By Stephen Bugno Packing light is a refined art—I’ve been trying to perfect it for years. I’m almost there. The good news is the longer my trip , the less stuff I bring. On short […]
What I packed: 3 Months in Southeast Asia Read More »
By Stephen Bugno It was October 2005. I had arrived on foot in Leon, a city in northern Spain situated along the Camino de Santiago. One of the fellow Pilgrims who welcomed me that evening
Why I’m going to Borneo Read More »
Not only is it a good value destination, but Portugal a rich history, good food, and some of the friendliest people I’ve met in Europe Despite the Algarve’s reputation as an over-developed vacation spot for
Portugal: Alentejo and Algarve Beach Towns Read More »
By Stephen Bugno Paul Gauguin was born in Paris and moved to Peru at age three where he lived for four years. In his teens he was a sailor. In his twenties, a stockbroker in
Gauguin was a Travel Snob Read More »
By Stephen Bugno In December of 2010 I came to a critical point. I had been running two travel blogs for over a year and not only was I failing to make money, but I
Travel Blog Success: Improve your Travel Blog Read More »
If you’re a member of couchsurfing.org, you may already know how awesome it is. For those of you who are not, I just want to stress all the amazing experiences I have had because I’m
It’s not about the free couch Read More »
For the Love of Kimchi Sure the pay was decent, and the working conditions acceptable, but I have to admit, food was a major factor in my deciding to get take a short-term teaching contract
Crazy about Kimchi Read More »
Jeonju is a traditional city with a strong culture. It is also one of the best cities in South Korea to see preserved architecture in the form of historical monuments and houses. I took a
Photo from the Road: Jeonju Architecture Read More »
By Stephen Bugno Far outside the suburbs of Gwangju, in southwestern Korea, is the May 18th National Cemetery. Visiting is a moving experience—sad, beautiful, inspirational. In May of 1980 demonstrators of the democratic uprising were
The Independent Spirit of Gwangju Read More »
South Korea’s Jeju Island is known for having some of the best examples of lava tubes anywhere in the world. On nearly my last day in Jeju, after teaching English at a winter camp for
Photo from the Road: Jeju’s Lava Tubes Read More »
By Stephen Bugno “Don’t worry about Halla-san.” Says Jonghyun, referring to the massive volcano that dominates the center of the Jeju Island off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula. “Instead focus on the 368
By Stephen Bugno As my South Korea Moon Handbook points out, Halla-San, or Halla Mountain, is the island of Jeju-do. It is South Korea’s highest peak and rises tall out of the center of the
Climbing Halla-san Read More »
On the morning of the Korean Lunar New Year, Eun Taek picks me up in his white Hyundai SUV. His parents are sitting in the back seat and we are on the way to his
My Korean Lunar New Year Read More »
By Stephen Bugno Korea’s Jeju Island is known for what it has and for what it lacks. It is called Samdado, meaning “Island of Three Abundances” due to its strong wind, sufficient supply of rocks,
No Beggars, No Thieves Read More »
Buckchon-ri, Jeju Island, South Korea I wanted to give everyone an idea of what a small village is like on Jeju Island. This is where the English Camp I’m working at is located. Everyday at
Photos from a Korean Village Read More »
What I actually found when I arrived The representatives from camp never came to the Jeju airport to pick me up. In the waiting room of the small airport, I sat for an hour
English Camp in Korea: What it’s like Read More »
The Citrus Farms of Jeju Island The tangerine was introduced to Jeju Island of Korea during the Japanese occupation and grows well, together with native Jeju citrus fruit varieties and hybrids, in the rich volcanic
Photo from the Road: Citrus Farms of Jeju Island Read More »
Work and travel as a lifestyle A former coworker of mine and up-and-coming musician recently asked me how I do it. How did I work the same hours at a slightly-more-than-minimum-wage job at a Virginia
2010 in Review: How I traveled for half the year Read More »
January is almost here and that means winter holidays for Korean school kids. That means English teaching jobs for native English speakers! And what are supposed to be holidays from school are actually intensive English
Why I’m going to South Korea Read More »
Don Elias’ nephew, Jose, looks to be about twenty. He’s short. He has curly black hair and wears a cutoff tee-shirt, worn jeans, and black rubber boots. A woven basket is strapped around his waist—a
Sipping Coffee at the Source: La Zona Cafetera, Colombia Read More »
Salento is not the type of place where you’re going to be the only Gringo in town. Don’t try and fool yourself, it is a touristy place. But it’s popular for a reason. And even
Salento, Colombia: The Quintessential Backpacker Village Read More »
Botero back by Popular demand This second round of Botero on Bohemian Traveler (see the first round of Botero sculptures) features his works, mostly paintings, which are located inside the Museo de Antioquia in Medellin.
Botero in the Museo de Antioquia in Medellin Read More »
By Stephen Bugno My love of Colombian colonial towns continues. After Barichara and Guane, I took the bus to Villa de Leiva (also spelled Leyva). Villa de Leiva is beautiful and there aren’t many who would contest
Colombian Colonial Towns: Villa de Leiva Read More »
Barichara has been called the most beautiful town in Colombia, and it’s really hard to argue that claim. It is gorgeous. Beautiful wide flat stone streets afford views of farms and ranches on the
Colombian Colonial Towns: Barichara and Guane Read More »