World Travel Guide, Travel Ideas, Travel Reviews
Archive for March, 2011
Discover the Remnants of the 100 Year Old French Railway in Southern Laos
785 days
by
in Asia
Place of natural beauty is a perfect phrase for Southern Laos. No one can deny the charm in the area. If you are in Southern Laos, then we will bring you to the 100 years old French Railway, one of the colonial France’s lasting legacies.
First, we will take you to the basis of laid-back Lao philosophy, character and attitude. That’s the 4000 Island archipelago, Siphandon. At this point, the Mekong spreads out and along the river, all those islands are dotted. You can count and see if there are really 4000 of them.
Guess what? Almost everything in here is human powered, no cars and no electricity. So, to explore the laidback islands, you will have to do it with your own two feet and human power, or by bicycle to experience the quiet tranquility in the area. Local villagers on their daily routines, riverbanks, and rice field are highly expected things to see.
Why Travel to Different Places Around the World?
789 days
by
in Travel Tips
We all love to travel around the world, to different places, to experience different cultures and traditions, and get to know people whom we do not deal with everyday. Every now and then, it can be a joy to travel but on some other times, it can be awfully stressful.
Take your time to know the place before you step into the place by doing some research. Be a smart traveller and try to find something about the country, along with its language and culture.
You can also find people who have already travelled to that place and ask them for some advice and tips. Ask about the best place to live or which places they recommend you to go.
Never go on a vacation without looking at the general regulations and rules of the country you are visiting. What you think is legal may be illegal on their country, so you better be careful.
Having an emergency kit filled with medicine and other essential things with you is vital. You will never know if you get injured in the middle of the jungle without any medical help.
Explore Machu Picchu
802 days
by
in America
Machu Picchu is one of the world’s most intriguing locales, offering visitors a glimpse into a fascinating past amidst a stunning backdrop in the Peruvian mountains. The “Lost City” is carved into the hillside looking over the Vilcanota River Valley. While Machu Picchu is no longer so hidden, it remains very much a destination shrouded in mystery and clouds. The Inca City is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites and one of South America’s favorite treasures. It is both very remote while becoming a very popular tourist attraction. Visiting requires early planning.
In The Heights of Machu Picchu, Pablo Neruda writes, “Machu Picchu is a trip to the serenity of the soul, to the eternal fusion with the cosmos.” The serenity of the soul, however, can be challenged by the relatively inaccessible location and the crowds that are continuing to ascend up the mountains. The most popular route to Machu Picchu is via a train ride from Cusco. It takes four hours, and you will likely never spend a more beautiful four hours on a train in your life. Hillsides and villages straight from idyllic postcards line your route, making the journey just as pleasurable as the destination. Many people also opt to depart from Ollantaytambo, an ancient town that offers its own gorgeous ruins. The train ride is shorter and many enjoy seeing the sights that Ollantaytambo has to offer.
Hiking is another popular method, and if you are in the proper physical condition and have the time, it is perhaps the most rewarding. The Inca Trail is 28 miles of villages, forests, mountains, and valleys that gives visitors a tremendous insight into the local culture. Hiking the Inca Trail takes about four days, and it is important to book your passage very early because the number of people allowed on the trail is limited. You must also be with a tour group, so this cannot be a spontaneous destination.
Tips on Staying Safe While Traveling
809 days
by
in Travel Tips
Tips on Staying Safe While Traveling
When some of the year’s biggest annual gatherings opening around the world brings a whole new discussion about security concerns. These concerns many times exist where there is a crowded venue with international attention. However in many cases the concerns are much more perturbing given some of the events take place in countries that are known not only for its rugged beauty and landscapes, but also for its street crime and well organized ethnic violence. Combined with the ever-present threat of terrorism. This year gives many travelers a reason to examine their own personal security measures and emergency preparedness.
The best advice that I can give anyone concerned about any security problem is to remember that security is not something that you buy; rather it is something that you live. Or, as security expert Bruce Schneier puts it, “Security is a process, not a product.”
The approach to protection that I have found to be universally applicable and very effective is the protective model of Avoidance through Planning, Deterrence through Planning, Detection through Situational Awareness, Active Avoidance, Active Deterrence, Defense and Mitigation. The process is the equivalent of what the military calls a “detect to engage sequence” for security. In layman’s terms, it is an outline of an effective process to keep something safe.
The Protective Model of Avoidance
Phase I – Avoidance
There is no doubt that the most important piece of any security, particularly when relating to protecting yourself and your family, is avoidance. No matter how effective your fighting skills might be, I personally guarantee that it is much better for all concerned for you to never be attacked in the first place than it is to successfully fight off your attacker. Avoiding attacks is usually as simple as paying attention to what is going on around you. Learn to see and evaluate characteristics of people and situations so you can make informed decisions and actively keep both yourself and your family away from dangers.