BikeHike Adventure Blog

Escape the Winter Chill: A Belize Kayak Adventure with BikeHike

2008-10-31T08:12:00.000-07:00

BikeHike Founder Trish Sare to Lead Special January Tour

The long dark season may be settling in, but don’t pull out those sweaters just yet. Grab your swimsuit, pack your bags, and head for the aquatic playground of Belize Jan. 26-31, 2009 for an unforgettable kayak experience, led by BikeHike Adventures founder Trish Sare.

Belize has some of the best snorkeling opportunities in the world, and its calm protected waters and manageable distances between islands make this the perfect place for sea kayak exploration. BikeHike’s “Belize Paddlers Paradise” combines these two activities in an exciting liquid adventure built specifically for water enthusiasts.

Launching out of Placencia, the “Belize Paddlers Paradise” itinerary calls for four days of paddling and snorkeling along the longest reef in the western hemisphere. Participants will navigate the labyrinth of deserted islands scattered throughout the warm and clear Caribbean Sea via sea kayak. They will have opportunities to snorkel the rich and colorful ocean, abundant with exotic tropical fish and coral that plunge deep into the earth. When not on the water, guests can stretch out in hammocks and chill beneath coconut palms in the refreshing ocean breeze. The one-week itinerary is short enough to fit into busy winter work schedules, and yet has the perfect blend of activity and relaxation to feed the spirit and enrich the soul.

Trish Sare will be leading the January 26-31, 2009 “Belize Paddlers Paradise tour. Sare founded BikeHike Adventures in 1994 to bring together like-minded active people who have a passion for cultural exploration and physically rewarding travel. BikeHike Adventures has since become one of the industry's leading adventure travel companies and was recognized this year by National Geographic Adventures as one of the “The Best Outfitters in the World”. Sare brings over 20 years of experience and extensive cultural and environmental knowledge to this Belize adventure, and past guests have appreciated her savvy ability to deliver the perfect mix of adventure, comfort, culture, and companionship.

In addition to the January departure, BikeHike is offering four other Belize Paddlers Paradise excursions between February and May, 2009. For more information, please visit www.bikehike.com.

Trip price, land only, is $1,799 USD. Call 1-888-805-0061 or e-mail info@bikehike.com for more information. Bookings include twin shared accommodations, three meals a day, airport transfers, kayaks, snorkel and camping gear, and veteran guides. Gratuities and taxes not included.

Preparing Yourself for Health Risks Before Traveling on an Exotic Adventure

2008-10-22T10:37:00.000-07:00

If you're planning on traveling overseas on an exotic adventure, be sure to get the necessary inoculations and educate yourself about the health risks of the country you're visiting before you depart. Falling ill with an ailment that could have easily been prevented, will only ruin your trip and could easily continue for awhile while you're back at home.

1. Visit the website for The Centre for Disease Control, www.cdc.gov
This comprehensive website lists all of the necessary vaccinations you'll need and also outbreaks of every destination worldwide.

2. Schedule an appointment with a Travel Clinic to get all of your vaccinations and any necessary medications, i.e. antibiotics, malaria profolyaxsis, etc. Ideally, set up your appointment 4-6 weeks in advance as some vaccinations take time to become effective.

3. In most developing countries, it's best to only drink bottled water. Also avoid ice cubes, unless you're certain they're made from purified water.

4. Don't eat raw fruit or vegetables unless they've been peeled, or washed in purified water.

5. Do not brush your teeth with tap water.

6. Carry a small first aid kit with you with some standard medications, ie. antibiotic cream such as Neosporin; hydrocortisone cream for inflammation; glycerin suppositories for constipation; an antidiarrheal remedy such as Imodium, oral rehydration Benadryl for allergic reactions.

7. Carry a copy of any prescriptions you may have. If your prescription medications are lost or stolen on a trip, be sure to have a copy of the prescription. Ask your doctor to indicate both the brand name and the generic name of the drug, as medications abroad will vary. Be sure to tell the pharmacist overseas the condition that is related to the prescription.

8. Be sure to have a good insect repellent. Take extra precautions during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

9. Protect your skin with minimum 30 SPF sunscreen and wear a wide brim hat

10. Be sure to have supplemental medical insurance that includes emergency evacuation. The last thing you will want to think about is not having the proper coverage if something unfortunately goes array on your adventure.

BikeHike Adventures Attending The Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference

2008-10-16T09:14:00.000-07:00

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) is hosting The Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference from October 27-29, 2008, here in Vancouver, British Columbia and BikeHike Adventures is attending. Sustainable Tourism is our mandate and we want to ensure we're doing everything we can to educate ourselves and operate tours that benefit the local communities in a social, economical and environmental manner.

The conference will provide opportunities for business leaders, travel and tourism professionals and community members to gain knowledge of the latest trends in ecotourism and sustainable tourism, learn practical skills, and participate in invaluable networking and knowledge sharing.

This is the third conference by TIES focusing on sustainability in travel and tourism in North America, which brought together sustainable tourism professionals and businesses from across the U.S. and Canada.

Through the development of these two historic conferences, TIES has witnessed significant growth of the sustainable tourism community in the U.S. and Canada. Recognizing the importance of this movement for the region’s tourism industry as a whole, TIES is holding the ESTC yearly to expand the network of industry practitioners and experts and to encourage greater awareness and implementation of the principles of ecotourism and sustainability practices in the U.S. and Canada.

As the conference name indicates, the annual conference will not only provide sustainable solutions for tourism businesses, it will also highlight innovative sustainable practices and case studies in the U.S. and Canada, and discuss effective ways to utilize the sustainable tourism community’s experience and expertise to tackle some of the critical issues and key challenges facing the industry today, including: climate change, sustainable business practices, wildlife conservation, community partnerships and innovative technologies for greening the tourism industry.

A Personalized Belize Kayak Adventure That Won’t Crimp Your Budget

2008-10-10T14:45:00.000-07:00

The long, dark season may be settling in, but don’t pull out those sweaters just yet. Grab your swimsuit, pack your bags, and head for the aquatic playground of Belize Jan. 26-31, 2009 for an unforgettable kayak experience, led by BikeHike Adventures founder Trish Sare. For 15 years, BikeHike has leveraged the smaller size of its operation to deliver personalized service at affordable rates to groups of adventure enthusiasts. In these hard economic times, that is music to any traveler’s ears.

Belize has some of the best snorkeling opportunities in the world, and its calm protected waters and manageable distances between islands make this the perfect place for sea kayak exploration. BikeHike’s “Belize Paddlers Paradise” combines these two activities in an exciting liquid adventure built specifically for water enthusiasts.
Launching out of Placencia, the “Belize Paddlers Paradise” itinerary calls for four days of paddling and snorkeling along the longest reef in the western hemisphere.
Participants will navigate the labyrinth of deserted islands scattered throughout the warm and clear Caribbean Sea via sea kayak. They will have opportunities to snorkel the rich and colorful ocean, abundant with exotic tropical fish and coral that plunge deep into the earth. When not on the water, guests can stretch out in hammocks and chill beneath coconut palms in the refreshing ocean breeze. The one-week itinerary is short enough to fit into busy winter work schedules, and yet has the perfect blend of activity and relaxation to feed the spirit and enrich the soul.

Trish Sare will be leading the January 26-31, 2009 “Belize Paddlers Paradise tour. Sare founded BikeHike Adventures in 1994 to bring together like-minded active people who have a passion for cultural exploration and physically rewarding travel. BikeHike Adventures has since become one of the industry's leading adventure travel companies and was recognized this year by National Geographic Adventures as one of the “The Best Outfitters in the World”. Sare brings over 20 years of experience and extensive cultural and environmental knowledge to this Belize adventure, and past guests have appreciated her savvy ability to deliver the perfect mix of adventure, comfort, culture, and companionship.

In addition to the January departure, BikeHike is offering four other Belize Paddlers Paradise excursions between February and May, 2009. For more information, please visit www.bikehike.com.

The cost of this 6-day Belize experience is $1,899. Bookings include twin shared accommodations, three meals a day, airport transfers, kayaks, snorkel and camping gear, and veteran guides. Gratuities and taxes not included. Call 1-888-805-0061 or e-mail info@bikehike.com for more information.

