Backpacking and self-organized trips are becoming very common these days. Travel guidebooks and online information are contributing a lot to this new traveling trend. One particular format that has been gaining popularity amongst the backpacking communities is the PDF guidebooks, which claims to be more affordable and up to date.
Let’s see what travelers have to say about travel guidebooks and their response on guidebooks in PDF format.
Monina from Quezon Province has been referring to Lonely Planet and Virtual Tourist to organize her trips to Bangkok and various destinations in the Philippines.
“I expect a comprehensive coverage of travel destination in a travel guidebook. Besides places of interest, accommodation and transportation, I think local customs, cultural activities and warning about the negative aspects of travel is equally important.” said Monina.
When asked about whether or not she might buy a PDF travel guide online, Monina replied, “Yes I will consider buying something like it.”
Another traveler, Aida had been using Virtual Tourist and Lonely Planet in planning her trip itineraries to various parts of Asia and Europe.
“Extensive information on the place I will visit that will make me eager to go, yet will not pre-empt my travel, raise my expectations high, or give me info overload. With maps and photos, and should include complete address, contact info, cost, places to see, accommodations, dining venues, transportation, services (health, tourism, security, banks), requirements (visa, vaccine), weather, dress code, “peculiar” customs, festivals, peak/low season for travel, etc.” said Aida.
“Yes, I will buy a PDF guidebook if the information are updated and offer insights that I have not found on other travel books or websites yet,” said Aida.
Isa, the “Itchy Feet” from Bataan also send us some feedback regarding travel guidebook. To her, travel guidebook is the most important sources to plan her trip besides internet and recommendations from friends.
“A good guidebook must cover interesting details of the place and cater to different interests. It should also contain good tips on food, accommodation, transportation, security and health,” said Isa. She also added. “I will consider buying a PDF guidebook if it fulfills my requirements above.”
Animal conservation project of a4trip aims to protect endangered animals and raise public awareness of these animals. But how to evaluate whether a specious is endangered or not?
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is a wide useful way to solve the question. First launched in 1963, IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has been recognized as world’s most effective way to assessment animals at risks. IUCN is currently managing data on approximately 41,500 species, with this number set to increase to well over 50,000, perhaps even 60,000, by 2008. IUCN will assess the status of those species in concern every five years.
Here is the chart for recent data release.
Extinct or Extinct in the Wild means specious cannot be evaluated because of insufficient information. Threatened divides into Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable. Specious have been evaluated to have a low risk of extinction are classified as Near Threatened, Least Concern.
Mr. Kleinheincz Ferenc was a civil servant, currently expert on innovation work. He comes from a lovely place – Hungary, Budapest. He is really kind to us by sharing a lot of nice pictures from his gallery at Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam when he had his vacation within this year. Here, we would like to write a post about his kindness of sharing the pictures with us, as a small token to your big heart. Let’s give a big clap to Mr. Kleinheincz Ferenc!
Slow loris or Nycticebus coucang is an internationally protected wild animals (per CITES). The slow loris is about 21-38 cm in size with a wide variety of colours of their thick fur and stumped tails. It is now reducing in number as it’s habitat is destroyed due to deforestation and it is constantly poached in Asia to become pets. Another reason is that it’s also hunted for the uses of Asian medicines. Profauna activists demonstrated to urge the government to protect slow lorises which are commonly traded in “bird markets”
This is a demonstration and protest to the government to protect marine turtles that have been placed under the protection of international and Indonesian law but remain poached. They are used in illegal wildlife trades, souvenirs and food. The treatment to the turtles are inhumane and we all should do our part by not throwing plastic rubbish as turtles may eat it as they think it’s jellyfishes and they will die.
These are Felix Bengalis or jungle cats that are poached, killed and mounted into souvenirs
This is the image of one of langurs which was released by Profauna last year. It’s commonly known as Ebony Lutung or Javan Lutung and it’s endemic to Java. It is black in colour but has tinges of brown at its legs and sides and they have a very long tail. The Javan Lutung is herbivorous and is a social animal as it lives in groups of about 7 inidividuals. It is one of the wild species that’s involved in the re-introduction program which aims to release captive wild animals back to their endemic habitat, following a medical and lengthy rehabilitation program. Deforestations and poaching for illegal wildlife trade are one of the main reasons why the Javan Ebony Langur is listed as an endangered species. Click here for more information.
