Same Same But Different-a travel spot.: Adventure

Showing posts with label Adventure. Show all posts

Thursday, August 13, 2009

The worst Summer vacation ever?

Poor Emma and Raoul. After booking their flight to Sydney through an online travel agent, Raoul stepped off the plane with Speedo in hand. Ready to hit the beach for some fun and sun, the two are instead "enjoying looking at the pick-up trucks, and eating the local lobster". Puzzled, eh? Unfortunately that's about all there is to do in Sydney, Nova Scotia. That's right, the online travel service booked Emma and Raoul for a trip to Nova Scotia and not Australia. Ouch! You have to give these kids credit though as they are making the best of it. To read more about the adventures of Emma and Raoul, click here for the BBC News article.

Do you have a vacation nightmare to tell? Please comment or send us an email with the details.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Jet Blue allows you to be a fancy pants jet-setter for 30 days and $599*.

A few months ago I added a post about being laid off and using the extra time to travel. If you have yet to do it, Jet Blue just gave you some major incentive. The "All You Can Jet" pass allows you to fly unlimited on Jet Blue from September 8th through October 8th. Choose from 57 cities and more than 600 daily flights. What a deal! Of course restrictions apply; however, this appears to be a very advantageous offer for business travelers or those with a little extra time on their hands. JJ

Click here for more details on Jet Blue's All You Can Jet pass.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Anthony Bourdain's Rust Belt adventures.

Last year I went to Cleveland for the first time. It was a work related trip so I wasn't expecting much in the way of food. However, after Anthony Bourdain showcased "the New American City" on No Reservations, I was hopeful. Unfortunately my hopes were dashed when my exposure to outside work sponsored events was limited. Most of the time we had an option of chicken, hamburgers, more chicken, hot dogs, and even more chicken. My body has never been the same. One bright spot was a visit to Michael Symon's Lolita in the Tremont area. Delicious food in a nice atmosphere with a few nearby spots for an after dinner cocktail . Next week Tony visits "the Rust Belt" featuring Baltimore, Buffalo and Detroit. I've experienced great food in Baltimore and I am curious as to what the others have to offer. Buffalo wings anyone?

Catch new episodes of No Reservations on the Travel Channel, Mondays at 10pm.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

I LOVE FUNNY FOREIGN FOOD!

What is this? Does anyone know? The only English on the package is on the inside of the box lid & says “Pudding Chocolate”, but the pictures on the box look like cartoon flan. It contains individually wrapped candies that resemble soft white chocolate with a brown top. It doesn’t taste like anything else, especially not chocolate & is super sweet. I acquired this bizarre confection at my local Uwajimaya store.

Uwajimaya has a lot of strange Asian candies & packaged foods. Shopping there is like a wee vacation to a major Asian metropolis encapsulated in a one block area. It’s crowded but fun. I can hardly read any of the food packaging. You can spice up a dull day by purchasing something there which you have no idea what it is & making it. It’s a surprise! Fortunately, many of the cooking instructions are accompanied by pictures.

They not only sell groceries & produce, which are often cheaper than at most chain grocery stores, by the way, but contain a bookstore that stocks periodicals, stationery & manga. The candy section & impulse racks are unbelievable, you won’t have a clue what most of it is, & some of it looks like REAL BUGS. (I dare you.) The food court, inexplicably, has a Herfy’s hamburger stand in addition to Japanese, Chinese, Korean & Filipino food stalls. There are also Asian specialty housewares, appliances, & Sanrio products. Combining the latter two, I once saw a waffle iron for sale here that made waffles in the shape of Hello Kitty’s head. I wish I had bought it. Regrets…

So if you want to feel like you are in a foreign city for the day or you just need a takoyaki maker, take a trip to Waji. It’s an adventure. FP

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About SSBDTravel:

At Same Same But Different-a travel spot, we are all passionate travelers. We go to the same locations all sorts of people all over the world want to visit. We fly the same airlines, see the same sights, enjoy the same activities. Some of us love nature, camping and hiking. Others are urban explorers, we hike from museum to architectural sights to bars. We’re creative types, looking for the galleries and shops of local artists wherever we travel. Some of us are parents, some dedicated childless, gay and straight, couples and singles.

None of us share the same idea of what constitutes the perfect trip. We’ll tell you how to save money if we can and what’s worth the extra expense.

That is the spirit of Same Same But Different-a travel spot. You may read about places it never occurred to you to go, or something you never thought to try. It might even be something that makes your dream trip more affordable, and thus, more obtainable. You might even do the same things we would do, just a little bit differently.

Traveler Bio: Frances P.

Frances loves to eat & rarely says no to tasting new foods, even if made with something she hates. This is sometimes unfortunate. She’s a city traveler who prefers adult activities. Many of her trips within the USA have been to cities where her favorite bands are playing.

Traveler Bio: James J.

James does not enjoy writing; however, thoroughly enjoys traveling and taking pictures. With every trip, he becomes more open to new experiences. So far this James has been met with good traveling experiences. Never been sick in Mexico, never been pick pocketed in Europe, and never been in a bar fight in Canada. Knock on wood, eh!

Three places James would like to visit soon include Japan, Argentina, and Vietnam.

Traveler Bio: Tres G.

Tres has sailed five of the Seven Seas and toured six of the Seven Continents. He has cruised Down Under and flown Up Over. He has been around the world, and is as round as the world. He will go anywhere and do anything, as long as there is first-class transport and five-star accommodations. He doesn't own a backpack and has never stayed in a hostel. He has a filthy mouth and a refined palette, both of which crave bacon above all else. His guilty pleasures include lapel pins and the worst of American pop music. He is the Everyman, yet one of a kind; he speaks for his generation and writes for no one but himself. Tres is our correspondent to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. Look for his nightly updates après-ski and post-skate.

Traveler Bio: R.D.

R.D. will rarely say no to a trip opportunity and tends to like it spur of the moment. Food is often her main priority when picking a destination and has found that many of her favorite meals come from street vendors. She has traveled to Philly for a real Cheese Steak, Tokyo for an authentic Izakaya, and Mexico for the most delicious 80 peso Tacos al Pastor that you will ever find.

Besides the food, R.D. loves to visit local museums and monuments, beaches are a plus, and exploring off the beaten path is a must. Her goal is to travel as many places as possible with Ireland and Brazil next on her wish list. Favorite Quote: “If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” James Michener

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