travel

[Travel Advice] Tel Aviv, Israel

Random Observation/Comment #781: There’s so much more to eat and see in Israel. Time to plan another trip. What Tel Aviv Does Well: Things I Didn’t Expect: Quick Itinerary: I didn’t have a long trip. For me, it was more about catching up with old friends and being in the moment. We did walk around everywhere though. Wandering areas Places...

30 Refreshed Travel Tips

Random Observation/Comment #757: For me, traveling is a mentality. I look at my experiences differently and just absorb the vibes of the new culture and people. Why this List? I haven’t done an international trip since COVID started, so I needed to think through this process for my devconnect / ETHAmsterdam conference. Here’s some things I wrote down before my...

[Travel Advice] Denver

Random Observation/Comment #627: Every city has its own hidden charm. I see what you did there, Denver. Things Colorado Does Well Hiking and Scenery – Colorado is easily one of the most beautiful places. Walking out of the airport you can clearly see the Rocky Mountains in the horizon. Amazing hiking is a short drive away. There’s enough trails and...

[Travel Advice] Sonoma

Random Observation/Comment #616: Don’t forget to schedule date nights. Don’t forget to schedule travel without the baby. It wasn’t a lot of time, but a long weekend is what I used to take for bear trips. This one was a lot of fun and much needed time with the wife (and without the toddler). Many thanks to my parents for...

Business Travel Advice

Random Observation/Comment #564: “There’s no place like 127.0.0.1” I love to travel, so when I was offered a chance to run some workshops in APAC for two weeks, I emphatically agreed. Here were my series of reactions: Celebration. Woohoo! I’m going to check-off Australia and Singapore! My standard “travel research” routine. This basically consists of me indulging in travelporn destination...

[Travel Advice] Switzerland

Random Observation/Comment #558: Rural areas of Switzerland are basically the un-ironic representations you might see in Disney World. There are mountains everywhere and there’s a radio station that yodels choir music. Things Switzerland Does Well Efficiency – For the most part, the Swiss get things done and done pretty quickly Maintained Natural scenery and beauty – There are not many power...

[Travel Advice] Austin, Texas

Random Observation/Comment #535: Everything is bigger in Texas. Hook ’em! I love long weekend trips and this one to Austin was exceptionally excellent and well-balanced. The wife and I flew out Thursday night and back Sunday night through one of those awesome JetBlue winter wanderland deals, and just had a wonderful time. Austin is one of those super kind cities with...

[Travel Advice] Ubud, Bali

Random Observation/Comment #526: Napoli and now Ubud – I think I’m unintentionally following the path from Eat, Pray, Love. Bali is a pretty big Island packed with hidden gems and beautiful culture. One may think it’s all about the beaches and surfing, but the side streets and temples really make this place alive. The Balinese people also fully complete the package....

[Travel Advice] Phuket

Random Observation/Comment #516: A productive vacation is one where you’re not thinking about being productive. I actually need to teach myself to relax sometimes (or at least justify that it’s good for me). Things Phuket does well Reasonable prices – one can live very comfortably here with average $3 meals Spices (specifically curry and Tom yum soups) – I love...

[Travel Advice] Hong Kong

Random Observation/Comment #515: If you read TripAdvisor, almost every recommendation for visiting Hong Kong is eating food (it’s not, but it should be). Bring your appetite and elastic waist pants. Things Hong Kong Does Well Seafood. I love the large family style dinners that give you a bit of everything. Give me all the jellyfish, scallops, and steamed fish! MTR....

[Travel Advice] Japan

Random Observation/Comment #513: Japan’s blend of the traditional and downright weird is comforting. Whatever the roots may be, they are firmly grounded. Things Japan Does Amazingly Transportation – while it looks unbelievably confusing, it is pretty darn efficient. Food – I have a separate entry about how much I love Japanese cuisine. I think I just like all Asian food....

[Travel Advice] Norway Activities

Random Observation/Comment #284: If there’s nothing to do, go eat something. If it’s too expensive to eat, go get drunk. If it’s too expensive to get drunk, go take a nap. For context on the socialism and pricing piece of Norway, please first read the previous post. Things Norway does well: Infrastructure and cleanliness Men seem more attractive than women...

[Travel Advice] Norway Prices

Random Observation/Comment #283: Norway is so expensive, it makes NYC cringe. $15 for a Big Mac. Wtf… I normally write my travel advice with “things given place does well” and “things given place needs to improve”, but I feel Norway needs a bit of a preface to the complexity of its environment and economy. The number one thing you’ll find...

[30 Day Challenge] 30 Places I want to visit

Random Observation/Comment #455: If we were meant to stay put, we’d have roots instead of legs. Why This List? I’ve traveled to a lot of places, but I’ve never gotten tired of exploring new cultures and seeing more breath taking things. Even if the list of 35 countries becomes 135, I think I’d still revisit each place with a new motivation...

[Travel Advice] Kingston, Jamaica

Random Observation/Comment #431: “Ya, mon. No problem.” is a great response and attitude towards life.   We had all been Clemens’ed. That Friday morning, I had no idea where I was going that afternoon. We just opened the envelope labeled “Adventurers” and flew. Well, at least it wasn’t Haiti. This is travel advice specifically for Kingston, Jamaica and not Montego...

[Travel Adventures] Getting Clemens’ed

Random Observation/Comment #430: It’s always good to live spontaneously. Sometimes you just have to let go and do something crazy. Def. Getting Clemens’ed. Going on a vacation without knowing the destination until reaching the airport. Hazing from those who know are a given. “Katie is getting Clemens’ed for this trip because she doesn’t know we’re going to Scotland. Poor Katie…...

[Travel Advice] Beijing

Random Observation/Comment #412: Smog is smoggy. Looking at the Earth as an organism, humans are definitely the worst disease the Earth has ever caught. You need to stop with those one night stands, Mother Nature. Things China Does Great: Great Wall. It’s pretty great and epic. Certainly worth every penny to go and see it with your own eyes if...

[Travel advice] Montreal

[Travel advice] Montreal

Random Observation/Comment #348: There’s something about listening to Rhapsody in Blue live that just makes the whole vacation better. Things Montreal Does Well: Architecture of common houses.  Driving through Montreal, I just noticed there was something commonly interesting about all the apartments – they all have balconies and really high ceilings. These apartments are all 2 or 3 story NYC...

[Travel Guide] Scotland

[Travel Guide] Scotland

Random Observation/Comment #327: I don’t think I spent a day sober in Scotland. I can’t be an alcoholic if I’m on vacation, right? Is Scotland, as a travel destination, right for you? Things you must like: Drinking whisky (period). That’s basically it. 

The Bad Idea Bears

The Bad Idea Bears

Random Observation/Comment #326: It’s a wonderful and terrifying thing to surrender control of the quite normal tendencies to, ya’know, know where you’ll be going on vacation. I wanted a spreadsheet so badly, but maybe it’s a good thing to let go a bit and live on the whim. You can’t get lost if you don’t know where you’re going, right?...

Day 29: Travel Adventures

Day 29: Travel Adventures

Random Observation/Comment #316: I caught the travel bug in 2008 and I still got it. It’s like the photography, writing, table tennis, eating, and alcoholic bugs – they’ve become good friends. There’s something about traveling that makes me smile.  Maybe it’s the free spirit letting loose of all the stress, or maybe it’s the photographer in me that sees every...

The Travel Bucket List

The Travel Bucket List

Random Observation/Comment #281: I love traveling and I’ve gotten really good at it. There’s a method to my madness: 1) research, 2) planning documents, 3) well-packed and prepared bags, and 4) just wing it when you get there. I’ll probably write a separate blog entry about this. As mentioned in the previous bucket list blog post on foods, people usually...