travel
The Thoughtful Travel Podcast with Amanda Kendle is a show for travel lovers. Each episode is packed with travel stories from fellow travel addicts on topics like using foreign languages, meeting the locals, getting lost and what we learn from our travels.
Amanda Kendall describes her stay in a capsule hotel in Tokyo as a budget-friendly and surprisingly comfortable option. She notes that while the capsules can feel a bit claustrophobic, the overall experience was cozy, with the main drawback being a 'no talking' rule due to the close proximity of the sleeping pods.
Tim Gaysler recounts an unusual accommodation experience in Nicaragua where, due to a full hotel, he slept in a hammock strung under the bus he was traveling on. He describes the experience as 'so cool' despite a torrential downpour throughout the night.
Tim Gaysler describes a surf trip in Costa Rica where he and a friend slept in their board bags due to heavy rain. They attempted to build a temporary hut from palm fronds, which proved ineffective, and were bothered by crabs crawling into their bags at night.
Amanda Kendall recounts sleeping on plastic benches at a closed McDonald's in Vienna's airport after a flight delay made it impossible to catch the last transport back to Bratislava. While surprisingly comfortable at the time, she notes that she would opt for actual accommodation if faced with a similar situation today.
James Ward describes the challenging access to a lodge in Chilean Patagonia, where directions were unclear, involving driving on a beach and up a cliff. He highlights issues with the lodge's generator and heating, and a faulty shower regulator, but praises the exceptional food and the lodge's remote, experiential luxury.
James Ward details his experience in Zambian bush camps where tents are made of mesh netting, allowing for very close wildlife encounters. He describes a bull elephant sniffing around his tent and bathroom area, highlighting the 'experiential luxury' of being so close to untamed nature.
Russell True explains that a 'dude ranch' is essentially a ranch that hosts guests, varying greatly in style and architecture from log cabins to adobe structures. He highlights that these ranches often include glamping options and many are historic, having hosted notable figures like presidents and the Rockefeller family, serving as early destination vacations in the American West.