Trains Make the World Go Round

As a pretty seasoned traveller I have spend my fare share of time on trains. I have taken the rails in Canada, Scotland, England, Holland, Germany, Czech Rep. and Thailand.

Most of the time the stations have been clean, but unremarkable. All have the same standard fare; food stalls, notice boards, ticket counters and hords or people going here and there.

But clearly I have been missing out! Just take a look at some of these babies:

11 of the World’s Coolest Train Stations

I have been thinking that my next adventure would bring me back to Britain and Europe and this seals the deal. I foresee a fare bit more train travel in my future now ...

10 Constants of Air Travel

If you have EVER flown you have encountered at least one of these.

If you have yet to take on the open skies, well, you will ...

10 Constants of Air Travel

The Lone Traveller

When I was in South East Asia for 3 months last year I was essentially alone. Sure I met people every time I turned around and ended up sharing rooms, boats and buses with familiar strangers, but at the end of the day I was on my own.

I had wanted to take off and explore the world by myself, with my own agenda and plans.

And while I am one of the seemingly rare folks who enjoyes her own company and has no problems being alone with my thoughts and a good book, some people thought I was nuts to go at it on my own. They all expressed various reason, mostly them being safety related, but some were worried about me getting lonely or depressed.

With all honesty I can say that I was never lonely or depressed. Sure I pined for home a few days here and there & missed my boyfriend. Sure long night bus rides through the Vietnamese countryside can be a bit trying solo, but the experiences changed me.

Enroute to the Mui Ne

My time travelling solo made me stronger, more sure of myself, gave me the courage to step out of my confort zone and take on the unknown. It made me a better woman in all sorts of ways.

Enjoying my 2 day boat journey up the Mekong River from Laos back to Thailand

But thats just me.  Some people just cant even fathom the idea of travelling alone. And for some who do take it on, it may not end up being the experience that they had hoped for.

Cycling around the Mekong Delta

BootsnAll has posted another great article on Dealing With Loneliness As a Solo Traveler, how solo travel can change you.

I encourage EVERYONE at some point to get out and do it on your own, even if its just a short road trip. You may just surprise yourself :)

A time to reflect on Sakura

As sent to me in a newsletter today from The Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors

Sakura is the Japanese cherry blossom and the annual blossom festivals are just about 3 weeks away. In city parks throughout Japan, the cherry blossoms will resemble forests of pink clouds, and this visual treasure has inspired poets and artists to regard the sakura as an omen of good fortune, an emblem of love and a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life. In fact, the Japanese expression “mono no a-ware” includes the concept of ‘empathy toward things’ as well as ‘the impermanence of things’, both associated with the Sakura.

This year’s cherry blossom festival will include much ambivalence for the Japanese people, as well as many travellers who have explored the country and fallen in love with the people, the history, culture, the food and everything else that ‘is Japan’. For some the delicate beauty and bouquet of the blossoms will elicit feelings of strength and hope; that despite the terrible catastrophes that the country is enduring, the cherry blossoms will have bloomed and brought joy and a sense of ‘things will get better as time goes on”.

For others, reflecting on the poetic impermanence of the cherry blossoms, the feeling may be more empathetic; that good times, reflected in the blooming of the Sakura, and bad times, symbolized by the fact the sakura will eventually fall to the ground or be dispersed in the wind and die, are part of the cycle of life. But there is no negativity or regret in these feelings, it is more a positive projection that next spring, once again, the sakura will appear and put smiles on people’s faces and reaffirm that life goes on.

The sakura has been a favourite topic for Haiku poets over the years, and as in the past, schools will hold Sakura Haiku competitions in 2011. The inspiration for this falls to the famous Japanese poet, Kobayashi Issa who wrote in the early 19th Century,

when cherry blossoms

scatter...

no regrets

From many other Issa poems, and of course personal one-on-one involvement in appreciating the sakura, we can all take comfort in the fact that Japan will recover with our help and support.

The travel industry is ideally suited to contribute to the recovery by suggesting that travellers contact one of the many charitable organizations collecting money for shelter, medical supplies, clean water, food and clothing. This includes www.humanitariancoaltion.com (founded by Care, Oxfam and Save the Children) or the Canadian Red Cross (www.redcross.ca), World Vision (www.worldvision.ca), Doctors without Borders (www.msf.ca), and more. In addition, travel counselors and travellers may wish to contact the Japanese Cultural Centre in the city nearest to you to see what else you and your agency and clients may be able to do to assist. Travel counsellors can be proactive with their clients. Compassion and care for the planet—which is the product that you sell, goes a long way in establishing and maintaining relationships with your current and future client base. We are all in this together

In the spirit of |Mono no a-ware, the impermanence of life to which the expression alludes. is not restricted to referring to the short life of the sakura; the cherry blossom. It can be also seen as a hopeful expression that tragedy and catastrophe is also impermanent

Reflect on the sakura and see the strength and beauty of the blossom. They will bloom in full force in the weeks ahead.

A Note from the International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

In the wake of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, our members and partners are responding with help for victims and calls for action, and are standing ready to provide volunteer support for relief efforts in the affected areas.

Japan Ecolodge Association has set up the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund to collect donations. As we've all learned from various major disasters around the world, recovery will be a long process, and the need for support will be even greater in the coming weeks and months as the country starts to fully grasp the extent of damage and the rebuilding efforts begin.

In honor of all those affected by this tragedy, we ask for your support and solidarity - please donate if you can, spread the word and continue following updates from credible sources about recovery efforts.

Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund

Ayako Ezaki, Digital Traveler Editor
The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

Holland in Bloom

A beautiful email from a friend that just made me smile.

