Today we would like to showcase to you all, a selection of some of the most unusual and funny toilet signs from all over the world and the names we like to call our toilets.

This is sure to put a wry smile on your face. Enjoy!

When the video started I so was captivated by the combination of beautifully captured images and delicate musical accompaniment that I was mesmerized and totally fixated on the screen. Having traveled around the world myself it brought back many memories of my own adventures and drew me in further and further emotionally.

When the video was over I played it again, then one more time, just to feel that magic of ‘wanderlust’. I then had a quick search around to try and find out more about the creator Kien Lam.

A couple of days later I decided to send an email to Kien asking for a brief interview about his adventure. I didn’t expect a reply as by now the video had gone viral with nearly a million views and coverage across most major media. I was very surprised when I received an email back the very same day accepting my invitation.

Now if you haven’t already watched the movie I would suggest that you do so now before reading the interview below.

Time is Nothing // Around The World Time Lapse from Kien Lam on Vimeo.

Before we get started here is some important  information regarding Kien’s trip and the movie.

Technical Details:

• Shot with a Panasonic Lumix GF-1, 20mm f/1.7 and 14-45mm f/3.5-4.5.
• Photography and Video Edited with Lightroom, After Effects and Final Cut Pro.
• Music composed in Logic Pro.
• Original Music: “Places and Faces” by William Lam. Will is an extremely talented musical composer whose range is barely touched in this composition he wrote specifically for the video.

17 Countries.  343 Days.  6237 Photographs.  One incredible journey.

TBU: So what made you decide to take a year off and go traveling?

KL:  I wanted to travel for more than 2 weeks at a time. Whenever I used to visit a country and meet other travelers, I was always envious that they had 2 months or 6 months or a year to travel. My entire “vacation” or “travels” was just one of a long list of places they were visiting on one trip. I felt like I wanted to do it now, rather than put it off for later.

TBU: How did you pick the places that you wanted to visit?

KL: That was hard. I wanted to start in London to see some friends and then follow the sun and warm weather. 2010 was a particularly cold year in San Francisco and I just wanted to go where it was warm. I had places I wanted to visit and made my decisions from country to country as I arrived.

TBU: What got you into photography and have you had any training? If so, what?

KL: I took a Introductory Photography course my freshman year in college and joined my college newspaper after that. Having access to professional equipment and shooting real events taught me a lot about photography. The rest I learned on my own through shooting and a lot of trial and error.

TBU: When did you decide on doing the time lapse and what gave you the inspiration to make the video?

KL: I had the idea for this project right before I left while trying to come up with a way to capture this amazing adventure I was soon to embark on. I wanted it to show what I saw when I had traveled before: the people, the traffic, the energy and even just the pace of the place. More importantly, I wanted to put it together in a way I could share with my family and friends in a few minutes rather than having to show them thousands of pictures that would no doubt bore them after the 15th photograph. I was inspired by other time lapse videos I had seen and Matt Harding’s dancing videos. That video introduced me to so many new places and definitely inspired me to continue to travel. I wanted to be able to do the same, if somehow the video was able to reach many people.

TBU: How much time did you spend on average at each location making the time lapse?

KL: I spent as little as 3 minutes and as long as an hour shooting. Most of the time, I spent about 3-10 minutes shooting each scene. I shot whenever I saw something beautiful that had movement.

TBU: Were there any situations where you did a whole time lapse and then didn’t use it?

KL: Definitely. I shot at least over 150 scenes. Some of it didn’t make it to the final cut because it was either similar to another scene shot at the same location, or I overestimated the amount of movement there would be during the elapsed time.

TBU: How difficult was it to edit the raw images and create the final movie? How long did that take and how did you co-ordinate it with the music?

KL: It took me quite a while to organize, select, and edit just the photographs. After that I spent time learning how to work with video editing software to sequence each set of images and play with the speed. My brother and I worked on the music after I finished a general cut of the video. We tried many different compositions and experimented with different combinations of scenes to get something that would fit with the scene changes. When we had a near finished song, I synced everything to the beats and we made the final adjustments from there.

TBU: After you watched the final cut of the movie did you think it would be as much of a success as it is now?

KL: I was very happy with the final cut and hoped that people would find it compelling enough to an entire 5 minute video and like it enough to share it with others. I am absolutely amazed at the success of the video and the global media attention it has received.

TBU: And finally, how does it make you feel knowing this movie has viral and inspiring others to travel?

KL: It’s awesome. I’ve been getting so many emails from people telling me their story, asking for advice, and simply writing to tell me that they loved my video and it was inspiring to watch. I try my best to answer every person message or at least refer them to my Travel FAQ on my site where I’ve answered some popular questions about the trip.

I would like to personally thank Kien for taking time out of his day to answer my questions and can’t wait for his next installment.

How did Kien’s movie make you feel about travel?

