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The Truth About Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand!
Spending time with elephants in Thailand has topped the bucket list for many people across the globe. Having the unique opportunity to be in the presence of these magnificent creatures seems like a dream come true. The tragedy is that a significant proportion of these so-called “sanctuaries” are anything but. Hidden beneath the surface lays a darker truth and one that the world is gladly becoming aware of. Yet, some choose to bury their heads in the sands of ignorance to avoid the harsh reality of the horrific suffering that these poor elephants endure. In this article, we will delve into the reality of ethical elephant sanctuaries and the valuable…
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The Siberian Tiger Park: A Retrospective of Cruelty
While fastidiously reading through my Lonely Planet Travel book on China, I soon came across a section dedicated to the little-explored far northeast. Amongst this barren frozen wasteland, its crowning jewel is the city of Harbin. Known as the Ice City, Harbin has also gained international recognition as the host of the yearly Snow and Ice Festival, a place which produces some of the world’s largest ice sculptures. The city was also home to a Japanese chemical weapon laboratory during the height of the war. Yet, that isn’t what has brought the city such notoriety. Harbin is also home to the Siberian Tiger Park, a place where the breeding and…
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Hanoi: A Snake’s Heart For Dinner
Exploring jaw-dropping landscapes and sampling mouthwatering local cuisine is an important part of the travelling experience. Yet, there’s a lesser-known side to travelling, one with a far more morbid tone – dark tourism. As the name might suggest, this is not everyone’s cup of tea, far from it in fact. While many are content staying snug within their comfort zone, others prefer venturing into the murky waters and experiencing the darker side of life. For better or for worse, I am one of those people. Vietnam had just the kind of experience I was looking for. It was one that would garner disapproving looks and vitriolic anger from some, particularly…
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The Ultimate Travel Plan: Visiting XPark Aquarium, Taoyuan
The oceans surrounding the island nation of Taiwan are some of the most vibrant anywhere in the world! In fact, Taiwan has over 2,800 different species in its waters, that’s more than Thailand or Mexico!! Luckily, there’s the perfect place to experience all this wonderous aquatic life. Located just on the outskirts of Taipei, XPark is Taiwan’s newest immersive experience and makes for a great day trip from the capital. The state of the art aquarium house a number of sensory-tingling displays with a selection of both native and worldwide species in fascinating modern exhibits. So, in that case, here’s everything you need to know about visiting XPark. How To…
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The Ultimate Travel Plan: Visiting the Bowing Deer of Nara
Japan has many iconic images! Whether it’s the hectic crossroads of Tokyo or the peaceful expanses of bamboo forests and red torii gates in Kyoto, the trend-setting nation covers the whole spectrum. Japan is also home to some unique animals. Along with the one-of-a-kind hot-spring-loving snow monkeys in the mountains of Nagano, the ancient streets of Nara also play host to another iconic animal – deer! These aren’t the average deer you’d see prancing through the woodlands of many countries, much like everything else in Japan, they are completely unique. In true polite Japanese fashion, these deer bow to you! It’s one of those utterly unique experiences and amongst the…
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The Ultimate Travel Plan: Seeing the Snow Monkeys
There are endless reasons that set the land of the rising sun at the very top of many people’s travel bucket lists. The chaotic LSD trip of Tokyo, Kyoto’s echoes of ancient pasts, Hiroshima’s memorial of apocalyptic terror and the tropical paradise of Okinawa. Equally as appealing would be the spectacular nature that Japan provides. For what they lack in animal diversity, they make up for by having some of the most unique phenomena found anywhere in the world. One experience, in particular, stands out above all the rest. I am of course speaking about the opportunity to see the fascinating snow monkeys. The images of the monkeys leisurely bathing…
