Being right: The Wright travel plans

Image by Smaku via Flickr

This talks about an upcoming TV show where they'd feature travel destinations. (Since I am posting late, this is already on air this time).

Pardon me, but I do agree with Ian when he said that "... they're free... they're not nailed down... " Take 'em with you when you leave...

Read on...
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The Wright travel plans

It's out with boundaries, and in with Ian Wright

by Michelle Ann Kwara
michelleann@mediacorp.com.sg

AN ENTIRE room of eager journalists watched as Ian Wright slowly unbuttoned his shirt. Don't worry, the children can stay - he was just showing off his gleaming sunburn from his most recent escapade.

"Eighteen years of travel, and I realised that I haven't learnt one thing," sighed the globe-trekker, who popped into town last month to promote his latest TV travel programme, Ian Wright: Out of Bounds.

As the name suggests, the 45-year-old Englishman's latest offering features destinations that are, well, out of bounds. The world's most remote or least visited locations - Cuba, Syria, Venezuela and Siberia are a handful of the cities explored.

It may not sound like a leisurely spa getaway. And it isn't - Wright was quick to say that he wasn't always as calm and smiley as what you see on TV. "You've got to be mad to not be scared of nothing," he said. "Or dead, I suppose."

The much-loved host of Lonely Planet, also known as Globe Trekker, Wright has also hosted shows like America The Wright Way and VIP Weekends With Ian Wright. The shows are a lovechild of travelogue and comedy, with Wright providing his trademark wit and screwball antics.

As a professional traveller, he is no stranger to exotic foods. While Singaporeans feast on shark's fin, Wright dines on mouldy sharks in Iceland.

"It's an old Viking dish, it's like cured meat. If you're on a boat, you got to have something to nibble on. No wonder the Vikings aren't here anymore," he quipped.

We cosied up with the award-winning host as he shared tips on stealing hotel toiletries and why we should all go to Siberia.

Where's the one place you think everyone should visit?

There's isn't anywhere, really. Some people say Auschwitz is one place you must go, just to remind yourself of what's going on. Like in Cambodia, the school that was the death camp. It's always worth going to one of them places, just as a reminder of what a bunch of a**holes we are. You don't necessarily need to visit those places. Everyone's got their own little mecca. And while you're in Cambodia, get yourself some noodles and go off to Angkor Wat, you know? It's only round the corner, innit?

What's the best advice you can give travellers who want to travel the way you do?

Well, just buy a ticket, really. The thought of going on your own, or with someone, to the other end of the world, it's like, "Oh my god!" and you can dwell and think about it too much. And it can stop you going. What you need to do is, when you get the idea, go and buy a ticket. Buying that ticket is the first step, and probably the hardest.


What are your travel essentials?

Now, it's my DVD player. I love films, especially for long plane journeys. But make sure you've got a bloody good battery.


Why should we visit Siberia?

Because it's unlike any other place. People want to travel to experience new experiences, to see different perspectives of the world, different landscapes in the world. And it doesn't get more different, or more extreme, than in places like Siberia.

Have you ever nicked hotel soaps and toiletries?

I don't use the word nick - they're free anyway. If it's not nailed down, put it in your bag. That's my motto.



Ian Wright: Out of Bounds premieres today and airs every Thursday at 9pm on Discovery Travel and Living.



From TODAY, Travel - Thursday, 20-May-2010
The Wright travel plans
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Packing Travel Tips For the World Traveler

This is an Ezine article original. I've been putting in some travel destinations, but not articles like this, so hopefully, this will help as much as it can to get the world traveller prepared to go - anywhere in the world!
Read on...

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One of the worst problems that a world traveler can experience is to arrive at your destination only to find that you are missing several key items that you need for your trip. To avoid these problems you should consider these packing travel tips for the person that travels around the globe.

You need to ensure you have your passport and other travel documents with you. Keep a copy of these records in case something happens to your originals. Pack a first aid kit to ensure that you do not have to deal with unexpected problems. Do not carry all your credit cards, debit cards, traveler checks, or cash in one location. Divide it up in case something happens.

Make sure you pack enough clothes to allow for at least two changes of clothing for each day. You do not have to pack a great deal of clothes, but you should make plans to pick items that can be worn with different outfits to give you extra choices. Accessories such as scarves, sweaters, or jackets can provide you with more options. When choosing your clothes, try to pick wrinkle-free clothes to avoid having to worry about ironing the clothes each day. Choosing darker colors can help you to avoid showing dirt and stains if they should happen.

