The GypsyNesters

There’s no shame in admitting that you, like so many before you, have an unscratchable itch when it comes to travel. Getting away from it all brings its own rewards in terms of taking a well-earned break, but there’s something else that keeps one eye on the latest travel offers as they are announced by the airlines – love of self-development.

Go away to a foreign country and the person who comes back isn’t the same person who left. Go away again, and the same thing happens. It’s a pattern. You keep finding parts of the jigsaw, and when you find out you’ve uncovered a part of your personal jigsaw that you didn’t even know was missing, you begin to wonder what else is out there.

Even things like lost passports, overbooked plane seats, and How International Bank Wires Work bring their own layers of experience that you don’t get from staying tucked up at home – and if you find those things interesting, you’ve definitely been bitten by the travel bug! Let’s look at some other ways to tell if you’re addicted to hitting the road…

You think about travelling, a lot

“If you wake up in the morning and you can’t think of anything but singing first, then you’re supposed to be a singer, girl.” – Whoopie Goldberg as Sister Mary Clarence in 1993’s Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. I watched a lot of movies as a kid. Anyway, the point is that if you wake up in the morning and you can’t think about anything else other than travelling, that’s what you’re meant to be doing.

You save up, without a destination in mind…

If you fear spending your money because you know that ultimately its purpose is to be exchanged for boarding passes and hotel keys, you know that travelling is in your blood. You don’t even need a destination in mind. Sort of like a drawer full of cables that you daren’t throw away because something deep inside tells you that you must hoard the goods until such time as the reasoning why becomes apparent.

You get excited about travel gear

Not only do you get excited about buying new travel gear, but you have also come to the tried and tested realisation that less is more – who wants to lug around big waterproof boots when for just a small fortune you could be the proud owner of a sleek new pair that do the same job but weigh half as much – and one folds out into a sleeping bag and the other inflates to become a pillow. Or something. That’s the kind of stuff you crave.

If any or all of that sounds familiar, I’ll bet your passport hasn’t been sat in one place long enough to know the meaning of the word dust.

Are you looking for the ideal holiday destination? If so, one of the first places you need to consider is Koh Rong Samloem, the perfect place to escape the busy and frantic city life. Little is known about this beautiful island, so it still retains its natural and unspoiled aura that other popular tourist destinations in Thailand have lost.

In this detailed review by travelwanker.world, here are the top activities you should consider when visiting Koh Rong Samloem.

1. Kayaking

If you’re a kayaking enthusiast, Koh Rong is the ideal tourist spot and probably the best place to enjoy this activity. The best thing about kayaking in this location is that you don’t have to strain yourself while exploring the numerous waterways. As you kayak, you can also tour several areas, including the cave waterfall, fish village, and the rocky island.

2. Zip Line Through The Jungle

There’s no better way of bringing out your inner animal spirit that enjoys speed, heights, and climbing around the jungle while securely fastened to a zip line. You’ll be under the guidance of experienced guides the entire time you are sliding, swinging, and climbing through the artistically designed course. Although this experience is relatively intense and you’ll undoubtedly freak out, but surely have immense fun while enjoying the adrenaline rush. If you’re still fearful, the experienced guides will reassure you of your safety, thereby increasing your confidence.

3. Snorkeling

The waters around Koh Rong Samloem Island are crystal-clear, and this is an excellent destination if you love exploring the underwater life. Some of the best locations to snorkel include the beach found on M’phey Bei Village southern end, Koh Koun, Saracen Bay, and the Iisland’s western sides. There are daily boat trips for snorkeling enthusiasts, and you’ll be charged USD$5 to rent the snorkeling gear. You can also choose to explore this island either in an organized boat trip or independently; to find excellent fish hiding spots and to see the fascinating underwater life.

4. Watch the Sunset

The main goal of visiting Koh Rong is to enjoy the peace and tranquility it offers. One of the activities you should do while relaxing and enjoying your favorite cocktail is watching the sunset. There are numerous ideal spots where you can go either on the island’s northern or west side, including Sunset Beach, Lazy Beach, and M’Pay Bay.

5. Hiking

If you want to explore something else other than the magnificent beaches, hiking through the island is a great alternative. One of the best hiking routes is the steep climb between Koh Toch and Long Beach, where there are several gorgeous views. However, it’d be best if you started this journey early morning because later in the day, it gets too hot, and this might ruin the fun altogether. Upon finishing your hike, you can decide to take a long-tail boat heading to town or walk back if you still have the energy.

6. Relaxing On the Beach

Resting along the beach with an extended strip of white sand spotted with beach beds and swings is one intriguing experience. Therefore, you shouldn’t wait any longer to get your chair and enjoy this moment along the beach. You can also choose to walk on the flat ocean and enjoy how the water feels to your feet.

The beach resorts in this island charge USD $9 per night, and whereas there’s no infinity pool or strawberry daiquiris, the accommodation is still incredible.

7. Biking

The Koh Rong island is relatively small, and there’s no better way of touring the entire island to capture its magnificent beauty than on a bike. With this island boasting remarkable nature, you shouldn’t let go of this opportunity to bike through the extraordinary jungle paths and foliage. You can also head to Saracen Bay to discover the other regions along the main strip with beach huts.

8. Take a Boat Trip

If you wish to explore the island life in Koh Rong, going on a boat trip on the Adventure Adan Boat, while enjoying some drinks and seeing magnificent views is the way forward. While taking this extended excursion, you also get to pass through sandy beaches and excellent snorkeling points. Furthermore, you’re given the opportunity to the villages and interact with the locals and buy any homemade treat and snacks that charm you.

9. Volunteer Work

Even though you’re on a holiday, it’s always important to give back to society. One way you can do this, while on this island is to get in touch with the Friends of Koh Rong Samloem. Consequently, you’ll be linked up with local businesses looking for persons with your set of skills. You can also opt to volunteer on jobs that are somewhat low key, such as working at a local hotel.

Conclusion

Koh Rong is a superb touring destination that should be considered, if you wish to have a captivating and memorable holiday experience. Should you decide to visit this island, mentioned above are the most exciting activities to do.

Nobody wakes up one morning expecting to get arrested. But hundreds of arrests occur each day in the United States.

Since getting arrested can be such a terrifying experience, it’s easy to make a situation worse. That’s why this article is so important.

Keep reading to learn about some of your essential rights when placed under arrest, and how you can use the law to your advantage.

The Right to Remain Silent

You’ve likely seen a movie or TV show where a person was told they had the right to remain silent. But what comes next, “Anything you say can and will be used against you,” is the most important part, illustrating why silence is golden.

The Fifth Amendment grants the right to refuse self-incrimination.

Self-incrimination ranges from admitting that you had a drink before getting arrested to confirming you were at the scene of a crime. As you’d imagine, giving even the slightest hint of self-incrimination can make an already bad situation much worse.

The Right to an Attorney

Leveraging the Fifth Amendment goes hand-in-hand with your right to an attorney. As a general rule, you shouldn’t speak to anyone until a lawyer is present.

Even if you can’t afford an attorney, the judicial system must provide you with a public defender so you can have a fair trial.

If you can afford it, a criminal defense attorney is a fantastic resource to have on your side. They’ll help you navigate the local court system, provide expert legal advice, and present a compelling argument on your behalf in court.

The Right to Refuse a Search Without Warrant

Say you’re pulled over for speeding and a police officer asks you to open your trunk. Something about it seems fishy.

And you’d be right! It’s illegal to search a person or their belongings without express permission or a warrant.

There is one major caveat, however: police officers can search your person if they have probable cause. That means they have reason to believe you’re harboring something illegal or you’re carrying a weapon you haven’t told them about.

At the time, there’s nothing you can do to fight a probable cause search. You can, however, sue the police department if you feel the officer was in the wrong.

The Right to a Single Phone Call

Once you’re placed under arrest, officers have three hours to allow you to make your phone call. Your best bet is to contact an attorney or family member who can post bail for you.

Again, you’ll want to be careful here. You’re still at risk of self-incrimination during your phone call, so try and keep things simple and plain, no matter how upset you are.

Explain where you are, why you’re under arrest, and how your loved one or attorney can help.

You Have Rights, Even When Getting Arrested

Don’t let getting arrested get the best of you. When push comes to shove, you’re not without a line of defense.

