Tag Archives | couple travel

A Tax Attorney Turned Tenacious Traveler

By The Fighting Couple on January 7, 2014 in General

We love highlighting unique traveling couples! In this installment of our seven questions, we want to introduce you to our new found friends Amber and Eric of the Husband in Tow. They were kind enough to break away from their hectic lifestyle in Bali to share with us a little about their adventures and path to full time couple travel. If this couple travelling around the world doesn’t inspire you to book your next trip, we don’t know what will!

Blog: www.WithHusbandinTow.com

Twitter: @husbandinTow

Facebook: WithHusbandinTow

Eric and Amber of Husband in Tow in Dubai

First off, tell us a little more about this traveling duo:

Amber and Eric met at university, way back when, in 1997. They were married in 2001, while Amber was attending law school in Washington DC. They took their first overseas trip to visit family in Ireland in 1997, followed by a mess of trips to Europe, but their thirst for travel really did not kick in until their first trip to Asia in 2006. In 2009, they left their jobs and traveled the world for 14 months. After thier first big trip, (aka the Master Plan) their goal was to return to the US, and to Amber’s big law job. The plan was to stay five years, save money, then plan their ultimate escape. As plans sometimes do, the plan changed. They barely made it two years when they caught a bad case of wanderlust. They headed back on the road! This time it was permanent. They have been on the road since July 2012. Amber is now a recovering tax attorney, blogger, and yoga teacher, while Eric is a budding entrepreneur and independent advertising sales executive. What an amazing traveling couple!

Amber and Eric were kind enough to face our dreaded 7 questions:

1) Amber, we are so impressed by you. Leaving a heady job for the life of a traveler. What has been the hardest things about leaving the corporate world behind?

Amber: The large paychecks. That’s about it. Seriously.

2) If you had to travel with someone else besides your travel partner, who would it be? (this person can be living, historical or mythical?.)

He Said: Mario Batali. Jersey bred celebrity chef, with a speciality in Italian, Spanish, and Asian cuisine, helping me eat my way around the world. Come on.

She Said: Karl Pilkington. I have been fascinated by the number of hours I can sit and watch Ricky Gervais play an enormous joke on his long time friend Karl, by sending him around the world. I would love to travel with Karl myself to seethe world through his strange eyes. And, if I could have Ricky laughing in the background, so much the better.

3)What has been your favorite destination in your wanderings? Why?

He said: Vietnam.

She said: After so many years together, we share a brain so he said, she said, is a little hard for us. Vietnam as well. We taught English there twice back in 2009, and just experienced the country in a whole different way. It is just a place that is special for both of us.

With Husband in Tow in Thailand

4) Bali is our next destination. Fill us in! What three things do you love about Bali?

He said: 1) Babi gluing, which is Balinese roast pig; 2) warm weather, but always with a breeze; and 3) the remoteness, it is not easy to get here from The States.

She said: 1) The Balinese Hindu traditions; 2) the stunningly gorgeous rice paddies; and 3) high caliber yoga teachers to keep me healthy and happy.

5) We love the book section on your blog. (Why is it most travelers are readers?) What is your favorite traveling read? What are you reading now?

He said: I read The Quiet American every time we go to Vietnam. It’s the only book I’ve read more than once.

She said: I’ve been reading a lot about happiness and how to find it and enjoy it. Right now, I am reading The Happiness Makeover by M.J. Ryan.

6) If you could solve one problem in the world what would it be?

He said: Land mines and unexploded ordinance

She said: Women’s equality and security in the developing world.

7)You knew it was coming….What has been your greatest travel fight/disagreement?

She said: We had a good one in the rain in Hanoi in 2009. I felt I was organizing all of our RTP, writing a blog, managing our finances, etc. But, when Eric tries to help I get a little control freaky, so it is really not his fault. Our biggest mistake, though, was traveling with only one lap top back then – it was our only internet device, so we fought over it all the time. We learned our lesson and have multiple devices now – a lot less fighting.

He said: Does it make a difference, they are all my fault, right?

1000Fights: We think that is a bit of a cop-out…but you have learned an important lesson. Would you mind teaching Mike?

Thanks again to Eric and Amber for sharing with us a little couple travel inspiration! The key takeaway for sure is that there isn’t just one way to travel. Find the path that works for you and yours. Stay tuned, this is not the end of this story! Yes, the Fighting Couple is definitely looking forward to meeting up with the tax attorney and the husband in tow this May in Bali!!!!

Calling all traveling couple, contact us, we would love to feature you.

7 Secrets to Safe Winter Driving

By The Fighting Couple on January 3, 2014 in General

Picking the right Rental Car for Winter Conditions

The most important decision you will make in regards to safe winter driving is selecting the right car. So often we just take which ever car the rental car company assigns, but for winter driving you must be proactive. Often the overeager falls into two camps: Overkillers and Camaros. The overkillers see that it is slightly windy and requests a Hummer. The Camaro camp throws caution to the wind, and can’t believe how cheap renting a Camaro is with the temperature 20 below and 3 feet of snow. They have ALWAYS wanted to drive a Camaro and this is their chance. Big mistake on both counts.

Winter driving is not always this glamorous! Be careful!

A few key car terms to understand:

RWD-Rear wheel dive. The vehicle is “powered” by the rear two wheels. The front two tires are only used for steering.

FWD-Front wheel dive. You guessed it…the vehicle is “powered” by the front two wheels. The front tires do both the steering and the pulling.

4WD or 4×4-Four Wheel drive-Power is supplied equally to all four tires. Each tire receives power independently. This function must be mechanically engaged to turn on. Think SUVs, pickups and trucks.

AWD-All wheel drive- Through electronic or mechanical means, power is constantly shared to all wheels on a percentage basis. Some of the finest performance cars in the world have very complex and intelligent AWD power distribution systems.

