Nikon 8-15mm Fisheye, 28mm f/1.4E and 10-20mm DX VR Announcements

Today Nikon revealed three new lenses: AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED, AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED and AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR. While the latter 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR is an addition to the DX line-up of lenses, the 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E Fisheye and the 28mm f/1.4E lenses are pro-grade lenses designed specifically for full-frame cameras. Let’s take a look at these three lenses in more detail.

AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED

It has been a while since Nikon released a full-frame fisheye lens. The Nikon 16mm f/2.8D has not been updated since 1993 and while it is a great lens, it does not have the resolving power needed for the latest high-resolution cameras and it does not have all the latest optical technologies that Nikon has been incorporating into the current generation lenses. In short, it is long overdue for a refresh. The Nikon 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E is a completely new lens that is targeted to compete with Canon’s 8-15mm f/4L fisheye and provide a much wider angle of view. At its widest focal length, the lens creates circular fisheye images with a 180° angle of view (vertical and horizontal), while producing full-frame fisheye images with a 180° diagonal angle of view at its longest focal length of 15mm.

As with all the current generation Nikkor lenses, the 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED fisheye boasts the latest optical and coating technologies. Nikon incorporated an electronic diaphragm for precise aperture changes, silent wave motor (SWM) for quick and precise focusing, three ED glass elements for superb sharpness and chromatic aberration compensation, Nano Crystal Coat for drastic reduction of ghosting and flare in images and fluorine coating to prevent dust and water drops from sticking to the front element of the lens.

It is a fun lens that allows creating images that have a “Fisheye” look to them. If you are wondering why one would want to use such a lens, check out Bob Vishneski’s article “Why use Fisheye lenses?“. Take a look at a couple of sample images provided by Nikon USA to see what this lens is capable of:

Optically, the lens promises to be superb in terms of sharpness. Take a look at the following MTF charts:

If you don’t know how to interpret the above charts, check out my article on how to read MTF charts. On the wide end, the lens is supposed to have stellar sharpness and contrast, from the center of the frame, all the way to the extreme edges. The lens sharpness is going to drop a little when zoomed in to 15mm, with the extreme edges looking visibly softer compared to the center, which is expected from a fisheye lens. Still, the contrast and sharpness stay very high in most of the image frame, which is impressive. It looks like Nikon did a great job in making sure that the lens will resolve very well on high-resolution cameras like the Nikon D810 and its upcoming replacement.

The lens will retail for $1,249.95 and it is already available to purchase today.

AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED

My personal favorite among the three newly announced lenses is the new Nikon 28mm f/1.4E ED. While the Nikon 28mm f/1.8G is a relatively recent release (see our in-depth review of the Nikon 28mm f/1.8G), it is an enthusiast-grade lens and hence it was never considered to be a replacement for the Nikon 28mm f/1.4D classic.

Nikon finally decided to update the beast with all the latest and greatest technologies it has to offer, and that’s how the new Nikon 28mm f/1.4E ED was born. Boasting a quick and accurate Silent Wave Motor (SWM), 9-blade rounded electronic diaphragm, Nano Coated glass, fluorine coated front element and a complex 14-element optical construction, 2 of which are ED and 3 of which are aspherical elements, the Nikon 28mm f/1.4E ED is a lens designed to deliver exceptional image quality and sharpness that surpasses the Nikon 24mm f/1.4G ED lens. Take a look at the MTF chart of the lens compared to 24mm f/1.4G (Left: Nikon 28mm f/1.4E ED, Right: Nikon 24mm f/1.4G ED):

We can see that the new Nikon 28mm f/1.4E is supposed to be sharper than the 24mm f/1.4G in the center. But take a look at the extreme edges – the 24mm f/1.4E is significantly worse in comparison. And that’s just at its widest aperture of f/1.4. Stopped down to f/2.8 and smaller, I expect the Nikon 28mm f/1.4E to be stellar.

Also, pay attention to how close sagittal and meridional lines are to each other. This is a sign of very low level of astigmatism and good bokeh. In fact, the MTF of the lens looks exceptionally good for a wide-angle lens – even the NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G looks much inferior in comparison!

With the existing line-up of 20mm f/1.8G, 24mm f/1.4G, 24mm f/1.8G, 28mm f/1.8G, 35mm f/1.4G and 35mm f/1.8G wide-angle lenses, it is exciting to see that Nikon is filling the blanks with yet another superb lens release.

Based on my experience with Nikon primes, I have no doubt that the Nikon 28mm f/1.4E ED is going to be an exceptional lens that will appeal to many professionals. With its price tag of $1,999.95, it is not a cheap lens to buy, but let’s not forget that the Nikon 24mm f/1.4G also sells for the same amount, so the pricing is not unexpectedly high.

AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR

Lastly, Nikon also announced the AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR lens, a budget-friendly option for those who shoot with DX cameras. While it is nice to see yet another AF-P lens added to the DX line-up, I personally don’t see the point of yet another slow DX zoom wide-angle lens. The DX line-up already has the 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED and 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED lenses and while the new 10-20mm is significantly cheaper than the other two, I would rather see Nikon release fast DX zoom and prime lenses that could bring weight benefits to the DX system. Why not release 20mm, 24mm, and 28mm DX primes instead? Why not make a few DX telephoto primes? It is sad to see only the 10.5mm DX Fisheye, 35mm f/1.8G DX, 40mm f/2.8G DX macro and the 85mm f/3.5G DX macro as the only DX prime options. That’s just a shame…

Anyway, I won’t spend much time exploring the new DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR. You can see all the details yourself by checking out the lens in our lens database.

Official Press Release

Below is the full official press release from Nikon:

MELVILLE, NY (May 31, 2017 at 12:01 A.M. EDT) – Today, Nikon announced three exciting new wide-angle NIKKOR lenses to give a diverse array of users brilliant image quality and maximum versatility whether shooting vast landscapes, architecture, interiors, events and many other wide-angle applications. The new ultra-wide zoom and lightweight DX-format AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR is an excellent value for budding shutterbugs and novice shooters looking to explore a wide-angle point of view, while the new AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED is an FX-format circular fisheye zoom lens for photographers and content creators who desire a truly unique perspective. Lastly, the new AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED is a superior prime lens that provides professional and advanced photographers the ultimate in wide-angle image quality. Both the AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED and AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED are the latest additions to the Gold Ring Series of NIKKOR lenses, a mark identifying Nikon’s premium lens offerings.

