Tripology: Travel Podcast

Is social media ruining travel? We explore whether overexposure to travel destinations is setting us up for disappointment, ensuring our travel expectations cannot be met. In this episode of Tripology Podcast, we unpack how social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and even travel blogs, impact how we experience travel —and how it might be making us less happy on the road. We disc...

This week we introduce a new segment: Hostel Wars - We present AI Travel Bot 'Vagabot 3000' (definitely not ChatGPT) with two accommodation options in Kotor, Montenegro. In the hope of backpacking Europe, Vagabot 3000 must pick the worst hostel based on genuine hostel reviews, continuing the search for the most 'authentic' experience. Tales of a Trip takes a romantic but embarrassi...

A backpacking trip to India takes a wild turn when friend of the show Will Hatton, aka The Broke Backpacker, finds himself surrounded by 100 monkeys — while tripping on LSD. In this psychedelic travel tale, Will recounts how a peaceful sunset at a Rajasthani fortress spiralled into monkey madness. This is the first edition of Tales of a Trip: a brand-new segment on Tripology Podcast where fellow t...

It's Alun's turn this week, as he relives one of his greatest travel stories! Whilst walking the streets of Johannesburg, South Africa, he was attacked and mugged by a Zimbabwean gang; the gang were armed with knives, machetes, and a rusty screwdriver! After a year travelling the continent of Africa, and with a flight to New Zealand booked for the very next day, was Alun lucky to escape or...

To celebrate a new dawn at Tripology, Adam shares two of his greatest travel stories. Both set in Borneo, on the same action-packed adventure, we hear how he came face to face with an enormous male Orangutan whilst trekking through the Danum Valley rainforest, and the terrifying moment he almost drowned whilst scuba diving in Mabul. Extreme ends of the travel spectrum but equally spectacular, this...

We hiked through the ancient rice terraces of Banaue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's been dubbed the 8th Wonder of the World. Carved into the mountains of Banaue on the main island of Luzon, Philippines, these 2000 year old rice terraces are well worth the 10 hour night bus north of Manila. As predicted, Adam falls victim to heatstroke, but who's to blame? Was it the midday sun? Was it the qu...

No trip to the Philippines would be complete without eating the controversial Filipino delicacy, Balut. This popular street food has been trending on social media for some time, due to its shocking appearance and questionable ethics, so we decided to give it a try. Is it good? Is it wrong? Join the debate! We also discuss the Philippines' other defining features: incredibly slow elevators and the...

Join this week's Filipino Pop Quiz, as Adam tests Alun's knowledge of the Philippines! If Alun scores less than 3 out of 5 he'll have to eat a controversial Filipino delicacy! We also discuss the supernatural Filipino spirits: Engkantos. Often associated with the natural world, could they be delivering signs from above in the form of ripe mangoes? We'd love to hear from you! Send u...

Yes, you read that right! We're back together again and this time it's in the Philippines! Currently melting in the country's hot and humid capital city, Manila, we discuss Adam's journey from Queenstown. After two flights, via Sydney, Adam describes his series of unfortunate events, including an overweight carry-on bag and the moment he had his phone stolen, only to have it mysteriously return ba...

Alun employs ChatGPT as his local travel guide, as he tests the latest travel hack trend. On his way to the Philippines but with a 12-hour layover in Shanghai, Alun turns to ChatGPT for his layover travel itinerary. Working smart and not hard, we hear Alun’s experience of using AI as a travel companion. Artificial Intelligence has many uses but controlling the weather isn’t one of them! We'd love...

It's a spooky special this week, as Adam relives his trip to the Czech Republic, where he visited the infamous Sedlec Ossuary aka The Church of Bones. Just 80kms east of Prague, in the town of Kutna Hora, Central Bohemia, stands a church like few others. Dating back to the 15th century and decorated with over 40,000 skeletons, this dark and macabre tourist attraction is for those seeking somet...

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! I...

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 V...

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 S...

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 questio...

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...

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...

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 imp...

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...

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...

Get your exclusive 15% discount on a Saily eSim: https://saily.com/tripology 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,...

Get your exclusive 15% discount on a Saily eSim: ⁠https://saily.com/tripology⁠ 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...

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, espec...

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 wh...

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 visi...