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Four years ago, on September 6th, 2015, I found myself in one of the scariest situations that I have been in a while traveling, and the worst part is that I signed up for it. One of my best friends/travel buddies and I had decided to take another Eurotrip, and this time we added a few new countries to our itinerary. One of those countries was Turkey. Istanbul had always been on my bucket list, and finally, I was able to check it off. My mom wasn’t too happy about us going to Turkey because there had been several terrorist attacks in the country and well no sensible mother wants their daughter running around a country that is under attack. I can’t blame her for not wanting me to go, but I am her wild, crazy daughter, so of course, I still went.
Everything was so new to me as far as the culture and just the aesthetics of the city that I fell in love instantly. It was my first time in a majority Muslim country, and since I have Muslim friends, I had an idea of what to expect, but the reality was so much better than my expectations. The beautiful mosques, the call to prayer, the delicious food, and the gorgeous Turkish people were an overdose to my senses. My friend and I spent our first few days doing the typical touristic things like visiting the Hagia Sophia, (a must-see!) going to the spice market, trying the local food and buying souvenirs from street vendors. One of the things that we kept hearing while we were there is to try a Turkish massage or Turkish hamam. Our hostel said that they could arrange for us to go to a bathhouse where they specialize in hamam and that they always recommend them to their guests. My friend and I both thought it was a great idea and signed up. That was our first mistake.
A small, white van came and picked us up from the hostel and took us to the bathhouse that our hostel had recommended. Once we walked inside, we were both pulled away from each other and pushed towards opposite sides. The older lady who grabbed me spoke very limited English, and all I understood was, “This way, this way!” Next thing I know, I’m being shoved into a tiny room sort of like a cabin, and she hands me a towel and says, “Clothes off, clothes off!” At this point, I’m starting to get nervous. I take everything off except for my bra and underwear and sit with the towel wrapped around me. The lady comes and opens the door and sees that I still have my bra on, and she grabs the strap and tells me, “Take off.” I do as she requests and I take my bra and underwear off. She then grabs my arm and pulls me out and takes me to another room where she opens the door to this tiny dwelling. After she shoves me inside, I look around and see that there are hot coals in the middle of the tiny room and realize it is a sauna. Saunas are supposed to be relaxing, and yet here I am freaking out thinking that I’m about to be sold into the sex slave trade or the black market.
My mind was racing, and the other thing that I kept thinking was that I was being kidnapped. I was naked and afraid, literally. After minutes of sitting alone in the sauna, the door opens, and two other girls are shoved inside. I thought, “Holy sh*t, we’re being taken.” I stayed quiet for a minute, and then I looked over at them and said, “Excuse me, do you speak English?” You cannot imagine my sigh of relief after they said yes. They were both from Turkey originally, but they were living in Norway for the past few years, and they said that this is not a typical Turkish hamam. They had never experienced something like this, and they were also freaking out. I was already terrified before them telling me that this wasn’t a typical hamam, and now I was next level terrified. As the three of us sat there, terrified, I couldn’t help but think of ways that we could escape.
Before I knew it, the door opens, and the older lady who had shoved me in was now grabbing my hand to get me out. I am then escorted to another room adjacent to the spa room. The room was huge, and there was a marble square in the middle. The lady tells me to lay down on the square. I lay with my towel covering me, and then she comes and yanks it off. There I am, butt naked on a marble square wondering how the Hell I ended up there and what went wrong in my life to get me there. The older woman grabs a bucket and a huge sponge and begins to wash my entire body from head to toe. When I say entire body, I mean my ENTIRE BODY. These woman looks like she could be my grandmother, and here she is cleaning every crevasse and touching me in places that I wouldn’t even allow former lovers to touch me. My exact thoughts were, “This is it. She is cleaning me and prepping me to be sold to some mafia guy so I can be used in the sex trade. I’m so f***ed.”
After the intense body scrub, I feel her start to massage my arms, my legs, and eventually my back. I believe that this was supposed to be enjoyable, but I was too terrified to allow myself to enjoy the experience. Once she was finished massaging my body, she pulled me up and handed me the towel. She then leads me to the cabin-like room that had my clothes still in them. She pointed and said, “Clothes on.” I go inside the cabin and dress, and when I come back, she yells, “Bye!” and points to the exit. When I walk through the doorway, I see my best friend waiting for me in the middle of the room. When I see him, I run over to him and say, “Oh my God, I thought I was being taken.” He looked at me and said that he thought the same exact thing.
As we leave the bathhouse, we take a selfie in front of it to save the crazy memory. We quickly realize that the van that dropped us off was not going to pick us up, so we make our way back to our hostel and exchange our crazy massage stories. We were both terrified during the entire massage experience, but since we both survived, we were now laughing about it. If anyone ever asks me what the scariest thing that has ever happened to me while traveling is, this is typically my response.
Side note: Although I had a wild massage experience while in Istanbul, I would still 100% recommend that everyone visit Istanbul if they have the chance. It’s a beautiful city, I’ve seen some of the best sunsets there, and the people are extremely hospitable. I would go back tomorrow if I could.
The sheer look of terror after the hamam. This is also one of the ugliest pictures that I have of myself so please enjoy. Early that day in the Blue Mosque. Inside Hagia Sophia. One of my best friends/travel partners and I in front of the Blue Mosque only a few hours before our “massage.”
One of the questions that I always get is, “How do you plan everything, and what websites do you use?” Whether you are planning a weekend getaway or a month-long adventure around Asia, there are websites and tools specially created to take some of the pain out of planning. Below I’ve listed my current favorite websites and apps that have helped me not only save money, but keeps me from losing my mind while I try to plan out longer trips.
1. Kayak
Kayak is my go-to website for flights. There are other websites out there that are sometimes cheaper, but Kayak is consistent. The site is easy to maneuver even for the less technologically savvy. It’s so easy that even grandma and grandpa can find their flights with it. There are also other features on Kayak besides flights such as hotels, cars, cruises, and package deals. I only use it for flights, but I know plenty of people who have used it for the others mentioned.
Once we decided that the Airbnb wasn’t going to work for us, I opened the Booking.com app on my phone and found a place and booked it within 5 minutes. It is that simple. The website and app are user-friendly, and it is essential in an “I’m standing in the middle of the world’s largest slum” moment.
https://www.booking.com/
3. Airbnb
I tend only to use Airbnb when I am traveling in a group. It’s not that Airbnb isn’t good for solo travelers, but I feel as though I get more bang for my buck on Airbnb when I’m traveling with at least four people. If you have never heard of Airbnb, it is a website that people rent out their apartments, houses or extra rooms to anyone who is looking to stay in another city or country but still wants the “at home” feel while they are away. Those traveling on a budget love the fact that they have a full kitchen to cook and reduce expenses. It’s also nice because of ample space, cleanliness and the option of never having to see the owners unless you need to. I always look at Airbnb and compare their choices with Booking because there are some hidden gems on Airbnb. I found a Treehouse in Puerto Rico that has the beach and chill vibes that I want. Some people swear by Airbnb others swear by Booking. Just like everything else with travel, it’s what works best for you. Take a look at both and decide what suits your needs the best.
https://www.airbnb.com/
4. Hostelworld
Hostelworld is a great place for young backpackers who are yearning to see the world, but they don’t have the same budget as Beyonce. (Let’s be honest, the majority of us don’t.) Hostelworld is what helped me travel Europe while I was in college and still be able to afford to eat while I was traveling from one destination to another. The website is one of the most go-to sites for young backpackers, and I still use it when I’m going somewhere by myself even though I’m no longer in my twenties. (Shh!) Hostels are typically shared dormitories that allow you to meet other travelers, have a place to sleep, and most of the time, a kitchen to cook a meal. Hostels have various sleeping options that range from private rooms to a mixed room with six bunk beds. Hostels also have the single-sex option so for female travelers like myself, and it makes you feel a bit safer knowing that you will only be sharing the room and bathroom with other females. I always suggest hostels to younger travelers and especially those who are traveling alone because it is a great way to meet new people, find out the best sites to see, the things that aren’t worth your time and the top food and bars in the area. If you are an introvert and enjoy your alone time, then I suggest going with a private room or a smaller dormitory so that you get that peace and chill time. Extroverts, like me, this is your time to shine. Go to the common areas and strike up conversations and see where the rest of the night takes you. Some of my best memories are from meeting new people at the hostel and then spending the rest of the day with them.
