Help other people in Indonesia

Many tourists have fallen in love so deeply with Indonesia that their attachment inspires them to contribute. Others are just motivated by the goodness of their spirit to make a positive change in the beautiful archipelago. If you’re one of them, follow your kind heart and discover the best places to volunteer in Indonesia.

Teach English in Bali

Balinese people are the sweetest, and they live on the awe-inspiring island that makes teaching English hardly seem like work. Dedicating your time in the tropical paradise while catching a glimpse of local life, making friends, and contributing to their education sure ticks many boxes in just one visit. Since they live in a popular tourist destination, English skills can  help the Balinese a lot in their daily activities, work, and even business. Organisations such as can connect volunteers with underprivileged children in Bali; you will see how dedicating just a bit of your time to helping them can really changes your life too.

Contribute to Eastern Indonesia’s literacy

The eastern part of Indonesia is still much less developed than the major cities in the west, be it in infrastructure or education. Taman Bacaan Pelangi (Rainbow Reading Garden) seeks to distribute reading materials to Eastern Indonesia by establishing children’s libraries on remote islands and promoting the joy of reading. Volunteers can choose to fly all the way to the remote islands to teach basic literacy courses and to help manage the libraries or simply help collect, pack and transport books from Jakarta to the remote areas. The foundation can also develop a customized itinerary for volunteers and consult on how you can help according to your abilities and availability.

Orangutans in Borneo

As the world’s lung, Borneo (or Kalimantan in Indonesian) is covered with a lush tropical jungle, making it an ideal habitat for a varied biodiversity, including the adorable orangutan. Unfortunately, due to the changing environments and other threats, many of the wild species need assistance, including the newborns. OFI offers a chance for everyone to help orangutans; volunteers can help with the nursing, treat the orangutans medically, do small construction tasks, or organize events, campaigns, and fundraisers.

Sea turtles in Bali

On different parts of the island of Bali, hundreds of sea turtles need special attention in order to recover from injuries caused by fishing or tourism activities. Volunteers are called to care for the turtles and release them back to the sea where they belong. Bali Sea Turtle Rescue also has a conservation center where volunteers are needed to nurse new hatchlings until they are ready to survive in the wild. The people at the center will train and educate the volunteers, and there is something to do for everyone, including children.

Conserve threatened habitats in Sumatra

For ages, the flourishing rainforests of Sumatra have sustained the lives of wild species, including endemic birds, rhinos, orangutans, tigers, and more. Everyone is welcome to help preserve this nature—see to its cleanliness and protect it from illegal logging and other harmful production activities through strategic ways. Volunteers will have a wonderful experience spending time in the untouched nature, helping perform wildlife patrols, planting more vegetation, educating others, and helping with campaigns. Many organizations arrange this kind of activity; you can try Sumatra Rainforest Institute for a rounded, strategic program that covers all fronts from flora and fauna rehabilitation to education and awareness programs.

In the end of any project you are going to feel that you have some real friends in Indonesia that will not forget your priceless help that changed their life. You should wait for an invitation for staying up for some time or even attend to a Bali wedding. This is how they are going to show you that you are part of their family.

5 Indian street foods not to miss in India

If are travelling to India then you have to try the famous street foods of India. Although I have advised against it previously but if you are up the mark and have all your jabs in place (cholera, typhoid and hepatitis C) then be a devil and go for it. You can find more about health tips in my India travel guide book.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjPTLZkA0G6/?tagged=streetfoodindia

Here are 5 street foods you just have to try when in India

Gol Guppa

The gol guppa (or gol gappa) has many names; some call it “panipuri” while some call it the “phuchka” while gup-chup and pakodi in some parts of India. The golguppa is a Marathi snack that originated in the state of Maharashtra. Mainly eaten as snacks, it consists of small water hollow “puri” filled with filled with a mixture of spiced masal water. The water is typically made of chickpeas, chilies, tamarind chutney, potatoes, onions and a mix of Indian masalas. While you stand there, the waiter will serve you a golguppa and you quickly put it in your mouth and while you’re eating, you’ll get another one. Don’t miss on the golgappa, it will make your mouth water.

Gol Guppa

Chaat

This is one of my favourite roadside snacks and I am sure you will like it too. Most chaats would consist of samosas, chickpeas, tamarind sauce, an aloo tikki, yogurt with a mix of Indian spices. There are a variety of chaats such as aloo chaat, papri chaat, sevpuri and so on. You can read more about chaats here.

Bhalla Papdi Chaat

Pav Bhaji

Pav Bhaji is very popular in Mumbai but you can get this in most places in India. It basically consists of bread and called the “pau or pav” with a mix of mashed up vegetables “bhaji”. It started as a quick fix for laborers in 1850’s but it became so popular that people from all walks of life eat it.

Stalls selling Pav Bhaji food on Chowpatty Beach

Chole Bhature

Although not strictly street food but the best Chole Bhature I had was on the streets. This one is a Punjabi dish that consists of chole or chickpeas and the bhatura which is fried bread. There are slight variations where some bhatures are stuffed with cheese or potato. You’ll find many street side stalls selling the Chole Bhature.

Chole Bhature

Kachori

The simple Rajasthani snack called the kachori is one of India’s favourite roadside snacks. These are round flattened balls made of fine flour stuffed with vegetables and spices. Some locals might call it dal baati churma, pakores or mawa. People from Delhi like to call them ‘Khasta kachori’ or ‘Raj Kachori’.

The kachori

So if you have the stomach for it and would like to try some of these Indian street foods feel free. Here’s a street food guide if you are concerned about cleanliness. Oh yes I almost forgot, don’t forget to try Indian tea as well!

YOUR CHECKLIST FOR THE PERFECT SUMMER PICNIC

Without a few summer picnics, summer would be just another boring and dangerous season, best spent indoors. Early morning or evening picnics can make your summer holidays fun and interesting. You may plan a picnic with your family or with a group of friends on a motorbike or in your personal cars.

While you are doing so, make sure you check this list of picnic essentials to help you with organising your open-air joyride and making sure it is free from troubles.

Choose a Beautiful Spot

Start by finding a picturesque spot for your picnic and consider half your work done. You should focus on choosing a place that has greenery, is relaxing and offers a view. It could be a local park, a spot by the beach or even your garden. You should check if the location is easily accessible and if it can accommodate the size of the group.

Pack a Picnic Basket

Imagine a picnic without good food. Hence, you need to carefully pack a picnic basket beforehand. You should be packing essential items like tumblers, spare cutlery, trash bags, portable speakers, and other items as necessary. Nothing annoys on a picnic more than the missing bag of paper napkins or plastic cutlery.

Carefully Select the Food

Yummy food is a must for any picnic, right? While your personal preferences shall play a big role in finalising the menu, you also need to factor in the opinion of every member and prepare a menu that offers something to everyone. If the gathering is huge, you could ask everyone to bring a dish each, making it collaborative, inexpensive and less-stressful for one person.

Create a foot-tapping playlist

Music can uplift the mood of any gathering and give it a party-like vibe. Hence, you should carry a music player and portable, weatherproof speakers to strike a chord with nature’s soundtrack by making a playlist of tunes that everyone knows, sings along, and would like to tap a foot on. However, if the plan to bring a music player fails, you can always use your smartphone or tablet instead.

Provide a selection of thirst-quenching beverages

Summers can have a dehydrating effect on you, and therefore, it is essential that you carefully stock up on some thirst-quenching drinks that ensure the guests at the picnic stay well-hydrated while dining and having fun outdoors. Also, carry water which is our basic necessity. You could add slices of cucumber or lemon to the water to give it a dash of flavour.

Have a plan to keep pests away

Uninvited guests like ants and flies can be a pain to deal with if they attack your picnic. Hence, you need to be prepared to deal with pests. It would be advisable to cover your food with mesh covers, sprinkle ant repellent talcum powder around your picnic basket, and so forth to keep your picnic free from pests and ensure that it is a good outing.

Keep everyone entertained by planning fun activities

It does not matter if your gathering mostly has youngsters or if it involves grown up kids. You need some fun activities to keep everyone engaged. The activities should be exciting enough that everyone participates, with total enthusiasm and do not let boredom take over, even for a single second. A game of football, tag, or sack race can be a start.

You could arrange board games, playing cards, interesting books and magazines to engage people who do not care so much about physical activity.

Be sure to get an ice box to keep your drinks and food chilled

If your plan involves serving salads, cold items, cheese, beverages, other dairy products, or any other perishable things, it would be beneficial to keep them in a portable ice box. These items should be separated beforehand and kept in the freezer or refrigerated until you are ready to leave for the picnic. Chilled drinks and desserts are sure to draw attention and make everyone happy in the summer heat.

Be sure to get motor insurance for your car

Long picnic drives can be easily derailed with a breakdown or accidents, even without a fault of yours. Motor insurance plans with road side assistance (RSA) and good number of networked garages will certainly make your experience hassle free. While networked garages can offer cashless repairs to your vehicle, RSA services can offer you quick repair without getting you off the track.

You do not want your picnic plans to get affected because your car broke down. Hence, the car insurance and road side assistance (RSA), which will protect your car against unforeseen circumstances.

Peaceful places to visit in India

If you want a little bit of peace and tranquillity and get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life then why not visit some of the peaceful paces India has to offer. Many people say that you don’t visit India for a holiday but you visit the place for a lifetime experience. The truth is that India is a huge place. If you want hustle and bustle then Mumbai or Delhi would be the appropriate place however if you want some peace, quietness and a bit of spirituality thrown in then you can have them in India too. So let’s take a look at some of the peaceful places to visit in India.

Kasol, Himachal Pradesh

Kasol is a small hamlet in the district of Kullu in the state of Himachal Pradesh situated on the banks of the river Parvati. It has great weather all year round. You will find Kasol very peaceful. If you love nature, wildlife and trekking then this is a very peaceful place to visit in India.

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Rishikesh is a spiritual place for Hindus. Rishikesh is situated in Dehradun district of the Indian state, Uttarakhand. It is considered as the ‘Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas’ and the yoga capital of the world. Lots of people are now visiting Rishikesh in large numbers from all over the world. However you still can get find peace in this wonderful place. You can look for Ayurvedic treatment centres and ashrams to stay. Rishikesh has plenty of camping sites on offer, just look for Rishikesh camping packages without rafting or rafting if you like those kind of things.

Kalimpong, West Bengal

There are plenty of hill stations in India. One of my favourites is Kalimpong in the state of West Bengal. While you are there you can also visit Darjeeling known for its Himalayan Railways and tea plantations. Coming back to Kalimpong; it’s a cultural centre for Buddhists. There are plenty of resorts in kalimpong where you can find yourself in a very peaceful environment. Just look for Kalimpong resorts.

Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh

Ziro is a small town in the north eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh about 167 km from the capital Itanagar. In 2012, it was included in the list of UNESCO for inscription in the World Heritage Site. Not many people know about this place hence making it an ideal destination for peace and tranquillity seekers. If you love lush green meadows, green forests and amazing landscapes then Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh is the place to visit. Best time to visit Ziro valley would be in all year round making it an idea destination to get away from the harsh Indian summer. Some of the places to visit in Ziro include Tarin fish farm, Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Namdhapha National Park and the nearby pine groves.

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Varanasi is a city in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi is one of the holiest cities of India. It’s not a place that everyone would like. If you want to experience Hinduism in its raw form then Varanasi is the place to visit. If you walk the banks known as “ghats” you will see beggars, holy men, bodies being cremated and people taking a dip in the River Ganges trying to rid the sins to get moksha. However busy this place may seem, people from all over the world come to this place. If you are looking for spirituality then Varanasi is the place you should be visiting. Just look for ashrams in Varanasi. You will be surprised that there are some free ashrams in Varanasi for those seeking spirituality.

These were some of the few places if you are looking for peaceful places to visit in India in pursuit of happiness. I will be listing a few more so subscribe here for updates. If you are looking for holiday deals, car rentals and hire then try Easyrentcars to find good deals.

Happiness Journal: 101 Happiness Quotes Journal: Write It Down Let It Go Gratitude and Happiness Journal (Happiness and Gratitude Journal)

Travel Guide To Varanasi

This is one of the oldest cities on earth, serving as the ultimate pilgrimage site for Hindus for the last three millennia. Also known as Benaras, the city was given its name from two streams, the Varuna on the north of the city, and the Assi, a small trickle on the South. By the old legend, the Varuna and Assi rivers originated from the body of the primordial person the long time ago. The Hindus also call it Kashi, that means the City of Light, and it is considered as one of the seven Sacred Cities of Hinduism. The word Kashi has being originated from the word “has,” that defines to shine.

To be in Varanasi is in itself an experience, and for some, a place of self-rediscovery.

I had the great pleasure of visiting Varanasi. Following an overnight journey from Delhi, we arrived in Varanasi, and then got a motor rickshaw to take us into the heart of the city. There, within the labyrinth of alleyways, we booked into a guest house within walking distance of the Ganges river. There we stayed for three days and two nights, exploring and discovering a few days in the life by the banks of the holiest river in Hinduism.

The city is built on a curve on the west bank of the Ganges river. Along this side of the river are close to one hundred ghats – staircase going down to the water’s edge. This is where you can look at the everyday life of Varanasi, with everything from laundry to cremation being carried out.

As the first rays of sun illuminate the ghats, I watched as thousands of devotees descend into the Ganges for a ceremonial dip. There are worship ceremonies – pujas – being performed twice a day, at dawn and dusk. These are all great places to take photos, and while I try to describe all this in words, the best way is to view these in person.

A city is a bustling place during the day. At any one time, people were worshipping, bathing in the ghats, shopping, anything but staying indoors. I am often amazed how there could be so many people everywhere – don’t they have day jobs to go to?

To properly discover Varanasi, one needs to explore the often claustrophobic labyrinths. They are located on the western bank of the ghats, from the main Dasashwamedh Ghat northwards. Within the alleyways – which you could quickly lose your way if you aren’t careful – the walls are cool, shielding you from the blazing sun of the main roads and the riverbank. The main roads, by contrast, are dusty and sticky and are not the most comfortable place to be on hot afternoons. There are occasions when you find yourself in an abruptly quiet alley.

If you wish to explore the alleys, it’s best that you start by orienting yourself to the nearest restaurant. There are a couple of good ones catering to foreign tourists by the ghat, where you can get a good view of the Ganges. That way, once you’re done exploring the alleys, you can retire there for a glass of mint tea. If you prefer water, always choose bottled drinking water from familiar brands – if I am not mistaken, Pepsi sells bottled water in India too.

One thing which is very apparent to me in Varanasi, and so much the better that I couldn’t show it to you in my photographs, is the smell. Everywhere you go, you can detect the stench, of rotten fruits and vegetables, urine and dung. As you negotiate the alleys, you have to keep your eyes on the ground, lest you step on something nasty.

There are vendors at every corner; often they occupied niches and alcoves almost dug straight out of the wall. They cater mostly to the domestic clientele, selling stuff like betel nuts and spices. For foreign visitors, they offer great photo opportunities. I have to remark though, that these vendors are photographed probably a dozen times a day, every day, and often they ignore the yet-another camera-trotting tourist.

In this article, I show just a sample of what you could expect to see in this beautiful city and give you the idea to visit Varanasi.

About the Author: Carol James is an EssayLab writer and senior editor. She has MA degree in social sciences and is an excellent specialist in this field. Moreover, Carol writes articles, reviews on the different actual subjects. So, if you have any questions regarding the writing, feel free to ask her!

Loro Parque Zoo Tenerife

Last year I visited Tenerife Island. While I was there I visited Loro Parque. This article is to tell you about this place. Loro Parque is a zoo that is located on the Spanish island of Tenerife. This is one of the 7 Canary Islands which are autonomous Spanish communities. The population of Tenerife is far greater than any of the other Canary Islands. With a total land area of 785 square miles, there are an estimated 900,000 inhabitants on the island. This makes up 43% of all the people who live in the Canaries.

Tenerife attracts more than 5 million tourists per year. There is no other location in Spain which attracts this many tourists. Despite being communities of Spain, the Canary Islands are actually positioned closer to the African continent. They sit about 200 miles northwest of Western Sahara and Morocco. But most of the flights and ferries to the Canaries run out of Spain.

Loro Parque is positioned just outside the Tenerife city of Puerto de la Cruz. This zoo has a wide range of plants and animals that you cannot see together anywhere else. One of the zoo’s biggest attractions is their parrots. No matter where you go in the zoo, you are bound to see a group of parrots nearby. But these aren’t just any parrots because a lot of them are endangered species of parrots. Some of these endangered parrots include the Spix macaw and the indigo-winged parrot. In total, there are more than 4,000 parrots at the zoo which include 350 different parrot species.

If you are interested in sea life, the zoo has orcas, dolphins, and sea lions. They even put on a live orca show for the people in attendance. As for the dolphins, their pool of dolphins is the largest one in the entire continent of Europe. In fact, the variety of animals you will see here is unlike any other zoo in Europe. You’ll see sharks, tigers, chimps, gorillas, pelicans, and more.

The magic begins as soon as you step foot into the zoo. You will be greeted by exotic birds as you explore a Thai village and navigate through the Katandra Treetops. It is a true tropical paradise that is relaxing and fun for both couples and families. If you are looking for an exciting tourist destination as you visit Spain, then you don’t want to miss Loro Parque.

To get to Loro Parque, you first must fly to Tenerife since it is an island. Just outside the main city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, there is the island’s main airport called “Tenerife Norte Airport.” You can fly into this airport from any major Spanish city, such as Barcelona or Madrid. The airfare is about $150 so it is quite reasonable.

Once you are there, you will go to Santa Cruz de Tenerife and find Reyes Catolicos. This area has an express train which goes to and from Loro Parque about every 20 minutes. This train is free for any visitor of Loro Parque to take. If you are in the south of the island, you can use a bus service to get to Loro Parque instead.

If you do happen to visit Tenerife, do visit Loro Parque.

10 best India travel books

You will often hear people saying; that India is a dirty, filthy place full of beggars with terrible food – why on earth would you want to go there? Don’t let them put you off. India is undoubtedly one of the most colorful countries in the world with friendly people, great food, trek-able mountains, valleys, beaches, deserts, tiger reserves, culture, extremely eccentricity, tribal villages, tropical forests, great history, making India one of the most visited placed on the planet. In fact – it’s a museum.

If you are planning a vacation in India and know little about the country then why not buy a book on India. These books can be quite useful in providing information about India, places to visit, what to eat, where to stay on. Here are some of the best travel books on India.

Rough guide to India: One of the best guides to India. In fact, these Rough Guide Books competes with the Lonely Planet guides. These books are courageously honest about the places. The book every aspect of India from its history, language, politics, culture, food, corruption, bribes, sex, drugs and Bollywood movies and much more. It’s one of the most complete and comprehensive guide to India.

India (Lonely Planet Travel Guides): This is a very popular and a must guide if you are planning a trip to India for the first time. The book contains traveler maps, guide to places to stay and eat for all budgets, great health information for travelling to India, history, about the use of transportation in India and even has a section on India’s religions.

Frommer’s India: This is a classic guide book that plans your journey from the start. It is a useful book if you are looking tips to travelling in India. It does cover a large amount of detail from where to stay, what to eat, driving in India, how to prevent yourself from being ripped off and how to spend your limited time in India.

Enjoying India: This is one of my books! I think this book is a must if you are planning a trip to India. Some people visit India but have no idea what to do and what to eat. In this book I have covered the things to do and things to eat when you are there. This book will give traveler knowledge to navigate this vast land and make the best out of India.

India Bites You Somehow – True-Life Tales: This book contains stories about those westerners who have stayed in India. This book is a collection of interesting true life experiences from 40 people from 19 countries who have travelled to India. It’s not a guide book to India as such but it provides a glimpse into the spiritual lives of Indian people. For those who have not set their foot on India and still considering if to visit or not, then this book will connect you to India like no other. These life experiences of various travelers from around the world will surely open your eyes and heart about India.

Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure: when Sarah MacDonald when to India for the first time, she had made her mind up that she hated India. When a beggar at the airport looked at the fate lines on her hand and told her that she would return. However after 12 years she returned with her reporter boyfriend. This is her travelogue about the description of pollution, dirt and chaos of India.

Wanderlust and Lipstick: For Women Traveling to India: This book has been written taking women travelers in mind. This book highlights the culture of India and suggests travel tips such as how to be safe, what to wear, how to deal with poverty, how to keep personal belongings safe, list of Hindi words and advice from women who have traveled abroad.

Other travel guide books for India worthy of note:

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: India
India – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
Fodor’s Essential India: with Delhi, Rajasthan, the Taj Mahal & Mumbai

Remember, travel guide books are for information only. Many of the books go out of date. Not all of them will always be accurate by the time of your visit. In addition, travel is very subjective and they are subject to prejudice. Mark Twain once said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” Some people just make their own minds through the lens of their own prejudice. So why not take a guide book with you to help you out for the pollution, filth, chaos and the inequality that awaits you.

By the way, I have recently published another book on Indian culture. It will be useful for those wanting to learn about the culture and traditions of India. To find more about this book click here.  Let me know if I have missed anything.

Finally

You might wish to check out my India travel guide book.  Some of this things covered in this book include how to stay safe and healthy, how to communicate effectively, how to avoid cultural blunders, accommodation needs, how to bargain effectively when shopping, how to get a seat on a fully booked train, coping with India and so on.