Wildlife Diversity
Corbett National Park is well-known for its population of tigers. Wildlife enthusiasts have a lot to explore here. In addition to the royal animal, there are many other species that say in the dense forest of this eco park. While exploring the park in a jeep safari, you will often see The Asian Elephants wandering about here and there. You will also spot different varieties of deer as well as antelopes. The Leopard also resides in the tropical jungles of Corbett. Many primates such as the langur etc. reside in plenty here. The national park serves to be a great destination for the bird watchers too as there are different species of birds residing here. The most popular reptiles of India such as the King Cobra can be spotted here easily.

The Tropical Appeal
Apart from varied animal species, the park is popular worldwide for the stunning beauty of its widespread greenery and large number of plants found here. It houses very rare species of plants. Some are unique so much so that they are not found in any other lands. You must capture their pictures in your camera as a memory of this adventurous India wildlife holiday. The Jim Corbett National Park is an immensely diverse biome ecologically. In addition to the rare flora and fauna found here, the park also has many rivers along with their tributaries flowing through it.

The Corbett Experience
You must have watched wildlife adventures on-screen in the comfort of your homes, but experiencing the thrills in a national park itself is an experience that is one of its own kinds. The structured management system of the Corbett Tiger Reserve had added to its popularity. Vacationers love to come here again and again. On your Corbett tour, you can enjoy your stay at any one of the several resorts that are constructed in and around the park. These resorts are equipped with impeccable amenities and services. They offer a very comfortable stay. Many of these wildlife resorts have affordable packages in tie-ups with reputed travel operators. The Corbett tour packages can be customized according to your personal needs in budget. Just let the agent know your specifications and you will get a tour option that suits your interest completely.

Corbett tours are really an experience of a lifetime. You will love the chance of viewing the best of incredible India so closely. The tour guides that will accompany you on your tour are highly trained and fully experienced wildlife experts. They have immense knowledge about the park and its resident’s histories.

A tour to the Jim Corbett National Park of India is truly like a dream adventure. India Wildlife Holidays are filled with brilliant thrills and thrilling experiences that offer memories to cherish for at least a lifetime.

 

Amsterdam is the place to visit if you want to spend time in a city that has much you can explore. From villas owned by rich merchants to vibrant parks with splashes of vivid colors, Amsterdam has it all. The nightlife in the city is captivating as are the small but grand festivals that take place throughout the year. Here are the top ten things you can do when you are in Amsterdam:

Go on Canal Tours

The beautiful canals in Amsterdam have been key to transportation and defense in the 17th century. In 2010, all 165 canals in the city were identified as UNESCO monuments. Most boat tours will take you along the Canal Belt and Center. You will have plenty of options to for traveling along the waters and seeing the canals. Open boats, private boats, dinner cruise tours and special-themed tours are a few options.

Glimpse the Memories of World War II

Anne Frank House, a memorial of World War II, has been made a museum. It holds the famed “secret annex” in which Anne Frank and her family hid. It was there that she wrote in her diary. Verzetsmuseum is dedicated to the couple that hid the Franks. The historical museum is recognized as one of the best in Netherlands. A few other museums in Amsterdam are – the Jewish Historical Museum and Dutch National Museum.

Tulip Season

Netherlands prides itself on its spectacular bulb flowers like tulips. To see the magnificent flowers in bloom, visit Keukenhof in Lisse. This bulb-flower park is one of the most visited in the city. Rows of colorful flowers line the park during tulip season. Many varieties of tulips are showcased in the Amsterdam Tulip Museum. The museum places emphasis on their history and cultural significance. Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam and Bloenmenmarkt are a few other places you should go to, for an eyeful of tulips.

Bicycle Rides

For a taste of how half the people in Amsterdam explore the city, hire a bicycle and go for a ride. During peak hours, the bicycle lanes in the city are choc-a-bloc with bikers. Just about everyone rides a bike – students, parents with children and office-goers. You can hire a bike and buy a map designed specifically to guide bikers, and ride through the city. If you’re not sure about your biking skills, take a guided tour by bike.

Delve into Dutch Cuisine

After spending your day looking through what the city has to offer, visit one of the many restaurants that serve traditional Dutch cuisine. Most of the dishes in this cuisine are comfort food. Some of the local favorites are stamppot boerenkool, pancakes, Gouda cheese, French fries and erwtensoep. For a taste of exotic dishes, restaurants that serve Suriname and Indonesian food are the best. You can savor rijsttafel, a presentation of several Indonesian dishes.

Cannabis Cafes and Drinks

Cafes that serve space cakes, drinks and coffees are among some of the most visited places in Amsterdam. They showcase various aspects of the city’s culture through art and craft exhibits that were originally created as forms of self-expression.

Shopping in Designer Stores and Flea Markets

Amsterdam has an interesting mix of some of the best retail and fashion stores, and flea markets. You can go shopping for Versace, Gucci and Prada merchandise in the city. The Nine Streets’ exclusive boutiques are the right place for those who want an exclusive, upscale shopping experience. The flea markets in the city offer some of the most interesting items that have been a part of Amsterdam’s history.

Take in the Finest Art

The city has some of the best modern and fine art museums in Netherlands. Rembrandt’s work has made the artist’s residence, now known as the Museum het Rembrandthuis, its home. The interiors of the museum have been redone to look grand. The Van Gogh Museum is a must-visit, especially for those who love modern art.

