by Paul Riel

On a recent trip to the island of Maui, Hawaii, my brother Paully Wog* learned a life lesson through a simple act of kindness. He shared his experience on Facebook, so I decided to share it here. This is what happened...

*Some names have been altered

Did I tell you how much I HATE Cancer? Pay it forward, and maybe you'll get yourself some free Taco Bell. 

While the desire to pack up and travel the world without any planning sounds like quite the journey, it's best that you take a few proactive steps before venturing out into the possible unknown. 

I don’t say this to be a worrywart or a killjoy, I just want your dream trip to be free of unnecessary setbacks—so look at this as more of a “How to ensure your travels are relaxing and not bogged down.”

Trying different foods while you’re out exploring the sights is a big part of holidays in South East Asia. 

Visit just about any town or city in the region and you’ll find vendors selling all kinds of dishes. They look and smell tempting, with the aroma of spices and the colorful ingredients hanging above the cart or stall. But how to choose?

South Asia has long been a draw for travelers, and with good reason; the region offers the chance to see and experience things seldom seen in the Western world. 

With that being said, a trip like that costs money, and from flights to lodging to food, the expenses can pile up. Here are some tips to help save you money during your holiday to the East.

Riding the Mekong Delta in Southern Vietnam [SOURCE]

If you are planning a trip to Vietnam in the near future, you will likely be looking for some ways to have the most authentic experience. After all it only makes sense to do justice to such an interesting country; of course there is the legacy of the war, but there is much for you to discover about modern Vietnam too. 

That is why you should separate your time between the cool mountain regions, emerald green waters and soft white beaches with some time in the towns and villages.

USA Roadtrip - Horseshoe Bend [SOURCE]

Growing up in Hawaii, on a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 2,467 miles away from the North American coastline, the thought of visiting Mainland USA inevitably conjured up mental pictures of cross-country roadtrips from New York to California.

At 17 years old, fresh out of high school, I caught a plane from Honolulu to New York City and finally discovered what it was like to explore America. 

I lived in Long Island, New York for almost four years, and during that time we would take trips across the country whenever we had a chance to, up north to the lakes and mountains of Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire, down south through the Virginias, Carolinas and Georgia then down to Florida, and out west through Colorado, Nevada and Texas, all the way out to California. 

During that time, I learned that there are many different ways to do a cross-country trip across North America. 

If you are planning a trip to the USA and Canada, here are just three ideas on how you can go about exploring those places to the full.

Killer Whales and Alaskan Glaciers [SOURCE]

If you're searching for a cruise holiday this year, you'll be simply spoiled for choice. 

From the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, from two nights to two weeks, from child-friendly to adults-only, whatever your travel style there is a superb collection of cruise holidays out there to suit virtually every age, taste and budget imaginable.

Witness the Fjords of Geiranger, Norway [SOURCE]

Last minute vacations might have been around forever, but even now they are still a hugely popular way to find a low-cost break. 

What's more, you don't have to compromise on value. Here's a tip: These are THE SAME vacation packages that have been advertised all year round! They are just cheaper and as such require a little more spontaneity and creativity to find.

[SOURCE]

There are many reasons why people love visiting Thailand on their holidays. From year round sunshine to the amazing food, the experience can only be topped off by the fact that the country is highly affordable while still retaining an air of luxury. 

That means it is possible to book a room in one of the many 5 star resorts in Thailand and still have enough money left to enjoy everything you want to do while you’re there!

Have you ever felt so excited about your upcoming travel adventures that you just can't seem to get a good night's rest? Everyone loves to get themselves stoked when thinking about their travel plans, but when it comes down to it, nobody likes to go through a night without getting enough sleep, especially when there's a day of travel experiences ahead. 

With so many options for travel accommodations out there, have you ever asked yourself, "What kind of accommodation style fits me the best?" We each have our own travel style, and there isn't just one right answer, but whether it's couchsurfing, camping, hostels, RVs, hotels, motels, luxury hotels, cruise ships, house sitting or house exchanges, there's something for everyone.

*Link-up your own travel-tip blog posts at the end of the post!

I just woke up to see a great travel deal in my Instagram feed and had to share it! This almost makes me want to fly home to the island of Molokai, Hawaii just to get in on it. Almost. 

Airlines prices in Hawaii are out of control. Seriously. When I was a kid, I remember flying from Molokai to Maui for $25USD a flight. Now, you're looking at paying $75-100USD or more for the same 20 minute route!

Do you want to move to a foreign land? Or travel? If so, you've probably asked yourself: "How can I fund my travel habit or make and save money while living in a foreign country?" Whether it's working online, renting property, teaching ESL, selling everything you own or doing seasonal work while traveling, there is something that works for each of us individually.

*Link-up your own travel-tip blog posts at the end of the post!

How do you keep your spending money safe while traveling? We all have our own creative ways of dealing with this. Whether it's money belts, pouches, pockets, secret stashes or tricks with credit cards or debit cards, there is something that works for us individually.

*Link-up your own travel-tip blog posts at the end of the post!