We recently took a trip across America to New York City for Christmas and New Years. If you have been to the ‘Big Apple’ over the december holidays you will know exactly what I mean when I say that it was bursting at the seams. The amount of time that we spent lining up for attractions, museums and restaurants meant that we basically fell into bed each night, exhausted…

Due to this we really didn’t get a chance to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Prosperous 2012. I’m sure that you all have a lot of great stories to tell about how you spent your holidays and we hope that it was filled with joy and laughter.

So without further adieu I will firstly announce each of the winners of the Tour.

Congratulations to Cassie K,  Katie R & Amer we will be contacting you by email shortly. To everyone that didn’t win don’t be disheartened we will be running more competitions throughout 2012 so keep reading and following us.

It was a tight run to the finish line with a few cities dominating throughout the duration of the poll but in the end these were the standings:

1st – New York City, USA

Why is New York called the Big Apple? The nickname was first used by stable boys in one of the city’s many racetracks to mean a place of opportunity. Since then, it has been popularized by jazz players and newspaper columnists to describe their home city. And the Apple is big indeed. New York City is home to over 8 million people, the largest in the United States. Because it has been an immigration gateway, it boasts a lively and diverse culture.

2nd – Bangkok, Thailand

Thailand, the land of the free; at its heart the vibrant and bustling city of Bangkok, over ten million tourists flock from all over the globe every year making it the 3rd most visited city in the world, and it’s easy to see why. In Bangkok there seems to be something for everyone.

Bangkok is such an exciting city and it would be hard for anyone not to find anything to do. From all the restaurants where one can sample exotic Thai cuisine, to all the nightclubs where you can party ‘till the morning; and of course there’s every shopaholics dream, the Mah Boon Krong shopping center.

3rd – Paris, France

Paris is referred to as the “City of Lights” and is often hailed as the most scenic and amorous city on earth. The city is also the most popular tourist destination in the world. Paris is an interesting mix of riches and it has something to offer for everyone – the thrifty, lavish, art-loving, and fashionable. Every area in Paris has a personality to offer to its spectators.

Paris is situated in the hub of Europe. It is considered as the artistic, political, and cultural center of France. The city is sprawled with elegant cafes, epicurean restaurants, and chic shops. The most popular landmarks in Paris are the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Notre Dame.

4th – Rome, Italy

Of all the cities in the world, Rome, Italy is the best known and the most romanticized. You can’t spell romance without Rome after all. From the ancient gladiators, to monks, to the best pasta chefs, the people of Rome have been living with passion for 2,000 years and counting. Rome has been one of the most visited cities in Europe, and it’s easy to understand why. Everything in Rome, whether it’s their food, Catholicism, cinema, is seeped in millennia of love and passion, all done in a very epic manner. So head on to Rome and take a big juicy bite out of La Cita Eternal.

5th – Barcelona, Spain

One of the strongholds of the Autonomous Community of Catalan, the Barcelona of Barcelona, Spain is a delicious mix of oils and spices – and we’re not just talking about the food. It’s over 4 million citizens speak both Spanish and Catalan. Most of its immigrants came from Morocco, Peru, Pakistan and China.

The city put itself on the map over a decade ago as the site of the Olympic Games, but this has only made the city’s culture more vibrant and alluring. Known for it’s textiles industry, its fever-dream Gothic architecture, its quintessentially coastal Mediterranean weather and its music festivals, Barcelona is a city you would surely love to unravel.

6th – London, England

London is the home of the British Royal Family, the birthplace of street artist Bansky, fashion designer Alexander McQueen, the punk movement, The Beatles and William Shakespeare. Whether it is in following centuries-old traditions or in creating new trends, Londoners always do it in style. Be part of the cultural brewery that is this city. Visit London and witness its diverse mix of people. Home to over seven million locals from about 300 different nationalities, the urban capital of the United Kingdom is a daily world’s fair.

7th – Berlin, Germany

The city of Berlin has an estimated population of 3.4 million, and is Germany’s largest city. Although Berlin’s historic events have left their distinct mark on the cityscape, these have also contributed to the city’s continuous change – a strong quality that makes Berlin one of Europe’s most exciting, colorful, and lively cities. Tourists have no reason to deny that Berlin is a great place to visit. The city’s history, culture, extensive transportation network, food, and nightlife are the best reasons for its successful tourism. In addition to this, visiting Berlin will never be complete without tasting the typical Berliner dishes including Currywurst, Eisbein, and the Berliner pastry known as a Pfannkuchen. The vibrant scenes in Berlin continue until night time as clubs offer the most diverse and exciting events, which have indeed made Berlin’s nightlife the premier destination in Europe.

8th – Istanbul, Turkey

“I think therefore, I am,” and the residents of Istanbul fervently believe they live in the “City of the World’s Desire.” So expect your visit to be a constant come-hither for the senses. It used to be named Constantinople, after all. Turkey’s own megacity, Istanbul, produces metals, oil, paper, glass, automotives and alcoholic beverages to name a few. Apart from these, the city is also the only bi- continental city in the world. It is divided by a body of water, the Bosphorus strait. On one side, it shares land and culture with Asia, and on the other, with Europe. So when people start claiming a marriage between East and West, they have to be talking about Istanbul.