Learn what the weather is expected to be like when you make plans to visit a certain area or country. This will allow you to pack the right clothes to cover your needs. You can always pack a couple of extra outfits that can deal with unusual or unexpected weather. One of the most important travel tips is to pack good comfortable shoes that you will be able to walk in. Create a travel checklist to make sure you have everything you need. Plan for the unexpected and you will be able to enjoy your trip no matter where you choose to go.

Aren Williams
Site Representative
10minutetravel.com


World travel tips? we offer an interesting collection of travel articles, travel Tips & hotel reviews; share your favorite travel experiences now!.

Article Directory: EzineArticles

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Kakadu for kids

Turn the June holidays into an Outback adventure, discover the wild side of Australia's Northern Territory

Mark Malby, traveller@newstoday.com.sg

With school holidays fast approaching, many parents may be scratching their heads right now, wondering where to go. Depending on the size and age of your posse, there will be the usual destinations: The grandparents in Malacca, kid-friendly resorts in Bintan or Phuket, and for the more flush, perhaps Disneyland in Hong Kong, Tokyo, or Anaheim. It's the "safe" and mostly familiar destinations that grab the lion's share, but if you're up for something more offbeat, step off the well-worn track.

Australia's Tropical North

A Jabiru stork at sunset

What's a family vacation without a little adventure, and Australia's northern Outback offers it in droves. From man-eating crocodiles to 20,000 year old rock art to termite mounds 6m tall, the vast green stretches of Kakadu are the extreme opposite of any theme park.

As the gateway to this wilderness, Darwin itself is a surprisingly family-friendly place. No rough-housing frontier town is this — but a pleasant, mid-sized Australian city with an easy charm and a surprising array of attractions. Even within the city limits, you'll still come across exotica such as chortling cockatoos, night-time possums, and — in the wet season — the odd crocodile in a swimming pool.

One must-see, especially for the kids, is Aquascene, where once a day masses of hungry fish ride in from sea on the incoming tide. Spectators toss bread and wade into the churning waters for a spectacle that's part Underwater World and part feeding frenzy. Nearby Doctor's Gully also offers a primeval forest home to a squawking colony of fruit bats.

For a more intense feeding experience, catch the live crocodile shows at Crocodylus Park. "Salties", as they're fondly called, are among the world's most ferocious predators — a fact that's sure not to be lost on the kids. At the Darwin Museum, they can gawk over the stuffed remains of 'Sweetheart' (a 5.4 m crocodile), who gained fame during life by trying to eat the motors off local fishing boats.

In addition to wildlife, beaches, lawn bowling, and sailing, Darwin boasts a lively arts scene. There are local theatre productions, and the memorable Darwin Deckchair Cinema offers a chance to watch movies under the stars. With the kids asleep, mum and dad can even slip off to the MGM Grand Casino, or one of the many local pubs and clubs.

Kakadu National Park

Join an adventure tour in Kakadu and try to spot a kookabura.

No trip to Darwin is complete without a visit to Kakadu National Park. With young kids, a day-trip might suffice. But the best way to explore the park's highlights is over a few leisurely days, either staying at park lodges or — for the more intrepid — camping.

Wilderness camping is not for the uninitiated, however. One excellent option is a guided camping tour through one of the 'adventure companies' based in Darwin. Not only will you see the best of Kakadu at economical prices, it will give your children the chance to wake up in a tent, swim in waterfalls, tend campfires and sample some exotic local fare. Kangaroo, crocodile, or camel steaks, anyone?

Slipping south of Darwin, one of the first features you'll notice are nature's highrises — the giant Cathedral termite mounds which can soar three times human height. This is just the beginning of Kakadu's striking landscapes, which range from the tablelands of Nawurlandja Lookout to the 200m waterfall of Jim Jim Falls.

Even in the dry season, there's plenty of water around — and the rivers and billabongs make focal points for the park's wildlife. Birds abound — so bring some binoculars and an Aussie bird book, and compete with your children on who can sight the most. It's also worth visiting the Aboriginal rock paintings at Nourlangie, which are far older than the pyramids.

The advantage of staying in the park is that you get to see Kakadu at all times of day. A sunset Yellow Water Walk, for instance offers some spectacular wildlife views — including the strangely prehistoric Jabiru stork. If it's crocodiles you're looking for, then try an afternoon's boating on the Adelaide River. You're almost guaranteed to see a few of the deceptively sluggish reptiles on the shore. Remember not to let your kids trail their hands in the water!

