How to select the best wood to build your Timber Frame Home

What wood will create the look I want for my timber frame home? Which tree species is most durable to build with? How much will it cost? These are the most common questions we get asked by clients as they decide on the right timber for their home.

We previously wrote an article on the best type of wood to build a log home, you can read the article here. Timber frame and log homes are different, so wood selection may vary for each.  

When it comes to building a timber frame home, you'll want to consider three things: the type of wood, how the timber is processed, and what finished look you desire.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

Most common wood species used for building a timber frame home

It all starts with the species of wood you decide to use. Timber frame homes can been made from a variety of wood species. Choosing the right type of wood comes down to personal preference, climate, structure, and price point.

Below is a rundown of the most common wood species used for building timber frames.

Oak:
This is the strongest and hardest species of wood available. It's commonly used in Europe and eastern Canada for building timber frames as it's readily available. Oak timbers are becoming used less frequently due to increased difficulty in finding high quality pieces in suitable sizes

Douglas Fir:
This is the most popular species of wood used in timber frame homes due to its strength and beauty. Most timber frames built in western Canada and in B.C. are made with Douglas Fir. This wood gets a high grade for its structural strength, which makes it an engineer's favourite to build with.

Western Red Cedar: 
This is the premium choice for exposed timber homes since it can handle weather conditions better than any other species. One design consideration: Cedar is a softer and lighter wood, so beam sizes have to be larger compared to other species.

Pine and Spruce:
These are strong softwoods that are mostly used in eastern Canada. The name "softwood" does not mean that the wood is weak. In fact, softwood species (including Douglas Fir) are known for their structural strength and flexibility for design. Pine and spruce are some of the most economical varieties of timber available.

Deciding how the timbers are processed

How wood is processed isn't actually related to which part of the tree that it comes from. Below are some options that you can mix and match to choose the best timber processing methods for your home's needs.

Free of heart centers (FOH): 
These timbers come without the center (or heart) of the tree trunk. This makes the timber more stable, straight, and more resilient to cracks, checking and twisting.

Boxed heart:
Boxed heart timbers are sawn or milled so that the center of a tree remains intact. These beams have more movement and are therefore more prone to cracking.

Green timbers: 
When a tree is first cut it's considered green. The wood has not been dried and its moisture content is high. This means the timbers will shrink over time, causing movement along the way. To ensure your home doesn't shift or twist in the years to come, we don't recommend that you use green timbers.

Kiln dried timbers: 
Kiln drying is a process that carefully dries the wood at a very slow rate so that it doesn't cause damage to the beams. Timbers that undergo kiln drying will typically have a consistent moisture content of 12-16%. The kiln drying process helps make the timber more stable, less likely to crack, and keeps shrinkage to a minimum.

Choosing the right finished look for your timber framed home

There are two main options for the finished look of your home: smooth and rustic. This breakdown will help you decide which finish matches your style.

Smooth finish:
If you want a modern and sleek look for your timber frame, you'll want a smooth finish. All four sides of each beam will be planed, which results in a consistent size and shape. This is the ideal look that many timber frame home owners want.

A rustic look:
If you are looking for a more natural feel, you might want to consider a rustic look. These timbers are not planed, so they have more character and a more unprocessed appearance. This is also the more economical finishing option.

So, which wood is best for your timber frame home?

At the end of the day, selecting the right wood species, processing, and finishing comes down to your own personal style and budget. We encourage you to discuss these options with your designer or log home company. They may have valuable suggestions based on your location, climate, and the species of wood that they have readily available.  

If you are considering building a timber frame home and are wondering which species of wood are available, please feel free to contact us at info@artisanlog.com

from Artisan Custom Log Homes http://ift.tt/2dTnfHL

How to select the best wood to build your Timber Frame Home

What wood will create the look I want for my timber frame home? Which tree species is most durable to build with? How much will it cost? These are the most common questions we get asked by clients as they decide on the right timber for their home.

We previously wrote an article on the best type of wood to build a log home, you can read the article here. Timber frame and log homes are different, so wood selection may vary for each.  

When it comes to building a timber frame home, you’ll want to consider three things: the type of wood, how the timber is processed, and what finished look you desire.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Most common wood species used for building a timber frame home

It all starts with the species of wood you decide to use. Timber frame homes can been made from a variety of wood species. Choosing the right type of wood comes down to personal preference, climate, structure, and price point.

Below is a rundown of the most common wood species used for building timber frames.

Oak:
This is the strongest and hardest species of wood available. It’s commonly used in Europe and eastern Canada for building timber frames as it’s readily available. Oak timbers are becoming used less frequently due to increased difficulty in finding high quality pieces in suitable sizes

Douglas Fir:
This is the most popular species of wood used in timber frame homes due to its strength and beauty. Most timber frames built in western Canada and in B.C. are made with Douglas Fir. This wood gets a high grade for its structural strength, which makes it an engineer’s favourite to build with.

Western Red Cedar: 
This is the premium choice for exposed timber homes since it can handle weather conditions better than any other species. One design consideration: Cedar is a softer and lighter wood, so beam sizes have to be larger compared to other species.

Pine and Spruce:
These are strong softwoods that are mostly used in eastern Canada. The name “softwood” does not mean that the wood is weak. In fact, softwood species (including Douglas Fir) are known for their structural strength and flexibility for design. Pine and spruce are some of the most economical varieties of timber available.

Deciding how the timbers are processed

How wood is processed isn’t actually related to which part of the tree that it comes from. Below are some options that you can mix and match to choose the best timber processing methods for your home’s needs.

Free of heart centers (FOH): 
These timbers come without the center (or heart) of the tree trunk. This makes the timber more stable, straight, and more resilient to cracks, checking and twisting.

Boxed heart:
Boxed heart timbers are sawn or milled so that the center of a tree remains intact. These beams have more movement and are therefore more prone to cracking.

Green timbers: 
When a tree is first cut it’s considered green. The wood has not been dried and its moisture content is high. This means the timbers will shrink over time, causing movement along the way. To ensure your home doesn’t shift or twist in the years to come, we don’t recommend that you use green timbers.

Kiln dried timbers: 
Kiln drying is a process that carefully dries the wood at a very slow rate so that it doesn’t cause damage to the beams. Timbers that undergo kiln drying will typically have a consistent moisture content of 12-16%. The kiln drying process helps make the timber more stable, less likely to crack, and keeps shrinkage to a minimum.

Choosing the right finished look for your timber framed home

There are two main options for the finished look of your home: smooth and rustic. This breakdown will help you decide which finish matches your style.

Smooth finish:
If you want a modern and sleek look for your timber frame, you’ll want a smooth finish. All four sides of each beam will be planed, which results in a consistent size and shape. This is the ideal look that many timber frame home owners want.

A rustic look:
If you are looking for a more natural feel, you might want to consider a rustic look. These timbers are not planed, so they have more character and a more unprocessed appearance. This is also the more economical finishing option.

So, which wood is best for your timber frame home?

At the end of the day, selecting the right wood species, processing, and finishing comes down to your own personal style and budget. We encourage you to discuss these options with your designer or log home company. They may have valuable suggestions based on your location, climate, and the species of wood that they have readily available.  

