I love both skiing and snowboarding. During my many years riding in the Northwest, mainly British Columbia, Alberta, and Montana, I never had any problems with others because of my choice of ride.

When I moved to Utah and started riding there, in Colorado, and California, everything changed. I started getting a lot of attitude from skiers (not all of them of course, but more than ever before). I was randomly insulted for no reason and often subject to the assumption that I couldn’t ride anything technical and all I could do was slide around in the park and hit jumps.

I don’t want to sound like I think I’m an amazing snowboarder. I’m not. But I had a season’s pass every year since I could fit into ski boots, and that kind of experience goes a long way. And it feels pretty great when I red passed those same big-talking weekend-warrior skiers in a mogul field or drop without hesitation into a chute while they stand at the mustering their courage.

As a writer and photographer, I’ve ridden with a fair number of pros. I’ve rarely — if ever — heard this skiing vs. snowboarding snobbery from them. I think it’s because they’ve reached a high level of performance and don’t feel that they have anything to prove. They simply see their fellow snow rides as athletes with a passion for flying down mountains at insane velocities.

There’s a kinship in that.

It seems to me that the people who do take part in this argument feel like they have something to prove and, I suppose if they could prove it on the mountain, they wouldn’t feel the need to do it in the gondola and apres bar.

But, that’s just a guess.

Speculation aside, I’d like to make a couple of things clear.

1. I think this is a ridiculous argument.
2. I don’t care what anybody riders. I’m cool with anybody who likes to spend a day on the mountain (snowjock douchebags excepted).
3. Having spent so much of my life oblivious to this argument, and then suddenly encountering it so harshly, has made me curious about it. This article is an attempt to articulate my thoughts about it, and to learn what other think.

Please let me know your opinion in the comments.

With that in mind, lets start with a simple poll.

Skiing vs Snowboarding: Click the Pic to Vote

Now, let’s start with the biggest examples of snowboarder-hate.

Three ski resorts in the United States ban snowboarders. Some snowboarders take that personally.

I don’t.

Two of those resorts, Alta and Deer Valley, are right in my backyard. Last year I even went skiing at Alta.

I skied from the time I was three until I was fourteen. I raced. I rode big mountain terrain. I was really good. I can count on one hand the number of times I came across a rideable slope that I was too timid to tackle.

Then, in my teens, I switched to snowboarding and never looked back. I enjoyed it more. I later became certified to teach snowboarding and now write the About.com Snowboarding Guide.

So, I’m fairly well-experienced in both sports.

I don’t care that some ski resorts choose to ban snowboarders. I’m not a fan of exclusionary business practices, but, if those ski hills could capitalize on the feelings of camaraderie, nostalgia, and sense purity that exists among long-time skiers, then more power to ‘em. There’s more than enough other terrain out there for me.

There is something that does upset me though.

Some skiers are very biased against snowboarders.

If you don’t believe me, watch this video, taken by snowboarders petitioning to be allowed on Alta.

Last year during my Best in the West Ski and Snowboard Tour I was often guided around ski areas by former (and current) competitive skiers. Most of the time my hosts were gracious and thought nothing of the plank strapped to my feet.  We only needed to ride for a few minutes together before they realized that I could go basically anywhere that they could.

Some of my guides, however, weren’t so open-minded. They’d sneer when they saw that the journalist they were asked to show around had one board, rather than two, strapped to his feet. They’d condescendingly say things like, “That’s a great spot, but we don’t want to go there. The traverse is too long.” or “No, we can’t go there. There are too many moguls.”

I found myself having to defend my choice of ride. These skiers wrongly assumed that I couldn’t traverse, that I couldn’t carve properly, and that I’d scrape all the snow off of the runs.

I had to assure these skiers that I would traverse anywhere they wanted to, that I could hold an edge across an icy slope, that I could keep up with them on a cat track, and that they could indeed hop off of the chair and just start skiing right away, because I would be able to catch up after stopping for five seconds to strap in my rear foot.

By the end of our time together most of these skiers would say things like, “I’ve never ridden with a snowboarder like you,” or “You’re not like other snowboarders. You can actually ride.”

There are a lot of snowboarders, like me, who can navigate a mountain just as easily as a skier. 

We can go pretty much anywhere and do pretty much anything that a skier can do just as easily as a skier.

I’ll admit, in some situations I have to put in more effort to keep up on traverses and cat tracks.

I can, however, keep up just fine and I don’t mind the work.

It aggravates me when skiers condescendingly assume that my ability to maneuver on the mountain is somehow hindered by the board on my feet.

There are differences between skiing and snowboarding. Many peoples ideas about what the real differences are, however, are ridiculous and insulting.

I’ve put a lot of thought into this. As both a skier and snowboarder I’m in a unique position to tackle this issue. So, on this post I’m going to address the differences between skiing and snowboarding once and for all.

I’m going to tell you what the real differences are, show you that they are in fact really quite small, and then frankly put to bed a lot of the bullshit stereotypes about snowboarders.

The root of the problem is that cultural differences between skiers and snowboarders have been overblown and that most snowboarders are stained with an image that comes from a very small — but extremely visible — minority of snowboarders.

The Real Differences Between Skiing Vs. Snowboarding

There are three types of differences between skiing and snowboarding: technical, emotional, and cultural.

Technical differences are the things that are made possible, impossible, easy, and difficult, by the nature of the technology. For example, a skier can (theoretically) carve a shaper turn than a snowboarder because he has two edges in the snow rather than one.  Emotional differences have to do with the way the ride feels; the smoothness, flow, and enjoyment. Then we have cultural differences, which is the source of most of the bad blood between skiers and riders.

Below, I will talk about all three.

Technical Ability

There are two important technical differences between skiing and snowboarding: the number of edges in the snow and the ability to move your legs as a biped.

I will say this now. Skiers, please try to contain your delight.

Skis are more technically functional than snowboards. 

It’s true. With skis you have four edges on the snow. You can turn more sharply. You can skate and push yourself with poles.

Skiers are often quick to point these things out.

I would also like to point out, however, that in 99.9% of circumstances, a snowboarder can overcome the technical differences between the two using effort and skill.

Some skiers assume that snowboarders are unable to follow long traverses. In most cases this is not true. It all depends on the ability of the snowboarder.

Having done a great deal of research last winter, I can tell you from experience that skiers are generally sloppy and lazy traversers.

They rightly should be. It’s easy to traverse on skis, so there is no reason to be attentive. So, most skiers cruise along mindlessly, unconcerned about carrying momentum because if they lose speed they can simply push with a pole.

