Lost pictures of Trish have recently resurfaced. In 1994 while on a trip around the world, Trish was carrying practically everything she owned on her back. It seems that while canoeing across a river in Belize, Trish learned first-hand why you shouldn’t stand up in a canoe when it’s away from shore.

Trish drying her wet clothes.

Trish’s canoe tipped over as she was attempting to help another capsized vessel, plunging into the lake along with all her earthy possessions. Fortunately, Trish didn’t mind the ordeal. As she always says, “we remember our experiences, not our possessions.”

Trish drying her wet money, journal, maps, and documents.

“A man on foot, on horseback or on a bicycle will see more, feel more, enjoy more in one mile than the motorized tourists can in a hundred miles.”

“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” ~ Susan Sontag

“An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.” ~ G. K. Chesterton

Louisa May Alcott

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning to sail my ship.” ~ Louisa May Alcott

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” ~ Michael Althsuler

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” ~ St. Augustine

“A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” ~ John Steinbeck

“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

“To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.” ~ Freya Stark

“You got to be careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there.” ~ Yogi Berra

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” ~ Martin Buber

“If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.” ~ Anonymous

Alfred North Whitehead

“Art flourishes where there is a sense of adventure.” ~ Alfred North Whitehead

“Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.” ~ Paul Theroux

“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” ~ Aldous Huxley

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Life is adventure, not predicament.” ~ James Broughton

“The journey not the arrival matters.” ~ T. S. Eliot

“A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” ~ Tim Cahill

Yogi Berra

“If you come to a fork in the road, take it.” ~ Yogi Berra

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~ Mark Twain

“Every exit is an entry somewhere else.” ~ Tom Stoppard

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page.” ~ St. Augustine

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance.” ~ Anonymous

“People don’t take trips. . .trips take people.” ~ John Steinbeck

“Travel makes one modest, you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” ~ Gustave Flaubert

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” ~ Marcel Proust

“Climbing K2 or floating the Grand Canyon in an inner tube; there are some things one would rather have done than do.” ~ Edward Abbey

Edward Abbey

“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread. A civilization which destroys what little remains of the wild, the spare, the original, is cutting itself off from its origins and betraying the principle of civilization itself.” ~ Edward Abbey

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing” ~ Sir Rannulph Fiennes

“You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” ~ Andre Gide

“The bold adventurer succeeds the best.” ~ Ovid

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” ~ T. S. Eliot

“Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.” ~ Omar Bradley

“The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.” ~ George C. Scott

Johann Friedrich Von Schiller

“Who dares nothing, need hope for nothing.” ~ Johann Friedrich Von Schiller

“The best journeys in life are those that answer questions you never thought to ask.” ~ Rich Ridgeway

“The one who follows the crowd will usually get no further than the crowd. The one who walks alone, is likely to find himself in places no one has ever been.” ~ Albert Einstein

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” ~ Harry Truman

“When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

#6 Marrakech, Morocco

TripAdvisor writes:

It’s easy to lose yourself in the narrow, winding streets of the Medina—and we mean that both literally and metaphorically. Smell the spices in the air, brush up on your haggling at a local souk, then sip mint tea in the Majorelle Garden. End your day lounging in the rooftop garden of your riad, watching the sun set over this timeless city.

BikeHike runs an epic mountain biking journey from Marrakech, Morocco – Mountain Biker’s Dream. Watch this short video chronicling the adventure.

#7 Istanbul, Turkey

TripAdvisor writes:

The city of Istanbul is a vibrant mix of many cultures, due in part to its location (straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait) and, well, in part to its history of getting conquered. The Hagia Sophia, for example, was a church, then a mosque and is now a museum. You’ll spot Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman architecture around town.

BikeHike runs an award winning multi-sport tour throughout Turkey that begins and ends in Istanbul. It features biking, hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, and even a hot air balloon ride!

#9 Siem Reap, Cambodia

TripAdvisor writes:

Most travellers don’t come to Siem Reap because they’re dying to explore Siem Reap—they come to Siem Reap because it’s the closest city to the amazing Angkor Archaeological Park. And Siem Reap is absolutely fine with that. In fact, it’s a bit of a tourism boomtown. You’ll find a wide range of hotels, restaurants and nightclubs here, many of them brand-new.

Cambodia and Vietnam are enchanting countries with so much to offer. To showcase the full southeast Asian experience, BikeHike offers Active Indochina, a multi-sport tour featuring the best of both countries.

#13 Buenos Aires, Argentina

TripAdvisor writes:

We think it’s time to stop calling Buenos Aires the “Paris of South America.” As anyone who’s been there will tell you, this city has a spirit all its own. Spend a day visiting the city’s many fine museums and the amazing Recoleta cemetery, then hit the modern Puerto Madero neighbourhood at night to take your pick of the city’s coolest restaurants and clubs.

To showcase both Buenos Aires and Argentina’s wonderful Patagonia, BikeHike offers On the Trail of Argentina’s Patagonia, an 8-day guided trek.

#24 Chiang Mai, Thailand

TripAdvisor writes:

Spend your time in Chiang Mai visiting historic sites, eating delicious street food, and, oh, perhaps bathing and feeding an elephant. Several local elephant camps compete for your business (read our reviews to determine which one is best for you). Chiang Mai is also a great place to take a cooking class, according to TripAdvisor travellers.

BikeHike is proud of Adventure Siam, an 11-day multi-sport adventure throughout Thailand featuring in Chiang Mai, among other lesser-known gems.

