Bangkok Tourist Scam: How NOT to Play Ping-Pong!

Two worlds collide in this week's episode, as Artificial Intelligence makes the news for sending travellers to locations that don't exist. We hear about a couple in Peru who were left stranded, after letting AI plan their trip!We find out what a coffee pot, water pump and a safe box all have in common, as Tripological Reasoning returns with hypothetical scenarios that may or may not be Alun's real life dilemmas.Tales of a Trip crosses a border with no passport stamp! We hear from a fellow travel podcaster who attempted to cross into Laos without having technically been in Thailand. Nothing a game of snooker and a small bribe can't fix!Follow James at Roaming with Hammo: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC173L0udkGL15RSkO3vIx5AJames' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingingittravelpodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=NnkxZjdteWFpbmhuSubmit your travel stories to: https://www.tripologypodcast.com/talesofatripBBC Travel article: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250926-the-perils-of-letting-ai-plan-your-next-tripNeed travel insurance? We recommend SafetyWing! Click here to get started: ⁠⁠⁠https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=26035801&utm_source=26035801&utm_medium=AmbassadorRequire an onward flight? Please use this fantastic flight rental service: ⁠⁠⁠https://onwardticket.com/tripologypodcast⁠⁠⁠Check out our Discord: https://discord.gg/gztSSwBgFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tripologypodcast/Take a look at out our website: https://www.tripologypodcast.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@tripologypodcastJoin us on X: https://x.com/tripologypodThank you, as always, for your continued support. It means the world.

Have your passports ready! This week's travel quiz tests Alun's knowledge of all things passports. Which countries have the strongest passports and which countries have the weakest passports? And when was the first ever passport issued? We go through some of the 2025 passport rankings and share some weird passport facts you didn't know!If there's one thing Alun's hates about travel, it's ubiquitous, unimaginative travel quotes. Alun reels off his least favourite travel quotes but has snuck in one he's written himself. Will Adam be able to guess which quote Alun wrote?In Tales of a Trip, we hear from a listener who visited Mansheya Nasir aka 'Garbage City', on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. Wonderfully descriptive and intriguing, his story touches on spirituality, religion and energy; an experience he describes as "magical".Check out Sam Urrea's content: @surreal_travelerSend your crazy travel stories to: https://www.tripologypodcast.com/talesofatripNeed travel insurance? We recommend SafetyWing! Click here to get started: ⁠⁠⁠https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=26035801&utm_source=26035801&utm_medium=AmbassadorRequire an onward flight? Please use this fantastic flight rental service: ⁠⁠⁠https://onwardticket.com/tripologypodcast⁠⁠⁠Join our Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/tripologypodcastDiscord: https://discord.gg/EQw26FHf⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tripologypodcast/Website: https://www.tripologypodcast.comX.com: https://x.com/TripologypodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tripologypodcastThank you, as always, for your continued support. It means the world.

In this week's very personal episode, Alun opens the travel diary that started 4 years of non-stop travel. Alun kept a travel journal for 4 years, documenting every day. We relive the moment he set off on the adventure that started it all. Hold onto your coffees tightly!Adam shares his chance encounter with an inspiring gentleman who's had a huge impact on the travel industry. Let's just say he 'carries a lot of weight', without exceeding the baggage allowance!Tales of a Trip returns with an embarrassing story that will have you giggling and cringing in equal measure. Honest, vulnerable, and lighthearted, this backpacker is a cup half full kind of gal!Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tripologypodcastSend your Tales of a Trip entries to: https://www.tripologypodcast.com/talesofatripNeed travel insurance? We recommend SafetyWing! Click here to get started: ⁠⁠⁠https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=26035801&utm_source=26035801&utm_medium=AmbassadorRequire an onward flight? Please use this fantastic flight rental service: ⁠⁠⁠https://onwardticket.com/tripologypodcast⁠⁠⁠Check out our Discord: https://discord.gg/jJ57XzsvFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tripologypodcast/Take a look at out our website: https://www.tripologypodcast.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@tripologypodcastJoin us on X: https://x.com/tripologypodThank you, as always, for your continued support. It means the world.

Dreaming of Van Life in New Zealand? In this episode of the 'award-nominated' Tripology Podcast, Adam shares his experience of buying a campervan in New Zealand. Learn how a failed vehicle inspection was the key to him buying the campervan.Hostel Wars returns and this week Vagabot's off to the student town of Rosario, Argentina. Will it be Adam or Alun who can deliver the most authentic hostel recommendation?Searching for great backpacking advice? In Tales of a Trip, we hear from a listener who turned their tough circumstances into 5+ years of travel, and it all began with a simple piece of advice...Planning a New Zealand road trip? Interested in backpacking New Zealand? Wondering whether to buy or rent a campervan? This episode will inspire and inform you!Send your crazy travel stories to: https://www.tripologypodcast.com/talesofatripNeed travel insurance? We recommend SafetyWing! Click here to get started: ⁠⁠⁠https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=26035801&utm_source=26035801&utm_medium=AmbassadorRequire an onward flight? Please use this fantastic flight rental service: ⁠⁠⁠https://onwardticket.com/tripologypodcast⁠⁠⁠Join our Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/tripologypodcastDiscord: https://discord.gg/SMkK2gvh ⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tripologypodcast/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tripologypodcastWebsite: https://www.tripologypodcast.comX.com: https://x.com/TripologypodThank you, as always, for your continued support. It means the world.

Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. Our paid partner BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/tripologyAny Ping-Pong players in the house? We hear from a Backpacker who was lured into a Bangkok night club and extorted for money! Learn how saying 'Yes' can be a very expensive mistake.Hostel Common Room returns with a heartfelt question that will resonate with all you travellers out there: What's the best way to deal with the travel blues? How do we remain patient and disciplined whilst gearing up for our next adventure?Adam announces he's in the process of purchasing a campervan. Has he been misguided by his romantic dreams of travelling New Zealand? Two things we do know: he knows nothing about camping or vans.Send your travel stories to: https://www.tripologypodcast.com/talesofatripNeed travel insurance? We recommend SafetyWing! Click here to get started: ⁠⁠⁠https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=26035801&utm_source=26035801&utm_medium=AmbassadorRequire an onward flight? Please use this fantastic flight rental service: ⁠⁠⁠https://onwardticket.com/tripologypodcast⁠⁠⁠Join our Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/tripologypodcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tripologypodcastDiscord: https://discord.gg/SMkK2gvh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tripologypodcast/Website: https://www.tripologypodcast.comX.com: https://x.com/TripologypodThank you, as always, for your continued support. It means the world.

Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. Our paid partner BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/tripologyDark sky at night, Adam's delight! Adam celebrates his birthday at the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, the largest Dark Sky Reserve in the Southern Hemisphere. With stars in his eyes, the stargazing is cut short, when he flies down a rabbit hole!Rice for Breakfast takes on a British theme this week, with the iconic Fish & Chips taking centre stage. Tune in to find out the true origins of Britain's most famous dish. Something smells fishy!Tales of a Trip welcomes a romantic story of love and commitment. Navigating countries, continents, and a few naked strangers, nothing was going to stop this couple from travelling the world in the name of love!Send your travel stories to: https://www.tripologypodcast.com/talesofatripNeed travel insurance? We recommend SafetyWing! Click here to get started: ⁠⁠⁠https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=26035801&utm_source=26035801&utm_medium=AmbassadorRequire an onward flight? Please use this fantastic flight rental service: https://onwardticket.com/tripologypodcast⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tripologypodcastCheck out our Discord: https://discord.gg/5j3ya9SSFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tripologypodcast/Take a look at out our website: https://www.tripologypodcast.comJoin us on X: https://x.com/tripologypodSubscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tripologypodcastThank you, as always, for your continued support. It means the world.

Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. Our paid partner BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/tripologyTravel emergency! Alun's travel horror story sees him heading to hospital, after contracting an infection in his foot that Google diagnoses as Lymphangitis! Dangerous travel infections are Alun's vocation, and knowing that sepsis was a possibility, he didn't take any chances! Brace yourself for backpacking health tips, helping you avoid your own travel illness nightmare!Tripping Point returns for a transport special. What's the longest train journey on earth? And just how many motorbikes are there in Vietnam? We discuss all this and more in everyone's favourite travel quiz!Continuing the Vietnamese theme, Tales of Trip welcomes a listener who's previously taught in Vietnam. This teacher's lesson planning needs more planning! Don't make the same mistake he did and listen all the way to the end!This week's Lost & Found is giving off... "alternative vibes", as Adam's asked a question he's heard a thousand times. Support us on Patreon to access this bonus content and much more! https://www.patreon.com/tripologypodcastSend your travel stories to: https://www.tripologypodcast.com/talesofatripNeed travel insurance? We recommend SafetyWing! Click here to get started: ⁠⁠⁠https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=26035801&utm_source=26035801&utm_medium=AmbassadorRequire an onward flight? Please use this fantastic flight rental service: ⁠⁠⁠https://onwardticket.com/tripologypodcast⁠⁠⁠Discord: https://discord.gg/5j3ya9SSInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tripologypodcast/Website: https://www.tripologypodcast.comX: https://x.com/tripologypodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tripologypodcastThank you, as always, for your continued support. It means the world.

Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. Our paid partner BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/tripologyAre you a Slow Travel supporter or a Fast Tourism fan? This week’s hot topic is the ongoing travel debate between Slow Travel and Fast Tourism. But which style of travel is right for you? Receiving the question from a listener into the Hostel Common Room, we share our thoughts and experiences on both travel styles. Will Adam & Alun finally agree on something?Alun’s still surfing in Siargao but a brief lapse in concentration results in him being locked out of his apartment. With no answer from the Landlord, the only answer is to break in… Is it still a crime to break into your own apartment? Perhaps not if you remove an entire window?Tales of a Trip returns with a creepy-crawly story from a remote cattle station in Queensland, Australia. Travel gives you the opportunity to experience new things, including spiders bigger than your hand! The fairytale ending is out there… somewhere.Join our Patreon community to access BONUS content: https://www.patreon.com/tripologypodcastSend your travel stories to: https://www.tripologypodcast.com/talesofatripNeed travel insurance? We recommend SafetyWing! Click here to get started: ⁠⁠⁠https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=26035801&utm_source=26035801&utm_medium=AmbassadorRequire an onward flight? Please use this fantastic flight rental service: ⁠⁠⁠https://onwardticket.com/tripologypodcast⁠⁠⁠Check out our Discord: https://discord.gg/PJXupmqTFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tripologypodcast/Take a look at out our website: https://www.tripologypodcast.comJoin us on X: https://x.com/tripologypodSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@tripologypodcastThank you, as always, for your continued support. It means the world.

Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. Our paid partner BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/tripologyPuffer fish, take cover! Alun's attempting the freediving world record in Siargao, Philippines, after learning freediving breathing techniques. Eagerly signing up for a Spearfishing for Beginners course run by a handsome Spanish instructor, he quickly realises spearfishing is not only difficult, but also humiliating. "Any fish" doesn't always mean any fish!Vagabot 3000 is off on another backpacking adventure, this time to Guatemala City. Will it be Adam or Alun who's crowned Hostel Wars champion? The search continues for the worst... I mean 'most authentic' hostel.Tales of a Trip returns with an inspiring travel story. This time, a young Frenchman who's proactivity and patience has lead him all the way to Bolivia by motorbike!Prepare for Filipino fun, spearfishing fails, and perhaps a little travel envy.Support us on Patreon and gain access to the Lost & Found section, as well as more BONUS content: https://www.patreon.com/tripologypodcastSend your travel stories to: https://www.tripologypodcast.com/talesofatripNeed travel insurance? We recommend SafetyWing! Click here to get started: ⁠⁠⁠https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=26035801&utm_source=26035801&utm_medium=AmbassadorRequire an onward flight? Please use this fantastic flight rental service: ⁠⁠⁠https://onwardticket.com/tripologypodcast⁠⁠⁠Discord: https://discord.gg/SsrRYnmq ⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tripologypodcast/Our website: https://www.tripologypodcast.comJoin us on X: https://x.com/tripologypodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tripologypodcastThank you, as always, for your continued support. It means the world.

Love is in the air! This week a listener shares her romantic travel story of kissing a stranger on a plane! Making the most of the in-flight entertainment, a travel romance blossoms at 35,000 feet, putting the 'lust' in wanderlust! Has the Mile High Club gained two new members?Following in Anthony Bourdain's footsteps, Alun dives head first into Filipino food culture, attending a traditional Fiesta in Siargao. The Philippines is world-famous for it's Lechon; does Alun agree that it's the "best pig on planet earth"?In this week's Tripological Reasoning, Adam recounts his hostel horror story of a backpacking UFC fan shadowboxing at 6am, waking up the entire hostel in the process. The gloves are off!Send your crazy travel stories to: https://www.tripologypodcast.com/talesofatripNeed travel insurance? We recommend SafetyWing! Click here to get started: ⁠⁠⁠https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=26035801&utm_source=26035801&utm_medium=AmbassadorRequire an onward flight? Please use this fantastic flight rental service: ⁠⁠⁠https://onwardticket.com/tripologypodcast⁠⁠⁠Join our Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/tripologypodcastDiscord: https://discord.gg/4hHRHtZC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tripologypodcast/Website: https://www.tripologypodcast.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tripologypodcastX.com: https://x.com/TripologypodThank you, as always, for your continued support. It means the world.