A good snowboarder, on the other hand, is a master of maximizing momentum. He chooses his path carefully and pumps the grooves and bumps in the trail for speed.  If he loses his speed he always has the option of frog-hopping a few steps up the hill so that the can ride down to the trail to build more speed.

This is sufficient to reach 99.9 percent of in-bounds terrain in most ski areas. If a snowboarder wants to tackle that last .01 percent, that snowboarder would need a splitboard.

So, although skis are technically more proficient, a good snowboarder can access effectively all of the same in-bounds terrain as skiers if they’re skilled and willing to put in a bit of extra effort.

The same holds true when it comes to flats. Unstrapping and pushing a snowboard is not fun, but, given the way that most ski hills are built (to prevent skiers from having to skate) a good snowboarder can unstrap and keep up to a skier of comparable ability most of the time

In all but the most extreme cases, snowboards are able to achieve the same results as skis. It is true that the snowboarder may have to put in some extra physical effort — but there is a payoff for that, which is what I’m going to discuss next.

Feeling and Enjoyment

This is highly subjective and there’s no right answer for everyone  — so I won’t dwell on it too long — but this is the main reason that I prefer snowboarding to skiing.

The qualities that make snowboards less technically functional than skis — the lack of biped motion and extra edges — are the same qualities that make snowboarding feel so damned good.

Snowboarding feels smoother than skiing does.

Yes, a skier’s four edges have an advantage in technically challenging situations. However, when it comes to those glorious times — the ones that make you want to get up at six in the morning and drive to the hill —  those times that you’re ploughing through snorkel-deep powder, screaming over beautifully-groomed corduroy, or plummeting down a sudden drop-off with your stomach in your mouth — managing two edges feels more fluid, natural, and enjoyable than managing four.

I’ve heard even the most hardcore skiers admit the appeal of a big fat snowboard on a powder day. The enjoyment of a rider sluffing floaty s-turns down a steep pitch of untouched pow is obvious.

So, although, skis are more technically proficient, snowboarding offers a better experience.

The difference is slight — the experiential advantage of snowboarding is about as big as the technical advantage of skiing — but it is worth mentioning.

It’s the reason that I choose to snowboard.

Cultural Characteristics

This is where things get hairy.

Before I start talking about the cultural differences between skiers and snowboarders — which basically means talking about stereotypes — I have to point out that I hate stereotypes and believe that every person deserves to be judged on their individual character.

The stereotypes I’m talking about are not my own personal beliefs, but views that I’ve noticed that others tend to hold; views which are at the root of much of the conflict between skiers and snowboarders.

The Bad Snowboarder Stereotype

The most extreme stereotype of snowboarders is one of punk skateboarders who figured out how to ride on snow and enjoy ruining the on-mountain experience for everyone else. This stereotype asserts that snowboarders are disrespectful, technically sloppy, aggressive, and unaware of others on the hill.

There are plenty snowboarders that fit this stereotype. I’ve met them and you’ve met them. (Then again, there are some skiers that fit it too.) They are, however, an overwhelming minority. The vast majority of snowboarders I know are kind and respectful.

A lot of the qualities reflected in this stereotype arise from a focus on a very small, but highly-visible, part of the snowboarding community.

Bullshit Snowboarder Stereotypes

A lot of the stereotypes about snowboarders arise from a small group of very visible snowboarders: park riders.

Park riders are the most visible snowboarders on the mountain. They spend their time on the busiest runs near the busiest lifts, so they are the snowboarders the average encounters most often.

Park snowboarders, however, probably make up less than half of the snowboarding community. The rest of us are off cruising down groomed runs or searching for pow.

It often happens in subcultures that a small minority of aggressive loudmouths get all of the attention from parents and the press. This is true of snowboarding.

There are lots of super douchebag snowboarders out there. They cut you off on the hill, nearly run you over, ride way too fast in slow areas, and flip the bird to anyone who gets in their way.

But there are lots of super douchebag skiers for that matter. And soccer players. And bakers and doctors and policemen.

Douchebaggery is not limited to snowboarding.

The snowboarding community includes a proportion of douchebags approximately equal to that of any other social group. For the sake of statistics, let’s say that that one out of ten people in the general population are douchebags.

So, if park riders make up, say, 40 percent of snowboarders, and 10 percent of those are super douchebags, we have a situation where all snowboarders are being judged based on the actions of around four percent of douchebag park riders, who come into contact with a very large number of people on the hill because they spend their time in the busiest places.

The following snowboarder stereotypes are based on this tiny minority of douchbag park riders and are dead wrong:

Bullshit Stereotype #1: Snowboarders Can’t Carve

A lot of skiers feel that snowboarders are technically crappy at turning and stopping, making them a danger to others around them.

There is a sliver of truth to this argument (two edges can turn and stop better than one) but it has been blown way out of proportion.

Snowboarders (and skiers) who hang out in the terrain park ride gear that’s customized for aerial maneuvers and rails. Their boards (or skis) are shorter for spinning, and their edges are dulled so that they won’t catch on rails.
Short boards (or skis) with dull edges are not able to turn sharply.

So, yes, some very visible douchebag snowboarders (and skiers) ride equipment that is not technically capable of making sharp turns. They do it at high speeds in crowded areas, and I’m sorry about that.

But that doesn’t mean that we all do it.

Bullshit Stereotype #2: Snowboarders Scrape the Powder Off the Mountain

This stereotype is based on an understandable misperception.

People see novice snowboarders sideslipping on the hill where novice skiers are snowplowing. So, on beginner (and some intermediate) terrain you’ll often see snowboarders sideslipping while skiers do not, because they have the option of snowplowing.

This creates the perception that snowboarders sideslip more than skiers.

When you get into the steeps, however, this ceases to be true. In the steeps, snowboarders and skiers both sideslip equally and for the same reason.

Sideslipping is for people who are riding terrain beyond their ability.

If a snowboarder sideslips down a slope, she will scrape away most of the powder on it.

If a skier sideslips down a slope, he will also scrape away most of the powder on it.

If a skier or snowboarder carves down the same slope, they will both displace approximately the same amount of pow.

The truth is that when you take either a skier or snowboarder down a pitch that they can’t handle, they will sideslip the snow off of it equally well.

Bullshit Stereotype #3: Snowboarders Ruin Moguls

This is basically the same as the above complaint. A good snowboarder will weave between moguls in the same way as a good skier.

A bad snowboarder will ride over them, in the same way that a bad skier will.

Bullshit Stereotype #4: Most Snowboarders Are Aggressive Teenagers

Snowboarding has been around since the mid 1960s. This means that the 5.1 million snowboarders on the mountain range from young children to senior citizens.

My father, at 68, loves snowboarding. A study by the Leisure Trends Group in 2004, found that 1.1 million snowboarders were over the age of 35.

