Escape the Crowds
type: channel
description: Around the World Away from the Crowds
date: 2017-04-04T05:53:24Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: Cemeteries Around the World
items: Swimming with Whale Sharks in the Philippines
items: Merry Christmas in paradise
items: Finding a way when google maps fail
items: Borneo – Paradise Lost?
items: How to rent motorbike and have it kited for touring Indonesia
items: Ijen – the god of blue fire

Cemeteries Around the World
type: item
creator: Milo
date: 2016-10-30T22:27:42Z
subject: Places to visit
subject: Weird Stuff
subject: ancient
subject: ancient wise men
subject: beachfront cemetery
subject: burial
subject: cajamarca
subject: cemetery
subject: chachapoyas
subject: Chauchilla Cemetery
subject: coffin
subject: death
subject: emperor
subject: graveyard
subject: halloween
subject: Hanging coffins
subject: hue
subject: human remains
subject: Imperial Tomb
subject: louisiana
subject: memento mori
subject: Mummy
subject: Nazca
subject: new orleans
subject: peru
subject: philippines
subject: resting place
subject: Sagada
subject: Siquijor
subject: skull
subject: spiritual life
subject: St. Louis cemetery
subject: tomb
subject: usa
subject: Ventanillas de Combayo
subject: vietnam
subject: what happens when you die
description: Chilling human remains of Peru’s ancient Chauchilla Cemetery. Last burial took place here around 1000AD. Thanks to the dry and dusty weather the 1000 year old remains are very well preserved. Hanging coffins in Sagada, Philippines. This tradition of burial on cliffs goes back more than two millennia. It’s said it was chosen so that […]
encoded: Chilling human remains of Peru’s ancient Chauchilla Cemetery. Last burial took place here around 1000AD. Thanks to the dry and dusty weather the 1000 year old remains are very well preserved. Nazca Mummy Nazca Female Mummy Nazca Graveyard Nazca Mass Grave Hanging coffins in Sagada, Philippines. This tradition of burial on cliffs goes back more than two millennia. It’s said it was chosen so that the deceased could be closer to their ancestral spirits. Sagada Hanging Coffins Sagada Hanging Coffins Ventanillas de Combayo near Cajamarca, Peru Chachapoyas Burial Chambers Ancient Cemetery of the Chachapoyas Chachapoyas Burial Chambers Chachapoyan mummies called by locals ‘Ancient Wise Men’. Discovered on a cliff in an Amazonian region of Peru. Unique with the human sculls atop their heads. Ancient Wise Men Ancient Chachapoyan Burial Place Eerie cemetery in a desert near Nazca, Peru. It is just a modest graveyard for locals living in the area. Nazca Desert Cementary <img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-647" src="https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/E2wide.jpg" alt="2000 Years Old Skull Found in the Desert" width="620" height="928" srcset="https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/E2wide.jpg 620w, https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/E2wide-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" /> 2000 Years Old Skull Found in the Desert St. Louis Cemetery in New Orleans, USA. As the city was built on a swamp the deceased have to be buried here above ground in crypts and mausoleums which with time resemble small villages hence cemeteries in New Orleans are nicknamed ‘Cities of the dead’. New Orleans Cemetery St. Louis Cemetery in New Orleans Cemetery on Siquijor Island in the Philippines. The tombs are layered on top of each other. Only the richest families can afford either a big tomb or a tomb standing on it’s own. Siquijor Seafront Cemetery Siquijor Island Cemetery Imperial Tomb in Hue, Vietnam. Emp…

Swimming with Whale Sharks in the Philippines
type: item
creator: Milo
date: 2016-10-19T13:23:59Z
subject: Diving
subject: Philippines
subject: Videos
subject: big fish
subject: bulkang mayon
subject: dancalan
subject: donsol
subject: Donsol Whale Shark Interaction Center
subject: escape the crowds
subject: jaws
subject: mayon volcano
subject: philippines
subject: snorkeling
subject: swimming
subject: underwater
subject: video
subject: whale sharks
description: Whale Sharks are humongous fish that have very little to do with the antagonist from the Jaws. Well, putting the size aside that is. They feed on plankton and small sea creatures so the risk of being snatched by a killer fish are zero with this type of a sea monster. There are two reliable […]
encoded: Whale Sharks are humongous fish that have very little to do with the antagonist from the Jaws. Well, putting the size aside that is. They feed on plankton and small sea creatures so the risk of being snatched by a killer fish are zero with this type of a sea monster. There are two reliable spots for spotting Whale Sharks in the Philippines. It’s Donsol in Southern Luzon or Oslob on Cebu Island. We went to Donsol as we have heard that the sharks have been coming there between December and May since forever and the setup in Oslob is more artificial meaning that the sharks are attracted to the place by humans who feed them. From Donsol you can also make a trip to visit the Mayon Volcano near the city of Legazpi which is said to have the most perfect conical shape of all the volcanoes in the world. The whole swimming with whale sharks experience is provided by Donsol Whale Shark Interaction Center. It is touristy with government agency registration, licensed guides and other swimmers kicking you in the face in an underwater chase of Whale Sharks, but overall I would say it is worth it as the animals are truly amazing and on a good day you can spot loads of them. We have managed to catch up with eight I think. Water clarity and visibility could be better, but this is nature and murky waters could be expected when there is loads of plankton about. Hope you enjoyed the video documenting our day with Whale Sharks. We certainly enjoyed the experience.

