If you’re renovating your home to be environmentally friendly, especially in today’s environmentally conscious market, bamboo is one material you might want to consider. It is Earth’s fastest-growing plant, which makes it an exceptionally sustainable material. It is extremely versatile, being used to make durable flooring, cabinetry, countertops, utensils, furniture and tablewear. Despite this, it is not a “hardwood”. It is a grass that masquerades as a tree in Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas starting in the southeastern United States and spreading all the way down to Chile.

Opponents of bamboo note that the majority of it is made in the Chinese province of Hunan. China, notorious for human and animal abuse, is a place where Fair Trade certification is yet a happy dream. Bamboo itself may be a green and sustainable source, but the forests that are clear-cut to make room for plantations are not necessarily so. Fertilizers and pesticides are being used with more and more frequency. Most bamboo has formaldehyde (bad environmental juju!) binders. And, of course, if you’re not a fan of outsourcing, bamboo is not the best choice, as a very small percentage of the United States is home to this plant.

Bamboo is not a miracle material. It is not that much different from other hardwood floors in terms of durability and all around goodness. You’ll still have to ask your sister not to wear her six-inch spike heels in the house, as they will quickly create a number of pockmarks. Unless you’ve gone to somewhere not China, grown the stuff yourself, paid your workers decently and not doused it with toxic bonding substances, chances are it’s not the environmentally friendly Holy Grail.

Despite all this, bamboo definitely deserves a closer look as a material that we can use to minimize our inroads on less sustainable resources. If United States farmers can make this plant sustainable on American soil, it could become a valuable crop that provides us with a lot of yield with a minimum of impact. Keep your eye on bamboo!

Visiting an animal shelter can be an emotional experience for an animal lover. It’s difficult to see all the animals in their pens and not want to take them all home. Such feelings are understandable and commendable; however, just be sure that prior to adoption you consider all of the ramifications. And remember, your best friend is waiting for you at your local animal shelter.

Why are animal shelters always filled with animals waiting to be adopted? Well, lack of neutering dogs is a major contributor. Shockingly, it has been calculated that over a six year period, one female dog and her offspring will, if allowed access to male dogs at the relevant times, produce 67,000 puppies! Small wonder that there are more animals looking for homes than there are people who want to adopt them.

Sadly, some 6.5 million animals (mainly cats and dogs) are euthanized each year in the United States alone.

Given the above statistics, it goes without saying that adopting an animal can be a kind and loving thing to do.

But before thinking seriously about adoption, there are a number of things that you should consider.

Many of the animals awaiting adoption in shelters have had a very poor history. Some were abused, some abandoned and some were turned in because the owners had grown tired of the novelty, changed their lifestyle in a manner which didn’t include a dog, or simply didn’t have time for them.

A large number of shelter dogs have been left alone for long periods and some were never house trained.

So if you’re thinking of adopting a dog from an animal shelter, you need to be prepared to work with them.

Many adopted dogs will come to the new surroundings filled with fears based upon earlier mistreatment or the harsh rules of their previous owners. Some dogs will be reluctant to go from one room to another, will shy away when corrected and hide upon hearing a loud noise. New owners must be patient with them and speak to them softly and affectionately.

A shelter dog may be overly sensitive to your tone of voice or to any commands you may give them. You must be prepared to be patient. And you must be prepared to be loving to your new dog, without necessarily receiving any love or acknowledgment in return. Dogs are reasonably intelligent, and they will gradually come to understand their new environment and show their appreciation for your loving care

When shelter dogs finally realize that they can trust you they will likely reward you with more affection and loyalty than you can imagine.

Adopted dogs are subject to all of the behavioral problems commonly associated to dogs in general. These would include digging, jumping up on people, jumping fences, barking and nipping. There are proven solutions to all of these “offences.” If your dog is prone to digging, and always digs in one area, there are a number of effective repellent sprays that work well. If he digs under your fence, a little buried chicken wire works wonders in breaking that habit. Spray bottles filled with water should be kept at hand to break a dog from jumping up and to combat incessant barking. A quick spritz in the face immediately following, or during, the offensive behavior will usually bring about a quick behavior modification.

If thinking about adopting a dog, you should be prepared to deal with the prospect that your new dog may not be completely housebroken. Previous owners may have been irresponsible in their approach to this training, and/or the change of environment to the shelter coupled with the trauma of being abandoned (in whatever circumstances) by its previous owner, may have resulted in the dog continuing to do its “business” right in its pen.

