the best things to do in Bali. It’s best to check the policies of the site you’re going to visit. Some will require both men and women to wear a sarong as a show of respect.

visiting temples is one of the best things to do in Bali

Visit the temples, help to make the offering baskets, and witness traditional shows are just some of the many activities you’ll find on the island. There are many ways that you can be a part of this fantastic culture all of which will undoubtedly better your experience. All of these places are scattered throughout the island and are usually well publicized.

9. Do some yoga

This island is a yogi’s paradise. With many healthy food options, a boho vibe and tons of yoga retreats scattered around the island, finding a yoga class is one of the best things to do in Bali. This tropical climate will make you feel like you’re in a hot yoga class. It’s no wonder this area is especially popular with international digital nomads.

If you are interested in Yoga this is the place to be. There are classes that range from introductory for people new to the practice to expert Yoga teaching retreats. Not a step out of place, yogis from all over the world congregate on this island to take part in these practices.

visiting the volcano of mount batur is one of the best things to do in bali

10. Marvel at Mount Batur

Mount Batur is a dormant volcano that you will often find is one of the most popularly talked about places on the island. You can hike up the mountain in about 2 hours and have a picnic at the top with views that will blow your mind. We stopped in at a local restaurant to sip a nice cocktail with a world class view – one of our favourite things to do in Bali. There is a string of restaurants overlooking the stunning volcano allowing for a picture-perfect lunch location.

Visiting the volcano of Mount Batur is one of the best things to do in Bali

11. Take a dip in a waterfall

If you’re heading inland you will find many waterfalls that are all ready to be explored. Small hikes will take you down to the water where you can jump in for a refreshing swim. Some of these waterfalls are quite touristy but if you find yourself off the beaten track you will find stunning more private waterfalls. The Munduk waterfalls house amazing falls that are far less touristy giving you a unique opportunity to explore this beautiful country.

Visiting the waterfalls in Bali are one of the best things to do in Bali

Thanks for stopping by!

Bali was one of our favourite places in South East Asia. There are so many fun things to do in Bali, you will have no trouble filling your time on the island. Whether you are looking to embrace the local culture visitng temples in Bali, learn how to surf or do some yoga, this is the place to do it. Bali is also home to some of the best scuba diving in the world and is a great place to explore the underwater world. Whether you’re visiting for a week or a month, you will love all the amazing things to do in Bali.

Have you been to this island? What are your favourite things to do in Bali? Let us know in the comment section below.

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The rice terraces in Ubud are one of the best things to do in Bali Indonesia
best things to do in bali is visit temples, trek through rice terraces, learn to surf, snorkel with turtles and more
In The Hippie Diaries

Are You Living The Life Of Your Dreams?

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Remember when you were younger and your body allowed you to do so much more? Maybe it wasn’t your body, but your mind…? Regardless, you didn’t watch your footing when running on a rocky shore, there was no careful consideration of where to put your bad knee … you were lighter on your feet and could bounce back with a little scrape.

At what point did I start carefully placing my footing? At what point did I start to worry about falling. I remember NEVER thinking about these sorts of things when I was younger. I know, I know I sound like I am ready for retirement with all this “back in my day” talk… I mean I am only 26.

retirement, kalamalka lake, nature, landscape, scenery, vanlife
Vernon, BC

Somehow over the years I have become more cautious. Maybe it is something that comes with age or maturity… whatever it is I DON’T LIKE IT!! I take pride in acting as young as possible and living by the general thought of just because you age, doesn’t mean you have to grow up. I honestly love the process of aging. I love LIVING. But why does living have to mean getting more fearful of being hurt?

When we tell people we are full time nomadic travelers who work as we explore and try to have as much freedom and as little responsibility as possible, we generally hear one of two things. Either “That’s great do it while you’re young, before you settle down and have kids…” or the very opposite “You’re supposed to save this time of your life for retirement. Go to work and earn money now so you can do this when you retire.”

The truth is, I hate both of these sayings.

The first, while I understand is incredibly well intentioned, makes both Myles and I never want to have kids. I HATE when people say your life is over when you have kids. Why? Sure, you have more expenses but why does this little bitty life form that you get to raise mean you no longer get to matter? Why can’t you both matter?

Wouldn’t raising a child who is gaining life experiences by traveling all over the world and meeting everyone along the way become a better person? Doesn’t it sound better to learn abou

t World War II in Germany rather than in a cold classroom? I don’t know if we will have kids (we will probably adopt), or if we will home school them if we do but I certainly don’t want my life to be over.

The other saying is a notion I understand more. I completely get that every generation before mine had to live this way. But the beauty of our modern day is I don’t have to. As long as I have a computer, I can work from anywhere. This is one of the more beautiful progressions humans have made and I plan to take FULL advantage of it.

couple, travel, dogs, lake, summer, road trip, traveling, nomad, retirement
Armstrong, BC

I can’t imagine doing this while I am old.

So many of the things Myles and I do, the places we go, the way we live our life, I couldn’t imagine doing it when we are older. Learning to surf in Bali likely would NOT have happened if we were 68. Jumping into an ice-cold river in the middle of the day for a refreshing bath, we probably would have had a heart attack if we were past retirement. Staying in questionable

hotels and meeting some of the best people in Thailand getting food poisoning and dancing on the beach until the sun came up – nope not that either. (well, maybe that one.. I hope we are that cool when we are older).

camper, nomad, road trip, vanlife, van life, camper van, retirement

While I hope I get the opportunity to live long enough for retirement, and I hope that I will still be living a life I love, I am pretty sure that my concern for falling or hurting myself will only increase. I am quite positive my ability to run up mountains, dive deep below the waters surface and spend long hours dancing in a thunder storm will become less and less as I filter through those years.

This is why I don’t wait for retirement. Instead, I will love today and dream endlessly for tomorrow.

What do you think? Are we young kids being beautiful rebellions or are we actually on to something?

In The Hippie Diaries

Adventure Is Calling

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These last few months have been well spent. You may have read our recent post about why we decided to settle down for a bit. As much as our soles need to explore, our bodies needed to catch up. Myles was able to devote the time he needed to rehab his body while we escaped winter. With our heart’s longing for more, our brains knew how important this time was for us.

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As the days grow warmer we are spending more and more time outside. We are surprising ourselves at how much we missed living 100% of our life outside. It’s not just us, our dogs feel it too. Despite their daily walks and endless love, they are BORED! We are moving into our van in a couple of days and Myles said to me “I can’t believe how much better I feel, I can’t wait to start actually living again.”

Just like that, I knew we made the right decision. Staying still wasn’t lavish but I am so grateful that our admittedly hectic life gives us enough flexibility to move (or stay) how we need to. As hard as it was to give up our life of mobility, I am so thankful that we were in tune with our bodies enough to know what it is we needed.

Europe, vanlife, van life, spain, travel, backpacking, back pack

As our bodies began to regain their strength we found ourselves turning our talks and dreams into a reality. Lying in bed one night we started with a simple “wouldn’t it be cool to do this extended Euro trip, where we jump from the beaches in Sicily to the islands in Greece?

We can sip wine in Nice and get in a massive food fight in Barcelona (it’s a real thing and we couldn’t be more excited for it!)”. Somehow, this transformed into an overwhelming “holy shit we are moving in less than 2 months.”

