Life Hacks: 5 Ways to Travel the World on a Shoe String Budget

"I want to travel more" – the answer that’s at the top of most everyone’s bucket list. There’s only one problem, seeing the world doesn’t come cheap – or does it?

 Travel The World on a Shoe String Budget

You’d be wrong for assuming that there isn’t a way to travel on a shoe string budget. With a little forethought and creative budgeting, anyone can hop on a plane and visit some of the most exotic, interesting and historic places in this great big wonderful world of ours.

So, whether you’ve just finished you’re A Level’s and are pining to see the world, or have decided to give up the rat race and don’t have tens of thousands set aside for that global jaunt, here are 5 ways to travel the world on a shoe string budget. And to give you some motivation take a look at this relaxing beach background video filmed in 4K on a paradise beach in one of the cheapest regions to visit in the world: Southeast Asia.

Travel The World on a Shoe String Budget

Work Remotely

Today there are more opportunities for remote working than ever before. Why? The digital revolution of the last two decades has made it possible for people to communicate anywhere in the world instantly.

These ‘location-independent’ workers need only need a laptop or tablet and an internet connection to work. From working in a consultative or freelance capacity to online roles, how people work is evolving. Remote working means that you don’t have to save thousands and thousands before heading out and seeing the world – you can see the world as you work!

Crowdfund Your Trip

For anyone that doesn’t know, crowdfunding is basically where you raise money, donated by other people to pay for something that you really want. All you need to do is create and account and profile online and post why you should receive donations.

The platform exists to help people to achieve their goals in life – no matter what they are! The key to crowdfunding is writing a compelling reason why you should receive any donations. Crowdfunding is used for a wealth of different reasons. From bringing an innovative product to the market or raising money to pay for legal or medical expenses, the reasons are as diverse as those people that pledge to donate.

Remember the more they ‘get’ you, the greater your chances are of hopping on a plane. Be creative, honest and persuasive and you’ll attract attention in no time!

Rent Your Home Through Airbnb

If you intend on travelling for months or even years, Airbnb is a great option. Great for helping you to find sweet vacation accommodation and funding your travel, the website allows you to list your property for rental whist you’re travelling.

Why is this so good? Renting your home whilst you’re off seeing the world is perfect for shoe string budget travel as the rental income you receive can be used to fund your jaunt around the world.

Top Tip How to Travel the World on a Shoe String Budget

If you stay in places like Thailand, for instance, accommodation costs are typically cheaper there than in the UK. This means that you’ll have even more money in your pocket – maybe even enough to save money!

Use Your Skills and Powers of Persuasion

If you’re a talented photographer, social media guru or writer and have the gift of the gab, you may well be able to stay at a hostel for free by offering free marketing services for their business.

Now, if we’re honest some businesses may not go for this – but some just might, and you never know if you don’t ask. Not only could you stay for free but great copy, publicity or vivid HD photographs may just help their business attract more guests, a winner for everyone involved!

Build or Teach Whilst You’re Travelling

Have you ever heard of voluntourism? It’s very popular in the travelling community. It’s basically when you agree to stay in different worldwide locations and teach English as a second language, work for various charities, or build houses for schools and communities in exchange for room and board.

There is a wealth of websites that provide opportunities for anyone to visit some of the remotest or attractive parts of the world. We advise that anyone who feels that this is just the shoe string budget travel opportunity for them to do their homework and research the different companies and organisations that offer such opportunities.

Travel the World on a Shoe String Budget

As you can see there are different ways that anyone to decide how to travel the world on a shoe string budget. These are just five. If you’re encouraged by these opportunities, do some research online and you just find yourself touching down quicker than you could have ever dreamed!

The video below is a sand bank on a beach in the Philippines, one of the best places in the world to travel if you have a shoe string budget. In fact The Lonely Planet's Shoe String Budget is one of the best books you can buy. I have been buying it for 20+ years.

Golf Video Technology: The Secret of Champion Golfers – Revealed

Have you ever asked yourself how exceptional golfers like Tiger Woods do it? Their swing, power, precision, posture and balance. Everything is just perfect, consumed in the sweet epiphany of a hole-in-one. Mesmerizing, to say the least.

What if you could accomplish the same?

You can, and everything you need is the method of the champions, golf video technology. The ultimate way to boost your golf skills to the next level.

Golf Video Technology is The Future 

Duncan Smith who does golf lessons in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, uses video with all his clients "investing and using top video technology improved my own game and now I use it as an essential part of every client's golf instruction. It is the ultimate way to analyze and then improve your swing." He has also managed to turn the technology into a popular video learning channel for golfers everywhere (see below for an example).

 

Feedback Is Vital for Progress

Feedback allows you to correct your mistakes quickly, and therefore, it’s an essential part of your training. Even the most talented and experienced golfers make mistakes, and that’s why they need feedback.

