Comments on: The Travel Plans are Coming Together

by: Cecilia

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 20:57:46 +0000

I’m one of your stalker…a grateful one indeed! I’d been stalking the whole ‘blogosphere’ just to gain confidence to start blogging my place in the Philippines. It’s overwhelming…but my husband and I are planning to retire soon, if possible. I’ll try to put up some of the pictures I have, maybe your trip will be enough push for me to start somewhere. If you later decide you want a stopover in Manila, we’re in Quezon City…still crowded and polluted, though there maybe a few places worth seeing. I’d been away for 2 decades but my sister (managing my place) and the rest of the family are wonderful guides. She has gone as far as Boracay beaches in the Visayan Islands, and that’s as far as I would venture. Mindanao and Palawan are tourist havens and closer to Borneo, but…I’m one scardy nerdy! I’m still a Filipina at heart and I wish you the best of your trip!

by: Kirsty

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:23:20 +0000

Brooke that’s a good idea. For anyone wondering, we’re talking about a comment I made on her blog over at http://www.usversustheworld.com/?p=85. Once I have a bit more time on my hands I migth start testing and tinkering a bit more.

Mike I think I might have an older version of Wp running or something because I don’t have that option but I’ve just set up another blog on a new site though that does. I might make it my goal to hammer out the map and the travel blog this weekend so it won’t be a problem.

I’m not much of a diver but I’ve only tried it once… with funny results. Might have another crack or might just snorkle instead as I think that’s a lot more relaxing. I think you’d be surprised at how hot and sunny it is in Canada in the summer! At least in Niagara where I’m from. No ozone layer there either. I think it’s my Scottish blood I need to worry about!

by: midlifetravel

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 03:12:22 +0000

Sorry haven’t been to the Philippines and Borneo but I know experienced divers who are just gaga over the Phillippines - some of the best in the world apparently! Have been to Malaysia (except KL - saving that for a stopover!) and I would say as a solo woman you will have a lot easier time if you dress conservatively - you dont have to where long dresses or anything but avoid showing you shoulders (singlet type tops), belly and wearing shorts. You will also avoid sunburn and dehydration if you go for a the a longish skirt and a loose short sleeved blouse and a hat. Its just about showing a bit of respect really and it tends to be reciprocated 10X - I suspect Phillipines will be alot more liberal -but you will be suspectable too sunburn coming from Canada! Have a great time.

by: Mike

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:25:09 +0000

Congrats on your travel plans coming together, Kirsty!

Regarding “hiding” the maps page … you should just be able to change the Page Status to “Draft” in the WP admin panel.

Hope that helps.

by: Brooke

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:03:58 +0000

Hey Kirsty - yay for buying your plane ticket! I’ll be sure to read about your adventures in Asia

About page rankings — I was worried about that, too, but when I do a search on google for ‘rtw travelog’, ‘brian and brooke’, ‘vs the world’, or ’round the world travelog’ - our blog site comes up near the top. Also, I still have the old site active (it has to be called by /index.htm) and that comes up for those searches as well as ‘rtw travelogue’.

Maybe you should make a static html page for a blog site of yours with the same keywords and see how the search engines pick it up. Or maybe if the static content on your home blog page has all the necessary keywords in it, it will do well in the search engines. It would be an interesting investigation!