Getting back to Amsterdam

Getting back to Amsterdam -

I'm currently back in Amsterdam. Yes, I know that I was only here a few months ago, but it was Queen's Day (Netherlands Party Day) and I love this city. It's my seventh time in Amsterdam, since I began to travel After seven visits to Amsterdam, I pretty well know the place in 06.. I have in this city spent months. I went everywhere. I've been everything for everyone. I know good places to eat, things to see and to visit parks. I would not consider a local, but it is nice to be in a city that feels like home where you will not be lost or clueless. (Although, that a lot of fun in the journey is, once in a while, I enjoy a break.)

This is what I like so much about Amsterdam. I've been here so many times, I've lived here, I feel at home here. I have a week and a half here. I catch up here on work and friends to visit. It was good to sit in one place and start head way on my site per month to make the slacking. But it is still better to be in a place back, which I know so well. I feel not my way around streets still want find to rush to some tourist place. I can just relax and enjoy the city and catch up with old friends.

often people try to chase passport stamps, but I would prefer to see less places and know them well as have little understanding, some photos, and a passport full of stamps. For me, travel is about places and people know who live in them. Over the past three and a half years of traveling, I have seen more than 41 countries. I've been many times to the same places, either intentionally or because it worked out this way. I like it that way. Every time I come back to a city, I learn new things and discover something that I was the last time I missed there. I can always go somewhere for a few days and say that I, but I would rather say that I know the place. You must longer have to stay in places or visit several times.

Plus, because now I stay usually either in the Flying Pig or Winston, if I am here, the long-term employees at both locations, remember (I visit Amsterdam much). It is nice to stay in a place where you feel at home.

you can see a lot of places, but you can know only a few. And I think that's the biggest advantage of long-term travel in a position to get into the groove of a place and to melt right away. So I come back no problem with the same goals and over again. The more you visit a site, the more you know. I would rather have deep knowledge of a few places then little knowledge about a lot. I think that it is important to frequently travel and I visit many places in between trips to destinations frequented. But in my travels I have found places I want to know more deeply, and I will keep coming back to these places to learn more about them and to meet new friends. Amsterdam is to do one of my favorite cities exactly.

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Port on the island of Ios

Port on the island of Ios -

A few weeks from now I turn one year closer to 30. It is a reality that does not sit well with me.

at the beginning of the year, I decided that I would spend in Europe the summer, spent most of my time on the island of Ios in Greece. During the summer months the island is a paradise for young backpackers seeking the sun to absorb water, and the foam. I knew it would be no other way to do this pre-30th It was time to do it now before I became that "dirty old backpacker."

But like all the best plans, this fell through. I have to talk to the United States in June back in TBEX, halve my summer trip. Now it is not to spend the summer in Greece to enjoy my "pre-30" crisis. My trip to the Greek islands last only a few weeks before I move to Italy, Hungary and Sweden. Something had to be cut.

So, with a heavy heart in hand, I went to Ios more than two weeks for four nights. I was six. Then leave for Santorini, I landed two days later return to the top. I missed too much Ios. I stayed for a week before I left to Paros and Mykonos. Now my last two days in Greece to spend again on Ios I am viewing.

I often talk about what travel is and what it means. What does it mean to go? Backpack? Is one form better than the others?

Travel does not fit into a box. There is a lot of things. It can be seen more than a place or a kind of travel. But one thing that is all discussions about the nature of the tour passes through that at the end of the day, traveling it is produced compounds. Not only places but with people as well.

Ios is very nice, with a picturesque town, great beaches and historic terraces cliffs. But there is nothing really special about the island itself. There are nicer islands in Greece. And really, I prefer my islands more palm trees, have jungle and tropical fish.

