Planning – BIG tiny World Travel

The Ultimate Etosha National Park Wildlife Viewing Guide

Posted on October 10, 2019October 9, 2019 by Brianna Shade in Namibia, Planning

When we first checked in at the Andersson Gate at the south end of Etosha National Park, the guard thought he misheard when we told him we were planning to camp in the park for six nights. While much longer than their average visitors (who tend to only spend 3-4 days in the park), we had the luxury of time on our hands. With that time, we were fortunate enough to discover all the best places in the park to spot the wide variety of wildlife.

And now, we can share that knowledge with you. Which animals do you most want to find in the park?

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How Does it Feel to Travel the World?

Posted on June 20, 2019September 20, 2019 by Brianna Shade in Planning

We’ve finally made it!! Welcome to Day 1! We’ve been planning this trip for about three years now, and it’s always been something “out there” in the future. Now it’s here.

It’s been a whirlwind of emotions for us, especially over the past month. This is what it really feels like to completely uproot your life and take the leap into the unknown.

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5 Tips for Mastering Couchsurfing

Posted on June 13, 2019September 20, 2019 by Aaron Shade in Budget Travel, Planning

Couchsurfing.com is a website platform for connecting a global community of travelers, facilitating stays with locals or opening your home to visitors. Sometimes hosts can offer a private room and bathroom; sometimes it’s literally nothing more than a couch upon which to crash for a night. It is also a place to organize events in cities around the world.

We have used this platform to host eight amazing travelers, and we have also been hosted once abroad in Norway. All of the people we met through this platform were incredible. They all came from different walks of life, and they shared their own travel stories and cultural experiences with us (like teaching us how to drink like a Russian!).

We are the type of hosts who like to treat our guests to local Portland activities, hikes, and even trips to the coast. We enjoy meeting new people, and every experience is completely unlike the last. There are many reasons to love this platform.

Over our many hostings and stays, we’ve learned a lot. Here are five tips for mastering Couchsurfing.

russian-drinking-2 — Essentials for enjoying an evening drinking with a Russian

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I Just Quit My Life – As I’ve Known It

Posted on May 2, 2019September 20, 2019 by Brianna Shade in Planning

I’ve grown up accepting that the 9 to 5 is just how things are done. I never imagined that there could be another option. Sure, there’s the entrepreneurial track, but that’s just a different role in the same machine.

But times have changed, and there are completely new paths available. I have taken the leap, and I am leaving behind everything I’ve ever known.

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How to Book Campsites in Namibia National Parks

Posted on April 25, 2019September 20, 2019 by Aaron Shade in Namibia, Planning

Booking campsites in Namibia was a bit of a process, especially when you want to be inside their National Parks. The process was a little frustrating, and we want to save you from having to go through the same hassle we did. There are several steps involved in getting exactly what you want when booking your accommodations. Let’s get started!

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Essential Travel Gear for a Year Abroad

Posted on April 4, 2019September 20, 2019 by Brianna Shade in Planning

Aaron and I love to travel (clearly). With so many trips to places near and far, we’re no strangers to packing bags. However, packing for a one- or two-week vacation is vastly different than preparing for a year or more overseas. We can no longer think in terms of packing enough to get us through every day of the trip; we have to focus instead on what we really need and what we’re willing to carry on our backs for fourteen months.

We’re three months from departure, and we’ve finally gotten these details mostly figured out. Read on to see what you should include for a long-term trip.

Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase anything through these links, we receive a small commission at no cost to you. This helps us travel and continue to produce content on this site, so click away!

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Puffy clouds floating by our airplane's wing | BIG tiny World Travel

Long-Term Travel: Booking the First Flight

Posted on March 28, 2019September 20, 2019 by Aaron Shade in Africa, Planning

While leaving our jobs was terrifying enough, the thought of booking our first flight was equally, if not more scary. After much deliberation, we chose our starting point: South Africa. Now we just have to get there!

We have been looking at various flight options over the last several months, and have finally found the best option. By weighing flight times, baggage rules, and cost we are about to pull the trigger. This was our thought process before arriving at the final booking. With this first step, it will really feel real!

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How I Dispelled the Fear of Travel

Posted on March 21, 2019September 20, 2019 by Aaron Shade in Planning, Stories

Much of the news media focuses on the worst possible things that happen everywhere. I know this well as there are people outside of the USA that are afraid of America because of all the mass shootings. In America we have similar fears about places like Mexico, Colombia, or even anywhere in Africa. Because of the media, I am also guilty of having some of these fears. And the only way to conquer fear is by doing what scares you.

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Countdown to Takeoff: 3 Months Out

Posted on March 14, 2019September 20, 2019 by Brianna Shade in Planning

We’re now only three months away from our big departure – eek! Things are truly starting to get real around here, though it hasn’t entirely sunk in. Here are the latest developments, where we’re at, and what we still have left to do.

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Top 6 Worldwide Photo Ops to Anticipate

Posted on February 7, 2019September 20, 2019 by Brianna Shade in Photography, Planning

As most of you know by now, I am a photographer. (If you want to see more of my travel landscape photography, feel free to check it out over at www.lotsasmilesphoto.com.) I love nothing more than a breathtaking scene and I get giddy immortalizing it and its associated memories in pixels. In fact, while I can’t wait to experience some worldwide history and culture, while I long to stand atop some world-renowned trails, and while I’m an incurable foodie, I am most looking forward to the photography opportunities. There’s so much to see; how could I not?

Here are the top items on my photo op bucket list.
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