The climb up the glaciers to the summit of Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador isn't considered highly technical. Technically, it is mountaineering, but how hard could it be, considering that I went to 20,600 feet the first time I used crampons and an ice axe? Okay, I had used them once for practice, on a sledding hill near my house. I climbed almost forty feet while people walked by with their sleds, warning their kids to stay away from me.

© copyright 2005
by Steve Gillman

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I think he was saying that he didn't like the papery rainsuit I was using as a shell, and he frowned at my homemade 1--ounce ski mask. When he saw me putting on my insulating vest, a feathery piece of poly batting with a hole cut in it for my head...well, I just pretended not to understand what he was saying.

I hadn't intended to go climb up Mount Chimborazo with such lightweight gear, but I had come to Ecuador on a courier flight, and could bring only carry-on luggage. Since I had only 12 pounds in the pack to begin with, by the time I put on all my clothes that night, the weight on my back was irrelevant. The weight of my body, however, wasn't irrelevant. Paco had to coax me up that mountain.

If you want to climb Mount Chimborazo, it is cheapest to wait until you get to Ecuador to make arrangements. Talk to almost any hotel owner or manager in Riobamba, and he or she will find a guide for you. It will be cheaper if you are part of a group, of course.

For more information and stories about Ecuador, you can visit the pages, 
"Information On Ecuador," and "Banos Ecuador" on the website 
http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com

Steve Gillman first hit the road on his own when at sixteen, and traveled alone across the United States and Mexico at 17. Now 40, he continues to travel and backpack with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. Many of his stories, plus tips and information on travel and lightweight backpacking, can be found on his websites, http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com, and http://www.TheUltralightBackpackingSite.com

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World travelers should remember the threat of malaria when making their plans. Estimates show that around 107 territories present a major risk for contracting the disease. These territories include: Africa, Asia (including the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East), parts of Eastern Europe, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Columbia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Panama, parts of Central America -- and many islands in the South Pacific.

Exploring caves on the web 
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The World's Luckiest Diamond Finder 
Caretaking STRETCHES your travel dollar.  

On the 20th day of June in the year 1819 the steamship Savannah arrived at Liverpool from the United States. When the Savannah approached the English coast with her single stack giving forth volumes of dense black smoke, it was thought by those on shore that she was a ship on fire, and British men-of-war and revenue cutters set out to aid her. When the truth was known, consternation reigned among the English officers. They were astonished at the way the craft steamed away from them after they had rushed to assist what they thought was a ship in distress.

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London has miles and miles of adventure, from the distant past to the rocketing future.
The History of London Bridge:  London Bridge today is not the same London Bridge that crossed the Thames when it was first built. Peter, a priest and chaplain of St. Mary's of Colechurch, began the foundation of the original bridge in 1176 to replace a wooden bridge (expensive to maintain and repeatedly burned down) that had first been built by the Romans.

Southend-on-Sea is Essex’s largest town and its close proximity to London makes it a popular tourist destination year after year. Better still, it is located in the south east of the country in an area widely regarded as the driest part of Britain.

Southampton -- Set on the coast of Hampshire, south of Winchester, this is a place that abounds with a fascinating heritage. The Romans, who established it as a seaport, founded Southampton approximately 2,000 years ago. This was the port from which the ill-fated Titanic had set sail on her maiden voyage in 1912. Even though the place was affected during the Second World War, Southampton has grown sturdy with huge docks built for the cruise industry. The core of the modern city is now based around the City Centre.

Introducing Australia   It is located in the Southern Hemisphere and it is over twenty times the size of the United Kingdom has the lowest population density in the world, with only two people per square kilometre, has more than seven thousand beaches (more than any other country) and covers three time zones. It is also the sixth largest country and smallest continent on the planet. 
The Gold Coast of Australia features 40km of sandy immaculate beaches and is located 70kms south of Queensland's capital city, Brisbane, and 947kms North the capital of New south Wales, Sydney. It has an estimated population of 480,000 and is Australia's sixth largest city.
Stunning Katherine Gorge, the major attraction of Nitmiluk National Park in the Northern Territory of Australia, is an absolute must see. Katherine Gorge shows that the most impressive experiences in the Australian Outback don't cost an arm and a leg, don't have to be shared with a kazillion other tourists, and they don't require any special preparations.

New Zealand is a country comprised of two large islands and many smaller islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean and is noted for its geographic isolation. The Tasman Sea separates Australia to the northwest; to north are Fiji and Tonga. The total area of New Zealand is 268670 sq. km, which is slightly less than Japan but a little more than the United Kingdom. The country has extensive marine resources and the fifth largest Exclusive Economic Zone in the world. Meaning New Zealand can claim over four million km2 or more than 15 times its land area for exploration and use of marine resources.

The History of the Balearic Islands:  The Balearic Islands have been inhabited since prehistoric times, around 5000 BC, and there are many Cyclopean remains. These show the communities constructed dwellings of stone. There is evidence of primitive agriculture including the keeping of domesticated animals. Jewelry, pottery and tools appear to have been manufactured. Later they were frequently visited by Phoenician traders. In 654 BC the Carthaginians founded what is today Ibiza city. Roman occupation followed and they were in turn evicted by the Visigoths.

Samoa, southseas paradise beckons to the modern traveler.

The discovery of "the cave of John the Baptist" not far away from Jerusalem was a great journalistic drama. Archaeological news easily lights the imagination. Remember the movie series of Indiana Jones. Is it true that John the Baptist began to baptize his followers in this cave? Let us go over the facts, and find out.
Indiana Jones and the Cave of John the Baptist 

Traveling Asia is something that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. When you travel to Asia, there are so many things to see and do; make sure that you plan your trip in advance. However, remember to leave some free time in you itinerary, because when you travel Asia, you want to make sure that you have the flexibility for an occasional adventure. 

World of the Geisha:  The function of the geisha is to provide men with learned but carefree conversation, song and dance, and cup after cup of sake. Unlike the common lot of prostitutes, they are expected to receive rigorous training in their gei, or "art". Their dress is elaborate and expensive, and thus their services do not come cheap. And sex is not a service, or at any rate not the foremost service, that they offer.

Taiwan:  Political struggles aside, the island and people of Taiwan are worth visiting. Travelers who seek a contrast between traditional Asian culture and modern Asian development need look no farther than Taiwan to satisfy their traveling needs.

North Korea:  As an independent kingdom of "Morning Calm" for much of the past thousand years, Korea was occupied by Japan in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese War. Five years later, Japan formally annexed the entire peninsula. Many Korean village leaders still speak fluent Japanese. After the terror of World War II liberated it Korea was split almost in half on the 30th parallel with the northern half coming under Soviet-sponsored Communist domination.

The City of Life, Hong Kong 

The Southern Islands of Thailand 

Thailand Holidays:  Thailand means “the land of the free”.  It lies in the heart of Southeast Asia. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world and one can only experience the exotic beauty of the place when you get there. The fresh air kissing your face when you walk on the beach, the mouth watering dishes and the rush and madness in the market is something you will perhaps not get to see anywhere else.

India is a mystic land and has so many things that a traveler can discover. The best part about India is its rich history; the stories of Indian Kings and queens who lived and died for their kingdom is rather amusing. Even more amusing is to read about the secret lives of these kings and queens, their palaces, their summer retreats, their leisure activities, their traditions and their interest in art and architecture.

Africa, land of mystery.  Actually, we have quite a bit of knowledge stored here on the African Continent and we want to share it with you.

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