We arrived in Zhongdian after trekking through Tiger Leaping Gorge. Buses apparently run between the two locations of a fairly regular basis but, as ours never materialized, we instead hitched a lift with a local. Whilst the distance wasn’t vast, the landscape changed dramatically during the course of our journey and the foreboding rocks of the canyon soon gave way to open planes. As our old and dented car rattled onwards and upwards, the temperature dropped further and we, huddled together in the back, began to wish we had packed the thermals.

By the time we arrived in town the light had faded and, with the help of our driver, we navigated the narrow cobbled streets looking for a guesthouse that had been recommended to us by a fellow traveller. Luckily it didn’t take long to find the building in question and after thanking our driver we headed inside. The inn itself was tiny, consisting of only four rooms and one communal bathroom area. That said, what it lacked in space it made up for in character and the open log fire at reception provided us with the warmth we had been craving. Though we were tired, the young receptionist recommended a nearby restaurant called Arro Khampa and, after dumping our belongings, we took her advice and went to get a bite to eat.

As luck would have it, Arro Khampa was in fact the nicest restaurant in China. The owners were incredibly hospitable, the food divine and the price embarrassingly reasonable. One of our favourite dishes included yakow meat - a cross between a domestic cow and a yak. These animals are found in places like Zhongdian because the altitude is too high for cows but too low of yaks. In terms of taste, it was like incredibly rich beef. Anyway, after a hearty meal we headed back to our inn and planned the next day’s escapades.

The joy of Zhongdian is that you encounter something new every time you turn a corner. Though tourism is on the increase and a handful of backpacker orientated cafes have opened up, you still feel as though you’re exploring an authentic and unspoilt corner of a country otherwise obsessed with modernisation. Indeed, as we wondered the dusty roads leading out of town we regularly came across local markets selling everything from scrap metal to mushrooms. Amazingly, the locals continue to wear their traditional dress, despite the gradual influx of mass produced alternatives. The style is naturally Tibetan and the bright vibrant colours made me reach for my camera almost continually. That said, I tried my best to be unobtrusive and refrained from taking pictures of individuals without their permission… well, at least without them realising.

It was during one of our unplanned strolls that we noticed something colourful flapping high up on a hill. Upon reaching the summit we found a large shrine covered in prayer flags, all swaying gently in the icy breeze. As we stood alone admiring the views of the nearby mountains and the sound of the wind whistling through the trees, I began to understand why the Chinese claim that this place was the inspiration for the legendary Shangri-La.

After our hill climbing antics we decided to visit the little known Songzanlin Monastery that lies just a few kilometers outside of town (Bus No.3, last stop). The structure itself is like a scaled down version of the Potala Palace in Lhasa and, though smaller, at least you don’t have to share it with as many tourists. Though the palace was renovated in 2005 and given a new coat of paint, the buildings are by no means superficial and this is demonsrated by the large number of monks that live and worship here. Whilst we had lost track of the number of temples and pagodas we visited during our time in China, it was hard not to be captivated by the Songzanlin Monastery.

But then again, it’s hard not to be captivated by Zhongdian, full stop. You don’t even have to leave the town to experience jaw dropping buildings and natural beauty. Even after the sun sets, the action continues at the central square where all the locals – and tourists - gather to dance to traditional Tibetan music. The atmosphere is amazing and you’d be forgiven for thinking that you had somehow fallen into some type of dreamy musical.

Zhongdian really wet our appetite for Tibet but, alas, time was not on our site and we instead had to head south in order to cross into Vietnam. However, despite travelling through South East Asia for a further six months, very few places impressed us to the extent Zhongdian did. To tell you the truth, if it were not for the fact that we don’t want to disturb our memories of this magical place, we’d return here time and time again.

You see, get hurt in the UK and, thanks to the NHS, you will quickly be scooped up, whisked to hospital and, provided you avoid the superbugs, be good as new in no time. Now, if you were to get hurt in, for example, Thailand, much the same would happen. You would be scooped up, taken to the nearest hospital, patched up and then handed a bill for £10,000. Spot the difference?

Health care costs much more than most people realise and an ambulance ride alone can cost a good few hundred pounds - imagine if you needed a rescue helicopter! So, unless you have money to burn, I strongly recommend you read on…

Ah ha, but I have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC / E111)!
The new card allows EU nationals to obtain the same level of healthcare as a local resident in a member country when travelling. Whilst no doubt fantastic, the card does, however, not cover you for repatriation, accommodation expenses and additional costs you may incur as a direct result of your accident. Naturally, the card also only covers you for healthcare and not the loss of your possessions. Admittedly, we have travelled in Europe with just the card, but you would be well advised to buy additional cover, especially if you plan to be away for a while.

