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A Blog About A Globetrotting English Teacher

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Americas

Travel Tips for Visiting the USA

October 10, 2019 by Thomas Hedley

When flying to a country which speaks a different language, it’s part of the routine to check the customs and the way which that particular country does things. However, when flying to a country which speaks English, such as America, Australia or New Zealand, it can be easy to think that the customs will be pretty much the same as the UK. In regards to America, there are a few things you should be aware in terms of rules and customs, as well as some essential planning to make your trip a lot smoother.

  • Be Prepared to Tip

Tipping is expected in America, from everyone, whether it be your taxi driver, restaurant server or hotel attendant. Whereas tipping is more a habit of choice in the UK based on good service, it’s customary in the United States, and can be viewed as particularly rude if you leave a restaurant without tipping. The majority of a restaurant server’s salary can be made up from tips in America, so it’s a good idea to set aside extra money in your budget for tipping.

  • Check Your Flight Times

The United States spans the length of the entire continent and has multiple time zones within it. This can make planning your travel experience somewhat complicated, especially if your flight route has multiple layovers along the way. What’s more, American airports have the tendency to be very strict. If you are flying to San Diego, for example, and you don’t want to deal with the stress of both customs and the long flight time, then Stratos Jets Charters is the best way to go. Private jets go through their own custom checks, and are far more luxurious to fly in. San Diego is an incredible city to visit and arriving on your own private jet is the best way to experience all this wonderful place has to offer.

  • Obey the Traffic Laws

American authorities are very strict when it comes to the rules of the road. No parking means no parking, and traffic must remain stopped at a red light until it changes fully to green (there’s no drifting through when the light is amber like you might do in the UK). You should also pay close attention to STOP signs and learn which way you need to look at a junction.

It’s also important to note that traffic laws and speed limits change from state to state, so you will need to check the specific rules for the state you intend to visit. Either invest in a GPS that informs you of changing speed limit signs or keep an eye out for sign changes – back grounds tend to drop suddenly in speed and have a tendency to not be very visible. Locals would calls this a “speed trap”.

  • Don’t Overwhelm Your Trip

There’s more than enough to do in one state, let alone 50 of them. Though it’s tempting for most people to want to nip over to a neighbouring state in order to tick another point of interest off their bucket list, a lot of people underestimate the travel distance between states (or even across one state) and don’t realise the toll travel can take on the body. Stick to what you can comfortably do in the state (or states) you want to visit and don’t try and do too much in one trip. You can always go back!

Filed Under: Americas Tagged With: destinations, travel, USA, vacation

Reasons to Buy Your Universal Studios Tickets Online Before You Leave Home

September 30, 2019 by Thomas Hedley

If you are heading to Orlando in 2020 then you are no doubt already looking to see which theme parks you will hit, where you will stay and how you will map out your vacation in this amazing location. A family trip to Orlando takes a lot of planning and you need to maximize each day in order to get the best out of this trip on the whole. When it comes to buying tickets for somewhere like Universal Studios it really makes a lot of sense to get those tickets online before you go. There are many websites which offer ticket buying options and there are so man benefits in doing this.

Cheaper Prices

For the best prices on Universal Orlando tickets you have to go online and visit a third party seller who is offering big discounts on entry passes. If you compare the prices of these tickets to what you may pay on the door when you arrive at Universal Orlando, you will see that the difference is pretty sizable, sometimes up to 20% cheaper. This is of course a big saving but when you consider that you are going to be taking the whole family, that saving becomes even bigger. Check that you are buying from a reputable reseller before you part with any of your money.

Guarantees

It doesn’t happen often but there are times when you may find that the park has sold out for the day, which can completely ruin your itinerary. Guarantee yourself tickets before you go to give you the peace of mind which you need. Buying online before you go will ensure that you have secured your tickets and that you are going to be able to get in on the days which you have selected.

Planning

As we mentioned in the intro, a holiday to Orlando is a hectic one and because there is so much to do, and so much which you’ll want to do, you need to plan your itinerary to the letter. knowing that you have secured your tickets for theme park access helps you to better plan your time in Orlando, rather than leaving anything up to chance.

Less Stressful

As someone who has taken the kids on 2 separate occasions to Orlando I can tell you that this is a vacation which is very stressful, and that starts before you leave home. If you compare a vacation like this to a two week trip to Spain, the amount of planning, luggage and work that you have to put in to a trip like this is huge. It is for this reason that you need to be an expert with your plans, because the more that you have prepared before leaving, the less stressed you are going to be when you get there.

Universal Orlando is a great place to spend a couple of days, get your tickets before you leave, and tick another item off your to-do list.

Filed Under: Americas, Travel Tips Tagged With: destinations, travel, Universal Studios

3 Day Guide to Mexico City

July 10, 2019 by Thomas Hedley

If you have a trip coming up to Mexico then you shouldn’t miss out on the chance to visit its incredible capital Mexico City. Most people who fly to Mexico do so to visit the coastal spots like Los Cabos in Baja California or down to Cancun in Quintana Roo, for a great addition to your trip check out flights to Mexico City and see if you can’t squeeze in a 3 day city break to this cool city. Domestic flights in Mexico are extremely well priced and a couple of days in the capital will not set you back very much money at all.

If you do manage to squeeze in a 3 day break in Mexico City then here is a quick guide to how you can get the most out of the city during those days.

Day 1 – Teotihucan, Basillica de Guadeloupe, Una Cantina 

Teotihuacan

One of the biggest attractions to visit during your time in Mexico City is the ancient city of Teotihuacan, a fascinating archaeological site which is around and hour and half outside of the city. The site features 2 beautiful pyramids and much of the city has  been either perfectly preserved or well restored. Expect to spend around 2 hours walking in the footsteps of these ancient civilizations. You can find several tours for Teotihuacan online.

Basillica de Guadeloupe

The Basillica de Guadeloupe is a vitally important place for Catholics in this country and whilst from the outside the building doesn’t look the most appealing, inside it is a real site to behold. Given that you won’t have much time after visiting the ancient city this is the perfect place to stop off for 30 minutes and check out the intricate stained glass designs in this important basilica.

Una Cantina

A cantina is about as Mexican as it gets and it is the perfect place to round off your day. Essentially these places are working class bars where the food is free once you have bought a bottle of alcohol, or a couple of beers. Sample great local food and enjoy the traditional Mexican music.

Day 2 – Xochimilco, Coyoacan, Street Food

Xochimilco

Once upon a time Mexico City was nothing more than two dried out lakes which over time became this swirling metropolis. Areas of the city still have water and Xochimilco is a vast canal network in the far south of city. Here you can hire a large gondola called a trajinero and head out on the water for some fun. You can take drinks and food on board and the bigger the group you have the better it will be!

Coyoacan

Once you have finished the festivities in Xochimilco a great place to spend the rest of your afternoon is in nearby Coyoacan. This is a quiet and very pretty area of the city where you can wander through cobbled-stone streets and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere than in the rest of the city. Mezcal is a drink which you must try here and if you head to Corazon de Maguey in the center of Coyoacan you’ll find a great range of drinks and waiters who can talk you through each type of Mezcal.

Street Food

Finish your day off with some great street food and here there is only one choice, tacos. If you are in Coyoacan then head to Rey de los Tacos on Division del Norte, they have a wide range of options which are cheap and delicious.

Day 3 – Zocalo, Anthropology Museum, Visit the Angel

Zocalo

Zocalo is the historic center of Mexico City and t is a great place to spend your morning.  Here you will find places to visit like the Plaza de Constitucion where many national events happen, including the inauguration of the president. You will also find the ancient cathedral here and Palacio de Bellas Artes is one of the most beautiful theaters which you are likely to see. Don’t miss out on taking some breakfast in the Torre Latino, which was one of the city’s first ever skyscrapers and offers some incredible views of the city.

Anthropology Museum

Given that Mexico City has over 150 museums it would be remiss not to visit at least one and the anthropology museum is the pick of the bunch. This museum near Chapultepec Park houses tens of thousands of artifacts from ancient civilizations, from the Olmecs to the Mayans, The Aztecs to the Incas. Here you’ll learn more about the history of Mesoamerica than you ever though possible, a truly fascinating place.

Visit the Angel

Before you slip off into the night to enjoy a final bit of street food and tequila, head to the Glorieta Insurgentes in Cuauhtemoc and visit the Angel of Independence. This golden angel sitting aloft a tall column is a symbol of freedom in Mexico and makes for the perfect photo opportunity before you go home.

Quick Tips

  • The currency in Mexico is the Peso.
  • Don’t use street cabs, they have a poor reputation and companies like Didi, Uber and Cabify are far cheaper and much safer.
  • Petty crime happens in this city, much like in any big city, so be sure to take precautions like not showing off your gadgets or jewels.
  • If you have a little bit of Spanish then give it a try, the locals love someone trying to communicate with them like this and they’ll help you out.
  • Be careful with the street food you buy, sometimes meat sits out for a very long time, avoid Moctezuma’s Revenge by eating in restaurants.
  • Tap water here is not potable, avoid drinking it and ensure that ice in drinks comes from a bag.

There you have it, a quick itinerary for your 3 day break in this awesome city, have fun!

Filed Under: Americas Tagged With: Mexico, Mexico City, Visit Mexico

Living in Jamaica — 5 tips for earning, learning and staying safe

January 14, 2019 by Thomas Hedley

Jamaica’s crystal-clear Caribbean waters beaches and chilled-out culture make it a tourist magnet.

But living in this island paradise is a more complex proposition which can be really rewarding — provided you plan properly.

If the thought of spending a year or two as a Jamdown resident floats your boat, here are five insider tips for earning, learning and staying safe.

1. Work

If you come from a nation with a social security safety net and plenty of job opportunities, life in Jamaica is far more focused on survival — so it’s absolutely vital that you secure steady work before you set off.

One top tip for immigrants is grabbing a position with your local embassy or consulate — for example, working at The British High Commission in Kingston can be interesting and reasonably well-paid. But be warned – if you’re recruited locally instead of being posted from your home nation, your terms and conditions won’t be as generous.

2. Accommodation

Crime in Jamaica isn’t nearly as rife as sensational press headlines would have you believe, but it’s still a significant factor.

Capital Kingston offers far more job opportunities than other metropolitan areas and jobs are few and far between in rural areas outwith international hotels. So discuss the safest areas to stay with local consular staff before making the move and avoid any hotspots highlighted by official government foreign travel advice.

3. Network

The best approach for long term travellers to Jamaica is to maintain an open heart and open eyes — take the opportunity to make new friends but don’t be naïve and place yourself in vulnerable situations.

One of the best ways to avoid pitfalls is by seeking advice from expats on a site like InterNations where you’ll grab tips on everything from the cost of living to the best nightlife and entrepreneurial opportunities. These groups also organise regular events where you can meet likeminded incomers in person.

4. Party

If you spend an extended time in Jamaica and don’t attend any parties or festivals, you’re really missing out on some of the most vibesy and unique experiences on the planet.

And provided you attend events in company and make travel and accommodation arrangements beforehand, it’s a perfectly safe place to let your hair down.

If you love roots reggae, Rebel Salute is one of the best live music events to soak in the superb atmosphere — there’s no alcohol allowed at this Rastafarian-inspired event, but vegan food and herbal supplements ensure you’ll have a terrific time nonetheless.

5. Study

 

If you want to keep an iron in the educational fire and upskill for a new job once you return home, Jamaica’s excellent broadband speed and service mean studying online is child’s play.

Earning an online degree from a uni like Anglia Ruskin Distance Learning ensures you’ll have plenty of time to work, socialise and return home with a vocational qualification under your belt.

And you might even connect with classmates from other exotic locations who inspire your next travel adventure!

That’s our list! Add your own tips for living in Jamaica in the comments section.

Filed Under: Americas Tagged With: Caribbean, jamaica, living abroad

4 places to see exotic animals

May 28, 2018 by Thomas Hedley

If you are passionate about wildlife and want to take your travel binoculars to gaze at some of the most wondrous species out there, we’re here to give you a hand. Some of those we’ve included in our list can be jotted down on a list of the weirdest animals in the world, but some are downright beautiful and will captivate you with their looks and behavior.

Without further ado, here are four places where you can see exotic animals.

West Virginia and Red Pandas

Even though it is located in the United States, the zoo where red pandas live is one of the most unique destinations you can travel to. Of course, visiting them does come at a cost, because for two people, you’ll have to pay as much as $165 for the ticket. For this price, you can even interact with the animals, which is an experience you will enjoy, for sure.

Visitors are advised that the little pandas might try to climb on them in order to get fed. Keep in mind that you are only allowed to feed the animals what the zoo staff recommends. It will be difficult for you to avoid taking one in your arms and giving it a hug.

Serengeti, Tanzania

We couldn’t make up our minds about the most interesting animal species you could see here, and that’s because it has a population of 2 million wild ones composed of gazelles, zebras, as well as predators such as cheetahs, leopards, lions, and crocodiles.

Besides, the giraffes and elephants will sweep you off of your feet, especially if you’ve never seen any before. Going to Serengeti will be an experience you might never forget. Just keep in mind that you can’t see these species up-close, especially if they are predators.

Uganda

It’s pretty difficult to get to see Uganda’s mountain gorillas, and that’s because you’ll have to do a lot of climbing to get there. There are porters that will carry your bags for a fee, however, so that might make it easier.

Mountain gorillas are among the critically endangered species currently inhabiting the Earth. If you do decide to take a trip to Uganda, it will be an amazing experience, and that’s because you can get a glimpse of tender moments between a gorilla mother and her son or daughter. These animals do not like interacting with humans and they will avoid contact with them, although at times they might not even care less as long as you do not invade their space.

Northern India

The snow leopard resides in some parts of Northern India, but it is so elusive that you might not be able to get to see one. However, if you can’t hold back, you can camp in some areas and wait for the predator to make his or her appearance. It’s often that leopards stalk bharals, so you should ask around to see where you can set up camp and take your photos.

Filed Under: Africa, Americas, Asia, Travel Tips Tagged With: adventure travel, animals, exotic animals, travel

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