travel – SPEAKOFTHEANGEL

The Monos Large Check-In Review

Angel Zheng — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 00:42:17 +0000

A couple of months ago, Monos invited me to their launch event in Vancouver and gifted me their check-in luggage for review. It was the perfect timing since I was just leaving for my Europe trip to London, Berlin, and all around Italy. Having read up on their immaculate quality testing process and seen their beautifully designed luggage first hand at the event, I was super excited to be trying out their luggage on my two and a half week trip.

I picked out the storm grey check-in large and it was the perfect size for all the different climates I was packing for.

What I Loved

I loved the grey colour because it was still a light neutral, while not being so light that it looked old and scuffed up immediately. It’s made with a tough polycarbonate shell and has super quiet but nimble wheels, and I’m so glad I got to use this as my main luggage during my travels.

I was able to fit several jackets (a wool coat and a leather jacket), a bunch of sweaters and sweatshirts, TONS of little tops (like probably close to 12 tops), couple pairs of pants, some dresses, 5 pairs of shoes, toiletries bag, make up bag, 2 purses, 2 hair tools, and it still had space to be filled.

I know typically a normal person wouldn’t travel with that many articles of clothing, but since we were visiting cities with varying temperatures (freezing cold and rainy London to Rome which was 25-27 degrees everyday), it definitely made it a little harder to pack light.

Not to mention with the nature of being on Instagram and having a blog, I had to have options (I can feel the eye rolls).

Durability

I dragged my very heavy check-in luggage through several blocks of both concrete and cobblestoned streets in rainy and sunny weater. Seems like the wheels were super durable, and never did I have to question whether the weight of my baggage was going to be an issue.

The shell held up really well in all weather conditions and even being tossed around through the check-in process, actually maintained realtively clean.

As a part of the package of what you receive with the luggage, they actually send you a little sponge resembling a more cubular Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, which is supposed to help you clean off any scuffs and dings that you collect while you’re adventuring. I thought that was such a cute touch, and a great way for the brand to say “your luggage WILL get dirty, that’s INEVITABLE, but here’s a solution“.

Standout Features

Something that was pretty unique in the Monos luggage is the handle. Instead of having the push to unlock button for the extendable handle on the top of the handle like most luggages, it’s actually under the handle. Initially I could instantly see why this makes sense. When you’re going to pull your luggage, or extend the handle, instead of having to push down on the button with the palm of your hand while pulling upwards (two contradicting actions), all you have to do is reach under the handle and pull up in on swift movement.

While this was a very innovative idea, I quickly discovered that this cool feature didn’t always make sense. With their smaller check-in luggage or even their carry-on luggage, I can see this being a very useful feature to have. But with their large check-in packed full of stuff, the weight made the feature counter-productive.

With the handle extended and luggage tilted onto it’s back wheels for quicker pulling, I found that I often accidentally pressed the button while I was manuevering the very heavy luggage which would unlock the handle and allow it to detract. I found myself having to stop a couple of times, while I was trying to hurry somewhere, just to lock the handle at it’s extended position again.

With the smaller luggages, or just less weight in your luggage, I feel like this wouldn’t be an issue. But with the large check-in, it’s definitely something to keep in mind.

I also found that the inner organization and dividers were very useful, especially with the amount of stuff I was carry. All the straps and divders are adjustable which ensured that my things were secured into the luggage and I didn’t have to worry about things knocking around in there while I was travelling. This is a common feature in most new luggage brands, but it was something I really appreciated.

The Verdict

Overall, I’m super happy with my Monos check-in luggage. It really is super durable, and I love the minimal design of both the luggage and the brand. Everything feels really high quality and I’m super impressed with how well it lasted throughout my 2.5 week in Europe. I brought this check in, my Herschel carry-on, and my Herschel backpack with me on the trip, and it was the perfect amount of baggage for my needs. I was still able to shop a bit and bring back souvenirs with the extra room in my luggage.

I also have the Monos carry-on in the olive green colour, but opted for the Herschel carry-on for this trip since it was a little smaller (more on that soon). However, I’m heading away for a 2 week trip in May 2020 where I’ll be able to really test out the Monos carry-on so come back then for another review!

Even with the handle clasp/button being slightly counter-intuitive at times, I still think this is an amazing luggage overall and would highly recommend it to my fellow travellers.

They seem to be running a discount on the luggage right now, which brings the cost of the luggage to be $352 cad. Compared to one of it’s bigger competitors, Away, their large check-in luggage is $395 cad and is actually 2 inches smaller than this one. So between the two, I would choose the Monos luggage over the Away any day (especially since I’d be supporting a local Canadian brand!)

Have you head anything about the Monos luggage? What are your thoughts?

