Month: January 1970

The title bar stated “Mama Jama LIVE” and I figured that this blog was mainly about music. The main layout was black and white and not much to say about it. And the first entry I read was about Jaco Pastorius and that strengthened the idea that this blog was a music blog.

However, I was mistaken. Though some of the entries are about the author’s band and his experiences as well as the people he has met on the way. But he talks about other things too – family life, thoughts and ideas and of course, some witty entry about one thing or the other.

One thing that I found particularly good about this blog was that it had categories into which his entries were, of course, categorized to. There’s the “Just Stuff” where I think the miscellaneous entries were placed. The “Tech” category had entries that was relatively about technical things.

So, that said, I would recommend this blog to anyone who is interested in the going ons of this person’s life, music, travel and just some random stuff. I suggest anyone visit this blog at least once for a quick laugh.
Mama Jama Live

A nice, clean, well-organized blog, Travel the Home Exchange Way is written by Lois Sealey and is an excellent source of all things ‘house swapping.’

Lois began the blog in late 2004 and using two other home swapping sources (Home Base Holidays and Home Swappers Newsletter), she regularly compiles useful links and information on the subject. After a request from a reader, she began including photos of houses that are available for holiday swap. She also posts homes ‘wanted’ in certain parts of the world and lists things you should know before doing a home swap. I think any and all of this information would be invaluable to those looking into this type of vacation.

This is a very short review for this site, but suffice it to say more informational blogs like this are needed for niche markets such as the home exchangers. What a great way to get information and be able to leave feedback on your experience. Well done, Lois.Travel the Home Exchange Way

The title alone didn’t make any sense to me. “Travel the Home Exchange Way.” What? The author states this weblog is “To share and discuss information related to home exchange holidays through posts, comments and links.” I had somewhat of an idea after reading through some posts, but it didn’t all quite click till I read the very first post.

I’d never heard of this before which might explain why I was confused for a bit. Once I began reading, the idea was really cool. Basically, you exchange homes with someone in another location, and they stay at your place for an agreed period of time. How nice is it to return to a home rather than a hotel each night while on vacation? Nice.


This site covers quite a bit of content. Lois, the author, posts experiences from different members, helps to publicize the needs of a member from the Home Based Holidays website and also discusses media news related to home based holidays. I found it all very interesting and easy to read, especially since I’d never heard of this concept of travel.

The site’s easy to get around too. Posts are categorized which is helpful, if you’re looking for something specific. And the layout’s very simple, with a calendar, links to recent posts and links to other informational sites about home exchanging.

I really enjoyed this site a lot. I learned a lot about home exchanging and it was really useful to hear about other people’s experiences. It gives insight to the issues that arise when exchanging home and also all of preparation that goes into it. It sounded like it would be a unique experience and great alternative to staying in a hotel. “Travel the Home Exchange Way” is very useful if you’re interested or are currently someone who does home exchanging. Great site.
Travel the Home Exchange Way

I loved this blog. It might be because it reached out to my inner greenie, but either way, it’s a blog that is both useful, insightful & even helpful, for even the laziest of people who might want to help, but don’t know where to turn to.

Karama has listed different links, suggestions and aids for anyone who might be interested in a particular subject ranging from supporting or working for a non-profit organisation, fighting breast cancer, or helping to vote for an AIDS Orphan School.

It’s a fairly new blog, started in October 2004. But I believe it’s a blog that has a lot of potential as well as being very informative. The blog is open to suggestions & questions from anyone who might be interested in something, it looks like it’s the work of just one person instead of a group blog.

The template is a regular blogger type template, but it’s simple and doesn’t take away from the content. And I feel that it’s the content that is more important in this blog. Karama mentions that she is very open to suggestions and comments, so people writing to her might be able to get her to list something they might be interested in.

I rated this blog based mainly on the fact that it’s unique, it’s innovative and it’s a go getter. Definately worth checking out if you are interested in volunteering or trying to help a cause.So what can I do?

At first, I couldn’t quite grasp what the entire blog was about. From the title “Travel the Home Exchange Way” and the subtitle “For a vacation home away from home”, I really could not understand any of it. On one hand, I thought that it would have some tips on how to make a home more comfortable and on the other hand, I thought it would offer me some brochure-like information about this one exotic city to the next.

But then I thought, where did Home Exchange come from?

As I read on, I finally saw some light. It seems that the blog is for “sharing and discussing information related to home exchange holidays through posts, comments and links.” Articles were posted discussing the idea of home exchange and also some tips on the what and how and all those questions. Actually, almost half of the posts, maybe more, were questions probably sent by home exchangers (or soon-to-be ones). The questions were then answered very well.

Design-wise, well, I have to say that not a lot of effort was put into it. It’s neat and I have to say it’s not too bad to look at. It’s just a little bit too simple.

Bonus Feature: Home Base Holidays. I think that the two sites are somehow affiliated. Now, I haven’t really thought of Home Exchange but from the articales and entries that I have read, I am certainly interested in the idea of it. And I think that the blog itself is informative enough to hold the attention of someone who is even somewhat interested in Home Exchange.

This site is a great one to visit especially if the idea of swapping houses is not one that makes you turn in away in an unpleasant feeling. I recommend this blog to anyone interested in the idea. Of course, owning your home would be a plus.Travel the Home Exchange Way