“Nikon continues to push the limits of optical excellence, while making new perspectives more attainable than ever before with our latest wide-angle NIKKOR offerings,” said Kosuke Kawaura, Director of Marketing and Planning, Nikon Inc. “Whether a photographer is a novice learning the art of landscapes, an enthusiastic video creator or a working professional shooter, Nikon now makes the wide-angle perspective achievable for everyone.”

AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED – Circular Fisheye for Photographers and Content Creators
Nikon’s first fisheye zoom gives photographers and filmmakers an FX-format lens with the look and feel of a circular fisheye and the versatility of a full-frame fisheye, all in one lens. The new lens design provides a creative circular 180-degree vertical / horizontal angle of view on full frame cameras, and zooms to a non-circular fisheye view (180-degree diagonal angle of view) on the long end of the focal range. The lens can also be used on DX-format cameras for a distinctive point-of-view and extreme wide-angle applications. When looking to push creative boundaries, the intriguing perspective from a fisheye lens should be considered to provide a distinct look to your photos and videos, such as a dramatic emphasis on a subject or an extremely wide interior point of view.

The AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED is also the latest in Nikon’s Gold Ring Series of premier lenses and features a next-generation design for high-resolution Nikon DSLR cameras. Made for advanced photographers and creators, this durable lens is constructed of lightweight magnesium alloy, and employs internal focusing (IF) to retain its compact size, even while focusing. It is also Nikon’s latest lens to use an electromagnetic diaphragm for consistent exposure during high speed shooting, or smooth exposure control while capturing video.

The optical formula of the Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm consists of three ED elements to reduce chromatic aberration, while two aspherical lens elements minimize coma even at the widest aperture, and enable a more compact lens size. Additionally, the front lens element is coated with Nikon’s non-stick Fluorine coat to help resist dirt, fingerprints and smudges, while Nikon’s exclusive Nano Crystal Coat helps reduce ghost and flare.

AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED – The Latest in The Gold Ring Series of f/1.4 Primes in the NIKKOR Line
The new AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED is Gold Ring glass that provides maximum versatility for outstanding definition and sharpness regardless of shooting scenario. With a fast f/1.4 maximum aperture and nine blade rounded diaphragm, it affords a shallow depth of field with gorgeous bokeh and stellar low light performance, making it a great choice for shooting low light landscapes, interiors and events.

The superbly balanced and solid body is composed of lightweight magnesium alloy, and features dust and water drop resistant sealing to withstand the elements, combined with a fluorine coating to resist dirt and smudges. The optical construction of the lens is engineered for the best possible wide-angle image quality. It consists of 14 elements in 11 groups, with three aspherical elements that virtually eliminate coma, aberration and distortion, with two ED glass elements that minimize chromatic aberration. The lens also uses Nikon’s Nano Crystal coat to reduce instances of ghosting and flare.

The new AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED is a welcome addition to Nikon’s stable of impressive f/1.4 primes that give professional photographers and creators the highest levels of image quality and performance, which also include; The AF-S 24mm f/1.4G ED, AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G, AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G, AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G and AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED.

The AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR – Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens That’s Compact and Portable
The new NIKKOR 10-20mm is an ultra-wide-angle DX-format zoom lens that opens new perspectives and possibilities for those new to photography, and is ideal for shooting travel and scenery, real estate, large group portraits or vlogging. This new lens combines superior image quality and an attainable price to give consumers wide-angle versatility with a lens that’s remarkably compact and lightweight.

Like all NIKKOR lenses, the new AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR provides advanced optical technologies for stellar image quality in any light, whether shooting a sun-drenched coastal vista, tight spaces or the night sky. The lens features the equivalent of 3.5 stops1 of Vibration Reduction (VR) performance, to help capture sharp images while handheld or in challenging light. Additionally, it utilizes Nikon’s Pulse Motor technology for super-fast and whisper quiet AF operation- which is especially useful when recording video. The optical formula contains three aspherical elements for excellent image quality with minimal distortion even at the widest focal length.

This is a versatile lens that not only excels at shooting expansive horizons, but also offers a remarkably close working distance that’s useful for images or showing up-close details when making product-related videos or how-to content. To get closer to capture small objects with big details, the lens has a close minimum focusing distance of only 8.6 inches (0.22 meters), bringing small objects to life in glorious size.

Price and Availability
The Nikon AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED will be available immediately for a suggested retail price (SRP)* of $1249.95. The AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR and AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED will be available in late June for a suggested retail price (SRP)*, $309.95 and $1999.95, respectively. For more information on these NIKKOR lenses as well as the latest Nikon products, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

Pre-Order Options

As usual, you can pre-order all three lenses through our trusted partner B&H Photo Video:

1. Pre-Order Nikon AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED for $1,246.95
2. Pre-Order Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED for $1996.95
3. Pre-Order Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR for $306.95

The post Nikon 8-15mm Fisheye, 28mm f/1.4E and 10-20mm DX VR Announcements appeared first on Photography Life.

from Photography Life https://photographylife.com/nikon-8-15mm-fisheye-28mm-f1-4e-and-10-20mm-dx-vr-announcements/

What is the Second Sunset?

Another Nail in the Coffin of Photography Software

How to Keep Yourself and Your Camera Gear Safe When Traveling

Is it Safe to Visit the United States?

Last month, I wrote an article about why, despite what you see in the news, Europe is safe to visit. Someone asked (with a degree of snark) if I would I write a similar article about the U.S. too?

Well, it’s a valid question. As an American writing for a mostly American audience, I tend to write mostly about what’s beyond our shores. But I have thought about this question before – especially since 45% of the people who read this website are outside the US. So let’s turn the tables on my post and ask:

“Is the United States safe to visit?”

When most people ask me this question, I feel they are really asking me two things: (1) Does gun violence happen so often I should worry about being shot? and (2) Will everyone hate me because I’m a foreigner (or, especially, a non-white foreigner)?

These are valid concerns. After all, just like how we in the United States have a perception that the rest of the world is unsafe and unwelcoming, so too the rest of the world has that perception of the United States.

In their news, they hear about our mass shootings and gun violence, as well as reports of police brutality toward minorities and murders (or beatings) of Indian students confused for Muslims and wonder if they are welcome. They see the election of President Trump, the huge rise in deportations, the (yet still illegal) Muslim travel ban, heightened security measures at airports, and people being detained and go, “Maybe the United States isn’t the safe and welcoming country we thought it was. How are much are those flights to Europe, honey?”

The media cuts both ways.

