National Cherry Blossom Festival
A Tour of an Ancient Chinese Village (and How It's Changing)
China is an ancient country with an ancient history.
China still remains quite preserved in its cultures, customs, traditions and country lifestyle.
Of course, urbanization has drastically changed things in the past few hundred years, but truly authentic old-school villages still exist in abundance throughout the countryside.
One thing that struck me with as a pleasant surprise when I was in Yanshuo was that just moments from a high tech city, there were rice farming villages that looked as though little had changed in thousands of years.
The contrasting diversity was particularly captivating.
Yangshuo is an absolutely beautiful area of China, a place that’s dotted with karst mountain peaks, clear flowing rivers, local farms, and small Chinese villages.
The best way to get from village to village (if you don’t have a motorcycle) is to cycle yourself through the beautiful scenery.
Once you get off the main Chinese tourism circuit, you’ll find yourself in an entirely new world of traditional Chinese culture and life.
One day I was taking a bike ride through the countryside when I stopped at a local village known in Chinese literally as “the ancient village near Yangshuo.”
Ancient it was, s small farming neighborhood of homes built solid from stone, mud, and black shingles.
In most Chinese villages like this, there are often three, maybe even up to four generations living under the same roof.
The youngest kids go to school, play in the fields, help with chores and learn about rice possibly before they even learn to walk.
Their parents (if they haven’t moved to one of China’s megacities in search of work) are now mainly responsible for the farm and manage all the daily tasks.
The next generations above, though quite elderly, still strive to work as much as they can, caring to the rice and taking care of their livestock.
When they get too old, the great grandmothers and grandfathers sit in their village, resting and relaxing.
Chinese people are some of the most determined and hardworking people in the world.
Strolling through this ancient village near Yangshuo was a throwback in time.
Visiting in the middle of the day, it was just the most elderly that were left.
The kids were at school and their parents were working in the fields.
I bumped into a 90-year-old Chinese couple who had lived in the village their entire lives.
They welcomed me into their home and invited me to take photos.
After taking some good snaps the old lady worked her charm to ask me for money to which I offered a small amount for the tour of her house.
Just a short distance from this ancient village, tending the rice fields and oxen plows are a foreign concept for the young yuppie crowd that visits Yangshuo from their modern city lifestyles.
The important thing to remember is that within China and the rest of the world things are rapidly changing. Local customs are fading out, traditions are losing their value, and lifestyles are evolving to the latest technology.
In years to come, the number of traditional villages in China may dwindle down.
But for now, life continues, slowly and uneventful on a daily basis, yet drastic when viewed from a distance and compared through the years.
Observing local villages and ways of life is surely an inspirational reason to continue to travel and ingest as much of the world as we can, as things continue to evolve.
6 Unique Ways to Experience the Australian Outback
Ever since I was a kid, watching shows on the Discovery Channel with my dad -- like the ones that talk about how the most dangerous and deadly snakes and spiders inhabit Australia -- I have been fascinated with the land down under, and even more drawn to that which is known as the Outback.
The Australian Outback. It's an area that is considered to be more remote than "the bush" and probably even further than areas out in "woop woop".
Nothing generally lives or grows or exists in the outback except for kangaroos (and other marsupials), snakes, spiders, bugs, brush and the occasional crazy person that wants to live out their days in the middle of stinking hot nowhere.
Still, I love it. The Outback is an area encompassing the majority of the continent of Australia with this overwhelming sense of quiet.
If you're seeking a calming landscape to meditate or just get away from it all, then the Outback can suffice, and here are some ideas for getting out and exploring it.
Table of Contents
Become a Jackaroo or a Jillaroo
There are courses you can take (around 2 weeks) that introduce you to the workings of being a cowboy or cowgirl in Australia.
You can get to know the ropes and work on an Outback ranch for a truly unique experience.
Jackaroo Jillaroo Australia offers one and two week packages that introduce participants to horse riding, calf throwing, sheep shearing, and roping.
Once you've mastered the basics, you might even be able to find yourself a job doing the same.
Prospect for Gold
Mining for gold is popular in certain Outback regions, and the Super Pit mine over in Kalgoorlie quickly comes to mind. However, you, too, can try your hand at striking it rich while in the Outback!
A Miner's Right over in Western Australia is only $25, and with that you are able to dig for gold and other gems.
It might not be your idea of a nice holiday, but it does provide a unique way to experience the Outback.
Ride the Outback Rails
I've talked about my experience crossing the country by train, from Sydney to Perth, on the Indian Pacific, but you can also do the same, from Adelaide to Darwin, on the Ghan.
Both of these trains by Great Southern Rail cross the Outback of the country, allowing you to casually experience the beauty of the environment from the comfort of an air conditioned train.
One of the best parts of the experience is just being able to zone out as the colors of the landscape change, and while knowing you are thousands of miles away from work and stress.
Sleep Underground
A fun quirk of the Outback spawns from the unforgiving heat: underground houses and underground hotels.
While in such places as Coober Pedy and White Cliffs, you can enjoy a stay in an underground hostel, motel or hotel (one of the world's largest being in White Cliffs).
These cave-like dwellings are naturally temperature controlled, and often constructed from the fittings of an old opal mine.
A Round of Golf
The Nullarbor Links Golf Course is not your typical golf course! Spanning 1,365 kilometers, and reaching from Ceduna, South Australia to Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, this course is the longest golf course in the world.
To explain that distance a little better, a simple drive on the Eyre Highway between the two locations takes 14 hours!
When playing this round of golf, you are on a pay-as-you-go method, meaning you can play a hole, drive on and then sign up for another.
Seems like a fun way to spend some time in the Outback if you're a golf fan of sorts.
Indigenous Tours
If you want to experience the Outback while also being introduced to the cultural heritage of the country, I highly suggest partaking in some indigenous tours.
Indigenous tours will often bring you face to face with some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes while putting you in touch with the people that have inhabited this land for centuries.
The Mardoowarra Way offers multi-day indigenous tours in the regions of the West Kimberley and Fitzroy River.
The Western Australia Indigenous Tourism Operators Council offers a number of resources for these tours.
Dining at the Night Market in Zanzibar
[L]ike many destinations around the world, there’s no better way to get a grip on a culture than through its cuisine.
The contribution of local Bantu food mixed with Arab and Persian flavors and Indian spices makes eating one of the most enjoyable things about Zanzibar!
Being an island nation, the sea is also the number one source of food - and there’s lots of good seafood to dine on.
When in Stone Town, one of the best places to get local style Zanzibari seafood is at the little night market near the old town walls on the waterfront of town.
Each evening, stalls set up their street kitchen to deliver some of the island’s tastiest grilled and fried treats that will make your mouth and your stomach rejoice.
Here are a few of the most memorable things you’ll get to eat at the night market in Stone Town:
Seafood Buffet
The main event at the Stone Town night food market are the giant tables stuffed with almost every kind of seafood you can imagine.
All you have to do is walk up to one of the stalls, choose as many skewers of food as you desire, have the vendor roast them on the grill, douse it all in their special sauce, and you’re ready to go.
Last time I was there I ate multiple sticks of prawns, a few different kinds of deep seawater fish and a few of the outstanding marinated chunks of lobster (the red chunks on my plate).
You can also try local Zanzibari raosted bananas, cassava or even french fries to go with your feast.
Samosas
An original Indian snack creation, samosas are little triangular deep fried dumplings filled with seafood, meat or spiced vegetables. The crunchy outer layer provides the casing for the tasting inner fillings.
In Zanzibar, samosas are often served with shredded coconut chutney that magnifies their tastiness even further.
Zanzibar Pizza
We'll probably never know all the ingredients that go into the productions of a Zanzibar pizza, it’s kind of a mystery... and there’s no cheese involved.
The process begins with little balls of oily dough that emerge from a little street side plasticware container.
The vendor slaps the dough into a thin tortilla like shape and then fries it in butter on a hot griddle.
He then cracks an egg into the middle, along with a mystery meat topping and a few other ingredients of your choice.
A few other unknown ingredients are added, the dough is folded into a pod and an authentic Zanzibar pizza is formed.
Hot, greasy and salty, you won’t find a better guilty pleasure or beer snack in all of Zanzibar!
Fresh Sugar Cane Juice
I’ve had sugar cane juice in a number of countries, but to be honest no where else makes better sugar cane juice than Zanzibar.
Instead of just squeezing the sweet juice and serving it, in Zanzibar they combine the juice with a squeeze of spicy ginger and a squirt of lime so it’s soothing on the throat.
It’s the perfect beverage to accompany all the salty fried food at the market.
So if you ever visit Zanzibar and want to get a sample of the street food masterpieces, be sure to check out the Stone Town food market at night.
Traveling as an Archaeological Dig Volunteer
One of my cherished travel memories would have to be from the month I spent working as an archaeological dig volunteer in Spain. It was a long and dirty month, but also a month where I could do more than hostel hop.
I made great friends, connected with my surroundings, and gave my brain and body a good workout.
As stated in my alternative travel ideas story, archaeological digs offer the general public another way to see the world, one perfect for history buffs or those who like to get their hands a bit dirty.
Most digs are for students studying anthropology or participating in archeology programs to get hands-on experience. But many archaeological sites around the world offer volunteer opportunities -- albeit for paid volunteers.
At least it's good to know that the funds you put into it generally help cover your room and board and fund the dig itself.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I volunteer on an archaeological dig?
Volunteer positions on archaeological digs are available worldwide and open to people of all ages.
According to the Archaeological Institute of America, the website I use to search for fieldwork availability, opportunities are currently offered in Israel, the UK, the USA, Macedonia, Greece, Romania, Peru, Bulgaria, Italy, Belize, Australia, Ireland, Spain, Mongolia, Cyprus, and Ecuador.
Digs typically run during the summer since they're organized by universities or with the hopes of attracting university students. It's essential to remember this, as summer heat in many locations can be overwhelming.
What can I expect on an archaeological dig?
Well, for one, this is not a vacation, so expect hard work. You'll be in the pits with college students getting practical experience and professional archaeologists, so you better believe they take this seriously.
You can expect a lot of early mornings.
When I worked for a month as a volunteer on an archaeological dig in Spain, we had a 45-minute bus ride to the site each morning.
This was before we began our hours of digging, generally done in the early morning hours to avoid the peak of the day's heat.
You can expect to get dirty.
Don't pack up all your nicest clothes. By the end of the term, you will probably want nothing more than to throw your work clothes in the bin.
There were work days on my dig when we were covered from head to toe in mud after a few rainy days at the archaeological site. And if it wasn't mud, it was just sweat.
You can expect to learn a lot.
You should be fine if you take part in a dig marked as one for beginners, as no previous experience may be required.
Plus, the fact that they act as field schools for many archaeology students means the people running them are teachers. Ask away and learn!
What about accommodation?
Accommodation options vary for archaeological dig volunteers, so research before signing up for fieldwork opportunities. When I did my dig in Menorca, Spain, we all lived in a four-bedroom apartment with up to six people in a room (much like a hostel).
Other archaeological projects involve participants staying in college dorms, hotel rooms, apartments, or even tents. Archaeology volunteer programs can vary from comfortable to highly rustic, just as the price will vary.
How do I pack for an archaeological dig?
The dig program you are participating in will most likely provide specific tips, such as whether you need to bring a sleeping bag or tools.
You will mostly need knee pads and heavy-duty gardening gloves. Closed-toe shoes are great if you'll be working with pickaxes.
Clothing and hats for sun protection are essential as you'll be out for hours, and a poncho or rain jacket might be handy on wet days.
Another tip would be to bring some bug spray and a reusable water bottle.
How much does it cost to participate in a dig?
The cost of volunteering at an archaeological dig will vary depending on the location, amenities, and length of time.
Digs typically last around two weeks, but month-long and summer-long courses are available. A typical month can run anywhere from $1,500 to $3,500.
If the price of a dig seems high, you might want to consider that many will include all meals and accommodation, plus some free knowledge and group tours along the way.
So, a dig might not be a form of budget travel. Still, it is a different form of experiential travel. It allows participants to immerse themselves in a place, learn about its history, and perhaps even uncover something worthy of sitting in a museum.
Related: Las Vegas Dig This
Will I have fun?
I loved my time as a volunteer on the archaeological dig in Spain, but just like with any group tour, your fun will depend on several factors:
- The other dedicated volunteers in the group.
- Your location, amenities, and comfort level.
- The amount of physical activity.
- The amount of free time given.
- Your interest in the subject.
- How you get along with the dig directors and volunteer coordinators.
Many programs include group tours to other parts of the region, so archaeology volunteers don't see the same thing day in and day out.
When I was in Menorca, we went on a weekly excursion to different sites on the island. I highly recommend this to travelers who tend to get lost in museums on the road or those who want to take in the vibe of a destination while still feeling like they are being productive.
Patagonia Packing List for a 15-Day Trip
G Adventures provides detailed packing lists for all of their tours, including a Patagonia packing list, which makes this part of the trip planning super easy.
Aside from hiking clothes, there's little reason the typical traveler would need to go shopping in advance of the End of the Earth tour to Patagonia.
For about $8/day, you'll be able to rent a sleeping bag for the two nights of camping in Torres del Paine National Park, and any specialized gear required for (optional) activities is provided at that time.
Below is a breakdown of my preferred Patagonia packing list, similar to the list provided by G Adventures, but based on my belongings as if I were only making this trip as a stand-alone vacation.
Patagonia Packing List
Backpacks
- Large Gregory Chaos backpack
- Regular size daypack
Clothing
- GoLite rain jacket
- GoLite hoody
- North Face fleece
- Mountain Hardwear short sleeve base layer
- ExOfficio short sleeve t-shirt
- 3 cotton t-shirts
- REI long sleeve base layer
- 1 pair of REI convertible pants/shorts
- 1 pair of jeans (for nights out in cities)
- Volcom board shorts
- 3 pairs of ExOfficio boxers
- 2 pairs of SmartWool socks, 2 pairs of cotton socks, 2 pairs of dress socks
- Merrell hiking sneakers
- Beanie hat
- Baseball cap (sun protection)
- Bandanna
Electronics
- iPhone 4S
- Canon S100 camera w/soft case and battery charger
- MacBook Air w/AC cord
- 500 GB external hard drive (photo storage)
- 16 GB SanDisk SD card
- 2 GB SD card (back up)
- Creative Style 8 GB mp3 player w/earphones
- Casio solar trekking watch
- Petzl Zipka LED headlamp w/2 AAA batteries
- USB cords
- AC wall converter (Argentina has a 3-slit wall unit, and requires a unique converter)
Miscellaneous
- Oakley sunglasses
- 2 Sea to Summit dry sacks
- MSR Packtowl
- Trial size toiletries in a 1-liter Ziploc bag
- Sunblock
- Binoculars
Documents & Money
Note: American citizens must pay $160 to enter Argentina, and $131 to enter Chile, or $291 total. It's easier to pay this by debit or credit, given concerns over damaged and counterfeit bills.
- Money belt
- Passport and any required entry visas for Argentina and Chile
- Immunization yellow book
- G Adventures voucher (to be provided to tour leader)
- Proof of travel/health insurance (to be delivered to tour leader)
- Airline tickets
- Cash - several hundred US Dollars, and several hundred Argentine Pesos
- Debit card
- Credit card (back-up)
The critical thing to remember when packing for most trips is that you can almost always buy necessary clothing or other stuff along the way.
This Patagonia trip, for example, starts in Buenos Aires, where you can pick up just about anything last minute (save for something like an iPhone or laptop which may have limited availability or significantly higher cost).
After writing this, in fact, I'm about to go find myself a 3-pronged AC adapter for the funky wall outlets they have in this country.
End of the Earth Tour: Discover South America's most beautiful scenery, including majestic mountains and massive glaciers. Click here for the full itinerary.
___________
Disclosure: This Patagonia tour is in partnership with G Adventures. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
The Best Outdoor Activities in Peru
For the adventurous spirit who enjoys the outdoors, travel to Peru to experience the vacation of a lifetime.
Join any number of South America tours for your journey to Peru and the northwestern region of the continent.
Visitors to Peru will be situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains with a host ways to get close to nature. Plenty of Peru tours are available to help you get a lay of the land.
If you're planning an itinerary for Peru, be sure to include these ten outdoor activities to make the most of the lush, green land of Peru.
Table of Contents
1. Whitewater Rafting
If hitting white water rapids sounds like a thrill, then the Urubamba River in Cusco is a definite hot spot.
This area is considered Peru's rafting capital, with the Andes providing amazing scenery beyond compare.
For those who wish for a more extreme experience, leave Cusco for the Tambopata River, where you'll ride on a rush of whitewater and find yourself in the jungle.
For the experienced rafter, a trip through the Colca Canyon near Arequipa would make for an excellent adventure.
2. Exploring Colca Canyon
In addition to seeing Colca Canyon from the water, it is a fantastic place for hiking in Peru.
There are guided Peru tours through the Canyon, or one can go on solo trips. There are a range of opportunities, from day hikes to three-day stays.
The most advanced option involves a five-day hike down the canyon before crossing a snowy pass and ending in the Valley of the Volcanos.
There are huts available for overnight stays, or hikers can bring a tent. The river adds the enticement of a swim in refreshing pools.
3. Volcano Climbing Near Arequipa
Volcano climbing near Arequipa should be a goal for the outdoor enthusiast in Peru.
Known as the "White City" in southern Peru, Arequipa's claim to fame is being surrounded by volcanoes.
Climbing to the peak of Picchu Picchu, one of the favorites offers a breathtaking, colorful view as a reward.
El Misti cone is another prime location where tourists admire white volcanic rock.
Chachani provides one of the higher climbs for those who welcome a challenge.
4. Bird Watching in the Amazon
For wildlife and bird lovers, Peru boasts the second most significant portion of the Amazon rainforest, surpassed only by Brazil.
Ample opportunities to experience flora and fauna can be found in the rainforest.
Peru has a dense population of birds, butterflies, orchids, and mammals in the depths of the forest.
It would be well worth a tour to experience its wonders. There is even the possibility of new discoveries, seeing species that haven't been identified before.
5. Surfing Peru's Coast
Surfers will delight in hitting the waves on the Pacific coast in Peru.
Mancora is a prime destination, featuring one of the largest left-handed point breaks in the world. Surfers of any ability level can attempt the sport here with pleasure.
6. Trekking Cordillera Blanca
The Cordillera Blanca is the White Mountain Range and offers an exciting opportunity for those who love trekking.
Hikers can come in and acclimatize for a few days before enjoying a hike to even higher altitudes where they can admire the lakes, glaciers, rivers, and an ancient aqueduct.
At the end of their trip, they can rest for another day before going on the next adventure.
7. Mountain Biking in Callejon de Huaylas
Callejon de Huaylas offers an excellent location for mountain biking.
This valley runs between the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra mountain ranges.
Local companies offer guided trips, which will help the extreme biker get the most out of the ride and the scenery.
8. Sand Boarding in the Oasis of Huacachina
The oasis of Huacachina, located in the village of Ica, offers many options and activities for adventure lovers.
Travel with a guide as you drive ATVs and sand buggies across dunes for the best sandboarding spots.
This activity is not only exhilarating as you surf down Peru's sands but is also a great place to experience the sunset, which seemingly changes the colors of the sand with each passing minute.
9. Parade in Cuzco
Cuzco, located in a valley, is the perfect setting to watch a parade of horseback riders trot by.
Known as the capital city of the Inca Empire, Cuzco lets tourists experience magnificent archaeological remains of impressive temples and buildings.
Depending on the day, one might see a cavalcade of riders that stroll through the town, re-enacting important historical events.
Although not always in costume, these reenactments allow visitors to learn about the history and truly understand the culture.
10. Paragliding in Lima
Due to the constant change and growth in the tourism industry over the past few years, Lima has expanded its activities to adjust to travelers' wants and needs.
One can now find paragliding schools throughout the city and take a one-day course to learn about this exhilarating adventure.
Then take a leap with a highly trained instructor as you fly over the city below, and view the dynamic surroundings as you experience a pure rush of adrenaline.
____________
This story is brought to you in partnership with Viventura.
Hiking the Havasupai Trail to Havasu Falls
One of my all-time favorite hiking and camping destinations is Havasu Canyon in the northern part of Arizona, United States. Located on the Havasupai Native American reservation, the park is not US Government-run (like the nearby Grand Canyon) but is operated by the Havasupai Tribe.
Many people who visit the Falls yearly are also on a Grand Canyon rafting trip. This is a great way to combine this scenic location with some adventure on your vacation. Havasu Creek is a tributary of the famous Colorado River that flows through the mighty Grand Canyon.
We planned a much anticipated three-day backpacking trip to the beautiful canyon with a few of my relatives. Hiking and staying at the campground requires getting permits and paying fees (as it is a fragile natural environment, the park authorities take precautions to limit the number of visitors per day).
We packed our supplies for the trip, mostly sleeping bags, food, and water (in the summer in Arizona, you don't need a tent because it rarely rains and it's not too cold - make sure to look at the forecast before you go).
We started the 10-mile (16-kilometer) hike to the official campground from a point known as Hualapai Hilltop. The trail wound down into the canyon, following a rocky, bone-dry trail. The beginning of the hike was not all that scenic, and it got outrageously hot as well.
Eventually, we arrived in the central part of the canyon, passed through the Supai village, and were well on our way to the waterfalls, which we were all looking forward to!
Havasupai translates to "people of the blue and green" (turquoise) waters. I knew why as soon as I came around the bend and peered over the cliff for my first glimpse of Havasu Falls.
Havasu Falls is a picturesque waterfall of magical blue-green water that hurls itself off the edge of the jagged red rocks into a sparkling pool of turquoise water below - all this in the middle of a desert. It's a spectacular view.
While trekking in Sumatra was beautiful in the jungle, the Havasupai Trail was equally incredible with its desert conditions.
Even more impressive than the first view was dumping our heavy packs at the campsite and running to take a dip in the cool water. For three days, we hiked around, swam in multiple locations, and visited several other waterfalls along the same creek.
Mooney Falls, just a short hike from the campsite, is the highest waterfall in the area, at over 190 feet. Reaching the bottom of the falls required a steep, slightly gnarly climb down ladders and rock footholds, but the view and the water below were worth it.
While Havasu Falls is blocked by a rock at the top before it falls, spanning it out and thinning the water, Mooney Falls is a straight vertical tumble. The water crashes violently into the deep blue pool at the surface.
The third waterfall I spent a lot of time exploring was Navajo Falls. It was a gentle series of rock steps and soothing pools, much less pounding than the other two waterfalls. (Note: Unfortunately, due to a flash flood in 2008, the falls no longer exist-the water has taken a new route.)
As the three days ended, we packed our belongings and began the ascent to Hualapai Hilltop, eventually returning home. Havasupai is one of the most memorable hiking and camping trips I've ever had!
7 Alternative Travel Ideas
I am all for the stereotypical beach-lounging holidays when I travel. There is a time and a place for this sort of tune-out and disconnect vacation, but this is not the only way to spend your time away from work.
Whether you're going away for a week or looking to incorporate new experiences into your extended travel plans, here are some alternative travel ideas to the traditional getaway.
Table of Contents
1. Language Learning
Language learning would have to be my favorite method of alternative travel.
I learn (or brush up on) language skills and enjoy the direct contact and access to locals living there for authentic cultural immersion.
Traveling to learn a language also can be done at budget prices in certain parts of the world.
I have partaken in Spanish lessons in Guatemala and Russian lessons in Kyrgyzstan at the low rate of around $4 per hour of one-on-one instruction.
2. Yoga Retreats
Yoga retreats are becoming popular with people of all genders as they provide a getaway from everyday life in a relaxing and healthy manner.
Imagine a week or a month spent fine-tuning your mind and body in an ashram in India. The cost of healing yoga holidays will vary based on the duration and location of your preferred retreat.
I'll cover this topic in further articles, including the best locations around the world for yoga retreats, so stay tuned.
3. Teaching English
Teaching English abroad would be considered an activity fit for extended travelers.
However, there are shorter-term volunteer teaching positions, like with Projects Abroad, that might put you in front of a class for a minimum of a month at a time.
Just like language learning, teaching English provides an entire culture to you every day in the classroom.
While teaching and language learning might not be a long-term solution or activity for everyone, one cannot argue with the cultural insights gained
4. Archaeological Digs
History buffs and museum lovers might fancy a chance to get where the real action happens: archaeological digs.
You might be surprised that you don't necessarily need to be in university or be an expert in the field to participate in fieldwork worldwide.
In this case, you will be considered a volunteer. As such, you might have to pay a fee to dig, but your funding will often help the camp to continue the excavation.
I spent a month in late 2007 uncovering a Roman fort on the Spanish island of Menorca and loved every minute of it.
You can search for volunteer excavations on the Archaeological Institute of America's site.
5. Wwoofing
WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, and this method of travel is becoming a tried and tested method of budget travel for vagabonds and nomads.
Through Wwoofing, the farm owners do not have to pay volunteers, but they provide accommodation and food.
Volunteers are not paid, but they get a unique cultural experience abroad with free food and accommodation.
Wwoofers can pick grapes in a vineyard in France or sheer sheep in the New Zealand countryside, to name a few possibilities.
A minimum stay is two nights, but this can vary by farm.
6. Volunteer
For those looking to give back to the less fortunate or tragedy-stricken, volunteer opportunities are endless in about every country of the world, even your own.
A popular short-term volunteer program called Habitat for Humanity brings individuals together from around the world to construct houses where needed most.
All Hands Volunteers puts individuals on projects in places recently struck by natural disasters, such as Haiti and the Philippines.
7. Cooking Courses
If you love a country's food and cooking, a cooking course abroad may be your mode of alternative travel.
As an example, who better to teach the art of cooking Thai food that Thai people themselves?
Combine that with the possibility of market visits in Thailand, meeting famous chefs, and diving into countless local restaurants, and you have a getaway fit for a king.
Plus, you'll come back with the best kind of souvenir: cooking skills. You don't even have to worry about suitcase space for that one!
Patagonia Itinerary: End of the Earth with G Adventures
One week from today, I'll be on a flight to Buenos Aires before my trip to Patagonia with G Adventures!
In my initial announcement, I touched on some of the highlights from the two-week End of the Earth trip.
However, I wanted to delve further into what's in store for me and anyone else planning a trip to the region.
End of the Earth Tour: Discover South America's most beautiful scenery, including majestic mountains and massive glaciers. Click here for the full itinerary.
Table of Contents
Day 1 - Buenos Aires
The first day is when everyone is due to arrive. I'm flying in a day early to be safe but will save the serious sightseeing until after returning from Patagonia.
I'm looking forward to getting to know the city in every way -- from fine dining to crazy soccer matches, learning the sophisticated tango to partying at the late-night discotecas.
Let's see how Buenos Aires stacks up with my other favorite Latin cities, Medellin and Lima.
Days 2 & 3 - El Chalten / Glacier National Park
I imagine our first travel day will start early, as we fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate and then transfer by bus to El Chalten.
This sets us up for a full day of hiking in Glacier National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on Day 3.
The park features the world's 3rd largest ice field (after Antarctica and Greenland).
We'll be hiking to Laguna de Los Tres for a view of Cerro Fitzroy & Chalten (3,441 meters).
Days 4 & 5 - El Calafate / Perito Moreno Glacier
We return to El Calafate on Day 4 and drive to Perito Moreno Glacier, still within Glacier National Park.
Photos of this 60-meter high, half-mile-wide glacier are probably the images I most associate with Patagonia.
I love glaciers, and I'm super excited to see this massive one for myself.
Days 6, 7, 8 & 9 - Puerto Natales / Torres del Paine National Park
Day 6 is another travel day, and we'll be spending the evening in Puerto Natales, which sets us up for three days and two nights of camping in Torres del Paine National Park.
Hiking is estimated at 5-8 hours per day, but thankfully, altitude won't play much of a factor since the base elevation is relatively low. And I'm going to cross my fingers for great weather too!
As you might recall, quite a few large fires were burning in the park as of January.
These have been extinguished, and I recently received an update on our hiking plans from G Adventures.
Day 7: Trek as per usual to Las Torres del Paine (Towers). The group will overnight in the private Laguna Amarga campsite.
Day 8: Start this day with a catamaran to Pehoe Lake. Trek to Valle Frances (French Valley) and finish off with a catamaran back from Pehoe. Overnight in the Pehoe Ruta campsite.
Day 9: Trek along the coastline of Lake Grey to a peninsula with a viewpoint of Glacier Grey. Today will consist of a light 3-hour walk with an option of an extra 1.5-hour tough climb.
Day 10 - Punta Arenas
Chile's southernmost city boasts 100,000 people and is also the jumping-off point for our day trip to the Otway Sound penguin colony.
Days 11, 12 & 13 - Ushuaia / Beagle Channel
From Punto Arenas, we'll return to Argentina with a visit to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world and the primary jumping-off point for cruises to Antarctica.
While I didn't make it to Antarctica this year, I wanted to make sure I got a taste for the experience by visiting Ushuaia.
The primary highlight will be a cruise through the Beagle Channel to observe the unique wildlife down there.
Days 14 & 15 - Buenos Aires
The tour wraps up back in Buenos Aires, where I expect the whole group to go out together for one last night on the town.
As I mentioned at the top, I'll spend additional time in Buenos Aires -- at least four weeks. More if I love it.
End of the Earth Tour: The adventure of a lifetime awaits in Patagonia. Click here for the full itinerary.
___________
Disclosure: This Patagonia tour is in partnership with G Adventures. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Food in Kyrgyzstan: 5 Delightful Dishes
People often think I'm joking when I say that I love the food in Kyrgyzstan.
Compared to other Asian countries, I find it an absolute joy not to be confronted with dish after dish of seafood, most likely due to the landlocked nature of the country and poor transportation network.
Instead, the traditional cuisine bases itself on meat, rice or bread goods, and milk products.
Sure, the more traditional style of cuisine has that meat as either mutton or horse, but today in the big city of Bishkek, you can find most meals using beef for extra tasty goodness.
The food of Kyrgyzstan has been influenced by many countries and cultures, bringing Russian, Turkish, Asian, Georgian, and Central Asian food to the table.
On a more traditional level, here are a few of the food delights of Kyrgyzstan.
Table of Contents
1. Paloo
Perhaps you would recognize this food better if it were called "plov"?
Paloo is a rice-based dish with bits of fried meat, carrots, garlic, and onion sprinkled with herbs or hot chili peppers.
Being a carb-lover, a rice dish that also covers my meat and vegetable group simultaneously is a winner.
Or, you may sometimes find this as a vegetarian option with dried fruits mixed throughout.
2. Laghman
There is no Kyrgyz dish I get more excited about than laghman. Laghman hails from the Dungan people whose roots lie in Western China.
The handmade noodles used in laghman remind me of my favorite Chinese restaurant here in Sydney, Australia, but the broth added to these noodles sets it apart.
Forget the soy sauce-coated noodles in your favorite Chinese dishes. Instead, laghman is topped with a spicy, salty soup that contains meat, peppers, onions, carrots, and herbs.
The sometimes challenging to eat thick noodles tend to splash soup around, so be careful when eating laghman and wearing a white shirt.
Related: What to Expect When Backpacking Kyrgyzstan
3. Manty
Manty are dumplings, usually smaller than the size of your palm, filled with a mixture of meat (usually lamb), onions, potato, and fat (because everything is better with fat, right?).
These dumplings are usually served with vinegar or ketchup, but I also enjoy them with sour cream.
Be careful with biting in for the first time! The fat and juice on the inside can be piping hot and squirt out everywhere.
4. Shashlik
Shashlik acts as a temptress for many food vendors.
Workers will grill these skewers of meat over the coals of barbecues on the street corners, letting the smell waft through the air to lure in passersby.
Traditionally, shashlik is a skewer of mutton with a high fat ratio. Still, I find that getting skewers of chicken or beef is relatively easy at many restaurants in larger cities.
Shashlik meat is generally served with sliced onion, and cucumber slices are also a popular accompaniment.
Related: Horse Trekking to Song Kol Lake
5. Beshbarmak
Beshbarmak may or may not be considered a food delight. I am not a fan, but you might love it if you love meat.
The central premise of beshbarmak consists of horse or sheep meat that has been boiled in its own broth and fat. This broth is then served over noodles and eaten with the hands.
Beshbarmak would not be considered especially flavorful in a spice sense, but it is a traditional dish usually eaten on special occasions like births or deaths. It is also a custom to place a boiled sheep head in front of the guest of honor.
Like I said before, this may or may not be considered a food delight.
7 Ways to Be an Ultra-Productive Travel Blogger
Having no permanent home and being faced with countless distractions are part of the lifestyle of working while traveling.
While travel blogging is something I highly enjoy doing unless I remain dedicated and focused at times, days will fly by and I won't get anything accomplished.
That's the reason I have to make steps and strive to be productive as a travel blogger.
These tips don't only pertain to travel bloggers, but to anyone who wants to be productive while traveling the world.
Table of Contents
1. Bring Your Thoughts With You
Not having an internet connection or a power outlet is not an excuse to take a complete break.
As a travel blogger, you need to learn to use your time wisely, even without a computer.
What happens when you are sitting on a long bus or stuck waiting in a line?
Start thinking and jotting down your ideas.
Before I started blogging, I would think of a great idea, and then forget it completely - and I still don't remember those ideas because I didn't write any of them down.
Now I don't go anywhere without a piece of paper and a pen. I make sure to write down all article ideas I may have throughout the day.
Carrying paper and a pen also allows you to take notes about useful information, like the price of an attraction (taking a quick photo works too).
2. Write Your Tasks on Paper
Every night before I go to sleep, I think about my blogs or other projects and write down the things I need to accomplish the following day.
It may be short (if I have something already planned) or longer if I have planned for a day of work.
If you don't want to write down your tasks each day, you may want to write them down for the week, or even for the entire month.
I choose daily because it's psychologically reassuring to physically check things off a list.
3. Know Yourself
In order to be a productive travel blogger, you need to know yourself and your work habits.
It's important to experiment and take notes about where, when, and how you work the best.
I personally write the best in the morning, after a quick breakfast and a strong cup of black coffee.
The reason I don't sleep late is to take advantage of my writing ability in the morning.
On the other hand, most of the time my thoughts just don't flow in the evening or at night. But does my productivity go down the drain? Not usually.
Instead, I work on things that don't take the same portion of my brain to accomplish. I edit travel and food videos or organize my photos for article ideas I wrote down beforehand (see #1).
4. Learn to Say NO (sometimes)
From hostels to meals to random events, as travel bloggers, we meet a lot of people. However, if you want to really be a productive blogger, you have to learn to say "no" at times.
You know those articles and tasks that you wrote down on paper in step #2?
This is the real test.
If you haven't completed your list for the day and you receive an unexpected invite, you may be wise to kindly say no. I'm not saying you should be a party pooper, but it's important to finish the things on your list (even if it's only one thing).
As an example, I occasionally write things down on my list that I keep putting off, then I hang out with friends and I realize that that task keeps getting pushed further and further back.
Sometimes I have to force myself to say "no" and sit down to complete it before getting into other activities.
Blogging can be a fantastic way to support your travels, but you have to make sure you stick to your goals.
5. Multitasking
I can't deny that in general females tend to be more gifted than men in the art of multitasking, but I can say for sure that both males and females are more productive without trying to do twenty things at once.
There's no easier way to be unproductive than multitasking online.
Social media, YouTube, interesting articles or anything else that catches your attention are great at times, but they should be avoided when really trying to be productive at blogging (of course, being a productive travel blogger is about using social media, but also knowing when to put it on pause and start publishing content - and then using social media).
6. Think and Schedule Ahead
This tip depends upon the style of your travel blog - some people choose to blog daily about their activities, while others write more generic travel articles that aren't as timely.
Whatever style blog you write, you may want to write and schedule some articles ahead of time (instead of the night before).
We live in a world where plans change without warning and things rarely turn out exactly as expected.
Having a few articles ready to go will help you stay on course and maintain a publishing schedule for a successful travel blog.
7. If You Aren't Feeling It, Do Something Different
We've all been in the situation before, sitting at the computer typing gibberish words and nothing sounds correct.
If this goes on for longer than a few minutes, it may be time to do some pushups, eat some snacks, listen to music or engage in social media for the time being. I sometimes go for a spicy plate of Thai food and then return to my work.
Switch things up!
We're all human, and sometimes productivity doesn't seem to flow. If this is the case, have some fun and enjoy - just make sure to come back and do what you need to do.
Taking steps to be more productive travel bloggers while we travel is a great way to accomplish our dreams and make them a reality!
Colombia's Old World Charm
I've been having a wonderful time exploring Peru the last 5 months, however I miss the old world charm of Colombia's pueblos.
This photo was taken at an upscale finca hotel in Santa Fe de Antioquia, a pueblo located just an hour from downtown Medellin.
The pueblo's lower elevation means much warmer temps -- a climate closer to that of the Caribbean coast, thereby warranting plenty of pool time.
5 Destinations For Hot Guys Around the World
When it comes to talking about the hotness of the local population, male travelers tend to take the lead.
I can't tell you how often I have been surrounded in a hostel by male backpackers just going on and on about the women they see on the streets.
Fair enough, there are plenty of countries with insanely beautiful women (like Colombia), but this post is not about that.
Instead, I'd like to talk about the destinations making women weak in the knees.
These are the places where women dream of being asked on a date, invited to watch a sunset, or whisked away on a summer fling.
Ladies, this post is for you. Here are five destinations around the world swarming with hot guys!
1. Pacific Islands
When you think of men with a Pacific island background, you might conjure up thoughts of the Rock.
Known for their muscle-laden bodies, tall stature, dark skin, and eyes, these men are dreamy the world around.
From Samoa to Polynesia and even New Zealand, the islands lying in the South Pacific Ocean are a goldmine for male eye candy.
Andi Perullo even commented on the men of Easter Island, saying, "I have never seen in such an abundance so many tall, dark, buff (and I mean buff), exotic, sexy men before!"
Related: How to Island Hop in the South Pacific
2. The Balkans
The countries of the Balkans spring to mind simply for their somewhat chiseled and muscular built men.
In direct contrast to the men of Italy and Spain, for example -- the ones that might spend more time on their appearance than a typical woman -- these Balkan men are natural and masculine.
Balkan countries include Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Greece.
3. Western Europe
I found this hard to compose a list of only five areas, mainly since so many countries of Western Europe could be found on it.
Western European men are often considered quite hot by the ladies, and it makes sense when you think about Italy, France, Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands (to name a few!).
You've got your uber-romantic dark, slick Italians, and you've also got the French men that exude passion on all levels.
The Germans and the Dutch are a bit more subdued, but there are those tall, well-dressed, and intelligent men that are swoon-worthy.
4. Brazil
Like the islander men above, Brazilian men are known for being tall, buff, and handsome.
Only these South American hotties also have the Latin flair, and that Latino confidence can be a major attraction for women.
You might also associate the Brazilian man with loving the beach, loving sports (soccer and capoeira come to mind), and some tight swimwear.
Of course, you could add Argentinian, Colombian and Chilean men to the South American hot mix, but it does seem that Brazil gets the most attention by traveling females.
Related: Colombia Nightlife and Dating
5. Australia
For as long as I can remember, Australian men have been an attractive bunch to me, and obviously, I finally succumbed to temptation and partnered up with an Aussie man of my own.
Maybe it's their blokey nature, the laid-back attitude, or just that incredible accent that draws us in.
For some, it's the stereotypical blond-haired and fit surfers, and for others, it's the outdoors-loving rugby types.
And, it also helps that famous hotties like Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe are such captivating specimens from Down Under.
These are just some of the many destinations for hot guys around the world.
Exploring Kandy, Sri Lanka
Situated in the central part of the island, surrounded by rolling green foothills is Kandy, the ancient royal capital of Sri Lanka.
Kandy is considered one of Sri Lanka's major tourist areas with plenty of attractions, great scenery and cooler temperatures than Colombo.
The center of Kandy is pleasant, a neatly laid out town of colonial buildings, shops, and delicious restaurants.
The bus station is just a short 10-minute walk from downtown and you can get most places by foot, local bus or rickshaw.
One of Kandy's biggest draws for both local Sri Lankan's and foreigners is the Temple of the Tooth, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The story of the tooth relic is extremely complex and after reading the story a few times, I still don't begin to fully understand.
The temple is believed to house a tooth of the Buddha - but it's not that easy.
Over the years the tooth has passed through many hands, been fought over and been crushed.
Some believe the tooth is authentic, while others believe the tooth may not really be from Buddha at all.
Despite the story of the drama behind the tooth, this temple in Kandy is one of the most visited attractions in town.
I had a great time visiting the local Kandy market.
There was an abundance of delicious fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and piles of fragrant spices.
The action and the sensory excitement of the market was fantastic.
I purchased a few bags of spices and a bunch of tasty wood apples (a very popular and stinky fruit in Sri Lanka)!
In the afternoon when the sun dies down, it's a great little physical work out to climb to the top of the Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha statue situated on top of the hill to have a look around and enjoy the gorgeous panoramic view of Kandy.
One of the coolest things about the statue is that you can actually climb the staircase going up the Buddha's back for an even better view of the city!
Kandy has plenty of dining options and no trip would be the same without a few meals of scrumptious Sri Lankan food.
Anywhere I travel, if I happen to notice a big crowd of locals waiting for food, I get in line - no matter how full or hungry I may be.
Walking around one day in Kandy, I noticed an excited crowd standing while eating ice cream cones and snacks.
I didn't know at the time, but it was Kandy's vegetarian soy center.
I ordered something that looked exactly like a burrito, really a Sri Lankan roti protein.
It was insanely delicious - I could honestly not believe that it wasn't Mexican pork chorizo and eggs - but it was vegetarian!
Kandy Lake is one of the more iconic landmarks of the city.
The front face of the lake borders the central part of town and if you choose to walk around the lake, you'll pass the Temple of the Tooth and eventually come to the Kandy tourism art center that host's daily cultural dance performances.
In the evenings, a number of vendors or mobile souvenir sellers set up around the lake and you may also see an occasional cobra snake charmer.
Though I ran out of time without getting to visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, many Sri Lankan's told me that I missed out.
So if you visit Kandy, I'm sure the botanical gardens are a wonderful attraction as well.
Traveling in Sri Lanka is an incredible experience, and Kandy is a lovely town to visit as well as a great central jumping off point to travel to other destinations around the island.
5 Outdoor Things To Do in Myrtle Beach
Located in South Carolina on the East Coast of the United States, the small town of Myrtle Beach is a huge American vacation destination. Whether a family with kids or a party-goer with friends, you'll have a blast spending time at Myrtle Beach.
Here are five fun outdoor activities for those seeking to enjoy the gorgeous weather and mild temperatures!
Table of Contents
Myrtle Beach Attractions
1. Go Horseback Riding
One of the most entertaining ways to tour Myrtle Beach is from the back of a horse. The horses are well-trained, so you don't need any riding experience. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
The trail leads through the nearby forest and onto the beach, where you can direct your horse to the ocean for a splash in the waves. Exploring Myrtle Beach by horseback is an activity the entire family will love.
2. Play Golf
Myrtle Beach is one of the most well-known golfing destinations in the United States. There are so many Myrtle Beach golf courses to choose from that you'll want to research before getting there.
Be sure to think about the criteria of the course you choose. Are you looking for beautiful scenery? For a challenge? Or do you want to play at a less challenging golf course for beginners?
Even if participating in a round of golf is not your thing, you may be interested in watching a live tournament to see the best of the best swing their clubs.
Be sure to check the list of golf tournament dates to find out precisely who will be playing and when. Myrtle Beach has several entertaining miniature golf courses and professional golf courses.
3. Go Fishing
Fishing off the coast of Myrtle Beach is a great way to spend a day on vacation. If you want to join a fishing boat or charter an entire private yacht for your party, your requests will be granted.
The further out to sea, the better chance you'll have to hook a larger variety of fish. Look for king mackerel, barracuda, snapper, marlin, sailfish, and triggerfish.
4. Enjoy the Beach and Water Sports
As a beach destination, you can bet lots of fun activities are dedicated to water enthusiasts. Does parasailing, riding a jet ski, or learning to scuba dive sound fun?
Myrtle Beach has about every water sport, from calm paddle boat rides to thrilling banana boat rides.
5. Stay at a Campground
Instead of staying at a luxury hotel, why not pitch a tent or rent a camper truck for your stay at Myrtle Beach? Some campgrounds cater specifically to families, while others are set up for RV-style camping.
Choose a campsite in the maritime forest shade away from the beach, or even better, camp steps from the Grand Strand beachfront with an ocean view.
Waking up with the soft rays of the morning sunshine paired with the sound of gentle waves is the perfect way to begin your day at Myrtle Beach.
Myrtle Beach is a fantastic destination, especially when you enjoy the incredible outdoors.
___________
This post was written by Mark and brought to you by Golf Now and The Golf Channel.
Malaria Prevention Tips
Contracting malaria remains one of the biggest travel fears of globetrotting backpackers.
A little over four years ago, before leaving on my trip around the world, I researched malaria prevention tips to educate myself further.
I'd taken a few different anti malaria tablets on short, two-week vacations to Costa Rica and Belize/Guatemala, however, I was preparing to embark on a 12+ month journey across multiple continents, including Africa.
Malaria prevention is a multi-step process.
Education
Before visiting any new country, do some quick online queries to determine the risk for malaria.
The United States' Center for Disease Control (CDC) website is an excellent resource and offers detailed information for every country, organized nicely in the form of charts and maps.
Additionally, as I did, you can make an appointment with your local travel clinic (or family doctor).
Remember, just because a country is known to have malaria doesn't mean every region of that country has it too.
Often, malaria doesn't exist in large urban areas, such as capital cities, or at higher altitudes.
The degree of risk can also vary significantly by season. Mosquitoes are more prevalent in the wet seasons; thus, your risk of getting bitten will be higher at those times.
Preventing Mosquito Bites
Once you've arrived in an area known to have malaria, these are the basic steps you can take to minimize your risk of being bitten:
- Stay inside at night, when the mosquitoes are most active. If you don't have windows, make sure you've got screens. If you have neither, make sure you're using a mosquito net over your bed or hammock.
- Wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeve shirts, pants, socks, and shoes. Some brands of travel clothing are pre-treated with Permethrin, a chemical insect repellent. Alternatively, you can also buy the chemical and treat clothes yourself.
- Use insect repellent, preferably containing DEET, on your exposed skin. Repellent is available in strengths as high as 100% DEET; however, I feel more comfortable with lower concentrations (around 30%).
Anecdotally, it always seems as though one person amongst a group will get bitten more than the rest.
If you're known to attract mosquitoes more than your friends, it's even more vital that you take protective measures seriously.
Medications to Prevent Malaria
[Disclaimer: I'm a backpacker, not a pharmacist. Consult a medical professional for assistance in deciding which medicine is right for you.]
The third and final step to preventing malaria is to take prophylaxis.
While there's still no vaccine for malaria, there are several preventive options available that can reduce your risk of contracting the disease.
The medication you choose will depend on a variety of factors, including the region you're visiting, pre-existing conditions and other medications being taken, potential side effects, cost, and likelihood that you'll comply with instructions for taking the drug.
Some medications need to be taken daily, while others are weekly.
- Chloroquine - taken weekly. Starts one to two weeks before travel and continues for four weeks after you've left the risk area.
- Doxycycline - taken daily. Starts two days before entry into the affected region and continues for 30 days after you've left. This is the cheapest and most widely available option. It also has amongst the most benign side effects, including digestive problems and increased risk for sunburn.
- Malarone - taken daily. Starts one to two days before travel and continues for seven days after you've left the risk area. This is a more expensive drug than Doxycycline, and therefore better for shorter trips.
- Lariam - taken weekly. Potential side effects involve the nervous system and include reports of extremely vivid (bad) dreams and psychosis.
Once I hit the road, I found that many of my fears about malaria fell by the wayside.
There's a worldwide effort to eradicate malaria, and large swaths of many countries have freed themselves of the disease.
Even traveling within those countries still at risk, many of the most popular tourist areas are now safe.
As long as you educate yourself, and take the necessary steps to protect yourself, fear of malaria should not be a reason in and of itself to keep you from exploring new destinations.
_____
I wrote this story in partnership with Lloyds Pharmacy.
5 Incredibly Relaxing Destinations in Southeast Asia
For all the wild, action-packed mega cities Southeast Asia is so famous for, there's an equally opposite number of places that are quiet, nature-oriented, and extremely relaxing.
Here are 5 destinations I recently visited where relaxation is the local way of life.
Table of Contents
1. Sangkhlaburi, Thailand
Waking up at 5 am is something you'll love doing when you're in Sangkhlaburi.
Why?
Because there's nothing more enjoyable, or more relaxing, than beginning the day with a stroll over Thailand's largest handmade wooden bridge.
After crossing the bridge, make sure to visit the Burmese market on the other side. The low key market includes lots of betel nut chewing vendors, and a number of delicious snacks.
Sangkhlaburi, in my opinion, is one of the most relaxing places to visit in Thailand. The lifestyle is laid back, no one seems to be in a hurry, and the scenery is extremely beautiful.
2. Yangshuo, China
Although China would not normally be considered part of Southeast Asia, since Yangshuo is just north of Vietnam, I'm including it.
If the gorgeous scenery of Yangshuo isn't enough to thrust your body into a state of immediate relaxation, sipping on a cold lotus nut beverage while reclining on a small Chinese chair in the middle of a lotus patch will surely do the trick.
Sometimes it's not only sitting or laying down that's relaxing, but also doing physical activity in a location that includes fresh air, unspoiled natural landscapes and is filled with sounds of nature instead of honks and smog.
Go on just a short bicycle ride from the center of Yangshuo, and you'll be cycling down rice farm trails, taking dips in the clear Yulong River and enjoying tremendous views of the mountains.
3. 4,000 Islands, Laos
While at times the amount of backpacking tourists can be overwhelming, there are plenty of opportunities to sneak away from the crowds to discover the beautiful and relaxing side of the 4000 Islands in the south of Laos.
If lounging in a hammock strung on the balcony of your wooden bungalow overlooking the lazy Mekong River while reading a book with a cold Beer Laos in hand is your idea of a relaxing paradise, you'll end up spending a lot of time at 4000 Islands!
If you happen to get an overdose of relaxation and want some adventure, be sure to take a hike, bike to the waterfall, or take a boat to see the Irrawaddy dolphins.
4. Lake Toba, Indonesia
Encircled by sharp jagged mountains, Lake Toba is a deep volcanic lake on the lush green tropical mega-island of Sumatra, Indonesia.
To get there by local Indonesian transportation will hardly be relaxing, but as soon as the road dips into the cauldron and the glassy lake appears, your body will calm itself into a zen-like state of relaxation.
Stay in a local style Batak bungalow overlooking the lake, or pay a dollar more and you can get a hut where you can jump right out the window into the warm water of Lake Toba!
5. Batad, Philippines
Of the many incredible and relaxing places to visit in the Philippines, it's hard to beat chilling in the sleepy rice terrace village of Batad.
With over 116 man made terraces of rice that steeply creep up the side of the mountain, the beauty of the Batad rice terraces will blow your mind.
Staying in a local style hut at the base of the terraces is a sure recipe for relaxation and a way to escape the hassles of city life.
Jus a short 20 minute trek through the terraces, up a steep ridge and through some thick vegetation, is a booming waterfall that offers an opportunity to take a dip or to just sit back and listen to the sound of crashing water echoing off the sides of the mountain.
Introducing the Indie Travel Manifesto
The following is a guest post from Adam Seper of BootsnAll.
[W]e all travel differently. Some enjoy an all-inclusive resort with easy food and drink access. Some like going the B&B route.
Others have their favorite hotel chains that they always stay in. Many prefer staying in a dorm room in a hostel eating ramen and drinking the cheapest local beer.
No matter what your preference, there is no right or wrong way to travel. There's only what you prefer.
At BootsnAll, we like to refer to ourselves as the One-Stop Indie Travel Guide. But what exactly does Indie Travel mean? What makes an indie traveler?
Over the past several months, we came together as a company and really tried to put a definition to it. We wanted to define what our priorities were as indie travelers, not as a way to portray our travel preference as best, but to make connections with others who feel the same way about travel that we do.
It all starts with our core values. As a company, we came up with several core values that drive the content we produce and the services we offer. Those four core values are:
- Embrace change
- Love learning
- Make meaningful connections
- Work & play with passion
Not only do we do our jobs based on these four core values, but we all live our lives and travel by the same ideals. These core values are at the root of what we feel makes an indie traveler. But we are a small company, so we want to get the input of other travelers.
So we teamed up with travel writer Rolf Potts, a long time contributor to BootsnAll, and we created the Indie Travel Manifesto.
This is not meant to encourage everyone to travel like we do. We know that this only appeals to a certain sector of the travel world, so we hope to reach out to all the indie travelers out there and share this manifesto.
The spirit of this site, Go Backpacking, encompasses perfectly how we feel about indie travel. Dave gives you all the tools necessary to get out there and have an indie travel experience.
We want our fellow indie travelers to take action with the manifesto. We want you to be a part of it.
We'd love you to read it. Vote on it. Discuss it. Sign it. And share it.
There are 24 statements on the manifesto that we think defines what an indie traveler is.
Do you agree?
How to Prepare for a Cross-Country Train Trip in Australia
One of the most memorable adventures I have had in Australia until now was when I traversed the entire country by train.
This epic trip on the Indian Pacific train, named after the two oceans that the line connects, took me from Sydney all the way to the far reaches of the country -- to the WA capital city of Perth.
For three nights, I gazed out the window at the changing scenery as we went past city suburbs, green desert from an unusual amount of rain, vast nothingness associated with the Nullarbor Plain, and ghost towns.
Each night, I was lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of the rails, and each morning, I was awoken by the voice of the conductor telling us breakfast would be served in the dining car soon.
It was a journey of 2,698 miles (4,352 kilometers), with several stops to get out and stretch, and plenty of time for introspection.
But, how does one exactly prepare for such an epic train adventure in Australia?
Here are my personal tips for getting ready for the trip of a lifetime.
Table of Contents
Book Discount Tickets
Since we're writing about this journey on a backpacking site, the majority of people reading this will most likely be going for the Red Daynighter seats when booking the trip.
These seats are more budget-friendly, and instead of a private cabin, they provide big, comfy chairs that recline.
A one-way ticket in the Red Daynighter seats from Sydney to Perth runs just $759, but you can get a discount by using a backpacker, student, or YHA card, bringing the total down to just $368, which is quite affordable.
Be sure to book in advance, as these seats are the busiest of all the sections.
Pack a Carry-on Bag
On the train, you are only allowed a carry-on sized bag. All other bags will have to be checked.
When packing your carry-on, be sure to include some flip-flops for the shower, a towel (unless traveling in Red Sleeper Cabin or higher class), a couple changes of clothes, sleeping masks or earplugs, and any entertainment (iPad, Kindle, books, playing cards, etc.).
There is a shared shower facility in the Red Daynighter section, which I suggest using daily to make yourself both feel nice, and please the passengers around you.
Just be sure to hold on to something at all times since you never know when you'll hit a rough bump.
Pack a Bag of Snacks
There is a dining car on the train, but you might find the trip getting quite pricey if you use it for all your meals.
When I rode, the dining car included croissants, toasted sandwiches and eggs for breakfast, and full-blown roast meals for dinners.
There is a steady supply of beverages, including alcohol, for sale.
Snacks and meal supplements, however, are strongly suggested. You can bring nuts and muesli, instant noodles, peanut butter, and bread, and other safe-keeping snacks for the journey.
The ability to replenish your stocks is possible when at one of the local stops (Adelaide, Broken Hill, and Kalgoorlie).
Bring a Camera
I found the scenery to be some of the most peaceful and beautiful scenery in the world.
The red dirt hits in stark contrast to the clear blue sky for most of the journey.
Sunsets and sunrises fill the sky with a rainbow of colors every morning and night.
Camels and kangaroos run amuck in random sections, and it is fun to play "spot the animal" with other passengers to pass the time.
In other words, you will not want to forget your camera.
Not only will the scenery be photo-worthy, but the whistle stops will give you time to explore new cities and towns.
Don't worry about running down your battery.
The dining car and Red Gum Lounge (worth the daily upgrade) contained several outlets that passengers used to recharge.
Get a Telstra SIM Card
Telstra is the network that provides the largest range of access in Australia, and I found this to be a blessing on my trip.
Sure, there were areas where the signal cut out completely for hours, but for 3 days, I found I could keep in touch with my boyfriend and get on the Internet just by having a Telstra SIM card in my phone.
I know that's not the point of the train trip -- to have Internet and connectivity -- but for those who think this will make the trip easier, I suggest picking up a new SIM before starting the journey.
Choose Your Whistle Stop Tours
Along the way to Perth (or vice versa), the train will stop for short periods of time in Broken Hill, Adelaide, Cook, and Kalgoorlie.
You have the option of signing up for train-sponsored whistle-stop tours in each of these locations, so it is wise to have a read of the literature upon entering the train to know which ones might actually interest you.
Otherwise, you can prepare some whistle-stop tours of your own.
Mentally Prepare
Sitting on a train for 3 days is a big change from normal life, so it is best to prepare for the trip mentally.
Yes, you can walk around, move from your seat to the dining car (or upgrade to being able to sit in the Red Gum Lounge), and get off for whistle-stop tours, but... you have no control over the trip at hand.
Putting yourself in "holiday mode" or "camping mode" right from the moment you step onboard will alleviate any anxious stress.
Riding the Indian Pacific train is a memorable Australia attraction, and if you're thinking of doing this, I suggest following this list to prepare.
When Dreams Become Reality
[F]or the first time in 10 years, I'm a man without a dream.
I came to this realization last month, which was also my 5-year blogiversary (blogging anniversary), and it has thrown me for a loop.
On any given day, for an entire decade, I could close my eyes and envision where I wanted to see myself in X years.
Now when I close my eyes, there's nothing.
How did I get here? And more importantly, what next?
Both are questions I've been pondering lately.
Dream #1 - Take a 'Round the World Trip
In March 2002, I was part of a massive layoff at CareerBuilder.com. This unceremonious termination became the catalyst for my decision to take a trip around the world.
For the following 5 ½ years, I worked in the call center of a health insurance company. I found purpose in my work at the time, but always knew it was just a stepping stone toward making my travel dream a reality.
In November 2007, I submitted my resignation, enjoyed a few farewell happy hour drinks, and boarded an Air Tahiti Nui flight to French Polynesia.
The cool part about taking a trip around the world is how long it lasts. I felt lucky to be living my dream every day for 18 months.
Dream #2 - Achieve Location Independence
By the time I ran out of money in July 2009, I'd already fallen in love with Medellin.
All I could think about was getting to the point where I could support myself from my blogs so I could go back.
As my RTW trip concluded, location independence became my new dream.
After 11 months of living with my parents (thanks again Mom and Dad!) working on the blogs, launching a new travel blogging community, and networking my butt off, I reached the point where I was ready to move back to Medellin.
My leap of faith paid off, and my monthly earnings continued to grow. I reached my goal of averaging $3,000 per month in 2010.
This was the figure I felt I needed to reach to be able to live just about anywhere in the world I wanted.
In 2011, I earned 20% more, which further solidified my ability to live and work wherever I want. My dream had been about ascertaining a certain lifestyle, not bucketloads of cash.
I left Colombia to begin seeing the rest of South America, starting with Ecuador and Peru. In March, I'll be visiting Argentina and Chile for the first time with G Adventures.
Dream #3 - ?
The funny thing about achieving your dreams is how quickly your new reality can become normal.
You may envision where you want to be for years.
You daydream at work. You write about it. You fantasize.
And then when you finally get there, it (hopefully) is as awesome as you imagined. Yet, inevitably, that appreciation for what you've achieved starts to fade with time.
Perhaps it's human nature. Been there, done that, what's next?
I'm exactly where I want to be, and this is not to say I'm not grateful for that, but after 4 years of traveling and living freely, I'm ready for a new challenge.
Of course I want to continue traveling, living abroad, and blogging about it (that's not something I see changing in the near future), but I also want to have a new dream to chase.
I want to have a grand vision again. I want to see myself achieving something awesome when I close my eyes.
Now if I can just figure out what that is.
Astrid and Gastón: The High Art of Peruvian Cuisine
In 2011, Lima's Astrid & Gastón was ranked #42 on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list. It was one of only three restaurants in Latin America to make the illustrious list, with the majority being located in Europe and the United States.
Even if I had been planning to travel to these regions, I knew such restaurants would likely be cost-prohibitive.
But since I was already on the verge of visiting Peru in South America, where the U.S. dollar is worth more, the chance to dine at Astrid & Gastón immediately made my shortlist.
[Note: Since I wrote this, Astrid y Gastón restaurant moved to a new location at La Casa Moreyra, a restored colonial mansion in Lima's San Isidro district.]
Traditional Peruvian cuisine is currently enjoying its time in the limelight, the benefactor of positive press in publications from Food & Wine to The New York Times.
Chef Gastón Acurio is one of the leaders of this movement to bring Peruvian food to the forefront, so what better place to explore Peruvian gastronomy than his flagship restaurant.
Acurio runs the eponymous restaurant with his wife, Astrid Gutsche, an accomplished pastry chef.
By the time I reached Lima, I'd already been in Peru for a month, having zig-zagged my way down the country, trying to enjoy the mountains and the coast.
Along the way, I'd slowly begun to discover typical dishes such as cebiche and causa.
I then spent several weeks in Lima, both before and after my trip to Cusco and Machu Picchu. I dined at Gaston Acurio's other restaurants, including Panchita and Tanta.
I continued to eat all around Astrid & Gastón, even though it was just a few blocks from the apartment I was renting.
I knew I wanted to have the 11-course tasting menu (170 Soles or $63), which, according to the website, would require three hours of my time.
I was excited by the food I'd get to try and petrified of being bored out of my gourd eating alone for so long.
Table of Contents
The Restaurant
The day before I was due to fly back to Florida for Christmas, I made a determined walk over to Astrid & Gastón at 12:30 p.m., just as the restaurant was opening for lunch.
Located on a nondescript side street a few blocks from Avenida Larco and Parque Kennedy, a doorman outside welcomed me in, and the adventure began.
I was greeted by a cheerful woman standing behind a large reception desk. It felt more like I was walking into a home than a restaurant.
I asked if the tasting menu was available, and she said yes. Then I was ushered to a table directly in front of the kitchen. It appeared as though I was one of the first diners to be seated that afternoon.
In addition to the main room, which featured a view into the busy kitchen, there was a smaller, more private wine room and a bar area that would be perfect for sampling cocktails and finger food.
Related: Latin America's Best Restaurants
The Peruvian Food
I cracked open the oversized menu and flipped through the options, even though I already knew what I would order. Foie gras, duck, tuna, sea urchin, cuy. And those were just the appetizers.
An interesting note featured prominently above the first page, indicating that as part of the dining experience, for 14 Soles ($5), you'd receive fresh bread and three sauces, a tray with three appetizers, and a box of 10 sweets at the end.
[Though I didn't say anything, I was soon presented with the bread, so these extras are provided unless you state otherwise.]
To celebrate the dining experience, I ordered a maracuya sour, which I enjoyed much more than standard pisco sour.
The first plate immediately challenged me with a sea snail. I liked the presentation, but I was unsure how to get the meat out of the shell. Thankfully, when I poked my fork inside, the snail slipped out with great ease.
The snail meat lacked flavor, and I found it rather tough to chew. However, the rich brown broth saved the overall dish.
See also: How Anthony Bourdain Inspired Me
Next, I was presented with a wooden lacquer box. Inside, Andean tubers, herbs, and fresh flowers were delivered on a bed of shredded almonds.
I LOVED the presentation-colorful, playful, and fun. But there's no getting around the fact that the tubers look like turds.
Not only that, but they were also tough to cut with the regular knife I was using.
A serrated steak knife should've been offered unless the tubers were that tough because they were either under or overcooked.
Again, I appreciated this dish more for its novelty factor and presentation than the actual flavors. The mustard sauce was appreciated.
The lobster dish was a welcome change-lots of flavor with a sophisticated presentation. This was one of my favorites.
The cuy taco was a fun way to pay homage to the all-important guinea pig, which is typical of Andean cuisine. I'd eaten it twice in Ecuador before arriving in Peru.
I rolled up the little taco, and it was gone in a few bites. Spicy, crunchy, delicious.
Course #5 was a little bit of chicken liver mixed with corn. Peruvians love their big white corn kernels, but I prefer the yellow corn I grew up on in the USA. Still, it works fine for me in small doses, as presented here.
I'm a fan of the occasional foie gras (duck liver); however, this was the first time I'd eaten chicken liver, and it was cooked perfectly, melting in my mouth.
In dish #6, presentation once again plays a key role. Ojo de Tigre is the term for the seafood juices of cebiche, and in this case, the cebiche was presented with a rich and creamy Ojo de Tigre.
Like the liver before it, the white fish melted in my mouth.
Dish #7 was the main event for cebiche lovers, featuring fish, scallops, octopus, and another sea snail. It was the most colorful dish, as well.
Three shot glasses of pepper sauce were also presented, and if I understood the instructions correctly, I was to take the shooters after finishing the cebiche.
Cebiche in Peru is typically spicy, and I was already feeling the heat. I then started taking the very flavorful shots of pepper sauce until my mouth was on fire. I couldn't finish them.
By this point, two hours into lunch, I felt full from the excellent food and sleepy. Part of me wanted to tap out and go home so I could lie down.
But I was in this for the long run, and besides, I couldn't leave before the desserts arrived.
Time for the protein dishes, like a perfectly cooked lamb in light and yummy broth. I would've enjoyed this dish alone as the main course.
Dish #9 was another one of my favorites from the lunch because of the sweet raspberry sauce and how three different varieties of potatoes were incorporated.
When it comes to desserts, I'm a simple guy. A slice of decadent chocolate cake or rich chocolate mousse, and I'm happy. The keyword is chocolate.
The highlight of the first dessert, course #10, was the spicy aji ice cream. To the right of it was a small square of apple crumble.
The 11th and final dish was a dessert incorporating bananas and vanilla ice cream.
There's more to it than that, as you can tell from the sugar-based shell that contains something else, but I couldn't keep up with the waiter's explanations.
And just when I thought I'd crossed the finish line, I was presented with a box of 10 sweets, just as the note on the menu had promised.
Chocolate truffles. Bite-sized macaroons and another sweet I didn't try-the nails of sugar in my coffin.
Service
Overall, the service was fantastic, as you'd expect at one of Peru's and the world's best restaurants.
I appreciated that they sat me at a prominent table right by the front of the kitchen. Being exposed to an open kitchen is one way to keep yourself occupied when eating alone.
While things got off to a little of a slow start, dishes were soon coming out at a consistent pace, and the whole lunch lasted three hours as expected.
At one point, a Peruvian couple with a baby sat down at the table next to me.
The mother held the sleeping baby in her chair when their waiter brought over another and created a little bed out of two empty chairs.
He put a napkin down on the chairs and placed another on top of the baby like a blanket, and it was so cute.
Atmosphere
As more and more diners arrived, the room filled with chatter. The background music was loud enough for me to identify a favorite song, Kothbiro by Ayub Ogada, featured in The Constant Gardener.
Cost
The final bill for the 11-course tasting menu, including cocktail, tax, and tip, was $95-a real deal by U.S. standards.
Final Thoughts
The menu challenged me. I wouldn't say I liked every course, but I don't think that's the point. If it were, I'd have ordered a single entrée instead.
The lobster, cuy, and lamb were highlights, and I won't be bothered if I never see another Andean tuber again.
Spending an afternoon exploring Peruvian ingredients at Astrid & Gastón, from the common to the exotic, was an absolute pleasure.
Astrid y Gastón: Av. Paz Soldan 290, San Isidro 15073, Peru, astridygaston.com
Alpacas: Cute, Soft, and Delicious
A is for Alpaca. The most versatile, delicious, and nutritious creature in Peru.
I became enamored with these soft and friendly, llama-like creatures during my stay in Cusco.
For thousands of years, alpacas have been raised in Peru for two primary purposes: fiber and meat.
Alpaca Fibers
Alpaca fiber is used for knitting blankets and clothes.
The finest fibers are referred to as baby alpaca, which come from the back of the animal.
The term has nothing to do with the age of the alpaca.
Baby alpaca is akin to other luxury fibers, such as cashmere and pashmina (from goats).
Very few visitors leave Cusco, let alone Peru, without buying either an alpaca scarf or sweater as a souvenir.
Alpaca scarves, gloves, sweaters, and hats are widely available in shops around the country. However, just because an item is labeled as baby alpaca doesn't mean it's woven of 100% baby alpaca fibers.
In fact, on one scarf I checked, these fine fibers only made up 15% of the garment.
If you're on a budget, you'll be able to pick up hats and gloves for about $3 each, a scarf for $5, and a sweater for $10 (depending on your bargaining skills).
If you're willing to pay Western prices, step into a boutique store like Kuna and pick up a 100% baby alpaca scarf for about $45. You'll feel the difference.
Alpaca Meat
Alpacas would be just another cute animal like llamas and goats, except that they also happen to be delicious.
During my second night in Cusco, I noticed a sign outside the Macondo Restaurant advertising alpaca.
I thought this restaurant was offering something unique, as it was the first time I'd seen the animal on a menu.
Out of curiosity, I stepped inside the artsy place and ordered their most popular dish, the Alpaca Mignon a la Parisienne.
I had no idea what to expect and could barely see my food in the dimly lit restaurant, but it tasted wonderful.
The creamy white wine sauce may have provided all the flavor, but I could tell the meat was lean, and I'd be trying it again.
As I began eating at more restaurants the next day, I noticed alpaca was on almost every menu in some shape or form.
My infatuation with the animal only increased with each new preparation.
Alpaca with red wine sauce.
Rosemary grilled alpaca.
In Cusco, the possibilities were endless, and I made the most of them.
____________
Dave's 160-page, all-original Lima Travel Guide is now available for Kindle.
5 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Becoming an Expat in Australia
In March, Sydney will be my home for three years. Three years is a very long time for a person like me to call one place their home, but I'm beginning to feel that the true meaning of "home" will never be applied to my life in Australia.
As stated in my introductory post, I met my wonderful Australian boyfriend while traveling in the Baltics in 2008. Because of him, I decided to try my hand at a working holiday in the land down under and see where the relationship went.
Obviously, the relationship has gone well, and we are now tied together with the de facto partner visa, which allows me to stay in this gorgeous country to live, work, and travel freely.
Australia isn't called the "lucky country" for nothing. The people and nature can't be beat! Still, visiting a place and planning to call the place home are two very different things.
Although my situation was more play-it-by-ear, and I could see what happened, a number of things really caught me off guard. Knowing some of these things in advance may have influenced my decision to come.
Okay... definitely not. I was too focused on chasing love to really care about anything else, but perhaps knowing some of these things could have helped lessen the shock after arriving.
Table of Contents
1. Australia will be an expensive place to live
When I was younger and planning where I wanted to go for university, California was at the top of my list. However, after researching the fees and the cost of living for the places I wanted to attend, the idea quickly disappeared from my list.
Although I hated Midwestern Winters, the fact is that you pay good money to live in mild and warm climates. The same goes for Australia.
In my book, you pay for nice weather, and even if it is not the case, you do pay to live in Australia. Luckily, the minimum wage is relatively high, and hourly wages represent the higher cost of living.
Just be aware that the money can go quickly even then, especially if planning to travel in the country.
2. Christmas will never feel like Christmas
I've now had the pleasure of participating in three Christmas holidays in Australia. So why do I not feel like I've had a Christmas since about 2007?
Because Christmas down under is just not the same. Yeah, sure, I despise Winter weather and prefer to live in a warmer climate, but where's the holiday build-up?
Where are the cold nights, drinking hot cocoa while watching Christmas movies playing on TV? Instead, the big day falls in the middle of the Aussie summer, so forget your red wine and traditional roast dinners-it's too hot!
Aussies, tourists (and even Santa) head to the beach for a relaxing day in the sun, which is not a bad thing, but when it is all said and done, you kind of wonder where Christmas actually went.
3. Visiting home in America will become more of an ordeal.
It was easy for me to think that home was only a flight (or two) away, but the price and length of flights from Australia to the USA have made it more of an ordeal than I initially expected.
Maybe the problem is more of a problem for individuals with wanderlust. I'm constantly torn between spending the $1,500 to fly to Illinois and spending that money, or way less, on a trip to somewhere more unfamiliar.
I love my family and miss seeing them at times, but booking that rather pricey ticket home when the inner travel demon inside me is spouting off lists of destinations I could be traveling to makes it very hard.
4. There will be culture shock
Australians speak English, so that culture shock won't exist. Wrong. Australians have a culture of their own, albeit subtle in differences, but still something worth mentioning.
One of the main attributes of the culture I despise is the laid-back attitude. For my anxious little mind, I love the idea of not being in a rush to do things, having loads of holiday time, and just being able to brush stuff off my shoulders.
On the other hand, when you need something done -- like in the evening, on the weekend, or during the holidays -- you can forget about it.
Of course, there are other bits of culture shock, like adjusting to holidays in the opposite seasons (and how locals prepare and celebrate), deciphering the way people talk (both in word choice and the way they talk to each other), and dealing with the popular Aussie meet-and-greet of cheek-kissing (I like my personal space).
Although all of these examples are small, they add up to a point on this list since prolonged exposure can emphasize even minor details.
5. Taxes will become complicated
I can't talk for other expats, not from America, but taxes are a complete pain.
If you continue to keep your citizenship, you will have to file taxes in the USA forever, claim income made overseas, and deal with special rules and regulations (that hopefully keep you from having to pay).
I'm no accountant, and I don't want to steer anyone wrong, but you will want the advice of a trained individual so you don't get burned down the road.
[Editor's note: If you spend 330+ days per year outside the USA, check out the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.]
These are just five of the things I wish I'd known before becoming an expat in Australia-some of which can be applied to expats in other locations around the world. Living in Australia is a dream come true for me, but that doesn't mean it can't be difficult at times.
Melbourne Skyline
Every year, Melbourne plays host to the Australian Open tennis tournament.
In 2008, I arrived just in time to buy a grounds pass so I could watch the men's final from a jumbo screen right outside Rod Laver Arena.
5 Must See Floating Markets in Thailand
A floating market is a market that is located next to a body of water, and vendors sell things directly out of their boats.
Though some of the main waterways have since been filled in to make way for roads, Bangkok was once known as the Venice of Asia due to its extensive network of canals.
Many people got around by boat or even went to the market to sell their goods directly from their boat.
What was once a traditional way of life, floating markets throughout Bangkok have become a novelty form of entertainment.
Floating markets are located throughout Bangkok and the surrounding provinces, and they are trendy to visit on the weekends for both locals and foreigners.
Nowadays, the biggest attraction to a floating market in Thailand is the food that is cooked and served directly from a boat floating in the canal.
The markets also offer plenty of random trinket shopping and are just good places to walk around. If you wish, you almost always have the option of navigating the market on a personal boat tour as well.
Visiting a floating market on the weekend has become of the most popular things to do in Thailand. Here are five markets worth your time:
1. Amphawa
Easily the most popular market with Thai locals, Amphawa is an entire neighborhood community that turns into a Disneyland-like floating market on the weekends.
Tons of people escape Bangkok for the day, browse around the little stores, and dine on the delicious food served from boats.
I was genuinely impressed by the parking lot of boats on the canal and how they rapidly served food to all the demanding orders!
Don't miss out on the grilled squid and the roasted shrimp!
2. Damnoen Saduak
Located about one and a half hours from Bangkok, Damnoen Saduak is Thailand's most popular tourist floating market.
Over the weekend, hordes of foreigners flood the market on organized tours.
Due to the massive crowds and the overabundance of souvenirs, this is one of my least favorite floating markets.
However, if you hop in a canal boat, you can still manage to escape most of the traffic and reach some beautiful tree-covered canal areas.
Do it yourself, or book a half-day tour.
3. Khlong Lat Mayom
Located in southern Bangkok, Khlong Lat Mayom is probably one of my favorite markets in Bangkok.
It's like a garden oasis, full of green trees, cool shade, and it is in a much more relaxed environment than the two mentioned above.
Though there are plenty of shops and countless options for food, the market remains calm and low-key.
It's a great place to unwind and partake in a lovely meal on the edge of the canal.
4. Taling Chan
Taling Chan is famous for its fresh selection of roasted seafood.
If you show up on Saturday morning, you'll see a bunch of tables filled with people devouring crab legs, huge roasted prawns, and the all-famous roasted snakehead fish.
5. Bang Nam Phueng
Since floating markets are so popular throughout Bangkok, a few have been recently set up to cater to the rising demand of people looking for leisure on the weekends.
Bang Nam Phueng is located in an area of Bangkok known as Phra Pradaeng.
It is a relatively new market, yet another paradise for food lovers, and a relaxing place to walk around, take a boat, or sit and enjoy the lush ambiance.
When you visit Bangkok, be sure to visit a floating market for the day!
Need more itinerary ideas? Click here for all G Adventures trips to Thailand.
Exploring Changuu, Zanzibar's Prison Island in Tanzania
What is now a tiny, beautiful tropical island off the coast of Zanzibar was once not a pleasant place. At first, Changuu Island (known more commonly as Prison Island) was where enslaved people were detained and held until they were transported to locations in the Middle East or Europe.
After that, the island was transformed into a quarantine center where people with deadly diseases were left so they wouldn't spread their illnesses to the healthy. Today, the island is a nature reserve and a beautiful place to spend the day when you visit Stone Town, Zanzibar.
Getting to the island takes about 30 minutes by motorboat and should cost around $30 - $40 per boat (there and back), each of which can accommodate up to 10 people.
If you don't want to deal with the boat owners themselves, or if you don't have ten people to rent the entire boat, you can easily book a day trip to Prison Island at one of the many tourist offices in the central part of Stone Town. Just be sure to negotiate a deal before you go.
The Indian Ocean can be pretty choppy, so be forewarned if you are prone to seasickness. Once you arrive in the shallower waters of the island, the water becomes calm, and the color turns to that beautiful shade of turquoise blue.
One of the island's famous activities is taking a cool dip and snorkeling around the island. The water wasn't overly clear when I visited, so I couldn't see much while snorkeling, but the swimming was fantastic.
A gift from the Seychelles, on one side of the island is a colony of giant tortoises, one of the highlights of Prison Island these days. Some are gentle goliaths, creeping around silently while munching everything green in sight.
Though it is not permitted to ride them anymore (as it was a few years ago), you can still feed and touch them. They do look and act just like dinosaurs.
About a 5-minute walk away are the former ruins that once functioned as the prison. The structure has aged and weathered into an interesting combination of concrete and overgrown vegetation, offering a lovely view of the water below. Another iconic symbol of Zanzibar's Prison Island is the rickety wooden bridge that stretches from dry land to about 50 meters into the water.
Related: World Famous Prisons
With every wave, the bridge shakes a little, and apart from being a decent place for locals to go fishing, it doesn't serve much another purpose. Most people visit Prison Island as a day trip on their busy schedules in Zanzibar, but if you choose to spend the night, there is one pricey private island resort where you can stay.
I think it's not worth staying on Prison Island as there are more beautiful beaches around Zanzibar. Still, the island's beauty, history (and the tortoise colony) are worth a day trip from Stone Town.
7 Reasons to Visit Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia
Ever dream of wandering through Kyrgyzstan, eating laghman noodles for dinner and drinking kumiz with the nomadic locals while sleeping in a yurt?
Most people haven't. Actually, the predominant response I get when I mention to anyone that I have spent time in the country is the fact that they have never even heard of it (if they don't ask, "Isn't that where Borat is from?" first).
For me, however, after spending a summer there in 2008, returning for a month in 2011, and planning another return in 2012, I can tell you that Kyrgyzstan -- a small country composed of 94% mountains and tucked away in the middle of Central Asia -- is a travel destination that the world will soon start to recognize.
Why? I'm so glad you asked:
Table of Contents
1. Please the Money Belt
In other words: Kyrgyzstan is a budget-friendly destination, so you won't find yourself taking out extravagant amounts of money for your travels.
I will say that the price of travel in this country has increased over the past three years, but I still found my 4 weeks this past November to be a complete bargain -- once you get there of course.
Flights can be the real downer when it comes to price. Your best bet is to add the trip onto a larger journey, or stay put in Kyrgyzstan for as long as possible to get the most bang for your buck.
2. Step into Kyrgyzstan's Unknown
The fun about visiting Kyrgyzstan would be the feeling of stepping into the unknown.
Unlike places like Australia and Thailand that have been heavily traveled and heavily documented in travel magazines and travel blogs, there is still the feeling of visiting a place that has been fairly untouched by the Western world.
3. See History in the Making
While in the shadow of the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan was pretty much a mystery to the rest of the world, and since the Soviet Union's fall, it has continued to remain that way until more recent years.
Just in the time since my first visit to the country in 2008, I have seen changes in the capital city of Bishkek.
The city has been modernizing at a rapid rate while the cost of living and standard of living has increased.
In addition, the politics is especially interesting as they have had some riots in the past, ousting a long-term leader and are now adjusting to a newly elected leader.
4. Enjoy a Mouth-Watering Mix of Food
As someone who would classify herself as a picky eater, I find the food in Kyrgyzstan to be a delightful mix.
With influences from Russia, Turkey and Asia, you can choose just about any style of food to please the taste buds.
Choose from Korean BBQ, Kyrgyz laghman, Turkish pide or Russian borscht when heading out to dinner in Bishkek.
5. Enter with Ease
The citizens of several countries of the Western world can get a month-long visa to Kyrgyzstan on arrival at the Manas International Airport -- without any letter of invitation.
Considering the hoops many have to jump through to go to Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and even Kazakhstan, this ease of entry makes visiting Kyrgyzstan much more appealing.
In fact, many people choose to enter Kyrgyzstan and hang around for a bit as they get their other Central Asian visas in order.
6. Spend the Night in a Yurt
Like Mongolia, the Kyrgyz people are originally a nomadic bunch, wandering from place to place, herding sheep and living in a yurt (like a ger).
For an authentic experience, you can spend a night (or nights) sleeping in a yurt in the Kyrgyz countryside.
CBT (Community Based Tourism) is a company that can help set up your stays and get your meals sorted when doing so.
I highly recommend a yurt stay, especially since you'll have access to some of the best night sky views while in the country.
7. Learn Russian for Cheap in Bishkek
I have partaken in Russian language lessons twice in Kyrgyzstan for two main reasons: 1) I want to learn Russian, and 2) it is dirt cheap.
Kyrgyzstan is a bilingual country, officially speaking both Russian and Kyrgyz (although many of the village-residing Kyrgyz will solely speak Kyrgyz).
At my go-to language school in Bishkek, you can get one-on-one Russian language lessons at around $4 per hour. [gbicon]
Now I don't know about you, but I am definitely wishing I were back in Kyrgyzstan right about now!
Adventures in Egypt's Siwa Oasis
One of the absolute coolest things to do in Egypt is to visit an oasis, and one of the most easily accessible is the Siwa Oasis.
To get there you either have to drive yourself or take an eight-hour bus ride from Alexandria.
The buses departs at night and when you wake up, you are in a completely different world - a quiet place with fresh air in the middle of nowhere.
