Ben Griffiths was part of the first ever range of Schoolies Adventures for World Youth Adventures, an 8 day exploration of Vietnam.
Ben is a growing number of school leavers that are opting out of the current mainstream options of partying in places like the Gold Coast for undertaking the completely adventurous – often life changing – experience of travelling overseas by yourself or with your friends for the very first time.
On his return from an extended stay in Asia, Ben was kind enough to send in this feedback and these images of hisVietnam Schoolies Adventure. See below.
“The Vietnam Schoolies Adventure was truly a fantastic experience, the things I saw, the things I did, and the people I met, will stay with me for a lifetime.The great thing about the trip was that while everything was organised and tailored for us, it also had a really casual feel about it, just the type of thing I needed post-HSC.
Vietnam was such an awesome place, it has it all, the culture, the people, the sights, the food (especially the food), it’s all so unique and exciting. Places like the Old Quarter in Hanoi, Halong Bay, and Hoi An, were truly incredible places, there’s nothing like it.
The choice of destinations and hotels was else something the company did excellently. I felt like the towns and destinations we visited gave us a real taste of Vietnam, and even though the trip was only a week and a half, I felt like I had seen so much. Even the hotels were ideally placed, right in the thick of it, and still great quality.
Overall, I am so glad I chose this trip over the more stereotypical places like Gold Coast or Byron. I feel like I really gained something on the trip, an appreciation of such an awesome country, that otherwise I would not have. The people I travelled with were such a fantastic group, everyone was so fun and nice, and being all the same age made the experience even better! It was really just the best thing to finish of my time at school.”
Now here’s an inspiring young guy tackling an amazing adventure for his Gap Year!
Nineteen year old Peter McVeigh has begun (started 18 Feb) to trek an amazing 1,700 km along the Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) in Nepal, on a 152 day trek through the tallest mountain ranges and most isolated communities from Kanchenjunga on the border of Sikkim to the Tibetan border at Hilsa.
If he succeeds, he will become the youngest person to have ever completed the traverse.
Since finishing school in 2010, McVeigh has worked to save money for the trip, which he sees as a great opportunity for adventure.
“I am very grateful to have the opportunity to live my dream,” he says. “It’s not about getting away from it all, but really getting back amongst it all”.
It’s the second year the trek has run, with leading Australian adventure travel company, and parent company of World Youth Adventures, World Expeditions, running the first ever trek in 2011.
Last year, there were 2 trekkers on the full traverse and, this year, there are four: a husband/wife team from the UK, a solo traveller from USA and Peter, from Australia.
ABOUT THE GREAT HIMALAYA TRAIL
The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) is the longest and highest alpine walking track in the world and can be undertaken in one continuous trek of 152 days, traversing the region from east to west. Acknowledging that most of us simply don’t have the luxury of this sort of time for our adventures, World Expeditions has crafted seven treks that will interlink to make up the full traverse. The beauty of each is that they all offer something completely different.
Those of you in Australia, particularly NSW or Victoria, may have read the Sydney Morning Herald or The Age on the weekend and noticed one of our expert youth leaders featured in the Frequent Flyer column collated by the papers deputy editor, Lynne Whiley.
Nikki Bart was this weeks featured Frequent Flyer. Whilst the column is short, I am sure due to space restrictions, Nikki’s exploits could easily fill a book – and she is only 26! Lynne Whiley wrote in an email to me one word to sum up Nikki – fascinating.
With Everest, the seven summits and the North Pole under her adventurers belt, Nikki’s sights are now set towards completing the adventure grand slam with a trip to the South Pole. How she fits this all in between her studies as Oxford and work as a Doctor is beyond mere mortals like myself.
With so much going on in her life we naturally feel very privileged here at World Youth Adventures that Nikki has made time in her scheduled to lead two United Youth Adventures treks for us to France and Nepal.
United Youth Adventures are a new concept in Youth Adventure Travel and one that seems to be catching on quickly. The idea is really simple, providing an overseas travel opportunity to students whose schools are not in a position to offer one themselves.
