Travel Voices

The following is a sponsored post.

With the millions of websites created each week, it’s no surprise that there is nearly a new virtual travel agent coming on line each and every single day.

The latest?

Bookingadvisor.com

It is organized like most others–with a simple format, basic instructions, booking capabilities, and details to narrow down the perfect bed and breakfast–aside from it’s unique features, of course.

After typing in your destination, dates, and number of travelers, the humorous phrase “Cooking your search results, a few seconds till dinner time,” is enough to scrape the edge off of any stressed out hotel-booker. Further into the process, a small indicator that lists the each hotel’s distance from the city’s center and the listing of top rates amongst at least four sites ensures that the user is making a more than informed decision.

Upon further examination, however, other seemingly positive attributes are rather disappointing.

First and foremost, it’s creators at Online Travel Media Ltd. in Bulgaria boast that it is powered by the most advanced Search API tools (provided by Hotelscombined.com, a global accommodation search engine) in order to make finding the best price among multiple hotel reservation websites easier.  Results were varied in my trial searches when I occasionally found better prices elsewhere.

The second, their search feature, is based on a fantastic idea: exploring your options before you have a set-in-stone plan… yet their implementation leaves room for improvement. Searching by hotel is not helpful in most cases, specifying the city or country thereafter may be more so, but even still I wonder. The only occasion I can think of is when the user has a timeshare with a hotel company, but even then the reservations must often be made through the hotel’s provider.

Finally, I was and am most intrigued by their blog. On the one hand, a blog is a perfectly noble way to put a face to the brand, to communicate more directly and effectively with the customer, and to provide another outlet of information. The content itself weighs heavily toward destination profiles.  While this can help give visitors trip ideas, a more practical approach of offering expert tips and friendly peer suggestions would be a welcome addition.

I’d like to say that this hotel booking advisor is a shining star amongst the rest, but I’m afraid it’s not quite there yet.

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For such an exotic, far-flung trip to central Africa, there isn’t a whole lot I need to do in terms of preparing for my Rwandan adventure.

After backpacking for 15 straight months, and always being on the go, the process has become like second nature to me.  I know what I will pack, and how I will pack it.  I know there are a few toiletries and miscellaneous items I’ll want to pick up, but there’s no rush, and none of it is critical.  I could be asked to leave tomorrow morning and I’d chuck my stuff in the ‘ole backpack and know I’d have a great time of it.

After buying the cheapest plane ticket I could find, ensuring my immunizations were up-to-date for that region was the next most important thing I could come up with.  I Google’d “CDC Rwanda” and the first result was the recommendations by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Recommended Immunizations

• Routine (includes Measles, Mumps, & Rubella, Diptheria, Pertussis & Tetanus, Polio)
• Yellow Fever
• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Rabies

As a result of all the shots I got before my ’round the world trip back in Fall 2007, I only needed to re-up my Typhoid.  The oral vaccine lasts 5 years, and I had gotten it the first time for my trip to Costa Rica in 2005.

The Rabies vaccine is expensive, and even if you’re bitten by a rabid animal, you still need to get shots.  Instead, I intend to keep a safe distance from all primates, bats, and miscellaneous mammals I come across.

Malaria Prevention

According to the CDC:

All of the following antimalarial drugs are equal options for preventing malaria in Rwanda: Atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine.

Thankfully, my drug of choice, doxycycline, is an option for Rwanda.  No side effects to-date, and since I don’t have prescription drug coverage, the inexpensive cost is also a factor for me.

The Appointment

I made an appointment with a county-run travel clinic, and when I met the nurse who took my info, and said I was going to Rwanda, she responded “where is that?”  I got up and pointed to what seemed like the tiniest country in Africa on the same National Geographic map that I use to have hanging on my apartment wall for years.  Her response was something along the lines of that being a region of the world where all the diseases come from.

Her chat about food and water safety was all a formality, nothing I wasn’t already aware of, though I suppose it’s good to have a reminder from time to time – keep oneself in check and all.

Then the doctor came in and gave me the little box of live Typhoid vaccine, which requires refrigeration, and a doxy prescription.

Cost

• Office visit = $42
• Typhoid (oral) = $60
• Malaria (40 pills) = $30

Total = $132

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• What is your first name: Miguel
• What city are you from: Trinidad
• What country are you from: Cuba
• What do you do: Sell trinkets on the street to tourists
• If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why: I’m happy in Cuba and don’t want to go anywhere.
• What’s your dream and why: I have no dream and am happy!

FOGG Notes: I saw this guy on the street selling purses/bags made out of straw.  He was with another guy and they took a break to sit on the street curb next to the restaurant I was eating at.  I kept an eye on these guys because they had such weathered faces, and the fact that they were peddling purses of all things.  After I finished my meal I walked outside and sat on the curb with them.

