Shake hands with the Devil

This is the powerful closing statements made by the Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaires’in his award-winning book Shake hands with the devil. This Brave man led the UN peace keeping mission during the Genocide in Rwanda. His statement explains what drives brutal slayings and terrorism and how world peace is a dream that will never occur on our planet if we don’t pull together and make some major changes in this world.

At the Canadian Forces Peace Support Training Centre, teachers use a slide to explain to Canadian Soldiers the nature of our world. If the entire population of the planet is represented by one hundred people, fifty-seven live in Asia, twenty-one in Europe, fourteen in North and South America, and eight in Africa. The numbers of Asians and Africans are increasing every year while the number of Europeans and North Americans is decreasing. Seventy people are unable to read or write. Fifty suffer from malnutrition due to insufficient nutrition. Thirty five do not have access to safe drinking water. Eighty live in sub-standard housing. Only one has a university or college education. Fifty percent of the wealth of the world is in the hands of six people, all of whom are American. Most of the population of the globe live in substantially different circumstances than those we in the First World take for granted.

Many signs point to the fact that the youth of the Third World will no longer tolerate living in circumstances that give them no hope for the future. From the young boys I met in the demobilization camps in Sierra Leone to the suicide bombers of Palestine and Chechnya, to the young terrorists who fly planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, we can no longer afford to ignore them. We have to take concrete steps to remove the causes of their rage, or we have to be prepared to suffer the consequences.

The global village is deteriorating at a rapid pace, and in the children of the world the result is rage. It is the rage I saw in the eyes of the teenage Interhamwe militiamen in Rwanda, it is the rage I sensed in the hearts of the children of Sierra Leone, it is the rage I felt in the crowds of ordinary civilians in Rwanda, and it is the rage that resulted in September 11th. Human beings who have no rights, no security, no future, no hope and no means to survive are a desperate group who will do desperate things to take what they believe they need and deserve.



If September 11 taught us that we have to fight to win the “war on terrorism,” it should also have taught us that if we do not immediately address the underlying (even if misguided) causes of those young terrorists’ rage, we will not win the war. For every al-Qaeda bomber that we kill there will be a thousand more volunteers from all over the earth to take his place. In the next decade, terrorists will acquire weapons of mass destruction. It is only a matter of time until a brilliant young chemist or smuggler obtains a nuclear, biological or chemical weapon and uses it to satisfy his personal rage against us.

Where does this rage come from? This book has demonstrated some of the causes. A heightened tribalism, the absence of human rights, economic collapses, brutal and corrupt military dictatorships, the AIDS pandemic, the effect of debt on nations, environmental degradation, overpopulation, poverty, hunger: the list goes on and on. Each of these and so many other reasons can lead directly to people having no hope for the future and being forced in their poverty and despair to resort to violence just to survive. This lack of hope in the future is the root cause of rage. If we cannot provide hope for the untold masses of the world, then the future will be nothing but a repeat of Rwanda, Sierra Leone, the Congo and September 11.

Several times in this book I have asked the question, “Are we all human, or are some more human than others?” Certainly we in the developed world act in a way that suggests we believe that our lives are worth more than the lives of other citizens of the planet. An American officer felt no shame as he informed me that the lives of 800,000 Rwandans were only worth the risking the lives of ten American troops; the Belgians, after losing ten soldiers, insisted that the lives of Rwandans were not worth risking another single Belgian soldier. The only conclusion I can reach is that we are in a desperate need of a transfusion of humanity. If we believe that all humans are human, then how are we going to prove it? It can only be proven through our actions. Through the dollars we are prepared to spend to improve conditions in the Third World, though the time and energy we devote to solving devastating problems like AIDS, through the lives of our soldiers, which we are prepared to sacrifice for the sake of humanity.

As soldiers we have been used to moving mountains to protect our own sovereignty or risks to our way of life. In the future, we must be prepared to move beyond national self interest to spend our resources and spill our blood for humanity. We have lived through centuries of enlightenment, reason, revolution, industrialization, and globalization. No matter how idealistic the aim sounds, this new century must become the Century of Humanity, when we as human beings rise above race, creed, color, religion and national self-interest and put the good of humanity above the good of our own tribe. For the sake of the children and of our future, we must make this priority and save our world.

Into the wild

We all shall Live a Helter Skelter Kind of life

" I think you really should make a radical change in your lifestyle and begin to boldly do things which you may previously never have thought of doing, or been too hesitant to attempt. So many people live their lives within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change that situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism. All of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit, within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun. If you want to get more out of life, you must lose your inclination for monotonous security and adopt a helter - skelter style of life that will first appear to you to be crazy. But once you become accustomed to such a life you will see its full meaning and its incredible beauty. In short you really need to challenge yourself and get out and hit the road. I guarantee you will be very glad you did. For some reason, most people just want to bolt back home as quickly as possible, right back to the same situation which they encounter on a daily basis day after day after day. I fear that majority of people will follow this same inclination in the future and thus fail to discover all the wonderful things that God has placed around us to discover. Don't settle down and sit in one place. Move around, be nomadic, make each day a new horizon. Most of us are going to live a long time, it would be a shame if you did not take the opportunity to revolutionize your life and move into an entirely new realm of experience.

My point is that you do not need me or anyone else around you to bring this new kind of light into your life. It is simply waiting out there for you to grasp it, and all you have to do is reach for it. The only person you are fighting is yourself and your stubbornness to engage in new circumstances. Once you travel you will get the most amazing opportunities to meet people from all over the world and there is so much to learn from them. Don't hesitate or allow yourself to make excuses. Just get out and do it. You will be very glad that you did. "
~ Jon Krauker - Into the wild

Malaysia: Travel Recommendations

Kuala Lumpur:

This is a rather busy city which can be quite expensive for Malaysia standards! Its definity worth a few days as the petronas towers are incredible to see. Many people go see them and pay to ride up to a high level to get a view of the city. I went to see the towers but recommend going up to the KL tower nearby instead as its much higher up and give you a really nice view of the city area and you can seejust how the towers stick out of the buildings like a shuttle taking off into space. Its far better to do it this way! Instead of being inside of them. If you stay for a few nights the cheapest place to stay is in china town. The night life can be quite pricey so be cautious where you choose to go. Near the city is a place called Batu caves where you should really go check out. There's a huge climb up the stairs to get there and is a rather holy temple with all sorts offerings inside the caves, including monkeys that will snatch anything they can get their hands on if you tempt them so keep all your belongs secure. 3-4 days is all you would need here.

Penang:

This island lies on the west coast in the north. The main city there is georgetown which does not have much to offer and is full of purse snatching thieves. So PLEASE be careful there.. Trust me! The island itself is quit large and there is one nice beach area called Batu Ferringhi. Its really nice and you can stay there for a bit more money but I do recommend you do this if possible instead. We hired motorcycles and drove to other sights on the island which were cool so if can brave the city traffic than do this as well. 3 days on this island would be more than enough.

Langkawi:

This is another large island on the west coast just north of penang. It is much better and unless you desire to go to penang than I'd probably give it a miss and go here in stead. Its possible to catch a ferry from penang to here or along the main land in malaysia. I also heard travelers coming and going to thailand from this island too so I know there is ferries there to. Its white sand beaches are picture perfect and its crystal clear waters wash your every worry away. The accommodation is quite affordable and this island is also quite massive so I would again hire a motorcycle and drive around the island as there is lots to see and some more gorgeous beaches on the northpart of the island too that you should check out for sure. There is a really nice waterfall too on this island. I'd suggest nothing less than 4 days here to soak it all in as the beaches here are as gorgeous as SE asia beaches get.

Alor star:

I can remember there is something nice to see around here but not worth staying any more than 1 night. This place is a good city to catch a ferry to or from langkawi and that's about it. From here I boarded a night bus to Kota Bharu which is on the east coast. I do remember not sleeping at all on this night bus as the roads across are crazy small and windy and our driver scared the hell out of me the whole time. So if your planning a night trip I wish you luck and a driver who is not in a race to get somewhere as fast as possible.. Yikes!

Kota Bharu:

I recommend going here as there are some amazingly wondrous markets to check out and the building offers endless floors of items being sold in the most lively fashion you could ever imagine. This city is located in the NE corner close to the border of thailand. It can be reached most easily by bus or the jungle train. We spent 2 nights here which was enough and then took a bus to kuala besut which is a small town where you can board a ferry and head over to the almighty Perhentian Islands.

Perhentian Island:

These islands are perfectly placed and contain some of the nicest beaches this world could ever offer. There are two separate islands and the smaller island Kecil is where you must go! The other island is larger and full of tourist and family resorts so no need to stay there as there are plenty of budget accommodations on Kecil on long beach. Ahhh! Do I ever miss this little piece of paradise. If you can afford to spend a week on this island just to kick back, relax, and enjoy the

feeling of being on one the best places on earth then Please do so. Everything about this island is stunning and will leave the most satisfying feeling in your body you surely won't forget. Monitor

lizards can be found searching for prey all over this island There is tons to do to pass the time If laying on the white sand beaches just isn't your thing including diving, taking your diving course (I did), snorkelling with black tip reef sharks, chasing enormous sea turtles around on a snorkel trip, or just relaxing and socializing, the world is your oyster and so dive right in. If you decide to explore these islands more I know the island directly south called Redang has really good diving but it is a lot more expensive to dive and stay here.

