ROAM DISCOVER THE PATH YOU WILL ROAM
Jourdan Pym explores the Jungles of Thailand
ke a m to w o H of t s o the m ap year g r u o y £2.00
TourismConcern Action for ethical tourism
Tourism Concern began in 1988
as a small network of global development activists and tourism academics. They all wanted to challenge the exploitation of people and places by a fast growing global tourism industry. The new network, co-ordinated by Alison Stancliffe, linked up with similar initiatives elsewhere in the world, at a time when the tourism industry’s negative impact was hardly on the radar. By 1989, the network had become a formal membership organisation and in 1991 they were able to employ Tricia Barnett as Director. She developed the organisation into a globally respected campaigning and education charity, heading a team working out of London Metropolitan University until 2012. Tourism Concern is now based in Croydon, South London, with a small staff and volunteers headed up by current Executive Director 2 - ROA M - 2 0 16
Mark Watson. From the start, Tourism Concern demonstrated tourism’s links with wider issues of development and human rights. Our first major report, Beyond the Green Horizon, set out ground breaking principles for sustainable tourism development, to coincide with the Rio Earth Summit of 1992. Our many subsequent campaigns have always been backed up by research aiming to open up debate and bring about change. In the mid 1990s we began our long running work on fair trade and tourism, and by the end of the decade we had produced the first web-based listings of community tourism initiatives – the forerunner of our best-selling Ethical Travel Guide and Online Ethical Travel Guide. In the 2000s we focused largely on challenging the tourism industry to embrace corporate and social
responsibility. So far in the 2010s we have highlighted the urgent issue of water equity and tourism, investigated the impact of allinclusive resorts and addressed the growing problems associated with certain types of voluntourism. In past years we produced numerous print resources for schools, universities, the public and the tourism industry, and published a highly respected magazine, In Focus. Tourism Concern today is first and foremost a campaigning and networking organisation, with a diverse membership. Our management council works with staff and volunteers to ensure that we take effective action for ethical tourism. Twenty-five years on from our founding, the need to fight exploitation in tourism is still pressing and we continue to do it with passion. All contents credited to TourismConcern.
START YOUR ADVENTURE ROAM THE WORLD Here at Roam, we have gathered a combination of fun—but educational articles that will educate you on the wonders of nature and the freedom of travel. Its time to start your adventure, its time to learn about the world and re-discover old ground. Go explore, swap your boots for a pair of flip-flops and experience all the things that nature has to offer … if recently you’ve been eyeing up the outside world wondering whats out there, its time to stop wondering and start roaming. This magazine is about finding your inner traveller and getting out there and seeing the world ethically and making a difference. See what places have to offer -- ones you just have to see, the animals that ROAM this incredible planet that we live on and of course stories from other wonderers just like you.
CONTENTS 04 Tourism friendly elephants 08 What to look out for 12 Wildlife Conservation in Madagasca 14 Wildlife conservation in Thailand 16 Wildlife conservation in costa Rica 18 Teaching in Mexico 20 Volunteer in Tanzania 22 A Southen commute 26 Exploring Aruba 30 Do’s and Don’t whilst travelling 33 Sneak peak in the next issue of Roam 2 0 16 - ROA M - 3
Tourism friendly elep E
veryone wants to ride an elephant in Thailand -- Who wouldn’t want to sit upon the largest land mammal in the world and get a picture? This is an experience that brings many travellers to Thailand each year ‌ however there is a dark side of this industry that some people are not aware of.
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When travelling its easy to fall into the trap of taking part in the animal entertainment industry whether it be riding on a elephant, posing for a picture with a lion or swimming with dolphins in an aquarium. Remember you need to be extremely
careful whilst travelling where you visit and who you book these kind of activities through, many places will be more interested in getting your money than looking after their elephants. Although this isn’t the case for all elephant sanctuaries you could be contributing to the torture and exploitation of these beautiful creatures. There are two different species of elephant native to Thailand -- the African and Asian elephant. The Asian elephant is one of the smaller breeds of elephant and with less than 30,000 left in the entire world, is critically endangered. There are
mothers and confining them to small cages where they are unable to move. Following this elephants suffer starvation, beatings and being deprived of sleep, understandably breaking their spirits. Thai elephants are commonly used for street entertainment. They will walk for days on end along hot tarmac roads and used to beg for food/fruit by there owners. Who wouldn’t resist a cute, sad looking elephant when it asked for food? Here’s why you should. These animals quickly suffer from stress mainly due to the polluted air and crowded streets. The poor diet of chemically treated fruit can cause stomach problems, which can eventually lead to death. On top of all this elephants suffer dehydration from walking among busy sweets for hours on end, loneliness from being separated from their heard and deafness cause through their sensitive ears being exposed to
“The elephants roaming around Bangkok look unhappy, they have sad, depressed eyes and their owners push them into doing things they didn’t want to – its heart breaking.” “The elephants
loud city life on a daily basis.
