There are so many excellent articles and blog posts each month that it's impossible to keep track of all. In an attempt to capture the best of the travel web in one single place we will be looking for the best posts each month and recognising them in a special round-up post. Here we feature the top posts of May 2011 in three categories:

1. Best Adventure Travel Post
2. Best Extreme Adventure 
3. Best Travel Misadventure Story

There are of course many contenders for these prestigious titles, which are selected in an entirely subjective and unaccountable manner. If you have a post that you would like us to consider for the June awards just send us the link to the post via Twitter (@Tourdust) or in the comments box below. So on to the winning posts:

Best Adventure Travel Post 

Central Asia Travel: A Beginner's Guide by Uncornered Market

Despite offering some of the world's most dramatic landscapes and most intriguing historical sites Central Asia remains off the radar for many travellers. This post by Daniel Noll from Uncornered Market provides an excellent overview of the region, highlighting the different aspects of culture and the natural and man-made attractions that reward those who make the journey to this region. Daniel's pictures are pretty stunning too. 

 

Best Extreme Adventure Post

Skydiving: My First 60 Second Freefall by Abigail King

I have never jumped out of a plane and don't suppose I ever will. I'm grateful therefore for someone who can tell the story of their skydiving adventure so well that I can almost feel I was there, hurtling through the air and armed I'm sure with a look of terror. Step forward Abigail King who, on a recent blog trip to Costa Brava, had her first such experience.

Her description paints a vivid picture of those moments before and after falling from the plane; so good that I feel as though I've done it myself. And if that's not enough there's an excellent set of photos too. 

 

Best Travel Misadventure Story 

 

Being Shot at in Nicaragua by Brendan Van Son

 

Of course not every trip goes to plan and for those of us who survive the odd near miss on our travels these incidents often become the stories on which we dine out for many years to come. This exciting tale by Brendan Van Son tells of his narrow escape when he had to dodge bullets to reach the bus station in Managua for an early morning departure.

 

Best Photo

Night Market in Luang Prabang by Barbara Weibel

Barbara seems to have been travelling forever through SE Asia, and this photo really caught my eye. I love the bright colours and sharp contrasts; even with the blurring effect the picture captures the lively but very relaxed atmosphere of the Luang Prabang night market.