Rambling Traveler

Friday, April 4, 2008

Friday Photo Post: Gooseberry Falls in Winter

Photos by Connor Cashman

Doug and the boys recently stopped at Gooseberry Falls State Park on their way to Lutsen Mountains. It looks a bit different from the summer.

Monday, March 31, 2008

From other Travel Blogs...

Mykonos, Greece

Travel Tips:
Brave New Traveler shares 5 Tips Every Traveler Should Know About Internet Security. Find out how to protect your data when using internet cafes.

Amanda at Vagabondish has suggestions for using all 5 of your senses when you travel to get the most out of your travel experience.

Greg from Start Backpacking! has a guest post on The Traveler's Notebook about How To Take Better Notes For Your Travel Blog. One of his tips includes using those 5 senses to describe your experience. Even if you don't have a travel blog, these suggestions are also great for travel journals (and future scrapbooks!)

Travel Destinations:
BestHike.com recommends hiking in Hawaii with Kauaʻi - Hawaiian hiking paradise and hiking Waimea Canyon, Hawaii with kids.

Travel Bits:
Congratulations to Amy and Sloan from Reason to Wander for their recent engagement!

For more travel articles, check out the section marked "from other blogs" in my sidebar.

Friday, March 28, 2008

Friday Photo Post: Mykonos, Greece

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Book Review: Going Dutch in Beijing

An easy to read book full of interesting customs from around the world, Going Dutch in Beijing: How to Behave Properly When Far Away from Home by Mark McCrum is like a Miss Manners for travel. Chapters on greetings, gifts, food and eating, business etiquette and other topics share what to expect and how to act in different cultures.

What I like about the book is the way it not only tells you the customs, but in many cases, explains the reasoning behind them.

Why does that driver in Thailand tell you he knows where your hotel is, only to drive in circles all through town? It might be a bid to save face, not necessarily that he wants more money.

Why do some people only want to talk about personal subjects during a business meeting? If they are from certain countries, it could be because they won't do business with someone until they've gotten to know them on a personal level.

You will also learn when to show up for a dinner party and when you shouldn't finish all the food on your plate as well as how to act in several other situations. Many times, it is the opposite of what you expect. It can be startling to read what some cultures consider acceptable or offensive when it doesn't match your own beliefs.

This is a great book for learning about the different cultures you might experience when you travel. Keep in mind, variations of these customs might be practiced in different parts of the countries mentioned, but at least they'll be somewhat familiar to you.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Travel Bits: 2008 Travvies and a Travel Photo Contest

Lake Superior, Tettegouche State Park in Minnesota

*Nominations are now open for the 2008 Travvies, to recognize the best travel blogs. Visit Upgrade: Travel Better to nominate your favorite travel blogs in one or more categories:

*In other news, Greg at StartBackpacking is sponsoring a "Crazy travel photo moment" contest at Spongefish. Go through your travel photos and pick your craziest to enter for a chance to win a $40 Amazon gift certificate.