Ahh the bucket list. That ever-growing inventory of wonderful things we one day hope to conquer. People have built their lives around such things…and some have even thought up rather incredible and totally awesome campaigns based on the notion.

Ahem.

The fact is, bucket lists and travel go together like Morgan and Jack (think actors as opposed to alcohol), and if there’s one thing guaranteed to set the #TTOT universe alight, it’s a full on confab concerning the items they want to check off that almighty directory before they kick the proverbial container. Good job our weekly shout outs are here to poke fun (but hopefully not holes) at people’s life goals then.

The questions this week were:

Q1. What’s the #1 item on your travel bucket list – the one thing you absolutely can’t miss?

Q2. When most people think bucket list, they think places. What non-traditional items are on your list? E.g. activities, food etc.

Q3. If money was not an issue, where’s the ‘must visit’ place on your bucket list?

Q4. Have you ever been disappointed by a bucket list item and what was it?

Q5. What is the most “extreme” place on your bucket list? Why?

The ‘Pailing In Comaprison’ Shout Out for most overflowing bucket list.

@hjortur:  I’d like to float in the dead sea, get body paint in Ethiopia, learn to play the didjeridoo in Australia, find a tomb in Egypt, paragliding with a trained eagle in Kyrgyzstan, follow Inuits on a walrus hunt in East Greenland, try the horse milk in Mongolia…

The ‘All Hands On Deck-adence’ Shout Out for being a successful breadwinner.

@discoverferries: Well you know where we are if you’d like to hop across! The dippy eggs & truffle butter soldiers & champagne was to die for!

The ‘Putting On Airs and Graces’ Shout Out for blowing smoke.

@Travel_Rich: Oxygen is like SO last century…

 The ‘I Believe You Are Myth-taken’ Shout Out for equine errors.

@Hg2: We read your answer quickly and thought it said “rode a unicorn” for a moment. Now THAT would be cool.

The ‘I Can’t Believe It’s Nut Butter’ Shout Out for getting your just deserts.  

@TripTideAU: Strange, would have expected it to taste like coconut! Yeah I guess when stranded…anything will do.

The ‘Stephen King’s: The Shrining’ Shout Out for being holy over-exposed.

@toffeebugs: I like the place but got totally templed out in Angkor Wat.

The ‘Cash-22’ Shout Out for being the change you want to see in the world. 

@economycarhire: The most extreme thing about my bucket list is the amount of money it will take to cross everything off.

The ‘Show A Little Décor-umm?’ Shout Out for OTT encounters.

@Mellovestravels: Hold out… Now that I’m thinking… Not been so impressed by Saint-Peter’s in Rome. Too much decoration kills the decoration.

The ‘Luxury A-commode-ation’ Shout Out for leading a privy-leged life.  

@MagellanPR: Necker Island! After seeing Branson’s outside toilet on MTV Cribs I need to experience it!

The ‘Beer Today, Gone Tomorrow’ Shout Out for rather draught-y abodes.  

@MalloryOnTravel: If money wasn’t an issue I’d buy the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin and move in.

The ‘Great Esc-Ape’ Shout Out for King-sized cosmic requests.   

@Hitekani_M: Gorilla trekking is at the top of my bucket list. Did you hear that Universe?

The ‘Swarming To The Idea’ Shout Out for courageous coastal crushes.

@abeachaday: I’d define extreme as BRAVING the crowds on any Italian beach in August!

Join in with the Travel Talk On Twitter banter every Tuesday at 9.30AM & PM (GMT). Next week’s truly delectable topic: Food and Drink! 

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#TTOT Shout Outs! Topic: Bucket List Travel

“Forget taking the bus.” The ponytailed Englishman sitting across from me took another sip of the cool, cheap Vietnamese beer and ashed his cigarette.

“This is your chance to escape the tourist trail.  Just buy the Minsk, ride her to Hanoi and sell her to some naïve backpacker for more than you paid for her.”

We were seated on plastic stools at a street-side bar in downtown Saigon and Darren was referring to the Minsk, his aging Belorussian motorbike parked behind our table – and probably to wide-eyed romantic travelers like myself as well.  But I was open to his sales pitch.

I shifted in my seat.  The Minsk was a piece of junk – but she was a rare opportunity.  Beyond the duct tape, dust, and dents, she offered a chance to tick off my most elusive bucket-list item.

Freedom means different things at different times, but as a 24 year old backpacker on a gap-year, it meant riding a motorcycle across South East Asia unhindered by bus schedules or itineraries.  I’d taken motorcycle classes back home but still the fear of death stood between me and my bucket-list.

I broke eye contact with Darren and absorbed the scene of Saigon’s backpacker ghetto.  Fire jugglers, noodle-mongers, and bric-a-brac hawkers competed for our attention over the persistent din of Saigon’s millions of motorcycles.

But I would not be distracted, for I had made a most frightening realization.  My dream was right before me – all I had to do was grab it.

Deep breath.

I reached into my pocket and put three crisp $100 notes on the table.  Darren shook my hand, gave me the keys and vanished.  The Minsk was mine.

***

 I edged my way to the main thoroughfare and idled inches from the endless stream of motorcyclists whizzing circling the roundabout like hornets round a hive.  My palms started to sweat from the rising fear of impending doom in the jungles of Vietnam – or the streets of Saigon.

My heart thumping, my mind started thinking of everything that could go wrong when…

Jump!

I dropped the clutch, rocked into first gear and dove into the stream, juggling mixture of gas, clutch and balance as I swung straight into my first roundabout.

Brake! 

I swerved right to avoid a terrified family in a mini-van, pushing all five senses into overload and my awareness into tunnel vision.

What am I doing?!?

Hanoi was over 2,000km away – an impossible distance – but it was too late to turn back.  Clenching my teeth, I readjusted my goal to something more attainable: the edge of the city.

For thirty minutes I stumbled through intersections with the grace of a drunken gringo at a tango club in Buenos Aires, stalling three times and narrowly avoiding collision twice.

Then, suddenly, I saw a sign – Highway 1 North: Hanoi – and I burst out of the city, down through the rice paddies and into the bliss of two-wheeled freedom.

***

Spoiler: I never made it to Hanoi.  Three weeks and 1,200 km later, I got lost in the DMZ and totaled the Minsk in the mountains near Laos.  I hitchhiked to the coast and took a bus to Hanoi, once again a tourist like all the rest.

As we drove up the coast I scratched an item from my bucket list, feeling a bittersweet pang of regret as I realized that accomplishing a dream inevitably brings its end.  I gazed out the window and wondered, what happens after your dreams come true?

I smiled, realizing there was only one thing to do.   I pulled out my pen and made my bucket-list longer.

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Grappling with The Minsk in Vietnam

A recent survey by Essential Travel has found that 54% of people on a career break have chosen to do so because they are unhappy in work or because of having been made redundant.  This is a significant rise since the 2012 survey results where only 11% admitted to taking a break because of career related reasons. Instead, last year saw 77% “seeking adventure” and “fun” as their top priorities.

It also appears that the most likely age for people to embark on a career break has risen from the 21-25 age range (36%) to the 26-30 year old age group (39%).

Essential Travel has responded to the new trend by increasing their Backpacker insurance policy to 55 years old to cater for the more mature traveller.  They have also launched a career break microsite, The Career Gap, which divulges tips and advice from industry experts.  They discuss what to do on your break, what effect it can have on your career, and how to make the most out of it on your CV.

How To Use A Career Break To Boost Your CV:

“Employers are receiving many CVs with first class degrees etc but a gap year can provide an applicant with the opportunity to stand out from the crowd in terms of life experiences that have matured you as an individual and give you much deeper insights to the outside world. Do think about how these experiences have made you a more rounded individual with a wider portfolio of skills that will be of benefit to an organisation.”

