Exit Row Seat

For most people travel is momentary, often it feels like you returned before you left as the post vacation glow subsides and work crowds in again. When my travel energy needs a recharge between trips I turn to my favorite travel writers:

Rick Steves‘ guidebooks made our first European vacations a simple delight. Rick’s potted histories and time-saving wisdom makes his books a must read before, during and after your travel. He also provides masses of free advice through his travel shows on PBS, weekly radio show (available as a podcast) and his website.

Anthony Bourdain hosts No Reservations (Discovery Travel), his passion for travel leads him to seek out the unique experiences. His passion for food (he is a chef by trade) always finds him in the best eateries available, although not always the most appetising meals.

Rick and Tony taught me to look below the surface of every society I visit and find the essence of their culture. I embrace the moment, try to live like a local, eat their food and meet the locals. Sure I use the guidebook and see the sights but more often I toss it on the bed as I head out to walk the streets. Getting lost is often a precursor to a great experience or at least a look at the real city. So get out there, push open the door to funny little restaurant you just passed, have a meal and see more than the sights.

This is my first post in a few months and marks a return to regular (weekly) posts, thanks to those who stayed subscribed during the hiatus.

Regular readers have noticed the sporadic posting over the last few weeks, and I have decided to turn that into a short hiatus. I’m moving interstate to start a full time study gig and want to concentrate on a good start without distractions. For first time visitors, there is a good backlog for your reading enjoyment. For the regulars, I’ll be back in a couple of months (I hope) but may post occasionally if I have a spare moment.

Travel Well

Australia is spearheading efforts to stop whaling by the Japanese in the Great Southern Ocean, and I noticed this message behind an activist interviewed on television tonight:

I love Japan but I am concerned about your whaling.

I like the positive message combined with an issue of concern to both countries and travellers can use it to help curtail this unnecessary activity. If you are in Japan this year find an opportunity to raise your concerns about whaling with the locals. Not by pouring blood on their streets or flag (would you like seeing your flag desecrated) but with a personal interaction with just one person you meet.

Ask someone at dinner if they enjoy whale meat, and you’ll find most have not even tasted it. By voicing your concerns politely, you can encourage them to voice their opposition. A movement within Japan is going to end whaling sooner than any action taken on the high seas. Give it a go.

Mary Jo at The Seattle Traveler listed her Seattle favorites for us, and it got me yearning for my former home. So, here are my Seattle area favorites.

Favorite special occasion restaurant: Yarrow Bay Grill. Simply the best food, service and view combination we found in Seattle.

Favorite casual restaurant: Serious Pie for Pizza.

Favorite fast food restaurant: Joe’s Gourmet Grilled Dogs. Sorry Mary Jo, a dog outside Safeco Field before a game beats Dick’s every time.

Favorite steakhouse: El Gaucho, Belltown. I’ll go with Mary Jo on this one.

Favorite seafood restaurant: Yarrow Bay Grill

Favorite ethnic restaurant: Blue Nile Restaurant for great (and cheap) Ethiopian food.

Favorite view restaurant: I agree with Mary Jo, Salty’s Alki has an unbeatable view.

Favorite out of town restaurant: Sip, Issaquah. Go on Wednesday for half price wine from their extensive cellars.

Favorite Hotel: We only ever stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn on Lake Union.

Favorite Museum: Museum of Flight, where I spent many lunch hours indulging my passion.

Favorite thing to do in Seattle on a sunny day: Take me out to the ball game, a $8 bleacher seat and then find a standing position behind home plate, priceless.

Favorite thing to do in Seattle on a rainy day: There are no rain delays for Mariners baseball, just close the roof and play ball.

Favorite drink after work bar: Cascadia Restaurant serves great drinks and fun bar food.

Favorite music venue: The Showbox lets you get up and personal with your favorite band.

Favorite touristy thing to do: A visit to Pike’s Place Market.

Favorite day trip from Seattle: The Summit at Snoqualmie to snowboard.

Favorite weekend trip from Seattle: Portland, Oregon

All travellers have a round the world trip plan in their back pocket but the journey Australian Ben Carlin completed in 1958.

Ben modified an Amphibious Jeep by enclosing the cabin to provide rudimentary accommodation and adding a streamlined nose to smooth out the sea handling. Ben and his wife Elinore set out from Montreal, Canada in 1950 driving to the Atlantic coast then plunging into the ocean bound for North Africa and eventually reaching England. Find a copy of Ben’s book, Half-Safe: Across the Atlantic by Jeep, to read about this first leg.

Elinore left the venture in England but Ben pressed on with several different travel partners working with him over several years. He rolled into Montreal on 12 May 1958 to complete his unique circumnavigation of the planet. His vehicle, Half Safe, is proudly displayed at Ben’s High School, Guildford Grammar School in Victoria.

What is your plan for a round the world trip?

Would you consider repeating this epic journey?