Issue #1

I recently went on an adventure in the Galapagos and somehow managed to overcomplicate things and pay way more than I wanted. The day itself was unforgettable, mostly because of the wildlife and not the fancy ass boat I ended up on.

The luxury yacht tour to Bartolome Island was genuinely incredible. Most of the day was spent snorkelling, exploring different spots and travelling between islands rather than sitting on the boat. The luxury yacht itself was very comfortable, with a personal bar (that existed purely for decoration in my case) and properly good food cooked by an on board chef, but it didn’t take long to realise the real experience wasn’t on board at all.

What stuck with me were the landscapes and the wildlife. Blue footed boobies everywhere, sea lions and sharks swimming past while you snorkelled and views that made me lost for words. The luxury side was nice, but if I’d booked earlier I’d happily have taken a cheaper boat and remembered the day exactly the same way.

Quick Details:

If you want to see what the full day experience actually looked like, I talk honestly about price and whether it was worth it in this video👇

If you want more space in your bag and fewer wrinkles in your clothes, army roll them. Fold, roll and pack. It makes you feel like special forces without any of the skills, hard work or clue about what the hell you’re actually doing.

Bonus: Every time you pack, it gets faster and easier. You won’t waste time making sure things fit and it just adds to the joy all of us get when we feel that ultimate thrill of packing once again.

A tiny hack that saves time, sanity and makes every litre of space count.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have the space.

A leaky mask can ruin a snorkelling moment, and most of the time the ones provided often make it feel like you're swimming through constant fog.

Trust me having your own decent mask makes life so much easier, it can save having to rent one in some cases and actually lets you see what you're supposed to be looking at.

This is the mask I personally use and have for over 2 years.

One famously special thing about the Galapagos wildlife is they absolutely do not fear humans. Sea lions, iguanas, and blue footed boobies will often come right up to you, ignoring all common sense. It’s both amazing and slightly unnerving. One minute you’re watching a bird dance, the next a curious sea lion is checking if your camera is edible.

After travelling for a while and thinking I was becoming a bit of a know it all, I may have got complacent when I booked a flight in Australia. The first one was fully booked, so Skyscanner sent me back to pick another, but I didn’t notice it had also automatically moved the dates to a month later. When the confirmation came through, I realised the flight was for a time when I would already be in New Zealand. Cancelling it for a refund also wasn’t an option, because why pay for that when I’m trying to save money (the irony is not lost on me).

Lesson learned. Double check dates or you’ll end up spending the rest of the day annoyed that you can’t get away from the idiot that is you (literally how I felt)

Got a travel f*ck up or “why did I think that was a good idea?” moment? Reply to this email and the best ones might get featured in a future issue (anonymously if you'd prefer).

I’d love to hear from you.

👉 What’s the weirdest, funniest or most ridiculous thing that’s ever happened to you whilst travelling? Or maybe you have you own trick, tip or favourite piece of gear to share?

Hit reply and share, I might even feature your story or advice in a future issue.

Until next time,

Chase the Adventure.

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