The passenger wishlist 09

The passenger wishlist 09 -

With the new year a week away and Santa Claus visit tonight, it's time to create a travel wish list for 09:

Dear Santa,

There is a great 08. we like to think has been to we good this year travelers were. We started many good travel sites, met great travelers, attended charity, went some companies green, and traveled more people to the green path. More and more people around the world traveled this year and more people inspired to travel themselves. We did our best and we were good! However, not everything is perfect in the world of travel and there are still some things that should change.

Since we so good boys and girls this year, please bring us these presents in 09:

More green travel It's great that the environment is travel on the rise, but too many people still rely big footprints wherever they go .. you stay in big hotels, waste energy and make high impact sightseeing tours. It would be nice to see more people traveling green and a local and eco-friendly companies like Intrepid Travel (And as a reader of this website, you are 10% increase every multi-day trips over USD $ 500 Click here to see the exclusive Promo -Code).

Better airlines . Give those airlines coal for bad. You keep raising rates and cutting services. Worse, they make it more difficult, the miles we use growing up did. Can we please have some good airlines in 09? No hidden fees, fuel surcharges, expensive food, expensive pillows and surly, underpaid staff. simply replicate the Singapore or Emirates Air model for anyone. Sorry?

travel companies that the Internet . The Internet is the future of travel so many companies have such a small web profile and not their consumers to engage in an effective manner. More than that, they ignore the robust online travel community. We reach their audience more effectively on the web than they do. It would be nice if many of the major travel companies more of a Web 2.0 presence and had made information available online. It is good for them and good for consumers.

Peace on earth. just thought that we would ask. It's worth a try.

More cultural exchanges . Can schools and universities around the world to participate in more cultural exchange? Meeting new people and learning about new cultures is the essence of travel and that can change the world. Education and study abroad programs enrich everyone involved and everyone goes off to learn something new. Perhaps we are optimistic, but by learning that we are all not so different, we may be a little closer to this peace on earth, what to get.

Better consumer protection . It's not easy to be a traveler. Airlines cancel fights, tours are not what they said they were, mistakes happen, fraud occur, and there are many accidents that can happen. Often companies have a wealth of ways to say it's our fault, and then load a fee to fix it. It would be nice if consumer advocate groups and travelers together to stop these practices.

Great travel deals. The economy could go into recession and a depression. Oil prices are down. Tourism is down. It makes for a good time for companies to reduce prices and offer great deals. Make it possible. We want to travel more. And travel cheap.

Better environmental protection. It's great that more people are traveling around the world in overseas, but that takes its toll on the environment, as more people in places like the Great Barrier Reef, Patagonia, Africa, Hawaii , Brazil hurry, and much more. Many people and governments are short-term economic gains for long-term environmental protection. It would be good if the government focuses more on sustainable tourism and people to educate its advantages. Because when all the animals are gone, you will want to see that go Africa? If the coral reefs have disappeared, the dive shop goes with. It's lose-lose.

So Santa, that's what we want for Christmas. A green, better travel world. Is that too much? You're welcome. We will be good in 09, promises.

Signed,

travelers the world

What life in Bangkok Taught Me

What life in Bangkok Taught Me -

I now have up and down two years living in Bangkok. It has become my base of operations, the place I come back if I'm the money and have to work. I have developed a network of friends, business contacts, learned the language, and dominates the city. But now this chapter in my life is over.

I came here with my friend Scott in 05. We were on vacation from work and when landing in Bangkok, decided the first thing we had to do was figure out, like you. We did not want the city. It was dirty, crowded, dirty, dingy and dull. We were glad to leave. And when I returned to Thailand in 06, I spent only 10 hours in the city, before they leave for the islands.

But if I learn Thai, I decided to Bangkok moved because this is the best place to learn language (given would have a tough local accent, it is in one of the learning outside provinces Bangkok Thai the proper Thai). I thought I would find it difficult to leave it for a month and. But soon things changed, and I found myself living in the city. Then, before I knew it, I had fallen in love. The city has much to offer, if you know where to look.

When I go, I can not help but think of all the things that this city has taught me.

Bangkok taught me that first impressions are almost always wrong. I hated the city, when I came here, but the longer I stayed, the more the city will open for me and the more I found it an exciting and captivating place to live. If I had judged my first impression, I would never have been and I never would have enjoyed it.

Bangkok taught me that ideas about safety are overrated. In the West we are very safety conscious. And if we are not, someone will be sure to sue us. But here you see small children motorbikes and people cross the busy roads run, jump up and down buses and walking on sidewalks with gaping holes into tubes. West lawyers would have a field day here. But living here, I have learned that security, while important, is not as important as a level head. Few accidents occur because most people are only aware of their surroundings and use their heads.

So are ideas about cleanliness . Last night, I ate Thai food on the street next to a motorcycle stand. The night before I had made with chicken, which was significantly (on ice) sitting there for some time chicken BBQ. The woman who cooks my Pad Thai uses her hands to make it. But here I am, still alive. They say that a large part of the reason why children develop allergies, because we are so hyper clean that their bodies do not develop resistance. There is no discussion about peanut allergies and wheat allergies here. Our species lasted thousands of years a bit dirty. Bangkok has taught me that a little dirt never hurt anybody really.

Bangkok taught me that I can be unmusical still yet to learn a tonal language. I love to learn languages. I am also learning horrible at them. It takes a long time to get a new one. I still can not roll my R when I speak Spanish, although I began to study when I was in high school. Although I do not believe it, tell my Thai friends my pronunciation is very good. I'm not fluent, but I can hold a simple conversation with the taxi driver. If I get my head around Thai, my upcoming forays into French and German should not be so difficult.

