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πβοΈπ₯ Discover FAB Feb Deals & HOT Travel Tips inside!
The last time we were here in 1996, we squeezed as much as possible into four nights at a basic hostel.
Now we're settling into a luxurious 16-night stay in a four-bedroom villa with a pool, all thanks to a charming cat named Ricky.
The perks of housesitting never cease to amaze us!
Our backyard in Yogyakarta
We're excited to revisit the magnificent temples that drew us here decades ago - the ancient Buddhist sanctuary of Borobudur with its stunning sunrise views and intricate stone carvings, and the majestic Hindu temples of Prambanan with their soaring spires against the backdrop of Mount Merapi.
Fresh from our incredible China adventure, we're still buzzing about Hangzhou. The city completely won us over with its blend of history and modernity, incredible food scene, and surprisingly laid-back vibe. There was so much more to discover than we initially expected. So, we've already added it to the list of places we want to revisit.
Speaking of discoveries, this week's newsletter is packed with our latest China travel tips, some time-sensitive deals you won't want to miss, some tips around managing health issues on the road, and a major update about our upcoming travel plans that we can't wait to share!
Let's dive in...
In This Week's Issue:
Note: This email contains a lot of info and hence, is quite long. Most email systems will truncate it, so you might need to view in your browser or hit the "View whole Message" link at the bottom to see the whole thing.
*Note: Some of the links in this email are from our partners, including AMAZON. If you purchase a product or service using those links, we get a SMALL commission to help pay for the website and this newsletter. But we promise - you won't pay any more than you would if purchasing directly. You can read our full disclosure here.
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China Revisited: A Transformed Travel Experience
Having spent two 8-week stints exploring China in 2010 and 2012, those trips stand out as our most culturally challenging experiences in all our travels.
By the end of each visit, we were mentally exhausted from the daily effort of independent travel.
Fast forward to 2025, and we've just returned from exploring Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Nanjing - and wow, what a transformation!
The most striking change?
The calm.
The shift to electric vehicles has dramatically reduced urban noise levels, but it's more than that. There's a palpable sense of confidence among the population - people seem more relaxed, wealthier, and notably less argumentative.
It feels like China has grown comfortable with its place in the world.
Technology has revolutionized the travel experience in China. Through apps like Alipay, accessing food, transport, and local information is infinitely easier.
Budget travelers can now easily find authentic local experiences and real prices - the same ones locals pay.
This technological leap hasn't diminished the legendary Chinese hospitality though. We frequently experienced locals eagerly helping us navigate menus in tiny local restaurants or stepping in to assist whenever we paused to check our maps.
(To be fair, we only visited major eastern cities this time - the experience might be different in other regions.)
Our Total Costs:
Duration: 24 nights
Total Cost: Ex flights, and Tim's Dentist Visit = 2880 AUD/1830 USD
= 120 AUD (76 USD)/day
Our budget is 157 AUD (100 USD)/day ex flights, so we made up 888 AUD towards our flights of approx 970AUD/616 USD
Accommodation: Total Cost 551 AUD/ 350 USD
Housesitting= 14 nights - 0$
Hotels = 10 nights. All were clean, very comfortable and well located for transport and seeing the sights. Two had an excellent buffet breakfast included in the price.
1 Free as part of our flight transit (You can read about that in the January 25th Newsletter.)
2 nights at the Campanile Shanghai 160 AUD/101 USD - pre-sit. Breakfast included
5 nights at the Lanshe Hotel in Hangzhou - 260 AUD/165 USD
2 nights at the Ruilin Courtyard in Nanjing 127 AUD/81 USD - Breakfast included.
Food= 903 AUD/573 USD
We didn't cook at all, except for a few breakfasts where we made toast. We also carry coffee at all times so enjoy a couple of quick, cheap cuppas before we head out for the day.
Alipay allowed us to read menus, order and pay at most places, and pay at ALL of them.
