Choose Adventure

Safely Navigating the Challenges of Third World Travel

Difficult Travel
Difficult Travel 1263 525 Greg Ellifritz

My long time friend Dr. Rand Blimes created a travel blog to document his family’s year-long adventures while traveling through Asia.

 

Rand is an engaging writer and if you like travel, you’ll enjoy his stories. This article is one of his best pieces of work.

 

Why We Travel to Difficult Places

Additional Step to Leave Cancun Starting Today
Additional Step to Leave Cancun Starting Today 683 576 Greg Ellifritz

Starting today, any travelers visiting the Mexican state of Q. Roo (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Tuluum) have to pay an $11 departure tax before leaving.  This tax IS NOT included in your plane ticket like most other taxes.

You can either pay the tax online or at an airport kiosk.  See the article below for more details.

 

Visitors To Cancun Must Pay New Tourist Tax Starting April 1

Everything is an Adventure
Everything is an Adventure 768 432 Greg Ellifritz

I’m outside the USA (generally in some third world place most would consider hell) about six weeks a year.

The screwed up travel situations that I’ve encountered could fill books. How do I stay sane?

The same as this guy: “the real secret is that I treat my life as an adventure.”

 

Stress Free Travel: How to Avoid Travel Mistakes

Passport Photos
Passport Photos 1000 667 Greg Ellifritz

A very cheap option for getting some extra passport photos.

 

I keep a few extra photos taped to the inside back cover of my passport. You never know when you might want to go on an unplanned adventure and will need a photo or two to get your visa at a land border crossing.

 

Passport Photos Are Expensive, But They Don’t Have to Be

Cultural Differences
Cultural Differences 1218 584 Greg Ellifritz

Fluent in Three Months is the best language learning site on the web.

 

Benny makes it a project to move to a different country every few months and learn the language as quickly as possible.

 

He’s listed some interesting cultural customs from each of the countries where he has lived. If you are interested in travel or foreign culture, check this article out.

 

The 23 strangest habits you’ll pick up after living in 23 different countries

Safe Hotel Rooms
Safe Hotel Rooms 634 419 Greg Ellifritz

Bribery in Bangladesh
Bribery in Bangladesh 336 68 Greg Ellifritz

An article that explains the basis for some of the third world police corruption that you’ll see if you travel. Americans get all worked up over this, but I suggest you deal with it like the locals. Try to avoid the cops at all costs. If accosted, give a small bribe.

It’s important to know what the local bribery rate is so you don’t get overcharged as a foreigner. I find this information out by asking my first taxi driver. “Are the police corrupt here?” Inevitably, they will answer “yes.” My next question is “How much money do they ask for if you are stopped?” Taxi drivers know the drill and will give you the information you need.

Most of the time it’s easier just to give up the $5-$20 rather than fight or argue with the cop for hours and risk the chance of getting arrested if he plants some drugs in your car or on your person.

 

How The Police Make Money In Bangladesh (And Most Other Countries)

 

 

Airport Security
Airport Security 113 300 Greg Ellifritz

A look at some of the varied security practices in airports around the world.  Not surprisingly, it concludes that more security doesn’t always keep you safer.

 

Does More Security at Airports Make Us Safer or Just Move the Targets?

 

If you are interested in airport security, you may also want to read Seven Ways to Stay Safe in Airports.

Medical Management of Frostbite
Medical Management of Frostbite 300 42 Greg Ellifritz

If your adventure travels take you to cold places, you’ll want to review this complete guide for treating frostbite in the field.

A New Proposal for Management of Severe Frostbite in the Austere Environment

Travel Theft
Travel Theft 880 643 Greg Ellifritz

A fairly in-depth article about the way that thieves operate in foreign countries.

 

Read it thoroughly.

 

Top 10 types of travel theft (and how to be safe)