I got out my pack of smokes and offered them both one.  They seemed a little surprised, but graciously took one and we sat there for a minute smoking our cigs, watching tourists walk by.  I was doing this as a lead up to an introduction to see if I could photograph these guys.

I pulled out my camera and snapped a few photos of street life going on, then turned the camera to my left and smiled.  They didn’t run, and seemed ok with it, but both put on a model look while I snapped a few photos.  I quickly looked at the photos on the LCD screen and then showed them both, but they just both nodded at me, as if I was their grandkid and did something that I thought was great but they didn’t.

I didn’t ask these guys for an interview then and there, but saw them later sitting on another curb in the shade.  I figured what the hell, the worst thing they could do was say no, but since I had buttered them up already, and they seemed ok with photos, I figured I might have a good chance.  Again, I offered them both a smoke and asked if it would be ok to ask them a few questions.  They both seemed really hesitant, but my friend explained that it was the same thing we ask everyone and would only take a minute.

Miguel said ok in a half “I could care less” way, so we asked him what his first name was.  The other guy started shaking his head while smoking and by the time I asked Miguel what city he was from, the other guy walked off repeating “No, no, no!”  (see photo of the other guy here).  I thought I was done with the interview, but Miguel kept going, though his answers were so cold and closed.  Basically, the only thing he would say is that Cuba is the happiest place in the world and he didn’t want to leave it.

This was a perfect example of the repression you see while in Cuba.  It boiled down to only two reasons for the coldness I received when I tried to ask anything:

1. Afraid of the Cuban Government: because if he said something bad about Cuba, they might come after him for it.
2. He’s a proud Cuban: because he thought I was going to use his photo and info to show how bad Cuban life is to the world, and make his country look poor.

Either one is probably true (if not both), but it just struck me as funny.  Never have I been somewhere where people were so worried about what might be written that they couldn’t express themselves freely.

More photos on this post at:

http://www.foggodyssey.com/2010/02/21/faces-of-cuba-009/

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In April 2007, I wrote about one of the best late night dining experiences of my life, courtesy of Blue Ribbon Manhattan. Ever since, I’ve wanted to go back.

When I won a Sosauce postcard contest recently, and a $50 gift certificate to the New York City restaurant of my choice, I felt like the time was right to try Blue Ribbon Sushi.

I invited Michaela from Briefcase to Backpack to lunch, and as snow was starting to accumulate on the city streets, we met outside the signless entrance to a little culinary slice of Japan.

The intimate restaurant featured a sushi bar, a few small tables, and 6 booths (where we were seated).  Further back beyond the booths, was a narrow hallway leading to restrooms, a table in an alcove perfect for giving a small dinner party that exclusive feel, and then extra tables in the far back.

I was excited to push my sushi boundaries and try some new things.  My first course included a single piece of o toro, the highest quality piece of tuna you can get, jellyfish, which I’d never tried before, and some blue crab for good measure.

The $15 piece of tuna melted in my mouth, however it wasn’t an Earth-shattering experience, and now that I’ve tasted the tender belly of a tuna, I’ll be happy to return to the more moderately priced regions.  The jellyfish was dipped in something, possibly soy sauce, to give it color and flavor, as I don’t think it has much of either on its own.  I liked it because it had the consistency and shape of gummy worms.  Trust me, nothing to be afraid of with jellyfish (at least not the kind I ate).  And the crab was crab.  I enjoyed having it nicely presented to me, sans claws and shell.

Of course 3 pieces of sashimi are hardly enough to fill one’s stomach, so Michaela was kind enough to share her California and tuna rolls with me as we talked about the business of blogging.  Meanwhile, I ordered a few more items, and drank about a dozen cups of green tea (they were very on-point about refilling my cup, which was a nice way to keep warm given the snow and cold weather outside).

My next dish was an appetizer of salmon tartare with a quail egg, scallions, and soy sauce.  I mixed it all together with the chopsticks, and it turned out to be quite a lot more than it seemed at first.  I was starting to feel full, but there was still room for more.

I believe I ordered the tuna with avocado, but when smoked salmon and shiso (a green leafy herb) arrived, I didn’t feel the need to send it back.  The shiso was nicely tucked inside the rice, and it provided a freshness in each bite, kind of like eating a breath mint.

Our lunch easily lasted 2 hours, and I never felt rushed, which earns the restaurant bonus points in my book.  The quality of food was excellent, the service was solid, and the atmosphere was perfect.

Blue Ribbon restaurants are 2 for 2 in my book, and I look

____________

Blue Ribbon Sushi – 119 Sullivan Street (between Prince and Spring Streets), New York City

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Travel Blog Ethics – Are you travel blogging with this in mind?

In less than two weeks, I’ll be exploring the Rwandan countryside in the heart of Africa.  Yeah, I still can’t get over that, and probably won’t until I’m actually there, and then I’ll still feel like I’m in a surreal dream.

I’m a big believer in dropping oneself in another country with a guidebook and without a plan, but when time is limited, and countries are on the less developed side of the spectrum, an organized tour can be a welcome thing.  I learned that first hand when I took package trips to Kruger Park in South Africa, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, and on a cruise ship down the Nile River in Egypt.

Here’s what my schedule looks like, minus all the airplane rides.

Day 1 – March 20th

• Arrival in Kigali

Day 2 – March 21st (Kigali – Ruhengeri)

• Kigali City tour (4-hour tour around historical sites of Kigali, view latest developments, visit the Kigali Genocide memoriam)

Day 3 – March 22nd (Ruhengeri – Gisenyi)

• Trek to see Mountain Gorillas
• Afternoon visit to Iby’Iwacu Village

Day 3 – March 23rd

• Tour of Gisenyi (L.Kivu, Paradis Malahide, Akeza Island, Bralirwa, Amashyuza)

Day 4 – March 24th

• Boat Ride to Nyungwe stopping at Cyangugu
• Visit Interpretation Center/ Trek to see Colobus monkeys

Day 5 – March 25th (Nyungwe)

• At 4am – Track Chimpanzees at Cyamudongo Forest
• Canopy Walk, Visit Dubai World Hotel /waterfalls

Day 6 – March 26th

• Drive to Kigali, Visit National Museum

I have a 7th day and night in Kigali to do whatever I want before I head home.

Rwanda is a small country, however I still have a feeling the days will be long, especially when we’re waking up early to track gorillas and chimps in the forests.

Is there any aspect of the trip you’d like to see covered more than another?  Food, wildlife, local people, safety situation, genocide, political climate, etc?

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The DC Travel happy hours are starting to gain traction in the best way possible.  A mix of regulars and newbies show up at each one, and whether the people have been around the world, or just around a city block, makes no difference.

March’s venue, as chosen by Stephanie of Twenty-Something Travel was The Big Hunt, a perennial favorite in Dupont Circle.

I arrived early, and met up with Carolyn, who I was initially e-introduced to by Sherry Ott.  Carolyn started a non-profit called Dog Meets World, which aims to bring people together through photography.  The idea is for travelers to carry a little stuffed dog, and a portable photo printer, wherever they go.

Then, when they inevitably want to take a local’s photograph, they can share the dog, take the photo, and print a copy for them on the spot. I liked the idea the moment I heard about it, and am planning to try it for myself in Rwanda later this month.

Steven (@travelojos) was the next to arrive.  He’s currently planning a trip to Guatemala.

Diana from The Adventures of D rolled up soon after.  She recently quit her PR job to travel through Europe and northern Africa….starting today!

Chelsey (@chelseydc), a fairly recent transplant from Iowa, joined us, as did my friend Todd.

And then I lost track of the order, as usual.  I swear it wasn’t the hearty porter I was drinking.

Molly (@travelwithcurls), one of our regulars, congratulated me on the launch of Travel Blog Success last month, and confirmed her intent to sign up soon.

Sonia (@pulpologist) and her husband Mark arrived as well, though Marilyn from National Geographic couldn’t make it (so the saga of their inability to meet in person goes on).

Lauren had previously contacted me through Medellin Living as she was interested in moving to Colombia to teach English in the city of the eternal Spring.

On a random note, our waiter was cool, gave Diana a free beer at the end of the night, and mentioned he’d done a Peace Corps stint in Malawi.  There were a few people I didn’t get the chance to meet, and a few whose company were missed altogether.

Thankfully, warmer weather and longer days are just around the corner, as is April’s DC Travel Happy Hour!

_______

Special thanks to Melanie at Sisarina for the Twitter name tags, and Kelsey for photographing the event.  All of the photos in this post are hers, except the exterior shot of the bar, which I took.

To see all of the photos from the happy hour, check out Kelsey’s recap at Drifting Focus.

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[With apologies and respect to Tom Robbins.]

J. was a little annoyed. I was making a three point turn — well, in truth, it was closer to a 12 point turn — in a gravel and mud driveway lined on both sides by tire eating gullies. The road was fast and winding — it was hard to see oncoming traffic from either direction. “Trust me,” I insisted, “it’s worth it. See, there’s this giant yellow dinosaur leaning up against a shed… really, we have to go back.”

It’s a long time ago now, but I still remember coming across a giant concrete head somewhere in Montana. It was about 15 feet tall and sprayed gold. The accompanying plaque, probably a xeroxed sheet stuffed into a sleeve protector and stapled on to plywood, proclaimed it the “second largest head of Abraham Lincoln in the world.” What’s not to like about that? Last summer found me admiring any number of world’s largest objects — more presidents, a buffalo, a giant cow. There’s a frying pan out on the Washington coast and, inland and a bit south, a giant egg, the two separated by some cruel act of fate or feuding families. In Idaho, I sat at the base of the world’s largest potato. In Klamath Falls, Oregon, I stared up at Paul Bunyan and his enormous blue ox Babe, and in somewhere in Canada, I parked my car in front of an enormous T-Rex, his right foot the size of my Toyota Tercel.

Rich’s Art Yard in Centralia, Washington, is a assemblage of Styrofoam and re-bar and plastic garbage all stuck together in a crazy mess of, well, what is that place? While my real estate agent dragged me around from house to sad house, I peered over the fence and out windows that badly needed replacing into the Walker Rock Garden, a mosaic playground of river rock and obsession. In a blinding downpour of hail and rain, a friend and I drove the Enchanted Highway in North Dakota, stopping at each of the roadside sculptures that were big, sure, but more than that — plus, at the end of the road, there’s a “put in a quarter and make it go” contraption that’s got whirlygigs and oh, just go to North Dakota. J and I took a pocket full of quarters into the calliope museum, where on earth were we, was it Wyoming? And I have creepy memories of a letterpress museum somewhere in California run by a guy who seemed to have some scary political tendencies even while having a remarkable collection of old wood type.

I did not mean to veer in to a catalog of my roadside adventures. What I meant to say was that last weekend, after navigating a messy turn around without incident, we wandered the grounds of Eaglemount Rockeries. According to the hard-to-read hand out, the first knee high stone structure was built in 1948 — there was apparently, a pressing need for a windmill in the front garden and Mrs. Wolfer set herself to addressing that issue, and many, many others.

The mistress of the property found she had a liking for building these little structures and now, there are dozens of them all around the front of the main house. Her interests took a turn towards the historical and she began creating tableaus of pioneer life — there’s a school house and a jail and a bootlegger and a whole crew of Native Americans, most of whom look as though they are buried in the ground up to their waists because they are torsos only. There’s a to scale map of Washington State, and some regional icons — a few Japanese temples, a mini Mount Rushmore, a Sphinx and her companion pyramids. We squelched around in the wet grass, reading signs made out of those plastic labels — you know, the ones that punch the letters in all caps on to tape that you then peel the backing off, what are they called? I stood beside the bright yellow dinosaur, he had a green pattern up his spine and an appealing grin, his chin was propped up on the edge of the stone jailhouse.

Eaglemount Rockeries has a new owner now but it’s still free to stop in a poke around. It’s sort of on the way to Port Townsend, sort of, if you detour a little. There are a couple of cottages you can rent if you can’t get enough of the place. It’s actually easy to miss if you’re not paying attention — if you’re heading south and you pass a grinning yellow dinosaur, you’ve got too far. It’s easier if you’re driving north — you’ll see the sign for the motel and a flag waving braid wearing concrete “Indian” welcoming you.

The badly xeroxed flier calls Eaglemount Rockeries a “place to come and see for free.” That’s an understated sales pitch for an hour or so of taking a tour of someone else’s imagination. If you’re out that-a-way and have a fondness, as I do, for the obscure and wacky, take a detour and stop for a while.

There are a few more pics here.

Not on my list of things to accomplish? Drink cheap beer back stage at a divey bar and then, play in a “band” on stage at said bar. Nonetheless, if that’s not on your to-do list for this lifetime, I highly recommend you add it, pronto. If you’re in a city famous for music — Nashville, Austin, Seattle, or New York City, so much the better.

Vintage aloha shirt from Goodwill, silk flower haku lei from a neighbor, PBR from an ice bucket marked “Band Beer Only.” Ukulele (not pictured) by Pono via Scotty’s Music on Kauai. The setting, the green room, painted a sticky and unnerving shade of blue and furnished with a couch that would benefit from being set on fire, the walls covered with stickers, obscene graffiti, and despair.

Yeah, it was awesome, thanks for asking, and, as I keep saying at practice, “We’re not getting any worse.”

Join Travel Blog Success today and learn to build a better travel blog. Membership includes 12 core lessons, a community forum for asking questions and receiving personalized feedback, plus audio interviews and a blog.

Join Travel Blog Success today and learn to build a better travel blog.

Membership includes 12 core lessons, a community forum for asking questions and receiving personalized feedback, plus audio interviews and a blog.