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The Saturday City: Caye Caulker

May 31, 2008

OK, so it’s more of an island than a city but it’s still worth talking about. It’s a hammock lovers paradise. Set off the coast of Belize, Caye Caulker is paradise. It’s small, it’s beautiful, it’s youthful. Everyone here is friendly and no one moves quickly. There’s no cars only little golf carts and the island’s motto is “Go Slow.” The tempo willl have you running on island time before you know it.

Years ago, the island was a lot bigger but a hurricane ripped through it, splitting it in two, and destroying a lot of the dock area. The island has rebuilt itself and is still one of the major destinations for travelers to Belize.

However, the disaster created the island’s best feature- The Split. The Split is a deep trench that provides excellent snorkeling right off the island. You can jump right in and see stingrays, sharks, and a huge variety of fish. It’s better than any tour you’ll pay for.

The Split is also where all the action his. Though the island has a great eastward facing beach, everyone walks down to the split. There’s a small beach there and the old dock provides an excellent place to sprawl your towel out. The young and the pale come out here to sun and snorkel all day, with a bar serving ice cold drinks and music.

The main street is lined with fabulous seafood restaurants ranging from budget to very posh. A few of the houses around the island turn themselves into little barbeque’s, with Wish Willy’s the most famous. Set out right in front of his house (though I think he has since moved), this place is a Caye Caulker landmark serving amazing food delivered by a cool Rasta chef. There’s no menu- they serve whatever they have that day but you can’t go wrong with whatever you get and a free drink is included. For a more expensive meal, head to Don Corleone’s for some pretty good Italian food.

This is a young spirited island and a good portion of the tourists are young, party minded folk. You’ll see them all night long partying at the local bars and the incredibly sketchy but amazingly fun after hours club. Usually the locals out number the tourists but it’s a great chance to interact them and they are all pretty friendly.

With great beaches, atmosphere, a kicking nightlife, great seafood, and The Split, no trip to Belize is complete without a visit there. A lot of people head to the more upscale Ambergris Caye but Caye Caulker is the better pick of the two. Despite having traveled to dozens of islands, this place remains one of my favorite destinations.

You can see my photos from Belize here:
Matt’s Belize photos.

Posted by NomadicMatt | Filed Under Saturday City | 4 Comments

The Best Travel Movies

May 30, 2008

Travel movies are the best movies for those with a nomadic heart. They inspire us to get out on the road, stay on the road, or visit a particular place. They get us excited about new cultures and whet our appetite for that upcoming trip. Essentially, they rock our world. Here’s the best travel movies out there that will have you jumping on the next plane:

The Beach
Released in 2000, the movie follows Alex Garland’s novel about young backpackers who set out to find paradise but ended up destroying it had me drooling over Thailand. Those beaches, those parties, those people. It seemed wonderful. Backpackers in Asia are always reading the book and the movie plays in all the guesthouses. It says something about our hopes for the road- we want to find our own idyllic, romantic paradise. The one we all think won’t be destroyed. The movie has a different ending, characters, and storyline though the theme is the same.

The Motorcycle Diaries
Set in South America, this movie follows the life of Che Guevara from doctor to revolutionary. Starring Gael Garcia Bernal, this poignant tale features amazing images of South America from the desert to rain forest. Beautifully cast and directed this movie will make you want to jump on a motorcycle and explore the continent. Even if you do not agree with the politics of the movie, its acting is first rate and this movie transcends the politics of the man it follows.

Any Indiana Jones
Indy made everyone an archaeologist and an adventure seeker. From Egypt to India, Indy showed us the world and the mythology of ancient cultures. The movie brought out the adventurer in me and helped foster a love for history. It also did wonders for Petra, Jordan. Who didn’t want to see the city after watching the Last Crusade!? Despite the lackluster fourth installment, these movies not only remain some of the best of all time but some of the best in travel.

Thelma and Louise
Released in 1991, tragic story stars Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis as two woman driving across the American Southwest in search of adventure, escaping the law, and finding friendship. The movie is stunningly acted, winning many accolades, and also features breathtaking shots of the American west that will make you want to get in your car and see country…unless gas prices keep rising, then we’ll just have to settle for this movie.

Lawrence of Arabia
Released in 1962, this Peter O’Toole classic is set during World War One and follows a British soldier’s interaction with nomadic tribes. O’Toole is the T.E. Lawrence who unites Arabian tribes against the Turks. With stunning images of the desert, you’ll soon be wanting to lead your own expedition through the desert, though probably not for war. Lawrence may remain a controversial figure but there’s not controversy that this a a great film set against an amazing backdrop.

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
A movie about Australian drag queens that take a road trip across the desert in order to perform at a lip synch show. It’s funny, it’s heartwarming, it won a bunch of awards. The stars get shocking reactions as they wander across the outback towards their show, stopping along the way. Most importantly it highlights two of the best things about Australia: the outback and awesome accents.

A Good Year
Made in 2006 and starring Russell Crowe, this movie features him as an uptight banker who finds his soul again when returns to his uncle’s vineyard following his death. All he wants to do is sell it and make some money but soon the countryside and a pretty French girl have him changing his tune. (French girls always have you changing your tune!) It’s a great movie for the wine lover and along with Under The Tuscan Sun will have you heading off to the nearest vineyard before the credits finish.

Eurotrip
A silly movie about backpacking Europe, this movie will nonetheless have you wanting to see all those places they filmed. The movie takes you across Europe in a whirlwind of stereotypes but, its pretty funny and anyone who has roamed Europe can probably relate to a few of the situations. The script isn’t great and some of the situations goofy but it does a good job of canvasing you across Europe and features a very memorable appearance by Matt Damon.

Seven Years in Tibet
This movie about a German mountaineer Heinrich Harrer and his time with the Dali Lama. Released in 1997 and starring Brad Pitt, it takes a good look at Tibetan culture on the eve of the Chinese invasion. You get an outsider’s perspective on this remote nation and of the ruler who now lives in exile in India.

Posted by NomadicMatt | Filed Under Travel Lists | 12 Comments

No Map Ahead

May 29, 2008

With a month left to go, I’m beginning to finalize my plans. In June, I’m off to NYC to take in the sights and see some from friends. I haven’t been to New York since I left in 2006 and it’s a city that is worth seeing at least every few years. There’s a lot of people to visit and this will probably be one of my last chances to see them all in one location.

Then D-day arrives on July 1st and I storm the tarmac of Logan International to head to Europe. With my job in China still up in the air, I can’t really say how long I will be there or what I will see. However, I did plan a route. I had to work around some vacations and trips since I’ll be staying with friends my whole way around the continent. Here’s how I’m going:

Sweden (Stockholm, Sundsvall)
Netherlands (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Da Hague, the Frisland)
Belgium (Brussels, and Bruges)
France (Paris, Normandy, and possibly Bordeaux). I’d like to spend more time in France but with the weak dollar and my weak bank account, it’s not in the cards.
England (I’m there for a month so I’m going to most of the country!)

After that, I have no idea where I will be. My plan was to go teach in Beijing but I have yet to find anything I want and with D-Day approaching, I think I might not have enough time to get a visa. If that’s the case, I may go back to Thailand and teach there. But I’m not sure.

My overall plan was to teach in Asia, backpack Asia, head to Australia, and then head to New Zealand but with teaching in Asia up in the air, I may reverse myself and move to New Zealand or Australia. I don’t think I will even begin to know until about June 30th. Such is the life of this nomad!

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With time winding down in Boston, I decided it’s time to be a tourist. There’s so much of Boston I’ve really never seen that I think it’s time to see it. One of the ways to beat the back home blues is to explore your home. I don’t have the back home blues anymore but it is definitely time to explore the neighborhoods of Boston. I walk past the sites but never really see them. Time to open my eyes. Throughout the month of June, I’ll be posting regularly about various parts of Boston. No Lonely Planet needed.

Posted by NomadicMatt | Filed Under Random Musings | 8 Comments

The Grandest Canyon

May 28, 2008

During the expansion of America, there was an old adage. If people wanted to find their riches, they were told to “go west.” Though a little late, I followed the adage and went out west and, if you haven’t gone west, you’ve been missing out. The American west is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen and, within it, one of the world’s greatest wonders- the Grand Canyon.

Of the park’s 5 million annual visitors, 99% go to the Grand Canyon for less than 4 hrs and only spend 20 minutes at the actual canyon, 1% actually walk down some distance, and about half of that percent hike down to the bottom. I’m in a small, small minority of adventurers who have gone to its base. Hiking down the Grand Canyon (and back up) is a lot harder than it seemed but more visually rewarding than just looking over the rim.

Arriving at the Canyon, my first thought was “Holy $%%^! Look at this!” I was in utter shock. I’ve seen the pictures and heard the stories but nothing could prepare me for just how big and grand it was. In front of me, stretching far and wide, were peaks and valleys colored with red and orange hues jutting and falling into the ground. I took in the view, trapped by its magnificence, before I broke free and began the hike down.

Hiking down, you see all the desert animals, the intricacies of the ridges, the mountains, the streams, the creeks, the cliffs that are noticeable from above. You see the color changes in the rocks up close, touching them, and enjoying the peacefulness of this place away from the crowds. I immediately knew this was somewhere I wanted to see again and regretted only spending one night there. If you ever visit the Grand Canyon, hike down- even if it is for just a few hours. You will get experience the Canyon up close and it gives the area more meaning and perspective- more so than just looking out over the rim and going “oooohhh” and “ahhhh.”

So I hiked down to the bottom and saw up close the Colorado River. The river majestically cuts its way through the canyon, flowing fast and furiously as it continues to sketch one of nature’s greatest paintings. The river itself is cold and rapid. If you get caught in the current, I think you’re pretty guaranteed to end up dead. From the bottom, the canyon takes on a totally new shape. The vast canyon disappears and all you can see is this little valley the river has cut. I spent the night at the camp down there, hiking around the river, talking to hikers, listening to a ranger talk, and trying to avoid the scorpions.

Hiking up was a lot tougher than hiking down, even when taking the flatter Bright Angel trail. In the morning, I awoke, my legs already sore. Yet I was still in for another 9.6 mile hike back up the canyon through hot, steep terrain. My companion and I moved slowly as to take advantage of the shade, off-trail waterfalls others pointed us too, and to talk with other hikers. All other things you can’t enjoy from the stop. The hardest part for me was the steep ascent back up- the high altitude and steep rock faces made for an adjustment. After 6 hours of hiking, we made it out. A wave of emotions set over me. Hiking the Grand Canyon was one of the major life goals and I’d done it. Once over the top, all the pain in my legs, the tiredness, and the heat disappeared to give way to sheer joy. I had mastered the canyon. I had done what few do. I was satisfied. I felt like Rocky after he climbed those stairs.

I finished such a wondrous act by watching the sunset over the canyon. There were heaps of people taking pictures but I mostly just sat back and enjoyed the light show reflecting off the canyon walls as the sun made one final burst on the day. A wonderful end to a remarkable two days.

Posted by NomadicMatt | Filed Under America | 5 Comments

Guest Blog: Solo vs Group Travel

May 27, 2008

Today, we have a guest blogger, Erica from Blissful Travel. She will be kicking off the start of a series on the merits of solo travel, group travel, and organized tours.