Elizabeth Bacchus of The Successful CV

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Career Make Or Break

When one embarks on a journey to Cambodia, some trepidation is to be expected. It’s a country that was torn apart by genocide and war and is still only now rising from the ashes. However, the Cambodian people are an incredibly delightful bunch who are doing all they can to leave their past behind and become a country to be proud of. Blending in completely is difficult, but you can become as inconspicuous of a tourist as possible by following these three easy steps:

Step 1: Carry as much as you can on a motorbike as possible.

While it may seem scary, you can be assured to blend in if you ridiculously over-pack your bike and drive as fast and as dangerously as humanly possible. Many of the locals can often be seen carting pigs, tyres and my personal favourite, their entire family, from A to B, and the more they can carry the more normal it seems.

Those who choose to drive without baggage look to be of bourgeoisie class and could be seen as ‘snooty’. This is something you want to avoid and stacking your carry basket as high as possible is a sure-fire way to do this.  Be careful though, as the road rules are generally rather unforgiving – if it can run you over, it probably will. So pile on the pounds, strap in the kids and high tail it to your nearest pig mart cause without one you’re going to look quite the outsider.

Step 2: Don’t mention the war

During the early 70s, Pol Pot (his real name was Saloth Sar. Pol Pot was short for ‘Political Potential’ which was the nickname given to him by his superiors) and the Khmer Rouge regime tore through Cambodia like a virus, killing millions of Cambodians and displacing many more. The reasons for Pol Pot’s genocide is still unknown, but what you can be sure of is that bringing it up is going to bring with it a lot of emotions.

Many Cambodians who survived the horrendous violence still deal with the emotional and physical scars every day, and those who lost loved ones are rightfully still grieving. Best to avoid conversations about it all, unless you’re on good terms with whoever you’re asking.

Step 3: Be cool with killing stuff

As you venture along the many long roads that connect the major cities and towns of Cambodia, you’ll find that much of it is chaotic and disorganised. The reason for this is that during the regime of Pot, townsfolk were either sent to the fields to work and consequently died of exhaustion or they were killed on site.

Pot holes filling roads and dusty landscapes have made for a maddening scene, and while it may seem cruel, the lives of animals are not treated with the respect we so often grant them in the Western World. As you reach speeds of 120km/h you can be sure that many of the rabid dogs and cats will try to make a break for it, right as you speed past in your vehicle of choice. If you happen to hit one with your car, you’d be wise to lose your sentimentality, as the Cambodian people have seen much worse and could care a lot less about a rabid, inbred dog falling underneath their spinning wheels.

With these three simple steps, you can shed the shackles of your Western upbringing and ensure your place in Cambodian culture. Or at least not look like as much of a fool.

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How to Pass for a Local in Cambodia

Image credit: [Darius Norvilas]

Brighton regularly tops ‘best places to live in the UK’ lists. With its seaside location, close proximity to London and vibrant nightlife, it’s an excellent place to spend a weekend. But, if you want to avoid paying £3 for an ice cream, jostling for space on a crowded beach, and soggy fish and chips, then read on and do it like the locals do.

What to do:

Unlike some other English seaside towns, Brighton isn’t all sticks of rock, rickety fairground rides and crazy golf (although these things can still be found in abundance)! There is a whole lot more to this little city. Brightonians love nothing better than a good beach barbie on a sunny Saturday. But often, it seems most of the south coast have also had this idea and Brighton’s beach can get pretty crowded. However, a 15-minute stroll along the seafront towards Hove brings you to a much quieter, cleaner stretch of beach, where you can incinerate your beef burgers in relative peace.

Break up your walk with a drink at the numerous outdoor bars lining the seafront. Coalition and Fortune of War are great places to chill out with a beer and watch some live music.

Image credit: [Jessica Spengler]

Where to shop:

The best places to shop in Brighton are The North Laines. This charming maze of vintage shops, mini flea markets, and independent stalls are great for finding some real vintage treasures. Head to Snooper’s Paradise indoor market in Kensington Gardens for a truly retro experience. Nostalgia for your childhood will come flooding back as you wander through the aisles of classic Sega Mega Drive games, Pac Man memorabilia and old Beano comics.

Image credit: [Ralph Moorhouse]

Where to eat:

Whether you want tapas, sushi, Thai, or vegetarian, Brighton has some top-notch dining options. Many of Brighton’s top restaurants are vegetarian or organic eateries. However, for the most delicious fresh organic produce, and the feeling of sitting in a giant farmhouse kitchen, there’s no better place than Bill’s. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Bill’s is a Brighton institution. The fresh fruit juices are well-known hangover cures all over the city!

Seafood lovers should head to the award-winning Riddle and Finns on the seafront, where you may just have the best oysters of your life.

Image credit: [Bill’s Brighton]

Where to party:

It’s after dark that Brighton really comes to life. If you want to avoid the throngs of pink L-plates and t-shirts emblazoned with things like “Beer makes my clothes come off” (Brighton holds the title of Hen and Stag capital of the UK) then check out Brighton’s live music scene. The town is a hotbed for talented new bands, which play funky venues across the city, such as Green Door Store. Its bricked interior walls, shimmering fairy lights and cans of Red Stripe lining the bar epitomise what Brighton has to offer in terms of alternative nightlife. The venue hosts everything from hip-hop nights to up and coming local bands and soulful Afro-Latin music events.

Where to sleep:

Hotels in Brighton vary from basic B&Bs to luxury 5-star hotels. But to truly experience the city’s quirky side, a stay at The Hotel Pelirocco is a must. This themed boutique hotel embodies everything about our country’s pop subculture, with a punk room, a mod/rocker room and a DJ room, complete with a deck with headphones. If that wasn’t eccentric enough, try the knitted room or the rockabilly room, where your own personal jukebox will play you rockabilly hits all night long.

Image credit: [Hotel Pelirocco]

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How to Live Like a Local in Brighton

“How do you just pack up and leave?”

“What if something goes wrong?”

“What are you going to do next?”

“What are your plans?”

I am bombarded with questions.

“I don’t have any…” I reply.

And there it is, that familiar shocked face,  that opened-mouthed reaction: disbelief. The inability to comprehend.

“You… What?” They say, unbelieving.

“No seriously I have no plans, and I prefer it that way.”

Vagabond means to wander from place to place; it is a nomadic term, used to describe someone without a permanent residence. I am a vagabonder.  I am wandering from place to place. I don’t have a permanent place of residence. I don’t have a physical home. I am a travelling vagabonder. And this is my story.

Want to know something? 12 months ago I would never have ever imagined that I could possibly be where I am now. 12 months ago I wanted to travel for maybe two months and then return back to my 9-5 life as a travel agent. 24 months ago, the thought of travelling had barely crossed my mind. The thought of not knowing what was going to happen was beyond even my wildest imagination. I was a control freak. My life was planned. But a planned life sent me around in circles. Planned life made me lose my passion, and blurred my vision of what it was I was searching for.

I read the blogs of other travellers, where they give strict advice to the impending traveller; where they instruct you to make plans, and not to trust anyone, and give strict warnings against male foreigners…  And all I have to say is no wonder women are so demonised and made to look weaker than men. Careful – someone could retaliate to this.

That’s not travelling. Planning every second of every day and being too afraid to meet new people because of what they ‘might’ do is not by any means how I want to live.  Take a chance, and don’t book your next night, just for the thrill of it. Put yourself in a situation where you are completely out of your comfort zone, and you will learn more about yourself than you could possibly comprehend.

Yes, it’s scary. 12 months ago I was scared. I booked the first month of my first trip, and while I had some incredible memories, it was still the unplanned, spontaneous, last minute escapades that were the most memorable.  Life always has twists and turns but while I anticipate them, I can’t predict them.  And plus, if you knew what was coming, it wouldn’t be an adventure!

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The Story of a Vagabond’er

When I finally got a call from My Destination to tell me I made it to the next round of the Biggest Baddest Bucket List competition, I was a bull, ready to charge anything that was to come in the way. Winning was the only goal. Boy, was I not expecting what came along…

I met the others one by one. Immediately, we bonded. All of us. Firstly, because of the strange feeling that we had known each other for so long, and also because we all shared the same fear: that what was meant to be a friendly competition would turn into a dog-eat-dog scenario.

When My Destination asked me to write about my most memorable meeting, there was not a shadow of a doubt: I had to write about the other contestants – not only because I am so close to them at the moment, but because I will most certainly remember every single one of them for the rest of my life.

You have Barbara, the most beautiful bohemian soul you’ll ever meet. Her warm smile makes everyone melt, and I feel truly blessed to be spending time with her. As for Giselle and Cody, they are some of the most inspiring people I have ever met. They dedicate their lives to the things they believe in, and have unbounded faith in humanity.  Picture the most compassionate, sweet and loving, yet hilarious person and you’ve got Josh. He has nothing of the typical New Yorker, and holds a true gift for making everyone around him feel special and loved.

Nasuna is an incredibly talented photographer, with a sincere passion for everything she  takes on. She inspires everyone around her, and her good mood spreads like a disease. Did you know she even makes her own maple syrup? Num num! Remember the gorgeous Joao? I’ve discovered in him a very humble and caring man. No matter what the outcome of the competition, get ready to see a little bit more of Joao. He’s Hollywood’s next Tom Cruise! Ceara is the most sparkling one of them all. She has a true talent for video making, and she will steal your heart away with just a smile. It’s quite simply impossible to resist her charms.

Next you’ve got the very dedicated Vagabrothers. Their passion for travel is more than obvious, and their knowledge knows no boundaries! Put ‘em to the test, I guarantee they’ll impress you… Then, there’s the only person who’s managed to make my stomach hurt from laughing too much in a very long time. I give you the one, the only… Dave Zee! Don’t be fooled by his #unimpresseddave faces, he’s an amazing comedian, friend and travel partner. Just make sure you keep the Bacardi bottle away from him and BBB’s own party master Ricardo! This infernal duo loves to involve everyone in their shenanigans!

In the end, I’ve already won. I’ve won the friendship of 11 incredible and inspiring individuals, and I will forever cherish this gift. The rest is luxury.

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A Most Memorable Meeting

If you asked any experienced traveller, what are the worse mistakes you can make while travelling, they would come up with a list of many common mistakes, such as, not planning the trip, over packing, accommodation too far from attractions, and so on… But there’s one big mistake that most of us make, without even noticing.

Being a camera freak! That’s how I like to call it. And I’m talking about how some times we just can’t put the camera down for a single moment, taking pictures and videos of pretty much every minute of the trip/experience.

As much important as it is, to have some good records of your memorable travels and experiences, I do think that we tend to waste too much time, worrying about the pictures and videos.

I remember going to see the Mona Lisa, and it was really frustrating to see most of the people there, taking hundreds of pictures of it, looking at their camera’s screen, and then leaving without even giving a good look at it, with their naked eyes.

For me, that’s definitely the biggest mistake you can make while travelling.
If you are one of those people, I strongly recommend that you challenge yourself, by leaving the camera at your accommodation for a whole day. Just go explore! See it with your naked eyes, use your senses… smell, hear, interact! You will not regret!

I’m not saying that you should do that every day, you don’t need to be that extreme, but you should definitely put the camera down for most of the time you are doing an activity/experience.

Try using your camera to take pictures that tell your stories, be part of it! Get pictures of beautiful sceneries with you in it, film yourself doing some interesting activities, and if you go to a museum or an exposition of some sort, do not take a picture of each and every item you see.

Unless you are a photography enthusiast (and if you are, this article might not apply for you at all), there will be no point on taking a picture of every single thing you see in a museum or a sight. After all, you could just search on the internet for those pictures (most likely, taken by the photography enthusiasts).

I don’t really want to be a negative nelly here, but, have you ever thought that your pictures could be accidentally deleted, or even if you have prints, that they could simply get lost between travels and moving?! If that have never happened to you, believe me, it does happen to many people, and it will most likely happen to you too, sooner rather than later. But your memories… They will be there forever, and nobody can take that away from you! So use it!

Get your mind full of great memories! And use your pictures to illustrate those stories.

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The Biggest Mistake To Make While Travelling…

Lola’s Travels take centre stage for this week’s Big Blogger Interview. As self confessed pretty in pink poshaholic Lola gives us the low down on home comforts, bucket lists and her plans for the future.

What inspired you to pack your bags for a life on the road? 

I actually don’t have a complete life on the road. I have a home base in Boston and even though I wish I could travel a bit more often, I’m thankful for a home base. I need down time to recoup. I also write mostly when I’m not on the road. That’s because I really like to soak up every second when I’m travelling. When I’m home I can organise my thoughts and relive my travels through my writing. But to answer the question of why travel? I decided to travel more because I felt being in once place was killing me slowly. I feel more freedom and more alive when I’m travelling. I truly love discovering new things and meeting new people and I enjoy the challenges, (mostly), that I’m faced with during travel.

You’re clearly someone who is into their fashion and looking good. How does your image effect where you choose to travel?

That’s an interesting question. I do like to travel to on the radar, hip, fashion-forward destinations for sure but I also like to travel to places that are not so much so. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to try to look my best. I try to somewhat adapt to wherever I’m going but still be true to my style. For example, I’m not a outdoors gal but I wouldn’t say no to an outdoors experience. I’d just have sequin hiking boots and a hot pink fanny pack is all.

How do you cope when you’re in a location where you’re without your home comforts?

First of all, you can bring the most important of your home comforts with you. That means knowing what those are and packing them. Not crossing your fingers and assuming you’ll find them. Having said that, I think it’s fun and part of the experience to try to find something comparable or better to what may be a creature comfort at home. To be honest, I haven’t been to too many places where I can’t get what I want or need. I know I say I’m a poshaholic but the truth is I don’t need that much to be comfortable. A clean place to stay, a bed, food, some cocktails and really, I’d be just fine!

Which one do you prefer – Hipster Hotels or Swanky Luxe Stays and why?

This is a great question, I do love both and Luxe is very nice. Sometimes they can be both Luxe and Hip but honestly, if I really had to choose, I think I’d go with the Hipster Hotels. The vibe is 99% of the time in sync with my likes. Some Luxe places can be too conservative and too frilly for me. The clientèle can be too stuffy – those are words that are not in sync with me at all.

What is the most exciting experience you have ticked off your bucket list?

It’s funny, I don’t have an actual bucket list. Too many places would be on there and I’m grateful for any of the new places I get the privilege to explore. But there are two things that come to mind, as bucket list filled prophecies. One, going to the über Luxe, absolutely perfect St. Barts in the Caribbean. There is nothing wrong with this place – absolute heaven. Two, quite the polar opposite, Cambodia. I was lucky enough to go there and participate in a Habitat for Humanity house build and then travel around a bit afterwards. It was such an amazing experience. Tying in my love for travel and doing something to give back has been a big goal of mine. It’s a permanent bucket list item for me now.

As an all American girl what do you love about the good old US of A?

Since I’ve been travelling more, I’ve come to appreciate some things about the US that I’ve sometimes taken for granted. As a woman, I can pretty much go anywhere and do anything in the USA. This isn’t true of some destinations and I think I’d really struggle not to be myself and be held back by certain customs. It’s made me think I might have some bigger challenges and limitations where travel is concerned. I may not travel or wish to travel everywhere any longer. I can completely appreciate the differences, I just feel that being an individual with lots of freedom is very engrained in me. I have become more grateful that I have these freedoms as an American woman. I also love that virtually any dream is possible in the United States. How else could I become Lola!

As a firm believer of ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do’, what exactly did you make of Italy’s capital?