Explore the Street Art Scene

The art scene in Amsterdam is not restricted to the museums and exhibitions in the city. You can get a glimpse of the skills of its artists on the street. The art scene on Amsterdam’s streets is dynamic, vibrant and enriching. Sculptures, graffiti and stenciled poetry on city walls are just a few of the artistic elements that can capture your attention.

Listen to Jazz and Rock Music

One thing no visitor to Amsterdam should miss out on is the city’s jazz music. As the jazz capital of Europe, the city has a lot to offer music enthusiasts. From local trios that perform in cafes and bars, to international jazz musicians, you will find them all in Amsterdam.

 

When you’re on the road for an RV trip, you spend a lot of time, well, on the road. While an RV affords more entertainment opportunities, and space, than a typical road trip in a smaller vehicle, those hours can still leave your passengers pining for things to do. Here are several ideas of ways you can pass the time between destinations:

Alphabet Game

This tried-and-true classic inspires friendly competition and requires enough focus to keep RV occupants riveted on passing signs, etc. This game can be played a couple different ways. In one version, you start with A and have to find a word (on passing billboards, road signs, etc) that begins with the letter A. The same word cannot be used again by another player. After finding an A word, you move on to B — whoever gets through Z first, wins! Other versions simplify the game by allowing you to find the letter anywhere, not just at the beginning of a word. In this version, you can find the letters on license plates as well.

Card Games

Whether you opt for gin rummy or go fish, an RV is ideal for playing card games because, unlike other vehicles, you have table space! Poker and black jack will go over well with older crowds, while younger players can enjoy simpler games like slap jack and memory. If you’re tired of traditional games, pick a target and see who can throw the most cards into the trash can, etc. Flicking cards effectively is more difficult than you’d expect — and it’s addicting to try and perfect your technique. Also, an RV trip is a good a time as any to bust out all your old card tricks — your audience is captive, after all.

I Spy

This one is a good way to stay entertained while still enjoying the passing scenery. Each player takes a turn choosing an object outside and gives a clue, such as, “I spy something green.” Players take turns guessing what the object is until someone gets it right, and whoever guesses correctly gets to pick the next object. Be careful though — if you don’t pick a larger object in the distance, it’s likely to pass too quickly for anyone to guess it. If you run out of larger choices, you can choose things inside the RV.

Cow Counting

If you’re in cow country, start counting! Assign players to face different windows, set a time limit, and see who can spot the most cows. No livestock around? Pick whatever fits for the region you’re in — a certain kind of tree or cactus, oil drills, airplanes, etc. Spice this game up by adding a prize for the team that gets the highest count before the time runs out. Nothing compels people quite like the promise of an ice cream cone or the right to choose the afternoon movie.

License Plate Acronyms

Aside from making the cars around you paranoid, writing down passing license plate numbers can provide an entertaining and creative activity. Using the letters from the license plates, see how many funny and witty phrases you can come up with using the letters as an acronym. Bonus points if you manage to include the numbers in the phrase!

Car Shopping

There are two ways you can play this game. In the first version, you pick a time limit and each player has to view the passing cars and decide which one they want to “own.” Whoever calls a car first gets it, but once you call one you can’t change your answer. Be careful — if you hold out until the end, you might get stuck with the last old beater you see before time runs out. At the end, you can either debate about whose car is best or let someone who didn’t play choose the winner. Another way to play this game is to have each player select a type of car. During the predetermined time limit, see who can find the most of his or her type of car on the road around you.

Any of the above games should be winners with your RV crowd — but you’re less likely to enjoy them if you’re dealing with setbacks or RV trouble. If heading through Arizona, get everything checked at a Phoenix RV service location so you can have as much peace of mind as possible during the 25th round of I Spy.

 

Encompassing a breathtaking 235,214 acres, the Flat Tops is the second largest swath of roadless wilderness in Colorado. Accessible only by foot or on horseback, the area provides unrivaled opportunities for solitude and escape. Whether hiking, riding horseback, fly-fishing or big game hunting, those who visit the Flat Tops are almost always drawn back for more.

Topography

Even those familiar with Colorado landscapes are surprised when they visit the Flat Tops for the first time. Its terrain is as unique as it is beautiful, unlike any other Rocky Mountain experience.

As its name suggests, immense plateaus are the dominating feature of the area. Foreboding cliffs guard the edges of the wilderness. Beyond the frame of these escarpments, visitors to the interior of the Flat Tops are greeted by sprawling forests of aspen and conifer. The tops of plateaus are gently rolling, allowing forests to mingle with large open parks and meadows.

But between the easy terrain of the plateaus, deep incisions cut the land and drop steeply away to the tumbling creeks below. Hundreds of miles of trout streams entice anglers and the combination of meadows, timber and steep terrain provide a paradise for elk and mule deer hunters.

The highest reaches of the flat tops are its rounded volcanic peaks and the expansive tundra that roll beneath their feet. Over 100 lakes are scattered about the interior of the wilderness, many of them unnamed, providing trout fishermen with even more thrilling opportunities.

Wildlife

The wildlife inhabiting the Flat Tops is as varied as its topography. From valley bottoms to lofty peaks, hundreds of species thrive within the protected confines of the wilderness.

One of the area’s most numerous inhabitants is the Rocky Mountain elk. The elk here in the Flat Tops are part of the larger White River herd, the largest in Colorado and subsequently in North America.

