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In Japan, autumn food is diverse and abundant with an array of signature delectable dishes such as Matsutake, grilled Sanma (or saury), Oden hotpot, pumpkin pie, ripe persimmon and sweet potato. Nevertheless, the most notable dish has got to be the fried maple leaves. In the land of the rising sun, falling maple leaves not only make the autumn landscape more romantic but also make for a unique, aromatic and crispy dish.
People often think that this maple leaf dish is simple and easy to cook, but it actually takes around one year to make this typical autumn snack. Firstly, people have to collect the leaves. Not all maple leaves can be used to cook and the Japanese only choose the leaves from certain locations to ensure cleanliness. Additionally, only the yellow maple leaves are selected as they are soft, easy to eat, and their yellow colour still remains unchanged after the process, making the dish more eye-catching. Next, each leaf is soaked in salt and left in a big tank for a year. Afterwards, people will remove the maple leaves from the tanks that had been prepared from the previous season, cut off the stalks and then wash them with water to remove any remaining salt from the leaves. Finally, the leaves are dipped in tempura that is sweetened with sugar and sesame and they are then fried until golden brown.
After this process, the cakes still retain the natural shape and colour of the maple leaves, a delicacy enjoyed by many foodies. Strolling along the peaceful Japanese streets awash with signature autumnal colours, whilst enjoying a piece of crispy fried maple leaf is indeed a wonderful and unforgettable experience.
The ripe and succulent persimmons are signals of autumn arriving in Korea, and it is the best time for you to taste the signature dried fruit. The unique yet attractive dish will definitely give you a feel for the land famed for its kimchi.
Making delicious dried persimmons is not easy because the process requires many sophisticated stages.
Ripe persimmons are picked, peeled and hung up for about 2 months until they have dried. Next, the persimmons have to be dried out again at a high temperature before being finished. Korean dried persimmons are often served with tea. The tea’s mild acrid taste blends with the sweet fragrance of the persimmons, making the autumn days more pleasant.
Italy is the most charmingly beautiful country in the world, so autumn here not only boasts a stunningly spectacular landscape but also brings an assortment of beautifully flavourful dishes. In particular, you have to try Porcini mushrooms, this delicacy is only available in autumn and and does not appear again in winter. Because of the fleetingness of the seasonal ingredients, Porcini mushrooms play an important role in Italian meals and they are certainly made the most of in the autumn.
Italians encourage everyone to try Porcini mushrooms whether they like mushrooms or not because of their exquisite taste. Porcini has a peculiar aroma, and you can feel their subtle flavours melting when devouring this tasty fungus. There is an abundance of Italian Porcini mushroom-infused delicacies that are not to be missed such as stir-fried mushrooms, grilled mushrooms, smooth spaghetti topped with grated mushrooms, and scrumptious Risotto rice with Porcini mushrooms.
Thu Ha | Wanderlust Tips
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NGUYEN HUY TAM – A CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND AUTHOR | HCMC
As is the case with a lot of young people, I have spent many years feeling extremely skeptical about my capability in my youth. My French friend, Julia told me many fascinatingly bizarre stories of her travels around the world. She talked so passionately about how stunningly gorgeous the world is and raved about the importance of getting out there and broadening your horizons instead of sitting pondering the unknown! So, that is where my journey began. The further I ventured, the further the doubts of my youth were from my mind. Travelling allowed me to become self-aware, to understand how to move forward and the importance of sharing and loving everyone around me. Travel not only broadened my mind, by enhancing my geographical knowledge but also opened up a wealth of business opportunities. The cities I travelled to, the books I wrote, the articles published in magazines, it all helped me to express my personality clearly. I met many attractive, positive and inspirational people with the same perspective. Thanks to this journey, my job opportunities have taken a more positive direction.
In recent years, travel isn’t merely a hobby, many young people today consider it a developable career. Every career has its difficulties but as long as you are always serious, invest in your work and are driven by constant innovation and creativity you will go far.
NGUYEN THANH DANH – A TOUR GUIDE | HCMC
I have been working as a tour guide since 1991, so 28 years up to now. Deriving from my true passion for travel and exploration, I opted to pursue this career and it is a decision that I have never regretted. Being a tour guide makes me happy because I have the opportunity to go everywhere.
Usually, I lead tours for foreigners travelling to Vietnam. I enjoy introducing, promoting or simply telling short stories about Vietnam to new international friends. Each and every trip provides a wealth of valuable experiences, whether travelling far away or near HCM City, I am always engrossed in my current job. Of course, as a tour guide I have had to “sacrifice” a lot. I am not very well acquainted with weekends or holidays and there have been occasions where I have had to lead tours during the peak season without a single days leave.
Being a tour guide, I get to travel a lot through the provinces and cities in Vietnam. The most unforgettable memory was when I was a tour guide for a 10-person tour around Dalat. On the way, we encountered a landslide in Bao Loc, the rocks and soil blocked the path so the driver and I got down from the bus to clear the road and get things moving. Luckily, all of our visitors helped us and we were on our way a lot quicker.
DO NGOC SON – AN MC | HANOI
The role of MC is a truly interesting job. Son have the opportunity to travel to many places, meet many people and gain a lot of valuable experience.
In addition to the role of host in Hanoi, where Son live and work, I have to visit various attractions regularly. For instance, the role has allowed me to visit more than 30 provinces and cities across Vietnam including Ha Long, Sa Pa, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ha Tinh, Nghe An and Phu Yen and HCM City, to name a few. Each destination evoked different emotions, but my most memorable destination would have to be Sapa. The trip made me lose most of my strength as I was constantly on the go and battling the inconvenient conditions caused by unpredictable weather and terrain. On that day, we filmed “S Vietnam” a program at Fansipan peak where the fog swirled thickly around us. It was not until late morning that the sun rays burnt off the worst of the flog. My clothing was not warm enough, so I caught a chill. However, I had a burning desire to ensure that the audience had the most realistic views of the beautiful country so I did my upmost to perform well. After a long day, I thawed out and chose to forget about the chilly cold winter by indulging in a fantastic array of delicacies local to the region, including fragrant grilled meat skewers and scrumptious hotpot.
NGUYET NHI – A PHOTOJOURNALIST | HCMC
There was a time when I did not care much for travel and never thought that I would be yearning for adventure. That was until I started taking part in remote volunteer trips with my friends, including “Voluntary Spring” for 10 days or a whole month at “Green Summer”. Going on those trips made me realize how much I love adventure, new experiences and even meeting new friends. What’s more, after each trip, I am more mature, I appreciate what I have and have come to realize just how lucky I am.
I aspire to become a photojournalist, I want to explore many places and record life’s happy moments in the hope I will inspire others.
At this point, I have not yet travelled to many places but I am making countless plans for the near future. By the end of the year I am going to make a trip to the North, to take a photo collection for the highlands. Additionally, a visit to a few Southeast Asian countries next year, will be a great opportunity for me to learn more about religion and spirituality, thus, I think Thailand and Myanmar might have to be the first two countries on my travel list.
Wanderlust Tips
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Hello World #5 has invited famous guests from many countries around the world to travel to Vietnam. They will introduce the beauty of Vietnam through exhilarating adventures across the Can Gio District in HCMC; ancient Hue City and charming Lang Co Beach in the Thua Thien Hue Province.
The new travel exploration program Hello World #5 has been organised by the English – Vietnamese bilingual travel magazine Wanderlust Tips, under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Department (Vibrant Ho Chi Minh City) and sponsored by Banyan Tree Lăng Cô – Vietnam’s leading luxury resort located in Lang Co Beach (Thua Thien Hue Province).
Hello World #5: Việt Nam ơi! will welcome 20 celebrity guests from many countries around the world, known as influencers in the travel community, including travel bloggers, photographers and authors to discover Vietnam. To name a few; Miss World Myanmar 2017 – Ei Kyawt Khaing; French Travel Photographer – VuThéara Kham who has an impressive Instagram following; American Travel Blogger – Cherrie Lynn; American Travel Couple – Xavier & Katie Ritzi (xkflyaway). Additionally, with the participation of many other distinguished guests, Hello World #5: Việt Nam ơi! promises to bring exhilarating and unforgettable adventure in “distinctive” destinations throughout the splendid S-shaped land.
This trip will take guests to uncover hidden gems that even the Vietnamese have not discovered yet. It is said that travellers are filled with longing for Vietnam’s lush green nature, diverse regional culture and the hospitality of the local people. Thus, this adventure promises to bring worthwhile and breathtaking experiences to guests and our readership. More importantly, Vietnam’s reputation will be enhanced in the global travel community through renowned travel bloggers’ stunningly beautiful photos after the Hello World #5: Việt Nam ơi! What’s more, the number of international tourists coming to Vietnam will hopefully increase year on year.
In addition to the itinerary lined up for our esteemed guests, the new travel exploration program Hello World #5 will also offer many interactive activities to global travel lovers. The guests will share their useful information and tips for travelling to Vietnam and they will share their practical experiences and thoughts through photographs on social media, such as Facebook, Instagram and Youtube. Following the trip, the articles related to Hello World #5: Việt Nam ơi! will be published monthly in the Wanderlust Tips travel magazine. Wanderlust Tips will be released for free to nationwide libraries, travel businesses, resorts and hotels and program coordination units. Readers can subscribe to Wanderlust Tips travel magazine for its monthly release or read the E-book version on the website: wanderlusttips.com or on e-newspapers (Issuu, Alezza, Magzter).
For further information, please contact the organizers:
Do Huyen Trang (Ms.) – Managing Director of Wanderlust Tips magazine
Mobile: (+84) 911 068 883 | Email: trang.dh@wanderlusttips.com
Information about the organisers
Hello World is a series of programs exploring new destinations with unique types of tourism, launched and organised by the English – Vietnamese bilingual travel magazine Wanderlust Tips. The program is dedicated to promote the tourism potential of popular domestic and international attractions. Each trip will bring completely different experiences and will be honestly evaluated by travel enthusiasts. Through thrilling experiences and practical reviews from celebrity guests, Hello World promises to provide the most useful tourist information and authentic destination photos for travel enthusiasts. Additionally, the program promises to be a bridge to boost tourism, multi-dimensional interaction and promote high-end products and services of prominent brands at destinations across the world.
Wanderlust Tips is a leading travel magazine specializing in providing great travel tips and useful experiences to help readers enjoy the perfect holiday, not only in Vietnam but also in other beautiful countries around the world. The magazine’s articles always strive to be brief, practical and useful. These are the three goals which help Wanderlust Tips gain the love and a warm welcome from the community of travel enthusiasts. Wanderlust Tips magazine is published on the 5th of every month with 30,000 copies in print. The magazine is released in business class airport lounges, 1,500 hotels, resorts, luxury cruises and bookstores nationwide.
Information about the leadership:
Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Department is a specialized agency of HCMC People’s Committee, taking charge of managing the state tourism in the city; under the direction and management of the organization, personnel and work of the HCMC People’s Committee as well as under the direction, guidance and inspection of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Information about the sponsorship:
Banyan Tree Lăng Cô – The resort received the “Leading Luxury Resort” award at the prestigious award ceremony for Best Hotels & Resorts Awards 2019. A stay at Banyan Tree Lăng Cô will allow guests to immerse in an idyllic green paradise nestled among the crystal clear waters of the East Sea and the majestic Truong Son Mountain Range. Banyan Tree Lăng Cô is like an entirely separate world, where the ancient meets the modern and unspoilt natural beauty is complimented by unparalleled luxury. The vast space is perfectly located overlooking the sea and the spectacular lagoon, the resort’s villas are fully equipped with exceptional amenities and state-of-the-art decor. There are four extraordinary restaurants with four distinctive culinary styles leaving guests spoilt for choice when it comes to dining. Additionally, natural aromatherapy treatments available at the exceptional spa sanctuary will awaken all of your senses and leave you relaxed and refreshed. An array of exemplary facilities including private infinity pools, stunning beaches and exquisite gardens will allow guests to indulge in a life of luxury and have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Location: Cu Du Village, Loc Vinh Commune, Phu Loc District, Thua Thien Hue Province
Wanderlust Tips
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Taking a position as the General Director of Muong Thanh Group at the age of 26, Ms Le Thi Hoang Yen earns people’s respect and admiration by her excellent leadership style. Thanks to this, Muong Thanh Group has been gaining increasing popularity and reaching new heights in the international hospitality industry.
“Muong Thanh Group has been established and developed in the spirit of Vietnamese culture, the unique identity of the wet rice civilization and the warmth and openness of the Vietnamese people. And the most distinguishing feature of the Muong Thanh Group is its purely Vietnamese name.” Ms Hoang Yen revealed.
In her 6 years leading Muong Thanh Group, Ms Le Thi Hoang Yen has been continuously expanding Muong Thanh hotel brand from 13 hotels up to nearly 60 hotels and hotel projects in 2019. Up to this time, Muong Thanh brand has been present in a variety of famous tourist destinations around Vietnam as well as in international markets, creating stable jobs for over 12,000 employees. The Group also pays thousands of billions of dong in taxes annually. Besides that, under Ms Yen’s management and development, the quality of services has been greatly improved, and hotels in the chain have been renovated and adjusted to suit the social and economic development of their individual localities.
Thanks to her effective strategies that are in line with market trends, Muong Thanh Group has made impressive progress, deserving its position as the largest hotel chain in Southeast Asia.
Wanderlust Tips
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Escaping from the bustling and hustling world and visiting Banyan Tree Lăng Cô, you will immerse yourself in a green paradise nestled by the clear azure water of the East Sea and the majestic Truong Son Mountain range. It seems like an entirely separate world where the ancient meets the modern and unspoilt natural beauty is accompanied by unparalleled luxury.
With generous living areas, exceptional amenities and modern furniture, the resort’s villas overlook the sea and lagoon along with featuring private infinity pools, a sandy beach and lovely gardens which help guests enjoy a life of luxury.
Four distinctive restaurants with four different culinary styles leave guests spoilt for choice when it comes to dining options. Besides this, natural aromatherapy treatments at the exceptional spa sanctuary will awaken all senses and restore your spirit.
Guests experience unforgettable moments at Banyan Tree Lăng Cô when strolling along the beach enjoying the cool breeze, discovering the picturesque lagoon of Lang Co or playing on the award-winning golf course. For all guests, there are so many unique experiences waiting at Banyan Tree Lăng Cô.
BANYAN TREE LĂNG CÔ
Address: Cu Du Village, Loc Vinh Commune, Phu Loc District, Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam
Website: www.banyantree.com/vi/vietnam/lang-co
Wanderlust Tips
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Welcome Johnny Ward, the readers of Wanderlust Tips are curious about your journey around the world, where did you start and how did you pluck up the courage to go?
I was born and raised in Ireland. My childhood was difficult with my single mother raising both me and my sister. We used to live on social benefits, without a car, holidays and often heating, nonetheless, I was very happy. When I turned 18 I left Ireland for England to begin 4-years studying at university. After graduating, I started travelling. From 2006 to 2012, I encountered some financial difficulties, so I had to find work in the US, Thailand, Korea and even Ireland to save money to travel. At that time, I spent around USD10 to USD20 per day on personal living expenses, so an estimated USD5,000 per year. In 2012, I surpassed a milestone and began to have a more stable income from blogging and the development of my website, namely onestep4ward.com meaning I had more money to spend comfortably.
Can you tell us more about the places you visited?
Since 2006, I have spent 10 years reaching my goal of travelling to 197 countries and territories (193 member states of the United Nations and special cases include the Vatican, Kosovo, Palestine and Taiwan). I travelled to the North Pole and South Pole and I have been reaching dizzy heights conquering the seven highest peaks on seven continents including Everest in Nepal, Asia; Aconcagua in Argentina, South America; Denali in the United States, North America; Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa; Elbrus in Russia, Europe; Vinson Massif in Antarctica; and Puncak Jaya in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, Australia.
Would you travel to all the countries for a second time?
I may do it again in my lifetime, but I am not in any rush because I am currently busy with other plans. In addition to my blog onestep4ward.com, I am focused on taking people on adventure tours to explore special lands. For example, I took 18 people to Baghdad in Iraq, organized trips to Socotra Island in Yemen and I am planning an upcoming trip to Syria. Additionally, I also started a charity, GiveBackGiveAway. com, where I organize for people to support and develop communities, build playgrounds, dormitories, classrooms, etc. for poor and disadvantaged children around the world.
You are extremely positive and enthusiastic about your travels and must have experienced countless unforgettable moments. Could you tell us about your most impressive journey recently?
Around 3 months ago, I participated in the “Marathon des Sables” or “Marathon on sand” race, which is one of the longest and harshest races in the world. The race takes place every April with approximately 1,000 participants who have to complete a distance between 210km and 260km in total (it differs each year). The race is always run in the Sahara Desert in Morocco, near the Algerian border. It’s a self-sufficient race, which means you must carry everything you need such as clothing, a sleeping bag and mat, medical equipment and food. Water is supplied every 10/15km at different checkpoints.
I am not a runner and in fact I have only ever run more than 10km once before participating in “Marathon des Sables”, and that was when I ran the North Pole Marathon with a 42km track at -400C. The challenge this time was much harder because we had to run 200km over 6 days in extreme temperatures reaching over 400C. I do feel a sense of trepidation and fear because my body is not as strong as it once was, I am 35 years old now and the recovery process takes a little longer than before. I have had so many injuries for instance, a broken foot in Korea, broken ankle in Norway, broken leg in Thailand, broken nose in Ireland, broken hands in England and many other injuries. I also managed to get a stress fracture from over training, less than a month before the actual race. All-in-all, I am not really cut out for this running lark, so I channel all my determination and energy in order to not give up.
The first 3 days are the harshest when I have to cross the dunes in the seemingly unbearable heat of the desert with blistered feet. The fourth day is the longest journey of 80km taking you from day to night, sometimes you cannot see the surrounding landscape, head torches help you avoid any dangerous species that might be lurking in the shadows like scorpions and snakes. The fifth day is a rest day. The sixth day is both the last day and the time to use up all the painkillers to finish the marathon. I finished the race in 200th place. At that moment, I was a little drowsy, my socks were soaked in blood, but crossing that finish line is just the most unique experience, you feel an overwhelming sense of relief, pride, appreciation and gratitude. Only visiting Yemen, one of the last destinations on my list of 197 countries and territories, could match those emotions. But that is why we travel, that is why we push ourselves.
You mentioned Yemen, is that one of your most meaningful journeys?
With my target of travelling to 197 countries and territories, I wanted to finish with my last country as Norway, chosen because it is a safe, easily accessible beautiful country where my friends and family can come and celebrate with me. The dream seemed to become a reality when I visited Saudi Arabia in January 2017, fulfilling the life goal of 195/197. However, things didn’t quite go to plan when I attempted to enter Yemen yet failed five times, I spent so much money, effort and time without feeling that it was ever going to happen.
I thought that although the country is dangerous and tricky to access I couldn’t just step one toe over a geographical line and move on. For me, travel should not be a race to the finish line, a stunt for a few minutes of fame nor merely a collection of stamps in a passport. To travel is a privilege, so I honestly believe we should respect that. Travel is about breaking down barriers, discovering the world, making new friends and learning as much as you can about new cultures. Travel is purer and deeper than that at least it used to be.
And I so am glad I did it right. I was lucky enough to meet YahYa – the great Yemeni guy from Socotra. YahYa enthusiastically helped me in any way that he could so that I could enter Yemen, to visit his native Socotra. I really could not express how grateful I am for what YahYa did for me and thanks to him I finally reached my Yemeni goal. I got onto a boat for the 50-hour journey to Yemen. After that, my adventure to Socotra began spectacularly and unforgettably.
Despite the difficulties, all of the positive things far outweigh the negatives on this journey.
A huge number of people dream of travelling around the world, and it is certainly true that among the paid jobs to travel around the globe, travel bloggers would get first mention. As a travel blogger with many years of working experience, could you share your perspective with Wanderlust Tips’ readers?
Successful people work hard. They focus on their dreams and make it happen. Nothing is a gift, no one is lucky. If you dream of exploring the world, go and make it happen. Sitting around complaining and feeling unlucky never got anyone anywhere.
Don’t be a fantasist. Get your finances in order first. We need to earn money to survive, so first focus on building around USD1,000 income per month. From there, anything is possible.
So, after all your time travelling, have you ever wanted to stop, or do you plan to stop and settle down in the future?
I will never stop completely. I want to feel alive. I want to experience everything, do everything but I will not travel fulltime anymore, 4-6 months a year is ample.
Thank-you Johnny, for sharing your honest experiences. Wishing you the best with your upcoming plans.
Wanderlust Tips
[Wanderlust Tips July 2019] “Life is a valiant adventure or nothing” Helen Keller hit the nail on the head for travel enthusiasts. For travellers, each journey is an exceedingly meaningful adventure and thanks to inspirational travel stories from around the world, we too want to get out there and enjoy the journey.
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Meigo Märk (born 1990) set off on his round-theworld trip on May 11, 2014 from Tallinn, the capital of Estonia – a Nordic country seven times smaller than Vietnam with a population of only 1.3 million. In December 2016, after travelling through 19 countries, the Estonian musician came to Hanoi and lived solely on the money he had put by from the sale of his house and residents’ help. Meigo was planning to leave Hanoi via northern Vietnam and then on to China.
However, after staying for nearly one month in Hanoi to apply for a visa, Meigo met Nguyen Thi Sam. It just so happens that this was the beginning of their charming love story. Nguyen Thi Sam, originally from Thai Binh, was fascinated by the Nordic guy and his epic walking adventure. Ms Sam jokingly suggested that she would like to join Meigo on his journey, but he was concerned that the route would be too difficult and that she would not be able to join him.
For the following two weeks, they ran 5km every day and 16km around West Lake at the weekends. This intensive training helped them to share their feelings and get to know each other better. Sam learnt that despite Meigo being a vegetarian he had a healthy heart, thus she decided to also become a vegetarian.
So far, Meigo and Sam have walked 740km together through 5 countries, namely Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. For Meigo, in 4 years and 3 months, he has travelled to 22 countries crossing a distance of 20,000km.
Due to health problems, Meigo was forced to pause his itinerary in August 2018. However, the Estonian returned to Vietnam and proposed to his beloved Sam with a simple but beautiful bamboo ring on the top of Langbiang in Dalat. The couple celebrated their wedding in October 2018 in the bride’s hometown. They are planning to continue their adventure as a family and will set off when their children are strong enough. Meigo revealed that they aim to walk at least 20,000km more to complete a total distance of 40,075km – the same distance as the equatorial length of the Earth.
Burdened by the mundanity of everyday life, a British couple, Zyleen and Benjamin Hewins decided to sell up and take their two children Emiliana, 6 years old and Zacharia, 3 years old, on a trip around the world, with no plan to return to London.
In November 2017 the couple started putting the wheels in motion. They wanted to leave London to explore the world, so they sold all their possessions. In March 2018, their journey officially began.
Their first destination was Canada with the purpose of attending their relative’s wedding, and then they moved on to Mexico and Central America. Zyleen said: “We could at any moment return to a peaceful life, but for now we have no plans to return home”.
After 12 months on the road, the family has travelled through more than 20 countries and territories including Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Polynesia, New Zealand, Fiji, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, and Cambodia. They are planning to visit Vietnam, the Philippines and Japan in the near future.
The British family have had many thrilling experiences on their journey so far. For example, in Polynesia, they slept in a floating bungalow which brought them closer to nature. In New Zealand, the family discovered and immersed themselves in native Maori culture. During their journey they have truly relished spending time together as a family.
They have fully embraced a colourful life of adventure and have realized not only how beautiful the world is but how fortunate they are to have met so many amazing people. Zyleen revealed that “We do not know where we will be in the next few months, but one thing for sure is that nobody can take away this wonderful experience and all of our fun-filled memories”.
Lexie Alford, a 21-year-old girl, has set a Guinness record for becoming the youngest person to set foot in 196 sovereign nations.
On May 31, Lexie Alford arrived in North Korea – the last country on her journey through 196 countries and territories around the world. With such a “tremendous” performance, Lexie broke James Asquith’s former record in 2013 (James had been to 192 countries at the age of 24) and is honoured to be up there with Cassie De Pecol, the woman set foot in the most countries in the shortest time.
Since her childhood, Lexie Alford had a strong passion for tourism because she was raised in a family who owned a reputable tour company in California (USA). Her parents did not place too much emphasis on their daughter’s schoolwork, which gave her the opportunity to travel independently and learn first-hand about the world around her.
Growing up, Lexie and her family visited many renowned attractions in various destinations including the floating villages in Cambodia, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Ushuaia city on the edge of Argentina and the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
In 2016, Lexie graduated from high school and got an associate degree from a college in her homeland of California. The determined traveller realized that she didn’t have much time to conquer the remaining 124 countries on her list. Therefore, the American blogger spent her gap year travelling the world. At the beginning of the trip, Lexie just wanted to be a true traveler and breaking the record hadn’t even crossed her mind. Lexie was determined to show people that the world was not the scary place depicted in the media, instead she wanted to show the kindness of people in the world. Lexie revealed that saving religiously since the age of 12 had paid for around eighteen months of travel. Being strapped for cash, Lexie did not spend many weeks in each country, especially the places that she was uncomfortable as a solo traveller.
During her trip, West and Central Africa were the most challenging countries to travel through due to a whole host of disadvantages including her visa, the lack of tourist infrastructure, language barriers, and expensive costs for her safe transportation. South Sudan, Somalia, Central African Republic, Mali, Chad and Papua New Guinea are the places she stayed for the least amount of time due to feeling unsafe as a solo traveller.
The 21-year-old blogger is writing a book about her firsthand experience and the lessons she learnt in each nation. At present, she has sent all the evidence to Guinness World Records to validate her trips. She plans to spend a few months resting and recuperating her mind and body before planning for her future.
Thi Thi | Wanderlust Tips
[Wanderlust Tips July 2019] Everyone must have once daydreamed of dropping everything, packing a bag and travelling the world. However, money can be a big issue and not everyone has the courage to quit their jobs, meaning that the travel dream remains just a dream. However, this article will change your mind. In addition to those tourism specific roles such as tour guides, travel agents, travel bloggers, you can absolutely do the following jobs that will allow you to earn income while exploring the world.
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Working on a cruise ship requires you to have a strong “stomach” metaphorically and literally, as you are going to have to spend a lot of time out at sea. If you don’t have the right skill set, you can initially work as a steward, but if you can equip yourself with artistic talent and the correct qualifications, you can go down the route of more specialized jobs for instance, chefs, engineers, bartenders, singers or even captains. Whatever your role, these jobs allow you the thrills of travelling on splendidly luxurious yachts across the vast turquoise sea, enjoy the fresh air and make a home anywhere you go. Moreover, with the benefit of having accommodation and food provided, you will still have a great amount of your savings to spend on whatever you wish.
Becoming a photographer helps you discover and take lots of photos of breath-taking scenery, friendly people and beautiful everyday life everywhere in the world. Some people can work for themselves and sell their photos through popular web sites. Others often work on a freelance basis. To incorporate your travel dream, it is a great idea to consider becoming a travel photographer or a photojournalist for newspapers and large agencies like National Geographic or AP because they are always on the lookout for full-time photographers. Working as a photographer allows you to take trips across the world to take photos of everything from luxury restaurants and resorts to cultural and tourist events.
Au Pair is a term used for somebody who is sponsored by a foreign family. As an Au Pair, you can take on a share of your “host” family’s responsibility for childcare for a few hours after school, you could be asked to do some housework, cooking, cleaning or perhaps the gardening. In return for this, you will be provided with accommodation, food and also receive a monetary allowance for personal use. Some families also require you to take part in native language and cultural courses so that you can better integrate into a new environment. It can be said that this is an excellent opportunity to help students who are not financially qualified, to study and practice their skills as well as discover a new part of the world.
Hotel reviewers secretly act as overnight traveller to scrutinize and evaluate the quality and service of the hotels. This occupation not only allows you to travel the world but also experience stays in luxury hotels and resorts whilst sampling delectable cuisine. After checkin, the expert hotel reviewers will begin scrutinizing every single amenity ranging from premium categories like swimming pools, spas, restaurants and recreational areas to the smallest items like toilet paper, shampoo and shower gel. Everything will be documented and photographed for use in the reviews and of course, there is no preference or bias. These reviews will affect hotel ratings for prospective travellers.
True to its name, your main task for this job is to represent a business or a brand by travelling all over the world to find new and impressive fashion designs to deliver to the factory. However, this job is not merely “buying”, you will play a vital role in bringing fashion to the public, you want the clientele to feel the beauty of the items. You will be responsible for deciding whether the products discovered at boutiques, shopping centres and worldwide famous markets will be loved by your potential customers or not.
Proficiency in a foreign language and the ability to speak various languages fluently is an instant ticket out of your home country. The easy-to-apply jobs include foreign language teachers, diving instructors or yoga teachers. From East Asian countries with close cultural backgrounds to distant South American countries, teaching or classroom assistant roles are always available for those who can speak foreign languages fluently and possess basic teaching and training skills. If you are serious about working as a diving instructor, you can start with a quick and inexpensive course and have a certificate from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI).
In addition to the teaching-related jobs, you can use your foreign language skills as an interpreter. Language experts are always required in political or business meetings, international conferences or multinational companies; thus, working as an interpreter is a great opportunity for you to have a career and travel the world. Although the work sometimes requires you to work from a small space in a specific location, a short-term business trip is often enough for you to get a feel for a place. In order to become a good interpreter, you need a foreign language certificate, a degree in translation, and extensive knowledge in the fields of science, politics, law and economics.
You do not need to be a world famous singer or artist to be on a world tour. As an event organiser, whether working with sound, lighting, finance or logistics, you will also be able to travel with the rest of the team, setting up stages, organising different events and festivals. It’s a good idea to start your business by organising small-scale events before you assert your capability and participate in important events around the world.
With around 30 to 50 flight hours per week, regardless of distance, meeting passengers and crew from all over the world is ideal when working on airplanes. Whether you are a pilot or a flight attendant, the “job above the clouds” will give you the opportunity to set foot in many different countries, explore the surrounding landscape and learn about culture. What’s more those long-haul flights will leave you with a lot of time to catch up on your sleep. Additionally, crew members have the opportunity to receive many incentives for instance, free flights or promotions on super cheap air fares.
Not only do you contribute a hugely important part of your energy to the community, but also the social activities presented by the role, give you an opportunity to explore new countries and communities. It is a truly inspirational role, hearing stories from the heart from forgotten distant lands or from people experiencing terrible living conditions, this vital role in the community can help so many people overcome difficulties and instead look towards a bright future. You can start-up your business by signing up for volunteer projects in the country before travelling and participating in volunteer organizations for example, Save the Children, Oxfam, Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund. To become a volunteer, you need to possess relevant knowledge and qualifications needed in the field of education, agriculture or health, etc.
Lan Anh | Wanderlust Tips
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Our group visited Yekaterinburg (or Ekaterinburg) – one of the largest financial and economic cities in Russia on dazzlingly sunny days in May. In addition to its economic development, this beautiful city also has enormous potential for tourism, taking the leading position for the “must-see” destination in Russia. Visitors can find everything from traditional historic buildings, prestigious museums, exhilarating theme parks, unique street art, recreational shopping areas and delectable cuisine.
Among the countless impressive truths about Yekaterinburg, one of the most notable things to mention, is its special geographical location. The Ural Mountains of Russia and Kazakhstan stretch 2,500km from the Kazak Steppe and run along Kazakhstan’s northern border to the Arctic Ocean coast. It is considered a natural boundary dividing Asia and Europe. Located in the Eastern side of the Ural Mountains, Yekaterinburg is the thoroughfare to this unique Eurasian border. A monument marking the geographic border of Europe and Asia was built in 1873 and is located about 10km from Yekaterinburg City. Its pillars of crimson marble are 25m high and weigh a staggering 500 tons. After being built, this boundary monument has become a significant destination visited by a huge number of tourists whenever they visit Yekaterinburg.
It is undeniable that the easily accessible geographic location of Yekaterinburg has had a positive effect on the development of the city. The main transport routes from Central Russia to Siberia were also built running through Yekaterinburg, including the famous TransSiberian Railway – one of the longest railways in the world running from Moscow to Vladivostok across the Eurasian continent. This railroad line, completed on July 21, 1904, has completely changed the previously inconspicuous Siberian land.
Up to now, Yekaterinburg has been both the capital of Sverdlovsk Oblast and the main industrial and cultural centre for the Ural Federal District, encompassing many offices of transnational corporations, foreign companies’ branches and federal and regional financial institutions. Yekaterinburg has taken its place as one of the fastestgrowing cities in the country and the fifth-largest city in the Russian Federation (by population statistics in 2002).
In addition to its spectacular development, Yekaterinburg is also a witness to the nostalgia related to the Russian Imperial Romanov family. Located on the banks of the Iset River in Yekaterinburg, the Church upon the Blood, also well known as the “bloody” church, is a historical attraction that marks the horrifying events surrounding the tragic execution of the last Tsar of Russia and his family.
After the Russian Revolution, the Russian Imperial Romanov family, Tsar Nicholas II, his wife, Tsarina Alexandra and their five children Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia, Alexei and all those who chose to accompany them into imprisonment – notably Yevgeny Botkin, Anna Demidova, Alexei Trupp and Ivan Kharitonov, were shot to death by Bolshevik revolutionaries at Ipatiev House in Yekaterinburg on July 17, 1918. Their bodies were thrown down a mineshaft before being burned and buried, while other members of the Romanov family were also executed. A total of 18 people in the Russian royal family and their loyal servants were murdered by the Bolsheviks in the bloody massacre in 1918.
In 1977, Ipatiev House was demolished by Boris Yeltsin’s order, to prevent it from being used by the royalist faction, this was until the year 2000, when the Russian Orthodox Church announced the canonization of the last Russian Tsar, giving him the title Saint Nicholas the passion-bearer. Along with Ipatiev House where the Romanov family was murdered, the Church on the Blood with a total area of 3,000sq. m was built to commemorate the innocent victims. The building was designed uniquely in a Russian-Byzantine style, the upper part is a religious area, and the lower floor is a museum. According to architects, the church symbolizes a strong connection to the era and the revival of the Orthodox tradition.
In addition to the Church upon the Blood, visitors can pay a visit to many other significant and beautiful historical spots in Yekaterinburg. The city is home to more than 600 historical and cultural relics, including 1905 Square which has a close relation to the important historical events in Russia. Nearby is the Weiner pedestrian street, also known as the “Yekaterinburg Arbat”, which is famous for its cast-iron sculptures each posessing a distinctive meaning. Not to be missed during your stay is a visit to Kolizey – the first theatre in Yekaterinburg built in a remarkably classic style. Standing out at the modern Avenue of Lenin and Gorky, Sevastyanov’s House is a beautiful old Gothic style palace that was built in the early 19th century. The house is a typical example of the architecture of the era, contrasting with the contemporary urban buildings in the surrounding area.
Yekaterinburg and its surrounding suburbs feature around 60 museums and art galleries, so guests here can immerse themselves wholly in the authentic cultural, historical and artistic treasures along with countless precious heritages during their stay.
One of the most famous museums in Yekaterinburg is the Ural Mineralogy Museum. The Ural Mountains are home to many minerals, so Russia’s mining and metallurgical industries are being developed rapidly in this area. Meanwhile, Yekaterinburg is the central city of the Urals, so it does not come as a shock that there is a large mineral museum in the city. Established in 1970 by the huge efforts of a well-known collector Vladimir Pelepenko, Ural Mineralogy Museum is a place to display and store many spectacular stone artefacts. It is considered the largest Museum of Stone in Sverdlovsk Oblast and is one of the leading museums in Russia.
The samples of stone were mainly collected by Vladimir Pelepenko from various deposits not only in the Urals but also from the other regions worldwide with over 10,000 artifacts. For example, the museum is home to unique crystals and minerals from India, China, Japan, Peru and various other countries.
Another not so well known but truly worth-the-visit museum is the Armored Museum and the Automotive Museum in Verkhnyaya Pyshma, a suburb of Yekaterinburg. The museum complex is a collection founded by the noted Russian tycoon Andrei Kozitsyn and has a wide range of military equipment on display in the large outdoor exhibition area from the Soviet Union and Russia including modern and ancient tanks and armored vehicles. The indoor area exhibits an enormous collection of famous Russian cars from across the ages. The more floors you climb, the more you can admire the impressive collection of motorbikes and bicycles. Visitors will be overwhelmed by the elaborate collections, impressive installations and preservation of specialized artifacts.
If you have a true passion for history, not to be missed is a visit to the museum of the first Russian president – Boris Yeltsin. Boris Yeltsin President Center not only showcases the life of Yeltsin but also draws a clear picture of Russia during his incumbency. The highlight of the exhibit entitled “Seven days of Russian establishment” leads visitors through a series of galleries commemorating the paramount events in Russia during the 1990s. The mention of “Seven days of Russian establishment” may be strange but it has given emotive validation to Yeltsin’s death in 2007 and he has still received the highest praises from all nationals in Russia. Opened by his daughter Yeltsin Tatyana and her husband – Valentin Yumashev, both formerly Yeltsin’s assistants, the President Boris Yeltsin Center is an attempt to not only to save his legacy but also to emphasize that his great changes and dedication to Russia are permanent.
Your journey to discover Russia will undoubtedly be enhanced if you include a visit to the city of KamenskUralsky – a tourist destination in Sverdlovsk Oblast, around 100km from Yekaterinburg. It is well known as an “outdoor museum” because of its location on the banks where the Iset and Kamenka Rivers meet. During a two-hour trip on the Iset River, you will have the opportunity to explore the spectacular Iset Gorge and admire majestic natural landscapes, passing ancient bridges and uniquely-formed rocky mountains. The real gem of the tour is the Stone Gate, where visitors can admire the ancient fossils within its surface firsthand.
Besides your stay in the charmingly peaceful riverside dwelling, a leisurely stroll around the city will transport you back in time. The city features many old buildings built during the 18th and 19th centuries, in particular, the Old Kamensk has about 30 historical architectural monuments which were perfectly preserved. Take a wander and experience KamenskUralsky at its most serene, wake up early just as dawn draws its curtains, catch a glimpse of the gentle rays of morning sunshine pervading the street corners, breathe the crisp fresh air and take stroll along the ancient pathways to admire the historic architecture.
Not to be missed during your stay is a visit to the oldest and most prestigious bell-making factory in Russia. An abundance of bells of the highest quality are produced here and exported to many different regions for use in temples and pagodas in Russia, Europe and even the United States. You will be astounded at the impressive bell-making process and fascinated by the meticulous local craftsmen who make bells of all sizes each with a distinctive echoe. At the end of your visit, do not forget to ring the bell, make a wish and listen as the sound ricochets carrying your wish over the surrounding land.
There are likely many more fascinating things in Yekaterinburg that cannot all be mentioned in this short article. All future travelers need to visit this place, at least once, to be able to feel the authentic and profound beauty of this city – “the heart of the Urals”.
TRAVELLING TO YEKATERINBURG
From Vietnam, you can take a flight from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to Moscow, and then continue on a domestic flight to Yekaterinburg. Aeroflot, Russia’s national airline, is the ideal choice as it offers convenient flights at reasonable prices.
TRAVELLING AROUND YEKATERINBURG
The public transportation services in Yekaterinburg are developing considerably. Here visitors can use many types of public transport such as tram, subway, bus and taxi, to name a few.
TIME
Yekaterinburg is in the GMT +5 time zone while Vietnam is in the GMT +7 time zone, which means that Yekaterinburg is two hours behind Vietnam.
WEATHER
Yekaterinburg possesses a humid continental climate with harsh variability in weather conditions and well-marked seasons. The temperature in winter can freeze to temperatures as low as -40°C while the summer temperature can soar above 35°C.
RELIGION
Christianity is the predominant religion in the city, of which most are adherents to the Russian Orthodox Church. Other religions practised in Yekaterinburg include Islam, Old Believers, Catholicism, Protestantism, and Judaism.
Van Ly | Wanderlust Tips
