I found a Fantastic Travel Blog

My name is Gary Arndt and I’ve been traveling and blogging around the world since March 2007.

The idea of traveling around the world wasn’t something that gradually dawned on me. It all rather happened in an instant. Once I had the idea, I knew it was something I had to do. That happened about two years before I left on my trip.

I had an internet consulting firm I sold back in 1998. Since then I’ve been involved in online gaming and helped found a business intelligence software company. I also spent the two years prior to my trip studying geology at the University of Minnesota (I’m actually a few credits shy of my geology degree).

My travel history prior to this trip was a mixed bag. I never saw salt water until I was 21 when I saw Puget Sound in Seattle. I often tell that to people I meet while traveling and it blows them away. Wisconsin and Minnesota are a long way from the ocean.

Me in the rainforest canopy in Borneo
My first trip outside of North America was in 1999 when I circumnavigated the globe. It was a three week whirlwind tour for work. I stopped in Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt and London visiting offices of the company I sold my consulting firm to, to talk about web application development. Prior this this trip I also traveled to the Bahamas, Iceland and Argentina.

If you want to find out more go to his website/blog by clicking the title above...

Traveling to the United States

Traveling to the USA a country that I know best since I live there.Lets turn the tables abit and help the person living in other counteries who want to visit the good old USA.The United States is a big country with a varity of places to visit and 48 states to choose from if you choose the main land.From the beautiful state of New York where you can visit the Statue of Liberty in New York City or Visit Los Vagas,or go to Disney Land in Florida or visit the arc in St Louis Missouri.The list is endless. The majority of the people in America are friendly and will help you the best they can.If you speak Spanish many citizens in the United States speak Spanish well.The biggest hassel if you go to the US is the heavey sercurity you have to go through when going through the airports.I got a website that will help you out.You can go to Traveling to the USA website by clicking the title above...

Traveling to Puerto Rico

Learn4good provides general information on study, travel, work visa and business visa requirements and the addresses of embassies worldwide. You should contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information or visa forms.

For Hotels, Hostels, Car Hire, Jobs and Schools in this country, see the menu options above. See our Travel Forum to create a travel topic and ask questions to fellow travelers.

Who requires a visa?
Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, east of the Dominican Republic and west of the Virgin Islands. Visa requirements for entering Puerto Rico are the same as for entering the USA. See Passport/Visa in the USA section for additional information.

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (introduced 23 January 2007), US citizens returning directly from a US territory do not need to present a passport to re-enter the USA.

Persons intending to take courses of study of less than 18 hours a week may do so with a tourist visa; otherwise a student (either an “M-1″ or “F-1″ class) visa will be required

For U.S. citizens, traveling to and from Puerto Rico is no different than traveling to and from other U.S. states and territories. No U.S. passport is necessary for a U.S. citizen traveling to Puerto Rico, or returning from Puerto Rico. However, some form of identification, such as a driver’s license, an identification card issued by a state or Federal agency or an original birth certificate, should be carried for identification purposes.

For more infomation go to the Learn for Good Website by clicking the title above....

Protecting You from Parisites

Traveling the world one must be aware of parasites.They can evade the body from poorly cooked food or eating food and water from poor sanitary conditions.Some of the basic parasites that you may get is ether a worm such as a tape worm,round worms,flat worms or pin worms.These are found in beef or pork. This is why you should always make sure that your food is well cooked before you eat it.The other for of parasite that you my encounter is the single cell organisms such as cryptosporidium

.You can get these organisms by eating poorly cooked beef,pork and fish,from the dirt or breathing the air where the spores are released.If you start to feel sick,develop severe headaches,diarrhea or flu like symptoms for over a week or so,it is a good idea to see a doctor.If you fly back to the United States get a check up it is better to be safe then sorry.You may not experience symptoms until several days or weeks after the parasite has invaded the body.If you need more information about parasites invading the body ,I found a great website that can help you just click the title above....

Protecting yourself from Disease abroad

Traveling around the world for the first time can be very exciting.It is important to be aware that there are virusis abroad that your body may not be a custom to.It is very important to check with your local doctor before you go to see if you need any shots or medication or both.Now you are ready to go but you still have to be careful and think smart.There are local germs and bacterra that can invade your body if you are careless in what you eat or drink.I is best to drink bottled water,juice or soda from a can.Ice is not recomended if you would like the beverage cold ti is best to put it in the fridge.Fresh fruits and vegitables are also a risk of you getting sick.It is best to eat foods that are well cooked or go to a well known resturant.Many countries have big name resterants such as Mc Donnalds,Pizza Hut or other places you know of.I always eat light for the first couple of days that I am in the country.
Carry extra medication such asTylinol,Bayer asprin etc because you will have days where you are feeling ill. Climate change,Jet lag or catching that bug you did not expect to get.Better safe then sorry.No matter what country you visit if you use common sence you will have a enjoyable stay I got the center for desiase control website so you will have more infomation on avoiding sickiness.to go to the link click the title above.You are always welcome to post a comment on this blog or e-mail me at jandrbusiness@yahoo.com.

Traveling to Taipei

I been to Taipei several times on my way to Vietnam. Taipei is a very modern country many people have the internet cell, phones I-phones and Modern hotels.They are also have beautiful landscaping.If you are going to Taipei T have a website that will give you more infomation you need so your stay in Taipei will be enjoyable and hassel free.You can go to the nileguide website by clicking the title above...

TIPS you need when traveling to Japan

Thinking of going to Japan "The Land of the Rising Sun" I myself had never been to Japan but I do know a little about japan from the Internet.They are a mixture of modern culture and the tradictional.There major cities like Tokyo and Osaka these cities are yery crowed.The Hotels rooms and apartments are smaller then in the USA.If you dont know japanese many places in the country has signs with both english and japanese.In this websit that I found the have many tips that will make your stay in Japan easier........

Here are simple step-by-step instructions on how to travel Japan and how to behave in Japan.
How to eat Sushi
How to use Chopsticks
How to Cook Japanese Rice
How to get a Japan Rail Pass
How to get to Tokyo from Narita Airport
How to handle Emergencies in Japan
How to stay at a Japanese Inn
How to take a Train or Subway in Japan

If you want to see more go to about.com in traveling tips to japan by clicking the title above....

Traveling to China

The first thing that strikes visitors to China is its vastness in terms of both geography and population. It is a country with an incredible history of dynastic rule, which was eventually replaced by communist domination and closed to the outside world for many years. However, modern day China has advanced far from the image of uniformly clothed peasant workers on bicycles. The country now has a growing middle class determined to practice their capitalist principles in what is still a communist political system. In larger cities you may experience the shove of railway station crowds, the noise of construction work and the sight of young entrepreneurs holding mobile phones and eating "fast food". But venture away from the large cities and you will be rewarded with an experience that stays with you for years after you leave. From the deserts of Xinjiang, to the Terracotta Warriors in Xian, from the beauty of the Li River near Guilin to the mystery of the "Silk Road", from the relaxing getaway towns of Yangshuo, Lijiang and Dali to Tibet's magnificent mountains and monasteries - China's diversity is more evident than perhaps in any other country in the world.

This is a great website if you never traveled to China before for more infomation go to the China Travel Depot website by clicking the title above...

International Travel Alerts and WARNINGS!!

Why do you have so many different things?
We want you to be as prepared as possible before you go. We use a three-tiered system to help you make decisions about where, or sometimes if, to travel.

Country Specific Information
We provide Country Specific Information for every country of the world. For each country, you will find information like the location of the U.S. embassy and any consular offices; whether you need a visa; crime and security information; health and medical conditions; drug penalties; and localized hot spots. This is a good place to start learning about where you are going.To select a country (Go to the Website)

Travel Alerts
We issue Travel Alerts for short-term events we think you should know about when planning travel to a country. Examples of reasons for issuing a Travel Alert might include an election season that is bound to have many strikes, demonstrations, disturbances; a health alert like an outbreak of H1N1; or evidence of an elevated risk of terrorist attacks. When these short-term events are over, we cancel the Travel Alert.

Travel Warnings
We issue a Travel Warning when we want you to consider very carefully whether you should go to a country at all. Examples of reasons for issuing a Travel Warning might include unstable government, civil war, or ongoing intense crime or violence, or frequent terrorist attacks. We want you to know the risks of traveling to these places and to strongly consider not going to them at all. Travel Warnings remain in place until the situation changes; some have been in effect for years.

I got this artical from the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs TO imform you of the latest threat or dangers that you need to be aware of I hope this infomation will help you....

Bringing Your Animal Companion to New Home Overseas

When moving to a new location overseas, you might want to bring your pet with you. If so, you must find out if the country you're planning to move in will allow these animals inside their territory. Once you're done with it, it's time to actually invest some effort into including your pet on your flight plans. As with all aspects of moving overseas, it is not as simple as it sounds.

In a nutshell, the foreign countries would only allow pets that are safe. You have to consult your local veterinarian for the initial step. These countries would require you to show some papers that will prove your pet is properly vaccinated, and only your veterinarian can provide these. They would also take into consideration how old your pet is and its breed, as this will help them in deciding their if they need to quarantine it and for how long before they bring it back to you.

This may all seem like a hassle if your pet does qualify for quarantine, but unfortunately, it's one of those things that you just have to prepare for when the need arises. Part of this preparation is also readying some money, as you will pay a fee for the quarantine services. To ease most of your worries, find out for yourself how their quarantine process works. Some countries will give you a choice where to put your pet, so take full advantage of this. Study the different establishments that are available in that country. Since it will be left in the care of strangers, no doubt you would want the treatment to be the best for its well-being. Check the facilities, sanitation and overall cleanliness of the place. In any case, be sure to also research on your own about your pet so you can discuss the details with them easier.

Hear is a great artical I found while I was serfing the internet if you want to read the rest or the artical then to the House Move Tips Website by clicking the title above....

MONEY tips when traveling OVERSEAS

Traveling around the world can be fun and exiting.It is important to have a plan and what money to take and how to get the most out of your money abroad.It is important to bring enough but not a boat load money that if it gets lost or stolen that you will be broke and forced to go home early.

The best way to advoid this problem is to get travelors insurence to protect from theft or if your money gets lost during travel.

Several countries will tax the money that you bring in so if you take 10,000 in cash you may have to pay a duty on the money this is why only take low amount in cash if you want to bring in more money take travelers checks with you.

One way to transfer a large amount of money is to send moneygrams or western unions money orders to yourself.Check your destanation to see if there are places where you can wire money to,if so this is another great way if you have allot you want to bring.In money gram has a $500 limit so you my have to sent several wires if you have a large amount.If you are staying with friends or family members in the country use there adress,If you are alone then your the hotels or place that you will be living in adress.When you get there go to the monegram or western union store and get your cash.The best rule of thumb is never have all eggs in one basket deversify your money.

Before you go check if the country accepts paypay accounts and if a paypal debit card can be used in there ATMS This is the ideal way to go! You open up a bank account for paypal only then open up a paypal account.When you are done ,apply for a paypay debit card.Paypay will give you step by step instructions in how to open a account and get a paypay debit card. Once you have both accounts up and going and your paypal debit card you can transfer money back and forth from your bank account in the United States to your paypal account.Use your paypal card to get money from the ATM.It takes 3-5 days for the transactions to be complete.I would do my largest transactions just before I fly.

This is some of the tips that I use when I have a large amount of money that I want to bring to Vietnam I hope this tips will help you out in your travels take and see you next time for mor tips go to this website by clicking the title above....

Traveling in Africa

What I wanted to do here is to once again show you the otherside of the world.Many people think of Africa as a poor third world continent but it is also a big tourist attraction.Many people go on safaris,or go to exotic places such as Morocco for a honeymoon or go to the beautiful beaches of Goree Islands.I myself had never been to Africa mabee one day but for people who are interested I found a website for you to visit.It tells you the history touring infomation and where the best places to go to.You can go to this website by clicking the title above.

Travel tips from my experience in Vietnam

I was about 6 years ago when I traveled to Vietnam for the first time to see my faience at the time.To make a long story short a fellow co worker told me that she had a wonderful woman that she wanted me to meet. I asked where does she live and she told me Vietnam I thought she was crazy at first after a couple of years I decided to go for it.In the beginning we wrote letters back and forth for about a year.She went to English school in Vietnam and after she knew English good the aunt gave me her number and we began talking back and forth over the phone.The aunt told me that when I am ready she will fly with me to Vietnam to meet her niece.

I never traveled to a different country in my life where do I begin? It is important if you are going on a business trip or pleasure to allow time to get what you need before you commit to a time when you are going.Plan ahead in how much money you will need to save up to cover all cost in preparing for the trip and how much money you will need for the length of your stay.

One thing you need to do is to get a passport.You have to go to your local post office or go on line. They will give you information for you to get a passport.I payed around 67 dollars for all the fees involved but now it will cost a bit more.passports take about 3 weeks to get one.You also need to check the country you are going some countries require you to obtain a visa.Vietnam is one country that you need a visa.I was able to get my visa with my passport by sending it to homeland security.You can also get your visa when you buy your plane ticket.

