Blog - Go Backpacking

A Weekend in the Yarra Valley

Chapel at Stones in Yarra Valley (photo: Andrew Braithwaite)

Located just an hour's drive from hustle and bustle of Melbourne, the picturesque Yarra Valley is home to a plethora of award-winning and boutique wineries, as well as many artisanal food producers, art galleries, quaint shops, and stunning scenery.

Indeed, the region is a wonderful place to explore on holiday or weekend getaway, with plenty to see and do.

If you are planning a trip to the Valley, a great way to explore the region is via campervan.

A campervan provides you the freedom to enjoy tasting plenty of the local specialties and catching a quick nap before you hit the road.

Luxurious campervan company Maui, have their Platinum Beach camper available from just $1,848AUD for seven days hire.

The Platinum Beach camper comfortably sleeps four adults, has modern bathroom facilities including shower and toilet, and a 4 burner gas stove as well as a grill.

For those wine connoisseurs, the Yarra Valley is a mecca for lovers of bold, complex reds or crisp, clear whites and for your first day visit it is recommended that you visit some of the amazing vineyards in the region.

The TarraWarra Winery Estate is one of the more popular wineries in the region.

Operating with a respect for sustainability across 400-hectares, the winery produces some first-rate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varietals with prices starting from around $22AUD per bottle.

If you are looking to taste test the winery's produce, the TarraWarra Cellar Door has a comprehensive selection of quality tasting wines and while you there, also sample the local fresh produce, expertly prepared by Chef Robin Sutcliffe, at the on-site restaurant.

After filling your belly with fine food and drink, you can set up camp for the night at the nearby BIG4 Badger Creek Holiday Park in Healesville.

The park contains a variety of powered site options for campervans, with prices starting from around $37AUD per night.

The park features a convenience store, games room with open fireplace, separate TV room, large laundry and an adventure playground for kids.

On Day Two, after a refreshing night's sleep, head off to Marysville.

On February 7, 2009, most of this quiet bush town was destroyed by the Black Saturday bush fires, including the primary school and police station.

However, the village is being rebuilt and is a fine example of the resilient Aussie spirit.

For visitors to the region, Marysville and its surrounds are chock full of peaceful walks and waterfalls to explore, such as the popular Steavensons Falls.

Don't miss a visit to the fascinating Marysville Crystal Gardens and Shop where you can wander the crystal-filled gardens, explore the sweet fairy village, or browse the gift shop for an assortment of items for the home and garden.

After you've worked up an appetite, stop for lunch at the Lazy River Cafe, situated on the Steavensons River.

The broad menu features everything from wood-fired pizzas and seafood, to steak, vegetarian meals, and a kids menu for the little ones.

Finish your day with a visit to the beautiful Dandenong Ranges National Park.

Entry to the park is free and once there you can take in the stunning Mountain Ash trees and lush fern gullies; spot a variety of native wildlife; picnic in the grounds; or explore the area via one of the many walking trails.

Some of the most popular tracks are the Sherbrooke Falls Walk, the Living Bush Nature Walk, or the 1,000 Steps/Kokoda Track Memorial Walk.

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This post was brought to you by Maui campervans.

The Ultimate Western Australia Road Trip

Highway in Western Australia — Western Australia (photo: dioshotspot)

As far as states go, Western Australia is a bit of an overachiever.

For example, in 2013, the little inland settlement of Leonora hit 49 degrees Celsius, making it last year's hottest locale.

Over one thousand kilometers north, the state holds another record with the mining town, Marble Bar, breaking the longest consecutive days above 38 degrees at 160 days. This record had stood since in 1924.

While the heat is something that will take getting used too, Western Australia's expansive size is something you need to consider, especially if you are planning on exploring the state by road.

King among the state's roads is the Northwest Coastal highway.

Going from fishing town Geraldton to iron ore hub Port Headland, the highway stretches an impressive 1,320 kilometers - roughly the same as driving one and a half times from Sydney to Melbourne.

If you're a road trip fan (and you should be), it doesn't get more ultimate than that. A word of warning, don't try to do the distance in a Mini Cooper.

The landscape can be harsh and at times you won't see a town for hundreds of kilometers.

If you are planning on cruising the Northwest Coastal Highway, you're going to need a kitchen, a bed, and plenty of room for storage - in short, a campervan.

Campervan rental company, Britz, have a beast called the 'Safari'.

Carrying a five-man tent, this car may look like a mere 4WD, but it will transform before your eyes into a kitchen, complete with a gas stove and yes, even a 32-liter fridge for the beer.

You can pick it up from Perth starting at $89AUD per day.

For those after a more romantic ride, Britz also has the 'Challenger', a campervan with a two-person bed that pops up in a compartment on top of the car.

But good road trips are not just about driving, they are also about the stops along the way.

If you do power up the Northwest Coastal highway, here are our top picks for driving destinations.

Monkey Mia

An eight-hour drive from the WA capital, Perth, you're probably ready to get your legs moving again.

Monkey Mia is one of Australia's best dolphin watching destinations.

You won't have to look very hard, as these mischievous creatures come to shore almost daily to be hand fed.

The site is also a marine behavioral research center and is the only places in the world where wild dolphins have been seen using tools.

Situated on a premium stretch of endless coastland, there is more to do at Monkey Mia than just watch dolphins.

Take a sunset walk through the sand dunes on the Monkey Mia Trail, and see some bird life unique to the area.

Go fishing and catch your own dinner, or if you're looking for something a little more unusual, ride a camel along the beach.

There are four caravan parks in the Shark Bay region, including the Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, which has powered sites from $44 a night.

Ningaloo Reef

Seven hours drive north from Monkey Mia, Ningaloo is home to another rare form of marine life, the whale shark.

These sharks grow up to 16 meters long and have distinctive white spots and stripes.

Between March and July, you can even take a swim with them - since these beasts are krill feeders, you should end the experience with all limbs intact.

Ningaloo is also home to one of the largest fringing coral reefs on earth.

Grab a snorkeling mask and jump in the water to see manta rays, turtles, exotic fish, and the occasional humpback whale.

Millstream National Park

Jump back in the car for six hours, and turn off right near the highway's endpoint for the spectacular Millstream National Park.

Homeland and tribal meeting place of the Yindjibarndi people, this region is steeped in Aboriginal history and legends.

Millstream National Park is almost like being in three different landscapes at once.

The area features wetlands, tropical vegetation, and Western Australia's iconic spinifex laden hills.

Take a bushwalking track along the Chichester Range, and cool off in the frequent swimming holes.

If your legs really need a stretch, climb to the top of Mount Herbert.

From there, you can take happy snaps of the picturesque view of the natural landscape and the historic Millstream Homestead.

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This post was brought to you in partnership with Britz.

10 Things You'll Need to Pack to Get a House for Free While Traveling the World

The following is a guest post by Michael Wigge, author of How to Barter for Paradise.

I had set a goal: I wanted a house in Hawaii. To get it, I would travel around the world, bartering an apple for bigger and better items, finally ending with the Hawaiian home.

Think it isn't possible? It is, and I went through 14 countries, making 42 trades along the way to reach that goal. But this challenge didn't just happen spontaneously.

It required almost a year of planning, specifically about what I should bring. Here are ten things I packed for my journey.

Table of Contents

Packing List

Packing List

1. A "Barterman" costume

This costume looked like an American superhero similar to Superman, but on the front, it said "Barterman."

I wore it several times to attract the attention of a possible barter partner. It worked well, especially in America, where people started queuing to barter with Barterman!

2. A video camera

Yes, I admit it. A camera in your hand always makes you look more important, so people are more likely to join your wild project.

Some millionaires joined this barter ordeal, most likely because they wanted to be filmed as the hero who helped Barterman reach his goal.

3. Diamond manual

The third item I put in my backpack was a manual that explained how to distinguish a natural diamond from a fake.

I know this sounds random, but I needed it in Tanzania, where I planned to barter three ounces of gold for tanzanite, a diamond only available in Tanzania.

The manual came in handy as I realized the diamond presented to me was not as valuable as its owner claimed. Tanzanite Trade canceled!

4. Two Strong Guys

Yes, I took two guys with me on that trip around the world, mainly for logistical reasons. When you barter for bigger and better, be prepared to carry huge goods around-at one point, I had a table and a surfboard.

The apple was just a small start of a long chain of goods I needed to barter to reach the house. You really need people to carry this.

5. A Notebook

This was extremely important for me because, during that 200-day world trip, I contacted about 1,000 people by mail to ask them for a barter deal.

Social media also facilitated several barter deals, like a jade stone trade in New Zealand.

Apple in Germany — The author with his apple in Germany

6. Media contact lists

Before leaving to travel the world, I ordered contact lists for media outlets in several countries. Publicizing myself was important. I wanted people to know that Barterman is in town to barter!

For example, I dressed up as Barterman on a Comcast TV Show in California.

7. A painting of a Hawaiian House Surrounded by Flowers

It just fit into my backpack. This somewhat kitschy image of my dream house in Hawaii was a great support during the trip. Looking at it daily motivated me to continue bartering and not give up.

Always keep an image of your dreams with you. It will help make it happen!

8. 14 Different SIM Cards

No joke, I had to take cell phone SIM cards from every country with me to communicate quickly with local people for possible barter deals.

I still have that collection that ranges from Indian Vodaphone to Ukrainian UTEL cards.

9. A Passport with 14 Visas

Don't forget that before you leave, because you won't reach that dream house otherwise.

10. Medication

I didn't take any with me, which was a big disaster. I got parasites in India, which made me seriously sick for three weeks.

And I also had substantial back issues and an endless flu at one stage. No medication, no good!

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About the Author: Michael Wigge is a German journalist, filmmaker, and author of How to Barter for Paradise and How to Travel the World for Free.

Learn more at www.howtotraveltheworldforfree.com.

Sights and Sounds of Kuala Lumpur

Towering above the rolling green tropical hills surrounding Kuala Lumpur are the Petronas Towers, the icons of the city.

The twin towers look huge from far, much higher than the rest of the skyline.

Up close, they are equally as spectacular, truly a remarkable feat of design and construction.

Another one of Kuala Lumpur's skyline dominating structures is the KL Tower, one of the world's tallest communications towers.

It's home to a number of restaurants at the top and also hosts the annual KL Tower BASE jump event.

Adjacent to downtown is the KL Lake Gardens, a wonderful place to take a stroll and relax.

It's hard to believe you're so close to skyscrapers when you're walking past lakes and gardens.

You'll also find the KL Bird Park and the butterfly park in this area.

Another thing I like to do in Kuala Lumpur is walk through the historical district.

There are some well-preserved buildings and sights to see.

Little India is another wonderful area of Kuala Lumpur to explore.

You'll find marvelous south Indian restaurants, markets full of produce, Hindu temples, and marigold vendors.

Another side of the city is the large population of ethnic Chinese, and the Thean Hou temple is one of the largest Chinese temples in the city.

Located on the quiet side of the hill above Little India, you can get a great peaceful view of KL from the temple.

Central Market is one of the original markets of Kuala Lumpur.

Though it's now mostly a touristy market mainly selling souvenirs, it's still worth a visit.

Food is, without a doubt, one of the best reasons to visit Kuala Lumpur.

For a snack or breakfast, one of the easiest and tastiest things to find is roti canai, a fried flaky flatbread served with a curry dipping sauce.

Street food street in KL — A street food street in KL

Jalan Alor is a street with great Chinese street food during the evenings, and Pudu Wai Sek Kai is another great street food option.

Kuala Lumpur is a city with everything from markets to skyscrapers, and modern facilities to ancient-looking street food stalls.

Though it's a big city, it has a friendly feeling, and it's a great place to explore and experience.

Visiting Pearl Harbor in Hawaii

Along with being famous for its beaches and mountains, Hawaii is also well-known for Pearl Harbor. It's not so much of an attraction to visit when you're in Honolulu, but instead, it's a memorial, a place to learn about, remember, and honor the lives lost on the quiet morning of December 7, 1941.

Recovered anchor from the USS Arizona, as seen while visiting Pearl Harbor. — Recovered anchor from the USS Arizona

Pearl Harbor is on the west side of Honolulu. It's a deep water lagoon on the island of Oahu, a natural harbor that makes the perfect place for ships to dock. Due to its position, it became a strategic US military base.

What happened at Pearl Harbor?

Japan was already at war, invading and expanding into parts of China and the Dutch East Indies. The US had been paying attention, and they decided to cut off supplying resources to Japan and go into parts of Southeast Asia to help secure them.

However, the Japanese had other plans and thought the US entering Southeast Asia might interfere with their goals, and that's when they decided to attack Pearl Harbor to prevent the US from doing anything.

On the morning of December 7th, 1941, Japanese aircraft made a surprise bomb attack on the US battleships in Pearl Harbor, destroying numerous ships with many casualties. The attack on Pearl Harbor caused the US to declare war on Japan, and they entered into World War II.

What to expect when you visit?

The Pearl Harbor memorial, or more specifically the USS Arizona Memorial (the most major ship that was bombed during the surprise attack) is one of the most visited places on the island.

Every day, countless tourists by the busload and those driving their cars arrive at the memorial. If you drive yourself, there is plenty of parking, and the parking is free.

Remember that you can't carry any bags into the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Cameras are fine to take, but you have to remove them from your bag before entering. Lockers are available if needed; otherwise, carry what you can in your hands and pockets.

Due to the volume of visitors and the limited number of groups that can visit the USS Arizona Memorial at a time, there's often a long line.

The first step is to request your ticket at the ticket counter. You'll be given a ticket with the time it is valid for, which is often a couple of hours later. Tickets to the USS Arizona are free.

I arrived at 10 am, and my ticket was for the 12:45 pm tour. With a few hours to spare, you could walk around to various exhibits or even pay the $12 to go inside the USS Bowfin, where you can enter a World War II submarine, or if you're like me, you could go to eat and then come back.

When you arrive at your ticket time, you'll meet up with your group outside the theater. At your scheduled time, you'll enter the theater and watch a film, which lasts about 30 minutes.

I thought the film was terrific. It concisely explained the conflict and why Japan made a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. I knew a little bit of Pearl Harbor's history before, but it was good to listen to the film's details to better understand before going to the memorial.

Visiting Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona memorial — The memorial

After the film, you get on a boat for a 5-minute ride to the white Arizona Memorial. It's a platform floating over the sunken Arizona ship. Though you can only see a few rusty parts of the boat below the water, it's a quiet and solemn reminder of those who lost their lives in the attack.

Visiting Pearl Harbor is not the most fun thing to do in Hawaii, but it's a place to learn about history, honor those involved, and remember the past.

McDowell Mountain Hiking in Phoenix

One of the best reasons to visit Phoenix, Arizona is for the McDowell Mountain hiking opportunities near the city.

Though the summer can be too hot and dry, the winter in Phoenix usually has perfect weather for hiking.

Since there are plenty of mountains located right in the city or on the outskirts of town, there are many convenient trails to choose from if you enjoy hiking.

Sunrise in the mountains around Phoenix, Arizona — Sunrise in the mountains

When I'm in Phoenix, along with visiting family and friends, there are basically only two things I do when I'm there: eat my fill of Mexican food and go hiking.

There are many different hikes and mountains to choose from, located right in the center or on the city's outskirts.

Within central Phoenix, you'll immediately notice mountains like Camelback and Piestewa Peak (before known as Squaw Peak).

Cactus in the McDowell Sonoran Conservation — McDowell Sonoran Conservation

These two mountains are the most popular and iconic mountains in Phoenix to climb, and because they are so popular, they are nearly always swamped.

Positioned smack dab in the middle of the city, both Camelback and Piestewa Peak make great exercise climbs, but sometimes the foot traffic can be too heavy for it to be fun.

Nevertheless, each mountain takes about 1.5 hours roundtrip, and once you're at the top, you'll be presented with some great views of Phoenix and get a good workout too.

McDowell Mountain hiking brings you in close contact with desert plants. — Even the desert has a few plants

McDowell Mountains

If you're looking for something quieter, where you can escape the city and especially the crowds of people, you have to drive to the edges of the city (but still in the city).

A few of the best places I've been to hike in Phoenix include the McDowell Sonoran Preserve mountain conservation in Scottsdale and certain areas of South Mountain in South Phoenix.

The McDowell Sonoran Mountain Conservation is one of the nicest mountain preserves in the Phoenix area.

I think the desert has been nicely preserved, and there are many trails you can take where you'll feel like you're far removed from the city, yet you're still right on the edge.

One morning we decided to head out on a day hike in the McDowell Mountains, beginning at the main trailhead, trekking our way to Windgate Pass, and coming up the backside of the mountain towards a famous rock monument known as Tom's Thumb.

Windgate Pass as seen on a McDowell Mountain hiking trip — Arrived at Windgate Pass

We started early in the morning to avoid the strong sun. Plus, it just feels good to wake up early and get your legs moving.

By mid-morning, we had reached Windgate Pass, a saddle within the mountains where the wind always howls as it's channeled through the mountain.

Tom's Thumb as seen on a McDowell Mountain hiking trip — Tom's Thumb

After pausing there for a moment, we continued on to Tom's Thumb, the climax of this McDowell Mountain hiking trip.

Tom's Thumb is basically a giant boulder that, from certain angles, looks sort of like a thumb.

It's often visible from freeways and roads in North Phoenix and Scottsdale.

The thumb looks small until you're right up next to it, where it's actually a giant boulder.

Many serious rock climbers make the hike up to Tom's Thumb for climbing.

The views are not quite like the Makapu'u lighthouse hike, but they are pretty nice, and the desert is well preserved.

Trail mix consumed during a McDowell Mountain hiking trip — Trail mix

We took a short, yet relaxing, stop at Tom's Thumb, devoured a bag full of trail mix and some fruit, and then continued on our way.

It was mostly downhill on our way back to the park headquarters where we left the car.

It's worth visiting Phoenix for McDowell Mountain hiking, especially given the great weather in winter.

Even if you're based elsewhere in Arizona, it's easy to take a bus from Tucson to Phoenix and arrive in under two hours.

Spotlight on Thailand’s Elephant Tourism

[A] little under three months ago I knew very little of the lucrative elephant tourism trade that is suffocating Thailand’s population of wild Asian elephants.

Had you asked me at that time whether I would pay to ride an elephant on one of the many tours offered by those locals who have captured or domesticated an elephant, I’m not entirely sure what my response would had been.

I’ve never really endorsed the captivity of wild animals. Zoos do not appeal to me and I find it very difficult to stomach any form of animal cruelty or exploitation.

However, my knowledge of Thailand’s elephant tourism was almost nil.

I knew that tourists were offered the chance to ride atop elephants on tours which claimed to take in the majesty of the country’s landscape, however I knew nothing of the repercussions such a seemingly innocent act could have.

In my mind elephants were strong and apparently docile creatures capable of ferrying western tourists to and fro. Sure, I understood that they were in captivity but in my mind I equated the practise to that of riding a horse.

Having recently learnt of the distressing reality in which these elephant tours operate, I can tell you that should I ever visit Thailand I will not be supporting those businesses that offer elephant rides.

Education is of paramount importance in today’s modern world. Without knowledge we are reduced to ignorance, and ignorance leads to ill-informed actions.

The Reality of Elephant Tourism

The elephant is a prominent symbol within Thai culture.

Once respected and revered, elephants were domesticated purely for use in warfare and working the land.

A brutal process which pushes the animal to the very edge of its existence, domestication or ‘breaking’ as it is commonly referred to is designed to rid the elephant of its wild heart.

Over the course of the process those animals captured as young or born into captivity are tortured, beaten, chained, starved and attacked until they submit their soul to their captor.

For those with the desire to fully comprehend the extent of the abuse, this photo blog by news outlet NBC illustrates the violent reality of domestication.

While the practise of domestication dates back thousands of years, it is only in recent history that it has been abused in the pursuit of profit. Devoid of an ethical conscious, tour operators who provide elephant rides are at the centre of a heinous cycle of abuse which plays out across Thailand each day.

Sadly the population of Asian elephants has dwindled dramatically in recent decades. Today we live in a world where the possibility of extinction is not just a notion but an imminent reality.

Why then are so many of these endangered animals held captive to entertain visiting tourists?

Baby Asian Elephant — The babies are always the cutest

Ethical Travel in Thailand

With the country's capital ranked as the world's most visited city, tourism dollars are flooding through regions of low socioeconomic status and the locals are doing all they can to get their share.

While there is a demand for elephant tourism, Asian elephants will remain a valuable commodity.

By paying to ride an elephant you are effectively making a financial vote in support of this exploitation. You are financing the capture and torture of baby elephants and standing alongside those who choose to enslave these wild animals.

I am aware that there are conflicting views on what exactly constitutes ethical and sustainable travel. However I’ve no doubt you’ll agree that exploiting the natural environment and its endemic flora and fauna for financial gain, is far removed from any definition of ethical that you might care to offer.

Hope for Asian Elephants

For the elephants of Thailand there is hope.

That hope comes in the form of organisations like the Save Elephant Foundation that are educating international travellers and local people about the dark undertone of elephant tourism.

Save Elephant Foundation Founder Lek Chailert and the team at the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, also offer sanctuary to captive and abused Asian elephants. They treat the mental and physical scars of domestication and provide a safe environment where the animals can recover.

The foundation is a light amongst the darkness for Thailand’s gentle giants.

However, Lek’s facility has reached capacity. The Save Elephant Foundation does not have the resources or land available to rescue any more elephants.

How Can YOU Help?

Having seen first hand the impact unethical tourism has had on Thailand’s elephant population, a team of travel bloggers have come together in support of Lek’s organization.

Working hard to raise much-needed funds so that Lek and the Save Elephant Foundation may continue to pick up the pieces of a local industry devoid of ethics, they have put together a digital Travel Blogging Calendar and are offering those who donate the chance to win a trip to visit the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai.

Channelling 100 percent of every dollar raised into the charity, this is a grassroots project which packs punch.

Partnering with travel giant Flight Network and niche adventure travel operator Where Sidewalks End, the team behind the Travel Blogging Calendar are offering those who donate the chance to win USD$2,000 towards return flights to Thailand and an eight-day, seven-night tour for two including transport, hotels, city tours and a visit to the Save Elephant Foundation.

Not only that, but everyone who donates will be granted access to an exclusive blog packed full of inspired travel articles and destination inspiration. Weekly posts detailing religious festivals, holidays and celebrations taking place across the globe have been penned by the talented travel bloggers involved, and will be available throughout the year on a purpose-built blog.

So, if your plans for 2014 involve travel, take a minute to research the ethos of the operators with whom you plan to make your bookings, and spare a thought for those caught up in an industry exploiting the world you plan to explore.

If you’d like to support the Save Elephant Foundation and get the chance to WIN a trip to Thailand* DONATE via the Travel Blogging Calendar now.

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About the Author: Freelance writer and blogger Charli is a digital nomad currently travelling the world with her other half Ben. Whether backpacking through Central America or road tripping around Australia they embrace each and every opportunity for adventure. Read more about their insatiable wanderlust on their blog, Wanderlusters.

All images in this article used with the permission of Jeremy Foster.

*To be eligible for the prize, you must donate by February 28, 2014. The winner will be announced in early March.

Fried Chicken and Waffles: Classic American Comfort Food

[I] had my very first plate of chicken and waffles at a restaurant called Roscoe's in Los Angeles. My friends had raved about it, and I thought it sounded good and unique to give it a try.

It wasn't until about 10 years later when I had my second chance to try chicken and waffles, at a restaurant known as Lo-Lo's in Phoenix, Arizona.

What is fried chicken and waffles?

It's exactly as you think; it's a big giant waffle topped with a huge piece (or pieces) of fried chicken.

The waffle normally comes served with a big ball of fluffy butter on top and a side dish of sweet maple syrup. The chicken, is of course, deep-fried to a crisp, and salty.

Served together, a piece of fried chicken and a sweet waffle is one of those sweet and salty combinations that can be so pleasing on the taste buds. It's not that much different from eating a fried chicken sandwich, with a little sweet syrup on it.

There's a bit of a debate where exactly the combination of eating fried chicken and waffles originated.

Some say it was originally started in the southeastern part of the US, where fried chicken is nearly an everyday meal, and sweet breads, like waffles, are also typical.

Others say it stemmed from Dutch influenced areas of the US, such as Pennsylvania, where waffles with chicken and gravy have been popular for years.

To eat the dish, you can either choose to eat the waffle the traditional way by cutting off pieces with a fork and alternating bites of chicken, or by using the taco method, tearing off pieces of waffle and wrapping up pieces of fried chicken into little tacos.

Is it good?

Well, I'm going to have to let you be the judge when you taste your first plate of chicken and waffles.

I personally didn't grow up eating waffles, so I'm overall not a huge fan of waffles (or really any kinds of breads, I'm a rice man).

That being said, I do love a good piece of fresh fried chicken, when it's real chicken (not the fake tasting, overly soft fast food variety), and at restaurants serving this combo, they usually make no mistakes with the southern style fried chicken.

Also, as a lover of Thai food, I'm a huge fan of combining sweet and salty to complement each other, but I also need some spice with it.

So for me personally, I liked it a lot, but I preferred the fried chicken doused in Louisiana chili sauce, along with the waffle. That was delicious.

Nowadays, most of the restaurants that serve chicken and waffles consider themselves soul food restaurants - the comfort style food popular especially in the southeastern United States.

Along with serving fried chicken and waffles, often the restaurant will also have a full menu of traditional southeastern American dishes like collard greens, corn bread, fried okra, or macaroni and cheese.