Most importantly, taught me Bangkok I can make it anywhere. I moved anything and not knowing anyone here. I spent the first few days alone and on my computer. But within a few months I had made friends, get a job, found an apartment, and learned the language. I was a resident of Bangkok. I managed to survive and even thrive on my own without any help. Bangkok showed me that I could be separate and independent entity. Now as I go in the same situation to Taipei, I'm not worried. If I manage in a city, I can manage another.

living abroad has taught me so much more than you really are discussed in a blog post. So it helped me overcome a lot of my travel fears in such a strange city. I am glad I made the decision, all before that time to stay. I am also glad that I came into the City of Angels for a final stint back in August. I'm not sad to leave here, though. I'll be back.

And now I wonder, to learn by as much in Bangkok, which Taipei teach me?

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Bangkok!

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How to

How to - to choose the right destination

It can be difficult to know where to start when planning the dream trip. What is the first step? What's the second? Third? Fourth? The journey may appear with as much information as a huge issue and the longer you go away, the more things you have to think you seem. I want your next break, family vacation planning, around the world, or backpacking trip simple and easy.

With over 1,400 articles on this website to find out what you need to appear tough, but on this page, you are at planning a trip in connection with a curated list of the best articles on this website find - whether it is about a two-week vacation to Italy, or one year trip around the world. The tips are divided into categories, so you can find the information they need quickly and effectively. Click on the images to see a list of related blog posts.

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Staycation

Staycation -

There always seems to be a new concept entering the travel lexicon: traveler, tourist, Flashpacker, Voluntourism ... to define people something, always happy , Then again, I think, give something a name means that you feel like you understand it. And the last word, which seems to catch on is, "staycation". (Okay, the word has been around for a while, but if my friends on Facebook tell me they take a "staycation" that's when I know that the word has gone mainstream.)

A "staycation" is officially defined (by me) than to stay at home, during the time of the work instead of taking off overseas or go to some other place.

There are many travel words that I'm a fan of, but "staycation" is not one of them. It is a way for people to convince themselves that they are doing something when they really just to stay home from work -. A little mental maneuvering to convince them that they are on vacation

But a holiday (vacation) is when you leave the comfort of your home and go somewhere. It does not take a place far and to be your trip, does not have to be long. You can go for a few days on holiday to Europe or in the next town over. Take a weekend in the woods. All you need to do is something different from your normal routine. from work for one week stay is not a holiday - it's for a week home from work to stay. Additionally, you could stay at home to try your work email or drop in stressful habits to check that you are getting one of the great advantages of a holiday do not be: time to relax

But there is a holiday so appreciated by the people, the people of this stay-at-home activity pursued as something special have. You already know how I feel, but if you a on the intentions of the "staycation", there are a number of things that you can do things to mix, to stay at home while.

Volunteer [1945008ausderNorm] break and help others to go with your time. There are many people who need help now.

Learning a new skill. Take a cooking class, learn, or learn how to build desks Yoga. Learn how to build a travel blog. A holiday need not to go anywhere. You can learn something new. If you want to stay at home, then stay home and do something.

Take a Road Trip. If you have a lot of time away from work, you should go and do something. Remember, travel does not have to be on an exotic location - it can happen right in your own hometown. Walk a few days to explore your surroundings. to learn something new about your hometown, can always go somewhere only be as good as on a plane.

You Make a goal. Try to do something different every day, to keep things interesting. Why not make it a game? Promise every day to try to present a new kind of ethnic food, or watch a movie from another country, or visit a new part of the city. Travel is to learn about new things and try something else. Do it begins at home still that essence.

Traveling is more than moving from place to place. It involves various activities outside the normal comfort zone to do. So, if you want to move really stay at home to new ideas out of your mental comfort zone and travel. It is sitting better than a week on the couch and "American Idol." Only, please, avoid the typical watching "staycation".

Can you long journey?

Can you long journey? -

I was talking about Nicole is more a few days ago about life plans better when I pushed the travel world as I press all traveling the world , While talking to her, I realized that I did not know what I would do if I stopped traveling. In fact I move so long that I can not imagine life any other way. Travel has become a lifestyle for me. Always on the move, always on the road, always somewhere else.

I still have a number of objectives have to visit before I become "semi-nomadic Matt." But finally, I'll slow down. It is inevitable. But that frightens me. I have forgotten what it is, for more than 6 months to live in a place

All this makes me wonder, -. You can travel for too long? If travel is a lifestyle, you're really better off? Most travelers who take a long-term trip do it as a career break or take the infamous break, which lasts for a year to a year and a half. Then it's back home and in the real world. (Not completely, of course, because most people are coming back from trips like this with a new set of work / life priorities. But they still go back.) There are the digital nomads are working from the road and move from place too slowly. Then there are the real long-term travelers like me who have gone for many years, with no end in sight.

This is when travel is a lifestyle. And, like any life, it is hard and scary to dispense. So much courage it takes to go away from the cabin and on the road to head out, it just takes a lot of courage to get away from the street to step and a routine life back. Traveling is finally everything you know. It's all I know. After about 4-5 months in one place, I anxious and nervous, and I have to move again. I think worth seeing at all the goals and think about how I should get it soon. I formulate plans with friends and are planning vacations in distant places. I change constantly, where I am going and to make new plans. This summer, I'm off to Europe, then in Australia and New Zealand. I want to see Africa and South America. All this means that I will be the constantly moving years down the road ahead of me, and I entrenched even more in this life.

