Why Tesalate beach towels are the best towels for travellers

by Kim-Ling | Jan 5, 2019 | Reviews, Tips and Tricks, Travel

Why Tesalate beach towels are the best towels for travellers

Facebook has been reading my mind.

Granted, my search history probably gave it away but they clearly know that I’ve been dreaming of future travels and trips to the beach. For quite some time now, I’ve been seeing ads for what I can only describe as the traveller’s dream towel – bright and colourful designs and, wait for it, the promise of being sand free, and you know what, that’s ok with me. If you haven’t seen or heard of Tesalate towels before, then prepare to have your mind blown.

Tesalate towels are revolutionary beach towels that are made from a special microfibre that allows sand to brush right off, allowing you to travel to and from the beach, without worrying about taking all of its sand with you. But these towels are not only the best for beach goers, but Tesalate towels are the best towels for travellers too.

As a self-appointed mermaid and perpetual traveller, the promise of a lightweight, sand-free towel is hard to ignore, so when we were recently invited to review these towels from Tesalate, I was pretty excited. And after some thorough ‘research and testing’ by the beach and pool during our recent travels (it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it), we’ve made a list of 5 reasons why the Tesalate beach towels are the best towels for travellers.

1. Light and compact

This one is for the travellers. The Tesalate towels weigh less-than 600g when dry and fit into a cute, compact case no bigger than the size of a tissue box. And yet, you still get a standard sized beach towel (160cm x 80cm) when unfolded and laid out. This makes it easy to carry around in a beach bag, backpack or cabin luggage, and is the perfect towel to pack for an upcoming beach holiday.

2. Sand-free (aka ‘I got 99 problems, but sand ain’t one’)

The main selling point from Tesalate, is that their towels allow you to leave the beach and the sand behind. There is nothing worse than finding buckets of sand in the beach bag, car and house after a trip to the beach. I mean, it doesn’t seem to matter how many times you shake that towel out, the stuff seems to find its way everywhere. With Tesalate, their exclusive AbsorbLite™ microfiber makes it easy to brush or shake the sand right off the towels. We tested it with dry and wet sand and in both cases, the sand easily shook right off (the wet sand was a little more stubborn, but still came off) and was left behind.

3. Quick dry

One of THE worst things when travelling is hoping that damp beach/bathroom towel that you hastily packed into your luggage as you scurry from hostel, hotel or AirBnB apartment to the next will be dry by the next time you need it. But it rarely is. Until now.

Tesalate state that their towels are “engineered to dry in half the time than a regular towel”. To be honest, I wasn’t standing there with a timer to compare drying times, however I did notice that the towels dried pretty quickly between swims. As they are a lightweight microfiber, they definitely don’t carry the weight of a regular beach towel when wet, so it’s pretty easy to find a spot to hang them up and allow them to dry.

4. Stylish designs

I’m not going to lie, the bright and colourful eye-catching designs is what really got me obsessing over these towels. They’ve got over 40 vibrant patterns and designs that will turn heads and are also double-sided with a cool black and white geometric pattern. The range of designs, from simple to bold, will appeal to every individual.

5. Absorbent

These towels really are absorbent and are stated to retain up to a litre of water. Between swims I was able to go from sopping wet to fairly dry pretty quick with the Tesalate beach towel. I don’t know how the fabric does it, but it retains a lot of water, without feeling like they’ve been soaked themselves. The closest comparison I can make is like a chamois cloth – absorbent and fairly quick to dry.

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What else makes them awesome?

So, this doesn’t necessarily make them better for travellers, but their returns policy is pretty awesome. They offer free returns for those who are unhappy with their towel, even if it’s been used. Their shipping was super-fast too, arriving within a couple of days from ordering. And personally, we love that they are from an Australian company.

The towels retail at $79AUD, which admittedly cost more than a standard beach towel, however these towels are hardy and I can’t see myself ever needing to purchase another beach towel again. If you are an avid traveller or beach goer who likes to travel light and hates bringing sand home, it is worth it.

Fellow travellers and beach lovers from around the world can purchase these towels from Tesalate.

Disclaimer: We were gifted these Tesalate towels to do a review. It just so happens that we love them and the opinions above are true, regardless.

Things to do Before Your Trip to Japan

by Kim-Ling | May 22, 2017 | Japan, Tips and Tricks, Travel

Things to do Before Your Trip to Japan

Are you heading to Japan soon? Maybe you picked up some cheap flights to Tokyo? Yay! Get ready to eat all the yummy food, see amazing temples and lose yourself in exciting cities. But before you jump on the plane, there’s a few other things you should get ready to ensure a fantastic trip to the Land of the Rising Sun. We’ve written up things that should be done BEFORE getting on the plane. We’ve even created a checklist, so scroll down for more info!

Order a Japan Rail Pass

A Rail Pass is a necessity in Japan, as rail is the best way to get around. The Japan Rail Pass saves a lot of money on rail travel and can even be used on the shinkansen (bullet train). The only catch is, you have to purchase it outside Japan and be a temporary visitor. You will need to provide your passport details, travel dates and select how many days of rail travel you would use (7, 14 or 21 days). I would order it 1-2 weeks prior to departure to ensure it is delivered to you on time. Upon arriving in Japan, you validate the pass at the various venues. For more details: http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/index.html

Check out discounted fares from ANA and JAL

JAL and ANA offer cheap, flat-rate flights between domestic cities in Japan for people residing outside of Japan and who hold an international return flight (similar to the JR Rail Pass). ANA’s Experience Japan fare and JAL’s Explorer Pass are cheaper than the same fares offered through other booking systems. We saved 40% on our domestic flights by booking these.

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Travel Insurance

We never travel without it, and neither should you. Medical treatment in Japan is not cheap, and the right cover of travel insurance can cover you for emergency evacuations, disasters, stolen luggage, and more. Knowing that you are covered while you are travelling far outweighs the cost of insurance.

Like checklists? Pin and print our checklist below!

Passports & Visas

It might sound silly for the seasoned travellers, but for those who are travelling for the first time, make sure you check if you need a visa to enter Japan (based on your country of residence). You also need 6 months of validity on your passport BEYOND your travel return date (so if you are travelling in June, your passport needs to be valid at least until December). I’ve been told this is to cover you in case an emergency occurs, and you are stuck overseas for longer than expected.

Want to know what to eat in Japan? Read our post, More than Sushi.

International Driver’s Licence

The idea of driving in somewhere like Tokyo makes me anxious, however driving in the quieter parts of Japan would be lovely. If you are visiting more remote areas, or the islands, driving is the best way to get around, so you will need an International Driver’s Licence to hire a car. For our Australian readers, you can get them from NRMA.

Get Cashed Up

Despite Japan being ahead in the technology stakes, cash is still the preferred method of payment. A lot of shops and restaurants do not accept international cards and even those that accept cards may not work when you try to use it in the machine. Change as much money as you can to Japanese Yen before you go, or get an international travel card that you can top up in local currency (however, note that a lot of ATMs don’t accept foreign cards). If you are worried about walking around with a load of cash on you though, rest assured general crime and pick pockets are not a huge concern here.

Wi-Fi

Again, it may come as a surprise, but for the metropolis, high-speed futuristic country Japan may seem, wi-fi is a bit of a hit and miss. There is free wi-fi available in many cities, but the signal is not always that reliable. It might not seem like that big of an issue at first (I mean, we can always post to Instagram later, right?), but when you are lost and trying to find your way around a city that doesn’t have clear street signs or a metro system that only an engineer might be able to read, you’ll be wishing you had reliable wi-fi and Google Maps ready to save the day. Thankfully, you can order i nternet dongles in advance and pick them up from the airport or have them delivered to your hotel.

Learn some Japanese phrases

Japanese people appreciate the effort taken to learn some phrases, and in some places English isn’t widely spoken, so here are some phrases that may come in handy:

Hello Konichiwa
My name is _________ Watashi wa ______
Please Onegai shimasu
Thank you Arigatou gozaimasu
Excuse me Sumimasen
Yes Hai
No Iie
Sorry Gomen’nasai
Do you speak English? Eigo o hanashimasu ka?
I don’t understand Wakarimasen
Where is the subway? Chikatetsu wa doko desu ka?
How much does that cost? Kore wa ikura desu ka?
Where is the bathroom? Ofuro wa doko desu ka?

Book Accommodation

Personally, I am a bit OTT when it comes to our travel planning, and create multiple spreadsheets, notes and detailed itineraries with accommodation, transport and activities long before we’ve arrived at our destination! So with that in mind, I like to know where we are staying before we arrive, so I can work out how to get there from the airport/train station. If you are at the other end of the traveller’s spectrum though, we’d still recommend booking at least your first night’s accommodation, so you aren’t wandering around a foreign city, searching for a place to sleep.

