Backpacking – farflungistan

Transport with a splash of color

Most trips overseas for the intrepid traveler involve overland travel. There’s sometimes unavoidable on small islands in the Philippines and the desert expanses of the Middle East. The road offers adventure, perspective to a new place and experiencing the local color. Some of us have quickly found that schedules in most places do not goContinue reading “Transport with a splash of color”

Americans in Iran 2011: Planning, applying and waiting…

It’s May 2011 and our next trip will be to Iran. Ignoring the propaganda and the fact that it could take months to get a visa we begin the visa application process and the trip research. It was now or never and we’re going for it. The trip will be at least 14 days whichContinue reading “Americans in Iran 2011: Planning, applying and waiting…”

Let’s go Junk Boating in Vietnam

Let’s go Junk Boating in Vietnam Looking back at trip pictures of Halong Bay makes me want to skip the holidays and find a cheap ticket back. Most Vietnam vacations include the not so traditional overnight stay on the famous Junk boats found in northern Vietnam. Most trips can be arranged by a tour companyContinue reading “Let’s go Junk Boating in Vietnam”

Things to do before checking in to a Budget Hotel – Hotel Tip

Whether you just show up or book online always check the room before handing over the cash. Here’s why: But the lobby’s nice… Don’t get stuck with the smelly room with broken shower head and lop-sided bed. All hotels have these. Bargain… See what you are getting and then negotiate rate based on quality ,Continue reading “Things to do before checking in to a Budget Hotel – Hotel Tip”

How do you afford to Travel?

This is a question I get from time to time. It’s simple and it only takes a little sacrifice, motivation and organization. Here are some of the things I do to save for the next trip. 1. Manage Eating out. Eat at home as much as possible, take lunch to work and instead of diningContinue reading “How do you afford to Travel?”

A trip to plan: will it be Stoic Russian or Festive Mexico?

The trip in May came down to two locations. Mexico or Russia? My husband and I had our usual debate. We breakdown each place and do the pros and cons, look to see what the weather is like when we can travel, find out if there are any holidays that could get in the wayContinue reading “A trip to plan: will it be Stoic Russian or Festive Mexico?”

Squat Toilets…what’s all the flush?

The reward for the best Squat Toilet scene in a movie by no doubt goes to Slum Dog Millionaire. It’s actually a very big smelly problem in countries like India.This is a great video from YouTube done by user rahulbrown that gives a good understanding of how valuable something most of us take advantage ofContinue reading “Squat Toilets…what’s all the flush?”

A little slice of paradise

wo years ago this week my husband and I we stuck in Phuket, Thailand. For most being stuck in a tropical resort beach with nothing to do but looking at naked Europeans and ladyboys playing volleyball in 70-80’s F temperatures is heaven. For us it was just killing time and itching for something withContinue reading “A little slice of paradise”

She’s traveling to the Middle East

What a girl packs away in her travel bag will all depend on where she’s planning to go. This case is the Middle East. This being said, taking great care in how you dress and act while visiting. What a woman traveler wears and how she behaves will show how locals in turn treatContinue reading “She’s traveling to the Middle East”

To pack or not to pack?

So it’s about a week or so until the flight is taking off to the other side of the earth and it’s time to start packing. What is in your bag will be the same amount for a trip that’s a month or a year in general terms. This is of course considering that youContinue reading “To pack or not to pack?”

Now that you decided to travel….

So now you have decided to take that week, month, year or unlimited time off to travel, now it’s time to figure out where to go from here. Planning and preparing for any trip can take a while to do thoroughly so start a few months ahead and pace yourself. The list can seem endless.Continue reading “Now that you decided to travel….”