This is the tree house that stations about-to-be-released lutungs that was saved from poaching, cruel and inhumane treatment. This is so that they can rest after a long journey from the rescue centre and for them to adapt to their surrounding forest environment. The area around the tree house has been surveyed for suitability, including the vegetation, trees, water and threats from other or similar species.
The next day, the lutungs will be allowed to leave the tree house and back to their own habitat
Langurs that are to be released soon are in each of the boxes on the back. Vets and volunteers will accompany release operations like such.
These are pictures of the youths that have attended activities from Profauna’s education centre. This education centre is Petungsewu Wildlife Education Centre (P-WEC), located in Dau village near Malang City in East Java. Here, youths learn about nature, wildlife, threats to the wildlife and what they can do to help.
Animal conservation is one of our effort while producing the online travel guidebook. Our aim in eventually is to strengthen the populations of the wild and conserve them as far as we can. We firmly promote activities that ensure the well-being of all living things and make a good alternation for them. Animal ambassadors are responsible to do research on specific endangered animal for each destination of the guidebook. We are much appreciated with their contribution and great effort. Let’s keep on to the achievement. With your help, we could make it better!
Introduction
We are running a new campaign to build awareness to all animal conservation and we need your help. It’s simple, for those who want to be participating in this campaign; all you have to do is to place a well designed Widget into your website or blog. The widget will display different animal conservation banner in order to acknowledge their effort.
Wait no more! Please read further instruction at below to see how you can be a part in it.
Register an Animal Conservation
Interested to create awareness for your animal conservation project? Please let us know by leaving your comment here. We will contact you as soon as possible.
Easy Installation
Copy the code below and paste it at your website template.
Javan rhinos are found only in two locations in the world with Ujung Kulong NP in Java, Indonesia estimated to have around 60 rhinos — more than 90 percent of the global population.
This video footage installed in Ujung Kulon National Park, Jakarta, captured the very remarkable images of rhino in wild after a month in operation. These camera-shy animals might still enjoy living in the background after tossing the camera.
Andrea, one of our a4trip traveler has something to share with us.
“I’m from New York, 26 years old, self employed and have lots of hobbies (tennis, dancing, anything outdoors, reading, traveling, etc).
I have been to Singapore, United Kingdom, all over the United States, Aruba, most of the Caribbean Islands, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Malaysia, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Netherlands, Belgium, and France. I think that’s it, but I’m not sure. I don’t really have a favorite destination. Each had its own unique experience and loved all of the countries and cities visited.
I’d like to see is if a4trip could add more countries and cities besides just Cambodia. I haven’t had a chance to go through the guide yet, but it looks pretty extensive. Definitely the testimonials of other travelers who have bought your guide does help a lot. That determines whether you are a reliable source or not.”
60 members and 36 guide books in progress in 6 months. The numbers do not lie. The members are real. The guidebooks are genuine. The time is the proof how a4trip grows by leaps and bounds. In a4trip, it is not about individual, it is not about organization, it is also not about alliances; a4trip is about a big family, so big that it doesn’t cover one country but multiple countries around the world. Here, we are more multi-racial than a multi-racial country. A perfect blend of cultures and heritages.
Melaka Zoo functions as the major ex-situ breeding center for PERHILITAN. Breeding clouded leopards is not an easy job. Mother leopards tend to abandon their young after they are born and sometimes may even turn violent on them. As a result, some zoos routinely hand-rear clouded leopard cubs to ensure their survival and well-being.
Newborn clouded leopard cubs are very small and helpless, weighing only about 6 ounces at birth. They are born with their eyes closed, no teeth, and unable to walk or move around. Newborn clouded leopards lack the ability to control their body temperature very well, so special attention has to be given to keep the cubs warm.
Pictures and Contents credited to The Clouded Leopard Project . Continue reading for more information about Clouded Leopard Babies from gestation to birth to bringing them up.
Here in a4trip, we constantly strive to walk an extra mile by bringing our travelers more language selection on each guide. In a short period of time after launching English version of Siem Reap travel guide, we hit the accelerator to produce a French Siem Reap travel guide. This travel guide cannot be done without our fellow translator, Marie Claude from France whom recently celebrate the birth of her 4th grandson . A double joyous occasion for Marie (guide book + 4th grandson). Also not forgetting Sissi, whom is doing proof reading for this guide book. We also have lovely Lina who draws the maps in detail. Last but not least, we have Shengnang who is the Irrawaddy river dolphin charity ambassador.
Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seat belt because you will visit Yogyakarta with our travel guide. Yes, stay tune with us and start planning your trip to Yogyakarta. Big credits go to the team that work hard to make this guide book. Karen, the guide book writer, an outgoing lady that purposely fly to Yogyakarta to collect information. Eunice, the mapper; Matt Kemp, the proof reader; and Meiyen, a very young lady is the charity ambassador.
The Irrawaddy river dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), the Asian dolphin lives in coastal waters, brackish estuaries and freshwater rivers in Southeast Asia and north Australia. It is one of the four river dolphins live in freshwater. This endangered dolphin is pale gray and adult is at the lengths of 2-2.75 meters. With a round head and no beak and is occasionally mistaken for a beluga whale or a porpoise.
According to WWF, the Irrawaddy dolphin has received very little attention, but is probably in very serious danger of disappearing over much of its range. Because its distribution is in coastal areas, the Irrawaddy dolphin is often vulnerable to the harmful effects of human activities. Irrawaddy dolphins feed on a variety of fish, crustaceans and cephalopods. Little is known about their reproduction.
WWF Cambodia conducted “Report Abundance of Mekong River Dolphin Population” during April and May in 2007. With totally 139 hours 32 minutes searching effort, the research team observed a total of 61 dolphins. And the preliminary population abundance estimate for the Mekong dolphin was between 66 and 86 dolphins, with a best estimate of 71 dolphins by MARK statistical program, using a closed population model at the end of May 2007.
Think of travel to Siem Reap, Cambodia? Here’s a brief introduction that tells you a little about Siem Reap. Siem Reap in Khmer means ‘Defeat of Siam’. Siam is refer to the today’s country, Thailand. This has got to do with the historical background of Cambodia which indicated that the Angkor had been invaded by Siemese. Siem Reap, together with Phnom Penh are considered as the hottest destination for backpackers and travellers to travel within the country.
Siem Reap is an urbanized tourist spot as it is the gateway to the World Heritage Site, Angkor Archaeological Park, declared by UNESCO. With more than 40 temples built in that park, the ancient Angkor Wat served as the main tourist attraction because of its comprehensively restored and magnificent temple. It is shrouded in myth, mystery and legend which often lead to people’s desire to discover it. Angkor Thom, another temple in that park, is famous for its giant craving mysterious smiling face at the gates of Angkor Thom and at Bayon. You are encouraged to take photo of those hard to come by scenes.
The next highly recommended attraction in Siem Reap perhaps is the Landmine Museum. You may plan to visit the museum on the way back from Banteay Srey Temple. This museum founded by Mr Aki Ra, who was formerly a soldier and deminer, with a vision of “making my country safe for my people”. You will be gripped with Aki Ra’s stories of personal survival and the violent past from years of war in Cambodia. It is also one of the world largest collection of defused mines and others ordinances in the world.
The best season for viewing the huge diversity of migratory birds congregating at Perk Toal is the dry season during the months of December to May. Stay overnight at that place to witness the flocking birds during dawn and dusk. Also, visit Cambodia’s cultural museum to experience the diversity of 11races’ heritage and their unique villages.
Worry about accomodation? Well, there is a great varieties of Siem Reap hotel, hostel and guesthouse around. Whether you would like a budgeted or a luxuries hotel, you will find one that suits your plan. After settling down, you may wish to indulge yourself with some lighthearted and comforting activities at dusk. Hence, activities like a relaxing traditional Khmer massage or strolling in the night market are recommended. Want more Siem Reap entertainment? There is Pub Street in the Old Market area. It is the de-facto district for nightlife. Pubs, clubs and bars are packed together, blasting contemporary music with signs outside promoting “happy hour”.
There are more than 180 restaurants in Siem Reap, serving wide range of cuisines. You can experience a world class dinner at restaurant inside some of the luxurious hotels Their elegance, ambience and superb service will assure you an impressive experience. On the other hand, you could also try the local Khmer food, whether it’s from fried insects to spicy amok, it will test the most adventurous appetite.
You can shop for souvenirs, handicrafts and textiles almost everywhere in Siem Reap, especially in the markets. There are some high quality stone or wood cravings for sale in specified art galleries. Paintings and photographs from some famous artists can be purchased too. Besides, you could help Cambodians in poverty by donating blood and cash to NGOs; dine in for a cause and shop responsibly.
How to get all of these started? Make sure your passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your visit to Cambodia.You could apply e-visa online at http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh. Besides, having the Siem Reap travel guidebook, Siem Reap map or South-East Asia travel guidebook beside you could avoid many problems that you are likely to face. Alway look out for scam and pickpockets. Finally, have a safe and pleasant journey!
Today, our focus is on the Proboscis Monkey. (Nasalis Larvatus). It is a red brownish monkey endemic to Borneo, mainly in mangrove forests, swamps and riparian forests.
Appearance wise, it has a long protruding nose and a very large belly. The male Proboscis monkey is very much bigger than the females and its differences in body types between the male and the females is larger compared to any other primate. The male Proboscis monkey can reach 28 inches in length, a 75cm tail and weighs up to 28 kg. The females are up to 60 cm long and weighs about 12 kg. Proboscis Monkeys live in small groups of about 10-32 animals.
Interesting facts about the Proboscis Monkey:
they are good swimmers
they are very shy animals
they don’t fare well in captivity as they can become depressed and soon die
the make leaders of the pack would be found at the highest part of the tree
they can make a wide range of sounds such as roars, grunts and squeals
The green section of the map are the rough distribution of the Proboscis Monkey. IUCN classified the Proboscis monkey under its red list of ‘Endangered’. It’s now up to us to prevent it from extinction! As travellers, we should visit National Parks that maintains the natural habitat of Proboscis Monkeys instead of zoos that force the Proboscis Monkeys to adapt in an environment that’s not familiar to them!
Today’s focus is on the Clouded Leopard, also known as Neofelis nebulosa. Another species from the Cat family, the Clouded Leopard is significant because of its coat, which is marked with large irregularly-shaped, dark-edged ellipses that looked like clouds, thus its name. At about 22.7kg, the Clouded Leopard is not a big cat, with its size about 2-3ft.
The distribution map of the Clouded Leopard shows the origin of this species which is found mainly in southern China, the eastern Himalayas, north-east India and mainland Southeast Asia. The population is estimated at below 10000 mature breeding individuals (IUCN 2005) thus putting it under the ‘Threatened‘ or ‘Vulnerable‘ group of animals. The population’s decline is said to be due to widespread deforestation and hunting for use in Chinese medicinal preparations.
It is not too late to help the Cloud Leopard’s population grow again! On very practical thing all travellers should do is, before purchasing anything abroad, ask what it is made of. Do not buy products made of Cloud Leopard skins or herbs that contain it. Likewise to all other animals that are endangered.
a4trip is featuring Cloud Leopard in the Malacca Travel Guide, and part of that total sales will donate to Cloud Leopard conservation project. You can also make a direct contribution to organisations that are involved in Conservation of the Cloud Leopard, such as WWF Malaysia, Melaka Zoo and Wild Asia.
Monina from Quezon Province has been referring to Lonely Planet and Virtual Tourist to organize her trips to Bangkok and 
Another traveler, Aida had been using Virtual Tourist and Lonely Planet in planning her trip itineraries to various parts of Asia and Europe.
Isa, the “Itchy Feet” from Bataan also send us some feedback regarding travel guidebook. To her, travel guidebook is the most important sources to plan her trip besides internet and recommendations from friends.
Mr. Kleinheincz Ferenc was a civil servant, currently expert on innovation work. He comes from a lovely place – Hungary, Budapest. He is really kind to us by sharing a lot of nice pictures from his gallery at Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam when he had his vacation within this year. Here, we would like to write a post about his kindness of sharing the pictures with us, as a small token to your big heart. Let’s give a big clap to Mr. Kleinheincz Ferenc! 
“I’m from New York, 26 years old, self employed and have lots of hobbies (tennis, dancing, anything outdoors, reading, traveling, etc).
According to WWF, the Irrawaddy dolphin has received very little attention, but is probably in very serious danger of disappearing over much of its range. Because its distribution is in coastal areas, the Irrawaddy dolphin is often vulnerable to the harmful effects of human activities. Irrawaddy dolphins feed on a variety of fish, crustaceans and cephalopods. Little is known about their reproduction.
The distribution map of the Clouded Leopard shows the origin of this species which is found mainly in southern China, the eastern Himalayas, north-east India and mainland Southeast Asia. The population is estimated at below 10000 mature breeding individuals (IUCN 2005) thus putting it under the ‘Threatened‘ or ‘Vulnerable‘ group of animals. The population’s decline is said to be due to widespread deforestation and hunting for use in Chinese medicinal preparations.