We are not all young punks. I’m thirty-five and have a job, a salary…you know, a normal life.

Bullshit Stereotype #5: Learning to Snowboard is Easy

“It took me two days to become an intermediate snowboarder,” Chris G., a writer for Yahoo Voices, said, “By the end of the second day I could take the board down any intermediate run and could even jump fairly well.”

You have to attain a certain level of skill at any task before it becomes fun, whether it be playing guitar, figure skating, or baking cookies.

Generally speaking, it is easier to learn how to manage two edges on the snow than it is to learn how to manage four — at least in the beginning. So, it is probably easier for most people to go from zero to fun on a snowboard than on skis.

This should hardly be considered a shortcoming, though.

And, once you start looking at advanced technical maneuvers, the learning curve is pretty much equally steep for both skiers and snowboarders. When it comes to hucking backflips and charging 40 degree chutes, it simply comes down to the ability of the individual, not the plank strapped to their feet.

Bullshit Stereotype #6: Snowboarding is Loud

Many skiers claim that snowboarders make a horrible scraping noise when riding downhill or coming to a stop.

I’m no physicist, but I doubt that. A snowboard, because it’s broader, makes a low-pitched sound when it vibrates. Low sounds carry farther.

Skis, on the other hand, make a high-pitched sound when they scrape over ice. This sound is in all likelihood equally loud. It just doesn’t carry as far.

The sound of snowboards on ice may carry farther, but, in my opinion, the sound of skis on ice is more unpleasant.

Can We Be Friends?

Most skiers are totally cool with snowboarders.

However, some skiers make accusations about snowboarders that are are downright ignorant.

I have met you. You assumed the worst of me before we even got on the chairlift. You roll your eyes because of all the time you expect to waste, waiting for me to strap in. You preach about how we can’t traverse to all the places that you can, and how we ruin your favorite runs.

You are full of shit.

Despite that, I’d like to shake hands and call it water under the bridge.

Here’s what I propose.

You let go of your preconceptions and wait until you see me ride before you judge me.

I’ll forget about all the ignorant things you said about me.

Do we have a deal? 

The post Skiing vs. Snowboarding: The Hard Truth About a Ridiculous Argument appeared first on XpatMatt.

Stay in an Igloo Under the Aurora Borealis

Have you ever dreamt of living life eskimo-style? Wonder what it’d be like to spend the night in an igloo, watching the northern lights work their magic in the sky above? This fantasy can become reality thanks to Hotel Kakslauttanen, home of The Igloo Village. The Igloo Village is located in Lapland, Finland, near Urho Kekkonen National Park.

In addition maintaining 40 beautiful log cabins, during the winter the hotel offers visitors the option of sleeping traditional igloos made of snow, or a more modern (and comfortable) version made of ‘glass’, where they can drift off to sleep watching the spectacular aurora borealis dance overhead. The glass igloos are constructed of a special transparent thermal material that maintains normal indoor temperatures and does not frost or fog up.

The hotel also offers a ‘snow’ chapel for weddings, four different themed restaurants (including a ‘snow’ restaurant housed inside a giant igloo) and a variety of on-site activities for winter sports enthusiasts

Visitors can entertain themselves ice swimming, ice and snow carving, ice karting, skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing along forested trails. The hotel also organizes winter safaris for activities such as snowmobiling, ice fishing, day tours aboard icebreaker ships, and excursions into Norway and Russia.

What Causes the Aurora Borealis?

The otherworldy colors of the aurora borealis are caused when solar wind emits energetic particles that become trapped inside the Earth’s magnetic field. When these sun ions enter the upper atmosphere they collide with atmospheric molecules to create a beautiful portrait of energy emissions and light.

Different reactions occur and different colors are produced depending on the combination of ions and atmospheric molecules. Some particles will create pink and blue displays. Collisions in lower altitudes commonly appear as yellowish-green lights. The rarest aurora color is deep red, which is formed when ions from the sun collide with oxygen at a high altitude. Throughout history, the lights have had many names including “Dance of the Spirits,” as the Cree called it.

Where do the Aurora Borealis Occur?

The aurora borealis occurs in the northern hemisphere and is most frequently seen in northern Scandinavia, the southern tips of Greenland and Iceland, northwestern Canada, Alaska, and northern Siberia, so the igloo village in Finnish Lapland (the northern part of Finland) is a prime viewing area.

When is the Aurora Borealis Visible?

The northern lights are present year round, but the sky has to be fairly dark for people to witness the action. So, it’s best to avoid cities and areas with a lot of lighting to get the full effect. Since the igloo village is far from any major source of light pollution, the viewing conditions are ideal. The best time of year to see the aurora borealis is between September and mid-April, so this is the best time to go on northern lights holidays.

Aurora Borealis Photos and Igloo Village Photos

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Images provided courtesy of (in order) Trodel, bjaglin, savillent, Visit Finland, Visit Finland, Visit Finland, Visit Finland, and Visit Finland on Flickr.

Aurora Borealis Video Clips

Trip Planning Tips

If you would like to stay in an igloo beneath the aurora borealis, you should know the following things:

Name: Hotel Kakslauttanen

Price: Igloos run about $500 USD per night for two people (single occupancy is only slightly cheaper).

Phone: +358 (16) 667-100

Fax: +358 (16) 667-168

Email: hotel@kakslauttanen.fl

Tips: Book well in advance. The Igloo Village is very popular and many dates are sold out early in (or even before) the season.

Don’ forget to book your trip when the aurora borealis is most visible (see above).

Lapland Vacations

The post Stay in an Igloo Under the Aurora Borealis appeared first on XpatMatt.

RELATED GUIDES

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Marbella Guide

Granada Guide

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Tenerife Guide

La Tomatina in Bunol, Spain is basically the world’s biggest and messiest tomato fight festival. This orgy of tomato throwing in Spain occurs each year on the last Wednesday in August. Keep reading to find out about the history of this bizarre festival, how it goes down, and how you can plan a trip to do some tomato throwing in Spain this year.

Check out the top three videos of La Tomatina.

Tomato Throwing in Spain

La Tomatina in Bunol is an annual festival in Spain.  Attracting visitors from around the world, the event has been declared a Fiesta of International Tourist Interest. Participants have one hour to unleash their inner child and engage in one of the most epic food fights ever. The city council dumps truckloads of tomatoes in the streets (In 2007 there were 115 tons!) and, once the festival begins, no one is safe.

The main event leading up to the food fight is known as the palo jabón. A greased pole is erected and a ham is placed on top of it. Then participants attempt to climb to the pole to reach the ham. Spectators sing, dance, and shower themselves with water waiting for a victor to toss the ham off the top of the pole. Once the ham falls, the horn sounds and the hour-long tomato fight begins. The fight usually starts around 11 am.