I won’t deny the statistics: The US has the highest rate of death by guns in the developed world (outside of war zones, of course), we have nearly the highest incarceration rate in the world, hate crimes have gone up since the election, and we average roughly one mass shooting five out of every six days (and 90% of the mass shootings in the world happen here).

And when these incidents and attitudes are projected around the world in conjunction with our recent political strife, it creates the perception of the United States as a dangerous and unwelcoming place.

Already tourism has fallen and airline bookings are down.

But, just like Europe, the United States is safe to visit.

There’s no reason to avoid visiting here — even if the TSA makes it more of hassle and, well, our political landscape is less than ideal.

First, the United States is very big and very, very diverse. It’s larger than Europe (the sovereign states not the continent) and Australia. You can drive 15 hours here in still be in the same state. It’s huge. A lot of visitors fail to understand that. A Chicago friend told me how two visitors from France wanted to go to Disney for the weekend. They thought it was a short drive because in Europe a multi day drive gets you most of the way across the continent! Most visitors just don’t understand how vast the US is geographically until they arrive. Even I never got sense of just how big the country is until I drove across it. You can see it on a map but until you’ve spent a few days driving, that sense of size is hard to comprehend.

And due to this size, there is a lot of cultural (and political) variation. While Americans do share common bonds and beliefs, it often feels like the US is really a collection of micro-countries. The culture of Alabama is different than the culture of NYC, which is different than the culture of Chicago, Hawaii, Alaska, middle-of-nowhere Wyoming, or Florida. Heck, southern Florida is a world away from the Florida Panhandle, and Austin is a blue (liberal) dot in the red (conservative) sea of Texas. Cuisine, slang, dress style, accents, attitude, how people walk – it’s all different from region to region and state to state.

Second, despite what you hear, crime in America is near a 20-year low. It’s been declining for many years. Here’s a visual representation of the article:

Graph: 1

(And the recent uptick is mostly due to a increased violence in few cities. The broader nationwide trend is still down.)

For example, I live in NYC. Crime is down 50% over the last 15 years. I never worry about being robbed or mugged while in Manhattan. Sure, some of the other boroughs are still unsafe, it’s not all rainbows and unicorns throughout the city, but, overall, NYC is a lot safer than it used to be. Twenty years ago, you would never go through Central Park at night. Now, people go there regardless of the time of day.

Also, you have less of a chance of dying in a terrorist attack in the United States than dying by a bathtub.

I’m not saying there is nothing to worry about. There is crime (but most gun violence in the US is gang related, people killing friends, or suicides). Chicago, Philly, and Detroit have gang related crime problems. Racism is still a big problem. Police brutality is a problem. Mass shootings happen too often.

The United States is not perfect.

But, just as in Europe, the likelihood that something is going to happen to you is very slim. The media sensationalizes attacks throughout the world! When attacks happen in Paris, do you say, “Honey! Paris was attacked! Let’s not go to Lisbon”? No, because you know that these places are far apart and that an attack in one place doesn’t mean you can’t go somewhere else.

The United States is 9 million square miles and filled with dozens of climates, hundreds of cultures, thousand of cities and towns, and 321 million people. Problems in one state or city don’t mean you can’t visit another part of the country.

Not coming here because “Americans don’t like foreigners” ignores the fact only 26% of Americans voted for Trump, and there’s currently a huge debate between the right and left about so-called “sanctuary cities” (those that limit their cooperation with the federal government over immigration law enforcement). Remember that when the travel ban briefly went into effect, there were nationwide protests against it. It was never supported by a majority of the American people.

Not coming here because of what you read in the news is to say everyone is the same and not recognize the vast cultural differences in the country. It is like saying you won’t go to the Middle East because everyone there is a terrorist.

I know that as a white guy I can’t speak to what life is like here as a person of color. I’ve met many, many, many non-white travelers tell me how wonderful the found the United States and how welcoming everyone is, how people smile, say hello, and go out of the way to help but I don’t know what it’s like to travel around as a non-white person. I know there is systemic racism in the country, but just as people aren’t the government, so too we shouldn’t stereotype and say that all Americans are racist. Attitudes about immigrants, gays, Muslims, and everyone else vary a lot depending on where you are.

(But, rather than being some white guy talking abut race, here is a link to an article about traveling the U.S. when you aren’t white. It will give a better perceptive on the subject.)

What you see on TV is only a small, small, small sliver of the people who live in the country. Because remember if it bleeds, it leads and the stories that pain the United States as this violent place fits nicely into the existing narrative it has. (Just like the world being unsafe fits into the narrative we Americans have). The United States is not all filled with gun carrying, immigrant hating, racist, ignorant, fearful yokels.

Can I say there won’t be any gun violence while you’re here? No.

Can I say you won’t experience racism? No. (My friend’s Asian girlfriend was recently told to go back home.)

Can I say something bad won’t happen to you? No.

But all countries have their problems and the media hypes up everything. Americans, like people everywhere, are generally good people who are just trying to get through the day. They are people with friends and families and are welcoming towards strangers. We aren’t foreign haters – and we don’t live in Westworld where everyone is shooting everyone all the time.

Be safe. Be aware. Use your common sense.

But don’t skip this place I call home. It’s an often-overlooked destination that’s cheap to travel around and incredibly diverse (both culturally and geographically).

So, just like with Europe, ignore the news, book your flight, and come visit the United States!

Photo Credit: 1

The post Is it Safe to Visit the United States? appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/united-states-travel-safety/

The First Step To Quitting Your Job to Travel

I remember back when I was one of few travel bloggers making a full-time living online. Those days are long gone.

It’s different now. Simply put, it’s become a lot easier and there are a lot more opportunities out there, so many more people are making a full-time living. And that goes way beyond the travel blogging industry — it’s never been easier to make money online.

Earning a living online, never having to go into work again, having the freedom to travel year-round, and being your boss — that’s the dream for a lot of people.

But travel blogging is not the only way. In fact, I’d discourage 99% of people against it. Travel blogging is a very tough nut to crack, it requires a lot of time and effort, and most people don’t have the writing and photography skills for it.

And being a professional Instagrammer? Well, honestly, that’s extremely difficult to do unless you’re young, thin, conventionally attractive, and, let’s face it — white and blonde. It’s hard enough if you have all those characteristics; if you don’t fit that mold, you’re going to have a much more difficult time.

But there are other ways to quit your job and travel.

There’s writing books, creating products, starting companies, becoming a coach. And for many people, it can earn them enough money to quit their jobs.

