Travel Kid

Investing In Panama

2008-04-15T17:25:00.000-07:00

The event of investing overseas is a scary thing for most people, but for me its a no brainer. The United States is facing some difficult changes with its struggling economy, and the only way it seems to be moving is downward. Right now is a perfect time to invest in a foreign country, and Panama is a great choice. For the past couple of years Panama's economy has been booming and many Europeans and Americans have taken an interest in this country. Real Estate is the biggest boom down here, and its the first area of business I recommend you invest in. You will definitely need a real estate agent if you ever consider investing into Panama's economy, and the first thing you should do is check out the country for yourself. Make Panama your next vacation destination and see for yourself everything this great country has to offer.

And starting a business in Panama has become the entrepreneurs dream. You can hire a lawyer for under $2000 and completely build a custom corporation to fit your needs. Don't wait for a couple more years because in a couple more years you will miss your chance to do something big, make lots of money, and live in paradise.

Winning $$$ At The Majestic

2008-04-08T17:37:00.000-07:00

With a city of over a million people I was sure that the nightlife would be amazing...and it is. Whether you like to dance, go clubbing, go to the movies, hang at a local bar, or even hit up a casino, Panama city has everything. Because I love poker and have been playing it for quite a while now I decided to try my luck in a foreign country. Casino Majestic has a nice atmosphere and feel to its gigantic 52,820 sq. feet. At the tables I started off in a bit of a slump but by the second night I had doubled my money from $500 to $1000...I was very happy. For all of you poker lovers out there this is a great casino to visit...it was even host of the Majestic Poker Tour.

PANAMA...My New Home

2008-03-31T16:38:00.000-07:00

Well I never thought that I would be making a home for myself in Panama. I decided that I would slow the travel pace down a bit and hang out here for a little while. I found an awesome apartment in Panama City and am going to be renting the other room out to a buddy from the states. He was so intrigued with my travel experiences that he wanted to join me on my tour, and with Slade leaving it is a perfect time. I wont be here more than a couple of months so the next couple of posts will be on Panama. Don't worry I will soon be on may way again to discovering the rest of the world...

Pura Vida...Costa Rica!

2008-03-31T09:38:00.000-07:00

Pura Vida! You will here this phrase more than any other saying while in Costa Rica. It literally means pure life, but to the Costa Ricans or Ticos, its a way of saying Life's Good. Oh how I love Costa Rica. Its laid back culture and always positive way of life is what makes this country the most visited in Central American every year. There is so much to do in Costa Rica and not enough time...thats why we stayed longer than expected. Some locals told us of the amazing surfing beaches on the pacific coast while also informing us of the Reggae culture of Puerto Limón on the Caribbean side. The fist thing we did was hit Tamarindo or in my terms...surfers paradise. Some of the best breaks I have ever surfed were in Tamarindo and what an amazing beach it is. And how could we miss out on the Caribbean side of the country. Puerto Limón was like a new country in itself. This area is populated with a majority Black population...most immigrants or descendents form Jamaica. All the young males seemed to where there hair in the traditional Rastafarian style native to there home country of Jamaica. And how could I forget to tell you about the amazing volcanoes this country has. Volcán Arenal is such an amazing site that everyone should see while in Costa Rica...this destination has been the best of the trip so far and I am seriously thinking of moving here when my world tour is over. Pura Vida Mae!

Nicaragua...The Undiscovered Adventure

2008-03-31T09:28:00.000-07:00

Nicaragua has truly been a surprise. I was expecting a somewhat poverty stricken, violent culture where I would always have to watch my back, but its been spectacular. Granada was a great place to see with so many old colonial buildings...such a cool thing for a town. But the best part of our stay in Nicaragua was swimming in El Lago De Nicaragua. This lake is one of the only lakes in the world with fresh water sharks. Why did we swim in it then? Because its a story that I can tell to all my family and friends...I swam in a lake with sharks. Lets just say I didn't swim very long but at least I went in. Overall Nicaragua was an awesome stay and I hope to visit it again someday. Next we head for the popular Costa Rica!

