Blog - Go Backpacking

12 Natural Wonders of Southeast Asia

The perfect tropical climate, island chains of volcanoes, and sparkling waters are just a few of the things that make Southeast Asia such a prime destination for captivating natural landscapes. Here are 12 natural wonders of Southeast Asia that are sure to impress!

Railay Bay is a natural wonder of Southeast Asia (photo: Chamaiporn Kitina) — Railay Bay (photo: Chamaiporn Kitina)

SE Asia Natural Wonders

1. Krabi Province - Thailand

Jagged limestone cliffs and clear Andaman seas make Krabi an inspiring destination in the south of Thailand.

A few adventurous opportunities include climbing on the rock formations, adventure trekking, island hopping, or just relaxing and admiring the wondrous natural beauty.

Krabi is a great place to learn how to dive amid coral reefs and see an entirely new dimension of environmental beauty on a memorable vacation.

Sunrise in Sangkhlaburi, Thailand — Sunrise at Sangkhlaburi, Thailand

2. Sangkhlaburi - Thailand

Located on the Thai Burmese border, Sankgkhlaburi represents pure relaxation and natural charm.

The simple town surrounding the lake's emerald-green waters is friendly, easy to manage, and laid back.

The best way to see it is during the cool climate of early sunrise. A thick layer of fog hovers above the lake, slowly dispersed with every second of gaining light.

The morning sunshine in Sangklhaburi is so soft; it feels healing.

Mount Kinabalu is one of the natural wonders of Southeast Asia. — Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

3. Mount Kinabalu - Sabah, Malaysia

Borneo is an island blessed with abundant natural forests and hundreds of square miles of magnificent landscape.

The island is divided into three countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. In the Malaysian part of Sabah lies the unmissable Mount Kinabalu.

Ascending the peak takes determination and lots of energy, but the plant life and views of the island make it worth every step.

4. Taman Negara - Malaysia

Taman Negara National Park, a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site with a dense ecosystem of plant life, is considered the world's oldest rainforest. You can even see komodo dragons.

The beautiful attractions are trekking through the old-growth forests, walking through the top layer of the trees on the world's most extensive canopy, and spotting wildlife.

This natural wonder of Southeast Asia is the ideal vacation destination if you want to see unique flora.

5. Lake Toba - Sumatra, Indonesia

Located in the center of the massive Indonesian island of Sumatra, Lake Toba defines the ideal tropical paradise.

A break in the lush forest makes way for one of the world's deepest volcanic lakes.

The lake is so calm and pure that it's possible to stare into the water and see the volcano's depth.

Mount Bromo is another of Southeast Asia's natural wonders (photo: Dave Lee) — Mount Bromo at sunrise (photo: Dave Lee)

6. Mount Bromo - Java, Indonesia

Indonesia is an island nation that is formed on the foundation of volcanoes.

This area consists of two prominent volcanic peaks, Mount Bromo and the continually active Mount Semeru.

The view from the top ledge surrounding the Bromo basin is moon-like, a truly surreal landscape.

The famous sunrise over the volcanoes creates vibrant colors of light.

7. Palawan - Philippines

The Philippines is home to some of Southeast Asia's most concealed and gorgeous beaches.

From Coron to El Nido, the island of Palawan is a treasure trove of crystal clear waters, private beaches, and underwater springs and caves, with an expansive underground lake.

8. Chocolate Hills - Bohol, Philippines

The perfectly rounded cone-shaped hills on the island of Bohol, Philippines, appear to be evenly spaced throughout an area of 50 square kilometers.

These symmetrical mounds of earth transform to a chocolate brown color during the dry season, resembling a field full of giant Hershey's Kisses!

9. Mount Pinatubo - Philippines

The volatile nature of volcanoes gives them the power to destroy and create some of the most dramatic natural scenes of beauty available.

Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991, creating a caldera from the excess lava flow.

The basin began to fill with water, resulting in a turquoise volcanic lake surrounded by the hands of Pinatubo.

The Banaue Rice Terraces are a natural wonder of Southeast Asia. — Banaue Rice Terraces, Philippines

10. Batad Rice Terrace - Philippines

Rounding the final corner of the hike and facing the amphitheater of the rice terraces of Batad is nothing short of breathtaking.

The rugged mountain scenery of this fantastic place cradles the irrigated rice fields, or rice paddies, on terraces built directly into the side of the highest mountain in complete natural harmony.

Hiking and swimming in waterfalls is another incredible thing to do here in this verdant destination.

The stunning terraced hills of this hilly region make it one of the Philippines' most popular tourist spots.

Ha Long Bay in Vietnam — Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

11. Ha Long Bay - Vietnam

In Northern Vietnam, there's a vast mystical bay with thousands of limestone islands proudly sticking out of the water. Welcome to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.

Travelers can explore limestone island caves and paddle sea kayaks through the dreamlike landscape. Magnificent photos are a given in such a naturally beautiful area.

The Mekong River flows through Southeast Asia. — Mekong River, Laos

12. Mekong River - Laos

The wide Mekong River is a vital part of life in Laos.

The expanse of the brown-colored river weaves its way through green jetting mountains, nurturing natural ecosystems and the farms of local communities and indigenous people along the way.

A boat ride on the river gives one a glimpse of its power and the environment that so crucially relies on the waterway.

The natural wonders of Asia are a stunning display of mountain peaks, glassy lakes, turquoise seas, and chocolate hills!

Visiting any or all of them would provide nature lovers with a truly memorable vacation.

Couchsurfing Tokyo

Jam session (from left to right): Kenya, Alexis, and James

A few nights before my flight to Japan departed, I logged onto Couchsurfing, pulled up the hosts in Tokyo, and sent out a handful of requests.

For a large city, the community was smaller than I expected, however by successfully couchsurfing such far-flung places as Tahiti, I knew it was worth a try.

Alexis, a Frenchman living with two Japanese roommates, responded less than five hours later.

In an instant, I had a local connection, a place to sleep for four nights, and an extra $160+ in my pocket from not having to pay for a hostel.

I would be couchsurfing Tokyo, and it would be my first stay as a guest in two years, the last one being a week I spent with a Colombian college student in Bogota.

Normally I wouldn't email an expat, however, the profile indicated his Japanese roommates both spoke English and would be around to talk if they had free time.

I always try to stay with a resident of the country I'm visiting first, as my primary interest is a cultural exchange, followed by the chance to save money.

I arrived at Narita airport after roughly 20 hours of travel from Washington, DC, I was able to quickly get through immigration and customs. I was packing light so I didn't have to wait for checked baggage.

I grabbed some money, ensuring my ATM card worked and went to rent a SIM card at one of the many telecom company desks set up outside the Arrivals area.

It was around 7 PM, and I was already running about two hours late due to the de-icing delay in Newark.

We couldn't get a connection with my Blackberry using the rented SIM card, even though I knew my phone was GSM compatible.

Too tired to figure it out, I rented a cell phone, and tried to call Alexis to let him know I was late, but still on my way.

The number didn't work. I was walking around the Arrivals area like a chicken with its head cut off, worried I'd have to spend the night somewhere random instead of in the company of friendly couchsurfers.

Narita Airport, like much of Japan, doesn't offer free wi-fi access, so I paid for Internet access, verified I had been dialing Alexis' phone number correctly, and emailed him about the confusion.

I bought a ticket on the Narita Express train and figured I'd head toward his apartment.

I checked my rental phone again on the train platform, and Alexis had already called me back. I called the number, and he confirmed there was a misplaced digit in the number he gave me.

He also offered to meet me outside Ikebukuro station, one of Tokyo's biggest, and the one from which we'd walk back to his place about 10-15 minutes away.

I was waiting outside Ikebukuro for no more than a few minutes when I spotted him, and we greeted each other.

My favorite part about Couchsurfing, whether you're the host or guest, is that initial meeting.

It's almost always a high-energy conversation as if you're trying to get to know the person's entire outlook on life and travel within the first hour or two of knowing them.

Back at the apartment, I met Kenya, his male Japanese roommate. Later, I met his Rika, his female Japanese roommate as well.

I had the chance to talk with both of them each night and used the opportunity to clarify observations I'd made during the day about Japanese people, customs, and society.

Between the jetlag, and spending my days crisscrossing Tokyo, I had little energy to be social in the evenings.

I was asleep by 10 PM. On my second morning, Alexis and Kenya woke up with me at 5 AM to go see the Tsukiji Fish Market.

I don't know if I would've done it on my own -- and if I did, it wouldn't have been as fun.

When I arrived back at the apartment after a day trip to Nagano on my third day, James, an Australian traveling the country for three months, was settling in for a few nights stay as well.

He was traveling with a guitar, and I managed to shoot a few photos of all the guys playing together before I collapsed in sleep once again.

Ironically, Alexis told me that his first Couchsurfing experience was with a Japanese girl in an apartment above us.

He met his roommates while Kenya was living in the same hostel, and Rika was working there. The three decided to get an apartment together and immediately began hosting people.

I was their second guest, and Alexis said he was getting 8-9 requests a day. Considering it was Winter, I imagine that number could easily triple by Spring.

Surrender & Serendipity in Japan

Map of JR Railway Lines in Tokyo, just one of dozens of companies operating there.

If you've ever been on a plane that needed to be de-iced, I'm sure you'll agree it's an unsettling process.

Once I seated myself on Continental's Boeing 777 bound for Japan, I looked out the window to see a centimeter thick sheet of ice caked across the left wing.

Ice is bad for planes. Per Wikipedia, it can "cause critical control surfaces to be rough and uneven disrupting smooth air flow and greatly degrading the ability of the wing to generate lift." This can result in a crash.

Thus the 30 to 45-minute de-icing ritual, whereby your plane is surrounded by special trucks, and people who spray a non-toxic, colored goop across the whole thing. This was my first experience with the process, and I couldn't shake the image of my flight ending up on the evening news.

Of course there was nothing I cold do but sit, and hope, and remind myself that if ice does cause the plane to crash, at least I died in the midst of doing something I love. In those anxious moments, I was forced to surrender.

I let go of my life.

As the plane accelerated down the runway, I watched with fascination as the green de-icing solution rippled in waves across the broad expanse of the wing. In the process, it wiped away any remaining ice particles. By the time we lifted off, the wing was as smooth and clean as if it were a dry Summer's day.

I relaxed. I reclaimed my excitement for the adventures that lay ahead of me in Japan, after what would be the longest non-stop flight of my life (14 hours). My mind was flush with all the things I still wanted to do and experience.

I was reborn.

Buddhists believe life as we know it is a neverending cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (unless you reach enlightenment). We go through this experience, whether conscious of it or not, in every day moments and extraordinary ones.

The practice of surrendering to the present moment is part of why I enjoy traveling, and it was a recurring theme during my time in Japan.

Take one look at a Tokyo metro map and you're forced to surrender. The system is a complex network of city subways and trains, run by dozens of different companies. Yet once I accepted that I'd get lost or I'd go out the wrong exit, and that was OK, I slowly got the hang of how to navigate the city's subterranean maze.

Sumptuous salmon belly nigiri in Kyoto's Sushi Masa restaurant.

During my first night in Kyoto, I was referred to an inexpensive sushi restaurant, but couldn't find it even though I had a map. Instead, I walked into a random one, sat down, and was soon watching the chef prepare the the best sushi of my life. A perfect example of surrender and serendipity in Japan.

I'd heard a guy in my Kyoto dorm room talk with his girlfriend over Skype about the Geisha he saw that afternoon. I spent 5 days in Kyoto, not seeking one out, but secretly hoping to see one all the same. I'd given up on the idea, as I made my way to catch a train back to Tokyo.

It was only after I walked up the stairs of my train's platform, minutes before departing the city, that I saw a Geisha sitting in a waiting area. She was wearing as much white make-up as the guys from Kiss, her hair in perfect form. Posture statuesque. I took a seat in the same room, stealing glimpses of her before she got up to leave a few minutes later.

Learning to surrender isn't as easy as it sounds. All too often, the ego gets in our way. Constant awareness is required, the kind you can count on when traveling abroad.

Can you recall a time when something wonderful happened, only after you surrendered?

Top 10 Travel Revolutionaries

There are people who travel and then there are people who re-define what it means to travel.

A rare breed of travelers, they are are the ones who discover new lands, break records and rules, and risk their lives to see how far they can go.

They inspire, awaken, and remind us how to live for the moment.

They are travel revolutionaries.

Everyone on this list has either changed the way we look at travel or used travel as a way to change the world.

And as one person's Cook is another's Drake, feel free to add anyone who has inspired your travels in the comments section.

1. Amelia Earhart: Sure, she's known for her ability to fly a plane. But besides her record-breaking career in aviation, Amelia was the first woman to gain worldwide celebrity status for her travels.

Not only was she one of the most famous people of her time, but she also leveraged her fame into lucrative endorsement deals, hawking everything from Lucky Strike to her own clothing line.

Her disappearance during her flight across the Pacific remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries.

2. Ferdinand Magellan: A seasoned explorer of the seas, Ferdinand set out in 1519 to attempt the first circumnavigation of the globe.

His crew successfully arrived back in Spain after 3 years of sailing. Unfortunately, Magellan didn't live long enough to see his voyage come...wait for it... full circle.

He died midway through the trip, during a battle with the natives on an island in the Philippines.

Even though the route he took was terribly inconvenient and never to be used again, it is considered the single greatest act on the seas, and effectively altered man's understanding of the world.

Bonus: We can thank Magellan for our cool photo along the international dateline.

3. Jack Kerouac: His book On the Road made him the poster boy for bohemian living.

Based on his own travels, On the Road was written in a mere three weeks on a single scroll of paper.

A book that defined American culture in the '50's, it continues to influence travelers today.

The characters Sal and Dean are immortalized on the Kerouac Scroll Tour, where travelers, free spirits, and those who yearn for a simpler life can pay homage to the original manuscript.

4. Che Guevara: A powerful example of how traveling can change a man's life, Che's early travels through South America were the catalyst for his a lifelong mission to eradicate poverty and unite Latin America.

A complex and polarizing man, Che traveled extensively hoping to bring awareness to what he considered were the unjust ways of the world.

One out of every four backpackers owns a Che Guevara t-shirt. Okay, there's no data to support that statement, but man, is his face everywhere or what?

5. Alexandra David-Neel: In the late 1800s, she traveled to India by herself, boldly seeking out the truths of spirituality.

That trip was remarkable enough for a woman of that time but she didn't stop there.

She continued traveling for enlightenment and found it in a cave in Sikkim, where she lived for two years.

Later, she managed to sneak/trespass into Tibet and stay in Lhasa for two months by dressing as a pilgrim.

Her writings on spiritual philosophy have influenced many, including Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg.

6. Harriet Tubman: The honorable Ms. Tubman risked her life for hundreds of slaves by traveling with them through a secret network of safe houses and checkpoints known as the Underground Railroad.

She took slaves as far north as Canada in order to guarantee their freedom.

Despite a huge reward for her capture, she never wavered in her belief of freedom as a right for all people.

The fearlessness in her travels shifted the political and social consciousness of America for the better.

Sir Richard Branson, the original Space Cowboy

7. Richard Branson: Cross Atlantic via hot air balloon: check. Create a wildly successful airline: check. Become billionaire: check. Buy an island: check. Pave way for outer space tourism: Check. Colonize a new planet: To do.

8. Marco Polo: Chances are you first heard the name Marco Polo in a swimming pool. However, MP's legacy reaches far beyond a super fun children's game.

During an epic 24 year journey, Marco traveled to the Far East, determined to go farther into China than any other Westerner before him.

He succeeded and his book, The Travels of Marco Polo, was a widely read account of his time in the Middle East, Central Asia, the Far East, and Africa.

His collection of treasures brought back from the Silk Road ignited Europe's interest in trading with China.

Wonder if during his travels he ever felt like a fish out of water. Har-Har. Get it?

9. Richard Halliburton: There's travel writing before Richard Halliburton and then there's travel after Richard Halliburton.

A charming daredevil who wrote several best selling books on his adventures around the world, his desire to be known as the most traveled man that ever lived won him as much fame and notoriety as Earhart and Lindbergh.

A few of his exploits include: riding an elephant across the Alps, swimming the length of the Panama Canal, and a visit to Timbuktu.

As is the case with several on this list, he traveled to his death. An attempt to sail the Pacific failed when he ignored warnings of bad weather.

His last words were, "Southerly gales, squalls, lee rail under water, wet bunks, hardtack, bully beef. Having a wonderful time. Wish you were here, instead of me."

10. Gertrude Bell: This is a lady who got things done. She knew many languages (French, German, Italian, English, Persian and Arabic), had a history degree from Oxford, was an experienced mountaineer, and traveled frequently through the Middle East.

Because of her experience in the region, Winston Churchill invited her to help construct a new country after the fall Ottoman Empire.

Considered the “Mother of Iraq”, she defined the current borders of the country and advised the new king on government matters.

Her letters of her time in the Middle East are still studied today by the Pentagon to better understand the conflict of the region.

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About the Author: Sarah Walker is a writer, actress, and international superstar. She is also the President/CEO of the Sarah Walker Fan Club. Some of her favorite travel adventures have taken place in Edinburgh, Barcelona, and the Peruvian Jungle. Connect with her on Twitter @sarahwalkur and check out her blog at http://www.sarahwalkerfanclub.com.

Backpacking Is An Attitude, Not a Budget

Cost of travel — Snapshot of my travel costs. (Click image to see full size spreadsheet.)

About two years ago, I published the Cost of a Trip Around the World based on my experience traveling for 15 months through over 20 countries.

I kept meticulous records of my expenses not because I was trying to stick to a budget, but out of a curiosity for what I was actually spending. I was also intent on sharing the results with readers as I traveled, so they could have an idea of how much money to save if they were planning to visit similar places.

This summary of my expenses continues to be Go Backpacking's most popular post in terms of raw traffic month to month, so I know plenty of people are looking at it. And I still receive the occasional comments, which have echoed a common theme -- that my spending was surprisingly high.

@adventurerob said "I'm surprised you clocked up such a cost in Thailand though, I found it a lot cheaper then $55 a day."

Friedel of Travelingtwo.com wrote "this strikes me as so expensive"

Mic asked "u think u could spare some extra money. because i think for ex. 45 € for india per day is a loooot. dont u think?"

Magda wondered "I would love to know what Dave did do go through $51 a day in India"

Roeyurboat commented "Between $35,000 and $40,000 for 15 months of travel is hardly even close to a "backpacker's budget" $54/day in Nepal? $51/day in India and similar rates for Thailand and Indonesia. Dave must have been enjoying some very high end accomodations to average those rates in those countries."

Txrizzle recently shared "My opinion is that the spending listed above is much to excessive. One could take that same $30,000 and spend 3 years traveling the world. $50+ in Thailand? That's intense."

And last week Andyl added "I agree with many here, I don't know how you managed to spend $63 a day in cambodia but that's nowhere near "between backpacker/flashpacker" That's living 30 times costlier than the average citizen..."

Instead of continuing to respond on a comment by comment basis, I'd prefer to address this line of questioning as a whole.

First, this post was a summary of my daily averages per country, and if they seem extravagant for places such as Thailand or India, I believe it's due to my accounting method, not my actual standard of living.

The most I spent on a night's accommodation? $40 for a private room at a boutique hotel in the capital of Laos, and that was after 8 months of staying in hostel droms, cheap guest houses, and bungalows. In fact, for anyone who took the time to look at my detailed spreadsheet which I link to at the bottom of the post, they'd see I spent an average of $9 per night in accommodation over 253 days in Asia.

My average daily spending numbers are inflated because of the "miscellaneous" category which was a catchall for stuff like souvenirs, cost to ship souvenirs home, new clothes, guidebooks, and internet cafes (which I used for 2+ hours per day uploading photos and managing this blog). Those costs are too subjective, too different for every backpacker, and thus skewed the non-negotiable categories that matter most -- visas, food, shelter, and sightseeing.

When I share my expenses for the recent Japan trip next month, I'll aim to present a more accurate cost of daily travel.

Backpacking is an attitude toward travel, not about one's age or spending habits. If you travel with a backpack, you're a backpacker. I don't care if you drop your head at night on a fluffly down pillow and fresh linens at a 5-star forest lodge in Rwanda, eat at a restaurant frequented by heads of state in Delhi, or try and swallow undercooked intestines in a Colombian pueblo.

A backpack symbolizes two things to me, wanderlust and independence. Sure, you can have both with the wheeled-suitcases, but try jumping off a Thai longboat on a beach carrying one of those suckers. Or gliding between the aisles of gift shops as you do a little last minute shopping on your way out of a country. The ability to do both remains the reason I continue to travel with a backpack.

In Japan earlier this month, food quickly became my primary focus given the cold Winter temperatures and lack of flowers in the gardens. What I saved on accommodations, I spent on food (and then some).

My approach toward travel continues to evolve with age. At 34, I can still sleep stacked like a sardine in a 10-bed Kyoto dorm, however I also want to know what it's like to eat in a Michelin-starred restaurant.

And as long as I'm carrying that backpack, I'm going to share my experiences on this blog.

Your turn. What does being a backpacker mean to you?

5 Essential Travel Photography Tips

Have you ever been to a truly incredible place or captured a perfect moment? If you had a camera in hand, you probably snapped a photo. After taking that photo, you probably thought, "This will be great. Maybe even an award winner."

When you get to a computer and look at the photo, it's nothing like you expected-and not in a good way. Don't worry; you're not alone.

I've experienced this countless times while traveling. Over the years, I've developed a few tricks and techniques to ensure my photos turn out the way I want them to.

Many of these suggestions may seem pretty simplistic and basic. However, if I have one word of advice, it's to stick to the basics.

Often, when traveling, you look past the basics in photography. So many things are going on around you that you forget.

But if you keep the basics in mind, your photos should turn out just how you like. So without further ado, here are five essential travel photography tips.

Photography Tips

1. Direction of Sunlight

Again, this may seem rudimentary, but how the sun is positioned in the sky significantly affects your photos.

Preferably, you want the sun to be at your back to illuminate your photo's subject. However, sometimes you don't have the luxury of waiting until the sun is in a perfect position. That's when you have to get creative.

You can try to block the sun with one hand while taking the photo with the other, or use something in the natural environment to shade you. This could be a house, a tree, a rock-just anything to keep the sun's glare off your lens.

You could also invest in a lens hood that blocks the sun unless you're pointed directly at it.

Often, when traveling, I forget to consider the sun's position. I snap photos and assume they will turn out great. Well, I was wrong. The sun either washed out many photos or created a lens flare, which is not desirable in award-winning images.

So keep aware of that big bright thing in the sky, and you'll be much happier with your photos.

2. Polarizing Lens

Going hand in hand with the sun is a polarization lens. A polarizing lens is probably the best investment I've ever made for my camera.

So, what does a polarizing lens do? It blocks the sun's glare, just like polarizing sunglasses. And by blocking the sun's glare, you get crisper and less washed-out photos.

This lens will allow you to see through the water instead of getting the annoying glare off the surface.

It's perfect for shots at the beach, lake, or river and for making clouds "pop" in your photos. Clouds often blend in with the sky, but a polarizing lens creates a distinct contrast.

In reality, it makes your greens greener and your blues bluer because you eliminate the sun's washing-out effects. And it only costs $50, and that's a worthy investment, if you ask me.

3. Use a Tripod

I know. Carrying a tripod around is probably the last thing you want to do when traveling. However, it's essential if you're serious about photography, especially at night.

A camera must gather light to take a picture, so the shutter needs to stay open longer at night. If your camera is not on a tripod, it tends to move even the tiniest amount, which causes blurring.

There's no way around it. Even if you use a railing or rock to steady your camera, you still get some shake. Sometimes you may get lucky and hold it steady enough to get a good night shot, but most of the time, you don't.

Trust me, I know from experience. And it's not only applicable to night shots. During the day, a tripod is the best way to capture time-lapse shots and achieve the highest clarity.

So if you're serious about your photos, bring a tripod along. You won't regret it.

4. Be Creative

Try the same shot from different angles. Play with the settings on your camera. Just try to take a picture that everyone and their mother hasn't done before.

Of course, there is a limit to this. But for a second, put yourself in the shoes of the people viewing your photos.

What do you think will grab their attention? And what's the best way of doing that? Sometimes you may get it right, occasionally dead wrong. But you can't succeed unless you try.

Typically, looking for scenes with high contrast gets a positive reaction. Sunsets are incredible because there is a sharp contrast between a lit-up sky and a darker foreground.

Also, dark objects against a cloudy sky or a landscape with the sun on your back tend to get positive reactions.

In the end, it's all about you. But if you can think of new ways to make your photos more attractive to the audience, you will have great success.

5. Have Fun

This may seem obvious and unneeded, but it's true. The best photos I've ever taken are when I'm having a good time and relaxed, not when I'm worried about how the image will turn out.

If you stress about how your photos will turn out, it's probably not helping you or your photography. Let things happen naturally. If it's meant to be, it will happen, and you'll get that perfect moment to snap a shot. If not, there's always another day.

Trust me. The more fun you have, the better the photos. Always! So kick back and enjoy it because life's too short not to have fun.

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About the Author: Ryan has been backpacking around the world since 2005 and has recently launched FollowMeEverywhere.com to combine his love of travel with work. If you like his stuff, subscribe and follow him on Twitter: @RyanMartin07.

Wish You Were Here

I was in a relationship for the full 9 months of my first real travel experience.

I spent nearly a year learning foreign languages, galavanting through South American and European countries, and missing a guy at home. My friends abroad called me crazy. How could I possibly have a full experience when romantic ties where holding me back? I wasn’t sure, but I believed I was having one anyway.

Whether or not there had been a special someone, I would’ve continued to take classes, spend time with my host families, travel on the weekends with friends, and stay out late dancing and drinking beverages before it was legal in my home country to do so. I was having the time of my life, or so I thought.

Couple — A couple in Mexico (Photo: Tapato)

My last two extended trips have been taken as a single woman. And boy have they been liberating! I didn’t have to worry about not being able to Skype for a week’s time. I didn’t feel the need to send anyone a daily email; I knew for as much as my best buds also cared, they were busy enough as it was.

I met new people, made new friends, and even kissed a boy or two that I’ll probably never see again. It’s been amazing, and yet, I still can’t say that I ever made a mistake the first time around.

Having no one to miss sure is easier, yes, but on that same token, a girl/boyfriend, in the truest form of the title, can enhance a travel experience with support, encouragement, and comfort when you need it.

The real challenge is finding someone that is willing to let you be free. When it comes down to it, it’s the person at home that has it the hardest. Globetrotting is a fabulous distraction from the pains of a long-distance relationship. With that said, however, deciding to have one is a decision that should be made with much thought and consideration for it’s always a challenge.

Short visits make it easier for both parties, as do scheduled return dates. Then, of course, there's the traveling together option too. I haven't done it myself, but I've heard many success stories.

Perhaps it’s just me, but for as much as I love to be in love, I forever remain an independent person. I do not believe that our worldly dreams should be restricted or put on hold for someone else. And on that same token, I understand that sometimes relationships are worth keeping, no matter where in the world you’re headed.

Working In An Italian Vineyard

A view over the Tuscany Vineyards (photo: Mike Zarro)

There are a lot of beautiful and unique places in the world, but if you haven't seen the Tuscany hills or taken a sip from the Tuscany wines at wine tastings, you've missed something "meraviglioso".

Apart from being the cradle of the Renaissance, Tuscany offers a fertile land for growing juicy grapes, amazing food, and people ready to host you even if they don't know your language.

In Tuscany, most of the wine is made in small family vineyards according to ancestral traditions.

Not only the wine respects rigorous traditions, but the people as well, and even the time obeys a different kind of rules, the "unspoken rules" of the land.

Although for us - the habitants of the noisy cities, the rural parts of Tuscany may seem too quiet and too simple, life in Tuscany has a certain charm which some of you may recognize in the movies of Benigni.

With a rich history, splendid sceneries and plenty of quality wine, Tuscany can be the perfect place for a unique holiday. From organic farms to a local olive grove, there's so much to see and taste.

Whether you're grape picking for the winery harvest, doing other vineyard work in Italy's large wine industry, or just enjoying the harvest season in Tuscany, is a wonderful way to experience life in its purest form: sun, bread, olive oil and a glass of Chianti.

This is what the Italians call "La dolce vita!"

A city in Tuscany dressed for "Feste" (photo: Simona83)

If you want to spend your holidays working in an Italian vineyard, in a job such as a grape picker, first of all, you need to know that in Italy the harvest season starts from late summer and lasts until September/October.

You may not receive money in exchange for your work, but the Italian families will do their best to provide you with comfortable lodging, delicious local food, and plenty of fun.

Also, you may not need a work permit, because such an activity is part of the agricultural tourism and you'll be regarded as a tourist.

Picking grapes can be quite a challenging activity, not to mention that the weather in Tuscany can be rather difficult to stand.

Most of the grape pickers start work early in the morning and take a break during lunchtime when the sun is scorching.

All the sweat and hard work are forgotten when you enjoy a glass of red wine from the wine you've helped make. It's a fantastic sensation!

The really fun part starts when the picking activity is over, and the entire community takes part in the making of the wine.

Making wine is a fantastic experience, which can be both fun and rewarding, and which for certain will enrich you from so many points of view, bringing benefits that will last your entire life.

Developing skills in volunteer vineyard jobs during the wine region grape harvest is not just a great experience or a great way to sample local cultures and fine wine.

It can also open doors to permanent jobs where you can build up years of experience, as well as giving you access world wide opportunities.

So, if you're planning your first visit, you've picked one of the best places to learn about wine culture and the wine business, and it's waiting to welcome you with open arms.

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About the Author: Oana is a gadget lover with a vivid interest for traveling and good food. Although until now she has visited mostly Europe she plans to travel to Turkey - the Asian part and Morocco, and she would return every time to Italy.

The Alternative Arts of Brazil

The following is a guest post by Tammerin Du Preez. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.

Brazil is well known for having some of the greatest celebrations in the world. New Years and Carnival are the biggest of those celebrations and Brazil’s largest tourist attractions. However Brazil has a very distinct culture of its own that it is now sharing with the world, it is the home of two very distinct and yet vastly different martial arts, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Capoeira.

I would suggest if you are a bit of a Martial Arts enthusiast and a traveler that you try your hand at discovering the alternative arts in Brazil. You will never get any closer to the roots and philosophy of an art then you will by being in the place of its creation.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a hard ground fighting form often seen being used in fight arena’s such as the UFC. It is considered a modern day modified version of the combination of judo and Japanese jujutsu. I will not go in depth into the history; however as most know the art has been made world renowned by the Gracie Family who have proved its effectiveness in many ultimate fighting championships.

When travelling to Brazil I suggest trying your hand at this Martial art in one of the schools located in Rio de Janeiro such as Gracie Barra Rio de Janeiro-RJ or check there official website for a school, www.graciebarra.com.

Capoeira

Capoeira on the other hand is a Martial Art that began in Brazil by African slaves during the colonial period. I guess it could almost be considered a “forbidden” art that has become rather popular in modern times despite its past oppression by the Brazilian Authorities.

It was created by the sad oppressed slaves as a fight-dance. These fight-dances would take place in a circle or roda and the participants would play music, sing and perform sparring in pairs in the center of the circle. Those performing Capoeira became known as Capoeiristas and music became an important part of this art, often performed in wide open spaces to make for easy escape from the authorities.

Capoeira was outlawed in Brazil in 1890, and severe punishment awaited anyone who was caught. After slavery was abolished however slaves not being able to find jobs joined gangs, became involved in crime and police believed that Capoeira played a role in these activities and tried to stop them, however this only pushed the Martial art further underground…

Capoeira is a Martial Art full of history that is showcased in many of its techniques, if you are willing to take a chance and get out of your comfort zone into a high energy, beat driven and entertaining martial art I suggest you try Capoeira in its birth place, no better way to experience such a beautiful art than to learn it from the masters.

Capoeira also forms part of many night shows taking place every night in Rio de Janeiro, so even if you don’t try your hand at it I advise you at least go and watch it being played, you will not regret seeing such an amazing display of athleticism. If however you are brave enough to try your hand at Capoeira there are a list of schools available on the following website www.gringo-rio.com

Believe me you will not regret trying these amazing Martial Arts while you are travelling, they will make a magnificent story to tell and it will be an experience of a life time to learn these arts in the country of their birth!

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About the Author: Tammerin Du Preez is a martial arts enthusiast living in South Africa. She loves to travel any chance she gets and enjoys trying her hand at any extreme sport at least once. You can catch up with her via Facebook.

A Surefire Way to Cure Homesickness

Airplane wing — En route to Mexico City (photo: Dave Lee)

Nearly every backpacker suffers the effects of homesickness at some point in their travels.

There are only a lucky few among us who are immune and you are likely to find them drinking in a Thai bar, bragging about the fact that they haven’t been home in a decade.

For the rest of us, the important thing is to quickly shake off the homesickness blues so we can continue exploring and having great adventures on the road.

Instead of buying a plane ticket home the next time you’re suffering a major case of homesickness, consider another less conventional, but more fun option.

It might sound less than enjoyable, but getting a job and staying in one place for a while is a great way to cure homesickness.

Have a home base

A requirement of nearly every job you encounter will be that you stay in one place.

Having a bed of your own, a place to hang up your pictures, a place to throw your dirty laundry without upsetting the other backpackers in a packed dorm… these are all great benefits that will help you feel more at home and less of a visitor in a strange, far off land.

As a bonus, try finding a job that provides free housing.

I have saved untold amounts of money by offering to work reception at a hostel and signing up to live and work on a sailboat.

Feel like a local again

Remember that special hole-in-the-wall restaurant you and your friends flocked to back home?

You probably felt a little superior knowledge about the place while the camera-happy tourists didn’t even have a clue it existed.

When you get a job and settle down in a place you start picking up local knowledge.

You suddenly find the city's awesome hidden secrets and you start to feel like you belong.

Make some long-term friends

As backpackers, we know how making friends can go.

You meet some of the most incredible people in the world when you are traveling. Suddenly they are your best friends who you would literally die for.

Fast forward a week or two and its time to say goodbye with false promises of meeting up again someday. Rinse and Repeat.

This is probably the most serious cause of homesickness.

Missing your friends – the ones you can call at any time, the ones who know you, really know you – this can be a killer for the long-term traveler.

When you sign up for a job abroad not only are your meeting great new coworkers and other locals but you can finally relax because you know these friends will be around for quite a while.

Most of the benefits above can be easily gained just by deciding to stay in a place a little longer. Who needs a job when you can just hang around for a while?

Getting a job adds a necessary element needed to truly cure your homesickness – responsibility.

Back home you had a routine, you have a schedule, you had commitments and hopefully a work-personal life balance.

When you travel, every day becomes a Saturday, and in reality, this can easily become more tiring than a 9-5 job.

Homesickness is often the end result of backpacker burnout.

Instead of turning into a lazy expat, to really fix the homesick blues, give yourself some responsibility and get a fun, interesting job.

Realize why you went traveling in the first place

You might be reading this and thinking, “why the hell would I go and get a job when I’m out traveling the world?!”

Exactly!

When homesickness strikes you have a few options.

You can suffer through the pain and end up bitter and unhappy even though you are experiencing the best that the world has to offer.

You can fly home to a welcoming reception of friends and family only to watch the enthusiasm fade as people get back to the same-old-same-old of your home town.

Or you can get a job! You’ll get a lot of the benefits of being at home but in the end, you are still sitting on a beach halfway around the world.

Plus, work is work wherever you go and you will probably soon remember why you went traveling in the first place.

So sign up for that bartending gig, save some money, and get ready for the oh-so-much-more-enjoyable disease of travel fever.

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About the Author: Chelsea is currently living in beautiful Cartagena, Colombia, staying close to the beach and out of the wintry US. She is a total foodie and loves to collect all the crazy stories of her fellow travelers. While traveling she has had gigs working in hostels, as crew for a sailboat in the Caribbean, and currently supports her travels through freelance writing.

You can follow her adventures on her Twitter @ChelseaRaePS or on her personal website – ChelseaRaeSchmidt.com

Panda Bears in Chengdu, China

During my visit to China I made sure to spend a morning with the panda bears in Chengdu, at the Panda Breeding and Research Base.

I don't care who you are, when you walk up to all the panda bears eating, playing, and scratching themselves without a care in the world, you'll be "ooooh'ing" and "aaaah'ing" with the rest of us.

A pair of panda bears — The panda bear on the left was totally hogging this piece of bamboo...pulling it away from his friend to the right.

Feeding time at the Chengdu Panda Breading and Research Center in Chengdu, China.

Pair of pandas — To see the pandas in action, it's best to visit the research base in the morning during feeding time.

Red pandas are native to Nepal, Bhutan, and northeastern India.

Close up of a red panda — For about $25, I was able to hold a red panda like this one for a minute or two. I can still remember how it felt to feel his little heart beating rapidly.

Panda cubs — The panda cubs were more playful than their adult counterparts, however they still enjoyed lounging around too.

Panda bear eating bamboo — Crunch! A giant panda bear cracks a piece of bamboo with his strong jaws.

Luck Be A Driver Tonight

The following is a guest post by Sara Loca. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.

Soaked and clueless. Waiting for the train in Genova.

Wine, beautiful clothes, good food, these are all of things you are told to expect in Italy.

But, woah, hold on now “Letters to Juliet” intellectuals, let’s also talk about how my package arrived a month late or how I passed last Saturday night. When out and about around the world it’s important to take the good with the bad, the wine with the late/never delivered mail.

Oh Saturday. “Italy is wonderful if you come to see the Uffizi.” I have heard this sentiment millions of times from my parents. However, now it was my fellow train passenger repeating it, at 12:30 a.m., on Saturday night, whilst stranded in Alessandria.

My friends and I had gone from Torino to Genova for the day to see the aquarium, we had no clue we would also be seeing Trenitalia at its finest.

9:50 p.m. - Soaked from walking in sleet, we arrive at Genova Principe Station.

9:55 p.m. - Our train is missing from the main board.

10:00 p.m. - *#@#%. Swear words in South African, English and U.S. English.

10:07 p.m. - Find our train on TV screens. Leap for joy.

10:32 p.m. - Train arrives. Happy “Cupid Shuffle” on-board.

11:00 p.m. - 20 minute delay due to snow. Pretty snow, took pictures.

11:50 p.m. - Stopped in Alessandria. Our train is out of service due to a strike.

12:00 a.m. - Myself and other passengers huddle around the train conductor who used the word maybe, or as I called it, The-Word-That-Must-Not-Be-Named, in every piece of news he communicated. A bus MAY come at 1 a.m. to take us to Torino.

12:15 a.m. - The strike will last until 9 p.m. Sunday night. None of us have much cash. More swearing.

12: 30 a.m. - Ask policeman about places to stay overnight in the city. He seems pretty clueless. He points out a hotel that someone then mentioned is out of business. Then shows us another hotel by pointing into the fog and sleet, we decide to risk it and wait for the bus.

1:00 a.m. – No bus.

1:05 a.m. – They The-Word-That-Must-Not-Be-Named found another driver.

1: 10 a.m. – A bottle of rum could turn this situation into a party.

1:15 a.m. – Shivering. No seriously, a bottle of rum.

2:30 a.m. – Driver arrives without rum. Train finally leaves the station. Zzzzzzzzzzzz.

I later discovered that two tiny train driver unions went on strike at 9 p.m. Saturday night and didn’t tell anyone. Our driver just happened to be a member and didn’t know he was supposed to be on strike. When he found out, he decided he couldn’t drive the train to Torino and jumped ship in Alessandria. Unenthusiastic yay…

Tips to avoid shivering in an Italian train station, without rum.

Take a gander online. Here is a site that lists all scheduled strikes. It’s in Italian but easy for English speakers to understand. It’s also important to note that even though a union may have scheduled a strike, it may not actually strike. Yay…

Check BOTH boards. Check both the main boards and the TV screens. Why they don’t always match, I don’t know, but you just don’t ask questions like that here. The main board should also display a notice (in Italian) when there are strikes.

Use your mouth. No, no, for all of you with dirty minds, that’s not what I mean. If you are catching your train when the clerks are working, ask about strikes that day. Usually strikes are regional, so they may only be aware of strikes in their region, but try.

Dorothy you aren’t in the U.S. anymore. Tips for once you realize you can’t avoid it or as the train conductor put it, “That’s just part of Italy’s charm, the chaos.”

“Guaranteed” Trains. Here is a list of trains that SHOULD still run even if there is a strike. In Italian, but easy to understand. Just click on desired region.

B.S. Learn to mentally repeat B.S.; don’t put complete trust in what the “authorities” say. When stuck, keep your options open; make friends, find hotels, calculate taxi costs, ask about a replacement buses, and see if they are finding another driver/worker.

Don’t F*** the Police. Call 112 and speak to a police officer. Again, don’t automatically hop to whatever they suggest, be proactive, ask questions and trust your instincts.

Paroline. Handy vocab.

Forse: Maybe

Sciopero: Strike

Fermato: Stopped

In Ritardo: Delay in

Autobus/Pullman: Bus

Autista: Driver

Fino Domani: Until Tomorrow

Snicker. It’s funny and quite an adventure. Yes, if you are reading this while stranded you hate me, but it’s true. You will just have to wait, might as well giggle!

A man helping us that night said, “You are really lucky they found another driver.” I didn’t believe in luck until I came to Italy. I may just pick up a rabbit’s foot while I’m here to get to where I need to go and get my mail somewhat on time. I have been on Italian trains plenty of times and this was the first time I had a problem, however from what the Italians tell me, I’ve just been lucky.

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About the Author: Sara Emily Loca was born in Milan and lived most of her life Minnesota. She has returned to Italy to travel, understand Italian culture, reconnect with her family and eat. Connect with her on Twitter@SaraELoca or LinkedIn.

Learning to Dive in Southeast Asia

The following is a guest post by Monica Stott. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.

Learning to scuba dive is often one of the highlights during a backpacker’s trip abroad. Discovering a new country from above the surface of the sea is fantastic, but discovering the world that lies beneath us is a whole different experience.

SE Asia continues to be one of the most popular places for budget travellers to learn to dive. You can take your pick from a multitude of white, sandy beaches with clear, warm water. There is a fantastic array of accommodation to suit all budgets and a bustling night life that can be as action packed as you please.

And if that isn’t enough, the underwater world in SE Asia has some of the richest reefs on earth and is home to 76% of the worlds coral species and 6,000 species of fish.

PADI Courses

Most people learn to dive with a 4-day Open Water course from a PADI certified dive school. PADI are world renowned due to their high standards and safety is their first priority.

You will begin in the classroom, learning the necessary theory before you’re taught about your equipment. Your first experiences in the water will be in ‘confined water’ which is usually a swimming pool but can also be done in shallow, calm sea. Breathing underwater for the first time is a fantastic feeling and while you adjust to the strange sensation you will also practice basic skills such as clearing water from your mask without re-surfacing, sharing air with a buddy diver and controlling your buoyancy under the water.

After 5 confined water dives you will be feeling confident and ready to move into ‘open water’. You will finally have the chance to explore what the sea has to offer and also practice the skills that you learnt in the pool. Within 4 dives in the ocean you will be a qualified Open Water Scuba Diver!

Top 10 Tips for Learning to Dive in Southeast Asia

So you’re ready to explore the expansive underwater playground that SE Asia has to offer? Check out these tips for learning to dive in Southeast Asia to ensure you find the right school and get the most out of your diving experience:

When considering where to learn to dive, check the weather. The weather varies considerably throughout SE Asia and certain dive areas may be closed for a few months during the monsoon season.
Some great places to learn to dive in SE Asia are Ko Tao, Phuket, Bali and The Gili Islands but while you're learning, somewhere with calm water and decent instructors are your main priorities and virtually all dive centres offer PADI courses.
Become a confident snorkeler. If you are nervous about diving, spend a day snorkelling. Once you are confident swimming with fins, swimming in currents, diving below the surface and clearing you mask of seawater and fog, learning to dive is an easier and calmer experience.
Before paying for your course, take a Discover Diving introduction course. Diving isn't for everyone so this short experience will allow you to make up your mind before committing to an expensive course.
When choosing your school, find the right balance between popular and overcrowded. Legally, 8 is the maximum number of students in an Open Water PADI course but the fewer the better, particularly if you are a nervous diver. Too few would leave me dubious about the quality and reputation of a company but you will generally know if you feel comfortable with a dive instructor as soon as you meet them. So shop around, talk to the instructors and fellow divers in the area.
Don't choose a school based on price. Prices rarely fluctuate dramatically as dive shops usually agree on a standard price. Beware if one school is considerably cheaper than another.
Ensure you are comfortable with your equipment. Most equipment comes in a wide variety of sizes and some dive shops even have different brands available, so don't be afraid to swap and change until you find the right fit as it makes your diving experience more enjoyable.
Learn at your own pace. All instructors are remarkably calm and patient and will encourage you to go as slow as you need to. You need to feel confident and comfortable before you move onto the next step.
You need to be relatively fit and healthy to dive. If you are concerned about your health, arrange for a dive medical with a doctor. This is also necessary for anyone planning on taking their diving qualifications further than Open Water such as an Advanced PADI course.
Don't drink too much the night before you dive. It's common to go for drinks with your new dive buddies after a dive but there's nothing worse than diving with a hangover so stay away from the whiskey buckets!

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About the Author: Monica Stott caught the travel bug when she was just 10 years old and is currently on a 2 year trip around the world. You can read her tales at: TotalTravelBug.com or on Twitter @TotalTravelBug.

Top 10 Travel Safety Items for Women

Let's face it: Women have to be more cautious than men while on the road. It hurts to admit it, but we are inherently more physically vulnerable than our male counterparts.

These ten travel safety items for women will help give you peace of mind and protect you as you explore the world.

1. Door stop alarm

Some female travelers feel vulnerable staying in a hotel room alone, especially if they get stuck in a room on the first floor.

A good idea when staying in private rooms is to buy a portable door alarm and push the bottom of it under your door from the inside.

If anyone tries to open the door while you're in the room, a loud alarm will sound.

The wedge-shaped stopper will also jam the door, preventing the intruder from opening it.

2. Personal alarm or whistle

Walking in a dark alley or street alone at night isn't wise, but sometimes it's inevitable.

It's easy to get lost if you're on a solo trip in a new place for the first time (although we recommend you make extensive use of Google maps).

Carry a personal safety alarm that goes around your neck, in a hidden pocket or on a keychain. You could also wear a small whistle under your shirt.

In case of an emergency, this is the best way to easily and quickly make a loud noise and indicate that you need help should someone unsavory approach you or try to hurt you.

Even if you're just in an unfamiliar place and have niggling safety concerns about unwanted attention, an emergency alert device (and perhaps a back-up can of pepper spray) can be your best friend.

And remember, if you find yourself in a dangerous situation as a female solo traveler, make sure you have details of the local emergency services to hand.

3. Small flashlight

Carrying a small flashlight is also a must when walking alone at night.

Besides helping light your way, it should also make criminals less inclined to take advantage of you. There are many bright flashlights that can attach to your keychain or bag.

A few manufacturers make a personal alarm/flashlight combo.

4. Portable hotel door & drawer travel lock

A portable door lock allows you to add extra protection to your hotel room door at night.

You can also use it to lock a drawer inside the hotel room for your valuables when you're staying somewhere without a safe.

We all like to think that our belongings are safe in our hotel rooms, but I've heard countless stories from friends about money, jewelry, cameras, and other belongings being taken from suitcases.

Lock it up and take the key with you while you go out.

5. Fake wedding ring

If you have a nice wedding or engagement ring, leave it at home when you travel so it doesn't risk getting lost or stolen.

But whether you're married or not, you should travel with a plain fake wedding band.

It's said that women are less likely to be harassed if it appears that they're married, as it usually implies that there is a man nearby.

It also allows you to easily make the excuse (if you know the local language) that you need to leave somewhere because your husband is waiting or around the corner.

Stop by a Target or Claire's Jewelers to get a cheap fashion ring that could look like a wedding band.

6. Bra stash (example)

A money belt can be easily spotted on women who wear form-fitting clothing.

Wear a bra stash instead, which is a small pouch that goes in the middle of your bra between the ladies.

It allows you to unassumingly carry extra money, credit cards, a hotel room key, and any other small valuables.

Other important things to stash are details of emergency contacts, such as those of a family member or close friends.

Keep a back-up SIM card stashed too so that you can make a phone call even if your cell phone is stolen.

7. Travel dictionary

It's very important (and also just common sense) that you should have the ability to communicate with locals who can help you in an emergency.

While it's vital to memorize key phrases such as "help me" and "leave me alone," it's also a smart move to keep a foreign dictionary in your travel bag for easy reference for more complex important phrases.

8. Pacsafe Backpack & Bag Protector

It's frightening how easily someone can snatch a bag from you while on public transportation, or even for someone to pickpocket you from your backpack.

The Pacsafe bag is covered in a mesh cage that makes it impossible for someone to get into any of the bag's pockets.

It also has cables that allow you to securely lock it to a pole, perfect for if you're on a train alone and want to doze off--it prevents someone from running off with it.

9. First aid kit

This one's a no-brainer, but every woman should have a small first-aid kit in her backpack.

Tote along some Neosporin, bandages, anti-histamine, aspirin, antiseptic, etc.

You can buy small pre-assembled kits or put together your own.

10. An anti-theft messenger bag

Purses are easy pickpocket targets; their straps are easy to cut quickly, and we often carry them in a way that someone could reach in from behind to grab something.

Backpacks are even easier to get into if someone is walking behind you-they can just unzip a pocket.

Invest in a travel messenger bag that's front-facing and has cut-proof straps for while you're out and about during the day.

Some travel messenger bags also have locking zippers.

If you don't have travel insurance, this precaution is even more important.

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How to Eat Your Way Through Singapore

The following is a guest post by Kelsi George. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.

For me, the first thing that comes to mind in a place as cosmopolitan as Singapore is, "I bet the food is great!"

Noting the diversity and potential for eating bliss, my friend and I set out on a Snack Crawl, the goal of which was to eat at as many places as possible in the 24 hours we had in Singapore. Herein lies a guide for how to eat your way through Singapore.

After checking in at our hostel on Bugis, we bee-lined over to Little India for lunch (we have our priorities).

Little India

The colored buildings and shiny fabrics distracted us for a moment from our journey to gluttony, however the clouds began to pour down their rain and redirected us to our true calling: food! We stopped by the first place that showed promise, Sakunthala, and ordered vegetarian biryani, chicken masala and chappati. After lunch we paused the satisfied stupor of out post dining stroll to sample some coconut burfi and sone papdi from Komalas Vilas Sweets and Savouries.

7/11

What can I say? We'd been living in Thailand for a year at this point and 7/11 had become the sustenance to the snacking needs of our soul. Mostly, we would just walk around the marts, foaming at the mouth, saying things like "They sell Ben and Jerry's here? and "Look at all the chocolate!" This time around we bought some wine in the name of prudence (we were running low on funds!), to bring back to the hostel for our own Happy Hour on the rooftop.

Arab Street

Around dinner time we set out to Arab Street and stopped at Sufi Corner Turkish Restaurant for a mezze platter and hookah. I stopped by this same restaurant on a different trip to Singapore and had a doner kebab, which was also very tasty.

Back to Little India

Yes, back to Little India because we had been truly enchanted and the backpacker bar scene looked promising. We stopped by Zsofi bar on Dunlop St. for Jenga and tapas where as destiny would have it, the tapas come free with drinks. We loved the mushroom bruschetta and spanish potato omelet, which we washed down with Tiger beer - a must-try on any Singapore Snack Crawl list. The pizza we sampled off of other peoples plates (apparently we have no shame) was not too shabby either.

The night was quiet so we hailed a cab over to Crazy Elephant for some live music, before resting our weary heads and full bellies for the night.

Hawker Center

No snack crawl in Singapore is complete without a stop at a hawker center, the near ubiquitous food courts around town that are central to the Singapore eating experience and at times seem to be the only place for cheap eats. We tried out some coffee at Queen Street Coffee Stand to complement the lovely breakfast of toast with jam we had at our hostel.

Chinatown

No, Chinatown, we promise we did not forget you. Being the recovering vegetarians that we are, with a tendency to relapse, we stopped for lunch at Organic Veg, where we sampled a variety plate.

After lunch we perused the stalls in Chinatown for snacks and souvenirs and bought some blended juice and key chains. Then we stopped for coffee round two at Nanyang Old Coffee, which showcases a Singapore Coffee Museum in the back. Here we decided to finally withdraw more money from the ATM and go to the Asian Civilizations Museum (completely worth it by the way) before catching our flight back to Thailand.

More Food Lovin'

If those digs aren't enough for you, here's a compilation of websites about restaurants in Singapore to help you plan your own Snack Crawl. Or you can do what we did and use your gut. Get it? Use your gut. ;)

Bon Appétit!

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About the Author: Kelsi is currently finishing up her service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand and enjoys plotting travel adventures, reading books and eating delicious food. Read more on her blog, Some Sojourns, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter @SomeSojourns.

Planning for Hawaii on a Budget: Oahu

Very rarely do you look at the itinerary of a budget traveler or backpacker and see a tropical Pacific island listed there.

Why? It probably has to do with the cost of getting to the island and staying there. If the phrase "paradise" shows up, most likely so will the dollar signs. But that doesn't mean a budget traveler cannot afford the experience.

Ko Olina lagoon on Oahu (photo: Michelle Maria, Pixabay) — Ko Olina lagoon on Oahu (photo: Michelle Maria)

Even famous (and pricey) destinations like Hawaii can be done on a budget if you do your homework and plan.

I've been preparing for a week-long trip to Oahu and have a solid plan on how to stick to my budget while still experiencing as much of Hawaii as possible.

Here's what I've learned about planning a budget-friendly trip to Hawaii, specifically Oahu.

Get a Deal on Airfare

If you're like me and heading to Hawaii from the East Coast, airfare will cost a big chunk of change.

Even flying from the West Coast isn't cheap. The key here is to keep an eye on flights across various airlines and booking sites early on.

Waikiki Beach (photo: skeeze, Pixabay) — Waikiki Beach

Using a site like Skyscanner with a 'check whole month' feature is helpful because it shows when the cheapest day to travel is.

I kept an eye on Skyscanner for weeks before I booked my flight and eventually bought a round-trip ticket from Pittsburgh to Honolulu for $650, including tax and flight insurance.

The trade-off was extra layovers, but that's a compromise I was willing to make.

Use the Skyscanner search box to find the best flight deal; you might be surprised at what you see! Also, be sure to download the Skyscanner app.

Related: How To Find Cheap Flights

Have a Home Base

While island-hopping in Hawaii probably sounds appealing, it makes much more sense financially to pick one island and stick to it.

Waikiki Beach is a good place to stay when planning for Hawaii on a budget (photo: yestoforever, Pixabay) — Waikiki Beach - Honolulu, Oahu (photo: yestoforever)

Airfares from one island to another aren't cheap -- for example, going from Oahu to Kona on the Big Island can set you back $150.

Exploring only one island means you can devote more time to it and travel more slowly. If you decide to go this one-island-only route, I suggest Oahu, home to Honolulu's state capital.

Yes, Honolulu is probably the most touristy city in Hawaii. But it is also the largest city in the state, meaning there's the most opportunity to find ways to save money.

Don't Rent a Car

Oahu, and Honolulu especially, has what I'm told is a pretty reliable transportation system called The Bus. You can go anywhere by bus for $2.50 one-way.

Road to Hana (photo: nlang06, Pixabay) — Road to Hana (photo: nlang06)

Or, if you're planning to stick around for a few days, purchase a 4-day pass for $25, which gets you unlimited rides on any regular and express buses.

This, I think, is the way to go. It will save you money on rental car fees and gas (which is expensive in Hawaii), and you'll even help the environment.

Stay in Hostels

Yes, Oahu DOES have hostels! Many Honolulu hostels are around Waikiki Beach, which means they are close to restaurants, nightlife, transportation, and inviting Pacific waters.

Diamond Head mountain and Waikiki beach (photo: alemus, Pixabay) — Diamond Head mountain and Waikiki beach (photo: alemus)

If you're willing to sacrifice room service and book a dorm bed, you can get the same views in a hostel for a fraction of what you'd pay at Waikiki hotels.

Where to Stay in Honolulu - Waikiki

Polynesian Hostel Beach Club - Beds start at $26 in the 6-person dorms; semi-private and private rooms are also available, with a studio costing $75.

Perks include free Wi-Fi; complimentary snorkels, masks, and beach gear; and surfboard and bike rentals for an extra charge.

Check Price & Availability at Hostelworld.com

Waikiki Beachside Hostel - standard rates average $34 per bed in the dorms. Semi-private rooms are also available. Perks include free Wi-Fi, surfboard and moped rental (extra charge), and discounted tours.

Check Price & Availability at Hostelworld.com

Hostelling International Honolulu - Beds start at $25 per night for members ($28 for non-members); private rooms are available for $58 for members ($64 for non-members). Perks include proximity to the beach and free boogie boards and sports equipment.

Check Price & Availability at Hostelworld.com

We also recommend checking out Hotels Combined, a meta-aggregator that searches across popular booking sites and compares the best deals.

It's worth a look, as any time you can score a sweet hotel deal for what you'd be paying at a hostel or close to it!

Click here to search on Hotels Combined.

Staying in a hostel will save you a lot of money (even the private rooms are less than half what you'd pay at a hotel), and you'll also have the opportunity to meet travelers from around the world.

Get Some Sun

Sitting on the beach, soaking up some sun, and people-watching won't cost anything.

Many hostels even provide free beach equipment like beach mats, boogie boards, and snorkeling gear that you can take advantage of.

Waikiki Beach, Honolulu (photo: skeeze, Pixabay) — Waikiki Beach, Honolulu

On the weekend, check out sunset on the beach at Waikiki, where a free movie is shown on a giant 30-foot screen, and local bands perform before the sun goes down.

And, if the crowds at Waikiki aren't to your liking, hop a bus and head off to any of Oahu's other beautiful beaches.

Head to Hanauma Bay for some of the best snorkeling in Hawaii, or check out Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay, and Banzai Pipeline on Oahu's North Shore for some of the best surfing in the world.

If you're on Oahu during the late fall/early winter months, you could probably spend days just watching surfers tackle 30-foot swells at the North Shore.

Related: The Beauty of Oahu

Free and Cheap Things to Do

You can pay $80 to attend a kitschy luau or take a bus tour around the island.

But there are plenty of other things across Oahu that you can do for free or for little cost. For example, consider the following. Everything below is things to do in Oahu with kids, too.

First Friday in Honolulu

On the first Friday of every month, crowds gather in Chinatown for free art exhibits, entertainment, and restaurant specials.

Free Lessons

If you want to see some hula or learn some moves, consider checking out the Royal Hawaiian shopping center in downtown Honolulu.

They offer free hula lessons, lei-making classes, and even weekday ukulele lessons. At 6 p.m. every weeknight, there's a free hula show.

Pearl Harbor

It's hard for me to imagine visiting Honolulu without making the trip to Pearl Harbor, where the Japanese attacked the U.S. on December 7, 1941.

It's easy to get to by bus, and there's a lot worth seeing. The USS Arizona Memorial and Museum are free, as are the Bowfin Park Outdoor Exhibits and Submarine Memorial.

Touring the USS Bowfin Submarine costs $10, and visiting the USS Missouri Battleship costs $20. You can tack on a visit to the Pacific Aviation Museum for another $20.

Don't bother paying for a guided tour, however. You can go it yourself or rent audio tours for a few dollars.

Hiking Diamond Head

If you're the outdoors type, hiking up this extinct volcanic crater should probably end up on your list. You can take a bus to Diamond Head and pay $1 for the hike.

It's a moderately strenuous hike, but you'll be rewarded at the top with panoramic views of Honolulu.

Related: Popular Hikes on Oahu

The Dole Plantation

Ever wondered what a pineapple plantation looks like? Well, you can visit one in Wahiawa.

Admission to the grounds is free, but the Pineapple Garden Maze is one of the main attractions. Try your luck in it for $6.

Iolani Palace

Built in 1882, this palace in downtown Honolulu was once the official residence of Hawaii's monarchy. Take a self-led audio tour for $12.

Whale Watching

During the winter months, whales are aplenty in Hawaii's waters. And while some operations charge $100+ for a sightseeing/whale watching tour, you can go for as low as $30 on the Star of Honolulu, a 4-story cruise ship, if you book an early-morning excursion.

There are, of course, many other ways to save money in Hawaii. Eating at local restaurants, cooking meals, ignoring kitschy souvenirs, or finding a friend to stay with can also help you keep expenses down.

But the moral of the story here is that anyone can afford Hawaii if they plan for it - even budget travelers.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Russia

Contrary to popular belief, Russia does not consist of just two parts, the first being the Kremlin with the Red Square and the second one being the vast and untamable Siberia much publicized by Hollywood films.

In this post, we'll shed light on some characteristics of the country. Here are ten things you didn't know about Russia.

1. Let's start with the simple truth. Bears do not walk down the streets in Russia. It's a difficult reality to come to terms with, but sometimes the truth hurts.

The same goes for kangaroos in Australia and moose in Sweden.

2. It's not always cold in Russia and certainly not everywhere. The South of Russia is warmer than most European countries; there are also palms growing in some areas near the Black Sea (which means the climate there is subtropical).

In the summer, the South of Russia (Krasnodar region, for instance) has an average temperature of 32-35C, reaching 40-43C from time to time; in the winter, the temperature is rarely below zero and snowfalls are extraordinary.

Also for public transportation as a transport collapse usually follows each snowfall.

3. It has woods, steppe, taiga, tundra, but less known is the fact that Russia has a desert as well, namely the Caspian lowland desert (besides the Caspian Sea that is actually a lake) that looks exactly like the Sahara desert.

4. Oh, the Transsiberian! The Transsiberian Railway trip is on many a traveler's to-do list; however, some don't do their research correctly, and once on the train, they realize there are no showers on the trains that serve the Transsiberian.

Well, there are showers on the luxurious train specifically tailored for foreigners who can afford to pay for it, but it's not a real experience anyway!

You're going to have to think of ways of how to take an improvised shower with the help of a sink and make use of a lot of wet wipes, but chances are you're still going to stink once you're at your destination.

Still part of the charm, though, right?

5. This one is a personal favorite. Not all Russians drink vodka. And in a broader sense, not all Russians are alcoholics.

In fact, the Irish and the Germans and the French and perhaps a dozen other nations consume much more alcohol per capita than Russians.

Sure, in some remote villages almost cut off from civilization with a high unemployment rate, people drink more than in big cities, but really, not in the amounts portrayed by the media.

And while I'm on the subject, Russians don't say "Na Zdorov'ye!" before drinking.

It's either a short toast proposing to drink for the meeting/evening/long-standing friendship/somebody's birthday or a long(ish) toast at a wedding or anniversary highlighting all positive characteristics of the toasted person or persons.

Also, keep in mind that as of several years ago, drinking is not allowed in public places. If you violate this law, be prepared to cash out either officially or unofficially.

6. Continuing the topic of vices, cigarettes are quite cheap in Russia. A pack of Marlboro will cost you $1.37 (1 euro); therefore, it's not unpopular to stock up on cigarettes here.

However, don't forget that one person is not allowed to have more than 200 cigarettes (10 packs) on them at the time of crossing the border.

But you guessed it. It's not uncommon to purchase more than that and then ask your fellow passengers to help you out with a couple of hundreds of cigarettes for the duration of your flight/ride.

7. What do Russians eat? Well, of course, borsch, pelmeni, bliny, and caviar, what else?

In reality, of course, the food selection is a bit more diverse than that. However, borsch remains a favorite dish of many a Russian.

But did you know, for instance, that borsch can be green?

Yes, the standard version includes cabbage, root-beet, carrots, potatoes, and sometimes meat; however, the green borsch is made from sorrel, parsley, potato, and egg and is deemed the summer version, better served cold.

Not to be missed on a hot summer day.

8. Russian hospitality is either overrated or a myth altogether.

The truth is, Russia was cut off from the entire planet for so long that in some federal subjects (and there are 83 of them) when people see a foreigner, they can hardly contain their excitement and want to get to know this person, find out if they're real or not and if the grass is greener on the other side.

Thus the invitations, the openness, the chats, and all that is referred to as Russian hospitality.

This is not to say that homo homini lupus est and every man is for himself, but it's just that this hospitality exists thanks to the Iron Curtain.

9. The Soviet Union ceased existing almost 20 years ago and yet some of the leftovers of that time are still ever-present.

For example, queues are a Russian reality. Want to send a postcard to your family from the post office? Or maybe buy a ticket for the subway?

Well, be prepared to wait in a line of rushed and unhappy people who seem to want to push you or throw a demeaning look at you all the time.

The one advice is: breathe! And don't let those cunning people with "I just have a small question to ask" squeeze ahead of you, otherwise standing in queues will be your full-time job.

10. Most Russians approve of the government and the tandem in charge.

But that's because the media is under full control of the government, and most people only know what they are told and they are told what somebody wants them to know.

Therefore, they are convinced that they have a democracy and that they are well taken care of.

In any case, a political discussion is not recommended, at least not with people you just met.

___________

About the Author: Irina Sazonova is Russian by place of birth and passport, but prefers to think of herself and other fellow bloggers as citizens of the world. Currently based in Europe, Irina documents her travels in her blog Online Hiatus, http://onlinehiatus.blogspot.com. Follow her on Twitter @onlinehiatus.

Ultralight Packing List for Japan

What's in my backpack - Japan trip — All the stuff going in my backpack (does not include clothes I'll be wearing, phone, watch, and camera).

For my first big adventure of 2011, I'm taking a 12-day Winter trip to Japan. I have two personal goals in mind, packing light and sticking to a budget.

First and foremost, I want to travel light. Really light. My packing list is almost finalized, and it's by far the smallest amount of stuff I've taken on an international trip.

I've always thought of myself as being on the lighter side of the packing spectrum.

However, I've been noticing the minimalist travel bloggers around the interwebs, which has inspired me to challenge myself, at least for this trip.

To recap a few advantages to the "less is more" philosophy as it relates to international travel:

No need to check your backpack on flights.
Less physical stress from carrying the backpack.
Your backpack takes up less space on trains and buses.
If Couchsurfing, your stuff won't unintentionally take over your host's home (especially important in Japan where apartments are small).
It's easier to account for your belongings.

Here's a breakdown of my ultralight packing list for Japan:

20-year old LL Bean backpack
HP laptop w/AC cord
500 GB external hard drive (photo storage)
Blackberry Curve cell phone
Canon S90 camera w/soft case and battery charger
16 GB SanDisk SD card
2 GB SD card (back up)
Flip UltraHD video camera
Amazon Kindle w/leather case
Creative Style 8 GB mp3 player w/earphones
Casio Pathfinder watch
Petzl Zipka LED headlamp
2 different types of USB cords
GoLite jacket
GoLite hoody
Black cardigan sweater
Mountain Hardwear short sleeve shirt
REI long sleeve shirt
Zombie Fest t-shirt
Volcom board shorts
2 pairs of boxers (testing out a pair from Exofficio)
2 pairs of SmartWool socks
Merrell sneakers
Beanie hat
Oakley sunglasses
Custom earplugs
Money belt w/passport, Japan Railpass, cash, business cards
2 Sea to Summit dry sacks
MSR Packtowl
2000 Lonely Planet Japan (borrowed from a friend), and pen for scribbling
Trial size toiletries in a 1-liter Ziploc bag (not pictured)

Originally the board shorts were for the spas, but I was recently told the guys go "au natural." I'm going to bring them anyway as they're lightweight.

Even though it's Winter, I'm counting on several layers to keep me warm versus a heavy jacket. I hope I don't regret that once I land in Tokyo!

As much as I'd like to leave the giant paperback guidebook at home, flipping pages still seem faster and easier than navigating an ebook.

How to Be a Local in Kenya

"Habari gani" is the most common greeting in Kenya, and it doesn't mean "hello."

The direct translation is more along the lines of "what's the news of the day," or in other words, "how's it going?"

It's a friendly invitation to say a little more, explain something personal or just express what happens to be on your mind.

Being friendly and halting a busy schedule in order to hang out with friends is the first step in how to be a local in Kenya! Master the first step and the other steps will fall into place!

Don't Worry About Time

In Kenya, there's absolutely no need to worry about or even know the time.

As in much of Africa, things just fall in to place at the right moment, and there's no need to rush the process.

Learn to Carry Things on Your Head

It's not a joke, most people in Kenya (and all of Africa) are experts at carrying things on their heads.

It doesn't matter if it's a bucket full of water, a simple notebook or a takeaway lunch, it's much more convenient and resourceful to carry it on your head.

Think about all the relief it gives your hands!

Start Speaking Sheng (Kenyan Slang)

Sheng is a mixed combination of Swahili, English and tribal African languages that developed and currently evolves on the streets of Nairobi.

There are a host of “wazup,” style greeting like sema, sasa, walapa, and instead of saying “How are you?” the correct lingo is “Is how you guy?”

Many words are shortened or spoken lazily, as with most slang around the world.

Drink Your Beverages Warm

It doesn't matter if it's beer, soda or water, refrigeration or the electricity to power it, are not Kenya's most reliable amenities.

This poses no problem for Kenyans because beer is much more appealing in its room temperature state.

To be Kenyan means learning to drink and crave a warm, refreshing beer!

Ride Matatus

The public minibusses that prowl the streets of Nairobi, known as Matatu's, are rowdy, chaotic, and usually entertaining.

In addition to the roller coaster ride provided, many are hooked up with the latest jua kali (fix anything) sound systems and speakers that you can feel!

Nyama Choma Fat!

There's nothing more Kenyan than eating chunks of pure enriching glutinous animal fat!

Eating roasted meat, known as nyama choma, is a popular past time in Kenya and something everyone enjoys.

After waiting for the meat to finish grilling, the waiter comes to the table and slices up the meat on a chopping board.

The man of respect has the initial honor to indulge in the transparent pieces of fat!

Greet Everyone With a Handshake

Greetings are a crucial part of Kenyan culture, and handshakes always accompany a “habari.”

Kenyan handshakes are not the firm Western style shakes that hurt your hand, but just a soft squeeze of acknowledgment.

For utmost respect, shake with the right hand and support your elbow with your left hand.

Don't Ever Throw Anything Away (It Can and Will Be Fixed)

Those flip flops that broke at the toe, your ancient lawn mower, or even your busted radiator, can and will be fixed by a jua kali method.

Jua kali, which means “hot/fierce sun,” is used to describe fix-it men that use their creativity and inspiration to repair anything and everything.

Their innovative strategies which often involve welding and banging, are not always the best quality, but they have a high rate of short term success!

Drink Chai Sweet

Dessert is not a big part of the Kenyan diet, so when it's time to drink Kenyan style tea, make sure it is super sweet.

Add about three tablespoons to make a proper cup of Kenyan chai.

Walk Around With a Radio

Kenyans love music, but they're not always listening to Kenyan music, many love Lingala music from Congo.

It's a common practice to walk around, battery fed radio in hand, and groove or sing along to the high pitched Congolese guitars.

Despite these cultural ways to blend into the Kenyan culture, it's nice to know that the most essential way to become a local in Kenya is to enjoy the company of others, be friendly and always love a good laugh.

Learning a few of these cultural practices may never make you an authentic Kenyan, but you can be assured that locals will smile, be accepting, and laugh with you!

Souvenir Saturday: Dragon Tea Cup

During my time in Chengdu, China I drank a lot of tea. Once I realized the tea shop people love to have tourists do a tea tasting with them, I ducked into those shops left and right. When I was getting ready to leave the city, I figured a tea cup would be the perfect reminder of my time there.

The more expensive cups and pots are made of clay, and look fairly dull and plan. I learned that they can absorb the flavor of the tea you use with them. For that reason, it's recommended you only drink a specific tea out of the cup, such as black, or green.

Because I couldn't see myself committing to just one tea, I bought the cup above. I was born in the year of the dragon, and my favorite color is blue, so it was meant to be.

Weekend Getaway to the Greek Island of Rhodes

Winter holidays to the Greek island of Rhodes are becoming a standard fixture for many holidaymakers looking for sun, sea, and sand during harsh winters.

Rhodes is a beautiful Mediterranean island that boasts spectacular sandy beaches and crystal clear waters.

The beaches on the Greek island of Rhodes — The beaches of Rhodes Town, Greece

With numerous attractions and architecture dating from 200 BC, Rhodes' historical and religious sites make it a city that must be explored!

Rhodes' Old Town provides its visitors with an abundance of historical attractions.

With traditional street lamps and a medieval street look to complement its traditional shops and stalls, there is something for everybody, from traditional local jewelry to pottery.

Known for having the best shopping, Rhodes' Old Town also provides a range of modern and classic antique goods.

Outlets selling wine and traditional Greek olive oil and gift shops selling cheap souvenirs are also available in the Old Town.

Located not too far from the Old Town is the stunning beach of Faliraki.

With sunbeds, umbrellas, restaurants, sports facilities, and beach bars, Faliraki beach is perfect for holidaymakers looking to soak up the endless rays of sunshine and partake in adventurous watersports.

Lindos temple ruins on Rhodes in Greece — Lindos temple ruins

Watersports such as scuba diving and surfing are key activities that make this Mediterranean island a top holiday choice for families, singles, and couples.

Top attractions include the ancient Hellenic acropolis of Rhodes, which sits on a hill in the western part of Rhodes.

Once consisting of prominent temples, public buildings, and underground vaults, this famous attraction dates back to the 2nd century BC and continues attracting numerous tourists to its ruins.

As one of the liveliest islands in Greece, Rhodes provides a varied nightlife with dance clubs, bars, and bouzouki clubs.

Additionally, there are several dance theatres for those looking for different entertainment.

The town of Rhodes is picturesque, with many wonders, archaeological sites, and natural beauty spots. The best beaches are located on the east coast between Faliraki and Lindos.

Holidays to Rhodes are increasing in popularity. As winter gets colder, many holidaymakers flock to the Greek islands, and Rhodes remains a top holiday choice.

Gili Trawangan: Indonesia's #1 Island Paradise

Welcome to my Indonesia island paradise -- Gili Trawangan off the coast of Lombok.

Small enough to walk around in an hour and a half, it attracts a wide range of travelers seeking a little slice of heaven.

The island is packed with dive shops and has become a popular spot to get PADI certified.

Snorkeling is also an option, as is renting a bicycle, however, if you decide to simply spend your days lounging around, you'll be in good company.

It only takes 1 hour to ride around the entire island of Gili Trawangan by bicycle.

Fresh seafood — This display of fresh seafood is what catches everyone's attention as they walk past The Beachhouse restaurant. Check out those lobsters!

On my first night, my friend and I met a bunch of people at The Beachhouse restaurant, and we returned several times during our stay.

Shrimp in garlic butter sauce — Shrimp doused in garlic butter sauce with rice.

A band of locals — A band made up of local island musicians entertain the patrons of Sama Sama bar.

Traditional wooden boats, with the nearby sister island of Gili Meno in the background.

Horse-drawn cart — For about $5, visitors can go for rides on horse-drawn carts, known as a cidomos. There are no cars or motorbikes on the island.

Internet shop — Despite the advertising, the internet speeds at this shop were not lightning fast, however, it's good enough to check e-mail.

Watch your favorite movie in a hut — These huts have a few mats, and little television and DVD players in the yellow boxes. Order a crepe or ice cream, and you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a movie. This is where I watched Superbad for the first time.

Chai tea and a croissant at Scallywags — Friends referred me to Scallywags restaurant for the best chai tea on the island.

Hut on a deserted beach - Gili Trawangan — I took this photo after enjoying a cup of tea with two British girls. It felt as though we had the whole side of the island to ourselves.

Job Opening: Feature Blogger

In fall 2009, I began accepting contributions on Go Backpacking. Since then, I've had the chance to feature dozens of bloggers and work with quite a few regularly, including Danielle, who has been helping from an editorial standpoint for almost a year.

It has been a rewarding experience for me, for the blog, and, hopefully, for everyone who has shared their writing and photography. In 2011, I'd like to bring on a Feature Blogger. This is a paid position, and can be done from anywhere in the world.

What I'm Looking For

I want to build a long-term relationship with a travel blogger to help grow Go Backpacking's audience and reach. I'm looking for someone who can commit to at least 6 months if they're accepted for the role.

The blogger would be responsible for one post per week, published on the busier traffic days (Mon/Tues/Wed) for maximum exposure. Topics will be brainstormed together and will be a mix of ideas from both the blogger and the editor-in-chief (me).

Please review the submission guidelines and archive to get a feel for the format and types of posts being published on the blog.

In addition, it's expected that the Feature Blogger will actively promote their posts via social media (esp. Facebook, Twitter) and respond to comments left not only on their posts but also on all posts that appear on Go Backpacking. (Not every single post...the idea is to help foster comments across the blog, not just their contributions.)

The Benefits

Competitive payment on a per-post basis.
Complimentary membership to Travel Blog Success.
Regular exposure to Go Backpacking's audience (Jan 2011: 100k+ page views & 5,000 subscribers).
Allowed to use contextual links to their own blog if/when appropriate (Go Backpacking is PR 5).
Author Bio box under each post, including links to personal blog and social media.
Listed on the About page as a Feature Blogger.

Skills Required

Knack for recognizing "social media friendly" topics.
Understand the basics of Search Engine Optimization.
"Blogger's level" understanding of WordPress - enough to navigate your way around the WP admin panel, upload photos, etc.
Ability to research and source your own content - you will review new topics with the editor-in-chief (me) each week before drafting the post, or month if you prefer to submit a month's worth of posts at once.
Ability to source your own photos - preferably using your own whenever possible. If you are familiar with photo editing, Lightroom, or other software, please mention this when applying.
Timeliness: You must consistently meet your weekly deadline without exception.

Compensation

Payment will be competitive and paid via PayPal on the last day of each month.

To Apply

Stage 1

Email me with:

Your travel experience (countries where you visited and/or lived).
Subject areas of interest/expertise.
3 examples of your best/most popular posts from 2010, either on your blog or another (URLs only).
3 suggested "social media friendly" article topics.
Preferred pay
Availability
And a few sentences about yourself and why you're a perfect fit for this job.

The deadline to apply is 10 pm EST, Sunday, January 30, 2011.

Stage 2

If after Stage 1 it looks like you would be a good fit, then I will ask you to write a post based on one of your suggested articles. This post will be published on Go Backpacking as a trial run (think of it as an audition).

Only the person who is ultimately hired for the position will receive compensation for the trial post.

10 Unforgettable Destinations for 2011

With the holidays behind us and resolutions long forgotten, it's time to turn our attention to the year ahead.

To provide a bit of inspiration, we've chosen ten unforgettable destinations along with thoughts from experienced travel bloggers to let you know what you can expect.

Despite being locations all over the world, they have one thing in common. You'll have a fantastic story to share when you return home.

1. Iraq

Northern Iraq is an area that travelers are slowly starting to enter as stability increases in the region.

While it isn't for the novice, it is considered a safe area to visit.

Anil Polat of foXnoMad has recently visited and written extensively on the safety and his experience in the region.

As one of my followers on Twitter said, northern Iraq isn't as dangerous as you've heard but not as safe as you'd like. So many of the things I read about the place were inaccurate and just about everything I had preconceived was wrong too - if that isn't a good reason to travel and see things firsthand, I don't know what is.

Check out foXnoMad's post What's it like to travel in Northern Iraq

2. Croatia

With a sprawling coastline and castle-dotted hillsides, Croatia is quickly becoming a favorite destination among budget travelers.

While in the heart of the Balkans, the country has all the charm of Italy to the East.

Caroline of Caroline in the City fell in love with the familiarity this European destination:

I love Croatia because it has all the things you love about Italy- winding cobblestone streets, breathtaking ocean views, delicious food- without the hefty price tag.

Check out Caroline in the City's post: I left my heart in split

Crusader castle at Krak des Chevalier in Syria

3. Syria

One of the larger states in the Middle East, Syria, receives mixed reactions due to its conflict with the United States.

However, those who choose to see past political conflict find a country rich with history.

Jonathan from Retrospective Traveller was taken with one of many historical sites in Syria:

Syria is like a pop-up book of history with it's ancient ruins, castles, medieval souqs, beautiful mosques, and of course, Damascus - one of the oldest cities in the world. It was the Roman ruins at Resafa, Bosra, and Palmyra that attracted me to Syria, but it was the mighty Crusader castle at Krak des Chevalier that blew me away...

Check out Retrospective Traveller's post: Up at the KraK of dawn… Krak des Chevaliers that is!

4. Nicaragua

The days of Nicaragua's violent and revolutionary past are long gone, making way for a new era of peaceful politics.

Wedged in between popular Guatemala and Costa Rica, Nicaragua provides a beautiful landscape for a budget traveler's dream price.

Michael from Go See Write visited the area and was pressed to find any faults:

Nicaragua has some of the friendliest people in Latin America, photogenic cities, a good variety of activites, and although some of the roads are horrible, the magnificent sunsets make up for any negatives.

Check out Go See Write's post: Trip to San Juan del Sur

5. China

With the world's largest population and the diversity to match, traveling in China can be intimidating for even the experienced traveler.

Organized tours throughout the country are becoming more popular, and independent travelers are finding it easier as the country grows its tourism industry.

Due to its large size and population, Monica of A Pair of Panties and Boxers found the country appropriately complex and summed up the essence of traveling there:

Traveling through China is like being in two places at once - the past & the present.

6. Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a country often misunderstood, evoking images of barren landscapes and food drops.

But Ethiopia is a land of extremes, and there is so much more to see.

However, it is not for the faint-hearted; traveling can be stressful but also rewarding for those seeking adventure.

Dave and Deb from The Planet D shared their thoughts on the misconceptions of Ethiopia:

When people think of Ethiopia, they still envision famine and drought. But go there and it will surprise you. The Great Rift Valley and the Blue Nile River runs through the country filling it with rich vegetation and abundant wildlife. A mountainous land, Ethiopia offers remarkable scenery accentuated by its landscape like the Blue Nile Gorge seen here.

Check out The Planet D's post: What it's like to Cycle in Ethiopia on the Tour d'Afrique

7. Cuba

Many are flocking to see this forbidden island before the US embargo is lifted.

Whether you travel to a resort or make your way independently, the people will surely leave a lasting impression.

Andi from My Beautiful Adventures comments on the undeniable energy in Cuba:

Surrounded by tropical heat, the beat of salsa music, dilapidated architecture, and the constant presence of political unease; in Cuba I had the constant feeling that something was just about to occur, because in a place so full of uncertainty the only thing that was for sure was that something inevitably would happen.

Check out My Beautiful Adventures' post: Cuba Day 4, Part 2

The Andes in Venezuela — Amongst the Andes Mountains in Venezuela.

8. Venezuela

One of the more controversial destinations, particularly for Americans, travelers continue to visit Venezuela.

Although the country is in ruins, with its infrastructure falling into disrepair, the vast amounts of oil that the country is blessed with continue to keep the country together.

Marcello from Wandering Trader was born in Venezuela and has lived around the world. He warns that due to the collapsing economy, the dangers of the country, and most importantly, its capital, are very real.

If visiting Venezuela extra precautions should be taken including not wearing jewelry or fancy shoes, traveling in groups, and very rarely going out at night unless you are in a big group. The desperation in Venezuela is dire but if you are willing to arise to the challenge some of the highlights include Margarita Island, the Angel Falls, and the cozy city of Merida.

Check out Wandering Trader's post: Top 5 Venezuela Attractions

9. Czech Republic

If the Czech Republic were a person, it wouldn't be old enough to drink in the United States legally.

Somehow this young country, particularly its capital of Prague, quickly became a darling of European travel.

Tourists spend days wandering from cathedral to castle basking in one of the world's most beautiful cities.

Chris from The Aussie Nomad recently visited Prague noted its popularity:

Prague is cheap, fun and amazingly beautiful. By day you can explore Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and wander the streets getting lost in the city. Then by night, enjoy the various pub crawls and night life that so many backpackers are fast discovering. Nearby you will also find the ghoulish Bone Chapel in Kutna Hora, a day trip worth your time of day.

Check out The Aussie Nomad's post: Kutna Hora and the Bone Chapel

Glaciers in Antarctica — Antarctica's landscape is filled with towering glaciers of blue ice.

10. Antarctica

Antarctica is a land of legend, folklore, and extreme. It's a dream destination for many who count passport stamps and want to push their next adventure.

But unlike the early explorers, getting to Antarctica is much easier if you have a bit of extra cash to spend.

Brendan from Brendan's Adventures recent trip lived up to his expectations:

Some people come to Antarctica for penguins, others come so that they can tell others that they've been to all 7 continents, but no matter what their reasons for coming may have been, it is the sheer beauty of the experience that will have them talking about it for years.

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About the Author: Ayngelina left a great job, boyfriend, apartment, and friends to find inspiration in Latin America. Read about her adventures at Bacon is Magic and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

All photos are courtesy of the respective bloggers.

The Palace of the Snow Queen (Book Review)

If it wasn't food, I didn't buy it. That was my rule for my solo cross-country road trip, and I could not afford exceptions.

I did, however, succumb to the allure of a new book.

After wandering around Boulder that morning and Colorado's capital all afternoon, I was almost relieved when it started to rain since it gave me a reason to seek refuge in the second-hand bookstore I'd heard so much about, the Tattered Cover.

The original building holds a seemingly endless number of books within the walls of its five floors.

I worked my way up to the third, where the travel section was, and sat down with the first book that caught my eye, The Palace of the Snow Queen.

Within 10 seconds, I was hooked; within 10 minutes, I also had to own.

Appealing to lovers of travel, history, and culture, Barbara Sjoholm explores all that Scandinavia offers-light, darkness, cold, ice, snow, and people.

Within three winters, she visits the Ice Hotel (Jukkasjarvi, Sweden), Kiruna (Sweden), Santa's Post Office (Finland), and many Sami homes in and around the cities of focus.

She exposes the reader to the beauty of Lapland and the tensions among culture, politics, language, environment, tourism, and economics.

It is genuinely fascinating yet not once overwhelming with information or detail.

Sjoholm writes in a vivid and lively way that makes the fictional Palace of the Snow Queen as real as the frigid and snowy landscapes of northern Norway and Finland.

She teaches, analyzes, and explores the region with such finesse that I'd be lying if I told you that amid my recent Central American experience, I somewhat long for the chill of Scandinavia.

She creates a real yet magical landscape that is both intriguing and satisfying.

What better time than now-the snowiest of winters in the States-than to curl up with a hot cup of tea and discover the honest beauty in The Palace of the Snow Queen.

How to Buy a Tibetan Thangka in Nepal

Wheel of Life thangka — The Wheel of Life is shown in this Tibetan Thangka

I've bought a lot of cheap trinkets in my travels, like the infamous Thai Beer Can Tuk-Tuk, but there is one souvenir that makes up for all my episodes of bad judgment -- a Tibetan thangka I bought in Kathmandu, Nepal.

While it's the most beautiful piece of art I own, it's also by far the most expensive souvenir I've ever purchased.

Thangkas are traditional Tibetan cloth paintings, framed with embroidered silk.

The paintings typically depict the Buddha, other Deities, mandalas, the Wheel of Life (as you see in the photos here) or other important scenes from Tibetan Buddhism.

Full of symbolism, they are hung around monasteries and homes to illustrate Buddha's teachings, as well as for decoration.

Before leaving home, I had encountered thangkas at a Washington, DC Buddhist center and at a DC shop that sold crafts from the Himalaya.

In that shop, there was a limited choice of thangkas, and the prices were around $500 apiece.

I wanted one badly. However, I knew I could get one for less if I went to the source -- Tibet.

As it turned out, I never made it to Tibet.

I was in Chengdu, China, when riots broke out in Lhasa, and the border was closed to foreigners three days before I was to depart by train.

I had already visited Little Tibet in Chengdu, a street filled with Tibetan shops and monks.

Unfortunately, the majority of "thangkas" were just cheap prints, so I had to wait a little longer to see the real thing.

Once I landed in Kathmandu and settled in a guest house in the tourist ghetto known as Thamel, I began to explore.

The Nepalese people were friendly, and it wasn't long before I had shopkeepers inviting me into their stores to sit down for a cup of milk tea and look at whatever they were selling.

Ironically, Nepal probably has more Tibetan thangka artists and schools than Tibet now, given China's religious oppression has driven artists into exile.

In the beginning, I had a trek to focus on, so my thangka shopping had to be put on the backburner, but when I returned to Kathmandu toward the end of my stay in Nepal, I dedicated an entire day to shopping for the best thangka I could find.

I'm confident I found it, and for those who would like to shop for one as well, I have a few tips on how to buy a Tibetan thangka in Nepal.

>>> Planning a trip to Nepal? Check hotel deals on Travelocity.

Just the Tibetan thangka painting, minus the cloth frame — Just the painting, minus the cloth frame

6 Steps to Buying a Tibetan Thangka

1. Set a budget

And then be willing to break it. I paid three times what I initially thought I'd spend, but it was worth it.

Factors affecting the cost of a thangka include quality of painting, the skill of painter, size, and your ability to negotiate.

2. Select a subject

Select a subject in advance, or as early as possible in the shopping process.

Thangkas are hanging from shops all over Kathmandu and Pokhara, if not the rest of Nepal.

The sooner you can narrow down the subject you want to be depicted, the easier it will be to compare quality between shops.

3. Decide on the size

Think about the size of the thangka you want, inclusive of the embroidered frame.

Most of the paintings you'll browse will not be framed with the silk embroidery yet.

While you can frame a thangka like an ordinary painting, their traditional silk frames will distinguish them from other artwork you might have in your home.

The paintings are available in all sizes, and you can usually customize the width of the frame.

Note: It might take a day or two for the frame to be stitched together with the painting.

4. Allow yourself a few hours

Give yourself time to visit shops and thangka schools.

Talk with the shopkeepers. Ask questions about the stories and scenes depicted in the paintings.

Expect offers of tea to keep you in their shops. Accept the proposals as a courtesy. Enjoy the tea, but if they pressure you to buy, head for another shop.

5. Determine quality by looking closely at the lines

There are three general skill levels of thangka painters:

students
professionals
masters

You can discern the skill of the artist by looking closely at the lines, such as those used to make waves, clouds, and the faces of people, deities, and animals.

The finer and more precise the lines, the higher the skill involved.

A thangka painted by a master will cost more than one painted by a professional.

The student painted thangkas are the lowest quality, and therefore, the cheapest.

To start recognizing the minor differences between professional and master quality yourself (versus taking the salesman's word for it) look at a dozen or more thangkas of the same subject.

6. Negotiate before you buy

Once you've found the thangka you want, negotiate for it!

Nepalis expect this, and if you've already been to several shops, then by the time you pick the painting you want to buy, you will already have a good idea of the going rate for the same size and quality elsewhere.

Gold paint is used for the flames. When viewed at an angle, you can see the paint shimmer as it reflects light. — Gold paint used for flames; when viewed at an angle, the paint shimmers

A close-up view of the hell realm reflects attention to detail and fine lines. These are both qualities to look for when determining the quality of thangkas.

If you plan to continue traveling for an extended time, you will want to ship your thangka home.

To ensure delivery, I recommend using a courier service such as FedEx or DHL.

The thangka I bought was painted by a master, on the larger side, and included the two wooden rods for the frame, with metal tips.

I paid $75 to have it shipped via FedEx from Kathmandu to Virginia in the United States.

It arrived safe and sound, packaged in a cardboard tube thick enough that I could stand on it without it giving way.

My Tibetan thangka still hangs in my home today, and I always get joy out of seeing it all these years later.

How To See Argentina in 30 Days

Argentina is blessed with everything a country could ask for. The vast country has waterfalls and rainforests to the north, desert and mountains to the west, a seashore and animals to the east, and glaciers and mountains to the south. If you have the time, you could see all of Argentina in one whole month, 30-34 days, to be exact.

This itinerary doesn't include the off-the-beaten-track cities of Cordoba and Rosario, but with careful planning, you could see all the cities in 30-35 days (including travel time). What follows are my tips for visiting Argentina in 30 days.

Buenos Aires: 5 days

The presidential palace, Casa Rosada, in Buenos Aires (photo: Simon Mayer). — The presidential palace, Casa Rosada (photo: Simon Mayer)

This cosmopolitan city has everything you could ask for, from culture and the arts to a bustling nightlife and enough European charm to steal the heart of a Frenchman.

The itinerary below balances everything there is to do in Buenos Aires. If you prefer to experience the culture or even party your vacation away, you can do just that.

One day: Lo Boca, San Telmo, Puerto Madero
One day: architecture viewing/shopping - Ave 5 De Mayo & Ave Alvear
One day: Recoleta & Palermo - museums and shopping
One day: El Tigre
One day: nightlife and recovery

See also: Things to Do in Uruguay

Iguazu Falls: 3-4 days

Iguazu waterfalls in Argentina (photo: anyaivanova, iStock license). — Iguazu Falls (photo: anyaivanova)

One of the world's natural wonders, the Iguazu Falls is an absolute must when traveling through South America, much less Argentina. It could easily be considered one of the top Argentine tourist attractions.

While most people visit the Argentine side of the falls, the Brazilian side is just as beautiful. Getting a Brazilian visa is not as complicated as you would think, and most travelers only spend time on the Argentina side.

If you choose not to get a visa, cut the trip to three days. You only need one full day to see the Argentine side. That could be a combination of two half days or one full day-plan for 1-2 days of travel in and out of Iguazu City.

The helicopter ride from the Brazilian side is awe-inspiring and highly recommended.

One day: Argentina's side
One day: Brazil's side
One to two days: travel time

Salta: 6-7 days

This is Argentina's version of the American Southwest. If there were ever a place to experience culture shock, it's here. You can travel to small towns where the Inca Empire once existed and get a completely different view of Argentina.

One to two days: travel in and out of the city and view the city
Two days (north): Tilcara, Humahuaca, salt flats, the rock of 7 colors (add one day for Jujuy)
One day (south): Cachi
One day (south): Cafayate

Cordoba: 2 -3 days (optional)

The second-largest city in Argentina is home to various things to see. Near the city is a German town that hosts the second-largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany, and a museum is dedicated to Che Guevara.

Who wouldn't love to get to know one of the most controversial men of the twentieth century?

One day: Cordoba city
One day: German village/Che Guevara
One day: Travel in and out of the city

Rosario: 1.5 days (optional)

The third-largest city in Argentina boasts a unique river cruise that allows visitors to see parts of the country that are not shown online or in guidebooks. It is excellent for walking around and learning about the country's history with the flag monument.

One day: river cruise, city sightseeing
Half to one day: travel in and out of the city

Mar de Plata: 3 days

This is where locals go for vacation -- it is one of the top tourist destinations for Argentines. It's a great beach town to wind down and relax while you recharge your batteries.

One day: travel in and out
One to two days: exploring the city (recharge)

Puerto Madryn: 4 days

The animal lovers' paradise, interact with Penguins, dive with sea lions and whales, and even get inches from Elephant Seals.

One day: Punta Tombo & Punta Ninfas - penguins & elephant seals
One day: Peninsula Valdez - sea lions, penguins, coast sightseeing, bird watching
One day: Punta Piramides, Puerto Madryn sightseeing, diving with sea lions
One day: Trelew Dinosaur Museum, and in and out of the city

Ushuaia: 4 days

Ushuaia is the self-proclaimed southernmost city in the world. It is picturesque, laid-back, and full of tourist attractions. It is also the gateway to Antarctica, where you can take the trip of a lifetime.

One day: a tour of the bay, museums, and the city
One day: glacier climbing & Tierra del Fuego National Park
One day: Lake Country tour & end of the world train - not recommended
One day: travel time

El Calafate: 3 days

Home to Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the only growing glaciers in the world, many tourists can even see chunks of icebergs break off into the water. This unique event should be added to everyone's bucket list.

One day: cruise to the glacier and the city
One day: hiking and outdoor time
One day: travel time

Bariloche: 4 days

Lake Nahuel Huapi, Bariloche (photo: Maximoangel). — Lake Nahuel Huapi, Bariloche (photo: Maximoangel)

The Argentine version of Switzerland: snow-capped mountains, delicious chocolates, and great adventures for the whole family.

One day: a lake cruise and town
One day: Tronador Glacier
One day: misc sites, surrounding areas, and museums
One day: traveling in and out

Mendoza: 3 - 4 days

The Napa and Sonoma Valleys of Argentina provide excellent opportunities to taste some of the best wines of South America amongst endless fields of grapes.

The Andes Mountains' highest peak also provides excellent climbing and hiking opportunities.

One day: wine tour
One day: town & museums
One day: hiking and outdoor Activities
One day: travel in and out

Depending on your travel plans and preferences, you can see the entire country in less time. You can also save time and money by taking overnight buses to some cities that are 7-12 hours away from each other.

Also, be aware that hostel prices are incredibly high compared to other cities when traveling to Patagonia.

Don't forget to get information about traveling to Antarctica in Ushuaia, as this is the gateway to the vast continent.

Souvenir Saturday: Woven Bowl from Rwanda

Kigali Souvenir Shop — A new Kigali souvenir shop showcases art and handicrafts from around Rwanda.

After touring Rwanda for a week last April, my group returned to the capital city of Kigali to prepare for departure.

We stopped by a souvenir shop on opening night. Run by a women's collective, the shop sold traditional Rwandan crafts that were made by women all across the little East African nation. Items for sale included paintings, beaded jewelery, and woven bowls and placemats.

The idea was that by pooling their products in a central, well-trafficked location such as a shop in the capital, they'd be able to make more money than if they relied on foreigners to drive through their part of the country.

I was especially struck by the crafsmanship and colors of the woven bowls. To support a good cause, and pick up a reminder of my time in their friendly country, I bought a red and blue bowl.

Pretty enough to stand alone as decoration on a coffee table or wall, I also imagine it'd be perfect for holding fruit in a kitchen one day down the road.

As for the cost, I believe the large bowl pictured here was about $12. I bought a second, smaller one for a little less as a gift.

Lunch Atop the Swiss Alps on Schilthorn

During a one week swing through Switzerland two years ago, I took a bus from Interlaken to a train, to a tram which rose to an elevation of 10,000 feet amongst the jagged mountain peaks of the Swiss Alps.

My destination? A rotating restaurant on Schilthorn peak, which was built for the James Bond movie "Her Majesty's Secret Service." It was there that I enjoyed my one and only lunch atop the Swiss Alps.

View of (from right to left): Jungfrau (4,158m), Monch (4,099m), and Eiger (3,970m) mountains from atop Schilthorn.

Skiiers on Interlaken bus — An Interlaken bus loaded with Skiiers and their equipment. The scene reminded me of the old Warren Miller ski videos I use to watch as a kid. At the time, I dreamed of skiing in Switzerland, and the irony of not skiing once I made it as an adult was not lost on me!

The train to Interlaken — For those without a car, taking the train is one way to reach the tram to Schilthorn.

The rotating restaurant atop Schilthorn — The rotating restaurant built atop Schilthorn (10,000 feet) was the scene of the James Bond movie "His Majesty's Secret Service."

Out of bonunds — A warning sign greets skiers and snowboarders considering the off-piste (out of bounds) terrain atop Schilthorn.

The Swiss Alps — The mountain peaks of the Swiss Alps extend as far as the eye can see.

For lunch, I ordered Spatzli Delight: mini dumplings with homemade cheese spaetzle, bacon, roasted onions, and pear slices. And hot coffee to drink. It was as delicious as it looks!

Looking back at Schilthorn — A look back at Schilthorn from the descending tram. It was mid-afternoon, and the sun was already heading toward the western horizon.

Ski lift — A ski lift as seen from above on the tram. The little people on skis below helped to give me a sense of scale.

Ski village — On the way down from Schilthorn, I stopped midway to walk around a small ski village. There wasn't much to see except for a few small shops selling food to the skiers who rent condos up there.

Shantaram: An Epic Adventure in 1980's Bombay

Troy has invited me a half dozen times to visit India since he decided to meet up with our friend Christine there next month. It was a tempting invitation, given how much fun the three of us had in Medellin, but I replied that I wasn't ready. I needed more time to lapse, as though two and a half years isn't enough to recover from the stresses of travel on that great subcontinent.

Indian street food — Whatever they cooked up for me, I'm sure it was good.

I almost didn't go the first time, in 2008. I'd been talking to backpackers who made the trip from India, and most described Nepal as cleaner, the people friendlier. My anxieties were getting the best of me.

As luck or fate would have it, a Canadian woman appeared atop the Pokhara mountain where I was enjoying breakfast with a Himalayan view one morning. Her advice was to "go with the flow," as though the exact four words have been passed on to first-time travelers to India for generations.

Crowded streets of India — A typically crowded street in India includes several common forms of transport, such as auto-rickshaws, bicycle rickshaws, and motorbikes.

I made up my mind in that instant to see the country for myself. I spent 7 weeks crossing India from the northeast corners of Sikkim to the northwest border with Pakistan. And I had many amazing spiritual experiences until the poverty, inefficiencies, heat, pollution, cows, public urination, dust, and touts utterly exhausted me. When I flew from New Delhi to Thailand, I didn't see myself returning to India for years or decades, if ever.

Then I read these words a few weeks ago:

It took me a long time and most of the world to learn what I know about love and fate and the choices we make, but the heart of it came to me in an instant, while I was chained to a wall and being tortured. -- Shantaram

And with that irresistible opening salvo, I was immediately sucked into the world of an Australian escaped convict in 1980's Bombay. Gregory David Roberts was that convict, and Shantaram is the novel he wrote after ultimately being recaptured by police in Germany.

The actual events of the author's life were so dramatic that I read the book as though the whole story and all the characters were true to life. Of course they are not, however it's to the author's credit that he can take you along on such a wild ride, and get you feeling the emotional up's and down's of Lin, the protagonist. And there are many.

Train platform in New Delhi — Crowded train platform in New Delhi.

Immediately upon stepping off the bus in Bombay, Lin meets a tout named Prabakar, whose big smile he takes an immediate liking to, and thus, the adventures begin. In these first minutes in the city, he also encounters Karla, a Swiss woman who captures his heart.

After Lin is robbed, Prabakar invites him to live in the village where he grew up. There, he picks up the local language, which comes in useful throughout the years. Here, we experience the customs of rural life in a typical Indian village, and Prabakar's mother dubs Lin with the name Shantaram, meaning "man of peace."

Upon his return to Bombay, Lin goes to live in Prabakar's slum, which is about the only standard of living he can afford at the time. He starts to make money by helping tourists buy drugs -- hashish mostly.

Interestingly, he begins treating the slum-dwellers for minor illnesses and injuries out of his tiny home, which becomes a makeshift clinic. His descriptions of life in the slum were my favorite part of the book, as the author spent time living in a Bombay slum, operating a free clinic. He continues to pursue Karla, at least in his mind, because living in a slum is hardly conducive to building romantic relations, at least with a Western woman.

Trash in Gaya — A young girl walks down a trash-strew street in Gaya.

The book takes a significant turn when Lin gets picked up by the local police and imprisoned. As disturbing as the descriptions of the Indian prison were, this was also a part of the story I found riveting. Eventually, he's bailed out by a mafia kingpin, at which point he goes to work as a counterfeiter, smuggler, and gunrunner to repay his debt.

The scenes of fighting and violence became more frequent, and every chapter seemed to feature grisly murders that were all too detailed in their descriptions. Around the 600-page mark, I felt as though the book had already climaxed, which left a lot more reading to do before the unanswered questions in Lin's life were resolved. Ultimately, I was satisfied with the way the novel ended, though a few people on Twitter commented that it was a mess.

At 936 pages, Shantaram is the second-longest book I've ever read, and I devoured it in under two weeks.

Having been to India once already, the book brought back memories as I related to the characterizations of Indian people, such as their famous head waggles. The more I read, the more I appreciated the country I'd almost skipped over entirely.

I remembered my first chai, bought for me by Indians on my first (overnight) train ride. My fondness for the Bollywood movies and the amazement that women dressed in colorful saris could seem so graceful amidst trash-strewn streets. By the end of the book, I was ready to book a flight back to India.

My return will have to wait, however, as I've already invested in other plans for 2011. I do know that it will be a lot sooner than I expected as a result of reading Shantaram.

Actors await their cue. — Actors in a Bollywood movie await their cue for a scene shot in Bodhgaya.

PS - You can learn more about the author, David Gregory Roberts, on the book's website. He is working on the sequel to Shantaram and hopes to have it published by late 2011. He then intends to write a prequel, followed by a fourth and final installment.

WWOOF'ing It On A Dairy Farm

I am a WWOOF'er. I WWOOF. I am part of the WWOOF'ing community.

Get it?

Neither did I a year ago. As it turns out, this organization has become the savior of my travels in Canada.

WWOOF stands for 'World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms', and it is possible to get involved with this in dozens of places dotted around the globe.

You choose a country, sign up on their website (often for a reasonably small fee) and you are then showered with possible farms to work on in exchange for free accommodation and meals.

This was an ideal situation for me. Having had several financial blips in saving for my trip to Canada over the last year, anything free is a bonus.

Accommodation and food are the only absolute essentials when it comes to travel, and both can often drain your bank account.

Additionally, for the Canadian organization, participation does not require a working visa. WWOOF'ing is a perfect opportunity for anyone looking for inexpensive travel, and it can be a highly rewarding experience.

So, back in August, three months before I was set to fly out to Vancouver, I started hunting for farms.

A plethora of options were open to me in British Columbia alone, from Icelandic horse farms, cattle ranches, herb, crop, and vegetable harvesting, to building ecohouses on top of a mountain and much more.

I wasn't too fussed about the kind of work I was looking for, but dairy farming was definitely in my top five choices.

If I could combine my love for cheese with volunteering in Canada, I was a happy lady.

And I hit the jackpot when Goats Pride Dairy Farm in Abbotsford, BC swiftly replied to my request for work.

Life here on the Goats Pride is an enlightening and sometimes challenging experience.

Having neither worked on a farm nor had much contact with farm animals before, I wasn't too sure what to expect.

As it turns out, this farm has hosted over two hundred WWOOF'ers in five years, so it seems I've come to the right place.

The daily routine includes participation in either or both 6 am and 4:30 pm chores, which include milking and making sure the goats are fully fed and watered.

Volunteers also rotate turns to work full days helping out in the dairy, where all the magic happens; the cheese.

In between chores, the rest of the day is filled with seeking out the work you wish to contribute to, which allows you to focus on a particular aspect you were wanting to gain more experience in.

For me, I've mostly been touching up on my cooking skills with Goats Pride's mother-hen, Jo-Ann.

I am now fully confident in my ability to make a thoroughly enjoyable cinnamon bun.

The season in which you volunteer can change your entire experience with WWOOF'ing.

Some farms have little or no need for workers in Winter, this of course not being the case with a farm that keeps animals as there is demand all year round.

At particularly cold times, I sometimes wonder why it was that I chose to come out here in these months.

On most days, I get up in the dark, and I finish in the dark.

This, of course, can be the same case in an urban area, the difference here being that the icy, crisp and fresh air I breathe in once I step out into the country always makes me feel invigoratingly alive.

Having spent three weeks touring cities, including Vancouver, Victoria, and Seattle, and spending money faster than I could have anticipated, a break in the country was just what I needed.

This complete change of scenery has broadened my perspective on living an impact-free lifestyle.

By that, I mean that the community we have built here, which consists of seven family members and up to seven WWOOF'ers at any one time, tries to make sure that we carry out the principles of sustainable living as much as possible.

Almost everything is recycled and used to its full potential, from waste food that goes to the goats or used as compost, fertilizer sold to other local businesses, clothes, packaging, endless jams and juices and more than I could possibly list.

As well as the work, let's not forget the play. WWOOF'ing is a fantastic way to experience a way of life in terms of the people you stay with as well as the farming.

I was lucky to find a very large close-knit family to enjoy the company of, and I am honored to be welcomed in and shown their Canadian way of life.

As much as meeting other travelers can be exhilarating, to come over to a country and see the way the locals live from day-to-day is a memorable and unique experience.

This is especially the case when staying in a place that strives to be self-sufficient and eco-friendly.

Being part of the process of taking produce from the goat to our kitchen table in a variety of forms, including milk, yogurt, and cheese, has given me a greater awareness of where the things I put in my belly come from.

WWOOF'ing is a great way to understand and be part of the ethics involved in the farming and food industry, an alternative experience for any traveler.

If you imagine that no two farms will be the same, the possibilities are endless. And not a penny will leave your pocket.

__________

About the Author: Emma Higgins' addiction to travel started with an inter-railing trip around fourteen countries in Europe in the summer of 2009. Her 2010 travels included a whistle-stop tour of Northwest India, a brief visit to Marrakech and two months in British Columbia, Canada.

Her blog is based around my travels and the cultural comparisons she comes across, but whilst at home, she writes for all the other young and penniless travellers out there (she's only 22!), and about the trials and tribulations of being stuck in ones mothercountry, itching to leave. You can catch up with Emma on her blog, Gotta Keep Movin'...

Souvenir Saturday: African Doll

During my time in South Africa, I visited several souvenir markets and shops, especially at the start on Long Street in Cape Town, and toward the end in the suburbs of Johannesburg.

Wooden dolls from countries all around Africa were plentiful, so the casual shopper had only to decide which style he/she liked the most. That style would invariably be the hallmark of a particular culture and country. Go to enough markets, and see enough dolls, and you'll soon be able to discern which items come from which nation.

The dolls vary in significance. One common purpose, such as the the one I purchased, is protection.

Best of 2010: Rwanda & Colombia

Singing for a captive audience — Teens sing for a captive audience in a Rwandan town.

Aside from a few domestic trips to New York City and Los Angeles, my big international adventures of the year were a week in Rwanda, and six months in Colombia.

The Rwandan adventure involved two days of travel to and from the country, but it was worth the energy and effort when I was in a forest snapping photos of wild gorillas, cruising across Lake Kivu on a new speedboat, and soaking in the bathtub of a luxury villa.

Rwanda

My return to Colombia began with two and a half weeks of rest and relaxation in Cartagena.

I then made my way back to Medellin, where I met nine new travel bloggers, and took a few short trips to other parts of the country, including Cali, a snow-capped volcano, and the coffee region.

Colombia

On tomorrow's agenda, the best photography posts of the year. Stay tuned!

Best of 2010: Guest Contributions

Woman in downtown Havana (Photo: Troy Floyd)

In 2010, contributors wrote several of this blog's most popular posts of the year, as measured in terms of visitors, comments, and social media sharing.

They also helped to cover a wide range of topics beyond my own experiences and expertise.

Below are 15 of the most popular, written guest contributions published in 2010, ranked in relative order based on the number of visits:

Top 10 Travel Movies To Get You Going In 2010 - by Troy Floyd
How to Avoid Bed Bugs While Traveling - by Troy Floyd
How to Get 2 Trans-Atlantic Flights for $75 - by Troy Floyd
Pro's and Con's for Backpacking Cuba - by Troy Floyd
How to Pack One Backpack for 6 Months - by Laura Silver
10 Secret Items to Pack as a Woman on Your Next Trip - by Olga Garcia
4 Ways Every Traveler Can Make Money From Their Travels - by Jason Demant
The Beaches and Nightlife of Boracay Island, Philippines - by Jerik de Guzman
Planning for an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike - by Deb Lauman
Crashpadding: Couchsurfing for "Grown-Ups" - by Lindsay Clark
How to Be Lost Without Looking Lost - by Jasmine
The Sakura Season in Japan - by Rose Witmer (text) and Michael Lynch (photos)
How to Choose the Best Seat on a Bus - by Hansen Hunt
When Are You Too Old to Backpack - by Lis Sowerbutts
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro - by Lauren Becker

If you're interested in sharing your favorite travel story or best advice in 2011, please check out the submission guidelines.

Tomorrow, I'll share my favorite posts from my adventures in Rwanda and Colombia.

A Travel Blogger's Year in Review

Here I am, sitting at my parent's kitchen table, sipping hot chocolate and reflecting on the year 2010. What a ride it's been, for both me and the blog!

This post recounts my personal experience as a full time travel blogger. For the remainder of the week, posts will highlight the best stories, photography, and videos featured on Go Backpacking in 2010.

If you're new to the blog, this week is a great chance to catch up!

The Travel

Rwanda Trip - On February 12th, I announced that I was going on a week long media trip to Rwanda, the Country of a Thousand Hills.

The opportunity to see endangered mountain gorillas in the wild was unreal -- the kind of experience I'd dream of when flipping through adventure travel catalogs just a few years ago.

Learning about the 1994 genocide touched on a whole different set of emotions.

Los Angeles - I met Stefanie Michaels (@AdventureGirl) on the Rwanda trip, and soon after our return, went to visit her in LA. It was my first time visiting the City of Angeles.

We spotted a bunch of stars including Jessica Biel, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Fred Savage.

I indulged in the sushi of Katsuya, remembered James Dean, and recounted scenes from Swingers at The Dresden.

New York City - I made 3 trips to the City That Never Sleeps, however the one that stands out the most was for the 2010 Travel Blog Exchange conference in June.

Rarely do hundreds of travel bloggers come together in one place on this planet for any length of time, so it was a fun opportunity to put (Twitter) names with faces.

Earlier in the year, I also found myself at Blue Ribbon Sushi for a terrific lunch on a snowy winter's day.

Return to Colombia - After TBEX, I returned to one of my favorite countries, Colombia, for the remainder of the year.

I began by relaxing in Cartagena and then made my way back to Medellin, known as City of the Eternal Spring.

New friends (from right): Michael T (Art of Backpacking), Stephanie (Twenty Something Travel), Michael R (Vagabondish), Matt (Landlopers), and me.

The People

During my trip around the world from late 2007 to early 2009, I had the occasional opportunity to meet up with other travel bloggers.

These encounters excited me because I knew the people were like me -- enamored with both travel AND blogging.

I could count the number of these people on one hand, over 15 months.

In 2010, I met dozens, if not a hundred or more travel bloggers in person. Since I can't name them all here, I want to share a few people with whom I spent the most time.

Stephanie @20stravel - Stephanie co-hosted the DC travel tweetups with me, so in addition to connecting online, we had a monthly excuse to hang out at local bars. She's now enjoying her own RTW trip!

Troy @foggodyssey - Troy had already written some of this blog's most popular posts of the year by the time I met him in Medellin. He's an amazing photographer, and hanging out with him and learning to use Lightroom in the process contributed to a quantum leap in my photography skills this year.

Christine @almostfearless - I met Christine, along with husband Drew and baby Cole, when she visited Medellin to interview me for her video documentary on digital nomads. I was glad they stayed for 3 weeks so we could share a few adventures together.

Benny @irishpolyglot - Benny from Fluent in 3 Months spent the end of his year in Medellin, and he was a very positive influence on my efforts to learn Spanish. Namely, I became a lot less self-conscious about speaking, and am encouraged about working toward fluency in 2011.

The Business

This year I grew my travel blogging activities into a business that could support me while living abroad.

As of this week, I met my goal of earning $3,000 per month ($36,000 for the year).

It's far less than I earned at my job as a Customer Service Manager for a health insurance company back in 2007, but the freedom it affords is priceless.

I share my earnings publicly because I continue to meet people who question whether you can earn money from having a blog, let alone earn a living.

While I've been at this for 4 years, and I certainly didn't reach this point overnight, it is possible.

As the travel blogging niche matures and gains credibility, and more "how to" resources become available, it's increasingly possible to see results much faster than me.

Go Backpacking - While the blog brought in considerably more money via advertising this year, the number of monthly visitors remained fairly flat, and well short of my goal for 50,000 per month. On the bright side, the number of subscribers grew by 350%, and there were lots of great guest contributions.

In 2011, my goal is to better curate the stories, photos, and videos to ensure you're not only enjoying them, but excited to share them via Facebook and social media.

Travel Blog Success - Building an online course and community from scratch ain't easy, however after 4 months of work, I launched my first digital product. Over 100 travelers have become members, and the feedback continues to be overwhelmingly positive 11 months later.

In 2011, my goal is to continue building upon these resources while helping other bloggers reach their goals and easily connect with quality advertisers.

Medellin Living - Returning to Colombia, I regained the reigns of Medellin Living. The frequency and consistency of new posts lead to a doubling of monthly traffic to 5,000 visits. The site also began to make money, mostly as a result of me upselling advertisers from Go Backpacking.

Private Consulting - I had my first two clients this year, and intend to continue offering my support on a limited basis.

2011 - The Year Ahead

I'm dedicating January to redesigning and adding lots of new content to Travel Blog Success. Thankfully (albeit by design), I enjoy this kind of work.

I'll be spending the first two weeks of February in Japan, and then February 15th sees me heading back to Medellin for another 6 months.

By mid-August, I intend to set off on a new adventure to see the rest of South America.

Visiting Jack Kerouac in Lowell

The following is a guest post by Amy Hamblen, regarding her experience visiting Jack Kerouac in Lowell, Mass. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.

Fans leave personal notes at Jack Kerouac's grave.

Dashing back and forth across the country with his friends to meet new girls and pursue all kinds of madness throughout the day and night, who couldn’t fall in love with Sal Paradise in On the Road?

He and his friends were digging life like we all want to: with a knife and fork and swallowing it whole. They were searching for new highs with a case of wanderlust so bad that a dose of any experience would whet it and an overdose of an adventure so big it could suppress it didn’t exist. They were my heroes in college, my role models after and now they are the saints I scream all my existential questions to.

It was Kerouac who left a seat open for all of us on these road trips, and it was his hometown I took the opportunity to see during the Lowell Celebrates Kerouac festival. I was living in the South Shore of Massachusetts in October, 2008, far away from Mexico City, the setting of my favorite book of his, “Tristessa,” but only an hour’s drive from Lowell, his birthplace, and the setting of five of his other books.

When I arrived, the tour-goers had gathered outside the now-closed Caffé Paradiso which was hosting a marathon reading of The Dharma Bums, since 2008 marked the 50^th anniversary of its publication. There were 20 or so other people who wanted to see Jack’s old haunts.

Here’s where I wish I could say that I made a new set of lifelong friends who share a love of the same kind of liberating works of impassioned writing as I do, but it’s painfully clear to me that I’m not really good at these kinds of things. I was more than happy to join them, though.

We began the tour, and as our guide, Roger Brunelle, splashed brilliant stories on each Kerouac –affected landmark, it reminded me that even Kerouac came from somewhere; Lowell just happens to be the town he grew up in. Maybe this was where he had those first big dreams of who he wanted to be and what he wanted to do with his life.

Walking past his high school, where he played football, and the Lowell Sun, where he did a short stint as a sports reporter, made the town feel small. It reminded me of my own little somewhere that I was anxious to burst out of while I was growing up.

