Sunday, January 30, 2011

International Adventure Travel Ideas

International adventure travel: Safaris, balloon tours, swimming with dolphins, bicycling down volcanos, trekking in the Himalayas, Walmart on Christmas Eve - the list is almost endless. This will not be a comprehensive listing of all the adventure opportunities out there. Instead, here is just enough to whet your appetite.

My Own International Adventure Travel

Long before hitchhiking across the country at sixteen-years-old, I had a taste for adventure. At fourteen, a friend and I bicycled 300 miles in a few days during one summer. At seventeen, I went international with my adventuring, hitchhiking from Michigan to half-way across Mexico. Over forty now, I no longer put out my thumb - not very often, anyhow - but I still love to travel.

More recently, my international adventure travel took me to Ecuador. While there I climbed to the furthest point from the center of the Earth. Everest is highest above sea level, but due to the Earth's bulge at the equator, the peak of Mount Chimborazo, at 20,600 feet, is farther from from the center of our planet. The top is all snow, ice, and glaciers.


My guide didn't speak English, and thought I was a mountaineer. I had once used an ice axe and crampons to go forty feet up a sledding hill, in Michigan. The rest of the story is on the website, but you can get information and a guide by talking to almost any hotel manager in Riobamba, Ecuador.

Go On A Jungle Book Safari

In southern Nepal, In the Royal Chitwan National Park, you can see tigers, leopards, rhinos, and sloth-bears. And where better to see them from than the back of a large elephant? The tours are lead by naturalists and park rangers. Stay in the comfortable Safari Lodge and take daily tours into the jungle.

Take A Mongolian Horseback Trek

Travel with one of the great nomadic and horse-based cultures of the world. The trips take you beyond tourist routes, and you can customize your trek to fit your schedule and budget. These tours are run from an office in Mongolia, and they provides experienced guides that are multi-lingual.

Go Rock Climbing In Rio

Want an outdoor adventure and city nightlife? Try a rock climbing tour in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. You'll find routes for all skill levels in the Sugar Loaf, Urca, Corcovado and Pedra da Gavea mountains. Tours include bilingual instructors, equipment rentals, and transportation, and start at under $100 per person.

Swim With Dolphins In The Croatian Sea

Escape from the cold this winter, to the Cres-Lošinj group of islands, which is known for it's mild climate. Mali Lošinj on the island of Lošinj is known for its health resort, but recently, the area is becoming famous for the bottle-nosed dolphins that have made their homes in the clear and clean waters of the Cres-Lošinj group of islands. Mingle with them by boat or in your swimsuit.


Climb Mount Kinabalu

Mt. Kinabalu (4101m) is the king of the Borneo sub-continent. It rises 3000 feet higher than other mountains in the area; far above the jungle. It attracts international climbers of all skill levels, who scramble, climb and trek in its unique jungle-alpine enviroment. Kinabalu is in a world heritage site that boasts a wide variety of plants and animals. Experienced guides will take you trekking, or take you to the top.



About the Author
Travel Tips @ Buyme.co.in

Gullible's Travels


A journey by a web-footed gull through a sea of sharks.

Definitions:

Gull - a dupe, a fool; vulnerable to deceive; to trick; to defraud.

Shark - voracious marine fish; swindler; rapacious fellow; an expert. Shark-skin - stiff, smooth-finished!

As a gull with newly acquired webbed feet, I set out to test them on new waters. My new webbed feet allowed me to surf on waves I had never seen before, soaring high with excitement and sometimes being overwhelmed by the shear size of the waves. The waters I am discovering are vast and diverse, stretching out in all directions, some hot, some cold and some luke warm.


Diverse are also the fish in these waters. Some small and tasty but not big enough to satisfy my hunger. Others are big and juicy offering more than enough to feed on, but rather difficult to get my teeth into. This needs perseverance and a tough stance, refusing to let go. The longer I hold on the more I can bite off, and eventually the easier it will be to share with others and help them get their teeth into this big fish.

There are however, I am discovering, dangers in these waters. Surfing the seas with webbed feet attracts some other fish who are hungry to dig their greedy teeth into my flesh, and eat up everything I have. These are sharks! Stiff, smooth looking creatures, who lurk in the waves, just below the surface, out of clear view, just visible enough to be mistaken for a big meaty fish ready for feasting on.

But watch out! You other young gulls with your new webbed feet. These sharks are out to get you! They will lure you into a corner and snap at you grabbing all they can get, and leave you squirming in the foam helpless and lost and robbed!

The sharks will use any means possible to draw you towards them. Some wave fancy banners, rather similar to those banners pointing to where the good etable fish are. Still other sharks will attract you with dummy fish, which look like the real thing. But beware! Such fish are never so easy to catch and these false offers are just too easy to be true. They are traps. Try to grab one and the shark will have you.

Yes! The World Wide Web of Surfing is a dangerous place. It is an INTERwoven NETwork of goodies and dangers. I have learned to be cautious while SURFing these waters, not to be so gullible, and watch out for the many SHARKS.

Here are a few tips for young gulls.

1. Test the waters before you plunge in.

2. Never believe what you are told without first checking it out.

3. Ask some of the bigger gulls, who have evolved with experience to become dolphins. They will tell you who are the sharks to avoid.

4. A sure sign of a shark: “Come to me and I will give you plenty - immediately!” Stay clear of such ones.

5. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.



On The Road With Your Dog - Travel Tips


A lot of dogs like go on adventures, which makes travel attractive for them. This is their natural hunting instincts making them want to meet new people and explore new places. However, it may pose as a problem since taking a dog along during your travels may be inconvenient. Quite a few people are frightened of dogs and the mess that dogs make while you're traveling can be very troublesome. It should also be noted that many lodgings and transportation services don't cater to pets such as dogs and cats.

Having your pet watched over by a professional pet handler may be needed to take care of your dog during the trip. You also have the option of having your pet stay with a managed kennel. When checking around for a place for your dog to live while you're away, make sure it is comfortable and clean. The dogs staying there should also look content and well-taken care of. A few of these dog kennels allow for you to provide your dog's own sleeping blanket, toy and his favorite foods for while you're away. Make sure, though, that your dog has had its immunization since it is a regular requirement for your dog's stay in such places.

Though, if you really insist on your pet's company when traveling, here are a few tips:

- A clean bill of health from your veterinarian. Your vet should also be able to provide you a certificate for this.

- Buy a sturdy dog carrier. This is a must since you'd rather not lose your pet en route to your destination. A few airlines have dog carriers available for sale though they can be quite expensive. Also, remember that some airlines prefer having your pet in the compartment for luggage . If you really can't part with your beloved, get a reservation from an airline that allows pets to remain with you during the flight.



- Dogs need good ventilation to keep them cool. Try to get air-conditioned cars when traveling cross-country. This is also true if you are traveling in trains.

- Don't let your dog hang his head out the window while the car is moving. It may be tempting to let your pet play around, but the risks of falling out or getting hit are still there.

- Leaving your dog inside the car or under the sun is risky. Heat stroke is a serious danger to your pet and can even be fatal.

- Never leave your dog unattended, especially when he is in his carrier. He may get stolen or kidnapped. This also goes for when he's wandering around. Sometimes, pets can be too adventurous and may end up in trouble, or worse, getting you in trouble.

- Fast pulse, rapid panting, red eyes and gums, excessive slobbering, feverish temperature or vomiting, means that your dog needs to see a vet quickly. Have cool towels placed on your dog and get to the closest pet clinic as soon as possible.

- Some countries have specific rules about pet travel. Try to familiarize yourself with them and try to follow them to avoid legal troubles later.

- A certificate for rabies vaccination and a notarized local language certificate from the closest embassy or consulate is sometimes required, so get one just in case. Better safe than sorry.

- In preparing for a long trip on the road, ready identification for your pet. A collar with the dog's name, your name and a handy contact number can save you from a lot of trouble.

- First-aid kits for your dog can be easily fixed up. Remember that some emergencies are special to dogs. A flea or tick powder is a good addition to this.

- Have a ready supply of your pet's favorite doggy treats during the trip. Make sure to bring more than enough to last the entire trip to be safe.


- Pack the essentials: clean water, dishes, favorite dog toys, leash, brush, plastic bags and towels, anything than can help your dog stay happy during the trip. - A dog should be given the chance to answer the call of nature every two to three hours so it won't make any embarrassing messes.

Hopefully, these tips can help you have a better time with travelling with your dog. Bon voyage!

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Travel TIPS