Archive for February, 2010
TravelBlur.com Wins Three Travel Writing Awards
Posted by: | CommentsMy mom taught me not to brag, but I’m going to do it anyway.
As of Saturday, I can now call myself an “award-winning” freelance writer. You read it correctly. Someone actually gave me an award - and not just one, but three. They came from a legitimate journalism organization too.
The folks here at TravelBlur.com (that’s really just me) brought home two first place and one second place writing awards from the Oklahoma Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Seriously, we won.
My lovely wife and I took home a first place award in the Leisure Writing category for Newspaper Division B (circulation 7,000 to 25,000) for a collaborative effort headlined The Splendor and Rich Heritage of Copenhagen which appeared in Edmond Life and Leisure.
In the Newspaper Division C (circulation less than 7,000) Leisure Writing category, this writer captured first place with a story titled Giant Buddha Rules Kamakura and second for a Halloween piece called Prague’s Creepy Gothic Church of All Saints. Both stories published in The Journal Record.
While honors and awards are a welcome validation, the true joy of writing comes not from the accolades, but from a quality turn of phrase. I like writing, I like crafting a narrative and, honestly, I like winning awards too.
Oslo’s Ski Jump – Come Fly With Me
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I really enjoyed watching the Olympic ski jumping competition from Vancouver over the weekend. I’m amazed how these courageous daredevils launch their bodies into the void in pursuit of Olympic gold.
I always wondered what it must be like to look down that long ramp, and I had the chance to find out when I visited the Holmenkollen Ski Jump above Oslo, Norway.
Travel to Vancouver: A Don’t Miss and Dismiss of Olympic Proportions
Posted by: | CommentsDon’t Miss & Dismiss is an occasional series of travel guide posts about the best (Don’t Miss) and worst (Dismiss) tourist sites in cities all over the world.
The 2010 Winter Olympics kick off today in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. So here’s my travel guide on the host city’s good and bad tourist sites.
Don’t Miss: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
An authentic representation of a Ming Dynasty scholar’s residence, the garden is a calming oasis in the midst of the city’s hustle and bustle. Read the article I wrote about the garden in The Journal Record.
Dismiss: Gastown
Vancouver’s historic center, Gastown is mostly a collection of tourist shops and restaurants. The architecture is somewhat interesting, and the old steam clock is so-so. Just don’t venture outside Gastown’s core area, as we found the surrounding streets a bit rough to say the least.
Don’t Miss: Museum of Anthropology
Located on the campus of the University of British Columbia, the Museum of Anthropology’s authentic totem poles and sculptures are only a small part of its interesting collection of art and artifacts examining the area’s coastal Native American heritage.
Dismiss: Granville Island
If you’ve never before visited a big public market then stop by Granville Island. Otherwise, it’s just another market.
Don’t Miss: Japa Dog and Tojo’s
Unique and tasty grub is one of the best parts of travel to a foreign destination. Two Japanese-inspired, but very different Vancouver options should not be missed. For lunch, stop in at the Japa Dog stand (see my earlier Japa Dog post here). For dinner, grab some sushi at Tojo’s. Fresh ingredients and a modern flare make Tojo’s the best sushi I’ve eaten outside Japan.
American Airlines Wants $50 to Fly Standby
Posted by: | CommentsI read in today’s The Dallas Morning News that American Airlines plans to start charging many passengers $50 to get on a standby flight. This aggravates me to no end. I’m not an elite flier, nor do I book the expensive coach tickets, so now I’m going to be forced to pay $50 to get into an empty seat on an earlier flight.
My lovely wife and I fly light – it’s carry-on only for us – so bumping to an earlier flight is a strategy we’ve employed quite successfully on several occasions. But now, if it’s going to cost us $50 each, we’ll probably just wait on our scheduled flight.
Vancouver Street Food – Japa Dog Takes Gold
Posted by: | CommentsThe world will soon descend on Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Games. As the games approach, I find myself catching the Olympic spirit – and craving a hot dog.
Sports fans who travel to British Columbia should take the opportunity to check out a unique and tasty bite of Vancouver that would surely grab the gold in any street food culinary competition.
If you’re too good to eat at a hot dog stand, stop reading now. But if an outstanding hot dog with a Japanese flair turns you on, then Japa Dog is your place.
More than a hot dog, Japa Dog offers turkey, beef, pork and veggie sausages covered with creative and crazy combinations of Oriental garnishes like seaweed, Teriyaki and soy sauces, grated raddish, bonito flakes, fried cabbage, plum sauce, edamame and Japanese mayo.
It may seem strange to be in Canada standing in line for a Japanese take on an American icon, but it’s worth the wait. You can find the Japa Dog stand on the corner of Burrand and Smithe Streets in downtown Vancouver.
Budget Travel Highlights: Emergency Contacts and Hotel Sites
Posted by: | CommentsI always enjoy reading my Budget Travel magazine and often find helpful hints and money saving tricks to pass on. February’s magazine is no exception.
In this month’s Reader Tips, Anita from Washington suggests exchanging emergency information with your travel partners. She suggests that everyone in the group enter the full name, date of birth and emergency contacts of every member into their cell phones. A good tip.
There’s also a helpful little article highlighting three hotel comparison sites.
