What do you do when you’ve witnessed the “seedier” side of your chosen profession? Well, if you ask James Cole, you formulate a new plan. You pack it in, pack it up and head out on an adventure. J.C’s Australian Daydream is a collection of his writings and photographs taken while traveling around his home country. He’s just relaunched his site so stay tuned for lots of good stuff.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. |
J.C’s Australian Daydream |
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Though some may argue the point, “travel” does not revolve solely around backpacking. On the contrary, and Matt Long has proof. He enjoys hotels, resorts, not making his own bed, lounging by the pool and a few other “cushy” amenities. He also does it on a budget. LandLopers is a great place for “how it’s done” information along with many great stories.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. |
LandLopers: Experiencing the World On a Budget |
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Samantha (Sam) Lee writes about her thoughts and travel experiences on legless llamas can travel too. Looking at the photo on her site – that’s an iffy statement. (Though, it may be true…) Regardless, this native of Singapore has much to say – all enjoyable.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. |
legless llamas can travel too. |
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From bungee jumping in Acapulco to riding the roller coasters at Great America (Gurnee, Illinois), Brendan van Son accommodates his “adrenalin junky” alter ego. He also taps into his more serious side – the one which finds true wonder in this great big universe or ours.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. |
The World is my Jungle Gym |
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Fabian in Shanghai is really about Fabian in Shanghai. (No, really.) While on a one year stint as a language student, Fabian Haverbeke has also set out to discover the cultural and societal aspects that are uniquely China. His observations are truly surprising.

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Fabian in Shanghai |
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Snow, Photo by Hannah Barth

There’s a certain amount of harm we cause ourselves always being grown up and tampering our desires with reality.

At the urging of a couple books and online articles I’ve read in the past months, I finally started a Bucket List, or a list of things I want to do before I die. One of the reasons for starting this list was to re-energize; to remember that feeling of being a kid and wanting with abandon because it’s inspiring. There’s a certain amount of harm we cause ourselves always being grown up and tampering our desires with reality. That’s why most of us travel: to escape the everyday and feel like we’re checking off some of those things on our own Bucket Lists.

In writing out my wants I started listing things like “Gift wrap my own presents” and “Learn…

Crowded Airport

“The scene is all too familiar. A couple hundred people, weary after their flight, bunch around the cold metallic baggage claim, waiting for the first bags to appear. Minutes pass. The conveyors start turning. More minutes pass. Finally bags start falling on to the conveyor. Everyone edges a little closer to the carousel.”

A couple hundred people, weary after their flight, bunch around the cold metallic baggage claim, waiting for the first bags to appear.

Those words were taken from the review of Jason Barger’s original book. Not much has changed except Jason’s take on the concept. In the Business Leader Edition, he adds a new twist to the “Step Back” movement.

About The Author:

Jason Barger is an author, motivational speaker and a consultant. In 2008, he released the original version of Step Back from the Baggage Claim, which…

Vago has hitchhiked across Canada, has lounged on the beaches of Tahiti and has (almost) been robbed by a tricky Macaque on Gibraltar. Most recently, he has experienced an Saharan Nomad Wedding – his own! Now the big question is “Where do they go from here?”

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Vagobond: World Travel, World Citizen, World Vagabond |
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Gonaives Haiti, Photo by Michael Johnson

It’s been sort of a rough week for my head. It seems as though I’m not only losing my English but simultaneously sucking at Spanish. I guess the English started slipping over time and with such immersion, it’s only a matter of time before the grammar starts to go. According to my dad, my blogs are getting sloppier and sloppier. I now speak no language well.

It’s been sort of a rough week for my head. It seems as though I’m not only losing my English but simultaneously sucking at Spanish.

Canada flag, Photo by Sam Daams

Last week when I spent the afternoon at an estancia with my job, assisting Canadian tourists, I could see how my English was exaggerated and forced. It seemed like I was subconsciously speaking with a slight Spanish…

Our junk moored on the beach at Monkey Island, near Halong Bay, Vietnam

Recently, I conducted interviews with Theodora Sutcliffe (Travels with a Nine Year Old) and her 9-year old son, Zac (The 9-year-old strikes back). Though Mom calls him Z, I asked his preference – it’s Zac. (Guess Moms get to call you by whatever name they choose. Comes with being a Mom.) Each was given a similar set of questions to answer. I hope you enjoy their replies.

Zac: In the blog (Travels with a Nine Year Old), your Mom has written: “…since he was small we’ve talked about taking a year out to travel the world when he is nine. Now we’re finally doing it.” Why did the two of you choose age nine for this journey?

Well, for starters, it was a 24-karat golden opportunity since Mum had

…