Tips & Articles on Traveling, Aviation, Boating and Cruises
Archive for March 31, 2010
Doctors Without Borders – A Global Volunteer Organization Helping People
Mar 31st
Doctors Without Borders – A Global Volunteer Organization Helping People In Crisis Regions
One of the subjects I am going to research in the near future is combining travel with volunteer opportunities all over the world. Volunteering is a great way of exploring different cultures while making a positive contribution to important causes.
Doctors Without Borders first caught my attention during the Tsunami Crisis. It is an organization that provides important medical relief to people in disaster-stricken areas. I felt compelled to find out more about this organization, about its philosophies and its recent missions. Here is my interview with Isabelle Jeanson, National Press Officer Toronto with Doctors Without Borders.
1. Please tell us about Mdcins Sans Frontires / Doctors without Borders. What type of organization is it? What philosophy s it based on?
We are the world’s leading independent international medical relief organization.
Mdecins Sans Frontires offers assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters and to victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation. We also observe neutrality and impartiality in the name of universal medical ethics and the right to humanitarian assistance.
2. Please tell us about the history of Doctors with Borders. Who founded the organization? How has it evolved since its inception?
MSF was originally founded in France in 1971 by a group of doctors and medical journalists who were concerned with the plight of populations in emergency situations. Since 1971, MSF has grown into 5 European operational sections, and 13 partner sections around the world. The Canadian office was founded in 1991, by a few Canadian doctors who came back to Canada from mission, and realized there was a need for an MSF presence in Canada.
3. How is your organization funded?
We are mostly funded by donations from the public (80%) and the rest from governments and foundations (20%).
4. Who can volunteer with Doctors without Borders? How many volunteers are there world-wide? Please tell us about the volunteer recruitment process.
Doctors, nurses, midwives, logisticians, project coordinators, financial coordinators, mental health specialists, social workers, and many other professionals can volunteer with Doctors without Borders. There are over 2000 volunteers working for MSF in the field, and hundreds more who work in offices around the world.
People who are interested should first visit our website: www.msf.ca, that explains in detail what we look for in our candidates. Once an interested candidate has applied (either on-line or by mail), their application is revised by a recruitment officer. If their application is relevant to what we look for, they will be invited to an interview. If the interview is successful, the candidate will be offered pre-departure training prior to going on mission. The selection of their mission is based on the candidate’s skills which are matched to the needs of the field. The time needed to find the right mission for the right person can happen anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
5. Please comment on some of the risks and dangers that the volunteers face.
Security is of the outmost concern for MSF, for all of its volunteers and national staff. A security briefing is given to the volunteer prior to going on mission, and once they arrive at their mission. A volunteer is never forced to go on mission if they are concerned about their security. The volunteer is ultimately responsible for his or her security once they are on mission, however MSF provides excellent security protocols and systems to minimize the risk. If a volunteer is in a mission which becomes too insecure, he/she will be evacuated with his or her team to a secure environment.
6. What are the living conditions for the volunteers?
Volunteers will often live in a house shared by other international MSF volunteers. Housing, food, transportation and all other amenities are covered by MSF. Volunteers also receive a stipend as pocket money.
7. What critical missions has your organization been involved in recently?
Currently we are involved in a famine crisis in Niger; in the conflict in Darfur, West Sudan; in conflict areas in Democratic Republic of Congo; in mental health projects in Asia; in the tsunami relief in South-East Asia; and we offer AIDS treatment projects in dozens of countries around the world, to name only a few. MSF is currently working in over 70 countries around the world and manages hundreds of projects.
8. MSF also speaks out to end suffering and provides public education and informational events. Please tell us more about that.
Other than providing medical relief to populations in distress, MSF also has a mandate to speak-out or do “tmoignage”. This basically means that we speak out against the atrocities or injustices that we witness in the field, to raise international public awareness about an issue that is otherwise forgotten or unknown by the world. We do this by speaking at public events, or giving interviews in the media or by publishing reports.
