Gap Year Diaries

In this episode, Emily and Rachel recount their experiences of a day spent learning about New Zealand's possum pest-control methods, and travelling onwards to the country's stunning Franz Josef glacier. Among other things, we hear of the eminently memorable 'Possum Pete', owner of the educational bushman centre, the meeting of Pete's singular pet possum, and a trip to the...

In this episode, Rachel and Emily recount the day of the Kiwi Bus' infamous 'Poo Party' on the beautiful Lake Mahinapua, where they finally get to showcase their incredible craft prowess and take the swinging 60s fancy-dress costumes for a spin.  Amongst other things, we hear of ageing and grumpy party-host Les and his unceasingly cantankerous manner, the desperate last-minute costu...

In this episode, Rachel and Emily look back fondly over a frantic 24 hours spent procuring and constructing some wildly ambitious fancy dress costumes ahead of the Kiwi bus institution - the Lake Mahinapua 'poo party'.  Among other things we hear about a highly tense rugby match between Ireland and the All Blacks, the charms of the town of Westport, and Emily's tyrannical approach t...

In this episode, Emily and Rachel journey back and relive the blissful day they spent exploring NZ's Abel Tasman National Park. Among other things, we hear of the water taxi driver and the obsession with mid 2000s RnB he was so proud to share with others, a family of ducks with no personal boundaries, and an ongoing battle with the ever encroaching tide. 

In this episode, we are treated to a full recount of Rachel and Emily's adventure on the high seas, as they set sail to cross from the heady pursuits of New Zealand's north island to the chilly climes of its south.  The pair relive the few days they spent in the city of Nelson post crossing, struggling for warmth under threadbare duvets, eating super noodles and locating famous landmarks...

In this episode, Rachel and Emily look back fondly at yet another chapter of embassy nightmares as they continue to relive their time spent in NZ's capital city, Wellington.  Among other things we hear of a spicy altercation, passport theft related frustration and more escapades that absolutely do not include making the most of staying in the world's most southerly capital city. 

In this episode, Rachel and Emily read back over the bizarre blog entry from their first day in New Zealand's lively and windy capital city, Wellington.  Among other things, we hear of an accident involving dried fruit in a local supermarket, the city's hallowed Giant Squid exhibition, and the deeply disgraceful result of many hours of hostel drinking games. 

In this episode, Emily and Rachel reopen some old wounds and relive the trauma of the day they spent attempting to skydive over New Zealand's beautiful Lake Taupo, reading back over the blog they wrote on the day. We hear of the deeply stressful assent to 15,000ft in a miniscule plane, Emily's near-premature launch out of the plane door, and the overall chaos that ensued. Also including...

In this episode, Emily and Rachel reread and relive their time in the NZ village of Waitomo, famous for its glow-worm bedazzled underwater caves. Amongst the usual mindless content, we hear of the formative time Rachel spent at a rural farm show, the awkward and cumbersome process of making new bus friends, EXTREME black water caving, Rachel's multi-coloured toes and Emily unwittingly allowin...

In this episode, Emily and Rachel continue to read back over and reminisce on their time spent in the geothermal hot spot of Rotorua, New Zealand. We hear of a bonding trip to a local spa, a narrow escape from an incredibly inappropriate situation with the Pennsylvania State University Glee Club, and many, MANY unnecessary details about the value for money of Rotorua's supermarkets. 

In this episode, Emily and Rachel read back over their blog documenting the first day they spent in the geothermal New Zealand town of Rotorua.  Among many other stunningly banal details, we hear of their time learning about Maori culture, luging at break-neck speed down forested hills, and, more exciting than all combined, the chance meeting of an entire Glee Club during a traditional Maori feast...

In the fourth episode of series 4, Emily and Rachel reread the blog entry from their, in all honesty, fairly uneventful visit to New Zealand's Mercury Bay, viewing its highlights through unceasing drizzle. As well as this, we hear of wet weather wanderings,  the world's most poppin' hostel bar, and a detailed review of the local children's play park. Follow the podcast on Insta...

In the third episode of series 4, Emily and Rachel continue reliving their time travelling around New Zealand's beautiful north coast, by rereading the blog diary from their second day in Paihia. Among other things, we hear of a marginally successful dolphin-watching boat trip, hours of wandering around various idyllic islands and an unfortunate hostel argument about bread. It's definite...

In the second episode of series 4, Emily and Rachel continue to recount stories of their time travelling through New Zealand, as they begin the odyssey travelling north from the bustling city of Auckland to the country's beautiful north coast. We hear of the pair's first experience of the Kiwi bus, their failure to make new friends due to being largely unconscious, a gloriously scenic wa...

In the first episode of series four, Emily and Rachel read back over the blog entries from their first few days in New Zealand, as they land, after an unfortunate flight, in the buzzing north island city of Auckland and struggle to adjust to the timezone shift. We hear of New Zealand's intensive airport security measures, hostel mishaps, more embassy adventures and a shameful night in the hos...

Emily and Rachel of the Gap Year Diaries Podcast chat to intrepid members of the Hostelworld community about their travel experiences.  In this episode, the hosts speak to Kate Higham about meeting lifelong friends on her gap year, and travel introvert Debora Da Costa about her techniques for overcoming shyness in hostels. We hear about the LA skate community, blossoming hostel friendships and roa...

Emily and Rachel of the Gap Year Diaries Podcast chat to intrepid members of the Hostelworld community about their travel experiences.   In this episode, the hosts speak to Blake Freeman about how he seeks out the best parties whilst travelling, and Manu Cortes, about his greatest after-dark experiences in multiple different destinations. We hear about dancing ‘til dawn at a lake in Zagreb, Thaila...

Emily and Rachel of the Gap Year Diaries Podcast chat to intrepid members of the Hostelworld community about their travel experiences.  In this episode, the hosts speak to travel newbie Andi Unceta Pereira about the power of romantic destinations, and James Rowbottom, about his dating life whilst living in Paris as a bisexual man. We hear about awkward Grindr encounters, unbelievable meet-cutes on...

Emily and Rachel of the Gap Year Diaries Podcast chat to intrepid members of the Hostelworld community about their travel experiences.  In this episode, the hosts speak to Tom Ruck, a self-confessed accident prone traveller about his catalogue of close calls, and Zorro, a seasoned traveller and hostel worker about when things haven’t quite gone to plan for him during his four years on the road. We...

Emily and Rachel of the Gap Year Diaries Podcast chat to intrepid members of the Hostelworld community about their travel experiences.  In this episode, the hosts speak to Drew Wilson about how throwing themself into some truly extreme travel experiences has helped on their journey to overcoming anxiety, and Claire Scott, who is in the middle of her first Gap Year travelling the world at the age o...

Emily and Rachel of the Gap Year Diaries Podcast chat to intrepid members of the Hostelworld community about their travel experiences.  In this episode, the hosts speak to author of You Are Where You Go , 24-year-old Caitlyn Lubas, about how she has managed to tick off visiting over 70 countries in just three years, and Amanda Day, about how she harnesses her interest in health and wellness to exp...

In this special episode, Rachel and Emily look back fondly over the (incredibly short) series documenting their time in Chile, and ask each other all those burnin' questions they've harboured for 12 long years about their time travelling through the country. Among other useless things, we learn of what the pair would have done differently if they had their time in Chile again, whether or...

In this week's episode, Rachel and Emily read back over the last, incredibly dull blog post from their time spent in Chile, this time 'exploring' the country's capital city, Santiago. Amongst other ludicrous content, we hear of an incredibly detailed account of a meal enjoyed in an empty Chinese restaurant, a very special goldfish, and yet another 'rambunctiously disgustin...

In this episode, Rachel and Emily continue rereading blog entries from  their time travelling south through Chile. This week, we hear of an epic 18-hour bus journey, complete with ‘barnstormingly disgusting’ on-board toilet, curious clubbing attire and the night the pair spent stargazing at the La Serena observatory that very nearly didn’t happen due to Rachel going missing… 

In this episode, Rachel and Emily continue rereading blog entries from their time in Chile, this time reminiscing on the two days they spent in the bohemian surfer's city of Iquique. Among other mishaps, we hear of the theft of Emily's precious iPod, a crime for which Barney the Dinosaur is a serious suspect, the bizarre quirks of the pair's hostel room, and what passes for on board...