We took a day off from Travel Inspiration week yesterday to share a culinary post in China to celebrate Intrepid Travel’s Delicious Discoveries, but we’re back to our regularly scheduled program.  

We had such an amazing turn out for our inspirational travel series and we have been sitting on many stories for a few months. It is just too slow of a process to put them out only once a week so we decided to post a week of inspiration to excite you and inspire to make a change in your life or just head out for that much needed vacation. Enjoy!

Cycling Through the Countryside in Vang Vieng Laos by Dean Wickham

Vang Vieng in Laos is one of those places that you hear mixed reviews about. Some people have the time of their lives while others can’t wait to get out of there. The general apprehension is that if you’re a twenty year old backpacker wanting to get drunk and go tubing down a river, you’ll love it. If you fit into any other category, you’ll hate the place. I wanted to find out for myself.

The View from my Guest House

I awoke on my first morning in Vang Vieng ready to explore the laid back little town and see what it has to offer. I had no interest in getting sloshed and tubing down a river, so after a hearty breakfast I decided to rent a mountain bike from a small shop on the main street. The bike cost me 30,000 kip ($3.80) for the whole day, and the lady gave me a rough map of what I can go and see in the local area. I decided to head across the river and make my way to Poukham cave, which I had heard was interesting to explore and had a nice swimming hole nearby. I hadn’t ridden a bike for quite some time but I soon got the hang of it again (It’s like riding a bike). As I came to the bridge I paid the 5000 kip ($0.60) toll and rode my bike over the wooden bridge, crossing the beautiful Nam Song River that flows through the town.

Rice fields and limestone karsts

Riding down the dirt, potholed road I soon entered the surrounding countryside, dominated by beautiful green rice fields that stretch across the flat areas of land between the huge limestone karsts that rise up above them. Farmers tended to their fields while chickens scratched in the dirt and cows grazed on the side of the road. I stopped often to take photos and just enjoy the stunning scenery. As I continued along the road I passed through several small villages, with their basic bamboo houses sitting amongst bunches of banana trees and little vegetable gardens. It was a Sunday and all of the local kids were out playing, riding their bikes, swimming in streams and chasing dogs and chickens. Women bathed and did their laundry in the small fresh water streams that came down from the mountains, while other people went about their daily chores, chopping wood and preparing food.

A small village

I decided to stop in at a small swimming hole, as I had built up quite a sweat from the bike ride. Some local kids ran beside me as I made my way down to the stream, and soon joined me for a swim in the lovely cool water. They couldn’t speak a word of English but a simple “Sabai dee” was enough to get a smile out of them. As I rode away they ran beside me to show me how fast they could run, and then waved goodbye with a big smile on their faces.

A house and some kids near the swimming hole

I was fascinated by the peacefulness of the typical life in the Laotian countryside. It was so good to be having a true local experience, away from the hordes of tourists that can take away that something special from a certain place. This was a place where I could be on my own, and truly see what life is about in this amazing country. Here, life is simple, people have very little and yet they are so happy. Here kids don’t need video games and brand named clothes to be happy. All they seem to need is their imagination.

Stopped to have a rest next to a stream

When I got to the entrance of Poukham cave I paid the 10,000 kip ($1.20) entrance fee and crossed the bridge where I parked my bike, before climbing up the steep path and exploring the large, dark cave on my own, an adventure in itself. By this time the heat and humidity of the tropical climate had me drenched in sweat, and I was ready to cool off in the Blue Lagoon, located near the cave where I had parked my bike. The cool fresh water was a lovely blue colour, coming from a small mountain stream, with schools of fresh water fish swimming against the current. Some locals were also enjoying a swim in their local swimming hole, floating around on tyre tubes and enjoying the rope swing, while I just floated in the cool clear water, relaxed and enjoying the natural scenery.

Having a swim with the locals in the Blue Lagoon

Once I was cooled off I began to make my way back to Vang Vieng, stopping for some lunch at a little local restaurant in one of the villages. My huge plate of noodles cost just 10,000 kip ($1.20).

Having a swim with the locals in the Blue Lagoon

I had passed only a handful of other tourists throughout the day in the local area, and overall it was an extremely peaceful and rewarding experience. My whole day out only cost me $6.80. It goes to show, you need to explore a place on your own to really experience what the place has to offer. As I found out about Vang Vieng, there is always more to a place than what you may hear or read. For me, this type of experience is exactly what travel is all about. You can learn so much about life from the local people, even without any words being exchanged. From that moment on I would seek out these kinds of experiences everywhere that I travelled.

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Dean Wickham is an intrepid traveller from Australia with a thirst for adventure. He has travelled extensively in Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Nepal and South East Asia, trekked to Mount Everest Base Camp, climbed through ice caves on glaciers and for his next adventure, plans to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. He is always planning his next trip, and writes about his travels on his travel blog: The Road to Anywhere, where he hopes to inspire other people to travel the world through his stories, destination tips and travel photos. You can follow him on Twitter, or become a fan on Facebook.

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Inspirational Series 

This is an ongoing series of Inspirational travel. If you have an experience in travel that changed your life, made you look at the world differently or an amazing moment that you want to share, please contact us for more details and we will email you right back.. You can also read more about submitting an article to this series at Calling All Writers, Share your Inspirational Travel Story

Read More Inspirational Stories

• Inspired by Peru
• Real Men Don’t Cry
• Round Trip Ticket, Backpack and Curiosity
• What Happens When You Follow Your Heart
• From Little Englander To Travel Lover 
• Freedom Found
•  The Yoga Retreat That Made Me Quit My Day Job 
• Learning that it’s OK to be a Quitter 
• Zulu Memories in South Africa by Green Global Travel
• What I Would Tell You (If I Had the Words)
•  Charity for the Philippines a Birthday Adventure
• Habitat for Humanity in Alaska
• Inspired at the Summit of Mount Roy 
• Inspirational Travel: Fishing For Friendship 

Wow, can you believe it’s nearly 2012?

This has been a short Christmas season, it seems shorter than usual with Christmas and New Years falling on a Sunday. It seems like the holidays just got started and they are already coming to and end!

We are home for the holidays this year and as we watched the snow fall outside, we started to reminisce about where we’ve been for New Year’s over the past decade. It’s been a very fun ride.

So while we celebrate at home for the first time in a few years, enjoy our trip down memory lane and share your stories of where you’ll be this year and where in the world you have celebrated New Years abroad in the past. 