What if you’re not sure what you want to do yet? What if you are interested in multiple ideas — maybe you like the idea of freelancing, maybe you’d like to start a business — but don’t want to drop a ton of money on just one specific course in case it’s not right for you? Where do you even begin?

Enter the Paradise Pack.

Introducing 2017’s Paradise Pack

The Paradise Pack is a collection of digital resources and guides that will teach you how to make money online so you can travel the world. They are sold together at more than 90% off.

Want to start your own business? Want to become a freelancer in your field, or even a new field? Want to build a blog and turn it into a business? The Paradise Pack will help you do those things.

Want to earn free flights from travel hacking? Want to teach English online? The Paradise Pack will help you do those things, too.

The products altogether cost more than $2600 — here, they’re available in a bundle for just $197. 

The Paradise Pack is only available for one week each year, and the products change every year, so this will be your only chance to get this exact pack.

Today is day one. I’m posting this today because people who buy by midnight tonight will receive a bonus: a workshop on how to make the most of the pack.

The Paradise Pack sale ends on Monday, June 5.

And now some questions:

Haven’t I seen this before?

I’ve promoted the Paradise Pack twice before, in 2015 and 2016 — but it’s a completely different collection every year. There are occasional repeat products, but for the most part they’re new offerings.

The guys behind the Paradise Pack, Jason and Travis, make efforts to put together an excellent, original collection each year. I’ve tried out some similar packs geared around making money online, and I think the Paradise Pack consistently has the best collection on the web.

Previous years’ packs have been fantastic — which you certainly noticed. More than 100 Adventurous Kate readers have purchased the pack!

Do you make a commission on it?

Yes, I make a commission. Regular people like me make 30% from sales. Authors of the products in the pack earn more, however — they make 50% from sales.

Someone makes a commission on every pack sold, no matter what. There are no discounted packs. So no matter how you buy it, a commission will go to somebody.

Do what I do — buy it through the blog of someone whose work you enjoy.

Is it worth the $197 price?

Absolutely. For all that you save and earn as a result of this package, from free flights to business income, it would be worth it if it cost triple. Quadruple. Quintuple.

$197 is a lot of money. I get that. If it’s too much for you, it’s too much. But if you actually put in the effort with these products, you will earn it back several times over. I promise you that.

Is there anything else I should know?

Yes. 10% of sales will to two charities: Pencils of Promise, a charity that builds schools for children in developing countries, and Travel Access Project, a charity that funds scholarships for travel and education.

So far the Paradise Pack has raised more than $50,000, enough to build two schools in Guatemala! Pencils of Promise is a rare charity that puts 100% of its online donations directly toward their programs.

Paradise Pack Products That Are Especially Worth It

Every year, there are a few standout products in the Paradise Pack. Here’s what I think are the most valuable:

Zero To Your First $10K by Brian Lofrumento (value: $497)

Why? Because every beginner needs some extra help getting started.

No matter who you are or what kind of business you want to start, this course will guide you through earning your first $10,000.

This product targets people at the beginning of their journey, so whether you’re starting to make money online for the first time or moving into a new industry, it will help you find your way through launching a brand new product or service.

The Social Media Rockstar Academy by Ka Sundance (value: $299)

Why? Because a big audience translates into more money.

As much as I hate when the words “rock star” are presented as one, this course is valuable in that it shows you how to build an enormous social media following in a very fast time frame, as well as creating videos that showcase your product or services. The bigger base audience you have, the more money you can make passively.

Frequent Flyer Masterclass by Travis Sherry (value: $147)

Why? Because everyone wants to fly for free.

Getting free flights is one of my readers’ most frequent requests. This course will teach you how to hack the frequent flying system and get free flights, even business class flights, all over the world. With the Frequent Flyer Masterclass, learn how to travel anywhere in the world for less than a hundred bucks using frequent flyer miles.

Cruise Ship Jobs 101 by Amanda Hathorn-Geary (value: $147)

Why? Because working on cruise ships is one of the most surprisingly fun and lucrative ways to see the world while getting paid.

And if you want to find a way to work a cool job, save a ton of cash, and have months-long breaks, working on a cruise ship is a great way to go about it. This book while show you the ins and outs of getting hired for one of these gigs. It’s not a sustainable-for-the-rest-of-your-life kind of gig, but it can be a lot of fun for a few months or years, especially if you use it to start a nest egg for future travels.

Other Included Products

Here are the other products included in the pack:

Rock Your Systems by Natalie Sisson (value: $69)

“How can you find more free time while still growing your business? Hint: It’s SYSTEMS. Put systems in place in your business in under a week using the power trio of Asana, Google Drive, & Slack. Get sh*t done so you can spend your time doing whatever else makes you happy.”

Easy Language Hacking Guide by Benny Lewis (value: $269)

“Discover the fast and easy way to learn 6 popular languages with these easy language hacking guides. You’ll learn tricks that show you where to focus your efforts for quick results in language learning. Plus, Benny is throwing in a live Q&A so you can ask all your language questions.”

A Better Life for Half the Price by Tim Leffel (value: $49)

“If you’d like to upgrade your life without giving up everything you like to do, lowering your cost of living may just be a matter of changing your address. You’ll get the ebook, special reports, and a three-part video series to help you choose the best destination for you!”

Virtual Assistant Foundation by Danielle Greason (value: $197)

“Become skilled in four core digital marketing support services to get started as a virtual assistant or freelancer right away. Learn Danielle’s in-depth client workflow processes and follow steps to landing your very first paying client.”

Become a Super Learner by Jonathan Levi (value: $147)

“We’ve all experienced the frustration of an ever-growing reading list, struggling to learn a new language, or forgetting things you learned in even your favorite subjects. This course is about hacking your learning, reading, and memory skills, improving your ability to learn new skills or information quickly and effectively.”

House Sitting and Travel Lifestyle Summit by Nat and Jodie (value: $97)

“Get all the inspiration, advice, and actionable steps you need to start house sitting and traveling the world with free accommodation. Learn actionable strategies from those already doing it — over 60 world-class house sitters!”

I Kinda Wanna Be a Coach! by Jacob Sokol (value: $197)

“In this virtual conference, Jacob Sokol and 27 other world-class coaches and business experts share the most important tools, mindsets, and strategies they wish they had known about when they first started. Includes audio, video and pdf versions. Get started becoming a great coach with a booming business!”

Freelance Writing Guide by Dave Lee (value: $197)

“Writing about travel in a way that transports, inspires, entertains, and teaches is easier said than done. Discover and develop your style of storytelling! In addition, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group to ask questions, get feedback on writing assignments, and connect with others taking the course.”

FYI, this course is a division of my beloved Travel Blog Success. Like all of the courses, the Facebook group is worth the cost of the course alone!

21 Days to Discover Your Passion by Chelsea Dinsmore (value: $97)

“Feeling uninspired? Have no clue what you’re passionate about? Break through with Passion Discovery Actions to help you build your mindset, create congruence, define your change, and set up rituals for success. Build massive momentum toward doing work you love in just 21 days.”

The Complete Guide to Starting a Lifestyle Business by Sean Ogle (value: $47)

“Sean’s a true pro who has had success with multiple types of lifestyle businesses. In this guide, he shares everything you need to create a business that gives you the freedom and flexibility to do what you want.”

The 30-Day Money Cleanse by Caroline Makepeace (value: $97)

“This six-week online program will help you improve your relationship with money (and create more of it!). Move from limitation and lack of money to confidence, comfort and security about where it’s coming from, how to value and treat it, and where to spend it (i.e. on things you love!).”

Teach ESL Online by Rose Breuer (value: $37)

“Ever thought about teaching ESL online? This ebook is for you! Learn how to start and run an online teaching business, how to make great lesson plans in less time, and much more. Includes recorded lessons with real ESL students and an exclusive Q&A video with Rose.”

Sweet Ass Journal to Develop Your Happiness Muscle in 100 Days by Heath Armstrong (value: $39)

“Create a personal foundation full of habits and strategies in alignment with your dreams. Build the foundation you need to smash resistance and build your freedom empire.”

Family Freedom: A Guide To Becoming a Location Independent Family (value: $27)

“Want to have more freedom with your whole family? Learn how to make money on the road, what to do about insurance, mail, etc., and options for schooling the kids! This guidebook shows you: it’s doable.”

Branding Masterclass by Tommo and Megs (value: $97)

“Follow an actionable system to create or improve a niche brand that will really stand out. Test your brand ideas for profit potential and assess your monetization options. Define your perfect target customer. Find your direction: complete your personalized blog brand business plan.”

 

Heart Centered Sales Systems by Emily Utter

“Rock your sales without feeling salesy! Be an expert with this collection of word-for-word scripts, trainings, and a cheat sheet for overcoming common buyer objections. Quickly add tens of thousands of dollars in sales to their bottom line.”

BONUS PRODUCT

There is one bonus available for those who buy on the first day:

Mastering the Paradise Pack Worship by Jason and Travis

“We’re offering a special bonus for action takers! Get the Paradise Pack before Tuesday, May 30 at 11:59pm, and you’ll be invited to a special Mastering the Paradise Pack workshop. Get your specific questions answered and walk through the best ways to use the Paradise Pack in this interactive workshop!”

But does it actually work?

Will these resources help you build a life like mine with the ability to travel full-time? They only will if you make the effort. Nothing in life is free; if it were easy, everyone would be doing it by now. So be prepared to study, and work, and build.

And be ready to make mistakes. God knows I made about a million of them in building my business. The important thing is that I never stopped working on my business, even when times got hard.

Still on the fence? Read about the Paradise Pack here and see if it’s for you.

And if you’re ready to go?

Get the Paradise Pack here for $197.

And with that, I’ll see you on the road.

Please note that affiliate links are used in this post. If you purchase the Paradise Pack, I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you. By purchasing items through my affiliate links, you’ll help ireuce the ever-increasing expenses of running this site. Plus…the payment for this one comes in two days before my birthday, so think of it as giving me a little present while getting yourself something much better? Thanks!  

from Adventurous Kate http://www.adventurouskate.com/paradise-pack-2017/

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Easy Steps You Can Take To Help Prevent Image Loss

Minimalism in Photography: The Good and Bad

Breaking Up with American: A Frequent Flying Budget Traveler’s Dilemma

I did it. I went back and forth on the decision for a long time. Like someone who just couldn’t let go, I continued with the relationship even though I knew, deep down, it was over.

But there’s always a tipping point when you must face reality — and that point was when I realized I’m just not going to fly all that much this year.

So I did it: I finally split up with American Airlines.

After years of being loyal to them and the Oneworld alliance, paying extra for flights to ensure I kept my status, and championing them on the web, it’s time to face the truth: they’ve ruined their once-stellar loyalty program and given me (and basically everyone else) no incentive to fly them over any other (crappy domestic) airline.

A few years ago, both Delta and United devalued their award charts — awarding fewer miles per flight (unless you bought high-priced tickets), requiring more miles when redeeming them for a flight (The Points Guy just recently showed a screenshot of Delta requiring 255,000 miles to go from NYC to LAX! Crazy!), reducing benefits, and requiring customers to spend a certain amount of money to maintain their elite status. Their message was clear: “We only value you if you spend lots of money with us.”

Yet (in part because of their merger with US Airways) American held out — often increasing benefits. American AAdvantage was a shining jewel in the airline industry, lauded by journalists, insiders, and consumers alike.

I went out of my way to fly American because I felt my loyalty was valued. I was upgraded often, their employees were friendly, customer service issues were often solved swiftly, it was easy to find award seats, and they were often generous in their benefits.

But in the last year, they’ve let their program go to hell.

What’s wrong with American AAdvantage?

1. They now require elite-qualifying dollars (EQDs), but unlike United and Delta, they offer no waiver if you spend a lot on American’s branded credit cards.
2. They have upped the cost of award tickets – a lot.
3. They severely reduced saver rewards availability. It’s basically impossible to find saver rewards these days.
4. Confirmed upgrades for anyone but the top elites is basically impossible. I can’t remember the last time I got an upgrade.
5. They have slashed miles earnings on their partner’s flights.
6. They now prioritize upgrades based on status and spending (take that, million-mile status folks!).
7. How they calculate EQDs is opaque and not straightforward. One dollar spent is not one EQD earned, even if you purchase full fare business and first class tickets.

The list goes on. There have been so many blog posts written about the demise of AA’s loyalty program that I’ll just link to them here, here, here, here, here, and here. And here and here too. (Ok and here too!)

American AAdvantage was the only thing American really had going for it. It was the sole reason I flew them. Sure, their new 777 and A321T planes are nice, but even when they refurbish their old planes they still have many varieties you never know what kind of plane you’re stepping on. It could be a nice and new interior or it could be something last refurbished in 1987. (And you never want to get on an old US Airways plane — no power, no TVs, and a disgusting interior) Plus, the food in their lounges is terrible (as well as the lounges themselves), their partners are not as great as United’s, and their in-flight service/seats/food aren’t as good as Delta’s. I redeemed miles for a business-class flight from Paris with AA and this is the food I got:

What the hell is that? I mean seriously. McDonald’s would have been a better option. (It tasted as disgusting as it looks!)

