Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. Our paid partner BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/tripology
Puffer fish, take cover! Alun's attempting the freediving world record in Siargao, Philippines, after learning freediving breathing techniques. Eagerly signing up for a Spearfishing for Beginners course run by a handsome Spanish instructor, he quickly realises spearfishing is not only difficult, but also humiliating. "Any fish" doesn't always mean any fish!
Vagabot 3000 is off on another backpacking adventure, this time to Guatemala City. Will it be Adam or Alun who's crowned Hostel Wars champion? The search continues for the worst... I mean 'most authentic' hostel.
Tales of a Trip returns with an inspiring travel story. This time, a young Frenchman who's proactivity and patience has lead him all the way to Bolivia by motorbike!
Prepare for Filipino fun, spearfishing fails, and perhaps a little travel envy.
Support us on Patreon and gain access to the Lost & Found section, as well as more BONUS content: https://www.patreon.com/tripologypodcast
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Thank you, as always, for your continued support. It means the world.
Love is in the air! This week a listener shares her romantic travel story of kissing a stranger on a plane! Making the most of the in-flight entertainment, a travel romance blossoms at 35,000 feet, putting the 'lust' in wanderlust! Has the Mile High Club gained two new members?
Following in Anthony Bourdain's footsteps, Alun dives head first into Filipino food culture, attending a traditional Fiesta in Siargao. The Philippines is world-famous for it's Lechon; does Alun agree that it's the "best pig on planet earth"?
In this week's Tripological Reasoning, Adam recounts his hostel horror story of a backpacking UFC fan shadowboxing at 6am, waking up the entire hostel in the process. The gloves are off!
Send your crazy travel stories to: https://www.tripologypodcast.com/talesofatrip
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Thank you, as always, for your continued support. It means the world.
Pad Thai is Thailand's National dish but is it authentic Thai food? Is the Pad Thai an overrated tourist trap that has its roots elsewhere? We find out the real story behind Thailand's most iconic dish in this week's rather spicy episode! What's a white guy got to do to find some 'authentic' Asian food around here?
We continue the Thailand theme in Tales of a Trip, as we hear from a listener who's been backpacking Southeast Asia. On their trip through Thailand, they had a travel epiphany whilst wrestling with a scooter. This one's not for beginners!
Adam also shares the story of his nail-biting flight into Queenstown. Adam's a nervous flyer at the best of times... This amount of turbulence will have you out of your seat, literally!
Tune in for Thai food culture, backpacking tips and travel stories!
What's your favourite Thai food? Submit your travel stories to: https://www.tripologypodcast.com/talesofatrip
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Thank you, as always, for your continued support. It means the world.
In this episode of Tripology: Travel Podcast, the stakes are higher than ever before, as Alun puts it all on the line in the most nerve-wracking edition of Tripping Point yet. If he fails, he'll quit travelling! Will Alun be crowned travel quiz champion or will he be on the next flight home?
We discuss how to stay fit whilst backpacking, and share how we build exercise into our travel plans. We also hear a heartfelt message from a listener in this week's Tales of a Trip, proving that travel gives you the time and space to gain new perspectives.
Tune in for travel trivia, backpacking tips, and stories from the road... This episode is not to be missed!
How many Tripping Point questions did you answer correctly? Submit your travel stories to: https://www.tripologypodcast.com/talesofatrip
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Thank you, as always, for your continued support. It means the world.
Is social media ruining travel? We explore whether overexposure to travel destinations is setting us up for disappointment, ensuring our travel expectations cannot be met.
In this episode of Tripology Podcast, we unpack how social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and even travel blogs, impact how we experience travel —and how it might be making us less happy on the road.
We discuss the psychology behind the Instagram vs Reality meme and ask: is travel content killing spontaneity?
Hostel Common Room returns with a fantastic email from a listener, one which will resonate with many: does overplanning dull the experience?
Stay tuned for Tales of a Trip, as we hear a story from a listener who stayed with a Monastic community, only to discover she would be cooking mash potato for 500 people in one of France's largest commercial kitchens!
The topics we cover in this episode include:
- "The Golden Age of travel": Pre-2020 vs Backpacking in 2025
- How hostels & backpackers have changed
- The rise of the Digital Nomad and how digital nomads have impacted hostel culture
- Backpacker diets & hostel kitchens
- How expectations govern happiness, sharing some of our biggest backpacking let-downs.
We'd love to hear from you! Submit your own travel story to: https://tripologypodcast.com/talesofatrip
Need travel insurance? We recommend SafetyWing! Click here to get started: https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=26035801&utm_source=26035801&utm_medium=Ambassador
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Thank you, as always, for your continued support. It means the world.
This week we introduce a new segment: Hostel Wars - We present AI Travel Bot 'Vagabot 3000' (definitely not ChatGPT) with two accommodation options in Kotor, Montenegro. In the hope of backpacking Europe, Vagabot 3000 must pick the worst hostel based on genuine hostel reviews, continuing the search for the most 'authentic' experience.
Tales of a Trip takes a romantic but embarrassing turn, as we hear from a Brazilian backpacker who unknowingly let himself go in Indonesia. No amount of diarrhoea would stop this traveler finding true love.
We'd love to hear from you! Submit your own travel story to: https://tripologypodcast.com/talesofatrip
Before Hostel Wars and Tales of a Trip, we discuss:
- Competitive backpacking and travel one-upmanship
- Adam's 7-Eleven friend in Hong Kong
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Thank you, as always, for your continued support. It means the world.
A backpacking trip to India takes a wild turn when friend of the show Will Hatton, aka The Broke Backpacker, finds himself surrounded by 100 monkeys — while tripping on LSD. In this psychedelic travel tale, Will recounts how a peaceful sunset at a Rajasthani fortress spiralled into monkey madness.
This is the first edition of Tales of a Trip: a brand-new segment on Tripology Podcast where fellow travellers and listeners of the show share their greatest travel stories — prepare for wild animal encounters, holiday romances, near-death experiences and once in a lifetime adventures.
Submit your own travel story to: https://tripologypodcast.com/talesofatrip
Before we get to Will's stellar travel story, we speak about:
- Manila and the Philippines: coffee culture & globalisation
- Alun shares the hilarious story of his Workaway experience in Hanoi, Vietnam, which saw him breaking into a building at midnight.
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Please rate the show and help us grow! Recommend the podcast to family & friends (all of them). It makes a HUGE difference! Thank you for your continued support; it means the world.
It's Alun's turn this week, as he relives one of his greatest travel stories! Whilst walking the streets of Johannesburg, South Africa, he was attacked and mugged by a Zimbabwean gang; the gang were armed with knives, machetes, and a rusty screwdriver!
After a year travelling the continent of Africa, and with a flight to New Zealand booked for the very next day, was Alun lucky to escape or did he push his luck too far? Tune in to hear the full story!
We'd love to hear from you! Send in your greatest travel story here: tripologypodcast.com/talesofatrip
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Please rate the show and help us grow! Recommend the podcast to family & friends (all of them). It makes a HUGE difference. Thank you for your continued support. It means the world.
To celebrate a new dawn at Tripology, Adam shares two of his greatest travel stories. Both set in Borneo, on the same action-packed adventure, we hear how he came face to face with an enormous male Orangutan whilst trekking through the Danum Valley rainforest, and the terrifying moment he almost drowned whilst scuba diving in Mabul.
Extreme ends of the travel spectrum but equally spectacular, this episode is not to be missed!
We'd love to hear from you! Send in your greatest travel story here: tripologypodcast.com/talesofatrip
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We hiked through the ancient rice terraces of Banaue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's been dubbed the 8th Wonder of the World. Carved into the mountains of Banaue on the main island of Luzon, Philippines, these 2000 year old rice terraces are well worth the 10 hour night bus north of Manila. As predicted, Adam falls victim to heatstroke, but who's to blame? Was it the midday sun? Was it the questionable hiking gear? Or was it the work of the Engkanto?
Adam also flirts with the idea of changing career, as he tells the story of him being approached by a model scout whilst showering; a meeting that was "unprofessional at best."
We'd love to hear from you! Send us a message using the contact form on our website: tripologypodcast.com
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No trip to the Philippines would be complete without eating the controversial Filipino delicacy, Balut. This popular street food has been trending on social media for some time, due to its shocking appearance and questionable ethics, so we decided to give it a try. Is it good? Is it wrong? Join the debate!
We also discuss the Philippines' other defining features: incredibly slow elevators and the infamous mode of public transport, the Jeepney.
Sign up to Patreon for this week's Lost & Found section, as we continue the food theme. We put Manila's local desserts to the test in what is quite possibly the most underwhelming food experience we've had in Southeast Asia.
We'd love to hear from you! Send us a message using the contact form on our website: tripologypodcast.com
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Please rate the show and help us grow! Recommend the podcast to family & friends (all of them). It makes a HUGE difference. Thank you for your continued support. It means the world.
Join this week's Filipino Pop Quiz, as Adam tests Alun's knowledge of the Philippines! If Alun scores less than 3 out of 5 he'll have to eat a controversial Filipino delicacy!We also discuss the supernatural Filipino spirits: Engkantos. Often associated with the natural world, could they be delivering signs from above in the form of ripe mangoes?We'd love to hear from you! Send us a message using the contact form on our website: tripologypodcast.comNeed travel insurance? We recommend SafetyWing! Click here to get started: https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=26035801&utm_source=26035801&utm_medium=AmbassadorRequire an onward flight? Please use this fantastic flight rental service: https://onwardticket.com/tripologypodcastJoin our Patreon community: patreon.com/tripologypodcastFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/tripologypodcast/
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Please rate the show and help us grow! Recommend the podcast to family & friends (all of them). It makes a HUGE difference. Thank you for your continued support. It means the world.
Yes, you read that right! We're back together again and this time it's in the Philippines! Currently melting in the country's hot and humid capital city, Manila, we discuss Adam's journey from Queenstown.After two flights, via Sydney, Adam describes his series of unfortunate events, including an overweight carry-on bag and the moment he had his phone stolen, only to have it mysteriously return back into his bag.It's exciting times ahead for Tripology! Come join the adventure!We'd love to hear from you! Send us a message using the contact form on our website: https://www.tripologypodcast.comNeed travel insurance? We recommend SafetyWing! Click here to get started: https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=26035801&utm_source=26035801&utm_medium=AmbassadorRequire an onward flight? Please use this fantastic flight rental service: https://onwardticket.com/tripologypodcastJoin our Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/tripologypodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tripologypodcast/
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Please rate the show and help us grow! Recommend the podcast to family & friends (all of them). It makes a HUGE difference. Thank you for your continued support. It means the world.
Alun employs ChatGPT as his local travel guide, as he tests the latest travel hack trend. On his way to the Philippines but with a 12-hour layover in Shanghai, Alun turns to ChatGPT for his layover travel itinerary. Working smart and not hard, we hear Alun’s experience of using AI as a travel companion. Artificial Intelligence has many uses but controlling the weather isn’t one of them!
We'd love to hear from you! Send us a message using the contact form on our website: tripologypodcast.com
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It's a spooky special this week, as Adam relives his trip to the Czech Republic, where he visited the infamous Sedlec Ossuary aka The Church of Bones. Just 80kms east of Prague, in the town of Kutna Hora, Central Bohemia, stands a church like few others. Dating back to the 15th century and decorated with over 40,000 skeletons, this dark and macabre tourist attraction is for those seeking something a little more surreal.
Stay tuned for the second half as we tackle a question from a fellow Tripologist. This week's Hostel Common Room sees us recommending mini adventures to a family looking to backpack together for the very first time!
We'd love to hear from you! Send us a message using the contact form on our website: tripologypodcast.com
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BIG NEWS! Alun's been successful in his application for this fourth and final Working Holiday Visa, and the country he's chosen is Japan! Alun explains the Japan Working Holiday Visa application process and it's all very Japanese; we discuss the Japan WHV requirements, Alun's experience of applying, and the joyous moment he received his passport back with that all important visa!
If you're interested in Japan and would love the opportunity to work there, be sure to tune in!
In the Lost & Found section we discuss travel hacks such as 'skiplagging' (hidden city ticketing), which involves booking a multi-city flight but stopping at the layover destination, resulting in huge savings!
We'd love to hear from you! Send us a message using the contact form on our website: tripologypodcast.com
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New Zealand introduces crazy alcohol laws across the Easter Weekend, making it impossible for some businesses to trade. Adam describes the chaos and confusion of not being able to celebrate Easter Weekend the only way an Englishman knows how. Tune in and let us know if you agree!
In the second half, Adam and Alun open up about the difficulties of finding work as a backpacker on a Working Holiday Visa. If you're looking for advice regarding this topic, please get in touch. We'd love to help!
Send us a message using the contact form on our website: tripologypodcast.com
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All aboard the RRS Discovery! Alun's transported back in time as he's invited onto the legendary ship that set sail in 1901 to explore Antarctica!
The RRS Discovery was the last traditional wooden three-masted ship built in the United Kingdom, and its first mission was the highly successful 'British National Antarctic Expedition', carrying explorers Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton. Now moored in Dundee, Scotland, tourists are welcomed aboard to experience what life would have been like more than 100 years ago. Would Adam & Alun have thrived in such conditions? Have we passed the age of discovery?
The second half promises to wet your appetite as Hostel Common Room returns! We answer a question from a listener regarding food choices whilst travelling. If food & drink is a focus of yours, be sure to tune in!
As always, if you have any questions, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a message using the contact form on our website: tripologypodcast.com
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Big thanks to Discovery Point Dundee: https://www.dundeeheritagetrust.co.uk/attraction/discovery-point/
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Adam's New Zealand adventure continues with stories from the South Island. Whilst cruising around Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, Adam's boat is chased by a wild dolphin having the time of its life!
Adam also hikes through Abel Tasman National Park, where he's forced to speed-run 25kms of beautiful coastline or risk being stranded in the dark.
As always, if you have any questions, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a message using the contact form on our website: tripologypodcast.com
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The 11 Great Walks of New Zealand: Lake Waikaremoana, Tongariro Northern Circuit, Whanganui Journey, Abel Tasman Coast Track, Heaphy Track, Paparoa Track, Routeburn Track, Kepler Track, Milford Track, Hump Ridge Track, Rakiura Track
Abel Tasman National Park: https://www.abeltasman.com/abel-tasman-national-park/
Cleopatra's Pool, Abel Tasman National Park: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/new-zealand/nelson-tasman/cleopatra-s-pool-from-anchorage
Mitre Peak Cruises: https://www.mitrepeak.com/
Don't hold your breath! Adam's road trip around New Zealand was just as adventurous as it was law-abiding. This week he relives an embarrassing interaction with a New Zealand Police Officer, and tells the story of him picking up a French hitchhiker who's all too happy to put his French to the test!
As always, if you have any questions, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a message using the contact form on our website: tripologypodcast.com
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Please rate the show and help us grow! Recommend the podcast to family & friends (all of them). It makes a HUGE difference. Thank you for your continued support. It means the world.