Thailand

Dave and Deb Dukin' it Out at New Years in Thailand

Last Year this time we were in Studying Muay Thai Kickboxing at Rawai Muay Thai in Phuket. A fun New Years on the beach complete with Karaoke, Lady Boys and a little Thai Wiskey. Not much though, we were all in training!

India

Hussein and His Mother in Udaipur India at New Years

We were staying in Udaipur at the Lakeshore Guesthouse where we grew close with it’s manager Hussain. He took us up to the rooftop of his families building to overlook the magical city at midnight. Fireworks were let off over the Lake Palace Hotel standing proud in the middle of Lake Pichola. It was a beautiful sight.

Egypt

2008 Started Off With a Bang, Cycling a Continent!

We were about to start our ride down the continent of Africa and celebrated New Years on the plane to Cairo. We weren’t really thinking about the celebrations we were missing out on, we were getting ready to change our lives and live our dreams.

Somewhere between Florida and Toronto

Our Home Town, Toronto at Night

We had just spent a couple of weeks visiting my parents in Florida and were going to stop at Myrtle Beach on the way home when we left late Dec. Instead, we decided to drive straight through to Canada ended up crossing the border at Niagara Falls somewhere around midnight. It was raining, it was late and it was depressing. It was that night that we made the New Years resolution to change our lives. We watched an interview on CBC with Ray Zahab about how he is now living his dream as an ultra marathon runner and made a pact to do something like that ourselves. One year later we were in Cairo at the start of the Tour d’Afrique and have never looked back!

Quebec City

The Fairmont Hotel in Quebec City Christmas

There isn’t a more romantic city in Canada than Quebec City. We bundled up in our down jackets, snowboarding pants and Sorrel winter boots to walk around the old city and take in its historical architecture. Fondue, cheese, fresh fruit, wine and hot chocolate made for the perfect getaway after a few days of snowboarding at Mont St. Anne for celebrating New years.

Honduras

Starting our Dive Masters in Honduras

We were ready to take our dive masters and there was no where cheaper on earth to study than Honduras. Hanging out on Utilla for a few weeks was an awesome way ring in the New Year. We made new friends and celebrated together like we had known each other for years. When the New Year came, we said our good byes, never to see them again. But we came away with memories to last a lifetime.

Laos

OK, So We dont' have Photos of Vang Viang, It was 2003 we didn't have digital yet!

We had arrived in Vang Vieng just a couple of days after Christmas. I hear that it is over run with backpackers these days, but when we were there on the even of 2004, things were fairly quiet. We walked down the dirt streets and sat with some locals by a fire. We walked some more and grabbed a Bear Lao on a floating bar on the river and eventually settled in while trying to drown our the blaring music coming from the empty bar next door.

Mexico

Traveling Around the Yucatan in Mexico During the Holidays

There’s nothing like celebrating New Years in the tropics and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico is one of the most gorgeous places on earth. Dressed in a sundress for Deb and Shorts and a Hawaiian shirt for Dave we put the cold of winter out of our minds while sipping Margaritas at the beach bar listining to Mariachis serenade the crowd.

So, Where are you this New Years Eve? At Home with your family, somewhere exotic, an awesome party? Share your plans, we’d love to live vicariously!

Happy New Year and See you in 2012! 

Your Christmas shopping is done. You’ve got everyone on your list taken care of and all there is to do now is see the excitement on their faces as they unwrap their present on Christmas morning.

Unfortunately, there are many children in this world that have never received a gift. They don’t know what it’s like to  go to school, play with toys or even have the opportunity to drink clean water.

But you can help to change all that.

The Intrepid Foundation has a holiday campaign where you can give the gift of hope. Global Gifts is an initiative that is a win-win for everyone. Give a gift that will change someone’s life and make you feel amazing.

For as little as $15 you can change a child’s life and Intrepid Travel will match all donations up to $400,000 dollar for dollar!

The holidays are all about giving back and that is exactly what we plan to do this year. Our families are lucky. They are healthy and comfortable. They have the means to buy whatever they choose and the children in our lives have all the opportunity in the world. Being born into Canada is a privilege and a gift.

Our Nephew Playing In Canada with Grandpa

I don’t know who up there decides who is born into freedom and luxury and who is born into poverty and suffering. It is all so random.

It is unfair that some children are born in a country that allows them to thrive and achieve greatness while others are born into a land filled with war and corruption.

A Little Boy Working and Tending his Goats in Ethiopia

It is up to us to help wherever we can.

Dave’s family has had an ongoing policy in recent years to give to charity rather than each other. We can always buy what we want or need but to give the gift of charity is an act where the money we would spend on each other can be put to better use by helping the people who need it most.

Children are the Same Everywhere

We have always been amazed with the resilience of children that have so very little when we travel around the world. They love to play and laugh and they are curious and smart, but they lack the opportunities that our children have in the West. We hate to see their wonder and innocence taken away so young by having to work or be exploited before they even have the chance to reach adulthood.

A Young Boy selling us Drinks and Beer during our Camel Safari in India

We have visited an Intrepid Foundation Project in China and have seen first hand the difference that is being made. It is part of many Intrepid Travel Tours to bring their groups to visit one of their projects. It has always been important to us when we travel to give back to the communities we visit and Intrepid Travel is setting the standard to show their customers that it is also important for them to give back.

Seeing something in person is the best education and after Intrepid Travellers witness the good that a project can do, they may be influenced to always give back during their future travels.

Dave Dances with Children at Intrepid Foundation Project in China

So What Can you Do?

There are several levels of donations that you can make. Starring from $15 going up to $160, Australian Dollars.

A Prosthetic Leg in Laos – 25 years after the Vietnam war and there are still unexploded landmines scattered all over the country. Innocent children step on these mines while playing and their lives are forever changed. But for just $60, you can give a child back the opportunity to play again by donating a prosthetic leg.We have been to Laos and witnessed first hand the amount of children missing limbs and suffering from unexploded ordnances.This is a very real problem.  Choose your Gift Now!

Educate a Child for an entire year in Vietnam - It is hard to believe that the basic right of an education is impossible for many children living in Vietnam. Families cannot afford to send their children to school. We have travelled through Vietnam and witnessed many children begging in the streets and working hard labour or selling trinkets and books to make a dime. Many told us about how they are trying to save enough money to go to school one day, but we know that this opportunity would not be possible for most. Change someones life and give the gift of education. $160 give a child schooling for an entire year .  Choose your Gift Now!

