TRIPOLOGY Podcast: Travel, Backpacking, Digital Nomadism & Expat Life

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...

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...

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...

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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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

Need travel insurance? We recommend SafetyWing! Click here to get started: ⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/tripsafetywing⁠⁠⁠
Require an onward...

Have you ever played ‘What Are The Odds?’ It’s a game both loved and feared by backpackers the world over. When taken seriously, it can result in some embarrassing but hilarious stories! Tune in to hear Alun’s moment of genius whilst playing the game in an Italian restaurant in Brazil. Challenge accepted!

Alun’s broadcasting from the UK, having returned for a quick family visit, before setting off on yet another adventure. Adam’s back in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, after driving his beloved rental car all the way from Queenstown: 1600kms, 48 hours, one ferry, and...

Kia Ora! Adam’s in Queenstown after making the big move to New Zealand. He’s currently road tripping around the country, visiting both the North and South Islands, in search of somewhere to base himself. Issues with a rental vehicle see Adam receive a double upgrade, resulting in him travelling in more luxury than he’s used to.

Tripping Point’s back with a New Zealand special. Alun may have an impressive record but how much does he know about New Zealand? You’ll find no kiwis but plenty of Fergburgers!

As always, if you have an...

It's party time! Alun's been dancing the days away at Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Expect bright colours and elaborate outfits, street parades, all the caipirinhas, and lots of dancing (and kissing).

Alun shares information and advice about Carnival. He also recounts the story of him getting completely lost, with no phone, no money, and no sun cream. Was he able to charm his way out? Tune in to hear what goes on at the biggest party on earth!

As always, if you have any questions, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a...

Adam's love affair with bath houses continues as he visits the city of Budapest, Hungary's vibrant capital. Unfortunately, whilst at the renowned Széchenyi thermal baths, he loses his cherished silver necklace and pendant, both of which were gifts from his Grandmothers.

Hoping for the best and preparing for the worst, the search begins to recover his family treasure. Tune in to an episode of mixed emotions!

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

Lo...

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It's turtlenecks and heads this week, as Alun gets caught short in the Brazilian rainforest! After feeling a 'rumble in the jungle', he makes a snap decision that leaves him 'at one with nature'. Even the most experienced traveller would never guess this plot twist!

Alun also imparts his travel wisdom, after almost making his biggest travel mistake to date. Backpacking through Brazil and arriving at a major crossroads, he leans on the advice of some friends and is rewarded by the universe.<...

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It's party time! Alun's suited and booted in Brazil, fresh from the wedding of his best mate and friend of the show, Wagner. Making the journey all the way from Scotland to São Paulo, and then onto Santos for the wedding, this is one celebration Alun wouldn't miss for the world.

Adam & Alun also discuss every frequent flyer's worst enemy: the carry-on cage of doom. If only our backpacks squeezed into the cage as neatly as Alun squeezed into his suit...

Her...

Adam's East Asia trip reaches its grand finale with an incredible 650km cycle ride around the Seto Inland Sea, including Japan's most famous cycle route: the Shimanami Kaido. Highlights include the historically important city of Hiroshima, eating the world's best beef in Kobe, and a drunken night in Marugame involving a lot of free wine and whisky!

It's not all fun and games, especially when it comes to immigration. In the second half of the episode, Adam describes a layover in Beijing to remember. When entering China, sometimes following all the rules isn't enough.

As...

This week's special guest is Alun's loyal backpack 'Lucky'. Alun's heading to Brazil for a friend's wedding and, as 'Lucky' would have it, his departure coincides with us receiving an email from a listener enquiring about the contents of our backpacks.

We take the opportunity to rummage through Alun's backpack in fine detail, discussing which packs we use and why, the essential items we can't live without, and share our advice on which products we think you should consider.

As always, if you have any questions, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a...

Adam reveals all, as his South Korean adventure continues but with far less clothes than before! The South Korean capital Seoul has many public baths (known as a 'Jjimjilbang' in Korean) which include traditional saunas, steam rooms, heated pools, restaurants, and even amusement arcades. Public Baths form part of East Asian culture and visiting one is a popular pastime. Adam describes visiting the bath houses of Seoul and encourages you to do the same, whether you need some alone time to relax or if you want to ‘hang out’ with friends.

