FIVE TIPS TO TRAVEL ON A BUDGET

First time I tried backpacking I was 23, ready to go on a InterRail. I had 1000€ (for food, accomodation) to spend in 3 weeks.

Four years later I was flying to Asia to travel 2 or 3 months and ended up backpacking 7 months and spent around 4000€. (food, accomodation, bus/train, 4 flights and 5 weeks in the most expensive country: Australia).

Last year I decided to travel Europe, backpacking and hitch hiking, WE spent around 450€ for 3 months. (food basically)

TRAVEL COMPANIONS - HITCH HIKING

To be honest I love the art of hitch hiking but when I did alone it was boring like hell. I think it's a moment to share, work for a team... not to mention the motivation you need.

Mostly I hitch hiked with Bruno and he's really a big support in those moments you want to give up or you feel frustrated.

Drivers tend to give more rides to single woman or 2 women or a couple. So hitch hiking with your love makes it easier. I talked with other guys about the subject and I figured out that two guys have a hard time getting a ride, usually they gotta wait longer and be more patient. But don't be upset if you are going hitch hike soon with your fellow, there are exceptions! My friend got a ride with his 2 friends by a woman in Guatemala!!! Three guys and one girl!! I clap my hands for this lady and she won the prize for kindness and fearless :)

TOP FOUR VOLUNTOURISM EXPERIENCES IN COSTA RICA

By Lonely Planet Costa Rica Travel Guide

If you feel like going to a warm country not only for tourism but also to make the difference, these are good options, according with your interests/tastes. Click to acess to the website and get more information. (I cannot waranty that all websites are updated)

Teach English
* Amerispan Unlimited 
* Cloud Forest School 
* Institute for Central American Development Studies
* Sustainable Horizon
* World Language Study

SUPER FUN CHALLENGES FOR 2014

I found out about two interesting projects for this coming year and decided to share with you.

Someone made this incredible chart! This is a genious idea to save money for what you wish/need/want. In the end of the year you save 1.378 dollars or euros. Very worth it and besides the last months, it's pretty easy to save up the money. If you cannot make it until the end of the year it's OK, don't need to be so hard to yourself... 500 dollars/euros is already lots of money.

2013 IN REVIEW

I cannot complain at all, I had a brilliant year, I've done everything I wanted :) In 12 months I travelled 10, yes TEN MONTHS TRAVELING IN 2013, it's my record. From December 2012 until March 2013 I travelled in Central America: Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras and Panama. It was a great experience, my first time traveling with a boyfriend, awesome cultures, learn spanish and about my favorite civilization: Mayas! Watched the most stunning Nature, Climb a 3000 metres volcano, left all my precious things (passports, visa, money, cell phones) in the car that we got a ride and got every single thing back (read the story here), met up Gabriela (we travelled 2 weeks together in Vietnam) and Rodrigo and spent New Years Eve together, we seen alligators twice in wildlife and ate crocodile (yukkk), hitch hiked in Mexico (it's easy peasy), lost the flight back to Portugal and much more.

GOALS LIST 2014

*** HAPPY NEW YEAR *** 

*** FELIZ ANO NOVO ***

This is the second time I'm making a List of Goals for the New Year. I thought was fun to post it in the blog and during the year looking at my goals and see the changes, check if I'm in the way or if I achieve any. I'm a dreamer and I know some of them are utopic for this year but I will try my best to make it real and if not we always have next year ;)

MARTA'S GOALS FOR 2014:

* Make a tattoo [I have the idea what I want, I know who will draw it and I know who will make it so I guess I'm in the way]

* Stop using Microwave [Now I know how dangerous can be using it so no more heating food in this thingy. TV was the first electronical I decided not having at home.]