After 6 months spent in Australasia we felt we should throw together a top 10 of the best things we had the chance to see/do while there. Take a look:

10. Elephants, Thailand

Riding on top of Nelly is a great experience and quite smelly too. We visited an elephant sanctuary in Chang Mai in Northern Thailand for a day and spent a few hours feeding, training, walking and washing the elephants. Yes it’s a typical touristy experience but good fun none the less!

9. Queenstown, New Zealand

Hard to put into words the town of Queenstown. It’s just so much fun. We spent a total of 5 days there and every day was full of activities and then topped off in the night with partying. You can literally do any activity you would want: skydiving, bungee, zorbing, Frisbee golf and many more. A few nights here is a must. 

8. Tubing, Laos

Not as crazy as it used to be, tubing is still worth a day out in Laos. After the government cracked down on tubing due to a number of deaths 5 years ago, the industry kind of died until recent times when a number of bars were allowed to reopen along the river. The tubing there now is a lot safer but still great fun.

7. Full Moon Party, Thailand

Yes it’s a little mainstream, but still great craic none the less. Everyone has to try it once. Each full moon the beach is crammed with thousands of people supping away on their buckets and dancing the night away. Just a word of warning, watch your bags!

6. Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

One of those places you see on postcards, the Cameron Highlands is located in the midlands of Malaysia and is the primary location for tea production in the country. We spent 6 hours hiking through the numerous tea plantations before finishing off with a nice cup of Barry’s, I mean Malaysian tea. Delish!

5. Angkor Watt, Cambodia

A trip to this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must. Once amongst the ruins, you get a feel for how much work the lads would have had to out in back in the day to build the place. A tuk tuk tour around the site is very cheap, so the trip is not too difficult for the laziest of people. You can also visited the temple that featured in numerous Tomb Raider scenes.

4. Bagan, Myanmar

Still quite off the beaten track for many travellers in South East Asia, Bagan is a gem. Outside the town there are about 1000 Pagodas (temples) that dot the landscape. We spent sunrise amongst them and then rented bicycles to visit as many as possible during the day. Get there before it becomes saturated by tourists.

3. Skydiving, New Zealand

Yes it is possible to do skydiving anywhere in the world, but New Zealand is possibly one of the most picturesque places to do so. We skydived in Taupo which gave an amazing view of the lake as we hurtled through the air. Quick tip: wear 2 pairs of underwear.

2. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

One of the most beautiful places we saw in all of South East Asia. We joined a party crew of 60 travellers and spent 2 nights travelling around the numerous islands. On the final night we set up camp on the Castaway Island and partook in kayaking and tubing around the bay before partying the night away in the middle of nowhere. Great place!

1. Whitsundays, Australia

Without doubt 3 of the best days we spent while travelling. We spent 2 nights aboard the Broomstick along with 20 others people in their mid-twenties and got to see not only the beautiful Whitsunday Islands, but also snorkelled with turtles and fish and also drank goon until the early hours each night! What’s not to love!

Honorary mention: Sihanoukville (Sinville), Cambodia

Best party place in South East Asia. We spent 10 nights there with very little sleep and far too much One Direction music for even a 14 year old girl to stomach!

Over the past few months while I’ve been travelling the world, a number of friends have contacted me asking how it is possible to travel for year without a steady income. Questions have varied from, “Am I a secret millionaire?” to “Am I pimping my body out at night?”. And the answer is a no to all…well apart from the latter for which I received no payment whatsoever.  

The truth is that travelling the world on a budget IS possible. All that is needed is some careful planning and changes to your lifestyle. Here are my 10 tips for getting up off your backside, hitting the road and making your money stretch as far as possible.

Plain and simple: you have to save as much cash as you possibly can while in gainful employment. And it’s not always pretty. Saving your arse off means cutting excess in your personal life and this is something that not everyone can do. Cut material possessions out of your life as much as possible. People value your stories and experiences way more than your new iPhone 5S or Louis Vuitton bag.

