Blog - Go Backpacking

Summer Giveaway: Win a Free Flight or iPad 3

Table of Contents

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About Skyscanner
- *** This Contest Is Over ***
How to Enter in 5 Easy Steps
- *** This Contest Is Over ***
- Terms and Conditions
Questions?
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Today I'm excited to announce the biggest contest in Go Backpacking history!

We've partnered with Skyscanner, the leading European-based flight search website, to offer one lucky reader a $600 USD (387 GBP) credit toward the flight(s) of his/her choice, OR a new iPad 3 (16 GB).

Where would you go if you had an extra $600 (387 GBP) in your pocket?

Take Dad to New York City to catch a Yankees game for his birthday. Send your brother to Las Vegas.

Always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris? Want to check out the brand-spanking-new Olympic Village in London?

The possibilities are endless.

About Skyscanner

Skyscanner officially launched in 2001 and offers users the unique option of being able to enter the departure city, while leaving the destination blank. This feature is perfect for those people who know they want to take a trip but can't decide where to go.

In addition to their easy-to-use website, Skyscanner has also created free travel apps for both iPhones and iPads.

These little apps allow you to search millions of flights, across 1,000 airlines, right from your iPad or iPhone.

Combined, they've got four million downloads and counting.

If you're not already familiar with Skyscanner, entering this contest will be a terrific introduction.

And we made it as easy as possible. Seriously, if you have 5 minutes to spare, enter this contest right now!

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How to Enter in 5 Easy Steps

1. In a separate browser tab or window, go to Skyscanner.

2. Pretend you have $600 (387 GBP) to spend. Search for the flight(s) to a destination you'd most like to visit, or a flight you'd like to give as a gift to a family member or friend.

Tip: You can change the default language and currency atop the Skyscanner page.

Tip: Remember, with Skyscanner, you do not need to select a specific destination.

Simply enter "everywhere" or leave the destination field blank to get a list of cheap flights departing from your local airport.

Tip: By choosing cheaper flights and destinations, you'll be able to afford a ticket for a partner, family member, or friend too! Mention who you want to take in your comment/entry.

3. When the results are given, click the "Details" link of your preferred flight. A pop-up box will appear.

4. Click the "link" icon in the upper right corner of the pop-up box, and copy the unique URL for that flight.

5. Using your real name, leave a comment on this blog post with:

Destination (ex: Aruba)
Why you want to visit (ex: lie on the beach)
If you want to use the $600 to buy a flight(s) for someone other than yourself, tell us who (ex: spouse)
URL for your flight

Any comments using keywords for a name will be immediately disqualified and deleted. Please use your real name.

Contest Begins: 8:00 am (EST), Monday, August 6, 2012

Contest Ends: 8:00 pm (EST), Friday, August 17, 2012

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The winner will be chosen at random over the weekend and announced on Go Backpacking's Facebook Page Monday, August 20, 2012. His/her email address will be shared with Skyscanner.

Once the winner is announced, he/she can then choose either the flight(s) mentioned in the comment OR the iPad 3.

I'm excited to see all the places $600 can get you. Good luck!

Terms and Conditions

Entrants must be 18 years of age or older.
One entry per person. No multiple entries are allowed.
Commentators must use their real names when leaving a comment. Entries without a real name will be deleted and disqualified from winning.
Entries after the closing date will be not be considered eligible to win.
The winner will be chosen at random using this WordPress plugin.
The chosen flight (or flights) must be no more than $600 USD (or Euro/GBP equivalent - based on current exchange rates). If the flight(s) go up in price by the end of the competition, the winner can choose alternative dates/flights, up to the value of $600, or choose to pay the remainder.
If the airfare award is chosen, and the winner wants to cover a second or third person with the $600 credit, everyone must fly together to the same destination.
If the airfare award is chosen, the winner is not required to fly. As long as the flights are for a single trip, they can be given to another person as a gift.
By accepting the airfare prize, the winner accepts full and complete responsibility for their own safety and welfare at all times, including familiarizing themselves with visa and other travel requirements.
Any extra activities and costs beyond the specified prize are the responsibility of the winner.
The iPad 3 being offered is the 16 GB, Wi-Fi version.
The prizes are non-transferable and no cash alternative will be given.
The winner is responsible for paying any applicable taxes on the prize.
By entering this prize drawing, entrants will be deemed to have accepted and agreed to be bound by the conditions.

Questions?

Contact Go Backpacking

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Visiting The Perhentian Islands, Malaysia’s Best-Kept Secret

Are you thinking of hitting the beach as part of your journey around Southeast Asia? Of course you are! You're probably thinking about heading to Thailand's beautiful beaches-Koh Phi Phi, made famous by the movie "The Beach," and Koh Phangan, infamous for its full moon parties. While Thailand's beaches are lovely, you'd be mistaken for thinking this was the region's best spot for sun, snorkeling, and sea.

Hands down, the nicest beaches I've been to in Southeast Asia are on the Perhentian Islands in Malaysia. If you haven't been, you're missing out on something exceptional. Make an effort to travel further off the backpacker circuit, and you will be greatly rewarded.

Powdery White Sand - Image by Flashpacker Family — White sand beach

Table of Contents

About the Perhentian Islands
Know Before You Go

About the Perhentian Islands

How To Get There

The Perhentians are a chain of two large islands (Besar and Kecil) about an hour off the East Coast of Malaysia. They're reasonably far north, close to the border with Thailand. The nearest major town on the mainland is Kota Bharu.

Boats to the islands leave from the pier in the small village of Kuala Besut, about 45 minutes south of Kota Bharu. Forget about ferries; these are just small speed boats.

Each big resort has a boat to travel to and from the islands. Tuna Bay Resort has the biggest and safest boat. Lifejackets are compulsory-they even have lifejackets for children. The boat trip will cost you 70 RM roundtrip.

A taxi from Kota Bharu to the pier at Kuala Besut costs around 40 RM, or you can book a transfer through your hotel for around 30 RM per person.
Take a cheap Air Asia flight into Kota Bharu from Kuala Lumpur-this fare is under $15 on promotion. Alternatively, catch the jungle line train to Wakaf Bharu and taxi to Kota Bharu, or go straight to the pier at Kuala Besut.

From Penang, there is a short propeller flight on Firefly into Kota Bharu, which is six hours by bus. Buses leave Penang at 9 pm and 9 am, which means either waiting around in Kota Bharu in the wee hours of the morning or missing the last ferry onto the island and overnighting in Kota Bharu.

From Thailand, you can catch the train (or bus) from Hat Yai to the border at Sungai Kolok, which takes around four hours. Once you cross the border into Malaysia, it's about 30 minutes to Kota Bharu. A taxi should cost less than 20 RM, and the bus will cost 5 RM.

Heading to Malaysia? Book all your hostels here!

Perhentian Islands Clear Water - Image by Flashpacker Family — Gorgeous clear water

When To Go

The best months for visiting the Perhentians are June, July, and August.

You can only visit the Perhentians between March and October. Outside of this, monsoon season takes hold, making the seas choppy and causing resorts and restaurants to close their shops.

Where To Stay and Eat

Wherever you stay, plan your accommodation. Walking from beach to beach, searching for the best bungalow is difficult.

The season for the Perhentians is short, so by April, many places are booked solidly for stays in June, July, and August. If your heart is set in a particular place, you must lock it in early. That said, most places can accommodate you if you're on an extended trip and want to arrive a few days earlier than scheduled.

The accommodation across the Perhentians is expensive, and the standards are low. Frankly, you only get a little for your money. You'll pay roughly twice what you would for an equivalent bungalow on one of Thailand's islands.

The expense is worth it because it does keep the islands relatively quiet. Make sure you factor this spike into your long-term budget. There's not much to do on the islands, so your other costs will be low.

Backpackers will want to head for Perhentian Kecil.

Accommodation is cheaper here and attracts a younger crowd. The local village is on Kecil, which means access to shops and a row of inexpensive food stalls.

There are a few bars in Long Beach, though alcohol is expensive. All the budget accommodation is in Long Beach. You'll find most of them are simple, wooden chalets without AC. Some have 24-hour electricity, and others don't.

Matahari Chalets and Panorama Chalets get good reviews from backpackers looking for a more lively environment. Head back off the beach to Bintang Chalets for quieter but still cheap accommodation.

Flashpackers, mid-range travelers, or families should seek accommodation on Perhentian Besar.

Abdul's Chalet, a simple A-frame beachfront chalet with AC, and Coco-Huts, AC chalets on the rocks, are both widely recommended. However, the best choice by far is Tuna Bay Resort, which has rows of adjoining bungalows on the beach and in the garden.

Regarding eating, the best options are Coco-Huts or Coral View Resort. The food at Abdul's is cheap but notoriously bad, and Tuna Bay is pretty pricey, although their Western options are good.

Taxi Boat Between the Perhentian Islands - Image by Flashpacker Family — Taxi boat between the Perhentian Islands

Things To Do

Snorkel and dive.

One of the best things about the Perhentians is the ability to snorkel right off the beach. Reefs wrap around the island, close to the shore, and teem with fish. You may even get lucky and see turtles.

Resorts will rent you a snorkel and mask for 5 RM a day. Fins aren't allowed because of the coral. You can also do a half-day snorkeling trip to Rawa Island or a full day to Redang. All the larger resorts offer dive courses, including night dives.

Explore the island.

Use the taxi boats parked on every beach to visit different beaches and resorts. Fares are per person, not per boat, so it's a good option even if you're alone. Concrete stairs and tracks connect some beaches. The jungle is thick, so stick to the paths and wear mosquito repellent.

Rest, relax, and recharge your batteries.

There is little else to tempt you on these islands, so take the opportunity to chill out with a book or iPod and work on your tan.

Know Before You Go

When you book your boat ticket in Kuala Besut, you'll pay a 5 RM National Park fee before reaching the islands. This fee contributes to preserving the area's natural beauty and biodiversity, ensuring that future visitors can continue to enjoy the pristine environment.

As you prepare for your island adventure, it's also important to consider other aspects of your trip, particularly your health, and safety. Securing international health insurance before your journey is a wise decision, as it provides coverage in case of unexpected medical issues while you explore the remote islands.

The peace of mind that comes with knowing you're protected allows you to fully immerse yourself in the experience without worrying about potential health-related costs. Whether snorkeling in crystal-clear waters or trekking through lush jungles, being prepared with proper insurance ensures your adventure remains safe and enjoyable.

Wi-Fi can be slow and patchy on the islands. This is a blessing. Plan for a few technology-free days and make the most of your surroundings.

Bring supplies from the mainland. Drinks, snacks, and toiletries are sold in small shops on the beach and in the local village on Kecil, but prices are high, and selection is limited.

Most of the locals on the islands are Muslim. You'll only find alcohol for sale at selected resorts. Bring your own from the mainland or, even better, bring it across the border from Thailand.

Beware of sea lice bites! These microscopic jellyfish larvae can be present in the water if you're on the islands in the shoulder season. They feel like little stings or electric shocks while you're in the water and can leave a nasty rash. Take some antihistamines (oral and topical), and be sure to wash and dry your swimsuit if you get bitten.

Listen out for the Islamic call to prayer. It's broadcast from the mosque in the village of Kecil but can be heard on both islands. It adds a certain exoticness to your Perhentian Islands experience!

Check out my stories on Flashpacker Family for more tips on traveling to the Perhentians, especially if you're traveling with children.

Top 5 Wildlife Moments In Peru’s Amazon Basin

Spotting a jaguar while riding up the Tambopata River — Looking for Jaguars while riding up the Tambopata River

My first day in Peru's Tambopata National Reserve turned out to be a bigger adventure than I bargained for.

In the days that followed, I went on nature walks morning, noon, and night. A

s I learned on safari in South Africa, the more time you're out there looking for wildlife, the more likely you are to see a wide variety of critters and creatures.

What follows are my top five wildlife moments from a visit into Peru's Amazon Basin.

The chicken tarantula we saw on our night walk — The giant chicken tarantula we saw on our night walk

Table of Contents

5. Chicken Tarantula
4. Hungry Caimans
3. The Scarlet Macaws
2. Monkey Watching
1. Jaguars

5. Chicken Tarantula

I have a fear of spiders, so coming face to face with a hairy tarantula the size of my hand was both fascinating and mortifying.

This particular tarantula was nicknamed after chickens because of the way it's young follow behind the mother in a little line.

Imagine not just one hairy, 8-legged creature, but a whole family of them!

The Chicken Tarantula is not poisonous to humans, however, if you get bitten by one, the nasty bacteria from its fangs can leave you with an infection that will require a trip to the doctor.

This carnivorous spider eats insects and small rodents.

Our guide referred to it as a primitive, given it hunts on the ground, rather than spinning elaborate webs to catch its prey.

A caiman, as seen through a scope — A Caiman, as seen through a scope

4. Hungry Caimans

On my last afternoon at the Tambopata Research Center, I went for a walk with one of the guides and Lainie and Miro.

We took a boat to a nearby island on the river, from which we began scouting for birds back on the mainland.

It was just before dusk, and we noticed a small Caiman slip into the water, and begin to slowly cruise upriver.

And then it began fishing by jumping out of the water and diving back down.

The form this reptile took was akin to a dolphin jumping in and out of the water. It was not at all what I'd expected a Caiman to do.

Because he was so far away, my photos didn't come out well, nor video.

The best I can offer you with my travel camera is the above shot taken through a high-powered scope.

Scarlet Macaw at the Tambopata Research Center

3. The Scarlet Macaws

Twenty years ago, the Tambopata Research Center was set up to study and protect the local Macaw population.

These are the kinds of large, colorful birds I'd only ever seen in zoos, so it was a treat to be around so many in Tambopata.

One morning, we woke up before dawn and took a boat ride to the island from which I'd seen the caiman above.

We watched the jungle come to life around the Amazon's largest clay lick.

As we learned in the Macaw lecture the night before, these birds eat clay to help with their digestion. Strange, but true.

Unfortunately, while they are intelligent birds, they are also highly sensitive. If their scouts sense a threat, the rest of them won't come down from the trees to eat.

And that morning, a Roadside Hawk had camped out with a terrific view of the section of clay lick most visible to us.

There were other sections that were hidden behind trees and foliage, where our guides said they were probably feeding.

The irony was that our best views of the Scarlet Macaws were not during nature walks, but when the "Chicos" or human-raised macaws would visit the dining area at the Research Center every morning, looking for handouts after breakfast.

These particular macaws don't fear humans, which is evident when they are lured onto visitors' shoulders with a piece of bread.

As a result of this non-natural behavior, Macaws are no longer hand-raised.

Instead, the researchers climb the trees and study them in their nests.

This activity increases greatly around the breeding season, toward the end of each year.

A Brown Capuchin in the Tambopata National Reserve

2. Monkey Watching

As much as I've learned to appreciate birding over the years, I'm more of a monkey man.

And on one morning nature walk, in less than an hour, we spotted three different species of monkeys, including:

Large, orange-haired Howler Monkeys
Brown Capuchins (pictured above)
Saddleback Tamarins

After lunch, we spotted spider monkeys on a walk. It was the fourth species that day.

The following day, I'd see my fifth (and the one with the funniest name), Dusky Titi Monkeys.

If you love monkeys, go to the Tambopata Research Center, they're everywhere!

A young jaguar's paw print, estimated to be less than 24 hours old

1. Jaguars

Without a shadow of a doubt, the Jaguar spotting which occurred one hour into our first boat ride on the Tambopata River was the wildlife highlight of my time in Peru's Amazon Basin.

Because this particular big cat is so rare, with approximately 99 in the park, everyone on the boat, our guides included, got excited.

People go on multi-day jaguar tracking treks throughout the jungles of Latin America, and many will never see more than a paw print.

The next day, during one of the walks around the Research Center, we came across one such Jaguar paw print in the mud.

Later that afternoon, another group came back to the lodge, having seen a jaguar on the ground, just 10 minutes from where we were standing.

So if you love jaguars, go to the Tambopata Research Center!

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Disclosure: This tour is in partnership with Rainforest Expeditions. As always, any opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Dave's 160-page, all-original Lima Travel Guide is now available for Kindle.

5 Budget-Friendly Things To Do in Edinburgh

Posters for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (photo: Archibald Ballantine)

[H]ome to several thousand students, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, numerous cultural events and seven beautiful beaches, Edinburgh is one city worth visiting no matter what the time of year.

Its busiest months are during the summer months when the city comes alive with festivals, but even visiting during this time doesn’t have to make for an expensive trip.

With world renowned events, large open spaces and more history than you can shake a stick at, here are five things to do in Edinburgh on a budget.

Table of Contents

1. Watch a Show at the Fringe Festival
2. Wander Across the Meadows
3. Climb Arthur's Seat
4. Visit the National Museum of Scotland
5. Walk Along the Beach

1. Watch a Show at the Fringe Festival

The world’s largest arts festival has been held in Edinburgh for 50 years, and runs from the 3rd-27th August in 2012.

Although accommodation is more expensive than at other times, it shouldn’t put you off visiting. Hotels4U has cheap hotels available during the Edinburgh festival, and getting around is easy, as the city’s compact size means most of the venues are in walking distance from each other and all day bus tickets are just £3.50.

Even if your budget doesn’t stretch to the big name acts, then fear not: the “Half-Price Hut” sells cheap tickets for a variety of performances, while there are no shortage of free shows and street performers for those seeking a freebie.

The Meadows in Edinburgh (photo: Simon Pearson)

2. Wander Across the Meadows

Located on the city’s south side just ten minutes from the city centre, the Meadows is one of Edinburgh’s biggest open spaces, and is a true favourite with the locals and students who live nearby.

During the summer, the park plays host to some of the Fringe shows as well as the Edinburgh Taste Festival, and on sunny days the grassy expanse buzzes with groups of friends eating and drinking their way through picnics.

Sporty types can find respite here too, with tennis courts, paths to jog along and plenty of space to throw a Frisbee.

3. Climb Arthur's Seat

Impossible to miss, this extinct volcano looms above Edinburgh from its base in Holyrood Park, and offers a fantastic (and free) view of the city and surrounding areas.

For a knowledgeable commentary on the landscape, wildlife and history of Arthur’s Seat, Historic Scotland currently provides free guided walks to the peak, but those who would rather tackle the hill on their own can still find their own quiet route and take in the ruins and scenery along the way.