Okay, so what do I need to buy?
Thankfully, travel insurance is relatively simple and you really only need to be concerned with two things: emergency medical expenses and baggage cover. That said, your policy will probably also include additional protection including cancellation, abandonment and personal liability cover, and these can be useful. However, to keep this article on track, I’ll stick to the basics and instead strongly recommend that you research these additional features.

Quite simply, emergency medical expenses cover refers to the amount of money your insurer will pay if you get hurt and need hospital treatment. Most insurers will pay up to around £5 to £10 million, although you’re never realistically going to need it all. Baggage cover protects you if someone swipes your backpack and, whilst your insurer sadly can’t retrieve your belongings, they can at least reimburse you.

Most insurers offer two types of insurance, single or annual multi-trip. As the names suggests, single trip cover will protect you for one trip whilst annual multi-trip cover allows you to travel as much as you want throughout the year - provided you abide by certain restrictions. If you travel more than 2 times a year, annual multi-trip cover is almost always a much better deal.

The problem backpackers or long-term travellers often encounter is finding a policy that can cover them for the duration of their trip. Many insurers are geared up for standard holidays and they place rather tight limits on how long you can stay away. Whilst I am not going to advertise or promote any particular company (as they are pretty much all the same), there are a number of backpacker orientated insurers that you can utilise.

What am I covered for?
Good question. It’s important to check exactly what you are covered for before handing over your money. Whilst climbing mountains and hiking into the wilderness may be fun, it makes underwriters nervous and, unless you confirm beforehand, you may find that your policy won’t cover you for much more than walking around your hotel room. As previously noted, many insurance policies are tailored for standard family holidays and there are often restrictions on, for example, how high you can climb, how deep you can dive and what type of motorbike you can ride. Get hurt whilst ignoring the rules and your policy is about as much use as a bucket and mop on the titanic. Again, check all the details before you buy and, if the policy wording doesn’t make it clear, phone for confirmation and, if possible, get it put in writing.

When it comes to baggage, you also have to be very careful. Most travel insurance comes with a “single article limit” and, though the total sum you are covered for may be high, you cannot claim more than this limit for any one article. So, if you lose your semi-professional digital SLR camera, for example, you may only be able to reclaim a fraction of its true cost. This is the biggest problem people tend to encounter and, generally speaking, insurers seem quite good at paying out on baggage claims. That said, many will require evidence of your loss so I recommend looking below for details on how to make a claim.

Declare all medical conditions
Even if you don’t consider it to be an issue, make sure you declare ALL medical conditions to your chosen insurer. Conditions like asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure may be fairly common, but failing to declare such ailments can easily invalidate your policy. In the event of a major accident your insurers may well go snooping through your medical records. If they find an undisclosed condition that could have - realistically or theoretically - been the cause of the incident, you may find yourself without funding. Importantly, don’t be embarrassed about revealing conditions, the advisers on the other end have heard it all before and, to be honest, don’t care.

Can I extend my insurance if I choose to stay away longer?
Hmmm, this is a tough one. Whilst it is by no means impossible, you will have to phone your insurer and discuss the matter with them. Insurers don’t like uncertainty and customers changing their travel plans is enough to make them wet themselves. If at all possible, try and get the dates correct to begin with but, if that fails, give them a ring. However, never set up a new policy online whilst abroad - very few companies will honour the contract unless it commenced when you were still in your home country.

How do I claim?
If you are involved in a serious accident requiring lengthy or costly hospital treatment, you need to make contact with your insurers. You must make sure you travel with all your documentation as this will include emergency contact details and, importantly, your policy number. If you are not in a state to phone yourself, the hospital will normally be able to make the arrangements for you.

Difficulties can arise, however, when you are in a particularly remote part of a lesser travelled country, where the staff have never even seen a foreigner before, let alone travel insurance certificates. Just bear that in mind before you decide to go bungee jumping in the deepest darkest corners of North Korea.

For smaller accidents requiring less attention, you may wish to settle the bill yourself and claim the costs back once you are home. Naturally, make sure you get some type of receipt and, preferably, a detailed breakdown of the treatment you received.

In regards to baggage, this is almost always settled upon returning home and it is vital that you have evidence to substantiate your claim. Make sure you get a police report if your baggage is stolen or a letter from the airline if it went missing whilst in transit. Some insurers also request that you notify them of the loss as soon as you can, even if you intend to claim once you return home.

As always, read the literature your insurer provides as the claims process can vary and the last thing you want is a surprise.

… and that pretty much sums it up. Remember, travelling without insurance is a personal choice and, like smoking, some people do seem to get away with it. The question you have to ask yourself is, do you feel lucky punk, well do you?

That said, organising such a trip is no easy feat and it takes considerable time to find a school, negotiate contracts and arrange the necessary visas. However, if you manage to pull it off, you’re going to have the adventure of a lifetime.

