Where in the Atlantic Ocean can a traveller find one destination which meets the needs of a scuba diver, surfer, wind surfer, hiker and mountain biker, while offering sunny skies, a mild climate and annual rainfall of less than 11 inches?

Well, the rainfall part rules Cornwall out, so I’m left with Cape Verde – one of the most charming, diverse and undiscovered archipelagos of the western hemisphere.

Cape Verde

Situated 570km off the coast of West Africa, the island nation of Cape Verde is a playground for the thrill-seeking traveller; whether you’re looking to take adventurous treks up active volcanoes, or ride the peeling waves of the choppy ocean waters in a thrilling Point Break re-enactment.

The horseshoe-shaped cluster of islands – Sal, São Vincente, São Nicolão, Boa Vista, Maio, Santiago, Fogo, Brava and the uninhabited Santa Luzia – offer ample opportunities to discover Mother Nature’s finest work, but my visit wouldn’t have been complete without trying some of the island’s most popular extreme activities.

Snorkelling/Scuba Diving

I started my adventures with an activity which I believed would involve the least effort – snorkelling. This might be true for the snorkelling expert but as a novice it took a little more effort than previously thought. After a lot of mask-fogging, breath-holding, and over-enthusiastic splashing, I began to master the techniques which allowed me to explore the crystal clear waters of this underwater world.

The island of Sal offers breathtaking aquatic scenery comparable to the Caribbean Sea, with sparkling sapphire waters teeming with diverse marine species, from loggerhead turtles aimlessly drifting, to colourful triggerfish darting in and out of the dark crevices of an underwater reef.

Sal is a scuba diver’s paradise with an abundance of diving sites including canyons, arches, lava rock ridges, caves, and volcanic boulders. Those keen to explore the island’s marine ecosystem won’t be disappointed as shoals of tropical fish splash colour through the crystal clear waters, and manta rays glide gracefully beneath the ocean’s surface.

Watersports

Surfing conditions in Cape Verde are pumping and Ponta Preta on Sal Island offers one of the best breaks in the world. The pristine white sand beach is an added bonus and after checking out the size of the waves, I opted to stay on dry land, leaving the carving and shredding to the pros.

Santa Maria on the south of Sal Island has smaller beach breaks for less experienced surfers and Palmeria in the north-west of the island is a fantastic spot if you’re looking for beautiful uncrowded beaches. One way to preserve your energy while reaching the some of the best point breaks is to hire a jeep. The surf conditions of Cape Verde are particularly good in December and January, so much so, that former Hawaiian windsurfing champion, Josh Anglulo has moved to Sal permanently.

Avid windsurfers or kite surfers will find excellent conditions on the island of Boa Vista with consistent north-easterly winds blowing between October and June. Tortuga Beach is home to the Boa Vista Wind Club which is operated by former windsurfer, Francois Guy. The club is situated in a bay which offers ideal conditions including calm waters for beginners who are learning the sport (I was still making the most of the white sand beaches and the scorching sun).

Sal is also a popular area for windsurfing and kite surfing, with Ponta Preta and Santa Maria the main spots where talented athletes can be seen carving the powerful waves.

You might have noticed that I’m not a huge fan of water activities so the final two adventure sports are land-based – hiking and mountain biking.

Cape Verde on Land

The most populated island of Cape Verde’s collection is Santiago with its rugged mountainous terrain, dirt tracks, green valleys, barren plateaus, and array of routes, perfect for any level of riding.

While some might say walking isn’t much of an adventure sport, I’d say it is when you’re trekking up an active volcano!

Mount Fogo (on Fogo Island) is Cape Verde’s highest peak and last erupted in 1995.

Despite the fairly recent eruption, tour guides often make the ascent to the top of this cone-shaped volcano to show off the spectacular panoramic views from the top. And spectacular they certainly are. After a three-and-a half-hour climb up slippery terrain, I was able to see what all of the fuss was about. There I stood soaring above some of the most diverse landscapes I have ever seen: a blend of lush green vegetation and jade ocean waters to one side; and a palm tree-dotted, desert-like environment fringed with long white sand beaches and sparkling azure waters to the other.

The one thing I just could not get my head around was that this beautiful collection of tiny, but incredibly diverse, islands was located in our very own Atlantic Ocean.

