The Padong Women of Northern Thailand

The Padong Long Neck Women are a "tourist attraction" in Northern Thailand. Their tribe migrated to Northern Thailand from Myanmar (formerly Burma). During my tour of Thailand I visited their village. These women are synonymous with the brass coils that they wear around their necks to "stretch" their necks and make them appear longer. Actually, the coils push their shoulder blades down, giving the appearance of a long neck.

A Long Neck woman of the Padong tribe weaving

While walking around their village, I was struck by how much the women were like mannequins at a museum. I found the experience to be really creepy and uncomfortable. Here I was walking around gawking at these women, while they sat doing their weaving, making their crafts and having people take photos of them.

A Long Neck woman of the Padong tribe and her baby

I was actually looking forward to seeing them when I booked my tour. Their tribe was something I had read about Thailand and it would be a cultural experience. But I did not enjoy it, in the end. I wish I had never gone to see them.

Everyone will react differently to this experience, and I encourage you to go if you are interested in the Padong tribe. But, be aware that it may not be what you expected.

~Angie

The Red Centre

When I traveled to Australia I had to see the Red Centre - especially Uluru (aka Ayer's Rock). So to end my tour of Australia, I flew to Alice Springs and then joined a 3 day tour from there.

I toured the Northern Territory with Adventure Tours Australia. This was a great tour. It was a small group of travelers and the guide was excellent!

We camped in "tents" near Uluru. I say "tents" because they were more like small two bed cabins. We had the option to sleep outside in a swag bag, but I did not want bugs or snakes near me when I slept. Turns out that there were more likely to be spiders, snakes, or scorpions in the "tents" than bothering you outside. Fortunately I was there in May, so unwanted visitors were not a problem. Not likely that they were around at that time of year.

The Tents

Cost for the tour as of today's date is $355AUD. The website offers tours of the Red Centre. I went with:  http://www.adventuretours.com.au/northern-territory/alice-springs-budget

When we arrived at our campsite, we went to Kata Tjuta, a group of red mounds about half an hour away from Uluru. This was a great hike that offered great views of the incredible geography in the region.  It is called the Red Centre because rust floats on the breeze from Darwin in the North and coats everything in a red dust.

Kata Tjuta

Then, as the sun was setting, we went for a photo op at Uluru. We got up early the next morning to catch it at sunrise too. Then we walked around the rock. It was pretty impressive. There are quite a few areas that are sacred to the aboriginals. You are not allowed to take photos of these areas of Uluru and if you are caught, you are fined $5500AUD and your camera is confiscated. Signs are posted where you can take photos around the rock. It was worth it to walk around the base.

There is the option to climb Uluru as well. At a talk with local aboriginals afterward, one of the speakers commented on this new tourist trap saying: "White man's idea". He was not impressed. The fact is, this rock is sacred to the aboriginals of Australia. To have "white man" climb it (for fun), is offensive to them. It would be similar to someone showing disrespect at the Vatican and repeatedly peeing or defecating inside St. Peter's Basilica, for example. But tourists keep climbing it.

Uluru

That night we traveled about four hours to King's Canyon. The next day was a hike around King's Canyon. It is impressive too. A difficult hike, but well worth it.

King's Canyon

If you are short on time, this three day tour of the Red Centre is a great way to see and experience this amazing part of Australia!

~Angie

Hostels in Los Angeles

While staying in West Hollywood, I stayed at Banana Bungalow, West Hollywood. It was a great hostel that offered free breakfast, free wi-fi, and had two free meals during the week. There were discounts on tours and attractions, including Disneyland and Universal Studios, and free airport transfers. It was a fun hostel.

http://bananabungalowus.com/


The second time I went to Los Angeles I stayed in Santa Monica at HI Santa Monica. This was a very nice hostel that was within walking distance of the 3rd Street Promenade and the Santa Monica Pier.

www.hihostels.com

Check them out next time you are in Los Angeles!

And for more information on attractions in Los Angeles, check out my blog post about my first trip there:
City of Angels: Tour of Los Angeles



~Angie

One Day in Montréal

I spent one full day in Montréal during my tour of Eastern Canada. When I arrived I decided that due to travel times and just time-restraints in general, given I had one day, I would see two areas of Montréal: Vieux-Montréal (Old Montréal) and Mont-Royal.

