Gemma and Craig of Two Scots Abroad know how to have fun when they travel together, as evidenced by their excellent taste in vibrant photos. They also make a great example of the phrase “opposites attract”, which is something Luke and I can 100% relate to. After traveling together for the last 5 years, they’ve gained invaluable experience – both as bloggers and as a travel couple. And, lucky for us, they’ve been kind enough to write up some of their stories and their advice on this week’s This Seat’s Taken. So buckle up, and get ready to laugh AND learn!
What’s your story?
They actually met on Plenty of Fish before Tinder was a thing. Gemma lived in Leith, Edinburgh and Craig was in Fife (just over the water from Edinburgh). Gemma is also a Fifer and never thought she’d end up marrying someone from home.
A couple of months into dating, after another mundane night out in Edinburgh, Gemma asked Craig by text if he wanted to get out of Scotland. She knew she could apply for a career break with her council after three years of teaching and was keen to use that opportunity. Craig always regretted not going back to Canada after living in Vancouver for one year in his early twenties so was well up for it.
They tested the water with a five week trip to Southeast Asia in 2013, identified that any fallouts happened through hanger or far too much alcohol consumption, and decided that was solvable.
Do you have the same travel style? How does this impact your adventures together?
God no! Gemma anxiously researches absolutely everything, Craig is very chilled and does things last minute.
Expect Gemma to have lists, screenshots, maps and spots to photograph. Craig just turns left when he gets to a new destination.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned from traveling as partners? What makes your partnership work on the road?
Opposites can attract! While Gemma is flapping about no WiFi, Craig is out hunting for WiFi. Teamwork makes the dream work.
What’s the best part about traveling as partners? And the biggest challenge?
The best part of travelling together is getting to experience stuff like hiking to Machu Picchu, diving in Cuba, skiing in Austria while watching DJs get snowballs thrown at them and having those stories to laugh at later on.
They’ve learnt from previous trips to go with a couple of food recommendations to avoid conflict, Craig’s hanger is rife and he’s quite picky. Gemma will have a meltdown if there’s coriander on her plate and, most recently, a plastic straw in her drink.
Jokes aside, travelling together is easy and fun. Both have a lot of time apart, Gemma working on Two Scots Abroad articles and Craig making music.
Socialising with other people helps, too.
Based on your experience, what’s the best advice you have for couples who have just scheduled their first trip together?
Definitely have a trial run – make sure you’ve suffered dodgy stomachs together and at least one you knows how to get home after a few drinks (two bomb-scares would not work on the road). Also, if one of you has a jealous streak, don’t take the trip. And work out a contingency plan for when/if the budget runs out. Consider a volunteer programme like Workaway when that happens.
Save the wisdom! Share the wisdom!
This Seat’s Taken interview series: Heather and Peter of the Conversant Traveller
