Stingray Bit My Nipple!: True Stories from Real Travelers

by Erik Torkells, Readers of Budget Travel Magazine

One of the things I love most about our 'True Stories' section (and by extension, this book) is that readers are so willing to laugh at themselves-they send in what are sometimes very embarrassing stories, because we all know that that's life, especially when you travel." --Erik Torkells, editor, Budget TravelFrom the French-kissing giraffe to the Coke-drinking camel, Budget Travel's "True Stories" feature proves that life when traveling is indeed stranger and funnier than fiction.Collected by Erik Torkells, editor of Budget Travel magazine, these tales of adventuresome calamity and hilarity are an irresistible read. Over 200 true stories are included.Stories have been submitted by Budget Travel readers and many feature real and hilarious vacation photographs from their travels. From the couple in Belize who had a chicken lay an egg in their bed while at an eco resort, to the traveler who accidentally set her hair on fire while lighting a prayer can

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Humor, Essays

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Marvin · Rating 2 out of 5]

From Stingray Bit My Nipple...

You are what you...tweet!
We did our own cooking when renting a house on Mexico's Soliman Bay. At the produce stand, there was several varieties of grains and nuts. One of the grains looked familiar, close to brown rice, and the vegetarian among us approved the choice.We cooked it over an hour, but it still tasted oaky, so we cooked it longerand added seasoning. The property manager and the caretaker stopped in as we were about to eat. They were in awe of our ignorance. We just cooked a bag of birdseed.

OK. That's kind of cute. But 200 of these in one book?

I have been a subscriber to the magazine Frommer's Budget Travel for years and highly recommend it to both real and armchair travelers. One of the most popular features is the "true stories" section where travelers tell about their funniest experiences. A half dozen in a month is enjoyable but when they are comprised into a 200 page book, it gets a little tedious. This is a book mainly for browsing. A lot of the stories are funny, some not so much and a very few were simply insensitive.

I probably should offer two caveats:

1) I received this book free as a Kindle download. At the time of this review it is still free. It's worth free.

2) I've sent a few of my own anecdotes to Budget Travel and they've yet to publish one. I guess they don't know true talent when they see it. (just kidding, I think)

I think one of the problems with this type of book is that many of the stories, and probably my own, are "You had to be there" kind of funny. Like the time the Moscow custom officers picked up on the x-ray a large Russian cowbell in my wife's carryall and she blurted out, "That's not a bomb." Like I said. You had to be there.

Update: It's no longer free.

[Syazwanie Winston Abdullah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the title and the blurbs, this book failed to deliver its promise. A bleh book. Left it in my hotel room in Bandung. May it spark joy to the next reader 😂

[Teri Tyner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing collection

This book is an interesting collection of travel stories from all over the world. A quick read, maybe better as a coffee table book for an occasional anecdote. The pics should be bigger to see what the story refers to.

[Gallandro_83 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early review,[return][return]This is one of those great little coffee table or bathroom books the stories contained are short little blurbs that are amusing and give a little glimpse into what one might meet or see when traveling. I in particular loved the man ducked tapped into a phone booth in London. I was disappointed however that the stories in general are little beyond descriptions there is no substance to any of the stories and this book will not offer any more value then a archive of comics without any themes. [return][return]gallandro

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read of anecdotes submitted to Budget travel magazine, most of which have probably been published in the magazine beforehand, but since I don't read the magazine, they were all new to me. Most included accompanying photos to supplement the stories, which were a nice touch. Many of the anecdotes didn't necessarily show the best side of Americans' common sense while travelling abroad, but the book is meant to be lighthearted, and is enjoyable if you don't expect it to be a terribly deep book.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

The anecdotes in this collection are best read over a longer period of time, rather than straight through. Many were amusing, many evoked a feeling of "gosh, I'm glad that wasn't me," and many made me wish to have a similar experience. All in all the book does well with his intended purpose, a collection of stories accumulated from the magazine. I would keep it, instead of shelved, on a coffee table or even in the bathroom!

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this as a Kindle freebie a couple days before going on vacation. I'd only gotten three hours of sleep the night before the flight back so I felt like I couldn't read anything seriously, and the in-flight movie looked terrible. I went through this in about 30 minutes. It was better than the airline magazine, but I wouldn't actually pay for it.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this collection of humorous incidents submitted from all over the world. From a young man's introduction to "mouse jerky" (Americans really do need to get out more)to a vacuum with a lei to monkeys who decorate vacationers, there was plenty of variety. Felt like we were laughing together at the little (and larger) bumps that are part and parcel of traveling.

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the anecdotes in this book were really funny. Others were more of the head-scratching variety. As another reviewer commented, this is a book better left for those moments when you have only a few minutes to read - such as the bathroom, except that then you can't easily inflict the truly humourous stories on all your loved ones.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read the magazine in which these excerpts are originally from, but thought it might be fun to read anyway. I was glad I did! While not a long book, it does tell of people's travels and what might go possibly wrong. There were quiet a few I laughed out loud on and some I had to share with others.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of travel mishaps and misadventures people have experienced. I found I could relate to a few of them and even have a few I should consider submitting myself. It's a fun light read. Makes me want to start planing another trip.

[Melanti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amusing but most of the stories aren't long or detailed enough to be truly funny.

This might work better as a bathroom or coffee table book - reading a page or two at a time instead of all at once.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a collection of holidays-gone-wrong stories. I downloaded it thinking it would be a good laugh. I think 5 stories out of the whole book were actually funny. Too many were dumb and pointless. Very disappointing.

[Andrea]

This book has me laughing out loud! I love the short little descriptions of people's memorable vacation moments. The short descriptions fit my current lack of attention-paying skills due to my active 15 month old.

[Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some stories were unimpressive while others made me laugh out loud. I think people got tired of me interrupting to share all the funny stories. The stories are short and great to read as a pick me up whenever you feel down.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful little collection of adventures around the globe! This e-book, put out by Travel magazine, is a collection of short paragraphs that readers have sent in about their memorable vacationing adventures.

[Kori · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. The stories are very short, some of them just a few lines, and many of them aren't even remotely funny. I gave it 2 stars because some of the pictures made me laugh.

[Jennie Searp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the stories would be funnier, but good, easy read.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read that had me laughing. I read the Kindle version, so the pics weren't in color, but still worth the money!

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another kindle freebie -- this book is a really quick read and a total hoot. True stories from people's various adventures.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Kindle freebie. It's just a collection of stories that were sent in to the True Stories column of Budget Travel magazine, but definitely great fun to read.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of very short, humorous stories submitted to Budget Travel Magazine by readers. Most contain a photo. Some are very funny, others just so-so.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

So funny stories from real people as they discuss their trips. Also includes some photos. Good fun and short book

[Samone Black · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really all that great, just short anecdotes that readers had sent into a local newspaper.... maybe about 2 of them actually amused me.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, light, entertaining travel stories.

[Jessica Abell · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was funny

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting quick reads if you only have about a minute or two. These are all short, sometimes amusing blurbs from a travel magazine.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

reading it as a beach book. the very short nature works with my very short attention span at the beach. the kids also find it entertaining.

[Stacie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Humorous read with short stories about funny/weird things that happen to people on vacation and travel trips.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not something I would pay, I picked it up as a Kindle freebie. It was rather funny in parts.