https://www.hostelworld.com/
5. Skyscanner
Skyscanner is an app that allows you to search for specific dates and destinations and sends you an alert when the price for the flights drop or if they project that the price will increase. The majority of seasoned travelers that I know use it and trust it. It is user-friendly and helps save you money and time. It is no secret that flights tend to be cheaper on certain days of the week, but who has an entire Tuesday to sit at their computer and hit refresh? Not most. I appreciate Skyscanner because it does the leg work for me. If the light that I am eyeing is about to go up in price, then I get an alert, and it allows me to lock it in before it does. It’s a helpful tool for any kind of traveler.
https://www.skyscanner.com/
6. Vueling
Vueling is a budget airline that has cheap flights all around Europe. Most travelers will tell you to use the rail (train) to travel across Europe, but what I have found is that the rail is more expensive than flying.* I have found flights as cheap as $75 while using Vueling. Seeing that it is a budget airline, there are limits on luggage, and there are fees if you go over the weight allowance so make sure that you can pay for more weight before your flight or pack light because there is nothing worse than paying for extra weight. It will burn through your savings, so avoid making a huge mistake. You will thank me later, I promise! For my fellow travelers from the U.S., everything around the rest of the world is measured in kilos, so 7 kilos are roughly 15 pounds. (1 kilo=2.2 pounds. Memorize this formula because it will save you more than you can imagine.)
https://www.vueling.com/
7. Scott’s Cheap Flights
Scott’s Cheap Flights is an app that sends price alerts straight to your email. The great thing about Scott’s is that they give you a heads up on price drops to destinations all around the world, so it takes the hassle out of searching for great deals. The only disadvantage that I have found to Scott’s Cheap Flights is that not everyone has a flexible schedule or budget that allows them to book a holiday on such short notice. Once you receive the alert, you have a limited amount of time to book the deal before the flights go back up. I still recommend Scott’s Cheap Flights because you get killer deals and it doesn’t cost anything to sign up. They have a premium option that I do not have, but it may be worth looking into for those who are continually looking for great deals.
https://app.scottscheapflights.com
8. Gate1Travel
I’m not above admitting that I have booked through a travel agency. Gate1 Travel takes the hassle out of planning. One of the things that people tell me is their worst nightmare and keeps them from traveling abroad is the planning that goes into everything. I typically do plan my own travel, but there are times where I want a getaway that I have to put no effort into it. What can I say? I’m human. I can admit that planning everything can be exhausting and that’s when I’ve used Gate1 Travel. They have packages for destinations all over the world. The great thing is that they have everything lined up from the moment you arrive until the moment that you leave. The downside to this is that you are on a schedule and sometimes you just want to do your own thing. Gate1 allows downtime for those who wish to explore on their own, which is what I enjoy about it. I don’t suggest booking trips like this often, but if someone I know is looking for a site that will take the headache out of the planning, then this is the one that I always provide.
https://www.gate1travel.com
Whether you are a seasoned traveler or a beginner, all of these sites and apps are helpful. I have at least three opened in my browser at any given time. I know beginner travelers have a difficult time navigating through the immense amount of sites that offer great deals and trust me, there are a lot, but I find all of these sites and apps to be the most trustworthy. I’m not sponsored nor am I partners with any of them, but I have used all of them and can vouch for their usefulness. Now that I have given you the tools that you need to plan your next adventure, the next question is, where next?
Going on an adventure to the Land Down Under? The following places are “must-see” in my opinion. Each destination is in a different part of Eastern Australia and Southern Australia. I haven’t made it to Northern or Western Australia yet, but trust me they are on my list. Here are the places that I have been and would recommend to anyone traveling to Australia for the first time. Also, be on the lookout for the places on my bucket list to check out next time I’m in Australia. You might beat me to them!
1. Check out The Sydney Opera House.
Located in Sydney Australia and featured on every New Year’s televised program around the world, the Sydney Opera House is an obvious number one. Have you ever been to Australia if you don’t get a selfie in front of the Sydney Opera House? The answer is no. All jokes aside, the Sydney Opera House is open and free to enter. It’s just as gorgeous on the inside as it is stunning on the outside. They offer tours, but if you are like me and trying to save as much as possible while traveling, then you can walk around yourself. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to catch a show while I was in Sydney, but the locals said it has fantastic acoustics. I also recommend checking out one of the restaurants in the harbor to have a nice dinner to enjoy the views of the Opera House at night just aware that they tend to be pricey so if you are budget conscious, you can skip the meal and opt for just a drink and enjoy the view.
https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/
A view of the Sydney Opera House from the other side of the Harbor.
2. Scuba dive/snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef.
If you are looking for a tropical climate, laid back atmosphere and views for days then head to Cairns! Cairns is the closest city to the Great Barrier Reef, and it’s the best place to be if you want to see it up close and personal. My first-time scuba diving experience was in Cairns, and it is what made me fall in love with scuba diving. I booked my experience through Pro Dive Cairns who made the day beyond memorable. If you would prefer to stay at the surface, then they also provide snorkel excursions as well. Scuba diving is expensive and not in everyone’s budget, but if you do make it to Cairns, you should try to at least snorkel. Also, please use the reef-safe sunblock while you are there. The reef has is damaged, and over the years, the use of regular sunscreen has increased the damage further. No one wants to harm marine life more than it already is, and you really won’t want to after you experience how beautiful it is for yourself.
https://prodivecairns.com/
Shameless selfie on the Great Barrier Reef.
3. Interact with koalas at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, located in Brisbane, is a huge attraction. When I asked for things to do while I was hanging out with locals, they all agreed that Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary was a must. I feel like this choice is self-explanatory because who doesn’t want to hold a cute, cuddly koala? For those of you who may not understand the appeal behind holding a koala, let me say that they smell like eucalyptus and are super fuzzy. Also, did I mention that they are adorable? Plus, you can post your photos on Instagram and Facebook and brag to all of your friends back home that you made a new friend.
https://koala.net/
A bond that will last a lifetime and will also make you want to research how to bring a koala home.
4. Get your sip on in Barossa Valley.
Barossa Valley, located in Adelaide in Southern Australia, is known for one of my favorite things. WINE. While I was there, I was fortunate enough to tour a winery named Jacob’s Creek, which is a gorgeous vineyard. Not only is the vineyard stunning, but the facility is very posh as well. Anyone who has even been to a vineyard knows the real reason why they go isn’t for the tour or to walk amongst the vines; it’s to taste the final product. I purchased a wine flight, and I was able to choose which wines I wanted to taste, and the best part was that their staff is highly educated and trained on all of their wines and will make sure that you find a wine that is perfect for you. Jacob’s Creeks wines are very reasonably priced, and you can purchase a bottle of any of the wines that you sampled to take back home with you or to have over dinner another day. I recommend getting there early so you can tour the vineyards and have enough time to purchase a bottle of wine and enjoy the view in their patio area.
https://www.jacobscreek.com/en-au/visit-us
The vineyard at Jacob’s Creek in Barossa Valley.
5. The best tour you can book in Australia, Uncle Brian’s Cape Tribulation Day Tour.
Another Cairns adventure awaits. It is rare to find a tour company that makes your entire visit enjoyable because let’s be honest, sitting on a bus waiting to arrive at your destination tends to be boring. The guides at Uncle Brian’s are anything but boring. My tour guide was Brad, and he is hands down one of the funniest guides that I’ve ever had. From the moment he picked everyone up to the moment that he dropped everyone off he was entertaining and knowledgeable. The Cape Tribulation tour takes you to Port Douglass and the Daintree Rainforest. Port Douglass provides scenic views of the Great Barrier Reef and a chance to take a dip while the Daintree Rainforest is one of the oldest rainforests in the world. Mother Nature lovers this is your moment to enjoy both the beaches and rainforest. There is also a boat ride that will allow you to see crocodiles and channel your inner Steve Irwin as you yell out “Crikey, mate!” You know you will want to. This tour is more geared to the younger generation of travelers, so if you have an issue with inappropriate commentary from young backpackers; it is probably best not to book this tour.
While on the tour they take you to this beautiful lookout of the Daintree Rainforest
Australia is a vast continent, and there are plenty of places to see. My best travel tip is to narrow down your points of interest by choosing what you want the trip to be for you. Relaxing, adventurous, fun, chill, the way you choose to spend your time is up to you, but it’s always good to have a focus or intent for your upcoming journey.
