These two Korean women were very excited to have an American take their photo. Don't ask me why!

Seoul, South Korea was my introduction to being in a large Asian city. It was a disorienting but welcoming swirl of humanity and activity. Modern exists side-by-side with the ancient. You’ll also be surprised by the mountains and the amount of open space … especially since it’s so close to the ultimate in high-density sprawl. If you have plans to visit Seoul, here’s a bit of what you can expect.

Architecture Mish-Mash

Right next to a modern-but-bland skyscraper, you’ll find a castle that’s hundreds of years old. Look a little further, and you’ll find apartments that would barely meet building codes in the U.S. A few feet further, you’ll see a modern architecture marvel. There seems to be no zoning law, with business and residential spaces elbow-to-elbow. The building aesthetic goes from blocky to breathtaking in the span of a few footsteps.

I love the crazy looks of this building in Seoul.

Warm Welcome from Residents

Seoul’s residents seem to have a soft spot for visitors – especially those who clearly don’t speak Korean or have any understanding of their Hangul alphabet (few signs are in English). They have a knack for knowing who needs directions, and they are not shy about asking if you need help.

Late Dinners

It seems that South Koreans like to have a later dinner, followed by a lot of strolling in the shopping hubs and the underground markets. So don’t be surprised if the restaurants are empty if you’re an early diner. They don’t dine quite as late as Spaniards, but they definitely head to the table later than many Americans.

The modern and the ancient co-exist.

First-Rate Transit

I absolutely love the subways in Seoul (and Busan, too). There are few places you can’t reach with one of the very inexpensive subway passes. The subway cars themselves are very clean. During the rush hours, they’ll be crowded – be ready for a huge press of humans!

Well-Dressed People – and Pets!

Even during the leisurely weekends, Koreans love dressing up: High heels for the women, ties for the men. When they hike, they’re an oxygen tank short of looking like they plan to summit Mount Everest (the opposite of Australians, who’d show up at Everest base camp wearing a pair of flip-flops). I even saw a chihuahua wearing shoes! It all makes sense because shopping seems to be a full-contact varsity sport in South Korea.

Yes, that's a chihuahua wearing shoes.

You’ll Be a Novelty

Non-Asians are not common. We had people ask to take our photos, have their photos taken with us, and even just have us take their photos. One very kindly hiker even commandeered my camera for 30 minutes to make us pose all over one of the mountains. People might even seem amazed that you chose to visit South Korea – and they love hearing how much you enjoy it. And you will enjoy it … lots.

Comments

• December 27, 2011, Charlotte writes: South Korea is one of my dream destinations which I'm planning to fulfill as soon as possible. Aside from the very modern and hip cities, I'd love to see their natural landscapes!
• December 28, 2011, Nichole L. Reber writes: Now you know I have to comment on the architecture part. Whilst I haven't seen Korea's architecture (I have written about some urban planning there), your impressions remind me of my time in China. In the north the effects of Communism ("block" as you called it) are more evident. The university where I taught looked like a prison complex in its uniform drabness amongst each building. Barely could you tell one apart from the other. In the south was the hodge podge that, like your trip, warranted curious thoughts about building codes. Then again, we do with some regularity hear about collapsing buildings there that kill hundreds, eh?

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A Hakone Ropeway car passes over the sulfur fumes of the geothermal area.

A friendly cat starts off his busy day on the lake near Hakone, Japan.

Monkeys cuddle as the crowd watches.

One of the many swan-prowed paddle boats on the lake.

Japanese school kids love two things: Wearing matching hats and throwing peace signs for the camera.

Comments

• December 24, 2011, Ann Jefferson writes: That swan boat, I like!
• December 24, 2011, WanderingJustin writes: Thanks! I took enough different shots of the swan boats to do an entire series of them ...

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A spectacular view of Buttermere in the Lake District.

It shocks more than a few people that I have never been to the UK. Believe me, it’s on the list! Even though I can’t tell you anything first-hand about traveling in the UK, I fortunately have some people who can. Guest writer Amanda Andrews shows us the more rural and adventurous side of the UK in this post. Caving? Hiking? Biking? Yes!  Enjoy, and take a few ideas from Amanda. -Wandering Justin

I didn’t really know much about the English Lake District until recently. Now, it’s near the top of my must-visit list. It’s known for being one of the most picturesque areas of the country, with the quaint little towns and the stunning scenery of the famous lakes, but it’s also a haven for the adventurous. There’s an activity for every traveler.

Walking

The Lake District is time and again listed as one of the top UK destinations for hiking, or just walking as the locals call it. There’s no end to the trails and routes that you can take on a walking holiday in the area. There are trails here for every level of walker, so you can take a leisurely stroll across green fields and around the lakes. Eager for a more substantial challenge? Try The Cumbrian Way or The Coast to Coast walk, which is 191 miles long and takes you from the Irish Sea to the North Sea through three National Parks!

Biking

On two wheels is really the way to see the Lake District. The area again caters to all experience levels. Cumbria is a quiet, rural county so it’s great for travelling around on bike - you’re unlikely to be chased off the road by speeding cars, and travelling the country lanes by bike is a great way to see the real Cumbria. If you’re looking for something a little faster moving then check out one of the local bike shops and sign up for a mountain biking course, or just grab a map if you want to give it a go solo. With a combination of bridleways and man-made tracks criss-crossing the county there is something to suit everyone. From low valley trails to high mountain passes, this is the place to test your biking mettle in the UK.

Climbing

The Lake District is considered the birth place of modern mountain climbing and has been the training ground for many with Everest aspirations. It doesn’t matter if you’re a complete novice or a fully fledged crag-rat: The adventures are endless. Don’t let their modest height fool you. Many of the climbs in the Lakes are incredibly technical. And it’s not a bad idea to head out with a guiding company at first just to get the lay of the land.

If you’d rather go down than up, try caving and canyoning. Both of these give you a completely different perspective of the landscape and allow you to explore areas of the world that most people have never seen. Just one warning: Claustrophobics need not apply.

By Water

Open water swimming, canoeing, gorge walking, kayaking, wind surfing-being that the area is famous because of its lakes it isn’t surprising that water activities abound! Lake Windermere is the venue for the Great North Swim, the UK’s biggest outdoor swimming event, and holds ½ mile, 1 mile, and 2 mile events and is currently open for entries. What an amazing way to spend part of a holiday in the UK, jumping in the water with some 10, 000 other swimmers from around the world! Don’t expect tropical water temperature here though, it’s the north of England and you won’t want to hit the water here without a wet suit.

Where to Stay

Now that your appetite has been sufficiently whet, you want to know where to stay on your trip. There is no shortage of accommodation in the Lake District and there will be something for you no matter what your budget. Camping and hostelling are probably your cheapest options, though the weather in the Lakes can be a bit unpredictable so camping might not be to everyone’s taste. A great option if you’re looking for an outdoor based trip is renting a self-catering holiday cottage in the Lake District and the cost may be less than you’d expect. Splitting the cost between a group of friends can really cut down the individual cost and if you’re looking for a really great deal then travelling in the off season can save masses. Web cottages are an online holiday cottage rental agent with independently owned cottages throughout the UK and Ireland and are a great option if you’re looking for Lake District cottages.

All of this makes the Lake District a must-see location on my next trip to the UK. The area is ideally located to stop at when you’re doing a trip around the little island of Britain, it’s just north of Liverpool and Wales and not too far from the Scottish border. If it’s as good as it sounds I think a holiday in the Lakes won’t soon be forgotten.

Amanda enjoys traveling and has traveled extensively both in the UK and abroad. Amanda writes regular travel articles for Web Cottages and its partners, including blogging about interesting travel news/stories when they crop up. Her experience traveling and excellent ability to research means her articles are both informative and enjoyable.

This post is featured by Web Cottages. 

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Hrönn Traustadóttir's photo shows the ash plume that grounded flights across Europe.

It would take just one natural disaster or a medical emergency to ruin my run of luck. But so far, I’ve traveled through four continents without a hitch.

Sure, I’ve had a few flight delays. But I’ve never been stranded, sick or injured to any real degree. And many of my friends have been just as lucky, though with some close calls: A couple I know was in the air headed to New Zealand when a 6.3-magnitude earthquake tore into Christchurch.

And you might remember the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland that brought air traffic all over Europe to a standstill.

These situation make me give some serious thought to worldwide travel insurance. Seriously – I go camping in the Icelandic highlands. I encounter salt-water crocs and venomous snakes. I eat weird foods from just about any dubious roadside stand. I guess that makes me high-risk!

A few of my other traveling friends bought travel insurance as piece of mind that covered flight delays, medical care and 24-hour assistance (I also wonder if there’s any coverage for lost travel documentation – misplaced passports are usually at the heart of my travel scares).

I’d really like to hear from travelers who have run into some bad luck during their travels. Have you ever needed travel insurance to bail you out of a disaster? Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve thought “I should’ve bought that travel insurance package …”? How did the travel insurance help?

Tell me your stories for a future post on wanderingjustin.com.

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A shot of the fast, smooth KTX high-speed train.

My love of flying sometimes makes people think I’m weird. Fair enough.

Now I’ll make it worse – I love traveling by train, too. I know, I know … I have the brain of a 6-year-old boy perched atop a 6’2, 200-pound body.

I wanted to share the rail love with even more people who’d appreciate it, so I wrote a guest post for Jools of TrainsontheBrain.com. He’s tops when it comes to train blogs, no foolin’. It’s all about my first-ever taste of high-speed rail on the South Korean KTX train that sent me hurtling from Busan to Seoul.

You should go check out my post and all the other cool train stories at TrainsontheBrain.com.

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Probably the coolest protective gear on the field.

Light drizzle, a chilly wind, 45 degrees and overcast … it’s finally winter in the desert. I’m warm thanks to my Army battle dress uniform, gloves and balaclava.

And every run, dodge, dip and duck through the ruins of Sasco, Ariz. also keeps the chill away. The abandoned mining town is filled with foes firing torrents of plastic 6mm projectiles at me from replica assault rifles – I’ve lost count of every M-4, M-16, MP-5 and AK-47 I’ve faced.

This is my first-ever experience in an organized Airsoft game. And it’s a heaping slice of deep-fried gold.

Never heard of Airsoft? I think of it as paintball done right … the guns function better, they’re less awkward, there’s no dye getting everywhere. The very realistic-looking weapons spew plastic balls somewhere between 300 and 500 feet per second. My Echo1 rifle, one of its RedStar line of AK-47 replicas, straddles the middle. It’s not fancy or pricey, but it helps me hold my own. No malfunctions, just steady performance.

The pylons lead to the way to what's left of the mining tunnel. Lots of ambushes and betrayals here ...

My Monolith team – one of several teams in the game – has only four people. We’re overmatched and outgunned, with nary a true machine gun or sniper rifle among us. We try to compensate, bribing other teams (like Free Stalkers and Bandits) to harass, harry, heckle and harangue the team standing in as the Russian military.

The entire day of fun is the result of some hard work put in by a go-getter named Darr. He displays ambition, serious organizational chops and a real love for this game. Throughout the day, people rave about his scenario, which he based on the S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl video game. The remains of the smelter and skeleton of the mining operation fill in nicely as a slice of the abandoned, irradiated Russian city called Pripyat. Darr has everything right: the game area, his ability to improvise, the props and layout. Success requires negotiation skills, duplicity and wariness (for the inevitable betrayals).

Max, David and Henry were my Monolith teammates.

About 30 minutes pass before the teams open fire on each other. Until then, it’s a crock pot of diplomacy, misdirection, evaluation. I love the tension, especially next to the premature release of so many flavors of paintball games.

I learn a lot about Airsoft and the people who play it. They are professionals, college students, high schoolers. Some sit back to take advantage of cover, firepower, superior numbers. Others make and break deals at will. Some sneak through the creosote and ruins, unheard and unseen. Others stomp around in heavily armed herds. In short, there’s something for everyone.

But here’s what worries me about Airsoft, especially in Arizona – there are few convenient places to organize awesome events like this. And too few people willing to do the heavy lifting of contacting the owners and managers of empty spaces. Sasco is terrific, but remote. I can think of several places within 30 minutes of the Phoenix area that would be perfect.

And the Airsoft industry needs to work harder to get more people involved. It should target every single World of Warcraft/Call of Duty/Halo fiend. If one out of every 50 uninitiated people permanently attached to gaming systems wound up on a field with a decent Airsfoft replica in-hand, profits and advocacy would soar. I’d also hit CrossFit gyms and all the people who love stuff like the Warrior Dash … fitness pays dividends in Airsoft. I could see a smart Airsoft shop (or manufacturer/brand) even holding a biathlon – running with your Airsoft replica and stopping to use it to hit targets every half mile. Provide loaners for people who don’t have their own – a perfect introduction.

Me!

From there? Get players talking about finding viable places to play just as much as they talk about gear (your fancy hop-up and tight-bore barrel will be more fun if you have more places to put them to work).

But those are thoughts for another time. For now, my bottom line: All credit to Darr for his imagination, thoroughness and commitment to crafting a really outstanding time for the Airsoft players from the Valley to Tucson. Поздравляю!

Check out Darr’s YouTube slideshow, and do note the groovy pirate-metal soundtrack. Avast!

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Yes, the Warrior Dash was fun. But a gimmicky obstacle course race every other weekend makes me grumpy.

The Warrior Dash was a great idea. Stretching it out a little longer into the Spartan Race … also a great idea. But now the participant sports world is awash in the Tough Mudder, the so-called Man Test (the puniest and most ridiculous of the bunch), The Rugged Maniac, etc. etc., ad nauseum ad infinitum.

Not only do they invite us to climb obstacles and get muddy, but now – also gimmicky add-ons like being jolted by electricity, hosed in cold water … and possibly leached and chased by mountain goats injected with family-sized beakers of Viagra.

Event promoters are hosing participants with a lack of creativity.

Event organizers, please try something original. By latching onto the obstacle course craze, you’re diluting the concept. You’re making it boring. You’re becoming another voice in the din.

Put it this way: The guy next to you is playing a violin. You can say “me, too!” and grab a fiddle.

Or you can be really ballsy and whip out a didgeridoo. You just have to use your imagination.

Comments

• January 11, 2012, Nichole L. Reber writes: You must have f*&^ed up dreams, man. Where on hearth do you even find these things? Curious to know what an obstacle course does entail, though.
• January 11, 2012, WanderingJustin writes: It's the Crazy Race Gnomes, Nichole. They know where I sleep, and they're coming to get me.

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This great photo by Dave Dunford shows the majesty of Pen Y Fan.

It never fails – before the afterglow of my latest trip wears off, someone asks me “where are you going next?”

My official answer? “Hey, give me a chance to savor Korea and Japan … if not the flavor of the boiled silkworms.”

The truth is, I’ve already thought about my next trip. I’ve never been anywhere in the UK before, and as a soccer fan it’s definitely on my list. But where to go? Yes, London is the obvious choice … which means it doesn’t really suit me.

But Scotland intrigues me. I can picture swinging further north and checking out some Glasgow hotels. There, I could take in Celtic versus Rangers if I timed it right. And I could finally bring my five-year quest to eat haggis to a final and successful conclusion (really, all my failed attempts to eat haggis are worth a post of their own).

What else might Scotland have for me? Well, the scenery looks spectacular. I’ve seen photos in FourFourTwo that really made me want to visit Scotland. Oh, and let’s not forget BrewDog, the crazy craft brewery that does insane things like release limited-edition beers stuffed into a squirrel carcass. Oh, and a little break from Arizona’s angry sun would be nice. Sometimes I forget that clouds and greenery occur naturally in other places.

Glasgow looks like a nice city for some strolling - with a warm jacket!

I could also head an entirely different direction … Wales. Word is that it’s an up-and-coming destination with castles and hiking drawing visitors in. I’m sure I’d satisfy my itch to hear interesting new languages. I’ve heard bits of Welsh and really enjoyed its sounds and cadence.

And Pen y Fan looks like some incredible hiking. Better yet, the Pen Y Fan race in mid-July takes runners straight to the 2,907-foot summit in just 3.5 miles. A cool t-shirt or medal for finishing would put this right on the list with the Hi Seoul Marathon or the Miđnæturhlaup in Reykjavik.

No matter where in Cardiff I’d stay, it would be pretty easy to get to a Swansea City match to check out some Premier League action. And there’s still Cardiff City in the League Championship. Either way, I’m bound to catch some enthusiastic fans in a great atmosphere. Of all the hotels in Cardiff, though, I’ll admit the St. David’s Hotel & Spa wins some points for having the word “spa” in the name.

So, U.K., I might be headed your way soon. Save me some haggis and lobscows!

This post is featured by eurobookings.com, which helps travelers find hotels in Europe – at the lowest rate possible. Browse more than 140,000 hotels in thousands of locations in Europe and across the globe until you find the hotel that is right for you.

Comments

• January 11, 2012, Nichole L. Reber writes: Alrighty then, where's the post on haggis? Bangers & mash? Blood pudding? Sweet meats? Yikes! I'm envious you're going to the UK next. I'd totally dig seeing Wales, and while like you as a contrarian traveler, I'm a city girl so I'd simply have to do London.
• January 11, 2012, WanderingJustin writes: Ah, I keep forgetting to write that haggis post! I just created a file to get it started. Thanks for the reminder!

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Getting ready for a flight to Sydney.

I have a travel mantra that makes people believe I’m crazy: Getting there is half the fun. I’ll say until I turn blue that I love flying.

And that’s why a friend at work asked me for advice about visiting Australia – and about which planes she could fly Down Under: “Will I fly the double decker?” she asked.

By that, I guess she means the Airbus Industrie A380, the first full double-decker airliner. Of course, the 747’s distinctive hump made it a sort-of double-decker – and an aviation icon that shrank the world.

Anyway, here’s what my co-worker might board when she heads to Australia in August of 2012 … though I suppose she could do something crazy and fly United (I’m willing for a U.S.-based airline to try proving me wrong, but I have yet to get the same service from a domestic as I do a foreign airline.).

One of V Australia's shiny Boeing 777s. (Photo courtesy of V Australia)

Boeing 747 – I already called it an icon. I also thinks it’s one of the coolest planes to ever take flight. Timeless from the outside. Inside, most of the 747-400s flying today could use an update – imagine how awesome the new 747-8i (for Intercontinental) will be with its 787 Dreamliner-based interior. Most of the Qantas and Air New Zealand flights will be a 747-400. Air New Zealand is arguably the better airline of the two.

Boeing 777 – Frequent flier love this one. It’s one of the more modern planes, and it’s supposed to be roomy and quiet. I haven’t flown it yet, but will in about a month when I go to Korea. V Australia has a brand-new fleet of them. One of my buddies is married to an Australian, and they like V
Australia quite a bit better than Qantas. BUT the Aussie AirPass(which can get you around Australia for a really good deal) and frequent flier mile alliances can make Qantas a better bet.

A Qantas A380. (Photo by Ryan Suneson)

Some Air New Zealand flights also use the 777, which got some rave reviews from the One Mile at a Time blog. Also important – Air New Zealand offers a reasonably priced Premium Economy class that gets you more legroom and a comfier seat. Well worth considering. And don’t even get me started on Rico.

Airbus A380 – The biggest one out there. The full double-decker. One thing I’ve heard is that the passenger load is so big that the baggage claim absolutely crazy. Word is it’s also really quiet. That’s what happens when the engines are so far away! If you want to fly and A380 to Sydney, Qantas flight QF12 on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday is your best bet (at least according to Lifehacker.com). On other days, you’ll get the 747. Another way: QF16 or QF84 to Melbourne rather than Sydney.

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Ready for aerial action

I just have to jump. And grab a rope. Then swing over to a tree stump.

Just one thing: I’m at least 40 feet above the forest floor. (see video at bottom)

This is the Black Diamond section of Tree to Tree Aerial Adventure Course in Gaston, Oregon … Day 4 of my visit to Portland, and I’ve found my favorite of the local attractions. It’s a maze of aerial rope obstacles and zip lines. Some are just a foot or two off the ground. But if you’ve got the grapes, go big!

Sarah works it hard and shows us how it's done.

Easy to say before I was up here sweating out this rope-swinging thing. It’s physically easy. And the lobster claws connected to my climbing harness are connected just so. The staff drilled safety into us. I paid rapt attention.

Still I hesitate. The brain … it doesn’t want to do this. But I finally grab a hold and swing.

Thump. Both boots touch the stump. One left. Lunge. Swing. Thump. Onto the next.

Few of the next obstacles give me much trouble.

The beginning of the double-black section.

The last one is a monster: several beams hanging from a taut overhead wire. They sway enthusiastically with each step. It’s a wild ride. I’m burning a ton of energy, using every muscle in my arms. When I finish, I’m too blown out to tackle the three Double Black Diamond obstacles.

My wife, though … Sarah tackles the obstacle that schooled me. She’s like a cat. She heads to the Double Black section. It’s a studious and methodical effort, but graceful enough. And efficient. She heads to the second obstacle. She is almost through it … and then she’s swinging from her safety cables.

A ground-up look at the obstacles at Tree to Tree Aerial Adventure Course

There’s no reason to hang her head – I’m impressed. A tidy demonstration of efficiency, breath control and focus.

By the time she takes the final zip line to terra firma, we’ve decided: Tree to Tree Aerial Adventures is one of our favorite places ever – right up there with the Agrodome in Rotorua, New Zealand. And that’s some serious praise.

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Comments

• June 16, 2011, Harriet Freeman writes: That must have been a great experience! Did you feel as if you were a monkey? Your wife seems more used to climbing trees... Were you frightened at any time? I don't think I could go on that adventure, I'm quite afraid of heights...
• June 16, 2011, WanderingJustin writes: It's odd - I knew I was safe and clipped into a harness and safety line. But there were some moments that I just couldn't wrap my head around it. That's when I'd get nervous. True about my wife ... she's from a part of the country that has trees instead of cactuses (like where I grew up).

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