Tag: explore

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Same same, but different. Bangkok!!

If you’ve never heard it “Same same, but different” is a catchphrase used all over Thailand, it is used in many different ways mainly jokingly by Thais and foreigners. It means “similar” and can relate to the selling of original designer bags or even different food items at markets. You might ask a question and get a “same same, but different” or a simple “same same” as an answer and that should be sufficient. Today we’ll talk about Bangkok, a city full of endless food options, touristic attractions, nice people, etc… a metropolis like many others, SAME SAME, BUT DIFFERENT.

Bangkok! You might think of Bangkok and not like the sound of it, never looked into it as a destination or did not enjoy it while you were there. We completely understand, Bangkok takes some time to love and if you do not spend enough time in the city chances are you will not like it. It is not a city to visit for 1 or 2 days and only do the touristy activities. There’s so much more to discover once you enter the local life and distance yourself from the tourists. Bangkok is the world’s most visited city for the past few years which hosts more than 22 million visitors per year.

After spending 1 month in Bangkok we learned and experienced the Thai culture at its best. Location is important if you’re looking to get the real experience, this is why we chose our airbnb to be outside of the city center and tourist areas to a local neighborhood where we had accommodations that we knew we would need for our 1 month stay. The location of the apartment complex was a 3 minute walk to the Skytrain (BTS) and 5 minutes from the grocery store and other local shops and restaurants. Amenities included a gym, pool, co-working space, barbecue area, and cinema room that we shared with locals on a daily basis.

Being mingled with the locals allowed us to get to know them, see their daily life, and although communication was very little because of the language barrier the Thai people for us are some of the most wonderful human beings. Always smiling, willing to help, funny, hardworking, patient, down to earth, diverse, and will not judge anyone for their religion or sexuality.

We ate the street food, we ate where the locals ate, we grocery shopped at the neighborhood store, we walked (a lot) through many local neighborhoods, took the BTS, rode the local bus, and went to the markets; all this and although most times we were the only foreigners at certain places we always felt welcomed and safe.

Bangkok is a city that never stops and there is something for everyone from luxury malls, temples, nightclubs, red-light districts, markets, rooftops, and lots of entertainment for kids. We also visited many of the tourist attractions and many temples but I think what we enjoyed the most was the food and the people.

Below are some of our top local things to do outside of the normal tourist attractions in Bangkok:

Take a water taxi on the Chao Phraya River: affordable way to move around Bangkok through the river and get a different view of the city. If you go visit Wat Arun (temple) chances are you will have to cross the river to get there.

Ride the BTS: very impressive skytrain, we used this all the time to avoid traffic and save on transportation. The stations and trains are very well maintained, helpful staff, easy to get around, and very very clean.

Muay Thai: you’ll see Muay Thai advertised all over Bangkok, but do not go for those boxing matches if you want an authentic experience. You might end up paying for a fake match. Many tourists don’t know this but on Sundays at the Channel 7 Stadium there is free entrance for everyone. The action starts at 2:30pm but we suggest you get there early to grab a spot on the stands as it is on a first-come, first-served basis. The air-conditioned stadium has section for tourists but most are locals. We liked it so much we went back another Sunday. The excitement is so contagious that even if you don’t know what is going on or know the fighters you will end up shouting like the locals! You will also see the locals making their bets. This is being broadcasted live all over Thailand and you might be on tv (as we were), so it is important for the Thai people to look presentable at these fights. No shorts and you have to wear a polo shirt, that goes for both men and women. If you don’t remember this, you can borrow clothing from the ladies outside the stadium for a small fee.

Rooftops: Bangkok has so many rooftops its hard to decide which one to go to. Most people will want to go to the famous Sky Bar where some scenes of the movie Hangover Part II were filmed. We skipped this one as we feel it is a bit overpriced and not worth it with so many others around. We ended up going to Above Eleven and Red Sky. Both of these have very nice views of the city and great selections of food and drinks.

Eat grill cheese sandwiches from 7 eleven: these are so tasty, all you have to do is bring the sandwich to the counter and they will grill it for you.

Jay Fai: Make a reservation ahead of time to go try some of the delicious plates of the Michelin starred queen of street food.

Phetchaburi Soi 5 – is an authentic street food area. Here you’ll see many locals picking up their dinner on their way home. There are endless options of foods, coffee, fruits, and dessert to enjoy. We did not see any tourists on both occasions that we went. In this area we found the best Pad Thai we had in Bangkok! Delicious and cooked right in front of us. We’re not sure of the name of the place in English but below is the picture of the sign located in the heart of Phetchaburi Soi 5 (name of the street) in case you want to try it!

Ratchada Rot Fai Train Night Market: Bangkok has many markets and this one is one of the best out there! Authentic food, cool atmosphere, drinking, and shopping all make for a very good time! Open only from Thursday – Sunday from 5pm on.

Remember to visit our Instagram highlights @everywhereabroad to see more of our daily experiences in Bangkok.

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Some of our travel tips before you plan your next destination!

A lot of us make mistakes when it’s time to travel due to lack of information, this is why today we want to share with you some of our most important travel tips. We hope it helps and that you keep them in mind for your next trip.

Keep an open mind: Do yourself a favor and don’t compare with your country of origin. Things will be different wherever you go and and for sure they will not be like back home; they could be better or not so much, in the end the idea is to have a different experience so let go and enjoy.

Learn basic words of the local language: This is so important when traveling. In many countries you are liked better by the locals when they see you at least trying. This is a very simple way of showing respect and is very well accepted at any moment. You don’t have to become an expert, just learn the basics, how to say hi, how to say thank you, how to say goodbye, and 2 or 3 numbers. This is the first step to make contact with the local culture and at the same time can fun. It’s a great conversation starter that in case you are mispronouncing the words, they will always be willing to help you with a smile.

Pack as light as you possible can: No one generally considers this tip, but we invite you to at least read it and think about it one more time. Do I truly need everything I’m packing? More than likely no. It’s not only unnecessary clothing but also some personal products. Remember, you can always buy many personal items abroad. This will help you save weight and space in your suitcase to bring back souveniers and save on extra weight charges with airlines. Keep in mind that in some countries there are no elevators and you might end up carrying suitcases up stairs, in train stations, buses, etc., and its at that precise moment you will regret packing so much.

Ask the locals: It’s the local people who have the best recommendations the majority of the time. Almost always they will recommend places to eat, places to have a drink, go shopping, etc. Usually, locals will want you to have the best impression of their country and will give you the best ideas. This will also help you save some money since you will be avoiding the tourist areas and things tend to be cheaper.

Find the local food: If you want to live the real experience we recommend you not to look for big chain restaurants like McDonald’s, Starbucks, Burger King, etc. For many, these places are places you trust because you know what to expect, but most of the time the local experience is what is best. It’s through food that you also learn about the culture, additionally, you are helping families who benefit from you making a purchase from them and not from the big chain restaurants. Although tourist areas usually offer a good variety of local food, experience has shown us that the quality of food, hospitality, and price are not as authentic as they should be why not try something more local?, if you do not know the language even better, at the end there will be a story to tell. Be smart, pay very close attention when choosing your local place to eat, look at the menu before you enter any place, observe if it is clean, check their prices etc. the idea is to enjoy the experience and to not run any risks of getting sick or that you get overcharged.

Be flexible and make photocopies of important documents: Be ready for delays, cancelations, and last minute change of plans, be patient! It is always a good idea to make copies of all important documents (passport, travel insurance, etc.) in case of any emergency. Having copies in your email is also recommended; many countries will accept just a picture of your passport as form of identification.

Debit/Credit Cards and Cash: Most preferable when it is time to go out and explore around is for you to take only one debit card and one credit card (don’t store them in the same place). In any case that you lose one of them, you have the other as reserve. Same goes for cash, do not go out with all your cash stored in the same place or at least divide between you and your travel partner (if traveling with company). In case of theft this might help save you from a tough situation of not having any funds available at all. For the cards you will use make sure that they do not have international fees and you will avoid paying unnecessary costs per use.

Lodging: For some, hotels are not always the best option. If your plan is solely to go rest and relax then in this case hotels and resorts might be your first pick. On the other hand, if your idea is to go explore, learn about cultures, and save some money we recommend you use Airbnb and stay in an apartment or local house. With Airbnb it is very important you read reviews from previous visitors as it will be these previous visitors who through their experience will give you a better idea of what to expect. Throughout our travels we have met some of the most wonderful hosts that have helped us have unforgettable experiences.

Taxis: Do your research for each country. Some taxis are okay, but there are many places where taxis will try to charge you double the price. In this case the best is to negotiate your fare before getting into the taxi or use applications like Uber or Grab (the equivalent of Uber in many Asian countries). The applications are not only reliable but will help you have a general idea of the fares around.

Free walking tours: Due to tourism having grown so much in the last few years, there are many destiantions that now offer free tours. We recommend to do this tour in the first days of arriving as it is a way of meeting people, learn a little about the history and you’ll receive some local tips. Keep in mind that at the end you make a donation if you feel it was a good tour.

I hope this helps you a bit and don’t forget to share and visit our Instagram account @EVERYWHEREABROAD. That is where you will find all of our experiences in detail through our photos and highlights.

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We won the lottery and we didn’t tell anyone!

That’s right, this is what many of our close friends, colleagues, followers on Instagram, Facebook and some family think of us. And how can they not think this? Of course, they can think this because it’s already six months of experiences around the world that many have had the opportunity to follow through social networks where we try to share our adventure with photos and stories of everyday life, full of countless experiences, new friends, places, meals, etc. All and many more things that we have enjoyed since May 20, 2019; that day 20 where we were scared on a plane, sad to leave our families for a long time, but at the same time excited to experience in our own flesh what we dreamed about and what we prepared for well in advance. Anyway, the answer is NO, we did not win the lottery and this post is to share a bit of how we got here and why we made this decision. Some may feel identified and partly inspired, perhaps others will not, either way, we are happy and happiness is also for sharing.

Cappadocia, Turkey

We are a couple both over 30 years of age (Santi 35 and Ingrid 33) and with many common interests. We are two immigrants that have lived in the United States and come from humble and working families and where we both went a long way to get our University degrees with a lot of effort. On the other hand, we have worked since we were 17 years old and it was there both at work where we met many years ago and where without realizing it, we have been preparing little by little with decisions that today bring us here. Finally, it is worth mentioning that we also have our families that have always supported us in each of our decisions that, however crazy they may seem, we agree that when happiness is sought, we must always move forward. Yes, we are two ordinary people and here we are.

Mount Batur, Bali

What if I leave everything to travel for a while? There were many days that this question passed through our heads, that question that the majority ask yourselves at some point in your lives, a question full of hope, but at the same time full of fear. How can I afford it? How am I going to do it? So you tell yourself you can’t, fears and more fears. One of the key factors is being able to afford it. Of course, it is the financial aspect that prevents many from making a decision of this magnitude. We are not the exception, there were many discussions and we put on the table the pros and cons to achieve this trip and there were also many times that financial matters also filled us with fears, but this did not stop us and in the end we understood that the most important thing is to make the decision. – “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it” – Paulo Coelho.

Society on the other hand seems to want to impose the steps of our lives and we must be very careful. You are 22 years old, where is your university degree? You are 30 years old, have you gotten married yet? You are 35 years old, where is your house and your children? etc. It is these questions that in one way or another also stop us or fill us with fears when trying to make a different decision from what society expects. This cannot be an obstacle because you have to understand that we all have different priorities and that in the end you are the only one responsible for choosing what makes you happy.

Break during the Camino

It is clear that we did not win the lottery and much less that we are millionaires to have been able to do something like this. But how could we afford to do it then? Without going into much detail because we want to write another post regarding this, the response from us is the following: Working hard and organizing day-to-day priorities. In the United States it is common, for example, that each person has their own car. Three years ago we asked ourselves if this was necessary and analyzing our situation, we realized that it was not. This decision helped us not only to save but it also became one less responsibility for us in the long run. Do I need the last cell phone that came out? Do I need that pair of shoes? Do I need that designer bag? Do I need to go to the most expensive places to have a good time? Do I need to travel with luxuries to enjoy the world? Do I need to do something every weekend? Our answer to these questions is NO. Maybe you’re reading this post and have different views and believe me, we respect that 100%, but for us this mentality is what has brought us here and that is also to be respected.

Did you leave your jobs? Yes, we did. Are you both crazy?? Are you not afraid? Yes, we are, but that won’t stop us. And why are we not afraid? Well, just think about what we already wrote above; we have been working since the age of 17 and we have come from struggling families who have come forward with a lot of effort so continuing to fight does not frighten us. Afraid to start over? No, we will still have to work the rest of our lives regardless, so why not take a break if we are not affecting anyone. In the end there are many who choose to buy a house or cars, have children, or live a life full of material things. It is worth clarifying once again that we respect this 100% since from our personal point of view these decisions also require a lot of courage and financial effort. These are the same decisions that we may not have taken yet, but we are aware that the time will come. In short, we are all people who fight every day, people with different life projects and people who make great decisions without sometimes measuring the magnitude of what we are capable of. Apparently, we all have more in common than we think, and in the end, it seems that we all won the lottery and we have not told anyone!

Remember to follow us in Instagram & Facebook for more on our travels around the world! @everywhereabroad

Formentera, Spain
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Dead Sea

During our time in Israel we took a day trip to the Dead Sea. If you’ve never heard of it, the Dead Sea is a salt lake bordered by Israel, Jordan, and Palestine. It’s so interesting to visit because it is the saltiest place on Earth (33% salinity) and 431 meters (1,414 ft) below sea level which also makes it the lowest elevation point on Earth. It is 9 times as salty as the ocean and this level of salt makes you float making it almost impossible to swim.

What’s it like?

The area around the Dead Sea is very desert like. It’s amazing to see the landscape and on the way there you see all the beautiful views. The weather at the Dead Sea is mainly hot and humid. Temperatures can go up to 42 degrees Celsius (107 degrees Fahrenheit). We went in August which is one of the hottest months to visit and it was hot! The water temperature is also warm. Due to the salinity of the water it is recommended not to stay more than 20 minutes in the water. The sand was burning hot!! You can’t walk barefoot on the beach, not even to get in the water, you have to wear your flip flops till you reach the water and wear them again once you get out.

As you enter the water you will feel the salt crystals at the bottom which hurt a little bit and at this point you can float instead of trying to walk. When you try to reach for a handful of sand from the bottom you’ll get salt! There is no sand in the Dead Sea so you’ll get salt instead! Pretty cool! You’ll also feel a little bit oily, which is normal from all the salt in the water. When going in the water make sure you don’t have any cuts or those will burn badly. Shaving should be done 2 days prior. Also, try not to get water into your eyes, that will hurt (a lot because it happened to us).

Salt rocks. Take a look how white it looks under due to the high amounts of salt.

What beach to go to?

There are many beaches you can choose to visit in the Dead Sea. We chose Ein Bokek Beach (also spelled En Boqeq). The beach has all amenities such as bathrooms, changing rooms, showers, even an outdoor gym, and many options for food. There are also many hotels running along the beach if you want to stay a few nights. We enjoyed the day at Ein Bokek Beach and recommend this beach for your visit to the Dead Sea.

How to get there?

Since we try to avoid tours as much as we can we took a bus. From Jerusalem it is a 2 hour bus ride to the Dead Sea. We took bus line number 486 which stops at Ein Bokek Beach. If you prefer a tour, many tours are available for the Dead Sea. We recommend Abraham Tours, they have great tours from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Health Benefits

Dead Sea minerals like magnesium, sodium, and potassium have been found to relieve skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, arthritis, and acne. The minerals have also been found to reduce skin impurities and respiratory conditions. While at the Dead Sea you can apply Dead Sea mud to yourself for the complete spa treatment after spending some time in the water. The Dead Sea mud has been found to reduce inflammation and relieve back pain among other benefits. Dead Sea products and cosmetics can be purchased along the beach for you to take home or for your use while there. We tried to make our own mud and failed at it so we went to buy some from the store nearby and it felt pretty good! Spa treatments are also available at most hotels.

We really enjoyed this trip to the Dead Sea, it’s a must if you’re in the area. Want to know more? Just ask us, or visit our Instagram/Facebook pages @everywhereabroad for highlights and more on the Dead Sea!

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