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.

We love taking the train. There is nothing better than watching the countryside pass by as you relax in your compartment while getting to know your fellow passengers.

Dave and I regularly hop on the train to take the popular Toronto/Montreal route. It’s the perfect long weekend getaway. There’s no better way to avoid the heavy traffic on the 401 and travel from downtown to downtown.

The best thing about train travel is that Via Rail now has free wifi. How times have changed since my first trip with my parents when I was just a little rugrat. Riding the train was a rare event I felt like we were going on a great adventure.

Today, when people take the train, they are watching movies and chatting on facebook as they sip a fresh and delicious coffee from the snack cart. It is still a great adventure, the trip itself is just a lot more luxurious and comfortable. We all travel to our destination without a care in the world feeling refreshed and ready to enjoy our destination. In Canada our trains are pristine and clean, quiet and safe. There is no better way to see the country than to ride the rails and explore the beautiful countryside.

As the Shredded Wheat resident travel experts we are excited to share our favourite train Journeys from Around the World to inspire you to get out there and ride the rails. There is nothing like it!

1. India

A Not so busy Platform in India

No country travels by train like India. It is a crazy experience. Trains are booked weeks in advance, trying to figure out how to buy a ticket or book a seat is a confusing experience and standing on the platform with thousands of other people waiting for the train to arrive is down right terrifying. Once it does arrive, you better hurry because people will push and shove their way through to the front of the line leaving you in the dust and stranded on the platform after the door closes. But if you make it on the train, it is an experience you’ll never forget. Chai Wallah’s walk through the cars ready to sell you a cheap hot cup, but make sure that you don’t pass up the tomato soup. It was my favourite snack on the long train journeys through this immense country.

2. Peru

Taking the Vista Dome from Cusco to Aguas Callientas was an outstanding experience. We booked a last minute trip to Peru when we decided to visit Machu Picchu so we couldn’t get ourselves a permit to hike the famous Inca Trail. No matter, we managed to hike many an ancient trail in the surrounding Sacred Valley and it gave us the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent views through our glass roof of the Andes of Peru. We even had ourselves a fashion show on the way back!

3. Switzerland

Snowboarding in Switzerland was on our bucket list and we had the chance to fulfill that dream early in our lives. It was nearly a decade ago that we skiid it’s slopes in Gstaad and one of the most vivid memories we had was taking the train through the Alps to all of the different ski areas and surrounding villages. It was some of the most stunning scenery we have ever seen.

4. Sri Lanka

The country is small and the train routes are short, but in the few hours that we spent on the train between villages in Sri Lanka we witnessed incredible views of tea terraces and mountains, enjoyed conversations with friendly locals, bought cheap snacks from the vendors that walked through the cars and held on to the handrail as we hung outside the train to look at the view ahead and feel the wind on our face.

5. Vietnam

The overnight train from Hanoi to Sapa was one of the most exciting trips of our lives. It was 2004 and we boarded the platform late at night. People in conical hats were huddling by fires and smoke and steam were billowing off into the night sky. The air was chilled and it felt as if we had stepped back to 1969. We hadn’t been to China at this point in our lives so we were excited because we were heading towards the Chinese border to witness to this date, the most breath taking rice terraces on earth.

6. China

Speaking of China, we finally made it there last December. We loved every minute of that country and we were amazed by the train travel there. It is so efficient, clean and organized. It is a country of 1.5 billion people and yet we never felt like we were in crowd. In India, we fought crowds every day on the train, in China we stood in crowds but never fought. The trains were fast and modern and our compartments were clean and ornate. Hot water was provided for our tea and we had a wake up call with fresh coffee in the morning. It was the most pleasant experiences we have ever had on the train.

7. Thailand

Who hasn’t taken the train in Thailand? It was one of the first overnight trains we ever took and we still love hopping on a second class sleeper when we’re there. we’ve taken it from Chiang mai to Bangkok, Bangkok to Singapore and back again. It is so much fun to have a Chiang Beer while looking out the window before setting up your bed to be lulled asleep by the rocking of the train.

That certainly holds true in one of my favorite countries I’ve been, Vietnam. In May of 2010, I had the opportunity to work in Vietnam where I had the “difficult” job of visiting several orphanages and schools where I got to play and spend time with beautiful children. The company I work for, GVN Foundation supports these children by fundraising to provide nutritional programs, medical care and salaries for physical therapists who work with the severely disabled children.