Initial Research
The key to getting an overseas teaching position is research, research and more research. There is a vast amount of information available online and I strongly recommend that you start with Dave’s ESL Café, the bible of teaching abroad. Here you will find forums, advice, teaching adverts and, above all else, a large community of experienced English Teachers.

Choosing a country
Deciding where to teach is a big decision. Remember, this is not a quick vacation, your going to be spending the best part of a year living in this country so it’s important that you make your choice carefully. All countries have their pros and cons and this is why your initial research is so important. If you are planning on pursuing a long-term career as a foreign teacher, you may wish to focus on the better paying countries. By contrast, those looking for a gap year may not be that concerned with money at all. It really is a personal choice and peoples’ motivations vary wildly.

Are you qualified?
The qualifications and experience you need to teach abroad differs from country to country, school to school. Generally speaking, you will need a degree or/and a TEFL / TESOL certificate, although many individuals manage to teach without any qualifications at all. You see, the extent to which you will have to prove your qualifications depends on the location. Naturally, the higher paying jobs in the more prosperous countries will take the recruitment process more seriously than their poorer and less popular counterparts. Again, Dave’s ESL Café has the most up-to-date information.

But I can’t speak the local language!
Fear not, because you are not expected to do so. Most English Teachers actually only teach ‘oral English, that is, the spoken word. The purpose of these lessons is to immerse the students in a foreign language in a more natural way. You have to remember that there are millions of kids across the world learning English but most have never had any real reason to use it. Your purpose is to make the language less abstract. If a school is employing a foreign teacher, chances are the students have already mastered the basics and are, at the very least, able to understand simple conversations or concepts. In cases where the ability of the students is not sufficient, schools will normally give you an assistant to help translate.

Am I up to it?
This is an important question that many people, worryingly, fail to ask themselves. You are going to be immersed in an entirely new culture, possibly alone, and thousands of miles away from your friends and family. In addition, you will be expected to work and adapt to this new environment from the outset and, quite rightly, your employer is not going to be too sympathetic to your homesickness.

Importantly, remember you are going to be teaching and, as such, you have a responsibility to your pupils. It might be a gap year for you, but you still need to respect their education and be willing to put your heart and soul into your job. Far too many people abuse the situation and embarrass both themselves and others within the profession.

Arrange a placement independently or through an agent
Unless you are already in the country where you wish to work and can physically approach schools, you will most likely find a position through an agent. Most schools don’t advertise jobs themselves, instead choosing to pay an agent to do the dirty work. Predictably, there are advantages and disadvantages to this practice…

Firstly, whilst often friendly and helpful, agents are running a business and it is in their interest to fill positions, regardless of how crummy the job is. Take what they say with a pinch of salt and ALWAYS research the school they are trying to place you at.

Whilst most agents are legitimate, there are others out to scam the less experienced job hunters. Agents should (generally) never ask for money so, if yours starts asking for the green stuff, run for the hills.

Schools, language schools and universities
Whilst I’ve been throwing the word ‘school’ around a lot, there are other places where you can teach English. For a more detailed understanding of how these institutes differ, check out Dave’s ESL Café.

Don’t put all those eggs in one basket
Though it might not sound very loyal, it’s best to keep your options open right until the last moment. As we experienced first-hand, contracts can and do collapse, and don’t go thinking your chosen school will be faithful if they were to get a better offer – because they won’t.

Get the right visa
The type of visa you need will depend on the country you plan to teach in. Generally speaking you will need to acquire a working visa and a residency permit. Your school / agent should be able to advise you of the correct procedure, although confirm this through research to ensure you don’t encounter any nasty surprises later on. Importantly, never allow your school to “look after” your passport. “Look after” in this context often means “hold you hostage” as, without your passport, you cannot leave if things turn ugly.

So what’s in it for me?
Aside from the sense of satisfaction teaching provides!!? Okay… yes, there are certain bonuses to teaching and, though they vary depending on your contract, you can normally get:

To conclude…
You could easily fill a number of books if I tried to cover everything there is to know about teaching abroad and, for the sake of my wrists, I will not attempt to do this. However, I hope this had provided a nice overview for those interested in venturing overseas as a teacher and I would, once again, strongly recommend visiting Dave’s ESL Café for more information.

Yup, though many backpackers would love to think otherwise, you’re never going to shake the “rich tourist” label completely so it’s important to try and minimise the risk. As luck would have it, we have some handy hints and tips for the intrepid traveller that may just save you some serious money.

