Laos is a wonderful country and one that is worth as few weeks of any serious travellers time. No-one leaves Laos disappointed, finding it an ideal destination to escape from the grind and stresses of day-to-day life. Its welcome charm invites you to immediately immerse yourself into the culture and natural beauty of a land that is home to the ever smiling Laotian people.

Travelling on a private adventure itinerary is a great way to see the country. The roads are bad…really bad, the distances are long and the public transport is lacking in comfort, convenience and punctuality. Travelling with your own driver and better quality of vehicle ensures you pack a lot into visit, but of course will cost extra.

Head north to Luang Namtha or Muang Sing where the trekking is outstanding, probably the best in Asia. The Laos government has insisted on a very eco friendly approach to tourism at a stage where it will really make a difference. You can visit, and stay with, a variety of hill tribe people, which is quite an experience.

You’ll trek virgin trails, learn the ways of the rainforest and the tribes that live within it. On many tips you’ll get to spend time with the Laos elephants (it’s not known as the ‘land of a million elephants’ for nothing you know!) and learn about the work being done to preserve them. Then there is the wonderful Luang Prabang, with its legacy of ancient red-roofed temples, French colonial architecture and refined cuisine. It is unquestionably one of Southeast Asia’s most enchanting cities and is an essential stop on any visit. From here you can reach the likes of the Pak Ou caves and the Kuang Si Falls.

In the south you should make a beeline for Si Phan Don, the Four Thousand Islands, a landlocked archipelago and home to some of Laos’ most traditional villages as well as rare freshwater dolphins and the thundering waterfalls.

Bengal has rich cultural heritage and a glorious past dates back to 3rd century BC. The region has been ruled by Mauryas, Guptas, Palas, the Muslims and finally the British. Bengal is the birth place of many great personalities, philosophers, scientists, patriots, and home to five Nobel laureates – Ronald Ross, Sir C.V. Raman, Rabindranath Tagore, Mother Teresa and Amartya Sen. During British imperialism, this region was divided into two provinces of West Bengal and East Bengal followed the policy of “divide and rule” to curb the rising of national movement in India. Present Bangladesh is the region of East Bengal and West Bengal is one of the 28th states of Indian Union.

GEOGRAPHY

West Bengal is bordered by Nepal and Bangladesh and the states of Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar, Sikkim, Assam, and Meghalaya in different directions. From north to south, it stretches from Himalayan Mountain to the Gangetic plain and the Bay of Bengal. The land is mostly plain except the northern region, which comes under the Himalayan mountain range. On the basis of landforms, the state can be divided into the following regions: Darjeeling Himalayan hill region, Terai region, North Bengal plains, Rarh region, Coastal plain, Sunderbans, Western plateau and high lands and Ganges delta.

CULTURE

The rebirth of Indian culture has taken place in this region of West Bengal which added a new chapter in the evolution of Indian history as Bengal Renaissance. This region is the land of Subhash Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Mother Teresa, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, Jagdish Chandra Basu, Dr. C. V. Raman, Satyendra Nath Basu, U. N. Bhramcharya, Meghnath Saha, G. D. Birla, Girendra Sekhar Basu, P. C. Mahalanabish, Sishir Kumar Mitra, Debendra Mohan Basu, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Saorjini Naidu, Amartya Sen, Saurav Ganguly and many more. The culture of Bengal is deep rooted in its soil and is distinguished by festivals, music, cinema, drama and literature. Festivals in a multidimensional scale are observed in spiritual ecstasy in the state especially during Durga Puja.

CUISINE

Bengalis are fond of Bhaat (rice) and Machher jhol (fish curry). There is a wide range of dishes and cuisines with variety of tastes. Most of the typical Bengali sweets have their origin in traditional household kitchens. The most famous of all Bengali sweet is the rasogolla (a kind of sweet) which is best eaten chilled.

PLACES OF INTEREST

There are three distinct types of landscape in West Bengal. First is the Red Soil famous for its rich color to the terracotta temple of Bishnupur, second is the Ganges Delta in lower Bengal where the Bengal tigers meander and the third is the charming Rajera Hill Stations of Darjeeling and Kalimpong lies in the foothills of the Himalayas in the northern part of West Bengal. Some of the famous India Tours and tourist destinations of West Bengal are Kolkata the capital of the state offers Birla Planetarium, Fort William, Botanical Garden, Zoological Garden, Eden Gardens, Nehru Children’s Museum, Howrah Bridge, Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Nakhoda Mosque, St. Paul’s Cathedral Church and Kali Mandir of Kalighat. Some other excursions are Digha, Diamond Harbor, Haldia, Barrackpore, Chandernagore, Bandel, Sunderban Wildlife Sanctuary etc. Darjeeling one of the most magnificent hill resorts in the world with breathtaking beauty crowned by the majestic Himalayas. Siliguri the gateway of Eastern India as it is the main transit point for going to Darjeeling hill region, Sikkim, Bhutan, Eastern Nepal and Assam. Kurseong a quiet township between Siliguri and Darjeeling noted for its secluded charm and Eagle’s Crag. Kalimpong secluded and tucked away in the corner under big Darjeeling umbrella, offers a quiet and relaxed holiday, against the backdrop of the Kanchenjunga. Mirik a nest in the hills, a long lake, a floating fountain and the glory of Kanchenjungha reflected in the lake waters. Dooars Valley forms a gateway to the hill stations of North Bengal and Bhutan and famous for unending stretch of virgin forests. Lava commands panoramic view of Jelep La and Rechi La passes, also the gateway to the Neora National Park. Lolay Gaon gives panoramic view of Kanchenjunga. The East Himalayas land of infinite charm with scenic views of Kanchenjunga, bewildering greenery, tea gardens, adventure spots, trekking and lots more.

BEACHES

The coastal trip of West Bengal extending from the Gangetic delta land to the border of Orissa offers breathtaking and eye-catching beaches of Digha, Shankarpur, Junput, Bakkhali, Frazergunj and Sagardwip.

WILDLIFE OF BENGAL

West Bengal’s wild life offers a fascinating diversity of terrain, flora and fauna. It is a delight for nature lovers. It is the home to the World Heritage Site – Sunderbans. Other major wildlife sanctuaries and parks are as under:

1. Neora Valley National Park

The Neora Valley National Park is located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal bordered on the east by Western Bhutan. The forest of Neora Valley is one of the least tracts of virgin wilderness in the country harbors a wealth of flora and fauna.

2. Buxa National Park

The Buxa Tiger Reserve is located in the north eastern corner of West Bengal bordering Bhutan and Assam. It comprises of deciduous forests which are densely wooded and grasslands and is home to some of West Bengal’s most varied flora and fauna.

3. Sunderban National Park

It is located in 24 Paraganas district, has been designated as a World Heritage Site in 1985 and is a part of the Project Tiger.

4. Singalila National Park

This National Park is famous for Rhododendron, Magnolia, Oak, Hemlock, Silver Fir, Juniper, Mailing Bamboo, Buk, Kawla, Bhujpatra etc. Fauna are leopard, serow, pangolin, elephant, chinkara takin, red panda, barking deer etc.

5. Gorumara National Park

Gorumara National Park is located in the Dooars region of Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal famous for its natural population of the Great Indian one horned Rhinoceros.

6. Jaldapara Wild Life Sanctuary

The sanctuary located in the Mountains of Bhutan and the confluence of river Torsa and Malangi is the home of several wild lives like one horned Indian Rhinos, Swamp Deer, wild boar, leopard and tigers.

WEST BENGAL FESTIVALS

The common and popular Bengali saying ‘Baro Mase Tero Parban’ which means thirteen festivals in twelve months that signifies the umpteen number of fairs and festivals that take place. Some of the famous festivals of West Bengal are Gangasagar Mela in South 24 Pargana, Kenduli Mela in Birbhum district, Jalpesh Mela in Jalpaiguri district, Vasanta Utsav in Birbhum district, Naba Barsho throughout West Bengal, Rathayatra in Hooghly district, Jhapan in Bankura district, Bera Utsav in Murshidabad district, Durga Puja and Deepavali throughout West Bengal, Rash Mela in Cooch Behar district, Jagaddhatri Puja in Hooghly district, Teesta Tea and Tourism Festival held in a series at Darjeeling, the Dooars and in Sikkim, Poush Mela in Birbhum district, Vishnupur Festival in Bankura district, Eid throughout West Bengal, Dol Purnima and Noboborsho.

CLIMATE

West Bengal has a tropical climate. The plains are hot except during the short winter season while the mountainous region in the north is cold. Generally there are six seasons – springs, summer, the rainy, autumn, mild winter and severe winter.

Australia has thrown open its doors to 18-30-year-olds who want to live their dream of a working holiday in Australia. One of the most rewarding ways to do this is to work your way around the country snapping up jobs on the Harvest Trail from the Top-end to Tasmania.

The best resource available for a working holiday is the government website: jobsearch.gov.au. Here you will find access to hundreds of “Harvest Jobs” currently available throughout Australia. Bear in mind that harvesting fruit and vegetable crops can often involve climbing ladders, standing, kneeling, laying or sitting so you will need to have a reasonable level of fitness.

If the Harvest Trail doesn’t appeal, there is plenty of other work for the taking. For example, you only have to walk into a major shopping center and look for little signs in the bottom of shop windows that advertise vacant positions. You can apply for the job immediately. The hospitality and tourism industry is also one of the largest employers offering thousands of jobs.

It’s a good idea to always have a copy of your resume with you, because you’ll never know when you will need it. You can also browse online at the biggest job board in the country: seek.com.au According to ‘seek’ there are currently 40625 jobs available in Sydney, 21587 in Brisbane, 33888 in Melbourne, and 19509 in Perth.

Backpacking is a great way to live cheap and find accommodation easily. You’ll also find job boards at backpackers and hostels everywhere you go which advertise the latest work on offer in the local area. This makes it so easy to hop from one job to the next, taking advantage not only of the job boards, but also word of mouth from other travelers who are doing exactly the same as you.

Here are some other options available: take a job as a deck hand aboard a fishing trawler; work in the meat industry; do cleaning work; Barista and cafe work; call center phone operator; maintenance staff on resort islands on the Great Barrier Reef; crew on a yacht; the list could go on and on, but I think you get the idea!

Getting around is easier if you have your own vehicle of course, but travel in Australia is well catered for with a network of Greyhound coaches and excellent train options to most areas. You may even be able to share travel expenses as you get to know others with their own transport, particularly to and from work sites.

There’s no time like the present they say, so why not take matters into your own hands and get on down to Australia on a working holiday visa for a real adventure!