Archive for the Travel Lowdown category
Here at HostelBloggers, we always have our eye on a budget deal. Craig Martin shares information and advice with HostelBloggers’ readers on the great value train pass…
Want to see more, but don’t want to pay the earth? Getting around Europe can be made much more manageable with a Eurail Pass. They’re great for people looking for a hop-on, hop-off train experience and don’t want the hassle - or expensive - of buying tickets each time.
Eurail Passes come in many shapes and sizes, but by far the most popular is the Eurail Global Pass, which offers unlimited train travel through 20 European countries. If you’re under 26 or travelling in a group you can also get discounts; a youth pass starts at US$474 for 15 days. This might seem pricey if you’re simply hopping around a little bit, but once you cover long distances by train, you start to see a decent saving.
After the pass is validated, you need to keep it on you and, because it’s linked to you personally, you should also keep your passport handy to show your identity to any roaming conductors.
Trains are an easy and exciting way to travel in Europe: the rail networks are plentiful and generally run on time. A Eurail pass is undoubtedly an easier way to travel than buying individual tickets, but it’s not all plain sailing. Some journeys, especially international or night journeys, require seat reservations to be made and so you need to visit the station early enough to book a seat at the counter and exchange of a few euros. From you to them, unfortunately.
If you are travelling within a smaller region, cheaper, country or region-specific Eurail Passes are also available. They operate on a slightly different system than the general pass, with a fixed number of travel days allocated within a wider time frame.
Eurail passes are only available in the US, though - if you’re a European resident or have lived there for six months or more, you can investigate the InterRail ticket which works on a very similar basis. It’s also worth noting that it’s up to 20% more expensive to buy a Eurail pass from within Europe so you’re much better off ordering it online during the planning stages.
And for even cheaper deals, check out the Spring sales which are currently on for next year at Railpass.com and other outlets…. Time to hit the rails!
Guest poster Craig Martin is the author of the Travelling Europe ebook and runs Eurail Stories. If you have a story to share with the world, get in touch…
Every backpacker has a tale about that local ‘delicacy’ which made them gasp/gag in horror. From monkey brains in Indiana Jones to snake blood in The Beach, gross foods are the stuff of traveling legend.
And then on the other hand, budget guidebooks all scream ‘eat what the locals do, it’s cheaper!’ and so once again we backpacking types find ourselves with a very suspicious-looking specialty halfway to our mouths.
There are some things, though, that we really can’t face the thought of - even if it means missing out on an amazing cultural experience, or maybe going hungry… So here it is, our top ten inedible dishes from around the world!
1. Balut. The number one spot has to go to this stomach-churning snack popular in the Philippines. Basically, it’s an egg with a dead chick inside. Enough said.
2. Natto. Almost famous amongst backpackers in Japan for its gross-out cheesy smell and stringy appearance, Natto is a traditional dish that’s often eaten at breakfast for its nutritious qualities. Made from fermented soybeans, it’s not one for the uninitiated.
3. Casu Marzu. A traditional Sardinian cheese made from sheep milk, Casu Marzu is fermented to the stage of decomposition. Anything that comes with a warning to wear eye-protection when eating for fear of larvae launching themselves at your face really shouldn’t be touched in our book. But it’s considered such a delicacy by some that it sells for around $100 per lb - luckily out of reach of the budget traveler, then!
4. Hakarl. Shark meat may be eaten across the world but over in Iceland they ferment it first for five months or so until it has an ‘ammonia-rich’ taste and smell, kind of like a cleaning product. Although it’s available all year round, Hakarl is notably part of the traditional national dish Thorramatur which is served at midwinter festivals.
5. Starfish on a Stick. It’s hard to pick a favorite from the legendary Beijing night markets as they’re stuffed so full of ‘unusual’ delicacies. But amongst the goat testicles, grasshoppers, seahorses and silk-worms, something stands out - it’s a fried starfish on a stick, like a lollipop. Surely that’s not right?
6. Ambuyat. Unique to Brunei, ambuyat is a glue-like substance that’s made from the Sago palm tree. The trunk is planed into sawdust, boiled and then eaten like spaghetti and dipped into peanut sauce as it’s completely tasteless on its own. Be sure to eat it hot, though - before it dries into something resembling rubber cement.
7. The Pie Floater. Sounding like something very dodgy indeed and looking possibly worse, this combination of a meat pie and thick pea soup has rather randomly been recognized by the National Trust of Australia as an official ‘heritage icon’ from Adelaide.
8. Nyotaimori. We like sushi as much as the next gourmet, but eating raw fish off a naked model really just sounds wrong… Originally a Japanese custom, it’s a craze that has also begun to sweep through America, Germany and the UK. Apparently, the benefit is that the sushi warms up to body temperature, allowing the diner to concentrate fully on its taste and texture.
9. Spotted Dick. No, this isn’t made of genitalia. It’s actually a traditional English suet pudding with raisins. Not the greatest tasting dessert in the world (this is British food, after all) but made far worse by the inexplicable name. Can you imagine asking for “spotted dick, please” in a restaurant?
10. Scrapple. America’s contibution to our inedible foods list is this mush of fried hog offal cooled into a gel. It’s pretty much just the waste products of other meats. When it gets to this point, maybe it’s best to throw those left-overs away…
Dinner, anyone?
AW
Just a quick heads up as our friends over at Rough Guides have a new series of their ‘The Rough Guide to…’ TV show returning to British screens this coming Monday (it’ll be on Channel 5 at 19:30).
The series offers an insider’s take on travel destinations, eschewing the traditional ‘wish-you-were-here, god-how-I-love-the-Maldives/Marbella/Madagascar/wherever-it-is-that-I’ve-been-sent-to-by-my-production-team’ format, for a more sincere look at genuine backpacking destinations (like Koh Phi Phi, Berlin, Reykjavik and Fez).
It’s probably not all for backpackers, mind, but it’s just about as close as you’ll get at the mo to a serious travel show in tune with backpacking sentiments (we’re still waiting for the first made-for-backpackers TV show in the UK).
Clips from the last series can be found here.
JC
Friday 14th November – Sunday 23rd November
Hepcats and jazz fans in London will be spoiled for choice later this week, as the London Jazz Festival 2008 rolls out across the city. A tradition in the Big Smoke since the early 1970’s, the London Jazz Festival showcases a broad range of jazz music, as well as classes ranging from vocal labs to jazz journalism. There’s also an excellent array of free events – music to both your ears and pocket.
For more information, schedule and event prices, visit the London Jazz Festival’s website. Keep the weekend cheap and easy by using Transport for London to get from gig to gig, and rest your weary, be-bopped-filled head in a clean and comfy London hostel at the end of the night.
KW
On 23 to 27 November, the liberal city of Amsterdam will host this year’s Cannabis Cup. And, in honor of this extravagant celebration of Holland’s famous (and perennially popular) travel attraction, The Flying Pig - one of the most popular hostels in Amsterdam - is giving away two nights accommodation for two people, anytime in December, absolutely free!
To enter, just let us know what your ideal itinerary for a weekend in the city would be. The competition will close on the 17th of November, and itineraries are to be written in the comments box below. A small tip: They should include more than just ‘get baked’!
Here’s a quick lowdown on the Cup itself, for those interested…
Cannabis Cup Background
The festival was first started back in 1987, and today it’s just about the biggest stoner’s event going, with weed being sold, smoked and evaluated everywhere you look.
This year’s Cup will mark a point of departure from those before, however, with Amsterdam now enveloped in a tobacco ban. The law banning tobacco smoke indoors was introduced a few months back - as a result, coffeeshop smokers can either roll with a herbal substitute, or enjoy a more traditional joint outside on the cold pavement.
While many thought the ban would adversely affect Amsterdam coffeeshops’ trade, few have reported a downturn in business. It’s still uncharted territory for the Cup, however, and only the judges will be able to say whether those prized strains of marijuana entered into the competition are affected by this new substitute and law.
All in all, there’s normally around ten different categories, including Best Hash and Best Overall Strain (to which the Cannabis Cup is awarded). There’s also a prize for the Top Coffeeshop - a category that’s been through the travel blogosphere washer recently, after Matt of Matador Nights bravely nominated his favorites with, let’s say, a teeny bit of a backlash.
Well, never one to shirk a challenge (or a whack of vitriol), I thought I’d put my cards on the table. So here are my top five coffeeshops in Amsterdam:
1. Katsu, Eerste van der Helstraat. In a city packed with coffeeshops, it may be tempting to head to the nearest one to your hostel, but Katsu is definitely worth heading south (and off the beaten track) for. Winner of the Highlife Cup in 2008, they mix award-winning strains with a great buzz.
2. Abraxas, Jonge Roelensteeg. With its mosaics, sofas and chessboard tables, Abraxas is the ultimate place to head in Amsterdam for a relaxing vibe and a friendly welcome. This doesn’t mean a compromise in quality, though - from the hash milkshakes to the classic rollies, Abraxas is top-notch all the way.
3. Resin, Hekeveld. Resin (formerly known as The Pool Dog) has a deservedly good reputation among both the local and backpacking crowds. Unlike many shops this close to the center, the weed is consistently good quality and value, plus the pumping sound system and friendly staff, all add up to a great atmosphere.
4. Grey Area, Oude Leliestraat. Down in the Jordaan, the tiny (and always packed) Grey Area may be a little more on the pricey side but it’s actually famous around the world as the original home of Double Bubble Gum, Wobbler and more. Its reputation for these specialties puts it firmly on the Cannabis Cup map - as well as making it popular with bands and celebs passing through town.
5. Barneys Coffeeshop, Haarlemmerstraat. Barneys has been recognized at the Cannabis Cup multiple times, although it’s about more than just smoking here. Get one of their awesome breakfasts from 7am and settle into the slightly surreal interior for a long day, and let the good times roll (yes, pun intended).
AW
USA Hostels run a chain of big name, big destination hostels across America. And, as this Craigslist advert proclaims, they’re looking for a Receptionist to join their team in San Francisco.
Only three blocks away from Union Square, USA Hostels San Francisco is probably one of the best pound-for-pound hostels in America. Its a nice size (at 210 beds it’s neither too big nor too small), the facilities are excellent, and there’s a great vibe that runs through the entire building.
So if you’re looking for a way in to San Fran, and you think you could hack it on a busy reception desk, this is a great opportunity to work with friendly people and experience the city from the ‘inside’.
The position only requires that you can speak more than one language, and that you know how to smile!
Love art-going but hate stuffy museums? Then here’s a rundown of the best open-air art exhibitions from around the world…
1. Fundacion NMAC, Vejer de la Frontera, Spain
Squeezed between the sierras and sea of Andalucia’s Costa de la Luz, Vejer de la Frontera is a traveler’s dream. A typical whitewashed Andalucian town, it’s just about as calm and authentic a place as you’re likely to encounter anywhere on your travels.
One of the world’s leading art exhibitions can also be found here. The collection at the Fundacion NMAC is simply awesome, including installations by established artists such as Susana Solano, Richard Nonas, Sol LeWitt and Roxy Paine. And, what’s more, like Paine’s giant metal tree (pictured above), it’s almost all outdoors.
The Fundacion is about showcasing contemporary art in natural landscapes, emphasizing ’specific projects which promote social dialogue and understanding through art’. The result is an enchanting and cerebral place that demands hours upon hours of happy wanderings (or should that be wonderings?).
2. Vigeland Sculpture Park, Oslo, Norway
Frogerparken in Oslo is a little bit special. The laid-back urban park is different from most in that, aside from the usual leafy expanses and picnicking couples, it includes an 80-acre sculpture park that features 212 large-scale pieces by Gustav Vigeland.
The sculptures sit along an axis that splits the park into five different segments, each carrying its own theme. At the top of this axis, you find the standout sculpture - a 12-foot high ‘Monolith’ of naked bodies climbing their way to heaven. It’s a magnificent jewel in the park’s already glittering crown.
3. Hakone Open-Air Museum, Hakone, Japan
This massive establishment, based in the expansive Fuji Hakone Izu National Park, was Japan’s first-ever outdoor museum. Opened in the 60s, it has built up a stunning collection over the years and today boasts Rodins, Miros, Renoirs, Picassos and Moores.
The sculptures by Henry Moore, in particular, find a happy home here - as the artist himself proclaimed, ‘Sculpture is an art of the open air’ and, gazing at the solid form of his sweeping pieces cut against the backdrop of Japan’s rolling mountains and infinite sky, you can see what he was getting at.
4. Victoria’s Way, Dublin, Ireland
Spread out across 22 acres of beautiful countryside, Victoria’s Way contains several massive sculptures of Ganesha, provoking the visitor into inner-contemplation and prodding them onto the road of ultimate happiness. Which is kind of surreal, really, since it’s in Catholic Ireland, only a half hour from Dublin.
The Park stands out for a number of reasons: partly because the sculptures are impressive, partly because you can chat to the mastermind behind it all (if you find his workshop next to the car park), and partly because it’s very much a hidden gem. Few tourist guide books cover Victoria’s Way, and fewer tourists still make it out here. Those that do are in for a veritable treat.
5. Frieze Art Fair, London, England
While the Frieze Art Fair isn’t a permanent exhibition (rather, it’s an annual three day event), it deserves a place on the list simply because it’s a mainstay in the calender of every mover and shaker in the contemporary art world.
Held in Regent’s Park, the Fair invariably exhibits the world’s most cutting-edge (and let’s be honest, downright expensive) ‘trendy’ art - although most of the visitors are there just to enjoy the view. Whether it’s the spectacle of the art, or the view of the bigwigs networking, well, who’s to say?
This year’s Fair has already passed but, rest assured, it will be back in 2009. In the meantime, you could always throw some paint at a canvas, hang it on the wall in your garden and then gaze at it intently, mumbling something about the nature of perception in posthumanist times and flicking at your mustache.
Or you could get a friend to do it while you watch and point.
While we’re on the subject of adventure travel, we’d like to share the whispers we’ve been hearing about an exciting new television show…
Basically, they’re trying to hunt down a female traveler and survival enthusiast to front an upcoming travel project.
The premise will be similar to that of hit British program ‘Born Survivor’ with Bear Grylls in which the explorer eats grubs, climbs up some very steep cliffs and generally proves his mettle in extreme situations. Only this time, they’re looking for a woman to take on the challenge.
So if you think you’ve got the know-how and the spirit to be cast as the first female survival star on the telly, please leave a comment saying why you’d love to be the female Bear Grylls (with your email address) and get ready for an adventure!
We’ve just come across an ad placed on the job section of hostelmanagement.com by the International Student Center in Manhattan, New York.
They’re looking for a full-time member of staff to man the front desk, deal with bookings, check people in and help with the various non-profit educational programs that the hostel runs (these include an Arts for PEACE gallery and an International Counselor Exchange Program).
Salary is to the tune of $300 per week, which is really pretty good when you consider the free accommodation that’s thrown into the deal. Seems like a good way to land on your feet in New York to us…
So the banking system has crashed, no one has any money left to speak of (just where has it all gone?), and we’re now all doomed to a life of eating cigarette butts picked off the road. Or something like that.
Alright… so we’re hardly experts on world finance, but it does seem that people are going to have a little less cash to splash in the coming months. Before you go hastily canceling your backpacking plans, however, it’s worth taking a mo to figure out a cheaper way of doing things. Of course, it goes without saying that you’ll be staying in a hostel, but how about saving on transport, too?
Hitchhiking has a bad rep. And it’s undeserved, since it’s quite simply one of the very best ways to travel the world: you meet new people, you see the great outdoors though the window (or, if you’re that way inclined, from outside the window, tongue lolling like an excitable dog…) and you spend practically nothing.
What better way, then, to negotiate the world during these supposedly troubled times than to get yourself on the road and start exercising that imploring thumb action? Here you have it, then, our Top 10 Tips for Hitchhiking…
1. Find Out about Local Hitching Customs
It’s not always easy to do, but when possible try to find out about the official and unofficial local laws of 
hitching. It can be helpful to know, for example, that while hitching isn’t exactly illegal in the US, there are major restrictions, and these can change from state to state. Similarly, knowing that hitchhikers are often expected to pay their way in parts of South America can help you avoid unexpected and unnecessary arguments.
2. Two’s Company, Three’s a Crowd
Hitching in pairs can be a great way of cutting down on roadside-waiting time, especially if you’re a mixed pair or two women traveling together. While a lonesome figure thumbing a lift instantly calls to mind images of escaped convicts (well, for some at least), two friends looking for a ride appear comparatively amiable and less inherently dangerous. Avoid groups of three or more, however. That’s a gang (and it’s also logistically less plausible for small cars).
3. Scrub Up
Working on the fairly safe assumption that drivers are a little wary of picking up escaped convicts, try not to look like an escaped convict! The shabbier you appear, the less likely you are to get a lift. So hide those stripey rags, dress in something at least a little clean, and maybe even have a wash and shave, too. Trust us, it’ll help.
4. Look Happy
Even if you’re wearing your Sunday best, drivers aren’t likely to stop if your face screams ’suicidal junky without a fix’. Try to look alert and interesting.
5. Choose a Spot
This is a big one. Choosing a good spot is vital if you want to be picked up quickly. Common knowledge amongst hitchers has it that you need to find a spot where cars will see you for as long as possible, and where they have plenty of space to stop if they decide to help. So try to avoid corners and busy roads without run-off areas.
Your spot doesn’t have to be on a road - it could be outside a petrol garage, or at a motorway rest stop. Hitching from these places is more likely to land you a long-haul ride inside a truck, as it’s a lot of effort for truckers to stop their heaving juggernauts on the side of the road.
Finally, while hitcher theory differs on this one, we say choose a spot and stay there. It’s a bit like fishing… Or panning for gold… The grass is always greener, and it’s always easy to be tempted into thinking your spot isn’t good enough. But it’s all random really, and you’re on the road anyway, so where’s the rush?
6. Make Eye Contact
Assuming you’ve found a good spot where you can see cars from a long way off, try to make eye contact with drivers - that little flicker of human contact can make all the difference. Don’t, on any account, wear sunglasses. Escaped convicts wear sunglasses to hide from the law.
7. Talk to the Driver Before Getting in
Once a car’s stopped for you, walk up to the driver’s seat and ask the driver where they’re going. That way you have a little time to assess your potential ride, and decide whether it appeals or not. If there’s something not quite right, you’re not in the car, so you can simply walk away.
8. Talk to the Driver Once You’re in
Hitchhiking is all about the stories and the characters… so get chatting!
9. Carry a Phone if Possible
If you have a mobile phone, carry it with you in your pocket. The phone may come in handy if you get yourself into a situation you wouldn’t want to be in. In reality though, it’s more likely you’ll use it as something to write your new traveling buddy’s number into.
10. Do Unto Other (Hitchers) as You Would Have (Other Hitchers) Do to You
Compared with the heady days of the 40s and 50s when just about everyone was hitching all over the place, today hitchers are something of a dying breed. So if you meet a hitcher on the road, respect them as brethren - don’t steal their ride by standing 20 meters in front on the same road!
Unless they’re an escaped convict, that is, in which case stand behind a tree and call the police.
