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What To Pack For Your Overseas Experience
Going on your ‘Overseas Experience’ (or ‘OE’ as has become the standard Kiwi slang) is almost a rite of passage for most young New Zealanders. Some take a year off between high school and university, others wait until they have a degree and then there are those that decide that their overseas experience is going to last forever!
Planning for an OE can seem a little daunting; living away from Mum and Dad, leaving the country and not having any set place to stay. It is important to be as prepared as you can be without taking the excitement and spontaneity out of your trip. What should you take with you, where will you stay? Should you look into backpacking tents and which pairs of socks are the warmest?
Backpacking, from whatever way you look at it, is a challenge. Stripping all your possessions down to the very basics and making them fit in a bag on your back is a weird and interesting way to get through life for any period of time. Some people have trouble cleaning out their rooms; pulling apart everything you own down to just necessities can seem impossible. With a bit of thought and planning, picking the essential gear you need can be a lot easier.
First of all, the backpack. Investing the extra money for the most comfortable backpack you can find is worth it. Remember, you have to carry everything in here, clothing, food, shoes, towel, backpacking tents, toiletries and first aid, it isn’t going to be light. Making sure you are as comfortable as you can be is important. Take a comfortable, light if possible, pair of waterproof shoes. Having a cheap or uncomfortable pair of shoes can make travel agony; a bad pair of shoes can really ruin your day. A fast drying towel, a separate compartment bag for toiletries and some wet wipes fit in well too (you never know when you are going to need to clean up a mess!). A first aid kit with bandages, aspirin, any prescription medication and some anti-septic is important too.
A good trick that experienced backpackers will share is taking all the clothing that you need to take with you and halve it. Clothing is what will weigh you down the most, only take the bare minimum. A couple of t-shirts, a pair of jeans and a warm jacket.
Backpacking tents are also a wise investment. Having safety of shelter that is always with you can come in handy. Plans falling through and being left with no place to stay without backpacking tents in a foreign country can be a horrible situation and you should do everything you can to avoid it.
Create a checklist and run through it, making sure you have everything you need. Your OE is about experience and self-discovery. With a lot of planning and preparation, it will be one of the most memorable experiences of your life!
3 Romantic Escapes For Couples to Enjoy an Adventure of Their Own
f you have never tried it you have not experienced the teamwork and thrill of jostling down a wild, foamy waterway with a group of adrenaline pumped strangers who you will be depending on to pull your weight. And sometimes I do mean ‘weight’. We are not all the slim, trim athletic junkies jostling over rocks and rapids, but we do enjoy a good time and the thrill of the next bend in the river.
You cannot see ahead because of the meandering waterway and around every corner a different situation presents itself. You will feel the burn of your muscles and then the adrenaline rush in anticipation of your next drop into a sea of foam. The guide will work you and urge each of you on, pushing you to your limits. The release of laughter and conversation after each drop can only develop in friendship and association with your better half and others. You cannot help but develop a sense of adventure and closeness during this great event.
Hiking For Two
Whether you decide to take on the mountains and valleys of any country, the sights and sounds you will experience can do nothing else but develop a romantic escape between two people. Leaving the stress and problems behind and traveling out to the unknown brings excitement and intimacy in a way that few other travels will compare. The dependency on each other strengthens the bonds between two travelers.
Whether the trip is one day or one week it is important to research the area and get up to date maps. A GPS and compass are mandatory. Informing others as to your route and estimated time of arrival will ensure that you won’t be missed. Plan your trip according to weather and country to be traveled. If you haven’t taken on this great adventure before be sure and research thoroughly your needs for equipment and practice on how to use it.
Taking a Cruise
An adventure of romance. Having yourself pampered. No decisions to be made, just enjoying each others company. What else can I say. If you’ve never taken a cruise, it can be a once in a lifetime experience. Being on the water, enjoying the warm breeze, dancing all night. When you do decide to cruise, a room with a balcony makes all the difference. The extra cost for adventure and romance is worth it. There is so much to do and eat. Experience this adventure once and you will want to repeat this romance. Ask the millions of people who do repeat this adventure. Research the cruise lines, read the comments and choose your romance. You won’t regret it