Beach Travellers - Brazil

After lots of exploring in Brazil and scouting its jungles, mountains, and coastlines, we have added a new gem to our 21 Day Brazil Adventure. Located on Brazil's southeast coast, this area's winding shoreline has almost one hundred beaches, and the peaks of the mountainous rainforest provide a dramatic, dark green backdrop to the rich coastline. The natural beauty of this place is just ridiculous

The activities here are endless. If you like to lounge on the beach all day, there are plenty of deserted white-sand beaches to be found. The diving, snorkelling, and surfing here are world-class, as is the trekking through the pristine jungles of one of the state's largest conservation areas. This place is also home to Brazil's most important sea turtle conservation project, so if you go snorkelling around here you are guaranteed to see some a few of them swimming around

The islands and coves around this stretch of coastline offer both calm waters for swimming and snorkelling, as well as plenty of good waves on the beaches that face the open sea.

A few spots remain for this summer's 21 day experiences (June and July). Call 1-800-949-1865 or email info@beachtravellers.com for details

Beach Travellers - Scouting Northern Thailand

Ben Trompetter has camped around Australia, hitchhiked through New Zealand, surfed in Hawaii, and had more than a few cervesas in Mexico. But it wasn’t until he found himself on the sandy white beaches and dense jungles of Thailand did he have "the best time of his life".

And while buying his plane ticket to paradise was spur of the moment decision, it's not one that he in any way regrets.

The scenery, the relaxed lifestyle, amazing food all make Thailand a slice of heaven on earth. But it's real charm is the people. It's their kind ways, friendly attitude and open hearts that continue draw him to the "Land of Smiles".

As one of Beach Travellers Thailand Guides, Ben has been recently sent out on a scouting mission to northern regions of Thailand. He is determined to seek out & discover how Beach Travellers can bring the same experiences of our famous southern Thailand to the North and offer our travellers a full country experience.

Here’s how it’s going so far:

Day 1 of research and my rear end is pretty sore after spending all day ripping around on a scooter exploring everything there is to see in the beautiful Northern parts of the country.

Temples perched on mountain tops, endless rice fields, windy roads to explore on scooters, and a bungee crane are only a few of the highlights. There's definitely more than enough adventures up here to keep anyone entertained.

I personally cannot wait to try out rock climbing, a scenic hike through the northern jungle, and abseiling to the floor of cave across it's 200 meter vertical face to a prehistoric jungle floor. Of course that will have to wait until I do my 3 day, 2 night jungle trek, which includes 2 amazing waterfalls, spending 2 nights in a hill tribe villages, white water rafting, and bamboo rafting.

Everyone will be able to do all these activities and more when the new Beach Travellers Northern Thailand experience arrives...coming soon.

by Ben Trompetter

http://www.beachtravellers.com/

Beach Travellers - Bali & Beyond

After years of travelling throughout Indonesia, not only on the island of Bali, but also exploring Bali's neighbouring islands, which are home to some unbelievable places and people, Beach Travellers has used what we have learned during our own explorations and have modified our Bali trip and re-named it "Bali & Beyond".

During this 21 day Indonesian adventure we now go beyond Bali and spend a week visiting its surrounding islands. But that`s all the info we can give away for now.

A variety of different locations with a plethora of activities to choose from. The following has been included in your overall experience. The rest can be arranged based upon your desires as we travel to each new destination.

Activities included:

•Volcano trek

•Sunrise dolphin trip

•Waterfall trip

•White water rafting

•Glass bottom boat trip,

•Snorkelling

•Orphanage experience

•Surf lessons

•Traditional temple visits

•Monkey forest excursion.

Other available activities:

Scuba diving, spa, massage, yoga... the list goes on.

Beach Travellers - Costa Rica

Beach Travellers is a unique travel company that specializes in adventure travel to the world's most exotic locations. We provide exclusive adventure backpacking trips that stray off the beaten path by continuing to drive further and further down the road less travelled.

Our groups are small and interpersonal by limiting the size to a maximum of 12 - 14 people per trip and we are solely focused on creating intricate travelling lifestyles in the most amazing countries in the world. Our trip design is far beyond any basic backpacker route or tour by including and exposing a wide variety of activities & culture to everyone on our trips, from the time they step off the plane. We travel to each country's finest locations and leave the opportunities in each place up to the traveller. We have introduced the idea of an enlightening travelling experience at it's best, while removing any of the stresses that come along with it. Our trip concept and style gives each of our travellers the opportunity to see and explore the freedom of living in the true paradises we have uncovered.

Everyone that works with us is experienced and driven solely on the love of travelling and the joy of expanding people's horizons to new exciting places. We have been operating for eight years now and people from across Canada are starting to realize that this is not a tour company; it's a new era of travel.

Beach Travellers - Thailand

Beach Travellers is a unique travel company that specializes in adventure travel to the world's most exotic locations. We provide exclusive adventure backpacking trips that stray off the beaten path by continuing to drive further and further down the road less travelled.

Our groups are small and interpersonal by limiting the size to a maximum of 12 - 14 people per trip and we are solely focused on creating intricate travelling lifestyles in the most amazing countries in the world. Our trip design is far beyond any basic backpacker route or tour by including and exposing a wide variety of activities & culture to everyone on our trips, from the time they step off the plane. We travel to each country's finest locations and leave the opportunities in each place up to the traveller. We have introduced the idea of an enlightening travelling experience at it's best, while removing any of the stresses that come along with it. Our trip concept and style gives each of our travellers the opportunity to see and explore the freedom of living in the true paradises we have uncovered.

Everyone that works with us is experienced and driven solely on the love of travelling and the joy of expanding people's horizons to new exciting places. We have been operating for eight years now and people from across Canada are starting to realize that this is not a tour company; it's a new era of travel.

Rocks & Rivers

I believe I qualify as the adventurous type. I like to take risks and push myself and over the years have taken up a variety of "extreme" sports such as downhill skiing and mountain biking.

And with my recent discovery and newly budding addiction to slack-lining, I am contemplating moving on to rock climbing. Its seems silly not to really, since I do live in the land of mountains and rock and over the next few months I while will have ample opportunity to take on the walls of Thailand.

After reading this blog I am more than inspired and eager:
http://www.travelmag.co.uk/printer_1719.shtml

But that's not all I'm planning. Oh no, why stop there?

The other adventure that I had been podering is river rafting. Believe it or not, it's something I have yet to take on which is odd for a few reasons, but namely that I am no loss for options here in British Columbia.

Sure, I have a stupid fear of water/sharks that sometimes stops me from doing things like scuba diving, but this is different. I'm talking being in a fast moving, roller coaster like boat. Water is the least of my fears here. And from what I know, there ain't no sharks in rivers ... Not to mention the one I'm planning on taking on.

The Mighty Zambizi

Aerial views of Victoria Falls and the Zambezi,, Africa's fourth largest River system, after the Nile, Zaire and Niger Rivers

Why start small eh? Go big or go home!

Class 5 Rapids BABY!

Ever since I booked my trip to Vic Falls I have had the plan in the back of my mind, but again I was inspired to follow through with the plan after reading anothers account of their experience:

http://www.travelmag.co.uk/printer_1715.shtml

Good thing I got the deluxe insurance ;)

Hiking Mount Seymour

An excellent way to spend a drizzly Spring Saturday with friends ...

Lots of spring run off makes for beautiful waterfalls

The views are always worth it

Internet Finds

Here is another amazing site on solo female traveling.

GO GIRL POWER!

Women-On-The-Road

Solo Gal

Many of my friends and family have expressed concern over me traveling alone.

For me its thrilling and I cant wait to get out there, but I can also see and understand their concern.

This article really sums up my desires and thoughts on taking about the world on by myself and hopefully after reading this article they too will understand my choice a bit more and be a little more reassured on my decision:

Should Women Ever Travel Solo? Tips for solo female travelers!

The Itinerary

As much as I have stated that I am aiming to not over plan this trip, there is a basic bone structure to it and when I looked over it the other day I was struck by just how amazing it really is.

117 days of travel and this is how it looks:

June 10: Depart Vancouver for Hong Kong
June 11: Depart Hong Kong for Johannesburg, South Africa
June 12: Depart Johannesburg for Windhoek, Namia (Phew! that was over 36 hrs of flying!)
June 13: Day in Windhoek
June 14: Meet up with GAP Tour in Windhoek

June 15: Safari starts with a 580 km overland drive from Windhoek, through the eastern part of Namibia and into Botswana, traveling into the heart of the Kalahari. First night of camping in Ghanzi, Botawana

June 16: 280 km drive from Ghanzi to Maun where we will pick up supplies and prepare for our 2 night/3 day excursion into the Okavango Delta

June 17 & 18: After a 2 hrs drive into the Delta, we will hop into a mokoro, a traditional dug:out canoe, and travel deep into the delta. After a couple hours we will arrive to our basic bush camp

June 19: We travel back Maun, pick up our bags and proceed on to Gweta to set up camp under ancient Baobab trees

June 20: Today we travel to the area of Chobe National Park, home to the largest elephant population in Southern Africa

June 21 & 22: Today we cross the Zambezi River by ferry to enter into Zambia and continue to Livingstone. We will spend the last two days of our tour here, taking in the immense Victoria Falls and rafting the whitewater of the mighty Zambezi

June 23: With the GAP adventure behind us now, we depart Livingston and head to Lusaka, Zambia for a night before heading back to South Africa
June 24: Depart Lusaka for Johannesburg, South Africa, via Harare, Zimbabwe
June 25: Arrive in Jo'burg and head to Pretoria to stay with P’s family
June 26: Day in/around Pretoria
June 27: WORLD CUP GAME in Jo'burg!!
June 28: Day in/around Pretoria
June 29: Depart Jo'burg for Kimberley, South Africa
June 30: Depart Kimberley for Cape Town via overnight train
July 1: Arrive in Cape Town
July 2, 3, 4 & 5: Cape Town
July 6: Depart Cape Town for Mossel Bay, South Africa, via BazBuz
July 7: Day in Mossel Bay
July 8: Depart Mossel Bay for Port Elizabeth, South Africa
July 9: Day in Port Elizabeth
July 10: WORLD CUP GAME in Port Elizabeth!!
July 11: Day in Port Elizabeth