Author Bio:

Anna Ridley is a freelance travel writer who enjoys spending time at the beach. Her passions include listening and dancing to funky jazz and Spanish music, reading and travelling.

Waiting for the perfect wave, Kuta Beach, Bali

The weather is quickly changing here in Canada and while we are enjoying a bright sunny day today, we are dreaming of our time in the tropics.  The wind is roaring outside as the autumn winds approach, it almost sounds like an ocean surf.

It won’t be long until we are enjoying much needed beach time in Fiji.  It has been a summer of sitting behind a computer catching up on all the work that needed to be done.  Hitting the road will be our time step out from behind the monitor and live life to its fullest.

There is nothing cooler than walking along the beach and seeing a guy with his surf board staring out at the ocean.  Life’s pressures and anxieties disappear in Bali and a sunset ride on the waves makes a person feel alive.

In 2004 we spent time learning to surf in Kuta beach, will we be catching a wave in Fiji?   We wonder Fiji will be similar to Bali; One of our favourite destinations on earth.

Bali and Fiji were always these exotic islands that we never thought we would make it to when we were younger. They seemed so far away, and yet here we are..exploring the places that were merely a dream a decade ago.

Are we expert surfers? No way, we are happy to stand up on the board and ride a mini wave into shore, but standing up and riding is as exciting as it gets. We have faith, that one day it will just click and we’ll be surfing with ease the way that we snowboard here in Canada.

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We loved Sri Lanka.  It was one of those countries that we actually felt sad leaving.  We met inspiring people, saw magnificent sites and enjoyed awesome adventures.

Many people have sent us messages and emails on how they too want to visit Sri Lanka one day soon and we thought that we should do a round up of the top things that we enjoyed doing while visiting this fascinating and beautiful country.

If you are planning on going to Sri Lanka in the future here is a list of things that you should make sure not to miss.

1. Try Surfing. Sri Lanka is a beginner surfers paradise.  Hikkaduwa on Sri Lanka’s south west coast is the popular spot for surfing.  The sandy break cushions your fall and the waves are not the gigantic intimidating pipes seen in Hawaii or Australia.  Even expert surfers can enjoy themselves in Sri Lanka though.  On the west coast there is a popular beach that offers bigger and better waves.  The season is different than Hikkaduwa’s however, so make sure to check when surfing on the west coast is popular. If you have never surfed before Sri Lanka is the place to do it.  It is very easy to learn here and the conditions are perfect for the first timer.

2. Sip Tea and explore the hill country. Sri Lanka is one of the most important tea producers in the world and its hill country is stunning.  Colonial towns dot the landscape surrounded by tea plantations.  The vegetation is lush and green and the rolling hills make for an awesome site. Pretend you are in jolly old England for a few days.  Stay in old plantation homes, drink tea and eat baked goods.  It doesn’t get any more civilized than this. Don’t miss going to Ella and Nuwara Eliya to see the tea plantations of Sri Lanka.

3. Go on a Pilgrimage. Adams Peak is Sri Lanka’s most sacred site and you can join thousands of pilgrims for 2 months of the year as they pay homage to the first place that Adam stepped foot on earth when he was cast down from Heaven.  It is a climb that doesn’t require any technical skill, but it is a work out.  You will feel a great sense of accomplishment taking part in this spiritual journey. This is by far our top recommendation of things that you should make sure to do when visiting the country.

4. Ride the Train. Sri Lanka’s trains are like stepping back in time. They chug slowly along through hills and valleys.  It is the slow journey that makes it special.  Looking out over the mountains and tea plantations rival any view in the world and the people that you meet on the train will be remembered forever. So if you are planning a trip to Sri Lanka, make sure to take the time to travel by train. It will be an experience you will remember and cherish forever.

5. Yala National Park.  Do you want to see leopards? Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park is the best chance in the world that you are going to get to see them.  It is an incredible park filled with wildlife.  Elephants, peacocks, monkeys, jackles, crocodiles and monitor lizards to name a few. You won’t be disappointed on a jeep safari here even if you don’t see a leopard, you will see a beautiful landscape and an abundance of wild animals. However, chances are pretty good that you will see a leopard and prices are so reasonable, that even if you don’t, you can try to see one again on another safari.