I can’t confidently tell you how in less than a month we went from an idea to plane tickets and dog vaccinations. But I can confidently tell you one thing: Always marry someone as crazy as you are. Or don’t and save A LOT of money ;).

I am going to be honest here, Europe has never been at the top of my list of places to explore. I know, the history is amazing. The architecture, the food, the castles, the cobblestone streets… the list is endless. I have travelled to Rome and the Netherlands before and loved both trips.

The vastly different day-to-day life experienced in other parts of the world has always been appealing to me. Asia, Central and South America have always been the areas on my radar. Recently, my wanderlust has skyrocketed and you’d be hard-pressed to find a country I don’t want to visit.

There are 195 countries in the world and I want to explore all of them

The beauty of Europe is the range you can see in a shorter time. On our Canadian road trips, we drive for 6 hours and are still in the same province. In Europe, we could be in 3 different countries. Not ready to give up our time in the mountains and forests quite yet, we will be devoting our next two months to nightly campfires and getting lost in the woods (hopefully not literally FRECKLES). Mid-June we will be ON A PLANE TO… well, who knows.

This is how we see our next few months shaping up. Our plan as of today (keep in mind this changes HOURLY):

  • Throw our pups on a plane
  • Land in EUROPE – we’re thinking London or Amsterdam.
  • Hunt through the streets for a van #vanlife FOREVER
  • Spend the summer driving anywhere and everywhere throughout Europe

*DID YOU KNOW that Sweden has a “Freedom to roam” act. This allows you to camp on ANY land that is not privately owned!! That’s right the stunning mountains, coastlines and archipelagos are all fair game! GO SWEDEN! 🙂

  • Find an apartment in Barcelona for the winter to act as our home base.

*Their winter months average around 16 degrees, we can live with that!

Any advice could not be more welcomed!!!!

In Thailand

Complete Guide To Traveling Thailand

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Thailand is ranked as one of the top vacation destinations in the world. It features world-class white sand beaches, big beautiful temples and historical sites, scuba diving and adventures that will remain memories forever. There are large bustling cities like Bangkok (Thailand’s Capital city) and quiet mountain towns like Chiang Mai.

This Southeast Asian hotspot is one of the most popular backpacking destinations in the world. Despite having been there multiple times, we dream about returning every time we feel the travel bug. Thailand is one of the easiest and fun places to travel. Adventure seems to be around every corner and won’t break the bank along the way.

There are some tips and tricks you should know before you travel to Thailand. Let us walk you through the basics of the country and some expert travel tips that will make you feel like a travel pro!

Table of Contents

Top 8 Places to Visit in Thailand

Thailand has so many amazing sites to visit, that you may have some trouble deciding on where to spend your time. The Thai word for island is Koh which is the name of many of their tropical islands. Below we’ve listed our top must-see places in Thailand:

1. Koh Pha Ngan / Ko Phangan

First on our list for a reason, this tropical paradise is our favourite island in Thailand. Koh Pha Ngan (pronounced Ko-pun-yun) is most famous for its full moon parties and luxury wellness retreats. This island is the ideal size for renting a scooter. The island’s north end has a boho vibe with tons of yoga retreat centers and vegan restaurants. If you are looking for a party, head to the south of the island, near Haad Rin beach where the nightlife is palpable. This is also the home of the infamous Full Moon parties.

2. Koh Tao

If you’ve been itching to try scuba diving, Koh Tao is one of the cheapest places in the world to get your open water diving certification. This is the smallest of a 3 island series in the area with neighbouring islands Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui located close by. We recommend bringing a snorkel along with you to this island as there are many spots to snorkel from the many beaches on the island.

Koh Tao is a great place for hikers or those looking for a quieter beach experience. With most of the roads on this island being made of dirt and hotels often being in the form of thatched-roof bungalows, you will feel a world away visiting here. If basking on a beach and watching warm turquoise waters splash up on white sandy beaches sounds good to you you’re sure to love it here.

3. Koh Samui

This is the third island (Koh/Ko in Thai) in the Gulf of Thailand that sits just south of Ko Phangan. It’s the largest of the 3 and has a lot to offer. An international airport allows you to fly directly to this island.

Spend your day visiting the famous Big Buddha, soaking in stunning waterfalls or simply lazing at the beach. There is also great shopping on the island. Koh Samui is quite a large island so the best way to get around and see the sights is to rent a scooter to explore.

4. Bangkok

Thailand’s capital is a lively metropolitan city that is full of life. This inland destination offers tons to do and see. Once your feet are burning from walking the city, take a needed rest aboard a boat and float your way down the city’s floating market. If you are looking to immerse yourself in culture, stroll the grounds of the Grand Palace or head to either of the nearby temples Wat Arun or Wat Pho. Backpackers will want to head to Khao San Road where they will feel right at home with many hostels and a lively party scene.

5. Phuket

One of the largest tourist hubs in Thailand, Phuket is a must see destination. You can expect the perfect blend of busy city life and lazy beachfront resorts in this area. It is located on the east coast near the southern tip of the country. There is a large international airport that you can use to arrive and depart. Some places (like Patong) are super popular, and therefore busy, but you can scooter to a number of less busy beaches in the south.

6. Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a great place to visit in Thailand, especially for adventure lovers. This inland village requires a bus or train ride to get to but is well worth the visit. This is a great place to visit for street food. Chiang Mai’s affordable prices are bound to impress you. As you’d expect in this jungle paradise, there are tons of great waterfalls that you can visit in the area.

This northern town is a popular starting point for many of Thailand’s great overnight treks. There are many jungle tours in the area that vary with activities from rafting down rivers, zip lining and more. Overnight you can stay in huts in the hills and get the opportunity to mingle with local hill tribes such as the well known Karen Longneck Tribe.

Just be sure to not book a tour that offers elephant riding. If you’d still like an up close and personal experience with them you can do so ethically at sanctuaries such as the Elephant Nature Park.

Read about 6 heartbreaking things to avoid while traveling.

7. Pai

Located just northwest of Chiang Mai is the backpacker/hippie paradise of Pai. If lush jungle, natural hot springs, cascading waterfalls and quaint markets are your thing, head north to the city of Pai. One of the best things to do in Pai is to lazily float down the Pai river on an inner tube (you can rent them there). In the evening, the city comes alive with a night market that has some delicious street food. While you can do adventurous cave exploring and white water rafting in this area, it is more known for eclectic cafes and swinging in a hammock as the sun sets.

8. Koh Phi Phi

Much like Ko Pha-Ngan, Koh Phi Phi is another place to experience the nightlife. Our first island on the list on Thailand’s west side, this island is commonly reached through nearby city Phuket. A ferry will take you across stunning clear waters weaving past other small islands to get you to the Phi Phi islands. You may have seen this island popping up all over your Instagram for their gorgeous viewpoint you can hike to and get some beautiful views.

Partying is undoubtedly the biggest pull here, you can’t walk the beaches at night without having a bucket drink (literally sand buckets full of drinks), trying laughing gas balloons and taking in an impressive fire show on the beach. The clear ocean waters make for great snorkeling and nearby islands allow for many island-hopping tours leaving from the island.

Top Activities To Do In Thailand

1. Scuba Diving

Thailand is one of the biggest scuba diving destinations in the world. Ocean water temperatures sit around 30℃ (85℉) and offer a very inviting turquoise colour. Under the water, you’ll be treated to near perfect diving conditions with impressive 30m+ visibility in some areas. Once diving below the water you will be welcomed by impressive schools of fish and colourful coral reefs.

Thailand is one of the biggest scuba diving destinations in the world. Ocean water temperatures sit around 30℃ (85℉) and offer a very inviting turquoise colour. Under the water you’ll be treated to near perfect diving conditions with impressive 30m+ visibility in some areas. Once diving below the water you will be welcomed with impressive schools of fish and colorful coral reefs.

2. Rent a scooter

It’s no secret that we love to ride around Thailand on scooters. We find them to be one of the best activities in Thailand. You can find scooter rental shops almost everywhere for a reasonable price. Find more about renting scooters in Thailand here.

3. Beach life

A tropical vacation isn’t complete without time spent on the beach. One of the most famous things about Thailand is its many white-sand beaches. The southern part of the country has some of the nicest beaches you’ll find anywhere in the world. Keep in mind that some will have an admission fee but this is usually because they’re a maintained beach meaning they will be free from garbage.

4. Snorkelling

Many beaches in Thailand are perfect for snorkelling. The more popular beaches will usually have places to rent snorkels allowing you to see the magical world under the surface of the water. Marine life in Thailand is abundant and you are sure to see fish and coral in the warm tropical waters.

5. Jungle adventure

There are many places to adventure in the Thai jungle. Mainly found in the northern part of the country, jungle treks are a great way to see a different perspective of Thailand.

6. Temples

Thai temples are found all over the beautiful country. Renting a scooter in Thailand will allow you to get to these historical sites on your own terms and not have to spend money on a guided tour. Just be aware that there is usually a dress code to enter these spiritual places.

How Much Does It Cost To Travel Thailand?

Thailand is known for being an inexpensive travel destination. You will get huge value for your money no matter where you travel in this country.

Accomodation

There are different types of accommodations in Thailand. Different types of rooms will have different price points.

If you’re comfortable sleeping in a room with other people, a dorm room in a hostel will typically be the cheapest option for a single traveller. The more people are in a room the cheaper it will cost. These types of places range from 150 THB to 400 THB.

Smaller towns away from the tourist areas will be the next cheapest place to stay in Thailand. Rooms in these areas will typically start around 400 THB to 700 THB.

A fancier night in a hotel will be more expensive, but still much cheaper than you’re used to at home. You should expect to pay around 1400 THB for a room with a fan and a double bed.

Resorts will be the most expensive option to spend the night in Thailand. Starting around 2300 THB a place on the water will cost around the same as a regular hotel back home.

Food

Thailand is known for their cheap and unbelievably delicious food. There are food choices that will fit anyone’s budget. You will have many different options for great eats wherever you travel in Thailand.

Street Food

Street food is by far your cheapest option, in Bangkok, you can even find a plate of Pad Thai for 25 THB. When eating street food in Thailand you can expect to spend less than 50 THB a meal.

Sticking with the local street food will likely cost you between 120-170 THB a day. The street food is safe and arguably much more delicious than restaurants, not to mention much cheaper.

Restaurants

Restaurants serve western food but at a higher price point. If you are craving a hearty pasta dish or a good burger expect to pay closer to 150-300 THB per plate.

Thai dishes in a restaurant on average start at around 65 THB depending on how fancy the restaurant is.

Drinks

If you’re looking to have a beer at a Thai restaurant you can expect to pay around 60 to 80 THB. Cocktails and mixed drinks will be around 300 to 450 THB.

Tips To Save Money

Like travelling anywhere in the world there are some ways to save your hard-earned money. Thailand is unlike any other travel destination and even if you’re a seasoned world traveller you may be surprised by some of these tips and tricks.

Don't Book Ahead

Some things you should not pre-book before you leave. We typically try to book our first night or two of accommodation in a city and then don’t book any more nights until we get there. This allows us to ensure we are staying in a good area as well as ultimate flexibility.

We’ve found that if you walk into a hotel you can usually get a better rate than going through a booking service.

This is also the case with transportation around Thailand as well. Booking ahead of time can sometimes cost more than double the price of booking in person. Renting a scooter to drive you to tourist sites will be far cheaper than booking organized tours and allow you the freedom to see the sites at your own leisure.

Happy Hour

If you time your meals right you can get a huge discount. Happy Hour is alive and strong in Thailand, especially in larger cities like Bangkok and Phuket. You can expect a discount on alcohol and even possibly some lower prices on special dishes.

7-11

7-11 is one of the best places to get everything from Toasties to Chang’s (the beer of choice in Thailand). This is a one-stop shop for many tourists as this Thai convenience store has stocked everything you will need.

You can drink alcohol while walking the streets in Thailand. If you are on a budget, try buying your alcohol at a local 7-Eleven rather than at a restaurant. Having a Chang, the local beer, at 7-Eleven costs about 35 THB rather than the 100-150 THB it costs in a restaurant. If you do go to a bar, take advantage of the many happy hour deals around.

7-11 also sells food, medical supplies and toiletries (among other things) as well. Toasties and chips are among the most popular travel food found here. They even heat up the toasties!

How to Get Around Thailand?

Thailand is one of the most tourist friendly places in the world. With many travel agent offices scattered throughout all tourist areas in the country, getting from point A to B is safe and stress-free. There are many different ways to get around the country:

Buses

One of the cheapest ways to travel around Thailand is by bus. Affordable prices draw in a strong backpacking crowd to this form of travel. Complex route systems allow you to travel anywhere and everywhere.

Most places will have the option of either daytime or overnight buses to take you to popular tourist destinations. These buses are a bit of a gamble, some offer new comfortable lounging chairs while others look like they’re held together with duct tape. Buses have bathrooms on board and most routes include a rest stop along the way to stretch your legs.

Pro Tip: Try to not get a seat near the bathroom!

Taxis

Thailand taxis are just as you’d expect in terms of accessibility. You will undoubtedly rely on this transportation when leaving airports, although this is the most expensive place to rent them. When hiring a taxi, make sure that your driver uses the meter or settle on an agreed price before you start driving. If you don’t you could end up paying significantly more.

Also, be cautious with your bags. Only put your bag in the trunk of the taxi if you absolutely have to. If you do, make sure one person stays in the car while the bag is retrieved as there’s a chance the driver may drive off with it.

Tuk Tuk

Tuk Tuks are some of the most famous ways to get around Thailand. As these are privately owned, you can expect the prices to vary dramatically not only from city to city, but from driver to driver. We recommend taking a ride on this iconic Thailand experience only when travelling short distances. You can expect your Thailand Tuk Tuk to cost around 100-300 THB, depending on how far you’re riding.


Tuk Tuk’s are not equipped with the meters that you would expect from a taxi. Be sure to agree on a price with your driver before leaving for your trip.

Boat/Ferry

With many of the top places to visit in Thailand being islands, you will likely be taking a boat or ferry while travelling through Thailand. There are many different types of boats and ferries ranging from longtail boats to huge car ferries. You will usually always have more than one option to get to your destination.

Note that ferries range in price, and their prices are directly reflective of what you can expect. The less expensive ones will usually be older boats with fewer amenities.

Train

A comfortable and affordable way to get around the country is to take a train. 5 major train lines allow access to many areas throughout the country. Trains in this area offer 3 travel styles, all with their own pricing points. While first-class riding will be the most comfortable offering private air-conditioned cabins with comfortable sleeping. Second-class train tickets are split into categories: air-conditioned and fan-cooled cabins.

