My World Trip

Travel in the Pacific

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:48:51 +0000

The name Pacific, which means peaceful, was given by the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan to Pacific Ocean in 1520. It is largest and deepest of the world’s five oceans, comprises of a third of the earth’s surface and has more than half of the world’s water. The part north of the equator is called the North Pacific and the part south of the equator, the South Pacific. On its east are the North and South American continents, on the north the Bering Strait, on the west, Asia, the Malay Archipelago, and Australia, and on the south the Southern Ocean.

Travel in Australia

Known as the world’s biggest island, and its smallest continent, Australia is an icon that is known worldwide for its travel. This is a host of many different things, you can find that English is spoken, the atmosphere is perfectly civilized, somewhere that you can find lots of beer drinking going on, a place where the chance to earn money, and lots to see between there and your home. Many of these are reason that Australia has become so popular and is considered such a great place to travel. However, before you jump right into planning a trip, there are a few things you should know before going. The first is that the area is large, so to see everything on your trip can be rather expensive since the cost of travel will definitely add up. For instance, if you make it to Alice Springs, which is a great attraction, consider that to get to Ayres Rock, it is actually the distance from London to Edinburgh. In other words, it’s quite the distance. Secondly, you’ll want to consider that this is a highly established backpacker network, which does make things much easier, but keep in mind that there are very tight regulations that may make it hard to have any type of real adventure. Finally, you’ll need to realize that this area is highly developed, so traveling and living at a cheap price like you may be able to do in other parts of Asia is simply impossible. Before you plan your trip, make sure that you have the cash to back up your experience, and make it a trip that allows you to see all you want to see.

Costs: US $45-$60 per day

Travel in New Zealand

Many have the idea that New Zealand beats Australia out as a great backpacking destination. The area is known to be smaller, cheaper and also prettier. Although this country is well developed, it is still fairly cheap and is also one of the most beautiful places in the world. When looking for outdoor activities, it is much cheaper than it would be to do the same things in Australia, and there are also more options. You’ll find that you’ll be able to have oxygen assisted skydive, or even go white water rafting on your trip. There are opinions that it may be a little touristy, and that the North Island may be lacking in some ways. Overall, the scenery, especially in the Fiord lands makes up for everything.

Costs: US $45-$50 per day

Travel the Middle East

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:14:09 +0000

The Middle East is a subcontinent, which includes many areas: Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, and the Palestinian territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The Middle East has a climate that is arid to semi-arid, and prone to drought. There are also forests and fertile valleys in the Middle East, as well as grasslands, rangelands, deserts, and mountains. Due to fast growing population there is a shortage of water, causing major problems in their countries. Nile and the Euphrates are sources of water for agriculture in these areas.
The area of the Middle East is spread over 2.8 million square miles with a population of about 292 million. The early origins of civilization are said to be in the Middle East. Around 8000 BC, agriculture began which resulted into the first settled communities. World’s major religions like Christianity, Islam and Judaism have origins in the Middle East. Middle East is today a strategically, economically, politically, culturally, and religiously sensitive region.
Population of the Middle East increased substantially in the last half century due to modern medicine and advanced agricultural techniques. The economic growth rate was high through the mid-1990s with an average annual rate of 2.4 percent.
Different nations of Middle East have different economic structures. Some like Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait are interested in the export of only oil and oil-related products. Others like Egypt have a broader economic base. Other industries in the Middle East are agriculture, cotton, cattle, dairy, textiles, leather products, surgical instruments and defence equipment. Tourism has a potential in this area, but is under developed due to political sensitivity of the region.