It’s amazing how many schools now take an annual trip to far-flung destinations such as Nepal, Peru or even Tanzania. But not every school is in a position to provide this experience to their students. That’s why we setup short, affordable, safe trips within school holidays where kids from around Australia – and the world – can ‘unite’ together to undertake a journey and short community project and be inspired along the way by amazing young people like Nikki Bart.
To get an idea of life on a United Youth Adventure watch our video from the 2011 trek in Nepal’s Annapurna range with James Castrission.
Along with a lamp, some jewelry, a candle and a photo of my BFF’s, is an eclectic assortment of what my mother would call ‘clutter’.
A stack of books, ranging from classically brilliant (The Great Gatsby), to nostalgically magical (Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince), to appropriately practical (How to prepare for World Class Treks), teeters next to a notebook and a pen that lay there in the vein hope that I might get some wild late night inspiration, a bottle of bright red nail polish, my iPhone, iPad, a teacup and my plane tickets to Paris.
Our resident GAP YEAR blogger, Bella, is about to embark on her Gap Year with a trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal her first stop.Over the course of the year Bella will provide hints, tips and great tales for those considering a Gap Year in the future.A budding writer, Bella's blog will be enjoyable to read and also informative. Follow our blog to receive her latest updates from the road.
Why take your school to Mongolia? If you actually need more convincing then please read on…
Kazakh eagle hunter in the Altai
Mongolia. The land of Nomads and no fences. I saw that line written on a Lonely Planet book once and this simple statement created an insatiable intrigue that put this amazing destination firmly in my sights. Usually a picture captures my imagination however this time it was such a simple sentence that conjured up a vivid image of an endless panorama scattered with a unique culture made of hardy people living off their wits and whatever the land provided.
Soon after, I started to do some reading. Sure, I’d heard of Genghis Khan but I hadn’t really taken any notice of who he really was and what he really achieved. Here was a man who had created the Mongol Empire into one of the largest empires the world had ever seen. His reach and influence was massive, stretching across most of Central Asia to the borders of Europe and down across modern day China. Yet when I spoke with people few ever gave him – or Mongolia – a second thought.
So it was with great excitement that I boarded the Trans Mongolian train in Beijing, which wound its way past sections of the Great Wall and outer Mongolia, for an overnight journey towards the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar. It was a fascinating journey. I met my first Mongolian person, who was an artist and musician of sorts and claimed that Genghis Khan invented the internet. I took his point, he indeed had a method of sending messages great distances, but it was hardly a world wide web. Still, it gave me my first insight into how much the man was revered.
After a night’s disturbed sleep by customs officials coming into the carriage to stamp your passports, and then a short stint off the train while they changed the bogey (wheels under the carriage) I jumped out of bed to glance my first glimpse of Mongolia. I was a disappointed that the very first thing I saw was a fence! However it did only run along the train line and beyond it I could begin got put a real visual to the endless landscapes that I’d been longing to encounter.
I spent the week exploring the Gobi Desert on the back of a Bactrian camel (two humps – not one), by horse and jeep. It was nearing winter and I had the privilege of witnessing our guide utilising local GPS (ger positioning system). My stay taught me some important things. Try and travel much further afield and make sure you come in summer.
Also, make sure you know about Genghis Khan. The Mongolians have never forgotten about their national hero. His name features on everything, from the name of bars, restaurants, drinks and other assorted goods available in the State Department Stores.
So, what do you need to know if you want to plan a school group expedition?
WHEN TO GO
Campsite in the Altai
Most definitely, only in summer. Known as “the land of blue sky”, Mongolia is a remarkable sunny country enjoying 250 sunny days a year. Mongolia has warm summers and extremely cold winters. The best time to visit is May-September, although there are no guarantees that there will be good weather. In the summer, the weather can range from freezing rain and snow to temperatures above 39 C, with a possibility of fog, drizzle and torrential storms. Average temperature in most of the country is below the freezing point from November to March and close to it in April and October.
Winter nights of -40C occur most years (minimum recorded -55C). Summer extremes reach as high as +40C in the Gobi Desert and +33C in Ulaanbaatar. Monthly temperature variations of +45C to -55C are not uncommon in many regions of Mongolia.
Due to the nature of the weather when travelling you should always take along clothing that you can layer on and off.
