Global Travel Writers: Articles http://www.globaltravelwriters.com/ Global Travel Writers en Global Travel Writers: Articles http://www.globaltravelwriters.com/EXT:tt_news/ext_icon.gif http://www.globaltravelwriters.com/ Global Travel Writers TYPO3 - get.content.right http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Tue, 14 Jun 2011 05:50:00 -0400 Chitwan - Watch out for Crocodiles! http://www.globaltravelwriters.com/articles/category/eco-tourism/article/chitwan-watch-out-for-crocodiles/ Nepal’s Chitwan National Park preserves a tract of lowland forest – tiger, rhinoceros and elephant... Gliding through the mists in a dugout canoe… the monsoonal jungle fringing the riverbank stands motionless. The only sounds are bird calls and the rhythmic slopping of the water beneath us. Then a dull thump – and Hari, the guide standing in the prow, gestures urgently to the fellow poling from the back. Get back! We have slid right over a mugger crocodile, which, fortunately for us, hasn’t reacted to the intrusion.

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]]> Philip Game Nepal Eco-tourism Adventure Travel Nature and Wildlife By: Philip Game Wed, 20 Apr 2011 01:00:00 -0400 White Nights with the White Thai http://www.globaltravelwriters.com/articles/category/eco-tourism/article/white-nights-with-the-white-thai/ Unlike their mother, Ba Vuong’s five daughters never need submit to the ordeal of teeth blackening.... Unlike their mother, Ba Vuong’s five daughters never need submit to the ordeal of teeth blackening.  The White Thai matriarch seems sanguine about the past as she tallies the dollars flowing in from foreign guests who sleep over in her solidly-built longhouse amidst the rice paddies near Mai Chau in hill country southwest of Hanoi. If visitors take for granted Ba Vuong’s flush toilets and showers – mandated by the government – they do relish the nightly folk dance performance by the young women of the village troupe, richly costumed in black, white and royal blue.  A night spent under a mosquito net in the longhouse offers a welcome contrast from the air-conditioned chill of urban lodgings, even if the cotton mattress does little to soften a floor of split bamboo.  

]]> Philip Game Vietnam Adventure Travel Eco-tourism By: Philip Game Wed, 09 Feb 2011 19:40:00 -0500 The Asiatic Lion - saved http://www.globaltravelwriters.com/articles/category/eco-tourism/article/the-asiatic-lion-saved/ India's Sasan Gir National Park India's Sasan Gir National Park is the last remaining lair of the impressive (OK, maybe even majestic) Asiatic Lion. With the 2010 census indicating that lion numbers had risen to over 400 - up from just 177 ten years ago - the species appears to have been saved. Now, the Indian government has just announced plans to expand the already huge Sasan Gir Park. See image preview: http://www.photographersdirect.com/simmons/search.asp?lb=13356

]]> Graham Simmons India Gujarat Eco-tourism Destination Travel Nature and Wildlife Safaris By: Graham Simmons Tue, 08 Feb 2011 05:51:00 -0500 A taste of Taveuni http://www.globaltravelwriters.com/articles/category/eco-tourism/article/a-taste-of-taveuni/ Taveuni Island, straddling the International Date Line, is a lush getaway http://www.globaltravelwriters.com/uploads/pics/67988-082.jpg  In an attempt to get away from Fiji’s image as simply a place to vegetate, the lush-green northern island of Taveuni, straddling the International Date Line, has been working on a full-scale eco-tourism program. One of the country’s first national parks, Bouma National Heritage Park incorporates  both the stunning Lavena Coastal Walk and the Waitabu Marine Reserve. On the eastern side of the island, Rainbow Reef affords some of the world’s most colourful diving.

]]> Graham Simmons Fiji Beach Holidays Boats and Yachting Cultural Travel Eco-tourism Family Holidays Islands Nature and Wildlife Resorts & Retreats By: Graham Simmons Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:22:00 -0500 Edge of the Kingdom http://www.globaltravelwriters.com/articles/category/eco-tourism/article/edge-of-the-kingdom/ Thomas E King journeys from the Thai island of Koh Samui, in the south of the country, to Chiang... http://www.globaltravelwriters.com/fileadmin/templates/gtw/files/gallery/thomas-e-king/Edge_of_the_Kingdom_5a.jpg

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If Koh Samui’s powder sand beaches and secluded bays dotted with sun-bleached rock formations are not enough then there are jungle covered mountains concealing waterfalls and cool rock pools, exotic butterflies, wild orchids and gigantic ferns. Millions of swaying coconut palms are indeed a cordial greeting, but the centrepiece of this 80-island archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand offers much more. 