This allowed us to eat at places we probably wouldn't have ventured in to without the technology. We ate local food only and discovered lots of authentic, cheaper, and mind-blowingly delicious cuisine.
Transport = 253 AUD/160 USD (minus about 30 AUD/19 USD left on our Shanghai transport cards.)
We had a transport pass in Shanghai, which we purchased at the airport. It was a 4.50 AUD/2.85 USD deposit for the card, and we added approximately 40 AUD/25 USD for each.
Even though we used it extensively on buses and trains, we still had over half of that remaining on the cards when we left.
DIDI is the primary ride-sharing app, and we booked cars, translated instructions, and paid on Alipay.
It's very cheap. For example, a 35 km ride to Nanjing airport was around 25 AUD/16 USD, including tolls. An 8km ride across town cost around 4.50 AUD/2.85 USD. We used cars exclusively in Hangzhou and Nanjing when not walking rather than public transport.
We took High Speed Trains in second class from:
Shanghai Hongqiao Station to Hangzhou East (17 AUD/11 USD each) and then
Hangzhou East to Nanjing South (26.50 AUD/17 USD each)
Shopping = 159 AUD/101 USD
SIM Cards x 2 = 77 AUD/49 USD (note - we had way too much data. Should have gone for the cheaper one)
Medication = 41 AUD/26 USD We stocked up on a few meds as nNo prescription is required. China is a good place to stock up on high-quality pharmaceuticals.
Probiotics = 41 AUD/26 USD. We grabbed very high-quality probiotics while there.
We didn't pay any entry fees. Many of the museums are free and we spent most of our days exploring the different precincts of the three cities without needing to pay anything.
Alcohol and Snacks= 922 AUD/585 USD. That's around 700/444 for good Beer the rest for snacks. We don't count snacks under food as they are unnecessary and easily removed if the budget is stretched.
First up, we only drink craft beer.
That's expensive in most places.
In Shanghai, you could get a decent IPA for around 8 AUD in happy hour. But most times it was around 13 to 15 AUD pint.
So at about 30 AUD per day, we really didn't drink to excess.
You could cut this expense by 75% if you drank the local, mass-produced lagers.
Our Top 5 Tips for Visiting China:
1 - Install a working VPN before you go - this is non-negotiable for accessing familiar apps and websites like Facebook, Google Maps, GMail, Youtube etc. We used LetsVPN.
2 - Set up Alipay and link your cards before arrival. - this super-app is essential for everything from payments to transport. If you do this, you will need very little cash.
Make sure the cards you use are free of foreign transaction fees. You will sometimes get charged a 3% foreign card fee, but not always.
The other big app used is WeChat. But unless you can get a local to vouch for you successfully, it's nigh impossible to get hooked up.
3 - Choose trains over planes unless travelling more than 1000 km - China's fast train system is extensive, affordable, and efficient. You can book through Alipay or easily on the day at station ticket offices
4 - Use Booking.com for accommodation - we found excellent deals. The quality of the hotel we got for around 60 AUD/ night was exceptional.
5 - Learn basic Mandarin phrases (Thank you, you're welcome, the numbers, etc.) to at least show you're trying. As with most places, a little effort goes a long way in getting a great response form the locals.
Download translation apps. Google Lens and Google Translate work fine, but you have to have your VPN on. (See point 1.)
China has evolved into a fascinating blend of ancient culture and modern convenience.
While it's still an adventure, it's now much more accessibleβperfect for independent travelers ready to explore beyond the usual tourist trail.
Time-Sensitive Travel Deals From Our Partners
All of the following deals end sometime either before the next newsletter or very soon after.
1 - The deal is live now until the 19th of February!
2 - I've added an additional bonus to the whole package.
Not only can you get 50% off The Housesitter's Roadmap to jumpstart your Housesitting Journey,
I'll also throw in 50% off my new consulting service.
