Accommodation in the Annapurnas
Posted November 10, 2009 , comments closedWith eight of the world’s ten highest mountains located in the North of Nepal, trekking in this region may seem a particularly daunting prospect. But you do not have to scale Everest or reach the peaks of the Himalayas in order to experience the rich diversity or the beautiful scenery of this country. Venture into the terraced hillsides of the Annapurnas, and you will wonder at the valleys beneath and the snow-capped mountains above. But after a hard day’s trekking you will need somewhere to rest your weary limbs; though you may be immersed in breathtaking landscape and wildlife by day, you will not have to brave the elements by night.
Camping takes on a whole new feeling of decadence as you emerge from your tent to a fantastic view of the Himalayas in the morning sunlight. Memories of the wet canvas and soggy grass of European camping trips gone by will soon be forgotten as you’re greeted with a cup of tea and a bowl of warm water. In the meantime, your breakfast will be cooked for you as you pack your day bag and prepare yourself for the trek ahead. Porters will follow with the rest of your belongings, allowing you to continue unburdened. This is the closest you will get to nature in Nepal, and sleeping under the stars gives you a chance to really appreciate the splendour of your surroundings.
To really experience Nepal, an overnight stay in a classic Nepali tea hut is a must; a combination of guest house, restaurant and social area, tea huts are renowned for their friendly atmospheres and sensational views. Slightly simpler than a hotel, facilities include single rooms, running hot water, and often a dinner of traditional dish, Dal Bhat, (rice and lentil soup) that gives you a real taste of Nepal. Trekking will be a breeze following a square meal and a good night’s sleep.
Located in Sauraha, just outside the Chitwan National Park, the Rhino Residency Resort adds an extraordinary element to your stay in Nepal. Trekking can be postponed for a day whilst you enjoy the resort, which is home to over 524 species of birds, the great asian one-horned rhinoceros, the Bengal tiger and many other smaller mammals. Beautiful gardens adorned with hammocks and a swimming pool can either repair the aches sustained, or refresh you in time for the next instalment of trekking. Nepal is brought to you on a plate in the resort’s restaurant, serving various continental cuisine and beverages. Soak up the luxury of the resort, but don’t forget the exciting Chitwan National Park is on your doorstep!
So, if you are used to the luxuries of a hotel while you are on holiday, take this opportunity to experience some of the more adventurous forms of accommodation that can be found around the Annapurnas. Your Nepal trekking adventure will take you through some of the most spectacular scenery around, but an open mind to accommodation will ensure that you don’t miss any of the tradition and culture that the region has to offer.
Top 10 Natural Wonders Of The World
Posted , comments closedPart of what makes the Grand Canyon so beautiful is an understanding of how much time when into its creation. Millions of years were spent by the Colorado River sculpting and carving away at the rock to develop what can be seen today. The depth of the canyon is breathtaking. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and up to 18 miles in width from rim to rim. The Canyon also goes down a full mile.
Auroras are natural displays of light in the sky but the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is the most beautiful of all. Visible from the Northern Hemisphere, the Aurora Borealis can be seen as a greenish glow or even faint red.
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s hugest coral reef system and is home to 3,000 single reefs and stretches about 1,600 miles. The reef is located off the coast of Australia and can even be seen from space. Although humanity and environmental causes threaten the reef, it remains one of the most concentrated spots for unique aquatic life on Earth.
The Niagara Falls are stunning waterfalls located on the border of Canada and the United States. Formed during the last ice age by receding glaciers, the Niagara Falls is the most powerful and beautiful waterfall in North America.
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world and reaches 29,029 feet at its summit. Mount Everest, located in the Himalayas in Asia, has attracted climbers from around the world. Many have died attempting to reach the summit of Mount Everest, considered the worlds most physically demanding challenge.
Victoria Falls, located in southern Africa, are some of the largest waterfalls in the entire world. The width of the falls is about 5,600 feet and the height is almost 360 feet, creating one large sheet of water.