But finally we all need a fixed address. We can several months traveling take remote targets, but everyone needs a place to call home. You can spend your time not from one place to another - it is unrealistic. It is a lonely lifestyle always reliable friends say never long enough to be in a place to make a real relationship, never to get to know a place. Everyone needs roots at some point. The long, long time travelers I know finally get a home base.

So you can travel to long? Yes, I think you can. If travel is a way of life, I think it's a sign you've been on the road long. At this point travel is your life - it's what you do, and there is nothing else. They have no home or fixed place, and friendships are always short-lived, because in about 5 months, you will be gone. It is a good way, but not a good way to live, to live forever.

I sometimes think I've been too long on the road. But I am ready even to renounce this lifestyle? No not yet. Because if I think I might be ready, as I remember, I still have not climbed Kilimanjaro, appeared in the South Pacific or sailed the Amazon still down, and then I realize that I still have a bit more with this life that I go run now.

Changing the travel style

Changing the travel style -

Every time someone asks me what kind of traveler I am, I say always, I'm a backpacker. It's what I do since I left home in 06, I stay in hostels, live in dormitories, stay with walkers, travel with them cheap food, cheap travel, and all that with my big backpack faithful. In many ways, I am a budget traveler, but overall I consider myself from the backpacker mentality.

But things are changing. Maybe it's time. Maybe it's income. Whatever it is, I feel that my travel style changed slowly and that the worst thing is that I know it. I've already upgraded me to Flashpacker. You know - one of those travelers who a little more money, much more fancy electronics, and not always looking for the cheapest accommodation or eat

When I first started traveling, I always walked. for the cheapest option. Large dormitories. Eating and Drinking in hostels. The buses. Hitching. Night trains. Constant haggling. Street food. Stealing additional rolls for breakfast. Well, I go for smaller dorms, I do not mind flying, and I do not like to travel to the country to cook pasta in a hostel. (I dine out. A lot.)

I'm not the 21-year-old child out on a finite budget. When most backpackers around the world to head off, they have a limited budget. They saved a certain amount of money, and if that is output, the ride is over. But for me, I make my money at this website, so I would not that have the limitation. Money flows constantly, because I work and travel at the same time.

This has said to some upscaling on my travels and, frankly, I'm not sure if I like it. I like to be the vagabond backpacking travelers. I think it's an organic way, the world, and a better way to see, to communicate with the locals and get the local culture to discover. My travel philosophy is to live like a local. The closer you live as the locals do, the more understanding of their culture you may have.

However, the more you upscale your travel, the more you lose, the local pulse. It's hard to explore local life fly from place to grab. Sitting in a fancy restaurant or take private buses to a country separated from the majority of the local population. but you do not know about. Nevertheless, I find myself more and more upscaling.

After so many years of traveling, I just want some conveniences. Part of me (especially the frugal extracts) is to remain always on the lookout for the best place, but when I find it and stay there, I find myself unhappy and unable to sleep able. I can not do the cheap bed more easily.

may have a part of it to do with the fact that I live for a while in Asia and in this area of ​​the world feels more like home than a lie I travel. But even when I go away, I feel like I'm away from my roots. I want more than I did in the past.

I do not like it. It makes me wonder - what moves a person away from their original travel style? Older? Income? Relationship? A combination of all? Can you still the tramp were you when you were younger? If you want to change, you can change back? Or should we accept it only as another part of life? Can we just a modified Backpack living lifestyle, or will be a point where I hostels and places like Khao San Road still without?

I have no good answer to any of these questions.

You are only as old as you feel. And I do not feel old. I enjoy hanging there with the college aged backpackers - they keep me young. But as I get older, and I can afford it, more things to do and eat at better places, I want more creature comforts. That moved me away from my old backpack lifestyle and I'm not sure, I just want to travel to renounce style.

I see change in front of me every day my travel style, but I'm not sure how the rising tide to stop.

The best sunsets I've seen

The best sunsets I've seen -

It is here in Bangkok to rain, and when I flipped through a few photos, I realized I wanted to see some sun. Then it occurred to me why a blog not sunsets? I've seen tons of sunsets. I make it a point to see it. "Catching a" Not only, but active a place you go to watch. I love her. And not in the "I like long walks on the beach" fashion. I love the colors, the calmness- sunsets are relaxing. So on this Sunday morning, get relaxed with this great sunsets that I have ever seen. Unfortunately, this is just a snapshot. All the things were great to sit and watch

North Carolina, USA -. January 06

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica - April 04

Phnom Pehn, Cambodia - February 07

Bangkok, Thailand - December 05

Ko Lanta, Thailand - November 06

Florence, Italy - October 06

Exmouth, Australia - December 07

The Grand Canyon, Arizona - June 06

New Mexico, USA - June 06

Karijini National Park, Australia - December 07

The Desert, Australia - January 08

Placencia - January 06

My first travel series: On the road

My first travel series: On the road -

The editorial NOTE: People are always asking about my first trip around the world. Look in the archives and can never find it. It's because I hid it. All posts from my first trip are locked away for many reasons. But I will periodically posts from this first trip around the world are highlighting. And me having about to head home for a few months, there is no better way to say the end of a leg as of first of the legs on the first entry in this week!

24 July 06

The time has come finally for me to leave Boston. After a year and a half of waiting, planning, waiting, it is finally to go at the time. It has made me not really, I really do that. Right now, I'm just anxious to get on the road and start. I'm somewhere safe, the US cross in my car and overlooking some vista, I'll know that I on actually do this and just grin ear to ear. I am very excited to see the world. I've never really traveled a lot and I'm really looking forward to break free of life and to explore the world. I'm nervous, but it's of excitement in the shade. As it stands now, I'm not going back until comes to be October 07 . It will be more than a year that I am a thought Away that excites me and makes my parents sad. This is to be gone a long time, but I'm really looking forward to be there and to see so many new and different things. For the first time I feel totally free. I have nothing to do me now something to keep back. no bills to end any degree to pay, no leases to remain without a job to keep me. I always like to plan things, always like to know what is the next step, but for once, there is no next step ... and I love it! The future is a mystery. Well, I'll never really know where the day may take me. I have made this trip for me many targets ... Start doing yoga again give up gambling (evil), push ups a day to meditate, and more photos. I hope I achieve them. The American way of life is structured so that it feels strange not to know what I'm doing. I think when I get used to it. I wonder what is again like setting, but for now, today is the first day of the rest of my life, and I will finally try these dreams to live in my head.

I will miss you all, while I'm gone, but if you get stuck in planning a vacation, you look at me! Perhaps we will be able to meet somewhere. I am thrilled to see so many of these long lost friends when I go cross-country and quite a few visitors have while I'm abroad. I'll I can do this blog to update the best while I travel and try to stay on my e-mail above. The Internet makes it easy to stay in touch, and I hope that many of you reading this, comment and stay in touch! Do not be a stranger.

... because come tomorrow ....

Tomorrow I'll be gone.

Free things to do in Washington to do DC

Free things to do in Washington to do DC -

Last week I was in Washington DC, to visit the city, meet some bloggers, and go to a close friend wedding. I've been many times in Washington DC, and I love the city. There are people from all over the world, making the city very versatile, varied, and a gourmet dream. Yet there is a really big disadvantage of the city: cost. Washington DC is not a cheap city. With all these free spending politicians, lobbyists and diplomats floating around the city prices are driving, here costs are quite high. Meals, hotels, transportation, park them all on in a lot of money. Luckily, there are many great free things in the city for all travelers do:

Visit the Supreme Court - The Supreme Court is free and there are typing 40 -minütige lectures for free in the main hall. It is to find a very detailed way how the court works.

Visit the Capitol Building -The Capitol offers free guided tours throughout the day. Tickets are available at 8:30 am on a first-come, first-serve basis available. Go early because the cards are gone very quickly usually. You can also get tickets to sit in the kitchen and watch the Congress in the session. These cards are also first come, first serve

Visit the Smithsonian museums -. All Smithsonian museums (and there are a lot) are free, and they even offer free Wifi. Two of the museums offer IMAX films (which are not free), and if you save your stub, you can have a second film four dollars. The museums around the National Mall (the large park in the city center)

Visit the monuments -. All sights around the National Mall are free and you can see the better part of a day, how they spend. They are many monuments to the fallen heroes of our wars, of which the popular Vietnam War Memorial probably be found. There are also many monuments to our past presidents. I'm a big fan of the FDR Memorial, it is relaxing, has a small garden, and is not very busy

Visit the National Zoo -. As part of the Smithsonian, this is free of charge. It's a good zoo with many animals

in a happy hour -. After a long day of walking and sightseeing, you will probably have a nice drink could use and meal. Fortunately DC is full of happy hour. Go to Georgetown or Dupont Circle and enjoy good food at a great discount.

Washington DC not always cheap, but many of the major attractions of the city are free. These activities will keep you busy for a few days, so you see a lot of DC, taking in the country's history, and not spend much money.

For more information on traveling to visit the United States, my country and city guide to US

Credit :. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

If you Contiki?

If you Contiki? -

A few weeks ago, Vacations Contiki put a message on Facebook that "it can save about doing literally hundreds of dollars going with Contiki on your own" and that backpacking was "so 1997" amused, I tweeted how that was not right, because independent budget travel is getting cheaper. Contiki tweeted otherwise.

Regardless of whether you believe Backpacking, "so 1997" is (it is not), it does not change the fact that Contiki is NOT cheaper than independent travel , and I found it totally insincere they even tried to make this point (twice!). The Contiki tweeter pointed out that they receive group rates and thus get better deals. I do not think so. I've been on tours. I like trips. They have their moments and may be particularly good for first time travelers who want to go places, but are afraid to do it yourself. But even the best companies are never cheaper than solo travel. This is because these companies have to pay for guides, buses, insurance and administrative costs.

But the reality is in the numbers. For instance, let us at a "budget" European tours of Contiki look. I called Contiki to ensure that all my information was correct. And it is important to note that the operators said that the rules by which the budget tours work, are the same as the others. The difference between budget tours and other tour classes is simple accommodation standards

European Horizon Tour (12 days tour) -. Contiki calls this a 12-day tour for $ 1415 or $ 117 per day. The tour includes 10 nights (3 to 4 people per room), 9 breakfasts and 6 dinners. However, Day 1 is the day you fly to Europe and the last day is a transfer to the airport, so this really 10-day trip at $ 141 a day. Now suppose, your average budget meal in Europe 8 Euro and another $ 145 added to your trip (10 x lunch, 3 x breakfast). Furthermore, no entry fees to all attractions are included. Most people spend about 20 € per day ($ 280) on fees attraction entrance. In addition, the average cost of a flight to Europe is now $ 0th Adding the numbers up, the total cost for this trip is now to include $ 2,440 without alcohol, all optional activities, or a little more than a budget meal. So for 10 days you really do not spend $ 244 per day $ 117th

In contrast, it is on their own to do. For ten days of travel, you get numbers that look like this: Flight = $ 0 meals = 280 $ (20 € for 10 days), visit = 280 $ (20 € per day), transport = $ 250 (commuter travel) property = $ 420 (4-bed dormitory, bath at € 30 per night) bring your total $ 1,830. Note : For accommodation, I used the prices Amsterdam. This tour goes to many places, but Amsterdam is one of the most expensive cities in Europe, which ensures I not to "lowball" estimates for literary effect trying am accused.