There are no specific time that chicken and waffles should or can be eaten. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even snack, are all acceptable times.

It's sort of the type of meal you need to get a craving for, be in the right mood to eat, and then you head straight to the nearest chicken and waffles restaurant and satisfy that craving for sweet and salty chicken and waffles!

Explore Hidden Fiji: The Lau Islands

[W]hile all the regions of Fiji are beautiful, pristine and provide a memorable holiday location, there is one area that remains largely undiscovered and offers the ultimate quiet, relaxing holiday spot – the remote Lau Group of islands.

If you’re looking for a holiday location where you can get off the beaten track and explore a region that has been virtually untouched by human intervention so far, then the Lau Islands is the perfect choice.

Undeveloped, unspoiled, offering a unique culture, and breathtaking scenery, the Lau Group is located in the southern Pacific Ocean, east of the Koro Sea and covers an area of just under 500 square kilometres.

The chain includes approximately 60 islands and islets (only about half of these are inhabited) and is the perfect destination for intimate honeymoons and romantic retreats, as well as surfing holidays or relaxing family get-togethers.

Accommodation

Being such a uncrowded, undeveloped region of Fiji, there are only two official accommodation options in the Lau Islands and no restaurants or large hotels to choose from. Instead, visitors can stay at an authentic, budget guesthouse on Vanua Balavu or on Lakeba.

Moana’s Guest House is located on Vanua Balavu and consists of two large, traditional bures that are set on the beach. Each bure comes equipped with mosquito nets, solar power and private facilities, and accommodation includes three meals per day. Rates at Moana’s bungalows start from F$95 per person per night.

The other accommodation option is Jeke Qica’s Guesthouse in Tubou on Lakeba Island. The guesthouse contains one bure and three rooms with private bathrooms and costs from F$70 per person per night, including meals.

Activities

Travellers who wish to holiday at the Lau Group can enjoy a variety of activities during their time in the area.

Some of the most popular options including sightseeing trips around the various islands and to meet local villagers; surfing at some of the world’s best reef breaks; swimming, diving and snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters in the region (the Bay of Islands, in particular, is a stunning location); hiking the surrounding landscape; swimming with sharks; fishing and sailing; or visiting the Qilaqila Marine Reserve on the island of Vanua Balavu.

Getting There and Away

Fly into Nadi, via Fiji Airways and then charter a yacht (apply for customs’ permission with the Ministry for Fijian Affairs) or book a ticket on a cargo/passenger boat, for the final leg of the journey to the islands.

Alternatively, tourists can fly within Fiji with regional airline Fiji Link – it flies directly to Vanua Balavu, the second-largest island in the Lau archipelago.

Although Fiji is beautiful year-round, tourists are likely to prefer a visit during the dry season, which runs from around April through to October.

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This post was brought to you by Fiji Airways.

El Salvador Travel Tips: Notes From the Road

El Salvador is a small Central American country that is often overlooked in favor of better-known neighbors like Guatemala and Costa Rica. In this article, I'll share my travel tips for El Salvador, based on my brief visit.

Taking local buses is one of my El Salvador travel tips for backpackers. — The bus from El Poy at the border with Honduras to San Salvador.

My original plan was to spend one of the six weeks on my Central America backpacking trip in El Salvador. However, when I paid $400 for airfare to Roatan, Honduras, I wanted to ensure I had at least a week there. Ironically, by spending less time in El Salvador than planned, I arrived during a very wet week in Roatan.

If I had spent more time in El Salvador, I would have arrived five days later and probably had a few more pleasant days during my stay. Read my Honduras travel tips to see what's involved with reaching San Salvador by public transport from Copan.

Table of Contents

San Salvador

San Salvador

By the time my chicken bus from the border arrived in San Salvador, the sun had set. I stepped off the bus into the darkness of what was supposed to be a bus terminal. It didn't take long for a taxi driver to approach me. I was anxious, but I didn't have a choice at that point.

Once we agreed on the fare to Joan's Hostel ($10), he pointed me toward his car, which was parked in what must have been the darkest corner of the street, behind both a giant garbage container and a parked bus.

I laughed nervously, shook my head "no," and said I'd wait where I was until he brought the car around.

I began chatting with him in Spanish. During the ride, I learned he was in his tenth (and hopefully final) year of trying to get a visa for the United States. He'd visited several times before and wanted to live and work in Los Angeles.

My driver needed to stop three times to ask for help with directions to the hostel, and each time I was worried I'd get robbed while he was away from the car. We would've arrived faster had I noted the hostel's phone number.

Due to gang violence, San Salvador is one of the most dangerous cities in the world. I had every desire to reach the hostel as quickly as possible.

My concern for safety in San Salvador is ironic, considering I'm based in Medellin, but at least I'm familiar with the latter. I always find it unsettling to arrive in a new city after dark, regardless of the country.

Ruins at Joya de Ceren in El Salvador. — Ruins at Joya de Ceren

Where To Sleep

Joan's Hostel lived up to the positive reviews on Hostelworld. The owner used to live here, and she has furnished it to make it feel like you're staying in somebody's home.

The WiFi is some of the strongest I've found on this trip, and it's conveniently located near several restaurants and ATMs, as well as a large, modern supermarket, so you don't have to go far to resupply. A dorm bed costs $15 per night.

Where To Eat and Drink

Across the street from Joan's Hostel is an inexpensive Italian restaurant and cafe serving excellent personal pizzas. I ate here on my first night.

Things To Do in El Salvador

Joya de Ceren

The main thing I wanted to see from San Salvador was Joya de Ceren, El Salvador's only UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Some reviews on TripAdvisor stated that there's not much to see, but I found it worth the effort. It's not every day you visit a 1,400-year-old village buried and preserved by 32 to 39 feet of volcanic ash.

The instructions to get there using public transport are posted at Joan's Hostel, and it's easier than it seems. In short, you walk about five blocks from the hostel, catch the 201 bus toward Joya de Ceren ($1).

Tell the driver where you're going, and he'll signal when you need to get off. From there, walk a little bit around the traffic circle, and hop a collectivo for $0.25.

The entrance fee is $3, and signs are available in both English and Spanish. I was joined by two young men from California, making it a little more enjoyable than going alone.

El Tunco

El Tunco is a popular surf beach about an hour south of San Salvador. You can get private shuttles directly from Antigua. Otherwise, you will need to take public transportation (unless you rent a car) from San Salvador. The beach is considered reasonably safe for tourists to visit.

Taxi to/from the Airport

Taxis to the international airport cost $30 and can be booked through Joan's Hostel. The trip takes 45 minutes without traffic.

Honduras Travel Tips: Notes from the Road

This is the second post in my new series, "Notes from the Road," where I share my raw travel notes and thoughts soon after leaving a country.

When most backpackers and travelers plan to visit Honduras, they refer to the Copan ruins or Bay Islands.

These are the two places I visited, and while there's still the danger of street crime, it's relatively safe for foreigners.

Mainland Honduras, outside of Copan, is another story.

Unfortunately, Honduras currently has the world's highest homicide rate, and not by a small margin.

San Pedro Sula, through which some travelers pass on their way to the Bay Islands, is the world's most violent city (outside of actual war zones like Syria).

The capital of Tegucigalpa ranks fourth and also has one of the world's most dangerous airports.

It is also a transit point and should be treated with extreme care or avoided altogether.

Last year I met Sarah on an island in San Blas, Panama.

She taught English for three years in mainland Honduras and told me there are many beautiful places in the country, but the dangers are real.

I've asked her to write a guest post for those seeking to travel more deeply in Honduras.

As for me, I stuck to the well-worn backpacker trail due to both time constraints and an abundance of caution.

Here are my Honduras travel tips.

The main plaza in the town of Copan Ruinas, one kilometer from the Mayan ruins — The central plaza in the town of Copan Ruinas, one kilometer from the Mayan ruins

Table of Contents

Copan
Traveling Overland to San Salvador
The Bay Islands (Roatan)
Overall Impressions

Copan

Copan is a Mayan ruin site and one of Honduras' two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

It's a significant draw in Central America, pulling in tourists based in Antigua, Guatemala, on overnight trips.

In retrospect, this might have been an easier and more comfortable way to visit.

There's nothing much around it, so if you don't want to backtrack, you'll need to travel north overland toward the Bay Islands or south overland toward El Salvador.

It took me 11 hours to reach Copan from Livingston, Guatemala traveling overland by public transport, including a stop at Quirigua, a minor Mayan ruin and UNESCO site.

See my Guatemala Travel Tips post for more info on the route.

I was exhausted upon arrival and had to deal with a new case of TD before the sun rose the following morning.

Where to Sleep

There are a lot of budget options in Copan, though you won't find much on Hostelworld. Check Tripadvisor too.

Hostal Berakah - I had a private room with a bath for three nights. It was OK for a short visit, but the common area with the best WiFi signal was minimal and outdoors, subject to the elements.

It happened to be colder than usual during my stay, so I didn't spend much time there.

La Casa de Cafe - Recommended by my friend Leif and currently ranked #1 B&B on Tripadvisor. The downside is it's about five blocks from the town center.

Where to Eat and Drink

British Colonial House - Great location overlooking the central plaza. I ate my first dinner here, an Indian curry. Owned by a South African/British man who previously ran a place on Roatan.

Cafe Welchez - Fully indoor cafe makes it a great place to sit down with a laptop and get some work done. Had a delicious slice of Oreo cake. Good WiFi.

Casa Ixchel - A super friendly cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. The owner is the daughter of a local coffee farmer and speaks fluent English. I ate here twice. The fruit salad is an excellent value. WiFi.

Things to Do

Copan Ruins

The main attraction is one kilometer from the center of town. Admission is $15. Access to the tunnels is an additional $15 and NOT worth it.

The tunnels were created by archaeologists to study the earlier temples, and you don't see anything more interesting than what's on the outside.

The official rate for a tour guide is $25. My bilingual guide had worked at Copan for over 30 years and was very knowledgeable.

A typical tour lasts two hours.

If you do get the ticket for the tunnels, the guide may try to charge you extra. Do NOT pay extra, as you're only in the tunnels for a few minutes.

Suggest he can wait outside, at which point he'll probably say he'll join you at no extra cost.

Maybe it was because I was tired, but Copan didn't WOW me as much as Tikal in Guatemala or Palenque and other ruins in Mexico.

I also found it harder to photograph.

