Travel: World : Oyster

Introduction: The World Is My Oyster

(UPDATED August 30, 2005)

Next Destination:

Istanbul Turkey

I am gearing up for my trip to Istanbul. In reading over key spots that I want to visit, I am gathering quite a hilarious case file on the Haghia Sofia (Aya Sofya) Church. How can a Byzantine church from 6th century AD, resuscitated by the emperor Justinian be comical? Well, I haven't finished all my reading and research yet, but suffice it to say, a survey of the architectural history of the Ottoman Period of Constaninopole will reveal a complex that can only belong to a daytime soap opera. Picture Bill Engvall moving into the Khufu pyramids at Giza and hanging a picture of Jeff Foxworthy on the walls. Architectural historians: I saw you snicker. Don't pretend!

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I have been migrating logs from various weblogs and travelogs onto this site. This spans trips I have taken alone to London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin, Paris, Milan, Brugge, Rio de Janeiro, New York to San Francisco on motorbike, Singapore, Xi'an China, to name a few. The entries here are the condensed version of what I think were valuable moments in my travels. I try to mix the psychological aspect of the journey with pictorial information and more traditional facts about locales. I feel it is more important to illuminate upon the individual experience I encountered, as oppose to a mere rehashing of information. The Internet is full of those sources, and I don't, for one moment, flatter myself in thinking I can provide a better or more comprehensive guide in traveling.

These are still in the process of being migrated. While Singapore, Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Rio de Janeiro pages are complete, ones like North America, Ireland, Scotland, Hawaii, Germany and Milan still need to be coded and migrated. Though it is marked "incomplete" on the navigation bar, they are places I have already visited. Please keep an eye out on the main page of my website for updates on this migration. The travel link on the main page will have a date stamp every time something is updated. This page will also have announcements on travel updates.

I have been neglecting this portion of the site for a while. I'm glad to get back to it, because traveling is certainly one of my passions. Watching the way people actually live in different parts of the world have always help put my daily existence in perspective. The favorite phrase of mine never seem to wear out: To travel is not only to see how different cultures live. To travel is to return home and see how one lives in a different light.

I understand it is summertime and my gentle readers must be embarking on some wonderful journeys. So for those of you who are planning, I have a few recommendations for guides.

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	Everywhere I travel, natives and fellow travelers often remark at this nifty map I tote along. It is small enough to fit in the pocket, but big enough to notice when it is missing. It is waterproof, clearly printed, and updated. I understand that the point where the map ends and continues on the other side is a major hassle when you are on the run. Of all the maps I have tried, this one is stiff enough and of a convenient size that you can flip back and forth with ease and speed.
	We live in a visual culture. If anything will whet your appetite in visiting a location, pictures would most likely do it. DK series has lots of illustrations, maps, and photographs that will bring the kid out in you. And to me, the essence of traveling is discovery. So when I say "bring the kid out in you" I mean that in a good way. After all, discovery is all about nurturing the innocence of learning in seeing the world through renewed eyes. And no one can do that better than a child. Many of us tend to forget this joy in our adulthood.
	Lonely Planet was one of the guides I always carry along. Again, it's because it's built tough, small, and handy. But remember to check up on review and write-ups of each individual guide, because some cities are documented better than others. Lonely Planet has the additional feature of supplementing their guides with updates online. Definitely geared towards frugal travelers and adventurous souls, LP ranks as the guide that is most likely to tell you like it is. If there is a dangerous spot in town, they will let you know. If folks at Istanbul are rumored to spike your bottled water with syringes before presenting it to you as a treat, a guide such as Lonely Planet will give it to you straight. Just keep in mind that they take more caution than less. And sometimes, you may end up getting carried away with fear, especially if you are going at it alone. Well, don't. Because a big part of traveling is conquering your fear of the unknown.
	Insight guides, brought to you by Discovery Channel, is a good balance between the illustration-filled DK guides and the text-intensive Blue Guides. I have brought this on trips where I felt I might miss details from the other travel books.
	Blue Guides tend to be more academic and research-intensive. If you are visiting historical countries and cities, Blue Guides are good to have as an educational source. The reading is often dry and there's not much on local scenes and hot spots. For that, you need to look to Time Out (look below). Still, it's good to have a balance of both, unless you are planning to party non-stop!
	Time Out, publisher of those hip magazines of the same name give you the most current info on places to be and the places to be seen at It is the polar opposite of Blue Guides. Bars, dance clubs, restaurants, and hot spots are listed as current as is possible when the book goes to the press. Because Time Out's business is to keep on top of the happening scene for their magazine, you can be sure that their book guide stays equally current.

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