These two birds of prey were seen in north-eastern South Australia while this region of the desert was in flood. It's usually the driest part of the driest country, but at this time there was water everywhere. That brings in the birds, and it is the most amazing sight. In this photo, you can see a falcon and Australia's largest bird of prey, the wedged tail eagle soaring through the sky together. I love the way they just seem to glide through the sky, which is because they actually ride the air currents.
Of course, not all the animals we see are native animals. This stockman was mustering cattle near Marree, a tiny outback town at the intersection of two major outback routes, the Oodnadatta Tack and the Birdsville Track. Near where this photo was taken is Anna Creek Station; a station is an Australian word for a very large farm in the Australian outback. Anna Creek Station is so large that it is actually larger than the country of Belgium.
Of course, what would be an Australian animal round up without a photo of a kangaroo, this female with her joey was seen on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia
Not to forget the other national symbol, the world's second largest bird, the flightless emu. We saw a lot of emus with chicks in South Australia's Flinders Ranges. The emu mothers actually disappear after laying the eggs, leaving the father to sit on the eggs and raise the chicks alone.
These photos were all taken by Jarrad, who shares his photos at wandering-photographer. Jarrad has been travelling around Australia in a caravan with his wife and four kids aged 10 and under since 2009. You can also follow their adventures at livinontheroad, Amy wrote this wonderful guest post for us!
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I have heard enough bad things about these two small town in Southeast Asia! If I had listened to the advice of the numerous websites I consulted, then our trip to both of these great towns might never have happened. I have been known to go against the norm at times and this time it paid off in spades! And as it turns out, Vang Vieng and Pai are two of our favorite towns!
Vang Vieng, Laos
Vang Vieng gets the worst rap out of the two. Here are some things I heard about this amazing little town before we visited; "It's just a town full of 20 something drunks", "lazy kids who sit around all day watching TV is all this town has to offer", and "there is nothing to do but get drunk and maybe even hurt yourself". Needless to say, I was turned off immediately as we are traveling with 3 children and left the party scene about 12 years ago.
BUT...
Luang Prabang was more recommended than Van Vieng, but a much longer drive on a very windy road. We had already come so far from Thailand and really weren't feeling up for it more trekking. Vang Vieng was only 3 hours by van from Vientiane -- the Laos Capital -- so we decided we would try it anyway. Maybe everyone else is wrong we thought, trying to persuade ourselves that this was in fact a good decision. If it was as bad as everyone says, we can always head to Luang Prabang from there.
Well, we could not have been more surprised! It is a small town; so easy to walk and it is full of great little restaurants, relaxed bars, hotels of varying cost, and kind welcoming locals. Sure there are plenty of young people spending their day drinking, but none of them bothered us at all. They were actually quite an amusing thing to watch. There are also the TV bars that so many had warned about but you know what, we loved those. Comfortable, yummy food, and fun shows to watch. I wouldn't want to live there but for a few weeks it was engaging and fun. What is so wrong with people relaxing anyway?
What's so family friendly about Vang Vieng?
It is hard to even know where to begin as there is SO much to do with kids of all ages. First, the river tubing that many portrayed as dangerous and full of filthy behavior was awesome. We went around 10am and even stopped at a few bars, to check out the water slides and ziplines. I went with my 12 and 8-year-old sons and we all had a great time.
In fact, there were only a few other people out there so early in the morning so it seemed like we had the river to ourselves. You can also just spend time down by the beautiful river itself splashing around and skipping rocks. There is such a beautiful backdrop of stunning limestone cliffs, locals fishing and washing clothes, and water buffalo swimming that the bars we merely one aspect to enjoy. All that -- the views, cool river, sun on our faces, and water slides -- sounds like family fun to me. It is true that some get hurt and even die on that river usually do to irresponsibly drinking buckets of alcohol. I recommend starting the tubing adventure early in the morning before the partiers' hangovers subside from the previous evening.
Another thing we love to do is rent motor scooters and exploring. We only do this in small towns where traffic is limited, so Vang Vieng was a perfect spot. Throw in the fact that there are amazing lagoons, caves, and unique villages that it was the perfect recipe for adventure and happiness the entire 3 weeks. That's right we liked it so much we stayed almost 3 weeks, and we never ran out of things to do.
