Luckily, the cheapest places to live in the world are also some of the best. Countries like Cambodia, Argentina, Portugal and Colombia, for example are all beautiful and affordable. If you have the luxury of choice for where you move to next, be sure to consider one of these places.

1. Cambodia – Cost of Living in Cambodia

Securing a Visa

In order to live abroad you need a visa, and for some countries this is both expensive and difficult. In Cambodia, it is the opposite. Getting a business visa is relatively simple and if you love living in Cambodia and want to stay longer, it is only $280 to extend for another year. There are many places to extend your visa and the turnaround time is a mere days. It is really convenient.

Housing

What you pay for accommodation in Cambodia does vary, depending if it is in the country or the city but overall it is still a country with the lowest cost of living in the world. Prices for a one bedroom condo in the capitol Phnom Penh is about $250 to $300 per month, or for a multi bedroom condo $400 to $650 per month.

In contrast, the city of Siem Reap is much cheaper. There $600 a month will get you a villa with a pool. The further out in the country you go, the cheaper Housing becomes. If you’re retiring and looking for a cheap place to stay and a quiet local, this is a great option.

Food and Drink

Next to accommodation, another marker of the cost of living in a country is the price of Food and Drink. In Cambodia, a meal at a mid-range restaurant can be had for only $3. Beer is only $1 and a coke is less than $1. At the supermarket, bread is around $1.25 and a dozen eggs are $1.50.

Whether you eat out or prepare your own food, Cambodia has great prices for even the smallest of budgets.

2. Argentina – Cost of Living in Argentina

Securing a Visa

Argentina lives by its Latin principles which includes not having too many rules. This applies to the visa situation as well. When you first come to Argentina a visa can be expensive as the country charges you the same price as your country charges Argentinians. This is called a retaliatory visa fee policy.

However, the visa is then good for 10 years of the life of your passport, so you might not need to worry about renewing it. You can always make frequent trips every three months which then automatically renews your visa. If you forget to renew it, don’t worry as Argentina is fairly lax about it. You may be fined about $40.

Housing

Argentina is a very large country, and Housing costs vary greatly depending on where you’re living. As always, prices are more expensive in larger cities than in smaller towns. In certain parts of Buenos Aires you can find an apartment for rent for $500 to $700.  In the countryside, however, a multi bedroom house with acreage can go for the bargain price of $350.

Buying a house in Argentina is a bit different as many people pay in cash. This may seem odd, and possibly unrealistic, but with interest rates so high, nobody wants to get a mortgage.

Food and Drink

An average meal at a restaurant in Buenos Aires will cost about $11. If you’re in a smaller town it will be considerably less. Beer is about $2.50 and a coke about $1.50. While city restaurants are not real bargains, supermarkets offer better food pricing. Bread costs $1.80 and a dozen eggs $2.00.

If you like the supermarket prices, but don’t want to cook, Argentina has very affordable as you can employ a maid or a cook for only $10 a day.

3. Portugal – Cost of Living in Portugal

Securing a Visa

If you are an EU resident moving to Portugal, all you need to do is prove your income and that you will be able to support yourself. If you can do this, then you’ll be granted permanent residency in Portugal for five years.

However, if you are not from Europe, you will most likely need to employ a lawyer to help you with the application process for a residency visa and it will take about six months.

Housing

Portugal is one of the cheapest places to live in the world and this is reflected in Housing costs. A two bedroom apartment in the city can cost about $550 to $600. As you go further out into the countryside, Housing costs get even cheaper.

If you are able to buy in Portugal, prices are very reasonable. A two or three bedroom apartment in the city would cost about $250,000 while the same apartment in a more rural area would be half the price.

Portugal was hit hard by the recession in the last decade and there are a number of homes on the market at bargain prices. And a lot of banks will even offer 100% mortgages so if you don’t have a very large down payment you can still purchase a new home.

Food and Drink

A meal at a restaurant in Lisbon would cost a person about $8 and a beer is about $1.70. A coke would cost $1.30. Overall, restaurant prices in Portugal are low and eating out is a convenient option.

For supermarket prices, bread costs $1.25 and a dozen eggs costs $2.00. Anything that is local including produce, meat and fish is very reasonable to purchase. The Portuguese love to eat delicious food and they make sure that everyone can afford it.

4. Colombia – Cost of Living in Colombia

Securing a Visa

When travelling to Colombia for short amounts of time, it is very easy to get a visa. A visa is good for three months and can be extended for only $40. However, the extension is only good for another six months. If you want to stay longer there are many options to choose from; so many that it is recommended to get advice from an attorney.

Housing

An apartment in Bogota, the capital city will cost about $650 per month. The range, though is anywhere from $400 to $1000 per month, depending on the size, location and condition of the apartment. A lot of people in Colombia end up sharing apartments so that you can get a nicer, bigger place, but pay a cheaper amount of rent.

