AT#182 - Travel to Venice and the Veneto

The Amateur Traveler talks to Lillie Marshall of AroundTheWorldL.com about the 3 months she volunteered in Ghana in sub-Saharan West Africa on her round the world trip. She worked for the program Youth Creating Change. Lillie talks about some of the tourist spots in Ghana like the the slavery castle at Cape Coast and Mole National Park. Then she talks about what it is like to live and volunteer in a 3rd world country where the people are wonderful and some of the cultural differences can be striking (don’t ask why she didn’t like the beaches). She extols the wonders of food like fufu and how to buy a $10 hand made dress. She also talks briefly about the capital of Accra that Lonely Planet thinks is their second least favorite city on the planet.NewsGun Taken From Suicidal JetBlue Pilot in Crew LoungePushy fliers may show up on TSA’s radarShow NotesAround the World L – Lilly Marshall’s blogGhana@WorldLillie – Lilly on twitterCouchsurfing.comYouth Creating ChangeCape Coast Slave CastleHostels in GhanaAhh!!! A White Person!!!How to Get a Custom-Made Dress for $15What the Heck is Fufu?Ghana Student Life Stories ProjectCommunityAllan disagrees with Ralph in Travel to Montenegro – Episode 232, says “rent a car”Sean says Travel to Kerala, India – Episode 147 missed catholic historyKathy and John, Yemen warningsAmateur Traveler Egypt Photo tour slots available - http://AmateurTraveler.com/toursiTunes reviews of the Amateur Traveler neededNo Maimi Meetup in June 2010NYC meetup June 23 2010save 10% off Globus Tours - http://AmateurTraveler.com/globussponsored by Auidble - http://AmateurTraveler.com/freebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

29 Maj 201036min

The Amateur Traveler talks to Melody who has been living as an exchange student in Hong Kong. Melody tells us what to see in Hong Kong from the very western feeling Central neighborhood of Hong Kong island, the peak and the mid-level escalators to the more Chinese neighborhoods in Kowloon and the less populated New Territories. She also takes us out to some of the outlying islands like Lantau island with the Big Buddha & Po Lin Monastery, Cheung Chau Island with its famous bun festival, and the nearly uninhabited Po Toi island.We talk about the 10,000 Buddha Monastery and eat dinner on plastic stools in the middle of the Temple street night market. We explore the fish, flower, bird and jade markets. Melody recommends the Star Ferry for a great view of Hong Kong island, especially at night.For nightlife Melody recommends Wednesday and Thursday nights when ladies often get free drinks. Her favorite night spot is the Cavern and a famous one is the Fringe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22 Maj 201047min

The Amateur Traveler talks to photographer Ralph Velasco about a trip to the very new country of Montenegro. When Ralph visited the country it was the newest country on the planet after it split off of Serbia. This mountainous country boasts the southern most fjords in Europe, old walled Venetian towns, fortresses, island churches, hikes, rafting, and some wonderful photography. Ralph stayed on the coast and visited the coastal cities of Kotor, Budva and Perast among others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

15 Maj 201025min

The Amateur Traveler talks to Matt Anderson about a recent trip to Taiwan during the Chinese new year celebration. Matt, who is an English teacher in South Korea, started his trip in Taiwan’s capital of Taipei before exploring the eastern coast and the rich heritage of Taiwan’s aboriginal people in the south.In Taipei Matt recommends eating at the Shilin night market where the fried chicken and the sausage are particularly good. Matt and his girlfriend also went to Taipei 101 (which is now the world’s 2nd tallest building), the Chiang Kai-shek memorial, and an assortment of temples including the Confucius temple, the Bo-an temple and the Longshan temple.Matt explored the rugged and less populated east coast on a bike trip that started in Hualien. He visited the Taroko Gorge near to Hualien and nearly spent a night in jail… but it’s not what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8 Maj 201031min

The Amateur Traveler talks to Sean Keaner of the BootsNAll travel network about the city of Portland Oregon. Sean describes the independent character of the city that is expressed in its brew pubs, food carts and hip culture. It is also evident in the famous Powell’s bookstore. Portland has a reputation for being rainy but Sean tells us when to come to Portland, where to ride a bike and where to find some good Vegan food. If Vegan is not your style find out where to find a pork chop over 4 inches thick. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 Maj 201028min

The Amateur Traveler talks to Matthew Stone about his home in Northern Virginia. Matthew describes things to do in Northern Virginia either as a side trip from Washington D.C. or a trip in its own right. We start at the famous monuments and Arlington National Cemetary just south of the District of Columbia and proceed to George Washington’s home of Mount Vernon. Matthew then describes some parks and places to escape the city a short drive away. Sure you know that the National Cemetery is in Virginia but did you know you can find a Black History museum, an Apothecary museum and a Tony award winning regional theater all within walking distance of the Metro? Add in some National Parks, Civil War Battlefields, and the SR 71 Blackbird and you may just have to rearrange your plans for your next vacation to the nation’s capital. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

24 Apr 201036min

The Amateur Traveler talks to Chris Rosenkrans from Pennsylvania about his trip to the country of Yemen. Chris started in the capital city of Sana’a which he thinks is one of the beautiful cities he has ever seen. Chris then recommends a trip to the Haraz mountains to see Shibam Hadhramaut (a shibam is a city built into the cliffs) and north to Kawkaban. In addition wander around Sana’a to some of the community gardens in the area. Chris did not make it to Socotra island where many of the scents like Frankincense come from. Yemen also does sport gun markets and khat markets to this has to qualify as adventure travel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

17 Apr 201031min

The Amateur Traveler talks to Lee from Atlanta about side trips that you can take when you travel to Shanghai this year for Expo 2010. Lee is currently living in China and talks about 3 different weekend trips to destinations that are located near Shanghai. Lee starts us the in history-rich city of Nanjing the site of “China’s Holocaust” in WW 2. Nanjing has been the capital for 6 different Chinese governments and still retains its ancient walls in addition to modern shopping and the tomb of Sun Yat-sen. It was also the location of the world’s worst civil war, the Taiping Rebellion. After Nanjing we explore the many gardens and the canals of Suzhou. Finally Lee takes us to Hangzhou with its beautiful West Lake which the Chinese compare to heaven.NewsSpirit Air to experiment with carry-on bag feesAirlines losing 3000 bags – every hour of every dayWomen try to smuggle dead relative onto flightPaying to use the plane potty?Ky. Judge Rules in Favor of Online Travel SitesShow NotesExpo 2010 Shanghai ChinaTravel to Shanghai, China – Episode 26NanjingNanjing, ChinaNanking MassacreJohn Rabe – a German businessman and Nazi party member who is best known for his efforts to stop the atrocities of the Japanese army during the Nanking OccupationSun Yat-sen – “Father of the Chinese Nation”Ming DynastyCheongsam or Qipao – traditional Chinese dressTaiping Rebellion – largest civil war in history started by Hong Xiuquan who declared himself the brother of Jesus.RestaurantsSkyway Bakery and DeliLes 5 SensTairyo TeppanyakiSuzhouGardens – Master of the Nets, Lion’s Forest, Humble AdministratorMingtown Suzhou International Youth HostelHangzhouTea MuseumA History of Chinese in CaliforniaBraised Pork Belly – Hangzhou Dongpo PorkSweet and Sour Pork RecipeWushanyi International Youth HostelShanghaiCaptain Youth Hostelelong.com, ctrip.com – for accompodationsCommunityEgypt Photo TourAmateur Traveler NewsletterDoes Amateur Traveler work for you at work? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Apr 201034min