Elk can be found from the open tundra to the lowest river bottoms, depending on the time of year and weather. Elk are primarily grazers, meaning grass is their first choice in food sources. When grass is harder to find, they will browse from low growing shrubs and even aspen trees.

Mule deer are another common big game species found in the flat tops. Deer can also range from timberline to river bottoms, but will usually migrate downhill faster than the elk when the snow begins to fall. Deer are primarily browsers, which means they prefer shrubs and leaves to grass. Because of this, deer will often be found in areas of heavy oak brush, currant or other low-growing deciduous plants.

Above timberline and up to the rocky peaks, big horn sheep can be found throughout the Flat Tops wilderness. These stately mammals with their heavy curled horns avoid predators by relying on their eyesight in wide-open places and their agility to escape over treacherous terrain. Big horn sheep are the state animal of Colorado.

The Flat Tops’ most fearsome predator is the mountain lion. Though rarely seen, mountain lions patrol the wilderness for mule deer and other prey. It is estimated that an adult lion can kill up to one mule deer a week. These animals are notoriously shy of humans however, and to see one can be a lucky opportunity.

While often thought of as predators, black bears are actually just opportunistic omnivores. They’ll eat just about anything they can find. Black bears are numerous in the Flat Tops area but because of their tendency toward nocturnal activity, they are not often seen.

Small mammals inhabiting the wilderness include marmots and pika, which hikers can often spot in rocky slopes near tree line. Weasels, ermine and pine marten can also be found in the woods, but are mostly nocturnal and shy of humans.

Finally, the rivers and lakes of the Flat Tops are home to a number of different fish species. Most notably, Colorado’s native cutthroat trout can be found throughout the area. These beautifully colored trout grow to healthy sizes and provide anglers with endless entertainment. Brook trout are also common in the area.

Activities

As a designated wilderness area, the Flat Tops is closed to all motor vehicles and any mechanized forms of transportation, such as mountain bikes. This leaves the entire area free to explore on foot and on horseback in unmatched solitude. It is truly a wilderness experience.

Hikers and backpackers have an array of options and places to explore, with well over a hundred miles of trails. The area is expansive however, and travel on foot usually limits visitors to the outer edges of the area.

One of the easiest ways to explore the interior of the wilderness is on horseback. The ultimate wilderness ATVs, horses and mules can take visitors to places that would otherwise be extremely difficult to reach. Horses and mules also allow visitors to carry comfortable camps into the heart of the wilderness where guests can fish, hunt, photograph or simply enjoy the alpine scenery without another soul around.

Fishing is a very popular activity in the area. The remote nature of the Flat Tops’ waterways and lakes means they see very little fishing pressure. Fish here do not often see an artificial fly and are eager to strike. From little brook trout in small streams and beaver ponds, to hefty cutthroat, there are opportunities to fit a wide range of fishing preferences.

It goes without saying that the Flat Tops Wilderness is also a hunter’s paradise. Home to one of the largest elk herds on the planet and trophy mule deer, hunters looking for a true, western big game hunting experience, will find exactly what they’re looking for in the Flat Tops.

Perhaps the best way for hunters to access the area is on horseback. The sheer size of this wilderness leaves much of the interior unpressured and here, hunters will find excellent populations of game.

As a federally protected wilderness, the Flat Tops is a gem in the heart of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Whether visiting with your camera, fishing rod or hunting equipment, there are opportunities for any type of outdoor enthusiast. The area is most easily accessed from Interstate 70 in western Colorado.

 

In the midst of it all, a wedding cavalcade of mini-vans escorted by a traveling disco sound system. The police are very noticeable by their absence. The situation is unsafe and it all happens so frequently. It is dangerous, annoying and it is deafening. This is Luxor, one of the major tourist destinations on earth. It’s also the 2011 festival of Eid. But, this is also Egypt after the authorities lost control. It isn’t a pleasant experience but it’s what independent travellers have to endure if Egyptology is on their minds. And, after visiting the ruins of one of the world’s early civilizations, it has become a wonderful mystery as to why it’s all so un-inviting.

The chaos, cacophony and crap on the streets appear as sure signs nothing good lies in the near future for the people who speak so proudly of their recent “revolution”. It’s as if this is their only period of “freedom” since the pyramids were built 5,000 years ago. And, they’re going nuts with it. For example, it would be very difficult for foreigners to drive a car in Egypt. Car rental companies have vacated the country. I noticed a lot of missing headlights. I noticed very few traffic lights. The most were near the stretch of highway that connects the airport to downtown Cairo. In this city of 18 million it can be anywhere from 30 minutes to never when estimating how long it might take to do that trip. I’ve never experienced traffic congestion such as I lived with during my 5 days in Cairo.

I travelled by road from Abu Simbel to Aswan to Luxor. I’m sure that road operations were much smoother when the police were on duty. The linear urban strip all along the Nile lends itself to modern traffic control techniques but instead it can be pure pandemonium at times, often times. There’s evidence of a police presence but I got the sense it was only interested in controlling the locals. Now, where the main Cairo road runs parallel with the Nile, traffic calming has sprung up in the form of crude bumps on the road. Using bricks, debris and concrete, speed bumps have been constructed at every school, market or intersection. Many have crumbled under the constant strain turning them into speed bumps to be avoided, rendering them more like gates through which both north and south bound vehicles must pass single file. In the absence of more sophisticated methods, these crude barriers to speed are taking a huge toll on travel time. The police are in their barracks, stationed only immediately outside. Government is frozen. So too are the wages many had come to rely on. Before the revolution most Egyptians had a daily government placement for at least 4 hours of paid labour. That’s all gone now. For many it wasn’t a tough job but it was where everybody got their share of the net worth of the Country, their institutionalised baksheesh, as it were. As far as I know, after a very short visit, while Egypt is not as resource-rich as Libya or Saudi, it does have significant wealth opportunities. The generosity of the waters of the Nile as it flows through the Egyptian desert is wonderful to see. Farm produce, hydro electricity, some oil, gas and significant infrastructure investments are all examples of the Country’s gross domestic value. However, there’s a saying in the arab world, “as poor as an Egyptian”, and that is so very true.

The balance of an Egyptian’s livelihood is supposed to come from income earned as licensed independent operators within their own communities. They work as taxi, horse and camel drivers Many are hotel, restaurant and perfume shop salespeople. The souks too are large employers. They’re all volume based tourist dependant occupations.

These days, it’s very evident nobody’s buying. I was told, tourism didn’t slow down after the January 25, 2011 protests and police action – it came to a thundering halt. What’s on offer in the shops, souks and museums has all the appearance of last year’s goods. Income from that source has dwindled significantly. Now shopkeepers are stuck with cheap imported junk, a lot fewer customers and an unsustainable approach to merchandising and selling. It’s obvious too that much of their inventory was not manufactured locally. Unlike other countries in the region where I’ve visited, Morocco and Turkey, there appeared to be no local craft industry. Yet, everywhere there was delicately manufactured chattels and trinkets. Honestly, I saw nothing being made that a tourist would be interested in buying. When challenged, they say, “No, it is made in Egypt”. But, the empty “Made in China” packing cartons scattered all around the souks tells the true story.

Another thing, for the prices locals are paying for these goods the cost must be extremely low. It’s interesting to ponder the value of the Egyptian market to China. Many home essential goods are imported from there. Based on my use of some of them during my trip, there is a lot of room for product quality improvement. If they are making a profit in such a poor country imagine how fantastically profitable it must be selling to the USA and European markets.

Most Egyptians in the tourism sector are living off a 5,000 year old story. It’s a hugely valuable asset, a well established brand but poorly nourished. Culturally, this seems to be fine with the locals. They are acutely aware of the essentials of capitalism but seem to have little understanding of marketing or long term planning. It’s as if the total revenue from tourism is divvied up among too many recipients and there’s never much left over for repairs or improvements. Based on my own experiences, there’s the same neglect in public spaces, boat landings, train and bus stations from near the border with Sudan all the way north via Aswan and Luxor en route to Cairo. Egyptians don’t seem to be making any strides to modernize, or even maintain, and glaringly unaware of the threats to their feature assets.

It’s unfortunate too that while tourism revenues are down, the rest of the country must be in better shape. Egypt still produces wealth from the country’s other assets. For example, Egypt is a major force in the construction industry throughout the Middle East, producing many of the materials used in it, like cement and other raw materials. In spite of this, the museums, hotels, taxis, camels, horses and donkeys all look down on their heel. That’s a poor business decision that will have an increasingly negative impact for tourism.

These people are screwed. It looks to me like the police and military are just waiting them out. The majority of Egyptians are poorly educated and so culturally retarded to be any match for the 1% that hold the levers to coercive power. The oppressors will undoubtedly reappear, and maybe soon when temperatures rise again to their most enervating. The country needs leadership but it’s more likely to get another richly-anointed Chief Corruption Officer. Egypt has been controlled by force since antiquity and the current military machine won’t tolerate change that endangers its preferred status. The oppressed can’t hold out forever either.

A weird combination of a lowering of the cost of many goods, in the face of a decline in revenues, has conspired to deaden the shock waves of the 2011 Egyptian Spring. It looks like a good deal for the controlling segments in the society but it’s a lousy one for most. China enjoys good relations with Egypt for reasons solely to do with natural resources. I’d say the Chinese got the gas but 99% of Egyptians got the pains.

Amazingly, I noticed a number of references to Che Guevara, the kind of leader Egypt needs. But, I saw no evidence that his image is portrayed as anything but another piece of eye candy for the tourists. When I quizzed those retailers about their product offering they appeared to have either no clue who Che Guevara was and even managed somehow to link him with Bob Marley!

This was the dirtiest, downtrodden country I’ve ever visited. The underlying combination of religion and paganism could well be designed to maintain the population close to the lowest common denominator. Along with the chilling effects of fiscal withdrawal and a hands-off police force, it simply looks like another slight-of-hand piece of politics. The kind of political machination measured sparingly enough to mollify the great unwashed until such times as their oppressors re-emerge from their holes to get behind another modern day leader. One who will no doubt take a “rightful” place among a long line of despots. What this country needs is a severe injection of socialism but I fear the “Gods” will resist and the people appear inept at channeling their own collective power.

Yesterday we went to see the only remaining Wonder of the World, the Pyramids and the Sphinx. They’re located in a huge open air museum that is also an active archeological dig. At the edge of Cairo, in a suburb that threatens the very sands these monuments sit upon, Giza public transit takes you right to the foot of the Sphinx. It’s an easy walk from there to the ticket office but you must endure another onslaught from the world’s worst tourist touts.