After the fight, firemen hose down the town while locals generously offer participants the use of their hoses to clean up. Some people also wash off in the pool of  los peñones.

Want to Do Some Tomato Throwing in Spain?

La Tomatina takes place in the Valencian town of Bunol the last Wednesday of August around 11 am. It lasts for one hour.  Particpants should arrive at the festival around 8 am to ensure a good spot for taking in all the action. To get to the event, travelers can fly into Valencia and take a train or bus to the center of the city. Please note tickets into and out of the city should be booked well in advance due to the popularity of the tomato fight festival. A one-way ticket from Valencia to Bunol costs around $6.75 (€4.70) and takes about 45 minutes. Visitors should arrive at the Valencia San Isidre station around 6:30 am to catch the 7am train.

Due to the lack of accommodation in Bunol, it’s much easier to find a place to stay in Valencia. Hotel rooms should also be booked well in advance, as hotels tend to hike up their prices around this time. Hostel reservations can be easily made online you can check out these villas in Spain.

Other Tips: Make sure to bring goggles, wear clothes you don’t mind getting ripped or stained, and water-proof your camera!

La Tomatina History

The origins of tomato throwing in Spain are a bit sketchy, but the original festival is said to have been started by some angry youths who began throwing tomatoes at their enemies one Wednesday afternoon in August, 1945. Though lawmakers arrived on the scene and put the kibosh on that fight, every year around the same time more and more people gathered to repeat the tomato war. The fight grew in popularity but was outlawed in the 1950’s. Due to pressure from the locals, the town council approved the fight again in 1959 with stipulation that tomato throwing could only begin with the sound of a horn and would cease when the horn sounded again. Since that time the fight risen in fame over the years. Copycat fights have also sprouted up in Columbia, Costa Rica, China, Chile, and Reno, Nevada.

Check out the top three videos of La Tomatina.

All photos courtesy of flydime on Flickr

Valencia Vacations

The post La Tomatina in Bunol, Spain: The Tomato Fight Festival appeared first on XpatMatt.

Reindeer Sledding with the Sami People

The Sami people are an indigenous people spread across northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. They have a long and close relationship with reindeer. It is known that that they have hunted them for more than a millennium. According some old Chinese writings, the Sami may have been riding them as early as 400 AD.

About 20,000 Sami live in Sweden today, and of them only about 900 are active reindeer herders. Like aboriginal communities around the globe, as modernization and industry push spread into increasingly remote areas, their traditional culture is being pushed out. In Sweden the main problem is that private interests want the Sami’s herding grounds for logging and mining (more information is available at the bottom of this post).

Now, like many indigenous peoples, the Sami are being forced to capitalize on their traditional way of life as a means of both making money, and preserving their culture. One of the most unique experiences the Sami offer is reindeer sledding.

If taking a reindeer sledding trip (which sounds awesome in it’s own right) will help out the Sami, then I’m all for it.

Lets put on our parkas and go lasso some reindeer.

Reindeer Herding Sami Photos

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Sami photos courtesy of (in order) Nordiska museet, Jokkman, brainwise, and elmyra on Flickr.

Destination: Swedish Ice Hotel

I ran across the Swedish ice hotel, or Icehotel as it is properly called, while researching the Sami people. It’s one of the  most famous destinations for Lapland holidays. Icehotel is a hotel made completely from ice and snow. It advertises both heated and cold rooms, although I haven’t yet figured out how that is possible. It also has a bar named, not surprisingly, Icebar. They also offer skiing, dogsledding, horse tours, and wicked views of the northern lights.

A couple of the reindeer sledding trips I looked at take visitors to the ice hotel. I’m not big on staying in expensive novelty hotels—or any hotels at all for that matter—but this place is an ice palace. It must be done at least once.

Ice Hotel Photos

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Icehotel photos coutesy of bjaglin on Flickr

A Few Swedish Ice Hotel Facts

• The Swedish ice hotel’s actual name is Icehotel
• Icehotel is located in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, 200 km north of the Arctic Circle.
• It’s made from 10,000 tons of ice and 30,000 tons of snow
• The hotel melts every summer and is rebuilt each winter
• It is built in phases. Construction begins in mid-November. The first phase is finished after about 3.5 weeks and the hotel opens. A new phase is completed each week until the hotel is completed around the end of December, after about six weeks total construction time.
• The hotel includes: 5 types of rooms, both warm and cold (uh, I mean freezing),
• The hotel has capacity for 100+ guests
• Rooms during the winter cost from $180 USD per person per night all the way up to $710 USD per person per night.
• The ‘hotel’ was first conceived in 1992 when there were no rooms available in town so some visitors slept in sleeping bags on the floor of the an art exhibition hall made of snow.

More Information

The Swedish ice hotel

The Sami people

Obstacles facing reindeer herders

Swedish Lapland

Reindeer sledding tours to the Swedish ice hotel

Lapland Vacations

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Place

Kraków (sometimes written Cracow), Poland

Kraków Location

Southern Poland

Geography of Kraków

Kraków is located on the Vistula River in Poland’s Malopolskie province about 75 km north of Slovakia and 120 km east of the Czech Republic. The most popular beach is the 10,000 m Kraków Beach on the shore of the Vistulala. There are several notable geographic landmarks near Kraków, including the Polish Jurassic Highland, an area that comprised of Jurassic limestone hills, cliffs, and valleys (also called the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland) to the north and the Tatra Mountains 100 km to the south. The city sits at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. The city is also home to five nature reserves that collectively protect 48.6 hectares of land.

Climate in Kraków

Kraków has an Oceanic climate. This means that it rains consistently throughout the year in the city. From June to August it rains significantly more than at other times of year. The average high temperature during the summer is usually around 24°C, and temperatures can climb above 30°C, while the average low is around 14°C. The average highs during the winter months are just above freezing, and the average lows are around -5°C at night.

Kraków Description

Kraków is a city steeped in history and cultural significance. The former national capital, and current capital of Malopolskie, a province in southern Poland, is the second largest city in the country with around 754,000 inhabitants. It’s also, the most popular tourist destination in Poland, and for good reason. The city is home to 28 Museums and art galleries that display many famous works of art, including some by Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt. There are also dozens of parks and numerous historic temples, churches, and monasteries. One of the oldest cities in Polandm Kraków was known to be an important city by 1000 AD. The historic central district, Kraków Old Town, is a Unesco World Heritage Site. For these reasons, and the city’s proximity to the mountains, more than 7 million tourists visit the city each year.

Kraków Highlights

• Kraków Hiking and Trekking: The nearby Jurassic Highland and Tatra and Carpathian Mountains make Kraków a great jumping of point for hiking and trekking.
• Kraków Rock Climbing: Rock climbing is very popular here. Numerous climbing gyms and the city’s proximity to two mountain ranges make Kraków a great city for rock climbers.
• Kraków Scuba Diving: Is obviously not very diverse, but it is done at the old Zakrówek limestone quarry-come-reservoir
• Kraków Kayaking: The Crakow Kayak Club has a surprisingly good artificial whitewater course (320 m long, 12-14 m wide, and 1.45 m deep) set up on the Vistula River.
• Kraków Skiing: A twenty minute train ride away the Kraków Valley Gold and Country Club has three ski lifts from 100 to 350 m, with two-hour passes for $9 USD and day passes for $12.50 USD.

Kraków Outdoor Adventure Activities

• Scuba diving (just a little bit)
• Snorkeling
• Paragliding
• Hang gliding
• Sky diving
• Bungee jumping
• Hot air ballooning
• Whitewater rafting
• Kayaking (river)
• Hydrospeed/riverboarding
• Caving and spelunking
• Hiking/trekking (all levels)
• Via Ferrata
• Rock climbing (all levels)
• Ice climbing
• Abseiling/rappelling
• Mountain Biking (novice to expert)
• Horseback Riding
• Skiing and snowboarding
• Cross-country skiing

Budget Travel in Krakow

• Prices for hostel dorms start at about $9 USD per night at the Hostel Benedykta. If you’re looking for a bit more privacy, a private double at the Aston Hostel can be shared for just over $17 USD per person.
Go here for a complete list of hostels in Krakow.
Hotels in Krakow are more expensive than the above options, but also fairly reasonable.
• Eating out in Krakow is not overly expensive. Breakfast and lunch in low-end local places can be found for $4-6 USD, and dinner for a couple bucks more.

Travel Insurance

I use World Nomads. It’s not too expensive and signing up online is simple and straightforward. They also cover a lot of sports equipment and high-risk adventure activities that other insurers won’t touch—and that’s really important to me. You can get a free quote on their website.

Krakow Photos

[nggallery id=47]

Images (in order) courtesy of jesuscm, eugene, bildungsr0man, darek.zon, sz.u., Ðariusz, AlphaTangoBravo / Adam Baker, Arcadiuš, Arcadiuš, bildungsr0man, smif, and bolandrotor on Flickr.

Suggested Reading

Click on the images for more information

Map

View Larger Map

The information on this page was provided by My Kraków Info. If you want to know more about Kraków they are the people to ask.

Disclosure: If you purchase insurance, book a hostel, or purchase one of the recommended books on this page using the links provided, I will receive a small commission. I do not, however, recommend these products simply to make money. I recommend World Nomads travel insurance because I use it myself and feel that they offer a good product that suits my needs at a fair price. I recommend Hostelbookers.com because they have the cheapest booking prices that I have seen online and a large selection, and I recommend the selected books from Amazon.com because they have reputations for quality information and were up to date at the time of writing.If you have found my blog useful I hope that you will consider purchasing some of these products using the links on this page to help me to continue providing free information about adventure travel around the world.

Krakow Vacations

The post Krakow, Poland Adventure Travel Guide appeared first on XpatMatt.

Place

Namibia (Republic of Namibia), Africa

Location

Namibia is located on the southwest coast of Africa on the Atlantic Ocean. Namibia borders on South Africa to the south, Botswana to the east, Angola and Zambia to the north, and is bisected by the Tropic of Capricorn.

Namibia Cities

Namibia’s capital city is Windhoek, which is located near the geographic center of the country and is the largest city by a significant margin.

The Geography of Namibia

Covering 825,418 kilometers of the African continent, Nambia is the 34th largest country in the world. Moving west to east from the Atlantic Ocean across Nambia you first cross the Namib Desert, and then the central plateau where most of the population lives and move farther onto the Great Escarpment, an enormous plateau that crosses several countries. The highest point in the country is Brandberg Mountain (also known as Königstien) at 2606 m.

Nambia’s Central Plateau runs north south through the middle of the country and is home to most of the population.

The Namib Desert is an 80,900 square kilometer (slightly smaller than Austria) hyper-arid plain comprised of gravel and sand dunes that covers Nambia’s entire coastline, including the Skeleton Coast. This extremely inhospitable area is thought to be the oldest desert in the world and most of it has little life. Nambia’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism claims that this desert is home to the largest sand dunes in the world, but this claim is disputed. Either way, with the tallest measuring 383 m from base to top, they’re pretty damned big. And, ranging in color from orange to pink, the are quite a sight. This area is also rich in diamonds.

The Great Escarpment is a large rocky plateau that makes up a substantial portion of several countries in southern Africa. It occupies the eastern portion of Namibia, rising steeply out of the central plains to an elevation of about 2000m.

The Kalahari Desert is probably Namibia’s best-known geographic feature. The Kalihari Desert occupies portions of Botswana and South Africa, as well as a significant portion of eastern Namibia. The Kalahari Desert gets significantly more rain that the most deserts, and thus supports a wide variety of life.

The Climate in Namibia

Namibia has a climate typical of desert-dominated areas, arid with little rainfall, with large differences between daytime high temperatures and nighttime lows. Namibia normally receives over 300 days of sunshine per year, though this varies a bit from area to area.

Winter, which takes place from June to August, is dry. Namibia has two rainy seasons—a short season during October and November characterized by frequent thunderstorms, and a longer season from February to April. Rainfall varies from nearly zero in parts of the Namib Desert to 600mm per year in the northeast of the country.

During the summer temperatures can reach as high as 40°C, but drop significantly at night. During the winter inland temperatures range between 18°C and 25°C during the day, and can drop below freezing at night.

Namibia Description

With a population of just 2.1 million people, Namibia has the second lowest population desity of any sovereign country in the world after Mongolia. The government is a stable multi-party parliamentary democracy and the economy is based largely on mining for diamonds, gold, silver, uranium, and other base materials. Tourism also contributes significantly to the economy, especially ecotourism.

Economically and socially, Namibia is still a developing nation. Even generous estimates say that at least half of the country’s population is unemployed. Half the population also lives below the international poverty line of $1.25 USD per day and approximately 15% of the population had Aids in 2007.G

Receiving one million visitors each year, mostly from South Africa, Germany, the UK, Italy and France, tourism in Namibia makes up an important part of the economy. The industry comprises nearly 15% of the country’s GDP and creates 18% of all jobs.

Namibia is of the few countries that includes conservation and protection of natural resources in the constitution, and much of the tourism is ecotourism. Birding in Namibia is great, with 644 species of bird, 14 of which are endemic. The unique geography of the northeastern Bushveld attracts a fantastic variety of birds. There are also plenty of high-altitude activities. Paragliding and hang gliding are both done in Namibia, though you probably want to bring your own gear (more information can be found here). Hot air ballooning and skydiving are also both readily available. The most unique attraction, however, is the Flying Fox zipline, which is said to be the longest in the world, carrying you 1200 m from the peak of Rössing Mountain into the valley below at heights over 200 m. The most popular places to view wildlife include Etosha National Park, Waterberg Plateau National Park, and Cape Cross Seal Reserve.

Oh yeah, did I mention that the Fish River Canyon in the south of the country is the second largest in the world (after the Grand Canyon). Anybody up for a hike?

Highlights

Surf Namibia:WannaSurf.com lists lots of good surf breaks in Nambia, mostly breaking left with some points, and mostly suitable only for experienced riders.

Kitesurf Namibia: If you want to try kitesurfing in Namibia, check out the Walvis Bay Kite Center.

Sandbaording in Namibia: With some of the largest dunes in the world sandboarding is something everyone should try while visiting.  Sandboarding in Swakopmund is said to be great.

Namibia Outdoor Adventure Activities and Extreme Sports

• Surfing
• Stand-up paddle boarding
• Scuba diving (possible, but at the time of writing there were no known dive centers in the country)
• Snorkeling
• Surfing (all levels)
• Sailing
• Kitesurfing
• Windsurfing
• Parasailing
• Paragliding
• Hang gliding
• Sky diving
• Hot air ballooning
• River raft expeditions
• Kayaking (river and lake)
• Canoeing
• Caving and spelunking
• Hiking/trekking (all levels)
• Ziplining (really, really awesome)
• Rock climbing (all levels)
• Abseiling/rappelling
• Mountain Biking (novice to expert)
• Horseback Riding
• Camel riding
• Sandskiing/sandboarding

Namibia Budget Travel

• Namibia accommodations are not as cheap as one would expect. Although, reasonably priced hostels can be found in Nambia’s capital city, Windhoek, it’s harder to find good prices elsewhere. In Windhoek The Cardboard Box is a good basic hostel with dorm beds for $13 USD per night. If you go to the coast we suggest Loubser’s B&B Self Catering in Walvis Bay, which has beds for $17 USD per night.
  A full list of hostels in Namibiacan be found here.
  Go here for more information about Namibia hotels.
• Budget meals in local restaurants can be purchased for $3-4 USD and, if you’re dying for a McDonalds burger, that will run you just over $5. The local beer is cheap (less than $1 USD each at the supermarket) and good, so be sure to drink plenty of it.

Have Insurance?

I like to use World Nomads. It’s not too expensive and signing up is fast and straightforward. They also have pretty good coverage for sports equipment like surf and snowboards, but it varies depending on your country of origin, so be sure double check. You can get a free quote on their website.

Namibia Photos

[nggallery id=46]

Images (in order) courtesy of Willemvdk, geoftheref, Alastair Rae, MauritsV, mp3ief, geoftheref, aftab., gakout, aftab., aftab., Ferdinand Reus, and aftab. on Flickr.

Suggested Reading

Click on the images for more information

Namibia Map

View Larger Map

The information on this page was provided by My Namibia Info. If you want to know more about Namibia they are the people to ask.

Windhoek Vacations

The post Namibia Adventure Travel Guide appeared first on XpatMatt.

The Canon Powershot has a reputation for being the point-and-shoot for professionals.

However, during my research, I learned that it has a new competitor: the Panasonic Lumix LX5 .  With a lens manufactured by Lica, this camera is hard to ignore.

The main differences that I can see are these:

The LX5 has a 24 – 90mm vs. the 28 – 120 on the G12.

The LX5 has a maximum aperture of 2.0 – 3.3 vs. 2.8 – 4.5 of the G12.

The LX5 shoots 2.5 frames per second vs. the 1.5 fps on the G12.

The LX5 costs around $420 vs. the G12 at $480.

A full side-by-side technical comparison can be found here.

Help me out here. What do you think I should buy? Please let me know in this poll, or in the comments section.

Thanks for your help!

~Matt

The post I Need a Backup Camera. Should I Buy a Canon Powershot G12 or a Panasonic Lumix LX5? appeared first on XpatMatt.

Florida

Location

Southeastern United States

Major Cities in Florida

Major cities in Florida include Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and St. Petersburg. The Capital is Tallahassee.

Florida Climate and Geography

Florida is situated in the southeastern United States, bordering on Georgia to the north, and Alabama to the northeast, and with a coast on the Atlantic Ocean in the east, the Florida Straits in the southeast and south, and the Gulf of Mexico in the west. The state also includes an archipelago of 1700 islands in the Florida Strait called the Florida Keys.

The state is 170,305 sq km (65,755 square miles) and has a coastline 1,350 miles long. It is the longest coastline in the contiguous United States.

A good portion of Florida is a peninsula surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straights of Florida. Most of the state is at or near sea level. The peninsula is made of limestone and bedrock and has many underwater caves and sinkholes.

Florida’s landscape is mostly flat and is strewn with lakes and wetlands. The southern tip of the peninsula is home to Everglades National Park, a massive array of government-protected wetlands created by a slow-moving river. Florida is renowned for its beautiful bays, beaches, and estuaries along the coast. The state also has a set of tropical islands—the Florida Keys—that are surrounded by the warm waters of the Caribbean.

The warmest state in the United States, Florida has mild, pleasant winters with average daily temperatures of 21.5 °C. North and central Florida are classified as having a humid subtropical climate, while the southern part of the state, and the Florida Keys, have a tropical climate. Accordingly, during the winter months visitors can expect cooler weather in central and northern Florida and warmer weather down south. Snowfall is not common anywhere in the state. Summer months are hot and humid with average temperatures of around 33 °C. In the winter lows dip down to around 4 – 7°C. The rainy season lasts from mid June to September. During this time short thunderstorms occur on nearly a daily basis. Hurricanes are also common at this time of year.

Florida is home to a variety of plant and animal species, many of which are threatened. Dolphins, whales, panthers, otters, manatees, crocodiles, alligators, sea turtles, eagles, deer, pelicans, and armadillos are among some of the exotic species that inhabit the area. Marshlands, Mangrove forests, and Cypress trees are native flora.

