TYNEMOUTH

 

Indeed, these are not ordinary days, especially for people from Italy, the Philippines, New York, Wuhan, and all other areas that are hit devastatingly by COVID-19. These days are not ordinary for those who are seeing the pandemic realistically, feeling the anxiety and stress of fighting against an invisible villain that has been making chaos in our world mentally, physically, emotionally, and economically. While we are on lockdown with very strict guidelines established in place all over the world, a lot of people, including me, ask if they can still possibly travel and fulfill their life long dreams.

A friend of mine who owns a famous travel planning company told me that the global community is influenced by the promise of discovering the world and the different places that we are presented with when we leave our homes to travel. Of course, recommending you to travel now would be so irresponsible, so he didn’t. Instead, he gave me some useful advice to help me plan for my future journeys.

Concisely, he suggested that I postpone my trips and travel dreams – postpone, not cancel. He recommended that look forward to the fall season, within September and December 2020, when clinicians and researchers foresee that it’ll be clearer and virus-free. Nobody can guarantee this precisely, but it does give us a timeline to be hopeful for beautiful things to come soon.

Soon we will find our way back to the beautiful world again – the world that included chefs, drivers, friends, and everyone who makes traveling so rewarding. Carrie Goldberg, travel director of Bazaar.com, says that his heart aches when he hears people asking whether or not trips to Rome, Venice, or Tuscany will ever be open again, as these places mean a lot to him. He continues that he will surely be the first one to go back to Milan or Venice when it’s safe to do so. The visions of him eating in one of the local restaurants or simply having coffee at the corners of Tuscany is what’s helping him get through the pandemic.

Planning Your Bucket List

My friend assured me that I would travel again. When these restrictions and quarantine implementations that are placed for our good are finally released, when we will be free from the chains of the coronavirus, we will all need to go out. We need a vacation. He embraced me, saying, “When you will be allowed to on vacation, the world will still be there.”

So in the meantime, I am following his advice and coming up with a bucket list of my dream vacations when the world will be ready for me. I have always dreamed of a long journey that will change and rejuvenate me. Perhaps the hidden gems of Tynemouth. It doesn’t matter if I’m in Vietnam having a taste of their delectable cuisine or in Paris being swept away by the romance of it all. I wouldn’t mind learning about the culture in Africa or why dramas in Korea are so sellable. I am just thinking of a trip that will somehow correct the uncertainty of the past months. The desire to go places has always been in my mind, no matter where that is.

Today, I am fixing my bucket list. What of the beaches in Hawaii – a beautiful place that is filled with flowers, trees, and everything tropical. I’m planning a family vacation in one of the rivers in our hometown, where we can set a bonfire and grill some barbecue and smores. There’s no better way to forget about all the negativity that we’ve gathered from this self-isolation than to celebrate freedom with the family?

Another thing that I added to my list is catching up with friends from afar. That, I haven’t done in such a long time – quarantine or no quarantine. If there is one realization that I had amid this crisis, it is that life is short – it only takes a virus to stop someone from breathing. I have friends from around the world, so I’ll be doing myself a favor of finally being able to keep in touch with them and, of course, traveling! Now I think that’s one of the best ways to live life.

 

The 2019 Tynemouth Summit encourages volunteers and tourists to join hundreds of clean-ups around the country. As the coastline continues to suffer from pollution, they appeal to thousands of visitors to ensure they’re not leaving litter on the beaches. It is fundamental when traveling, to follow and respect the rules put in place. 

While exploring new destinations is rejuvenating, a traveler has to conduct proper behaviors when visiting new places. Here are some of the travel etiquette you need to follow when you’re traveling: 

1. Don’t Litter

Not only when you’re traveling, but littering has never been a proper thing to do. You have to pick your trash and put it in the appropriate place. At least while you’re enjoying your trip, you can also preserve the environment while you’re at it. There are no countries that would allow or adore a visitor with no respect for their surroundings. Follow the rules and guidelines of the country’s waste management. 

2. Try To Learn The Language And Custom

You don’t have to join a language course before you travel, but a simple translation to the words like “hello” or “nice meeting you” to the place you’re visiting will suffice. You also have to be mindful of the way the site greets each other. Some countries prefer bowing, shaking hands, or kisses on the cheek when greeting, while some don’t even do physical contact. In this way, you will understand certain gestures and not get surprised by it. 

