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Derek Drives That! is part of the new HoliDaze travel video series

My Wildest Adventure Yet!

You’ve no doubt noticed it already. Perhaps you’ve felt that nagging feeling in the back of your head. Maybe you just haven’t been able to sleep as well the last couple weeks. Or shake the belief that something is suddenly missing from your life, despite the fact your daily routine has not altered. That’s My … Read more

What Noise Do Dogs Make Around The World?

“What the hell is that? Is that a dog?! What noise do dogs make here?!?!?” I asked incredulously. Turns out it was. Apparently the dogs in this country make different noises than the traditional “bark bark” I grew up hearing. The more countries I traveled, the more I realized that dogs around the world make … Read more

Best New Travel Blog 2015 - Flirting With The Globe

The Best New Travel Blogs Awards: Jan/Feb 2015

Welcome to the first edition of the 2015 Best New Travel Blog Awards (#BNTBA). This month’s winning travel blogs cover everything Africa, how and where to party like a rockstar around the world, how to balance a job and still travel, and much much more. Take a look! HugeParty Travel HugeParty Travel focuses on the … Read more

How To Market Art To Millenials

Millennials, people born in the 80s and 90s, seem to be most hated generation. They live off of their parents’ fortunes, they’re always on their cell phones, and they can’t keep a job longer than a week. If millennials are as entitled and irresponsible as the media seems to believe they are, then what will … Read more

A rhino silhouted against the magnificent African sunset

Rhino Poaching In South Africa — And How You Can Help #JustOneRhino

Traveling the world for nearly six full years now has taught me a lot. I’ve learned so much about so many different cultures, have a much deeper understanding of all the different religious faiths, have learned to acknowledge that every country has innovation solutions to the same problems so many of us face — and … Read more

Rickshaw on a cliff

Pimping Our Rickshaw And Other Rickshaw Run 2015 Updates

As the rickshaw run draws closer and closer, Ryan and I have begun working on “pimping our rickshaw” with a stylish design and snazzy paint job. Thanks to one loyal supporter, Jessica Shultz — winner of the Name Our Rickshaw contest — we have an amazing team name: दौ रौमानचीक यार which is pronounced Do … Read more

Statue of Liberty, New York

Offbeat NYC: Quirky Things To Do In New York City

New York City consistently ranks in the top ten of destinations for American travelers, and for good reason. With a population of over 16 million people and countless buildings and sights instantly recognizable around the world, NYC is always a “must-see” destination for both US citizens and foreign tourists alike. But few experience the real … Read more

Nudibranch at lunch, Salang, Tioman Island

Breathtaking Underwater Photos From Tioman Island, Malaysia

Over the last decade I’ve traveled to countless exotic destinations famous for their world-renowned scuba diving yet for some strange reason I have never been PADI certified. However all that is about to change next month! Needless to say I am super excited! In a couple weeks I’ll be headed out to Tioman Island, located … Read more

Derek Freal is locked up abroad

Life In An Immigration Detention Center

Recently I happened to find myself locked up abroad in Indonesia for 16 days all because of a tweet. (Yes, a tweet…a deleted one at that!) Now let me show you around my cell at the immigration detention center, my new (and hopefully temporary) home.   This post was written while I was locked up … Read more

The Rickshaw Run 2015

An Extreme 3-Wheeled 3,000km Rickshaw Race Across India

What is the only thing more insane than the roads of India? A 3,000 kilometre (1,900 mile) two week long race across the country on three wheels! Of course rather than competing against locals, this race is aimed at foreigners. That’s right, foreigners who may have an international drivers license but have absolutely no idea … Read more

The HoliDaze Ultimate Trincomalee, Sri Lanka Travel Guide

Best Things To See And Do In Trincomalee, Sri Lanka

Swimming with Blacktip Reef sharks. Learning how to cook crab curry. Drinking toddy fresh from the palm tree. Pristine beaches and beautiful temples and friendly people. Yes, these are just some of the things to see and do in Trincomalee, one of my favorite cities in all of Sri Lanka. Located in the northeast corner … Read more