9th – Venice, Italy

With a unique artistic achievement, the city of Venice in Italy is built on a lagoon with 118 small islands and appears to float on water. While others describe it as “undoubtedly the most beautiful city built by man” and “one of Europe’s most romantic cities”, Venice is famously known as “The Floating City” and “City of Canals”. Venice is one of the most important tourist destinations in the world due to the development in its beautiful architecture and historical arts. In fact, the city has an amazing average of 50,000 tourists a day. One may find the city overwhelming. Its magnificent cityscape, its uniqueness, and rich cultural heritage made it a fashionable center for the rich and famous, which often stay or dine at luxury hotels and establishments.

10th – Amsterdam, Netherlands

No other city gives you the freedom to party like Amsterdam.

Whether it’s a tea party at a dainty Renaissance style house, or a mind-blowing experience with its art, shops, and party districts, Amsterdam in the Netherlands just knows how to tickle your senses. The birthplace of the painter Rembrandt, Amsterdam is a city known for its tolerance, progressive values and multicultural vibe. One of most bike-friendly cities in the world, Amsterdam is a very clean and green city.

11th – Sydney, Australia

Known as ‘The Harbour City’, Sydney is the first thing tourists get to see of the country by boat. Its enclosed coastline looks like a pair of open and welcoming arms for visitors. And its lights and iconic structures seem to beckon people from the sea, “G’day, mate!” Its more than 4 million citizens are known to be just as friendly, forward and gutsy. With a mix of cultures, the residents of Sydney are tanned, sun-blonde and smiley. The buzzing metropolis and business district that they live in was designed to cater to this lifestyle and attitude. The city is has many open spaces for outdoor and sporting events, a lot of marinas for sailors, and buildings that whatever the architectural style, always seems to have a great fresco spot or a fantastic view of the ocean.

12th – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Being the primary tourist attraction that welcomes an estimated 2.82 million tourists a year, Rio de Janeiro is also the second largest city of Brazil. Rio de Janeiro is a city that has everything a tourist can ask for – from great weather, great people, and great attractions to the amazing white beach and azure sea. Almost all of Rio de Janeiro’s attractions are located in the rich Zona Sul, and this includes hotels, restaurants, shops, and nightlife. At daytime, Rio de Janeiro’s focus is on its magnificent beaches, where Copacabana and the famed Ipanema beach are only two of the most visited. Moreover, Rio de Janeiro hosts the annual celebration of the greatest party in the world called “Carnival” where amazing floats and beautiful people are on display.

13th – Prague, Czech Republic

Did you know that Bohemia is a place we now know as the Czech Republic? And its center is the capital city that we like to call Prague? Yes, the origin of Bohemianism, or that free-spirited and unconventional lifestyle is the city of Prague. True to this reputation, Prague has been home to many artists and musicians. It’s many buildings are a lovely mix of Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque architectures. These buildings are known not only for their beauty, but their battle scars. They and the more than one million citizens who live in them have survived years of revolution and war. The city has been home to the Celts, the Hapsburgs, Communism, and has been a witness to two World Wars. Despite, and because of all this, the city maintains a unique beauty, freedom and charm.

14th – San Francisco, USA

There’s a song about someone who left his heart in San Francisco. Once you visit the city, we’re sure you will too. Known as Fog City or the City by the Bay, San Francisco was the site of the 19th Century Gold Rush. Today, it is a progressive city where artists and civil rights groups seek this place out for new ideas and movements. It’s around 800,000 locals also pride themselves in being the first city to introduce civil liberties in the U.S. Because of this, its immigrant communities of Hispanics and Asians, not only live in the city, but thrive there as they make up more than half of the population. Expect to see colorful street art and graffiti depicting this everywhere.

15th – Singapore, Singapore

Singapore city could be described as Asia’s gateway to the world and vice-versa. This small island city is the capital of one of the top five global economies. A former British colony, Singapore city houses a mix of Western expats, Indians, Chinese and Malay. Enjoy a year-round tropical rainforest climate, which is perfect for outdoor sports and recreation. The Lion City by the sea sparkles at night as a kind of party central to Southeast Asia. It is often the site of prestigious car races and large-scale musical festivals and concerts. One of the best parts about visiting Singapore is that Singlish or Singaporean English is the predominant language, so you can avoid the hassles of miscommunication. Head on to Singapore now and take part in all the action and affluence!