Which is better? It depends. Luci drives a rear wheeled drive Mercedes Benz sedan. It drives like a dream in the snow and ice of our fair Idaho. Mike on the other hand drives an AWD drive Subaru. It is also a sound slick road driver.

Key is selecting which you feel most comfortable with at the time of rental. If you regularly drive a RWD car, know how it handles when you head to the slopes opt for the RWD. If you have never driven a RWD and opt for a Camaro, you are asking for trouble on snow. Trying out a “cool” car driving on snow is NEVER a good idea. Save it for the summer.

Overkillers

We have all seen them. The novices leave their Sentra at home and show up to the ski hill in a huge SUV or truck. If you are not accustomed to driving a huge vehicle with 4×4 powered wheels, you are asking for disaster. Heavy vehicles are difficult to see out of, even more difficult to stop. Mike in his able Subaru often passes “monster” trucks on snowy mountain passes. You really don’t need a huge vehicle to be safe on snowy roads. You need a vehicle that you can operate comfortably.

Be careful out there!

Wheel base

The next step in finding the right car once you have made a decision on driving wheels, the next consideration is the wheel base. This matters a lot for safe winter driving. You can easily get into trouble especially in Europe where the entire continent worships short wheel base cars. Short wheelbase-think Volkswagen Golf. Long wheel base-think Cadillac. There are hundreds of choices between these two extremes. Key to remember longer is better. Mike took a trip this past year to Austria, Czech Rep, and Poland. He went cheap on the rental. He ended up with a lightweight, short wheelbase car in the middle of a huge snow storm. It was lucky he made it back alive. Longer is better for driving on ice.

Leave room between you and the car in front.

Visibility for Winter Driving

One of the inherit dangers of driving in poor weather conditions is visibility. When you get into a car that you are unfamiliar with you are already a few points behind. Add into the mix snow, fog and ice and visibility becomes serious concern. Before leaving the rental yard, check to make sure the window defroster for both the front and rear windscreens are working properly. It is wise to check the windscreen washer fluid level before setting out. The reservoir is under the hood/bonnet and is usually blue in color. Check to see if the rental agency has included an ice scraper in the auto. The ability to visually assess what is happening around you is key to survival on snowy roads.

Helpful hint: Always drive with your low beams in fog. Water reflects high beam light and make visibility difficult.

Tires

This is a difficult one. If you agree on the right car and you get out to find that the tires are bald, go back and demand a different auto. Proper tire tread is a must for driving on snow covered roads. Acceleration, turning and braking are all affected by the tire tread. A good rule of thumb is a 3^rd of a US penny and half a euro cent is preferred. The deeper the tread the better. Tire tread allows you to grip the road and handle the water and snow.

Technology

Use the tools that you are given. Read the weather reports online. Have a good GPS unit in the car. Read the weather and road advisories. Being adequately informed about the conditions and terrain will give you a heads up if tire chains are required. Cell phones are always handy for long road trips. Use the tools provided to avoid being stranded and understand what the conditions are like in front of you.

Helpful hint: Do I need an International Drivers Licence

Eliminate Distractions

White knuckle driving is par for the course for winter. It goes without saying when you enter dangerous driving situations increase your focus and uses of your senses. Turn the radio down or off. This will allow you to hear the road noise: slush or water. Hearing how your car is braking will also give you insight into the conditions. Do you slide every time you apply brakes? As stated above, make sure that you make the windshields are clear as possible. Make sure you can see what is happening around you.

Speed kills

We saved one of the most important factors for safe winter driving for last. Slow down. Cars and trucks are incredibly heavy. It takes an average of 235 feet to stop a car going 50 MPH on dry pavement. If you are on solid ice or snow, double that. Just because you do not see the ice, doesn’t mean that it is not there. So called black ice is invisible to the driver and is deadly.

We hope that this winter driving refresher course is helpful. We wish you safe and happy travels this winter. We hope that winter driving takes you somewhere fun!

Geocaching 101: Couples Travel Caching!

By The Fighting Couple on December 28, 2013 in General

Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunt! Geocachers use a GPS to navigate to a set of coordinates, and then attempt to find the geocache (container) that’s hidden at the location. It’s amazing because geocache locations can be found all over the world! Many “caches” are hidden in locations that are important to people, have historical significance, or are
just pretty cool places to visit!

Geocaches are found everywhere!

Liz and I discovered Geocaching several years ago on a whim. A friend introduced us to the hobby and we have been using geocaching as a way to discover new lands and cultures around the world. We tested out geocaching while on a boring road trip one day, and it added so much excitement to the drive. From then on we were hooked on incorporating Geocaching into
everywhere we traveled. One of the things that we love about our hobby of Geocaching is that you can only do it outside, and we enjoy the outdoors! So Geocaching gives us purpose to get up and get outside. Besides being a way to keep physically active, Geocaching as a couple has given us the opportunity to explore nature, culture, and history together, as well as having spontaneous adventures all over the world!

Geocaching in Central Park

Geocaching & Travel

Geocaching and road trips go hand in hand with us. We love planning little trips around our state of Georgia. In fact, Georgia has a Geocaching Tour of its state parks and historic sites. They have placed a series of caches in all state parks and you can achieve different levels as you discover more caches in the parks. This is a fun activity that we do locally, when we don’t have time to travel long distances. This Geocaching Tour has taken us on many beautiful hiking trails all around the state, and we have also learned so much about Georgia’s history through Geocaching.

Geocaching in Dublin

Geocaching is a big part of our adventures when we travel abroad. Once we have decided on a travel destination and booked our travel, we go to the geocaching website (www.geocaching.com) and search for interesting caches in the areas we are visiting (we like to go for the caches with a lot of favorite points). Since most caches are hidden by locals, this is a great way to get to know the area and the sites that locals want to highlight. So besides seeing the main tourist sights, Geocaching will also take you off the beaten path and give you a chance to find hidden gems that most tourists don’t know about. We experienced this first hand when
we discovered a cache on a hidden hiking trail in the Scottish Highlands, which had a beautiful few of a Loch & a local monument to mark a historic event. This site was no where to be found on any tourist map.

