Archive for the 'Travel' Category
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Posted by Bloggeries in Travel
Bloggeries is going to now review a personal blog that is called Blogging Away in Sosualand (FANTASYLand). The author of this blog is known as Escott, and you can find his blog at . Blogger Escott is retired from the real estate business in the United States and is currently enjoying his retirement by the beach on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic in Sosua. His blog discusses real estate, investing, culture, adjusting to it, travel, and women. In his spare time during his retirement, he opened a restaurant and bar. The description of his blog is that of “wild times of an American living, investing, and playing a third world country where the electric sometimes works, the women are hot, and there is money to be made!”. You can get to know Escott and the Dominican a little bit better through any of his recent bloggeries: Herbert and my favorite sister in Cabrera, My favorite Sister, Cleaning up my computer, Where the River meets the Ocean, Dominican Style Sunday at the River with the sisters and family, and My New Digs and My New Neighbors.
You will find navigation on Escott’s blog very simple. Bloggeries are right marginalized with posts being blue text on a gray background on one of the blogspot themes. There is a left navigation system that contains some AdSense, an “Areas of the DR that I Love” menu, archives menu with recent posts containing direct links, and links to other aread that Escott is involved with. Each post also contains a myriad of relevant pictures that add to the element of the personal voice in the blog. The blog is very obviously a personal one, and the blogger connects with his readers by adding pictoral representations of every aspect of his life. The reader also has the opportunity to get to know the blogger well through the diverse topic range included in the blog. I don’t see a categories menu in the blog, and given the wide range of topics it includes, it may benefit from one.
I will go with a 3.3/5 on this blog. The blog scores average marks on just about every count. There is nothing wrong with the blog per se, but a few tweaks here and there may make the difference between an average and a great personal blog. The first suggestion would be that the AdSense at the top of the left navigation system be moved a little farther down as the advertising tends to distract from the meat of the blog. Appearance scores are average and the blog does well in the uniqueness category. Activity could use some work as currently the blogging is not very frequent and right now ranges from every couple of days to a week or two in between postings. I also think the content is well done and offers and excellent personal voice to the blog, but there seems to be an excessive use of exclamation points. Overall however, I think this is a fun personal blog that if nothing else, made me want to take a vacation!
- Chrissie
Posted by Bloggeries in Travel
Today we are going to look at a personal blog that chronicles the life of a Canadian student studying in South Korea. Have a look at Almost Urban: Canadian Student Living in South Korea at where you will not only get to meet Henry Finn, but learn a little bit about South Korean culture as you read his personal blog. Henry Finn is a third-year or junior student from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada who majors in economics and minors in East Asian studies. He is currently on exchange with Soon Chun Hyang University in Asan, South Korea. Henry intends on not just blogging about his experiences, but will be publishing his blog through Blurb to make a book that chronicles his life as an exchange student. Henry’s blog contains a little bit of everything, and you can get a true taste for his experiences from some of the most recent bloggeries: City Hall Hip-Hop/Pop Concert in Seoul Video Collection, McDonald’s McCafe Drinks Menu in Hong Kong, Myanmar Embassy in Seoul, Hotel Reservations Online, TVNGEL Girls on the KTX High Speed Train, Haeundae Beach in Pusan, Night out in Pusan, Short Trip to Daegu, English Paradise Camp Talent Show Finalists, and Car Angel Christian Charity.
You will find navigation on this blog very simple. Posts are left marginalized with black text on white background and links highlighted in a bright blue color. Many of the bloggeries come with relevant pictures appropriate to the post. In the right navigation bar you will find Henry Finn’s profile page, subscription links, an About Page, Recent Posts Menu, and various menus for travel or favorite links. You will also find archives dating back to when Henry first became an exchange student in June 2006, as well as a blidget for one of his companion blogs the Hallyu Technology Blog that contains quality Korean technology news. I did not see a categories menu in this blog, though I do note there are some labels attached to each post.
I will give this blog a 3.4/5 It is a fairly straightforward personal blog, but it could use some readership. I think the niche is interesting enough that it could attract a healthy following which would enhance its chances of publication if it went into a book. The navigation and appearance scores are standard which is typical for a personal journal style blog. The content was well written and would get additional points if the posting was done on a daily basis. Overall I found this to be a very interesting read and think others will as well. I think discovering those little things about other cultures are just fascinating and I know I am not alone in that thought process. I definitely give this blog a thumbs up to anyone that is considering a trip to South Korea.
-Chrissie
Posted by Bloggeries in Travel
It is always fun to have a look at what other towns are doing and how their cultures are as unique as the individuals that contain them. The blog located at is worthy of a look for just this purpose. This blog is called Exit 153 Holdingford Today and is written by one of the town’s councilmen Mike Odden. The blog posts updates and activities, news, events, and happenings in and around the town of Holdingford, MN. A look at any of the recent bloggeries will give you a good feel for the little Holdingford, with the most recent post a greeting from the New Emergency Siren in town. The blogger has attached a sound clip that most resembles this siren, and it adds a unique effect to the blog. Other bloggeries you will find interesting are The New Water Fountain, Holdingford Express Region 8C Champion, New Skateboarding Park, Lioness New Park Project, and the Francis Schroden in the National Leadership Conference of Business Professionals of America.
The blog is very easy to navigate and opens up to an unconventional white text on black background which really makes the pictures it offers stand out to the readers. Posts are left marginalized with a right navigation bar. In the right navigation bar you will find the Profile page, archives menu with recent posts available by links, blogroll, AdSense, and a categories menu. If there is something specific you are looking for in regards to Holdingford, you may find it in any of the comprehensive categories offered here: Business, City Project, Education, Event, Fireman, HIP, History, Petals to Pedals Garden Club, and so much more. You will also find that each bloggerie contains relevant pictures attached that add dimension to the blog as well as to the town it features.
I will give this blog a 2.5/5 overall and think with a few tweaks it could really make a presence for its town. The blog does well with appearance and uniqueness scores even given its choice of backgrounds. Sometimes the black background does not work in blogs but here I think it allows for the pictures to stand out and give meaning to the blog. I think if the blogger added the siren to the header, or somewhere as a main facet of the blog instead of simply in one post that it would be a unique addition to the blog. This is just a fun suggestion to add some depth to the blog, and the lack of the siren’s placement on a main section of the blog does not hinder the overall mark in any way. I think this blog loses most of its marks through content, and only because the blog only covers about 1/3 of each month at this point. I think the blogger could add a fun weekly headline, or perhaps a funny citizen story weekly, or even engage the town to submit their own headlines to add content to this blog. For appearance I would also suggest the blogger move the AdSense at the top of the right navigation bar to further down so that the blog ‘meat’ is the first thing the reader views as opposed to advertising. I do like however how effectively the AdSense has been formatted to blend with the background. Overall, I found this to be an interesting read, and I think if promoted well within the town, the blog could sustain a fun and engaged readership.
-Chrissie
Posted by Bloggeries in Travel
If you are looking for a one-stop shop for all of your travel needs, then you should check out the Group Travel Blog. This blog will connect you directly with group friendly travel companies and provides information about singles group travel, travel tour groups, corporate travel planning, tourism destination marketing, travel planning business, small group adventure travel and so much more. If you think travel might be on your horizon this year, check out any of their recent bloggeries to see if this blog piques your interest: Festival of the West Welcomes Tour Groups, 2008 Carnival Parade – A New Concept for Quebec, Philadelphia Announces Strong Summer Results, Northstar – At Tahoe Resort: New and Noteworthy for 07/08, Peru tourism regains footing after earthquake hits Ica, Redwood Parks Lodge Co. Launches Adventure Tours, Dot Travel or Don’t Dot Travel? The Debate over .travel domain, Group travel to Cleveland – Don’t Miss the Arts and Culture Scene, and Holland America Line Adds Group Cruise Booking Tool.
Navigation on this blog is very straightforward and you will find your way moving through it with ease. Posts are left marginalized with a very standard black text on white background. The blog has an airplane logo as its header and the remainder of the blog is set in primary color accents. One thing I noticed right off the bat with this blog is the well blended AdSense, you barely notice it is there and the ads look like part of the blog, well done! In the right navigation bar you will find subscription information, ads, members login, archive section that you can view by date or by category with links provided, a blog calendar, and a hit counter with over 700 K hits. The right system also includes a handy categories menu with clever icons to represent each category: Cruise Veiws, How do I?, Industry News, International dateline, Just Back From, Marchey Marketing Minute, My Turn, US Bulletin, Link Partners, and What’s Your Niche. What I don’t see in the blog is an about page which might give the blog a little more personal voice and less of a business one, however I don’t think it’s hurting the blog by not having one. I do think a Recent Posts menu would be helpful to the readers in terms of navigation however.
Overall I will give this blog a 3.4/5. The blog scores well on most accounts with activity probably and visual stimulus needing the most attention. Posts are currently fairly regular but at times sporadic. The content itself is interesting and informative, easy to read and user friendly. I also think the simplicity of the blog design works in its favor and gives the blog an overall sense of professionalism which is what I think the bloggers are going for. Navigation is extremely easy in this blog as well, and for those that are seeking travel information through a blog, this blog offers an excellent place to do so.
-Chrissie
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