All Photo Credits: Jourdan Pym
phants
It’s common to perceive these happy looking animals as being happy similar to the perception of the dolphins smile. Although these animals may give the impression as being happy enough they are continuously fed the wrong diet, suffer from loneliness and boredom
only 3,000 known to be native to Thailand. The African elephant has a much larger population number however; there numbers have been at a worrying decline over the last ten years. Over half of these elephants are domesticated, either used for work or pleasure and the remaining numbers are being conserved on nature reserves. Elephants that are taken from the wild need ‘breaking’ -- a long painful process used to break the spirit of an elephant making it suitable for the exploitation of tourists. This process involves separating baby from their
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“The elephants here are happy they have been given a s
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and will soon die. Many naïve tourists will be delighted at the sight of a baby elephant in hotels and entertainment complexes, however although these babies may give you the impression of being happy, they will only have a couple of years to live due to combination of unnatural factors. However, although this type of exploitation is mostly common in the larger cities such as Bankok and Phuket, you’ll be happy to know that deep in the heart of the Northern jungle there is hope. The jungle is home to many nature reserves and elephant sanctuary’s home to elephants that have been rescued
from the harsh routes of street entertainments. These are nonprofit working organisations giving Thai elephants a second chance in life. Here sanctuaries including The Elephants Nature Reserve (ENR) and Elephant Park Central (EPC) are ran by local Thai people where the elephants are well cared for and are dedicated to increase awareness and sustainable elephant-friendly tourism groups for people who want to be around elephants and would rather see them in their natural habitat of 250 acres of land and not behind a bar wall. ENR AND EPC encourage tourist to come to their nature reserve because it’s a
second chance at life” friendly alternative to give people the chance to experience elephants in a tourism friendly way rather than taking photos with a elephants that’s changed to a cage and has no quality of life. Abbey says, “The elephants here are completely different to the ones roaming the streets, they are full of life, there tails wag and they run around for hours playing with other elephants.” Here you can feed them chemical free, fresh fruit all grown on site, watch them play in the mud, assist them on walks and even get into the river with them and give them a bath. Wash them don’t ride them. All visitors choosing to visit
elephants here will be asked to pay a small fee, as a Thai-non profit foundation, all fees collected go towards purchasing other elephants from abusive owners, expanding the land and feeding and caring for these magnificent giants. The exploitation of elephants have been a tradition in Asia for hundreds of years and its our demand for entertainment, elephants ride and acts that lead to more elephants being captured and sold to the entrainment industry. Would you rather see an elephant chained up or an elephant roaming free, which one is more entertaining?Written by Paige Furzer
“ I love watching elephants playing in their natrual habitats its an amazing experience and for me there is nothing special about seeing a elephant locked up in a zoo.”
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It’s vital to protect animals when you
TRAVEL M
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any wild animals are taken from their natural environments to be exploitedfor entertainment and profit. You may see animals that belong in the wild being used in live shows or being offered for transport and rides. You may be approached to pose with animals for photos, or be offered animal souvenirs or by-products. Often, the worst cruelty is hidden from view. Elephants are trained to perform for tourists in shows, they’re beaten with rods to learn ‘tricks’ and chained to restrict their movement. Bears are kept in tiny cages and suffer horrific mental and physical pain as a syringe is repeatedly pushed through the bear’s skin into the gall bladder to extract bear bile
to sell to tourists. Sadly, many tourists who love animals may actually contribute to animal suffering simply because they’re unaware of the hidden cruelty. World Animal Protection helps people like you protect animals. This guide lets you know what to look out for so you can make informed decisions about animal experiences on your journey. The more we can be aware of the way animals are being treated, the more we’ll be able to protect them from cruelty and suffering. Being animal friendly when you travel means you always show respect – for the people, the culture, the environment and the animals, in every country you visit. You can protect animals on your holidays by
Credits: Worldanimalprotection
Seeing wild animals when you travel can be such a memorable part of any travel experience. However, you may not be aware these animals often suffer unseen cruelty and abuse. Organisation WorlAnimalProtection have come up with a guide on what to look out for on your travels and how to prevent falling into the trap of animal tourism.
being informed and alert to the welfare of the animals you encounter. Make good decisions for animals when you travel by following these simple steps: DO YOUR RESEARCH: investigate the venues you intend to visit. If animal encounters are offered, how are the animals treated and where did they come from? ASK QUESTIONS: check if your tour operator or travel agent has an animal welfare policy. Ask your friends and family about their experiences. Make positive choices: support tourism that does not exploit wild a n i m a l s . EATING ETHICALLY: when trying local exotic foods, ask if the animal
you see a captive animal on your holiday, often you can’t see the cruelty. It’s hidden from view. Whether taken from the wild or bred in captivity, all captive wild animals have their own stories of pain and suffering. Here’s just one example. Elephants used in entertainment can appear to be well looked after, but the reality can be very different. Where they’ve come from and how they got there is a terrible journey that most holidaymakers aren’t aware of. Young elephants are valued much more than older ones, so they become the targets of poachers. They’re easier to catch, transport and train.
