Up early packed up then set out to the city for a walking tour with a local tour guide because our tour leader can be fined if he takes a tour here. He was hilarious... as you will see from the pictures he was very geeky. All tour guides have something to hold up for the group to follow... normally an umbrella or a paddle with a number on it... not this man... he had a monkey on a stick and kep

This morning we caught the ohsoreliable public transport to the Vatican City the people who had signed up for it for a tour. It was a 2 hour tour around most of the city. The Sistine Chapel did you know there is more then 1 Sistine Chapel in the world... Sistine simply means that it was built by 56 men. Before we went into the Chapel our tour guide explained all the paintings which meant th

This morning we were up and gone by 7am because we had to drive to catch an overnight ferry. Apparently we had to be there early because the boat was a Greek boat and they run on Greek time and for those who don39t know what Greek time is... they never run according to plan and they are rather lazy people. We got to the boat at lunch time and when we boarded the lady at reception was a real cow

SEPT 1 2011 I woke up with a jolt today jello in my veins. My uncle39s alarm clock was ringing as expected. Had I really slept or just been thinking I looked blearyeyed at the time. 2AM. I39ve seen this time before on many occasions. Sometimes because sleep simply won39t bless me with respite others because I39m as my Grandma would say out on the town. But waking up at 2AM... wa

Some people like the white picket fence, the dog, the job and the kids lifestyle. No so for Chais and Shawna Meyer. They’re out to explore something others have been known to fear – the world outside their own comfort zones. Join them as they feast on the delicacies only found through travel and following a dream.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. |
Full Course Travel |
One comment |

Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Asia, couples, living abroad, photography, United States, working abroad

Rainbow over Lille Rooftops by Greg Wesson

Once in awhile I notice someone doing a particular task and wonder, “Why are they doing such a thing? Is it for monetary gain, self-fulfillment or something completely different?” These questions kept popping up prior to and following the TBEX ’11 conference held in Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada) this past summer.

For those of you not familiar with TBEX and their conferences – it is the Travel Blog Exchange and their conferences bring travel-related bloggers, writers and media professionals together – explaining how everyone can ‘up their game’.

For those of you not familiar with TBEX and their conferences – it is the Travel Blog Exchange and their conferences bring travel-related bloggers, writers and media professionals together – explaining how everyone can ‘up their game’. There is a wealth of information to be gained during the sessions, but it’s not always everyone’s cup of tea. Now that the 2011 conference is over, it is remembered through scribbled notes on a pad, a multitude of ‘highlight’ blog entries written by attendees, some misplaced photographs or lost cellphone, and the odd drink coaster glued in one’s scrapbook. Oops, forgot to mention all the swag too.

Because of TBEX ’11, those simple questions mentioned above kept seeping in about travel bloggers. I wanted answers. But more than that, I wanted to know the motivation that drives the activity of blogging itself. A person will sit down and write volumes about their experiences to basically share with the whole world. There appears to be no profit earned from such an endeavor yet they continue churning out content day after day or week after week. Travellerspoint is a good example of such behavior with ~34,000 blogs onsite currently – few (if any) authors earn money let alone make a living through this outlet.

In order to explore (as it were) this section of the blogosphere, it’s important to reflect on it’s past. There was a time when blogging was a bright and shiny new outlet where people would voice their personal opinions on any topic that caught their attention. In a proverbial blink of an eye, blogs became ‘tailored’ to fit particular demographics – politics, travel, etc. Eventually someone had an epiphany moment. “We can charge our viewers real money to read our stuff!” With charging came marketing and link exchanges and affiliate programs and a plethora of other incoming-earning opportunities (if you’ve figured out how to tap into them). The ever-growing want to make a blog profitable turned into a snowball rolling down the hill with no end in sight. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing – it’s simply reality.

Unique building by Zindy Noertamtomo

So, with all these monetary avenues presenting themselves, why would someone not jump on the bandwagon? Michael Robert Powell (the candy trail…) stated: “Being an extreme global nomad – since 1988, I feel a need to make sense of my vast travel experience; blogging files my memories and brings order to the clutter in my head.” and “I don’t envisage “the candy trail …” being a commercially-viable blog. My crazy travel stories, raw expression and off-beat travels mean that I’m too far removed from the mainstream (however, my travel photography & art site, rather than my blog, is a possibility).” For another take on it Dave (The Longest Way Home) wrote: “I don’t actually consider it blogging. I write my travel journal about my search for a place to live. It started off as just a personal one then people started to read it. And so it developed. I write about my journey, I don’t churn out made for consumer efforts.” Two pretty good reasons considering the work involved in creating a ‘business’ around a blog.

