Since Twitter has exploded, there seems to be an exponential increase in Twitter Travel Contests around the place.

There doesn’t seem to be day where someone is offering a giveaway if you tweet this or that.  Hey, I’ve even had a few giveaways here on The Travel Tart, such as the odd Travel Book here and there. 

This hasn’t been too taxing because I haven’t been that imaginative.  I don’t let merit get in the way of someone scoring a prize – I just let a random number generator pick a commenter for me!  (Try this one, it’s good! http://www.random.org/).

It’s all about making life easier, not harder!

But Nomadic Matt has a great Twitter Travel contest going – and I’ve even been shortlisted in the Top 15 for a trip to Costa Rica, including an airfare (my shonky poem entry for this is here). 

I’ve been shortlisted for some fantastic travel junkets, for example a 3 month all expenses paid around New Zealand -  with not much luck.

Today, I’m not going to bore you with crap like ‘I’m definitely the best candidate..’ blah blah blah or I’m experienced with this blah blah blah so vote for me blah blah blah.  I’ve already done that in my entry!

But I’ve come up with a list of Twitter Travel Contestant Types that I’ve pulled out of my backside!

Here they are:

The Facebook Friender

This person has thousands of Facebook Friends that aren’t really their true friends.  Votes are canvassed by sending out daily Facebook status updates to make sure someone votes for them.  Facebook Status updates are sent out to Twitter, with Twitter updates being sent back to Facebook in a perpetual cycle of updates.

The Twitter Tragic

Sends out the maximum allowable tweets per hour pleading for people to vote for them.  Sometimes for days or weeks.

The Pleader

You know, the one who types, usually in uppercase ‘PLEASE PLEASE VOTE FOR ME, I’M DEFINITELY THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THIS PRIZE. I KNOW I’M THE BEST!’

The Enormous Emailer

Will send out an email to EVERY person from every single email account they possess.  Many times.

The Beautiful Person

This contestant uploads a profile picture that is a professional glamour shot in a skimpy outfit to appeal to the opposite (or maybe sometimes both) sex(es). 

The Briber

‘If you vote for me, I’ll [insert any task you nominate here, such as selling your soul].

As for me?

I’m The Easygoer

I might send out a few things here and there, but I’ll go with the flow.  I sent an email out to a few friends which said.

Hey, I’ve been shortlisted to score a trip to Costa Rica.  1 of 15!  The highest vote getter doesn’t necessarily win, but it helps!

It’s really simple – I’m #13.  Just press on that to vote!

http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/vote-and-send-someone-to-costa-rica/

Hey, if it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t life goes on and there will always be another fantastic travel opportunity around the corner.

However, since I’m a Travel Addict, I won’t knock back a free trip either!

So if’ you haven’t fallen asleep, go to this link here and click on #13 and we’ll see what happens!

I’ll try and stuff you in my backpack and declare you as ‘Miscellaneous’ to the Costa Rican immigration officials if I win (oops, that’s the Briber!).

Chop Chop!

You’ve only got until March 1 2010!  Thanks!

Woo hoo!

Nomadic Matt has been colluding with Bruce Poon Tip from Gap Adventures to give away a trip to Costa Rica.

The link to the original announcement is here.

Since I’m an insatiable Travel Addict, I’m putting my hand up for this awesome sounding trip, with this blog post being my entry.

So here is my 550 word blurb about ‘Why do you want this trip, and what do you hope to get out of it?

The Short Answer: I’m a travel addict who loves travelling, and finds loads of joy and happiness whenever I do so.

The Longer Answer:

Well, I think I have a lot in common with Nomadic Matt and Bruce – we all love travel, and all the experiences that come from wandering around the world.

I’ve done crazy travel stuff like riding on a farting camels in the Sahara, risking my life in suicidal mini bus taxis in southern Africa, and drinking freshly brewed beer out of a rubbish bin in Namibia.

But I haven’t been to Costa Rica… yet!  And I guess this giveaway is a good excuse to have a crack at a trip there!

I’ve even developed a corny poem to try and score this great trip!

Here it is!

I was watching my Twitter Feed one day

When Nomadic Matt said ‘I’m giving a free trip away’

With Brucey Poontip from Gap Adventures

It’s to Costa Rica, a new travel thirst quencher

I wondered how I could win this trip

Via a witty blog post, or even a funny video clip

Then I thought about writing this silly poem

In the hope that Matt and Bruce would help me leave home.

The thing is that I’m a nomadic soul

If I stay too long in one place, I start to lose control

But the main reason I want to score this trip,

Is to escape the cubicle prison which is fluorescent lit.

I know that I will experience so much if selected,

As every single travel day is one where I feel connected.

And because I’m a self proclaimed Travel Tart

I’ll do whatever it takes to make the journey’s start!

I’ll blog every day (technology permitting!), which is more than you want,

I’ll Tweet the whole journey to my 9000+ followers, telling them about the jaunt!

I’ll record the whole journey on video, with special effects,

And even add Costa Rica to my ever growing Beer Index

I’m also well qualified, when it comes to blogging trip opportunities,

I spent a month in Indonesia, staying with local blogging communities

I even have a background in environmental science,

So I can blurb about Gap Adventures, and their sustainability compliance!

Whatever happens guys, thanks for this opportunity

But I really hope to check out some Costa Rican cities

So the 7th of March is circled on my chart,

Because that’s the date when you shout a trip for The Travel Tart!

Just imagine this – the awesome travel threesome of Nomadic Matt, Bruce Poontip and The Travel Tart! Maybe…

Anyway, there it is – my blog post entry for Nomadic Matt and Bruce and the trip to Costa Rica.

Hope it gives me a shot!