Although there is something for everyone on Ios, whose main attraction is still the party, beaches, and crowds. I came for the atmosphere, but I was made because of the compounds I with the people. I moved back there because these compounds.

arrival preseason before the masses, I have friends with the owners of empty bars and restaurants. George the Greek Restaurant the nest has taught me some Greek. Alex from Blue Note Bar stood on the variety of Greek alcohol. Many nights, Demetri and Nicos from Slammers discussed the sorry state of Greek politics to me about Ouzo. When you come so early in the season, there are not many tourists other than the search for work. So bond and chat, because it's just you, not a revolving door of people every three days. And sometimes, just click.

You meet a lot of people, when you are traveling. Names and faces begin after a while blurring. They are friends on Facebook, but you rarely ever see each other. I have met thousands of people on the street, but only a handful of people whose weddings I will participate and babies I'll meet. It is a rare event when you meet with on a deeper level to connect people. It happened to me when I was living on the Thai island of Ko Lipe in 06, where four years later, all of us had Christmas together. It happened on Haat Rin in 07, where two years later I attended the wedding of my Australian friends. It happened last year in Valencia, when three Americans, two Australians and a Malaysian dorm room shared for a week and clicked so well that people asked us how, when and where we were so become good friends, given our different nationalities , "We three days ago just met," we would say to her amazement.

And so back to Ios, a group of strangers came together and acted as if she was known for years. Some will work on iOS for the whole season. Others leave in a few weeks. Some stay half of the summer. Some of me. But all of us influenced each other in any way, and every day I see a common update to Facebook by those who have already left. "I miss Ios"

time is different on the road. feel like days weeks and months like years. Two weeks on Ios felt like an eternity. When I went, people could not believe that I just two weeks. For them and for me, it felt much longer. I regret not only two days to spend on Santorini and Mykonos, though, because it gave me more time with friends in Ios. Travel is about the people we see more than the places we meet.

And somewhere out there, join other people and form bonds that will last far into the future, also. Somewhere in the world, they too nicknaming itself "a family", and only the world walking together through the observation ...

For more information about this fantastic island want ? See my guide to Ios and find out how to travel there.

How a Swedish Midsummer

How a Swedish Midsummer - Survive

This is a guest post by Sofia of As We Travel.

June 25 is fast approaching, and in Sweden, which means that there is. Almost time for the Midsummer holiday Midsummer is the biggest festival of the year in Sweden and is a tradition, the summer solstice (the longest day of the year) celebrating. It dates back hundreds of years and has been a good harvest and fertilization of the soil.

Traditionally, young people pick bouquets of nine different flowers and used in the hope under her pillow to put ensure dreaming their future spouse. They are, however, many adults take these flowers to see. While the roots of this holiday may be about the harvest, now use the Sweden the day as an excuse to have a big party, outdoors spend the day with friends and family, and celebrate the summer weather. After all, we do not have many warm days here in Sweden.

The focus of this celebration and the most recognized symbol of high summer, the Maibaum. This is a big green oasis covered with many leafs and flowers, hanging with a ring of flowers on each side. The maypole is actually a phallic symbol, which has been stuck in the ground in order to fertilize the pollution for the next year's crop. After we put the pole in the ground, we do what would dance around it, of course, someone else to do-we. We dance around the maypole in circles to do strange dance moves, so do frogs, crows and other animals, and to have other games. dancing the maypole around is one of the most time traditions Swedish Midsummer is excellent.

Snaps, Rotten Fish and Dirty Songs
After the dance, comes the food, drink and sing - all go midsummer table a huge selection of pickled herring , potatoes, mixed with sour cream chives and more brandy find, as you will ever see in your life. This is the most important thing on the table. Schnapps are small bottles of really strong alcohol be drunk as weft is designed. A very important rule is that before each shot, someone (or any, it does not really matter) singing a dirty song. Since we drink a lot of liquor, we sing a lot. Singing adds to the festive spirit of the holiday and, as the evening progresses, the songs dirtier and the words are more slurred be. (I told you, this is a hard, after all!)

The second most important point on the table after the shot is the pickled and fermented herring. Fish is very important aspect of life in Sweden and herring is the most commonly eaten fish. While the fish smells worse than it looks, appearances are deceptive and the fish is delicious. There is no good party without food and just like a barbecue is important to celebrate the Fourth of July 4th herring is important to our midsummer festival.

Swedish Midsummer is a feast we have in Sweden. It is the day we celebrate the summer, enjoy the beautiful weather, drinking, eating, singing and dancing. It is our day to live without rules and where everything goes. If you come to Sweden to coordinate your arrival with this vacation should be your top priority. Try to celebrate outside and away from the city. Midsummer is, after all, about the nature, the warm weather and the coming summer.

I'll see you Friday at the Maypole!

Sofia lives in Gothenburg Sweden and operates the website as we travel. You can learn more about their traveling and living in Sweden more. Wait with excitement to dance around the Maypole during Midsummer.

Changing attitudes

Changing attitudes -

Last night I spent the evening with two close friends, Jamie and Geno. I've known for ten years. We all met while we were at school, and now they are married with children. We see each other not often, because they stay in one place and I never, but last night I went down with them to catch up and see their new twins.

At dinner we caught, talked about life, went into the past, and spoke about the work. My friends were very impressed with my work. They fired off questions and were amazed (and very happy) I could do to make a living doing what I love, while the flexibility to do what I want.

When it was Jamie at school, she was a tutor. Now she runs one of the largest education company in Massachusetts. Geno terminate a sales job in IT to go. He then left an IT job because of a lack of flexibility. He moved to another IT job that gave him more flexibility and responsibility. My friend Chris went back to school to work with children because he did not like his corporate job. My friend Mike is gone, because a great chance to defy many cold winter nights to Alaska to be a public defender.

I tell you these stories, because one thing that I've noticed is back in the "real world" as opposed to "travel the world" is that people will hold thrilled in my job as I figured out how to bring a man on the moon. Many people can not seem to fathom a non-office life. Repeat to me "Wow I would love to do that!", To which I ask: "Why do not you" And people say, "Well, I would not know where to start"

Whatever we want to do - ?. From digital NOMAD, lawyer to gardeners to world traveler - we want to do all the flexibility and freedom, what you want ... to have a good work-life balance. Maybe it's the economy or people eventually rebel against the matrix, but it has been good to hear people asking how they can change and see many of my friends that change to make. I remember when I graduated from college (which was actually a long time ago), and each tried to follow the typical American dream. Now wants to see a bit more of a life outside the office each. Down with the 9-5 !!

I never think of my work as a good example. I never went out "corporate drone" in "Nomad." I was a traveler, before I was a travel blogger. But Christine Fast Fearless was a Corporate bee before being a digital nomad now Colombia with her family roaming. It is not so recently published a book about working as wirelessly. What I enjoy about the book, is not that it tells you how to be a digital nomad, it tells you how to do from your office to have the transition time, what you want to do, even if it means that your old job to keep. Some people love their jobs and do not want to leave it. My friend Sean loved his job but hated the commute. He convinced his boss to let him work from home from. I point people like my friends to Christine's new book, because it is a good place to start when trying to figure out how 9-5 to 9 move never 5.

The idea of ​​working digitally yet new is. However, it seems every time I come home to become more mainstream. More and more people are trying to break out of the normal workflow. Coming home and to be involved in discussions with people who want to know how to get out of the office makes me happy, this trend goes mainstream, even if it is still slow.

The Saturday City: Madrid

The Saturday City: Madrid -

Last year I went during my summer European tour to Madrid. Unfortunately, my visit coincided with a bad cold and I spent most of bedridden. My week in Madrid - that's my week, I one of the largest cities in Europe are issued allegedly researched - was instead more as 5 days in bed and 2 days sick even pull my around the city, because I at least needed to see [1945003etwas] .

Madrid known for its museums and architecture, however, is what it is best known for the food and drink. Madrid is synonymous with delicious tapas, late food, and filled to the early morning cafes. Nightlife in Madrid could be considered better dawnlife how people from here until the early morning hours found. This is not a city for early risers. Madrid comes alive at night. It is a hectic, lively and moving city.

Unfortunately, I was only able to catch a glimpse of him. I saw only a scratch of the excitement that makes Madrid a city in all favorites list. Madrid, and I will reunite. I suspect it will not be too long from now either. The town attracts me. There is much about Madrid I have yet to see and experience. If you find yourself in Madrid without refrigeration and are looking to do for things, look no further than this:

• Palacio Real: Also royal palace known this is the official residence of the king of Spain, but it is only used for state ceremonies. The palace is partially open to the public, except when it is employed and Sunday is also closed. The palace is free on Wednesdays for E.U. Citizens and guides in English are also available
• Stroll Plaza Mayor .: by a walk around the Plaza Mayor, take the streets of the historic Madrid can run. The Plaza Mayor is Madrid's main square and there. In the center of town These winding streets leads past churches, tapas bars, and give you insight into royal history and architecture. During this course on foot, not to be missed, are Ayuntamiento, San Pedro, San Francisco el Grande and Calle de Cuchilleros.

• Puerta del Sol: This is Madrid's most famous and central square, just a short walk from the Plaza Mayor , Originally, it was the site of one of the gates of the city which faced the east, and was decorated with a picture of the sun, hence the name of the place. The place is actually almost semicircular and owes its present form to the main between 1854 through renovation work and 1860.
• Flamenco Dancer See: Madrid was the best listening flamenco since the early 19th century, has seen the best artists triumph here. Flamenco can be seen in many bars and taverns in Madrid. Normally, you would go for a dinner at one of these locations, and then listen to the music
• a bullfight see .: main bullring of Madrid's La Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas del called Espíritu Santo, or easier, Las Ventas. The best time for bullfights in Madrid to see is in the months of May and June. The world-famous San Isidro bullfighting festival takes place in these months and brings the best fighters, bulls and lovers. There are fights every day for 20 days, at 7 o'clock in the evening start
• , the Prado Museum visit .: The Prado Museum is top cultural monument of Madrid and one of the largest art galleries , It; s fireworks from works of the great European masters such as Velázquez, Goya, Raphael, Rubens, and Bosch (among others the most important Italian and Flemish artists), is located in a 18th century building housed, which opened as a museum in the year 1819th
• National Archaeological Museum : This well designed museum houses an incredible collection of archaeological finds from all over the peninsula. He leaves the visitor with a sense of the chronology of civilization in Spain. There are also a few pieces from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia
• El Retiro Park . The head of Madrid, the perfect place to take a rest on a sunny day, or to participate in the taking drum circles around the statue of Alphonso XII on summer evenings. There is a large boating lake where you can rent a rowboat. It is a monument to the victims of the Madrid 3/11 terrorist attacks, the forest absent from the Crystal Palace.

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Madrid much to see and do and the inhabitants of the city for a long dinner and late prepared in the night to these attractions want to be seen over the course of a few days given. Do not rush Madrid. Take it slow. Savior there, as you are the delicious tapas try here because the energy of Madrid will envelop and you will soon change your plans are rushed to slow, and stay longer.

Six of the largest African safaris

Six of the largest African safaris -

This is a guest post by Anthony of The Travel Tart.

Most people travel to Africa for a reason - to go on safari and check the many animals that you may kill. Viewing animals and what to do in their natural environment she gets another dimension when observed compared to them in a zoo. It is a captivating and amazing experience

Everyone wants to see the "Big Five" -. The lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino - but Africa is home to many interesting wildlife and ecosystems. Here is a brief guide to some places in Africa Safari and its diverse wildlife see:

Kruger National Park - South Africa

Kruger proximity to Africa main hub of Johannesburg and easy accessibility make it very popular with locals and visitors alike. It is one of the most popular parks in Africa and the Kruger camps are definitely the most striking I have ever been. You can take your own car, and many of the roads are paved, but you can also go on game drives unsealed tracks. The bearings are surrounded by electric fences, so you have to come to a big cat to fear, not when you need a toilet break at night. If the planned expansions in Zimbabwe and Mozambique held to Kruger is the largest protected area on the planet. Due to its high standards, but Kruger can sometimes feel like a massive Zoo. Try to avoid the holidays, when the stock usually full are