6. Go to Udawalawe National Park. Sri Lanka is filled with national parks and trekking through Uda Walawe is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the towns.  What is special about this park however is the Elephant Transfer Home an orphanage and rehabilitation centre for orphaned and injured elephants supported by the Born Free Foundation. You can watch elephants being fed, but unlike the Pinawale Orphanage, the ETH cares only for the elephants well being.  They have as little interaction with humans as possible.  So far 65 elephants have been rehabilitated and let back into the wild. If you have your heart set on seeing and helping elephants, we suggest going to Udawalwe over the other Elephant Rehabilitation Centres. They are doing a great job.

7. Visit a Turtle Hatchery. Turtles are under great threat due to fishing, pollution, habitat loss and hunting.  Turtle Hatcheries are doing their best to keep the turtle numbers alive and wel.  One of the best is The Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery. He loves turtles and lets them into the ocean nightly.  You can even take part in their release if you go at sunset. A person can’t go to Sri Lanka without visiting a turtle hatchery. It is a right of passage of visiting the country.

8. Laze on the Beach.  Sri Lanka has some great beach life.  Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna and Kosgoda are some popular beaches, but you can still find secluded beaches all along Sri Lanka’s coast.  Some are eroding away, but others are pristine.  Rent a bicycle or motorbike and get out there to explore the island. The beaches are the number one reason why people come to Sri Lanka and once you see them, you can understand why.

9. Visit Sigiriya. The important archeological site  Sigiriya is impressive.  Gracing the covers of many Sri Lankan Guide books, hanging in the office of tour companies and standing proud on the cover of several coffee table books, it just may be Sri Lanka’s most recognizable site.  It is also set in a beautiful location. Surrounded by jungle, villages and farmland  Sigiriya is a location set back in time. Monkeys play on the trails and crocodiles dwell in its moat.   The entry price is steep, but it is a beautiful view with an impressive museum as well. If you love history and archeology, Sigiriya is for you.

10. Have dinner with a local family. Nothing feels better than being invited to someones house for dinner.  The Sri Lankan people are a giving bunch. They are the friendliest people we have met in all our travels and we made great friends with our Tuk Tuk driver Ajith and his family. What a wonderful experience getting a glimpse of local life in the country. If you are privileged enough to be invited to dinner, take it. It is a heartwarming evening filled with genuine hospitality.

Sri Lanka has everything that a traveler could possibly want. Adventure, spirituality, fine beaches and nightlife. A vacation to this destination will never disappoint.

Have you ever loved doing something that you are just not very good at?

That is Dave and I when it comes to surfing.  Man, we love it, but we just aren’t naturals at it.

We are avid snowboarders back home and while it does help with our balance and stance, it is still a different ball game catching a wave and actually riding it while looking cool as opposed to out of control.

This is not us!!

When we came back to Hikkaduwa Beach on Sri Lanka’s south western coast, we decided to get down to business and try to see if we could actually get the hang of riding the surf.

We decided to try another surf shop to spread around the wealth and were happy to find that Beach Break not only charged less for a board rental, but also offered a large discount if we took two lessons.

Dave and I took back to back lessons so that one of us could video and photograph the others progress.

Milan was our instructor and he was fantastic.  I am going to have to say, way better than the guys in front of the Drunken Monkey.  They are great at socializing, but Milan is all business and is out there to teach you the skills that you need. He told us that we only needed one lesson from him and then we would be free to refine our skills on our own.

Deb getting some pre ocean instruction from Milan.

How honest is that?

We told him that we wanted to have a couple of lessons and after watching us in the water, he said we only need one.  He could have taken our money, but he didn’t.

Since we had some experience, he set us up on a not quite so long board.

It wasn’t a surprise that we were both able to stand on our boards since we had been practicing.  It is easy once you find your balance and having an instructor give you an extra shove when the wave comes helps immensely.  It is trying to paddle yourself that proves to be more difficult.

Milan then went on to have me catch a wave by myself, showed me how to look for the right wave, how to turn upside down on my surfboard to go under a wave and how to feel the right moment to stand and ride the crest of the wave as opposed to white water.  He even showed me how to start turning on the wave so that I could actually ride it one day soon.

Milan was excellent at giving instructions.

He was a slave driver I have to admit.  As soon as I made my way back out, he quickly told me to hop on the board and get ready.  I was off again, riding another.  The hour flew by I was exhausted.  Nearing the end of the lesson, I started doing worse as the fatigue in my arms kicked in.  Surfing uses different muscles than you are used to and even though the waves aren’t that big, it is still a bit of a struggle fighting your way out to calm water.

