So I've finally decided to start an official travel blog to document all my escapades across the world. Technically speaking, this is not new to me. I've always been journaling my global romps in some way, shape or form. In the past, this is what I've done:
2004- Backpacked with a buddy across western Europe for five weeks. During this trip, I journaled our experiences while travelling through about a dozen different countries, including some of the not so happy times. I'll tell you something though: If you wanna test the mettle of a friendship, try spending 24 hours a day for 5 weeks travelling with him/her. If you don't punch them in the face by the time the trip is over, then your friendship is strong. Okay maybe punching is okay... but definitely... or maybe...try not to kill him/her.
2005 - Took a trip down to the exotic country of Mississippi. Mississippi's a country, right? The locals spoke so differently I just assumed it was. Anyway this was not really a leisure trip. It was a 2-week relief trip with Samaritan's Purse to help with the clean-up post-Katrina. Journaled A LOT on that trip. It was definitely an experience I did not want to forget.
2006 - Traveled solo to Tokyo... on a shoe string budget! Whoever said Tokyo is expensive is a bold-faced liar. Yes if you wanna have high-powered meals fit for aristocrats and kings on a daily basis, sure it can get expensive. But I rented a room for what was essentially $25/night, and if I felt like it, I could have a whole meal for under $5. Anyway, I blogged my way through Japan using Xanga. Remember that site? That sure was the in thing back in tha day. In any case, I spent about 2.5 weeks there.
2008 was not a good year. The original plan was to do an adventure trip to Peru through Machu Pichu and area. I had my flight booked and my bags packed, but then a stupid thing called liver cancer took my dad. I actually had to fight tooth and nail with the insurance company to get my money back for that trip. It got as far as filing the subpoena with them before they would return my money. Anyway, if you ever need tips on getting your money back for a trip, just ask!
2009 - Traveled to Hong Kong with my girlfriend for 3 weeks. We rented an apartment for the 3 weeks we were there. WAY cheaper than a hotel. Plus we had a kitchen in our apartment, which was great, especially since there was a fresh market downstairs where we could buy fresh foods daily. Again, stuck with a journal on this one.
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Anywho, I've also travelled to Hawaii, Dominican Republic and Puerto Vallarta, but I didn't bother journaling for those trips. Not much to say on those all-inclusive-stay-in-the-hotel-or-you'll-die trips. Other than that, I'd say journaling is key to a trip, at the very least to keep track of your spending. As far as I know, I'm not on the Fortune 500 list yet, so budgeting is pretty important! And who wants to forget stuff after you've gone somewhere? I sure don't! And my memory is only as good as my pen (or...keyboard...I guess).
Anyway this year I'm heading to South Korea! In May to be exact. Hence, this blog. I'll probably populate this blog with information I gather prior to my trip, as a travel reference for all you avid internet/travel aficionados. So stay tuned!