16th – Hong Kong, China
17th – Las Vegas, USA
18th – Budapest, Hungary
19th – Denpasar, Indonesia
20th – Munich, Germany
21st – Tokyo, Japan
22nd -Vancouver, Canada
23rd – Buenos Aires, Argentina
24th – Havana, Cuba
25th – Madrid, Spain
26th – Melbourne, Australia
27th – Chiang Mai, Thailand
28th – Seoul, South Korea
29th – Cape Town, South Africa
30th – Marrakech, Morocco
31st – Cusco, Peru
32nd – Honolulu, USA
33rd – Kyoto, Japan
34th – Dublin, Ireland
35th – Cairo, Egypt
36th – Hanoi, Vietnam
37th – St Petersburg, Russia
38th – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
39th – Montreal, Canada
40th – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
41st – Beijing, China
42nd – Lisbon, Portugal
43rd – Mexico City, Mexico
44th – Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
45th – Chicago, USA
46th – Moscow, Russia
47th – Krakow, Poland
48th – Shanghai, China
49th – Hamburg, Germany
50th – Quebec City, Canada

In this edition I will be discussing the benefits of online photo editing, considering of course that as a traveller you don’t want to be taking a full laptop with you.

So, when you hit the local internet cafe what are your choices, well surprisingly there are lots to choose from.

All of the below sites are free for sign up, work on any Operating System (which means that you can take your laptop to the internet cafe and do it there – if you have it), and on any browser.

The best thing about these online tools (apart from the fact that they are free)(for added features there is a premium login you can purchase), is that you can automatically share with your favourite sharing site (flickr / Facebook / photo bucket / picasa), or after you have finished your edit, you can save it back to your laptop.

I think that with any photography, you have to think of your audience, do you upload EVERY image from you trip to Blenheim Palace (where Winston Churchill grew up), or do you cull it to those that are truly able to tell the story of your vist there, the latter is the better choice.

A few things to remember when editing your images.

1. Consider a light to medium sharpen of the image

2. Crop out the extra parts of the image, so that it is more focused on the subject that you have photographed, this does not apply for panoramic or landscape images, or when you are trying to show the whole building or where people are – like at Stonehenge.

3. If the online photo editing site allows you, add in a duplicate layer – this will then allow you to tweak the image.

About layers in digital photography – the idea behind it is that you can lay one photo on top of the other, the useful thing about this is that you can make the photos transparent and allow them to show through, this is the essence of layers. It is the single most powerful tool used to edit images.

To further explain layers, say you have taken a photo of your travel group, with the sun behind them and forgotten to use a flash. This will give your subjects dark faces.

SCB QuickTip: Always use a flash, even in sunny conditions and always think of where the current available light is when you are shooting.

To fix this, create a duplicate layer of the same image. Then select the faces of the group using the lasso tool (or its equal) and then lighten that selection. This will lighten only their faces and not blow out the colour / brightness of the whole image.

Once you have mastered using layers, you will find ways of applying it to almost every image that you have taken.

4. Once you have applied Layers / Sharpening and Crop to your images, save them in a format that makes it easy to share – this is generally .jpg. Also consider the file size, the smaller the file the faster it is to upload to your favourite sharing site.

Here is the process for the enhancement of the above image in Picnik. Note that this site does not use layers, instead a process called ‘ destructive image adjustment’.

Flash up Picnik, and load your image, in this case I have had to rotate the image. This a very simple procedure in the side pallet toolbar on the left.

Next I have cropped out the horizon as I really dont want the setting sun to be a feature of this image. You can clearly see that the crop tool gives you the rule of thirds (remembering that where the lines intersect is where our eyes are drawn). In this case, the foreground is perfectly centered and the background and the sun light on the water draw your eyes upward.

Next I have applied some exposure adjustments. This will be entirely up to you, and if you have an idea of what you want to achieve, it will save you spending more time editing, and more time out there shooting ! In this case, I wanted to bring up the colour of the sun reflected in the Compass.

Finally, when you are finished you save. In this case I have saved back to my Computer. Picnik gives you the option to save to Picasa / Twitter / Flickr / Facebook / Photobucket and the ability to email your images.

And here is the final image.

Please feel free to comment or ask questions of the Author and look out for more Travel Photography information and Happy Shooting !

Vote now for your favorite cities for your chance to win a tour with Urban Adventures!

With so many amazing cities to explore in the world we decided to create our own list of top cities to visit.

Around a month ago we posted an update on our Backpacker Travel Facebook page asking readers to tell us their top 5 cities that have either been to or would like to visit. The response was quite incredible and after a month we had compiled more than 150 different cities as submitted by you.

Our intention was to funnel down to the 50 most popular cities which would subsequently become our finalists here today. Below you will find a list in alphabetical order of those final 50 cities that were the most popular in round one of the process and now it is time to vote for your top 10!

We are also very lucky to have Urban Adventures sponsor this poll. They have been kind enough to provide 3 of their tours as prizes. The winner will be able to select  ANY TOUR (except Machu Picchu) from Urban Adventures range of tours all around the world. Perhaps a cycling tour in Bangkok or maybe a Jungle Experience in Panama City…..

All you need to do is vote for your favorite cities (up to 10) and tell us where you are from in the comments section* and you are in the draw… simple as that! 

*Note: This is mandatory to enter the draw.

You can only vote once but you can get more entries in the draw through a variety of methods as detailed at the bottom of the post.

So what are you waiting for? Vote for your favorite cities NOW as the competition ends on the 31st December!

