Thorn Tree travel forum
Messages: 14,215 - Threads: 1,566
Dear past, present and future travellers to Panama,
A recent boat trip from Bocas Del Toros was one of the worst examples of destructive tourism that we have personally encountered. Please spread this message to inform others in the hope that this negative power of tourism can be reversed into a positive for both the surrounding marine ecosystem and local community.
The boat trip we took was a run of the mill day trip offered by most of the street tour peddlers and other companies in Bocas Del Toro town. It consisted of dolphin 'watching', snorkelling, lunch and a beach visit.
The dolphin 'watching' was nothing short of dolphin harassment with around 10 boats chasing dolphins, circling them in an attempt to "contain" them near the tourists and almost running over them. The snorkelling trip was to a very shallow reef where no instructions were given by the boat crew, and man...
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Hi,
I am the founder of Vida Loca Travel, a travel/social network website, which matches up travellers to book on trips together - http://www.vidalocatravel.co.uk
We have decided that it would be a better use of resources to give money to international aid, rather than use carbon offsetting (we have a partnership with International Medical Corps). I am somewhat doubtful of the success of carbon offsetting and believe that this will help more people, whilst still helping with the problem of global warming.
We believe that the reduction of poverty and disease in third world countries, along with education and the empowerment of women, will help to reduce global warming in the long-term (much of our thinking here is based on the work of Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute). Read more about it here: http://www.vidalocatravel.co.uk/charity-statement
I was wondering w...
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05-Feb-2010 22:37
susantraveltips
last reply
05-Feb-2010 22:37
susantraveltips
0 replies
47 views
When you are traveling on a plane, take a small bottle of moisturizer with you - as the air dries out your skin. Also make sure you lather it on before you get on the plane, or by the time you get back you will wonder where your tan has gone! (Your skin sheds off)
I live in Austin, Texas and was in San Francisco for a few days on business, and had a vacation in Europe planned right after that. In order to save me some traveling time and money (I am self-employed) I flew to my vacation destination (Germany) directly from San Francisco instead of stopping in Austin. My question now, is that flight considered a business related expense, at least partially? I know that that the flight from Austin to SFO is a business expense... but not sure about the return flight.
India Visa
Visa for India
Visa India
Edited by: indiavisa
01-Feb-2010 20:30
RainyDayToast
last reply
07-Feb-2010 19:09
p_adkins
1 replies
106 views
Hi there,
I am setting up a website (free) listing low-cost or free volunteer projects from around the world and would like to hear from people who have been involved in projects such as this. By "low-cost" I mean anything "reasonable" (i.e board, food, transport, and even compulsory donation fees as long as they're not ridiculous). Some places charge $1000's for 1-2 week volunteering excursions - this is NOT what the site wants to accomplish.
If you have been involved in any projects which may fit with the website's goal I would love to hear your stories & list the projects you worked in. I aim to have personal volunteer stories and pictures featured on the website.
Please feel free to ask any questions, or you can PM me for more details or to submit your stories.
Thanks :)
30-Jan-2010 05:24
niamhnidhuill
last reply
30-Jan-2010 05:24
niamhnidhuill
0 replies
112 views
this year going to Thailand we bought a water purifier (aqua pure traveller) in our local outdoor shop and used it all around south thailand using the water from the tap - (we also watched boat loads of longtails bringing in thousands of litres of bottled water (and coke and beer!) for tourists) - if you can get your hands on a water purifier this one is the easiest to use that we know of - (we are not advertising for the company!) www.purehydration.co.uk but if you live in ireland they have them in landers outdoor shop (www.landers.ie) in tralee, co. kerry and it cost 50 euro - the filter cleans approx 350 litres of water and then you replace the filter (which you buy new - not sure how much that costs as we have not gotten that far)
now we just need to plant more trees to make up for those plane journies....(do not buy into the cabon credit scam to ease your conscience- plant som...
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Been travelling around Australia for the last 12 months and are now going to Se Asia now my UK travel insurance is about to expire , I planned on taking out another uk insurance policy but it turns out this not possible as I haven't resided in the uk for 6 months of the last 12 to qualify for uk travel insurance.
So am I right in thinking my only option is Australian based travel Insurance ? I have found these guys http://www.insure4less.com.au/ who seem to be able to cover me for $450 which covers what I need and care about.