To browse more gifts and to read more about the Intrepid Foundation, visit their website today to make a difference in children, animals and communities around the world.

Overland travel has always held a particular charm for me. It takes longer, but you get to see more of the land in between destinations. Geographical and geological formations transform from lines on a map into real life experiences. Overland travel has other benefits as well, it is more environmentally friendly, and often also more budget friendly.

I wanted to cross from northern Thailand into Laos, and I wanted to do it overland. While exploring my options I discovered the crossing between Nakon Phanom and Ta Khek. I also discovered that Ta Khek is the starting place for a journey quickly becoming popular with those seeking adventure – The Loop.

The Loop is a three day motorbike adventure through central Laos which starts and finishes in Ta Khek. The whole thing revolves around a particular guest house, the Ta Khek Travellers Lodge. Their book shelves are full off large scrapbooks, filled with travellers stories, tips, and hand drawn maps. These books are full of invaluable information on routes, places to stay, and things to see – and everyone about to embark on ‘the loop’ should spend some time with these books.

Motorbike rental will cost you about $12 per day, and it is important to thoroughly test out the bike before signing the contract. There are not very many villages along the loop, and the last thing you want is to break down in rural Laos. The loop can be ridden in either direction, but we chose to head north first, so as to save the most difficult roads for last - the scrapbooks were full of horror stories about road 8b, and we will soon see why!

Highway 13

Highway 13 is a wide paved highway which passes tiny villages with roadside cafe’s. It’s a great place to stop for a steaming bowl of noodles. The road is smooth enough that I felt confident enough to squirm about, readjusting the pillow underneath me constantly, to try to lesson the pain in my backside. By the way, that pillow was the most useful thing I packed. The passengers comfort doesn’t seem to be taken into consideration when bikes are designed. The good condition of the road is also a nice start for those of us with limited motorbike experience, before turning on to slightly more difficult highway 8.

Highway 8

Highway 8 winds its way through the mountains, providing spectacular views over the countryside. The road gets progressively more narrow, and Laotian drivers are not particularly cautious, so keep at least one eye on the road and don’t let the view be too distracting.

Along this road, it is possible to turn off and visit the Kong Lo caves. Here you can hire a boatman to take you through the 7km long cave system. There is a small village near Kong Lo, and it is the most logical place to spend the night as there are limited options past this point. It’s also the last town before road 8B – the worst “road” I have ever seen. You don’t want to take on that leg of the loop when not well rested.

Road 8B

From the moment you turn onto road 8B, the atmosphere changes. Gone are the pretty karst mountains and countryside views. The road changes from pavement to mud, from smooth hardtop to a minefield of potholes. The scenery changes from idyllic village scenes to that of industrial logging. Human habitation is few and far between, and it is unlikely that you will pass many other people on this road.

I held on for dear life as we swerved around potholes. The state of the road is such that even my poor little pillow did nothing for my behind. The lack of trees now provided very little shade and the sun beat down. It’s not hard to see how ones mental abilities can be drained and how bad decisions can be made. We came to a large patch of thick deep mud, and attempted to cross at too fast a pace. The motorcycle flew out from underneath us, and we ended up sliding in the mud. White trousers, ruined

When we finally reached a town, we refuelled from the petrol station which sold fuel in plastic soda bottles, and ate a dubious lunch which contained copious amounts of unknown meat. The posters used to decorate the restaurant contained educational material on why one should refrain from killing monkeys for food. You can spend the night here – if you dare (I’m sure it’s not as bad as I remember).

The Final Leg

From this point onward the road widened, and softened, and the going became easier. We saw some other backpackers pass by us in the other direction, blissfully unaware of the road beyond. Nearing Ta Khek we came upon some other cave systems which gave us an opportunity to stop and stretch our legs. Since these caves are located much closer to Ta Khek, they are also much busier than the Kong Lo caves. The other main difference is the mode of exploration. In Kong Lo you navigate the caves by boat, where in the others there are designated walking paths complete with hand rails and guide lights.

We did the loop in two days, although most people opt to take a little more time. If I could do it again I think I would go about it slower and savour the experience of being in a place so seldomly visited by tourists. I would also opt for my own bike instead of being the passenger – and not just to spare my poor butt – which by the way ended up thoroughly bruised after road 8b.

Jade Johnston is a lifestyle traveller and writer who documents her adventures in her blog Our Oyster. Her partner and her enjoy working their way around with world through working holiday programs and travelling slow. Jade has been travelling since 2005 and has lived in 6 countries and travelled through more than 30. An avid photographer and culture buff, there is nothing she likes more than discovering new places. Keep in touch with Jade and the OurOyster project at Facebook or on Twitter.

Yesterday we had our first massage in India.  It was a memorable experience and you can read about it here.  We had the full body Ayurvedic Massage will therapeudic oils.  I am sure that we will be having more as we go through our travels in Asia.

It made us think about the other memorable massages that we have had around the world.  We love getting a massage, it is a luxury that we cannot afford to have regularly at home, so we take advantage of it whenever we travel.
Some experiences have been better than others and some stand our in our memories better than others.

Here is a list of our Top 5 most memorable massages

Reflexology: Penang Malaysia

In a back alley in the heritage city of Penang, Dave and I had our most painful experience while having a massage.  We thought it would be nice to have our aching feet massaged and tended too after traveling for about 4 months.  Well, this wasn’t your every day pamper me massage.  This foot therapy involved strong hands pushing on pressure points and not letting go until he was good and ready.  We squirmed in our seats and winced with pain while he prodded around our feet.  Our expert reflexologist told us exactly what was wrong with us and all of our ailments.  He was bang on about everything and even though it was painful, it was definitely an unforgettable massage for the feet.  Price: About $10

Back Bending Massage in Laos

We had been told my many that we had to get a massage in Laos.  We were in Vientiane when we had our first experience.  The two of us walked into a large room sectioned off with curtains and mats all over the floor. We had a massage side by side and these guys twisted our bodies in all directions.  They were pulling us back, sitting on top of us, pulling our arms.  It was a little scary at times, but we came out alive and feeling pretty limber to say the least.