This is a Difference $ $ 0 , not including the fact that most hostels have breakfast (reducing costs) are, you can CouchSurfing ( lowering costs), or your own meals (reducing costs to make). Although backpacking is so 1997, you can not of course, by saving on Contiki hundreds of dollars.

What you get for their money? Well, in my opinion, not what I want. I have never taken a Contiki tour. I have often thought about, but I have never to be quick to justify the cost and pace shuffled through Europe was the only way I can celebrate more. Aligned looking at 18-35 year olds for a good time, tours on Contiki tend to be filled with parties, young people and alcohol. Most travelers on these routes have only a few weeks in Europe and are here to have fun before they return to work. Friends of mine have gone on Contiki, and they all come back with the same story. It was fun, they have taken a lot of people, and they celebrated hard

avoid I tours in general, because I do not like to spend a day here and there a day. And Contiki is this type of travel companies. Well, I'm not here to blow Contiki. Contiki trip works for many people, and they have a clearly defined target group (of which I am a part of it). I'm not even travel groups rays. I think that in mind, to get a lot of value a tour. However, I found to explain disingenuous of them it simply, they are cheaper than doing it on your own. Since they are not there. In fact, not a travel organization is All what they cover administrative costs that you do not.

I'm a big fan of G Adventures. I have done many of their tours and my first trip with them inspired me to travel. Travel companies will plan for you travel, while you pass an environment structured as you want. You can highly structured tours or tours go, where to days and days to do to get yourself what you want. The people on these tours are for a good time, but they are not looking for an alcohol-filled time. But even during these tours be too cheap tend they are still not cheaper than independent travel.

There are many good tour companies are out there. Every company, including Contiki, has a specific audience and is right for certain types of travelers. But do not be under the impression that tours are cheaper, and do not buy into the sales pitch that they are.

The Joy of Coming Home

The Joy of Coming Home -

Coming home from a trip around the world can be a real culture shock and sometimes the initial enthusiasm wears off quickly in the reality that you do not more trips. It may be to deal with a hard transition. They go from something new every day on the same thing every day. It is not a simple adaptation for humans, as the comments in the linked article above can attest to. But there are many good things to come on home. I have now been two months at home, and although there have been severe bouts of boredom, it's been nice to be home. It's good to see your family, great night's sleep, relax on the couch, and have mom make breakfast. It's good to see your pet is still nice to know that they missed you. My dog ​​hit me almost as if I came home and grabs me even when I get in the door, even though I only assume it is because he knows that I'll feed him.

return home gives you the chance to catch up with old friends. No matter how many people I meet on the street, no matter how many times I visit on my travels, it's still nice to come back to the people you are known five, 10, 15 years. People you grew up with and know pretty much everything about you. There is a nice intimacy to the. There is no permanent introductions or explain who you are, where you are, where you've been, etc, etc. You can easily pick up where you left off. It is always interesting to see how life has at home for my girlfriend changed life again. I have new couples come back, new children and new marriages.

One thing I love to come home is that I see my old haunts. I am always excited to eat all my favorite restaurants. I think I've eaten in my local sandwich shop every other day, as I was at home. And not even me on the amount of time to start I had Taco Bell! (I know it's bad for you, but I just love it!) I'm always amazed at all the new restaurants and buildings that spring, while I'm gone. Everywhere I go something has changed. It's kind of like all over again when traveling. I come home in the familiar, but am yet to explore the unknown.

I think you get a new appreciation and insight into their own culture. to be in America, back and traveling around has given me that sometimes the States receive realize a bum wrap made of myself. There are a lot of beautiful places and people here. While there are many problems in the US are (I am particularly disappointed when I see the current divisiveness in the news), there are also many great things here that are often overlooked, especially in the discussions on the United States, the in occur the hostels around the world. The people are friendly, the food can be great, the cities wonderful, and the geographic diversity is amazing. It might not be perfect, but there are certainly worse places to live.

Most importantly, come back home invites your travel batteries. Traveling for a long time takes, the excitement of travel. Finally, things just are "other" - another waterfall, another church, another jungle, another beach. You've seen it all. Stopping on the road you can help refresh, but it takes a trip back home to really wipe the panel clean. Last year, after 18 months on the road, I came home. I also had my trip cut short, to do so. I was burned out. But within a few weeks, I was ready to go again. Coming back home gives you an appreciation for all over again when traveling. After two months of being at home, I'm excited to leave on Sunday. It's like I start my traveling all over again. I can not be silent no longer sit - there is too much of the world to see.

Back home, boredom can happen pretty quickly if you do not own to keep busy. On the road you move around every day. There are places to see, food, people and things. There is constant stimulus. Even if you keep yourself busy, returning home can sometimes be a little underwhelming. But although comes home, can be a hard adjustment, it's not so bad.

