Adventure Travel
Stuck at the Airport? Our Top 6 Alternative Airport Boredom Busters
Every been stuck at the airport hours before your flight leaves with nothing to do? Try out our top 6 airport boredom busters to kill the time.
Published
9 years agoon




4 hours to go until your flight leaves you are rushing around the house grabbing those last minute items to squeeze in to your overflowing suitcase. Out the door to the waiting taxi with a jacket hanging off one arm and all your gear in the other. A moment of panic as you re-check your pockets for your passport only to find it had mysteriously slipped into another bag.
All that stress washes away as you hand over your luggage and receive your shiny boarding pass. You give yourself a mental high five and a pat on the back. You don’t even mind that the beefy security guard has just given you a rub-down that you would usually pay for in Thailand.
Then the reality hits you like a wet fish in the face. What was it all for?
Arrived 3 hours early for my flight and I still have 2 hours 45 minutes to go. Frick!
If you have ever travelled on a plane then you definitely know how much time is wasted at airports. More so if you are in transit. Our most recent long haul journey from Auckland to Edinburgh was a touch over 37 hours with stops in Melbourne, Brunei (10 hours!), Paris and London. Spent more time at airports than in the air.
Not to mention that once you have seen one airport you have seen them all. Sure some airports are on a different scale. Singapore versus Paris comes to mind. But generally most are similar.
Waiting lounges with butt numbing plastic seats, queues that Apple groupies waiting for the next iPod would hate and everything is ridiculously overpriced. How can a McDonald’s burger be more expensive at an airport?
To beat the boredom and turn your airport frown upside down here are a few tips to keep you amused:
Blogging
If you need to kill time why not catch up on all those posts you have been meaning to write? I have at least 20 different posts that needed to be finished off and we hardly ever get 2 hours to do nothing. In fact this post started at the airport while I actually thought up fun ways to pass my time.
Guerilla Marketing
I can’t take the credit for this because I borrowed the idea off Keith at Velvet Escape. If you have a website or travel blog then head over to the bright lights of the gadget store. Use the laptops which generally have free WiFi to connect with us on Twitter and Facebook before changing the preferences to set your website as the homepage.
Perfume and nice smellies
Before taking-off make sure that you are not one of those nose-curdling travellers that makes your fellow passengers breathe through their mouth. You know all those expensive perfumes you see with exotic names being paraded around by ridiculously good looking models? Well now it’s time to smell like them. Just don’t use the roll-on…
Free alcohol testers
Unless you are flying at an ungodly hour, most of the duty free stores will have free alcohol taste testing. Usually it will only be a small shot but remember that over-packed suitcase you are wheeling around? Just change your outfit and go nuts.
Magazine reading
Love your goss? Then turn into one of those really annoying people that shopkeepers loathe by sticking your nose into a good old magazine. Or pick up some travel photography tips from one of the technical mags.
People watching
Our last airport boredom buster and my personal favourite is just watching those around you. Who are they? Where are they going? Who are they travelling with? I love making up stories about them. Is that guy and girl (who is young enough to be his daughter) related or are they running away on a “business” trip together?
Failing all that just watch the raw emotions at the arrival or departure gates because they really are heart warming. Tears of joy as passengers arrive into the arms of missed loved ones or sorrow as they wave goodbye through the glass panels.
See you at the airport (just don’t delete our blog off the homepage)!
What are your favourite boredom busters?
Cole is one half of New Zealand's leading adventure travel blogging couple who have been wearing out their jandals around the world since 2009. He loves any adventure activities and anything to do with the water whether it is Surfing, Diving, Swimming, Snorkeling or just lounging nearby on the beach. You can follow Cole on Google+. Or consider following us via RSS Feed, Twitter, Facebook and subscribe to our Newsletter.



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Adventure Travel
Walking the Camino de Santiago Photos
These are my favourite Camino de Santiago Photos from my pilgrimage along the French Way in March. A truly beautiful way to spend a few weeks.
Published
1 month agoon
March 10, 2021



El Camino de Santiago kicked my ass. Well technically it kicked my feet. Turns out my minimal preparation for the Camino de Santiago was terrible. After a miserable effort of only 4 days, the doctor in Legrono told me that I wasn’t allowed to go on until me feet healed. I had walked just over 100 km’s and my feet were bloodied and blistered.
To be honest, I was relieved.
The thought of putting back on my shoes made my shudder. For the last 9 km’s I had stumbled along in jandals and socks. One of the travelling fashion sins I vowed I would never break.



Jandals on the Camino de Santiago
So while I have unfinished business with the Way of St James (an upcoming post), I did want to share with you some of my favourite photos from the Camino de Santiago. Because I had yet to reach some of the more “unsavoury” parts of the Camino that Sherry Ott had discovered, every step of my pilgrimage had been beautiful.