Vieux-Montréal

It was very important that I see the Old City when I was in Montréal. I took the Métro from my hostel. The Métro was really easy to use and was reasonably priced at $3.00 per trip.

This area of the city has a very European feel. I went to the Tower at the edge of the Old Port, then I walked along the cobbled streets of Old Montréal. I found a souvenir shop, went in the Christmas Store and bought an ornament, and stood outside Notre Dame Cathedral. Tourists are able to go inside the Cathedral - entrance costs $10CAD. However, as it was a Saturday, a wedding was taking place when I arrived, so I was not able to see inside the Cathedral.

Vieux-Port, Cobbled Street, The Tower, and Notre Dame Cathedral

Mont-Royal

After walking around Vieux-Montréal, it was time to head to Mont-Royal. This is a big hill that is a park too.  People go there to hike, bike, run and walk the path up to the top. Part way up, there is a man-made lake where you can stop and have a picnic. Two more attractions include Le Chalet du Mont-Royal - a lookout over Montréal city centre, and Le Croix du Mont-Royal. It is a good day hike.

Mont-Royal pathway, Le Croix du Mont-Royal, and view of city centre

 ~Angie

A Summer Christmas

I have never had a summer Christmas.  Christmas to me has lots of snow, dark nights, cozy living rooms with Christmas lights on the tree, decorations, and maybe a blizzard or two.  Two years ago, while traveling New Zealand, I had the opportunity to experience a New Zealand Christmas.

It wasn't so different from Christmas in Canada, really.  Except that there was no snow.  I had a difficult time accepting that fact.  While living in Wellington I attended Arise Church in Wellington.  (www.arisechurch.org.nz/)  This church was very accepting of, and welcoming to, people from all walks of life. Church staff realized that there were quite a few people in the congregation that had nowhere to go for Christmas.  So it was arranged that 'the strays' - travellers, transients, orphans (people who had no family to spend Christmas with etc) - would go to someone's house for Christmas.  A sign up sheet was put into the atrium of the Michael Fowler Centre, where Church services were held, and if you had nowhere to go, you could sign up.

So it was arranged that I would go for dinner with a family who lived in the Upper Hutt area of Wellington.  I had met the eldest daughter, so at least knew someone.  It was a large family like mine, plus with about six 'strays' on hand too, the dinner turned out to be not unlike the usual Christmas gathering at my parent's place.  Confusion reigned.  A very good turkey dinner was served, along with ham, potatoes, Kumara (a sweet potato native to New Zealand), and my favourite - roast pumpkin!  For dessert there was cake and a New Zealand dessert called Pavlova. Excellent!

I spent the afternoon there being grilled about Canada in general, Canadian politics, the weather, and the differences between English and French Canada.  At one point following dinner, one of the boys asked when the water fight would start.  In Canada, we have snowball fights.

It was a good Christmas.  I was worried because it wasn't like my Christmas.  But in a lot of important ways, it was!

In New Zealand, there is a tree called the Pohutukawa Tree.  This tree only blooms in December, just in time for Christmas.  Kiwi's call it New Zealand's Christmas Tree.

Pohutukawa Tree

Meri Kirihimete me ngā mihi o te tau hou ki a koutou katoa! (Māori for Merry Christmas!)

 ~Angie

Middle Earth Tours on the North Island

“I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, 
and it's very difficult to find anyone.' ~J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

In honour of The Hobbit opening next month, and premiering in Wellington, New Zealand November 28, I thought I would talk about the Tolkien inspired tours available in Middle Earth (otherwise known as New Zealand). Specifically on the North Island.

The first thing I did when I arrived in New Zealand was head to Rotorua. Tours to Matamata, where the Hobbiton Movie Set is located, can be arranged from the tourism office in Rotorua, or at any hostel. I highly recommend it. www.hobbitontours.com

The cost of the tour from Matamata is $75NZD, from Rotorua it is $110NZD (as of today's date). The tour includes Bag End, though I couldn't go up to it and it was behind scaffolding, due to preparations for filming. Usually guests are able to go up to Bag End. The party tree, that was featured in The Fellowship of the Ring, the pub, and several hobbit holes are found among the rolling hills that comprise the sheep farm where the set is located.  Photos can be taken, but you are asked not to post the photos to any social media outlet, or email them. It was very exciting to see Hobbiton, the only thing that was unShire-like the day I visited was the rain!

I highly recommend the Lord of the Rings tour in Wellington.  There are two options, both can be bought from the toursim office (iSite). There is a half day tour that includes Mount Victoria where the four hobbits first encountered the black rider, and Kaitoko Regional Park where Rivendell scenes were shot. The full day tour also includes lunch, Peter Jackson's film studios, and a visit to the Weta Cave in Miramar. 
www.wellingtonrover.co.nz/rover_rings_tour.htm

Me and Gollum, Weta Cave

For a more in-depth description of my day tour in Wellington, see my blog post: Lord of the Rings Tour in Wellington, NZ from May 2012. www.nomadgirltravels.blogspot.ca/2012/05/lord-of-rings-tour-in-wellington-nz.html

Tours are also offered in Tongariro National Park, where quite a few of the Mordor scenes were filmed. www.tourism.net.nz/region/ruapehu/ruapehu---tongariro-national-park/tours/lord-of-the-rings-tours Tours can be booked through hostels in and around Tongariro National Park. Or another option is to hike the Tongariro Crossing. This is New Zealand's most popular day hike. It takes approximately eight hours to complete and it is recommended that hikers have layers of clothing and a lunch with them, due to the changing weather patterns on the volcanoes. www.tongarirocrossing.org.nz/

~Angie

Whale Watching

I have gone whale watching off Vancouver Island, British Columbia...and did not see any whales! Ten years later, I got the chance to go whale watching again. This time, on the East Coast, off Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. This time I saw whales!

I had the option to go as an excursion of my Moose East tour of Canada. Our whale watching experience was through Captain Zodiac in Cheticamp, Nova Scotia. Cost was $30CAD. http://www.novascotiawhales.com/

~Angie

Lest We Forget

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
~Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

Canadian soldier, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, wrote the war memorial poem, In Flanders Fields, during the second battle of Ypres, in Belgium on May 3, 1915. It is about his fallen comrades who were buried in Flanders. 

This poem, and the poppy, have become a symbol of our veterans from the First and Second World War, and the Korean War. Every year, in November, the Royal Canadian Legion distributes poppies and Canadians wear them to honour our soldiers, who fought for our freedom. Poppies are worn in Britain as well, where Remembrance Day is also known as Poppy Day.

I was recently in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I visited the Canadian National War Memorial there. The war monument depicts soldiers on the battlefront, with a cannon behind them. As you walk around the memorial, the years of the three wars are etched into the monument. In front of the War Memorial, the tomb of the Unknown Soldier is prominently displayed.

World War I, the War Memorial, Ottawa

World War II, the War Memorial, Ottawa

The Korean War, the War Memorial, Ottawa

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the War Memorial, Ottawa

 Lest we forget.

~Angie

Guy Fawkes Day

Guy Fawkes was an English Catholic who, along with two fellow Catholic Englishmen, was involved in a plot to blow up the British Parliament in 1605. Their plan was to blow up Parliament and assassinate King James I, thus restoring a Catholic monarch to the throne. It did not work. 

Guy Fawkes was in charge of the gunpowder for this plot, and was guarding it when he was discovered during the early hours of the morning of November 5, 1605. This plan to assassinate King James I and blow up Parliament was also know as the Gunpowder Plot.

Guy Fawkes has become synonymous with the Gunpowder plot. Every year on the anniversary of this failed attempt to blow up Parliament, monarchists throughout the British Commonwealth celebrate by throwing a dummy symbolizing Guy Fawkes on a bonfire, or with a fireworks display. November 5th is known as Guy Fawkes Day.

I have been to a Guy Fawkes party in Canada where there was a dummy thrown into a bonfire.  I also attended the Guy Fawkes Day festivities in Wellington, New Zealand. The whole city goes down to the waterfront to watch the fireworks! It is a lot of fun.

Fireworks on the Wellington waterfront

Fireworks on the Wellington waterfront

~Angie

Ah...Paris! A Night(mare) to Remember

I was left behind. By my tour. In Paris. My first night there. 

Here's what happened...

It was July, I was on a Contiki tour of Western Europe. The first stop on the tour - Paris! Oh was I excited! I had always wanted to go to Paris! After arriving in the city, we went for supper, then left to go see the most famous sight in Paris - La Tour Eiffel! The Eiffel Tower! 

The Eiffel Tower

I was on the trip with my cousin. On our tour were several Australians, a few Canadians (like myself), some Europeans, Mexicans, and Americans. We had about an hour to spend at the Eiffel Tower. However, it was a really long lineup to get to the elevator. 

In the small group of six that I went to to the top of the tower with were: Three Australians, one American, my cousin and me. We went to the first viewing platform and got a few photos of the city from there. Then, we went to the top. It was dark by then, so our photos were not great. In all we were at the top of the tower for about five minutes before we had to leave to go back to our bus. Rocket, our bus driver, made it very clear that we had to be back on time. He would not wait.

As we were advancing in the line, there was one group of six ahead of us. Just as they were getting on, one Australian in our group commented that it would be ironic if we missed the lift because it was full. Guess what? It was.

As a result, we did not make it down to the bottom on time and our tour bus left us stranded at the Eiffel Tower!

Fortunately, the American girl and I spoke French. We knew there was a Métro station near our hotel, so we had an adventure getting back! We left the Eiffel Tower at around 10:00PM and did not make it back to our hotel until 1:00AM. 

Though it turned out to be a fun experience, it has left a negative impact on me that I still deal with today. I am very scared of being left behind by any tour that I am on. In fact, it was so stressful for me that I did not go on another tour for nine years. I am unusually prompt now for any pick-up times. People have commented on that, but it is something that I will always have in the back of my mind. I was left behind once. Who's to say it won't happen again?

Bon voyage! Et bonne chance!

~Angie

Who To Travel With?

I like to travel by myself. It allows me more freedom than having a travel partner. That said, I have traveled with my Mom (and will again), and with my counsin (that did not go so well).  As a solo traveler, and a female traveler, I feel it is sometimes better to travel with a tour company. This is not always the case-- I have traveled to England, California, and parts of New Zealand by myself. But when I do travel as part of a tour, I tend to like the companies that cater to small groups.

Here are a list of companies that I have traveled with or had help with booking my trip:

Canada
Moose Network www.moosenetwork.com

This backpacker company has two types of tours. In the West, travelers can hop-on or hop-off wherever they please and then book the next bus that has room available. In the East, tours are scheduled with specific stops and hostels. There are two options for the Moose East tours: Inclusive and non-inclusive. Inclusive is a bit more and all hostels and attractions are booked in advance; non-inclusive has a lower tour price and an extra fee to be paid for any attractions. Plus, hotels have to be paid when the traveler arrives at the hostel.

Travel Cuts/The Adventure Travel Company www.atcadventure.com

This company provides loads of information about adventure travel worldwide. I booked my trip to the South Pacific through them. They booked my flights, submitted my Visa applications for Australia and New Zealand, helped me with my YHA membership, and booked/helped me register for my Oz Experience tour.

gAdventures www.gadventures.com

This company used to be called Gap Adventures. That is what they were called when I traveled to Thailand. They have changed their name, but not the type or quality of thier product. This is a great company. They offer different types of adventure tours all over the world. You can choose the style of travel accommodations and transportation you want (gradings are classic, standard, yolo etc.) And how much physical activity you want (rated one to five, with five being most active). This is a great company due to the variety of tour options available. Check them out!

Australia
Oz Experience www.ozexperience.com

This is a hop-on, hop-off style of backpacker tour. It provides a login link where you can book your buses for your trip across Australia. There are options for hostels where the bus picks up and drops off passengers, so you can book your trip based on that. I booked all my hostels and buses in advance of leaving Canada because I only had a specific number of days there. However, travelers can choose to book only one leg of the journey at a time, if they want.

New Zealand
Stray Travel www.straytravel.com

I traveled in New Zealand both by myself and on a tour. The tour company I chose was Stray Travel because it offered more adventure, an authentic Maori experience, and a smaller group. Group sizes are 25 passenger maximum. Travelers can hop-on, hop-off wherever they choose. This company also provides a login link where the passenger can book available buses as they choose. It is a great way to see New Zealand, as lots of highlights are offered on various lengths of tours. You can choose to tour all of New Zealand, only one island at a time, or small tours of only specific parts of New Zealand. It was a great way to see the country!

 Kiwi Experience www.kiwiexperience.co.nz

This backpacker tour company offers tours similar to those offered by Oz Experience in Australia. The clientele tends to be the younger, party crowd. Passengers can hop-on, hop-off where they please and book their buses online. Tour sizes tend to be a bit larger.

~Angie