NOTE: The deal isn't just for sitters. If you've been held back from traveling more because you're unable to source, or afford suitable care for your pets while you're away, then both the THS discount and consultancy will also give you a headstart in finding the best care for your home and pets.
Lots of people have asked how we are so successful at getting prime housesits worldwide.
You only have to take a look at our updated travel plans to see that we get most of the sits we apply for, AND they are always in lovely properties, with easy-care pets in desirable destinations.
How many other people do you know who can easily score weeks of free accommodation in Adelaide, Shanghai, Yogyakarta, Kuala Lumpur, The Algarve, Costa del Sol, London, Cambridge, and Tbilisi in Georgia?
Not too many, I bet.
We can because:
We're set up on the housesitting platform with the MOST international sits
We have a fantastic profile
We have slick systems to find and apply to the most desirable sits that fit in with our plans.
We have checks and balances to make sure we only accept the sits that meet our strict criteria, including cleanliness, flexibility and freedom to explore the destinations we visit.
We've added all those systems, processes, and templates to The Housesitters Roadmap - It's basically the Ultimate guide to get you up and running and accepted to the sits you want from the start.
BUT...we still have people contact us who want to either skip that step OR are already housesitters but aren't seeing the success we are.
So...
I am now offering:
For Sitters - A review of your housesitting profiles, application templates, and processes to help maximize your success in getting your ideal sits.
I've done it for friends and family with great results, so I've added the service to our repertoire.
For Pet Parents - I'll review your listing, screening checklists and processes to maximize your chances of getting a fantastic sitter.
For those who want to combine both - All of the above.
Understandably, I don't do this full-time, so there's a limited number of spots available per month.
Usually, I charge 97 USD for a consult.
That includes:
A review of the sitter/pet parent's current documentation
Up to an hour on the phone advising on improvements to those and their processes.
A review of their updates.
But as part of this Valentine's package, I'm offering a 50% discount to a limited number of people who join TrustedHousesitters through our link and/or is already a student of The Housesitter's Roadmap.
So - Here's the way to make THE MOST savings.
Step 1 Join TrustedHousesitters before the 19th of February WITH THIS LINK and enjoy 30% OFF any NEW TrustedHousesitters membership!
That could save you UP TO 96 USD, depending on your chosen membership.
The offer is valid for Sitters, Pet Parents and Combined Memberships.
Email me proof you joined THS through our link and I'll give you discount code to get our signature course at 50% OFF.
That will save you 48.50 USD
Step 3βBook a private consultation with me to optimize your Sitter profile or Listing, applications process or screening, and processes to increase your success rate at 50% off.
Email proof of steps 1 or 2 and I'll send you more information on your responsibilities and a link to book a slot at a convenient time at 50% off the full price.
That will save you 48.50 USD
Total potential savings - 193 USD
NOTE 1: If you are already a student in the course OR can prove you've used our link in the past to join THS, you are also eligible for this deal
NOTE 2: There are only 20 slots available in the next two months and it's first come, first served. Once they fill up, I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait until I can free up some more time.
NOTE 3: The price is 97 USD if you want to skip steps 1 and 2 and go straight to the consult.
NOTE 4: All discounts are only available until the 19th of February.
If you're still undecided or have questions, feel free to reply to this email and I'll try to point you in the right direction.
And a bunch more worldwide. All with generous discounts.
Get Your Guide is great because you can book now to reserve your spot and pay later.
I actually don't have an end date for the sale, but I was checking for a tour around Yogyakarta today, and there still appear to be huge discounts on select tours.
Return travel for 2 from London Euston to Inverness or Fort William on the iconic Caledonian Sleeper in a Club ensuite room
Breakfast, guest lounge access, priority boarding, and Club Car access
2-night stay for 2 with dinner, bed, and breakfast in any of the Highland Coast hotels
Closes: 24th February, 2025
Managing Medical Issues While Traveling - When Telehealth Can Save the Day.
When illness strikes during international travel, having a clear plan of action can make all the difference.
Your Options When Feeling Ill Abroad
Travelers typically have four main options when facing medical issues overseas:
Visit an emergency department (A&E)
Locate a local doctor who speaks your language
Self-diagnose and obtain medication (possible in countries with over-the-counter access, though risky)
Try to continue without treatment (not recommended as it may prolong recovery)
While minor ailments like head colds or mild digestive issues might be manageable without professional help, seeking medical attention for more serious conditions is generally advisable.
For severe symptoms, such as chest pain, immediate emergency care is essential.
However, where possible, contact your travel insurer first before seeking any medical attention.
This important step serves two purposes:
You get immediate access to medical professionals who can provide initial guidance
They can connect you to pre-approved healthcare providers, simplifying future claims
When Telehealth Saves the Day
When faced with language barriers, long wait times, or difficulty accessing local healthcare, telehealth services offer a valuable alternative.
Most insurance providers can arrange online consultations with qualified physicians who can:
Assess symptoms remotely
Recommend appropriate treatment
Provide prescriptions when necessary
Offer guidance on managing symptoms
Our Experience Navigating Healthcare on Jersey Island (UK)
Our experience in Jersey perfectly illustrates the value of telehealth services while traveling.
Although Jersey is a UK territory, it operates independently from the NHS, meaning Australian travelers can't access free public healthcare through the reciprocal health agreement.
Additionally, the territory requires prescriptions for most medications, and securing a doctor's appointment can be extremely challenging.
We faced a complex situation when we needed to replenish our emergency medication supply for an illness that can escalate rapidly without prompt treatment.
Here's how we navigated it:
We contacted our travel insurer, Cover-More, who quickly arranged an online consultation with an English-speaking doctor in Portugal.
The doctor conducted a thorough assessment and provided:
An electronic prescription via email
Additional advice for symptom management
While Jersey pharmacies wouldn't accept the EU prescription, we had enough medication to last until we reached France the next week, where filling the prescription was straightforward.
Our insurance fully covered the consultation despite having a 250 AUD excess, as our proactive approach helped prevent potential complications.
Important Takeaways
Understanding your travel insurance coverage is crucial
Check if telehealth consultations are included in your policy
Contact your insurer early if you have health issues
Consider telehealth options for non-emergency situations
Keep in mind that early intervention can prevent more serious issues and helps avoid a prolonged disruption to your trip.
Prioritize your health over trying to "power through" illness
By taking advantage of telehealth services and working with your travel insurer, you can often resolve medical issues efficiently and get back to enjoying your trip sooner rather than later.
If you've only just come on board, you can find the previous tips about getting ready for long-term travel on the newsletter archives page here.
Here's the latest...
Travel Tip N5 - Building Your Home Base Support Team
Last week, we said we'd start to dive into ways to reduce travel expenses.
But something's been playing on my mind after recent chats with fellow nomads.
So, before we talk about saving money on the road, let's take a step back and discuss something really crucial:
Who's got your back while you're out exploring the world?
We've already covered the fun stuff - setting those big travel intentions, doing a life audit, crunching the budget numbers, and finding ways to earn while traveling.
But here's the thing - who keeps the home fires burning while you're sipping coconuts on a beach in Thailand?
Trust us. Having a solid support crew, you trust entirely and who 'GET' your life philosophy is an absolute game-changer for long-term travel success.
The team you need will depend on your financial situation and assets, but here's a list to get you thinking on who you might need in your corner:
Legal Support:
Executor for an up-to-date Will
Power of attorney - who can sign legal docs when you aren't available
Solicitor - because sometimes you need official paperwork handled
Emergency contacts - you might need to spread these across different locations and timezomes
Financial Team:
Financial planner - keeping your money growing while you're growing your experiences
Accountant - especially crucial if you're juggling overseas income and need to file taxes
Bank manager - A personal contact you can have on your side when trying to modify accounts, cards, loans etc
Insurance broker - because stuff happens, right?