Merry Christmas in paradise
type: item
creator: Milo
date: 2015-01-02T21:47:16Z
subject: Places to visit
subject: Thailand
subject: #christmas
subject: #different
subject: #kohchang
subject: #newyear
subject: #seasia
subject: #sunny
subject: #thailand
subject: #travel
subject: #tropicalisland
subject: #warm
description: Many of us who come from countries with less flamboyant weather in the winter wonder what it would be like to spend Christmas and New Year’s holidays a bit less traditionally. How about in a warm tropical country on a sunny beach? If you enjoy traditional Christmas or are a religious person consider your priorities […]
encoded: Many of us who come from countries with less flamboyant weather in the winter wonder what it would be like to spend Christmas and New Year’s holidays a bit less traditionally. <img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-556" src="https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/My-na-hustawce-2.jpg" alt="Us and a tree swing on a beach" width="620" height="414" srcset="https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/My-na-hustawce-2.jpg 620w, https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/My-na-hustawce-2-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" /> Happy holidays everyone! How about in a warm tropical country on a sunny beach? If you enjoy traditional Christmas or are a religious person consider your priorities as most of the many tropical countries do not celebrate Christmas and those that do may do it in a different fashion than you are used to. If you have a bit of adventurous spirit and don’t mind getting away from tradition, Christmas on the beach are just for you. <img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-543" src="https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Hustawka-Koh-Chang.jpg" alt="A swing on Kai Bae beach on Koh Chang in Thailand" width="620" height="620" srcset="https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Hustawka-Koh-Chang.jpg 620w, https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Hustawka-Koh-Chang-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Hustawka-Koh-Chang-300x300.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" /> Truly relaxing setting for Christmas Do not count on a Christmas dinner like you have at home. Having said that it is an opportunity to explore wonders of cuisine of the place you choose to escape the Christmas madness to. We chose to spend our Christmas on Koh Chang Island in Thailand and truly enjoyed our tropical Christmas feast. <img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-551" src="https://www.escapethec…

Finding a way when google maps fail
type: item
creator: Milo
date: 2014-12-30T13:23:00Z
subject: Motorcycle
subject: Transport
subject: Vietnam
subject: fail
subject: googlemaps
subject: traveltips
description: They say all roads lead home. Well it depends what map you are using. For the sake of adventure you sometimes need to get off the beaten path and take little used roads that will lead you to those amazing sights you are on a quest to find. Whatever you are after a beautiful lake, […]
encoded: They say all roads lead home. Well it depends what map you are using. For the sake of adventure you sometimes need to get off the beaten path and take little used roads that will lead you to those amazing sights you are on a quest to find. <img loading="lazy" class="size-x-large wp-image-768" src="https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_2915-1260x841.jpg" alt="View from the road from Quy Nhon to Kon Tum, Vietnam" width="1260" height="841" srcset="https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_2915-1260x841.jpg 1260w, https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_2915-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_2915-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_2915-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_2915-1530x1021.jpg 1530w, https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_2915.jpg 1800w" sizes="(max-width: 1260px) 100vw, 1260px" /> Enjoying the view Whatever you are after a beautiful lake, mountain pass or some little town in the middle of nowhere – come prepared. Carry a map. In this age of smartphones and mobile internet available almost everywhere, travelers tend to trust whatever map app we are used to at home. Google Maps (https://maps.google.com/) or any offline map for that matter which may work great for you over there but may fail you big time in more exotic places. <img loading="lazy" class="size-x-large wp-image-766" src="https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_3218-1260x841.jpg" alt="Pristine lake by the road from Quy Nhon to Kon Tum, Vietnam" width="1260" height="841" srcset="https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_3218-1260x841.jpg 1260w, https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_3218-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_3218-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.…

Borneo – Paradise Lost?
type: item
creator: Milo
date: 2014-12-08T17:46:08Z
subject: Malaysia
subject: Places to visit
subject: borneo
subject: malaysia
subject: protect
subject: rainforest
subject: sabah
description: What do you imagine when you think of Borneo? An island covered with oldest tropical forest in the world? Lush jungle inhabited by strange plants and animals that you can’t find anywhere else on the planet? The home to Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey and Pigmy Elephants? Do you expect sounds of the jungle to welcome you […]
encoded: What do you imagine when you think of Borneo? An island covered with oldest tropical forest in the world? Lush jungle inhabited by strange plants and animals that you can’t find anywhere else on the planet? The home to Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey and Pigmy Elephants? Do you expect sounds of the jungle to welcome you with calls of Gibbons when you step out of the plane? Forget that and get your expectations in check. What you know from National Geographic Channel and books about wildlife is still there but not as easily accessible and widespread as one could expect. Decades of logging at the scale unprecedented in human history destroyed what used to be and arguably still is in some areas one of the most diverse natural habitats in the world. <img loading="lazy" class="size-x-large wp-image-750" src="https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/GOPR0430-1260x945.jpg" alt="Kinabatangan River motor boat ride" width="1260" height="945" srcset="https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/GOPR0430-1260x945.jpg 1260w, https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/GOPR0430-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/GOPR0430-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/GOPR0430-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/GOPR0430-1530x1148.jpg 1530w, https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/GOPR0430.jpg 1800w" sizes="(max-width: 1260px) 100vw, 1260px" /> With our guide and host on the way to explore the Kinabatangan River This is not to say that visiting Borneo is not worth it. It can be an amazing experience when you set your expectations right and plan your trip well. Most of the area of Malaysian Borneo is now sadly covered by oil palm plantations. When you want to visit real jungle you will need to plan your destinations ahead of time and be prepared to travel hundreds of kilometres between national parks. Having…