Airplane

While this is going to be the most expensive form of travel, the many airports located throughout the country make travelling by air an easy way to see the country. Bangkok (BKK) is one of the biggest travel hubs in the area with over 63 million passengers passing through a year (2019).

  • Chiang Mai International Airport allows accessibility to the country’s northern area.
  • Phuket International Airport is located in the southern end of the country allowing tourists easy access to the country’s stunning beach life.
  • If you are looking to jump right into island life, Koh Samui is home to another international airport that has easy access to the popular island chain in the Gulf of Thailand.

Scooter

If you’re staying in an area for a couple of days, renting a scooter will allow you to see the area from a unique perspective. Scooter rental companies are readily available in all areas of the country and are incredibly affordable. Driving around Thailand on a scooter is one of our favourite things to do.

What To Bring To Thailand? - Our Thailand Packing Guide

What you decide to pack for a trip to Thailand will depend on a few factors. The length of time will be one of the biggest factors when packing for your trip. You should also consider how readily available laundry services will be. A good rule of thumb is the more remote a place is, the less likely you’ll be able to find laundry when travelling. Below is a guide to what we always bring to our Thailand vacations.

Clothes

  • Swimsuit – we like to bring at least two pairs of swimsuits. This way you can wash and let one pair dry so you always have a fresh and clean one. Nobody likes wearing a wet bathing suit.
  • Underwear x12
  • Socks x 12 pairs
  • T-Shirt x7
  • Shorts x5

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste (travel size)
  • Shampoo (travel size)
  • Deodorant

Footwear

  • Water shoes
  • Walking shoes
  • Flip Flops

First Aid Kit

  • Antibacterial cream – Wounds will not heal in Thailand. Having some of this will give you the best chances of healing your wounds.
  • Bandages – having your own bandages will come in handy in an emergency.
  • Lip Chap – Your lips will definitely take a beating when you’re in the hot sun for long travel days.

Miscellaneous

  • Lock – Many tourist attractions and hotels will have lockers where you can store your belongings while you’re out and about. Having your own lock will make it way easier and make sure your stuff is safe.
  • Dry Bags / Zip-Lock Bags – Dry bags are great places to keep things you want dry, even in your bag. Zip-Lock Bags will be a great place to keep shampoo and anything else that can leak separate from everything else.
  • Travel Charger Adapter – Thailand uses a different type of charger than the standard North American plug. Be sure to travel prepared with a travel adapter.
  • Ear Plugs – Trust us, you will want a few pairs of these for overnight buses or dorm rooms where it can get a little loud at night.
  • Headphones – great for long flights or overnight buses. Be sure to download your favourite playlists to your phone!
  • Garbage bag x4 – these are great for keeping your dirty laundry separate from your clean stuff
  • Reusable water bottle – We love our Yeti water bottles. They come with clips so you can attach them to your bag so you always have access to a drink. There will be many places you can refill them as well.

When Should You Visit?

Thailand remains around the same temperature all year round. But parts of the year are much rainier than others.

Cool Season: November – February

This will depend on which area and the time of the year you’re planning on visiting. The cool season is between November and March and is the best time of the year to travel to Thailand. It could also be the most expensive (but still cheaper than most places in the world). Temperatures at this time of year will be around 30℃.

Hot Season: March – June

If you want to experience Thailand’s hot season you should plan for days over 35℃. Nights will also be just a little cooler than this. Be sure to pack some protection from the sun. We have been to Thailand twice in June and it was quite warm.

Rainy Season: July – October

If you are the type of person who doesn’t like rain we suggest not going to Thailand during this time. The temperature will still be hot but the nights can drop a little bit especially in the north. It’s considered the “off-season” and could run into some attractions being closed or have reduced hours. Beaches can also be quite dirty due to the more extreme weather.

This is also considered monsoon season. We experienced some flash flooding with huge rainfalls when we were in Thailand in June.

Have you been to Thailand? Let us know if you think we missed anything in the comment section below!
In The Hippie Diaries

Our Top Destinations 2018

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We get asked “Where are you going next?” almost every day. Usually, we respond with “We have no idea!”. But secretly we always have a list of upcoming destinations. We told you — we can’t sit still.

So, we decided to make it a new tradition every year to write down our yearly travel plans. But here’s the kicker: GO OUT AND MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Here is a sneak peak of all the countries we plan to conquer this year. The list isn’t small, but what can I say, we are dreamers. I CANNOT WAIT to review this list in December to see how we make out with this list. Our life is never turns out how we predict. This list will evolve, and more than likely grow, as time goes on. I expect this list to look a bit different in the end.

Pour yourself a glass of wine and get comfortable because I am dreaming big here people!

Spainworld, spain, travel, flight, castle, country side

While I have never explored Barcelona, it has my whole heart. From the salsa dancing, the stunning beaches to the delicious food – I mean SIESTAS PEOPLE… this place literally dedicates a country wide nap… that is something I can definitely get behind!

I have only heard good things about the sights in Madrid. The shopping, the architecture… this whole country just seems like a dream. What I am truly most excited for though is the countryside. I have dreams of renting a bicycle and just exploring the streets (aka, getting ridiculously lost). I am definitely going to have to brush up on my high school Spanish and educate my palate to some Spanish wines.

Germany

explore, germany, flight, travel, oktoberfest That is right people, I plan to cross enjoying Oktoberfest in Munich right off my bucket list. Myles went to Germany right after high school and absolutely loved it. He has been dying to go back ever since, and I couldn’t be more on board. Myles is incredibly interested in WWII history so I plan to get a full history tour from him, when we aren’t beer in hand enjoying the Oktoberfest shenanigans. I will admit that I am nervous to be in Germany in winter but I am just thinking LAYERS on LAYERS.

Portugal

explore, portugal, flight, travel, sand, sun

If you haven’t already, Google beaches in Portugal… AMIRIGHT!!! Ya, that is just something I HAVE TO BE A PART OF! The colour in this country looks so vibrant it is a must see for me!

As a bonus, due to how ‘far away’ Portugal is (in European standards… I am used to driving through Canada though..) it is far less tourist based than other European countries. This means cheaper prices and a rich culture. Ok by me 😉

France

explore, france, flight, travel, sand, sun

Nearly every single day Myles is forced to listen to me all but beg for us to run away to the south of France. While my love of wine definitely has something to do with it, the warm sun, the delicious food and the stunning coast has much more (well, not MUCH more…). I have this beautiful dream of me enjoying a breakfast on a balcony overlooking the water.

Well, this WILL HAPPEN this year.

Italy

explore, italy, flight, travel, sand, sun

I went to Rome when I was in high school and let’s just say it was an absolute whirlwind. From tours through Vatican City and the Colosseum, to enjoying the unbelievable food. I only have good memories. I loved it so much that I can’t wait to explore it with Myles.

Last time I was only there for a couple of days on a layover (yet another reason I recommend extended layovers) which has given me an undeniable urge to go back.

Italy has countless places in which I want to explore. The scuba diver in me is mostly pushing for Sicily. Exploring through these crystal clear tropical waters is an absolute must.