Travel in Africa

admin — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:13:32 +0000

Africa, the second biggest continent on Earth, has the Atlantic Ocean on the West, the Indian Ocean on the East, the Mediterranean Sea on the South, and the Red Sea on the Northeast. It has the Nile, famously known as the world’s longest river, as well as the world’s largest desert, the Sahara. The 53 countries of Africa have an area of almost 1.2 million Sq miles; 20.2% of the earth’s land with almost 877 million people.
Mankind evolved as we are today about a hundred thousand years ago in Eastern and Southern Africa. These Stone Age humans made tools such as hooks and needles from bone, and also made precise stone blades. The stone blades were used as scrapers and knives, or fixed sticks to become spears or arrows. They began to move out of Africa into the Middle East, Europe, Central Asia, and the rest of the world.
Most of the inhabitants of Africa are indigenous people of diverse cultures. They speak different languages, as well as having hundreds of different religions, and livelihoods. Arabs have been the earliest immigrants in the 7th century AD when they entered into Africa from the Middle East. They brought Islam with them. Europeans first arrived in Africa in the 17th century near the Cape of Good Hope.
Most of Africa’s population is known to be rural. Barring a few crops, like cacao and peanuts, agricultural production is low. Africa produces three fourths of the world’s cocoa beans and about one third of its peanuts. Also, Africa is rich in precious minerals such as diamonds. It has oil, gas, and phosphate deposits. Manufacturing industry exists mainly in South Africa as well as in North Africa, also Egypt and Algeria. It has a huge potential for hydroelectric power but it is hardly utilized like it could be. Africa’s coastline has also not been developed to the extent possible for movement of large ships, but most likely someday will be.

Travel in Asia

admin — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 05:11:35 +0000

This area is one of the largest in the world, being that Asia covers almost nine percent of the Earth’s surface. It is the world’s largest and most populous continent with over four billion people being more than 60% of the world’s population. Asia lies in the east of the Suez Canal, East of the Ural Mountains, and South of the Caucasus Mountains and the Caspian and Black Seas. On its East is the Pacific Ocean, on the South side lies the Indian Ocean, and on the North the Arctic Ocean. The continent spawns about 17 million sq miles taking up about a third of Earth’s Land.
As the continent is huge, its not surprise that several different civilizations live there. The people of Asia live in high population density especially in the southeast of Asia. Population densities are low in the northern, interior, and in most parts of Southwest Asia. In Siberia, people live primarily along the Trans-Siberian Railroad.
After North America and Europe, Asia has the third largest GDP in the world. China is the largest economy in GDP terms followed by India, Japan and South Korea. China and India have been growing rapidly since late 1990s, with an average annual growth rate of more than eight percent with Philippines, Pakistan, and mineral-rich nations such as Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Brunei and Middle East nations following them, but not reaching Asia’s extent of growth.

Travel in India

This area is known to be the epitome of Asia and all travel in the area. There is a saying that you either love it, or you hate it, with no in between. There is much that India has to offer both on, and off the tourist trail. English is spoken in this area; tourists will find it both culturally and historically fascinating. You’ll find good transport offered, and overall the area is just plain brilliant. There is so much to see that you’ll need to slow yourself down, taking small steps so that you’re sure you won’t miss anything. One of the beautiful things about India is that it is one of the few places that you will still get a culture shock and a sensual overload from when you visit. It can be hard to explain why a place that is so dirty, hot, and full of hassle can have such an appeal to tourists. The simple answer to this is that for these very reasons, the area is a magnet. A tourist can’t visit a place like this without there being an effect on the individual. Try to minimize the negative effect of travel in India by picking a small route, or perhaps a cooler time of the year to travel. India is always very cheap, but is always more expensive for a tourist. There are areas to visit that are much less crowded than the northern cities, like Goa and Kerala. Travel to India can be found easily and the airfare is normally fair. Take the time to look into getting a double entry visa so that you will be able to travel to Nepal while you are there, giving you a break from the normal path.

Average Daily Cost: US $20- $35

Travel in Nepal

As far as the scenery is concerned, this is one of the most memorable places on earth to visit. The atmosphere is known to be friendly, cheap, and laid back, especially in comparison to India. With this said, the area is still very busy with tourists, and is by no means a quiet place. Nepal can be found at its worst in places like Katmandu and Pokhara, which are known to be the biggest tourist areas. Trekking in Nepal can bring out the best experience that the area has to offer. Trekking is known to be easy and comfortable in the area, with beautiful scenery to go along with it. Of course you’ll need to set aside a set amount of time to go trekking, which can turn some off from the experience. If you have the time, which requires about 14 days, put it aside to have this memorable experience, it is known to be one of the highlights of world travel. With Nepal’s natural beauty, all you really need is time to discover all the beautiful deserted areas to explore, like the national parks in the southwest, or the different versions of week long rafting trips that are available.

Average Daily Cost: US $20- $50/day, Cost depends on if you plan to Trek

Travel in China

Widely known as the most populous country on earth, China encapsulates much of the mystique of the East. This area is a huge pull on any tourist that plans to go to Asia. There are some great attractions, but generally speaking China is far from remote at having must see places to visit. As the third most visited country in the world, you’d think that this would be the opposite of true. The truth of the matter is that many of the historically famous sites have been destroyed long ago, or show no attention to preservation. Residents of the area are generally less than helpful, and you’ll often find that you will run into language barriers. Keep in mind that no matter what the difficulties in Asian travel, they will present themselves fivefold in China. Things that would be thought to be simple, like buying a train ticket, can be made into a major project.

Be careful in planning your trip to China, because you can definitely be let down if you expect too much out of the trip. Make sure that you make decisions about your itinerary, because there is no way to see it all on just one trip. Along with many of the other destinations listed on this page, China is incredibly hard to summarize accurately. Many who study China will note that at the heart of it all, it is an extraordinary and beautiful place with lakes, forests and deserts that harbor spots of great tranquility and remoteness. Sadly, things that can be done to spoil its beauty are sometimes well underway, projects involving the industry, concrete; building and even litter are very much in the way. It can be said that it isn’t like this everywhere in China, and that honestly it’s all part of the China experience, and is looked at as part of the culture in the area. When you think about it, traveling is much about being excited about experiencing the differences in cultures, which is something that is a real highlight in a trip to China. If you have the time, get out of the Eastern cities, and travel to the Western areas, where you will find some stunning sights.

Average Daily Cost: US $30- $50

Travel in Japan

A common misconception is thinking that if you have eaten Sushi, or owned anything made by Sony, that you know something about Japan or the Japanese. Because of this type of thinking, there are many myths about Japan, and very few of them are actually true.

Most commonly held misconceptions that effect travel is that traveling to this area is difficult, and also that Japan is famously expensive. As far as travel is concerned, it is just as easy as it would be in any other developed country, which means that there is free tourist literature, as well as signs in English. This makes it much easier than many other destinations like China, Russia, or many other places in Europe. When taking cost into consideration, it is actually more expensive to live in Japan than it is to travel to the area. The prices in the area aren’t considered a bargain, but it is definitely in the range of being affordable. Some of the attractions that you can expect are simple things like rorn beer and hot tea can be found in cans in vending machines. There are things called love hotels, and mega cities, you’ll find the girl at the fast food chain bowing to you, along with toilets with remote controls. You’ll pass Mount Fuji in a bullet train; see skiing resorts as well as tropical beaches, places that serve amazing food and much more. Needless to say, Japan is not a place that you want to miss just because you’d like to save a few hundred dollars.

All you really need is a little cash, care and a rail pass amazing food and much more. Needless to say, Japan is not a place that you want to miss just because you’d like to save a few hundred dollars. All you really need is a little cash; care and a rail pass to truly experience one of the highlights of Asia and world travel. It can be very easy to include on many of the different round the world tickets that are offered.

Average Daily Costs: US $75- $100

Travel in Indonesia

Although this area is quite a large one to explore, many tourists stick to focusing on only small parts. The Islands that are offered are extremely varied in scenery, some with volcanoes, and others with idyllic beaches and desert. This is considered one of the most rewarding of all Asian destinations. There are around 17.500 islands, which is the world’s largest archipelago. This sounds beautiful I’m sure, but by taking too little time and being overwhelmed, it can ruin your trip which you won’t want to have happen. Try not to race too much between the islands, since the roads prove to be very bad, and the drivers are even worse

Average Daily Cost: US $20- $30

Travel in Singapore

You’ll find that this area is really used more as a transit zone for backpackers who are on their way to be beaches of Thailand, Malaysia, or Australia. Compared to the rest of Asia, it is actually quite a bizarre place, cars actually use their indicators and stop at crossings which is rare to find elsewhere! You won’t find any of the mayhem that can make traveling interesting, as well as stressful. By neighboring country standards, it can be considered rather expensive, but is still cheaper than Japan, Australia or Korea. For its size, you’ll find that there are still many things to do, but since it is such a small place that after a few days you’ll probably want to move on. What strikes most tourists the most is the combination of Chinese, Malay and Indian traditions that have seemed to blend into the city. There are places in town that you’ll be able to find a market stall that offers noodles like the ones you’d find in Vietnam, and in other parts of town you’ll find Indian temples like those in madras. Towards the evening, you’re able to have high tea in the best British fashion, with starched linen table cloths and gilding waters. So to sum it all up, if you are looking for an experience that will give you the feel of “it’s a small world”, then this is definitely your place.

Average Daily Costs: US $35- $50

Thailand

Most discover this area by first coming as a backpacker, and will never forget just how easy it is to have a good time. The Thais are known to be friendly and fun loving, and of course the beautiful beaches don’t hurt at all. For those who are traveling alone, which happens quite a bit, you’ll find that feelings of being lonely or out of place will soon be replaced by having a fantastic time. Thailand is a place that you’ll find has huge appeal, but has grown to be increasing crowded, and some consider cheesy at times. If you are to stay on the tourist trail, English is never a problem to find, travel comes easily and relaxing is found amongst many of the great beaches and thousands of great bars that Thailand has to offer.

Don’t forget that there is much to discover in this area apart from the beaches. It is extremely easy to get around in this area, so there is really no excuse not to take the time to explore and be tempted by the “full moon parties” and neighboring countries. If you like to avoid the crowds, then don’t take the Khaosan road in Bangkok, and also don’t take the time to visit Chang Mai, or many of the other well known islands or beaches. You’ll want to instead check out the ruins and national parks. If you are nervous about setting out on a trip to see the world, then Thailand is known to be the best place to start.

Average Daily Costs: US$25- $40

Travel in Vietnam

Who wouldn’t want to travel to Vietnam after hearing so much about the area, and seeing it so many times in different movies? Be careful when planning your trip, because what this area actually has to offer is much different from the typical expectation. This area is full of backpacker crowds, and offers many package tours, which all run through the same tourist trail. This makes if very difficult to get away from the trail, since the country is so thin. The attractions are known to be less than spectacular, but it is a great place to relax and have a good time. You may find yourself feeling like you’re part of a production line since travel is so easy, and many are cheap pre-arranged tours that can lead you to the places you want to go. Be mindful of different attempts to rip you off, as well as the sounds of opera blasting from helicopters and the smell of napalm in the morning, and of course, many tourists right there with you.

Average Daily Costs: US $20- $40

Travel in South America

admin — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 05:10:57 +0000

The fourth largest continent in the world, South America comprises of twelve countries. It is home to the huge Amazon River, as well as the largest tropical rain forest in the world, and Andes Mountains along the length of the continent. On the west is the Pacific Ocean as well as on the North and East is the Atlantic Ocean. To its northwest lie North America and the Caribbean Sea. South America is an area of almost 6.9 million square miles; it has 12% of the earth’s land with nearly 379 million people. South America has the fifth largest population in the world.
It was first inhabited by people crossing the Bering Land Bridge, which is now known as the Bering Strait. Earliest agricultural production in South America was in 6500 BC, with potatoes, chillies and beans cultivated in the highlands of the Amazon Basin. Manioc, which remains a staple foodstuff today, was being cultivated as early as 2000 BC. Fishing took place along the coast to make fish as a major source of food. The Irrigation systems that were developed supported the rise of an Agrarian society.
Due to histories of high inflation in nearly all South American countries, interest-rates remain high and investment low. On average, interest rates are about 22% in Venezuela and 23% in Suriname. The exception is Chile, which has been implementing free market economic policies since seventies and increased its social spending since the return of democratic rule in the early nineties. This brought economic stability and reduced interest rates to low single digits.
South America depends on the exports of goods and natural resources to make it successful. On an exchange rate basis, Brazil leads with exports at $138 billion dollar’s followed by Chile at 58 billion and Argentina with 46 billion. The economic gap between the rich and poor in most South American nations is larger than in most other continents. In Venezuela, Paraguay, Bolivia as well as many other South American countries, the richest twenty percent own over sixty percent of the nation’s wealth, while the poorest twenty percent own less than five percent. This is testified in large South American cities where shacks and slums exist next to skyscrapers and luxury apartments.

Travel in Brazil

This area is known to be a pretty western country. It’s a place that is easy to travel and have a great time. Travelers can also find some of the world’s most beautiful scenery, especially along its southern coast. The jungle regions may disappoint since the prices are high and most of the tours offered aren’t likely to have you seeing wood for trees as they say. All of the trips of this nature mostly focus on flora and not fauna. Trips to the Pan Anal, or the Wet Land areas, are far more worthwhile. It can still be quite the tourist experience, costs are still comparatively high and there are more than a few stories running around of cheap tours turning into a complete disaster.

