Seasonal Work plays a huge role in the lives of many backpackers. Passionate about organic farming, sustainable agriculture, permaculture, and often volunteering to acquire knowledge and new skills, travellers use seasonal work as a way of earning money whilst experiencing the world.

However, it doesn’t always go smoothly!

In this episode, Adam shares an embarrassing experience he's tried hard to forget. In 2019, whilst living in Hong Kong, Adam was gifted a rare opportunity to work for a prestigious wine producer in Burgundy, France. Intending to learn as much as possible and prepared to work himself into the ground, his enthusiasm quickly turned into overindulgence. Unsophisticated, uncouth, unbelievable!

Alun & Adam also discuss a lovely email from a lovely listener. Maintaining relationships with family and friends whilst travelling is incredibly important and far from straightforward. Technology has made regular communication much easier over the past few decades, but it's often more complicated to spend quality time with loved ones. Tune in for tips and advice on how to stay in touch with people whilst on the road - We even hear the thoughts of Alun's lovely Mum!

Do you have an embarrassing story you'd like to share? Which seasonal jobs would you recommend? Send us an email at [email protected]

Adam & Alun return to the TRIPOLOGY studio for another edition of Tales of a Trip.

Grab your snorkel, we're going hiking! It's one of the best things about travelling, isn't it? Whether you're camping in the wilderness, thru-hiking long distances, or simply rambling through the countryside, TRIPOLOGY has you covered, with what is undoubtedly the most comprehensive guide to hiking on the internet.

Alun & Adam are back in the TRIPOLOGY Hostel Common Room, after receiving a compelling email from a fellow tripologist.

This week's topic is every traveller's best friend: good old 'regret'. As wonderful as travel is, it certainly isn't perfect. Backpackers and nomads alike often lament certain aspects of their adventures; having the ability to turn hindsight into foresight, and applying experience to your future approach is a real skill.

Carefully and conscientiously, Alun & Adam discuss common travel regrets, alternative perspectives, share the honest opinions of close friends, and Adam opens up about his biggest regret - "It's about to get a little bit serious."

Do you have travel regrets? Perhaps some tips and advice you'd like to share? Send us an email at [email protected]

Please help support the show by subscribing and recommending us to friends. Please rate the show and leave us a review. It may only take a minute but it makes a BIG difference.

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/tripologypodcast

PATREON: patreon.com/tripologypodcast

HUGE thanks for your continued support. It means the world.

Take a deep breath, equalize your ears, and grab a dive buddy! This week, TRIPOLOGY descends into the astonishing world of scuba diving.

A popular activity within the travel community, scuba diving opens the door into an environment unlike any other. Marine life, underwater landscapes, coral reefs, shipwrecks, and the ever-suggestive sea cucumber are all to be discovered under the sea.

Darling, it's better down where it's wetter...

Alun professes his love for slipping into a wetsuit and submerging himself, but things don't always go swimmingly, as we hear his terrifying near-death experience whilst in pursuit of the obscure and striking Ocean Sunfish.

Adam recounts a sailing trip in Indonesia where he witnessed a choreographed dance routine performed by two gigantic Manta Rays. Free-diving, with nothing but a pair of goggles, he's quickly reminded he doesn't possess gills. Not even the Harry Potter theme tune can save him!

Do you have an incredible diving story you'd like to share? Send us an email at [email protected]

If you think you might enjoy scuba diving, please take the plunge! There's every chance it could change your life!

Check out the below links for more information on the qualifications and requirements involved in obtaining an Open Water diving licence.

PADI: https://www.padi.com/

SSI: https://www.divessi.com/en/home

Please help support the show by subscribing and recommending us to friends. Please rate the show and leave us a review. It may only take a minute but it makes a BIG difference.

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/tripologypodcast

PATREON: patreon.com/tripologypodcast

HUGE thanks for your continued support. It means the world.

This week, we welcome a guest into the TRIPOLOGY studio.

We have the pleasure of interviewing Derek Baron, founder of successful travel blog WanderingEarl.com.

In 1999, shortly after graduating university, Derek left his home in Boston, Massachusetts, with $1500 USD and the rough outline of a 3-month backpacking trip around Southeast Asia. More than 20 years later, Derek is still on that trip.

In 2009, Derek started his travel blog and it's now developed into a thriving tour company: Wandering Earl Tours

Derek's life as a digital nomad has allowed him to become 'location independent'. He has visited a staggering 130+ countries across 6 continents, worked on cruise ships, taught English, and supported various volunteering projects.

Tune in to hear Derek's fascinating insights and valuable advice, as we discuss travel lifestyles, business and culture, the impact of technology and social media, and the importance of focusing on human interactions and kindness. Derek also regales us with a nail-biting experience in Bangladesh, involving a "light kidnapping". 

Sustaining a life on the road is absolutely possible, "You just need the word Hello".

Derek's proved the concept. Now, it's your turn!

Check out Derek's blog here: https://www.wanderingearl.com/
Join Derek's incredible tours here: https://wanderingearltours.com/
Download Derek's entertaining and informative travel guide here: https://www.wanderingearl.com/travel-resources/how-to-live-a-life-of-travel/

Follow Derek on Instagram: instagram.com/wanderingearl/

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/tripologypodcast

Calling all Backpackers & Nomads - If you have any questions or want to share your travel stories, we'd love to hear from you! Tell us what you're up to! Please send us an email at [email protected]

Please help support the show by subscribing and recommending us to friends. Please rate the show and leave us a review. It may only take a minute but it makes a BIG difference.

HUGE thanks for your continued support. It means the world.

Prepare for steep hills and even steeper prices! After an action-packed adventure in Mexico City, Adam tells of his 72 hour "layover" in San Francisco, as he staggers his journey home to Canada.

In order to work off the calories consumed from eating the whole of Chinatown, Adam rents a bicycle and tours around the entire city, taking in the beautiful coastline and visiting the famous landmarks and attractions: the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge, family-friendly Fisherman's Wharf, the gigantic Golden Gate Park, and the bleak and depressing former maximum security federal prison, Alcatraz.

Check out Adam's hostel recommendation here: ITH Pacific Tradewinds Hostel - https://ithhostels.com/location/san-francisco-hostel/

Purchase Alcatraz tickets here: https://www.alcatrazislandtickets.com/

Don't miss the latest entry in the TRIPOLOGY Hostel Common Room, featured at the end of the episode.

This episode's travel advice and budgeting tips will help you plan the perfect city break!

Calling all Backpackers & Nomads: If you have any questions or want to share your travel stories, we'd love to hear from you! Tell us what you're up to! Please send us an email at [email protected]

Please help support the show by subscribing and recommending us to friends. Please rate the show and leave us a review. It may only take a minute but it makes a BIG difference.

HUGE thanks for your continued support. It means the world.

Welcome back to another edition of Tales of a Trip! Alun's in Central America, currently making his way around Guatemala.

Plan the perfect Guatemala backpacking trip with the travel advice and budgeting tips found in this episode. If you have any questions or want to share your travel stories, we'd love to hear from you!

Calling all Backpackers & Nomads: Tell us what you're up to! Please send us an email at [email protected]

Hostels in Guatemala: FLORES- https://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/?HostelNumber=274028 LANQUIN- https://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/?HostelNumber=277085 ANTIGUA- https://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/?HostelNumber=314570

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/tripologypodcast

As you prepare your rucksack for a long trip, it's arguably more important to prepare your mind. Mental health will be a running theme throughout this podcast, as it is in all of our lives. In this sensitive episode, Alun and Adam share their thoughts on the topic of mental health whilst travelling.

This episode aims to communicate aspects of long-term travel which are often overlooked, preparing you for the internal battles you may encounter whilst on the road. Backpacking around the world and living a life abroad is magical, but it doesn't come without its challenges.

If you'd like to add to the discussion, or if you're in a moment of need, please send us an email at [email protected]. We're here to listen. There are people who love you, people who are willing to help, and people who will understand.

Please help support the show by subscribing and recommending us to friends. Please rate the show and leave us a review. It may only take a minute but it makes a BIG difference.

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/tripologypodcast

PATREON: patreon.com/tripologypodcast

HUGE thanks for your continued support. It means the world.

Wow! Mexico City is not only the most populated city in the Western Hemisphere, it’s also the oldest capital in the Americas. A bustling, sprawling metropolis, marbled by tree-lined streets and beautiful colonial architecture.