Travel Philosophy
My Encounter With The Invisible People Of Guilin
Our small bus was approaching the center of Guilin, China, and we were headed for one of the local highlights called Fubo Hill. An emperor from the Tang Dynasty had erected a temple there to commemorate the life of one of his top military leaders, a general named Fubo. Mr. Li, our guide, assured us […]
Luke In Kenya Part 3: The Happiest Man in Mombasa
Luke in Kenya: Part 3 “Luke in Kenya” is a travel series from Managing Editor Luke Armstrong as he travels to Kenya to visit the homeland of his adopted brother. He’s always going, but never arrives. They call him “The Traveler.” He’s a familiar face along the sunny streets of Old Mombasa. His unique blend […]
Luke In Kenya Part 2: Nairobi’s Kibera Slum [Photo Essay]
Luke in Kenya: Part 2 “Luke in Kenya” is a travel series from Managing Editor Luke Armstrong as he travels to Kenya to visit the homeland of his adopted brother. Nairobi’s Kibera slum is Africa’s second largest. Most families subsist on less than $1 a day. Though present (and often highlighted by the media and […]
Is Google Maps Making Us Worse Travelers?
Are the various GPS-enabled and electronic means of getting from point “A” to point “B” not just making it more efficient for us to get around, but at the same time, also making us dumber travelers? The answer may be “yes” according to various studies recently cited on the “Off the Road” blog at Smithsonian.com. […]
A Mostly Forgotten Treasure In The Himalayas Has Me Asking: What Makes Us Travel?
A mostly forgotten treasure in Guler, a small town in the Punjabi state of India nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas, is home to a 250-year-old crumbling palace that has been taken over by the jungle, leaving behind remnants of a not-too-long-ago past of royal artistry in the valley. The Financial Times recently went in search of this […]
17 Signs You’re Experiencing Travel Burnout
Like most decisions of great consequence, my plan to pedal my bicycle around the world was made in a pub, beer in one hand, mini-atlas in the other. Three years later and I find myself in South America, and I have been cycling here for so long now that from a distance, and in a […]
Change The World By Doing Things You Love
On The Expeditioner and plenty of other travel sites, there is an ongoing debate among travelers. It’s more of an agreement than a debate. Plane-loads of travelers not only want to see far-off lands, they want to put their time, talent and treasure towards a good cause along they way. It’s wonderful to hear about the […]
To Help Or Not To Help?
Note: Author and TheExpeditioner.com managing editor Luke Armstrong recently “sold out” and launched a personal blog, Travel. Write. Sing. Last Sunday the New York Times ran an article that asked a question in the headline, “Can travel make the child?” The author explored whether philanthropic travel can be positive and formative for your kids on early on. […]
In Defense Of Books
Let’s all give a collective sigh of appreciation for the pure unadulterated joy of books. Let’s toast their smooth, creamy pages, their musty smell, their meticulously designed covers. Recall the weight of a hefty book in your hand— it’s much better than the overly bright, soul-sucking computer screen you’re staring at right now. The best […]
The Moral Ethics Of Traveling To See “Poor Travel”
When you pack your bag, what do you bring with you and what do you leave behind? For example, someone can pack life into a suitcase: laptop, camera, a couple pairs of pants, two sweaters, two shirts, one blouse (for occasional encounters), a couple pair of shoes, an open-mind to explore and sensibility. Recently, an […]