Any competent coach knows it and it can make a huge difference in the performance of a golfer. Furthermore, it has a positive influence on competence and self-motivation, which are powerful variables that translate into a better overall performance.

When you combine it with video technology, feedback acquires a completely new perspective, because it opens the door to multiple opportunities. The coach can analyze every single element patiently and on demand. That is why video feedback technology is very popular amongst professional golf coaches, because it has proven to deliver excellent results and to be helpful in the development of different strategies.

Modern Golf Coaching Should Include Golf Video Technology

Therefore, it plays an important role in the effectiveness of modern golf coaching. That is why champions use it as an integral part of their training, because it allows them to fine-tune every single detail – biomechanics – to produce a much better result, especially if they have hit a plateau.

The downside of video feedback technology is that it is expensive; however, you can get access to it thanks to golf lessons. You will get a professional golf coach and all the equipment necessary to record your performance and identify what areas need urgent improvement.

Science Confirms Golf Video Technology is Improving Golfer's Game

The following study confirmed the superior efficacy of video feedback for learning the golf swing, in comparison to verbal and self-guided instruction. It proves how effective video analysis is for correcting and improving specific elements.

Video captures far more than what the mind can see and process, and even better, you can repeat it on demand. It brings endless possibilities for analysis, and therefore, it is an effective method to improve key cognitive areas of athletes, which improves the performance in a wide myriad of sports including tennis, golf, boxing, swimming, etc.

We, as humans, prefer visual materials, especially in the shape of feedback. That is why video feedback is superior to video instruction, because people learn at a much faster rate.

Science backs up its effectiveness, and therefore, it’s a proven method to improve your performance. If you have hit a plateau, or simply don’t know how to improve your balance, power or precision – or virtually any other aspect of your game – then video feedback can be the solution you are looking for.

Conclusion

Now you can see why golf video technology is the method of the champions. It is the ultimate way of getting effective feedback, and therefore, if you want to improve your skills, you should start using it.

Three OCR Document Scanning Apps That Are Perfect for iPhones

Those old enough will remember offices filing cabinets stretching from floor to ceiling, dividers upon dividers separating important commercial operation documentation and room after room packed full of boxes of business accounts information. As much of a gargantuan waste of space and counterproductive as this may seem in the digital age, for decades this was standard business practice.

Thankfully today this has changed. We have the technology to be free of being bogged down by reams and reams of paper. From meticulous document scanning API OCR to comprehensive file saving thanks to the Cloud, that dreaded mountain of paper has slowly been conquered.

So, if you’re looking for the best apps to help you digitise your documents, look no further. These apps will help you get organised – and make your professional life so much easier.

Office Lens

Developed by Microsoft, Office Lens is an efficient, responsive, easy and simple document scanning app that features advanced OCR.

Perfect for scanning a wealth of office documentation, including documents, whiteboards, images, even business cards, Office Lens is one of the preferred document scanning apps available today.

The app can be easily integrated into different programs, including Apple’s Photo Library and Mail. Images can or exported to a PDF and saved with just a few taps of the screen. Although, Office Lens is not designed with a receipt scanning API, the program is nonetheless capable of scanning a wealth of documents.

The real strength of Office Lens is that it can export most of the Microsoft Office Suite of apps, including Word, Outlook, OneNote, PowerPoint and OneDrive making it easy for you to send scanned documents from anywhere you’re able to access your Microsoft account.

Adobe Scan

Known as one of the simplest apps, Adobe Scan has the distinction of being one of the more favoured document scanning API OCR programs.

The image filtering and auto-cropping and re-aligning features are some of the most advanced available, transforming an otherwise misshapen image into a clear and crisp image. The app also features in-built auto capture OCR receipt and document facilities and allows for basic editing of scanned images.

There is, however, one drawback. Users must be an Adobe Creative Cloud subscriber to use the app. However, Adobe do offer varying membership plans, with the cheapest costing £9.98 a month and the most expensive costing £73.93 a month. For this price, users get access to Adobe Creative Suite and a collection of apps – and they even throw in 10 free stock images! The price you’re willing to pay really depends on the extent you intend to use the app.

 Dropbox 

Convenient and powerful Dropbox for iOS is an OCR receipt and document scanning app that once you try, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without it. The app automatically recognises and scans documents, allowing you to store valuable data on your iPhone.

Not only that, Dropbox has editing and cropping features, allowing you to hone in on an element with ease and even add a colour correction filter. We all know that multi-page document scanning isn’t exactly hassle-free; Dropbox makes it easy to organise pages within a file with its drag and drop function. Receipts and documents can be saved as either pdf or png files.

The attraction of Dropbox is that users can do all their scanning and organising in the app. All you’ll need is a Dropbox business account. Try linking it to your personal account to reap the benefits of both!