One of my tasks while I was there was also to prepare for the first-ever GVN Cycling Challenge; cycling over 500 km (310 miles!) to raise funds for these gorgeous children. Why 500 km? If you’ve ever been to Vietnam or know someone who has, odds are you’ve fallen in love with the people, food and beauty of the country. I couldn’t agree more and that’s why this cycling adventure needs to be a challenge! We ask all participants to raise USD$2,000 (excluding cycling trip costs) that goes directly to the non-profit GVN Foundation to support the projects in Vietnam. Even for those where money is not an obstacle, it means so much more to go through the effort of fundraising and making people aware of what you’re doing! However, no one wants to donate to your time in a loungechair on the beach and we want them to know we are serious about fundraising! We’ll still get the beach (and a cocktail…or four!) but that comes after a tough and sweaty challenge to do something perhaps out of your comfort zone for a great cause. (And if it’s not out of yours, rest assured this will certainly be something out of mine!)

Participants will challenge themselves to complete the journey in the April heat going from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An. Cycling past scenery that will make you wonder why anyone would consider driving, stops will be made to visit the orphanages we are fundraising to assist and include a lunch with the kids and staff at the projects!  The trip in Vietnam holds the same purpose as the treks; to tackle and accomplish a difficult physical challenge but most importantly, make a huge impact on the lives of the community GVN works with.  The money raised by participants will go towards:

• – Education and meal programs for several orphanages
• - Vietnamese teacher salaries to reduce class sizes and allow for better English lessons
• - An emergency medical fund so when children have an accident or fall sick, they do not have to wait for treatment
• - New medical equipment for children with disabilities, including wheelchairs and physiotherapy supplies to help those who need daily treatment

I will never forget the smiles on the kids’ faces and I know that through this bike trip we can significantly change their lives. The children are either orphans or come from families too poor to support them. Many of the children in the surrounding area live in unsafe conditions, sometimes without adequate food, education, or even clean water.  With this trip, we will be changing the lives of over 100 Vietnamese children, giving them a chance to receive adequate nourishment and a proper education to go forward and lead the next generation towards a better life.

Global Volunteer Network has successfully organized trips to climb Mt. Everest, (Nepal) Mt. Kilimanjaro, (Kenya) and Machu Picchu (Peru) to challenge the participants and provide an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see exactly what the funds are able to do by visiting the projects immediately following the trek. This will be the FIRST time we have a cycling challenge and I am thrilled to be leading it!

We currently have a few more spots and it would be great to get some further support from traveling enthusiasts. You don’t have to be a professional rider, we will always have an air-conditioned support vehicle nearby should you need a break or want to trade in some H20 on a bike for some famous Vietnamese coffee in comfort!

While Dave and Deb are busy with their own amazing challenge, getting to Mongolia by way of (hopefully!) ambulance or firetruck, I’d love for any of their readers to consider this challenge and add it to your list of accomplishments for 2011!

And We hope so too! Thanks Caitie for sharing this incredible challenge and best of luck! We have great admiration for you for taking responsible travel one step further and give back to the communities you visit. We have looked into the Giving Foundation and the great work that you all do. It is simply wonderful.

About Caitie: After a trip to visit relatives in Lebanon following University graduation, Caitie got the travel bug and it hasn’t slowed down since.  American by birth, within the last 2 years Caitie has called Spain, Uganda and New Zealand home. She found her passion lies in learning about new cultures, languages and challenges outside of her comfort zone and hopes to make a career in the development field inspiring others to jump in and do the same!

To read more here at ThePlanetD about GVN Foundation check out another Volunteering Post by GVN Foundation’s Communications Coordinator, Erin Courtney.

For more inspiration from travellers that have given back while traveling check out our series, Giving Back. 12 Weeks of Inspiration Let’s hope many people are inspired to sign up for this incredible trip into a country that we also love.  What an amazing way to see Vietnam and to change the lives of children in need.

The beautiful Sand Dunes of Mui-Ne, Vietnam

Vietnam was one of our favourite countries in South East Asia. One of the highlights was going sand boarding on the Sand Dunes in Mui Ne.

After grabbing a jeep from our guesthouse we were taken to these amazing Sand Dunes that looked to be untouched by human feet at least for the past couple of days. I captured this image as one of the people we were traveling with headed up the sand dunes first. We had an amazing day sand boarding and enjoying the beautiful weather.

So if you are ever in Vietnam make sure to make it to Mui Ne and these amazing dunes that are part of the diverse landscape in this awesome country.

Once you get passed aggressive nature of the touts on the street, it can be a wonderful and fulfilling travel.  The people will soon win over your hearts and it will become one of your top travel destinations like it is ours.

Here are a few of our favorite things that we did while visiting Vietnam.

