Gap Years in Costa Rica

Fast Facts
Costa Rica has a population of 4 millionThe capital city is San JoseCosta Rica recently one on the happy planet index rating - measuring it as the happiest nation on Earth!Costa Rica is famed for its coffeeAlmost 25% of Costa Rica consists of wildlife reserves and protected forestsIt is the second smallest country in Latin America

5 Great Things to do in Costa Rica

A list of just a couple of unmissable experiences...

1. San Jose

Arguably the most cosmopolitan capital in Central America. A couple of days is probably enough to spend in this city - which may have a slightly dangerous reputation - but is a great insight into real life in this wonderful country. Full of colourful markets and a real pura vida nightlife scene, it's definitely worth braving for a couple of days as least, before heading out into the spectacular surrounding countryside.

2. Turrialba

Up for an adrenaline rush? Then the small mountain town of Turrialba is one you certainly can't miss. A stones throw from some of the best white water rafting on the planet, this is a bit of a Mecca for enthusiasts, and definitely one of those experiences you'll never forget!

3. National Parks

As mentioned in the fast facts, 25% of the country is covered by protected areas and national parks. Its a country that places a huge amount of importance on its biodiversity and conservation is a key issue. You simply can't visit Costa Rica without going to at least one of the spectacular national parks. From dense rainforest and indigenous communities to dormant volcanoes and tropical beaches, it simply has it all! All the information you could possibly want on the national parks can be found here.

4. Turtle Spotting

Spotting turtles laying eggs is a special experience. You'll have to make sure you're doing it with a reputable organisation who don't disturb the turtles during this period, but watching hatching from a distance is still special. This can be done in Tortuguero during the summer months only.

5. Coffee

Costa Rica is famous for its coffee, you simply cannot go there without sampling as much as you possibly can, and savouring the rich flavour - and superiority over supermarket's freeze dried brands!

Coffee production plays a huge part in the country's economy and its a huge exporter worldwide, with a history of coffee production dating back well over two centuries.

Jonny Butler works for Raleigh International, a charity offering gap year expeditions abroad in Costa Rica for people looking to volunteer abroad

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Expertise, the Key to Successful School Sports Tours

The prospect of taking a group of young people away on school sports tours, academic tours or just plain sightseeing may fill you with more than a little apprehension. However, as long as a few ground rules are followed and your organisational skills are top notch, they can be a wonderful and educational experience for all involved.

The responsibility

Understandably, your top priority will be the safety and security of the youngsters but that will be quickly followed by the pressing need to ensure that they are fully occupied and obtaining value out of the journey. Little may be more of a recipe for difficulties than a group of children or teenagers that are challenged in terms of having something to do that interests them.

Part of helping to make that happen, involves having a clearly defined target for the trip and a very precise plan of action. One of the biggest risks to the success of any such trip is when you are reduced to needing to "wing it" once there in terms of what happens.

Time and expertise

Organising school sports tours is potentially extremely time consuming and it is far from easy. Take, for example, the hypothetical case of a trip to do some canoeing and sightseeing in France. Not only is it necessary to make all the travel arrangements, book accommodation and arrange for inter-site transport once you're there, but you'll also have to understand what local permits may be required, what insurance may be required by French law, where to book the appropriate equipment and to arrange for local instructors.

Then, if you'd also like to see some of the local history, you will need to find out where the major sights are, when they're open, when the local public holidays are (in which case some local attractions may be closed) and so on. It's quite a task, particularly if you have not previously been responsible for organising study or school sports tours.

Leaving it the experts

Of course, it is perfectly possible to make all the arrangements yourself if you have the time and are prepared to accept the responsibility that comes with a 'DIY' approach. However, an alternative may be to leave it to somebody else.

There are companies that specialise in travel and activity arrangements for schools, colleges and youth associations/clubs etc. They will be able to take the weight off of your shoulders and allow you to get on with your normal daily professional routine. In fact, if you consult with them in advance, they may actually be able to suggest a range of alternatives for your school sports tours relating to the activity or interests you and your group have.

Aiden Armstrong works for Pavilion Tours, a specialist travel service for schools, colleges and youth groups with a specific focus on school sports tours, adventure tours, performing arts tours and geography tours. Pavilion Tours offer tours both locally and internationally with a variety of programmes.

