Gap Year Diaries

In this episode, Emily and Rachel continue to read back over and reminisce on their time spent in the geothermal hot spot of Rotorua, New Zealand. We hear of a bonding trip to a local spa, a narrow escape from an incredibly inappropriate situation with the Pennsylvania State University Glee Club, and many, MANY unnecessary details about the value for money of Rotorua's supermarkets. 

In this episode, Emily and Rachel read back over their blog documenting the first day they spent in the geothermal New Zealand town of Rotorua. Among many other stunningly banal details, we hear of their time learning about Maori culture, luging at break-neck speed down forested hills, and, more exciting than all combined, the chance meeting of an entire Glee Club during a traditional Maori feast...

In the fourth episode of series 4, Emily and Rachel reread the blog entry from their, in all honesty, fairly uneventful visit to New Zealand's Mercury Bay, viewing its highlights through unceasing drizzle.As well as this, we hear of wet weather wanderings,  the world's most poppin' hostel bar, and a detailed review of the local children's play park.Follow the podcast on Instagram at @gapyeardiariespodcast.

In the third episode of series 4, Emily and Rachel continue reliving their time travelling around New Zealand's beautiful north coast, by rereading the blog diary from their second day in Paihia. Among other things, we hear of a marginally successful dolphin-watching boat trip, hours of wandering around various idyllic islands and an unfortunate hostel argument about bread. It's definitely as thrilling as it sounds. Follow the podcast on Instagram at @gapyeardiariespodcast.

In the second episode of series 4, Emily and Rachel continue to recount stories of their time travelling through New Zealand, as they begin the odyssey travelling north from the bustling city of Auckland to the country's beautiful north coast. We hear of the pair's first experience of the Kiwi bus, their failure to make new friends due to being largely unconscious, a gloriously scenic walk around Pahia Bay of Islands and a high unsuccessful attempt at having a wild night out at the hostel.Follow the podcast on Instagram at @gapyeardiariespodcast. 

In the first episode of series four, Emily and Rachel read back over the blog entries from their first few days in New Zealand, as they land, after an unfortunate flight, in the buzzing north island city of Auckland and struggle to adjust to the timezone shift. We hear of New Zealand's intensive airport security measures, hostel mishaps, more embassy adventures and a shameful night in the hostel bar... Follow the podcast on Instagram @gapyeardiariespodcast

Emily and Rachel of the Gap Year Diaries Podcast chat to intrepid members of the Hostelworld community about their travel experiences. In this episode, the hosts speak to Kate Higham about meeting lifelong friends on her gap year, and travel introvert Debora Da Costa about her techniques for overcoming shyness in hostels. We hear about the LA skate community, blossoming hostel friendships and road-tripping with people you've never met, as well as top tips and advice for making friends whilst on the road. Oh, and a smattering of ridiculous stories from Emily and Rachel throughout of course.Show notes:Kate Higham (she/her) can be found on Instagram at @coachedbykate_uk.Debora Da Costa (she/her) can be found on Instagram at @debkydd.You can follow Emily and Rachel's podcast Gap Year Diaries on Instagram at @gapyeardiariespodcast, and find it on all major podcast sites.You can follow Hostelworld on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Tik Tok at @hostelworld. Find out more about Hostelworld's newest collaboration with GAdventures, Roamies Tours, here, and find out more about the new Hostelworld app feature, The Solo System, here.

Emily and Rachel of the Gap Year Diaries Podcast chat to intrepid members of the Hostelworld community about their travel experiences.  In this episode, the hosts speak to Blake Freeman about how he seeks out the best parties whilst travelling, and Manu Cortes, about his greatest after-dark experiences in multiple different destinations. We hear about dancing ‘til dawn at a lake in Zagreb, Thailand's famous nightlife and the many charms of a Mykonos party, as well as top tips and advice for creating an unforgettable night out around the world. Oh, and a smattering of ridiculous stories from Emily and Rachel throughout of course.Show notes:Blake Freeman (he/him) can be found on Instagram nd YouTube at @explorationalways.Manu Cortes (he/him) can be found on Instagram at @proyectotrotamundos.You can follow Emily and Rachel's podcast Gap Year Diaries on Instagram at @gapyeardiariespodcast, and find it on all major podcast sites.You can follow Hostelworld on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Tik Tok at @hostelworld. Find out more about Hostelworld's newest collaboration with GAdventures, Roamies Tours, here, and find out more about the new Hostelworld app feature, The Solo System, here.