Where to stay with a family
We realized quickly that the center of town gets quite loud in the evening and were very grateful for the fact that we had booked a hotel at the far end of town. Laos Haven Hotel was a perfect spot for us. It was close enough to easily walk to restaurants, but it was far enough away so we were not disturbed by the thumping of house music in the evening. The rooms were pretty basic but they offer rooms with 2 large beds and the 5 of us were quite comfortable. There is a great kitchen that serves food all day and the rates were fair and budget friendly. The owners were helpful and very sweet to all of us. We highly recommend it!
Pai, Thailand
Pai is a small mountain town in northern Thailand near the Burma border. Pai also has gotten a bad rap similarly as a party town, but more for being a hippie hangout over run with tourists. Since it is a short 3-hour van ride from Chiang Mai through some pretty windy roads, okay the most windy roads ever, I was not sure we would venture out that way. We generally do not target touristy areas.
BUT..
After a good friend went and assured us it was a great spot, and since we experienced enough time in Chiang Mai, we decided to brave the drive and check it out. Admittedly, we do enjoy smaller towns even if they are over run with tourists. The bigger cities we have visited are really wonderful but we feel more at home in a small town with space for the kids to run around. It has a calming effect on our whole family.
When we first arrived in Pai, I immediately understood the warnings. It was clearly FULL of tourists and the town seemed to be set up to cater to them. It was also a bit larger town than Vang Vieng so it took me a few days to really warm up to it, but once I did I just fell in love.
So what is there to do in Pai with a family?
Well, this is a long list so i'll keep it brief and write more about it in an upcoming Pai only post. Again we rented scooters at a mere $3 per day. A great deal and the cheapest we have found in our travels so far. With those we wee able to explore the entire area. From elephant camps to hot springs, memorial bridges to waterfalls, there is no shortage of things to keep everyone busy. It is a beautiful town with amazing temples, rice fields, and mountains to enjoy. A must see is Tham Lod cave, about a 1 hour scooter ride from town well worth it. The ride is beautiful and the cave is nothing short of amazing! There are plenty of family retaurants as well as a great nightly walking market.
Where to stay with a family?
Pai Chan was our choice. They offer discounts for stays over a week and have a really nice family bungalow. with two separate bedrooms, a large bathroom, and your own porch area and picnic table. The hotel also has a pool, although it's a bit cold for most people. The restaurant is wonderful, and they cook food to order as well as amazing fruit smoothies. The price is right and located just outside of town you get the best of both worlds, close enough to town to walk, but again, far enough away to avoid any "tourist behavior" you may want to be avoiding, especially at night.
Overall, I would have to say I enjoyed Vang Vieng a bit more than Pai, but I was pleasantly surprised that both of these towns have been portrayed inaccurately. There is so much beauty and fun to be had in both areas that I consider them to be must sees in this area of the world. Do yourself a favor and check them out while in Thailand and Laos. They are both great spots for your next family adventure!
Have you ventured to a town that others condemned and were pleasantlyt surprised?? Tell us about it below!
If you enjoyed this please share using the tabs below..
Vang Vieng gets the worst rap out of the two. Here are some things I heard about this amazing little town before we visited; "It's just a town full of 20 something drunks", "lazy kids who sit around all day watching TV is all this town has to offer", and "there is nothing to do but get drunk and maybe even hurt yourself". Needless to say, I was turned off immediately as we are traveling with 3 children and left the party scene about 12 years ago.
BUT...
Luang Prabang was more recommended than Van Vieng, but a much longer drive on a very windy road. We had already come so far from Thailand and really weren't feeling up for it more trekking. Vang Vieng was only 3 hours by van from Vientiane -- the Laos Capital -- so we decided we would try it anyway. Maybe everyone else is wrong we thought, trying to persuade ourselves that this was in fact a good decision. If it was as bad as everyone says, we can always head to Luang Prabang from there.
Well, we could not have been more surprised! It is a small town; so easy to walk and it is full of great little restaurants, relaxed bars, hotels of varying cost, and kind welcoming locals. Sure there are plenty of young people spending their day drinking, but none of them bothered us at all. They were actually quite an amusing thing to watch. There are also the TV bars that so many had warned about but you know what, we loved those. Comfortable, yummy food, and fun shows to watch. I wouldn't want to live there but for a few weeks it was engaging and fun. What is so wrong with people relaxing anyway?
What's so family friendly about Vang Vieng?
It is hard to even know where to begin as there is SO much to do with kids of all ages. First, the river tubing that many portrayed as dangerous and full of filthy behavior was awesome. We went around 10am and even stopped at a few bars, to check out the water slides and ziplines. I went with my 12 and 8-year-old sons and we all had a great time.
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| Fun and perfectly safe |
Another thing we love to do is rent motor scooters and exploring. We only do this in small towns where traffic is limited, so Vang Vieng was a perfect spot. Throw in the fact that there are amazing lagoons, caves, and unique villages that it was the perfect recipe for adventure and happiness the entire 3 weeks. That's right we liked it so much we stayed almost 3 weeks, and we never ran out of things to do.
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| Lots of amazing places to explore in Vang Vieng |
Where to stay with a family
We realized quickly that the center of town gets quite loud in the evening and were very grateful for the fact that we had booked a hotel at the far end of town. Laos Haven Hotel was a perfect spot for us. It was close enough to easily walk to restaurants, but it was far enough away so we were not disturbed by the thumping of house music in the evening. The rooms were pretty basic but they offer rooms with 2 large beds and the 5 of us were quite comfortable. There is a great kitchen that serves food all day and the rates were fair and budget friendly. The owners were helpful and very sweet to all of us. We highly recommend it!
Pai is a small mountain town in northern Thailand near the Burma border. Pai also has gotten a bad rap similarly as a party town, but more for being a hippie hangout over run with tourists. Since it is a short 3-hour van ride from Chiang Mai through some pretty windy roads, okay the most windy roads ever, I was not sure we would venture out that way. We generally do not target touristy areas.
BUT..
After a good friend went and assured us it was a great spot, and since we experienced enough time in Chiang Mai, we decided to brave the drive and check it out. Admittedly, we do enjoy smaller towns even if they are over run with tourists. The bigger cities we have visited are really wonderful but we feel more at home in a small town with space for the kids to run around. It has a calming effect on our whole family.
When we first arrived in Pai, I immediately understood the warnings. It was clearly FULL of tourists and the town seemed to be set up to cater to them. It was also a bit larger town than Vang Vieng so it took me a few days to really warm up to it, but once I did I just fell in love.
So what is there to do in Pai with a family?
Well, this is a long list so i'll keep it brief and write more about it in an upcoming Pai only post. Again we rented scooters at a mere $3 per day. A great deal and the cheapest we have found in our travels so far. With those we wee able to explore the entire area. From elephant camps to hot springs, memorial bridges to waterfalls, there is no shortage of things to keep everyone busy. It is a beautiful town with amazing temples, rice fields, and mountains to enjoy. A must see is Tham Lod cave, about a 1 hour scooter ride from town well worth it. The ride is beautiful and the cave is nothing short of amazing! There are plenty of family retaurants as well as a great nightly walking market.
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| Entrance to Tham Lod cave |
Where to stay with a family?
Pai Chan was our choice. They offer discounts for stays over a week and have a really nice family bungalow. with two separate bedrooms, a large bathroom, and your own porch area and picnic table. The hotel also has a pool, although it's a bit cold for most people. The restaurant is wonderful, and they cook food to order as well as amazing fruit smoothies. The price is right and located just outside of town you get the best of both worlds, close enough to town to walk, but again, far enough away to avoid any "tourist behavior" you may want to be avoiding, especially at night.
Overall, I would have to say I enjoyed Vang Vieng a bit more than Pai, but I was pleasantly surprised that both of these towns have been portrayed inaccurately. There is so much beauty and fun to be had in both areas that I consider them to be must sees in this area of the world. Do yourself a favor and check them out while in Thailand and Laos. They are both great spots for your next family adventure!
Have you ventured to a town that others condemned and were pleasantlyt surprised?? Tell us about it below!
If you enjoyed this please share using the tabs below..