Remaining bare and vuln...

It's a little tense this week, as Adam describes life on the North Korean border. Popular as a tourist attraction, visiting the DMZ isn't as dangerous as it may sound, unless you have someone in your tour group who insists on taking photographs!

The Korean Demilitarized Zone is a heavily militarized area that runs between North and South Korea, dividing the peninsula in half. Established in 1953 as a result of the Korean Armistice agreement, the DMZ stretches 250 kilometres and is around 4 kilometres wide. The situation has flared up many times, with civilian and military casualties on both s...

Alun made it home for Christmas but not before squeezing Greece & Italy into his already packed itinerary! Tune in to hear all about his escapades in the ancient city of Athens, and the chic fashion mecca Milan. The trip might not have made sense but at least it was expensive.

Highlights include the charming ancient ruins of Athens, a brilliant free walking tour of Milan, almost seeing Jesus Christ's death cloth, and trying to eat as much pizza as possible without arousing a dear friend's nut allergy!

Speaking of nuts, if ever there was a...

Reunited, once again, for an episode filled with ancient mysteries! Alun's in his element, reliving his travels in Turkey, in particular the neolithic archaeological site of Göbekli Tepe. Created between 9600 and 8200 BCE, along with neighbouring Karahan Tepe, Göbekli Tepe is one of the oldest permanent human settlements ever discovered, resulting in the megalithic structures being dubbed the "world's first temple".

Alun also explored the underground city of Derinkuyu, in the region of Cappadocia. This ancient multi-level labyrinth of tunnels and chambers once housed 20,000 people! Forget the hot air balloon rides and the acrophobia; suffer from cl...

Alun relives his two months spent in the increasingly popular Georgia. After visiting Sesikeli Winery and getting drunk the ancient way, he describes the staggering 8000 year-old winemaking techniques and gives Adam a run for his money!

Alun also explored the town of Gori, located in central Georgia. Infamous for being the birthplace of the locally celebrated Joseph Stalin, the experience was as strange as it was uncomfortable. Add Gori to your Dark Tourism bucket list!

If you have any travel questions about Georgia, please send us an email at tripologypodcast@gmail.com

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The last episode of 2024 rounds off Adam's cycling trip around Taiwan. Having cycled 1000kms over 3 weeks, Adam explains the challenges of bikepacking and shares his travel advice for anyone interested in travelling Taiwan.

Rice For Breakfast returns with the most delicious edition yet! Adam claims he's found the world's best street snack. How can one island produce such a diverse range of incredible food? If you consider yourself a foodie, this one's not to be missed!

If you have any questions or if you'd just like to say hello, please send us an email at...

Adam's fulfilled his boyhood dream of bike-packing in Asia but, true to form, he's bitten off more than he can chew. 'Fresh' from hospital, Adam shares stories of his cycling trip around Taiwan, including a spectacular crash, followed by an intimate moment with a car mechanic.

Tripping Point returns with a Taiwanese edition and the stakes are higher than ever. If Alun scores 4/5, Adam's agreed to fly to Scotland to be with him at Christmas. One thing's for certain: a sponsorship deal from the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is out the window.

The Huandao, meaning...

It’s Alun’s turn this week and he’s travelling Armenia! Part of the Caucasus region and wedged between Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Iran, this alternative tourist destination is steeped in history. Using the capital Yerevan as a base, he’s conceded that joining a tour group is sometimes the best option.

Stay tuned for the second half, as Alun describes the worst hostel guest he’s ever encountered! How can one solo traveller cause so much chaos?

Send us a message if you’d like information on backpacking...

Ethics go out the window this week, as Adam's not only riding camels but he's doing it without underwear! Continuing his road trip around Rajasthan, Adam arrives in the 'Golden City' of Jaisalmer, where he embarked on a camel safari that both he and the camel will never forget.

We also hear of a treacherous journey involving some of the rudest hotel staff Adam's ever encountered. Stranded at midnight, in the middle of nowhere, and with the staff refusing to help, Adam had to think fast.

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Visiting historic forts, temples and palaces, as one tends to do in Rajasthan, can get a bit 'samey'... so why not head out into the desert and attend an opium ceremony?

The Bishnoi community of northern India, known for their love and respect for nature and wildlife, practice a ceremony involving the consumption of opium. Adam describes meeting the Bishnoi people as part of a rather interactive tour.

Need travel insurance? We recommend SafetyWing! Click here to get started: https://tinyurl.com/tripsafetywing

If you're interested in experiencing life in...

Alun's been travelling for 12 months and was in need of a travel reset, so decided to rent an apartment in the trendy city of Tbilisi, Georgia.

Routine and relaxation turned into chaos when Alun's Airbnb flooded during the night. High pressure jets of water spraying all over the house at 3am? Just the authentic Georgian experience he was hoping for!

We'd love to hear from you! Send us an email at tripologypodcast@gmail.com

Check out our website: ⁠tripologypodcast.com
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Historical forts and palaces but the world's most advanced food-delivery service? Rajasthan, The Land of Kings, once consisted of more than 20 states and boasts a rich, colourful history. Where better to begin a road trip around India's largest state than its pink capital, Jaipur?

Living like a King, Adam's racked up large bills on private drivers, tourist attractions, and cow conservation taxes... Yep, you read that right.

...

It's the first episode of a new era, as we part ways and the podcast goes remote, again! The recording was fraught with technical issues and poor wifi connections, hence the creative video work!

Alun's exploring Azerbaijan and discovering firsthand that not every country is backpacker-friendly. Whether it’s the lack of backpacking infrastructure for solo travellers, the limited and expensive transport options, or the encounters with creepy-crawlies, travelling Azerbaijan presents some challenges.

Alun shares the highlight of his trip: visiting Gobustan, where he viewed the famous petroglyphs and rock art; carvings which are an in...

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Prepare to resonate... Inspired by the blunt advice of a drunk man in Lisbon, this episode contains soundbites which might make you reflect.

Adam turns 35 but the celebrations are cut short. Is he too old to travel? Are you too old to travel? We discuss the challenges of backpacking in your 30s. Existential crisis, here we come! We'd love to hear from you! Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tripologypodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out our website: ⁠tripologypodcast.com F...

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The ever-unsuspecting Alun was set upon by a swarm of deadly wasps! Suffering intense pain and completely blacking out, we managed to record this episode just hours after Alun coming round- his commitment to the podcast is unparalleled!

As the road trip around Oman continues, Alun’s concerned his driving isn’t being appreciated. Alun’s Miscellaneous Travel Item returns, involving Adam’s detailed review of Alun’s driving so far. And things get too close for comfort, as we encou...

Nature lovers and coffee addicts! After a few days in Muscat, Oman’s capital city, we hit the road to begin our wild camping road trip. Bucket-lists in hand, we set up camp at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve. Watching the endangered green turtles make their nests and lay their eggs was a National Geographic documentary brought to life!

Is budget travel possible in Oman? We share our travel tips and advice. One thing we do know is recording a podcast in the back of a car comes with its challenges and the Middle Eastern heat is on...

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We ended our Pakistan adventure in one of Asia’s great food cities: Lahore. Welcomed by a flash flood that turned the streets into rivers, we swam upstream to taste the city’s delights. Have you ever eaten so much food you’ve vomited? No? Just Adam, then.

We also attended the Attari-Wagah border ceremony, performed by the Indian and Pakistani security forces. Imagine extraordinarily tall men, in uniform, kicking their legs to patriotic music. But which country’s army ca...

An 8-hour drive quickly turned into 18 on this rollercoaster of a hitchhiking journey! Travelling from Fairy Meadows in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, all the way to Islamabad, we were lucky to be picked up by an enormous truck. No amount of road blocks, traffic police, or exploding tires could stop us!

Hostel Common Room is back with some very useful travel advice. How can you earn money and further your career whilst travelling? Tune in to find out!

Do you have travel stories to share? Send your messages to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tripologypodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Dangerous jeep rides, night trekking, and perhaps the shortest shorts in Pakistan! Fairy Meadows is a popular tourist destination for travellers in Pakistan but is it worth the hype?

