Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.
This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.
Five tips on keeping luggage and carry-ons clean during a trip
The travel landscape has changed drastically to cope with the global health crisis that is COVID-19. Traveling for tourism purposes is currently frowned upon as journeyers could spread the virus. As the world fights a virtually invisible enemy and staying at home remains the best weapon, some need to fly for professional reasons.
Travel blogger Jessica Leonard shares that it’s best to keep one’s belongings in a carry-on when traveling on an aircraft. Checking a bag during a global health crisis increases an individual’s risk of getting exposed to the virus through their belongings. Plus, having to wait for the luggage to show up on the carousel might leave one lingering around with others for an extended period.
While experts recommend carry-ons, they do not necessarily forbid passengers to check in their large items. Face-to-face interaction still carries a larger risk of transmission than from surfaces. Be sure to disinfect checked-in bags with disinfectant wipes. Keep the right PPE and disinfectants in the carry-on for easy cleaning before, during, and after the flight. To stay safe and clean during a long trip, be sure to pack extra face masks, isopropyl wipes, disinfectant wipes, travel laundry detergent.
Jessica Leonard mentions that it is best to limit stops during trips to protect both the traveler and their belongings. The Transportation Security Authority encourages passengers to place belongings inside pockets when going through security checkpoints to prevent having to put them in unsanitized bins.
Jessica Leonard’s guide to starting a travel blog
It’s not that hard to start a travel blog, especially for those who know how to set up a page online. However, with all the blogs out there, one might find it challenging to stand out. More than the cool photos and awe-inspiring social media posts, travel blogger Jessica Leonard makes it a point to immerse in the culture of the countries she visits. As someone who truly finds happiness in traveling, the blogger wants to share, the blogger wants to share a simple guide to starting a travel blog.
Think of an audience
When Jessica Leonard writes travel blogs, she doesn’t just think of the people she knows. She also considers travelers who might be interested in history and culture. She also makes it a point to share tips and hacks with people who want to explore the world on a budget. Those who wish to have a travel blog should imagine the person they want to reach. Are these people parents who want to make memories with children? Are the readers young professionals looking to treat themselves to vacation overseas? Having someone in mind will let a blogger tell their stories in a relatable way.
Collect photos and videos
According to Jessica Leonard, travel blogs are meant to have great photos and videos. While some bloggers choose one or two amazing images to capture the reader’s attention, others enjoy uploading albums and videos of their trips. Whatever the preference maybe, the most important thing is for the visuals to capture the wonderful things about the trip.
Share personal stories and tips
Writing about personal experiences on the road allows a travel blogger to relate to their audiences. Jessica Leonard says that recollections, funny episodes, and even reflections are an excellent way to process one’s travels. For the experienced traveler, it’s not just about crossing out an item from the bucket list. Traveling is about embracing the unfamiliar. It can also be about exploring one’s capabilities and independence. Whether a person will be traveling alone or with a group, reading about another person’s adventures will inspire them to take on the world.
Five essentials for safer travels
Jessica Leonard is a travel blogger who advocates for responsible tourism. Despite the reopening of many cities and countries, it is still important for people to follow health protocols in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. While many people are resuming their travel plans, they still should be doubly careful in order to stay safe and healthy even away from home. She shares her five essentials for safer travels:
Face masks
Face masks should be part of a person’s daily wear, especially if they are going to spend time outdoors. Jessica Leonard advises travelers to bring enough supply of face masks when on the road so that they could always stay safe from the virus. Whether they choose disposable or reusable masks, what’s important is the quality. Travelers should choose masks of durable quality that will provide their nose and mouth with the right protection from harmful elements.
Antibacterial wipes
Public transportation, common surfaces, and other facilities might be contaminated with the virus. Before using a seat or touching a railing, one should disinfect the surfaces with these wipes. Jessica Leonard says that these wipes are also helpful for cleaning the hands and personal belongings.
Hand sanitizer
A person should have a hand sanitizer in their bag at all times. These days, practicing hand hygiene is very important. And for those who travel by plane or by train, having a lightweight hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is an effective and easy way to stay safe from the virus. However, experts suggest cleaning and rubbing the hands for 20 seconds even when using sanitizer.
Water bottle
Hydration is important in the fight against COVID-19. Proper nutrition and hydration will build up the body’s immunity against the harmful virus. When traveling, Jessica Leonard shares that one must always bring their own water bottle to prevent dehydration. During these days, it’s also important to bring one’s own bottle to prevent drinking from contaminated bottles or cups.
Health supplements
Taking supplementary vitamins and minerals should be part of a person’s diet. Vitamin C and Zinc are some of the helpful nutrients that can boost a person’s immunity, especially if they will be away from home for a few days. When packing the essentials, always remember to take enough supply of these supplements along with other meds to stay healthy while traveling.
