While food, accommodation and transportation costs in China have been creeping upward and admission fees to popular attractions are reaching astronomical levels, it is still very possible to travel the country quite cheaply. That said, it is also possible to spend ridiculous amounts of money and get very little in return. I've written plenty on traveling cheaply, so I figure … [Read more...]
6 Steps to Becoming a True Backpacker
What does it take to be a backpacker? Common sense says it takes a backpack; but what about those who carry backpacks while staying in luxury hotels or traveling as part of a tour? Or those who travel cheaply, but prefer a suitcase to having all their possessions strapped to their backs? Ask ten people and you'll get ten definitions, so I've decided to take matters into my own … [Read more...]
Four Ridiculous Questions To Ask When Choosing A Vacation
Some of us are lucky enough to be able to travel for months, even years at a time. Most however, are not so lucky; mainly because they have jobs. They get a month of vacation if they're in Europe, a few weeks in Asia or a twenty minute break in the US. When you only have a limited time off for travel, choosing the correct destination—and, more importantly, the correct type of … [Read more...]
Poipet Rhymes with Toilet for a Reason
Don't feel bad if you've never heard of Poipet before—you're one of the lucky ones. A Cambodian town on the border with Thailand, Poipet has become a miniature exhibition of sorts, displaying everything that's wrong with Southeast Asia in one convenient location. Many visitors to Cambodia avoid 'the toilet' altogether by flying into the country. The rest of us take a bus … [Read more...]
5 Easy Ways to Spot a Scam
If you travel, they will scam. It's unavoidable. Wherever you go, you will encounter people doing their best to separate you from your money. And if you stay on the tourist loops, especially in countries like Thailand or India, you will be hard pressed to have an encounter with a local who doesn't have an ulterior motive, a motive we English speakers call "your … [Read more...]