(My) Travel habits post pandemic
I remember when coronavirus started sipping into London. I actually had a last minute trip to Jersey, which I did go on. Being aloof, I was oblivious to what was happening and even went ahead to book my June and July trips. Now, I have been thinking. Because of course we have so much time to think these days lol. I know that my travel habits post this pandemic will change big time.
Taking a lot of walks has also made me appreciate London even more. I love where we live and we’ve been exploring so many nooks and crannies each night we walk. It’s made me stop and bask in my surroundings like never before. The birds are chirping even louder, the air is fresh and my hay fever is back with a vengeance lol. I believe the clean air is making the pollens go even wilder than normal.
Back to travel and thinking of all the things I will do differently. Let me tell you my lovelies, there are a few.
Related: My 1st Solo Trip. St Helier, Jersey
UK Travel and Staycations
I started this year with a plan to visit more cities in the UK. Prior to living in London, I lived in Birmingham and have since visited about 10 different cities. However, this year, we started with a day trip to Bath. I also went to Jersey, which although is not in the UK, is a British crown dependency. Now, I can tell you that we had the most lush trip to the Cotswolds booked for Easter but of course this has been postponed. I had the option to cancel but postponed knowing I will head there once we are allowed to travel again.
Also, once the ban is lifted, I wonder how comfortable I’ll be with hopping on a flight immediately. I think I would still be skeptical for some time. This is why I am glad I already had the UK travel plans for 2020.
Staycations within the UK will definitely be one travel habit I will adopt more post pandemic. There are so many day and weekend trips I’d love to do. Cambridge, Stonehedge, Windsor etc. So we’ll see! Whatever country you live in, this is the time to explore. It also gives you an opportunity to help your local tourism. We all know they have lost so much money during this pandemic.
Hotel Choices
When I think of my travel habits post pandemic, travel accommodation will play an important role. I have never been one to stick to a specific chain of hotels or resorts. Frankly, I’m usually trying to get the best deal so I usually go where the wind blows in that respect. However, I think this pandemic will sway me back around to booking more established hotels. If there is one thing I learnt in this period, it is the difference in how the situation was handled by different businesses.
I am going to be looking very closely at their policies. Trying to see what they have put in place to protect guests from any incident. How can we hold them accountable if they have not delivered? It seems extra but this is the world we live in now so every business will need to come correct.
Quality over Quantity
This one is something I’ve always done anyway. In the blogging world, there is an excitement that comes with “counting countries”. Of course, it is an achievement to add “74 countries visited” to your bio. Let’s be real, it is a BIG deal. If one says they don’t “count country“, that’s kind of a lie LOL. We all know how many countries we’ve gone to. I have an app that reminds me if I’m pretending to forget.
However, I have been quite careful with mentioning or putting it out to the world. I realised I was getting sucked into almost booking new countries that I would normally not care to visit. Why? Oh there is a deal and it is a new country to tick off. This one is personal to me so I will always be fascinated by people’s numbers. Maybe when I hit a major milestone, I will announce it. Who knows? I have a big mouth anyway hahahaha!
Slower travel for me means going to a new city and enjoying it as much as I can. Not trying to visit 7 countries in 7 days. Again, this is not something I do anyway so I guess, I’ll just keep a more conscious eye on it. Let’s not get carried away people!
Revisit Countries
This is one I think will be my biggest travel habit post pandemic. A few cities in Europe which I have already visited, I would really like to revisit. Amsterdam, Venice and Paris are top of my list. I’d love to explore Italy and Greece more. Another dream would be to go back to Cappadocia but this time in winter!
I think post pandemic, as our comfort levels are adjusting, it will be more comfortable to go where we’ve already been. No fear of the unknown. It will be easier to navigate paths I’m already used to.
Italy was supposed to be our summer big trip for our 6th year wedding anniversary. My friend, Ada and her partner were going to come as well so it was supposed to be this epic couples trip. Sigh!! I actually still haven’t cancelled it yet, I’m not sure what I’m waiting for. Maybe I’m hoping I can still go? JOKES! Anyway, one day, one day!
Sustainable Travel
While I have been a more ethical traveller since I started travelling more, sustainability is one I’m learning. I remember the pictures of the canals in Venice being so clear that they could see fish swim in them. Even in London, you can hear birds chirping so loudly throughout the day. It’s like nature is nature once again! This can only be because land, water and air pollution have drastically reduced during the lock down!
I ordered a travel mug, which I will carry on every flight going forward so I don’t use those plastic cups. Then, I also have a travel bottle, which I will use to refill water instead of buying bottled water as we wander. For shopping, I already use cloth and reusable bags for food shopping. I have one eco bag I always carry when I’m travelling so I guess, I was already doing a few things.
One thing I will obviously need to do is a bit more research more to see how I can help the environment better. The only one I know that I can’t do is going vegetarian/vegan. Anything else, I am willing to learn and change habits.
Travel (in-flight) Hygiene
How many people laughed when the video of Naomi Campbell wiping down her plane seat was circulated? It circlated a few months before the pandemic. I remember seeing it and thinking woahhhhh! This is extra. But guess what? That is going to be me going forward. Face mask, wipes etc. I am wiping everything down and wearing my mask LMAO
Funny enough, on my flight back from Jersey, the man behind me would not stop coughing. My lovelies, I was sure I had caught the virus. I was not so freaked out because at that point, coronavirus wasn’t as crazy as it is now. As I mentioned earlier, it was in its early stages of sipping into the UK. I remember the girl next to me was even finding the coughing fits hilarious. I’m sure if this happened today, that flight would have been grounded immediately. Perhaps, he just had a bad cough? We will never know!
Anyway, I’m now prepared for any future flights. Since we actually don’t know all the ways the virus spreads, we have to be ready to prevent and attack.
Relax, Enjoy, Live More
I really like Instagram because I love pretty pictures. When I travel, I will ALWAYS look for “Instagrammable” spots to take pictures. In the same vein, I will look for the most cultural things to do in that city. Taking pictures is usually the first thing I do when I see a nice backdrop. It is just something I have always done. Now, I am a blogger, I am very intentional about getting cute shots for my Instagram.
I know a lot of people frown at posts that tell you about Instagram spots in a particular city. But if I’m honest, I LOVE THEM. Am I shallow? Maybe. Does it mean I still don’t enjoy said place? Nope. I encourage everyone to do what suits them tbh. Maybe in a few years, I wont be bothered with the prettiest picture. What am I saying? I always will be. Mum passed that one down to me haha.
I have always learnt to live and enjoy living. If it includes pretty Instagrammable locations like the Bali swing picture, I’ll be present.
Related: My top 5 instagrammable spots in LA
Race Tolerance
Now, I am always very careful with discussing racism and how it affects black people in general. We cannot pretend that there is no racism attached to travel. Even in the blogger community or brand partnerships, it is evident that there us some sort of bias. Anyway, story for another day.
Coronavirus opened a whole new can of worms in this regard. China has been in the news because they have been maltreating black people. There has always been racism towards black people in China but I guess the virus has brought it to the forefront of main media.
Explain to me how the Chinese think Africans are going to be responsible for bringing the virus back. Did coronavirus not start in a Chinese market in China and spread worldwide? So far, Africa has even had one of the least effects of the virus while continents like Europe and North America have been largely affected. However, there is no hostility towards any group of people but Africans. Make it makes sense please. Racism makes me so angry tbh.
Asia is one continent I am hoping to explore more next year. However, I will most likely be skipping China since clearly, black people are not tolerated there.
More walking
My travel habit post pandemic will include more walking. There will be less buses, taxis and trains. Yes, I am that person who walks and walks and when I’m tired, hello uber! LOL. However, now I think I’m skeptical of enclosed spaces with other people so where possible, I will avoid public transportation.
I like walking anyway as it helps clear my head. Being the eternal romantic, I love those long walks where you hold hands and get lost wandering. So I will be more intentional with my walking business, post pandemic. Knowing that it also helps with my fitness especially on holiday is always going to be a total win!
Shorter flights
This one I’m not very sure yet. What even is a shorter flight? Maybe under 2 hours? That is very limiting LOL
Ideally, that would be the dream; just a 1 hour flight and I’d be in Asia. I find that the longer the flight, the drowsier you are once you get off. This means more germs, more coughing in your face, more exposure to diseases. Am I being extra now? I think so. Ooooops! Honestly, I’m paranoid a little. But I think this will change. Once I get on the first flight, I’m sure I’ll start to feel a little more comfortable. Because let’s be honest, how many flights are under 2 hours? Only European destinations! So how am I going to see the world?
My Travel habits post pandemic – In concluding…
It is important not to limit myself. Fear is the thief of joy so while I’m being as responsible with my health as possible, I will not forget to live. That was my motto going into 2020 remember? I wrote all about what I went through last year and my 2020 resolution. Yes corona has put a dent on our plans but we are here, living and travel will bounce back. In my favourite words, Travel will ALWAYS be there for whenever you are ready to go. What is the point of rushing? It will be there anyway.
I sincerely hope that we appreciate things a little bit more because honestly, the world was going mad. As much as Coronavirus has taken so much from us, it has caused us to pause. We are all waiting for a go ahead while mother nature takes her time to respond. I have never seen anything this ground breaking and world stopping at the same time. It is my wish that we survive this and when it is all over, life will just be a little bit more worth living. Also, travel will be a little bit more worth rewarding.
Bisous, ‘Bugo x
8 Comments
Damilola
I am also sceptical about travelling out of the UK once this is all over but looking to do more stay cations – weekend trips, day trips within the UK.
Also, interesting view as regards sustainable travel. Yes to travel mug and bottle. At this point, I think every travel enthusiast should strive to adopt
sustainable travel as this would help the cities we go visit. As always amazing content Bugo.
Bugo
Everyday my stance changes!
One day, I’m sure I’ll head out once lockdown is lifted. Other days, I’m thinking of UK destinations. So we’ll see anyway.
Thank you for reading x
kerry
So, you and I travel very differently hahahaha! Not a bad thing at all, (nothing but love to you) but it was making me chuckle reading this. Oh, and I promise you, I am not telling a lie when I say I do not know how many countries I have visited. I absolutely do not. In truth, it has just never crossed my mind to count them! My hubby would probably know his as he is a numbers guy, but I genuinely would have no clue on mine. As you may know, sustainable living and travel is very much a passion of mine, so I am over the moon that you feel that this could feature a little more in your travels. Any steps, big or small, make a difference to hell to the yeah to that. I am always happy to answer anything in this area, if you think I can help xx Stay safe, stay well. We will all soon be off on our travels again (fingers crossed) x
Bugo
Hahaha i will tell you that your sustainable travel lifestyle has inspired me a lot but I’m sure you already know that!!
Oh gosh you really don’t know how many countries you’ve been to? Ok I take my comment back! I think I’m one of those people who counts everything tbh – number of shoes, bags and even pictures on my phone! I find people’s numbers (re: countries visited) quite fascinating and it does make me have a little nosey snoop around their page to see where and where they’ve been lol
I love your travel stories, very authentic – I’m sure you know that I won’t be saying that if I didn’t mean it. Always lovely to see a different view from what I’m used to 🙂 Variety is “the spice of life” so I guess it’s lovely that we follow eachother and pls call me out whenever I’m doing something that might not be sustainable. I’m learning so I’d definitely appreciate it (hand on heart)!
Thank you for your honesty as always x
Dooshima
The bit on hotel choices resonated! I literally had that discussion with my husband today… he’s always been a fan of hotels and sticks to one chain..and I’m always saying we should try air bnb…I can’t even consider that in any future…wonder how their business model will survive or evolve after this…
Bugo
I’ve never really been a fan of anywhere other than hotels but I was going to try the Airbnb route since I had seen some gorgeous ones, now I’m like hmmmmmm! But the beauty of life is that something could change and Airbnbs come correct with even better policies to protect customers.
I’ve seen so many disastrous stories this period with hotels refusing to refund people etc so I’m just going to be more careful with whoever I decide to book with. I love quirky boutique hotels too so it’s not so black and white for me looool x
Nikky
Love this list. Before the pandemic, my plans on travel centered mostly within Canada and a few outside and i dont see that changing with everything going on. Love your contents btw.
Bugo
And Canada looks so beautiful!! I bet it will be so nice to explore, looking forward to seeing it from your point of view. I’m itching to go outside the UK but also worried about going far in these times so I’m interested to see what happens.
Thank you so much Nikky, your comment is appreciated x