Everett Potter's Travel Report, Interviews Trish Sare, BikeHike Adventures Founder & Director

2008-10-04T12:54:00.000-07:00

Everett Potter, a longtime travel writer, writes a travel blog that offers hotel reviews, interviews with travel insiders, and practical travel information for consumers. He interviewed, Trish Sare, BikeHike founder and director on his October 4th edition. For details on Everett Potter's Travel Report visit www.everettpotter.com

The Interview: Trish Sare, BikeHike Adventures

In the competitive world of adventure travel, the small adventure travel companies can sometimes get lost in the shuffle. Which is a shame, because they often provide the ultimate in personalized service -- you're often dealing with owner of the company as you plan your trip. These small companies can also offer departures at a very attractive price, something to be grateful for in these tough economic times. Typically, these operators choose comfort over luxury when it comes to accommodations, and the best ones try to integrate you with the local culture rather than cocooning you in a fancy hotel.

Vancouver-based BikeHike Adventures is one of those companies. They have departures to 27 countries, many in Asia and Latin America. And their prices are in tune with the times. A 12-day "Paddle and Play" in Vietnam that combines mountain biking and sea kayaking is $2,299. And voluntourism takes on fresh meaning with "Ecuador- Adventures with a Purpose," an 11-day trip that combines days of community service with mountain biking, rafting, sea kayaking and hiking and costs $2,199.

Trips like these are why BikeHike Adventures was singled out as "One of the Best Outfitters in the World" by National Geographic Adventure in 2007. I ran into company founder Trish Sare in Brazil last month and decided to follow up with her when I returned to the States.

So Trish, where are you now?

At present, I am in Vancouver, British Columbia. I've recently returned from three weeks in boisterous Brazil, which was fabulous. I was at the Adventure Travel World Summit conference, the cream of the crop of this industry, as well as designing some new BikeHike Adventures.

What makes BikeHike Adventures stand out in the rather crowded field of adventure travel?

We want our clients to interact first hand with the local people, by riding their bicycles alongside the locals, stopping into family houses along the way when we get invited to try a local delicacy, or attending an impromptu wedding because we've just been invited by the locals. I want to offer those types of experiences to our travelers, not the staged "tourist experience," but real life encounters. We are a business, but more importantly, we are an experience and we've developed a community of friends to share those experiences with.

We are all about personalized attention and service for every single person. We are a smaller company and really don't have the desire to be one of the big players. I don't want to get to a stage where I can't personally speak to clients, or travel with clients. I always want to have the personalized service for everyone.

We have so many clients who come home from our BikeHike Adventures with a new outlook on life and who want a new career path. They call us inquiring how we got into this industry and how they can make the changes to do something with their lives that they love, like travel. I tell them my story, which I think is very interesting.

Well, then tell us a bit about your background and when BikeHike Adventures was founded?

My mother died very young, at the age of 46. She married young, had children young, and never had the freedom to get out and see the world, which she always wanted to do. Before she died, she told me to live my life for today, because you never know what tomorrow holds. She told me to go travel the world. This made a huge impact on me, and I gathered the courage to set off from my hometown of Toronto on a five year journey, working my way around the world, at the age of 20. My first stop was Vancouver, where I stayed six months, working at Expo 86, the world's fair. I loved Vancouver, and I returned to settle here 20 years later. From Vancouver I spent a year traveling through the Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand. The following year was Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and finally I reached Thailand. I worked on a fishing boat, as a waitress, a receptionist at an accounting firm, and taught English. In Japan, there were all sorts of interesting one day jobs including work in commercials, and as a model for hair salons. Once I got to Thailand fell in love with a local, a sea kayak guide, and stayed for two and half years.

Then I returned to Toronto, and worked for a tour operator in Costa Rica and went all over South and Central America, leading trips. I started to become a real expert on South America and it was here that the seed of inspiration for starting my own company were planted. I had a dream of doing it, and I had absolutely no idea how it was going to happen, but it did. With $1,000 of savings, I organized a tour of my own, to Costa Rica, just to see if I could do it. That was our "Coast to Coast Adventure in Costa Rica". There was no internet back then, so it was all micro-marketing, doing slide presentations. I marketed through fitness clubs, since I was a fitness instructor as well. Through a lot of hard work, my first tour sold out at 12 people. As you can imagine, I was elated. I grew very conservatively at first, by adding a few more departures, then a couple of other countries each year. 2009 will mark our 15 year anniversary and it has been an incredible ride along the way. I love what I do more than anything. I really feel I have the best job in the world. Five years ago I finally moved back to Vancouver, where our headquarters is now.

How would you characterize the BikeHike Adventures approach?

We offer worldwide adventures that are fun, active, and off the beaten track. We offer authentic cultural encounters and opportunities where our clients can meet like-minded travelers. There are four levels of trips (easy, moderate, challenging and strenuous) to fit the needs and desires of all travelers.

Sustainable tourism is crucial to us and we only work with socially and environmentally responsible suppliers around the world, ensuring that the local people are gaining from our being in their countries. We stay in small family-run boutique hotels and we support local restaurants that are socially responsible. For example, in Vietnam one restaurant we dine in is KOTO, a not-for-profit restaurant and vocational training program that works to train and assist street and disadvantaged youth in Hanoi.

On most of our fixed departures, we stay in 3-star hotels, and we have a few trips which are at a higher level, in 4 star hotels. But we always use smaller boutique hotels that are locally owned to ensure that profits stay in the country and the local people are the ones benefitting.

How about the demographics of your travelers?

Our average age range is 25-55 with most in their 30's and 40's, and those clients are the ones who booked our fixed departures. We are also customizing many trips now for families with kids ages 5 and up and parents in their 40's and 50's. This is a huge growing trend we've seen in the last few years. We also customize lots of groups of friends, all women groups, birthday parties and anniversaries.

Tell us about your voluntourism trips?

Volunteer trips is one of the biggest search terms that people use to get to our site. It is definitely a growing trend, especially for the youth and elderly, the ones who have the time. We've developed multi-sport volunteer trips for the 25-55 age range because generally these people can't go away on a volunteer vacation for one month or more. They have limited time and still want a vacation but also want to give back. A typical volunteer multi-sport itinerary may be 10 days with three days of volunteering in an orphanage, planting trees or maintaining trails, with seven days of biking, hiking and rafting.

How about your guides -- do you work with people who are based in a given destination or do you send guides overseas?

All of our guides live and work in the destinations that we operate in. Some of them are foreigners, but have been living in the destinations for most of their lives and are married to locals whom they have families with. This is the perfect scenario for us because they understand the high expectations that we have for safety, and top-quality, exciting itineraries. Many of our guides are also born and bred in the countries that we operate in. They speak many of the indigenous languages, i.e Swahili, Quechua, as well as fluent English and the main language of the destination. All of our guides are trained in wilderness first aid, and all of the certifications necessary for the specific itineraries.

Okay, give us a short list, what can't you leave home without when you travel?

I've learned to bring my own tea. I don't drink coffee and it's just nice to have the comforts of a good cup of familiar chai when I'm away. But when I'm in India or Nepal, my chai can't compare to theirs. I also bring my GSM international phone so that I can stay in touch with home easily with text messages. And my sarong, which has so many uses, as a bag, beach towel, blanket, protector from the sun, skirt and bathing towel.

Any new destinations for BikeHike Adventures next year?

We are offering lots of new destinations next year including Laos, Cambodia, Romania, Newfoundland and Vancouver Island, and we're working on a new itinerary that will be launched in 2009 that is a winter multi-sport adventure in British Columbia, just in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler, BC, Canada.

DETAILS: BikeHike Adventures; 888-805-0061

International Adventure Travel with your Mobile Phone

2008-09-22T22:27:00.000-07:00

If you want to use your mobile phone while traveling overseas, you'll need a cell phone that is GSM compatible and SIM unlocked. GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communications and it means that it operates on the 900, 1800 and 1900 frequencies.

The most economical way to use your mobile phone overseas is to ensure that your phone is unlocked so that you can purchase prepaid SIM cards in each country your visiting. SIM cards are are small rectangular cards that are stored inside GSM mobile phones. This card contains a telephone number and is able to store contacts and information. If the card is removed from the mobile device, the phone won't work any longer. It is as important as the battery.

