Page 2 of chitownclink Travel Blog Posts


Asia » Indonesia » Java » Jakarta March 1st 2010

I had considered the idea of going to Jakarta at the beginning of my trip, but in speaking with a few friends did not consider going until a friend and I thought it might be possible to meet there. Jakarta 'the big durian' as it is known, (Durian is known as the stinky fruit, tastes incredible but smells like rotting garbage), I would not describe Jakarta as rotting garbage by any means but it is a city of vast economic contrast, so the fruit it is compared to is appropriate. My friend Alexandra, whom I met over 12 years ago in Paris is quite a close friend who now lives in Hong Kong, she has a very close friend Niki who is a native to Jakarta and hoped she could see the both of us in ... read more

Asia » Indonesia » Bali » Ubud February 27th 2010

So this time around in Bali I decided I was not going to kill myself doing every possible tourist thing, but I did want to go to Ubud, one to try this dish I saw on an episode of none other than Anthony Bourdain, known as Babi Guling, at a restaurant he featured called Ida Oku. Ubud is also the cultural capital of Bali and sits a bit in the foot hills surrounded by beautiful rice terraces and very colorful temples. Babi Guling is roast pig stuffed with Herbs and Chilis a very very tasty dish. Served with rice, juicy slices of pork and a serving of crackling and a blood sausage (least favorite). So my day started out very strange, I woke up to a phone call from reception saying I had a call, then ... read more

Asia » Indonesia » Bali » Ubud February 25th 2010

I have not had the opportunity yet to add to my blog since my arrival. The journey to Bali was LONG. The experienced traveler that I am this was the longest trip of my life 27 hours in total. I arrived about 230 am and after paying $25 for the entry visa and getting my first million in cash here, (the local currency the Indonesian Rupiah, trades at 9300 to $1) was pleasantly surprised to find that my hotels free pick up services followed through... Had the shower I hoped for, was pleased with my room, 2nd level with a nice balcony and pool view and good AC! The next Morning I walked down and found my friends who flew over from Australia. It was a pure coincidence that they would be here the same week. ... read more

Asia » South Korea » Incheon February 20th 2010

I started my day at 7am, was at the airport by 9:30am and flight was on time. Sat next to a pretty interesting person a kid from Milwaukee who is an actor in Korea, has been in quite a few movies. So the flight was pretty good, I ate Korean food and slept a good few hours, although the flight was LONG, 14 hours. So now I am in transit in Seoul, had a pretty good korean beef noodle soup and found a free computer. I have about 2 hours left to kill... Can't wait to have a shower and finish 25 hours of transit... I must say though you really do feel like you accomplished something traveling for this long.. The payoff is just around the corner. I do really want to spend some time ... read more

North America » United States » Illinois » Chicago February 3rd 2010

So you might wonder what something like this costs.. I too am wondering how much I've shelled out so far and haven't even boarded a plane yet. Airfare; Through out my research I had heard about agencies like STA, AirTreks etc that help to organize these types of trips. I thought I could use a service like this and combine it with regional budget airlines to piece together my own RTW trip. I did my own comparisons. I looked at three main legs of the trip, Chicago to Bail, Delhi to Rome and Paris to Chicago. ... The best quote I received from an agency was $2200. Doing this in one way tickets my self for less than $1800, a savings of $400. Sites like www.bt-travel.com and www.onetravel.com in conjunction with aerlingus are my main routes. ... read more

North America » United States » Illinois » Chicago January 30th 2010

Since I was a child I always dreamt of lands far and away. Where the obsession came from I am not sure. I was a bit OCD as a child and even have a few of those tendencies as an adult, but other than a few drinks from time to time there's no need to be medicated and besides if I am obsessed with travel, that is a good thing, right?.. The idea might've been planted hearing about the trips that my Grandfather took and possibly wondering how other kids lived in different countries, the toys they played with the food they ate who knows. Could it have been a post card from him that planted the seed I do not know. I remember asking about the places they had been, England, Luxembourg, Morocco, Germany etc. ... read more




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