Saturday Snaps #10 – Malaga Cathedral

Chris Boothman
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2
Saturday Snaps #10 – Malaga Cathedral

Malaga-Cathedral

Location: Malaga Cathedral Taken in Málaga, Spain

Author: Irene and Stefano from Freelancers on the Road

Description: At first sight, Málaga’s Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación seems to be an ordinary cathedral. However, walking around the entire building, you will notice that the south tower is – very clearly – unfinished.

During construction, the funds raised for finishing the tower were – depending on the source – either used to help the United States gain independence from Great Britain or renovate the Camino de Antequera in Málaga.

By the way: its unfinished tower gives the cathedral is nickname “La Manquita” (the one-armed lady).

You can reach more of Irene and Stefano’s great work at their website and following social media networks:

Website: Freelancers on the Road

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FreelancersRoad 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/FreelancersRoad 

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/freelancersroad

5 Must See Spots in Central Park

Chris Boothman
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31
5 Must See Spots in Central Park

One of the most relaxing experiences when visiting New York City is to take some time out of your hectic schedule to explore probably the most famous park in the world – Central Park. However, the first thing you will notice when you arrive at the entrance to this majestic park is the magnitude and size that it covers. So just exactly what must you see inside the park?

After recently wandering the sidewalks that meander through New York’s famous park, we want to share with you our top 5 must see spots in Central Park. Of course this is not an exhaustive list and there are many more attractions that you can experience if time permits.

We all know that visiting New York City isn’t about one particular attraction; therefore allocating your time efficiently will ensure you can see everything you want to during your stay in the Big Apple.

Gapstow Bridge

If you have ever seen Home Alone 2, I am sure you will be familiar with the sight of Gapstow Bridge, which is an iconic structure that crosses the lake. Surrounded by beautiful wildlife, it is no surprise that this is a haven for a variety of species to congregate among the millions of tourists that visit here.

Gapstow Bridge Central Park

We spent quite a bit of time here just sat on one of the benches looking across the lake to Gapstow Bridge. With a beautiful city skyline in the background, this really is a tranquil spot to grab a book and a coffee and just take some time away from New York’s hectic lifestyle.

Of course, you may spot one or two pigeons in the area but don’t forget that Macaulay Culkin or the Pigeon Lady could be right around the corner!

Bow Bridge

An even more impressive structure that is a photographer’s dream is Bow Bridge. Crossing over the boating lake, which in itself is a gorgeous attraction that you should experience, Bow Bridge is probably the most famous of all bridges in Central Park.

Bow Bridge Central Park

Whether you want to just sit alongside the banks of the boating lake and watch as people test their rowing skills on the lake, or actually partake in the experience of rowing, there is certainly something for everyone here. For only $12 for the first hour, you and your loved ones can hop into a rowing boat and venture out on the lake to really capture the full experience.

You will also find that Bow Bridge and the boating lake offer some of the most spectacular views of the New York City skyline from Central Park, so plan on staying in this part of the park for quite some time.

Strawberry Fields

Let me take you down, cos I’m going to Strawberry Fields
Nothing is real and nothing to get hung about
Strawberry Fields forever

The beautiful opening lyrics to Strawberry Fields echo in your mind as you wander around Central Park and head to the symbolic memorial of John Lennon. Located on the west side of the park, just in front of The Dakota, Lennon’s former home and also place of his murder, Strawberry Fields is one of the most visited landmarks for good reason.

Imagine Mosaic Strawberry Fields Central Park

The Imagine mosaic design emblazoned on the ground in the heart of the Strawberry Fields location is a clear favorite among visitors, especially for those die-hard Beatles fans who want a moment remembering their lifelong hero.

Walking The Ramble

Just spending time wandering around Central Park is a must-see attraction in itself. There are certain parts of the park, such as The Ramble trails, which give you a variety of options on routes that you can take. Enjoying a beautiful summer’s day walking the Central Park trails is a moment you should certainly cherish, as it allows you to get away from the hustle and bustle of New York City.

Central Park New York City

We really enjoyed our time wandering from Bow Bridge around the perimeter of the boating lake through some of the hidden trails until we reached apparent civilization. For a brief moment, you are taken away into the wilderness as there are a variety of paths you can take with very little direction, however which ever path you choose there will be a hidden gem along the way worth exploring.

Some may consider The Ramble to be a maze of confusion, but we preferred to see this as an opportunity to lose yourself in Central Park for a short time. Come on folks, this is Central Park in New York City we are talking about!