If you are considering building a timber frame home and are wondering which species of wood are available, please feel free to contact us at info@artisanlog.com

from Artisan Custom Log Homes http://ift.tt/2dTnfHL

The BELMONT at Heritage by Infinity Properties

The Belmont is a collection of 1-3 bedroom executive condominiums in Langley's Murrayville neighbourhood. Located close to Murrayville's historic Five Corners and shops at Murrayville Square, these homes offer the chance to be part of a charming community that values local businesses, good neighbours and simple living.

The post The BELMONT at Heritage by Infinity Properties appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/2ecoMy6

The BELMONT at Heritage by Infinity Properties

The Belmont is a collection of 1-3 bedroom executive condominiums in Langley’s Murrayville neighbourhood. Located close to Murrayville’s historic Five Corners and shops at Murrayville Square, these homes offer the chance to be part of a charming community that values local businesses, good neighbours and simple living.

The post The BELMONT at Heritage by Infinity Properties appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/2ecoMy6

My Ultimate Guide to Sri Lanka: Tips, Costs, Itineraries, and Favorites

Sri Lanka — a jewel–shaped country in the Indian Ocean — was an unexpected surprise. I loved every bit of it: the verdant landscape, the delicious food; the crumbling, overgrown ruins; the abundant wildlife; and (especially) the welcoming locals who took hospitality to the next level.

Traveling through the country is relatively easy, if just a little chaotic, with slow and overcrowded buses moving along clogged roads where lanes are mere suggestions, and trains packed to the gills with people hanging off the edges. English is widely spoken, though, so once you get used the chaos, it isn't too difficult to get around.

But there are a few things you should know before you visit to avoid getting scammed, overspending, and, like me, missing some of the scenic trains!

14 tips for successful Sri Lankan travel

1. Water: You shouldn't really drink the water in Sri Lanka, so bring a reusable water bottle with a purifier. It's really hot, so to keep hydrated, you'd probably spend 300 rupees ($2 USD) per day on plastic bottles of water at 60 rupees ($0.40 USD) each. But a water bottle with a purifier costs just $20 USD (though my preferred brand Lifestraw is slightly more). Over the course of a two-week trip, that's an $8 USD savings (and you help the environment too)!
2. Food: Outside of the major cities of Colombo and Kandy, you won't find many non-Sri Lankan or non-Indian food options. What you do find is a poor excuse for Western food that is overpriced and often a chain. Stick to the local food! Balaji Dosai in Kandy; Ahinsa in Sigiriya; Upali's in Colombo; Hot Hut in Nuwara Eliya; and the restaurants across from the bus station in Anuradhapura were some of my favorite.
3. More about food: Food is really cheap in Sri Lanka! Local food costs about $1-3 USD per meal for simple dishes of dosas (a kind of pancake), kottu (a dish made of roti (flatbread), vegetables, egg and/or meat, and spices), rice, chicken, and everything in between. At restaurants with table service, you'll pay closer to $5 USD.
4. Alcohol: Don't expect too many chances to drink alcohol. Outside the coastal tourist towns and the capital of Colombo, there isn't much nightlife or opportunities to drink. While you can always crack a beer at your guesthouse, Sri Lanka isn't home to a big drinking/nightlife culture. Expect your nights to be tame.
5. Tuk-tuks: You can hire drivers cheaply. Any tuk-tuk driver will let you hire them for the day. Expect to pay around $20 USD for the day. Moreover, tuk-tuk drivers are pretty honest, except in Colombo, where they will try to scam and overcharge you. Elsewhere in the country, you'll get a fair deal. There's no need to try to bargain hard.
6. Airport transfer: There is a train to the airport you can take from Colombo Fort. It's the cheapest way to get there, at 30 rupees ($0.20 USD). A tuk-tuk ride is about 2,500 rupees ($17 USD), and buses to the airport cost 110 rupees ($0.75 USD) and leave about every 30 minutes from Colombo Central Bus Station or Mawatha Bus Station.
7. Trains: Train travel, while often slower, are the cheapest way to get around. Some typical routes: Colombo to Jaffna is 150-445 rupees ($1-3 USD), Jaffna to Anuradhapura is 150-295 rupees ($1-2 USD), Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is 85-280 rupees ($1-2 USD), and Colombo to Galle is 150-295 rupees ($1-2 USD).
8. Booking trains: If you are taking the scenic train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya (or vice versa), book it in advance through a travel agency, as tickets can't be booked in person at the station unless it's done four days before departure. You can always (and only) get a cramped second-class ticket (where you'll learn the new meaning of a tight squeeze) on the day of departure. Many people will tell you to get to the station at 7am to buy a train ticket, but they don't start selling them until 8am, so don't listen to those people. Also, the concept of "sold out" doesn't apply to "cattle class."
9. Sigiriya: If you are visiting Sigiriya, get there when it opens at 8am to avoid huge lines and crowds at the site. If you are there after 10am, the crowds are so overwhelming it's not worth visiting. It takes an hour to walk up as it's single-file all the way!
10. Anuradhapura: If you are visiting Anuradhapura, tickets are $25 USD but are never checked unless you are entering the museum. (I also noticed Western tourists were the only ones ever asked to show a ticket at the museum.) Enter the site without paying by using the tiny road just southeast of the museum.
11. Visiting temples: You'll have to take your socks and shoes off before visiting temples, even if they are outdoors, so bring flip-flops to keep your socks clean!
12. Hostels: Hostels are really basic (fan, mosquito net, electric shower) but at $4-6 USD per dorm bed, you can't go wrong.
13. Galle: Galle is only worth a day trip. Don't stay over in the town. There is not much to do there at all.
14. Accommodation: There are a lot of cheap accommodation throughout the country. You'll usually get breakfast with your room too. Private rooms with with your own bathroom start at $10 USD per night. Add $5 if you want air conditioning.

Typical Costs in Sri Lanka

Overall, I would say you couldn't need more than a budget of $30 – 40 USD per day. The country is very cheap, especially if you stick to delicious local or Indian cuisine (the food is so cheap there's no reason to grocery shop and cook your own meals), avoid the overpriced Western style restaurants, travel second class and on buses, and don't go crazy with the accommodation. Ever though I was on a budget, I didn't go as low as I could (dorms every night, only Sri Lankan food, minimal activities, etc) and still found it was hard to break the bank. The expensive days in which I took a tour or decided to try some fancy restaurant were balanced out on the other days I didn't.

Here is a list of prices to help you get an idea of costs:

• Airport taxi – 2,500 rupees
• National Museum in Colombo – 600 rupees
• Train from Jaffna to Anuradhapura – 340 rupees
• Bottle of water – 60 rupees
• Bus from Anuradhapura to Dambulla – 340 rupees
• Tuk-tuk from Dambulla to Sigiriya – 1,000 rupees
• Kottu chicken (and water) – 370 rupees
• Lunch 2 – 500 rupees
• Tuk-tuk – 200 rupees
• Bus from Dambulla to Kandy – 98 rupees
• Hostel in Kandy – 600 rupees
• Temple of the Tooth in Kandy – 1000 rupees
• Dosai dinner in Kandy – 200 rupees
• Train to Nuwara Eliya, second class – 160 rupees
• Beer – 500 rupees
• Bus to Tissamaharama (Tissa) – 240 rupees
• Bus to Galle – 307
• Western lunch in Galle (burger and fries) – 1,200 rupees

Some favorites: For accommodation, I really liked the Kandy Downtown Hostel; Palitha Home Stay in Sigiriya; and Galle Fort Hostel in Galle. For restaurants, besides the bulleted list above, I would also recommend the Ministry of Crab. It's an expensive seafood restaurant in Colombo but it's delicious! Sri Lankan crab is famous worldwide and they have gigantic ones. It's not cheap but sometimes, you just have to treat yourself. While I didn't go out much, if you find yourself in Kandy, the Slightly Chilled Bar is a popular meeting spot and has wonderful views of the city (and the sunset).

