Off-Beat Couple's Travel Blog
“What should I pack?” is one of the most common questions we get asked. And while we’ve written a bunch of very specific packing guides for everything from cold weather to the beach, we have yet to create a big ol’ chunky ultimate travel packing list. So we’re finally laying out all of our favorite must-have travel items, from travel gear to camera gear to the equipment we bring with us to work on the road – everything a full-time travel blogger (or just like, regular traveler) needs!
I’ve spent years searching for the perfect pairs of travel pants. What I’ve found is that every pair of men’s travel pants falls into two categories: there are baggy pants with cargo pockets & unnecessary zippers, and there are baggy pants covered in like, elephants. But at last, I’ve found 5 pairs of men’s travel pants that are EXACTLY what I wanted. They’re functional, technical, and not hideous – and I’ve put them through the ringer to test them out. These are the only 5 pairs of men’s travel pants you’ll need!
Some people are born to be on the beach. They return from their beach vacation with sun-kissed skin, positively glowing with beachy bliss. I envy those people. While they’re happily soaking up the sun, I’m busy being burned to a crisp, inhaling mouthfuls of sand, swallowing salt water, and trying to get sand un-stuck from places that sand should never, ever be. And it doesn’t help that shopping for swimsuits as a size 16, almost 6-foot tall Amazonian woman is an exercise in torture and frustration. So you can rest assured that every single item on this beach vacation packing list has been thoroughly vetted to the HIGHEST possible standards. I have absolutely no patience for anything that causes chafing, leaves a weird greasy residue, or leaves me feeling hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable. This ultimate curvy girl’s beach vacation packing list is the practical, body positive packing guide you need to hit the beach this summer!
Finding the perfect pair of women’s travel pants is no easy feat. But finding a pair of travel pants that are both functional AND cute? How about functional, cute, AND sized to fit on my tall, curvy Amazonian body? HA! Forget about it. How dare I have such unreasonable expectations?! But guess what: After trying on, returning, trying on again, and field-testing like crazy, I’ve found 5 absolutely amazing pairs of travel pants for women. They’ve changed my packing game, and I’m about to change
Bali, Indonesia: land of white sandy beaches, glittering temples, cute but evil monkeys, lush green jungles, and active volcanoes. It’s no wonder that Bali tops the bucket lists of everyone who’s ever watched Eat Pray Love (or casually browsed through Instagram for 5 seconds). We were enchanted by the whole island of Bali during our 2 week trip! Although we tend to be terribly accident prone and make lots of dumb mistakes during our travels, our trip to Bali was nearly disaster-free – I mean, we did crash a motorbike one time, but that’s it. So we’ve got tons of great advice to pass along! In our essential Bali packing list, we’re including 43 essential things you need to bring stay cool, comfortable, and healthy (and eco-friendly) whether you’re hostel hopping or staying in Bali’s beautiful bungalows and villas.
Years ago, when I was a Walt Disney World Cast Member, I didn’t think about what I threw into my bag on my way to the parks. I would just hop on a bus and go have lunch in Epcot or grab a Mickey Bar. Like it was routine. Like it was NORMAL. Oh, how I miss those days! Now that I’m a regular shmuck again, packing for Disney is a STRUGGLE. It’s like packing for a marathon combined with packing for a costume party combined with packing for a camping trip. But with the right packing strategy, you can feel comfortable all day long and save money on unnecessary purchases in the parks! Here’s everything you need to know about the essential gear to bring, what NOT to pack, & budget-friendly Disney packing tips!
![[INDIGENOUS PEOPLES] On the last day of our trip to Montana, our hosts @glaciermt plied us with wine and invited us to share ways that Montana surprised us. As I reflected, I realized that my trip to Montana was eye-opening in a way I never expected.
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I was anticipating beautiful vistas and jagged mountains and rolling hills and bison and ranches and connecting with the great outdoors. (I maybe wasn't expecting the enormous variety of huckleberry foods available on any given menu in Montana - a pleasant surprise!)
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What I wasn't expecting was to be hit squarely between the eyes with the realization that I am sorely and shamefully underinformed about Indigenous Peoples in my own country. Montana has several large reservations, including the Crow Nation and the Blackfeet Nation, which we drove right through on our road trip. And I was like, wait... why don't I know ANYTHING about these communities? Why do I keep catching myself thinking of First Americans in the past tense rather than the current tense?
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I mean, I like to think of myself as a fairly aware and conscientious traveler. When I visit a new country, I do research on its history and its Indigenous peoples. I can list off several Indigenous communities and languages still thriving in various parts of South America; I can tell you about my homestay with a Sámi family in Arctic Norway. So why do I have such a blind spot when it comes to my own country?
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Like, I couldn't tell you a single thing about the Indigenous communities in my own backyard. I don't even know if we have reservations here in California. I honestly don't. Actually, I just googled it. We have 109 tribal communities in California. (I couldn't name a single one of them.) California actually has the highest Native American population in the country. (I had NO idea. Did you?)
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Well, my ignorance is going to change. I'm currently compiling resources to educate myself further on Native Americans, past & present. I'd love any educational recommendations you all have, or Tribal tourism experiences!
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It's hard to admit my own ignorance, but I'd wager a few y'all may not have stopped to think about it either. So ...have you? (No judgment!)](http://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/a0f35beeab5e5539a40955f2319d8a12/5E3E693E/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c0.135.1080.1080a/s640x640/70468237_390308615226544_6446725078598077981_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=104 "[INDIGENOUS PEOPLES] On the last day of our trip to Montana, our hosts @glaciermt plied us with wine and invited us to share ways that Montana surprised us. As I reflected, I realized that my trip to Montana was eye-opening in a way I never expected.
.
I was anticipating beautiful vistas and jagged mountains and rolling hills and bison and ranches and connecting with the great outdoors. (I maybe wasn't expecting the enormous variety of huckleberry foods available on any given menu in Montana - a pleasant surprise!)
.
What I wasn't expecting was to be hit squarely between the eyes with the realization that I am sorely and shamefully underinformed about Indigenous Peoples in my own country. Montana has several large reservations, including the Crow Nation and the Blackfeet Nation, which we drove right through on our road trip. And I was like, wait... why don't I know ANYTHING about these communities? Why do I keep catching myself thinking of First Americans in the past tense rather than the current tense?
.
I mean, I like to think of myself as a fairly aware and conscientious traveler. When I visit a new country, I do research on its history and its Indigenous peoples. I can list off several Indigenous communities and languages still thriving in various parts of South America; I can tell you about my homestay with a Sámi family in Arctic Norway. So why do I have such a blind spot when it comes to my own country?
.
Like, I couldn't tell you a single thing about the Indigenous communities in my own backyard. I don't even know if we have reservations here in California. I honestly don't. Actually, I just googled it. We have 109 tribal communities in California. (I couldn't name a single one of them.) California actually has the highest Native American population in the country. (I had NO idea. Did you?)
.
Well, my ignorance is going to change. I'm currently compiling resources to educate myself further on Native Americans, past & present. I'd love any educational recommendations you all have, or Tribal tourism experiences!
.
It's hard to admit my own ignorance, but I'd wager a few y'all may not have stopped to think about it either. So ...have you? (No judgment!)")
