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6 Tips for Reaching the Greek Islands
2009-09-22 14:59:00
This is a guest post by Vera Marie Badertscher of A Traveler’s Library. The Greek Islands have been luring travelers since Ulysses made his meandering way home to Ithaca from Troy. The beauty of the Aegean Sea, ?wine dark? in the greater depths, but translucent turquoise in shallow waters along the shore, combined with the ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Exploring the Aran IslandsIreland – The Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, and the Aran IslandsKhayelitsha – uMlungu in a Towship
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Now Available: Free Dare Me! eBook
2009-09-21 15:00:00
Free eBook During my ’round the world trip from 2007-2009, I entertained 17 dares from family, friends, and readers in exchange for free beer and cash donations. “Dare Me!” is a compilation of all the bets I received and what happened when I tried to win them.  From the simply embarrassing to the death-defying and disgusting, there?s ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Behold – New Blog Design LaunchedIntroducing “Dare Me!”Dare Me – Recounting My Hits and Misses
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Travel Video ? Kathmandu Street Scene
2009-09-19 16:56:00
_________ In keeping with this week’s Friday Flashback, I’m presenting a 32-second, 360-degree view of a typical street in the older part of Kathmandu .  It was sensory overload. Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Friday Flashback – World Heritage Sites In Kathmandu ValleyFriday Flashback – The Bus ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Friday Flashback – World Heritage Sites In Kathmandu ValleyFriday Flashback – The Bus From Kathmandu To PokharaStreet Food And The Hemp House
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Friday Flashback ? World Heritage Sites In Kathmandu Valley
2009-09-18 10:17:00
At the rate I’m going with flashbacks, I’ll be stuck in Nepal forever, but truth be told, the little Himalayan country holds a special place in my heart. Here are the posts I wrote after visits to 4 of the 7 World Heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley: Kathmandu’s Durbar Square (cool architecture) Touring Swayambhunath Stupa (aka the ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Hinduism’s Holy Pashupatinath TempleKathmandu’s Durbar SquareFriday Flashback – The Bus From Kathmandu To Pokhara
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Trip Advice for South Africa, Swaziland, Namibia, and Botswana
2009-09-17 16:04:00
We saw elephants, rhinos, hippos, leopards, cheetahs, and the rest. The lions eluded usPreface:  The following information was submitted to me in 2000 by a traveler named Alexander.  Having been to South Africa and Botswana in 2008, his tips and warnings still hold true.  The photos are mine. I lived in Southern-Africa, including South-Africa, until 1995, and traveled the whole area extensively. Also, I visited South-Africa, Swaziland, Namibia , and Botswana last ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Final Thoughts: South Africa And BotswanaWe’re Going To South Africa!Trip Advice For Kenya

A Dead Bat In Paraguay by Roosh Vörek
2009-09-15 16:38:00
A Dead Bat In Paraguay is not your typical travel memoir, and that's exactly why I enjoyed it.I met Roosh in Medellin about five months ago.  In addition to acquainting himself with Colombia’s culture (and women), he was there to finish writing his second book.  A Dead Bat in Paraguay is the memoir of his 6-month backpacking trip around South America . Roosh sets the stage for deciding to travel long term by giving ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Khayelitsha – uMlungu in a TowshipWanderlust and Lipstick: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling SoloThe Return Trip To Medellin

Khayelitsha ? uMlungu in a Towship
2009-09-15 02:31:00
I recently came across A Traveler’s Library, the new blog by award-winning writer Vera Marie Badertscher.  Before I knew it, I was drafting a guest post for her about an insightful book I read in South Africa last year, Khayelitsha – uMlungu in a Township by Steven Otter. Please head on over to Vera’s virtual travel ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Friday Flashback – Lessons Learned From My First TrekTransitions & Launching MedellinLiving.comWould You Accept A Sponsored Trip Around The World?

Win A Free Trip To Colombia ? Entries Due Sept 21
2009-09-14 16:28:00
Ned Hepburn of the very manly Manolith blog will be traveling to Colombia within a month to experience the country’s best, and YOU could easily join him.  I say that with confidence because the time between when the contest was announced and the deadline for entry is very tight.  You won’t have to wait 8 ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Would You Accept A Free Trip To Colombia?Update: The Colombia TripCapoeira In Colombia
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Useful Foreign Phrases
2009-09-13 15:30:00
Tis the season for new travel books, and they’re piling up faster than I can read them.  My most recent receipt is “The Third Tower Up from the Road: A Compilation of Columns from McSweeney’s Internet Tendency” by Kevin Dolgin. These are humorous sketches of over 50 world cities by a guy who travels for mysterious ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:30 Words – A New Approach To Language GuidesStuff I Am Not PlanningSaying Goodbye…Again
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Travel Video ? Death Cab For Cutie
2009-09-12 14:52:00
I was listening to Death Cab for Cutie while blogging, and tweeted as much, only to have Gary share this video with me for “I Will Possess Your Heart.” It didn’t take me long to see why he considers it his favorite travel music video. It’s a long version of the song at ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Travel Video – Bedouins in Wadi Rum, JordanVideo of the Week – Bizarre FoodsVideo of the Week – Arlington Rap

Friday Flashback ? Whitewater Rafting & Camping Trip
2009-09-11 15:21:00
In Nepal, I had my pick of the rivers.  From day trips to 10-day expeditions, costs were low by western standards and opportunities for adrenaline rushes were high.  With only two day trips to my credit, I decided to go with a 3-day trip on the holy Kali Gandaki River, which included a few Class ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Day 3 – Whitewater Rafting Friday Flashback – The Bus From Kathmandu To PokharaWhitewater Rafting in Costa Rica
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Interview ? An American Expat In Costa Rica
2009-09-10 15:33:00
Astrid, Casey (middle) and me in Medellin I met Casey during my last week in Colombia.  More than a decade earlier, he had left the United States to start his own business in Central America, which surprised me considering how he seemed about my age! In the interview below, he talks about his move to Costa ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:The Costa Rica ConnectionLounging in Cahuita, Costa RicaWhitewater Rafting in Costa Rica
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Trip Advice For Kenya
2009-09-09 15:43:00
Preface:  I did some house cleaning around GoBackpacking in preparation for the launch of the new layout.  Any useful bits of information that had been stored in the corners of the castle are being dusted off and presented anew.  The following information was sent to me around 2000 by a traveler named Alexander. ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Trip Advice for South Africa, Swaziland, Namibia, and BotswanaUpdate: The Colombia TripWould You Accept A Free Trip To Colombia?
More About: Kenya

Behold ? New Blog Design Launched
2009-09-08 17:30:00
I’m excited to unveil a new design for GoBackpacking.com!  If you normally read posts via RSS reader or e-mail, be sure to stop by and check it out. My main motivation for the changes came from the long-overdue need to incorporate or discard the static pages of my website dating back to 1999. Yes, I spent ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Now Available: Free Dare Me! eBookWordPress Plugins, Recommended Reading, and My Week In ReviewAn Interlude for WordPress Blog gers
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Johnny Colt Rocks The Travel Channel
2009-09-08 04:08:00
He was well spoken, and I took an immediate liking to him. Yes, I was hooked after the first few minutes. I think it was about 10 AM this Labor Day morning when I joined my parent’s for breakfast, and decided to take control of the kitchen TV.  I stumbled across the start of a No Reservations episode set in Laos, which I had visited on my RTW trip last year.  After breakfast, and that episode, ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:This Week In Travel Podcast & Thai Hilltribe TreksThe Decision Not To Travel After 9/11Staying Motivated to Travel Long Term
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The Decision Not To Travel After 9/11
2009-09-07 14:14:00
The morning of September 11, 2001 is well-ingrained in my memory.  Within a few days of the attack, I called Adventure Center and verified my October trip was still scheduled, which meant I had to decide whether or not to head for The Middle East.  My parent’s definitely did not want me to go.  My ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Booking the Egypt Trip & Finding Airfare (2001)My Egypt Trip (2001)Researching the Egypt Trip & Operator (2001)
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Booking the Egypt Trip & Finding Airfare (2001)
2009-09-07 00:05:00
After I had enough money for the initial deposit, I called Adventure Center back. I spoke to the same woman as before, Maz. Since my trip is one of the least expensive, the $300 deposit was more than 3/4 of the total cost. I planned on paying the remaining $90 in another few weeks. I printed out copies of ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:My Egypt Trip (2001)Researching the Egypt Trip & Operator (2001)The Decision Not To Travel After 9/11
More About: Booking , Airfare

Researching the Egypt Trip & Operator (2001)
2009-09-06 08:49:00
By now I?m convinced I need to go visit Egypt , and soon! After reading the ad, I wanted to check and see if the tour operator, Adventure Center, had a web site. I went to http://www.adventurecenter.com and sure enough it was the tour operator?s site. I clicked on the About Us link first. I was excited to see they ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:My Egypt Trip (2001)Booking the Egypt Trip & Finding Airfare (2001)The Decision Not To Travel After 9/11
More About: Operator

My Egypt Trip (2001)
2009-09-05 19:31:00
Preface:  9 years ago, I was actively planning a trip to Egypt for the first time.  I started documenting the process on this site (long before this blog), however my plans would come up against the shocking events of 9/11.  This is a four part series, with the first three parts having been written in ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Booking the Egypt Trip & Finding Airfare (2001)Researching the Egypt Trip & Operator (2001)The Decision Not To Travel After 9/11

Travel Video ? Bedouins in Wadi Rum, Jordan
2009-09-05 08:10:00
In this video, Captain John spends a night with Bedouins in Wadi Rum as he continues his month long tour of Jordan . For me, Jordan follows Egypt as the Middle Eastern country I’m most excited to check out.  Late last year, I just couldn’t bring myself to spend the holidays there, so I rushed through Egypt, ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Europe RevistedTravel Video of the Week – Panda Bear Cubs At PlayVideo of the Week – Caye Caulker, Conservation Paradise in Belize

9 Inspiring Quotes For Independent Travel
2009-09-05 01:14:00
The air was soft, the stars so fine, the promise of every cobbled alley so great, that I thought I was in a dream. – Jack Kerouac, On The Road We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream. – Arthur O’Shaunessey, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory We shall not cease from exploration ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Favorite Motivational Quotes (From Movies)The Inspiring Lyrics of Metallica’s Road AnthemFavorite Motivational Song Lyrics
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Friday Flashback ? Making Friends Through Meditation
2009-09-04 13:22:00
Of the 15,000+ photos I took on my trip, this is one of my favorites.  Maybe it’s the zen-like smiles we are all offering the camera after three days of meditation, yoga, and Buddhist teachings from our American monk.  Or the healthy effects of vegetarian meals.  Or the great friendships I formed. Probably a little ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Friday Flashback – The Rhododendron ForestsFriday Flashback – Trekking Troubles In SinuwaFriday Flashback – Day 1 of Trekking In Nepal
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Favorite Motivational Song Lyrics
2009-09-04 00:58:00
Music is a passion of mine, which is why I was devastated in Phnom Penh last year when my Creative 8gb MP3 player stopped working.  It contained ALL my favorite music.  Thankfully, though not for the music industry, it’s incredibly easy to get new MP3’s by the longboat load in Southeast Asia.  I bought a ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Favorite Motivational Quotes (From Movies)Top Song : Snow (Hey Oh) by RHCPMy Favorite Accommodations
More About: Lyrics , Song lyrics

The World?s Strangest Restaurants
2009-09-03 08:54:00
Tripbase has published a very unique list of restaurants.  They were all new to me, and I’m willing to bet they are for you too.  From the ninja restaurant, to eating in the dark, and being served by waiters with condoms on their head, if there’s an odd way to market your dining establishment, it’s ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Chef Ferran Adria’s El Bulli – #1 Restaurant in the World Dare #14 – Completed – It’s A Dog Eat Dog WorldNow Available: Free Dare Me! eBook
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Favorite Motivational Quotes (From Movies)
2009-09-03 00:54:00
Planning and saving for a trip can take awhile. We all need to draw our motivation to stick with it from somewhere, and our favorite movies, songs and books can be just the source of support (or laugh) we need.  Over the next few days, I’ll share some of my favorite quotes that keep me motivated. Life ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Favorite Motivational Song Lyrics9 Inspiring Quotes For Independent TravelMy Favorite Accommodations
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Souvenir Spotlight ? Religious Box From Tibet
2009-09-02 13:46:00
When I returned from my backpacking trip, I unpacked all the boxes I sent home like a kid on Christmas morning.  Some of the stuff had sentimental value, some of it was just as cool as I’d remembered when buying it, and a small percentage fell into the “why the hell did I buy this” ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Uprisings In Tibet Little Tibet RevisitedThe Challenges of Entering Tibet from Nepal
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Book Launch ? Imagine: A Vagabond Story
2009-09-02 05:39:00
“Have you ever wondered what would happen if one day you decided to leave everything behind and start fresh in a foreign country? Imagine is a memoir of sex, drugs, and Salsa dancing, but even more so, it’s a tale of rare camaraderie and of life-changing adventures that can only happen with an open mind and ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Desire (and World Stompers Book Review)My Backpack Tells A Story The Inspiring Lyrics of Metallica’s Road Anthem
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A Backpacker?s Guide To Massages In Asia
2009-09-01 14:02:00
I quickly became a connoisseur during my time in Asia . Author’s Note:  This article is *not* about happy-endings! Full body massages are a luxury for most Westerners – the occasional gift to be given to a woman, or the benefit of having too much disposable income for a man.  Yet, if you’re heading to Asia, you will soon find the opportunities for affordable, quality massages and ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:The Good Life – Massages and Spa TreatmentsFriday Flashback – Welcome to AsiaThe Art Of Foot Massages In China
More About: India , Thailand , Guide , Backpacker

Here?s A Quick Way To Spice Up Your Travels
2009-08-31 14:07:00
When I was a kid, I remember being in my best friend’s kitchen as he suckled a bottle of Tabasco sauce for sheer pleasure.  I assumed he could inherently handle it because he was Asian, and I wasn’t.  In reality, the reason had to do with the differing cultural environments in which we were brought ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Thai Delivery, Mexican, & KampucheaDare #12 ? Completed? – Vindaloo Consumption (In India)Marie Sharp’s Fiery Hot Habanero Pepper Sauce
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This Week In Travel Podcast & Thai Hilltribe Treks
2009-08-30 19:00:00
Last weekend, I read “A Village, Or A Zoo?” the Washington Post travel section’s cover story about the author’s experience trekking through the hills of northern Thai land , visiting various ethnic tribes.  The main draw was the same as it was for me and just about every other backpacker visiting Chiang Mai – the Karen Tribe ...Your Free Subscriber Download Download "Dare Me!" now. Enjoy 17 off-the-wall adventures from a RTW trip. Related posts:Day 1 – Hill Tribe TrekFriday Flashback – Trek Preparations In PokharaNew Series – Developing A Successful Travel Blog
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