GlobalMotion launches travel site

GlobalMotion Inc. on Tuesday launched GlobalMotion.com, a wiki-based platform for people to talk about interesting places.

Palo Alto-based GlobalMotion, which is privately held, said the site allows users to post and edit information, pictures, Web links and other content.

The company, which was founded in 2006, said it encourages users to post about historic landmarks, recreation areas to commercial buildings or even great parking spots.

On the site so far are such eclectic entries as the world's southernmost city, carpool parking in Palo Alto, and a statue of Yoda in San Francisco.

iloho Travel Contest - Only 2 Weeks Left

These next two weeks, we'll be winding down the iloho contest, it ends on the 31st of this month. We still have a ton of unclaimed prizes. Here's the lowdown on what can be grabbed right now with practically no effort whatsoever:

1. A round trip ticket between Tokyo or Osaka and Hong Kong. That means you can fly either way. If you live in one of those cities, all you have to do is post an itinerary with Japan as the theme.
   What's an itinerary and how do I post it?
   First off, you register for iloho with a valid email address. Once you've registered and logged in, you navigate to the itineraries section and click "Create Itinerary". Now you just enter in a description of a trip (real or imagined). Enter some cities in Japan and write about your experience there OR just make up some trip that you would like to take.
2. At least 5000 miles on your airline of choice. That's like a quarter of a ticket anywhere domestically, and to win that you can just post a popular travel advice article.
   Does this mean I have to spend 5 hours writing a good article? Absolutely not, all you need to do is find a good article on the net and post the link to the article on iloho. The extent of the writing skills that you'll need are creating a decent title and a short description for a grand total of several minutes. If the article is voted to popular, which at this point means 15 votes for it, you'll win! No questions asked.
3. Cash, yes Moolah, Dough, or my personal favorite, Lootcakes...Up to $1000. If you have more than 15 friends, you're in contention. The cash goes out to the group with the most members in their group.
   Where do I sign up and what exactly do I do? Just register with iloho with your email address, create a group, shoot an email to your friends, telling them to join your group (they can register free accounts too). Right now, 21 people gets you the grand prize, but even you can win $500 too. I bet you could have a hell of a party...
4. A 1gig USB Key and iPod Speakers, why not if we're just giving them away? We're giving away 100, but we only have 64 people that have actually won anything.
   At this point if you post a link to an article you will win. I think that's all I need to say.
5. Come on everyone can use a T-shirt and a travel pillow... We have a thousand, but again, only 64 articles have been posted, so plenty to give away.

I must stress the following points:

1. No, we won't sell, giveaway, or spam your email address. We do have a newsletter, but you can opt out.
2. You don't have to pay for shipping, we've got it covered.
3. How do you get your prizes when you win?
   If you win, we'll notify you by email directing you to a secure server at iloho.com. If you have any questions about the security of this event, please feel free to email me at info@iloho.com. We'll never give out your address information or use it for any other purpose.
   

One of Our Favorite Posts - This Island is For Sale

We'd love to buy this and make it the official iloho island.
http://www.iloho.com/posts/244-Blue-Lagoon-Island-FOR-SALE-on-EBay

Forbes Does a Bang Up Job with Luxury Travel

I've been surfing around a bit lately and have been quite impressed with the topics that Forbes chooses to cover. Each one of these headlines is noteworthy in it's own right. These are some highlights that I've picked out:

1. Most Expensive Cruises 2006
2. The World's Most Expensive Hotel Rooms
3. High-Tech Hotels For Business Travelers
4. Most Romantic Places To Pop The Question
5. Status-Symbol Trips

A Suggestion for Getting your Camera Equipment Checked Safely

One note on using TSA rules to your advantage.

Weapons that travel MUST be in a hard case, must be declared upon check-in, and MUST BE LOCKED by a TSA official.

A "weapons" is defined as a rifle, shotgun, pistol, airgun, and STARTER PISTOL. Yes, starter pistols - those little guns that fire blanks at track and swim meets - are considered weapons...and do NOT have to be registered in any state in the United States.

I have a starter pistol for all my cases. All I have to do upon check-in is tell the airline ticket agent that I have a weapon to declare...I'm given a little card to sign, the card is put in the case, the case is given to a TSA official who takes my key and locks the case, and gives my key back to me.

