Gadling

Photo of the Day (03.20.10)

Mike Barish — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, China, Photo of the Day

This photo by Flickr user jwannie is entitled "How to build a salad tower." The bright oranges and yellows caught my eye when I fist saw the thumbnail and that's why I clicked on the image. As for what a salad tower is and why it's so comical, I defer to the accompanying blog post on frites & fries for a full explanation.

I recently received an e-mail forward from my dad about the Chinese Pizza Hut salad bar from a Chinese colleague. The Pizza Huts there typically offers a salad bar but you can only fill it once in a small salad bowl - I think the salad is a free with purchase type of deal. To get their money's worth, some people use their fantastic engineering skills to build salad towers.

I support this ingenuity 100%. You get way more food for your money and it's salad, so it's healthy. Way better than those Domino's Pasta Bread Bowls.

Have a photo of some food that used for an impromptu game of Jenga? Submit your images to Gadling's Flickr group right now and we might use it for a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the Day (03.20.10) originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Netherlands says sex shows not art

Tom Johansmeyer — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Europe, Netherlands

The beholder's eye just lost some of its decision-making power. A court in the Netherlands has ruled that private sex shows, among the major draws for Americans looking to let loose in a permissive culture ready to exploit repressed visitors, are not art. This is a departure from a 2008 ruling that called the gyrating in private booths cultural. Of course, the upshot of the change in direction is not any form of prohibition. After all, that would be counterproductive. Instead, the government is looking to maximize revenues. As "culture," the sex show fees were taxed at 6%, but having lost this status, a 19% rate will apply.

The case was Belgian but has implications for the Netherlands. According to the ruling, the lower tax rate only applies to art forms in which people participate together. One-on-one performances don't apply ... do don't try to rationalize your lap dances as an alternative to MoMA.

The finance ministry hasn't wasted any time, with a spokesman saying that sex biz bosses need to start shelling out at the higher rate.

Netherlands says sex shows not art originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Escape the snow with the Adventures In Travel show this weekend in Chicago

Scott Carmichael — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:30:00 EST

If you are in Chicago this weekend, and looking for a way to escape the snow, then consider heading over to the Donald E. Stephens convention center for the 2010 Adventures In Travel show.

At the show, you'll find 100's of exhibitors showing off their destinations, and handing out information that can help you decide where to head this vacation season.

The show is also home to several fantastic seminars, with speakers like Sean O'Neill of BudgetTravel.com and Zac Sunderland, who is the world's Youngest Solo Circumnavigator.

Admission is $15, kids under 16 are free. The show is open today (Saturday) till 5pm, and tomorrow from 11am till 4pm. For more information on the show, head on over to their site.

Escape the snow with the Adventures In Travel show this weekend in Chicago originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Vacation homes and social media worth a million dollars

Tom Johansmeyer — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: North America, United States, Internet Tools

Did someone mention a travel slump? Second Porch, up in Portland, Oregon, must not have received the memo.

Damned memos.

The new company just picked up $1 million in A-round financing (an early round, for those not of the finance world) which was led by the Oregon Angel Fund. Translation: a few people are making a seven-figure bet on a travel company in a shitty market. And I think it's pure genius. Now is the time to make a play in the travel market, as there's nowhere to go but up. Also, Second Porch has a nice social media connection which is not only all the rage with the kids right now (and the Baby Boomers and everyone else, for that matter) but has demonstrated continued potential for the travel and tourism industry.

The premise behind Second Porch is straightforward: these guys want to harness the power of social media to make it easier for you to book a vacation home. The company has put together a free Facebook application - a portal into the vacation home rental process. End-user ease, however, is only part of the plan. Second Porch CEO Brent Hieggelke says, "The typical Facebook personal network comprised of 'friends of friends' reaches almost 17,000 people, all of whom can be vouched for by a friend in common. For a homeowner, this is an obvious opportunity to find prospective guests to rent to with a higher level of comfort and peace of mind."

Right now, Second Porch has only 1,100 fans and 2,450 users ... but give it time. A million dollars buys a lot of friends.

Vacation homes and social media worth a million dollars originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Skype Access uses your Skype credit to access 100,000 paid Wi-Fi hotspots

Scott Carmichael — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Internet Tools, Middle East, Central America

Trying to make a Skype call on the road at a hotspot? Up till now, you first had to pay to access paid Wi-Fi hotspots - which often meant having to pay for an entire day just so you could make one phone call.

The new Skype Access service takes care of this by combining Skype calling with hotspot access.

When you use the most recent version of the Windows or Mac Skype client, the application will offer to take care of paying for your hotspot access. Accessing paid hotspots costs $0.19 per minute - which is substantially cheaper than the $15 or $20 charged by many public paid access points.

A list of all the supported Wi-Fi hotspot providers can be found here. All the major providers are covered, including those at airports and hotels around the world.

At the moment, Skype Access is not (yet) available on their mobile clients, but hopefully that is only a matter of time.

Being able to make a Skype call, and pay for both the call and your hotspot access from your Skype credit is a brilliant idea - and one that will make phone calls on the road even easier. Click here to learn more about the new Skype Access feature, or to download the latest version of Skype.

Skype Access uses your Skype credit to access 100,000 paid Wi-Fi hotspots originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video of the week (3.20.10)

Kent Wien — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video of the Week

This week's video of the week, called Sandpit, is from Sam O'Hare who wanted to use a tilt-shift lens to turn a New York City scene into something that looks like a tiny model. But he discovered he could improve the look and feel by shooting the video with a normal lens and then blur the background and foreground after it was produced.

Tilt-shift videos of cites are nothing new, but Sam took it to a new level.

Sam explained the process of making Sandpit in an interesting interview by Aero Film if you need to know how it was created.

The effects are amazing. Coupled with the music from Human, you may find yourself hypnotized in no time.

Do you have a great travel related suggestion for our Video of the Week? Fill out this form or just include my twitter handle @veryjr in your tweet about it. Maybe we'll use it as next week's Video.

Video of the week (3.20.10) originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Delta Airlines adding hourly Chicago <-> New York service

Scott Carmichael — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: North America, United States, Airlines, Airports

Delta airlines just announced the introduction of 22 new daily flights between Chicago and New York. The new flights will be operated as Delta Shuttle flights, and will start June 10th.

The new hourly service out of O'Hare replaces current Delta flights between Chicago Midway and LaGuardia.

Delta obviously means business - because they are also going to offer free coffee and newspapers at the gate, which will be located as close as possible to the terminal 2 security checkpoint.

More flights on this route means cheaper fares for everyone, because the other airlines will clearly be paying attention to this increased capacity. Delta kiosks will be available for same-day ticket purchases.

The route will be operated by an Embraer 175 jet - with 12 seats in first class, and 64 seats in coach. Because this is a narrow body jet, there are no middle seats. The flights will offer Delta's "enhanced shuttle service" which means meals in first class, and free wine and beer in all cabins.

Delta Airlines adding hourly Chicago <-> New York service originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Daily gear deals - $80 outdoor GPS unit, $112 eBook reader and more

Scott Carmichael — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Gadling's Daily Deal

Here are the hottest gear deals for today, Saturday March 20th 2010. Remember, these deals are often valid for just one day, so act fast before they are gone.

Today's first deal is for the Bushell ONIX 400 GPS unit with XM NEXRAD weather. This is not the GPS unit you want if you are looking for a car navigation system, but it'll be perfect for people planning to navigate the outdoors. The unit comes pre-loaded with a US topographic map, and overlays satellite photos and XM weather radar. On sale at Woot for $79.99. Click here for this deal.

Next up is is cheap eBook reader from Newegg. The 5" jetBook-Lite may not look as nice as some of the others on the market, but it'll still do the job - especially since it accepts books from Barnes and Noble and a huge variety of other book seller formats. On sale for $112.99 with free shipping. Click here for this deal.

Next up are the Altec Lansing Backbeat PRO reference headphones. These nose isolating earphones block out a huge amount of noise, making them the perfect accessory for a (long) flight. They come with a variety of earpieces and a nice carrying case. On sale for just $28. Click here for this deal.

Today's fourth and final deal is for an old favorite - the Orbit MP3 speaker is compact, battery operated and loud - three things you'll want if you'd like some music in your (hotel) room. On sale for $15.54. Click here for this deal.

Daily gear deals - $80 outdoor GPS unit, $112 eBook reader and more originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Must-see in Vienna: Spittelberg and the MuseumsQuartier

Annie Scott — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Austria

If you're looking for something to do in Vienna that's off-the-beaten-path, I would suggest a visit to the historic Spittelberg area in the 7th district. Some define the entire 7th district as Spittelberg, but purists will tell you that it is actually just a collection of about six little cobbled streets, each more charming than the last. It's just a quick skip-and-a-jump from the MuseumsQuartier, which I'll tell you about, as well.

Spittelberg

Spittelberg was built from the 1700s to the early 1800s in an area belonging to a hospital. Over the years, the area became more and more run down, and by the 1960s, it had devolved into a red light district complete with drugs and prostitutes. The government made a move to tear it down, but suddenly, support for the area sprang up from groups all over Vienna. It was decided that Spittelberg should be restored and preserved. Now, it's home to interesting boutiques and restaurants, art galleries and even a playground. Like with much of Vienna, Spittelberg is a mix of old and new.

Gallery: Vienna: Spittelberg and the MuseumsQuartier

MuseumsQuartier

Continue reading Must-see in Vienna: Spittelberg and the MuseumsQuartier

Must-see in Vienna: Spittelberg and the MuseumsQuartier originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ship runs aground in the Galapagos

Kraig Becker — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: South America, Ecuador, Ecotourism, Cruises

On Wednesday of this week, a tourist ship named the M/S Alta ran aground, and became stuck on a reef in the Galapagos islands while entering the harbor at Puerto Ayora, along the southern coast of Santa Cruz island. The extent of the ecological damage to the reef has yet to be determined, but fortunately no one aboard was injured in the accident, which was caused, at least in part, due to a malfunctioning lighthouse that normally marks the entrance to the harbor.

The 140-foot long sailing ship is operated by Quasar Expeditions and was carrying 16 Canadian passengers, 8 Ecuadorian crew members, and an Ecuadorian National Park Guide at the time of the incident. All of the passengers were evacuated from the boat, and spent the night in a nearby, ocean front hotel, before continuing on to Darwin Station and the Santa Cruz Highlands the following day. They did cut their tour a day short however, leaving the islands yesterday, rather than today as scheduled.

As of Friday, efforts were underway to remove the Alta from the reef, but the process is a slow one, and caution must be exercised in order to contain any fuel that may have spilled. Initial reports indicated that as much as 3500 gallons had leaked into the harbor, but later reports refuted that number, saying that no leaks had been found. All the fuel will be pumped out of the ship before it is pulled off the reef and into dock for a complete inspection before it returns to service.

One of the hottest topics in sustainable travel over the past few years has been the impact of tourism on the fragile environments of the Galapagos. Fortunately, it seems that this incident will not have any long lasting effects on the region, and it seems like the Alta will be back in service shortly.

Ship runs aground in the Galapagos originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gadlinks for Friday, 3.19.2010

Aaron Hotfelder — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:30:00 EST

Distract yourself from your ruined March Madness brackets by checking out today's Gadlinks...

Skype giving away free internet access at over 100,000 hotspots (yes, airports too!) this weekend.
Over at Bootsnall, Barnaby Davies offers five never-before-heard (by me, anyway) reasons for visiting the Shetland Islands.
In his latest travel tip, our own Mike Barish makes a strong case for attending a baseball game in Puerto Rico.
Tripbase's Katie Sorene lists 21 Signs You're a Travel Addict. (The first step is admitting you have a problem.)
Vagablogging's Ted Beatie is back with some lessons from his recent trip to Haiti.

More Gadlinks here.

Gadlinks for Friday, 3.19.2010 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Daily Pampering: The only way to do the World Cup

Tom Johansmeyer — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Africa, South Africa

True fanaticism isn't cheap. Cars, cigars and treats from bars - you can spend an absolute fortune satisfying your itch for a particular vice. Though the fans are few but fierce in the United States, soccer draws addicts around the world, and the upcoming World Cup in South Africa is sure to attract a committed crowd. If you want to put yourself in the middle of the action, don't settle for a second-class experience. Envelope your World Cup experience in luxury, and it will be the sort of trip that you'll use to judge the others you take for the rest of your life.

Cox & Kings has put together some itineraries that fuse exclusivity and high luxury. "Follow Team USA" includes both soccer and safari components and can be booked through late March. You'll pick up guaranteed tickets for U.S. matches and also be able to roam through world-renowned safari camps. If you're going to head all the way out to South Africa, you'll want to make the most of your trip.

Each of the three "Follow Team USA" all-inclusive World Cup VIP packages runs between June 9 and June 24, 2010. All three include tickets to all three Team USA matches and bonus matches, including opener between South Africa and Mexico. You'll enjoy the action from VIP business seats as a guest of the Los Angeles Futbol Club Foundation. Additionally, safaris are available, ranging from three nights to five. Prices range from $24,355 to $29,060 per person, depending on safari options and how late into the World Cup you plan to stay around (you can get tickets to the finals, if you can handle the tab).

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

Daily Pampering: The only way to do the World Cup originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Can wolves help save U.S. national parks?

Laurel Miller — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, North America, United States, Ecotourism, News

Research suggests that reintroducing small, managed populations of wolves to U.S. national parks can help restore damaged ecosystems.

These areas, says Daniel Licht of the U.S. National Park Service, have been environmentally impacted by population growth of hoofed mammals (ungulates), which have prospered in the absence of "top-level" natural predators.

The introduction of wolves would reduce ungulate populations, leading to greater plant biomass and diversity.

Yellowstone National Park has the highest concentration of large and small mammals in the lower 48. It's now the premier place to see wolves from the roadside, according to wildlife biologist Doug Smith, head of the Yellowstone Wolf Project.

Continue reading Can wolves help save U.S. national parks?

Can wolves help save U.S. national parks? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Alstadt Hotel - unassuming luxury

Annie Scott — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Austria, Hotels and Accommodations

The Alstadt Hotel is a charming Vienna residence where one feels instantly at home.

Located in historic Spittelberg (Vienna's 7th district), the accommodations are a strange blend of home and hotel, in that they share a stairway, an elevator and several hallways with actual Vienna apartments. You can see from the photo at right that at first glance, you might not even notice that it's a hotel, as the reception level and lobby are on the 2nd floor. How often does one walk through their fancy hotel and see people carrying their groceries? I found this juxtaposition welcoming and fun.

When I stayed at The Alstadt last month, I was lucky enough to be put in one of the Matteo Thun rooms. The Alstadt has 8 rooms and one suite created by this Italian design superstar. Mine, "The Leonie," was decked in blacks, grays, silvers and rich red. Check out the gallery to see the Victorian wallpaper, see-through black tile bathroom and the image of a naked woman on the ceiling above the bed (surprisingly tasteful!).

Gallery: The Alstadt Hotel

Continue reading The Alstadt Hotel - unassuming luxury

The Alstadt Hotel - unassuming luxury originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gadling's Friday Travel Tunes - Episode 1

Aaron Hotfelder — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:30:00 EST

Last week we debuted our new feature Friday Travel Tunes, in which we share some of our favorite travel-related and international songs. This week's playlist contains everything from US/Cambodian psychedelic pop ("Tiger Phone Card") to Swedish indie pop ("The Opposite of Hallelujah") to English folk ("Little Lion Man").

Just don't make the mistake of listening to Andrew Bird's great song "Fiery Crash" while you're on a plane. Big mistake.

Let us know in the comments what songs you're currently listening to and whether the ones above do anything for you.

Gadling's Friday Travel Tunes - Episode 1 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ten outdoor destinations with everything!

Jason Heflin — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Hiking, Paddling, Scuba Diving, Skiing, Surfing, South Africa, France, Canada, St. Lucia, United States, New Zealand, Bolivia, Ecuador

Who says you can't have it all? For many travelers vacation time is limited. Those in search of adventure want to maximize that short window of travel time. Here are ten cities where adventure-seekers can expand their options with a range of heart-pounding choices.

Buena Vista, Colorado
Buena Vista translates to "beautiful view." It's easy to understand why the name stuck. Nestled into the central Colorado highlands, this Colorado town just might be the hidden adventure gem of the Rockies. Peak-baggers have twenty 14ers within roughly an hour-and-a-half drive from Buena Vista, making it a perfect base camp for high-altitude hiking. Ski Cooper, Monarch and Aspen are all close by for a winter sports fix and the class III-V Arkansas River provides thrilling whitewater rafting all summer long.

Cape Town, South Africa
South Africa is considered by many to be the adrenaline capital of the world. Cape Town has no shortage of blood-pumping options. Traditional sports like sea kayaking and mountain biking are epic here, but there's also more unique endeavors like sand boarding. If that's still not enough to get adrenaline junkies excited, there's always the shark cage diving experience.

Continue reading Ten outdoor destinations with everything!

Ten outdoor destinations with everything! originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Illinois Office of Tourism re-launches "Kidventure" - the one-stop planning tool for Illinois family vacations

Scott Carmichael — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: North America, United States

The Illinois Office of Tourism just re-launched their family travel planning site. Kidventures is a one-stop shopping tool where families can plan their trip to Illinois. The content on the site is perfect for Illinois residents and families coming to visit the state.

The content is split up into several categories - what to do, what to eat and where to stay. Each section provides a decent amount of ideas for each region of the state, offering only the most kid-friendly locations available. I found the "where to eat" section to be pretty decent - but lacking in some of the most popular Illinois family-friendly restaurants like Superdawg and the Vienna Beef factory cafe.

Kidventures is just one small part of a larger collection of fantastic Illinois travel resources. Kidventures also offers an activities calendar and a lineup of travel with kid tips.

Illinois Office of Tourism re-launches "Kidventure" - the one-stop planning tool for Illinois family vacations originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Duracell rechargeable battery pack keeps gadgets powered in a tiny package - the Gadling review

Scott Carmichael — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Gadling Gear Review

The new Duracell rechargeable Li-Ion instant USB charger is about the size of a pack of gum - but still manages to deliver enough power for a full charge of an iPhone or iPod. The charger is also as simple as can get - it has one LED indicator, a switch, and ports for power in and out.

The charger comes with a short miniUSB charger cord, allowing you to plug it into a computer or USB charger for its initial charge. Once full charged, you move the USB cable from the "power in" to the "power out" port.

Of course, not all gadgets use miniUSB, but since the output power port is regular USB, you can plug almost any gadget charger cord into it, including the cable delivered with your iPod, iPhone or other (smart)phone.

Continue reading Duracell rechargeable battery pack keeps gadgets powered in a tiny package - the Gadling review

Duracell rechargeable battery pack keeps gadgets powered in a tiny package - the Gadling review originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Daily gear deals - $40 video editing kit, $13 laptop lock kit and more

Scott Carmichael — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Gadling's Daily Deal

Here are the hottest gear deals for today, Friday March 19th 2010. Remember, these deals are often valid for just one day, so act fast before they are gone.

Today's first deal comes from sellout.woot, where you'll find the Pinnacle Studio Moviebox for $39.99. This box of plugs turns your PC into a video capture suite. Included with the package is the software required for uploading to the Internet, or making DVD's out of your films. Click here for this deal.

Next up is a Belkin laptop/property lock. This $13 kit comes in a handy travel bag, and includes a steel locking cable, padlock and laptop lock. Obviously, this won't make it impossible to steal your laptop, but it sure will make it harder. Click here for this deal.

Today's third deal is for a 150 watt car inverter. This unit turns the 12 volts in your car into 110V, perfect for charging a laptop or other low power device (so, no microwave ovens!). The inverter also features a pass-through power port and a USB port. On sale for $16.97. Click here for this deal.

And finally in today's lineup, $33 will get you a Toshiba laptop starter kit. Despite its branding, these accessories will work on almost any computer. The kit includes a 15.4" laptop bag, laser mouse, USB hub and a USB data transfer cable. On sale for $33 with free shipping. Click here for this deal.

Daily gear deals - $40 video editing kit, $13 laptop lock kit and more originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

He's Baaaaack!

Andrew Evans — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Antarctica, About The Bloggers

Clinging to the time-honored American tradition of grand re-entrances (and like a malevolent phantom lunging at you through your computer screen), I have returned. Didja miss me, huh?

Apologies for the disappearance but over the last few months I have been out touring my conspicuous act and feeding my inner hobo. Maybe you heard about that psychotic man who rode the Bus 2 Antarctica? Yeah [nonchalant hair toss], that was me. Or that intrepid explorer who snapped a picture of the super rare all-black penguin and sold it to all the British tabloids? Yeah, that was me too. And the guy who revolutionized Twitter? Well no, actually, that was Ashton Kutcher . . .

But yeah, I'm back from my epic journey to Antarctica with all kinds of fun facts, like the slowest way between any two points on a map and 101 effective toilet paper substitutes at all-night Peruvian truck stops. Boys and girls, ladies and gents! I have traveled the world and (drum roll) . . . hit all seven continents like a redneck hammering plastic gophers at the county fair. I have come full circle and who did I find waiting for me patiently at the dock, heavily lipsticked and with daisies in hand? Gadling: my dear sweet, doe-eyed darling Gadling.

So, kill the fatted calf and pull up a bean bag chair! Gadling's prodigal son has come back to the fold, poised at my typewriter and ready to bang out nifty travel stories for your ongoing reading pleasure. Beware of good times ahead: it's gonna be just like that book "Oh the Places You'll Go!", only so much trippier.

He's Baaaaack! originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments