Relaxing at West Makarora in South Island New Zealand

Travelling By Private Jet? Here’s What You Should Know

Five Facts To Know About Traveling By Private Jet

The experience of flying by private jet is one that each person should experience at least one time in their lives.

Whether you are heading to a wedding with family, visiting a new city with a group of friends, or attending a last minute conference with your boss, you may be travelling by private jet in the coming hours or days. This can easily be sorted. As well as the usual likes of AirAsia, RyanAir, Wizzair etc, local sites like Jettly can help organise a private jet.

Below are five facts you should know about flying on a private plane, compared to travelling commercially.

Relaxing at West Makarora in South Island New Zealand
Travelling By Private Jet? Here’s What You Should Know

Choosing the Ideal Airport

A significant advantage of flying by private jet is not having to go through the rush at security and the boarding terminals when flying commercial. When you are taking a private flight, you have the chance to avoid that chaos and enjoy a smooth and timely trip.

Ensure you are picking the correct airport for your flight, as you do not want to end up with your flight delayed by a few hours. If you are flying during a busy season, and it is a local flight, you may want to choose a smaller airport in or around your city.

London is an excellent example, as Heathrow Airport can be very hectic during certain times of the year. Trying to fly by private jet from Heathrow is not a clever idea, especially when there are a few smaller airports within driving distance of central London.

Choosing the correct airport

Be Attentive When Booking

If you are making a private jet booking for the first time, pay attention to all the relevant details in the booking document, as the fine print can contain a lot of details about amenities, added costs and responsibilities. 

Perhaps you require Wi-Fi on your flight, so you can remain connected to your work. Such information should be present in the booking document. Get confirmation from the private jet company before you book.

The capacity of the plane is another important factor to consider. If you are travelling with a larger group, do not assume everyone can squeeze onto the plane. The pilot may have to turn down some passengers if you go over the capacity limit, so know about that before you book your private jet.

Arrive On Time

A major difference between flying a private jet and commercially is that you do not need to arrive two or three hours before the departure time. You are not going to spend hours going through security or waiting for the plane to arrive at your gate, so you can board. 

Do ensure that everyone in your party is there on time, as the pilot will not be happy about waiting for people to arrive before he can get the plane off the ground. You may be charged additional airport fees if your plane does not take off from its position on the tarmac at the allotted time.

If you live a significant distance away from the airport, you may want to book a private car to drive you on time. Make the booking one or two days in advance, mention the time as 10 minutes before you plan to leave the house, and try to be out the door on time.

Flying With Pets Requires Paperwork

Spending ten minutes on social media sites like Instagram often reveals pictures of celebrities and influencers flying on private jets with their pets. You may assume that taking your dog or cat on an aeroplane is a casual occurrence that does not require any prior planning. 

Anyone hoping to fly with a pet must receive prior approval from the private jet company. You must complete the relevant paperwork before boarding, otherwise your pet may not be allowed on the flight. That applies to both domestic and international travel.

Make Meal Requests In Advance

Flying by private jet means that you are expecting a luxurious and personalized experience during the entire journey. Travellers typically want plenty of refreshments, snacks and food available on the plane, so everyone is comfortable. That is especially true for flights that are longer than one or two hours.

If there is anyone in your group who has a specific dietary request, you must inform the private jet company at least one or two days in advance. Expecting an entirely vegan meal two hours before you take off is unrealistic and is likely to go unfulfilled.

A bit of planning can go a long way in this respect. By writing up a list of any meal request and other amenities a couple of days before your flight, you can make a timely request to the private jet company. The best operations will do everything to comply with your request and ensure you have a wonderful experience flying by private jet.

Enjoy the Moment

Flying is often stressful, whether you are going via a commercial plane or private jet. By planning every element of the trip in advance, you can have a calm and serene experience during your upcoming flight.

The experience of sitting in a private jet is one that everyone should get to enjoy one or two times in their life. If the opportunity is presenting itself to you, the tips above will help you complete the booking and enjoy your trip.

So long as you make the booking in advance, inform the company of any demands, and book through a reputable private jet company or agency, you should have a seamless experience when flying on a private plane in the United Kingdom or other parts of Europe.