The last spot on our tour was the Jack Kerouac Commemorative. Beautifully conceived by artist Ben Woitena, the site structurally integrates religion with Kerouac’s writings. Quotes from Jack’s beloved books are etched on tall slabs of granite. Several of the quotes are from Kerouac’s Lowell books including Dr. Sax and Visions of Cody, and of course one of the panels has a quote from On the Road. Sleek curved benches encircle the granite panels. In the middle of the memorial there is also a seat for you to sit and reflect, and if you are patient, you can try to find your own center.

After the tour there was one more spot I had to see, so I took a solo journey to Edson Cemetery. I walked awhile among the gravestones, expecting to see a shrine or a flock of onlookers to guide my eyes in the right direction, but there was none. After a little bit of a search, I finally found what I came for, it was the fitting, humble marker with the engraved words “Ti Jean” (Little John) that marked the spot.

The author's note to Jack, "Thanks for the help. Wish me luck."

It was the perfect place to pay my respect for the seeker and teacher whose inspiration was so loud I couldn’t help but hear it as a young woman in the Midwest, a thousand miles away and over 30 years after his road brought him here.

Messages and tokens of love from others who had been touched by Kerouac’s thirst for life were left behind. I took a moment to appreciate the man, his life and his gifts. I scribbled my own note and left it with the others.

__________

About the Author: Amy Hamblen grew up in the Midwest, but found a good fit in Queens. Although her cuisine has changed from bluegill to bibimbap, she’s still up to her old tricks: trekking to concerts, watching low-budget films, and finding new places to get lost. She writes for www.shortandsweetnyc.com.

Dare #18 - Failed - The Case of the Undercooked Intestines

Troy (right) and I pose by the chunchurria (intestines).

Long time readers know that I asked people to dare me to do various activities on my trip around the world. My last dare dates back to December 2008, when I ate sheep's head (specifically tongue and brain) in Soweto, South Africa.

Since then, the program had all but been retired, until that is, I was visiting the Colombian pueblo of Guatape with Go Backpacking contributor, and my friend, Troy from FOGGOdyssey this past August. While we were waiting in the main square for another friend to arrive, he dared me to eat a regional delicacy known as chunchurria, or intestines.

The reward for completing this dare? Enough money to cover the cost of the dish, or about $1 to $2.

A giant pile of intestines cooks on the grill.

As with the rest of my dares, this was more a matter of pride than money, so I ordered a plate. The female vendor was busily snipping the long pieces of intestines into more bite size segments using a pair of scissors. The scene was as unappetizing as it looks in the photos.

The chunchurria was served on a small plate, with potatoes and an arepa.

I sat down and mentally prepared myself, while Troy grabbed my camera and set about recording the experience on video (a video of my many contorted facial expressions...I'm sparing you from watching).

Chunchurria, potatoes and an arepa — Chunchurria, served with potatoes and an arepa.

I poked one of the intestinal bits with a toothpick, and began to nosh on it. And chew. And bite. And grind.

Nothing.

I chewed on the same piece for almost five minutes, getting nowhere in breaking it apart. It was as if I were chewing on a bicycle inner tube that tasted like....well, intestines. It soon became unnerving that I couldn't swallow the chunchurria. I ate a potato, and bit a piece of the dry arepa, but none of it helped me break down the intestine. I didn't even have a drink to try and wash away the awful flavor that now filled my mouth.

Eventually, I spit out the intestine, which was 100% intact, and accepted my failure.

Later, I learned from a Colombian that rubbery chunchurria is a sign that it is undercooked. I may give it another try some day, but I certainly won't be seeking it out any time soon!

Souvenir Saturday: Agra Marble

Editor's Note: Last year, I featured a few of my memorable souvenirs (Thai Beer Can Tuk-Tuk and Tibetan Prayer Wheel) from a trip around the world. They were a lot of fun to share, so I'm bringing the idea back as a series every other Saturday.

I tend to be cautious when buying souvenirs, especially in countries known for haggling.

I'm always concerned about getting ripped off or getting inferior quality knock-offs of the real thing.

The most popular souvenir from Agra, India, home to the Taj Mahal, is marble with inlay designs similar to what you'll find on the Taj Mahal itself.

The objects come in all shapes and sizes, from little boxes and plates to end tables, and pieces of furniture.

If you visit the Taj Mahal, chances are you'll end up in at least one marble shop, if not several.

Tuk-tuk drivers love to take tourists to them as they get kickbacks in the form of money or gasoline.

The key to avoiding fake marble is opacity. Real Agra marble is opaque, and will not let light through.

The legitimate marble shops will be happy to demonstrate their quality goods by turning the shop lights off and holding a lamp or flashlight up against their products.

I bought a little plate, and a small box, trying to keep the size and weight of my souvenirs to a minimum.

However, the much more massive objects available, such as end tables, were often reasonably priced, and the shops could arrange for international shipping at the time of sale.

If I recall correctly, a marble end table with a beautiful design on top might cost around $200.

Of course, this is a lot of money in India, but for Americans and Europeans, in retrospect, it's a steal.

There is the added shipping cost to consider, but overall, buying a larger marble souvenir from Agra is one of the few shopping regrets I had upon arriving home from my trip.

Cute Dogs, Exotic Places

Taking photos of cute dogs in exotic places is a favorite subject of mine. Oftentimes, they can be seen lazing around on beaches, mountains, or city sidewalks.

I imagine a dog hanging out by the pyramids in Egypt has no sense of how amazing the surrounding scenery is to us humans around the world. He or she is simply focused on the daily essentials of a dog's life: water, food, sleep, human attention, and sex for all those non-fixed dogs.

This photo essay is dedicated to Tobias, my Colombian roommate's old, black, arthritic Labrador, who lies quietly around the apartment, keeping me company as I work.

Dogs in Egypt — Dogs lounge in the sand around one of Egypt's oldest pyramids.

Dog in Old Islamic Cairo, Egypt — I came across this dog while walking through Old Islamic Cairo one afternoon. I like the way he is perched atop a pile of old wooden beams, watching everyone that passes by.

Dog in Guatape, Colombia — In the later afternoon, I was walking back to the finca where I was staying in the Colombian pueblo of Guatape, when this dog perched atop a hill caught my eye. I found the painted wall behind him especially striking.

Dog on South Africa's Wild Coast — My first morning in Bulungula, on South Africa's Wild Coast, I woke up early and walked to the beach to watch local fisherman at work. I shot this photo from behind the dog, pretending to capture the view from his perspective.

Dog in Nepal's Himalaya — It takes a strong dog to hang out all his life in the high altitudes of Nepal's Himalaya. I encountered this puppy at about 3,000 meters above sea level on the Annapurna Sanctury trek.

Dog in a quiet street - southern Laos — During a bike ride in southern Laos, along some quiet streets, I happened across this dog without a care in the world.

Saint Bernard in Bern, Switzerland — While walking around Bern, Switzerland, I couldn't resist asking this man if I could snap a quick photo of his Saint Bernard.

Campground dog in Botswana — This dog was hanging around our campground outside Maun, Botswana. Either the dog is trying to scratch an itch, or he's looking for a belly rub!

Black dog - mountains north of McLeod Ganj, India — This beautiful black dog befriended us on our 3rd day of a trek to 4,330-meter Indrahar Pass in the mountains north of McLeod Ganj, India. On our 4th and final day, he accompanied us an hour or so back down the trail.

Party dog - Koh Phangan, Thailand — A dog curls up and relaxes after a busy day of playing with the backpackers on Haad Rin, Thailand's famous full moon party beach on the island of Koh Phangan.

Bonus Dog

Hungry dog in Lesotho — Ok, this dog looks more ferocious than cute, while knawing on some animal bones, but I couldn't leave him out. I saw him during a day trip into the mountainous, high-altitude kingdom of Lesotho (in southern Africa).

Shine a Light on Shimla

The following is a guest post by Robert J. Fry. If you'd like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.

Shimla is not only the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of India's many metro centers and tourist hot spots, it’s also an escape from the insufferable heat of the plains. Since 1819, when it was rediscovered by the British, it has been touted as a prime summer getaway. With its cool mountain breeze, hills blanketed by thick pine trees, and a town center dotted with crumbling colonial charm, it's not hard to imagine why. The people are friendly, the vultures are few, and the surrounding landscape is breathtaking.

Shimla is a hill station, meaning that instead of being situated at the base of the mountain or in a valley, it is carved into the mountaintop. You can appreciate the sheer altitude with just one short stroll so arrange for a hotel that’s closer to the bus station. When exploring “the mall” (otherwise known as Shimla’s main street), however, get ready to walk because vehicles are prohibited. Although Shimla can be a physically draining place, you’ll also find that things here move at a slow and pleasant pace. Stores and shops sleep in too, and so will you.

On my last visit there, I picked up a copy of Ernest Hemingway's 'The Old Man and the Sea' at a local bookstore for about 50 cents. I was ecstatic, having wanted to read this story for a very long time. So instead of a gloomy bar stifled with smoke, as Hemingway himself would have frequented, I found an open-air rooftop bar with mountain views and clean, fresh air to read. I sat in a corner booth, ordered a beer with chaser, and let the long awaited journey begin. But then, as I had barely got into the 85th day of Santiago's unlucky streak, I was set upon by two animated youths.

"Awes-trey-lee-HAH?" they inquired, loudly enough to stir a grumpy bar dweller by the restroom.

"Yes," I admitted. What happened next was strange, as the taller of the two looked left and right, as if watching a tennis match only he could see, before letting out an almighty bellow.

"RICKKKYYY PAWNTEN!"

It was clear that he had learned the name of the Australian Cricket Captain from the commentators that are so popular in this part of the world. They sound and act in an exaggerated manner, much like a televangelist would, which should come as no surprise as this is India, and thus, cricket is religion.

At this point in time, I had been in India for over 6 weeks and was getting used to friendly locals in search of free beers (a particularly common scam in Varanasi). These two were refreshingly unique in that they not only paid for their own drinks but they also covered mine, in addition to a couple of snacks. "Please,” one of the pair named Deepak said. ”You are our friend, very good friend. It is a gift to you." As he said it, he rolled his head from side to side as a smile spread across his face. It was the classic Indian head wobble, another characteristic I’d become accustomed to.

While it may feel like a world away from hectic big city life, hot dusty plains, and the Hindu heartbeat of Uttar Pradesh, Shimla is still very much India. A part of India that is clean, safe, ridiculously picturesque and a welcome retreat for many chaos and clutter weary ex-pats who've come to call the subcontinent home.

___________

About the Author: Robert J. Fry is a recent graduate and penniless travel writer. He enjoys bumming around, the hobo lifestyle and Grateful Dead t-shirts. He has been described as reckless, foolish and absurd - often in one sentence (like this one). Follow his progress at his personal blog, Global Drifter.

5 Reasons to Avoid Travel

The following is a guest post by Jennifer Tice. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.

Besides being able to save those hard earned dollars for a rainy day, there are many reasons why you should avoid traveling, stick to what you know, and not indulge your curiosities about the world.

I mean who wants to experience new cultures, meet new people, spend time at the wonders of the world, or lazing on the beach anyways?

Ok, who are we kidding, there isn’t anything more exciting than traveling the world, and after 15 months of doing so I wouldn’t have traded those hard earned dollars for anything else.

But even on the best of trips, there are times when travel is not all glitz and glamor but rather dull and dingy, so if you’re planning your first big trip, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

1. Boredom

Most of the time travel is exciting, you’re taking in new scenery, trying new foods, and maybe learning some of the local customs and language.

But there are also hours (and sometimes days) spent waiting for planes, on long bus journeys, and in the middle of nowhere.

Be prepared for long waits – books, cards, laptops, iPods/iPhones are great devices to help pass the time.

If you’re traveling for several months or more, taking up a new hobby is another great way to help pass quiet evenings.

Learn how to use Photoshop to edit your new photos, write a blog/diary of your travels, or study a new language in depth.

2. Lack of Hygiene

If you’re traveling anywhere in Asia, Africa or South America this will be a big one.

Appalling bathrooms, squat toilets, lack of access to running water in places, and mystery meat that will give you the runs for days are just a few of the lowered hygiene standards you’ll have to embrace.

Pack your own toilet paper, lots of hand sanitizer and Imodium and hope for the best.

3. Security

If your skin color and native language are different than the locals, you might as well paint a bull’s eye target on your back for pick pocketing, scams, and inflated prices.

Although you should always be mindful of your belongings even when in your home town, you’ll have to be doubly aware abroad.

Keep your passports and wallets tucked away in money belts, keep purses zipped and over the shoulder and remember if a deal sounds too good to be true it usually is.

4. Lack of Comforts

Unless you’re booked into an exclusive 5 star resort, you’ll most likely miss some of the comforts of home every now and again.

From waking up to your favorite coffee blend, missing your favorite foods or just wishing for reliable internet, the best way to cope is to embrace the new comforts you have abroad – treat yourself to a famous Thai massage, or spoil yourself with a nice dinner out for only pennies compared to prices back home.

5. Loneliness

From being the only foreigner on a long bus journey to standing in the middle of Khao San Road among the madness by yourself, feeling alone can creep up on you when you least expect it.

Striking up conversation with other travelers as well as the locals can help to stave off the loneliness.

Every now and again it’s worth the time and money to make calls back home to your family and friends.

______

About the Author: Jennifer Tice quit her job, sold her belongings, strapped on a backpack, flew to the other side of the world, and hasn't looked back since. Follow her journey around New Zealand, Australia and Southeast Asia at http://jennifertice.com/ and on Twitter @Jennifertice

Fact: America is Beautiful

I learned many things on my road trip across the United States, but there are 30 that I took special notice of, and they sum up why I believe America is beautiful.

All of the facts below are from my positive experience in the actual places.

None of them are based on preconceived notions nor the opinions of others. Most are exaggerations or slightly sarcastic. Very few are facts.

And if you find any to be the least bit negative or critical, please know that I don't mean them to sound that way.

Enjoy, and please feel free to add any more in the comments below!

Sometimes people ride bikes naked in Philadelphia. At least they do once a year in September. Name that cause.

North Carolina boasts a plethora of vineyards. Don't miss them. Also, visit one of their farmer's markets since the offerings are ridiculous in a good way.

I want to retire in Savannah. I toured a home that may have been owned by my grandfather's distant relatives at one time-more research to come.

Montgomery, Alabama, makes for a friendly pit stop.

Don't go to New Orleans alone. Or go and enjoy yourself, but make sure that you make one more trip with a group of people. Others are necessary to enjoy all that the city has to offer. Know the significance of "Whodat?" before you even think of going alone or with company.

San Antonio is not a walkable city, but it's worth driving around. The Alamo, on the other hand, is not as exciting as it seems.

The Oklahoma City Art Museum is fantastic, as is all of its ethnic cuisines. Believe it.

Salina, Kansas, is the capital of frozen pizza making.

Those who said that the drive through Kansas is boring are mistaken. It's pretty gorgeous if I do say so myself.

Eastern Colorado is boring. Central Colorado is beautiful but be careful about the speediness of your alcohol consumption.

If you're a hippie and want to start a family, may I suggest you move to Boulder?

Santa Fe is a dream that I want to have again. If you go yourself, take note of the "Thanks for working" signs on the highway. They're a nice reminder to appreciate road work and the people that do it.

Phoenix has a lot to offer. You'll have to drive 20-minutes to find it, but you probably should anyway. Also, Arizona State is a party school, but I don't think any more than other fun colleges. I'll report back with more findings as I discover them when visiting my brother, who's currently a freshman there.

Los Angeles traffic is not that bad; it's just constant. I didn't hate it and could survive living there with an authentic smile on my face. Get sushi there, too, at least once.

Santa Barbara is too pretty to look lived in. I'm still glad I visited, though.

The scents of San Francisco are intoxicating. I blame it on the street gardens. Make sure to walk through them in addition to hiking up and down each block. It's good exercise.

Wine tastes better straight from the source. Visit a vineyard on the west coast, and invite me when you do.

I like fog, and I like forests, but northernmost California makes it eery.

According to Seattlites, Portland was a mini-Seattle about ten years ago.

Seattle's International District is the most appropriately named area for fantastic Thai/Vietnamese/Japanese/Filipino/Korean/Laotian/Cambodian/Burmese/etc. food.

The landscape from western Washington to Eastern Washington is incredible.

Northern Idaho (the Coeur d'Alene area) is breathtaking. The site, like many others, was carved by glaciers. Go. You must see it for yourself.

Bozeman, Montana is a midwest medley. I believe people with all interests could find a home there.

There's a big difference between the East River (eastern border) and the West River (western border) of South Dakota. I appreciate them both, although I can't say the same for the sprawl in the middle. It makes for one hell of a drive.

Austin, MN, is home to the SPAM museum and a super cool Couchsurfing host.

Madison, Wisconsin, is a town made for foodies. In addition, it is the only capital situated on an islip, and the beaver atop the capitol building points towards Washington, DC.

If there were to be a perfect college town, I'd vote for Ann Arbor.

Pittsburgh serves sandwiches with coleslaw and fries within them. You can thank the coal miners of yesterday.

There is nothing like going back to your alma mater. But I guess that's only if you had a fantastic college experience, and all of your friends go back with you, say, for homecoming.

The speedy crowds of New York aren't for everyone. Like really, really aren't for everyone. Many Americans told me so. Antique and vintage stores are, however, seem to be loved by all. They're everywhere.

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