Travel Key Opinion Leader (KOL) seems like a great job, you get to travel the world, you get to visit many counties, you see a lot of awesome views, you can experience the local culture. But what you can’t see are when we are couch surfing, hitch-hiking, sleeping in police station, and etc…. because of these exclusive traveling experience is communicated via text, photo and video to everyone on internet, we slowly become a KOL, today AsiaKOL interview with Hong Kong top 10 KOL, to share with you more details about traveller influencer.
1. I Am Traveling Queen
1) What inspired you to start a blog ?
I had a lot of traveling experience. Funny and bitter experience that I wanted to share with people who travelled less. To help them to know more details about overseas.
2) Which is the best country to travel to when you are on a tight budget?
Thailand. You can take train or bus to travel all around Thailand and even visit islands to experience the local lifestyle.
3) Would you share some tips about traveling with a tight budget?
Clothes: I buy less clothes during my travels but sometime if price is high and quality is good, I will consider buy it.
Eat: For Breakfast and lunch, you can take light foods like bread and jam or sandwiches. During dinner you can split it to 3 portions. If you stay in a guesthouse you can invite other people to have a cook together to share the cost.
Live: Couch surfing or working holiday can save hotel expenditures and it also allows you to experience local life & culture.
Transportation: I tried hitch-hiking, but the safer way is walking. You can to experience and see more thing and get some exercise at the same time.
2. Middle Eastern Flight Attendant
1) What inspired you to start a blog ?
When I started traveling, I referred to what others shared. Now that I have travelled to more countries, I wondered if I could help other travellers as well. That’s why I started my blog.
2) Which is the best country to travel to when you are on a tight budget?
I stayed in India for about 5 months last year. But India is too big, there are so many people and the vast culture is incredible. Even though I stayed for 5 months, I only visited about 1/3 of the place, or maybe even less. I wish I can go there again as soon as possible. Why I would recommend India is because I only spent 4000 HKD during my 2 months stay there.
3) Would you share some tips about traveling on a tight budget?
You have to be very careful of your spending when you are traveling. Last year, I tried couch surfing and stayed at 65 local homes to save money. But you have to be courteous as well. Sometimes help the couch owners to buy some daily necessities or help to pay for candle or gas fee. Its important to be polite.
3. Poor Travel. Slow Living
1) What inspired you to start a blog ?
I had a very bad memory. So I wanted to remember my travels even after 10 years.
2) Which is the best country to travel to when you are on a tight budget?
Some people think that if any place is cheaper than Hong Kong, that it is a budget trip, but I don’t think so. I feel traveling with a budget is an attitude. I sometimes overspend because the goods are cheap. If you are on a tight budget, I would recommend Taiwan.
3) Would you share some tips about when you are on a tight budget?
Simplify your clothes. Go to the supermarket & cook for yourself. Find a guest house with breakfast. Walk or and buy day passes.
4. Wanderlust
1) What inspired you to start a blog ?
A few reasons. I quit job to travel because I wanted to learn more about the world. Every time I travel, I will research about the country’s history or culture and share on my blog. Its also do I don’t get too lazy. Another reason is that I wanted to update my friends.
2) Which is the best country to travel to when you are on a tight budget?
Uh… actually there are a lot of country where you can travel with a tight budget. It depends on what you want and how you plan it.
For Example, Netherlands & Belgiums are quite expensive to travel too ,but I am able to keep my budget within 100HKD. I think its even cheaper if compared to other cheaper counties. In you want to travel on a budget, you can definitely do it.
If I had to recommend a country, I will say its India. Everything there is cheap, but you have to be smart as there a lot of con artist there.
I also like Abyssinia, although some tickers for attractions are expensive. Even if you don’t visit the attractions, as long as you are willing to take the local bus, eat local goods and feel the local culture, you can be quite happy.
3) Would you share some tips about when you are on a tight budget ?
I think there are a lot of people teaching those tips already.
I wash my own clothes, and shop less
If I stay in a house with a kitchen, I will cook myself. Normally it will be a simple with no meat. If there isn’t a kitchen available, I would go to the supermarket and shop for fresh food or can foods cheaply.
If I travel to Europe, I will save money by couch surfing. Another benefit of couch surfing is that you would have access to the local owner who can teach you about the local cultire and history. I have also slept in train/buus/airport/ police stations.
I also tried hitch-hiking in Europe and sometimes you have to wait for a long time as no one stops for you. But it’s a great way to know a lot of local people.
First place I would visit is always the supermarket, so I can understand how is the price of goods would be like.
5. From Hong Kong to Mars
1) What inspired you to start a blog ?
I like to visit unpopular countries where nobody wants to visit. I like sharing my daily funny experience. I didn’t want to become famous but having a blog forces me to update it.
2) Which is the best country to travel to when you are on a tight budget?
In my mind there are a lot of answers. Any countries can be travelled with a tight budget. Even expensive countries as well. Everything will be okay if you want to do it.
3) Would you share some tips about when you are on a tight budget ?
Well….. hitch-hiking, couch surfing, tent, have a thick skin.
Source: https://www.moneyhero.com.hk/blog/zh/10大travel-bloggers-窮遊tips