Morocco

explore, morroco, flight, travel, sand, sun

This one is at the top of the must see list for both Myles and I. Although realistically we know we may have to wait until 2019 to conquer this beautiful land. I truthfully don’t know how I will keep myself from buying everything I see. The rich colours, the beautiful boho style… BOOK ME A TICKET! This is one area where I would love to partake in the full glamping experience in the middle of the Sahara desert.

Well, there you have it. My beautiful, albeit ambitious, travel plans for 2018. This is just a brief update about our plans for this year. Trust us, we are madly researching and putting pieces together to make all of this happen ;).

Alright Myles, let’s get started.. 🙂

What countries are on your to do list for this year? We love hearing about your ideas and suggestions!

In Travel Tips

Essential Layover Tips: Tools To Make You A Travel Guru

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If you are anything like us you want to get the most out of your vacation and check new cities off your bucket list. What better way to do that than to get two vacations in one? Especially if the second vacation is so cheap anyone can afford it. Sound too good to be true? Well, we are here to fill you in on our little secret.

The secret is easy: layovers! I know what you’re thinking, layovers are typically the worst part of your flight. You’re either running from one airplane to another frantically or you’re sitting bored in an airport for hours in a waiting limbo. Why not instead make this dreaded time into a WHOLE OTHER VACATION (really, does it get any better?).

BONUS: Flights with layovers can actually be cheaper than direct flights since on the surface they can seem less desirable. You can find stopover flights to top travel destinations like Italy, Iceland, and Hong Kong.

On a recent trip to Thailand, we scheduled a 24-hour layover in Singapore. The cost for the flight fare was actually cheaper than it would have been without the stopover flight and we could now leave the airport and go explore a new city. We did this again on a trip to Bali where we were able to enjoy another 24 hour layover in Hong Kong. This layover cost the exact same as a direct flight would have and we got to enjoy dim sum in the heart of the city.

So before your fingers get click happy and book your next flight, hear our advice and learn from our mistakes.

How Do We Do This?

Before we found Skiplagged we manually checked websites to find flights with long layovers. This meant that we would sit for hours plugging in our dates and cities and scrolling through dozens of flights. There isn’t really a setting to adjust the time of the layover so we would have to not only look at the airport code of the airport but also the duration of the layover.

skiplagged, layover, stopover, search, flight

Skiplagged simplifies this process. It will search out flights that have long layovers to any destination you want.

The best part is you can add your starting airport and leave the destination open. This will show you a list of flights everywhere in the world starting at the cheapest price. It will also give you information like the airlines, the booking information and where the layover will take you.

You may also like: The best money you will spend in Bali.

How Long Should Your Layover Be?

There are many things to consider when planning a layover. Customs can take a while when leaving the airport (if you are anything like us you can ask for a seat near the front of the plane and RUN LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT to the booths. Or you know, patience works too). Keep in mind that they say you should plan to be at the airport 3 hours before an international flight which will eat into some of your travel time.

Give yourself as much time as possible. We have found that 11 – 24 hours is the sweet spot. Just check the time you land and depart. This is SOOO important!! Unless you plan to be in Tokyo or New York and are ready to party you will not have a good time if your 11 hours start at 9 pm and goes till 8 am.

Know The Type Of Traveler You Are (And The People You Are Traveling With)

This is one of the most important aspects of deciding the course of your layover vacation. Are you someone who enjoys taking it slow and stress-free by enjoying hours at restaurants, ordering room service and sleeping in? Or are you more like us: chickens with their head cut off running through the city trying to take in as many sights as you can.

flight, travel, tourist, tourism, airplane, airport,

If you are travelling with someone else, it is important to take both of your travelling personalities into account. I know what you are thinking: this matters for any type of travel. Well, you are right but if you are only spending a couple of hours in an area the need-to-know becomes more significant.

Pro Tip: Before leaving the airport buy some water and snacks to bring for your day. It will likely cost way more than it would in the city but is almost guaranteed to make your time better. Trust us, no one has a good time when they’re hangry.

You may also like: 6 unbelievable spots in BC, Canada you have to see.

Treat Your Layover Like It Is Your Main Destination

Even though this leg of the trip is shorter doesn’t make it any less exciting. You are still paying for the flight so make the most of it. Get excited and spend some time scanning Pinterest or Tripadvisor for the top activities in the city. After all, this is a whole new vacation!

As you are going to be there for only a select few hours it is important that you know where to go and what there is to see. Can you imagine if we had gone to Singapore without seeing the famous Gardens by the Bay?

airplane, flight, vacation, holiday, travel, tourism, backpacker
Myles playing on his little toy plane at the airport.

With that being said, when we went to Hong Kong we had absolutely no idea where anything was and we just jumped on a random bus from the airport

and got dropped into the middle of “backpackers downtown”. A random online hotel booking at a cheap hotel (we had just come from Bali and so we didn’t think $40 a night was cheap) left us sleeping in a place smaller than a walk-in closet full of cockroaches that smelt like dirty fish. So small that they had cut the mattress to fit in the room and I couldn’t even extend my legs – I am 5’6”. Learn from our mistakes: know before you go!

Know Before You Go

  • Make sure your luggage goes to your final destination, not to your layover. This will make it one less thing you need to worry about planning for.
  • Check your phone’s storage space! Nobody wants to have the best shot lined up to get the dreaded “Not Enough Storage” message. I am notoriously bad for this!
  • Charge Your Electronics: The worst feeling is not having your phone or camera charged when you need it the most. This can not only make you miss capturing the moment but possibly even your flight. If you have a phone with a removable battery investing in an extra one can save you.

For phones that don’t have this feature, we suggest a battery pack. These are small, yet powerful. They can fit in your pants pocket and can give you up to 10 full charges. Not only can they power your phone but some can even power cameras and computers!

  • Customs & Visa Regulations: Some countries, such as Vietnam, require special visas for entry including a passport-sized photos. These are easy and inexpensive to get and should not deter you. Trust us, 24 hours in Saigon is never a bad idea.layover, flight, city, thailand

Knowing the general layout of a city can help you tons! There are many ways of doing this, but Google Maps is one of the best apps to have on your smartphone. Not only can you use it offline, but you can also download a specific area.

This will let you search public transit stops without being connected to (and without a signal).

You may also like: The 10 best cities in Vietnam.

Keep Track of Your Flights

We strongly recommend getting an app to track your flight. If you decide to leave the airport you will be busier than you realize. The last thing you want is to spend a day in the town to find out that your flight was delayed or cancelled.

There are many smartphone apps that can keep track of your flight for when you connect your phone to Wifi at coffee houses or even fast-food chains. All you need is the flight number on your boarding ticket.

Set alarms throughout your day to remind you to keep track of the time.

What To Do With Your Time

24 hours in a city may not seem like enough time. That’s because it isn’t. These layovers are a way to get a sneak peek at a country, or city, rather than an in-depth experience. Think of it like a first date, you can go explore enough to see if it is worth giving it a second date (note: it always will be).

Consider how you want to fill your time. Perhaps booking a guided tour through the city is your best option. Or maybe you are more adventurous and just want a taxi to drop you off in the middle of the downtown core and you can walk as much as possible. Try looking into a city bus pass that you can hop on and off to get around the city. Or you may be wanting to see one specific thing that you can plan your day around.

For example, if your layover is in Cambodia you will want to make sure a trip to Angkor Wat is the focus of your day.

