An Overnight Camel Safari into the Thar Desert

 #OnlyIn, 25 Before 25, Asia, India  11 Responses »
Mar 202013
 

Two Canadians, two Germans, Simon and I bumped along in the back of the “Trotters Camel Safari“ jeep as we headed off into the Thar desert. With turban in tow, Simon was certainly prepared but I felt slightly hesitant. The tour we chose was the “off the beaten path” option, and happened to be one of the most expensive camel safaris in Jaisalmer. We had convinced our two new Canadian friends to come along with us on this tour, so I felt partly responsible if it didn’t meet expectations. Continue reading »

Only In: Thailand

 #OnlyIn, Asia, Thailand  No Responses »
Feb 152013
 

Today, Jessica from Ways of Wanderers contributes to the “Only In” series.  In 2011, Jessica and her boyfriend decided to quit their jobs, take their savings and buy a one-way ticket to Paris (well, that’s not romantic or anything). Now she currently resides in Thailand, but is about to establish a new home in Japan where Jessica and her boyfriend will be teaching.

Reflecting on her time in Thailand, Jessica shares:

“Only in Thailand…can you get a Thai massage for under $5. Continue reading »

Only In: France

 #OnlyIn  1 Response »
Feb 082013
 

This week, Ashley of Ashley Abroad, shares how authentically French her day-to-day surroundings are in the small town outside of Paris where she lives.

I feel that sometimes, country stereotypes can interfere with your experience while traveling.  When a country’s culture doesn’t seem as genuine as you pictured it, and everything feels diluted by commercialism and international brands, it can be a let down once you get there.

I’m glad to hear that even in 2013, France doesn’t seem to disappoint!

Ashley describes her “Only in France” moment– Continue reading »

Only In: Paris

 #OnlyIn  No Responses »
Jan 182013
 

This Friday’s “Only In” comes from the inspiring Edna Zhou, creator of ExpatEdna.com. Edna is a serial expat exploring the world one city and one year at a time. She has lived in China, Singapore and currently Paris, while also covering sports events from London to Azerbaijan.  She does all this while juggling a career and a long distance relationship. Wow.

Edna says-

“Only in Paris do you get to call this view your commute. I take the line 6 to work, and between the Passy and Bir-Hakeim stops, the train goes above-ground and crosses the Seine. On the left you get this gorgeous scene of the Eiffel Tower — though around dusk I actually look out the windows on the other side because you’ll catch the most beautiful sunsets over the river. Either way, I’ve never had a more beautiful ride to work.”

I don’t think any of us have ever had such a beautiful ride to work!

Edna’s story (and her commute itself) reminds me of a quote I saw on eTramping’s Facebook page. “Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you should set up a life you don’t need to escape from.”  

If you want to read more about Edna’s travels, or have your stomach growl reading about her adventures in international cuisine, check out ExpatEdna.  You can also follow her on Twitter, and Facebook.

Do you want to submit a photo to the “Only In” series? E-mail me at CuriosityTravels@gmail.com with the photo and why it would happen “only in” that specific place, and I might feature it on Friday!  Remember it should be something  special, unique, funny or delicious about that particular destination!

You can also use the #OnlyIn hashtag to share your “only in” travel stories around the web!

Only In: Poland!

 #OnlyIn, Food  No Responses »
Dec 072012
 

This week’s “Only In” comes from Agness Walewinder, half of the blogging duo at eTramping.com. She is an adventurous Polish girl, who has been traveling the world with her best friend Cez since 2011, all while trying to stick to a budget of $25 dollars a day!

It goes to show traveling can be cheap!

Agness says:

“Only in Poland… can you taste delicious Pierogi!

Yum!

Pierogi is one of the most delicious traditional Polish dishes. They are made of thinly rolled-out dough and can be stuffed either with meat, vegetables, mushrooms or cabbage.  They are then topped with fried onion, oil or seasonal fruits and whipped cream or yogurt. Homemade pierogis are served only in Poland and are available in all traditional local restaurants and bars.”

Agness also informed me that an order of pierogi usually costs 8 Polish Zloty, or about $2.50/ 2€. Cheap! They can be savory or sweet.  If you happen to be in Poland, be sure to try her favorite kind: strawberry pierogi with whipped cream and lots of sugar on top.

Recently, Agness left her travels in South East Asia to visit home and explore more of Europe.     She re-visited Poland’s capital, Warsaw, and wrote a great post on how to visit on only $21.

You can also follow her eTramping adventures on Twitter and Facebook.

Do you want to submit a photo to the “Only In” series? E-mail me at CuriosityTravels@gmail.com with the photo and a summary and I might feature it on Friday!

Remember to tag all your travel tweets or instagrams which show something special/unique/funny/delicious with the “#OnlyIn” hashtag!

Have you been to Poland?  Have you had pierogi?

OnlyIn: Malaysia

 #OnlyIn, Asia, Food, Malaysia  7 Responses »
Nov 302012
 

Only in Malaysia, would something so disgusting looking, taste so good.

Meet assam laksa, a Malaysian noodle soup. Most famously made on the island of Penang, assam (or asam) laksa, was named #7 on CNNGo’s World’s Most Delicious Foods list.  It was also praised by Anthony Bourdain, where he ate it at the very same street food stall as me! Oh, the joy that brings me. You can watch him devour the bowl, here.

Penang assam laksa is a fish-stock based soup, made from an assortment of ingredients such as tamarind, lemongrass, chili, galangal, and poached, flaked mackerel, to name a few.

In my opinion, the best foods in Malaysia come from street food stalls and aren’t always pretty.

If you happen to be in Penang, Malaysia, make sure you stop by this one.

Pasar Air Itam Assam Laksa

At the foot of Kek Lok Si Temple. Jalan Pasar Road (beside Air Itam Market) near the intersection of Jalan Pesar and Jalan Air Hitam.  11500 Air Itam, Penang, Malaysia. Open 7 days 11am to 8pm.

Oh yeah, did I mention it will only cost you $1? (RM 3).

Amazing. Only in Malaysia.

Want to see your photo featured here? See the first #OnlyIn on how.

OnlyIn: Thailand

 #OnlyIn, Asia  1 Response »
Nov 092012
 

Only in Thailand…

1) are genders indistinguishable 

and..

2) ‘lady-boy shows’ keep you coming back for more.

Lady-boy: a term used in South East Asia that refers to a transgender person or (very) feminine gay male. Many Thai people refer to lady-boys, or “kathoeys,” as a third gender, not exactly male or female.  Most dress and act like a traditional and feminine woman.

Last winter, while in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, our Swedish hostel roommate Erika informed us of a lady-boy show that we had to see. We rallied up a few other hostel-stayers and went to the show. We had few expectations, but once we arrived we found ourselves laughing hysterically and having a fantastic time. In fact, we had so much fun we went back the next night as well. Erika had been 4 or 5 times in total!

Walking around Thailand, and South East Asia in general, genders can sometimes be hard to tell apart. During this lady-boy show, we saw some lady-boys that were more attractive than most women!

If you are in Chiang Mai, go see this lady-boy show. It is free and located in the Anusarn Night Market. Head there in the early evening to shop around, get some food, and find out the time. The show is located by a large outdoor seafood restaurant, but you will usually see a few drag queens passing out flyers within the market before it starts.  The drinks are a little over-priced, but the show is worth it.

I can’t wait to get back to Chiang Mai.  I’m sure one of the first things I’ll do, is take Simon to the night market and of course, the lady-boy show.

Have a good #OnlyIn photo? Send it my way!

You can submit any photo, from any place, which you think goes well with this theme. It doesn’t have to be for a country, but could fit for a region. For example: “Only in the Midwest” or “Only in Eastern Europe”. I’ll pick the best one to be featured here on Fridays. Show us what’s unique, special or funny about where you are. Be creative.

How to submit: 

  1. Email me at CuriosityTravels@gmail.com with the file attached, or a link to the photo. Please also include a brief description.
  2. You can also tweet your photo to me using @Curiosity_Trvls and #OnlyIn
  3. Or Instagram it my way by using @j_wray and #OnlyIn

Follow all the “#OnlyIn” photos here, or on Twitter and Instagram using the #OnlyIn hashtag.

#OnlyIn: A Friday Photo Series

 #OnlyIn, Photos  6 Responses »
Nov 022012
 

This week begins a new fun photo series in store for Fridays. The best part is anyone can submit!

The aim is to share unique things that would only happen in a certain country or region.  Some might be funny, while others serious –  the point being to share eccentricities and contrasts about the world around us.

So, for the first edition I’ve chosen one of my favorite shots I snapped during class.

When this student came into class as I was bundled up in my down coat and scarf, not excited about the Korean winter, I nodded and thought “damn right it is kid.”

Only in Korea (and Asia in general) would a child come to school wearing such a sentence on their jacket. With most Koreans having a low level of English,  many of these t-shirts and jackets go unnoticed by the population (and parents!).

It sure is entertaining for the rest of us.

Have a good #OnlyIn photo? Send it my way!

You can submit any photo, from any place, which you think goes well with this theme. It doesn’t have to be for a country, but could fit for a region. For example: “Only in the Midwest” or “Only in Eastern Europe”. I’ll pick the best one to be featured here on Fridays.

Show us what’s unique, special or funny about where you are. Be creative. Don’t be offensive.

How to submit: 

  1. Email me at CuriosityTravels@gmail.com with the file attached, or a link to the photo. Please also include a brief description.
  2. You can also tweet your photo to me using @Curiosity_Trvls and #OnlyIn
  3. Or Instagram it my way by using @j_wray and #OnlyIn

Follow all the “#OnlyIn” photos here, or on Twitter and Instagram using the #OnlyIn hashtag.