A: Age you made your first international trip
I wish I could say I was as young as my boys were when they first made their international trip but my childhood was some what turbulent so travel was not a priority. After graduating high school my grandparents flew me to Bermuda. I remember getting that first passport and feeling so excited at the freedom in it. I knew that travel and filling up those pages was going to be a must on my life's bucket list.
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| Wikicommons |
B: Best (foreign) beer you've had and why
Beer Lao dark! Hands down, no question about it! When we lived in the US our favorite beer was Newcastle (brown ale imported from England), so Beer Lao dark resembles that the most. After very disappointing beer in Central America, Beer Lao was a nice change. It beats out Newcastle purely for financial reasons. At about 1/4 the cost of a Newcastle with the similar full-flavor taste it's a no brainer in my book!
C: Cuisine (favorite)
This is a tough one! Pizza is one of my favorites and New Haven, CT (my home state) cannot be beaten. But for desserts there is nothing like a cold scoop of Gelato after walking the streets of Rome. Then there is Thai food, where I am currently enjoying every last bite! Hmmm, I just can't pick a favorite, it just isn't a fair question!
D. Destinations. Favorite. Least Favorite. Why?
I would have to say my favorite so far has been Vang Vieng in Laos. It's a manageable small town surrounded by majestic limestone bluffs. The culture is authentic, but plenty of Western touristy joints too. We rented motorbikes and explored incredible villages to the North. We had a fantastic time there. It made the tops perhaps because I really had no expectations going in to the trip and was so pleasantly surprised.
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| Blue lagoon, Vang Vieng, Laos |
E: Event you experienced that made you say "WOW"!
Climbing the steps at Chichen Itza in Mexico! When we reached the top and looked out and around, and DOWN! That was definitely one of my earliest WOW moments! Staring into Crater Lake in Oregon was also one of my entire family's more recent wow moments. If you're ever near there, don't miss it!
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| Oh those stairs! (wikicommons) |
F: Favorite mode of transportation
Train travel is by far the best way to get anyplace long distance. When you get on a sleeper car, you save money on a night's accommodation and they are remarkably comfortable. I don't care how nice a bus or a plane says their seats are, nothing compares to being able to lay down for a great rest and comfortably arrive at your destination. For shorter travel, around a city a tuk tuk is the best, exciting, open air, and always interesting conversation. Short distance in the country, my family will pick scooters any day!
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| Short distance tuk-tuks are where it's at |
Realizing that my life and my children's lives would be forever enriched by our experiences around the world. It changes you from the core of your being and I am so happy to be giving that gift to my children!
H: Hottest place I've traveled to
Super hot is not my favorite type of climate especially when I am pregnant and already feel like an oven. During my first pregnancy we took a road trip across the US. It just so happened to be record heat in the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico. 116-120 degrees during the day, dry heat or not that is HOT! Even cracking the window on the car for a minute felt like a hot blow dryer blasting you. We stopped to see the Grand Canyon and had to leave the car running as we
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| Grand Canyon Wikicommons |
Honestly, every place we have been has been incredible in this department. Costa Rica, Thailand, Laos, many places in Europe. Maybe it is because these cultures adore kids but we have really only been met with kindness and help at every turn.
J: Journey that took you the longest
The long haul trip from Costa Rica to Bangkok, Thailand. We traveled for 2 days. 6 hour flight from Costa Rica to LAX, 20 hours to Taiwan, and 3 more to Bangkok! That was a long couple of days but not nearly as hard as I was expecting.
K: Keepsakes from your travels
Pictures, pictures, and more pictures! I am not one for shopping for knick knacks since we have no room to keep them. We are slow traveling the world and got rid of all our possessions in order to carry what we really need in our backpacks. There is simply no room for extra trinkets. But I make room for an extra hard drive for photo storage, or 3;) My son did pick up a terrible case of hives but as that has dissipated I suppose it doesn't count as a keepsake!
L: Let down site. Where and why?
David, Panama! It was pouring, filthy, garbage every place, and really nothing to do there. We had heard good things about it so decided to drive down from Costa Rica (8 hours) to check out this border town to renew our visa! Perhaps it was the weather or the shoddy hotel we stayed at, but what a disappointment!
M: Moment where you fell in love with travel
From the time I was young I often dreamed of exotic locations. Before I knew what a "bucket list" was I had been creating one in my mind. I think the moment I fell in love though was when I booked my trip to Europe with a girlfriend way back in 1996! Just the realization, that I was going to be seeing the things I dreamed of, sparked a whole new love for the idea of travel.
N: Nicest hotel you've stayed in
I don't and have never really stayed at "nice" hotels. I just don't really see the point in spending a lot of money on a room to sleep in. Maybe the hotel I loved the most was a hostel that my friend and I found on the fly in Switzerland. It was an old swiss chalet with the most amazing views from our balcony. A great sense of community at the hostel, lots of drinking, skiing, and games. I believe we only spent $10 US per night as well. Icing meet cake!
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| Swiss Alps Wikicommons |
O: Obsession. What are you obsessed with taking pictures of?
When I travel I take pictures of everything, obscene amounts of pictures really. Currently, I am in South East Asia and my obsession seems to be with pictures of monks. I am a recovering monk stalker and the recovering part is not going very well! Beware men in orange!
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| Gotcha |
P: Passport stamps. How many and where from?
I am a relatively new traveler but, hopefully, by the end of this year the list will be much longer. At the moment, between the 2 passports I have had in my life; USA, Mexico, Bermuda, UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech rep., Austria, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Thailand, Burma, and Laos. 20 countries but I couldn't count up how many stamps I have had as I went in and out of many of those countries on multiple occasions.
Q: Quirkiest attraction you've visited and where.
The Natural History museum in Costa Rica. I know a natural history museum doesn't sound that weird but this place was in desperate need of upkeep. Picture the stuffed animals at any museum but with no upkeep for 10 years. The eyeballs were falling out, patches of hair missing, and mold and dust permeated the rooms. I think the thing that put it over the edge was the multiple human babies in jars section of the museum. Not sure how that got by especially in a Catholic dominated country but it was interesting. Yeah, that is the best word to describe this place, well at least it is the most kind way to explain it!
R: Recommended site, event, or experience.
I would have to recommend Laos to anyone coming to SE Asia. I think a lot of people miss it because it doesn't cater to tourists or seem to have much to offer. The roads are terrible, but the destinations are worth every minute. It is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled places I have ever been to, and the people are so laid back and kind. I enjoyed every minute, especially in Vang Vieng, and miss it already! It seems to me to be a more authentic experience than the neighboring (and more popular) Thailand, where a 7-11 can be found every 2 blocks!
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| I don't even need word here (Vang Vieng, Laos) |
S: Splurge. Something you have no problem forking over for while traveling.
I will skimp and save on food and hotels, but what I will not for go because of costs is any unique experience. Some things are touristy and you pay for it but unique is unique and I will gladly shell out the money for a new adventure!
T: Touristy thing you've done
I can admit that I am a tourist! I walk around new cities, camera at the ready and fully enjoy touristy events. I am also a traveler so I try not to spend too much on this category, but as I stated above it seems to be a weakness of mine. I have done LOTS of touristy things from climbing the Eiffel tower to playing with tigers at Tiger Kingdom. Just because a lot of people do it doesn't make it any less amazing in my book!
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| Touristy and amazing! |
U: Unforgettable travel memory
Stepping out of the car to see the Grand Canyon for the first time! I remember my husband and I being shocked at how much it cost to get in to the park and thinking man, all that for a giant hole, I mean really. Well honestly the first second we looked over the railing both our chins dropped to the floor and we felt foolish for even thinking it wouldn't be amazing!
V: Visas. How many of them and for where?
I guess as an American I do not get that many actual visas. Every time you are stamped into a new country that is considered a visa; a visa on arrival. As for actual visas, that I had to apply for, and that take up a WHOLE page in my passport, that is running out of space quickly, it is only 2. One for Laos and one for a single entry tourist visa to Thailand.
W: Wine. Best glass and while traveling and where?
Yuck, am I supposed to like that stuff? I'll take a good cup of coffee or beer over the vino anytime.
X: eXcellent view and from where?
This is another really tough one. Some of the views from the small town I lived in while in Costa Rica were amazing. So are some of the views I experienced after climbing monuments in incredible cities. All in all though I would have to say the view I had in the Swiss Alps. No wait, maybe Crater Lake in Oregon, no actually it must be Vang Vieng, Laos. Yeah, I said it before... I love Laos and you should visit soon!
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| Crater Lake Oregon - Wikicommons |
Y: Years spent traveling
Small trips all my life. 3 months in Europe with a friend and then I left the US for good in 2006 and have been traveling ever since! It has been around 1890 days since we left the US! This newest Asia adventure just started 2 months ago but the plan is to continue and move through the world for the nest few years.
Z: Zealous sports fans and where.
Being that I am from CT and I spent my childhood attending NYC baseball and football games, my first inclination was to say New York City. But then I remember the fanatics of soccer and the zealous behaviors of its fans. While living in Costa Rica I experienced what I could only describe as insanity over a soccer game on the tube. The entire neighborhood would erupt in yelling and cheering during big games! I also remember visiting Europe during the Olympics and stepping into a bar to witness fans going wild. Assuming it was for the Olympics I was curious until I got closer and realized it was just an uproar for a local Soccer team.
Soccer fans win this one without a doubt. Where? I would say everywhere!
There you have it. Now it is my turn to tag other bloggers...tag Family Trek, Road trips for families, and The Nomadic Family.
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| Our spot for the 2 month anniversary |
Children will surprise you again and again
These boys amaze me and absolutely bring the best out in me. They have helped me get past fears, made me laugh, made me cry, and at the end of it all, just bring me so much joy! I have learned these past couple months that there really isn't anything they cannot handle. We had a particularly hard bus trip from Thailand to Laos and they handled it completely, even better than me. I get so worried when it is time to do any long trip but they do great every time. I am impressed, and amazed at them every day, well almost every day! |
| Just one of the fears my boys got me past! |
Squat toilets are actually better than the standard western ones (I swear I am not kidding)
This one I realized while at a pit stop during said bus trip. Now don't get me wrong, if I am sick in any way, I probably want the standard toilet for obvious, and way too much information, reasons. But that issue aside, it is a better set up. No wasting water, correct body positioning, and as long as you are agile enough the squat toilet is far more comfortable than you would think!
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| Looks scary but I swear these are great! |
People are the same all over the world, trying to make a better life for their families
There is a common saying in Thailand "same, same....but different!" We all laugh about it but at the same time we get it completely. Things on the surface are quite a bit different but inside at the deepest level of ourselves we are all the same...human. No matter what country you visit you will see some differences, but focusing on how much alike we all are is so much more interesting. People just want to be loved and love back, and they want a peaceful existence where they can take care of their family. Children want to play games, laugh, and be loved, no matter where you are. When you focus on the similarities it is easy to realize that there is nothing to fear when traveling the world. This is probably the thing that gives me the most travel inspiration. It drives me to see more and more how alike we all are globally!
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| At work and at play...same, same! |
The world does not revolve around the US but English really is important everywhere
In America, I was egocentric. I can admit it and I can also admit that I didn't think I was! I believe that most Americans are. When you get outside of the US you quickly realize that the world does NOT revolve around America. In fact it plays no part in daily life at all. But one thing I do notice is that if you do not speak English or the language native to a particular country, then you are going to have some serious communication issues. No one on the streets of Laos speaks Polish for example, so if you don't speak Laos or English, get ready for some difficult traveling. Signs are usually to some degree written in native language and in English but I have yet to see anything written in another language.
Finances and budgeting is NOT our strong suit
Budgeting is the toughest thing while traveling. To be honest we have never really been great at saving money or even budgeting our money. We are learning quickly though what things to avoid and how to save money here and there. But when you get an opportunity to play with baby tigers...I mean really does anyone care about budgets?? Oh you do! Well, see, I do need to get better at finances I guess.
Seriously though, it is very important to, at a minimum, set up some type of budget and try to stick as close to it as possible. It is a hard balance trying to be comfortable, move around as inexpensively as possible, feed
Never sweat the small stuff, actually don’t sweat any of it
OK so this is something I’ve always known and I am sure you hear all the time. When we decided to embark on this trip, I knew this would be one of the hardest things to improve in myself, along with patience. But it was also a big reason I wanted to go on this trip. I knew this was something that desperately needed to change for myself, my husband, and my kids. I still worry and nag. I mean, that is part of my job description, but everyday I see that these things just don't matter very much. No matter how you react to things the outcome is the same, you just made a fool of yourself and shaved time off your life if you react poorly. Not to mention making others feel bad at the same time. Certainly not worth it to over react! I don't know, maybe by years end I will have struck a balance with it all. Stay tuned....
I AM DAMN LUCKY and I need to always feel gratitude
This one is a given but something that bears repeating! We are extremely lucky and not just because of this lifestyle but for the numerous hardships that we have not had to endure. No matter what is going on in our lives there is always something to feel grateful for. Gratitude is a gift that we can and should be teaching our children. The best way to do that is by showing them how.
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| I cannot deny that this is part of my damn lucky! |
Being born in the US is an automatic free pass for avoiding some of the world's deepest horrors
There are many people inside the US that are suffering and by this statement I do not mean to take anything away from the pain that so many endure. With that said though, people in many other parts of the world still have a certain admiration for America. When you witness some of the extreme poverty around the world, one realizes that even the poorest Americans know little of genuine hardship of dirt floors, no electricity, no access to any money whatsoever, and some without food. Despite the grotesque income disparity evident in the U.S., Americans don't know or understand dirt-floor poverty, and they should be very grateful for that.
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| Hard work is the norm in many areas of the world |
Then there are the actual dangers of regime changes, bombings, left over landmines, etc. Fear is a very real thing for many people in the world. In the US we just do not have that level of fear and we should be deeply grateful for that as well.
The beauty of the world can and will bring tears to your eyes
Not really much I can say here to elaborate on that. It is mind numbing just how incredible this planet is and for each and every little teeny nook we visit, it becomes abundantly more clear to us. Beauty is everywhere, if you open your eyes to it.
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| Along a Costa Rican beach |
Asians do not drink milk and do not waste any part of any animal
Now these are just silly differences but they strike us as curious. There is hardly any dairy at all in Thailand and even less in Laos. In Vang Vieng is is literally non existent. Not much cheese, or anything else made from milk yet...there are cows EVERYWHERE!! Not sure where their Calcium is coming from but maybe we just don't need so much dairy or calcium?
My son and I went to dinner alone the other night and noticed yet again some strange (and I mean that in the nicest way) foods. Barbecue bats, yes real bats, like the stuck in your hair kind! Complete with their creepy faces and hair, donning a huge green leaf bathing suit. There was also a shish kabob of sorts with a few veggies and teeny tiny baby chicks. Not just the meat but the entire things, head, beak, feet, and all! Then there are the worms and scorpions and full size, deep fried, chicken heads! At least you can say they are not wasteful!
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| Yeah those are bats, to the left baby chicks...all of them! |
We can't wait to see what happens next month, headed back to Thailand for a bit and then who knows. Keep following us...
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In Thailand about 95% of the population is Buddhist. The rest of the population is split up between Christian and Muslim. I personally have never had a lot of exposure to anything but Christianity so I was immediately drawn to the peaceful nature of the Buddhist philosophy. I knew it would interest me greatly and that I would be spending a lot of time visiting the Wats, or Buddhist temples, in the country.
The thing that has surprised me so far is how interesting I have found the Muslim population. As we moved farther into the city I discovered several mosques and my interest was immediately peaked. I admit to knowing very little about the religion but I do know that there is a call to prayer several times a day.
There is a mosque right outside my window now and the call to prayer sparks emotion inside me like I have not felt in a long time. This evening my oldest called me outside because he noticed something different this time. Now I am not sure exactly what was going on, it seemed to be more involved then the usual call to prayer, but I found myself completely immersed in the prayer even though I had no idea what the words meant. As I leaned back against the wall tears began to well up in my eyes. The sound was so incredibly beautiful it is hard to describe in words, but as I listened I knew this has to be an amazing religion, one I plan to learn a lot more about!
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| Wikimedia Commons Image |
It is rare for our dreams and expectations to live up to reality. Often times we build a destination up in our minds only to be disappointed by cheesy touristic over development, or feeling cheated by travel writers and documentarists eager to oversell and hide the negative.
As I drove along the barren coastal Dead Sea road my driver nonchalantly waved his hand, “This used to be Sodom and Gomorrah.” Twenty minutes earlier he had pointed to where Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River.
Amazed by how everyday his comment was I pushed to know more. “What’s the site called?”
“Baptism Place.” He never took his eyes off the road. I thought he just didn’t know the name in English until I saw a large blue highway sign announcing the exit. It read simply, “Baptism Place.” Understatement was becoming common as I drove with friends for 3 hours to the ancient lost city of Petra, one of the New Wonders of the World, and Jordan’s shiniest gem in an open air treasury boasting thousands of glittering wonders.
The Approach
“Soak in the experience, cameras will only remind you of the looks not the sense of awe nature imparts here,” our guide recommended as we walked slowly through the Siq, the 1.2 km narrow canyon leading to Petra. Shear sandstone cliffs towered above, ancient cobbled stones, smooth by thousands of years of use greeted our feet, eroded idols lumped us together with the millions who have passed by over the 2,600 year history of the city.
Rounding a corner your senses are suddenly overwhelmed by the majesty of what lies ahead. The Treasury, Petra’s main monument, fills the gap in the canyon. You feel insignificant and humbled by the beauty of man’s ingenuity competing with the already inspiring landscape. You are not alone; hundreds of other tourists are competing to be alone with the Treasury, touts are hawking their wares and the camel and horse guides are shouting for your attention. Despite the noise and day to day business of the area time slows, and you are left with the monument. It was exactly how I imagined it would be, and more.
The City and Tombs
The Treasury, which takes its name from recent times when locals believed a treasure was located in the top urn and shoot it to destruction, is but the tip of the iceberg. The vast city of Petra lies hidden in the surrounding mountains containing tombs ranging from simple caves to elaborate royal burial chambers. Multicolored minerals blend magically with the sandstone and change hues as the advancing sun heats the rocks.
A guide can be an expensive proposition at 50 dinars (about $75) but well worth the investment if you have others to share the cost. The size and complexity of Petra needs at least a simple introduction and orientation before you explore and discover its secrets on your own. Things like ancient piping, the economy of the city that led to its prosperity, and sculptures of camels hidden in the rocks are all things we would have missed without our guide.
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| Wikimedia commons image |
Hidden, even deeper and higher up in the mountains, is the Monastery. Larger than the Treasury, the steep 900 stair path winding its way into the mountains is one of the highlights of Petra not to miss. The walk takes about 1 hour up and 20 minutes down. If you’re running out of time, hire a donkey for 5 dinars. The trip is one way but is unforgettable. These surefooted beasts of burden will deliver you to the top safe and sound, but coursing with adrenaline and excitement. Bumpy, unsettling at times on hairpin turns with sheer cliffs, especially when the donkey slips, this was one of my favorite experiences. High up on the mountain, the wind whipping the sand across your exposed face, you turn a corner and suddenly you are insignificant again. The Monastery overpowers you, cut deep into the mountain again by the power of man but the result is something more.
You’ll have to wait for the upcoming photo essay to see the Monastery, and the video of my donkey ride!
“We’ll stop here for a few minutes.” We are on our way back to the Dead Sea and our driver is not giving us a choice. We get out wondering what the small humble building in front of us holds. We stroll in; there is no fee to pay. In a small one room structure sits a rock and a basin of water below it. Water flows slowly between the stones. “Moses struck this rock and caused the water to spring forth as he led the Jews from Egypt to the Promised Land.”
Like everything else we experienced that day, it was biblical. Understated, but biblical nonetheless.
If you Go
Getting there
The airport in Amman is the main gateway to Jordan. The visa lines can be a bit tricky so check if you need to get a visa on arrival. I wasted 20 minutes waiting in the “Other Nationalities” line before I found out I had to buy my visa (10 dinars) and go through a separate line.
Driving from Amman to Petra takes between 3 and 3 ½ hours. Bus tours, private taxis, and private drivers are all on offer.
You can see most of Petra in a full day, about 7-8 hours. But to really explore the area plan on 2-3 days to feel like you’ve seen it all.
For more information, advise, and musings about travel visit www.toddswanderings.com
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