Food and Drink

Eating in Colombia is very cheap. At a restaurant, an average meal will cost about $4. Beer is only $1 and coke is less than $1. Many people eat out regularly in Colombia because it is so affordable.

A trip to the supermarket can be overwhelming at first because of the great prices. Bread costs less than $1 and a dozen eggs costs $1.50. Overall, you won’t have to budget too much for food.

5. Malaysia – Cost of Living in Malaysia

Securing a Visa

If you live in one of the 58 countries that Malaysia is partnered with, then you can enter the country for up to 90 days without a visa. These include most European countries. After which you will need a visa, but the process is relatively easy and can be done online.

Housing

A luxury apartment in the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, costs between $750 and $1000 per month for 2 bedrooms. However, if you are on a budget, then you can find a nice apartment outside of the city limits for less than $200 per month.

Food and Drink

Malaysian food is not only delicious, it is also relatively inexpensive. You can eat at a restaurant for less than $3 a meal. Beer can be a bit more expensive, between $1 and $3, depending which bar you go to.

For groceries, bread is only $1 and a dozen eggs are $1.50. This means that whether you eat out or eat in, you won’t have to budget too much for food.

There are many cheap places to live in the world, but it’s important to pair living costs with desirability. Luckily, there are many countries to choose from that meet both criteria.

Countries with the lowest cost of living in the world like Cambodia, Argentina, Portugal and Colombia are beautiful places to spend time in and, as a bonus are all affordable, no matter what your budget.

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China’s Great Wall

You might initially be shocked at this suggestion, because it’s true, China’s Great Wall is crawling with tourists and it’s so packed, you can barely walk along it. However, if you venture away from Badaling and Mutianyu you can explore the 640km of wall that is unknown to most tourists. You can actually hike along this expanse of wall where possible, and you can camp on the wall too! Imagine what it would be like in the wilds of China for a camping holiday; secluded and faced with stunning views and extraordinary unspoilt villages and farmland.

Terelji National Park, Mongolia

Venturing across a cold and snowy landscape can seem unappealing at first, but this is an unmissable cultural experience; as you walk the barely used roads you’ll come across tiny settlements and see some of the rarest animals in the world. The great open plains are unlike anything else on earth, and you can break up your walk by staying with a Mongolian family in a traditional Yurt! The cold won’t be a problem if you have a pair of Dubarry Galway Boots however, and a good winter coat. Come prepared!

Haputale, Sri Lanka

Looking for a taste of home in the middle of the Sri Lanken mountains? Head to Haputale and trek part of the journey. You can find markets in this area selling English produce, and the area is surrounded by tea plantations that are still being processed by Victorian machines. It’s all reminiscent of the English occupation of this area back in the days of the empire, and it’s a little taste of history.

Photo by Francisco Diez, François Philipp and Indi Samarajiva

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Checks Required

But to make your travel hassle free, you should check that everything is in order. You should confirm a day in advance about your travel arrangements to the airport, for getting one at the last moment may give you nervy moments. Check all your travel related documents and have a back-up for them in photocopies if possible and keep them separately. It is a good idea to reach the airport or the port in case of ferries, well advance in time. The distance between the cup and the sip may be too much at times. And most importantly, don’t forget to count your touring members to ensure that nobody is left ‘home alone’.

Get a Visa

Yes, before you venture out to a foreign land you need to have a visa. In your hectic daily life, this could be nagging and time consuming. The minute technicalities and the know-how of the travel documents may not be your cup of tea, hence taking help from any visa online immigration sites like ixpvisas.com is a great idea. You can assess you application online, and seek guidance from them. These reputed sites process thousands of visa applications each year hence you can be assured that you are in safe hands. And you will get prompt and hassle free service.

Accommodation

To ensure you have a successful trip, it is pertinent that you book a decent place for yourself well in advance. You can browse the net for relevant information on accommodation and best travel packages on offer. Booking in advance may get you benefits of special discounts. You may find travelling in off-season more beneficial as you can get cheaper accommodation and lesser rush at the tourist hot spots. Furthermore, you should choose a place where you can get public transportation with ease.

Medication

Before you travel, you can get yourself a complete medical check-up to ensure you are in the pink of your health. Discuss your travel plans with your physician and take your medications along if required. You can carry a small first-aid kit, in case of minor accidents. You can also check out whether any vaccination is required before your travel to any particular place. And if mosquitoes, flies and other insects can be a concern, having an insect repellant with you is advisable.

Travelling now-a-days is no more a grinding job, it a pleasure trip taken by people to soothe their bodies, mind, and soul. Hence, take some basic steps to ensure that your travel serves its purpose.

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Are you the right person?

There are certainly some questions to be answered before you hop on that plane and plan to teach.

