"Be Right Back" Ranked #8 Travel Blog of 2010

We are thrilled to announce that our blog, "Be Right Back: Working and Eating our Way Around the World", received a prestigious accolade this morning: the #8 ranking by Lori&Lorna, an independent organization of everything awesome that just held its annual Top Travel Blog of the Year competition.

We thank our followers for all their support! Without our loyal fans, a consistently updated blog would have been tough work.

For those who casually peruse the blog, or for those who are new, here is a recap:

France, May-June: Starting in Provence and ending in Bordeaux, we toured, worked, biked, relaxed, ate and drank our way through the south. Highlights include many nights of conversation and wine with new friends as long hours of humbling farm work proved to be a certain bonding experience.

Italy, July: Ah, Italy. From Bologna to Rome . . . the best coffee, the best art, and our best work exchange. Highlights include making gnocchi with an Italian gradma, making gelato with an Italian grandpa, and butchering a wild boar with a city-slicker turned farmer.

Turkey, August-September: The land of incredible hospitality, baklava, and a compelling history that is only matched by its landscape. We started in Fethiye, in the southeast, and bussed our way throughout the country until we reached Istanbul. Highlights include the Rhodes, Greece to Fethiye, Turkey ferry, Gulhayat, two Turkish weddings, and hanging out by the Galata Tower.

Malaysia & Singapore, September: Leaving the ol' comforts of Europe and landing in Kuala Lumpur, we entered the bustling future. We ate an impressive amount of food in KL, and then traveled down to Singapore, which seems all but programmed for success. Highlights do not include crocodile meat and durians (both made possible by Singha beer), but rather the familiar hawker centers -- congregations of food stalls serving real, delicious food to families and friends, rich and not so rich.

Cambodia & Thailand, October: With Bangkok as our base, we traveled the region a bit. We taught English outside Korat, a city in northeast Thailand. We then trekked to Siem Reap, Cambodia, dodging scams along the way to see the inspiring land of Angkor Wat. Highlights include 1hr, $7 traditional Thai massages (feels great, but much more of a body-alignment wrestling match than table-top relaxation session), getting hassled by government officials in Cambodia, surviving a flat tire en route to Bangkok, where we are currently stationed, watching typhoons and floods wreak havoc on the region and our itinerary.

And there you have it! See the post below for our upcoming plans (or current lackthereof). To get a better picture about us, and why we received such a high ranking, please look through the pictures and posts.

Lori&Lorna was not available for immediate comment about the rankings. The reputable organization, led by a two person staff, must be busy answering questions as to why "Be Right Back" wasn't #1.

Finally, getting through to Lorna, I received strange replies of "...What are you talking about? Have you been getting sleep? Are you.." and then the Skype line cut out.