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Elephant Rides in Thailand Are Bad… For Real

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Elephant Rides in Thailand Are Bad… For Real I must preface this post by admitting that, yes, I have been on elephant rides. At the time I was utterly convinced it was fine and that the elephant was more than happy to carry me. That was a year ago and I was definitely wrong.

My experience with elephant rides

I happened to be in Thailand in March 2012 and one of the things I had planned was, of course, to ride an elephant. I’d been romanced by the idea such that I believed these beautiful creatures would actually enjoy the experience with me. “I’m having a blast, Joe!” The elephant would say, and I’d reply “Indeed… Onward!” My brain was clearly malfunctioning, but I know that other people convince themselves in much the same way. To cut a medium-length story to blog post size, I arrived where the elephants were kept, climbed aboard and off we went. It was all downhill from there (metaphorically speaking). There was a small, irritable Thai man sat on the elephant’s head and he had a wooden stick which at one end had a metal spike and hook – I’m no Freud, but it’s my understanding that rage and sharp objects tend not to mix positively. The man prodded and poked the poor, grey beast as it moved reluctantly through the jungle, and I imagined that the elephant was filled with resentment. It was clear from its groans that the animal did not want to cooperate, but was forced into doing so knowing that, should it refuse, it would receive a painful blow to the forehead from the spiked tool. I wanted to get off. This was not at all the way I’d imagined it, but then these things rarely are. I hated every second of it, but then realised that however much I disliked the experience, my suffering paled in comparison to the suffering of the elephant. Let me next explain how to catch an elephant. First you must break the elephant’s spirit using a centuries old method known as ‘Phajaan’. Information varies from source to source as to the exact process, but we know that when an elephant is around 4 years of age it’s forcibly removed from its mother (forever breaking their natural bond), caged and then immobilised with ropes and chains. The ‘trainers’ proceed beat the schnitzel out of the elephant with heavy, sharp things till it becomes forever submissive to human beings. I’m told that the most effective area to attack is the inner ears and eyes, as they’re the most painful. Here’s a shocking ‘PETA-esque’ video of Phajaan in action – Bear in mind that, as far as we know, every domesticated elephant in Thailand has experienced this After a few weeks of torture you have a tame elephant that you can ‘use’ for… well, whatever you want really. The elephants are either kept, or sold off to new owners who use them to make money through offering rides and putting on shows – they can even be trained to paint pictures, which I find terrifying. To me this process is heartless – intentional or not. I understand that one shouldn’t judge the people that participate in this process, as I’ve no idea what their motivations are or what sort of strange path led them to this sort of life, but ultimately there needs to be local and accessible education that animals aren’t for people. As a ‘higher’ species we should take it upon ourselves to discuss this sort of thing – in many parts of the developed world we already know better, plus it’s really shitty karma. Even Lonely Planet haven’t got the message yet. Am I a hypocrite for eating farmed meats? Probably. Am I a hypocrite for having a pet dog? Probably. But I believe that taking small steps is better than taking no steps, provided that they’re steps in the right direction. So, what I’m saying is: elephant rides in Thailand are bad… for reals.   …And now, a funny cat:

TOKYO NIGHTLIFE

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TOKYO NIGHTLIFE
“Tokyo has some of the best nightlife in the world. The city’s size to population ratio means that they have to cram an unimaginable number of small businesses into a relatively restricted area. Most buildings have 5 or more floors that house anything from hairdressers to karate dojos, but it’s the bars we’re interested in here. This Asian metropolis has more bars than the sea has fish and if you’re not familiar with the area you’ll never stumble across the same bar twice. After living in Tokyo for quite some time I became used to this and started documenting all my alcohol-influenced experiences. Here is a list of 5 of my favourite bars in Tokyo.

1. The BBQ bar

All you can eat and drink. That’s all you should need to hear to want to visit a BBQ restaurant. The beer flows freely as does the food. There’s a small barbecue in the middle of every table and plates upon plates of the tastiest meats you can think of are brought out by the waiters upon request. Run out of food? Press the little buzzer on your table and as if by magic five more plates will appear. Bear in mind that there’s a three hour time limit in most of these places, so eat and drink as fast as you can… if you can stomach it.”
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The Propane Heaters That You May Want to Keep For Yourself

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What’s nice about having the best propane heaters is that it can be used either indoors or outdoors. With its portability, you can do so much. It is a perfect option if you need to make use of a heater and there is no electrical source nearby.

What are some of the uses of space heaters?

propane heater During cold nights when you just want to enjoy your time outside but you just can bear the temperature, having a propane heater will definitely come in handy. Working in your little garage during the winter season will literally send chills down your spine. What you can do (if there if your house heater does not extend to the garage) is to purchase a small propane heater so you can fuss around inside your workshop whenever you please. These are just a few usual examples, but having a propane heater is going to come in handy during cold seasons. In your search for a good propane heater in the market, this buying guide is your best friend.

Five factors to consider when purchasing a propane heater

  1. The location of where you will place the heater.

If you have the desired location for your propane heater, you will get an idea just what you should get. For example, an outdoor propane heater is a good choice for the patio because it can release a sufficient amount of heat and direct it in a certain direction. Most times, you might need a ventilation to remove toxic substances in the air while heating up the area.

  1. Ignition is the key.

This one is dependent on your preference. There are those requiring manual ignition, where you might have to ignite the fuel yourself. But, there are available units that have integrated ignition. Just by turning on the heater, the fuel gets ignited automatically. The latter is always preferred for its ease of you. However, the mechanism will eventually wear out. Then, you will need to do manual ignition anyway.

  1. The budget will determine your price range.

Set a limit when purchasing any item. Actually, you should do this on all your purchases anyway. To be honest, most of the propane heaters in the market do not come cheap. There are reasonably priced ones, but if you try to go steep, the performance might get compromised. Also, you will need to check the prices of fuel. Factor that in, including the amount of fuel you might need to use for the heater.

  1. Accessibility and portability are necessary.

The whole point most people are on the lookout for the good propane heater is to have a heater that they can move around. The fact that you can place it in the middle of the room without thinking about cords and sockets is also a big sigh of relief. Make sure that you get one that you can easily lift, say when you are going up and down the stairs. Check also its features. It is best to get one that has a handle or wheels for more ease of movement.

  1. Last and never the least on the list is the safety features.

Let us be realistic here, propane heaters can be dangerous. Propane is flammable, after all. If it is stored in the heater, then it will not be considered dangerous. However, you will never know if the heater will malfunction. You should select a heater that has safety features, such as an anti-tip-over switch that will switch off the heater if it gets toppled over. Another considerable feature would be an overheat protection that comes with a thermostat. If the heater becomes too hot, it will automatically shut down. Ventilation, as mentioned earlier, is also important. Check if the one that comes with propane is intended for indoor use or outdoor use.

Maintenance and servicing of propane heaters

Yes, this should be done regularly. By servicing your heater, you can relax and stop worrying about it affecting your home. When maintaining the heater, make sure that is turned off. Get a vacuum cleaner and remove the dust that has accumulated outside of the heater and those in the heater grilles. If the dust is hard to remove, use a paintbrush to loosen it up. Do not forget to tighten the grilles, if you must. When cleaning the inside of the heater, remove the screws first and remove the cover panel. With a cloth partially drenched with warm water, clean the cover. Vacuum the insides of the compartment. It is important to check the safety protocols constantly and regularly observe your heaters. Read safety information and how to properly use your product. Because even if it is one of the best propane heaters available, it will not be enough with improper use.

7 Signs Your Journey of Self Discovery Is Overdue

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7 Signs Your Journey of Self Discovery Is Overdue Travel does many of things for us. Facilitating journeys of self discovery is one of those things. It’s okay, most of us are confused about who we are and what this life thing is all about. But rarely do we have time to search for the answers. I’ve experienced identity crises like everyone else, but these days I’m driven by meaningful purpose. I’m driven because I’m quickly waking up to the essence of who I really am, deep under the surface. But I had to be able to recognise when it was time set-off  on my journey before I was able to take the first crucial step. Here are some signs that might signal that it’s time for you to wake up and start asking questions.

You feel disconnected from the world

There’s a gap that seems to appear between us and the world when we’re unsure of ourselves. We can even feel completely cut off from our friends and family. When our sense of who we are comes into question we often turn inward to find the answers. But what many of us don’t get is that it’s partly through our interaction with other people that we come learn the truth about ourselves. If you’re feeling disconnected, maybe a journey of self discovery is for you.

You’ve got itchy feet

Hands up if the voice in your head enjoys nagging at you. Yep, me too. The nagging can manifest in many different ways. We might feel like quitting a boring job, moving house, leaving a bad relationship, killing a smoking habit, or anything else that would mean a fundamental shift in perspective. Our minds are tired and want out of the game. A chance to breathe. And the only way to satisfy a persistent voice is to listen to what it has to say. It might be time to listen to your voice and uncover your true self by experiencing all the diverse contexts the world and its people offer up.

You daydream about self discovery

Simply put, your head is in the clouds.

You don’t like getting up in the morning

I know that a lot of people find getting out of bed about as attractive as a grenade, but that says something about the way we’re living. To be alive should be a great joy. We should be able to welcome every day with positivity. “And you? When will you begin that long journey into yourself?” – Rumi But sadly the thought of waking up, both metaphorically and literally, becomes too challenging when it feels like there’s no escape from the cycle. The good news is that it’s never too late to realise that things can be different. The path of self discovery is infinite because we never stop learning. But thats okay because when we live in the moment, the journey becomes the destination.

You distract yourself with stuff

Hands up if you buy crap that you will probably never use. Yep, me too. We do this because it offers us a temporary pleasure – a distraction from the terrifying prospect of self discovery. It lets us forget all the ‘problems’ we’d rather sweep under the carpet, or put aside to think about another day rather than confront them. We don’t just do it with stuff. We do it with TV, movies, video games, alcohol, drugs and all sorts. We hide because we’re afraid of the truth. And we’re afraid of the truth because we don’t know what it is.

You’re always tired

Our physical wellbeing is inextricably linked with Our mental wellbeing. Having a tired body and a tired mind only serves to block life’s answers from view. When we find that we’re always tired, we might be spending too much time involved in soul-sucking activities that totally drain us. It’s not always easy to tell what those things are without a change in perspective World travel offers us limitless, dynamic perspectives that can guide us toward what we’re looking for.

You feel like there’s so much more

If you can recognise any of the following, you’re probably in this category : “I’m ready to conquer the world, but I’m afraid to step outside my comfort zone.” “I feel like there’s so much more out there, but worry about taking action.” “My rational mind files away my dreams for another day.” What’s funny is that the times when we’re truly afraid to make a leap of faith are often the times we need to leap the most. The truth is that there is much more out there, but it’s not going to fall into your lap. The fruit of life is low hanging and incredibly sweet. Take it, it’s yours to enjoy.   In the next post we’ll look at how travel helps with all of the problems listed above. Subscribe to my mailing list to get it in your inbox. There’ll be no spam. And that’s a promise.

Which apples are best for juicing?

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If you are concerned about health, you will certainly know about the importance of including fresh fruit and veggies in daily diet. Drinking juice is a very easy and quick way for your body to absorption of nutrients even when you do not like fruit and veggies. Apple is one of the most popular fruit due to the benefits that it brings. With a large amount of insoluble fiber from apple juice, your body can consume a lot of nutrients in a short time. Not all people know about the benefits that apple juice can give us.

#1 Which apples are best for juicing?

There are actually over 7000 more varieties of apples around the world. Choosing apple for juicing depends on your personal preference. For example, if you just want to drink apple juice, you can pick some different types of apple to enjoy a complex flavor. If you prefer to mix apple with vegetable juice, you should choose a sweeter red apple and you can use less sugar. If your favorite is juicing a variety of fruits, you can use a tart apple to offset the sweetness of other fruits. Some famous apples for juicing that you should know are Red Delicious, Fuji Apple, Gala Apple, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp,…

#2 What are impressive health benefits of juicing apples?

#1 Apples juice good for your heart

According to study, apples are a valuable source of cholesterol levels lowering soluble fiber. They also contain antioxidants, polyphenol and flavonoids which cause lower blood pressure. Eating an apple per day may lower risk of stroke as well.

#2 Prevent cancer

There is a closely related between plant compounds in apple juice and a lower risk of cancer. Apple juice is the best protective that helps your body destroy tumors and cancer, especially lung cancer. Some compounds that contain in apples such as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory are believed to effective in preventing the development of cancer.