Where you from? (Canada, ah Canada Dry, never die) What’s your name? (Lovely name, same as my mother/father/sister/brother) You want scarf? (Made in Egypt, look like Arafat). It drives you nuts and there’s no relief from it – even if you fight back. Where you from? (Afghanistan, oh yea?) What’s your name? (Osama bin Laden.) You happy he’s dead? (Don’t even go there!)

Once through the gauntlet there’s a lot more to endure. There’s garbage strewn everywhere. Horse, camel, donkey and dog crap desiccating in full sun and under foot. You can’t stop for a look around without some tout approaching and going through the same old, same old routines. Of course, there are two Egyptians. Any who were not annoying touts came across as friendly enough. But, the touts are surely leaving an indelible image on the minds of visitors. I came across a few who I rewarded with a tip of Toronto proportion but in every case my generosity was scoffed at in a most demeaning manner! These were not nice people at all.

Everywhere you look there are solutions that would make the situation better, but Egyptians aren’t interested. A simple thing like a garbage bin is resisted because, “who wants a garbage bin on their corner?” That the garbage is tossed on, or swept to, that corner anyway doesn’t seem to resonate. These are a culturally stubborn people. That so much of their well-being depends on tourism concerns them very little either. My guess is only the most die-hard Egyptologists would ever want to return to this place.

Last weekend we walked by Tahrir Square. Friday is the holy day and the day of protest. That Friday was at the tail end of the Eid holiday. The streets were absolutely crowded with little room for cars or people to move. Drivers honked incessantly, out of holiday joy and frustration. The horn in Egypt is both a toy and an imaginary weapon for disposing of obstacles. In one of the roundabouts off Tahrir, three or four young men had taken up position on the statue in the centre. It was obvious they were spouting political protest but only a small crowd was paying any attention. If CNN had been filming it could easily have looked like a growing protest. Thankfully though, that didn’t happen until a week after we left. Having been ‘gypt enough, we were happy to have seen what we wanted but also quite happy to get the hell out of there.

 

We all know that the world is a massive place with ‘n’ number of people, creatures and living lives residing on it. There are so many talented, exciting and astonishing people in the world whom you have never met yet. So, if you are a social animal and have a craving for new hands on experience, wait no more. No matter where you are, you can take your own time and travel anywhere that is absolutely novel and foreign to you.

Volunteer abroad is the best choice to fulfill this wish of any person. It emphasizes on working to offer for the needs of several people like you. These needs may however differ, in terms of educational, environmental and so on, but volunteering focuses in assisting people with such variable needs. While reading or hearing so much about volunteering opportunities, you might wonder why volunteer abroad?

Nevertheless, give a deeper thought to it and you will find a satisfactory answer for yourself. Ok, fine don’t stress your brains so much. Read below to get your answer. One can go for volunteer abroad for several reasons such as adventure, excitement, culture, exploration and so on. While others go hunting for a challenging job or their own personal interest drives them there. To volunteer abroad, you need to have some qualities inherited in you like patience, flexibility and respect for the host people to attain a rewarding experience.

There has been a tremendous increase in the number of volunteers going abroad since it provides them with a rewarding as well as challenging personal experience. One’s desire to contribute serves as an intense motivation to go abroad. This is also one of the best approaches to understand new culture and get novel experiences from them.

By volunteering abroad, you are benefitted with some of the social benefits. You get an opportunity to make new friends, have fun, develop personal skills, modify your living style and develop your career. Did you ever put light on a simple fact that you are on this earth for a very special purpose. If yes, then it’s time to do something like volunteering that gives meaning to your life and make a difference. You get a feeling of contentment as you have served the world. The insight that one gains by such a program is indeed priceless, with all its privileges and advantages. So, now it’s time to initiate your journey.

 

What’s with Philippine/Filipino Culture and Traits?

A Kaleidoscope Nation

The Philippine Culture and Filipino people, to begin with, are a collection of different backgrounds, races, and ethnicities. It all begun with the migration of Malay and Austronesian people during the early centuries to the colonization of Spain, the Americans, and then the Japanese. Add to that the continuous migration of Chinese, Indian and other nationalities, the Philippines is undoubtedly a diverse nation. And with this diversity come the different cultures and traditions, which, after hundreds of years of mixing and matching, define the very unique culture and tradition that makes the Filipino race.

The Fiesta

The first thing foreigners notice about the Philippine Culture is our fondness on festivities, locally known as fiesta or “pista”. The Filipino fiesta list usually -and unusually- begins with Christmas. Christmas carols can already be heard from radios, as early as September, decorations pop up by October, then after a brief break for the Halloween (Pinoy fashion) on November, the actual Pinoy Christmas enters with style for 9 days (or nights, or dawn, or whatever) on December with the Simbang Gabi, that ends with the Christmas eve dinner “Noche Buena”. But wait, there’s more, the Christmas season does not end until the January of the next year, coinciding with the New Year’s celebrations, and finally, the Feast of the Three Kings.

During the midsummer, there’s the Holy Week or Semana Santa, a Christian holiday that begins with the Palm Sunday, followed by Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday and finally culminating with Easter Sunday.The Holy Week celebration is usually marked with a whole week of school and work off, that’s the reason why it is the best time for Filipinos to return to their provinces and spend time with their relatives, as part of Philippine culture and tradition.

