We first heard about Locked up Abroad while travelling in Jamaica. Our travel mates were chatting about all the different ways that clueless tourists manage to get themselves thrown in jail. I couldn’t believe the stories and just had to see this TV series for myself. When we returned home, we caught a few episodes and found them to be very entertaining. It’a amazing to see what people think they can get away with in other countries around the world.

If you aren’t allowed to do it at home, chances are it’s illegal in other parts of the world as well people!


When National Geographic Channel asked us if we wanted to review an episode and give some of our own tips to our readers about “How Not to Get Locked up Abroad” we just had to take part. Besides, I was itching for some English TV and couldn’t wait for them to send me over the link.

The latest episode tells the tale of Dwight Worker, an American who attempts to smuggle cocaine out of Peru and into the US by hiding it in a shoulder cast. He nearly makes it out but is stopped at the Mexican border where he’s thrown into the terrifying Black Prison of Mexico. Life becomes a living hell for Dwight and after surviving a stabbing, a hunger strike and a stint in the psychiatric ward, he concocts an elaborate plan to escape.
Only one other person has ever escaped the Black Prison and that was Pancho Villa.

Will Dwight’s plan succeed? Tune in to National Geographic Channel on Wednesday, May 23, at 10pm ET/PT for Locked Up Abroad: Black Palace of Horrors.

I was on the edge of my seat during this episode. I have to admit in the opening scene, while the real Dwight Worker uttered the words, “I went to Peru to smuggle cocaine” I channeled the movie Jerry McGuire and thought “you had me at cocaine!”

After Watching the Episode while riding a bus in Spain, I decided that I should give my fellow travellers some trip advice. People need to be informed of all the strange laws in those off the beaten path destinations so that they can remain free and happy during their own around the world adventures. 

Laws from Around the World

1. Don’t Kill Sasquatch – In British Columbia, Canada it is against the law to kill a Sasquatch. So if you find yourselves out in the woods and sasquatch comes into your camp, you can scream and you can hide, you can have a cup of tea with him, but don’t ever pull a gun on it. Only in Canada eh?
2. Don’t kill a cow in India – Cows are sacred in India and if you kill one, even by accident, you are going to jail. How do you kill a cow by accident you ask? Well, if you hit it with a car, bus or train, you’re in trouble. If you feel sorry for one and decide to feed it some leftover food and it chokes and dies, you’re in big trouble.
3. In Thailand, do not insult the King. I remember an incident where a man peed on the King’s statue and was arrested. Thailand’s King is revered and you will not have a lot of sympathy from anyone if you do something against him. Even the slightest insult could put you in jail.
4. Do Not Buy Alcohol in Sudan. Sudan is a dry country and if you buy alcohol, you’ll end up in jail. Keep your binging at bay and buy some in Ethiopia once you cross the border. Kids will be eagerly waiting for you to sell you a bucket full. They know that travellers can’t stand to be without beer for long.
5. Don’t eat in public during Ramadan in the United Arab Emirates. You may find yourself in the big house. I know that two tourists have seen jail time for doing that exact thing in the past, so don’t do it when you go.
6. Don’t overstay your Visa – especially  in Central Asia. When we were driving in the Mongol Rally, a participant landed in jail for overstaying his visa in Tajikistan. This can be a very big no no in many countries and if you don’t pay attention, you could spend quite a while behind bars.
7. Don’t pee in the ocean in Portugal – Flipper doesn’t pee on your lawn, so don’t pee on his or you’ll find yourself having a run in with the law.
8. Don’t smuggle cocaine anywhere – I know it’s totally weird right? I mean, who would have thought that smuggling drugs would land you in jail? Oh, I know the thousands of tourists who are in jail right now for smuggling cocaine.
So the moral of this story is, do your research before you travel, know the laws of the country you visit and if you think that you may be doing something against the law, chances are you are probably right. 

Earlier this spring, we asked you, our readers to help us choose where American Express should send us on our next travel adventure: kite surfing or kayaking. Kayaking won out by a narrow margin, and this summer, we’ll be heading off to Croatia to kayak along its beautiful coast

We are looking forward to our next adventure on water, and in anticipation, we have put together our top choices for water sports around the world.

Want to get to your next adventure that much quicker? Consider making the American Express Gold Rewards Card your travel companion, as we have over the past year. With this card in our wallet, we earn double the rewards points on all of our purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, drug stores-even on booking trips like our upcoming one to Croatia.

Deb and Dave’s Top Water Sports Adventures

1. Kayaking in Antarctica

The Polar Plunge may have been the most breathtaking (literally) experience in Antarctica, but kayaking through brash ice while spotting leopard seals, humpback whales and gentoo penguins was one of the most memorable experiences of our lives. Paddling in silence through this last frontier on earth allows you to get so close to the wildlife that you can almost reach out and touch them. As you navigate through fields of giant icebergs and ice flows while looking at the magnificent coastline of ancient glaciers, you truly believe that you have found heaven on earth.

2. White Water Rafting in New Zealand

If you are looking for more of a thrill, try white water rafting on class 5 rapids in New Zealand. The adventure capital of the world boasts some awesome water sports. Expert guides will help you navigate through the big water but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to work. You have to concentrate and paddle hard to make it through the run. Be prepared to brace yourself and listen to your guide when he yells “get down!” One false move and you’ll be tossed into the icy glacial waters…Just like me!

3. Zodiac Adventure in Alaska

Ketchikan is the place to spot humpback whales in Alaska and home to a mass of bald eagles. What better way to see these fascinating creatures up close and personal than piloting your very own zodiac? Zip through the bay in the driver seat and follow your Alaskan guide along the rugged coast where you’ll view salmon farms, totem poles and experience life as a true pioneer when you stop for an outdoor cookout to roast marshmallows on an open flame.

4. Canyoning in Jordan

Imagine rappelling down a 30-meter waterfall and sliding down giant boulders in the middle of a rushing river. That’s what canyoning in Jordan is all about. Take a break from relaxing in the Dead Sea and make your way over to Wadi Mujib to hike through an incredible canyon system. Take a waterproof camera because this trek is all about getting wet. You stumble through the river climbing over rocks, floating in the current and yes, navigating waterfalls. Read more at An Eco Adventure Thrill Ride

5. Scuba Diving in Honduras

Diving in Honduras is one of the most affordable places on earth and the scenery is pretty awesome too! During our trip to Utilla we dove with the biggest species right down to one of the smallest. From our whale shark encounter to swimming with wild dolphins between dives and spotting the ever so elusive sea horse, we witnessed every sort of underwater wildlife imaginable. Dive shops line the streets of both Utilla and Roatan waiting for every level of diver to walk through their door.

