As the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is often overlooked and eclipsed by its more popular cousin Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). It’s dustier, hotter, and less accessible in some respects, but Hanoi is the gateway to awesome destinations such as, the Perfume Pagoda, Sapa, and of course the famous HaLong Bay.

With its effortless chaos and distinct subculture from the rest of Vietnam, Hanoi has a style uniquely its own. Locals still go about their daily lives as they have for decades while a cosmopolitan city develops around them. Modern cars mingle with waves of scooters, as an urban skyline rises around the old quarter and its mysterious Hoan Kiem Lake. Hanoi is so unique, that aficionados will even notice differences in its preparation of Pho (Vietnamese soup noodles).

Perhaps these cultural differences are due in part to its long history of occupation from the Chinese, Japanese and French, or perhaps it’s merely a result of its geographical distance from the south. Whatever the reason, what remains is a fluid juxtaposition of French and Asian, old and modern.

Hanoi is a Hidden Jewel!

Enjoy these photos, as I choose them in hopes to capture and embody the everyday of Hanoi Vietnam and compel you to give it a more intimate look:

• In Hanoi’s old quarter, where you’ll likely end up, the locals have embraced tourism effortlessly

• Old meets new. Amongst autos and cyclos, a Vietnamese woman wearing a conical hat still carries her wares by way of a shoulder pole

• The Vietnamese people are incredibly enterprising. In Hanoi, you’ll find small businesses in the most innocuous places providing an eclectic range of products from cigarettes, simcards, to pastries

• A vestige of French colonialism, St. Joseph’s Cathedral serves as the cathedral for the huge presence of practicing Catholics in the country

• A local in peach slippers gets off her bicycle in order to reposition her shipment of pomelos

• Bicycles and scooters are often the lifeblood of many Vietnamese families, often used for both transportation and business

• In most western cultures, roads are generally dominated by cars, in Hanoi and most parts of Vietnam, you’ll find that cyclos are far more prevalent

• You can’t see it, but in this image the woman is using a charcoal smoker in a narrow corridor to prepare dishes for the adjacent restaurant. To put this in perspective, it was easily 100˚F that day

• Turtle Tower located in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake (Sword Lake), within Hanoi’s old quarter

• A delicious bowl of Hanoi Pho!

Have you been to Hanoi Vietnam? What are some of your favorite things?

The post Hanoi Vietnam, The Photoscape! #Hanoi #Vietnam #Southeastasia appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

Who doesn’t love going to the movies? Besides providing an endless stream of entertainment, movies are a great source of travel inspiration, giving us a glimpse of the world without ever leaving our couches. But every so often, a movie hits the screens that will scare the bejesus out of you, making you reconsider, if perhaps, it might be just better to stay home for the holidays. Remember Jaws? It took me months to get the guts to step back into the water.

Similar to the oceans, camping in the backcountry is wrought with endless mystery, potential dangers and for the things that go bump in the night; some actual, and others just the persistent hauntings of an overactive imagination.

Here are my 10 movies not to watch before camping in the backcountry – watch them at your own risk:

Deliverance

The quintessential backcountry horror adventure. To this day, this 1970’s Burt Reynolds’s helmed movie still manages to resonate and give even the most stalwart adventurer a moment of pause. What starts out as a buddy flick with the typical camping, hunting, and rafting quickly morphs into a “run for your life from murderous lunatic inbred hillbilly killing machines,” a la the more recent The Hills Have Eyes. Basically, anything that can go wrong does go wrong. There is a particularly jarring scene involving two men and the sound of a squealing pig. If you don’t know what that means, you’ll need to watch the movie.

The Message: Stay away from gap toothed hillbillies carrying shotguns in the wild

The Blair Witch Project

In 1999, the world was introduced to the found footage genre of films. Love it or hate it, the Blair Witch reinvented entertainment. At the same time, a legion of backcountry enthusiast suddenly decided to stay close to home and opt for beaches and Disneyland.  Apart from the shaky camerawork, and imperceptible grainy darkness, the pervasive theme of witchcraft, human sacrifice, and eerie children’s laughter weaves a scary enough mythology that will keep most from venturing too deep into the wilderness.

The message: Never disturb cemeteries, and best steer clear of anywhere that has coffin in its name.

Backcountry (2014)

Usually you needn’t ever fear running into witches or anything supernatural while camping in the backcountry, but bears, well, that’s a whole other story. Although extremely rare for wild bears to go on the rampage, it does happen and Backcountry gives us a peak into that most primal of fears. After watching the movie, you’ll probably be more likely to stick to the zoos to view wildlife rather than head into bear country.

The message: Stay far away from bear dens, and always, always carry a compass

The Cabin in the woods

A cautionary tale of the dangers that exist in the wild. Following the same formula as many campy teen horror movies, The Cabin In The Woods ultimately stands on its own reminding us that we all may just be pawns of a larger conspiracy – monsters, evil supernatural forces, mythology this movie has it all.  The Cabin In The Woods is an enjoyable weekend flick to watch within the comfort of your home, but surely not before heading out into the backwoods far from any rescue.

The message: Abandoned cabins are abandoned for a reason

The Evil Dead

When the Evil Dead remake was released, I could almost hear the collective cheers from the legion of Bruce Campbell fans. But whether you are a fan of the original or the remake, both versions will terrify you with its endless stream of blood, gore and demonic possessions. Don’t watch this movie if you’re easily scared. The Evil Dead pulls no punches as it unsparingly throws in all the horror stereotypes of its genre.

The message: If you happen to come across an old dusty book bound in skin, leave it alone.

Wolf Creek

As though having a broken down car in the Australian Outback isn’t bad enough, pepper in a sociopathic serial killer with too much time on his hands, and you now have a nightmare to end all nightmares. Wolf Creek is definitely not your typical backcountry movie. Everything starts out innocuous enough, but quickly ramps into a terrifying reality of how it feels to be prey. Worst of all, Wolf Creek is loosely based on a true story. I know…my thoughts exactly. This movie will definitely keep you on the roads and out of the woods.

The message: stranger danger, stranger danger!

The Edge

Even billionaires need some survival skills in the backcountry. A photo shoot gone wrong, 3 men find themselves at the mercy of Mother Nature, while also being hunted by a massive Kodiak bear. The movie stresses multiple themes, but none more so than survival. After watching this, you may start thinking trust is an overrated commodity.

The message: Be prepared both mentally and physically and choose your companions wisely.

The Ruins

Ancient temples, obsessed Mayan protectors and killer sentient plants – that’s pretty sums it up. Definitely not your typical backcountry scenario, nor a particularly ingenious storyline, but the movie’s still provoking enough to give you pause. It successfully taps into that inherent fear of the unknown, crazed locals, and even throws in a good dose of ancient mythology and curses.   I doubt the movie will keep you from any temples or ruins, but I’m sure you’ll think twice before deciding to step off the beaten path.

The message: Plants can kill!

Any of the Friday the 13^th

For over two decades Jason Voorhees has chopped, strangled, and wrecked his way into our collective nightmares. The unstoppable, supernatural juggernaut, who haunts the fictitious Crystal Lake campground, has scared generations of boy scouts and campers, keeping them huddled around the campfire while wrapped tightly in their sleeping bags.   Any of the Friday the 13^th movies will have you reconsider camping as a recreational only activity.

The message: Stay Together and avoid running around the woods at night

A Perfect Getaway

Paradise is not always what it seems.   Don’t be fooled by Hawaii’s gorgeous scenery and idyllic hideaways, this getaway is anything but perfect. Taking identity theft to a whole other level, this movie has you second-guessing and questioning the motives of everyone, and in the end you may never trust anyone again!

The message: Trust no one…
What are your 10 movies to avoid before camping in the backcountry?

The post 10 Movies Not To Watch Before Camping In The Backcountry appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

The ancient city of Ephesus Turkey was alive. Curetes way teemed with the footsteps of thousands, drowned out only by the cacophony of countless voices. The crowds pervaded every corner, leaving not a single alley or stone undiscovered. But where once the hustle was the call of merchants hawking wares, or prophets divining from pulpits, the streets of Ephesus was now replaced by the clamoring and jostling of those looking for the perfect photograph; Togas replaced by T-shirts, and sandals…well, that remains the same.

It’s no wonder that ancient Ephesus, like ancient times, still remains so popular. Like the metropolis that once stood there, Ephesus Turkey is once again the darling of the Aegean.   Albeit for different reasons.

Located along the Aegean, and a stones throw from Selcuk, Ephesus was once an epicenter for commercial Roman and Greek Asia. Now, it enjoys fame as one of the best preserved ruins in all the Mediterranean- and in Turkey, this is no easy task. The caretakers have painstakingly restored Ephesus to allow an immersion unlike many ruins that exist in the Mediterranean, and possibly all of Europe. In Hierapolis Pammukale where sections seem compartmentalize, Ephesus draws you in as you walk the stone streets, making it easy to envision what it must have been like as a citizen of the Roman Empire in 129 BC.

Ephesus even boasts as the location for one of the great seven wonders of the ancient world – the Temple of Artemis. Although this has since fallen into disrepair, Ephesus is a stop that many, especially first time visitors to Turkey, must visit.

Yep, this is all that remains of the Temple of Artemis

And visit they do. It’s popularity, and just the overall quality of this site, will invariably be a huge draw for crowds. Although few opportunities exist for the perfect photo-op (You could always try our photography trick that eliminates tourist), don’t let this dissuade you from including Ephesus on your itinerary. Ephesus, isn’t an exercise for the imagination; it’s a full immersion into the life and times of the Greco-Roman periods.

I’m not an expert of the region by any stretch of the imagination, having visited only once.  For more detail on the area and Turkey in general, I highly recommend reading the Turkishtravelblog.com. Natalie is an expert in all things Turkish and has written and put together some amazing information.

Ephesus Turkey Things to Do and See:

Even though a search online will result in a plethora of websites listing all the popular attractions, I still need to add my voice to the masses! And honestly, you can never have enough photos or suggestions.  This list can literally go on forever, as Ephesus is a potpourri of ancient treasures to the point where it’s almost unfair to the rest of Turkey:

Library of Celsus – the most familiar of all Ephesus structures and the poster child for Turkey tourism, all that remains is the façade. Impressive nonetheless.

Great Theatre – With a capacity to seat 25,000 spectators,  the theatre was the main venue for plays, concerts, gladiator battles and even animal fights.

Public Latrines – yes,  toilets from ancient Ephesus!

Baths of Varius – Still in a state of excavation,  the bathhouses was the place of bathing for citizens, and possibly even used as a gymnasium later on.

Fountain of Pollio – A vanity project built by the rich Pollio family of Ephesus,  it served as a free public water source to residents and visitors of the city.

Temple of Hadrian – Built somewhere around 138 AD as a dedication to the Emperor Hadrian,  what remains is an amazing structure with incredibly intricate friezes. 

Bouleuterion or Odeon - A miniature version of the Great Theatre,  the Odeon was used as a smaller venue for concerts and performances as well as a meeting place for the Senate or Boulea, hence its other name Bouleuterion.

Gate of Mazeus and Mythridates – Adjacent to the impressive Library of Celsus, the gates were built by the slaves Mazeus and Mythridates in homage to their Emperor Augustus.   You’ll see both names carved into the stone above the vaulted passages.

State Agora – An assembly area where the movers and shakers of Ephesus gathered to conduct business and government affairs.

Fountain of Trajan – Built in 104 AD in Honor of Emperor Trajan, it was once the most impressive structure in Ephesus with a fountain surrounded by columns and statues of Dionysus, Satyr, and Aphrodite.

There’s also the Roman Terrace Houses, which during our visit wasn’t open to the public.  From all accounts though, it’s not to be missed.  Read Natalie’s post on the Roman Terrace Houses of Ephesus for more information along with some awesome photos.

How to visit Ephesus

With buses and dolmuses crisscrossing all across Turkey, no destination is unreachable no matter where you might be.   For those coming from Istanbul, Ephesus can be reached directly by 10 hours on bus, giving you a chance to put some entertaining road trip activities to use.   If you do decide to come direct from Istanbul, take the opportunity to stop in Izmir, which will break up the road trip a bit.

The other option, which we took, is by way of Cappadocia. Take a night bus from Istanbul to Cappadocia first, and come back to Selcuk through Pamukkale or Denizli.

Where to Stay in Ephesus:

Selcuk is probably the best place to set up your base hub, and, as I mentioned earlier, is just a stones throw away. You also have the option of staying in Kusadasi, which is a little further south. Personally I suggest Selcuk as a great preamble to the main course as you can visit the Ephesus Museum, the Basilica of St. John, Isa Bey Camii and the less impressive Temple of Artemis (pictured above). Selcuk also has some pretty spot on Food and hostel options.

From Selcuk, taxis to Ephesus run about TL 15, and from Kusadasi just hop on a minibus for about TL 4 and walk about 20 minutes to the ticket office from where they drop you off.

Best time to visit Ephesus

Naturally the summer will be the busiest and most crowded. But Turkey is pretty much always busy since it is a hot spot for travelers after all. However, even during the height of summer, there are times in the day that are more conducive to visiting Ephesus. The general consensus is either early morning right when they open to avoid the large cruise ship tours coming in from Kusadasi, or after 4pm when the tours are leaving.

There is no wrong way to approach Ephesus Turkey, and however you decide to visit, you will not be disappointed.  The only real down side is the never-ending sea of tourists, but if anything, it’s indicative of how awesome this ancient city is – it really is worth it!

Visiting Turkey?  Find out more here:

The Trouble With Visiting Istanbul

Hierapolis – A Worthy Day

How to Find Adventure in Cappadocia

One day is all you need for Pamukkale

The Road To Nowhere – Cappadocia to Pamukkale

The post Ancient Ephesus Turkey, Still Alive and Thriving! appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

Who needs maps? Certainly not these two! Traveling couple Jack and Jenn, of Whoneedsmaps.com, get lost as a profession. With a healthy dose of spontaneity and fearlessness (and maybe a little bit of trepidation!), this adventuring couple takes every opportunity to hit the road and get into a whole mess of misadventures – ask them about their mice fetus shots – seriously. Both hailing from opposite sides of the Pacific, Jack and Jenn have managed to balance life, travel and their relationship. They show us that if you want it bad enough, all you have to do is just go and get it!

Tell us a little about Who Needs Maps.  Who are you, what you’re all about, and you’re first introduction to traveling?

Who Needs Maps is all about an Aussie and an American trying to make a long distance relationship work through travel. We write about experiences, tips and tricks as a travelling couple, and how we travel to keep the relationship going! We both have internationals families that boast traveling, so we have started early thanks to them!

Being able to live a life of travel is a dream for most, how do you guys balance your work and school life with your love of traveling? 

Right now, we both work full time, but we maximize our weekends, study abroad programs, vacation days we were given. We both relocated to each respected countries allowing us to work and travel around Australia and America. So now with Jacks American Visa we are traveling around California. It’s like we say, you don’t always need a plane to travel!

Currently you both live in different parts of the world, Jack from Australia and Jenn being from the U.S,  how do you guys make it work as a traveling couple?

Currently we are both together in America, but it’s been back and forth for the most part of this relationship. Apart from both relocating to each others countries we meet in the middle to travel together. We just recently backpacked Southeast Asia together, which was incredible! Also, lots and lots and lots of trust and communication. It takes a lot of dedication but it can be magical when it works.

Flying back and forth between Australia and U.S, along with your trips, can certainly get expensive,  how do you guys afford all your awesome adventures or misadventures as it where?

Flying Australia to America is so expensive so we found it cheaper to relocate to each respective homes or just travel. Hey, were still young! We both work full time now, but when I lived in Australia we both worked as much as we could so that when I had to leave, we could travel. Money should never hold you back from traveling, because there are many ways to work abroad (or trade services-working at a hostel for a free stay.).

I love the idea of having two perspectives for every destination, the fearless and the fearful.  Surely there are times when one doesn’t want to do something the other does.  How do you deal with conflict as a traveling couple?

I am the scared one, the one that always gets sick, the one that is so conscious about everything. Jack helps me be a better person and fight through my fears, for the most part. He pushes me to do things I normally wouldn’t which is a good trait. We have learned to compromise-there has to be a bit of give and take in order to make it work. We fight, we bicker, but at the end of the day we are lucky to be together and traveling together since we are usually apart. We aren’t always blessed with time since we are constantly apart; so a little fight just gets put behind us, we kiss, and make up. We are traveling the world, a little fight can’t sop us.

What are three steadfast rules that you abide by in order to stay on budget while on the road?

1. Include flights in your budget price- so the flight was $100 for 10 days of vacation, add $10 to your daily budget that way you know you didn’t go over because you didn’t include the biggest expenditure.
2. Always eat local food. It’s cheaper, tastes delicious and the locals know how to prepare their food well (and better than western food).
3. Overnight busses are great because you not only get to a destination without wasting a day but you also save a night of paying for accommodation.

What is your strategy to really dig into a culture and get everything you can out of each destination?

WALK- you never know how much you can see, run into, find, smell, taste if you just walk everywhere. If you do tours and touristy stuff, yeah, you see what everyone else is seeing but when you walk you see everything! We found some amazing museums, parks and restaurants just by walking. We could spend a whole week walking in a new city and discover beyond lonely planet books.

What’s one of the craziest/dangerous situations you’ve experience and how did you get yourselves out of it?

We are really lucky we haven’t been in too many dangerous situations, more unfortunate one, but thankfully nothing we couldn’t manage. I have told this story many times, but it still blows my mind that it happened. I got stitches in Vietnam because an air con panel fell on my face while I was in bed. No adventuring, no crazy drunken stunt. Just in bed and unlucky. We made sure we had a good travel insurance, went to the hospital to check it out, and put scar cream to avoid a scar. It worked out pretty well but it just shows you have to be prepared for anything!

If you guys could offer only one survival/safety tip, what would it be?

Avoid air con panels haha, I’m only kidding! Bring a good medical kit because you never know what can happen. It is better to be over prepared than under because if you end up stuck in china with a cold asking a pharmacist to help, chances are they may not understand you. Just be prepared for the worst and pack a good kit.

How have you both evolved as travelers from when you first started to how you are now?

With our parents, we had the comfort of the “everything paid for” trip or the resort hotels, but to be honest, we cant stand resorts and hotels. We hate when people are like “oh we were in Thailnd and our hotel was amazing” because then they just stay at the hotel. We like many places that force us out of the hotel so that way we can see the country. The Hilton is nice but it’s not culture or visiting a country. So I think backpacking has really changed our outlook on traveling. We do treat ourselves to a nicer hotel once in a while but that means more like breakfast included or warm showers! We have changed to learn to appreciate the country we are exploring.

We all have a favorite piece of gear that we absolutely MUST bring on our adventures.  What is your one essential piece of travel gear, and why?

We both bought the Guerilla Backpack for our travels. This was hands down the best thing we bought when we traveled! It had a detachable day pack, a rain cover, adjustable straps, and top, bottom, and side loading. It was such a great purchase and we would recommend it to anyone.

Another item we love is our GoPro. I think it’s a given because we used it so often to take pictures, film our adventures, and use it underwater. It was seriously one of the best purchases we made when we traveled!

Of all the destinations you’ve been to, what was your most memorable experience?

Vietnam was our favorite country and we would love to explore more of it if we ever had the chance. It was filled with culture, delicious food, adventure, stitches, and beautiful nature. We couldn’t have asked for a better time.

Where are you now, and where will your adventures take you next? 

We are now taking the time to explore the U.S as Jack has his visa here. So road tripping in California, camping, maybe New York eventually? Who knows! But we both will be in France and London in August! We are going to a family wedding but we are also secretly hoping to go on some wine and cheese tours

Do you have any final advice for those who wish to live a life of travel?

Just do it. You will always have an excuse to say no- I don’t have enough money, I cant quit my job, none of my friends want to come with me. There will be excuses forever, but the best time is now because you don’t have many ties to stay. Just go. Money will come, work abroad, meet people there. It will work out and it will be a decision you will never regret.

About Who Needs Maps

We are Jack and Jenn from Who Needs Maps. We are a long distance couple, from America and Australia, so why not meet in the middle and use travel as an excuse! We are thrill seekers, food lovers, world travelers, adventure finders, misadventure attracters, and a fun loving couple who just wants to explore the world together. We hope to inspire, inform and entertain people through our experiences and stories! Embrace the fun, enjoy the craziness, and let’s take on the world together! Happy travels

Website: http://www.whoneedsmaps.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whoneedsmapstravel

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/whoneedsmaps/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Who_Needs_Maps

The post Adventure Series: Who Needs Maps appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

On a recent backcountry trip, I emerged from the wilds scarred, bruised, limping and probably losing more blood than a normal human should. Yet, although I had the appearance of someone dragged through hell, while lashed to a pack of wild horses, I was all smiles; Grinning ear to ear like it was my birthday.

It might seem hard to imagine, but I love camping. Yes, it gets dirty; yes, my sleeping bag isn’t a Tempurpedic, but for me, comfort is a distant consideration to the experience.   It’s not glamorous, and it can be rugged, but the adventure is second to none. Anything can happen while camping, and no two trips are ever the same.

Before you ask what I could possibly love about camping, I’m going to beat you to the punch and give you my top 10 reasons to love camping too:

10 Reasons to Love Camping

1. Cozying up to a blazing fire on a chilly night roasting hotdogs or marshmallows: – In the backcountry, the opportunity for a fire doesn’t come around too often. But when it does, I guarantee you I’m taking full advantage of it. On a chilly night, very few things are more comforting and tranquil than sitting around the warmth of a campfire roasting up a dog, or watching your marshmallows caramelize over an open flame.

2. Encountering wildlife – Beautifully rare and incredibly thrilling, encountering the elusive inhabitants of the wild is both awesome and mesmerizing. There is a hidden kingdom beyond our own, and if ever given the chance to peek behind the veil to see a family of grizzlies or even a herd of Deer, capture it because you’ll be talking about it for years to come
   

3. Drinking hot coco and watching the sunrise – usually getting up before dawn is met with derision and a caffeine crazed stupor; that’s because it’s usually followed by 9 hours behind a desk.   Watching the world shake off it’s slumber in the wilderness, while sipping on hot chocolate, is an unrushed calming experience, and of course a world apart from the cubies.
   
4. Dozing off in a hammock – who doesn’t love hammocks? Now add in the rhythmic cadence of a running stream, melodic harmony of the neighborhood birds, a gentle breeze, and you have yourself paradise.
5. Discovering beautiful vistas and natural beauty – there are places unreachable by anything other than old-fashioned walking.   Places so far off the beaten path, that the journey itself is as rewarding as the destination.   There is a pride in discovery, and a sense of accomplishment knowing you climbed, crawled and fought your way to a view few have seen firsthand.
   
6. The peace and solitude – Every now and then, we all need a break from real world. Whether it’s our smartphones or checking email, we spend a huge portion of our lives tethered to one thing or another. The solitude camping affords, allows us to reconnect, recharge and find our Zen.

7. The camaraderie with fellow backpackers – Even though I travel to the backcountry and endeavor to find my Zen, it’s always a pleasure to see friendly faces on the road. It’s one of the few places where strangers become friends, and where an unspoken bond of support for each other exists.
   

8. The sea of stars – You’ve never seen the sky, until you’ve seen it in the wild. The night literally comes alive with millions of stars dusted lavishly across the entire horizon. You never realize how immense and wondrous our world really is, or how small you really are, until you’ve stared into the starry sky. If you’re lucky, some nights you can even see the clouds of the Milky Way. It will be the closest many of us will ever get to the far reaches of our universe.
   

9. The smell of the wilderness – This one is hard to describe. But for anyone who has spent any time out in the wild knows that distinct smell of the outdoors. There is a crisp unpolluted freshness to the wild, making each gulp of air a newfound pleasure.
   
10. Eating - Food has never tasted soooo good. Where in the city, we take each meal for granted, with camping you savor each feast until the last bite. The days are generally planned around meal times, not for lack of things to do, but for the simple realization that we live to eat!
    

Those are my top 10 reasons to love camping!  The best thing about camping is that the adventure is unique for everyone.

What are your reasons?

The post 10 Reasons That Will Make You Love Camping appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

I love DIY travel hacks because, 1) they are usually clever as hell, 2) they often repurpose otherwise disposable items, and 3) they save money!

So imagine my surprise when I discovered you could make your own travel size containers using nothing more than straws! Great for ointment, toiletries, spices, and even Tabasco. The first thing you’re probably thinking is, “very cool, but what’s the point? Wouldn’t it be easier to just carry the whole bottle, or better yet, just buy travel sizes of everything?” Sure, but personally, I rarely use up an entire bottle, and ultimately end up toting around the same tube of Neosporin for months. Travel size is also an option, but that costs money, and more importantly you wouldn’t be able to put your awesome MacGyver skills to the test.

I’m not going to lie, there are times where you may need 42 fluid ounces of SPF 100, but baring those eventualities, travel size ointments, or even condiments should be sufficient. And, if you do end up bringing full bottles of everything, your pack weight will be unbearable!

This hack is perfect for the lightweight backpacker and the budget conscious. It’s just one more tool at your disposal, and one more strategy to lighten that load!

DIY Travel Size Containers:

Materials/Equipment

1. Straws (any size works. Use a larger straw for more volume)
2. Needle nose Pliers
3. Scissors
4. Lighter

I’m not familiar with all the straw sizes available, but I could imagine there are some novelty sizes that could hold significantly more volume. Basically, anything of a polypropylene plastic that melts and cools quickly can be used.   Straws are a good choice only because they’re inexpensive and available just about anywhere you go. Getting too fancy might shoot up the cost and defeat the overall purpose of the hack. Your choice.

1. Cut the straw to the desired size

2. Take the pliers and squeeze near the end of the straw. Leave part of the end exposed

3. Take the lighter, and run the flame a few times across the exposed end

4. Hold the straw, loosen the pliers and squeeze the section you just ran the flame over. Hold for about 10 seconds

5. If you ran the lighter flame over the straw end enough times, it should have melted enough for it to stick together

6. Fill the straw only about ¾ of the way with whatever ointment, spice or liquid you want, to avoid spillage.

7. Squeeze the open end with the pliers as before, leaving part of the end exposed

8. Take the lighter again, and run the flame a few times across the exposed end

9. Hold the straw, loosen the pliers and squeeze the section you just ran the flame over. Hold for about 10 seconds.

Congratulations! You just made your own travel size containers.

If you ever need to reseal, just take a lighter and run it over the open edges again and clamp shut by sandwiching between two keys, or anything that can act like pliers.

Want more awesome travel hacks?

October 16, 2015

Travel Hack Friday: #DIY Orange Peel Oil Candle #travelhacks

October 2, 2015

Travel Hack Friday: How to Find Edible Bugs

September 18, 2015

Travel Hack Friday: Gone In 30 Seconds With A Bug Out Bag

September 11, 2015

12 Tricks To Conquer All You Can Eat Las Vegas Buffets

August 21, 2015

Travel Hack Friday: How to Forage For Food

August 14, 2015

Travel Hack Friday: Avoid Paying for Extra Rental Car Insurance

July 31, 2015

Travel Hack Friday: Know How to Prevent Wrinkles While Packing

July 24, 2015

Travel Hack Friday: How to Find The Best Campsite

The post Travel Hack Friday: DIY Travel Size Containers appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

I couldn’t remember where I was.

Through the haze of deep sleep, I could hear the footsteps crunching on the cheap vinyl carpet. Somehow, through the fog, I knew those steps were coming for me. The bus lurched. The breaks squealed as they forced the bus to a painful stop. Was I in the right place? Did I somehow turn left instead of turning right? Maybe, perhaps maybe, I had gotten on the wrong bus. The events of the day unfolded quickly in my mind; about 7 hours ago my wife and I boarded a night bus from Cappadocia bound for Pamukkale. I was certain I confirmed with the ticket agent; double and even triple checked the number. No, I didn’t make a mistake.

I struggled to make sense of my surroundings, but the dim cabin lights magnified my displacement. Looking around at the other passengers, mostly locals, I could swear they were consciously avoiding eye contact. I had a feeling, they’ve been down this road before and that wherever we were, it was a place they certainly did not want to be. As I peered out the window, greeted by my own reflection, I could see only darkness. This sure as hell wasn’t the Travertine pools nor was it Denizli.

The Galley Master, looking convincingly like a bus attendant, addressed us in English laden with a thick Turkish accent, “Here, here.” Whipping us into line like sheep to the slaughter, he forcefully ushered us out the now open back door.  There were four of us in total: me, my wife, and two other women. Within moments, before we could realize what was happening, we were standing alongside the bus, watching the driver grab our packs and toss them haphazardly unto the roadside, all while ignoring our silent protestations.

I grabbed the Galley Master’s arm as he turned to walk away, hoping to force a conversation or the very least an explanation. With a surprising deftness, probably honed from previous victims, and in one well-rehearsed movement, he shrugged off my hand, jumped on the already moving bus, turned and said, “Here, wait here.”

“Wait here? There’s nothing here,” I responded to no avail.

As we watched the bus roll away in the darkness the four of us shared a glance. Words were unnecessary at this point, but we knew what we were all thinking, “what the fuck just happened?”

We were in an empty lot, surrounded by trees on all sides. Besides the few crude wooden benches dotting the edges and a couple of randomly placed street lamps, the lot was unremarkable. About 100 feet away, a group of Turkish men stared at us with a mild curiosity. Periodically they would take drags off their cigarettes to remind us of their indifference.

We were in the middle of nowhere.

I’ve been stranded before. Being a seasoned backpacker, this certainly wasn’t my first rodeo. I’ve hitchhiked, I’ve trekked, and I had no reservations about asking help from strangers. But this time it was different.

I could hear the disembodied growls all around us. It happened fast.  Within heartbeats, the shadows came alive with a pack of rabid wild dogs. Like predators sensing weakness, the dogs circled, jostling and pacing for a better attack position. With little effort, I instantly spotted the Alpha; a big muscular hellhound, with glistening yellow teeth, whipping saliva with each bellow. This was no ordinary run in with strays. Instantly we went on the defense. The women formed a tight defensive circle, stepping as high on the benches as was possible; I grabbed my bag, holding it in front of me as a shield. The pack continued to circle, brandishing their teeth, howling intermittently as though calling for action. I bluff charged, I yelled, but this only served to aggravate them more. We braced ourselves, as the attack seemed imminent.

Suddenly, we could hear loud whistling, followed by even louder yelling. From behind us, the three Turkish men dropped their indifference and charged, attacking with rocks and cigarette butts. The dogs attempted to mount an offensive. But in the face of greater aggression, the pack scattered running back into the shadows from whence they came. Clearly, these men have dealt with their kind before.

Perhaps we were meant to wait for another bus, or perhaps we really were left stranded. Looking back, it no longer really mattered. What was expected to be an uneventful bus trip from Cappadocia to Pamukkale became one of our fondest memories. In the end, the three men not only pulled us from the fire, but also helped us arrange a ride to take us the final few hours to Pamukkale. For my wife and I, this was the reason we traveled. In the place we least expected, we were given a peek behind the curtains and experienced the genuine kindness and generosity of the Turkish People.

If this was nowhere, I’ll take that over somewhere any day.

The post The Road to Nowhere – Cappadocia to Pamukkale appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

The first time I went to Europe I did it solo style with a big yellow backpack in hand.   This was your typical “backpack throughout Europe and get my fun in before I start my real grown up job” type of trip. I realized, that, out of all the cities I visited (the list included Paris, Cannes, Monaco, Nice, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Rome), I love London the most. Looking back it was hard to explain why: I was staying in a hostel room with twelve other people, the room was infested with mice, when I woke up from a nap on my first day in London I had my own Friends’ version of ugly naked guy stripping in front of me (not what I expected to see upon opening my eyes), the value of the Canadian dollar was zilch compared to the British pound and everything cost twice as much so I really had to stick to my daily budget, and the food was meh. Despite all this, I love London! The experiences I had and the people I met made London one of my all time favorite cities.

Given my soft spot for London, it was no surprise that London was my destination pick for our European trip. Mike wasn’t too excited since he is more of a Dubliner and always saw London as a transit hub and a “stop over” to where travelers really want to go. Determined to change his mind, I wanted to give Mike a different perspective of London.

Here are ten reasons why I love London:

1) Shopping: there are so many amazing stores to visit in London, from historical department stores such as Harrods and iconic fashion houses like Burberry to more recent fashion brands such as Reiss. Yes, Princess Catherine gets a lot of her dresses from Reiss and the white Nanette dress was instantly sold out after Kate Middleton, as she then was, wore it in her engagement photos. Being a fan of Princess Catherine’s fashion style (um . . . really who isn’t?), it was a must do on my list to stop at the Reiss store in Knightsbridge (I was told this was the location she frequented most, but unfortunately I didn’t see her). Having bought more than my fair share of Reiss dresses, I got extra attention from the salesgirl and she gave me her personal email address and told me to send her an email if there were any other dresses I wanted and she would be more than happy to ship them to me. She even found the Nanette dress for me, but given that it was two sizes too big I decided it was not worth paying a small fortunate for the dress only to have to pay and get it refitted.

There are a lot of streets in London, such as Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street, and Carnaby Street that are lined with stores and unique boutiques where you can find something for anyone. For men who want a nice (and expensive) custom suit, go to Savile Row.

For all you shopaholics who are looking for a good deal head to Bicester Village, which is a designer shopping outlet about 45 minutes from London. The best way to get there is by bus, but just keep in mind that it is an all day venture as you only get picked up and dropped off at certain times. Also, make sure to check out the website because they sometimes post deals and you can always find VIP discount vouchers on the Internet.

2) Sites: there is no shortage of things to see in London and there is something for everyone:

• If you are a museum buff head to the British Museum or Natural History Museum. There really is no shortage of museums in London and you can probably spend a full week going to all the museums.

Museum of Natural History

Victoria and Albert Museum

• If you prefer to get your fix of Royalty head to Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace or even the Tower of London.

The Victoria Memorial, which sits in front of Buckingham Palace.

• If you prefer to focus on the arts then the Tate Modern and National Gallery are necessary stops.

Exhibit at the Tate Modern.

• If you are more interested in seeing the politicians then head over to the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben.

• For those who want to pay homage to religious aspects or even attend a worship service, go to Westminster Abbey or St. Paul’s Cathedral.
• Go to the London Eye to get a different perspective of the city and a great view of the skyline.

• If you want some time to rest and relax find a spot in Hyde Park or St. James Park.

View in St. James Park.

You will never get bored in London. I promise you that!

3) Theatre: I like to see live theatre and there are so many great shows playing in London. Popular shows such as Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, the Lion King, and Wicked are usually always playing. Depending on when you go, you can even catch shows that are hard to find such as Miss Saigon.

Having watched some of the shows in London and then seeing them again in Canada, I have to say there really is no comparison. I don’t know if it is due to the location, the actors, or the fact that shows in London are performed in theatre houses with better acoustics but . . . when in London go see a show!

It is probably best to get your theatre tickets ahead of time, especially for the more popular shows that sell out every night, but if you are unable to pre-book there are many different ways to get last minute discounted tickets, such as the tkts booth in Leicester Square. Remember to check out the face value of the ticket and the seating plan to make sure you get a good view.

4) History: London is a city that has more than 2,000 years of history. There are catastrophic events that have made it into London’s history books, such as the plague, the Blitz during World War II, and the Great Fire of London, all of which have shaped the city into what it is today and makes it that much more interesting for tourists.

View from the Millennium Bridge, a good way to reflect on London today.

London is also where gentlemen’s clubs, such as Brooks’ and White’s, were originally created and made popular. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t support establishments that don’t accept women, but I do find the purpose and membership of these places intriguing.

The architecture in London is fascinating and it is not uncommon to see buildings that are over a hundred years old. In Canada, such buildings are rare and would get special status as a “historical building”. I couldn’t help but wonder about the piece of history each building holds and the secrets that are hidden in the walls. I guess that is a normal feeling when you are walking through the streets of a city that was once the epicenter of the world.

5) Energy and Vibe: with a population of more than 8 million and millions more visiting each year, London has a unique energy that is difficult to explain. Commerce, education, the arts, fashion, and music – all elements that make London a global centre also contribute to the city’s liveliness. From Piccadilly Circus to Knotting Hill (made famous by Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant) to South Kensington, each neighborhood is distinct and has something unique to offer. Even cloudy skies and the constant rainy drizzle can’t dampen the pulsing London life and the feeling that runs through you.

The buzz during the night in Knightsbridge.

South Kensington.

6) The Royals: the chances of me meeting Prince Harry, Princess Catherine, and Prince William (preferably in that order) are that much greater in London than anywhere else. In no way would I balk at the idea of meeting the Queen, but the younger Royals are who I prefer to rub elbows with J.

7) Accents: I love the British accent and I honestly think that anyone who has a British accent sounds that much smarter, even though I sometimes have no idea what they are saying because the accent can be quite thick. Some of the words and phrases they use, such as rubbish, jumper, crikey, knackered, “taking the piss”, and dodgy, are quite fun and always puts a smile on my face when I hear them.

8) Pub Grub: I know the English aren’t known for their culinary cuisine, but the food has changed immensely since my first visit to London and the Indian and Thai cuisine are just as good as anywhere else.  I had a chance to try some ramen and it was delish!

Enjoying some ramen at Shoryu Ramen.

If you prefer something more traditional, the pub grub is spectacular in London. My go to is the fish and chips because who doesn’t like deep fried battered fish with fries on the side?

9) People: Despite the fact that most Londoners avoid eye contact while riding the Tube and make no effort to converse with you, but really who wants to strike up a conversation with a stranger while packed in a train like sardines were personal space is non-existent and you are close enough to get the weather and not the news, I have always found Londoners to be friendly and helpful. Every time I needed directions or suggestions on where to eat, the people I asked were friendly and provided helpful tips. Also, I found that Londoners were always more than willing to take a couple of seconds out of their busy day to snap a photo for an eager tourist (yes, like myself).

10) The Tube: the Underground, known as the Tube to Londoners, makes it extremely easy to get around London. With 11 lines (Bakerloo, Central, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, and Waterloo & City) and 270 stations, the system is overwhelming at first but all you really need is some patience and a Tube map. After your first trip you will realize how easy and safe it is to take the Tube and there will be no hesitation. It is also the fastest and most affordable way to travel around the city. Not to mention, you get to see many different personalities and tourists at Tube Stations and on the Tube itself. This isn’t always a good thing though, especially during peak hours when the crowds are big and people are impatient but it just adds to the experience.

Tube stations are everywhere in London, making travel easy.

If the Tube is not your thing, you can always take the bus (there are many of those too), hop in a cab (the black cabs are iconic but quite expensive), ride a bike (the Barclays Cycle Hire make it cheap and convenient to rent a bike), or walk – our preferred and favorite way to see a city.

I think I accomplished my goal and was able to get Mike to see and appreciate a different side of London. Although I still don’t think this is a city he would choose to visit on his own but . . . baby steps my friends, baby steps.

And that’s why I love London!

The post I ♥ LONDON, ENGLAND appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

Welcome to another travel hacks Friday.

As part of a new series, every Friday, we will be introducing new travel hacks for outdoor and urban adventures. We will scour the web for the best and most practical hacks, as well as dig into our reserves and share our own awesome moments of ingenuity!

Travel Photography Trick

We all love taking photos. I personally can’t go a day without getting a cramp in my finger. Photos are a great way to share and memorialize our epic round-the-world adventures, giving credence to the old adage of a picture being worth a thousand words. With social sites like Instagram and Facebook, the perfect photo capture has become the holy grail of social sharing.   But lets be honest, where there’s an ancient temple or architectural wonder, there will always be a healthy appreciation for them. Unless you have unwavering patience or can convince hundreds of vacationers to get out of your shot, having to jostle for that awesome photo op is just part of traveling.

So what can you do when you get that insistent photo bomber or throngs of tourist who believe their polka dot shirts and oversized sun hats warrant more frame time than say….The Trevi fountain? Don’t get me wrong, responsible tourism is a good thing, and I love the energy brought by fellow travelers, but every so often I want that postcard perfect picture. Well, short of applying for special licensing or waiting until after hours to take a low-light shot, there is a photo hack for this.

Through some easy initial setup and the use of Photoshop you can vaporize even the most persistent lookyloos (in pixels I mean, not real life). Before you run off and think, “Photoshop is too complicated”, this photography trick is unbelievably simple.

Materials/Equipment:

1. Digital camera or Smartphone with Tripod attachment

2. Tripod

3. Photoshop or equivalent program with median script

The first and probably most difficult task is finding that postcard worthy spot. Once you’ve elbowed your way into the perfect vantage point, stake your claim by setting up your tripod and follow these steps:

1. Attach the camera to the tripod for stability

2. Snap a photo every 10 to 15 seconds ensuring each subsequent shot is the same as the first one. Frequency and number of photos depends on how fast the people are moving

3. Upload all the photos to your computer

4. Open Photoshop (or equivalent editing program)

5. Go to Files >Scripts>Statistics

6. In the dropdown menu select Median

7. Browse for all the files

8. Once all the photos are selected, click Ok

9. That’s it!

Image Courtesy of Improve Photography

Photoshop will then begin to bring the photos together, eliminating all the noise or non-static objects in the picture. The hack won’t work for quick one-off shots as it does require a series of photos in order to sew them into one image. Lastly, the subject of the photo has to be still, as the hack works to eliminate the moving elements.

And just like that, you’ve one-upped everyone on Instagram.

The post Travel Hacks Friday – You’re In My Shot! appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

Welcome to another travel hacks Friday.

As part of a new series, every Friday, we will be introducing new travel hacks for outdoor and urban adventures. We will scour the web for the best and most practical hacks, as well as dig into our reserves and share our own awesome moments of ingenuity!

For our travel Hack #2, we bring you a particularly useful backcountry survival skill introduced to us by the guys and gals over at Trekeffect, the trip planning specialist.

Hiking in the backcountry for the most part is a daytime activity, with the inherent dangers of the wild increasing exponentially when visibility falters and night falls. An errant twig or just a simple misstep can stop you in your tracks putting you down for the count, not to mention the critters that might also be roaming around.  Fortunately, this little trick will keep you hiking, doesn’t cost a dime, and will rocket your machismo factor to new heights (you too ladies!). You’ll channel Bear Grylls himself as you use the sun, 4 fingers, and the alignment of the planets to approximate how much daylight you have left. Ok, maybe not so much the alignment of the planets, but you’ll still be able to impress your friends with your innate ability to anticipate when to stop hiking and bed down for the night.

How it works is that by using your fingers set against the skyline, you’ll be able to estimate how long the sun will take to set beneath the horizon. Sounds like magic doesn’t it? Who knew that our fingers could do more than grasp beer bottles and sign our names!

Take your fingers (excluding the thumb) and place it between the space between the sun and horizon. The horizon is the line where the sky and surface meet. Each finger represents 15 minutes with one hand totaling a full hour. Add up all four fingers, and voila – that’s how much time you have left. For greater distances between horizon and the sun, stack your hands and you can predict past an hour.

Popular Travel Hack: Doggy Style

Here’s a diagram for more clarity:

image Courtesy of Trekeffect

You may be tempted to think your watch or your GPS enabled smartphone will suffice, but both can only tell the time, and not when the sun will actually set. Keep in mind that the hack is only an approximate, so build in a buffer to give you more time to set up camp

Now throw away your watch and show off your wilderness skills! Just kidding, keep your watch.

What are your favorite travel hacks?

The post Travel Hacks Friday – Clocking In appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.