Get rid of the accessories
If you insist on dressing like 50 Cent you will spend most of your time abroad sitting in police stations filling out theft forms. Seriously, the purpose of travelling is to experience new cultures, not to flaunt your wealth. In a country where the average wage is $3 a day, why are you so surprised that someone swiped your Rolex? Quite simply, leave your valuable jewellery at home or, if you cannot bear to part with it, leave it in the hotel / hostel safe.

Dress modestly
Much like expensive jewellery, snappy suits and designer brands (fake or real) are going to get you into trouble. Most fashionable clothing is woefully inadequate for travelling anyway so, unless you’re going to a club or posh restaurant, dress down.

Put the guidebook away
Yes, I know you’re lost, but so does that dodgy tuk tuk driver thanks to the pristine Lonely Planet in your hand. Remember, tourists make easy prey, but lost tourists are as good as dead. No matter how lost you are, venture into the safety of a shop or café before consulting the guidebook. Furthermore, when wondering new towns and cities, walk with confidence and don’t look gormless.

Don’t be afraid to get your backpack dirty
Your backpack says a lot about you and a brand new spotless one stinks of a new arrival. Arriving in a new country can be confusing at best, and the last thing you want is to broadcast your hopeless situation to potential criminals. If possible, try and make your pack a little grubby. You need to create the illusion that you are a seasoned backpacking pro, even if you have previously never left your mothers side.

Take flight tags off your luggage
No, they’re not badges of honour - they’re homing beacons for conmen and thieves! You never want to look like a new arrival and flight tags will blow your cover, big time.

Don’t be afraid to count your cash after exchanging money
Unfortunately, you can’t always trust money changers and it is essential that you always check that you have been given the correct amount of cash. If the other person is going too fast or making the transaction confusing, chances are he or she is trying to rip you off. If they object to you counting the money then something is seriously wrong. That said…

… Don’t wave cash around
Yes, though you feel like a millionaire because you’ve just discovered £1 is worth 30,000 of the local currency, resist the urge to wave the green stuff around.

Be careful with flashy cameras and electrical goods
Travelling is changing and most backpackers today carry the equivalent of an electronics store on their back. Digital cameras, iPods, portable hard-drives and laptops are all part of a modern traveller’s arsenal and you would be surprised at how fast they can wonder off. Laptops and hard-drives should really stay in your hotel’s safe (generally ok) and cameras should be used with caution. Remaining aware of your surroundings is really all you can do.

Haggle in shops
Many countries still rely on bartering, especially so in Asia. Prices are rarely fixed and you can be pretty confident that the price you are initially offered will be way over the odds. Gauging a fair price can be difficult and it is important that you watch the locals and try and see how much they are paying. It is not unusual to be given offers ten times higher than the ‘real’ price. When haggling, always remain calm and friendly. Remember, it’s not a war, it’s shopping.

Be smart about local transport
It’s highly unlikely that you’re going to get kidnapped, but taxi and tuk tuk drivers have a tendency to overcharge us hapless travellers. Always negotiate a price before you set off or, if using a metered taxi, make sure the meter is actually a) on, and b) working correctly. It pays to have a map open on your lap (even if you don’t have a clue where you are) as the driver will be less inclined to take you the “long route”. Always be cautious of free or extremely cheap transport offers – most will result in you being taken to shops where the driver is paid commission. These shops can often go for the hard sale, and even the most seasoned travellers have been known to purchase over-priced tat just to escape.

Research the country and talk to other travellers
Scams and crime levels vary from country to country and it is essential that you do at least some research to familiarise yourself with the key dangers. When it comes to rip-off merchants, your best speaking to other travellers in the area as scams tend to evolve over time. Generally speaking, if an offer seems too good to be true, treat it with extreme caution.

Most of this is, of course, common sense. However, when you are in a foreign country it is easy to get lulled into a false sense of security and, as many have discovered the hard way, let your guard down. Remember, travelling is not very dangerous provided that you act sensibly and keep your wits about you – just as you would in your own country. Though it’s difficult, try not to become too sceptical towards gestures of kindness as there are plenty of genuinely nice people in the world. Equally, if you do get scammed or robbed, learn from the encounter and don’t let it spoil your trip.

Have fun.

However, whilst trawling through the archives today, I came across a few of these old posts and, with a certain amount of nostalgia, decided to resurrect them. So, for your viewing pleasure, I present, once again… crazy packaging from China!!!

Brand Name: Shanghai Meifeng
Product: Noodles

Description:
“MeiFend Longkou Vermicelli is made from the high quality Mung Beans, peas, processed by the advanced technology and equipment under the condition of strict quality managment.

This product is: fineness quality, rich nutrition, lubrication in the mouse and well delicious, it is healthy and resilient. It is a convenient and good food for you to take or to entertain the guest and your friends.”

Brand Name: Classics Foods
Product: Dried Grapes

Description:
“Cool fashion need cool taste. You are the new man. We like the new taste. We nees the quality. And we need the best food. Here you will find what you want.”

Brand Name: Jiawangshipin
Product: Sugar

Description:
“The Jiawang Ren want to continuous developing special local products of the whole nation, in line with the vigorous enterprising spirit. It is job to provide the consumers with the health and the balance of nutrition of food.

Make production and operating a coordinated process. The Jiawang Food Series, is high quality and high prestige. We want to make friends with you. Keep in a cool place, avoid sunlight, high temperature, humidity. Keep out of the children.”

And just as you thought you had escaped the madness, the supermarket had one more surprise for its foreign patrons…

Avoid restaurants recommended in major guidebooks
Unfortunately, the moment a restaurant or café gets a mention in the good old Lonely Planet, prices increase dramatically. Furthermore, many restaurant owners ‘stop trying’ once they have been included and, rather predictably, the quality of the food and service tends to suffer. Unless the restaurant in question is very special, chances are you can eat the same food elsewhere at a fraction of the cost.

Avoid restaurants in tourist areas
Yes, I know it’s convenient to visit a restaurant right outside the city’s main attraction, but you will pay through the nose if you do. Unless you really are in the middle of nowhere, you can bet your bottom dollar that 100 yards down the road there will be a significantly cheaper establishment.

Don’t buy food from your hotel / hostel
Nine times out of ten, food sold by your hotel or hostel will be both expensive and bland. Unless there really is nowhere else to go, you are better off venturing into town. That said, if breakfast is included in your root rate, make sure you eat as much as you comfortably can in the morning and just have a snack for lunch. If you are feeling really sneaky, you can always try taking a few items for later.

Eat street / stall / shop food
Most cities and towns have a wide range of street venders selling - depending on location - everything from fresh bread to fried spiders. This is especially evident in Asia, but most places have something similar. Not only is this a fantastic way to meet the local people and try new and interesting food, but you will also be doing your bank account a favor.

Avoid international restaurants
What is the point of travelling to the other side of the planet only to eat something you can buy back home? In most cases, international restaurants are much more expensive than local restaurants and, quite honestly, are no place for a traveller. That said, international fast food outlets can, if you are travelling in Europe for example, be a source of cheap(ish) food.

Buy food from supermarkets
If you’re after a quick snack, stay away from the expensive cafés and drop into the local supermarket. Whilst you may not have cooking facilities at your hotel / hostel, you may want to consider making your own meals instead of eating out all the time.

Always carry some food with you
Most people are not very good at telling when they are hungry and rush to buy a meal when a small snack may have sufficed. Always try and carry some biscuits or fruit with you so that, when hunger strikes, you don’t have to keep buying food.

Consider not buying alcohol
Whilst it remains a touchy subject among travellers, abstaining from the booze can really help you keep within your budget. If you must, why not try the local brews which, generally speaking, will be much cheaper than the imported stuff.

Book early
This is very important… book early, book early and book early. It’s rather simple, airlines increase the cost of their tickets as the number of spare seats decrease. As such, the sooner you book the less you will pay.

Use comparison websites
In our modern age, checking out potential flights is easy. There are a vast number of flight comparison websites and, though they vary in quality, they’re still a great place to start. Importantly, when searching for flights, play around with the airport that you plan to depart from. Sometimes you can get significant discounts just by departing from (for example) Gatwick instead of Heathrow. Furthermore, make sure that you check prices over a range of dates as rates will differ depending on the day you travel. As a general rule of thumb, try to avoid travelling on Fridays or at weekends.

Whilst these sites generally don’t add any additional fees to the price you pay, some are horrible advert infested affairs that bombard you with popups and sponsored links. However, whether you choose to purchase a flight through them or not, comparison websites do allow you to get a feel for what’s available and, importantly, identify areas where you can save money.

Check airline websites
Once you’re armed with the knowledge of who travels where, you need to carry out some further investigations to ensure that you really are getting the deal of the century. Whilst price comparison websites generally do a good job of checking schedules, they do occasionally miss or ignore special offers. Due to these shortcomings, always check out the official website of the airline you are planning on flying with.

Find cheap flight sales
On the topic of amazing deals, airlines do occasionally offer seats at ridiculously low prices. The reasons for these sales vary from publicity stunts to selling off spare capacity but, regardless of their motives, it’s good news for you.

In the past airlines would often offer flights for £1 and then, rather sneakily, add various taxes to inflate the price. However, nowadays this practice is illegal and companies have to include all related taxes in the price they advertise. That said, they are still allowed to add ‘extras’ like insurance and baggage fees but, thankfully, you can remove these manually. We recently travelled to Dublin for the grand sum of 2p each, courtesy of Ryanair. As you can probably imagine… we’re still smiling.

There are some negatives to these sales, however, and these drawbacks are normally found in the form of rigid departure dates. That said, with savings potentially running into the hundreds, the inconvenience is acceptable.

With offers normally only running for 24 hours, it’s important to keep your ear to the ground when it comes to these types of sales. If possible, sign up for all the major airlines online mailing lists so that you hear about any discounts, small or large, before the masses do. It may also be worth signing up to Money Saving Expert’s sales alert system. You can also use their site to search for cheap flights.

New Airlines
Occasionally, very occasionally, a new airline will launch. If this new airline happens to serve your intended destination, you could be in luck. New airlines are keen to promote themselves and this often translates into very cheap ticket prices for their first customers. For example, when Oasis Hong Kong Airline first started operating in early 2007, some lucky individuals found themselves with tickets to Hong Kong for around £100. Where were you, eh?

Once on the ground, getting around Dublin was easy as microwavable pie. We basically relied solely on Dublin’s excellent public bus system and, for the very reasonable price of 17.30 Euros, we could ride any bus as much as we wanted for 5 days. For anyone that’s planning a trip, you can buy the 5 day “rambler ticket” from the airport.

On the surface, there is little to differentiate Dublin from any other similarly sized city in England. The people look the same, the shops are all familiar and, on the whole, things were just like back home. The only major difference is that that most road signs are written in both English and Irish and everyone speaks incredibly fast. That said, the atmosphere was nice and, aside from the relentless rain, I was confident that we would enjoy our stay.

The first day was pretty much devoted to exploring the centre, working out local bus routes and collecting as many tourist leaflets as we could lay our hands on. The now converted Church of St. Andrew (near College Green) houses an excellent and friendly tourist information office. From here you can organise excursions outside the city, check bus times or simply sit down for a while. Not too shabby, eh?

Anyway, before heading to our hotel we popped into a local bar for a drink and something to eat. Dublin is, as you would expect, littered with “traditional” Irish pubs and finding a place to fuel-up is never difficult. Quality does seem to range, however, and, as with most places, it pays to look around a bit.

After checking out a few menus we ventured into a smallish establishment just outside the Temple Bar district. Temple Bar can be found on the south side of the river and is basically a small area of streets where tourists tend to congregate. It’s not horrible by any means, but restaurants and pubs do tend to be pricier so, if you’re on a budget, it may be worth avoiding when it comes to eating.

As is often the way in Ireland, the bar we decided upon was also frequented by two extremely patriotic Irish guys whose love for their country was only surpassed by their love for booze. The evening progressed predictably and, midway through their eighteenth rendition of the Irish national anthem, Yuki and I decided it was time to head for the safety of our hotel.

We stayed at the Jury Montrose hotel, a three star concrete block on the outskirts of the city centre. To most, this place would probably seem incredibly average. However, for those that have grown accustomed to backpacking through China and South East Asia, it was like Buckingham Palace. I mean… it had carpet!

The next day, after a hearty breakfast, we grabbed our maps and camera and headed back to the city centre to start hitting the main attractions. Whilst the rain never showed any signs of stopping, over the next 3 days we did manage to visit the most noteworthy places of interest Dublin has to offer. Below are a few highlights:

Guiness Factory [Official Site]
I’m never sure how I feel about these types of attractions. Sure, the presentation is always sleek and the exhibits interesting, but I can’t help but feel that this is, for lack of a better word, nothing short of cultural hijacking. Unsurprisingly, the Guiness Factory tells the story of how Guiness is created, why it is the best beer, why it is the best beer and why it is definitely the best beer. It wasn’t terrible by any means, but it is a bit strange paying money to be exposed to what is essentially one giant advert.

Gravity Bar
Found at the very top of the Guiness Factory, the Gravity Bar gives its visitors a 360 degree panoramic view of the city - depending on the weather. This would be a fantastic place to get some pictures but, as you can imagine, it gets very busy and even getting near the window can be problematic. It’s worth noting that this is not, in the truest sense, a real bar. You can only come here if you pay the entry charge for the museum and you are only entitled to one drink.

Trinity College [Official Site]
This place is basically the Irish equivalent of Cambridge or Oxford and, much like its counterparts, it looks old and important. Other than the architecture there isn’t a great amount to see, although the library is home to the book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript that has survived from the Middle Ages and has been described as the zenith of Western calligraphy and illumination. You wouldn’t come across anything like that in my university’s library, that’s for sure.

The Bram Stoker Museum [Official Site]
This place doesn’t seem to appear in many guidebooks - we only heard about it through the aforementioned tourist office – and it is essentially a smaller scale version of something like the London Dungeon, complete with random loud noises and cybertronic models. This place is described as “a frightening tour through the life of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula”. I thought it was pretty good although a bit short for my liking. Nonetheless, that didn’t stop one guy running out in fear - which was strange because it wasn’t overly scary. Good fun.