I fly a lot — over 100,000 miles on over 50 flights last year. (Maybe more. I lose track.) I’m a frequent traveler — but I’m a cheap frequent traveler. I always buy the cheap economy-class tickets and use my status and miles to upgrade.

That makes me a low-revenue flier. I probably spend $6,000–10,000 a year on flights. That’s a lot by everyday standards, but when it’s your job to travel, you’re off to conferences all the time, and have team members to book flights for too, I think I’m actually coming in pretty low. And I also spread that around multiple airlines.

American now requires me to spend $6,000 a year on American alone just to get mid-level platinum status (the kind that gets you international lounge access). I don’t remember the last time I spent that much money on one airline.

And thus the current dilemma: If you are a low-spending but still frequent traveler, does it make sense to stay loyal to an airline in this day and age?

The answer, I’ve come to realize, is a resounding NO.

As someone who likes the concept and perks of loyalty, it saddens me to say this, but unless you are spending a lot of money on one airline, loyalty — at least to airlines — is an antiquated concept.

The major airlines in the United States do not value your loyalty anymore. They are only rewarding their high-spending clients with deep pockets — not their frequent clients. Travel 100,000 miles a year, but on just a few cheap tickets? Great — that will earn you a pat on the back. Spend $20,000 on a few high-priced tickets? The red carpet is rolled out for you!

Why? Because (a) they are flying fuller planes so don’t need to cater to customers as much, (b) people are shelling out for perks, and (c) they are assholes and don’t give a f**k…because they know you don’t have any many options, and (d) when X% of revenue comes from higher spenders, why should they care about low spenders?

I used to say that if you can fly 50,000 miles or more, it’s worth focusing on one airline and alliance because the perks are worth the extra price (especially the international lounges). But now, with the heightened spending requirements, reduced benefits, and overall “F U” attitude airlines have, it doesn’t make sense to be loyal to an airline if you aren’t a high spending traveler.

As we get close to the midway point of the year, I realize that, for the first time in a long time, I’ll end this year with no elite status. Most of my flights for the rest of the year are long-haul international flights — the kind I always use points on so I can fly for free in business class. Most of my paid, status-earning flights will be cheap domestic flights. With the new spending demands, I’m simply not going to be able to meet the status requirements – for any airline.

Sure, I could spend $25,000 on my American AAdvantage credit card to get partial credit toward the EQDs but (1) that’s a ton of money to spend and (2) if I did spend that much, I would get one point per dollar spent. Why would I do that when I could get three times as many points on other cards? It doesn’t make sense.

So I will lose my status — and, honestly, I have no desire to get it back.

This has changed how I fly. Now, it’s all about price. I’m not going to bother spending an extra $20, $50, or $100 for a flight to maintain my elite status. Why should I? Airlines aren’t giving me a reason to.

Just give me the cheapest flight.

I’m flying Alaska/Virgin, JetBlue, and Southwest a lot more. These airlines don’t have baggage fees, they do have friendlier staff, and better in-flight products (hello, free gate to gate Wi-Fi on JetBlue!).  I’ve been flying these airlines a lot lately and the experience is leagues better than the big three!

I still believe in the art of travel hacking and as such will continue to collect credit card points and airline miles so that when it’s time to fly overseas, I can redeem those miles for nice business-class seats. I mean, when you are flying premium, you’re treated well — paid ticket or not! Additionally, I’ll keep all the airline credit cards since they come with the perks of basic elite status, like priority check-in and boarding and free bag checking. When you’re being charged for bags and required to go all Hunger Games for overhead space, those perks are worth the yearly credit card fee.

Airlines always say that, since consumers fly on price, they have no incentive to offer better service or amenities. And, that’s true to an extent. Most leisure travelers fly only on price. They just want to go from A to B on the cheapest fare and have mostly accepted that service will be terrible.

But when you cut loyalty programs, you make frequent travelers like me also only care about price and you shoot yourself in the foot.

Because now I have no incentive to go out of my way to fly you. And the first rule of business is that is always cheaper to retain a customer than a acquire a new one.

So, simply put, in this day and age, there’s no reason to be loyal to any one airline. Collect frequent flier points and miles for premium seats on those long-haul flights (free flights are the best flights) and fly short haul flights based on price. Go with whatever is cheap!

Because screw these big airlines.

(If you’re super rich, fly a ton, and buy higher-priced tickets — then ignore all this advice because you’re now making out like a bandit! Please pass some champagne to us in coach!)

P.S. – Ever wanted to visit Austin? Next month, I’ll be leading a small group of people around my home city! We’ll be staying in the hostel I own, visiting my favorite locals bars and restaurants, hanging with some of my cool friends, and two stepping the night away! If you want to spend a few days down south, here’s more information!

The post Breaking Up with American: A Frequent Flying Budget Traveler’s Dilemma appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/airline-loyalty-status/

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25 Things I Learned the Hard Way While Traveling

One thing is true about travel — we learn a lot of lessons along the way. And many of those lessons are the result of making major mistakes on the road.

Not blogging errors. Not life errors. Just good old-fashioned travel errors.

I thought it might be nice to share them with you. 25 mistakes from 25 different countries. Just so the same things don’t happen to you.

China: Don’t fly through smaller Chinese cities.

Man, I thought I was so smart for getting that flight deal: just $400 from Dubai to Tokyo. It was on China Eastern Airlines and required stopovers in Kunming and Shanghai. But it was technically an all-the-way-through flight, so it wouldn’t be a big deal. Right?

Not so much. First of all, even if it is the same flight, you need to go through immigration, which in China is complicated if you’re using domestic flights for an international journey.

But the real trouble began when the flight from Kunming to Shanghai was canceled. The passengers were nearly revolting, yelling and banging the tables.

Had I been in Shanghai, or Beijing, or Hong Kong, I would have been able to find someone who could speak English and would reroute me quickly. In Kunming, a city almost the size of New York, almost nobody spoke a word of English and those who said they spoke English didn’t have much of a grasp of the language.

Getting rebooked onto a later flight to Shanghai took hours. I would show the English-speaking man my tickets to Shanghai and Tokyo, he would nod, walk away, and come back and do it all over again as if he had never seen them before. It was an utter nightmare.

When I finally arrived in Shanghai, an airline employee welcomed me in perfect British English. I nearly burst into tears in relief. I had to spend an overnight there, but the airport was filled with shockingly friendly and helpful employees.

I’m going to avoid flying through small Chinese cities for the rest of my days.

France: Always carry spare toilet paper in your purse.

Because if you don’t, that’s when your period will strike with a vengeance. Thank God you had some receipts in your purse.

Indonesia: Don’t stay in a hotel next door to a mosque.

Unless you like waking up at 4:30 every morning, that is.

Poland: Overpacking will bite you in the ass at the worst possible time.

I was only in Warsaw for one day, so I decided to stay by the train station. It was a brilliant idea, I thought — I wouldn’t have to walk too far and I could easily grab my 6:00 AM train to Berlin the next morning.

Until I realized that even though I was only a few blocks from the train station, there are no crosswalks in that part of Warsaw. There are underpasses instead. And no elevators or ramps. So you need to go down and up, down and up, down and up, down and up while holding your giant, heavy suitcase. Because this was a conference trip and I had overpacked a lot of my fancier duds.

After all those steep staircases, I was sweaty and exhausted. Then it got worse: I couldn’t find the guesthouse I had booked. I burst into tears, then looked across the street and saw the letters NOVOTEL.

I want to go to there.

Down one more flight. Up one more. The hotel was right there. And it wasn’t too expensive.

“Do you have any rooms available?” I asked politely at the front desk. I felt like a secret agent. I always book in advance; I had never said that phrase at a nice hotel in my life.

Argentina: Always use a purse that zips.

It was my first solo trip ever, to Buenos Aires in 2008, and it was one of the worst things that’s ever happened to me while traveling. I used a big, open purse from H&M as I went to visit Recoleta Cemetery. It didn’t zip; it barely closed.

Of course my wallet was snatched.

And that wasn’t all. I wasn’t as cautious a traveler as I am now — so the wallet was filled with literally all the money and cards I had. All I had left was my passport. If a nearby couple hadn’t taken pity on me and given me a ride, I don’t know how I would have gotten back to the hostel.

It was 2008 and the internet wasn’t as widespread as it is now. But I was able to get American Express to wire money to a Western Union that would accept my passport as identification.

Looking back, I’m horrified that I went through an experience like that on my first solo trip. But at least it didn’t put me off solo travel forever. I had an ulterior motive for Buenos Aires — how I handled this trip would show me whether or not I should plan a long-term solo trip. I survived and thrived, and soon I was on my first long-term trip to Asia, all by myself.

Austria: People really like to be naked.

It was just after my first-ever travel blogging conference and my friends and I were chilling out in the hotel’s sauna after a swim in the pool. And then a middle-aged man walked into the sauna, stark naked, swaying in the breeze. “Grüß Gott!” he sang out.

“Grüß Gott,” we murmured back. We quickly exchanged a glance. And without another word, we all got up in unison and left that poor man alone in the sauna.

Liechtenstein: If there’s an early morning knock, someone will be naked.

I kept hearing incessant knocking at my hotel in Vaduz, the diminutive capital of Liechtenstein. It was 6:00 AM. Eventually I got up and opened the door, only seeing a completely naked man knocking on another door.

He looked at me. I slammed the door.

Germany: Double-lock your door because YOU’LL be naked.

It was just after midnight in Nuremberg and I suddenly heard my door opening. “No!” I gasped as the door swung open and a befuddled thirty-something man walked in.

“Oh — sorry. They gave me this room,” he said.

“Get out!” I rasped.

I wasn’t naked. I was nearly naked. And some dude had caught a glimpse of me in my undies.

That’s the reason you’re supposed to double-lock your door.

Jordan: Your guide is not going to leave you in the desert.

My wonderful tour guide, Ibrahim, told me that one of his favorite things to do was just sit by himself in Wadi Rum and enjoy the solitude. It was his favorite place. “I want you to have this experience, too,” he told me.

They dropped me off. I tried to relax. And yet I couldn’t. Were they really not going to leave me?

I pretended to chill out while keeping an eye on the Jeep. Were they really not going to leave me?

I sat and pretended to meditate while keeping the Jeep in my peripheral vision. Were they really not going to leave me?

Of course they didn’t leave me. I ran back to the Jeep fairly quickly. But I really wish I had taken Ibrahim seriously and took the time to feel the desert around me.

Denmark: Late at night it will seem like a great idea to take a ride on a meat cart. It is not.

Well, it was fun for about ten seconds before I fell off and slammed straight into the curb.

Sri Lanka: Keep your debit cards in different places.

I travel with two debit cards, and I usually keep the spare hidden in my luggage. That’s smart. But Sri Lankan ATMs were weird and sometimes they wouldn’t accept my main debit card, so I started keeping them both in my wallet.

Then came the fateful train ride from Hikkaduwa to Colombo. It was bad enough getting my ass grabbed by one rando (though that was probably the fastest I’ve ever reacted — “Hey, motherfucker! Do not touch me. Do not touch me ever”). Then when it was time to get off, the crowd swelled so tightly I had to fight my way off the train.

My wallet was stolen in the fray. Along with both debit cards.

Once again, Amex saved the day. They let me withdraw money at ATMs with my credit card until I got home.

Costa Rica: High season doesn’t always mean good weather.

I had made the last flight out of JFK before they shut down the airport for the biggest snowstorm of the year. Yet somehow I thought Costa Rica would be sunny and warm. Nope! There’s a reason why they call it the rainforest!

It poured buckets the whole time I was in La Fortuna. Then it mostly misted throughout my time in Monteverde.

Finally, I broke through the clouds and landed on the beach in Guanacaste. The sun was out and glorious. Finally, I understood the Pura Vida everyone was talking about.

Sometimes, even when it’s supposed to be the sunniest time of year, you can have shit luck in the weather department. Just be ready for that.

Philippines: It’s neither funny nor entertaining to stay in a “love hotel.”

It was a cheap hotel in a central-seeming neighborhood, and it had decent reviews.

The mattress was covered with a rubber protector and there were no windows.

One guy checked in with two girls.

Yeah. Nope. Not my thing.

Maybe if it had been one of the cool fairy-tale themed ones in Korea or Japan. This one was just sleazy.

Colombia: Altitude will kick the crap out of you.

I hadn’t traveled much in altitude before I arrived in Colombia. And while people said that altitude can knock you sideways, I thought I was immune — I felt fine!

