TRAVEL | Wildlife Spotted at The TRS Yucatan, Maya Riviera, Mexico

One of the things I love most about travel is natural wildlife encounters. Before arriving at the TRS Yucatan hotel in Quintana Roo in Mexico, I did my homework and expected to come across a lot of Coatis and Iguanas. On the Iguana front I wasn’t disappointed and came to lovingly refer to them as ‘Mexican Pigeons’ as they are so numerous and such a common sight.

The beautiful grounds in the interior of the Palladium hotels complex on the Maya Riviera

Having spoken to Mexican friends, I was assured I’d see lots of Coatis, cute little critters that look like a Lemur crossed with a Racoon, but during my week away, I only spotted one, and sadly it was gone too soon for me to be able to grab my camera. Lack of Coati sightings aside, I did get to see a variety of different birds and lizards, so I thought it would be nice to share some of my favourite wildlife photographs.

In terms of identification, I’m no expert, so if anyone spots errors in my identification, corrections would be greatly appreciated.

The grounds of the TRS Yucatan

Agouti

This little fella was very friendly and make frequent visits to our suite, we’d often be sat in the plunge pool and would see it sniffing around looking for fallen fruit. Native to Middle America, northern and central South America, the Agouti is a rodent and is related to the Guinea Pig, though it’s much larger. When watching them I thought they resembled a combination of Hare, Guinea Pig and a Squirrel.

Mexican Spinytail Iguana

We saw Iguanas very frequently, most often sat still during the day in an exposed spot basking in the sunhine. Capable of growing up to 1.3m in size, the ones we spotted ranged in size greatly with some very large ones of around a metre as well as much smaller ones spotted. It was the larger ones that were the least skittish and most likely to hold their ground no matter how close you got to them.

Black Vultures

I was very excited to spot these 3 black Vultures, perched high atop a building in the grounds of the TRS Yucatan hotel. This new world Vulture is very common sight in southeastern United States to southern America.

Tropical Mockingbird

This beautiful little bird was a frequent visitor to the shaded area just behind the beach at the Collonial hotel, part of the larger Palladium hotel complex that we stayed in. The Tropical Mockingbird is a resident breeding bird native to southern Mexico, common in Brazil, the Lesser Antilles and other Caribbean islands.

Yucatan Jay

This was one of the most frequent birds spotted out and about a the TRS Yucatan with stunning bright blue plumage. As you can tell from the beak, it’s a member of the Corvidae family and is native to the Yucatan Peninsula.

Brown Pelican

Since getting up close to Pelicans during a feeding encounter many years ago in Florida, I’ve always loved Pelicans and I saw lots swimming close to the shore. Watching them dive was mesmerising, graceful they are not! They seemed to just radomly dive and smash their huge beaks under water before bobbing back up to float on the surface.

Land Crab

I’m not sure what kind of crab this is, as he was very shy and as soon as he heard us approaching he scuttled down into his very deep den on the sea shore. He was a lovely bright vibrant yellow/orange colour and although I sat and quietly waited for 10 minutes hoping he’d emerge for a better shot, this was the best I could do.

Frigatebirds

The graceful Frigatebird was a common sight, swooping high above the shallows of the sea. Rarely seen flapping, they just glide on thermals. Their distinctive wings are long and pointed and can span up to a whopping 2.3m.

Green Lizard

I only spotted a couple of these, as they were generally much more skittish than the far larger Iguanas, but its beautiful colouring makes it exceptionally eye catching.

Above: Another small lizard spotted, though I’m not sure what kind

Laughing Gull

I think this is a Mexican Laughing Gull, I only spotted a few, but with their black faces and wing tips, they were very distinctive against the blue sky.

Parrots

Sadly these birds weren’t spotted in the wild, they were being carried around by a photographer on the beach but they appeared exceptionally calm and happy. Given they are such intelligent birds and crave stimulation, it felt like they relished hopping onto the heads of willing tourists.