The allure of the pocket-sized island of Koh Samui is strong, but more temptations await in Thailand's far north west, in the province of Chiang Rai. This highly fertile area has a history as a leading opium producer. The Thai Government, in a concerted move to  stop the practice, has curtailed poppy cultivation and instituted programs to teach hill tribe people new ways to earn their livelihoods  The scheme has worked well. An increasing number of tourists arrive each year, lured by the legacy of the region’s notorious past, its true scenic beauty and the distinct hill tribes of northern Thailand. 

Standing on the Thai soil of a steep hill overlooking this small outpost at the very apex of the Golden Triangle I gazed out and over the mighty Mekong.  On my left was mysterious Myanmar.  On my right was even more enigmatic Laos.  I had finally reached the edge of the Kingdom.

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]]> Thomas E King Thailand Adventure Travel Beach Holidays Cultural Travel Destination Travel Eco-tourism Islands By: Thomas E King Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:52:00 -0500 Dingo: Have passport, can travel http://www.globaltravelwriters.com/articles/category/eco-tourism/article/dingo-have-passport-can-travel/ Cunning dingoes roam Fraser Island, in southern Queensland, often getting just a little too close... Flopping into the gin clear water of Lake Mackenzie, the cool fresh water eased the swelling in my overheated feet. Midway through a 25km walk on Fraser Island, I wondered if we had underestimated the challenge of this trek, as we’re now weary, hot, hungry and somewhat reluctant to carry on. We lolled in the turquoise shallows beneath a cloudless blue sky. Watching a dingo trot casually out of the forest and onto the sand I was relieved that we had hung our backpacks containing lunch in a tree before we collapsed into the water.

Fraser Island has one of eastern Australia’s purest populations of wild dingoes, which, with the influx of tourists, are losing their natural fear of humans. Scavenging for food scraps has become increasingly troublesome behaviour for these cunning carnivores. Nearby, others had also noticed the dingo, amused as it idly sniffed through piles of belongings on the beach. Abruptly the dingo snatched a string bag in its teeth, bounded up the beach and disappeared into the bush with it.

“Hey that’s my bag,” one of the girls further out in the lake cried out in a German accent, while others in the group  laughingly captured the dingo’s fleeing rear end on their cameras. “It’s got my passport in it!” she shrieked, as she bolted up the beach, waving her arms in pursuit of the fleet footed dingo.

Retreating to the comfort of Kingfisher Bay Lodge many hours later, my feet resemble bleeding stumps inside my inadequate shoes. Though these wounds will heal in time, I can’t help thinking of the troubles in store for a German tourist trying to explain to disbelieving authorities that a dingo stole her passport. Sounds suspiciously like the old ‘dog ate my homework’ line. Guileful as they are, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if I saw one crafty dingo at the airport trying to board a plane to Berlin.

Looking for a humourous piece with a little tongue in cheek? Commission this piece by Fiona Harper which can run to around 600 - 800 words. Images are available.  www.pbase.com/fionaharper/fraserisland

]]> Fiona Harper Australia Queensland Beach Holidays Eco-tourism Family Holidays Islands Adventure Travel Nature and Wildlife Short Fillers By: Fiona Harper Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:55:00 -0500 Sacred Forests of Savannakhet http://www.globaltravelwriters.com/articles/category/eco-tourism/article/sacred-forests-of-savannakhet/ Never let a beetle piss in your eye, warns Philip Game Dong Natad, the Sacred Forest revered by the people of the sleepy Lao city of Savannakhet, is not exactly the heart of darkness, but there are wondrous things to see – or to avoid – with the help of forest-wise guides, employed through a newly-established ‘eco-trek’ program. We falang (foreigners) are escorted into the forest by the petite Ms Sinakhone Sengphalichanh – “you can call me Nicky” – from the provincial tourism bureau, and Mr Soda Chanla, a member of one of the local forest-dwelling minority peoples.  Before long, the seemingly monotonous forest stretching either side of a puddled track resolves into a medley of individual specks of life. To prove the point, Soda grabs a passing scorpion and eats it – live – with gusto. But, he warns us, never let a beetle piss in your eye!  