Emily and Rachel of the Gap Year Diaries Podcast chat to intrepid members of the Hostelworld community about their travel experiences. In this episode, the hosts speak to travel newbie Andi Unceta Pereira about the power of romantic destinations, and James Rowbottom, about his dating life whilst living in Paris as a bisexual man. We hear about awkward Grindr encounters, unbelievable meet-cutes on public transport, and stunningly cinematic dates on Parisian balconies, as well as top tips and advice for finding love, or something like it, on the road. Oh, and a smattering of ridiculous stories from Emily and Rachel throughout of course.Show notes:Andi Unceta Pereira (she/her) can be found on Instagram at @andiuncetapereira, and her blog at themerakijournals.comJames Rowbottom (he/him) co-presents his own podcast, Search Party, which you can find on all major podcast platforms and can follow on Instagram at @searchpartypod.You can follow Emily and Rachel's podcast Gap Year Diaries on Instagram at @gapyeardiariespodcast, and find it on all major podcast sites.You can follow Hostelworld on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Tik Tok at @hostelworld. Find out more about Hostelworld's newest collaboration with GAdventures, Roamies Tours, here, and find out more about the new Hostelworld app feature, The Solo System, here.

Emily and Rachel of the Gap Year Diaries Podcast chat to intrepid members of the Hostelworld community about their travel experiences. In this episode, the hosts speak to Tom Ruck, a self-confessed accident prone traveller about his catalogue of close calls, and Zorro, a seasoned traveller and hostel worker about when things haven't quite gone to plan for him during his four years on the road. We hear about vengeful rats, falling horribly ill in the Amazon rainforest and having to scale a glacier alone in the Himalayas, as well as top tips and advice for keeping a cool head when disaster strikes far from home. Oh, and a smattering of ridiculous stories from Emily and Rachel throughout of course.Show notes:Tom Ruck (he/him) can be found on Instagram at @ruck_travels, and you can find his YouTube channel at Ruck Travels.Zorro (he/him) can be found on Instagram and Facebook at @zorroaroundtheworld.You can follow Emily and Rachel's podcast Gap Year Diaries on Instagram at @gapyeardiariespodcast, and find it on all major podcast sites.You can follow Hostelworld on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Tik Tok at @hostelworld. Find out more about Hostelworld's newest collaboration with GAdventures, Roamies Tours, here, and find out more about the new Hostelworld app feature, The Solo System, here.

Emily and Rachel of the Gap Year Diaries Podcast chat to intrepid members of the Hostelworld community about their travel experiences. In this episode, the hosts speak to Drew Wilson about how throwing themself into some truly extreme travel experiences has helped on their journey to overcoming anxiety, and Claire Scott, who is in the middle of her first Gap Year travelling the world at the age of 30. We hear about eating inkfish, sampling a silent meditation retreat in Japan and visiting Machu Picchu in Peru, as well as top tips and advice for those looking to max out on adventure. Oh, and a smattering of ridiculous stories from Emily and Rachel throughout of course.Show notes:Drew Wilson (they/them) can be found on Instagram at @the.otherdrew, and you can find their blog at wanderoften.travel.blog.Claire Scott (she/her) can be found on Instagram at @clairescotttravel.You can follow Emily and Rachel's podcast Gap Year Diaries on Instagram at @gapyeardiariespodcast, and find it on all major podcast sites.You can follow Hostelworld on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Tik Tok at @hostelworld. Find out more about Hostelworld's newest collaboration with GAdventures, Roamies Tours, here, and find out more about the new Hostelworld app feature, The Solo System, here.

Emily and Rachel of the Gap Year Diaries Podcast chat to intrepid members of the Hostelworld community about their travel experiences. In this episode, the hosts speak to author of You Are Where You Go, 24-year-old Caitlyn Lubas, about how she has managed to tick off visiting over 70 countries in just three years, and Amanda Day, about how she harnesses her interest in health and wellness to explore different cultures on a deeper level. We hear about setting foot in Antarctica, the world's best walking tours, and an epic two-month camping trip around southern Africa, as well as top tips for orienting yourself and making the most of your time in a new destination. Oh, and a smattering of ridiculous stories from Emily and Rachel throughout of course.Show notes:Caitlyn Lubas (she/her) can be found on Instagram at @caitlynlubas and you can find her book, You Are Where You Go available to buy on Amazon.Amanda Day (she/her) can be found on Instagram at @a_daysjourney, and her health blog is adaysjourney.travel.blogYou can follow Emily and Rachel's podcast Gap Year Diaries on Instagram at @gapyeardiariespodcast, and find it on all major podcast sites. You can follow Hostelworld on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Tik Tok at @hostelworld. Find out more about Hostelworld's newest collaboration with GAdventures, Roamies Tours, here, and find out more about the new Hostelworld app feature, The Solo System, here.

In this special episode, Rachel and Emily look back fondly over the (incredibly short) series documenting their time in Chile, and ask each other all those burnin' questions they've harboured for 12 long years about their time travelling through the country. Among other useless things, we learn of what the pair would have done differently if they had their time in Chile again, whether or not Barney the Dinosaur is in fact a serious suspect in the theft of Emily's iPod, and whether Rachel will ever regret wearing hiking socks and pink ballet pumps to a chic beachside nightclub...

In this week's episode, Rachel and Emily read back over the last, incredibly dull blog post from their time spent in Chile, this time 'exploring' the country's capital city, Santiago. Amongst other ludicrous content, we hear of an incredibly detailed account of a meal enjoyed in an empty Chinese restaurant, a very special goldfish, and yet another 'rambunctiously disgusting' bus toilet. Strap in everyone. 

In this episode, Rachel and Emily continue rereading blog entries from  their time travelling south through Chile. This week, we hear of an epic 18-hour bus journey, complete with ‘barnstormingly disgusting' on-board toilet, curious clubbing attire and the night the pair spent stargazing at the La Serena observatory that very nearly didn't happen due to Rachel going missing… 

In this episode, Rachel and Emily continue rereading blog entries from their time in Chile, this time reminiscing on the two days they spent in the bohemian surfer's city of Iquique. Among other mishaps, we hear of the theft of Emily's precious iPod, a crime for which Barney the Dinosaur is a serious suspect, the bizarre quirks of the pair's hostel room, and what passes for on board entertainment on South American intercity coach services. 

In this first episode of series 3, Rachel and Emily recount their fraught and anxiety inducing border crossing from Peru to Chile, featuring an unnerving and frantic taxi driver, and entire three-generation Peruvian family. We also hear of their first night in the border city of Arica, which they spend high on Nutella and fermented pineapple,  being rampantly annoying to fellow hostel guests.  

In this special episode, Emily and Rachel wrap up their Peru series by answering a series of pertinent and astute questions from listeners, friends and family, on all manner of topics related to this leg of their 5 month trip. Among a myriad of other things, we find out the pair's best advice for those looking to travel to Peru, how they managed to look so excruciatingly fashionable whilst exploring the country and, crucially, if they ever had to calm a llama down... 

In this week's episode, Emily and Rachel read back over the last blog entry from their time in the second country of their trip, Peru, which was spent living the high life in the elegant Southern city of Arequipa. We hear about new travelling friends, how the pair stop at nothing to demand cheesecake at any hour of the day or night, and are treated to a detailed recount of the most bizarre and incredible night out either of them had ever experienced. 

In this week's episode, Rachel and Emily read over the blog entry documenting their time sandboarding around Peru's tiny oasis town of Huacachina, as well as recounting the severe financial traumas that began to plague them. We also hear of yet another near-death experience, some choice sandboarding eyewear, and the surreal setting in which the pair discovered the result of the infamous May 2010 UK election...

In this week's episode, Emily and Rachel recount the beginning of their journey through the south of Peru, spending a few nights in the desert city of Nasca, home of the world-famous 'Nasca Lines'. We hear of the trip the pair took in a tiny aircraft to view the lines from above, find out why Emily so deeply regretted making the most of the hostel's incredible breakfast buffet, and hear about their attempts to locate an ATM on the world's most chaotic side street. 

In this week's episode, Rachel and Emily re-read the blog entry from their last days spent in Cusco, which involved a raucous night clubbing, a top-bunk pillow fight and the most bizarre breakfast in living memory. We also hear of how they used an outdated and discarded copy of Lonely Planet's South America on a Shoestring and an A5 piece of paper to plan the 3 week journey south to the Chilean capital of Santiago they'll embark upon next.

In this week's episode, Rachel and Emily continue to reminisce on and re-read blog entries about their time in Cusco, exploring the enchanting Saqsaywaman ruins on horseback. We also hear about the intense feud that two of the horses were in the midst of throughout the trek, and, later on, what happens when you mix inappropriately behaving tour guides, grimy clubs and banging tunes. **note** this episode does include some sound quality issues, for which we apologise! We'll be back to normal sound levels next week. 

In this week's episode, Emily and Rachel recount the culmination of their Inca Trail trek - reaching the world-famous Machu Picchu. We also hear tales of hot spring fun times, gifts of lifelong friendship, and the most fractious bus journey known to man...

In this week's episode, Rachel and Emily relive their last full day of trekking on Peru's iconic Inca Trail, which of course includes many gaffes, giggles and grim toilet experiences. We also hear of the after-dark campsite incident that involves a stinky foot, angry outburst and a very tender moment…

This week, Rachel and Emily continue re-reading their blogs from Peru's famed Inca Trail Trek, tackling the hauntingly named 'Dead Woman's Pass' at 4,200m above sea level. We also hear about the bizarre branding of certain Peruvian breakfast items, Rachel's insane approach to completing the day's trek, and the terrifying, ghostly presence that allegedly haunts the campsite...

In this week's episode, we hear of Rachel and Emily's long-awaited first day of trekking the world-famous Inca Trail, led by what might be the world's surliest tourguide. We also hear about the terrible realisation that results in extreme rationing of photo taking, the truly incredible camp site in which the pair spent their first night, and the astounding and unsettling lengths to which they will go to befriend any figure of authority. 

In this week's episode, Rachel and Emily recount the tense and anxiety-ridden day before embarking on the Inca Trail, which they spent prepping for the trek in Peru's glorious Sacred Valley. We hear about, in detail, the pair's shamefully low levels of fitness, encounter with a traditional (and incredibly heady) Incan beer called ‘chicha', and deeply unfortunate trip to the world's most disgusting toilet in an otherwise unassuming internet café.

In this week's episode, Rachel and Emily relive their bus journey to the vibrant, lively ancient Inca capital of Cusco, stopping off at a bustling roadside market en route. They recall what it was like to be literally thrust a live lamb each upon exiting the bus,  to have to listen to another member of their tour group honing his beginner's panpiping skills for much of the residual journey, and indeed to arrive for the first time in a city they'd dreamt about visiting since being wide-eyed, PC-gaming children. 

In this week's episode, Rachel and Emily visit the community living on Lake Titicaca's Uros Reed Islands, making giant nuisances of themselves, as we've now all come to expect. We also listen in as the pair relive the historic evening meal whereby they and their wider tour group sample traditional Peruvian cuisine, including baked flan, alpaca meat and, of course, guinea pig. 

In this special episode, Rachel and Emily sit down with their respective mums and a nice cuppa to talk about the gap year from their perspective. We hear about what it was like for Yvonne and Jane to wave off their stupidly young offspring, only to hear nothing from them for several weeks, and have to listen to tales of lost passports, inaccessible travel funds and secret skydiving excursions from halfway across the globe thereafter. 

In this week's episode, Rachel and Emily meet their homestay family on Lake Titicaca's Amantani Island, and manage to utterly disgrace themselves by performing a meticulously choreographed rendition of an obscure song from a cult British sit-com. We also hear of the wonderful evening the pair spent trying to communicate with their host family using only a worksheet of Quechua phrases, as well as the hugely energetic gathering in the village hall they attended, dressed in full Peruvian traditional regalia. 

In this episode, Rachel and Emily set sail across Lake Titicaca,  en route to meet the local family hosting them for the night. On the way, they further bond with their tour group mates through liberal amounts of Peruvian rum, truly take the plunge by going for an icy swim, and make the grave error of forgetting to apply sunscreen during a cloudless day on ‘The lake at the roof of the world'. 

In the second episode chronicling their adventures in Peru, Emily and Rachel travel south to the city of Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Here, their low levels of fitness reveal themselves just days before tackling the world-famous Inca Trail, as altitude sickness takes its toll, and the pair hit the city streets, only to encounter a religious parade fronted by a Michael Jackson impersonating clown...

In the first episode of series 2, Rachel and Emily re-read and relive the first blog from their time in Peru, the second country of their trip. We hear of the abrupt gear change from budget hostels and chaotic happenings, to chic luxury and seamless organisation set to characterise the 12-day, guided tour of southern Peru the pair are about to embark on, which begins with taking full advantage of a one-night stay in a four-star hotel as only Rachel and Emily know how.

In this special episode, Emily and Rachel wrap up their Costa Rica recount by answering insightful and brilliant questions from listeners, on all manner of things related to this leg of their epic trip. We find out what advice the pair would give budding travellers, how they coped with each other's most annoying habits while on the road, and, most pressingly of all, whether or not they ever saw the local man Rachel managed to unwittingly entrance with her vacant stare ever again.  

Rachel and Emily read through the last blog entry written in Costa Rica, before moving onto the next country of their trip, Peru. In this episode, we learn about the deplorable behaviour the pair resorted to on discovering their food had been stolen from the communal hostel fridge, and hear the two small lines Emily's blog dedicated to the only day of exploring cultural attractions during their entire time in San Jose. 

In this episode, Rachel and Emily reread blog entries describing their zip-lining canopy tour in the beautiful cloud forest reserve of Monteverde, which had unsurprisingly disastrous consequences. We also learn about the average mating season of the Costa Rican tree frog, and are treated to our first delve into the incredibly surreal and abstract handwritten diary that Rachel kept during the trip...

Rachel and Emily travel further into Costa Rica along hazardous mountain roads, rereading blogs from their first day in the cloud forest reserve of Monteverde. In this episode, Rachel visits a magical (and unnerving) world of insects, as the only participant on a deeply intense guided tour, and Emily busies herself with unwittingly making new friends in the hostel kitchen. 

In this special episode, Rachel and Emily take time to remember and celebrate the life of Jairo Mora Sandoval, the conservationist, volunteer and valued community member they had the pleasure of working with during their time in Gandoca, who was tragically killed in 2013. Further resources mentioned in the episode:WIDECAST websitehttps://www.widecast.orgInformation on leatherback turtle poaching:  https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/leatherback-turtlehttps://www.scientificamerican.com/article/illegal-sea-turtle-egg-poaching-rise-costa-rica/https://www.greenmatters.com/p/sea-turtle-poaching-investeggatorhttps://www.poachingfacts.com/wildlife-encyclopedia/sea-turtles-profile/

Looking back over the blog entries from their last few days of sea turtle conservation on the Costa Rican coast, Emily and Rachel recount the arrival of a new volunteer, and, more importantly, his iconic footwear choice, as well as their sad farewell to the conservation project and onward journey back to San Jose. In this episode, we also witness what happens when leaf-cutter ants attack, and just how unbelievably disgusting two individuals can be after 14 days of sandy, muddy, humid jungle living, with only infrequent rainwater showers as personal hygiene routines.

After much hard labour and laying around in hammocks at the sea turtle conservation station, Emily and Rachel relive and read back over their hallowed ‘day off', which they spend floating around the local laguna on a canoe owned by a man named Gilberto, spotting distant squirrel monkeys and potentially deadly caimans. In this episode we also learn just how long it can take Rachel to successfully capture a single photo, and what it's like to attend a Costa Rican pool party in torrential rain.

Now fully qualified turtle conservationists, Emily and Rachel continue re-reading and reliving their adventures in the coastal Costa Rican jungle. In this episode, they attend their very first party of the trip, Emily has a near-death experience whilst trying to speak Spanish, and Rachel recounts her own turtle adventures with a group of overly enthusiastic American tourists in tow.

After recalling their unexpected arrival in the coastal Costa Rican jungle, and becoming accustomed to being woken up by howler monkeys and antimalarial-induced nightmares, Rachel and Emily continue reliving their time conserving sea turtles by reading from their original blog text. In this episode, they receive some turtle-saving training, and try their best to ingratiate themselves with the local staff and other volunteers. Unsurprisingly, neither goes terribly well.

In this episode, Rachel and Emily cast their minds back to the Costa Rican coast, reliving their ridiculously haphazard journey from the capital city of San Jose to Gandoca Beach, to embark on a sea turtle conservation project. From unlikely saviours wearing G Unit t-shirts, to their first taste of remote, jungle living, this blog entry is the perfect illustration of how the kindness of strangers can really make the difference between travel success, and being left to survive alone on the Panama border, with only a pillow and a pair of sunglasses to your name.

In this episode, Rachel and Emily recount a severe misfortune that befalls them on the second day of their five-month trip, and the hysterical (in every sense of the word) events that followed, all, of course, whilst reading from the original blog text. From malfunctioning padlocks to close encounters with the Costa Rican justice system, this blog entry recounts what Emily once referred to as ‘honestly the most unbelievably stressful and unfortunate day of my sweet life.' All hyperbole fans welcome. 

In this episode, Rachel and Emily read from their very first blog entry, reliving their arrival in Costa Rica – the first country of the trip. Featuring tearful goodbyes and ridiculously undignified hostel arrivals, from waking an entire dorm room with the turn of a tap, to unwittingly inconveniencing the entire Costa Rica Language Academy due to their sheer incompetence, the tone is well and truly set for what's to come.

In this special episode, Emily and Rachel do their best to ‘sponge up the context' of their trip, by delving behind the scenes, and journeying back into their 18-year-old, travel-planning mindsets. From the staggering amount of jobs they somehow held down to save for the trip, to the endless hours spent agonising over what to pack, and whether or not they would need water-purification tablets in the hostels of New Zealand... This episode answers all the burning questions you undoubtedly have about why, when, where and simply how they successfully planned five months of worldwide travel.