Have you been to Japan? Are there any other things you should do before the trip? Let us know below!

This post contains some affiliate links. Booking via these links won’t cost you any extra, but will help me get closer to my dream career, so thank you in advance!

Getting the Perfect Photo in Santorini

by Kim-Ling | Sep 26, 2016 | Greece, Santorini, Tips and Tricks

Getting the Perfect Photo in Santorini

“They all come here because it’s so white and clean…”, a fellow traveller said to me as we watched a bridal party, with professional camera crew in tow, pose against the white-washed walls and blue-domed churches. It was the second bridal party we had seen that day, roaming around Oía looking glamorous with flowing gowns, perfect hair and stiletto heels. They certainly made me, with my denim shorts, messy beach hair and €10 espadrilles feel a little underdressed. I had never thought of Santorini in that way before (as a destination just for staged wedding photos), but when my new travel companion said it, it made complete sense. I mean, if you want the perfect wedding or formal photos, Santorini provides the perfect backdrop.

The clean, crisp colours of Santorini are perfect for photos

Anyone who trolls through travel photos on Instagram can see a stream of stunning images from Santorini. It would have to be the most photographic place in the Greek Islands. The white buildings provide the perfect contrast against the deep blue of the Caldera sea. As my new friend and I got talking, we agreed that there is a sense of cleanliness and luxury to Santorini that makes it stand out from the other Greek Islands.

Santorini, the perfect, photogenic backdrop

When we were deciding which Greek Island to visit, I was drawn to Santorini for those iconic blue-domed churches. I wanted to get my very own picture of said churches and the perfect sunset shot of the sun setting over the Caldera and against the colourful hillside of cave dwellings and resorts.

So without further adieu, here are our tips to get the perfect photo in Santorini…

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Map out your subjects/landmarks

Despite how small Santorini, specifically Oía, is, it’s quite easy to get lost in the small alleys and winding paths. And surprisingly, those iconic churches, although high in number, are quite hard to find if you don’t know where to look. The easiest way to find them, is to walk down Nik. Nomikou (the main street in Oía) and find Melenio Cafe. Around the corner from the cafe is a small alley that will lead you to the churches. The other spot we recommend going to is the Byzantine Castle ruins. This is where most people flock to for the sunset photos. Here’s a map to help:

It took a while, but we finally found the famous churches!

Pick your times

If you want your subject to be washed with the golden hues of a sunrise or sunset, you need to know what times they occur (and where the sun rises and sets). For example, the blue domed churches aren’t as spectacular at sunset, as the sun descends beyond around the curve of the peninsula. Early in the morning however, you will get the gorgeous, golden colours washing over the buildings (but we aren’t morning people and chose to sleep in instead of get up – priorities, right!?) A quick internet search will give you fairly accurate times of sunrise and sunset, so plan your photos around that.

Check sunrise/sunset times before heading out

Stake out your spot… early!

On our first night, we made the mistake of underestimating how many other people also wanted that perfect sunset shot. We spent the afternoon wandering through the alleys and didn’t start looking for our spot until it was too late. The best spots were filled with huge crowds all with the same idea. That evening, we missed the perfect pic as we just couldn’t get past all of the people crowded in every corner of an alley with a view. The next evening, we got to the castle really early and claimed an ideal perch. If you want that coveted spot, be prepared to arrive a couple of hours prior to sunset, as the areas fill up quickly, especially in summer. Make sure you have fluids and stuff to eat while you hang out, as every other ‘photographer’ won’t hesitate to take your spot if you leave it unattended.

If you want a good spot for sunset pics, you need to stake it out early

Have the right gear and settings on your camera ready

If you’ve got a DSLR or mirrorless camera, play with your settings in advance to work out what is right for you. As a general rule, keep the ISO low (around the 100 mark). Still being somewhat of an amateur, I still default to the P (Program) mode, which adapts the Shutter Speed and Aperture automatically. But if you are quite confident, and have a tripod, then switch to Aperture or Manual mode and play with around with the settings. To avoid a washed out look, try reducing exposure settings slightly and trial different white balances to change the tones of the photo. If you are a phoneographer, then work with what you have. If you want to be really professional (and avoid any blurry pics), have a tripod set up and ready for the event. The tip is to review the pics as you go and make the appropriate changes to the settings (as quickly as you can, so you don’t miss the main event!).

Enjoying this post and want to read more about Santorini? Check out our post, Santorini – The Place for Love

Watch your lines and the horizon

The perfectionist in me cannot handle photos that aren’t straight. Unless you are intentionally trying to be somewhat artistic and have the image skewed, try to take the photo straight. Use the gridlines on your device if that helps. A crooked horizon line often ruins so many potentially perfect photos. If you have taken a crooked photo, not all is lost, as editing programs can fix it (so you have NO excuse to post a crooked photo on Instagram!).

Don't ruin an amazing shot with a crooked horizon

Frame your picture & experiment with angles

Often, the best pictures are those that are slightly different to the rest. Play around with angles and focal points. Try shooting from different angles – get to the ground and shoot up, or find a higher vantage point and shoot down (although beware of the slippery surfaces and angry nonnas in Santorini – one came out swinging a broom at a brave tourist who was trying to take a photo from the roof of one of her neighbour’s houses. She then proceeded to yell at us demanding money for taking photos of her views!).

Personally, I love sun rays and flares, that I'll shoot at an angle to get them

Make friends with other travellers and/or photographers

Whether you are waiting for the sun to set, or politely waiting your turn to take a picture of the churches, you may as well make friends while you are there. Get chatting to others around you and offer to take photos of each other. A good full-frame photo trumps a selfie any day. Just make sure you are clear on what you are after and check your pics before you move on, so you hopefully have one you are happy with. There’s also safety in numbers from the before-mentioned crazy, cranky nonnas.

Inspired by these photos? Check out our photo essay of another gorgeous Greek Island, Paros.

Find the ‘quirky’

The perfect photo doesn’t always capture the essence of a place. Sure, get the iconic shot that you can proudly display to family and friends, but keep your eyes peeled for other potential pictures to shoot. Whether it’s some colourful flowers, or freshly-caught octopus hanging out to dry, take the time to explore your surroundings and appreciate all the details around you.

Take your time to find the quaint and memorable

Despite following all of this advice, you may luck out and get less than ideal conditions. Sadly for us, the sunset we had staked out had a lot of cloud cover, so we didn’t get that bright, fiery sky of oranges, pinks and purples that I was hoping for. Nevertheless, part of the process is not just to capture the perfect photo, but collect the memories along the way. We got to meet other travellers, get lost through the streets of Oía and fall in love with this picturesque island, something that sometimes even the most perfect photo can’t create.

Santorini offers plenty of pretty photo opportunities

The Travel Bra Review: An Essential for Active Travellers

by Kim-Ling | Jul 27, 2016 | Reviews, Tips and Tricks

The Travel Bra Review: An Essential for Active Travellers

UPDATE: The folks at Travel Bra HQ have released a new range of travel bras and I’ve added details on the Beach Travel Bra below.

We are beginning our packing list for our upcoming trip to Bali (yay!) and one must-pack item is the travel underwear from The Travel Bra company. I don’t know about you, but I am always a little nervous on where to keep my passport, cards and cash when travelling overseas. I mean, unless you are an overweight man in his 60’s and rocking the shorts-sandles-and-socks combo, you really can’t get away with wearing a money belt (and even then, the jury is likely to rule guilty in the fashion crime stakes!). So thankfully, there is an answer in the form of a travel bra and travel trunks, to keep your valuables close to, well, your valuables.

Background

Anthropologist, Dr Annie Holden, had the wonderful job of travelling around the world to remote places. Like many travellers, carrying cash and passports on person at all times was a necessity, but she was put off the idea of a money belt, which draws the unwanted attention of potential thieves. So she did something about it. She worked with one of Australia’s top lingerie designers to create The Travel Bra – a comfy, sporty bra that also has bonus pockets to store the essentials, literally close to your heart.

The Travel Bra, made from organic cotton and bamboo, was such a success that the range has expanded to now include men’s trunks, knickers, wash bags and variations on the travel bra (the Beach Travel bra is my favourite!).

We recently were given the opportunity to road test the underwear, during local and international travels, and here’s what we thought:

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The Travel Bra
(Kim-Ling)

Initial thoughts? I have super dry skin, so the cotton bamboo fabric is wonderful and soft. The hidden pockets are great to hold cash and keys, and the passport pocket also conveniently holds my phone perfectly!