9. Please comment specifically on the situation now in South Asia, more than 6 months after the Tsunami Disaster.
We are currently still active in India and Indonesia, providing mental health counseling to the victims of the tsunami and basic health care.
10. Please tell us about the different ways of making a contribution to Doctors without Borders.
People can give to MSF through a variety of venues:
Through Partners Without Borders, our monthly giving program ;
By internet through our secure online giving form ;
By fax or mail, in response to our annual campaign, or our special or emergency appeals ;
By phone – we may call you, or you can contact us toll-free at 1-800-982-7903 ;
Through donations of publicly traded securities ;
By leaving a contribution to MSF in your will ;
By hosting or organizing a special event to benefit MSF ;
By making a gift in honour of a birthday, anniversary, marriage or graduation of a friend or family member ;
By making a gift in memory of a loved one who has passed on ;
At work through matching gift programs
Thank you, Isabelle, for providing further information about your organization and the important missions and activities you are involved in. We wish you the best of luck in your humanitarian efforts.
For the entire story including photos please visit /interviews/doctors_without_borders.htm
5 Occasions to Use a New York Limousine Service
Mar 31st
While many people perceive a New York Limousine service as a luxury reserved for the wealthy, others are embracing the concept that a New York limo can be both cost effective and practical. Indeed, there are many occasions where a limo makes more sense than other forms of transportation. Here are five:
1. Airport Transportation
With the heightened security measures at airports across the country – and especially at New York airports – it’s far too much of a hassle to drive yourself to the airport. When you have to park and drag your luggage to a shuttle and into the airport, it can add another hour to the time you have to allot for pre-boarding. Whether you’re looking for JFK airport transportation, or need a ride to LaGuardia or Newark, a limo service can be just the ticket. You can go in style in a stretch limo, or opt for the more practical Town Car. If the whole family is heading to the airport, a limo in New York can be a seven-passenger van or even a 19-passenger limo bus.
2. Weddings
A stretch limousine in New York may be standard for the bride and groom, but a limo service can also be a godsend for the bridal party and even for out of town guests. The best limo companies have worry-free wedding packages and coordinators who can ensure that everyone will get to the church (or synagogue or mosque) on time – and then to the reception and back to their hotels.
3. Tours
If you’re visiting the Big Apple and want to take in the sights, a New York limousine service can show them to you in style. Depending on the number in your party, you can use a limo, a sedan, a van, or a bus to enjoy all that New York has to offer. You can create your own itinerary, and rest assured that the driver will double as a professional tour guide. The best services provide complimentary refreshments and snacks, and even have drivers who can give tours in languages other than English.
4. Sporting Events
When you and your buddies are going to a game, the last thing you need is that hassle of driving and parking at the event. Plus, if you want to knock back a few beers, you certainly don’t want to be behind the wheel after the game. A New York limousine can take you to Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden, or Flushing Meadows and back again in style.
5. Business Meetings
Whether you’re in town for business, or are hosting out-of-town colleagues or potential clients, a New York limousine service can help ensure that attendees will get to your meetings on time. A good limo service has experienced drivers who are knowledgeable, discreet, and familiar with the needs of the business traveler. If needed, some limo services also have armored vehicles in their fleet.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, but rest assured that a New York limousine service isn’t only for the wealthy. There are many occasions when a limo can take the hassle out of transportation.
Antalya Turkey Holidays
Mar 31st
Antalya is Turkey’s major and charming holiday resort in the Mediterranean region which is called the ancient Pamphylia. This is a beautiful city with endowing palm-lines alley. A superb marina is present on the Mediterranean which makes the Antalya different. This is a fascinating place in Turkey which is moreover good for natural beauty rather than anything artificial.
There are some grand and awesome historical remains that astonish the viewers. Antalya contains various waterfalls and cascades than can be felt thoroughly. The bewitching beauty of the cascades tends to captivate the tourists and thus leaves a permanent impression about the holiday.
The upper Duden waterfalls can be seen about 14 km north east of Antalya. The tourists who come here try to capture the beauty by walking rather than hiring a taxi. Feeling each step of beauty is different from just passing bye. The Duden waterfalls ultimately descend into the sea. The sounds of the waterfalls and serene atmosphere tranquilize the minds of the viewers.
The Duden waterfalls in Antalya can also be viewed from the sea. Other great waterfalls that can be noticed here are the Kursunlu Waterfalls and Nilufer Lake. Both of these beauty icons are 18 km away from Antalya which are the epitome of beauty. The Lara beach is scattered with sandy spread is the archetype of a white bed spread.
Closer to Antalya lies the pebbled Konyaalti Beach which presents a panorama of the majestic mountain range. Little far away is Bey Dagi called the Olympos that is the National Park along with the Topcam Beach equipping more lavish scenery. There are bivouac grounds at the north end of the park. This shelter, moreover, enables to withstand the beauty of the nature.
For a picturesque view of the neighborhood of Antalya, it is essential to make a drive to the holiday complex which is situated heavenly on top of the Tunektepe Hill. Antalya is an ideal winter resort in Turkey. There are enormous snowed mountains that can be skied. March and April are the best months for enjoying this. Savory lunch is offered here including fresh fish at the Marina. In the afternoons, sunbath along with wind surf can be enjoyed.
Duzlercami Park that is positioned in the north of Antalya is under a conservation program. The trip towards this wild life gets eventually interrupted with the marvelous 115 meter deep Guver Canyon. There is small museum in Antalya. Majority of the artifacts are being displayed in other museums that are spread all over Turkey. An Archaeological Museum that has the remnants of the Paleolithic Age to Ottoman times gifts a coup d’oeil of the area’s rich history.
Antalya thus becomes a natural expedition by feeling natures beauty. Shopping is not major exhibition here. People come here due to the immense cosmos of beauty and life. However, there is no tiredness or boredom as it happens in other resorts. There is enough and more things to be captivated slowly and reaching the heavenly beauty of Antalya.
Mysterious and enchanting Taba and Taba Heights
Mar 31st
Famous for its endless sandy beaches, scenic mountains and rich coral reefs, the Red Sea Riviera provides an exquisite destination for an unforgettable holiday.
Located on the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, Africa, the Red Sea Riviera consists of a number of resort cities lying on the western shore of the Gulf of Aqaba and along the eastern shore of mainland Egypt, south of the Gulf of Suez. Choose from any of the listed popular destinations and enjoy your vacation with Pel Tours this season!
Sharm El-Sheikh
Nestled between the calm shores of the Red Sea and the national park of Ras Mohammed, Sharm el-Sheikh is the jewel of the Sinai Peninsula. For many visitors, the most striking scenery of this region is underwater in the colourful reefs encircling the peninsula. At this most extraordinary diving destination, you can snorkel or dive into an underwater playground of shipwrecks, coral gardens and azure-blue waters.
A multiplicity of hotels, restaurants, shops and bars lend Sharm El-Sheikh a cosmopolitan character. Naama Bay, with its hotels and diving centres, is the main tourist spot, while the resorts of Ras Um Sid, Ras Nasrani, Sharks Bay and Nabq Bay are also popular. Local excursions include diving courses and trips, desert safaris, and trips to Mount Sinai and the St Catherines Monastery.
Sharm El-Sheikh also offers great diving trips at the Ras Mohammed National Marine Park, which offers spectacular views of marine life and corals as well as shipwrecks for divers of all standards.
Dahab
Dahab, the Arabic word for gold, truly describes its sun-bathed beaches, which are a combination of soft sand, gorgeous blue water, and a luxuriant strip of palm trees spread all over. Almost 5 miles from town is the famous diving centre – Blue Hole. Towards the Israeli border is the Island of Coral, where the crusaders built a fort and the remains of which can still be seen.