The ideal months for active travellers really are between July and August.
ABOUT MONGOLIA
Mongolia is landlocked and with an average altitude of 1,580m (5,180 ft), it is one of the world’s highest countries. Between the deserts are lakes, both salt and freshwater. Lake Hovsgol holds 2% of the world’s fresh water – so fresh you can drink it.
Traditionally dressed local
The nomadic lifestyle in Mongolia prevails even in the growing urban landscape around Ulaanbaatar, where gers (Yurt is a Russian word for ger) are found between the crumbling Soviet style buildings. The ger is the centrepiece of Mongolian traditions. The mobility of the tent suits the nomadic lifestyle, and the layout of the interior is culturally significant. The door always faces the south and the rear is reserved as a place of honour for guests, where a family altar is found decorated with family photos and Buddhist images.
The predominant religion of Mongolia is Buddhism, which has been revived following the lifting of the ban on religion in 1990. Historically, Mongolia has had close ties with Tibet through the Buddhist religion, and many similarities exist in the culture and lifestyle of these two countries.
Mongolian religion and their nomadic lifestyle is depicted in their music, literature and artwork. Throat (or Khoomi) singing is a particular style of male singing which requires special training, and involves several notes being released at once from the base of the throat. Contortionism is also a Mongolian tradition, and dance performances will often include a sequence.
The language is Mongolian – part of the Ural-Altaic family which also includes Finnish, Turkish, Uzbek and Korean. The language is written using the Russian Cyrillic alphabet.
PLACES / THINGS OF INTEREST
Gobi Desert: The Gobi Desert is an astonishing region blessed with true remoteness and rugged beauty. Due to the vast distances it is best explored via a series of day walks, jeep rides or camel treks with local nomads. Be sure to stay at a traditional ‘Ger’ camps with a Mongolian families, not the tourist trap setups.
Wrestler at the Naadam Festival
The highlights of the Gobi include the ‘singing dunes’ at Khongoryn Els, named as such due to the sound they make on a windy day. However don’t expect just sand dunes in the desert. The Ikh Bogd Mountain (3957m), towers over the surrounding desert like a watchtower of the Gobi. For more ambitious groups there is the option to traverse the range and perhaps ascend the Ikh Bodh peak itself. In the southern Gobi you can view ancient petroglyphs and dinosaur excavation sites.
Naadam Festival: The colourful Naadam Festival is Mongolia’s annual celebration of all things Mongolian. The National holiday is observed right across the country and there are a series of small festivals that host horse racing, Mongolian wrestling and archery. The largest Naadam is held near Ulaanbaatar however a trip to a rural Naadam will provide a more authentic experience. Considering the rural population is largely nomadic, such a festival in a country setting is a wonderful way to see many Mongolian people converge in one large colourful gathering.
Trekking in the Altai Range: In the far west of the country is the Altai mountain range, a chain of mountains separating the nations of Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. The key to trekking in the area is working with local knowledge, where the guide can utilise their nomadic contacts to ensure your school with an amazing and unique itinerary. The region is home to intriguing ethnic groups such as the ‘Khotont’ who have followed migratory routes which are wonderful routes to follow that cross spectacular passes, pass evidence of the ancient nomadic Turkic people and superb alpine landscapes boasting deep river gorges, lakes, glacier capped peaks. It is also the place to head to experience the Kazakh people who are renowned eagle hunters and trainers or the hauntingly beautiful throat-singing of the Tuvan people. This is an exhilarating journey.
Karakorum: Five hours drive out of the capital Ulaanbaatar is the deserted ancient capital of Mongolia, Karakorum. Very little remains of Karakorum, from where Genghis Khan launched his mighty cavalry however one monument that does remain is the Erdenezuu monastery. This monastery had to face the onslaught of Soviet desecration during the 19th century, but is now being slowly and lovingly restored.
Ulaanbaatar: UB, as it is fondly referred to, is an interesting city but perhaps not the highlight of a visit to Mongolia. The city has a drab Russian colour of and feels to it and one must be wary of pickpockets. Any seasoned guide will know how to avoid such riff raff. A visit to Sukhbaatar square, the central square, will inform you about the revolutionary hero of 1921, Damdiny Sukhbaatar, who declared independence from China. A short stroll will bring you to the National History Museum, dedicated to Mongolia history and culture. For a nice day trip out of the city head to the Terelj National Park where the surrounding mountains provide wonderful, gentle hiking opportunities. You can also visit the Buddhist Meditation Centre nestled in the nearby hills.
