I got my bags packed on a roll heading out there and I'm ready to go looking real good

in my passport photo

Amateur Traveler episode 274. Today the amateur traveler talks about hippos and

kayaking with crocodiles as we go to Botswana. Welcome to the

Got to sit in one more cafe.

I know that I should be heading home,

but maybe not, maybe not today.

Welcome to the amateur traveler, I'm your host Chris Christensen.

Before we get into this week's interview I do have two news stories for you.

With the high price of gasoline some hotels are offering something interesting and unique at least hotels in California

There's four different hotels that the Los Angeles Times found that are offering free gas credit with hotel stays for your next road trip.

And in the good news department, travel to Mexico is up.

Despite all the bad publicity, there's a rising demand for travel to Mexico according

to Expedia Inc. Travel bookings to Mexico made on more than 90 Expedion Hotels.com travel sites

worldwide have risen nearly 25% over the last 12 months.

I saw a similar study that said that American Express was also announcing that people were

spending more money in Mexico.

So at some point, apparently people decided no longer to be scared and go to those places

not so heavily affected by the violence.

Links to both of those stories in the show notes at amateur traveler.com.

I'd like to welcome to the show Spencer Kwan from California who's come to talk to us about Botswana.

Spencer welcome to the show.

...