180 South and the quest for adventure

JOKTON6CY9“The word adventure has gotten overused. For me, when everything goes wrong, that’s when adventure starts.” -Yvon Chouinard

Quick, think of your most memorable travel experience.

Judging by the stories I hear from other travelers and the ones I tell, what sticks out for most are the moments when things went wrong, when for a little … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (1)  | January 15, 2016
Category: Adventure Travel, South America, Travel Video

Central Asia film event in Toronto

I know it’s pretty last minute, but so is life, at times 🙂

If you are in or around Toronto this weekend, you may be interested in checking out Sonchy’s Silk Road Adventure Central Asian Film Event.

Michael Soncina is trying to get some attention on a very adventurous part of the world to travel by organizing this festival. His aim is “to showcase the Central Asian region to a wide audience … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on Central Asia film event in Toronto  | July 25, 2013
Category: Asia, Travel Video

What to bring if you move to China (or anywhere in Asia)

“What do I bring?” is a vexing question that most first-time expats face. You don’t want to bring something and carry it when you could just buy it on the ground. On the flip side, you don’t want to be stuck without an item you really need.

Nick and Tim from The Elevator Life, a video blog for young Western expat entrepreneurs in China, made this video:

Some of … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on What to bring if you move to China (or anywhere in Asia)  | October 15, 2012
Category: Asia, Expat Life, Travel Video

Upcoming movie: One day on Earth

Here’s an exciting film for vagabonders: it’s about 7 billion people, 24 hours, and one planet.  Check out the trailer:

From the official description:

ONE DAY ON EARTH creates a picture of humanity by recording a 24-hour period throughout every country in the world. We explore a greater diversity of perspectives than ever seen before on screen. We follow characters and events that evolve throughout the day, interspersed with expansive global montages that explore … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on Upcoming movie: One day on Earth  | November 4, 2011
Category: Images from the road, Notes from the collective travel mind, Travel Video

The value of video footage in travel

Bethlehem, Palestine

On Sunday, CBS’s 60 Minutes aired film footage of San Francisco in 1906. The footage, taken by a camera attached to a cable car going down Market Street, is less than 12 minutes long, and it is mesmerizing in a way a still photo cannot be. We see bodies moving, faces moving, … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on The value of video footage in travel  | July 12, 2011
Category: Africa, Asia, Images from the road, Travel Video

STA announces 2011 World Traveler Interns

It’s that time of year again when STA travel picks this summers World Traveler Interns and the two lucky candidates have been announced. The 2011 interns are Brigette Muller and Dutch Simpson. You can read more about who they are and what inspired them to apply for the position here, on the STA website.

This … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on STA announces 2011 World Traveler Interns  | May 18, 2011
Category: Asia, Europe, Oceania, South America, Travel Video, Travel Writing

Life in a Day: Update

Several weeks ago I wrote about the film Life in a Day that is slated for release in the next few months. Since then, anticipation for the film seems to have gone viral, as the trailer and articles about the film have popped up all over popular websites like facebook, twitter, and other social forums. I feel as if unable to get online without reading some mention of the film. With seemingly such … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (1)  | May 11, 2011
Category: Travel Video

Monty Python on the irritations of package tourism

A 1972 Monty Python sketch called “Travel Agent” contains a classic scene where the Eric Idle character goes on an over-the-top rant about package tourism, at the expense of Michael Palin’s travel-agent character. Many of the references are dated now — and the whole scene is drenched in hyperbole — but many of the frustrations of overly structured group-travel still ring true. Here’s the rant in full:

“What’s the point of going abroad … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (1)  | April 18, 2011
Category: Europe, Hostels/Hotels, Travel Quote of the Day, Travel Video

Q&A with Brook Silva-Braga, director of ‘The China Question’

China is a huge country, and an even bigger topic to tackle in a movie.  Filmmaker Brook Silva-Braga took on that daunting challenge in his new documentary, “The China Question.”  This is the divisive issue that causes American workers to worry, politicians to vacillate, and businesspeople to make deals: “What does China’s rise mean for America?”

Marcus Sortijas, Vagablogging’s Asia beat editor and creator of the Marcus Goes Global blog, interviewed Brook … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (7)  | April 8, 2011
Category: Asia, Backpacking, Notes from the collective travel mind, Travel Video