Friday, January 25, 2013

Lesli's Lists: Voluntourism


I have been thinking about this a lot lately. We all have these amazing travel experiences and then come home wishing we could have immersed ourselves on a deeper level. Voluntourism is a way to do this. Whether you have just a week, or longer, make a positive impact through your travels by making use of your everyday talents – care for wildlife, work with children, build and renovate or teach English. The following are some ideas on how to widen your horizons and have the time of your life doing it:
  • Hanoi, Vietnam: Mix your exciting visit to Vietnam with a more meaningful experience by making a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children while lending a hand at the Thuya An Rehabilitation Centre.
  • Sri Lanka: See the best of what Sri Lanka has to offer and get hands on experience at a primate conservation camp. Track monkeys in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.
  • Galapagos: Base yourself on a biological station whose aim is to help preserve the natural habitat of the island and introduce new organic farming methods to the islanders.
  • China: Volunteer at the largest Panda reserve in the world and help ensure these distinctly Chinese icons are around for future generations to admire.
  • Nepal: Volunteer at a community project deep in the heart of the Kathmandu Valley and experience local life in a way that will be hard to forget.
  • Cambodia: Play a small part in a very large and ongoing mission to help develop this confounding kingdom and provide much needed care and attention to young children on this exciting project. You’ll help to create an educational and fun environment for the local children of Phnom Penh, as well as supporting the children’s nutrition and health.
  • Rio, Brazil: Volunteer in a Samba School in preparation for Carnival. Activities range from helping decorate floats and making costumes to helping build the stage.
  • South Africa: A once in a lifetime chance to do hands-on work with African elephants and be involved in the inner workings of this elephant park in South Africa. You’ll get to experience many aspects of the park by helping the elephant handlers with daily tours, feeding any baby elephants that need hand feeding, food preparation for the adults, general maintenance, research and environmental education.


“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
        - Mahatma Gandhi

Monday, January 14, 2013

Lesli's Lists: Have apps, will travel!


Do you remain connected or disconnected when you travel? I fall into the category of no news is good news and I find it healing to be disconnected when I travel. But not everyone shares this view. I know!  Smart phones have become an important tool in our travel lives. They are GPS, alarm clock, headlamp, camera, and, apparently, bug repellent! There are more than 2,000 travel apps and more to come. There are location-aware apps, shareware apps, and fabulous informational apps. 


As a disconnected traveller I have had to rely on colleagues and fellow travellers for their best picks for travel apps, and here they are:
  • Babelshot: foreign language sign translator
  • International Dial Codes: avoid talking to an operator
  • Sleepy Cycle: alarm clock that tracks sleeping movements and helps combat jet lag
  • Bug Spray: emits a high pitched signal to keep bugs away
  • Tip Calculator: takes the confusion out of the calculating
  • Hear Planet: lets you know the attractions nearby and then Wikipedia will tell you all about it
  • I Am Here: lets your friends know exactly where in the world you are
  • World Customs: dispenses do’s and don’ts
  • The Weather Channel: check out weather conditions at multiple locations at a glance
  • Google Earth: need I say more
  • Packing: become a packing perfectionist and create your own trip specific lists
  • Currency: checks conversion rates for more than 100 currencies
  • Postman: snap a photo, write a greeting and let Postman send your virtual postcard
  • ITranslate: can handle 42 languages
  • Urbanspoon: lets you in on all the great eateries in your area – US, Canada, UK and Australia
  • Trip Journal: document your vacation and let friends and family share in your latest adventures  in real time
  • SitOrSquat: the ultimate bathroom finder with reviews

For whatever you want to track or do while on vacation, there’s probably an app for that!

- Lesli

Monday, January 7, 2013

Lesli's Lists: Great and Insightful Travel Reads


Who doesn’t like a good list? Conde Nast Traveller and Travel & Leisure Magazine love lists. The movie “The Bucket List” prompted many to sit down and write their ‘life’ or ‘dream’ list, others, including myself, bought the book 1000 Places To See Before You Die, and derive a great sense of pleasure and accomplishment by ticking off each place we have been!  



Travel also involves plenty of time waiting for transportation and whiling away time on that transportation with plenty of opportunities to read. The big packing debate is what clothing can I sacrifice for books! Fictional travel books can make the destination come alive. The setting becomes an essential character and shapes the way we view a place.

The following are my picks for great and insightful travel reads:

1. Virunga - The Passion of Dian Fossey, by Farley Mowatt
2. The Quiet American, by Graham Greene
3. A Fine Balance, by Rohinton Mistry
4. The White Tiger, by Aravind Adiga
5. Mao’s Last Dancer, by Li Cunxin
6. The Disappeared, by Kim Echlin
7. Almost French, by Sarah Turnbull
8. Lost Horizon, by James Hilton
9. The Old Patagonian Express, by Paul Theroux
10. Honeymoon in Purdah, by Alison Wearing

- Lesli

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Lesli's Lists: Best Watering Holes


Sundowners – a drink consumed at sunset and usually in a scenic spot. It’s a toast to life!


Could be enjoyed in a beach bar watching the sun sink into the sea or it could be enjoyed as far away from civilization as possible. Raise your glass to some of the best places in the world to quench your thirst.

Cheers!

  • Lychee Martinis:  Sirocco Bar, Bangkok
  • Arak:   Wadi Rum, Jordan
  • Mojito:   Vu’s Bar, Dubai
  • Serengeti Lager: Migration Camp, Tanzania
  • Gin Martini: FCC Phnom Penh Hotel, Cambodia
  • Vanilla Chocatini: Leopard Bar & Lounge, Capetown
  • Shot of Vodka: Ice Bar, Ice Hotel, Copenhagen
  • Glass of Red: Hemingway Bar in Paris
  • Presecco:  On a gondola Venice, Italy
-Lesli