Posts tagged: journey

All You Need to Know Before Trekking

The trek puts you in direct contact with nature, walking paths through the mountains, next to a river or in the middle of a forest. It’s a long ride but fun. So before you get ready for the long walk, find out what to wear, what level of difficulty of your route and some safety measures to be quiet and go off to adventure.

The trekking is a long walk in a natural setting, usually away from civilization. The idea of trekking is to reach those places that can only be reached by foot, horseback or bicycle, and is a great effort is rewarded with a goal: a waterfall, an amazing panoramic view, a hidden lake. The sole purpose is to know that place the end of the trail.

Trekking is an activity that emerged from the mountain. The mountaineers, who climbed the Himalayas and peaks of great difficulty, must first reach the mountain base where they spent many days walking studying what the best way to go. The route up the mountain was a journey in itself and not all were able to go up, or were in a state to do so. Thus was born as a separate activity.

Although it usually takes more than one day, you can go hiking for a few hours. The difficulty varies depending on terrain. You can do trekking combined with other activities like horseback riding, biking or rappelling. The trekking is quite enough, but with its rules. Learn everything you need to know before trekking:

Difficulties

Most of the time the trek is done through trails, roads and valleys. Although the paths may be blurred, the most important challenge is the location of the path but the human effort required to reach the end of the road. In trekking there are 4 levels of difficulty and all walks properly marked to indicate what level correspond:

* Difficulty No. 1
Son walks free of small and large steep slopes. The paths are well defined and the end of the road tends to be a lookout. No experience is needed to make this trip. They are short and easy hike on good trails and a low altitude, with an appropriate infrastructure for walkers and good signage.

* Difficulty No. 2
It is an adventure, a little longer with some challenges in the road. The trail difficulty is still low, but may be at higher altitude (5,500 meters above sea level). The route has an infrastructure and appropriate signs. The highest mountains are already closely.

* Difficulty No. 3
It is a walk with a more ambitious path and steep, more than 5,500 meters. The road is seen in some sections can be blurred and difficult to follow the trail that at times crosses rivers and crosses or other difficulties. Mountaineering experience is required.

* Difficulty No. 4
It is a very difficult trek, where they are sometimes combined with hiking and climbing at altitudes higher than 5000 m and no infrastructure.
On High Mountain environment is, in uninhabited areas. You must have experience in mountaineering rope and appropriate equipment.

Who can trek

The type of people who can practice trekking varies with the level of difficulty of the trail. In a Level 1 trekking do not require fitness, but walkers must provide several hours of hiking with some uphill sections. Not recommended primarily for people with respiratory or heart problems and pregnant women.

Trekking Level 2 is required some physical training. Being a long journey that can last several days, the walker must have resistance. For trekking Level 3 and 4 is important to have previous experience and be in good physical condition.

A weighty matter
Note that the duration of the activity, you must carry a team for the night, feed, take shelter and water. When preparing the pack keep in mind that will bear the burden for hours. That’s why your team should be light. Take only the essentials.

The team
When hiking is only a few hours at a difficulty level 1, the computer is essentially a bottle of water, shelter (according to season and location) and refreshments. However, as we progress in difficulty, we will need more items. A hiking backpack is essentially complete 10 things you can not miss:

1. Food and water to withstand the days that the trip, providing extra precaution.
2. Mostly comfortable clothes, a raincoat and overcoat.
3. Flashlight or lantern.
4. First aid kit.
5. Fuel and elements to start a fire.
6. Matches.
7. Knife or knife.
8. Sunglasses and sunscreen.
9. Compass or GPS.
10. Updated the road map

Security
Many of the safety rules for hiking are based on having a little common sense. However, it is good to remember to avoid problems or accidents:

* Do not start any tour if you’re not sure you support the level of difficulty.
* Bring the right equipment. Even when they are in a difficult way, do not forget to bring water and a snack.
Alerts the rangers * for the difficulty of the path requires.
* Find out about dangerous animals in the area.
* Calculate the travel time, taking into account that the round trip may have a different duration depending on the slope of the trail.
* If the trek lasting several days and you can access natural water purifier is to avoid carrying extra weight during the entire trip.
* If this is your first time on a difficult trek, be sure to get an experienced guide.
* When the path is not well marked, turns your GPS or compass and map. Do not trust your intuition: is it safe.