These are just three document scanning apps that you can use with an iPhone. Try one today and see how you can streamline business processes, making your life much easier!

Best Lens for taking photos: Fujifilm 50mm f2 Vs Viltrox 56mm f1.4

Why Salsa Dancing is the Perfect Hobby

Last year I began taking salsa classes. I was shy and overweight. Now I am far less shy and the correct weight- approximately a year after getting into salsa. There has been a steady improvement in my weight, fitness and shyness over the past year.

I have been reading self improvement books and tried cycling more often, but I believe salsa dancing has had the biggest effect. It is the compound effect (I got this from one of the books I read), which is like the snowball effect. The more I socialised, the easier it became. When you go to salsa classes and then salsa socials, you will get asked to dance by strangers. You will soon find it easy to ask others to dance too. Then you can't help but make friends with regulars.

Salsa dancing isn't an extreme exercise, but apparently we should be doing natural movements rather than intensive gym work. This is something else I have learned from a self help book I read this year (Blue Zones). Although my weight loss has been slow, it has been noticeable- which kept me interested in regular attendance at classes.

Besides the two benefits above, salsa has introduced me to the amazing world of Latin music. I have become a big fan of Buena Vista Social Club, The Fania Allstars, Antonio Carlos Jobim and many more Latin artists and bands. I have amassed a rather impressive collection of albums from Cuban jazzy salsa to smooth Brazilian bossanova.

Being a resident of Manchester in the UK, the weather is usually grey skies and regular rain. There is just something about Latin music which makes me feel more upbeat and happy. It is summery music and is ideal to lift my mood. I used to use the best of Madness, but that one CD has been very over played in my car. Now I have 20+ Latin albums to choose from too. All good vibes- making me feel like it is summer and reminding me of the fun I have at salsa classes and socials.

I highly recommend salsa dancing to anyone who wants a new hobby. Especially if you are like me and overweight and/or shy. It is a hobby literally for all ages. I have seen kids dancing to salsa and OAPs. Give it a try and you too may also get a new lease of life. Just look in your local paper or better still find a website listing classes in your area e.g. I typed in Salsa classes Manchester and got a website listing all salsa classes and socials in and around my region. Generally the prices are very fair and the standard is good (in terms of teachers and venues), at least in Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire.

My New Favorite Filipino Food in London

I used to live in the Philippines for business, now I am in the UK. Filipino cuisine is very much an underrated food (if you get the good stuff) and I love catching up with my favorites like adobo and laing- his one can kill you if not cooked properly: the leaves are poisonous if not cooked long enough, but it tastes great (coconut and green leaves).

Anyway I have a couple of restaurants I like to visit in London but this month a new one opened. They seem to be getting pretty amazing press and I can understand why. The restaurant serves Filipino cuisine with a contemporary twist. It is exciting and delicious. Best of all they have both of my favorite dishes on the menu.

Luzon Restaurant is just doing a "pop up" run for a couple of months, but I am sure they will go ahead with their plans for a full opening next year. Click on the photos below to go through to their website menu page. If you are like me your mouth will also be watering at the descriptions.

Small selection of the food at LUZON Filipino Restaurant London 

I have been twice so far and will certainly be returning at least once more before they close in Autumn. They change the menu each month so I am waiting for September for my next "feeding".

If you Google them you will see videos of the restaurant, including one of a feature on Filipino TV! I have a feeling filipino cuisine will be the next big thing.

Luzon is located down a pretty non descript alleyway in Russell Square in London. You should use the image and directions on their bookings page at http://www.luzon.co.uk/reservations/ and you can request a booking online which is pretty cool.

Best and Worst Cities to Invest in Property

Property can be a wonderful investment. We only have so much land and if you have a prime location, you can make a killing. McDonalds is often referred to as a real estate company as their restaurants are in such amazing locations. If they were to sell the building and the land they would make a killing most times.

The current Worst Place in the World to Invest in Property is East Asia

China is not somewhere anyone would even consider investing in right now. There are whole cities which have turned into ghost towns. Watch the very good Vice documentary on this online.

Beside China, Thailand is also a place I would not advise you invest in Property. I believe Thailand is where a bubble is about to burst.

Personal debt is spiralling out of control and a slew of ignorant building projects have left the real estate industry on thin legs. One example is in the capital city of the north of Thailand, Chiang Mai, where 4 luxury malls opened up in a single year. There are only 150,000 living in the city and there were already 2 large malls. At least one of these new developments is doomed to failure with most betting on the extremely quiet Promenada.

If you could find a great value building contractor in Thailand, you may get something back on your investment, but it wouldn't be quick and it would also be fairly unlikely. You would need a good guy on the ground who can source quality imported workers from next door; Mayanmar (Burma). If it was me I would just say don't get involved, at least until the bubble bursts which should be fairly soon.