Etosha National Park -. Namibia

Etosha in northern Namibia (meaning the "great white place of dry water" is) was my first safari. The best part is the Okaukeujo campsite, located near a waterhole, which is illuminated at night. Since most of the animals are active at night, you get a good look at their natural behavior. I remember one rhino watching a drink when a huge bull elephant entered the frame. The lone rhinoceros pivoted 180 degrees, snorted, scraped all four feet on the dusty ground and billed. advised the elephant panicked and accelerated in the crisp Namibian bush. The rhino returned to his seat, emptied his glass, and finally waddled into the darkness

South Luwangwa National Park -. Zambia

Although it is not good is this isolated part of Zambia is known, is definitely worth a trip. This place makes you feel like you are really in the wilderness. The camps are not fenced and can watch over your tent next to the south Luwangwa River where you can swim hippos and crocodiles. This is my favorite game park because it is the hordes of vehicles missing to see you in so many other parks. South Luwangwa one of the highest concentrations of leopards has - the hardest member of the Big 5 -. And that is the only place in Africa and I have seen have

Serengeti National Park Masai Mara National Park - Tanzania and Kenya

the Serengeti and Masai Mara National Parks are probably the most famous parks in this list, and for good reason. Since most of the landscape savannah (or flat meadows) is wildlife view is very high. The parks are adjacent through two countries and are known for the annual migration of wildebeest, which includes the treacherous crossing of the Mara River, usually around July or August. It is also easy here to discover many of the big cats. For example, I have the picture above from my car window

Ngorogoro Crater -. Tanzania

This crater formed millions of years ago when a huge volcano exploded. Now it is a great natural zoo, thousands of animals that use this area as a good place to nibble on grass and each other. You can at the edge of the crater to camp, but do not walk at night out of the tent. You might walk into a lion, elephant, or warthog! The best thing about the Ngorongoro crater in the camp itself. Animals run freely in and out of the crater and often through the unfenced campsite. I love trying asleep hearing hungry lions in the distance howl to fall. That's what makes this place so great. It makes you feel alive

Okavango Delta -. Botswana

The Okavango Delta is basically a large swamp that drains domestically in the Kalahari Desert. This phenomenon has to be Okavango Delta caused an oasis of wildlife such as crocodiles, elephants and lions. Once again, there are a number of accommodation facilities here. My favorite was a permanent tent the marsh overlooking. You can hear elephants and hippos at night go by. Safaris here are different - they usually involve in a Mokoro (a hollowed-out piece of fiberglass) canoeing. Once you reach dry land, there are safaris throughout Delta on foot, and you will probably come across animals only do their own thing.

There are many ways to book one of these safaris. You can book directly in the respective country or before you go. You will usually find cheaper options, if you book directly on the land. But no matter where you are going, and how to get there, a safari will be an adventure of a lifetime.

Anthony runs The Travel Tart, the funny, offbeat focused on, and strange aspects of the world are traveling today. Feel free to say hello on Twitter. These photos are of his safaris.

The death of nostalgia

The death of nostalgia -

Although I always like to visit new destinations, if I really like a place I want to go back, and I often visit places I've been , In February I went back to Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. The last time I was there was in 03, and I remember, Manuel Antonio for its amazing number of monkeys, lush jungles and wide, white sandy beach. While it was tourist time, I would not say that it was "overdeveloped."

When I came back this year, I was shocked to find that the only thing that I I could see from Manuel Antonio used to know the beach was. The road runs between Quepos boasted (the nearest main town) and Manuel Antonio even a single restaurant, but now it is with hotels, resorts and overpriced restaurants lined with Western or Americanized dishes. The beach, which was once so calm, is now filled with hawkers food retailers and parasols.

One of the things the Manuel Antonio so special is the park, sitting on the edge of town. To get there in 03, you had to wade through a mouth, and enter through a small gate. If you were late to the park, meant the rising tide for swimming had! Now there is a new entrance from the street and a park center. What makes it worse is the huge hotel, which was built right at the park entrance. Tranquillity was disturbed.

When I was there in 03, I have five feet could not walk without tripping over an animal. Monkeys were everywhere, and I saw deer, land crabs, birds and animals by the name, I did not know. Now, I could hardly hear the sounds of the monkeys in the trees, and I have not seen a land crab in the park, which was not dead. The only monkeys I saw were those who wait on the beach waiting to be fed by tourists.

I was there with Jess and Dani Globetrotter Girls. Dani has never been there, but Jess had in 00, and we both commented on and complained of the change visited. "We might as well be in America," she said. "That could be, Hawaii, California and Florida."

Manuel Antonio had wondered if history might be too much a bad thing. Some time ago I wrote a post called as travel for the world's poor. In it, I said.

"Tourism is not the most environmentally friendly activities fly, cruise, eating out, and go to all have a negative impact on the environment Most people, when they travel constantly, use. you towels in hotel rooms, leave the air conditioning, or forgetting to turn off the light. Jet-setting around the world on airplanes or driving around in an RV all contribute to global warming. between waste, development and pollution, we do exactly what the Beach said that we would do the very paradise we are destroying, we are looking. "

One of my favorite travel books is the Beach . I am only too well to the theme of the book. The book is about how travelers, especially backpackers who are looking for paradise, which is not available outside of their heads and how even if they find something great, they end up ruining it. On the street I often encounter travelers who talk about how good a place 10 years ago, but as "tourists" have now ruined. It is always said with snide superiority, and I hate it. "If you do not like it, why are you back?" I tell them. have now come back to a place I do not to have been in seven years, I wonder if I like to be the travelers. Do I have to be blunt, or am I just romanticizing the past?

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Certainly development brought many great things to Manuel Antonio. The local economy is booming now that there is a lot more work for locals. There is more money for better roads and infrastructure. The water is now to drink clean. There are more accommodations for visitors. The pollution and environmental destruction seen in so many seaside resorts is not there yet. I can still swim in the water, the park has not been cut down, and the streets are not filled with garbage.

But what is the heart of a place? Has the development of the soul of Manuel Antonio destroyed? I noticed that the prices are much higher, and there are many great hotels that are environmentally friendly in any way. The road from the nearby capital city of Quepos is now filled with hotels, and the jungle that was there has disappeared. The clearest for me was the lack of animals in the park, which were by the sudden influx of people almost certainly has scared them chasing this trophy Reisefotografie down.

I can not help that to think what I love about this place is gone. "There are too many people here," I said Jess. "It's too touristy now." And after I said it, I thought back to the traveler, I've met and thought ". Ohh, no I have become that Man?" Have I become what I hate? But now I see to do so often try ineloquently major point those travelers. It's not that the place is now bad. What those travelers are really excited about, is that the image ruined in their mind. What they remember ... what they came back for ... is no longer there.

The romantic picture she painted disappeared and with it their innocence.

Yes, there is more of everything in Manuel Antonio. It is much more developed, but that does not make it bad. It does not mean that it "ruined." I still recommend Manuel Antonio for travelers, and I'll probably go back again. What really upset me is not the development in Manuel Antonio, but my own loss of innocence. It was the realization that the romantic image is in my head now not reality. change places. They do not stay the same. As much as we want for this place be, as we will leave it, that can never happen. We can never simply put us back in our memory and in the past. Life is linear. It changes.

was at the end of Manuel Antonio never destroyed. My false picture of reality was, but in the long run, it's just better places to enjoy as they are and not complain about how they are used.

For more back to places you love to read this article:

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Ko Lanta: The Thai Iceland Paradise That remains
My Paradise Beach
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