-
Viewing all posts tagged "lists"
-
100 of the most unique, unusual and just plain cool HI hostels from around the world!
-
7 Things You do Backpacking That You Should Do at Home
Eventually most of us need to settle somewhere for work and make a home for ourselves. Your travels become memories shared with our family and friends about the journey you had. Then comes the full time work, bills, and other responsibilities you had to never worry about while traveling. As more days pass by, you might get back to your old habits that you had before you traveled. There are some things though that should never be forgotten and should continued to be used in your home from your travels.
1. Less is more – Don’t buy things you don’t need.
While backpacking you only carry what you can hold on a single backpack. A similar rule should be used at home. Be smart about your buying decisions as you were traveling.
-
20 Random Acts of Kindness for Backpackers
From Brave New Traveler:
1. Do the washing-up in the hostel, even when it’s not yours.
2. Write your top tips for nearby places and post them on hostel notice boards.
3. When you’re hosteling with friends, invite solo travelers out for dinner and drinks.
4. Travel with a plug-in mosquito repellent and keep the dorm mossie-free. Raid makes a good one.
5. Offer to guard other people’s stuff at bus stations while they buy their tickets.
6. Buy a CD from a local busker, copy it onto your iTunes and leave the CD in the hostel.
7. Pack some biscuits and a magazine from home and give them to a compatriot who has been traveling for ages.
8. When you’re heading out for a heavy night, leave your toothbrush and whatever else you need out on your dorm bed so you don’t have to rifle through you backpack at four in the morning.
9. Offer to make the hostel reception staff a cuppa joe.
10. Call or Skype your friends on their birthdays. It’ll mean all the more that you’ve remembered to call from the Amazon.
11. If you’re next to a nervous flier, keep them talking during take off and landing to take their minds off the flight. Hold their hand if need be.
12. Rinse the hostel shower after use and clean the plughole.
13. Use cloth bags for your stuff rather than plastic ones. Your dorm mates will love you for not rustling in the morning.
14. Pack a few pairs of extra ear plugs and offer them to people trying to sleep in noisy dorms.
15. When you get on a local bus, pay for the person behind you too.
16. Buy a bag of dry dog food and feed the strays as you wander around a new city.
17. When you leave a country, give your left-over currency to travelers heading in the other direction.
18. Support new businesses that aren’t in the guidebooks.
19. After you take photos of other travelers, email them your pics. If you take a great shot of a local, consider printing off the photo and taking them a copy.
20. Call your mum and tell her where you are.
-
Ode to Travel (or Top 15 Reasons I Love Thee)
15) We are like ham and eggs, you and me. Peanut butter and jelly. Vodka and tonic. When I’m with you I feel like I’m with my best friend — comfortable, wildly happy and a little silly. You make me laugh so hard that milk comes out of my nose.
14) You make me overcome my fears. Swim with sharks? No problem! Zipline through the rainforest? Bring it.
13) You taught me to always have a Plan C. Tuk tuks break down and luggage gets stolen, but that’s half the fun.
12) You stretch me further than the Downward Dog. It is when I am with you that I experience the most growth.
11) You make me laugh at myself. Remember when I accidentally walked through London Gatwick flashing the twins to all passersby? Or the time I practically attacked the shady money exchanger in Prague?
10) You are my jumper cable. Let’s face it, cube dwelling and the work-sleep-eat-repeat routine can get a little stale. You make my toes curl.9) You make me want to dance. Ok, I know, I know. Since when have I ever needed a reason to bust a move?
8) You introduce me to new and different cultures that I never would have come in contact with had I not stepped foot on a plane. Who knew that you should never wear shoes into a Buddhist temple or that dinner is not served at Saharan weddings until 2 a.m.?
7) You make me try foods that are not on the Cheesecake Factory menu. Because of you I’ve had some of the best dishes of my life, though I could have lived without the brain you snuck into my eggs in Marrakech. Not cool, my friend, not cool.
6) You inspire me to build and create. Remember that business we launched on a napkin in Siem Reap, Cambodia? Mundo Artistiko is getting there, slowly but surely.
5) You remind me what life is all about. It’s when I go to the ends of the earth with you that I am reminded that the most important things to me are in my own backyard — my family, my friends, my health, my happiness.
4) You give me stories to tell my grandchildren. Like, remember the time wehitchhiked through Colombia? Or the time our bus caught on fire in Morocco and we had to wait on the road in the middle of the desert for three hours until back-up arrived?3) You make me walk in someone else’s shoes. One of the hardest yet best things I’ve ever done was study abroad. I felt what it is like not to speak the language, not to get the jokes, not to have a crutch, and to, for once, be considered a minority.
2) You make me appreciate what I have. Even though I love our escapades, one of my favorite parts of being with you is when we’re coming home and the U.S. immigration officer says, “Ms. Belalcazar, welcome home.” I still get a lump in my throat every time.
1) Travel, you complete me. -
100 Reasons To Travel The World
If you love travel like we love travel, you don’t really need a reason, but we like this list from Diggy at Upgrade Reality:
1) It’s Awesome:
Travelling just gives such a general sense of ‘WOW’. All the different experiences (both good and bad) just make you feel alive and part of this wonderful world.2) Experience Different Cultures:
Living in one place for a long time (or all your life) can lead you to believe that everyone else has the same customs and habits. Venturing out to other countries with different cultures to yours can be really eye-opening. The ways in which people live throughout the world are truly fascinating.3) Endless Choices and Possibilities:
There are 195 official countries in the world. When travelling, you have hundreds of choices of where to go, how long to stay and what to do. You can go to a place for adventure, sports, culture, work or just total relaxation. You can even make it a combination of all of the above.4) You Will Grow As a Person:
Whoever you think you are right now and whatever you think you want from life right now will change if you travel for a long time. You will see the world, experience different cultures and meet many people. You will learn much about yourself and your expectations and goals in life may just change completely.5) Better Social Skills:
When travelling, you are constantly in contact with people. Whether they be locals or tourists, you will need them, and they will need you. Initially it may be very hard, but over time you will become better at talking to strangers and making new friends.6) Making New Friends:
Travelling the globe will result in you meeting many people, some interesting and some dull. The chances are big that you will make friends in many countries, and some of those friendships may be for life. I have some friends in countries around the world that I met on a vacation, and I could stay with them anytime and visa versa.7) Meet People from Every Nationality:
It’s not neccessary but it can definitely be a fun goal. Speak to a person from every nationality.8) Pay With Different Currencies:
There are so many different types of currencies in the world. Dollars, Euros, Pesos, Rubels, Yens and countless others. Each currency has different coins and notes. Nice to look at and have in your wallet.9) Experience Different Climates:
One of the beauties about travelling is that you have the choice where you want to go. This means you can choose the kind of climate you want to be in. You can have a year of summer or a year of winter. You can go to the sun in the middle of winter and to the snow in the middle of summer.10) Realize That You Do Not Need Much To Survive:
I have lots of things in my room and my house at home. When I travel, I have a suitcase and a backpack, and I live out of that for months at a time. Besides a suitcase of clothes and some things like a laptop, camera and cellphone, all you need is money so you can rent an apartment and pay for your travels.See 90 more reasons to travel the world at Upgrade Reality…
-
4 Ways to Beat Traveler’s Loneliness (and Truly Connect with Local Culture)
Great advice from our friends over at Vagabondish!
In the olden days, travellers were forced to ‘go native’ and adapt to the local culture in order to socialize and remain sane. Now, thanks to the Internet, it’s possible to travel around the globe without disconnecting from friends and family.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to chat with the folks back home, but there IS a dangerous temptation to overdue it. I’ve lost count of the kids I’ve seen in hostels, spending whole days staring at their laptops in isolated corners rather than socializing or exploring. The Internet makes it easier than ever to blot out the real world.
To gain the full value of the travelling experience, you must go out and be social. Here are a few tips for travellers looking for ways to connect with the local culture.
#1: A CROWDED BUS IS YOUR FRIEND
See crowded buses and other forms of public transportation as a blessing, not a
curse. Being crammed like sardines into a tiny seat may be uncomfortable, but it’s also an excuse to talk. Strike up a conversation with your neighbor. Some folks may be reticent at first. Don’t take offense, they’re probably just worried you’re a crazy street person or an axe murderer.2: TOURS FORCE TRAVELERS TO SOCIALIZE (AND MOST TOURS ARE DIRT CHEAP)
If the place you’re visiting happens to be a tourist hotspot with some real history behind it, you’ll be able to do one or two tours a day for weeks on end without running out of options. Cities like Dublin, Madrid, France and Rome have no shortage of sights to see and organized groups to see them with. Tour groups force you to interact with people from all around the world.
#3: MAKE SOME FRIENDS BEFORE YOU VISIT
Thanks to the Internet, you can get to know people who live worlds away before you ever fly there. Before setting out on any overseas trip, do a Google search for forums of interesting local groups. Whether it’s re-enactment groups or artists communities or pagan hippies, chances are you can find interesting locals talking on the Internet. Join up, tell them when you’ll be travelling and ask for advice.
#4: DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF THE MUNDANE
If you’re visiting a country with widespread Internet access, you’ll probably find at least one gaming center. Go in, find a game you’re familiar with, and soak in a little bit of local color while you play. If gaming isn’t your thing, you can find much the same experience by chatting up folks at a local comic shop, going to the movies, or even doing your laundry at a laundromat. Watching foreigners go about their daily lives gives us insight into our own.
Read the full post and check out other great advice from Vagabondish…
-
Top 10 Most Environmentally Friendly Nations
The 2010 Environmental Performance Index, which ranks 163 countries on 25 performance indicators tracked across ten policy categories covering both environmental public health and ecosystem vitality, has been released, and it’s worth looking at in closer detail for the aspiring expat or the eco-conscious traveler. These are the places with the most pristine environments, cleanest waters, most startling biodiversity and even some of the best public transportation or health– definitely things that should be on the top of any soon-to-be traveler’s mind.
1. Iceland
Iceland is known for getting virtually all of its power from renewable energy. They are blessed with rich geothermal resources and roaring rivers for hydroelectic power.
2. Switzerland
Switzerland is among the several European nations on this list well known for their environmental and green efforts. But Switzerland is particularly noteworthy for their stewardship and “clean freak” mentality. Pristine waters fed from alpine glaciers certainly help to inspire!
3. Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s rainforest conservation programs are renowned around the world. This is one country that knows its most precious resources need to be protected.
Check out the complete list at Expatify…
-
Earth Hour 2010: Before & During Lights Out Around the World
Beginning in Sydney, Australia three years ago, Earth Hour has grown into a global observance. States, large organizations and individual people observed Earth Hour 2010 on Saturday March 27th, as homes, office towers and landmarks turned off their lights for an hour starting at 8.30 pm local time to raise awareness about climate change and the threat from rising greenhouse gas emissions.
These two photos show Malaysia’s landmark Petronas Twin Towers before, left, and after being turned off its lights to mark Earth Hour in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, March 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Lai Seng Sin)
The Boston Globe has collected a very cool series of before-and-after photographs from this year - which will fade between “on” and “off” when clicked. Many iconic landmarks and cityscapes from around the world are featured making it a great Bucket List for those of us who ♡ Travel!
Where would YOU like to spend Earth Hour 2011? Leave us a comment!
-
Debunking the Myths of Hostels
The awesome travel writers over at BootsnAll have put together a huge section about hostels and hostelling! Here’s some advice we thought was handy:
Debunking the Myths of Hostels
Before we hit the myths, first let’s talk about one of the most universal truths of both hosteling and traveling: Be considerate of others, and treat them as you would like to be treated. Remember that, and we reckon you’re going to have an even better time in the hostel and on the road. Now, here are some common myths about hostels and hosteling, and what we think of them:
- You have to be under the age of 30 to use a hostel.
- Hostels are scummy, dirty places.
- If you stay in a hostel you will look poor.
- You can’t use the kitchen equipment without getting sick.
- All foreigners and people in hostels are out to hurt you, rob you and rip you off.
- A woman cannot, should not and must not hostel alone – who knows what will happen to her!
- If you stay in a hostel you will have to listen to other people’s funky noises every night.
- If you don’t speak the language, you can’t communicate.
- Hostel owners bore holes through the walls to spy on their guests.
- If you are over 25 nobody will talk to you.
- Special ‘hostel slippers’ must be worn inside the hostel.
- The beds in hostels are breeding grounds for lice/bugs.
- I can’t leave my stuff in my room, everything will get ripped off!
- When staying at a hostel you can make as much mess as you like, the staff will clean up after you.
- There’s no need to worry about being considerate, everyone is just there to party 24/7.
- The hostel owners love people who share alcohol in the dormitories, it adds to the spirit of things.
- Hostels are safe havens to buy/share/deal drugs.
- The refrigerator is full of free snacks for you to indulge in.
-
What Can Scuba Teach Us About Travel?
Happy Friday everyone! I was browsing Matador Sports blog today and thought this post offered great insight into how the basic principles of Scuba diving can be applied to travel and how we approach life in general:
Over 60% of our planet is covered by water. Most of us only skim its surface.
Scuba divers like to go deep and stay there for a while. They want to better understand the ocean environment, to feel as much like a fish as possible.
Any scuba dive course will teach you some crucial, potentially life-saving information. It just so happens that it can also give you a few travel tips to help you immerse yourself abroad as well.
1. Breathe
This may sound like a no-brainer. Breathing is the most natural thing in the world. If you stop breathing until you pass out, your body will pick it right back up again.
It’s more important underwater. If you hold your breath while scuba diving, sudden changes in pressure can rupture your lungs.
When you’re in a new environment, it’s easy to get sucked in and forget to forget how your body is reacting.When the airline loses your bag or a cockroach sets up camp in your hotel room, take a deep breath: everything will be OK.
2. Go slow and steady
The easiest way to spot seasoned divers is by their movements – they don’t thrash around or race from one reef to the next. They move slowly and steadily through the water, working with the ocean currents to conserve energy.
They could cover more distance by swimming faster, but they would deplete their air supply quickly and probably swim right past some of the most unusual and sought-after marine life.
If you jump from one guidebook destination to the next, you’ll end up with a lot of pictures to show people back home, but chances are you won’t understand those people or places much better than you did before. You’ll get the most out of your travels if you take the time to slow down.
Photo: Andrew
3. Equalize often
Underwater, air pockets in divers’ middle ears are squeezed by water pressure. Divers need to stop every few feet and “pop” their ears to equalize them. If they descend without giving their bodies time to adjust, the increasing pressure can cause their eardrums to implode.
Cultural and language differences, rapid climate changes, and an unusual diet can wreak havoc on your body. You need time – both physically and mentally – to adjust to the pressures of travel.
Traveling may not seem like work, but it can be just as taxing. Plan a day to relax – read a book, write in your journal, or take a nap in a hammock.
4. Deeper is (usually) better
Anyone with a snorkel and mask can ogle some pretty fish from the surface. Having an air tank gives you time to get comfortable, and let the local fauna get comfortable with you.
At popular snorkel sites, the aquatic life may be used to human traffic. But in deeper waters, fish will be wary of intruders into their habitat. It also takes time for them to relax and accept you.
If you want to really understand another culture, you have to become a part of it. It takes time to earn people’s trust, but spending that time is well worth it. Not only can you develop meaningful, lasting relationships, but you will discover adventures and experiences only the locals know about.
Photo: DiveKarma
5. Don’t ascend too fast
Just as scuba divers need to be concerned about getting “the bends” by ascending too quickly from a dive, travelers should be cautious about reverse culture shock.
Leaving home for a foreign land can be daunting. As a responsible and conscientious traveler, you probably spend a lot of time before a trip planning for the journey ahead. You learn a few greetings, how to say “thank you”, and to take your shoes off before entering someone’s house.
Going home to a land of supersized supermarkets and designer jeans can be equally overwhelming. Plan your reentry just as you did your departure, and you’ll lessen the depression and discomfort that often sets in.
-
World’s Strangest Buildings
These odd, eye-popping structures—in England, China, and elsewhere—are worth a detour. Check out the slideshow here…
-
America’s Least Wasteful Cities
Earlier this month, Nalgene published the results of its second annual Least Wasteful Cities study; the rankings are visible in this graphic. San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Portland, Oregon, and Boston are the top five; Houston ranks last.
-
World’s Most Impressive Skylines
Many of the world’s most famous skylines are more easily identifiable than the country’s flag and other national symbols. The skylines form uniquely structured compositions where the height of the buildings, their density and originality as well as the surroundings play a significant role in shaping impressive and beautiful cityscapes.
Have a look at some of the most stunning skylines of the world from the gallery put together by OpenTravel:
Chicago. The USA.
The third largest city in the USA, Chicago is the place where the modern skyscraper architecture was born. The city’s Home Insurance Building, completed in 1885, is regarded to be the world’s first steel-framed skyscraper. In turn, Willis Tower, a 108-storey building of 442 m/ 1,451 ft was the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion in 1973. It is still the tallest skyscraper in the USA. The city’s location on the shores of Lake Michigan, one of the world’s largest freshwater bodies, adds to the beauty of Chicago’s panorama. The collection of over 1,000 skyscrapers, lined up along the beaches, appears as one of the world’s largest and most impressive skylines.
Hong Kong. China.
Hong Kong. By Stuck in Customs
Be it the Emporis skyline ranking or ‘World’s Best Skylines’ list by Egbert Gramsbergen and Paul Kazmierczak, Hong Kong occupies the top positions in various rankings of the world’s best skylines. The city, a major financial center and the business hub of Asia, is home to over 7,600 enormous buildings, of which 40 are 200-plus meter skyscrapers. The lack of space and the unique geography of steep hills, mountains, 200 off shore islands and irregular coastline forced the buildings to grow high and densely. The impressive panorama of Hong Kong’s ultramodern skyscrapers with the stunning mountain backdrop and glittering night light reflections make the city a truly breathtaking sight to behold.
Rio de Janeiro. Brazil.
By cokada
Although the city’s skyline is comprised of only a few skyscrapers, Rio de Janeiro’s cityscape looks absolutely wonderful thanks to the beautiful natural setting of the metropolis. Located on a strip of the Atlantic coast, surrounded by hills and rocky mountains, the city’s panorama looks great from any angle. Among the most remarkable pieces of Rio’s cityscape is Christ the Redeemer, a giant statue of Jesus Christ, as well as the Copacabana Beach, from where the entire skyline can be observed - thousands of tourists come to the city every year to admire these outstanding iconic vistas of Rio.
Shanghai. China.
By cuellar
The skyline of Shanghai, the largest city in China (20 million citizens), is truly remarkable. From a small fishing town, Shanghai grew rapidly in the 19th century and today it is one of the major business hubs in Asia. Its importance as a financial and commerce centre of China is reflected in the grandeur of the cityscape. At the end of 2004, Shanghai boasted around 6,700 buildings of 11 or more storeys, many of them exceeding 200 meters. Among the city’s iconic skyline jewels is Shanghai World Financial Center of 101 storeys (492 m tall), which has the highest observation deck in the world, and Oriental Pearl TV Tower, whose metallic spheres can be recognized from a distance.
Sydney. Australia
Sydney. By Christopher Chan
It might not be the tallest and most dense skyline in the world, but it goes without saying that Sydney has one of the most recognizable silhouette on the globe. The largest city in Australia, often called ‘the Harbour City’, emerged on the hills surrounding Sydney Harbour, where the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge are located. The hundreds of modern skyscrapers and the flower shape of the Opera decorate the shores of the bay, making Sydney’s panorama rank among the most beautiful ones on Earth.
View even more amazing and famous skylines at OpenTravel.com…
Likes
-
And that was the day he fell in love with photography.
-
-
El Ateneo bookstore / Buenos Aires Argentina
a dream come true
-
(via urbanandtrendy)
-
(via: monsieur-qui & ihavenightmares)
Departure and Arrivals board: Gare du...
Recent Comments
Following
©2010. Postage by Greg Cooper. Icons by P.J. Onori. Thanks to Jamie Cassidy & Panic.
*Unlikely to find your lost post using this but you can try...
Comments