Deb about to stand up.

So, I was happy to see the hour end and give Dave a turn riding the waves.  He was itching to get out there and had been standing in the baking sun filming and shooting my work.

Dave did awesome today.

He was getting a little frustrated on our previous boarding outings.  We had been renting a board thinking that we would be able to catch on after our lesson with Yula Surf Shop in front of the Drunken Monkey.  He couldn’t find the flow and feel of the surf and Milan gave him the tips and tricks that he needed.

It wasn’t long until he was back on the board standing tall with a big smile on his face.

Dave getting his surf legs.

I lost count how many times he stood up in the hour.  He was back and forth in the surf more than I was.  Milan wasn’t giving him a second to catch his breath.

Dave was like a little boy coming out of the water. Did you see that turn I made? Did you catch how big that wave was? He was all smiles.

By the end of his hour, he was on his own paddling and watching the surf and doing great.

Dave finally stands up!!

When we reviewed our video that evening, we realized that we weren’t as good as we thought.

We have done this on the half pipe in the snowboard park before as well.  We film each other, stroking each others egos saying “Wow, you caught great air” or” that was awesome” when in reality, we only jumped about a foot or two.

The same can be said for our surfing.

We road little white water waves, and made a small turn here and there, but looking at it on video. We saw that we are amateurs through and through.

That didn’t stop us from having the time of our lives though!

Hikkaduwa is a fantastic place to learn to surf. The waves are just right for beginners and the water is shallow.  You don’t spend all of your time fighting waves rushing in and can even walk out to the perfect spot to watch for a ride.

You can stand on the sand and watch for an oncoming wave.  When you see the perfect one, hop on your board and off you go.

There are some experts on the beach.  They trick ride like snowboarders.  They flip around doing 360′s and ride the top of the wave like a snowboarder or skateboarder rides a rail.

It’s fun to watch.

If we ever decided to throw it all in and become surf bums, Hikkaduwa is our kind of place. I don’t think that we would ever get the hang of the huge waves of Bali, Australia or Hawaii at this stage of our lives, but the little trick waves here is Sri Lanka are something that could probably be mastered after a few months of work.
But alas, we have to keep moving on.  There are mountains to climb, jungles to trek and wildlife to watch.  So our Sri Lankan Surf Adventure has come to an end.

Beach Break is located on Hikkaduwa Beach just south of Hansa Surf Shop.

1 Hour lessons costs 2000 Rs, or receive 2 lessons for 3000 Rs

Board rentals are 250 Rs

1 US dollar = 112 Rupees

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Hikkaduwa Sri Lanka is a beach lovers paradise.

Great Surfing at Hikkaduwa

White sands and blue seas attract people from all over the world to its shores on the Indian ocean.

For surfers, it is the perfect spot to try your hand at the board. Mellow, sandy breaks make it a pleasure for novice surfer to practice their turns on the surfboard.

The town has a surfing town vibe.  Beginners and experts alike make their way to Hikkaduwa at one point or another during their travels through Sri Lanka.  While the waves may not be the awe inspiring ones of Bali or Hawaii, they are certainly an attraction for surfers.

The Hang Out

The Hansa Surf Hotel

The Hansa Surf Hotel is packed with sun-bleached blonde and tanned beach bums watching nightly surfer movies. The hard core surfers hang out here swapping stories, while the wannabes stop by to eavesdrop on their conversations. We try to blend into the middle of the road crowd.  We have done this surfing thing before, so we are not quite newbies, but we are certainly not able to brag about actually catching a wave and barreling our way through a pipe.

You can keep an eye out for some talent on the coral break just to the North of the shop and chuckle at the pasty white tourists trying their hands to the South. We are part of the latter group I must admit, but we are slowly becoming less white and more of a reddish brown.

The Lesson

Dave and I had a blast working on our turns with The Funky Monkey guys. They have a tent set up right on the beach and offer lessons for 2,000 Rs for an hour.  It is worth it to take a lesson at first to learn when to stand on the board.  They will push you into the wave and tell you when to stand.

You barely have to think. Just lay down face first on the board and wait for them to propel you into the surf.

