A couple of weeks ago, we featured some Puerto Rico Things to Do, including some resorts and places to visit. Today we chat with
Alisha Miranda, who is now is based in New York City, but her roots are in Puerto Rico. She’s got some great tips for making the most of a trip to Puerto Rico and some additional ideas for you when exploring the island. Let’s dive in.

Please introduce yourself.

I was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico and then moved to New York with my family where I grew up in the Hudson Valley. My earliest childhood memories were spending summers and the holidays with my grandparents and uncles and aunts and cousins traveling around Puerto Rico, eating and cooking a lot, and spending as much time as we could on the beach. When I wasn’t running around the island, I went from house to house seeing family members, playing on farms, and chasing animals around the streets.

Now as I look back at my career in travel, I realize I’ve always loved exploring on my own and I have those memories to thank.

If someone was going to Puerto Rico for the first time, what would you tell them to go do to get a great first impression?

If you’re going to Puerto Rico for the first time, I’d recommend renting a car and taking a trip driving around the coast, stopping along for roadside food breaks – especially “lechon” and a Medalla, our favorite beer. You’ll get to see beautiful views of the ocean, peaking mountains, and locals on their day-to-day.

San Juan is a bustling city. Where are some areas to go and find some character and good urban experiences?

As cliche as it sounds, I really love Old San Juan and think it isn’t overrated. Going in the early evening is a nice time to explore around the historic district, eat traditional plates of rice and beans with plenty of fried goodies on the side, and try “piragua” too! Or, get outside the city by driving along PR-1 to head inland where you’ll pass army bases (I know weird, but cool!) and lovely town homes.

Where would one go for some peace and quiet on Puerto Rico?

For peace and quiet go off the mainland to Vieques or Culebra islands. You can book private boat tours and underwater activities. We’ve also rented cabin houses in Bayamon where the beach is secluded save for locals who live there. It’s a perfect getaway with close friends.

Any tips and suggestions for getting off the main island?

Rent a jetski to get off the mainland and hit the waves!

In today’s interview, I’m talking with Alexis Grant. Alexis is a travel writer with an interesting work history and current working on a book about travel memoirs as well as busy with her other travel-related projects. I love all her practical travel tips and advice – some great stuff here.

Can you briefly introduce yourself?

I’m a journalist now making a living as an entrepreneur and social media strategist. I’m cobbling together an income doing a variety of work I enjoy: writing, helping small businesses with social media and blogging, and creating digital guides and courses. A big part of the reason I’m doing this is to create a flexible lifestyle that allows me to travel. I share my transition from working for an employer (my last day job was with U.S. News & World Report, where I covered job-search strategies) to working for myself in a weekly newsletter, Solopreneur Secrets.

You’re working on a travel memoir about backpacking solo through Africa. What made you choose Africa as a place to travel solo?  Any major comparisons/contrasts from when you started to how you felt when you finished?

I like to travel to places that are different from my home because I tend to learn more, which puts developing countries at the top of my list. When I decided in 2008 to leave my reporting job to travel, I figured Africa would be just one stop on my itinerary, but the flights I strung together turned out to be way beyond my budget. My trip advisor — I used Airtreks — suggested I stick to one continent to bring down the cost. I wasn’t ready to give up Madagascar or Cameroon, so Africa became my destination; I also spent time in Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana and S. Africa.

Two other factors went into that decision, too: I’d spent a semester abroad in Cameroon during college and wanted to go back, and I wanted to go to French-speaking countries so I could improve my language skills.

In terms of how I changed during the trip, Africa always reminds me how lucky I am to have so many opportunities in life. And when you recognize that, I think you’re far less apt to let those opportunities go to waste. I returned to the States even more determined to make the most of my education and to really pursue a life that will make me happy, knowing not everyone has that choice.

What’s your advice for someone who is a little unsure whether independent travel is for them, or someone who is eager to try it but totally unsure where to start?

Try a short trip first. It takes some getting used to, but soon enough you’ll probably realize that you actually meet more people while traveling solo than when you’re with a partner or group. That’s because you’re forced to talk to the people around you if you want conversation!

Then just go for it. You’ll never feel entirely ready; for most of us, traveling solo is a bit outside our comfort zone. But you’ll likely be glad you did it. And if you don’t feel that way, what’s the worst that can happen?

I know you used to live in Houston.  Any tips for travelers heading there?

You know, no one has ever asked me that before! I tend to think Houston is a better place to live (cheap, great restaurants, awesome news to cover if you’re a reporter) than to visit, but three suggestions:

1. Go to the rodeo. It’s a month long, usually in March, and if you’ve never been exposed to this type of entertainment before, it’s totally eye-opening. I covered the rodeo two years in a row for the Houston Chronicle, which means I hung out with cowboys and ate fried oreos for an entire month rather than typing away in the newsroom. Awesome experience.

2. Check out Lakewood Church. It’s the biggest mega-church in the country, and the service you want to hit is Sunday morning. It doesn’t matter whether you’re religious or not, this is for the experience! The service is in an old sports stadium, and it’s more like a concert with a few motivational speeches than the church you might’ve attended growing up.

3. Eat a meal at Goode Company — either seafood or barbeque. That’s about as Houston as you can get.

What’s been your most inspirational travel experience?

During this last backpacking trip, I returned to the village in Cameroon where I’d lived for a few weeks as a study abroad student six years earlier. The polygamous family I stayed with there has no running water or electricity, but man, they have spirit! The four wives were so willing to teach me about their culture even as they barely had enough money to send their children to school. My relationships with those wives takes up a good chunk of my book.

What are you looking forward to crossing off your bucket list next?

