Travel – Page 2 – A World of Media

December 23, 2013

Insights from the Pavement: Do What Makes You Happy

We’ve all heard our parents say this at one time or another. And there’s good reason for that. Most of the time, when we engage in activities that bring us pleasure, we exude that feeling to others. It’s quite addictive, and it promotes an environment of pursuing our own forms of pleasure.

Generally people don’t travel to be frustrated by the outside world. Traveling is all about happiness. We seek out new places to gain an understanding of something new or to challenge ourselves to achieve a new goal. And we made the decision to explore because we looked forward to the pleasure that it would bring us.

But even at home, in our daily lives, while making important decisions, we should always remember that our happiness is still paramount.

To harness the power of our happiness, most of us form a community of like-minded friends, take on a job that is both challenging and rewarding, or contribute to a general climate of circumstances which most suits our personalities.

No matter what lies down the road, if we’re not happy, we’ll likely give up on our pursuits. We can live on a luxurious yacht floating atop crystal clear water and overlooking pristine beaches. But if that’s not what we enjoy, or it’s not the right time, it may as well be an inner-tube atop a puddle in a chemical waste dump in sub-Saharan Africa.

Our lives will always be full of choices. But if we base our decisions on something other than happiness, the outcome will be limited to that which motivated us in the first place. For instance, we might make less money in the long run if we take a new job that pays more, but which we quit because we can’t stand going to everyday.

On the other hand, if we place our happiness at the forefront of our decision-making, the one thing that we’re sure to have as a minimum is just that. And from then on, everything else which is gained from this decision will simply be a bonus.

Trusting in our happiness is always going to suit us best in the long term. If our decisions affect a partner, ensure that the collective happiness is always the main consideration, ensuring that we offer the deepest, most honest representation of our wants before coming to a mutually beneficial decision.

December 17, 2013

December 16, 2013 Update

Hey Travel Geekers,
Next week I’ll be back in Malaysia for the umpteenth time for a short weekend doing visa paperwork. But while I’m there, I’ll more than likely run into something cool to film. So maybe I’ll do an update from the road. Those of you who caught the documentary that I filmed in Penang might enjoy seeing more of it from a different angle.

In other news, for those who have been following my video and Facebook updates on my recent filming junkets in Northern Thailand and Laos, I’ll start editing the footage from the Phuket Vegetarian Festival and northern hill tribes of Laos and Thailand after I return.

It will be fun finally getting these out since, all told, I’ve been back and forth filming in this area since the end of 2009.

These won’t start releasing until after the New Year 2014, and will only be about half of what I have planned for my docs in Laos and Cambodia.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3vFnpxoIPw&w=560&h=315]

Then, hopefully around March, I’ll finally complete filming down the Mekong, through the Ho Chi Minh Trail (and other war-torn areas that I talked about in my latest Laos update) and down into Cambodia where I’ll be completing a focus piece on the freshwater Irrawaddy Dolphins living just south of the border.

Their numbers are in huge decline. So this will be a bittersweet trip, encompassing not just the awe of seeing freshwater dolphins for the first time (not to mention a rare opportunity), but also to film these creatures in what may well be their remaining years in existence. Hopefully I will be able to add my footage to the pool of collective media behind this wholly necessary movement to save them from extinction.

It will be as important as anything I’ve ever done. And so when that time comes, I’ll hope to call on my 35,000 readers and friends and social networks and contacts and those who have enjoyed my efforts in documenting international cultures and causes these last ten years.

Help me get the word out and maybe we can help the impoverished people of Cambodia and these amazing creatures in one fell swoop, by increasing the eco-tourism to the area and decreasing the need for net fishing along this fragile strip of waters.

More to come on that. It’s going to be an exciting year!

Thanks for spending it with me!

