Crowded Passport .com
For Those Who Want To Go EVERYWHERE
Welcome
CrowdedPassport.com MISSION
- Are you one of those people who wants to go everywhere?
- Do you get a thrill every time you get a new stamp in your passport?
- Is your idea of a good time experiencing places, people, and things that are completely foreign to you?
If you answered YES to any of these questions... then CrowdedPassport.com is for you!
We here at CrowdedPassport.com are TRAVEL FANATICS! Our passion is travel... the REAL kind. We are not talking about packaged tours with guides speaking English. CrowdedPassport.com is for independent travelers who want to grab a bag and just GO.
CrowdedPassport.com shows you how to alter your life so you can travel the world. Remember... "the greatest obstacle to travel is time... not money." We said that.
We will show you how to see the world and crowd your passport with stamps with a modest amount of money. All you need is time and the will to GO!
Travel Europe Broke
It is possible to travel Europe with no money. This is not as awful as it sounds since some of the best things in Europe are free. Moving around without money forces you to interact with the locals and experience life the same way the average European does. You will have a European adventure, not a sanitized tour like most Americans get in Europe.
Get to Europe. You can fly there with no money by using frequent flier miles. These can be accumulated from previous flights or through incentive programs. If a relative has extra frequent flier miles, talk them into giving them to you. Otherwise, you might be able to get passage on a ship sailing to Europe. You can exchange transportation, room, and board for work on the ship.
Hitchhike to get around. This is a well established tradition in Europe. Families and truck drivers often stop to give strangers a ride. While this practice is common in Europe, you still must take precautions. Never hitchhike alone and only do it during the day in well trafficked areas.
Work for your room. Europe is full of youth hostels. Many will allow you to spend the night in exchange for work. Approach them politely in the morning and ask if there are any chores they need done. A few hours work could get you a bed for the night. You might even get fed.
Sing for your supper. Europe is full of street performers doing all sorts of things for change from people passing by. Pick a busy area, put out a cup or hat, then start performing. You can sing, dance, mime, play music, or just about anything. You don't even need to be very good to make a few bucks. That is enough to fill up on meat, cheese, and fresh bread at a neighborhood market.
See the free sights. Forget about expensive museums and tourist attractions. The best places to see in Europe are public spaces. Just walk around and see what you find. Neighborhoods are charming and the architecture is distinct in each country. Every town has a square where locals congregate. They socialize, people watch, and enjoy free entertainment from street performers (maybe you). Just hang out where the Europeans hang out. It is fun and wont cost you a thing.
It is possible to travel Europe with no money. This is not as awful as it sounds since some of the best things in Europe are free. Moving around without money forces you to interact with the locals and experience life the same way the average European does. You will have a European adventure, not a sanitized tour like most Americans get in Europe.
Get to Europe. You can fly there with no money by using frequent flier miles. These can be accumulated from previous flights or through incentive programs. If a relative has extra frequent flier miles, talk them into giving them to you. Otherwise, you might be able to get passage on a ship sailing to Europe. You can exchange transportation, room, and board for work on the ship.
Hitchhike to get around. This is a well established tradition in Europe. Families and truck drivers often stop to give strangers a ride. While this practice is common in Europe, you still must take precautions. Never hitchhike alone and only do it during the day in well trafficked areas.
Work for your room. Europe is full of youth hostels. Many will allow you to spend the night in exchange for work. Approach them politely in the morning and ask if there are any chores they need done. A few hours work could get you a bed for the night. You might even get fed.
Sing for your supper. Europe is full of street performers doing all sorts of things for change from people passing by. Pick a busy area, put out a cup or hat, then start performing. You can sing, dance, mime, play music, or just about anything. You don't even need to be very good to make a few bucks. That is enough to fill up on meat, cheese, and fresh bread at a neighborhood market.
See the free sights. Forget about expensive museums and tourist attractions. The best places to see in Europe are public spaces. Just walk around and see what you find. Neighborhoods are charming and the architecture is distinct in each country. Every town has a square where locals congregate. They socialize, people watch, and enjoy free entertainment from street performers (maybe you). Just hang out where the Europeans hang out. It is fun and wont cost you a thing.
Travel Asia Cheap
Asia is a wondrous place full of vivid, diverse cultures and fascinating people. Traveling around Asia doesn't need to be expensive. Many Asian countries are downright cheap, and there are bargains even in the pricey countries. There are even inexpensive ways to travel the vast distances between the countries of Asia. Here's how to enjoy an Asian adventure while spending a reasonable amount of money.
Choose your destinations carefully. The cost of a trip to Asia can vary drastically depending on where you go. Japan is one of the most expensive places on Earth to travel. Taiwan is nearly as pricey. China can be expensive, because organized tours are usually required. Places like Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea can be affordable if you know where to look. Countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines are downright cheap. By choosing a destination that suits your budget, you can minimize costs. Do plenty of research. Look at budget travel guides like "Lonely Planet" or "Let's Go." Avoid mainstream travel guides like "Fodor's" or "Frommer's." You won't be staying in five-star hotels and dining in fine restaurants, but you will soak up the culture and have a great time.
Bundle flights together to significantly reduce the cost of your airfare. An All Asia Air Pass combines round-trip trans-Pacific airfare with flights to other Asian destinations. For someone on a budget with a limited amount of time, this is perfect. Cathay Pacific Airways has one of the most popular air passes. Prices start at $1199 for Hong Kong and two other Asian destinations, and you have 21 days to use it. You can add cities and time for an additional cost. Note that the biggest expense you will encounter is your airfare. It is a 12 to 16 hour flight to most parts of Asia from the United States. Distances are also vast around Asia, so the only practical way to get around is by plane.
Forget about the big chain hotels. You are in Asia to soak up the culture. Budget lodging isn't just cheap. It's also a cultural experience. Stay where the locals stay, and you will get a taste of what their lives are all about. You may also make some friends. Every city and town in Asia has a hostel or budget hotel where backpackers stay. They cost a fraction of what you would pay at a hotel. Accommodations vary widely, but some places are very nice. Depend on fellow travelers to point you in the right direction. Reservations are rarely needed. If you are adventurous, all you need to do is ask around when you get to town. Just look for other people who look like they are traveling on a budget like you. Be sure to look for lodging early in the day. Nice-quality budget places fill up fast. If you wait too long, you may spend more than you want to that night.
Forget about fine dining when you are traveling. Nothing will drain your budget faster than a few ritzy restaurants. The best food in Asia is found on the street. Look where the locals eat. In Asia, most food is fresh. They don't preserve and freeze their food like in America. You may be disturbed to see all the freshly killed animals around, but you will be assured that they haven't been dead long. Watch the locals. If what they are eating looks good, give it a try. It doesn't matter if you don't speak the language. Just point and smile. They will be happy to feed you. Also, leave your diet at home. You didn't come to Asia to eat healthy. Enjoy the delights of Asian cooking. If the food doesn't look safe, opt for fast food. At home, fried chicken and french fries aren't considered healthy. However they are a good alternative if the fresh food looks like it will give you hepatitis.
Don't waste your money on lots of tourist sights. All of Asia is a tourist sight in itself. Soak up the culture. Most things worth doing are cheap or free. The Star Ferry in Hong Kong costs less than a dollar. Go to the places where locals congregate and watch the people. Old folks doing Tai Chi in the park or a wedding ceremony at a Buddhist temple are things you won't see at home. Spend your money only on the "must do" things. Of course you have to see the Great Wall of China. But you don't need to spend money on a museum full of stuff you won't remember when you get home.
Put yourself on a budget and do your best to stick to it. However, you need to be flexible. Unforeseen circumstances may require you to spend more one day and less another. ??Prices change, so be sure to check the latest about your destinations before you depart.
Never sacrifice safety to save money. If you don't feel comfortable somewhere, then don't stay there. It's best to travel with others and do most traveling during the day. Never eat food that looks like it is unsafe. If necessary, resort to McDonald's rather than eat something that will make you sick. Even a McDonald's in Asia is a cultural experience.
