When a branch snaps off a tree, it might be dead or it might be the weight of all the air plants (epiphytes) growing on it, it isn’t always a certain fact that it will fall to the ground. If, after a violent storm, the top of a tree is damaged then the same again is true, sometimes it doesn’t immediately come crashing down to the forest floor.
The canopy of a rainforest is an amazing criss-cross of vines, lianas, roots from plants growing down to the floor and branches of other trees interlocking with one another. So it isn’t a surprise when branches or entire trees are held aloft by this mixture of vegetation.
The problem is that eventually something will give and a lot of debris can rain down on you from a great height. This can happen at any time but is more likely during the strong winds during a tropical downpour.
If you are having a guided tour or a stroll down a track and the wind picks up and the trees start rustling, then that is a good time to keep your eyes skyward (obviously not neglecting the dangers that are lying on the ground as well). If you are setting up camp in the jungle then it is something that you should have checked before setting up for the night. In a base camp scenario I would strongly recommend walking around the perimeter of the camp looking up and into the jungle for any trees that are dead and could reach your camp if they fell.
Top tip 1. When tying up a hammock make sure the tree you tie to is actually alive. Believe me I’ve seen this with my own eyes. A collapsed tree, a crushed hammock and mosquito net, and an expedition member nearby sleeping on the floor.
Top tip 2. Monkeys are cool to look at and very comical to watch as they sound there alarm calls at the large animals on the floor (you!), but all that jumping up and down, howling and making a commotion also shakes debris loose. I’ve had members of my own group hit due to alarmed howler monkeys.
Freshwater kayaking is among the most fulfilling adventure travel activities. Whether you’re shooting down rocky rapids or gently paddling through a placid lake, kayaking offers both refreshing physical exercise and opportunities for exciting exploration.
Mastering a basic kayaking technique is relatively simple and intuitive. To move straight, you push one blade of your double-sided paddle through the water and then do the same with the other blade, paddling with each blade at an even pace. If you need to move right, simply push your left-hand blade with greater force through the water. To move left, you use this same technique, but with the right-hand blade. To brake, push either blade backwards through the water.
When participating in adventure travel activities, you might find yourself in contexts where you’ll need to master more complicated techniques than you at first imagined. In most cases, kayaking especially, you can set your own pace and explore nature’s beauty without being distracted by complicated maneuvers. Or, you can choose to learn them to feel like you have mastered the sport more thoroughly.
As you settle into a regular paddling rhythm, you might not be aware of how much physical exercise you’re getting. Like all forms of water exercise, kayaking offers gentle, but effective resistance training, as well as a solid cardiovascular workout. There’s no need for the gym.
Kayaking is one of the better adventure travel activities when it comes to people’s ages. Children pick up kayaking techniques quickly, building their confidence by competently exploring rivers and lakes. Kayaking is also a great way for the elderly to experience the great outdoors, with its minimal stress on the body.
Whether you are helping along your partner in a double-kayak, or giving instructions on the best way to navigate through a bend in the river, kayaking offers plenty of opportunities to build teamwork in a beautiful environment. Kayaking brings out the adventurer in all of us, and encourages team building through exploration. It’s no wonder that summer camps often offer kayaking as part of their core curriculum.
Kayaking also encourages mental clarity and balance. Your thoughts become more grounded as you settle into a regular paddling rhythm, surrounded by nature. The sound of the paddles lapping against the water is as soothing as any meditation music.
All adventure travel activities offer the chance to explore, to discover. Imagine paddling up to islands in lakes that rarely see visitors or observing animals in their natural habitats.
A camping trip is one of the best opportunities to utilize the practical advantages of kayaking. If properly fitted, a kayak can provide adequate storage space for camping gear.
In the world of boats, kayaks are one of the simplest vessels. This simple elegance is an integral part of the kayaking experience, there are no buzzing motors to remind you of the modern world. This is one of the most endearing qualities of the kayak—it gives you the ability to discover Mother Nature without any distraction.
Tags: adventure travel activities for families, Family adventure travel, What are the best character building activities, What are the best gap year travel ideas, What are the best outdoor adventure activities, What are the best outdoor adventure sports, What can I do on my gap year
Adventure travel activities are fast becoming a popular choice for families looking for an active vacation they have never experienced before. One option people often turn to is mountain biking. This activity is relatively easy compared to more difficult or challenging sports, so people of all ages may partake. It’s a great way to get the kids away from the television or video games and out into the fresh air of Mother Nature. Biking through the great outdoors brings people closer to nature and allows them to witness firsthand the stunning beauty that nature has to offer. Most people do not realize what they are missing until they actually get out of the house and begin to bike among the trees or mountains or along the coast.