Koh Phangan, Thailand - Last week we talked about Bangkok. This week, we leave the capital city of Thailand and head south to the island of full-moon parties. Agness from eTramping has been traveling since 2011 and blogging with her best friend Cez. Recently, she took some time out to share with us some tips on how to have a fun and safe trip to Koh Phangan Beach, all for under $25USD.

Food Stall at a Taiwanese Nightmarket [SOURCE]

In order to truly understand a culture, you need to taste its food. A country's cuisine has always been an important part of cultural identity, and Taiwan is no exception. In this installment of ourFood in Four Courses series, we'll share with you three of the most beloved Taiwanese dishes, a starter, main course and dessert. And to keep things interesting, we'll add on a dish that's definitely not for the faint of heart.

The Chinese have had acultural influence in Hawai'i since the 1800's. The language that we speak at home, called Hawaiian Pidgin English (HCE), is heavily influenced by the grammar and vocabulary of Chinese dialects. The Chinese were one of the the first immigrant populations to intermarry and quickly assimilate with the Native Hawaiians, and many of us today can trace our genealogy back to at least one Chinese ancestor, if not more.

For those who are drifters at heart, the word "expat" conjures up many vivid images of adventure and excitement. But what is the REALITY of living abroad? In this weeks post, we will discuss 2 of the reasons why you should consider becoming an expat, and 1 of the most difficult things that may stop you in doing this.

The first time I heard the word 'expat' I wasn't sure what it meant. I wasn't much of a seasoned traveler back then. I had only been to a few places, but it was nothing extensive or life changing. Someone I met while traveling introduced themselves to me as an expat, and although I found myself curious, I was too embarrassed to ask what it meant. It wasn't until I looked into it more on my own that I realized the word expat is short for expatriate, or someone who is living in a country not their own.  

BY ESTEFANÍA GARCÍA MENDOZA

I met this week's Guest Blogger, Estefanía García, while I was living in Altamira, Mexico a few years ago. Although she is a small town girl, Estefanía has traveled to several countries in Central America. Throughout her journeys she has compiled a diary of notes and pictures documenting her experiences. This week she takes some time out of her busy schedule to share with us an excerpt from her travel journal: A Personal "Survival Guide" to Riding a Bus in Nicaragua.

Visiting a third world country is always an experience. There is something about crowded places and cheap shopping in markets that appeal to us all. Interestingly, people always visit the most touristy and “pretty” places, which in most cases won’t allow them to REALLY know the culture and lifestyle of that country. For those of you who aren’t like that, but who enjoy getting into the heart of a place and its culture instead, here’s a little story about my visit to Nicaragua this past May and June.

Learning about a new place involves experiencing its animal life. In most parts of the world, the close relationship between humans and animals is maintained by keeping a delicate balance. But the many exotic animals that are kept as pets can sometimes be a far cry from the standard dog and cat fare in America. Here are some exotic pets from South America that I've come across during my travels.  

As a boy growing up in Kawaikapu, on the eastern end of Moloka'i, Hawai'i, I had the freedom to roam across acres and acres of overgrown land. We grew our own fruits and vegetables, and harvested fresh seafood from the sea. This abundance of land also meant that we were always surrounded by animals. We kept the standard farm animals: horses, pigs, dogs, cats, chickens, the occasional goat and rabbits.

Guest blogger Eileen Sheets is a good friend of mine from New York. Although she grew up in The City, she managed to escape many years ago with her husband when they moved north into the Hudson Valley. Eileen shares with us one of the many things that brings her rest, relaxation and joy, kayaking down the rivers of the Adirondacks.

Whether its for 12 hours or 2, being on an airplane can sometimes be an uncomfortable experience. Here are three simple tips that can help you have a more enjoyable flight.

Your legs are cramped, your neck sore, your throat is dry and you're usually either too hot, or too cold. And ever since most of the big boys stopped in-flight meal services, things seem to be spiraling even further downward on the pleasure scale. 

But regardless of the discomfort involved with this necessary part of travel, for the love of it all, we are usually more than willing to step on that plane and put ourselves through this ordeal. 

Who: Anyone who enjoys dramatic cityscapes and mountain views

When: Mon. to Sun. 7 am - Midnight

Where: Peak Tram Terminus on Garden Street

Why: Because sometimes there's a reason for the crowd

How: MTR Red Line to Central Station, follow the signs up 
Garden Street to The Peak Tram Lower Terminus

[Soundtrack by sudafunkaz under Creative Commons Copyright]
[Cover photo with title by TrevPhotos]

In a recent forum post, the question was raised: How can I deal with loneliness when I'm traveling by myself? The original poster had just embarked on her first 9-month adventure drifting solo around the globe, and although she had set out with the intent of traveling alone, after spending the first 2 weeks in South Africa, she was beginning to feel lonely. 

It's true, when you are traveling, there is a difference between being alone and being lonely. But especially at the beginning of the trip, feelings like these can be trying, and all the more so for those of us who are extremely social by nature.  

I do not claim to be an expert on the matter, but the question posed raised a lot of thoughts in my mind. In my small opinion, here are just 3 tips that I've found helpful when dealing with those occasional feelings of loneliness.