Travel Tip...Travel Insurance

2008-03-28T10:48:00.000-07:00

After crossing the Honduras/Nicaragua boarder and reaching Granada, Slade had a little accident. After checking into the hostel we both saw some local youth having a soccer game and asked if we could join them. We were having a great time until Slade and another young man collided heads. Luckily the other man was just bruised, however Slade ended up cutting his head open. It was not to terribly bad but a couple of stitches would be needed. The locals showed us to a small hospital and he received the attention he needed. Slade did not have travel insurance, but thankfully Nicaragua is very cheap and the out of the pocket expenses were not that bad. Luckily I have travel insurance and I think that everybody should get it.

HONDURAS!

2008-03-26T20:57:00.000-07:00

Slade and I have successfully made it to Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. Tegucigalpa is a city with a lot of poverty and you would not want to find yourself in the slums during the night. This is the first large city that I have been to in while so I took all the precautions of traveling in a big city, no flashy cloths, no waving money, only use ATMs at inside locations, and always watch your back. Luckily Slade is traveling with me so we keep an eye out for each other. Now I realize why I don't like traveling into the big cities that much, there all the same...lots of people, traffic, pollution, beggers. I like discovering the countryside and off-the-beaten-track types of places. I recommend that you do the same. You get to see a whole lot more, learn a lot more, and really get a completely different experience.

Travel Tip...Language Barriers

2008-03-26T20:42:00.000-07:00

Knowing the language of where you will be traveling through is so important. Luckily I'm traveling through Spanish speaking countries right now, and I happen to speak pretty good Spanish. Of course you can get by without knowing the language, but if you learn some key phrases, simple vocabulary, and put a smile on your face locals will be more than glad to help you. People like to see that you are making an effort to adapt to there culture and by knowing the language you show respect to the natives. I recommend taking a crash course in the language of the country you will be traveling to...trust me it will be well worth it.

A Day Of Surfing At Punta Roca!

2008-03-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

Slade mentioned the idea of hitting the pristine beaches of El Salvadors coastline so we headed for Punta Roca. I have surfed the Oregon coast many times since I was 14 and always had a desire to hit more spots, just never had the chance. Slade and I saw a surf shop right on the beach so we decided to rent a board and hit the waves. He had never surfed before so it was a learning experience for him, but I hit some awesome breaks throughout the day. I have to say that El Salvador's coast is far better than Oregon's. If you love to surf than I recommend El Salvador's pacific coast anytime. The locals are kind and friendly and love hanging out with American surfers, and I had a great time chatting with them.

El Salvador...Meeting My New Travel Partner

2008-03-26T18:14:00.000-07:00

Many people remember El Salvador because of its civil war that took place here in the 1980s, but that is not what people should be remembering. El Salvador is a beautiful country with some of coolest people around. When I got to Santa Ana I went straight for the food. While at a local restaurant I met a man named Slade. He is 22 years old and originally from South Africa. He as well is traveling Central America hoping to fly to Morroco once he reaches Panama. We discussed our travels and decided to buddy together until Panama. This is a nice comfort for me to have a travel companion along the way. Travelers, do you prefer to travel alone or with someone? Where are the best places to find travel mates before leaving for a trip?

Travel Tip...Pack Light

2008-03-26T17:50:00.001-07:00

This is the one thing that I know how to do very well. Whenever I would go on vacation I would find that I would re-wear most of my cloths and come home with a lot of unused clothing. This may be okay for a vacation, but if your backpacking my advice would be to take as little as possible. My travel pack is very simple, its a carry on size Chinese army backpack: Simple, light, black (Doesn't attract attention), and durable. I can fit pretty much everything that I need without having to lug a huge pack around. These are the things that I take with me.

Clothing - 5 shirts, 2 pants, 2 shorts, 1 swimsuit, 5 underwear, 5 socks, 1 hat
Toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving kit
Money Belt - passport, documents, money
Small First Aid Kit
Notebook/Journal
Bigger Knife and Utility Knife
Small String Of Rope and Duct Tape
Sleeping Bag and Tent - small but comfortable and durable
Sunglasses - cheapy's
Sunblock
Prescription Glasses and Plenty Of Contacts

You can go a long ways with all of this stuff. For all you travelers with experience, what do you normally bring with you?

El Lago De Atitlán

2008-03-26T16:32:00.000-07:00

Right now Guatemala has me awestruck. I thought that this country was going to be somewhat dangerous, boring, and not much fun, but Guatemala has proved me wrong. When a fellow traveler told me to visit this lake I was skeptical. I mean a lake is a lake isn't it...WRONG! This is truly one of earths natural wonders as it is one of the deepest lakes in the world surrounded by mountainous volcanoes. This is just another site in Guatemala that has deepened my love for this country. For those of you who have every visited Guatemala, What do you think of it as an overall country?

Tikal...The Ancient Mayan Ruins

2008-03-26T13:01:00.000-07:00

Tikal is one of the largest ancient cities of the Mayan civilization. It is located in Tikal National Park and was one of the main centers for Mayan civilization. The temples are simply breathtaking. An ancient city in the middle of the forest is something that everyone must see at least one time in there lives. The inscriptions carved into the stone are so amazing that you wouldn't think an ancient culture could achieve such a task. Speaking of amazing tasks, the temples built in the lowland rain-forests are a mystery to me. If you are ever in Guatemala this is a must see site. For anyone who has ever visited Tikal what did you think of it?

Guatemala...A Country With A Violent History

2008-03-26T09:26:00.000-07:00

Don't let the title scare you of ever visiting this country because what I have seen so far is nothing of what it's history used to be. I did not have a fun bus ride from Belize due to the fact that it broke down halfway there and was then delayed for four hours. But thats traveling for you, everything can't be picture perfect. After the long ride I finally made it to the town of Péten. The colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, red tile rooftops, and historic churches gives this town a feel of the past. Péten is a quiet and peaceful city that any traveler will remember. The reason many people visit this town is due to its proximity to Tikal, a very popular site that I will be visiting tomorrow. Its only a 45 minute drive to Tikal so hopefully I won't have any holdups like in Belize. For dinner I ate at Flores Pizza, a cool little parlor where the owner cooks the pizza in an outdoor would fired smoker to give it a flavorful taste you shall not forget. For my lodging of the night I stayed at a wonderful hostel, Los Amigos for $3...talk about cheap, and if you want a hammock instead of a bed it only costs $2. So far Guatemala has been awesome and I can't wait to see Tikal...

Travel Tip...Keep Your Bags With You

2008-03-26T09:20:00.000-07:00

I wanted to give a quick heads up to anybody that will be traveling as I do. Whenever you are traveling by bus keep your bag or pack with you at all times if possible. In many of these countries theft is a common theme and very high on bus rides. If you leave your bag under the bus or on top chances are you might not every see it again. If you use a somewhat smaller bag then the bus driver will usually let you take it on board. Heres another tip, don't use fancy luggage. This is a clear sign that you are an unexperienced tourist just waiting to get robbed. If you can try and find a used backpack at a garage sale that has some wear. It saves you money and the horrible experience of getting it taken away. I use a black Chinese army backpack...its simple, small, durable, and doesn't attract attention. Fellow travelers, what is your advice on traveling with backpacks and what kind do you think is the best?

BELIZE! A Caribbean Adventure

2008-03-25T22:40:00.000-07:00

Many people aren't aware of the fact that belize is on the boarder of Mexico. It gets overlooked on the map far too many times because of its less popular status in the Americas, but what I experienced in Belize has changed my thoughts on this country. A $250 flight from Cancun landed me in this English speaking nation with so much history to offer. Some believe that Belize was the center of all mayan culture, and by the looks of the monuments it is very possible. If you don't know by now I love beaches so I had to head straight to the Ambergris Caye. I decided to do something I have never done in my entire life, diving on the reef. WOW! What and experience that was. A clear blanket of blue water covers such an amazing world of fish, coral, squid, eel, and whatever else you can imagine. After such an amazing journey underseas I stayed at the Coral Beach Hotel for the low price of $46.

Cancun...Paradise On The Beach

2008-03-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

Cancun, Cancun, Cancun! Its one of the most popular destinations in Mexico, and you will find the more tourists here than any other part of the country. Although very Americanized Cancun still offers something for every traveler. The amazing white sand beaches are a popular hit in this coastal city with a bustling nightlife for the young crowd. I found that this is way more expensive than any other place I have been in Mexico, pretty much the same as America. But how can you not love Cancun. I decided to stay in a more luxurious hotel than I normally do on the road, Rio Cancun. This place was amazing...three pools, five restaurants, tennis courts, spa, gym, beauty salon, saunas, and of course amazing rooms. I would recommend this place to anyone staying in Cancun. Talk about a step up from last nights stay in Oaxaca. The night life in Cancun is amazing. I went to the "Pacha" night club for a little fun and had a great time. I met a young couple who is also traveling Central America, however there schedule doesn't really fit with mine...oh well! Cancun is great for people who are looking for a relaxing vacation, not so much for the budget traveler. I have a feeling that this is the last taste of America that I will get for a while......

Oaxaca...In The Heart Of Mexico

2008-03-25T16:19:00.000-07:00

43$ will buy you a comfortable bus ticket and a six hour ride for Mexico City to the beautiful city of Oaxaca. My stay at Hacienda Los Laureles would account for three nights of adventure in this wonderful town. I would again find myself in the social hub of the pueblo in the Zocalo listening to harmonious flamenco music, sipping rich coffee, and chatting with the local people. Oaxaca has a very indigenous population and the people here are some of the friendliest you will over meet. For night life you can find discos, jazz clubs, piano bars, and extravagant dancing shows. The historic downtown center offers something for every traveler with theaters, shopping, and a variety of exquisite restaurants. I spent one of my days in Oaxaca renting a bicycle and touring the city for myself. I recommend this form of site seeing to everyone. It is very cheap and you can discover the many great things the city has to offer on your own time. Overall I would describe Oaxaca as a slow paced, easy going, laid back town with the comfort of modern day living in the center of a culturally rich land. .

Mexico Here I Come!

2008-03-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

I successfully made it to the capitol of Mexico, La Ciudad De Mexico. Expecting to see a violent and poverty stricken city that Hollywood portrays, I was amazed at the beauty of this magnificent metropolis. Mexico D.F. (Distrito Federal) hosts a bustling 8 million plus citizens that fill this city with ancient culture as well as modern lifestyle. Everything you can imagine can be found in Mexico City as it is in the top five largest cities in the world. I made it through customs with ease, and my first stop was the famous Zocalo. It is the historic center of the city with the national palace built on the grounds of Montezuma's home. This is a must see for anyone . You can take a taxi for very cheap and its a site you don't want to miss. I spent the remainder of my evening at the Hostel Catedral which I stayed in for $15.

The Journey Begins...

2008-03-24T19:11:00.000-07:00

Im in the Portland airport right now about to board my flight to Mexico City. Today I leave home for, well...I really don't know how long I will be gone. My dreams of travel are finally coming true, and I can't think what better way to spend my youth than traveling the world. I hope to hit Central and South America first, Africa next, and then Europe, but who knows where I'll end up. I have only been out of the country one time so this will definitely be a learning experience, but a wonderful one. The world of travel has so much to offer.