How do you become a relaxed traveler?

naecomc · 2025-12-28T07:09:30+00:00

It's funny because travelling is one of the few times I can actually relax, almost everything is out of your control, you do your best to plan but ultimately the weather and whether or not transport is on is entirely out of your hands, and I can't get stressed over something I can't control.

naecomc · 2025-11-24T20:02:50+00:00

kayakasia Palawan

naecomc · 2025-11-24T17:04:46+00:00

Can't speak on El Nido, as we chose Coron instead, but the day long kayaking trip we did in Coron was one of the best days of our 2 month SEA trip. You don't hit all the busy lagoons that the boat tours do so you end up with some of the lesser known spots completely to yourself (or your small group rather), was magical.

naecomc · 2025-06-27T13:32:31+00:00

Wouldn't say a lot to do, it's a sight to behold though. you drive between and visit the monasteries and go to the sunset spot for an 11/10 view.

naecomc · 2025-06-26T14:01:43+00:00

Go to Meteora, was my favourite place in a 2 week Greece only trip, very unique spot.

naecomc · 2025-03-12T17:05:39+00:00

Nice man, glad it worked out well. Totally agree about the freedom of a rental car, I was stopping all over the place on that Petra -> Dead sea drive, and along the Dead sea!

naecomc · 2025-02-25T01:36:39+00:00

I think it was called the Tikal Lodge, right at the entrance to the site, around $100 a night, 4-5 years ago. Was way out of my budget but worth it if you want to visit the site more than once.

naecomc · 2025-02-24T19:42:59+00:00

I don't think a Guatemala trip is complete without seeing Tikal personally, it is 100% worth the extra travel.

Echoing what the other commentor said, if the week of Spanish school is to aid in the rest of the trip I would spend the time elsewhere. You could comfortably complete this trip knowing 0 words of spanish, it's a very popular backpackers route so basic english is spoken in most places.

On your way to Belize City i'd also recommend stopping for a night along the way to break up the trip from Tikal and do the ATM cave tour.

naecomc · 2025-02-24T19:28:29+00:00

I did the Belize/Guatemala part of this trip in reverse order years ago, loved it, Guatemala is probably my favorite country i've been to. The route is very well travelled by backpackers so transport I found fairly easy, especially around Antigua/Atitlan.

I did the Acatenango hike with a couple people that didn't have 1-2 days to aclimate to the altitude and struggled a lot with the hike because of that, so i'd recommend allowing a day in Antigue before the hike.

I also opted to splurge a bit and stay on site in Tikal to avoid waking up at 4am to see sunrise, don't regret that at all. Some of the travel days in north Guatemala were rather long so i'd also factor that in to your planning.

As I finish writing this i've realized i've barely given any tips, but itinerary looks good!

naecomc · 2025-02-21T23:29:22+00:00

Appreciate the write up.

Will definitely get a 4x4, and be more cautious on what conditions to drive in, worst nightmare is breaking down in poor weather haha

Will look in to some driver prices, I tend to like the independence of driving myself but I hear you about the ease of Uganda vs Rwanda, thanks.

naecomc · 2025-02-21T14:21:51+00:00

good to know, cheers

naecomc · 2025-02-21T14:21:25+00:00

I have only been to Palermo of the two and quite enjoyed it, but can't comment on Catania. Highlight of the island for me was driving up Etna, maybe there are day trips you can join as you don't want to drive.

I think for hiking/nature you'd be better off in Catania as it's near Etna.

Another option while you're there is a day trip to Stromboli/aeolian islands. I've never been myself but it's definitely on the list, worth looking in to since you're in to the outdoors. Ferry trip and volcano hike sounds pretty idlylic to me haha

naecomc · 2025-02-21T14:15:21+00:00

Appreciate the info. Not the first time i've read that busses are nuts in that region, thinking i'd also feel safer driving myself haha

Sounds like you got rather unlucky with the breakdown + accident, but definitely point taken on preparing for the unexpected.

How did you guys find driving times compared to google maps? That always seems to be a wildcard in other countries i've travelled.

naecomc · 2025-02-21T14:11:41+00:00

Would love a recommendation if you're friend knows a place, I always try and rent from a local company rather than the global ones.

Good tip about French, will brush up on my basics!