We had attempted surfing in Bali before, so it was a bit easier for us to stand on our board.  We were both standing on the first try and spent the rest of the hour staying on the board for longer periods of time.  We were definitely getting the hang of this surfing thing and have seriously considered extending our visa to stay longer on the beach!

Now if only we could learn how to turn.

They told us we need a few more lessons and we will be pretty good. At $40 bucks a day that pretty much eats into our budget, but it is tempting to learn from the pros and eventually become the king and queen of the beach. With a little practice, people will soon be swooning over our talent and surrounding us for autographs just like Kelly Slater.

Or we could just go on with the rest of our adventures.

We have to go around the island for a couple of weeks to see some amazing sites, but we are planning on returning to Hikkaduwa to work at becoming one of those bleached blonde experts that we see in the surf shop.

It is great fun learning to surf in Sri Lanka.  The water is shallow, so you can touch bottom the entire time you are out at sea. It is far less effort than the giant waves of Kuta Beach Bali.

Having surfed both Bali and Sri Lanka’s easy waves, we recommend learning to surf here instead.

Will experts be satisfied?

If you are an expert, I don’t think that Hikkaduwa is the place for you.  There are other areas on the island with better breaks such as Arugam Bay.  But from what we have learned, there aren’t the great world class waves of Australia here in Sri Lanka.

But we don’t care, for Dave and Deb, Hikkaduwa is just about the perfect place for a surfing adventure we can think of.  Friendly people, beautiful beaches and fine seafood. What more could we ask for?

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One hundred kilometers south of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s Capital City, the beach scene begins.

There are several beach towns to choose from in this country. Most people come to Sri Lanka for the beach and only the beach.

While there is so much more to see in the country and we will get to the sites for sure, we wanted to start out at the beach ourselves.  We decided to head to the most popular sunshine destination Hikkaduwa.  It is a beach filled with short term vacationers, Aussie surfer dudes, families and long term travelers alike.  It is the perfect winter escape and we found ourselves smack dab in the middle of resort style traveling.

We Love it!

Our reason to come to Hikkaduwa was to play in the surf and soak up some sun.  But not everyone comes here only to surf. Hikkaduwa offers an excellent choice of accommodation, nightlife and restaurants to satisfy any traveler’s needs.

We made our way to the far south end of the beach to Ocean View Cottage.  It is a little out of the way, but it is quiet at night with the extra value of having a pool.  As much as we love the surf and sand, there is nothing like lazing by the pool, free from touts selling sarongs and jewelry and having the option to jump in for a dip to cool down from the hot sun free of sand and salt.

Prices start at 3500 Rs per night, but as we put our packs back on to look for another hotel upon hearing this, they offered us a room in the back for 2000 Rs. We jumped on it and were happy to find out that they had Wifi as well.

About Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa could be one of those world class destinations if it weren’t for the main highway running through the centre of town.  On one side of the road the beach hotels, restaurants and resorts are lined up along its shoulder while the other side houses food stalls, clothing stores and markets.

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Buses, transports, jeeps and tuk tuks barrel down the road at full tilt boogie. If you don’t watch where you are going, you will be plowed into oblivion by one of these speeding monsters.

Traffic is loud and dangerous and shopping can be a chore.  Even the Lonely Planet Guide book compares walking along the road to a game of Russian Roulette.

There is light however.  A new road is scheduled to open in a few months several kilometers inland.  Hopefully they will keep the traffic out of Hikkaduwa and give peace and quiet back to the locals.

When this happens I am sure that business will improve for all.

They deserve it.

The clothing stores are fantastic. They tailor make Billabong, Quicksilver and Volcom surf ware.  $5 will get you a brand new pair of shorts made perfectly to your body type.  You can’t even tell the difference from the real deal.

The beach is pleasant especially to the south of the resort.  The original chunk of tourist area has fallen way to over development and there is very little beach left in front of hotels built way too close to the water. Some literally are being held up by sand bags.

To the south where we are staying the beach is wide and sandy and pleasant to walk along. There are very few hawkers bothering you as well.

Activities

The surf is excellent for beginners and surf shops offer lessons and board rentals.

Fresh seafood is on the menu every night and at different hotels, you can find a different bar-b-que with a festive feel.

If snorkelling is your thing.  There is a coral garden right in front of the Coral Gardens Hotel.  We didn’t go snorkeling as the water was pretty rough and we had heard that the coral had seen better days.

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We did go for a walk to the Coral Gardens hotel though and had a chance meeting with the resident turtles of the Reef.  Obviously quite tame now, the turtles are lured to shore by seaweed provided by an entrepreneur selling it to guests.  The turtles seem to enjoy coming into shore for their daily treat and we have a chance to see these giant beauties in their natural environment, even if they have become more like pets.

Hikkaduwa is an excellent place to start your travels through Sri Lanka.  We are already feeling refreshed and relaxed and ready to see the many sites of this tropical paradise.

Tips

1. Bus to Hikkaduwa from Colombo 250 Rs
2. Surf lessons 20,000 Rs
3. Board Rentals 300 Rs
4. Tuk Tuk around town 150 Rs.

I had first heard of Bali in the movie South Pacific when I was a kid. I love Musicals. I went to school for Music Theater and performed as a singer on a Cruise Ship, in a review in Japan and Miami and have performed in shows across Canada.  It seems that wherever we travel to, I always have a song about the city or country in my mind during the entire time that we are there.

A Surfer in Bali

Bali was no exception and I had Bali Ha’i, Some Enchanted Evening and Cockeyed Optimist playing over and over in my head for weeks.

I never thought that I would actually make it to Bali, it was always a dreamland to me. A place of perfection that I had seen in technicolor on a Sunday afternoon.  Yet here we were and not only that, we were fulfilling a life long dream of Dave’s.

I thought of songs when it came to Bali and Dave thought of Surfing.  Who was the original adventurer in this relationship?

Look at the Size of That Board

When we made it to Kuda Beach, Dave had one thing and one thing only on his mind. Learn how to surf.  We walked down to the beach from our hotel on Poppies Gang II and started scouting out guys that could teach us.  No big hotels or organized tours for us.

We wanted a local surfer showing us the ropes.  We met Ronald. A soft spoken young man from Sumatra that had started a small business with a few surf boards lined up on the beach.  It turns out that the local surfing instructors weren’t local at all. But he gave us a great deal and told us that he would teach us until we were standing and comfortable.

That is a much better deal than going through a hotel. They have a set time frame and you are learning in a group environment, so you are not guaranteed to stand.  With Ronald, it was Dave and I alone in the surf with him pushing us a long, helping us up and showing us what to do.

Paddling Out

Starting off

Getting There

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If anyone out there has never surfed before, let me be the first to tell you..It is hard!!! It is exhausting too.  Paddling out looks so easy on TV, but trying to break through the surf is one of the most difficult things I have ever done in water.  The waves are crashing overhead and you try to dive under them only to be swept back to shore.

We swallowed a couple of liters of water to say the least, but with Ronald’s patience and skills we both managed to stand on our boards. We were out all morning until well into lunch.

Tip: Wear a t-shirt or board shirt when surfing.  It helps to prevent sunburn, but more importantly chafing from the board.

Standing Up

Falling

Celebrating

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Ronald stood out in the surf with us and watched the waves come in.  He had the eye to know which one was going to crest at the right time and would yell at us to paddle.  He was close by and just at the exact right moment, we gave us the old heave ho that helped with our momentum to be able to stand up.

Chillin' at the Bungalow

I have no idea how people can ride a wave. We managed to stand up and it was one of the most exciting feelings in the world, but there was no way we could do much more than stand and balance.   It didn’t matter though, I was imagining that I was Kelly Slater riding a inside a giant tube until I unceremoniously fell off the board close to shore.

After our exhausting morning, we went back to our bungalow and crashed for a couple of hours. Thank God for ceiling fans because it was hot.  I just love the accommodations in Bali.  Every room is a separate bungalow with ornate stone work and big wooden doors. We always chose to stay in one of these rather than a hotel room.  Every place provided excellent hospitality and some even had tea waiting at our room each afternoon!

The next day Dave was ready to go again.  Since it was his dream adventure more than mine, I wanted to get some shots and video of him in action to remember for the rest of his life. If you want to see Dave Surf, he is about 1 minute and a half into the video. Fast Forward to check him out!

Here is an important tip for anyone visiting Kuta Beach.  Do not hang out on the beach. You will be pestered by touts to no end.  I was in the middle of video taping and I had people standing right in front of me trying to sell me chess boards, braid my hair and give me a manicure. I had one lady go so far as to grab my hand and put nail polish on it and then start asking for money.
I now understand why so many hotels have pools.  It is really the only safe haven for tourists.   We tried to bring our sarongs down to the beach one day to catch some rays and we never had a moments peace. We finally had to pack up and go back to our hotel to lay by the pool.