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]]> Philip Game Laos Eco-tourism Destination Travel By: Philip Game Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:55:00 -0400 My island home http://www.globaltravelwriters.com/articles/category/eco-tourism/article/my-island-home/ Often overlooked by their media tart cousins, the Whitsunday Islands, Fiona Harper explores some of... Christine Anu comes from the saltwater people and sings about her island home, growing up in a small beachfront community in the Torres Strait.  But it’s not necessary for you to venture that far to escape the ever-increasing crowds at popular island destinations.  Perhaps you’re looking for a simple little piece of paradise in a world becoming ever more technical and complicated?  Perhaps you’d like to slow down and actually smell those roses?  Or sniff the salty scent of the sea at dawn.  To awake beneath a forest canopy and listen as the wildlife erupts into its own operatic chorus.  Perhaps then you’re tempted to enjoy the carefree life of a castaway on an island?

Daniel Defoe wrote a fictional autobiography based on an English castaway named Robinson Crusoe, who spent 28 years on a remote tropical island.  So, while you probably don’t have 28 years to spare, possibly you do have a week or so to meld into an island existence.  Where days revolve around the setting of the sun and the rising of the tide.  Where evenings are spent beneath the stars watching clouds skitter across the moon.  Where shoes are discarded and the only footprints on the beach are likely to be your own.

Contact Fiona Harper if you'd like to commission this article. Images are available.

www.fionaharper.com.au

]]> Fiona Harper Australia Queensland Beach Holidays Boats and Yachting Cruising Adventure Travel Destination Travel Eco-tourism Family Holidays By: Fiona Harper Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:56:00 -0400 Aground off the Pilbara coast http://www.globaltravelwriters.com/articles/category/eco-tourism/article/aground-off-the-pilbara-coast/ Long distance cruising onboard a yacht can be a leisurely, personally satisfying lifestyle. Until... Living onboard a cruising yacht is a remarkably satisfying experience, offering the rare opportunity to be totally self-supporting. Daily life revolves around keeping the ship safe, the complex essential systems operating and the yacht moving towards its destination. Oh, and there’s plenty of sundowners on arrival, usually beneath an unashamedly scarlet sky as the sun disappears over the horizon. Arriving at an anchorage late afternoon, its not unusual to run into cruising buddies who we may not have seen for months, but who immediately invite us to join them on the beach to share a cold beer or two as soon as our anchor is down and secure.

But there is a frustratingly accurate saying amongst these same yachties: there are those who have run aground and those who soon will. As I found out just a few months into our Australian circumnavigation.....

Please contact Fiona Harper to commission this article or others along a yachting theme. Images are available.

]]> Fiona Harper Australia Western Australia Adventure Travel Cruising Eco-tourism Islands Nature and Wildlife Photo Essays Safaris By: Fiona Harper Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:07:00 -0400 Mahouts' Course http://www.globaltravelwriters.com/articles/category/eco-tourism/article/mahouts-course/ There is no elegant way to climb up onto an elephant. Tricia Welsh learns this at a mahout’s course... There is no elegant way to climb up onto an elephant. Tricia Welsh learns this very quickly after many unladylike attempts and several hours of instruction at a mahout’s course in Northern Thailand.

The course is run by the elephant camp at Anantara Resort and Spa in the Golden Triangle near Chiang Rai. It is home to 34 elephants and is set up like a traditional mahouts’ village that used to exist in the hills of Northern Thailand when most of Thailand’s elephants were employed in the logging industry. The Thai Government set up the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre (TECC) to ensure the well-being of elephants; the camp at Anantara is the northern extension of the TECC and offers guests a great chance to get to know these massive pachyderms

]]> Tricia Welsh Thailand Adventure Travel Cultural Travel Destination Travel Eco-tourism Family Holidays Nature and Wildlife Photo Essays Resorts & Retreats By: Tricia Welsh Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:50:00 -0400