Category Archives: Travel Hacking

Guides, Techniques, and Tools to successfully travel happy.

Meeting My Match – Adventure Capital Of The World – New Zealand

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We all know, I am not good with words, so I am pleased to present, “Alive-New Zealand”.
I have met my match along with many incredible people, who call themselves Kiwi’s. Its the combination of the Maori Culture, Kiwi’s, and Adventure, that left me in bed with an overdose of DOPAMINE.

Alive-New Zealand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oFo5u6u5fw

There are so many ways to explore New Zealand. As most of you know, my thing is incorporating as much as I can in a short amount of time. I found it easier in a tighter economy to travel with less days and use the tools of travel hacking to see the world. I flew into Auckland and spent most of my time in Rotorua. Its home to some of the Worlds highest, tallest, and only. I realize that not everyone can afford to do all the things I feature, but its not about how many, just which ones. You have so many adventures to pick from in Rotorua that if you cant travel the South Island, that is fine. Its more important to see something than nothing, right? You can hack this trip in 5 days and incorporate the weekend so you use less vacation days. If you fly Air New Zealand from LAX, you can get a 1 to 1 ratio on the miles with United. There are many other options as well but you will at least earn enough for a one way domestic ticket! Hows that for an incentive?

Learning to Charm a Cobra

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While filming in Morocco, I faced one of my biggest fears in the eyes. Snakes! Here is the clip of my training process with the Berber Tribe. The Cameraman wasnt as lucky as me…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7T5Hs-Qo3A

When your traveling around the world, culture shock will help you deal with your fears. I have been tackling them on each trip and this is yet another example.

Side Note- The recent winner of the Nomads Contest is Maureen Schreyer.(www.so5thavenue.com) Her post and website is a great example of the courage it takes to get up and travel. Stay tuned for details on her trip and stay at Nomads.

5 Free Nights in New Zealand

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Armchair traveler? Retired but not sure where to go? Spring break blues? Only one week of vacation time? NOW IS YOUR CHANCE!

New Zealand-The Adventure Capital of the World and The Chucky Cheese for Adults

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsOoNP3I8pk

New Zealands only Freefall Xtreme at Agroventures in Rotorua
Here is the scoop:
My last post was a random discussion about the term ‘flashpacking’ and how it applies to my recent travels. I had a chance to stay at my FIRST hostel, Nomads in New Zealand. I am told that Nomads, is one of the nicer hostels in the world. After my recent stay, I have no complaints. My normal stay for hotels have been similar to Novotel. My recent trip to New Zealand, introduced me to Nomads where I caught up with Nora Dunn, a hostel guru. This ‘flashpacking’ hostel has a lot to offer and its a chain I am going to highly recommend, if that’s your thing. I always like gifts but only promote things I believe in. That said, here you go…

I was given 3 bed hopper passes and 3 mad cards from Nomads and there wonderful staff. Total value of $447 US DOLLARS. I am giving them away to one winner and your two friends. It allows you to stay at any of the Nomads in New Zealand for a total of 5 days and also gives you around $1000 dollars each in discounted activities. It is for 5 nights each so you will have plenty of time to tell me all about it.
Notes:
-This was my first hostel and any age group can stay here.
-They are located throughout New Zealand, so you can try a couple
-This is ideal for a week long trip. If you only have a week vacation to use, get in the two weekends before and after the week. You can see plenty.
-Your trip must be before MAY 15, 2010 and here is why.
I am going to feature your review (yes, you must submit a review :) ) on my blog and incorporate it in the new nationally syndicated television series “Alive“, based on Adventure Aaron. The show is about living life to the fullest, today, not 6 months from now. Its about taking the short vacation time you may have and using it to the fullest. I uncover the culture of travel hacking and show you how to get unforgettable memories from unconventional travel. Most of the time, making the decision to travel is the hardest part. For me, it has always been about taking one second to make the decision and the rest of your life to make it right. Whatever you decide to do, chances are you will still be fixing it down the road. Plus our season airs in mid May and we want to hear about your trip!

What we are looking for (PRODUCTION AND MYSELF):
NOTHING! JUST TELL US WHY YOU CAN GO, HOW YOU TALKED YOUR FRIENDS INTO DOING THE SAME THING, AND HOW YOU CAN RELATE TO BEING ‘ALIVE’.

Contest Rules:
1-Leave a comment below on why you want to go to New Zealand, who you will be bringing, adventures you want to do, and dates you plan on going.
2-Subscribe to this blog (its free and I donate a dollar to charity!)
3-Once your trip is over, send in a review that I can feature.
4-If you can only go alone, its OK.

Notice that I don’t ask for too many details on where you will be going. I try not to read the guidebooks or research too much before my trips. Similar to a comment I recently heard Rolf Potts make, I think the country needs to be able to take control of the trip. If its too planned, your trip may be on the beaten path. The voting will end April 1st, 2010, so lets see what you got…

Coming To Terms With The ‘Professional Hobo’

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While filming the second episode of the new series “Alive”, my guest was Nora Dunn, aka ‘The Professional Hobo‘
Nora has been traveling the world for the past three years with no fixed address. I recently came across her blog with the help of mentor, Matt Thoren. Along with featuring her in the upcoming episode, ‘Alive-New Zealand’, I decided to get to the bottom of a couple of terms. This travel hacker is a Cinderella Story in the making.
Enter…The Professional Hobo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP1-D84UrY0

Do you have a better term? Can you define it? Up next, the ultimate contest….future post to come.

‘Alive – South Africa’

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I am pleased to announce ‘Alive’. A nationally syndicated show that is based on this blog and your support, set for May of 2010. It is a total of 6 episodes and the first one is South Africa. Here is the rough cut, I am looking for new adventures in New Zealand which will shoot in 2 weeks. Comments welcomed…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O4m4Z7ASCU

Tim Ferriss, My Exclusive Interview

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Sometimes when your in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing, things just fall in place. This my friends, is a true example! I am proud to have proof and hopefully provide you additional motivation with your muse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsSgYwWa8HA



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HarCml1ueUk

Recently, I have been shooting a future nationally syndicated television show called, ‘Alive’. Its based on this blog and specifically about living everyday to the fullest. The first episode, scheduled for this summer, takes place in Capetown. IT JUST SO HAPPENS, that I found Tim in South Africa. What a better way to start off a show, that was originally motivated by my success with Tim’s book, than the actual interview!

Topics-
Part 1
His stay in South Africa
Cage Diving with Great Whites
Life Hacking in Cape Town (Group Taxis is a van that takes multiple locals around)
Speaking ‘African’
Realizing your original muse may lead to a better muse
Long term plan for Tim?

Part 2
Favorite town in Capetown to live
Favorite thing about traveling (My favorite POV from Tim)
‘TIA’
Culture shock?

Here is the raw video, stay tuned for the actual trailer of “Alive” and the airing schedule. Its about 12 minutes long. Comments are always welcomed! ENJOY.

The Airline Miles Gigolo

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You have 6 days to spend $540 dollars in gifts, best part is, you will get
ONE ROUNDTRIP TICKET!!!!!!!
80,000 miles = 1 roundtrip ticket international or 2.5 one way domestic (based on latest US AIR)= $540 dollars (Estimated)
*THIS WILL TAKE 2 HOURS TO DO*
Yes, its true! You have about 8 days to qualify. So if your a last minute shopper and need to buy gifts, this is for you!
Matt Thoren, one of the best researchers I know, sent me a link to the Frugal Travel Guy’s blog and Chris Guillebeau’s blog. The frugal travel blog often is great for those looking to save money and Chris recently posted an ebook based on earning miles with a lot of great information.
I really studied the two and have now become addicted to earning miles. I recently found this promotion and I decided to give it a try.
Cliffnotes-
-Miles are being given out and its a black market few really watch.
-Its a great way to accumulate stuff for free or at least a discount.
-US AIR is offering a current promotion that allows you to accumilate an added bonus amount buy spending money on gifts at affilate stores that offer miles when you buy.
-They will then give you 250 percent of your total based on what you already accumilated.
Heres how to do it:

If you dont have a divend mile account, signup free with US Airways first, then go to the divendend link below www.usairways.com/bigbonus.
During the promotion period (11/23 – 12/30),members will be eligible for a bonus. The bonus gives you miles for every purchase you make. Purchases must be made from one of many of their partners located at the above link. You will earn the divendend miles you normally do, PLUS THE BONUS.

For example if you FIRST buy a Gift Card at Target you will also earn 50% more of the normal divendends you get normally, which is two miles for every dollar. The scale goes up per purchase and by the time you get to your 5th purchase, they give you 250% of your MILES. See the scale below:
Stores shopped at /Bonus earned
1 50%
2 100%
3 150%
4 200%
5 250%
What ever level of bonus that is due to members will be applied to the FIRST 10 transactions You must go to 5 different stores.
THIS IS HOW YOU HACK THIS
Make your final purchases (up to 10) total transactions at TrackItBack.( http://www.trackitback.com/US/ )
and then you have 5 partner transactions. You’ll earn a 250% mileage
bonus ontop of the miles you normally earn from those merchants. HERES THE BEST PART. TRACK IT BACK GIVES 40 miles for every dollar spent!!!
If you spend $499 on the product they offer you will get 20,000 points normally, then an additional 250% of the 20,000 about 50,000 plus the miles on the other four purchase which if you do this right should take you to about 80,000. That’s, enough to earn you an international round-trip ticket.

IF YOU REALLY WANT TO APPLY YOUR STREET SMARTS-
You could essentially buy 4 track it backs for 2,000 which with the bonus will earn you up to 200,000 plus the other four. Then list the track it backs for sale on the web, (ebay or craigslist) Even if you get half your money back, you still get 200,000 plus miles for 1000 bucks.
Things to watch for; Your purchases at the five stores must be qualify purchases so be careful and follow up before you make the 5th purchase at that store. Dont be afraid to by a 5th somewhere else before your get the final one, your allowed up to 10, so essentially you buy a couple of the items on your last one and really rack them up!
You wont be able to use them until March but you will get them.

MY GIFT TO YOU, HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!!