Then come the respondents who never really intended to start a blog/site. They did have aspirations of becoming ‘writers’ but not ‘bloggers’. As fate would have it – as it so often does – these people either fell into it or were guided down the path to a new horizon.

Then come the respondents who never really intended to start a blog/site. They did have aspirations of becoming ‘writers’ but not ‘bloggers’. As fate would have it – as it so often does – these people either fell into it or were guided down the path to a new horizon. Vicki Hatfield (Come With Me…) fell into blogging by posting on travel forums. She said: “I found that sharing something I love with others who love it just as much was incredibly rewarding. That’s when I started the travel blog. I do it for the simple joy of creativity and the incredible sense of satisfaction that comes from having something I create enjoyed by others. Why don’t I try to make money from it? Because it then becomes a job. A duty. An obligation. It is no longer simply a living, breathing creative thing that I do simply because I love it.” Meg Pier (View from the Pier) was led down the path by her husband. Following four cancer scares within two year’s time, Meg quit the corporate world of investment managment and tried her hand at being a travel writer. Success did not come knocking at her door. She explained “My husband, God love him, suggested I create a website, a somewhat laughable endeavor for someone as non-technical as me, yet I was desperate to pour out my pent-up creativity and so was open to the idea.” She continues: “I soon realized I had a forum where I could write the way I wanted to write, and not have to fit into anyone’s formula of what constituted travel writing.” Regardless of how they arrived on the scene, these two women embraced the creativity blogging brought into their lives more than any monetary gains. A creative outlet was of greater importance to them.

Carrying on with that ‘writers’ theme, Greg Wesson (Greg Wesson’s Esoteric Globe) commented: “I spent about 2 years in my 20s trying to write a great novel. It was going to be my opus! The “Great Canadian Novel”, about life as a 20-something software engineer in a world overrun with baby-boomers. Everything I produced sucked.” Okay, not everything, but enough that Greg quit writing altogether – until he began traveling. E-mails to friends/family turned into a blog to be shared around the world. He ended with: “I’m not sure that my blog constitutes great literature, but at least I think it entertains a few and keeps the frustrated writer in me satisfied.”

Moosy by Gretchen Wilson-Kalav

When trying to generate income from a blog, certain sacrifices to its integrity tend to take place. They may or may not be intentional but they do happen. Some changes are definitely positive while others do not do justice to the author’s work. Because of the integrity aspects, this slightly different twist comes from Mary Anne Oxendale (A Totally Impractical Guide to Living in Shanghai) who is teaching abroad. She reasons: “[But] I don’t feel comfortable with selling. I have no desire to sell anything. I don’t want to change the tone and content of my writing to make a buck – and my tone tends to be too dry, dark and frank to make good ad copy. Like I’ve said before: teaching pays the bills so I can do what I really love without tainting it with the scramble to make money.” As stated earlier, turning a blog/site into a profitable entity is a business – one which requires time, dedication and ‘selling’ yourself to your readers.

Ultimately, there are scores and scores of travel bloggers who have willingly dedicated themselves to the ‘bloggers business plan’ and have seen rewards – large and small. (There wouldn’t be TBEX conferences if they hadn’t.) But, this article was to take a quick glimpse at the other side of the coin, per se.

Ultimately, there are scores and scores of travel bloggers who have willingly dedicated themselves to the ‘bloggers business plan’ and have seen rewards – large and small. (There wouldn’t be TBEX conferences if they hadn’t.) But, this article was to take a quick glimpse at the other side of the coin, per se. As you have seen, this is a very small group of participants. But, each has given their own individual explanation on why they do not blog for financial compensation. Blogging has become their creative outlet for self-expression and personal satisfaction – nothing more. Well, besides the sharing part with family, friends, followers and subscribers, which is part of the self-satisfaction thing too. It just helps to illustrate that not everything has to come with a price tag. So, in closing, Kris Kalav (The Beerman Chronicles) replied: “Quite honestly, blogging about my travels is a catharsis for me. It allows me to re-live the memories of what I’ve done, where I’ve been and gives my friends and family a chance to be completely bored for 10 minutes.” Sometimes people do things just because they can.

