Category Archive: Travel

1. Why you should take a career break and Travel the World

   September 8, 2016 11:11 am Leave a Comment

   It’s not everybody’s cup of tea but most people I speak to say they would love to Travel the World. Then when I ask why they don’t just do it, I’m met with too many excuses. Sure, I agree that it’s not easy to just put everything down, jump on a plane and not return for a year. However with some careful planning, breaking down the old self-made mental barriers, and some shrewd saving, it certainly is something that you can achieve.

   This article is based on my experience having gave up my job in my late twenties (which was high earning and a progressive career opportunity), rented my apartment out, severed many more ties and then jumped on a plane to South East Asia. Something inside me issued a stark reminder that life is too short and if I don’t do it now, when will I ever do it. So I took the leap, focused on all the positives and basically made it happen. Exactly a year later I returned an improved and more open person which resulted in me creating a new business which became very successful and gave me freedom in my life. I wholeheartedly credit most of that success to the fact that I went travelling around the world.

   Here are some great reasons on Why you should take a career break and Travel the World:

   1. You will ‘live life’ fully in the present moment
   2. You will see so many wonderful sights and experience amazing things
   3. You will discover and appreciate new cultures
   4. You will learn new languages
   5. You will gain important perspectives in life
   6. You will make many new friends
   7. You will return wiser, smarter and open to new opportunities
   8. You will feel free
   9. You will have an amazing time enjoying yourself
   10. You will be ultimately be happier

    

   It doesn’t mean you need to give up everything and travel the world for a year or more. You can take a series of shorter breaks and have an agreement with your employer to take some time off or even work on your project whilst away.

   If you have kids then there’s always the possibility of travelling for six weeks in the summer and present them to many new cultures and growth-orientated experiences. Many families travel and there is always accommodation available on sites such as airbnb.com. It may take more forward planning to make it happen….

   Financing such a world trip could be the challenge for many people trying to make the dream a reality, but if you want it enough then there is always a way. Start by cutting out all the costs that you don’t really need and make some sacrifices on nights out or the odd ‘treat’. If you have your own place then consider moving in with other people for a short period. Start saving, and saving hard! Making more money will of course help loads so consider asking for overtime at your job or starting a little side business in your spare time. Stay in touch with my website for more tips on creating new passive income streams, and read my previous post Make Money While you Sleep.

   The simple reality is that you don’t really have much time on this earth, and you certainly don’t want to regret things that you didn’t do. Therefore before its too late, start writing down your travel plans now and put the ball in motion for the experience of a lifetime – you won’t regret it!

   One Life – Live it

2. The best beach in Brazil – Taipu de Fora

   May 17, 2016 9:59 am Leave a Comment

   This place is amazing. If you are looking for peace and tranquility, and to walk for miles on an unspoiled beach shadowed by coconut trees where you can have a chilled holiday, then this place is for you. An early rise before 6am is well worth it for the beautiful sunrise, as this little town faces the South Atlantic Ocean on the coast in the state of Bahia.

   It was only by chance that I found this gem of a beach town during my travels around Brazil. I had been in a town not so far away named Itacare, a popular place for surfers, backpackers and tourists. Itacare was great (and will be covered in another post), but I was looking for something even quieter to move on to so that I could focus on finishing my website and blog. As if by chance, I met a couple, Bea and Renato, who were also staying at the same pousada (Brazilian name for a small hotel) and they told me about Taipu de Fora and that they had a pousada there. A few days later, I booked up and travelled to Taipu de Fora.

   Beautiful Bahia

   This tiny beach town lies on the ‘Peninsula de Marau’ on the Bahia coast, south of Salvador. There is a direct route by road but the last 45km is basically a dirt track which is not the most comfortable ride with many potholes and almost impassable in wet conditions unless you have a 4×4. Most of the locals like it this way as it makes the place less reachable and therefore it has been able to keep its chilled atmosphere and quiet life. Few cars circulate the area and most people get around the sandy roads by quad bike. There is no bank or cash machine anywhere near so be sure to bring cash, although most places do accept card.

   A more comfortable way to travel there is to take a speed boat from Camamu to Barra Grande, which lies at the tip of the Peninsula and then a taxi/pickup truck to Taipu de Fora 10 minutes away. It is also less expensive as the taxi drivers do add a large tariff for the wear and tear of their cars for travelling the long bumpy dirt roads. I took the taxi both ways and it was fun, although I did need to close my eyes a few times as cars going both ways fight for the right to drive on the less rugged terrain.

   The beach at Taipu de Fora is the most popular in the area mainly due to the inviting natural swimming pools that appear during low tide each day. Whilst the Peninsula goes on further in each direction, the Taipu beach is 7km long and covered with golden sand and spread with giant coconut trees. There is coral surrounding the beach which reaches the surface during low tide and therefore blocks the waves from reaching the beach. It makes it a safe environment for swimming and even better for snorkeling. There are many species of tropical fish only metres from the beach and the visibility is usually excellent. The calm water also makes it popular for stand up paddle. Then only 50m away is a wonderful surfing beach suitable for beginners and pros depending on which part of the bay you go to. I enjoyed getting on the board again and catching some waves after many years absence.

   Bambu Dourada

   Pousada Bambu Dourada in situated in an excellent location very near to the main street (when I say main street, I mean a sandy little road with a small supermarket, a couple of shops and a couple of restaurants). This boutique hotel oozes the love and attention that art lovers Bea and Renato have put into it, and you immediately feel at home with their warmth. I particularly enjoyed listening to Renato’s music collection as I lay in the hammock writing my journal, and the morning yoga class that Bea would teach. As well as Portuguese and German, they both speak English very well which was pleasing for me as most places in this area only speak Portuguese (we are in Brazil after all).

   The walk north along the coast is spectacular, with the beautiful water of the Atlantic on your right and a coastline packed with palm trees on your left. It took me around 2 hours to reach Barra Grande after stopping for a swim a few times to cool down from the midday sun. Being Scottish I made the mistake of not bringing a hat or enough sunscreen and returned pretty red!  However, that was all worth it as the sunset from the beach at Barra Grande is spectacular.

   Related Article : Why you should take a Career Break and Travel the World

   When you visit here, make sure to bring lots to read and expect a nice relaxed holiday, although you could rent a quad bike and explore the nearby lagoons and beaches, or take a boat trip. I found it to be very safe, even at the deserted beach at night whilst observing the myriad of stars. It also has a real spiritual feel, and I was pleasantly surprised to meet some very intriguing people in this tiny town.

   It is mostly Brazilian tourists who visit at this time and not many Europeans or Americans have found this paradise yet, but many of them who do have not left. I can understand why they decided to buy some land, build a pousada and make this their new home in Paradise. It just might be something I also do.

   Peace and Good Vibes.