Florida Description

Florida is known as “The Sunshine State” in the U.S and is a popular destination, especially during winter months, for Americans fleeing the cold Midwest. It is also a multi-cultural state. In the northern part of the state visitors can experience the charms of traditional southern living. The southern part of the state is more diverse with Latin American, Seminole Indian, and beach-bum vibes. Though the cities are large and sprawling, Florida is an excellent location for those seeking outdoor adventure. Popular tourist destinations include Miami, Orlando (home to Disney World), Daytona Beach (known for its pristine beach and motor-sports facilities), Everglades National Park, and the Florida Keys.

Surrounded by ocean, snorkeling, diving, whale/dolphin watching, surfing, and kiteboarding are all convenient and accessible adventures in Florida. Although tennis is popular, and many people go for lessons at a tennis academy, Florida is better known for it’s spectacular beaches, such as Panama City Beach, Miami Beach, and Daytona Beach—with many more options around the state. The Florida Keys are known around the world for their scenery with crystal clear water, and offer amazing diving and snorkeling opportunities.

The Florida Everglades is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is also the largest sub-tropical wilderness reserve on the North American continent. Interested in hiking in Florida? Tourists may hike through the reserve on marked trails where they can watch birds and, if lucky, witness an alligator slinking through the brackish waters.
Canoeing in alligator-infested waters is also a popular activity, but most sites require participants to sign a waiver.

To get the most out of your Florida adventure it recommended that you do some research ahead of time, as there are seemingly endless activities available to tourists.

Florida Outdoor Adventure Activities and Extreme Sports

• Surfing
• Stand-up paddle boarding
• Scuba diving (wreck, reef, cave)
• Snorkeling
• Surfing (all levels)
• Sailing
• Kitesurfing
• Windsurfing
• Parasailing
• Paragliding
• Hang gliding
• Sky diving
• Bungee jumping
• Hot air ballooning
• Whitewater rafting
• Kayaking (river, lake, sea)
• Canoeing
• Caving and spelunking
• Hiking/trekking (all levels)
• Ziplining
• Rock climbing (indoor, bouldering)
• Abseiling/rappelling (indoors)
• Mountain biking
• Horseback Riding

Budget Travel in Florida

• A popular destination for students on vacation, Florida has some very reasonable hostels. The cheapest tend to start around $12-15 USD per night for a dorm bed. In Miami, the Santa Barbara is a good deal. For the best value, though you should definitely check out the slightly more expensive ($16 USD per bed per night) Jazz on South Beach.
  More information about hostels in Florida can be found here.
• On the lower end, meals can be found for under $10. One of the more interesting ways to try Floridian cuisine is to sign up for an Everglades package tour, where tourists are offered offered fresh seafood and delicacies such as alligator nuggets.

Have Insurance?

I like to use World Nomads. It’s not too expensive and signing up is fast and straightforward. They also have pretty good coverage for sports equipment like surf and snowboards, but it varies depending on your country of origin, so be sure double check. You can get a free quote on their website.

Florida Photos

[nggallery id=44]

Images (in order) courtesy of emilio labrador, eschipul, gregor_y, kayaklng labrat, chaunceydavis818, Kevin N. Murphy, ah zut, horizontal.integration, Air & Space Magazine, Kissimmee – The Heart of Florida, Wildlands CPR, and Kay Gaensler on Flickr.

Suggested Reading

Click on the images for more information

Florida Map

View Larger Map

Florida City Vacations

The post Florida Adventure Travel Guide appeared first on XpatMatt.

Cape Verde (sometimes referred to as the Cape Verde Islands)

Location

Cape Verde is an archipelago of ten islands and three islets in the Atlantic ocean about 500 km west of Senegal.

Major Cities in Cape Verde

The largest cities in the Cape Verde islands include the capital, Praia, which is on the island of Santiago, and also Mindelo on São Vicente, and Asssomada on Santiago.

Cape Verde Climate and Geography

Cape Verde is a horseshoe-shaped archipelago of ten volcanic islands off the coast of Africa, and is part of the larger island group called Macronesia. The islands include (from east to west) Boa Vista, Sal, Maio, Santiago, São Nicolau, Fogo, Brava, São Vicente, and Santo Antão. The islands cover a total of 4033 sq km, an area slightly larger than Rhode Island, and have 965 km of coastline between them. Although they are all volcanic in origin, the islands host a wide variety of terrain ranging from rocky plains, to sandy beaches, to salt flats, and steep volcanoes. The tallest point is the active volcano Pico do Fogo, which stands 2,829 m above sea level and last erupted in 1995. Receiving little rain the islands are largely rocky and unfriendly to plant life.

Although hot, Cape Verde’s climate is milder than in nearby Africa because the cool sea currents help to cool the air around the islands. Cape Verde’s weather is sunny most of the year and the archipelago receives little rain. Because of this the Cape Verde islands are prone to drought, and are classified as arid and semi-desert. Most rain occurs between August and October in short, heavy bursts. The average temperature in Cape Verde at sea level ranges from about 19°C (avg. low) to 25°C (avg. high) in February to 25°C (avg. low) to 29°C (avg. high) in September. It is important to remember, though, that most of the islands are steep and rugged, and that the temperature in Cape Verde varies depending on altitude.

Description of Cape Verde

Cape Verde’s population (who are referred to as Cape Verdeans) is around 567,000. About a quarter of the population (128,000) lives in Paraia, and another 70,000 lives in Mindelo. Official language is Portuguese, but most people’s first language is a Cape Verdian Creole. Cape Verde is generally considered to be a developing country, but has a reasonably stable democratic political system.

Cape Verde was never meant to be lived on. It was uninhabited until the 15th century, and rightly so. There are few natural resources, limited fresh water, and little arable land. About 90% of the food consumed in Cape Verde is imported.

In recent decades Cape Verde has been striving to improve its tourism sector and has been having some success and options for holidays in Cape Verde have been improving. Between 1994 and 2000 58% of foreign investment in the country was in the tourism sector, and between 2000 and 2009 the country had one of the fastest-growing tourism sectors in the world. In 2010 382,000 people visited the archipelago which is, despite its economic situation, relatively safe for visitors.

Because of its isolation, Cape Verde it is home to many endemic species, mainly flora, birds, and reptiles. 664 plant species, two of which are threatened, are listed as endemic to Cape Verde. There are many endemic bird species, and 130 migrant birds visit the islands. There are 12 endemic species of lizards on the islands including the Cape Verde giant gecko. The surrounding ocean also provides excellent turtle habitat. As of 2003 Cape Verde had 48 protected areas, but they only covered 0.3% of the land area.