Jungle train:

Taking the train through the jungle was quite exciting and a journey I would recommend indeed but take it in the daytime if possible so you won't miss out on the endless scenery passing you by.

Taman Negra National park:

If trekking through the jungle in search of wild tigers, elephants, monkeys or anything else you might encounter along the trek then this is something you won't want to miss. I did a 4 day/3 night trek through the heart of the jungle and it left an unforgettable taste in my mouth. The first night we stayed in bat and cobra infested cave, the second night we stayed in a hut looking over a stunning jungle area and staked out the area below which frolicked with wild boars and massive tapier that use the small lake as their local watering hole. The third night we were invited into a small colony of nomads living in a number of tiny straw huts. After our arrival they taught us how to successfully use their blow darts and cleared out one of their huts for us to sleep in. It was an all around remarkable experience to get up close and personal with the jungle and once you hear the sounds! It will just add to the wow factor! I highly recommend you put the jungle at the top of your to do list.

Cameron highlands:

A really cool mountain side city area which lies in the central part in the north. Its known for its chilly weather at night which must add to create some of the most delicious teas and fruits you've ever tasted. Most of the fruits farms and tea plantations are in this area spaced out along the hillsides. I would recommend to visit the BO/BOH/BHO tea plantation there and take a tour. If your really driven, wander out into the fields like I did and volunteer yourself to pick tea leaves for the day with one of the many crews working. It was a great experience here and wished I spent more than just 2 days in this region as it seemed there was quite a lot to do. Also this area is home to the largest flower in the world which is high up hiding in the hillsides called Raffelsia. You can take a tour to go see it which is quite expensive or just meet a local and arrange for

them to take you to see one. If you do so, just make sure you promise them you will keep it a secret as they can get in some serious trouble for doing so from the tour agencies!

Melecca:

The only place I didn't get to but I heard was really cool is Melacca. It lies in the SW part of Malaysia and I suggest looking into it and if you can fit it in your travel itinerary.

Pulau Tioman:

The last place of honorable mention is the Tioman islands or aka Pulau Tioman. Its also a great place for diving, tons of different beaches where you can hire a hut near the beach for a rather affordable price. Massive monitor lizards are easily found roaming all over this island. I think you could probably spend a good week on this island if time permits just beach hoping and staying in different guest houses along the way. If you catch a ferry to this island be sure you know which beach your going to assthey drop off at different points along the island and its often 2-3 hours before another will arrive and it comes at a hefty price too to relocate. If you enjoy my recommendations I'd suggest staying on Tekek beach at some budget huts that are on the end of the beach near the hammocks.Easiet way to locate is to turn right after the ferry docks and walk down to the end! Also there are some big guest houses along the edge of the nearby cliff side and if you scramble up the rocks to them! It makes for a spectacular snap shot down onto the white sand beaches below.

Also there is a small island just beyond the beach and makes for a spectacular snorkel experience if you make a lap around it! If you want to stay at a different place try salang beach. Its the beach as far north as you could go and a bit less busy and touristy!

New Zealand: Travel Recomendations

NORTH ISLAND:

Tongariro crossing:
This is surely one of the Top 3 Treks to do in this country. This is one of the most famous and of course amazing hiking treks you can do in New Zealand. Unfortunately I cannot claim I did it as our group waited around for 3 days for the weather to clear up enough to do this trek but the area showed no remorse on us and we were rained out. I met a few dozen other travelers who did it and every one of them raved about how incredibly remarkable this hike is and I can say the whole 2 months I was traveling here, I didn't meet one person who didn't enjoy it!

Mt Taranaki:
If you have the time you should try to get over to the Edgemont national park near the west coast. There you will find Mt. Taranaki and you can trek up to the top and the views are absolutely breath taking.

Taihipe:
This is the home of the Flying fox which has the biggest zip line in the world! Around 200m in height you are strapped to a canvass and plunge into a canyon at an extremely fast pace that you feel as if you could be ejected out of our worlds atmosphere. This ride is a once in a lifetime opportunity and so amazing you won't wanna miss out on!!

Wellington:
This is quite a cool city with wicked night clubs, nice beaches and a whole lot more to do.






SOUTH ISLAND:

Nelson:
This is one of most favorite spots I went to on this island. It is a rather small city by New Zealand standards but is an amazingly beautiful hippie town with lots to see and do and great beaches to kick back and relax on.

Abel Tasman National Park:
This National park lies in the Northwest corner on the south island. It is quite close to Nelson and is arguably the best National park in NZ. Many travelers go here hire kayaks and cruise along the waterside as far as they can bare to go. It is also very well know for its 100's of km of trails to trek on in this massive park area. In Marahau; which is the main point of entry into the park, you can organize a water/transport taxi that will take you to any point along the coast inside the national park as far as you would like to venture. Once your dropped off, you trek your way back to Marahau. When I went our group took a water taxi to Bark Bay where we got dropped off with our camping and trekking gear and walked till we got to Torrent bay village where we set up camp for the night. The following day we spent most of the hours trekking back to Marahau all along the trails which unleashed magnificent coast line view all along the way.

Westport:
If you are planning a trip from Nelson or Abel Tasman down the west coast to see the glaciers, you might as well stop here. There is a local seal colony here which you can actually get quite close to and makes for some amazing photographs. Its pretty sweet to see and is a great spot to hang out for a few hours to break up a drive. There is a campground here also that I stayed at and if that is your thing then I would recommend it.

Franz Joseph and Fox Glacier:
If Glaciers are your thing, then these area near the west coast should be placed high on your to do list! They are relatively close together in distance and the glaciers themselves are strikingly gorgeous. There are several amazing hiking trails around both these areas and can even hike up quite high to the glacier itself if you choose. If you do not have the time to see both, I would suggest to go to Franz Joesph as that is where I spent most of my time. In the town of Franz Joseph there is also an Indoor ice climbing wall that didn't fit into my budget but seemed like a really cool thing to do if you go here.

Arthurs Pass:
This is a gorgeous mountain pass that connects the west coast to the east coast. It begins from Grey mouth and passes over a mountain range before you end up just north of Christchurch. Its full of gorgeous mountain views and the small roads wind around them and can cause you to be nauseous if you are traveling with a weak stomach. If you are driving, hitch hiking or taking a train I highly recommend taking this pass and your camera will surely thank you for it.

Queenstown:
Is by far the most happening place you can find in New Zealand. Heaps of travelers flourish their colors here in this rather small city and it seems to be bustling with night life any night of the week. There are many different venues to have drinks and go out to party at, and during the day you can find several tour shops where most visitors book tours,skydiving, paragliding, bungy jumping, or any other death deifying stunt they might offer.Its located beside a rather pleasant lake and you can gaze up into the sky from anywhere in the city and see the remarkables standing tall high above. The remarkables got their name because they are the only mountain range in the whole southern hemisphere that run perfectly from north to south. The city itself has a real beauty appeal to it and its no wonder its attracts loads of travelers from all over the globe.

Lake Tekapo:
This area lies in the center of the south island close to the highest mountain in New Zealand; Mt. Cook. In my mind, it is definitly one of the hidden gems of the south island. Its a small town around a stunning neon blue lake and there lies a famous church that is one of the most highly photographed buildings in new zealand. Around the lake is a great 2 hour hike you can do to a large hill overlooking the lake below and surrounding area and makes for some spectacular photos.



Mt. Cook:
Aoraki/Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand. It stands tall at an impressive height of 3,754 metres (12,316 ft). It lies in the Southern Alps, the mountain range which runs the length of the South Island. This mountain was the training grounds for Sir Hiliary Edmund who become the first man in the world to summit Mt. Everest which is located in Nepal. There is a very well done museum in this area devoted to him and has loads of pictures and information about the area and what it takes to successfully reach the top of the world. This area is a trekking haven with loads of trails all through the region and vary in difficulty. If your looking for a real adventure I would suggest to camp in a tent overnight in the campgrounds and try to get a sound sleep as the howling intense winds pass by and shake your tent like you would not believe! I can honestly say the night I spent here was the craziest sleep I've ever had and the wind was so intense building up through the valley that I felt as if my tent was gonna be picked up and tossed to the next mountain range.

Milford Sound:
The sound is probably one of the most picturesq, magical places you could ever find in New Zealand. It is a busy area for travellers who come here to witness the spectacular scenery and you can pay an afforadable price to take a cruise around the area which i highly recommend you do. If your a big trekker and can plan your travels 6 months ahead of time, you can spend the $200-250 CDN and book yourself in to trek the Milford Trek which is said to be one of the best our world has to offer.

Trekking:
New Zealand was the first country I backpacked in so it will always have a special place for me. Alot of people come to New Zealand for the great outdoors and what better way to immerse yourself in the country than to get into trekking. While I was there I did 3 big treks but there are many more I could have done if I had the time. The top 6 most popular treks to do in NZ are as follows:

Tongario Crossing 19 kms - North Island (1-2 days)
Copeland Trail - South Island (3-5 days)
Routeburn Trail 35 kms - South Island (2-4 days)
Kepler Trek 65 kms - South Island (2-4 days)
Milford Track 53 kms - South Island (3-6 days)
Abel Tasman Coast Trek 51 kms - South Island (2-5 days)

For more information on these treks or any others in New Zealand click this link below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_tramping_tracks