On a clear day, the vista stretches as far as Fife – but the climb can be hard work.

Take the Piper’s Hill path for a challenge, but hiking boots, waterproofs and a camera are recommended no matter which route you take.

4. Visit the National Museum of Scotland

For days when the weather isn’t so good (hey, this is Scotland – it happens), the National Museum is the place to go.

Centrally located in Edinburgh’s Old Town, admission is free, and the collections include objects from the country’s wartime past, to items brought back by Scottish explorers over the years.

The focus isn’t just on Scotland though, there’s live music in the Grand Gallery at lunchtime most days throughout the Fringe Festival and summer activities for children focused around arts, craft and science.

There’s more than enough to fill a day here, and there’s a great view of Edinburgh city from the outdoor terrace.

5. Walk Along the Beach

For those who fancy a bit of wildlife spotting, taking a stroll or just lying about on the sand, there are seven beaches dotted along the East Lothian coastline within easy reaching distance from Edinburgh.

While Belhaven is the best spot for surfing, the quiet and more secluded Seacliffe is home to the smallest harbour in the UK, with the remains of Tantallon Castle forming part of the area’s beautiful scenery.

Portobello beach is just a short bus ride away from the city centre which makes it the most popular choice for city-dwellers on a sunny day, while the amusement arcades and cafes dotted along the Victorian promenade give the area a distinctly traditional feel.

This post was written by Jo Harris-Cooksley on behalf of Hotels4U.com.

The Not So Touristy Town of Sanjiang, China

[L]ocated in the northern part of Guangxi Province, China, Sanjiang is far from the beaten tourist path.

Yet because of its famous historical bridges, the Chinese government is aiming to transform it into a stop on the Chinese tourist route for the future.

Sanjiang is rather interesting, a contrasting mixture of city meeting ancient Chinese village and modern combining with traditional.

Sanjiang and the surrounding countryside are famous for their bridges, and although the one pictured above is quite new, its design is based on the historical "Wind and Rain Bridge" in a nearby village.

The interior of the bridge was peaceful, built with wooden benches in-between the pillars, and blessed by a constant breeze which made it a perfect spot to take an afternoon siesta.

My personal favorite thing to do while I was in Sanjiang was to walk around town and browse the local market which was packed with produce directly from the farm.

After the morning market rush, vendors would disperse and cleaners would sweep up the mess.

Duck is one of the most widely consumed proteins in this part of China and people don't want to purchase pre-butchered ducks (that could be fresh or not), they want them alive!

But if purchasing a live duck, butchering it, and then preparing it is just too long to wait, you can always go to the bottom level of the market and buy a beautiful variety of already roasted or fried goodness.

At first I thought it was a basket full of noodles, some sausages, and little pieces of deep-fried bread, but someone informed me that everything in this basket was actually tofu in different forms.

To be honest Sanjiang is not really a touristy town, and for pretty good reason, there's not really much to do there. However, it's sometimes a joy to visit a city where the highlights are wandering around and taking lazy afternoon naps on a bridge.

5 Gorgeous Islands of the South Pacific

There are numerous stunning holiday destinations around the world. Still, there's nothing quite like the stress-free, laid-back atmosphere of reclining on a warm beach surrounded by turquoise water and lush tropical greenery. The islands in the South Pacific Ocean are among the most picturesque in the world. Though there are thousands of them, here are just five that represent a slice of South Pacific paradise.

Table of Contents

South Pacific Islands

South Pacific Islands

1. Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, South Pacific (photo by Prinsrichard). — Rarotonga, Cook Islands (photo by Prinsrichard)

Though its population is well under 20,000, Rarotonga is the most populous island in the Cook Islands archipelago. White sandy beaches and beautiful lagoons surround much of the island, contributing to its reputation as a beach lover's paradise.

Like nearly all of the islands in the South Pacific, Rarotonga is formed by a volcano. It is composed of jagged mountain peaks covered in lush green forest.

There are several hiking opportunities, including one route that traverses the island, offering stunning views of the beaches and waters below.

2. Yasawa Group, Fiji

Sunset in the Yasawa Group, Fiji (photo by Heardsy). — Yasawa Group, Fiji (photo by Heardsy)

Fiji has long been a leader in South Pacific island tourism. The tiny set of islands referred to as the Yasawa Group is not as famous as Viti Levu, Nadi, or Denarau, but it's the peace and lack of development that make the islands so appealing.

With a teeming reef life, snorkeling and diving are two of the most sought-after activities in the waters of the Yasawas. Catching a glimpse of the graceful (yet dangerous) manta rays swimming between rock passageways is a highlight.

Since the islands are relatively small and positioned close together, the terrain lends itself to pleasant hikes that offer stunning views of the surrounding hilly islands. Don't miss an early morning hike to the top of one of the peaks to admire a breathtaking sunrise.

3. Bora Bora, Society Islands

To many, the sweet sound of Bora Bora is a synonym for paradise, an island of jaw-dropping beauty. Lazily swinging in a comfy hammock suspended over crystal clear water while being shaded by a luxurious grass thatch bungalow is what the island is renowned for.

The jungle-covered Mount Otemanu offers a stunning backdrop to the island's sandy beaches.

Bora Bora is entirely dependent on tourism, and although it's far from a budget destination, the scenery is as stunning as it looks in the photos. Like many of the paradise islands in the South Pacific, a tour company like Flight Centre can be convenient for putting together an all-inclusive holiday package.

4. Moorea, French Polynesia

Accessible from Tahiti is the quiet heart-shaped island known as Mo'orea. Snorkeling, pearl diving, hiking, and horseback riding are just a few of the adventurous things to do on a visit.

Another fantastic option is to spend the day relaxing in the turquoise waters and basking under the swaying palms.

By South Pacific island standards, Mo'orea is less of a luxury resort-filled island and more of a less expensive way to have an island experience. There are even several spots to pitch a tent and camp right on the beach.

5. Upolu, Samoa

Upolu, Samoa, in the South Pacific (photo by Polyx1). — Upolu, Samoa (photo by Polyx1)

The island of Upolu, located in Samoa, is the most populous in the nation and includes the capital city of Apia. Along with numerous swimming beaches surrounding the island, Upolu is also renowned for its surfing and fishing.

On land, Upolu has designated several national parks to preserve its diverse ecosystem. From trekking through thick jungle to gazing at plunging waterfalls, there's always something fun to explore on the island.

The easygoing lifestyle and breathtaking scenery make the South Pacific Ocean islands truly magical. Whether you use your physical energy to surf, dive, snorkel, or sip cocktails from a horizontal position, you'll experience the beauty of the South Pacific!

________

This post was written by Mark and brought to you by Flight Centre.

The White Nights of St. Petersburg

midnight st petersburg — After midnight in St. Petersburg. (photo by pthread)

[A] funny thing happened when we arrived in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Our train from Moscow, one of those fast trains that takes you up to 250 km per hour, arrived at near midnight... and yet, the sky was still bright as day.

We hustled around from taxi to taxi, and walked around in search of our hostel's entry door (always a struggle when staying in apartment hostels in Russia), all in the light of day.

Obviously, our sleep schedule was about to be thrown out of whack, and furthermore our minds – but that's what happens during the season of White Nights in St. Petersburg.

church of our saviour of spilled blood — Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood in evening.

White Nights

White Nights, or midnight sun, is a phenomenon that happens each year from around June 11th to July 2nd.

For regions near the Arctic Circle, the sun can remain in the sky for almost an entire 24 hours, but in St. Petersburg, it seemed that the sun was setting around midnight and rising again at 4 am.

Quite the spectacle nonetheless!

For this reason, I highly suggest making sure your hostel or hotel room windows have thick curtains if you hope to get a reasonable amount of sleep.

Prime tourist season occurs during the White Nights of St. Petersburg, as well as celebrations from locals alike who told me they often get very little sleep during these weeks of the year.

Peter and Paul Fortress late at night. (photo by infanticida)

Being a Tourist During the White Nights

The White Nights season is the perfect time to be a tourist in St. Petersburg as it means you literally have more hours in the day (of sunlight that is) to do your sightseeing.

Not only that, but shops and restaurants tend to stay open late, so you are always able to keep yourself busy – and you don't have that blanket of darkness that causes a sense of uneasiness in a foreign city to hold you back.

In addition to the longer sightseeing hours, the following makes it a great time for a tourist:

The White Nights Festival:
The last ten days of June in St. Petersburg turn into the White Nights Festival - a time full of around the clock activity.

This international arts festival fills the city with top opera singers, ballet dancers and musicians putting on performances in the "Stars of the White Nights Festival".

The "Scarlet Sails" celebrations happen during the White Nights Festival and involved a huge public event with fireworks that also mark the end of the school year in June. Tons of boats full of pirates take sail on the Neva River, while millions of people watch the event.

Several carnivals present themselves to the public during the White Nights Festival, with the most popular one being in the Peterhof suburb.

White Nights Bike Tour:
If you're looking for unique experiences, getting on a bike at midnight and going on a tour of the city that ends at 2 in the morning could be something worth writing home about.

A popular tour company, Peter's Walking Tours, offers this ride during the White Nights season for a different perspective of the nightlife vibe – with stops of course at the Neva River, Palace Square and more.

Midnight Boat Rides Through Canals:
The canals and waterways of St. Petersburg are what make it feel like Venice, and the best way to experience these rides might just be at midnight during the White Nights Festival.

By taking a tour at this time of day, you get to experience the vibe of the city at "night", as the sun finally sets and the bridges and buildings take light.

Since my hostel window was open directly to one of these canals, I can attest to just how lively the night becomes in St. Petersburg, especially with many small boats bringing quite the party.

The White Nights of St. Petersburg can be a disorienting time for your body, but if you're a traveler wanting to see as much of the city as possible, I highly suggest a visit during this short time of year.

Madrid for Foodies

Mercado de San Miguel (photo: Herry Lawford)

[M]adrid is one of Europe’s liveliest cities, well known for its nightlife, art and historic landmarks.

If there’s one thing that exploring the winding streets and cultural squares gives you, it’s an appetite.

And luckily, Madrid has plenty to offer those with rumbling bellies, too.

From tapas to specialty meats, there are some dishes you’ve just got to sample when you’re in the Spanish capital, so here are a few places to get your foodie fix…

Mercado de San Miguel

Located seconds from Madrid’s grand Plaza Mayor, this indoor market first opened its doors in 1916.

One of the city’s oldest markets, the building was falling into disrepair until it was refurbished in 2009 when it proceeded to become one of the city’s most popular foodie hot spots.

Packed with stalls serving anything from oysters and wine to fish, bread, fruits and cheese, tourists and locals flock here to soak up the buzzy atmosphere and devour plates of food, which can be eaten on tables or the floor in the middle of the marketplace.

Sobrino de Botin

Hailed as the world’s oldest restaurant, Sobrino de Botin has been serving up grub since 1725.

With mentions in both the Guinness World Records and Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Sun Also Rises to its name, you’ll probably need to book ahead to secure a table at this historical haunt.

Whether you’re led up the original wooden staircases to the dining rooms, or down below to the cave for your meal, try ordering the specialty suckling pig, or “cochinillo”, which will be prepared in the traditional wood-fired oven as has been the practice there since the 18th Century.

Taberna de la Daniela

One of Spain’s most well-known dishes, Cocido madrileño is served throughout Madrid, but there are a couple of places where it’s done extremely well.

While in the past, the est. 1870 Taberna La Bola has been a winner in the tourist stakes, there’s an alternative favored by locals that’s certainly worth a try.

Taberna de la Daniela is near the Goya Metro station, and is one of the best places to sample this traditional stew made up of chickpeas, meat, and vegetables; the ingredients of which are served separately as a starter (the soup broth) and main course (everything else).

El Museo del Jamon

With branches throughout the city from Gran Via to Atocha, the Museo del Jamon - or Museum of Ham - isn’t so much a museum, as a restaurant and deli that serves cured ham cuts in sandwiches (bocadillos) croissants and as main meals.

It’s normally bustling with tourists on tapas tours and locals picking up a quick snack, and the interior is decorated with ham legs which hang over the counters where you’re served and eat your Iberico or Serrano, with a one Euro beer.

A great place to grab some food at a bargain price, before heading out to explore the rest of the city.

If you want to try out these foodie hubs for yourself, Hotels4U has great deals on hotels in Madrid, so click here to take a look at the website.

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This post was written and brought to you by Hotels4U.

6 Fun Cities To Explore on an Asian Cruise

Captivating traditions, the mixture of ancient and ultra-modern, limitless shopping opportunities, and a tantalizing culinary smorgasbord are just a handful of the many aspects that make exploring Asia such a memorable experience.

Many of Asia's most significant cities are also maritime ports, making a cruise a fantastic way to see the continent. Here are six cities that shouldn't be missed on an Asian cruise.

Table of Contents

Asian Cities

Asian Cities

1. Singapore

Positioned in a strategic location at the southern tip of the Malay peninsula and along the shortest water route from the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean, Singapore is the world's busiest shipping port. The small yet prosperous city-state of 4.5 million inhabitants is also a standard stop on most Asian cruises.

Singapore is one of the world's most diverse cities, with nearly every country represented. Chinatown is a great place to observe the strong traditional influences of China in Singapore, and a visit to Little India offers the opportunity to purchase spices and dine on delicious Indian food. From neatly manicured tropical gardens to sprawling shopping centers, Singapore makes an entertaining stop.

2. Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand

Bangkok is a diverse city that offers a little of just about everything. Ancient palaces and Buddhist temples coexist with modern skyscrapers, and bicycle rickshaws share the road with luxury sports cars. Air-conditioned mega shopping malls abound, yet street stalls and night markets fill the alleys.

One of the most sought-after activities during a visit to Bangkok is sampling delicious Thai food. There is so much to eat that you'll beg for more stomach space. Since there is so much to see and do around Bangkok, it's a great idea to organize an itinerary with a specialist like cruiseabout.com.au so you can design a cruise package that suits your interests.

3. Haiphong (Hanoi), Vietnam

Haiphong, with its deepwater port, has been a strategic commercial and trade center for hundreds of years in northern Vietnam. With a mixture of Chinese culture and French colonial influence, Haiphong is a fascinating city filled with Buddhist temples, Catholic cathedrals, pagodas, and villas.

Not far from Haiphong is the more famous city of Hanoi, Vietnam's capital and second largest city. Established over 1,000 years ago, Hanoi is layered with history and ancient landmarks.

4. Hong Kong, China

Crammed onto a small island surrounded by lush hills and within a perfect natural harbor, Hong Kong is a mind-blowing jungle of skyscrapers. Many consider the view of the skyline alone to be the best in the world, and with a nightly light show, it becomes even more impressive.

Head to the top of Victoria's Peak (by hiking or taking the tram) for a jaw-dropping bird' s-eye view of the city. Hong Kong is perhaps the most famous shopping destination in the world, and there is no shortage of great deals on clothes, electronics, and souvenirs. Enjoy Hong Kong's famous dim sum and roast pork if you're after food.

5. Beijing, China

Forbidden City, Beijing — Beijing, China (photo courtesy of ivanwalsh)

In northern China, Beijing is the country's cultural and political headquarters. With a long, fascinating history and a modernization boom, it offers incredible things to see and do.

In the center of town is Tian'anmen Square, one of the most significant sites in Beijing. The Forbidden City, once the palace of the emperors of China, is now preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Lastly, a visit to Beijing wouldn't be complete without a trip to the famous Great Wall of China.

6. Osaka, Japan

Osaka Castle — Osaka, Japan (photo courtesy of nenzen)

Osaka, Japan's third-most populous city, is one of the major northerly port docks on an Asian cruise route. It is also one of the nation's most important commercial, economic, and trade hubs.

Known throughout Japan for its delicious restaurants, Osaka is a paradise for those looking to indulge in some of the finest Japanese cuisine. Osaka sushi, okonomiyaki, and takoyaki are just a few of the delicacies famous in the city.

Osaka Castle, covering an area of over 60,000 square meters, is a major attraction in the city. The castle offers thirteen main towers, many gates, stone walls, and beautiful gardens. In addition to historical sites and fabulous dining, Osaka is home to Universal Studios Japan, an exciting theme park.

Asia is a perfect destination for a holiday cruise because of its diversity of cultures, preservation of history and architecture, and abundance of shopping and dining.

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This post was written by Mark and brought to you by Cruiseabout.com.au.

Top 5 Adventure Activities in Kyrgyzstan

The Tian Shan Mountains (photo: livepine)

When people ask me what there is to do in Kyrgyzstan, besides talking about the unique cultural aspect, I often mention adventure activities, which are made possible by the mountainous landscape.

Did you know that Kyrgyzstan is comprised of nearly 94% mountains? Yeah, that's a lot of mountains.

These mountains are why the country has become known as the "Switzerland of Central Asia" and why many trekking-related companies have been popping up in Bishkek, such as the Trekking Union.

Table of Contents

Mountaineering
Horseback Riding
Trekking
Rafting
Skiing

Mountaineering

Fancy yourself an expert climber, or at least a strong enthusiast? Because of the mountains, Kyrgyzstan is a prime location for mountain climbing with several coveted peaks.

Choose from the likes of Lenin Peak (7,134 m) or the Khan-Tengri Peak (6,995 m) in Kyrgyzstan, or try peaks that reach across to neighboring countries like Mustag Ata Peak (7,546 m), which involves crossing into China.

The Kyrgyz Alpine Club has an extensive amount of information for visitors interested in climbing these areas.

horse riding kyrgyzstan — Horse riding in Kyrgyzstan (photo: pbarry)

Horseback Riding

Just step inside a CBT office for a few minutes, and you'll be met with countless horseback riding opportunities across the country.

There is a special love for the horse in the countryside of Kyrgyzstan.

Not only do they provide the Kyrgyz national drink - Kumyz (fermented horse milk) - they also are a primary mode of transport in the nomadic areas and used for herding animals.

And because of the landscape, if you want to get access to some of the country's most gorgeous hot spots, sometimes it can only be reached by an animal (or foot).

Trekking

Trekking is probably the most popular adventure activity for visitors behind horseback riding. The most likely regions for trekking are Karakol, Naryn, Kochkor, and Arslanbob.

With the help of groups like the Trekking Union of Kyrgyzstan, guides and supplies can be rented, and mountain huts can be used.