Kilmainham Gaol
The prison where the 1916 rebels were executed is as grim as its name sounds. Narrow hallways, small windows and tiny cells were what inmates experienced and, though long empty, the eeriness and sorrow remains - and the block where the poor guys had their heads chopped off. Unfortunately, you cannot roam freely through the prison and, instead, have to join a large tour party. That said, the guys and gals that run the tours are really passionate about the history of the prison and, provided you are willing to open your mind to a bit of history, it is a great experience.

Halfpenny Bridge
Spanning the river Liffey, the Halfpenny Bridge is one of the oldest crossing points. As you may have guessed from its name, it used to cost individuals a halfpenny to cross. The bridge itself is a modest affair and you would be forgiven for not noticing it. That said, it’s a nice little bit of free history and you’re bound to stumble across it during your time in Dublin.

Dublin Castle
This well-preserved 13th-century castle once served as the seat of the Irish monarchy. Now, however, it is a brightly coloured monstrosity used as government offices. There is a tour available but, unless you are a castle buff, I can’t imagine it would be that interesting.

Attractions aside, Dublin is genuinely a nice place to walk around. There is always something to see, something to eat and something to…umm… well, you get the idea. You’re not going to come across anything particular exotic and, if you live in England, you might sometimes even forget you are in another country. However, the atmosphere is great and, though I didn’t find the Irish to be as sickingly friendly as I had heard, it is definitely a very welcoming country – even in the rain.

The sun did finally manage to make an appearance, however, but not until we were sitting on the runway, strapped into our seats and minutes from takeoff. Doh!

Costs (5 Days)

Flights: £0.04
Thanks to a special offer run by Ryanair we only paid 2p each for the return flights.
Hotel: £187 (4 nights)
Staying at the Jury Montrose hotel just outside of the city centre really saved us some pennies. The room was quite nice and a full breakfast buffet was included in the price.
Getting around: £25
As previously mentioned, we used the 5-day “rambler ticket” for all our transport needs.
All other costs (food, attractions etc): £213
We did splash out when it came to food in Dublin so you could easily shave a bit more of this figure if you tried. Attractions were generally quite cheap.

Total: £425.04 (£212.52 each)

Overall, we were quite happy with the cost of this trip. Bare in mind that this figure does not include the cost of airport parking which would add about £30 to the total.

To be fair, despite its reputation, there is far more to Amsterdam than prostitution, sex shops and lax drug laws. In fact, unless you spend your whole time in the red light district, you could quite easily visit the city and never encounter such things. Then again, there’s no harm in looking…

We arrived at Amsterdam’s international airport on a glorious sunny morning and quickly made our way to the city centre by train. For those of you planning a trip, the train runs regularly between the city and airport and you can buy your tickets from either the counter or, provided you have the correct change, the self-service machines. Either way, the journey takes about 15 minutes and you soon find yourself standing outside Amsterdam Central Station.

After completing the mandatory tourist map fumbling, we decided to make our way down Damrak road towards Dam Square. On the way we made the customary detour into the infamous Amsterdam Sex Museum, a collection of porn, sex toys and dodgy art. Despite what we’d heard, we didn’t find anything particularly shocking inside and the exhibits where all pretty dated. That said, the entry fee is pretty cheap and it’s definitely worth visiting for a giggle.

Anyway, we soon arrived at our intended destination, Dam Square, the true centre of the city and home to the neoclassical Royal Palace, National Monument and Madame Tussaud’s wax museum. It’s the type of place where street performers do their thing and pigeons peck for scraps. It’s also a photographers wet dream and we spent quite a while taking photographs of the amazing architecture that borders the area. Thankfully, due to its shape and location, Dam Square is also an excellent place to get your bearings and decide how you intend to tackle the main attractions. Talking of attractions, below are some of the highlights:

Anne Frank Museum [Official Site]
Possibly the most famous attraction in Amsterdam, Miss Frank certainly needs no introduction and I’m sure anyone reading this is fully aware of her tragic life. The Museum itself, which is located inside the actual building where Anne and her family hid, is not as foreboding as one may imagine. In fact, the whole place seems very normal which, when you think about it, is probably what made it such an excellent hiding place. Either way, it is powerful stuff and there really is no excuse not to visit. The owners are a bit cautious of people taking large bags and backpacks in so, if possible, leave them at the hotel.

Vincent Van Gogh Museum [Official Site]
The museum chronicles the life and the psychological decent of the famous painter, exploring the factors that influenced his unique style. Whilst I’m not really a fan of his work, the museum was able to hold my attention and I would definitely recommend it to anyone with even the slightest interest in art. Highlights include The Potato Eaters, Bedroom in Arles and one of the three Sunflowers paintings with a yellow background.

Heineken Experience [Official Site]
Next up was the Heineken “museum” where we learnt how great Heineken is, why we should buy Heineken, why we should drink Heineken and how good Heineken is. As you have probably guessed, I’m not a fan of consumer products masquerading as culture, so I treat these experience as what they are – disposable fun. However, as much as I hate to admit it, the Heineken Experience was pretty good and, if you have time to spare, it’s worth popping along. They have a range of interactive exhibits including a DJ table, computer quizzes and free beer. Don’t get too excited, however, as you are only entitled to two pints.

The Canals
In addition to running between attractions, we also spent a few hours just walking the 17th Century canals that cut through city. You can rent a bike but, since the distances weren’t vast, we just did it on foot. Whilst I’m not normally that interested in architecture, the decorative houses that line the streets are really nice and, if you’re anything like me, you’ll be reaching for your camera on more than one occasion.

Red Light District
Once the sun had set we made our way to the red light district. The set-up is pretty simple: woman stands in window - man negotiates services – man and woman have sex. Aside from a few shifty characters, the area feels fairly safe and there appeared to be a reasonable police presence. At the end of the day, the whole area is one of Amsterdam’s biggest attractions and, as you would imagine, the authorities like to keep the place as respectable as sex district can be. The rooms the girls work in are very minimal affairs and consist of a bed, mirror and sink. A word of advice: don’t try and take pictures of the girls – they don’t like it.

Street Entertainment
If you hang around Dam Square for more than a few minutes, chances are you will end up watching one of the many street entertainers that perform around the area. Acts vary but most are of a very high standard. As always, if you watch a show be prepared to hand over some money.

Whilst he is not a regular, we did catch a glimpse of Dub FX, a beatboxer that travels across the world demonstrating his skills. It’s very hard to describe his unique sound so I think it is best to draw your attention to a video of his antics. However, for those that don’t have time to watch, he uses a loop station to record vocal sounds, manipulate them and create amazing and catchy tunes. He is also an excellent singer and, combined with his catchy beats, he really is a pleasure to watch. We also bought a copy of his CD for 5 euros – bargain!

Albert Cuyp Market
Operating from Monday to Saturday, Albert Cuyp is Amsterdam’s largest open air market. You can find most things on sale here including clothing, food and tourist souvenirs. Whether you buy anything or not, it makes for a really nice stroll.

Of course, there is far more to Amsterdam than key attractions and, as with any city, half the fun is exploring the place. We found the tram network to be very efficient and, since they’re still quite rare in England, quite a novelty. As I previously mentioned, it is possible to hire a bike and, to some extent, I regret not doing this. However, regardless of how you choose to get around, Amsterdam is a genuinely nice place with an even nicer atmosphere.

Hopefully we will return to the Netherlands in the not too distant future.

Costs (4 Days)

Flights: £160
The whole trip was a last minute idea and, as such, we couldn’t book tickets early. You could normally get 2 return tickets for about 120, less if you look hard.
Hotel: £0.00 (3 nights)
We used the Couch Surfing website to find someone to host us for free. This type of travelling isn’t for everyone but it sure keeps costs down.
Getting around: £??
We only ever used the tram network which is dead cheap. However, I didn’t keep track of exactly how much we spent on transport so this is included in the “All other costs” section below.
All other costs (food, attractions etc): £300
We did splash out a bit on food and attractions were sometimes a bit pricey.

Total: £460.00 (£230 each)

This was a birthday trip so we didn’t want to be too stingy. The free accommodation really kept prices down.

a. Celebrate by building a US$350 million palace?
b. Allow your brother to go on a US$16 billion spending-spree?
c. Build grand shopping malls and then fill them with products no one can afford?

Well, if you answered a,b or c, you might well be Sir Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei. Yup, Brunei is a tad strange, but yet, somewhat paradoxically, still able to live up to its name as the most boring destination in South East Asia. It’s not a horrible place by any means, but as you wonder the empty streets and malls you can’t help but wonder why, with so much wealth at its disposal, Brunei hasn’t done more to attract tourists.

One reason could be its zero tolerance approach to alcohol consumption which, for the average backpacker, makes venturing into its borders on par with purgatory. That said, having travelled through so many countries that have sold their souls to mass tourism, it’s nice to see a society standing by their core beliefs.

After walking aimlessly for half a day, we decided we should at least take the customary boat ride out onto the massive river that runs beside the city. The thunder clouds overhead added an element of excitement and we at least got to see the shanty towns that line the riverbank.

And that was pretty much how we spent out time in Brunei. Perhaps we could have given it more of a chance but, then again, maybe Brunei should have tried harder to impress us.

I will, however, give you a small gallery. Click here if you have time to kill…