There’s a new Wanderer in town!

Nicola Arnold with her host sister Yogita

Yes. Robyn’s Wanderings is growing by one! Nicola Arnold has now been roped into writing every week about her adventures and basically anything travel related!

So you’re sick of me?! Cool. Meet Bermudian and enthusiastic traveler Nicola who will be sharing with you every Saturday. Here’s her first post:

Season’s Greetings! This is Nicola Arnold and it has been 65 days since my last travel adventure… that is, if you don’t count excursions to the local beaches and parks as being an adventure-worthy.

Living in Bermuda has its perks – as a recent graduate from the University of Guelph, Ontario, I have thoroughly enjoyed returning to Bermuda to spend my summer playing beach volleyball, walking past Johnny Barnes at Crow Lane Roundabout as he declares his love for me, and even pretending to be a tourist in Dockyard in order to sample some of the delicious rum cakes over at the Rum Cake Factory!

So who is Nicola?

My story so far is a ‘mixture’ of my family background intertwined with my travel experiences. Therefore it seems like a good idea to share these ‘ingredients’ of my life with you:

¼ cup Croatian grandparents

¼ cup British grandparents

½ cup parents from Zimbabwe

2 T. cousins in South Africa

3 T. cousins in Australia

1 pkg. of Rotary exchange in France

Whisk in some studies in Canada

4 T. summer student in Bermuda

5 oz. semester abroad in Paris

9 oz. study abroad in the French Alps

1 tsp. volunteer trip in India

Dash of travels in Japan, Greece, USA

These ingredients have led me to my path of study, encouraging my development in international education and will be the basis of my career… (yes dad, a JOB!!):

From high school at Mt. St. Agnes Academy in Bermuda to university in Canada, my ever-growing love for

France ultimately pointed me in the direction of completing a B.A. in European Studies, complete with a

Nicola in the Thar Desert in Rajasthan for our overnight camel safari... a thrilling adventure for sure

“highly recommended” study abroad for a year in the foreign language being studied (le français, bien sur).

At university, I became a Peer Helper at the Center for International Programs (CIP), so I had the joy of informing and preparing other students for studying, working & volunteering abroad.

Needless to say, I’ve been able to hone my packing skills for last-minute weekend trips, backpacking in the Indian desert on a camel safari – and learnt to be ready at a moment’s notice to dash for trains in the process.

What’s the plan now?! As I’m enjoying the mild Bermuda weather, I’m actively searching for jobs in Canada in the international education field – working with international and/or exchange students. It has been great networking with contacts both in Bermuda and Canada, while keeping my skills sharp through volunteering and getting involved in different organizations and events.

And surprise, surprise… my family and I will be travelling over the Christmas holidays to visit family and wander around Europe a bit. So far, our plans include stops in London, Rome, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Amsterdam and Paris – all in the space in 3 weeks. Sound interesting? Stay tuned for more!

Don’t travel with a bad back!

Fully equipped backpack!

Comfy backstraps and waist strap for support

I’m sorry. I’m sorry, but it’s time. It’s the worst time. It’s the end of your fleeting freedom and days without  a care. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I have to whisper those three dreaded words for you school-age kids…..Back to School. Ugh, I know.

But there is a silver lining. The best part of the season and outfits (bathing suits for uniforms) changing? Well I’m a geek and I always enjoyed this – buying the new school stuff. The new pens, pencils, notebooks and most importantly?! The bag!

So for The Harbourmaster’s Travel Tip Tuesday’s Sheilagh Robertson, store owner, suggests taking some time in her Washington Mall store (near the Washington Alley entrance, ground floor) to figure out what works best for your back!

Tuesday’s tip: “August is a busy time as children of all ages look for the perfect “book bag”. For many this means a new backpack and parents should make sure they purchase a backpack that is the appropriate size for the age of the child and not too large as carrying too much weight can cause back problems.

High Sierra Backpacks in The Harbourmaster

“For older students with laptops, big binders and heavy books look for backpacks that have padded straps, and waist straps that help support the weight.”

Like the High Sierra Backpacks above. The grey backpack is able to carry a laptop, cell phone, water bottle, MP3 player and even has a strap to help support the bag around your waste. It will run you about $110 while the pink backpack above with run you abut $36 and is a light weight alternative.

These Land Backpacks are another alternative for sizes and high-end backpacks with the leather bag offering a more compact sized bag for $60. While going for the green will be $89.

Or perhaps you’re going to college? Or maybe you have a friend/daughter/son/niece/nephew going to University? What do they need? Why not help organize them? I can personally attest to the help of one of these organizers for everything from my college years to my trip around the world. They hold everything from visas to foreign currency….everything!

Passport holder and identification organizer

Tuesday’s Tips for the College bound? Going away to college is a major expense and practical gifts such as a passport case to keep travel documents and student visas secure are most appreciated. Gift certificates that can be used to purchase luggage are also welcome.

While nothing quite helps keep their passports up-to-immigration standards like the covers and passport holders available at The Harbourmaster.

Why not help the College student who will most certainly be traveling longer and further than before? Why not help them keep their things organized and their passports clean with these handy leather covers from The Harbourmaster?

The run from $30 for the passport holder to $59 for the passport organizer. Check them out at The Harbourmaster (on the ground floor of the Washington Mall near the entrance to Washington Alley)!

Check out The Harbourmaster on the ground floor of the Washington Mall