First, why are you going? It can’t just be because you don’t know what else to do with your life right now. You have to be wanting and willing to learn about another culture, completely immerse yourself, have the ability and desire to speak and teach others and have patients doing so.

Are you open minded? Things will certainly be different in your new country. Let’s not think it won’t be at least slightly shocking once you get there. Be open about everything and take things as they come. Not everything will always go 100% according to plan and that’s OK. Just work it out.

Make sure you have all of your bases covered back home. Get your bills paid off, sell off what you need, and don’t bring over a worry or responsibility. It will only stress you out and inhibit you from being yourself and giving this your all.

How do you start?

So how do you get the ball rolling on nailing a teaching position? Most places require or at least strongly prefer teachers to have the following:

• Native English speaker
• Bachelors degree in any subject.
• TESOL certification

Some other requirements that might need to be met:

• Some institutions require a background check.
• Under the age of 60.
• Experience in the classroom

Just to quickly expand on the TESOL requirement, this is a certification that you will likely want to obtain. It certifies you to teach English as a second language. Look for a reputable website and receive this certification online or go through a certification abroad program and receive your certificate in another country.

As for the requirements- It all depends on the country, and then the actual institution that you end up working for. It’s also important to keep in mind that you will likely need your original documents. Order another official copy of your degree from your university to bring along with you. It will get tattered and torn, but it’s often necessary to have with you for work permit reasons.

Brief run down on salary and cost of living

Here are the three most popular destinations for ESL teachers in Southeast Asia. Keep in mind when you are reading that the amounts paid per month might seem minimal, but the cost of living in these countries is too. The amount paid is usually enough to live on and even save a bit. It all depends on your lifestyle as well. You might have a hard time saving if you are the type that wants a lavish dinner every night along with a few drinks. So depending on how you live, you can put a decent amount of money away for your future travels if you budget carefully. All the amounts listed below are in USD.

Thailand

In the “Land of Smiles” is where I started my ESL teaching experience. You can get jobs anywhere from $500 to around $1500 per month. The average I would say is around $1000 per month.

Just to give you an idea:
Milk – $1.50
Bread – $1.30
Dozen eggs – $1.45

In city public transport – $.60

Apartment in the city / outside the city – $400+/ $250+ per month

Draught beer – $1.50
Coke – $.50
Local meal – $1-2
Mid-range restaurant – $5-8

Random notes on Thailand:

• The people are Buddhist and respect for their temples and other religious objects should be observed at all times.
• No loosing your cool. They are pretty chill people so take a step back and figure things out with a cool head.
• Thai food can get spicy! They often will tone it down when they see a foreigner, but sometimes they want you to have it just the way they like it. Learning “mai pet” (not spicy) would probably be a good thing if a kick in the mouth isn’t your thing.
• You will have the opportunity to wander about ancient temple ruins in numerous cities, walk on the some of the nicest beaches in the country in Krabi and Trang provinces, camp and hike in any of their stunning national parks, rage all night at a Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan, dive in Koh Tao, trek in the mountains and meet hill tribe people in the Northern regions, experience Bangkok city life, and much more.

Indonesia

ESL teachers average between $1000- $2000. There are thousands of islands to choose from. Pretty much anywhere would be considered a paradise!

Just to give you an idea:
Milk – $1.30
Bread – $1
Dozen eggs – $1.45

In city public transport – $.50

Apartment in the city / outside the city – $400+/ $200+ per month

Draught beer – $2
Coke – $.70
Local meal – $2-3
Mid-range restaurant – $5-8

Random notes on Indonesia:

• Eat and pass your food with your right hand only.
• Speaking of hands, it’s not uncommon for people to eat with their hands here.
• Check out their world-class beaches and surf before you leave, go to Sumatra to see the indigenous Orangutans, climb volcanoes, trek through their lush jungles, visit untouched Borneo, and eat some fresh caught fish while on the beach.

Vietnam

Growing in popularity, many ESL teachers are coming to Vietnam for work. Here you can expect an average of $1200- $2000+ per month.

Just to give you an idea:
Milk – $1.40
Bread – $1.10
Dozen eggs – $1.40

In city public transport – $.30

Apartment in the city / outside the city – $460+/ $270+ per month

Draught beer – $1
Coke – $.50
Local meal – $2.50
Mid-range restaurant – $6-8

Random notes on Vietnam:

• While eating soup, hold your spoon in your left hand.
• Yellow flowers and anything colored black are not to be given as a gift.
• Let the oldest person sit first at the table. Wait to be shown your seat.
• The famous Pho soup is a must try, wander the beautiful beaches of Hoi An, float across the water while admiring Halong Bay, get in deep with the rich history and make sure to see a sunrise before leaving.

Keep in mind there is a possibility other benefits are offered. Check each job to see if they include paid holidays, a plane ticket, reimbursement for work permit costs….etc. Each school is also different. There are opportunities at public schools, private school, universities, language schools, international schools, private tutoring, and business tutoring. If you have other skills, that could be beneficial, such as a degree in math or sciences, that’s great. Some schools want other subjects taught in English as well. There are plenty of opportunities and each school and country is different.

What’s teaching like?

So you might want to know what a teachers life is like in another country. Well, the main difference that you might notice is that your job will likely be a lot less crazy and stressful then your current job. It’s not to say teaching English is an easy job, it gets challenging at times, but there aren’t demanding and strict guidelines or expectations. English learning should be fun and games are very much a part of what you will be doing. Make your classes light and not too serious or you will lose your students interest.

Most likely you will be focusing on conversational English. You can’t throw a worksheet at the students and call it day. Make sure you get them talking. Speaking of talking, don’t talk to them like you do with your friends. Speak nice and clear. Speak slowly and don’t use crazy vocabulary.

Your classes could consist of 40, 50, and possibly 60 students. You could have completely free reign over what to teach, which sounds great but can also be challenging when you are given no guidance or a starting point. Some schools will provide workbooks, or some kind of program and some won’t. Some classes you will only see once a week, some more. Again, it all depends on the school. The bottom line is to be prepared for anything.

A popular teacher schedule will usually consist of 20-25 teaching hours per week. This isn’t to say those are the only hours you work. Some school make you come in and stay for the day regardless of how many classes you have. Some schools might have a bit of an odd schedule like giving you a three hour gap in between classes. It’s important to remember to use your time wisely. So try getting some idea downs and lessons planned during those down hours to take advantage of your time at and out of school.

This is again only an idea of what teaching could be like. Hours differ depending on the schools, requirements may not be the same, and classes could be smaller or larger. It’s a good idea to always ask questions all the time. Before you start the job and while you are working the job. Sometimes things can be a bit too laid-back in these countries and you may have an unexpected surprise here and there.

Day-to-day teacher life

After making your lessons plans for the week and getting your schedule down, just live like a normal local. Go to the markets and try new food, visit their shopping malls and wander the streets. Get to know your surroundings and get acquainted to your new town. Try to look out for familiar faces around town so you can start making friends. Go to the local cafes and restaurants, you will be guaranteed to run into another teacher in town.

Once you make some friends, get to know them, take in their advice and start taking this useful information and putting it in to action. Get the lowdown on the nearby activities you can do on the weekends to get away, find out where the best local produce can be bought, the cheapest fried rice in town, or any other awesome tips they might be willing to divulge to you.

Your every day will be pretty low key as your responsibilities are minimal. It’s popular to have holidays off; they have holidays often and you can probably expect at least one long weekend every month. Go off and travel a bit, that’s a big part of the reason why you’re there anyway.

Checklist for teaching abroad:

Here are just a few things to make sure you have checked off before leaving your life behind and going to a far away land to start teaching!

• Documents- It couldn’t hurt to bring your transcripts just in case, bring your original certification and degree. Make copies of your passport, ID, and all documents to give at interviews. You originals will be needed for visa purposes, however a school could request to see it as well.
• Don’t bring everything with you. You might be moving for a decent period of time but there is no reason to bring most of your closet, 12 pairs of high heels, your jewelry collection, and 10 pictures frames of you and your friends and family. Tone it down, be minimal. If there is something you really want, you will likely be able to find it there. Don’t regret bringing too much because it could be expensive to send it home when you realize you don’t need it.
• Bring some teacher appropriate clothes to start you off. Again, nothing too crazy or too much. Just a few outfits that can be mixed and matched. Make sure it’s comfortable and appropriate for the weather in that country. Ladies should stick to knee-length or long skirts and dresses, nothing showing too much skin. Nice blouses that cover the shoulder and aren’t too low. Men should wear nice button down shirts and slacks with a belt. A tie or two would be smart to bring as well.
• Open mind for everything. Things will be confusing, weird, new, and challenging at first but also fun, exciting, and adventurous. Just be sure to chill and take a breath first. Everything will work out just fine.
• You might have came here to teach, but you also came to travel! If you go to the country, live in the country, and work in the country, you better make time to travel it too. Don’t come all this way and only see the one city you lived in. Make sure you leave time for exploring the country and possibly it’s neighbors.

Now that you have read a bit about what teaching is like, what your responsibilities might be, what you might earn and what it would cost to live abroad, do you think this is for you? Can you be an English teacher abroad? Are you open minded enough to do this? Do you need a job that is rewarding and allows you the opportunity to travel? Think about everything and let it marinate. Don’t make any rash decision, there is plenty of time. These opportunities aren’t going anywhere. Good luck!

Great websites for finding ESL jobs around the world:

Thailand job board: Ajarn.com

ESL Cafe’s International Job Board: www.eslcafe.com/joblist
Mark’s ESL World: www.marksesl.com
ESL Job Feed: www.esljobfeed.com
ESL Connections: www.eslconnections.com
TESall.com’s Worldwide Job Board: www.tesall.com
TEFL.net’s ESL Job Offers: www.tefl.net
TotalESL: www.totalesl.com
TEFL.com: www.tefl.com
ESL Job Find: www.esljobfind.com
ESL Employment: www.eslemployment.com

Photo by Official U.S. Navy Imagery

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Visit Germany Region- wise

Since Germany has many cities with different characteristics and amazing travel highlights, you can plan visiting the country on the basis of region. For instance, you want to see the Oktoberfest in Munich which is in September and runs up to October, you should plan your trip on the basis of region. With amazing cities in the country like Bavaria, Berlin, Hamburg, Baden Wurttemberg and more, you will have plenty opportunities to see and do. Berlin being the most populated city in the country and a famous traveling destination offers great clubs, shops, restaurants and galleries. Baden Wurttemberg presents amazing variety of cultural attractions along with picturesque gorgeous landscapes. Exploring Germany by Region can be quite exciting and a convenient way to travel.

Holiday in Germany on the basis of a Theme

Another exciting way to plan your next German Vacation is on the basis of a theme. Say for example, you wish to live like a German. Eat, sleep, drink and relax by totally divulging yourself into their culture, then you can plan your holiday on the basis of visiting charming and quaint villages of the country. Discover the local farmer’s market, enjoy the delicious cuisine and explore the historic sites. If you wish to check out all the historic town and exceptional culture, then going about historic d towns is the best way to do it. However, if you wish to see the limelight and glamour of the cities in the country like Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg or Berlin; then let your vacation include only all the major cities in Germany. There is plenty to do and see here that you can plan and enjoy your holidays on the lake side locations or have a beach holiday. If you are a fan of architecture, then the best way to go about the country is as per theme parks and German castles or historical sites.

Doing this on your own requires a great deal of time and money!!! It is almost impossible to cover all the places in Germany without a holiday package. A holiday package will cost you a hell lot of less money than you planning it by yourself. There are a lot of Vacation packages based on your liking for instance, a romantic holiday package or family holiday package or luxurious holidays. It is sensible to choose from these wide varieties of packages which cover many great attractions and places and render a lot cheaper!!!!

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Teacher Teacher

This will be far easier for native English speakers, but even if you aren’t, there are opportunities! English is a highly desirable language in the world, and therefore every non-English speaking country needs teachers. Native speakers with degrees will likely have a job a few minutes off the plane in some countries. It’s easy and you get paid.

There are some places that can’t afford to pay very much, and therefore can’t be as choosy when finding a teacher. So non- native English speakers who know English rather well are still hired. Don’t worry if you don’t know English enough, it doesn’t mean you can’t teach and make money. You just need to know another language. So for example when I was teaching English in Thailand, some of my co-workers were Chinese. They didn’t know English but they were fluent in Thai, so therefore they were able to teach Chinese in Thailand.

The point of the story is, if you’re bi-lingual, you can likely find a teaching job somewhere in the world.

Volunteering Ventures

Duh! This one is an obvious one. Volunteer to get yourself abroad. Don’t think you have the money to do it? Think again. You don’t need much if you volunteer. Many organization set you up with a place to stay, which is usually a large chuck of your budget. If that is taken care of, then you don’t need much else besides food and the ticket to get there. Sometimes your food might even be provided.

If you happen to have a green thumb, try WWOOF an organization dedicated to making our world more organic and sustainable. Other sites connect volunteers with people who need help with handy work around the house, a nanny, teaching, helping around a hostel or guesthouse, helping a small business get set up or grow and more. There is plenty that you can do, experienced or not. Not to mention, you will be giving back to a community or maybe a lovely family. Either way, it will be pretty rewarding. The experience and skills you can gain from these experiences should be enough for you to get a move on this opportunity.

Abuse the Internet

Have a knack for something that you can do over the computer? Hello! Take advantage of it. There are so many things you can do over the internet. I have a vision that working in an office will soon be obsolete. At least that’s my wish, working in a cubicle is cruel. Get your laptop and get on the plane. Do a Google search for freelancing websites and apply to a project that matches with your skills. Make the world your office, trust me, it’s awesome and easier than you think.

Photo by Children’s Organization, Jennifer B and Gideon

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Travelling with a caravan or a motorhome has been a popular option for a long time. It may seem like a bit of a strange option (carrying your home around with you like a tortoise) to the uninitiated, but there are plenty of great reasons to do it. Here are five.

1. You can make it as fancy or simple as you like, and your home is always with you

Tortoises may be on to something, you know! The best part about travelling with a mobile home of one kind or another is that you can make it exactly as comfortable as you want. No arriving at a self-catering location to discover there are no decent knives. No checking into a fancy hotel to discover you don’t like the feel of their sheets. You can outfit your caravan or motorhome exactly to your own taste, and then take it with you on your travels, thus ensuring all your little quirks and idiosyncratic needs are met.

2. Travel Insurance is an easy one stop affair

Travel insurance can be a right pain in the proverbial, but there are plenty of places where you can get very simple insurance for your caravan or motorhome without hassle. Take a look at a site like the Caravan Club, for example, to solve the insurance problem quickly and easily. (That site actually has a lot of other useful caravanning titbits, so it’s worth a nosy around.)

3. You can stop (nearly) anywhere

When you’re travelling in the conventional manner, there are generally two options. One is plan everything ahead of time like this ambitious blogger has, complete with accommodation bookings, but then if you find something interesting you want to spend time over, tough – you’re on a tight schedule. The other is to travel spontaneously and hope for the best, and risk not finding anywhere to stay and having to sleep uncomfortably in your car. With a caravan or a motorhome, for the most part, you are free of these hindrances. You shouldn’t actually stop just anywhere, of course, but it does give you a whole lot more freedom.

4. So much better than a tent!

The only other way to travel as cheaply as caravanning is with a tent, and let’s face it, a tent is neither as comfortable, nor as customisable as a caravan or motorhome. Tents are vulnerable to all sorts of nasty weather surprises, and even the best ones can be intruded into by bugs and spiders. Better to go with a caravan or motorhome – you can still be ‘roughing it’, but with a much better chance of not laying your head to rest next to a spider!

5. It’s cheaper in the long run than hotels, or other hired accommodation

While buying a caravan may seem like a big expense, if you travel a fair amount, you’ll find that you make it back pretty quickly, compared to staying in hotels or even self-catering accommodation. Once you have it, and it’s outfitted, your accommodation costs drop dramatically. You’ll need to pay small sums to stay in caravan parks, but it’s negligible compared to other kinds of accommodation.

If you love to travel, it’s well worth having a look at the option of caravans or motorhomes – they’re lots of fun, and have many advantages. Check them out!

Photo by Alfonso Jimenez

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Grow Something

First things first, can you travel? Are you the type of person who is open to other ways of life, other people, foods, and lifestyles as a whole? Do you handle change well and if things don’t go your way are you cool calm and collected? These are all questions to ask yourself before you jet-set from your living room couch to a far away land. It takes a certain person to pick up and travel long-term / live in another country. It’s not for everyone. What about you?

You’re still here? Great, so you are the traveling type, excellent. Now GROW a pair and make some goals. What do you want to do? Live or travel long-term? Where? What do you have to do to make it happen? This is the time to make one of those old fashion things called a list. Get everything down on paper so you can see your goals, check off the things you need to do to make it happen. What do I mean by that? Things like, sell your car, ask your parents to take your dog in, sell your stuff, store your stuff, save X amount of money etc…

After getting everything down on paper….Are you still willing to do this?

Find Something

Still reading? Awesome. So you’re willing to do everything is takes to make this happen. Sounds good. How much money did you save? Is it enough? If you’re lucky and have enough to travel for months and months, have fun! If you are like many of us who still need some kind of income while traveling, then you need to FIND something to do.

There are heaps of ways to make money while you’re on the road. If you happen to be a native English speaker, you’re in luck. You couldn’t have it any easier. Just teach English. You can live and work in nearly any country in the world. Other ideas for work just needs a quick Google search. Look for volunteer websites such as HelpX or WOOFING. You can exchange your time for a bed and food. You can find work freelancing online if you have some kind of computer skills, writing skills, translation abilities, or even data entry experience. The internet is your friend. There are many way to make money from your computer which means you can live anywhere.

Do Something

So are you excited now? Do you feel like this can maybe be something you can do? You found some work that might be able to work out for you and perhaps even be kind of enjoyable? Awesome. What are you waiting for? Buy that one-way plane ticket already! I can’t tell you how many people I encounter on my travels who say they wish they do what I can do, that I am so lucky, and that they want to be me. Why? How am I lucky? If I can do it, you can do it. Just DO it! The only thing stopping you is yourself. Stayed tuned for more information about working abroad.

Click Here for Part 2 of This Post »

Photos by martinak15, Thomas Galvez and Marufish

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Southeast Asia is blessed with hundreds of waterfalls big and small. While all of the nations of the region have some crowd-favorite falls, Thailand and the Philippines are especially known for their dramatic, playful cascades that are popular attractions for domestic and local tourists. At many of the waterfalls in the region, you can swim at the base of the falls or in natural pools on mid-level tiers of the cascades. We looked through travel review sites to find six noteworthy waterfalls in Southeast Asia. Which one is your favorite?

