Road tripping Brazil: Traveling down the Transamazônica

roadtrip Brazil

I had looked out over Rio de Janeiro standing next to the statue of Cristo Redentor, I had snorkeled, kitesurfed and strolled the palm-lined beaches of northeast Brazil, ambled through colonial towns like Salvador da Bahia and admired modern architecture in Brasília. These places and activities were all highlights of Brazil and I felt I had … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on Road tripping Brazil: Traveling down the Transamazônica  | April 30, 2014
Category: South America

A Pedestrian Experience of the Cinta Costera III: Casco Viejo, Panama

CCIII-3

Panama is not the most walkable city but there are newer pieces and parts planned in pedestrian friendly style.

The Casco Viejo is a city of contrasts, a city under restoration intertwined with a city crumbling down. When I arrived there unexpectedly for a week’s stay I was surprised at the intensity of traffic crowding through the narrow streets.

Walking along the waters edge from … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on A Pedestrian Experience of the Cinta Costera III: Casco Viejo, Panama  | April 29, 2014
Category: Central America, Destinations

You don’t really know a place until you’ve been bored in it

“When you drive on the Great Plains, sometimes it’s hard to understand why the land is so empty, why the small towns are dying, why you get so bored. And it’s hard to write about the boredom without being boring. The boredom is important, however: I don’t believe you know a place until you’ve been really bored in it.” –Ian Frazier, in They Went: The Art and Craft of Travel WritingRead more »

Posted by | Comments Off on You don’t really know a place until you’ve been bored in it  | April 28, 2014
Category: Travel Quote of the Day

Unique angles sell your travel writing

Before you get to the right angle, you might find yourself stuck in a dangerous corner/ picture by Kit Yeng Chan

The email you have been waiting for a long time has finally landed in your inbox. Fat, juicy, inviting bold caps lure your eyes in. It’s no matter of life or death, but if you … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on Unique angles sell your travel writing  | April 27, 2014
Category: Travel Writing, Vagabonding Advice

Does the journey ever truly end?

Boarding that last flight of a particular journey is often bittersweet. The excitement and amazement that comes with the planning, preparation and execution of travel may be ending but the thousands of moments experienced, memories created, lessons learned and new perspectives gained remain. More often than not, it is in the aftermath of a journey that we, as travelers, are more greatly affected than we could have ever imagined.

It’s not just the destinations, the … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on Does the journey ever truly end?  | April 26, 2014
Category: Vagabonding Life

5 tips for how not to chase a deal

Hotel and airline “deals” are a big part my long-term travel strategy. My husband and I are constantly chasing promotions if we think they’ll help us gain another day, week, or month on the road. In fact, quite often we find ourselves making our travel plans based on the deals we find.

We’ve learned a lot about living out of hotels. You can read about our general tips for living out of hotels … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (1)  | April 24, 2014
Category: Hostels/Hotels

Field Report: Nimbin, Australia – Where flower power retired

20140423-202544.jpg Cost/day: Nimbin is a hard place to spend money. You will find that much of the town is free to browse, the area almost feels like entertainment in itself. We spent around $40 dollars on food and drink but this was out of choice. Nimbin is very backpacker friendly so we were able to park our van off a side street and sleep for the night cost free.

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Posted by | Comments Off on Field Report: Nimbin, Australia – Where flower power retired  | April 23, 2014
Category: Destinations, Oceania

Vagabonding book club: Chapter Four: Preparation

boots & a backpack

Just how extensively you should prepare yourself before vagabonding is a topic of much debate among travelers. Many experienced vagabonders believe that less preparation is actually better in the long run. The naturalist John Muir used to say that the best way to prepare for a trip was to “throw some tea and bread into … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (2)  | April 22, 2014
Category: Vagabonding Advice

Post Salkantay trek, Peru

Well, I did it! Just barely, but I managed to “conquer” around 60 kilometers (37 miles) on one of the most challenging treks I’ve ever done. Four days and three nights of difficult uphill, painful downhill, sunburns, rain, aching muscles, and freezing nights in a tent was rewarded with some of the most beautiful scenery that ends … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (1)  | April 20, 2014
Category: Backpacking, Destinations, South America