Property Management:
Rental property manager - if you're letting out your place
Key maintenance contacts - those heroes who fix things when they break
Mail service or residential address - someone to deal with those annoying official letters that refuse to go digital
Here's the real talk: most of your support crew will be paid professionals, but you'll likely rely on family and friends as well. The key is making their job as easy as possible by:
Going digital wherever you can
Setting up automatic payments (future you will thank you)
Creating crystal-clear emergency plans
Keeping everything super organized
Staying in regular touch
Before you hit the road, sit down with each person and have an honest chat about what you need and what they can offer.
Understand that people's circumstances change and you may need to transfer responsibilities at some stage.
So for their and your sake, keep all this info organized - we keep copies with trusted people and in the cloud.
Next week, we promise we'll get back to some money-saving travel tips.
But for now, though, have a think about who you'd want on your support team.
Who would you trust to handle things while you're off having the adventure of a lifetime?
Travel Partners That Saved Us Money This Week
The award for saving us a ton of money over the last few weeks goes to πβGuruWalk, one of the best platforms for "Pay-as-you-wish" tours.
While in Shanghai, I did 2 walking tours and a food tour with various guides.
All were really enjoyable. They varied in size. We had 14 on the first, 3 on the second and, and just me and the guide on the food tour.
What was essentially a personal tour had plus and minuses. I got to hog his attention. But it also meant we didn't get to try all the usual dishes as I was the only one to eat them. I did my best but I was definitely 'full-to-bursting' by the end.
'Pay-what-you-wish' tours, also known as free walking tours or tips-based tours, have no upfront cost - you simply tip your guide what you think the experience was worth at the end.
The concept is simple: guides share their local knowledge, stories, and insights about their city during a twoβto three-hour walking tour.
But while there's no set price, the platform recommends satisfied participants tip between β¬10-20 per person, depending on the tour length, quality, and budget.
This model incentivizes guides to provide engaging, high-quality experiences while keeping tours accessible to all travelers.
It's important to remember though - while there's no fixed fee, and you could realistically pay zero, these guides make their living through tips, so it's important to tip fairly if you enjoyed the tour!
I, and others I've spoken to, believe that the free tour guides often try harder than the paid ones, as they rely on those tips.
I adjusted my tips based on the number of people on the tour and my overall impression of the experience.
The one with 14 people was great for the information BUT, she walked superfast, was a bit flippant with questions, and I didn't get a lot of time to take pictures so she got 10 Euros.
I'm not sure what others gave, but if they did the same, she would have done pretty good by local wages.
The second one was only three of us, and there was a bit more time to chat about things so she got 15 Euro.
And the personal food tour, I tipped just over 25 Euro. The food costs are normally divided by participants, but I paid for it all as there was just me. The overall food bill was around 25 Euro.
And, while I couldn't find an exact match for the highlights of Shanghai tour I did, similar ones were about 43 Euro.
So I saved about 100 Euro.
I'm happy with that.
The drawback with FREE tours is:
They still aren't available in some destinations. For example Hangzhou and Nanjing
They are group tours rather than private and there are typically no limits, so you have no idea how many people will be with you until you get there.
And, they are pretty standard tours - great for getting your bearings and as an introduction to the destination, but you're not going to get unique, quirky experiences.
They have a much greater selection on offer, most of which don't suit the free tour model, but would definitely enhance your visit.
Tours and activities that caught my eye for next time in Shanghai included a night river cruise, various cultural performances, bicycle tours, cooking classes, art classes, and a photography excursion.
We have two GuruWalk tours potentially lined up for here in Yogyarta, and will book through Get Your Guide for day tours further afield.
Past experience with the platform showed that GetYour Guide's prices are competitive. The couple I've done so far were the exact same price as if I'd booked directly.
In addition, it's far more convenient to compare tours and reserve online than go chasing around town to get the best deals.