My next Big Goal is to streamline my business enough so I can travel for a month at a time without totally fretting. I want to be able to keep up with my client accounts and other writing projects at the same time as I see the world. My next trip will probably be to East or southern Africa, but I’ve also got a ticket to Nicaragua that’s begging to be used.

I’m also super excited to launch my first course: How to Use Social Media to Make Your Own Luck. I write a lot on my blog about making your own luck, so I’m psyched to teach readers practical tips for how to actually do it.

Thanks for having me, Andy!

Thanks for joining us, Alexis – really great advice. Safe travels!

When it comes to America’s national parks, James Kaiser is known as “the man in the know.” An outdoorsman, an author of a number of books on the national parks, and an award winning photographer (as you’ll see below), James is certainly an interesting guy to talk to – he’s been hiking in the parks since he was six!

What parks are the best? What experiences are to die for? The expert reveals all…

Why don’t you tell us a little bit about how you became “the man in the know” about America’s national parks?

I grew up in Maine, and I spent my summers hiking, biking, and exploring Acadia National Park on the coast. When I was older, I worked summer jobs in Bar Harbor, which is right outside the park. The more time I spent in Acadia, the more I realized that there were no decent guidebooks to the park. So when I graduated from college in 1999, I went back to Acadia and wrote and self-published my own guidebook to Acadia. The response was overwhelming. At book signings people came up to me with dog-eared copies of my book, telling me it was the only guide they used. Realizing I might have a knack for this kind of thing, I decided to move to California and write guidebooks to other national parks. Since then I’ve written guides to Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon, and Yosemite. And last year three of my guidebooks—Acadia, Joshua Tree, Yosemite—were the bestselling guidebooks to their respective national parks.

Travelers around the world have a fascination with national parks – almost every country in the world has one. What drives us to such fascination about these protected outdoor locations?

I think as human beings we’re inherently drawn to natural places. We evolved in natural places, so it’s in our DNA. America was the first country to establish a national park system, and since then the concept has spread around the world, which is amazing. These days, national parks are more important than ever, because the world is becoming much more urbanized. More and more people are living in cities, which is fine, but unfortunately many city-dwellers are losing their bond with natural world. National Parks help us reconnect with nature at its finest, which helps us reconnect with a vital part of what it means to be human.

What are your top national park experiences? Everyone knows about the famous parks, but what experiences are worth schelpping the family cross-country for?

My top national park experiences are always A) challenging, and B) shared. It’s one thing to visit Yosemite Valley and take in the pretty views. It’s another to hike 4,000 vertical feet to the top of Half Dome with your friends by your side. I remember the first time I hiked Half Dome. It was me and two friends, and we hiked it in a single day. We started at 6am and finished at 6pm. It was brutal. But I’ll never forget how happy we were when we reached the top, and the sense of accomplishment we all shared that night around the campfire. For me, that’s a big part of what makes national parks so special. They offer so many ways to challenge yourself, which leads to such memorable experiences.

What’s been your most inspirational travel experience?

The first rafting trip I took down the Grand Canyon was one of the most incredible travel experiences I’ve ever had. It was a three week trip, during which time I completely disconnected from the modern world. No TV, no phones, no internet. Just me, my raft-mates, and the Canyon. It was the first time in my life I had ever really unplugged, and it was incredible. Camping out on the banks of the Colorado River each night, a mile deep, billions of stars blazing overhead. Just spectacular. I returned from that trip so refreshed and revitalized, and with such a deeper connection to the natural world. It was an eye-opening experience. I mean, you hear stories of people traveling to India to disconnect from the modern world and gain inspiration. I guess that also happened to me. It just happened at the bottom of Grand Canyon!

What’s at the top of your bucket list in terms of must-do national park experiences? Anything you think will just be breathtaking?

I still haven’t climbed Mt. Whitney in Sequoia National Park. It’s the highest point in the continental U.S., and—more importantly to me—the highest point in the Sierra Nevada Range. I hear the views from the top are incredible. I can’t wait!

Incredible, James. Just incredible. Thank you for sharing your experiences and reminding us all to visit a national park soon! Don’t forget about our travel concierge service if need help piecing together that road trip.

(The incredibly beautiful) photographs courtesy of James Kaiser.

Interviews were one of the first “viral” features at Sharing Travel Experiences – they were wildly popular, but for some reason we haven’t done as many lately as we used to.  Hopefully we’ll be bringing them back in style and today we’re doing our first ever podcast audio interview! It’s an experiment and hopefully you’ll tell us what you think.  Today’s guest is Farnoosh Brock, and she’ll be sharing with us tips on how to travel fearless, how to travel when you don’t have enough time, and how to travel when you don’t have enough money.

And be sure to listen all the way through – at the end Farnoosh and I reveal what a true travel maniac does to gain even more miles and points for free travel.

Right click here to download the MP3.

Resources Mentioned on the Call

Several resources were mentioned on the call, including:

• Chris Guillebeau’s Frequent Flyer Mastermind (which by buying and doing the first set of tasks can get you enough miles for a FREE plane ticket)
• Talk to Sheri Doyle, our Travel Concierge (she can help you find the right things on a tighter budget – there’s a free concierge package!)
• Flyertalk Forum (great place to talk to others about travel tips)
• Farnoosh’s Fear Crushing Travel Guide (a MUST HAVE for newbie travelers)

Podcast Notes

We won’t be doing a full transcript of the podcasts (unless we get a lot of requests for it – be sure to leave a comment if you’d like us to do them). Some notes, though:

• Farnoosh says that “prolific living” means living a full life through the act of learning, creating, producing, sharing and offering in abundance.
• Most fears of travel come from a fear of the unknown or difficulty in dealing with the lack of control.
• Travel isn’t an exclusive club – everyone can travel, even with limited budget, time, or both.
• Tips for traveling if you don’t have enough time:
  • You have to take a break at some point, so how are you judging how to use your time?
  • Take a “microvacation” – either somewhere close to home or go really far for just a few days.
  • Do your homework!
• Tips for traveling if you don’t have enough money but don’t to be a budget backpacker:
  • Try to accrue frequent flyer miles.
  • Talk to our travel concierge.
  • Decide where best to spend your money.
  • Whatever you do, don’t pay full price.
  • Do your homework!
• Pick and airline and hotel chain or two and be loyal to them.

And Farnoosh’s most inspirational travel experience:

I would have to say Bali, Indonesia. I used to think no place in the world will top Hawaii but Bali added a new dimension. You see, Hawaii and Bali are both incredibly beautiful, with jaw-dropping gorgeous scenery and unique wild life. But in Bali I felt a sense of harmony between man and Mother Nature that I had never known to exist. In fact I was able to shed a very embarrassing fear, my lifelong fear of frogs and funny enough, it was a komodo dragon that hung out outside our villa every day that helped me shed that fear. Any other place, I would have fainted from the sight of one and now I am no longer afraid of frogs. Bali is transformational; it shows you this harmony without speaking it outloud and it draws you in with a unique power. Memories are etched, that is for sure, and a return trip is a must. Thank you for helping me relive that.

And Don’t Forget to Check Out Farnoosh’s Fear Crushing Travel Guide

What do you think: should we continue to do audio interviews, text interviews, or a combination of both?

It is that time again – time to talk travel with one of our inspiring community members. Today we’ve got Lainie and Miro. One’s a parent, one’s a child, but sometimes the roles are reserved.

We’ve had many parent-child duos here as interviewees and their perspectives – as a group and as individuals – is always fascinating. Toady is no exception. Read on.

Can you introduce yourselves?

Sure, we are Lainie & Miro of RaisingMiro.com. Lainie is the parent half and of course, Miro is the one being raised… and sometimes it’s the other way around.

Here’s the language we use on our site which sums up pretty well who we are and what we are doing. (I used to be a professional ‘brander’ so I’m still a sucker for consistent brand messages. After this bit though, I promise to stay away from all third person references for the rest of this interview.)

Miro and Lainie (mother 44 and 11 year old son) share their adventures from the Road of Life, discussing issues of humanity, global citizenship, worldschooling, slow travel & living in the moment as they explore the big beautiful planet, they call home.

Lainie and her son Miro began their open ended adventure in 2009, starting in Central & South America. They are slow traveling around the globe allowing inspiration be their compass. The pair is most interested in exploring cultures, contributing by serving & connecting with humanity as ‘global citizens’.

They invite you to travel along with them, share their experiences, on the Road of Life.

What’s it like to be ever-traveling, nomadic? I’m sure some days it must be freeing, and other days just tiring?

I think we transitioned easily into the full time role of ‘nomad’ from the role of the ‘excited traveler’. The excitement keeps us enthusiastic and realizing that the externals stresses of conventional life were no longer there, we eased into our new roles with grace. I’m not sure though exactly when that change took place, but I think it was close to the time when we first arrived in Guatemala, which was December of 2009.

The rhythm of being in the moment came naturally to us, and as soon as our lives, bodies and spirits were relieved of the idea of stress, we became satisfied and content. The concept was something I had intellectually studied, practiced, and yearned for, for years, but not actually experienced until our new life became a reality for us.

For me, it was a feeling of absolute freedom, a feeling I welcomed into my experience. The feeling of ‘liberation’ was always important to me, so much so, that 4 years ago, long before we knew we were going to do this trip, I legally changed my last name to ‘Liberti’.

You once said “There is no point, other than living in the moment and being present to all of the experiences and constantly finding the joy” How do you suggest people more live in the moment?

I can actually think of no other purpose in life. It’s easy to do. Slow down. Slow way down. Make peace with your thoughts. Respect them, honor them and don’t always believe them. Learn to be the watcher of your thoughts and learn to notice when you identify with your thoughts. Just be still and notice. Then see the world and all of it’s experiences as a gift. Perception is everything and that’s clearly the only thing we have control over.

I know many critics have often called me Polly-Anna-ish.

And I agree.

I don’t focus my attention anymore on violence, crime, atrocities and even politics. Coming from an background of activism, that was a huge change for me. And also now realizing that was a source of stress in my world, even though my intention was to serve, or do good.

Now I live in the moment and find exquisite joy in all that’s around me. Miro and I experience this together. As a shared experience, we have come to appreciate the little things with the amazement of a newborn and the awareness of a world traveler. Many of those experiences are set upon the backdrop of new cultures, new ways of looking at things and new experiences invited into our lives .

Over the past year and eight months of travel, my son and I have had the honor of experiencing an immediate impact through doing small things that effect humanity by simply being positive.

On a similar, yet slightly different note, you talk a lot about “slow travel.” What does that mean to you, and what are some examples of great experiences our readers could have if they chose the slow road?

We are traveling slowly which allows us to experience the communities we travel to, as a visiting resident. In other words, we submerge ourselves in the culture on a daily basis. We like to spend at least a few months in each country, and when inspired, we stay longer. We live with locals. We eat with locals. We interact with locals. And we try to give a little of ourselves in whichever way we can.

