Airplane Mode

10/10/2018

Running away to New Zealand 😬

24/09/2018

An exhibition of the ocean made entirely of plastic. I loved how they played with the shadows that almost looked painted on. Beautiful and yet horrifying at the same time. @ MTG Hawke's Bay

25/06/2018

This is my ziplining face. I had to school all these kids on how it's supposed to be done 😂

23/06/2018

We went to a cow hotel and named the calves. I named her Cowdi B because she wasn't taking s**t from anyone 😂😂😂

22/06/2018

Apologies for being so MIA! This job is super intense (15 hour days, 24/7 on call) but I finally got a break today. Doing some work, listening to music and catching up on personal life with this stunning view. I can't believe I get to live here all summer AND get paid 🤗

06/06/2018

TRAVEL TIP: Before you go, remember STEP!

STEP is the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program offered by the US government. It's a free program that notifies you and your emergency contacts of any travel emergencies. They will also notify the local US embassy/consulate of where you're going so if you need to visit them or something happens where you have to leave the country right away, they will try to reach you. It's super easy to enroll and it only takes a few minutes (see link below).

I enrolled in STEP for my 2 month trip to Costa Rica which you can follow on my Instagram

If you liked this post, please like and share. Safe travels!

https://step.state.gov/STEPMobile/Default.aspx

STEP is a free service to allow U.S. citizens/nationals traveling abroad to enroll with the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

23/05/2018

TRAVEL TIP: Traveling? Get Travel Insurance

One of the biggest concerns people share with me about traveling is how to deal with the worst case scenarios. What happens if you get hurt or your stuff gets stolen? There are a lot of ‘what ifs’ to consider. For a peace of mind, consider travel insurance (it’s not the same as health insurance and VERY rarely do they cover it).

I highly recommend “World Nomads” - I’ve used them multiple times, including the time I went to SE Asia for a while. The coverage you get for the price is absolutely worth it. If you’re planning on partaking in activities, they cover 150+ of them in case you get injured. They do point out that they will not cover injuries from being stupid (i.e. getting drunk and falling off a deck). I also heard that their customer service is excellent and filing a claim is easy.

You can get a free quote on their website. I’m not being endorsed by them - I’m just a happy customer! If you found this post helpful, please like and share! Happy travels :)

Travel insurance for independent travellers. Buy, extend and claim online, even after you’ve left home.

10/05/2018

TRAVEL TIP: Translator App Hack!

People tend to shy away from traveling to a foreign country where English isn’t the primary language, but ironically almost every country in the world teaches English in school. Here is how you can confidently navigate a foreign country without knowing their language:

1. Download "Google Translate" (it’s free!). They have over a 100 languages.
2. Select the language you need translated and download it for offline use. Now you can use it on the go even if you don’t have data or wi-fi.
3. If you selected a language that doesn’t use the English alphabet, some languages allow you to use the “Camera” or “Handwriting” feature.

I traveled to 6 different countries in SE Asia and I definitely didn’t learn how to speak all those languages, so Google Translate was my savior. Or you can resort to charades and pointing at things like this shirt 😄

The World Edition is THE ultimate traveller shirt. A must have for every backpacker, explorer or tourist in a foreign place. Speak through functional apparel!

27/04/2018

TRAVEL HACK: Passport Photos for Pennies

Why is it so expensive to get passport photos?? Places like CVS will charge you up to $14 for 2 photos! Absurd. There is no special camera for passport photos; in fact you can even get them done at those photobooths on the Jersey shore boardwalk. My current passport photo was taken at CVS with a crappy digital camera and I'm pretty sure I'm getting flagged at border control because of my blurry photo. Here's how to make decent passport photos for really cheap:

1. Download a free app by searching "passport photo."
2. Get someone to take a photo of you standing in front of a white wall with good lighting.
3. The app will likely put 6 photos on a 4x6 layout. Order this print at CVS, Target or anywhere else that prints photos which costs like

17/04/2018

TRAVEL TIPS: Packing

When it comes to packing, I’m an Olympian at traveling light. It does help that I’m only 5’ 1” but I’ve met people who were bigger than me and traveled for way longer with less stuff! Here are my 3 tips for packing:

1. Lay out what you want to take with you...then pack half of it: This is a cardinal rule with packing. You always need less stuff than you think you need. And c’mon, it’s not like you’re going to another planet - if you forget something, you can always buy it. It’s better than carrying around something you don’t need, even if it’s a little thing because little things add up.