I was hiking through the Valle de Cocora and met some girls from Bogotá. As the three of us walked on, suddenly the ever-so-slightly uphill road felt like I was scaling Everest. My lungs burned; my legs ached.

“I’m fine,” I told them, trying to hang onto my pride.

“Are you sure? Do you want to keep going?”

“Yes! I’m fine!” I had to make it around the corner to the next viewpoint.

Finally, I gave up — I felt bad that I was slowing them down. Bogotá is at a much higher elevation. For them, this was a respite.

Yes, altitude can certainly hit you hard, even if you feel completely healthy otherwise.

Turkey: When getting a massage from a large-chested woman, face away from her boobs.

One of my most famous adventures was when I visited a hammam in Istanbul for the first time, was massaged by a lady with giant swinging breasts, and took one directly to the face. I’ll never forget the “Oop!” that came out her moth. You can read the whole thing here.

Portugal: Don’t stay in a hostel with only one toilet.

There were only two cheap hostels to choose from in Évora. I chose the one that looked slightly better.

It wasn’t a good choice. My intuition had been pinging like crazy since I had arrived. Something was off about this owner. I was concerned about the lack of lockers; the owner told me I had nothing to worry about because the other hostel guest was “from a good family.”

Then late at night, I was ready to go to bed…and the owner was in the one and only bathroom.

I waited downstairs. He kept using the bathroom.

I got out my Kindle. He was still in there.

Finally, he came out of the bathroom after half an hour, newspaper in hand. “Oh,” he said, seeing me there. “Yeah,” I replied.

Finland: Don’t bring beer into the sauna.

Sauna time in Finland is a sacred ritual. I first got to experience it at the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival, where my media status got me into a musicians’ party in the woods. First the women would sauna and skinny-dip in a warm lake underneath a pink midnight sky, then the men would have their turn.

I brought my beer into the sauna.

You’re not supposed to do that.

I wrapped a towel around me in the sauna.

You’re not supposed to do that, either.

The women were nice. They didn’t scold me or even point it out gently. But I knew as soon as I stepped inside that I had made a grave error.

England: When Brits say, “You all right?” They’re not asking if something’s wrong.

I’m embarrassed how long it took me to realize this.

“You all right?” is the equivalent of “How are you?” in Britain.

Even after six months of living in the UK, I was still saying, “Yeah, why?” to everyone who asked me that.

South Korea: If Koreans give you mayonnaise noodles, it’s for a reason.

There’s not much that I won’t eat, but mayonnaise is one of those things. With very rare exceptions, I can’t stomach the stuff.

Then while in Seoul, I sat down to a barbecue dinner of super-spicy octopus. I put it in my lettuce wrap with the garlic and vegetables and accoutrements, ignoring the evil mayonnaise noodles.

Soon I was writhing in pain from the spicy octopus. And I’m a girl who likes spicy food ordinarily.

I didn’t make the connection until later. Those noodles were there to cut the spiciness. If I had just eaten them like a normal person, I wouldn’t have made an emergency 7-11 run for an ice cream sandwich and a yogurt.

Spain: Even meaningless Tinder travel dates can be duds.

It was supposed to be the Summer of Kate. A summer of rocking out all over Europe, going wherever the wind blew me, wearing cute dresses, and dancing all night long. So when I landed in Barcelona, I decided to try and get a date on Tinder. It didn’t take long. I found a nice Venezuelan guy.

It wouldn’t matter if this guy wasn’t a good fit for me, I told myself. I’m only here for a few days! Not to mention staying in a dorm room…

I put on my cute turquoise-and-white dress and met the guy. And for the next two hours, we walked along the beach and he did not stop talking about himself the entire time.

God, I thought. I left my blogger friends for this?

Eventually I tried to make a casual exit. He instead put his arm around me. I pulled away, yelping, “No, I’m too shy!” “Well, you need to get over your shyness!” he replied. “That’s okay, I should go!” I said.

Not my finest moment.

Thailand: Monkeys are intelligent little fuckers.

Monkeys terrify me. When I went to the Monkey Forest in Bali, I painstakingly examined my backpack to make sure there were no residual Oreo crumbs. And it worked — none of them jumped on me. Perhaps they could smell my fear and gave me a break.

But then I got to Railay, a beach in Thailand with a not insignificant monkey population. I had watched Railay grow more environmentally impacted from 2010 to 2014 to 2015 and one thing I didn’t realize was that the monkeys got wiser.

I had bought chips and Oreos from the store and carried them in the white plastic bag the store gave me. Well, the monkeys saw that white plastic bag and KNEW something delicious was inside. One ran up to me and grabbed the bag. I shrieked and let it go. He climbed to the top of the tree WITH my chips AND Oreos and proceeded to eat them all, mocking me from above.

Little fucker.

Norway: That burger and coffee will cost you $29.

Granted, it was a reindeer burger and a cappuccino — but reindeer is like the beef of Norway! It’s everywhere! It’s abundant! It should not cost $24! No wonder Norwegians go to Stockholm and booze it up like a backpacker in Cambodia. Stockholm is Norway’s Phnom Penh.

South Africa: When people say it’s a short walk, estimate that it will be three times longer.

When the hostel guys invite you to come walk back along the beach with them, you and your friend agree. It should only be twenty minutes. And yes, you’ve just consumed two beers at the nearby brewery, but you can hold your bladder for that long.

Well. That’s how you end up in the brush, holding onto a hanging tree branch and peeing in the dark, terrified that a creature will sneak up behind you and bite you on the ass.

It was 50 minutes into a 20-minute walk.

Bulgaria: Don’t take the train to save money if it’s much worse than the bus.

I had a Eurail pass with just one train ride left on it, and I needed to get from Veliko Tarnovo to Bucharest by the end of the day. It was July. The countryside was baking with heat. I decided to take the train instead of the bus, even though the locals told me the bus was faster. Why not? It was “free”!

That train was one of the worst travel experiences of my life. It was at least 110 degrees inside (43 C). The bathroom was putrid. The seats were uncomfortable and the air wasn’t moving. I burst into tears and sobbed for an hour, ending up in a ball of sweat and tears and snot.

A thunderstorm hit a few hours in and I leaned out the window, letting the rain fall upon my skin.

The bus would have been so much better.

In Cambodia: You look stupid in hippie pants.

Seriously, Kate. You are going to look back and cringe.

What lessons did you learn the hard way while traveling?

from Adventurous Kate http://www.adventurouskate.com/25-things-i-learned-the-hard-way-while-traveling/