December 16, 2013

Singapore 101, Podcast #18

Singapore 101 is the ultimate survivor’s guide to travel in the island nation. From tasty eats to nightlife, to currency matters and more, this Travelcast covers everything you’ll need to know for the best time in Singapore.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV77V_Kwfbk&w=560&h=315]

Check out additional podcasts at: www.travelgeekmagazine.com

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December 6, 2013

Pick the Cover Image for TGD Singapore

I’m giving a fresh face to my documentary selections. Help me choose a new cover image for my film, Travel Geek: Documentary Singapore. Leave a comment or see them on my Facebook page and vote on your favorite. But remember: the image that most people will see on my channels will be about one inch long. So take that into consideration when making your choice.

Thanks for the help!

December 1, 2013

How to Eat a Cockroach

I get asked all the time whether I eat strange foods while traveling. And to answer this question, yes.

Among the stranger delicacies throughout Asian cuisine, cockroaches of various species are on the high class menu.

Personally, I could go my entire life and never even see one of these again, and it would still be too soon. But it seems apparent that these disgusting creatures aren’t going anywhere. They’re found everywhere on earth. And because I travel native style, it’s time to man up and eat one like a local.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD_QNjA3TWg&w=560&h=315]

October 4, 2013

Top Ten Photography Tips for Singapore

Okay, so this is wa- haa-hay more than ten tips. But I thought I would round it down and save some title space.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esXKhdIhjTU&w=560&h=315]

1. Depending on which time of the year, Singapore is a bright city. Take full advantage of the golden hours outside. But the rest of the day should probably be used for indoor photography. This won’t be a difficult decision, though, since midday hours are the hottest time of day.

Highlights:

2. You will probably get some great aerial photography taking the cable car over to Sentosa Island during the day. But at night, there are definitely some great photographic opportunities from inside the Singapore Flyer. Other good high points will include the Marina Bay Sands Hotel & Casino, the university library and any tall building that you can gain access to. These will be good for day or night shots.

3. Landscape shots can be achieved from just about anywhere in the city from rooftops. But the city also hires out helicopter rides over the entire area starting around $300/half-hour. Check with singaporeheliservices.com.sg/ for booking. And call well in advance.

4. As far as architectural shooting, I would choose a downtown location for evening shooting, depending on where you want the sun. Scouting the morning and night before you shoot will afford you a solid shooting schedule to fit into the very tight window of golden hour light. Remember, this place is pretty close to the equator, so those dramatic light shots are limited to less hours than, say, somewhere farther north or south in the mid-latitudes.

5. For street portraiture, stick to the heavily trafficked times. The rail system and bridges, as well as public buses, may be off limits due to heavy regulations on filming or stills. Check with other public works spaces for regulations on this as well. You will get your kookiest characters at night in and around the Geyland Red-light District and along Arab Street.

6. For nature photography, you can’t go wrong heading into any one of the many public gardens and parks throughout the city. These places are well kept, manicured daily and almost always free. And you’re sure to find some rare plants and insects abound.

Gear:

7. Singapore is a city in which you can run-and-gun to your heart’s desire. A tripod may as well be a ball-and-chain for much of what you’ll want to shoot here. The heat is also going to be a factor in how long you will want to stay outside. So unless you’re shooting time-lapse off a bridge (which may be illegal anyway), just go guerilla-style.

8. Fisheye and wide angle lenses work great downtown. It’s colorful enough in the evening that it might justify bringing the sticks out for a nice, panoramic shot. 30-50mm prime lenses will do great in capturing nice, fast action on the sidewalks for your street photography. But if you head up to the cable cars, helicopter rides or find a nice perch at your rooftop hostel lounge, don’t forget your 200+mm telephoto. There is enough action to justify bringing the extra weight.

9. As I mentioned before, there is no shortage of light during the dry season. This means you’ll probably want a set of Neutral Density filters. In the rainy season, a polarizer might work nicely for cleaning up those later evening high-humidity shots.

10. Weather can be a bit tricky from September to January as the rainy season throughout the region is in full effect during this time. So if your travel plans have you going there in these months, be sure to bring a zippered raincoat to quickly stow a camera as the rain comes on quite quickly. It might not be a bad idea to carry a large umbrella (though I can’t even count how many of these I have left leaning against a fence because I was so focused on shooting that I forgot about it). If you can find a way to attach it to a tripod or your backpack, that’s probably the best way to go. And of course, you’ll definitely want to have a cover for your gear bag. This should be with you anyway. But it’s worth a mention.

11. As for wind and dust, you should already have a dust rocket and fiber cloth. But if you don’t, add them to your pack. You’ll also want to be mindful of changing lenses in the wind here. There is all manner of microscopic wind-borne debris floating around Southeast Asia. And Singapore is no exception.

12. One note about this region that you may either love or hate (but will otherwise still want to know about) is that around August every year, there is a country-wide burning session that takes place in the rice fields of Sumatra. And because of the trade winds pushing west-to-east from Indonesia, the haze that it creates causes havoc all the way up to northern Malaysia.

You could either use this haze to add drama to your shooting style, or it could quite possibly be the bane of your shooting experience here. It all depends on how you prepare and what you’re trying to shoot. And in either case, you’ll also want to be mindful of your health as the experience of being here during that time is a lot like standing in front of a campfire for three straight weeks.

Safety:

13. Your gear will be safe here. Don’t leave it sitting around, of course, and you’ll leave home with everything that you haven’t personally lost or broken by yourself.

Clothing and the rest:

14. Singapore is non-stop. So whatever you bring, make sure that patience and stamina are right there with you. You’ll be sweating, too. So a handkerchief and loose, light clothing would also be helpful. You won’t have to climb anything that isn’t made of concrete, either. So a light, breathable pair of tennis shoes will do the trick over the heavier hiking boots that other Southeast Asian countries might require.

15. Singapore has some strange laws. Among them are No Spitting, No Swearing, No Drinking in Public, and, sadly, No Filming on Public Lands. What does this mean for you, the photographer? Well, it could mean many things. I personally have a home office in the U.S. and lawsuits across the pond normally die before they get started due to money, time and effort. But if you’re photographing a business with contacts in your home country, this could spell trouble. Model releases normally quash any question of future legal hassles. Keep them on hand. I’ve actually gotten to the point where I just have one copy on hand and have people sign a list indicating that they have read and understand the model, talent and property release that I can show them upon request.

Having said all this, it is strongly recommended that you do not publish any work that has not been released. If it can be construed as defamatory, fraudulent or otherwise piss someone off in general, you will be at the mercy of a court system you likely know nothing about. And you don’t want to end up in that situation. Get home before you publish your blogs. Singapore is not that big of a place. So you probably won’t be there that long anyway. And I wish I could say that I have never heard of anyone getting in trouble for what they publish in this part of the world, but I have indeed. And most of the time, this results in stiff fines and even imprisonment.

This goes for Malaysia as well. North of that all the way to China, you should be fine. But do not think that just because your blog only has a thousand followers, you won’t be picked up here. Play it safe and publish later.

That’s about it. If you have any questions or want to keep the conversation going, head over to travelgeekmagazine.com and comment on the post.

Thanks for listening and happy shooting!

September 27, 2013

Singapore 101: A Crash Course in Cheap Travel, Food, Lodging & More

The Republic of Singapore has Southeast Asia’s best economy. So if you visit at the end of your trip through the region, it may come as a shock to find out that it costs a bit more than its regional neighbors.

It’s also an island city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, 137 kilometers north of the equator. So you may be finding yourself spending a little more time in restaurants and attractions to escape the heat. And these have a way of costing money.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV77V_Kwfbk&w=560&h=315]

First off: Transportation.

Getting to Singapore by air is up to you and I can’t speak to costs there. But if you’re coming from Malaysia, there are two options (outside of renting your own car): the bus or the train.

I have taken both on my various trips. And I would recommend either. Both will cost anywhere from $10 to $25 depending on your level of chosen comforts. If I had to choose between the two, I’d go with the bus, however, because they are newer than the trains (which, in my opinion, sorely need overhauling).

I’ve never rented my own car, but I have heard that it is not an issue, coming from Malaysia. So for those of you who are brave (and wealthy) enough to afford this option, off to the forums with you!

While you’re in Singapore, transportation won’t be an issue. It’s a small place packed to the brim with fun stuff to do. For my top ten list of things to do in Singapore, see below or listen to the podcast here.

Hands-down, the cheapest way to get around Singapore is the public transportation system. The buses are safe and super cheap. And the same thing goes for the train. Both of these will get you to just about any place in the city for less than US$3 (one-way). But most hop-on, hop-off rides will cost less than US$1.

I won’t go into the mapping details. But you won’t have a problem asking locals which bus goes where. Everyone speaks English fluently throughout the city. And I was never given the wrong information. Also if they don’t know, they won’t send you in the wrong direction to save face, they will just tell you they don’t know. For rail transit system, just ask the on-duty safety officer, if an actual transportation agent is not at your stop.

Secondly: Lodging.

As in most places, the cost of lodging will swing widely based on your minimum expectations. I am a budget traveler, so I probably have the best advice for the shoestring visitor.

In a place like Singapore (and by that, I mean in a place where there are a lot of millionaires), the hotels even on the mid-range will likely match that of higher-priced hotels in other Southeast Asian countries. Remember, Singapore has Southeast Asia’s highest economy. So they hold themselves to a higher sense of class.

Now, this doesn’t mean that they are uptight (okay, some are — like the Singapore Art Museum, for instance). But it does mean that you’ll have to spend a little more of your budget on hotel and hostel stays.

The good news is that you will likely find yourself in much cleaner accommodations than in the other countries in this region. If you’re okay with low-to-mid-ranged budgets, you might want to shoot for Little India or Chinatown. These locations are known for their cheaper and livelier centers of attention. They are also surrounded by restaurants and attractions. So what you might lose in your lodging budget, you might make up for in saving taxi fares.

I was able to secure a three-night stay at the Shophouse Hostel on Arab Street (which represented the norm at the time I researched it), for US$12/night. This was not only the most competitive price; it was also the very good for the money. It was clean, the staff was super nice, and the owner even came out to help me film on my documentary at Sentosa Island.

Lastly: Food.

While traveling through Singapore, you’ll find that you have a lot of options in the food department. So it follows that you’ll have a wide price range as well. And depending on your level of courage, you may just end up saving money in this department.

All in, eating from food stalls all day will cost less than US$10. Restaurants will double that sum. But this includes non-alcoholic drinks and three meals a day.

Alcohol is very expensive once you go south of Thailand. Singapore is no exception. A pint will set you back as much as US$5 and forget about the club prices. Just buy a few cans and dance in the hostel’s upper lounge.

Much of the food in Singapore is fried. So if you’re a health nut or if your system isn’t that forgiving, you can add $10 per day to get away from the more easily and quickly cooked foods.

Some amazing delicacies and local favorites here include stingray soup and nasi lamuk (coconut milk rice) with chicken and veggies. The closer to the Geylang Red-light District you venture, the more adventurous the food gets (think cow tongue and pig penis).

Some important facts:

Dialing code: 65

Weather: 31°C, Wind SW at 11 km/h, 62% Humidity

Local time: UTC+8

Currency: Singapore Dollar

Official languages: English Language, Malay Language, Tamil, Standard Mandarin

Currency conversion:

100.00 USD = 125.511 SGD

US Dollar ↔ Singapore Dollar

1 USD = 1.25511 SGD 1 SGD = 0.796746 USD

Travel concerns:

Safety isn’t too big a concern here. Lock up your stuff in lockers, be attentive of your belongings and don’t go and do something stupid like hang your money out of your pocket and you should be fine.

Women: you will be stared at by Indian-Malays and Muslim men.

LGBT: Don’t announce too heavily in the conservative areas.

September 27, 2013

Travelcast with Callan Lawrence, Podcast #12

Writer and ex-travel buddy, Callan Lawrence and I wax political, discuss the state of the world and delve into the challenges of writing as a career at home and on the move in this latest edition in the Travel Geek Travelcast series.

Callan is as personable as I remember him. And he’s twice as globally involved. When we met, it was around Christmastime 2006 and we were in Northern Ireland. We had a pretty cool experience heading northbound to the Giant’s Causeway.

We reminisce on this and other cool times on the road. And we cover some pretty interesting topics about the state of global affairs in the years since we met in this podcast.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XtZZeuk6q0&w=420&h=315]

Check out Callan’s writing at The AU Review. And follow him on twitter, @callaw81.

September 27, 2013

Top Ten Free or Cheap Things to do in Singapore

It’s been a long time coming, but I was inspired by a recent post on my YouTube channel that I should be offering some background advice for Singapore since my Singapore documentary film was released.

Time Magazine’s Daven Wu interviewed locals and dove into the scene, in Singapore to find out what to do in the city-state. Speaking with locals, you may be surprised at what they’re missing in their own backyard. But rest assured, there are plenty of things to do there. With only a couple of noted exceptions, this list is free, for all you budget travelers out there (transportation and food excluded).

1. If you’re an early riser, the Botanic Gardens open up at 5a.m. and are absolutely stunning. It’s more than just a breath of fresh air. And if you’re a jogger, it’s the perfect getaway from the hustle-n-bustle of the city. You’ll go through orchid gardens, see countless different species of butterflies, and groups of Tai Chi practitioners on your way around the loop. Get to the main entrance from Upper Palm Valley Road.

2. Ever heard of Hotel-hopping? No? Well, you can actually get into this in Singapore. If you go the Raffles Hotel, you’ll enter another world, back in time when this place fits more into the roaring 20s. You can half expect someone to walk buy with slicked hair and a zoot suit. Then there’s the Ritz-Carlton, which has one of the most spectacular collections of contemporary art. Their exhibits frequently boast works by Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Rainer Gross and Henry Moore just to name a few. There are more, but you get the picture. When hotels compete for attention, you win!

3. And if it’s art that you’re into, there are more museums than you can shake a stick at down Stamford Road. If this area is not already, it should definitely be known as the Museum district. It’s also in the vicinity of an old Dutch building-turned restaurant strip and a 12-story library frequented by students of the nearby university. And it’s all within a few city blocks. All of this is either free or they take donations for entry.

4. The Singapore zoo and Night Safari are not to be missed. Hit the zoo in the day time. And for an even cooler experience, visit the neighboring Night Safari Park for an otherworldly experience that you will thank yourself for seeing. The zoo covers 28 hectares and is open from 8:30 to 6pm (+65 6269 3411). Tickets run SD$22 for adults & $14 for kids. The Night Safari covers 40 hectares and is open 6:30 to midnight (+65 6269 3411). Tickets are SD$35 for adults $23 for kids. And while they’re not connected to each other in any official capacity, I do believe there is a discount if you buy zoo+safari tickets at the same time. You can see my footage from the Night Safari on my film, Travel Geek: Documentary Singapore.

5. The China Heritage Center (peranakanmuseum.sg), the Asian Civilization Museum (acm.org.sg) and the Singapore Philatelic Museum (www.spm.org.sg/‎) all charge a reasonable donation, but are worth the visit to get out of the heat and to learn something new about the history of Singaporean emigration and stamp collecting. The Star Wars nuts will love the stamp collection at the philatelic museum (ore about this in Documentary Singapore).

I should also include temples in number 5. Definitely seek out the temples. They are almost always free and you can spend several days checking them all out. There’s a Buddha’s tooth remnant said to be in the temple at South Bridge Road (found in Guthama’s ashes). And most other temples in the area have similar quirky claims to fame like that as well.

6. Avoid the shopping megastores which, if you’re anything like me, will make your head spin and cast you headlong into a relentlessly ebbing sea of commerce. To get your gear fix without the name brand barrage, head out to North Bridge Road to check out the Digitalife Mall where gear-heads and techies alike feel right at home. No purchase necessary. Another option would be Sim Lim Square on Rochor Canal Road.

7. Arab Street: Go there! It’s a little Indian quarter of the city that’s chalk-full of dining options, street bazaars and, most importantly, a nightly gathering of shisha-smoking locals. Relax in the cool, night air and order some local foods. But remember that this is a highly Muslim area. So heavy drinking (and the activity associated with it) is frowned-upon. Check out Documentary Singapore for my hostel review and dining experience at Cafe La Caire and the Shophouse Hostel across the street.

8. Probably the most expensive thing on the list, the Singapore Flyer, costs $30 Sing Dollars (US$24). But this has a hidden benefit. For starters, because its so high, it’s a lot like getting a semi-private helicopter ride over the best part of the city. And secondly, the fee is a deterrent for most people. So the lines are short and the cabins are less crowded. I rode the Flyer in my film. Check it out for details. There are also a ton of restaurants on the ground floor. Head downtown to Raffles Avenue to get there.

9. Though not free, visiting the top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel & Casino will only set you back US$12. And while you’re up there, have a beer and enjoy the view of the Southeast Asia’s highest open-air swimming pool. This is where I did the introduction to my film from Singapore. To get into the infinity pool there, you may have to book a room. But you can probably stuff a fist-full of dollars into a hearty handshake with the security guards at the top floor and gain access the old fashioned way. To get there, just tell the cabbie you want to go the Skypark at the Marina Bay Sands. There’s a special entrance, so just save yourself the hassle and have them drop you off at the elevator.

10. The most amazing thing you’ll do in Singapore is to visit the Geylang Red Light district. When you hear people talking about the “dark side” of Singapore. This is the area they’re referring to. No rules. No one judging you. Just go there and decide your own level of involvement. The more you want, the more they want to give. But spend your time wisely. Many people go hard and fizzle out early. This is also the undisputed culinary leader in Singapore’s street food and cafes. You won’t be sorry. Head to Singapore’s east coast for the old world of architecture and simple pleasures.

Higher end?

To splurge on food and make it worth it: head to Dempsey Hill and find the White Rabbit Restaurant, which is a converted 1950s garrison barracks & church. Now, its full of art galleries, fine restaurants and spas. Wear your dinner jacket, though. They are not used to sweaty backpackers dumping their gear on the floor next to the tables.

To splurge on entertainment: Take the cable car over the Sentosa theme park and resort. But plan ahead wisely. This area is not cheap. But there’s more fun for adults to have than a night at the Playboy Mansion. There’s a Disney World area near the resort. But the Marine Park, tram stops, snake handling, plays and performances and about a gazillion other things go on here. Just visit the website, take your pick of things to do, and make a day of it. In my film on Singapore, you can see two of these events: The iFly indoor skydiving event and swimming with the sharks. Each costs around US $80 per visit, per person.

September 20, 2013

Travelcast with Dave Levart, Podcast #11

The charismatic and travel-crazed Dave Levart, of Dave’s Travel Corner, is my guest on this week’s podcast. He’s so crazy about travel that he changed his last name to travel-spelled-backward. Okay, that last part was a lie. But let’s just say he’s a nomadic nut.

And in this podcast we talk about all the things he does when he’s out and about. Dave is a fellow blogger, traveler and he’s especially inclined to the wine producing places of the world.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jw-alO33vg&w=420&h=315]

Find Dave at his very successful website, Dave’s Travel Corner. and follow him on twitter, @DaveDTC.

The quality of this podcasts was a little shaky due to the distance, internet quality and some technical difficulties. My apologies. Sometimes it happens.