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  1. Used to get sunshine at least 36o during long summer days, yet some people keeps nagging about it. You’re just too happy it didn’t reach at 40 o  HAHAHA..
  2. Employees in Dubai who gets a minimum and below minimum monthly salary used to live in one bedroom apartment with at least 6-person to divide the high cost of living expenses "literally bed-space"
  3. Getting a job offer in Dubai and the rest of Middle East countries is good enough. A tax free salary, 30day holiday per year with free plane tickets, health insurance, housing, transportation, food allowance as list goes on. (on this coming 2018 middle east countries will impose VAT,)
  4. Islamic Holiday are subject to moon sightings and may differ from the date given. You're not sure when you should book a flight during holidays, if you plan to visit other country.
  5. Seeing any kind of normal luxury cars without customization's does not impress you anymore. If it’s not gold plated then it doesn’t deserve a second look.
  6. You'll have to drive hours just to purchase alcoholic drinks as it is not being sold in any supermarkets.
  7. Don't be confused. Dubai weekend is Friday – Saturday. 
  8. Air conditioning is anywhere in Dubai, example Bus Stop. (Even fish market is now fully air-conditioned)
  9. Dubai is home to over two hundred nationalities.
  10. If it is 2-Star Hotel in Dubai, expect the service and facilities is the same with 4-Star Hotel that you won’t get any from the rest of the world.
  11. Easy to get a car than to obtain a driver license.
  12. You’ll be surprised that water is more expensive than Gasoline.
  13. Drainage is never common, heavy rain can drown Dubai just for an hour.
  14. Travelling is just too easy with Dubai’s location being near to Asia, Europe, Africa and Americas.
  15. You’ll get confused when you only get actual address of your destination without landmarks you won’t find that place.

One of the best part of travel is that I learn something about myself. From experiences, travel changed me in so many ways that I never have expected. They says that "the best life lessons can be learnt a few hundred miles away from your comfort zone." which is actually true! 

Here's my some of those self discovery;

Travelling pushes me out of my comfort zone 
Fear of unknown and being alone is most the challenging part to a place to explore, discovering cultures, trying to speak new languages, eat a new kind of food that you don't get to taste everyday. I learn to adapt new ways of dealing with different situations, I discover more about who am I and what I like. 

Makes me Social Skills
Meet local people and other travelers. Learn new "approach" ways to start talking to strangers. 

Travelling makes me confident
Navigating unknown territories, conquered fears especially when you're in restricted places. Shared table with strangers.

Makes me more Patient
I am not by nature a patient person, but there's a lot of waiting involved when traveling sometimes flight get delayed and long queue from the airport. We must practice patience when we are trying to communicate in a foreign country otherwise you won't get what you are after. 

Teaches me to Manage Finance better
I always consider budget airlines to save money on flights and search for basic and decent enough accommodation. Take the best route to see all major attractions by means of walking to spend less of transportation.

Living with less
Prioritize the basic needs and leave the rest behind. This teaches me that life can be lived a lot more simply.

Teaches me new perspective in life
seeing of how other cultures interacts made me think where I came from. Things that I took for granted put me into new perspective, which makes me more appreciate my roots. 

Travel teaches me to value more memories 
Life is such a wonderful gift as I travel I become overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciate beautiful moments or even the worst one. Remember there's no more throwbacks in life and, it is better to say "I'm glad I did" than "I wish I had". 


When we had the idea to travel the world Jimson and I have had this kind of fearful feeling that we would never be financially able to travel the world unless we won a huge prize from lottery.

Right before arranging flight ticket overseas, first thing we do is to check how much the total estimated expenses per country for a certain days of stay by then we can start the so called “Savings” for travel. Ironically there were times that we couldn’t save as much as we wanted, pointing out our "Wants" in life is something hard to give up! 

Since we’re on for a super saving mission to fund our travels and a lot of adjustments must be done.
We stopped coffee dates though we love spending most of our free time in cafes and, Yup! Jimson and I don't mind if we get to pay 20dirhams(5usd) for just a cup of coffee. So we convinced ourselves to buy every month a one box of Nescafe 3in1 (comes with 24pcs of sachet) instant coffee for only 17dirhams.

We stoped buying food take-out instead we remind ourselves to don't be too lazy to make home cooked meal and tried to lessen more often to dine at fancy places instead of satisfying our cravings. We stopped going to movie theater instead we would just wait for a day/week or month and stream it.

Use Public Transportation since Dubai metro and bus transportation is very efficient so I guess no need to own a private vehicle. From our own experience getting a UAE driver license was extremely expensive I cannot put into words how much money we spent only to get driver license. Supposedly the payment for buying the car, petrol, parking, car insurance and maintenance. We could have saved a lot from that money!

We stopped buying new clothes there's nothing wrong with the old ones anyway! It could be more helpful if you're going to sell your old clothes and save for travels. Apparently, we segregated one box full of old clothes and we're planning to sell them all in due time.

We also stopped upgrading gadgets like cellphones, computers and cameras. Cut-off your mobile plan we started using wifi only and, as much as possible we don't want to recharge our cell phone at least once a month just to avoid to make any phone calls nor sms. Lessen buying magazines and books mostly we relied on the internet for new knowledge and ideas.

We should never spend too much money on things that we didn’t really need. We should start learning to travel smarter, learn how to save money on flights and spend less in expensive locations.

So guys, always keep in mind “planning leads to progress”!

I been dreaming to travel around the world when I started to watch discovery channel during my grades school. After I graduated from high school I even asked my mother, if I can enroll Management of Tourism and pursue to become a flight attendant which I believe that is the easiest way to fly and see from one country to another, but for some reasons I never got moms approval. However, I know I'm still on the right track because I had traveled nearly as much as I have now.

Thought it might be great also to share with you my twenty places to travel before my thirty’s. Hopefully, at least I can travel half of my lists though its really hard for me to save more money for the reason that I had to support my parents back home plus I still have my own expenses. But let's see soon if I can make it, who knows, right?
1.Cambodia
Angkor Wat undoubtedly the most unique religious architecture in the world and it is the best preserved temple in the 12th century, one of the top place to visit in Asia. Make sure that you guys must not to missed to watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat, otherwise you may ended up regretful same as I did during my trip. --Traveled last August 2016.  

2. India (@ctto)
Taj Mahal known as the jewel of Muslim art in  India and it was designated as a UNESCO world Heritage Site in 1983. I have been eyeing to see this next year and definitely this is one of my 2017 travel list.

3. China (@ctto)
One of the extraordinary sights in the world Great Wall of China, it was built on different area from different states or dynasties to defend territorial borders. 

4. Japan (@ctto)
There are no excuses and no one can stop me to go to see the Land of the Rising Sun. I’m such a big fan of this country from anime’s, food, natural scenery, historic towns, cityscapes, Castle, Shrines, Temples, almost everything! Surely I’ll visit this place soonest and I can’t wait for next year!

5. Myanmar (@ctto)
Mainly reason why I’d like to travel over Myanmar because of the Bagan Temple an archaeological zone with thousands of pagodas. Hoping someday I'll get the chance to walk freely around and interact with the locals.

6. Maldives (@ctto)
One of the world's leading honeymoon destinations this paradise is extremely beautiful yet expensive. I wanna urge Jimson to take me here before its too late, as there current predictions that sea level may rise and Maldives can disappear.

7. Morocco (@ctto)
Marrakech a combination of old and new Morocco, imagining the bustling souqs, spice markets and stunning mosques. In the future I'd like to spend my days wandering the huge maze of souks and ruins in the medina. 

8. Egypt (@ctto)
9. Israel (@ctto)
Egypt and Israel won't be out of my list to travel the world and how I wish I could travel here with my grandma, mom and dad. Growing up with a catholic faith I have such a nice feeling about this place, the context of the bible will come alive in immeasurable ways (well you know what I mean if you read both old and new testament). How could you afford to say NO not to see this historical place? I am very sure if anyone get the chance to tour the Holy land it could not only mean to enlighten your understanding of scriptures but also to touch your heart.

10. Turkey (@ctto)
Cappadocia very unique moon-like landscape, underground cities, cave churches and houses carved in the rocks. Hope to experience one of my magical mornings here.

11. Peru (@ctto)
Machu Picchu one of the great UNESCO World Heritage, traveling around the world wont complete without seeing this! Okay, I warned myself to save more because this can be a very expensive trips. 

12. Russia (@ctto)
One night I dreamed about this iconic St. Basil's Cathedral and as long as I remember.. I'm assuring my self that I wasn't dreaming LOL because I'm having a wonderful city tour around the most magnificent Moscow landmarks including the red square. HAHAHA

13. France (@ctto)
How can you not love to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris? It happens to be one of my favorite country I won't settle with just seeing eiffel tower from the distance. I'd like to explore it closely as much as possible whenever I get the chance.

14. Italy (@ctto)
Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan, Pisa, Capri, Sorrento, Positano.. ahh! name it Itay is absolutely beautiful. I can spend my one month yearly vacay here!!

15.Prague (@ctto)
The gothic Charles Bridge and Church of St. Nicholas, for me I think this is one of the most beautiful place in Europe

16. Austria (@ctto)
Hallstatt probably the most picturesque village, houses reflects the glassy water of the lake and towering mountains on all sides. 
17. Greece (@ctto)
Santorini this drop dead gorgeous place is on my bucket list, as I would like to experience and enjoy the breathtaking 360 degree view of Aegean Sea.

18. Iceland (@ctto)
Northern lights definitely I'll be satisfy with my travels if I get the chance to witness the heavenly made stunning lights.

19. Kenya (@ctto)
Wildlife safari is something about life changing experience that I must not to missed.

20. United Kingdom (@ctto)
London is a real world city, --wait if your talking with Royalty, famous buildings, museums, galleries, fancy places? Nah! you got it here. 

That's it! Nineteen countries is a long way down and I promise to update this blog as soon as I visit each places. I'd like to hear from you also, whats your top twenty countries to visit before your 30s?

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SealedSuitcase

SealedSuitcase
Hi! I'm Jessica. A Filipina expat in Dubai. A full time surviving worker!

20 Places to Travel Before 30s

20 Places to Travel Before 30s

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Travel Tips

How travel makes you a better person

How travel makes you a better person
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