Big Plans Require Serious Focus
Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 in Site Updates
After a long trip that took me to Thailand, Singapore and Australia, I’m holed up in my secret hideaway working on a big project. Why am I telling you this? Well, because I won’t be blogging for some time. The blog will be back better than ever next year, but for now, I simply need to put all my energy and focus into this big (travel) project. I can’t say more at the moment.
Until then, if you’re new to the site and just want to look around, there are over 60 articles for you to peruse.
Here’s a quick guide with some links:
I have a series of articles about Frequent Flyer programs, earning FF miles and quickly getting elite airline status.
My favorite country is Japan. Here’s what I have to say about that.
Planning your next trip? Here are some creative travel ideas.
Feel free to explore at your leisure!
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy travels,
Algis
Tokyo Travel Deal
Posted on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 in Japan, Travel Tips
Shinjuku
American Airlines is running an awesome promotion. 50,000 miles round trip in Business Class from San Francisco to Tokyo. That’s 50% off the normal rate!!!
Since Japan is my favorite country, I guarantee you I’ll be taking advantage of this incredible discount.
Thailand: Some of My Favorite Things
Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 in Thailand
Thai Boats
In October, I was in Thailand, visiting one of my favorite places, Cape Promthep. I can’t believe how much it’s changed in one year. Tons more construction and heaps more tourists. Regardless, it was amazing running into an old friend and meeting new friends. Revisiting my favorite spots is something I love about travel. While they may not be exactly as you remembered, it’s fun to go eat at your favorite shack and not have to spend days getting acclimated to a new spot. Here are some of my favorite things around the cape:
Photo of the Week: Seattle Waterfront
Posted on Thursday, September 8, 2011 in Photo of the Week
Messin’ with AutoStitch on the iPhone(Shot from the ferry)
My Top 5 Places to Eat at Seattle’s Pike Place Market
Posted on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 in Places
Street Musicians
I know Pike Place seems like a total tourist destination, and it is, but I just can’t help myself, I love going there. Heaps of food stalls, great street musicians and fantastic people-watching (folks in Seattle dress weird and love tattoos and piercings). What more do you need? Don’t skip this place. If you must skip something, skip the Space Needle. It’s fucking boring and they charge you $18 bucks! If you insist on an amazing view, go to the Bank of America Tower instead. It’s a quarter of the price, almost twice the height of the Space Needle and has the best view in Seattle.
110,000 Miles Possible with US Airways 2011 Grand Slam Promotion
Posted on Sunday, September 4, 2011 in Frequent Flyer, Travel Tips
Batter up. It’s time to rack up some hits and earn some US Airways miles. Even if US Airways is not your primary mileage program, and even if you don’t want to go crazy earning hits, you should register for this and take advantage of the bonus miles you can earn. This promotion runs from September 14 through November 14. Make sure and register now.
Eugene, Oregon – Where It’s Always 420
Posted on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 in Places
I Think This Shirt Says It All
Eugene, Oregon has an illustrious and storied history and I’m not talking about my epic college career. Eugene is where Animal House was filmed, The Blues Brothers concept was solidified and the birthplace of a tiny little running shoe company you may have heard of, NIKE, of course! With these credentials, it shouldn’t be surprising that Eugene has been a hotbed of musical activity, an area that has more great restaurants in its small city than many places twice its size (Houston, I’m talking to you!) and a serious sports town that has earned the moniker “Track Town, USA”. Prefontaine, anybody?
Voodoo Doughnut
Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2011 in Places
Doughnut Nirvana
This is a public service announcement: Voodoo Doughnuts will put you in a sugar coma. Seriously. These are the most spectacular doughnuts that have graced my palate in this millenium. If you are anywhere near Portland or Eugene, Oregon, I will not speak to you again if you don’t go to Voodoo Doughnuts and consume upwards of 2,000 calories. Okay, maybe that sounds a bit harsh, but it’s true. My top two choices at this elegant establishment are the Bacon Maple Bar (Yes a maple bar with two strips of bacon on it) and the Old Dirty Bastard (Oreo’s on a doughnut!!!).
Learning Travel Secrets from a Master
Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2011 in Travel Tips
Per his website, Nicholas Kralev is a writer, educator and speaker on global travel, diplomacy and international affairs. A former Financial Times and Washington Times correspondent, he has traveled around the world with four U.S. secretaries of state — Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell and Madeleine Albright. He has flown almost 2 million miles and visited more than 80 countries.
That is certainly an impressive resume, but most importantly (to me at least) Mr. Kralev is a master of getting the best available price on flights without foregoing luxury.
Site Update and Redesign
Posted on Monday, July 18, 2011 in Site Updates
I’ve recently made some changes around here and I certainly hope you like them. Some of the changes have been gradual and some just happened this morning. Regardless, here’s the quick tour:
Obviously, the whole format looks a bit different and is intended to load faster and create a much more pleasant reading experience.
Then there’s the new Facebook section where you can “like” Travel or Die. If you’ve enjoyed the articles here please scroll down and look on the right and “like” the website. This site runs on passion and when someone tells me they dig it, either in person or via the interwebs, I really appreciate it.
Also, there’s a spiffy new most popular posts plug-in that will show you, well, what people have been reading the most. I hope that helps new people find important stuff faster.
My good friend, webmaster and resistance flexibility trainer Luther Cowden was instrumental in making it all happen. Thank you, Luther!
There will be a few more new additions soon as well. I won’t ruin the surprise by talking about them now, but you can look forward to some more changes.
Thanks everyone, for reading and contributing thoughtful comments.
Happy Travels,
Algis
Ola to Madrid Gay Pride!
Posted on Friday, July 15, 2011 in Europe
Madrid Gay Pride (Photo: Stuart Baur)
(As a straight guy from Los Angeles, the only Gay Pride Parade I’d ever seen was the elaborate one put on in West Hollywood every year. I had no idea there were parades like this outside of the U.S. However, my friend and fellow writer, Stuart Baur had the pleasure of attending an amazing event in Madrid, Spain and was generous enough to write a guest post about it.)
Here’s Stuart:
Whether you plan a trip to Madrid for “Orgullo Gay” or just happen to be visiting on the first weekend of July, you must take the opportunity to party with the city. Even though the event is inspired by New York’s Stonewall Riots and the decades of American pride events that have followed, the Spanish have amped it up into an epic outpouring of festive spirit.
Hi, I’m Algis
I have an insatiable wanderlust which takes me to some crazy places where I try strange foods, pretend I'm a local and talk with elephants. Keep reading...