You may also like: Top US cities that aren’t on your radar but should be

What To Pack

You are treating this as a separate holiday so be sure to put some thought into packing. As you will not be getting your main bag we suggest packing a larger, but still portable (backpacks work great), day bag. If you bring along a bulky rolling carry-on, check if your airport has lockers and stash it in there so you don’t have to cart it around with you.

  • A change of clothes: This is especially important if you are about to step into a completely different climate than you were once in. This includes shoes, I know they’re heavy but hear me out. You will want shoes you can walk far distances in. While this is a given, you never know what your day will look like. You are one puddle, a rainy day, or a beach trip away from being stuck with wet feet or blisters. Trust me, learn from my mistakes, BRING AN EXTRA PAIR. You can thank me later! 🙂
  • FOOD: Not a full meal, you will likely remember the food you ate in whatever city you are in more than anything else, but snacks. Think granola bars! Stashing a few in your backpack will make it so that you don’t have to find a restaurant right away.
  • Camera: or let’s be real your smartphone will probably do just fine. If you do bring your phone though, pack a charger just in case. You will likely be snapping so many photos you may run out of battery. 20 minutes in a Starbucks plugging your phone into an outlet may just save your trip (or at least your photos).
  • Pre-print all your boarding passes: This isn’t just advice for people who are late for everything. It is really really easy to get delayed, especially when you’re in a city you don’t know well and are at the mercy of taxis or public transit. Having your boarding pass on your smartphone can solve this. Depending on how long your layover is you may even be able to print your boarding pass before you leave the airport for your whirlwind adventure. This will save you time when you return to the airport to catch your flight.
  • A plastic bag or dry bag: You are literally walking into the unknown with little to nothing with you. I mean that in the most exciting way possible. Bringing a ziplock or dry bag to stash your electronics in can end up saving you a ton of money.
  • Money: Kind of an obvious one but can be easily overlooked as it isn’t your main destination. Make sure you have enough cash to get into the city (a simple google search will tell you the best way and roughly holayover, flight, travel, sleeping bag liner w much it will cost) and some extra for any souvenirs and food you want to buy.
  • A blanket or sleeping bag: We have this one. Not only is it useful to keep you warm when sleeping in airports but in case you are like us and opt for the sleaziest (aka cheapest) hotel imaginable, you have a nice little barrier between you and a questionable mattress

I know this seems like a lot of information but trust us, getting the most of your holiday by extending your layovers will be well worth it. Take the time you have in the new city as bonus time.

Don’t stress, you don’t have to cram everything in. Really, if all you bring is a camera and plan to spend the whole time on your Roman layover eating pasta, is that really the worst thing?

Have fun and let us know how your next vacation goes – we love to hear stories!

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In The Hippie Diaries

Let’s Talk For Real

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We have been going back and forth for a while now about how to start writing on our blog again. Like anything you stop for a while, it can be hard to get back into the swing of things. You see, we don’t live our life in one direction – we never have. We like it that way. Myles said to me not too long ago that one of the things he loves most about our life is how we can be both very happy with where we are and yet always strive for better.

In these last few months, we have had another big uproot in our life. One that we thought would never happen and yet, that’s life. Not really knowing where to start as so much has changed in the last couple months, we thought in honor of Bell’s Let’s Talk celebration, now is as great a time as any.

After Myles’ car crash he got his fifth concussion and struggled every single day as post concussion syndrome infected almost every aspect of his life. Thinking this was something we could just run away from, the common ignore it and it will go away, but even with all our running, we couldn’t get away from it. As the days ticked by his headaches were staying as strong and crippling as ever. No amount of naps was working for him. He was so out of commission it would mean that often our day ends at 5 pm.

It wasn’t until just after our honeymoon when coming back to the van that we noticed how much this was affecting every single aspect of our life.

We were living our dreams, but at 70%.

These early nights weren’t fulfilling us anymore. We didn’t run towards this lifestyle to only live it half way. It was hard to say it, to admit it, but Myles finally said: I think I am heading towards depression and we need to change some things. So, after a long discussion, we decided that our health had to be our top priority. Once we got our health better, we could come back and finally live this life at 100%, or close to.

So, in a split second, we switched directions and drove back up to BC to focus on self-improvement.

It is really hard to decide to focus all your time on improving yourself, but it can be the most important decision of your life.

With the past four months in a rented basement suite in the small town of Kamloops, we have focused all our energy on health. Countless chiropractor, massage, physio and naturopath appointments and we are proud to say that Myles pain has, for the first time in years, become more manageable.

Along with regular health care appointments we have made some drastic lifestyle changes. We have started placing a huge importance on fueling our bodies on the healthiest foods, taking supplements for any vitamins we can’t get naturally (vitamin B12), and exercising in the form of hikes and yoga on a daily basis. The difference… well, stay tuned!

This change has provided us the most unexpected results. We thought our dogs would love the extra space and the consistency of daily life, and while they’re happy, they are incredibly bored. We have both started school again for a semester in an attempt to gradually plug away at finishing our degrees.

This life is by no means permanent, we plan to travel and even return to the road the moment the weather gets warm and our health is stable, but for now we are focusing on what matters most – ourselves.

Our story, much like life, is a messy one. An absolutely beautiful mess.

In VanDogs

10 Things You Should Know About Roadtrips with Dogs

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One of the many great things about a road trip is that it is easy to bring your furry friends along. Sure you can bring dogs on a flight too but this is typically expensive and very stressful on your dog. During a road trip they get to spend their time doing their favorite thing – hanging out with you. Just as traveling with kids or any other dependents, there are some added things you should consider.

1. Take Extra Care While Packing

Seeing you pack is an immediate stressor for a dogs. Anyone who has ever moved while having a dog knows the guilt you feel seeing your pup so stressed about the boxes.

When making your road trip packing list and getting your suitcase out and packing, you will notice your dog sticking closer to you than normal. If they’re anything like ours they may even fall asleep inside your bag. Yup, we found our 70 lbs Labrador curled up in one of our bags. It is important to reassure them by giving them lots of treats and lots of extra love.

2. Keeping Consistencies

When packing for your road trip make sure to pack your pup’s toys from home. While road trips are intended to be fun, they can add a lot of stress to your furry friend. Bringing along a lot of home securities will give your pup comfort. Using their food dish from home, bringing some of their favourite toys and packing their bed along will mean the world to them. They don’t know where you are going or what is happening so bringing these familiar items is sure to give them comfort.

You may also like: How To Find The Best Free Campground

3. Before You Go, Get Your Pup Comfortable In A Car

If your pup doesn’t usually accompany you in the car, taking them on an extended drive right away may not be a good idea. Getting your pup comfortable with car rides will increase their happiness and make it so you can both enjoy your trip. This can start with just allowing your dog to sit in the car or feeding him in the car.

Lots of dogs associate car rides with vet trips so showing them it isn’t scary is important.

Start taking your pup on lots of little trips in the car with you before you go so they can get comfortable. We love giving our pups soft bones to chew on while we drive so they can keep busy and happy.

4. Don't Forget The Dog Food

Not only is the familiarity of having their own food brand important, but switching brands of food can be really hard on their stomachs. Packing extra before you go will ensure your dog has a good time on the trip too.

5. Do Some Research Before Leaving

We recommend you always keep your dog up to date on their vaccinations. This can be even more important when travelling. Before you go do your research about possible irritants for dogs. Even if you aren’t going that far different regions can have unknown irritants.

