All Locations Writings

Travel Wisdom: Kids Know Best.

Written by Stephen on December 12 2014

Trekking through the mountains of Laos with my buddy Dave we were staying with small villages of people in rural conditions. We pretty much slept on straw mats and their houses were constructed well, but were pretty much weaved together around a few wooden supports. There was maybe one light bulb in the direct center of the hut if they were lucky, but mostly it was candles. There was a cooking fire in the center that everyone crowded around at nighttime and dinner.  I don’t consider these people poor because…

Motorcycle Accident and the Death of my Travel Muse

Written by Stephen on November 21 2014

There is a moment when we intensely discover something that we love about life that marks us, that forever changes us. I knew early on I liked travel and I was well aware I was quite fond of motorcycles, but it wasn’t until I bought my 2nd Motorcycle from one of my best compadres that either of those things became a passion.

I took a month off work to ride it up the West Coast from SoCal and across the top through the Rockies all the way back to Cincinnati,…

What I did on my Summer Vacation: Life Creeps West at a Slow Pimp’s Pace

Written by Stephen on November 06 2014

For about the last year and a half I’ve been rambling around the eastern U.S. and Canada, spending time with friends and family from where I grew up trying to formulate a plan for more adventure. 

The more I looked the more I saw, the more I saw the more I planned, the more I planned the less I did until suddenly I was reminded of something Sylvia Plath wrote:

“I saw my life branching out before me like the…

The Ultimate German Oktoberfest Road Trip

Written by Stephen on July 15 2014

Due to the recent World Cup the streets in Germany are full of spilled beer, jubilant people, and an abundance of “prost’s”.  It reminds me of one of my favorite festivals of the year, good ol’ Oktoberfest.  For 16 days in September, starting on the 20th this year, Germany turns into one of the biggest parties in the world.  People from all over the globe fly in for arguably one of planet Earth’s top drinking holidays.

7 Ways to Travel In and Around Bangkok Thailand

Written by Stephen (Sponsored Post) on April 16 2014

Bangkok is the heart of Thailand, the biggest travel hub in South Asia, and one crazy chaotic wild human zoo.  In the words of Sir David Attenborough, “Getting to places like Bangkok or Singapore was a hell of a sweat. But when you got there it was the back of beyond.”

When you’re traveling around “the back of beyond” with almost 6.5 million people and endless streets you’re going to need a little help. Here’s five ways to get in and around the BKK.

1.    Tuk Tuks

A…

How to Travel Safe like a Jedi: First Aid Kits, Travel Insurance, and Instinct

Written by Stephen (Sponsored Post) on February 26 2014

Unpredictability makes traveling exciting and like anything else worth doing it can also make it a bit dangerous.  I’ve had my fair share of calamities on the road, but ye must remember the old military saying, “Victory through preparation.” 

There are three things I contribute to my ability to walk away healthy from my travels; a solid first aid kit, travel insurance, and following my gut instinct.

First Aid Kit

If you intend to spend any amount of time traveling having a first aid kit is a no…

Bucket List Report: Surva International Festival of Masquerade Games Bulgaria

Written by Stephen (Sponsored Post) on January 21 2014

When it comes to kitsch phrases like bucket list that get throw around more than cigarette butts at Goth night I want to cringe a little. But when you hit the point where your places to see list outweighs your time and budget list you’ve got to file those bad boys somewhere else. Hence, Shameless Traveler’s first ever Bucket List Report.

My Bucket List Report is a bi-weekly list of things I’d like to see…