NOTE:
For businesses wishing to exchange services with us, please also read
the XCHANGE page.
1/
What is ExploreNow.net?
It's an online travel guide that brings together important things that
travelers need before and during their travels. It has detailed travelogues
explaining what places are like and what there is to do there, listings
for accommodation, tours and restaurants covering all budgets, high
quality photos, maps, travel tips and job information for those who
are looking into working overseas.
Nowadays, people like to plan their travels via websites and personal
recommendations, so through ExploreNow.net we want to be just like that
'friend' that gives you recommendations on where to go and what to do
during your travels.
2/
How do I use this website?
There
are several ways you can use this site.
-
Place
your details on the home page so that you can receive an email from
us when the NEWS page is updated
on the site with a new travelogue. A regular 10 minute escape from
your daily life!
-
Click on the SEARCH button to look
for what information you require.
-
Go directly to one of the 4 continent buttons, then choose a
country we have been to.
-
Visit
one of our favourite destinations we have listed on this page.
-
Use the FORUM to post travel advice
or ask questions to other travelers, as well as to the businesses
that we have worked with.
Suggestions for navigating each country
-
Click
on TRAVELOGUES and then choose a story we wrote during our journeys
there.
-
Read more about the accommodation, restaurants, tours and services
that we used in those places via the links in the right-hand column
of the travelogue, or buy clicking directly on the relevant button
in the country's navigation bar.
-
View
larger PHOTOS and captions by clicking on the view photo slideshow
link in the top right corner of the travelogue to take you
to the the slideshows of the same name. Or click directly on the
photos button in the country's navigation bar.
If
you are unsure about where a pressed button will take you or if you
are interested in where a travelogue photo was taken, then place your
cursor over the button or image (PC: Internet Explorer) for a second
and you'll get more information.
3/
How did you come up with it?
Brainstorming one day whilst we were living in Japan. We wanted to travel
for an extended time before we went home to Australia, so we thought
we could create a site like this one where we exchange services with
travel related businesses. This would help us save money and allow us
to do and see things we wouldn't normally be able to do or afford, whilst
at the same time providing a great memory of our travels.
4/
How do you arrange to stay at the places and do the tours that are promoted?
We do a lot of research about a place before we arrive, via our trusty
Rough Guide travel books, searching
the internet and by reading several of the forums linked on our TRAVEL
TIPS page. We then contact the businesses that we would like to promote
on the site. If the company agrees on an amiable swap of services, then
we experience their services, write about them and list them on the
site.
5/
What do you carry with you?
We try to carry as little as possible, and we planned our trip to be
in hot weather as much as we can.
Brad carries a 70L bag with a pair of sneakers, thongs (flip flops)
and sandals, as well as 3 singlets (tank tops), 7 pairs of undies, 2
pairs of sport socks, 1 pair of thick woolen socks, 2 jumpers (sweaters),
a windbreaker jacket, 2 pairs of board-shorts, a pair of nice shorts,
exercise shorts, convertible travel pants, thermal tops and pants, a
collared shirt and nice jeans, 2 hats, toilet bag and deodorant, mosquito
spray, and one other smaller backpack containing, books, important documents
and electronic equipment.
Bex has a rucksack a bit smaller than Brad's which contains a pair of
sneakers, flip-flops and teva sandals and several pairs of socks, plus
a pair of cargo pants, shorts, 3 skirts, 3 tank tops, 2 short sleeve
shirts, a long-sleeve shirt, 2 sweaters, a windbreaker jacket, two bikinis,
just over a week's worth of underwear, thermal top and pants, 2 hats,
toiletries and a day backpack for books, MD player, journal, umbrella,
etc.
6/
What's has been your favourite country?
No one particular country has been better than
the rest. They are all amazing and hold unique memories for us but there
are certainly some things we have done and places we have been to that
will always be at the top of our list. In no particular order, here's
a list of our favourite travelogue links where you can read about them.
7/
Who makes and updates the website for you?
We do! Brad is a self-taught web builder and Rebecca is our travel writer.
With the help of our tiny, lightweight laptop computer, we update the
site while on the road, then upload the new information through an internet
cafe, a local wireless connection, or at the accommodation where we are
staying.
8/
How do you travel for so long? Where does your money come from?
We worked hard in Japan and saved a good amount of travel money! Thanks
to this website though, around 90% of our accommodation and tours is
complimentary, based on the reciprocal services we provide via this
site. We have several other areas of the site that have potential to
make money such as the 'XNOW store'. In the near future, we will also
hopefully be doing commission-based bookings on the site and providing
paid promotional space.
Happy
Exploring!
Brad
and Rebecca (Bex)
