Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com

If you know any great travel stories or tips we all should read, please send it to me and I will put an acknowledgment of your contribution in the posting.

The Joy of Getting Lost While You Travel

Getting lost in this case, means not memorizing all the facts and hotspots for a location before you get there. Hit the ground and then go with the flow. I always like to at least have a place to sleep when I arrive somewhere, but that’s about it. Unless you want to make sleeping in the airport or in a park part of your adventure…

Top 10 Hottest New Travel Gadgets from CES 2011

Why didn’t I think of that? Carry-on luggage that turns into a seat?! When you’re on the line waiting for that delayed flight why should your body suffer. Transform that luggage into furniture. Love it.

Travel Video of the Week
Vera Silva, Portuguese Flight Attendant, Gets Proposed To On An Airplane
Cute.

Some good news –> No U.S. airline fatalities in 2010

The lack of control in the air always makes people feel like they could die when they take a plane ride. And technically they are right. But they would be better off saving the extra prayers and nervous stomachs for their next car trip. You are much more likely to die in a passenger car than in a plane. But it’s hard to get away from that feeling of being so high when in car you can stop and get out.

Top 10 Museums in the US for Families

The Smithsonian Air and Space in DC is one of my favorite museums in the world. Historic planes and other vehicles fill the halls. As a traveler I think you really have to appreciate all the machines that actually transport you to those wonderful places you visit around the world.

Cause even Kim Jong-il wants to have fun… Inside North Korea’s Theme Parks

Not like I’m booking a flight to visit North Korea and its amusement parks, but I find it intereting that some semblance of ‘fun’ is attempted in a country in reportedly such dire straits. I know that foreigners are not allow to roam the country and talk to people by themselves, but the author could not even get on the rides by himself. He had a North Korean handler with him everywhere. What did he think the roller coaster was going to give up state secrets?

Best Destinations for Solo Women Travelers

Solo women travelers are concerned about their safety. The successful solo woman traveler understands where she is and adjusts but does not let that stop her from traveling. Some good tips to prepare the ladies for hitting the road.

20 of the world’s greatest travel adventures

Genghis Khan warrior training in Mongolia. Gorilla watching in Rwanda. Skydive in the face of Mount Everest. Not exactly budget options but if you save enough on budget travel, you can sprurge on something more expensive every once in a while.

What Are the Rules When You’re Getting Crushed in Your Seat by the Passenger Next to You?

Most airlines have the rule that a passenger who can’t clip a seat belt extender around them must buy two seats. But what happens to you, the person who is jammed into the window or armrest when someone overflows into your chair. You can obviously to be moved but if the plane is full like many are these days, you may really be stuck, literally and figuratively.

How to Meet People on the Road Without Staying in a Hostel

I love hostels because they are the easy way to meet new people. It’s just the way they are built. Common areas, lots of flyers with things to do, a shared kitchen, they just lend themselves to conversation. But what if you’re not staying in one. Back in a hotel? Maybe you’re camping or staying with family? Renting a house or apartment? You don’t have to lose out on the great social interaction that comes from being in a hostel.

Advice for getting single supplement waived when you travel

Great advice to keep more money in your pocket when you decide to do that trip by yourself. The travel industry is slowly recognizing the single traveler, but you can’t wait for them to wake up. Use the tips and get that trip in.

Ten Places You Never Thought You Could Afford but Probably Can

ANY place is affordable. Some places just require a little more work to find the best deals. I can tell you from personal experience that Hawaii and Morocco, both mentioned in the article, are very affordable. Two big factors: where will you stay and what will you do when you get there. If you decide to stay in a chic hotel and eat in a metal utensil establishment every night, of course you won’t come home with any money. The question is are you willing to put your money into a hotel room or expensive meals or bypass that and focusing more on experiences with other people, eating where the locals are, etc.

5 Things Airfare Shoppers Need to Know to Find Cheap Flights

Tuesday afternoon at 3PM Eastern. That’s when you should buy a plane ticket. This and four other easy to follow tips should help you to maximize your savings when purchasing plane tickets.

Is it really dangerous to use a cell phone on a plane?

There will be debates about this until we are all blue in the face. I think the airlines could see this as a revenue stream. Charge people for using their cellphones. They do it already for Internet access, though the jury is out on how many people actually use the service. I still see the days of ‘air rage’ coming when someone’s inane conversation will cause a passenger to snap and beat someone with a food tray.

iPhone Apps for Cruise Information

For those of you who are cruise fanatics, some iPhone apps to help you enjoy the experience even more.

Best Travel Deals and News – January 25, 2011 – iPhone Apps for Cruises, Best Travel Gadgets, Avoid the Single Supplement When You Travel Solo is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Loyal reader Caryn spent some time on the Big Island of Hawaii and sent in this report from the 50th State. Thanks Caryn!

Who says you can’t take good pictures from a moving bus? This photo of some surfers on a secluded pocket beach on the Big Island of Hawaii was taken while moving at 40 mph!

I have no idea why there’s a sign saying “Emergency Exit” on a bridge, though. Unless there was a bungee cord attached, I doubt anyone would be using it as an escape route!

There aren’t many places in the world where you’ll find a sign asking you not to throw objects into the volcano, but evidently it’s necessary on the Big Island. Some people still show their respect for Pele, the Goddess of Fire (and the volcano), by leaving offerings, but with people walking down trails into the crater this can lead to injuries to unsuspecting hikers below.

I was happy to discover that they had large plants growing on lava rock that had been blessed by a Kahuna and were therefore safe to bring home without any repercussions. It’s been said that strange luck befalls those who take Pele’s rocks without permission. . . .

The best sightseeing value on the island is the Grand Island Circle Tour run by Grayline buses. By purchasing the ticket ahead of time online, and utilizing a AAA discount, I was able to get a 12 hour guided tour of most of the island for only $78. There is no better bargain as far as I’m concerned. Below is a picture of me with “Cousin Greg” our driver, sporting the “hang loose” hand gesture that everyone seems to use. When I purchased the ticket, I planned on going alone but ended up meeting some friends that I weren’t aware were going on the trip. It ended up being a reunion of sorts. Everyone on the trip was so nice that I would have been perfectly comfortable had I been on this trip alone.

The sunsets on the Big Island are quite spectacular, but since Hawaii doesn’t observe daylight savings time, they are also very EARLY.

Another thing to keep in mind is that, despite what people will tell you, there are bugs in Hawaii due to its tropical climate. As I traveled up the mountain outside Keauhou where I spent the week at the Sheraton resort and spa (no, this was not a budget trip), I was bitten by a couple of mosquitoes. I hear these are more prevalent in the rain forest regions as they didn’t bother me near the hotel.

The Sheraton is the perfect location to see the extra large manta rays for free. They have spotlights shining on the water and we were able to watch these creatures that are at least 10 feet wide feeding on plankton. I was unable to get a photo of the mantas due to poor lighting conditions, but it is an experience not to be missed if you ever end up in Keauhou.

The airport in Kona, Hawaii resembles a shopping plaza. Yes, it’s outdoors. This airport is so small you can be shopping 25 feet away from the gate. When flying into Kona, I was required to fill out forms stating that I wasn’t bringing any soil or agricultural products with me in my suitcase. Upon leaving, I needed to go through security twice, making it quite similar to going through customs when you return to America from overseas.

Caryn Connolly
ANGEL THERAPY PRACTITIONER®
Usui and Karuna Reiki® Master Teacher
www.dolphincherub.org

Hawaii – Hawaii – Aloha! is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

You know when it’s time to leave someplace? When the weather turns 10-15 degrees colder in the matter of a day.

Scheduled High for Tokyo Tomorrow: 59 Degrees F
Scheduled High for Bangkok Tomorrow: 85 Degrees F

Goodbye Tokyo! Had a great time, but the weather told me to get OUT….

The cast of characters I have met in almost 3 weeks of travel has been one of the best parts of the trip. They say everyone has a story to tell and everyone has a book in them. All of these people can say yes to both those statements.

