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by Jill Robinson
Wed, September 26, 2007, 8:00 am PDT

It took a drunken promise, the desire for adventure, a requirement to give something back, and a fetish for formal wear to get Heath Buck and Douglas Campbell to embark on an overland trek from Hong Kong to London while dressed in black tie. Along the way, the two friends blogged and posted photos and video on their site, The Tuxedo Travels.

From wrestling in India to herbal baths in Vietnam, the guys in bow ties found plenty of adventures to share, not the least of which included laughing yoga, the world's worst toilet, working for a Dao hill tribe, and the inevitable transportation breakdown.

After their trip, Heath and Doug had a chance to chat with us about their favorite moments and share some interesting facts about their travel tuxes.

What made you guys decide to travel together?

Heath: Drunk in Hong Kong is how this story starts! I came up with the idea over a spring roll-infused drinking session at a Thai karaoke restaurant, and Doug agreed to accompany me despite the fact that we'd known each other less than two weeks.

Doug: I knew Heath just long enough to realize he's got a screw loose, which was good enough for me. Heath followed up on his inebriated idea with a phone call a year later (having asked all his other friends, and with no more joiners) and once again convinced me to join the project.

For my part, and as the bleeding-heart philanthropist of the two, I insisted on introducing a charity angle. Heath agreed provided that we do something more original than just collect cash for a chosen organization. We wanted our donating audience to see a more direct use of their money. Read the full profile...

by Molly McCall
Tue, June 05, 2007, 8:00 am PDT

In 1325, a young Moroccan named Ibn Battuta left his native Tangiers on a journey to Mecca. Prevented from crossing the Red Sea, he made his way by land instead—and discovered a passion for travel. Eventually, his ever-lengthening trip stretched to 75,000 miles and touched 44 countries across the Islamic world.

Nearly 700 years later, a kindred spirit is tracing his footsteps. Carolyn McIntyre may be a Western woman, but this Arabist, political analyst, and died-in-the-wool explorer shares much in common with Ibn Battuta. Beyond their love of the road, they both relish and admire the culture and people of the Islamic world.

Since starting her trip—and her blog—last year, Carolyn has surveyed tombs in Damascus, lived through robbery and salvation in the Casbah, and investigated "the fine art of qat chewing" in Yemen. Her candid and lively posts provide insight into a region of the world that is much discussed, but often misunderstood. We can't think of a better use of the Web. Journey on, Carolyn!

by Molly McCall
Wed, August 02, 2006, 3:00 am PDT

This gripping "webumentary" follows two American adventurers intent on climbing 21,000 feet to the Indian Himalaya's Kang Yatse summit and then skiing back down. What begins as a "true 21st-century travelogue" quickly becomes an "epic misadventure," but perhaps that's the nature of world travel. In the first episode, the travelers pause to mull the existential quality of jet lag before lost luggage throws their entire endeavor off kilter. Stranded first in Bangkok and then in Delhi, they endure rolling Indian blackouts, negotiation (or not) with cabbies, and the surprises in store at the "global village." Whether or not they make it to the summit (and you'll have to watch to find out), the high quality of the videos and thoughtful nature of the voiceovers articulate the bewilderment and splendor of serious globetrotting. If this is the 21st-century travelogue, we applaud its arrival.

Filed under: Sports, India, Outdoors, Travelogues

by David Price
Mon, April 10, 2006, 3:00 am PDT

Outdoor clothing company Patagonia granted every surfer's dream to the Malloy bros: carte blanche to travel the West Coast for 30 days. And dude, the desolate roads, veg-powered trucks, and egg burritos that ensued created one epic road trip. Beginning in Oregon, the crew climbed the Monkey at Smith Rocks and snowboarded with surfing legend Gerry Lopez on Mt. Bachelor. In California, the fearless travelers surfed under the Golden Gate Bridge and through other fabled secret spots peppered down the Golden State's coast. Once across the border in Baja, they settled into Camp Perfecto and spent a week playing with dogs, hanging out with organic farmers, and, you guessed it, surfing.
by Jill Robinson
Mon, March 13, 2006, 2:00 am PST

We have to admit -- there are days we'd rather spend hours leafing through travel guidebooks than doing just about anything else. And we're glad when a site reminds us that we're not alone. Just scrolling through Gadling, "The Traveler's Weblog," we learned of the world's largest tree house in Scotland, great surf spots in Australia, the South American drink maté, and shoestring travel in Kyrgyzstan. If you're really into history, but not so much into hiking, handy categorization allows you to check out posts based on your interests. But our favorite feature is the Gadling podcast. We've already subscribed so we can get updates from the road. Think we can get easy internet access in Kyrgyzstan?

Filed under: Travel, Blogs, Travelogues


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