July 23, 2013

France Adopts Its Very First Tourism Policy

by Lindsay Shapka in Travel, Destinations

It is no secret that I am head-over-heels for Paris. It is one of my favourite places in the world, and not just for the art, history, pastries (don't even get me STARTED on the croissants), but also for the fact that it is unapologetically, well, French...

Popular tourist spots are closed on Sundays, there are no easy-to-spot information booths, pickpockets abound during the high season, locals look disgusted if they so much as spot a map, and everyone looks like the just stepped off the next season's runway show — I LOVE IT!

***The tourist filled Basilica of the Sacre Ceour in Paris, France***

But, I have to admit; France does tend to have a reputation (especially in the English-speaking world) for being full of rude people, unhelpful shopkeepers, and a less-than-welcoming approach to tourists. (But come on, the waiter who snubs you because your French is less then perfect can easily be brought back on your side with a friendly smile!)

Despite the negative reputation, the cities, countryside, and beaches of France are always packed — it is one of the most visited countries in the world.

Shockingly however (especially to those of us in the tourism industry), France has NEVER HAD AN OFFICIAL TOURISM POLICY... EVER... !?

This month, it seems that the French government has finally decided that it might be worth capitalizing on these visitors and using tourism as a way to boost their economy — the word 'Duh' comes to mind.

Why has this never happened before you ask?

According to Didier Arino, a director of the organization pushing for this investment in tourism, "The problem is that in France we don't value jobs in tourism. We conflate services with servitude."

(source)

The French economy, like most of the member countries of the European Union, was hit really hard a few years ago and is still recovering, and this explains why the government is looking for new ways to supply people with jobs and boost spending by visitors.

So, how are they planning on becoming more tourist friendly?

The plan is to promote destinations outside of Paris to encourage longer stays in the country, and to combat their unwelcoming reputation a guide titled Do You Speak Touriste? has been created for those who work in the hospitality industry to familiarize them with the language, and cultural quirks of their visitors. They are also looking at trying to keep shops, tourist spots and restaurants open at more regular hours.

What do you think? Have you had a negative experience in France or have you fallen in love with all its eccentricities like I have? If you had a negative experience, will this new policy make you willing to try travelling to the country again?

Durian Fruit: It Tastes Delicious But Smells Like Roadkill — Would You Try It?

by Lindsay Shapka in Travel, Travel Tips

It is described as having a smell that is overwhelming, revolting and reminiscent of rotten onions, turpentine, and raw sewage. A smell that penetrates fabric and remains on your hands for days. It has even been banished from hotels, public transit and public spaces because the smell has been known to linger in the air for days.

Yet, the soft, delicate, creamy fruit apparently tastes delicious (if you can get past the smell — I admit that I never have).

What is this strange food that I speak of?

The durian fruit.

Trust me, I do not usually shy away from street food, even when I can't identify it, but this large, spiky fruit — known as the King of Fruits — has bested me. But it isn't just me, most Westerners find the smell too offensive to get near, let alone eat.

The fruit can be found all over South East Asia, with Thailand being the largest exporter of it — they even hold an annual World Durian Festival each May in Chantaburi.

What makes it smell so bad, you ask?

A study conducted in 1995 discovered esters, sulphur, and ketones (the compound responsible for morning breath) all present in the fruit (GROSS).

So why on earth are people eating the stuff?

First of all, it is apparently really good for you as it contains a generous natural source of magnesium, potassium, copper, folate, thiamin, and other elements that are often missing from our diets.

Second of all, and most interestingly, the fruit contains super high levels of tryptophan (the same amino acid found in chocolate) which explains why those that eat it claim that it is addictive and hard to put down once you start eating it. Apparently is produces euphoria when eaten as a dessert.

Have you been brave enough to try this smelly fruit before? I would love to hear what you thought of it!

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July 20, 2013

Reads For The Road: Crossing The Heart of Africa by Julian Smith

by Lindsay Shapka in Book List, Travel, Travel Adventures, Destinations

In 1898, British explorer Ewart Grogan was in love. The problem? He was in love with an aristocrat's daughter who didn't think that he was good enough for her. Before he could marry, Grogan had to prove his worth, and so set out on an epic quest to be the very first (English) man to cross the length of Africa from Cape Town to Cairo.

No, this is not the scene from a movie, or from an epic romance novel. This is a real life (rarely told) story that author Julian Smith discovered by chance, and that inspired him to embark on his own adventure — in Grogan's footsteps. Nearly a century after the original adventurer set out to conquer Africa, Smith found himself madly in love, yet terrified by the prospect of marriage (aren't we all).

“Traveling can be the ultimate alone time, which is probably why I ended up doing it for a living. Away from home and surrounded by strangers, you can be anyone or no one, anonymous or camouflaged.”

— Julian Smith from Crossing The Heart of Africa

Deciding drastic measures were needed in order for him to face his marriage fears, he decided to trace the 4,500-mile journey that Grogan took. A strange choice right before a wedding, but one that he committed to regardless.

In the spellbinding Crossing The Heart of Africa, Smith weaves the most fascinating elements of Grogan's original adventure into his own honest, introspective journey through one of the toughest continents in the world. It is a FANTASTIC read.

Travel Tales: Riding A Roller Coaster Up The Great Wall Of China

by Lindsay Shapka in Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Tips

I had spent my first full day in Beijing walking all over the city. I went from my hostel to Mao's Mausoleum, through Tiananmen Square, and into the Forbidden Palace complex that seemed to stretch for miles. Then I hopped in a cab and headed to the Temple of Heaven complex and a hutong before sitting down for a delicious dinner of Peking Duck — it was a BIG day.

So, despite my aversion to organized tours — they usually involve getting taken to a souvenir shop or wasting time at a sub-par restaurant — the next day I welcomed the chance to sit on a tour bus for a few hours as it wound its way through the suburbs of Beijing towards one of the most famous walls in the world — The Great Wall of China.

“It is often said that the Great Wall can be seen from the moon with the naked eye, but in 2003, China’s first astronaut Yang Liwei failed to spot the famous barrier from space”

Building started on this must-see sight (considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of The World) over 2000 years ago when China was unified under one Emperor.

Separate walls that had been constructed by individual kingdoms were linked together to create the wall as it exists today. Hundreds of thousands of workers (most were prisoners of the Emperor) used earth and stone to form the original wall — legend has it that the bones of some of these workers, who were worked like slaves, were also one of the building materials.

Though the wall never was the impenetrable wall of defense that it was meant to be, it acted like an elevated highway through incredibly mountainous terrain, and a way of sending signals over a vast territory very quickly.

The majority of the wall has now badly disintegrated, but thanks to the tourist industry, it is continually being restored.

My tour took me to the most popular part of the wall 70 km north of Beijing called, Badaling. I realized that I really was on a "tour" when my bus pulled up to a bus filled parking lot and our guide ushered us into a dark building.

Once my eyes adjusted to the light, I noticed a few benches and what looked like a roller coaster... A ROLLER COASTER?!

I blinked again just to make sure, but yup — apparently my tour ticket involved a roller coaster ride up the side of the mountain to the top of the wall. Tourism at its best. Only in China do ancient ruins and roller coasters go hand in hand.

The part of the wall just outside the roller coaster drop-off was packed with people, but because I was there in April, and during the week, it was pretty quiet once I passed through a few of the watchtowers. Some sections were even completely deserted, making for some amazing photo opportunities.

If you are planning on visiting the wall yourself, try to avoid May-August.

The pollution in China is pretty awful, and when smog mixes with the heat you can barely see a few feet in front of you and the view is badly compromised.

If you must go during the hot season, I recommend visiting the wall first thing in the morning to try and see as much as you can before the smog descends.

Travel Tips: Don't Book Ahead! You Might Miss The Experience Of A Lifetime

by Lindsay Shapka in Travel, Destinations, Travel Adventures, Travel Tips

My friends and I had spent five action-packed days in Rome and we had just arrived back at our hostel ready to pack up to head to Venice the next day. We hadn't pre-booked anything, but we knew that we were ready for a change of scenery.

We paused at the front desk on our way in, to let them know that we would be leaving in the morning (but really to flirt with the guy working the front counter) and noticed a poster on the wall behind the desk with "FREE CONCERT" printed on it in big, bold, black letters.

Curious, we asked for details, but other than being nice to look at, cute-front-desk-guy was kind of useless. He couldn't tell us why the concert was happening, when it started, or how long it would be. All he knew was that it was at the Circus Maximus (an outdoor, ancient Roman chariot racing stadium located near the ancient Roman forum) and that there would be A LOT of famous musicians and movie stars present.

Deciding that one more day in Rome wouldn't hurt, we decided to stick around to check out the concert.

We woke up early the next morning, and headed to the venue around ten, figuring the concert would probably start in the early afternoon.

It was May, a beautiful humid day, and the 20 minute walk took us through the historic city centre, and past the always stunning Colosseum.

When we arrived, the massive green space was completely deserted except for a stage at one end and a few tech guys wandering around. Apparently we were REALLY early.

Here's the thing about being REALLY early to a free, outdoor concert though... you end up at the very front, at the very centre of the stage.

**As close as you could get to the stage without being press or a producer**

Oh, and it turned out that half the city knew what time the concert started, cause after we held our spots at the front of the stage for a few hours, hundreds of thousands of people joined us!

The crowd that gathered behind us — it turned out that more than 10,000 people were there.

It turned out that the concert was called We Are The Future, and was a fundraiser for children who lived in high-risk areas around the world. It was raising money to provide schools, safe places to live, water and access to healthcare.

How did I find this out standing in this massive crowd trapped at the front of the stage?

Quincy Jones told me.

Did I mention that it was a concert put on by him?!

Oh, and those famous people that we were promised would appear?

Take a look:

**The one and only Andrea Bocelli is still, to this day, one of the most amazing live performers I have ever heard**

**Naomi Campbell strutted onto the stage**

I pretty much hyperventilated when Angelina Jolie walked out on stage... I could have touched her! (But I didn't because that would be creepy)

For thirteen hours (yes, I was exhausted, starving and in pain by the end of the concert, but it was SO worth it), we watched and performances by Carlos Santana, STOMP, Alicia Keys and more!

It was an amazing experience that I will NEVER forget, but one that I would not have taken advantage of if we had pre-booked a hotel or train to Venice ahead of time.

So, the moral of this VERY long story is this:
Book what you need to in order to feel comfortable in your travels, but leave yourself room for spontaneity — you never know when a free concert full of superstars will come your way!

Travel Trends: The Rise of The Flashpacker

by Lindsay Shapka in Travel, Travel Tips

What's a flashpacker? What's the difference between a flashpacker and a backpacker?

'Flashpacker' does not refer to packing REALLY fast (though if you are a speedy packer, I applaud you... it takes me forever).

This word refers to an entirely different phenomenon. According to Wikipedia:

“Flashpacking is a combination of flash, as in fancy, with backpacking, used to refer to an affluent backpacker. Flashpacking has an association of more disposable income while traveling and has been defined simply as backpacking with a bigger budget.”

I still remember the first time I threw my life on my back, wore the same thing everyday until it was full of holes, and then kept wearing it. When I slept in a room with 19 other people and was shocked at the thought of paying more than $5 for a meal. I would walk an hour to avoid paying for a bus, and spend 2 hours on a bus instead of paying for a cab — in other words, I am no stranger to travelling on a shoestring.

There is something that I love about being a backpacker that no 5-Star Hotel can ever give me.

Six of the 19 other people in that cramped hostel room with me became life-long friends, I have memories of never ending laughter on overnight train rides, and having some of the best meals of my life, perched on a stool next to a street food stall.

These are experiences and memories that can never be taken away, and that I never want to give up, but lets be serious, a 30-something wearing no makeup, staying in hostels, and wearing clothes full of holes can look a little like, well, a desperate homeless person.

Enter the Flashpacker.

According to Amanda Kendle, a writer for Vegabondish:

“A flashpacker shares many of the same characteristics of a backpacker — a sense of independence, no fixed itinerary and relatively long periods of travel to more exotic and far-flung destinations. Whereas backpacking is traditionally associated with budget travel and destinations that are relatively cheap, flashpacking has an association of more disposable income while traveling and has been defined simply as backpacking with a bigger budget. ”

In order to be a successful Flashpacker, there are a few things to think about:

Don't Book Ahead

ost of us have 'real' jobs now and instead of having months to take off on our adventures, we have to pack it into a week or two. Resist the urge to pre-book your trip. You didn't do it as a backpacker — you just went with the flow, and that is when the life-changing moments happen.