With wildlife and adventures, chances are, a trip to Darwin and Kakadu will linger in your children's memories more than another beach vacation or meeting Mickey Mouse.

From TODAY, Traveller – Thursday, 28-May-2009

OK, ok, below articles does include some of the dangers in the wild of Australia. They are included, and they serve their purpose to warn anybody who dares venture in to the unknown. So parents, never lose sight of your kids. And kids, never go astray, and just stay by your parents' side. Don't play with the unknown of the wild...

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Serenity on high

DANANG

The fireworks may draw the crowds, but it’s the simple beauty in the hills that takes the breath away

JUSTIN CHEONG, justin@mediacorp.com.sg

SOMETIMES, appreciating the beauty of a place is in the details. So it is with Danang.

Blink and you’ll miss its fleeting treasures: A cow grazing on the beach, a goat resting in a cemetery, six people balanced precariously on a moped.

These tableaux might give the impression that Danang — Vietnam’s fourth-largest city — is a sleepy seaside town. It is anything but.

Everywhere, signs of urbanisation are rampant. Large expanses of beach are being developed into massive luxury resorts, the city is packed densely with buildings, while its outskirts are dotted with signs of new commercial and residential structures.

Traffic, as with many cities, is a nightmare; motorists are horn-happy; and there are no traffic lights. Crossing a street can, therefore, be something of an adventure. So, walk, don’t run. Or follow a local.

But if you like living dangerously, opt for a tour of the city on a cyclo – which is similar to a trishaw, just that your seat is in front of the bicycle. And because this is not a common activity among tourists — most rent a motorcycle, take a cab or simply walk — expect the locals to stare at you as though you’re some VIP.

The crowds reach a fever pitch during major events such as the Danang International Fireworks Competition. This year, the second of its kind was held on March 27 and 28.

On such occasions, hordes of curious locals and tourists gather to watch the shimmering spectacle on the banks of the Han River, along which the town is situated. So, unless you’re willing to get caught up in the sweaty multitudes, it’s best to enjoy the fireworks from afar.

Of course, there are attractions where you can seek respite from the maddening throngs. One peaceful location is the Marble Mountains — a conglomeration of five hills.

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Peace at the peak of the Ba Na Hills.

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If you’re able-bodied and have healthy gams, climb 156 steep steps to the top of the highest hill — the only one which the public is allowed to mount — and you’ll find a temple, pagodas and serene grottoes in which you’ll find ancient sandstone carvings and statues of Buddhist deities.

Another flight of stairs leads you to its peak where you can soak in the panorama of the South China Sea — which would be spectacular if it weren’t for all the construction.

One more spot of calm awaits at the peak of the Ba Na Hills, about 40km west of Danang city. A newly-opened 5km cable car ride — which holds the record for being the longest and highest non-stop cable car ride — gets you 1,300m up in roughly 15 minutes, which is a boon, considering it used to take close to an hour by car to reach the peak via a narrow, winding road.

As you reach the summit, a massive marble statue of Buddha comes into view, but it’s the landscape that you look down upon when you reach the top that is truly breathtaking. One sweep of the verdant hills that blend into the mists and sky in soothing shades of green and blue, and the trauma of being in Vietnamese traffic all but fades away.

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Seek respite on the beach, before it’s too late.

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Finally, spend an afternoon heading up to Son Tra Peninsula — 10km north-east of the city — especially if you’ve rented a moped. That’s probably the only vehicle that can get you up the mountain where you can get amazing views of Monkey Bay. At the foot of the mountain, you’ll find a relatively untouched beach where you can chill out, go snorkelling, swim or fish.

Danang has all the charms and problems of a rapidly developing city. Beautiful scenery is offset by unsightly construction, while fascinating culture is hampered by a language barrier.

So, before it becomes ravaged by tourism and marred by the evils of commercialisation, now is the best time to visit Danang.

And remember, don’t blink.

This trip was made possible by SilkAir, which flies to Danang on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. For more information, visit www.silkair.com and www.danangtourism.com.

From TODAY, Traveller – Thursday, 07-May-2009

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TRAVEL NOTES

The lighter, the cheaper

As airlines battle to undersell each other in the fare stakes, Jetstar Asia has zoomed in on baggage weight to give travellers a better deal. Customers going for short breaks who do not have check-in luggage can save $15 one way on their tickets. They can, however, stuff another 3kg into their carry-on bag, the weight limit of which has been increased from 7kg to 10kg. The deal is called JetSaver Light, available as a fare option when travellers book their flights on www.jetstar.com.

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