The Intrepid Foundation has long supported the Animal Care in Egypt hospital on the outskirts of Luxor because sadly there can be a downside to local transport when animals are involved. Here they are dedicated to improving the lives of the working animals in Egypt and as Sue from ACE reports, they are delighted when a sad story turns to good news…
“A donkey was brought in to the ACE hospital with an injury seen all too commonly – a saddle sore. In the majority of cases, these wounds are caused by inappropriate padding underneath tack, or due to badly fitting tack. He initially had two wounds which were very slow to heal so he had a prolonged stay with us at the hospital.
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It’s easy to understand why Intrepid loves to use local transport. As well as being a responsible way to travel, it really gives you an insight into how people go about their daily lives, rather than being cooped up in a coach completely separated from the action. Intrepid’s Joseph Kornides explains why there’s no better way to explore China…
“Overnight sleeper trains are the main transport we use between cities, and for good reasons our travellers often rate the experience as one of the highlights of their China trip.
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Going local isn’t always smooth travelling, but Intrepid’s Nicola Gibson explains why bouncing from Thailand to Cambodia can be such fun…
“Some people complain about the “dancing road” from Poi Pet (Thai border) to Siem Reap, but my groups so often say it was a fantastic experience of a life time. Yes, the road is bumpy, but have you taken a good look outside and noticed the countryside that you’re passing through?
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Steve Davey is a world-renowned writer and photographer based in London. His international best-sellers include Unforgettable Places to See Before You Die and Footprint Travel Photography, so he certainly knows his way around a camera and the world! Here are great photo tips from Steve to help you take better travel portraits…
“For most travellers the people they meet are the highlight of any trip, yet many struggle to come back with pictures that they are proud of. Following a few simple rules can mean that you don’t only come back with better portraits, you can have more fun taking them!
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The Intrepid Foundation is a long-time supporter of the Baan Unrak Children’s Village in Sangklaburi, Thailand. Volunteer Coordinator, Anne Cecile, recently sent us this update on how our last donation is being used…
“Here at Baan Unrak, the teenage boys and girls live in different houses. The girls have a concrete home, but the boys have a bamboo hut, which only lasts for a year as the rainy season makes it fall apart. The fact of living in a bamboo hut has been quite depressing for the boys. They feel discriminated against, it lowers their self esteem and they do not feel safe from intruders, increasing their fears and insecurity. The boys are currently living in one end of their house because the roof has caved in the other section, the walls have fallen down and all up, the house must be rebuilt.
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Crammed in an overcrowded train in India, Intrepid traveller Kevin Whitely explains how a new photographic toy turned a tense situation into a very special real life experience…
“In the fall of 2001 I began a 14-day trip with Intrepid in India. A few days into the trip we travelled on an overnight train to Agra, where the next day we would visit the Taj Mahal.
After dinner we were all sitting together in one of our group’s compartments, when I happened to look out the window. We had arrived in a small village and there were hundreds of local people on the platform waiting for the train. “I wonder where they’re going?”, I mused as we pulled to a stop.
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There are so many great traditions connected with Easter celebrations around the world, but Intrepid’s Petra Palkovicova sheds some light on an unusual ancient ritual that has girls on the run in the Czech Republic…
“Easter is one of our most important feasts in the Czech Republic. We send cards to our friends and relatives, decorate eggs and eat lots of chocolate. Almost everything is the same as you probably know it in your country… except one thing… there is the Easter whipping.
On Easter Monday, Czech men and boys give women and girls so called ‘Easter birching’. Some people say it’s only a gentle slap on the bottom with a bunch of birch sticks. But if you ask me, it’s not that gentle!
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