Hitchhiking through the Hunza Valley, all the way to Fairy Meadows, we were excited to discover what all the fuss was about. What we discovered was a nonsensical transport system and a distinct lack of unicorns!

Let us know what you think of the show! Send your messages to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tripologypodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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We’re in high spirits this week, at 4300m! We hiked to Patundas Meadows and lived to tell the tale… just! Jaw-dropping scenery and a few near-death experiences ensured this was a trek we’ll never forget.

Touted as Pakistan’s most beautiful hike, this stunning route crosses the unpredictable Passu glacier, before ascending to the serene and expansive Patundas Meadows. It’s a real challenge reaching the summit but neither altitude sickness nor the local wildlife could stop us!

Let us know what you think of the show! Send your messages to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tripologypodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chec...

Adventurous, risky, and a little bit stupid; we tried crossing a glacier with no guide and no daylight. Tune in to find out what happens if you descend onto a moving glacier with nothing but a rough idea! Pakistan contains significant amounts of glacial ice and some of the world’s most beautiful glaciers, and hiking these glaciers is a highlight of any trip to Pakistan.

The stakes are high as we also test Alun on his wildlife knowledge, in the return of everyone's favourite travel quiz: Tripping Point. Play along, with a can of bear spray at...

You get what you pay for! This week, we jumped aboard the NATCO bus service travelling from Mastuj to Gilgit, via the Shandur Pass and the world's highest polo ground. Breakdowns, landslides, and multiple flat tires ensured we arrived 8 hours later than scheduled.

Continuing the theme, we checked ourselves into what is almost certainly the worst hotel in Pakistan. Like a pair of Backpacking Bargain Hunters, the electricity shortages, insects, and strong smell of smoke couldn't prevent us snagging a deal!

How cheap are you? Send your messages to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tripologypodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This week we received hospitality and kindness like never before! Taken in by a Pakistani local, treated like family and sent on our way, Pakistani people really are special.

However, the Pakistan Police Force showing a keen interest in a foreigner's whereabouts is also to be expected when travelling Pakistan, even if that means deploying armed officers to sleep in the room next door!

Have you experienced security like this whilst travelling? Send a message to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tripologypodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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After a brief tea break where we almost converted to Islam, we made our way to Kalash Valley, to stay with the indigenous Kalash people: an ancient tribe residing in the area for thousands of years. Kalash Valley is both beautiful and peaceful, and if you stay there long enough, you may just get invited to a wedding!

The Kalash people are considered unique among the people of Pakistan; with a population of around 4000, they traditionally practice a form of ancient Hinduism. The women are known for wearing incredibly bright and decorative handmade garments, which you may...

Surreal and excessive! This week we were escorted to the Pakistan/Afghanistan border by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police. Leaving Islamabad and heading west, we spent 3 days in Peshawar: a great city just 50kms from the Afghanistan border.

We tried our best to blend in and move around with some degree of freedom; however, we were informed by our hotel staff that armed security was essential. Travelling in a convoy towards the Khyber Pass and accompanied by a team of heavily armed policemen, we arrived at Jamrud Fort- built in 1836 by Hari Singh Nalwa, Commander-in-chief of the Sikh...

It's farewell to India and hello to Pakistan! After an exceptional 6 months travelling India, we reflect on our time there, discuss what we've learnt, and get all excited about landing in Islamabad: Pakistan's modern capital.

Islamabad is a city that’s really taken us by surprise! Peaceful, calm, and extremely clean, Islamabad is a breath of fresh air; the city’s a great starting point for a tour around Pakistan.

We also play a game of Tripological Reasoning and bus rides are the theme. Make sure you've eaten your breakfast before listening!

Have you tr...

Alun’s quest to see wild tigers continues as we head to Sundarbans mangrove forest in the Bay of Bengal. Rickshaws, taxis, trains and many boats took us to the largest mangrove forest on planet earth. Wildlife enthusiasts travel from all over the world to spot tigers here. Did we get lucky? Tune in to find out!

The Sundarbans, located in the south-west of Bangladesh and eastern India, is the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the world; 60% of the property lies in Bangladesh and 40% in India. The site supports exceptional biodiversity in its terrestrial, aquatic and marine ha...