Geocaching is not for Dummies

If you go in search of a Geocache, be sure to bring your thinking cap! There are some creative people out there hiding caches all over, and some are very cleverly hidden & disguised. It’s fun to solve the clues & try to figure out where they hid the cache. We had to think carefully while in Malaysia as we were trying to find a cache located in the local park near the Patronas Towers.
The saying is true, “two heads are better than one,” as we both worked hard to make the find. The view was well worth the effort.

Geocaching is also a great way to break up the regular tourist sight seeing itinerary. While walking and discovering Dublin, Ireland we used Geocaching to break the day up. After visiting so many museums and cathedrals, taking some time to hunt out a Geocache added a little adventure while we explored this beautiful and historic city.

We love what Geocaching has brought to us as a couple who travels. We started on whim with a friend, and now it is a big part of our travels around the world. We use Geocaching to help plan our trips and to seek out adventure in foreign lands. It’s a great activity for couples, families, and also for yourself as an independent adventure-seeker! It has gotten us out and more active and has taken us to places we wouldn’t have known about otherwise.

With over 2 million caches hidden all around the world, there is an adventure around every corner of the globe. We hope to see you out there Adventure Caching with us around the world.

1000Fights: What a great idea! Thanks to Liz and Josh for introducing us to this great couple activity. You guys must promise us to take us on a hunt!

Guest post by our friends Liz and Josh of Peanuts or Pretzels. For more on Geocaching around the world checkout Peanuts or Pretzels Geocaching Page.

Best Couple Bloggers: Pics, Posts, and Plans

By The Fighting Couple on December 26, 2013 in General

The new year is nearly here! Are you ready for some travel inspiration for the New Year? Couple travel bloggers are an excellent source of great travel ideas and inspiration. We asked a few of our blogging friends for their best picture and post from 2013. We also asked them to give us a sneak peek at some of their travel plans for 2014.

The Traveling Canucks

Cam & Nicole

1000Fights:

Fave Post: Why We Love the Mosel Valley in Germany

Fave Picture:

Mosel River Valley, Germany

The newest addition to the Traveling Canucks!

Our plans for 2014:

Our future travel plans have evolved now that we have a toddler and infant in tow. We plan to spend most of our time in North America, to avoid long flights and nasty time zone changes. After a few ski trips in central British Columbia, we plan to head south and visit Phoenix, Palm Springs, San Diego, New Orleans and Niagara Falls. In early summer, we hope to spend a month in Nicaragua, followed by shorter trips to Alberta and Newfoundland.

♥

AfterGlobe

Kimmy & Drew

Fave Post: Whale Watching in Lahaina Harbor

Fave Picture:

A Seabird in Niihau

Our plans for 2014:

We will be focusing on travel throughout the Pacific Northwest. Even though we are currently living in this area there is still so much we have never seen, such as Crater Lake, Olympic National Park, or the Painted Hills. We want to make sure we travel to all of these places we’ve been meaning to visit before we leave for our travels around the world. We will also be heading to Lake County in California and the Hawaiian Islands of Maui, Kauai, and Oahu.

♥

Goats on the Road

Nick & Dariece

Fave Post: Goodbye China! We Will Miss You…

Fave Picture:

Pamir highway, Tajikistan

Our plans for 2014:

We have quite a few things already planned for 2014. Some of which are a secret for now. What I can tell you is that there will be a lot of beaches and tropical paradises in our future. We plan to travel to Mexico and parts of Central America for 3 months before arriving at our perfect house sitting job! This year, we will be attempting to travel in a financially sustainable way by living off of earnings from our website, as well as testing out house sitting and other forms of free travel! Stay tuned to see what we get up to in the next year!

♥

Hecktic Travels

Dalene & Peter

Fave Post: Back to the Wild in Greenland

1000Fights: Great video!

Fave Picture:

Kayaking in Greenland

Our plans for 2014:

2014 plans – Well, we haven’t got many! We are spending the first six weeks touring around our home province and visiting our family and friends. It will be nothing short of exciting – we’ll be doing all kinds of winter activities like bobsledding, snowmobiling and skiing for the first time. But then we will surely need an injection of hot sun so we will likely head due south to Mexico for a couple of months of beaches and tacos. And that is the extent of our (very loose) plans. The rest of the year is entirely up for grabs!

♥

My Tan Feet

Sammantha & Yeison

Fave Post: Common Misconceptions about Costa Rica

Fave Picture:

Surfer at Sunset at Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Our plans for 2014:

Our goals for the next year is to travel as much in Costa Rica as possible. There are a few places we have both yet to see and is on our list as part of our goal to provide the best information and be the best resource for travelers coming to Costa Rica. Our biggest plan for the upcoming year is to move to Taiwan where Samantha’s family is and travel around Asia. We both have family in Asia so we want to explore as many countries as possible and we can’t wait to experience something new. We know 2014 will be an exciting year for us as we just started blogging in the middle of 2013 and it has opened up so many doors already!

♥

Hey you! Did you know that you could ask the Fighting Couple ANYTHING? Try the Fighting Couple Forum!

♥

Sand in my Suitcase

Janice & George

Fave Post: Wonder Where the Lions Are?

Fave Picture:

2 monks shaving each other in Burma (Myanmar)

Our plans for 2014:

2014 is shaping up to be an exciting travel year for us! First up? Exploring some of Mexico’s colonial Mexican towns, like Guadalajara, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende and Morelia. In Morelia, we’ll take a day trip to hike to the Monarch butterfly sanctuaries in the mountains. We’ll finish our Mexico trip on the beach in Zihuatanejo. Then we’re off to Bali and Lombok – and we’re booked for a 6-night cruise on the deluxe Ali Purnama, a sailing dive boat which leaves from the island of Komodo (lots of scuba diving – and we’ll see the Komodo dragons). Come September, we plan to attend the Society of American Travel Writers’ annual convention in Iceland – and maybe tack on some time in Greece afterwards.