Puenta La Reina Bridge – Camino de Santiago Arrows
There is no way you can get lost on the Camino de Santiago. Arrows, scallop shells and signs point you in the right direction at every bridge, road crossing and intersection.



Camino de Santiago Scallop Shell
Reaching the top of Alto Pedron gave views back the way I had come from Pamplona, as well as views to where I was going. The rocky path on the way down proved to be my ultimate downfall, as my too small shoes caused my toes to smash into the front.



Alto del Pedron Camino de Santiago



Metal Pilgrims on Alto del Pedron
There were so many beautiful old churches along the Camino de Santiago. But since I was walking in early March, it seemed that most were yet to open for the busier summer season.



The Church of Obanos
And between every small village the well-maintained pathways of the French Way wound across the spectacular Spanish countryside.



The French Way – Camino de Santiago Photos



Puenta La Reina in the evening
Puenta La Reina has one of the most amazing bridges I have ever seen. It was also the 1st village I had the pleasure of sleeping in after busy Pamplona.



Puenta la Reina Bridge at sunrise
Most mornings I was up and walking before the sun began to sprinkle across the horizon.



Spring flowers on the Camino de Santiago



Pilgrims approaching Cirauqui, Spain
Every village and town was built on a small hill. Sure it looks beautiful until you realise you have to go back up again to go through them all!



Church of Santa Maria in Los Arcos
While there were only about 20 pilgrims walking each section every day, it wasn’t uncommon for you to encounter them all. The people I met along the Camino de Santiago were some of the most inspiring and remarkable people I have ever spoken to. They are the ones that make the pilrgimage so special.



The endless French Way



The free flowing Irache Wine Fountain or “Fuente del Vino”



Hay bales along the French Way
Every village had at least one ancient church and it wasn’t uncommon to find them dotting the landscape in remote locations either.



Ermita de San Miguel



Iglesia de San Andrés de Zariquiegui Church
I have travelled through Spain in the past, including cycling in Costa Brava and surfing in San Sebastian with both independent planning and a vacation planner. But having the opportunity to walk at my own pace through some of the most beautiful scenery in Spain on the Camino de Santiago has so far topped them all.



Natural arches on the Camino de Santiago




Camping with a hammock is slowly but surely becoming more popular in recent years with new and improved hammock designs being preferred by some campers, compared to the traditional tent.
In this article we will discuss some of the key benefits and drawbacks of sleeping without a tent, and analyze key criteria so that you can choose your preferred shelter choice!
Weatherproof
Most tents work well in the rain; however, you’ll need to bring a tarp if you’re using a hammock. Traditional hammocks are not waterproof, and are generally open at the top, allowing water to find itself inside if you don’t have an adequate tarp. Moreover, a decent under quilt is also a good idea so that you can stay warm and cozy during cold and stormy nights.
Packing up your hammock after a long night of rain isn’t too bad, whereas packing up a soaking wet tent is always annoying. You almost always get wet in the process.
Setup
For first time campers, pop-up tents are the simplest to setup. All you need to do is find flat ground, and bam, your setup is complete! The beauty of pop-up tents is that you don’t need to worry about figuring out where to insert the poles and erect the tent. Although, traditional tents are usually more robust, and have a longer life span.
Essentially, a tent is simple, but a hammock can become a little more complicated for first timers. You’ll need to find 2 trees facing a good direction and tie each end of the hammock to them. If your hammock setup is too tight, you will generally wake up with sore ancles, but if it’s too loose, you run the risk of the hammock touching the floor, and insects crawling in with you.
If your campground doesn’t have many trees, or if the trees are dead (they could break and injure you), hammock stands come to the rescue! Basically, hammock stands allow you to pitch a hammock if there are no trees nearby. They are portable, adjustable, and are easy to setup. The only drawback is that the ground should be relatively flat, whereas if you were to hang a hammock between 2 trees, there won’t be any stands touching the ground, so a rocky floor wouldn’t be a problem.
Comfort
One of the main reasons for choosing a hammock is the comfort that it provides you! It has a basically has in-built seat which is arguably more comfortable than a standard blow up mattress. You need to pick your tree’s wisely though! You don’t want a pinecone falling on your face mid-sleep.
If you have constant back pain and find it hard to sleep inside tents, you should give hammocks a try as they cause you to sleep sideways, similar to a banana shape, which a lot people find much more comfortable.
Price
Hammocks are usually lighter and don’t include a wealth of poles and gear that tents do. Depending on the type of hammock that you purchase, they are usually quite similar to tents. You can however, find very cheap tents <$60, but they most likely won’t last long.
A good tent or hammock can cost between $200-500 without accessories. If you need a hammock stand, that will add to your cost, just like a mattress and other tent necessities will to its cost.
Adventure Travel
Top of Cappadocia day trek – with Middle Earth Travel
Published
1 month agoon
March 2, 2021



Trekking through the valleys of Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys with Middle Earth Travel feels more like the set of a Star Wars movie than a historical region once carved out and lived in by humans. Churches, homes and pigeon houses are scattered throughout the valleys, all waiting to be explored. The best part is, Middle Earth Travel know all the hidden secrets.


Top of Cappadocia day trek – with Middle Earth Travel
On the 26th of July (which just so happens to be my birthday!) Middle Earth Travel took us on their private and guided Top of Cappadocia day trek. From Pasabag, along the top of Cappadocia and down through the Gulludere Rose Valley to Goreme, we trekked 15kms in one day! (We recommend getting your bearings with this map)
Upon arrival to the Middle Earth Offices, we were warmly greeted by our new friend Atil whom we had met a few days earlier while mountain biking through the Kizilcukur Red Valley. We were then introduced to our guide and given a briefing regarding the day. Normally, the Top of Cappadocia tour would start from Çavuşin, however, since we had already explored Çavuşin Castle, they adapted our tour to compensate ensuring we would explore new terrain!
With charged cameras, plenty of water and our running shoes on, we were driven to our starting point of Pasabag. We wandered through the fairy chimneys, coming across camels and markets – then the true hike began.
It was a slow and gentle incline. With no trees to provide shade, I quickly realised why our tour guide had chosen to wear fully covered clothing! As the sweat quickly set in (a waterfall in Moss’s case) we snapped away with our cameras and enjoyed the entertaining shapes of Imagine Valley and the amazing view. We also passed a lot of rock piles, which according to our guide mean ‘father’ and are built to help lead the way.
The higher we trekked, the more breath taking the views became! As we walked along the summit of Bozdag mountain (the Top of Cappadocia) we could see EVERTHING – Pasabag, Çavuşin Castle, Kizilcukur Red Valley, Gulludere Rose Valley and Goreme. We were on the Father of Valleys! After a quick nod of agreement to the guide, we pushed ourselves the extra distance and made our way to the flag, as this HAD to be the highest point and was definitely worth a photo and a selfie or two!
From the flag we looked down upon Aktepe Hill which is known as a popular destination for watching the sun set and could spot Kizilvadi Restaurant, our destination for lunch! Kizilvadi Restaurant is an attraction of its own. With its own historic winery and Grape church, plus some Middle Earth Travel treks even stay there for the night! After having a massive feed of soup, salad and pasta plus a surprise birthday cake, we made our way down into Gulludere Rose Valley.
The scenery is amazing, with strong colours visible in perfect layers on the chimneys, you would wonder what an artist was thinking, had it been a painting. Also, hidden to the side of the track we walked across a little bridge and not expecting anything to be there we were wowed by the massive church carved. It was absolutely huge and hard to believe that its most recent use has been as a pigeon house!
Middle Earth Travel Review
- The team at Middle Earth Travel were extremely knowledgeable and certainly know Cappadocia’s hidden secrets. They have friendships with local tea garden owners which is also of benefit as it gained us entry to locked churches and hidden rooms that we would not have otherwise seen.
- We covered a lot of ground, however we did not feel rushed. The whole day focused on showing us the region, therefore we had as much time as we needed to explore each church and to take ‘just one more photo’.
- It wasn’t all about trekking. With a whole day and 15kms to cover, there were a few silly poses (especially in Imagine Valley), and we learnt a lot about the myths, legends and way of life in Cappadocia.
- In conclusion I highly recommend Middle Earth Travel if you wish to go trekking or mountain biking in Cappadocia.
- Cost: Day treks with Middle Earth Travel range from 50-90 euro, depending on the number of people taking part. This includes lunch, guide, vehicle transfers and entrance fees to historical sites, but excludes alcoholic and soft drinks.
- Middle Earth Travel are outdoor enthusiasts and offer multi-day over night treks, mountain biking, abseiling, or custom made itineraries, in multiple regions throughout Turkey.
- www.middleearthtravel.com
Disclaimer: We were provided with a discount for the trek with Middle Earth Travel, however, as always our thoughts on our adventure travel blog our own.
Meet Cole and Adela
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We think our blog is thought provoking and a little witty. But we have been proven wrong before. Find out more about us here...
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Jesse
December 9, 2011 at 9:23 AM
My own Boredom Busters:
Taking random photos of everything that caught my eye.
Definitely Music or Music Videos On my Phone
Imagining about things or coming up stories in my head.
Cole and Adela (fourjandals)
December 10, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Love the idea of coming up with stories in your head haha. Thanks for the other tips, we just brought a new camera so I have been taking loads of photos. Some of the best ones are random but work well. Cheers
