Backpacking | Etched In Adventure

My Italy Bucket List

November 18, 2021 by Shaun Li Stoffer

Day 1 in Rome, Italy (10/24/21): -Traveling from Egypt to Rome was an absolute nightmare. The spirits were $25USD, the taxi took me to the wrong terminal, and the metro to transfer to my correct terminal 2 miles away was closed so I had to take a second taxi. I checked in online but it wasn’t accepted at passport control so I had to go back and check-in again in-person.-When I got to Rome, the immigration officer tells me that […]

Categories: Backpacking, Europe, Travel • Tags: Backpacking, Ercolano, Europe, Eurotrip, Italy, Naples, Pompeii, Rome

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My Cairo Bucket List

November 17, 2021 by Shaun Li Stoffer

Day 1 in Cairo, Egypt (10/13/21): First Impressions:-Cairo is in my top ten for worst traffic. I spent 90 minutes stuck in traffic on what should have been a 40 minute drive on a late Wednesday afternoon. My Uber took a wrong exit so he literally reversed back up the exit to reenter the highway.-Like Turkey, there are hustlers everywhere and the easiest giveaway is that they speak exceptional English. Sometimes, I give them the time of day because they […]

Categories: Backpacking, Middle East, Travel • Tags: Backpacking, Cairo, Desert, Egypt, Giza, Giza Pyramids, Middle East, North Africa

My Turkey Bucket List

November 13, 2021 by Shaun Li Stoffer

Day 1 in Istanbul, Turkey (10/8/21): -BiTaksi is the Uber of Turkey.-An Istanbulkart card is essential for all public transportation: the tram, bus, metro, and ferry. You need to activate it with your HES code. Your HES code is the number they give you when you register to enter the country.-I don’t care what religion you are, the mosques here, inside and out, are magical. I feel like I’m in Agrabah.-There are stray dogs and especially cats EVERYWHERE. I don’t […]

Categories: Backpacking, Middle East, Travel • Tags: Alanya, Backpacking, Istanbul, Middle East, Turkey

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My Georgia Bucket List

November 12, 2021 by Shaun Li Stoffer

Day 1 in Tbilisi, Georgia (10/4/21): -The rain is steady in Georgia in the fall.-Georgia doesn’t have a curfew but the majority of businesses have to close at 10pm so it pretty much does. Ordering late night food and drinks are an easy option though with apps like Wolt.-I would argue Tbilisi is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever seen.-Everytime I play blackjack they switch the dealers on me when I’m up and I tell myself I should […]

Categories: Backpacking, Caucasia, Caucasus, Georgia, Travel • Tags: Backpacking, Caucasia, Caucasus, Georgia, Travel, Tsbilsi

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My Armenia Bucket List

November 12, 2021 by Shaun Li Stoffer

Day 1 in Yerevan, Armenia (9/28/21): -Tipping around 10% is expected here, mainly in the capital. If you don’t like it, simply don’t visit.-First Impressions: Armenian people are kind as heck.-Armenia is dirt cheap. I ate out, had around ten drinks, and tipped 20% – spent $26 USD.-People here, primarily women, are super fashionable.-The currency is nuts. 50,000 Armenian drum is just over $100 USD – so I’m a billionaire here.-Armenians hate their surrounding neighbors for political reasons.-Like every country […]

Categories: Armenia, Backpacking, Caucasia, Caucasus, Travel • Tags: Armenia, Backpacking, Caucasia, Caucasus, Yerevan

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My Ukraine Bucket List

November 11, 2021 by Shaun Li Stoffer

Day 1 & 2 in Kyiv, Ukraine (9/20/21-9/21/21): -There are exchange places all over the city center with much better rates than the airport.-No one yields to pedestrians and I hate it.-Ukrainian banks have PINs for their credit cards. It was an initially awkward, heated conversation explaining to my receptionist that USA credit cards don’t have PINs because he pretty much thought I was stupid.-Ukraine and Estonia are the only countries I’ve been to on this trip that are weirdly […]

Categories: Backpacking, Europe, Travel • Tags: Backpacking, Chernobyl, Chornobyl, Europe, Eurotrip, Kiev, Kyiv, Travel, Travel Tips, Ukraine

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My Tallinn Bucket List

November 11, 2021 by Shaun Li Stoffer

Day 1 & 2 in Tallinn, Estonia (9/17/21-9/18/21): -This is my sixth country so far on this trip and I don’t care what anyone says. Everyone worldwide appreciates a good tip.-I tried pig ears. I thought they were only treats for dogs but turns out they aren’t half bad.-Tallinn is beautiful but, so far, seems overrated and is my least favorite of the three Baltics. What little there is to do here can be done in a day or two […]

Categories: Backpacking, Europe, Travel • Tags: Backpacking, Baltics, Estonia, Europe, Eurotrip, Tallinn

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My Riga Bucket List

November 9, 2021 by Shaun Li Stoffer

Days 1 & 2 in Riga, Latvia (9/12/21-9/13/21): -You can’t access gyms without a digital COVID vaccination record, which the US doesn’t have so I was denied entry at three gyms.-By dumb luck, I found on outside gym called Ghetto Park that is one euro a day to workout at.-I would easily argue the women here are among the most beautiful in the world.-I am infatuated with the Art Nouveau architecture here. The city has a charm I can’t describe […]

Categories: Backpacking, Europe, Travel • Tags: Backpacking, Baltics, Europe, Eurotrip, Latvia, Riga

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My Vilnius Bucket List

November 8, 2021 by Shaun Li Stoffer

Day 1 in Vilnius, Lithuania (9/9/21): -Vilnius is a super clean city with easy and convenient public transportation.-Every other car is a Mercedes, Jaguar, BMW, or Lexus.-The baroque architecture is absolutely fantastic.-I’ve backpacked Europe 5 times and have never seen or been given 100 Euro bills until today.-I spent last night getting my ass kicked in chess playing locals. Day 2 in Vilnius, Lithuania (9/10/21): -There’s another Shaun from Florida here who owns a bar called Stars and Stripes in […]

Categories: Backpacking, Europe, Travel • Tags: Backpacking, Balitcs, Europe, Eurotrip, Lithuania, Vilnius

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Etched In Adventure

“At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished, it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better, it’s about what you’ve given back.”

Category Archives: Backpacking

My Italy Bucket List

My Cairo Bucket List

My Turkey Bucket List

My Georgia Bucket List

My Armenia Bucket List

My Ukraine Bucket List

My Tallinn Bucket List

My Riga Bucket List

My Vilnius Bucket List