♥

Latitude 34

Jeff & Marina

Fave Post: Homesickness and Reverse Culture Shock

Fave Picture:

Final Procession of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Our plans for 2014:

In January we will be flying to Dublin, Ireland to start a months long trek across Europe, the Middle East and India before arriving back to SE Asia sometime before summer. We are most excited about experiencing carnival in Venice, visiting friends in Berlin, Austria, Amsterdam, Paris and Turkey as well as seeing the Northern Lights in Lapland, Finland and hopefully driving to India through Pakistan and Iran!”

A Cruising Couple

Dan & Casey

Fave Post: 101 Tips to Living in Taiwan

Fave Picture:

We celebrated our two year wedding anniversary in Hong Kong last May, and just loved the city.

Our plans for 2014:

We’re really excited about where the New Year is taking us. First off, we’re flying to Mexico on January 3rd. Our goal is to find a house to rent for a month or two in San Pancho, and then do a bit of traveling around the Cancun area. In March we fly to Sweden. We’ll be bouncing around Scandinavia for about three months, which will be really exciting for us as we have never been to Europe together! Then in June we’re off to Brazil. We have tickets to the World Cup- something that has been on our bucket list for years! We are planning a few months in Brazil and the surrounding area, probably until October. Then we have no concrete plans! But we do have a lot of ideas, and we’re excited to see which ones work out!

♥

Contented Traveller

Gordy & Paula

Fave Post: Serendipity is Important for Travelers and for Life

Fave Picture:

I fell in love with Amsterdam it has got to be this one of the bridges and canals of this wonderful city.

Our plans for 2014:

In February we fly to Japan and have 2 weeks skiing in Nozawa Onsen, our second home. We then go straight onto Kitzbuhel in Austria for a week, then to Lucerne for a few days. From there we go to Zermatt, Switzerland for a week overlooking the stunning Matterhorn, which we are so excited to see. We intend to ski into Cervinia in France for lunch, just because we can (if it is not too hard for me that is!). We then have a few days in Milan then fly to Bangkok for 3 days, which we always enjoy and then back home. All of the ski resorts needed to be booked in advance due to their popularity at that time.

In August/September we are flying to London for a week but haven’t planned anything yet. We then have organized a barge cruise in the Alsace region of France for a week, which has been booked in due to the popularity of this personalized little barge. After the cruise we have 3 weeks to do whatever, but will end up in Paris definitely for a fair bit of that time. So really next year there is not a lot of serendipity involved in planning, but there will be a lot in the execution.

1000Fights: Aren’t these ideas and pictures wonderful? Time to start planning those travel New Year’s Resolutions!

I am a Menu Coward

By The Fighting Couple on December 20, 2013 in General

Every word on the menu looks Greek…and you are in Poland. What to do?

I have something to confess. I am a recovering menu coward. Luci and I are supposed to be the adventure couple travel gurus. We are supposed to try anything, anywhere, from any roadside stand. Sorry, I cant do it. When we travel, I nervously scan the menu for words that remotely look like steak, chicken, pasta or better yet….have pizza in its name or description.

In order to understand my eating history…you must know where I come from. I grew up in the rural western US. Really good Pad Thai, balut, or even casu marzu were nowhere to be found. Steak and potatoes were the plate de jour. Right after high school all that was about to change. I moved to Taiwan. Food culture shock! Thank heaven for fried rice or Chao Fan as the Taiwanese say. I basically survived for three months eating one thing, and one thing only. Then I slowly got brave.

Meat and potatoes…the old standby.

One of the beauties of international travel is that it takes you outside your comfort zone in so many ways. One of the biggest ways to get out of that zone is breaking our menu coward-ness. There is so much delicious food out there! In today’s flat world you could live on McDonald’s hamburgers and fries just about anywhere in the world you travel.

What follows is our 5 step program to overcoming menu cowardness.

Eat Breakfast

So often what halts us from trying something adventurous while we are traveling is that we are hungry! After tramping around Rome all day, you are famished and frankly, you want something that you know that you are going to like. This happens to us all the time. Key is load up on a good breakfast. Stateside, I am not a breakfast food eater. If my mother in law is reading this….sorry. I know, I know it is the most important meal of the day…ya. Seriously, most nation’s breakfasts are the same. Fruit? Check. Some form of cereal? Yep. Bacon! Need we say more. Our advice to traveling couples is load up on breakfast. If the hotel has a buffet. Eat to full. This allows you to have the energy to hit the tourist trail and not be weak at your “menu” moment.

I will NOT have what she is having

One of the recommendations we make to traveling couples is seeking off the beaten path sites and eateries. Many of these restaurants…the really good ones…. don’t have English menus. In fact if a restaurant has an English menu, it is likely not frequented by the locals. Another thing that Luci and I try to do is always order something different from each other. This is a great way to cover more bases. One of us is bound to get something that we like. Sometimes this “sharing” disintegrates into a fight…but that’s just us.

Yummy macarons!

Hunt and Peck

One of our favorite pastimes in France is stopping at every boulangerie. As we see the sites, we stop occasionally and buy a croissant or a pastry. In Thailand, we would hit the fruit smoothie stands for a pick me up snack. Eating a little throughout the day helps us to avoid the hunger blindness that can hit you late in the day. That monster tells you it is ok to go get a burger. Don’t surrender to the hunger. Eat a little during the day. Keep the blood sugar levels up.