Busting the Budget in Bordeaux

Busting the Budget in Bordeaux -

I knew that Bordeaux would be expensive. I was here last year to visit friends and got Bordeaux high prices firsthand experience. Coming back, I knew I would have to budget much. Bordeaux is an upscale city a city for shopping, eating and drinking. It sits in the center of the world-famous wine region, which bears his name, and thus tourists come here to eat, drink, experience wine, and be merry. Just like Napa Valley in California or Hunter Valley in Australia, prices reflect here that spending reality.

seen as budget travelers, I always try places on the cheap. I am proving of travel, is not expensive, and the more I save, the longer can I travel. And while you are eating sandwiches and buy cheap wine in the supermarkets here you will miss out on what makes Bordeaux so great. Bordeaux is not simply a budget hotel, and I spent more here in three days than I did in a week in Spain.

you need to bring these additional euro because here in Bordeaux, the food and wine is second to none. The area has been producing wine for centuries and has perfected this art. While I was disappointed that Bordeaux itself does not have much of interest in the way to see the architecture is beautiful and it is nice to just meander through the city only small alleys and cobbled streets.

What really came here because I was the wine. While there are many wine tour operators in the area, I found that the city tourist office offers many great ways. You can do on wine half day trips, day trips, multi-day tours or take classes. They do everything. The full-day tours range from € 55 to 0 and include lunch. But they were always full. Personally, I think the half-day tours are a better option. For 30 €, you can visit the afternoon spend two wineries. The tours run every day to another wine area in the region. I have two of these tours and the opportunity to learn enjoyed, such as the subtle variations in location and soil very different wines. a few half-day tours taking gives you the bigger picture rather than a day in a small area around Bordeaux spend.

In Bordeaux, wine is very regulated. Wineries can only produce a certain amount of wine each year and only by the nature of their region is best suited to produce. If you want to produce more or a different variety try, you're out of luck. In addition, all the wine in Bordeaux are mixed between Cabernet and Merlot grapes. Reds are usually produced closer to the sea, while the whites are produced in the south of the city tend and in between the two rivers that flow near Bordeaux. I learned a huge amount about the wine and the history of the region.

In addition to wine, what really makes Bordeaux amazing is the food. Following the advice of winetravel of Twitter, I decided to eat me at La Tupina. There is a traditional French restaurant with a southwest style French cuisine. The menu is quite small. They produce only a handful of traditional dishes, but the food is very, very good. You pay for them too as most of the dishes from € 18 to 40. The wine list ranges also contains an extensive list of local wines. I managed to get out of there without a lot of money, but the money I spent was worth it.

However, my favorite meal was at Le Petit Commerce. Located near the river, took my friend there last year for some great seafood, and I had to go back at this time. It took a while to find it again, but I did, and the seafood I had was amazing. My friend and I were there for about five hours for food and drink. The squid, shrimp, snails (yes, I tried the sea snails), the bread. All this was amazing. If you are ever in Bordeaux, I recommend this place. It is apparently quite famous for.

But no matter where you go in Bordeaux, you are good food and wine. The town is famous for it, and regardless of the night, any body fills with new people in order to find a new gastronomic delight. I have been many places I wish I had time to try. Come to Bordeaux is a great opportunity to eat and drink, and you will not go away disappointed. But they are removed with a much lighter wallet walk.

For more information, visit my page on backpacking Europe or my guide to France.

Balancing work and play in Bruges

Balancing work and play in Bruges -

Colin Farrell in the film In Bruges said that after such Bruges, you need either a farmer his or delay. For him, Bruges was hell. But I disagree. For me Bruges was very nice and very boring. I wanted to Bruges for a while to see, and this film will only increase this desire. But Bruges, as beautiful as it is, is like Venice. Or Siena. Or Bordeaux. It is best seen with someone, not solo.

But I found the city beautiful, nonetheless. The medieval architecture was great, but I quickly get a little boring. A romantic canal trip is not the same when you yourself are. Similar to Venice, I will go back if I am with people. The decision that my time was best spent next time, I decided to do some work. After traveling with people for a few weeks, I was behind. had to be blogs, written by emails answered, promotional offers are made, and do different things.

Many travelers want a travel blog have on their journey today. People also been in a lot of effort before they get it to leave and running and getting the bugs out of it. But on the street running a blog is not easy, and it is a constant struggle to balance work and play. Also try to publish images and load, a task that keeps you to spend hours in an internet cafe to update your friends and family.

If you want to do more, then spend even more time. If you want to run a business, then you will spend much of time.

Balancing work and play in the street is a big problem. I have not yet found a good balance, but I found that breaks from the trip takes Keeps Me usually work to accelerate. It does not always work out. Sometimes, I fall behind. But cities like Bruges provide a good opportunity to catch up. In fact, all quiet towns offer everyone that chance, because there is no wild nightlife to pull you. Only the rest of the city.

But that is not yet solve the work / life balance. It is a daily struggle, but here are some good tips and practices to help you to develop this balance:

• post in trains, planes and buses . Even if you do not have a laptop, a pen and paper is still a good way to write a draft. You are likely to catch more errors when you later write new thing. To better written contributions
• Take one day all of your important work to do . By a day to focus, the work is the only task, and not a distracting task or a burden.
• Set a time limit . Twitter, Facebook, the news all are large and all wonderfully disturbing. I've wasted on them for many hours. Treat yourself to a working time limit and stick to it. If you want to be for 2 hours on the computer, then you will "force" to concentrate.
• , create a to do list. create through a task list, you can know where your energies on the tasks to concentrate.
• You know your rhythm . I always work in the morning because that's when I'm most productive. You know, when you are the most productive, and always work.
• Wake up early . Waking up at 8 and is working with 10 still to do gives you all day!
• Get a smartphone . The iPhone has really useful for me. With the ability to check emails while waiting for planes or trains, I can kill time and to do some work.

These tips have helped me manage my time has improved, so that the work does not completely take over my life. Hopefully these tips will help you to manage the balance a little bit on the road.

Everyone says I'm running away

Everyone says I'm running away -

My father always asks what I'm running away from my travels. A few weeks ago, said one commentator walk me to stop off and live life. And I once came in a blog called "Mama says, I run away."

I'm not sure why, but it is this perception is that everyone who travels the long term and is not interested in something that needs should-do each gap sedentary or get a traditional job of something running away.

They are just trying to "escape life."

The general opinion that traveling are acceptable years after college and getaways. But for those of us who lead nomadic lifestyle, or just a bit too long somewhere linger before reaching the final stretch, we are accused of running away.

Yes, travel, but not for long.

we nomads have terrible, have miserable lives, or are strange, or have had something traumatic happen to us that we are trying to escape. People assume that we just run away from our problems, running away "the real world."

And for all those people who say that, I tell you-you are right.

That's right.

I on run away.

I walk away from your idea of ​​the "real" world.

I avoid your life

and instead, I'm all boils down to -. to the world, exotic places, new people, different cultures, and my own idea of ​​freedom.

Although there are exceptions can (as with everything are), most people, the vagrants, nomads and wanderers are doing this because they want to experience the world, to escape any problems. We run from the office life away, commuting and weekend errands, and running towards everything that has to offer the world. We (I) want to experience any culture, you will find every mountain, eating strange food, visit crazy festivals, meeting new people and different holiday enjoying around the world.

Life is short, and we only get to live it once. I want to look back and say that I did crazy things, not to say that I wish my life spent blogs like this reading, I was doing the same.

my perspective might be different from the rest of your Being American. In my country, you go to school, you get a job, get married, buy a house, and have your 2.5 children. Society boxes you in and restricts the movements of their expectations. It's like the Matrix. And any deviation is considered abnormal and strange. People want to go, say they envy what you do, they say wish they could do the same. But really, they do not. They are simply fascinated by a lifestyle so out of the norm. There is nothing wrong with a family to own the house or - most of my friends live a happy life do. However, the general attitude in the United States is " do it this way, if you should be normal. " And, well, I do not want to be normal.

I feel like the reason why we tell people we run away, because they can not grasp the fact that we shape and live outside the norm broke. To want to break all social conventions, it just has to be something wrong with us in order.

Years ago, "called The Secret " at the peak of the economic boom, a book came out. According to " The Secret ", if you can only wish and bad enough to want something, there you get. But the real secret of life is that you get what you want, when you do what you want.

Life is what you make it to be. Life is to provide you. We are all of the burdens we place on ourselves, whether it is chained to bills, errands, or, like me, self-imposed deadlines blogging. If you really want something, you have to go after him.

people who travel the world, not run away from life. Just the opposite. Those who break the mold, to explore the world, and live according to their own conditions are run to preserve life, in my opinion. We have a degree of freedom, a lot of people will never know. We get the captains of our ships to be. But it is a freedom that we wanted. We looked around and said. " I otherwise want" It was that freedom and attitude that I saw years with travelers before which do inspire me what I'm doing now I saw. as they break the mold and I thought to myself: "Why not me"

I will not run away

I am in the world with and my idea of. life.

and I plan to never be seen again.

Why Americans still do not Overseas Travel

Why Americans still do not Overseas Travel -

Last year I wrote an article about why Americans do not travel overseas. It still counts as my most popular post, both agreements and controversy triggered. In a 800-word post that could accommodate a novel, I tried to explain why Americans do not travel abroad. Many people agreed with me, many people do not. No matter what we all agree that Americans should travel more.

The current percentage of Americans who now own a passport around 21%, from 15% years. Unfortunately, this common statistic is to secure hard as the State Department not really records. But the number of Americans who traveled abroad declined overall since 06 (source: OTTI) Why do we get to go all the passes? Because we now passes for travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean have required. In fact, Mexico is traveling while traveling in Europe is down. not find Americans a new sense of adventure. There are not yet on the trip. And the reasons are the same.

Are geography and costs really relevant?
Many people met my argument by saying that the geography and the costs were large factors, but if the cost and geography played a decisive role where you have traveled, no one would ever travel. Yet New Zealand is the middle of nowhere and how many Kiwis make traveling as Americans? How many Aussies? Poverty is poverty. No matter where you are in the world if you have no money, you can not travel. But it is so much more expensive to fly from America? Nah! A flight from Los Angeles to BKK is $ 787 dollars. A flight from London to BKK is $ 654. A flight from Sydney to BKK is $ 794. Americans carry no additional cost burden in relation to the rest of the world.

And the geography argument? Well, I'll be in a second that you can get.

fear, awareness and priorities
The reasons why the Americans can not travel abroad mostly be explained by one thing: cultural ignorance. Many people believed in the previous post, I meant the Americans were stupid. I was meaning that it does not. The Americans are ignorant that they do not know about the world. We all have seen Jay clips and skits on television walking where the Americans can not name foreign leaders or countries. Moreover, to be further reduced as education budgets, humanity courses are to go is usually the first people, which means learn a little history. In some states, the whole world has to be declared within one year. Moreover, surveys show that news organizations dedicated to only 10.3% in foreign reporting in 08 (source), while odd, 13% case in Texas went to some polygamy. Americans are simply not told about the world or know vocal about.