Dahab has grown from a bustling village to an ideal retreat for holidaymakers and divers, wanting to escape from the chaos of everyday life. A 90-minute drive north of Sharm El-Sheikh, this holiday destination is an ideal resort for beginners and advanced divers, providing both shores and boat diving.
Assalah, the most developed part of Dahab, is an assortment of palm trees, campgrounds, shops, hotels, bars, and restaurants that lie along the shore of Ghazala Bay. This Bedouin village has a distinctly bohemian feel, and has some of the most spectacular, unspoiled and pristine dive sites off the Sinai peninsula.
Hurghada
One of Egypts foremost resorts, Hurghada has some of the finest underwater corals in the world surrounding the shoreline, making the area a haven for divers and holidaymakers alike. Diving in Hurghada is an excellent experience, and it is an ideal location for advanced divers and those wishing to further their technical diving skills.
From tiny nudibranchs to giant whale sharks, this area has it all for a perfect Red Sea diving holiday: hard and soft coral, turtles and dolphins, mantas and moray eels, napoleons and tuna, and much more, including the wreck graveyard at Sha’ab Abu Nuhas. Other activities include para-sailing, viewing the multi-coloured sea life from glass bottom boats, and deep-sea fishing.
Hurghada offers a wide variety of international cuisine and is famous for its excellent fish restaurants. During the night, this city comes alive with bustling bars, restaurants and clubs, and attracts a younger clientele, although revelers of all ages certainly won’t feel out of place.
El Gouna
Built on small islands and surrounded by lagoons and the Red Sea, El Gouna is a complete holiday destination offering all the amenities required for a relaxing holiday. This resort city offers great shopping, health treatments, and an excellent selection of restaurants, bars, clubs, beautiful beaches and uninhabited islands all within a 30-minute drive north of Hurghada.
In El Gouna, you can enjoy an unparalleled underwater paradise, travel through the desert, or take a hot-air balloon to experience some of the most beautiful scenery Egypt has to offer. It also has beautiful reefs with a good combination of hard and soft corals.
The city has three beautiful Red Sea beaches: Mangroovy, Zeytoona and Marina Beach. Although they do not have much underwater vegetation, these beaches are very beautiful, and swimming in them is a great experience.
El Quseir
To the south of Hurghada lies El Quesir a remote, un-commercialised coastal resort. Treasured for its peaceful location, it has become popular among holiday makers keen to experience the historical charm of Egypt yet relish in its slow pace. Inhabited since ancient times, this resort was an important commercial port in Roman times and later again as part of the spice route from India to Britain. It was also an important stopover in the pilgrimage from Egypt to Mecca. The ancient port still remains north of the town, and an Ottoman fort has also been recently restored.
Nuweiba
Nuweiba is a perfect destination for people looking for a quiet resort away from the main tourist areas. It is a small, peaceful area, situated on the shores of the Red Sea, giving easy access to the whole length of the Sinai coastline. This resort offers wonderful golden sandy secluded beaches and coves, stunning mountain scenery and a relaxed way of life.
Nuweiba is an ideal place to learn to dive – with beautiful coral reefs and gardens teeming with life. The area is a haven for photographers as the cerulean waters allow them to focus on the smaller species such as multi-coloured nudibranches. If you are lucky, you may encounter one of the several types of seahorse varieties when diving.
Taba and Taba Heights
Overlooking Jordan, Israel and Saudi Arabia, Taba is a paradise for active holidaymakers and outdoor types who enjoy the diving, surfing, sailing and catamarans, as well as walking or motorbike tours in the mountains. Recently, this city has experienced a growth spurt on its coastline and is now home to a number of leading hotel chains that have built luxurious resort hotels around a new luxurious resort called Taba Heights, which is 15km south of the border. Once completed, Taba Heights is expected to have 20 hotels, an 18-hole US Championship level golf course, a casino, a marina, as well as a full range of activities and water sports.
Want to Tour the US for Less? Head to
Mar 31st
Want to Tour the US for Less? Head to Chinatown.
Bargain hunters dont only go to Chinatown for knock off designer handbags, they also look there to find the best prices on bus tours of America. Travelers in east and west coast US cities have come to love the Chinatown Bus for their no-frills service and rock bottom prices. However, the bargains do not stop there. If you want to find the cheapest way to see the most popular tourist attractions in the US, try a Chinatown tour operator.
Just as Chinatown bus service began by catering to the recent immigrant community, for years these tour operators have targeting their tours only to the Chinese speaking community. However, more recently they have been discovered by the broader market and are increasingly popular for visitors to the US and residents alike.
Sayaka Singh who lives in New York said that any time she has family visiting from India they inevitably want to take a trip to Niagara Falls. She discovered several Chinatown tour companies online and has since sent many family members to the Falls with them. She said, You cant beat it, for less than a hundred dollars they get transportation in a nice motorcoach, hotel accommodations, a tour of the Falls area, and several other stops along the way. They loved it. Several of her relatives then booked a tour to Washington DC.
What to expect
These are definitely budget tours, but the value they deliver is truly unbeatable. Hotels are usually 2-star level but they tend to be national chains and are quite adequate. Plan on something equivalent to a Travelodge, however many times the hotel quality is higher. Hotels are commonly not situated in the downtown core of the city or right near an attraction.
In a style typical of tours throughout Asia, the tour itinerary is usually quite full. The pace of these tours is very rapid. You will see as many attractions as possible but will not stay at any one attraction for very long. This can be frustrating for people who like to linger or have time to explore. It is perfect for travelers who want to see a lot in a short period of time.
People from all over the world go on these tours and it is impossible to predict the demographic makeup of a group. However, do not expect an all-American crowd. You should expect multilingual tour guide and many non-English speakers on the tour. Many people cite the mix of people as their favorite aspect of the tours (I felt like I was part of a UN delegation, it was great!). The tour guide will not give an in-depth narrated tour and will speak in both Chinese and English. The tour guide will also arrange for the group to stop for meals. This is usually simple fare such as a rest stop food court or a Chinese restaurant.
How do they do it?
$99 for a 3-day tour from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon; $85 for a 2-day tour from NYC to Washington DC, Baltimore, and Philadelphiait is hard to fathom how they can offer such low fares.
These companies run very streamlined operations and work on slim margins. The key to their model is that the tour buses are full. They tend to operate tours only to the most popular destinations (ie. Grand Canyon, San Francisco, Niagara Falls, Washington DC), and they sometimes cancel a tour if not enough people book it. Often these tour companies use charter buses and therefore do not have the expense of maintaining and operating a fleet of buses, something that may not really be their area of expertise.
Since the tour companies run tours on a regular schedule, they are able to negotiate very good room rates with hotels. Therefore they can still offer low rates even during a busy time of year. They also save money by paying their tour guides very little. Customers are expected to tip the tour guides and this really their main source of compensation.
What exactly is included?
All tours include hotel, tour guide and transportation. Most include entrance fees to any national parks when applicable. Some also include admission to attractions. Read the tour details carefully or inquire before you book if you are not sure. Optional tours can add to the cost of your tour and you should budget accordingly. Usually the tour guide will organize the optional tours for the group and you will pay the guide directly.
How do I find these tours?
Almost any city that has a sizable Asian population will most likely have a tour operator specializing in multi-day budget tours. New York, Boston, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Los Angeles have dozens of tour operators. Most likely they will not advertise in the same places that traditional tour companies do. Your best bet is to look online.
These tours are a terrific option for travelers who want to see some of Americas most popular sights but do not have a lot of time and want a great value. For far less than you would pay if you went on your own, you can sit back and have someone else make all the arrangements for you. As an added bonus you will also get to experience a great diversity of cultures along the way.