Flamingos

Again, not spotted in the wild, but in a large aviary inside the grounds of the Palladium hotel complex. These beautiful birds are native to the Yucatan, with tens of thousands of flamingos living in the Yucatan peninsula.

Mangrove Turtle

This little turtle was spotted in the mangrove swamps that ran all through the grounds of the TRS Yucatan.

Land Crab

Walking back to our suite one evening, this little fella was waiting for us outside the door, which we found rather amusing. After speaking to our Butler he said, that he once found a crab on the third floor!

Mexican Crow

We saw lots of these slightly unkept and dishevelled looking crows all over the place.

Cormorants

I’m not sure what type of Cormorant this is as it was much smaller than others I’ve seen, possibly a Neotropic cormorant but I’m not certain.

For nature lovers, I can thoroughly recommend this region of Mexico. The TRS Yucatan provided ample grounds and natural habitats for native species and it was a joy spotting so much in the hotel grounds and along the beach front.

I’ll be blogging again about the marine life I saw whilst snorkeling and diving in the stunning marine nature reserve of Cozumel and a detailed feature on the hotel will also be added soon. I traveled to Mexico with Blue Bay Travel and stayed at the luxurious 5-star, adult-only TRS Yucatan hotel.

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CAMPING | Everything You Need to Know About Motorhome Insurance

Owning a motorhome means having a haven-on-wheels available whenever you want it. From weekend breaks to week-long camping trips, you can enjoy staycations across the length and breadth of the UK, and even further afield on the continent.

The freedom of choosing when and where you rest your head is a huge draw for people looking for a chance to explore without spending over the odds. Before you set off on your journey though, you need to know you are protected against the many things that could potentially go wrong with your motorhome. The only way to get that peace of mind is through a dedicated motorhome insurance policy.

Here, we’ll take a look motorhome insurance as whole, the features you should consider adding as part of your policy, and a few ways to help bring down the cost of your premium. So, let’s put our pedal to the mettle and get going!

What Actually Counts as a Motorhome?

In this guide, we’re going to look at motorhomes, rather than caravans and trailers. So, what actually constitutes a motorhome?

A motorhome is a vehicle that is ‘self-propelled’ rather than towed, with a separate driving compartment at the front. Behind the driving compartment you’ll find berths for between 2 and 8 people, and usually including built-in kitchen and washroom areas. These types of vehicle often fall under the umbrella term of RV (recreational vehicle), however this is more commonly used to refer to the ginormous RVs we see traversing the wide highways of the USA.

In the UK, motorhomes are a massive part of the staycation culture, so its important you know what kind of insurance you need in order to be fully protected while you’re on your journey. In order to get the right insurance, you need to know the ins and outs of your motorhome – from its category to the breadth of features you decide to include on your policy.

Motorhomes come in three categories:

Class A – Integrated

This is the big daddy of motorhomes, and the most expensive. They often have built in kitchen and bathroom facilities, large extendable awnings and a great deal of storage space. For this reason, they are the most expensive to insure

Class B – Semi-Integrated

This type of motorhome is more basic than Class A, most commonly built atop a standard van chassis. The driving compartment is usually set lower than the living area, which has a higher ceiling to make it easier to move around. The facilities are also more basic, with the kitchen/dining area doubling up as a berth come bedtime

Class C – Alcove

This type of motorhome has a caravan-style body with a double berth area that sits over driving cab. They tend to be slightly more luxurious than Class B but not quite at the same level as Class A. However, they are definitely more cost-effective than the latter, meaning they will be cheaper to insure.

What Types of Motorhome Insurance Are Available?

There are a few levels of cover when it comes to motorhome insurance, each offering protection against different things.

As with any standard motor insurance policy, you will be expected to have third party only (TPO) insurance by law, which covers the cost of third-party damages in the event of an accident. Third party fire and theft (TPFT) insurance is one step above, adding fire and theft as coverable situations.

