Authorized Tiger Tours have failed to protect the population of tigers while attempting to bring tourists ever closer to their natural habitat.  Safari lodges have been built in Eco sensitive areas and some block the tiger’s traditional migratory routes.  Ever growing numbers of tours have resulted in tigers being herded by elephants to parade in front of a traffic jams of jeeps piled high with photo snapping tourists.  Worst of all, poachers have continually raided and killed tigers, which today almost guarantees the eventual extinction of tigers in India.

It is hoped that by taking the drastic measure of banning tiger sightseeing tours, the majestic Indian tiger will be able to repopulate their habitat undisturbed and rebuild their population.  What remains unknown, is whether the poachers will be able proliferate once attention is taken away from the tiger’s territory.  Many worry about what will become of the dozens of tour companies and their employees who live near the tiger reserves.  Will the tigers be left in peace to flourish, or without the spotlight of tourism will poachers thin the population to tragic levels?  This is indeed a very tentative and dangerous time for India’s tiger population.  Here’s hoping India can stabilize the population and prevent the eventuality when the only tigers that can be seen are in a zoo!

The folks at TheChinaGuide.com (an American managed/Beijing based travel company) offer a unique and intriguing tour to The Great Wall that includes a “Sleep On The Wall” experience.  (Less adventurous travelers can opt to stay in a traditional courtyard hotel at the base of the wall instead.)  The tour visits a section of the wall that is less frequented by tour buses, so you will have plenty of opportunity to roam.  Following dinner in the village and an evening hike along the wall, tour participants who opt to ‘sleep on the wall’ climb to a watchtower along with their guide, and bed down in a cozy sleeping bag with sleeping mat.  After a night of imagining you’re a trusty tower scout watching for an invading Mongol army, breakfast arrives (hot coffee, muesli and fruit) and it’s off for a 6 mile walk to discover more mysteries of the wall along with your guides.  Imagine the stories you’ll have to tell when you return home.  “I not only climbed the wall, I lived on it like Chinese soldiers did thousands of years ago”!  Here’s a link that will bring you to a full description of this unique Sleep On The Wall tour.  You might also like to read the trip report and watch a video by a Toronto Star reporter.

Now for the rest of us who are not entertaining a trip to China in the near future…. TheChinaGuide website has an outstanding feature -   360 degree panorama videos of  major sights in and around Beijing including The Great Wall,  Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, The Forbidden City, and Olympic stadiums – you’ll almost feel like you’re there.   Enjoy this virtual tour of Beijing!

ps – the photos in the article were not taken on The China Guide tour – they are my photos from a previous visit to China.

1) Cook Islands and New Zealand - Explore two exotic destinations with Goway Tours‘ Super Special.  The 15 day adventure includes roundtrip airfare with Air New Zealand from LAX, 9 nights lodging in the Cook Islands, 3 day car or scooter rental, 3 nights lodging in Auckland (NZ), airport transfers and lots more for $1,759 per person (including the fuel surcharge).

2) Singapore Airlines Vacations have a whole host of offers for amazing journeys which combine breathtaking Far East capitals including Singapore + Bangkok for $1,145 pp, Singapore & Phuket for $1,488 pp, Singapore & Bali for $1,182 pp, or Singapore and Hanoi for $1,290 pp.  Packages include roundtrip flights, deluxe hotel accommodation, city tours and more.

3) Let Central Holidays whisk you away to Europe’s most romantic cities for a winter escape.  Their 9 day Venice & Paris tour spends 4 nights in each city for a mere $1,061 per person.  You’ll miss all the frantic summer crowds and enjoy the best seats on boats, barges and in the cafes.

4) European Destinations has combined 3 night stays in Rome and Athens for one great price – $896 per person including roundtrip airfare.   I’m thinking a gastronomic whirlwind on this trip!

I’m sure there are various terms and conditions for these journeys, so click through to read what’s included in each trip and dates that they are available.

Americas
New York - Chelsea Market, a hub of foodie activity
San Francisco - Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, large Organics Markets, operates 3 times per week
New Orleans – Crescent City Farmers Market, Uptown and Downtown fabulous fruits
Seattle – Freemont Sunday Market – more than fruits & veggies – treasures of all description
Hawaii – Hawaii Farmers Markets Online, several gorgeous markets on every island
Vancouver – Granville Island Public Market, The ethnic diversity of Vancouver makes this market a sensory explosion
Mexico City - Mercado de la Merced, nirvana for chili pepper lovers – every color of the rainbow!

Europe
Rome – Campo de Fiori – on every tourist map and well worth the visit
Paris – Wonderful markets in almost every neighborhood – Gayot List and descriptions. And don’t miss a visit to Fauchon, considered “the Tiffany’s of food purveyors”.
Provence – lavendar and sunflowers in every town! Don’t miss the huge market in Carpentas, with 350 stalls – operating since 1155!  French Entre full list of markets.
London – Borough Market – London’s oldest market, and don’t miss the food halls at Harrods and Selfridges
Barcelona – La Boqueria - take a virtual tour!
Stockholm – Ostermalm Saluhall – closed food market with a smorgasboard of delights!
Vienna – Naschmarkt, since the 16th century – anyone for a torte?
Jerusalem – Mahane Yahuda Market – highly recommended by good friend  and avid traveler, Deanna

Far East
China – In every city, don’t miss this experience, it will redefine your definition of food! Shop at the Red Bridge Market in Beijing
Hong Kong – A kaleidoscope of sensory encounters In every neighborhood – Virtual Tourist List
Tokyo – Tsukiji Market – it’s all about the fish – largest fish market in the world! Visit the Tokyo Food Page
Singapore – Kreta Ayer Wet Market – named for the water carts (not the food), you’ll find every kind of food, spice, and ware – be sure to visit Food Street and the Chinatown Night Market.

To find a farmers market experience wherever you travel in the USA, visit LocalHarvest.org

We’ve found one TEFL certification program that condenses the study course to two weeks, and throws in a whole lot of fun while they’re at it.  The World TEFL School is currently offering a two week TEFL course on the “Full Moon Party” island of Koh Phangan, Thailand. Koh Phangan is famous for their pristine beaches, exuberant backpacker population, and the full moon revelers who gather each month for one of the worlds biggest beach parties.  This unique program requires participants to complete a forty hour online TEFL course before arriving in Thailand for the 2 week onsite course.  And they offer two exceptional guarantees: a money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the program, and a guarantee of a paid job placement in Thailand upon completion of the Certification.  (Of course there’s probably some fine print and conditions, so you’ll want to check it all out at WorldTEFLSchool.com.

Now if Thailand is not your particular thing…  Fear Not – there are TEFL certification courses and teaching posts available in almost every country you would care to visit.  You might want to start with a visit to TEFL.com or do a search “teach English as a foreign language in ________ ” and insert the destination you’re interested in.

This is a great way to experience other world cultures on a very personal level, travel economically, expand your own resume, and meet some wonderful people along the way!

First take the tram to the start of the trail.

Now follow the path.

Be sure to hold on to the ‘railing’.

Keep an eye on the person in front of you.

Be careful when passing someone going in opposite direction.

Gets a little steeper here – so put your toes in the holes

A few more steps to go!

Finally in sight.

This restaurant is in China.
If you manage to reach the restaurant, the food is free.

I’d have to consider it my last meal – no way I’m going back down the way I came up!!!

This was sent to me by my brother in Korea – a former helicopter pilot. I think someone could make a ton of money picking up all those frightened climbers at the top and flying them back down to safety!!!

India definitely falls into the €˜trip of a lifetime’ category. What intrigue, adventure and cultural multiplicity it conjures! Think of the juxtapositions – steamy tropical jungles, cool luminous marble at the Taj Mahal, intricate layer cake temples, crowded street bazaars laden with spices, flowing silk and clanging brasses. No wonder you’re planning a trip to India! Here are some important things to know before venturing off.

Documents
Visas are required for India so you’ll want to plan ahead to secure yours. Here’s the approved agency for issuing Indian Visas in the USA: Travista

An International Health Certificate is usually asked for by Immigration Officials. We HIGHLY recommend that you consult information at the Center For Disease Control, US State Department’s Consular Information, and with your physician and/or a medical practice specializing in travel medicine before venturing off to India. You’ll need to update your vaccinations, medications, and become aware of possible diseases you may be exposed to.

Attire
Even though the weather is hot and humid, don’t wear shorts in India unless you want to be stared at and considered ‘indecent’. It is customary to dress modestly with shoulders and legs covered. A light long full skirt for women seems to work out the best.

Wear shoes that can be slipped off easily as you’ll be required to remove your shoes often when entering places of worship or a home.

The Hindu population considers cows to be sacred beings, so they don’t like seeing you clad in leather goods. Best to go for canvas shoes and cloth belts and bags.

Shopping
It’s a custom at many shops to offer shoppers a cup of tea and biscuit. Be polite and at least nibble the biscuit and take a sip or two of tea. If you’re hesitant about the water, just fake a sipping motion.

Bartering is the norm. Begin by offering half the original price and go from there. Bargain only if you’re really interested in purchasing that item as the process can be exhausting. After a few rounds you’ll be tempted to shout out – “just tell me the real price”.

Taxis and Rickshaws
Negotiate the price in advance and write the price down in a notebook so the driver knows you have made a record of the promised price.

Never accept a ride in a cab or any vehicle when there is someone other than the driver inside.

Lifestyles and Customs
A shake of the head can be confusing. The motion of moving your head from left to right means YES, not ‘no’ as we are accustomed to, so don’t rely on head shakes for confirmations.

When meeting an older person, greet them by saying “Namaste” with a quick head bow and clasping your hands together upright in front of you. This shows the person you are meeting is worthy of respect.

Be cautious with your picture taking. Photography is not allowed in areas that could be considered of military importance – such as train stations, bridges, airports, etc. You should also ask permission before taking a picture of a person – especially true of an individual woman. Look for posters at major sites indicating if photography is allowed. And some monuments levy a fee for taking photos.

Occasionally you will be forbidden from entering a place of worship if you do not practice that faith. Sorry – just the way it is.

To avoid stomach problems, abstain from eating salads and uncooked fruits/vegetables that cannot be peeled. Drink only bottled water, hot coffee or tea, beer & wine, and skip the fried food and pork. Also it’s wise to ease into the spicy cuisine unless you’re used to eating highly spiced foods at home.

Safety
Pickpockets abound. Your passport, money, charge cards etc. need to be INSIDE your clothes next to your skin in a hidden travel pouch. Fanny packs and zippered shoulder bags just advertise you’ve got goods to be gotten! Beware when in crowded areas – which is to say, everywhere.

Always lock your hotel room door after you enter the room. Valuables should be locked away in a safe. Always take your passport and important documents with you.

Do you have other tips for India everyone should know about? Please share them by leaving a comment to this post.