I love Rome and cannot get enough of it. I’ve been a few times now and feel it’s a city you could spend a lifetime discovering. I also really enjoy Roman history and always learn something new with every visit. Oh, and the food is fantastic too.

What are your plans for the future; is there a piece of Eye Candy you are planning to jet off to next?

Immediate plans…Mexico. I’m still sorting out all kinds of fabulous opportunities for this summer but think you might find me in a bit of the UK, France, and at least somewhere in the South of Europe. Probably the yummiest eye candy I’ve got my future sights on that I’m most excited about is a return trip to Asia in March 2014 to Vietnam, for another Habitat for Humanity build. Going to Cambodia last Autumn was one of the best experiences of my life and I’m looking forward to more of this. By the way, only half of the trip to Cambodia was Luxe & Hip!

If you want to find out where in the world Lola is right now, keep up to date with her travel tales at www.lolastravels.com.

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Big Blogger Interview: Lola’s Travels

The #TTOT Shout Outs are BACK with a bang, baby, and what a heck of a topic to return to!

The Travel Talk On Twitter universe has spoken and there are huge tips just flying about everywhere so, without further ado, we present to you this very sensible (and not at all ridiculous) round up of today’s best remarks from top travelling types the world over…accompanied of course by our patented attempts at punnery. Enjoy!

The questions this week were:

Q1. What’s the “best travel tip” people offer but never works for you?

Q2. What are your best travel photography tips?

Q3. Best travel tip you didn’t follow (and are still beating yourself up over).

Q4. Best travel tip your mom ever gave you?

Q5. Top 3 things you’ve learnt not to leave the house without when going on a trip?

The ‘Knot Up To Standard’ Shout Out for rooting out society’s real problems.  

@sarahptravels: The hotel conditioner NEVER works! It always feels more like body lotion to me! Makes my hair frizzier usually!

The ‘Graining the Advantage’ Shout Out for fabulous photographic fodder.

@VentureMag: If you can’t take a tripod, take a jiffy bag half-filled w/ uncooked rice. You can then wedge your camera in trees, on boulders etc.

The ‘What’s The Mutter With You?’ Shout Out for playing it safe.

@maccathegapper: Don’t be a fool, wrap that tool. Kinda the thing my mum would say.

The ‘Audrey Hep…ooh BURN!’ Shout Out for proving you should do it if you possibly Vati-can.

@travelphotogiri: “If you have a few days, go to Rome!”, she said. I didn’t.

The ‘Knick Knack Travel Pack Give That Guy A Stone!’ Shout Out because life’s a beach.

@hipaway: Travel tip that never works for me: “Stop collecting shells and stones!” Can’t stop always bringing the heaviest souvenirs.

The ‘Nether Go In Without Back Up’ Shout Out for your briefs contribution.

@Trabblr: *High five* for extra underwear!

The ‘Totally Buzz-ted’ Shout Out for refusing to be a sucker.

@seas_it: Me too! Some fools tell me that alcohol attracts them…such rubbish. Everyone knows mosquitoes are teetotallers.

The ‘Better Lake Than Never’ Shout Out for being extremely irrigating.  

@ixigorocks: In Switzerland, no matter where you are, you can always spot a lake within 10 miles.

The ‘Thinking A-Hedwig’ Shout Out for trunk-ated travel packing.    

@JaysTravellings: Other things to leave behind: hair straighteners, Harry Potter hard cover collection, jumbo-sized ultra-fluffy towel!

The ‘Great E-scrape’ Shout Out for when another one bikes the dust.

@thetravelmanuel: Wear long layers on scooter- even in tropical heat. We didn’t, the tarmac took off our skin instead.

The ‘Mooning Over You’ Shout Out for ass-tronomical awnings.    

@Cheapflights: YES!!! My butt isn’t large enough to provide proper shade.

Join in with the RTW universe at 9.30 AM and PM (GMT) every Tuesday for your weekly dose of tremendous travel chat!

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#TTOT Shout Outs! Topic: Best Travel Tips