‘Fuel Your Road Trip’ Initiative Launches in Iowa

Restrictions are easing throughout the United States as the nation starts to recover and rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. Many states are fully open, with others very close to achieving that goal.

Iowa is one of the states that lifted restrictions fairly early. Now the state is working hard to encourage people to visit and spend their money within its borders.

One of the new initiatives to come out of Iowa is the ‘Fuel Your Road Trip’ campaign. The guide below explains this initiative and the other perks of traveling to Iowa in the summer and fall months.

‘Fuel Your Road Trip’ Initiative Launches in Iowa
‘Fuel Your Road Trip’ Initiative Launches in Iowa

Fuel Your Road Trip Initiative

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a slump in tourism in almost every part of the United States in the past 12 to 18 months. Iowa is not unique in experiencing a slowdown in their economy, as a result of fewer people coming in from out of the state.

One of the ways the government is attempting to correct the issue is through the use of its ‘Fuel Your Road Trip’ initiative. The plan involves the Iowa Tourism Office giving away $25 gift cards to anyone who plans a road trip using their ‘Build a Trip’ tool.

Prospective visitors can go onto the Traveliowa.com website and use the tool to claim their gift card. The process is very straightforward and does not take very long. The gift card will be applicable within the state, which gives you a further incentive to go ahead with your trip.

‘Fuel Your Road Trip’ Initiative Launches in Iowa
‘Fuel Your Road Trip’ Initiative Launches in Iowa

Gift Card Prize

Aside from giving away a modest gift card to everyone who wants to visit the state, Iowa is also giving away a $200 gift card to one lucky person each week, until August 31st. 

Everyone who receives a $25 gift card is automatically in the running to win the $200 gift card as well. As travelers plan their summer moves and consider Iowa as a possible destination, such a financial incentive may work in the state’s favor.

Iowa State Park Passport

One of the main reasons to visit Iowa is the state’s abundance of state parks and other natural habitats. If you are planning a road trip to see one or more of the Iowa state parks, you should sign up for the Iowa State Park Passport online.

The passport is the best way for you to earn discounts, rewards and other perks as you make your way throughout the state. Up to 1,000 people can win an Iowa State Park Passport shirt, while others win activity trackers, boating and camping accessories, and other perks.

Some grand prizes for the coming months include a camping tent, paddleboard, hammock, Yeti cooler and a $500 gift card to Bass Pro Shops.

If you are planning to hit most of the state parks in Iowa, you may want to plan your road trip accordingly. Try to visit the parks in the order you pass by them on the road, as that allows you to drive through the state with minimal delays.

Not only do you get to experience the wonders of nature, but the Iowa government is offering so many exciting prizes to summer travelers.

‘Fuel Your Road Trip’ Initiative Launches in Iowa
Backpacking in Iowa, USA

Tourism in Iowa

If you plan to spend most of your trip outdoors experiencing nature, you may want to take on some indoor fun. There are some wonderful casinos and Iowa Sport betting locations that you can visit.

The state is home to several casinos that are open throughout the year. Visit the websites of these casinos to assess whether they are the right fit with your interests and style.

Even if you cannot make it to a physical casino in Iowa, you can play online games while you are commuting during your road trip. When it is not your turn to drive, you can play a quick game of blackjack or poker.

Those who do wish to visit physical casinos should try to find one close to other night spots. Ensure your casino is close to a quality restaurant and bar, as you may wish to dine in style before you spend some of your savings at blackjack, poker, roulette or craps tables.

Enjoy The Hawkeye State

Anyone who is passing through the Hawkeye State must spend some time at a state park. Three of the most popular state parks in Iowa are the Dolliver Memorial State Park, Lake Darling State Park and the Backbone State Park.

These parks are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and casual summer tourists alike. Whether you are planning an intense, multi-hour hike or wish to spend a few days camping, you can pick between some of the best state parks in the nation.

Iowa is the perfect place to bring the entire family, as there is plenty for everyone to do. Even if you have children, they can have plenty of fun jet skiing or paddle boating at a state park.

Make the Most of Your Iowa Trip

The state of Iowa is open for business following the lifting of nearly every COVID-19 restriction. If you travel to the state, you are set to experience American life in an authentic and pleasurable way.