Paricutin is a cinder cone volcano located in Mexico that is located near a village covered by lava. In 1943 the volcano started merely as a fissure in a cornfield. Farmers witnessed the initial eruption of stones and ash and the volcano grew quickly afterward, reaching the height of five stories in only one week. After a year the volcano had reached over a thousand feet and continued erupting for eight years.
The harbor of Rio de Janeiro is considered one of the most beautiful harbors in the world with wonderful weather and free beaches. Located in Brazil, the harbor is surrounded by mountains and was formed by the Atlantic Ocean.
The Amazon Rainforest, or Amazonia, covers 1.4 billion acres and is home to 2.5 million insect species, 2,000 birds and mammals, 40,000 plant species, 3,000 fish and over 300 reptiles. 20% of all birds in the entire world live in the beautiful Rainforest, making it the most diverse place on earth.
The Galapagos Islands are volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean with a population around 40,000. What makes the area so unique is the diversity of the animal life and it’s reputation as the place that created the theory of evolution due to natural selection.
Choosing the Best Accommodations For Your Breckenridge Vacation
Posted , comments closedIf you’re planning a vacation to Breckenridge, Colorado, chances are you’re overwhelmed by the lodging options available. A quick internet search will result in thousands of links that lead to a variety of hotels, condos, townhomes, vacation homes, and ski-in, ski-out accommodations. So, what option is best for you? The first step in beginning to answer this question is to identify exactly what the options mean and how they match your needs.
• Hotels. It probably doesn’t take much of a stretch of the imagination to picture the traditional hotel room set-up. Two double beds, a night stand, a television, and maybe a few extras like a coffee maker or refrigerator are the standards in most American hotels. A benefit to hotels is the added amenities such as a pool, exercise room, and restaurants. The drawbacks, of course, include space and lots of neighbors nearby. A hotel doesn’t usually offer much more than one large room (with the exception of suites), so be prepared to spend some quality time in close quarters with your travelling companions. If you’re planning a long trip, a hotel might begin to make you feel a bit claustrophobic. However, if your trip is short, it might be the easiest and most affordable option.
• Condos or Townhomes. Condos or townhomes are prevalent in ski towns such as Breckenridge. Each unit normally offers more than one bedroom, a kitchen, living area, bathroom, and added features such as balconies and the extra amenities of home. Drawbacks are similar to hotels in that there will be people above, below, or on either side of you, but there are many benefits to consider as well. Like hotels, condos and townhomes normally include extra amenities like pools and hot tubs. In addition, they also come equipped with a fully functioning kitchen so you can save money by cooking meals at home. Additionally, you’ll certainly find more room in a condo or townhome, so more people can have that added breathing room.
• Rental Home. A freestanding vacation home brings all of the benefits of a condo or townhome without the threat of noisy (or nosey) neighbors. Renting an entire house will give you the comfort of having a home away from home, but you won’t have to worry about the mortgage payments. You’ll likely have more space that you would in a condo or townhome, but might not have the added amenities like a pool or hot tub. Additionally, you’ll want to consider location when you rent a vacation home. While condos, townhomes, and hotels might be closer to the ski resort, homes could be a bit more remote and farther away. However, this might be as much a benefit as it is a drawback, depending on your vacation plans.
• Ski-in, Ski-out. Some hotels, condos, townhomes, and rental homes may also be ski-in, ski-out accommodations. This means exactly what the name implies: you’ll literally be able to ski from your door to the slopes. While the obvious benefits are certainly location and convenience, the drawbacks will more likely hit your pocket book. Ski-in, ski-out accommodations are normally also the most expensive options, but often the money is worth the convenience.
There really is no right or wrong way to plan your vacation in Breckenridge; there are just different choices for different people. Still, it will certainly help your planning to go into the range of options with a vision of what and where you’d like to stay. Most importantly, however, look into your options by talking with rental companies or researching them online. With a bit of preparation, you’ll likely find the perfect fit for your Breckenridge vacation.
Copenhagen on Water – Copenhagen, Denmark
Posted , comments closedClimatic changes apparently cause the Danish weather to fluctuate from one extreme to the other. At this point, a very early summer has stabilized itself, creating ideal conditions for an ongoing renaissance of Copenhagen’s old harbor and canals.