Harajuku, Japan
Kennard – Met him just passing by on the sidewalk in Tokyo. We start to talking about life, travel, Obama. We had to have stood out there for at least 20 minutes.

Harajuku, Japan
Kenny – An immigrant to Tokyo from Nigeria. Been here 20 years with a Japanese wife and 5 kids. He sells hotdogs from a small truck painted a bright mustard yellow. I respect your hustle Kenny!

Roppongi, Japan
Jeff – An Nigerian immigrant to Japan. Been here 8 years and has his own barbershop salon for various hairstyles. If you’re in Tokyo, check him out. I got my haircut from him.

Asakusa, Japan
Shiori – my Brooklyn/Tokyo connection. Showing me the foods of Tokyo – and keeping my sake glass full.

You need to get off the phone so we can eat!

Shiori, if you’re reading this, lots of pictures to keep your attention…

Asakusa, Japan
Kumseong, Anita and Joel – How we got into a 3 hour discussion in the hostel common area is not of concern. The fact is that we did, and had a blast doing it.

Kamakura, Japan
3 Random Japanese Guys – Was walking the grounds in Kamakura when one of them approaches me and asks where I am from. This proceeds into a 3 minute use of sign language, body language, pointing at my Yankee cap and any other way to communicate. All smiles afterward.

Hilo, Hawaii
Ty – My roommate at the Hilo Bay Hostel in Hawaii. Just so happens to be from Thailand so I ask him a bunch of questions. Says when I visit to look him up. I emailed him today before I leave for Bangkok and he responded. Excellent!

Some Interesting People Along the Way is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

I may not have Internet access for the next few days so…

I take off for Tokyo tomorrow the 29th from Hilo, HI. Quick flight at 10:30 AM local (4:30 PM ET) back to Honolulu, and then a 9 hour flight from Honolulu to Narita Airport in Japan. I’m arriving in Tokyo 5:30PM local time Thursday the 30th. Tokyo is 12-13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard.

While on the plane(s) I will be

trying to cram as much Japanese as I can
trying to chop up some video – my laptop battery dies pretty quickly
sleeping, reading and generally trying to pass the time

You got something you want me to investigate in Tokyo, someplace to see, someone to meetup with? Reach out to me @ 4aroundtheworld @ gmail dot com or any of the other addresses you know me by. Love the emails folks send me. Thanks to everyone who has written. Keep them coming and tell your friends and family to check out the blog!

Next Leg of the Journey – JAPAN! is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Went to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. In all my guide Earl and I covered 192 miles by car in 10 hours on the Big Island yesterday.

The view from on top/inside Kilauea Iki. Like a barren wasteland from a sci-fi movie. The 4 mile trail takes 2-3 hours to cover. It is not a straight walking path. Rocky, curvy and definetely not for folks in bad physical condition – bad knees, bad back, bad heart, bad anything.

New land formed by recent lava flows. The waves hitting the coast sound like rolling thunder.

Earth cracks are the deep holes and trenches formed by the lava cooling. Good for falling or twisting an ankle if you’re not careful.

Do you know where these flowers are growing? In the middle of solid lava. Lava is dense in nutrients and porous enough that plants can start to take root. You’re not going to see food crops in it, but life does grow in lava.

I am trying to cut together some video for the blog and Youtube. Working on that next…

Walking Across a Volcano is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

When you think of Hawaii, you think:

Beaches
Sun
Pineapples
Fruity Drinks with umbrellas in them

So when I told people I was taking a tour to Mauna Kea* here on the Big Island the comments were:

Make sure they give you a coat!
Man, it was cold when I went up there.
I know you didn’t bring a scarf but…

*Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world as measured from the seafloor at 33,000 ft high. From sealevel it is 13,796 ft high.

I was with a group of 10 others and the tour guide as we made about an 1:15 trek up to the dormant volcano.

First stop along the way was a waterfall.

Our tour guide Keoki was born on the Big Island and went to school nearby.

He said that when they were kids, they used to dive into this waterfall after school.

Next stop were the Kaumana Caves, where lava once flowed through from the surrounding volcanoes.

Continuing on we reach the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Center. We have to stop here for 45 minutes because now we are 9000 ft above sea level and we need to get our bodies readjusted to the altitude. The air is thinner and high altitude sickness is a real concern. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea and shortness of breath. The sign at the Center makes you want to stop.

Once we leave the Visitor Center, another stop as the search for E.T. continues at the Very Long Baseline Array telescope site.

Finally after another 20 minutes of riding we reach the top. And it is COLD! The tour company provides jackets and gloves and you absolutely need them. I did not see a thermometer but I would guess the temps were in the 30s-40s.

But at sunset the view is magnificent from 13,000 ft up…

The white fluffy stuff? Clouds…

To the Top of Mauna Kea* – Tallest Mountain in the World is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Safe and sound on the Big Island of Hawai’i. I am 6 hours behind EST so I haven’t slept in almost 24 hours.

Can I first say Honolulu’s airport is not what you call putting the Hawaiian Islands best foot forward. I was looking forward to pretty girls with leis greeting visitors. Maybe a pina colada waiting for you when you get off the plane? How ’bout even a slice of pineapple? NOT!

But I’m excited to be here, regardless to the fact that my welcome was not worthy of Mr. Rourke. Trying to plan out my next few days is going to be easy. Get to the volcanoes, everything else is icing.

Staying at the Hilo Bay Hostel in Hilo (obviously). Called before my plane took off from Honolulu and I have a place to sleep tonight.

Cab driver from the airport was pretty helpful as they generally are when they realize you’re a tourist. Offered to pick me up and take me around. I’ll try on my own first.

So far the only problem I’ve had is that my tech is failing me.
My tracking device is not picking up my current location.
My laptop cannot seem to use the wireless network in the hostel I’m using.

Otherwise everything is cool. Hopefully my camera won’t fail me…

Aloha from the Pacific! is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” – Maya Angelou

I’m out. Waiting for the car to pick me up.

Finished packing and even when you’re finished you have the feeling you’re leaving out something. Can’t help it. But everything I have read says people tend to overpack anyway so I am trying to avoid that. Anything you forget you can pick up along the way.

Activated the tracking feature on the blog. Very nifty feature with my satellite transmitter.

Long day of flying ahead. Newark to Minneapolis, layover then straight to Honolulu, then another wait and then a quick flight to Hilo on the Big Island. About 12 hours in the air today. And Hawaii is 5 hours behind EST, so I’ll land in Hilo about 7PM local Hawaiian time.

To Hawaii! is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Whenever we travel to a certain spot we have all kinds of reasons for going. For this round the world trip (RTW), I have got my own set of circumstances and experiences.

Hawaii
Pearl Harbor, luaus, volcanoes, spam (the kind you eat, not the kind in your inbox). But my best thought of Hawaii is from a famous cop who put a phrase into street vernacular.

Before there was Miami Vice, Law & Order or CSI, there was…

Book ‘em Dan-O…Murder One!

As an aside…weren’t the 70s and 80s the best for TV theme songs? Mission: Impossible, S.W.A.T, Baretta, Starsky and Hutch, The A-Team, Magnum P.I…but I digress…

Tokyo, Japan
The Land of the Rising Sun. Famous for sushi, ninjas, Playstations, and Godzilla. Big influence on from everything to anime to Nintendo. Had to get there.

Bangkok, Thailand
Talk about being influential – two words – Muy Thai. Jean-Claude Van Damme was there with AH-nold and Steven Seagall in terms of action movie stars. Kickboxer is arguably his best.

I promise, I will not be be doing any dancing like this in Bangkok or anywhere else.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Beautiful temples, temples, temples. And eating cobra hearts. Soon as I saw that, had to go.

Cape Town, South Africa
Nelson Mandela.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Met a woman in Ghana last year who implored me to come to Ethiopia for their millennium celebration. Ethiopia goes by a different calendar and their new century started last September. Her passion made me want to go and check.

London, United Kingdon
Have family I haven’t seen in a while. Excellent reason to go!

Why Go There? is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel