I ended up in Tacloban, perhaps one of the least touristy cities in the Philippines, as the southern gateway to the island of Samar, which in itself is not exactly on the main traveler circuit of the country. Suffice to say, this is a gritty city, the one that endured a tragic fate back in…
Month: January 2019
Destination: Mexico
It’s been a while since I wrote about specific destinations, and today, I would like to write about Mexico, the country that is probably among the most rewarding in the world for any traveler our there. Every backpacker worth his flip-flops should visit Mexico. If you are from the US, it’s easy to overlook the…
Staying Healthy and Accident-Free
For the last few days, I have been fighting a bout of flu, and I thought it was a great time to write about staying healthy while travelling. When you travel, you are really prone to pretty much same risks as back home. Well, there are some differences, of course, usually in shape of ahigher…
Your Packing List – Things Not To Forget
In one of the recent posts, I wrote about your clothing and footwear packing list for a trip overseas. Here are a few small, but essential things that I highly recommend you don’t forget to take with you: Earplugs. Super useful item to have, whether for those noisy party hostels or for night bus rides…
Photographing Markets
Recently, on a trip to Vietnam, I visited a large market in Ho Chi Minh City called Binh Tay. It is not very central, it is located in the bustling district of Cholon, yet it had its fair share of foreigners with cameras. When I walked in, I was surprised how clean it was, and…
How Much Should I Tip When Traveling?
How much should you tip when travelling? Read on to find out.
The Story of a Photo – Going Home (Vietnam)
The main cave of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam is a spectacular underground river, meandering through gorgeous stalactites and stalagmites. The main pathway to the cave is on a boat, and in the local tradition, all the boats are rowed by women. It’s not an easy job – the boats are quite…
Places To Go To Avoid Overtourism
In a recent article, The Economist wrote about the phenomenon of “overtourism” and how big an issue it has become for some of the world’s most famous destinations. Venice was cited as the best known example, and it is true – as magnificent as that city is, life there has become unbearable for the few…
Should You Travel With Friends?
The biggest decision that you will have to make about your trip is not where to go, or for how long to go. It’s with whom you will go. Your options are – go with your friend or friends, go with a special someone, or go alone. I’m not including traveling with parents here –…
Your Packing List – Clothing and Footwear
Now that you have your backpack and your daypack, let’s talk about what to pack in them for your trip. In other words, your packing list. And when I say “list”, I literally mean it: making a good packing list on a piece of paper is half of packing. So what should you have on…