julia dimon for metro toronto
Columnist Julia Dimon writes up her travelling experiences while on the road.
I used to think blogging was reserved for lonely housewives and computer geeks living in their parents’ basements. Guess I was wrong. Turns out that blogging has not only gone mainstream, but that it offers lots of upside for us dedicated travellers.
A travel blog — i.e., an online, interactive trip diary — can help you document those hard-to-remember vacation details. It’s also a way to share photos, swap advice with other travellers and keep the folks up-to-date on your travel plans, without having to write lengthy e-mails to a giant distribution list of folks back at home. Best part is, updating your blog can be done from anywhere in the world, as long as there’s a computer and a decent Internet connection.
There are tons of sites where you can sign up, post and upload your travel stuff for free. They include www.travelblog.org, www.travelblog.com, www.travelpod.com, and www.travelblogger.net.
Some accounts allow you to track your travels on a world map, while others allow for unlimited uploading of photos and videos.
When it comes time to write your on-line travelogue, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- When you’re on the road, updating your blog can feel a bit overwhelming. Like writing in your journal, blogging can breed procrastination and it’s easy to fall behind. Strive to write and update your blog weekly; it’s less pressure than a daily blog.
- Pictures say a thousand words, so snap and upload more of your photos. Keep in mind that some parts of the world have painfully slow Internet access, so successful uploads may require a lot of patience and a few tequila shots.
- You don’t have to talk about every moment of your trip. Just set the scene, describe the moment and tell a story. What did you see, feel, smell, think? It’s all about the details. Take readers on the trip with you.
- You may want to include tips, advice, dos and don’ts for fellow travellers who’ve stumbled on your blog and want to learn from your experiences.
- As much as it is your diary, your uncensored tales of travel debauchery may be viewed by anyone: potential employers, business associates or grandmothers. Best to keep it clean.
Julia Dimon is editor of The Travel Junkie, an on-line magazine for the young and restless traveller. She can be reached at www.thetraveljunkie.ca.