We got to California and after almost all of us got bitten with ticks we learned that Northern California is riddled with them. Luckily none of us have seemed to fall victim to any diseases ticks can transmit.

A simple trip to the vet for a flea and tick treatment gives our pups added protection.

6. Sensitive Paws

On that same note it is important to be aware that your pups paws are sensitive little things. There are lots of things that can harm your pet out there such as hot pavement, salt in the winter time, glass and sharp rocks. Especially in new environments where you are less aware of what is around it is crucial to be aware of your surroundings.

Scan the area before you let your pups run wild to check for any potential hazards. We recommend bringing tweezers and keeping them accessible while routinely checking their feet for cactus, thorns and sap.

You may also like: 6 Heartbreaking Things To AVOID In Bali

7. A Place To Call Home

Dogs are naturally den animals and typically love dark secluded areas (for about five minutes until they are ready to be pet again). When living in such small quarters it is easy to trip over each other.

Without meaning to the dogs often get in our way. With that we find it important to give them places that they know they can go without us bothering them. Even if it means popping the top and putting Freckles (the brown coloured dog) on the second bed while we cook (which he loves). Bella loves to curl up in the front seats and stick her head out every once in a while. Roxy needs to be on top of you, because she is, after all, a lap dog.

8. Water, Water, Water!

When starting a road trip you always pack yourself tons of food and drinks (if you don’t, start. No road trip is complete without road food.).

At home, your dog is used to getting a drink of water whenever they feel like it. Being in a car this may not be the case.

If your rig doesn’t allow for you to constantly have a dish out for them it is important to remember to offer them water often.

Especially on hotter days, make sure your pup is well hydrated.

Read some tips for combating the heat on the go.

9. They Need Breaks Too!

It is important for you to let your best friend take a break from sitting in the car. Especially if your dog is bigger and can’t move through the car with ease. They get stiff too. Allowing them to run through a park or stop to throw a ball (Roxy loves her glow-in-the-dark ball) and tucker them out will mean the world to them. One of the best parts about road trips for dogs is smelling all the new scents in new areas. Being outside and hearing different noises with new scents and different scenery will do a lot for your pup’s mental stimulation, tiring them out quicker.

Most people are dog lovers (apparently not everyone, although I am yet to understand these people) but it is important to keep your dog under control and always pick up after them. Besides keeping the parks and green spaces clean, it is the only way cities will keep allowing our friends in all the places we love to go. Go to your local pet supply store for cheap doggie bags that are biodegradable.

You may also like: Our Sustainable Travel Section

10. Safety First

Get your dog tattooed or micro-chipped (preferably the latter) and then on their collar, write what you have done.

Our pups all have up-to-date tags on their collars, and they wear their collars 100% of the time. We make sure to include their name, and our phone number and instead of address (because we no longer have one) we wrote “tattoo in L ear from BC” or simply “microchipped”.

This ensures that if the worst-case were to occur, the chances of being reunited are high.

Our smallest one has her ear that always stands straight up tattooed, which has the added benefit of making her look bad-ass. It might cost a little extra money, but it is definitely worth it in the long run.

We’ve run into a lot of, what we think are, stray dogs on our travels and if they had any way to contact their owner it would make it way easier to reunite them with their owner.

Going on a road trip? Leave us a comment about what worked for you.

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In Travel Gear

What To Pack For Vanlife: Kitchen

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When we left for a life on the road we knew we would be soon getting a crash course on minimalism. Our van full of stuff would be the only things we own. No more couches, big screen tv’s, king sized beds etc.

In the weeks leading up to moving into our van we went through everything we had and decided on that item’s importance to us. We ended up selling most things, donating lots, throwing out some and keeping even less.

The things that make up our everyday life is surprisingly minimal. We have a mere fraction of what we used to. For van life everything needs to have multiple uses in our life. Instead, you do everything to get outside and live.

This is us. Even though we live a minimal life we still travel with a van full of our gear. It enables us to not only work from anywhere but also enjoy life to the fullest.

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When we were downsizing it was difficult to decide what was worth keeping and what was a mere luxury that we didn’t need. Some luxuries of course are worth keeping which further blurred the line. Since living in our van full time we are still constantly analyzing what has meaning in our lives.

Whether you are a weekend warrior or living in your vehicle, the gear you bring is all you have. Being in a remote location can be dangerous if you aren’t prepared.

One of the biggest things we have learned is quality over quantity. As we shop so infrequently we find it much more worthwhile to pay for a more expensive high quality item than one that will fall apart. For example a bamboo thread shirt rather than your standard $5 cotton. After all, if you only own 6 shirts it is important that they feel soft and last a while without wrinkles rather than getting a hole in it after a couple wears.

As food is our biggest expense everyday expense, and our health is important to us, we thought it was appropriate to start off in our kitchen.

Even though we are living in small quarters, food is still one of the biggest parts of our life. We place a high importance on the quality of the food we eat and food is one of our biggest expenditures. Our first leg of the trip we spent far too much time at Taco Bell. Eating out became expensive and repetitive.

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vanlife, vegan, groceries, food, vegetables, volkswagen

Plus you begin to feel as though you are on vacation instead of living a lifestyle. Being able to pull off the road, literally anywhere, and cook a full meal is one of the best parts of this life.

This post is one in a series where we will slowly release all the gear we carry and their level of usefulness in our everyday life. This is great for those looking to a life of minimalism or looking to take to their home on wheels.

Stove ★★★★★

As we do not have an oven or microwave we have learned to make practically every meal with only a two-burner stovetop. Believe it or not, this has not hindered what we cook in the slightest. From pot pies to spaghetti squash we have learned to make our stovetop our lifeline.

Even though we couldn’t customize our rig like in DIY van conversions we find that we have everything we need.

Fridge ★★★★★

This has been one of the best purchases we’ve made since being on the road. Our fridge, even though it takes up a lot of square footage, allows us to actually keep food (and beer) cold for long periods of time. We’re literally writing this article in the middle of nowhere because we have enough food that allows us to not be tied to cities for weeks at a time.

Mugs ★★★★★

We have a few mugs that we use every single day. They keep our drinks cold for days and hot for the entire day. Safe to say we use our Yeti mugs for just about every liquid we drink. If we aren’t drinking from our water bottles, we use our insulated cups for anything from cold to hot. The only downside is they don’t fit in our cup holders.

Stainless Steel Thermos ★★★✰✰

This will keep your water colder for longer than plastic bottles. And if you are a coffee fanatic like us, it will allow you to have hot cups of coffee for up to 24 hours. While this is used by us often, we know it is much more of a luxury than a necessity.

Pots & Pans ★★★★★

If there is one thing we admittedly have too many of, it is our pots and pans. With one large frying pan, a small long handled pot as well as our Enamel set, there is a lot.

Enamel Pots & Pans ★★★★★

These are the best for cooking over the fire. They last forever and are easy to clean – something we love. We have 1 regular pot and a pan as well as our enamel kettle which is all we use. We do however cart around an unused large enamel pot that we have hardly ever used.

Plates ★★★★✰

We have four plates. They are all enamel as we have found that they are the toughest and can withstand our rough lifestyle. We love the diversity that this provides as we use them to cover our food while cooking to insulate heat rather than cart around a lid for our pots.

