We stayed in 2 hotels in Hong Kong as it was a bit challenging to find rooms due to the humongous jewelry show that was going on. Both the Hotel de Edge and Courtyard by Marriott were located in the Western District adjacent to the Central District, and were both sleek and modern. Rooms in …
Watching people drag their wheelies through a weed-infested field after a three day tour of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam was comical, while I just shouldered my day pack and skipped over to the bus from the boat. In Amsterdam a narrow, twisting staircase to our room would have presented a challenge had we been …
Handling bills and other financial matters from another country used to be a giant headache back in the day when I was a child growing up in South East Asia. In this era, thanks to online banking and bill paying, it’s pretty easy to manage your finances when you’re traveling much the same way as …
I love the preparations for a big trip: considering the itinerary, pouring over guidebooks, talking with others to gain insider tips and organizing my packing. Unfortunately the responsibilities of adult life don’t go away just because we’re stepping away for a period of time. There are several important facets of life that take quite a …
Sometimes it’s a funny coincidence when a new product, service or advice from friends meets a need like a hand in a glove. Singapore-based GuideGecko, a new travel guide website, just launched a series of Backpacker Cheatsheets that are turning out to be a very useful starting point for our upcoming trip to SE Asia. …
I’m counting down the days–20 to be exact–until I’m finished with work. After giving notice several weeks ago I’ve been scrambling to get my projects tidied up so I can pass the baton to others and follow one of my dreams, to take off and travel, not just for a vacation, but for an extended …
Having skied Whistler Blackcomb for many years we have accumulated a short list of our favorite advanced runs at Blackcomb. There are hairier runs, but either they are too dangerous, too difficult to describe in print, or too sacred to the local ethos to write about. Below are our favorite runs, with a few tips on …
Having skied at Whistler Blackcomb with a group of locals for 15 years, we have accumulated a list of our favorite advanced runs. There are other runs that are as challenging, more technical or less accessible, but either they are too dangerous, too difficult to describe in print, or too sacred to the local ethos. Below …
The Chilkoot Trail, the original Klondike gold rush trail, is a classic hike that attracts history buffs and appeals to experienced wilderness backpackers. It spans two countries (U.S. and Canada) with distinctly different terrain in each country. The U.S. side is characterized as a coastal rain forest, heavily wooded with a thick understory of berry …
It’s almost time for the annual running of the Yukon Quest, a 1,100 mile dog sled race that rivals the Iditarod in length and challenge. The race alternates each year between Whitehorse and Fairbanks, AK, and race organizers from both Canada and the US are busy every winter preparing the remote course in their respective …