GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of May 27

by Adrienne Wilson on

The Take Five feature is one I have had a love hate relationship since the day we kicked it off here on Gadling. To go through each week and select ONLY five that should once more win your affection is a real tough duty. This week after reading through every post here I sort of covered my eyes and threw a dart at each one. Enjoy!

5. Avoiding the Side Effects of Bad Street Food:
If only we could place anything and everything on our palates without dealing with what Neil calls the “nasties” later on… Sigh. Well according to Budget Travel you can have your cake and eat it too! Find out now or go later. Know what I mean?

4. BioToi: For Conveniently Pooping in the Woods:
Don’t like squatting in the woods with your rear in the wind? Here’s a handy piece of gear to place a little comfort for those bodily deeds done out in Mother Nature.

3. NYC Shoe Store Gets Its Own Zip Code:
For those who really love shoes place this one on your travel wish list. And I mean it is for those that REALLY love shoes.

2. Carrying Children:
I’ve never traveled with kids and the thought makes groan on the inside a bit, but this gallery on carrying children as you go makes it look like it can done and fun at the same time. Beautiful!

1. Talking Travel with Seal Press Founder Barbara Sjoholm:
Kelly sits down with the author of Incognito Street to talk about travel, of course, but an abundance of other great information is shared. Don’t miss your chance to win a copy of the book for your summer reading by the poolside.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of April 8

by Adrienne Wilson on

It was an interesting week here at Gadling with two very notable moments here. First we reached our 10,000th post! (Come one everyone – Golf claps, por favor!) Then there was our “Official Honoree” award in the 2007 Webby Awards, but most importantly it was a week filled with fun, informative and interesting travel related posts. Let’s look back at a few you may have missed.

5. Pocketed Security Sock:
Anyone who has ever endured the discomfort of stashing their cash and values away in the very same shoe they’re using to tour the city has probably placed an order of at least a couple pairs of these Pocketed Security socks. Designed to protect your small valuables and provide peace of mind and a happier sole who wouldn’t want to own some of these? Sometimes that nifty money belt isn’t enough.

4. Whogoslavia Means Traveling With Kids:
While I don’t have children I found this plug particularly inspiring. For those who think kids will bring a complete halt to travel and a social life all together this is one to check out. Have the best of both worlds and take your children to as many places as you can afford or have the time and make them apart of your social life. It might be a small world at Disney World, but it is a big world outside of those theme parks. Tackle it together!

3. The Extreme List:
I’d like to think I’m a bit of an “Extremist,” but after looking at this list of extreme things to do on your vacation far off and away the truth is I’m more of a wimp. If you are ready to not only follow the off-the-beaten track trails and wish to speckle it with a bit of danger and daring feats try climbing, swimming, diving, biking, or hiking some of these spots.

2. A Canadian in Beijing: Walls and their Greatness:
Anyone following Ember Swift’s time spent in Beijing is probably green with envy. This week she has left us with a slew of dispatches from the Asian city on the changing of the leaves to bathroom squatting instructions to pics of her standing at the Great Wall and even her landing her first gig! All I can say to that is two words: Rock On!

1. “Naked Sushi” Arrives on the Shores of America:
Ever dream of picking your spicy tuna or hamachi off a beautiful naked woman’s body? Well you don’t have to go to Japan or join a gang for this one. Instead you can take a trip right over to Sunset Blvd in Hollywood and feast away. Like Neil, I think I’ll pass

Traveling in Korea with Children

by Adrienne Wilson on

Mum, mom, mother and momma are not nicknames I’ve been blessed to have at this time in my life and I’m in no rush to obtain one of the variations either, but for all the proud traveling parents out there searching for a good place to go with baby I present you with this guide from the Korean Tourism site. I’m sure an extensive amount of planning is needed to figure how you’ll be able to maneuver and keep your sanity for your return home and it looks like they’ve done a great deal of situation sorting for you. Transportation, shopping, restaurants, theme parks and special places to visit with children can all be found on their site. If you’re going to Korea or considering a vacation in Asia some place with your child or children this guide should hopefully answer some questions if not all. If Korea isn’t a destination of choice for you and your child at this time you may try scouring other tourism sites for similar info.

Atomium – Kids Sphere Hotel in Belgium

by Adrienne Wilson on

The Atomium, a replica of an iron molecule with nine aluminum spheres (built for the World Fair in 1958) has been renovated and remixed and comes to the kid and the kid at heart as an otherworldly playground of sorts. Spotted on the Cool Hunter, Billy T says the Atomium has been dubbed the “Kids Sphere Hotel.” Kids are entertained by films and other packaged events. When it’s time to dine, within the restaurant you’ll find a panoramic view of Brussels. Seems like one awesome place to visit when in Brussels – see the Cool Hunter for more photos and visit Atomium for all details!

Nine Million Refugee Children

by Adrienne Wilson on

I’ve been experiencing the worst case of “heal the world” syndrome lately and it seems there is always more I can do, but never enough; money, time, hands, etc. Habitat for Humanity has always been an organization I’ve reached down into my pockets blindly and given what I could, when I could and if ever I could do the same for another organization it would have to be ninemillion.org. Their commercials have worked their way into my mind and the website is far more gripping. Just reading the accounts of refugee children from Uganda, Azerbaijan and Thailand has me real worked up now. I’ve just traveled to three countries I’ve never set foot on in one of the most disheartening ways, yet I hope to some day go and lend more than an online donation. Maybe a smile, a story or a very extra elbow-greased limb to contribute by whatever means necessary will do the trick. Until that times comes the least I can do is spread the word.

There are 20.8 million refugees in the world. Nine million are children. See how you can get involved. Donations in any amount go a long way.