My Suggested Itineraries

Most travelers focus on the southern half of the country, with its hiking and beach towns. After decades of war, the north has a legacy of destruction that has yet to go away.

Though I originally had planned to explore only the south due to my limited time there (just two weeks), I was offered the opportunity to talk to a member of Parliament in Jaffna up north and learn about the Tamil war, so I rearranged my route thus:

Colombo – Jaffna – Anuradhapura – Sigiriya/Dambulla – Kandy – Nuwara Eliya –Tissamaharama (Tissa) – Galle – Colombo

I was glad I did. Seeing the north gave me an added perspective on a portion of the country without hordes of other tourists. In fact, in my time up north, I saw only four Westerners.

And though Sri Lanka may look like a small island, there is a lot to see and do there! More than I imagined. Anuradhapura and Sigiriya both have amazing ancient ruins. Kandy is filled with hiking treks, a big Buddhist temple, and a butterfly garden. Nuwara Eliya is known for its hiking, Tissa is the gateway to Yala National Park (which has elephants and leopards), and Galle is a beautiful old Dutch fort town.

Even though I covered a lot of ground in my two weeks, I still missed many places, including Ella (more hiking), Arugam Bay (beaches), and most of the southern coast (more beaches and nightlife). I raced through the country and crammed too much into such a short period of time. I wouldn't recommend going at such a breakneck pace.

If I had to do it all over again, I would break Sri Lanka into two parts — the north/center and the south — and focus on one of those regions. There's simply too much to do, and travel around the country is too slow to try to cover so much ground in a limited time.

If like me, you only have a couple of weeks, I would suggest just one of the following routes:

Colombo – Jaffna – Anuradhapura – Sigiriya – Kandy – Ella – Nuwara Eliya – Colombo

Colombo – Hikkaduwa – Galle – Mirissa – Tangalle – Tissa – Nuwara Eliya – Kandy – Colombo

(Note: This route is kind of quick too so if you're pressed for time, you could cut out one of the beach cities.)

If you have a month, you could do both of these routes plus add in one or all of the coastal towns of Arugam Bay, Negombo, or Trincomalee.

One thing to know is that once you've done the major things in a city, there's very little reason to stay. For example, Tissa is the gateway to Yala National Park. Tour operators run most tours in the early morning (a higher chance of seeing animals) so if you took one of those tours, you could be on a bus moving on to your next destination by lunch time. There's really not much else in the town. The same could with Jaffna. Tick a few boxes and then move on. Galle is more a day trip from a nearby beach town than a place to spend a few days. There was so little to do there I just went back to Colombo instead of staying the night. Sigiriya and Dambulla can be done in two nights (though I added an extra night because I liked the family I was staying with). Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Kandy, Arugam Bay, Trincomalee – those places have more activities and are worth spending a longer time in.

****

Sri Lanka is an easy country to visit, and with a few tips, you can travel there with ease. This is a very budget-friendly country, even if you go nuts on the attractions and tours. I didn't spend a lot of money, averaging just $35 USD per day. (Any expensive days will be balanced out with the cheap days where you just walk around, hike, or sit on the beach!)

Looking at the map of Sri Lanka, you might say, "Oh, it's not that big. I bet I can cover a lot of ground in a short period if time." You could, but you won't "see" much. It will be too much of a blur.

Sri Lanka may be small but it packs a powerful punch. Take your time to see this land of jungles, waterfalls, monkeys, delicious food, and lovely people!

P.S. – Today is the deadline for the FLYTE Summer 2017 Program application! If you are a teacher or know a teacher who wants to take their classroom abroad (and have it paid for), head to our website to learn how to apply!

The post My Ultimate Guide to Sri Lanka: Tips, Costs, Itineraries, and Favorites appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site http://ift.tt/2dLtz4f

My Ultimate Guide to Sri Lanka: Tips, Costs, Itineraries, and Favorites

Sri Lanka — a jewel–shaped country in the Indian Ocean — was an unexpected surprise. I loved every bit of it: the verdant landscape, the delicious food; the crumbling, overgrown ruins; the abundant wildlife; and (especially) the welcoming locals who took hospitality to the next level.

Traveling through the country is relatively easy, if just a little chaotic, with slow and overcrowded buses moving along clogged roads where lanes are mere suggestions, and trains packed to the gills with people hanging off the edges. English is widely spoken, though, so once you get used the chaos, it isn’t too difficult to get around.

But there are a few things you should know before you visit to avoid getting scammed, overspending, and, like me, missing some of the scenic trains!

14 tips for successful Sri Lankan travel

1. Water: You shouldn’t really drink the water in Sri Lanka, so bring a reusable water bottle with a purifier. It’s really hot, so to keep hydrated, you’d probably spend 300 rupees ($2 USD) per day on plastic bottles of water at 60 rupees ($0.40 USD) each. But a water bottle with a purifier costs just $20 USD (though my preferred brand Lifestraw is slightly more). Over the course of a two-week trip, that’s an $8 USD savings (and you help the environment too)!
2. Food: Outside of the major cities of Colombo and Kandy, you won’t find many non-Sri Lankan or non-Indian food options. What you do find is a poor excuse for Western food that is overpriced and often a chain. Stick to the local food! Balaji Dosai in Kandy; Ahinsa in Sigiriya; Upali’s in Colombo; Hot Hut in Nuwara Eliya; and the restaurants across from the bus station in Anuradhapura were some of my favorite.
3. More about food: Food is really cheap in Sri Lanka! Local food costs about $1-3 USD per meal for simple dishes of dosas (a kind of pancake), kottu (a dish made of roti (flatbread), vegetables, egg and/or meat, and spices), rice, chicken, and everything in between. At restaurants with table service, you’ll pay closer to $5 USD.
4. Alcohol: Don’t expect too many chances to drink alcohol. Outside the coastal tourist towns and the capital of Colombo, there isn’t much nightlife or opportunities to drink. While you can always crack a beer at your guesthouse, Sri Lanka isn’t home to a big drinking/nightlife culture. Expect your nights to be tame.
5. Tuk-tuks: You can hire drivers cheaply. Any tuk-tuk driver will let you hire them for the day. Expect to pay around $20 USD for the day. Moreover, tuk-tuk drivers are pretty honest, except in Colombo, where they will try to scam and overcharge you. Elsewhere in the country, you’ll get a fair deal. There’s no need to try to bargain hard.
6. Airport transfer: There is a train to the airport you can take from Colombo Fort. It’s the cheapest way to get there, at 30 rupees ($0.20 USD). A tuk-tuk ride is about 2,500 rupees ($17 USD), and buses to the airport cost 110 rupees ($0.75 USD) and leave about every 30 minutes from Colombo Central Bus Station or Mawatha Bus Station.
7. Trains: Train travel, while often slower, are the cheapest way to get around. Some typical routes: Colombo to Jaffna is 150-445 rupees ($1-3 USD), Jaffna to Anuradhapura is 150-295 rupees ($1-2 USD), Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is 85-280 rupees ($1-2 USD), and Colombo to Galle is 150-295 rupees ($1-2 USD).
8. Booking trains: If you are taking the scenic train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya (or vice versa), book it in advance through a travel agency, as tickets can’t be booked in person at the station unless it’s done four days before departure. You can always (and only) get a cramped second-class ticket (where you’ll learn the new meaning of a tight squeeze) on the day of departure. Many people will tell you to get to the station at 7am to buy a train ticket, but they don’t start selling them until 8am, so don’t listen to those people. Also, the concept of “sold out” doesn’t apply to “cattle class.”
9. Sigiriya: If you are visiting Sigiriya, get there when it opens at 8am to avoid huge lines and crowds at the site. If you are there after 10am, the crowds are so overwhelming it’s not worth visiting. It takes an hour to walk up as it’s single-file all the way!
10. Anuradhapura: If you are visiting Anuradhapura, tickets are $25 USD but are never checked unless you are entering the museum. (I also noticed Western tourists were the only ones ever asked to show a ticket at the museum.) Enter the site without paying by using the tiny road just southeast of the museum.
11. Visiting temples: You’ll have to take your socks and shoes off before visiting temples, even if they are outdoors, so bring flip-flops to keep your socks clean!
12. Hostels: Hostels are really basic (fan, mosquito net, electric shower) but at $4-6 USD per dorm bed, you can’t go wrong.
13. Galle: Galle is only worth a day trip. Don’t stay over in the town. There is not much to do there at all.
14. Accommodation: There are a lot of cheap accommodation throughout the country. You’ll usually get breakfast with your room too. Private rooms with with your own bathroom start at $10 USD per night. Add $5 if you want air conditioning.

Typical Costs in Sri Lanka

Overall, I would say you couldn’t need more than a budget of $30 – 40 USD per day. The country is very cheap, especially if you stick to delicious local or Indian cuisine (the food is so cheap there’s no reason to grocery shop and cook your own meals), avoid the overpriced Western style restaurants, travel second class and on buses, and don’t go crazy with the accommodation. Ever though I was on a budget, I didn’t go as low as I could (dorms every night, only Sri Lankan food, minimal activities, etc) and still found it was hard to break the bank. The expensive days in which I took a tour or decided to try some fancy restaurant were balanced out on the other days I didn’t.

Here is a list of prices to help you get an idea of costs:

• Airport taxi – 2,500 rupees
• National Museum in Colombo – 600 rupees
• Train from Jaffna to Anuradhapura – 340 rupees
• Bottle of water – 60 rupees
• Bus from Anuradhapura to Dambulla – 340 rupees
• Tuk-tuk from Dambulla to Sigiriya – 1,000 rupees
• Kottu chicken (and water) – 370 rupees
• Lunch 2 – 500 rupees
• Tuk-tuk – 200 rupees
• Bus from Dambulla to Kandy – 98 rupees
• Hostel in Kandy – 600 rupees
• Temple of the Tooth in Kandy – 1000 rupees
• Dosai dinner in Kandy – 200 rupees
• Train to Nuwara Eliya, second class – 160 rupees
• Beer – 500 rupees
• Bus to Tissamaharama (Tissa) – 240 rupees
• Bus to Galle – 307
• Western lunch in Galle (burger and fries) – 1,200 rupees

Some favorites: For accommodation, I really liked the Kandy Downtown Hostel; Palitha Home Stay in Sigiriya; and Galle Fort Hostel in Galle. For restaurants, besides the bulleted list above, I would also recommend the Ministry of Crab. It’s an expensive seafood restaurant in Colombo but it’s delicious! Sri Lankan crab is famous worldwide and they have gigantic ones. It’s not cheap but sometimes, you just have to treat yourself. While I didn’t go out much, if you find yourself in Kandy, the Slightly Chilled Bar is a popular meeting spot and has wonderful views of the city (and the sunset).

My Suggested Itineraries

Most travelers focus on the southern half of the country, with its hiking and beach towns. After decades of war, the north has a legacy of destruction that has yet to go away.

Though I originally had planned to explore only the south due to my limited time there (just two weeks), I was offered the opportunity to talk to a member of Parliament in Jaffna up north and learn about the Tamil war, so I rearranged my route thus:

Colombo – Jaffna – Anuradhapura – Sigiriya/Dambulla – Kandy – Nuwara Eliya –Tissamaharama (Tissa) – Galle – Colombo

I was glad I did. Seeing the north gave me an added perspective on a portion of the country without hordes of other tourists. In fact, in my time up north, I saw only four Westerners.

And though Sri Lanka may look like a small island, there is a lot to see and do there! More than I imagined. Anuradhapura and Sigiriya both have amazing ancient ruins. Kandy is filled with hiking treks, a big Buddhist temple, and a butterfly garden. Nuwara Eliya is known for its hiking, Tissa is the gateway to Yala National Park (which has elephants and leopards), and Galle is a beautiful old Dutch fort town.

Even though I covered a lot of ground in my two weeks, I still missed many places, including Ella (more hiking), Arugam Bay (beaches), and most of the southern coast (more beaches and nightlife). I raced through the country and crammed too much into such a short period of time. I wouldn’t recommend going at such a breakneck pace.

If I had to do it all over again, I would break Sri Lanka into two parts — the north/center and the south — and focus on one of those regions. There’s simply too much to do, and travel around the country is too slow to try to cover so much ground in a limited time.

If like me, you only have a couple of weeks, I would suggest just one of the following routes:

Colombo – Jaffna – Anuradhapura – Sigiriya – Kandy – Ella – Nuwara Eliya – Colombo

Colombo – Hikkaduwa – Galle – Mirissa – Tangalle – Tissa – Nuwara Eliya – Kandy – Colombo

(Note: This route is kind of quick too so if you’re pressed for time, you could cut out one of the beach cities.)

If you have a month, you could do both of these routes plus add in one or all of the coastal towns of Arugam Bay, Negombo, or Trincomalee.

One thing to know is that once you’ve done the major things in a city, there’s very little reason to stay. For example, Tissa is the gateway to Yala National Park. Tour operators run most tours in the early morning (a higher chance of seeing animals) so if you took one of those tours, you could be on a bus moving on to your next destination by lunch time. There’s really not much else in the town. The same could with Jaffna. Tick a few boxes and then move on. Galle is more a day trip from a nearby beach town than a place to spend a few days. There was so little to do there I just went back to Colombo instead of staying the night. Sigiriya and Dambulla can be done in two nights (though I added an extra night because I liked the family I was staying with). Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Kandy, Arugam Bay, Trincomalee – those places have more activities and are worth spending a longer time in.

****

Sri Lanka is an easy country to visit, and with a few tips, you can travel there with ease. This is a very budget-friendly country, even if you go nuts on the attractions and tours. I didn’t spend a lot of money, averaging just $35 USD per day. (Any expensive days will be balanced out with the cheap days where you just walk around, hike, or sit on the beach!)

Looking at the map of Sri Lanka, you might say, “Oh, it’s not that big. I bet I can cover a lot of ground in a short period if time.” You could, but you won’t “see” much. It will be too much of a blur.

Sri Lanka may be small but it packs a powerful punch. Take your time to see this land of jungles, waterfalls, monkeys, delicious food, and lovely people!