3. Dress Appropriately

When traveling, you have to be respectful of the culture of the place you’re visiting. One factor in this is appropriately dressing, depending on their tradition. Try to wear clothes that are as close as the locals or cover up the knees and elbows to be sure. If you want to know more, you can ask the people around you or conduct a quick search on the internet.  

4. No Matter What, Be Polite

Remember that you’re a visitor and be courteous when you’re interacting with the locals. People would always want to engage with a friendly person, so be polite no matter what. For example, if you don’t like the food put in your table, don’t show your disgust and try to eat a small bite. In some cases, insulting their food may mean insulting their culture. So be wary.

There used to be a time when people go on a trip and focus on having fun. All they had was the name of the city or town that they wanted to visit. These folks might know a hotel or resort as well, but that’s mere because a friend or advertisement informed them about it. And when they reach their destination, they let loose and try to do as much as possible before leaving.

Nowadays, when folks travel, they do not care much about the number of activities they can do in one place. They use the internet to search for a location where there are plenty of camera-friendly areas. They manage to stop at a few hotspots, but their goal is to take a lot of photos instead of appreciating the structures or the view.

In all honesty, nothing seems wrong with how the people in the modern age spend their vacation. Others say that everyone is becoming less appreciative of what we have, but I don’t think that’s the case. We merely focus on capturing what we see and then sharing it with the rest of the world.

The only issue that always comes up during vacations is internet connectivity. You don’t have to worry if you’re traveling to another city. It means that you will still get a signal from your telecom company. However, if your destination is another country, you may have to look for a different way to stay connected online.

Here are a few ways to be virtually safe while traveling.

Avoid Public Hotspots

Terminals, restaurants, and café often boast about offering free Wi-Fi to their customers. Some come with a password; others you can connect to openly. Most individuals, however, are attracted to the latter because it entails that they can stand outside of the establishment to use their internet.

The thing is, open Wi-Fi connections are easy to access not only by tourists like you but also by hackers. Who’s to say that hacktivists are not baiting you with the internet to be able to get your personal information? To be on the safe side, therefore, you ought to avoid public hotspots altogether.

Buy 4G Or LTE SIM Card

Assuming your smartphone has an open line, you can remove your SIM card for a while and replace it with a local one from the country that you’re visiting. You see, even when you go to a third-world nation, you can find prepaid SIM cards that come with an internet connection. It may cost you a little more than usual, but it can undoubtedly reduce your chances of getting hacked.

Use A VPN

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It is not as mainstream as other internet services, but it is starting to gain popularity all over the world. The reason is that VPN encrypts whatever data you are sending or receiving, thus keeping you safe from hackers

Final Thoughts

No matter how much you enjoy staying connected virtually when you’re traveling, you should be aware of how you are getting the internet. Not all connections are secure, especially not the ones without passwords. Remember the tips above to ensure your internet safety anywhere.

Good luck!

I love the idea of traveling to a foreign place every summer. For someone who rarely sees the sun, I have to go to a tropical location to enjoy the beach. It is a perfect opportunity for me to get a natural tan and resemble a bronzed goddess, even if it may only last for a few days. Of course, it feels incredible to bury my feet in the sand and feel the waves crash on my legs.

The thing is, I am the only one in my family who loves going to a new place all the time. When I brought my parents to Cabo, Mexico several years ago, they wanted to go back there every year after that. My father said, “We already know our way around Cabo, and it’s a beautiful location. Why should we have to go somewhere else and risk getting lost?”

As repetitive as I may sound, I reiterate to my parents how we can avoid getting lost in a foreign place. Let me share the steps I take to ensure that.

Do Extensive Research About The Town/City

One of the vital things you can do before the trip is doing extensive research about the towns or cities that you’ll visit. The internet is your best friend during this phase. When you type a particular location, dozens of information will pop up. You may be able to find blogs from people who have been there.

In case you want to see things for yourself, you can find a street view version of a place. It entails that you will see a panoramic image and even be able to “walk” around the streets.

Figure Out The Routes

Considering you know which places you want to visit, your next goal is to search for the routes that will take you there. Start from the airport, bus terminal, train station, or wherever you will come from. Find out how far your hotel is from a theme park, a famous restaurant, etc. At least a couple of routes may appear so that you won’t feel lost at all.

Know The Best Mode Of Transportation To Reach A Particular Destination

Another thing to think about is your mode of transportation in a foreign place.