Six gears a travel blogger must have
During travels, the lighter the equipment, the better. Many travel bloggers forego pieces that have a single use. They carry items that at least have two functions to save space in their luggage. Here are six must-have gears for travel bloggers. Jessica Leonard.
A lightweight laptop is a must for every travel blogger. Most laptops now weigh much lighter than their predecessors and carry more power in them. Laptops are used for writing, editing, downloading, and uploading content. What’s a good post without great photos accompanying it? Invest in a DSLR. Some travel bloggers may have to carry chunkier cameras and heavy lenses, while others may only need point-and-shoot units. Jessica Leonard.
Portable storage devices must be inside a travel blogger’s gear bag. These keep files safe and backed up in case the gadgets crash. A smartphone is incredibly important for a travel blogger. Having a smartphone is the easiest way to interact with readers. Plus, a smartphone doubles as a camera, especially during quick runs to locations where carrying a DSLR may be risky. Jessica Leonard.
All-in-one adaptors are essential for travel bloggers. You can’t risk your gadgets going empty because of power socket issues. Having a smartwatch can help one keep track of time and get reminded of their itinerary, especially when hiking, driving, even swimming. Travel bloggers sure have a lot in their gear bag, but these items ensure one can produce travel and tourism content many will follow and appreciate. Jessica Leonard.
What traveling looks like amidst COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced most people to stay home to prevent the spread of the virus. Front liners such as physicians, nurses, medical staff, and essential services workers are the only ones allowed to go out of their homes to serve the public. Jessica Leonard.
While the coronavirus impacts all industries, many wonder about the status of the travel industry. With closed airports and government-imposed travel bans, traveling from one place to another is impossible. Many who pride themselves as influencers have their careers on hold due to the pandemic. Globe-trotting is canceled, and the promotion of travel destinations during these times seems out of tune. Jessica Leonard.
A couple of weeks into the global outbreak of COVID-19, travelers and influencers were still considering traveling—leaning more on continuing with planned trips—only with heightened safety and health measures. Now that the virus is on full swing in many countries, there really isn’t anything left to consider but general health and safety. Airlines have announced their cancelation of flights; concerts are rescheduled; local and international events are either suspended or canceled. Jessica Leonard.
Many influencers are afraid to travel not because of the virus; they fear not getting home due to travel bans. While there shouldn’t be second-guessing, some use their blogs to urge people not to watch the news not to be fearful of the virus, instead go on with their travel plans, but with caution. Jessica Leonard.
Everything you need to know about packing light
When traveling, it’s way easier to carry bags that are light and compact. Going through the wildest of tracks with a chunky suitcase could mean backache and unpleasant experience. While the travelers are all too familiar with the phrase “travel light,” it’s never easy to do. Jessica Leonard.
One of the key steps to packing light is picking the right bag. There’s no single bag for all occasions. However, the best way to not overpack is to get a smaller bag. This lessens one’s tendency to packing unnecessary items during their trip. Be sure to pack the must-haves and avoid tossing in the bag the nice-to-haves. Pack items that have multiple uses and not the ones that have special uses. Jessica Leonard.
Pack only a week’s worth of clothing. It’s better to do the laundry than to move from one location carrying tons of clothes. Doing this allows a traveler to leave room for more important items and lessens their burden. Leave a quarter of the bag empty to make packing and unpacking more efficient. Also, the unused space can be used for keeping gifts and souvenirs. Jessica Leonard.
Choose appropriate clothing. It’s important to wear layers that actually protect one from the climate of their travel destination. Avoid packing unnecessary footwear. Store bathroom essentials in air-tight containers. Part of traveling light and wise is not contributing to waste. Reuse items and pack a reusable water bottle and utensils for easy and clean dining. Jessica Leonard.
A beginner’s guide to travel blogging
Jessica Leonard. Many travel bloggers go beyond the usual touristy itinerary to share with their readers a more in-depth take on discovering new places. Below is a guide for those who want to start their own travel blog.
Decide on a memorable blog name.
It’s alright to take some time deciding on this. A cool blog name that people can associate with its owner is a great way to establish a brand and a following. This might also help the author decide on the content and the tone of the travel blog. Jessica Leonard.
Keep a travel journal.
Some bloggers like to do all the writing once the trip is over and they’re back home. Others, meanwhile, keep a travel journal so that they could jot down their experiences even while on the road. Aspiring travel bloggers can do the same so that they only do minimal writing and editing once they are in front of the computer. Having a travel journal also allows them to start outlining their posts even when they don’t have access to their computers or the Internet. Jessica Leonard.
Take lots of photos and videos.
Travel bloggers usually bring their smartphones and camera during their travels. Doing so allows them to take lots of photos and videos that they could use for their blogs. Having a lot of pictures will help a blogger decide on the best image they can use for their entries. Jessica Leonard.
Don’t forget to enjoy the moment.
Most travel bloggers end up losing interest in exploring the world because they begin to associate what they enjoy most with work. Seasoned travel bloggers encourage newbies to put their camera down occasionally to enjoy their trip. Long-time bloggers believe that not all aspects of one’s trip should be on the blog. Jessica Leonard.
The ultimate guide to traveling like a local
Everyone has the desire to see the wonders of the world. Thanks to cheap airfares and reasonable accommodations, travelers can fly from one travel destination to another without much to think of. However, the growth of the travel industry sometimes hurts local communities.
Instead of visiting and staying in touristy areas, opt to visit places rich in history. In Asia, this could mean provinces, fishing villages, and farming communities. There’s nothing much to see in business districts and party jungles as these areas only give bad names to tourists and where pickpockets are prevalent. Skip the bus tour. When one makes their own itinerary, they get to enjoy the destination on a different level. While having a guide encourages learning, it doesn’t give much room for new experiences. Jessica Leonard.
If possible, make a local friend. Having a group of tourist friends may still make one feel like they’re in a bubble as opposed to having a local friend who knows that ins and outs of their own country. Instead of staying in a hotel, book a house or an apartment. Airbnb rentals prove to add more to the experience. Jessica Leonard.
It may sound counterintuitive, but quit reading travel guidebooks. Travelers who read the same travel guides end up visiting the same destinations, eating the same food, and capturing the same photos, leaving no room for them to appreciate spots that are frequented and loved by locals. Being respectful never goes out of style. A traveler must always learn the customs and cultures of the places they visit. Jessica Leonard.
Three things to remember when visiting sacred places
Respect and reflect. Jessica Leonard.
Religion is an essential part of a country’s culture. In many countries, places of worship serve as a site where people can witness magnificent tradition, history, and architecture. Most of the time, foreigners are welcome to look around or participate in some of the activities. However, tourists must also return the kind gesture by following certain rules. Below are some things to remember when visiting sacred places. Jessica Leonard.
Dress code: Whatever the religion, it is always appropriate to wear proper clothing when entering a place of worship. To be safe, tourists should wear clothing that covers their shoulders, stomach, and legs. If there is a prescribed covering or if footwear is not allowed, visitors should be quick to adhere to these rules before going around the place. It might help to read up on the dress code and other rules before the tour. Jessica Leonard.
Statues, adornments, and relics: Before going into a place of worship, remember that not all religious pieces can be touched. In Buddhist temples, for example, the statues cannot be touched. On the other hand, in Catholic or Christian sites, pilgrims can touch blessed statues. If unsure, it’s always better to ask the tour guides or caretakers. Jessica Leonard.
Photography: As much as possible, people are advised not to take photos of people who are praying or worshipping. A person’s praying or worshipping stance is a private activity that onlookers should always respect. When visiting a mosque, for example, tourists are not allowed to take pictures when there is ongoing prayer. In some religions, the innermost part of sacred sites cannot be photographed. Jessica Leonard.
To make their trip truly worthwhile, foreign visitors should follow the rules and cultural practices of the places they visit. Instead of focusing on the view, they can take this time to reflect and pray.
Three ways to prepare for solo travel
Exploring a new place solo can be a liberating experience for the adventure-seeker. Those who will be doing this for the first time need to prepare to enjoy their vacation. Here are three tips for traveling alone. Jessica Leonard.
Get travel insurance
Most people forget to book a travel insurance before a trip. For those traveling solo, this becomes more important. When sickness or injuries arise, it’s always better to have provision especially if it happens in a place miles away from home. Contrary to popular belief, travel insurance is pretty easy to purchase. It will also ease worries about wellness and safety when away from home. Jessica Leonard.
Book flights and accommodations in advance
Some backpackers go on an adventure for many months. Booking flights and accommodations in advance is an excellent way to make country, city, or island hopping hassle-free. To make the most out of their travel fund, some places and airlines provide discounts for early bookings. For those with acquaintances in the places they will visit, it’s good to connect with them early on especially if one is planning on living with them for a few days. Jessica Leonard.
Plan budget and itinerary
One has no choice but to be self-sufficient when traveling alone. Before embarking on a solo trip, preparing funds for food, fare, housing, transport, souvenirs, and other necessities are essential. Those who are not used to having all the free time to themselves should come up with an itinerary that will allow them to make the most out of their stay in one place. When the budget and itinerary are settled, it’s easier to go on vacation mode. Jessica Leonard.
Jessica Leonard 