Another thing which is important is if your going to remote countries in Africa,South America or Asia check with your Doctor and see if you need to get vaccinated or if you need to take medication or both. Before I went to Vietnam I had to get a booster and TB shot,take medication for Typhoid's,I had to get a hepatitis shot A and B.I didn,t know it will take so long to get fully vacinated from hepetitis I wanted to go in August but I had to wait until Janurary.My advice to you is plan ahead before you go my wife to be at the time was very unhappy that she had to wait an extra 6 months before she can see me. My mastake is your gain.I also needed to take a pill once a day to protect me from Malaria.

Before I went to Vietnam I wanted to learn a few basic phraises like Hello,How are you?I dont understand.I need help.Wheres the restroom ect I find it helpful and the people living the the country will be more helpful towards you.

When you do go on your trip make sure you arrive at the air port at least 2 to 3 hours before your flight to give you time for security check points getting luggage ready and any other problems that may come to be.When you buy personal items such as toothpaste,shaving cream,deorderent etc.make sure to get the travel size around 3.5 ounces.If you get reguler size the officals will take them and throw them in the trash.

Your flight was sucessful and you are now in the country.There are things you need to know while living in the country you are in.Be careful in what you eat or drink,eat only foods that you are femiliar with and drink only beverages that is bottled such as soda or bottled water.If you don,t,you may spend all night in the restroom.There are germs in the food and water that you body is not used to so better to be safe then sorry.knowing the laws in the country is important remember you are not in the United States and laws may differ like in Singapore the fine you very heafty fine for littering,In several countries pornography is illeagel.Knowing the laws is a must to prevent major problems.

I hope this artical will help you have a safe and enjoyable flight and a great stay to the country you are going to. My trips to Vietnam was very nice and one day my wife will travel to the USA.If you are planning a trip to Vietnam I posted a website with more traveling tips you can see this website by clicking the title above.

I will post more infomation to help you out if you have any advice to make this blog better then e-mail me at jandrbusiness@yahoo.com

Third World Countries will Surprise YOU!!!

When I think of third world countries I think of people huts and starving to death like you see on TV. You may think that these countries have primitive technology you rarely see any cars,trucks or other modern vehicles on there dirt roads,you get the picture.My wife lives in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam.I go see her every year for a month or two until she passes the interview and she is able to live in the United States.This is my 5Th flight to Vietnam.They say Vietnam is a third world country but if this is a third world country I don't think the citizens know this.Many businesses that I know well in the United States are located in Ho Chi Minh.I was surprised to see familiar places such as Coke,Pepsi,Pizza Hut,Pizza Inn,Kentucky Fried Chicken,The Gap,and more. It was Saigon until the end of the Vietnam war.
I have to admit that life in Vietnam was very different from the United States.Ho Chi Minh is a very crowed place to live.The majority of the people travel on Honda scooters,mopeds,bicycles or walking very few have automobiles in Ho Chi Minh those are for the very wealthy.The city Has there nice places and slums like any city town or countries no surprise to me.What surprises me is I see allot of buildings that are just as high or higher then the sky scrapers in the USA.Technology in Vietnam is amazing.In many local farms in Vietnam may not have running water or indoor plumbing.You see them plowing there crops with hand tools an oxen like they did for hundreds of years but the farmers can,t be without there cell phones with camera and video.
If you go in any big city in Vietnam such as Ho Chi Minh or Nang Trang you will be able to go on line in one of the Internet cafe or if you have a computer,they have many places to get wi fi.You will see many people also have I-pods,mp3s,the latest X-Box, computers etc.I saw people living in homes that is worth 100,000 or more.My wife friend invited us to come in her home for a visit The building was 3 stories tall.Concrete construction from the bottom up.It was very beautiful in the inside.They had marble floors all around the house.In the living room there was huge fish tank. The the kitchen area had all the latest applances.The refrigerator had an ice machine built inside and the stove had an autimatic timer.Many of the rooms in this house had glass doors luxurious furniture and a big screen TV.
All around Ho Chi Minh City and other cities in Vietnam they are adding new parks,zoos buildings,hotels,restaurants,malls,and many other stores.If you are thinking in trying something new when you go on vacation go to Vietnam for a couple of weeks. You will be pleasantly surprised and you will be saying this is not what I expected from a third world country.

If you want to see more pictures or get more infomation about Vietnam go to hte Viet Travel wesite by clicking the title above...