Luckily for you, I’ve been there and done that, which means I have a number of insider tips and tricks that I wish I’d had the first time I traveled overseas.

Here are my top eight life hacks and long haul flight tips for those who are about to embark on a long haul flight.

1. Make a Reservation

One of the most important traveling tips is never to be afraid of booking ahead to reserve your seat, hotel room, or dinner accommodations in advance. It is always a wise choice to ensure that you and your fellow travelers are taken care of — this way, you don’t have to sweat it the day of.

As soon as you have your dates confirmed, reserve your flight seat. Although some airlines will tack on an extra fee for reserving a seat of your preference, I personally find this to be well worth the money.

After all, you don’t want to be stuck in the middle seat between two people fighting for armrest real estate. Nor do you want to be stuck next to the toilets!

2. Don’t Overpack for the Cabin

This one is a basic rule of thumb that anyone with a lick of transcontinental travel experience should know. But it’s worth reiterating: always check your non-essential luggage.

Also, don’t bring too much stuff into the cabin. Whatever you do decide to bring along, make sure you stow it away in the overhead compartment, so you don’t end up with a mess resting at your feet. You can always take out what you need throughout the flight.

3. Get Moving

If you sit still for eight or ten hours in a row, your body can start to feel sluggish and crappy. If you are gearing up for a big vacation or getaway, this can be a serious buzzkill that can ruin the beginning of a great trip. Instead, make sure you get out of your seat and walk around every few hours.

Constantly moving around is also a great proactive step against travel-related blood clots! Grab some compression socks to ensure that you leave the plane in as good a state as you entered it.

4. Mix and Mingle

One of the best long haul flight tips is to simply socialize. Chances are, if you are on a direct flight for ten or more hours, everyone is feeling a little claustrophobic. People want to socialize and let loose a little.

If you have someone sitting close by that looks like they’re up for a chat, ask them about their book, TV show, or where they’re from. See where the conversation takes you — if you’re lucky, you might even find a new travel buddy.

That said, if someone is giving off major vibes that they’re just not interested in talking — take the hint!

5. Splurge a Little

Those with the money to upgrade to first class or business class should always do so. After all, you get extra legroom, premium service, and (usually) a kit of awesome toiletries and other goodies to keep you feeling refreshed throughout the flight.

If you find that business class is out of reach, or you end up stuck in economy class, don’t sweat it. Check out our how-to guide for hacking basic economy class flights like a travel expert.

6. Don’t Look at the Map

There’s nothing worse than being stuck on a flight, bored out of your skull, while you stare at the graphic map of the flight on the in-flight TV. If you look at it long enough, you will start to go a little stir crazy!

The truth is, nothing moves as slow as the tiny animated airplane on the in-board flight map. While it’s fine to periodically check it, especially as you get closer to your destination, I recommend staying away from it as much as you can.

7. Load Up on Entertainment

If you want it done right, you have to do it yourself. When it comes to long haul flight tips, this aphorism is 100% true of in-flight entertainment. Although most airlines have made huge improvements in the entertainment options they offer, we still strongly recommend bringing your pre-loaded music, TV shows, and movies on your laptop or smartphone (just in case).

To ward off jet lag and other less-savory aspects of international travel, you might want to bring along a good old-fashioned book instead. This is because reading a book won’t cause you to be exposed to blue light during your normal sleeping hours, which would throw off your body’s natural internal clock.

But if you can’t resist the in-flight entertainment (or using your own devices), these blue light blocking glasses can help you stay on track.

8. Treat Yourself to the Lounge

This is one of my favorite traveling tips, no matter where your destination lies. If your flight has a layover longer than a couple of hours, I suggest treating yourself to a pass at the airport’s VIP lounge. After a long flight, nothing beats chilling with your feet up on the couch with a cocktail in your hand and lightning-fast Wi-Fi available at the touch of your fingers.

9. Indulge in a Little R&R

The last thing any traveler wants is to show up at their destination feeling like a zombie.

Far too often, I hear about rookie travelers who forget to unwind during their flight. Instead, they feel like the departing flight is the perfect time to catch up on last-minute work before they get a start on their vacay.

This, in all honesty, is a terrible idea.

It sets the wrong tone for the rest of the trip and can cause someone to land in their destination feeling stressed out. Instead, make sure you wrap up all your work at home and enjoy the time on the plane as a chance to decompress before your big adventure.

If the included pillows and blankets aren’t enough to ensure sleep, bring some sleeping pills and a collapsible travel pillow to help you catch some z’s. Here are some additional travel gift ideas that may help people you know who are about to embark on a long haul flight (including yourself!).

Final Thoughts: Long Haul Flight Tips: Arrive Alive (and Rested)

Show up for your departing flight looking and feeling alive. After all, you have a trip of a lifetime awaiting you, so you’re going to want to be feeling and performing your best.

Don’t assume that your flight will be a good chance to catch up on a poor night’s sleep (it won’t be). Instead, sleep well the night before so you can be ready to rock when you touch down in paradise.

What other long haul flight tips would you add to this? Share your thoughts with fellow travelers in the comments below!

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Are you joining the waves of people from around the world who are flying the nest, breaking free from their hometown, and heading off to experience the trip of a lifetime when you travel the world? If you, like most, want to soak in all that is authentic about a backpacker’s travels, then living it up in some hostels is a staple part of this path.

Hostels are a melting pot of cultures, backgrounds, activities, and most of all; fun! It doesn’t hurt that they happen to be good for your wallet in terms of cost, as well as opening many chances to meet new, like-minded people.

As with staying in any multi-occupancy place you book to stay in there will be rules, and understanding hostel etiquette may be a new thing for you.

But it’s never too late to learn! Here are some tips on hostel etiquette to stay away from the title of ‘most annoying person in the dorm’ during your stay:

#1: Be respectful

Respect is paramount as part of your entire trip in a foreign place and you must keep up at least a minimum level of respect by adhering to the ground rules when you stay in a hostel. Ask your hosts if they have certain rules that you must follow and make sure to stick to them so that your stay is never in jeopardy.

Even when following the rules, you can definitely still have a good time — just don’t let yourself down and be the person everyone wishes would just leave.

#2: If the food’s not yours, don’t touch it

Most hostels have shared kitchens which inevitably means that there will be food stored in them. An easy way to annoy people is to take other people’s food and then eat it in the dorm.

There’s a two-pronged issue here. First of all, don’t take food that isn’t yours. Second of all, you’re better off eating in places where people aren’t trying to sleep. You don’t want to be waking anyone up when they could be trying to rest up before long trips or early starts.

Also, crumbs tend to attract bugs, so do everyone a favor and keep your sleeping area food-free!

#3: Be sure to clean up after yourself

If you don’t want to be cheered out of a hostel when you leave, remember to keep your things tidy and clean up after yourself.

Basic hostel etiquette dictates that this isn’t your own personal bedroom, and you need to respect the fact that you can’t leave your belongings strewn out across the dorm room. Lead by example and make sure that if you are getting stuff out to use, that you put it away again when you’re done. People will generally follow suit, or at the very least, practicing this basic level of hostel etiquette means that won’t be ‘that’ person!

It essentially boils down to common courtesy. If you make any mess, just clean-up to help everyone else enjoy their stay; you’ll make more friends that way.

#4: Be quiet

Speaking of things that are common, common sense prevails here, and while no one expects you to be tip-toeing about the place in the daytime (this includes when people are napping), there is an unwritten acceptance that during the day, dorms are fair game. Nonetheless, as soon as the clock chimes around 10/11pm, it’s time to take the noise levels down a notch, because, well, people are trying to sleep!

Sleep is essential for rest, recovery, mood, and general well-being, sleepadvisor.org states, and these are just a handful of the reasons why we all love sleep. Who are you to refuse someone of their ability to sleep? You wouldn’t like it if someone disturbed you, so don’t inflict this annoyance on others.