Most mobile carriers that work on the GSM frequency sell locked phones because they don't want you to find more economical options. If your mobile is locked, you won't be able to purchase a SIM card from the destination you're traveling in, which means that your cellular bills back home can skyrocket faster than you think. Before leaving home, ensure to get your phone unlocked.

Unlocking your phone means that it is not locked to one carrier only, your phone company back home, i.e. Rogers, Bell, Telus, T-Mobile, etc). With an unlocked phone you can purchase prepaid SIM cards in every country you visit and you'll always have a a local number for each destination. SIM card costs will vary between countries but they are not usually too expensive, $20 US is pretty average. When you get back home, you merely need to swap your original SIM card back into your phone and you'll have your old phone number back.

It's definitely a more economical way to stay in touch with family and friends back home.

Cheerio,
Trish Sare

Packing Essentials for Adventure Travel Trips

2008-09-11T17:07:00.000-07:00

Packing for trips seems to be something that I do more often than not, and now it's truly second nature to me. For many however, it can be a challenge trying to fit everything into one bag. It's important not to forget the essentials, but also not to overpack, because you just have to carry it, and you will regret it.

Here are some of the essentials for every adventure vacation. Depending on the climate and the activities on each trip, there will be variations to this list, but these are standard on every international adventure.

Essential

Passport, valid for 6 months from date of entry
Photocopies of passport, should you lose it or it gets stolen
A good idea to keep an extra passport photo with your passport as some destinations require it.
Immunization card
Flashlight or headlamp
Sunscreen
Bug repellant
Toiletries
First Aid Kit
Electrical Plugs for the country you're visiting
Gortex Jacket (breathable)
Fleece
Synthetic shirts (short and long sleeves)
Long Pants
Shorts
Socks
Undergarments
Hiking Shoes
Sandals
Bathing Suit
Sleeping Gear
Sun Hat
Sunglasses
Bank and Credit Cards
Money

Non-Essential
Digital Camera with extra memory
DVD's to copy photos from your travel mates
Memory Stick to copy images
Reading Material
Journal and pen
Ipod
Cellular Phone
Sarong
Clothes Line
Guide Books

Free Language Courses

2008-09-01T11:13:00.000-07:00

Welcome, Karibu, Bonjour, Bienvenidos, Willkamen, Haere Mai, Sawasdee, Bem-vindo, Dober dan….

In Sumatra, several years back when I was young and naïve and still glowing from fulfilling a childhood dream of mine (of seeing orangutans in the wild), I was handed a small box to take care of. Let me explain…My friend and I were taking an overnight bus from Bukittinggi to Dumai, which ended up being a van with just the two of us. At the beginning of the trip, the driver stopped at a house, went in for a few minutes, and then came back out and handed us each a box that was all taped up. We asked the driver what was in the box and he just shook his head at us with a perplexed look on his face. This immediately made me suspicious of its contents. We at this point overreacted and decided we didn’t feel comfortable holding a box for the overnight ride ahead, especially if we didn’t know what was inside. When we started to open the box the driver shook his head at us. Thus, we proceeded to jump out of the van and run like Forest Gump back to town. We decided to forfeit the $1.00 or so we spent on the 10-hour ride and booked with another company. We found out later the box contained breakfast for us. Wow, did I ever feel stupid and embarrassed! If only I had some grasp of the local language that I could have determined the generosity of the bus company before getting myself all worked up and jumping out of the van. I guess we live and learn….

With that said, I always think its useful to learn a few key words and phrases before travelling. It’s a great way to interact with the locals and enhance the travel experience. I find the locals really appreciate it when you try to speak their language, even if it’s barely comprehensible. After all, it’s the thought that counts…

There are several ways to learn a language. One is buy purchasing a pocket size phrasebook (the lonely planet books are hours of entertainment with random funny phrases), However, if you are like me the phrase book is not the most practical. It increases my vocabulary, but it doesn’t teach me how to say the words properly. I would win a spelling bee, but would most likely pronounce the words wrong so no one would have the faintest idea what I was saying.

That’s why I like utilizing the free courses online. Many have audio features so you can listen to the words and learn how to pronounce them properly. Some sites I recommend are:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/ - has approx. 10 languages such as French, Spanish, Gaelic. Japanese etc. I find this the most comprehensive of all. It has crosswords, beginner courses, refresher courses, videos, etc. You can also sign up and track your progress.

http://www.babbel.com/ - This website is a combination of learning a new language and social networking. You can connect with people from all over the world and find an online study partner.

http://www.internetpolyglot.com - This site is not as good for beginners but acts more as a refresher for those who want to maintain and practice their vocabulary, There are plenty of games to play to test your vocabulary.

http://www.livemocha.com/ - This website is an online “learning language community” . It has interactive lessons that help you build your reading, listening, speaking and writing skills in your own time. You can also track you progress.

Happy Learning,
Meghan

Triathlons: The Best Sport Ever Conceived

2008-08-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I participated in my first triathlon. It was an Olympic distance (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run) race held in Kelowna, British Columbia. I’ve competed in a number of sports in my lifetime; including basketball, volleyball, track, football, rowing and running. I can honestly say I’ve never been as happy during a race as I was bouncing around from the lake, to the roads, to the streets of the Okanagan valley. The experience was so amazing; I have no reservation around unabashedly proselytizing the sport. Everyone should try a triathlon at least once in their lifetime.

Before you dismiss my enthusiasm. Consider I only decided to do a triathlon two months ago, I borrow a road bike to train and race, and I am regularly passed in the pool by the elderly and the pregnant.

Despite all this, I still can’t wait for the next race, and cherish all the time I am able to spend swimming, cycling and running.

Perhaps one can gain a little incite into the enthusiasm behind the sport by looking into its origin. According to sports historian Scott Tinley, early triathlons were held as off-beat training exercises for runners in history-rich port towns like La Rochelle and Marseille.

Let’s paint a picture here. You’ve been running along the French coast for the longest time. There’s nothing but pristine beaches, fine wine, ocean-side cafés, and blue skies for miles… I know… total yawnsville. But, you need a little something to shake things up. You look at the pristine blue water and some locals in their haute couture riding to work on their bikes. You think,”Ah oui!… I am going to float around in the water and take a little jaunt along the coastal roads before my run today”.

Et voila! That sums up the total vibe behind a triathlon. It’s all about having fun participating in a race built on three free-wheeling activities in the most picturesque of landscapes. What other sport offers this?

You may be think, "what about the labored breathing and excruciating lactic acid build-up"? The honest truth is: you decide whether you want to push yourself to those limits in a triathlon. You could chose to go out like Simon Whitfield in the Beijing Olympics; pushing your body to extremes only to race across the finish line on pure mental will. However, there is nothing saying you can’t take breaks, enjoy the scenery, and do the entire race with a smile on your face. As sure as the sun rises every morning, there will be others doing the same and feeling absolutely wonderful for their accomplishment.

If you are still not convinced. I simply ask you to give it a try. Join a local triathlon club, pick a race, follow the training and do the race at your own pace. You'll be sure to come out the other end beaming from ear to ear.

Happy racing!
Stephen

Finding Cheap Flights in Turbulent Times

2008-08-12T13:31:00.000-07:00

Frustration, long lines, delays, bad food or no food at all, one blanket per row of 9, questionable movies, lost luggage….this is generally my experience of flying, but in order to get from A to B I have to grin and bear it and try to find the positives in flying…hmmm, frequent flier miles, the destination at the other end, views on a clear day to the landscape below, an excuse to read a good book for 10 hours straight.

I like to consider myself pretty good at finding economical flights on the web, but it requires some research and patience. If you have the time, it is best to shop around and wait a few weeks before making your purchase, unless of course, you find that one deal that is too good to be true.

I have worked in the travel industry for close to 4 years now, and have traveled for many more, but I am still no closer to understanding how airlines work then I was 10 years ago. Prices change all the time, and there seems to be no pattern to why this happens. We hear all the time from our travellers “the flight was $800 yesterday and then today when I went to book it, it had increased to $1200”. I don’t get it either, but chances are the next day the flight might be back to $800 again. So if you have the time it’s worth checking on the flight for a week or two to see if and what changes are occurring in the price.