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WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR ON YOUR HOLIDAY
In the wild, these adolescent elephants are trapped in pits, crudely-dug holes from which they can’t escape. Equally traumatic, many elephant calves arebred and born into captivity - never to experience a life without pain .Ripped from their families and transported to their destinations, terribly crueltraining awaits. Rods with spikes, chains, ropes, and “the crush”. And thisis just the beginning. This elephant will now be forced to entertain touristswith its free time spent socially isolated and physically restrained for the restof its life. And as long as the demand remains for this kind of tourism, so will the cruelty. Consider these questions. IS THERE REST AND SHELTER FOR THE ANIMALS? Wild animals used to entertain tourists have often been taken from their natural environments. They are kept in enclosures with little or no protection from harsh weather, andare not given adequate rest. IS THIS ANIMAL IN PAIN AND SUFFERING? Many captive animals may be suffering from poor nutrition and heatlh, caused by an inadequate diet or access to litle or no vetinary care. 1 0 - ROA M - 2 0 16
Some animals will have their teeth pulled or claws clipped, causing terrible suffering. IS THIS NATRUAL BEHAVOIUR OR IS IT CRUELTY? Captive animals are ofren taken from their famalies . Many wild animals have complex social structures that cannot be recreated in captivity. These animals are exploited for entertainment, forced to perform unnatural behaviours.
DOES THIS ANIMAL HAVE FOOD OR WATER? Many wild animals used to entertaintourists, like elephants and monkeys,are forced to work long hours withlimited access to fresh water and food. They may suffer
heat stress,exhaustion and dehydration. Do not take corrective measure yourself. Be aware of risks to yourself and/or the animals involved. SEEING ANIMALS IN THE WILD: experience the joy and wonder of animals in the wild. Protect the environment on which wildlife depends. WILL I SEE ANIMALS IN DISTRESS? Perfoming wild animals in zoos, shows and circuses often suffer from high stress levels and phyco SPREADING THE WORD: Tell your friends and family about your experiences Use social to encourage your friends to learn about how they can be animal friendly on holiday. REPORTING AND RECORDING:Record inppropriate treatment and report it to the appropriate local authorities. JOINING WORLD ANIMAL PROTECTION: Learn more about our vital work for animals in disasters, animals in farming, animals in communities and animals in the wild. VISIT: worldanimalprotection.org Article and photos credited to : Worldanimalprotection
Tigers can be chained up for three days on end with little water in very hot conditions... Don’t be that tourist #BORNFREE
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I had a fantastic time out in Madagascar, I made some firm friends, substantially refined my diving technique and I have a whole wealth of excellent memories. What made the experience so memorable is the great organisation, both in England and in Madagascar. You are looked after very well and all the staff out there are very friendly and approachable. I can't recommend it enough and even if you don't choose Blue Ventures then make sure you travel abroad and go somewhere unusual and different!
Wildlife Conservation in
MADAGASCAR I decided to take a gap year because after spending 14 years educating myself I felt that I deserved some time off! I spent some time in my final year of school deciding what I wanted to do. It wasn't easy, so I ended up writing down a few criteria: it has to be remote; it has to be worthwhile; and it has to include scuba diving. Bearing this in mind, I started trawling through the myriad companies that offer Gap Year experiences. I didn't fully appreciate just how diverse a choice there was and what a wide range of activities were open to Gap Year students. I found the Blue Ventures website and began reading a description of their expeditions. It appealed to me instantly because of the number of different activities that are covered in each expedition. Scuba diving, teaching English, Baobab excursions, science training, pirogue sailing (local canoes), further scuba diving training and a whole host more - all in the exotic location of Madagascar. Before I continue - Blue Ventures is a not-for-profit,
English-based charity that runs expeditions to Madagascar. The main aim of these expeditions is to train the volunteers in simple scientific survey methods, equip them to recognise the sub-aqua flora and fauna and then accurately record the data. But there is so much more to
it than that. Madagascar is a wonderful country and I was impressed by the scenery and the vibrancy of the capital almost as soon as I left the airport. The actual location of the camp itself is on the southwest coast, just next to a small fishing village named Andavadoaka, with whom a lot of work is in conjunction with. There is a great deal of interaction between the volunteers and the locals, who are incredibly friendly and love having their pictures taken and beating the volunteers' football team! Once we had gotten settled in and accustomed to our authentic Malagasy huts, the scuba diving started almost immediately. One of the joys of diving there is the remoteness. There is no pollutant source, no tourist diving, no commercial trawling vessels and the majority of fishermen fish traditionally - this means fantastic diving! I have dived in many places around the world, but the coral formations I saw out there were far better than any I have seen elsewhere. It is also an exceptionally diverse area in terms of fish species; there are few places in the world where you can see such a wide variety of fish - in all shapes and sizes - in one dive.
T
THAILAND
hree years ago I packed up my belongings and headed to Thailand on a 2-week conservation course to learn how to scuba dive and save the ocean. At the age of 16 going to Thailand on my own was a very daunting experience so I got in contact with someone else flying out and we arranged our seats to get to know each other, giving us both a sense of comfort. After getting use to the time difference our first few days were all about learning to scuba dive. That first time you dive down and see the underwater world was incredible. The colour of the coral and the fish swimming all around you was scary at first all you could think about
the local schools. The beach clean up gave me such a good feeling that I was helping save the beach. I didn’t realise just how much rubbish washed up that we went through dozens of bin bags. Some of the days when I went out scuba diving we were assigned the job to count how many fish of a certain species we could find in certain areas. This would help the researchers understand what fishes are dying out or what ones are thriving. My most exciting day was when we found a massive net with a crate there to catch fish. Getting out our scissors and freeing what was trapped inside seeing them swim away gave a sense of achievement -- we were able to do some good whilst out there swimming. The next day included going to the local school and grabbing some hacking tools to create a path through the woods so that the kids had a safe place to play when having a break. It was at the heat of the day so we all really struggled but after they gave us a gorgeous lunch we were back to work and with 30 of us working at it after four hours the kids had a safe place to play. As a thank you they invited us to play a few games with them, which included throwing a ball around that had to end in a basket held by a member of the team standing on a chair. Sounds bizarre but a whole load of fun after a busy day just what we needed.
Photo credits: Caroline Fargher wasnot kicking them. But having a shark sucker attached to my friend and me was really weird. Whilst in Thailand we had a few days where we were able to clean up the beach. The point of the conservation course was to help clean up the beaches, save the ocean and help 1 4 - ROA M - 2 0 16
This was followed by another few days of diving where we were lucky enough to see turtles swimming in their own habitat and sharks just a few feet away. This was just the start to the excitement of the next few days. We were put on a bus off to the turtle rehabilitation centre. We had no idea what we were going to be
“It
was the most incredile experience in my life. I loved knowing I was helping out the wildlife above and below the surface.
doing or anything. The anticipation took over everyone no one could concentrate. As we arrived the first thing we see is hundred of tiny turtles that could fit into the palm of your hand something that everyone was staring at and taking hundreds of photos. As the water washed in from the sides, seeing them swimming around and scrambling on top of each other was utterly adorable. But it was a sad moment when we walked over to a bigger tank to see massive turtles with missing shells or a leg that had been cut off my a boat propeller. Seeing those turtles made us all sad but knowing we were going to be able to help them made it all better. We had to clean the turtle’s shells and sweep the floor of their tank so that they had a habitable home for their recovery. Half the group got
assigned this job whilst others were cleaning the smaller rehabilitation tanks. As we cleaned some of the turtle’s leaked some blood so we had to be extra careful when moving them around. Being able to help injured animals was the best part of the trip, knowing what you were doing was going to help them get back out into the ocean. In the same building down just a few stairs was the most distressing thing for me personally because I am massive dolphin lover. In a tank held up by a harness was a dolphin that had been rescued off the beach. The harness that was holding up the dolphin was to help it use its tail again and get it moving so that in a month it could be let out into the tank to swim for itself. We weren’t allowed too close to the
“
dolphin because of the stress it may cause so the cause of its injuries were unknown. Knowing they were helping the dolphin recover and getting it back into the wild showed how much effort they had to save the animals of their ocean.Being out in Thailand was an incredible experience. I learnt a lot about myself and the thrill I had of helping to save the animals and clean up the ocean because I didn’t realise how much danger lived below the water surface. Knowing I had done some good and cleaned the turtle’s tank and saved some of the fish in the ocean was a job well done. At some point I would love to go back see what they have done and find other ways of helping save our planet and the animals we love. Article by Caroline Fargher 2 0 16 - ROA M - 1 5
COSTA RICA Where would you like to travel next?
V
olunteer in the stunning rainforest and national parks of Costa Rica. Teach English and live a simple life in a rural school. Volunteer with a community cooperative in sustainable tourism with a range of outdoors leisure activities to excite nature lovers. Situated in Central America, Costa Rica boasts stunning coastlines on the Pacific and Caribbean oceans and is a hub of tropical climates, rainforests, volcanoes, rivers, waterfalls and mountains. An environmentalist’s dream, Costa Rica hosts more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity, even though its landmass only takes up .03% of the planet’s surface cr rainforest The diversity includes sea turtles, cayman and over 850 species of birds, including over 50 species of hummingbird alone. There are also 34,000 species of insect, 1,200 varieties of orchid and more than 10% of the world’s butterflies. Monkeys are one of the most common mammals in Costa Rica, (next to bats), the four most common species being the Howler, Spider, White-Faced and Squirrel monkey. There are more than 121 volcanic formations and seven of them are active. The landscape includes tropical rainforests, uninterrupted beaches and mangroves. Around 25% of Costa Rica is protected
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through over 100 parks, the largest element being the Corcovado national park where our projects are based. ‘Pura Vida’ or pure life is a common saying reflecting a country which prioritises human rights and sustainability. Costa Rica is ranked of the happiest countries in the world, with low levels of inequality arising from models of community living, no standing army and a ban on recreational hunting. It also has free universal healthcare and education. Lonely Planet describe the Osa peninsula, where our conservation projects are, as ‘the real deal…a place for travellers with youthful hearts, intrepid spirits and a yearning for something truly wild’. For those in search of adrenaline, Costa Rica offers zip-lining, white water rafting and canyoning among its activities. If you can drag yourself away from the natural attractions Costa Rica has to offer, there is volunteer work in a mixed marine and rainforest conservation project, teaching English in the local community or joining an indigenous community cooperative as part of a real cultural experience. Costa Rica is a vibrant destination that offers something for all types of volunteer, from gap year students, to school groups, volunteer holidays and those looking for an immersive experience. Article credited too: Year Out Group.
Great for...
“I
just wanted to let you know that I finished my last day of volunteering here in Costa Rica today. It’s been a fantastic experience and I cannot fault
” – Elena, student, Costa Rica
anything
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MEXICO
exico is a huge country with immense contrasts and diversity. There are thousands of villages leading unchanged lives, bound by tradition, the family and fiestas. It’s also the location of the first ever Outreach International volunteering project. Bordered by the United States to the north and Belize and Guatemala to the southeast, its twin coasts border the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico (and a smidge of the Caribbean). It has the largest Spanish speaking population in the world (over 115 million) and a rich culture reflecting its indigenous and more recent colonial history.
inequality, with the gap between rich and poor being the highest in the world according to OECD, causing some 51% of the population to live in poverty (2012) and more than 10% in extreme poverty (i.e. on less than $1.25 per day). The country contains an astonishing variety of climates, landscapes and eco-systems. There are deserts and vast mountainous canyons, tropical jungles and cool, cactus-covered sierras. The country is famous for its prehispanic architecture of massive stone temples dedicated to the sun and moon. There are artisan markets selling woven fabrics, ceramics, metalwork and carvings. White water rafting, scuba diving, surfing, horse riding and mountain biking tours are available in numerous places. Guidebooks are full of superlatives about the richness of culture and nature in Mexico, but the realities of environmental degradation, social deprivation and poverty cannot be ignored. Our Mexico volunteering projects are centred around one small part of this vast country, the Bay of Banderas on the Pacific Coast. Some of these projects are in the coastal town of Puerto Vallarta, others are in the more traditional villages dotted around the bay where fishing provides a major source of income and delicious fresh seafood.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Increasingly an industrial country with a growing economy, it has the familiar problem of wealth 1 8 - ROA M - 2 0 16
Puerto Vallarta attracts both American and Mexican tourists to its beaches. Just a few blocks from the beach front restaurants, cafes and hotels is more traditional Mexican life; dirt streets, hammocks, outdoor cooking, chickens and
“I’m hoping you remember me …. I was just looking at your website and remembering what a fanthat will stay in my memory forever” – Kelly, student
trucks. Mexican life is hard working, family oriented and friendly. Volunteering in Mexico provides the opportunity to volunteer working with children, suitable for gap year volunteers and those with experience in occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy, teaching or social work, as well as stunning marine conservation opportunities working in the beach-based turtle camp, or the whale research project. Article credit: Year OutGroup Article credited too: Year Out Group. Article credited too: Year Out Group.
TANZANIA T
anzania is a country with stunning landscapes and warm, friendly people. The mixture of wildlife, tribal culture and prgressive attitudes make it a great place to volunteer and experience Africa.
live in the Moshi area, farming the foothills of Kilimanjaro where our projects are located. Despite having over 120 tribes, Tanzania has successfully become one nation, in part due to the adoption of Kiswahili as the national language.
Tanzania is one of the largest countries in Africa. A quarter of its 95 million hectares is designated as ‘wildlife protected areas’, which is more than the combined area of France and Belgium. This includes such famous areas as the great Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater.
Volunteers have the opportunity to support a number of projects centred around semi-rural Moshi, in the shadow of Kilimanjaro. Volunteers work with children in some of the most basic schools, as well as offering support to children’s refuges that offer care and a home to children who can no longer be supported or looked after by their family.
The massive game parks, challenges of Mt Kilimanjaro, stunning beaches and beauty of Zanzibar attract tourists but the economy depends more upon the export of coffee, cotton, cloves (from Zanzibar) and gold. It is dependent upon foreign aid at government levels and also volunteer support at more basic, grass-root levels.
An arts and crafts business cooperative provides a rare opportunity for creative volunteers to get involved with young Tanzanians who are successfully training in life skills to earn a living. We also partner with a local medical centre that provides the opportunity for those either interested or qualified in healthcare to gain experience in an African outpatient clinic.
On the Human Development Index of the United Nations Development Programme, Tanzania ranked 152nd of 187 countries in 2013. It is estimated that one third of the 45 million Tanzanians live below the basic needs poverty line, and well below the international poverty line. Poverty reduction has been slow and unevenly shared.
- Lend your skills to a creative arts and crafts business cooperative - Offer your support to the care and education of children in a refuge - Gain experience in an outpatient clinic, understanding the healthcare challenges of East Africa - Teach English and Maths to children in a very friendly but basic school There is an evocative mixture of - Projects suitable for gap year stu people and cultures including the dents and health care professionals. Masai, Sukuma and Chagga who Article credits Year Out Group.
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“I
needed a little break in my job, and probably going away and doing something very different was one of the best things I could have done – Julia, career
”
break
Photography credits: Year Out Group
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Toby Butler, a surf photographer from the South-West of England has recently come back from a five week journey exploring Europe. He has travelled around the world as far as New Zealand to capture those once in a life time moments. France is a place so close to his home but it never lets him down when it comes to places to explore and landscapes to be photographed. Here is his journey.....
I
t started in a small-secluded pub amidst a quaint little village just North of Exeter. It was an average night in the middle of a British winter, rain was spitting from the grey skies as it had been all day and we had taken shelter to escape the cold winter chill. We had been drawn in by the roaring fire, which had become the heart of this thatched pub during the cold spells. There were all kinds of ideas out on the table, myself and good friend/surf enthusiast Jack Harvey had been planning a project for some time now.
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Whilst throwing ideas around, trying to figure out how to make this mission viable around work and family, we kept ending up at the same conclusion - to embark on a beloved commute south that we had undertaken around the same time of the year prior. For most ocean dwellers here in the UK, this
trip is a well-known one. The South of France is a place not too far from home that can easily be accessed with the appreciated company of a vehicle loaded with somewhat of a bed to sleep on and some camping gas. This is a well-known trek as I mentioned before, but this time we wanted to do it differently. So, myself being a photographer and Jack this surf-crazed friend of mine began looking for a quieter time to meander down the French western seaboard in our trusty Volkswagen T4. We began to look around for places further afield than Southern France to begin exploring, we wondered about delving into Spanish territories and perhaps further afield, places like Portugal too, the ideas kept spiraling. A few weeks later, after some last
A SOUTHERN COMMUTE
“Sometimes it isn’t about how far you look, instead more about how far your willing to explore the places you can see right in front of you.”
All photos: Toby butler
minute phone calls and a couple of intense nights lost to Google maps, we found ourselves crumpled into the oddest of positions in the impossibly uncomfy front seats of Jacks T4. The plan was to cram some last minute kip in before boarding the first ferry of the year, bound for Roscoff. The night was spent on the hard floor of the ferry, hoodies used as pillows and excitement killing any chance of sleep.
under the stars. Whilst living off a stable diet of Sardines and chili we surfed long days and spoke of further plans deep into the night.
Once we arrived we wasted no time hitting the road and started the long trek South towards the little town of Hossegor where our journey would begin.
From Hossegor we went South and dived in to the intriguing coastline and relaxed way of life that the Basque Country has to offer. We trekked further until we reached a place that had been playing on our minds ever since we stumbled across an image, the very image that had inspired the whole idea of taking ourselves further than just the sandy dunes of France - Picos De Europa - The Mountains of Northern Spain.
The van was filled with boards, wetsuits, camera gear and all other important things. We spent the next few weeks’ wandering the beaches that seemingly went on forever, chasings swells and camping out
We encountered all sorts of waves. From the sandy shore dumps of France to reefs in the Basque Country that could handle swells up to 20 ft.+. We had been riddled with options and with swell filling in to
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we had been waiting for the chance to explore Picos and at first light the next morning, we decided to set off. From the idyllic shores of the Basque Country we had become so fixed on, to the chills of these fog-ridden mountains was quite a change. Here, it was such a different kind of beautiful, yet still so intriguing. Having only been driving for three hours we couldn’t get our heads around the contrast in these two landscapes that were in such close proximity to one another. It’s a funny feeling when you first get to a place, a place that has been on your mind for a while, a place you will now call home for the next few days. Picos de Europa is one of the few unspoilt areas of Spain and it was a place we couldn’t miss out on.3 00 square miles of dramatic snow capped peaks that rise to over 8,000 feet, the contrast of luscious greens and harsh white rock that creates this magical collection of mountains overwhelmed us. It was a minimal four days that we spent wandering this picturesque landscape, but those four days are not going to be forgotten by either of us. During our stay we witnessed this place at an intriguing time with both days that were clear and ones where the weather would take its toll. Being encapsulated by thick fog from morning to dusk was a drastic change to what we had been used to, so closed in by both the mountains and the sky it made for some stunning perspectives. Sometimes as a photographer, I find it refreshing to leave options open to the weather and outcomes that these places can decide to throw your way. We were happy with where we had ended up and after being blown away by this rock ridden paradise and spent the rest of our time dwelling amongst sandy dunes and perfect waves we felt like we had accomplished our commute South. It was a trek, but a trek that let us explore the beauty of places not far from our own backyard. Article and photos Toby Butler.
SURF CAMPS HOSSEGOR
From as little as £250 per person 2 0 16 - ROA M -
ARUBA Easy to find, hard to leave F
rom the air this island is magnificent, the colours so intense I have to blink to believe what I am seeing. A gem in the Caribbean ocean, I am flying over a place honored with paper - white beaches and crystal clear waters that sparkled with the presence of warm sunlight. This idyllic setting has seamless boundaries where the sea caresses the sand that slowly disappears into an endless green rainforest. After an hour’s descent I have landed. The warmth from the golden glow of the sun surrounds my body as if Mother Nature is welcoming me. The ambience of the island is like nothing I have experienced before, the sound of thundering water and mysterious echoes of the rain forest fill my ears whilst I drink in the vibrant colours of the houses that nestle against the horizon. I am
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astounded by the charisma of the locals and the traditional spirit that they emanate through their music. Welcome to Aruba. Aruba is a Caribbean paradise surrounded by powder white beaches, exotic wildlife and tranquil oceans. Aruba measures only nine miles in length making it the smallest of all the carribbean islands -- but this does not reflect its large personality and welcoming arms of the locals. It has kept its cultural routes without being pulled into the commercialised holiday destination maket which means travellers can experience the unique way of life that all visitors can embrace. It’s honoured with the nickname ‘The Happy Island’, which attraches many travellers to affulient Aruba each year. There are many different ways to
enjoy and explore all Aruba has to offer, however this depends on what type of adventurer you are and how you would prefer to see the island. Hundreds of people come to Aruba every year as an escape from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day living. Aruba offers all different kind of adventures; many choose to indulge themselves in the luxurious high rise Aruba whilst other visit to lose themselves in the chilled out vibes and simplicity of the Caribbean way of life. There are two sides of the island and with it comes two personalities of Aruba Palm beach is the more lively area home to restaurants and beautiful five star hotels, which are perfect for people who enjoy this kind of scene and want to keep, entertained and soak up the vibes of the affluent living style. The Divi Divi and the Tamarin Hotels are the
only two hotels situated along Palms beach and there’s not a whole lot else along this stretch -- just mile upon mile of powder-soft white sand and gently nodding palms. The hotel itself is fairly compact, split out into two-story blocks that run parallel to the beach. The rooms are bright and breezy, decked out in Caribbean colours. When you slide open the doors of your balcony you are greeted with warm white sand and crystal clear waters. Along the beach you’ll find the Coco Bar and the Pelican Terrace Restaurant – both of which overlook the ocean. If you want a change of scenery you can reserve a table at one of the five restaurants the Divi Divi and Tamarin has to offer. On the other side of the Island is Druiff beach offering a completely different sort of adventure, here it’s very peaceful, calm and tranquil
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–- a place where you spend all day on the beach, have a BBQ in the evening and watch the waves till dusk. Here many people prefer to enjoy spending time with the locals in the heart of Aruba and see what living in the Caribbean is really like. Aruba’s local are some of the warmest and friendliest people in the Caribbean and is one of the main reasons that people come from all over the world to meet up with people they have made friends for life with. Self-catering in local apartments in Druiff beach is the perfect way to experience local Caribbean life. Visit the market and wake up too the aroma of exotic dishes and sounds of traditional steel drums filling the streets. The Caribbean has been shaped by waves of migration that have combined to form a unique blend of cuisine and traditions. Many people like to stay on Aruba’s southern coast in the capital city of Aruba Oranjestad. Oranjestad is a beautiful Dutch own town full of house painted bubblegum pinks and sherbet lemon yellow. It has a lovely traditional atmosphere and this side of the island is brilliant if you just want to explore at your own pace and enjoy the fun and exciting way the Caribbean’s chose to live. Perhaps you are looking to travel around Aruba and completely lose yourself in the peacefulness of the island. Hiring a campervan and stopping of to admire the picturesque views in 30 degree days could be one to choose. Aruba is only nine miles long meaning you can take your time and explore the whole island in the matter of just a few days. There are 15 famous landmarks in Aruba, which are
best explored by vehicle. If you go to the easterly side of the island you can pick up a campervan from the airport hire ‘Queen Beatrix’s” national airport to start your journey. From here many people tend to start heading south and make a stop at Baby Beach, which is rumored to be one of the best snorkeling locations in the world. Then from here head up toward the south side of the island and stop at the grapevine beach which is famous for its homemade wine made by the locals of Aruba. This is the much more traditional side of the Island without hotels and catering for tourist and here you can experience the real Aruban towns, restaurants and local bars. Just a few miles up the road is Arikoks national park- the largest national park in the Caribbean, which is flourishing with hundreds of birds and reptiles. Then just before arriving back at where you started you are greeted with three of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean-Palms, Driuff and Eagle beach – the perfect place to spend your days. These three beaches have crystal blue water where many like to stop at and enjoy. Bungalow beach bar and grill on Palms beach is an amazing place to chill out, enjoy the live music, whilst looking out across the 360 degrees views of the ocean. Many say the best way to explore the real Aruba is by car, and if you’re on a budget then it’s the cheapest way possible too. So if you’re looking for somewhere to fulfill your inner traveller and fill your days with endless exploration, sun and tranquility than Aruba is the place to be. Article by Paige Furzer
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DO ...
When travelling its easy to fall in to the trap of taking part in activities involving animals. Below are six ethical ways to enjoy the company of animals along with five ways not too.
1. See animals in the wild. Go on a safari or ethical whale watching boat trip. Always ensure you are far enough away from the animals. 2. Visit a wildlife reserve or sanctuary. Make sure direct contact between visitors and animals is not allowed and animals are not bred in captivity. 3. Buy sustainable, animal friendly souvenirs. It will support local communities and contributes to the conservation of animals and their natural habitats. 4. Visit a nature conservation project or volunteer at one. By planting trees for example, you help contributing to the conservation of elephant and orangutan habitats. 5. Take part in active eco tours where nature and wildlife are not disturbed. 6. Complain when something does not feel right! If you see animal cruelty, please report this to the (local) authorities, for example your tour operator or a local animal welfare organisation. 3 0 - ROA M - 2 0 16
All photo credits: Year out group
DONT... 1.Do not get a selfie with a wild animal. Neither ‘cuddle’ a lion or a tiger cub. 2. Do not support attractions that force wild animals to perform tricks and shows. Do not visit dolphin shows and walk away from street shows involving dancing monkeys. 3. Do not book an elephant ride or another excursion at which direct contact with elephants is possible, for example the popular ‘Be a mahout for a day’ excursion. 4. Do not pay for fights between animals, such as bullfights, cockfights and crocodile wrestling. 5. Do not buy souvenirs which are made from wild animals, such as a bag made of crocodile leather, a bracelet made of ivory or jewellery made of coral. 6. Do not eat local dishess which are preceded by extreme animal cruelty, such as shark fin soup, bush meat, frog legs, foie gras or tiger wine. Articles and photographs: Year out group 2 0 16 - ROA M - 3 1
DREAM EXPLORE DISCOVER The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page
STA Visit STA TRAVEL.CO.UK to make your dreams come reality
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ROAM We hope you have enjoyed the first issue of ROAM magazine and its inspired you to dream, explore and discover -- ethically of course. Roam is also available to download on tablets and Ipads so you can read about the wonders of ethical travel whilst you are on the move.
Here’s a the next
sneak issue
peak into of Roam:
03 Tourism friendly bears 07 Exploring the seven wonders of the world 11 Wildlife Conservation iin Framce 13 Exploring Europe 15 Exclusive interview with travel photographer Toby Butler 18 How to stay safe when travelling a foreign country
And much, much more... 2 0 16 - ROA M - 3 3