A massive human rights violation is going largely unnoticed around the world right now; the illegal trade in children and young people for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation (CSEC).
Human trafficking is the second largest crime (Belser, 2005) and the fastest growing criminal industry in the world (UNGIFT, 2008). With an estimated 1.8 million children entering the global sex trade each year, many of these children and young people are believed to be victims of trafficking. Human trafficking exists in every region and country the world over; from the poorest to the richest (UNICEF UK, 2003). Due to the underground dealings of the human trafficking network, the real total is expected to far exceed the 1.8 million figure.
In Australia this month, Child Wise has partnered with The Body Shop to launch the Stop the Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People campaign.
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It was confectioner Haci Bekir who first perfected sade lokum, known to the world as Turkish Delight.
In fact, his family still runs the store that he first opened in 1777, but if you can’t make it to Istanbul or want to re-live your Turkey travel memories at home, here’s a delicious recipe to try…
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Sabah’s ultimate taste-bud sensation is the famous hinava tongii. A combination of Spanish mackerel, chilli, ginger and shallots in lime juice, with grated bambangan seed. This indigenous variety of mango is the secret ingredient, and Intrepid Express reader Gay Everitt lifts the lid on more local delights in Borneo…
“The bustling markets of the capital of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, are crammed into acres of waterfront warehouses bursting with exotic foods and artefacts, all competing for space in the dimly-lit, but thankfully cool, interior. Street hawkers from nearby villages pursue you on the fringes and families watch with amusement from the decks of their fishing barges tied to the wharf.
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Can you remember the first time you got a taste for travel and tucked in to an unrecognisable plate of food that turned out to be delicious? Intrepid’s Tina Gerets wasn’t sure how her younger brother would cope, but trying something new was all part of the adventure in Morocco…
“I wondered how travelling with my teenage brother would turn out. I eat almost everything or am at least willing to give it a try, but he’s a bit of picky eater. Well, he loved the food! His favourite was tajine, a slow-cook stew that is widely available. Whether it was tajine of lamb or chicken or something else, it didn’t matter, when tajine was mentioned his face lit up.
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Babushka Tonya Makarova, former scientific researcher, goes out onto the street which leads to the Kremlin every Saturday and Sunday in order to earn some money. Next to her small, bright camping tent are framed photos of herself surrounded by children and clippings from newspaper articles.
All week Babushka Tonya is busy making small souvenir felt boots, then an artist decorates them and the result is no ordinary Russian memento. With the money she earns, Baba Tonya buys things that children from a nearby orphanage really need: books, fur boots, clothes and more. A pair of her felt boots cost 300 rubbles, but as Tonya says, “your money will be in the children’s hands.”
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It’s a coming of age like no other. No longer a teenager, in 2009 Intrepid Travel is cracking open the bubbly and celebrating its 20th year. It’s been quite a ride, so we sent Intrepid’s Eliza Anderson to find out where the idea for one of the world’s leading travel companies began…
“For best mates, Darrell Wade and Geoff Manchester, it all started with a six-month trip across Africa in a converted rubbish truck.
Back in 1988 Darrell and Geoff were young professionals, uninspired by the daily grind and yearning to hit the open road. After taking an Encounter Overland trip from Kathmandu to London a few years earlier, Darrell and his brother-in-law had always wanted to organise their own overland trip. After seeing the film The Gods Must be Crazy they decided to make it Africa.
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We asked Intrepid travellers to join in our anniversary celebrations and re-live their favourite trip moments. Tom Gettings won’t forget his India adventure, that was tops for real life experiences…
“Congratulations on 20 years. I wish I had discovered Intrepid earlier. It’s odd looking back on it that I have not taken that many Intrepid trips, but they provided the most memories and best travel stories. Your organisation also has a great sense of responsibility. Some of the most memorable stories came from my 2002 Unforgettable India trip.
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