The feeling of life on the oasis really felt like I was on a tiny private island and even the people were laid back and relaxed just as anyone would be on any Caribbean or Asian island.
I felt as though I could retire, riding around on a donkey cart and munching dates while lounging about in my awesomely comfortable Egyptian jellabiya and puffing on fruity sheesha.
It was fantastic!
There are a number of modes of transportation to get around Siwa Oasis: donkey cart, bicycle, motorcycle and foot.
I chose the donkey cart!
Just like throughout the rest of Egypt, the city of Siwa was also anciently inhabited and is home to a number of historical ruins that include the Temple of the Oracle of Amun and the last standing wall of the Temple of Umm Ubayda.
The ruins were extremely interesting to see, as were the Egyptian hieroglyphics on the walls, and a number of tombs in the area.
In the main part of Siwa town is the impressive mud city ruins of Shali.
Waking up early in the morning and hiking to the top viewpoint of the ancient city was incredible.
Most of the mud city itself is not functionally used today, but there are a few shops, restaurants and a fancy boutique hotel that are built and blend right into the mud city.
An overnight desert safari was the highlight of my visit to Siwa.
After loading up the four-wheel-drive Toyota Land Cruisers we headed out into the real desert and the surrounding Egyptian sea of sand.
The dunes and the barren bone dry landscapes were impressive.
We stopped at one area in the middle of absolute nowhere, where the ground was filled with star-etched seashells originating from the time when the area was underwater.
After deflating the truck’s tires to cater to the soft sand, our driver zoomed through the never-ending dunes at high speeds for a thrilling roller coaster ride.
Eventually, we arrived at a seemingly impossible lake in the middle of the desert - an icy cold reservoir of water in the middle of the sand.
Though it was way too cold, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to take a dip in the Sahara.
When evening arrived, we drove to our tented Bedouin style camp to enjoy dinner and eventually sleep for the night.
We were served an excellent meal of grilled meat, rice, and Arabic bread, and then spent the remaining hours of the night sitting around a campfire and dancing to the rhythmic beats of local Siwan instruments that pierced the silence of the desert.
Sunsets in the desert are almost always impressive, and they were no different in Siwa.
Every evening the sun became a ball of fire and with it came every shade of orange, yellow and red imaginable.
Sunset Point, about 5 kilometers from the central town of Siwa, is one of the most spectacular viewpoints as the colors reflect off the swampy lake.
Of all the fun attractions in Eygpt, visiting the Siwa Oasis was one of my most memorable.
11 Quick Ways to Feel Feminine on the Road
You've just finished trekking in Nepal for a week or riding trains across Russia for two.
Your wardrobe has consisted of heavy Keen hikers, cargo pants and the same fleece pullover the entire trip -- now the attire in every photo taken thus far.
In the short-term, this setup puts little strain on the female psyche, but after a while, a girl can start to feel a little drab and unfeminine.
When times like those arise, it only takes one small action to get perked up and feel like a cute girl again, which can do wonders for an otherwise stale mood.
Table of Contents
1. Apply Nail Polish
A bottle of nail polish takes up virtually no space in a backpack, yet can seriously help you feel all sparkly and pretty in a matter of minutes.
I like to use toe nail polish in locations where I'm wearing sandals and doing lots of walking, as it helps to cover up any dirt that might get trapped before the next shower.
Plus, the act of taking off and applying a fresh coat can be a relaxing, meditative experience in itself.
An alternative: Some women may prefer to pack a simple nail kit as taking the time to clean and file nails is also therapeutic.
2. Tie on a Scarf
A scarf is my number one quick and easy feminine accessory.
The right scarf can take a normal outfit and add pizazz, turning a simple black t-shirt and pants into an outfit ready for a night out. A scarf around the neck also puts the focus on the face, bringing out feminine features.
An alternative: A scarf can act as a substitute for several items, such as a belt, a towel or a headband, in a pinch.
3. Dab on Perfume
A quick splash of sweet-smelling perfume is great for feeling feminine. Smelling good makes us feel fresh and confident immediately.
An alternative: Baby powder can serve many purposes while traveling. Direct a couple of squirts in walking shoes or socks and do a quick rub-down for an overall fresh smell.
4. Put on Jewelry
Although I don't recommend carrying around handfuls of gold jewelry in your backpacks (or having it on your person), I do think that a few key pieces of fun jewelry are necessary to keep you looking and feeling cute on the road.
Just like a scarf, putting on a flashy pair of earrings or a bold necklace makes your "blah" outfits fit for a lunch on the marina.
An alternative: Accessorize in other ways. If you just bought a cute bag at the markets, make that your flashy accessory, for example.
5. Apply a Tinted Lip Gloss
I find that the smallest additions can have the biggest effect on feeling feminine. One of my favorite additions is a simple tinted lip gloss, even one with a fruity flavor.
An alternative: You might prefer the simple make-up act of applying mascara or curling your eyelashes. Find out the easiest task that makes you feel/look good and plan for that on the road.
6. Change Up Your Hair
If your hair has been laying flat, or been tied back day after day, a new 'do' can make a difference in the way you look, the way you look at yourself and the way you feel.
Pack a couple of hair pins and add some twists for fun -- it's a great way to make the most of greasy hair.
An alternative: A headband also helps to take the focus off of greasy hair.
7. Use Dry Shampoo
On those days when you can't get to a shower, dry shampoo can help take away the greasy look of your hair.
Hair generally tends to be greasier on the top of the scalp, while the rest of the hair can seem clean. Applying dry shampoo in key spots of the hair can be treat when washing the hair isn't an option.
An alternative: An alternative for lighter-haired girls is to dab on a little bit of talcum powder to the greasy sections of the hair and brush through.
8. Use a Face Wipe for a Quick "Bath" and Freshener
When I've been on a plane for a day or can't get to a shower quick enough, my go-to substitution is to use one of those wet wipe facial cloths as a "bath in a bag".
I pop into a restroom and do a quick wipe-down, and magically feel like a human being again.
An alternative: A rub-down of talcum powder can quickly remove the sticky feeling from your body while making you smell nice.
9. Toss on a Skirt
A skirt screams feminine, so if you have one packed, toss it on! Dressing feminine doesn't only have to happen when you're going out on the town.
Feeling good about the way you look lifts spirits on gloomy days or days when you're feeling homesick or down.
An alternative: Kick off your heavy walking shoes and toss on your sandals or a pair of cute ballet flats.
10. Try on Stylish Clothes at Famous Shops
For those that don't have room to pack super-feminine clothes, take the time to head to famous shopping malls and stores for some fitting sessions.
Trying on nice clothes doesn't mean that you have to buy them, and when you see yourself in a mirror looking flashy in trendy clothing, then you'll quickly feel like a woman again.
Be sure to also take photos while in the changing room to remember the fun!
An alternative: Participate in a clothes swap at your hostel. Mix and match your pieces with other traveling females for a fun and new look.
11. Ask a Guy Out
Fancy a bloke in your hostel? Spot a hot local guy at the bar or club? Asking a guy out on a date will make you excited and possibly get you doing most of the other feminine-feeling tasks on this list. Be adventurous!
An alternative: If you're traveling with your significant other, plan a date night for which you need to get dressed up.
This list is full of ways that you can start to feel feminine again while traveling in just a few short minutes.
If you want to go all out, then some other options for getting back in touch with your woman side can include:
- Going to a spa
- Getting a relaxing massage
- Getting your hair cut, or a body wax
If you have access to an actual bath tub, a long soak can have rejuvenating results.
As a backpacker, these sorts of tasks will probably not need to be done very often, but there are those days -- and I think other female travelers can agree -- where you get tired, flustered and feel super gross from wearing your dirty shirt for a third time and just need to take a moment to feel pretty and clean.
___________
Photo credit: 1 - philliecasablanca; 2 - quinnanya; 3 - teducation; 4 - quinnanya; 5 - idhren.
Run DMZ: A Visit to the Most Dangerous Place on Earth
The Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea has been called “the most dangerous place on Earth.”
Times have changed, and that title could more appropriately be claimed by other places, Baghdad or Kabul come to mind.
But the DMZ would still make anyone’s top five; on either side of the border sits the largest concentration of soldiers and weapons on the planet.
We left our Pyongyang hotel early for the 120-kilometer drive to the DMZ.
As we neared the border, the bus passed through a series of checkpoints that were a few miles apart. These weren’t that intimidating, just a guard shack by the side of the road with a swinging gate out front.
But as we approached each checkpoint, the mood on the bus got a bit tense.
It was one thing to be in North Korea; it was quite another to be scrutinized by army personnel, particularly when carrying an American passport.
After the final checkpoint, the bus pulled up to a large concrete wall where we disembarked.
We were led into a building that contained a gift shop at the DMZ of all places, offering a wide range of ginseng products and books by the Great Leader, Kim Il Sung.
We soon learned that ginseng was available for purchase wherever we stopped in the DPRK.
We were led into a room that contained a ten-foot-high overview map of the area.
A North Korean soldier, wooden pointer in hand, proceeded to provide a military briefing on the DMZ.
Like all rooms in North Korea, it had pictures of the Great Leader, Kim Il Sung, and the Dear Leader, Kim Jong Il, beaming down on the proceedings.
After the brief pep talk, we proceeded to the actual border, which was delineated by a concrete curb that even a child could step over.
A series of small buildings the size of mobile homes straddle the border.
We noticed that there was also a tour group lined up on the South Korean side.
So while the North and South Korean soldiers stared off against each other to see who would blink first, we had our own stare down with the tourists, likely from the same countries as us, on the other side.
We were permitted to enter one of the small buildings that straddle the border, which is used as a conference room when there are disputes between the two Koreas.
Through the small windows of the building, we could see the South Korean guards about twenty feet away standing in battle-ready positions, their arms hanging tensely at their sides with their fists cocked.
As we strolled around the room, we walked in and out of both Koreas, so technically, we were in South Korea at one point.
On the bus ride back, that was a matter of some discussion among our group as to whether we get credit for going to South Korea based on our brief foray.
After we arrived back in Pyongyang, there was a sense of relief that we had survived our visit to the most dangerous place on Earth.
Then reality set in, and we realized we were still in Pyongyang, the capital city of the most isolated nation in the world.
With the recent death of Kim Jong Il, travel arrangements to North Korea are uncertain.
The isolated country does not allow independent travel, and two minders escort all groups.
But if you are interested in visiting a fascinating country that is like no place else you've ever been, we highly recommend going there.
The best place to start is with Koryo Tours. The British-run company has been leading tours to North Korea since 1993.
_______
About the Author: Larissa and Michael Milne are traveling around the world for a year with a miniature Rocky statue. You can follow their journey at http://www.changesinlongitude.com/ and on Facebook. They are also writing about their adventures for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
10 Delicious Food Photos from a Tasty Year of Travel
Spending about three-quarters of 2011 in Thailand, I was able to explore further the glorious realm of delicious Thai food.
#1. Pictured above is a dish known as khao kluk kaphi that is made of shrimp flavored fried rice covered in a rainbow of tasty ingredients!
#2. Khao moo daeng, or red barbecued pork and rice, is a pork lovers dream come true.
This is a very common dish in Thailand, but after seeing the crowds at this particular restaurant, I decided to give it a try - and it was the best one I've ever had!
#3. I'm a huge lover of all Thai food, but nothing gets me more excited than southern Thai food and its wonderful blend of spicy curries.
Shrimp fried with string beans and something known as "stink beans" was one of the dishes that I couldn't get enough of in 2011.
#4. When I saw these fish waiting to be grilled on the street side of Yangon, Myanmar, there was nothing I could do but immediately order one.
Covered in chili paste and stuffed with fragrant herbs, it was possibly the best-grilled fish I ate the entire year.
#5. No trip to Laos would be the same without spicy green papaya salad, known as som tam.
A combination of shredded crisp green papaya, chopped string beans, tomatoes, dried shrimp and peanuts dressed in fish sauce and lime and served with sticky rice is hard to beat.
#6. Along with the ever-present and always delicious plates of rice and curry that make up the realm of Sri Lankan food is another popular dish known as "hoppers."
They are made from a pancake like batter, flavored with coconut milk, cooked with an egg on top, and served with delicious onion and chili sauce.
#7. Malaysian food is so good that I'm willing to make a trip to the country exclusively for a feast.
This plate of nasi campur, rice with mixed toppings, is one of my favorites. The intense flavors and chilies were absolutely delightful.
#8. As a half Chinese American myself, I grew up eating Chinese food on the daily and there's no other form of cuisine that is more comforting to my taste buds.
This plate of eggplant with pork and chilies was outstanding!
#9. Now I'm typically an every-meal-rice man, but when noodles are covered with this array of gorgeous toppings, they can be irresistible.
I enjoyed every slurp of this bowl of noodles in Yangshuo, China.
#10. The ultimate meal that changed my life for the better in 2011 was this Chinese hot pot of white meat fish smothered in a seemingly infinite amount of garlic, dried chilies, and Sichuan mouth-numbing peppercorns.
With a few bowls of rice, this was probably my most memorable meal of the year!
Let's Go Backpacking in Patagonia
I'm excited to announce that I will be going backpacking in Patagonia on March 3, 2012, in partnership with G Adventures!
Departing from Buenos Aires, the 15-day End of the Earth tour encompasses the best of Patagonia, in both Chile and Argentina.
Hiking in the mountains of Patagonia, and standing in awe of its glaciers, has been a travel dream of mine for almost a decade.
Last year, I approached G Adventures about working together at some point during my journey through South America, and this trip is the result.
End of the Earth Itinerary
G Adventures offers a range of Patagonia trips, and frankly, they all look amazing.
The End of the Earth trip starts and ends in Buenos Aires, and includes the following highlights:
- Full-day hike in Glacier National Park
- Visit the massive Perito Moreno Glacier
- Two and a half days of hiking in Torres del Paine National Park
- Visit a penguin colony at Otway Sound in Punta Arenas
- Visit Ushuaia, the southernmost city in South America, and possibly the world (as well as the most popular jumping-off point for cruises to Antarctica)
- Boat cruise on the Beagle Channel
End of the Earth Tour: Discover South America's most amazing scenery, including majestic mountains and massive glaciers. Click here for the full itinerary.
Why G Adventures?
First and foremost, we share a common value -- inspiring people to change their lives through travel.
Also, G Adventures earned my admiration as I watched them embrace social media, and build relationships with travel bloggers years before it was cool to do so.
For example, Bruce Poon Tip (the company's founder) and I had started following one another on Twitter back in 2009.
The following year, we were drinking beers together at a bar in Washington, DC because he had wanted to attend one of the monthly DC Travel Tweetups I'd been co-hosting.
I'm also a huge fan of the Wanderers in Residence program that G Adventures launched in late 2010, which features several of my peers, such as Gary Arndt of Everything Everywhere and Dan and Audrey of Uncornered Market.
The trips they've taken with G Adventures have served to inspire me, and now it's my turn to do the same for you.
What to Expect
It will be business as usual here on Go Backpacking.
I'll be traveling with all my standard gear, and providing real-time updates and photos via Twitter (follow the unique #RTWGADV hashtag), Facebook, and Instagram.
After the trip concludes in Buenos Aires, I'll shack up and get to work editing photos and writing blog posts to keep you motivated toward a journey of your own.
I'll be sharing my experiences on both Go Backpacking, as well as the G Adventures' blog.
But Wait, What About the Wildfire?
You may have seen that a wildfire broke out last Tuesday in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park. Visitors were evacuated, and the park was closed.
Since then, progress has since been made in getting the fires under control.
G Adventures maintains a page dedicated to safety updates from around the world, and how they may be affecting tours to specific regions.
According to the latest advisory for Torres del Paine (dated January 4, 2012), the rain dances being performed by G Adventures' staff are paying off, and part of the park is expected to re-open any day now. Excellent.
I am super excited to have the opportunity to experience all that Patagonia has to offer, and finally, see what it's like to go backpacking with G Adventures.
Join me on March 3, 2012, for one of South America's greatest adventures!
___________
Disclosure: This Patagonia tour is in partnership with G Adventures. I am paying for transportation to/from Buenos Aires, all meals except when camping, optional activities, and any incidentals. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Machu Picchu in Pictures: My First Trek to the Lost City
When I met up with the others from the Salkantay trek at 4:20 AM, the streets of Aguas Calientes were dark and empty. Together, we began the 20-minute walk down the road to the main entrance of Machu Picchu. We arrived at 4:45 AM, just as the entrance was opened, and couldn't wait to take our first pictures of Machu Picchu.
This is the same entrance used by the buses that shuttle people up and down the mountain, but we didn't just trek for four days to hop on a bus at the last minute. No, we banded together and, through peer pressure, walked up the approximately 1,600 stone steps that lead to South America's most popular tourist attraction.
The walk took me 50 minutes, and when I reached the top, I was sweating like a stuck pig. The final gate doesn't open until 6 AM, so the early risers were all sitting around, catching their breath.
Kathy, the Australian from my group who'd visited Machu Picchu three times before, suggested I sit at the top of the stairs, right near the four turnstiles through which visitors pass. Even though I wasn't the first person to reach the top, sitting on the top stair didn't seem inappropriate.
While I was there, two American women spoke of how they'd been waiting for an hour. (Warning: If you're a cute foreign person thinking of trying to sneak into Machu Picchu early, you'll only get so far.)
At 6 AM, I aligned myself with one of the turnstiles as the line behind me began to take shape. I was one of the first four people inside that day.
Once Kathy got in, she started running. I followed, and she led me to a lookout point. We had a few minutes to enjoy Machu Picchu at sunrise before the rest of the day's 2,500 visitors showed up.
After the initial rush of seeing the Inca citadel wore off and we'd gotten some photos, it was time for our tour of Machu Picchu. Led by Daniel, our guide from the Salkantay trek, we walked around the complex for about two hours.
While I appreciated the information he was relaying, it was a huge buzzkill, as I wanted to explore on my own. But you can't have it both ways, at least not on a group tour.
At 10:30 AM, after refueling on snacks outside the main gate, it was time to climb Huayna Picchu for a birdseye view of Machu Picchu. When I first saw Huayna Picchu, I had no idea how I'd get up. I'd heard there were ropes on the steep sections (actually, they are steel cables), but from below, it looked impossibly steep.
But believe it or not, a trail winds up the mountain face, and it only took me about 40 minutes to get up. As usual, walking down the steep trail caused the most pain.
I took it extra slow, heartened by a grandmother who was also hobbled by knee pain but kept trucking. If it was 40 minutes to get up, and I spent 20 minutes at the top taking pictures, then it took me 60 minutes to get down, as I checked out 2 hours after I entered.
For safety reasons, there are two timed entrances to Huayna Picchu daily, 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM. Only 200 tickets are sold for each time slot (400 daily).
____________
Dave's 160-page, all-original Lima Travel Guide is available for Kindle.
Getting to Know Brooke Schoenman
From Dave: I'm excited to announce Brooke Schoenman will be joining the Go Backpacking family as of this month, and will henceforth be contributing on a weekly basis. I began following Brooke way back in 2007, as we both (publicly) planned our future travel adventures. Please join me in offering her a warm welcome!
I am writing this article while sitting passenger in a car destined for the Mid-north Coast of New South Wales.
The sun is shining so bright that I just had to reapply sunscreen to keep from getting that nice car sunburn that only graces one side of the body.
Oh, the joys of road trips in Australia in the summer.
The first thing you should know about me is that I'm an American living as an expat in Australia, quickly coming up on 3 years in the land down under.
And, since I'll be writing here on GoBackpacking.com on a regular basis, now is probably a good time to make my introduction so you can get to know me even better. Here goes!
Table of Contents
About Yours Truly
I was excited to get the offer to share my travel stories and tips here on this site because I am a backpacker to the core with the love of blogging flowing through my veins.
My personal travel journey started back in late 2007 after about 1.5 years of planning and saving.
I finally set off for a few shorter adventures -- a month-long archaeological dig in Spain and a two-month excursion to Central America -- before setting off again for the trip that would eventually evolve into the now.
During that time, I've been able to hack on a list of life experiences that include:
- Spending about 5 months traveling
- Living and studying Russian in Central Asia
- Teaching English in Kiev, Ukraine
- Wandering around the Baltic countries for 6 weeks and meeting the Aussie love of my life
- Moving down under to be with said love of my life by signing up for a work and holiday visa before applying for the defacto partner visa
To discover the full extent of my travels and experiences, I suggest having a look at my personal travel blog: Brooke vs. the World.
My Favorite Places in the World
Another thing you should know about me is that I have an obsession with the countries of the former Soviet Union.
After spending a significant amount of time in the Central Asian countries of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, and further teaching English in Ukraine, I've been set on visiting as many of them as possible.
The adventure continued with a return trip this November to Kyrgyzstan, and upcoming travels on the Trans-Mongolian train will ensure that I finally make it to Russia.
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is a little known country that has a special place in my heart, and take it from me: This place is going to be a big travel destination in the future.
Still shaking off that sheltered upbringing brought on by the USSR, Kyrgyzstan is finally starting to draw interest from backpackers and adventure travel seekers.
I find the country intriguing and surprisingly comfortable given its developing surrounds.
Bishkek, the capital city, is modernizing at a rapid rate, yet small villages of rustic, and even some nomadic yurt-living, Kyrgyz dominate the countryside. I'm excited to be able to share this destination with you.
Australia
Australia is not a travel secret, as many backpackers head down under to live out a year or two of their lives thanks to the working holiday visa. However, Australia is surprising.
Being such a gigantic and sparse country, there are definitely locations in Australia where you can visit and feel like you are the only person on Earth.
Let's not forget about the extreme natural beauty, the quirky and iconic wildlife and hundreds if not thousands of beaches.
I love Australia as a travel destination because there is so much on offer. You can have your big city, shopping-filled getaway, eating in trendy cafes and restaurants before seeing a show.
Or, you can get back to nature, camping in the outback or hiking to waterfalls. From secluded islands to dense tropical rainforest, the choice of environments for your holiday is yours!
My Writing Topics
Over the coming months, I'll be sharing posts that cover a number of topics ranging from female travel to working abroad.
I'll divulge insights into a life living as an expat in Australia, tips for foreign language speaking wannabes, and alternative holiday ideas.
You can also be sure to get several posts on some of my favorite countries in the world: Kyrgyzstan and Australia.
It should be an interesting mix, and if you think so too, be sure to stick around.
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: A Daily Account
The highlight of the 4-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is the opportunity to walk in the shadow of the snow-capped Salkantay Mountain (6,264 meters). Unlike the classic 3-day Inca Trail trek, which requires you to book a spot at least five to six weeks in advance (in the low season), the Salkantay Trek can be booked in Cusco upon arrival.
And it can be done for less than half the cost. I'll be writing more about how to book the trek and what to pack in future posts. But first, I want to take you through the journey day by day, as it was an authentic outdoor adventure that tested both my mental and physical resolve.
Table of Contents
Day 1 - Cusco to Soraypampa
Begin: Mollepata 2,900 meters / 9,514 feet; End: Soraypampa 3,900 meters / 12,795 feet.
Change in Elevation: 1,000 meters / 3,281 feet.
Time walking: 5 hours 15 minutes
Pick-up
Awake at 4 AM, I wiped the sleep from my eyes, rolled out of bed, and moved my bags to the hostel reception. As expected, the minivan didn't arrive until 4:30 - 4:40 AM. Under the cover of darkness, we drove around, picking up additional trekkers. Our group for the next five days was slowly forming.
Abhishek, a young British doctor. A young German doctor. Two Dutch girls. Nicole (Canada). Two Malaysian women in their 40's. A young Japanese guy. And Kathy, an older Australian woman who had just completed the Inca Trail the day before (she did the two treks back to back).
Breakfast
As we drove from Cusco to Mollepata, a small pueblo, the sky began to brighten. We had a simple breakfast of bread and eggs with mate de coca (coca tea). Afterward, we were led to a large truck and hitched a ride for several kilometers up a steep, muddy road.
Our guide would say it saved us a few hours of walking, but nobody protested. Once the truck dropped us off, we began our walk straight up the mountainside.
Related: How To Get To Machu Picchu
I had given myself five nights to acclimate in Cusco, which is 3,300 meters above sea level, but I had failed to exercise then. My heart was pounding within the first few minutes.
One of the Malaysian women, both of whom had been to Everest Base Camp and successfully climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro two years earlier, complained of a headache. I knew if she felt bad at 3,100 meters before we'd even started, it wouldn't bode well for her that night or on Day 2, the most challenging day.
The sun was beating down and hotter than I'd expected. Covered in a familiar layer of suntan spray and mosquito repellent, I tried to settle into a comfortable walking rhythm. Over three years had passed since my last high-altitude trek to Indrahar Pass in northern India, and I hadn't realized it'd been so long since I'd given myself a good physical challenge.
Doubts began creeping into my head. They were familiar ones about my health at high altitudes and physical stamina. I recognized them from my Annapurna Sanctuary trek in Nepal, during which I didn't reach Base Camp, an experience that took me months to reconcile.
Lunch
After two and a half hours of walking, we stopped for lunch: soup and a rustic version of lomo saltado (beef, vegetables, and rice). Despite knowing that food is energy, I barely finished half my plate and needed as much as possible. Instead, I relied on chocolate and copious amounts of water.
I probably drank two to three times more water throughout the trek and pissed two to three times more often than anyone else in our group.
Sitting at the table, mind filled with doubts about whether I was fit for this trek, one of the Dutch girls said something that snapped me back into reality. Paraphrasing, she said any of us could do this trek if we wanted it. And I wanted it badly.
From that point forward, I walked with renewed vigor-as if I'd been asleep at the wheel those first few hours and was suddenly awake. Instead of allowing my thoughts to run wild with fear, I took control of my mind, and thus, my body followed suit.
Campsite
After lunch, we looked up the valley to see the glacier-covered Umantay. Unlike some trekkers, I gain energy by seeing the next camp -- the next destination. Almost two hours later, I walked into our campsite for the night.
We helped the cook and horseman pitch the tents in an area protected by a sheet metal roof and plastic tarp walls. It wasn't much, but it'd help keep the wind out and keep us dry if it rained. It was my first time sleeping at an altitude as high as 3,900 meters (12,795 feet).
We all scarfed down the popcorn served as an appetizer. I forgot the main course, but it was much better than lunch, as was the case with the meals on the remainder of the trek. By 10 PM, we were all in our sleeping bags. Day 2 would be the longest and most challenging trekking day, and we'd be getting an early start.
I woke up once in the middle of the night to pee. On the walk back to the tented area, I stopped and turned off my headlamp-total darkness. I craned my neck and looked at the star-filled sky-the bright stars you only see when you physically remove yourself from the modern world.
Day 2 - Soraypampa to Chaullay
Begin: 3,900 meters / 12,795 feet; High Point: 4,650 m / 15,256 ft; End: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft.
Change in Elevation: +750 m / +2,461 ft uphill, followed by -1,750 m / 5,741 ft downhill.
Time walking: 8 hours 15 minutes
Day 2 started with a 5 AM wake-up call and a cup of coca tea. By the time we'd eaten breakfast, the sun was already reflecting brightly off the glaciers around us. Our guide, Daniel, took a few minutes to introduce the support crew, including a cook, assistant cook, and horseman who managed the horses that carried our camping equipment, food, gas, and supplies.
I had a relatively good night's sleep. It wasn't the most comfortable, as the sleeping mat was paper-thin, but my rented sleeping bag was sufficiently warm, which mattered most. I bought some extra chocolate and water. I think I walked out of camp with 3.25 liters of water in my bag, if not a little more.
Ascent
We began going up the valley toward Salkantay Mountain, which would remain partly shrouded in clouds the whole morning. The day before, we got a glimpse of the peak both on the drive to Mollepata and from Camp 1, which was enough to satisfy me, given we were there in the off-season.
Kathy, the Australian woman, shared some coca leaves with us and a natural "accelerator" that speeds up the effects when combined with the leaves. Within a minute or two of chewing on the leaves, the right side of my tongue went numb. Spitting out the juices, as if I were chewing on tobacco, was less than appealing, so eventually, I spit out the whole wad of masticated leaves.
Refocusing on the trail, the views continued to get prettier and prettier as our hearts beat harder and harder. But I loved every minute. It was as if I was running on pure adrenaline that morning. I've never felt so healthy and vital. I attributed this feeling to drinking tons of water and snarfing Snickers bars.
The Japanese guy outpaced us all, and we eventually lost sight of him. Meanwhile, the Malaysian woman with the headache from the day before had rented a horse to ride up the mountain pass that morning.
She had only spent two nights in Cusco before starting the trek, so her body had not had enough time to acclimatize. I don't blame her for renting the horse; I would've done the same if I felt it was in the best interest of my health. However, hearing at least one other person in the group make disparaging remarks annoyed me.
The High Point
The closer we got to the 4,650-meter mountain pass, the more energized I felt. I surprised myself in the best possible way. The landscape had changed dramatically in the 750 meters we'd climbed in elevation. Gone were the green grasses, replaced by the rocky, moon-like landscapes often seen above 4,000 meters.
On Day 1, we practically had the trail to ourselves aside from a couple trekking with a guide. On Day 2, we shared the trail with that couple and another small group of trekkers. The lack of other people was a surprise and a clear benefit to trekking in the low season.
Euphoria struck us all as we posed by the sign marking the trail's high point. It was a new personal high for me in trekking at high altitudes, though I'd previously been as high as 5,000 meters during the visit to Pastoruri Glacier.
Maybe it was the thin air, but I felt I had the energy to go even higher. After three and a half hours of walking to the pass, I knew I could've gone even higher that day. But the most challenging part of the day wasn't going up; it was the following five hours it took to descend 1,750 meters in elevation.
Descent
After about 20 minutes of rest and picture-taking at the pass, we began our descent. Driven to reach a lower elevation to negate the ill effects of the altitude, I walked as quickly as my body would take me. My knees didn't appreciate that approach, and within a few hours, I started feeling sharp pangs of pain.
At an elevation of 4,000 meters in a verdant green valley, we stopped for a spaghetti lunch at the small village of Huayracpampa. Here, we found the Japanese guy sleeping on our bags, which had been unloaded from the horses upon arrival (ahead of us).
The last three hours of walking were the killer. Physically, they were the most challenging part of the trek for me. I slowed my pace and adjusted my walking style on the steeper bits. The whole trail was scree and loose rock, like a dry riverbed. I wanted nothing more than to get to Camp 2 to lay down and rest.
I began repeating a mantra, "You can walk slowly, but you must keep walking."
Blisters
When we finally arrived in Chaullay, and I removed my shoes and socks, I was greeted by four to five painful blisters on each foot. I usually carry a sewing needle to drain them, but I'd forgotten. Luckily, the German girl had one to spare. Dinner was a relaxed affair, and I went straight to sleep after it was over.
Day 3 - Chaullay to Santa Teresa
Begin: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft; End: 1,900 m / 6,234 ft.
Change in Elevation: -1,000 m / 3,281 ft.
Time walking: 4 hours 15 minutes
It rained at some point during our second night as we awoke to wet tents. However, I slept like a log. Even though we were 1,000 meters lower than the first night, the temperatures were far warmer than we'd experienced at Camp 1.
Rising around 6 AM to coca tea delivered to our tents, we had a filling breakfast, said goodbye to our horseman and horses, and walked along a dirt road that follows the Lluskamayu River. A recent landslide had taken out a section of the regular hiking trail, which runs on the opposite side of the river, so we took a detour for safety reasons.
Setting the Pace
Reinvigorated after a whole night's rest, I lead the pack. Compared to the first two days of walking, Day 3 was a breeze. We followed the river for the entire day's walk. As we descended in elevation and the sun rose higher in the sky, it became very hot and humid.
I walked quickly simply because I wanted to reach our camp for the night and escape the heat. It didn't take long for my knees to reject this strategy. Once again, I was feeling sharp, at times crippling, pains in my knees.
Landslides
We could detour around one massive landslide that affected the trail, but others still required us to pass them. It helps if you don't look down. A little over four hours after we started, we reached the trail's end.
A minivan was waiting to take us the short distance to the village of Sahuayacu (elev: 2,520 meters), where we had a gigantic lunch of soup, fried rice, and vegetables. We then hopped back into the van to drive to nearby Santa Teresa, where we would spend our third night.
The reward for getting this far was a dip in the hot springs outside Santa Teresa. They're situated in a scenic spot alongside the river, and we arrived before the other groups doing the Inca Trail and Inca Jungle treks. For 10-15 minutes, aside from a few locals, we had the pools to ourselves.
That night, we were to have a campfire. However, heavy rain washed those plans away. Instead, we drank beer and played a few rounds of a card game (called asshole) after dinner.
Day 4 - Santa Teresa to Aguas Calientes
Begin: 1,900 m / 6,562 ft End: 2,000 m / ft.
Change in Elevation: -100 m / 328 ft.
Time walking: 3 hours
On the fourth morning, the group split up. I wanted to head straight for Aguas Calientes, as did Nicole (Canada), while the rest of the group wanted to pay about $30 to ride what's billed as South America's biggest zipline. Daniel drew Nicole and me a map from the Hydroelectric plant to Aguas Calientes. It was as if we were in Stand by Me.
Walking the Train Tracks
Nicole and I took a 30-minute taxi, along with an Argentinian trekker, to the start of the railway that runs from the Hydroelectric plant through Aguas Calientes and Ollantaytambo to Cusco. There were still sections where we had to walk on the loose rock of the railroad tracks. However, it was a flat walk through the valley behind Machu Picchu. Along the way, a dog began to follow us. Daniel informed us that the trains pass every hour or two, and sure enough, we had to step aside for one during the 3-hour walk.
Aguas Calientes
When we reached the entrance to Machu Picchu, near the train tracks, Nicole and I posed for pictures since we'd get up before dawn the next day to hike up. With excitement and relief, we finally walked up to the road from Machu Picchu's main entrance to the town of Aguas Calientes. Situated along the river, with the train tracks running straight through the center, it's a tourist town in the strictest sense of the term.
Upon finding our hostel for the night, I showered and treated myself to a one-hour massage, followed by coffee and a piece of rich chocolate cake. Dear civilization, I missed you! That night, we had a group dinner at one of the restaurants. We all ordered the trucha (trout), a dish I've come to relish when up in the Andes.
After dinner, a few of us went for a cocktail - five for one caipirinha, which drew us in the door. Unfortunately, they were the tiniest cocktails I'd ever been served. And we forgot about the inevitable tax and service charge they'd tack on.
Small drinks aside, it was nice to spend a little time bonding before we set off for our final destination, Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu, before dawn the following day.
***
Dave's 160-page, all-original Lima Travel Guide is available for Kindle.
Go Backpacking: The Most Popular Posts of 2011
'Tis the season for retrospective blog posts.
Putting together these list brings back a lot of memories, not just of writing my own stories, but of reading those contributed by Mark Wiens, and others throughout the year.
Top 13 Most Popular Posts Published in 2011
- World's Best Beer Name - by David Lee
- Bare Naked: Inside a Japanese Onsen - by David Lee
- 9 Tips to Avoid Theft While Backpacking - by Monica Stott
- Top 10 Travel Safety Items for Women - by Emily Gerson
- Top 9 Malaysian Foods to Die For - by Mark Wiens
- Ultralight Packing List for Japan - by David Lee
- Destination Asia: Packing Ultralight - by Matthew Falk
- Top 9 Ways to Avoid Looking Like a Gringo in Latin America - by Andrew
- How to Stay Beautiful While Traveling - by Olga Garcia
- 7 Simple Tips to Save Funds for Your Round the World Travels - by Ben Manning
- Top 5 Zanzibar Beaches - by Mark Wiens
- 12 Captivating Natural Wonders of Southeast Asia - by Mark Wiens
- 10 Unforgettable Destinations for 2011 - by Ayngelina
Editor's Picks
Raw page views aren't the only measure of a post's popularity or value.
Here are another 10 posts from 2011 which I believe are worth your time and attention.
- Fear of Travel: Don't Let it Stop You from Seeing the World - by David Lee.
- Anatomy of An Armed Robbery in South America - by David Lee. Getting robbed in Medellin was the low point of my year, and I detailed the events in this 2,000 word post.
- How to Book a Last Minute Cruise to the Galapagos Islands - by David Lee. After visiting the Galapagos in August, I wrote this guide as a blueprint for planning your own trip.
- Backpacking is an Attitude, Not a Budget - by David Lee. One of my few rants of the year.
- Street Food in Bangkok: How to Take Advantage of the Endless Supply - by Mark Wiens.
- Orangutan Trekking in Sumatra - by Mark Wiens
- Introduction to Ethiopian Food - by Mark Wiens
- How to Get Ready for a High Altitude Mountain Climb - by Suzanne Nance
- 5 Keys to Maintaining Your Inner Peace on a Group Tour - by Pete Mandra
- How to See Argentina in 30 Days - by Marcello Arrambide
As the Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking, my goal is to provide a daily mix of practical, entertaining, and inspiring travel posts.
If there are any particular topics or destinations you'd like to see covered in 2012, please leave a comment below and I'll do my best to deliver.
My Travel and Business Year in Review
This year passed in the blink of an eye. Or at least that's how it feels looking back.
I'm lucky enough to say I've done exactly what I wanted to do and had a great time doing it.
This year had its share of low points, too; however, they only served to make me stronger.
If you're a new reader, this post is a great way to catch up!
Table of Contents
Japan
On February 1, about a month before the earthquake and tsunami struck, I flew from Newark to Tokyo to kick off my first trip to Japan.
I packed ultra light, only carrying a daypack for the 11-day Winter trip.
Tokyo
I couchsurfed in Tokyo, re-enacted scenes from Lost in Translation at the Park Hyatt, got kicked out of the Tsukiji Fish Market, and took a day trip to visit the snow monkeys of Nagano.
Kyoto
I then hopped a bullet train to Kyoto, where I got a hazy view of Mt. Fuji in the distance.
On my first night in Kyoto, I walked into a random restaurant and had the best sushi of my life.
Despite the cold air outside, the salmon belly would melt in my mouth, and I couldn't get enough of it.
I also tried several regional cuisines in Kyoto, including Kushikatsu and Kaiseki.
I visited the tranquil Golden Temple and then stepped WAY out of my comfort zone with a bare naked visit to a traditional Japanese onsen.
Hiroshima
The food discoveries continued with massive, fresh oysters and okonomiyaki in Hiroshima, a city that I visited as a day trip from Kyoto to see the iconic A-Bomb Dome and Peace Park first hand.
Colombia
Within a few days of returning to Virginia from Japan, I was on a flight back to Medellin, Colombia, where I spent the subsequent six months.
In addition to further delving into the city's ridiculously fun nightlife, I also made an effort to visit some of the top restaurants.
The highlight was a 4-hour dinner at El Cielo, which specializes in molecular gastronomy. I also enjoyed Bijao, which specializes in Nuevo Latino cuisine, and Me Late Chocolate.
Caribbean Coast
My big trip outside Medellin took me to the Caribbean city of Santa Marta, Taganga -- a backpacker favorite, the gorgeous Parque Nacional Tayrona, and Cabo de la Vela, a desolate yet beautiful beach at the northernmost point of the country and continent.
Pueblos
I also made it a point to visit two of Antioquia's most popular pueblos, Jardin, where I went horseback riding, and Santa Fe de Antioquia, where I started writing and compiling my Medellin city guide, an ebook I intended to release early in 2012.
But it wasn't all fun and games.
I got sick (I swear it was more than just traveler's diarrhea) on the ride back to Santa Marta from the La Guajira Peninsula.
Once I felt better and back in Medellin, I was robbed by an armed man while waiting at a stoplight in a taxi.
Ecuador
The recent robbery in Colombia had me on edge for my first visit to Ecuador, but despite all the theft stories I'd heard, I couldn't bring myself to skip a country out of fear alone.
Quito
So I flew to Quito on AeroGal as planned and proceeded to have a fun and theft-free time exploring the historic city center, visiting the Equator, riding the Teleferico for sweeping city views, and mountain biking down Cotopaxi Volcano.
The Galapagos Islands
I booked a last-minute trip to the Galapagos Islands from Quito but ran into trouble early when our yacht broke down the first day!
Luckily, we had a cool guide, and we made the most of the downtime with a visit to Tortuga Bay, where we saw our first sharks and marine iguanas.
The week's highlight for me was swimming with sea lions, followed closely by observing the Blue Footed Boobies.
We saw the famous land tortoises and even a few Galapagos Penguins!
Banos, Guayaquil, Montanita, and More
I went to Ecuador for the Galapagos but soon found much more to the country than the wildlife out at sea.
I went canyoning in Banos, ate cuy (guinea pig), poked around Guayaquil, partied in Montanita, and fell in love with Cuenca. It was also in Cuenca that I had my best meal in Ecuador.
From there, it was on to Vilcabamba in the Valley of Longevity, from where I would start the overland journey into northern Peru.
Peru
Taking the scenic route into Peru entailed a 2-day bus and colectivo adventure to Chachapoyas, where I visited the ancient fortress of Kuelap and the world's 3rd tallest waterfall.
Then it was on to Trujillo, the country's second-largest city, from which I explored colorful Moche ruins and UNESCO-listed Chan Chan.
Continuing the zigging and zagging pattern, my next overnight bus took me to Huaraz at the foot of the Cordillera Blanca.
I toured Huascaran, Peru's tallest mountain, and visited a glacier at 5,000 meters above sea level.
From Huaraz, I landed in Lima, where I'd proceed to eat my way through the city (and put on the extra pounds to prove it).
I'll be writing more about my time in Lima, as well as my trek to Machu Picchu in early January, so stay tuned!
The Business
My goal with building an online income has always been to live and travel abroad freely.
As I devoted the second half of 2010 to living in Colombia, it wasn't until 2011 that I got to spread my wings and fly.
While my income didn't increase as much as I'd anticipated (it grew about 20%), it was enough to allow me a few investments back into the business, including a new 13" MacAir (which may be the best travel laptop ever) and custom blog design.
I also began paying contributors for the first time, which has worked out very well for everyone.
So well that I'll be announcing another addition to the Go Backpacking team in early January.
And most recently, I was honored to be accepted into the Society of American Travel Writers.
Go Backpacking - I started the year searching for a new contributor, which led me to Mark Wiens.
His weekly contributions are amongst the most shared on Go Backpacking.
Visits increased 62% in 2011 over the prior year, with the site breaking 1.2 million page views. I also began creating the Travel Guides section.
Medellin Living - Medellin Living had a breakout year, with almost triple the number of visits in 2011 over 2010.
I also began paying contributors to this site, which is especially important when I'm not in Colombia, as I can't devote as much time to growing the site.
Travel Blog Success - At the start of the year, I doubled the number of lessons and audio interviews.
I also added monthly coaching calls and a private Facebook group to the Premium membership offering.
Over 100 new members joined the TBS community in the last 12 months, bringing the total membership to over 200.
I don't anticipate any significant changes for 2012 and hope to continue helping new bloggers one by one.
The rest of the week will be devoted to sharing the most popular posts of the year.
Thank you for continuing to read, and I look forward to making 2012 our best year yet!
5 Outdoor Adventures Around Guilin, China
Guilin city is an extremely beautiful town located in the northern part of Guangxi Province, China.
After arriving, I asked a local about the population of Guilin. "It's very small, about 6 million," she replied. I guess by Chinese standards that is rather small.
Anyways, don't let the mid-sized city population of Guilin throw you off, there are plenty of cool outdoor adventures in and around the area.
Table of Contents
1. Go Hiking
Though there are many hiking destinations around Guilin, one place famous for its scenic views is the hike from Yangdi to Xingping.
It's a long hike, about 25 kilometers, but the views of the Li River and the incredible karst mountains were absolutely breathtaking.
The hike took us about 5 hours to complete but it was worth every step.
The actual small town of Yangshuo, situated about 1.5 hours from Guilin is also surrounded by mountains and offers a wide selection of different hikes.
Try hiking up TV Tower or hike to the top of Moonhill.
2. Bike Riding
A different way to see the scenery around Guilin is to rent a bicycle and take a cruise.
Within the city of Guilin, there are plenty of parks and outdoor public areas that make great areas to bike around.
Outside of Guilin, again in the town of Yangshuo, there are lots of bicycle route options.
Many bike rides are accessible by provided roads that have very little motor traffic, however, if you enjoy off-road biking you can easily pedal down one of the countless rice farming trails.
One of the great things about Yangshuo is that even though there are plenty of tourists, it is still easy to escape the crowds when you are on a bike.
You can either choose a real mountain bike or a Chinese style one-speed bike.
Mountain bikes go for around $5 - $10 per day while one-speed bikes (like the one above) can be rented for just $1 or less per day.
3. Rock Climbing
All the karst cliffs and mountains make the area of Guilin one of the most well-known spots in China for rock climbing enthusiasts.
From organized rock climbing tours put together by official companies to just getting out there and tackling the adventure on your own, if you like rock climbing you will have a blast in Guilin and Yangshuo.
There are possibilities to go rock climbing if you are a highly experienced climber or even if you are just a beginner.
4. Bamboo Rafting
China is probably the most famous country in the world for bamboo.
Bamboo is a wonder plant that produces perfectly round poles that have been used for countless purposes throughout China's lengthy history.
One of those ancient uses was to construct floating riverboats. While there are quite a few fake bamboo rafts made from plastic tubes these days, there are also plenty of real bamboo rafts.
The slow-moving Yulong River near Yangshuo is one of the best places to rent an authentic bamboo raft and enjoy a lazy floating time down the river.
5. Caving
Due to the natural landscapes and abundance of mountainous rock formations, Guilin is home to some amazing scenery below its surface too.
One of the most popular and closest caves to visit in Guilin is the Reed Flute Cave.
As proven by ancient Tang Dynasty rock carvings and etching, the Reed Flute Cave has been enjoyed by Chinese visitors starting over 1200 years ago.
Closer to Yangshuo are even more caves including the Silver Cave, Dragon Water Cave, and the Seven Star Cave. The Crown Cave even includes tours by railroad car and underground riverboat tours.
If you are really looking for an outdoor adventure near Guilin, China, you may want to consider getting married on an authentic bamboo raft...lots of Chinese do!
The Flower-Filled Entrance to Museo Larco
The Museo Rafael Larco Herrera is a privately owned museum in Lima.
The main collection features Pre-Columbian art, including items from the Moche and Chimu civilizations, which I'd learned about while touring temples outside Trujillo.
A visit to Museo Larco was among the first things I did in Lima, and that's not because it houses a well-known collection of erotic pottery (yes it was).
____________
Dave's 160-page, all-original Lima Travel Guide is available for Kindle.
Sights of Colombo, Sri Lanka
With around 6 million inhabitants, Colombo is not even close to being one of the larger cities in Asia - yet there's no denying that the city is full of vibrant energy and always action-packed!
The streets of central Colombo are characterized by bright colorful signs, streams of rickshaws, tons of pedestrians and rowdy buses that look like they plan to hit anything in their path.
One of the best ways to get in and out of Colombo is by train. The railroad cuts directly through Colombo and goes along the beautiful Sri Lankan coast!
Sri Lankan's are extremely friendly people and they enjoy having a great time. I've never been to a country where so many people actually ask to have their photo taken just for fun (not because they want a tip).
Theravada Buddhism is the predominant religion of Sri Lanka.
Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple is one of the most iconic religious places of worship in town.
Fruit of all kinds grows in abundance on the island of Sri Lanka. Mangoes and coconuts, in particular, are everywhere to be seen.
This fruit store at Colombo's Pettah market was stocked with a nice selection of bright yellow (almost overripe) mangoes.
In Colombo make sure to haggle for your fruit, and you'll get some great deals!
Viharamahadevi Park is the central and largest park in Colombo. It makes a fantastic place to spend a day of family time, picnicking and relaxation!
Just as depicted on the Sri Lankan national flag, the Sri Lankan lion is one of the famous symbols of the country. Though it became extinct many many years ago, its legend lives on.
Some of the most delicious Sri Lankan street food is available in the evenings along Colombo's coastline known as Galle Face.
Make sure to sample the rice and fish curry as well as the piping hot roti paratha flatbreads.
Every evening Galle Face comes alive with Colombo residents enjoying outdoor activities like flying kites, taking a walk, playing in the water or just soaking up the cool Indian Ocean breeze.
Gorgeous sunsets over the ocean are an everyday occurrence in Colombo.
One of the best places to grab a cool drink and gawk at the beautiful view is from an area of town known as Mount Lavinia.
Holiday Sale: 35% Off Travel Blog Success Memberships
[G]reetings from Lima! I'm about to fly back to the US to spend Christmas with family, but before I go, it's time for the annual TBS holiday sale.
Save 35% off a Premium Membership by joining the Trave Blog Success community this week.
Go to the site now through 7 pm (EST) December 23, 2011 and enter "tbs35" (minus the quotes) to get your lifetime membership at a big discount.
Benefits of joining as a Premium member include:
- Private Facebook support group, in addition to the TBS Forum. Myself, and several other full time bloggers are there to help answer questions 24/7.
- Monthly Coaching Calls where I'll be able to answer your questions live.
- 13 audio interviews with top travel bloggers, including Gary Arndt of Everything Everywhere and Benny the Irish Polyglot.
Since launching Travel Blog Success two years ago, over 200 travelers have joined the community.
Here's a small sample of the feedback I've received this year:
"Thanks also for the great info on the site. I'm learning so much." -- Kay
"I wanted to tell you I'm learning a lot from TBS. Really glad I joined." -- Juno
"I'm excited to be joining TBS. After doing some research I realized that enrolling in TBS is a logical step towards improving my chances of monetizing my newly created travel blog." -- Sam
I've got a bunch of great ideas to further grow and improve TBS in 2012.
Lock in your membership today, and you won't have to worry about potential price hikes.
Go to the Travel Blog Success site, enter "tbs35" as the discount code, and lets get this party started!
Happy Holidays,
Dave
[PS - On a personal note, with two weeks left in 2011, I'm on track to earn a healthy $45,000 this year. If you're not already familiar, I publicly report my travel blogging income on a quarterly basis.]