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Gap Year Woes: Be Wary Of Your Reasons for Taking a Gap Year

Many years ago I went on a gap year to Africa and had the time of my life. I was a young man, fresh out of college, heading out into the great unknown in search of excitement and adventure.

Those were the days!

But although overall I had a fantastic time during the six months I spent in Tanzania, it wasn't all perfect.

My Gap Year Experience

My gap year placement involved teaching in a primary school. It did not matter to me that I didn't have any teaching experience, and it didn't seem to matter to anyone else either. To be honest I thought that I would be holding conversation classes, something which I could do without any special training.

But I ended up teaching maths to a group of kids whose combined knowledge of English vocabulary came to about 20 words.

- Did I enjoy the experience? Yes.
- Did I have an adventure? Yes.
- Did I really do anything to help? I'm not so sure.

I would like to think that the pupils at least enjoyed themselves, and maybe even still remember our lessons. But I don't genuinely think I was any real help during my time in the school.

After a few months, I honestly felt that I was doing more to get in the way than actually helping.

I later found out that for each volunteer teacher the school accepted, they were also receiving $300 from the gap year company. After making that discovery it started to make more sense why they put up with us for so long.

False Expectations

It all left me with a slightly bitter taste in the mouth. After all, the whole aim for me on my gap year (apart from having fun) was to do something genuinely good, to offer my help in some way. To discover that I hadn't been much help at all was a bit of a body blow.

But why am I telling you this?

I think that a lot of young people go away with high expectations of their gap years, but don't really think them through properly. This is especially true of teaching, or any activities which involve a higher degree of training than simply being enthusiastic.

I began to wonder what made me so qualified to start teaching in a school when the other teachers had had years of training. Was it simply because I was a Westerner?

These were real kids, real schools, real teachers. How could I just expect to walk in and pretend I knew what to do?

Key Question: Do You Have the Experience?

Teaching seemed like the ideal opportunity because it was a long-term placement (six months), the location was incredible (the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro), and for some reason I thought it would be easy (perhaps because we were given no training and I therefore assumed there wouldn't be much to it).

There are loads of volunteering positions where you don't have to bring anything more than enthusiasm to the job. No one expects you to have experience counting lions, for example.

But teaching is slightly different, and if you choose such a gap year then you should know exactly what is expected of you beforehand.

Are you just there to give conversation classes or is more expected of you? There are organizations such as VSO in the UK which only provide placements for professionals with experience, including teachers. So be realistic about the actual skills that you have.

Know Why You Are Doing It

It's also really important to know why you want to go on a gap year in the first place.

Going on a gap year to have fun and adventure is no crime. That's probably why most people go on one. But there are plenty of opportunities out there for that. You could go traveling, see the world, and meet new people all without joining up with a dedicated volunteer scheme.

Or consider combining the two and joining a program where you can volunteer, get your board and lodging, live somewhere amazing, but are not required to do anything which requires skills you don't have.

If you want to do something good at the same time, I'd recommend seriously looking at the skills you have and only joining a program where you can really bring something to the voluntary position. If not, you may find it slightly dissatisfying when, like me, you realize that you were not much help at all.

Choose Your Company/Charity with Care

It's also a good idea to find a gap year organization which shares your values. Although there are lots of good commercial companies out there, I've often looked back on my experience and wondered whether it might not have been better to go with a charity instead.

That way you can choose an organization which shares your values, and will be more concerned with what you can offer than with making money from you.

Also, whatever organization you choose, make sure that they are very clear about what your position will entail. That way at least you know what is expected of you before you jet off across the world into the middle of nowhere and are then confronted with a situation that you are not prepared for.

Connor Davies writes at http://aspirationsabroad.com/, where you can find in-depth articles, tips, advice, and useful resources to help you to act on your dream and move abroad to live, work, or volunteer.

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Gir Wildlife Sanctuary - A Perfect Wildlife Destination

Gir National Park is a popular name in the list of forest reserves in India. It is located in Gujarat and is 64 km from Junagarh. It was established with a motive to protect the Asiatic lions. Since its establishment in 1965, the park houses 2,375 species of fauna. You can see here around 400 rare species of plants. Apart from Asiatic lions, you can also see many other rare animals such as pangolin, ruddy mongoose, ratel, civets and paradise flycatcher.

