Sigiriya Rock Fortress Tops List of “Hanging Monasteries”

October 4th, 2007 | By Joshua | 2 Comments »

Last year, I spent my 33rd birthday climbing Sigiriya, an ancient rock-top fortress in Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle. Yesterday, Sigiriya popped up on this fascinating post called “Hanging Monasteries of the World” with a few other remarkable cliff-top sites.

My birthday began with a trailhead call to my mobile phone from Sabah, our host, cook, and housemate in Nuwara Eliya. A cheer rang in his voice: “Many happy returns, sir!” sent me upward with a smile. The soaring, flat-topped mesa upon which Prince Kasyapa built this acclaimed fifth-century compound, has been called the Eighth Wonder of the World for its engineering and utter audacity. Evidence suggests he used it more as a pleasure palace than military post, though — the royal swimming pool, wide thrones, and saucy cave frescoes are cited as proof.

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HOW TO TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD: Fourth Edition available for pre-order

September 23rd, 2007 | By Joshua | 1 Comment »

Here ye! Here ye!

The fourth edition of Edward Hasbrouck’s Round-the-World Bible is here! I have yet to see the updated version, but Tay and I used the third edition of The Practical Nomad: How to Travel Around the World while planning our big trip across the globe. The book is full of insight from one of the most knowledgeable experts in the travel industry. The new edition includes updates on airport security procedures, travel documents, entry requirements, and border crossings. There are also tips on how to find the best deals without getting ripped off, advice on choosing destinations, routes, and traveling companions, and how to make the time and money for extended travel.

In other Practical Nomad news, Hasbrouck testified before the Transportation Security Administration in Washington last week regarding an illegal government program that is secretly keeping dossiers on tens of millions of innocent international travelers to and from the USA. His testimony earned a mention on the front page of Saturday’s Washington Post in which Hasbrouck is referred to as a “civil liberties activist who was a travel agent for more than 15 years.”

The Ten Most Tranquilo Temples in the World

September 20th, 2007 | By Joshua | 6 Comments »

Check out these remarkable photos of The Ten Most Amazing Temples in the World (via Neatorama.com). The collection is exclusively Buddhist and Hindu (otherwise, I would suggest a Maya temple or two to the list). From the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, pictured here atop a 3,000-foot cliff in Bhutan, to the ruins of Angkor and Prambanan, this is quite an impressive gathering.

I’m happy to say that the Tranquilo Traveler has visited three of the top ten. Here are some flashbacks to my original posts about visiting:

Angkor Wat — Siem Reap, Cambodia
The Golden Temple — Amritrsar, India
Varanasi — India

If clicking through these quiet, beautiful places inspires you to sit and take a few breaths, mosey over to this online Zen meditation room: The bell rings…

Ghana Black Stars Goal against the USA sparks mass happiness

September 16th, 2007 | By Joshua | No Comments »

This is video of Ghanaians watching the 2006 World Cup. I was in Accra and every single goal the Black Stars scored throughout the tournament was celebrated like this — drums, parades, song, dance. I watched the big game against the USA with the Young & Wise Youth Group at Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana.

“Don’t cry, Obruni!” they all shouted at me, wrapping me in Black Star flags and saying over and over, “We scored you!” And there was much jubilation in the streets.

Interview with Dancin’ Matt

August 17th, 2007 | By Joshua | No Comments »

Great interview on Brave New Traveler with Dancin’ Matt (of round-the-world silly dance Internet fame, see also zefrank). Matt talks about “hiking alongside fresh leopard tracks on a volcano rim in Kenya, or winding up alone in a Mexican whore house at 4am with a strange man lurking outside my door. Terrifying at the time of course, but fondly remembered.” Quite.

Matt’s latest project is for you to sign up to dance with him. Here’s how it works: “A few weeks before I arrive, I’ll let you know when and where to meet. You show up. You sign a release form. We dance.” Never heard of Matt? Click this:
Dancin’ Matt’s round-the-world videos.

Living Your Own Novel: RTW Bookshop Travel

June 26th, 2007 | By Joshua | 1 Comment »

The round stamp of Shakespeare & Company on the inside cover of my journal is one of a dozen things that remind me of our trip each day. I got that stamp during the first week, on the history-soaked streets of Paris’ left bank. “That guy’s either nuts or famous,” I whispered in Tay’s ear as we entered one the world’s most renowned bookstores. The man had a white explosion of unkempt hair, and he walked barefoot in front of the store in striped linen pajamas, greeting people and talking earnestly. It was, I realized, George Whitman, the legendary nonagenarian owner of a “little Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart.” I’d just copied his hand-scrawled words into my journal: “I may disappear,” was George’s note to all who passed, “leaving no forwarding address, but for all you know I may still be walking among you on my vagabond journey around the world.” (more…)

How I spent my Tuesday Night

May 8th, 2007 | By Joshua | No Comments »

I just updated this page about our round-the-world trip. I hope you like it.

What better way than slow, open-ended travel as a full-immersion crash course on each other� Wouldn’t the shared mishaps, missions, and miles of a trip like this help to jump-start and build a camaraderie unobtainable by staying home?

The fortune cookie said “yes.”

Our Honeymoon in National Geographic Traveler “Sudden Journeys” Article

April 30th, 2007 | By Joshua | 6 Comments »

A short piece I wrote about my recent extended honeymoon is included in this National Geographic Traveler feature article entitled “Sudden Journeys: Twenty-five tales of last-minute travel prove that the least-planned trips can provide our longest-lasting memories.” My piece, “Not Your Typical Honeymoon,” is near the bottom of the page, among an incredible assortment of writers, including such heavyweights as Pico Iyer, Mark Jenkins, Rolf Potts, and Arthur Golden. This is the first time I’ve been published in NatGeo and though my story was pulled from the print edition at the last minute, I’m happy they found a place for it. The piece is a broad brush stroke about the 16-month round-the-world trip my wife and I took last year. I’m writing a narrative book about the experience as well. It will draw heavily from these original blog postings.

Sri Lanka Volunteer’s Blog

April 18th, 2007 | By Joshua | 3 Comments »

Meet Doug. Doug is an Engineer and Humanitarian Aid Worker from San Francisco who is stationed in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. Doug is helping to build schools while avoiding land mines and dealing with poisonous snakes in his toilet. Doug and my brother met at Burning Man a few years back, and he and I tried to get together when I was in Sri Lanka last year, but it didn’t work out. Although some of the world’s most beautiful beaches are reportedly just up the coast from Trincomalee, it was too far from our post in Nuwara Eliya and we ended up opting for Hikkaduwa for our one beach vacation. In any case, here’s his blog for your enjoyment.

Domodah in the Afternoon

October 20th, 2006 | By Joshua | No Comments »

Nothin’ like a rich, cayenne-warmin’ bowl of groundnut stew when one is writing a story about The Gambia. There are as many ways to cook domodah (as the Mandinka call their national dish, or maffe in Wolof), as there are villages in West Africa. I like to mix and match from these recipes, but you might as well go straight for this winner.
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