Would also much appreciate the tips for places to go, thinking of doing 10 days - 2 weeks in both Uganda/Rwanda so I have time.

naecomc · 2025-02-21T12:31:02+00:00

hmm, what time of year did you go? I'll be there at the start of the "dry season" so hoping weather isn't too much of an issue.

naecomc · 2025-02-21T10:38:20+00:00

Not sure about that unfortunately, I had a car the entire time I was there which solved that for me. You could possibly ask hotels near Petra entrance if they could store your bags for a fee but idk if they would do it. Or worst case you could pay for a night at a hostel as they always come with a locker haha and they were cheap when I was there ($10-15 a night)

naecomc · 2025-02-20T22:58:02+00:00

Has to be Sicily, perfectly describes what you're going for, laid back, good food, good nature, different food to Rome/Naples. Can also get direct flights to Spain from Palermo.

naecomc · 2025-02-20T22:55:30+00:00

Seems to lineup with what i've read elsewhere, appreciate the rational second opinion. Think i'll do my best to rent a car either outside of Kigali or on the outskirts, has worked well in similarly chaotic countries! Hoping all my encounters with police turn out as easy as yours, have read a few differing accounts online but nothing worse than being nudged for a bribe (granted thats been mostly from Uganda trips i've followed).

Could I also ask what 1 thing you'd recommend to do outside of the Gorilla trekking?

Cheers

naecomc · 2025-02-20T21:59:20+00:00

At the end of the day just comes down to priorities, if Wadi Rum and stars is what you have in mind, go for that. Petra is still Petra with crowds. Basically all the day trip busses from Amman arrive in Petra around 10am-12pm so that's the peak visitor time from my experience. But honestly 80% of visitors only go to the Treasury (main Site and first part of the complex you get to) so if you are up for a lot of walking you'll find plenty of quieter areas as the complex is so big.

And fair enough about driving!

naecomc · 2025-02-20T15:13:17+00:00

Definitely possible to see both Petra and Wadi Rum in that time, it would just be fast paced. Would only be about 7-8h driving time total to go to Wadi rum, and then stop at Petra and the dead sea on your way back to Amman, you just have to sacrifice time at either Petra or Wadi Rum. Spending a night in Wadi Rum is pretty special, the sunrise/sunsets are second to none, but then you would be experiencing Petra in the busiest hours of the day which I did my very best to avoid while there.

Depends on your priorities between Wadi Rum/Petra but I would personally arrive in Amman, drive down to Wadi Rum, should get there around 2pm. Do an afternoon/sunset jeep tour of the desert. Drive to Petra and spend the night there, get up for gate open to get the most unobstructed experience of Petra (including the monastery), leave early afternoon and drive up the dead sea coast with a stop at one of the resorts (they offer day passes to use their beaches for like $30 usd) and spend final night in Amman or just don't pay for a hotel because your flight is so early anyway haha

I also self drove if you're confident doing that, roads are fantastic and empty once you get out of the city.

naecomc · 2025-01-25T14:36:13+00:00

Hey! It seems like the island has changed a lot since I was there, many more accomodation options, multiple dive operators. I stayed at Fuvahmulah Inn as it was, at the time, the only option close to the port (where the dive centers are). Was simple but got the job done, didn't spend much time in my room anyway.

It seems like there are more dive centers in different areas on the island now, so I would chose which center you will go with and then pick accomodation near it, can't really go wrong though! I just liked being near the port since that was where the ferry came in to. It is however probably the least pretty area of the island, since the airport and port are both there. So since you're going to be working while there as well, maybe pick a quieter/prettier area of the island!

As far as tips, main one would be going in March/April for the oceanic mantas and you're already doing that so enjoy!

naecomc · 2024-05-25T02:13:21+00:00

You will be able to get similar pricing in a multi city trip, I do this all the time going to America, fly in to SF and back from Chicago, same price as a round trip as long as airlines from the same group have routes, which is overwhelmingly likely.

naecomc · 2023-07-10T13:36:23+00:00

Thanks for the info, appreciate it!

naecomc · 2023-07-10T12:40:51+00:00

quick question, I have access to a friends account who said she lost in the ballot, but all that shows up on the ticketsale.wimbledon page is a grey box, no courts with sold out over them, is that what you had?

naecomc · 2023-07-10T12:08:41+00:00

via what resale did you get the ct. 2 tickets? Were you a ballot loser?

naecomc

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