With the Mayan calendar coming to an end on December 21, 2012, all eyes are on Belize and Guatemala. Northern Guatemala is known for its rich Mayan history. Before the Mayans were conquered, Tikal was one of the most powerful kingdoms of the ancient Mayan. Recent discoveries and analyses have led archeologists and anthropologists to believe that Belize was, in fact, the center of Mayan civilization. Visiting each site gives adventure travellers a chance to compare the numerous Mayan sites firsthand.

These days, more and more globetrotters are getting the most from their travels by double dipping with multi-country trips. Belize and Guatemala are optimal for multi-country travel due to their close proximity and complimentary cultures.

Travellers can pair visits to Mayan sites with a diverse set of outdoor activities. These include snorkeling, caving, mountain biking, sea kayaking, zip-lining, hiking and horseback riding through tangled jungles. Trip itineraries are fully customizable, allowing families, honeymooners and groups the perfect getaway.

Trips can be arranged between 8 and 17 days duration. Pricing starts at $2,800 USD (land only). Contact a BikeHike travel specialist for more details.

To help you connect the dots on an epic multi-country voyage, we’ve put together our Top Five Double-Dose Adventures. Each pairing features countries with complimentary offerings and ideal proximity, making customized itineraries the perfect solution for a double-dose of adventure.

Slovenia and Croatia are Central Europe’s crowning jewels of adventure travel. Pair Slovenia’s mountainous terrain with Croatia’s pristine coast for a full-bodied European adventure.

Vietnam and Cambodia are South East Asia’s must sees. The watery landscape of Vietnam and ancient temples of Cambodia combine for a compelling old and new-world style.

Mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands combine for some of the richest wildlife viewing on earth. The Untamed wilderness of Ecuador’s jungles and mountains contrast the evolutionary laboratory of Galápagos, teeming life.

With the Mayan calendar winding down, all eyes are on Belize and Guatemala. Compare the ancient Mayan ruins in each country first hand before it’s too late.

Turkey and Greece each possess a deep legacy of passion and wisdom. Each claims to be the epicenter of energy and innovation. You be the judge by visiting them back to back!

The announcement was made on March 13th 2012 in Outside’s annual travel awards issue. The eight-day trip is a multi-sport adventure, enabling travellers to see Slovenia from a variety of angles and perspectives.

The trip includes trekking in the Julian Alps, kayaking down the Krka River with a Slovenian Olympic Medalist, and biking through quaint villages right into Italy. Returning to Slovenia, travellers whitewater raft down the turquoise waters of the Soča River.

The itinerary places a strong emphasis on authentic local culture and takes place in a gorgeous natural setting. BikeHike Adventures director Trish Sare states:

“BikeHike Adventures is thrilled to be included in Outside’s Award for Best New Frontier. I hope this results in more travellers discovering the beauty of Slovenia, one of Europe’s emerging adventure meccas full of hidden surprises.”

At the beginning of the trip, we mounted fat-tire bikes and descended the Irazú Volcano through the thick cloud forest. As we swooped back and forth along mountain switchbacks, we peered into the rural life of Costa Rican farmers, passing fields of squash, potatoes, and tobacco. The farmers were outgoing and friendly shouting, “Pura Vida!” from a distance (the widely embraced Costa Rican phrase meaning “Pure Life!”).

Our bike shocks became increasingly necessary as the paved road gave way to steep rock and dirt. As we biked our way out of the cloud forest, we headed for the Orosi Valley – but not before stopping for a much-earned lunch. Leaning our bikes against an open themed café overlooking a beautiful lake, we got our first taste of el plato típico – the quintessential Costa Rican meal comprised of rice, beans, salad, tortillas, fried plantain, and cooked chicken, pork or fish – delicious!

The ride concluded with the biggest hill of the day leading to our mountainside hotel. Between the trees of the winding trail, I could see each biker peddling their way to the finish line. The gentle rain overhead was welcome, pattering light vibrations over the forest canopy.

One day down, we cheersed to the coming adventure over dinner before heading to bed. We needed our rest for the two-day overnight whitewater rafting adventure on the Pacuare River the following morning – Pura Vida!

Over the past 18 years, Trish has built BikeHike Adventures from a start-up with one destination to an award-winning adventure travel company operating in nearly 30 countries and employing dozens of local tour guides worldwide.

Operating on the principles of culturally and environmentally sustainable tourism, Trish has strongly influenced responsible tourism practices. She shares her industry knowledge through BikeHike Adventures and a tour operator’s alliance created to foster community dialog between small tour companies in BC. She is also an active member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association, providing a unifying voice for advocates of sustainable travel.

Through educating and offering practicum placements to BCIT tourism marketing students, Trish is strengthening the next generation of adventure travel specialists. BikeHike has earned accolades as one of the top adventure travel companies on the earth by National Geographic Adventure Magazine.

Trish has been a leader in the voluntoursim industry, developing volunteer adventure trips to Thailand, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. These adventures arrange opportunities for travellers to volunteer in local communities around the world.

The awards ceremony takes place on Thursday, May 24^th at the Westin Bayshore. Tickets are available at the official awards website.

The traditional marking of the new calendar year, Songkran is Thailand’s celebration of the vernal equinox. To celebrate, locals take to the streets with squirt guns, buckets, tubes and hoses with one thing on their mind, spraying that water. Sometimes even elephants get involved by spraying onlookers with their trunks.

To the people of Thailand, the spraying of the water is a sign of spiritual renewal and cleansing. This special time of year is paired with spring-cleaning and lighthearted pranks, not unlike North America’s April Fool’s Day. The festival starts on April 13^th and typically lasts three days.

Sounds like fun? This is just one of the many cultural treasures to be discovered in Thailand. Join us on one of our Thailand Adventure Siam excursions and connect with the people of Thailand!