It’s not going to make you any friends if you wake others up in the middle of the night when you fall through the door drunk and start chattering. Dorms are for sleeping, and there are other rooms you can use for talking.

In the bigger-occupancy dorms, you’re never really going to get pin-drop-type silence, which everyone will (should) have a fair understanding of. But if you’re still disturbing those wearing earplugs to sleep well, then you’re just being selfish.

#5: Please, no plastic bags!

Having to hear people pack their stuff up before they leave is annoying enough, but is still part of hostel life. However, if you want to stay off the annoying list and follow proper hostel etiquette, don’t go rustling plastic bags that you have with you to carry your belongings around.

These bags make so much noise and are a massive pet peeve for weary travelers. Don’t be surprised to hear someone shout over to you if you don’t take this advice to heart!

Ideally, you want to think about packing your plastic bags up the night prior to leaving your hostel as, quite simply, there is not one single way you can make a plastic bag quiet!

#6: The no sex rule

Lastly, don’t fornicate in the dorm rooms. It’s just gross. No one is there to listen to that kind of thing go down, so take it elsewhere so that your dorm-mates don’t have to hear anything they shouldn’t have to.

Final Thoughts: Hostel Etiquette: How to Be the Least Annoying Person in the Dorm

Hostels make for wonderfully cheap accommodations that make travel more affordable for the average person. It’s important to realize that in a shared space, it’s not just about you — you need to be conscious of everyone else around you.

What would you add to our list of hostel etiquette tips? Let us know in the comments!

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RV travel with pets is becoming increasingly more popular and manageable. RV and van road trips have become the newest travel trend—thankfully, they’re extremely pet-friendly!

Before you take your trip make sure that you have the information of towingless handy just in case you required roadside assistance, the good thing is that they are available 24/7.

No Fly Zone: RV Travel with Pets Made Easy

One of the best things about travel is how flexible it can be. There is no right or wrong way to go about it—the limit is your imagination. With that said, there are best practices you should follow to help you navigate the road with your furry friends.

Since I’m no stranger to an “on-the-go lifestyle,” I’ve become accustomed to exploring alternative ways to see the world. Prior to getting Addie (my dog), most of my travels involved international destinations.

But after getting Addie, I had a moment of realization. For someone who enjoyed seeing new places, I really hadn’t seen much of my own country. Thanks to the recent boom in camper life, the open road became more friendly than ever—and I decided to take advantage.

Of course, RV travel with pets isn’t the only way to bring them along. It is, however, a safe and fun way to include them.

There are plenty of people who fly with their animals. Airlines have extended their pet policies, but with all the buzz around airlines mishandling pets, I decided that the road was a safer, friendlier, and cheaper option.

Five roads trips later, Addie has visited over 39 states and 3 countries with me. That’s a pretty impressive travel roster for a dog!

Full disclosure: I waited until Addie was fully trained and had all of her shots before taking her on trips to minimize the possibility of accidents and barking fits.

RV Travel with Pets: Sleeping and Overnight Accommodations

If you have an RV camper, you don’t have to worry about finding pet-friendly accommodations.

In fact, RV travel with pets is a great way to avoid pet restrictions on where you can visit. When traveling across the country by car, I encountered many bumps in the road when it came to pet-friendly lodging. Of course, if you have a service dog, this isn’t something you have to be concerned about.

The first couple of road trips Addie and I took across the US had to be a bit more strategic when it came to sleeping arrangements.

Most National Parks offer limited access to dogs. When I wanted to explore Zion, I had to stay in a nearby lodge so that I could leave Addie in the room during two-legged only hikes.

Prior to hitting the road, I made a list of pet-friendly lodging options. I used this as a guide for navigating overnight stops and booking accommodations for the night.

It’s worth mentioning that, depending on the time of year, you might not be able to leave your pet inside an RV. In these instances, I recommend checking out hikes that allow dogs or finding a nearby lodge where you can leave your pet comfortable while you explore.

Assuming your doggie is up-to-date on all their shots and in good health, a local doggie daycare can also be an affordable alternative.

Traveling with a pet this summer? Check out this guide.

Pet-Friendly Activities: Discovering What Fido Can & Can’t Do

Camping & Hiking

After crossing the US four times with my dog, I decided to map out a Canadian route.

The United States has a lot more restrictions on where dogs can and cannot go. But before I move onto Canada, here is a list of some awesome pet-friendly towns in the US:

• Bend, Oregon
• San Francisco & San Diego, California
• Austin, Texas
• Colorado Springs, Colorado (Denver, CO is also very pet-friendly)
• Tucson, Arizona

These cities offered plenty of accommodations, dining, and trails that were open to dogs.

I was amazed to discover that practically everywhere in Canada was open to pets.

To my knowledge, there are zero restrictions regarding dogs in National and Provincial parks across Canada. I’m pretty sure the park rangers thought I was crazy when I asked if they were sure Addie could come with me on ALL of the trails, repeatedly!

RV or not, I could camp and hike with Addie by my side anywhere I wanted. Game changer. I asked around and created a more robust list of activities she could join me on, including canoeing across Lake Louise!

RV Travel with Pets: Eating Out & Drinking with Dogs

You’d be amazed by how many breweries (in Canada and the US) that are pet-friendly. Truly, there’s nothing like kicking back to some good music and a local beer after a long trail. Cheers to that!

Another advantage of RV travel with pets is the ability to cook in your camper. This solves the problem of worrying about whether or not a place has outdoor seating. But if you prefer to eat out while traveling, look for places with patios—there’s a good chance that they’re pet-friendly.

Beaches & Lakes

Swimming is one of my favorite things to do with my dog.

Thankfully there are beaches all across the country that are open to pets. Some have time restrictions, so make sure to look up the guidelines prior to visiting.

Aside from splashing around in the waves, I found that Addie could come kayaking and canoeing with me as well. On one of many trips to Oregon, I stopped in Bend and brought Addie to a dog water park. I had a blast watching her play with other dogs, while I hung on the beach.

Exploring The Open Road

From pet-friendly hikes to pet-friendly beaches, if you’re willing to do the research, you’ll find that there are a lot of really fun things that you and your dog can do together while traveling.

Have you recently completed some RV travel with pets? We’d love to hear about some of your favorite pet-friendly stops and activities!

All Images Photo Credit: Joanna Rose Flug

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The reaction I received from everyone else was more along the lines of what I expected.

Everyone was quick to tell me how dangerous the world was. That traveling alone as a female was insane. That I should make other arrangements and find someone to go with me.

The truth is that the world is just as beautiful, fun, and safe when traveling alone as a solo woman traveler. Just like with any trip, if you do your research, listen to your instincts, and make smart choices—there is nothing to fear.

I often hear from other solo woman travelers that once they took their first trip alone, it was hard to go back to group travel.

Something that has always been so alluring to me about travel is the idea of being free:

• Free from people who know you.
• Free from expectations.
• Free to meet new friends.
• Free to come and go as you please.

This is especially true with solo woman travel.

Listening To Your Gut Instincts

In my experience, the most valuable advice has always come from my gut. Whenever I am meeting new people or exploring a new place, my instincts tend to guide me in the right direction. If I have a bad feeling about someone or something, I don’t even risk it.

When traveling solo, be aware of your surroundings.

Are you in a place that is safe during the day but maybe not at night? These are the kinds of questions you want to be able to answer right away. As a solo travel woman, I try to always check into hostels. Where you stay is a great (and usually safer) way to meet other solo travelers.

Recommendations and Camaraderie at Hostels

Chatting with the people who run your place of lodging is also a great way to get insider information about the area you’re visiting. In my experiences, the workers are usually travelers just like myself. I ask about the neighborhood, restaurants, activities, and recommended safety precautions.

Traveling solo means you get to choose when you want to be around other people or spend some one-on-one time with yourself. Take advantage of this luxury and enjoy the freedom of coming and going as you please.

