Home About Me Blog Pictures Travel Tips Ask Me! Links Contact Me Copyright

Countries Visited

Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Belgium
Belize
Bermuda
Cambodia
Canada
Cayman Islands
Costa Rica
Czech Republic
Greece
Guatemala
Italy
Japan
Laos
Malaysia
Mexico
Norway
Singapore
Spain
Thailand
United States
The Holy See
Vietnam

Travel Stats

Favorite Country: Thailand
Least Favorite: Vietnam
Favorite City: Amsterdam
Least Favorite: Atlanta
Pictures Taken: 4,000
Favorite Airline: JAL
Least Favorite: American
Favorite Bar: Cheap Charlies
Least Favorite: No bar is bad
Favorite Food: Italian
Least Favorite: Czech
Favorite Beer: Beer Lao
Least Favorite: Budweiser

Upcoming Travels

April 2008- Holland
July 2008- England
Aug. 2008- Sweden/Holland
Sept. 2008- Germany/France
Oct. 2008- China
Nov. 2008- China
Dec. 2008- China/Thailand
Jan. 2009- Thailand
Feb. 2009- Australia or New Zealand

Travel Goals

1. Climb to Everest Base Camp.
2. Climb Mt Kilimanjaro.
3. Learn to Scuba Dive.
4. Visit every continent.
5. See the Galapagos Islands.
6. Sail down the Amazon River.
7. Climb Ayer's Rock.
8. Travel on the Trans-Siberian Railroad.
9. Go into space.
10. Throw tomatos at La Tomintina in Spain.
11. See the sunrise from Mt. Fuji.
12. Try to figure out the Buddhist messages at Borobudor in Indonesia.
13. Visit the Pyramids
14. Safari in East Africa for 3 months.
15. Go to the World Cup!
16. See Macchu Picchu.
17. Join the Century Club. (100 countries visited)
18. Join the Mile High Club. (Hey why not?)
19. Do development work in a 3rd world country.
20. See Petra Jordan.
21. Backpack the Eastern Block.
22. Go back to Alaska and see the Northern Lights.
23. Vegas Baby! Vegas!
24. Greek Island hop.
25. Cycle Tuscany.
26. Visit India.
27. Lounge forever in the Seychelles.
28. See Morocco.
29. Oktoberfest!
30. Caravan across the Sahara.
31. Visit Tibet.
32. Go to the Cannes Film Festival.
33. Go to the Sundance Film Festival.
34. Eat a sushi meal at NOBU
35. Pacific Island hop.
36. Spend a night in the Ice Hotel in Sweden.
37. Go to Israel.
38. Carnival!!!!
39. and it's slightly less cool cousin, Mardi Gras!
40. See Glacier National Park before the glaciers melt.
41. Fly first class on some long international flight!

Add Me



Click here for great deals on rail passes!! Rail C
House Cleaning
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Taking a break from the normal travel related articles, I'd thought I'd share some of the developments going on in my world.

This Thursday I am going on vacation. I'll be spending three days visiting a friend in England before spending a week in Holland. I'm going to see some old friends and celebrate Queen's Day. I'm excited to get back on the road, even if it's just for a little while. Look for dispatches from the road, along with new photos and video.

I'm going to be doing a major revamp of the website. As it has gotten up and running, I've noticed some organizational and visual changes that are needed. I'm going to be better organizing content on the pages as well as adding new photos, photo tags, and video. Look for it to come over the next few weeks. I've been meaning to do it for a while now but I've been working too much!

I've gotten a lot of interest in my writing (yay!) and starting in May, you'll see some of my work on Matador Travel, Brave New Traveler, and Vagabondish. I'm working the editors now to get some writing up. Starting on Tuesday, I will be posting again on Lonely Planet's MySpace pages. If you have MySpace, check them out. If not, don't worry, I'll be posting them up here. My articles will be running for the next 8 weeks and (fingers crossed) they might actually go up on the main Lonely Planet page.

I've found a number of good travel blogs and sites and urge you to check them out in my links section. If you want your blog linked to me, drop me a line. I'd be happy to exchange some links!

I'd love to have you all RSS too. If you are into RSS feeds, feed mine here: Feed HERE!!

Finally, I'm not a web designer and I know there are probably little things wrong with the site, so if you happen to notice links that don't work, html that screws up the layout, or have any thoughts, please drop me a line!
posted by Nomadic Matt @ 8:43 AM   0 comments
The Saturday City: Boston
Saturday, April 19, 2008
(The Saturday City is going to be a weekly series on this blog. Every Saturday, I'll write about a city I have visited. I'll talk about its history, the sights, the people, things to do, and my impressions of it. So sit back, drink your coffee, and enjoy!)


Boston was founded in in the 1620s by Puritan settlers from England seeking religious self rule. Over time. the city expanded and became a major port and economic center in the American Colonies. It also became an important city during the American revolution. In 1763, we threw tea into the ocean, signifying our rebellion against the British. The first battles of the war, Lexington and Concord, were fought here. Many famous politicians such as John Adams and John Hancock were from Boston. The city has been an important and famous city throughout this country history being on the forefront of a lot of changes and his home to the political dynasty of the Kennedys.

One of the most amazing things about Boston is its European feel. A small city lacking few high rises and still filled with old brick buildings, the city feels like more of a large town than a modern metropolis. Its neighborhoods are easily separated yet at the same time flow seamlessly into each other. The city is small and easily walkable, its neighborhoods not far apart, unlike larger cities like New York or Tokyo or Miami.

The city of my birth, Boston has a special place in my heart. I've traveled far and wide and it still ranks as one of my favorite cities in the world for its charm, its people, and its beauty.

Boston is steeped in history and it is that history that gives it its charm. No visit here is complete without walking the freedom trail, taking you through all the historic landmarks of the city and giving you a chance to see the historic building and locations where the birth of a nation took place. You'll walk past the old state house and Faneuil Hall where the revolution began, see the graves of our founders, and get a feel for colonial Boston Visit Beacon Hill, with its small streets and colonial homes, where all gentry used to and, in many cases, still do live. Ben Franklin will even give you a guided tour!

Boston is beautiful place, especially in the summer time. Winter makes us all hibernate and, as the weather warms, we trickle out of our caves and onto the streets to enjoy Boston at its best. Restaurants bring out the tables for out dining, the sounds of Fenway and baseball fill the streets, concerts creep outdoors and onto the half shell to be listened as the boats sail up and down the Charles River. Yes, summer in Boston is the place to be.

Each neighborhood holds its own flavor. Head to the north end for a taste of Italy. Here you will find some of the best Italian food the city has to offer while you wander through old brick alleys and tenement homes now redone as expensive restaurants and upscale (but still tiny) apartments.


Go to the back bay to spend the day walking and shopping down Newbury Street and get a taste of how the well to do live. Sit in Copley Plaza, in front of the famous Trinity Church, and soak up some sun.

Visit all the hip and lovely eateries in the South End.

Spend a nice day on Boston Common and wander the public gardens to see the swans. There you can lay down with the rest of the city as we rest and relax, while playing frisbee and watching the kids play in frog pond.

At night, walk over to the Theater District and take in a show or eat at some of Boston amazing restaurants like Fugyaku, Stehpanie's on Newbury, Abe and Louis, #9 Park, Vinalia, Haru, Legal Seafoods, or Teatro. There are just too many great places to name all over the city. No matter where you find yourself, you will find top rated food.

If you're young at heart, head down to the Brighton area to hang out with the college kids and eat some very unhealthy after bar food at Rednecks.

Boston often gets a bad rap as a cold city. Not because of its winter but because of its people. We are fast paced and don't have time to be slowed down. Often that gives people the perception that we're unfriendly and rude, which is totally untree. Be tourist standing around lost and just watch how many people come over to help you. Bostonians are really friendly and very welcoming but we do have a hard exterior. With the neighborhood setup of the city, everyone belongs to a a certain area. We have our friends, we have our family. It may come off as cold and callous but its not. All it takes is 5 minutes of conversation. Once the ice is broken, the glacier melts. Bostonians will instantly come alive and treat you as their own, being fiercely loyal to their new friend. We just won't be fake nice to you for the sake of being nice.

Boston has something for everyone. I often describe it as New York without the chaos. Here you can do everything you can do in New York but without the deafening craziness that the metropolis brings and with a lot nicer looking scenery's. When I was in Amsterdam, I was reminded a lot of Boston with its brick buildings, low skyline, fast pace, and causal feel. Boston has a lot to offer and if you are vacationing this year, I'd give Boston some serious thought. You won't be disappointed!
posted by Nomadic Matt @ 8:16 AM   1 comments
My Favorite Country: Thailand
Friday, April 18, 2008
(I'd thought I'd be different and go poetic this post!)


I love Thailand.
From its beaches, to its jungles
from its animals, to its people.

Amazing sunset,
Amazing sunrise,
everyday there,
is like a prize.

Bangkok, its capital, is a mess,
but you'll find getting lost,
usually works out for the best.
Hidden temples and little alleys,
theres just way too many to tally.
Malls and shops are all over
from MBK to Siam to Paragon,
whoops! now all my baht is gone!

Late night clubs will have you dancing,
while all those Thai girls are a prancing.
You'll go to Patong to see all the hype,
and see a ping pong show if your that type.

Khao San Road is the place ,
for any one under 25 to show their face.
Looking for ex-pats, you don't have to go far,
Cheap Charlies is their favorite bar.

Up north you find jungles and ruins,
or maybe spy a hilltribe beetlenut a chewin.
Jungle tours here and jungle tours there,
will make you wonder "why not stay here?"

Cities like Pai, Chang Mai, and Chang Rai,
make you want to give country living a try.
Ride an elephant, see a bird!
Just watch out for that giant turd!
Ex-pats here and ex-pats there
but whoa! Just don't let that old sex-pat get near!

Ko Lanta, Ko Lipe, or Phuket,
there beach paradise is what you get.
With crystal clear water and long sandy beaches,
slow living is what Thailand preaches.
Get a coconut, get a massage,
or spend your day at that kickin' bar!
Scuba dive, snorkel, or swim
there something for Julie to Jim.

At night, party your day away
all this will just make you want to stay.
Full moon Rave on Hat rin
their buckets will certainly make you swing.
That night, despite being hungover
you'll be doing it again all over.

Thai food is spicy but yummy
and sits good in my tummy.
Too many chili's make me cringe
so on Pad Thai I will binge!
Eat on the street, eat in a shop,
the food is so good no one can top!

Thailand has so much,
I didn't know where to start.
I hope you liked my poem
and makes you want to roam.
so now you can tell ME-

what's your favorite country?
posted by Nomadic Matt @ 8:00 AM   0 comments
Down on the Dollar
Thursday, April 17, 2008
A little piece of me dies everyday. Or I should say a little piece of my wallet dies everyday. As an American, I live on the world's worst currency- the US dollar. Over the past few years, the value of the American dollar has steadily declined. The dollar now only get .50 to the pound, 60 euro cents, and, for the first time in 12 years, less than 100 yen. The Australia dollar has gone from being worth .50 cents to par now. The Canadian dollar is worth more than the greenback. Needless to say, it's hard being an American tourist right now.

As a constant traveler, I worry about the way currency moves like only a Wall Street trader would. Small changes in the dollar or other currencies can really effect me. My budget for Australia was 1000 dollars short because of the strong Australian dollar. I got extra when I went to Thailand because the Baht had happened to weaken just a bit. I watch it to know when to withdraw money and when to hold off on the ATM run. Sometimes you can't help it- you need money but I try to be careful. Why all the work? On a short holiday, it's not that big of a deal. You're not gone a while nor are you changing over lots of money. Yet when you are gone for months or years at a time make frequent ATM withdrawals, little changes in a currency can make a big difference.

As a holder of dollars, I cringe when I see the latest currency exchange rates. I planned to travel far and wide in Europe this summer, visiting friends I meet during my last round the world trip only to have to cut some of the trip short due to the weak currency. I worked hard to save only to find it didn't matter that much. Europe is simply too expensive right now.

However, there are a few ways to protect against a weak dollar.

First, use a card like Capital One. This is a little thing we can all do. Capital One credit cards have the best bank rate and don't charge you an foreign transaction fee. It's a great card to travel with as you know you'll get the best rate without any fees. I recommend everyone getting one. It is the BEST card to travel with. Use no other!

Secondly, get cash when the rate is high. This requires a little work and for you to be OK with carrying cash. You'll need to know what the rates are so that you know what a "bounce" looks like. When I was in Thailand, the Australian dollar dipped and I took advantage of it and saved myself 200 dollars when the rate jumped again. No one has a crystal ball and sometimes the rate might get higher but this is a way of protecting yourself in case it doesn't!

Third, get a foreign bank account. OK, this isn't for everyone and getting one isn't always easy but, if you are so inclined, having a foreign bank account can help cushion the dollars fall. If you can't get out of the country or are worried about tax issues, Everbank allows you to open a foreign currency bank account all on the up and up.

But for those without the currency watching desires or skills of a Gordon Gekko, there's another option. Find places where the dollar is good. There are still places left in the world where the dollar goes far. Many of them are off the beaten path or a newly developing tourist destinations. This means you not only get to go somewhere unique and different but you get to go there first!


Here are some places where the dollar is still worth something:

Vietnam- Vietnam is opening up more to tourism and is becoming a more popular destination each year. It's not very developed yet and still a great bargain. When I was there, I spent about 8 dollars a day. Many of the people I traveled with spent more but it is quite easy to get buy on an "upscale" budget of 30 dollars a day.

Eastern Europe- Though the falling dollar and economic growth has made Eastern Europe more expensive than it was in the past, it is a still a bargain when compared to its western neighbors. The further East you go, the cheaper it is too. Cities like Prague, Budapest, Sofia are steeped in old world charm. It's a way to get to Europe without going broke in Europe.

Costa Rica- One of the few countries to have its currency lose ground to the dollar. A dollar now gets 500 Colons, up from 360 a few years ago. Though the country is one of the most expensive in Central America, your dollar goes a lot further than it used to there making it a good bargain. Costa Rica is a beautiful place and my favorite Central American country. Everything you want is there and the people are amazing.

Central America- Most countries in Central America are very cheap and incredible pristine by most standards. Countries like Nicaragua and Honduras are just opening themselves up to tourism and are great deals to experience undeveloped countries. Guatemala holds ancient wonders like Tikal and beautiful beaches in Antigua while Honduras has great diving and surfing. Additionally, efforts to appeal to tourists have led in the building of infrastructure and reduction in crime making them safe to visit.

Argentina- Another country whose currency has lost ground to the dollar. Argentina is an amazing place filled with history, football, and nature.

Cambodia- An incredibly cheap country where rooms can cost as little as $2 dollars a night. The currency of choice here is dollars too. ATMs give them out, things are priced in dollars, you get change in dollars, everything is 1 dollar- it makes converting pretty easy. A dollar everywhere can add up but, on the whole, I found the country to be cheap, friendly, and safe. Out of all the countries I visited, I expected the least from it and got the most.

All of these countries can provide a different and cheap alternative to Europe, Australia, or Japan. There is still hope out there, it just requires a different route and some alternative destinations. But do you really want to be where the crowds are? Europe's churches will be there 10 years from now but the jungles of Central America? the rice fields of Asia? The old world of Eastern Europe? Probably not. Now is a good time to think different!
posted by Nomadic Matt @ 8:25 AM   2 comments
Crash Landing
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
American airline carriers have certainly been in the news lately. Over the last few weeks, numerous airlines, most notably American Airlines, have cancelled thousands of flights due to safety issues. Aloha, ATA, and Frontier airlines have all gone bankrupt while Delta and Northwest just recently announced that they were going to merge.

All this turmoil makes you wonder: What's going on with flying in America? It seems pretty grim lately and I'm not at all surprised. After having flown in many different parts of the world, flying in America is by far the worst experience I can think of. It makes those long dusty bus rides in Cambodia seem like a luxury tour. Flights here are expensive and inconvenient. Service is practically non existent (Can't a brother get some peanuts!!!) And trying to navigate the airport is even worst- long lines, delays, inane security checks, and rude guards. When I came back to America from Australia, I had to go through THREE security screenings just because the flight went to America. What was wrong with the first two!?

American passengers here put up with a lot of crap. I may not get many perks on flights around the world but when I'm paying $60 dollars, I don't expect any. When I'm $200 dollars, I expect something (When can a brother get some peanuts!?!). All the turmoil in the industry highlights just how bad things are, and sadly, I think things are only going to get worse before they get better for a number of reasons.

For starters, America lacks real competition. There aren't that many choices when flying the friendly skies. Foreign carriers aren't allow to fly "within" the states and, as the recent bankruptcies show, very few low cost carriers actually make it. With all the mergers, consumers in the US face little choice. When you are the only game in town, why charge less?

Secondly, the US uses a spoke and hub system that routes flights through a major hub from the smaller spokes (minor airports) and back out again. So unless you are flying between major cities, it's hard to go direct. Hubs are also in silly places too like Cincinnati or Memphis or Dallas. To get from point A to point B, you need to fly through point C. In a different age, this made sense but, with higher costs today, I think direct flights would reduce costs and make flying more convenient.

Additionally, American workers are pretty expensive by comparison for two reasons: health care and pensions. Pretty much every other country in the world has universal health care so companies don't have to pay for them. Government's also pay retirement benefits and American carriers are still paying out pensions for employees 20 years ago. This adds a lot of cost onto the airlines and doesn't allow them to be as price competitive as they could. This also why new airlines such as Jetblue could undercut older carriers. No pension obligations! I'm not advocating any one system here, I'm just saying these are costs foreign carriers don't deal with.

So as airlines have faced higher costs and little competition, as well as an inefficient airline model, they have raised ticket prices while lashing services. I think eventually this Delta/Northwest merger will result in cheaper flights and better options but, I think that dream is years away. For the immediate future, I see more headaches and higher prices.

With all the problems in the industry, I suspect that more consolidation is ahead. Additionally, not until airlines shed their high labor costs as well as get rid of the hub and spoke system in favor of more direct flight will consumers see a sort of reduction in airfare. Hopefully, then we will also see a return in service. However, for the distant future, flying in America will remain unpleasant, a hassle, and expensive.

(If you have any flight horror stories, please share with us!!)
posted by Nomadic Matt @ 6:52 AM   1 comments
Skype
Monday, April 14, 2008
Furthering the discussion about making calls, lets discuss Skype. Skype is a Internet based phone service that lets you call users around the world for free. It was invented in 2003 by two Swedish guys. In 2005, it was bought by eBay.

At first it allowed users to create a profile and talk to other users using VOIP (essentially it was an Internet phone). Additionally, if you had a web cam you could see the person you were talking to. It was hailed as a new way to communicate- a way that would make old phones obsolete. The only problem was that you needed a computer and a fairly good computer connection. Overtime, they expanded the service to let you call land phones or mobiles for a small fee.

While you still need a computer for a majority of its services, Skype now offers a variety of other services. You can get:
  • Voicemail
  • You're own Skype Phone number. (This service is called SkypeIn)
  • Use Skype on a wireless phone.
  • Conference calling. (A great business feature.)
  • Text messaging
  • File Transfers

The service has expanded since it first started and you can now use it like a cellphone, while still calling other Skype users for free. It has a lot of great features and is like a super sized version of MSN.

The problem with Skype is that not many people know about. In my travels, I encountered a lot of people who had it but, compared to the amount of people who had a cellphone, or even a chat service like MSN, the amount was minuscule. I'd say about 95% of the people I knew back in the states had not even heard of the service. There were a few travelers who used the site to call back home like I did. While I think Skype is a good option to have, especially as a way to communicate with people back home, I would not rely on it as my main form of communication on the road.

Bottom Line: Get Skype. Skype has million users and is growing in popularity as more people talk about it. It will come in handy whether you are on the road or off. I use it call some people I know overseas. Just don't make it your main form of communication, especially communication with other travelers.

posted by Nomadic Matt @ 7:25 AM   2 comments
I dream of Songkran
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Right now, all across the land of smiles, people are soaking themselves with water and tossing flour on each other. The country is in the midst of the world's biggest water fight as tourists and locals engage in the time honored tradition of seeing who can walk away wetter without passing out from the beer first. Yes, it's Songkran again. Time for the Thai's to celebrate their new year.

Songkran is the time of cleaning and rebirth. Originally, the date shifted depending on the astrological calender but, in the 1800s, the date became fixed. This day is celebrated by attending temple and cleansing the body and mind. Water is meant as a way to pay respect to the elders as well as symbolized cleansing. In ancient times, elders and priests were even given baths by the youth. Many Thais make sure to honor the traditional Songkran before they partake in the modern tradition- the world's most giant water fight!!

All over the country, people stock up on supersoakers, fill water balloons, set up "refill" stations (Thai's are very entrepreneurial) and get ready for three crazy days of partying. All over tourists, ex-pats, and locals engage in a gigantic water war fueled by happiness and a little beer. Bangkok and the northern city of Chang Mai usually hold the two biggest festivals but in every town in every part of the country, something is going on. It also helps that this time of the year is the hottest in Thailand and this is an opportunity for Thais to cool down for a few days.

As I type this, my friends are enjoying themselves in the City of Angels, getting unprepared tourists soaking wet and having a great time, while I sit here and remember my last Songkran. Last year, I was with a group of friends on Khoa San road. I lived in the tourist area of Bangkok, which also happens to be the major area for Songkran. During this 3 day festival, streets were shut down, sidewalk vendors told to move and 100,000 people flood in to take part in the most insane spectacle I have ever witnessed. Everyone, young and old, is on the streets spraying you with water and occasionally wiping your face full of flour.

The all day water fight carries on into the night as people have dance parties in the street and major roads are shut down to accommodate them.What is truly amazing about this holiday is how friendly everyone is about it. Everyone is so polite about covering you in water and smearing flour all over yourself. Many will say "sorry" while they do it. As you get involved in big water fights, everyone is still all smiles. Walk down the street, spray a stranger, and they just laugh and spray you back and go on. You could never have this type of festival in the West- people would get drunk and start fights or riots would break out. "Hey man, don't get me wet!" they would say. But here it is all smiles. Everyone expects it.

But, like everywhere else, there are cops around. I remember walking down the street firing people and I hit a cop. After speaking some Thai to his fellow officers, three of them started moving towards me with looks on their faces. Now we all know what happens when cops get involved so I was not happy to seem them as they began walking closer to me and drawing their weapons. They started yelling at me in Thai as they came closer and fired. So I did what I one would do in a situation like this- I fired back. They got me good but I managed to soak one of them pretty bad before one snuck behind me and cover me with cold water. Three against one in a water fight is tough. But we all had a good laugh. A holiday where the cops get involved is sure be fun.

This year I dream of Songkran but, next year, I'll go back to Songkran.
posted by Nomadic Matt @ 5:24 AM   5 comments

Subscribe

Add to Google Add to My Yahoo! Subscribe with Bloglines Subscribe in NewsGator Online Add to My AOL Add to Technorati Favorites! Add to netvibes Subscribe in NewsAlloy Subscribe in myEarthlink Add to your phone

Blog Ranking- Vote for me!

Add to Technorati Favorites blog directory Top Travel blogs BlogRankers.com blogarama - the blog directory Top Blogs Directory of Travel Blogs Travel Blogs - Blog Top Sites Top Blogs Travel TopOfBlogs Backpacking and Independent Travel Sites

Archives