Japan (and more specifically Tokyo) is a technology hotspot and popular with expats who get a job with a big international company, who will help with the visa. A friend of mine is a self employed computer programmer and he says the process for a Highly Skilled Professional Visa in Japan was difficult alone. An immigration lawyer with experience helping foreigners setup businesses in Japan was definitely necessary.

The Current Best Place in the World to Invest in Property is Dubai and the rest of the United Arab Emirates

The reason why Dubai, Qatar and Abu Dhabi make great investments is because of their location and their recovery from the world financial recession of 2008. Check out Bling Dubai to see how the place is prospering with exotic restaurants, bars and adventures.

The UAE is a travel hub which connects Asia to Europe. Most flights use the 3 airlines for the 3 mentioned states; Emirates for Dubai, Qatar for Qatar and Etihad for Abu Dhabi. All are excellent airlines and Emirates was even voted the very best in 2013.

Dubai suffered its own economic downturn in 2006, two years before the global recession hit. This was actually a positive in terms of todays situation. The real estate market is set to peak mid way through 2015, making now the perfect time to invest.

I would choose Dubai over the others simply because Dubai is the one which has done the most to stand out. Etihad have sponsored Manchester City football club and the football World Cup will be held in Qatar, but they just aren't enough when you think back to what Dubai has achieved.

Dubai's rise came from oil money which began flowing like water in the late 60s. This has help fund the perfect planned city. What was once a dessert is now a bustling metropolis with every modern luxury and then some.
Dubai has gone that little bit farther than anyone else, to break records and astound the world with extravagant building projects. The construction companies in Dubai like F&A Contracting find that they have a constant stream of customers who want exciting projects such as luxury mansions and villas.

The fact that Dubai is now a travel hub means that there is no bubble to burst. It has had it's ups and downs and has survived admirably, thanks to some intelligent governing.

If I was looking for a project to invest in right now it would be a luxury home in Dubai, in fact I just recommended the above company to a friend a week ago.

Trends are hard to predict but I expect prices to rise slightly and then peak approximately mid way through the year. From then on I would expect 3-5 years of steady valuations.

Moving to Manchester and Learning the Slang

Manchester seems to be a region of the UK with lots of slang words and phrases. The most baffling one for me is that they call dinner "tea". Sounds crazy doesn't it?

I will soon be living in Manchester for a while so decided to look up some local terms. The Manchester Evening News had a great page for words and phrases that a "Manc" would use.

I also found the video below at a local school where you can learn English in Manchester. It appears they also address local phrases and words as well as English courses. Check out the video to get a feel for the accent too.

The description of the video sums up the phrases they focus on. Ones that were new to me included "mardy" meaning grumpy, "blinder" meaning great time and the others I knew or kind of half knew.

If you are going to live in Manchester I recommended saving the video and the newspaper link so that you fit in easier. If you can speak like the locals fo you will find communication much easier.

I went to Newcastle once with no research into local phrases and words. It felt like I was almost in another country at times. I had to get some Geordies to explain really basic things for them, which was embarrassing. So this time I am going prepared for Manchester.

If you think any words or phrases have been left out please add them in the comments below. This is probably my last post of the year. I hope everyone had a great Christmas (I still feel bloated) and...

Have a Happy New Year

Should I or Shouldn't I Move to Chiang Mai

Should you Move to Chiang Mai Update 2019

We have lived in Chiang Mai on and off for 5 years and absolutely love it. There are a few quirks like a terrible smokey season where the air is unhealthy from February to mid April. It was particularly bad this year and topped the chart for most dangerous city in the world many times.

My hobby has become street photography in Chiang Mai. Here is an example below. It is a great place to catch local characters, tourists and some cool old buildings.

street photo of a rickshaw driver in Chiang Mai's Waroros Market (the biggest market here)

Original post:

I am thinking about dropping everything and going off around the world. I work online mostly and recon as long as I have a decent internet connection, I should be able to do it. Visit Explore Asia for more about living and visiting this part of the world.

There are these guys calling themselves digital nomads and living in places like Chiang Mai in Thailand semi long term. There are plenty of other hotspots for these guys in Indonesia, Vietnam and outside of Asia.

The more I read up on this the more I think I want to do it. Especially with the January to March grey skies of the UK coming up. On the other hand there is the dangerous smokey season in Chiang Mai at this time. Hmmm, we shall see.

Cool Home Office Furniture

So I gave up my job last month as you may or may not know, in order to pursue my dream of becoming a writer. Working from home has always been a dream of mine and it is now time to get things in order. Planning out a comfortable home office was top of my to do list. Here are the ideas I have come up with so far…


Desk

This desk is perfect for me. It has the modern yet retro style with clean curves. This should help to free space in your mind if you manage to avoid clutter. At least that is what I am thinking. I’m not sure where to find this one but this is the style I am after. For extra cool download some video screensavers for your PC screen for when you take a break. I particularly like aquarium downloads.

Chair

I originally started looking at more attractive seating for my desk. Then I realised that to increase productivity you need to go ergonomic. This ugly looking creating is very well rated and should be conductive to long writing sessions. It is on sale at the moment from Office Furniture Online for just £129, which is far cheaper than many similar chairs.

Lounge Chair

Regular breaks are essential and a comfortable place to take 5 is going to hep me recharge my batteries. This chair is stylish and comes with it’s own foot rest. I can just see myself relaxing with a book, meditating or dosing off in this thing. This costs £139.99 from Fabulous Furniture.

Xmas Gifts for Holidays and Sports

I have been getting into fitness recently so thought it would be a good idea to merge sport and travel in my Xmas gift ideas post.  Below you should find a gift or two for loved ones this holiday season.

Xmas Gift For Skiers

Part of my new getting in shape lifestyle has been about learning to ski. I have been to an indoor slope for lessons and my coach recommended the Sweetspot Ski Trainer to me too. It is an inexpensive little gadget that you use at home. Basically just attach it to your boots and then practice skiing.

The Sweetspot is quite big news at the moment in skiing circles because it really does mimic the feeling of skiing on snow. Anyway I own a pair and have been using it to prepare for my winter ski holiday in Switzerland. I haven’t done the real thing yet but skiing felt much easier and more natural at the indoor slope after a short time using the Sweetspot. Check out the video below for more information:

Xmas Gift for Gadget Lovers

I have been a bit of a gadget geek this year, reading and watching reviews of phones and tablets. When it comes to phones the HTC One was the top choice earlier in the year. Then the iPhone 5s came out and now looks to be the number 1 choice.

But my Xmas gift idea for gadget lovers has to be the new iPad Air. I haven’t bought one yet but it looks spectacular. The standard iPads were always too big and heavy for me so I have been using the Mini version. I was planning on getting the new Retina Mini but the reduction in weight and size of the full sized iPad has convinced me to move up to the larger size.

It isn’t cheap, especially if you want more than the basic 16 GB of memory, but it is a fantastic device with amazing reviews from everyone who has one so far. The size and weight will make it a joy to use when on holiday.

Xmas Travel Stocking Fillers

Here is a list of items which can be bought as small gifts:

- Quick drying, small packing travel towels. These can be found very cheaply on eBay or get a brand name for better quality.

- Power banks are small battery charging devices which most travellers will find very useful for recharging phones and tablets.  Prices vary but look for one with a large capacity and slim size.

- Other phone and tablet accessories. There are thousands of extras you can buy for devices now. Find out what your recipient owns then get on Amazon and find them a useful accessory. I am a big fan of rubber protective cases for travel. A good pair of earphones or lightweight headphones would also make a good gift. Owners of large tablets may appreciate a bluetooth keyboard. Portable bluetooth speakers are also a great idea.

Christmas Gift for Women who don't need anything sporty

OK, so I asked my wife this year what equipment she needed. None was the reply. I went through all our hobbies and sports and just didn't get a single hint. Sometimes you just have to stick to the classics, so I used my go-to company for very nice perfume and ordered some which I hope is to her liking, the last two from Jizan Perfumes were excellent.

Jizan Perfumes are an international fragrance retailer with impressive prices

Best things to do to improve your home on a sunny day

The weather in the UK has been great recently. It is times like these when we like to enjoy barbecues and visits to the park. It is also an ideal opportunity to get your home looking better. Here are some of the most effective ways to make good use of the good weather:

Clean your paving:

Break out that pressure washer and get blasting away! One of the first things people notice when they visit your home is the driveway. Pressure washing it will remove dirt and often bring it up like new.

Of course we all want to sit on the patio when it is a sunny day, so give that a good clean too. You might want to check your waterproofing before doing this. If the black waterproof membrane is not 2 bricks below then you should seek the help of an expert to avoid damp. Just search Google for waterproofing and your location like waterproofing contractors in Dubai and you will find someone to put your mind at ease.

Clean your roof:

Cleaning your roof is another great way to make a massive difference to the appearance of your home. This one is a little trickier because of the safety precautions needed. I opted to hire a specialist in for this a couple of months ago and the result is amazing. The company I used can be found at roof cleaning Cheshire for anyone in the area (they also do paving repairs).

If you are going to attempt to clean your roof then you will need to read up on the best methods. I recommend this page as a starting point. Remember that safety comes first so this isn’t a job you can cut corners on. It is certainly worth adding a treatment to protect the tiles in future.

Take a video to enjoy in the winter:

I got this idea from this site who make amazing videos from everyday scenes. You will need a good video camera or camcorder for this. All you need to do is find a good spot, lay the camera down (make sure it is level!), then record for a while. You can then save the videos and set them to repeat on your media player. I’ve made 3 so far and will surely appreciate them on my TV come winter time. Or visit an aquarium downloads website to download a TV or PC screensaver of some nice fish tanks.

Loosing weight after a holiday

I recently went on a big 3 week holiday which meant eating out every night and drinking beer most days too. I came back looking like I had put half a stone on. I expect many of you have similar problems when you get back from a holiday. So here is how I lost the weight, and even a little extra.

1. Juicing
A juice extractor is a great investment. These machines differ from blenders because they remove all the fibre from fruit and vegetables. This means you are left with all the pulp which is thrown away (or some use it for baking or compost). The benefit of this is that it is really easy to get nutrients from vegetables which are too dense for smoothies.

Cheap juice extractors will do a pretty good job most of the time so there is no need to splash out hundreds on an expensive machine. In terms of recipes just be sure to include an apple and you will generally be fine to add combination of vegetables (excluding potatoes). I generally use one apple, a couple of carrots and then one or more of beetroot, celery, spinach, cucumber, tomato.

Make a pint of juice and have it replace one meal, or at least make one meal much smaller. They are fairly filling and if you want to fast track your weight loss, just make enough juice for 2 glasses and save the rest for later. Be sure to store in an airtight container and fill the juice right to the top. A good place to buy a juicer is Amazon because they have all price options and customer reviews.

2. Hypnosis
This one won’t work on everyone. You need to have an open mind. You can see a hypnotherapist which is likely to bring the best results. However these aren’t cheap and they take a good chunk out of your day with travel time. So I chose the self hypnosis route with this gastric band hypnosis CD. I have to say it sees to be working. Along with the juice I seem to be eating smaller portions and less snacks.

3. Get Active
Now this one is easier said than done if you are used to avoiding sports and other physical activity like me. The solution just kind of happened naturally when my partner suggested we try rock climbing together. I’d enjoyed it in the past but never really kept it up without a partner. Someone needs to hold the rope in case you fall and it just isn’t as fun with an instructor.

With my partner it was far more relaxed and enjoyable and there is an element of competition which adds some spice. So my advice is to encourage your partner or a friend to try something new. It doesn’t need to be a sport, couples love dancing classes, walking and tonnes of other things too. Just find something you will both enjoy and get out there!

Is Hong Kong a good place to mix business and travel?

Hong Kong is actually the ideal place to mix business and travel. This small country is a hub for Asian business and has the perfect location as it is part of/next to China.

There are many international corporations who have set up their Asian Headquarters in Hong Kong and thousands of expats from all over the world live there. Living standards are far higher than most places in China and the rest of Asia.



Those who have the time to mix travel with business will find it the perfect location. The international Hong Kong airport is located on Lantau Island which is easily reached by ferry, car or rail from downtown HK.

This island is actually becoming the preferred location for expats as prices can be as low as 30% off the housing rates in downtown areas. Discovery Bay is a great example of a Lantau residential area which has a high standard of English schools and residential properties at reasonable prices. Tung Chung is another popular area on Lantau.

The Importance Of Lone Worker Protection

Lone worker protection is essential for companies that have employees working alone in vulnerable situations. It is the best way to ensure the safety of employees who are at risk of verbal and physical abuse. By using this type of security system, employers can reduce their liability and keep their employees safe.

An employee that is working alone providing services to commercial or residential clients needs to know that their employer will take their personal safety seriously at all times. Even a job site that may not seem high risk still has the potential for danger. With lone worker protection, both workers and employers will have peace of mind.

There are various types of systems designed to protect lone workers. Advancements in technology have led to the creation and development of sophisticated systems that can alert emergency staff with the simple push of a button. GPS technology allows an employee to be monitored and located quickly in case of an incident.

Some systems will alert an employer if the worker does not check in at a designated time or if they do not respond after a scheduled appointment should be completed. Continuous monitoring is ideal for employers who wish to monitor conversations and movement. Should an adverse situation occur, employers can provide the necessary assistance right away.

Many systems also include a panic button, allowing the employee to reach assistance in an emergency situation. Every worker should feel that they are being looked after properly by their employers. Even a work environment that may seem safe at first can quickly escalate, leaving a worker in a vulnerable position.

No employer can afford to take the safety of their workforce lightly. Workers should be able to manage their time in the field and get assistance in any emergency. The best way to reduce company liability and provide a greater level of safety for all employees working on a remote basis is with proper and effective lone worker protection. One way is with these guys.

Managers are relied upon to keep workers safe by following the correct procedures and laws.  The Lone Worker Protection definitely falls in this category, as all managers with the proper knowledge-base will know how to maneuver in those waters.  A masters degree in management will cover these topics, as their importance has grown with the rise of remote employees

Self Catering Holiday Cottages

If you are looking for self catering holiday cottages to let while on holiday, maybe this will help you. There are many different luxury cottages that you can choose from.

There is one in Gloucestershire England called Rose Cottage. This place is ideal for couples. It sits right next to the Cotswold Water Park and there is a footpath that takes you to Keynes Country Park. The park is ideal for canoeing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, fishing, swimming, or bird watching. The cottage sleeps two and has a sitting room, kitchen, log burner, shower room, washing machine, tumble dryer, internet access and car parking spaces outside.

Another cottage in Gloucestershire England that you can stay at is the Dove Cottage. It sleeps two guests and is great for those who are seeking a romantic hideaway. It features a sitting room, wood burning stove, fully equipped kitchen, dishwasher, washer and dryer, tiled bathroom, and an outside patio garden that is surrounded by flowerbeds.

Devon has some nice cottages if you are thinking of visiting there. There is the Honeysuckle Cottage which is perfect for those wanting a short break from life. Near the cottage you will find beaches and a variety of other places to visit. The cottage has its own private hot tub, private garden, patio, decking area, a modern wet room, fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and more. Another place you can stay at is Bryher. This cottage is one mile away from the popular resort of Seaton. Seaton is a part of the World Heritage Jurassic Coast. The cottage features a lounge, fireplace, breakfast room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, internet access, an outside garden, and more.

So if you are interested in spending some time in England, why not stay at a holiday cottage. They have all the amenities you will need to make your stay comfortable.

Vietnam Holidays For Traveling - Beautiful Country But Cats and Dogs Eaten

If you are looking for Vietnam holidays for your vacation, maybe this will help you. But first a little advocacy about a very bad habit in Vietnam.

Stop eating cats and dogs in Vietnam

But before we continue please be aware that Vietnam is a country where eating dogs is legal. We would love to see dog meat banned in Vietnam. Plus cat meat which is more "underground".

Vietnam has souring mountains, a fantastic coastline, and nice looking rice fields. Inland, peasant women tend to their fields and children ride buffalo s along country pathways. To escape the buzz of motorbikes in Vietnam, go west to the watery landscape of sleepy villages and green fields in the Mekong Delta.

To feel the spiritual, intellectual, and cultural side of this place, make a stop at Hue. This place is the home to pagodas, palaces, temples and tombs, and is host to the biennial arts festival. It is the place to see for culinary, historical, and cultural stimulation.

In Hanoi, the country’s capital, get up to watch the city work out around Hoan Kiem Lake, then show your respects to Uncle Ho in the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. You can see if you can find the ‘pickled fish street’ in the Old Quarter, and quench your thirst with draught beer at ‘bia hoi junction’.

While visiting in Vietnam you should eat on the Street. Vietnamese food is best in small market areas or at street side, and though it might be a little off-putting to some people, dining alfresco in old Indochina offers the most delicious and authentic meals. Prepare yourself for some cool dining experiences. If you’re in Ho Chi Minh City, you should try the Quan An Ngon Restaurant.

Vietnam’s remote mountain regions is another thing that you should experience. The Central Highlands and the far north, are home to a ethnic minorities. Ethnic hill tribe people practice their own brands of animistic religion and wear colourful traditional clothing.

So if you are looking to immerse yourself in the Vietnamese culture, you should try doing the above things while you are visiting there. A met a guy called Mike in Vietnam who has a blog your might find interesting: Mike's travel blog.

Popular Indian Ocean Honeymoon Destinations

Couples who are searching for a romantic honeymoon destination should consider an Indian Ocean getaway. The Indian Ocean offers white sandy beaches, clear water and gorgeous turquoise lagoons. The scenery is breathtaking and the first-class service is amazing. Couples can spend time on the beach, go snorkeling or diving and visit all of the local tourist attractions.

Why the Indian Ocean Is Popular For a Honeymoon Holiday?
The Indian Ocean is a popular honeymoon destination for couples around the world because it offers amazing hotels and resorts, delicious food and beautiful beaches. Newlyweds have plenty of choices when it comes to Indian Ocean accommodations. Couples can choose to spend their honeymoon in India, Maldives, Seychelles or one of the other popular Indian Ocean destinations.

Honeymoon in India
India is a beautiful place to spend a week long vacation. Couples can travel to Rajasthan, which is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in India. Visitors can take fabulous photographs of the beaches and mountains as they explore the area. They can travel to top tourist attractions such as the Taj Mahal in Agra and experience the taste of genuine Indian cuisine. There are plenty of terrific resorts throughout India that offer first class service.

Spending Time in Maldives
Maldives offers gorgeous private island resorts where couples can enjoy a luxurious honeymoon. Couples searching for a peaceful destination will love staying in one of the great Maldives resorts. The area is sunny throughout the year so couples can enjoy spending time on the beach. They can also go whale watching and have the chance to see dolphins swim in their natural habitat.

Visiting Seychelles
Seychelles offers an exotic atmosphere that is perfect for couples in love. Visitors can enjoy beaches, palm trees and crystal clear waters. They can go on a romantic honeymoon cruise and enjoy dining at island restaurants. The area offers amazing French cuisine that is sure to delight guests. Couples who enjoy nature will have the opportunity to see tropical wildlife while they are staying in Seychelles.

Couples are sure to have a wonderful time no matter which one of the Indian Ocean destinations they choose for their honeymoon. The amazing island atmosphere is perfect for couples who are searching for a relaxing break away from it all. Couples can talk to their travel agent about any Indian Ocean deals that are currently available or they can search for great honeymoon travel deals on the Internet.

Make The Most Of Your Luxury All Inclusive Holidays

When the time comes to people who like to holiday in style, individuals should always look for the best deals. Sometimes cheap flights can be found in a myriad of different places. This may sometimes even means seeking to book early. By doing this, people make some great savings on a host of different destinations.

Luxury All Inclusive Holidays - What Makes Them Better?

Aside from this, one can also look at luxury all inclusive holidays. When looking at them first, it may seem that such a vacation is a little expensive. There is no need to worry here. Most of these holidays are going to include all expenses paid in one lump sum.

It means that the hotel, activities and food and drink are going to be free after the payment is made. Indeed, some companies may decide to team up with each other. In doing this, they shall be able to offer low cost flights as well. It involves little planning and less spending.

Luxury All Inclusive Holidays are Better with Kids

For parents who want to give their kids a treat, they are perfect. Even couples heading away on honeymoon will definitely like this idea. It will mean not having to worry about spending money, as everything is paid for. The resort can often play host to a whole array of interesting activities.

If one is bringing young children, it will be necessary to keep them occupied. This may mean looking to see if there are nurseries, or even creches available. Such places will be able to keep the kids for a couple of hours. Sometimes babysitter services are also available.

Start your search for a bargain 5 star all inclusive holiday now

So start booking today. All inclusive holidays will allow for some serious relaxation. Parents won’t have to worry as the kids are being looked after. On top of all this, people will be able to go without the worry of counting their pennies. This is definitely an added bonus.

Update mid 2020: Due to the pandemic the travel industry was hit so hard that there are some amazing deals for luxurious all inclusive holidays to be found, as borders re-open. Just keep in mind that situations can change if booking now e.g. travel restrictions. But if you want to take a chance you will find bargains galore. Booking holidays for the future should also be cheaper now.

How To Choose The Perfect Honeymoon Holiday

Your vows have been exchanged, the bouquet has been tossed and the cake has been cut. Once the wedding formalities are over with and you have wined and dined with your guests, you are anxious to set off for your honeymoon. To make sure that your honeymoon holiday is a memorable one, carefully consider the following prerequisite guidelines:

The honeymoon location should be a joint decision

It really is advised for both bride and groom to be involved in choosing a honeymoon holiday. Before you decide to book a hotel or purchase the plane ticket run over the options with your future spouse and try to reach a mutually acceptable decision! Seasoned wedding planners would agree that it is always better to rule out the element of surprise than have a wretched experience!


Tailor-make the honeymoon holiday to suit your interests & tastes

A memorable honeymoon holiday hinges on the couple’s flair for details as well. Some newlyweds prefer to opt for a secluded romantic location where nobody intrudes on their privacy and hence allows them to fully enjoy each other’s company. Others step out of traditional norms and envisage an utterly different honeymoon: instead of finding themselves whisked away on an idyllic, private Caribbean island, they need to meet other people, explore different cultures, face challenges – in short, get the adrenaline flowing through their veins. Therefore, before you choose a honeymoon location make sure you will not get bored or feel ill at ease.


Mind the budget

A mistake no newlyweds should make is to gloss over the overall costs when choosing a honeymoon destination. It is of utmost importance that all offers are thoroughly considered before making the final choice. After all, although accommodation and location are vital in determining the success of your first and presumably passionate romantic getaway as a couple, how much you spend on such a holiday should remain within the bounds of reasonability especially when you are on a tight budget!


Be in tune with your instincts!

When choosing a honeymoon holiday, most future spouses are inclined to book a hotel room or a bungalow on an exotic island or in a romantic city. Traditional locations sure to capture the hearts of most honeymoon couples! But if, while perusing through a colourful travel brochure, you find a less touted yet interesting place, you should yield to your instincts and spend your honeymoon there! In the end, choosing a honeymoon holiday is not as easy, all one has to is is to bargain for all ups and downs!