Travel plan idea blog

Carbon offsets

This article talks about how relatively few Australians buy carbon credits to offset pollution from flying. I know I consider myself environmentally conscious, but I've never bought a carbon credit. Have you?

Did you travel in high school?

This article talks about how high school students traveling abroad can broaden their horizons but I am a bit skeptical. I didn't travel abroad when I was a high school student, but if I had I doubt that I would have really taken advantage of the opportunity the way I could now.

The article implies that travel experience will help the students get jobs:

“A recent survey of employers published by LEAP (Liberal Education and America’s Promise) indicates that prospective employers want college graduates to possess strong intercultural competence and the ability to appreciate global perspectives,” Dr. Laney said. “Global travel programs open the door to cultural exploration, intercultural competence and appreciation for diversity.”

I suppose that a college student who did a semester or two abroad might have some intercultural competence but keep in mind that competence goes way beyond cultural knowledge or awareness and involves using these things to work effectively in different cultural contexts. You might get some of that from a semester or two abroad but I don't think a few weeks with the French club in high school will do much for most high schoolers.

I'm not saying high school students shouldn't travel - I think they should. And I think trips like the one described here are excellent learning opportunities. Interestingly, my sister went to Europe with her French club in high school. They saw some cool stuff but let's face it - with constant chaperoning and guided tours how much can you really learn from the locals?

So let's not pretend that a typical high school tour will turn kids into sophisticated global citizens. Let's set more realistic goals like getting a little cultural knowledge and maybe beginning to develop some cultural awareness. If all students get is a little curiosity or a little desire to see more of the world, isn't that enough?

Poverty tourism and the Lebua hotel Bangkok controversy

I put this in the meaningful travel category even though the controversy stems around how much is being wasted. No doubt the extravagance of a $300,000 dinner at Lebua hotel in Bangkok would make many of us sick or jealous. The issue for many seems not to be the meal, however; it is that poverty tourism by the wealthy is immoral. It can sound pretty bad:

"You can't see people living in misery and then go back to Bangkok to eat foie gras and truffles," Solivérès (Taillevent in Paris) said by telephone from Paris.

So what it sounds like to me is that if the rich folks were just going to indulge in another extravagant meal no one would care. But because they are going to see poor people and then eat, the meal is somehow immoral. I don't get it. Eating truffles when other people can't afford bread or rice isn't any more or less moral depending on what you do that afternoon as far as I'm concerned.

The International Herald Tribune reports that some chefs have declined because of the controversy while others have declined because they are afraid of losing a Michelin star. Does Michelin deduct stars for politically incorrect cooks?

However, and this Wall Street Journal piece argues that something good may come out of this and the Lebua hotel says it will encourage the rich folks to help build a school in Surin, Thailand. The WSJ blogger says:

Yet if the result is greater awareness — and most importantly — more philanthropic giving by the wealthy, it’s a useful expense. Sure it would be nice if the wealthy went to Surin without needing truffles as bait. But jet-setters aren’t likely to tour Surin on their own. If the dinner helps introduce them to the other half, and generates charitable results, it will all be worth it.

I agree and don't know how we can say it's wrong for rich people to pay for tours of impoverished areas. It may be wrong for the rich folks to do very little to help poor folks but I don't want to think that I or anyone else deserves to be judged based on how I spend my vacation time (not that I'm in the rich folks category that these articles talk about). And seriously, would it be better to go stay in a fancy resort closed to all natives than to take a "poverty tour"? Sure, in ideal world you would go to impoverished areas on your own to volunteer but do you want people to expect that from you?

Meaningful travel on your honeymoon?

It must be a very rare and special couple who take time during their honeymoons to do some "volontourism". In this article, the author talks about visiting a school in Cambodia. It probably took half a day and cost a few hundred dollars ($40 for school lunches and then however much extra it costs to hire the kind of tour guide who sets this up).

The rest of their time was spent seeing Angkor Watt and their hotel package sounded pretty good: "At $95, our poolside room at Bopha Angkor was spacious yet not ostentatious, and the package included daily breakfast, a traditional Khmer dinner, and a massage."

Expensive volontourism and responsible tourism

This article has some expensive ideas for traveling and doing good at the same time. The 14-day trip to Antarctica is over $6,000 / person but you can't go unless you donate $500 to the Climate Change Challenge (the Climate Challenge thing seems to be run by the same people charging you $6,000 for the trip). The article doesn't think that's a bad thing but it makes me wonder. Anyway, on the trip your job is to deliver equipment to scientists down there.

The other trips don't seem to have specific requirements - I guess they are just environmentally friendly tours. The Galápagos Islands will run you just over $4,000 / person while we don't get prices for a cruise in the North Sea.

Teching children in the Dominican Republic

As an educator, I probably should do some volunteer teaching somewhere. One day I will... For now I'll settle for reading volunteer experiences like this one.

A past blog entry on learning Spanish while volunteering in Guatemala got a few comments from interested readers. I wonder if anyone from our little community actually did go to Guatemala...

Baseball road trip - Alon and Neal pull off a dream vacation & raise money for charity

Two guys named Alon Yishai Mass and Neal Ryan Koral are currently in the early stages of an awesome summer-long baseball road trip which will probably raise a good amount of money for charity. I've pledged $1 for every homerun they see at the games they attend. This is the "home run fund" if you're interested in doing something for charity.

This appealed to me because I love road trips and this one is truly a dream vacation that these guys have been working on for a very long time. This blog is all about travel dreams and sometimes their realization. I also like that it dwarfs our 2006 baseball road trip, and reminds me of our road trip in Jamaica or from the movie Elizabethtown.

The two guys on this dream road trip - did I mention they are visiting all 30 MLB baseball parks in the US and Canada? - were kind enough to answer a few interview questions for us:

Travel-plan-idea.com: How did you choose hotels / camp sites?

Alon: We only have 4 hotels booked so far. Yosemite Bug in Yosemite. A camp ground near Jasper, WY. A shack outside of Yellowstone w/no water or electricity. A camp ground near Kings Canyon, Ca. They were chosen based on proximity and cost.

Travel-plan-idea.com: How did you choose which non-baseball attractions to visit?

Alon: I extensively looked at websites, and got advice from family [a lot from my Dad] about the national parks. They were the most obvious choices... we're going to many of the most beautiful places in America. As well, these places are located near cities with baseball parks, or are obvious in between points.

Neal: Just to answer some of your questions, we basically wanted to go to as many places as humanly possible on this trip. If there's a unique attraction in this country, we want to see it. Also, the national parks offer some of the most beautiful views in the world and we wanted to see those with our own eyes.

We also have looked into getting a motel/hotel/camp site near the Grand Canyon. We have not booked anything yet but the only place where we found something at a reasonable price is in Flagstaff, AZ and that's about 60 miles away from the South rim. Do you have any advice or suggestions as to where we can stay around there?

Travel-plan-idea.com: What parts of the trip are you purposely leaving unplanned?

Alon: We haven't planned anything besides the schedule [games and national parks] and who we are staying with. Everything is left to the unknown... a lot of the motels will be just "places along the way," as we drive a lot at night after games.

Travel-plan-idea.com: Are there any more dream vacations in the works?

Alon: YES!!! I am applying to medical school this summer. I plan on taking a year off in between college and med school, and working... trying to make money, so I can travel around the world. My plan is to spend about a week in each of the following cities: Panama City, Rio, Buenos Aires, Aukland, Sydney, Thailand, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai, Kakmandu, Bombay, Cairo, Addis Ababa, Vienna, Moscow [this is absolutely not set in stone, but as you can see, I will make it happen].

Neal: I don't know if I'll be able to travel as extensively as Alon after this because I just graduated from Indiana University and I will begin working for Ernst & Young after the conclusion of the trip. Since they are a global company, maybe I'll have the opportunity to live and work for them in Europe or East Asia one day.

Thank you Alon and Neal for the interview, for sharing a travel-inspiring story, and for raising money for some excellent charities. I hope that everyone who reads this blog (not to mention the guy who writes it) recognizes their passion(s) and does something memorable, like this baseball roadtrip of a lifetime.