Follow all the necessary steps to claim your ‘Fuel Your Road Trip’ and Iowa State Park Passport prizes. Not only do you get to experience the natural beauty and charm of Iowa, but you are in line to win valuable prizes and gift cards as well.

Even if you plan a solitary road trip for summer 2021, an adventure to Iowa should be high on your list.

 

Getting ill in Burundi

When You Should Consider Purchasing Travel Insurance

With an increasing number of people looking forward to travel after being locked down for so long, the awareness of the importance of travel insurance has been rising with that desire. In fact, a survey reported by LinkedIn at the beginning of the year revealed that 90 percent of respondents planned to travel in 2021 and more than half said this time they’d be more likely to buy travel insurance for their trips. 

When You Should Consider Purchasing Travel Insurance

Many learned the hard way by losing significant amounts of money during the COVID-19 pandemic that most travel insurance policies didn’t provide coverage for a situation like the coronavirus unless it was a cancel-for-any-reason policy. That was the only type that offered at least some coverage until recently with more insurers introducing policies to address cancellations and interruptions.

Things You Need to Know Before Traveling During COVID-19
When You Should Consider Purchasing Travel Insurance

With some types of insurance, it’s a no-brainer. Moving into one of the Washington DC apartments? You need renter’s insurance. Buying a new car? You probably can’t drive it off the lot without insurance coverage. But when is it a good idea to purchase travel insurance? After all, it’s not required. Of course, if you’re spending thousands of dollars on airfare, accommodation, and other expenses, that’s a big financial commitment. It makes sense to buy travel insurance as it can help offset losses when the unexpected happens. 

There are many scenarios that can occur where having travel insurance will definitely pay off, including these. 

Weather

It’s not just a pandemic that can cancel flights. Remember the volcanic eruption in Iceland that spewed so much ash that thousands of passengers had their flights cancelled in 2011? And then there are the frequently increasing tropical storms and hurricanes, tornadoes, and even wildfires to consider too. If you have travel insurance and weather gets in the way it will cover delays and cancelations. Should a flight be canceled while you’re at an airport, you’ll be able to book a hotel through your insurance rather than spending your days and nights waiting near the gate. 

When You Should Consider Purchasing Travel Insurance

Medical Emergencies

Many medical insurance policies don’t cover costs incurred outside of the country which makes travel insurance a must when traveling internationally. If an accident happens and you don’t have it, you could find yourself in a situation where you need to pay tens of thousands or dollars for services without being able to fly back home quickly. Some countries now require proof of insurance that covers medical costs in order to enter, including coverage for ambulance services, tests, doctors, and other related expenses. 

yellow fever certificate - travel essential
My Yellow Fever Certificate – also known as International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis Against Yellow Fever

Becoming Ill or Injured Before Traveling or During Your Trip

If you develop an illness or become injured just before you’re expected to depart, travel insurance can cover the cost to cancel or re-book. Should something serious happen during your trip and you need to end it early to get home as soon as possible, your travel insurance can help with that too. 

Getting ill in Burundi
Getting ill in Burundi

Lost or Stolen Items

If your luggage is lost, damaged, or stolen during your trip, a travel insurance policy that includes luggage coverage will reimburse you. Some also cover delays so that you can pay for items you need to buy while waiting for your luggage, like toiletries and clothing. If you lose your passport or it gets stolen, it can be a huge headache in a foreign country but as long as you have travel insurance, your insurer will at least reimburse the loss and related expenses. 

Backpacking in Canada: How to Tour Toronto in Style

Backpacking in Canada: How to Tour Toronto in Style

Toronto is a beautiful city and a widely known tourist paradise. Why so? You may ask. Toronto is known for its wonderful destinations and iconic landmarks. A place you will enjoy visiting as you make beautiful memories to cherish.

Backpacking in Canada: How to Tour Toronto in Style
Backpacking in Canada: How to Tour Toronto in Style

If you happen to visit Toronto, an ideal home to live at is necessary. Furnished apartments Toronto offer comfortable and affordable living solutions. These are ideal for those on vacation, relocation, temporary housing, or even medical stays.

Toronto has a lot to give from its diverse cultures, fine dining cuisines, and fast transport routes. There are well-recognized landmarks to assist you in navigating through the city. The different sites to visit and explore make the stay quite outstanding. There are several perks that one enjoys when visiting the city of Toronto.

Backpacking in Canada: How to Tour Toronto in Style
Backpacking in Canada: How to Tour Toronto in Style

There are several places of interest to visit while in Toronto. To enjoy a tasty meal, Toronto has amongst the best restaurants with exquisite dishes. An adventurer could prefer visiting museums and galleries to appreciate the history and culture. In addition, there are sightseeing tours by either bus or cruise. This gives a guide on where to start your tour from.

It is essential to be prepared to be able to enjoy your tour in Toronto. You should compare the prices of various tour services to get the best deal. Know how to get quick and easy travel purchases with flexibility.

Toronto has a lot to experience, and these are only some of the aspects that will improve your stay:

Backpacking in Canada: How to Tour Toronto in Style
Backpacking in Canada: How to Tour Toronto in Style

Thriving Arts community

Toronto has a huge array of a neighbourhood filled with inspiration for travellers who enjoy a serene and niche environment. Delsuite apartments are surrounded by organic supermarkets, bookstores, shopping malls, open-air galleries, and theaters. The venues are quite intimate to those who like to be away from the hustle of the city.

Backpacking in Canada: How to Tour Toronto in Style
Backpacking in Canada: How to Tour Toronto in Style

Easy Transport Access

If you enjoy the city life, there are plenty of hotels and apartments that have easy access to the transport system. The highways are easy to navigate as they can be as little as a walk away. Availability to access the subway station is beneficial, which means people can move around the town freely.

jonny blair backpacking in canada toronto
Backpacking in Canada: How to Tour Toronto in Style

Global Cuisine

The cuisine at Toronto is diverse as it hosts a variety of restaurants, each of which offers many different delicacies.

Known to have two Little Italy’s and three China Towns, it gives insight into the diverse food that is available in the city. Its high acclaimed restaurants will take your taste buds on a delightful taste tour.

Burger, Mount Zion Hotel
Backpacking in Canada: How to Tour Toronto in Style

Access to health facilities

Although you may not expect to need use of health facilities while visiting Toronto, it is always best to be prepared. In case of any emergency, you may want to think about the ease of access to nearby hospitals’ such as the Toronto Grace and Mt. Sinai.

Amazing city views

If you are a lover of amazing cityscape views, a visit to the main attractions will do you good. The skyscrapers, like the CN tower, give an awesome view. You can even enjoy a meal or a drink overlooking the city.

Glory Days Loyal: 2007 All Blog Posts
CN Tower, Toronto, Canada

Getting Back Out There and Enjoying Yourself Again After Lockdown

Having to adapt to life inside during lockdown has meant sacrificing many of the things that you enjoy doing. While this has likely been an incredibly difficult adjustment to make, over time, you get used to these strange circumstances, and when the time comes for you to be able to do all of your favorite things again, it can be difficult to know where to begin – having so much choice after having none can be overwhelming.

Getting Back Out There and Enjoying Yourself Again After Lockdown

So, the question is, where do you begin? While that’s something that very much depends on your preferences, you might decide that you want to start small and work your way back up to more socially heavy activities, depending on how comfortable you feel throwing yourself right back into the world after a long period of quieter living.

Jump Into the Deep End

It might be that you don’t want to transition back into the bigger activities gradually. You might know exactly what you want to do after lockdown, and you may have known for a while. Having been unable to do any of these things that you enjoy so much might have only increased your urge to jump back into those large social events. If so, it’s all about finding what’s open, what’s available, and what’s near you.

First of all, though, you have to decide on what your preference is. You might have been thinking more about visiting the pubs with your friends, in which case it’s just about getting them on board and heading to wherever you like. Alternatively, you might have wanted to go a bit more high key, such as a sporting event. In this case, you might find it worth your time to research some of the more popular sporting events around you to figure out which ones you would enjoy watching the most.

Getting Back Out There and Enjoying Yourself Again After Lockdown

Taking More Day Trips

Your first step might be quite a difficult one to take if you don’t know where to begin; you might be wondering just how small you should start. It’s up to you, but something that you might find appealing is the idea of taking day trips to places that are further afield than you were able to travel previously. Not only does this provide you with an opportunity to change up your environment and see places that are radically different from your current surroundings, but it’s a gentle transition back into the world around you. You might even discover this to be a hobby that you take more interest in from this moment on.