Keep these rights in mind and remember to avoid self-incrimination. With any luck, you’ll be free and clear in no time!

For more content, make sure to check out the rest of our blog!

Has your last child just left for college? Are you feeling lost and empty now that they’re gone? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone.

This feeling is completely natural for all parents, but empty nest syndrome can be tough to navigate, and it can throw you and your routine into a rut.

What is empty nest syndrome exactly? We’ve got you covered. Keep reading to find out.

What Is Empty Nest Syndrome?

Maybe you’ve heard of it before, or maybe this is your first time coming across the term, but empty nest syndrome is the feeling of loss and sadness when your last child leaves the home. What’s interesting about empty nest syndrome is that it’s not actually a medical diagnosis, but a psychological phenomenon.

Empty nest syndrome is traced back to the prime of the patriarchal society in the United States. When first discussed back in 1914, it was used to explain the depression that women would experience when the last of their children would leave the house. The loss of the last child essentially took away a majority of the mother’s meaning and motivation in the sense of traditional, patriarchal motherhood.

Pushing away that outdated reasoning for empty nest syndrome, we can start to see the modern and straightforward reasoning for this phenomenon. As parents, you have raised, taken care of, and spent almost every single day with your child for 17 plus years. As soon as their presence is suddenly gone, it’s only natural to feel lost.

Symptoms of Empty Nest Syndrome

While empty nest syndrome isn’t an actual disease or disorder, it does have symptoms. Many of the symptoms associated with empty nest syndrome also correlate with those of anxiety and depression.

Conflicting Emotions

As a parent, you raise your kids with the intention of sending them into the world to try their hardest to do their best. When it comes time for them to leave the nest, you may be experiencing happiness and excitement because you’ve accomplished the hard part and now you get to witness your child blossom in their new life.

But shouldn’t you be sad that they’re leaving? Thoughts like these may also occur and combat your feelings of joy for your kids. If you haven’t felt plagued by the situation yet, as soon as it comes time for them to leave, sadness, fear, and loss may overwhelm you.

Irregular Sleep

Having difficulty falling asleep and even irregular sleep patterns can be another symptom of empty nest syndrome. The stress of worrying about your child being on their own can have an impact on your sleep quality.

This stress and worry can also affect your dreams, giving you nightmares. These nightmares will then wake you up in the middle of the night, throwing off your sleep patterns.

Guilt

Guilt may be another symptom that comes with empty nest syndrome. With your child gone, all you can think about is them. This will lead you to remember so many memories, some prompting you to feel like you didn’t do enough for them in those moments, which can lead to an overall feeling of guilt that you didn’t do enough for them their whole life.

Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms

Your stress can manifest in different ways, but some coping mechanisms are unhealthy. Binge eating or binge snacking, excessive drinking or drug use, and excessive shopping are all unhealthy outlets for your anxiety.

Coping With Empty Nest Syndrome

As Isaac Newton’s third law of physics states: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This rings true for coping mechanisms. Where there are unhealthy ways to cope, there are positive ways to cope, like this and our mechanisms below.

Keeping in Touch

One of the easiest things you can do to help your empty nest syndrome is to keep in contact with your child. Don’t be afraid or hesitant to reach out to them when you miss them. If you have a good relationship with them, they most likely have similar feelings.

Just be sure not to bother them too much. In a new world, they need to figure out and experience new things without overbearing parents. When they need your advice, they’ll come to you.

Shelter With Support

As is the case with most things, having a solid support system is great for these low feelings. Be sure to sit down with your partner or your friends and tell them how you feel. Expressing your emotions will make you feel better and your loved ones can validate you with their love and support.

Optimism Is Your Friend

Letting these negative feelings impact the way you view your day-to-day life can start to take a toll on you as time goes on. It’s important to stay positive and look on the bright side of things. Even if it’s just the little things and the small bursts of positivity every day, it can go a long way to making you feel better again.

Does Empty Nest Syndrome Go Away?

So, what is empty nest syndrome? In a nutshell, it’s a completely valid and natural state of mind to be in once your last child has left home. Will it ever go away?

Like most things in the world, empty nest syndrome will go away with time. While you cope and navigate a new life with your child out of the house, be sure to check out our site for stories and advice on life after kids.