Although trekking permits are generally unnecessary, there will be certain regions where they may be required: the Khan Tengri, Karavshin, and Inylchek glacier area.

Rafting

Several river locations across Kyrgyzstan are ripe for rafting during a few summer months of the year.

According to the Silk Road Water Center, the Chu River (Grades II to IV), Chong Kemin (Grades II to IV), Kekemeren River (Grades II to IV), and Naryn River (Grades II to IV) are optimal locations to take the plunge.

Only, don't forget the wetsuit as the water, often coming from mountains and glacial melt can be freezing.

Skiing

Skiing may not be the industry that it could be in a mountainous country, but a few locations near both Bishkek and Karakol would suffice for enthusiasts.

However, more adventurous souls can opt to take a helicopter up to 5,000m peaks and get dropped off for Heliskiing and Heliboarding tours.

The peaks in question can be from 1 to 5 kilometers in length with fresh, powdery snow. If interested in this sort of adventure, then check out Heli Ski Tours in Kyrgyzstan.

How to Meet and Connect with Others When You Travel

Helping someone out is a great way to connect

Though meeting and connecting with others is one of the major fears of traveling, it is also one of the most important things about being a traveler.

Here are 7 ways to make meeting and connecting with others an easier task.

Table of Contents

1. Be the Conversation Initiator
2. Hang Out in Communal Areas
3. Help Someone Out
4. Find a Common Bond
5. Couchsurfing
6. Use Social Media and Blogs
7. Go on a Tour

1. Be the Conversation Initiator

I used to hate being the one to initiate a conversation. I would have often preferred to endure a time of awkwardness instead of being the first person to speak up.

Not that I was rude or didn't want to talk, I just didn't know if the other person wanted to talk, and that fear kept me to myself.

Throughout my travels, I have however forced myself to meet and greet others in the right circumstances, and guess what I’ve found?

The majority of other random people (both travelers and locals) are friendly, eager, and willing to chat.

2. Hang Out in Communal Areas

If you’re staying in a mixed person dorm room it’s pretty easy to meet and connect with the person sharing your bunk.

It merely takes a friendly “hello,” and you’re already well on your way.

If you’re staying in a private room, you definitely won’t meet anyone locked in your room all day and night.

Hang out in the communal areas reading, watching TV or using your laptop and eventually you’re bound to stumble into another person and strike up a conversation.

3. Help Someone Out

See someone who needs some help with directions or needs assistance doing anything else?

If you know the answer, or can be of service, step in and try to help them.

I was in China when I spotted a smiling lady pulling an absurdly large cart packed with harvested rice stalks.

The cart toppled over and the rice stalks slid off the pushcart into a pile on the side of the road (photo top).

Seeing that she needed some help, I helped her reload the cart which took just a few minutes.

She then invited me over to her home for an experience I'll never forget.

Helping others is the perfect chance to meet and connect.

4. Find a Common Bond

A common bond is often the foundation of a relationship.

This, by all means, doesn't mean that you should instantly connect with the person who happens to be from your same country (though it could), but rather means that any common factor or activity can be the basis of a connection.

I was in Uruguay with a buddy of mine a few years ago.

At that time we were addicted to drinking yerba mate, a local herbal beverage.

A few Argentinian travelers saw us, drinking mate, were delighted and joined us.

We ended up all traveling together for a few days after meeting them over some simple bonding mate.

Couchsurfing can lead to some great opportunities.

5. Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing isn’t just a website to find a couch to crash on, there are so many other ways to benefit from the community.

For instance, if you’re heading to a particular city, get online and browse a group specifically for that place.

Depending on the size of the city, you’ll probably find an active community of both locals and travelers sharing advice and organizing meet-ups or events.

Though I really enjoy couchsurfing itself, I’ve also had some really rewarding experiences joining couchsurfing trips and met some incredible people from around the world.

6. Use Social Media and Blogs

The internet has revolutionized just about everything we do, travel included.

One of the most simple and yet powerful ways of connecting with others when you travel is to use social media to get connected.

Read some blogs, send some tweets, browse some hashtags and with just a bit of effort you could be connected and meeting up with some like-minded individuals for an adventure.

7. Go on a Tour

A tour doesn't need to be a week-long overland trip, it can be as simple as a day tour or even just a few hours.

Whether you take a tour to see a Boca Juniors game in Buenos Aires or to hike through the rainforest searching for orangutans in Sumatra, you’re just about guaranteed to meet someone you can connect with.

In the Philippines, I, along with a group of others, visited the famous Batad rice terraces.

Though the group had to return to Manila, I decided to stay on and do some more hiking.

Through the group, I was able to arrange a local guide (just a normal guy) to lead me from village to village in the mountains of the Philippines.

No matter if you’re traveling solo or with a group of friends, meeting and interacting with others is a crucial part of traveling.

When we accumulate some experience and know a few tricks, connecting with others can be effortless but so rewarding.

4 Worthy Stops on a North Yorkshire Road Trip

An age-old rivalry exists in England, dividing its inhabitants into the Southerners and the Northerners.

The Midlands is a grey area (perhaps they have dual citizenship?).

Insults have been thrown from both sides, but these tribes now live primarily in harmony together on the island.

Being a Southerner myself, I headed to university in the North with a feeling of trepidation and excitement. But I loved it.

Yorkshire is one of England's most beautiful counties, and a road trip around its countryside, seaside towns, and cities is a great way to take it all in.

Cheap car rentals allow you to travel in the UK on a budget and stop off wherever takes your fancy.

York

The historic city of York is an excellent place to start. Despite its relatively small size, there's plenty to do during a short stay.

You can walk around its ancient walls, admire the Minster's stained glass, and drop into the Evil Eye bar for one of the best cocktails around.

The city's Jorvik Centre has been set up where archaeologists found evidence of Viking houses and workshops.

An underground ride takes you around a reconstruction of a Viking settlement, with authentic smells and everything.

My friend and I turned out to be the only adults on it at the time, but I think we were still the most excited.

Scarborough

You can drive from York to the seaside town of Scarborough in just over an hour.

Scarborough is a quintessentially British holiday resort, and its beaches have some of the cleanest water in Europe.

The famous Scarborough Fair, which attracted merchants from all over the world in the Middle Ages, is celebrated in September with typically English pastimes, including morris dancing and jousting competitions (must dust off my lance).

North York Moors

One of the best drives in Yorkshire and Britain is through the North York Moors.

The area is a national park and an excellent place for walking and cycling - there are over 1,400 miles of paths to choose from, and you can stay in one of the picturesque local villages or towns.

Drive up the Moors from Scarborough towards Whitby, and take a few detours on the way to enjoy the scenery.

One highlight is the "Hole of Horcum," a deep section of the valley that legend holds was created by a giant scooping out the earth. It also rates highly on Britain's rude place names.

Whitby

Whitby is located on the dramatic North Sea coast and inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula.

I remember visiting on a particularly wet and windy autumn day and being practically blown around the ancient abbey, whose ruins stand on top of a hill and loom over the rest of the town.

However, no day in England is too wet to enjoy fish and chips, and there are plenty of good seaside restaurants there to choose from.

If the weather's on your side, take it out to watch the sunset over the horizon, which is excellent competition for any sunset in the South.

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About the Author: Katherine likes to get a feel for the history of the places she visits and seeks out the bits which reveal something about the culture in different areas of the globe. She has traveled on four different continents and is looking forward to exploring the rest.

Jaguars and Thunderstorms on the Tambopata River

Flying over the Amazon Basin, on approach to Puerto Maldonado

There was no choice but to wait the storm out. Night came quick on the Tambopata River, aided by the dark grey clouds producing the torrential rains pouring down on us.

Branches, logs, and entire trees could be seen floating atop the water's surface, the result of flooding and erosion further upstream.

Flashes of lightning illuminated the world around us, a foreign world of thick jungle, jaguars, howler monkeys, and chicken tarantulas the size of a human hand.

My first boat ride into the Peruvian Amazon had thus far been anything but routine. That we were tethered to a tree, in the pitch black, with no idea where we were, was par for the course.

Disembarking the Star Peru flight at the Puerto Maldonado airport

The adventure began earlier that morning, when I boarded a spectacularly scenic Star Peru flight from Lima to Puerto Maldonado, via Cusco.

Though short in duration, the flight cuts directly across Peru, from the urban sprawl of Lima and the drab desert surrounding it, to the snow-capped mountains and glacial lakes of the Andes Mountains, and ultimately, the thick green jungle of the Amazon Basin.

To disembark in Puerto Maldonado, is to feel as though one is stepping directly into a sauna. The humidity ensures you immediately begin sweating.

Inside the terminal, while waiting for the bags to arrive, a representative from Rainforest Expeditions found me, as well as several families who'd arrived on the same flight. I was introduced to Pedro, my guide.

Tours to the Tambopata Research Center benefit from a 6:1 ratio of visitors to guides. The small groups allow more interaction, as well as improving the odds of spotting wildlife during the walks.

Rainforest Expeditions headquarters in Puerto Maldonado

We boarded a comfortable shuttle bus, which drove us the ten minutes to the company's nearby headquarters.

We were greeted with a glass of juice, and informed of another flight which had guests, and was running late.

An hour later, a third family arrived, and we re-boarded the shuttle bus again for the one hour ride to the Tambopata River.

There were three families, including seven small children, and one pair of grandparents.

I was surprised to learn these Amazon trips are popular with families, especially ones with little children.

A snack basket, including banana, brazil nuts, and banana chips — The snack basket was a nice touch

The bus ride to the Tambopata River is along a dirt road, with several unfinished bridges.

The large, orange-painted steel beams appeared to be a big improvement over the tree trunks we were using to cross streams.

Along the way, we nibbled on snacks provided by the company, including bananas, banana chips, and Brazil nuts, which are harvested locally.

Transferring from bus to boat for our journey up the Tambopata River

Once we reached the river's edge, there was the opportunity to use the restroom, as it was going to be at least a two and a half hour ride upriver to reach Refugio Amazonas, where we would be spending the night.

It was about 3 PM, and the skies were decidedly overcast.

If the rainforest is anything like the mountains, the later in the day it gets, the more likely you'll have rain. I could tell from looking at the clouds, it wouldn't be long before they let loose.

Cruising up the Tambopata River — Heading up the Tambopata River mid-afternoon

Within 15 minutes of boarding the narrow, blue wooden boat, we cruised right into a thunderstorm.

Semi-clear plastic tarps were dropped down from the sides of the boat.

The driver prefers not to use these as it severely limits his vision, however if the rain and wind are strong enough, they're used to ensure guests and their luggage don't get soaked.

A lunch of fried rice with chicken, wrapped in a banana leaf, was handed out, along with bottled water.

The rice was excellent, and a positive indication of how well they'd feed us at the two lodges.

The rain began to let up after twenty minutes, and the tarps were rolled up so the driver could see better, and we could look for wildlife in the jungle.

Kurt, one of the co-founders of the Tambopata Research Center, previously told me the best chance to spot a jaguar was on the boat rides. And the more time you spent on the river, the better your odds.

I was so preoccupied with trying to process everything that was happening, I hadn't thought to keep an eye out along the river banks.

The Tambopata National Reserve is filled with wildlife, from a dizzying number of birds, to five kinds of primates, caiman, and piranha.

But the jaguar is one of the most elusive, in part because the density of vegetation limits visibility, and cats are nocturnal.

An apex predator, it stands proudly atop the local food chain. And I wanted nothing more than to see one in the wild during my 6-day trip.

A jaguar sits and watches us from the river bank

One hour into our boat ride, as we were cruising along the left bank of the Tambopata River, we came right upon a jaguar, sitting and watching the world go by.

Several kids were looking out that side of the boat as we passed it, and a cacophony of shouts soon broke out.

Despite the commotion, the jaguar remained seated. We were no more than 20 meters from the shore, and the mental picture I snapped at that moment, of this beautiful, spotted creature, will be one I never forget.

The boat driver immediately swung us toward the center of the river, so we could reposition ourselves for another look.

As this was happening, the jaguar slowly repositioned itself as well.

By the time we were close to the shore again, the jaguar was barely visible.

One of the guides indicated it was still close to the shore, only a few meters within the vegetation ensured it was practically invisible.

I found it interesting how calmly the cat acted. It didn't immediately run away when everyone on our boat began yelling "jaguar" and pointing, nor did it leave the scene entirely when we returned for a second look.

Instead, perhaps because it was curious, or ready to protect its territory, it laid in wait, watching and waiting.

A capybara, the largest species of rodent in the world — A capybara, the largest rodent in the world

When it was clear the leopard wasn't coming out, we continued on our way upriver.

Barely an hour into the tour, and I'd already experienced what I knew to be my #1 highlight.

Further along, we came across capybara feeding on vegetation at the river's edge.

The capybara is the world's largest rodent, with adults weighing 77 to 150 lbs (35 to 66 kg). They are found throughout much of South America.

Being that I already saw a jaguar, it was now my hope to see a jaguar hunt and kill a capybara.

On safari in Africa, I quickly learned that seeing large cats hunt and kill prey was a much more sought after experience than simply watching them lounge under a shade tree.

Thirty minutes from reaching the Amazonas Lodge, around 5:30 PM, another thunderstorm erupted.

This time, there was little daylight left to aid the boat driver in navigating the river.

We witnessed entire trees floating downstream. Combined with the wind from the storm, the conditions had become dangerous.

A decision was made to tie the boat up along the riverside, and wait out the storm.

Several of the guides made this happen, and we soon found ourselves sitting in the dark, on a boat, in the Amazon.

Thunder cracked all around us, and lightning gave us momentary glimpses of the river and jungle around us.

Surprisingly, most of the kids seemed perfectly fine with the situation, as did their parents.

I began listening to music on my MP3 player and hoped the storm would let up sooner rather than later.

Candles and kerosene lamps light the rooms at Refugio Amazonas

Our delay amounted to forty-five minutes. Once we untied from the tree and began motoring up the river again, it was at a much slower pace.

Pedro was standing at the front of the boat, holding a searchlight up to help the boat driver avoid the debris which continued to float along the water's surface.

To the driver's credit, we arrived safely, as the rain was letting up.

By the time we walked the ten minutes up to the lodge, our way lit by headlamps and flashlights, dinner was being served.

Our bags were brought up to the lodge for us, and we were then shown to our rooms.

A mosquito net had already been pulled down for me in the room where I spent the night.

Light is provided by candles on the nightstands and kerosene lamps in the hallways.

The amenities were all more comfortable than I'd expected.

After grabbing dinner, and catching up with Lainie and Miro, who'd arrived a day before me, I was ready to retire.

The next day, we'd be back on the boat, heading even deeper into the Amazon.

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Disclosure: This tour is in partnership with Rainforest Expeditions. As always, any opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Dave's 160-page, all-original Lima Travel Guide is now available for Kindle and PDF.

Journey to Very North of Sri Lanka

[W]hen I was traveling in Sri Lanka, I had the privilege of taking a journey to the very northern part of the country. Ravaged by war just a few years ago, the islands of the north are now quiet, heavily guarded by military troops, and sparsely populated.

Visiting was an eye opening experience.

Jaffna is the largest city in northern Sri Lanka, and from there it's easy to catch a local public bus to further islands. The ocean is calm and shallow, cradled by the majority of Sri Lanka to the south and India to the north and west.

Some of the islands are connected by causeway, making them accessible by roads, other islands can only be reached by ferry or boat.

A little tin shack in the middle of nowhere

How about a lazy day in a tin shack?

This was a little makeshift soldier outpost, and despite its appearance of being a relaxing paradise, the heat was so stifling I think one would actually start to cook sitting in this tin shack.

Cruising down the road in northern Sri Lanka

The local bus drove much faster than it ever needed to, swerving down the unmaintained island road and screeching to a halt every time someone waved it down.

Tamil music was blasting as we cruised past bombed-out ruins, small villages and countless military checkpoints. Entranced by the music and scenery, the entire bus ride seemed to whizz past in a blur.

Getting off the bus, we boarded a fairy to Nainativu Island. Crammed into the bottom of a boat inhaling engine fumes doesn't make for the most pleasant of rides, but fortunately it only lasted about 15 minutes.

Little did I know until the ferry arrived, Nainativu Island is both a Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimage island, a place where Buddha himself visited during an important full moon festival (many many years ago).

Entrance to the Hindu side of the island

The island was tiny, just a few important temples and a series of local stalls selling souvenirs, snacks and religious relics.

Due to the war in Sri Lanka, Nainativu Island was deserted for nearly 20 years, but just recently it has opened up again.

Hoping for more future pilgrims to visit the island, artists were hard at work sculpting and painting additions to the temple.

Sri Naga Pooshani Amman Kovil temple is one of the main attractions on the island.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take any photos of the interior of the temple, but there were stunning paintings on the walls inside.

This little old lady sold me a few cans of roasted peanuts which were the perfect snack for the trek back to Jaffna.

Visiting the northern islands of Sri Lanka was a fascinating trip I'll never forget.

Couples Travel: 5 Lessons Learned

Nearly three months into my big trip with my boyfriend, I gained insights into couples travel. Sure, we may have met traveling and gone on a few week-long trips here and there, but three months is travel and closeness on a different level.

Brooke and Pat on the Russian train. — Brooke and Pat on the Russian train

Above all, communicating with your partner is the most obvious and important lesson that can be reiterated. On a trip where you rely on each other every day, you need to be extra sure the other knows what you feel and want. Don't go thinking the other is a mind reader!

Besides that important lesson, here are my top five that perhaps other soon-to-be traveling couples will find helpful.

Table of Contents

1. Keep Your Date Nights
2. Share the Burden
3. Don't Keep to Yourselves
4. Keep the Plans Relaxed
5. Keep a Little Distance So Your Heart Stays Fond

1. Keep Your Date Nights

I love travel because it's full of new experiences: new restaurants, environments, and sights. However, after a while, it gets tiring to run around from place to place and try to take it all in.

I recommend keeping a date night where you go out like normal, doing something familiar without the need to "see" or "do" in a travel sense. Get dressed nicely for a splurge dinner, or go to the movies (hopefully in English).

The night my boyfriend and I decided to head to an American-style steakhouse in Russia for a splurge dinner on our own felt like the ultimate treat. We didn't take any food photos or worry about budgets; no menu decoding was necessary. We just relaxed and felt comfortable.

Since my other half works long hours in his everyday Sydney life, I took care of most of the pre-trip prep. When that involves 3.5 months, seven countries, multiple visa applications, and a 3-week train trip through Russia coordinated with other travelers, it can get to the point where you're sitting at the computer, balling your eyes out because of the stress.

While he couldn't help much in the pre-travel days, the on-the-road delegation saved us. With my continued writing responsibilities and multiple stops over 3.5 months, we've each researched hostels, transport, and tours in a manner that made it so one person isn't getting burned out more than the other. I also recommend sharing translation/language duties if possible.

The time and effort I spent playing Russian translator in Kyrgyzstan were exhausting, so I was more than happy to hand over the duties of Mandarin in China to my boyfriend, who was willing to go the extra mile to learn.

couples camel riding — Riding camels with friends in Mongolia

3. Don't Keep to Yourselves

The joy of traveling with a loved one is spending quality time together, especially since you don't have to worry about leaving for work every day. And, even though taking advantage of every minute together is fun, don't forget to reach out and make friends with others along the way.

Some of our best moments have been befriending other travelers when out and about, and those connections help us put our travels into perspective and our time together.

4. Keep the Plans Relaxed

When it comes to travel, you never know how things will pan out until you get somewhere. If you're the type of person who wants to cram an itinerary full, keeping it busy from the time the plane lands and leaves, chances are there is just more chance of things going wrong.

It is one thing to have plans foiled when you're alone, but being with a partner and dealing with unmet expectations can cause stress, often leading to bickering.

Another consideration is that people get tired, sick, or prefer to participate in different activities that might pop up while on a trip. When I got pretty ill back at the end of April, which I'm sure resulted from too much hectic travel up until then, I couldn't do anything for a good week.

We were lucky to have a flexible schedule for the following few weeks, which allowed us to relax while I recovered without too much drama or the feeling that one partner was missing out on something amazing because of the inconvenience.

5. Keep a Little Distance So Your Heart Stays Fond

You don't have to travel to different cities for a few nights. The distance can be as simple as one person staying at the hostel while the other goes clothes shopping.

Our distance of choice on our trip has been my boyfriend heading off to the shops to pick up travel supplies and beer; it's always an adventure for him, and he always comes back with some great stories to share that are just his.

Other ideas involve zoning out with headphones, getting lost in books, or going alone for a walk or morning exercise. We all need breaks from time to time.

A Trip To Thailand's Antique Sam Chuk Market

[T]hailand is famous for its markets.

Fresh markets, flower markets, night markets, wholesale markets, floating markets... the list goes on and on. Some of the marketplaces in Thailand are used on a daily basis for business while other markets are only open on the weekends for recreational leisure.

A couple hours drive from central Bangkok is a tranquil market located in the middle of nowhere that happens to attract a flood of Thai tourists each weekend.

Known also as the "100 year old market," Sam Chuk is an old Thai village that has been well preserved. The wooden homes next to the Tha Jeen river make for a picturesque setting. While some stores sell antiques, at Sam Chuk the entire market is an antique.

Each weekend Sam Chuk turns into a place for Bangkok residents to escape the bustle of the city for a leisure day of walking, eating, and taking photos.

If you live at the market, you have two choices, a) open your doors and sell something or serve something or, b) leave your doors shut and miss out on the surge of traffic each weekend.

Fortunately, nearly everyone who owns a home at Sam Chuk chooses the former option.

There were all sorts of things to buy and browse at Sam Chuk.

This particular lady had maneuvered her way in between stores to display her dried salted fish and attempt to grab a piece of the action.

While many of the stores at the market sold traditional foods and speciality items, others choose to sell things like stuffed animal hats.

Delicious duck served at Sam Chuk Market

Though as I mentioned before, there are lots of different types of markets in Thailand, there's one thing you can always count on: food.

At the entrance of Sam Chuk were a few street carts piled high with tempting roasted and soy sauce boiled duck. As soon as a customer would purchase a bird, the vendor would slice and dice it up and have it piled into a styrofoam container in a matter of seconds.

Have you ever seen a pork ball the size of a softball?

Pork balls are basically pig trimmings and pieces of fat that are all ground up, formed into a ball, steamed, and served with a spicy dipping sauce.

Most of the time pork balls in Thailand are no larger than a standard pingpong ball, but at Sam Chuk they've taken things to the next level.

I'm not joking, these pork balls were literally the size of a softball. I saw a kid biting into one and it was easily half the size of his face.

For lunch we stopped at a relaxing restaurant to eat a Thai dish known as miang pla too.

The dish included a selection of fresh vegetables, a fried fish, soft rice noodles and a to-die-for spicy peanut sauce. It was wonderful.

Khao Mak is made from normal rice that is slightly fermented to give it a nice zippy alcoholic tinge but not anything overpowering like a shot of rice wine.

It's kind of like an alcoholic rice pudding, but instead of being smooth, it's textured with grains of rice. Let me tell you, khao mak is not only delicious, it's addictive too.

A visit to Sam Chuk market wouldn't be complete without a bowl of homemade Thai style coconut ice cream. It was creamy, not overly sweet, and purely coconut. Served in a half coconut shell and sprinkled with roasted peanuts, the ice cream was extremely enjoyable.

Rich history, a friendly environment, and delicious food is a winning combination. Sam Chuk market is yet another great place to spend a leisurely day in Thailand taking life at a slow soothing pace.

Is ESL Teaching Right for You?

esl workshop — ESL group workshop. (photo by rtlibrary)

[O]ne of the easiest answers to anyone (that speaks English) who is looking for ways to long term travel these days is to teach English abroad.

I'm guilty of tossing this one out there, too, to all the readers looking for more information on how I did this in the past.

Truth is, however, that teaching English abroad is not the job for everyone.

So, before packing up your life and moving over to random country X that liked your smile and ability to form a sentence in your native tongue, you might want to consider some of these thoughts to see if this opportunity is actually the best option for you.

Table of Contents

1. Do I like teaching?
2. How do I cope with new living situations?
3. Am I prepared financially?
4. Am I willing to fulfill my contract length?
5. Have I done my research?

1. Do I like teaching?

I know, seems pretty obvious, right? If you've taught before in any capacity, then this one is easy, but others might need to think about the parts that are involved with teaching.

More specifically:

Do you enjoy talking in front of small groups?
Are you capable of being patient with students that might be struggling?
Do you have the ability to explain yourself clearly using dumbed-down language, or choosing different words/phrases?

Imagine yourself running into a person on the streets who is in your country as a tourist and speaks very little English. His need for help requires you to search for other ways to communicate your answer, whether it be drawing pictures, using gestures, or using very basic language.

When that person finally understands you, did you get joy from the assistance and challenge? If so, you could enjoy yourself as a teacher!

esl game — ESL game in a classroom. (photo by goldendragon613)

2. How do I cope with new living situations?

Take it back to age 18, possibly when you moved away to college. Now that was a completely new and crazy living situation, was it not?!

How did you feel then? Did you go through some down moments where you just wanted to have your own space and old life back?

Well, multiply that feeling by 10 because living in a foreign country (depending on where you go) can be extremely stressful.

If you don't speak the language, or if you don't enjoy the local food, home can scream for your return louder than you thought possible – ultimately causing you to break your teaching contract early.

3. Am I prepared financially?

Some travelers choose the option of teaching English abroad because they are low on cash and want to make some money. Unfortunately, it is just not wise to pick up your life and move overseas if you still don't have some money in the bank.

Several situations can occur that require additional funds:

You might not get paid for several weeks after arrival.
Your pay might not cover your daily living expenses (transport, rent, food, etc.).
Unexpected illness, injury, or crime could result in extra expenses.

My personal preference, if anything, is to have at least enough money put away for a plane ticket home – just in case.

esl class — A potential ESL classroom. (photo by cambodia4kidsorg)

4. Am I willing to fulfill my contract length?

Teaching contracts come in all shapes and sizes with the majority of schools hoping for the longer term employee.

There is a big difference between 4 months and 2 years when it comes to living abroad, so it is important to think long-term to whether or not this move might be right for you.

Not only does breaking a contract cause issues for a school that has spent time training you and getting you set up, but it can also cause you to lose out on benefits, like a return flight home or bonus pay, or to get a bad wrap when applying to future schools.

5. Have I done my research?

Do not accept -- I repeat – do not accept a job until you've done your research. This includes researching the local customs and culture, the school you're working at, and hopefully interviewing past teachers at the same location.

It is also good to find out the teaching style at your school of choice in advance. Some schools may require you to prepare your own lessons on your own time, which can mean you are working for less money per hour than you initially thought.

Even if the situation or the school might not be the best, at least knowing about possible struggles in advance can lessen the stress while abroad.

And less stress often means a teacher is happier and more likely to stick around longer.

Good preparation and research is key to having a successful time as an ESL teacher abroad. Do you have any additional questions to add to this list?

5 Classic Ways To Travel In The UK

There's no denying that the UK has a bit of everything with its selections of classic old buildings, ruins and museums, mountains and valleys, lakes and rivers, national parks and a hell of a lot of coastlines.

So what are the best ways to travel around and see as much of it as you possibly can for the least amount of outlay?

Table of Contents

1. Railing
2. Canalling
3. Caravanning
4. Coaching
5. Motorcycling

1. Railing

Train travel around the UK can be a thing of glory, for instance, the stretch of track that runs alongside the beaches of Dawlish in Devon, where trains are sprayed with the breakers when seas are rough.

How about a train ride from London to Scotland?

That takes in most of what the British mainland has to offer and if you book far enough in advance and plan sufficiently well it needn't be too expensive either.

2. Canalling

The Victorians had a lot of great ideas, one of them was the railway system, but another was the wonderful interlocking network of canals that runs through much of England.

A truly unique way to see the backwaters of the country, and perfect for a group of friends to share, hiring a canal boat is reasonably cheap and not only gets you to as many country pubs as you could wish for, but also takes you into the heartlands of great cities such as Manchester, Birmingham and of course London.

3. Caravanning

Caravans and their close cousins 'mobile homes' can be a really fun, modern way to traveling around different places whilst staying in the comfort of your own 'home'.

Obviously, for either option, you need at least one trustworthy driver, preferably two, and a good plan of campsites to stay at.

There are websites that can help you with this and offer a comprehensive list of great campsites and caravan parks.

Traveler reviews can also be found within their website, giving you access to honest, accurate opinions.

As always, there are plenty of things which you need to obtain in preparation for a trip by caravan.

If you intend to two your own mobile home then make sure you invest in the necessary caravan insurance (like Caravan Club’s Touring Caravan Insurance Package) and consider taking someone who can share the driving.

4. Coaching

The UK has a great coach system and is perfect for those looking for a relaxing way to explore the country.

Prices are usually fairly cheap but you may have to put up with a slightly more cramped environment than you are used to.

Of course, this is often seen as part of the fun of the adventure and is unlikely to deter those who are looking for a charming and affordable way to explore their home country.

5. Motorcycling

Motorbikes are the ultimate in 'road trip' cool and although going up the M6 doesn't quite have the same ring to it as traversing Route 66, the sense of freedom you get from two wheels is paradoxically much greater than from four.

There are several specialized companies that hire out motorbikes but again you obviously need a driving license and the necessary protective gear to make this option viable.

Glorious Fresh Chinese Noodles

It's still a touchy subject. Which country invented noodles?

Italians, Arabs, and Chinese all have their versions and make their own culinary claims about their contributions to the noodles of this world.

I'll remain neutral on the subject of who can claim noodle fame and just focus on the facts (the delicious facts) about some of the finest noodles I've ever eaten in China.

I've had all sorts of dry pasta, spaghetti noodles, an unhealthy amount of instant ramen noodles (mostly during university), and lots of other noodle dishes.

But it wasn't until I had an opportunity to visit Yangshuo, China, that I truly realized the potential of noodles and just how delicious they can be.

Noodles have been around for a very long time in China, over 4000 years to be more specific, and it's estimated that they have been a staple Chinese food for at least 2000 - 3000 years.

After traveling and eating through China, I can say my perspective on noodles has been elevated to new levels. Instant ramen will no longer do.

Hand pulled noodles in China — Hand-pulled noodles in China

There are countless different kinds of noodles in China, and I know that I wasn't even able to eat a fraction of the noodle dishes in my brief visit, but what I did eat was spectacular.

Lamian is one of the most famous and most beloved types of noodles in China.

It is most commonly made of wheat flour that's kneaded into a smooth dough. The fascinating part of lamian is the process of turning the blob of dough into intricate noodles.

The chef works the dough by hand, pulling and stretching it out to create a strand. At first, the process starts slowly, but as the noodle thins out and grows in length, the chef has to slap the dough back and forth like a jump rope.

He continually folds it over in his hands and then repeats the process as the noodle gets longer and thinner. Done correctly, the chef ends up with just a single string of noodles as thin or even thinner than a standard spaghetti noodle.

The lamian is then bathed in boiling water, and the noodles proceed to be added to soup, stir fried, or served as the base of a dish.

One of my favorite lamian dishes in China was the simple combination of freshly boiled noodles topped with egg and tomato.

The subtle flavor of stir fried egg and tomato didn't overpower the noodles, so they remained the highlighting taste of the dish.

Single strand of delicious Lamian noodles — A single strand of delicious Lamian noodles

Another lamian classic that I couldn't get enough of was the cold hand-pulled noodles. After the noodles were boiled, they were dunked in room temperature water, flash cooled, and topped with cucumber slices, carrots, and beef.

Finally, the noodles were doused in a sesame-infused vinegary dressing to give them ultimate flavor.

A spoon of dry chili flakes mixed in, and I could slurp these down all day.

Taking the same blob of wheat dough (used to make lamian) is another noodle that I refer to as the "knife chipped noodle."

Instead of hand stretching these, the chef grabs an acutely sharp knife and slices off bite-sized pieces of dough right into a boiling cauldron of water.

With incredible precision, chefs can accumulate enough noodles for an entire plate in just a few seconds of slicing.

This kind of noodle is best-enjoyed stir fried with soy sauce along with a few vegetables and pieces of beef or pork.

Fresh rice noodles are also prevalent in China, though they aren't as spectacular to watch being made (I think the texture of rice noodles wouldn't cooperate the way wheat does).

Rice noodles in China are delicious in both soups and stir-fries, spicy soup being my preferred version.

No matter who is credited with influencing the world with noodles, one thing is sure - noodles are a carbohydrate gem contribution to global cuisine.

When you visit China, be sure to take full advantage of the delicious hand-made noodles.

5 Travel Hot Spots in Western China

Western China, namely the Xinjiang region, is quite far off many travelers' radars.

Being on the farthest western area of the country, the region is often bypassed in favor of exploring the dense east coast.

However, if you are looking to experience a truly "different China" and explore some of the more foreign and lesser-known cultures -- make sure you spend some time visiting the amazing Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Unknown to many Western travelers, China is home to over 50 ethnic groups. Western China, being so close to many other countries, draws in people from Mongolia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and even India.

This region, about a sixth of the size of China, is home to some of the most authentic towns and interesting places to see the cultural diversity and historic spots along the ancient Silk Road trading route.

But, given its expansive size, the following list of destinations in the region should help a would-be traveler make better plans:

kashgar — Kashgar Sunday markets (photo: super_lapin)

Table of Contents

1. Kashgar
2. Turpan
3. Urumqi
4. Karakul Lake
5. Hotan

1. Kashgar

The people are amicable in Xinjiang, despite a fairly significant language barrier.

English is not that common in towns like Kashgar, besides a small handful of operators in the hospitality industry, some shopkeepers, and, of course, expats.

From the number of young children looking and saying "hello" to the strange foreigners (us) on the street, it seems likely that there may be a little more English spoken in the years to come.

Unlike most of China, Mandarin is barely spoken in Kashgar and some of the smaller towns.

The Han Chinese population is tiny in Kashgar, so even if you speak Mandarin, it is probably best to learn a few Uyghur phrases.

2. Turpan

Turpan is an ancient city, which was one of the most significant stops along the Silk Road.

The town now thrives on tourism, with several key attractions located in or near the town.

Jiaohe is an ancient city, whose ruins have been preserved a short distance outside of town.

There are also some caves, the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, which are located about 45 kilometers to the east, and more than 40 of them contain murals.

This area is known for grapes, especially those turned to raisins, and it is possible to reach a place called Grape Gully just a short 10 kilometers from the city.

3. Urumqi

Urumqi is the largest city and capital of Xinjiang – with a population of around 2.7 million people and a lot more signs of Western and Chinese development than other areas in Western China.

Urumqi is the most easily accessible entry point for most tourists looking to experience Western China.

Most towns in the Uyghur Autonomous Region are accessed by smaller planes, trains, or buses that go through Urumqi.

While it is a large city, it is still unique in the blend of people and cultures.

After visiting Kashgar, it is easy to spot street food vendors making flatbreads, grilling kebabs, and meeting a taxi driver who speaks Uyghur instead of Mandarin.

In Urumqi, there are many sights to see, such as the Xinjiang Geological and Mineral Museum – which has an extensive collection of interesting rock and crystal formations, particularly those with modern significance as geology is key to the region's economy.

When we went, the museum had free entry, although unfortunately a lot of the information was not available in English.

4. Karakul Lake

The Karakul lake is famous for being surrounded by snow-capped mountains and is sometimes called the "black lake" or "mountain lake" by locals – at least when they tried conversing with us in English.

The area is renowned for its natural beauty and can be experienced with more than just a day trip if you arrange to either camp or stay in the small town nearby.

You are also likely to see the traditional yurts or gers in close proximity to the lake, which local people still use today.

5. Hotan

Also commonly known as "Khotan", Hotan is a famous town situated right next to the Taklamakan Desert.

The people of Hotan are primarily Uyghur and adapted to the harsh climate of extreme heat in the summer and freezing temperatures in the winter.

It is well-known for the mummies which have been discovered there, including some which are now displayed in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum in Urumqi (great free museum by the way).

While in Khotan, you can see some of the sites, the Sunday markets and the Hotan Cultural Museum, which is a bit smaller, but also has a couple of mummified bodies and relics from centuries ago.

Top 5 Budget Travel Activities in Virginia

These are not simple economic times; many of us have had to make sacrifices and find ways to do more with less. For many, a vacation is an apparent sacrifice, but we're here to show you that you can travel and have a great time even on a tight budget.

These types of opportunities exist in every state and province in North America, but this article will focus on Virginia. The following list presents five awesome Virginia travel activities that will not break your budget.

Table of Contents

1. Appalachian Trail
2. Virginia Beach
3. Virginia Zoo
4. Colonial Williamsburg
5. Boating and Fishing

1. Appalachian Trail

McAfee Knob on the Appalachian Trail — McAfee Knob is the most photographed site on the Appalachian Trail (photo: Roanoke Outside)

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a marked hiking trail that runs for approximately 2,184 miles from Mount Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia. More than a quarter of the trail is in Virginia. Visitors can hike and bike the trail, and get access to secluded wilderness areas, national parks, formal campgrounds, and areas to fish.

Some of the parks and campgrounds charge fees, but most of the Appalachian Trail is free. You can easily create a family adventure that costs nothing other than food, supplies, and transportation to and from the trail.

2. Virginia Beach

Virginia offers a wide selection of beaches for tourists to enjoy. The most famous and popular is Virginia Beach. All public beaches in Virginia are free. They generally require a parking fee, but visitors can even avoid that if they're willing to walk a few blocks.

There are restaurants and vendors, especially near the boardwalks, but beachgoers can also bring their food and non-alcoholic beverages. Lifeguards are on duty from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Surfing and rollerblading on the boardwalk are allowed, and areas have been assigned for dogs.

3. Virginia Zoo

The Virginia Zoo is an excellent budget option. Kids from ages 2 to 11 get in for $9. Younger children get in free, adults for $11, and senior citizens for $10. The zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and a ticket gives you all-day access.

The zoo is immense, and there is so much to do that you likely can't do it all in a single day. Almost all of the zoo's activities are free, but the train, which is one of the most popular, costs an additional $2 per head.

The zoo offers many dining opportunities, but families can pack their own lunches and dinners. There are also picnic areas where you can relax and eat.

4. Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg is a wonderfully diverse area with a lot to do. Outside of the immediate area, there are numerous battlefields and historic sites.

The majority of these places are completely free to visit. Even places within Colonial Williamsburg that charge usually only charge a few dollars or so.

The most significant costs associated with the area are food and lodging. Bringing your own food can limit food costs, and staying at a motel just outside of Colonial Williamsburg can save you a lot.

5. Boating and Fishing

Virginia provides numerous opportunities for boating and fishing, and it is certainly possible to have a good time on a limited budget.

If you plan to captain a motorized boat, the state does require you to pass a Virginia boater safety course, but it also accepts the equivalent from another state or province. Also, Virginia does have freshwater fishing licenses, but they are only used in specific areas.

There are numerous lakes and rivers in the state where you can camp and fish without paying anything at all. So grab your backpack and head for a fun-filled adventure in Virginia!

Travelling Sri Lanka

The Temple of the Tooth, Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist temple and home to the Tooth Relic. (photo: S J Pinkney)

[D]escribed by many travel writers as a ‘magical place’ Sri Lanka lives up to expectations and often surpasses them.

The Sri Lankan climate is a major factor to consider when you are making your plans to visit this island, the country boasts not one but two monsoon seasons, though having taken this into account, be prepared to explore and enjoy.

Travelling Seasons

The driest times of the year to embark on your Sri Lanka holidays are between April and September especially if you plan to take in the awe-inspiring historical wonders of the ‘Cultural Triangle or the stunning east coast beaches, including the amazing Trincomalee beach, famous for its whales, or the surfer’s paradise at Arugam Bay.

Alternatively, escape the cold and the damp of the Northern Hemisphere from December to March and take advantage of Sri Lanka’s other dry season and head for the sun and sea on the island’s West coast.

The hippies of the 1960's/70's first brought this part of the island to fame and if you head off from the capital Colombo moving down the west coast to the port of Galle you’ll be able to take in the esoteric charms of this former Dutch colonial city.

Expect The Unexpected

The Hill Country is also dry between December and March but a mellower climate can produce a greater influx of other travellers and tourists, you have been warned.

The Sri Lankan Hill country tends to have a more temperate climate in general than the rest of the island but even this area isn’t spared the odd torrential downpour or ten.

The colonial masters of yore built their tea plantations here and there are trains that can transport you from one plantation to another while enjoying the stunning mountainous landscaping and sipping a refreshing cup of tea.

Celestial Beauty

If you want to take your breath away, why not visit World’s End where a flat plateau suddenly makes way for a sheer drop of 880 metres.

Alternatively you could always go to the beginning of the bible and visit ‘Adam’s Peak,’ known locally as ‘Sri Pada’ where you can see the footprint of the Buddha on the mountain summit, this famous sight has now become a multi-religious shrine.

Be prepared for an energetic 2,243 metre climb and consult local guides about the weather at the top of the mountain on the day of your visit.

Accommodation

Having a limited budget does not mean missing out on any of the eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, admiring the ruined ancient temples of Anuradhpura in the Cultural triangle or trekking through the Sinharaja National Park.

Many of these areas run schemes whereby you can sample authentic Sri Lankan life by staying with a local family through the ‘Home Stay Accommodation’ scheme.

The South and Western regions offer a wide selection of hostels but make sure that your bed is provided with a mosquito net.

95% of Sri Lankan youth is said to travel by backpacking so, when in doubt ask a local traveller.

_______

Disclosure: This post was written by Celina Bledowska, a journalist and author who is familiar with traveling on a shoestring both overseas and in the UK, and brought to you by SelectiveAsia.com.

Packing List for the Amazon Jungle

Tomorrow, I fly from Lima to Puerto Maldonado in Southeastern Peru for my first foray into the Amazon.

While the Amazon is a new jungle for me, I have spent some time in the rainforests of Costa Rica and Belize.

In the latter, I stayed at an adventure lodge with no electricity.

I am expecting this experience will be similar, especially if the Howler Monkeys have anything to say about it.

This packing list for the Amazon jungle takes into account advice from Rainforest Expeditions, as well as the following:

I'll be in a boat 7 hours (each way) to get to and from the lodges
It'll be hot and humid, with unpredictable rain showers
No electric lights at night (only kerosene lamps)

Table of Contents

Backpacks
Clothing
Electronics
Miscellaneous
Documents and Money

Backpacks

According to the trip notes, luggage* will be hand-carried at various stages en route to/from the lodges, and it's recommended that the weight per piece not exceed 15 kg (32 lbs).

My regular pack weighs in at just 10 kg, and I plan to reduce this weight even further by leaving behind some non-essentials at the company's Puerto Maldonado HQ before we board our first boat.

Large Gregory Chaos backpack
Regular size daypack

*It should go without saying that it's easier to carry a backpack than a wheeled suitcase for a trip like this.

Clothing

GoLite rain jacket
GoLite hoody (in case the nights are cold, also suitable for mosquito protection at night)
Mountain Hardwear short sleeve base layer
ExOfficio short sleeve t-shirt
3 cotton t-shirts
REI long sleeve base layer
1 pair of lightweight, REI convertible pants/shorts
Volcom board shorts (on the off-chance we go swimming with alligators)
5 pairs of ExOfficio boxers
2 pairs of SmartWool socks, 2 pairs of low-cut cotton socks
Merrell hiking sneakers
Baseball cap (sun protection)
Bandanna

Electronics

iPhone 4S
Canon S100 camera w/soft case and battery charger
13? MacBook Air w/AC cord (for transferring photos each night to an external hard drive)
1 TB external hard drive (photo storage)
16 GB SanDisk SD card
2 GB SD card (back up)
Petzl Zipka LED headlamp w/3 new AAA batteries
Casio Pathfinder watch
Creative Style 8 GB mp3 player

Miscellaneous

Binoculars (unfortunately I don't have a pair, but they make a huge difference for wildlife and bird spotting)
Oakley sunglasses
2 Sea to Summit dry sacks
MSR Packtowl
Toiletries
Sunscreen
Insect repellent (30% DEET)
Optional: Your preferred pills for Malaria prevention (it's present in Tambopata, but "extremely rare")

Documents and Money

Money Belt
Passport and any required entry visas
Immunization yellow book (Yellow Fever shot is required)
Proof of travel/health insurance
Cash - small denomination bills for incidentals, alcohol, souvenirs, and tips
Debit card
Credit card (back-up)

___________

Disclosure: This tour is in partnership with Rainforest Expeditions. As always, any opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Dave's 160-page, all-original Lima Travel Guide is now available for Kindle.

7 Thrilling Adventures on the Island of Majorca

Located just off the coast of Spain, Majorca is the largest island in the Balearic Islands archipelago. Sandy beaches, rocky coastlines, turquoise waters, and the warm climate all add to the popularity of the island as a holiday destination.

Majorca Island (photo by markwoodbury) — Majorca Island (photo: Mark Woodbury)

The island's Mediterranean location and great accommodation make it a breeze to organize an escape to Majorca.

While many choose to recline in the warm sunshine, sipping cocktails for the majority of their visit, the island is also a wonderful place to explore the outdoors and take part in adventurous activities.

The formation of Majorca created a diverse landscape filled with rocky coves, sandy beaches, caves, canyons, and dramatic cliffs. This combination of terrain makes the island a perfect place for those looking to satisfy an adrenaline craving.

Here are seven fun activities that are sure to get your adventure blood pumping!

Table of Contents

Majorca Activities

Majorca Activities

1. Caving

The vast network of limestone caves in Majorca is one of the many adventure draws to the island. While you can visit one of the touristy caves, the best way to see what's underground is by taking a caving excursion.

Discover incredible rock formations and the unique "diamond room," a cave where the rocks shimmer like gems. Caving, though not for the claustrophobic, isn't always about having to squeeze through tiny holes.

While some tours cater to more serious cavers, there are also plenty that don't require much physical fitness and where you won't have to wriggle through impossible slots. Choose the caving expedition that you'll be most comfortable with.

2. SCUBA Diving

Being an island, Majorca is a paradise for those looking to SCUBA dive and see the wonders of the underwater world.

The crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea, paired with an ideal climate, make diving around the island a great activity. From reefs to caves and even a few shipwrecks, there are many fascinating dive sites to explore.

3. Sea Kayaking

There's nothing more relaxing and adventurous at the same time as boarding a kayak and paddling yourself through gorgeous scenery. The rocky coastline of Majorca and sandy beach inlets make kayaking all the more enjoyable.

There's also the opportunity to paddle through water-filled caves, see blowholes, and glide through the turquoise waters. Guided sea kayaking is a fun activity for the entire family on your holidays in Majorca.

For those wanting to experience the coastline from a different perspective beyond kayaking, you can even charter a boat in Mallorca and discover hidden coves and secluded beaches only accessible by sea.

4. Cliff Jumping

Looking for one of the ultimate ways to get an adrenaline rush? Cliff jumping might be the activity for you!

Cliff jumping in Majorca (photo by bettod)

Once again, it's the incredibly rocky terrain and coastline of Majorca that creates the perfect environment for cliff jumping. There are countless places to take a plunge from a cliff into the sparkling water below.

While jumping from any cliff is highly dangerous, several tour companies on the island specialize in cliff jumping and also offer tips on safe jumping methods and secret cliff jumping spots.

5. Coasteering

Coasteering, an activity that can be explained as a natural obstacle course, is a relatively new addition to the list of adventurous things to do in Majorca.

It involves a little bit of everything: hiking, rock climbing, swimming, cliff jumping, and even rappelling. Grab a helmet, a life vest, and some protective gear, and you'll be ready for an ultimate trek by foot along the rocky coastline of Majorca.

5. Paragliding

Paragliding is the perfect adventure for anyone wishing to see Majorca from the sky. The mountainous terrain and the perfect wind conditions make paragliding so ideal.

While some of the other activities on this list require the use of physical strength, tandem paragliding with an expert instructor really only requires you to have a little guts and a great sense of adventure.

7. Mountain Biking

Whether you are a beginner or an expert, Majorca is a fantastic place to hop on a mountain bike and take the ride of your lifetime.

The island offers a trail for just about anything, from a soothing, slow-paced ride along the coastline to an exciting downhill mountain cruise. The panoramic views you'll experience on a mountain bike excursion in Majorca will be nothing short of stunning!

While relaxation should be a major part of any visit to Majorca, a holiday to the island wouldn't be complete without doing a few adventurous activities as well.

Whether you aim to take on the island's most adrenaline-rushing activity or to take your entire family on an adventure they'll never forget, Majorca has so many opportunities waiting to be discovered.

A Traditional Korean Feast in Seoul, South Korea

A traditional Korean feast of epic proportions. — Korean feast of epic proportions

Believe it or not, when we sat down, it was an empty table. Experiencing a traditional Korean feast truly showcases why South Korea is a country that takes extraordinary pride in its cuisine, and rightfully so, because most of the dishes are absolutely scrumptious.

On top of that, within Korean cuisine, many dishes have been prepared and eaten virtually the same way for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Korean food is wholly intertwined with its history and culture.

Before we get started, let me explain one of the most essential parts of any Korean meal: banchan. In English, it means side dishes, and each Korean feast is served with a wide variety of banchan.

The relationship between a Korean main dish and banchan is similar to that of a hamburger and French fries, yet it's even tighter.

The most common banchan is Korea's omnipresent chili-pickled napa cabbage, known as kimchi, but there are also hundreds of other items.

Nomadic Samuel (far left), me, and Audrey. — Nomadic Samuel (far left), me, and Audrey

On a lovely Saturday, fellow bloggers Nomadic Samuel, That Backpacker, and I met up in central Seoul for an epic Korean feast.

We hunted through the narrow alleyways of Insadong (not far from Bukchon Hanok village) before finally settling on a homey-looking restaurant tucked away from the main walking street.

Our goal was to find a Korean "set menu lunch" which can be described as nothing less than a surprise meal that includes probably the same dishes the restaurant owner's family is eating.

It's really a meal that's composed of whatever happens to be on hand - a home-cooked feast at a restaurant.

Taking off our shoes and leaving them at the doorway, we entered and took seats at a traditional table about a foot off the ground.

The first thing that arrived at the table was a fantastic Korean-style pancake filled with veggies and fried to a crisp. Dipped in a soy vinegar sauce and paired with a bite of kimchi, it was an extraordinary way to begin the meal.

Gelatinous Squares topped with chili sauce! — Gelatinous squares topped with chili sauce!

These gelatinous squares tasted almost like earthy jello. They were served cool, and had it not been for the outstanding chili garlic sauce they were doused in, they would have actually been quite plain.

Luckily, the combination was spectacular and oddly addictive (must have been that sauce).

Japchae was a part of our traditional Korean feast. — Japchae

Japchae is a very typical South Korean dish made from stir fried translucent sweet potato noodles. The noodles were combined with a variety of ingredients, including carrots, mushrooms, and green onions.

Slightly chewy and wonderfully fragrant with sesame oil, japchae made a great addition to the feast.

Home Cooked Korean Food — Home-cooked Korean food

When we thought there was no possible way to add more food to the table, the smiling waitress came with yet another few dishes to serve.

This dish was a chicken-and-potato stew that almost reminded me of a Thai curry, minus the coconut milk. Tender chicken, soft potatoes, and a hint of sweet kimchi were the notable aspects of this comfort food.

I'm a serious rice eater, sure, I love dishes of any kind solo as well, but no matter what cuisine I'm eating, everything tastes better to me with rice. Making a mistake, I asked for rice, only to find out it was still on its way!

It was no ordinary plain steamed rice; instead, it was medium-grain Korean rice mixed with beans and Chinese plums, served to our table in sizzling earthenware pots.

After mixing the rice and transferring it to a fresh bowl, hot water was poured into the earthenware pot (which included crunchy pieces of scorched rice) to create a soothing soup.

Though we ate at a mainstream restaurant, it honestly felt more like we were the guests of honor at a local Korean's home. Our traditional Korean feast was exceptional. The diversity of flavors was exciting, and the satisfaction of the entire meal was invaluable.

5 Simple Ways to Pack Your Backpack Lighter

You don't have to be a minimalist to pack lighter when you travel. It's not about scaling everything down to the point where you claim you own just "five" things. Instead, packing light is about being flexible, making transportation easier to manage, and saving your back from strain throughout your journey.

You may have already seen my packing list; here are five ways I lower the overall weight and size of my backpack.

Table of Contents

1. Use a Smaller Bag
2. Bring Less Clothing
3. Hold Back on Toiletries
4. One Pair of All-Purpose Shoes
5. Fewer Books

1. Use a Smaller Bag

This might be an obvious way to scale back on the things you bring with you, but seriously speaking, we'll probably fill it up no matter what size our bag is.

Have you ever seen a backpacker walking about with a half-empty backpack? No, most of the time, I see backpacks maxed out and overflowing with extra things hanging from strings and carabiners.

One of the easiest ways to pack lighter is to use a smaller bag; that way, when your bag is full, it won't be too big.

2. Bring Less Clothing

Clothing is one of those things that I see nearly everyone brings too much of. Yes, you need the basics, and you may need a few extras, but do you need seven shirts and seven pairs of underwear?

I travel with no more than three sets of clothes, sometimes with just two. Now, of course, you have to consider the weather conditions where you'll be traveling, but think about how many clothes you need.

Remember, you can wash your clothes in a sink each day or even buy new clothes wherever you are.

Here are my toiletries... — Here are my toiletries.

3. Hold Back on Toiletries

I've honestly seen travelers with toiletry kits that are nearly the size of my entire backpack! Stuffed inside are full bottles of shampoo, whole boxes of band-aids, facial creams, and who knows what else.

Depending on your own physical needs and comforts, you can probably still cut back on some of the unnecessary toiletries. Also, remember again that just about everything toiletry-wise will be available in the nearest store in whatever city you'll be in.

4. One Pair of All-Purpose Shoes

Shoes are incredibly bulky and often quite heavy, but they are indeed important, depending on where you're going or the activities you'll be doing.

The way I travel, I bring one all-purpose pair of shoes that I use for walking, hiking, or jogging, and I carry a pair of flip-flops that I prefer to wear most of the time.

These two footwear options are likely all you'll need for a typical backpacking trip, and any additional footwear will only add weight to your bag with minimal use.

5. Fewer Books

I don't mean less reading material (I think reading is a great thing to do when you travel), but I do mean fewer physical reams of paper that are outrageously heavy.

I know it is nice to have a physical book to read while traveling (maybe one or two), but a whole stack of books may not be worth their weight. You can often find used books when you need them or trade with other travelers.

Additionally, consider an e-book reader, which allows you to store hundreds of books on a compact device.

When it comes to guidebooks, either don't bother and rely solely on the information you find online, or I've seen people tear out only the valuable pages from guides and discard the useless portions.

I'm an advocate for traveling in a way that makes you feel most comfortable, and we each have our unique wants and needs. However, I firmly believe that lightening the load is directly correlated with getting the most out of your trip.

These are just five suggestions, but there are countless other ways to cut weight from your bag, allowing you to travel with ease and give your back a break.

Auschwitz - Be a Witness, a Video by Ricky Thind

Auschwitz - Be a Witness from Ricky Thind

"Auschwitz - Be a Witness is a video I did for Hampshire College.

The 'Be a Witness' short had a main aim; to bring across the tragic reality of war on civil liberties; its consequence's on its survivors and to help them understand more about the psychology of humans during genocide.

Trying to inspire young people to do anything is hard enough but getting them to visit Poland maybe needed something like this. You can tell history was a favourite of mine in high school.

Editor's note: Video contains graphic and archival content. Video for educational purposes only.

Music: Jack Peñate - No One Lied"

Photo Essay: Visiting Seoul, South Korea

Seoul is a huge, sprawling mega-city, and though it seemed intimidating at first, after spending a few days there I soon realized that the majority of the central part of the city revolves around the Seoul N Tower on top of Namsan mountain (pictured straight ahead).

The Gyeongbukgung Palace is one of Seoul's most iconic landmarks.

Originally built in the 14th century, the palace has experienced an up and down history of being destroyed and rebuilt.

Now the compound is open to thousands of locals and tourists that leisurely browse and relax on the palace grounds.

Seoul just wouldn't be the same without bustling markets. The Namdaemun Market in central Seoul is one of the oldest and largest in the city.

You can buy all sorts of locally made Korean products, clothes, and there's even an indoor section that's full of imported foods from around the world.

If you're looking for fresh seafood you've got to check out the Noryangjin fish market.

Directly in the center of skyrise buildings is the traditional Korean Jogyesa Buddhist Temple.

On the outside of the temple there is an ancient tree that is strung with impressively bright pink, green and blue paper lanterns.

To be honest, when I first showed up at the Korean War Memorial and Museum I wasn't all that thrilled.

However after walking around and exploring the selection of real tanks and interactive military vehicles I was impressed.

The Bukchon Hanok village is one of the best places to take a stroll in Seoul.

The traditional style of village offers a chance to catch a glimpse of historical Seoul.

On one street there's also a good selection of tempting street snacks!

What would Seoul be without delicious food? It would certainly be a lot less entertaining, but we don't have to worry, because I can assure you there's absolutely no shortage of food in Seoul.

When I was there, my absolute favorite place for Korean food was at the Gwangjang Market.

For a nicer sit-down meal, nothing beats a Korean barbecue.

Sitting at a table and cooking raw meat on a grill right before your nose is simply one of the joys of being in South Korea!

People from around the world visit Seoul with a mission to go shopping. Myeongdong is probably the most famous and most popular shopping streets in the city.

Each day countless people come to purchase cosmetics, bright colored tennis shoes, and cheaper street clothing.

When the sun dies down, Seoul stays alive.

The endless shopping, the scrumptious food and the friendly spirit of Seoul make it a wonderful city with so much to offer!

How to Get Around Kyrgyzstan: The Real Adventure

kyrgyzstan road — A Kyrgyzstan road - many still dirt. (photo: lukas)

It seems that a few of my Kyrgyzstan-based articles, both here and on my blog, have been inspiring quite a few people to want to travel to Kyrgyzstan.

However, there are still questions, like how to get around the country, popping in my inbox.

Well, I can say that getting around the country of Kyrgyzstan can be an adventure in itself.

Several options are available, from shared taxis to marshrutkas (the minivans) and even long-distance buses.

Bishkek west station — The west station, or new station, in Bishkek, is where you can find taxis, marshrutkas, and buses.

Shared Taxis

For a foreigner, I find the shared taxis from one city to another to be the most comfortable... and I use the word "comfortable" lightly.

Typically, you will be in a car of 4 to 6 people (depending on the model), and you pay per seat.

In Bishkek, shared taxis congregate at the West Bus Station, or the New Bus Station as it is also known.

If you need to head anywhere, arrive in the morning hours, and the taxi owners or "taxi pimps" will pretty much find you.

Just say the city where you're heading, and someone will point you in the direction of a taxi.

taxi station in kochkor — This street in Kochkor is lined with cars acting as long-distance taxis.

The price for a 3-hour journey to Kochkor or the edge of Lake Issyk-Kul will typically run 300 to 350 som per person.

You do have the ability to buy out an entire car if you would feel more comfortable, which is still relatively affordable in Western terms ($25-$30).

A few things to be aware of when taking a shared taxi.

Sometimes the driver is not the one finding the cab for you. Someone might see you, take you to a car, and get a cut of your pay from the driver.

Cars can be very cramped. If going in a four-person car, try to find one that is a bit larger. Kyrgyz people tend to do whatever they can to save a couple of bucks, which can mean sitting next to two women holding toddlers on their laps.

Cars tend to break down. Many of the shared taxis are older vehicles, and the roads in Kyrgyzstan can be unforgiving.

Our last rides down to Naryn and on to the Torugart Pass were horribly bumpy, so prepare yourself (aka use the toilet before going)!

Don't be afraid to shop around if the price doesn't sound right.

People are generally reasonable, but there will be times when they shoot off an excessive amount, hoping to take advantage of Westerners.

Long-Distance Marshrutkas

Marshrutkas are minivans that act as public transport. In Bishkek, they can be crowded, over-run and stifling - but they are also super cheap (10 cents for a ride!).

In the same way, long-distance marshrutkas are cost-effective, but they might take a bit longer than a shared taxi (at least they only sell by the seat on long-distance rides).

The rides might still be a bit stifling given that no, or few, interior windows tend to open.

Luckily, many of the rides appeared to be newer machines, meaning AC will hopefully be in your cards on those hot summer days.

In Bishkek, catching a long-distance marshrutka can be done at the West Bus Station, just like a shared taxi.

However, more local, regional stops like Tokmok and Korday have marshrutkas that run from the older East Bus Station.

Besides being slower, it might also take you longer to get on the road in the first place since the driver has to wait for the van to fill up with more people.

Long-Distance Buses

The slowest of all the travel options in Kyrgyzstan would be the long-distance bus as those have many stops to complete en route.

These buses also typically leave in Bishkek from the New Bus Station (West Bus Station), but routes still appear pretty limited.

Marshrutkas and shared taxis are generally the more flexible and better ways to go if possible.

I have opted for the other two popular modes of transport to get around Kyrgyzstan overland. Tickets are more affordable, however.

torugart pass road — Some roads in Kyrgyzstan are not the best, especially that in the Torugart Pass.

Some Tips for Getting Around in Kyrgyzstan:

Try to learn at least a few words or phrases in either Russian or Kyrgyz.

It will help when you need to ask how much the ride costs, where you're going, whether or not you need to ask to use a toilet, etc.

Ask a local before heading to the taxi, marshrutka, or bus how much a typical ride should cost. Use this as a guide when negotiating a price.

Wear comfortable clothing and be prepared for heat or cold while traveling.

Plan to be cramped. Kyrgyz people will cram in anything and everything where there is a free space.

Head out in the morning. You will have more luck in finding a ride and just be safer that way.

As always, I highly recommend Community Based Tourism as a resource. They will help you with transport, and local guesthouses or yurt stays throughout the country.

Nomadic Samuel: From Zero to $6,000 in Under 12 Months

It's been over two years since my last interview with a member of Travel Blog Success. In that time, 200 new travelers have joined the community. Last year, Nomadic Samuel was one of them.

I knew he'd succeed in reaching his goals because the bloggers who ask the most questions often do. They have an insatiable desire to learn, and that's important.

TBS: Why did you decide to join Travel Blog Success (TBS)?

Samuel: When I decided to launch my travel site Nomadic Samuel I had built up a lot of resources that I could potentially share with others in terms of travel photos, videos and stories; however, I completely lacked any technical knowledge regarding running a website or monetizing my online business.

At the time, I hoped that by joining this course it would help me achieve success in these areas where I had limited to no experience.

Overall, the investment has more than paid off and joining the course as a Premium member was one of the best decisions I’ve made towards advancing my travel blog.

TBS: When did you join TBS? How much were you earning per month from your blog at the time?

Samuel: I joined TBS almost immediately after launching my travel blog, so I was earning literally nothing at the time.

I knew I was going to be serious about my site from the initial stages, and it was great to build a foundation of knowledge related to the business aspects before I even had advertisers contacting me.

TBS: In the beginning, how much money did you initially hope to earn per month? And how much money did you make last month (May 2012)?

Samuel: Having launched my blog on July 1^st, 2011, I had set a goal that by the end of my first year of blogging I would make $1,000 in the final month leading up to that anniversary.

My goal was to slowly increase my monthly earnings and eventually achieve over $1,000 by the end of the year. Looking back in hindsight, I realize I had set the bar far too low.

I’m thrilled to announce that I earned well over $6,000 for May spread across several different sites and a few external projects.

I would never have expected to be earning this much money in my first year, but I’m certainly pleased with the results.

TBS: What are the ways you're currently earning money?

Samuel: Currently, the bulk of my earnings come from text link sales on my sidebar and sponsored posts. I think one of the best decisions I ever made was to create several other sites last Winter when I was in between regular jobs.

Although many of my projects have not yet been completed, I’m earning money now on several different sites, such as Smiling Faces Travel Photos, in addition to my flagship site.

Moreover, I’ve just started to monetize my YouTube travel channel, and I’ve been earning money sporadically from private sales with my travel photos for print magazines.

Affiliate sales and Google Adsense make up another small percentage of the money I pull in each month.

I’m planning on setting up a stock photography profile on several different sites as another method to earn more passive income.

In the future, I’d like to monetize more of my travel sites and create several of my own ebook products to sell.

Nomadic Samuel at the Salt Flats in Northern Argentina — At the Salt Flats in Northern Argentina

TBS: Which TBS resources have you found most useful, and why?

Samuel: Overall, I’ve found many components related to the TBS very useful.

The course (written lessons) itself is full of quality information that really provides a blueprint for how to go about successfully building your site up to the point where it can eventually make money.

The audio interviews from experts in different fields provided additional insight.

Finally, the Facebook group has been my favorite part of the program. It’s a community full of like-minded individuals who are supportive and helpful towards one another.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve used the message board to seek advice on a variety of subjects related to my site, monetization, or strategy techniques.

TBS: Were there any moments where thought about quitting, or at least cutting back drastically on the amount of time and energy you were putting into your blog(s)? If yes, what inspired you to continue?

Samuel: Absolutely. I’ve faced several significant challenges related to blogging over the first year of my sites.

Last Fall, I lost a position at work due to the fact I was earning money outside of my job with my blog.

Although this amount was quite insignificant at the time, it was enough for my eventual dismissal.

I had already found it challenging to work and blog at the same time, and this black mark had me questioning whether I was making the right decision to carry on with things.

In the New Year, I made a tough decision to dismantle my YouTube channel and remove all of my travel videos.

At the time, I was achieving nearly 3,000 views per day on average, and almost overnight, I had obliterated all of that.

Since that time I’ve slowly been building the channel back up again doing things properly with royalty-free music.

Overall, the challenges were difficult situations at the time, but in hindsight, I feel they were important tests/hurdles that needed to be overcome to see whether or not I was serious with my blog.

TBS: Who do you think can benefit the most from joining TBS?

Samuel: I think anyone serious about growing their blog and eventually monetizing it can benefit from joining TBS. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

TBS: Parting words. What's your #1 piece of advice to travel bloggers who are just getting started?

Samuel: My number one suggestion for travel bloggers just starting is to try and be consistent as possible with your efforts.

It’s easy to get frustrated, and it is easy to potentially to want to give up after putting in weeks/months of hard work and at times seeing little reward for those efforts.

It’s been well noted by other senior bloggers that it takes time to build your site up to the point where it can earn significant money.

My advice is to be consistent across the board with your efforts until you reach that point.

Any travel blog that has achieved success in any given area is consistently churning out great content, utilizing social media to expand its audience and building links to make stronger page rank/SEO Moz indicators.

I don’t know of a single travel blogger who has not been frustrated or hit rock bottom and wanted to give up at some point. Not packing it in is half the battle towards eventually achieving success in all areas.

Special thanks to Samuel for taking the time to share his experience building a new travel blog.

3 Simple Flight Comparison Tips for Finding Cheaper Flights

[B]ackpacking is a pretty cheap way to travel. The biggest cost you’re going to encounter is booking flights to your destination, then after that it’s all about the street food and hostels.

Although travelling long distance can be eye wateringly expensive, flying really doesn’t need to break the bank either. With a little bit of savvy it’s easy to find cheap flights; just follow these tips and you can’t go wrong.

Flight comparison sites are really useful at this point. Not only do they tell you which airlines and times are cheapest to fly, they can also show you which airports it’s cheaper to fly from, which destinations it’s cheaper to fly to, and what time of year you should travel.

Be flexible

If you’re just starting to plan your escape, you may not be set on your destination. Do you want to channel Leo DiCaprio in Thailand, or trek through the rainforests of South America?

If tossing a coin isn’t working, toss the destinations into a flight search engine instead. Whichever one has the cheapest flights, wins.

Setting your destination to ‘everywhere’ on Skyscanner allows you to see where’s cheapest to fly to say in August.

But you might have your heart set on a trip to India, and nothing’s going to change your mind: not even cheap flights.

In this case it’s still possible to be flexible: simply look at the departing airport instead. Sometimes flights from your local airport will be more expensive than a larger airport in a different part of the country.

When you’re booking your flights, compare the difference in cost. If it would be cheaper to travel to the other airport and fly, then go for it.

Travel off-peak

Off peak tickets isn’t a term that only applies to trains. Using an online comparison tool it’s possible to search for the same flight over the course of a week, month or year and see how it fluctuates.

Weekend flights are generally more expensive than weekday flights due to higher demand, and you’re likely to find that flights during the school summer and Easter holidays are a lot pricier for the same reason.

Just play around a little: arriving a day earlier or later could save you hundreds.

Skyscanner’s month view makes it easy to see when the cheapest days to fly are. See the example below for a comparison of flights to Toronto Pearson in Canada from Heathrow in September.

Take the long way round

Direct flights are almost always more expensive than flights with a stopover, another thing to look out for when you’re using a comparison tool. Before booking your flight, make sure that you really are getting the best value for money.

The flight with a two-day stop in Dubai may be a little cheaper than the flight stopping in Bangkok, but weigh up how much your accommodation and food is going to cost. Dubai is the more expensive country, so you may find that you quickly spend the money that you’ve saved by stopping there.

________

Disclosure: This article was brought to you by James from Skyscanner.net, a flight comparison website based in Edinburgh.

3 Popular Hikes on Oahu in Hawaii

There are plenty of famous things to do in Hawaii like surfing, snorkeling, eating, and just being lazy on the beach.

One of the more overlooked attractions is the beautiful hiking opportunities that all the Hawaiian islands present.

The Hawaiian archipelago is a chain of islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean created by volcanoes.

Jagged mountains, dramatic cliffs, beaches, rocky coastlines, and gorgeous tropical flora and fauna are a few of the aspects that add to the beauty of Hawaii.

On the island of Oahu, the leeward side is the drier side that receives far less rain than the windward side, which seems almost constantly to be drizzling.

The two differentiating climates of the island make it possible to take a hike in almost desert conditions or mountains surrounded by misty tropical rainforest.

While Oahu, The Big Island, Maui, and Kaua'i all have great hiking routes and national parks, most of my hiking experience is right on the most populous island of Oahu.

Here are a few hikes I was able to enjoy on my last trip to Oahu.

Round Top / Tantalus

Just moments from central Honolulu, Tantalus is a convenient place to hike and offers the perfect green escape from city life.

While many tourists and locals choose to drive to the top for the picture-perfect view of the city of Honolulu, not so many choose to hike to the top.

The tree and plant-filled trail is quiet and relaxing; it's easy to forget you're still so close to a city of a million.

As soon as you emerge at the top of Tantalus, you'll' remember how close you are to the city and be grateful to be taking such a fantastic hike.

Koko Head Crater Hike

For a hardcore dose of exercise, Koko Head Crater makes the heart race.

Formerly a military bunker and lookout, the trail follows a railroad supply track straight up the side of the cone-shaped crater.

In good shape, it's possible to scale the beast in around 20 minutes, but feeling the effects of eating all the Hawaiian food, it may take up to 45 minutes.

At the top, the views of Honolulu, the mountains, and the zigzagging coastline, are remarkable to see and justify every single step to the top.

Koko Head Crater is on the leeward side of Oahu, making it a dry but wonderful hike!

Makapu'u' Lighthouse

The trip to the breathtaking Makapu'u Lighthouse is not a hike but more of a leisurely walk that winds its way up the side of a small hill on the very southeastern part of the island.

One of the highlights of Makapu'u point is the whale watching opportunities.

The last time I went, it was luckily a very clear day, and we were able to see two humpback whales breaching not so far away from the coast. It was incredible to watch.

Though the trail doesn't' exactly provide any opportunities for being alone (due to lots of other hikers), the scenery makes it worthwhile.

There are many more hiking routes located throughout all the islands of Hawaii and Oahu, but these are just the few I was able to do on my last visit.

When you visit Hawaii, be sure to enjoy relaxing on the beach, but also take a day to do some hiking and see the incredible beauty the islands have to offer.

Extra Items in a Female Traveler's Toiletry and Medical Kit

toiletry kit — Extra items for females should be in this picture. (photo by zieak)

I am currently in the middle of a three and a half month trip through some pretty rustic countries, and there have been things in my toiletry and medical kit that have been sent from the Heavens, and others that I acquired and was happy that I did.

So, I'm going to share with you, ladies, the items that are extra important for females that are traveling through lands of squat toilets, rare showers, and long days of transport.

Men, this is not for you, so you've been warned!

Table of Contents

Probiotics
Diflucan
Toilet Wipes
Period Pain Tablets
Diva Cup
Cranberry Pills
Condoms

Probiotics

It seems that I never have to take antibiotics until I'm traveling.

This time around I was extremely worried because I didn't pack any probiotics, and as a woman, taking antibiotics always has the possibility of leading to another female issue – thrush.

Luckily, I was able to ask for some at the local Kyrgyz pharmacy, which I started on as soon as I finished my course of antibiotics.

The probiotics help replace the good bacteria in your gut that some antibiotics might kill off, specifically the bacteria that keep the yeast also in your body at bay.

Probiotics – the kind that you don't have to refrigerate do exist – are also said to help keep your gut regular when you travel, and even lessen the effects of traveler's diarrhea (the minor kind).

It definitely is something that I've packed preemptively in the past, but didn't for this trip.

Diflucan

Traveling in rough conditions, with few showers, getting extremely ill, taking antibiotics, or just sweating in India's unforgiving climate can all lead to thrush.

It might not be something that ever happens to you on the road, but if it does, it is so much better to be prepared. Nothing quite like being in the middle of nowhere and being in agony, right?!

Before traveling, I like to stop off at the doctor to see about getting some extra medical supplies, such as a course of antibiotics and a thrush treatment in tablet form.

I know in the United States that tablet is called Diflucan, and a single tablet can take the place of those messy creams.

wet wipes are better than toilet paper — Wet wipes do the work that toilet paper alone can't. (photo by artotemsco)

Toilet Wipes

Besides those face wipes that act as my “bath in a bag” after long flights or on days when I can't get to a shower, I also pack a travel sized packet of toilet wipes.

If I'm feeling particularly scuzzy, have just sweated heaps, am on my period, or am having tummy troubles – these wet wipes for your private parts are worth their weight in gold.

Plus, getting clean when you can helps to minimize the risk of more female issues, like bacterial or thrush infections.

belly dancer — Cramps and bloating can be a total damper on your travels. (photo by Alaskan Dude)

Period Pain Tablets

I'm sure most everyone packs a pain relief medicine for travels – for headaches, backaches, etc. – but a tablet that's targeted to period pain is another important one for females.

Midol is a popular brand in the US, and it not only helps with the cramps, but it also helps with the bloating and irritability that come with a visit from Aunt Flo.

If you're someone that suffers from strong periods, then adding this to your packing list is a no-brainer.

Diva Cup

If you follow along on my Her Packing List, you will know I am a huge supporter of the Diva Cup – a reusable menstrual cup that is great for travel.

I know it might not be for everyone, but as a female traveler, the Diva Cup gives me peace of mind. Its suction seal prevents leakage, even on long travel days when you might not be able to make it to a proper toilet.

Travel styles do vary, though, and ladies that are into active hiking/trekking might find regular tampons to be a more hygienic option.

All the goodness of cranberries in a pill form. (photo by kazandrew2)

Cranberry Pills

Cranberry pills hold the acidic benefits that help to prevent UTIs (urinary tract infections) in women.

If you are prone to getting UTIs, then you should consider packing some cranberry pills, especially when traveling to destinations where cranberry juice might not even be an option.

The acidity of the cranberries helps to flush out the urinary tract, helping to keep harmful bacteria (like e. coli) from hanging around and causing an infection.

Condoms

And the last thing that I suggest to female travelers to have in their toiletry/medical kits would be condoms.

Even if you are on the pill, your birth control can be rendered useless if you have to take some antibiotics.

Sure enough, Amoxicillin, like what I took for my chest infection recently, interferes with birth control.

If you don't want babies at this moment in your life, do yourself a favor and pack a few!

Did I miss any big ones, ladies? Feel free to share your tips below!

The Best Parillas in Buenos Aires

Steakhouses in Argentina are referred to as parillas.

These are the restaurants where the hungry go to feed. Where man, woman and child go to indulge in the an endless supply of beef and pork products.

Here are my thoughts on three of the best parillas in Buenos Aires. Buen Provecho!

Parilla La Cabrera

La Cabrera is one of the best-known parillas in Buenos Aires.

Word of mouth amongst travelers and expats ensures anyone who asks for a good place to eat will hear "La Cabrera" in return.

There are actually two restaurants, about 50 meters apart. They are both located on Cabrera Street, in the yuppy Palermo Soho neighborhood.

Ordinarily, the prices at La Cabrera might put off the typical budget traveler, however the restaurant offers an outstanding discount most days of the week. It's almost too good to believe.

Even the caprese salad was delicious — Even the Caprese salad was delicious

Every day of the week, except Mondays and Fridays, the restaurant offers a flat 50% discount on the entire menu, including the wine.

This isn't a 2 for 1 deal or 50% of a second entrée. This is 50% wiped off your entire bill.

The catch is you have to arrive early, around 7 or 7:30 PM, as the discount, only applies for the first dinner seating.

Since Argentines like to eat later in the evening, around 9 or 10 PM, the crowd is mostly foreign. But when you're paying half price, who cares!

On my first night in Buenos Aires, Stephanie and Mike took me to La Cabrera for dinner. We ordered a Caprese salad to share as a starter, and three different cuts of steak.

The waiter, who was well aware of the large portion sizes, took it upon himself to halve two of our three entrees.

Even so, we'd still be unable to finish all the meat that was delivered. Dessert wasn't even a consideration.

Including the wine, tax and tip, each of us paid about $22. The quality to cost ratio is hard to beat.

Details: La Cabrera - 5099 Cabrera Street, and 5127 Cabrera Street, Palermo Soho.

Parilla La Brigada

The night after my feast at La Cabrera, I met up with the other travelers with whom I'd be going to Patagonia.

Jens, a Dutch engineer, had been living in the city for a while and suggested we get dinner at La Brigada, another of the top parillas in Buenos Aires.

When I stepped inside the warm, football-inspired interior, I was acutely aware that I was spoiling myself these first few nights in Argentina.

The menu included such delights as:

lamb kidneys
veal heart sweetbreads
lamb tripe
beef testes

However, everyone in the group ordered a typical steak. I broke the mold and went something new, young wild boar breast.

Later, when the massive hunks of beef were brought out for everyone else, one was also placed in front of me. I alerted the waiter to the mistake, who then reconfirmed that yes, I did still want my wild boar.

As everyone else was eating, I nibbled on my garlic fries. About 20 minutes later, my wild boar was brought out, only it was the ribs, not the breast. I accepted it, despite the second mistake.

Thankfully the food made up for the service. The boar had a distinct flavor which I quite liked.

Along with a Quilmes beer, the boar, fries, tax, and tip added up to about $27.

Details: La Brigada - Estados Unidos 465, San Telmo.

Siga La Vaca

When friends Mike and Stephanie prepared to leave Buenos Aires after three months, they chose Siga La Vaca for their going away dinner.

Along with Erica and Shaun @overyonderlust (and their friend), we sieged Siga La Vaca's Puerto Madero location.

Even though we arrived before 8 PM, which is early by Argentine standards, there were already people eating dinner.

The dining room was gigantic -- far larger than either of the other two parillas, and not as nicely decorated either. It felt more like a cafeteria than a restaurant.

Of course the big draw for Siga La Vaca is the all-you-can-eat meat buffet.

For 120 pesos ($27), you can eat as much meat as you can bear, plus you get access to the salad buffet, and a free drink.

If you choose the wine, as we all did, you get your own 750 ML bottle!

A few of us got dessert, but that might've cost extra.

Everyone seemed to love the portions at Siga La Vaca, perhaps because they were unlimited, but as I'm not a big meat-eater, it didn't do much for me.

I focused on finishing my bottle of wine instead.

Details: Siga La Vaca - Alicia Moreau de Justo 1714, Puerto Madero.

5 Modes of Transportation for Getting Around Bangkok

If you travel to Seoul, you can easily navigate most of the city by subway. However, when visiting Los Angeles, it's tough to do anything without a private car. Thankfully, there are a variety of convenient transportation options available in Bangkok.

Bangkok is a city where nearly every possible mode of transportation is available and necessary to use regularly, and most are very affordable, even a Thailand chauffeur service from the airport.

On any given day navigating Bangkok, you'll likely have to take the BTS Skytrain, hop in a tuk-tuk for a quick ride, take a taxi, or jump on the back of a motorbike to beat the traffic or get deep into the neighborhood. So here are the five most common forms of transportation in Bangkok.

Table of Contents

Transportation Options

Transportation Options

1. BTS / MRT / Airport Link

The BTS, MRT, and Airport Link are relatively new to Bangkok's transportation scene. The BTS and Airport Link are mass transit trains that run on tracks elevated above the ground, while the single-line MRT is a subway.

While grand plans are being made to create more train lines to serve Bangkok's farthest regions, the mass transit system only covers the city's central areas.

Many cheap flights to Thailand have increased international visitors, so having the Airport Link is highly beneficial for getting from the airport to the center of Bangkok.

2. Taxi

Bangkok is a city that's saturated with taxis. There are so many that I sometimes wonder just how many of them can make a profit.

Taxis, though they sometimes refuse to give you a ride if it's somewhere where there's too much traffic, have the potential to go just about anywhere in Bangkok. A ride around central Bangkok shouldn't cost more than $3-$5.

Though there are many cheap flights to Phuket, I've even heard of people hopping in a Bangkok taxi and heading straight there!

3. Bus

By far, the cheapest way to travel around Bangkok is by taking the local public bus - on some routes, there's even a free bus if you don't mind waiting!

The Bangkok bus network is far-reaching and runs smoothly overall. There are different buses, such as some that take the highway, some with air conditioning, and others with open-air windows.

4. Tuk-Tuk

One of Bangkok's most famous forms of transportation is the tuk-tuk, a three-wheeled go-cart with a metal body attached. Tuk-tuks are extremely popular for visitors who enjoy the novelty of such a mobile.

After taking my share of tuk-tuks, I realized they are not the most comfortable form of transportation. The seats are a little high, making it difficult to see the roadside, and being open-air, you smell all the vehicle fumes. That aside, it can be fun now and then to whizz through Bangkok on a thundering tuk-tuk.

5. Motorbike Taxi

The most convenient and thrilling way to travel through Bangkok is by motorbike taxi. Official motorbike taxi drivers are everywhere in the city, and they are always ready for you to hop on and deliver you straight to your destination as fast as possible.

When the streets are clogged with traffic, motorbike taxis have the advantage of sliding between lanes, weaving through vehicles, and even taking the sidewalk!

When visiting Bangkok, you'll use most, if not all, of these forms of transportation to get around. Sometimes, getting from place to place can be daunting, but luckily, Bangkok has many different transportation options.

Need a place to stay? Check out Go Backpacking's guide to the best hostels in Bangkok.

Bicycle Wine Tour in Mendoza

Going on a bicycle wine tour in Mendoza is a quintessential backpacker experience.

A few days before I was due to leave the city, I was invited by Antonella of Kahuak to join them for a day of wine tasting.

Having already been on a wine tour a few days earlier, I confirmed that their tour would be to three different wineries, in a different region of the city.

And instead of hopping in and out of a van, we'd be on Trek mountain bikes.

At 9:30 AM, I was picked up at my hostel, and along with a German family of three, we drove South.

We were let out at a bike rental shop. It being Autumn, there was a severe chill in the air, and I soon realized it was exacerbated once you began pedaling.

Table of Contents

Filosofos
Lagarde
Cava de Cano
Carmelo Patti
- What You Need to Know

Filosofos

The ride to our Filosofos, a small, family-owned organic winery, was no more than 15-minutes, but I could barely feel my knuckles by the time we arrived.

As the winemaker's daughter began the tour, I hoped it would last long enough for us to warm up.

Having already visited three larger wineries on my previous tour, I found the visit to Filosofos to be a nice change.

Our guide, along with her siblings, were following in their parent's footsteps by learning about the winemaking process.

And I appreciated the fact that they are taking an organic approach to grow the grapes.

Wine Tasted: Vina el Cerno Malbec (only 9,000 bottles produced per year)

My Thoughts: Excellent wine, which tastes all the better because it's organic, and made with a lot of love. I wanted to take the mini-barrel with me!

Lagarde

By the time we were riding to Lagarde, our second winery, the sun had risen higher in the sky, and had the temps had begun to warm up. It didn't hurt that we had already consumed our first glass of wine either.

My knuckles were no longer suffering from the cold, and I was better able to appreciate the scenery.

After 20 minutes of riding through the quaint streets of southern Mendoza, lined with the colorful trees of Autumn, we entered the Lagarde winery.

Much larger than Filosofos, Lagarde offered a look at wine production on a much larger scale.

While we were in the fermentation room, we could see men washing out a giant contraption used to suck (or filter) the wine out of the large, stainless steel tanks.

The temperatures in the fermentation rooms, like the wine cellars, are strictly regulated and kept quite cool.

It's interesting to see how the wineries differ in their approaches to winemaking and storage.

The equipment used to cork bottles of sparkling wine (at Lagarde)

Some wine cellars are underground, while Lagarde's was above ground in a massive warehouse adjacent to the fermentation room.

The most interesting thing I noted on this tour was the 5-step process used to cork the sparkling wine.

The process is still done manually, by a single guy, in a tiny space.

After the tour, by the older brother of our guide (who also use to lead tours at a winery), we had another tasting. This time, we were able to try four different wines.

I've noticed the larger wineries are often more generous with the amount of wine you're allowed to taste.

Not necessarily the pours, which vary by guide, but the number of different types you can try.

Wine Tasted: Malbec 2010, Viognier 2011, Syrah 2010, Guarda 2009

My Thoughts: They were all good; however I liked the 2010 Malbec the most.

Cava de Cano

From the Lagarde winery, we rode our bikes to Cava de Cano, a restaurant that is more akin to an institution.

The cool part about Cava de Cano is the way they have separate dining rooms to cater to individual wine tours.

Our group of five was lead to a smaller room, with a wild boar's head mounted on the wall, among other animal skins (and even a pair of what appeared to be ostrich feet).

Tango music was piped in to set the mood.

On the table, an Argentine picada. This was to be our first course. Picadas are finger food, usually consisting of different meats, cheeses, and vegetables.

The table featured everything from corn on the cob to tripe.

My favorites were the goat cheese, carrots in a vinaigrette, rice with Malbec, and roasted garlic.

Our waiter was the Manager, who was an Argentine-American. He said he likes to help cook and serve when possible, as he gets to know the food (and customers).

The lunch features all-you-can-drink wine, explicitly made to be served in the restaurant.

And they are not stingy when it comes to refilling your glass. If you don't leave the wineries woozy, you can always make up for it at lunch.

The second course was two types of baked empanadas: beef, and caprese (mozzarella, basil, and tomato sauce).

The third course was a meat stew, and the fourth course was spaghetti with fresh-grated Parmesan sauce.

For dessert, we had a few options. I chose the vanilla ice cream with dulce de leche sauce.

I could barely move after lunch. And that's precisely why our third and final winery was only a few minutes bike ride away.

Wine Tasted: A house-made red wine (probably a Malbec).

My Thoughts: It's good, you can't get it anywhere else, and it's all you can drink, so enjoy!

Carmelo Patti

According to our guide, Carmelo Patti is an amazing winemaker. If I remember correctly, the winemaker was born in Italy, but his family moved to Mendoza when he was very young.

He spent his early years learning to make wine for others and only in the last decade or so, put that knowledge to use by opening his winery.

We took a quick walk through his winery, and then tasted two of the reds that he produces.

I was glad we got to meet one of the winemakers, which is a benefit to going with a guided tour as opposed to renting a bike and going off on your own.

Wine Tasted: Malbec 2007 and one other red.

My Thoughts: I'd consumed so much wine by this time, I honestly can't remember my thoughts!

From Carmelo Patti's winery, it was a short bike ride back to the shop where we began. From there, we took a van transfer back to our accommodation.

Overall, despite the early morning chill, I had a wonderful time on this bicycling wine tour in Mendoza.

The full-day itinerary included three different size wineries and a gigantic lunch. You'd be hard-pressed not to get your money's worth of wine and food on this tour.

____

What You Need to Know

Difficulty: Easy. The city is very flat, so it's not hard getting around by bike.

Where to Book: Kahuak offers a variety of wine tours, including this bicycling tour, as well as others that feature horseback riding and vintage cars.

What to Bring: A daypack if there's a chance you'll buy wine, jacket, hat and gloves (depending on the weather), sunglasses, sunscreen.

______________

I was provided with a complimentary tour. All opinions are my own.

Kashgar's Sunday Attractions: The Famous Bazaar and Animal Market

kasher boy with bread — Kashgar street scene: boy with bread.

[A]bout a week ago, I ventured down from central Kyrgyzstan across the Torugart Pass until reaching China's ancient city of Kashgar.

Kashgar, located in the western area of China in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, closer to the Tajikistan border, has a special draw because of its ties to the Silk Road.

When doing our research, the ability to explore a place with such ancient ties are what initially drew us in, but the more we heard – particularly about the predominant Uyghur population and how many Chinese will consider this a "dangerous place" – I have to admit, the more intrigued we became.

"There are places in the Old Town that when you walk around in them, you won't even feel like you're in China," explained our driver who took us from the edge of the Chinese side of the Torugart Pass to Kashgar.

He was absolutely spot on. I would say there were many moments in Kashgar where we felt like we had gone the other way from Kyrgyzstan and somehow ended up in the Middle East.

Besides that, we also learned from our driver that Sunday is a popular day for visitors in Kashgar, particularly because of the Sunday Bazaar and Animal Market.

kashgar markets — Typical Kashgar market stall.

The Famous Sunday Markets

As far as bazaars go, the Sunday Markets of Kashgar take the cake with a history that is said to date back around 2000 years.

This bazaar is located, because of its size, on the far end of town near the East Gate, and it is also known as the "International Trade Market of Central and Western Asia".

While the bazaar is open every day of the week, traders from all over neighboring countries make the trek into Kashgar each Sunday to be a part of the main spectacle that encompasses over 4,000 permanent stalls and an entire street dedicated just to food.

It is possible to shop for the following goods: carpets, jewelry, instruments, pottery, fruits, nuts and meat.

To get to the bazaar, you can walk a good 20 to 30 minutes from the city center, or take a 15 RMB taxi ride.

outside animal market — Outside the Animal Market.