That's the procedure. The case is extra-tracked...TSA does not want to lose a weapons case. This reduces the chance of the case being lost to virtually zero.

It's a great way to travel with camera gear...I've been doing this since Dec 2001 and have had no problems whatsoever.

note: we're not sure who wrote this, but comment who it is and we'll be sure to give you proper credit, thanks for the great information!

Where the Hell is Matt?

This could win best travel video...

World's Most Expensive Vacations - The Luxury Cruise

One of the most expensive cruise ships in the world is the Cunard Queen Mary II. The 22-day Grand Norwegian Odyssey cruise will run you $77,797 if you stay in the Grand Duplex.

This ship cost over 800 million dollars to build. There are 10 restaurants including one by world renowned chef Todd English.

For more information on this fantastic ship go to the website

1/2 of Central America in a Month

Was it worth 10 hours of pain? I guess...
Anyhow, made the decision to get off at the stop at Isla Ometepe after only 5 hours. 11 more would've done em in.
It's pretty sweet. It is a volcanic island, made by two Volcanoes.

1/2 of Central America in a Month by Gringo

Pompey's Pillar

Thousands of years stand these sculptures.




Modern and old scenes exist in the same place, at the same time.






Magnificant is the feel.
No more words needed to describe.







It was here that she had her tragic affair with Marc Anthony.

"Wandering aimlessly" in Alexandria the Great

Taking in Some Culture - New Travel Blog

For those of you planning a European vacation, you might want to check out some of the experiences of this travel blogger who has done some interesting tours across Europe and Asia.

Where's Filar

Beers of the world.

Tiger. Newcastle Dark.
Suntory. Chimay. Budweisser.
Beerlao. Singha. Castle.
Asahi. Bass. Shaftbury.
Leffe Blonde. Snow.
James Squire.


Name and comment best beers ever exist in this world:
http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2836

East Africa Insider Tips from Local Expert

Born in Kenya, spent 20 years living in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, our real local expert Jawaid Rulal is available now to help those who have a dream in adventuring Africa.

Feel free to post questions to him at:
http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3200

So Africa Itinerary - Cape Town VS Mozambique

Two options always:

Fly or snorkel.
Adventure or destination.
Fantastic or spectacular.

Cape Town or Mozambique.

Come and discuss here:
http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2559

Best Hotels in China(Shanghai & Beijing)

Ritz-Carlton?
Grand Hyatt?
Four Seasons?




It's hard to decide especially when you are coming to China on a tour.
Shall you read what are other people's choices who had been there before, you will get a clearer view of them:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=644038

"Daddy, I Don't Wanna Eat This" or "Lady in Bath"? - Funny Food Names

They wouldn't take an order unless you used the exact name in both restaurants:
in Fitzwilly, a massive chocolate ice cream is called "Daddy, I don't want to eat this".
At a Thai place in Saudi a menu item is called Lady in Bath which was essentially a thin deep fried shrimp roll.

And more funny food names on menus :
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=649296

How to create a mobile travel video blog with a cellphone.

Now you can do a travel video blog without any help of a computer.
All you need is a smartphone.
Several models are already on sale.
Is it really exciting to share your journey with the world? Here is an experiment taken on the way to Thailand, together with the problems they met:
http://www.taodomichi.org/en/independent-traveller/22/how-to-create-a-mobile-video-blog-with-a-cellphone/

Collection of Internet Bookmarked Travel-Related Websites

There's a list of bookmarked sites & links from a pro. Together with brief descriptions for some of them. Divided into Auction-Style Booking-Related Sites and Comparison sites for travel products. Good for frequent travellers. Check out here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=518767

You Don't Get Something for Nothing

So, remember you always have to pay for what you get.
here is 8 tips from the U.S. Department of Consumer Affairs on how to travel smart and take care of your wallet.
Do a good trip, stay way from disappointments:
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0004591.html

Almost Heaven: Path to Everest - Up,Stop,Up,Stop..

The well-earned view after 36 hours of planes and bus and 15 days of mountain trails:
Top of Everest.

Flight like a flying version of crowd public bus ride to Jiri except no passengers on the roof, seatbelts were available but apparently optional.








What goes up must come down, faster.

Markenvoyage shows his amazing way with detailed description and plenty of photos here:
http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Nepal/Namche/blog-151690.html