Biodegradable soap ★★★★★ <a href=”https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0009ET6TS?ie=UTF8&linkCode=li2&tag=freedomchas00-20&linkId=ca2f6752764938094e1179c98ac12cc7&language=en_CA&ref_=as_li_ss_il” target=”_blank”><img border=”0″ src=”//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0009ET6TS&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=CA&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=freedomchas00-20&language=en_CA” ></a><img src=”https://ir-ca.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=freedomchas00-20&language=en_CA&l=li2&o=15&a=B0009ET6TS” width=”1″ height=”1″ border=”0″ alt=”” style=”border:none !important; margin:0px !important;” />

Our soap is one of our favourite and most widely used items in our van. We do a lot of dishes and are friends with the environment. We use one soap that doubles as an all-in-one for laundry, dishes, dog wash, hand soap and anything else we can think of. The best part is that it is safe enough to use in rivers.

Bowls ★★★★✰

We have two bowls. We honestly don’t use them very often and could easily do without them. They are most often used in times when we run out of plates and are far too lazy to do dishes. One thing these are great for is mixing. Our new favourite sauce is a honey mustard-mayo concoction.

Cutlery ★★★★★

We work in sets of four. Four forks, four knives and four spoons. Seeing as that we eat mostly raw foods, our knives go almost completely unused and our spoons rarely see the inside of our mouth.

Sharp Knives ★★★★✰

We have one serrated and one smooth sharp knives that we use for everyday cutting. This gives us the diversity to cut nearly everything. We find that since we are vegans and do not cut through tough meat, this is more than we need to get by. The trick is to get a knife that has a blade sharpener built into the sheath. This way you always know you have a sharp knife to work with.

<a href=”https://www.amazon.ca/Sabatier-5171959-Triple-Riveted-EdgeKeeper-Self-Sharpening/dp/B071L73PW1?keywords=self%2Bsharpening%2Bknife&qid=1652904477&sprefix=knife%2Bwith%2Bself%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-5&th=1&linkCode=li2&tag=freedomchas00-20&linkId=6f4ae619457a1fd420a02303d87cdc12&language=en_CA&ref_=as_li_ss_il” target=”_blank”><img border=”0″ src=”//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B071L73PW1&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=CA&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=freedomchas00-20&language=en_CA” ></a><img src=”https://ir-ca.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=freedomchas00-20&language=en_CA&l=li2&o=15&a=B071L73PW1″ width=”1″ height=”1″ border=”0″ alt=”” style=”border:none !important; margin:0px !important;” />

Rags ★★★★★

If you are anything like us you hate paper towels. They are expensive and unnecessarily harmful to the environment. Cutting up old clothes works great for us but we also have proper face cloths. We use these to clean our van and to wash our dogs feet when they play in mud.

Washing Tub ★★★★★

Yes we have a sink, but it’s easier to bring our dishes outside and wash them on the grass in case we splash. Make sure to get a versatile tub (we have a collapsible one) so that you can fit a pair of pants in it to do laundry. We tend to use a bungee strap and hook it to our passenger door handle so we can stand up straight and do dishes freely.

Cutting block ★★★★★

This is so useful for both cutting our veggies and for acting as a place to put our hot plates so they don’t harm our counters. It fits perfectly over top of our sink so it is out of the way. As a bonus, it also prevents our stovetop from chattering as we drive.

Lighters & Matches ★★★★★

Since our stove runs on propane it is necessary to carry matches and a lighter. There is no electric start to our stove so we manually have to ignite it every time we want to use it. It sounds like a pain, but we actually like striking a match. There is something satisfying about it.

Can Opener ★★★✰✰

Some of our food, like pasta sauces and refried beans, come in cans that require a can opener.

Bottle Opener ★★★★★

It’s hard to drink beer without a bottle opener. We like ours which also has a wine opener as well.

<a href=”https://www.amazon.ca/Multifunctional-Corkscrew-Stoppered-Bottles-Restaurant/dp/B092VDQMHW?keywords=wine%2Bopener&qid=1652904733&sr=8-8&th=1&linkCode=li2&tag=freedomchas00-20&linkId=4324ffc3d4871d0c6f86fc209655d6e0&language=en_CA&ref_=as_li_ss_il” target=”_blank”><img border=”0″ src=”//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B092VDQMHW&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=CA&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=freedomchas00-20&language=en_CA” ></a><img src=”https://ir-ca.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=freedomchas00-20&language=en_CA&l=li2&o=15&a=B092VDQMHW” width=”1″ height=”1″ border=”0″ alt=”” style=”border:none !important; margin:0px !important;” />

Scissors ★★★✰✰

While we use our scissors often, there is virtually nothing we can’t open with a knife rendering our scissors to be more of an unneeded luxury rather than a useful everyday item.

Mixing Bowls ★★★★★

With the amount of salads and wraps we eat, large mixing bowls are important. We have three mixing bowls of various sizes that stack into each other. We use these big bowls to make lots of our food and although they take up a huge amount of space, we find them quite important.

Spatula ★★★✰✰

We have far too many spatulas. We typically only use our white spoon with a stunted handle that fits perfectly in our drawer and tongs that we use to flip our cooking. In addition, we cart around a flipper and a pasta spatula that we need to purge as we never use them. The Dollar store has these for ridiculously cheap prices.

Rope ★★★★★

Ok, this isn’t exactly kitchen related but we don’t have a laundry room. Having a rope on hand will make it so that you can use the tub and your biodegradable soap to wash your clothes. This will also act as your clothesline.

Veggie Bag ★★★★✰

As we live with our windows and doors completely open the majority of the time, having these veggie bags are incredibly important. They make it so that our fruits and vegetables stay safe and bug free during the day. They also allow us to get creative and hang our produce all over the van.

Tables ★★★★★

Our van, like any Westfalia, comes equipped with two swiveling tables. These have been specifically designed to fit perfectly. They are able to reach the passenger seat when it is facing backwards, and over our bed when it is transformed into a seat. This is the area where we do everything from work on our computers to prepare and eat our food. This also works as our only counter space making them even more valuable.

It has been said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. This is true in our tiny home as well, despite our minimalism lifestyle. Cooking may look a bit different in this small space but it has become more important than ever. Our life as vanpeople has shown us the importance of minimalism.

Are you a vanlifer? Let us know what your essential kitchen gear is in the comment section below!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means we may get a commission if you make a purchase at no extra charge to you. Our opinions are our own and we only share what we believe you’ll find helpful. We also use all the products that we have links to. You can even see them in the photos we post.

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Travel Tips

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From a mundane life working 9-5 Monday – Friday and only living for the weekends, we overhauled our lives to that of adventure. No more strict work schedules, no more bosses telling us hen we could eat or go to the bathroom.

We completely transformed our life to a point where we travel full time.

This way of life is against everything we have been taught. From minimalism to stepping away from the corporate ladder and opting out of indulging in climbing housing prices it isn’t easy. That is why we have created a list of tips to take your travel experience to the next level.

From saving money, making money and finding the most affordable ways to travel we have listed them all here.

We found through our travels that many hotels don’t like when you book through Agoda.com because they receive less of a profit. In an effort to practice sustainable tourism where we help local destinations to flourish as well we looked for the most reputable way to book your hotel (and car and flight) while keeping to a tight budget and helping local businesses.