2. Buy the right gear: Invest in good packing cubes (I love the Eagle Creek brand) and a sturdy backpack that fits you properly. I swear by the Osprey Farpoint 70 bag; it comes with a daypack and it’s so easy to pack. The best part is that the bag is designed so that you feel like you’re barely carrying anything, which is great for someone like me who has back pain.

3. Find multi-use items: Get an all-in-one soap like Dr. Bronners which comes in various scents. Look for clothing that be worn multiple ways like The Chrysalis Cardi by Encircled - a sleek looking piece of fabric that can be worn in 8 ways. Not all versatile clothing has to be frumpy looking!

Your bag should never be full when you start your trip. Remember, less is more! Plus, your back will thank you :)

LINKS

Osprey Farpoint 70: https://www.amazon.com/Osprey-Packs-Farpoint-Travel-Backpack/dp/B019UTI40Y

Eagle Creek Packing Cubes: https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Creek-Pack-Cube-Black/dp/B00F9S85CS/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1523993601&sr=8-5&keywords=eagle+creek+packing+cube

Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps Fair Trade Travel Size: https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Bronners-Organic-Castile-Peppermint/dp/B000Z96LTA/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1523994507&sr=8-3&keywords=dr%2Bbronners%2Btravel&th=1

Encircled Chrysalis Cardi: https://www.encircled.ca/collections/the-chrysalis-cardi/products/the-chrysalis-cardi-petite?variant=7265757331502

From the streets of Buenos Aires to the foothills of the Andes, Osprey’s Farpoint 70 is ready for anything. Go ahead and fill it up with heavy mountain gear. The LightWire frame suspension transfers the load from harness to hipbelt. A mesh backpanel improves ventilation and the mesh on the harnes....

11/04/2018

Airplane Mode is on Instagram! Follow me on for travel photos that makes you wish you were there.

03/04/2018

GLOBAL ENTRY: I’m Official

Do you ever have those moments at airport security where the person in front of you apparently has never flown on an airplane before because they packed full size toiletries, bought a 2L soda, and wore every piece of metal jewelry they own? Or have you ever wanted to throw a tantrum when you end up in the slowest passport control line after a long, exhausting international flight?

I have. Every time I travel.

Those days are over now that I have Global Entry. It was actually really easy to sign up. You fill out an application online (link below), wait for conditional approval, then sign up for an ‘interview.’ My interview took 2 minutes; the officer described the benefits of Global Entry (includes expedited travel across the Canadian & Mexico border!), took my fingerprints and headshot (make sure you look good that day!), and I was done. He didn’t ask me any questions about previous trips or anything. I can’t wait to try out Global Entry when I travel this summer.

Thanks for reading and remember to like & share for more travel tips!

This is the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website where international travelers can apply for Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) to expedite admittance into the United States (for pre-approved, low-risk travelers).

14/03/2018

MOBILE PASSPORT APP: Like Global Entry but FREE!

I've been traveling internationally a lot lately and the bane of my existence are those long passport control lines when I return to the U.S. I finally caved and applied for Global Entry, but for those of you who don't want to pay the $100 application fee and go to an interview, there's an alternative - Mobile Passport App.

Download the Mobile Passport App on your phone and follow the simple directions. It's free and you can skip that long kiosk line and head to the Mobile Passport line when you return to the U.S. The lines are so short because no one really knows about it yet.

This option is only available at certain U.S. airports but most of them are the major ones. You can find more information and a list of these airports in the link below.

If you found this post helpful, please "Like" and "Share"!

The Mobile Passport Controlapp speeds you through U.S.Customs and Border Protection.Just fill out your profile andanswer CBP’s questions – thengo straight to the “MobilePassport Control” express laneat the airport!WHAT IS MOBILE PASSPORT CONTROL?

01/03/2018

Hey Airplane Mode followers! Apologies for the radio silence, it’s been a crazy few weeks.

Three weeks ago I returned from my 1 month immersion trip to Guatemala which I highly recommend to everyone. It is a great option for backpackers, budget-conscious travelers, adventure seekers, and families! It is no wonder that so many expats, especially Americans, live in Guatemala.

Recently, I just got back from a business trip at one of my best kept secret places - Cat Island, Bahamas. It is so off the radar that even the departure ticket doesn’t have the island listed! Not only is Cat Island incredibly beautiful and serene, but very community centered. People are genuinely nice and trusting of each other; they don’t even have locks on their doors! The only reason why they close their doors is to prevent the frogs from getting into bed with them. I almost learned this the hard way by leaving the toilet lid open…

Cat Island is a wonderful honeymoon destination or if you want to get away from it all and run away to the beach. Direct message me if you are interested in learning more about visiting this beautiful island!

04/02/2018

GUATEMALA - Week 3: Semuc Champey & Tikal

After 2 weeks of Spanish classes, I needed a break. Several days were spent in Lanquin to see the most beautiful natural pools (Semuc Champey) and the largest Mayan ruins (Tikal) in Guatemala. After all the bus rides (over 30 hours ugh) I'm back in Antigua for my final week of classes.

25/01/2018

GUATEMALA: Lake Atitlán

Lake Atitlán is a gorgeous lake surrounded by volcanoes and small towns. This was week 2 of my trip in Guatemala as well as my 2nd week of Spanish lessons and a homestay with a Mayan family. I stayed in the town of San Pedro and I also did day trips to neighboring towns by boat.

20/01/2018

ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA

This little town has something for every kind of person and there is always something going on. It is honestly a tourist town so you can easily navigate the area without knowing any Spanish and the people are SO NICE. Many people come here and stay much longer longer than they expect. I absolutely loved my homestay family and I learned so much Spanish from school this past week. The learning continues at my next stop...Lake Atitlan!

12/01/2018

Airplane Mode is TURNED ON - yeah you read that right! For the next 4 weeks, I'll be posting from Guatemala! I'm starting my journey in beautiful Antigua. The weather is perfect and the town is just beautiful. I just arrived in my homestay that was arranged by my Spanish school. Their home is gorgeous and they have an indoor courtyard and garden. Seven nights in a private bedroom/bathroom and 3 meals a day for a grand total of $115. I don't think my grocery bill is that cheap!

03/01/2018

TRAVEL TIP: Budget Your Trip

Need a snapshot of how much you'll spend when traveling? I use the website Budget Your Trip (see link below). It shows you how much you could spend on average for any category like accommodation, food, local transportation, and even mishaps. You can adjust the "Travel Style" to Budget, Mid-Range, and Luxury so you have a better idea of how much to spend. Happy traveling!

Estimate, plan and track your travel expenses with Budget Your Trip's travel tools and widgets.

28/12/2017

SPOT HERO: A cheaper and easier way to park in the city!

During my recent trip to Philly, I used Spot Hero to park my car in the city. Normally I park on the street but I was staying overnight and hotel parking was $42 - oh hell no!

It's super easy to use: enter the location, choose a garage, and reserve it. If I paid the garage directly, it would have costed $40, but through Spot Hero it was $17! Bonus was that I used a referral code that took off $10 so I only paid $7 for valet parking in Center City for 24 hours on a weekend. Get $10 off by using my link below! Remember, sharing is caring :)

SpotHero makes it easy to find and book parking everywhere. Use my link and we both get $10 off.

20/12/2017

TRAVEL HACKING: I paid $60* for a $1,000 roundtrip flight!

Thanks to the recent American Airlines credit card bonus miles promotion, I received 60,000 bonus miles with no additional costs or changes to my spending (link below). Here is the benefit of using miles instead of cash:

Philadelphia, PAGuatemala = ~$600 or 55,000 miles
Middle-of-nowhere, NY Guatemala = ~$1,000 or 55,000 miles

Even though the 2nd option was more expensive in cash, it was the SAME in miles! This is a great promotion and American Airlines flies around the world so 60,000 bonus miles is FREE MONEY for travel. Plus the annual fee is waived in the first year and you get 1 free checked bag!

If you want more tips on travel hacking, please like and share this post!

*$60 covered taxes and fees which cannot be covered by miles

For benefit to apply, the Citi® / AAdvantage® account must be open 7 days prior to air travel, and reservation must include the primary cardmember’s American Airlines AAdvantage® number 7 days prior to air travel. If your credit card account is closed for any reason, these benefits will be canc...

13/12/2017

THE FLIGHT DEAL

Normally I hate receiving daily promotion emails, but there is one that doesn't suck - "The Flight Deal." Their website features incredibly cheap domestic & international round trip flights such as:

$299 PhillySpain
$373 Newark Norway
$377 LAXBarbados

WHAT'S AWESOME ABOUT IT?: They provide step-by-step instructions on how to snag that low price (not all travel websites are created equal!).

WHAT'S THE CATCH?: The deals don't last long so be spontaneous!

Click on the link below to view more.

Just because it's a great fare doesn't mean it's a great deal

06/12/2017

Hey Airplane Mode followers! I'm excited to share that I am now offering TRAVEL CONSULTING! It is something I have been doing unofficially for a while, and now I want to make it official. If you are thinking about solo traveling (did you know that most solo travelers are women?), need help planning a well-deserved vacation, or trying to save up to travel, then send me a message and let's get started!

30/11/2017

23/11/2016

PERU: Featuring MACHU PICCHU

In this post, I'm going to share my journey and tips on how to PIY (Plan It Yourself...I'm going to make it a thing) for Machu Picchu - one of the Wonders of the World!

TOP 3 NEED TO KNOWS:
1) Machu Picchu is government regulated so you have to book tickets through them or a certified tour agency. Most people opt for the tour agency, but they will charge you a fee (sometimes double the price!). For budget savvy people like you and me, follow the steps on this website: http://therewardboss.com/how-to-book-machu-picchu-tickets-online-in-only-a-few-minutes/. It is a minor hassle for major savings! I purchased the Machu Picchu + Huaynapicchu ticket for only $47! Wait, what is Huaynapicchu? It's a very tall mountain next to Machu Picchu that gives you a birds eye view of the ancient ruins. Tickets are limited (200 a day) so book early!

2) Now let's talk about the Inca Trail which leads to Machu Picchu. Is it a PIY activity? Unfortunately, no. You will have to hire a travel agency for this one, but the good news is that there are many to choose from. I decided to opt out of the Inca Trail; it was way over my budget and took up too much time that I wanted to spend elsewhere. My friend who did it said it was a long, cold hike, but she is glad that she did it. If you have the budget and time, go for it!

3) No matter if you're PIY or hiring a travel agency, you will need to go through Cusco. You know how Denver is the mile high city? Well Cusco would be called the two miles high city, which means there's a risk of altitude sickness. I thought it was no big deal until I landed in Cusco, took 3 steps up a ramp and I got really dizzy. Pro tip: take a flight that lands in Cusco in the evening so you can go straight to bed. Altitude sickness hits within the first 8-12 hours so if you sleep it off, you will feel much better but still take it easy the next day. I highly recommended spending some time exploring Cusco (1-2 days). PIY tip: sign up for a Free Walking Tour at www.fwtperu.com - pay what you wish in tips!

Intrigued? Confused? Awesome! Comment below with your questions or private message me if you'd like a free consultation about PIY Machu Picchu.

Follow these easy instructions with screen shots & book your Machu Picchu Tickets in a few min! The official website DOES work, if you know these tricks.

21/11/2016

Wow, it's been almost 2 years since I returned from my backpacking trip in SE Asia! Since then I have traveled to a few places, but I haven't been great at writing about my trips and experiences. Since my former students are starting to graduate from college (I'm so proud of them!) and looking to travel, I've been motivated to update "Airplane Mode." This past summer I went to Peru for 2 weeks. In the next post, I will be talking about to plan a low-cost DIY trip to Machu Picchu and other worthwhile tips about traveling in Peru. If you have specific questions, comment below!