How comfortable were they? As a follower of the ‘activewear’ movement, I’ve worn my fair share of sports bras during travels, as I find them much comfier than normal bras (underwire bras on a long flight? I don’t think so!). That being said, I couldn’t fault this bra on the comfort. It provided comfort and support, without having invasive underwire, clasps or labels digging in. I even played tennis in it, and the only bouncing going on was from all of the missed serves! The fabric is really soft and light, and the mesh panelling on the back is super breathable and managed to keep me sweat-free through all of my adventures!

Keep cool with the mesh back

What are the special features? The passport pocket doubles as a perfect phone pocket! At first I was a little hesitant that my phone would be too big or heavy to sit in there, but the stretch, strength and quality of the fabric is great! All of the built-in pockets would be ideal during travels – sneaky pick-pockets would have a tricky time getting to the valuables hidden in the bra. This is also the ideal bra to wear during active ventures, when you don’t want to carry too much on you.

Store your keys and cash in the pockets

Final thoughts? This is not a ‘sexy’ bra by any means. But it is super comfy and the convenience of the pockets and breathable material make it perfect for travelling. I’ve loved wearing the Travel Bra during our mini-getaways and every-day activities, but am really looking forward to taking it overseas. It’s the perfect bra to wear on flights, not just for comfort, but also for convenience, in having your passport on you when you need it. I also plan to wear it when doing some nature walks in Bali.

Special pocket for cards…

Store your passport in the pull-down pocket

NEW! The Beach Travel Bra

The Travel Bra company have also released a new range of travel bras, including the Beach Travel Bra. This is one of my go-to’s for summer, as it can double as a bright and funky outer-wear crop top with the colourful material perfect to show off (once I get my beach body, of course!).

The drop-down pocket can hold a passport or phone

It’s not quite as lightweight or stretchy as the Original Travel Bra, however the material is still quite comfy and the cross-over straps feel secure without feeling constrained. Like the original travel bra, the beach travel bra has the essential pockets for your passport (or in my case, my phone), cards, keys and cash. There is also a nice addition of a lip gloss pocket in the Beach Travel Bra.

Stylish criss-cross straps on the Beach Travel Bra

The Travel Trunks
(Guy)

What did you wear? I trialled the Travel Trunks while on a trip to Thailand and during 10+ hours of flying.

Initial thoughts? There were a couple of things that I loved straight away about these trunks. Firstly, they were extremely comfortable, felt good on the old ‘privates’ and had a good amount of stretch to them so they never felt like they were bunching up at all. Secondly, they were solidly made of good quality fabrics and able to breathe in the heat of Thailand’s hot and humid summers. And that’s no easy feat!

How comfortable were they? Like pillows. Seriously, the bamboo fabric is light and breathable and never irritated or rubbed against my skin.

Did you use the pockets? I didn’t really use the passport pocket or the money holder too much, other than a trial run while packing at home. While it was a little bulky sitting on my thigh, it wasn’t uncomfortable and would certainly make it very difficult for any thrifty fingered pickpocket out there!

Final thoughts? I enjoyed wearing these trunks a lot as they did exactly what they said they would. I was surprised how well they performed in the 35+ degree humid temperatures of Bangkok and Thailand, in fact they stood up to the heat much better than I did!

If you are an active traveller, or even just a fan of active wear with additional features, the underwear from The Travel Bra range is just for you! We both liked the range so much that we joined their affiliate program! Check out their full range at The Travel Bra.

Cheap Hacks for Your Next London Trip

by Kim-Ling | Apr 26, 2016 | London, Tips and Tricks

London is a desirable destination for many. However, as desirable as the Big Smoke may be, it is no secret that it is an expensive destination. But it doesn’t have to be. With the right knowledge and insider info, London can be enjoyed on a budget. (more…)

How to Book a Cruise Holiday on a Budget

by Guy | Apr 21, 2016 | Tips and Tricks, Travel

Many years ago now, we dusted off the old sea legs and set sail upon the open seas. That’s right, we spent almost a week cruising around the South Pacific aboard a luxury liner. Cruises are a fantastic option for travellers on a budget, and ones who enjoy a range of options and entertainment, right at their doorstep. They offer everything from breathtaking destinations, to on-board shows and entertainment and even buffet breakfasts on the deck. Cruises are the height of luxury travel, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t sample the high life if you need to be conservative in your spending. So in this post, we are going to give you some tips and tricks for booking a cruise holiday with a budget in mind. (more…)

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