P.S. – Today is the deadline for the FLYTE Summer 2017 Program application! If you are a teacher or know a teacher who wants to take their classroom abroad (and have it paid for), head to our website to learn how to apply!

The post My Ultimate Guide to Sri Lanka: Tips, Costs, Itineraries, and Favorites appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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The Kirkland by Bogner

 

The Essence of Contemporary Luxury
The skilled team of Bogner Group and their Architect partners Rositch Hemphill have teamed up again to bring this stunning development The Kirkland, This project will consist of 20 luxury Kerrisdale residences that offer an unique living experience in the heart of Vancouver’s very popular Westside. This development will be located on the site of the historic Kirkland Metal Shop, Bogner will incorporate the frontage of this beloved 1920s structure into the design of this luxury building. The Kirkland excels on all aspects of luxury with its New York-style lobby which welcomes you to its Private balconies and grand terraces over looking the lush, tree-lined outdoors.

 

This luxury neighborhood comes with lush parks, boutique shops and friendly faces as you stroll the elegant sidewalks of Kerrisdale and well known for its brown brick sidewalks and stylish black street lamps. Experience Faubourg Paris’ authentic French patisseries, have a cappuccino at Caffé Artigiano or dine at one of the many fine restaurants on offer in this neighborhood. Grab your daily groceries at a family-owned green grocer, or visit Moores Delicatessen & Bakery, Hager Books and the historic Hills of Kerrisdale. Contemporary comforts complement the vintage charm, making this an ideal west side locale.

Pricing for The Kirkland
Pricing for the development has yet to be released

Floor Plans for The Kirkland
The Kirkland will offer a limited variety of stunning 2 and 3 bedroom homes, These units will range is size from 1,173 to 2,028 sq ft.

 

Developer Team for The Kirkland
Bogner Group, is a highly respected boutique Vancouver developer, this development group have been creating luxurious homes with a very high end and distinctive design throughout the Lower Mainland since the 1970s. Bogner puts all their attention on a very few selective number of developments.

Bogner Group has once again partnered with award-winning Rositch Hemphill Architects for this project to produce a rich and vibrant style. RHA is a  leading architectural firm based here in Vancouver and has consistently been ranked among the city’s top commercial and residential design firms. This firm has designed over 20,000 housing units, of which a vast amount are located in western Canada and the US Pacific Northwest.

Expected Completion for The Kirkland
Completion Fall/Winter of 2018.

The post The Kirkland by Bogner appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/2diSboH

The Kirkland by Bogner

 

The Essence of Contemporary Luxury
The skilled team of Bogner Group and their Architect partners Rositch Hemphill have teamed up again to bring this stunning development The Kirkland, This project will consist of 20 luxury Kerrisdale residences that offer an unique living experience in the heart of Vancouver's very popular Westside. This development will be located on the site of the historic Kirkland Metal Shop, Bogner will incorporate the frontage of this beloved 1920s structure into the design of this luxury building. The Kirkland excels on all aspects of luxury with its New York-style lobby which welcomes you to its Private balconies and grand terraces over looking the lush, tree-lined outdoors.

 

This luxury neighborhood comes with lush parks, boutique shops and friendly faces as you stroll the elegant sidewalks of Kerrisdale and well known for its brown brick sidewalks and stylish black street lamps. Experience Faubourg Paris' authentic French patisseries, have a cappuccino at Caffé Artigiano or dine at one of the many fine restaurants on offer in this neighborhood. Grab your daily groceries at a family-owned green grocer, or visit Moores Delicatessen & Bakery, Hager Books and the historic Hills of Kerrisdale. Contemporary comforts complement the vintage charm, making this an ideal west side locale.

Pricing for The Kirkland
Pricing for the development has yet to be released

Floor Plans for The Kirkland
The Kirkland will offer a limited variety of stunning 2 and 3 bedroom homes, These units will range is size from 1,173 to 2,028 sq ft.

 

Developer Team for The Kirkland
Bogner Group, is a highly respected boutique Vancouver developer, this development group have been creating luxurious homes with a very high end and distinctive design throughout the Lower Mainland since the 1970s. Bogner puts all their attention on a very few selective number of developments.

Bogner Group has once again partnered with award-winning Rositch Hemphill Architects for this project to produce a rich and vibrant style. RHA is a  leading architectural firm based here in Vancouver and has consistently been ranked among the city's top commercial and residential design firms. This firm has designed over 20,000 housing units, of which a vast amount are located in western Canada and the US Pacific Northwest.

Expected Completion for The Kirkland
Completion Fall/Winter of 2018.

The post The Kirkland by Bogner appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/2diSboH

Sri Lankans: Making a Stranger Feel Like Family

I didn't know much about Sri Lanka before my visit. Most of what I knew was picked up via the news and a few blog posts written by friends. Sri Lanka was a blank slate I was eager to fill in.

I found Sri Lanka to be a nation of luscious jungles, epic waterfalls, stunning hikes, Tomb Raider-esque archeological ruins, ugly cities, and delicious food.

But the one thing that really stood out was the people.

I know, I know. What a cliché, right?!

It's the most generic thing to say in travel. "The people in this destination were lovely and totally made the place." Everyone always says that. (In fact, I find that 99% of the people I meet on the road are totally awesome.)

Sure, you'll find that some cultures really are more outgoing and friendlier to strangers than others. But Sri Lankans stood out in a way I've never experienced before.

They are the first, second, third, and fourth things that come to mind when I remember my time in their country. I was amazed at how friendly, curious, and hospitable people were.

As a traveler, although you want to be open to experiences with everyone, you also have to keep a wary eye out in order to make sure you aren't getting scammed or put in a dangerous situation. There's a lot of "gut-checking" on the road.

Take, for example, tuk-tuk drivers. Having spent a lot of time in Southeast Asia, I'm used to dealing with tuk-tuk drivers who badger you for a ride and constantly try to rip you off or take you to shops where they receive kickbacks if you make a purchase.

In contrast, throughout Sri Lanka, I found tuk-tuk driver after tuk-tuk driver would slow down, ask if I wanted a ride, and then, when I said no, wish me a good day and drive off. No badgering! (OK, a tiny bit in Colombo, but that was mild when compared to other countries.)

Moreover, I found the tuk-tuk drivers to be honest brokers, giving me rates close to what guesthouse owners said they should be. (I never thought I would use the term "honest" and "tuk-tuk drivers" in the same sentence.)

Then there were the locals who would approach me near a tourist site or on the street. After years of travel, my initial thought when this happens is usually: "Here is yet someone else trying to sell me something." As they started asking me about where I was from and how I liked their country, I was expecting them to get into "the sell," but instead was shocked that they would then just wish me well and walk away.

Is this a trick? I thought.

Nope, they were simply interested in my experience of their country. It caught me off guard the first couple of times, but after a while, I relished each opportunity to meet someone new. Each day there would be countless interactions with people just happy to engage with a traveler.

There was the family I stayed with outside Sigiriya who frequently cooked me a traditional family dinner and provided me rides into town.

And there was the woman who owned the hostel in Kandy and gave me a big hug and a kiss and told me to come back…after staying only one night! (She also did this to the other guests who were checking out when I was.)

Also, there was the tour driver in Tissa who insisted on taking me out for beers to celebrate seeing a whole herd of elephants.

Friendly locals I met on the buses offered me food. One guy who felt so sorry that I had to stand up for six hours said, "I would give you my seat but I have a baby in my arms. I'm really sorry." And he meant it. He really was sorry he couldn't give me his seat. I mean, how many people would make that same offer in the US?

But there was one experience that taught me the most about Sri Lanka and its people.

Before I arrived, I exchanged emails with a girl who worked in Colombo; her dad was a Tamil journalist during the civil war and is now a member of parliament. "L" told me that she would be heading up to Jaffna to see her family and that I was welcome to join. I immediately said yes and changed my travel plans. This was a chance to meet some locals and get an insider perspective on the conflict that scarred the country for decades.

Sri Lanka is a divided country, with the south dominated by Buddhist Sinhalese and the north by Hindu Tamils. After the British left the country in 1948, the Sinhalese controlled the government and enacted a series of laws that limited Tamil participation in Sri Lankan society. Eventually Tamil protests turned violent and a 26-year civil war ensued (ending in 2009).

Waking up early one day, I met L and her mother and we drove to Jaffna, the major town in the Tamil north and the scene of a lot of destruction during the civil war. In the countryside outside town, I couldn't help but notice how barren the land was. There was little grass around, and many houses had been abandoned and left to ruins. At various spots along the way, they explained that this once-fertile land was destroyed during the war and that many Tamils fled. (In fact, despite the war being long over, there are still over 90,000 displaced Tamils in refugee camps.)

"Are those people over there rebuilding the houses?" I asked.

"That's the army building houses, but probably not for Tamils."

"How come this area hasn't been rebuilt?"

"Well, many people have left or were killed, and those who remain don't have the money. Plus, a lot of the records were destroyed, so not many people can prove their house is really theirs."

I persisted with my litany of questions. "How come this area seems so underdeveloped compared to the rest? Hasn't there been a plan to rebuild?"

"The scars of the war are still here. For close to 30 years, we didn't have access to the outside world, and no, the government isn't really putting funds into development. We have an uneasy truce."

Afterwards, we went to L's family's newspaper, Uthayan, where we waited for the editor. This newspaper was the only Tamil news organization to survive the war. The government tried to shut it down many times, but it managed to live on. In the main room, you could see bullet holes from attacks, ruined computers, and graphic pictures of the journalists who lost their lives in paramilitary attacks. There was a wall dedicated to those who are missing — and probably dead.

"Are things better now?" I asked the editor.

"Sure. The fighting has stopped, but that doesn't mean everything is normal. It is still the same military leaders and government officials in power. But things are moving in the right direction."

"Did you support the Tigers?" I asked him. The Tamil Tigers were a student organization that turned from resistance fighters to terrorist group. Their defeat was what helped end the civil war.

"The Tigers might have started with good intentions, but in the end they became as bad as the government and alienated the population they sought to support. So no, I did not."

L and the editor gave me a tour of the newspaper, showing more relics of raids, introducing me to staff and editors who also worked throughout the war. The building, like the land we saw before, bore the scars of war. It was an eye opening experienced seeing the area and learning about the conflict and how it still affects the people of the region.

****

As I took the bus to the airport and got ready to leave Sri Lanka, my mind kept going back to its people. Regardless of where I was and who I spoke to, I was welcomed with open arms, treated as family and with kindness.

Sri Lanka was better than I could have imagined it, not because of all the beautiful sites and fun activities but because the people made this stranger feel at home.

P.S. – On an another note, the application for the FLYTE Summer 2017 Program is now available! If you are a teacher or know a teacher who wants to take their classroom abroad (and have it paid for), head to our website to learn how to apply!

The post Sri Lankans: Making a Stranger Feel Like Family appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site http://ift.tt/2dPi7tl

Sri Lankans: Making a Stranger Feel Like Family

I didn’t know much about Sri Lanka before my visit. Most of what I knew was picked up via the news and a few blog posts written by friends. Sri Lanka was a blank slate I was eager to fill in.

I found Sri Lanka to be a nation of luscious jungles, epic waterfalls, stunning hikes, Tomb Raider-esque archeological ruins, ugly cities, and delicious food.

But the one thing that really stood out was the people.

I know, I know. What a cliché, right?!

It’s the most generic thing to say in travel. “The people in this destination were lovely and totally made the place.” Everyone always says that. (In fact, I find that 99% of the people I meet on the road are totally awesome.)

Sure, you’ll find that some cultures really are more outgoing and friendlier to strangers than others. But Sri Lankans stood out in a way I’ve never experienced before.

They are the first, second, third, and fourth things that come to mind when I remember my time in their country. I was amazed at how friendly, curious, and hospitable people were.

As a traveler, although you want to be open to experiences with everyone, you also have to keep a wary eye out in order to make sure you aren’t getting scammed or put in a dangerous situation. There’s a lot of “gut-checking” on the road.

Take, for example, tuk-tuk drivers. Having spent a lot of time in Southeast Asia, I’m used to dealing with tuk-tuk drivers who badger you for a ride and constantly try to rip you off or take you to shops where they receive kickbacks if you make a purchase.

In contrast, throughout Sri Lanka, I found tuk-tuk driver after tuk-tuk driver would slow down, ask if I wanted a ride, and then, when I said no, wish me a good day and drive off. No badgering! (OK, a tiny bit in Colombo, but that was mild when compared to other countries.)

Moreover, I found the tuk-tuk drivers to be honest brokers, giving me rates close to what guesthouse owners said they should be. (I never thought I would use the term “honest” and “tuk-tuk drivers” in the same sentence.)

Then there were the locals who would approach me near a tourist site or on the street. After years of travel, my initial thought when this happens is usually: “Here is yet someone else trying to sell me something.” As they started asking me about where I was from and how I liked their country, I was expecting them to get into “the sell,” but instead was shocked that they would then just wish me well and walk away.

Is this a trick? I thought.

Nope, they were simply interested in my experience of their country. It caught me off guard the first couple of times, but after a while, I relished each opportunity to meet someone new. Each day there would be countless interactions with people just happy to engage with a traveler.

There was the family I stayed with outside Sigiriya who frequently cooked me a traditional family dinner and provided me rides into town.

And there was the woman who owned the hostel in Kandy and gave me a big hug and a kiss and told me to come back…after staying only one night! (She also did this to the other guests who were checking out when I was.)

Also, there was the tour driver in Tissa who insisted on taking me out for beers to celebrate seeing a whole herd of elephants.

Friendly locals I met on the buses offered me food. One guy who felt so sorry that I had to stand up for six hours said, “I would give you my seat but I have a baby in my arms. I’m really sorry.” And he meant it. He really was sorry he couldn’t give me his seat. I mean, how many people would make that same offer in the US?

But there was one experience that taught me the most about Sri Lanka and its people.

Before I arrived, I exchanged emails with a girl who worked in Colombo; her dad was a Tamil journalist during the civil war and is now a member of parliament. “L” told me that she would be heading up to Jaffna to see her family and that I was welcome to join. I immediately said yes and changed my travel plans. This was a chance to meet some locals and get an insider perspective on the conflict that scarred the country for decades.

Sri Lanka is a divided country, with the south dominated by Buddhist Sinhalese and the north by Hindu Tamils. After the British left the country in 1948, the Sinhalese controlled the government and enacted a series of laws that limited Tamil participation in Sri Lankan society. Eventually Tamil protests turned violent and a 26-year civil war ensued (ending in 2009).

Waking up early one day, I met L and her mother and we drove to Jaffna, the major town in the Tamil north and the scene of a lot of destruction during the civil war. In the countryside outside town, I couldn’t help but notice how barren the land was. There was little grass around, and many houses had been abandoned and left to ruins. At various spots along the way, they explained that this once-fertile land was destroyed during the war and that many Tamils fled. (In fact, despite the war being long over, there are still over 90,000 displaced Tamils in refugee camps.)

“Are those people over there rebuilding the houses?” I asked.

“That’s the army building houses, but probably not for Tamils.”

“How come this area hasn’t been rebuilt?”

“Well, many people have left or were killed, and those who remain don’t have the money. Plus, a lot of the records were destroyed, so not many people can prove their house is really theirs.”

I persisted with my litany of questions. “How come this area seems so underdeveloped compared to the rest? Hasn’t there been a plan to rebuild?”

“The scars of the war are still here. For close to 30 years, we didn’t have access to the outside world, and no, the government isn’t really putting funds into development. We have an uneasy truce.”

Afterwards, we went to L’s family’s newspaper, Uthayan, where we waited for the editor. This newspaper was the only Tamil news organization to survive the war. The government tried to shut it down many times, but it managed to live on. In the main room, you could see bullet holes from attacks, ruined computers, and graphic pictures of the journalists who lost their lives in paramilitary attacks. There was a wall dedicated to those who are missing — and probably dead.

“Are things better now?” I asked the editor.

“Sure. The fighting has stopped, but that doesn’t mean everything is normal. It is still the same military leaders and government officials in power. But things are moving in the right direction.”

“Did you support the Tigers?” I asked him. The Tamil Tigers were a student organization that turned from resistance fighters to terrorist group. Their defeat was what helped end the civil war.

“The Tigers might have started with good intentions, but in the end they became as bad as the government and alienated the population they sought to support. So no, I did not.”

L and the editor gave me a tour of the newspaper, showing more relics of raids, introducing me to staff and editors who also worked throughout the war. The building, like the land we saw before, bore the scars of war. It was an eye opening experienced seeing the area and learning about the conflict and how it still affects the people of the region.

****

As I took the bus to the airport and got ready to leave Sri Lanka, my mind kept going back to its people. Regardless of where I was and who I spoke to, I was welcomed with open arms, treated as family and with kindness.

Sri Lanka was better than I could have imagined it, not because of all the beautiful sites and fun activities but because the people made this stranger feel at home.

P.S. – On an another note, the application for the FLYTE Summer 2017 Program is now available! If you are a teacher or know a teacher who wants to take their classroom abroad (and have it paid for), head to our website to learn how to apply!

The post Sri Lankans: Making a Stranger Feel Like Family appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site http://ift.tt/2dPi7tl

Brow Lift Face Off – Surgical vs Chemical Brow Lifts

If you’re past your 30s, you may have noticed a slight heaviness to your brows or maybe, as you’ve grown older, you’ve noticed a small drop in your brows. Many patients come into the plastic surgery consultation office and say something along the lines of “I don’t like the 11s in my brow” or “I […]

The post Brow Lift Face Off – Surgical vs Chemical Brow Lifts appeared first on Fairview Plastic Surgery Centre.

from Fairview Plastic Surgery Centre http://ift.tt/2e7WwbD

Brow Lift Face Off – Surgical vs Chemical Brow Lifts

If you're past your 30s, you may have noticed a slight heaviness to your brows or maybe, as you've grown older, you've noticed a small drop in your brows. Many patients come into the plastic surgery consultation office and say something along the lines of "I don't like the 11s in my brow" or "I […]

The post Brow Lift Face Off – Surgical vs Chemical Brow Lifts appeared first on Fairview Plastic Surgery Centre.

from Fairview Plastic Surgery Centre http://ift.tt/2e7WwbD

How You Can Help Stop Animal Abuse in the Tourism Industry

Dear Travelers,

While I was in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka, eating kottu (a traditional spicy stir-fry of shredded roti bread with vegetables and chicken), I noticed a scene outside the restaurant that I’ve witnessed many times before: tourists riding an elephant. I sighed in despair. That animal they were so happily riding was mostly likely abused – and they had no idea.

I get why they were on it. We all love seeing and playing with animals when we travel.

It’s why we go on safaris, visit zoos and tiger temples, and sign up for elephant rides, gorilla visits, lion walks, and everything in between.

I mean, who wouldn’t want to be that close to so many beautiful creatures? Animals are cute and (mostly) furry.

But I have some bad news: most animal-based tourism in the world is abusive and detrimental to the animals.

Animals are typically kept in horrible conditions and trained and managed by inexperienced staff. These aren’t scientific research centers you are visiting. The places you visit exist for your entertainment, not out of concern for the animal’s welfare.

Now, I’m no saint. I’ve ridden elephants, been to the tiger temple, visited Seaworld, and swam with dolphins in the past. I’ve been guilty of patronizing the same places I am now telling you to avoid.

But the more I am involved in the travel industry and learn about animal tourism, the more I’ve come to realize just how messed up, flawed, and abusive the practice is. If I knew then what I knew now, I would have never done those activities.

Unless you are someone like this guy, you probably don’t want to abuse nor be a party to any animal abuse.

You just want to play with animals.

But by visiting these institutions we do become party to the system and perpetuate the cycle of abuse.

We don’t do it because we are mean, of course. It’s ignorance of conditions that keeps us from changing the system.

I know we all want to believe that the place we’ve chosen to visit is harmless. We’ve done some research, read some good reviews, and the staff said how kind and helpful they are to the animals.

But who would admit to animal abuse?

No one is going to say, “Yeah, we starve the elephants. Now come on in!”

Elephants are expensive to keep, and when saddled with debt, many trainers simply push the elephants to their limits in order to make as much money as possible. And, while the trainers may have their hearts in the right place, in many developing countries these aren’t trained staff — they are poor, underskilled workers who are just trying to make money to feed their family.

Look at the elephant who killed someone in Ko Samui. He was working in unbearable heat and shouldn’t have been carrying riders, but the trainer was a poor Burmese who was trying to feed his family. If you look at the trainers interviewed in The Cove or Blackfish, you see the same thing: trainers with good intentions but also a boss or corporation focused on profits instead of animal welfare.

Another example: For years, animal rights and environmental groups railed against the Tiger Temple in Thailand. Journalists reported abuses. Yet tourists didn’t believe the news and still flocked to the temple. “They’re monks. How could they hurt the tigers?”

Yet then, after outside pressure grew too great, the government raided the temple and — shocker! — found a host of abused and dead tigers, and evidence of illegal breeding and animal smuggling. But even though this tiger temple proved to be involved in the illegal animal trade, visits to other tiger temples haven’t stopped.

The truth is, there is a lot of animal abuse in the travel industry.

Bottom line: Elephant rides, tiger temples, lion walks, monkey shows, orangutan fights (yes, that really exists), dolphinariums, Seaworld, circuses…..anything where the animal is there exclusively for your entertainment — avoid!

Consider the smell test for any animal exhibit: if it seems like this shouldn’t exist or you find it weird that such a large animal would be so docile, something is probably not right and you shouldn’t be supporting such practices with your money.

Yet we can still get that memorable moment with an animal while making sure we are doing good.

Take elephant riding in Thailand. It’s been popular for decades and is still a big draw for tourists, but places like Elephant Nature Park are changing the system by providing a sanctuary for abused elephants, promoting education for visitors, and allowing tourists to experience the elephants in an unharmful way.

And, seeing how much money Elephant Nature Park is making, other training parks are slowly beginning to change how they do things, working with Elephant Nature Park to adopt less harmful practices. There are now parks in Phuket, Cambodia, and Surin.

That’s not to say this change is widespread, but since it’s money that perpetuates the system, the more people vote with their dollars, the more animal parks will change their policies. Elephant Nature Park wouldn’t exist without tourists visiting, and other parks wouldn’t be taking notice if it weren’t for the popularity of their practices.

It is important we do our due diligence and vote with our dollars to support organizations that are doing right by animals. If we stand together and say “we want something else,” we can make it happen. The tiger temple was finally shut down, Seaworld has agreed to stop its captive breeding program, and places like Elephant Nature Park are proliferating. These changes have come about because of public outcry and changed consumer behavior that affects what business’ care most about: their bottom line.

It’s about education. If we as travelers learn about these conditions beforehand, if we talk about them more, we can make a change.  Thankfully, there are a number of online resources and groups out there that can help you find ethical animal experiences:

• SPANA
• Right Tourism
• Conserving Wildlife Through Responsible Tourism: An Interview With Dr. Michael Hutchins
• Is walking with lions good conservation? Probably not.
• Save Elephant

I know you want to see or commune with some animals when you travel and there’s nothing wrong with that – let’s just do it in a responsible way. Let’s create positive animal experiences that reward conservation and education, not exploitation.

After all, don’t you want to come back one day and share with your friends or family the beautiful experience you had? The best way to pass the experience on is to ensure that the animals survive and thrive.

Sincerely,

Matt

P.S. – On an another note, the application for the FLYTE Summer 2017 Program is now available! If you are a teacher or know a teacher who wants to take their classroom abroad (and have it paid for), head to our website to learn how to apply!

The post How You Can Help Stop Animal Abuse in the Tourism Industry appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site http://ift.tt/2dXassV

How You Can Help Stop Animal Abuse in the Tourism Industry

Dear Travelers,

While I was in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka, eating kottu (a traditional spicy stir-fry of shredded roti bread with vegetables and chicken), I noticed a scene outside the restaurant that I've witnessed many times before: tourists riding an elephant. I sighed in despair. That animal they were so happily riding was mostly likely abused – and they had no idea.

I get why they were on it. We all love seeing and playing with animals when we travel.

It's why we go on safaris, visit zoos and tiger temples, and sign up for elephant rides, gorilla visits, lion walks, and everything in between.

I mean, who wouldn't want to be that close to so many beautiful creatures? Animals are cute and (mostly) furry.

But I have some bad news: most animal-based tourism in the world is abusive and detrimental to the animals.

Animals are typically kept in horrible conditions and trained and managed by inexperienced staff. These aren't scientific research centers you are visiting. The places you visit exist for your entertainment, not out of concern for the animal's welfare.

Now, I'm no saint. I've ridden elephants, been to the tiger temple, visited Seaworld, and swam with dolphins in the past. I've been guilty of patronizing the same places I am now telling you to avoid.

But the more I am involved in the travel industry and learn about animal tourism, the more I've come to realize just how messed up, flawed, and abusive the practice is. If I knew then what I knew now, I would have never done those activities.

Unless you are someone like this guy, you probably don't want to abuse nor be a party to any animal abuse.

You just want to play with animals.

But by visiting these institutions we do become party to the system and perpetuate the cycle of abuse.

We don't do it because we are mean, of course. It's ignorance of conditions that keeps us from changing the system.

I know we all want to believe that the place we've chosen to visit is harmless. We've done some research, read some good reviews, and the staff said how kind and helpful they are to the animals.

But who would admit to animal abuse?

No one is going to say, "Yeah, we starve the elephants. Now come on in!"

Elephants are expensive to keep, and when saddled with debt, many trainers simply push the elephants to their limits in order to make as much money as possible. And, while the trainers may have their hearts in the right place, in many developing countries these aren't trained staff — they are poor, underskilled workers who are just trying to make money to feed their family.

Look at the elephant who killed someone in Ko Samui. He was working in unbearable heat and shouldn't have been carrying riders, but the trainer was a poor Burmese who was trying to feed his family. If you look at the trainers interviewed in The Cove or Blackfish, you see the same thing: trainers with good intentions but also a boss or corporation focused on profits instead of animal welfare.

Another example: For years, animal rights and environmental groups railed against the Tiger Temple in Thailand. Journalists reported abuses. Yet tourists didn't believe the news and still flocked to the temple. "They're monks. How could they hurt the tigers?"

Yet then, after outside pressure grew too great, the government raided the temple and — shocker! — found a host of abused and dead tigers, and evidence of illegal breeding and animal smuggling. But even though this tiger temple proved to be involved in the illegal animal trade, visits to other tiger temples haven't stopped.

The truth is, there is a lot of animal abuse in the travel industry.

Bottom line: Elephant rides, tiger temples, lion walks, monkey shows, orangutan fights (yes, that really exists), dolphinariums, Seaworld, circuses…..anything where the animal is there exclusively for your entertainment — avoid!

Consider the smell test for any animal exhibit: if it seems like this shouldn't exist or you find it weird that such a large animal would be so docile, something is probably not right and you shouldn't be supporting such practices with your money.

Yet we can still get that memorable moment with an animal while making sure we are doing good.

Take elephant riding in Thailand. It's been popular for decades and is still a big draw for tourists, but places like Elephant Nature Park are changing the system by providing a sanctuary for abused elephants, promoting education for visitors, and allowing tourists to experience the elephants in an unharmful way.

And, seeing how much money Elephant Nature Park is making, other training parks are slowly beginning to change how they do things, working with Elephant Nature Park to adopt less harmful practices. There are now parks in Phuket, Cambodia, and Surin.

That's not to say this change is widespread, but since it's money that perpetuates the system, the more people vote with their dollars, the more animal parks will change their policies. Elephant Nature Park wouldn't exist without tourists visiting, and other parks wouldn't be taking notice if it weren't for the popularity of their practices.

It is important we do our due diligence and vote with our dollars to support organizations that are doing right by animals. If we stand together and say "we want something else," we can make it happen. The tiger temple was finally shut down, Seaworld has agreed to stop its captive breeding program, and places like Elephant Nature Park are proliferating. These changes have come about because of public outcry and changed consumer behavior that affects what business' care most about: their bottom line.

It's about education. If we as travelers learn about these conditions beforehand, if we talk about them more, we can make a change.  Thankfully, there are a number of online resources and groups out there that can help you find ethical animal experiences:

• SPANA
• Right Tourism
• Conserving Wildlife Through Responsible Tourism: An Interview With Dr. Michael Hutchins
• Is walking with lions good conservation? Probably not.
• Save Elephant

I know you want to see or commune with some animals when you travel and there's nothing wrong with that – let's just do it in a responsible way. Let's create positive animal experiences that reward conservation and education, not exploitation.

After all, don't you want to come back one day and share with your friends or family the beautiful experience you had? The best way to pass the experience on is to ensure that the animals survive and thrive.

Sincerely,

Matt

P.S. – On an another note, the application for the FLYTE Summer 2017 Program is now available! If you are a teacher or know a teacher who wants to take their classroom abroad (and have it paid for), head to our website to learn how to apply!

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