What really sets Brazil apart is that unlike the rest of South America it is fairly void of tourists, since they are scared off by the distances and stick mainly to the run to Bolivia and Argentina. Keep in mind that English or Spanish are rarely spoken in this area, and that day to day living costs are much higher than they would be in Argentina or Peru, or anywhere else south of the USA for that matter. So, generally speaking as great as Brazil can be, don’t have any illusions of a bargain travel, or a place that you can speak English freely. If you’re looking to hit the big cities or stay at a great beach it can be very pricy, sometimes more than 100R, or more than US $50.00 a day. If you do speak Portuguese, and would like to avoid crime and being disposed to the beach life, then you could very well have a great time in Brazil.

Costs US $30- $45 per day

Travel in Bolivia

This are is the poorest, and from an independent traveler’s budget, the best as far as cost goes of all the South American nations. Bolivia is well known, and is generally very busy with backpackers who come for a cheaper stay than what they would find in other regions of the area. There is much diversity to see, inducing the history, amazing scenery, reasonable trekking opportunities and a hugely accessible jungle. This Tibet of the Americas is as popular as the Asian original since Bolivia is the most indigenous country on the continent, with more than 50% of the population maintaining traditional values and beliefs.

This area does have its downside also that is worth noting. The countries road system is terrible due in part to the topography, and partly to the lack of maintenance. This can make long trips in the area somewhat unpleasant, and there is no established budget airline network. To avoid such journeys and fly can become quite pricey for this reason. You’ll also find that it is worth about a month of your time and a few Spanish lessons, other than that, don’t expect to have anything to yourself except the remotest jungle.

Cost: US$15- $30 per day

Travel in Chile

The flight to Santiago is beautiful, where you are able to see mountains and the ocean both at one quick glance. Like Brazil, Chile is far from a budget destination. Spanish is spoken, but at a very rapid rate and to a beginner it can be quite hard to understand. If you are looking to go north once you land in Santiago, you may be disappointed since this is a vast and uninteresting region that turns into the visually stunning altiplane at the border of Bolivia. If you are more of an outside personality, then you’ll want to head south to the Lake District to Patagonia, where the weather is beautiful. Getting to this area does cause problems since it requires a flight, or even a long bus ride. This area is known to be a large outdoor destination, with beautiful national parks that leave travelers breathless. There are also opportunities to ski at great value resorts.

Costs: US $40- $60 per day

Travel in Colombia

Downsides to Colombia are well known, it is a dangerous area. There are large sections of this are that are controlled by very nasty and unpredictable revel groups. Generally there are large amounts of kidnapping incidents that are reported. This is a figure that increases as cocaine looses its popularity in the US and drug lords look for other revenue streams. Statically speaking, 70% of the world’s kidnappings take place in Colombia.

A better side to Colombia is that it is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and is mostly vacant of tourists. More often than not, travelers debate long and hard about visiting this area, mostly finding only negative comments on the internet. There are some that make the decision to go and normally come back with the opinion that Colombia shouldn’t be missed. You’ll want to stay on the beaten path in this are, if you are flying or sailing to Cartagena and traveling to Ecuador, then you are not likely to have any problems other than the theft rate. Try to leave your bags somewhere and travel lightly keeping your belongings in a day sac so that they can be near you at all times. Colombia in places is spectacular – take care and enjoy.

Costs: US $30- $40 per day

Travel in Peru

This are is the home of the Incas, Machu Picchu, and the amazing sacred valley. Peru is the image of South America that most people bring to mind. Machu Picchu is somewhere that everyone will want to see. There is certainly a lot to see, but most ancient sights, if not destroyed by the Incas where finished off by the Spanish. What is left outside of Machu Picchu and Nasca can be a little dull unless you specialize in archaeologist. Peru is a huge country, which means two things, first that you will have to go great distances to see things. Secondly you have Spanish knowledge, then there are many different things that you’ll be able to explore off the beaten track like jungle river trips, or great treks. All places there are different, Cusco for instance can take up a week of your time, where Lima is not overly interesting, and good cheap food can be hard to come by.

Costs US $35- $45 per day

Travel in Argentina

Just recently travel in Argentina changed for the budget traveler. This are went from being prohibitively expensive to very cheap. This change came with the devaluation of the US dollar pegged Peso. Now, Argentina finds itself with the worst of the economic crisis, Argentina is a bargain when comparing it to places like Brazil. Coupled with the cost being low, Argentina is a very likable place. Buenos Aires is known to be a fairly laid back city, which is big enough to escape the crowds that can be overwhelming. Countrywide, there is a well known traveler’s network, and this area is stunningly beautiful with huge variations. Even the Spanish language sounds gorgeous here!

Costs: US $30- $45 per day

Travel in Central America

admin — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 05:09:59 +0000

Central America is known as the landmass that connects North and South America. It includes seven countries as well as many small islands. The land is fertile, rugged, and has volcanic mountain ranges, some of which are active. Central America has about 41.1 million people. It extends from the southern border of Mexico to North Western Colombia, South America.
Central America, an unstable portion of the earth’s crust, is on the western edge of the Caribbean plate. Subduct ion of oceanic crust beneath this edge about 25 million years ago formed a peninsula and archipelago. Many years later, about three million years ago, the scattered islands joined to form a land bridge linking North and South America.
Central America has at least 14 active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, had an earthquake in 1972, which left 10,000 dead. In 1976 some 25,000 people were killed in an earthquake registering 7.5 on the Richter scale in the Motagua. This lead to a great depression in Guatemala leaving 25 percent of the country’s population homeless.
The area between Mexico and Colombia had a large Mayan population. The Maya civilization originated in the highlands of Guatemala reached its peak between fourth and tenth centuries in what are now northern Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, and Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Maya civilization’s influence was widespread in artistic and scientific achievements which were superior to contemporary Europeans. The influence of the Mayan culture on the lifestyles of many Central Americans is visible in the northern and Western areas, while the Spanish culture is prevalent in the rest of the region. Native American cultures like the Mayan and Cumin Indians exist as do some Blacks along the Caribbean coast.
Most of the inhabitants of Central America live on the Pacific side. On the rainy, forested Caribbean slope and coast you’ll find that the area is sparsely settled. The countries of Central America have relatively undeveloped economies in which agriculture is the major sector. Manufacturing largely involved processing raw materials. The result is that the annual per capita income is generally low.

Travel in Mexico

Va Mexico! An area known to be huge and has a lot to offer, there are many popular places here. From Cancun to Oaxaca and Porto Escondido, you’ll find true beauty in this area. Mexico’s size has two different effects on travelers, one good, the other not so good. The good aspect is that because of the size of this area, you can find many gem areas that you’ll have completely to yourself, in addition to the fact that they are many great things to do and see without having to look very far. The downside is that you’ll have to spend many hours on buses to get to the spot you’d like to be, and this cost can seriously mount up. For example, it is a six hour journey from Mexico City, to Oaxaca. On a premier bus it would blow your daily budget for almost any traveler. You can also travel on local buses, although the accommodations aren’t as nice, it is much cheaper. You’ll often hear backpackers from the USA complain about how expensive Mexico is, although it’s really not quite as expensive compared to the super power to the north. You’ll find that it is much more expensive than the rest of Central America. There are many hot spots that draw a great amount of tourists, like Cancun, which is nearer to Miami than Mexico City is, and has many daily direct charter flights from Europe.

Costs: US $25-$35 daily

Travel in Costa Rica

Well known as a travel and tourist destination, Costa Rica is actually translated in to Rich Coast. Travelers often find more often that not that it is over rated as a country. This is not to say that it isn’t an interesting destination, but refers more to the fact that it is over crowded, extremely pricey, and the sights that are offered there can also be seen at other spots in the world. Costa Rica has been found to be so popular for many different reasons. They have a democracy, which means that it is a peaceful and calm place to travel. Also, the spot is highly marketed which helps more and more tourists want to visit every year. Many who want to see this region take advantage of it because many other areas nearby may seem too dangerous. Because of this, many tourists come from North America, and bring lots of money with them. This affects the inflating prices and also increasing tourist crime. There are some who actually think that they will see a large amount of wildlife when they visit, but really the best place to see large amounts is just the same as anywhere else, in the zoo. All that aside, there are real reasons that you may still want to go to Costa Rica. The country is definitely beautiful, and has easy access to both coasts which can’t often be found in Central America. Although the costs can be high, it is because the area has quality places to stay and eat, and like many places there are always supermarkets so that you’re able to reduce the cost of eating on your trip.

Costs US $30- $40 per day, excluding tours and activities

Travel in Nicaragua

More than just a lake? Nicaragua gets more than its fair share of travelers compared with what is has to offer due to its proximity to Costa Rica. It is home to towns like Granada, which is quite pleasant although nothing too special happens there. They happen to be hives of activity is always full of budget travelers. Granada for example picks up on the Central American trail, where the Bay Islands in Honduras leaves off. He main sights in this area are towns like Granada and Leon, along with several volcanoes that can be found nearby. Lago De Nicaragua, or the lake, is another big tourist attraction. Geographically and biologically speaking the lakes contents are very interesting, but Ometepe, the larges and by far most visited island can’t hold anyone’s attention for very long aside from it being very beautiful. The lake is often found to be rough, and on the island itself mountain biking is the biggest activity, although many find it much too hot to even do this. Public transport is quite time consuming, so make sure that you have a few days to really take in Ometepe. The route through Leon, Granada and Ometepe is the post popular and is worth stopping in at. Elsewhere in the area there are many other destinations that can be difficult to reach since they are off the tourist trail. The Corn Islands are a great example of this. They are off the beaten track, and there is not much to see once you get there unless you just want to relax. At that rate, there are much easier spots to find that are far more impressive to relax in, like Costa Rica and Honduras. In the end, you’ll find that the people are nice, and the region is still very pretty.

Cost: US $20- $20 per day

Travel in North America

admin — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 05:09:25 +0000

North America lies in the Northern and Western hemispheres. On its north side is the Arctic Ocean, on the East the North Atlantic Ocean, while on the Southeast the Caribbean Sea, and on the south and west the North Pacific Ocean. It has an area of about 9.5 million sq. miles which is almost five percent of the earth’s surface, or approximately a sixth of its land area. North America has nearly 524 million people. After Asia and Africa it is the largest continent in the world and fourth largest in population.
Most of North America is on the North American Tectonic Plate of the earth’s crust. It was once joined to Europe and Africa, before it separated about 170 million years ago. As North America drifted west, the plate underlying the Pacific Ocean thrust under the North American plate, causing folding, which created high mountains along the western coast that are so well known in today’s geography.
The first inhabitants of North America were of Asian origin that crossed over to Alaska from North East Asia twenty thousand years ago. European discovery and settlement of North America began in the 10th century. Christopher Columbus’s exploration established English claims to the continent. Spanish and French expeditions also explored much of North America.
North America was hardly populated until the settlement by Europeans changed everything. The Europeans decimated and displaced the indigenous peoples, and the living style changed. The present population of North America is mostly European in background, but it also contains many others.
The nations of North America are at varying levels of economic development. The United States and Canada are the most advanced, with over 90 percent workers in non-agricultural sectors. Mexico has a fairly diversified economy and a growing industrial sector. In most of North America the service industries has the greatest share of jobs followed by wholesale and retail trade and the tourism industry.

Travel in Canada

Sometimes stereotyped as the land of beer-drinking hockey players, who pass the time producing maple syrup or being lumberjacks, you’ll find the great land of Canada. Sometimes looked at as adrift politically and culturally to the USA, and also as a second thought to its much publicized neighbor to the south, Canada still proves to be a great place to see. Although you’ll find that some of these stereo types are true, there is also much more to Canada. Also referred to as the Great White North, Canada is an outdoor paradise all year round; the summers rival the likes of New Zealand, South Africa and Brazil for their spectacular natural beauty. Winter sports in this area are wonderful, and there are also lots of winter festivals. During the summer months you’ll find that there are great opportunities to hike, mountain bike, raft, canoe or camp. There are many different cultures that make up this area, which makes it nice, since no matter where you are from you’ll likely feel right at home.

Canada is definitely considered tourist friendly. From coast to coast, you’ll find that there is an extensive range of hostels and different budget accommodations. You’ll also find that there are many campsites to choose from if that is more your style. Canada is an area that is considered affordable as well as safe, especially when compared to the USA and parts of Western Europe. Although it would take a very long 2 month trip to tour the whole country, it is guaranteed to be worth the long trip.

Cost: Around US $50- $75 per day

Travel in the USA

This it’s the world’s most dominant economy, military power, and the origin of so much mass culture. The USA is the world’s third most populous country, and it’s fourth biggest in area. Also, it is the host of the world’s most exciting cities and also a good chunk of its best scenery. People that are found in this area are remarkably diverse, including Cajuns of Louisiana, to the Cowboys of Montana, or even Little Italy in the New York area. American’s reading this may find this a little strange to hear, but America as a whole is every bit as strange and culturally bizarre to other nationalities as somewhere in Asia might be to Americans. Everyone has their own opinions of America and its citizens. There are many close-minded independent travelers that object to American foreign policy or American mass culture who don’t bother to travel the country; this unfortunately is their own loss.

Cost for Budget Traveling: US $75-$100 per day

Festivals in Africa

admin — Thu, 28 May 2009 05:03:30 +0000

Africa is a vast continent that is rich and diverse in its culture. Art, music and oral literature serve to reinforce existing religious and social patterns. African nations are home to dance and music groups, museums, as well as a small amount of artists and writers.
When you picture Africa, you may picture a continent where vibrant and colourful festivals range from cultural and religious to music and harvest. Some of the most significant festivals are the African harvest Festival, the Hornowo Festival, the Yarn Festival, Kwanza and Ramadan. Also, there are very exciting festivals that take place here. The Aboakyir Festival of Ghana is when tribal leaders and Queen Mothers walk in decorated palanquins, while shaded by traditional umbrellas, and supported by drummers and warriors while they discharge ancient muskets. The remarkable Abu Simbel Festival takes place at the site of the temple in Egypt, and is so precisely oriented that twice every year, the first rays of the morning sun shine in to light the inner sanctum, celebrating Ramses II in his rise to the throne, as well as his Birthday. Because of their unique culture and rich traditions, Africa attracts tourists from all over the world. The festivals and celebrations that take places reflect religious, cultural and historical aspects of community life. Festivals are revered as means of preserving their ancient customs, while paying honour to leaders and ancestors of their times.

Festivals in the Middle East

admin — Thu, 21 May 2009 05:03:02 +0000

The Middle East is a very inexpensive since the tourist traffic is so low. The accommodations are easy to come by, as well as the entrance fees to tourist sites being much cheaper. This area is touched by the Mediterranean, the Persian Gulf, as well as the Red, Black and Arabian seas. The seasonality varies by region; the spring and the fall are the best times to visit when the weather is mild. Ramadan, the Muslin month of fasting isn’t a good time to visit the Middle East as restaurants are closed during the day. The Saudi Arabian region of the Middle East is best visited between November and February when the summer heat is spent. This area is a good place to visit during the good times, but you have to be aware of the political situations taking place when planning a trip so that you can avoid disturbed areas.

Festivals in the Pacific

admin — Thu, 14 May 2009 05:02:37 +0000

Each nation in this area has its own schedule of magnificent cultural experiences in the form of festivals. The Pacific is home to rich local culture and traditions in the form of songs, dances, and feasts held throughout the festivities that have been passed on from generation to generation. Western tourism has influenced the Pacific urban cultures to an extremely large extent. Their rural population is still rich on tradition and customs which reflect in their festivals after many years.
The famous South Pacific Festivals of Arts is one of the greatest art festivals of the world, and takes place every four years. Each island has its chance to host this festival of dance and chants, topped with the spectacular arrival of the canoe flotilla. There are many interesting festivals in the Pacific, the Folk Festival at Woodford, Queensland Australia which is one of the biggest annual cultural events. It incorporates a wide range of musical experiences, street theatre, film, arts and crafts as well as other special events. The festival is held over six days and nights at many different city camp sites.
The highlands show takes place in Papua New Guinea, where the colourful shows of tribal dance and culture take place. Over a hundred tribes meet to perform dressed in feathers, mud, skirts and piercings. Festivals of Fiji like Bula, and Hibuscus have a special place in the festivals of Pacific when there are parades with marching bands and beauty pageants of different cities. Pacific islands are a great place for holidays with all their natural scenic beauty.