WANDEROUS

From zipping through the colorful chaos of the Grand Bazaar to descending into the haunting beauty of the Basilica Cistern, this episode takes you deep within Istanbul. Once lost to time, the cistern was stunningly restored from 2020 to 2022 and is now home to eerie legends, two Medusas, a “weeping” column, and the most frightening sculpture I’ve ever seen. 😱Some even believe parts of the cistern are haunted…

Show Notes

• 🎥 YouTube Short: My mad dash through the Grand Bazaar — pure Istanbul chaos.
• 🎥 YouTube Short: Me showcasing the Weeping Column and the spooky subterranean art in the cistern.
• 🎥 Bonus: A vegan baklava taste test (near Galata Tower) filmed right after this visit.
• 🎥 Ferry POV: Ended the day with a glimpse of the Ortakoy Mosque and then gliding across the Bosphorus Strait at night—don’t miss the glowing Bosphorus Bridge.
• 🎬 Film Throwback: The iconic clip from “From Russia With Love”, filmed inside the Basilica Cistern (known locally as Yerebatan Sarnıcı).
• TRAVEL TIP: If you have time, walk through the Grand Bazaar before the Cistern. I found they paired together well.
• TRAVEL TIP: Be sure to take time to appreciate the Weeping Column in the Basilica Cistern, toward the middle of the space. You can’t miss it, actually. It’s quite moving.
• SUPPORTERS: Stay tuned for some eye-popping photos of the stunning lighting (and shocking art) of the Basilica Cistern, coming on Wednesday to my Patreon, of course.
• 📸 You can follow my Patreon for free to submit questions for future episodes, get member-only exclusive episodes, plus exclusive photos and video: https://patreon.com/hellocrusoe
• 🎧 Subscribe for Free: Remember to subscribe to this show for free on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, YouTube, and more. All links to subscribe are here, so you never miss an adventure! →
  

After being ghosted and left for dead (okay, not literally) at the historic Bomonti Beer Factory during Oktoberfest, I ended up meeting three lovely women who invited me to join them. Things were going fabulously. We even headed to a cozy pub across the street. But I definitely didn’t see the plot twist coming!

Show Notes

• The very silly YouTube short of my $2 falafel sandwich. Yes, you can find very cheap food in Istanbul, but don’t expect much. As I sad, this particular sandwich looked vaguely sad.
• Me in front of Galata Tower, one of the most famous structures in the city. This video actually did a lot better on TikTok, with over 170 likes and over a thousand views!
• But apparently YouTube felt that this one deserved over 2,000 views… “NO TRUMPETS” lol
• And finally, here’s a video glimpse of the music of the Beyoğlu Street Festival and the Oktoberfest concert
• TRAVEL TIP: When you go to Istanbul, visit the Bomonti Bear Factory area. It’s part of the Populist (or maybe the other way around, it’s not clear). Anyway, more info on their website.
• TRAVEL TIP: If you’re in the area, I do recommend you checkout Galata Tower. It’s a stunning structure and in future episodes I’ll share a rooftop cafe with an excellent view.
• TRAVEL TIP: Take the ferry across the Bosphorus strait. It’s inexpensive (less than $1) and quite beautiful.
• You can follow my Patreon for free to submit questions for future episodes & get member-only exclusive episodes & exclusive photos and video: https://patreon.com/hellocrusoe
• Remember to subscribe to this show on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and more. All links to subscribe are here, so you never miss an adventure! →
  

My first day in Istanbul was a whirlwind of architectural magic, baby coffees, delicious (and cheap!) plant-based food, stunning moon shots, and a visit to what was once the largest interior space on the planet for nearly a thousand years. Let’s jam!

Show Notes

• The COOLEST barber and the haircut short video on YouTube that I mention.
• The baby coffee that I had: a YouTube Short!
• A YouTube short about my inside look at Blue Mosque & Hagia Sofia! Magical ✨
• My YouTube short about the HUGE circles inside Hagia Sofia, but the TikTok version of my video is better because I had more time to explain (and went semi-viral at the time)
• Some ASMR video from the Veganarsist cafe
• And here’s an unhinged video I shot of a WEIRD neighborhood where I couldn’t even find the ground. Also: a pretty dapper chair just in the middle of the block. Weird.
• TRAVEL TIP: HalkBank ATM worked well for me. (But YMMV.)
• TRAVEL TIP: Be patient when getting your Istanbulkart (the public transit card.) But if you’re in the city for more than a couple days, it’s worth it.
• TRAVEL TIP: If you like plant-based food, I highly recommend Veganarsist. (Here’s its Tripadvisor page.)
• TRAVEL TIP: If you have time, stop by Phottoman photo studio. It’s easy to find in Google or Apple Maps, and it looks delightful.
• TRAVEL TIP: After visiting the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, feel free to chill at the plaza outside. Plenty of benches await.
• You can follow my Patreon for free to submit questions for future episodes & get member-only exclusive episodes & exclusive photos and video: https://patreon.com/hellocrusoe
• Remember to subscribe to this show on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and more. All links to subscribe are here, so you never miss an adventure! →
  

The hour+ extravaganza! In which I go to Komodo Island, the verdant Padar Island, see MASSIVE mantas, and sort of (but not really) almost drown. I really feel like this episode gets better the longer you listen, with a fun finale. Also, this is a review of the fast boat tours you can take from Flores Island. Be safe! 😆

Show Notes

• Me swimming with 100 Dolphins at 2-Step, the video on YouTube that I mention.
• Vagabonding, the Rofl Potts book I mention about the world being safer than you think. (affiliate link)
• TRAVEL TIP: Just do the fast boat. It’s better.
• Regarding a vulnerable share: It’s okay to only invest your time in people who are actually staying nearby. I’m curious on your thoughts about this in the comments!
• You can follow my Patreon for free to submit questions for future episodes & get member-only exclusive episodes & exclusive photos and video: https://patreon.com/hellocrusoe
• Remember to subscribe to this show on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and more. All links to subscribe are here, so you never miss an adventure! →
  

From my final Germany hike, to gulag stories, to the kindness of my hosts completely blowing me away, this is a big episode. Mahalo nui nui! (You know who you are.) I am forever humbled.

Show Notes

• My Ten Thousand Hours in Paradise (Hawaii) FREE audiobook on YouTube that I mention.
• Or buy the eBook or Paperback of Ten Thousand Hours in Paradise on any store →
• TRAVEL TIP: Use SkyScanner.com (better than the app in my experience)
• The Travel Microphone I use now: Samson Go Mic (affiliate link)
• Also, sign up for email updates to be sure to know about upcoming book giveaways
• You can also subscribe to this show on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and more. All links to subscribe are here, so you never miss an adventure! →
  

Slightly embarrassing and silly story of the time I ended up on stage after midnight dressed as a silver ALIEN! (Plus an embarrassing admission and a surprising connection to Ukraine.)

Show Notes

• Right after I recorded this, I came down with a bad throat virus, so I’m not full of energy to make the most amazing show notes this time. Maybe I’ll edit this later.
• Forgot to mention that I kept my shorts on under the silver spandex which was one of the weirdest feelings in a long time lol
• Oh, and two YouTube Shorts: Facepainting video got over 1K views
• And the ONLY footage of this crazy moment of going on stage
• The Truth Beyond the Sky my first book, that I mention
• Also, sign up for email updates to be sure to know about upcoming giveaways
• You can also subscribe to this show on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and more. All links to subscribe are here, so you never miss an adventure! →
  

I finally reach Germany, am hosted by a wonderful person, and meet about one hundred sheep by the Ruhr River.

Show Notes

• YouTube Short of my first day in Germany (and a hundred SHEEP!)
• And a short video of my host explaining that Cotyledon tomentosa (Bear Paw succulent) plant was hurting the sheep and people nearby, also tons of cute SHEEP! Luckily they were working hard to remove the dangerous plants.
• If you like any of these videos, “Liking” them on YouTube really does help. Mahalo!
• Yes, it’s true: the unplanned elements are often the most delightful.
• A brief discussion of travel notifications and credit cards.
• I’d also like to thank the programmer (or team) that pushed for the Deutsche Bahn ticket kiosk to accept Paypal, thereby saving me a lot of grief when my card wouldn’t work.
• Notice: Bielefeld may not actually exist, but the people there hate Nazis. It’s also quite clean and organized, so they’ve got all of that going for them.
• Travel Tip: You aren’t going crazy. TK Max is the same as TJ Maxx. Don’t worry. Just an international branding issue.
• IN THE COMMENTS: let me know if you’d like my cashew cheese sauce recipe, and I’ll share it in a coming episode!
• A short vlog I made foreshadowing the adventures coming up
• You can follow my Patreon for free to submit questions for future episodes & get member-only exclusive episodes: https://patreon.com/hellocrusoe
• You can also subscribe to this show on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and more. All links to subscribe are here, so you never miss an adventure! →
  

I couchsurf with a stained glass artist and get more than I bargained for.

Show Notes

• TRAVEL TIP: Use couchsurfing.com
• Here’s that video I shot of LIVE angelic music in St. Gudula Cathedral (the Wiki page is fascinating)
• And a video of the pulpit with Adam and Eve (also with music)
• Charles V and Charlemagne also depicted in stained glass (no idea why I picked Indiana jones music for this video haha)
• A video featuring some good shots of the swallow’s nest organ (and live music)
• I forgot to mention this in the episode but there used to be Prime Meridian that went through St. Gudula Cathedral. Learn in this video I shot.
• So now that you’ve seen those videos, perhaps you’ll understand why the posted note on the front deserves a better typeface than Comic Sans.
• Royal Quarter in Brussels video
• Liege waffles and Brussels waffles & Visit to VeganWaf video
• TRAVEL TIP: Check out VeganWaf when you go! (Their instagram is here)
• Fresque Dinosaure public art, amazing video
• Manneken Pis video, speaks for itself
• The part when I whisper loudly at the Basilica of The Sacred Heart Brussels
• Final Brussels video I shot: all about Basilica of The Sacred Heart has merch lol
• You can follow my Patreon for free to submit questions for future episodes & get member-only exclusive episodes: https://patreon.com/hellocrusoe
• You can also subscribe to this show on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and more. All links to subscribe are here, so you never miss an adventure! →
  

In which I find the odd parallels between the Louvre Museum, the British Museum, and “Where’s Waldo” books by Martin Handford. Overall. a rather silly overview of a very remarkable place.

Show Notes

• What do the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace have in common? Listen and find out the surprising connection!
• The Lapith & Centaur frieze sculpture that I saw in the British Museum is at this page (for Patreon Supporters) — Lapith people show up everywhere!
• My silly Mona Lisa TikTok video that got 100+ hearts & shows the crazy crowd.
• Here’s the same video on YouTube shorts if you’re in a country with censorship.
• There are a lot more videos of the Louvre on my YouTube and TikTok pages.
• Homework: Look up Jacques-Louis David and see if you can find his person guide along with a photo of the painting, and tell me you aren’t reminded of Where’s Waldo (Or Where’s Wally for our European listeners)
• Also: Feel free to compare Giotto di Bondone’s haunting art with your nightmares. There is a connection.
• Yes, I recorded a shameless promo video in the Louvre. Hopefully I won’t go to jail.
• And here’s a bit of a farewell video to France.
• TRAVEL TIP: Try out BlaBlaCar on your next international trip. It works quite well in Europe and India, too, apparently.
• You can follow my Patreon for free to submit questions for future episodes & get member-only exclusive episodes: https://patreon.com/hellocrusoe
• You can also subscribe to this show on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and more. All links to subscribe are here, so you never miss an adventure! →
  

A BIG episode today: my unfiltered experience of Disney Paris. The good, surprising, and even frightening aspects! 

Show Notes

• This episode includes fun facts about the original Star Tours which I went on in the 90s… because of my extreme age. 😆
• A very unhinged video of me entering the park
• TRAVEL TIP: Try out Couchsurfing.com - I’ve met some of the best people in the world thru this site!
• TRAVEL TIP: You can use your Paris Metro pass to get all the way to Disney Paris! (Apps like Google maps tell you exactly how.)
• TRAVEL TIP: Typically, French baguettes are vegan! (Made from 4 simple ingredients: flour, water, yeast, and salt.) So if you’re sensitive to milk products like me, these are still OK.
• Note: I forgot to mention that HyperSpace Mountain is a wonderful, fresh interpretation of Space Mountain, and you actually start outside before plunging into the darkness, which is extra fun. (I went 3 times!)
• TRAVEL TIP: Lookup if you can shoot in RAW with your digital camera or phone. You’ll have much more editing flexibility later.
• YouTube: Following Jaffar takes an unexpected turn
• YouTube: My impression of meeting Darth Vader
• YouTube: Star Tours impressions & bts droids
• YouTube: My Build your own droid video lol
• YouTube: Temple of PERIL!!! Complete with music
• Oh and here’s a video showing off what I mean about River Boat. It has geysers!
• There are a lot more on my YouTube and TikTok pages.
• TRAVEL TIP: Find the Statue of Liberty Tableau. It’s ONLY in the Disney Paris park. I even made a short about it.
• LORD HURON STORY NOTE: In the intervening years since this happened, someone did transcribe those lyrics and posted them to Genius.com
• You can follow my Patreon for free to submit questions for future episodes & get member-only exclusive episodes: https://patreon.com/hellocrusoe
• You can also subscribe to this show on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and more. All links to subscribe are here, so you never miss an adventure! →