How to rent motorbike and have it kited for touring Indonesia
type: item
creator: Milo
date: 2014-10-22T18:15:55Z
subject: Indonesia
subject: Motorcycle
subject: Transport
subject: #asia
subject: #backpack
subject: #luggage
subject: #motorcycle
subject: #rack
subject: #rent
subject: #touringintwo
description: Some people will say that you are crazy to consider riding a bike in a country like Indonesia. Most Indonesians are oblivious of the traffic laws and some don’t even bother to get a driving licence. The traffic in Indonesia is hectic and dangerous they would say, but I say screw it – riding a […]
encoded: Some people will say that you are crazy to consider riding a bike in a country like Indonesia. Most Indonesians are oblivious of the traffic laws and some don’t even bother to get a driving licence. The traffic in Indonesia is hectic and dangerous they would say, but I say screw it – riding a motorbike in Indonesia is the most natural way to getting to know the country as most locals travel by motorbike, even kids. It is not to say that you need to be a hard-core biker to ride in a country like Indonesia, but I would advise that you have your skill and confidence in check and an open mind to cope with the roads and the traffic. Once you do it’s an enormous adventure and lots of fun! <img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-466" src="https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/On-bike-to-Larantuka-3.jpg" alt="Motorbiking in Indonesia" width="620" height="261" srcset="https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/On-bike-to-Larantuka-3.jpg 620w, https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/On-bike-to-Larantuka-3-300x126.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" /> Pack up and hit the road! Here are some lessons we have learned that we hope will help you picking the right motorbike and gear for touring Indonesia. Where to rent a motorbike But I am getting off the topic. So how do you go about renting a motorbike in Indonesia? When you pick your starting point of the journey across Indonesia you may consider plane ticket prices, what you want to see and what route would be most convenient. Although if you are up to covering long distances in Indonesia by motorbike consider where you will have the biggest choice of reliable bikes that will get you around the country. The answer is – undoubtedly Bali! Bali has been a hotspot for international tourism for years and created a market for all sort of services aimed at the tourist industry. You will find the most motorbike rental shops in Bali and direct consequence of tha…

Ijen – the god of blue fire
type: item
creator: Milo
date: 2014-10-08T17:03:25Z
subject: Indonesia
subject: Places to visit
subject: Ijen
subject: Java
subject: volcano
description: Ijen is an active volcano in eastern Java that spits sulfur gases which ignite on contact with the air creating blue fires, a phenomenon that can be seen only at night. The blue fires are unique as these are the largest phenomenon of this kind in the world. After day long preparation mostly by […]
encoded: Ijen is an active volcano in eastern Java that spits sulfur gases which ignite on contact with the air creating blue fires, a phenomenon that can be seen only at night. The blue fires are unique as these are the largest phenomenon of this kind in the world. <img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-389" src="https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Ijen-blue-fires.jpg" alt="Ijen's blue fires" width="620" height="414" srcset="https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Ijen-blue-fires.jpg 620w, https://www.escapethecrowds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Ijen-blue-fires-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" /> Kawah Ijen’s amazing blue fires. After day long preparation mostly by seeping late we set out at around midnight form Banyuwangi, an eastern coastal town in Java. The motorbike ride took us an hour and was an experience in itself as the road was totally empty once we passed the villages close to Banyuwangi. It was a lightly overcast bright night due to it being close to full moon which made our climb up the mountain even more enjoyable. The road and surrounding forest was illuminated as if by streetlight. We reached the starting point of the trek and were one of the first tourists to arrive with an aim of pulling through the night until the sunrise. We were made to pay an entrance fee of IDR 100,000 which has increased from IDR 15,000 on August 1st 2014 and were on our way up the Ijen crater rim. There is no guide required nor is one necessary for the ascend as the path is wide and clearly recognizable either in a moonlight or with an aid of a torch that’s a must-have on a trip like that. At the beginning of the trail we were joined by one of the sulfur miners that spoke little English and was missing few teeth. He joined us for the beginning of the trip to gauge if we needed or were willing to pay for a guide. We have politely declined both in English and broken Indonesian that matched his English and he w…