When making new friends, you’ll also want to pay close attention to your gut instincts. Just because someone else is a traveler, doesn’t mean they have no ill intentions. As sad as it is to say, being a solo travel woman can put a target on your back.

The way I travel with friends is different from when I am alone.

I try to be more reserved and cautious as a solo female traveler. Saying yes to jumping in cars and driving to secret beach parties is something I would do with a group, but not alone. Following locals to a hidden diving hole is another perfect example of something I have done with friends but wouldn’t do alone.

It is good to know the difference and act accordingly.

Be Flexible: The Less Plans The Better

While we all have certain plans we’d like to make or things we’d like to see when traveling, you never know what amazing things may happen if you let yourself go along for the ride.

Depending on the type of traveler you are, this may be a given—or a real challenge. Either way, I can’t stress enough how rewarding travel can be when you’re least expecting it. Some of the coolest places I have visited were from unplanned moments.

When starting a new trip, I always book lodging for my first night or two. The rest is a loose plan or idea of where I want to go or what I hope to see. You’ll find that the fewer plans you have mapped out, the more you can say “yes” to spur-of-the-moment things.

This Is A Judgment Free Travel Zone

Try to go into every new situation with an open mind. Judgment is the best way to close yourself off from a new experience, place, or person. I can guarantee you will encounter situations that are completely foreign to you when abroad—the best thing to do is embrace them.

Just because someone or something is different from what you are accustomed to, doesn’t mean it is wrong or bad. Take the time to get to know your surroundings before making a judgment.

To give you an example, back home, I would never eat a fried grasshopper. Disgusting! But in Thailand? Hand it over.

Partaking in the culture you are immersing yourself in is a gift both for yourself and for those who are hosting you.

Appreciate The Little Things

I have been to my fair share of developing countries, some without access to clean water, electricity, healthy food, or even basic freedoms.

Because of these experiences, I’ve learned to appreciate the little things in life; things we often take for granted on a daily basis, like wifi, fully stocked fridges, access to education, and comfortable beds of our own.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the never-ending, fast-paced societies we live in, but there’s nothing more powerful than taking a step back and realizing how good we really do have it.

Be Happy & Positive: They Are Contagious Emotions

There is something about strapping on my backpack and setting off on a new adventure that brings a full smile to my face. This feeling of pure bliss is contagious.

When you are happy and positive, other people are drawn to you. Have you noticed how quickly you can get to know a stranger while abroad?

Back home, we can become so closed off to the daily grind of our lives. We can forget to smile, be kind, and appreciate all the little things.

One of the coolest things about traveling is the community of people who are sharing this same love with you. So remember that when you are out there in this wide, crazy, funky, world to just allow yourself to be happy.

Shit happens. Maybe you missed your train or flight or whatever mini-disaster that is trying to wreck your time. I’m telling you—don’t let it steal your vibe.

Laughing off chaos or disappointment always opens up the door for a new opportunity.

Navigating Solo Woman Travel Around the World: Anything Is Possible If You Set Your Mind To It

Many people have this idea that traveling to the other side of the world, writing a book, landing a dream job or even meeting new friends are things that are difficult to make happen.

People get stuck in their routines, jobs, relationships, and lifestyles. It’s easy to forget that we can and should make changes to help better ourselves. For me, this means sharing my solo woman travel passion with others.

This past year, I started a blog for travelers to share experiences and stories.

The blog is open to all types of travelers out there. If you would like to share your experience and write a solo woman travel blog, get in touch! I’m always looking for inspiring woman (and men) to tell their worldly stories—taking away lessons for my own global adventures.

All Images Photo Credit: Joanna Rose Flug

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There’s also the endless array of authentic moments that most travelers crave served up to you. Like locals coming out of the woodwork to help you fix a broken bike or when you pop into a small, roadside restaurant that hasn’t served a tourist in a decade—if ever.

Of course, there are some places where you’re going to be better off using public transportation to get around. But, Vietnam is not one of them. 

There is no better way than a Vietnam motorcycling tour to soak up the beauty, wonder, and reserved hospitality that can be found down the back roads of the country as they snake through mountain ridges of dense jungles and the vibrant green rice terraces.

It’s along these roads that you will find Vietnam—the real Vietnam. It might be where you find yourself bedding down among locals willing to give you floor space or somewhere to hang a hammock, with the smell of cinnamon drying along the roadside still tantalizing your senses.

Every year, thousands of backpackers (many having no experience on a scooter or motorcycle) clamber onto some 100cc Honda Win motorcycle and take off on an adventure—a Vietnam motorcycling adventure.

Of course, there is a certain amount of risk that comes with jumping on a motorcycle with no experience at all.

That risk—to be fair—might outweigh the benefits. After all, it isn’t that unusual to bump into a foreigner wrapped up in bandages from a bad spill because they have no riding experience. And, those are the ones who are healthy enough to walk away from motorcycle crashes.
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That said, a Vietnam motorcycling tour is really the only way to truly take in the subtle, complex flavors of the Southeast Asian country.

Buying a Motorcycle

Getting a motorcycle in Vietnam is straightforward—assuming you don’t plan on legally owning it. You can buy a jalopy for $150-$450 and sell it to another backpacker on your way out of town. Or, if you’re pushing your deadline and have a plane to catch, there are a few shops in Hanoi’s Old Quarter that are more than happy to give you a couple bucks for the machine—and that’s better than just leaving it where it stands.

What would have been a hassle asking for help at a hostel or hoping some fellow backpacker was taking off when you were arriving has turned into the simplest of transactions with Facebook groups. Throughout much of Asia, especially in Vietnam, you can find English-language Facebook groups with people hawking their motorcycles.

There is the Vietnam Backpacker Sales group, as well as city-specific groups for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. Just do a search with relevant keywords and you’re sure to find one to fit your needs.

If you’re not planning on doing a long tour, but still want the Vietnam motorcycling experience, there are several local outfitters that can set you up with a rental motorcycle. Most are reputable and pretty honest.

Just make sure you snap plenty of photos of the bike and any dings or knicks it has before taking it out.

Vietnam Motorcycling Tours: Legal Issues

We could do a deep dive here if it was really necessary. But the reality of it is that the cops in Vietnam mostly leave foreigners alone, as long as they are behaving themselves.

In Thailand, it’s becoming increasingly likely that you’ll get caught up at a police checkpoint and forced to pay tickets for failing to have a motorcycle license (or, honestly, for nothing at all). Fortunately for those interested in Vietnam motorcycling tours, the officers in Vietnam seems to be pretty chill about these things.

Vietnam Motorcycle Tours: Where to Go

Without a doubt, the most famous Vietnam motorcycling trip is from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi (or vice versa). Though you miss Sapa and the Extreme North, the trip takes you down the length of the country, linking its two greatest cities.

The Vietnam Coracle explains, “For years, travelers simply took the most obvious route: Highway 1. Today, however, thanks to ambitious road building programs, there are far more scenic, pleasant and less trodden ways to ride between the country’s two main cities.”

There is the Classic, which takes 2-4 weeks; the Beach Bum, 10 days-3 weeks; Uncle Ho’s Road, 10 days-2 weeks; the Big One, 3-6 weeks; and the Easy Rider (2-4 weeks).

The Classic Route

If you want to explore further off the beaten track, there is the Extreme North Loop, which starts in Hai Giang. The loop takes you through the remote northern stretches of Vietnam. Specifically, through mountainous Dong Van Karst Plateau Geo-Park and various villages of ethnic minorities, their clothing and customs standing in stark contrast to each other and the larger Vietnamese populations.

Other highlights include the awe-inspiring Lung Cu Flag Tower and the thick-walled stone fort of H’mong King’s Palace. On the road to Lung Cu Flag Tower, there’s a section of country fencing that marks the border between Vietnam and China.

So, if you’re bladder is full at the right moment—and your that kind of person—it’s easy enough to stand in one country and piss into another…

You know, if that’s your thing.

Additionally, you can do Vietnamese motorcycle tours from Hanoi to Mu Cang Chai to behold the majestic rice terraces. Or, Ho Chi Mihn to Nha tran, via Dalat, basking in what is arguably the most scenic section of road in southern Vietnam.

Driver Beware: The Vietnam Driving Mentality

When it comes to navigating the roads in Vietnam, there’s more to know than just how to ride a motorcycle. You need to come to terms with the mentality of the people with whom you’re sharing the road.

If you’re from the West, be prepared—it’s completely different.

If you remember one thing about driving in Vietnamese traffic, it should be to keep moving at a consistent speed and to not make any sudden movements. As long as you do this, somehow things almost always end up working out.

The same goes for crossing the street in Vietnamese cities.

As Itchy Feet on The Cheap points out, “They’ll [the Vietnamese] do anything they can to have to avoid stopping. This means driving on the wrong side of the road, running red lights, and making danger-filled decisions.”

via GIPHY

Additionally, be aware that people will often be driving the wrong way down a street. However, they’ll usually stick to the curb, so don’t hug the curb yourself unless you like head-on collisions.

And, oddly enough, head-on collisions—or basically anything in front of you—is all you need to worry about. At least, that’s all the Vietnamese seem to worry about.

Don’t expect people to be checking blind spots or the mirrors before making turns. If they have a wheel on you, they have the right-of-way to your lane and pretty much anywhere else.

Speaking of right-of-way, don’t forget, at the end of the day, larger vehicles are the winners.

Take Advantage of the Vietnam Motorcycling Community

Though this might be your first foray into the motorcycle world, let it be known that there is a huge, supportive motorcycle community out there. In Vietnam, you can post questions on Facebook groups such as Backpacking Vietnam by Bike – Sales and Advice or Vietnam Motorbike Forum.

Don’t be shy about it—everyone who’s been on the roads in Vietnam have been rookies in the saddle at one point.

Final Thoughts: Vietnam Motorcycling Tours: ‘Cause Any Other Way Sucks

A Vietnam motorcycle tour—from the short 4-day Extreme North Loop to a multi-week adventure—will bring this land of vibrant green rice paddies, sacred pagoda, and fascinating food into sharp focus.

All that said, be safe out there. If it’s possible to get your motorcycle license beforehand, do it. And, be patient as you learn to understand traffic flow like a local.

With temperatures varying from chilly nights in the far north, to tropical days in the south, you’re going to need to rock some sweet hoodies and tank tops — so why not say F*cket and get a matching set?

Unisex “F*ck It” Phuket Thailand Hoodie:

Unisex / Men’s “F*ck It” Phuket Thailand Tank Top:

<em>All Images Photo Credit to Isaac Simonelli</em>

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Approaching the trek, we had anticipated achy backs, tense shoulders, and sore muscles – but for some unknown reason, none of us gave much of a thought to our feet.

Preparing For El Camino de Santiago: Walking Along The Coastal Route

On November 13, 2016, I strapped on my purple North Face Terra 40 oz backpack and took my first steps toward Santiago, Spain.

I had first heard of El Camino de Santiago (which translates in English to “The Way of St. James”) from a friend of mine back in the United States. It had been on her bucket list for several years. As we mapped out our European backpacking trip, El Camino made its way to the top of our bucket lists.

The first question I asked her was “how long is the Camino de Santiago?” The Camino has many routes. The most famous is called the Camino Frances, which starts in France, as its name suggests. It’s approximately 500 miles long and passes over the Pyrenees and down to Pamplona, across the plains and then up into the hills of northwest Spain.

There are many other routes, including the one we ended up taking, called The Camino Portugues.

We started our route in Porto. Many locals recommend taking a train out of the city and starting the route in Tui.

The majority of the Portuguese route follows the coastline, taking you through small towns, over hills, along vineyards, and through stunning plains.

Historic towns, cities, bridges, and churches line the route to Santiago. We crossed Portugal from the south to the north and took in all the natural beauty of Portugal and Galicia.

The Way of St James in Portugal is quieter than the Camino Frances, though it is the second most popular Camino route.

The History of El Camino

The Camino consists of several ancient pilgrimage routes that come together at the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela, which is in northwest Spain.

Here’s what you need to know about the history of El Camino:

Santiago was one of the three holy cities of Christianity, along with Rome and Jerusalem. If you couldn’t make it to those latter cities, you could go to Santiago and receive absolution.

What started as a pilgrimage of faith and absolution has since become a journey people take on for many different reasons. While many people do still walk the route for religious reasons, it doesn’t necessarily define the majority.

Some people choose to embark on The Camino as a personal endeavor of athletic ability. Others are looking for solitude. For me, it was a desire to stray from the beaten path and explore a less-traveled European landscape.

Painted along the route are blue and yellow scallop shell symbols letting trekkers know they are going in the right direction.

One of the biggest advantages of the Portuguese Way is the impeccable waymarking along the entire route.

This is a result of joined efforts of the Galician and Portuguese “Friends of The Camino” associations.

As we walked along cracked cobblestones and forested hills, we anxiously looked for confirmation that we were indeed still on the right path. Walking through small towns and villages, families would wave and send prayers blessing our journey and sending us safely on our way. This welcoming reception by locals all along El Camino is both a perk and a feature of the journey.

How Long Is The Camino de Santiago’s Path of Completion?

One of the most common questions I get from people regarding this trip is, “How long is the Camino de Santiago?”. The answer: depending on your route — the time of completion can vary.

Most trekkers (like us) want to know how long is the Camino de Santiago. It’s common to walk small portions at a time (rather than doing the entire trek), picking back up at a later date to complete other paths and routes. Depending on your timeline, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to complete El Camino.

If you plan to walk the entire traditional route (St. Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain), it takes about 30-40 days. In order to make this time work, you need to walk between 14-16 miles a day. You do not need to take on the entire route to receive your official document stating that you’ve completed the trek.

Speaking of which, when you arrive in Santiago de Compostela, show your passport to officials. If you’ve walked or cycled at least 62 miles; you’ll receive a document stating that you completed the trek. The stamps in your passport will verify the distance you’ve walked.

Accommodations Along El Camino de Santiago

Another attractive quality of The Camino is how affordable of a vacation it turns out to be.

Prior to starting, you will get a pilgrim’s passport from the church. Most of the churches along the path will have them.

Your pilgrimage passport is your ticket to staying in certain hostels and accommodations for almost nothing. This walker’s passport allows you to collect special stamps along the way from hostels, churches, grocery stores, and town halls.

Each small town we stopped in we would open up our passports and give us stamps to commemorate our journey. Sometimes our stamps came from the church or where we slept that night. Other times, as we passed through smaller towns and would stop in for water and snacks, these outlets would stamp our passports.

Many families or churches will accommodate trekkers for less than $10 a night. Sometimes, this price will also include a meal with your stay. Since we were walking in the off-season, a lot of the special hostels (called albergues) were closed. That said, we were still able to find special rates from hostels for pilgrims.

The Aches, Pains, and Unanticipated Obstacles of El Camino de Santiago

A bit overconfident in our “athletic” abilities, we decided to double down on our goal and took on about 18-23 miles a day.

However, by day four, with around 15Ibs on our backs in the middle of nowhere, we’ve never tried to focus on something else so hard — as our feet mindlessly kept moving along the cracked cobblestone. I could feel the blisters throbbing to the rhythm of my music.

Keeping my head up and my mind focused on the stream of music penetrating my eardrums, I took deep breaths and reminded myself to take a step back (figuratively speaking of course). A few little blisters weren’t going to stop me from finding solitude in the enormity of my biggest physical challenge yet.

Unfortunately, they weren’t just a few little blisters, and two of this girl’s toes were infected. Knowing how long El Camino de Santiago was and how much more we still had left to do, we craved comfort and warmth and enlisted the comforts of an Airbnb.

Nine miles later, we found ourselves on a mountainside in the home of our savior – Jesus (ironic, no?). This mountain climbing, home building, blister popping, family man, welcomed us into his home and gave us more than we could have ever asked for.

Over the next four days, we spoke Spanish, ate traditional home-cooked meals, made new friends, and learned all about the ambitious adventures of our host. From climbing Mount Everest with no oxygen, to guiding month long treks through the Andes, Jesus had an impressive rap sheet.

Planning to stay just one night, we found ourselves lacing up for the rest of our adventure four days later than expected.

Finding Your Own Path & Meaning In The Camino

Many take on the pilgrimage for different reasons. As with any journey, if you do it right, you never walk away with what you expected to find.

Sometimes, misfortunes transform themselves into once-in-a-lifetime experiences, while sometimes they remain unfortunate. Luckily, in our case, we encountered a hidden haven, atop a mountain in Galicia, Spain.

All four of us took on this walk for different reasons, but we all found a one-of-a-kind experience, which will forever bind us together.

Final Thoughts: How Long is the Camino de Santiago? A Traveler’s Tale

If you’re not deterred by the answer to the question, “How long is the Camino de Santiago”, then I’ve got even more to share with you. Check out my article about The Choquequirao Trek in Peru!

Have you walked El Camino de Santiago? We’d love to hear about your experience, tips, and insights in the comments!

All Images Photo Credit: Joanna Rose Flug

The post How Long is the Camino de Santiago? Walking 90 Miles in a Week appeared first on .

Machu Picchu is one destination that sits on the top of everyone’s list (both metaphorically and literally). However, with thousands flocking to Machu Picchu daily, you might be excited by the opportunity to explore the ancient ruins of a city that’s off the beaten path. The Choquequirao trek offers hikers a quieter, less crowded alternative to the busy Inca Trail.

What Makes The Choquequirao Trek Different From The Famed Inca Trail To Machu Picchu?

Here’s the major difference between Choquequirao and Machu Picchu: there are no buses or trains to transport you to Choquequirao. The only way to reach Choquequirao is by your own two feet! The Choquequirao trek (there and back) usually takes between 3-5 days, depending on the weather and your pace.

Also, unlike Machu Picchu, hikers are not required to obtain a permit or have a guide with them while making their way through the Choquequirao trek.

The biggest difference between Machu Picchu and Choquequirao is the solitude. Machu Picchu is packed with tourists while Choquequirao receives very little foot traffic. Things may change once the cable car to Choquequirao is up and running—but for now, the site remains hidden and unexplored.

A Brief History of Choquequirao

Choquequirao, meaning “Cradle of God”, is an Inca city in southern Peru, built in the late 15th and early 16th century.

Similar in structure and architecture, Choquequirao is frequently referred to as Machu Picchu’s sister city. Sitting 2,987 meters above sea level in a remote corner of the Peruvian Andes, Choquequirao was the last refuge for the Incas. The city is named for its proximity to the gods (sky, sun, moon, star, and mountain).

Recent findings show that the Incas weren’t actually the ones to have built this site. Bones and artifacts that date much earlier than the Incas led archeologists to the conclusion that the city was technically pre-Inca. However, when the Spaniards conquered Peru, they destroyed almost everything—leaving behind no distinct clues as to who might have originally build the city.

To be certain, there are many similarities between Choquequirao, Machu Picchu, and other cities along the Inca Trail. All the cities were designed in accordance with astronomical alignments and were precisely formed, in relation to sacred rivers, mountains, and celestial phenomena.

What To Expect On The Choquequirao Trek

The Choquequirao trek takes you to some of the most remote Inca ruins in the Andes and is believed to follow the footsteps of Hiram Bingham, an American explorer who brought Machu Picchu to the world’s attention.

Although the most common starting point is in the village of Cachora (a 4-hour drive from Cusco), it is recommended that you take a taxi from Cachora to Mirador to save yourself from trekking 13 km along the road.

The Choquequirao trek is considered to be one of the tougher Inca Trail alternative routes, reaching a top altitude of 4,668 meters on the Yanama Pass. You may not be climbing all that high as a total number but with a 1,500-meter descent into the Apurimac canyon followed by a 1,800-meter climb out later—there really are no easy days.

As for the scenery? No picture can adequately portray the feeling of standing in a canyon looking up at the magnificent Andes that surround you.

The Choquequirao trek takes you past ancient temples, through lush jungles, deep into canyons, and alongside snow-capped peaks. In the early mornings, you can see the sun breaking through the fog and mist, unveiling enormous jagged peaks.

Zigzagging high into the Andes, condors fly above with distant views of Choquequirao. Are you sold on going yet?

Photo Credit: Joanna Rose Flug

The Best Time Of Year To Visit Choquequirao

The same subtropical weather patterns that dominate the rest of the region similarly impact the Choquequirao trek. The dry season starts in late April and lasts until early October. The wet season starts in mid-October and ends in late April.

The best time for the Choquequirao trek is between May and September. Due to the solidarity of the Choquequirao trek, hikers don’t have to worry much about seasonal crowds.

The main concern on the Choquequirao is the sun’s intensity, which is very high on many of the mountain slopes.

Make sure to wear lots of sunscreen, have a good hat, and use long-sleeve shirts to protect your forearms from burning. The shoulder months to the dry season, April and October / November, can also be a great time to trek. The rainy months of December, January and February are not great for trekking.

Where To Stay For Those Trekking Without A Guide: Choquequirao Campsites Along The Route

• Cachora (0 km): The starting point of the Choquequirao trek is a small town with hotels, restaurants, and plenty of food stores.
• Chiquisca (19 km): You can camp for free here and unwind before the long, challenging descent to the river. It has basic facilities and food for purchase.
• Playa Rosalina (21 km): This is a free campsite next to the river. It has beautiful views, fire pits, bathrooms, and a food store.
• Santa Rosa Baja (24 km): A paid campsite with working bathrooms and nice views. If you prefer a free campsite, you’ll find Santa Rosa Alta just 1km up the hill. Both sites have access to food.
• Marampata (28 km): A small town with several campsites, stores, and a tiny hotel.

Acclimating to Peru & Dealing with Altitude Sickness

Although this trek does not ascend very high, it is still important to spend a couple days in Cusco acclimating your body to Peru’s high altitude. It is extremely important to stay hydrated and don’t overexert yourself.

And if you have any extra time during your trip to Peru, make sure to add Saksaywaman and Lake Titicaca to your itinerary!

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is one of the most common health issues hikers experience. In Cusco, you will find various remedies; such as candies, teas, and scents to help with the prevention of AMS.

Packing List For the Choquequirao Trek

The packing list for a Choquequirao trek is very similar to the general Inca Trail packing list.

The only real difference is that the Inca Trail is shorter than the Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu, so you should plan to bring additional pairs of socks, a couple extra trekking shirts, and one more pair of trekking trousers.

Don’t forget to bring a cozy hoodie to keep you warm on those cold nights. Here are a few Peru-inspired designs to pair perfectly with your Choquequirao trek #Insta shots:

Lake Titicaca Peru Hoodie:

“Sexy Woman” Saksaywaman Peru Hoodie:

Final Thoughts: The Choquequirao Trek: A Unique Alternative To The Busy Inca Trail

If you’ve trekked up to Choquequirao before we’d love to hear about it! Give us a follow on Twitter @TanksGetAround and share your experience with us!

Featured Image Photo Credit: Joanna Rose Flug

The post The Choquequirao Trek: A Unique Alternative To The Busy Inca Trail appeared first on .

We’ve got the low-down on the best happy hour Denver deals. So eat, drink, and be merry – we’ve found the trifecta in quite a few hot spots.

North Denver/LoHi

Let’s start with some great North Denver happy hour deals.

• • If you’re in the mood for Italian, you can’t go wrong with Lechuga’s, a family-owned gem with perfect pasta. Every Tuesday, grab their $4.75 salad/garlic bread special, and while you’re at it, add a $2.50 beer or $3.00 Wells to complete your evening. Happiness for less than $10 a person? Count us in.
    

    Want to make an Italian girl happy? (yes, yes you do) Bring her (me) to Lechuga’s. A Denver institution since 1961. Also, get a pint / quart of their marinara sauce to go and just believe. #oldschool

    A post shared by Fork Social Lab (@forksociallab) on Jun 1, 2016 at 10:21am PDT

• If you happen to already be in LoHi, stop by Postino for $5.00 glasses of wine and pitchers of beer, from open: 11am until 5pm. Additionally, on Mondays and Tuesdays, you can grab a house bottle of wine and a four piece bruschetta appetizer for $20. Can you say date night?
  

   

  Happy hour with @dietitiankristin #thatbruschettatho #friyayvibes A post shared by Kayla Koons (@kaylakoons) on May 18, 2018 at 5:28pm PDT

• Speaking of date night, you can’t do much better than Tuesdays at Truffle Table. For $40 (or $17 if you’re going on your own), indulge in all-you-can-eat raclette, which includes dessert!
  

  Raclette all night long!! Stop by for your cheese fix

  A post shared by Truffle Table (@truffletable) on Feb 7, 2018 at 3:57pm PST

• Just outside of the Highlands, you’ll also find another of the best happy hour Denver deals at Rocky Top Tavern. In this case, happy hour is all day, every day. You can’t beat $3.50 well drinks, but their food specials continue to impress. From $6.00 all-you-can-eat wings to $3.00 burgers, it’s worth going back a couple times to experience all the great food specials!

Glendale

In Glendale for the evening?

• • Be sure to check out Bull and Bush, where you can grab a free beer to go along with your burger on Wednesdays. This brewery is known well for their experimental nature, hand-crafted ale and tasty food. It’s the perfect place to wind down—and they have other nightly specials worth checking out!
    

     

    First time here @bullandbushbrewery A post shared by Meaghan Milne (@meaghan937) on May 18, 2018 at 10:57am PDT

  • Sometimes, you’ve got a taste for seafood. Also in Glendale, Jax Fish House and Oyster Bar will meet you and raise you a number of seafood specials. All Night Monday, 4-6pm Tuesday – Saturday, and 2 – 6pm Sunday, the happy hour menu is extensive and offers many of our favorite happy hour Denver deals. There’s another location in LoDo if that’s more convenient!
    

    As you can tell, we oysters. This means you can find us at @jaxlodo this Friday night for all you can eat. Head over to the link in bio to get more insider tips on this event, as well as other Denver food events this week Photo courtesy of JAX // #303eats #denvereats #303magazine #milehighcity

    A post shared by 303 Magazine Food & Booze (@303_food) on Jan 31, 2018 at 11:19am PST

Downtown Denver

Let’s head downtown, where some of the best happy hour Denver deals take place.

• • First, you’ll want to check out The Lobby. The exposed brick, stained glass backlit ceiling and hardwood floors make for a delightful date night. If that doesn’t sell you, then maybe this Thursday happy hour Denver deal will: we’re talking one shared appetizer, two entrees, one shared dessert and a bottle of house wine all for $50! And that’s not the only happy hour Denver deal you can score here—there’s also you-pick-two on Wednesdays:
    

     

    As you can tell, we oysters. This means you can find us at @jaxlodo this Friday night for all you can eat. Head over to the link in bio to get more insider tips on this event, as well as other Denver food events this week Photo courtesy of JAX // #303eats #denvereats #303magazine #milehighcity A post shared by 303 Magazine Food & Booze (@303_food) on Jan 31, 2018 at 11:19am PST

  • Looking for something a bit more casual? Try Rock Bottom Brewery. Though their happy hour Denver deals aren’t highly publicized, signing up for their email updates will help you stay in the loop and save some money!
    

    Well…that’s one way to you-pick-two on Wednesdays! Did you know we offer a special menu every hump day that lets you choose an entree and adult beverage for only $12? No, bottomless mimosas don’t count….but they are available until 3pm every day! . . #TheLobbyDenver #LobbyBrunchLife #regram Thank you @destination_livelife for the great mimosa pic! #HumpDay #YouPickTwo #BottomlessMimosas

    A post shared by Lobby Denver (@thelobbydenver) on Feb 21, 2018 at 12:09pm PST

Centennial

Don’t forget about Centennial, either, when it comes to the best happy hour Denver deals! This neighborhood has tons of great happy hours to offer, starting with Blue Sushi Sake Grill. The sushi options are endless but the best part is the $3.50 sake bombs!

 

This . This is what dreams are made of. . . . #BlueSushiSakeGrill #Sushi #FunSushi #MakiPlattersMatter #EatTheRainbow A post shared by Blue Sushi Sake Grill (@bluesushisakegrill) on Apr 5, 2018 at 8:09am PDT

Ballpark Area/LoDo

Are you in the mood for a rooftop patio and mouth-watering food? Really, who isn’t?

• Make your way to Ignite over in Ballpark and enjoy daily happy hour Denver deals, a Bachelorette watch party (and frose specials!) on Monday nights, Taco Tuesday deals, and more:The vibes are refreshing and the food is delicious – you can’t beat it.
  
• If you’re in the mood for $6.00 and under draft beers, wine, and cocktails, catch Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox during their Denver happy hour, Monday – Friday from 4 – 6pm. Also be sure to try their famous sliders and flatbreads while on special, too—just make sure to sit at the bar to cash in!

Five Points

So you’re in Five Points and you don’t want to leave—not a problem.

• • Make your first stop Work & Class, because their Early Work Release Program (aka one of the best happy hour Denver deals) is absolutely to die for. Stop on by from 4 – 10pm, weekdays (closed Monday) and Sundays, or 4 – 11pm, Fridays and Saturdays. Grab a $4.00 draft beer and a $6.00 tempura broccoli and tell us you’re not instantly feeling happier. We’ll wait.
    

    Spoil all the moms out there by bringing them into W&C for a feast. Happy Mother’s Day and fried chicken Sunday! : @matthewhjohn

    A post shared by Work & Class (@workandclassdenver) on May 13, 2018 at 12:09pm PDT

• More in the mood for trendy, hip small plates? Check out The Populist, where the $2.00 salt and vinegar popcorn perfectly pairs with a $6.00 house-made tonic, during their happy hour Denver deals, from 5 – 7pm, Tuesday – Friday.
  

   

  Bring your family in and try out our special cocktail for the evening. It’s sure to put you in the holiday spirit. Tequila, orange, honey, egg white, and currant liqueur. #populistpours A post shared by The Populist (@thepopulistdenver) on Dec 23, 2017 at 3:46pm PST

City Park West

Have you been to City Park West’s side of town yet? If not, Humboldt is the perfect reason to go.

• • Humboldt’s farm-fresh food is reason enough itself, but the great prices offered from 3-6 PM every day sweeten the deal. Add in $6-$7 cocktails (with wine and beer on special for $6 and below) and we’re sold!
    

    Today, just Fernet About It–one of our newest cocktails on our spring menu! Green Chartreuse, Fernet Branca, lemon, and simple syrup–shaken and topped with dry cava and champagne. Finally, garnished with a rosemary sprig and summer orange peel. Drink it and forget that you’re living in a winter wonderland at the moment… #cocktails #champagne #bubbly #fernet #chartreuse #mixology #dreamingofspring #denver #cheers #denverdrinks #thirsty #thirstythursday #yum #happyhour

    A post shared by Humboldt Farm • Fish • Wine (@humboldton17th) on Mar 24, 2016 at 4:07pm PDT

• Denver, don’t sleep on Kinga’s Lounge either! People often stop in for late-night cravings, but did you know that burgers and more traditional Polish appetizers like pierogi are $5.00 during happy hour, which happens Monday – Friday, 4 – 7pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 3-6pm? They also have an all-you-can-eat pierogi special for just $10! And let’s just say your group had a long day. Well, now, you can order a carafe (that’s 11 shots!) of their house-infused vodka for $25.00. Our math puts that at $2.27/shot before taxes and tip.
  

   

  When you eat your #heart out on #vacation #vacationlife de-neveragain. #rootdown #kingaslounge #jelly #tacostequilawhiskey #voodoodonuts #vero #lasmargs A post shared by J•••sh (@joshualeep23) on Oct 11, 2017 at 6:03am PDT

Lincoln Park

We can’t forget about Lincoln Park’s excellent happy hour Denver deals, either!

• • Interstate Kitchen & Bar has not one but TWO happy hour Denver deals, from 4 – 6pm and 10pm – midnight. The food specials are all under $4.00 and a mini-cooler packed with five brews is only $9.00! Win-win.
    

    So this happened. Yup, that’s a perfectly packed bowl of heavenly mac ‘n cheese with bacon and green onions… #denverwithmeg #foodporn #fujix100t #macncheese #lefooding

    A post shared by Meg G. (@meggagnard) on Nov 9, 2017 at 12:39pm PST

• If you’re a craft beer fanatic, be sure to experiment with The Molecule Effect on Thursdays. They’ve got craft beers for just $2.00 all night long – you really can’t beat it.
  

   

  Check out all our great options for $2 can Thursday! At this price, come try them all • • • • #themoleculeeffect #santafeartdistrict #santafeartsdistrict #denvercoffeeshop #denvercoffee #denverhappyhour #denverpatios #denver #denvercolorado #beer #beerbelly #cheapbeer #happyhourallday A post shared by The Molecule Effect (@themoleculeeffect) on Apr 19, 2018 at 12:34pm PDT

Capitol Hill

Let’s close off with Capitol Hill.

• • Say you’re in the mood for Mediterranean – we’ve got you covered! Rather, Vesper Lounge Not only does their happy hour feature delicious dips and sliders starting at $3.00, but their drink specials tend to feature both beer and a shot! Instant happiness. At Vesper Lounge, happy hour Denver deals occur Monday (all night), Tuesday – Friday (4pm – 6pm), and Saturday – Sunday (2pm – 6pm).
    

    Sometimes the day is so perfect you go enjoy the patio with the best happy hour on a Sunday @vesperlounge #sundayfunday #perfectsunday #beautifulweather #summer #breezy #dalespaleale #90shilling #oskarbluesbrewery #caphilldenver #denver#supportlocal

    A post shared by Ashley Garrett (@a.nic.nic) on Apr 29, 2018 at 1:48pm PDT

• If you were feeling like an Irish-themed night of fun, don’t overlook The Fainting Goat, who offers several happy hour Denver deals throughout the week and at multiple times during the day. Small plates and drink specials are readily available, so you’re bound to have a blast here!
  

   

  Who says your St. Patty’s celebration needs to be over? The Fainting Goat (Denver) has $2 mimosas all day long . . . #denver #denverbrunch #denvermimosas #denverlife #denverfun #denvereats #denverdrinks #coloradolife #coloradofun A post shared by Do303 (@do303official) on Mar 18, 2018 at 8:21am PDT

Final Thoughts: The 19 Best Happy Hour Denver Deals

These are just a smattering of the best happy hour Denver deals, but new ones always seem to pop up!

If you’ve already exhausted these options and are looking for new options, there are always food and drink deals on Groupon. Still don’t see what you want? Consider these additional ideas for saving money on Denver drinking and dining, regardless of the time of day:

• Check out local deals on the Chinook Book app:
  
• Purchase the Greater Denver Area Entertainment Book (sign up for their email list and wait for it to drop to $10 or less):
  
• The Denver Dining Passbook offers buy one, get one deals (entrees and drinks) at the best Denver restaurants—it’s well worth the $99 investment at the beginning of the year (but you can grab it for $45 right now on Groupon)!
  

Whatever you choose, go ahead and loosen up for the best Happy hour Denver deals–there’s no such thing as getting too loose. You deserve it!

Don’t forget to grab a Drunk Blucifer unisex/men’s or women’s tank top to demonstrate how much you love the Denver craft beer scene:

Did we forget any of the best happy hour Denver deals? Let us know in the comments!

The post The 19 Best Happy Hour Denver Deals appeared first on .

Do officials stash bribes into their pockets all over the world—including in western countries? You better believe it.

via GIPHY

Bribery is not something exclusively regulated to developing nations. Money greases wheels in every country—in terms of big money (think NRA) and small money (think official willing to look the other way at a South American border crossing).

However, as a world traveler who mostly keeps your nose clean when at home, developing nations are the place that you’re most likely to find yourself in a position of needing to grease those wheels, or as they say in Thailand, give a little “tea money,” to help things move along smoothly.

Before we dive in too deep, it’s important to clarify: there is a difference between paying a bribe and being extorted.

If you’re paying a bribe, you are asking a police officer or some other government official, such as an immigration officer, to bend (I say bend because it sounds better than break, but I mean break) a law or rule for you.

So, when I arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, with a $1,500 drone that was apparently not allowed into the country without two letters of permission—which I did not have—the customs officer and I came to a “special arrangement.”

via GIPHY

This arrangement consisted of him keeping a $100 bill for the kindness of tossing my jacket over the drone and looking the other way.

That was a bribe. So, is bribery illegal? Yes, yes it is. Especially when you are looking to buy weapons. Just buy guns & ammo from Palmetto Armory to ensure that you are not getting scammed. Is it the best way to get things done sometimes? Yes.

Extortion, however, is a different and much more unpleasant beast. Even if you don’t end up coughing up cash or goods when slipping through the fingers of officials attempting to extort you, you’re going to end up with the unpleasant taste of harassment.

Extortion is when you’ve done nothing wrong and you are not trying to receive any special treatment but are still being hit up for cash.

This can be Tanzanian police pulling your car over and seizing all the soccer balls you brought into the country for an orphanage—true story—in exchange for them not finding something to hold you in jail for any number of days simply, because they’ve identified you as an easy target.

Is extortion illegal? Yes. And, sometimes, you can keep a smile, play dumb, remain pleasantly stubborn about the whole situation and escape with all your cash. Other times, it’s easiest to cough up a few dollars and be on your way. However, remember: once a target, always a target.

The line can get pretty blurry between bribes and extortion fast enough that we’re just lumping them into the same category of forking money over to officials who are padding their own pockets.

As LifeHacker points out: “Some ‘fines’ aren’t exactly what they seem, though. If you’re in an area known to have corruption problems—Mexico, Russia, parts of Africa, parts of Southeast Asia—any fines you’re asked to pay might just be them asking for a bribe.”

In this case, if there was a real infarction, such as riding a motorcycle without a helmet or not having a valid driver’s license, then you are paying a bribe to avoid the hassle of going through the legal system.

Sure, you can get on a moral high horse about where you think your fine money should end up, but the bottom line is that it’s going to go either to the officer collecting the “fine” or to the government. Either way, you’ve already invested way too much time, money, and energy into enjoying your time abroad.

Why sell that happiness for the cost of a bribe?

Tips to Avoid Paying Bribes

The first trick to avoid paying bribes, or being extorted, is to avoid giving an officer anything you can’t leave behind.

This usually boils down to your passport, though it can also include vehicle keys and other documents. By carrying either high-quality copies (check whether or not a country requires you to carry your passport with you at all times) of identification, you can often explain that your passport is locked in your hotel’s safe—or some such story. The key here is to minimize any leverage an officer can have over you.

Second, don’t take their threats too seriously.

If they start proclaiming that they are going to take you to the police station, or whatever hassle their greedy minds can invent, don’t sweat it. The more people an officer is forced to involve in shaking you down, the less his or her cut will be.

They know that if they take you to the station, they either have to process you—which does nothing for their bank account—or they are going to have to give a slice of the pie to their boss, if not their boss’s boss, as well. So, if it looks like they’re getting theatrical about the situation, stay calm and tell them you’re willing to comply.

During the entire situation, you want to remain relaxed, polite, and persistent. It doesn’t necessarily have to be intense, so help to defuse it by being courteous and charming. Eventually, if you remain persistent without escalating the situation, your money might not be worth their effort.

Finally, try playing dumb. Outside of being polite and persistent, being dumb is going to be your best friend. When you’re the village idiot, it’s amazing what you can get away with.

Tips for Paying Bribes

Perhaps it’s just one of those situations where a little grease on the wheel is worth every cent of it—and to hell with the high road.

There are a number of generic phrases that you can work into a conversation to move an official toward your way of seeing things—assuming a bribe is the right direction. The key is to hint at being willing to pay a bribe while doing absolutely nothing to incriminate yourself.

You might ask:

• “There’s got to be another way we can work this out, right?”
• “Is there just some sort of fine or fee I can pay?”
• “Is there any way you can just take care of this?”
• “Do you think you could help me with this?”

It’s important to be careful with how you communicate this, because if it doesn’t work, you don’t want to be thrown in jail for attempting to bribe an officer, which is a crime. Remember—like with dating—if they’re not getting your hint, they’re probably not going to take you up on the offer.

It’s not unusual to see an officer take a fleeting glance in your wallet to determine how much he or she expects you to pay. So, if you’re moving into a situation where there is a higher chance of paying a bribe or be extorted, you want to manage your money appropriately.

Keep no more than you’re planning on paying in bribes in your wallet. If you also have a travel belt with cash in it, put an extra five bucks in there and stash the rest of your money somewhere out of sight.

Finally, it’s important to remember that managing an extortion situation (as a western traveler) or attempting to pay a bribe has a lot to do with theatrics. Officers who are used to a system that pays tea money know their roles and lines. So, get comfortable and prepare to play along.

Final Thoughts: Traveler’s Worry: Is Bribery Illegal?

If you travel enough, you will eventually encounter a situation where you are either willing to pay a bribe or you will be extorted.

It can be easy to be caught up in the drama of the moment and lose perspective. Stay calm, stubborn, and courteous. Then, balance the financial costs with the costs to your happiness, and do what’s going to be best for you.

Either way, remember that at the end of the day, these shady encounters with officers in strange, wonderful countries nearly always end up making the best travel stories.

Oh, and there’s no better way to bring up a “remember that time I bribed a Thai official so we could stay an extra month in Phuket” story than with some sweet swag.

Like the “F*ck It” Phuket Unisex / Men’s Tank Top:

Or the “F*ck It” Phuket Women’s Tank Top:

Tell us about your travel bribes (and how you handled them with lawyer help or otherwise) on Twitter @TanksGetAround! We’ll re-tweet our favorites.

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If you have ever flown in or out of Denver’s International Airport, you probably have come across the eerie, legendary, red-eyed, demon-horse; Blucifer. Although a stoic statue, this bucking bronco is responsible for the death of his creator and has catapulted multiple conspiracy theories and legends. He has also inspired some pretty cool tank top designs.

Blucifer Denver: From Inspiration to the Artist’s Curse

The official name of Blucifer Denver is ‘Blue Mustang’ but most people know him by Blucifer. And if you don’t know the story behind the statue, we’re about to get into that—but be forewarned, it’s a frightening tale.

The sculpture was created by artist Luis Jimenez, whose previous works are displayed in museums around the country.

Jimenez sculpted this 32 feet tall bronco out of polychromed fiberglass, painted it a vibrant blue, and finished him off with red, glowing neon eyes. Demonic, no?

via GIPHY

Jimenez designed Blucifer Denver to represent the spirit of the old American West. But, when a piece of the 9,000-pound sculpture fell onto Jimenez’ leg, severing an artery and killing the artist, ‘Blue Mustang’ went from being an inspiration to being the curse we now know as Blucifer Denver.

Despite the death of Jimenez, the sculpture was finished by family, friends, and the artist’s staff and was finally displayed at Denver International Airport, as planned. Horrified, Denver citizens believed that the statue was cursed. Its red, glowing eyes gave way to nicknames like “Satan’s Steed”, “Denver Doom Horse”, “Blue Stallion of Death”, “DIAblo”, “The Untamed Mustang of the Apocalypse”, and, of course — ‘Blucifer’!

You might have heard that Blucifer would be removed from DIA but luckily, this was just a case of #fakenews. Blucifer isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon.

The Best Denver Blucifer/Denver International Airport Conspiracy Theories

Many have their own conspiracy theories about the sculpture and some even believe that Blucifer will eventually provide transportation for one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse.

This particular conspiracy theory stems from a series of books named “The Montauk Project: Experiments in Time”, written by Preston B. Nichols.

Nichols described seeing one of four horsemen of the apocalypse during his time working on the Philadelphia Experiment (invisibility experiments that supposedly led to the teleportation of a full ship and crew). He claimed to have accessed repressed memories from this experience. The connection? The cover of the first edition of his book looks eerily similar to the Blucifer sculpture.

Other conspiracy theories center around the airport itself and have people believing that Blucifer Denver is a symbol of something ugly and dark.

Recently, the Denver International Airport decided to address these conspiracy theories with a series of ads around the airport.

When the airport opened 10 months behind schedule and was way over budget, paranoia spread and Denver citizens began asking questions. Why was it so expensive and why are there so many unmarked buildings that resulted from the airport’s construction?

Some speculated that the airport was built over top-secret subterranean command bunkers for the New World Order. Others pointed to the shape of the runways, claiming that they looked very similar to a swastika.

There have been several attempts to have Blucifer Denver removed entirely from the airport, simply because many consider him to be an eyesore. From petitions to Facebook groups, people have rallied together to rid Denver of this demonic sculpture. Despite their efforts, the city is firm on their stance to keep the statue where it is. To them, Blucifer Denver is a work of art and a symbol of the airport and the city of Denver.

In fact, there are many who truly love the statue. Its persona has inspired local creators to bring Blucifer to life in other forms.

Odd13 Brewing is a brewery located in Colorado that offers up Blucifer in a can. The “Blucifer” oak aged sour stout has hints of cranberries (perhaps an homage to Blucifer Denver’s red eyes!).

Image Source: Odd13 Brewing

Tanks That Get Around was also inspired by these conspiracy theories and the demonic eyes of Blucifer. Our “It’s 4:20 Somewhere” tank top design comes in a variety of colors, with stylish fits for both men and women.

Unisex / Men’s “It’s 4:20 Somewhere” Tank Top:

Women’s “It’s 4:20 Somewhere” Tank Top:

We also have a drunk Blucifer design, for those who didn’t come to Colorado to indulge in cannabis culture.

Unisex / Men’s Drunk Blucifer Tank Top:

Women’s Drunk Blucifer Tank Top:

Blucifer Denver; The Legend of the Blue Mustang

No matter what you think about Blucifer Denver, we can all agree that this piece of artwork will forever incite dialogue. So, next time you’re flying into or out of the Mile High City of Denver, give yourself a little extra time to admire the blue monster with blazing red eyes, known by the name of Blucifer.

While you’re at it, grab yourself a killer tank (pun intended) and head down to the Odd13 brewery to throw back a beer or two. Then, make your way down to the Denver International Airport and say ‘hay’ to the legend himself.

Snap an epic pic with the beast, in your shirt, sipping a beer. Whip up a post of this trifecta and share for all your friends to see. Bonus points if you post at 4:20!

Featured Image Credit: Mike Sinko

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