@thesnugsnug
How do you start your day?
I usually start my day with a nice cup of coffee from my beloved Bialetti coffee machine. I for sure need some caffeine to get started. Whilst enjoying my coffee. I am going through the day and prepare myself mentally for the upcoming tasks. If I have the time, I also try to eat a muesli because with a full stomach the day just starts better.
What does a typical day in your life look like?
During the week I normally get up early in the morning and prepare myself for work. I work as a lawyer and therefore I am confronted the hole day with some paperwork in different areas of the law. In summer I usually try to leave work at a reasonable time so that I am still able to catch some sun. I love to spend my after-work hours with some friends at the river. And that’s also why summer is my favorite time of the year.
What inspires your passion for travel?
I think my inspiration comes from the amazing and to me still unknown countries and cultures I want to explore. Another important point is the freedom I feel when traveling. Knowing to be able to do whatever and to go wherever I want and for example staying for 3 weeks a beautiful place where I immediately feel home, is pure freedom for me. And I also must not forget the amazing food you can eat whilst traveling. I can remember eating my first Ramen in Tokyo Japan or trying a mie goreng in Bali as it was yesterday.
Where has been your favorite place to visit?
My favorite place is New Zealand. Back then it was my first road trip with a campervan and I wasn’t that much into camping. But in New Zealand I definitely fell in love with it. And for sure New Zealand played its part. This country is just insanely beautiful. It has everything from mountains to beaches. You won’t believe it but at some places I felt like I was in the tropics. And the vastness of this country and the fact that it’s so less populated really gives you a feeling of wilderness.
How would you describe your travel style?
I would describe my travel style as something between basic and luxurious. So, for example as I already said, I love camping which comes with very little comfort. On the other hand, I won’t say no to a luxurious hotel in Bali. I think my travel style just depends on the trip I have planned e.g. city or adventurous and of course on the budget I have. The positive site whilst traveling on a budget is, that you more often meet fellow travelers to hang out with, which can be so much fun.
How do you prepare for an upcoming trip?
Preparations always take a lot of time and can be annoying but it’s also the moment from when on the anticipation rises. I normally start with booking the flight and taking care of all the administrative things like getting a vaccination or fill out the visa forms. Only after I have completed those essential tasks, I turn to the more fun things like booking an accommodation and planning an itinerary. To get all the information I need, I prefer asking friends and families because firsthand information is the most valuable. For more information and inspiration, I then usually go on Pinterest and Instagram where you can see which places you feel keen on visiting.
What is one country you think everyone should visit?
For me that’s definitely Australia. I fell in love with this country during a language school stay and since then I have many times returned. The nature is just breathtaking. At the moment I am really into Western Australia with its vast landscape and deserted beaches it is just beautiful. And if you like road trips, its’s the place to go. In the outback the streets are sometimes reaching as far as the horizon with not more than 5 cars passing you in an hour. It’s pure freedom. But of course, the East Coast has also a lot to offer like the Great Barrier Reef, Byron Bay, Noosa and the Gold Coast. The East Coast is also more populated, if you don’t like the remoteness of Western Australia. And let’s not forget the good weather.
What is the best way to get to know a new country?
The best thing is just to go out and embrace the adventures to come. Is it by renting a car for a road trip, making a train ride or hang out with some fellow travelers. And you have to be open, ask as much as possible and you should let the people help you. Maybe you will make friends with the locals. And also, always try new stuff like some exotic unknown food.
What are 5 travel tips and tricks you can offer our readers?
When booking a flight look for the cheapest offer on the many portals but always book the flight with the actual airline. This may cost you 10 Dollars more but if something happens you are on the safe side.
If you are flying with a friend and there is a row of three, book the one at the window and the one at the corridor. If you are lucky, the middle one will stay free, because nobody really wants to sit in between two strangers.
When you arrive in a new country, always buy a sim card for internet. Nowadays, that’s so easy and you will never be desperately looking for a place with wifi again.
Always have some cash in your pocket. I know that nowadays you can pay cashless nearly everywhere. But more often than not, I was happy to have some cash on me. Especially when you are travelling some remote places.
Try to speak in the native language. The locals will appreciate your effort and will be so much more helpful, as if you speak English from the beginning.
If you are flying with a friend and there is a row of three, book the one at the window and the one at the corridor. If you are lucky, the middle one will stay free, because nobody really wants to sit in between two strangers.
When you arrive in a new country, always buy a sim card for internet. Nowadays, that’s so easy and you will never be desperately looking for a place with wifi again.
Always have some cash in your pocket. I know that nowadays you can pay cashless nearly everywhere. But more often than not, I was happy to have some cash on me. Especially when you are travelling some remote places.
Try to speak in the native language. The locals will appreciate your effort and will be so much more helpful, as if you speak English from the beginning.
If you could take a year-long paid sabbatical, what would you do?
I definitely would start a world trip. There are just so many countries and places I haven’t seen and I really want to visit. Whilst traveling ,I would also try to stay longer at place I feel at home. That is always a good way to learn more about the culture and the people living there which is not possible when you are just traveling through. And of course, I would go to Australia for some time. I think at least a month.
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