Listen to Food & Travel Bloggers

One of the very best ways to overcome you fear of the unknown is to do what you are right now! Read food and travel blogs. Bloggers are great guinea pigs. They know where to go to eat. They know what to eat once you get there. Case in point. I had never had “real” goulash. When we were in Budapest this past spring, I made it my mission that I was going to goulash. I just put it out there onto twitter

Goulash at Kadar’s

The Fighting Couple ‏@1000Fights

Calling all #Budapest #foodie‘s- where is the best goulash? #hungary

And within seconds…boom -we had an answer from @ConfusedJulia. She told us what to eat at Kadar Resteraunt. LOVED it! She even followed up with us to see if we liked it!

Julia ‏@ConfusedJulia

@1000Fights Awesome! So glad you went to Kadar – we loved the goulash there :)

Travel bloggers and foodies are a great sources of info and can help you make the right choice. While you are eating breakfast with the free wifi, put it out there on twitter…what should I eat in #________. Use the pound sign to cast your net a little wider to the world. If in doubt…ask @ConfusedJulia!

Cheaters Always Win

Ok, you have followed our guidance from above. You are in the right place. Not a lick of English on the card. Every word on the menu looks Greek…and you are in Poland. What to do? We always survey the room. Pay attention to what the waiters are bringing out of the kitchen. You can test drive a meal before buying. Another strategy is to engage the waiter. Ask a few questions, ask them to describe some of the dishes. If you happen to be allergic to some food or ingredient… you must learn the words for those items in every language you may be eating in. If all else fails…throw caution to the wind. Order the Shiokara!

Ok..its your turn. What do you do when you don’t understand the menu?

What is the craziest thing you have eaten?

Leave us a comment below, we would love to hear from you.

Love at first sight in Chicago’s O’hare

By The Fighting Couple on December 13, 2013 in General

In this installment of our 7 questions with couple travelers we are featuring our friends Chelsea and Jeremy of Lost in Travels. These two newlyweds, packed up everything they owned and headed half way around the world to South Korea to teach English. Since then, they have had some crazy adventures! They run one of the better expat blogs for couples. They post great insights about the ins and outs of being an expat couple. Be sure to check out their blog for some incredible couple travel ideas.

Blog: Lost in Travels

Twitter: @lost_in_travels

Facebook: Lost in Travels

Pinterest: Chelsea

Jeremy and Chelsea of Lost in Travels

1000 Fights: First off, tell us how you two met?

My husband and I have a little bit of a different story. Long story short, I saw him through friends in common on Facebook and added him on a whim. After two months of talking, he got up the nerve to fly to Chicago from Tulsa where he was living and visit me for the first time. So the first time we actually met was in the domestic terminal of the O’hare airport! If you want more of the ooey gooey details you can read the whole story here.

1) Chelsea-A fashion marketing degree? Give us some travel fashion hints. How do you avoid looking like a tourist?

Honestly, there’s no big secret here! I try to keep it pretty simple when I’m packing and try to think of colors that blend well together so I can get the most out of what I pack (since we mostly try to pack in carry-ons). I also keep in mind that I want our travel photos to not look outdated in a year or two. Which means that I mostly wear solids when we travel and pack scarves and jewelry to mix up each outfit and add some more color to it!

Lost in Travels

2) If you had to travel with someone else besides your travel partner, who would it be? (this person can be living, historical or mythical?.)

He Said: Scuba diving has been a recent love of mine and I would love to experience it with one of the best explorers of all time, Jacques Cousteau.

She Said: I would have to say one of my best friends here in Korea. She’s the type of person that no matter what frustrating situation we’re in, how lost we may be (which is one of my biggest pet peeves!) she can always make me crack a smile and realize that it’s not the end of the world. I think that a positive trait of any couple travel partner is one that can keep you calm! Thankfully my husband falls into this category also!

3) Waterfall rappelling!? Tell us about it! Where you guys totally freaked out?

He said: No! Not at all, it was a lot of fun. I have done a lot of climbing/rappelling before in my past so it was just adding the excitement of water to the mix.

She said: Ha I’m not nearly as adventurous as my husband so I would have to say I was a little nervous. Especially when I was about to go down and our guide grabbed me to retie my knot since it was tied incorrectly. Comforting huh?! But I would say for the most part it was a blast and we both love trying new things outside of our comfort zone.

1000Fights: Do you LOVE couple travel? Want to be featured in our 7 questions? Just get in touch with us (here).

4) If you had to eat one last meal, what/ where would you eat?

He said: Indian curry! Since moving to Korea we have actually found a true love for Indian food and can’t get enough!

She said: I’d have to agree! I had never tried Indian food before and was shocked that it was Korea of all places that made us fall in love with it.

5) What is the great challenge as a couple and individual living abroad?

He said: Having too much time together. When moving abroad, your spouse is the only person you know, you often times work at the same place (at least we did our first year) then you come home and spend all night together. It has turned out to be a blessing but something that we definitely were not used to and had to adjust to.

She said: I would say not having our usual support system. Like Jeremy said, this too worked out for the better in the long run. But moving to a different country, you learn to fully rely on your partner for everything since let’s face it, for awhile there, you’re each other’s only friends. But I think the more time spent together and having to rely on each other more made us grow together instead of apart. It’s just that initial adjustment phase that can be trying!

Chelsea and Jeremy of Lost in Travels

6) If you could solve one problem in the world what would it be?

He said: Hygiene. The lack of it causes so many different diseases worldwide and if that problem were tackled, there would be far less deaths due to unhygienic scenarios.

She said: Clean water. It’s something that living in a first world country we take for granted but several different problems such as disease arise from just this one issue. So many deaths can be avoided if just this one problem was solved.

7)You knew it was coming….What has been your greatest travel fight/disagreement?

She said: My favorite happened while on our honeymoon in Fiji. We decided to take a hobie cat and sail to a nearby island about a mile away. I had warned my new husband that it may be the wrong time to do this since the wind was dying down; but we went anyway and made it there in no time. Well when we were heading back, the wind died. I’m not just saying, it died down, I mean, there was zip zero zilch wind coming our way. We were stuck about half a mile from either island, in the blazing heat of the sun and for some reason we made the wise decision not to put on sunscreen that day. Being stuck, with no sun screen, and no way back does not make for a fun day of sailing. Of course at the time it wasn’t funny but it didn’t take long for us to laugh about it later.

He said: I honestly don’t remember our travel fights that well, I guess I try to block it from my memory. But ask my wife, she can give you full accounts on them : )

1000Fights: Thanks you two for taking the time to introduce yourselves to us. Give these couple travel experts a follow!

Gifts for Globetrotters

By The Fighting Couple on December 7, 2013 in General

What should I get him for Christmas? Gifts for men are so hard! What to get the gal that has it all? With that said, shopping for the globetrotter is next to impossible. We’ve put together some helpful hints to help you with your shopping list. Whether you are shopping for a road warrior, a backpacker, a weekend road tripper, we have just the thing for you.

The Push Pin Map

The Map

Every globetrotter is always thinking about a past adventure and the next one that are going to take. We have the perfect gift: The world pin map. This gorgeous framed world or country map is handmade by our friends Brenda and Mike at Push Pin Travel Maps. These fine-art quality maps are guaranteed conversation starters. Each map comes with a set of multicolored pins to celebrate past, present and future travels! We LOVE ours! It is proudly displayed in our home. The beauty of these maps, they are a great gift for the lifelong traveler or the newly married couple just starting their adventures. You would expect to pay $500 for framed art of this quality. But at Push Pin Travel Maps, these maps start at only $99! Each map can be custom engraved making it a truly personalized gift, ours says “Travels of the Fighting Couple.”

International Travel Plug Adapter

The Adapter

Just about everything the traveler uses to plan and navigate takes power. Those power hungry devices including Ipods, Ipads, GPS, tablets, phones, cameras all take power. While we always remember our chargers when we travel abroad, we always forget the adapter. When we do bring our adapter…it is a bag full of chunks of plastic. We always take ALL of them because we never know for sure which one is going to work. We have a solution! The answer is the new Kensington all in one world adapter. How many pieces you ask? One! How many countries will it work in? 150+! Wowza! What we love about this one in particular is the easy of use, very simple to use. While this may not be the most glamorous of gifts, it is one that will have your loved one thank you. Very practical.

The Love Pillow. (Yes, ours includes our first fight).

Love Pillow

Ok, that description might be a little over the top, but one of the hottest gifts for 2013 is RedEnvelope’s Personalized Couples Key Dates Throw Pillow. Are you looking for a very thoughtful gift for your loved one? Look no further. These pillows are completely customizable with four key dates and descriptions. They are available in five colors and start at $50! If you have never ordered anything from our friends at RedEnvelope, you must know that they wrap gifts in a stunning red box with a bow. Very classy. A thoughtful personalized gift for $50? You betcha. Get on it.

Handmade Leather Travel Journal.

Handmade Travel Journal

If you follow the Fighting Couple, you know that we are huge advocates of journal writing. WARNING: Giving a world traveler a handmade, leather, high-end papered journal is going to result in tears shed and hugs supplied. Our favorite journals are lovingly made on Martha’s Vineyard by Jenni Bick. There are so many to choose from! They have every color and style imaginable. Know this: you are giving a handcrafted heirloom that will be treasured by any traveler worth their salt.

Find Your Perfect Camera Strap

Capturing Couture Camera Strap

Let’s be honest. There are a lot of ugly, ugly camera straps out there. Nothing screams, “I am a tourist” more than a bulky Nikon branded camera strap. We have found the perfect solution to ugly-strap-ness: Capturing Couture. Visit their trendy online boutique and pick your fave design. They offer something that fits just about anyone’s style. On our last adventure in Germany, we kept having people ask us where we found our strap. It’s a lovely gift for the photographer or traveler.

Uplifting Nightie

Uplifting Nighties

What’s better than a great pair of PJs or a silky nighty? Nothing! We love the story behind Uplifting Nighties, two BFFs, Laura and Marge discussed the need for sleepwear that is flattering and stylish, yet offered some support. What they came up with is nothing short of incredible, the Uplifting Nightie. The fitted bodice emphasizes all the right curves and is made from silky Modal material and a touch of spandex. The flattering cut and design will keep you comfy and your man….shall we say impressed? Uplifting Nighties are available in different sizes, lengths and colors. Order now, a number of the more popular designs sell out fast.

Christmas is right around the corner. Many of these retailers ship right up till the week before Christmas. Please, please check their web stores for the exact dates for last shipment.

Disclosure: On occasion we are offered items to review on this site. Does this affect our honest review and opinion? Not one bit!

London for Lovers

By The Fighting Couple on December 2, 2013 in General

Paris is known as the city of love and we agree, but don’t discount the land of Kings and Queens: London. The Fighting Couple proudly declares that London is for Lovers. The city subtly echoes romance: beautiful parks, a palace, knights, and jewels. The modern city dotted with history is the perfect place to spend a weekend or a week. Here’s our top 10 ways to fall in love in London:

The London Eye at Twilight

1. Ride the “Eye”

The famous Ferris Wheel gives you an eye’s view of the city: Parliament, the River Thames, and on a clear day Windsor Castle about 25 miles away. Tickets start at 19 pounds; save 10 percent if you buy online. Enjoy the view, your love, and a kiss high flying over London.

2. Tower of London and Crown Jewels

See where past loves were executed (Anne Boyelyn) while ruling the realm. Built by William the Conquer almost 1000 years ago, it’s an impressive fortress. Plan on spending at least 4 hours seeing St. John’s Chapel, Traitor’s Gate which let in such famous occupants as Queen Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh as well as looking at the displays of military machinery, and walking the perimeter. You’ll also get a peek at the Crown Jewels on the moving walkway that eases past the diamonds and rubies.

