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 message using the contact form on our website: tripologypodcast.com

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Packing list below - These are not affiliate links and we get absolutely nothing for recommending these products, apart from the satisfaction of promoting quality products we believe in. We aim to help you streamline your pack, become more efficient and better organised.

Osprey Farpoint 40L Backpack: https://www.osprey.com/farpoint-40-travel-pack-farpont40f22-296?srsltid=AfmBOooHdWeiYOUkb19RW9hzwQQ0ROs6oW2def7MVPmn7kuMzLerHjsJ&size=O%2FS&color=Muted+Space+Blue
Eagle Creek Packing Cubes: https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Creek-Pack-Specter-Brilliant/dp/B00OY893Z2
Osprey Travel Kit: https://www.snowleader.co.uk/en/ultralight-zip-organizer-black-OSPR01551.html
Ultralight Travel Towel: https://www.matadorequipment.com/collections/travel-towels/products/ultralight-travel-towel-large
Osprey Daypack: https://www.osprey.com/ultralight-stuff-pack-ulstuffdays23-264?irclickid=VyqXR2XS2xyKUDd3lly9P0VQUks2tcW4NTkfSs0&utm_source=impact&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=1259410&utm_content=1765694&irgwc=1#color=Limon%2520Green

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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 vulnerable, in the second half of the episode the boys discuss Adam’s recent breakup. Travelling evokes many emotions and when a serious relationship enters the fold, there’s the potential for those feelings to be amplified. Is travelling an effective way of dealing with a breakup? Tune in to hear our thoughts and experiences, in an episode that’s naked in more ways than one.

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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 sides.

Adam also shares highlights of his first week in South Korea, including spending the night in Incheon airport, and eating live octopus! Over in the Patreon section, we hear how buying a bagel turned into the "least enjoyable shopping experience" of his life!

Inspired to sleep in an airport? Check this website beforehand: https://www.sleepinginairports.net/

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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 week to join our Patreon community, it's this one! Cultures collide, as Alun attempts to peel a pistachio with chopsticks!

If you have any travel questions or even if you'd just like to say hello, please contact us using the snazzy form on our website: ⁠⁠⁠tripologypodcast.com⁠⁠

City Walkers (Milan): https://www.citywalkers.eu/en/tours/milan-freetour-english/

A dangerous neighbourhood in Athens: Omonia Square, and for good measure, Milan's neighbourhoods to be wary of: Stazione Centrale, Corvetto, Quarto Oggiaro, San Siro and Rogoredo.

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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 claustrophobia instead!

Alun's last stop was the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, including the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Alun recounts spending a full day meandering through the streets, marvelling at the well preserved city ruins.

Tune in for ancient mystery and wonder, in an episide that asks more questions than it answers. What was Göbekli Tepe used for? Did the Christians dig the tunnels of Derinkuyu? And just when was ancient Greece?!

If you have any travel questions about Turkey and its ancient civilisations, please contact us using the snazzy form on our website: ⁠⁠⁠tripologypodcast.com⁠⁠

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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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Check out a recent review by Playpodcast.net: https://www.playpodcast.net/podcast/tripology-podcast-travel-backpacking-digital-nomadism-expat-life/

Take a look at 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.

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 tripologypodcast@gmail.com

Looking for travel insurance? We recommend SafetyWing! Click here to get started: ⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/tripsafetywing⁠⁠Need an onward flight?

Please use this fantastic flight rental service: ⁠⁠https://onwardticket.com/tripologypodcast⁠⁠

Check out a recent review by Playpodcast.net: https://www.playpodcast.net/podcast/tripology-podcast-travel-backpacking-digital-nomadism-expat-life/

Take a look at 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.

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 'around the island' in Chinese, is a legendary cycle route around Taiwan, and should be at the top of your list if you enjoy travelling by bicycle; although, many people also walk the route! If you have any questions about cycling in Taiwan, please send us a message at tripologypodcast@gmail.com

Looking for travel insurance? We recommend SafetyWing! Click here to get started: ⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/tripsafetywing⁠⁠
Need an onward flight? Please use this fantastic flight rental service: ⁠⁠https://onwardticket.com/tripologypodcast⁠⁠

Check out our website: ⁠⁠⁠tripologypodcast.com⁠⁠
Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/tripologypodcast/⁠⁠
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: ⁠⁠youtube.com/@tripologypodcast⁠⁠

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.