Here are a couple photos of gorgeous sunset from the island of Koh Tao in Thailand the other night. I can get used to this view.
Full Service Hostels: Convenient or Cultural Black Holes?
As I sit in my hostel, sipping a delightful banana-coffee milk shake I wonder is this non-traditional Guatemalan drink enhancing my travel experience or corrupting it? I know where my taste buds stand on the issue but as I look around the dining area at the mostly English speaking white folk, most of us on some form of electronic device I’m suddenly torn.
Currently, I’m at what I like to call a “full service” hostel. One that offers everything, including: a bed, food, drink, tours and transport; convenient right? You never actually have to leave the comforts of the hostel! Wait, wasn’t that the point of this travel thing? Try the local food, attempt to speak the language, get lost in the back streets, and meet the people? I don’t mean to take a dig at the place I am staying, and of course for newbies this type of accommodation is a relief especially in a developing country where it can be hard to organize these services.
Here comes the big BUT: If you spend your entire trip in the shelter of these types of places you will only be catching a small glimpse, and more than likely will miss out. Although I have recently come to realize that a truly authentic cultural immersion and experience is rare for travelers passing through, increase your odds by getting out and doing it yourself. It will save you money and who knows what you’ll discover!
Snail Mail is the Devil
One of the items on my to-do list before I take off for my next round the world adventure was going through my snail mail. Like you, I HATE snail mail. It is the devil. A week or so ago, I went though 6 months of snail mail and sorted into piles of recycle, shred, or to-file. This is the end result.
What are the most hated tasks you tackle before your travels?
Obtaining a Cambodia Tourist Visa Online
Did you know that you can get a tourist visa for Cambodia entirely online?
If your answer was no, then you’re in the same boat as me. At least not until one of my friends sent me this URL the other day. Cost is $25 US for an e-Visa good for 30 days.
8,000 Photos
This photo montage was posted by Cailin at TravelYourself.ca. And for the record – I agree with Cailin when she says that photos stitched together is not the same thing as video. But regardless, the sheer volume of photos in this montage is impressive…and I found it entertaining enough to think it was worth sharing.
London in 1 Minute
Adventures to Experience in Australia
If you are looking for a great vacation full of fun and adventure, look no further than fabulous Australia! With a diverse ecosystem that ranges from the arid outback to the subtropical climate of the Gondwana Rainforests, Australia has an action-filled excursion for everyone. So make your plans, pack your bags, call your travel agent and do not forget your travel insurance cover! It is time to head out for an adventure!
One of Australia’s best known features is the remote areas of dry desert known as the outback. While it is sparsely populated, there are still many places to visit there. Alice Springs in the Northern Territory is a well-known destination in outback. With a population just under 30,000, the town is big enough to provide comforts for a traveler yet still small enough to retain its outback charm.
Another attraction in Australia is the Great Barrier Reef, the largest reef system in the world. The reef is composed of more than 900 islands and almost 3000 individual reefs located off the northeastern coast of Australia. Scuba divers love visiting the area where an array of sea life can be observed in the clear blue water, but boat trips are available for those who wish to stay on the ocean’s surface. The Great Barrier Reef is definitely a must for anyone who appreciates natural beauty.
Some people are surprised to learn that Australia, so well-known for the outback, also is home to the world’s largest area of subtropical rainforest known as the Gondwana Rainforests. Just as the outback and the Great Barrier Reef have completely different ecosystems, the rainforest is a vibrant area full of wildlife and plant life. With beautiful waterfalls, scenic vistas and more trees than you can imagine, the rainforest is another destination waiting to provide you with a vacation adventure.
Of course, any discussion of vacation spots in Australia has to mention the thousands of miles of beaches that line the continent’s coast. From the beaches of Western Australia’s wine country where surfing is a popular pastime to the more than 70 beaches of Sydney that range from secluded bays to strips of golden sand popular with tourists, you can find the perfect beach for any activity.
So what are you waiting for? Adventure awaits in many varieties in Australia. It seems the only thing that is not there is you!
Faces of Instanbul
I’ve heard great things about Istanbul, but have yet to make it there. We’ll see if 2012 is the year.
Top Attractions in Germany
The foreign travelers have realized that visiting to Germany is not a bad deal. Moreover after the reunification of this country; the travel profile has gone up. The capital of this country is Berlin, which is the most exciting place to visit in Europe. Hence you will see this place among the favorite destination by foreign travelers. The best part of Germany is that every city has its own history and travel attraction. So overall the country has unlimited places to visit making the country a worthy place to visit by the foreign travelers. However, visiting every place is difficult, hence let’s explore the top and limited
attractions here:
Neuschwanstein: This is an incredible kind of castle usually seen and heard in fairy tales. This place is located at the rocky hills near a place called Fussen somewhere in the Southern West of Bavaria. This place happens to be inspiring element in the making of sleeping beauty castles found in Disneyland parks. This castle was build and commissioned by the Bavarian king Ludwig II, though unfortunately he couldn’t enjoy the bliss of living in this place as was found dead a few days after the completion of this castle. Neuschwanstein happens to be among the top attractions of the country along being the one which is captured the most by countless cameras.
Brandenburg Gate: This gate happens to be the only gate remaining in the city of Berlin and of course a great interface between the Eastern and western part of the city. It was constructed somewhere in 18th century, it is considered to be an entry point to Unter Den Linden, which happens to be a major boulevard of the Linden trees leading straight to the Prussian monarchs’ palaces. Besides it is considered to be an important landmark in Europe.
The Heidelberg old city: Heidelberg happens to be among the top tourist attraction of the country, situated in the Neckar valley. The cities inside the country were ruined during the Second World War to some extent; however, this place was spared somehow. Therefore you can still find a number of picturesque cottages, the narrow streets and the infamous castle of Heidelberg.
Holstentor: This place is among the two remaining city gates found in the Lubeck city. This was constructed in the year 1464, though the gate now is converted into a museum. Owing to the presence of arched entrance with two charismatic towers, this place is considered to be a great symbol of the city Lubeck. Indeed a great attraction in Germany for tourists.
Cologne Cathedral: It is among the oldest and greatest cathedrals in Germany and is considered to be among the top landmark of the century. It was constructed in the year 1248 and with couple of interruptions it took around 600 years to finish. It is certainly a good place to visit and among top attractions for the tourists in Germany.
This list can be called as a modest one to a large extent but certainly a must places for anyone who plan their visit to Germany. So whether you are planning a pleasure or business tour, make sure you visit them as indeed your trip wouldn’t be complete having visited to the above said points.
Ibiza
This photo of Ibiza was too amazing NOT to post here.
I have to admit, I’ve got a pretty crazy Ibiza story from my brief time there in 2005. But you’ll have to ask me in person or offline if you want to hear it.. 🙂