Try A Volunteer Vacation

Now that you have a bit more money to pay for the expenses to get you there, try a trip that involves giving back.

Stay Carefree

You went with the flow before, why change that now?

Don't Feel Like Less of a Traveller For Flying

You more than likely don't have as much time as before, and trains and boats may not be an option if you are wanting to hit multiple destinations in one trip. Flying may be the only one, and if you are anything like me, you will feel like you are cheating by jumping on a plane. Don't. If it wasn't for that plane, you wouldn't be able to see everything that you wanted to — if it makes you feel better, take a budget airline.

Don't Feel Bad About Spending Money

You may still be on a budget, but it is A LOT bigger than it was 10 years ago. Buying that slightly more expensive coffee, beer, or meal isn't going to break the bank or take away your 'hardcore traveller' status.

Travel Tales: Surviving The Songkran Water Festival in Thailand

by Lindsay Shapka in Destinations, Travel, Travel Adventures

I stepped gingerly out of the cab, swinging my heavy pack onto my back, trying to get my bearings amongst the chaos of the Thai New Year celebrations.

The driver had dropped me only about four blocks away from my hotel — it was as close as he could get — but there were so many people on the street celebrating Songkran that I was feeling a bit turned around.

It isn't just water that will get ya... Thai's rub a chalk-like substance on your cheeks as an added blessing. Want to join in? You can buy a bowl of it for around 10 Baht (approx. 35 cents)!

Already sweating in the 40+ mid-day Thailand sun (not that it mattered, I was about to be soaking wet) I set off down a side street lined with food carts, and stalls selling small waterproof bags and water guns... and water...

While looking up at the flags strung across the street above me, I felt a cold stream of water run down my neck, then another hit me straight in the belly button, and yet another smack dab in the middle of my forehead... It had begun...

What's a bigger target than a foreigner at a country's largest festival that involves throwing water at each other?

A foreigner with a ackpack on her back. (Luckily I had planned ahead and packed ALL of my stuff in plastic bags... one point for me!)

***Everything in my bags was packed away in plastic — I had a feeling I would be a target... I was correct...***

I was right in the middle of a country-wide water fight that ushers in the traditional Thai New Year (April 13, 14 and 15). It is traditionally a time of renewal, cleansing AND wandering the streets with buckets of water to soak people with.

The country's most famous festival did not start out as a full-on no-holds-barred water fight. Not too long ago it was celebrated with quiet temple visits, 'new year's resolutions' and house cleaning. The temple's primary Buddha was ceremoniously bathed by monks and followers splashing water on it, water was splashed on the hands of elders, and was playfully splashed (not thrown) at friends as a way to with them luck.

Oh, how things have changed...

(As an added bonus, the festival falls on the HOTTEST time of the year in Thailand and the cold, cleansing water is actually a welcome escape from the heat.)

***Decorations strung up at the Wat Pho temple in Bangkok, Thailand***

***Pieces of gold leaf are placed on stone Buddhas at Wat Pho in Bangkok, Thailand***

During Songkran it is next to impossible to step into the streets of Bangkok and stay dry (especially if you are staying in the Th Khao San area, which I was). The streets were not only full of people (mostly Thais) throwing water, but also with live music, DJs, and an indescribable atmosphere.

It was an incredible experience, but after being soaking wet for 2 days straight I was ready to dry off!

Luck is said to be measured by how doused you are — it is safe to say that I am the luckiest girl in the world (even a monk threw water at me at the temple!).

France Adopts Its Very First Tourism Policy

Why has this never happened before you ask?

So, how are they planning on becoming more tourist friendly?

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Durian Fruit: It Tastes Delicious But Smells Like Roadkill — Would You Try It?

What makes it smell so bad, you ask?

So why on earth are people eating the stuff?

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Reads For The Road: Crossing The Heart of Africa by Julian Smith

Travel Tales: Riding A Roller Coaster Up The Great Wall Of China

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Travel Tips: Don't Book Ahead! You Might Miss The Experience Of A Lifetime

Related Posts

Travel Trends: The Rise of The Flashpacker

Don't Book Ahead

Try A Volunteer Vacation

Stay Carefree

Don't Feel Like Less of a Traveller For Flying

Don't Feel Bad About Spending Money

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Travel Tales: Surviving The Songkran Water Festival in Thailand

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