The March Express 2012

All aboard!

The goal of The Monthly Express will be to get you from one month to the next in a quick and easy blog post. I’ll wrap up the big posts of the month, share some of my favorite comments, link to guest posts and articles I’ve written elsewhere, talk about what’s popular on the Facebook page, as well as give a rundown on upcoming news. Here goes!

All aboard!

1st Stop: March Blogging

A big focus of the month was getting the final trip preparations taken care of, and that included getting visas. Unfortunately, you can’t get your visas if you leave your passports on a train! I am so very lucky we got them back.

On the same note, we discussed the topic of when to tell your boss you’re leaving to travel and how long before a trip does it start to feel real.

For travel tips, I suggest checking out the post on things to do in Penang, Malaysia or how to save at least 50 Euro per day in Europe.

Check out my review of the Cambridge Hotel in Sydney for a budget-friendly hotel in a perfect location.

Don’t forget: If I Can Travel the World, Anyone Can

2nd Stop: Weekend Snaps

The favorite weekend snap of the month would have to be the sunrise over Tikal photo.

This doesn’t even begin to tell the story of the experience waking up with the sounds of the jungle in one of the most popular Mayan ruins in Guatemala.

3rd Stop: Favorite Comments

See what comments on this site have stuck out as worthy of their own post, or just make me smile.

In response to my twelve days to go post post:

I feel just like you do, especially when I embark on longer trips, like my South American adventure last spring. It’s almost been a year, yet I still can’t believe (when looking at pictures, videos, and maps) that I was really there.

-Petra of traduci.biz

In response to my If I Can Travel the World, Anyone Can post:

I especially love “I’m not lucky.” I do my best to not be too sensitive to this one, but it’s like a little jab every time someone says “oh wow, you’re so lucky.” Luck has had nothing to do with it.

Sacrficie, hard work, persistence, motivation and again sacrifice. If you want to travel the world or quit your job to do something you love, luck has nothing to do with it. Set a goal, make it happen!

-Amber of now panic & freakout

Drinking in a museum. Yes, it's Jurassic Lounge!

4th Stop: Guest Blogging and Writing Elsewhere

See where else I’ve been writing on the Web in the following roundup.

GoBackpacking:

• Birth Control Options for Female Travelers
• Lake Issyk-Kul: A Kyrgyz Summer Holiday Retreat
• 6 Unique Ways to Experience the Australian Outback
• Traveling as an Archaeological Dig Volunteer

BBC Travel Blog:

• A night in a Sydney museum

OneTravel Blog:

• Reliving Past Travels with a Trip Soundtrack
• Twilight Movie Tours in Portland
• Four Hotel Alternatives for Travelers and Their Benefits

Her Packing List:
Check out some of the top articles over on my female travel gear and packing site:

• Ultimate Female Guide to Picking a Backpack
• Packing for Your Safety
• Even in a Connected World, I Always Pack a Phone Card

5th Stop: What’s Hot on Facebook

Favorite discussion from the BvtW Facebook page:

• Let’s play Name That Trip! — Pat and I are looking for a name to describe and reference the trip we’re leaving on in 4 short days. Any ideas?

Upcoming News at BvtW

6th Stop: BvtW News

Pat and I take-off in just FOUR days! We hop aboard a business class flight that will drop us in Istanbul — the beginning of our big trip for 2012! It’s surreal and chaotic right now, trying to finish up our work and get our goodbyes in.

I’ve received a few dozen responses to my site survey, but feel free to fill it out if you have a few minutes to spare! The feedback is really helpful so far.

And that’s it for the March Express 2012. Be sure to ride again next month!