LAS VEGAS

In many aspects, Las Vegas is almost identical to our previous Ibiza but in many ways, they are the polar opposite to each other. The beautiful ocean and breathtaking country side has been replaced by bright flashing lights, swimming pools, casinos, strip clubs and mile upon mile of completely open and barren desert. The Nevada desert is one of the driest and most hostile environments in the world and in many aspects the desert relates to the city. If you do not have the right skills and knowledge Sin City will chew you up and spit you out just like its unforgiving desert.

While driving down the strip be sure to keep your jaw firmly in place because everything to do with Vegas is a jaw dropping experience. The amazing casino’s, beautiful lights, ordinary and extraordinary people flood the streets day in day out hoping today will be the day that there luck changes. However, traveling on a student budget makes it tough to live in the hotels that you see in the movies, your place is downtown, but no need to stress its equally as good. As a student, you could have more fun downtown than in Caesers Palace, MGM or even the Bellagio. 

Students flock downtown for the good atmosphere, cheap drinking and gambling and most of all mixing with people that are looking for the same experience as you are. Downtown is perfect for amateur gamblers with the tables low buy in compared to the bigger casinos, also drinking eating and sleep could be half the price of up town. Before coming here just make sure you are 21 or I can promise you, you are going to have a horrible holiday. The legal drinking and gambling age in Las Vegas and all of America is 21 and in a place like sin city where drinking and gambling is everything, you really need to be 21.

Las Vegas obviously has a lot more to offer than just gambling. During the day be sure to visit some of the hotels beautiful pool areas that are surrounded by beautiful people soaking up the sun. If that gets boring don’t you stress, Gondola rides, indoor skydiving, shooting ranges and even pole dancing lessons are some of the few things possible while in Las Vegas. Nevertheless, Vegas would not be what it is without all of its shows, from magic to Cirque du Soleil, and when that gets boring why not take a walk into the hundreds of strip clubs, bars and casinos scattered around town.

Some nights here may seem better than others, just be sure not to get married. The wedding chapels here do not care if you are one drink away from the hospital, if you are there asking to get married, you will get married. You could wake up in the morning legally married to a stripper that you fell in love with the evening before, you may be one of those people that doesn’t think this would happen to you but when you see how often it happens you will be in for a shock.  

Now go till all your sins have been swallowed by this incredible city. Just don’t expect to come home rich.  

IBIZA

Moving far away from Australia to the beautiful island of Ibiza south of Valencia Spain. Ibiza is not just a beautiful and rocky countryside but also the party capital of the world, where many people young and old travel year round to experience the atmosphere.

On a daily basis this beautiful island is over flowing with beautiful beach bodies, famous music artists and actors and parties that start on the beach during the day and end in some of the most exclusive clubs in the world.

As with all places with beautiful beaches, fancy places and rich people Ibiza is an expensive place to visit if you are a student. If you are planning a trip to Ibiza then make sure to save up as much money as possible because Ibiza is a place where you do not want to have to budget your money. You want to be able to drink, eat, sleep and do what you want when you want.

The main attraction that most people have to the magical island of Ibiza is the clubbing. There are more bars and clubs here than Thailand could even dream of. The clubs here can rival if not beat the clubs on the Las Vegas Strip. Sophisticated and a very big party.

Pacha is the Islands most exclusive and high roller club and with a cover charge of 50 to 100 Euros and a beer starting at 10 Euros each expect your bank card to be weeping in your pocket by the time you have put the club to your back. This exclusive club is not for every tourist off the beach but if you are one of those people who enjoy seeing celebrities, then this is the club you must visit.  

On the other hand, if you are looking for the best atmosphere, the most popular of all the super clubs and which does not make you feel as if you are paying the national debt then Amnesia should be your club of choice. Every night there is a festive affair and when you have DJ’s like Deadmau5, David Guetta and Skrillex often stopping in for a few hour set, you know you are in for a true club atmosphere.

Even though the party scene is the best in the world, make sure not to get to caught up in the dance scene. The old parts of the city may even be better than the newer with the old architecture, history and friendly locals that make the country the spectacle it is.

The beaches are constantly busy and are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With its hard rocky cliffs that surround the island and the party/hippie atmosphere that the island has, Ibiza really is an amazing holiday destination. 