1) Erawan Falls, Kanchanaburi, Thailand

One of the most popular waterfalls in Thailand, Erawan Falls has a seven-tiered cascade and is located in a national park in the Tenasserim Hills. Visitors to this waterfall have the unique opportunity to swim not only in the pools at the base of the cascade but also in pools higher up that were created by the water flowing downhill.

Because of its popularity, Erawan Falls can become crowded during the middle of the day, so visitors who want to spend more time swimming or exploring the path to the top of waterfall should come earlier in the day or stay overnight in one of Erawan National Park’s bungalows.

Fun fact: the waterfall takes its name from the three-headed elephant which Buddha rode in ancient legend.

2) Khone Phapheng, Champaska, Laos

Where the mighty Mekong river fans out there’s a backpacker paradise, a bit like the US’ Florida Keys, full of islands cut out of the river’s path. Near the southern border of this “4,000 Islands” region is this waterfall, an impressive cascade of river water that is the main reason obstacle engineers faced when trying to design a way for boats to travel up the Mekong into China from the sea.

Southeast Asia’s largest cascade by water volume is really two falls: Khone and Pha Pheng cascades. Located in southern Laos, where the mighty Mekong river begins to broaden its flow into a watery plateau studded with small islands, this waterfall is sometimes called the Niagara of the East, an apt nickname not only for the shape and size of the water flow but also for its popularity with domestic tourists.

3) Pagsanjan Waterfall, Laguna, Philippines

If you’re after excitement as well as beautiful scenery, the Pagsanjan Waterfall, on the other side of Laguna Bay from the Philippine capital, is a good one to seek out. This 120-foot cascade has three drops, and can be approached either by canoe from downstream or by hiking in from neighboring Cavinti. If you hike in, be ready for good exercise, and if you canoe in, you’ll “shoot the rapids” out.

While at the waterfall, visitors can take rafts behind the veil of water and feel the “massage” of thousands of liters of water raining down.

Fun fact: This might be one of the area’s oldest tourist attractions—Spanish colonists wrote about visiting Pagsanjan Waterfall in the 1890s.

4) Detian-Banyue Falls, China/Ban Gioc Falls, Vietnam

For a look at a tourist attraction that spans a national border, make your way to the picturesque waterfall on the China/Vietnam border. Proof that there’s more than one way to view something, the two countries count the falls differently–in Vietnam, they’re one waterfall, called Ban Gioc. In China, meanwhile, the three streams of water (which sometimes blend together in one stream) are regarded as two separate falls, Detian and Banyue.

From Vietnam, take in Ban Gioc as part of a larger trip to the minority villages in the northern hills. From China, Detian and Banyue can be a daytrip from Nanning or part of the journey from China south into Vietnam.

Fun fact: In the 1920s, French colonists would come to the Vietnamese side to relax by the lake and fish.

5) Umphang Thee Lor Sue Waterfall, Tak, Thailand

Aim for the heavens (with your camera) at Umphang Thee Lor Sue waterall in northwestern Thailand. This waterfall near the border with Myanmar, is 250 meters tall, the highest in Thailand. It also boasts impressive width, being almost twice as wide as it is tall. A multi-stream cascade that bursts out of lush jungle and trips gradually down to the bottom of the hill, this waterfall is popular with animal lovers because it’s located in the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary. Combine a visit to the sanctuary with a swim in one of the pools at the base of the falls or in one of the tiers higher up.

You can hike around the falls, and rafting trips on the Mae Klong River can sometimes be arranged from Mae Sot, in the village of Umphang, and in the park itself. If you do this, talk to the guides about also visiting Karen tribal villages, natural springs and caves in the region.

6) Mae Ya Waterfall, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Another great destination in Thailand, Mae Ya Waterfall is located in Doi Inthanon National Park, about 90 minutes from Chiang Mai city.

Featuring a sloping cascade that pops out of the jungle at the top of the hill and weaves between trees and bushes growing on the slope and between boulders, Mae Ya waterfall is popular with local and foreign tourists alike.

Fun fact: From here you can see Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest mountain.

Photos by Ian Armstrong, Nick Hubbard, Stefan Krasowsk, Ken Marshall, Amir Yalon and FMJRey

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Here are some of the tallest buildings in the region:

Singapore

Asia’s lovely city-state has more than 4,000 high-rise buildings in its skyline, with more than 50 of them topping 140 meters. The three tallest buildings tower to 280 meters above the city streets. They are: UOB Plaza One, Republic Plaza, and OUB Centre (also known as One Raffles Place). Other than 1-Altitude, a bar 282 meters on One Raffles Place with stunning views, these buildings house offices, offices and more offices, but few good venues for curious tourists to find a viewpoint. However, the monoliths themselves make a good photo subject, for example from the Skybar on top of the Marina Bay Sands.