While working and saving to travel I lived with my father for a year which greatly helped saving cash. Obviously not everyone wants to live with a parent for a variety of reasons, but if you really want to travel cuts have to be made where possible. 

Once you have enough cash to go, quit your job or if you are lucky enough take work leave (I suppose that depends if you like your job or not). I was quite nervous about handing in my notice, but once it was done it was a huge weight off the shoulders. Yes there were a few moments of cold feet, but you just have to tell yourself that if you don’t do it now, you never will and then will be in the same job for the next 40 years.

Seems quite a simple idea but it works. From the beginning I decided I would try and visit countries that were considerably cheaper than Europe, with the obvious exception of Australia and New Zealand which absolutely smashed my bank account.

But it makes sense. Your money goes a lot further. Places like Central America, South America and Asia offer you a lot more bang for your buck. And from personal experience they have an awful lot more to offer in terms of sights and activities than more developed countries where the price of living is 3+ times the rate.

Cooking for yourself in hostels saves tons of money. Obviously many countries have their speciality dishes which you must try, but this can’t be done on a daily basis unless in super cheap countries. Buying your food at the local supermarket for the coming few days leaves you with much more disposable income to spend on the fun things.

I learned this the hard way. I was all the way down to Brazil before it became obvious that I could no longer eat out as it was eating (excuse the pun) into my daily budget. But once I began cooking, it left me with a lot more spare cash. Where possible, try and split food and cooking duties as this cuts costs significantly. 

Although not always great for your health, fast food can also be a cheap alternative if you do want to eat out…just do so in moderation! 

Stuffy, cramped and bags strewn all over the floor. That’s not why everyone loves hostel dorms…it’s because they are cheap. Do your research before moving to a new town on Hostelworld so that you make the right choice and get the best value for money. Always make sure it has the key B.I.K included in the price: Breakfast, Internet and Kitchen. These 3 will ensure you are not wasting more cash during your stay.

Although not ideal living conditions, dorms can also be the most fun part of your trip. It’s where you meet the majority of your fellow travellers and you can even make little forts if you are lucky enough to have a bottom bunk. Just bring the ear plugs for the usual 3am drunks stumbling in and trying to get it jiggy with it on the top bunk while 11 other people listen on in fear for their lives. 

Working in hostels along your journey can be a great way to get free accommodation and maybe also make some money on the way. Most hostels do require a minimum stay of 2 weeks, which could be a problem if you have a tight timescale for travelling, but it’s the best way to stay for free in the middle of a city. 

While travelling I worked in an Irish hostel/bar with the lads in Bolivia and we had accommodation and food free for the length of our stay, not to mention the odd drink or 4 at the bar. In one week of staying in La Paz I spent €30 in total, which is pretty insane for the amount of partying we did. We also even busked singing One Direction for the day in New Zealand and made $20!

Volunteering is also a great thing to do while on the road. There are lots of charities that you can contact through your hostel who are always looking for people to help out. This doesn’t necessarily save you money but makes you feel good while getting to know the local community.

I volunteered with a local charity called My Small Help in Peru helping a family raise much needed funds for their daughter who is wheelchair bound. Going to their family home on a daily basis were some of the most memorable days of travelling as a whole.  

This doesn’t apply to everyone, but if English is your first language an excellent way to make some money on the road can be to teach English to locals. All you need is a TEFL certificate which you can get at any accredited institution or even online. Bring your laptop with you to help with class plans and material.

I taught English on a few occasions with the guys during our journey while staying with some friends in South America.  It was a way of giving something back to them for giving an insight into their country and culture. It also gave me the chance to show how great Ireland is. And now even a few of them have gone to study there. 

Possibly the most important part of travelling the world is watching what you spend. With no income on a regular basis you can’t just splash the cash, unless you want to be heading home in the near future. A few tips I have picked up over the past year are:

 a.       Budget Daily:

Try to take note of everything you spend. Obviously this can be hard sometimes if you go partying but try guess as best you can. Giving yourself a daily budget and documenting what you spend greatly helps. It’s not just about curbing your spending, but sometimes when you spend next to nothing, you won’t feel bad for splurging on other days.

 b.      Birthdays/Christmas

These are the perfect times of the year to kindly ask for donations in the form of cheque or cash to the Travelling Around The World Association.

 c.       Use your debit/credit card

It’s the safest way to travel by far as you are never carrying too much cash. Check with your bank if there is any way you can avoid bank withdrawal fees abroad. For example, when I loaded cash onto my credit card and then withdrew I was never charged a withdrawal fee thus saving a nice bit of money on the way. 

 d.      Pre-drink in hostels

Gone are the days of drinking in bars for the evening I’m afraid. That means doing some pre-gaming in hostels before heading out. And sure that’s where the best craic is anyway! Also never bring out your bank card on a night out…ever.

 e.      Don’t get involved in group tabs

Pretty simple but effective. In some countries it is common to buy bottles of spirits for the table, but try avoiding this in the politest way possible as you will just end up stumping a huge bill. Stick to your own beer.

 f.        Listen to other travellers experiences

One of the best ways of not getting ripped off is listening to fellow travellers experiences. They can recommend hostels, tours operators and places to visit and also give a roundabout price that you should expect to pay, which helps greatly when you arrive in a new city. 

“Use” might be seem like a bit of a harsh word but it’s what you should do while travelling. After all that’s what friends are there for, to help you out. So open up your diary or Facebook and get in contact with that Brazilian girl you talked with for 7 minutes at a nightclub 6 years ago in Dublin. Maybe she has a spare couch! You can always return the favour in the future.

I was lucky to have a number of friends dotted around the globe who were fantastic and generously lent me and the lads a place to crash along the journey which obviously saved a bit of money. It also gives you the chance to meet some real locals and get out of the hostel lifestyle for a few days at least.

Couchsurfing is an excellent resource to use when travelling. You can find a place to crash in virtually any city in the world and again gives you a great chance to meet locals and experience a new culture first hand. A word of warning, especially to girls: do as much research as possible before you go to a stranger’s house. Read reviews and do a bit of snooping on Facebook to see if the person is genuine or a complete serial killer. 

Most people imagine that when you travel the world every day is hectic from morning until night, but the reality is somewhat different. For all the amazing days and experiences there are also many days off, doing very little in order to save money for the other events. These are the days that not many people write about, but they are essential when travelling.

I found that these days can also be some of the most enjoyable of all. They give you the chance to lounge around all day, chatting to new and interesting people with not a care in the world. These are the days you will remember when you are working behind a desk for the next 40 years, so appreciate them.

Having spent the past 6 months travelling around Latin America we decided to throw together a top 10 list of the best experiences we had while on the road. Given that LatAm has so much to offer it was hard to whittle it down to just 10,  so threw in an extra 5 for good measure. Here it goes:

15. Xochimilco
      Mexico City, Mexico

A sunny day at Xochimilco is a must when visiting Mexico City. The Mexican version of Venice, it offers you the chance to float around some not so clean canals and have as much beer as you want. Just be extra careful not to go over the edge when hoping between boats in search of a good party.

14. Sand boarding
      Ica, Peru

Just 4 hours from Lima, Ica is a small town located beside Huacachina, where you can go sand boarding on the dunes in the area. Not only is the boarding itself good craic but the dune buggy ride across the sand is incredible and quite reasonably priced too.

13. Baños 
      Ecuador

Baños is the adventure capital of Ecuador. Here you can find anything for an adrenaline rush, bungee jumping for as little as $20 and various water activities such as rafting and canyoning. Here we went rafting, relaxed in the thermal pools and organised our whale watching trip a few days later. It is also the location of the world’s scariest swing.

12. Tayrona National Park Trek
       Santa Marta, Colombia

Tayrona National Park is a beautiful secluded park located just an hour from Santa Marta. After an initial 3 hour trek through the forest you arrive on a deserted beach and walk until you reach one of the 2 camp sites. From there you can rent hammocks for the night. After an evening swim you just chill and watch the stars without a light in sight. In bed by 9!

11. Boca Juniors game
      Buenos Aires, Argentina

We’ve all heard about the passion displayed by the infamous Boca Juniors fans, but to witness it first hand is truly a spectacle. Tickets can be hard to come by, but if you use one of the reputable travel agencies in the city you can get your hands on some from about $70. Make sure to wear the local colours!

10. Ipanema Beach 
      Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Saturday, Tower 9, Ipanema Beach. Words can’t do the place justice. 1000’s of people line the sand drinking and playing football until the sun goes down. Get a six pack in and enjoy the view…of the sea I mean.

9. Christ The Redeemer
     Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

One of the highlights of the South American leg of our trip, the big man sits high above Rio and offers amazing views of the city. Be sure to go up on a clear day as it can be cloudy some days limiting views. Be ready for swarms of crowds though and everyone trying to get their own cheesy arms open pic. We got lucky in terms of the weather and had a bird’s eye view of Rio and also had a few words with big JC himself!

8. Chichen Itza
    Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

The most famous landmark of the Mayan era, Chichen Itza is one of the 7 world wonders and it’s easy to see why. You can spend hours wandering around the enclosure and learn a thing or two from the guides about Mayan rituals. Just leg it before he asks for a tip. 

7. Wine tasting and steak
    Mendoza, Argentina

You always hear so many things about Argentinian wine and steak that you believe it all can’t be true…but believe us it is! We were never fans of the vino, but after 2 days tours in the Mendoza vineyards we were converted. When you arrive you can rent bikes and cycle around the town visiting vineyards and sampling their famous Malbec. Afterwards, once back in downtown Mendoza you can go for a local steak for as little as $7 which will be the best of your life. 

6. Iguazzu Falls
    Foz do Iguazu, Brazil

Please give yourself more than 40 minutes to see this amazing sight, something which we didn’t do. An unbelievably impressive waterfall, Iguazzu can be seen from both the Brazilian and Argentinian side, with both arguing theirs is better. Bring some waterproof clothes!

5. Jungle Tour
    Rurrenabaque, Bolivia

Catered for almost any tourist, i.e. Not too exerting, the jungle tour in Bolivia is a great experience and gets you up close to alligators, piranhas, pink dolphins and anacondas (if you’re lucky). The coffin like plane journey into the jungle is also an experience!

4. Salt Flats
    Uyuni, Bolivia

Like no other place on the world, the Salt flats left us a bit speechless. You can choose between a 1 day trip or a 3 day round trip. We went for the one day which is definitely advisable as you see it all and even get enough time to do some of those famous jumping photos.

3. Death Road
    La Paz, Bolivia

One of the biggest adrenaline rushes of the trip so far. Not for the faint hearted or bad cyclists as you head down the most dangerous road in the world at whatever pace you like. Once we built a bit of confidence up we were 3 Stephen Roches bombing it down until the celebratory beer at the end. Some of the views along the way were unreal and dodging the oncoming traffic a constant challenge. If you can get by this cycling around town should be no bother!

2. Volcano climbing
    Pucon, Chile

Not advisable to do if you have had a few beers the night before…or maybe so if you like a challenge like us. The climb lasts about 6 hours and brought out the Cliff-hanger in all of us. As much a mental exercise as physical, the beer at the top was extra sweet. Once finished, you can slide all the way down for 1 hour which was unbelievable.

1. Machu Picchu Trek
    Cusco, Peru

A pretty obvious choice here. Not much can compare with the 3 day trek. It included mountainous cycle, railroad trekking, zip-lining and relaxing in thermic pools before we even made it to Aguascalientes near Machu Picchu. Rising at 4am on the day of the ascent, the 1 hour trek up in the dark was tough and seriously sweaty but once there, the sight of the ancient sight was reward enough…and the ham sandwiches too. We spent about 7 hours roaming around the ruins before heading back down and back to Cusco. A must do for anyone in South America!

Honorary mention:

Loki Mancora, Peru

Without doubt the best hostel we stayed in in South America. It’s a huge complex with a pool, bar and many sports activities. Not to mention it is located right beside the beach. The parties there were some of the best of our lives.