Geological Wonders of Central Park

Many of you may think that Central Park is entirely man-made but the reality is there is an abundance of ancient bedrock formations that form a natural guide through the park. There are many spots throughout Central Park that provide either a perfect backdrop or a great climbing spot to get a better view of the surrounding NYC skyline.

New York City Skyline Central Park

I would highly recommend taking some time to find some of these geological wonders. Central Park probably isn’t the first place you would think of visiting as a budding geologist but the rock formations really provide a nice blend of natural beauty among the acres of man-made park.

Other Must See Spots in Central Park

Although we have listed our top 5 must see spots in Central Park, this is primarily based on our recent experiences there. Other attractions worth exploring based on our research and recommendations include the historic Carousel, Bethesda Fountain, Central Park Reservoir and Central Park Zoo.

When you next visit New York City, take some time out of your schedule to explore Central Park. What ever you decide to experience there, we can assure you that it is a memorable, relaxing location that provides a perfect contrast to the New York City stereotype!

What are your favorite things to do in Central Park?


Travel Tech 101 – The Hoboroll by Gobi Gear

Chris Boothman
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Travel Tech 101 – The Hoboroll by Gobi Gear

Packing your suitcase or carry on luggage is great whenever you are taking a weekend trip to the city but what happens when you are heading to the outdoors and venturing off on a camping break? I am sure that you have all experienced trying to cram all of your belongings in the bottom of a backpack and then finding it near impossible to find anything. This week’s featured Travel Tech 101 product is the wonderfully named Hoboroll by Gobi Gear! This will undoubtedly solve all of your packing headaches before heading on your next camping trip.

We recently took two trips to Mount Magazine State Park and Petit Jean State Park here in Arkansas and found the Hoboroll to be the perfect travel companion to carry all of our necessities. Although we only ventured on a weekend getaway, we were delighted by how this product was lightweight, surprisingly held a lot of clothes and easy to use!

Gobi Gear History

Chez Brungraber, the Co-Founder of Gobi Gear has been an avid traveler for many years and while trecking her way through the African desert and hiking the Great American West, she realized the hardship of either sharing a duffel bag with her husband or trawling through a suitcase trying to find a  clean pair of socks!

Hoboroll

Brungraber designed the Hoboroll not only to satisfy her own personal needs but also to focus on a market niche that was clearly there to be occupied.

While writing this review on the original Hoboroll, I am delighted to announce that after reading this review if you consider purchasing one of these,  Brungraber has released a Kickstarter campaign for the updated version 2.0 which is likely to be even bigger and better than the model we have.

What is the Hoboroll?

So what exactly is the Hoboroll? Well, in a nutshell it is the answer to all your prayers! In all seriousness, this is a life-changing design that both Heather and I can attest to being a great option when traveling. I love the description of this product on Gobi Gear’s website:

The HOBOROLL is an essential stuff sack for every adventure, keeping items internally separated while on the go.

Hoboroll Gobi Gear Packing

Hoboroll Features

The Hoboroll has 5 internal compartments that facilitates the division of your travel gear and is also open at either end to allow for ease of access. The two drawstrings at either end and the two cinch-down straps are the key to making this product as effective as it is.

Hoboroll Features

Imagine when you pack a sleeping bag or tent back into the original bag? Well, this is a similar technology but even more sophisticated because it allows for compression of everything within the Hoboroll yet maintaining the separation of your belongings.

Pros

As I mentioned, the Hoboroll really is a great option for anyone who likes the outdoors and loves to travel. Whether you are taking a weekend getaway as we frequently do or are taking a longer round the world hike, this is likely to fit your needs in one way or another! Here are some of the key advantages of the Hoboroll:

  • Packing Efficiency
  • Compartment division allows you to easily keep clean and dirty clothes separated
  • Facilitates finding smaller items that frequently get lost in the corners of suitcases e.g. socks
  • You can clip your keys to the tool loop adding extra functionality

Cons

  • Main disadvantage is this is primarily only for clothes and small items. Perhaps more beneficial for the female traveler also because trying to fit a guys size 12 shoes in here is not easy!

Summary

Overall, I would definitely recommend purchasing the Hoboroll by Gobi Gear. There isn’t much else out there in the market that is directly comparable with this and I love the unique design and the compression approach used here.

Hoboroll Gobi Gear

I am really excited to check out version 2.0 especially with the adding features that Brungraber has added such as a secret compartment for keys, valuable items etc. Go on folks, take a look at Gobi Gear’s product range and try a Hoboroll for yourself!

