Dare to Cross the Flood

Bangladesh is another country that I traveled. This country is known of having floods every year. When you talk of floods in that country, the waters will subside for months. One day while I was visiting my project area with my CD80 Honda motorbike, I saw ahead of me that the road was covered with water because of the heavy rain. The water was 2.6 feet high and about 100 feet of the road was covered.

Some people will cross the flood on a canoe. Some even let their motorbikes and animals on a canoe. While I was observing the people and the hassle to load their things, I decided to cross the waters on my own with my motorbike and so I did.  People looked at me as they were thrilled and some also laughed at me but who cares, this is my journey.

I cross that area a couple of times but only few times that I got stocked in the middle on flooded roads. My secret was to grab the motorbike to a shallow area, started the engine quickly and drove as fast as I can so that the engine will not stop again.

 

Tips Before Travelling

When you go to adventurous travels, there might be problems that you will encounter unexpectedly. So here are some tips to guide you  to lessen the hardships you might face. If posssible, that you will not face any problem at all.

1. You need to have a strong determination to where you are going.

2. Research in the internet or to any guide books concerning the area you are traveling.

3. Choose what kind of travel you are going to make. Ex. Trekking or kayaking or mountain climbing or simply city tours.

4. Prepare the necessary things you need to bring based on the kind of travel you are going to make, and on the number of days you gonna stay.

5. Bring handy kits for emergency use, like:
                          medicine
                          first aid kit
                          sewing kit
                          all-purpose tool kit like swiss knife
                          handy flashlight
                          plastic bags (for garbage and protecting clothes from getting wet)
                          candies or chocolates (for energy giver)

6. Choose the right bag. For city travels, trolleys is better but for outdoor trips, back packs are the best.

7. Always bring an extra handy sling bag for daily trips. Your big back packs and trolleys can be left behind in the hotel or inn while the handy sling bag is a carry anywhere type of thing. Here, your passport copies, credit cards, and other essential documents you can bring. Sling or waist bags are really good to keep away thiefs or snatchers from stealing your things away.

8. Always put your sling bag in front of you. Never at the side or back.

9. Carry important documents with you always to avoid hotel theft. you cannot trust hotels or inns, most of all. Hotel staff can be interested with your things, too.

10. Valuable items can be stored in safe boxes or in your hand carry bags.

11. Always photocopy all your documents in case of theft or from being lost.

12. Always bring ID pictures. Some countries will asked even when you buy a simple sim card for your mobile phone.

13. Make a list of things to buy and things to bring to make sure that you will not miss anything.

14. Don't bring everything. You can always purchase simple things in other places/countries. Unless you are not sure, just purchase the smallest of every kind, like sachets for shampoo or deodorant, and etc

15. Secure a map and a tourist guide book. These are very helpful, most of all, if you can't speak the language. 

Dare to Travel Abroad with only $45 in your Pocket

1998, I was invited by my friend to travel Turkey. I accepted the invitation and I flew to that country. With all the preparations that I did, it so happened there was only $US45 left in my pocket. As the plane landed at the airport, I was cuing the line up of people in the Immigration area. I was a bit scared and nervous since I only have $US45 in my Pocket and my point of entry was tourist so in my mind I was thought that they will expect that I have a lot of money but in reality it was not.

So I flew from Istanbul to Ankara were my friend and his family live. I stayed to two weeks with them. By that time the exchange rate was $1=486,000 Turkish lira so I can budget more with what I had.

During my last night and few hours that I had with them, I asked my friend; how how do I have to pay for the taxi driver from downtown of Istanbul to the airport? He said, just give him two million, I was shocked and surprised. Back in my mind, I said WOW! I am a millionaire by that time then.

Will you dare to travel with only $45 in your pocket? Hope not.

My Early Travels

A 10 year-old boy traveled alone in a bus for about 86 kilometers. Then walked for an hour in the mountains that night without a flash light or compass. Yes, that was me and every time I watched the Spy Kids movie or adventure kid movies. It reminds me of this adventurous experience.

One summer, my parents organized a children's camp in the mountain where my father used to climb. There were around 300 children in that camp and both my two sisters and my older brother were there, too. So I was alone in our house together with my cousin.

With the loneliness of a young kid, while all of my family members were having fun in the camp, pushed and gave me a courage to go and follow them where they were having the event. So I packed up my things and I took a bus bound to the provinces wich is about 86 Kilometers from the city. I arrived in the market place at about 5:30 pm.

From there, I need to walk alone for an hour before I reached my destination. I was afraid while I was walking because it was geting dark. In my mind, I thought it was only an hour walk but because I was only 10 years old it took more than what I was thinking. So I tried to hasten my steps and sometimes I ran so I can reach the place.

At about 7 pm I was already climbing to the mountains without any flashlight or a compass but just only my instinct, courage and determinations. But, of course, with my prayers that God will guide me the way. After a while and passing by to several mountains and valleys, I was so happy that I saw two houses. So I ran just near to it thinking that they might see me and give me the right path to my destination. As I passed by, I did ask for help. They said that I was in the wrong direction. They gave me the correct path to my destination. One more mountain to cross then it will be the campsite.

With my strong determination and courage, God answered my prayers that I was able to reach my target place. How about you, do you have the same experience like mine? I am open to hear from your experienced, too.