Seeing all these different places can also provide you with a good opportunity to scope out further post-lockdown pastimes, exploring your alternative options by seeing new locations and venues, and mentally bookmarking the ones that you plan on coming back to later. Another benefit to day trips is that they have the advantage of being relatively low-cost compared to other, more long-term activities that you might be tempted by. The number of new places and experiences that you can see for the same cost might be something that tides you over.

Getting Back Out There and Enjoying Yourself Again After Lockdown
I Went To Gdansk With Somebody, by Jonny Blair

18 Months In One Country: Where Next?

“Keep on chasing down that rainbow. You never know what you might find” – Noel Gallagher.

18 Months In One Country: Where Next?

When August 1st hits me, I will have spent 18 months in one country. It is the longest time I have spent in one country in my adult life. The previous holder of that claim was Australia, where I stayed from October 2009 to October 2010 without leaving.

“I want to fly and run till it hurts; sleep for a while and speak no words, in Australia” – Nicky Wire.

Living in a land down under

This record, was broken, clearly misaided by COVID19, Coronavirus, the Chinese Virus or whatever tongueless ghost of sin crept through those curtains. I didn’t see it coming. The question is, where will I go next, countrywise? Outside of Poland of course. San Escobar can be backpacked within these borders and I might well get my passport stamped there next.

Backpacking in San Escobar: Visiting A Country Invented by Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Witold Waszczykowski
Backpacking in San Escobar: Visiting A Country Invented by Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Witold Waszczykowski

During the crisis of the last 18 months, I had time to think about life and reflect on my wacaday journey. Three of my long awaited printed books have already been released on that. More will follow.

Backpacking Centurion – A Northern Irishman’s Journey Through 100 Countries. This is a series that follows my early days of growing up in Northern Ireland right up to my 35th birthday and the day I landed in Tunisia, country 100.

Volume 1 – Don’t Look Back In Bangor
Volume 2 – Lands Down Under
Volume 3 – Taints And Honours

Backpacking Centurion in 2015: Original Chapter Completion Before Splission and Title Changes
The Backpacking Centurion Hat-Trick ( Trilogy/ Trójmiasto / Tri-City ) Is Now CompleteBackpacking Centurion in 2015: Original Chapter Completion Before Splission and Title Changes

After that, as a sneak preview I have these books ready to fire intill a cannon.

Volume 4 – The Black Volume (the stories that missed the cut/too dark for Volumes 1,2,3)
ChampIAN STEWARTnova (Following the Northern Ireland football team 1980 – 2009)
I Went To Gdańsk With Somebody (How a Northern Irishman ended up in Poland)

After The Century – Volumes 1 and 2 (this will track my journey from my 100th country up to now)

I Went To Gdansk With Somebody, by Jonny Blair
I Went To Gdansk With Somebody, by Jonny Blair

I also decided that if and when travelling becomes easier again, post pandemic, I will do my best to avoid repeat countries. Time is short. Most of the countries I have already been to, I don’t want or need to return to them. Time will be better spent with family, real friends and backpacking new countries.

Things You Need to Know Before Traveling During COVID-19
Everybody Went Mask Loyal During COVID-19

Of course, repeats will still be smuggled in. I’ll revisit England, Northern Ireland and Poland for sure.

Not Backpacking Anywhere But Poland: I Broke My Adult Record of Time In ONE Country
Not Backpacking Anywhere But Poland: I Broke My Adult Record of Time In ONE Country

I once had a dream to visit every province in China. That dream has gone. I no longer want to do that. I visited mainland China 20 times, Hong Kong more times, Macau twice and Taiwan just once. Tibet is still on my list of course, but I don’t recognise it as China. So I’ll leave it there. I visited 13 provinces of China. I have many stories and memories from those days, but I have no desire to return there now, just to “tick off” the final 16 provinces.

My days backpacking China have been. And gone.