About $5

Beach Massage in Vietnam

We were chilling out in Mui Ne after both experiencing about a week of illness.  A massage was just what the doctor ordered to make us feel better.  Two little unassuming women walked by as we lay on our lounges and asked us if we wanted a massage.  We decided to go for it and they put us through the wringer.  These little ladies had strength and they pounded and pressed on our muscles until we were literally black and blue.  Dave got the worst of it.  We assume since he was the man, the woman pushed even harder.  He had bruises all over his body for a week.

It was quite tender to touch as well. $3 bucks, you get what you pay for.

Heavenly Ethiopia Massage

We had just been riding our bicycles through Africa for nearly 2 months and by the time we reached Addis Ababa, we were in desperate need of some pampering.  We booked at room at the Ghion Hotel Resort a where they also had a spa.   Our muscles had been tight and sore since we left Cairo, so a massage was must.  We were led to separate rooms where we received our individual massages.  It was very sanitary and hospital like. But the massage was great.  Just the right amount of pressure to work out the knots, but not to hard that we were black and blue.  After the session was over, we were free to spend time in the steam room and  jacuzzi tub that they had just filled specifically for us.  We hopped in and out of the steam room from the cold water shower to the hot therapudic steam.  After a couple of hours there, we were ready for bed.  Luckily we had two rest days in Addis Ababa.

About $12

Bali Floral Bath and Massage

Ubud Bali is one of the most tranquil places on the Island.  It is a beautiful town set in the interior and it was a perfect place to book a massage.  We each booked individually, but they took us in together.  We walked into the office and were sent to a room where there were two tables side by side.  They closed the hospital like curtains then told us to take off our clothes and lay down.  We didn’t know how much we were supposed to take off so we stripped down to our birthday suits unsure if we were supposed to or not.  I guess that everything was O.K. Because they didn’t bat an eyelash when they came into the room.  It was a very soothing and professional massage.  They covered us with towels and worked on each section with expert hands.  After an hour, we were lead to another room where a floral bath was waiting for us both.  We hadn’t had a bath in months.  It was heavenly and we stayed in that tub until the water turned cool and our hands and feet pruned up.

About $10

Have you had some memorable rubdowns around the world? Let us know of a place where you had your best or most unique massage, we are always seeking out some pampering!

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Today’s post comes to us from Adrian Reif from Friendly Planet.  He is doing wonderful things combining his two passions, travel and making the world a better place.   I love this post so I won’t make you spend any more time reading my words. Enjoy what Adrian has to say.

Your Own Two Hands

“I’m gonna make it a brighter place. I’m gonna make it a safer place. I’m gonna help the human race…with my own two hands.”
- Ben Harper, With My Own Two Hands (listen if you haven’t heard it before)

“Will we in the West realize our potential or will we sleep in the comfort of our affluence with apathy and indifference murmuring softly in our ears?”
- Bono, in foreward for The End of Poverty

Let’s start with a quick thought experiment. It’s simple. I want you to stop reading for 15 seconds and pretend that you were born in another country, somewhere less developed – Peru, Bangladesh, Zambia, Haiti. Now, imagine what your life would be like today.

• Would you have the same comforts?
• What would your education have been like?
• Where would you be working? In the family shop? Roaming the streets?
• Would you be alive?

I wasn’t born in Bangladesh. I was born in a developed country as a member of the racial majority. I’ve had amazing parents and friends who have always supported me. I’ve received educations among the best in the world – both practical and academic [not that I exhibit it ]. I have the opportunity to travel! And I’ve realized at a young age that happiness stems from being a good person, not making stacks of money. I humbly say all of this, but I say it to point out a basic assumption – that I’m one of the luckiest people in the world. I’ve lived a life a sheer joy. I have everything I could ever want (or reasonable access to it). If you ever hear me complain, slap me – hard. Life is good.

A sad reality is that billions of people face the consequences of bad luck – they don’t have the same opportunities you and I have. Should ‘luck’ continue to determine how their life plays out? As Bono says in his foreward for Jeffrey Sachs’ The End of Poverty,

“We can be the generation that no longer accepts that an accident of latitude determines whether a child lives or dies – but will we be that generation?”

My Basic Argument

Consequently, my fortunate life leads me to believe I have a responsibility to help others seek the same. I want them to have what I have, to experience what I’ve experienced. That’s it – I have no great ethical or philosophical argument to prove my point. It just feels like the right thing to do. And it feels good.

The Beginnings of a Lifetime Wanderer

In 2005, I traveled to Guatemala as a member of my university’s Alternative Spring Break for a week of volunteering. It was my first international trip – an eye-opening and addictive one. We swam in volcanic lakes and hot springs and survived on cheap, delicious foods. The main goal of the trip was assisting Primeros Pasos Medical Clinic, a clinic giving basic health care to rural, impoverished school children. We repainted a building, built makeshift soccer goals from 2x4s, taught a lesson on brushing and flossing teeth, and played lots of soccer with children. Here I began to realize that everyone has the same basic needs, but not everyone has access to them; and to opportunities that could improve their quality of living.

Children Playing in Laos Village

The adrenalin of immersing in a foreign culture, receiving the warm hospitality of the people, witnessing miraculous landscapes - it was addictive. And I was hooked on travel. But my interaction with the children helped me take my new wanderlust mentality a step further. I knew I could not consciously continue to travel without returning the favor. I set out to design a way to travel that was not only enjoyable, but also helps to enrich the lives of the people who would enrich mine.

Launching Friendly Planet - The Intersection of Passions

Friendly Planet was a tangled web of thoughts for many months after leaving the States in January 2009 to travel. While fighting for sleep one night, the ideas swirled so intensely in my head that I finally sat up at 2am and mapped out Friendly Planet. It seemed like I’d finally found a way to combine some of my passions: being a responsible global citizen, wanderlust travel, and entrepreneurship. Its a chance to share my travels, but also give back while I travel. Similarly, I wanted people back home to be able to give half-way across the world while raising awareness for issues we rarely give thought to back home. In the spirit of Ben Harper’s song, it’s how I use my own two hands, but I hope it also shows that each of us have a unique way to give back.

At Friendly Planet, we talk about:

• Being responsible global citizens
• Wanderlust travel stories, tips, and advice
• People, companies, and ideas changing the world

Here’s the cool part – and most rewarding for me. We give 50% of ALL revenues away to non-profits or needing souls each month in the countries traveled through. It’s a small ‘thank you’ – thank you for allowing me to experience your culture and landscape, for pointing me in the right direction when I was lost (which happens a lot!), for opening your home, for teaching me how to smile.