Vote for Your Favorite Cities

Terms & Conditions

-This competition commences on the 5th December 2011 and will close at 7pm on the 31st December 2011 (Pacific Time)
- Entrants must not only vote in the poll but post their location in the comments section to be eligible for the draw. Additional entries may be gained by sharing the link (http://www.travelbyu.com/blog/travelbyu-best-cities-around-the-world-competition-win-a-tour-with-urban-adventures/) on their Facebook page or Twitter feed.

-The prize draw will take place on the 4th Jan 2012 using Random.org to randomly select the 3 winners from all contestants.

-Winners will be announced on TravelByu and all related social media on the 5th January 2012. All winners will be notified by email.

-The prize is for 3 x 1 traveler on any Urban Adventure (excluding the Machu Picchu Full Day Tour)

-The prize does not include any transport to and from the Urban Adventures trip departure point (including international or domestic airfares) and it is the responsibility of the winners to make their own way to the Urban Adventures trip departure point, at their own expense.

-Spending money, meals, travel taxes, travel insurance, passports, visas, vaccinations, transfers and all other ancillary costs (as well as obtaining any of these) are the responsibility of the winner.

-Prizes must be booked and taken by 31st December 2012, otherwise, it will be deemed to be forfeited by the winner and the prize will not be redeemable for cash.

-Once booked, any changes made to the booking may incur a cancellation fee or amendment fee, at the cost of the winner. Prizes are subject to the standard terms and conditions of individual prize and service providers. Please refer to the Promoter’s booking conditions at for more information: http://www.urbanadventures.com/terms_of_use

-The winner is responsible for ensuring that they have valid passports, and any requisite visas, vaccinations and travel documentation. All components of a prize must be taken together or otherwise are deemed to be forfeited by the winner and cash will not be awarded in lieu. Travel is subject to booking availability and black out periods may apply.

-Travel must be arranged by the winners contacting the Promoter at info@urbanadventures.com

-The Promoter will not contact winners to arrange travel as this is the responsibility of each winner. Some trips must meet minimum number requirements prior to confirmation. If a trip that the winner has booked does not reach its minimum number requirement, the winner will be informed and will have the opportunity to transfer to another Urban Adventures trip.

-The Promoter accepts no responsibility for any variation in the prize value. Prizes, or any unused portion of a prize, is not transferable or exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash. If any prize (or part of any prize) is unavailable, the Promoter, in its discretion, reserves the right to substitute the prize (or that part of the prize) with a prize to the equal value and/or specification.

-In the event of war, terrorism, state of emergency, disaster or any other circumstance beyond the control of the Promoter, the Promoter reserves the right to either provide an alternative travel destination to the same or greater value as the original Urban Adventures trip.

-The Promoter shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which is suffered (including but not limited to indirect or consequential loss) or for any personal injury suffered or sustained in connection with the prize except for any liability, which cannot be excluded by law. The Promoter will not be responsible for any incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete information communicated in the course of or in connection with this promotion if the deficiency is occasioned by any cause outside the reasonable control of the Promoter including without limitation technical malfunctions or failures. Tax implications may arise from the receipt or taking of a prize. Independent financial advice should be sought.

Snow on the ground

When one thinks of Christmas, snow and freezing rain might come to mind.

I live in Minnesota, where during the heart of winter, the weather outside can drop to below zero.

In Minnesota it is not entirely unheard of for a person’s mere breath to instantly fog up and sometimes freeze solid against their rosy red face.

With that wicked Minnesota winter weather in mind, an awesome vacation to Florida, where even during the winter months it is usually a stable 50 degrees or warmer outside, doesn’t sound to shabby indeed.

And what better time than Christmas.

My grandparents are Minnesota snowbirds.

Meaning that during the summer months, they both reside in Minnesota.

But when the frigid Minnesota cold weather starts to settle in, they jet-set per say down to their second home in sunny Florida.

I remember very vividly the one fine year where me and my family spent Christmas with my grandparents their.

With everyone all packed-up and set to go, my Dad said wheels were rolling in five minutes to be able to catch our flight on-time at the MSP Airport.

Patiently waiting in line at the airport to go through the TSA security checkpoints, we all talked about how exciting this trip was gonna be!

Our flight to fun in the sun took off around noon on a Wednesday, leaving the dreary winter weather behind in Minnesota.

The flight didn’t take to long to arrive in Florida; but what I will always remember is how after stepping off the plane into the terminal and proceeding onwards to the awaiting rental car outside, was how quickly we all starting peeling off the extra warm layers of clothing we had donned while freezing in the bitter icy cold Minnesota.

It was about a two hour jaunt to get to my grandparents condo, but time just literally flew by as we gazed out the car windows in pure innocent amazement and bewilderment, admiring all the various palm trees softly swaying in the windy breeze.

Florida

Upon arriving at my grandparents awesome condo, we happily greeted them with love and warm affection.

My sweet grandmother had already planned out a tentative itinerary filled with various fun activities and a bunch of special highlights that we could possibly go see, contingent on the time we had to spend of course.

One special highlight was eating a scrumptious supper out at an authentic 1950′s themed restaurant.

Now that was awesome and a ton of fun!

I distinctly remember all of the fascinating décor that adorned the inside walls of the 1950′s themed restaurant, which was named Cruisers Malt Shop & Grill.

Posters and pictures of the stunningly beautiful starlet Marilyn Monroe, and Mr. Rebel Without a Cause, the one and only James Dean.

Cruisers Malt Shop & Grill’s cheeseburgers are absolutely second to none in terms of yummy awesomeness, except for Lion Tap’s cheeseburgers, which I feel are the best dang cheeseburgers I’ve ever had in all my various travel adventures.

Lion’s Tap is a fun family owned and operated local burger joint located in Minnesota.

We had arrived in sunny Florida two days before Christmas time.

Palm trees

Those two wonderful days in Florida leading up to Christmas with my grandparents, just flew by so quickly, with all of us setting forth on many alluring wild adventures and sightseeing expeditions.

For our special Florida Christmas supper all together, my grandmother had whipped up her “famous” batch of sweet potato pie and raspberry custard pudding.

We had a really nice Christmas meal consisting of honey baked ham, Grandma’s famously awesome sweet potato pie and raspberry custard pudding, crunchy fresh organic green beans w/roasted slivered almonds mixed right in, and my Dad’s secretly spiked eggnog concoction dashed with a sprinkle of nutmeg.

Stunning Christmas tree

With the brilliantly bright colorful glow from the Christmas lights illuminating the now darkened living room, we all sat down together as both my sisters starting in on playing Santa’s Little Helpers.

My sisters started handing out all the awesome presents to everyone, and we then proceeded to start a somewhat orderly mad flurry of ripping open all the nice gifts.

Christmas in Florida was awesome!

What I personally felt was even more awesome, was the special opportunity and time spent with my grandparents and beloved family.

Thank you for reading, Follow Me

Danko Winters

Good luck guessing

Where in the world is this?

This one is for those of us who have a DSLR, select the option to show GRIDLINES, you will then have something like the following in your view finder.

Rules of Thirds Grid

The four points where these lines intersect are the strongest focal points. The lines themselves are the second strongest focal points.

If you have an autofocus camera (P&S), you can use the autofocus points as references to help you to imagine the grid. If you use an LCD screen to compose your images you can make a rule of thirds grid out of a clear sheet of contact film, or you could draw it on your viewfinder with permanent marker.

The rule of thirds suggests that the viewer’s eyes naturally go to certain points of interest in the photo and not the center. It identified these points of interests and suggest that if you place your subject right in these points of interest and play along with the viewer’s natural way of looking at an image, you may have created a well balanced shot which is more appealing to the viewer.

OK, so which point do I use?

The point or line you place your subject on does matter. While any of the points or lines will add emphasis to your subject, some are stronger than others. When an object is alone in an image, the strongest position is the left hand line. If you are shooting for different cultures, where information is read right to left – in this case the right hand line is the strongest.

The bottom right point is the strongest for multiple subjects and the upper left point is the weakest. Placing a background subject on the right and the foreground subject on the left will confuse the eye and lead to confusion in the viewer about which subject is dominant.

How does this work for travel pictures? 

Here is an image that I took of Sydney Harbour, for those that are interested here is how the shot was set up:

Camera: Nikon D200
ISO: 200
Shutter: 3sec
F-Stop: f/5.0
Aperture: f/5.0
Focal Length: 12.0mm
Metering: Center Weight
Tripod: Yes
Remote Shutter release: Yes

Sydney Harbour with Gridlines

With Gridlines applied, you can see that the shot is composed and works well.
With some cropping applied in your favorite editing software, where the top 3 squares of the image are removed you now have an image that friends and family will go WOW over.

Please feel free to comment or ask questions of the Author and look out for more Travel Photography information and tips.

After planning the exact date and location of my new European adventure, I decided not to plan any more and, out of the blue, booked a cheap flight to Lisbon with some friends. We went totally unprepared so the search for some descent accommodation began upon our arrival. After two hours of search, there it was. Rua Luciano Cordeiro 32, 3ºDto (Residencia Aleluia) with only €20 per night. This hostel is located in the central Lisbon area (Praça Marquês de Pombal) near several hotspots of the city and close to the main transport systems (subway, bus, train to Sintra, Estoril and Cascais). It’s also only 8km from the airport. The hostel is owned by an old welcoming and warm Portuguese couple. I would recommend it to every low-budget tourist – it is situated near the centre, taxi will take you for no more than 2-3 euro from Bairro Alto and Baixa (the biggest clusters of restaurants and cafes) and you have an Internet café in a supermarket nearby.

Lisbon's Elevador da Bica

The best public transit option is the bus. Buses can be caught outside the terminal. The price is €1.40 for a ticket bought on board. Another option is the Aerobus and Aeroshuttle (€3.50). The fastest connection to the metro network is probably to take the Aerobus to Oriente Station, which only takes about 10 minutes. From there you can take the red line into the town. Taxis are available outside the terminals but should be avoided due to the prices.

Now, once you get to Lisbon be prepared to speak any other language but English. At least, this was my impression. Spanish will do just fine if your Portuguese is as awful as mine. After you get through the language barrier, life becomes so easy that you don’t even want to go back to wherever you come from. Intriguing Lisbon wakes up at about 9 o’clock and it doesn’t seem hectic at all. The city’s relaxed atmosphere, cultural diversity, nightlife (don’t even dare to miss Bairro Alto), charming architecture and narrow streets are the main tourist attractions. Lisbon is a city that can be explored on foot. Yet, built on seven hills, it is pleasant to know that this is when the public transport comes in handy.

A view of one of the turrets

Some incredible vistas to be visited are: Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, St. George’s Castle, Oceanarium and many more.

We visited only a few museums during our stay there. The most entertaining for me was the Coaches Museum (Museu Nacional dos Coches in Belem). It has the largest and most valuable collection of its type in the world. It is housed in a richly decorated 18th-century royal riding school that is part of Belem Palace, illustrating staggering wealth of the old Portuguese elite.

We were very fortunate to be there during the Festival Dos Oceanos at Praça do Comércio as we got the chance to listen to some wonderful Fado performers but also worldwide known singers (Lauryn Hill).

The best way to go to the famous beach Cascais is to take the train from Cais do Sodre train station in Lisbon but if you plan to go there every day, Interrail one-country pass will be more than recommended. You’ll save a lot of money. The ocean water was freezing cold but sunbathing while listening to adorable Fado or fabulous rhythmic Brazilian music is priceless. In just 5 minutes from the beach, there is a shopping center with prices you only dream of. So, ladies prepare to spend time and money in it. Estoril is another beach on our way to Lisbon so we used to stop by for a coffee in one of their relaxing cafés on the beach.

Another attraction is Cabo de Roca – the westernmost point in continental Europe. The easiest way to get there is to take a bus from Cascais (the bus station is right across the train station) number 403. The bus ride is very exciting because of the road curves (a bit frightening too). Take warm clothes with you and dry your hair if you’ve been to the beach before that. The wind will literally blow your mind. As much as the view is breathtaking so is the wind.

Cabo da Roca - the westernmost point of mainland Europe

After an exciting day in the hills, we decided to visit Sintra – Portugal’s fairytale town on the edge of Europe. Sintra is probably the most amazing place I have visited so far. It is equipped with jaw-dropping castles, extravagant villas, gardens and monuments dating from 8th century onwards. Even Lord Byron found it mystical and inspirational for his works. One day in Sintra is simply not enough. Although there is a fantastically organized public transport which takes you to all the sites in one day for 4 euros or so, you cannot give yourself a luxury of spending less than 2 hours at each place. Palácio Nacional da Pena left me speechless. The whole Sintra is under UNESCO’S World Heritage Site since 1995. Though the entrance ticket to every castle costs at least 10 euros, it is worth every cent of it and should not be missed by any means. O Cantinho do Lord Byron in Sintra was a good place to enjoy a pint of cerveja (beer). It’s located near the Sintra’s square. The most practical way to get to Sintra is by train from Rossio train station.

Pena National Palace (Palácio Nacional da Pena), Sintra

As far as gastronomy is concerned, be sure to try bacalhau but if you are a fan of Spanish cuisine as well (croquetas, paellas, etc.) you’ll get the chance to taste that too. All in all, you can enjoy Portuguese food accompanied by professional Fado performers in one place. My kindest recommendation is Severa tavern in Bairro Alto district.

To wrap up the story of Portugal, the country offers a wide range of attractions and it is perhaps somewhat better to plan at least one part ahead only to organize yourself more efficiently and get the most of the wonderful Portuguese culture.

 About the author:

Jeremy Haze

My name is Jeremy Haze and I’m a traveloholic – for me it’s not just about reaching the destination, but experiencing the journey itself to the fullest. For several years now I’ve been searching for the perfect job, a position that would allow me to work, travel, and brag about it at the same time and my effort finally paid off – now I work as a marketing consultant at Cruiseabout and my position allows me to travel all around the world, doing what I do best.

Do you lug around a huge DSLR (Nikon or Canon) with extra lens and have to pay for excess baggage and a pelican case, or do you run with a small point and shoot?

In this series of articles we intend to provide some expertise in how to choose a camera, how to store the images whilst on your trip/holiday, some basic editing, how to share your images with friends and family and answering your questions.

So where to start?

A few things to consider when planning your trip:

a.  Which camera to take
b.  Power source – for charging your camera
c.  Storage – where to store your images
d.  How to share your images – Facebook

There are two types of cameras available for you, a Point and Shoot (P&S) and a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR).

Point and Shoot Cameras

A Point and Shoot (P&S) camera means just that; point the camera at something and press the shutter. The camera does all the work for you.

Most times the camera is rarely as smart as the photographer so the results can be iffy. These cameras started out as a fixed lens focused about 4 feet in front of the camera with a fixed aperture and shutter speed.