When you consult Google maps, you will realize that the best way to travel is via a private car. You can look for shortcuts, go anytime you want, and not worry about sitting next to strangers. However, trains and buses may bring you faster to your destination than a vehicle that you will drive.

Remember The Names Of Key Establishments

Lastly, you should remember the name of your hotel, the street it is in, the café near it, and other establishments that can lead you back to your accommodation. You cannot forget this, especially if you are in a place where English isn’t the primary language. Even when you cannot communicate fluently with the locals, they may recognize the key locations and point you there.

Final Thoughts

Still scared of getting lost in a foreign place? Don’t be. Follow the tips above and travel confidently.

Good luck!

 

 When my therapist advised me to take a leave from work and take care of myself, I immediately thought about my long-overdue trip to Tynemouth, where one of my close friends is currently living. She’s been telling me to visit her ever since she got married to a Tynemouth resident and I’ve always refused because of my job that demands so much of my time. Now that the advice came from a professional, I knew it was the perfect timing, especially because it was summertime. The stress and anxiety were killing me. Besides, Kate promised to eliminate most if not all of that negativity after the trip.

 

Beach Fun

To cut the story short, for my first day, Tynemouth – and Kate – didn’t fail me at all. We went to the beautiful beaches that the village was known for, which were almost always packed with locals and tourists who were so eager to have those tan lines when the day was done. We had lunch at the King Edward’s Bay, where we met with some of Kate’s friends who were just as cool as she was. It was a satisfying lunch. Food was great, as I expected since Tynemouth is popular for its varying choices of gastronomical treats. In the afternoon, we did some summer fun at Longsands, an awesome beach with fine golden sand and a vista that was worth waiting for the sunset. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt so light and relaxed.

Kate’s friends brought some sports gear, and we had a lot of fun playing Frisbee while burning those calories from the slabs of barbeque I ate for lunch. We also had a game of volleyball with some of the tourists who were also there just for the summer.

Pub Crawl – A Night To Remember!

The next day, we woke up late. It felt great not to be running around at six in the morning, anxious and nervous about a presentation or in a hurry because you have another company meeting. I just went with the flow – the slow, rejuvenating flow of the Tynemouth summer. We were getting our energies refueled for the most-awaited British Pub Crawl later that evening. I read that the place had more than 20 pubs that were just a few meters from each other, so we had various options on where to drink and get drunk! Our route was one that would tour us around town and stopping by the main clubs, and then we end at the Metro station for the last trip home.

The Cumberland Arms was the first pub we tried. We had a pint of bitter, as suggested by Kate – and Google – and a pint was more than enough for me to feel initially dizzy (no way, not on my first pub!). It was a little expensive, and the music was not my type. So after 30 minutes, we transferred to the Turk’s Head, a unique pub located in a lovely Victorian building. It was surrounded with eccentric historical structures, is conveniently nestled on the town’s main street. Drinks were cheaper, and it was more fun than the Cumberland Arms.

We visited three more pubs before we headed to our last destination for the night – the Head of Steam. A relatively new pub and one of the busiest at the moment, the Head of Steam served strong mixed beverages, particularly the long island iced tea. The intoxication was freedom for my soul, and I shamelessly danced with the live band music, marking the end of a great evening.

 

Curry, Chips, And More

I couldn’t enumerate all my favorite restaurants because there are a lot! I just listed a few below that blew my taste buds away.

Plaza Tandoori. I’m a ‘curry’ fan, and Kate knows this, so she brought me to this curry house, which was near the beach. The Tandoori is also the locals’ favorite. I was lucky to go on a Thursday where I experienced their delicious and satisfying 5-course meal.

The Davanti was Tynemouth’s popular Italian restaurant. It was classy and the cuisine – grilled duck breast in barbeque sauce to name one – was the epitome of Italian food made perfectly delicious.

For great food that was relatively affordable, we chose to check out the Village Bistro one afternoon. This place is also located near the beach, so people flock there to buy sandwiches and other snacks and take them to the sand for an afternoon picnic.

 

Worth The Visit

On the way back home, I had a clearer mind that was ready to go back to work. I would say my Tynemouth summer trip is one I will not forget. I’m happy that now I have somewhere to go when I need an anxiety and stress-free break.