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur has two of the most distinctive tall buildings in Asia—the tapered Petronas Towers. Built in 1998 to a height of 482 meters, these towers have both a Skybridge and an observation deck from which tourists can soak in the city views. The Skybridge is 41 stories above street level, while riding the elevator to the observation deck will shoot you 86 stories in the air. If you’re planning to visit the Petronas Towers, schedule your visit from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. any day of the week except Tuesdays, when the observation areas are closed to the public. The ticket office opens at 8:30 a.m.

Thailand

If you’re in Bangkok and looking for some breeze above the city’s sois and khlongs, you can choose between visits to several of the city’s skyscrapers, but the one that is most popularly visited by tourists wanting a view is Baiyoke Tower II on Ratchaprarop Road. At street level, you’ll find plenty of shopping in malls and stalls on the street, but stores a hotel inside, the Baiyoke Sky Hotel offers rooms with a fantastic view 88 stories off the ground. You don’t have to stay at the hotel to enjoy the view, however. The 304-meter-tall building also boasts an observation deck on the 77th floor, a bar and music lounge on the 83rd floor, and a revolving roof deck on the 84th floor.

Indonesia

One of Jakarta’s most iconic tall buildings is the 250-meter-tall Wisma 46, known to many as “The Fountain Pen Building” because of its gracefully sloped spire. It’s located on Jalan Jend Sudirman. However, for mealtime views over the rest of Jakarta, many travelers prefer dining at Italian restaurant Gaia on the 46th floor of nearby The Plaza, on Jalan M.H. Thamrin.

Laos

One of the smaller nations in Southeast Asia, Laos is known more for its villages and landscapes than its skyscrapers. Which means that even the relatively short 277-meter-tall Wiengchan Lao National Radio transmitter in capital Vientiane is the tallest structure in the whole country. You can’t go up the transmitter, but you can get a bit of a view over the tree lined streets from the observation deck at the Patuxai, an arch-shaped victory monument in the center of Vientiane.

Photos by William Cho, Miusam CK, Prachanart Viriyaraks, yohanes budiyanto and yeowatzup

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With such legendary travel destinations as Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam, it is no wonder that Southeast Asia is some travelers’ favorite destination. It’s a land of beautiful landscapes, ethnic food, and endless adventure. Unfortunately however, the best time to visit this remarkable location is during the winter, a time that does not work for the traveling student because it conflicts with their school semesters. So how can students possibly see the beautiful countries of Southeast Asia during the best season with such a conflicting schedule?

Online Classes

Perhaps the best answer to the traveling student’s predicament is to take online classes. Online classes allow students to complete an entire course at their own schedule. The way it works is that students log on to the class via the Internet whenever they have free time in order to get the next lessen and assignment. While it takes a lot of self-discipline to devote time and thought to your classes while on the go, traveling actually offers you a lot of flexibility in order to complete the desired coursework. With so many bus, train, and plane rides, the traveling student will have plenty of time to go through any required readings, complete assignments, and study for exams. Additionally, one can always plan ahead and complete their schoolwork when they have time so that it doesn’t conflict with a busy week of travel.

Study Abroad

Many colleges offer semesters abroad, which can serve as the perfect opportunity for someone looking to complete coursework while traveling. A semester abroad is when your school places you for one semester in a foreign university in the country of your choice, giving you the chance to really experience another country in depth. While this option does not provide as much flexibility as online classes, as you will be unable to travel far from the school you choose to attend while classes are in session, it is a great option for someone that really wants to spend a lot of time in a specific location. Additionally, many students who choose to go abroad take advantage of their situation and do a lot of traveling during any breaks from school, though most choose to take a month at the end of the semester to backpack through nearby countries before heading home.

Semester at Sea

Another fantastic studying abroad option is Semester at Sea, a cruise ship that has been made into a university in order to offer students the chance to visit multiple countries while still completing a full semester of classes. Students live on the cruise ship and stop at amazing countries, though each year the program offers a different schedule. While that schedule sometimes includes Southeast Asia, it doesn’t always. However, it does usually take students to multiple continents, be it Europe, Africa, Australia, or South America.

With these options, in mind, a student should never feel like his schooling is standing in the way of his travel experiences. If anything, studying while traveling is an opportunity for a truly great and productive experience, particularly if you shape your classes around the locations you intend to visit by taking, per say, a History of Southeast Asia course, or a class on Asian literature.

This is a guest post written by @Courtney

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When traveling, passing through customs is a normal experience for most. It’s a standard procedure in most airports to declare anything unusual you are taking with you on your travels. Most of the time there is usually nothing to worry about when you have the correct documents, not carrying anything illegal or not wanted for a crime in another country! However for some of these people, passing through customs was an unforgettable experience…

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