The Cape Verde islands are considered by some to be one of the top ten coral reef biodiversity hotspots in the world. With reef diving, wreck diving, and cave diving all readily available, snorkeling and scuba diving there are said to be amazing. With strong consistent winds, Cape Verde is world famous for windsurfing and is also excellent for kitesurfing and sailing. The surfing in Cape Verde is said to be awesome, and the website WannaSurf.com lists 13 breaks, most of which are rocky or reef breaks that can accomodate all levels of surfers.
Hiking, trekking, and caving are all spectacular there, especially on Pico de Fogo, which said to be one of the most spectacular conical volcanoes in the world. The hiking on Santo Antao is also beautiful. Because of the generally loose and unstable rocks that comprise much of the archipelago, there is little climbing in Cape Verde. Despite this Cape Verdeans have been taking a greater interest in the sport in recent years, and there are some guides that take out small groups.

If you’re just looking for a beach to lie on, then your best bets are the white sand beach of Santa Maria on the island of Sal, or, if you want something a bit more secluded, Santa Monica beach on Boa Vista. Several species of turtles inhabit the ocean surrounding Cape Verde, many of which are endangered by hunting. The best way to see these turtles, and contribute to their protection, is to take a turtle watching tour with SOS Tartarugas or visiting the hatchery on Ponta Preta. All proceeds go towards turtle conservation.

Outdoor Adventure Activities in Cape Verde

• Surfing
• Stand-up paddle boarding
• Scuba diving (wreck, reef, cave)
• Snorkeling
• Surfing (all levels)
• Sailing
• Kitesurfing
• Windsurfing
• Paragliding
• Kayaking (sea)
• Caving and spelunking
• Hiking/trekking (all levels)
• Rock climbing (all levels)
• Abseiling/rappelling
• Mountain Biking (novice to expert)
• Horseback Riding

Budget Travel in Cape Verde

• Being relatively small islands that don’t receive many backpackers, budget accommodation on the Cape Verde islands is limited. A couple of the cheaper options are the Solar Windelo on Mindelo where you can find rent a two-person studio for $18 USD per person per night, or the Casa Cavoquinho on Santo Antao where you can rent a room for two for about $25 USD per person per night.
  More information about hostels in Cape Verde can be found here.
• About 90% of the food on Cape Verde is imported, so food tends to be costly compared to other things. Cape Verde restaurants will probably eat up your budget quickly. Shopping in local markets and eating at small local restaurants is the best way to stretch your food budget.

Have Insurance?

I like to use World Nomads. It’s not too expensive and signing up is fast and straightforward. They also have pretty good coverage for sports equipment like surf and snowboards, but it varies depending on your country of origin, so be sure double check. You can get a free quote on their website.

Photos of Cape Verde

[nggallery id=43]

Images (in order) courtesy of Yann Pinczon du Sel, aldask, davetrainer, antifluor, aldask, Al@in76, Sérgio Machado, Tom Simpson, Moises.on, davetrainer, dickdotcom, andIDS.photos on Flickr.

Suggested Reading

Click on the images for more information

Cape Verde Map

View Larger Map
The information on this page was provided by My Destination Cape Verde. If you want to know more about Cape Verde they are the people to ask.

The post Cape Verde Adventure Travel Guide appeared first on XpatMatt.

Tripbase recently started a project that has spread throughout the travel blogosphere. They asked a few bloggers to summarize seven categories of old blog posts, highlighting some of their most interesting content. Then, each blogger then nominates five more bloggers to do the same.

Thanks to Suzy Guese for the nomination! Here are my seven posts.

Most beautiful post: Ghosts and Angels on the Beautiful Island

By far one of the most personal stories that I’ve written on my blog, this post tells the story of a friend of mine in Taiwan who died and describes the haunted beauty of both the Taiwanese countryside and religion. The story, however, is ultimately about the incredible kindness that our Taiwanese friends displayed in the wake of the tragedy.

Most successful post: Professional Travel Tips

This was actually a list of tips that my aunt, a travel agent and veteran traveller, sent me before I went to Borneo. It became popular on StumbleUpon and has since brought more traffic to my blog than any other post. It think its popularity is related to tip #8, which suggests that you “buy really, really large ladies underwear (not the bikini type) and soil them with dirt or coffee and put them on top of your clothes” to deter people from looking through your bags.

Most controversial post: My Experience During the Vancouver Canucks Riot (on the Huffington Post)

I happened to be in Vancouver after attending TBEX ’11 for the riots after the Canucks lost game seven of the Stanley Cup finals. When they began I headed straight into them with my camera. This first-person narrative was one of the most popular pieces written about the riot on the Huffington Post and drew hundreds of comments in the first three days, many discussing the ethics of my presence at the riot, the legitimacy of blogging as journalism, and whether journalists should remain passive observers when they have the ability to intervene in unjust actions.

Most helpful post: How Can I Find  a Writing Job in Taiwan?

Everyone knows that you can get a job teaching English in Taiwan, but many aspiring writers are not aware that it is also a good place to search for your first writing job as there is less competition and less experience is required, compared to most English-speaking countries. This post outlines the main types of writing employment available and where and how to find it.

A post whose success surprised us: Adventures in Malaysian Borneo Part 1: Driving at Night with No Lights

This was a post that I wrote quickly, mainly for my friends who wanted to hear about my trip to Borneo and find out what kind of trouble I got myself into. My friends thought it was dramatic and funny and began sharing. Then everyone began sharing it. It’s definitely most popular narrative I’ve written, which surprised me because I put very little effort into it.

A post that didn’t get the attention it deserved: Four Questions For Rolf Potts

What can I say? It’s four questions with one of the most famous successful living travel writers in which we discuss Kerouac, Vonnegut, writing style, and the international drug scene–things I’ve never seen him write about elsewhere.  I thought it was a gem of an interview. Traffic to the page, however, indicates otherwise.

The post that made you the most proud: Kootenay Ski Culture

There are many posts that I’m very proud of (There’s Treasure Everywhere and Change were also contenders for this spot), but this is the most recent. I wrote it shortly after returning to Canada for my first extended visit in six years. I’m proud of it because I proved to myself that I was able to write a piece about my own culture as interesting as those I write about others. It also brought me the best-paying assignment of my career. Shortly after writing it, I sent this post to Kootenay Mountain Culture magazine because I thought they’d get a laugh out of it. I guess that they did, because they wrote back asking me to write the feature for their next issue.

Nominations

Here some bloggers to whom I’d like to pass on seven questions nominations:

Lorna of The Romantics

Carrie of My Several Worlds

Jeannie of Nomadic Chick

Richard of Lief in Taiwan

Unfortunately, those are the only bloggers that I know who haven’t already done this, so I have two nominations left. So, if you are a blogger and would like an invite, please just comment below and I’ll send you one.

The post The Seven Links Project: Seven of my Favorite Blog Posts appeared first on XpatMatt.