Then, by May comes the Flores de Mayo or the Santacruzan. The Flores de Mayo is a Catholic festival, honouring the Virgin Mary. This feast culminates with the Santacruzan or Sagala, a parade that presents how Queen Helena and Constantine found Jesus’s true cross from Jerusalem. For the Philippine culture, the Sagala is held with such regard that it is made sure that it only shows each Barangay’s most beautiful ladies.

Aside from the usual festivities, different regions all throughout the Philippines host various local fiestas that reflect its own history, religion, nature, people and wildlife. There’s the Ati-atihan of Aklan, the Pahiyas Festival of Quezon, the Pintados Festival of Leyte, Kadayawan Festival of Davao and Dinagyang Festival of Ilo-Ilo.

This year of festivities culminates with the All Saints Day and All Souls Day of November. It is a time where Filipino families pay tribute to their departed relative and friends by visiting cemeteries and saying prayers for the dead. It is one of the well-known traditions including in the Philippine Culture.

Religions

Being a nation of various ethnicities, it also follows that the Philippines is a nation of various religious beliefs. Different religious beliefs were included in Philippine Culture as well. The Anito-worshippers of the early pre-Spanish era are now replaced Catholic devotees. Add to that the Islam of the south, and the different Protestant religions brought by American occupation, coupled with Buddhism from the Chinese. The Filipinos are into religion to the point that we have our own branch of the Christian faith, The Philippine Independent Church or the Aglipayan Church.

Food

Filipino cuisine consists of foods and dishes with Hispanic, Chinese and American origin adapted to indigenous ingredients.Probably the most popular Filipino dish is the lechon, whole roasted pig cooked over charcoal. Some other popular and Filipino dishes include:

• Longganisa, Filipino version of a sausage

• Tapa, beef in thin slices, cured on salt and spices

• Torta, omelette with various ingredients

• Adobo, chicken and/or pork braised in garlic, vinegar, oil and soy sauce

• Kaldereta, meat in tomato sauce stew

• Mechado, larded beef in soy sauce and tomato sauce

• Pochero, beef in bananas and tomato sauce

• Afritada, chicken and/or simmered in a tomato sauce with vegetables

• Kare-kare, oxtail and vegetables cooked in peanut sauce

• Crispy-pata, deep-fried pig’s leg

• Hamonado, pork sweetened in pineapple sauce

• Sinigang, meat or seafood in sour brooth

• Tinola, chicken in tamarind broth

• Pansit, Filipino-style fried noodles

Gambling

Another part of Philippine culture is gambling. From the “Sabungan” of rural barrios to the casinos of the urban cities, gambling is a pervasive social activity. The “sabong”, however, is the most ubiquitous of these gambling activities, making the Philippine the world centre for cockfighting. Filipinos both have legal and illegal “sabong”. The latter, usually done in secluded areas away from police raids. Sabungeros use two kinds of knives or gaffs, which is attached on the left leg of the cock. Bets are collected by the Kristo, and the Sentesyador is the one who deliberates the winning cock.

Sports

Philippine sport scene usually consists of basketball, boxing, billiards, football and volleyball. Filipinos athletes are rather competent in these fields, garnering multitudes of awards on almost every competition they enter. Some of the successful Filipino athletes are:

• Lydia de Vega (sprinting)

• Elma Muros (track and field)

• Eugene Torre (chess)

• MikeeCojuangco (equestrian)

• Philippine Dragon Boat team

• Onyok Velasco (Boxing)

• Efren “Bata” Reyes (Billiards)

• Manny Pacquiao (Boxing)

Music

Music is also part of Philippine Culture. Music in the Philippines is composed of different genres and styles, with influences from across the world.From the get-go, Filipino folk music is already a mix of indigenous and European/Asian music, usually adapted to different dialect among regions. Some of popular Filipino folk songs are:

• Bahay Kubo

• Sitsiritsit

• Alibangbang

• Leron Leron Sinta

• Paruparong Bukid

• Magtanim ay Di Biro

The Harana, a courtship song, and Kundiman, a song that typically has romantic themes, are also popular in the Philippine culture dating back to the Spanish period. Some of it is adapted to modern style.

Popular music in the Philippines is usually branded as OPM or Original Philippine Music. In the 70′s, the OPM scene was mostly dominated by the jukebox idols like Claire dela Fuente, Rico Puno, Ryan Cayabyab, Freddie Aguilar, Hajji Alejandro and Rey Valera.

By the 1980s and 1990s, OPM was led by artists such as Regine Velasquez, Sharon Cuneta, APO Hiking Society, José Mari Chan, Dingdong Avanzado, Rodel Naval, Janno Gibbs, Ogie Alcasid, Joey Albert, Lilet, Martin Nievera, Manilyn Reynes, Pops Fernandez, Lea Salonga, Vina Morales, Raymond Lauchengco, Francis Magalona, and Gary Valenciano.

Art

Pottery is probably the most popular craft early Filipinos have mastered. Evidence found in Sanga-sanga Cave, Sulu and Laurente Cave, Cagayan proves that pottery was already widespread as early as 6000 BC.The products of this craft were popular among the neighbouring lands, with Filipinos enjoying trade relations with Japan and China.

Art can also be seen on traditional tattoo of early Filipinos as part of the Philippine Culture before, from which the term pinatados came into effect. Various designs referencing flora and fauna with heavenly bodies decorate their skin in various coloured pigmentation.