Mountain biking not only gives people the opportunity to get in touch with nature and discover the hidden gems that have been waiting in their backyard, but it is also a great way to get a little exercise in the process. Riding a bike is a fantastic cardio workout and a good way to workout one’s legs and even upper body, as most people do not realize the full body workout that this activity requires. For most, the physical toll that mountain biking takes does not take away from the mental escape that it offers.
As is true of many adventure travel activities, biking gives people the chance to step away from the routine and do something new or discover something they never knew existed. It gives people the chance to see something or witness an occurrence they have never seen before. Biking with the family or with friends can be good for bonding as well. As a family or a group of friends bikes through nature, they will likely talk and comment on the raw beauty of their surroundings. This helps to build teamwork and can be a good way to get people working together or cooperating with one another. This is an especially good experience for kids or teens.
Mountain biking is a popular sport, as it is relatively cheap and can be done by just about anybody. As long as the proper safety precautions are taken, such as wearing a helmet and making sure that everybody is comfortable riding the bike, this can be an easy adventure travel outing. Mountain biking implies riding a specially equipped bike off-road through a nature trail or on rough terrain or other unconventional surfaces. Some people ride through the desert, along the coast, over a mountain or across a hilly terrain. Whatever one’s preference, this can be a fun and fulfilling adventure for people of all ages and backgrounds.
It is important to stay hydrated while biking, as is true of most other adventure travel activities. As alluded to earlier, wearing proper safety equipment is important. While biking, be sure to wear the proper shoes and clothing for the weather and environment. Some bikers opt to wear gloves to protect their hands from blisters.
Carrying on our series we have Mountain Biking, have a read –> Adventure Travel
Tags: adventure travel activities for families, Family adventure travel, What are the best character building activities, What are the best gap year travel ideas, What are the best outdoor adventure activities, What are the best outdoor adventure sports, What can I do on my gap year
Traveling to an indigenous area can be both exciting and daunting for the avid adventurer. This is particularly true if a visit is planned to an unfamiliar area. In order to ensure a successful trip, you should first spend time learning about the area in which you will travel. Learning local customs, history and culture is the perfect place to begin! In the TV series Tribe, with Bruce Parry, Bruce immerses himself in local culture. “I don’t see how you can understand someone else’s culture until you’ve experienced it,” says Bruce. Although the average traveler may not be able to spend the amount of time that Bruce Parry can in an indigenous area, they can make the most of their opportunities.
If you’re heading into an indigenous area, do try not to flaunt material goods and try to dress and act as the locals do to jumpstart a sharing of ideas and cultures with local people. Travelling to an indigenous area means you are an ambassador for your culture, not a superior entitled foreigner!
An educated traveller also understands that their visit to an area must have a minimal ecological impact, living as the locals do, avoiding wasteful use of natural resources. As much as possible, when visiting an indigenous area you should aim to spend money in local economies. This can be done by purchasing local food, hiring local guides and shopping at small, family-owned establishments.
Take the time to learn about your new home: traveling to an indigenous area without any understanding of the culture and attitudes can even be unsafe. An act or phrase that may appear harmless in one culture, can be considered rude or even hostile in another. Bruce Parry has said about the Western way of life, “We have our negative things. That’s not to say that I’m not proud of our culture, but we don’t do everything right. There are a lot of ways of living this life, and other ways of looking at the world. We still have a lot to learn. I certainly do.” So make the most of your time by learning about your host country and people to avoid miss-haps!
In Bruce’s own words, all travelers to exotic or indigenous lands have a great deal to learn about a culture that is different from their own. However, taking an active role in joining a culture, not just visiting a culture, can mean the difference in a so-so trip and the adventure of a lifetime…trust us, it’s worth the effort!
Tags: Bruce Parry Tribes television program, How to visit tribes like Bruce Parry, I want to know more about Bruce Parry, Who is Bruce Parry
Amongst the team here at S2Si we have an RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Competent Crew Member, an RYA Day Skipper and an RYA Yachtmaster.
Sailing can be a nice relaxing fun filled vacation, or as you are about to see, a very wet and adrenaline pumping roller coaster ride.
Turn up the volume on the PC and enjoy the ride!
Tel:+44 (0)131 2208246