Below are some suggestions for booking and finding the most economical flight for your next adventure:

1) Search the web and check various sites for the best deal. Some websites for booking flights are Expedia, Travelocity, Kayak, Orbitz and Sidestep. When booking on these sites check prices daily to see how they fluctuate before making the purchase. Everyone on a plane pays a different price because there are so many classes of service, which all have different rates, plus seat sales. I've saved as much as $500 off of a ticket by monitoring sites for a week or two.

2) These days there are so many different classes of travel. Airlines are cutting out services and then giving us the option to either purchase this service for an extra cost or reduce the price of the ticket by not opting for the service. Some of the “extra services” include advanced seat selection, the ability to change or cancel your flight, meal packages or complimentary hotel accommodations if flights are delayed. Correct me if I’m wrong, but weren’t most of these services included in air ticket prices not so long ago?

3) Booking flights on points can be time consuming, and oftentimes needs to be done far in advance to secure a seat. However, if you have time, check daily for availability because seats almost always open up. People either cancel or lose their reservation for not confirming within the allotted time frame. I have always gotten the flights I wanted when booking on rewards, yet I often hear people complain that they never do. It requires a bit of diligence, but it is well worth the effort.

4) When purchasing flights, check to see the amount of points you will be rewarded to your air miles. I know some of the cheaper flights only reward 50% of the air miles, so in the long run you might as well spend the extra money on the flight to get all your miles rewarded. As well, if you're flying with an airline that you don't have air miles with, but you do with one of their partner airlines, check to see that the class of service your ticket is booked in qualifies for rewards with your air miles membership.

5) If you have extra vacation time and are heading to Europe, we recommend finding a cheap charter flight to London and then flying from there with one of the many cheap airlines such as Ryan Air and Easy Jet. Sometimes these flights can be ridiculously cheap.

6) Give us a call and we can check to see if our air consolidators can find you economical flights. Consolidators get bulk rates because they are booking in volume.

Happy Travels
Meghan

Save the World… Travel

2008-08-08T11:06:00.000-07:00

A number of years ago I was driving from my home town of London, Ontario to Satellite Beach, Florida. I stopped at some random gas station in West Virginia to buy a drink and some gas. I started a conversation with the middle-aged attendant. The name on his shirt was Alowishus. He was quick to observe that I wasn’t a local. In a long southern drawl, he asked me, “Where’re you from?” I told him I was from Canada. He didn’t know where that was. I explained Canada was the country just north of Detroit. He said he kind of knew where Detroit was, but he didn’t know there was a country north of Detroit. Then, all of a sudden he lit-up and asked, “Hey, isn’t that where they live in igloos?” I thought he had to be kidding. It turned out Alowishus was dead serious.

It’s easy to be critical of such a character. How could anyone be geographically and culturally ignorant of an entire country that borders their own? It would be so simple to turn this piece into a segment from The Tonight Show’s Jaywalking.

But, that would be missing the point, and hypocritical.

When I was last in Thailand, I expressed surprise that Thailand had a monarchy from the back seat of a taxi. The taxi driver huffed at me through is rear view mirror as if to say, “How could you not know?”

How could I not know?

I work in the world of information. I have a laptop and access to Wikipedia. Really, how could I be smug about Alowishus thinking 30 million Canadian’s carve their homes out of ice?

When I told a friend and wise mentor of mine about my conundrum, he was quick to point out there are things I know (e.g. I know how to drive a car), things I know I don’t know (e.g. I know I don’t know how to speak Russian), and things I don’t know I don’t know (i.e. everything else I am completely unaware of). The point being: You can’t beat yourself up for not knowing what you simply don’t know.

The truth is we can’t be conscious of everything. But, when you travel you have a chance to open your eyes to new ideas and new ways of seeing things. Attitudes change from one of incredulity and intolerance, of difference perspectives and attitudes, to one of deep interest and acceptance.

The next time I bump into Alowishus or someone like him, I'll invite him or her to check Canada out first hand and see we have cities, cars, grocery stores instead of the white expanse he might have imagined. Hopefully, they'll catch the travel bug to see how the rest of the world lives. Hopefully they'll tell their stories and inspire others to travel, learn and appreciate the beautiful world we live in.

Happy Travelling,
Stephen

Great Videos from the World of Travel - Part 2

2008-08-05T08:53:00.000-07:00

Here is the second installment of excellent video shorts from the world of travel. We found some fun takeoff and landing video from St Maarten.

Enjoy!
Stephen

Have the Best Stories... Travel

2008-07-28T09:21:00.000-07:00

Arguably the best stories in life come from travel. When our individual preconceptions clash with those of a foreign country, we are presented with surprise, humor and potentially unending degrees of confusion.

I had my first real taste of a completely foreign culture when I was 25. I went to Korea for a summer to teach English in small town in southern South Korea called Yeo-chun.

The experience was outstanding. I had an apartment that overlooked the seaside, made plenty of new friends, and took every opportunity to dive into the local culture –“when in Rome…”

However, everyday, there was something new that shook my preconceptions about the world and my place in it. Here are some of my stories.

English Classes: Teaching was one of the most fulfilling things I’d ever done. All of my students were absolutely fantastic. My classes ranged from kindergarten to university and professional levels. My students all progress at remarkable speeds with the exception of one thing. Regardless of their grade level, G's were pronounced like Z's and Z's as G's. And, if you worked to switch the two, they both came out sounding like "dwee", which is how V was pronounced.

Student Riots: I’d fly up to Seoul almost every other weekend to meet up with friends. A half dozen times throughout the summer, we’d turn around some random corner only to be engulfed in a thick cloud of tear gas. Almost every weekend, young adult students rioted against young adult soldiers. It seemed so ironic. Regardless, it was good fun to see my friends turn into a pathetic mass of tears. I am sure I looked just as sad. I think the store clerks gave us refuge just so they could share in the laugh.

Sun Tanning: Simple... sun tanning was considered indecent before May 31st and after August 31st. If you did it in the off-season, even by one day, expect to be frowned at. And by frowned at, I mean get a look of disappointment that’ll rip the very fabric of your soul.

Mosquitoes: They were organized, in numbers, and out to drain your entire circulatory system. I had an infallible layer of netting over my windows. Regardless, when I woke up in the morning, there were usually two dozen of them on my bedroom walls fat with my blood. I’d take my revenge, but my room started to look like something out of Amityville Horror. I had to think twice about adding “clean blood off my walls” to my desk top calendar at work.

Soju: Korea produces a rice-based spirit called Soju. To date, I have never had a worse hangover in my life. Certain brands should be labeled with that toxic symbol you see on bleach containers. The director of my school had to be hospitalized for a couple days for drinking too much one night. Strangely, I felt a touch responsible. In some ways I think my western ways may have been a touch liberal for him and the local community.

Kind Gestures: I left the school one late evening at the same time as one of my female students. Since it was dark, I decided I’d be responsible and walk her to the bus stop just around the corner. The next morning I was met at the school by two policemen who were there to extradite me back to Canada. Apparently, alleged fraternization with female students is a contemptible offense. To get me off the hook, it took the school director to explain western cultural differences and a guarantee from me that I’d never do it again.

Food: Food is not what food is at home. To highlight some of the differences, here are a few examples:
• Live seafood: A live octopus is taken out of its water tank. The tentacles are immediately cleaved off. You put one of the wiggling digits in your mouth, chew, swallow and chase it down with a shot of soju. It's a lot like doing tequila shots, but in reverse. When doing shots of tequila, you bite into a lemon to hide the taste of the liquor. With octopus, you take a shot of Soju to numb the feeling of the tentacle wiggling all the way down your throat.
• Stir-fried silkworm larvae (Bondegi): They are fried in a big wok and sold by the Dixie cup. You eat them as you would popcorn in a movie theater. A friend and I tried them together. The experience hardly lasted one second after my friend opened his mouth and I equated it to the textures and tastes in my mouth.
• Dog (Kegogi): Enough said.
• Raw livestock parts: Again, enough said.
• Chicken: You think you are safe with this one. Think again. Never count your chickens till you see it hasn't been boiled in a pressure cooker to the point it's turned into poultry gel.