If you’ve never considered Mongolia, give it some thought. I’m sure that what you’ll learn will make you want to know more.
This article also appeared in Active Education Magazine. The author, Brad Atwal from World Youth Adventures, is a regular contributor to Active Education Magazine.
The below video was taken and made by the staff and students at Scotch College in Australia. The school travelled with World Youth Adventures to Mongolia in 2011.
With the help of their teachers, students can begin culling the expenses associated with an overseas trip as soon as they make the commitment to go. With detailed trip notes always available (usually supplied by the operator) and a whole range of country guides at hand for reference, there is no reason why students, with the assistance of their teachers, cannot spend less on overseas school trips, making them more affordable for more students. Detailed information and a well prepared plan will allow students to prepare smartly and save time and money; ultimately allowing them to make the most of their time abroad.
Consider Everything, Before You Leave
Pack carefully, you may have to carry it!
The first thing to do when you are planning an overseas adventure with a group of students is to write down everything that students will need on the trip. This list should include every item that they will require along the journey, as well as items that might be required when the expedition does not go exactly to plan. For example, this list should include items like visas and passports, as well as things like wet weather gear – even if you are visiting a country in its warmer months. Even though you might be expecting sunny skies, the weather could turn in which case students will need the appropriate clothing right there and then. It is much better that they have this clothing on hand rather than being forced to spend money on clothing while they are there that was not included in the original budget that was presented to parents.
Another cost that should be considered before departure is the luggage weight restrictions that might be applied by the airline or the operator. Failure to comply with these restrictions could result in students being asked to pay for their extra luggage, which once again was not included in the original budget that was presented to their parents.You should also consider that what the airline permits you to carry does not include what students are wearing on their back when they board the plane. Ask your students to board the plane wearing the clothing and carrying the equipment that is the heaviest, for instance, hiking boots and daypack plus contents. They can always change into some more comfortable shoes when they are on the plane. Most international flights will permit travellers to carry one piece of luggage that weighs between20 and 23kg (economy class), and if you require more you will then be asked to pay excess luggage fees. You should also ask that students weigh their luggage before they leave home, so that problems with overweight bags are not discovered at the airport.
It is more than likely that your expedition will include a significant amount of physical activity, in the form of hiking, camping, working on developing the infrastructure of communities and villages, sightseeing and just general walking when students are exploring the different destinations they visit. With these activities comes the acquisition of good quality footwear, socks, daypacks and backpacks and water bottles, which must be purchased prier to departure. Students who need to purchase these items while they are away, whether it is because they did not pack them or because they packed an item that was a poor quality, will find themselves spending money that was not included in their allocated budget. Parents should be informed what the students will need each item for so that they can take this information into consideration when they are purchasing the items their child needs. Students who are camping might also be required to acquire sleeping bags and mats, pillows, head torches, and possibly cold weather clothing. There are several things you can look into before you go which can result in saving money:
Determine what equipment the school and/or operator will provide, and what equipment the individual students will provide
Encourage students and parents to borrow gear from family or friends, except where hygiene and best fit are priorities, for instance, thermals, socks and footwear
Determine if you can you hire gear and equipment from the operator or a local supplier, especially if it is equipment that students will not use regularly
Encourage parents to think about how often their child will use the equipment they purchase, for instance, can they justify purchasing the most expensive pack if they think their child is only going to use it once?
Inform parents what their children will be using each item for so they can take this information into consideration when they are purchasing the items their child needs, for instance, will the sleeping bag they buy their child be used inside a cabin in a warm temperature, or for outside camping in arctic conditions?