And why should they be? Politicians and the media to paint the world as a scary place, filled with crime, hatred, terrorists. Bill O'Reilly, a man who has never been apparent in Amsterdam, the city has called a sinkhole. (Twice!) My mother keeps telling me if I anywhere in the world you are going to "be careful", as if the world is a big scary place. Many of my old colleagues do the same. We are told repeatedly that it is large, anti-Americanism in the world wherever you go, people you do not like. (A mistake that is often refuted in the media). Moreover, America's hegemony has ensured that we have been the dominant force in the world since the 2nd World War. Despite the rise of China, Brazil and India, our politicians tell us everything in America is the best (even # 38 in health care). Countries will always do what we want. America is the leader. We are the city on a hill. And if you're the best, why go to "godforsaken" countries where they hate you to be an American and rob power?

And why geography plays a role in why Americans do not travel. It is not that America's size makes prohibitive travel, its size is important, because people believe that it is to leave no reason. We do not need to "big scary places" to travel if we have deserts, tropical islands, mountains, endless summer, desert, snow, and more. to find Each landscape within America large limits. You can get everything here want. A friend from Iowa came to me once in Thailand. When she told her staff about her response was: "?. Thailand Where is the why would you get if you want a beach to go to Florida"

Finally, travel is often seen as a sign of weakness , Americans typically get about two weeks after the trip annually. Abroad, the average is about 4-5 weeks without ill. Thus, time is an important factor. It makes more sense for 3 weeks to Australia to fly, as it does for 1. But there is more to it than that. Tourism is not a priority. The compromise between time and money, Americans choose work and money. While I was home, it was a story on television about how a growing trend, there is only to take ONE week vacation. Two consecutive weeks is considered too many. It is a sign that your work is not important, are not a team player, or you are lazy. Workers are made to leave to feel guilty. And in this difficult job market, no one wants to seem set less than 110%.

Why the majority of Americans travel abroad a complex issue is not that as everything is more other cultural. Geography and costs are minor issues when compared with the meaning that we give to the work and insulation. As I said last year and have expanded on here, Americans traveling not because we simply not aware of the world and said that we scary it is out there does not have to BE instead go one week Florida with your.

change?
Last year I had said I had to see signs of hope that this will change. Younger people are more involved and more interested in the world. The Internet has made people to meet made more comfortable people around the world. But the cultural forces pushing against it strongly. A weak economy, a weak dollar and a weakening of the US seemed to make America more isolationist. I do not know the future. But I know that right now the Americans are still not traveling abroad. And, unfortunately, that will not change anytime soon.

Good iPhone Travel Apps

Good iPhone Travel Apps -

I have to travel to see with my iPhone for a few months now and the game with the various travel apps that are worth using. To be honest, most suck. They do not work well, they cost too much, or too easy. In addition, there are just too many redundant applications. we need as many applications to keep track of a flight or change dollars to euros? It's a shame, too, because travelers get more wired, and useful applications for the iPhone would do very well. While each has its own "best app" has list, these applications have to be useful to me:

These phrasebooks World Nomads language Guides- free and cover about the languages ​​everything you meet on the road , While I wanted to include more conversational phrases, they were pretty good for the basics and make a handy piece of conversation, if you use them in bars.

currency you want to know the latest currency rates? This free app gives you all the exchange rates you need to know. There are so many currency outputs apps, I'm not sure why anyone would buy one. This need Wi-Fi access to update prices when.

Twitter- While not a conventional travel application, Twitter is a good way to keep in touch with the people and other people on the road. You can use it to publish photos, goal get advice, and give people updates. There are a lot of Twitter applications are. The three most important are TweetDeck, Tweetie and Echofon. I use Echofon, because it is free and comes with Twitpic.

Kayaking Yet another free application, kayak app you can book flights, hotels search, and more. It is quite handy if you need to book things in flight or airline. This app requires an Internet connection.

HostelHERO- If you need to book a hostel, this app works well enough. It's not the best-it can not be updated much, and the interface is clunky, but to HostelBookers or Hostelworld create their own, this will do.

Google Maps Google Maps is free with a iPod device and is a lifesaver lifesaver ~~ POS = HEADCOMP. It helped me find my way to find hostels more time than I can count. The GPS works without is registered to a 3G or Wi-Fi network, but the cards are not to load without a connection.

Skype A good way to keep in touch with friends and family while you are a way. In fact, Skype is great if you need to make a call. Skype does not work if you are on a 3G network.

I TripIt- TripIt like because it can forward all your email booking info, and it will keep track of your iPhone. I often forget Given when and where I need to be (I misbooked just my hostel in Auckland), this program really comes handy, though clear, I need it more often to use.

TextPlus- Texting your friends all over the world can be expensive. But with textPlus, you can anyone in the world for free text. It is very convenient when you meet ups need to arrange the cities or want to stay in contact. This only works with American numbers.

mTrip- This app is pretty cool. It allows you to plan your trip, find restaurants, attractions and even the information to update, if you find a bug. There are also user reviews of sites and with the new augmented reality technology. Overall, I think it is a good app for people is, who want all the details of their journey and a mini guide book on their phone.

Around Me-This nifty app you can find it all around you. From banks, restaurants, shopping malls, ATMs, in the cinema, music Parks- standing near you appear on the map. I use it to find things I need (such as where the nearest ATM is) or things to do to find, when I'm bored.

Foursquare, you can not believe it, but these location-based social networking game is an amazing travel app. The program can in tips and suggestions in the system user and you can use the tips to find out what is interesting around you.

All Travel App Travel is an excellent place across Southeast Asia. It really is the place for Southeast Asia. Your travel apps are the best travel apps there. They provide all the information you could ever need on the destinations and they do not need Internet connection to view the maps. If you're going to travel Southeast Asia with an iPhone, it should have these applications on it. They are created the best destination Apps.

While there are probably many other applications, I have yet to discover, I have found that these have come in the most practical, often work without the Internet, or are just overall pretty damn cool.