Thank you all for your answers. Once again, it has been a pleasure.

To read all of the participant’s responses in their entirety, please check out the The ‘Art’ of Blogging: A Panel Discussion.

For a synopsis of the TBEX ’11 Conference, please see ‘Taking Your Blog to the Next Level’ written by Kate Kendall of Travellerspoint and The Fetch.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. |
The ‘Art’ of Blogging: A Commentary |
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Post categories: Articles
Post tags: Creativity, TBEX11, travel blogging

Slot Canyon by Randy Martens Photography

There was a time when blogging was a bright and shiny new outlet where people would voice their personal opinions on any topic that caught their attention. In a proverbial blink of an eye, blogs became ‘tailored’ to fit particular demographics – politics, travel, etc. Bloggers began to realized they could actually earn income (large or small) from the works they produced. But, there are a great number of bloggers that do not follow the money trail. I wanted to know why. So, I chose a small group of people and asked two simple questions. Below are their replies.

Questions:
1) Why do you blog about your travels?
2) Why do you continue to blog without trying to make money from your efforts?

I don’t envisage “the candy trail …” being a commerically-viable blog. My crazy travel stories, raw expression and off-beat travels, mean that I’m too far removed from the mainstream…

Michael Robert Powell

the candy trail…

1) Why do you blog about your travels?

Being an extreme global nomad – since 1988, I feel a need to make sense of my vast travel experience; blogging files my memories and brings order to the clutter in head.

Also I’m usually alone in life. I have no-one close; no set base, no social niche nor societal belonging, so I share my expressions – of travel, art, photography, writing, history, philosophy, sexuality & alcohol misadventures – with the vast, open, random void of cyberspace. And encouragingly, I get some nice feedback.

2) Why do you continue to blog without trying to make money from your efforts?

I don’t envisage “the candy trail …” being a commerically-viable blog. My crazy travel stories, raw expression and off-beat travels, mean that I’m too far removed from the mainstream (however, my travel photography & art site, rather than my blog, is a possibility).

Simply, I blog for myself and as updates for friends & family. And, if the public enjoys it too, great.

Crazy House by Mike Lake

Dave

The Longest Way Home

Why do I blog about my travels?
I don’t actually consider it blogging. I write my travel journal about my search for a place to live. It started off as just a personal one, and then people started to read it. And, so it developed. I write about my journey, I don’t churn out made for consumer efforts.

I also use it as a memoir of my life. Just like why we keep diaries. Without them, we really do forget the little stuff that made our day, week or time spent interesting, or not, as the case may be. Being on the road without a home, nor place to store things, I use my website as a place to hang my photographs to. All in all, The Longest Way Home has turned into my online home.

Why do I continue to blog without making any money from it?
Well, my website does make money, both directly and indirectly. More so from indirect sources. Two-dimensional “blogging” was never my thing. Advertising and text links are how most people think about it. I don’t. And while these things do pay for hosting, servers, photo-storage etc, I don’t consider the fact of owning a blog, profitable.

What I do outside of travel “blogging” generates income. I continue to “blog” because of the first question. Not for anything else. This is my story about my journey.

And, guess what? I have several thousand subscribers who enjoy reading my life’s work, and many imitators who try to copy it in some form. But, the bottom line is, write because YOU have something to say, not because of what you think it will get you or what others expect from you.

<h3Meg Pier

View from the Pier

I began writing travel pieces for the Boston Globe about a decade ago, something I did as a fun aside to a full-time job as a PR executive in the financial services industry. When I had four cancer scares in two years (2006-2008), I decided to check out of my pressure-packed career and explore what really interested me–travel writing and photography. After 25 years as a Corporate mouthpiece, I aspired to find my own voice, and see if it resonated with people. I had a simultaneously naive and arrogant attitude that this would be a seamless transition and a lateral move at that and in no time I was sure to be the next Elizabeth Gilbert.

My areas of interest and style of writing did not immediately land me gigs at Nat Geo and the Black Hole pitching process to travel editors began to resemble the unrewarding PR work I had been doing.

Needless to say, that was not the case. My areas of interest and style of writing did not immediately land me gigs at Nat Geo and the Black Hole pitching process to travel editors began to resemble the unrewarding PR work I had been doing. The five themed photography/quotation books I had self-published on Amazon, while now carried by about two dozen stores in New England, were not snatched up by the many publishers to whom I presented them. Some of the joy began to be sucked out of my carefully-crafted and heartfelt Love Letters to the destinations that had so moved me. I started to question if my “voice” was one anyone wanted to hear.

My husband, God love him, suggested I create a website, a somewhat laughable endeavor for someone as non-technical as me, yet I was desperate to pour out my pent-up creativity and so was open to the idea. The site began with me posting what were essentially pages from my photography/quotation books–a new image each day, captioned by an uplifting quotation. I made these available as a free subscription, mostly to former colleagues, with the intention only of hoping to inspire someone who might feel as lost, disconnected and frightened as I had. This combo continues to be the site’s “bread and butter” and the feature on its main page.

I soon realized I had a forum where I could write the way I wanted to write, and not have to fit into anyone’s formula of what constituted travel writing. I launched a series of new features, ones in which I could focus on the themes that matter to me. The “Compass Rose” column showcases articles about cultural traditions and spiritual practices, liberally sprinkled with quotes from those I meet. The “Peer to Pier” Q & As are in-depth interviews with people who strike a chord with me and have a message I want to share. Through the blog essay on my site, I am able pass along personal Life Lessons in the context of mini travelogues. Via the “Guest Room” column, I can provide a platform (albeit non-paying) for others who love self-expression and the sense of wonder far-away lands can elicit.
*Meg Pier’s comments have been ‘edited’ due to length. Above are her first 4 paragraphs published in context.

Center Stage by Gretchen Wilson-Kalav

Vicki Hatfield

Come With Me…

1) Why do you blog about your travels?
2) Why do you continue to blog without trying to make money from your efforts?

I never set out to have a travel blog. In my youth, when life was full of infinite possibilities and I was still blissfully unaware that the things we love don’t always translate into things we can make a living at, I had dreams of being a writer. However, real life gave me a choice: do what I loved and scrape by or do something practical and be a financial success. Right or wrong, I chose door #2. Today, I have a very successful career, but I do not find it interesting or personally fulfilling. To make up for that lack of passion in my work life, I dove headfirst into my passions in my personal life. I have an insatiable appetite for travel, a love for photography, and a hunger for the written word. I started with small trip reports on travel forums. I noticed over time that I gathered a “fan club” of sorts, individuals who waited for my next trip and devoured my report. I found that sharing something I love with others who love it just as much was incredibly rewarding. That’s when I started the travel blog. I do it for the simple joy of creativity and the incredible sense of satisfaction that comes from having something I create enjoyed by others. Why don’t I try to make money from it? Because it then becomes a job. A duty. An obligation. It is no longer simply a living, breathing creative thing that I do simply because I love it.

Greg Wesson

Greg Wesson’s Esoteric Globe

I spent about 2 years in my 20s trying to write a great novel. It was going to be my opus! The “Great Canadian Novel,” about life as a 20-something software engineer in a world overrun with baby-boomers. Everything I produced sucked. There were a few good bits here and there, but mostly it was populated with flat, two-dimensional characters in dull situations. So I gave up on writing my novel, and stopped writing.

When I started travelling, I started to write down some stuff and sending via email to friends and family. It made me very happy, and I found that I really enjoyed writing.

When I started travelling, I started to write down some stuff and sending via email to friends and family. It made me very happy, and I found that I really enjoyed writing. I found that writing stuff – any stuff really – kept me more emotionally grounded and happy. I was a better person when I was writing than when I wasn’t.

So instead of the great Canadian software-engineer-based novel (which, frankly, Douglas Coupland had beaten me to writing – even back in my 20s when I was writing it originally), I decided to write stupid and funny little quips from my travels and publish them to the world. I’m not sure that my blog constitutes great literature, but at least I think it entertains a few and keeps the frustrated writer in me satisfied.