However, if you want to be truly protected against all possibilities, you need to get a comprehensive policy that encompasses features specific to the way you use your motorhome. A fully comprehensive policy will be more expensive by default, but for that extra money you can perhaps enjoy greater peace of mind.

Which Features Should Be Included in Your Policy?

Your motorhome is your kingdom for the duration of your staycation and it’ll often contain expensive personal belongings. It also functions as a drivable vehicle, so you are likely to run into risks similar to the ones you face when driving your car.

Let’s take a look at some of the most useful policy features for motorhome insurance:

Breakdown cover

This can be vital if your holiday is to go off without a hitch. Whether you’re on a family trip with small children, or its just you and your other half off for a weekend of romance, the last thing you want is to be stuck on the side of the road. Now, add in the stress of paying not only for a tow truck but also the cost of your onward journey and you’ll understand why having breakdown cover is so important

Contents cover

As we mentioned earlier, your motorhome probably has all sorts of belongings in it, from your clothes and toiletries, to more expensive items like electronics or even jewellery. If your motorhome is broken in to and your belongings stolen, contents cover will ensure you are paid out to the value of the missing goods, hopefully enabling you to replace them quickly

Storm and flood damage cover

Now, you hope for sunshine and blue skies but let’s face it – it’s the UK. Whilst this summer has been a scorcher, you should still prepare for an onslaught of rain if you choose to go away in your motorhome. Water damage from a storm or flood can cause significant damage to a motorhome, resulting in mould and mildew (which itself won’t be covered unless it is a direct result of storm for flood damage), as well as potentially faulty electrics.

Accidental damage cover

Motorhomes can be tough to maneuverer at the best of times, so sometimes inadvertent damage to its body (like scratches for example) is inevitable. Accidental damage cover will offer a little buffer on these occasions, covering the cost of repairs needed as a result of said damage.

Are There Any Exclusions to Be Aware Of?

There are a few situations that are rarely covered by motorhome insurance policies, and you should definitely check these with your broker before you enter in to a contract with them. Always check the inclusions and exclusions – even if you think they must come as standard – as the last thing you need is to find out you don’t have cover when you really need it.

Common exclusions include:

Mildew and mould

Mildew and mould damage that is caused by yourself, through not securing your motorhome adequately, will not be covered by insurance

Permanent residence

If you live in your motorhome, you will need a different type of policy as it will no longer be classed as a leisure vehicle, rather becoming an abode

Unforced entry

If you leave your motorhome unlocked or a window open and your motorhome is burglarised, you won’t be paid out for it as it wasn’t properly secured

Vermin infestations

Vermin and pest damage won’t usually be covered by your insurance policy, but there are things you can do to stop it from happening (heightened security, not leaving food out on surfaces, keeping all communal areas clean)

What Can Be Done to Reduce Your Premium?

There are some elements of your motorhome insurance that you can’t help paying for. The type of motorhome you have will dictate the price of your premium to a certain degree, but there are some steps you can take to reduce the cost of your premium.

The security measures you take, for example, could make a marked difference to your premium price as the more secure your motorhome is the less likely it is to be broken into or damaged by weather and vermin. Alarm systems, trackers and immobilisers all present significant protection against these things. Your insurer is likely to take this into account when providing you with a quote.

Also, shop around! Don’t just settle for the first quote you come across; diversify your search and take a look at brokers who specialise in motorhome insurance exclusively, as they are more likely to not just understand the unique risks you face, but also offer you a competitive quote.

Now, you can get back on the road and enjoy your holiday, safe in the knowledge that you are fully protected!

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DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by quotesearcher.co.uk. You can find out more about our sponsored post policy here.

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TRAVEL | 5 Welcome Side Effects of Travel

You don’t have to leave the country to benefit from a change of scene. A weekend camping break or a summer road trip can provide many of the same benefits of jetting off somewhere, but there’s no denying, there’s something magical about visiting another country, getting lost in streets you don’t know, gazing at signs you can’t read, strange sights and sounds that delight with their feeling of ‘otherness’.

Wherever you travel, no matter how near or far, the experience is always a rewarding one.

1. Travel liberates us from routine

Traveling provides us with freedom; a break from our usual routine and the freedom to luxuriate in leisure time. With nothing too pressing occupying our minds, and often unreliable phone signals and WiFi, it temporarily distances us from our constantly connected, frenetic everyday lives.

There’s no doubt about it, traveling can sometimes be stressful in its own way, (as anyone who has faced a last minute cancelled flight will attest to), but often the hours spent traveling can provide us with precious downtime.

Time to read a fiction novel without feeling guilty, time to listen to a favourite album or watch endless trashy movies on the inflight entertainment, there’s rarely a more liberating feeling than being free from our usual routine.

2. Travel helps us to grow

Overseas travel and independent travel in particular can be challenging and will absolutely take us out of our comfort zones. All of those unfamiliar sounds, sights and smells assault the senses, distracting us from the mundane, presenting us with new challenges, forcing us to live in the moment!

Getting to grips with new environments, assimilating different cultures and overcoming adversity helps us to evolve and grow as a person, teaching us transferable skills beneficial to everyday life.

3. Travel makes us more considerate human beings

There is nothing quite so humbling as visiting a developing country or deprived region, and witnessing poverty and lives lived in the face of adversity. You don’t have to be into dark tourism for this to hit home. Even a typical package holiday tourist can experience contrast by simply venturing beyond the resort, stepping outside of their plush hotel grounds and experiencing, even for just a short time, a more authentic travel experience.

Seeing people who prosper with so little, living life in a way that is far removed from our own comfortable existence, allows us to put our own woes into perspective and nurtures our ability to be compassionate and live with greater humility.

4. Travel invigorates the soul

The beauty of nature can be breath-taking, stopping you in your tracks, literally taking your breath away. In showing us new places and revealing stunning new landscapes to marvel upon, travel reminds us to take pleasure in the simple things in life, the beauty of nature that is all around us.

Experiencing awe has been scientifically proven to make us nicer people, transforming our sense of self and even positively influencing how we treat other people.

5. Travel makes us more creative

Routine acts like a straight-jacket, compelling us to be logical, strategic and productive; when you break out of that often stifling routine, it naturally frees our minds.

This mental downtime, will often happen during travel whilst we are captive in some mode of transport or other and with nothing to do but kill time, our mind travels on its own flights of creative fancy.

This mental downtime is highly important to our creativity, and ultimately makes us more productive. Free of the everyday need to be analytical and endlessly productive, our brain is able to roam free, promoting relaxation, creativity and a sense of well-being.

Don’t ever believe anyone who tells you that travel isn’t necessary, we know our lives are all the more richer for it.

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TRAVEL | I Share My Active Beach Holiday Essential Packing List

I’m heading off to go diving in Mexico very soon, and I’ve been considering what to pack, so I thought I’d share my active beach holiday packing list with you. Scroll down for my ready made packing list!

That time in the Maldives when my case got loaded on to the wrong plane

Then I was approached by Jacamo about a collaboration on a travel post, which meant I wouldn’t need to write an article just to fulfil blogging obligations, and could write one that would be genuinely useful too. I mean, I have a packing list for camping, so why not do the same for an active beach holiday?

What’s not to love about jetting off somewhere tropical on holiday?! Whilst I hate sitting around and being inactive I do still love a good beach, but my criteria for this kind of holiday is that it has to be somwhere beautiful with great marine and wildlife.

Situated close to the marine nature reserve of Cozumel and in an area I’m reliably informed is beautiful, the adults-only, luxury beach front TRS Yucatan in Mexico ticks all my holiday boxes, and with everything planned, all that remains is to set my out of office email reply and pack my suitcase!

I adore spending as much time as possible in the sea when I’m on holiday

Active Beach Holiday Packing Considerations

So the first thing to consider, obviously, is the type of holiday I’m going on, it goes without saying that my winter snow holiday packing list is the total opposite of my beach holiday packing list! Whilst sitting in the sunshine reading a book is something I relish, I do get bored very quickly and need to stay active. So for me that means as much swimming as I can fit in, from lengths in the pool and hours spent snorkeling in the sea to kayaking and diving.

I do a fair bit of kayaking here in the UK so I have my own wetsuit and I invested in snorkel gear last year when I went to the Maldives, so that along with my workout gear and goggles for swimming in the pool are all a must and I want to make sure that I’ve got something comfortable to go walking in as I love exploring on foot.

Don’t forgot those essentials….like your passport!

Over the last month or so I’ve done a fair bit of holiday shopping, not least because I felt like treating myself, but practically speaking I’ve dropped a dress size recently so genuinely needed some more clothing. I spent hours trudging around the shops hoping to find everything from the perfect pair of shorts that didn’t make me look a) frightful or b) like I live in a trailer park (yeah, that didn’t happen) to a gorgeous maxi dress. Instead of shorts I ended up buying to a couple of pairs of linen trousers from my local Gap outlet. Back at home online, I also got myself a gorgeous maxi dress(yay!) and a pair of beach pants from Apricot.

Although I’m no longer considered ‘plus size’, shopping for nice summer clothes and beachwear can be difficult if you are above a size 14, so I’d previously found places like ASOS really good (though I find quality can be hit or miss), whilst for guys, shopping somewhere like Jacamo is a great bet, especially when shopping for things like swim shorts.

When it comes to luggage I’ll be taking my American Tourister Spinner suitcase, and for flight luggage I’m taking my Mia Tui Jennie travel handbag, along with my trusty Oakley sunglasses, still going strong after 17 years! So with all the essentials sorted, let the packing commence!

What do you pack in your hand luggage?

My Active Beach Holiday Packing List

Sports/Fitness Packing

• Snorkel, mask & flippers
• Swimsuits x 2
• Water shoes
• Shortie wetsuit
• Trainers
• Gym leggings
• Sports bra
• Goggles
• Workout top

Entertainment & Electrical

• Charging cables
• Go Pro
• Camera & spare batteries
• Tablet
• Books
• Travel plugs/adapter
• Earphones
• Power bank

Essentials

• Passport (well d’uh!)
• Airport parking reservation
• Travel insurance details
• Holiday/flight/hotel booking details
• Suitcase
• Travel cabin bag
• Foreign currency

Clothing/Footwear

• Beach pants x 2
• Linen pants
• Vest tops x 3
• T-shirt x 2
• Cotton peasant top x 2
• Maxi dress
• Sun dress x 2
• Beach cover up x 2
• Toms
• Birkenstocks
• Sarong
• Flip flops

Travel Outfit

• Denim jacket
• Converse high-tops
• Beach pants (elasticated waist, super comfy for flying in!)
• T-shirt

Toiletries & Cosmetics

• Shower gel
• Tooth brush & toothpaste
• P20 SPF50 sun protection spray
• Hawaiian Tropic Aftersun
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Body butter
• Face cream
• Lip balm
• Mascara
• Coloured eye liners
• Pressed powder
• Baby oil
• Supplements
• Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Imodium instants & Rennie
• Jungle formula bug spray
• Antihistamine cream
• Hair brush
• Ear plugs
• Nail clippers
• Tweezers
• Shaving razor

Random stuff

• Beach bag
• Hydroflask reusable water bottle
• Buff & hair bobbles
• Earrings, bracelets & necklaces

 

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DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by Jacamo but is all our own original content. You can find out more about our sponsored post policy here.

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CAMPING GEAR | Reliable Solar Power From Bright, Now With 15% Off At Solar Simple

For a limited time only, save 15% on the two most technically advanced and reliable solar powered, all in one light / phone chargers for Camping. The Bright Move Smart and Bright SunBell Smart.