Both solo travel or group travel have advantages and disadvantages. You need to decide what choice best fits your preferences. For example, would you prefer the freedom of making all decisions yourself and going where your whim takes you? Or rather let others decide once in a while? Independent travel brings a lot of flexibility- you can do what you want, when you want. However, in group travel, you need to watch the needs of others too. You might all have different interests, travel budgets and expectations. Traveling with people who feel like partying all night and sleeping until noon while you prefer to rise early and explore the city obviously won’t work. To avoid disappointments and make sure you are all on the same page, discuss with everyone before leaving what you want out of the trip.

In a group, conflicts and arguments on what to see and do, when to move on, and where to go, might occur. However, at the same time, you always have company and won’t feel lonely. You get to share great experiences and moments of awe with people you love, not a brief acquaintance who will head off somewhere else the next day. (Although don’t forget, people you meet on the road can also turn into excellent travel companions - even friends for life.)

How your trip ends up depends a lot on your mind-set. With a positive and outgoing attitude you will easily make new friends and improve your foreign language skills through talking with locals. People also tend to approach single travelers more often. When you travel solo, locals might even invite you to stay in their homes - especially in a region where there are fewer tourists. This probably wouldn’t have happened if you went with a group.

When you travel with friends there’s a risk you won’t break out of your group instead of making a real effort to get to know your surroundings. As a single traveler you will experience things differently and learn a great deal about yourself along the way. For some, solo travel means boredom. But traveling alone doesn’t mean you will feel lonely. You can stay at hostels to meet other travelers, or join a homestay program to meet locals and learn about their culture. On the road, you will encounter so many new people and places, boredom will be the least of your worries.

Apart from the fun aspect of traveling with friends, many people choose group travel because it gives them a greater sense of security. You know you have trustworthy people around you in case you need help with something or want to share ideas. Before booking your trip, ask yourself, “Would I feel comfortable taking all decisions by myself?”, “Can I strike up conversations with strangers?”, “Enjoy my own company for hours, days, weeks in row?”, “Move from one point to another by reading maps and ask for directions?”, “Trust my gut feeling if a situation doesn’t seem right?”

If you feel comfortable traveling on your own, I would say go for it. Otherwise, travel with friends the first time before taking that four-month solo trip overseas

Erica Johansson is a freelance writer and photographer from Sweden. For up-to-date travel news, tips and information, visit her travel blog at Blissful travel

Posted by NomadicMatt | Filed Under Guest Bloggers | 8 Comments

A History of Memorial Day

May 26, 2008

Today is Memorial Day in America. Memorial Day is a day in which we honor our fallen soldier. It falls on the last Monday in May. In honor of day, here’s a history of holiday.

History
Following the end of the American Civil War, many places set aside a day to honor the soldiers who died in the war. These observances eventually coalesced around Decoration Day, honoring the Union dead, and several Confederate Memorial Days.

Supposedly, the first memorial day was observed in 1865 by liberated slaves at the historic race track in Charleston. The site was a former Confederate prison camp as well as a mass grave for Union soldiers who died in captivity. The freed slaves reinterred the dead Union soldiers from the mass grave to individual graves, fenced in the graveyard & built an entry arch declaring it a Union graveyard. On May 30, 1887, slaves returned to the graveyard with flowers, thus creating the 1st Decoration Day. A parade with thousands of freed blacks and Union soldiers was followed by patriotic singing and a picnic.

However, the official birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, New York. The village is credited as starting the holiday because it observed the day on May 5,1866 and continued the tradition every year whereas celebrations were sporadic in other parts of the country.

Waterloo resident General Logan had been impressed by the way the South honored their dead and decided the Union needed a similar day. Logan had been a speaker at a memorial observation on April 29, 1866 in Carbondale, Illinois, an event that gave him the idea to make it a national holiday. On May 5,1868, as commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans’ organization, Logan issued a proclamation that “Decoration Day” be observed nationwide. It was observed for the first time on May 30 that year. The date was chosen because no battle had occurred on that day.

Many of the states of the U.S. South refused to celebrate Decoration Day, due to lingering hostility towards the Union Army and also because there were very few veterans of the Union Army who lived in the South.

The alternative name of “Memorial Day” was first used in 1882, but only become more common until after World War II. It was declared the official name by Federal law in 1967 . On June 28, 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. The change moved Memorial Day to the last Monday in May. Memorial Day has endured as one holiday during which most businesses stay closed because it marks the beginning of the “summer vacation season.”

Celebration
Most American families celebrate this day with a BBQ or a picnic. There are numerous sporting events that occur, the most famous being the Indianapolis 500. If the weather is nice, a lot of people go to the beach. Since it is a three day weekend, many families also go away. This usually means they will go visit relatives, head to park and camp, or visit a beach.

Towns usually sponsor parades honoring those who have served in battle. (My town had one yesterday.) The President holds a ceremony at Arlington Cemetery in Washington D.C. and a national moment of remembrance occurs at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.

Moreover, Memorial day is the start of the summer holiday season with the college school year over, secondary school wrapping up, and the nice weather returning to most of the country.

Posted by NomadicMatt | Filed Under America | 3 Comments

Destination: Asia!

May 25, 2008

In Southeast Asia, all roads lead to Bangkok, and for most backpackers, Bangkok means Khao San Road. Khao San is the first stop on the Southeast Asian tourist trail, which loops through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

You could follow the tourist trail to Chang Mai, float down the river to Luang Prabang, cross over the mountains to Vietnam, dip into Cambodia, and finally head back to Bangkok, hitting all the major tourist stops along the way.

Or maybe you could follow the trail south to Krabi or Ko Phi Phi, rock out under the Full Moon on Ko Phan Ngan and go diving in Ko Tao. Maybe you’ll even drop into Malaysia. Maybe not.

But why stick to the major sights? Sure, places like Angkor Wat and Luang Prabang are famous for a reason, but unique and memorable experiences await if you take the initiative to explore a bit further than the average backpacker. Here are some suggestions for those who want to get off the trail:

Bike the Mekong River. Many tour operators offer cycling trips throughout the delta. This is a more adventurous way to see the area than the typical bus/boat pakage tour option. Bike tours take you off roads and into rice paddies and give a face to face experience with the delta. You feel less like a tourist being shuffled from attraction to attraction and more like a traveler. I found http://www.deltaadventuretours.com/ to be a good company. But if you are an experienced biker, why not do it yourself? You can set your own place and see your own sights. Even if you aren’t an experienced cyclist, the tour companies set a pace everyone can follow.

Visit a national park in Vietnam. Most people travel to Vietnam and do the typical nature tours of Halong Bay, Sapa, and the Mekong Delta. But Vietnam has a plethora of national parks that allow each traveler to see what I think is the best part of Vietnam- its natural beauty. Most of the parks go unvisited by tourists who stick to the more major destinations but for those who want a better chance to glimpse the rare gibbon, head to the national parks. They offer rewarding scenery, excellent trails, hidden gems, and a little bit of solitude from the masses.

Explore Lopburi, Thailand. Those seeking historical ruins in Thailand tend to focus on the two main sights: Ayuthaya and Sukkothai. While Lobpuri doesn’t compare to these places in terms of grandeur, there are some really nice temples here that make the city worth a visit. Most people come as a day tour from Bangkok but those who stay longer can experience a typical, rural Thai town. Enjoy the great night market by the train, watch the school children socialize in the town center, and meander through the town and watch small town, rural Thai life. But watch out for the hyperactive troop of monkeys that roam the city. They are known to grab things right from your hand!

Chill out Kep, Cambodia. This quiet French colonial town is a nice alternative to Sinhoukville, the fast paced, party capital of Cambodia’s beach scene. Kep’s beaches are equally as nice and you won’t find as many people here. You can get to Kep by detouring in Kampot instead of going right to Sinhoukville. This quite town sees less tourists and is generally more Cambodian than Sinhoukville.