Philosophy walker
Trekking is an experience that puts you in direct contact with nature. There is weakness and smallness of man before the imposing landscape. Only we can make these sites remain as they are. Care for the environment and follows the philosophy of LNT (Leave No Trace: Leave No Trace), who intends to take a conscious attitude while traveling, including keeping the waste to throw enabled sites and avoiding a fire in fire-prone areas.

Holidays with Babies: Where, How and When

Are you planning a vacation appropriate to go with your baby? There is good news: your family is young does not mean you stop traveling . For a baby not only great to have new experiences, it also helps them learn and be more flexible as they grow. Traveling is a break from the routine and the routine life of the parents that gives the whole family time for bonding and sharing new experiences.

The world is a big place and there is no reason that you cannot enjoy it. You have everything to achieve the perfect trip, but before you plan for it. Let us guide you in your best holiday 100% designed for your baby:

1. Destiny

Choose either the destination of your journey. You can travel to almost any destination with your child, but most parents will want to choose a safe and smooth.

2. Options for family

It is recommended to take account of the cruise, beach vacation, family resorts, and camps. The theme parks are just for children over 4 or 5 years. Also avoid the tourist areas with large crowds, the travel demand much chattering, lengthy stays and limited service hotels inn. You have to weigh the tranquility of staying in a hotel or resort familiar with special facilities for children that provide security. When booking, you have to confirm the availability of high chairs, cots and that sort of elements that will make your trip more enjoyable.

3. Take absolutely everything you and your baby need

Does your child’s favorite blanket is occupied so much space in your bag? Surely not, you should not resign bring those objects that your happiness. Do not assume that you will find everything that you could carry. If for example your baby reacts differently to different diapers, deal to bring sufficient for the whole trip. Not be exaggerated: there are things that do not really need, but you try your baby is objects that remind you feel at home to familiar surroundings.

4. Time to relax

Babies can succeed much over stimulated or when traveling. Try to plan flights or road trips longer and on a schedule that matches your sleep time. This allows you to relax normally. You also try to rest with him to spend quality time during the day.

5. Be flexible

You’re not at home; your son is not home, so some routines must conform. It helps to have a sense of continuity but need to relax a bit and go with the flow rather than having a planned trip by the minute. Planning for the unexpected will give you more peace of mind to enjoy your trip as you deserve. For example, try to arrive early to the airport to make arrangements with confidence and count on extra time for coffee, instead of running in a hurry to take the flight completely stressed.

6. Check what documents you should bring

In most countries it is mandatory that all children, even babies have their valid passport when traveling outside the country. But depending on the destination of your choice, you also need other papers.

7. The first few days it difficult to adapt

It will surely be one of the first, but the first trip of the child, so no wonder it costs a bit out of the daily routine of the family home. To help you bring your blanket or favorite toy. It is also helpful to establish a routine, like eating what you eat at home and even similar schedules. Try not to do many things, especially the first two or three days of the trip so that your baby can relax and get used to for many new things. Children are greatly reflected in their parents, so if you show you relaxed will be easier for them to enjoy.

8. Travel in low season

If you have the possibility, especially if you do not have school-age children, it is advisable to travel in low season. In high season the sites are crowded and it takes much longer to move, get a free restaurant and even relax amid the din of the crowd. In low season everything is quiet and you can keep your own pace.

9. Enjoy

The first vacation of your baby are truly unforgettable! Worry less and enjoy it more.

Singapore, the City of Lions

Singapore is an island in the Pacific, the city-state of the world’s largest, 710 square kilometers. This city, which has many features in common with the neighboring state of Malaysia, is a charming Asian country. The island is now a big city, traditional in the suburbs, urban and modern interior.

Singapore known for its culture and urban Malay have come together in this city during the past ten years. Chinese cultures, Arabic, Indian and Malay have been mixed in this one place, making the city a true multicultural and metropolitan core. Here you can view a statue of British generals during colonization, traditional pagodas of various religions, including Hindu and Buddhist and Christian basilicas, museums with exhibitions of all cultural trends in Singapore and thousands of unique aspects of this island city state. In addition, this city still has the features of settlers, and over one hundred years belonged to the British Empire. As an example, one can visit the white statue of Thomas Stamford Raffles, in the same spot where he landed and became widely considered as the founder of modern Singapore.

The concrete jungle of Singapore continues to have a lung in the city, as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is the only piece of rainforest remaining on the island. In addition, it is recommended to visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens, an ideal place to relax and hang out between natures in the city.

It is worth walking through the main streets of the city, full of traditional jobs and impressive skyscrapers. The city’s main street, Orchard Road or Jalan Kebun, is the most beautiful city with many shops and cafes, casinos and clubs, hotels and business centers.

In this city there are many theaters and museums. Every year there is held the Festival of the Arts, a festival that attracts many tourists with its fusion of Eastern and Western cultures. There you can see all kinds of art, from theater and dance to modern art and contemporary art mixed with the new visual arts.

In the city one can visit the villages known as kampong, small traditional villages in the countryside, or if you can arrange an unforgettable and exciting journey by train across the country. One can make a luxurious train ride will take you through a Singapore to Bangkok and the Malay Peninsula. The train stops, one can enjoy a traditional tea in the traditional coffee shops, or see the religious pagodas are located in the hills. Moreover, one can observe the traditional landscapes of this part of Asia, with its tea plantations and rice fields, crossing small streams and observing their local populations. On the train, one can learn all you want about the endless culture of Singapore, from the same train where everything is decorated with opulence and luxury, and even the cars are lacquered with many Chinese decorations, Malaysian and Thai silk items.

Recently, the city has become an attractive tourist city, with nightlife that will soon rival that of Tokyo or Hong Kong. Its cuisine has also developed and adapted to the modern world, with thousands of traditional food stalls in the main streets. One can stroll through the traditional markets, enjoy the best Asian food or visit the Esplanade and Bay Theatres.

On the Road to the Ruins in Turkey

Turkey is one of those destinations that have been chosen for a short vacation, a destination is usually quite affordable at the same time unknown, and provides for much more than a short vacation.

We can find many ruins of ancient temples, castles and fortresses of ancient settlements and remains of the walls of such cities or amphitheaters in the west of Turkey. Those who like archeology found here with the story at his feet. The area is very hot and dry, but once, in time of the Greeks was ancient port, now all dry.

We can travel from city to city with buses arriving and finding a place to sleep is not complicated, so that we can go a little adventure and explore the region without ties or problems.

One of the places to visit is the site of ancient Troy, which is only part of the wall, and you need an expert to distinguish the different layers of debris.

The Acropolis and strength in Bergamo (Pergamon), pyrene, Didymea, Ephesus … the list of places to visit is extensive, many of them only a pile of rocks and difficult to distinguish from other archaeological sites have fared better and are preserved and restored, but it is not usual. What we find in this part of Turkey is a journey through Greek and Roman culture.

In some places the sensation is of having made a journey through time as you can be in the same theater that did the Romans or walk down the same roads on which they went.

Sometime during the trip, we had to take a bus to take us to some secluded place, only bad thing about transportation here is that maybe we left somewhere for an afternoon while visiting the ruins we only was an hour and a half as much, which we had to wait long until the next bus to pass. Sometimes when this happened close to where we could find a service area or a cafe where old men played cards and drank tea … an opportunity to observe the locals. It is also common to find in stores these sites handmade carpets, in which we can pass the time.

Many times during these visits, we have found to be the only tourists in the place, and go on a bus full of locals we stopped anywhere, but the landscapes were great and you could see things like that here, the farmers still on mules and horses to their workplace.

In recent years Turkey has been sold as a popular tourist site and exotic, it is … but its charm can be found in other less crowded places and we will remember forever. It is a good opportunity if you enjoy visiting historical sites, you just have to prepare a little trip to organize and know the places to go, and otherwise find accommodation here without prior reservation is not usually a problem.