Travel Blog: Travel Channel

Anthony Bourdain, Who Are Your Literary Heroes?

“Graham Greene would be one,” the Travel Channel host tells the Chicago Tribune in a wide-ranging interview. “I’m a huge fan. There’s so many ... Malcolm Lowry, Hunter S. Thompson, Nick Tosches, I read a lot. Just the perfect crime novel is a thing of beauty. There’s much to be learned from Elmore Leonard or George V. Higgins ... fantastic writers.” (Via Gadling)


There Goes the Travel Channel’s ‘Bed and Breakfasts of New England’ Wad

So, according to the Onion, the Travel Channel is just going to have to “rely primarily on warmed-over Bermuda and Bourdain” for the rest of the fall.

It’s not the funniest thing I’ve read on the Onion, but it’s the first time I’ve been part of an organization that’s been spoofed by America’s Finest News Source.

Hooray!


Anthony Bourdain on Dora the Explorer

In a blog post “for Parents of Small Children Only and Otherwise Incomprehensible if Not Offensive to Others,” the “No Reservations” host holds forth on various children’s TV shows, which he watches with his 2-year-old daughter. Among the highlights: his take on one of our top fictional travelers, Dora the Explorer.

All parents must, sooner or later, come to terms with DORA THE EXPLORER and her alleged “cousin,” DIEGO. I’ve always found their relationship suspicious at best. And who is this kid, Diego, anyway? Where are his parents? How does he get to run around unsupervised in the jungle? And isn’t he too young to have a driver’s license? If not—then he’s certainly too goddamn old to be hanging out with Dora!! I do like the “Rescue Pack” song, however. And my daughter’s affection for these kissin’ cousins is unwavering. So much so that I brought her to see Dora “Live” at Radio City—which is to throw oneself into a Skittle scented mosh pit filled with thousands and thousands of screaming kids and their mothers. At every appearance of the rascally fox, “Swiper”, the walls shake like a high-pitched Nuremberg rally of sticky children, screaming “SWIPER NO SWIPING” in unison—as avidly as any cries of “Duce!” or worse. But…there’s no arguing with true love. All kids love Dora and Diego—and the sooner we resign ourselves to that, the easier it’ll go for us.

Too true. Plus, I can imagine Dora one day growing up to host a travel show of her own. No, she probably wouldn’t wear Ramones T-shirts like Bourdain. But given her appreciation for the Central American tropics, I can imagine her, like Bourdain, really digging, say, Vietnam.


‘Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre World’ Premieres Tonight—He Goes to Cuba

Andrew Zimmern’s Travel Channel series “Bizarre Foods” has evolved into Bizarre World, and it debuts tonight at 10 E/P. The first show goes where few American travel shows have gone recently: Cuba. Judging from the description of the show, it would seem that bizarre foods still have a place in “Bizarre World”:

Andrew participates in the Santeria ritual that leaves him covered in blood. He devours the biggest tree rats he’s ever seen, and he discovers how to grow world-class tobacco.


Dhani Tackles Poetry: ‘Confused I Am’

Dhani Tackles Poetry: ‘Confused I Am’ Photo by Red Line Films
Photo by Red Line Films

NFL linebacker and Renaissance man Dhani Jones hosts the Travel Channel show, Dhani Tackles the Globe.

Like any good Renaissance man, he’s writing poems inspired by the travel experiences featured on each show.

The topic of tonight’s journey: Sambo in Russia.

Read More »


Dhani Tackles Poetry: ‘Greater Than…’

dhani jones, new zealand Photo by Red Line Films
Photo by Red Line Films

NFL linebacker and Renaissance man Dhani Jones hosts the Travel Channel show, Dhani Tackles the Globe.

Like any good Renaissance man, he’s writing poems inspired by the travel experiences featured on each show.

The topic of tonight’s journey: New Zealand.

Read More »


Dhani Tackles Poetry: ‘Visions Unwritten’

Dhani Tackles Poetry: ‘Visions Unwritten’ Picture: Red Line Films
Picture: Red Line Films

NFL linebacker and Renaissance man Dhani Jones hosts the Travel Channel show, Dhani Tackles the Globe.

Like any good Renaissance man, he’s writing poems inspired by the travel experiences featured on each show.

The topic of tonight’s journey: Cambodia.

Read More »


Dhani Tackles Poetry: ‘The Great White Caddy’

Photo by Sarah Beri, Red Line Films

NFL linebacker and Renaissance man Dhani Jones hosts the new Travel Channel show, Dhani Tackles the Globe.

Like any good Renaissance man, he’s writing poems inspired by the travel experiences featured on each show.

The topic of tonight’s journey: Surf life saving in Australia.







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Dhani Tackles Poetry: ‘Speak’

Dhani Tackles Poetry: ‘Speak’ Sarah Berl, Red Line Films
Sarah Berl, Red Line Films

NFL linebacker and Renaissance man Dhani Jones hosts the new Travel Channel show, Dhani Tackles the Globe.

Like any good Renaissance man, he’s writing poems inspired by the travel experiences featured on each show.

The topic of tonight’s journey: Hurling in Ireland.





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Dhani Tackles Poetry: ‘The Dancing Leprechaun’

Dhani Tackles Poetry: ‘The Dancing Leprechaun’ Red Line Films/Travel Channel, L.L.C.
Red Line Films/Travel Channel, L.L.C.

NFL linebacker and Renaissance man Dhani Jones hosts the new Travel Channel show, Dhani Tackles the Globe.

Like any good Renaissance man, he’s writing poems inspired by the travel experiences featured on each show.

The topic of tonight’s journey: Spain’s Basque Country.







The Dancing Leprechaun

In the blink of an eye, the bullet passing by, I’m amused at the compilation,
the assortment,
the distraction which is the ballet written on the granite wall.
The pelota, considered what some might suggest,
is the test,
to defy gravity and bend with the basket.
I lean on life like I lean on the court for support it keeps me lifted. My feet move quickly like a dancing leprechaun not far away searching for the pot of gold.
For in the stands mama y papa bet at hand the game they wish to unfold. The odds the bookie takes pacing the people as they consume tapas and xcholi galore.
The Basque country,
the Basque region,
its passion,
pride and legend they consider and more.
I am a man who has traveled so far to reach this point of flexibility. The ocean of San Sebastian, consider its beauty and amongst those that fight for immortality.
Yet, you can reflect while chewing chuleta. Indulge while chorizo is on the mind.
But never not now, will you ever forget that very first time. 

Makalani ‘09
Carpe Diem ...


Dhani Tackles Poetry: My Minds

Dhani Tackles Poetry: My Minds Jon Roche/Travel Channel, L.L.C.
Photo: Jon Roche/Travel Channel, L.L.C.

NFL linebacker and Renaissance man Dhani Jones hosts the new Travel Channel show, Dhani Tackles the Globe.

Like any good Renaissance man, he’s writing poems inspired by the travel experiences featured on each show.

The topic of his latest journey: Singapore.







Read More »


Dhani Tackles Poetry: ‘For YOU and YOU and YOU ...’

dhani jones Dave Evans, Havass Sports, Courtesy of Red Line Films
Photo by Dave Evans, Havass Sports, Courtesy of Red Line Films

NFL linebacker and Renaissance man Dhani Jones hosts the new Travel Channel show, Dhani Tackles the Globe.

Like any good Renaissance man, he’s writing poems inspired by the travel experiences featured on each show.

The topic of tonight’s journey: England.





Read More »


Dhani Tackles Poetry: ‘Dust From a Tree’

Dhani Tackles Poetry: ‘Dust From a Tree’ Adam Fish/Travel Channel, L.L.C.
Adam Fish/Travel Channel, L.L.C.

NFL linebacker and Renaissance man Dhani Jones hosts the new Travel Channel show, Dhani Tackles the Globe.

Like any good Renaissance man, he’s writing poems inspired by the travel experiences featured on each show.

The topic of tonight’s journey: Switzerland.





Dust From a Tree

I step without sound…
Tip toe to be exact…
To silent it is…
Meandering about I encircle my challenger to ease my pain I speak quiet voices of speech…
I wrestle the unconscious thoughts of calamity reaching a Meringen paradise…
Quietly for the chance to understand and kneel before those who have done more I implore…
An aroma of clarity enters my mind, I hear the rushing water of the alps behind me as I grab a hold…
Adjusting my grasp gently tilting my head I catch a glimpse of cheese and wonder what I’m doing…
Shall I dip or will I fondue the moment…
From where my help comes from I reach to the rainy sky and let out a sigh of relief…
A second later my mouth full of dust from the trees is full and I am home…

 


Dhani Tackles Poetry: ‘The Punch’

Dhani Jones in Thailand Thom Stukas/Travel Channel, L.L.C.
Photo Thom Stukas/Travel Channel, L.L.C.

NFL linebacker and Renaissance man Dhani Jones hosts the new Travel Channel show, Dhani Tackles the Globe.

Like any good Renaissance man, he’ll be writing poems inspired by the travel experiences featured on each show.

The topic of tonight’s premiere: Muay Thai in Thailand.





The Punch

I begin with a journey a magnificent tourney around the globe to stop and see the sights ...
An inviting aroma of new things to discover a world to uncover never turning off the lights ...
It’s a challenge I tell you, to step
I beg you, into the ring I go, for the first not the last but the beginning it is for forty some odd days I will live ...
It’s the first some might say the last others might insist ...
It’s just that time ...
It’s that movement that caught you that spirit that bought you for me to unwind ...
Time and time again I just bob and weave, bob and weave and use what was given a chance to prove what was inside ...
Here’s a man
Here’s a man with the thoughts of a man that I am
Here’s a man living in a heartbeat of time trying to escape the breath and design
Up elbow, right elbow, left elbow, right kick ...
Down elbow, left kick, right punch, left hit ...
A plethora of ideas of power it takes, to control and direct to the right space it must not break ...
It must not disgrace, it must not let down for the eyes are watching me from all around ...
I’ve heard my name spoken not once not twice but the third time around ...
I heard my name ringing in my head when I looked around ...
I realized it was me repeating it time and time again ...
I realize it was me who was getting punched not them ...
On to the bell with great strides I took and put forth all the effort and with pride I was not shook ...
It was my time to use all that I was taught and leverage my voice and my mind for the ultimate thought ...
I must conquer ...
I must live ...
I must set forth to understand and give ...
Of myself and those around me ...
And if one punch I must take, I will take and not break but he who gives shall receive and with ease I decree that this moment ...
I will stand and deliver, bend not fold, yet tell the stories untold ...
I will finish what I started and finish I did ...


Tonight: ‘Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches’ Debuts

This is Bridget Marquardt, formerly one of “The Girls Next Door.”

She’s now a sexy blogger, a sexy Twitterer and star of a new show on the Travel Channel, Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches. Every week, she’ll be immersing herself in beach cultures around the world.

The first season kicks off tonight at 10 p.m. ET. The destination for her first sexy beach: Australia.