7 Reasons You Should Experience Backpacking in Thailand

Thailand & Backpacking. The two go together like Sang Som & Coke. Is backpacking in Thailand easy? For the most part. Should you expect challenges? Definitely. If you want order, normality, and don’t want to be placed outside of your comfort zone, you probably shouldn’t visit Thailand. Expect language barriers. Expect that someone will try [...]

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New Zealand’s North: Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach

I’m not typically a fan of bus tours. To be fair, I haven’t been on many – but, when given the opportunity, I’ll always choose solo travel over guided bus tours. I can’t personally think of anything worse than being stuck on a coach full of young backpackers who are just looking for an excuse [...]

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Cruising the Bay of Islands on The Rock

If you’re on a backpacking trip to New Zealand, you can’t miss out on the Bay of Islands – an inlet off the South Pacific north of Auckland dotted with over one hundred tropical islands. On a sunny day, the blue-green, emerald waters contrasted with the white sand beaches will almost take your breath away. [...]

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A Day Trip on New Zealand’s West Coast (Photo Essay)

If you’re visiting New Zealand’s West Coast and have tired of the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, consider spending a half-day driving to Gillespies Beach. It’s an epic beach and there is plenty to keep you busy on the drive there. Gillespies Beach is found 30 minutes from Fox Glacier Village and 60 minutes from [...]

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Monday Escape: Kaikoura, New Zealand

Today’s Monday Escape takes you to sunny Kaikoura, found on New Zealand’s South Island south of the world famous Marlborough wine region. It’s a beautiful spot for a town – tucked between the sea on one side and the rugged Seaward Kaikoura Range on the other. Kaikoura translates to kai – food and koura – [...]

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Monday Escape: Chios, Greece

Today’s Monday Escape takes you to Chios, Greece, found just off the coast of Turkey in the Aegean Sea. Chios is the fifth largest of the Greek Islands and is home to just under 50,000 people. As it’s very often overlooked by tourist companies operating from Athens, it’s a terrific island to visit if you [...]

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Monday Escape: Raglan, New Zealand

Each Monday, I’ll post a travel photo with a brief description of the area. Through this feature, you’ll hopefully get a small taste of a fascinating destination. Today’s Monday Escape takes you to Raglan, New Zealand – a small, surf community located about three hours south of Auckland. You’ll know you’re in a surf town [...]

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Experience Abel Tasman In a Day

Each summer, thousands of backpackers and other budget travelers flock to New Zealand for a number of reasons – the sun, the beaches, the hiking, or the jaw-dropping landscapes that New Zealand provides. Many of these travelers come to New Zealand to hike a ‘Great Walk’ – one of several tramping tracks found around the [...]

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Chios, Greece

17/11/2008 Brian, Peter, and I are on a ferry, en route to Cesme, Turkey. Peter is an American traveler I met while on the train from Patras to Athens. A recent graduate from Washington state, Peter decided to travel for six months before facing reality – not a bad idea. Brian ended up meeting up [...]

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