The Best Comments Of The Month: January 2010
I’d like to thank all of you for commenting and bringing each of my posts to life. These are just some of the best comments of the past month.
- Although I was able to convince Monica to freeze her ass off, I don’t think Heather quite believes The Blue Lagoon is as warm as I say it is.
- Greg Stock recommends Cambodia and the temples around Siem Reap as places to visit on a weak dollar and David reminds us to be flexible.
- Barbara left a ton of useful information about planning an RTW that you should read if you are going to travel around the world.
- I really liked Shannon’s vision board concept on setting travel resolutions.
- You can start to learn how to take a motorcycle trip around the world and connect with like minds by reading Johnny Vagabond’s recommendations.
- Although I personally loved it, I agree with Akila and can see how the Guinness Storehouse wouldn’t make this list.
- Luke says you’ll fill up your backpack no matter what size it is.
- Go for the smaller hostels says Mark H.
I appreciate your comments, thoughts, and insights on each post, thank you!
[photos by: Roberto Berlim]
foXnoMad’s Most Popular Posts From 2009
These are some of my most popular posts in terms of page views and comments from the past year. I’ve also included some of my favorites that might not have been as popular but that I think are worth highlighting once more.
Most Read Posts
- Use Sun Tzu’s The Art Of War To Win Battles At The Ticket Counter
- Essential Software Tools For Digital Nomads
- Overcoming 7 Major Obstacles To Traveling The World – #2: You Think It’s Too Expensive
Most Commented
- 4 Word Combinations You Shouldn’t Neglect To Translate Before Your Next Trip (47)
- Overcoming The 7 Major Obstacles To Traveling The World eBook (39)
- Can You Stop Aging Out Of Travel? (39)
On a side note, I’d like to thank all of you for reading and continuing to support foXnoMad and my other travel websites. It’s been a wonderful year and this site has grown beyond all of my initial goals and expectations – none of which could be possible without you. All the best and wishing you a very happy new year!
[photo by: hapticflapjack]
Travel Bloggers Share Their Best Posts Of 2009
I read over 400 travel blogs regularly and I don’t often get a chance to highlight so many wonderful articles by these travelers. I’ve asked travel bloggers to send me their favorite or most popular posts from the past year and a little about why they chose them. I’m sure you’ll find many of these posts useful, interesting, and incentive to continue (or start!) traveling.
Andy Hayes | Sharing Travel Experiences
And with a title like “You Deserve Time Off… Really” pretty much is self-explanatory on why people really empathised with it. A lot of our newsletter subscribers forwarded it on to friends, who got in touch to say “Yes damn it, I do!” Doesn’t everyone deserve time off?
Stephanie Yoder | Twenty-Something Travel
It was actually one of the first things I ever wrote for my blog and I think it really encapsulates the entire message of my blog.
Michaela Potter | Briefcase To Backpack
There is already a lot of great travel advice on the internet, so the fact that this particular post spoke to readers the most demonstrates how American’s really do want to embrace the idea of a traveling career break.
Diana | The Adventures of D
My most popular post (and the one in which most readers commented) was “I’ve always relied on the kindness of strangers,” which tells the story just how amazing and kind strangers really can be … This post is a part of my Croatia “Adventures of D” stories.
Audrey | Uncornered Market
I believe its popularity is due to the fact that it combined the themes of travel and personal growth. People could relate to developing life skills through travel and bringing these skills back home.
Monica | A Pair Of Panties and Boxers
I guess when it comes to words, less is more.
Akila | The Road Forks
I think it encapsulated a lot of our fears and many long-term travelers’ fears about taking the giant leap. This year, I plan to write a follow up post about how our fears have panned out.
Andrew | Brooklyn Nomad
My “9 Beatle-riffic Destinations Around the World” caught the attention of many music loving travelers.
Nico | AirTreks
I think people click through to it most often because it revitalizes the idea of why traveling is important, as if we didn’t already know this. I think people just like to be reminded why so much of their lives revolve around either actual travel or travel-related ideas.
Heather Cowper | Heather On Her Travels
My favorite post was this one about the cake I was given for free by the stall-holder outside the mosque in the backstreets of Sidon in Lebanon. It brings back happy memories of my road trip with my girl-friend who lives out there, eating mezze in a small shop in the souk and then being shown kindness & hospitality which epitomizes my memories of that trip and the lovely Lebanese people.
RennyBA’s Terella
The theme of my blog is to show Norwegian traditions, culture and habits. On this perfect fall day, my wife and I took a cruise on the fjord and where able to show my readers; Oslo in a nut shell.
Barbara | Hole In The Donut
Hard to pick just one. I [also] really like the post about lesser known Boke Tower Gardens in central Florida.
Donna Hull | My Itchy Travel Feet
One of my favorite posts, and also very popular with my readers, was about hiking to a green sand beach on Hawaii. It’s a glimpse of the Big Island that many resort guests never see.
Sherry Ott | Ottsworld
My most popular post was in a series I did on ‘How to drive a motorbike in Vietnam’. Learning how to drive a motorbike in Saigon was my New Years Resolution last year! It’s a series of 17 posts from the acquisition of the bike to the assimilation into the culture. But the favorite was The Motorbike Diaries vol. 14 – The Great Horn Divide.
Alex Highland | See The Southwest
I think our best post was a series we did on the Grand Canyon. The series covers the canyon from native heritage to geology and everything in between.
Dan’s Adventure
It was really difficult to narrow down all the fantastic experiences to just ten and everyone of them brings a smile to my face every time I think about them. I already have so many more for inclusion in the next set of highlights!
Lisa | The World Is Calling
We loved discovering this part of Tuscany–a part that is rarely touted in the guide books. And the whole Etruscan/historical angle…up until a couple of years ago, I didn’t even know about them or their society!
JoAnna Haugen | Kaleidoscopic Wandering
One of my favorite posts (and one that I hope we keep discussing in the upcoming years) is The National Park Debate.
More Best Travel Posts Of 2009
I received so many great links from other travel bloggers that I could have run an entire series spanning this past week. Here are just some of my favorites that I came across that are worth taking some time and reading over.
- Exile Lifestyle: I Punched A Local In The Face
- The Unlost Wanderer: Cultural Observations Of Buenos Aires Part 1
- The Jet Set Girls: Planning The Best Bachelorette Part Ever
- PassportChop: 5 Tips To Avoid Getting Ripped Off By Prague Taxis
- Kerala India Travel: Kerala Houseboats The Essential Guide (Part 1)
- Students In Europe: The 12 Pubs Of Christmas
- Don’t Forget Your Passport: Reminisces Of Southeast Asia
- Greg Stock: North To Hanoi
- Flip Nomad: Flip’s Top 10 Misadventures
- Travel With Teens and Tweens: Hawaii’s Big Island Offers Something For Everyone
The list grew incredibly fast and are still being added to the original post where I asked travel bloggers to send me their best links of 2009. You can keep up with the expanding list and add your own link if you have one. I appreciate all of the travel bloggers who sent me their link and look forward to reading more in 2010.
Travel Bloggers Send Me Your Best Links Of 2009
I’m looking for your best post from 2009 for an upcoming list I’m compiling. I’d like to publish a collection of your favorite 2009 links from your travel blog in in the next few days. If you don’t have a travel blog, that’s ok too, just send me your favorite post from any travel blog. You can leave your links in the comments below or send me an email.
I plan on organizing the list sometime tomorrow (on the 30th) so don’t wait to send me your best material and 1-3 lines on why it’s you chose it.
EDITED [12/30]: I’ve gotten many great links and have already begun putting together the post. Please leave your links in the comments if you haven’t gotten in touch already.
Some Popular Recent Posts To Click If You’re On Holiday
Many of you who’ve been reading for some time know that I tend not to post on major holidays in the US (although I’m not there at the moment). That’s because many of you aren’t online and it’s one of the smart breaks to take from travel blogging. For those of you who are online today though, I’d like to point you towards some posts here on foXnoMad and my other travel blogs you might have missed recently.
- Find out what I did to travel the world and how you too can do the same. From now until January 1rst, my eBook Overcoming the 7 Major Obstacles to Traveling the World is only $8. You can get a second hand opinion by reading Barbara Weibel’s review of my eBook at Hole In The Donut.
- Also, don’t forget to vote for the cheesiest travel photo – the contest is very tight and you’ve got until next Monday to choose your favorite.
- Got a brand new iPhone for Christmas and worried about how you’ll use it overseas? Don’t worry, it’s really easy to jailbreak your iPhone and iPod touch.
- Perhaps you’ll be taking a day or two off to start your own travel blog? Here’s how to create a successful travel blog.
- Over the summer, into the fall I ran a guest post series by Marina Villatoro. Spend part of the day reading her engrossing story, How I Got Robbed in Guatemala and Other Hard-To-Believe Escapades.
I hope you enjoy these links and will have a new post come Monday.
[photo by: (davide)]
The Best Comments Of The Month: November 2009
At the end of every month I like to take some time to highlight a few of the comments that appear on various posts. The comments are insightful, entertaining, and add much more information and experience to each post. Here are just some of those great comments.
- The Backpack Foodie tells up how to really crack an iPhone to avoid its disadvantages.
- Drive 2,250 kilometers the quick and painless way using some of Mark H’s Australian advice. Brian Smith recommends B vitamins, hot water, and a getting your blood flowing to keep the trip safe and seamless.
- While I don’t recommend using the Internet kiosks at airports, if you really must, use Richard’s technique to keep your online accounts safe.
- Luke says the trip is in the traveler and we don’t fall into neat traveler types or categories.
- In addition to some of these free alternatives to Hotspot Shield (so you can watch Hulu and get to other sites from outside the US), Benjamin Barnett recommends Graboid, an option for a small fee.
- I may have convinced Shannon OD to go to Comic Con, while not on the level of a full blown Star Trek convention, it’s still dorky fun.
- I never though of it before but the Van cat does kind of look like David Bowie (thanks Gourmantic!)
- Finally, take some time to check out and enter Jen Laceda’s camera giveaway. It’s very easy to enter and the Soviet-style Lubitel 166+ Universal Lomo medium-format film camera is an awesome prize.
Top Commented Posts
- The Advantages of Traveling Without an iPhone (30)
- 5 Turkish Cities (Other Than Istanbul) To Add To Your Itinerary (28)
- Questions and Comments Frequent Travelers Hear Frequently (25)
Thank you all very much for the comments, keep them coming!
[photo by: Vito]
The Tech Guide For Travel
My latest blog (and last one for a while) is a place where you can experience the geeky side of backpacking. The Tech Guide For Travel is a site all about the hardware, software, and hacks to make you the ultimate digital nomad. The blog is brand new with a few posts ready and many more waiting to be published. I thought I’d give you all a chance to take a look around before the fun begins.
What’s The Difference Between Tech Here and The Tech Guide For Travel?
I won’t stop posting about technology, software, and other gadgets here on foXnoMad. The Tech Guide For Travel will be the place though where I dive right into the details of nifty hacks, review gadgets, and tackle the age old question – Mac or Windows – all of course from a traveler’s point of view. There will also be some cross over between foXnoMad and the Tech Guide For Travel.
Why The Tech Guide For Travel?
I get a lot of questions about technology and many emails about various products, services, apps, websites, and programs – so many that I can’t fit them all here on foXnoMad. I love technology and have many years of experience as a computer security engineer and am excited to create a blog that’s all about the technology that makes traveling even more fun.
Here are two posts already up on the Tech Guide For Travel:
- My Interview With Raz Carcoana About iPhone App Travelholic Confessions
- 5 Ways To Get Your Gadgets and Software For Less
Be Prepared When Things Get Rolling
The Tech Guide For Travel gets rolling full steam next week and will be updated every Tuesday. You can be prepared and help the blog grow by providing your feedback and comments on the posts or in an email.
- Don’t miss future posts by subscribing to the Tech Guide For Travel RSS feed or weekly email updates.
- Consider a Guest Post. Dying to write about travel and technology? Consider submitting a guest post and I’ll let everyone know about it. I’ll also return the favor with a guest post of my own for you.
- Links. If you’ve already emailed me about a link on Travel Blog Advice, I’ll be adding you to the Tech Guide For Travel links page shorty. Otherwise shoot me an email I’ll be sure to add you.
- Ideas. Have any ideas for a post or question about anything tech and travel related? What about optimizing your travel blog code or jailbreaking your iPhone? Send me an email and if applicable I’ll set up a post to answer your question.
Coming Up
I can envision expanding the Tech Guide For Travel to a few more posts per week than just once on Tuesdays but for now I’ll pace myself. I’m very passionate about travel and technology and I can see the Tech Guide For Travel growing into something bigger with your help.
I hope that you’ll take a moment to check out the Tech Guide For Travel and consider subscribing to be ready for some brand new posts about the geeky side of backpacking.
As always, I appreciate all of your support. Many, many thanks again, -Anil
The Best Comments Of The Month: October 2009
There have been quite a few active discussions going on this month on a number of posts. Here are just some of the best comments of the month I plucked out. Don’t be shy and hop in on some of the discussions with some comments of your own.
- Can You Stop Aging Out Of Travel?: “I have to say that when I have traveled I’ve found the older mature people more active and adventurous than the younger ones. Older people are up earlier, plan better, have more money and don’t stop until they have seen exactly what they want.” – Cate
- Overcoming 7 Major Obstacles To Traveling The World – #7 You Will Travel The World…Later: “I’m the worst procrastinator imaginable. Sure, when I’m at work I’m dreaming of travelling and at lunch I’m plotting and planning ideas for my trip but despite having many hours every week to plan nothing gets done at all. In fact, whilst I sit here in retrospect all I’ve done in 2 months is plot lines on a map and make a basic travel budget. Hopefully I’ll have it finished in 5 years time, although the deadline I have set myself is next year. Really good series, really helped me out and now I must sort myself out, which is the hard part.” – Christop
- Why You Need To Take A Motorcycle Trip At Least Once In Your Life: “I learned how to drive a motorbike (ok – I know it’s not as cool as a motorcycle) 6 months ago in Vietnam and it’s been the highlight of my time here. It’s a wonderful feeling when you do hit the open road (which is rare in Vietnam!)” – Sherry Ott
- Learn New Languages For Free Using These Online Resources: “One other suggestion before you travel is that libraries often have language courses for free (such as the Rosetta Stone ones) on video or DVD that you can take in the comfort of your own home before heading out.” – Mark H
- How I Got Robbed In Guatemala and Other Hard-To-Believe Escapades Part 11: “I’m really glad and really sad the story is over all at the same time! Since the first post, I’ve been anxiously awaiting the rest of the story.” – Carla Young
- Interview With Grant Lingel Author Of Imagine A Vagabond Story: “I also enjoyed the book but like you I did wonder what Grant’s parents, neighbors and friends might think about what he got up to. If I’d been one of those lovely girls he met along the way, would I have wanted to see my name in print?” – Heather
Many thanks to all of you who left comments this month bringing life to each of my posts.
[photo by: Cameron Maddux]
Introducing Travel Blog Advice
Last week I mentioned that one of the things I’ve been up to recently is creating 3 new travel-related blogs. I’d like to introduce you to my next project, Travel Blog Advice. It’s a site that’s all about travel blogging, something I’ve been doing for over 3 years now.
Why?
The idea came about from the response I’ve gotten about several posts on foXnoMad about the subject. If you’ve read 15 things about foXnoMad you know that I have anywhere from 50 to 100 blog post ideas in a list at any given time. There are enough items on the list to dedicate to its own blog and that’s what Travel Blog Advice is for.
Here are some of the first posts already on the site:
- Why You Should Start A Travel Blog
- How To Use Social Networks to Expand Your Travel Blog
- How To Make Money With Your Travel Blog
I’m not the most successful travel blogger or know everything about it. I’d like to share my experiences and recommendations about travel blogging to help you develop yours and learn from my mistakes. I’ve also got a lot to learn from all of you travel bloggers which is why I hope you’ll share your personal advice and comments on Travel Blog Advice as well.
A Bit More About Travel Blog Advice
The site will be updated every Friday. You can subscribe to the Travel Blog Advice RSS feed to get the latest posts as they are published. I’ve also got a budding Links page on Travel Blog Advice. If you’d like to swap links with your travel blog please feel free to contact me.
How You Can Help
- Your feedback! Let me know what you think of the site, posts, or anything else. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
- Comments. I do hope that Travel Blog Advice becomes a place where we can all learn new things about travel blogging by sharing our combined knowledge. Even if you don’t have a travel blog you’re reading one so please do share what you like and don’t.
- Guest Posts. If you have an original post you’d like to submit send me an email and I’ll gladly return the favor.
No More Travel Blog Posts on foXnoMad?
No! I’ll still be posting about travel blogging and writing here on foXnoMad from time to time. Travel Blog Advice will just be the place that’s all about the subject and more focused on the nitty-gritty of travel blogging for travel bloggers.
What’s Next
My next travel blog (the last one for a while) is about a subject near and dear to my heart. I’ll let you know all about it next Tuesday but until then I’d appreciate you taking a moment to check out Travel Blog Advice.
Many thanks in advance, -Anil.
The Best Comments Of The Month: September 2009
So many great comments, it’s hard to showcase them all. Here are just some of the best comments from this past September with a few from August I neglected to get to.
- Kim Kinrade has another great use for vodka, a mandatory accessory for the Trans-Siberian railway according to Renato.
- Moving your admin login page and changing your default database names are just two more good ways to keep your blog safe when you’re traveling Jack notes. Stevo’s got a few more as well.
- John Bardos finds that distance can bring you closer to your family.
- Colin Wright has a creative way to overcome one of the obstacles to traveling the world.
- It’s never too late to travel, Sherry’s 73 year old dad is joining her in Nepal!
- S.k.i.ing is a new sport I hadn’t heard of until Donna Hull mentioned it.
- Marina Villatoro’s guest post series will have you hooked, like Barbara.
- Of all the words to learn before going to a new country, Quickroute points out I missed (an important) one…beer!
- Shannon’s not afraid to look silly to stay in shape.
It’s getting tougher to list all of the insightful comments each month so I hope you enjoy this sampling. I do appreciate all of the comments I receive, thank you!
[photo by: Dr John2005]
My name is Anil, a traveler and travel enthusiast. I created foXnoMad to connect with other travelers, discover their world, and share what I’ve learned about mine.