 

 

 

Tynemouth is a great tourist destination for people who already have anxiety when they see high-rise buildings in more following countries and look forward to experiencing nature at its grandest. In addition to that, there are a lesser number of people who come to this location every year compared to other neighboring nations; that’s why the citizens can preserve the natural beauty of the various structures that have been standing in the country for so many years. To offer a detailed explanation of how to enjoy your stay in this part of England, below are the top four Tynemouth travel recommendations. Continue reading “Travel Recommendations And Packing Essentials For An Anxiety-Free Trip To Tynemouth”

Wanting to get a tan and forgetting the white complexion that your old family members have passed down to you is not a bad thing. Everyone seems to wish they look like the bronzed deities from Greek mythology, after all. What you should think about is the best time to tan so that you can prevent contracting diseases or aging the skin.

Why Is Tanning Important?

It does not bother me when someone questions my love for the bronzed look. I only tell them my opinion about it and move on. If you cannot decide whether you should stay for hours in the sun, though, know that tanning can do the following:

Elevate Mood And Energy

The number of people who feel better after getting a tan has substantially increased in recent years. This truth is apparent specifically among young adults.

Scientists have been trying to figure out the correlation between the activity and the mood and behavioral change that newly tanned individuals experience. A few people claim that it raises their endorphin levels, yet what’s obvious is that it affects their mental and psychological views about themselves.

You may try tanning in case you are down and want to increase the melanin in the body. It will be like hitting two birds with a single stone then.

Offer Base Protection

When you are as white as a starved vampire, the skin may merely burn once you sunbathe and not have an even tan. It has happened to me the first time I went to the beach, assuming that all I needed to do was lay on the sand on my front and back for several hours without any preparation.

I have learned since then that hanging out at the tanning salon long enough to see a tinge of color change can prep me for what’s about to take place. This process ideally injects SPF 3 or 4 on the skin – a favorable amount of protection you should have before tanning begins.

Improve Well-Being

Hypertension, multiple sclerosis, and internal cancers are some of the illnesses that the medical society may or may not have found a cure for. Their common denominator is that your condition – considering you possess any of these health problems – may improve once you get exposed to the sun.

Is It Better To Tan Indoors Than Outdoors?

Staying on the beach to get tanned means that you are willing to strip down and let the sunshine touch your bare skin. Despite the high temperature, the heat will not be concentrated on the body, so there are minimal chances of roasting yourself in public.

If you prefer using the tanning beds, sprays, or lotions, on the other hand, you may book a session at any time you please. Personally, however, I am not fond of this method because the intensity of the ultraviolet light that will penetrate your skin can get 12 times more extreme compared to the latter.

The level of convenience that both practices provide may be different, depending on where you live. If you are in Tynemouth, for instance, natural tanning may suit your lifestyle. In case your place rarely gets that golden glow, the chemical solutions can ideally add color to the pale complexion.

When Is The Best Time To Tan?

Although tanning is famous among the white-skinned folks, not everyone can attain the perfect tan. Below are tips to consider regarding the most opportune moment to get a tan.

Before And After Lunch

When your mind is set on looking like a bronzed god or goddess, you might think that staying outside the entire day may be the way to go. However, skincare specialists claim that you can only step out in the sun before 10 AM and after 3 AM. The time between them, you see, is when the UV rays are most damaging. The central star goes directly above the planet, and so its heat drags on until it’s about to set.

To save yourself from mending burns or suffering from premature aging, sunbathe before or after lunch.

When You Are Done With Medication

You may not be able to do tanning while taking antibiotics, birth control pills, or antidepressants. If these medicines are still present in your system, the intense ultraviolet light can react with any of them to increase your photosensitivity. That will prevent you from sunbathing for a little while as rashes may form even after a few minutes of sun exposure. Try to get a tan only when you no longer take medication.

Days After Utilizing A Tanning Bed

The best time to subject yourself to natural tanning is at least 48 hours beyond your last sunbed session.
Like what we have already recognized earlier, the ultraviolet rays that the bulbs in the tanning beds emit have amplified strength in comparison to what the sun provides. Because of that, you become exposed to an enormous amount of UV light, which can potentially harm your skin.

Imagine what occurs now if you insist on flaunting your new tan on the beach just after a day or two. You still have not recovered from the process, but the sunbeams to come in contact with your skin and increase the coloration.
It is not wrong to do both methods at a close interval if need be. Just give your body enough period to create more space for the UV.

The Verdict

Tanning is a great technique to increase the amount of melanin in your system. It is also ideal to do it on one of the peaceful beaches in Tynemouth so that you can relax and enjoy the day. Nonetheless, remember the things mentioned above to avoid roasting your skin literally.

Good luck!