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Most Recent Posts | View More
Why Mexico? Top Five Reasons for a Visit
June 18th, 2013
By: itravelglobal
Category: Destination Guides, Mexico
Why Mexico? Top Five Reasons for a Visit It may be a clichéd vacation and you may not be exploring pastures that have never been walked before, but that doesn't mean that a trip to Mexico wouldn't be an unforgettable adventure that will open your ey...[Read More]
Other Places' Politics
June 17th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Cultural Experiences, Cultural Exploration
A short, gray-haired man was on the television yelling emphatically in Hebrew. Of course, I couldn’t understand a word he said, but the news broadcast I was watching had commentators who spoke English. They explained that he was a member of the Kne...[Read More]
Birds, Brews and the Boy Next Door: A Visit to Lago de Yajoa
June 10th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Honduras, Nature, Sightseeing
“Are you Bob?” I asked reaching out to shake the hand of the owner Bed, Breakfast and Microbrewery at Lago de Yajoa. “And is it true that you’re from Timber?” He looked at me quizzically. “I’m from Gales Creek,” I added. Then he looked at me ...[Read More]
¡Vive Lucha Libre!
May 30th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Cultural Experiences, Mexico
“We’re going where?” I asked. I’m always up for new things, but this seemed a little incongruent. Here was my cultured, sophisticated, intellectual guy, a man who reads in three languages, a classical musician, a connoisseur of art films. And now ...[Read More]
Killer Keens: When Good Gear Goes Bad
May 22nd, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Gear Spotlight, Travel Tips
“I’ve got your shoes,” my friend's said in an email. “Great!” I replied. “ Send them down as soon as you can. I need the freezer space.” I’m a big believer in good shoes, and for me Keens are the perfect travel shoe. And now that I have ...[Read More]
Most Popular Posts | View More
Toilets of the World – My Adventures “Going” Overseas
November 19th, 2012
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Adventure Travel, Cultural Experiences, Personal Growth and Travel
Happy World Toilet Day! No, I’m not making that up. There really is a World Toilet Day and it’s purpose is to bring attention to the 2.5 billion people in the world who lack appropriate sanitary facilities (ie. toilets). That’s actually a pretty s...[Read More]
The Travelling Book Lovers
February 2nd, 2012
By: WYNNA
Category: Cultural Experiences, Philippines
Whoever said that book lovers don’t travel, or travelers don’t give a minute of their time to read a book? Stereo-typical, right? BUT what if I tell you, there is a lair of book lovers who had already travelled more than 41 countries and 61 ports (an...[Read More]
Zipped and Zapped Back 20 Years
January 23rd, 2012
By: Elmer Cruz
Category: Adrenaline and Extreme, Philippines
Suspended on 840 meters of wire at 4,500 above sea level, with nothing to hang on to except dear life, I rediscovered how to pray and called on all the angels and saints, even ancient gods and goddesses of the Vikings! I wanted to back out, but befo...[Read More]
Disney- Making Dreams Come True All Across The Globe
March 7th, 2012
By: Tiffany
Category: Destination Guides, Personal Growth and Travel, Sightseeing, USA
Disney, oh how I love you. From a fascinated child replaying Cinderella and daydreaming of meeting my own Prince Charming to a young adult captivated by the magic and majestic greatness of the Disney theme parks. All in all Disney is my secret obsess...[Read More]
Ashland- Oregon's Cultural Getaway
June 1st, 2012
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Cultural Experiences, Cultural Exploration, USA
I’ve settled into my seat with a blanket on my lap and a cup of hot chocolate in my hands. I’m staring at the Tudor-style façade of a circular, Elizabethan theater. Stars shine above me. Excitement builds as the head of an actor suddenly emerges fr...[Read More]
Recently in Adventure Travel | View More
Hiking the Magical Trail at Silver Falls
May 15th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Destination Guides, Hiking, Trekking, Walking, Nature, USA
“I changed my mind about tomorrow,” he said. “I think we should just do this one again.” I was a little bit taken aback. We go hiking together a lot and returning the same way we came is practically against his religion. And now here we were in Sil...[Read More]
Hiking - You're Never Too Cool for Trekking Poles!
May 8th, 2013
By: Michael Falk
Category: Adventure Travel, Gear Spotlight, Hiking, Trekking, Walking
So I showed up for the hike with my shiny brand new trekking poles and was met with a little bit of laughter. My sister and brother, hiking companions for the day, scoffed at me and made jokes about finding a good stick. "We're surrounded by hiking s...[Read More]
Make the most of a White Desert adventure
April 30th, 2013
By: itravelglobal
Category: Adventure Travel, Egypt
It's fair to say that most travelers book holidays in Egypt to have their fill of pharaohs and lost civilisations, pyramids and tombs. While the diversity of this country should come as no surprise to anyone who's ever sailed the Nile, climbed Mount ...[Read More]
Volkswalk: Mini-adventures for Every Weekend
April 13th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Hiking, Trekking, Walking
We set out into the dark December night with a mission and a fork. Given this choice of tool, you might surmise that our mission involved eating. On the contrary, it was all about exercising, specifically walking. My friend, Cindy, had volunteered ...[Read More]
Tips on investing in your first SCUBA diving gear
April 8th, 2013
By: Elmer Cruz
Category: Gear Spotlight, Philippines, Scuba & Snorkel
One of the reasons why people are reluctant to get into SCUBA diving is the cost of the equipment. This was one of my fears and it kept me at bay from even doing an intro dive for more than 10 years, knowing that I am a gadget freak and get overly ex...[Read More]
Recently in Cultural Exploration | View More
Other Places' Politics
June 17th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Cultural Experiences, Cultural Exploration
A short, gray-haired man was on the television yelling emphatically in Hebrew. Of course, I couldn’t understand a word he said, but the news broadcast I was watching had commentators who spoke English. They explained that he was a member of the Kne...[Read More]
Birds, Brews and the Boy Next Door: A Visit to Lago de Yajoa
June 10th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Honduras, Nature, Sightseeing
“Are you Bob?” I asked reaching out to shake the hand of the owner Bed, Breakfast and Microbrewery at Lago de Yajoa. “And is it true that you’re from Timber?” He looked at me quizzically. “I’m from Gales Creek,” I added. Then he looked at me ...[Read More]
¡Vive Lucha Libre!
May 30th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Cultural Experiences, Mexico
“We’re going where?” I asked. I’m always up for new things, but this seemed a little incongruent. Here was my cultured, sophisticated, intellectual guy, a man who reads in three languages, a classical musician, a connoisseur of art films. And now ...[Read More]
The Mother of All Words - Dissecting "La Madre"
May 12th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Cultural Experiences, Mexico
Happy Mother's Day! In honor of the day, honoring that most important of persons – Mom, the local newspaper here in Guanajuato published an article listing the uses of the word “madre” (mother) in Mexico. I learned a lot, and it seems to illustrate ...[Read More]
Mines, Masks and Mirós - Sight Seeing in Zacatecas
April 26th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Cultural Exploration, Destination Guides, Mexico, Sightseeing
My mind was being assaulted with unexpected visions of devil masks and Picasso pictures; flashbacks of peyote-induced yarn paintings. My friend and I were completing our second day in Zacatecas and we were both suffering severe cases of PMED – Post ...[Read More]
Recently in Gear Spotlight | View More
Killer Keens: When Good Gear Goes Bad
May 22nd, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Gear Spotlight, Travel Tips
“I’ve got your shoes,” my friend's said in an email. “Great!” I replied. “ Send them down as soon as you can. I need the freezer space.” I’m a big believer in good shoes, and for me Keens are the perfect travel shoe. And now that I have ...[Read More]
Hiking - You're Never Too Cool for Trekking Poles!
May 8th, 2013
By: Michael Falk
Category: Adventure Travel, Gear Spotlight, Hiking, Trekking, Walking
So I showed up for the hike with my shiny brand new trekking poles and was met with a little bit of laughter. My sister and brother, hiking companions for the day, scoffed at me and made jokes about finding a good stick. "We're surrounded by hiking s...[Read More]
Tips on investing in your first SCUBA diving gear
April 8th, 2013
By: Elmer Cruz
Category: Gear Spotlight, Philippines, Scuba & Snorkel
One of the reasons why people are reluctant to get into SCUBA diving is the cost of the equipment. This was one of my fears and it kept me at bay from even doing an intro dive for more than 10 years, knowing that I am a gadget freak and get overly ex...[Read More]
Four Favorite Pieces of Cheap, Simple, Indispensable Travel Gear
March 15th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Budget Travel, Gear Spotlight, Travel Resources, Travel Tips
Travel gear has certainly come along way. However, I sometimes find that the best things come in humble packages. Some of my most useful pieces of travel gear are even homemade. iPod Holder My dear friend Cindy knitted this for me. The o...[Read More]
Down to a Daypack: Tips for Packing Light
February 4th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Gear Spotlight, How To, Travel Resources, Travel Tips
“Wow, that’s impressive,” the other traveler said, admiring my daypack as I boarded the bus to Orange Walk. “Of course, a lot of my stuff is diving gear.” “I’ve got a mask and snorkel in there,” I replied. Admittedly, I was pleased by the comple...[Read More]
Recently in Personal Growth & Travel | View More
Does Travel Make Us Liars?
May 4th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico, Personal Growth and Travel
The taxi driver is mad at me. He flips a switch to open the trunk, but does not get out and help me with bag as is customary. He doesn’t reply when I wish him a good day. Is this a case where it would have been better to lie? I had gotten the taxi...[Read More]
What Musical Artist would you Travel Across the World to see Live?
March 6th, 2013
By: Michael Falk
Category: Cultural Experiences, Personal Growth and Travel
Certainly there is music that transforms who we are when we listen, music that just picks us up and sweeps us away to far off places. It's a common feeling depending on my mood, but some artist seem to do it for me every time. Somehow they are uni...[Read More]
Yes Actually, You Can Run Away From Your Problems
January 21st, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Personal Growth and Travel
Over and over again, I see other travelers, as well as myself, get accused of trying to “run away” from our problems. (Why else would someone choose a life of expanding horizons and constant adventure when they could be enjoying a mundane desk job, s...[Read More]
The Big Bad Review - The Business of Blogging
January 17th, 2013
By: Michael Falk
Category: Personal Growth and Travel, Travel Resources, Travel Writing
Recently a review is up for Gear Up and Play which includes myself, Jenny, Wynna and Elmer as well as anyone who has graciously put time and effort into the site. Many just stop by and offer a blog post and we become friends. There are many great t...[Read More]
Toilets of the World – My Adventures “Going” Overseas
November 19th, 2012
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Adventure Travel, Cultural Experiences, Personal Growth and Travel
Happy World Toilet Day! No, I’m not making that up. There really is a World Toilet Day and it’s purpose is to bring attention to the 2.5 billion people in the world who lack appropriate sanitary facilities (ie. toilets). That’s actually a pretty s...[Read More]
Recently in Regions | View More
Why Mexico? Top Five Reasons for a Visit
June 18th, 2013
By: itravelglobal
Category: Destination Guides, Mexico
Why Mexico? Top Five Reasons for a Visit It may be a clichéd vacation and you may not be exploring pastures that have never been walked before, but that doesn't mean that a trip to Mexico wouldn't be an unforgettable adventure that will open your ey...[Read More]
¡Vive Lucha Libre!
May 30th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Cultural Experiences, Mexico
“We’re going where?” I asked. I’m always up for new things, but this seemed a little incongruent. Here was my cultured, sophisticated, intellectual guy, a man who reads in three languages, a classical musician, a connoisseur of art films. And now ...[Read More]
Hiking the Magical Trail at Silver Falls
May 15th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Destination Guides, Hiking, Trekking, Walking, Nature, USA
“I changed my mind about tomorrow,” he said. “I think we should just do this one again.” I was a little bit taken aback. We go hiking together a lot and returning the same way we came is practically against his religion. And now here we were in Sil...[Read More]
The Mother of All Words - Dissecting "La Madre"
May 12th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Cultural Experiences, Mexico
Happy Mother's Day! In honor of the day, honoring that most important of persons – Mom, the local newspaper here in Guanajuato published an article listing the uses of the word “madre” (mother) in Mexico. I learned a lot, and it seems to illustrate ...[Read More]
Does Travel Make Us Liars?
May 4th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico, Personal Growth and Travel
The taxi driver is mad at me. He flips a switch to open the trunk, but does not get out and help me with bag as is customary. He doesn’t reply when I wish him a good day. Is this a case where it would have been better to lie? I had gotten the taxi...[Read More]
Recently in Travel Resources | View More
Why Mexico? Top Five Reasons for a Visit
June 18th, 2013
By: itravelglobal
Category: Destination Guides, Mexico
Why Mexico? Top Five Reasons for a Visit It may be a clichéd vacation and you may not be exploring pastures that have never been walked before, but that doesn't mean that a trip to Mexico wouldn't be an unforgettable adventure that will open your ey...[Read More]
Killer Keens: When Good Gear Goes Bad
May 22nd, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Gear Spotlight, Travel Tips
“I’ve got your shoes,” my friend's said in an email. “Great!” I replied. “ Send them down as soon as you can. I need the freezer space.” I’m a big believer in good shoes, and for me Keens are the perfect travel shoe. And now that I have ...[Read More]
Hiking the Magical Trail at Silver Falls
May 15th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Destination Guides, Hiking, Trekking, Walking, Nature, USA
“I changed my mind about tomorrow,” he said. “I think we should just do this one again.” I was a little bit taken aback. We go hiking together a lot and returning the same way we came is practically against his religion. And now here we were in Sil...[Read More]
Mines, Masks and Mirós - Sight Seeing in Zacatecas
April 26th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Cultural Exploration, Destination Guides, Mexico, Sightseeing
My mind was being assaulted with unexpected visions of devil masks and Picasso pictures; flashbacks of peyote-induced yarn paintings. My friend and I were completing our second day in Zacatecas and we were both suffering severe cases of PMED – Post ...[Read More]
My Worst Night in a Hostel
April 5th, 2013
By: Jennifer Choban
Category: Budget Travel, Israel
My worst night in a hostel happened over twenty years ago. I’ve done a lot of traveling since then. To maintain a record for that long you have to go beyond the standard dorm-room annoyances. Beyond snoring and body odor. Beyond bad breath and be...[Read More]


























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