Ninnaji Temple

Ryoan-ji

Bamboo Grove

How to use Airbnb - for guests

As I have been scouring Airbnb for accommodation in Europe, I thought it to be a good idea to provide some information on how to use Airbnb. Here's a quick guide regarding the very basic functions of Airbnb and a few tips on what I look for when searching for properties to stay in.

Airbnb is a lodging site that allows hosts the ability to connect with travelers from around the world while renting out their homes. For guests, it is also a fantastic way to make connections and provides the opportunity to live like a local, often for less than the cost of a hotel room. Airbnb covers a wide range of rentals, from small one bedroom apartments to tree top homes.

Getting started

Profile

Your profile is just as important as the profile of the person you are looking to rent from. Reviews, complete profiles, messages and verified ID will add to your credibility. Not to mention a complete profile that is both detailed and accurate will make you attractive to hosts and increase your chances of getting that one popular property. Much like eBay, you're given the opportunity to leave feedback on your host and they can do the same with their guests.

Property search

Like most lodging sites, you are required to input your destination, preferred dates and number of people. All available listings will be then filtered out. Following this, you will then be given the below options to choose from regarding accommodation: 

• Entire Place: The whole house or apartment will be yours. Not even the host will be staying there at the time. 
• Private Room: Your room is private, however communal areas like the kitchen will be shared with the host. Usually properties like these have more than one bedroom. 
• Shared Room: The room (and rest of the property) is shared with your host. 

Other amenities and needs

You can further specify your requests and needs. Choose to select amenities you need - wifi, air-conditioning, a balcony perhaps? Number of beds and bathrooms will also help to fine tune your pickings. Keep in mind that Airbnb tends to also search properties in neighbouring locations so it is a good idea to refer to the map provided on the side to pinpoint each actual property location. Of course, there is also the price range. 

When booking the property, another way to sort is by checking over your host's profile, verification and reviews. Ensure that they have been verified by Airbnb and take a look at their response rate. Of course, reading through reviews is a no brainer in terms of obtaining other information on both the host and the property, but keep in mind that everyone starts out with zero reviews. This doesn't mean they aren't as legitimate as others, but ratings do provide a little more security about the host.

Cancellation policies

Airbnb have varying cancellation policies ranging from "flexible", "moderate" to  "long term". These outline the requirements and specifications on refunds, fees and taxes. For more detailed information, click here. 

Fees

Keep in mind that there may be fees you will receive as a guest:

• Security deposit: The typical security deposit covering incidents and accidents that are incurred during the stay.
• Cleaning fee: Some hosts charge a cleaning fee. 
• Service fee: Airbnb's portion comes into play here, charging guests anywhere between a 6% - 12% fee for booking.

Next steps

Once you're happy with your property choice and host, you can choose to:

• Add the property to your wishlist: This is useful if you like the property but are still browsing. Saving it onto your wishlist lets you re-visit it. 
• Contact the host: This is where you have the ability to ask your host any questions and comb out fine-details.
• Request to book: This automatically takes you to the payment page. 

After submitting your request, the host has 24 hours to accept or reject it. If your host accepts your request to book, your credit card will be charged immediately, including security and cleaning fees. If your host rejects your request or doesn't get back to you in the allotted time, nothing is charged. 

Tips

• Be earnest in your Airbnb profile and complete as much of it as possible. State your intention, a couple of interests and upload a photo. Even if you don't have any previous feedback, it will increase your chances of being accepted by a host. 
• Communicate with your host before booking. Doing this with hosts demonstrates both the guest's ability to communicate and the host's ability to provide answers. Often through how a person expresses and represents themselves through words is what will signify to both host and guest the reasons for going ahead with the booking. Another reason for communicating is that there is nothing worse than thinking that their property is available during your dates when actually their online calendar hasn't been updated. This is also the chance for you to get any questions answered that might just determine one property from another. That being said, don't ask questions where the information is already readily available in the listing as this will reflect poorly on yourself.
• Read reviews. This will help weed out the good properties and hosts from the bad. It's also a good way of picking up tips from other people who have stayed in these properties and what it is they may have found very beneficial about the property, or perhaps something they would like to caution potential guests to avoid. 
• For me, location is incredibly important and contributes greatly to the properties I'm looking at. I ensure that they are within a good walking distance from the nearest train station and are in good neighbourhoods. If they're in an area where the best coffee shops and bakeries are located, I'm also sold. Lonely Planet guides, the Airbnb neighbourhood guides and Google searches help with this. Go for central locations where transportation, food and shops are easily accessible. 
• Book early. Certain rentals that are particularly popular tend to get snapped up quickly. If you've had your eye on one for a while or there's a balcony with a view you want to wake up to, get in early and start the process. This also leaves time just in case something goes array and the booking is cancelled, you'll still have time up your sleeve to search for another. 
• Airbnb is very much like renting a holiday house locally. Each place comes with their terms and conditions. One thing to remember is that key pick up is a thing that happens and the dropping off of keys also needs to occur. Unlike a hotel where you can check in and out at a time of your choosing, you need to coordinate and communicate with your host surrounding dates and times. 

For other references, visit Fairbnb, be aware of Investopedia's article, this helpful pro and con summary, Airbnb's support article or scroll through this guide with step by step pictures. 

I hope these tips prove helpful. Even if a few of your Airbnb searches don't come to fruition or you've decided to book a hotel instead, some of these homes on offer provide you with a little visual interior architecture and decor inspiration. Besides, it's always fun to peek into the homes of others in different parts of the world, isn't it?

For $32 credit on your next stay, use this link when you book. I've tag teamed on my boyfriend's Airbnb account. Happy Airbnb searching!

On packing your suitcase

Daunting or fun? With a month and a half left until I'm zooming across the world for a little Europe stint, I thought it would be about time that I actually collate my tips on packing. In a way this helps us both - especially when all of a sudden the time ticks on and I've realised I have a week left until I'll be needing to drag myself and my suitcase into the taxi to the airport.

What to pack

Start with the essentials

Passport, tickets, vouchers and printed confirmations (including travel insurance)

1. First things first, scan a copy of your passport. Leave one at home for your family or friends as a reference. Keep the other with you in a separate place to your passport (this might even be in your Dropbox). Noting your passport details will help in the odd instance that it goes missing, or for your loved one's peace of mind.
2. If your travel confirmations are by way of email, go paper-light and screenshot them on your phone for quick reference. This will help if you're having difficulties connecting to the internet while ensuring they're all in the one place. 

Beauty and Skincare

1. These items can include face wash, moisturiser, sunscreen, make up etc. Converse with your travel partners in crime (if they're travelling with you), and agree to share a couple of essentials - toothpaste, sunscreen and perhaps even shampoo. You'll save space and prevent from unnecessary duplication. There's no need for three full tubes of toothpaste, one will suffice. 
2. Think hard about what you would like to have and what you're likely to use. There's a difference. Often too many times I have brought along an additional eye shadow palate that never saw the light from the depth of my suitcase but instead took up room and weight. You sometimes even end up purchasing more makeup if you come across Sephora. Other times you might be a bit too tired or worn out to get into the entirety of your beauty routine anyway and a fair bit of your items go unused.
3. If in the event that you have forgotten something when you get there, e.g. toothpaste, shower cap, check with the hotel (if you're staying in one) before going to the store.

Clothes and shoes

1. Clothing very much depends on where you're travelling to. As do the shoes you decide to pick. If you're going to a few different countries with varying climates this may take a little more thought. Consider bringing a staple coat and invest in layering options if you will encounter more warm climates than cold. Of course, pack for the climate.
2. Don't pack something you haven't worn before. In the case of shoes, unworn shoes might be uncomfortable. 
3. Clothes that require ironing are troublesome. If possible, avoid packing these. You'll save precious holiday time. Lightweight layers are your best friend. If you've got your clothes laid out on your bed, attempt to cull them to at least half that amount if you want to travel lighter. 
4. You'll only ever need one dressy outfit. One pair of shoes should be dressy enough to let you past the bar/restaurant dress codes while still remaining comfortable enough for every day wear.
5. Curate a couple of easy outfits. Coordinate tops with matching bottoms and don't be afraid to re-wear items. 
6. I always go with three pairs of shoes. Sneakers, flats/sandles and one dressy-ish every day pair. Flats often suffice as the dressier pair.  

Technology and accessories

1. Memory cards. Invest in a few more memory cards or cards with a lot of space. I can't stress this enough. In my opinion, it's best to have more than one memory card on the off chance that it corrupts or you've already filled up a majority of space with photographs and footage. Always back up your footage and format memory cards once they are clear so that they are ready for the next use.
2. Don't forget universal power adapters and a power board. Nothing is more annoying than needing to charge your phone, laptop and camera battery when you only have one travel adapter and can only charge one item at a time. 
3. External hard drives are also god sends. As are spare camera batteries. We have two GoPro batteries and so while one is used through the day, the other is on charge. Having two allows us to easily rotate them without potential footage being compromised for lack of a battery.
4. Don't forget phone chargers and other accessories you may need. 

Ensure you make a travel checklist. Include medicines and a first aid kit with the necessities - ibuprofen, bandaids, antiseptic creams etc. Perhaps even party feet!

How to pack

Keep in mind that when standing up, items in the suitcase have a tendency to fall to the bottom if not packed securely. When opening your suitcase it's also best to place items that you will use regularly toward the top, on the occasion that you need to retrieve items quickly. For all sentimental items or items of value, place them in your carry on - it would be unfortunate if your suitcase was lost in transit and any items that aren't easily replaceable be there.

1. Create the base layer. Pack in large and heavy items like shoes and coats. Heavier shoes should sit on the side of the wheel. This helps to distribute weight evenly across the bag. Adding a few bundles of socks into your shoes will also help to save space while ensuring they stay in shape. These larger and heavier items act as a protective barrier at the shell of the suitcase. If you're still weary of potential damage, add a thin line of clothes at the bottom of the suitcase to act as padding. Don't forget to put your shoes in bags, to prevent the soles from getting your clothes dirty.
2. Add your padded layer. Choose to fold, roll or bundle your clothes - depending on how they fit with your base layer. Usually I can get away with rolling skirts and the odd cotton top but often resort to folding shirts and pants. Folding two shirts opposite sides together will prevent from heavy creases. 
3. Centre layer. Your centre layer is also where you can put in a couple of the items that need protection, e.g. cosmetics and beauty creams (place these in a bag too just in case of any spills), hair straightener and camera cables, which will be protected by the padded and top layers.
4. Top layer. Usually this is a combination of other clothes that also further act as padding and the ones that I want least creased (especially when you have slightly convex suitcases, there's more air and room). It's also where I place the items that need to be most accessible (in the case that I don't want to unpack the rest of the contents immediately when settling into my accommodation - it's something I tend to do at the end of the day, after showering but before bed) and can be easily hung up as soon as I get my hands on some coat hangers.    

Other tips:

1. For the ladies, bras are a necessity. Mostly. Stack them atop each other and fold them in half. Placing underwear or socks inside this fold will prevent the cups from losing shape. 
2. If you have any odd creases or gaps in your suitcase layers, these are neat places to add your folded underwear. 
3. Purchase a couple of compression bags (I get all of mine from Daiso, a ridiculously cheap Japanese shop with the best and most practical goods on sale, whenever I'm in Asia. There's also a Daiso in Melbourne and Sydney, or you can opt to order some from eBay.) that don't need vacuums. These will help compress bulkier clothes or create a little more room in your bag if needed. Beware, they are a bit rigid after the air has been pushed out of them. These particularly become very handy at the end of the trip when you've found you may have gone a little overboard in shopping.

Enjoy your packing fun!

Scenes of Singapore

Singapore is a modern metropolis, providing a buzzing city of business, shopping and culture. Beyond the modern architecture and skyscrapers is a city of character, culture and history - of which is infused in the people, food and streets. Singapore's hawker centres are a must try and visits to the malls are expected. Markets stalls especially those found in Little India, Tiong Bahru and Chinatown provide a multitude of delights. I myself am frequently found exploring little lanes and devouring two breakfasts in the food courts. Singapore takes pride in its harmony, cleanliness and well ordered, well functioning city.