What We’re Reading: July 31, 2009

Daniel | Jul 31, 2009 | Comments 2 |

Keep up with what we're reading!

Each friday, we share those sites and articles—those interesting links—that we are currently reading or have recently read.

Kathryn and I will be away on vacation from Saturday, August 1 through Saturday, August 8. While we’ve been working hard on getting our editorial calendar in order, we’re going to spend our vacation generating new content. Hence, we’ll be taking a break here next week. That being said, we’ll be sure to check into the blog and maybe put up a post or two!

So, in our absence, be sure to check out the following sites to get your fill of travel-related blogging goodness!

One of Matador’s members relates what it’s like to contract Swine Flu—an interesting narrative with good commentary. Check it out here.

A massive cave recently uncovered in a remote Vietnamese jungle is the largest single cave passage yet found, a new survey shows. National Geographic has the story and some groovy pictures of the cave, too.

Andy Hayes features an interesting post from Arun Rajagopal on one of the best ways to experience the heart and soul of India—by train.

Traveler’s Library reviews Wanderlust and Lipstick: For Women Traveling to India by Beth Whitman, calling Whitman “a gift to women who want adventurous travel in all those places that good little girls are not supposed to go–particularly by themselves, or with only the protection of (gasp!) other women.” Check the review out here.

Jessica and Tim outline (over on Hedgehogs Without Borders) some must-see locations in Turkey.

Travel Wonders of the World brought to our attention that Capital Cause Charitable Trust israising money and awareness for the Orphan Help Centre in Nepal, which supports twenty homeless or disadvantaged children:

You simply have to go to the Capital Cause website, make a donation and guess the weight of the backpack (as shown above). The contents feature a bundle of hiking goodies (explained on the site) and even include the treasured Australian goodies of Minties (a chewy, mint flavoured sweet) which no hiking trip should be without.

Entries close today (Friday, July 31)! So get over there, make a donation and guess your way to a new pack full of goodies!

Jeff Patch, over on Have Pack, Will Travel, offers some tips on avoiding the ‘gringo trail’. Writes Jeff, “So how do you avoid these less-than-authentic places? One way is by closing that guidebook, putting it in your backpack, and start talking to people.” Check out his article here.

Bootsnall Threads

Cayce writes about a new regional air pass from Malaysia Airlines—the pass offers a set of four prepaid one-way tickets for US$229 for (S$329) economy class… inclusive of fuel surcharges and other fees. Check out the thread here.

Gojonesgo asks if it’s a good idea to travel India in the summer.

Andyo74 asks for some advice on travelling to Burma—pro trip, bring lots of cash (no ATMs and/or traveller’s cheques!)

DakLak posts about a new national air carrier in Cambodia—with some interesting new routes.