Do any of you kind Australians know of any good travel insurers to help a Pom out ? I have looked at Nomads but they are simply not in the same price bracket
I obviously have no connection in any way to either of these companies , any help would be greatly appiceated as I'm in a bit of unique position one I never imagined surely i'm still a resident o...
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27-Jan-2010 07:12
smatkovich
last reply
27-Jan-2010 07:12
smatkovich
0 replies
115 views
Can anyone tell me of any reputable volunteer organizations in Ethiopia? I would prefer something that would involve community development, but am just looking for info at this stage.
Cheers,
SM
21-Jan-2010 04:09
tommcmillan
last reply
22-Jan-2010 22:22
tommcmillan
0 replies
227 views
If you’re looking to travel anywhere in the world without flying I've just launched (Jan 2010) a new website that might interest you. It's called www.FlightlessTravel.com and it's a unique social networking website dedicated to travel over land and water by any means possible.
The site was inspired by an overland trip I did with my wife from Singapore to Scotland. So if you're a grounded traveller, interested in slow travel; low carbon, sustainable travel; flightless travel; travel by cargo ships; or want to travel by land and sea, avoiding flying - perhaps you have a fear of flying - then this is the site might be for you.
Edited by: tommcmillan
21-Jan-2010 03:30
happyexplorer
last reply
08-Feb-2010 16:50
travelmaven
3 replies
282 views
I'll start with my ideas...
Make a list of what to bring few days before the trip. This gives you enough time to remember everything needed during travel.
Make an itinerary and search the internet for the informations what the place can offer.
Make a budget.
Edited by: happyexplorer
I'm conceiving my future career about folk culture in Nepal,
and constructing my job plans in activity management,
to help sustaining and conserving the Nepalese folk lifestyle.
I'm searching for the organizations, or partners,
which could help me, or work with me,
to proceeding the proposals.
Advices are openly welcome.
20-Jan-2010 03:59
jasper007
last reply
06-Feb-2010 12:23
travelmaven
2 replies
265 views
Would you consider the practice of only booking flights at the last minute responsible?
What I am getting at is that the flight will go regardless of whether you are on it or not at that late stage so it is quite a responsible thing not to book too early?
Does that make sense?
Okay, I know the 'how do I get to Australia without going by air' has been done to death. But one more question -
we are willing to take a cruise ship, Japan or Shanghai is fine for starting point AND we have to return. So basically overland from UK to somewhere in Asia, cruise ship to Australia, a few weeks visiting relatives, back to Asia (preferably Japan) and then back overland to UK.
Has anyone done this? Does anyone have info on cruises where this is viable (as in staying in Australia for a few weeks)? Any suggestions at all (other than 'it can't be done').
Thanks
17-Jan-2010 23:59
kailashtourinfo
last reply
21-Jan-2010 03:32
kmb7
1 replies
248 views
Mission Eco Trek specializes in small group tours and tailor-made trip to Mount Kailash, central Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan. An expert' team, based in Nepal, is passionate and extremely knowledgeable about the region having lived or traveled widely there. Our flexible and innovative itineraries are now even better value and take you beyond the tourist sites for a real experience of a lifetime. for more information please visit
http://www.kailashtourinfo.com or http://www.tibetnomad.com
Regards
Ram Kumar Adhikari
Mission Eco Trek
http://www.kailashtourinfo.com
Exploring kailash since 2004…
Edited by: kailashtourinfo
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Cameroon is often described as ''African in one country'' this is because you can experience all the different fascinating facets of African in this country,
its diversity of vegetation, wildlife, and most importantly friendly people and amazing cultures.
Recently volunteering in a local project for a couple of hours or days is increasing common among ''RESPONSIBLE TRAVELER'', so I thought it will be nice I try something out again.I'm trying to combine volunteering for a couple of days in a local community and travelling .
And will like to do it in a group of 3-7,,,
is there anybody out there who have idea on how to go about getting people to join me? anybody with contacts or an organization that organises this kinnd of trips?
I have come in touch with a local organization which I will like to help out,, and is there anyone interested in this kind of travel?
http://africa...
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Posted By: VenessaP -- 28-Jan-2010 15:01
Posted By: VenessaP -- 09-Dec-2009 17:01
WorldGuide is our online guide to the world - you name it, we cover it. Explore the richest source of global travel content on the web and let it fire your imagination.
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