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Showing posts with label Travel Bug. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel Bug. Show all posts

Sunday, 8 October 2017

Trip Planning: South Africa


Hey Guys,
We will be traveling to South Africa (SA) soon and are looking for any advice for visiting SA. First we will be in Johannesburg and then Cape Town. 

Any advice on things to do, places to go, especially what and where to eat would be greatly appreciated. Let us know in the comments. Thanks!

Sunday, 15 January 2017

Why I Love Traveling.

The thing I love about travel isn't always the seeing new things. Its not the where you should go or the what you should do. Its the thoughts and ideas and experiences that come out of it. Yes, going somewhere and doing something is the medium that brings out the thought, but its the thought thats what is really interesting. How something opens your eyes and makes you think. How being in that particular place changed you. And made you realize certain things. The experience may be the way you will react to certain stimulus. It may be something you don't particularly like, but at least now you know.

There are many different ways to travel and every travel experience is a thing in itself. Sharing places you went and what you did is important. But the main focus is what did it really mean. That meaning can be difficult to find and may not even show up until later but I think it is pivotal. Hell some parts may not seem that important, but its all part of the story. People are a sum of their experiences. Travel opens you up to experiences that you probably won't be able to get from sitting in your living room. You could watch tv, you could read a book but there is something to be said for going outside and taking in that view for yourself. All other mediums are second hand. Experience is allowing yourself to take in something with only your filter.

The truth is you don't have to travel to have profound thoughts and to experience life. For me though, its just easier to always be learning and stay open to new things if I am constantly putting myself in new situations. Or putting myself in the same position but handling it differently because of another recent experience.

I love seeing and doing new things because of the ways it changes me, even if I don't realize what it has done at the time. What if thats the reason travel is the greatest therapist? Because you do or see something and then you are allowed to ask yourself, 'How did that make me feel?'


Sunday, 18 September 2016

Hitch The World: The Chronicles of Patrick Joseph Falterman II


A friend of mine posted a comic strip by Things in Squares on my Facebook page which had a lot of insightful things to say about travel. It was the story of Patrick Joseph Falterman. Basically, there was this dude, living in Texas and he wanted to see the Amazon. So, he did.

It may not seem like a lot, but taking that leap can be a pretty horrifying experience. Luckily, this gentleman's journey was epic. On his site, hitchtheworld.com, you can find archives of his travels. Reading through them, he articulates things that I've felt, but have never been able to put into words. He perfectly expresses the need to get away and writes about all the hits and misses that come with that need. Something, which I find incredibly difficult to explain to people, especially if they've never felt it. For some, travel isn't just a thing you do because you have vacation time. For some, its a thing that lives inside, that can make you miserable if you don't listen to it, but can also bring you more joy than you ever expected.

I never got a chance to meet Patrick but I'd like to think that if we met on the road, we'd hang out for a couple of weeks. Reading about his trips, reminded me that while this may not be 'normal' there are other people out there doing the same thing. Some in way more extreme circumstances. Not everyone may be a nomad, but everyone should have the zest for life this guy did. 

Please check out Patricks website, hitchtheworld.com. There's loads of great travel stories and advice that would be a shame to go to waste.

Sunday, 27 December 2015

2015 Edition: Top 5 Places In The World

Since this will be my last post for the year I figured I would do a round up of my favorite places. Hopefully the more I travel every year this list will change a little, or at least I'll be able to extend it a little more. I've got to put a disclaimer though, I haven't been to some of these places in years and they may have changed a lot since I've been there or better yet the nostalgia may have taken over and I can't accurately remember how bad the place actually was, but from my recollection, these are the places in the world I felt the most comfortable and happy.

1. River Bay


2. The Beach, St. Eustatius



3. Park Morazan, Costa Rica



4. Bondi Beach, Australia



5. Central Park, New York City, New York



Honorable mention to my bed. Doesn't matter where I in the world I am, the place I go to sleep will always be the place I feel the happiest.

Sunday, 13 December 2015

Facts That Will Make You Want To Travel


Not that you needed another reason to pack your bags. But I'd love to jump on a plane right now. Be warned though, watching this video may drop you in a Buzzfeed travel hole and you might not be able to get out of until 5 videos later.

Seriously though, lets get out of here. Like now. *flip the table*

Sunday, 12 July 2015

Discover Outdoors


Discover Outdoors is a New York adventure company who organize excursions. They are all about getting outdoors, being active and being adventurous. They've got activities ranging from photography classes in Central Park to African trips to help elephants.

So far I've gone surfing, rock climbing, weekend hikes and even a photography classes. Its a great time, all the hosts I've met so far have been great. One even popped my shoulder back in after I dislocated it. You meet a lot of awesome people and you can have a little adventure right outside the city. Being able to do these trips and get away from the city was a life saver for me. If I couldn't escape the concrete jungle I'd probably have gone crazy.

Even better they do charity work getting city kids active and outdoors. So by supporting them, you  might get a little good karma coming your way. Better yet, if you become a member you get returns on any trips you book for trips later on. Everybody wins. If you live in New York or just visiting and looking for a good time upstate, check them out at Discover Outdoors.