Disqus - Latest Comments for Blakesjourney

Re: Video: Dublin by Night

BlakesJourney — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:56:11 -0000

Fantastic vid. I'm a huge fan of whenever anyone puts up a video of cool places. I think pictures are great but in my opinion, you can't view the temperament of the subject quite as much in a still. From this video, I take away that Dublin is a bumpin' city by night whose inhabitants are fun loving, kind and sometimes a little silly. I'd love to go to Dublin, unfortunately it's got a long list of places before it on our travel agenda.

Keep the videos coming. They're great.

blakesjourney / TBD

Re: Photo Essay: Backpacker Giving Back for the Holidays

BlakesJourney — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:06:41 -0000

That is beautiful. Great description and pics. Happy holidays!

blake / tbd

Re: Friday Flashback – Partying on Koh Phangan

BlakesJourney — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:55:32 -0000

Yeah, when we were in the Gulf Islands my party skills were severely outclassed by an Irish couple and some Aussies. I'm a bit of a light weight.

Thanks for making me remember Thailand!

blakesjourney / tbd

Re: Is Couchsurfing Really That Safe?

BlakesJourney — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:27:36 -0000

Be straightforward. Good advice. I created a CS profile last night after reading your post. I'll let you know when I get my first raging lunatic... I mean traveler. he he. Anyways, I hope people will find my couch as I have no feedback as of yet. Also, we're located in teh outskirts of atlanta GA, not the most desireable touristic destination of the USA.

Whatever.

Blakesjourney / tbd

Re: Is Couchsurfing Really That Safe?

BlakesJourney — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:48:54 -0000

Great post! I've never couchsurfed but am going to try it on my next trip. This question and article addresses my main concerns. Before we (my wife and I) go, we'll probably try to build up our ref's by having some CS'rs at our place.

Are there any other expectations when couch surfing or hosting? Such as, are you expected to do the dishes or something like that? What happens when the person has to wake up to go to work? Does the surfer have a key? Does the host usually leave the guest alone in their house? This would be pretty hard for me to do, I think.

Great post, anyway.
Blakesjourney / tBD

Re: The Importance of Hooking Up Abroad

BlakesJourney — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:26:41 -0000

Sounds like a dreadful reality TV show...Next week on 'Passport of Love!!' Interesting post. More pics, maybe a video? he he. Have fun!

Blake / TBD

Re: Couchsurfing Uganda: A Mzungu in the Midst

BlakesJourney — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:12:14 -0000

It's funny how different the perspectives are on these boards than what one would encounter in normal life in the west. I mean, my wife and I are constantly met with gazes of horror when we talk about our plans to CS. Many people in the USA are so damn paranoid and think everyone is out to get them. They'd never dream of doing such a thing.

Frustrating.
Blakesjourney / TBD

Re: Couchsurfing Uganda: A Mzungu in the Midst

BlakesJourney — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:08:52 -0000

Lindsay, your prose is wonderful. For some reason the pics aren't coming up on my computer, though. I look forward to reading your future posts. The intro to this article is great; foiling two experiences against one another really achieves the effect you're going for in this case.
I love the part about waking up with all the livestock. That would freak me out. I think I sometimes sound like a goat when I wake up.

Have you ever heard the wretched sounds a camel makes? Its like a prehistoric beast.

Blakesjourney / TBD

Re: Video – Life & Struggle in India

BlakesJourney — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:33:01 -0000

Very intimate photos. Well done!
Blakesjourney /TBD

Re: Good Time Gangtok

BlakesJourney — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:22:35 -0000

Sometimes I feel mighty lonely while traveling alone. Especially in the country. Plazas are empty and nights are lack luster.

Re: Friday Flashback – Sikkim Adventures

BlakesJourney — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:59:41 -0000

That sure is a lot of content about a place I hadn't heard of. I've got some reading to do. Sounds intriguing, Dave. Thanks! Did you run in to any aclimatization issues up there in the Himylayas?

Blakesjourney / tBD

Re: 5 Simple Ways Solo Travelers Can Save the Planet

BlakesJourney — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:37:06 -0000

I like number 3. Mostly because I'm usually petrified of renting cars in foreign lands / states. lol Interesting tips. I thought it was interesting the first time I saw the hotel option to not wash your linens- very unamerican, but a necessary step to get a more enviornmently sensible cultural practices.

Blakesjourney / tBD

Re: Walking Tour of Washington, DC

BlakesJourney — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:23:52 -0000

I think that's the way it is in most places. I lived in Orlando, FL for 6 years or so and never once went to disney and stuff on my own accord. Always when family or friends were in town. It's still that way for me here in Atlanta! I have yet to visit the world of coke or our gigantic aquarium (world's biggest, i think).

Re: Walking Tour of Washington, DC

BlakesJourney — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:21:35 -0000

Sounds like a pretty typical day in our nation's capital. My mom and bro live over there and I love to stroll about. Walking is such a great way to see a place, right? Feel the street, smell the traffic and see the folk. Great composition on the pic of the memorial. I've never gotten a really good picture of that. On yours it's just big enough and it looks bathed in warm golden light! Lovin'it.

Re: The Not So Lonely Solo Traveler

BlakesJourney — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:15:29 -0000

Great tips. I love how you emphasize- Not empty tips! It seems like there are more lists than collective brain cells in this world, right?

Anyways, I traveled to Spain for a master's program this past summer and spent like 10 day prior just travelilng alone. It was a love hate thing for me. In the cities, it was great. Madrid and Salamanca hostels were bustling with young minded open individuals and much partying and intelectual conversation ensued. In the serene Spanish countryside, however my experience was worlds apart. Days in empty squares were lonely and early nights were long. It was nice at times to be alone, but I think I prefer to choose it, as opposed to being condemned to loneliness.

Just my humble reflections on the matter!
Sincerely,
Blakesjourney / TBD

Re: Win a Van-Tastic Road Trip Around Australia

BlakesJourney — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:08:36 -0000

I think I'll try this one out. I freaking love videos.
Blake // TBD

Re: High Heels and a Head Torch: The Essential Guide for Girls Who Backpack

BlakesJourney — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:05:35 -0000

That's cool that an entire guide has been published on this matter. I've always noted the double standard where men are sexy in their rough unshaved state and women must exert so much more effort into their look (shaving, make-up etc...).

There are always those girls that wear the backpacker look so well- it almost seems effortless, though I'm sure it's not. They appear hip and fun; sharp while being spontaneous. Hats off to them. Like out of a movie (rough, but not unsexy).

I hope I'm not coming across macho or anything. Oh well. Such is the plight of the sexes, right?

Blake / TBD

Re: Souvenir Spotlight: Thai Beer Can Tuk-Tuk

BlakesJourney — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:00:58 -0000

MBK CENTER! I got a mug from that place, I loved it so much. I like shopping a bit too. Thailand is a great place to do it. God, we bought so much stuff there. Plates, photos, shirts, photocopied books (lol). What I really love about thailand, and is so characteristic of the type of tourist that frequents it, are all the used book shops. I adore the idea of finishing a book on some beach and swapping it out for another. Love it! I think I read more during a 6 week period in Thailand than in my whole life combined (shamefully... seriously).

I never picked up a beer can tuk tuk, though. It would be a good memory because it doesn't fade or wither.

Nice pic of Pat Pong. I can't believe that's at night. It is at night, right?

Blake.

Re: Friday Flashback – Boudhanath Stupa

BlakesJourney — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:15:46 -0000

It's amazing to me that a World Heritage Site would be serene. I guess I pictured a bustling district, laden with fanny-pack wearing onlookers.

Was it difficult to reach this place? Is it much off the beaten path? I'll read the associated posts when I get a minute. Thanks for the flashback. Nepal is on our long list of places to visit.

Blakesjourney
TBD

Re: Travel Video – Matt’s Dancing Finale

BlakesJourney — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:09:29 -0000

From a video perspective, its great; simple, emotional (albiet a bit manipulative/cheap), and well edited.Good for him, I say. He did something simple that provides a warm fuzzy feeling to all viewers.

I wonder how he coordinated all those people to rush in.

Blake.

Re: Trip Advice for South Africa, Swaziland, Namibia, and Botswana

BlakesJourney — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:24:47 -0000

Overrun with elefants! That's great.

Minivan: Is it cheap? Is it prone to burglery like the thai tourist minivans?

Thanks for all the info. I'm a huge Lonely Planet fan, but word of mouth is always more reliable. Appreciate the time, friend!

Re: My Actual Costs – Europe – Summer 1998

BlakesJourney — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:16:39 -0000

Yeah... I'll skip on the dumpster diving. Baguette, wine and cheese tend to be cheap enough and filling! Gotta love europe. I read an interesting blog on hitching. I forget where. Oh well.

Re: My Actual Costs – Europe – Summer 1998

BlakesJourney — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:27:21 -0000

Oh, how the euro has changed everything. Would you agree that the price has really skyrocketed in Europe? I'm referring to places like CR and Greece. Spain's still do-able on the cheap.

Lovin' the budget travel!! he he.

Re: Trip Advice for South Africa, Swaziland, Namibia, and Botswana

BlakesJourney — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:37:25 -0000

Thanks for your insights. This is a really intriging region for my wife and I. Would you say that renting a car is necessary for this region? Is it possible to just use public transport? I don't like the idea of driving/ being responsible for a car in a foreign country.

The mokoro ride and safari look great! Do you do any wildlife photography?

Re: A Backpacker’s Guide To Massages In Asia

BlakesJourney — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:00:23 -0000

Wow, you really don't use the term massage conoisseor lightly- you've tried every fucking one. I fell in love with traditional Thai massage- I love getting streched and cracked. LOVE IT. In fact, when we were in Rajistan I got an oil massage and it didn't do anything for me.

You didn't comment on prices. Do they vary greatly? Or, is it more or less 5$/hr like Thailand?

Actually, hour-massage prices have really gone down in the States; perhaps because of the troubled times. I've been seeing signs in my humble suburb of Atlanta for 25$/hr. Too much for my blood (my wife and I are saving for our own RTW trip currently).

Any video of the massage places?! lol
Blake.