Some features of a P&S Camera include:

Metering systems, which calculate the amount of light entering the camera
Variable shutter speed
Variable aperture
Zoom lenses
Automatic focus
Preset controls for various photographic situations such as: landscapes, nighttime people and close-up or macro

The biggest drawback to a P&S camera is that many do not have a through the lens (TTL) viewfinder. This means that what you see through your viewfinder may not be what you capture on film or digital media. P&S cameras are usually small and fit into a pocket or bag.

P&S Cameras are best used for casual picture taking when capturing the memory is more important than creating a marketable image.

That being said, you can still get some awesome pictures with your P&S camera.

Image taken with Sony Cybershot

Some popular P&S Cameras:

Nikon Coolpix / Sony Cybershot / Pentax Optio / Canon Powershot

DSLR Cameras

Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) this refers to how the light enters the camera. These are the cameras you see many professionals and serious amateurs lugging around. These cameras have a larger body than most P&S cameras and interchangeable lenses.

While SLRs started out as fully manual, where the photographer had to control all features including focus, most of these cameras are capable of acting in a fully automatic mode just like a P&S. Many now allow the photographer the freedom to also take control of all functions or any combination of functions. These cameras allow for great control over the photography process and allow the photographer to take images not always possible with a P&S.

SLR and DSLR allow for control over:

Shutter speed
Aperture
Film speed
Focus point
Magnification (through the use of various lenses)
Capability for add-on flashes
Remote releases
Additional battery packs
Popular DSLR Cameras:

Canon / Nikon / Pentax

Whatever you decide, the DSLR will give you a bigger choice of how you will capture the memory of your trip. Some reputable stores will give you a good deal, where you can purchase the body of the camera and a kit lens to go with it.

Some DSLR’s will also take video such as the Nikon D90 and the D7000 Canon EOS 7D and the EOS 5D

If you do decide to purchase a DSLR make sure that you get the best lens for what you think you want to capture. Some stores will offer you lenses which will be in the range of 18-55mm and 55-200mm. To use these lenses, will require you to change when you want to use the larger lens (55-200mm).

If for example you decided on a Nikon body, then I would attempt at getting a Nikon 18-200mm lens, this gives you the advantage of having a semi-wide at the 18mm and the ability to zoom out to 200mm without the need to change lenses and also avoid the possibility of getting dust and dirt into the camera body when changing lenses.

Image taken with a Nikon D200 DSLR

Power Supply (Voltages)

International Voltage this link will give you a quick way to work out if you need a power adaptor or voltage adaptor.

Storage

Unless you’re taking your own MacBook laptop and a 500gb fire wire drive (OK, so that is my personal choice), you are going to need a way to store your images somewhere.

What are your choices, well there are a lot of them!

Dropbox: Allows users access to cloud storage and to share files and folders with others across the internet using file synchronization. There are free and paid services. Dropbox offers a relatively large number of user clients across a variety of desktop and mobile services. The free service provides 2GB of free online storage. Users who refer Dropbox to others can gain up to 8GB of additional free storage.

Mozy: Up to 2GB free storage. This requires a free download of the Mozy software; this helps you figure out which files to back up. Photos, music, emails, all can be backed up here. You don’t have to give your credit card or other financial information.

Omemo: Omemo works as a peer-to-peer network to create an immense virtual hard drive. Download the software, store your files online, and take advantage of the space this service has to offer.

Box: Box’s personal plan is free and allows for one user with up to 5GB of storage space. Streamlined sharing and collaboration with other users is also available here, as is mobile access to files stored at Box.

Mediafire: MediaFire puts very few limits on what you can do at their very popular service for absolutely no money. Unlimited uploads and downloads, up to 200MB file size for sharing, unlimited storage, direct linking to files (instead of jumping through hoops) and advanced sharing features are what make MediaFire an extremely attractive option for file storage.

DivShare: Upload all kinds of files here, including slideshows, Flash-based videos, audio playlists, Word documents, PDF files, etcetera etc. You can manage all your DivShare files easily from a centralized dashboard; from here you can also share your files with anyone you want via links and embed codes.

4Shared: A quick registration (free) and you instantly have access to 10GB of storage space, instand ad-free downloads, and the ability to upload files directly from the Web.

PhotoBucket: Photobucket is a service aimed at photo and video storage only. A free account gives you the ability to upload literally thousands of images; you can also use Photobucket’s internal artistic tools to edit, tag and organize your photos.

ImageShack: Similar to Photobucket, ImageShack is only for images and videos. No sign-up is required, simply upload your images and you’ll instantly get an embed code or URL for wherever or however you’d like to share.

Facebook: Nearly everyone has a Facebook account. This is probably the easiest way to share your images (and store them) online and also document your trip.

However, this Link will explain the legal rights and copyright information for when you upload to Facebook. This Link refines the copyright and sharing privacy concerns.

Please feel free to comment or ask questions of the Author and look out for more Travel Photography information.