With the arrival of the Westerners came a new light on Filipino art. Filipinos began creating paintings that mostly deal with religion and politics. Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo are among those who enjoyed fame and prestige both in the Philippines and abroad.

In Mindanao, there are tribes who are famous for their intricate weaving production. Some tribe, such as B’laan, Mandaya, Mansaka and T’boli are skilled in dyeing abaca fibre. Others, like the Ilongot make jewellery from pearl, red hornbill beak, plants and metals.

The Filipino Character

Filipinos are sensitive when it comes to social interaction. Filipinos have the term “pakikisama” which means adapting to the people you get involved with, and it’s the centre of all Filipino values. Filipinos also know the importance of paying one’s debt, especially when the Filipino trait “utang na loob” comes in play. Filipinos are also known for being hospitable. They treat visitors with utmost care and diligence.

Filipinos are family-oriented. Most Filipino homes are a tightly knit abode for extended family members like the Lolas, or Titas. Filipinos strongly believe that blood is thicker than water.Filipinos are happy people. Despite problems arising from poverty and such, Filipinos never fail to flash a smile or flaunt laughter at jokes and even misfortunes.Filipinos rely on their faith among others, thus the saying “bahala na”, which attaches ones action to fate and God.

Filipinos know a good deal about respect. From childhood, Filipinos are taught to mano with their parents and older relatives. A typical Filipino child’s sentence usually ends with po and opo, and they are taught to address elders with kuya or ate.

The Filipino Ethnicity

Philippine’s geography helped shape the Philippine culture. Filipinos are mostly divided into various regional and ethnical groups. Some of these groups are the Ilocano, Cebuano, Pangasinense, Kapampangan, Tagalog, Bicolano and Waray. Mindanao was, for the longest time, home for the Filipino Muslims, whom was called Moros during the Spanish regime.

Then, there’s the Aeta or Negritoes: famously known as the first people to settle into the islands. They mostly live in isolated mountains or forest, which leaves them free to live away from Western and Islamic influences.

Aside from these regional groups, there are also at most 100 highland, lowland and coastland tribal groups in the Philippines. To name a few:

• Badjao

• Igorot

• Ilongots

• Lumad

• Mangyan

• Batak

• Tagbanwa

• Tumandok.

 

Long road trips are also agonizing tests of endurance. You have to sit for hours in a limited space with limited activities at your disposal. Hours pass by without any conversation. It’s all you can do to keep people from jumping out of the moving vehicle.

Lots of apps can be downloaded to a cell phone with their many addictive games. This is a very expensive way to go though. Even if you choose to splurge, constant use of the cell phone results in a dead battery.

Save your battery power for roadside emergencies. You could always spend the trip singing along to the radio. How many verses of “99 Bottles of Beer” can your voice box handle? Your fellow travelers can provide all the entertainment you crave without the strain on your vocal chords.

Bingo is not just for little old ladies at the senior community center. Visit one of the websites that allows you to make your own Bingo cards. You can make them with driver stereotypes rather than numbers and call them out as you slide on down the road. Look for the girl-type redneck in her fuchsia pick-up truck, the Bentley-driving executive type or the aging hippie in the day-glo painted Volkswagen Bus.

Speaking of Volkswagen, they have come up with a new-beetle. Spotting any of these bugs gives you carte blanche to punch your neighbor while you holler “Punch Buggy” If that neighbor fails to come up with the response “No Punch-backs” the game can go on for eternity.

Don’t let the beatings drag out. Whatever driving game you play, there should be a winner. People will want to participate more if they can get something out of it. The winner can claim prizes like snacks, which roadside attractions to stop at, pick the radio station for an hour, or maybe they get the front seat.

Be careful with the driver when playing a game. One real good punch to a driver could have the lot of you swerving off the road. Safety always comes first even with competitive road games.

The picnic game combines memory and the alphabet in a creative way that gets everybody involved. Start off by saying, “I’m going to a picnic and I’m going to bring…” then say something that starts with the letter A all the way to Z. The trick is coming up with food starting with ‘u’, ‘x’, and all those other unpopular letters. The fun starts when people get desperate and bring whatever they can think of as long as they win.

In many cases along the road the scene will be pastoral and you will have more sheep than people to watch. A little game called the Cow game pits the right side of the road against the left and gives points to the traveler who spots a cow. Spotting a cemetery on the opposite side of the road clears the points the cow side has earned. The victors with the most cow points pick the next lunch place.

Keep sane by keeping amused. The destination is only part of your journey. Don’t mark time by whining and wishing you were somewhere else. These games can be so invigorating you may just keep driving!

 

The green paradise of Kerala, Wayanad is situated in an elevated picturesque plateau in the Western Ghats. Pristine, enchanting and hypnotizing, this hill station with its vast stretches of misty mountains, green meadows, water springs, wild jungles and sparkling lakes, is overflowing with natural beauty, history and culture.

Wayanad’s ensemble of topography gives tourists opportunities to indulge in various forms of adventure activities. Forest treks, boating, overnight camping, bird watching and wilderness study are some amazing options available to visitors. The resorts at Wayanad are as interesting as its landscape.

Experience the jungle-feel: To keep up with the aesthetic appeal of the Wayand’s natural prettiness, there are some resorts which offer to their guests, the opportunity to climb atop trees and live in tree top houses to enjoy the thrill of jungle life. There are simple bamboo cottages, with a warm cozy feel to them, or a little more elaborate tribal huts constructed with utmost care and artistic touch to give them an authentic feel, making your holiday at Wayand, truly unique and memorable. This exquisite experience comes at a cost of around Rs.5000 per tree house for a room for two.

Unpretentious Home-stays: For those who like to keep things simple, comfortable home stays are for you. These are modest homes that are available to guests, entirely or on share basis depending on their need, and yet are equipped with the basic comfort one would look for in a resort accommodation. These home-stays come at a fair price of around Rs.2000 to Rs.3000 for single or deluxe rooms. Usually home-stays don’t come with much facilities, but there are a few with do provide swimming pool, a conference hall and a recreation room for their guests.

Ideal time to visit: Wayanad has a healthy climate all through the year. Monsoon months of June to September are warm with heavy winds and rainfall. Wayanad looks beautiful with average rainy days. December to February is perfectly chilled and tourists love these months in Wayanad. The ideal months for sightseeing when nature is at its best and can be beautifully captured in photographs, is during the months between October and May.

Be an early bird: These exquisite tribal huts and tree homes get booked like hot cakes during the peak season as everyone going to Wayanad looks forward to experience this unique adventure stay. Hence, it is best if you be an early bird in making your reservations well in advance to ensure you have a tree house or tribal hut booked under your name, before anyone else takes it away!

Thrillophilia has many customizable packages for camping around Bangalore and corporate team outings in Bangalore. Drop in your enquiry today and get the best deals.

 

Here are 20 tips for planning your next adventure trip:

    1. When choosing your adventure destination consider parts of the world that are endangered and unlikely to be around much longer, like the glaciers in the Antarctic or areas with endangered species. See them while they still exist.
    1. Use the Internet to get information from travel guides; chat with travelers who have recently returned from an adventure trip; consult with local authorities; check what travel documents and visas are necessary and book flights and accommodation.
    1. Plan your route carefully making use of reliable maps. Use terrain maps showing elevation, water crossings, mountains etc. Include in your route where you are going to sleep, plan the distance you want to cover in a day and how long will it take to get from resting point to resting point.
    1. Make sure you have money in the local currency as most adventure trips are off the beaten track where Traveler’s Checks or foreign currency will not be accepted. Take some smaller denominations for tips, baksheesh and the occasional bribe!
    1. Get your papers in order including detailed maps, passports, visas, insurance policy, camping or other permits. Carry with you photocopies of your passport and I.D. Don’t forget to take a list of any medical information (allergies, blood type) in case of emergency.
    1. Perhaps one of the most important items for survival is water. Plan to take water and to know where to find water sources along your route.
    1. Allow for emergency exits, places where you can ditch the trip if something goes wrong. Plan for at least two potential exit points each day where there is access to transport, means of communication or other contact with the world at large.
    1. Plan the food for your adventure trip, consider how much you can carry, what food will last longest, will you have access to places to buy food along the way and how will you prepare the food. Choose foods by how easy they will be to carry and prepare.
    1. Pack light, although you need to pack for all events-wet and dry weather etc. Keep clothes to a minimum, in most cases you can wash some clothing along the route or live in the same jeans for a week!
    1. The necessary equipment for an adventure trip can be expensive but you can buy second-hand, rent or borrow all kinds of specialty equipment and climate specific clothing.
    1. Always pack emergency items like flares, thermal silver blankets and a first aid kit. Check which emergency drugs might become essential for treating animal and insect bites.
    1. Get fit before you go on your adventure trip, there is nothing worse than not being able to keep up or having to miss out on an activity because you are unfit.
    1. Take a solar recharger for your mobile phone. These rechargers also work for camera batteries and can be purchased online. If you know there won’t be service for your phone, consider using a satellite phone, they can be a life saver in an emergency.
    1. How long you spend on your trip depends on how long you can get away from the “real” world. Calculate the travel time to and from your destination as this takes a chunk out of your trip.
    1. Go on an adventure trip with someone you get along with and someone of similar fitness level so you are not kept back by others. Consider hooking up with a club or group of people with similar interests.
    1. If it is your first adventure trip then consider going with an organized group with a guide. Independent travelers might also choose to incorporate an organized activity into their adventure trip.
    1. Consider taking fast transportation to get you to the focal points of your trip. Spend time on what is really important and not on getting from point A to point B.
    1. Integrate adventurous activities into your adventure trip. On a trip into the desert be sure to share a night with Bedouin; in the wilderness include water rafting or in Lapland try ice fishing.
    1. On an adventure trip try to disconnect from electronic gadgets as much as possible but have a phone in case of emergencies. Look into using iPhone or smartphone applications to help you along the way – maps, GPS etc.
  1. Meet the locals and learn about their traditions and way of live. Try to book a home-stay to really get a feel of the local culture.

Most importantly live life to the fullest, take calculated risks and be adventurous.

Brad is an active Travel Blogger for iTravel.net, a community travel site that shares travel information for exotic places all around the world. He loves traveling abroad and sharing his experiences with others. Visit him at iTravel.net to learn more about him and where he has been. He also loves Adventure Travel and writes for AdventureTrip.com an Adventure Travel site committed to connecting Active Travelers with quality Adventure Guides around the world that specialize in Exotic and sometimes remote destinations.

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