Trip reports

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Big Bad Quito

June 21, 2010

“You’ll get robbed” they said. “Quito is a hell hole full of mugs, low life’s and degenerates.” “You’ll be lucky to leave with both kidneys intact, let alone your laptop.” Everyone seems to have an opinion about Quito, and it’s generally not pleasant. ‘The most dangerous place in South America’ had been bandied about while [...]

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Melbourne as a Backpacker

April 4, 2010

This post is supposed to be about doing Melbourne, Australia (my home town) as a backpacker. I wanted to write something on how those of us with itchy feet who want to be travelling but can’t (work commitments, saving money etc) can still do the little things to get that ‘on the road’ feeling back, by [...]

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Some Destinations Aren’t as Glorious as Advertised

February 15, 2010

I’m so sick of the travel section of most mainstream newspapers. The Saturday ‘Traveller’ section of my local paper is pretty much pages and pages of advertisements thinly disguised as destination reviews. I’ve noticed that it’s pretty rare to find a less than flattering review written journalists that travel as ‘guests’ of the tour groups, [...]

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The Untouristed Thailand

January 18, 2010

So you want to visit Thailand. That’s cool. It’s a great place to travel to. Got your guidebook yet? Have you noticed all those ‘Must see’ destinations, and the ‘Hidden Gems’? Well guess what. They aren’t so hidden any more. You can expect that “deserted beach with powder soft white sand and turquoise blue water” [...]

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Thumbnail image for The End of the World – Ushuaia, Argentina

The End of the World – Ushuaia, Argentina

September 21, 2009

The four hour flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia gives passengers amazing views of Patagonia and the snow-capped Andes mountains that stretch all the way down through South America.  Flying in, it’s hard to imagine there is a modern city anywhere in the vicinity. Ushuaia is considered the southern-most city in the world.  Battling with [...]

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Havana Cuba, Frozen in Communism

August 31, 2009

For many travelers there is a certain Mystique that Cuba and in particular Havana holds. The largest Island in the Caribbean is a treasure of Spanish Colonial architecture, breath taking beaches, classic American Cars and being one of the final bastions of communism. Frozen in time is one of the descriptions I use to convey [...]

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Working in a Hostel While Traveling

August 3, 2009

OK, you’ve handed in your notice, packed your bags, said bye to mum, paid off the credit card (well, most of it) and you’re off on your yearlong adventure. Problem is if you are anything like me you’ve spent a little too long in Europe, enjoyed a couple extra flights in lieu of excruciating overnight [...]

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Thumbnail image for Budapest, the Beautiful Danube, and Expensive Hungarian Food

Budapest, the Beautiful Danube, and Expensive Hungarian Food

June 23, 2009

I first considered visiting Budapest after reading Tim Leffel’s blog (Tim is the author of The World’s Cheapest Destinations: 21 Countries Where Your Money is Worth a Fortune). I didn’t pay much attention to the date it was posted and decided it would be my big fall trip thanks to a college graduation present I was ready to cash in.

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All You Need to Know About Hostels

June 8, 2009

“You stay in hostels?” people often ask when I talk to them about the way I travel. “Aren’t you afraid of getting robbed or murdered?”

Thanks a lot Eli Roth for scaring the bejeezus out of inexperienced travelers and causing them to think they’re going to get murdered if they stay in a hostel. I personally haven’t bothered watching his films Hostel and Hostel II, but I can assure you that there are very few similarities.

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3 Travelers Share Their Favorite Budget Destinations

May 22, 2009

I asked some fellow travel writers what their favorite budget travel destination was and received some great responses. Here are my two favorite, followed by one of my own.

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