Sometimes it’s as simple as playing with the neighborhood children. Sometimes it’s feeding all of the stray dogs. Sometimes it’s through formal volunteer work. We always look at the communities we visit as gift and always have a smile to offer. Whatever the case, it is always the perfect experience. We know we could not have had the wonderful experiences we have had if we were only traveling as a tourist.

What’s been your most inspirational travel experience?

I think the most inspirational experience has been the kindness we’ve found in others and the deep deep compassion we’ve found in ourselves. We both experience gratitude on a daily basis for being blessed with our life circumstances and know the world is a safe place to be in.

Thanks so much for sparing your time to talk with us, Lainie & Miro! I love your advice about slowing down and I think it’s something that all travelers, whether a daytrip or weekend break or a full on massive trip, could follow. Folks to learn more, pay them a visit at RaisingMiro.com.

It’s Sharing Travel Experiences loves New York City week! Hurrah! Check the end of all our features this week for a chance to win a trip to NYC.

Given all the great info and advice we’ve had so far this week, it will be hard to top that, but today we’ve got a special interview with one of my fave New York City locals, Annemarie Dooling. She’s a travel maven and NYC expert so it was hard to track her down – but I managed to do so, and finally, we’ve got her interview here live! Read on and learn about America’s favorite city from a new perspective from Annemarie Dooling.

Can you introduce yourself?

Hello! I’m Annemarie Dooling, Digital Community Manager and travel
writer for Time Out New York and the Huffington Post, among others. I chronicle these adventures at www.FrillSeekerDiary.com

Andy: You’re so modest. You’re also incredible street smart, a virtual New York City travel concierge, amongst other things.

New York City is a massive place, spreading out in many directions (including UP). What’s your advice for the first-time visitor to new york trying to plan?

First time visitors should know that they aren’t going to see everything they want to see. It’s a little like going to Disneyland that if you try to pack it all in, you won’t enjoy any of it. Instead,pick a theme or area you really want to see. Are you interested in architecture or parks or foodie events… pick a theme and stick to it.

Andy: Agreed. Pick a theme or two, max. Then make plans to come back.

Where do locals go to enjoy the ‘true’ New York vibe?

Well, we are everywhere and we mostly go right outside our own doors. The best places to eat and see things are usually really new or really old, so it helps to consult a local, a great website, or even a twitter feed like Newyorkology or notfortourists to see what people are talking about this week. I’d also like to say that most NYC flavor comes from the natives who live in the boroughs. You’ll find amazing Italian food, great multi cultural institutions, and the most ridiculous views in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and the Bronx, so don’t skip them.

Andy: This answer reminds me of one of my personal favorite things to do in New York: walk. You don’t need to strut like Carrie Bradshaw or anything, but man an hour or two stroll down avenues and boulevards, no headphones just listening to the vibe, is incredible. See what you stumble onto.

You and I are both foodies. Earlier in the week we highlighted some fun restaurants in NYC, but let’s hear your faves. What are some classic NYC foods that one should try while there?

Right now us New Yorker’s have a total love affair with snacks-as-meals.We have entire restaurants devoted to things you should eat between meals. Rice to Riches is a fantastic place to score all different kinds of rice pudding, from savory to really sweet. S’Mac is similar, but with many, many kinds of macaroni and cheese. Finally Rickshaw Dumpling is a wonderful place to grab a quick meal or a sit down dinner of dumplings. They also have a truck that circles the city.

Andy: You had me at SNACKS-AS-MEALS. OMG! This, dear reader, is enough to make you book a plane ticket right now. Yes, like, right now. Come hungry.

A ‘daytrip’ in NYC is a trip to one of the boroughs. Which ones are your favourites, and why?

I was born in Brooklyn so I’m a little partial… I highly recommend Dumbo for any foodie as well as anyone who loves art. They have this amazing waterfront park that is always filled to the brim with events and you can’t get a better view of the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. In the other boroughs I really love Jackson Heights, Queens. It’s called “Little India” because of it’s heavy Asian and Indian influence and there’s so much art there, too. Finally, I wish people would come to see Staten Island, where I live now. We’re the “borough of Parks” because there is acres and acres of parkland. Because the Greenbelt which features world-class hiking, we’re in the process of creating what will be NYC’s largest park.

Andy: I can second the Dumbo recommendation – it’s such a cute place with a great view. I’m loving these other recommendations, because I’ve not been to either – I do know that Queens has GREAT food and the trip to Staten Island is worth it for the ferry ride alone.

Last but not least: Any tourist attractions that you just can’t stand and really recommend people skip entirely?

I avoid Times Square at all costs. When I was a teen and interned in the area I thought it was so exciting. After seeing nether regions, getting pushed into gutters, having my wallet stolen in crowds, and missing more buses than I could handle, I now have a different view. Seriously, it’s just a bunch of lights. Instead, head down to Flatiron for a better look at classic New York architecture and much, much better meal choices, only 15 mns away.

Andy: I’d have to agree with Annemarie on this one. Yeah, I suppose seeing all those crazed lights once is good – get the pictures and get out. It’s just too over the top for me. Down to Flatiron is much more relaxed and a much more authentic and enjoyable experience, especially if you have children who will just get squashed in Times Square.

Awesome interview Annemarie, thank you so much for joining us!

Photos courtesy of Annemarie Dooling.

Enter to Win!

Courtesy of our amazing sponsors – Dead Apple Tours, NYCGo, and the Roosevelt Hotel, we’re offering the opportunity for you to:

• Laugh with your guided tour of the Big Apple…in a hearse!
• See all the museums you want with a New York City Explorer Pass!
• Sleep in the comfort of The Roosevelt Hotel, a classy New York fave!
• And…Be in the Know with a free tip sheet and suggestion guide, courtesy of Sheri, our travel concierge.