Volunteering and studying Spanish in Guatemala

When I wrote a quick blog about learning something on vacation, Issert asked "Does anyone know volunteering abroad programs with language classes or language immersion programs within Spanish speaking countries?" in the comments section.

Joe replied that he has been going to Guatemala for 15 years to study Spanish and volunteer. He also mentioned Antigua.

I know I've gotten requests for more articles for single travelers - this would be perfect for single travelers. The school makes sure you meet people and homestays probably work better for singles than for families anyway.

Anyway, I contacted one school in Guatemala to get some more information for everyone. If this reads like an ad for the school, sorry but what you're about to read was written by them - I won't take nay credit and I don't want any blame.

We have included information below about the school so that you may read over it and get to know us and our works. We are very open to working inside your parameters and needs. We would very much like to start this relationship and will welcome any more questions that you
have.

Guate Spanish Language School is a young, small, self-sustainable cooperative of host families, language instructors and volunteer organizations managed by Guatemalan Maya Spanish Association, a Guatemalan NGO. Our mission is to "Give socioeconomic support to our members by offering genuine Guatemalan cultural experience to help our participants reconnect with their authentic selves."

We would like to invite you to immerse yourself in:
* Authentic homestay
* 1-on-1 Spanish lesson
* Volunteering opportunity
* Cultural activity/excursion

AUTHENTIC HOMESTAY

Your host families are the primary and integral part of the immersion experience. They will open their homes, their hearts and their lives to you. You will see how children are raised, marriages are celebrated and slangs are used in daily life of middle class Guatemalans. Your room
will not be extravagant but will be clean and comfortable with sufficient privacy. When you are at their dining table, you will enjoy the authentic Guatemalan food which will be a learning experience in itself. And of course, your host can fix you a wonderful vegetarian meal as well. A life-long friendship will be built as you would sit after dinner and talk for hours or go out to a Sunday mass, shopping and fiesta with kids/adults your age. If you have a special diet and/or medical need, please feel free to let us know. Your host family will accommodate your needs as much as possible. It's completely OK and we encourage you to communicate your preference on foods, time to be woken up, etc. There is no need for you to eat something you do not like. Just leave it aside and your host will understand. But if you can let them know what you like and do not like to eat beforehand, your host will appreciate that greatly. If you would like to change your host family for any reason, please feel free to let us know at anytime. We will have a new arrangement ready for you right away.

1-ON-1 SPANISH LESSON (We also teach various indigenous languages.)

Your personal Spanish / indigenous language instructors are talented men and women who possess a deep knowledge of the languages and Guatemalan culture in which they live. Our instructors have a unique understanding of foreign students and how they learn best. They teach not with prepackaged curricula, but with passion, creativity and responsiveness to student interests and needs. All of our instructors are certified with diplomas in the teaching of Spanish as a second language. In addition to theoretical training on methodologies of immersion instruction, the instructors have practical experience in teaching for between 3 and 12 years. They have worked with students of a variety of learning styles and levels of previous experience (total beginners to advanced students). The lesson can be customized to accommodate each student's need in oral and written proficiency, special interests / needs of the student (according to his/her major, learning disability, etc). Let us know what interests you. Mayan cosmo-vision, natural medicine and nutrition, history, anthropology, law... Whatever it may be, we will work to pair you with an instructor who has similar interests. Our normal class schedule is 8am-1pm or 2pm-7pm, Mon-Fri. Each session lasts 5 days. You may start your class on any Monday of the year. If you prefer to start on another day or time, special scheduling can be arranged upon your request. Starting from no knowledge of Spanish, majority of our students reach advanced level of proficiency in 10-12 weeks of study. We encourage you to offer suggestions in terms of what materials you would like to use, grammatical topics you wish to cover, or what percentage of each class you would like to devote to conversation versus drills and exercises etc. If you have special learning needs, or a learning disability please inform us or your instructor so appropriate accommodations can be made.

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY

It will be a truly humbling experience to witness the poverty and hardship of the students, teachers and families in Chiquilaja. The grassroots effort to support the school is led by our volunteer coordinator, Leticia Sacalxot. The school structure and curriculum are continually evolving, thanks to the support we receive from program participants. The Chiquilaj?school and the girls' orphanage are in need of your help. School supplies that are so carelessly used (and wasted) in your home country will be great gifts for them. They are enduring familial and community poverty and face a general lack of parental support to attend the school. More than anything else, your generosity helps these children realize that someone cares.

EXCURSION & FIESTA

Panajachel at the shore of lake Atitlan: 1 day trip 530-1900. We will be crossing the one of the most scenic lakes in the world to visit 2 indigenous villages. We will stop by a hotspring and natural reserves. Guides, boat, entrance fee to the natural reserve, breakfast, lunch, bus are included.

Takalik abaj: 1 day trip 800-1900 We will visit the spectacular Mayan ruin. Bus, guide, lunch and entrance fee are included. We will have fun at nearby pool too!

Irtra Xocomil: 1 day trip 800-1800 A wonderful break at the Guatemala's largest aquatic amusement park! Bus, entrance fee and lunch are included.

Fiesta ind?ena: In Quetzaltenango, we always have various celebrations such as engagement, godfathership, marriage, "a post-hangover" party, etc. Dress up yourself in tradicional dresses and dance with the rhythm of marimba. Join us to become a part of the Mayan culture! Meals,
drinks and good time are included. These are just a few examples and if you have a specific destination of your interest, please let us know.

Well they sent me more, but that's enough for this blog. If you're serious about volunteering in Guatemala, Guate Spanish School provided me with the information above.

Traveling in a positive way

Here's a good article on traveling in a positive way. It covers a few related topics such as advice on volunteering, how to help with education, how to handle beggars, and more.

Removing landmines in Cambodia

Here's a vacation experience from Bill Morse (who has contributed a Kilimajaro /safari itinerary, his Kilimajaro experience, plus organized a Mekong River cruise).

This one involves AK47s, mines, mortar rounds, and police raids. Talk about an eventful vacation...

Are volunteer vacations going to get more popular?

This article on a survey about American's travel wishes indicates that volunteer vacations may get more popular in the future:

VOLUNTEER VACATIONS: One-quarter (24%) of travelers said they were currently interested in taking a volunteer or service-based vacation. More than one in ten travelers (11%) said they were MORE interested now compared to five years ago in taking a volunteer or service-based vacation. Interest was strongest among baby boomers, with the largest share (47%) of those interested in taking a volunteer vacation falling into the 35 – 54 year old age range.

I wonder if people are just saying they'd like to do a volunteer vacation or if they will really start booking these vacations. I mean I'm interested, but I haven't done one yet...

Perfect example of meaningful travel

Here's a family that spent their vacation taking care of orphans in Romania, including one that their son helped get flown to America so that the medicine for the orphan's brain cancer (the medicine isn't available in Romania) could be administered.

If that's not the perfect example of meaningful travel, traveling to make the world better, then I don't know what is.

AIESEC: students traveling and learning about cultures

I liked this story of a recent college graduate going to Riga, Latvia after getting a job through AIESEC. This traveler had an opportunity to motivate high school students, learn about another culture, and do my favorite kind of traveling (the kind where you live with the locals for a while).

Book Review - "The Heart of the World"

It�s one of mankind�s oldest quests � the belief in, and search for Utopia, Paradise or Shangri-La - a secret place of great beauty, often hidden or remote. This belief in a secret place is practiced by many different cultures and religions throughout the world, particularly those in the mysterious East. Tibetan Buddhists have long believed in �beyul�, or �hidden lands�, - places not only of spectacular beauty, but places where, it is said the physical and spiritual worlds overlap. In Tibet, now part of China, this belief goes back many centuries and is well documented in writings, drawings and passed on by word of mouth.

One such secret place is said to lie at the eastern edge of the Himalayas, a region still largely unexplored and unpenetrated. Tibetan prophecies tell of a spectacular series of waterfalls along the Tsangpo Gorge, one of the deepest and most spectacular chasms in the world. For centuries, Tibetan pilgrims and European explorers have sought this gorge. In 1924, the British Royal Geographical society firmly declared the waterfalls to be nothing more than a religious myth, after a British expedition failed to find them.

�The Heart of The World� is part travel book, part historical detective story, part study of Tibetan beliefs and customs. The author, acclaimed explorer Ian Baker, first learned of Tibet�s �hidden lands� while studying in Katmandu on a summer semester program. He has spent the past 20 years trying to establish if the waterfalls actually exist, and their possible whereabouts. His painstaking and fascinating research takes him to many places throughout China and Nepal - from a meeting with the Dalai Lama, to dusty manuscripts in ancient libraries, and finally along the gorge to the falls themselves.

To further his quest, Baker has many adventures � a month spent alone in a cave in the wilderness to �find himself� and a brief sojourn in university in New York, before realizing he was not suited for the academic life. Ironically, considering his exciting and often dangerous journey in Tibet, Baker recounts how he was almost mugged while in New York. Baker overcomes various tangles with the Chinese authorities and the notorious �red tape� concerning travel permits in this part of the world. Eventually Baker succeeds in getting sponsorship from National Geographic, to undertake the trip of a lifetime.

Apart from the author�s description of the fascinating and often dangerous journey along the river, the book also offers a unique and knowledgeable insight into Tibetan Buddhism and some of its rituals and beliefs, making this much more than just an everyday travel book. As befitting the epic journey, it is a long book � some 450 pages, illustrated with photographs not only of the stunning mountain scenery but also some of the fascinating people the author met. The book contains an introduction from the spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama.

This is a wonderful book, which like the very best travel books will make you want to pack a suitcase and go there yourself. But as most of us will never do that, the next best thing is to vicariously live the adventure through this fascinating story.

The Heart of the World (A Journey to the Last Secret Place) by Ian Baker

Traveling To Tokyo

My travel to Tokyo was one of the best experiences I've ever had. Being in touch with a distinctive culture is an experience to remember. With a population of about 12 million, Tokyo metropolitan area is at the center of the world's most populous urban area in the world. But with an area of over 2000 square kilometers, there are a lot of places to explore. With busy cityscapes and high-rise buildings mixing with the old, traditional Japanese structures, temples and gardens Tokyo is a land of contrasts.

The best times to go to Tokyo are when cherry blossoms during springtime and during autumn when yellow-orange hues of falling leaves scatter across parks. Temperatures at these periods offer a favorable environment to outdoor adventures and visit to attractions by foot. Summer monsoon comes in June and gets extra humid in August while snow abounds during winter month of January.

Citizens of many countries can visit Japan without visas for stays up to 90 days. Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides visa information to every first time traveler.

Getting In

Almost all international flights come to Narita Airport while a few others fly into Haneda Airport. From the airport terminal, Narita Express train service is available with stops at important locations such as Tokyo, Shinjuku, Yokohama and a number of other stations. Airport limousine is also available and more convenient for people who would like to make a direct stop at certain hotels around Tokyo.

Transportation in Tokyo is quite convenient but please note that the Tokyo subway is among the most extensive in the world and someone could easily get lost in its numerous interlinking subway lines. English signs are available and asking for directions from locals who are generally friendly obviously helps.

Also note that train lines are managed by different companies so one ticket may not be usable in other lines. For example the JR fare card system Suica can only be used on JR; Passnet cards, on the other hand, can be used on every subway and train line except JR.

Getting Around

For somebody who want adventure within the city, there are various places I could recommend.

1. Tsukiji Market - Tokyo's main fish market where many delectable seafood dishes at restaurants come from. A daily bidding sale (except Sundays) start early so you need to be there even before sunrise. Another good reason to visit there are the availability of nice restaurants for breakfast.

2. Edo-Tokyo Museum - Features the city's rich historical heritage that dates from the samurai ages to geishas to the modern era. Next to the museum is the Kokugikan, the sumo wrestling venue held about three times a year. If you are interested to watch the sumo events, you must arrange your visit ahead of time.

3. Akihabara - For technology and gadget geeks, this is the place for you. Latest releases of Japanese brand products often get displayed here. Software, games, comic books and related stuff are also found here. Since the main buyers are the locals themselves, please note the difference between Japanese and your local settings such as power supply requirements; Japan adopts a 100-voltage system as opposed to many 220-v AC systems.

4. Odaiba - A man-made island where the famed Rainbow Bridge gets connected to Tokyo mainland. Accessible using the Yurikamome, it features a unique view of Tokyo as well as the location of Fuji TV Building, a copy of Statue of Liberty and Toyota's showroom where you can test drive their new models.

5. Meiji Shrine - Accessible through Harajuku Station, Meiji Shrine is a Shinto Shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his consort, Emperor Shoken who both died early 1900's. It consists of Naien or inner precinct cantered on shrine buildings, Gaien, or the outer precinct, which includes the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery and sports facilities; and the Meiji Memorial Hall. The whole area is covered by trees of different species. There are food shops inside the shrine.

6. Asakusa Shrine - It is Tokyo's most popular shrine located adjacent to the temple Sensoji in Asakusa, Tokyo. It is open from 6:30am to 5:00pm daily. It hosts the Sanja Matsuri every third weekend of May. The Asakusa Samba Carnival is held at the last Saturday of August. There are several shops that sell Japanese sweets and souvenirs for loved ones back home.

7. Shinjuku - The location of Tokyo's Metropolitan Government Building which are 243 meter tall twin towers and surrounding buildings contain the offices and the assembly hall of the metropolitan government of Tokyo, as well as observatories on the 45th floor of each tower. The view from the southern tower is considered slightly more interesting. Several department stores are also in the area like Odakyu, Keio and Takashimaya.

There are a lot of places in Tokyo that I have never been and plenty of things that I have never done there. I hope to be back there again soon.

Walking around the world: Stephen "Walker" Malone's charity walkabout

Irishman Stephen "Walker" Malone is launching his 26,000 mile / 40,000 kilometer charity hike on April 1, 2006 (I'm told it's no April Fool's joke). The World Wide Walk for AIDS orphans begins from "San Martin", Millicent Road within the village of Clane, Co. Kildare, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of Dublin.

The goal is to raise funds for Aids Orphans. The travel plan is roughly: Ireland, the United Kingdom, Spain and France. Then Asia, Oceania, and the Americas.

Of course, there are a few ships involved. For example, the first day's walking will take Stephen "Walker" Malone to the ferry terminal at Dublin Port. Then he takes a ferry from Dublin Port across the Irish Sea to Holyhead in Wales.

Cruise the Mighty Mekong River from Saigon, to Siem Reap

A unique �soft adventure� cruise up the Mekong from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Siem Reap in Cambodia is planned for November 7-21, 2006. Organized by the Landmine Relief Fund and Value World Tours, and escorted by Bill Morse, the founder of the Relief Fund, this tour offers a truly special look at Vietnam and Cambodia today, with English speaking guides who will talk about the history of the countries, its peoples and life today along the Mekong River, one of the major rivers of the world. You will have ample time to explore on your own, and relax on the deck of your private cruise ship, while sailing a river few have had the opportunity to see up close.

The tour will culminate with a visit to the Cambodian Landmine Museum in Siem Reap Cambodia, where you�ll meet Aki Ra, its founder and Managing Director. Aki Ra spends his time "making his country safe for his people" by clearing as many landmines and IEDs as he can find (over 60,000 to date), and caring for the 15 orphaned and maimed children he and his wife have adopted.

Days 1- 4 After flying overnight to Asia, we�ll start our adventure in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). We�ll spend three nights in a 5 Star hotel while we explore this unique and historical city as few have had the chance.

After we rummage through the markets of Saigon, and discover its old sections by pedicab, we�ll travel to the tunnels of Cu Chi to see where the Viet Cong hid themselves from American troops during the �American War� of the 60�s and early 1970�s. Full breakfast and dinner are included while in Saigon.

After Saigon we head for our next home away from home, the Mekong Pandaw, a ship designed and built by the Irrawaddy River Company of Burma. Specially designed to navigate and explore the rivers of Southeast Asia, the Pandaw accommodates only 80 passengers. Your teak cabins accommodate two comfortably, with en-suite bathrooms, and full air conditioning. All your meals will be taken in the ship�s dining room, and you�ll have the chance to discover the beauty of the Mekong from the covered top deck of the ship, from your comfortable chaise lounge, or deck chair. Lectures and daily updates on our itinerary will be presented in the inclusive, air conditioned bar on the bow of the ship.

Day 5 We start our 7 day river adventure up the Mekong in My Tho and after a light buffet lunch explore Vinh Long and the Tien Giang islands in a traditional junk. B/L/D

Day 6 Cai Be and Chau Doc We�ll visit floating markets and a rural French Gothic Cathedral tourists seldom see. You�ll also have the opportunity to visit riverside villages and watch the locals make hand made coconut candy and pitch in to make your own rice paper. B/L/D

Day 7 Chau Doc and Cambodian Border Take a morning rickshaw ride through this French colonial city and then board smaller boats to visit a local Cham Minority Tribal village. This evening we cross the border into Cambodia. Don�t worry, all the paperwork is done by the crew while you relax on the top deck. We moor this evening near Phnom Penh. B/L/D

Day 8 Phnom Penh Rich in French Colonial architecture, Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia, the home of its king, wonderful markets, and the haunting vastness of the Killing Fields of the Khmer Rouge. B/L/D

Day 9 Leaving Phnom Penh, we�ll travel up the Mekong, visiting Kampong Cham, a silk weaving village. B/L/D

Day 10 Today we cruise Cambodia while visiting an 8th century Wat (temple) in the morning and the unique Wat Nokor in the afternoon. Wat Nokor is special in that a modern Wat is set inside the ruins of the original temple.

Day 11 Today we�ll travel up the Tonle River to Kampong Chhannan to visit her bustling rural market, a sight seen seldom by Western eyes. B/L/D

Our final stop will be Siem Reap, home of Angkor Wat, one of the true wonders of the world. Angkor Wat was built in the 12th century as the capital of the Angkor empire which stretched from the Thai border into Vietnam. Our local guides will walk you through temples overgrown with jungle and take you places you never dreamed of seeing. You�ll have three full days in Siem Reap. Your home in Siem Reap is a 4 star hotel/resort with pool, air conditioned rooms, full restaurant and bar.

Day 12 Siem Reap After breakfast we disembark our ship for the last time and transfer by coach to Siem Reap, the second largest city in Cambodia. Our afternoon will include a visit to a silk farm and a local artist village where you can watch these artisans at work. The day ends with dinner at the Foreign Correspondents Club. B/L/D

Day 13 Today you visit the Angkor Temple complex. In the morning we�ll tour the lesser known Temples, Angkor Thom, Elephant Terrace, and Leper King. Lunch is at the Red Piano, a favorite of Angelina Jolie, a regular visitor to Cambodia and star of the Tomb Rader movies. After lunch we head to the unbelievable main Angkor Wat Temples for a magnificent sunset tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. We have a special dinner planned for this evening with performance of the Apsara Dance, Cambodia�s national folklore. B/L/D

Day 14 Our final day in Siem Reap will include an optional trip to the Cambodian Landmine Museum. Founded by Aki Ra, native to the area, its sole purpose is to make Cambodia safe for its people. (B)

The Landmine Relief Fund, sponsors of the trip, has been supporting Aki Ra and his work since Bill first visited in 2004. Aki Ra was suppressed into the Khmer Rouge Army at the age of 5 when the KR overthrew the government of Pot Pot and attempted to take Cambodia back to its agrarian roots. Banning all forms of money, breaking up families, emptying the cities and changing the calendar to year �0�, the Khmer Rouge began eliminating anyone they saw as a threat, eventually murdering millions of their own citizens.

Aki Ra received his first gun at 5, and by his mid teens was an expert at designing and planting landmines, true terror weapons, that continue to kill and maim to this day. Eventually the Khmer Rouge were overthrown, and the UN came to Cambodia to assist in establishing some form of normalcy. They hired Aki Ra to help de-mine the country.

He had found his trade.

Today Aki Ra spends his time clearing landmines, defusing IEDs and caring for the 15 maimed and orphaned children he and his wife Hourt have adopted as their own. With their two children his family of 19 is surviving through the donations of visitors to their museum, and the help of others.

Day 15 Siem Reap � Home (B)

A portion of the proceeds of this trip will be donated to Aki Ra. Price for land & cruise only is $2,499.00 and estimated airfare from LAX is $1,000.00. A special $100 discount per person if reservations are made through the Landmine Relief Fund website.

Included:

33 meals
3 nights deluxe 5 star hotel in Saigon
3 nights fist class/deluxe hotel in Siem Reap (Angkor Borei, Angkor Century Hotel, Sofitel Resort or similar)
2 full days of sightseeing in Saigon with English speaking guides
All transfers to and from the ship
Welcome drink and information meeting on board ship
Farewell Captains dinner
All excursions from ship
Round trip airfare from the USA to Vietnam and out of Camboida*
Temple tours in Siem Reap
Arrival and departure transfers

*If air is purchased through them

Learn more about Aki Ra and Landmine Relief Fund at: www.landmine-relief-fund.com

See a more detailed itinerary at:
http://www.landmine-relief-fund.com/MekongRiverTour2006.html

See some pictures from previous cruises at:
http://www.landmine-relief-fund.com/MekongPictures.html

Information on traveling with Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity operates in many countries, including Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu and many other locations.

I read somewhere that Habitat for Humanity is launching "Operation Home Delivery," to help provide assistance and rebuilding opportunities in New Orleans and elsewhere along the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. However, I was unable to find information on this at the Habitat for Humanity website.

I did learn that they operate in all 50 US states. I also read their FAQ and learned that this is a "holiday with a difference" and that no construction knowledge or skill is required. You do get a unique experience:

Global Village trips are different from usual tourist trips. Host Habitat affiliates offer teams an insight into their localities that normal tourists rarely witness.

Itineraries are balanced with plenty of work, and plenty of recreational activities and free time.

Traveling and working in unfamiliar places, often overseas, is challenging as well as rewarding. Plans change and work may progress more slowly than expected. Global Village participants need to have the right mind-set: a flexible attitude and commitment to their team leader and fellow team members.

However, this is a bit more than volunteer work as you also have to make a donation: "Global Village participants each make a donation to the host affiliate in addition to covering their own travel, living and sightseeing costs."

Appreciate nature, travel, do good

For people who love nature, paying bic money for eco-tourism is one possibility. Camping on your won is another. A third is doing some volunteer work. Here are a couple of American organizations that tend to Mother Nature. I'm sure those of you from outside the US can find similar organizations.

American Hiking Society (1422 Fenwick Lane, Silver Spring, Md. 20910; www.americanhiking.org) is a nonprofit that wages a never-ending battle against the degradation of our nation's hiking trails. To that end, it offers one and two-week volunteer vacations during which its participants pull weeds, remove fences, dig trenches and perform other useful tasks in some of America's loveliest national parks. Like the other organizations we've listed, this idealistic group partially relies on donations from both individuals and the corporate world.

Wilderness Volunteers (P.O. Box 22292, Flagstaff, Ariz. 86002, www.wildernessvolunteers.org) sends youthful, vigorous volunteers (mainly in their 20s to 40s) into the forest areas of America's national and state parks, to repair the damage done by heedless visitors. They restore hiking trails, clean up debris and fire sites, plant strategically located trees and even take inventory of plant and wildlife species. Although the volunteer pays a modest fee for the weeklong stint, grants and contributions cover most of the other costs of Wilderness Volunteers.

Opodo.co.uk

Opodo.co.uk has a meaningful travel section with packages ranging from bear monitoring in Ecuador, humanitarian tours of Thailand and Laos, to building classrooms in Tanzania and teaching English in Mongolia. Most offer you an option of one week, two weeks up to several weeks.

A survey for Opodo.co.uk reveals that over half of British travellers are more likely than 12 months ago to undertake meaningful travel, helping those less fortunate than themselves, or protecting the environment.