6. Exploring the Hongs of Thailand

The incredible karst formations of Southern Thailand are even more awe inspiring when you can explore them by sea kayak. Enter one of the sea caves and paddle through a hidden tunnel to the heart of one of these islands on the Andaman Sea. When you emerge from the dark, you’ll find yourself inside a lagoon surrounded by high cliffs and lush jungle. A nighttime paddle is a must as you enter the caves at low tide and witness the phosphorescence algae ignite with every stroke of the paddle.

7. Sailing the Nile in Egypt

The mystical Nile River is a place of legend and nothing feels more timeless than hiring a Felucca to take you down this historic passage. As you pass by ancient wonders, you’ll be able to try your hand at steering the boat. That is if you hire your own private Felucca in Luxor or Aswan.  Be prepared though, if the wind dies on one of these, you’ll be helping the captain row back to the dock. If a larger cruise line is more your style, hop aboard a luxury liner to take you from one city to another and pretend to be the Queen of Sheba herself!

8. Surfing in Sri Lanka

If you want to try your hand at surfing but are afraid of the giant waves, Sri Lanka is the place to go. With perfect conditions for beginners and excellent waves for expert rodeo competitors, surfing in Sri Lanka was one of our favourite activities. You can spend days hanging out on the beaches of Hikkaduwa as local guides are on hand to teach you their tricks. Unlike other areas where we’ve attempted to balance on the board, we actually managed to catch a wave or two and with a mellow break and sandy beach we had very few cuts and bruises to show for it.

9. Snorkeling in The Galapagos

Swimming with sharks, playing with sea lions, spotting sea turtles and witnessing marine iguanas feed are just some of the things you will see while snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. Known as one of the great wildlife spotting places on earth, the Galapagos Islands are even better under water. With a rich ecosystem, the marine life is healthy and strong and there is no shortage of food. So you don’t have to worry about getting in the water with the Galapagos Shark, they won’t pay you any attention. The sea lions are thrilled to have someone to play with and the turtles lumber along while barely noticing you are there.

10. Canoeing in Canada

There are canoe routes all over Canada but our favourite place to portage is in Algonquin Park, Ontario. It can be a challenge navigating through this great Canadian Wilderness, but it is worth every effort as you are nearly guaranteed to encounter a moose. A trip can be as long or as short as you like with 1200 km of streams and rivers connecting 2400 lakes it’s the perfect adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Campsites are scattered throughout its 7653 square kilometers where you can truly get away from it all while taking in its incredible beauty. Algonquin Parks landscape is so stunning that the famous artists known as the Group of Seven dedicated their lives to painting its magnificent landscape.

One of the biggest challenges facing sick children in rural Cambodia is the cost of getting to the hospital. What would be a simple ailment quickly develops into something far worse while family members save money to get to a hospital. Back in 2010 The Smiling Albino formed a relationship with the Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC), the country’s premier child care center who provide free healthcare to all comers.

Here’s Where You Can Help

It’s hard to believe that we were in Thailand last year at this time. It truly feels like a lifetime ago that we were re-visiting one of our favourite countries.  Since that time we took part in the Mongol Rally where we drove through 13 countries from England to Mongolia, travelled to Jordan, hopped over to Mexico twice, spent six weeks in New Zealand, hung out in Cairo and took a couple of jaunts to the Caribbean. So needless to say, Thailand feels very far away.

Since it is cold outside in many parts of the world and we’re visiting another cold climate at the moment – Antarctica, we thought we’d give you a little escape from winter and share our favourite things to do in Thailand. We’ve been quite a few times and last year we had the chance to add a few new activities to our list thanks to the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Smiling Albino; an original, boutique travel company hosting adventures in Thailand, Nepal, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Tibet.

So sit back and relax and plan your next vacation to Thailand, you won’t regret it.

1. Sea Kayak in Krabi

View of lagoon from a sea cave

Sea Kayaking with the original sea kayak company of Thailand, John Gray Sea Canoe is an amazing experience. John Gray himself pioneered the sea kayaking business in Thailand bringing his expertise and experience from exploring sea caves in Hawaii to South East Asia. Paddling through a cave to come out to a gorgeous lagoon in the middle of an island on the Adamen Sea is a moment you will never forget. An environmental activist, John Gray is extremely careful and adement about keeping his footprint to a minimum and his guides are very aware about the environmental impact that tourism is having on their country.  Make sure to camp overnight on one of the uninhabited islands in the area and have a private evening in complete silence.

2. Motorcycle to the Myanmar Border

The Winding Deserted Roads of Northern Thailand

We have always been wary about driving a motorcycle in Thailand after we had an accident in Kho Samui on our first trip to the country in 2000. However, The Smiling Albino took great care of us, giving us a thorough lesson and test to make sure that we were capable of driving through the winding mountain roads and city traffic. Having the freedom to go off the beaten path and explore the pristine countryside of Thailand’s north was a unique experience. Driving through the winding mountain roads was a thrill and the scenery was outstanding, but the highlight was making our way to the border and looking out over Myanmar. 

3. Mountain Bike, Chiang Rai

Dave Mountain Biking in the Thai Countryside

We took a mountain bike tour from the city streets of Chiang Rai out to the surrounding countryside. Biking up impressive hills and through rice paddy fields was a challenging yet fun ride. It is amazing how quickly you will find yourself out of the bustling streets and into the quiet farmland. We didn’t come across any single track mountain biking, but the trails and paths were a lot of fun and we got to finish off the ride with a longtail boat back to town.

4. Rock Climb, Railay

Deb conquering a route

We do this every time we go to Thailand and never tire of visiting Railay. There are literally hundreds of routes to climb for all levels of climbers. Even if you don’t have any experience, you will find many schools offering introductory classes to full courses that will teach you how to lead your own routes. We climbed with Hot Rocks climbing school and our guide was absolutely fantastic. You won’t find a more beautiful setting in the world in our opinion. The surround karst islands are stunning.

5. Muay Thai Kickboxing

Dave Practicing his kicks

Want a great way to whip yourself in shape? Try enrolling in a Muay Thai Kickboxing course. There are schools all over the country and you can sign up for a few short days or stay for months at a time. You’ll learn from genuine ex-thai boxers how to kick, punch and block. Plus you’ll learn how to perform the wai kru, the ceremony that Muay Thai Boxers do before each match. We trained with Rawai Muay Thai and found them to be outstanding. Located in the quiet part of Phuket, we were close to the beach and the restaurant next door was incredible as it catered to people in training. They server protein shakes, low fat dishes and offered a meal plan to students.

Bonus Activity

Take part in Songkran 

It only happens once a year, but if you find yourself in Thailand when the Songkran festival is going on, you have got to go out an experience it. It’s the world’s largest water fight celebrating the Thai New Year.

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! 

This past year was an interesting one. We got to re-visit some places we had already been but more importantly we got to take in some of our dream destinations for the first time. We thought the best way to show you why we loved all the places we visited was through our favourite photos from each country. So sit back with a cup of coffee and come travel with us for a few moments.

Thailand:

Sea Canoeing in Thailand

Malaysia:

Thaipusam in Penang, Malaysia

New Zealand:

The stunning New Zealand Landscape

Jordan:

Petra at Night

Had to put this one in! the Bedouin girl in Jordan

London:

London Landmarks- The Tower Bridge

Brussels:

Prague:

The main Square in Prague

Russia:

The Astrakhan Kremlin in Russia

Kazakhstan:

The uncanny modern city of Astana in Kazakhstan

Mongolia:

Mongolian Traffic

Mexico:

The ruins of Tonina in Mexico

Jamaica:

Grabbing the Catamaran in Jamaica

Egypt:

Alexandria, Egypt

As I sit down to write this 2011 Adventure Travel Round up, I am in shock and awe that we really did all these things in a span of 365 days. The other day, Dave was telling his mom about our upcoming trip to Antarctica that we have in January and he said, “It’s going to be the trip of a lifetime” to which I replied “We’ve been having a lot of those lately” as I stopped to pinch myself. Is this really happening?

It is while putting it all down on words that I realized that we just lived a year of adventure travel that I never thought I would have the opportunity to ever do in my life. We left for Fiji last November knowing that we would be going to China afterwards but then, the plans were all up in the air. All we knew was that we were going to fly to Thailand to hang out for a bit because its a cheap place to visit.

It was then the Real Adventures Began.

2011 started off with us studying Muay Thai Kickboxing at Rawai Muay Thai in Phuket. We spent a month boxing, skipping, sparring, visiting an orphanage, learning the wai kru and making new friends.

Thailand

Muay Thai Training at Rawai Muay Thai

Malaysia

After a month in Thailand we had to do a visa run to Malaysia so we thought we’d stick around a bit to witness Thaipusam. This festival is an adventure unto itself. Imagine seeing people with spikes through their cheeks, hooks on their back and carrying heavy kavadis on their heads walk by you so close that you could reach out and touch them. It was our second time experiencing Thaipusam and no less thrilling.

Worshipper at Thaipusam, Malaysia

Thailand

We were then back in Thailand doing a great adventure with the Tourism Authority. They sent us on a two week custom itinerary showcasing the great adventures that Thailand has to offer. From rock climbing in Railay to paddling into sea caves of Phuket with high tide rushing in to add to the thrill. We then flew north to take a week long motorcycle journey to the Myanmar border through tea terraces, mountain passes and hill tribe villages. It all rounded off with a mountain bike adventure, elephant safari and longtail boat back to Chiang Rai.

Mountain Biking in Northern Thailand

New Zealand

Just when we were trying to figure out what to do next, we received an email from our good friend Melvin on Travel Dudes. “Do you guys want to go to New Zealand?”" I can’t do it so I recommended the Adventure Couple!” Do we!

Sadly, the earthquake hit 2 days before we arrived in Christchurch and we witnessed the devastation that an angry planet can reap on civilization. But the Kiwis are resilient and they pushed forward.

The Devastation in Christchurch, New Zealand

We shared their story with our readers telling people to not forget New Zealand. It’s still open for business and outside the city of Christchurch it was business as usual. Even though the country was mourning the loss of life, they were doing their best to rebuild and move forward.

And move Forward we did!

How can I sum up 6 weeks of the greatest adventure of our lives…Do I dare put photos in of the 30+ adventures we did day in day out?

Ok, that will be another post but for now, imagine every thrill you can think of that happens in the World’s Adventure Capital, add some more and that is what we did.

Adventures in New Zealand

Skydiving, bungy jumping, paragliding, flying a stunt plane, white water rafting class 5 rapids, swimming with dolphins, paddling through glow worm caves, riding a jet boat, 4X4ing through old gold mines, sand boarding, glacier hiking, sailing, cruising, paddling, eating, camping, hiking, you name it, we did it!

Mexico

While we were in New Zealand we received an email from Jordan to come and sample their adventures but first we had commitments at Rancho La Puerta in Mexico where we spent 1 week working out and detoxing in such classes as cardio drumming, African Dance, walking the Labyrinth and spinning the Hoola Hoop just to name a few!

Walking the Labyrinth after a Workout at Rancho La Puerta

Jordan

Directly from Mexico we then flew to Jordan where besides witnessing the beauty of Petra, the classic landscape of the Arabian Desert in Wadi Rum, the medicinal elements of the Dead Sea and the gorgeous views from the Dana River Reserve, we also had the chance to go Canyoning in Wadi Majub. We’ve always wanted to rappel over a waterfall and this was our chance. We slid down rocky dams, waded through rushing rivers and yes, we jumped over a cliff and lowered ourselves into the spray of the mighty waterfall!

Canyonning in Wadi Mujib, Jordan

There was no rest after Jordan, our greatest journey of 2011 had yet to begin.

The Mongol Rally

In July, we met our teammates Sherry Ott and Rick Griffin to take part in the Mongol Rally. A 10,000 mile drive in an inappropriate car from England to Mongolia through 13 countries. We drove through the Ukraine and Kazakhstan and Siberia! Yes, Siberia! We then dodged camels, yaks, serious potholes and herds of horses through the Gobi Desert. All while nursing a broken exhaust, tender tires that were constantly being punctured, a busted shock and most importantly a dead horn. No honking at the wildlife or just for the heck of it. It was just us and our duct taped gear shift keeping us company.

Mongol Rally River Crossings

Canada

It was late September when we were finally back in Canada.

It was wonderful to be around family and friends and it was here that we had the opportunity to do an adventure in our own back yard with Samba Days. We took a flight over our home city of Toronto and it was spectacular. It was nearly as thrilling as the Stunt Plane in New Zealand.

At The Toronto Island Airport Awaiting Take-Off

It was then off to Mexico. While we didn’t do adventures there, we did go to the Adventure Travel World Summit where we learned that in the tourism industry, 16% of all travellers are adventure travellers. That is awesome!

Jamaica

We rounded up the year with a soft adventure tour in Jamaica where we went Jamaican Bobsledding! We then spent the next 5 days sampling the islands other adventure activities such as ATVing, catamaran sailing, snorkelling, ziplining, hiking and mountain biking and finally eating spicy Jamaican Jerk Chicken at Scotchies.

Jamaican Bobsledding

We are heading to Seattle this weekend to watch a Seahawks game and then we’re jetting off to Cairo next week to speak at the ioeti Conference.  While it is not going to be a physical adventure, speaking to the Middle East Market about the future of Travel Blogging is definitely going to be an exciting moment in our lives and we can’t wait to end our year with this wonderful opportunity. Plus, we’re really looking forward to seeing Alexandria, we missed it during our last trip to Egypt.

I don’t know how we are going to top this year, but 2012 is starting off with a bang to Antarctica. More on that next week!

There aren’t a lot of countries that we go back to again and again. Actually Dave and I were talking the other day and realized that we have only re-visited 3 countries again and again. We may have had a stop over in others or popped into one while in the neighbourhood, but Mexico, Thailand and France keep calling us back.

Out of 56 countries visited and counting, a place must have something special to entice us to keep coming back and all of the above have it. We have come to the conclusion that we love these countries not only for their culture, scenery and people, but because they each hold a special memory for us. It was in these countries that we enjoyed many firsts in travel and they always remind us what made us fall in love with being perpetual wanderers.

Mexico

What is so enticing about Mexico? Could it be its proximity to Canada, it’s diverse landcape and rich Mayan culture? Of course it is!

Tulum, Mexico

When we land at the airport in Mexico, everything feels good. We love that warm burst of air that hits our faces as we step off the plane after a long cold winter in Canada. We have fond memories of our time in Mexico. It was in 2003 when we went on our first diving trip with our dive club from Barrie. We spent a week on Cozumel doing nothing but two dives per day exploring the pristine Palancar Reef. We saw everything you could ever hope for in the underwater world. Palancar reef boasts incredible coral gardens with an abundance of marine life. We saw eagle rays, nurse sharks, barraccudas, eels and a blanket of star fish lining the sea ocean floor. We even saw a sea horse which someone told us is very rare. (we later saw many in Honduras, but it was exciting to see our first one in Mexico)

We’d dance every night to the Mariachi bands as we sipped Coronas from an icy bucket of beer.

Mexico is a massive land and it will take years to explore it. Our few trips have barely scratched the surface and yet we’ve been at the far southern reaches of the Guatemala and Belize borders to the northern towns of Tecate and Tijuana near the United States. We’ve walked its sandy beaches, paddled its rivers, hiked is jungles and explored its ancient Mayan ruins. And yet there is still so much more to see and do.

Maybe we’ll have to take advantage of  Thomas Cook Canada’s Massive Facebook Travel Sale. They’re hosting an online extravaganza offering incredible deals to Mexico. If you want to go to one of our favourite countries for cheap, join us and Thomas Cook On December 7th from 7-9 on their facebook page for special discounts.

Give Thomas Cook a like today so you don’t miss a thing! Thomas Cook on Facebook

Thailand

When people ask us if there is one place in the world that we think we could settle down in and live outside of Canada,Thailand always springs to mind.

It has some of the most spectacular beaches on earth, a strong cultural identity and it has all the amenities of home with massive, modern malls, movie theatres and fine dining. Mmm, when I think of Thai food, it makes my mouth water.

Thailand is special to us because it was our first extended independent travel. It was in this country that we first stepped out of the all inclusive vacation mode over a decade ago. We took local transport for the first time and hired local guides. We didn’t have anyone arrange one aspect of our trip for us and we travelled completely on our own for 5 weeks.

It is always special for us to land at the Bangkok airport. That feeling of excitement and wonder always comes back to us. We revisit what it was like to be in awe of a distant land and we are reminded of a time when travel to a new country felt completely foreign and almost frightening to us. We were terrified and excited all at once when we first arrived in Bangkok in 2000, and sense memory comes back to us with each visit. We are reminded why we started traveling in the first place.

Thailand has islands in the south, mega cities in the centre and jungles and hill tribes to the north. Throughout the entire country you’ll find culture and adventure. Visiting a pagoda or temple in Thailand is a cultural experience you will always remember. You can visit a monastery one minute, be on the beach or hiking in the jungle the next and be back in time for dinner and a movie to round off the night!

France

Who didn’t dream of visiting Paris as a child? I watched Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron dance through its streets in An American in Paris and I listened to my parents Frank Sinatra albums as he sang I love Paris in the Springtime. I didn’t know anything about Paris, but I knew very young that I loved it!

When Dave and I went to Paris, it was like a dream. Everything I had ever seen on TV was standing there before us. To this day, every time we are in Paris, we re-visit its historical monuments and wander the city with our mouths agape. It is the most beautiful city in the world and it was here that we rented our first car overseas and drove in a foreign land. France was a part of our first trip to Europe and it was the first time we ever visited a museum outside of our own country. It was the first time we witnessed a battlefield when we drove to Vimy Ridge and it was the first time we stepped foot in an actual castle.

Even when we went back to visit again last summer we had another first in Travel. It was in France that we saw the Mediterranean Sea for the first time. We have always seen movie stars and royalty use it as their playground and in 2010, we used it as ours.

We have climbed it’s rock faces, hiked through its forests, camped on its beaches and browsed its art and architecture. It also has a strong cultural identity and love it or hate it, France is very French.

Like Thailand and Mexico, France is another massive country that will take years to truly explore and we are happy to keep going back to discover more.

This post was brought to you by Thomas Cook Canada. We’re excited to be taking part in their exciting new campaign and share our love and knowledge for Mexico with all of you! Make sure to keep checking their facebook page all week and tune in on Dec. 7th from 7-9 for amazing deals!

We’re on CTV News Express today again and we love having our posts go along with what we’re talking about on air. Seven minutes isn’t a lot of time for these two chatty people so we like to expand on what we could have, should have and would have said if we had unlimited time.

For more CTV New Express Segments check out our special TV appearances page

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So what’s that Travel Couple talking about today?

Saving money of course! 

With the holiday season coming fast, money is on everyone’s mind. We would love to be able to tell you all that we’re independently wealthy and don’t have to worry about a cent, but that is not the case. We have to think about every penny we spend on travel and we want to share our tips and tricks to making your future travels more affordable. So even though you have to watch your wallet for Christmas, that doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy some of the finer things in  life. Just follow these budget savings tips and you’ll be able to travel more for less!

1 – Use a Travel Rewards Credit Card

Fillling up the car with our AMEX Gold Rewards

a. Rewards – Use a travel rewards credit card to accumulate mileage and receive bonus rewards for signing up. You have to spend money anyway, so it only makes sense to accumulate rewards as you shop. We use the American Express Gold Rewards card and wish that we started using it earlier. Every time we use our AMEX card we receive 1 point for every dollar spent. When using it at drug stores, grocery store or gas stations in Canada, we receive double the points!

b. Flexibility – We can book our own travel, pay for it with the AMEX Gold Rewards Card and then call American Express to have them pay for the purchase with our points, or we can transfer our points 1:1 to Aeroplan and use our points to earn a free flight! There are many other partners that you can transfer your rewards to as well such as  Alitalia, British Airways, Delta, Cathay Pacific, Hilton Honors, Starwood Preferred Guest and Priority Club.

c. Travel Insurance – When traveling for 15 days or less we automatically get travel insurance with our card. We save a lot of money on travel insurance. Hundreds of dollars a year!

d. Points never expire. What’s even better is that we have up to 12 months to decide whether we want to pay for our travel spend with our points or not. We can pay for our travel with our AMEX Gold Rewards Card and then we have an entire year to ask them to pay for our purchase with our rewards!

2 – Choose The Right Destination

Where you travel has a great impact on the cost of a trip. Travel to developing nations is a cheaper option.

Travel to Thailand or Vietnam is much cheaper than traveling to Bora Bora or Tahiti. Look for places that have a good infrastructure for independent travel where you can stretch your dollar and make it last longer. We can stay on a beach bungalow in Malaysia or Thailand for $10 a night as opposed to booking an expensive week at an overcrowded all inclusive Caribbean resort.  A Guest house in Honduras can go for $20 to $30 per night and meals at these destinations can be as low as $2-$3.  Beer is as low as a buck a bottle. Traveling to off the beaten path destinations will keep overpriced businesses in popular locations from digging too deep into your wallet and the local people of the not so well travelled places will be happy to have your business.

3 – Travel Independently

Shop Locally

Take Local Transport

4 – Use Alternative Accommodation

Our Campervan in New Zealand by AllWays Rentals

5 – Use a Travel Agent

Start by searching the Internet for prices and availability. When you have a good idea as to what things cost and what you want to spend go to your travel agent. They can still find you the best deal. They have an entire resource at their fingertips. They know the little tricks to find the best deal and they can compare many fares, airlines and dates at once.

Use a Travel Agent for Piece of Mind

a. Be Flexible – if you are willing to travel on a different day, you can possibly save hundreds of dollars on your flight. Flight costs vary from day to day. Booking on a Monday may not have the best deals as buying on a Thurday and the same can be said for flying. Flights may be cheaper if you fly on the weekend as opposed to Monday morning. Shop around and compare.

6. Time and Patience 

Bonus Tip: Bring a calculator.

The Holiday season is fast approaching and while we may be all about Christmas here in Canada, we’ve got nothing on the astounding Asian Festivals that we’ve attended in the past.

Christmas in Beijing

We’ve been lucky enough to stumble upon some awesome festivals like Shilpgram in Udaipur India, Chinese New Year in Malaysia, A cremation ceremony in Bali and several other festivals around the world that we don’t even know the names of. Seriously! We have happened upon thousands of people gathering for an event, and at times, we never even found out what we were celebrating!

Anyhoo…

There are three Asian Festivals that stand out in our minds and if you happen to be heading that way in the New Year, you can catch them all, one each month!

Thaipusam, Malaysia

January/February

The most shocking Festival we’ve ever seen, Thaipusam in Malaysia will make your jaw drop. Happening at the end of January or early February, Thaipusam attracts two million people to pay homage to the Lord Muruga. That sounds pretty tame doesn’t it?

Well, Think Again. These worhshippers jam spikes through their cheeks, stab hooks in their backs and pull chariots and people with reigns attached to said hooks. Oh Yeah.

We have had the luxury of witnessing Thaipusam twice in a lifetime. Once at the Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur and another in Penang, Malaysia. The Batu Caves are far more intense and if you want to really feel overwhelmed I suggest going to that celebration starting at midnight on day one. Thousands of people walk from downtown to the caves 13 km away. It is here that they are put into a trance and pierced by a high priest before they begin their walk up the 272 steps to the impressive chamber of the Batu Caves.

Thaipusam is also celebrated in Mauritius and Singapore.

Holi, India

February/March

This Hindu Festival happens in the Spring where people throw coloured powders. It occurs at the end of February beginning of march. Burning away the Witch of the Winter. On the eve of Holi, bonfires are lit in the streets to cleanse the air of evil spirits.

Holi is a festive event.

People dance in the streets, music rings through the air and people throw coloured powders at each other and passers by. It is a time for people to put aside all caste, creed and prejudice. The colours bring all of India together in the bond of love. When covered with powders everyone is equal for this one brief moment.

A Meet up with Our Friends Becca and Julian

Try to celebrate it in Mathura, the Birthplace of Krishna. It is believed that the festival began with Krishna, so where else should you celebrate but the place most readily associated with him. However, there are several different stories regarding the origin of Holi. I can’t get them straight even after talking with people and looking it up. This link explains Holi’s different myths and legends quite well.

Instead, let’s just say that Holi is a fun time where India gets to party and forget about what class they come from for a couple of days. It is also a time when they can target crazy foreigners that are nuts enough to join in! Look out if your not from India, they’ll have a blast pelting you with coloured water, water balloons and handfuls of powder. You won’t be able to stop smiling until you get home and try to wash off the sticky mess.

Holi is also celebrated in Pakistan, Nepal, Surinam, Fiji and Mauritius.

Songkran, Thailand

April

Celebrating the coming of Spring, Songkran is the world’s largest water fight! Celebrated on the traditional Thail New Year is falls somewhere around mid April. It has turned into one big party where people line the streets throwing water at each other. People are armed with water guns and trucks drive through the festival route with giant barrels filled with ice water. Kids in the back scoop out bucket loads and throw them on innocent by standers.

Watch out if your a tourist, you are a prime target for the icy cold stuff.

It may be all fun and games now, but there is a religious element to Songkran. A Buddhist Holiday, Songkran takes place over 4 days. it is a time for households to cleanse their Buddhist statues with fragrant water. It is also a time to cleanse their house and start fresh for the New Year.

Chiang Mai in the North of Thailand is where Songkran is celebrated to the fullest and it is here that you will find thousands of people lined up along the moat of the Old City waiting to catch the barrage of people who make their way down for the festivities.

Celebrating Songkran along the Moat in Chiang Mai

If your not in Thailand at this time but at one of the many surrounding countries, never fear, they celebrate them too! Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Yunnan in China celebrate Songkran too!

Have you witnessed an amazing, astonishing, shocking or fun festival? What is your favourite and did you participate? Let us know Now! 

Taking portraits is one of my favourite forms of photography. When we were traveling through Northern Thailand with The Smiling Albino, we had a gorgeous day walking along the tea terraces. Yes, there are tea terraces in Thailand.