bronwen burmester
December 9, 2011 at 5:36 PM
People watching is my fave thing to do at airports – and I admit to plastering my face with anti wrinkle cream and smelling like a walking pharmacy!
Cole and Adela (fourjandals)
December 10, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Haha I know Mum!
Nomadic Samuel
December 10, 2011 at 2:12 AM
LOL, I thought I was the only one who bummed free samples all the time 😛
Cole and Adela (fourjandals)
December 10, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Haha nope I am that guy that always fills my pockets if there is free stuff around!
Raymond @ Man On The Lam
December 10, 2011 at 2:31 AM
I am SO using that guerilla marketing technique!! 🙂
Cole and Adela (fourjandals)
December 10, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Just don’t delete our page if it is on there first. Every blogger will be doing it now haha 🙂
Amanda Kendle
December 17, 2011 at 1:40 PM
I love the guerilla marketing technique too! Kind of like an author who puts their books in the best spot on the shelf. I must remember it 🙂
I also haunt the samples/freebies and generally moisturise both hands and face from samples (great when you’re about to get on a dry plane).
Cole and Adela (fourjandals)
December 18, 2011 at 1:05 PM
The moisturizing is a good idea. Adela is always using the perfumes to smell nice. Good luck with the guerrilla marketing next time you travel!
Tawny- Captain and Clark
December 19, 2011 at 4:28 AM
Hahaha the guerrilla marketing is awesome. We’ve done that before in an electronics store in Korea. We are also guilty of “freshening up” with perfume samples. It’s always nice to smell fancy when you’ve been traveling for hours!
Cole and Adela (fourjandals)
December 19, 2011 at 10:33 AM
Thanks Tawny! Would love to know if anyone ever saw our site on the airport computers and became a fan.
Anji
January 2, 2012 at 12:51 PM
I find the guerrilla marketing tactic quite hillarious! It actually would be an interesting way connecting to travelers! People observing is definitely something I quite enjoy to do… but recently I’ve tried talking to as many people as possible! People are a bit startled at first, but its fun!
Cole and Adela (fourjandals)
January 2, 2012 at 4:11 PM
Thanks for the input Anji. Haha I think we would be a be put off as well if someone random talked to us but would quickly warm to them 🙂
Ed Rex
January 11, 2012 at 3:21 PM
Haha! Love the guerilla marketing technique. Perhaps there should eb a page where people can say where they’ve spot another person’s blog?
Other boredom busters:
1) Massage chairs!
2) Play the ‘who do I want to sit next to’ game at the gate
3) Look at the departures board and imagine which flight you would spontanteously love to get on to.
4) People watching – if you are with a friend, talk in stupid voices to convey what the people might be thinking.
5) Bring a laptop and read FOUR JANDALS! ( 😛 )
Cole
January 11, 2012 at 4:09 PM
World domination from bloggers at airports. I like it! Have always wanted to just show up at an airport and take the next flight. Not sure that it would be very cost effective though.
Caro from Passport and a Toothbrush
April 12, 2012 at 1:07 AM
Guerilla marketing + free alcohol sampling = GENIUS! You two ever considered ruling the world? Great post!!
Cole Burmester
April 12, 2012 at 9:32 AM
Haha we are working on taking it over one jandal at a time!
Simon
August 13, 2012 at 10:57 PM
Guerrilla marketing is a genius idea! Wish I had thought of that during my 8-hour stop over in Singapore’s Changi Airport; then again no-one could ever get bored at that airport…
Cole Burmester
August 14, 2012 at 2:26 PM
Singapore airport is brilliant! So much going on.
Drew
September 16, 2012 at 10:28 PM
This will come in handy, as I’m going from Malabo (Equatorial Guinea) to Auckland via Addis Ababa and Bangkok in November. It’s going to be a crusher of a trip, and I’m trying to figure out how to make it more interesting. Perhaps you could suggest some “challenges” to do…how many people I can talk to, how much free stuff I can get, etc. Maybe I could pretend to be doing interviews.
Cole Burmester
September 17, 2012 at 9:39 AM
Might see you in Auckland. I am headed back for a few weeks in November as well. Not sure of what “challenges” I could set. But let us know if you come up with any other boredom busters!
George
November 16, 2012 at 10:32 AM
Who knew that watching films was so old fashioned. Love the tips 🙂
True Nomads
April 19, 2013 at 10:59 PM
Guerrilla marketing! Why didn’t I think of that?? I use to do that at my university, but now I have a new mission! Before now, I would sleep until the last second… But no more!
Cole Burmester
April 19, 2013 at 11:30 PM
I struggle to sleep at airports so this is a great time waster 😀