But do not only take my word for it, do your research and visit this breathtaking island and you may never want to leave but your bank credit will tell a different story.  

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Moving south from Bali to Sydney, Australia is a short and cheap commute that young and old people do on a regular occasion. Sydney is the largest and oldest city within Australia and has been rated as one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. Sydney is packed to the brim with history, culture, and energy and has some of the most breath taking coastlines the world has to offer.

Sydney is jam packed with exciting things for you to do during the day and after the sunsets. Sydney is not only a fashionable and high-end city but also a place for the adrenalin junky with some of the best surf, skate parks, motocross and the list just goes on and on.

Walking through the streets of Sydney you can feel the vibrations of the city whether it’s the happy attitude of the locals, the beautiful weather or the immaculate city centre. Making your way down to the beaches, your eyes are truly spoilt with beauty. With its crystal blue waters, powder white sand and world class surf and surfers ripping it out in the warm water.  Within Sydney is two of the worlds most well known man made structures which are both wonders of the world. Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge, two places that you have to grace with your presence while you are there to witness the beauty first hand.

While the sun is shining the beaches are littered with locals and tourists soaking up the sun and enjoying the beach bum look, atmosphere but when the sun is gone and the city lights are shining the city, and the people transform. Guys and girls putting down the beach attire, picking up their fancy clothes and hitting the clubs. The nightlife in the city is very vibrant but make sure to keep these tips with you always.

1. Make sure to stay at the place where you are planning to do your drinking. If you get too intoxicated, the clubs will not let you in or they will kick you out.
2. If you are attempting to get into some of the more sophisticated clubs then make sure to not only be in a group of guys. The bouncers will let anyone in if they have enough ladies with them. 
3. If you want to drink cheap and be surrounded by, young travellers like yourself then stick to the backpacker’s area near Bondi Beach and Kings Cross where the prices are reasonable and the people are friendly.

Most of the pubs/clubs will close between 11pm – 3am so be sure to make the most of your night while you can before your night as it could have an abrupt end.

All in all Sydney is a beautiful city and the rest of Australia is no different, getting more beautiful the further North you go. A fun and festive place is reasonable on the wallet and can give you a lifetime of memories. Take my advice and give Australia a visit. 

KUTA, BALI

Moving away from Vietnam and Thailand to the beautiful islands of South East Asia and the beautiful city of Kuta on Bali, Indonesia. Kuta has been a common traveling destination for young Australians because of its easy and cheap commutes from the mainland of Australia to the smaller surrounding Islands. With its long extensive coastline and world-class surf. Kuta, Bali is a tropical paradise.

However, this tropical paradise has more to offer than just a relaxing time on the beach or some water splashing into your face in the surf. However, with Bali’s ever increasing popularity the island of Kuta is constantly under construction and being developed. It seems chaotic and overcrowded but somehow amongst the kayos, this beautiful place somehow works and if you do not believe me, then you can ask all the thousands of happy visitors.

The 5 km stretch of glistering crystal blue water and white as powder sand is by far one of the best beachfronts in Bali. Lounging on the beach with a view of some of the best surfers/body boarders tearing it up in the waves is always an exciting way to shorten time. But just make sure to at least attempt to ride a wave while you are there because you may never see or attempt to ride a wave this perfect ever again.

Getting around the town is simple unless you decide to pick up a scooter to ride while you are there. If you get a scooter, make sure to be accustomed to the rules of the road if there are any. Similar to Vietnam the roads in Bali are jam packed to the brim filled with scooters dodging and weaving in and out of traffic barely missing oncoming riders. Just be sure that you are able to be responsible for your actions because almost 90% of people that ride a bike in Bali leave with what is known as a Bali tattoo, which is a huge graze on your body caused by falling off your bike.

Once the sun has set, Kuta is transformed into a party town with thousands of people hopping from bar to bar in the area where everything goes down at night called Jalan Legian. This is where most tourists will flock to at night time to have a good time. Don’t go on your own but have a party buddy with you at all times.

In many ways Bali is very similar to Vietnam and Thailand but in many aspects it is completely different. The locals are not as friendly and as helpful as I expected but sometimes these things just happen and you cannot let that spoil your time.

Bali is a beautiful place and an experience that I would recommend for anyone who has thought of going there. Go to Bali, get a tan on the beaches, catch a nice wave and have the time of your life.