The Netherlands in May:

At first glance, it looks like a giant child armed with a box of crayons has been set loose upon the landscape. Vivid stripes of purple, yellow, red, pink, orange and green make up a glorious patchwork. Yet far from being a child's sketchbook, this is, in fact, the northern Netherlands in the middle of tulip season. The Dutch landscape in May is a kaleidoscope of color as the tulips burst into life. The bulbs are planted in late October and early November. More than three billion tulips are grown each year and two-thirds of the vibrant blooms are exported, mostly to the U.S. and Germany ..


Their dazzling colors are thanks to the years in the 17th century when tulip mania swept the globe and the most eye-catching specimens changed hands for a small fortune. But like a Rainbow, this colorful landscape is a short-lived phenomenon. When the flowers are gone, the land will be cultivated for a rather more mundane crop of vegetables.. The Netherlands produce more than nine million bulbs a year.

Top 6 Ways to Get around in Thailand

I loved my time in Thailand and 2 months exploring such a beautiful and diverse country was just not enough. One of the things I loved about my travel through Asia were the many different types of transport I was able to enjoy. And while each country had some similarities, they also each had their own distinct brand and feel.

And since I spent most of my time in Thailand I thought I would start my transportation review there (Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam to come soon!)

So here you have it, my top 6 (because 6 is better than 5) ways to get around in Thailand

#1 Tuk Tuk – Basically a small three-wheeled motorized cart, named after the sound their not so eco-friendly engines make (it’s took-took, not tuck- tuck), they are one of the iconic images of Thailand. They are loud and seem to be driven by maniacs who have their own set of rules of the road. They are all over the major city centres and will get you anywhere you need to go and for a price that is fare, just use those well honed haggling skills BEFORE you jump in.

TukTuks in Bangkok - Copywrite E. Travis 2010

#2 Night Trains: Sure, there are trains in almost every corner of the earth and most people have traveled from here to there on them, especially if you have been to Europe. But Thai trains are not like your squeaky clean and uber comfy Euro rides. Nope, these are commuter trains in all sense of the world, they are all about function, not fashion, set to get you from A – B. Now, that being said, they so have sensible bunks with bedding, dining cars and friends (if not pushy) staff roaming up and down the cars selling food and drink. And trust me, there is nothing is more entertaining than a sweaty, Chang and Sangsom filled 14 hr ride up or down the country side.

Night Train from Bangkok to Khao Sok - Copywright E. Travis 2010

#3 Motos: Also know as scooters, motorbikes or vespas, motos will be found darting in and out of traffic in the busy street of Bangkok, Chaing Mai, Chiang Rai and well, just about everywhere else. Your first time on a moto may be one where you are in fear of your life, but soon you will become used to and if not addicted to the wind ripping through your hair and the lightening speed at which you can get from here to there.

Motos in Chiang Rai - Copywite E. Travis 2010

#4: Long Tails – You have all seen them. They are in every postcard of Thailand and I am surprised they are not on the currency at this point. They are the long, usually colourful wooden boats used to get around in shallow waters and for short trips between bays. Their name comes from their onboard engine with a long driveshaft which are perfect for maneuvering through the shallow and tight waterways they regularly ply.

Long Tails in Phi Phi - Copywrite E. Travis 2010

Long Tail in Lipe - Copywrite E. Travis 2010

#5: Ferries: If you go to Thailand, you will go to the islands. It’s a given and for some it’s the reason they have come ½ across the world to this little slice of heaven on earth. And well, to get to any of the hundreds of different locations scattered through the Gulf of Siam and in the Andaman Sea you are going to need to take a ferry. Thai ferries are very similar to any other ferries I have been on before in Europe or North America, except for the face that they are mostly passenger based. You wont see as many vehicles on a Thai ferry as you do in Canada. And ferries can be just as much fun as trains. If you are luck you will score a seat, but if not just find yourself a nice place in the shade on the open air deck, spread out your sarong or hang your hammock and off you go for a few hours of stunning open sea views, some laughs, drinks and spend some time working on your golden tan.

Ferry from Suratthani to Phangan

 #6 Songthaew: No list is complete without the Songthaew. And if you spend any time in the North of Thailand or on the islands, you will at some point encounter one of these colourful, converted pick-up truck taxies. While they usually run regular routes between bus stations and city centres and outlying towns & villages, in places like Chiang Mai you can hail them street side for short rides. They are best used then you have a few people to share the fare with, but if not, you can always just jump in with the rest of the travellers in the back after you have negotiated your fare and off you go!

Songthaew in Chaing Mai

And just one more thing: There are no meters, and trip costs are negotiated in advance (trains and buses excluded). Don’t forget this and get burned in the end … been there, done that!

Brazil 2011 - Make Your Plans NOW!

Sprawling across half of South America, Brazil has captivated travelers for at least 500 years. Powdery white-sand beaches, lined with palm trees and fronting a deep blue Atlantic, stretch for more than 7000km. Dotting this coastline are tropical islands, music-filled metropolisesand enchanting colonial towns. Inland, Brazil offers dazzling sights of a different flavor: majestic waterfalls, red-rock canyons, and crystal-clear rivers – all just a small part of the natural beauty. Its larger and more famous attractions are the Amazon and the Pantanal, the pair hosting some of the greatest biodiversity on the planet. Wildlife-watching is simply astounding here, as is the opportunity for adventure – though you needn’t go to the jungle to find it. Kayaking, rafting, trekking, snorkeling and surfing are just a few ways to spend a sun-drenched afternoon in nearly any region in Brazil.



Some of the world’s most exciting cities lie inside of Brazil’s borders, and travelers need not come to Carnaval to experience the music, dance and revelry that pack so many calendar nights. Given the country’s innumerable charms, the only drawback to traveling in Brazil is a logistical (and financial) one: you simply won’t want to leave.

Brazil Travel Information and Travel Guide - Lonely Planet: