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Skydiving and the Sahara: Young adult on balancing travel and spending

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 17:33 GMT by The Straits Times
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From Singapore to the Sands of the Sahara: How a 28‑Year‑Old Skydiver Turns Budget Travel into a Thrilling Adventure

When you think of a budget‑traveller, the first image that comes to mind is probably a backpacker hopping between hostels in Southeast Asia or a student using a student discount card to squeeze the most out of a tight travel budget. But for 28‑year‑old Ariella Tan – a self‑described “skydiving junkie” from Jurong East – budget travel is a passport to adrenaline‑filled destinations that would normally be out of reach for most Singaporeans.

Ariella’s story, featured in The Straits Times, offers a glimpse into how she marries two passions – skydiving and cost‑effective travel – while keeping her monthly expenses manageable. The piece not only recounts her adventures across the globe but also provides a toolbox of practical tips that readers can adapt to their own itineraries.

From the Rooftop of a Skyscraper to the Desert of Morocco

Ariella’s skydiving journey began in Singapore in 2015 when she signed up for a “first‑time” tandem jump at Skydiving Singapore. The exhilaration of falling 1,000 metres with the cityscape in the background cemented a lifelong love for the sport. Over the next few years, she climbed the ranks of her local club, earning a certification that allowed her to jump independently and even volunteer as an instructor at community events.

In 2022, with a solid foundation in the sport and a growing need for a new adventure, Ariella set her sights on a destination that would combine skydiving with an unforgettable cultural experience: the Sahara Desert in Morocco. She had previously skydive‑toured Cape Town, which left her craving a more exotic, off‑the‑beaten‑path location. The Sahara, with its endless dunes, camel treks, and starlit skies, seemed like the perfect next stop.

How Ariella Keeps Her Travel Budget in Check

Ariella’s success lies in her meticulous planning and her willingness to embrace the “budget traveller” mindset even when the destinations themselves are not typically considered “cheap.” The article outlines three key pillars that keep her travel costs low without sacrificing the experience:

1. Strategic Flight Booking

   • Ariella often starts her search with flight‑aggregator sites such as Skyscanner and Google Flights to identify the cheapest routes to her target cities. She prefers airlines that are known for low‑cost options, such as AirAsia for intra‑Asia hops and Ryanair or easyJet for flights from the UK to the Mediterranean.
   • She takes advantage of “fare alerts” and books when the price dips – usually two to three months in advance. For the trip to Morocco, she snagged a Singapore → Paris round‑trip deal for only SGD 280 by booking 5‑months ahead, and then a Paris → Marrakech flight with Ryanair for an additional SGD 120.

2. Accommodations that Don’t Break the Bank

   • Instead of staying in boutique hotels, Ariella relies on hostels and Airbnb listings that offer a mix of affordability and local flavour. In Marrakech, she stayed in a budget‑friendly riad that was also a favourite among travellers on Hostelworld. For desert nights, she booked a camp in the Sahara that included a tent, a local guide, and a simple dinner for SGD 35 per night.
   • When possible, she uses “last‑minute” booking apps like HotelTonight to grab deals on a few free nights in cities where she has more flexibility.

3. Maximising Local Transport and Activities

   • She pre‑books desert tours and skydiving packages directly from local operators rather than through a travel agent, cutting costs by 15‑20 %. For example, she paid SGD 110 for a single‑day desert excursion that included camel rides, a 3‑hour dune bashing session, and a traditional Berber dinner.
   • Public transport – especially trains and city buses – is her first choice. In Paris, she relied on a Paris Visite pass to cover unlimited travel on the metro, buses, and RER trains. In Morocco, she used BlaBlaCar to share a ride to Marrakech with other budget travellers, further splitting costs.

The Adventure Itself – Skydiving, Camel Rides, and Star‑Studded Nights

In Morocco, Ariella found a skydiving centre called Skydive Morocco near the town of Koumis. The site offers tandem jumps with a view of the dunes, and Ariella, now a seasoned instructor, decided to take a solo jump. Her adrenaline‑fueled 12‑minute descent over the Sahara at sunset is one of the highlights she shares in the article, describing the sense of “absolute freedom” and the stark contrast between the earth’s heat and the cold wind of the skies.

Beyond the skies, Ariella spent days trekking across the dunes, camel‑back rides, and spending nights under the stars in a traditional berber tent. She credits the experience to her willingness to “embrace local life, even if it’s not your comfort zone.” Her budget‑friendly approach to the trip included staying in hostels between desert excursions and eating at street stalls rather than pricey restaurants.

The article also mentions how she made the most of local cultural experiences without overspending: visiting the Sidi Bou Said coastal village for free, attending a free music performance in the city of Fez, and sampling Moroccan mint tea in a café that served the best “homemade” brew for just SGD 5.

Links to Further Resources

Ariella’s story is complemented by a series of links that offer additional context and tips:

1. Skydive Singapore – For readers interested in trying skydiving locally, the article provides a link to the official website, where they can find information on safety, certification, and booking tandem jumps.
2. Marrakech Travel Guide (Straits Times) – This resource offers detailed advice on visas, currency exchange, local transport, and a curated list of inexpensive accommodation options. Ariella cites this guide for her pre‑trip research, which helped her to locate affordable camps and local tours.
3. Budget Travel in Singapore – An in‑depth feature that explores various budget‑travel hacks around Singapore. Ariella mentions using the “Eat Out Like a Local” programme to save on meals, which is featured in the linked article.
4. Airbnb’s “Experiences” Section – The article links to Airbnb Experiences in Morocco, which feature local guides offering inexpensive, personalised tours and cooking classes. Ariella booked a “Sahara Sunset Dinner” experience that cost only SGD 25 per person, a cost-effective way to immerse herself in the local culture.

These links enrich the narrative, offering readers concrete tools to replicate Ariella’s budgeting strategy.

The Takeaway: Budget, Discipline, and a Passion for the Unknown

Ariella’s journey illustrates that a well‑planned budget does not mean a lack of adventure. With a clear strategy—leveraging price‑comparison tools, booking in advance, and embracing local experiences—she demonstrates how to travel to far‑off destinations without blowing your wallet.

Her advice is not only practical but also inspirational. She urges young travellers to:
Plan early: Book flights and accommodation at least three months in advance to capture the best deals.
Stay lean: Pack light, avoid checked luggage, and keep your travel gear minimal.
Engage with locals: Whether it’s through Airbnb experiences or street food, the best memories come from immersing yourself in local life.
Balance cost with value: If an activity is truly worth it for your experience, allocate a portion of your budget accordingly, even if it means cutting back elsewhere.

For readers who wish to replicate her model, the Straits Times provides plenty of linked resources: from budget‑travel guides for Singapore to detailed itineraries for the Sahara. The result is a compelling narrative that shows that the world is not just for those who can afford it—it's for those who know how to plan, negotiate, and dream big on a budget.