Rugged, technically advanced, beautifully designed and reliable. These unique solar powered, all in one light / phone chargers are made for the discerning Camper & Glamper, they are also perfect for any other off grid activity where light and power is required.

Bright Move Red

Designed to survive and thrive in the world’s harshest environments, the BRIGHT SunBell was the first of its kind to be categorized as a UNHCR core relief item. Using the latest technology, they had to be tough and incredibly reliable to be selected for these testing conditions. Since the autumn of 2014, well over 2 million lights have been distributed in refugee camps and emergency operations worldwide.

 

Bright SunBell Smart

The SunBell has recently been joined by the new pocket sized BRIGHT Move Smart, the most efficient ‘size to function’ solar lamp on the market. Now for the first time, this design conscious range from Bright Products of Norway is available exclusively in the UK through Solar Simple for the discerning camper, glamper, (& festival goer, walker, sailor…) who simply wants the very best.

Bright Move Red

Go green and go solar, without compromising on performance. It is like having mains powered performance with you at all times, just by harnessing the free and natural power of the sun. Over time, these high-quality solar products will prove to be considerably cheaper than any similar battery powered alternative.

Bright SunBell Smart

For a limited time, you can take advantage of a 15% discount on both the Move and SunBell by entering this code ‘SeeTheLight’ at checkout on the Solar Simple website.

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DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by solarsimple.net. You can find out more about our sponsored post policy here.

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OUTDOOR GEAR | Raitex Redhawk Stainless Steel Multi Tool – Reivew

What is it?

Raitex Redhawk Stainless Steel Multi Tool
£24.99

Stockists

• Raitex.co.uk
• Amazon.co.uk

Features

• Needle Nose Pliers 
• Regular Pliers
• Wire Cutters/Strippers
• Sharp Knife
• Small Sized Slotted Screwdriver
• Medium Sized Slotted Screwdriver
• Large Sized Slotted Screwdriver
• Phillips Screwdriver
• Bottle Opener
• Can Opener
• Fish Scaler
• Double Sided Nail File
• Hook Remover
• Saw

What did we think?

A decent multi tool is a camping must have, and for the past 10 years my Leatherman Juice has been my tool of choice. However, it’s now seriously showing it’s age with many of the joints no longer holding in place, so I was keen to see how the much cheaper Redhawk would compare.

The Redhawk comes in a little black pouch and upon opening, the first thing I noticed was it’s solid weight and size, which felt quite big and hefty compared to my little Leatherman Juice. That said it didn’t feel unwieldy and due to its size, I found flicking out the individual tools was pretty easy to do. Despite it being quite chunky, it’s surprisingly light.

The Redhawk multi tool inside it’s case

All of the tools I’ve used so far have worked well. The needle nose pliers are nicely sprung and helped me undo some particularly tight knots on my latest camping trip. I used the knife to cut string to allow me to secure bunting to my tent (very sharp!) and as I waited for the kettle to boil for my morning cuppa, I kept myself occupied by sawing fallen twigs in half (I’m very easily amused).

With 14 tools to choose from the Redhawk has got pretty much everything covered, however I did find the lack of scissors a minor annoyance as I tend to use these an awful lot.

The main think I look for in a multi tool is not only that it’s sturdy, but that each of the tools is easy to flick out, and that they don’t move around when in use. There’s nothing more off putting than using a sharp knife that wobbles or feels unstable, and the Redhawk performed pretty well. For a tool of this value, I have to say I was impressed.

The full size of the Redhawk

The Verdict

Whilst It’s disappointing that the Redhawk omits scissors, this is a sturdy tool that feels well made and strong, and coming in at under £25 that’s pretty impressive. It looks good and would make a great gift for outdoors lovers, equally, if you want a decent multi tool that won’t break the bank to keep in your camping essentials box along with spare batteries, duck tape etc. this is a great buy.

Thank you to Raitex who supplied the featured product to us. We were not paid to write this review.

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