Terms and Conditions: a.k.a. the fine print:

• Entrants must provide a valid email address to win.
• Selection of a winner will be made by Sharing Travel Experiences / Hayes Media Group and their decision is final.
• All offers subject to availability with each of our sponsors.
• Winners are responsible for their transportation to New York.
• Hotel offer valid only Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Tax & Gratuity are NOT included. Certificates non-  returnable, non-refundable, and non-replaceable if lost or stolen, and have no residual value.
• Offer void where prohibited by law.

It’s time for one of our favourite features! We haven’t had an interviewee for awhile since we decided to cut back on the content frenzy, but today’s is a friend I met last year on Twitter and is so busy kicking back in the Yukon, she hasn’t even had time to draft up an email. (And you know, it’s so far north, it takes awile for the Interwebz to deliver it. Just kidding.)

Anyway, I was surprised to learned that our Canadian pal Erica Ward moved to the Yukon from Japan! Why the heck would you move to the Yukon, and even better question, what is there to see for a traveller? Read on and find out….

Can you introduce yourself?

I’m the Administrative Assistant for the Town of Faro, Yukon. I live with two cats who followed me from Japan, and have forced a local blogger and her family to act as my surrogate family and feed me 5 nights a week. I have a blog called Here Right Now which updates sporadically, depending on how busy I am.

I spent four years in Tokyo working in a kindergarten, teaching English a few days a week and chasing the kids around the rest of the time. When I came back to Canada, I had no idea what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. My background in Classical Studies and Theatre Arts didn’t help when the recession hit, so I went back to school to study Administration. I started looking at employment opportunities in the north (by which I meant Timmins or Sudbury), and in late October of 2009 I did a Google search for “Yukon jobs.” Two weeks later, I had interviewed for this job, and I came up here on December 3. The rest is history.

You’ve based in Faro, which is pretty far out there. Any local secrets or favourite experiences?

If you’re coming to Faro from Whitehorse, traveling up the Klondike Highway, there’s a stop along the way you have to make – Braeburn Lodge. As a self-proclaimed pastry connoisseur, I consider it important to know where I can get my hands on a cinnamon roll the size of a dinner plate, and Braeburn Lodge delivers. (In terms of size, that is – I don’t think they actually deliver anywhere.)

A couple of years ago, the Entrepreneurship Class at our local school opened a coffee shop as its project for the year. The Faro Kettle Café is open three days during the week (morning, lunch, and after school), Sunday morning and some evenings if they are having events. They whip up a mean Hazelnut Hot Chocolate, and are a nice change from the bad coffee I brew myself.

Last year, a local artist opened a store showcasing both her own stained glass and items created by other local artists. Castle Glass & Co. acts as a combination of gallery and store, displaying photography, paintings, beadwork and a wide assortment of mukluks, moccasins and mittens. It’s always nice to stop by and see what people in the community are creating.

While I’m sure it seems hard to believe that, in a town of 415 people, a person could ever feel the need to get away from the “hustle and bustle,” it does happen. When it does, I like to take a drive out to the Sheep Viewing Cabin. The cabin is about 15 minutes out of town – it was built to facilitate observation of our herd of Fannin Sheep. Sometimes, we slip out there for a winter picnic of hotdogs and marshmallows cooked on the woodstove. It’s a great place to go to recharge one’s batteries and contemplate important questions like, “Do I have enough gas to get back into town?”

Andy: You had me at pastry.

Why do travelers head for the Yukon?

That’s a tough one – I think everyone who comes to visit the Yukon is looking for something different. For me, I wanted to be in a place where there was space to breathe. There are more people in my home town in Ontario than there are in this entire territory.

Some of the main attractions are outdoor recreation, wildlife viewing, and a large number of historic and cultural attractions. The Yukon is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream – in the winter, you have skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice fishing…almost anything you can think of. In the summer, when we have almost 24-hour daylight, you can hike, fish, swim, go quadding, camp – or, if you’re lazy like me, lounge on the porch with a drink and a fantastic view.

The wildlife viewing is fantastic – moose, elk, caribou, bears. This summer, I saw my first grizzly bear up close – he was just on the side of the highway, less than 10 feet away from me. Right after I snapped a photo, he reared up and I drove away fast. In Faro, we have an annual Crane and Sheep Viewing Festival in the spring, to celebrate the migration of the Sandhill Cranes to their breeding ground in Alaska, and to view the small herd of Fannin Sheep who make their home on our mountains. There are guided hikes, talks by people from Yukon Environment, and keynote presentations by artists, photographers, and environmentalists.

There are thousands of historic sites throughout the Yukon – in the communities and in the middle of nowhere. Virtually every community has a museum or interpretive/cultural centre, detailing regional history and events. There are artists, artisans, and crafters all over the territory, with their works on display in galleries and stores. There are several annual craft shows in Whitehorse and elsewhere, and there’s a music festival up in Dawson City during the summer that draws people from all over.

Andy: Yikes – that bear looks hungry!

Winter must be pretty bleak. What’s it like to live so remote, besides getting to hang out with polar bears?

There are challenges, definitely. Faro was built as a mining town in the 70s, and when the mine closed for good, the population shrank. The gas station burned down in 2007, and it has taken a lot of work by a lot of people to get another fuel facility in place. That was the same year the grocery store closed down, and since then Faro’s grocery needs have been taken care of by the Hardware Store (which makes my friends down south giggle). People help each other out – if someone is going in to Whitehorse for a big grocery run, they usually ask if anyone else needs anything, and vice versa.