July 12: Depart Port Elizabeth for Jo’burg
July 13: Depart Jo’burg for Hong Kong
July 14: Arrive Hong Kong/ P departs Hong Kong for Vancouver & I head off to Thailand
July 14: Arrive in Thailand and meet up with Beach Travellers in Bangkok
July 15 to Aug 18: Travel throughout Southern Thailand with Beach Travellers and back to Bangkok
Aug 19: Depart Bangkok for Ayutthaya, Thailand
Aug 20: Ayutthaya
August 21: Depart Ayutthaya for Sukothai, Thailand
August 22: Sukothai
August 23: Depart Sukothai for Chiang Mai
August 24, 25 & 26: Chiang Mai
August 27: Depart Chiang Mai for Chiang Khong
August 28: Depart Chiang Khong for Houay Xai, Laos and embark on slow boat ride down the Mekong, arriving in Pakbeng, Laos for the night
August 29: Depart Pakbeng for Louang Phabang, Laos
August 30, 31, September 1 & 2: Louang Phabang
September 3: Depart Louang Phabang for Vang Vieng, Laos
September 4: Depart Vang Vieng for Vientiane, Laos
September 5 & 6: Vientiane
September 7: Depart Vientiane for Savannakhet, Laos
September 8: Depart Savannakhet for Hue, Vietnam
September 9: Hue
September 10: Depart Hue for Hoi An, Vietnam
September 11 & 12: Hoi An
September 13: Depart Hoi An for Nha Trang, via Da Nag
September 14, 15 & 16: Nha Trang
September 17: Depart Nha Trang for HCMC
September 18 & 19: HCMC
September 20: Depart HCMC for Phnom Phenh
September 21 & 22: Phnom Phenh
September 23: Depart Phnom Phenh for Siem Reap
September 24, 25 & 26: Siem Reap
September 27: Depart Siem Reap for Bangkok
September 28 & 29: Bangkok
September 30: Depart Bangkok for Hong Kong
October 1, 2, & 3: Hong Kong
October 4: Depart Hong Kong for Vancouver
October 4: Arrive HOME!!!

**NOTE** The Above map is not my complete routing, as it was taken from the Gap Adventures Indochina Encompassed tour, but it gives you a good idea of my plans.

Turning the Page

School is OUT!

It’s official; I am done classes and am now only 160 practicum hours away from receiving my Advanced Travel and Tourism Diploma from the Canadian Tourism College.

Over the last 8 months I have learned so many different aspects of the business, ranging from the fundamentals of the travel and tourism industry, selling skills and world geography, to domestic and international airline tariff & ticketing, consolidator net fares and airline reservations global distribution system (GDS) training (Apollo, Sabre, and Amadeus).

It’s been weeks and weeks of hard work but it has also been incredible fun and amazingly rewarding.

And after all my hard work I have been nominated as Class Valedictorian. What an honour. While it was not something that I was aiming for, it is nonetheless flattering and rewarding to know that my hard work has not gone unnoticed.

My passion was engaged and became alive while in the classroom, I was inspired on a daily basis and my desire to excel and learn became more pronounced than ever before.

It is truly amazing what age and wisdom do for someone who is pursuing further education. In high school I could have cared less about grades and even attending class. College was just one long excuse to party and socialize. Now, 12 years later it is clear that I have come full circle.

And as much as I am somewhat scared and nervous about leaving the comforts of the classroom and what my future career may hold for me, I am eager to jump in with both feet and see where the ride takes me.

It is time to turn the page and start the next chapter.

My Theme Song

As lifted from the Long Way Round:

Remember me my love, I'm the one you're dreaming of.
Going for a ride, I'll keep you warm inside.
I'm Gonna roll up the sidewalk, I'm gonna tear up the ground.
Comin' round to meet you, The long way round.

Bah, Bah - rah - rah - rah! etc.

Sooner or later, I'll get me off this track.
Gotta do what it is that I do and then I'm - coming back.
Got sun in my face, sleeping rough on the road.
I'll tell you all about it, when I get home.
Gonna roll up the sidewalk, I'm gonna tear up the ground.
Comin' round to meet you, The long way round.

Bah, Bah - rah - rah - rah! etc.

By: The Stereophonics

First Aid

I've come to realize that I want to take and also feel I NEED to take my first aid certification before I leave.

Somehow just the thought of me being able to to react properly and deal with even a minor situation while away is comforting.

Add it to the list ...

Ewan Says it Best

7:20 to 7:80 -> This was precisely the sentiments which I experienced on Monday.

It's all becoming real ...