That's doubly true if you have limited time.
How Our Travel Plans Are Shaping Up
Well, what a difference a week makes. (I keep saying that, but it does!!!)
The number of fantastic housesits hitting my notifications over the last couple of weeks is off the charts.
And, with our well-honed process, templates, and checklists, we've managed to lock in some beauties in The Algarve, Costa del Sol, London, and Cambridge.
We're also in discussions for a 2 week sit in Tbilisi in Georgia, which means the Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia exploration might take precedence over the bike tour this year.
So as it stands, the next few months - :
We're currently in Yogyakarta in Indonesia, for a 16-day housesit in a Pool Villa
We then head to Vietnam for almost 6 weeks. 1 month in Ho Chi Minh City. The rest of the time we'll explore the Mekong and catch up with friends in Vung Tau.
After that, we then headed to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia for a 10-night house stay in a new condo with gym and pool to care for three easy-care cats. While we're there we'll do a bunch of sorely overdue health checks.
We then head to a place in The Algarve in Portugal called Carvoeiro to look after a lovely cat in a house near the beach for 11 days.
We should have time to revisit Lisbon beforehand, which is something that's been on our wishlist for a while now.
We then have a week to get to Fuengirola, near Malaga on the costa del Sol. There, we'll look after a lovely cat in a well-located 3-bedroom apartment with all the mod cons.
Seville or Granada are looking good as stopovers between those two sits.
It was tempting to apply for a 7-week sit in a new apartment in the center of Riga after that. But we've opted to head to London to catch up with friends and look after an elderly kitty in a new apartment for a few weeks.
That sit isn't locked in yet. We've talked, but the homeowner is holding off on their decision. That means we're still free to deviate if something better comes up before they hit the confirm button. If they snooze, they lose.
That takes us up to the beginning of July.
We then have a month to get to Tbilisi in Georgia. Again, the sit is not yet locked in as they have an earlier listing to organize first. But from our conversations, I think we've got a pretty good chance of getting chosen. (One of the homeowners grew up near our hometown in outback Australia - GO FIGURE!)
If we do lock in the sit, we'll start planning how we can explore Georgia, along with the highlights of Armenia and Azerbaijan. If it all falls through, we still may go, although it's probably going to be pretty damn hot at that time of year.
We'll then return to the UK for five days before spending two weeks in the centre of Cambridge.
Whew!!! That's enough for now.
We're feeling pretty damn chuffed with ourselves. All of the housesits are in super well-appointed properties in great destinations we want to visit with easy-care pets.
If we'd had to pay for similar accommodation it would cost well over 22 K USD.
I have no doubt that any gaps will be filled if we choose to do so.
The thing is, the peak listing season for the northern hemisphere hasn't even started yet. But it's coming...
UK, US, Canadian, and European homeowners are beginning to list their long summer sits.
Aussies and Kiwis are planning for the Easter School holidays and winter escapes.
International school teachers across Asia and the Middle East are planning their trips home over the long break, and
The number of Mexican, Caribbean and South American listings seems to be increasing, too.
So, if you are dreaming of having a long leisurely holiday, in an expensive destination, but your budget won't stretch far enough to cope with the exorbitant accommodation prices, then head back up the page and check out the Housesitting Package we've put together under the Deals section.
Travel Bloggers and Newsletters You Might Like
To be honest, I've been too busy this week to sign up for anything new. I'll go scouting for next week.
PROMISE!
That's all for now.
We have a couple of outings planned over the next few days. More of that next week..
Happy Travels!
Tim and Sharyn
PS. If you enjoy receiving this newsletter, please feel free toBUY US A BEVERAGE. π βπ«π»π·
Every $ helps keep us motivated and the show on the road.
We're long-term travelers sharing our passion for independent, budget travel. Every newsletter gives you travel tips from experts, lessons from the road, great deals, and carefully curated travel products & services.
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