The thing about being so remote, though, is that you become very close to people. I mentioned Kara, the blogger who feeds me, earlier – I contacted her before I moved up here, to prepare myself for the move. She advised me about parkas, boots, and what to expect in a small town, and she and her family made me feel like I’d been here forever on my first day.

I find people in the Yukon very welcoming in general. We had an interim Admin Officer from Whitehorse who was with us for three months – he still calls and emails all the time. When I went back to Ontario for Christmas, he and his wife parked my truck in their driveway so it could be plugged in when the temperature dropped, and they insisted that I stay with them on my way in and out of Whitehorse.

What’s been your most inspirational travel experience?

My last summer in Japan, I climbed Mt. Fuji. Looking back on it now, it’s inspirational, but at the time it was miserable. It was raining, I pulled a muscle in my groin a quarter of the way up, I lost the people I was climbing with, and my iPod and camera drowned. There was one point where I sat in the rain and cried for half an hour because I felt so defeated. I couldn’t see the summit, I didn’t think I could keep going, and I wondered why I had even tried. Then some girls stopped and gave me a hit of oxygen, I started moving again, and discovered that I had been less than 15 minutes from the top the whole time I was crying. I had a bowl of noodles in a shack at the top of the mountain and chatted with strangers. By the time I made it back down the mountain, the sun was shining and I felt empowered. Exhausted and dirty, but empowered.

When I find myself going through rough patches, I remind myself that I made it to the top of the mountain one step at a time. And no matter how bad things seem now, at least I haven’t got a pulled groin muscle.

Any other highlights to suggest while visiting the Yukon, such as your neighbours Alaska and the Northwest Territories?

My work has kept me pretty busy so far, but I would love to take a trip up the Dempster to Inuvik in the Northwest Territories. I’m just waiting to find someone who wants to go with me – my truck is new, but I’d hate to have any trouble with it all by my lonesome.

I did take some time off last summer to visit Alaska with my parents. We took the White Pass & Yukon Route (pic above) from Carcross to Skagway, which was a real treat. It definitely gave me a better appreciation for people’s experience during the Gold Rush, before the railway was built. From Skagway, we took the Fjord Express to Juneau – it’s a daily cruise that includes whale watching, beautiful vistas, and a tour of the Mendenhall Glacier.

The most exciting part of the trip for me, however, was visiting two quilting shops within 24 hours – my mother was appalled at my priorities.

Well I’d love to come with you! Though I’ll be in the bar while you quilt shop Thanks so much Erica for giving us a glimpse into the northern lifestyle – I love your sense of humor, and can’t wait to get up that way and come say hello. For now, we’ll all keep in touch via your cool blog, Here Right Now!

Today’s interview segment is with possibly our most humorous “guest” yet – you see, he’s not even human. And, he’s a cheeky little… guy. In fact, after reluctantly agreeing to allow me to call and interview him, his first response to my list of “what to do” Banff questions was: This is completely BS. Slightly rude, but I persisted, and actually got some good gossip out of the Banff Squirrel. Despite his offputting demeanour, he knows his territory (uhm, why wouldn’t he?), and so if you are planning a trip to Banff, his recommendations are superb. Read on…

Can you introduce yourself?

I’m the Banff Squirrel, probably best known for “photo-bombing” a traveller’s happy snap at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park. After Marilyn Terrell and National Geographic picked it as “Photo of the Day” back in August 2009, the photo went viral and the rest, as they say, is history (or at least my 15 minutes of fame).

Photo-bombing isn’t that terribly lucrative, so the folks at Banff Lake Louise Tourism offered me a gig Tweeting about the Park. Which also isn’t very lucrative, but I make a few bucks on the side letting migrating birds borrow my wi-fi for trip planning.

My hometown feels a bit like a college town where everyone’s having too much fun to show up for class. There’s Jazz at the Banff Centre and some very cool galleries for the arts crowd, wandering mountain professors happy to share their thesis on life in the Rockies, and a revolving cast of youthful characters doing a post-grad in outdoor adventure.

Andy: Nothing wrong with having too much fun. Congrats on the gig – you are tearing it up on Twitter. Though I am unsure how I feel about my inclusion on your Advent Calendar as a gingerbread cookie. Thank you, nonetheless.

It must be getting a wee bit chilly up in Banff! Back to the “what to do” Banff question, what things can one do to stay warm and enjoy the town in winter?

We turn the thermostat down in Winter so the sled-dogs don’t overheat. And to keep the jokes fresh.

The trick to staying warm is to keep moving. Take a skate on Lake Louise, ride an inner tube down Mount Norquay, snowshoe with a Heritage Guide at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise then try your hand at ice-climbing at the Banff Alpine Centre Hostel. If that doesn’t warm you up, tuck under a blanket for a dogsled ride or hop on the horse-drawn sleighs at Lake Louise. As a not even close to last resort, Banff has more hot tubs per capita than almost anywhere, including a rather famous one that’s been soothing chilled bones since the late 1800’s. Rent a reproduction of a late 1800’s “bathing costume” for extra giggles while you’re there.

There are lots of great live music and dance clubs and in a ski town every night is somebody’s Friday night so it’s never hard to find a fun crowd. Banff’s newest hot spot is the Sasquatch dance club, full of almost enough Park-inspired décor to distract even the harshest critic from your dancing skills.

Dress is “mountain casual” pretty much everywhere, but you’ll see the full range of get-ups from hiking boots to heels and everything in between on any given night.

Andy: I’m in, though I’ll bring my own bathing costume, thanks.

Spring and summer brings a whole new scene, right? Tell us what to do, Banff style.

