GoldenBookTraveler is a blog about traveling around the world. Originally the plan was to log my 7 month trip around Europe and Africa. However, after experiencing the trip of a lifetime, a Pandora’s Box of new travel ideas has been opened!
As I write this I am currently in Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores. (I left Bali early this morning). I’m super excited to conclude my Indonesian trip by hoping aboard a yacht and spending 6 days scuba diving around the islands here. However, first the experience that was Bali! I arrived on the [...]
The updated 2012 20 Best Travel Websites on the Internet features a few repeats, some new up-starts, and a whole-lota competition for your eyeballs! I left off some really useful websites that I browse quite frequently. In addition, I did NOT include travel sections from major online and offline corporations. Sites like Yahoo! Travel, CNN [...]
After finishing a 5 month stint in the main peninsula of Malaysia, I received a notification on CouchSurfing that one of the members needed help repairing rafts for the upcoming whitewater rafting season. I had about a week and a half to burn before a company trip to Penang and was holed up in a [...]
As the post says I am currently in Indonesia. The exact city is Pangandaran, Indonesia. This my first full day here (from Jakarta) and its raining heavily outside. Did not get a chance to do much exploring Since my last post I have finished up my work with Ecoteer. I officially finished on the 19th [...]
I’ve been in Perhentian now for close to 5 months. During my time I’ve lived like a local and a tourist. I’ve seen many people come and go in the village, with each individual leaving their stamp on this volunteer project. In addition, I’ve also stayed in a resort, experiencing the good life as a [...]
The Ecoteer Team visited the beautiful Taman Negara for a 3 day- 2 night Jungle Trek. We teamed with MyCat to help clear the jungle of animal traps and to record animal activity in the area. MyCat is a non-profit agency dedicated to stopping animal poaching. They record and destroy any animal traps as well [...]
Sometimes we have days that we look back on and say,”That was a defining moment in my life”. Those are the days we look back on over a cup of coffee with old buddies, and begin with,”Remember that time…”. One of those days for me took place on September 5 2012. The ambassadors The kids, [...]
I’ve experienced many different beliefs about money in my life. As a young budding entrepreneur money was everything. I did not believe the old saying, “Money doesn’t buy you happiness”. To me, material wealth meant living the lifestyle I always dreamed. Fast cars, hot women, an exploding bank account, and people coming up to me [...]
I’ve now been in paradise, aka Perhentian, for a little over two months now. I no longer wear mosquito spray or sun screen in the village, and during many times of the day you can find me walking around bare foot. I know where everything is around the house (well almost) and give Turtle and [...]
I recently returned from a trip from Denver, Colorado with my Explore Austin group. During this time we spent time rock climbing, repelling, bouldering, hiking, biking, and fun team building activities with the kids 10k feet up in the Rocky Mountains. My experience was one of complete immersion, as I was completely distraction free. I [...]