After spending 2 full days in Rio, I now believe to have a good feel of the city. First off, the city is absolutely gorgeous. After getting a nice view from Sugar Loaf and Corcovado (where the Christ of the Redeemer is located), I can surely confirm this. The weather has been cooperative. It's nice and hot during the day and it rains for a little bit in the evening. Let's just say that you quickly get used ...

As I sit in front of a computer in Manaus, I feel sad. After spending an awesome 5 days in the Amazon Rainforest, I wish I was still there. It was great to be disconnected from the Internet and the city. Although I traveled alone to Brazil, I've been in great company since I left home. I had an interesting conversation with two women  at Miami airport and a backpacker on my flight Miami-Sao Paulo. As soon a ...

A trip for backpackers is not always a splendor vacation it is more like quest. From my past experiences of backpacking I came across situations that always seemed to arise more than twice. It may have been just my luck, since I am a very unluckily person, but after a while I heard that these occurrences happened to most backpackers. Missing a train Running after a train, with a heavy backpack is a common o ...

Merry Christmas everyone!!! So today I decide to add a little something different into Tanya's and I's blog.  Tanya is away in the jungle and having the time of her time, well what I hope! As for I , a traditional Christmas morning is on it's way. Oh and yes there is snow !! Love waking up to a white Christmas Morning. Anyways, before I ramble on about Christmas, I do have a family who loves to travel as mu ...

Before I book my trip I always have the hardest time in finding what airline is best, cheapest, and flexible. I usually book last minute and when I am in the country I am backpacking I sometime just book a flight that day. Ya, I do everything last minute! It can be scary but really it is just because I’m not sure what airline to pick! Qantas Airlines All Australia’s know how to travel when using their leadi ...

Whether you are new to backpacking or not, there are some fundamental rules to follow. Yes, I know what you are thinking RULES?... for backpackers!! But yup, trust me there are a few you will want to follow! Don't annoy the people sleeping in your dorm Sleeping in hostels means sharing your room with other backpackers. This can range anywhere between 4 to 12 people per room, on average. So if you want to go ...

Every since I knew about this rock, years ago, I have been fascinated about it. Everyone who I knew always told me, “ Nara it’s just a rock!” and I use to say “ya, but it’s a red rock.” I now laugh, but really I still want to explore this rock! Many backpackers who I knew visited this wonder of the world and told me, Nara you are right!! Amazing site to see!!! So if you have no idea what I am talking about ...

Ok... the time is finally here. After countless days, I am leaving today! Wow... After spending the week in bed with fever, I can't believe the time has come. It's funny because while I was living in Europe, traveling was a part of lifestyle. Every weekend, we'd be hopping on a train, bus or plane to discover a new city. And I must say that Europeans take this for granted. Being surrounded by so many differ ...

At 21, I left to go study in Europe for 7 months. At 22, I left once again to go study in Mexico for 5 months. At 23, I went backpacking for one month in Thailand and Vietnam. At 24, I backpacked through Argentina. And now, I'm leaving to go backpacking in Brazil. In between all of this, I've been on countless road trips, anywhere from NYC to Florida, to California, to Boston, to Chicago, to Indianapolis, t ...

In 2004/05 I backpacked Europe for an entire year. While I was backpacking there were many things I would do and no one would know about. What I mean is, when you are a backpacker you want to save as much money in every possible way. So you work around things that you know you can get away with. A few things every backpacker does, but just doesn’t brag about it. Taking food from hostels to save it for lunch ...