Traveling: Dangerous business

I sat on the porch in the Australian late afternoon sun, shadows stretching long across the grass, cockatoos screaming through the bush canopy, sipping my tea, knitting. My mind wandered as the guys discussed the merits of following our instinct and road tripping right straight up through the red heart of Australia instead of the well traveled coastal route. There was a lull in the conversation.

“My Dad make that walking stick?” I changed the … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (1)  | September 24, 2013
Category: Backpacking

When you’re out of loot in London

Let’s face it: It’s summer and you’re broke. If you’ve somehow managed to make it to Europe and have some money for food and shelter, you might not have cash for much else. Trust me, I’ve been there. Everyone knows activities in places like London, for example, is pricey. But it’s important to know that there are several fun and interesting things to see and do that are completely free.

With that in mind, this … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (5)  | July 19, 2013
Category: Backpacking, Europe, On The Road, Travel Bargains, Vagabonding Advice, Vagabonding Life

Overlanding: China mainland into Hong Kong

As I noticed that readers enjoyed my post on China bus travel ,  I thought to continue giving some extra advice on the Middle Kingdom…

hongkong Image Credit: Flickr/SBoyd

So are you departing from China, right? You have indeed a few border options: Mongolia, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan… or probably much … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on Overlanding: China mainland into Hong Kong  | July 4, 2013
Category: Asia, Backpacking, Destinations, On The Road

3 Tips for hitchhikers… from the girl who picks you up

hitching

I don’t hitchhike too much, I have four kids and a husband, which is a prohibitive number of people for a convenient pick up. I do, however, pick up hitchhikers just about every chance I get. To me, it’s a great trade, a chance to increase my per-capita gas mileage and the entertainment is for free! Sure, it takes a certain amount of faith in … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (2)  | June 11, 2013
Category: Backpacking, Vagabonding Styles

Visas: always check before you go

Argentina recently enacted new visa rules, according to this post on The Flight Deal. U.S. citizens must pay a “Reciprocity Fee” of $160. More importantly, this must be paid before entry. If you don’t do this, you’ll be denied entry on arrival. The reciprocity refers to how if Country A charges Country B’s citizens a visa fee, then Country B will do the same to Country … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (1)  | January 14, 2013
Category: Backpacking, Expat Life, Notes from the collective travel mind

Women travellers and India

It may be because I have just watched “Life of Pi”, or because once you go to India, if you loved it, you can hardly get it out of your mind. Anyhow, this week I would like to bring this article to your attention. It is an interesting series of suggestions for women travellers to India.

The author “found India both tough and rewarding in the same breath. And from time … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (2)  | December 6, 2012
Category: Asia, Backpacking, On The Road, Youth Travel

Thanksgiving overseas: Belgian beer in Bruges

Growing up in the Midwest, my Thanksgiving was the traditional spread of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, devoured at a relative’s home in suburban Chicago. But I grew up to be an inveterate traveler and spent the holiday in many places—one of the best was the historic, colorful Belgian city of Bruges.

Several years ago I was … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (2)  | November 22, 2012
Category: Backpacking, Europe, Food and Drink, On The Road, Vagabonding Life

The Banana Pancake Syndrome: watch your steps

Some twenty odd years ago, Ian Mckaye – at the time the angry singer of straight edge punk pioneers Minor Threat – sung “guilty of being white”. The lines of the aggressive chorus blazed into my mind as I stepped at the airport’s immigration line to re-enter Malaysia; a bunch of what seemed young Australians … Read more »