Driving: Driving in Korea is a fine art. Drive fast and honk your horn at as many things as you can (moving or not). Shoulder checks are optional. Here’s a little anecdote. A friend and I went for a car ride with one of our adult students. He somehow managed to get into a fender-bender with the only other car on this nearly abandoned country road. My friend and I walked home willingly.

The Mentally Insane: I have not been able to confirm this. I’ve been told the homeless mentally insane are made to wear a white square eye patch over one eye. I saw the eye patch and the crazy person wearing it. However, it just seemed so very strange to be true.

Fumigation: Fumigation is done periodically throughout apartment complexes with infestations. However, if you can not understand evacuation warnings blasted out over outdoor loudspeakers in Korean, expect to find yourself lost, choking and near death as you stumble five flights, completely blind, down the only available stairwell to safety. (Note: Important! Fumigation smoke does not leave a thin layer of clear air one foot from the floor as we've all been told in case of a house fire).

Of course, stories aren’t really worth anything if you don’t share them. I invite you to share the moments that made you laugh, cry or shake your head.

Great Videos from the World of Travel - Part 1

2008-07-23T11:20:00.000-07:00

Being in the travel industry, we come across some excellent video shorts related to travel. This week we thought we’d start sharing some of our favorite picks.

Enjoy!!
Stephen

Where the Hell is Matt (4:29 mins)

Vietnam Traffic Intersection (0:09 mins)

Secret Seats on Airplanes (1:28 mins)

Lyra Bird (3:59 mins)

Panama Canal Timelapse (1:56 mins)

My Favorite Backpack

2008-07-19T19:51:00.000-07:00

As a follow-up to last week’s blog on packing, I thought I’d share a little story on the purchase of my favorite backpack.

Everybody comes across things in life they just have to have. I used to think I had to have my own a beach house loaded with every kind of sports gear imaginable, set in front of a pristine coral break where a dolphin, named Rah, would get me mixed up in varying degrees of shenanigans on the high seas.

However, the subject of wanting and having, all came into perspective around a black backpack a few years back when I went window-shopping with my friend Kevin.

It was mid-afternoon when we walked into a high-end sports superstore with the sole purpose of perusing through our individual wish lists. I was mainly into the biking section and Kevin was giving the climbing gear a good once over.

When I was walking back to meet up with Kevin, I stopped dead in my tracks in front of a counter near the backpack section.

I was definitely not in the market for a pack. But, what I saw... this thing was stygian black, titanium stitched, nuclear grade composite, polymersaturated majesty. In addition to being the prefect size for my laptop and papers, it had special compartments for rappelling gear and spent rounds. The knowledge of its existence carried my soul away to Stirling Lines in Hereford, UK. If I had been a policeman in a bust, I would pull this thing out instead of a gun and I would most certainly have got the same level of attention.

A tear formed in the corner of one of my eyes. If you read Men's Journal and you weep over the equipment section near the back of the magazine, you know what I am talking about.

I walked right up to the backpack. I contemplated picking it up, but I didn't know if some alarm would go off or some massive cobweb covered boulder would come rolling out of the ceiling to crush me. A split second before deciding I was going to go for it, Jeff the super-sales-clerk, wisps by, picks up the bag, holds it up in front of my face, and with a big-ole-smile says, "nice pack eh?"

Poor Jeff's prepubescent acne covered face looked like it had been hit a couple times by the boulder in the ceiling. I knew he'd grow out of it, but it was more than enough to kick me out of my trance. I followed the conversation and asked Jeff for the cost for the backpack. He showed me the price tag. The price, $210, was well over what I was willing to pay for a 30L backpack.

I was upset. The backpack caught my attention on such a profound level, yet there was no way I could justify the expense. The end did not justify the means. I was beat, and I loathed the feeling.

I sincerely thanked Jeff for helping me out, took one last look at the backpack, sighed, and went to the climbing department to find Kevin.

On the drive home I told Kevin about the bag and fumed over the price.

Out of the blue, Kevin came up some grand words of wisdom. He asking me how often I saw something that truly blew my hair back. I told him it rarely happens. He then suggested that, if in a couple of weeks the backpack still weighed heavy in my mind, I should go back and get it. I admit it; I felt a little man-crush on Kevin at that moment.

One week went by. Then two. The backpack was still at the front of my thoughts. I was clearly hooked because I caught myself doodling pictures of me and the backpack on scrap pieces of paper and daydreaming about hiking through the Himalayas with it. I even told some other friends about it. They all thought I had lost my mind --the thing was they had not seen the backpack and they did not know the reality of what I was talking about.

On the fourteenth day, I decided I could not stop thinking about the backpack and that it was time to go shopping. After two weeks of personal atonement, the end did justify the means.

To get into the mood, I put my credit card in my pocket, stretched, did a few push-ups, and walked out to my car. It was a good thing I recently put new spark plugs in the old Civic, because I was looking to break the land speed record on the way to the sports store.

With a big smile on my face, I made my way over to the counter where I'd last seen the backpack. I felt like a character from a 70's disco theme movie. My imagination when to a scene with friends everywhere cheering me on, while a skull-snaps groove played in the background among a hundred high-five's, head bands, tight pants, and pointing fingers. The sparkling ghost of Bruce Lee was standing next to the shades rack and he did the thumbs up thing as I walked by. Poetry I had once heard by D. H. Lawrence rang in my head, "The ebb and flow of the Atlantic tides, the drifts of the continents, the very position of the sun along its ecliptic. These are just a few of the things I control in my world", I was king!

It was too bad it all ended pretty quickly when I noticed that the backpack, I had so very much wanted to purchase that day, was not on the counter anymore. I checked behind the counter, but it was not there either.

I went hunting for Jeff D. Supersalesclerk. I knew Jeff wouldn't let me down. He had braces and was in pain and I knew he wouldn't think to impose the same on me.

I never found Jeff, but I did spot the name tag of the Sr. Manager of Outdoor Sports Superstore, who just happened to be walking by. I asked if he could please help me get one of the backpacks they had on the counter, which obviously must be stashed away in the storeroom.

I bet he used to be a Marine or something, because he seemed to know exactly what I was dealing with --that or he really liked impulse buyers interested in spending money on high-margin merchandise. With authority, he waved over the closest sales clerk, looked at her nametag, and asked, "Karen, could you please go into the back and see if there are any more of those backpacks we had on display."

The look on her face gave me chills. It was foreboding. It was like she was in possession of information she did not want to share.

Regardless, she left us and went into the back.

Things just weren't going my way, because she came out a few minutes later empty handed. She looked really sorry and told me that they had sold the last one that very morning.

Whatever Karen was trying to tell me, it was not sinking in.

I looked to the Sr. Manager for some answers, but all he could offer me was a self-negating smile that seemed to say both, "I am truly very sorry" and "there is no sale here; now’s probably a good time to leave”.

I was about to try to vocalize something when the Sr. Manager cut me off and excused himself. Before leaving, he let me know that Karen would be pleased to help me with any other questions I had.

I thanked him for his help and he left.

Suddenly, I was hit by a memory from grade school. I was at my desk laughing and kidding around with all my buddies. I was all smiles that day. We were supposed to be going on a much-anticipated field trip to the Zoo. It was a beautiful day. That was until our teacher walked in the classroom and informed us the trip had been canceled indefinitely due to a transportation scheduling error. Then, without batting an eye, she told us to take out our spelling books.

The same agony was back.

This was supposed to be a happy day. I played by the rules. I waited for two weeks and I wanted the backpack. I wanted my peace.

I took a minute to collect my thoughts. I simply had to accept they were out of stock for now. No big deal. I pulled myself together, turned to Karen, and asked, "Could you please let me know when you'll be getting another shipment?" Her eyes squinted like she was being asked to handle some highly-sensitive explosives. She took a step back and let me know that the bags were a one-time limited quantity special edition order.

My jaw dropped. What was I supposed to do with that information? What could I do?

I just had to accept that I had waited on something and lost. All I could do was try to make the best of it. I tried to chalk it up to experience. I thought to myself, the next time I really want something, I will buy it or walk away and never look back.