A Real Surfer Waiting for a Wave

However, make sure to get down to the beach at sunset. It is absolutely beautiful and that is the time that you will see some great surfers riding the waves.  It is an incredible time.  Local kids are playing football, people are surfing and boogie boarding, swimming and walking.  The beach is filled with people and as long as you keep moving, you won’t be bothered too much.

Kuta Beach is also great for shopping.  We replenished our entire wardrobe at the stalls that line Poppies Gang I and II.  If you like beach and surf wear, this is the place to shop.  Barter hard like anywhere in South East Asia and you can get some great deals.  If you don’t like bartering, check out this previous post on how to bargain when traveling. Dave and I have a blast shopping when we travel, because we make it a lot of fun.

So, there you have it.  Another Life List Adventure is checked off the list and Dave and I were off to Ubud to try our hand a completely different adventure.  Climbing a Volcano. But that is another story.

Together on the River in the Sudan

Traveling as a couple can be difficult.

Many people will say that it can make or break a relationship.
Dave and I have traveled for months as a couple on several occasions, and we have always found that we bond even more while we are on the road. We influence and inspire each other to try new things.  We share in unique experiences and talk about them together for years to come.
We find that traveling as a couple has turned us into more well-rounded human beings than traveling alone. By keeping our minds open to each others suggestions, we end up exploring things that we never would have tried in the first place. And we end up liking things that we never thought possible.

That is not to say that being together 24/7 is easy it can be test a couple’s relationship to the fullest to be together that long day in day out, but we have found that if we follow a few of these simple rules, we can survive and thrive when we travel together as a couple.

The Travel Couple Survival Guide

1) Compromise - This is our number one recommendation to survive traveling as a couple.  We have found that a lot of couples are not willing to do this on a short vacation or even in their every day lives.. How will they survive and get along traveling for months at a time without compromise? It may sound stereotypical, but I have found that most couples are pretty much the same when it comes to what men like and women like. Men will normally go for the high adventure and sports related activities while women enjoy exploring culture, hitting the spa or shopping.  Well guess what, even Dave and I are the same way. I enjoy a good massage, a great deals on clothes and exploring museums and Dave loves jumping off of cliffs and catching waves.

Figuring it out

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Over the years however, we have both learned to enjoy both activities. We plan and discuss what each person wants to do, and then we compromise.  “I will do this if you will do that.” We will go off and climb a mountain together and bond over the incredible experience. Our relationship is so much stronger because we have just survived something extraordinary together. Once we have done the crazy extreme adrenaline filled activity we celebrate by splurging on a nice hotel and massage to really relax and enjoy the moment.
When we first started traveling, I didn’t want to spend all of my time trekking through the jungle and Dave didn’t want to spend all of his time looking at local art. Now after several years of being on the road together as a couple, we both love it all.  I can’t wait to climb my next volcano, and Dave loves bartering with the toughest salesmen for the perfect deal.

Acheiving great heights as a couple

2) Communication – This really is the key to a surviving in a relationship at anytime let alone when traveling.  I think that the success of our relationship is how well we communicate. We never play mind games and we talk about everything.  People always point out how difficult it is for men to understand women and vice versa, but I can never understand why they think that.
Dave and I know exactly when the other one is angry or upset.  It is pretty easy to read each other.  Sure, we could play dumb and ignore the signs, but really, we are all open books if you pay attention.

Most people ignore the problem hoping it will go away.

Lets face it, we all react differently to situations and while one of you may be completely enjoying an experience, the other may be hating every minute of it. The key is to not ignore how the other person is feeling. If you are at a festival or religious ceremony that is maybe uncomfortable or upsetting to your spouse, make sure to be aware of that persons feelings even if you are completely fascinated by it.  If you talk about it, you will understand where they are coming from and be more sympathetic, while you can persuade them to enjoy the moment and accept that it is something different.  No matter what, that person will feel better because you took the time to listen, and like everything in life, by talking about things, they probably won’t be so uncomfortable or upset anymore.

If you ignore how each other feels however, you will both come out of it angry; One of you for feeling that the other person ruined the moment for you, and the other for thinking that you didn’t care about their feelings.  Just save yourself the hassle and communicate. Then you can move on.

