Travel Nuggets Podcast: Recent Episodes
Christine Goss
The best ideas don’t come from guidebooks, travel sites, or Google — they come from other travel junkies. Travel junkies are filled with interesting nuggets of info, once you get them talking…that’s what the Travel Nuggets podcast does.
In this episode of Travel Nuggets, Sam Thiara talks about his latest book detailing his travels in India to find his ancestral home in Punjab!
You can order Lost and Found here: http://www.sam-thiara.com/mywriting/
Travel writer Rick Antonson joins us again to talk about his latest book : Walking With Ghosts in Papua New Guinea.
Like his other writing, this book does not disappoint! @rickantonsonauthor weaves WW II history into vivid images of the islands landscape along the Kokoda Trail.
Jason “walks 500 miles” (well, not quite that many) but I couldn’t resist the Proclaimers reference) to celebrate 2020 like the Scots…or the Vikings. There are a few explanations for the origins of Hogmanay but the bottom line is: this party involves fire sticks! Not glow sticks — sticks with REAL flames!
We’ll also get outside Edinburgh and head up to Inverness, the Isle of Skye and Islay for great landscapes, castles and some peaty scotch!
Here are a few of Jason’s favorite distilleries in Scotland: The Macallan; Glenmorangie; The Dalmore, and Tomatin
Here’s a good site of found on what to see in Skye: https://www.isleofskye.com/skye-guide/top-ten-skye-walks/old-man-of-storr
In the episode, (now-doctor) Charles Davidson takes us with him on his PhD homestretch. He escaped to the quiet island of Newfoundland in Canada to focus on getting his dissertation done. However, there was plenty to distract him! Don’t worry — the story has a happy ending … he did get his doctorate.
Here is a list of a few of the spots Charles mentions — along with his notes!
- Quidi Vidi Village (the information center has a fantastic artists collective)
- Mallard Cottage (1820-1840)...fantastic local fare in an old home.
- Fishing Village – Fishermen came from UK in spring and established “Fishing Rooms” through he fall. Cod
- Downtown St. Johns - - George Street (rumored to be the highest concentration of bars in the world)
- Cape Spear...easternmost point in North America 30 minutes
- Signal Hill
- Maddox Cove/Petty Harbour
- Yellow Belly Brewery (Check out their basement, dimly lit and incredibly old)
- Bagel Cafe, where I ate the incredibly dense "native" Newfoundlander breakfast with "toutons"...ask me about this.
- Duke of Duckworth pub...fish and "traditional" chips...Newfoundlanders know how to eat.
- Lots of local shopping and bookstores (OLD/used Book stores?!)
- Great Newfoundland author: Wayne Johnson: http://waynejohnston.ca
In this episode, Jaya makes the most of her work trip to Kigali, Rwanda by venturing out to hangout with some gorillas at Volcanos National Park. This entire episode is a HUGE TRAVEL NUGGET — who would think to travel to Rwanda? Jaya dispels ‘90’s-based impressions and ignites interest in getting over there! Rwanda is certainly not what is was in 1994.
Book Recommendation: Left to Tell: by Immaculee Ilibagiza: https://www.amazon.com/Left-Tell-Discovering-Rwandan-Holocaust/dp/1401908977
VIDEO: Rwanda is the cleanest country in Africa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AVuNmwBeMo
Join the Gosses as we reminisce about our unconventional family vacation: a safari in Namibia!
Here is an overview of our stops: Windhoek, Sossusvlei (place with old, dead trees)/Namib Naukluft National Park, Swakopmund, Damaraland (view of Brandberg Mountains; Twyfelfontein rock engravings), Ongava Game Reserve, Etosha National Park, and back to Windhoek! It was a whirlwind! HA!
VIDEO: Springbok Pronking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMIiB9DnRXg
In this episode of Travel Nuggets, Charles Davidson puts Andorra on the map for us! Charles and his wife, Abby, spent a few days in this charming, tiny country tucked in the Pyrenees. And, as a special bonus, Charles gives his list of top 5 countries to visit in 2020!
Andorra is a little country with a rich and complex history. Here are some helpful links to learn more:
BBC Country profile:https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17028050
Andorran Food:
- https://www.inyourpocket.com/andorra-la-vella/food-5-must-try-andorran-dishes_75769f
- http://www.traveltourxp.com/12-top-foods-and-drinks-in-andorra/
Santa de Columba: https://visitandorra.com/en/culture/church-of-santa-coloma/
This week’s guest on Travel Nuggets is … my dad!!! My dad is my travel inspiration (I’ve copied SO many of his trip ideas) and he also loves history like me. In this episode, we completely nerd-out on the history, topography, architecture and culture of the heart of Tamerlane’s empire.