2.5 Take Turns Being on Top

….of the double decker bus that is! One of the most iconic images of Great Britain are the bright red double deckers. Needless to say, perched above the traffic you can take in a royal view of the city. For some of the fascinating history of the red double deckers check out: http://www.doubledecker-bus.com

The “London Bridge” Picture. (Tower bridge)

3. Tower Bridge Picture

It’s not the London Bridge sung in many a child’s nursery rhymes, but it is still impressive. While many of London’s attractions are pricey, a picture in front of the bridge is free. After seeing the Tower of London, take a few pictures in front of the bridge and prove to your friends you actually were in London together.

For helpful hints with getting around London, check out our recent travel post: “Mind the Gap!”

4. Westminster Abbey

It’s free and it’s fantastic. See where William and Kate tied the knot and where England’s literary and political leaders are memorialized. No top 10 list of London attractions would be complete without a visit to this church. C.S. Lewis was recently memorialized there. He joins Shakespeare, Lewis Carrol, Charles Darwin, Sir Francis Drake, John Milton and another 3000 people buried inside the Church. Pictures are not permitted inside, so buy postcards to remember your visit. Check out the Abbey’s website. It’s got some great extra features. http://www.westminster-abbey.org/

5. Find Love at the Theater

The Fighting Couple loves Broadway, but there’s something a cut above about the West End. Many of Broadway’s biggest hits were hits first in London: Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Mamma Mia and the new Tony award winning show Matilda. London has a TKTS too. So watch and enjoy and then brag to your friends how you saw “that” show years before it came to America.

St. Pauls Cathederal

6. St. Pauls in London:

This mighty church stands like the patriarch of the city, outlasting and surviving the blitz of World War II. It’s the on the highest point in London. A church has occupied the site since 664 AD. See where Margaret Thatcher and Winston Churchill’s funerals were held as well as Lord Nelson and the marriage of Diana Spencer and Charles.

8. Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace:

– A fairytale trip wouldn’t be complete without seeing some stuffy guards in tall furry hats. The changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace is a London tradition and it’s also free. Check the Royal’s official website for the schedule. There’s even a Changing of the Guard app on iTunes featuring an interactive map and interviews.

8.5 Find the Lady of Shalott at the Tate Gallery

No picture is more romantic than the Lady of Shalott based on Tennyson’s famous work. But any Anne of Green Gables aficionado knows that the Lady of Shalott is perhaps one of the most romantic scenes in the book and the movie where Gilbert rescues Anne from her sinking canoe and her imagination. Guys, see the picture for your love. It will pay off in the end! The Tate Britain, featuring more than 500 years of British art, is open daily and offers free admission. For a special treat, try their “Tate Tours for Two” tour.

9. Windsor Castle

See where real Kings and Queens live. No trip to London would be complete without a trip to Windsor Castle, the oldest occupied castle in the world. A short 30 minute Tube ride, it’s worth the trip. Wander around the delicate English gardens holding hands. There’s also a Changing of the Guard procession here. The tour features the State Apartments, St. George’s Chapel, and Queen Mary’s Miniature Dollhouse. There’s usually a special exhibition on display as well. Christmas is a beautiful time to visit as the Castle is decorated with garland, trees, and wreaths.

Yummy Curry!

10. Skip the fish and chips and eat Indian

Also, buy Hobnobs for home. There are some swanky places to eat in London, but English food isn’t known for its tasty cuisine. As Great Britain ruled half of the modern world at one time, there is a melting pot of non-English food choices. Skip the greasy fish and chips and try some authentic Indian food. Even better, pack your suitcase with the Fighting Couple’s favorite cookie: chocolate Hobnobs. Sure, you can buy them at international stores like World Market, but fresh Hobnobs are better.

The land of James Bond and Jane Eyre is ready for lovers. Book your trip to London now and discover it’s English charms. If you are looking for London Hotels, check out Thinkhotels.com.

Our Seven Must Sees in Thailand for Couple Travelers

By The Fighting Couple on November 29, 2013 in General

Thailand has been aptly called the land of enchantment. It is a paradise for couple travelers. Thailand tempts couples with its vibrant cities, white sandy beaches, and adventure at every turn. With so much to do and see, how do you decide what to do? We are here to help you avoid this fight.

Bangkok Royal Palace

The Grand palace of Bangkok

The crown jewel of Bangkok, Thailand has to be the Grand palace. It is not to be missed. The palace complex is a collection of former and current royal residences, Buddhist temples, and statues that give the feel of the power and majesty of the kingdom. The reclining Buddha is a work of art that glows with a golden sheen. We spent the lion share of a day walking around the grounds. A helpful audio guide is available when you purchase you tickets. There are guided tours available and candidly, we wished we have forked out the “Thailand bahts” for one of those. We are not convinced that the audio tour gives you all of the interesting details. We ended up with more questions than we had answers by the end of our tour. Be aware that the dress code for the palace is strict. Do your homework on what is and is not allowed. If not dressed appropriately, guards will make sure you have extra clothing to wear. Getting there: take the Skytrain to Saphan Taksin Statio on the river, then jump on a river taxi heading north.

Elephant Safari

Elephant Safari Adventure

What visit to Siam would be complete without a jungle trek atop an Elephant? Yes, it is a little touristy. But you have to do it! The unforgettable adventure of sitting atop one of these massive animals tramping through a jungle is a must. We were offered views that looked like something out of Jurassic Park. The gentle sway of the elephants gait is a great excuse to clutch your lover closer. Our safari’s midpoint was at a watering hole that allowed us the chance to cool down in a pond. The elephants got into the mix as well. A word of caution. Please do your research on which elephant trek adventure to take. Some operators mistreat their animals and run their business in a manner that causes harm to customers and animals.