MaryAnne Oxendale

A Totally Impractical Guide to Living in Shanghai

I blog about my travels because I love to travel, because I’m a compulsive diarist and because I like the sense of community that can be built up through sharing your words with others who have similar passions. Everytime I pay my annual hosting fees I pause for a moment and think maybe I ought to try to bring in some money somehow, if only to break even. I was an Amazon affiliate for about a week at one point and made nothing. I have one affiliate ad up for MatadorU (which has yet to bring in even a penny since March because I barely acknowledge it let alone promote it) because I am a graduate of their writing program and respect what they do. But I don’t feel comfortable with selling. I have no desire to sell anything. I don’t want to change the tone and content of my writing to make a buck – and my tone tends to be too dry, dark and frank to make good ad copy. Like I’ve said before: teaching pays the bills so I can do what I really love without tainting it with the scramble to make money.

Kris Kalav

The Beerman Chronicles

Quite honestly, blogging about my travels is a catharsis for me. It allows me to re-live the memories of what I’ve done, where I’ve been and gives my friends and family a chance to be completely bored for 10 minutes. Well, some like my writing.

I really don’t care about making money from my writing. If that were my goal, I would try to write a book, or submit my blogs to editors of magazines or even publishing houses. My writing is completely for the enjoyment of it.

To read the article about blogging without monetary gain, please check out the The ‘Art’ of Blogging: A Commentary.

For a synopsis of the TBEX ’11 Conference, please see ‘Taking Your Blog to the Next Level’ written by Kate Kendall of Travellerspoint and The Fetch.

Thank you all for your participation. Much appreciated.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. |
The ‘Art’ of Blogging: A Panel Discussion |
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Post categories: Panel Discussions
Post tags: Creativity, travel blogging

Geri and her husband consider themselves vagabonds who are traveling around the world on a shoestring budget. Oh, let’s not forget – with their three young children right there with them. The website is a mix of home life and travel experiences rolled into one big package with little peanut butter fingerprints all over the outside.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. |
Snaps & Blabs |
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Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Asia, budget travel, cultural experiences, family travel, photography, Round the world, saving money, travel with kids

The newly-renovated green-credential packed Vancouver Convention Centre

It’s been a while since Travel Blog Exchange ‘11 in Vancouver this past June so I’m a bit late on the guest-post writing bandwagon. However, I know many TravelBlogs readers will be interested in some of the take-away items from the event. This post is mainly for those wanting to take their blog to the next level – be it audience, revenue, marketing, tech and so forth. You might have been blogging for a while and are now considering ways to monetise. Or you might want to promote your freelance writing abilities through your blog. It could be that you just want to focus on better content. So, without further ado, here are some tips straight from some of the TBEX speakers.

Gary Arndt of Everything Everywhere delivers the final keynote

Well-known travel blogger and industry commentator, Gary Arndt from Everything Everywhere, got straight into it and said: “Advertising doesn’t work” in relation to travel blogs. He suggested looking at sponsorship opportunities from the beginning and focusing on developing your own product and personality. He even stated: “Content is not king, personality is king”. If you take this approach, you can leverage your blog to make money elsewhere instead of having to make money directly from it. For instance, Gary does a lot of public speaking engagements and believes companies sponsor him for who he is and his broader communication channels – not his site. Other tidbits included the recommendation to start an email list right away and to not forget travel is a trillion-dollar industry so there are lots of opportunities to go around.

Amanda Pressner from The Lost Girls spoke about knowledge as a value construct. She, along with her cofounders, wrote a book that was inspired by their travel blog and then went on to sell the movie rights. She thinks publications are a great way to establish oneself as a writer and editor. Like Gary, she also stressed the importance of growing yourself as a personality first while looking at sponsorship and consulting deals with companies. Amanda has gone on to join an internet start-up and recommends all travel writers take web programming classes to help navigate the digital landscape.

He holds voice, sense of humour, niches and personality (yet, another mention) as the main contenders for success.

Things got a little more philosophical when Mike Barish of Gadling, Cruzerati and freelance fame got to the crux of it by saying: “You need to figure out who you are”. He believes there is no simple way to unlock the path to monetisation but differentiation from other travel bloggers helps. He holds voice, sense of humour, niches and personality (yet, another mention) as the main contenders for success. He also pulled out the oft-quoted jokes of: “If you want to make one million dollars in travel writing, start with two million dollars” and “If you want to make it in travel writing, marry rich”. This aside, he suggested partnering with other people and taking a collaborative outlook. After all, as John F. Kennedy said, “A rising tide lifts all boats”.