Sunday Animal Market

On the opposite end of town, only on Sundays, the Animal Market takes place. The Animal Market was at one time a part of the great Sunday Bazaar, but it split off to become a show all its own in a big open area across town.

The animal market is the place where locals and traders from afar gather to buy, sell, and trade livestock – especially sheep and cow. To the locals, it is just another day of work, but for tourists, it is clearly a step into the past.

animal market bartering — Animal Market bartering.

Local Uyghur men, dressed in traditional garb, herd or haggle; when they get hungry, they just head to the sidelines where various food stalls have been set up, each cooking a dish made of fresh mutton.

We saw sheep head soup and sheep laghman going down a treat, but for me... well I'd rather not eat my food right next to where a group of animals is potentially defecating.

You will need a taxi to get to the Animal Market, which will cost 15 to 20 RMB, but on the way back, you might have to take one of the small carts unless you're willing to wait a while for a proper taxi.

A small warning: I, at times, found it very hard to walk around the animal market given the conditions provided to the animals, so if you have very strong feelings towards animal rights and living conditions, it might not be a place for you to visit.

kashgar street boy running — Kashgar street scene: Boy Running

Other Attractions in Kashgar

A visit to Kashgar is made special just by being able to see life in action. The markets, the big Sunday Bazaar, the Animal Market, and the food and drink culture are all unique aspects of the city.

Other than that, one can visit:

The Apak Hoja Tomb
The Id Kah Mosque
The Kashgar Old Town
Zhiren Street
Karakul Lake (day trip)

Getting to Kashgar

Kashgar is one of the westernmost cities in China, so getting there involves a hefty trek. You can fly from Beijing, but there is probably a mandatory stopover in Urumqi.

Otherwise, you can take a 1 day, overnight train from Urumqi, or if coming from Kyrgyzstan, take a day-long drive and border crossing through the Torugart Pass.

Our entire journey from Naryn, Kyrgyzstan to Kashgar, China took us around 8 hours via the pass.

Going to a Boca Juniors Game

Upon my return to Buenos Aires from Patagonia, I checked into a hostel in the trendy Palermo Soho neighborhood.

An upcoming Boca Juniors game was being advertised at the reception desk, and I knew I had to go.

Argentinians are incredibly passionate about football (soccer as we Americans know it), and Boca Juniors is the most popular team in the country.

For 600 pesos ($135), it was going to be by far the most I'd ever paid for a sporting event.

The price is for an organized tour, which includes the cost of the ticket, and some beer.

In Medellin, I attended three football games with friends (including one World Cup Qualifier).

It was my introduction to South American football, and the first game, in particular, was off the hook (crazy).

I'd heard rumors over the years about the fans at Boca games. They'd shake the stadium and occasionally throw urine or feces on the opponents' supporters.

For a variety of reasons, including the fact that it's hard to get tickets if you're not a card-carrying Boca fan (literally, they have ID cards), I decided to pay a premium for the group tour.

I also invited Mike and his girlfriend Stephanie to join me.

The afternoon began when we were picked up in a van at the hostel in Palermo.

We then made our way to La Boca, a rough-and-tumble, working-class neighborhood after which the team was named.

It's one of the neighborhoods that are notorious for pickpockets, which is another reason it makes sense to go with a group.

The price of the ticket included a beer and choripan (a sausage).

Of course I pictured we'd be getting these drinks in an English-style pub with wood trim, but in reality, it was more like a garage.

Upon arrival, there were already other people drinking and chatting.

As we began consuming as much watery beer as possible, new groups of tourists arrived.

Alberto J. Armando Stadium, better known as La Bombonera, was 100 meters down the street from the garage.

Soon after darkness fell, we walked over.

Each of us had been presented with an ID card belonging to one of the club's fans.

It didn't matter that Stephanie had no resemblance to Senor Fernandez; we need to present the cards as we passed the gate.

Our seating was behind one of the goals, with the die-hard Boca fan clubs seated at the opposite end of the stadium, behind the other goal.

We had a great view of them the whole game, but if I had my choice, I would've wanted to sit closer to the center line, as I did at the FC Barcelona match.

To get good seats in our concrete bleacher section, we had to arrive about an hour early.

This allowed us all to sit together. We killed time by eating ice cream and taking pictures with Mike's camera.

My camera broke for no apparent reason on the flight back from Ushuaia, and I didn't want to risk bringing my iPhone.

Ultimately, we were never in any danger. There were so many other foreigners seated around us; we were insulated.

The opposing team's fans were seated in the upper deck above us, so even if they wanted to throw something gross on us, they couldn't.

And because we had private transportation, there was little chance I was going to get my pocket picked after the match, as happened to me in Barcelona.

But back to the Boca Juniors game.

As the stadium filled up, and the game time drew near, a beautiful cheerleader squad emerged onto the field.

From halfway across the field, it was abundantly evident just how short and tight their uniforms were.

They proceeded to do a dance number that'd make any Colombian turn red.

These were dance moves you'd never see in the USA.

The match was against Lunas. The Boca Juniors jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first half. With each new goal scored, the crowd erupted.

The super fans on the opposite end of the stadium sang their songs the whole match.

Now I know where DC United's Barra Brava got their name, songs, and spirit.

Buenos Aires.

In the second half, the Lunas fought back, scoring two goals to draw even with the home team.

The super fans seemed stunned, and the rest of the game was a little quieter as a result.

I'm glad I went to the game. It was on my bucket list for Argentina, and South America as a whole, however once was enough.

Unless I'm paying for a match in Brazil or England or a World Cup-related game anywhere, I won't be paying $100+ again.

Disney World & Universal Studios: Fun For All Ages

Disney World Trip - Magic Kingdom - Cinderella's Castle (photo: Richard Stephenson) — Cinderella's Castle (photo: Richard Stephenson)

By the age of 10, I'd visited Disney World in Orlando, Florida twice. Back then, I could rely on my parents to buy the Disney tickets, while I focused on enjoying the rides. These family vacations are amongst my earliest travel memories.

What I didn't count on was my return to Orlando as an adult.

The first occasion was in 1998 when I convinced a college friend of mine to join me for Spring Break in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Being the bootstrapping college students that we were back then, the Greyhound bus was our preferred mode of transport.

Twenty-four hours later, we arrived in Florida and hit the beach.

Daytona Beach may have been a hotspot in the 1980s, but we were about a decade too late.

There were people, of course, but I wasn't seeing the action I was accustomed to on MTV.

Luckily, we were close to Universal Studios, which we visited on a day trip from Daytona. There, we were able to go on rides tied to some of my favorite movies.

The Jaws ride, while showing its age, was a must, but hardly scary.

The Back to the Future ride involved getting in a mock DeLorean for a ride through space and time, only we didn't actually move anywhere.

It was one of the most exciting rides I'd been on up to that point in my life.

And the 3-D Terminator experience was cool too and involved a surprise ending which shocked everyone in the theater.

Thirteen years later, I returned to Universal Studios on another family vacation. With my parents living in Florida, we visited one day while I was home for Christmas last year.

Universal Studios had expanded immensely since my college years.

The park had doubled in size! Essentially, the park I visited in 1998 had the older rides, while a whole new area had opened featuring more modern movies and rides.

The family split up. My parents went off on their own, while I and my brother went in our own direction.

The first two rides we hit were Spiderman and Jurassic Park, the latter which involved getting ourselves soaking wet.

But the biggest attraction in the new Universal Studios is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

My brother, having read all the books and seen all the movies, made sure we got our mugs of Butterbeer and stood in the long line to get inside the Ollivanders wand shop.

I was along for the ride and found it fascinating how my 32-year old brother, and so many other adults, were so captivated by the make-believe world of Harry Potter.

For example, he spent $50 on a mock, plastic wand. And he was hardly alone in making such a purchase!

At the end of the day, we reunited with my parents for dinner at one of their favorite theme restaurants, Jimmy Buffet's Cheeseburger in Paradise.

It's my great hope that sooner, rather than later, I'll be back to Disney World and Universal Studios with my own family.

I'll enjoy the same places through the eyes of my children, just as my parents had with me. And the whole cycle will begin anew.

_______

Disclaimer: This post was written by Dave, and brought to you by Attraction Tickets Direct.

Is Technology Good or Bad for Traveling?

Yesterday, I went into a well-known coffee shop, eagerly ready to get my daily caffeine fix for my work day. While impatiently waiting my turn in line, I gazed across the room.

Since the coffee shop was directly downtown, it was no surprise to see backpackers and tourists from around the globe. Some had iPads or tablets out, while others were sitting on couches or armchairs, curled up with their computers.

Taking advantage of WiFi, and the view, at a hostel in Punta del Diablo, Uruguay. (photo: David Lee) — WiFi and a view from a Punta del Diablo, Uruguay hostel. (photo: David Lee)

It was then that I started to realize just how small the world had become over the past decade and a half and how this change had affected my life abroad.

I'm not one to tell the young kids how much rougher I had it when I was their age, or how much better life was way back when, and this article won't be any different. I marvel at what technology has done for me as an expat.

When I first began living in Germany, my only lifelines at home were my telephone and laptop. It doesn't sound all that bad, and it wasn't.

Of course, my computer was running Windows 95 and had a 56k modem hook-up, and my telephone was my landline, which was extremely expensive to use when calling home. The worst part of the conditions, and maybe for some, the best part, was the distance.

The purest of travelers may argue that you can't truly respect a foreign culture until you completely immerse yourself in it. I agree to an extent, but family and friends are still essential parts of our lives, and communication was severely limited back then.

Fast-forward to today. My once-a-week phone calls home have been replaced by Skype, Messenger, and FaceTime sessions.

No time for long emails (especially half-written emails that suddenly disappear when the internet goes out)? No problem. I can tweet a short message and let everyone back home know what I'm doing.

Even better, I can sit down and play Xbox Live with my brother when I need to catch up with him. We rock Modern Warfare.

All those nights reading Goethe and Schiller in the beginning, you ask?

No more, my friends, for I now can comfortably sit at home and watch my favorite TV series and movies every night…and in English, no less. Game of Thrones, anyone?

Technology is undoubtedly a plus when keeping up with family and friends, and certain things can be said about increasing safety.

I'd also be remiss to leave out how Google Maps has helped me on several occasions when finding my way around unfamiliar territory. Yet, I'm still unsure about all those other fringe benefits.

McDonald's food in Cairo — The McArabia meal at Cairo McDonald's (photo: David Lee)

I think it's a lot like going into that McDonald's in Cairo - you told yourself you would never go in there, but it sure is tempting [Editor's Note: guilty as charged]. More importantly, it might not even be good, but at least you know what you are getting (comfort and certain satisfaction).

So, as the world grows smaller, travelers and expats alike face the challenge of achieving a precarious balance. Some might say we must balance who we are and what we hope to become. I don't have the answers; I take the easy way out and pose the questions.

But I struggle with the answers too, and occasionally wonder if I should stay up till 4 am to watch the Super Bowl? After 15 years abroad, it's still hard to say no.

__________

Disclosure: This article was written and brought to you by Flights24.com.

Hiking the Himalayas

Flying over the Himalaya (photo: David Lee) — The Himalaya (photo: David Lee)

[T]he world's mountainous regions are all popular with adventurers, and no area represents greater challenges than the Himalayas.

However, it's not just the mountaineers amongst us who can enjoy the spectacular opportunities. With cheap flights to India, adventurers of all persuasions can enjoy the Greater Himalayan National Park.

In the most northern reaches of India in the Himachel Pradesh, the GHNP took 20 years to establish, finally becoming a National Park in 1999.

The park offers a huge range of eco tourism options to visitors to experience the amazing beauty of the area and support the local community.

The park is accessible by road and air. It is a 14-hour road trip from Delhi or by air from Delhi to Buntar which is 50km from the park.

Treks through the GHNP can be undertaken with guides but entry and route permits are subject to approval by Park officials for obvious safety reasons.

The shortest trek inside the park is a five day 56km trek across the Sainj river valley with an optional additional 10km for the round trip the Dhel taking in a mountainous trek through dense forest to a high, wide meadow, with great vistas and opportunities to spot wildlife.

The majority of treks are more strenuous and are seven or eight days. To see some mountainous drops, waterfalls and a chance of observing the Himalayan Tahr or Black Bear try the Sainj-Tirath Valley trek or the Tirthan Valley trek. Both are eight days and involve some strenuous climbing through dense forest.

For the superbly fit, the trip from Jiwa Nala to Parvati River Valley is very strenuous but truly dramatic with a total up down of 3500m in one day, as part of the seven-day journey. It involves high peaks with snow, and opportunities to see Brown Bear and Snow Leopard.

Outside of the park is the Ecozone, and trails here provide a view of the local communities and their crafts and livelihood. A great time to visit is the autumn when the Dushera Festival, a major Hindu event is on. Displays of music, costumes, exhibitions and foods fill the roads and towns.

There are two tourist centres at GHNP. The Larji information centre is well located for orientation from Neuli or Gushaini.. Park brochures, posters, and entry ticket to the Park can be obtained and the headquarters of Jiwanal Range Officer is also located here.

Sia Ropa Tourist Centre is 5km from Banjar and 5kms before the Gushaini entrance to the park and acts as the HQ for the Tirthan Wildlife Range Office and tickets to the park can be obtained here.

The Centre has a Forest Rest House with two dormitories (20 beds in all), Outside, there is a 520m long Biodiversity Trail which has trees and medicinal plant species transplanted from the Park, a pergola with Tirthan river view, a demonstration site for vermicomposting, a butterfly enclosure and a solar energy site.

Whatever your adventure at GHNP you have a unique opportunity to see some of the rare and endangered ecosystems which make the work of the park so important. Treasure every second.

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About the Author: Linda is a freelance writer and bookseller who, following 19 years in IT for a large airline, loves to write about the places she has visited. She also adores her other job as a bookseller in a local bookstore.

A Walk Through Seoul’s Bukchon Hanok Traditional Village

[S]eoul, South Korea, is a fascinating city filled with thriving life, tasty cuisine and rich traditional Korean culture mixed within.

In the midst of modern skyscrapers, trendy shopping malls and high tech smart phones is a traditional section of Seoul that has been designated as an area of cultural preservation.

A "hanok" is the term used for a traditional Korean home while "Bukchon" is the name of the village which lies to the north of some of the most famous landmarks within Seoul.

Though it's not quite the same experience of being in the countryside visiting a local village like Batwa, strolling through Bukchon Hanok village, which is in some parts 600 years old, presents a great opportunity to learn about the history and culture of Seoul.

View of the Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul

Visiting Bukchon Hanok Village

Due to an abundance of both foreign and local Korean tourists visiting Bukchon on a daily basis, the village is well organized and easy to navigate.

After arriving I picked up a free map of the village at the central tourism information office.

The map showed almost the entire village and plotted a walking route that highlighted a number of strategic viewpoints.

View of some of the ancient rooftops in the village

The walk went up and down hills, through small alleyways and pointed out some great panoramic views of the village and city, as well as a glimpse into the architectural construction of the village.

The day I went, there were also thousands of Koreans out for a walk, enjoying the scenery and snapping just as many (or probably more) photos as first time tourists.

Overall the walk circumference around the village took about 2 hours to complete at a comfortable pace and it was one of my most memorable afternoons in Seoul.

On the streets of the village closer to the main road approaching Insadong and the Anguk subway station, there's a large selection of cafe's and restaurants serving everything from traditional Korean food to Italian food and modern fusion cuisine.

Some restaurants appeared to be extremely famous with Seoulites lining up waiting to eat.

As I walked around Bukchon Hanok, I couldn't help but sample a few of the most tempting street snacks like the skewers of juicy chicken lathered in Korean tomato chili barbecue sauce known as dakkochi (pictured above).

Other Opportunities

As a cultural heritage center of Seoul, instead of just walking around the village, there are also a number of ways to explore it on a more in-depth level.

One of those ways is to actually stay in the village and experience the traditional Korean style of accommodation.

There are a number of guest houses where you can book a hanok homestay which not only includes a place to sleep for the night, but also a wonderful cultural experience.

Another way to experience the rich South Korean culture is to sign up for a traditional tea drinking ceremony (tea was originally reserved for the privileged in Korea), a Korean cooking class, or even a lesson on making kimchi - one of the foundations of Korean cuisine.

If you choose to just walk around the village (like I did), stay for a few nights, or take a Korean cultural course, visiting Seoul's Bukchon Hanok village is a throwback in time and an interesting peek into the traditional Korean way of living.

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About the Perhentian Islands

How To Get There

When To Go

Where To Stay and Eat

Things To Do

Know Before You Go

5. Chicken Tarantula

4. Hungry Caimans

3. The Scarlet Macaws

2. Monkey Watching

1. Jaguars

1. Watch a Show at the Fringe Festival

2. Wander Across the Meadows

3. Climb Arthur's Seat

4. Visit the National Museum of Scotland

5. Walk Along the Beach

South Pacific Islands

1. Rarotonga, Cook Islands

2. Yasawa Group, Fiji

3. Bora Bora, Society Islands

4. Moorea, French Polynesia

5. Upolu, Samoa

White Nights

Being a Tourist During the White Nights

Mercado de San Miguel

Sobrino de Botin

Taberna de la Daniela

El Museo del Jamon

Asian Cities

1. Singapore

2. Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand

3. Haiphong (Hanoi), Vietnam

4. Hong Kong, China

5. Beijing, China

6. Osaka, Japan

Mountaineering

Horseback Riding

Trekking

Rafting

Skiing

1. Be the Conversation Initiator

2. Hang Out in Communal Areas

3. Help Someone Out

4. Find a Common Bond

5. Couchsurfing

6. Use Social Media and Blogs

7. Go on a Tour

York

Scarborough

North York Moors

Whitby

1. Keep Your Date Nights

2. Share the Burden

3. Don't Keep to Yourselves

4. Keep the Plans Relaxed

5. Keep a Little Distance So Your Heart Stays Fond

1. Do I like teaching?

2. How do I cope with new living situations?

3. Am I prepared financially?

4. Am I willing to fulfill my contract length?

5. Have I done my research?

1. Railing

2. Canalling

3. Caravanning

4. Coaching

5. Motorcycling

1. Kashgar

2. Turpan

3. Urumqi

4. Karakul Lake

5. Hotan

1. Appalachian Trail

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