Copan Hot Springs

Another recommendation from my friend Leif was a visit to the Copan Hot Springs, located in the jungle about 45 minutes from town.

Organized trips leave every afternoon for about $25, giving people something to do after visiting the ruins in the morning. I skipped it.

There are some other minor things to do around town, including a Macaw Bird Park, but nothing appealed to me.

Most visitors to Copan only stay a night or two. I spent the third night only because I was sick.

Traveling Overland to San Salvador

During my visit, Hostal Berakah ran a private shuttle to San Salvador every Wednesday, but unfortunately, it departed at noon on my first full day in Copan.

Even though I'd already seen the ruins by 11 am, I wasn't feeling well enough to make the journey. The cost was $30, and it was estimated to take six to seven hours.

Instead, I gave myself two more nights and started taking some leftover Cipro I had from a similar problem the previous year in Mexico.

Luckily, it worked quickly because it was another seriously exhausting day on collectivos and chicken buses to reach San Salvador.

1. Collectivo at 6:30 am from Copan to Santa Rosa (I paid double to get the two front seats to myself). The trip was close to three hours over relatively poor roads.

2. Coach bus from Santa Rosa to the border with El Salvador. Another two and a half hours at the cost of $5.

3. Took the wrong chicken bus and ended up heading toward the Guatemala border. Add an extra two hours to my day at the cost of $1.25.

4. Took the proper collectivo to the El Salvador border. It took fifteen minutes at the cost of $0.60.

5. The border crossing was easy. The only option is a chicken bus from the border to San Salvador.

Waited 45 minutes for enough people, and then it was a slow-as-hell three and a half hours to reach the bus terminal in the capital. The cost was only $1.70.

6. Taxi from the bus station to Joan's Hostel took about 20-30 minutes at the cost of $10 (negotiated).

The Bay Islands (Roatan)

I'm guessing the Bay Islands receive the lion's share of tourist dollars in Honduras.

Whereas visitors to Copan stay a night or two, visitors to Utila and Roatan often stay much longer, even weeks or months at a time.

I met several expats who'd been living there for years.

The main draw is easy access to the second-largest barrier reef in the world and the diving and snorkeling opportunities that come along with it.

Utila is known as one of the cheapest places in the world to get your PADI certification.

It has cheaper accommodation and restaurants, and a very active nightlife scene due to all the backpackers.

Roatan, by comparison, is quite a bit more expensive.

It has increasingly catered to the cruise ship industry in the last five years, and the popular beaches (West Bay, French Cay) are flooded with cruise passengers whenever a ship (or ships) is in port for the day.

If trying to choose between Utila or Roatan, check out Alex's post as she does a good job comparing them.

I spent my whole week on Roatan for various reasons, and unfortunately, there was only one full day of sunshine the entire time. A late-running rainy season was to blame.

Getting to/from Roatan

I chose to fly from San Salvador direct to Roatan on Avianca (formerly Taca). The cost was $397, as it had gone up to $87 the night before I booked it.

Still, it saved me an arduous one to two days of traveling overland via buses and a potentially nauseating ferry ride.

Plus, I got to see the western part of the island from the air on arrival.

Once on the island, I planned to fly Avianca to the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa for $120 and then take a bus to Leon, Nicaragua.

I changed my mind for two reasons.

First, the airport is super dangerous, and second, the flight arrived in the afternoon, and I would've had to spend the night in the city before catching a bus the following day.

Instead, I flew Avianca to Managua, Nicaragua via San Salvador.

The cost was $380. A private taxi from the Managua airport to the UCA bus station was $15 (negotiated), and then it was another $2 by collectivo to reach Leon.

Ferries, Taxis and Collectivos

The official rate for a taxi from the airport to the West End, the most popular place for foreigners to stay on Roatan, is $20.

It's posted at the airport, making it easy for taxi drivers to point directly at it when they try to negotiate a lower rate.

Consider it a success if you can get anything below $20.

Try asking for $10, and you can probably settle at $15.

Alternatively, walk across the small parking lot to the road, and you'll probably have better luck by hailing a passing taxi.

I couldn't do better than $15 for any of my three taxi rides on Roatan (airport to West End, Coxen Hole to French Cay, West End to the airport).

But, when you hear the locals need only to pay 45 lempiras ($2.25) to go from West End to the airport, you realize how much negotiating room you've got.

Here's the thing, the taxi drivers can tell a tourist from an expat or someone living on the island, and they won't get nearly as much to the tourist who comes and goes within a few days.

Whatever you end up paying, don't be surprised if the driver slows down to try to pick up more passengers en route to your destination.

Among locals, taxis are shared with multiple passengers to make the cost so affordable.

Drivers knowingly try to apply this same tactic to the higher-priced tourist fares, but tell them "no," and they should respect your wishes.

I had to do this on two of my three taxi rides and did so out of concern for my safety and not realizing it's normal for locals to share taxis.

On the bright side, a local collectivo from West End to Coxen Hole (or vice versa) is only $1.25 whether you're a local or tourist.

If you want to travel between Roatan and Utila, a direct and private boat ride costs $50 per person and requires a minimum number of people.

For about the same cost, you can take the Roatan ferry back to the mainland and transfer to the Utila ferry. This option takes around four hours.

The Splash Inn is located on the main road in West End