Each Spring when the wildflowers bloom on the mountain meadows, I stage a one-squirrel production of “The Sound of Music.” Mixed reviews, but the “Goodnight” scene on the stairway of the Rundle Lounge at the Banff Springs Hotel is, in my mind, a real show-stopper. Audience participation is encouraged, so feel free to break into song at any point in your travels.

We’re real fortunate to have the Banff Centre and they put on a full slate of concerts all year round. Summertime brings a series of outdoor concerts featuring some of the world’s top performers in just about any artistic discipline you can imagine – and many of them are free. Speaking of free, one of the best shows in town plays nightly and always has seats available – just lie back on a patch of grass and watch the night sky. It’s unlike anything you’ll see in a busy city and the town’s made a real effort to minimize light pollution.

Despite being world-famous as a ski town, we get more visitors in Summer than in Winter. Some of them are people, but the real exciting ones are grizzly and black bears, herds of elk and deer, and the odd cougar (some of whom are not people). There are a ton of great local tour guides who will be happy to introduce you to my forest friends whether you choose to travel by horse, canoe, inflatable raft, bike or foot.

If guided tours aren’t your thing, local hiking, cycling and running groups set out from the town centre on an almost daily basis and are more than happy to have new friends join in the fun. Keep in mind that hiking/biking in groups of four or more is always recommended (and in some areas mandatory) both for safety reasons and because it’s more fun with friends.

I haven’t been, but everyone says Banff is one of the most beautiful places in Canada, if not the world. Where’s your favourite view?

A list of the worst views in Banff would probably be a lot shorter. Things like @Real_Banff in a speedo at the Upper Hot Springs come to mind… but I digress.

The Sulphur Mountain Gondola lets you summit a mountain peak without cracking a sweat and the 360-degree view from the top is not shabby. Back in town, ask a local to direct you toward “surprise corner” for a spectacular view of the Bow Falls and the castle-like Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.

Early mornings are a great time to get out to the Vermillon Lakes (a fave spot for canoeing and igloo building) as the sun rises.

But here’s the insider’s tip: mountains are awe-inspiring but everybody’s kinda hoping to see a bit of wildlife too. Most days, you’ll find deer wandering the backyards of Banff and elk stubbornly refusing to let duffers play through at the Banff Springs golf course. But take a trip round the Minnewanka loop or up the switchbacks of Mount Norquay to see the real wild ones. And if you’re heading up to Lake Louise, take the old 1A rather than the highway and odds are you’ll get happily stuck in a “bear jam.” Just remember – these are wild animals and if you can get a great shot without a long zoom lens, you’re waaaay too close!

Lastly, one can get pretty hungry/thirsty after all that hiking, skiing,and adventure-ing. Got any suggestions for those of us who want a little more than nuts?

Banff has lots of great chow options, from gourmet burgers and caribou fondue to sushi delivered on a model train and 5-diamond dining.

Regardless of your culinary cravings, one thing I always recommend is to spend some time where the locals hang out. Banff is a very young town filled with folks who have chosen to live here to pursue an active outdoor life. So if you’re looking for the inside track on the best hikes, mountain bike rides or places to spot wildlife, grab a pint or two at the Rose & Crown or the Elk & Oarsman and make friends with a local. Just watch out for the rugby team – they’re usually short a few players and might ask you to play.

For something a little out of the ordinary, check out the former home of Western Canada’s first disco, now converted into the Grizzly House restaurant. As if the caribou, elk and rattle snake featured on their fondue menu aren’t enough to set this place apart, each of the tables and even the washrooms are outfitted with special “house phones.” Consult the map on your menu and you can prank, say hello or just shoot the breeze with any of the restaurant’s other patrons. Needless to say, The Grizzly House is fully licensed.

Evelyn’s is a local coffee fave and brunch or tea at the Banff Springs is a must-do. There are a number of great steak joints in town serving local Alberta beef (raised by real rootin’ tootin’ cowboys) including the Maple Leaf, the Bison, Saltlik and the Juniper Bistro.

Late-late night pizza at the Aardvark is a local tradition as are the gourmet burgers (with vegetarian options) at Eddie’s Burger Bar. Tell them the Squirrel sent you (won’t help you, but if enough people say it, I may be in for a free burger).

But hey – you’re in the world’s finest national park and the best steak you’ll ever eat is probably the one you cook on your very own campfire under a canopy of stars. If camping’s not your thing, make friends with a local and they can probably hook you up with at least a singalong and a roasted marshmallow or two.

All images courtesy of Banff Lake Louise.

Today’s interview guest really has been there…saw the local crazy people (we all know they are out there), and then shot some film footage while he was there! From roadtrips in the USA to teaching English in Asia, he’s seen it all, and his stories range from the poignant to the down right funny. He’s a storyteller, so I’ll let him have the floor…

Could you introduce yourself?

I’m Roni Weiss. Born in New York, grew up in the suburbs, north of Seattle. I studied English Lit and Drama at the University of Washington, graduating in 2002 at the age of 18. After that, I moved to Hollywood, left Hollywood, had a bunch of different jobs then started working with kids.

In 2004, I did my first big trip abroad, which was for 2 months in Western Europe.

Since then, I’ve visited 70+ countries, every country in Europe and every continent except Antarctica. I’ve also taught English in Italy, France, Taiwan and Chile.

Looking over the multitude of places you’ve been, it doesn’t seem like there’s much of a pattern. How do you choose your next locale?

Each trip has been fairly organic in terms of how I decided on it:

My first trip was because I was invited to visit people in the UK that I had worked with at a camp on the East Coast of the US. I just extended it until it made sense to stop.

My next trip was a month in Southeast Asia. I got the flight from an air courier, so a month was the limit.

After that, I started teaching English, so my travels became more about where was plausible to go during work or where I could branch off to after my contracts had expired.

It’s funny, you were born on the US East Coast, then grew up on the US West Coast, and then years later did a road trip that looks like you hit nearly every state. Any American off-beat favourites you would suggest?

Honestly, I was more disappointed with a lot of stuff on the US road trip than I thought I would be. The Corn Palace was cool, in that we got to do an interview with a guy that knew stuff about it and fit in with the kitchiness, but other than that, it’s just an indoor arena. Roswell is more cowboy than alien. The best part to me were just some of the characters we ran into, such as one of the founders of cuddle parties and Fred Sanders, a guy that is apparently a music legend in some circles, but managed to make even stories about hanging out with Elvis and such into one-line borefests. It’s such a different experience traveling in a country where you speak the language, because you can actually understand what the crazy people are saying.

You’ve taught English in a number of foreign countries abroad. What was that like?

Teaching English has provided me with a great way to be abroad and make money. Working with students (of any age) really tells you a lot about the culture in general. Chile is the most stable country in South America, almost an anomaly. I saw part of the reason why in the strong work ethic of the students. Working in Taiwan was like living in an Asian stereotype. The kids were pushed hard, had pig’s blood soup for lunch and I had my lunch out of a takeout box with chop sticks.

Even funnier to me were my experiences in Italy and France. The Italians fit their stereotype perfectly. My first memory of arriving in Italy was walking down the street in San Remo, seeing people gesturing wildly with their hands and drinking coffee at sidewalk cafes from little cups.

As for France, everything grows out of the initial stereotype. Even the rest of Europe is mad at France
for their lack of English skills. But having worked in the public education system there, I’ve grown to understand the reasons behind that.

What’s been your most inspirational travel experience?

In all of my travels, I’m always heartened by the kindness I’m shown by complete strangers. Even outside of CouchSurfing, there are little moments here and there that make me feel bonded to the human experience. One, offhand, is when I was at a bus station in Antalya, Turkey. A woman gestured that she was walking away and that I should watch her stuff. I just sat there, nothing happened, she came back, profusely thanked me and gave me two apples. It’s the small things like that that keep me traveling.

Any big, interesting items on your “to do” list you’re going to be checking off soon?

There are only two big trips left that I really want to do: Mexico/Central America and Egypt to South Africa overland. I really hate airports and airlines, so the more I can avoid dealing with them, the better. I’d love to go to Iran, but Americans need to have a guide with them all the time. I don’t think I could handle that. I travel to freely talk to people.

Photos courtesy of the interviewe, Roni Weiss.

Oour first interview of the year is a fun one – a fighting couple! Ok, well, they don’t fight all the time, but they’re open and honest about what it takes to travel successfully as a couple. I think their insights and their tips for making travel more special are useful for all of us, even single solo travellers.

Enjoy!

Could you introduce yourselves?

We are the the fighting couple aka Mike and Luci! We met in the second grade and have been fighting ever since. Our blog is www.1000fights.com. We started it with the intent to encourage other couples to get out and travel together. We offer insights on how to travel on the cheap. How to get along. And of course we share a few of our couple fights.

You started out with smaller trips, which is a great way for those looking to travel more to get started. Any tips for someone interested in planning some short, simple adventures?

I think this is good advice for anyone. Start your adventures in the area that you live. Traveling together “forces” you to have a conversation. Turn off the radio and power off the blackberries and just talk. Start the conversation. Then set a goal. Where would the both of you dream of going. Ireland? An African Safari? Then work together to achieve the goal. Set up a savings plan. Working together and attaining a goal can be such a unifying force in your relationship.

You have a habit of celebrating major events – such as your anniversaries. That’s so nice – what sparked that idea?

On our honeymoon we set the goal to go somewhere together every year. Just us. So we agreed that for every year that we are married we would add on another $100 on for airfare and hotel. It gives us an annual escape. We talk about areas we can strengthen our marriage. Being in another setting can be such a recharge to any relationship.

You tend to not take your children with you on vacation. Is that sometimes or all the time? What would you say to the moms and dads out there reading and trying to plan travel?

We think that it is vital to a healthy relationship to spend couple time together. You need the time get to know each other, discuss goals and ideas, and of course rekindle the romance. We do take a family vacation each year with the entire family. This is important. But we look forward to our annual trip together.

What’s been your most inspirational travel experience?

So many great ones to chose from. One of the coolest places we went was Turkey. We visited the ancient ruins at Ephesus. We arrived before the tourist throngs arrived and were able to have the entire place to ourselves. I took a few minutes alone in reflection in the Celsius Library. It was a life changing experience. I was standing in the same place that ancient thinkers gathered together to discuss some of the ideas that would change the future of mankind. It was true was amazing. I would recommend Turkey to anyone.

So, where are you going next?

We play our annual trips 8 months to a year in advance. We put a ton of effort into learning about the locale, learning the language, making our plans to see off the beaten path places. Our next trip is this spring. We are going to Europe with stops in Paris, Venice and a week in Croatia/Slovenia. We typically plan our trips a year in advance. While we have a number of friends that enjoy doing RTW (round the world) trips. That is just not for us. We like to do a ton of research on the locations that we visit. We learn the language, culture and history. We even have taken college courses on the places we are going to visit. We are really anti-tour guide. If we don’t know more than the average tour guide by the time we get to a location, we haven’t done our research. One exception to this rule is Context Travel. They offer tours by PhD level guides that are experts in their fields. They offer some amazing tours.