Group travel blog brainstorming

Other quick tips for growth from a plethora of too-many-to-mention bloggers included gathering research using Google Surveys, Facebook Polls, Bit.ly analytics, BuzzFeed dashboards, social media outreach and more. Use the data to look at what time of the day people are sharing your stuff, and adapt to suit. Run competitions to engage your community. Above all, be aware of what you’re trying to achieve at the end of the day. You don’t have to be all things to all people, and can occupy a niche within a niche.

There might come a time when you want to take your blog content to the broader travel media. When dealing with the press, popular travel journalists and writers dished out their fair share of tips to the eager TBEX crowd. Michael Yessis from World Hum highlighted the significance of personalisation and professionalism when doing an email pitch. “Don’t scrape all of the email addresses and send through to every address at a masthead – the same journalist often receives it again and again.” He suggested sending through items that are really targeted and mention something specific. Formulaic press releases are less likely to be used than quotes from another blogger or writer.

“Converse rather than just listening”…

Jen Leo from the Los Angeles Times, who authors the Web Buzz column, recommends reading the work of the people you’re pitching too before sending something through. If you’re trying to get press for your brand, product or site – build a relationship with the journalist first and follow what they’re up too via their writings and social media updates. “Converse rather than just listening”, she affirmed. When sending files through to journalists, try using a file-sharing program or storage service like Dropbox so you don’t clog inboxes up.

Anne Taylor-Hartzell likes to search for something new, that hasn’t been covered before or of a certain angle, to feature on her luxury and family travel site Hip Travel Mama. She looks for unique items and exclusives. She suggests telling journalists why their readers should care (about what is being pitched) and to put yourself in the consumer’s shoes. Include factual information – such as links and stats in succinct paragraphs and bullet points. Don’t say: “Can you cover this?”

“When you’re on the ground, you want to document as much as you can…”

To finish, Robert Reid from Lonely Planet went through some of his travel writing tips. He always researches well and believes travel writing isn’t the same as travelling. He composes his posts and guide pieces using research about a place, quotes from locals, descriptive observations and what you do during a visit somewhere. “When you’re on the ground, you want to document as much as you can,” Reid mused. He also spoke about making cubicle travel pieces better by including people in them.

Overall, there were many gold nuggets to come out of TBEX – and only a few snippets included here. If you’d like to hear what the travel blogging industry has to say next year in Keystone, Colorado, visit: http://www.travelblogexchange.com/

About the Author:
Kate Kendall is a digital marketing and community strategist who’s currently travelling around the world. She works with Travellerspoint and also on The Fetch – what’s on city guides for the business, creative and digital communities. You can follow her on Twitter or <a href="email her here.

Editor’s Note: All photographs used for this piece are the property of the author.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. |
Taking Your Blog to the Next Level |
One comment |

Post categories: Tips for bloggers
Post tags: Conference, TBEX11, Travel Blog Exchange, travel blogging, travel writing, Vancouver

Logan Horsford’s blog does come with accept or reject buttons (seriously). Click accept because it’s well worth the effort. Once there, you will find an unabashed, in-your-face, these are my experiences tale of his travels. As Logan responded to me at a certain point, “it’s unconventional but I think that could be part of the reason people read it”. I agree completely.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. |
Logan’s Voyage |
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Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: cultural experiences, Europe, Perpetual Travel, solo travel

Like so many others, Denise Gamboa found the voice of the open road calling her name. Armed with her trusty camera, she quit her job and began a vagabonding lifestyle which definitely has been suiting her well. Her photographs and written thoughts are a testament to her dedication to this alternative path.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. |
a Girl in the World. |
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Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Africa, Asia, cultural experiences, Europe, female travellers, Latin America, North America, photography, solo travel

What do you do when you’ve had a bad year? As Simon Fenton states, “I decided to do what any normal person would: cross the Sahara, by any means possible.” And, ‘by any means possible’, he was serious. But, you’ll have to find out for yourself if a donkey and a camel were really modes of transportation. Oh, and gris gris is usually very good mojo – at least from Simon perspective.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. |
Travels with my shirt |
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Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Africa, cultural experiences, overland travel, solo travel