Break in your shoes before you travel
You should also instruct parents to source any gear or equipment that they plan to borrow or purchase as far in advance as possible. Clothing and equipment needs to be tried and tested before the main event, and this will not be possible if it is sourced the day before the student departs. If possible, you should also organise a mini expedition before the main journey, which will give students the chance to test their equipment and clothing and see that it fits them, is of a good quality, and is usable in the conditions they will experience when they are travelling. A mini expedition of this nature will allow students the time to make any changes to sizes or fittings that they need, as well as purchase equipment that they might have planned to borrow before it is too late. It will also give teachers an opportunity to see that all students embarking on the journey are well prepared and have everything that they need to make the trip as enjoyable as possible.
Equipment Tips That Will Save Money
For adventures where students will be participating in a lot of physical activity, footwear and socks become a top priority. Shoes must be fitted and comfortable, and must also bea proven off-road shoe or boot. Students should only need to pack one good pair of shoes that will enable them to do everything, and there are plenty of shoes and boots that are suitable for both the towns and tracks. You should provide parents with detailed information about the exact activities that students will be participating in during the journey. This information will come extremely handy when they are souring the right footwear of the appropriate quality to enhance their child’s experience.
Clothing that is suitable for diverse weather conditions will allow your students to reduce the amount of clothing they take. Soft merino wool thermals and t-shirts will be appropriate for nearly all weather conditions because they regulate the body temperature extremely effectively. The other benefit is that they are odour resistance, which allows students to wear them for nearly twice as long as cotton and synthetic clothing, rather than buying numerous pieces.
Securing luggage and valuables is also very important when you are travelling, especially if your group is sharing accommodation with other groups along the way. Students must be encouraged to protect their valuables from opportunistic travellers, pickpockets and thieves. This begins with clear labelling of luggage, including the student’s name, school, group and if applicable, operator details. Contact details must also be included on this label. Students should lock all access points into their luggage, including their daypack, with padlocks or combination locks. They should also be instructed to wear money belts or neck wallets that will allow them to keep their cash, traveller cheques and passport out of sight, out of open pockets and close to them at all times. If students are going to use their wallets, consider asking them to attach their wallets to a chain, especially in cities that have high rates of pickpockets, such as Rome, Paris and Athens.
If students have luggage that is not unique in appearance, they should tie a ribbon or place a unique sticker somewhere obvious. It is truly amazing how easily luggage can decide to take its own holiday, or accidentally (or deliberately) be picked up by some else. The cost of loosing luggage, which is usually the cost of replacing luggage, has the power to truly blow the budget. You should also spend some time researching the best travel insurance option for your group.
WYA provides duffel bags to use on certain expeditions
Additional Tips For Reducing Costs And The Weight Of Luggage
Using home supplies, students should pour sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner, and other lotions into smaller bottles that will travel more efficiently. Instruct them to pack only a little bit more than what they expect to use
Ask them to pack some laundry powder so that smaller items of clothing can be washed in hotels or hostels. This trick can save a lot on laundry costs, which can very quickly add up when students are submitting their own clothes for cleaning. To help with the drying process, encourage students to pack quick-dry clothing that is made from synthetic fabrics, like board shorts, t-shirts, technical pants and shirts from outdoor stores
Inform students and parents that torches with LED bulbs will not need bulb replacements and they are a lot more conservative on battery power; which means less spare batteries to purchase and carry. Cheaper torches can often cost a lot in replacement batteries, and eventually, to replace the torch itself
Ask students to pack a small repair kit so they can do their own mending of clothing and equipment along the way. This includes a needle and thread, spare buckles, buttons, safety pins, and Gaffa tape for mending tears
Put a pillow slip on the equipment list, or even better, a sleeping bag liner with a pillow slip attached, if your group will be staying in hostels. Apart from the obvious hygiene benefits, students will save themselves the cost of hiring a pillow slip and bed sheet
As powerful and beneficial as travelling may be, the costs can very quickly add up, placing many wonderful trips and experiences out of the reach of a lot of students. However, these costs can very easily be kept to a minimum with some well thought out planning and smart preparation, as well as a comprehensive briefing well before departure. With these simple tricks of the trade, which will enable more students to experience the wonders of the world, there is no reason not to start planning your group’s next adventure right now.
THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY OUR FRIEND AND ‘GEAR GURU’ CHRIS MEIN FROM PADDY PALLIN.
Vietnam Alternate Schoolies trip feedback