Also, when I looked at all the continents of the world, I was able to tell that some of them, I won’t actually need to return to, unless I must. Those are North America, Central America and South America, but the mainland only. I haven’t been to much of the Caribbean, nor Easter Island or Galapagos Islands. So I am sure I will want to return to the Caribbean and Chile and Ecuador. However in these continents, I don’t have many unvisited FIFA countries (not real countries).

In Ciudad Mitad Del Mundo in Ecuador with Yvette my excellent tour guide.

The Middle East – Without doubt my trip to Saudi Arabia was one of the most inspiring. I remember trying to read about flights home in arabic and it was something like airlines ( الخطوط ) but I got there in the end and even spent a few days in Oman on that trip. I still have a plethora of stories from Saudi Arabia unwritten. We toured a lot of places there, from Jeddah to Riyad to Hail to Taif!

Working in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

After the trip to Saudi Arabia, I realised that officially I have only still to visit Yemen and Syria in that region. Although as I personally count Gaza Strip and Southern Iraq as separate, there might be more Arabic charms to come. I spent a month in Iran before and I have had 5 trips to Istanbul including a three week Turkey overland adventure. On that trip, we flew into the Bul (Istanbul) and we overlanded to Ankara then down through Goreme and Cappadoccia on route to Adana. I’ve passed through Istanbul a few times, including a great stay at the Green Park Merter Five Star Hotel, so if you cannot understand something simple like Hotels in Istanbul (الفنادق في اسطنبول ) then there’s always a local guide to help you.

Backpacking in Jeddah

Then there is Asia, where realistically I only have Palau, Tibet, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives still to visit. With all these restrictions this is becoming harder. Despite loving most of Asia, I have no overwhelming desire to return to most of those countries now. Russia would be an exception as I’d love to see Siberia, Irkutsk, Lake Baikal and the Republic of Buryati which has the biggest Lenin head in the world.

Lenin and I whackpacking in Bishkek

Europe is not as difficult for me to travel in and indeed only a few real countries remain unbackpacked – Isle of Man, Albania, Gagauzia and Abkhazia are a few I someone skipped so far. But I’m not too worried about being able to backpack them all eventually.

moscow russia backpacking
Lenin’s Mausoleum in Moscow, Russia.

The toughest nutcracker in my tourism jigsaw will of course be Africa. There are many huge countries there that I have never even stepped in. Some glaring omissions include Nigeria, Central African Republic, Burkina Faso and Cameroon. Roger Milla loyal and hopefully I’ll make it to Yaounde sometime when this madness all boils over.

Backpacking in Cotonou, Benin

Micronations might well be the future for tourism as they are easier to backpack and with less restrictions. Often no COVID certificate or proof of vaccinations is needed in such countries.

When the sun goes down on your town, or on my town, be sure not to think about those nasty ones who ruined your life.

“Whisper words of wisdom. Let it be. Let it be” – Lennon / McCartney.

I'll be blogging about my Pacific Ocean trip

Simple Ways of Making Money As You Travel

Travelling can be expensive, so it’s only natural that you’ll want to generate some extra money as you move around. This money can allow you to purchase souvenirs and even enjoy extra experiences on your trip. In this guide, we’ll look at some creative ways of generating extra funds as you travel.

I'll be blogging about my Pacific Ocean trip
Simple Ways of Making Money As You Travel

Playing Skill-Based Online Casino Games

Online casinos can be accessed in most countries in the world, and they provide an excellent method of earning extra money as you travel. You will be able to find some of the most reputable gambling sites at https://www.onlinecasinocanucks.com. When choosing online casino games, you should consider playing variants that rely more on skill since they will allow you to control the outcome. Also, you should find games where you will be playing against other customers. With such variants, you will have an opportunity to enjoy consistent wins since the odds will not be against you. However, you can still play RTP games as they can give you excellent profits every now and then. Furthermore, they are quite interesting to play. It is important to play at licensed and reputable gambling sites since these have to pay out winning promptly and must offer fair games.

Teach a Language

Languages such as English and French are widely spoken around the world, and that means there will always be a large market of language students wherever you travel. Such students would enjoy learning the language from a native speaker. It is possible to teach a language as a freelancer, but for more guaranteed income, you can join institutions in your host country. When applying for teaching positions, it would help if you have the right certificates.

jonny blair teaching english in hong kong
Teaching English is a common and easy job to fall into when you’re travelling the world.

Rent Out Your Car and House

As you travel, you will likely let your vehicle and house sit idly. If you want to rent out your house for the duration of your trip, you can use services such as Airbnb. You should note that you may have to hire a manager of the property, especially if you intend to travel for lengthy periods. There are also different car-sharing services available, and these usually cover any damages your car may get. When renting out your vehicle, you should insist on doing background checks, and ideally, your can should not be given to elderly or very young renters.

Freelance Writing

Freelance writing is one of the best ways of making money as you travel. If you are experienced, you should be able to make good money while working only a few hours a day. You should make use of resources such as LinkedIn to find high-paying clients, but for the short term, don’t hesitate to work for lower amounts. As you build your skill, you will be able to negotiate better rates.

Travel writing in Negombo, Sri Lanka
Travel writing in Negombo, Sri Lanka

Conclusion

Travelling will cost you money, so you should welcome all money-making opportunities. Most travellers rely on different streams of income as they move around, and the money adds up to a sizeable amount at the end of the day. With the income-generating options listed above, you should be able to get enough travelling money. Make sure you research each tip thoroughly before trying it out.

How To Buy Backpacking Centurion – Volume 3 – Taints And Honours on Amazon

How To Buy Backpacking Centurion – Volume 3 – Taints And Honours on Amazon

How To Buy Backpacking Centurion – Volume 3 – Taints And Honours on Amazon

How To Buy Backpacking Centurion – Volume 3 – Lands Down Under on Amazon. My ongoing Backpacking Centurion Series is being released in four volumes. Three are available now and the fourth volume (The Black Volume) will take a bit longer, Volume 1 has been out since June 2020, Volume 2 has been available in the USA, Canada and Poland since 27th December 2020. From 11th February 2021, Volume 2 was available globally to order. Volume 3 has been available globally now since June 2021. You can order it on Amazon here –

https://www.amazon.com/Backpacking-Centurion-Northern-Irishmans-Countries/dp/1098365615/

Volume 1 was an introduction to my journeys, it feels like the kid’s play. Volume 2 is when the big time travels started to dominate my life. Volume 3 is the clincher and the wacaday beast in the pack. This is when travel became hardcore and I homed in on country 100.

How To Buy Backpacking Centurion – Volume 3 – Taints And Honours on Amazon
How To Buy Backpacking Centurion – Volume 3 – Taints And Honours on Amazon

About the book, “Taints and Honours”

“His taints and honours waged equal with him” – William Shakespeare.

“Taints and Honours” finally completes Jonny Blair’s “Backpacking Centurion” hat-trick. It’s not quite your James Hayter hat-trick in 2 minutes 20 seconds. Nor will it match Robert Lewandowski’s 5 goals in 9 minutes. But it’s a dream closer. I mean, it closes the dream. It completes a milestone.

The journey sauntered on. And on. And now, this long-awaited trilogy is complete and it is here in print as Jonny homes in on 100 countries. Will he make it without any mishaps? That’s unlikely, as this has always been a story of lows and highs. Volume 3 is no different.

Volume 1’s “Don’t Look Back in Bangor” began in the seaside town of Bangor in Northern Ireland and tracked Jonny’s childhood and early travel days. Teenage misdemeanours were shared without shame. Entwined profoundly with a love of love, and of travel, and of football of course.

Volume 2’s “Lands Down Under” was a more mature volume, which saw Jonny start to backpack more intensely as he relocated to Australia and then Hong Kong. This volume, with its William Shakespeare-inspired title, “Taints and Honours” is the clincher. The final triumphant descent to becoming a “Backpacking Centurion”.

This volume starts off on a magical night in Jordan with the realisation that Jonny has lived away from his Northern Irish homeland for ten years. With this, comes an insatiable desire to ensure that this dream doesn’t need to end. The next four months are bunged with hardcore backpacking through the Caucauses and the Middle East. We’re getting closer.
What follows next is a World Cup in Brazil, a soul destroying moment in Bucharest, vintage nudity in Finland, a few “20 year reunions” and the final countdown to the century.

We have a fire festival in El Salvador, a visit to Saddam Hussein’s “House of Horrors” in Iraq, some visits to countries that don’t exist and a reunion with the GAWA. All that comes before an important flight to Tunisia.

Don’t expect roses, champagne or works of fire. Be ready for trauma, distress, anguish and all that tends towards a true whackpacking madliness.

In the words of Neil Finn, “Don’t Dream It’s Over”.
Jonny certainly won’t.

Volume 3 – Taints and Honours

Chapter 74 – A Decade Away (September 26th 2013)
Chapter 75 – O Little Town of Bethlehem (October 2013)
Chapter 76 – This; A Visit to Stalin’s Town (October 2013)
Chapter 77 – How Not Till Get Out Of Nagorno Karabakh (October – November 2013)
Chapter 78 – City Of Love (November 2013)
Chapter 79 – Turkish Delights (November 2013)
Chapter 80 – A Month In Iran (December 2013)
Chapter 81– Iraq No Phobia (December 2013 – January 2014)
Chapter 82 – Some Alarms And Some Surprises, Please (January 2014)
Chapter 83 – Nicky Barmby (2004 – Ongoing)
Chapter 84 – I’m in Brazil, I’m Northern Irish (June 2014)
Chapter 85 – Remote And Out Of Control (June 2014)
Chapter 86 – Sloth Island (June 2014)
Chapter 87 – The World Cup Final Isn’t Played On Glass (July 2014)
Chapter 88 – Hiking Tajumulco, Central America’s Highest Peak (August 2014)
Chapter 89 – Firefight (August 2014)
Chapter 90 – Staying In The World’s Most Dangerous City (September 2014)
Chapter 91 – Whose Wine Is It Hemingway? (September 2014)
Chapter 92 – Andorra’s Box (October 2014)
Chapter 93 – The Figure Of Eight (October 2014)
Chapter 94 – Elation To Constipation To Victoria Station (October 2014)
Chapter 95 – Cushy Kishinev (November 2014)
Chapter 96 – Lenin Glad, Wacaday and Back (packing) in the USSR (November 2014)
Chapter 97 – PND Minus Her Name (15th November 2014, 21:38 in the evening)
Chapter 98 – Veliko Tarnovo (December 2014)
Chapter 99 – Poddy’s Day (December 2014)
Chapter 100 – Paddy’s Night (Not To Be Confused With Saint Patrick’s Night!) (December 2014)
Chapter 101 – Where Iain “Iain Dowie” Dowie Dowie-d (January 2015)
Chapter 102 – Suomi Sauna (January 2015)
Chapter 103 – Angel’s Home (5th February 2015)
Chapter 104 – Roadrunner Toothbrush (October 2000)
Chapter 105 – Title Track (October 2004)
Chapter 106 – Tommy Cassidy And The Sundance Kid (Time Immemorial)
Chapter 107 – Countries That Didn’t Get Chapters
Chapter 108 – Fjord Fiesta (February 2015)
Chapter 109 – Backpacking Centurion (27th March 2015)

About the Author

Jonny Blair is a Northern Irish travel writer based in Poland. Jonny was born in Newtownards in 1980 and grew up in Bangor in Northern Ireland. Since leaving his hometown in 2003, Jonny has travelled far and wide, detailing his journeys on his one man travel blog, Don’t Stop Living. Jonny has visited over 180 countries across all seven continents including Iran, Ethiopia, Andorra, China and Suriname. Jonny has also travelled to some lesser known places such as the Republic of Uzupis, Podjistan, Nauru, Kugelmugel, Sark, Antarctica, Nagorno Karabakh, Iraqi Kurdistan and The Empire of Austenasia. As well as working as a freelance writer, editor, teacher and copywriter, Jonny has also worked in bars, hotels and restaurants as well as on ferries, in farms, in schools and in offices. Jonny writes every day in some capacity and is also a poet and a football fanzine editor. Aside from travel, Jonny is a passionate football supporter of Glentoran FC, AFC Bournemouth, Klub Pilkarski Starogard and Northern Ireland. Jonny aims to inspire other people to get out there and see the world with their own two eyes.

Product details

  • Paperback: 300 pages
  • Publisher: BookBaby (June 25, 2021)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10:
  • ISBN-13:
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds