I'm sipping champagne out of a Solo cup (gotta keep it classy!) and I've put together a list of all things travel, since I'm completely obsessed right now (those who can't go, research!). So bare with me here and get into the spirit of adventure!!! (yea, I'm tipsy). Okay, let's do this:
Since TV is my life, let's start there:
Not your typical travel show, as Karl Pilkington is an absolute cynic and hates absolutely everything, but that's the charm and what makes it fantastic. Karl is a friend of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant (think The Office British version and Extras) and they decide to pull the most elaborate practical joke ever by sending their bestie around the world, seeing and doing amazing shit. To anyone else, it's the best job ever, but to Karl it's absolute torture and the results are hilarious. It's a rare point of view and I can't get enough. Check it out on Netflix immediately!
When I want to see the belly of a place and watch an old man get shit-faced with random folks around the world, I look no further. Anthony is obviously a seasoned traveler and even though he's famous and probably rich, he really goes to some gritty, local places and eats all kinds of foul stuff and that's what I love. I don't want to see a bunch of rich snobs having a fancy dinner (although he does that really well too), I want to see people drinking homemade moonshine out a random dirty jug and eating something they found on the ground (not that I would EVER be caught dead, but I think we all live vicariously through him). Can be found on CNN, Travel Channel and Netflix.
Had to include it because it's so addicting and I watch it all the time. You really get a taste for what it would be like to live in another country, not just visit and see touristy stuff. Catch it on HGTV like all the time.
This show is haunting as it depicts towns/cities around the world that were once thriving and now are deserted. Sometimes honestly the history part is kinda boring, but overall pretty cool show. On Netflix...Netflix is my life.
Documentaries with Scottish actor Ewan McGregor and his pal Charley Boorman following them as they bike (motorcycle) around the world. In Long Way Round they go from England through Asia (Russia) and through Alaska and the rest of the states. In Long Way Down they start in Scotland and go down through Europe and Africa to South Africa. Both are fantastic as they are totally unpretentious, even though Ewan is a celebrity and there's basically a camera crew following them. It was a completely different kind of travel because they biked almost everywhere, and you really could see the difference in quality of experience as opposed to flying/driving from place to place. Again, on Netflix.
This was amazing! About a young girl (I think she's 14) who sails around the world ALONE for like TWO YEARS! I know you're thinking, WHERE ARE HER FRICKIN PARENTS?? However, in their defense, when you watch you can see the balls dangling off this girl are massive! She was pretty much unstoppable. I couldn't even imagine at 30 doing what she did as a child. She sailed all alone, charting her course, taking short stop-overs, meeting people, sailing through Into The Storm type storms and basically being a teenager around the world all by herself. It was very inspiring and actually goes so far as to make you feel like you haven't done anything with your life. Watch it anyway on what else......Netflix.
A documentary without dialogue, it's really quite beautiful. Samsara means reincarnation in Sanskrit, an ancient dead Indian language (fun fact: my dad is fluent in Sanskrit) and the film shows the world in basically images, and it's really incredible. Most of what you see is stuff you know you would never in your life see and that's what makes it so awesome. Again, it is a non-narrative (there's music), so make sure you're not sleepy. Definitely worth watching, but have to be in the mood. It's kinda spiritual and really incorporates the interconnection of all walks of life. On Netflix.
Okay, onto books:
Only traveling books I've really read (and I tend to read quite a lot; I'm in a book club, after all (sup, bitches!)) are:
Yea, yea, cliche I know, but I've read it and it wasn't half bad. Quite inspirational, in fact. If you're stuck in a rut and you happen to have a ton of money, this is the book for you. Elizabeth is in a bad place and decides to drop her life and travel around to Italy (eat), India (pray) and Indonesia (hint: she meets a fella). It's inspirational because it's a memoir, so kind of a true story (think a picture with lots of Photoshop) and she starts out miserable and ends up with a hot guy (the perfect formula to melt the hearts of all the ladies). If you're in the mood for an easy, breezy, fun-loving kinda story, forget about all the hype (the movie with Julia Roberts was okay) and check it out.
This was pretty epic in my book (hehe my book, get it?). It's a personal account (meaning true, as far as people can remember) of Jon, an American journalist for an adventure magazine, and his decision to attempt to climb Mount Everest. It is harrowing and a nail-biter, but yea there's lots about climbing. Honestly, I was so gripped by it, I was only slightly bored by the climbing terminology/explanations, etc. The expedition he was on had the highest number of fatalities in history (okay, recently that record was unfortunately shattered) and he (and others) describe in detail how the unfortunate souls basically perished. It's made more heartbreaking by the pictures in the middle! I loved this book, so check it out if you're ready for a tear-jerker.
Now we're onto blogs. Here are my favorite:
He covers it all, but I think he's known most of all for traveling on a tight budget. He tells people you don't need lots of money to travel and lives by that mantra. Love his tips for travel and saving money in every step of the process.
You can look up any country and anything about travel on Lonely Planet. They have it all, even have published travel books. Fantastic!
This is just a woman with a husband and kids who decided to leave it all behind and travel. She has lots of stories, pics and great tips. I especially love her segment: 30 Days and 30 Ways to Redesign Your Life and Travel the World.
Lastly, I'm covering my favorite travel gear:
So far we've only really gotten backpacks, but they are fantabulous! We got them at REI and no they were not on sale, but we figured we needed reliable and handy and these guys have thought of everything!
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Since TV is my life, let's start there:
Idiot Abroad
Not your typical travel show, as Karl Pilkington is an absolute cynic and hates absolutely everything, but that's the charm and what makes it fantastic. Karl is a friend of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant (think The Office British version and Extras) and they decide to pull the most elaborate practical joke ever by sending their bestie around the world, seeing and doing amazing shit. To anyone else, it's the best job ever, but to Karl it's absolute torture and the results are hilarious. It's a rare point of view and I can't get enough. Check it out on Netflix immediately!
Anthony Bourdain in anything
When I want to see the belly of a place and watch an old man get shit-faced with random folks around the world, I look no further. Anthony is obviously a seasoned traveler and even though he's famous and probably rich, he really goes to some gritty, local places and eats all kinds of foul stuff and that's what I love. I don't want to see a bunch of rich snobs having a fancy dinner (although he does that really well too), I want to see people drinking homemade moonshine out a random dirty jug and eating something they found on the ground (not that I would EVER be caught dead, but I think we all live vicariously through him). Can be found on CNN, Travel Channel and Netflix.
House Hunters International
Had to include it because it's so addicting and I watch it all the time. You really get a taste for what it would be like to live in another country, not just visit and see touristy stuff. Catch it on HGTV like all the time.
Forgotten Planet
This show is haunting as it depicts towns/cities around the world that were once thriving and now are deserted. Sometimes honestly the history part is kinda boring, but overall pretty cool show. On Netflix...Netflix is my life.
Long Way Round AND Long Way Down
Documentaries with Scottish actor Ewan McGregor and his pal Charley Boorman following them as they bike (motorcycle) around the world. In Long Way Round they go from England through Asia (Russia) and through Alaska and the rest of the states. In Long Way Down they start in Scotland and go down through Europe and Africa to South Africa. Both are fantastic as they are totally unpretentious, even though Ewan is a celebrity and there's basically a camera crew following them. It was a completely different kind of travel because they biked almost everywhere, and you really could see the difference in quality of experience as opposed to flying/driving from place to place. Again, on Netflix.
Maidentrip
This was amazing! About a young girl (I think she's 14) who sails around the world ALONE for like TWO YEARS! I know you're thinking, WHERE ARE HER FRICKIN PARENTS?? However, in their defense, when you watch you can see the balls dangling off this girl are massive! She was pretty much unstoppable. I couldn't even imagine at 30 doing what she did as a child. She sailed all alone, charting her course, taking short stop-overs, meeting people, sailing through Into The Storm type storms and basically being a teenager around the world all by herself. It was very inspiring and actually goes so far as to make you feel like you haven't done anything with your life. Watch it anyway on what else......Netflix.
Samsara
A documentary without dialogue, it's really quite beautiful. Samsara means reincarnation in Sanskrit, an ancient dead Indian language (fun fact: my dad is fluent in Sanskrit) and the film shows the world in basically images, and it's really incredible. Most of what you see is stuff you know you would never in your life see and that's what makes it so awesome. Again, it is a non-narrative (there's music), so make sure you're not sleepy. Definitely worth watching, but have to be in the mood. It's kinda spiritual and really incorporates the interconnection of all walks of life. On Netflix.
Okay, onto books:
Only traveling books I've really read (and I tend to read quite a lot; I'm in a book club, after all (sup, bitches!)) are:
Eat, Pray, Love
Yea, yea, cliche I know, but I've read it and it wasn't half bad. Quite inspirational, in fact. If you're stuck in a rut and you happen to have a ton of money, this is the book for you. Elizabeth is in a bad place and decides to drop her life and travel around to Italy (eat), India (pray) and Indonesia (hint: she meets a fella). It's inspirational because it's a memoir, so kind of a true story (think a picture with lots of Photoshop) and she starts out miserable and ends up with a hot guy (the perfect formula to melt the hearts of all the ladies). If you're in the mood for an easy, breezy, fun-loving kinda story, forget about all the hype (the movie with Julia Roberts was okay) and check it out.
Into Thin Air
This was pretty epic in my book (hehe my book, get it?). It's a personal account (meaning true, as far as people can remember) of Jon, an American journalist for an adventure magazine, and his decision to attempt to climb Mount Everest. It is harrowing and a nail-biter, but yea there's lots about climbing. Honestly, I was so gripped by it, I was only slightly bored by the climbing terminology/explanations, etc. The expedition he was on had the highest number of fatalities in history (okay, recently that record was unfortunately shattered) and he (and others) describe in detail how the unfortunate souls basically perished. It's made more heartbreaking by the pictures in the middle! I loved this book, so check it out if you're ready for a tear-jerker.
Now we're onto blogs. Here are my favorite:
Nomadic Matt
He covers it all, but I think he's known most of all for traveling on a tight budget. He tells people you don't need lots of money to travel and lives by that mantra. Love his tips for travel and saving money in every step of the process.
Lonely Planet
You can look up any country and anything about travel on Lonely Planet. They have it all, even have published travel books. Fantastic!
Almost Fearless Life
This is just a woman with a husband and kids who decided to leave it all behind and travel. She has lots of stories, pics and great tips. I especially love her segment: 30 Days and 30 Ways to Redesign Your Life and Travel the World.
Lastly, I'm covering my favorite travel gear:
So far we've only really gotten backpacks, but they are fantabulous! We got them at REI and no they were not on sale, but we figured we needed reliable and handy and these guys have thought of everything!
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Aaron's is an Osprey Farpoint 55 and it's pretty neat! The front even detaches into a smaller backpack, that's just crazy!!
Mine is an REI Lookout 40 and it's basically just purple and pink and cute and that's why I chose it, but it does seem to have lots of cool compartments and is extremely padded. We're both stoked to have new gear and hopefully you'll be seeing a lot of them! Yes, I realize I'm wearing pjs that are colors that would never even be seen near each other on any sort of color wheel, but fashionistas can kiss my purple and green ass because what I wear in the privacy of my home is my (and my blog's) business. Matching is overrated anyways. Everyone BOO Aaron for refusing to take a "first-day-of-school-backpack-pic," as he called it.
These are our first travel purchases, so remember this moment, folks! It is pretty memorable. Anyone that knows me knows I'll probably have to name the backpacks. I'll let you know what I come up with and how much Aaron's eyes roll.
Go Pro
Aaron wants this tiny camera that takes surprisingly clear pics and videos and is completely waterproof, so expect some cool underwater-with-great-white-sharks/me-peeing-in-the-water shots! I don't know much about it, but it sounds neat-o!
So far, that's all she wrote. My life is made up of planning, not yet doing, but that's okay. I'm excited for what's to come, and the researching and watching other people do it is what is keeping me motivated right now (along with my awesome backpack)!
P.S. WARNING: THE FOLLOWING HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TRAVEL: I have to share my other obsession:
The Killing
It's an incredible murder-mystery-detective show, but done so much better than the rest. It takes place in gloomy Seattle (that's not an insult, they really went for a gloomy version of Seattle. My mom's family is from Seattle and from experience I can tell you it's anything but gloomy) and it's about two detectives (fantastic actors) and their dynamic as they solve murders (each of which take at least a whole season, which is the groundbreaking part). Overall, I'm so sad we're done and I miss it terribly. Watch the whole thing on Netflix, it has nothing to do with travel, I swear!
I need a refill! As my BFF Chris would say "Ta ta for now!"
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