Visit the Northeast of Thailand. Sometimes referred to as the Isaan (so named after the style of fiery (and I do mean fiery) food that comes from the area), this area is mostly rice paddies and dusty towns. The poorest region of Thailand is also the least touristed. Most people don’t speak English here and there are few major attractions but the area holds a certain charm and gives you a unique view of rural Thai life. The roads are less paved, have fewer tourist services, and won’t find as many posh hotels here but you will find Thai life at the local Thai price. Experience travel before all the grunt work was taken out if it. For those looking for real Thailand, this is it.

Find a Random Thai Island. Ko Phi Phi, Samui, Phuket, Ko Chang, Ko Tao. You’ve heard the names. They are amazing islands but also some of the busiest in Thailand. Secluded beach life is hard to come by here. You may find it but only for a fleeting moment. If you really want peace and quiet, find a random island. Thailand has hundreds of islands and, sure, most have some form of tourism but find one that is not in the guidebook and hard to get too and you will find your paradise. Ko Chang has a large chain of islands around it. Most are private and used for dive trips but there are still many to go to that most people never knew existed. Beach paradise is out there, it just takes a little searching. But that’s what getting off the path requires.

Meander through Southern Laos. Most people tend to skirt through Laos hitting the major destinations on their way to Vietnam or looping back into Thailand. They see Vien Vieng, Vientiane, Luang Prabang- the major sites. There isn’t much to do in Loas and the road is pretty rough so most people skip over the really exciting part- the south. Laos is a rugged land but the south is even more rugged. Don’t miss a chance to check out this area, especially the amazing Bay of Islands, a large river delta with over 4,000 islands to see. Who knows maybe you will see the famous pink dolphin before it goes extinct!

Trek in Sarawak/Sabah, Malaysia. Just north of Borneo, Sarawak is rugged Malaysia. Though not completely off the tourist trail (it does see its fair share of tourists), it is still remote. Most people follow the South Asian trail from Thailand to mainland Malaysia and onto Singapore. Many do come over to Sarawak yet not enough to make it on the beaten path. If the mainland is an interstate, this is a small side highway. Here you will find the beautiful Mt. Kinabalu and its surrounding jungles. For those who want to explore their inner Joseph Conrad, this is the place

Posted by NomadicMatt | Filed Under Travel Tips | 7 Comments

The Saturday City: Chicago

May 24, 2008

Chicago was the last stop of my American road trip in 2006. I spent three days there before leaving to explore the rest of the world. I had always heard a lot about Chicago and was excited to finally see the Windy City (named because of the politicians that blow hot air, not for climate!). My friends, Mike and Dustin, had joined me for the weekend and, after some coaxing, agreed to drive my car back to Boston.

The windy city has a long place in American history. Incorporated in 1833, Chicago has played an important part of American history ever since. In 1840, Chicago was the ninety-second most populous city in the United States but it grew so rapidly that twenty years later, it was the ninth largest city in the country. By 1900, Chicago had 1.7 million people in it and was one of the largest in the country. Chicago was the rail link between the west and the east and it’s meatpacking industry was the biggest in country. Beef from the plains and Texas and was then cut, packed, and shipped to the rest of the world. However, the notoriously unsanitary conditions of the industry led to the publication of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle and the founding of the FDA.

In 1871, most of the city burned down in the The Great Chicago Fire. Over 300 people died, 18,000 buildings were destroyed, and a 1/3rd of the residents were left homeless. One of the factors contributing to the fire’s spread was the abundance of wood buildings and narrow streets. The fire led to strict fire-safety codes that included a strong preference for masonry construction and helped contribute to architectural tradition that has emerged in the city.

Chicago has a lot to offer and is very cosmopolitan. From food to parks to shopping, Chicago has it all. If you like to shop, there’s the upscale shopping along the Magnificent Mile, where you can buy from all top designers. Bush wants us to stimulate the economy, right? Well, Chicago is surprisingly a good place to do that at! You’ll find everything you need here (and everything you don’t need) at prices sure to empty your wallet.

For architectural lovers, Chicago provides a plethora of buildings to see and examine. Chicago is filled with amazing turn of the century buildings mixed with modern architecture. There’s the famous Sears Tower, the Chicago Building, The Tribune Tower, The Hancock Tower, and the old Water Tower, one of the few buildings to survive the great fire. The infamous Loop is also great way to see old buildings in the Chicago Style. Chicago’s architecture is famous and they are currently continuing to lead the architectural world with developing environmental friendly LEED buildings. Mayor Daley embarked on a campaign to “green” the city a few years ago, starting foremost with their buildings.

For those looking for something more relaxing and entertaining, there’s Navy Pier by Lake Michigan, which has shops, restaurants, museums, exhibition halls, and auditoriums and a Ferris wheel! It’s one of the most visited landmarks in the Midwest. Also along Lake Michigan is Millennium Park. The huge park has a lot of green space, concert halls, and some serious chess players who will beat you for one dollar. (They beat me for $3!) The park includes the reflective Cloud Gate sculpture (”The Bean”). This was one of the coolest things I saw in Chicago. It reflects the Chicago skyline and makes for great photos! Millennium Park also has an outdoor restaurant, two tall glass sculptures make up the Crown fountain. The fountain’s two towers display images of Chicagoans’ faces with water spouting from their lips. The park is active year round and one of the highlights of my time in the city.

Finally, Chicago is also famous for it’s pizza. Chicago developed the deep dish pizza as well as the stuff crust pizza and no trip is complete without having at least one. The pizza was invented by Pizzeria Uno, which is now a national restaurant chain. Since I can go to a Pizzeria Uno in Boston, my friends and I ate at the equally famous (but local) Gino’s and it was very good. Worth all the hype. The pizza is filling meal and I couldn’t finish it but it was hot and cheesy.

Chicago is a great city and in my third favorite city in all of America (#1 is Boston, #2 is NYC). A lot of flights route through Chicago O’Hare Airport as it is a major hub. If your flight does go through, I suggest setting some aside to explore the city. Or why not just stay for a few days! You’ll enjoy it. Promise.

Posted by NomadicMatt | Filed Under Saturday City | 4 Comments

Carnival of Blogs

May 23, 2008

Discovering the blogosphere has been an interesting journey. As I said before, I’ve met lots of great people who have helped me tremendously. Bloggers like recognition. We like to know that somewhere, someone is reading our stuff. We want to know that our hard work, our labor, is entertaining at least one other person- that it’s not in vain.

So today, on this Friday, I’d thought I’d highlight some of my favorite travel blogs and give them the recognition they deserve. I already spotlight a few in my links section, but here are a few more. (I’ll be updating my links section to include more blogs in the next few days.)

These are great blogs for travel advice and heart warming stories. Leave comments, stumble them, or subscribe to their feeds. (This is also how you can support me! I’d love to see more people reading on the bench!)

Here’s 10 of the many I read on a regular basis:

Almost Fearless- Christine is a fellow Bostonian who is giving up corporate consulting and moving to Barcelona to pursue her dream of writing.

Parisian Spring- An American graduate student exploring all that is French.

Mom says I’m running away- Explorers on a journey through South America, with amazing photos.

Killing Batteries- The blog of Lonely Planet author, Leif Pettersen.

My Marrakesh- A family in Morocco deals with cultural differences and running their own guest house.

Not A Ballerina- Fellow Vagabondish writer and Perth resident, Amanda Kendle shares her travel experiences.

Asian Ramblings- Fellow writer Steve P. shares his stories from China.

Travel Philippines- All the information you’ll ever need on the Philippines.

Globe Stompers- A couple gave up the rat race to tour the world for a year. They are currently in New Zealand.

The Wide Wide World- In July, this family is going to travel the whole world together. I can only imagine how great of an experience this would be, especially for their children.

I’ll periodically highlight a number of travel blogs I like. This is just the first wave. Read and enjoy. Leave a comment. Subscribe. Show you are there. Show me you are here by doing the same.

Because, like them, I hope that somewhere out there, there’s someone…just someone…is reading this.

Posted by NomadicMatt | Filed Under Blog Carnival | 6 Comments

Joining a Frequent Flier Club

May 22, 2008

OK, I admit it. I’m not part of any frequent flier program (FFP). For someone who is such an avid traveler, it’s probably a little shocking but I have good reasons. I’ve always been more concerned with price than brand loyalty so I switch networks and carriers all the time. The lowest price always wins. Moreover, I use a Citibank Premier Pass Credit Card which is a great travel card. I get tons of miles on every flight booked on the card (even if I don’t fly it), free companion tickets, and bonus miles all the time. Since I got it in 2005, I’ve gotten a free flight to Europe and $500 dollars back. Not bad for not even using it in 2007. Already since I’ve been home, I’ve earned 26,000 miles.

But with my trip next journey beginning in five weeks, as well as realizing I’ll be taking a lot of international flights next year, I decided it was time to bit the bullet and get attached to a program. Another reason I’ve never really done it before was because all my carriers are spread out over different alliances. Japan Airlines (JAL) is on the Oneworld network while Singapore is on Star Alliance. Malaysia Airlines is also good, Qantas isn’t awful, and I’m partial to Air France/KLM. However, Emirates Airline is the carrier that makes me drool. Thinking about them makes me want to fly.

A Quick note on Alliances..
All airlines code share with each other. For example, American Airlines can’t fly everywhere so they partner with other airlines to get places. So most companies are part of a network. There’s two major networks: Oneworld and Star Alliance.

Oneworld members include: American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines (JAL), LAN, Malev, Qantas, Royal Jordanian.

Star Alliance members include: Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAP Portugal, THAI Air, Turkish Airlines, United, US Airways.

Picking One
While sitting in Heathrow Airport last month and being totally annoyed by its inconvenience, I decided joining a FFP would bring one thing I’ve always wanted: an airline lounge. Airline lounges are often unreachable for the couch flier but, if you are in a rewards program, you can usually get in for free (top tier needed) or at a heavily discounted price. I decided that with my flying increasing, it only makes logical sense to join a FFP. Now, I have to pick which alliance I want to tether myself to so I can enjoy airport lounges as well as earn flier miles.

Star Alliance has a few pro’s: Singapore Airlines, SAS, and Air New Zealand. Plus, Lufthansa isn’t bad. But it has two major cons: United Airlines and Air Canada. Both Airlines are AWFUL. In fact, I recently flew Air Canada to England and it was one of the worst overseas experiences I’ve had.

Oneworld is a bit better. It has JAL, Britsh Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas. It also has American and I refuse to fly them after a bad experience with them a few years ago and their recent problems with safety.

Emirates, my all time favorite, is part of no network but code shares JAL, a member of Oneworld. Now, I’m not airline expert so I may be wrong but I think this sort of gives me a back door way into the Oneworld network. I can switch miles to JAL and then use their code share agreements to get onto a different carrier. However, I’d like to hear someone who knows the airline rules better opinion on that.

After reviewing the code share arrangements thoroughly, I decided to partner in the Oneworld Alliance. It may have less carriers than Star Alliance but it has more of my favorite airlines. I’m going to join the JAL program because they have code share arrangements with Emirates, Oneworld partners as well as Air France. As for Emirates, I’d wish they would join an alliance so joining their FFP would yield more benefits but since they code share with JAL, I decided to join them too.

I’m still motivated by price in my ticket selection but, now I’ll also be looking for miles, so if the price difference isn’t more than $75 dollars, I’d go with one of my alliance members.

Posted by NomadicMatt | Filed Under Travel Tips | 6 Comments

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