View Incredible Ha Long Bay

Halong Bay Vietnam, A top site in Vietnam

Ha Long Bay is definitely the number one attraction on any one’s list of sites to see in Vietnam.  Located about 165 km East of Hanoi on the Gulf of Tonkin.  It is a spectacular destination.  You can book a two night, 3 day cruise from Hanoi at any hotel or hostel.   Tours range in price but start at $80 per person and rise drastically for more luxurious cruises.

Halong bay consists of almost two thousand islands.  Giant limestone karst formations just out of the sea for as far as the eye can see.  You will witness this natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Sight up close and personal from your wooden cruise liner.

Relax on the top deck of your beautiful Junk Boat.  A classic Chinese sailboat made of teak, as the crew prepares your dinner.  You won’t go hungry out on the water, a feast of seafood, fresh vegetables and traditionally Vietnamese dishes awaits you. You will be served breakfast, lunch and dinner while enjoying local beer and wine.

See Spetacular Sapa

Rice Terrace Sapa a spectacular Site

Located in the North West Corner of Vietnam, Sapa is a must for anyone wanting to add a little adventure into their travels while in Vietnam.  Book a tour from Hanoi, or catch a train north to Lao Cai and find a guide to take you deep into the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range.  Sapa has become a little overcrowded with tourists, but if you book a multi-day trek to stay in a home stay with one of the ethnic minority peoples, you will get a feel for traditional life and will be far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Sapa for an authentic experience.

The giant rice terraces cascade down the mountains as the sun reflects in their pools of water.  You will trek right on the ledge of these terraces following your guide through every corner where it feels as if you are in the middle of a National Geographic issue.  The days are physical as the climbs are steep, but you will be rewarded with a feast of rice and vegetables, meats and stews at the end of the day as your hosts prepare dinner over an open fire.

Buy a New Wardrobe in Hoi An

Ever wanted an Armani suite or designer dress?  Or are your tastes more practical and you are looking for trekking pants or a new shirt?  Hoi An is a town in Central Vietnam that attracts tourists for its tailor made clothing.  Even if you think that you don’t need a new wardrobe, once you arrive at this picturesque town on the South China Sea, you will be drawn into the excitement of shopping for quality clothing at extremely discounted prices.

You can’t help but buy an item or two.  The talented seamstresses will have you measured and sized up in an instant.  Just be sure to ask for double stitching. Otherwise your clothes won’t last to the next city.

The best thing about Hoi An is that even if you are backpacking through Asia, you can send your clothes home from the post office in town and they will keep your measurements on file for when you are ready to order more!

Cu Chi Tunnels

Try Going into the Original Cu Chi Tunnel Entrance

Agent Orange, napalm and constant bombing wiped out the jungle during the Vietnam War but it is now lush and green and Vietnam is capitalizing on tourism. The Cu Chi Tunnels are the most fascinating historical site of Vietnam.   Over 250km of tunnels weave their way underground and they were the key component in winning the war.

Most Guides are former soldiers that fought on these very grounds and they will tell you in intimate details of how the Vietnamese outwitted the Americans while living right under their noses.  Entrances were camouflaged by termite hills, cayenne pepper was sprinkled around to confuse the scent dogs and breakfast was cooked in the morning mist so that the smoke from their fires could not be detected.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can go into the original entrance and crawl through 150 metres of a tiny, dark and damp tunnel. If you are in the Saigon Area, make sure you go to see the Cu Chi Tunnels,

Mekong Delta

Don't miss the Mekong Delta Trip

Trips to the Mekong Delta can be booked from Ho Chi Minh City and it is definitely worth the trip.  This is the part of Vietnam that everyone envisions when they picture the country.  Hundreds of tributaries make their way through thick jungle.

You will explore the Mekong area by tour boat, traditional rowboat and minibus.  The highlight of the trip is a visit to the famous Cai Ba floating market. Hundreds of boats line the harbor filled with fruits and vegetable waiting to be sold.  You will also walk through villages and markets, cross canals on traditional bamboo bridges and visit rice paper mills and sample coconut candy and rice wine.

The Mekong Delta tours can be a little touristy, but it is worth the visit to explore the backwaters of this famous area of Vietnam.

Mui Ne

Vietnam's Grand Canyon, Go See it

It isn’t as popular as Na Trang, but Mui Ne is a beautiful beach area perfect for relaxing after the Chaos of Ho Chi Minh city.  Located North East of Saigon on the South China Sea, Mui Ne has everything for beach lovers and adventurers alike.  Perfect conditions allow for great kite surfing.  Be sure to take a lesson however as this adventure sport can be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing.

There are some amazing sites around the  area such as the incredible sand dunes and red rock.  You can take a tour that includes a visit to the fishing village and walk on the dunes and a stop at the famous red rock and fairy stream.

If adventure is not what you are into, relax on the white sandy beach and enjoy a massage by ladies with bionic hands.

All of these sites are stops on the Vietnam tourist bus that travelers can buy open tickets from Saigon to Hanoi or vice-versa.  Tourist can buy a one month ticket with hop on hop off privileges to take their time exploring the country from North to South.  Price is approximately $32 US dollars giving you the freedom to enjoy the countries top attractions at your leisure.

With so many amazing sites to see in Vietnam, you will need at least 30 days to explore the country properly.

Today’s destination is the Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam. A fascinating 200 km system of underground tunnels.  You can visit Cu Chi from  Ho Chi Minh City on a day tour.

We booked ours tour with Happy Tour and we were off in a comfortable minibus to see one of the most famous battlegrounds on earth. Then we paid $6 US per person, I see now that it is $20 online with Happy Tours, but I am sure that you can still book in Saigon for a better deal. How quickly prices rise with the onslaught of tourism.

For a great selection of places to stay with discount prices visit Ho Chi Minh Hotels for more information.”

A Recreation of the Cu Chi Tunnel system

Remember all those old war movies that you watched where the US soldier ran after a rebel in the jungle only to have him disappear in plain sight? How did the Vietnamese soldier be so clever? Well a visit to the Cu Chi tunnels explains all that.

It was a masterful system right under the noses of the US army. The American’s knew they were there somewhere they just couldn’t find them. Not for lack of trying however. Agent Orange, napalm and constant bombing was used to try to find the tunnel system that had eluded them.  The jungle was completely wiped out and barren.  It had been ruined by man, but Mother Nature’s is a strong entity and with time has healed herself and it is now lush and green.

Shoot Live Ammunition at Cu Chi Tunnels

Our guide, a former translator for the American army led our group telling the story of the North Vietnamese.  He explained how they could disappear in the jungle by sneaking into cave entrances camouflaged by termite hills being placed on top.  Cayenne pepper would be sprinkled around the entrance to disrupt the search dogs senses.

We learned that they fought in sandals made from tires to avoid jungle rot. The Americans struggled greatly with wet feet rotting in their boots.  Little did they know, sandals were their best defence.

We also learned about the booby traps laid out, waiting for the moment when the U.S. would find a cave entrance. I can’t imagine what it must have felt like for the tunnel rats (that was the name of the poor soul that had the task of exploring the cave when they did find an opening) to have to go into darkness knowing that bamboo spikes or other painfully slow ways to die were waiting for him around the corner.

We learned how the Viet Cong wore checkered scarves to announce to fellow countrymen that they were fighting for the North. Farmers would sneak food to soldiers as they were living underground in the Cu Chi Tunnels for years on end. They had an entire society set up underground. The had different rooms for planning and meeting, they had kitchens where they would only cook during the early morning fog to hide their smoke.  The Cu Chi Tunnels even had makeshift hospitals where wounds were tended and children were born.

There was a living civilization struggling and surviving underground for years on end.

And yet, the thing that we found most interesting was when our guide showed us the plants of the jungle. As you walked by, they would bend and their leaves would curl in the direction that you were walking. It was so easy to track the enemy once you knew this secret.  There was no walking through the jungle unannounced when the trees were telling everyone that you were there. Incredible.

Cu Chi Tunnels Original Entrance

It was then time for the star attraction of the tour. If we had the nerve to go into an original tunnel entrance and crawl 150 metres to the exit we could.   Only five in our group decided to go for it and it really gave a sense of just how uncomfortable the conditions were.

The dim lights went out for a few seconds but we kept crawling in the dark.  Earlier, I saw some lights leading to another direction through another tunnel, and I was starting to panic that we had taken a wrong turn.

The tunnel system is hundreds of kilometres long and the irrational worry took over that I would become lost in the maze.

The lights came back on, just in time for 3 bats to fly by our heads. I was definitely ready to get out of there. I don’t know how anyone could last in there for hours on end, let alone years on end. Unlike the Vietnam War, we didn’t have to worry about meeting up with an unexpected enemy in the tunnel, we didn’t have to worry about bombing, malaria, lice or infection.  We only had to worry  about making to from point A to point B so that we could catch our bus back to the city in time for dinner.

And that was enough for me

Snake Wine for Sale at the Gift Shop

War Remnants Museum

Part of the Cu Chi Tunnel tour is to stop at the War Remnants Museum. We were dropped off at the museum in Saigon and left to wander on our own time.  It is an emotional look at the effects of war.  Photos of Napalm and victims and acts of torture hung on the walls, the tools they used for torture and death were on display and devastating photos of the effects of Agent Orange we hanging all over the room.  There are tanks, bombs and planes outside. You will see torture chambers and the cages that POW’s were kept and cells.

It is a difficult museum to visit, I learned a great deal and it is something that should be seen to remind us all of the horrors of war. What sense is there in all this killing and suffering?

There is a display honouring photographers and correspondents who lost their lives covering the war. It is a moving tribute to the men that kept the world informed about the atrocities going on in Vietnam.

Kim Phuc’s picture is on display. She was the girl in the photo running down the road with her body covered in burns from Napalm.  I had a chance to meet her here in Canada a few months ago.  She now travels the world speaking about war, peace and healing through faith. I wrote about her a couple of months ago, in my Girl in the Picture post.

The Cu Chi Tunnels is a fascinating tour from Ho Chi Min City. It is a little bit on the touristy side, but well worth seeing. To be in a place where a momentous event in history took place is always an intriguing experience.

The Famous BackPacker Ghetto of Kho San Road Bangkok

So you have been backpacking through South East Asia for a couple of months. You have travelled through several countries trekking over mountains, sleeping in dingy guest houses, wearing the same clothes for days and you haven’t had a decent shower in I don’t know how long.  Not the makings of a romantic travel situation for you and your partner.

Just like any other time in your life, couples that travel need to make the time to keep the relationship sizzling.  Backpacking is no exception. You can get so caught up in treks, seeing sights and partying, that you can loose sight of each other and simply turn into traveling buddies.  Well, here are some things you can do in South East Asia to chill out and bring a little romance back into your backpacking adeventure.

The romantic setting of Ubud brings back all romance to travels

1. Go for a massage and floral bath in Ubud, Bali – What better location than the centre of Bali surrounded by rice terraces, volcanoes, lush jungle and a feeling of what Bali must have felt like decades ago to take time for romance in your travels.  To the soft sound of traditional Balinese Music,  you can have your aching muscles worked on as you relax side by side.  It doesn’t end there. After you have completely relaxed, walk into the next room where a floral bath awaits.  When was the last time you had a bath during your travels in Asia?  You milk it for all its worth and sit in that tub until your skin prunes.  But you don’t care, you are rejuvenated, mellow and smelling a whole lot better.  Maybe a trip to the market is in order to spice up your travel clothes.  Top off the night with some wine and cheese at the Delicat restaurant.

A Pool in Paridise Makes Everyone Happy

A fine hotel will bring back any romance

2. Splurge on a hotel. We love Wotif.com to find an executive suite in Kuala Lumpur (or any big city for that matter).  We did this after months on the road, and it was heaven.  It cut into our budget a bit, but it was worth it.  For under $100 you can stay in a deluxe hotel at an extremely discounted rate.  We loved sitting in our white robes on our queen size bed so much that we went back to the Internet and booked another night.  It was worth every minute and we were ready to face the hassles of travel fresh and relaxed.  Yes, there was a pool too, but as many of you travelers know, a clean, comfortable and decadent bed is a luxury for any travel couple and we didn’t leave it for 2 days.

A Cruise Through Ha Long Bay to Bring Back Romance

3. Take a cruise on Ha Long Bay- Bring along some Vang Dalat, Vietnams cheap red wine and cruise through Vietnams most spectacular destination, the magnificent Ha Long Bay.  Lay on the top deck and watch the unique landscape pass you by.  You are surrounded by giant khart; thousands of limestone islands burst out of the South China Sea. The sky is blue and the breeze is cool and clam. You are fed a gourmet meal by an excellent cruise staff and will enjoy an evening under the stars in the most romantic place on earth.

Nha Trang Mud Baths to rekindle the Romance

4.Mud Baths of Nha Trang – So you have been fighting the touts of Vietnam for days, the pollution is taking its toll on your skin and that cracked heel that you developed just won’t go away.  You need a rest.  Just outside of Nha Trang there is a romantic little getaway, the theraputic mud baths.  Cover yourself in this cool goo and bake away your worries in the sun.  After rinsing off under the shower, pop into a hot tub and clear your mind.  The serenity and peace can lift your spirits back up to face the rigors of travel in Vietnam.  But wait, you can’t leave yet, you need to stretch this out for as long as possible.  Never fear, there is a warm pool that you can swim in and relax by.  Stay all day chatting with each other with no fear of being interrupted to buy a book or some flowers.  Just watch how you start to reconnect with each other and have those romantic feelings come surging back.