Which is a perfect segue to my next point.

The great outdoors bonds this couple together

3) Be willing to fight - As a couple, if you can’t fight with each other, you can’t survive traveling together.  We have had some epic arguments on the road, but we get over them quickly.  Travel can be frustrating, exhausting and overwhelming.  You are stuck with each other for every single moment of it and when tensions run high, you only have each other to take it out on.  Sometimes you can simply be angry because you have been traveling for 24 hours and you are exhausted.  So you take out your frustrations on the nearest person, which just happens to be your husband.  Of course you are going to fight.  You will blame each other when things go wrong and you will get on each others nerves at times.

The little things can be magnified when travelling as a couple

The biggest mistake you can make is holding it all in. It will make for a miserable experience.  Have the fight and get it over with, but then move on.  I remember once in Kanchanaburi, Thailand we couldn’t find the place that we wanted to stay at on the river.  We walked forever with our packs in the heat, and we eventually ended up on a lonely road lost in the middle of nowhere.  We were so mad at each other that we had to walk 100 metres apart.  We couldn’t stand to be around each other, but we had to keep each other in sight because we were lost. So we kept our distance and wallowed in our anger silently.  When we finally found our place and settled in, we said to each other, “I don’t feel like fighting anymore do you?” The answer was “No” of course and we went on with our day and had a great time.

Which brings us too…

4) Knowing each Others boundaries - It is good to know what is too much for one person. When traveling as a couple, you have to be aware of each others fears.  Base jumping out of a hot air balloon is a little too much for me, and Dave will draw the line at a facial or a manicure.  Don’t force something on each other when you know that there is no way the other is going to give in.  Compromise is one thing, but pushing each other beyond their comfort zone is another.  Over time, you will probably be able to get each other to try almost everything, but take baby steps at first.

Changing over Time

When we first started traveling, it was difficult for Dave to get me into a budget hotel.  Now I have camped my way through Africa, I have no qualms with squatting in a pretty awful public toilet and hey, if the bed doesn’t come with sheets, well never fear, I have brought my trusty sarong along for just that occasion.  I was afraid of heights and freaked out doing my first abseil, but now I am an avid rock climber and have even summitted Kilimanjaro. Baby steps have eventually turned me into an extreme adventurer.
And as for Dave, well when we first started traveling, he didn’t care if we ever left Canada. He was fine with the odd vacation to the Caribbean where he could go Para Sailing or scuba diving to get his adrenaline fix. He used to care about cars, gadgets and toys but now, he is a minimalist because “you never know when you will be taking off again and stuffing everything into storage.”  He was a staple “meat and potato man”, but now he loves all exotic foods and the spicier, the better.  Culture, museums and religion? No way. It was sports, bars and beer.  But now he has been to over 30 countries and loves experiencing new festivals, checking out the hottest art gallery and loves observing religious festivals and exploring Pagoda’s, Churches and Stupas.

Now our last point for surviving your travels as a Couple…

Can a couple survive camping through Africa?

5) Do Things Together - We love to do everything together. We don’t go our separate ways for the day to do what each individual likes. So often we will come across people in our travels that have gone off without their spouse to fulfill their lifelong dream. I find this hard to understand. They are experiencing the most amazing time of their lives, without the one that they love because they weren’t willing to try something new.  You will come back from an experience that has profoundly changed you, so how will you be able to relate to your spouse in the same way anymore?  Dave and I have a hard enough time relating to friends and family when we come back from months on the road, I couldn’t imagine trying to reconnect with him as well.

Couples that Travel Together are happy together

It is by doing things together that has made us who we are today.  I didn’t want to surf in Bali, it was Dave’s life long dream, not mine. I tend to be afraid of the water a little bit. But I did it with him and I am so glad that I did.  I had a great time and the feeling of standing up on that board was like no other.  Now I will surf again when the opportunity arises without question.  I am sure that if those people that stayed at home while their spouse was away would have gone along for the ride, they would have  loved the experience just as much.  They just needed to open their mind in the first place.

Travel can profoundly change a person, and to have the chance to change and grow with your spouse, can only strengthen the relationship and create an unshakable bond that will last forever.  If you follow these easy steps when traveling, your relationship will be able to survive any situation and you will come out of it as a happy and thriving couple that are the envy of all of your friends