Hike in Khao Sok Jungle

One often overlooked area in Thailand is located halfway between Bangkok and Phuket, the Khao Suk National Park. The Kao Sok Jungle is the perfect couple travel adventure! This collection of 300 square miles (738.74 square km) of dense lush rain forest is dotted with deep lakes and enchanting waterfalls. The flora and fauna, is second only in our experience to the Amazon. You have a number of different options for accommodations near and in the park, everything from a bungalow right on a remote lake to a tree house (read about our tree house stay here.) The park offers self-guided day hikes to some of the most breathtaking vistas our eyes have ever seen. Seeing the mist hanging over the lush canvas of the rain forest canopy, set to a back ground of karst mountains is difficult to describe. Simply amazing! If you are particularly adventurous, take a night hike and see the jungle come alive at night! Obviously we strongly recommend a guide for this undertaking. Getting there: If you are staying in a Phuket or Krabi resort, there are a number of mini buses that will pick you up and deliver you to one of the forest camps. A great resource about mini buses from other locations is available at wikitravel.

The Beaches of Krabi

Island hopping out of Krabi

Take our advice on this one. Skip the long line of sun seekers headed to Phi Phi. Rent a boat for you and you lover and go island hopping! We are strong proponents of staying in Krabi over Phuket. It is much more quaint, affordable, and candidly more beautiful. Along the beach are a number of iconic wooden boats with their brightly colored streamers. Barefooted captains are ready to whisk you away to your own private paradise. We made the day of it and visited 4-5 beaches, many of which we had all to ourselves. Would we trade this for a crowded space on Phi Phi? NO WAY! Getting there: take a walk down the beach in Ao Nang, Thailand and negotiate the best deal.

YUM! Dinner at Lae Lay Grill

Dinner at the Lai Grill

We have saved the best for last. Perched in the hills above Krabi, overlooking the ocean is one of the best restaurants we have found in our wandering, the Lae Lay Grill (www.laelaygrill.com). Thai Cuisine is renowned worldwide for its distinctive spices and flavors. Lae Lay pairs that tradition with the bounty of fresh seafood available in Southern Thailand. The final part of the equation is a crew of some of the most capable and comedic cooks. The open kitchen is part of the entertainment. Get the seafood sampler to share, a pineapple full of fried rice and a cool libation to wash it all down. We capped our visit to Krabi with this dinner and with the view of the sunset, we will never, ever forget that meal. Getting there: Give them a call and they will pick you up from a local hotel or take a tuk tuk to 89 Moo 3, Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Thailand 81000.

Reclining Budda

North to Chiang Mai

We rarely write about a place that we have not been because we want to be able to field questions and give reader’s our candid opinion. Unfortunately, we haven’t been to Chiang Mai so we rely on ourr blog-BFFs that have been there many times. Lets start with an overview of the area with Tieland to Thailand (First Impressions of Chiang Mai). To capture the vibe of Chiang Mai, the Globetrotter girls really capture the highlights: (Things we love about Chiang Mai) In an effort to present both sides: Adventurous Kate offers the pros and cons (Chiang Mai is Not for Everyone). Getting there: From Bangkok it’s a 70 minute flight, or 11 hours by bus or 12 hours by overnight train.

This should get you started! Check out Thomson flights and book your Thailand flight today!

Disclaimer

We are giving away a Handmade Santa Fe Leather Journal!

By The Fighting Couple on November 24, 2013 in General

This Giveaway Has Ended.

The giving season is upon us and the Fighting Couple is in the mood to give! For all of you traveling couples (and solos) out there we have just the thing. We are giving away a lovingly handmade, leather journal made by our fave journal artisan Jenni Bick. (www.jennibick.com). You may remember, we gave away a journal this past spring. We have talked Jenni into letting us do it again!

We are giving away a Santa Fe Leather Journal!

Mike capturing a few thoughts in Budapest

This is no ordinary journal. This is a work of art. Each one is one of a kind. Made from the fine heavyweight paper to the soft leather cover, this is a must have.

Specifics on the Santa Fe journal:

Measures 5″ x 7″
240 pages (120 leaves)
LINED pages in a crisp ivory laid finish
Leather colors will vary from buckskin tan to deep espresso brown.
Handcrafted on Martha’s Vineyard by Jenni Bick.

It is no secret that both Luci and I are journalists. Not in the pencil behind the ear, newspaper sense, but in the personal “diary” sense of the word. Both of us have kept journals for years. Our blog is kind of an outgrowth of our journals. We have found it a great way to track the ups and downs of life and bring back great material to FIGHT with!

Entering this giveaway is super simple. Just three easy steps:

1) Give The Fighting Couple a like on Facebook (here).

2) Give Jenni Bick a Like on Facebook (here).

3) Leave us a comment in the comment section below and say: Send me a Bick!

Easy huh?

Should you journal? Yes!!! The benefits of journaling are well documented:

Health benefits of Journaling http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-health-benefits-of-journaling/000721

100 Benefits of Journaling http://www.appleseeds.org/100_journaling.htm

It is rumored that even Mae West kept a diary!

The fine print (sorry, we don’t look good in stripes):

1) To enter, you must be a resident of USA or Canada. (Sorry Uzbekistan, catch you next time?)

2) Void where prohibited. (Void is such a weird word…..Void.)

3) Just so you know, Jenni Bick was kind enough to provide a journal for us to review, and one for us to give away to one of our fabulous readers. Does this affect our love of our journal? Nope. Not one bit. Never. Ever.

4) Contest rules are subject to change. (Unless Luci changes her mind….which NEVER happens.)

5) Contest ends on December 8, 2013 at midnight MST. (All good things must come to an end.)

5.5) 18 years old and above only to win. (This is the most fun adults get to have…no kids allowed!)

6) We will then pick a winner via random.org. (There are no rules against crossing your fingers.)

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