Housetraining is not a relatively straightforward training issue which should not deter you from adopting a dog. Crate training is recommended to assist in this training, and walking your new dog and letting him out in the yard several times a day will also help. Fenced yards and doggie doors are minimal expenses and are essential if you have a dog.

Adopting a dog as a companion for a small child is not recommended. A dog is not a toy and should never be treated as one. Small children must be trained to understand “animal etiquette”. In other words, animals are not to be hit, dragged, ridden or teased. But with shelter dogs in particular, small children may not be safe around them.

Children should be taught that being overly aggressive with a new dog, especially one recently adopted, could cause the dog to react by biting or running away. If feeding and exercising the dog is to be the responsibility of a child, an adult must follow up and take ultimate responsibility for the dog.

We checked into the Station Inn in Cochrane a day early because we did not see as many bears or moose as we wanted while in Chapleau. The hotel rooms are on the second floor of the train station with a restaurant on the first. We were sitting in the restaurant about 8:15 in the morning when an announcement was made that the Polar Bear Express was approaching on the far track. The schedule for departure is at 9 am. Back in our room at 8:45 I opened the window to look at the train. Last night I had seen several trains with three or four passenger cars and a dinning car attached, so I expected to see a train about the same size.

Today is the first day for the Polar Bear Express to begin its two month summer schedule of everyday except Monday. I could see the train parked on the far track but way down. It soon began moving toward the station. I counted 14- or 15 cars including 2 or 3 dinning cars, a baggage car, and another at the end, which I would not call it a caboose, but it very well could have been. A workman switched the tracks and it started to back up going on the 2nd track away from us. After a few minutes it moved forward with two additional cargo cars on the end. Pulling forward the workman again switched the track and the train backed up, but now it was too far away for me to see.

The hotel is about 15 or 20 feet from the track. There is a 1 foot yellow line for passengers to stand behind. Many were waiting. It seems like it was taking the engineer forever to decide to move to the station.

Finally, we saw a train pulling in on the first track, but this one had several different cars behind the engine. Two flatbed cars with two automobiles each attached, then the passenger cars started arriving. It was the Polar Bear Express. My watch showed the time as 9:06. Several more minutes passed before the passengers were allowed to board. A young girl, 5 or 6, saw us and we waved. She pointed and we kept waving. She disappeared. Later, she returned to the window and waved. In just a few more minutes the train started to pull away and we exchanged waves to the little girl with her dad looking on. Can you tell I am excited? Just wait until we are passengers tomorrow!

We had to do laundry and spoke with the lady there who was collecting American quarters from each state. My wife always brings a roll of quarters so we will not have to get change when we do laundry. Going through our quarters, the woman was happy to find four to add to her collection.

Just last night, she told us, they had made a trip to the Cochrane garbage dump counting 12 black bears while there. Like alligators in the South, Black Bears are a problem in Cochrane. Laws protect the black bears. We would have gone but the garbage dump was closed that day.

After lunch we are going to the Polar Bear Habitat. Feeding time is 2. Will be there!

You have my permission to reprint and distribute this article as long as it is distributed in its entirety, including all links and copyright information. © Lloyd Mize 2007

Tracking wildlife through the African wilderness has become a very popular activity in South Africa and is considered one of the ultimate safari experiences. Rhino tracking safaris present an informative, educational and entertaining African experience and the South African Kalahari Desert lends itself well to this unique safari adventure.

Experienced guides are experts in tracking, and their vast knowledge and skills bring travelers up close and personal with the rare desert-adapted black rhino. The desert black rhino is listed as critically endangered in the IUCN South African Red Data book while the other species of black rhino is listed as vulnerable. This subspecies is found primarily in the eastern regions of South Africa (Kruger National Park and Zululand). However, sprawled at the foot of the rugged Korannaberg in the Northern Cape Province, the Kalahari reserve boasts approximately 30% of the South Africa’s desert black rhino population.

In June 1995, eight rhinos arrived at the Kalahari Reserve from Namibia and were released in the Korannaberg area. Today this desert black rhino population stands at around 30. This population growth has stunned conservationists and the reserve is ranked as one of the best places to see the desert black rhino in the Kalahari and possibly the entire country

The pristine environment is located deep in heart of a desert wilderness that is home to some of the world’s most fascinating wildlife. Here travelers can spend the day tracking the rare desert black rhino with expert trackers through the black thorn landscape and sweeping sand dunes. The desert black rhino has a unique spoor which is almost like a human fingerprint. The red Kalahari sand clearly retains each footprint, making it possible to follow exactly a rhino’s movements over the previous hours and even days. Every rhino has a unique pattern of cracks in its footprints providing for easy trackings by experienced scouts.

Learning how to track the desert black rhino and knowing what to look for is an invaluable experience. This unique and rewarding adventure will teach travelers how to observe the surrounding area for tracking indicators such as broken branches. Once fresh spoor is detected the trackers follow these tracks by carefully placing each step to avoid making too much noise and constantly checking the wind direction – ears pricked for a warning snort or crashing of branches and eyes straining to make out a solid grey shape in the bushes ahead. When the beautiful rare animal is spotted, the trackers will lead the group cautiously toward the rhino for a clearer view and identify the rhino using their unique ear notches.

Before quietly creeping away, the condition of the animal is carefully observed from a distance without disturbing the animal. Black rhinos live in a different world to us with notoriously poor eyesight, but an acute sense of smell and hearing. It is an exhilirating experience to stand quietly and admire these wonderful creaturs whhen the wind blows in the opposite direction. However, should they pick up the sound or scent of a human being; they habitually turn and run away. Coming face to face with a black rhino is an incredible thrill.

While tracking the desert black rhino in the Kalahari Desert guests will invariably encounter much other magnificent game during the guided walks that meander across silent red mystical Kalahari dunes. Apart from the black desert rhino, the Kalahari is also home to white rhino, lions, cheetah and more than 240 species of birds. A number of other rare and threatened species in the Kalahari include the mountain zebra, pangolin, wild dog, tsessebe and roan antelope.

Several of the Orlando area’s world-class theme parks – Disney’s Animal Kingdom, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Africa – will join communities and organizations around the world to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, 2007, and help increase global awareness of important environmental issues.

Begun in 1970, Earth Day calls attention to the many major environmental challenges facing our fragile planet that today include potentially catastrophic climate change, rapidly vanishing natural resources, and an ever-increasing list of extinct and endangered animal species. The philosophy of Earth Day is perhaps best expressed in the words of a popular Native American proverb: “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”

Below is a comprehensive guide to Earth Day celebrations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Africa:

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Disney World’s fourth world-class theme park actually opened on Earth Day, April 22, 1998, and has featured yearly Earth Day celebrations ever since. For 2007, Disney’s Animal Kingdom presents “Party for the Planet,” a series of fun and informative conservation-related activities (in conjunction with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums) at stations set up in each of the theme park’s seven areas: Africa, Asia, Camp Minnie-Mickey, DinoLand USA, Discovery Island and Rafiki’s Planet Watch. “Party for the Planet” will take place on Friday, April 20, and Sunday, April 22, 2007, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

SeaWorld Orlando: Live animal encounters and plenty of conservation-related activities will take place as part of the Earth Day celebration at “the world’s most popular marine adventure park” on Sunday, April 22, 2007. In addition, all proceeds from SeaWorld’s wildlife encounter tours on Earth Day will be donated to the SeaWorld-Busch Gardens Conservation Fund.

Busch Gardens Africa: Also in conjunction with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ “Party for the Planet” Earth Day celebration, Busch Gardens Africa has scheduled various animal exhibits, conservation-related activities, craft making stations and giveaways. The festivities will take place at Busch Gardens Africa on Saturday, April 21, and Sunday, April 22, 2007, from 10 AM to 4 PM.

“The theme parks here in Orlando are continually developing innovative programs not only based around their attractions, rides and shows but also targeting important global issues such as energy conservation, wildlife education, and personal health and well being,” said Kyle Collins, Director of Interactive Marketing for HotelsCorp.com.

Note: All Earth Day activities at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Africa require ticketed admission to the theme parks.

Did you know that the United States adopted the bald eagle as the national bird and symbol of the nation in 1782? European settlers in America, used to the sight of the Sea Eagle in Europe, named the bald eagle, believing the two birds were the same. There were no bald eagles in Europe, as the bald eagle is found only in North America. The scientific name of the bald eagle is Haliaetus leucocephalus, which actually translates from Latin and Greek into ’sea eagle with a white head.’ We still call them sea eagles to this day.

The bald eagle is the only ’sea eagle’ that is a native of North America. There is no mistaking the bald eagle, with its deep brown feathers and contrasting white head and tail. Coins, flags, buildings, and seals in the United States have used the image of the bald eagle to symbolize the country.

