Blog Review: Indie Travel Podcast

Firstly... What Is A Podcast?

According to Google, the definition of a podcast is a “A non-streaming, multimedia digital file, made available on the Internet for downloading to a portable media player (mp3 player), tablet, computer or a laptop etc.” In other words it’s a short “webisode” (or internet episode), which is made available by a specific website to cover a particular event. For example, the highlights package from the Wimbledon women’s finals, which you’d get from the official Wimbledon website, would be considered a sports podcast.

Podcasts are all over the net today, available on websites of just about any description. But when you talk about a travel podcast, it’s essentially a travel related sound package of information, brought to you by a travel website.

Why Would I Download Them?

A travel podcast can be about anything travel related: the food at a particular destination, a type of rare flower found in the Sumatran jungle, how to handle the traffic in Old Delhi. It’s basically a feature article that you can upload to your mp3 player or computer and then play back over and over at your own leisure. In the same way that you’d cut out or jot down the main points about a great travel magazine article and then take it with you on holiday, you can play a podcast back on your ipod, laptop or mp3 player.

One of the coolest things about listening to a travel podcast, as opposed to reading an article, is the human element to listening to voices and seeing images. It adds a new dimension to the content you’re absorbing. Instead of a writer trying to find the words to describe what they’ve seen, the podcast uses film and audio to deliver an entirely new kind of feature. For example, if a journalist recorded the Wildebeest migration in Tanzania and made it available on podcast, you would be getting an audio-visual presentation of the events. Nothing will ever replace the real thing or written articles (which rely on a reader’s imagination), but as a medium, this takes readers one step closer to the action.

Indie Travel Podcast

Indie Travel Podcast

Indie Travel Podcast is the brain child of Craig and Linda Martin, a travelling couple who started a world wide journey in 2006 and have not stopped since - other than the occasional break in their home country, New Zealand.

In between teaching English and documenting their journeys online, they’ve had a continual round the world trip ever since then. With years of experience behind them now, a wealth of knowledge and a constant flow of great stories and tips, their podcast blog has flourished into the award winning website you'll find today.

When it comes to being an authority on the nuts and bolts of travelling, Craig and Linda are the real deal. They have been at this a long time and know what they’re talking about.Their podcasts are informative and varied, covering everything from money saving tips, to fun features on specific attractions and events, as well as diary entries on what it’s like to live in a particular country. In addition to Craig and Linda’s podcasts, they also have a network of travel writers who contribute on a regular basis.

While the podcasts are the main attraction of their website, blogs, videos and even e-books have been added to the forray, making the website a great resource and starting point for people who are . There's also an open forum that allows for actual discussion with Craig, Linda and the other knowlegable travellers - covering everything on the site, plus any other topics you feel need help with.

The world of travel blogging and writing is growing and changing with the modern technology available to us. Fifteen years ago a website like Indie Travel Podcast would have seemed like a pipe dream. It's a certifiable library and a hub for travellers who are looking for advice, discussion, entertainment and information. Two thumbs up!