*Disclosure of Material Connection: A Brit & A Southerner was not financially compensated for this post. We received a free sample from Gobi Gear for consideration of review purposes only. This is solely our personal opinion/experience*

Interview – Brenden Palmer (Worldly View)

Chris Boothman
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2
Interview – Brenden Palmer (Worldly View)

Featured today in our latest blogger interview series is Brenden Palmer from Worldly View, a relatively new site in the travel blogging industry. We have started following Brenden recently and are really impressed by his travel philosophies and ideals about traveling the world.

Please feel free to comment, ask questions and connect with the Brenden using his various social media fronts listed below.

We would like to give a special THANK YOU to Brenden for taking time to interview with us today!

Brenden Palmer Worldly View Tuscan Countryside

Name: Brenden Palmer

Hometown: Ottawa,  ON (Canada)

Introduction: My name is Brenden Palmer and I’m probably clinically obsessed with traveling (if that’s even a thing… and if it is, would that be good? I think it is!).

I run a new travel blog over at Worldly View with cheap budget travel tips and much more. I’m a 21 year old student traveler, so if I can do it, you can too!

Website: Worldly View

Social Media: 

What is your favorite aspect of traveling and if you are a travel blogger, why did you decide to create your website? 

My favourite aspect of traveling is discovering new things and figuring out new ways of doing things along the way. Even the little things like trying to figure out how to use a different type of washer in an apartment I’m renting in Europe are very interesting to me. Things like trying to figure out how to get from point A to point B and getting lost along the way are interesting and exciting.

Actually, I don’t believe in getting lost, rather I believe that you’re just finding your way. I like to discover and I like to be in new places.

Brenden Palmer Worldly View Austrian Alps

For me, being in the same place for too long causes me to feel like it’s too much of a routine. I hate routine. Travel breaks me out of that and allows me to feel free. I created my website to simply share my travel experiences with others. I feel that a lot of people I know personally have a lot of misconceptions about travel and if I know a select number of people who all have these, then others must have them as well.

I created my website to inspire others to go out and see the world. I created my website to motivate others to follow their dreams.

In sharing my experiences as a budget student traveler I hope that I can do that. Even if I only do it for one person, then it was all worth it in the end. I have no idea where my website will take me, but that’s the beauty of it all. I like venturing out into the unknown. It excites me and I hope it excites you too.

How many continents have you visited? 

Two

How many countries have you visited? 

21-30

What is your favorite destination in the world and why? 

Paris.

There’s just something about that city for me. I love its small cobblestone streets. I love the people, the food, the red wine, and the atmosphere of what I feel when I’m there.

In having said that there is something about every destination I travel to that is my “favourite” in some regard. Every place is different, has a different charm, has different people, and every destination has different things that make that particular destination great.

If money/time was no object and you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you travel to and why? 

I would spend an indefinite amount of time traveling to every corner of the world. I want to discover as much as possible and I want to see as many things as possible. I want to meet as many people as possible.

Which of the following gadgets do you take on your travels? 

Laptop, Phone and Camera

What is your preferred method of transport? 

Train.

Complete the following, “Everywhere I go, I visit….” 

…a supermarket or a grocery store. It sounds boring, but it’s really not, as I like to cook a lot (not all — I love trying local food!) of my own food when I travel. Also, the supermarket allows me to not only see what’s different than at home, but it allows me to experience something new. For me that’s what traveling is all about.

Here is your chance to sell yourself and your website! Tell us some more information about yourself, what your travel philosophies & future plans are and anything else that people may find interesting to read about… 

“There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be…” ― John Lennon

These are words I live by. There’s nothing that I do in my life that isn’t what I’m supposed to be doing.

At the young age of 21 I’ve traveled to many countries, started a company, now started a travel blog, and more. Traveling has always been my dream and my goal, but society always taught me that you had to get a job and settle down. That’s fine if others want to do that, but it’s not me. I’m following traditions and norms, no longer.

I’m doing what others want me to be doing, no longer. There’s something very appealing about living a lifestyle where I don’t know what tomorrow brings. The security of regular and normal life terrifies me.

Brenden Palmer Worldly View Paris

I’m currently traveling in Europe with my girlfriend. I’ll return back home in a couple of weeks. After this, I’m planning on taking some time off from school to travel. I have no idea how long that will be, but I have a plan in place to sustain that lifestyle for as long as necessary. I’m lucky enough to have a job where I can work from anywhere.

My website will include all of my stories, what I’ve learned along the way, and more. I blog as often as possible (usually daily) over at Worldly View. I hope you can come check it out!

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