These birds of prey are raptors, along with owls, hawks, vultures, and falcons. The bald eagle eats mainly waterfowl, such as geese and ducks, and fish, but also may indulge in small birds, rodents, snakes, rabbits, and even carrion when live prey is not available

Bald eagles are enormous and intimidating birds, with adults growing to 32 inches in length, with wingspans to 7 feet, and weighing up to 16 pounds.

Alaska is home to the larger eagles, while the smaller ones make their homes in Florida. Wherever they are, when animals see the bald eagle descending, they know to scatter.

An area 2 to 15 miles square is the area needed for a pair of bald eagles to hunt in. Each pair of bald eagles shares a nest, furiously guarding it from predators. Bald eagles living along the Indian River lagoon located on the Central Florida coast have been known to go after Ospreys who have themselves caught a meal. The Osprey usually drops its hard-won catch in order to escape the powerful eagle, and the eagle, not at all fussy about its meals, will then eat it.

Although they are birds of prey, the bald eagle shows a tremendous instinct for family loyalty. This species chooses its mate for life, unlike most birds. The bald eagle in the wild can live to be 25 years old, though most birds do not live to be this age. They live across North America, from the north, including Canada and Alaska, across the middle expanses of the U.S., and south into the northern part of Mexico.

The bald eagle travels frequently, flying to northern climates to escape hot summers, the birds usually return close to the place where they were hatched in order to begin families of their own. Breeding bald eagles lay one to three eggs in the spring, which hatch about 35 days later. The baby eagles live in the nest during the first three months, and then learn to fly for a month before leaving and beginning their own lives. The bald eagle, despite the dangers of disease, hunger, bad weather, and toxic chemicals, still adapt to their environments and live into their second year 70% of the time.

Did you know that the U.S. Congress tried to help the species by passing the Bald Eagle Protection Act in 1940? The law prohibits anyone from disturbing or bothering bald eagles. The law also prohibited taking the animals, their eggs, or their nests, for any reason unless they have a permit. Take includes not just capturing or trapping the bald eagle, but also bothering them, shooting at them, and wounding or killing them.

The overuse of pesticides commercially and residentially, as well as the use of DDT and other harmful chemicals, led to the steep decline of bald eagles. Reintroduction programs, some federally funded and some private, as well as new laws have given the bald eagle a chance to return in numbers. It seemed nearly impossible to save the species from extinction at the time.

For species with small populations, and those with very few animals left, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 allowed the legal classifications of endangered or threatened. The dramatic return of the bald eagle population removed it from most endangered species lists in the early 1990s.

The dramatic increase in the number of bald eagles, up from almost 500 pairs in 1963, to about 5,000 pairs in 1994, encouraged Congress to upgrade the species to threatened on August 11, 1995. As the number of bald eagles increase, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has plans to remove the bird from the endangered species list altogether.

The bald eagle is a pleasure to watch. The bald eagle takes off with strides that are powerful and purposeful. The eagle soars as if in slow motion. The eagle stays fixed on its path, the prize kept firmly in sight. The number of majestic bald eagles is steadily increasing all over North America. Take any opportunity to see these magnificent animals.

Borneo – The Wild Heart of SE Asian Adventure

Borneo is the third largest island in the world, located east of Singapore. The Borneo jungles are not only magnificently spectacular, but they are also relatively untouched. When one finds oneself amongst the many segregated worlds of lush vegetation that Borneo has to offer, one can only wonder … “How could an exotic land that offers so many species of wild life have escaped mass tourism?”

In the modern age, when tourism has a tendency to develop and then envelop any place of beauty, Borneo has so far escaped this fate. This is an extra benefit that heightens Borneo’s natural and unspoiled charm and which will, we hope, continue to enhance Borneo’s majestic splendour through the years. So remote is Borneo that one of its many superlatives, the world’s largest and most overwhelming cave system, the Mulu, was only discovered by the West in the latter half of the twentieth century.

About the size of Texas, Borneo is the third largest island in the world. Most of it belongs to Indonesia, but the northern provinces of Sarawak and Sabah, former British colonies which are now part of Malaysia, draw most of Borneo’s visitors.

The primitive image of Borneo which we held in the last century is out of date. Malaysian Borneo is civilised; Kuching and Kota Kinabalu are modern, bustling little cities, plus the island has a reasonably effective tourist infrastructure. The blend of old and new in Borneo is nicely summed up by a sign in the Limbang airport that sternly prohibits the carrying of blowguns aboard aircraft.

Because of its great variety of attractions, Borneo trips tend to be smorgasbord-style affairs. You may be climbing 13,455-foot Mount Kinabalu one day (no technical skills required, but nevertheless a stiff hike) and sleeping in a longhouse with Iban tribesmen the next. Although headhunting is now outlawed, you may meet some folks who remember it—or may even have practised it in the ‘good’ old days. Jungle treks and cave explorations in Mulu National Park, visits to Sepilok orangutan sanctuary, white-water rafting trips and scuba diving along the 3,000-foot sea wall just off Sipadan Island are also popular Borneo diversions. Whatever you do, it’s virtually certain you’ll ride in a boat at some point—Borneo is so mountainous and densely forested that roads exist only along the coastline. In the interior, rivers are the only highways.

Practically speaking Borneo is not an easy place to see on your own. Attractions are widely scattered and require a variety of transportation. Many cool spots are reachable only by longboat or small aircraft, which require advance planning. On the major rivers such as the Baram and Rajang, however, there are fast, cheap express boat services (if you have the bottle to ride them). These incredibly sleek, speedy and claustrophobic craft look much like wingless jet airliners—the drivers even paint on fake cockpit windows to further the illusion—and have a terrible safety record. Local tour operators in the main towns of Kuching and Kota Kinabalu offer Kinabalu climbs and visits to Iban longhouses. The downside, of course, is that, almost by definition, any outing that’s easy to arrange on the spot is going to be more crowded with tourists.

Simple guesthouses in the larger towns go for $10-$20 a night, while Western-style hotels run in the $40-50 range. Jungle lodge prices are in the same range.

And don’t worry about the leeches. The pesky little critters usually manage to get through any protective clothing, but you won’t even notice that they’re ******* your blood because they first inject you with a local anaesthetic. It doesn’t hurt a bit, but it can be a bit of a jolt when you remove your shoes and find blood-soaked socks. But unless you’re seriously squeamish or a haemophobe, Borneo leeches are not that big a deal. Really.

Whilst in Thailand, why not visit one of the country’s currently best three beach destinations:

Koh Lao Liang: http://www.andamanadventures.com/kohlaoliang.shtml

Ao Nang: http://www.andamanadventures.com/ao_nang.shtml

Railay/Tonsai: http://www.andamanadventures.com/railay-tonsai.shtml

?

Largest amongst all existing cats, tiger compares in size to the biggest feline fossils ever found. Named ‘Panthera Tigris’, tigers are characterized by their orange coat and black stripes, the pattern of which uniquely identifies each individual tiger. With a whitish belly, tiger’s coat is designed to disperse their outline, aiding them in camouflage as they stalk their prey. Tigers generally weigh in a wide range – from two hundred and fifty to eight hundred pounds – depending on the individual subspecies and gender of the animal. Female Sumatran Tigers may weigh around two hundred seventy pounds, whereas adult male Siberian Tigers can be as heavy as eight hundred pounds. In fact the largest ever recorded Siberian Tiger in captivity weighed over one thousand pounds! The average length is between 2.5 to 3.5 meters, again subject to variation amongst sub-species.

The reason behind these size variations is evolutionary adaptation of the tiger to varying environments in different regions of the world. The large Amur tiger prowls over huge territories in Siberia, tackling massive prey animals and having to cope with bitter cold – thus evolving into the biggest tiger species with a thick fur. The Bengal Tiger comes next with its notoriety for great ferocity and occasional man-eating in the mangroves of Sundarban (more on that later!). In fact big male bengal tigers, particularly those in northern India and Nepal, weigh close to the Siberian Tiger. Following are the Indochinese Tiger, Malayan Tiger, South China Tiger and Sumatran Tiger. The other three sub-species – the Caspian Tiger, Balinese Tiger and Javan Tiger have all gone extinct in the past century.

Apex predators, tigers are solitary hunters designed to take down huge prey animals. They are excellent stalkers and display great cunning in patiently pursuing and ambushing their prey. Despite their great size, they can reach speeds up to 60km/hr and leap up to 10 metres. The primary mode of attack is a sudden charge and leap to unbalance the animal. Next they use their muscular forearms to hold down the hunted whilst they severe their spine (or suffocate by crushing the windpipe in case of big animals like gaur and water buffalo) using their long canines and strong jaws. Even still only a fraction of the hunts are a success for the tiger. Therefore it eats a lot during one sitting once it makes a kill (usually every four or five days). Next it hides the carcass and usually returns to it over the next couple of days to devour the scraps. Usual prey is deer, buffalo, gaur. However a hungry tiger will go for anything from young elephants, rhinos, crocodiles, leopards, bears and even humans. Whereas conflicts between tigers and elephants are rare, tigers have been known to charge and maul Indian bull elephants. A tiger can climb to the back of the elephant in a single leap and viciously attack the tourists atop – as is often chronicled by historians of the British India.

