Each country I visit I try to pick up a book about the local history, culture, people or related areas—either fiction or non-fiction. Reading these books while traveling in the countries they are about really brings the stories and history to life. I’ve read a number of great books so far and a […]

Let me pass along a very well done video travelogue that’s up for a Webbie Award: Lost Bags, Lost Souls: Kang Yatse: A Skiing Misadventure. The story of two Americans who set off to climb and then ski down Kang Yatse at 21,000 ft mountain in the Indian Himalayas. Things don’t quite go according to plan. Its a very well written, well edited set of videos, and probably the future of web based TV. Much props to the creators.

In each country I’ve traveled, I always try to read a book or two in addition to a guidebook about the country in which I am exploring. My favorite read in Japan was a travel book entitled Hitching Rides With Buddha (previously titled Hokkaido Highway Blues). Written by Canadian, Will Ferguson who hitchhiked his way from the southern tip to the northern tip of Japan following the blossuming of the Sakura (cherry blossoms) after teaching English through the JET Program.

I received some good feedback on my post a while back about English names in China, I Bought A Camera From A Guy Named Fish. For those interested in learning more on the subject, there is a great post today on Learning Cantonese—-a blog by National Geographic Traveler columnist and travel writer Daisann McLane.

I have read nearly a dozen books specifically on how-to “travel around the world.” Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, Practical Nomad, etc, and they are all good in their own way and each targeted a specific audience. But, my first recommendation to those of you wishing embark on such an adventure is to pick upRolf Pott’s Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel. Read more about why.

In reference to my previous post, the winners have been announced for the Travvies, the best travel blogs on the web.

The travel blog world is a buzz today as the nominees have been announced for various categories in the Best of The Web’s Travel Sites.