History

The purpose of establishing the sanctuary was to safeguard the lion population. In the year 1913, a sharp decline in the number of lions was observed. Gradually, the condition improved and today it houses many lions.

Attractions of Gir National Park

Wildlife

Besides Asiatic lions, there are around 210 leopards live within the forest area. You can also see animals like sambar, chowsingha, chinkara, woodpeckers, flamingos, nilgai and crested serpent eagles.

Flora

The forest has much to offer to those, who are the admirers of nature. It is a joint deciduous forest with acacia, teak and banyan trees. Tourists can also see distinguished belt of vegetation. It is found along the rivers and small streams of the area. Nature lovers can also see a variety of broad-leaved species like jambu, kalam, amli, vad and charal.

Jeep Safaris

Jeep safaris are the most favorite of many travelers, who are thrilled with the thought of a ride in the wilds. The permit is issued for this at the Sinh Sadan Forest Lodge office. Viewing the roaming animals by jeep safari is a great fun.

Nalsarovar Lake and Sanctuary

The forest area also has this famous attraction, where you can see many birds like peacocks, bush quail, parrot, flamingo and pied woodpecker. You can also visit a temple of Lord Krishna there.

Lion Shows

The forest department takes initiatives to conduct the interesting lion shows, which are very popular among visitors. It is arranged on every Sunday. It offers tourists an opportunity to see the animals from a close range.

Time to Visit

Tourists can visit the park from November to June.

How to Reach there

By Air

Keshod is the nearest airport, 90-km via Veraval. Tourists can get regular flights from Mumbai to Keshod.

By Rail

The nearest railheads to Gir are Junagarh and Talala.

By Road

You can catch state transport buses, available from Junagarh and Veraval to the place.

Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is a heaven for the connoisseur of wildlife. It is the only place in India where you can see the Asiatic lions in their natural habitat. Apart from this, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Bandhavgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary are the famous India Wildlife Sanctuaries.

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Cycling in France: 5 Classic Climbs To Add To Your Bike Tour List and Ride On Your Next Vacation

Cycling in France is arguably unsurpassed in terms of its scenery and the climbs are world class. It's no wonder that the best cyclists in the world gather for a three week race in France every July. There's nothing that compares to the smooth mountain ascents that should hold a place on every rider's bike tour list. Here are a few of In Situ Travel's favorites:
Le Mont Ventoux (1912 meters and 22 km. Average grade 7.1% with a maximum of 11% grade) Dominating the landscape in all directions, Ventoux has rightfully earned the nickname "The Giant". There are three ways to ascend this beast (4 if you count the forest road) but the most famous route starts in the village of Bedoin where you will want to buy yourself a celebratory jersey after your valiant efforts. After all, not everyone has made it down alive. Just a half-mile from the summit, you will pass a memorial to the British pro-cyclist Tom Simpson who died racing a tour stage here in 1967.
Le Col du Tourmalet (2115 meters and 19 km. Average grade 7.4% with a maximum of 10.2% grade) When asked why the Tourmalet is so famous, many riders speak of its mystic prowess. You have not truly experienced the Pyrenees until you have climbed the range's highest pass. It's hard-core and there's no wonder why this climb has been used more than any other as a Tour stage.
Le Col du Galibier (2645 meters and 34 km. Average grade 6.9% with a maximum of 10.1% grade) A Tour classic. This monumental mountain in the Alps is so well respected and feared, race organizers have actually visited its slopes twice within the same year's Tour de France. Don't be surprised to find yourself dwarfed by columns of snow if you summit the pass in early summer; this col is closed through winter and opens only when road officials decide to blast through the dense snow pack.
L'Alpe d'Huez (1860 meters and 14 km. Average grade 7.9% with a maximum of 14% grade) Immortalized by multiple Tour de France finishes, this cycling mecca in the Alps is famous for its grueling 21 switchbacks. The record ascent is 37 minutes and 35 seconds, but riders of all abilities come out in force each year to test themselves against this mammoth of a climb.
Col d'Aubisque (1709 meters and 16.6 km. Average grade 7.2% with a maximum of 13% grade) This col made its Tour de France debut in 1910 when race organizers were deemed crazy by Pyrenees locals when asked to have the roads cleared of debris in time for race day. Nonetheless, the Aubisque has become a Tour staple and is a favorite climb by riders the world over. Not for the fainthearted, the climb is famous for its sinuous roads that are gingerly carved to hug the mountainside and sport drops of hundreds of feet beyond the safety barriers.

Jace Gifford is the founder of In Situ Travel, LLC. In Situ offers bike tours in Europe for the avid cyclist.

Have you always wanted to challenge yourself on some of Europe's most famous cycling routes in France, Italy, Spain and Germany? Would you like to ride the famous climbs mentioned above? Jace invites you to explore In Situ's European Bike Tours to find the trip that's right for you.

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Exotic Manali Himachal

Somewhere in the vast expanse of the snow-capped Himalaya, 6,000 feet above sea level, lies the stunningly beautiful riverside town of Manali. It's the perfect place for romance and adventure. The world renowned tourist attraction Rohtang Pass is frequently called the 'honeymoon couples paradise' Honeymoon couples huddle close for warmth and intimacy; children, invigorated by the cool mountain air, prance gaily; young adventurers head out in search of heart-stopping thrills; locals, in colourful mountain gait, shuffle to work... Slowly, as the chilled air permeates the senses, you succumb to the magic of the mountains. In this idyllic town, you don't really have to go anywhere to do sight-seeing. There's hardly a place that doesn't have a view of a stupendously beautiful mountain or the cool, clear waters of the pebble-strewn river Beas. Popular excursions just add to your experience of the Manali magic.

The fresh green meadows of Solang Valley, the high-altitude road to Rohtang Pass, the pristine valleys of Lahaul and Spiti, the hot springs of Manikaran, ancient temples and humming Tibetan monasteries are just some of the attractions of this beautiful place. The landscape lends itself to an incredible range of outdoor sports such as river rafting, paragliding, zorbing (which is rolling downhill inside a huge plastic orb), skiing, trekking, and mountain-climbing. Of course, the humble walk becomes an experience in itself in the thick wooded groves of deodar, pine, sal, rhododendron, oak, fir and birch. Evenings are a good time to descend into the Manali marketplace, a motley montage of curios, kitsch and food. From charming Tibetan shops to touristy trinkets, and Tibetan momos to Lebanese, Japanese and Italian food, Manali is a delightful blend of cosy and cosmopolitan.

Places of interest

HADIMBA TEMPLE (1 km): Built in 1553 with a superbly crafted four tiered pagoda roof, it is famous for its exquisitely carved doorway.

MANU TEMPLE (2 km): This is dedicated to the sage Manu situated at old Manali. VASHISTH (3 km): Well known for its hot springs. There are old temples dedicated to the sage Vashisth and to Lord Rama. MONASTERIES: There are three recently built Tibetan monasteries at Manali.

JAGATSUKH (6 km): The one time capital of Kullu. Here are old temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and to Sandhya Gayatri. The Arjun caves are just ahead.

SOLANG VALLEY(14 km): In a picturesque setting this has good ski slopes and picnic spots. TOWARDS THE ROHTANG PASS: On the road to Keylong is the Nehru Kund (6km) which is a clear water spring scenic spot named after the Late Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.

Kothi (12km) is a picturesque village and has a thrilling view of the deep gorge through which the Beas swiftly races. The beautiful Rahalla falls (16km) are at at altitude of 2500m.

A crucial link on the old trade route and still the gateway to trans Himalayan Lahaul, the Rohtang Pass is at height of 3978 m.

CLUB HOUSE: The Club House with its comprehensive facilities that include a roller skating rink, an auditorium, billiards rooms, a library, a bar and restaurant makes wonderful outing for the day.Bungee jumping is also provided.

CAFE JUNIPAR: Himachal Tourism also runs the Juniper cafe and Chandratal restaurants at Manali.

Ranbir Singh Rana is a certified Guide for Himachal Pradesh.
Leads All type of Manali Tour Packages, adventures tour, cultural tours in Kullu Manali, Shimla, Dharmshala and Dalhousie For more Detail please Visit http://www.manalipackagetour.com/.

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Fun Facts About Australia: A Snippet Of Information About Australia

Australians have their fair share of fun facts. From having quirky structures at the side of the road to having a not so presentable history, Australia exhibits a range of idiosyncrasies that can baffle the mind. One of the strangest facts about Australia is its vast area yet with very little population.

Some Fun Facts About Australia

Australia is definitely one of the largest countries in the world. UK fits around 33 times in Australia! Around 90% of Australians live in the cities. Something that explains this large amount of urban concentration is the vastly arid landscape Australia has. Nevertheless the Australian Outback is also quite famous as a tourist destination as there are many attractions ranging from the large herds of sheep to horse riding and so on. Moreover, the natural landscapes of Australia are also quite breathtaking. So you can say that Australia has the best of both worlds -- modern skyscrapers in the cities and the rustic feel in the outback.

The Europeans were not the first people to settle in Australia. In fact there were people who used to live in Australia before the Europeans came. These were native Australians and they are called Aborigines.

The world's longest mail run is the flying postman's route. The Mail runs around 1450 km from Cairns to Cape York. The whole journey takes around 9 hours and has ten stops.

Australia has one of the longest beaches in the world. It is famous for its white sand and blue water beaches. In fact Hyams beach in Jervis Bay, New South Wales has the whitest sand in the world according to the Guinness Book of World records.

The deepest natural harbor in the world is the one at Sydney. It has around 50,400 mega litres of water.

Australians drive on the left side of the road.

Some demographic facts:

The average number of people in Australia per household was 3.31 in 1971. However as the trend towards smaller families continued, this number declined to 2.6 in 2006.

• The average family has around 1.6 children.
• 22% of Australian adults will never have children and 16% of Australian adults will have only one child.
• 34% of Australian men will never marry and 32% percent of Australian females will never marry.
• Australians tend to marry quite late in their lives. The median age for Australian brides is around 29 years while the median age of Australian grooms is 31 years.

The Australia flag as it is in its current form was not always popular. In fact its use was not widespread until 1920 when the federation flag was used. So I guess that is it for now. There are so many fun facts about Australia.

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Five Reasons You Should Couchsurf

How would you like to stay with like-minded people who will show you the best parts of your destination through the eyes of locals for absolutely FREE? That's just one of the many facets of Couchsurfing. There is so much more to the idea behind the concept of couchsurfing. The website now boasts 3 million users in about 250 cities around the world. It was created with the intent of creating global meaningful connections and has been successfully doing so since its founding in 2003. Here are 5 reasons why you should couchsurf.

1. Free Accommodation: You can spending the night or a couple of nights (don't take advantage of people's hospitality) on someones couch for free. It doesn't have to be a couch. It could very well be a comfortable spare bed.

2. Local Perspective: Even if you're uncomfortable staying with a complete stranger, you could meet up with someone who interests you for coffee or a drink or a meal. They can show some of the best places to eat and drink, away from the touristy spots listed in your travel guide.

3. Safety: Couchsurfers can leave testimonials or vouch for persons they have stayed with in the past, so you can pick people to stay with or spend time accordingly. Additionally, there is an optional verification system that couchsurfers can use through a payment system for added security. I have known a number of friends who have couchsurfed across the world and have had amazing experiences.

4. Local Groups: Thousands of groups exist for various cities where people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds, full of wanderlust can gather together. A quick search of the DC group shows that there are around 8000 members and events range from ballroom dancing, camping and hiking excursions to group travels during the holidays and thanksgiving dinner for people away from their families. It's also a great place to find fun events in your city, places for rent and the best places to eat.

5. Gatherings: Couchsurfers have large gatherings aimed at uniting people from all continents to come together to partake in international debauchery. These events often draw more than 1000 people, such as new year eve events in major cities.

The idea is that people create these connections and reciprocate by hosting someone in their city or town. You do not have to have someone stay at your home. You can set your preferences to meet for coffee. There are also options for last minute travel plans such as when you have a long lay-over or missed connections. The best part is that couchsurfers are more likely to be open-minded and knowledgeable people with a keen interest on showing you the best that their home town has to offer! All for free.

Good luck! Visit Doing it Big for Less for more tips on saving and earning money.

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Games For The Road With No Punch-Backs

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!

For those who appreciated the previous article, you may go and check out more similar items at Seymour Kushner or this Seymour Kushner Blog.

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