Articles tagged “adventure travel”

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How To Stay Sane While Backpacking

by Jessica Festa on

While travel is often thought of as being a luxurious and fun break from reality, there are times when you’ll probably feel like you’re losing your mind. Moving around can be exhausting, and being away from home can make you feel scattered. To help you stay sane on the road, here are some helpful tips.

Have Someone To Talk To

Having someone to talk to that is not a complete stranger when traveling is important, especially when you’re on the road for long periods of time. Simply hearing the voice of a trusted friend or relative from home at times when you’re away and feeling stressed can be a comforting reminder of home. If you don’t want to pay for long-distance calls, services like Skype and Viber allow for low-cost and free calling.Read About Extreme Journeys

Whenever I’m feeling stressed while traveling, I like to read about other nomads and adventure-enthusiasts who are also on the road, but doing crazier things than I am. While huffing and puffing my way through the Inca Trail, it was comforting to hear about Appalachian Trail expeditions, or climbs up Mount Everest. If you’re in a hut in a remote village where there is no running water, read stories about people who are living in the forest with no running water and no roof over their heads. Not only will you feel less overwhelmed about what you’re doing, you’ll feel inspired by other brave travelers.

Indulge With Comfort Food

Of course, a smart way to stay sane on the road is to keep the mind and body healthy with nutritious foods and exercise. That being said, nothing calms me more than something delicious that reminds me of home, especially when all you’ve been eating is unfamiliar local cuisine. Whether you love your mom’s homemade macaroni and cheese or a McDonald’s hamburger, indulge yourself and keep sane by giving yourself a delicious piece of home.

Get In Some Alone Time

Whether I’m traveling or at home, nothing is more effective in keeping me sane than spending some quality time with myself. When I’m traveling and feeling stressed, I love to put on my iPod and just wander around a city, getting lost in the sites and in my own head. It can give you time to think and unwind, without feeling any pressure to have a conversation. Like a silent retreat, being alone with yourself will leave you feeling refreshed and energized.

Pamper Yourself

When you feel like you’re going insane on the road, the key is to relax. For me, that usually means going to the nearest spa and getting a massage; however, this could mean different things to different people. Maybe you’ll want to splurge on a fancy hotel, go for a round of golf and find a hot tub to soak in or buy yourself a new shirt. Sometimes you need to take a break from the sightseeing, and give yourself some time to breath and turn your mind off.

Adjust Your Attitude

With that being said, the phrase “attitude is everything” holds a lot of truth. If you’re having negative thoughts, find a way to think positive. While not every situation you’ll face will be absolutely perfect, you can learn to focus on the good things and make the bad things less apparent. For example, on a recent trek on the Inca Trail in Peru, I was bummed when I found out my group for the ensuing four days was all couples – and single me. On the bus to the start of the trek, I found myself feeling lonely as I watched the couples snuggle into their bus seats, while I occupied the back by myself. However, as soon as I adjusted my attitude and told myself to focus on the incredible journey, and get to know the other participants as individuals, I ended up having an amazing and unforgettable experience.

Stay Organized

It’s easy to get frazzled when you’re constantly rummaging through you luggage, unable to find what you’re looking for. If my backpack is unorganized during my travels, it makes me feel disoriented. It’s amazing how unpacking and repacking everything in a more organized fashion can really calm you down and make you feel more centered. To help with this, buy suitcases and backpacks with many compartments, separate toiletries in plastic bags, keep similar items together, place items you’ll use often in an easy to reach place and, most importantly, pack light. The less you have, the easier it is to organize.

Watch A Movie

When I feel like I’m losing my mind on the road, nothing helps me escape more easily than watching a movie. For 90 minutes, you’ll be able to relax and completely focus on something else. If you’re staying at an accommodation without a TV, it’s also a good excuse to give yourself an upgrade. Don’t worry if your budget is small, as many hostels and B&B’s have TVs in the rooms or common rooms.

Make Your Hotel Room Your Home

Making yourself feel at home, even if you’re not, is key to keeping sane while traveling. Even doing small things, like placing a framed photo of your family, lighting a candle or bringing your favorite throw pillow can help to put you at ease on the road.

Travel Less

Stop worrying about missing out on things and seeing everything, and just enjoy what you are seeing. When you’re on the move every other day, you increase your risks of travel fatigue, as well as your chances of losing your mind abroad. Instead of getting a glimpse of 10 cities, choose two or three and get to know them in-depth. You’ll not only have a better understanding of the culture, you’ll have more energy to really enjoy the trip.

Spray Your Favorite Scent

The sense of smell is very powerful, and spraying your favorite scent can help calm your nerves and center your mind. Especially in foreign cities where unfamiliar odors are everywhere, it’s nice to smell something you’re accustomed to. Because I don’t like carrying perfume, I always make sure to bring at least one shower product with a smell I love. Then, when I’m stressed, I simply take a shower and clear my head with vanilla and sugar or wild citrus sunflower. It may sound simple, but it works.

[flickr photos via liber(the poet), cookbookman17, Witches Falls Cottages, thejaymo, Betsssssy,

The Newest Innovation In Snorkeling: The Powerbreather

by Jessica Festa on

When traveling to tropical regions, I love snorkeling and seeing the unique marine life. However, one thing I hate is how I can never seem to perfectly place the snorkel tube as to not get water in my mouth. Luckily, a new product called the Powerbreather has been designed to fix this.

Tagged as the “future in swimming,” the Powerbreather is a ring shaped, elastic snorkel that wraps around the head. What’s unique about the design is that you actually breathe through a hole in the back of your head, fully exhaling through a check valve. The fresh air you’ll breath will leave you with more energy, and you won’t have to deal with ingesting tons of salt water.

While the product hasn’t been released yet, it is patented worldwide, and will most likely hit the market very soon. For more information, you can use this contact form to reach Powerbreather directly.

Video: Bear Grylls (Impersonator) In The (Urban) Jungle

by Kraig Becker on

Bear Grylls is one of those television personalities that is very polarizing – you either love him or hate him. His approach to travel and adventure, often with a complete disregard to his own welfare, has earned him fans and critics alike, and has made him an easy target for parody.

Take the video below for example. It was created by an Australian company called Priceless Productions and features a Bear impersonator named Elliot Loney, who must learn to navigate through the perils of the urban jungle. In this mock show, entitled “Man Vs Metro,” you’ll find travel advice that is at least as dubious as anything Bear has ever offered us.


In Search Of Harmony In Hong Kong

by Kraig Becker on

World traveler and television personality Richard Bangs has a knack for finding adventure wherever he goes. His award winning program “Adventures with a Purpose“ routinely sends him to the far corners of the planet where he immerses himself in the history and culture of the destination while taking part in a host of unique activities.

In a recent episode entitled “Quest for Harmony,” Bangs visited the Pearl River Delta, a region that includes Hong Kong, Macau and portions of China‘s Guangdong Province. That particular show gave viewers a brief glimpse at all the many travel opportunities that exist throughout the area and, intrigued with what was shown, it left me wanting to know more. With that in mind, I recently sat down with Bill Flora, who was instrumental in getting Bangs to visit the Delta. Bill also happens to be the U.S. Director of Hong Kong Tourism, so as you can imagine, he has a lot to say about the region.

Gadling: The theme of “harmony” crops up often in this episode and it seems to play an important part in life in Hong Kong. How is that concept exhibited in the city?
Bill Flora: Finding harmony or balance is a universal theme in Asian culture and that is evident throughout Hong Kong as well. The city has a Yin and Yang to it that blends both high technology and nature surprisingly well. Amidst the towering skyscrapers and bright lights there is a peaceful serenity found in the city’s parks and natural spaces. Life there is a wonderful blend of traditional values and modern sensibilities.

G: Hong Kong and the surrounding Pearl River Delta seem to offer something for just about every kind of traveler. Is that a major part of its appeal?
BF: Absolutely! Variety is definitely the key. Hong Kong is the type of city where you’ll find a five-star restaurant on one corner, then walk around the block to discover an ancient temple on another. It is that mix of modern sophistication and traditional culture that makes it such an interesting place. Great shopping, a thriving nightlife, a sophisticated art scene and so much more – it’s all there for visitors to experience for themselves.G: And what about adventure travelers? Is there anything to draw them to the region as well?
BF: The term “adventure travel” is such a broad one and the word “adventure” means something different to everyone. But for those looking to explore the Pearl River Delta’s more wild side, they may be surprised to find that 40 percent of Hong Kong’s land volume is dedicated to parks, many of which have great hiking trails. Additionally there are 260 outlying islands to explore and the nearby Danxia Mountain Park, located in Guangdong, offers spelunking, trekking and climbing opportunities as well.

G: In your opinion, what is the best kept secret about the Pearl River Delta?
BF: I think visitors will be surprised at how great of an outdoor destination it is. Sure there are plenty of things to do in Hong Kong and Macau, but once you leave the city behind, the Pearl River Delta is a rugged and remote region. Upon my first visit I was surprised at just how lush and green it is there and opportunities for adventure abound.

G: And when they return to the city?
BF: They’ll have the opportunity to refuel with some of the excellent local cuisine. Hong Kong has everything from great street stalls with fresh seafood to Michelin-starred restaurants that are ranked among the best in the world. The city is also one of the most sophisticated wine destinations on the planet, which often comes as a surprise for visitors too. One thing is for sure – no one will go hungry!

G: For visitors traveling to Hong Kong for the first time, what is your recommendation for the one “don’t miss” activity?
BF: Without a doubt they should take the tram to the top of The Peak [Victoria Peak located in HK Harbor]. The view is spectacular, particularly at night, and I never grow tired of it. It is the signature spot in Hong Kong.

G: What else should first-time visitors to Hong Kong know?
BF: Hong Kong is the Gateway to Asia and it makes a great launching pad for visiting other parts of the continent. But everything a traveler could hope for can be found right there in the Pearl River Delta. I think anyone who visits the region will agree; it really is an amazingly diverse destination. With that in mind, we’ve partnered with Peregrine Travel and Cathay Pacific to offer several Pearl River Delta travel packages of varying lengths and itineraries. We really do hope they come visit us.

Many thanks to Bill for sharing his thoughts and insights into Hong Kong with me. Now I want to go to experience it for myself.

[Photo credit: chensiyuan and Doctoroftcm via WikiMedia]





St. Brendan: Did An Irish Monk Come To America Before Columbus?

by Sean McLachlan on

Today is St. Brendan’s feast day. To the Irish, St. Brendan needs no introduction. For those less fortunate in their birth, let me tell you that he may have been Ireland’s first adventure traveler.

Saint Brendan was an Irish holy man who lived from 484 to 577 AD. Little is known about his life, and even his entry in the Catholic Encyclopedia is rather short. What we do know about him mostly comes from a strange tale called “the Voyage of St Brendan the Navigator,” written down in the ninth century and rewritten with various changes in several later manuscripts.

It’s an account of a seven-year journey he and his followers took across the Atlantic, where they met Judas sitting on a rock, landed on what they thought was an island only to discover it was a sea monster, were tempted by a mermaid, and saw many other strange and wondrous sights. They got into lots of danger, not the least from some pesky devils, but the good Saint Brendan used his holy might to see them through.

They eventually landed on the fabled Isle of the Blessed far to the west of Ireland. This is what has attracted the attention of some historians. Could the fantastic tale hide the truth that the Irish came to America a thousand years before Columbus?

Sadly, there’s no real evidence for that. While several eager researchers with more imagination than methodology have claimed they’ve found ancient Irish script or that places like Mystery Hill are Irish settlements, their claims fall down under scrutiny.

But, as believers like to say, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, and there are some tantalizing clues that hint the Irish really did journey across the sea in the early Middle Ages. It’s firmly established that Irish monks settled in the Faroe Islands in the sixth century. The Faroes are about halfway between Scotland and Iceland. Viking sagas record that when they first went to settle Iceland in the late ninth century, they found Irish monks there. There are also vague references in the Viking sagas and in medieval archives in Hanover hinting that Irish monks made it to Greenland too.

%Gallery-155425%From Greenland, of course, it’s not much of a jump to North America. The monks wanted to live far away from the evils of the world and were willing to cross the ocean to do so.

How did they sail all that distance? In tough little boats called currachs, made of a wickerwork frame with hides stretched over it. One would think these soft boats with no keel wouldn’t last two minutes in the open ocean, but British adventurer Tim Severin proved it could be done. In 1976, he and his crew sailed a reconstruction of a medieval currach on the very route I’ve described. The boat, christened Brendan, was 36 feet long, had two masts, and was made with tanned ox hides sealed with wool grease and tied together with more than two miles of leather thongs. While Brendan says sailing it was like “skidding across the waves like a tea tray,” the team did make it 4,500 miles across the ocean. His book on the adventure, “The Brendan Voyage,” is a cracking good read.

Although Severin proved the Irish could have made it to America, it doesn’t mean they did. Severin had the advantage of modern nautical charts and sailed confident in the knowledge that there was indeed land where he was headed. So until archaeologists dig up a medieval Irish church in North America, it looks like St. Brendan’s voyage will remain a mystery.

[Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons]