mhaebich's TravelStream™ — Recent TravelPod.com entries TravelStream™ news feed for member mhaebich on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/mhaebich en-us Copyright ©2012 TravelPod.com Wed, 26 Sep 2007 05:08:57 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com Charities' Information — Delhi, India http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/world_trip/1133797620/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/world_trip/1133797620/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/world_trip/1133797620/tpod.html Wed, 26 Sep 2007 09:08:57 +0000 1 year, 18 countries......
Delhi, India

During our three months of travel in India we were confronted daily with the poverty and hardship of many peoples' lives. We decided to donate some money to an orphanage when we arrived in Delhi and sent out an email to family and friends, offering them the opportunity to make a contribution also. The response we got was amazing, in short we suddenly had a substantial sum. We decided that it would be best to share this money between four worthy causes and went about researching various charities. We ended up splitting the money evenly between two organisations in Delhi, one in Pondicherry (south-eastern india) and one in Tibet. Blind Relief Association; Delhi Click here to jump to organisations website On our search for places to donate to, a few people mentioned that this organisation did fantastic work. We decided to check it out for ourselves and enjoyed our experience here very much. It houses 200 males (from pre-school age all the way through to adults) in a fairly central part of Delhi. Mostly, these fellas come from rural areas with no facilities for the blind. We saw lots of blind beggars, singers and musicians throughout India as they can't pursue any other trade/career. Things were done very well at this association, the boys were given an education starting at a pre-school level. Those that are academically gifted go on to further study at universitites around the country. There is also a heap of vocational training; computing, electronics and manufacturing. The Association has a big workshop which employs boys after they finish their education, the candles and products they make are very important in fundraising. In south-east asia blind massage is very well established. We were lucky enough to get a sneak peek of a training session for this very skill. This Association is the first place in India to undertake certified training in blind massage. This sort of forward thinking is evident in many facets of the organisation. Job placements and on the job training are also a big focus. There is a recording studio where books and material are put onto cassette and supplied to those within the organisation and distribted around the country. Government funding is present for staff salaries only, the rest of the time the organisation relies of donations and its own fundraising schemes. It was amazing to see how these guys dealt with their disability in just day to day things. Getting around the campus involved a few bumps and lots of teamwork; the younger students work in buddy pairs. There was a very supportive and caring atmosphere generated by everyone in the organisation. Check out the website for more information; Blind Relief Website. Check out the photo album for a couple of snaps from our visit. Asha Kirin Shelter; Delhi Click here to jump to the Concern India Foundation Website For those worried about the gender balance, this shelter provided support for 18 wonderful girls; aged 6-18. Located in the northern suburbs of Delhi, the shelter is supported by the Concern India Foundation (website link above) and Rangena took some time out from the office to accompany us on a visit to the shelter. The shelter has been running for five years. The girls go to a nearby state school and recieve tutition in the shelter most days as well. We were treated to a couple of little songs after all the ladies introduced themselves; very sweet. Unlike many of the male school children we spoke to, English and not Maths was the favorite subject of many of the girls. We had a little chat about Bollywood film stars and funnily enough only male stars were mentioned?! The older girls obviously looked out for their younger "sisters" and once again there was a very supportive and healthy atmosphere generated by everyone. Concern India had already allocated funds for the upcoming quater, so the money that we all raised is going into the next installement (April '06). Concern India supports a wide range of projects for the underpriveleged in the fields of education, health, environment and community development. A big part of thier fundraising comes from the sale of cards for special occaisions. For more information click here to jump to the Concern India Foundation Website. Check out the photo album for a couple of snaps from our visit. Tendol Gyalzur Project; Lhasa and Zhongdian Click here to jump to the Tendor Gyalzur homepage, click on the bottom link, this is the English version. Earlier in our trip we spent two months in China and almost a month in Tibet. We spent time in Zhongdian and Litang (in the Kham district of China, prior to 1946 this area was within Tibet's borders) and Lhasa. However, we didn't visit the projects set up here by Tendor Gylazur. Our ongoing travel buddy from Sweden, Rickard, did visit the orphanage in Lhasa and this made a strong impression on him. Below is an extract taken from a correspondence with the foundations' vice president, Monika Koeck; On this website under annual reports you can find the latest report with actual news. The 2005 report should be ready within next month. Our foundation includes the orphanage in Toelung near Lhasa, the orphanage in Gyalthang (Zhongdian) in Kham; besides that we support 63 school children in a nomades school in Lithang in Kham as well as 10 high school children in Dartsedo in Kham too. Tendol Gyalzur is staying in Tibet every year up to 9 months, mostly from march through october; the remainder of the year she lives in Switzerland. Wish we had some photos to put up from Rickard's visit but sadly the CD they were on was damaged. However the website has some great shots and plenty of information, Tendor Gyalzur's story is an amazing one, find it on the website. Click here to check it out, (the bottom link is the english version). Uluru Children's Home; Pondicherry Click here to find out about the Uluru Children's Home and the East West Overseas Aid Organisation Strangely enough contacts in Melbourne put us onto this organisation. Dr Natteri V Chandran, a doctor from Melbourne, is the founder of this organisation. At the time of our donation, the Uluru Childrens Home housed 30 girls and the construction of a new domitory to house an additional 50 destitute girls was under way. The East West Overseas Aid Organisation also runs a health care center which provides for over 5,000 villagers. This facility played an important role post-tsunami. The foundation has an office in Melbourne and you can find contact details for this by clicking on this link to the website.
]]> bus to kalaw, walk to inle lake.... hanging out — Nyaungshwe, Myanmar http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1171578060/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1171578060/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1171578060/tpod.html Fri, 23 Feb 2007 22:41:32 +0000 A quick little scurry into Myanmar to round out my view of s/e asia
Nyaungshwe, Myanmar

1 day atop a bus, 3 days walking through the hills 4 days exploring inle lake and the surrounds
]]> boating down to bagan — Bagan, Myanmar http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1171577880/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1171577880/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1171577880/tpod.html Fri, 23 Feb 2007 04:12:16 +0000 A quick little scurry into Myanmar to round out my view of s/e asia
Bagan, Myanmar

whirlwind visit to a plain with 4,000 + temples
]]> Mandalay — Mandalay, Myanmar http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1168761600/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1168761600/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1168761600/tpod.html Fri, 16 Feb 2007 23:01:24 +0000 A quick little scurry into Myanmar to round out my view of s/e asia
Mandalay, Myanmar

Very busy time, cramming in as much as possible. taking some notes from each day and will fill these entries out in good time. off to bagan by local boat tomorrow morning (17th). hotmail not working, people are the friendliest of any country i have visited...
]]> Yangon — Yangon, Myanmar http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1168587480/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1168587480/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1168587480/tpod.html Thu, 15 Feb 2007 23:09:13 +0000 A quick little scurry into Myanmar to round out my view of s/e asia
Yangon, Myanmar

Arrived safely, had a fascinting first day....will fill in the gaps when i am bored... day two; morning and some of the afternoon crusing around, then taking a night bus to mandalay; 14 hours north of here....
]]> homeward bound — Melbourne, Australia http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1171579200/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1171579200/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1171579200/tpod.html Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:41:13 +0000 A quick little scurry into Myanmar to round out my view of s/e asia
Melbourne, Australia

home again, hopefully not for too long....
]]> bangers shopping fest — Bangkok, Thailand http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1171579080/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1171579080/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1171579080/tpod.html Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:40:24 +0000 A quick little scurry into Myanmar to round out my view of s/e asia
Bangkok, Thailand

lots of shopping and a few drinks before heading back to oz and work
]]> busing back to yangon — Yangon, Myanmar http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1171578960/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1171578960/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1171578960/tpod.html Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:38:42 +0000 A quick little scurry into Myanmar to round out my view of s/e asia
Yangon, Myanmar

long bus ride and a day/night in yangon
]]> back in bangkok — Bangkok, Thailand http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1168249680/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1168249680/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/flyingsolo/1168249680/tpod.html Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:18:26 +0000 A quick little scurry into Myanmar to round out my view of s/e asia
Bangkok, Thailand

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]]> Hua Xai — Hua Xai, Lao Peoples Dem Rep http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/world_trip/1117187880/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/world_trip/1117187880/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mhaebich/world_trip/1117187880/tpod.html Sun, 24 Dec 2006 01:29:09 +0000 1 year, 18 countries......
Hua Xai, Lao Peoples Dem Rep

Second time that we have crossed the Mekong river into Laos at this point; spent 4 nights at BAP guesthouse; nice place but the rudest staff imaginable. All mark's gear got wet during the sangthaew journey; but nice big area to dry it out. Clare ate some dodgy rice on our first afternoon and was struck down by the nastiest 24 hour bug imaginable..won't go into detail. As a result, just hung around for a few days, getting strength back... Had a few little walks around town, met a few people (Bridgette from Switzerland, a dude called Kurt from Melbourne who was very familiar and Chris from Germany)....food was pretty disappointing after Thailand; baguettes are excellent, but mark had a very questionable pho (noodle soup) which was brewed from pig guts and other assorted pieces of offal (not that mark is averse to offal, just wasn't a tasty soup). Got a public bus ticket for Luang Nam Tha by ourselves (no way we were buying one of Mrs BAP at double the price!!!). Bit worried about the road, lots of rain everyday, unpaved, through the mountains..... met a few people who had come the other way and taken more than 12 hours (for a little under 300kms). Good skewer place across the street; chicken and sticky rice was a highlight..fairly ready to leave as soon as Clare was good to go...
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