Anne-Sophie Redisch has been writing and traveling most of her life. She hasn’t always written about travel but she’s always been going somewhere – the more obscure, the better – but not always alone either. In her words, “I’ve travelled as a single mum for many years. In my experience, children and travel are easily combinable.” There are many who would agree wholeheartedly.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. |
Sophie’s World |
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Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Asia, cultural experiences, Europe, female travellers, parenting, Single Parenting, travel with kids, travel writer, USA

This particular ‘candy trail’ is the invention of Michael Robert Powell. He may not hand out sweets as we know them, but between his travel tales and electric artwork, his site fits the title he has chosen. Michael cuts through the proverbial bullshit of travel and the nomadic lifestyle. Please realize you have been warned – but you will also enjoy.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. |
the candy trail… |
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Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: adventure travel, cultural experiences, expat life, long-term travel, Perpetual Travel, photography, Round the world, solo travel, Travel artisan

Sometimes, you just have to follow your heart. This is exactly what Ann Hsu Kaufman did when her husband’s work took them from Washington D.C. to Kuala Lumpur. Her site invites you on a culinary journey around S.E. Asia, a view of their home life and the birth of their son (Gravy Baby). No, it’s not his real name. Now, back in Charleston, S. Carolina, her writings will continue to tantalize your taste buds.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. |
Hop On The Gravy Train |
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Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Asia, couples, cultural experiences, food, living abroad, parenting, photography, United States

Matt and Tara Banker packed it in, or in reality, packed it up and moved to Beijing, China. After spending the last few years living/working there, they have created The Middle Kingdom to write about their experiences and help others who are choosing the same path. As Tara states: “Not in Kansas Anymore”.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. |
The Middle Kingdom |
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Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: China, couples, cultural experiences, expat blog, expat life, living abroad

Hear the word ‘Shanghaied’ and thoughts of pirates, unsavory ship masters and blood money usually come to mind. Not so for Christina Gregor Hoheisel and her husband, Alex. Instead, they ‘kidnap’ each other for surprise trips to places unknown. Well, one of them always knows where they are going but they do take turns. Those types of surprises definitely makes life fun!

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. |
Shanghaied Away |
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Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Asia, couples, cultural experiences, Europe, Game rules, North America, Oceania, Surprise travel, Unknown destinations

Thom lives by one very simple motto: “Go Play Outside!” and this he does for most of each year. You’ll find him driving the back roads to destinations unknown in search of adventure and inspiration. He continues to find both as he heads down the blacktop to somewhere new. Come along for a ride – the scenery is awesome.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. |
The Dusty Vagabond |
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Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: budget travel, Canada, Mexico, North America, photography, road trip, solo travel, USA

Road to Nowhere in Particular, Photo by Gretchen Wilson-Kalav

What do you say when someone contacts you, plies you with flattering comments and asks you to be part of something quite unique?

My response was ‘I’ll think about it. I’ll think about it more. I’ll think about it a lot more. I’ll ask very key questions and then – -you got it – I’ll think about it even more’. Ultimately, the answer became obvious and I answered with a ‘yes’. Granted, flattery rarely hurts but it also rarely plays into my final decisions about participating in any particular project. As I just mentioned to someone else recently, give me a good reason to do something and you win. Give me bullshit and you lose. With that said…

Image Courtesy of Vagabond Explorer

Wade Shepard of Vagabond Journey has just unleashed Vagabond Explorer Magazine.

Yes, he used flattery in his request but also gave me several very good reasons why I should become a contributor, reviewing travel blogs I consider worthy of recognition. My real life job is reading travel blogs daily and there are an amazing number out there just ripe for the choosing. Just so you know, the magazine will be available on a quarterly basis as a PDF download. (FYI, four to five blogs/sites will be reviewed in each release.) It also comes with a very small price tag of $5.00 USD per issue.

Vagabond Explorer is a mix of articles, photography, commentary, tips/tricks and a whole plethora of other travel information. The concept: Be the explorer – whether it’s from your armchair or while you are on the road. Each contributor hails from their own original location and their own ‘space in time’. But, each has chosen to venture out and explore the world around them one way or another. (Okay, I’m the only one with 2-3 weeks vacation time while the rest live their lives moving across borders regularly. I believe in vicarious travel though only out of current necessity. I’m also very jealous.) Regardless, Vagabond Explorer will rival any other travel magazine available and will spur you to become your own navigator to places unknown. Again, with all that said, let me introduce you to the contributors who have already been coined as VE’s Posse:

Wade Shepard

Wade Shepard

Vagabond Journey: Editor and the man behind the concept curtain – handing out hearts, brains, courage and a way home. Okay, make that a way to travel. He is the Wizard of VE’s Oz. (Sorry Toto, it’s doggy daycare for you while everyone travels.) Only time will tell what is really in that ‘bag of special things’.

Craig Heinburger

Travelvice: The artistically creative man behind the visuals. We thank him for his designs, graphics and cover work. (I think he had something to do with the ‘horse of many colors’ and suggested using the powdered Jello™ for those scenes. If you don’t get the reference, check out your movie history about the Emerald City.)

Dave

Dave

The Longest Way Home: The ‘Tin Man’ who expresses his opinions through his startling photography and poignant commentaries. He may be ‘stuck’ in his travels once in awhile, but someone always comes along with an oilcan to set him free. Just ignore the squeaking. I know the oilcan is here somewhere…

Jasmine Stephenson

Jasmine Wanders: Jasmine, to me, is Vagabond Explorer’s Glinda. Having worked with her in the past, I picture her helping all the ‘Munchkins’ and making the world a much better place. (I, by no means, use Munchkins in a negative way. Jasmine works diligently to improve the lives of those who are less fortunate than us. We must get her a wand.)

Sam Langley

Cubicle Ditcher: Sorry Sam, I was just introduced to you recently via Vagabond Explorer. But, from what I have read on Sam’s site, I believe people should check it out, as it’s great stuff! Anyone able to leave the 9-5 daily grind for travel has my support. If you have no objections, I will say you are the Scarecrow who left the corporate cornfields for much greener pastures.

Michael Robert Powell

The Candy Trail: Michael is Vagabond Explorer’s lion who received the gift of courage somewhere around 1988. Through his nomadic travels, he has encountered some very unusual situations and has lived to tell the (true) tales to us all. Some of his writings may come with an ‘age appropriate’ warning at times, but don’t shy away from them as they are well worth the read.

Ani St. Amand

Ani St. Amand

Vagabond Journey/Explorer Contributor: Ani’s yellow brick road is paved with wood and steel. In other words, she follows the path of the iron horses as she rides the rails all around the world. She has been described as a modern day hobo who has a love of trains and hopping those freighters while they make their scheduled stops. So, wave at the next train that passes by because Ani may just wave back.

Steven Mendoza

Vagabond Journey/Explorer Contributor: Steven is definitely not in Kansas anymore. (I’m not sure if Steven has ever been in Kansas but he does hail from the Untied States.) I do know he has spent many years in Japan and most recently survived the earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Though he has now returned to his home country, Steven’s (first) article is a reminder to us all that the earth and its inhabitants don’t always play fair.

Gretchen Wilson-Kalav

TravelBlogs: I guess I’m Dorothy when it comes to this project. Yes, Dorothy did travel from Kansas to Oz and back. (Been to Kansas.) But, her journey was also just a dream. While the above-mentioned contributors write about their own experiences, I will be telling you about other travelers and their experiences. I’ll be the one performing Toto’s doggy daycare while seeking out the emeralds hidden within the city of travel blogs.

Vagabond Explorer is available as a PDF download for the small price of $5.00 USD per issue.

Click Here and Order Now!

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. |
Vagabond Explorer Magazine Unleashed! |
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Post categories: Site news
Post tags: cultural experiences, living abroad, long-term travel, solo travel, travel advise, travel magazine, travel with kids, travel writing

After taking trips to here and trips to there from time to time, Jarma is now on a round the world adventure. Not only has he written about his past journeys, he now documenting his current undertakings in words and in photographs. Join him as he explores the planet.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. |
Arctic Nomad’s Travel Photoblog |
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Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Asia, cultural experiences, Europe, North America, photography, Round the world, South America