Another goal is to build a small business that does good while making money, in turn flipping the assumption that capitalism and being a responsible corporation are opposing ideas. They are not. In the future, the most successful companies will see the world around them not as something to fight against, but as a partner that will fruitfully give back the more they give to it.

The Fruits of Travel

Tsering Family in Manigango, Sichuan, China

At the beginning of August, I made the first donation from Friendly Planet. I had just spent three grueling weeks working my way down western Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, near the Tibet border in China. While strongly controlled by the Chinese government, the Tibetan communities and villages provided an immense experience different from the rest of the country. The landscape was captivating – snow-capped mountain peaks, lush river valleys, and endless grasslands pocked with nomads’ tents and shaggy black yaks.

The only thing more captivating is the greeting smile of a Tibetan. Thanks to them, I learned to truly smile.

During a random and supposedly short stop in Manigango, a half-kilometer long Tibetan town, I was invited to home of three Tibetan boy monks after a chance acquaintance. There, their father, Gongga Tsering, and his wife welcomed me with open arms and stuffed my belly with endless bowls of home cooked food. We could only communicate through a small Tibetan-English schoolbook I had picked up a few days earlier and hand (and body) gestures. We spent hours pouring through that book pointing at phrases. One night after dinner, one of the boys pulled out an old Michael Jackson DVD and put it in. Gongga attempted an impersonation and one of the boys tried to moonwalk. Here I am in a remote village in western China sharing the joy of MJ’s tunes and energy! Yet, I had to somehow communicate to them that sadly, MJ’s heart had failed not to long ago – news they hadn’t received.

Later, Gong Ga insisted [by pointing to the phrase "Don't refuse"] that I stay with them instead of the hotel. I ended up staying in their beautiful Tibetan home for 2 nights. The boys took interest in learning some English. Each morning, they’d grab the book and begin practicing, consulting me when they needed help with pronunciation or reading, and would end the night by practicing phrases in their bedroom. By the end, they could say “good morning” and several other greetings, which I could return in Tibetan. Gong Ga wanted to buy the book from me for his sons, so when I left, I gave it to them as a gift. It was the least I could do…

Clicking on Donate

After an experience like this, I wanted to give so much to the Tibetan people. Thanks to Friendly Planet readers, we were able to donate over $50 to Machik.org, a non-profit that works to empower people on the Tibetan plateau through education and job training. Even though $50 is a small amount, clicking the “Donate” button was met with a rush of adrenalin knowing that we could, in some small way, improve life for someone. It amplified the joy of my time in western China.

Over the last month, we’ve also been able to give $60 to Green Watershed, an organization based in China’s Yunnan Province where I spent 2 weeks that deals with water management for ethnic tribes and has done wonders to fight the impending damming of China’s rivers. Their Executive Director is surveilled closely by the Communist Party, which let’s me know he’s doing something good. Recently, we purchased over $80 in books from Big Brother Mouse, an organization in Luang Prabang, Laos dedicated to making reading fun for Lao children and giving many children probably their first book ever. After spending a little time teaching English here and meeting with Sasha, a retired American book publisher and BBM’s founder, I purchased over 60 children’s stories to take with me during a 2-day trek into the countryside. As we stopped in the last village, school wasn’t in session so my trekking guide introduced me to the teacher, who dutifully inventoried the books with a few other parents and thanked me. Interestingly, other adults curiously picked up a book or two and began to intently read through, probably the first time they’ve seen a children’s story on a page! Also, the trek was guided by Tiger Trails, a local guide service known for its “sustainable tourism.” About 30% of the trek cost goes into the Village Development Fund for the rural villages we passed through and is only used for infrastructure improvements. If I’m going to hike through their back yards and rice fields and sleep in their villages, I’m going to make sure they get a good chunk of the money!

After China, I’ve spent the last month and a half in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. For August and September, Friendly Planet will be making donations to Green Watershed, an advocacy organization in China’s Yunnan Province, and Agir pour les Femmes en Situation Precaire (AFESIP), an organization working tirelessly to help women and children who’ve been or might be affected by sex trafficking in Cambodia.

After only 3 months, Friendly Planet has given away over $100 from ad-based revenue alone (i.e. readers clicking on ads to support the site). Another anonymous donor (even though I don’t solicit donations) has contributed $500 to be distributed over the coming months.

“Books for Laos” Campaign

Big Brother Mouse Books

Just like traveling, contributing to Friendly Planet continues to surprise and energize me. I recently learned about Big Brother Mouse, an organization that is increasing literacy in Laos by creating and distributing fun and educational children’s books. I’ve heard spectacular reviews of this country, but it continues to be one of the poorest in the region. Since I will be spending October in Laos and doing some work with Big Brother Mouse, I’ve decided to launch a small “Books for Laos” Campaign. For $250, we can sponsor a book party where Big Brother Mouse staff will go out into a village, teach 80-100 children how to use the books (probably their first ever books), and leave them with a small library. So, Friendly Planet will be giving all revenues for October up to $125 along with another $125 match to support this project. It’s an ambitious goal for such a small site, but I believe in the power of people.

It was a long bus ride from Hanoi, Vietnam to Vientiane, Laos. We shared it with packaged lobsters, 8 other travelers, some rice and other produce.  What do you expect for peanuts? I don’t know if I could handle the ride today, but a few years ago, armed with leftover sleeping pills prescribed from my doctor for an overactive thyroid, we managed to make it through many epic bus journeys.

When we arrived to the nations capital city, it was Sunday and everything was closed. We were desperate to find a place, we were starving after over 24 hours on the bus.

We found a wonderful place at an outdoor stall along the Mekong River.  Thailand is right across the water from Vientiane’s waterfront and in the dry season, you can almost walk there.

Our bikes

Vientiane is easy to get around.  Guest houses and shops rent bicycles for a dollar a day and it is a great way to see the Pagoda’s and Wat’s.  The most prominent being That Luang.  It is the national symbol and it is even pictured on their currency.  The Lao people hold it in high esteem even though it has undergone several reconstructions due to war and ruins over the centuries.

The Most Famous Site in Laos, That Luang Temple

Another Notable place in Vientian is Patuxai. It looks like the Arc De Triomphe. It was built after French rule, but goes to show how Laos has embraced its history.  I am not sure what the people think of it however as the money was supposed to be used for an airport runway. Hmm, receive money from America to improve infrastructure, but instead build a giant monument?

It is impressive anyway and an attractive addition to the town of Vientiane.

Patuxai, built to celebrate Laos Independence

They had their hearts in the right places though, it was built to commemorate the fight for independence from France. Interesting choice to model it after one of France’s most famous structures.

Street leading to Patuxai

French Influence in Laos

In all of Lao there is a fusion of contrasting culture. Enjoy a baguette and egg for breakfast and then have Laap Chicken for lunch.  I enjoyed the blend of French Culture with Asian tradition. The French used to rule that land and their presence is evident everywhere.

tuk tuk carrying his fare

To walk into a temple filled with Golden Buddhas one minute and then to be out in the sunshine riding a bicycle on a busy street heading towards a replica (with Buddhist elements) of the Arc du Triomphe is very cool indeed.

Buddha Image

One of the top things that I just had to see when traveling to Laos, were the Pak Ou Caves. I had seen an episode on Don’t Forget Your Passport years ealier and I had wanted to go their ever since.

The Pac Ou Caves are a site worth seeing!

Located just 25 km outside of Luang Prabang, you can hire a boat to take you there for the day or take a Songthaew which is what Dave and I did. The Pac Ou Caves are a sacred sight located on the Mekong River. It is loaded with thousands of Buddha statues and is still used as a place of worship. Every New Year people make a pilgrimage to the caves.

There are all sorts of different Buddhas but the majority are the standing tall Luang Prabang Buddha statues. It is sensational. Approaching the caves from the opposite side of the river is a beautiful view. The white stairs can be seen leading into the dark whole cut into the side of the limestone cliff.

There are two levels to the Pac Ou caves Tham Ting the lower cave and Tham Pheung higher. Tham Phum is dark but it is filled with more statues. We were wishing we brought our flashlight.

We were lucky when we visited, it wasn’t very busy and we could take our time examining all of the thousand of statues.

The rest of our time was spent in Luang Prabang looking at the many temples of the area. We rented bicycles and rode along the Mekong River.

Being a world heritage sight, Luang Prabang is littered with temples. Most Notably Haw Kham, the former Royal Palace. Each is beautiful and contain ornate tapestries, carvings and Buddha images. We thoroughly enjoyed looking at each temple at our own pace riding our bikes from place to place.

There are coffee and pastry shops to stop for lunch, and we felt very civilized as we sipped our café latté while enjoying a croissant. We were lucky to stumble into a temple at a time when Monks were playing their drums with great vigor and we sat, listened and watched for several minutes.

While in Luang Prabang, you must walk the steep hill to Phou Si. It has a spectacular panoramic view of the area and the sunset is certainly one of the most beautiful I had ever seen.

We weren’t overly impressed with the night market it was over priced and very busy, but we bought something just the same and have enjoyed keeping it on our mantel. So after 4 years of paying a meager $20 for a great piece of art…Well, I guess we were being cheap when we said that the Night Market was expensive. Watch our video and get a real feel for what it is like in Luang Prabang and the Pac Ou Caves

Jen Laceda of My Folie A Deux takes amazing pictures of her travels.  It is her food photographs that not only made very hungry, but also got me thinking about what were some of our favorite meals while we were traveling.

One of the best things about traveling is food. Dave and I seem to plan our days around our meals.  We wake up in the morning and while we are eating our breakfast, we discuss what we are going to eat and where we are going to go for dinner.  We love food. Food makes us happy. And when we discover new and delicious food around the world, well, we are in heaven.

We thought that we would share some of our favorite food from around the world.  We have been to a lot of countries and besides meeting the people, enjoying an authentic meal is always a highlight of our trip. There are willing to try almost any type of food. We have eaten bugs in Cambodia, Snake in Vietnam and Springbock in Malawi.  We have had mystery meat in Sudan and many times we try dishes when we have no idea what we are eating.  We love sampling foods of the world though, it is rare that we try a dish that we cannot stomach. It certainly makes traveling more enjoyable that is for sure.

Here is our list of the best food from around the world

Ethiopia ……Staple Dish – Spicy meat and veggie stews served atop Injera. A type of flat bread made with fermented flour. You rip off a piece of bread and scoop up the stew with your hands.  I just love eating with my hands.  There is something about diving in to your food and grabbing a handful of hearty meats and vegetables.  Meals are just so much more fun when you eat with your hands.  And Wat stews served atop injera are heavenly delicious.

Injera and stews and authentic Ethiopian mea.

Peru….. Staple Dish – Ceviche – It really doesn’t sound like it would be the best dish on earth because it is described as a raw fish stew.  Actually, this fresh fish meal is marinated in citrus juice and it’s delicious. Here is my first taste of Ceviche while dining in Peru.

In South Africa we just couldn’t eat enough. We had finally finished cycling from Cairo to Cape Town and we needed to make up for months of eating not on the road. It was in the wine region in Franschoek that we splurged on a meal at one of the country’s top ten restaurants.  I never thought that I would like Ox Tail, but the chef made it taste so good.  We had an OxTail Pate rolled in Filo Pastry with a perfectly cooked steak piled high on fresh greens and wild mushrooms. Elegant and delicious.  The food in South Africa was delectable what makes it even better is that it is very affordable.

Splurging on a fine meal in South Africa

A decadant dish of Oxtail with Foam Gravy

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Laap in Laos – This national dish is a spicy meat meat salad made with lime juice, mint and chillies. This was our first meal that we ate when we got off of the bus from Vietnam to Vientiane. After 24 hours on a bus, it was pure heaven. They made the food fresh for us on the banks of the Mekong River and we will never forget the experience

Swiss Fondue, Raclette, Cheese Platters….- Cheese, Cheese and More cheese. We just love cheese. In Switzerland it was everywhere and we took advantage of eating their delectable cheeses every chance we had.  It seemed that every meal we ate for 2 weeks had cheese on the menu.

Cheese Fondue in Switzerland

Bali and Sudanese Coffee Africa is the birthplace of coffee and it was the best place in the world to drink it. Every chance we had we would stop for a roadside coffee.  The coffee was hand ground before our eyes, boiled to perfection over an open fire and we met amazing people while we warmed up during the cold desert morning.

man makes us delicious coffee in the Sudan

Africa may have been the birthplace of coffee, but Bali certainly knew how to perfect it. We loved their coffee so much that we took several bags home with us.  It was so sad when we drank our last cup. We need to find a way to get a shipment of Balinese coffee to Canada.

Egypt - an Authentic Bedouin Meal in Egypt. What is cooler than eating authentic Egyptian food in the middle of the white desert. Sure it was served on plastic containers, but it was delicious and we ate in sitting in the sand on blankets in a Bedouin camp.  Our guides cooked over an open flame, served us plenty of sweet tea and cooked up great red stews and meats, potatoes, rice and pita bread. Yummy.  This was certainly one of our most memorable meals during our travels.

Our Bedoin Guide cooking our food over open flame

So there you have it, Our favorite foods of the world so far. Sure we have other favorites out there. Thai Green curry is one of my favorite dishes on earth. I can eat Sushi every day and I love Vietnamese Pho. A savory duck roasted in France and Schnitzel while in Germany are a must and quesadillas and tortillas are a must in Central America. But foods  listes above seem to stand out in our memories as not only great meals, but fun situations and unique experiences.

This post is part of the Lonely Planet BlogSherpa Travel Blog Carnival hosted this time by Kat over at Tie Dye Travels on Food Around the World. The Carnival is hosted every two weeks by a BlogSherpa member

View Vang Vieng, Laos

In a landlocked country in central South East Asia, there is a tiny piece of paradise on a stop between two popular destinations.Vang Vieng Laos is a little town on route 13 between the major cities of Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
A place where you can lose yourself relaxing by the river, riding a bike through incredible scenery, exploring remote caves or simply lazing in old opium dens watching the latest bootleg Hollywood release.
Forget about the commercialized hill tribe treks in Northern Thailand, here, you are staying among the villagers, and a short walk will take you into the rugged countryside.  Incredible Karst formations jut out from the land containing hidden caves, waterfalls and lagoons surrounding this tiny village along the Nam Song River.
We went to Vang Vieng intending to stay a day or two to break up the trip to World Heritage Sight, Luang Prabang.  Our plans changed however, and we found ourselves extending our stay for several more days.

Paddling the Nam Song River, Laos

Discovering a charming guesthouse overlooking the water, we did what everyone does once they have settled in; we rented inner tubes and went for a ride on the river.  For $2, a pick up truck up will drive you and your tube up river to a drop in point.  Then it is into the water for a 3hr ride surrounded by towering cliffs, deep blue skies, and lush green vegetation.  It is a place of incredible beauty.  We lazily ride the slow current with nothing to do but to watch life unfold around us.
Clever entrepreneurs have set up floating bars to sell Beer Lao to the passing tubers.  You can pull up to the side of the raft and have a nice cold drink to break up the trip.  If you are having trouble steering towards your destination, never fear, they have long poles ready to pull you in.  There are rope swings; high cliffs and bamboo platforms just waiting for an adventurous type take a jump.  Drunken travellers awkwardly splash into the water as local children show up everyone by flipping and somersaulting with impressive skill.
Tanned, shirtless men wade in the water searching for their prey.  Armed with bamboo poles and wearing snorkeling masks, they herd fish toward their nets.  They locate a school of fish; smack their poles on the surface of the water leading the disoriented fish to their traps.  It is hard, cold work, but they smile as we pass.
Sarong clad women wash their clothes on the shore, people hunt for kelp to fill their colourful baskets and herds of water buffalo graze on the bank.
I see a lady washing a mound of lettuce down river from the buffalo and I make a mental note not to order a salad at dinner.
Our long lazy ride is anything but boring.
By twilight, we reach the end of our journey, sun burnt, and hungry.  We change for dinner and head out to the many eateries to enjoy a movie while we dine on pizza and beer Lao.

Laos: Old Opium Den, now used for Food and movies

Great food is easy to find in Vang Vieng.  We have our choice of Indian curries, Italian pasta, spicy Thai, Western staples and of course traditional Lao dishes.  Cafés are lines along the two main dirt roads.
The market it bustling with activity, but we decide to pass on dinner here.
We are not sure how safe the food is as we notice beef Kebabs baked from the sun displayed on milk crates, dried bananas laying on a tarp covered in flies, and chickens roaming freely through the alleys.  My husband Dave wonders how do they know who owns which chicken.
We venture down to a bar by the river drawn by music turned up to “11”.  It sounds like quite the party is happening, but when we arrive; the place is empty except for the staff.  We decide to stay anyway and have a drink on the dock enjoying the cool breeze as we lay on cushions placed on a woven mat.
The days pass casually and we become motivated to try some kayaking.  Hiring a guide at one of the many shops, we set out for a tour of the river and caves in the area.  The scenery is breathtaking as the enormous cliffs line our route.  It is an easy paddle as we guide our way through the gentle rapids.  We stop at Sleeping Cave, a large cavern used in wartime for locals to hide in.  It is dark, and we use old headlamps with exposed wires leading from their giant battery packs.  Careful not to get a shock, we use its strong beam to explore its main chamber and several passages.  After sliding in the mud, wading in the chilly water and stumbling in the dark, we thankfully squeeze our way through the tiny opening leading to the fresh air and open space.

Bridge in Vang Vieng, Laos

Back at our boats a small food stall is playing Latin music and I wonder, am I in Asia or Central America as I salsa to the beat.
Back on the river, it is peaceful and the seclusion from other people is a nice change from the busier tubing route.
Vang Vieng is dotted with many caves and they can take a couple of days to explore.  We rent bicycles and head out with guidebook in hand to search for a few.  Following the signs, we ride through a field until we come upon a makeshift ticket window.  Local children man the booth and for a small fee, they guide us through the cave.  A young girl grabs an ancient headlamp and signals us to follow.  We walk deep into the forest and approach a group of boys on the path.  Having read about scams in my guidebook, I worry that she has duped us and has really taken us into the woods to be mugged.  I grip my daypack as we continue to walk, but my paranoia is unfounded and soon we enter an unimpressive cave part way up a cliff.
Thankful to be on our way, we continue to ride along a gravel road, exploring some dirt trails, and paths through the woods until we come across an emerald green lagoon.  This crystal clear pond, surrounded by forests and cliffs is a refreshing stop to a hot day.  We eat a hearty and delicious noodle soup at a small food stand, enjoy a few swings on a rope into the cool water and talk with a young monk from Vientiane visiting a near by wat.  I am surprised when he takes down his robes and jumps in for a swim.  Are monks allowed to do that?

