From Chicago’s hot dogs to Brazil’s BBQ to Scotland’s microwavable Haggis to Ethopia’s massive mangos, you’d think this was a foodie travel blog – but it’s not. Instead, it’s about Nick Bartlett’s cultural encounters as he travels. He may not ride a camel across the Sahara but he does eat well. He also enjoys his experiences along the way.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | The World of Nickolândia | No comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Africa, cultural experiences, Europe, solo travel, South America, United States

“Tall tales and tasty tidbits served with a dash of sarcasm…” is how Raymond Walsh describes his site. The tales may be tall but also true. The tasty tidbits are tantalizing (to say the least) and extremely useful. Having traveled the world over under his previous employment positions, he now travels on top of it for his own satisfaction.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | Man On The Lam | No comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Africa, Asia, budget travel, cultural experiences, New Zealand, North America, solo travel, South America

Logan Horsford’s blog does come with accept or reject buttons (seriously). Click accept because it’s well worth the effort. Once there, you will find an unabashed, in-your-face, these are my experiences tale of his travels. As Logan responded to me at a certain point, “it’s unconventional but I think that could be part of the reason people read it”. I agree completely.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | Logan’s Voyage | One comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: cultural experiences, Europe, Perpetual Travel, solo travel

Like so many others, Denise Gamboa found the voice of the open road calling her name. Armed with her trusty camera, she quit her job and began a vagabonding lifestyle which definitely has been suiting her well. Her photographs and written thoughts are a testament to her dedication to this alternative path.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | a Girl in the World. | 3 comments |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Africa, Asia, cultural experiences, Europe, female travellers, Latin America, North America, photography, solo travel

What do you do when you’ve had a bad year? As Simon Fenton states, “I decided to do what any normal person would: cross the Sahara, by any means possible.” And, ‘by any means possible’, he was serious. But, you’ll have to find out for yourself if a donkey and a camel were really modes of transportation. Oh, and gris gris is usually very good mojo – at least from Simon’s perspective.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | Travels with my shirt | No comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Africa, cultural experiences, overland travel, solo travel

This particular ‘candy trail’ is the invention of Michael Robert Powell. He may not hand out sweets as we know them, but between his travel tales and electric artwork, his site fits the title he has chosen. Michael cuts through the proverbial bullshit of travel and the nomadic lifestyle. Please realize you have been warned – but you will also enjoy.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | the candy trail… | No comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: adventure travel, cultural experiences, expat life, long-term travel, Perpetual Travel, photography, Round the world, solo travel, Travel artisan

Road to Nowhere in Particular, Photo by Gretchen Wilson-Kalav

What do you say when someone contacts you, plies you with flattering comments and asks you to be part of something quite unique?

My response was ‘I’ll think about it. I’ll think about it more. I’ll think about it a lot more. I’ll ask very key questions and then – -you got it – I’ll think about it even more’. Ultimately, the answer became obvious and I answered with a ‘yes’. Granted, flattery rarely hurts but it also rarely plays into my final decisions about participating in any particular project. As I just mentioned to someone else recently, give me a good reason to do something and you win. Give me bullshit and you lose. With that said…

Image Courtesy of Vagabond Explorer

Wade Shepard of Vagabond Journey has just unleashed Vagabond Explorer Magazine.

Yes, he used flattery in his request but also gave me several very good reasons why I should become a contributor, reviewing travel blogs I consider worthy of recognition. My real life job is reading travel blogs daily and there are an amazing number out there just ripe for the choosing. Just so you know, the magazine will be available on a quarterly basis as a PDF download. (FYI, four to five blogs/sites will be reviewed in each release.) It also comes with a very small price tag of $5.00 USD per issue.

Vagabond Explorer is a mix of articles, photography, commentary, tips/tricks and a whole plethora of other travel information. The concept: Be the explorer – whether it’s from your armchair or while you are on the road. Each contributor hails from their own original location and their own ‘space in time’. But, each has chosen to venture out and explore the world around them one way or another. (Okay, I’m the only one with 2-3 weeks vacation time while the rest live their lives moving across borders regularly. I believe in vicarious travel though only out of current necessity. I’m also very jealous.) Regardless, Vagabond Explorer will rival any other travel magazine available and will spur you to become your own navigator to places unknown. Again, with all that said, let me introduce you to the contributors who have already been coined as VE’s Posse:

Wade Shepard

Wade Shepard

Vagabond Journey: Editor and the man behind the concept curtain – handing out hearts, brains, courage and a way home. Okay, make that a way to travel. He is the Wizard of VE’s Oz. (Sorry Toto, it’s doggy daycare for you while everyone travels.) Only time will tell what is really in that ‘bag of special things’.

Craig Heinburger

Travelvice: The artistically creative man behind the visuals. We thank him for his designs, graphics and cover work. (I think he had something to do with the ‘horse of many colors’ and suggested using the powdered Jello™ for those scenes. If you don’t get the reference, check out your movie history about the Emerald City.)

Dave

Dave

The Longest Way Home: The ‘Tin Man’ who expresses his opinions through his startling photography and poignant commentaries. He may be ‘stuck’ in his travels once in awhile, but someone always comes along with an oilcan to set him free. Just ignore the squeaking. I know the oilcan is here somewhere…

Jasmine Stephenson

Jasmine Wanders: Jasmine, to me, is Vagabond Explorer’s Glinda. Having worked with her in the past, I picture her helping all the ‘Munchkins’ and making the world a much better place. (I, by no means, use Munchkins in a negative way. Jasmine works diligently to improve the lives of those who are less fortunate than us. We must get her a wand.)

Sam Langley

Cubicle Ditcher: Sorry Sam, I was just introduced to you recently via Vagabond Explorer. But, from what I have read on Sam’s site, I believe people should check it out, as it’s great stuff! Anyone able to leave the 9-5 daily grind for travel has my support. If you have no objections, I will say you are the Scarecrow who left the corporate cornfields for much greener pastures.

Michael Robert Powell

The Candy Trail: Michael is Vagabond Explorer’s lion who received the gift of courage somewhere around 1988. Through his nomadic travels, he has encountered some very unusual situations and has lived to tell the (true) tales to us all. Some of his writings may come with an ‘age appropriate’ warning at times, but don’t shy away from them as they are well worth the read.

Ani St. Amand

Ani St. Amand

Vagabond Journey/Explorer Contributor: Ani’s yellow brick road is paved with wood and steel. In other words, she follows the path of the iron horses as she rides the rails all around the world. She has been described as a modern day hobo who has a love of trains and hopping those freighters while they make their scheduled stops. So, wave at the next train that passes by because Ani may just wave back.

Steven Mendoza

Vagabond Journey/Explorer Contributor: Steven is definitely not in Kansas anymore. (I’m not sure if Steven has ever been in Kansas but he does hail from the Untied States.) I do know he has spent many years in Japan and most recently survived the earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Though he has now returned to his home country, Steven’s (first) article is a reminder to us all that the earth and its inhabitants don’t always play fair.

Gretchen Wilson-Kalav

TravelBlogs: I guess I’m Dorothy when it comes to this project. Yes, Dorothy did travel from Kansas to Oz and back. (Been to Kansas.) But, her journey was also just a dream. While the above-mentioned contributors write about their own experiences, I will be telling you about other travelers and their experiences. I’ll be the one performing Toto’s doggy daycare while seeking out the emeralds hidden within the city of travel blogs.

Vagabond Explorer is available as a PDF download for the small price of $5.00 USD per issue FREE! (Yes, it’s really FREE!)

Click Here and Download Now!

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | Vagabond Explorer Magazine Unleashed! | 4 comments |
Post categories: Site news
Post tags: cultural experiences, living abroad, long-term travel, solo travel, travel advise, travel magazine, travel with kids, travel writing

Thom lives by one very simple motto: “Go Play Outside!” and this he does for most of each year. You’ll find him driving the back roads to destinations unknown in search of adventure and inspiration. He continues to find both as he heads down the blacktop to somewhere new. Come along for a ride – the scenery is awesome.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | The Dusty Vagabond | One comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: budget travel, Canada, Mexico, North America, photography, road trip, solo travel, USA

By the title, you can tell what was Dave Conroy’s previous profession. Tired and suffering ‘burn-out’, he began his transformation into to a round-the-world traveler – on a bicycle. Though he has encountered several difficulties along the route, Dave is still on the road of discovery in more ways than one.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | Tired of I.T! | 2 comments |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Canada, cycling, North America, overland travel, road trip, Round the world, solo travel, United States

“My life was content, meaningful, and secure.” writes Kate Convissor on her blog. But, she gave up (almost) everything for travel – except her dog Oreo. (He travels too.) Armed with a Dodge Durango and a 14-foot pull-behind camper trailer, Kate and Oreo hit the open road for places unknown. They may not know where they are going, but they’ll know it when they get there.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | WanderingNotLost | No comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: female travellers, road trip, solo travel, United States, working on the road, writer