After two months of being thoroughly spoiled by Chesney’s family in Muizenberg (Cape Town), we finally hit the road for the trip everyone had been telling us to do: the Garden Route in South Africa. One week, one borrowed car, and a drive out to Plettenberg Bay and back. Yes, technically the Garden Route stretches […]
1 Week Garden Route Itinerary: South Africa’s Best Road Trip Read More »
The Kinabatangan River cruise in Sabah was the highlight of our two-month stint in Borneo. We saw the Big 5: orangutans, proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, hornbills, and crocodiles, plus some other weird and wonderful wildlife. It’s an activity worth flying across the world for and surprisingly easy and affordable, all things considered. This post may
Kinabatangan River: Borneo’s Best Wildlife Experience (& How to Do It) Read More »
Taking the bus from KK to Sandakan was a mistake. It seemed like a smart way to make the most of a long journey, and I assumed it would be cheaper than flying. It wasn’t. But by the time I’d found this 12-hour bus adventure that stopped at hot springs, a rafflesia flower garden, and
Why I Don’t Recommend the Kota Kinabalu Bus to Sandakan Read More »
The Kota Kinabalu islands are one of the city’s main tourist attractions. While you can go with a tour, it’s also possible to DIY a trip and save some money. I found it difficult to get info about getting to and from the islands, so here’s everything you need to know about planning your own
How to DIY a Kota Kinabalu Islands Day Trip Read More »
Data-only eSIMs are fine, but every now and then you actually need to call someone — maybe even a landline. It might be your bank back home, a local restaurant, or the airline that moved the flight 10 hours early and forgot to contact you (true story). But don’t worry, aloSIM has the solution. Here’s
aloSIM Review: An eSIM With a Free Phone Number Read More »
I’ve been booking international flights for years, and to cut to the chase — there’s no single magic tool that’ll always get you the cheapest fare. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying! Instead, the savvy move is knowing which tools are good at what, and which ones to chuck out entirely. Here are the
The Best Flight Booking Sites (& 3 You Should Avoid) Read More »
Kuching is a great riverside city, but it’s also the least pedestrian-friendly place I’ve ever been. I walked nearly everywhere during my two weeks there, and almost got hit by two different cars. (One per week!!!) I came away with a new appreciation for life and some tips for how you can cross the street
Crossing the Street in Kuching (a Traveller’s Survival Guide) Read More »
Malaysia is far from being a cashless country, so knowing how to manage your money as a tourist helps you avoid foreign transaction fees and poor exchange rates. Of the multi-currency cards out there, Wise is the strongest option for Malaysia specifically, because it lets you hold ringgit directly in your wallet (Revolut currently does
Why I Love a Wise Card for Malaysia: Spend, Pull Cash, and Save on Fees Read More »
Packing a few little things can make a big difference when you’re travelling long term. You already know about noise cancelling headphones, packing cubes, portable chargers. But here are a few things you won’t find on every generic list of packing essentials: post-it notes, S-hooks, a Google Chromecast, a multiboard, and a length of rope.
Long Term Travel Packing Tips: 5 Small Items for a Big Change Read More »
Travelling from Brunei to Kota Kinabalu is more fun on the Sipitang Express Bus. It’s not often that I’d recommend a long bus ride — I’m in my 30s now and happier to spend a little more money to be comfortable. But taking the bus was not only affordable, it meant we got 7 new
How to Get from Brunei to Kota Kinabalu via the Sipitang Express Bus Read More »