My attempt to rationalize the situation faded. It was too weak. The disappointment was overwhelming.

The reptilian part of my brain took over. I attacked the situation with boolean logic. I thought to myself, "If, I give up and go home, then, I will probably take a major blow on my self esteem, start drinking heavily, lose my job, buy a couple Nine Inch Nail CDs, and walk the streets mumbling something about pigs. Else, if I don't give up, then, I might get the bag."

I cleared my throat and turned to Karen. I told her I wanted the backpack and that I'd really appreciate her help in looking for some other options. Karen said she'd see what she could do and took off to look for her supervisor.

About a minute later, she came back with her supervisor, Rae. I explained the situation to Rae. You could tell Rae had been in her job way too long. She tried to handle the situation like a seasoned pro but seemed slow on the follow through. She basically covered what Karen had already told me and apologized for not being of any more service.

I decided to up the ante.

I asked if the backpack was distributed to their competitors across the road. I think I had hit a nerve, because Rae came to life after that. It was almost like she finally related the price tag to her commission and there was no way she was going to let the cash drop into someone else's pocket. She never answered my question. Instead, she took my name and phone number, and promised she'd try to get a hold of one of the backpacks for me.

I walked back to the car and got in. I knew I was leaving empty handed, but I was feeling a little better knowing there was still some hope.

About two weeks later Rae called me at home. She seemed so pleased to inform me the backpack had arrived. I didn't bother to ask how or why, I just told her I was on my way.

I put my credit card in my pocket, did some push-ups, and like Forrest Gump, "I was-a-running".

The backpack has proven to be well worth the trouble. When I brought it out for the first time, each and every one of my friends apologized for doubting me. I use it pretty much every day. Even though I am fairly aggressive with it, the backpack has never let me down. At a Halloween party last year, I used it as part of a S.W.A.T Officer costume. When I burst through the front door of the house, everyone who was doing things they weren’t supposed to be flew out the back door. I was vindicated.

Throughout this experience, I thought I had learnt a couple more things about perseverance and doing whatever it takes to get the things you want in life. However, after thinking it over more, I understood something more profound. I truly understood, for the first time, that anything worth wanting is really only worth having if it inspires imagination, humor and goodwill.

My next major acquisition... a beach house.

Stephen

How to Properly Pack a Backpack for Adventure Travel

2008-07-11T16:01:00.000-07:00

A poorly packed backpack always leads to unnecessary degrees of suffering. Here are some tips for making it the least of your worries.

1) Maximization
You can fit more sand in a jar than pebbles. Use the same approach to packing. Use every ounce of space by stuffing loose items like your raincoat or tent fly, around solid items like your sleeping bag. It's important to get rid of any air pockets in your pack, as this will allow you to pack even more stuff.

2) Convenience
Clipping or strapping belongings on the outside of your pack can be a nuisance to you, as well as your fellow backpackers. There is a greater chance of hooking into things around you such as loose branches, or banging into people causing annoyance to all involved. Do your best to keep all your belongings inside your pack. This also helps keep everything protected from the rain.

3) Organization
Stuff bags are a great method for organizing your belongings. Stuff sacks come in a wide variety of colours, so a great way to pack your items is by utilizing a colour-coded system. This will make it easier to find what you are looking for. All you have to remember is your own system, and what you packed in each bag.

4) Weight Distribution
Make sure you balance your load and don't have too much weight on one side. All your heavier items should be packed closer to your back and your natural centre of gravity. If you pack all your heavy gear on top, you’ll be looking at the ground all day resulting in a sore neck, and not to mention missing all the scenery, like an eagle soaring high in the skies above. If you pack all your heavy gear at the bottom of your pack, your shoulder straps will constantly dig into you. Load too heavy to one side, and your shoulders, hips and feet will begin to ache. A properly loaded pack should feel comfortable on your back, and you should be able to stand upright without too much pressure on your neck, shoulders, back, or hips. The one time it might benefit to pack some of your heavy stuff at the bottom, is if your hike involves scrambling over rough terrain. This will help improve your balance and lower your centre of gravity.

5) Consistency
To make life easier on the the trail, try to work out a system and pack your backpack the same way each time. By finding a method that works best for you it will be easier to remember where things are in a pinch. Practice packing your bag at home. Perfecting your tent rolling technique and trying to stuff it into a compression sack should not be first attempted in the pouring rain out on the trail. The same rules apply for load balancing, this should be dealt with before the hike begins to avoid any unnecessary aches and pains.

6) Accessibility
Make sure the important gear like rain gear, warmer layers, sun screen, bug repellant and water can be easily accessed without taking your pack off. This is especially important for your water supply, as a water bottle in your pack is not very practical for keeping yourself hydrated. In an unlikely event, make sure that some of the essential equipment like a knife and waterproof matches are kept in at least two locations, one of them being on yourself.

7) Temperature
One of the downsides of backpacking is getting a sweaty back, especially when it comes time to taking the pack off. If there is a chill in the air you can become cold quickly as the moisture in your clothes evaporates. Having mesh back panels that vent can help, but when the back of your pack is lined only with plain fabric over smooth foam panels this can make for a sweaty hike. Try to wear synthetic fabrics that wick moisture away from your body. Also, try placing a shammy towel between you and your pack. The absorbent material pulls the sweat away from your body, which helps keep things dry.

Happy Trekking,
Stephen

5 reasons why I love Peru

2008-07-03T12:12:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a week in Peru and it was just as captivating the 2nd time around. There are so many reasons I adore the country. Some of the highlights for me are:

1) The vibrant and colorful culture. From the intricate hand embroidered traditional clothing and hats, farmers herding their sheep and woolly alpacas, workers harvesting cactus to make a homemade mortar paste, the omnipresent flute player, underground fire pits for cooking potatoes, etc. I can go on and on.

2) The architecture. Everywhere you look in the Sacred Valley, the hills are marked with Inca Ruins dating back to the early 13th century. The cobblestone streets, alleyways and ornate doors and balconies of Cusco. The setting of Machu Picchu leaves ones mind boggled trying to figure out how this ancient city was built in the middle of a mountain range.

3) The children. They are just so adorable. Maybe it is the big smiles and smudged dirt on their faces? We had a chance to visit a local school and the soccer ball we brought lit up their faces. It was a great way to interact with the local children and make them smile even more. It was a highlight for many on my trip.

4) The diversity of food. I am not convinced the Peruvian cuisine is my favourite, but they have a great variety to choose from. Some must tries are the cream soups (according to Wikipedia along the Peruvian coast there are more than two thousand different types of soups), Paltas Relllenas (avocado stuffed with chicken), and ceviche. For those more daring, I was told the Cuy (guinea pig) is quite good. This is a specialty in the Andes that is prepared many different ways. Rumour is it is better fried than boiled. Be prepared for the chance it might come served to you still fully intact (i.e.: with the nails and teeth).

5) The outdoor activities. Hiking in the footsteps of the Incas following their old travel routes, rafting the Urubamba river through canyons with cactus, Inca ruins, abnormal sized hummingbirds and donkeys with views of snow capped mountains, biking through local villages swerving past wildlife (roosters, cow, sheep) and saying hello to all the people who came out of their house to cheer us on.

6) And last but not least, Lake Titicaca, just because of the name. For some reason it always seems to make people giggle. According the locals in Peru, the "titi" belongs to the Peruvians and the "caca" to Bolivia. For those who don't know, the lake is the largest commercially navigable lake in the world.

Garbage Clean-up in Halong Bay, Vietnam

2008-06-30T09:41:00.000-07:00

It's low season in Vietnam, and our partners in Hanoi are all out of the office on a mission to Clean up Halong Bay. The cleanup is scheduled for 3 days, and everyone is picking up garbage off of the pristine islands. Halong Bay has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and includes some 1,600 islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Because of there precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence.

I was with a group in April and was dismayed to see the littered state of these spectacular islands. We landed our kayaks on a tiny island, really just a patch of whitesand that would be carried away in the high tide and it was laden with garbage. We found shoes, light-bulbs, water bottles, coke cans, clothing, bags, you name it, we found it. Our whole group started picking it up and in just a few minutes filled 4 garbage bags. I arranged for a boat and captain to pick it up and take it to the dump. This cleanup is essential to the environment but also to educate the local people to take care of this area that will be a sustainable source of income for them if it's protected.

This "Clean up Halong Bay" is also happening in July and August from the 15 to 17th and is open to anyone who wants to help us on a very worthy cause. If you wish to join us please contact us at info@bikehike.com. It's a different way of exploring Halong Bay and helping to keep the bay clean for the future.

In the spirit of the environment and sustainability,
Trish Sare

BikeHike Turkish Delight, Day to Day by Mike Oswald

2008-06-23T13:18:00.000-07:00

Mike Oswald is one of our dedicated BikeHike Adventurers who always writes great trip journals on his adventures. Since we're offering a discount on our September Turkish Delight we want to give you the insiders story, so please enjoy Mike's trip journal. We shared his Costa Rica journal in an earlier blog entry.

Turkey:
Much More Than Carpets, Mosques, Muslims, Cucumbers, and Tomatoes!!

In July of 2007 I set out on my second BikeHike Adventure (www.bikehike.com). This time I was headed to the magical land of Turkey. When I left, I had extremely limited notions as to what I was going to get myself in to. Now, just days after the trip, I look back and I can't help but think about the Turkey being 98% Muslim, mosques on every corner, cucumbers and tomatoes for every meal, Urgup = Ice Cream. My first thoughts, would lead you to believe that it fits the simple, minimal infrastructure, conservative Muslim, Middle Eastern stereotypes that the media has ingrained in our minds. But, the reality is that Turkey is one of the most geographically and culturally diverse countries that I've ever been to. Turkey's history stretches back nearly 4000 years to the Hittites. The Byzantine and Ottoman Empires emerged out of Turkey and the history of these empires can be seen simply by walking through the numerous ruins scattered across Turkey. Culturally Turkey is unique due to the Eastern and Western traditions adopted by containing a border between Europe and Asia within the country’s border.

Turkey is an absolutely amazing place to travel (adventure styling or for the extreme history buffs), and I wish that I would have had more time to see a little more of what Turkey has to offer. However we did get a lot done in two weeks time. I went from having knives thrown at a wooden block placed squarely on my crotch to Scuba diving around a replica of the oldest shipwreck known to man.....come on and have a look at these events and everything that happened in between.

What happens in Turkey stays in Turkey??- Istanbul on my own 7/14 to 7/15
If anyone knows my friends and I, you'd know that Ben Willis coined the phrase "what happens in Vegas, goes directly to the internet!" I signed up for a two week BikeHike adventure, but I chose to come two nights early simply to get acclimated to Istanbul, and to wander around a bit on my own.

I arrived in Istanbul around noon on a Saturday, caught a lift to my hotel, and then I went around the old town, checked out some mosques got made fun of by some local Turks for writing in a diary, and I capped the night with of with dinner and some local entertainment (folk dancers, belly dancers, and a singer).

The next day I took a "Two Continents" tour, which was supposed to be myself, a few other tourists, a guide, and a driver, but it turned out to be just myself, the guide, and the driver. It was pretty awesome, they tailored the trip to me, so we got to go up to a beach on the Black Sea, and we did spend a lot more time in a van then I would have expected but they were pretty entertaining Turks. The trip ended with dumping me off at a carpet shop where they tried to swindle me in to a carpet purchase.

Let's get our BikeHike on: Here's the cast of Characters:
Here's the Group (more or less, we had too many guides for me to keep track of, so I'm going to have to leave them out (except Deniz):

Trish: Owner of BikeHike, lover of cats

Marc and Beth - Respectively bread-maker and bread-spender, not afraid to get a serious rub-down from small Turkish men

Jerry and Eileen - Engineers in the middle of a long distance relationship (Sacramento and Bagdhad)

Kristan - Does stuff that I don't understand with money

Peter - Probably could have diagnosed my recent broken ankle

Pelin - Our Turkish trip coordinator, and requester of "more air-conditioning please!"

Me - I'm Mike

Touring Istanbul with a retired Belly Dancer - Istanbul - 7/16 to 7/17
Snow Flower (a retired Belly Dancer) took us around the town. We walked through the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Underground Cistern, the Grand Bazaar, and the Spice Bazaar.

That night we had dinner at a restaurant that overlooked the Bosphorus straight and we met a friend of Trish's whom's name she thought was the Turkish word for hello.

The markets were a bit ridiculous. There were 1000's of shops but none of them had anything other than leather goods, carpets, silver or gold trinkets, touristy junk, jookahs, or t-shirts. I don't know why they needed so many stores to sell all the same stuff, but I guess it keeps people busy.

Everyone's "Crazy" in Mustafapasha (at least everyone named Mehmet) - Cappadocia Day 1 - 7/18

Even though Istanbul was an amazing city, and by far the most friendly and welcoming large (population > 10M) city that I've ever been to, I think most of us were ready to get a little more adventure in our life.

To do so, we hopped aboard Turkish Airlines and went to the region of Turkey called Cappadocia. Here we would mountain bike where one week earlier the European World Championships were held, Hot Air Balloon above one of the most geographically unique area in the entire world, ride horses for hours across the Turkish country side, and most importantly, find some amazingly delicious ice cream.

I honestly thought I would be dancing with a 68 year old man well before this - Cappadocia Day 2 - 7/19
The fun continues. Mustafapasha's Greek Hotel is an absolute gem. The food is amazing, everyone is friendly, they've got a ridiculously playful little white kitty, and then they made every effort to immerse us in their culture.

I have a hunch that I am mixing and matching days, but I really don't want to spend the time looking at people's clothes or the date/time of my pictures to figure it out........

Anyway, today we road our bikes all day. We stopped to eat lunch in the middle of a valley filled with fairy chimneys (the large natural penis looking things), and then it was back to the hotel for dinner and entertainment.

.........and then I discovered Turkish Ice Cream - Cappadocia Day 3 - 7/20
Now this is one thing I most definitely didn't know. Turkey has some amazing ice cream. In my opinion, ice cream is one of those things that you would categorize with sex and pizza, so even though all ice cream is good, this was exceptionally good ice cream. It was convenient that I was going through some extremely active days because I was on an ice cream binge. We're talking, putting down several rounds of ice cream a day and as many as 9-12 small scoops of multi-flavored ice cream per serving.

I don't think I would go back to Turkey for the rugs or the food, but for the ice cream, I would definitely have to think about it.

Now for this day, we went to an open air museum, toured a carpet factory, met an amazing little man that would get as many as 3 miles of silk out of one silk worm cocoon, and we did some more biking. The trip, definitely seemed to be building as each successive day was better than the last. That's saying something too, because the first day was pretty darn good.

........it's on - Urgup = Ice Cream - Cappadocia Day 4 - 7/21
I would have been a happy man if I spent all day, every day in this little open air restaurant that had the world's greatest ice cream........but, instead today we took a few horses out for a stroll. This was pretty spectacular, our horses were spirited but opedient, and my little guy just had to be in the front of the pack so it was extra fun for me. Afterwards we went to a pottery shop and Trish had arranged that each of us got a BikeHike bowl!! Thanks Trish, I haven't used it yet, mainly because I eat ice cream straight from the container. That's how you do it when you're a bachelor.

Up, up, and Away - Cappadocia Day 5 - 7/22
Our last full day in Cappadocia was a big one. We took to the air in a hot air balloon and then everyone whose butt could bare it after the pony rides hopped on our mountain bikes for one last ride.

I'll let the pictures do the talking for this. Enjoy.

A long drive and some Dervishes - Cappadocia to Antalya - 7/23 to 7/24
After 5 of the most amazing days of my life it was time to head for the Mediteranean Coastline. On our way we stopped to look at a fiery mountain (literally, it was all metamorphic rock that gives off CO2 gas that is constantly on fire), the home of the whirling dirvishes, and an old hotel.

In Antalya we hopped a late night cruise, drove to Aspendos and Thermosses, and then we headed up the coastline to Kas.

The four S's: Sea Kayak, Scuba/Snorkel, circumsision parties, and Sweating - Kas - 7/25 to 7/27
To my friends and I the four S's are something completely different but in Kas it went a little something like this:

Sea Kayak - couldn't beat it. Every day was over 100 degrees and it felt great to be out in the mediteranean paddling around the Sea looking at sunken cities, or taking snorkel pit-stops to look at what's going on beneath the surface.

Scuba - It was my first time actually scuba diving and it turned out I was a little bit of an Oxygen guzzler, but other than that things went well. We dove down to a replica of the oldest shipwreck known to man: a Bronze age ship nearly 3500 years old. There wasn't a whole lot of sea life but the ship was really cool.

Our stay in Kas was capped with a Circumcision party. Nope, not a member of the group, but as we were walking back to our hotel we all caught a glimpse of the celebration.

Goodbye to the sea and goodbye to the group - Kas to Istanbul via Antalya - 7/28 to 7/29
We left Kas early this morning. We drove to Antalya to fly back to Istanbul for our last night of fun (as a group) in Turkey.

We taxi'd to a restaurant and this little Turk selling devil ears didn't seem to be getting too many customers so Kristan and I helped the kid out and bought a set for everyone at our table.

I'm really in a hurry to finish this, so I'm going to leave it as is. It was a trip filled with great people, delicious food, beautiful geography, culturly diverse, and adventure abounds.....

Animals of Turkey
The one thing I found strange about the Turkey is that there wasn't much wildlife. It's not like I was expecting there to be wild turkeys running around everywhere (alright I was), but I figured there would be some weird things that I would only see in the zoo back home. Alas, this is what I saw.

Sweet Home Wisconsin!!
Sure I missed my friends and my family, and it's really nice to be back in the land of beer, cheese, and bratwursts, but all I have to say is GO CHECK OUT TURKEY FOR YOURSELF!! You won't regret it. I learned that I was as good as Turkish before I even left, as every day at lunch I would eat cucumber and tomato, I guess some things were meant to be.

$200 US Discount on September 08 Turkish Delight

2008-06-19T15:07:00.000-07:00

With fuel prices soaring and the US economy suffering, we're getting aggressive with our pricing at BikeHike. We're offering a $200 US discount off of our “Turkish Delight” multi-activity holiday on the September 3-14, 2008 departure. The adventure kicks off in Istanbul, straddled in both Europe and Asia, and is "an exotic blend of fitness, adventure, culture and history."

Among highlights: walking tour through Istanbul to some of the world’s oldest and most popular mosques, markets and ancient palaces; and exploration of the fairy tale landscape of Cappadocia, and of course the Mediterranean Sea. Means of travel: bike, hike, horseback ride and hot air balloon, sea kayaking.

For details on our Turkish Delight visit http://www.bikehike.com/turkey/turkey_trip01.html

Cheerio,
Trish

Romania, Laos and Combo Vietnam and Cambodia, New BikeHike Adventures Trips for 2009

2008-06-12T22:35:00.000-07:00

One of the best parts about my job is developing new trips all over the world. I truly love it. We choose our new trips by listening to you, our travellers, and where you want to go. I must admit, though, some of the new destinations we start trips in are because of my itch to get there. What can I say, it's just another one of the advantages to this exciting profession we work in.

On that note, we have three new trips and destinations coming in 2009, Romania, Laos and a combined trip in Vietnam and Cambodia. Here's a brief outline of the trips but stay tuned to our website because we'll be launching the pages very soon.

And if you have any questions, drop us a line or give us a call.

Romania, Transylvania Traverse
10-days, Mountain Biking, Hiking and Horseback Riding

Romania. The name alone conjures up iconic images of Count Dracula, Transylvania, the Carpathian Mountains and old world Eastern European culture. It's a country where Western and Byzantine influences meet, shepherds still tend their flocks, horse drawn carriages are more numerous than cars, and medieval villages retain their traditional character. On BikeHike's Transylvania Traverse we explore the South East of Romania by mountain bike, horseback and foot. We'll show you ethnic diversity from Romanians, Hungarians and Saxons to Gypsies, Ukrainians and Poles and we'll learn about their traditions and beliefs. We'll sample the region’s local cuisine and wines in the ambiance of a medieval castle, visit Dracula's Castle and hike and bike in the legendary Carpathian Mountains, the backbone of Eastern Europe. Our trip to Romania and the Transylvania Alps is an artful blend of active adventure, traditional culture, exquisite scenery and ancient history.

Dates 2009: May 22-31, June 26-Jul. 5, Aug. 7-16, Sept. 11-20, Oct. 9-18, 09
Price: $4299 (2 travelers) and $3799 (3+ travelers) Land Only

Laos, A Captivating Culture
13-days, Mountain Biking, Trekking, Kayaking and Elephant Riding

They say that variety is the spice of life and on this Northern Laos Sports Extravaganza, there is plenty of it. Our adventure starts and ends in the ancient royal city of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site surrounded by forested mountains, the mighty Mekong River and golden Buddhist monasteries filled with chanting orange-robed monks. In 13-days we mountain bike into rural communities where time seems to stand still. We spend four days on foot, trekking high up in the magnetic mountains through Hmong and Akha hill tribe villages with overnights in family homes. We ride elephants through expanses of bamboo forests and float down the peaceful Nam Ou river in kayaks. This adventure to Laos is a trip into the past, to a quieter, less hurried time.

Dates 2009: Jan 18-30, Feb 15-27, Mar 29-Apr. 10, Apr. 19-May 1, May 17 - 29, Sept. 6-19, Oct. 11-24, Nov. 22-Dec. 4, 09
Price: $2299 USD per person Land Only

Vietnam and Cambodia, Active Indochina for the Deluxe Traveler
12-days, Mountain Biking, Hiking, Sailing and Sea Kayaking

This double dose of adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia is for those travelers wanting a luxurious experience in South East Asia. We stay in deluxe boutique hotels and on a Luxury Indochina Sailing Junk. The first eight days are in Northern Vietnam, kicking off in Hanoi, where we hike and ride cyclos around the bustling old quarter. We mountain bike through remote villages past mountainsides of terraced rice paddies, trek into the Sapa Region to see the colourful Dzao hill tribe and overnight in a cozy Eco Lodge high in the lush mountains. In Halong Bay we explore a labyrinth of limestone cliffs that rise out of the sea from the comfort of our sailing junk and in our sleek ocean kayaks. The last four days are in Cambodia, visiting Ankor Wat, the epitome of classical Khmer architecture. This 12-day ramble is loaded with comfort, culture, nature and adventure and is a sure bet to satisfy.

Dates 2009: Jan. 21-Feb . 1, Mar. 4 -15, Apr. 29-May 10, May 27-Jun. 7, Sept. 16-27, Oct. 28- Nov. 8, Nov. 18-29. Dec. 9-20, 09
Price: $3599 US per person Land Only

Digital Photography Tips: Part 1

2008-06-06T15:26:00.001-07:00

Even though trip memories can last for a lifetime, we also recommend taking a camera with you on your adventure as another way to capture those special moments. Upon return home you can share pictures with your friends and family and make them jealous of the places you just visited, you can get them enlarged and frame them on your wall, or you can flip through them years from now and relive a part of the trip you might have otherwise forgotten. Below we have included some tips on how to take great photos with your digital camera.

1) Changing the ISO (International Standards Organization) Setting. This setting changes the sensitivity to light of the image sensor inside of it. The lower the number that you select (eg. 100 or 200) the less sensitive the sensor is to light and vice versa. A higher ISO setting means more grain in your pictures.

2) The Golden Rule of Composition is to keep the subject out of the centre. Use the Rule of Thirds when taking pictures.

3) Get in Close to your subject. Improve your people images by zooming in or getting close to your subject. Have fun with it. This is a good way to interact with the locals (if they don't mind their picture being taken). Smile and engage in conversation with them and then show them the photo after it is taken.

4) Fill the Frame. Move in close and think in two dimensions like the camera. We see in 3 dimensions and might not notice the tree coming out of someone's head.

5) The Quality of Light. Once you become aware of the quality of light in your scene you can become a fabulous photographer. Note the time of day, direction, colour, artificial or natural light, etc.

Happy photo taking,
Meghan