Shen Zhen (+ Chong Qing) On Film

Angel Zheng — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 05:34:23 +0000

G oing back to Asia is always a nostalgic experience. I have fond memories of being at my Grandmother’s home when I was a kid, and most of my photos, before I was 5, showed memories of my life in China. But seems like each time I head back, something is different. Whether it’s the city, the environment, the home, or the people…

Everytime that I’m back there, I’m a little older. Which is no big deal except that I sometimes forget it means everyone else is a little older as well.

I always leave with some sadness in my heart because my mind always ends up at the thought: “Is this the last time I’ll ever see you?”

But when I am actually there, time seems to stand still. Everytime I go back I’m also surprised at how little has changed in the relationships I have with my family, considering I’ve been away for so long.

My grandmother still babies me as if I’m 9, my aunt forever remembers me at a 13 year old, newly discovering what she liked and who she wanted to me. My cousin still holding on to me at 18, younger, wilder, and more free than I am at 24.

When you’ve lived away from family since you are a child, each of them hold onto a different a peice of you. They seem to always remember the best about you. As you do them.

It’s kind of a beautiful thing. You at all ages get to live on in their hearts. And it’s comforting thought knowing that all those reciprocated good memories of them will always live on in you.

It’s hard to come to terms with the thought that one day life will change so drastically and you’ll no longer have a home there.

If you haven’t seen it already, the movie The Farewell does an excellent job at visualizing all of those emotions. From the family dinners to driving away at the end of your visit—it’s all too familiar (and almost a little too sad).

I brought a film camera with me to Asia and was able to capture some corners of where I’m from. There’s something about taking a photo on a roll of film and printing it that really makes it feel like I captured the moment.

Like that moment now lives forever in my 4×6 print.

With camera phones being more common than actual camera use, I no longer place as much value in the photos that I snap on my phone.

But taking film photos still is something I enjoy so much, and will probably continue to for a long time.

Related: Bali on Film

How to Reignite Your Love For Travel

Angel Zheng — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 17:35:31 +0000

It seems strange to think that travel could be anything other than exciting—but sometimes, after travelling consistently for a while, we start to miss being at home. If travelling doesn’t excite you the way it used to, don’t fret! It’s easy to re-spark that fire. Just by making a couple of changes, you can put the spring back into your traveling step. Below, we take a look at five ways you can reignite your love for travel.

New Destinations

We all have our favourite types of destinations. Some of us could spend an entire lifetime lying on the beach; others enjoy the buzz of being in a large city, and others prefer to be in the great outdoors. While there’s power in knowing what you like, it’s sometimes a good idea to mix things up and try new things from time to time. So if you’ve been spending your last several travel trips doing variations of the same thing over and over again, pick somewhere new. You’ll be making your world a little larger, which is what traveling is all about.

Change Travel Partners

There are some people who we just love traveling with. We could go anywhere with them and have a good time! But the type of experience you’d have with them is different from the experience you’d have with someone else. As such, it’s worthwhile changing up your travel partners every now and again. One of the easiest ways to add some excitement to your travels is to go by yourself. You’ll learn a lot about yourself! If you don’t want to be completely alone, you can join a group tour, like the ones offered by www.wheelandanchor.ca. Traveling on your own is vastly underrated by most people; do it once, and it might become your preferred way to take a trip.

Off The Beaten Path

There is a reason why some destinations frequently appear in the best places in the world to visit: they’re awesome! However, there’s more to life than the popular travel areas. For your next trip, why not look at venturing off the beaten path slightly? It’s a gigantic world out there, with fascinating destinations dotted all over the place. If you’re one of those people who just loves exploring, then it won’t matter if it’s a recommended spot or not. You’ll have a fun time!

Follow a Theme

There’s much to be said for traveling and just seeing what your chosen destination offers you. But what if, instead, you traveled with a specific theme in mind? Taking a wine tour of the country’s best wine regions, for instance, or a food tour of Italy, or following in the footsteps of a literary hero are all fun ways to practice more focused travel.

Rip up the Guidebook

Alternatively, you could consider ripping up the guidebook altogether, and just doing your own thing. Travel guide writers don’t know you as well as you know yourself. Do what you love!

4 Reason You Should Visit San Diego

Angel Zheng — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 03:44:26 +0000

My trip to San Diego earlier this year has proved once again that California is a truly magical place. It’s an underrated Californian city, as it’s not usually top of mind for Cali vacation destinations. But San Diego seriously deserves an honourable mention. Although I was only there over a long weekend, I had a good taste of what the city has to offer. So here are my top 4 reasons why I loved San Diego, and why you should visit!

The Mexican Food Is Amazing

A 30 minute drive away from Tijuana, San Diego’s Mexican food selection is as yummy as it gets without being right inside of Mexico. One of my favourite taco joints was this amazing little chain called Oscar’s. They had a special the day I was there—chorizo and prawn tacos; a combination I never thought I would enjoy. But H O L Y S H I T. I still dream about those tacos today.

A lot of the Mexican restaurants are also AMAZING for photos as well. A lot of the buildings have the classic bright and cheerful Spanish designs and make amazing backdrops. Like this stunning yellow-walled joint we found for breakfast ?

The Beaches Are Insanely Beautiful

One of our main goals for our San Diego trip was to make plenty of time for lounging around on the beaches. We went from La Jolla down to as far as Mission beach, and the entire coast was absolutely stunning. From insanely beautiful sunsets off La Jolla Cove to perfect tanning spots in Pacific Beach—San Diego was perfect for reaching all of our beach day goals.

There Are Tons of Instagrammable Spots

Los Angeles and San Francisco and both Californian cities that are great for Instagram photos; but all of the good spots are usually busy. San Diego is chalk full of stunning backdrops all around the city and we never had an issue of too many people walking by or watching. The entire city gave off a very chill vibe and it made taking photos feel very relaxed. Definitely my kind of city!

Brewery HEAVEN

The most notable part of our trip was definitely the sheer quantity of breweries that exist in San Diego. You could go brewery hopping in almost any area and are bound to find tons of really beautiful places to get day drunk! If you’re looking for a great vacation destination to get tan, eat great food, and party, San Diego is the place to go!

Careers That Can Take You Around The World*

Angel Zheng — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 16:10:05 +0000

As travelling is becoming a bigger and bigger part of the lives of young people, our generation is now a lot more mindful of their career choices. Quitting your job to go travel the world is a thing of the past—everyone now is considering how they can do both. So realistically, what jobs will take you far and wide without leaving you completely broke?

Nurse

Nursing is a great option for those who are interested in living in another city or country. After all, there is not a country in the world that does not have a need for nurses. This means that this is the sort of career that can take you anywhere. Nevertheless, it is also a very demanding and sometimes upsetting career, so you still need to make sure that this career choice is something that you are passionate about and love. Nursing is not a job to be lightly considered just for its travel potential.

Cruise ship work

A lot of people decide to do cruise ship work for a number of years so that they have a great opportunity to see the world. There are many different job opportunities on cruise ships, from working in the entertainment crew to working behind the reception desk. Again, working on a ship is definitely not for everyone. Make sure you find out if you get seasick first!

Freelancing

The Internet has made it possible for people to work remotely. This means that all you need is a laptop and a good Internet connection and you are good to go. There are many freelancing opportunities available to people today, from writing and design to translation and software development. If you have a skill that can be delivered over the web, this is certainly worth considering.

Teaching

Another option for those who want to travel is teaching overseas. From English teaching to kindergarten volunteering, there are many different ways you can get into teaching in another country. The good thing about this job is that it can literally take you anywhere, and with every country that you add to your CV, the more doors that open elsewhere.

Counselling

If you don’t want to be involved in healthcare from the nursing perspective, you may want to focus more on mental health. There are many different paths you can go down with a counselling degree, depending on the country you visit. From helping abandoned youths to assisting people with mental health problems in prison, the options vary considerably.

Flight attendant

Last but not least, a flight attendant may seem like an obvious option, but it is definitely worth thinking about. If you manage to become a long haul flight attendant, you will find that you often have to stay overnight in certain locations, so you will get a little bit of an opportunity to explore. However, although you’ll be able to visit a lot of different places, you will rarely have time to stay and explore places. Definitely something to keep in mind when considering this career path.

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding regarding some of the best careers to go for if you have dreams of travelling the world. The best thing to do now is research each career option in further detail to find out whether it matches with your skill set and attributes. This should help you to find the perfect career path for you.

3 Things You Need Before Your Next Trip*

Angel Zheng — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 18:15:27 +0000

Even for seasoned travellers, the idea of spending time in a hospital abroad can seem terrifying. Let’s face it; many countries deal with hospitalization in different ways. Healthcare services in your chosen destination may be nowhere near what you’d expect at home. In some parts of the world, hospitals even struggle to get essential medication. And, quality of healthcare aside, no one wants to spend time in a hospital during time away. It’s hardly a good way to get a feel for a place.

It’s no wonder, then, that the majority of us do what we can to keep fit and healthy while travelling. All the better for making the most of every moment. But, ignoring the possibility of getting sick or injured while you’re travelling would be naive. Regular travellers especially may need medical care at one point or another. Whether it’s food poisoning, a broken limb, or even a local virus, there are tons of different possibilities you could get ill that you may not be able to avoid. To make sure you’re prepared for whatever situation that may come up, we’re going to look at three steps you can take to ensure a hospital stay isn’t the most challenging thing you traverse during your time away.

Keep a translation app on your phone

Language barriers are one of the main issues with healthcare abroad. Chances are that you didn’t think to learn ‘chest infection’ during your trip preparation. Yet, waiting around for a translator could cost you a day or more. That’s an epic waste of time and could possibly be dangerous when it comes to your wellbeing. Instead, make sure you keep a translation app on your phone. That way, you can communicate what’s happened and understand what the doctor tells you. Options like iTranslate are free, so there’s no reason not to take this step.

Gain some basic medical knowledge

We’re not saying that you need to become versed in medicine before heading away. That wouldn’t be practical or worthwhile. But, it is worth getting a feel for some general knowledge here. If you often react to insect bites, for instance, ask your doctor which injection they use. If you’re worried about breaking bones, research machinery like the oec 9800 x-ray machine before you set off. Knowing what machines are used commonly around the world, you can make sure you get the correct diagnosis when you need it.

Get travel health insurance

Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without mention of travel health insurance. It doesn’t take a genius to work out why this is necessary. Even if you already have a policy, there’s a good chance it doesn’t cover oversea injuries. The last thing you want to worry about is not having enough to cover health bills abroad. Instead, sign up for health insurance before you head off, and rest easy that you’ve got this covered. Then, make sure to take your paperwork with you. Simply hand it over when there’s any mention of payment. All the better for getting out of there in quick time and getting on with your holiday.

Seven Signs You Have Major Wanderlust

Angel Zheng — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 18:08:45 +0000

It’s not been around very long, but the word ‘wanderlust’ has turned into a hashtag on social media at a rapid rate. It’s not just a word that people have jumped onto in the same way they have ‘fleek’, but it’s a word with a real meaning and describes the incessant and almost obsessive need to see more of the world in front of you. Wanderlust is a burning desire to meet new people, get on a plane to new destinations and see parts of the world that have only just become accessible to you due to budget and time. It gets worse the more of the world that you see, and you’ll find yourself googling affordable hire cars and accommodation for far-flung places on your travel bucket list. There is a way to tell whether you have wanderlust in your soul, and these seven signs can tell you that!

The Want-To-Visit List. Sandra from accounts has just got home from her summer break and she went to Machu Picchu to go along the Inca Trail. All of a sudden, the Inca Trail is an absolute must-see and it’s added to your list.
Rationalising Your Cash. Okay, so the tickets to the next place on your list will cost you $600 to visit, but that’s just money, right? It’s always better to spend your money on memories instead of things. If you find yourself working out how far back to cut your budget, you could be suffering from wanderlust. (NB: this isn’t a bad thing!)
Google, Google, Google. No matter what you’re doing, you can easily find yourself procrastinating by searching for pictures of your destination list online.
Working Abroad. You didn’t get the chance to study abroad, but those job sites that show you the jobs that you can do abroad for a year or two are looking more and more appealing!
Travel Blog Research. You heard that you can earn money blogging your travels, and despite the fact that you’ve been working in the same job for years and you’re secure, it’s becoming more of a temptation to ditch it all and write from the beach!
New Things Are Exciting. Some people get anxious getting on a plane, but not you. if you could travel to all corners of the world right this second, you’d be booking your flight. You need to soak up as much as you can and that’s your sole goal.
Itchy Feet Is Your Thing. Wherever you travel, home never seems to be the appealing place to stay. You get itchy feet about going to see new places and you’re bored if you stay in one area for too long. You need that change of scenery to feel happy.

If you find that you’re experiencing the above, you could have a serious case of wanderlust. It’s not a bad thing to be curious and hungry to experience the world around you. There’s a whole world out there at your feet, you must grab it while you can!

Cali Girl Vibes With Tobi

Angel Zheng — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 19:23:02 +0000

Took a short weekend trip down to San Diego this weekend with one of my best friends, Terri. Was so excited to just get away to a hot destination for a little while. And albeit short, this trip was exactly what I needed after my crazy birthday month. New York was amazing, of course, but its always nice to jet off to California for some revitalization.

We purposely didn’t try to over plan and schedule too much. We knew a huge goal of this trip was to spend at least one full day just lying out at the beach. And we did just that—photos to come soon.

Something else I was super excited about was definitely to wear some of my cute summer sets that I don’t really have a chance to wear in Vancouver. One of them being this cute white set from Tobi. You can find the top here, and the bottoms here.

There will definitely be more photos of my trip up soon! Follow along.

Until next time,