5. Meditate in Chang Mai – You can book a private 2 to 5 meditation course in Thailand’s Northern city of Chang Mai.  What better way to reconnect than to meditate together.  We had a private session where we learned how to meditate to music, did a laughing meditation and eventually worked our way into a full meditative silence.  Our teacher cooked us traditional vegetarian dishes, and we ended each day with learning some Tai Chi.  With both of us centered and relaxed, we could easily get through our travels in a more Zen Like state.  It is a wonderful thing to do together, you will both be feeling refreshed and optimistic at the same time.

Splurge on a nice meal for travel romance

Other Travel Romance Ideas

• Go on a dinner cruise-you are in a land that has water everywhere.  Splurge on a romantic night out feasting on the water.  Almost all destinations offer dinner cruises and nothing brings two people together more that fresh air, good food and gorgeous scenery.
• Take a traditional cooking course.  These are everywhere and can be a lot of fun. Fun is important in any relationship.
• Massage, Massage everywhere.  The thing that I love about South East Asia are the massages everywhere.  You can get a cheap traditional massage that does wonders for the backpackers body.  On the beach in Thailand, On the Beach in Vietnam,  In Lao, Indonesia.  In Cambodia, get the best massage at one the healing hands massage clinics where highly trained blind masseurs take care of every joint. In Malaysia, try something different and get a traditional reflexology foot massage. It can be painful, but they will fix you right up.
• Take the time to just be.  Too often we run around catching busses, seeing attractions, jumping on a trek and ticking things off of our list, that we don’t stop to just relax for a few days and do nothing. It is important to take the time to watch the sun go down and walk on  the beach with no plans for rushing off any time soon. Just Be.

Relaxing will Help you reconnect

Kim Phuc running from Napalm Blast, Vietnam War

I went to see Kim Phuc speak the other night.  It was a surreal experience to see a woman that is such an iconic part of history. You just don’t think that you will ever meet people like her. I actually spoke to her afterward, shook her hand and touched her arm that was burned so badly.

The Girl in the Photograph, the Napalm Girl, the little girl who was the focus of what is considered The Photo Of the Century is alive and well and living here in Canada. She was the little girl from the Vietnam War whose village was blasted with napalm bombs, caught on film as she ran naked with 60% of her body covered in 3rd degree burns. Napalm burns at 800° I learned that evening, and she told us of how a soldier tried to ease her pain by pouring water on her burns. We all know now, that only makes it worse and she passed out. Brought to a hospital, she was left for dead. However, fate intervened and she is alive and well today and telling her story to the world.

I had first read about Kim during my travels to Vietnam.  Bootleg copies of her book The Girl in the Picture: the Story of the Story of Kim Phúc, are sold all over the tourist route there.  Her image, running away from the deadly blast  graces the cover. I was fascinated with the story.  I read about her recovery; 14 months in the hospital.  I read about the years that she was exploited by her government and paraded around the media being used as propaganda, I read about her childhood and how after the war, she lived and studied in Cuba. It had more impact on me because I was in Vietnam at the time.  I was visiting places where fighting actually took place. I had visited the Cu Chi tunnels and the War Remnants Museum, DMZ Zone and the Mekong Delta.  I was seeing history as I was reading about it. Kim Phuc, The girl in the picture is such a strong symbol of the Vietnam war.

Skin Peels off Kim's body running from Napalm Blast

And then I came to the part in the book where she convinced the government to let her go on her honeymoon to Moscow.  Being another communist country, she was allowed to travel there.  She had a stop in Gander Newfoundland, Canada on her return flight and it was there that she defected to Canada.  Wow, the lady that I was reading about while I was in Vietnam now lives in Canada.

It was a good book, that always stuck with me.   So when Dave’s mom asked me if I knew who Kim Phuc was and if I would be interested in going to see her speak, I immediately said yes!  It is hard to believe that she lives less than an hour away from me. Growing up during the 70′s and 80′s, Vietnam was everywhere.  I loved the movies Uncommon Valor, Apocalypse Now, First Blood and of course Platoon.  I never really connected with their historical value, I just enjoyed their stories. Vietnam seemed so far away, and at that young age, it seemed like it happened a long time ago.  When Magnum PI talked about “Nam” with his buddies on TV, I never really thought about the fact that he was talking about a war that happened such a short time ago.

So, when I grew up and went to Vietnam, I was amazed to be in this place that I saw portrayed in so many movies and TV shows. Now, it is even stranger to see a woman here in Canada, that I first read about and first heard of while I was in Vietnam.  Hmmm

Anyway, I digress…

I saw Kim Phuc; The Girl in the Picture, proud Vietnamese/Canadian speak the other night in Burlington Ontario.  A beautiful, humble, soft spoken, yet riveting and powerful woman told her story to 500 women. The Unesco Goodwill Ambassador for peace and founder of the Kim Phuc Foundation moved us all to tears.  And yet she made us laugh and smile, and she spread a powerful message of forgiveness.  I admired her strength and courage.

I was impressed with her public speaking skills and natural ability to inspire as well.  Many people have a story to tell, but cannot tell it in a gripping way.  Kim started her speech by saying “I believe everyone has a story to tell, but tonight it is my turn”  And tell a story she did.

She told of surviving a Napalm Blast, being left for dead and then being rescued and sent to a hospital in Saigon.  She spent 16 months in excruciating pain and wanted to die.  When she returned home she was afraid that she would never be loved and was in constant pain.  She told of how she wanted to become a doctor, but how her education was interrupted by her government who decided to use her as property of the state and exploited her to the media.  She was watched 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and had no freedom.  She talked how once again, during that time, she wanted to die.  She talked about how she eventually made her way to Cuba (another communist country) which lead her to Canada.

She is friends with Nick Ut the man who took her picture and saved her life.   More amazing, she has met the man that coordinated the attacks on her village.  Incredibly, they are now good friends and she has forgiven him and he has forgiven himself.  Powerful stuff.

Her story is truly one of triumph.  She has managed to bring all of her family to Canada from Vietnam, she now travels the world spreading peace, she gives aid to those in need starting her own foundation,and she speaks regularly inspiring people.  If she can survive and thrive, well, why can’t we? She still suffers from chronic pain and has the scars to prove it.  But, in her words (now I am paraphrasing, but this was her message)… She is lucky to have had her photo taken.  She will not forget the Millions of other people weren’t so lucky and she is grateful for the opportunity to travel the world, provide a good life for her family, spread a positive message and live a happy life.

I won’t tell you her full story, because you should read her book, The Girl in the Picture: the Story of the Story of Kim Phúc

First Impressions

We drove non stop from the border of Cambodia to downtown Saigon.  A city etched in my brain from all of the war films that I watched as a kid.  Women whiz by on their mopeds, dressed in white from head to toe.  White gloves, white hat, flowing white silk suits and a white mask to block out exhaust pollution.  Motorbikes span the streets in thick packs making crossing feel like a game of Frogger.  The city is a bustle with markets, food stalls, and nightclubs.  Where shopping is the main priority and dodging touts is a full time job.  Trishaw drivers won’t take no for an answer as they follow you down the street looking to make their fare and precocious children sell photocopied books for $2.

The Cu Chi Tunnels

The fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels were our first visit.  Agent Orange, napalm and constant bombing wiped out the jungle during the Vietnam War but it is now lush and green and the Vietnamese are capitalizing on tourism.  Our guide, a former translator for the American army leads our group telling the story of the North Vietnamese and how they defeated the U.S.  The caves were right under the Americans noses, literally.  They showed us how they would escape in the jungle and camouflage the entrances with termite hills.  We learned that they fought in sandals made from tires to avoid jungle rot and we learned how they wore checkered scarves to announce that they were fighting for the North and how farmers snuck food to soldiers.

For Those Who Dare
It was then into the claustrophobic original tunnel to crawl for 100m in darkness to get a sense of just how uncomfortable the conditions were.  The dim lights went out for a few minutes and for a while there and I had no idea where our guide was, being near the back of the crowd.  Earlier, I saw some lights leading to another direction and I was starting to panic that we had taken a wrong turn.  The tunnel system is hundreds of kilometres long and worry was setting in that we might be in here for a very long time.  Three bats flew through our little conga line in the dusty tunnel, but a few minutes later, we emerged drenched from the heat and covered in dirt.  I was feeling proud for making it through, and glad that I did not opt to take the chicken route near the start of the tunnel.

War Remnants Museum

Back in Ho Chi Min, we visited the War Remnants Museum, an emotional look at the effects of war and a fascinating display honouring photographers and correspondents who lost their lives covering the war.  We walked by the Armerican Embassy known for the infamous rooftop helicopter evacuations after the fall of Saigon and we checked out the thriving waterfront with luxury hotels, nightclubs and bustling river.

Mekong Delta Tour

The three day trip to the Mekong Delta is a steal.  Tour companies in Ho Chi Min City offer great package deals fighting for tourist dollars to all destinations.  For only $30 an all-inclusive trip supplies you with a guide, food, accommodation and transport.

Life remains unchanged here as farmers still bring their produce to the floating market and people still wash their clothes by hand on its banks.  Strong women row our boat down an estuary surrounded by thick jungle and we don conical hats pretending to be Rambo.  We are paraded from one shop to another set up strictly as a tourist trap.  At small factories, we learned how to make coconut candy and rice paper being offered a taste to entice us into buying a souvenir. It is all a little contrived at times as they try very hard to make you purchase something, but the scenery is incredible and watching local life unfold is fascinating.

Travel in Vietnam

We return to the city and buy a “tourist” bus ticket north.  This great invention allows us to travel from Ho Chi Min City in the south all the way to Hanoi in the north.  For $30 US, you can stop at as many places as you like for as long as you like.  Just hop off at your destination, and then when you want to move, go to the office in town and book a seat for the next day.  It makes traveling a cinch.

Beach Life

• Our first stop is Mui Ne.  A spectacular beachfront visited by very few tourists. Kite surfers ride the waves in its windy bay, women offer cheap massage on the beach that is so vigorous that it leaves bruising and the sunsets here are some of the most spectacular you will ever see.  The high winds whip and swirl the clouds throughout the day and when dusk sets in the setting sun illuminates the sky with deep reds and bright yellows.

• A short jeep ride takes you out to the town’s main attraction, the sand dunes.  Giant rolling hills of sand surrounded by green fields looking as though a bit of the Sahara has been dropped on the land.  We walk to the top in the scorching heat and take a thrilling magic carpet ride down its sandy banks.

• After wasting away five days in paradise, we decide that we need to see more ot the country and time is an issure, so we reluctantly pack our bags and head north.

Nha Trang

Next stop, Nha Trang, a far busier beach town with high-rise buildings, giant resorts, nightclubs, and fine dining.  This long stretch of beach is well developed and touts are everywhere selling jewelry, hats, t-shirts and of course cheap photocopied books.

We take a day to visit the mud baths to bask in its cool medicinal mud.  All of my travel weary bones and muscles are treated to a relaxing day of pampering and nurturing, preparing me for the days to come.  We will be going to Hoi An next, and I need to be in top form for the ultimate shopping experience.

Hoi An

Hundreds of shops vying for your business to sell you tailor made clothes whipped up in a matter of hours.  Chosing a shop can be difficult and we were standing in the rainy street confused when a lady approached us and said to follow her.  Reluctantly we followed her through winding streets and alleyways, when we finally came to her shop in the market.  We proceeded to pick out patterns and styles, while an army of women took our measurements, aided us in choosing material and colours from the walls of fabric.  Tailors work around the clock to please the many passing travelers and our new wardrobe was ready the next morning for pick up.  From cashmere suits, cocktail dresses and silk shirts to cargo pants and surf shorts, we bought it all for a steal and end up sending 12 kg of clothing home to Canada

Hue

After shopping till we drop for 3 solid days, we are off to Hue close to the North-South border Staying in one of its many clean and cheap mini hotels, we stumble onto Café on Thu Wheels, a unique café with its walls covered in writing from past guests.  We book a motorbike trip to see the sights and it is a thrill to explore the countryside in the fresh air.
Taking another trip to see some tunnels and old war sights, I grow weary and look forward to moving on to Hanoi, the nations capital.

Hanoi

A colonial city full of French architecture, sidewalk cafés, and cobblestone streets.  We explore its sights eating French baguettes and sipping lattes on Hoan Klem Lake, then book a tour to Halong Bay.

A wonder of nature in the South China Sea, where 1000’s of island jut out of the turquoise water creating a never ending horizon of mountains.  We explore the labyrinth on a small teak cabin cruiser, where we have our own private bunk and are treated to a feast.  Sleeping in the bay surrounded by these sleeping giants while looking into the clear night sky is a unique experience.

Sapa

The final destination of our Vietnam adventure takes us to Sapa, a mountain town near the Chinese border.  We stay with the hill tribes in the vast rice terraces and trek for three days in this rugged land.   The beauty is overwhelming as every corner I turn leaves me more awestruck.  Giant terraces filled with water glisten in the sun for as far as the eye can see.  Water buffalo graze in the fields and villagers dress in traditional hand made clothing.

The villagers live by the old ways, harnessing water from the mountain to use as irrigation, weaving their own material, growing their own rice and vegetables and raising their own livestock.  They are a people truly at one with the land, but that hasn’t stopped some of them from owning a satellite televisions.

Vietnam is a fascinating adventure with so much to see, you could easily spend two months exploring its countryside.