Friendly Monk in Vang Vieng Laos

Our time abruptly ends when we see a snake over a meter long swimming in the water.  Everyone quickly scurries out of the lagoon and nobody dares to go back in.  With the day pressing on, we say goodbye and it is back on our bikes to return to the village refreshed and armed with a new tale of our near death encounter!
Local children join us for a while, running along side, holding on to our seats.  I ride slowly so that they can keep up and they never seem to tire.  At a crossroads, we go our separate way and wave good bye, uplifted by their laughter.
A unique vehicle passes us filled with passengers.  It is a tractor with an attached wagon, but its front tire reaches far in front.  It rides through the bumpy road with ease, and then when it comes to a river, it plows right through it keeping everyone dry and avoiding the need to build an expensive and sturdy bridge.  An ingenious invention showing how well the people have adapted to their surrounding land.
It is such a pleasure to visit Vang Vieng; the people are generous and genuinely friendly expecting nothing in return.  They will invite you to share a Beer Lao or offer you some kebabs cooked over an open flame.  They are proud to tell you about their land and their people and they do not seem to mind the travelers who have invaded their quiet town.
It is as if time stands still here.  Vang Vieng rubs off on its visitors and one can’t help but to slow down and take the time to enjoy the simple things in life.  Many people stop in to spend a day or two, but like us, they tend to stay for a few more.

Busses run daily between Luang Prabang and Vientiane stopping in Vang Vieng
You can fly to Laos on Thai Airways from Bangkok to Vientiane
30-day visa’s can be issued in Bangkok for around $30.  15-day tourist visas can be bought at the airport on arrival for $30.  Visa’s can be purchased at the Lao embassy in Toronto for……
There are no ATM’s in Laos, Thai Baht and US dollars are the currency of choice.  Banks and Money changers will exchange cash and US dollar travelers cheques for a small fee
Flights from Toronto to Bangkok daily on Air Canada

Long Tail boats travel in Thailand

When travelling most people choose to hop a flight to their next destination.  This allows them to see more sights in a shorter amount of time and to squeeze more destinations into their itinerary. Sometimes, after too long on the popular tourist route, I prefer to slow down and to take my time.  To interact with the local people, to  see out of the way places and unspoiled countryside.

Taking the slow boat from Luang Prabang Laos to Chaing Kong Thailand is the perfect way to experience the Mekong river, to see the villagers that live along the river and to view the rolling landscape of Laos. We spent three days in the busy town of Luang Prabang.  Being a world heritage sight, it is a stop on many package tours causing inflated prices for accommodation, handcrafts and dining.  We searched for hours for a guesthouse that was reasonable and clean.  Many were fully booked, more were out of our price range and others were just not in good condition.

After several hours, we were finally in our room recovering from searching the town for a decent room and from our long bus ride through the scenic mountains where we passed hill tribes and villages and saw gorgeous mountain vista’s  which unfortunately are becoming the victims of deforestation.

We explored Luang Prabang’s many temples, rented bicycles to explore the city, shopped at it’s impressive but over priced night market and we walked up to Wat Chom Phet to see an fiery sunset between the valley of two dark mountains overlooking the Mekong River.

It is a pretty town with charming streets and outdoor cafes, but with all of the well dressed  tourists drinking lattes and eating pasta, I needed to see the country from a different perspective. We boarded our boat at 6:00 a, for Thailand.  The sun had not burned off the early morning mist yet and we left Luang Prabang in a cool fog.

It was a basic boat with only planks of painted green plywood serving as benches.  Luckily we had or travel pillows to cushion our seat and enjoyed a pleasant ride. We met our travelling companions for the next 2 days, a couple from Australia and two men from Holland, and two women from New york.  The rest of the people on board were locals returning to their villages. They kept their distance from us sitting on the floor at the bough of the boat, but they were friendly and smiled when our eyes met.

At first we enjoyed animated conversations discussing where we had been and where we were going, but eventually we all relaxed in to the peaceful ride. We passed a man walking his elephant on the river bank, herds of water buffalo’s drinking it’s cool water, women doing their laundry and boats of fisherman seeking their catch.

The busy river was teeming with life. We would see monks walking in their deep burgandy robes and naked children waved as we drove by.  Every once in a while, we would pull up to a village to let someone off and many people dressed in colourful clothing would be there to greet them. We would wave goodbye and be on our way.

We sailed for 8 hours that first day and then pulled up to the small village of Pakbeng where we stayed the night in basic, but clean accommodation.  Grateful to stretch our legs, we dined with our new friends and retired early.

The next day was a little harder.  We were put onto a smaller boats with even tinier seat that had two of their short legs cut off to balance on the side bar. It was this boat that we saw yesterday and said, “wouldn’t it be awful if we had to travel in that!”  We spent our time squatting in our seats or laying on the floor trying to relax feeling sorry for ourselves. It was going to be a long ride.

Soon a deck of cards surfaced and we were all playing a rousing game of Barbi Uno.  It brought life back into us all, and we were laughing and joking all over again. It was a mad dash to the border to make it by six o’clock.

Tuk Tuk fares had to be negotiated, we had to find our way off of the boat and go in the right direction yet try as we might, we missed the border by five minutes. We were all sure that it was a conspiracy to keep us in the country one more night. This second day of travel just had too many stops and the driver was taking his sweet time.

There was nothing that could be done though and we were stuck in a dead end border town with little to do but have our last Beer Lao while watching a melodramatic soap opera at the local eatery. We were out of Kip (the countries currency) and nobody would take the  U.S. dollar even though it is used as a second currency throughout the rest of the land.  We had to ask the nice Australian couple whom we had only met yesterday, to borrow money. We promised to pay them back as soon as we reached Thailand and everything worked out just time.  They were very generous and we actually ended up travelling with them for the next week.

First thing in the morning we were back in Thailand taking a Songthaow to the bus station and eating banana pancakes for breakfast. Our time on the slow boat had come to an end, but we had made new friends and had a memorable experience on this vanishing form of travel. Now back to civilization and a need to hurry to our next destination.  Time is ticking; and suddenly slowing down to feel the culture and rhythm of the land is unthinkable. We need to catch the next bus and move on to the next stop as soon as possible. Sights are waiting to be seen and places need to be ticked off the list.  The more stamps on the passport the better! How quickly we fall back into old habits.