Bus 901 or 902
After years of decline, the harbor area had its functions redefined – now aiming at homes, leisure activities, cafe and restaurant scene, hotels and education, often in renovated warehouses. The wet element is no hindrance, because a waterborne Harbor Bus, the yellow and dark blue 901 or 902, takes you easily to six stops distributed on both sides of the inner harbor, identical to the strait between Zealand and Amager. Departure both ways every 20 minutes, the trip itself takes 17 minutes. It’s a new way of exploring Copenhagen; close to walking on water.
The Harbor Bus is part of the local public transport. Tickets, available at ticket offices or on board the Harbor Bus, are also valid in S-trains, busses and Metro. One hour’s travel costs 21 Kroner plus 21 for a bike, even a free City Bike. A better investment is a 10-clip card for 130 Kroner; that’s 10 hours travel, 5 if you bring a bicycle. With such prices, you need not plan your visits ashore to the minute, only have in mind that time is money. Just scouting the surroundings is a good start, picking things for tomorrow’s must-see list.
Blessed with a Bike
The Royal Library, in 1999 pretentiously launched as the Black Diamond, is a practical place to start, near to everything, for example the vital Langebro, Long Bridge. You have already located the terminal with its modest yellow sign. Too bad – today’s first Harbor Bus fails to come! Sporting a bike is suddenly crucial. You head toward Long Bridge to enjoy an overall view. The adjacent island, Amager, must wait although important as the home of Kastrup Airport, Orestad City, the Oresund Bridge and extensive green areas, suggesting why Amager is advancing from low status to modern living.
Canal tour boat at the Harbor Pool
Two different approaches to waterfront planning appear. The Amager shore, here called Islands Brygge, is one long temptation comprising old well-kept buildings, promenades, stretches of green, a harbor pool, cafes and bars slowly opening for the day. Behind it all, former factories give way to spectacular architecture. The opposite side is deserted in comparison, due to international hotels and office buildings threatening to push the promenade into the water; explaining why the Harbor Bus, actually on its way at last, skipped this location.
On a tiny quarterdeck, in noise and fumes of diesel, you wave goodbye to Long Bridge and the Brewhouse of Christian IV, whose prestigious buildings from the 1600s still characterize the capital of Denmark. He combined vision and enterprise, further proof of which are the Round Tower and Rosenborg Castle. With its reflection dancing on the Black Diamond’s facade, the Harbor Bus crosses diagonally toward the bridge called Knippelsbro. Black buildings, imitating warehouse style, accentuate the restored tower of Our Saviour’s Church, its winding banisters momentarily mistaken for a garland of gold, a suitable landmark during your next bike excursion.
Long Bridge, connecting Zealand and Amager
Amsterdam may come to your mind when you see the lazy canal touching Christianshavn Square, lined by small boats, houseboats and worn-out specimens turned into cafes. It’s like a different town, plain and well-preserved, tailored for the working class by Christian IV. Never did he imagine that the compact Christianshavn should become trendy, a haunt for creative and artistic characters. Nor that an oasis of alternative living should be named after him: the Freetown Christiania. However, the King’s 24 children, half of them illegitimate, do indicate a lifestyle out of the ordinary. The street of Prinsessegade, right after the square, will take you to Christiania, but mind you, “You are now leaving the EU!”
The atmospheric Nyhavn harbor acts on warm days as a tourist trap. You decide to pass it. And the best is yet to come, at least if you like to set foot on previously forbidden land: Holmen opposite, a mix of islands and canals once totally reserved for the Royal Danish Navy. Approaching the new Opera, you may wonder how such mediocre architecture landed on Holmen’s best location. The protruding roof is a hit, though, creating ample shade without spoiling the view. Looking back at Skuespilhuset, a new theater at Nyhavn, is not amusing either, although it balances in the water on crooked legs.
Close to Royal
Skuespilhuset (theater) and the Opera
The Opera is situated at the end of a royal axis, with the domed Marble Church at the other end. The straight line proceeds between the palaces of Amalienborg, through a garden of fountains, planted there by the same man who paid and planted the Opera. His headquarters, nearly touching the royal axis, resemble a block of ice with spectacular windows, blue as the eyes of their owner: the 96-year old shipping magnate Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller, who is also busy hauling oil out of the North Sea. His discreet influence seems to overrule Denmark’s parliamentary system at times.