Tigers are territorial animals and mark their domain in the forest by leaving **** and urine trails. Males are very defensive of their region and this frequently leads to conflict between individual tigers, leading to severe injury and even death. A male’s territory frequently overlaps those of several females, to which he mates as they come in estrus. Pregnancy lasts for around three and a half months and usually four or five cubs are born. In the wild not all of these survive since the female is often not able to hunt enough to feed all of them as they depend on her for their food until one and a half years of age. Also randomly, other male tigers may kill the cubs to bring the female into heat.

Despite all its magnificence the tale of the tiger has been a sorry one over the past century. Their number in the wild has dwindled from over one hundred thousand to nearly seven thousand today, with the Bengal Tiger having the healthiest population among existing tiger species (thanks largely to an initiative by the Indian Government in the 1970’s that led to ‘Project Tiger’, one of the more successful conservation programs worldwide). Still many are killed annually by poachers for use in Chinese traditional medicines that make ridiculous claim about the aphrodisiac and strengthening abilities of tiger parts – with no scientific evidence to back them. Others are threatened by habitat destruction and ever increasing human populations. Of the others, the South China tiger is in immediate threat of extinction owing to ruthless hunting in the 1960’s when it was declared as a ‘pest’ by the then communist government. Despite the passage of a law protecting them in 1977, the few remaining tigers in China lack genetic biodiversity to sustain them as a specie.

Giant pandas live in a few mountain ranges in central China, in Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces. The Giant Panda is one of the most endangered animals in the world.

The Befengxia Panda Base is a branch of the Wolong Panda base. The road to the Wolong Panda Base was damaged seriously by the May 2008 earthquake, but Bifengxia was not affected. The Wolong Panda Center is closed temporarily to the public. Most of the Wolong pandas have been relocated to the sister Center Bifengxia in Ya’an City.

The Bifengxia Base is situated 8 kilometers from Ya’an City and 150 kilometers from Chengdu. The Base is located in Bifengxia Town. Bifengxia base was opened in 2003 as the part of the world’s largest Giant Panda Migration. It was the biggest artificial migration of captive bred giant panda ever seen. Now that it has been selected as China’s latest giant panda protection base, Bifengxia has a new role to play in altering the destiny of the endangered species. Pandas will be returned to nature after they have been given relevant training in simulated wild environments.

Bifengxia welcomes individuals or groups to volunteer at the Bifengxia panda reserve. These trips must be arranged by qualified individuals or travel agencies.

Volunteer with the Giant Panda in China is a wonderful and unique experience in your life. With our program you can help in the conservation work of the Giant Panda by volunteering at the Bifengxia Panda Base. We include 3-4 days volunteer work at the Center in the total 18 days program. Other than the volunteer work, we also visit Beijing, (Chengde as optional), Xi’an, Chengdu, Leshan, Chongqing and Shanghai, and the Yangtze Cruise is included as well.

The following special items are included in the program:

1. Panda volunteer administration fee, uniform rental and multiple admission fee;

2. Lecture on Panda Research by the scientist from the Center;

3. Taking pictures with Panda (to hold a Panda);

4. Certificate of volunteer participation.

The detailed itinerary for the program is as follows:

Day 01: Depart from your home city

Day 02: Arrival Beijing (D)

Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel. The balance of the day is at your leisure to explore this city once known as Peking to Westerns. (4-star hotel)

Day 03: Beijing (BLD)

Your first stop is the Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. From there you enter the Forbidden City through the Tian’anmen Gate to explore the 250-acre complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens, containing 9,999 rooms. Your next stop is Summer Palace, the largest ancient preserved imperial garden in China and a summer retreat for the emperors and the chosen few. A delicious Peking Duck dinner is arranged to top off your first-day tour.

Day 04: Beijing (BLD)

We drive 70 Km north of Beijing to the Great Wall to see the wonder of it. Then visit the Ming Tombs and the Sacred Path – 13 of the 16 Ming emperors have their lavish tombs here. Kung Fu Show at night.

Day 05: Beijing-Xian by plane (BLD)

Tour the Temple of Heaven and Beijing’s old alleys – Hutong by riding a rickshaw before the afternoon flight to Xi’an – the first Chinese ancient city to open its door to the world during the Tang Dynasty as the first stop on the Silk Road. Enjoy the Dumpling Banquet dinner and you are entertained with the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show at night. (4-star hotel)

Day 06: Xi’an (BLD)

Visit the life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses – the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century, then the Ancient City Wall.

Day 07: Xi’an-Chengdu by plane (BLD)

Morning fly to Chengdu, proceed to have one-day excursion to Mt. Leshan to visit the Giant Buddha standing over 200 feet tall and 75 feet wide, that was completed in 90 years from 713 to 803 during the Tang Dynasty, and is now a World Heritage Site. The amazing statue is carved into a mountain side where the Minjiang, Qingyi and Dadu rivers meet facing Emai Mountain on the other side of the river on which we have a boat tour. Late afternoon drive back to Chengdu. (4-star hotel)

Day 08: Chengdu-Bifengxia by car: Panda volunteer program (BLD)

This morning we drive through the mountains to our the Bifengxia Panda Base, a sister center of the Wolong National Nature Reserve. You are specially arranged to have volunteer activities with Panda. (2-star hotel, best available)

Activities: You will work together with the staffs in the Research Center in their uniform along with their working hours. You will watch the Center staff preparing food for Panda, feeding Panda, cleaning their rooms and surroundings, and other daily breeding jobs. Depending on the different season you visit the Center, you will get a chance to observe Panda in estrus, copulation, body checkup, training, affective feeding, type-B ultrasonic, artificial insemination, childbirth and even participate in same of the scientific research activities.

Day 09: Bifengxia: Panda volunteer program (BLD)

Similar activities with the previous day. You can hold a panda for a picture, and play with the little ones.

Day 10: Bifengxia: Panda volunteer program (BLD)

Similar activities with the previous day. You will receive your certificate of volunteer participation by the end of the day. More days for volunteer program are available.

Day 11: Bifengxia-Chengdu by car (BLD)

Drive back to Chengdu. En route visit the Dujiangyan Dam – a 2000-year old irrigation system. Have city tour.

Day 12: Chengdu-Chongqing by car or train – Yangtze Cruise (BLD)

Drive to Chongqing and proceed to visit Ciqikou Old Town and People’s Square. Check in for our 3-day downstream Yangtze cruise in the evening. (5-star cruise ship)

Day 13: Yangtze Cruise (BLD)

At 6,380km the Yangtze is the longest river in China and the third longest in the world after the Nile and the Amazon. The most impressive section of the Yangtze is the Three Gorges. Today’s shore excursion features Shibaozhai (Stone Treasure Fortress), an ancient wooden pagoda built against rock cliffs facing the Yangtze.

Day 14: Yangtze Cruise (BLD)

Admire nature’s grandeur while sailing through spectacular Qutang Gorge (8km) and Wu Gorge (44km) today. Later this morning we navigate Shennong Stream on a small vessel. Originating in the southern slopes of Shennongjia Nature Reserve, the crystal clear river twists and turns 60 kilometers through forested mountains before emptying into the mighty Yangtze.

Day 15: Yichang-Shanghai by plane (BLD)

The ship enters the eastern section of Xiling Gorge (66km) in the morning. After lunch, we tour the site of the Three Gorges Dam. Construction of the dam began in 1992 and is scheduled to be completed by 2009. Estimated to cost over $24 billion, the project upon completion will become the largest hydroelectric dam in the world with a reservoir stretching hundreds of kilometers upstream.

We disembark in Yichang around noon. Fly to Shanghai. Acrobatic Show in the evening. A night view of The Bund. (4-star hotel)

Day 16: Shanghai-Zhujiajiao-Shanghai by car (BLD)

Shanghai, the largest city of China and the eighth largest in the world, is widely regarded as the citadel of China’s modern economy and the city also serves as one of the most important cultural, commercial, financial, industrial and communications centers of China.

Today’s sightseeing includes an excursion to Zhujiajiao – a water town near Shanghai. Afterward, we visit the Yuyuan Garden and the Town-God Temple bazaar nearby.

Day 17: Shanghai (B)

A free day today. Exploring China’s most dynamic city on your own is easy and fun. Our recommended to-do list includes a visit to glitzy Pudong New District and the popular evening cruise on Huangpu River to enjoy the city’s spectacular neon-lit skyline.

Day 18: Shanghai-Canada (B)

Free morning for packing up. You are arranged to take a ride aboard the world’s only commercially run Maglev train to the airport to board your return flight, and arrive home the same day.

Optional tour in Beijing:

Day 03: Beijing-Chengde by coach (BLD)

Leave from Beijing to Chengde Via Jinshanling Great Wall Or Shimatai and lunch, Visit Small Potala Palace Temple after arrival Chengde. (4-star hotel)

Day 04: Chengde (BLD)

Morning visit the Bishushanzhuang -The Imperial Summer Resort. Afternoon visit Small Kashilumbu Palace & Puning Temple.

Day 05: Chengde-Beijing by coach (BLD)

Drive back to Beijing and proceed to the airport to connect the flight to Xi’an.

Please e-mail info@chinavisittour.com for further info.

Other details please refer to Panda Volunteer Tours

m with dolphins in Thailand

What to expect…

Many people dream of swimming with dolphins, there are two ways to do this. One is to plan a wild dolphin expedition. This is the best way to experience dolphins in their natural environment. It is an expensive thing to plan, and there are no gaurantees that you will find the dolphins there. You may have to go again each day until you find them.

Another way to get the chance to swim with dolphins is at a dolphin aquarium or dolphin park. There are many sea world and aqua parks around the world, USA, the Bahamas, Mexico or other busy tourist locations.

In thailand there is only one Sea World, “Oasis Sea World” where this “swim with dolphins” dream can easily be turned into reality in the picturesque costal town of Laem Sing in Chantaburi province, Eastern Thailand.

The atmosphere at Oasis sea world is one of good spirit and family fun. The dolphins seem to really enjoy the work at the training shows. The swimming sessions are 1 hour, which depending on how busy the park is, means you can have an up close and personal “swimming with dolphins” experience.

The water is cloudy at Oasis Sea World, not bright blue like you might imagine. This is not because it is dirty, but actually there to provide a natural environment for the pink bottlenose dolphins, and for the irrawaddy blue dolphins. Also the natural algae in the water helps to provide a filter for the UV sun rays which can be harmful, especially for the pink bottlenose dolphins

In contrast to the more famous sea parks, such as in america, Oasis sea world does not look as grand or as well polished. But here they provide a great opportunity to swim with the dolphins, and an easy way to do it without having to cost the earth. Perhaps after swimming with the dolphins in Thailand, it will help you to decide whether or not to plan a more adventurous swimming with wild dolphins holiday.

And so, all in all, swimming with dolphins in thailand is great fun, safe, and easy to arrange. If you are already in Thailand, or you are planning a trip, then be sure to consider Oasis Sea World in your plans. Also Laem Sing Beach, and Chanthaburi are nice places to visit. So have a look at the available accommodation and consider staying one night. You might decide to stay longer!

Is it cruel?

Of course the debate will continue for ever, and we dont want to start a heated discussion here.  But in an obvious way it can be said that wild animals belong in the wild and should not be made a spectacle of in a zoo or aquarium.

I have been to many different animal shows here in Thailand. Elephants, Tigers, Crocodiles, and the Dolphins.Nearly all of these places left me feeling sorry for the animals involved and angry at the peopl who were profiting from their exploitation. 

However, at Oasis sea world the dolphins are mainly rescued animals which have been involved in fishing or other accidents. The dolphins look happy and to be enjoying the training shows and the interaction with people. There have been no dolphin mortalities there other than natural causes. It is a fact that dolphins and other sea mammals in captivity usually have a high mortality rate due to physical and emotional depression and lack of care. 

When I see the dolphins playing and interacting with the staff and the public, it brings me a sense of joy, which I have rarely felt at any other animal show. Theres no hiding it, the dolphins here are having a whale of a time!

Anyway. If you would like to swim with the dolphins in Thailand here is how…

 

1) Go to www.swimwithdolphinsthailand.com

2) Reserve your tickets online and arrange accomodation and transport on this website.

3) Confirm your booking by making payment with PAYPAL or secure online credit card.

4) Wait for your eTickets and Travel/Accommodation vouchers.

5) Get down to Laem Sing, Chanthaburi Thailand on the day and exchange the eTickets for the entrance to Oasis sea world for swimming with dolphins and the dolphins training show.

Other Notes:

The restaurant at Oasis Sea World is quite good, there is a good selection of Thai food and drinks. If you would like western food, then get down to Laem Sing Beach and find “Marine Cafe” near to Siri Hotel.

 

Accommodation.

See www.swimwithdolphinsthailand.com about booking great value accommodation in Laem Sing Chanthaburi, Thailand.