Also, I recommend checking out this book: Tamerlane: Sword of Islam, Conqueror of the World by Justin Marisa
Guv-i Amir Mausoleum (Tashkent)
Tamerlane Statue
Arc Citadel (Khiva)
Cher Minor Madrassa (Bukhara)
Shah-i Zinda Necropolis (Samarkand)
Plav
“It is not what we do that matters, it’s what we cause to happen. We should all be involved in unfinished work.” –Rick AntonsonIn this episode of Travel Nuggets, travel writer Rick Antonson joins us again to explain why he is an apostle of “Cathedral Thinking” … and what that is! In Rick’s works, Cathedral Thinking is “a commitment to long term visions.”
Notre Dame de Paris. Photo Credit; Image by 139904 from Pixabay
To learn more about Cathedral Thinking, check out Rick’s website and TED Talk: http://www.rickantonson.com/cathedral-thinking.php; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewaNkYrZOJ0
In this episode of Travel Nuggets, siblings Erin and Eric Morgan tell us about the Manaslu Base Camp Trek, sharing their stories of Snickers wontons, broken sneakers and using mustard oil to lure a bug out of Erin’s ear (“An adventure is something that while it's happening you wish it wasn't.”—Mark Twain)
Here are some helpful resources:
Himalayas Facts (PBS.org)
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/the-himalayas-himalayas-facts/6341/
4 Things that Might Surprise you about Teahouse Trekking in Nepal (Himalayan Wonders)
https://www.himalayanwonders.com/blog/4-things-might-surprise-teahouse-trekking-nepal.html
Manaslu Trek: An Ultimate Guide to Most Popular Tea-House Trek:
https://www.nepalsanctuarytreks.com/manaslu-trek-guide/
Manaslu Trek (Wikitravel)
https://wikitravel.org/en/Manaslu_Trek
In this episode of Travel Nuggets, Jordan Bruneau tells us how to ride out an economic recession — go to Dubai to teach tennis!
And, while you’re there … take a road trip to Muscat, Oman. Why not?
Seasoned traveler Tanvi Ajmera tells us about her …. unique visit to the Giza Pyramids: to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers! And, Tanvi offers up a special travel nugget by telling us about a lesser known island in Italy: Ischia.
Tanvi at Giza!
Tanvi at Giza_2
Ischia, Italy
Ischia, Italy_2
Travel writer Rick Antonson joins this episode of Travel Nuggets to discuss Full Moon over Noah’s Ark. In the book (and in this podcast!) Rick tells us about his adventure reaching Mount Ararat’s summit, while shedding light on local culture and history in Turkey, Armenia and Iraq. Rick is an amazing storyteller!
Get the book on Amazon! Full Moon over Noah’s Ark: An Odyssey to Mount Ararat and Beyond
Mount Ararat_Cover for Full Moon over Noah’s Ark by Rick Antonson: https://www.amazon.com/Full-Moon-over-Noahs-Ark-ebook/dp/B01D22Z8GS
Nomad Camp
Cyrus Cylinder
Mount Ararat behind Yerevan, Armenia
This year, I went to the End of the World to celebrate the New Year! Torres del Paine National Park in the Chilean Patagonia was breathtaking, challenging, and a great way to ring in 2019!
Shout out:
ChileTour Patagonia
Beautiful Torres del Paine National Park
Grey Glacier
Beautiful Torres del Paine National Park
An avalanche happened behind us when we were taking this photo.
Lake Nordenskjöld in Torres del Paine National Park
Lake Nordenskjöld in Torres del Paine National Park
Torres Del Paine
Alexandra hanging out!
John taking a break for a photo.
Erin’s trip to Magdalena Island
Erin’s on Magdalena Island. Notice she’s wearing a life jacket on land. Safety First!
I love when people light up when they talk about an experience. That’s what happened when Lauren started telling me about her love of scuba diving in Belize.
Many travel websites tell you about the incredible biodiversity of Belize but most focus on what’s on the ground and in the air. In this episode of Travel Nuggets, Lauren takes us on a deeper dive into Belize and explains why we MUST go scuba diving in Belize!
Take a listen…
Lauren’s Shout-outs:
Chuck & Robbie’s Scuba Diving & Instruction
Victoria House Resort & Spa
The Phoenix Resort
Chan Chich Lodge
Curio Collection
Concept: The best ideas don’t come from guidebooks, travel sites, or Google — they come from other travel junkies.
Travel junkies are filled with interesting nuggets of info, once you get them talking…that’s what the Travel Nuggets podcast does.