Canal tour boats, broad and flat, glide past like colorful carpets, their guides boasting the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group’s contribution to the Danish GNP and the cost of the Opera, before rejoicing at the Little Mermaid and the palatial cruise ships at Langelinie, backed by the North Harbor. A new Harbor Bus, 903, keeps shuttling between Nyhavn and the Opera, today staging a midday version of the Fledermaus by Johann Strauss. The 903 was on the local political agenda until an impatient Mr. Moller intervened with a gift. Later, even a 904 was introduced, in the less central part of the harbor.
Holmen North is the next stop. For centuries a separate town, skilfully ruled by the Navy, Holmen is these days synonymous with expensive houses, both restored and new, and military buildings transformed to academies of architecture, music, film, theater and dance. Abundant greenery and water alternate most pleasantly, making it possible for an old sailing ship to be towed into a canal to stage a birthday reception. Christiania seems light years away, but is in fact nearby. So are two royal pavilions, marking the last stop at Nordre Toldbod on the Zealand side, exactly where Queen Margrethe started her summer cruise on the royal yacht Dannebrog a few days ago.
The harbor of Copenhagen really deserves a high-rise landmark, an architectural masterpiece – hardly practicable under a City Council dominated by infighting. The Chief Mayor, Ritt Bjerregaard, Social Democrat and former EU Commissioner, makes decisions hard-handedly. She surely waits for Mr. Moller to lose his patience and again demonstrate his generosity. Thus operates an ice queen. Sharing the same frosty aura, the two of them might agree on some colossal structure the shape of an iceberg – no doubt a refreshing element in an age of rising temperatures.
Illustrations by Helen Claesson
How to Develop Character in Your Children (and Yourself) Through Travel
Posted , comments closedHow to Develop Character in Your Children (and Yourself) Through Travel
For many, many people, travel has a special lure, attraction, enchantment that calls to them, beckoning from far off lands. It’s idealized by the image of a lone backpacker traversing Europe, Asia or South America, sleeping in hostels and hitchhiking if necessary.
It’s long been thought of as an activity that can’t be done with a family, especially small children; it was a choice you had to make – travel, or start a family, but not both.
However, there is a rise in the number of families who are making travel a reality, with infants and older, and they’re doing it deliberately as a way to educate, expand, and inform their children in ways that are not possible by staying at home.
Are these parents crazy? Although they’ve been asked this question many times, the reality is that they simply realize the tremendous benefits of personal growth and character development, not to mention adventure and fun, available from family travel.
So how do you use your family vacation to develop virtue? Here are a few ideas to get you thinking.
Get Uncomfortable
Although difficult for most people to do for themselves, let alone to purposefully inflict on their children, being uncomfortable actually means that you are experiencing growth.
Instead of planning the usual, touristy trip, try something new, and well… a little uncomfortable. Think about visiting someplace you might not have considered before, a location that is a bit out of your comfort zone – South America instead of Europe, Dominica instead of Disneyland.
The first time I ever traveled outside of the United States was when I was in my early twenties. My family had taken a vacation to San Diego, and we spent a day visiting Tijuana, Mexico.
During the initial half hour of our visit, I felt literally sick to my stomach. I hated it, I just wanted to run away. I had no real-life concept of the kinds of conditions that others lived in throughout the world, and when I came face to face to it, I was extremely uneasy.
Yet that trip has stayed with me. It planted a seed that has grown more with each journey, and has given me a huge heart for humanitarian work, and a desire to relieve suffering worldwide.
Extend the Stay
If you want to visit a place that you hope will have an impact on your kids, its more likely to happen on an extended trip, rather than just a weekend jaunt.
The longer the trip, the more time to experience the true nature of the place you’re visiting. You’ll have more occasions to immerse yourself (and your children) into the culture and customs.
While staying in Las Galeras, Dominican Republic we lived near an all-inclusive resort. Every few days there would be a new group of tourists arriving to enjoy their week of relaxation, and scheduled tourist trips.
In contrast, we were there day after day, week after week. We would walk to the beach, hike on trails, explore the area, visit remote beaches, learn the language, develop diverse friendships, and enjoy the changing weather conditions.
I marveled at how much more our extended visit allowed us to really absorb the ‘feel’ of the place, and I realized that it could not have been done on a week long vacation.
Consider a summer touring South America, or a semester studying abroad. The added time away from home will only expand budding realities.
Get Grateful
There’s nothing that develops gratitude as fast as coming face to face with humble circumstances. Are your kids feeling a bit of entitlement? Are they not seeing the bigger picture? Getting up close and personal with poverty can check that attitude real quick.
Despite the stigma of being unsafe, our experience has proven that visiting the ‘local’ areas can provide some of the best encounters for getting a good look at what you (and your children) have been blessed to enjoy.
While living in Costa Rica, we went to visit the home of our maid. She had a large family of seven children and two grandchildren – all of whom lived in her very humble, three ‘room’ (and three bed) home of cement, wood and corrugated tin which she had built with her own two hands.
She made us (very delicious) soup, with her limited food supply, that she prepared over an open fire. Her family allowed our family to eat first because there weren’t enough dishes and utensils for everyone.
You can’t help but feel gratitude for everything that you have when you are in a situation like that. It’s kind of like ‘shock’ treatment, bringing you back to a grateful realization of your life as it ‘really’ is.
Of course you don’t want to walk around a local area at night with all your bling and a haughty (or fearful, which is just as offensive) attitude, but you do want to get out of your comfort zone. Go shopping at the ‘local’ store, take a walk into that ‘local’ neighborhood.
If you do it with humility and an open mind, you’ll probably find very friendly people who will welcome you into their hearts and (very humble) homes, expanding your definition of poverty and wealth along the way.
Start ‘Em Young
Stop the stigma that traveling can only be done by the single, wealthy or vagabonds. Travel can be (and is becoming) a family activity that can be done even with very small children.
Our first trip abroad as a family began when we drove from Utah to Costa Rica with our children who were 4, 3, 1 and 2 months. It was one of the greatest experiences of our lives.
We visited beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, crocodile refuges, jungle rivers. The most amazing part of it is that we actually did it. The original belief was that it couldn’t be done- too unsafe, and too much time in a car with kids- limits that were actually only in our mind. We crossed borders, not just politically, but philosophically as we widened our belief about what was possible for us to accomplish.
‘Will they remember it?’ is the question most people will ask when they consider the expense of a trip with small children. For us, we’re not concerned with whether they remember every trip, but with the paradigm that is being developed in their young minds by introducing them to the experience. They grow up believing that the ‘impossible’ is possible.
It does require flexibility and finesse to travel with little ones, but it can be done, and improved upon, with practice. There are plenty of ‘safe’ spots to see and it’s definitely worth the effort if traveling is on the agenda for your children’s education.
Give Back
Finding an opportunity to participate in humanitarian work while on a family trip provides moving experiences that bond, build character, and create lasting memories.
While living in the Dominican Republic we took the opportunity to outfit an outlying school with children’s books, visit orphanages and connect with other visiting volunteers, all of which provided memorable family experiences and created lasting friendships for ourselves and our children.
A few weeks before we were leaving the country, we still had some books we needed to give away. My seven-year-old daughter single handedly (and on her own initiative) passed out 50+ books to neighbors and friends in the area, who were more than eager to receive her gifts.
It doesn’t matter where you go, if you look for it, there’s an opportunity to contribute in some small (or large) way. Whether you donate books to a local library (or start one), visit an orphanage, dig a well or build a greenhouse, contributing to another culture develops hard work, compassion, empathy, gratitude, contribution, open-mindedness, tolerance.
Travel can be a very rewarding, as well as character developing experience, for the entire family, if you take advantage of the opportunity. Consider how you can make your next trip into a time for personal growth.
Read about author Rachel Denning and check out her other BootsnAll articles.
All photos by Rachel Denning