Asia is a wondrous place full of vivid, diverse cultures and fascinating people. Traveling around Asia doesn't need to be expensive. Many Asian countries are downright cheap, and there are bargains even in the pricey countries. There are even inexpensive ways to travel the vast distances between the countries of Asia. Here's how to enjoy an Asian adventure while spending a reasonable amount of money.
Choose your destinations carefully. The cost of a trip to Asia can vary drastically depending on where you go. Japan is one of the most expensive places on Earth to travel. Taiwan is nearly as pricey. China can be expensive, because organized tours are usually required. Places like Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea can be affordable if you know where to look. Countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines are downright cheap. By choosing a destination that suits your budget, you can minimize costs. Do plenty of research. Look at budget travel guides like "Lonely Planet" or "Let's Go." Avoid mainstream travel guides like "Fodor's" or "Frommer's." You won't be staying in five-star hotels and dining in fine restaurants, but you will soak up the culture and have a great time.
Bundle flights together to significantly reduce the cost of your airfare. An All Asia Air Pass combines round-trip trans-Pacific airfare with flights to other Asian destinations. For someone on a budget with a limited amount of time, this is perfect. Cathay Pacific Airways has one of the most popular air passes. Prices start at $1199 for Hong Kong and two other Asian destinations, and you have 21 days to use it. You can add cities and time for an additional cost. Note that the biggest expense you will encounter is your airfare. It is a 12 to 16 hour flight to most parts of Asia from the United States. Distances are also vast around Asia, so the only practical way to get around is by plane.
Forget about the big chain hotels. You are in Asia to soak up the culture. Budget lodging isn't just cheap. It's also a cultural experience. Stay where the locals stay, and you will get a taste of what their lives are all about. You may also make some friends. Every city and town in Asia has a hostel or budget hotel where backpackers stay. They cost a fraction of what you would pay at a hotel. Accommodations vary widely, but some places are very nice. Depend on fellow travelers to point you in the right direction. Reservations are rarely needed. If you are adventurous, all you need to do is ask around when you get to town. Just look for other people who look like they are traveling on a budget like you. Be sure to look for lodging early in the day. Nice-quality budget places fill up fast. If you wait too long, you may spend more than you want to that night.
Forget about fine dining when you are traveling. Nothing will drain your budget faster than a few ritzy restaurants. The best food in Asia is found on the street. Look where the locals eat. In Asia, most food is fresh. They don't preserve and freeze their food like in America. You may be disturbed to see all the freshly killed animals around, but you will be assured that they haven't been dead long. Watch the locals. If what they are eating looks good, give it a try. It doesn't matter if you don't speak the language. Just point and smile. They will be happy to feed you. Also, leave your diet at home. You didn't come to Asia to eat healthy. Enjoy the delights of Asian cooking. If the food doesn't look safe, opt for fast food. At home, fried chicken and french fries aren't considered healthy. However they are a good alternative if the fresh food looks like it will give you hepatitis.
Don't waste your money on lots of tourist sights. All of Asia is a tourist sight in itself. Soak up the culture. Most things worth doing are cheap or free. The Star Ferry in Hong Kong costs less than a dollar. Go to the places where locals congregate and watch the people. Old folks doing Tai Chi in the park or a wedding ceremony at a Buddhist temple are things you won't see at home. Spend your money only on the "must do" things. Of course you have to see the Great Wall of China. But you don't need to spend money on a museum full of stuff you won't remember when you get home.
Put yourself on a budget and do your best to stick to it. However, you need to be flexible. Unforeseen circumstances may require you to spend more one day and less another. ??Prices change, so be sure to check the latest about your destinations before you depart.
Never sacrifice safety to save money. If you don't feel comfortable somewhere, then don't stay there. It's best to travel with others and do most traveling during the day. Never eat food that looks like it is unsafe. If necessary, resort to McDonald's rather than eat something that will make you sick. Even a McDonald's in Asia is a cultural experience.
Travel Journal
A travel journal is one of the best ways to preserve memories of a long voyage. Years later you can read your travel journal and enjoy reflecting on long forgotten experiences in a far off land. Many details that don't seem terribly important while you are writing your travel journal often turn out to be the color and texture that made the trip so memorable. Follow these steps to learn how to write a travel journal.
Buy a high quality sturdy travel journal. A pamphlet that is held together by staples will fall apart in days. Be sure your travel journal is bound like a book. Hard bound travel journals are the best. It doesn't need to be printed as a travel journal. It just has to be a book with a lot of empty pages.
Get in the habit of writing in your travel journal every day. When you are on a busy journey it is easy to forget to write. You will regret this later when priceless memories are forgotten. You may promise yourself that you will go back and write about your experiences later, but that almost never happens. Take a few minutes every day and jot down your memories. It doesn't have to be long, just on a regular basis.
Use your "down time" for your travel journal. There is a surprising amount of sitting around while traveling. You can always jot down a few lines in your travel journal when you are on trains, waiting for planes, drying your laundry, or waiting in line.
Date your entries in your travel journal. In your heading write down the day, where you are, who you are with, maybe even the weather and what you ate that day. These are the first details people tend to forget. Years later when you read your journal you will know exactly what you were doing on that day. The memories will come rushing back.
Focus on writing about how you feel. Listing facts and figures is fine but that isn't why you traveled. A long journey is a time for contemplation and self reflection. Being in a foreign environment heightens emotions and reactions. Memories of these feelings fade quickly with time. Writing about those experiences while the memories are fresh is essential.
Make lists. Travel often inspires more travel. Make a list of places you want to go next. Try a list of the most unusual experiences on your trip. Describe the ten most interesting people you encountered. You decide what to list. List making not only prioritizes your experiences, it also forces you to think about them in relation to each other.
Keep ticket stubs. Whenever you use a ticket for a train or museum or ride, tape the stub to your journal. Also keep candy wrappers, brochures and receipts. They are pieces of history from your journey. They also contain valuable information that you may not appreciate at the time. Years later you can look at the ticket stub and see exactly what you were doing on a specific day and how much it cost.
A travel journal is one of the best ways to preserve memories of a long voyage. Years later you can read your travel journal and enjoy reflecting on long forgotten experiences in a far off land. Many details that don't seem terribly important while you are writing your travel journal often turn out to be the color and texture that made the trip so memorable. Follow these steps to learn how to write a travel journal.
Buy a high quality sturdy travel journal. A pamphlet that is held together by staples will fall apart in days. Be sure your travel journal is bound like a book. Hard bound travel journals are the best. It doesn't need to be printed as a travel journal. It just has to be a book with a lot of empty pages.
Get in the habit of writing in your travel journal every day. When you are on a busy journey it is easy to forget to write. You will regret this later when priceless memories are forgotten. You may promise yourself that you will go back and write about your experiences later, but that almost never happens. Take a few minutes every day and jot down your memories. It doesn't have to be long, just on a regular basis.
Use your "down time" for your travel journal. There is a surprising amount of sitting around while traveling. You can always jot down a few lines in your travel journal when you are on trains, waiting for planes, drying your laundry, or waiting in line.
Date your entries in your travel journal. In your heading write down the day, where you are, who you are with, maybe even the weather and what you ate that day. These are the first details people tend to forget. Years later when you read your journal you will know exactly what you were doing on that day. The memories will come rushing back.
Focus on writing about how you feel. Listing facts and figures is fine but that isn't why you traveled. A long journey is a time for contemplation and self reflection. Being in a foreign environment heightens emotions and reactions. Memories of these feelings fade quickly with time. Writing about those experiences while the memories are fresh is essential.
Make lists. Travel often inspires more travel. Make a list of places you want to go next. Try a list of the most unusual experiences on your trip. Describe the ten most interesting people you encountered. You decide what to list. List making not only prioritizes your experiences, it also forces you to think about them in relation to each other.
Keep ticket stubs. Whenever you use a ticket for a train or museum or ride, tape the stub to your journal. Also keep candy wrappers, brochures and receipts. They are pieces of history from your journey. They also contain valuable information that you may not appreciate at the time. Years later you can look at the ticket stub and see exactly what you were doing on a specific day and how much it cost.