We came across a hill tribe village and met this woman, The oldest of 5 generations. We chatted for a little bit as her grand daughter translated.

When I asked if I could take her picture, she smiled and motioned for me to wait. 

She lit her pipe and propped herself up to make for the perfect setting. Nobody else in the family wanted to have their photo taken, they saved the glory for their grandmother who loved every minute of it.

Traveling in Doi Ma Salong showed us a different side of Thailand. A Thailand that isn’t part of the beaten path and a Thailand that seems just a little more relaxed than the rest of the country. We didn’t see other tourists during our stay there. We walked alone through the countryside and the villages.

It was just us, villagers and a magnificent setting.

6. Malaysian Borneo 

7. Thailand 

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8. Tanzania 

9. South Africa

South Africa is not only beautiful, it is an adventure traveller’s playground to the nth degree.

10. Mexico 

Sure it’s probably the number 1 vacation destination for North Americans to go and chill out on the beach, but there is so much more to Mexico than Margaritas and laying in the sun.

Mexico has some of the most pristine scuba diving on the planet.

The Palancar Reef was made famous by Jaques Cousteau and has never lost speed. Diving in the Cenotes near Tulum will give you a memory to last a lifetime. But there’s more to Mexico than diving. Paragliding and Hang Gliding can be experienced all over the country including Tapalpa and Oaxaca. Mexico is known for its rock climbing too, there are sites all over the country most notably  El Potrero Chico. There is surfing all along the Pacific Coast and mountain biking in Copper Canyon. Of course there is hiking too. Mexico is such a giant country that it is impossible to pin down where to choose to do your vacation.

Recently we’ve had a lot of questions from people asking us how they can start adding adventures into their travels. People have asked if it is scary to do the things we do and how can they put adventure into a vacation when they don’t have a lot of time” We’re here to tell you you can!

We live by our motto “Anyone Can Do it!”

When we first started travelling, we did it the way many Canadians do. We bought a vacation package to the Dominican republic or Mexico, we drove to Florida and laid on the beach and we flew to Europe to check out museums and historical sites. Adventure didn’t even cross our mind. It was an adventure enough just visiting the destination. 

The Trip that Started it All

Thailand Was our First Adventure Travel Experience in 2000

What we love about travel is that we are inspired to try something new. We have more courage when we’re travelling than when we are at home and being in a foreign land where prices are cheaper, it is easier to step out of our comfort zone and take on a new challenge.

In the 1990′s our excitement was heading out to the midnight opening of a new blockbuster movie. After coming home from 5 weeks in Thailand in January 2000, we woke up from the fog and started living our lives to the fullest. The new millenium was the time for Dave and Deb.

Change Your Life

Planning a trip of a lifetime can change a life. We had 5 weeks in the land of smiles and we had never done anything like it before. We had never taken an unorganized trip before. We had always played it safe.

All that Changed in Thailand.

Armed with a hand drawn map from my friend Lana who had been to Thailand and India for 6 months the year earlier, we set off on our first backpacking adventure.

We were afraid.

Bangkok at Night

We landed in Bangkok in the middle of the night and caught a taxi downtown. We did everything wrong. We didn’t take the designated taxis and ended up paying too much. We didn’t have a clear address of where we were going and we didn’t know how to say hello in the local language. We were easy pickings for getting scammed.

We were let off on a deserted street and walked for hours looking for Kho San Road. We finally found our place at 2:00 am and all they had was the worst room in the house. We didn’t know to ask to see the room before paying so we slept on a dirty mattress with no sheets and had a hovel of a bathroom with a shower hose hanging over the scary blue squat toilet.

What the heck did we get ourselves into?

In The Early Days we Weren't ready for this, make this a squat Toilet and it was too much

I awoke early in the morning and forced Dave up. We had to get out of here and I wasn’t taking no for an answer. We booked a bus south the Ralaiy in Krabi province and breathed a sigh of relief as we left Bangkok. It wasn’t an easy start, but things got better.

There’s nothing wrong with changing your plans

An Upgrade Can Make Travels Much Easier

We admitted to ourselves that we weren’t prepared to stay in budget hostels and shoestring guesthouses and we upped our budget. We decided to move up a leve in our accommodation from and we were now midrange travellers. We found a very nice bungalow on Railay where we’d spend the next week. There is no reason in travelling if you are not having fun. We had full time jobs at the time, so we could afford to up our budget a bit. The important thing was to enjoy ourselves. If we stayed in crap for the next 5 weeks, we’d probably never travel again! Now we could enjoy ourselves.

Taking the First Step

Railay had everything that we needed to get our feet wet in adventure travel. We hiked through the jungle to The Lagoon Lookout and climbed high on a cliff to overlook the island. Today this would be a very tame hike for us, but then it had all the elements of adventure that we could dream of. We saw monkeys in the wild for the first time. We were hiking through an actual jungle on a tropical island for the first time! We slipped on rocks, climbed up ropes and we stood atop a cliff overlooking the most spectacular view we had ever seen.

Give Yourself Credit

We were proud of ourselves for venturing out into the jungle by ourselves. We had never done anything like it before. Sure there are other people that have crossed the Amazon by themselves and faced pythons head on. But this was our adventure. This was our quest to push ourselves farther than we had ever gone. And this was the trip that inspired us to keep on going.

Try Something New

It seemed that everyone that came to Railay was here to rock climb. We had never climbed anything in our lives but as we watched people scale these spectacular jagged cliffs, we felt the urge to join in on the action. So we signed up for a 1-day fun climb.

I was terrified.

I felt my legs shake as I climbed higher asking my guide to keep the rope tight so that I wouldn’t fall. I held on to the cliff for dear life and when I needed to rest, I held onto the rope thinking that would save me if I fell.

I remember later in the afternoon we went for a hike through Phra Nang Cave. It was here that we saw bats for the first time hanging from the ceiling. This was awesome. We climbed up bamboo ladders in the dark and I couldn’t believe that we were actually on the other side of the world doing all these crazy things!

It was when we came out from the cave that my heart pounded. We were going to rapell for the first time in our lives! We let our guide do everything for us. He tied us in as we clung to closely to the wall avoiding stepping out too close to the ledge. We listened to his every word as he told us how to lower ourselves to the ground and we prepared ourselves mentally for that first step out into nothing but air.

Just Do It!

We were afraid, we were very afraid. But we did it anyway and after we finished our day, our adrenaline was pumping. We were thrilled to have tried something that made us feel empowered. We felt energized and excited for the next day and we couldn’t stop talking about every single detail at dinner.

You’ll Be Hooked…

After our amazing couple of days in Railay, we wanted the adventure to continue. We signed up for sea kayaking and we hiked through more caves, we went to Khao Sok National Park and rode an elephant for the first time. We trekked through more jungles and took in as much of Thailand’s natural wonders as we could.

Acceptance

We had never travelled for so long before and before leaving Canada we thought that 5 weeks would be too long. We thought we’d be bored, we thought we’d spend too much money and we thought we’d miss home. None of that was true. We spent less in 5 weeks of Thailand than we did in 1 week in Mexico’s Mayan Riviera. We didn’t think of home once in that 5 weeks and we were never bored. As a matter a fact, we wanted to stay longer and see more!

Taking it home…

Canoeing in Algonquin Park in Canada

Not everyone can become full time travellers like us. And not everyone even wants to become full time travellers like us. However, everyone wants a more fulfilling life and after that trip 11 years ago, our lives changed forever.

Instead of spending our weekends drinking coffee at The Second Cup after watching a matinée at the movies. We signed up for indoor rock climbing at Joe Rockheads in Toronto. We became avid rock climbers and have now climbed in many places around the world. We have revisited Railay 2 times since 2000!  We went on outdoor climbing trips with friends near home in Ontario and camped on the shores of Georgian Bay at night.

A year later, we took up scuba diving and became rescue divers. It was another year later that we went to Central America to pursue our Dive Masters.

Scuba Diving in Georgian Bay, Ontario Canada

For 8 Years we travelled for a few months at a time during the winter and came home inspired to try even more new things in Canada. We took white water kayaking lessons on the Ottawa River, we learned how to lead climb outdoors and how to set up our own top rope routes so that we could go out anytime we like and rappell or climb by ourselves. We bought mountain bikes and started going regularly to hardwood hills and were eventually inspired to cycle the continent of Africa. We canoed Algonquin park, took an adventure racing course, learned how to orienteer spent every weekend outdoors either hiking through the Bruce Trail or bouldering on the Niagara Escarpment.

Life Can be Fulfilling No Matter Where You Are.

We learned that we could live a fulfilling life no matter where we were. Adventure became our way of life and whether at home or abroad, we always tried something new. We used to always say, “I’d like to try that someday.” Now we say, “Let’s do that next week!”

Who Likes Train Travel?

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.

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.

It’s no secret that we love Mountain Equipment Co-Op.

We’ve spoken during their Tuesday night inspiration series on more than one occasion and we always pop in to see what’s new when we’re back in town. It is the perfect store for the adventure lover.

As part of Shredded Wheat Canada’s, Live Simply and Win Contest Post Foods Canada giving away a $100 certificate to Mountain Equipment Co-Op. As Post’s resident travel experts, we thought we’d share four of our favourite climbing spots around the world with you.

the climbing wall and MEC Store

1. Krabi, Thailand

Deb Climbing in Thailand 2011

The very first climb that we ever did in our lives was on Raleigh Beach, in Krabi, Thailand. We have since returned three times to beautiful Raleigh Beach to work on our climbing skills. It was here that we first learned to lead climb and took on our first multi-pitch climb. The amazing karst formations of Krabi have made it a world class climbing destination where the best of the best return regularly to tackle its hundred of routes.

Dave Lead Climbing in Thailand

The newest fad to catch on in Krabi is deep water soloing. A person free climbs up a wall and once they are finished the climb, they simply jump into the water. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart.

Tip: For reasonable accommodations stay at Tonsai beach next door to Raleigh, that’s where the climbers camp and within a couple of months you’ll find your expertise soar.

2. Alberta, Canada

Dave on a multi-pitch climb in Alberta 2009

The Rocky Mountains are the place to climb for the true die-hard. While Squamish, British Columbia may be more famous, we were thrilled to be able to climb in Canmore, Alberta. There are routes for every level of rock climbing and one of its areas is home to the highest concentration of hard routes in the Rockies! When we climbed there, we had taken a couple of years off to cycle Africa and build our new business of travel blogging so we were a little rusty.

Climbing with a guide from Yamnuska Mountain Adventures was an amazing way to re-spark our interest in the sport. James took us through a great day that was fun yet challenging enough for these two former weekend warriors. He could have stayed at the beginner’s crag, but he saw a hint of our former selves during our routes so we partook in a multi-pitch and a few of the more challenging top rope routes.

There is nothing more exciting in life than to be able to say that you’ve climbed in the Rocky Mountains.

3. Yangshou, China

Beautiful Kharsts in China just Waiting to be Climbed

Yangshou is one of the most picturesque places in all of China and it is also one of the world’s leading sport climbing locations. Thousands of giant limestone cliffs burst out of the landscape just beckoning you to climb them.  We didn’t have a lot of time in Yangshuo, but we knew that we had to take a day to get out and tackle some of its routes.

Like Thailand, it is a climbers paradise and people come from all over the world to spend months at a time tackling its routes. Yangshuo is also extremely cheap, so you can spend months just chillin’ out and working on your climbing technique. By the end of your stay, you will definitely be a pro. We can’t wait to go back one day to spend an entire season in this very cool area of China.

4. Ontario, Canada

Climbing at Buffalo Crag at the Niagara Escarpment

It may not be known as the mecca of climbing, but Ontario has some pretty awesome cliffs. We started climbing seriously here in Ontario at Joe Rockheads Climbing Gym and eventually worked our way outside to climbing the Niagara Escarpment. While we frequented Rattle Snake Point, Metcalf, Buffalo Crag and Glen Eden, there are numerous places to climb in Ontario.

Lions Head is the most popular among our friends who have outgrown our climbing abilities. They climb the most difficult routes that require you to rappel down to belay from a ledge or even from a hanging belay. As our friends move on to become expert climbers, we are content in the fact that because of travel, we get to try different climbing routes around the world.

For more of our rock climbing adventures

• Rock Climbing in Raleigh, The Adventure Continues
• Climbing Adventures in Thailand
• Climbing in Hampi, India. Who Knew?
• Via Ferrata in France

It’s our last day with Smiling Albino and we are no longer solo. It’s time to join another group and get down and dirty. Down and dirty mountain biking that is.

It’s been two weeks of non-stop adventures in Thailand thanks to The Tourism Authority of Thailand and we are ending with a fabulous day of bikes, boats and elephants.

Bikes

Starting in Chiang Rai city, we cycled out to the countryside to explore the rice paddy fields in rural Thailand.  Our trip took us through the busy streets of Chiang Rai, back roads and small villages.  The most fun was when we turned onto a dirt road to climb and barrel down some wicked fun hills.

Elephants

Wait, I thought you said “bikes, boats and elephants” Your writing in the wrong order! Okay, Okay, yes, yes, the title is Bikes, Boats and Elephants because that has a cute little ring to it, don’t you think?

Pros and Cons of Riding an Elephant in Thailand.

There is much debate about riding an elephant in this world and each side has a very valid point.

Elephants should be able to roam freely and enjoy life in the wild. Unfortunately in places like South East Asia, elephants are being pushed out of their natural habitat due to rapid development and globalization.  What can be done?  There are options and there is hope and you can find out more at the Born Free Foundation or read about it at The Human Elephant Conflict; A topic that we explored while we travelled to Sri Lanka.

Elephant Rides with Smiling Albino

Our guide Scott made sure to talk about the plight of the elephant and is aware of the problems that the elephants face.  He made sure to explain that these elephants were used as work elephants in the timber industry. As this trade has dwindled, there is little use for the elephants. They could be left to walk through the streets with their Mahout begging for money and bananas, or they could be used on a trail ride.

These elephants were very healthy and from what I could see treated very well.

The other options would be to watch an elephant perform in the circus, perform in an elephant camp, sit in a zoo, be chained in a temple or walk the streets of Thailand’s tourist districts begging for money.  From what I can see this is the best-case scenario besides being free to roam.

The Elephant Ride

We got lucky and hopped on the only elephant in the pack that someone other than the Mahout (elephant master) can drive can drive.  Part way through our ride, our Mahout asked us if we would like to drive the elephant.  He hopped off and Dave hopped on our elephant’s neck.  The mahout walked along side us and took our photo while Dave pretended to steer. (Let’s be honest, this elephant knows the trail well and walks it every day, it doesn’t need a lot of help getting back to it’s home)  By the time we got to the river where we finished off the last of the tour, our trainer hoped onto the seat with me and let Dave ride it into the water. It was the coolest thing ever and Dave really enjoyed every minute.

Boats

After our thrilling elephant ride, we and our bikes caught a longtail boat back to our resort, Legend Chiang Rai River Resort is a beautiful boutique hotel with swimming pool, sun deck, spa and elegant restaurant. We wished we wished we could have spent more time there but were happy to have the evening to enjoy our room and peaceful veranda.

These two weeks were some of the best times we have had in all our trips to Thailand.

Smiling Albino took all our interests into consideration to put together a tailor made itinerary.  As adventurers that wanted to try something new and get off the beaten path, they fulfilled our every desire.

From sea kayaking and camping on a secluded island to rock climbing, learning how to ride a motor scooter and exploring some out of the way places on country roads, we had the trip of a lifetime in a country that we thought we had already been there and done it all.

As the slogan goes, “Thailand the place you Remember.

Get your motor runnin’….

That’s the song that pumped through my mind all day as we drove our motorcycles through the winding roads of Northern Thailand. I had visions of Dennis Hopper riding his Chopper down the highway in Easy Rider and suddenly I felt very cool.  Sure I was only driving a 110 cc motorscooter, but it still felt pretty awesome to feel the wind blow under the visor of my helmet and watch the Thai countryside pass by.

We had spent the day earlier getting used to some very steep and winding roads as we made our way up to a temple honouring the King’s Mother overlooking Doi Mae Salong. It was all in preparation for the hardest drive of the trip, the ride to the Burmese Border high in the mountains.

The King’s Mother has strong ties to this area. She settled in Northern Thailand after returning from Switzerland.  She wanted a place that resembled Switzerland’s countryside; and Northern Thailand fit the bill. It’s rolling mountains, rich vegetation and lush landscape made for the perfect place to live out the rest of her days.

We stopped at the Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden for a coffee before pushing on to the Myanmar Border.  These botanical gardens are a genuine success story and Thai Tourists flock by the bus load to see their country’s heritage.  This part of Thailand is located in the infamous Golden Triangle. It’s known for it’s violent history of dealing in the opium trade where druglords ruled the land and smugglers moved freely between Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.

Corruption ran rampant, ethnic minorities became addicted to Opium and it was dangerous living in this Wild West of the East.  All hope seemed lost as deforestation decimated the countryside and lawlessness ruled the land.

It was in the 1980′s that the Mae Fah Luang Foundation was established to battle the opium trade and give people options for a better life. Ethnic Minorities could wean themselves off drugs by entering a rehabilitation centre for 1000 days for free.  During that time they learned farming, craftsmanship and trades to lead a more productive and life and have an alternative to the opium trade.  It has been a great success. The Botanical Gardens, coffee plantation and the goods and wares made and sold in the area have become a multimillion dollar empire.

The reforestation initiative in the 1980′s has been a huge success and the area is lush, green and alive with rich vegetation.

It was thrilling to ride through these winding roads.  Our Smiling Albino host Scott told us that these are some of the most difficult roads to ride in Thailand and we handled them well.  We really enjoyed the steep hills and valleys.  While cycling Africa, we had a lot of difficult roads to deal with on two wheels and we think that because we had the experience in mountainous terrain on bicycles, it made navigating mountains easier for us on our motorscooter even though we are new to riding.

We weaved our way through the roads until we reached the Border of Myanmar.

We were expecting something more militarized, formal and guarded. Instead we reached, what felt like an abandoned bunker with one guard sitting at an outdoor desk reading a paper.  It was very relaxed.  With all the fighting and bickering mentioned in the news between Thailand and Burma and the Hill Tribe problem of people sneaking across the border, we thought that there would be armed guards on the lookout for illegal aliens.

The border looked out over a valley into Myanmar. We could see the Burmese military outpost which seemed completely abandoned.  It was here that we could clearly see the difference between Thailand’s prosperity and reforestation initiative and Burma’s lack of infrastructure.  The Thailand side of the border was filled with trees and forest while Burma showed the affects of deforestation and clear cutting.

We snapped some photos looking into a land in turmoil.  We had travelled into Burma in 2004, so being on it’s border wasn’t quite the thrill that most people would have standing on the border of one of the least visited countries in the world, but it was interesting to see it from this vantage point.

Burma is still a country in conflict and there are many articles writing about the pros and cons of visiting.  As I look out over the land, I wonder how many people in Burma are dreaming of crossing into Thailand in search of a better life.

Tropical forest on the Islands around Krabi

The islands around Phuket and Krabi in Thailand are some of the most striking on earth. Great beaches, turquoise water, lush vegetation, magnificent cliffs and uninhabited sea caves.

We arrived at this particular island on the second day of our adventure with John Gray Sea Canoe to witness “The Big Tree.”  The guides were amazed with the tree and John Gray seemed to like it as well. While I thought the tree was nice, (it was your typical tropical tree with a big trunk) it was the jungle canopy that caught my eye.  Not many people venture out to this island and the vegetation grows thick and wild.

So today, instead of a tree, you get my view from the Big Tree looking out to the rainforest on a small island in Krabi.