Boundless Journeys Blog

Top 5 destinations to visit NOW, and why

karen cleary — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:37:13 +0000

At Boundless Journeys, we often find ourselves chatting with potential travelers about where to go next. While our diverse collection of trips really does represent The World’s Great Adventures, each one being a worthy destination in its own right, there are five places I have found myself suggesting over and over again as one of THE places to go in the coming year.

Egypt
I know, Egypt has gotten some pretty poor coverage in the media lately, but as anyone who has ventured there since the Arab Spring will tell you, it is magical to witness the temples and tombs of the pharaohs in relative solitude. With presidential elections in May and June, there will be plenty of time for any dust to settle before the ideal traveling season begins again in November. Ask about special pricing to join our November 10-17 Nile Exploration.

Spain
Like much of Europe, the people of Spain have been feeling the strain of a weak European economy. We often talk about how traveling dollars can lift the economies and lives of developing countries, but in this case the same can be said for travel to Spain – or anywhere in Europe – in 2012.

Myanmar
Perhaps no destination has emerged in the past 10 years with more buzz than Myanmar, aka Burma. Its relative isolation from the changes that have swept the globe in recent decades have allowed it to rise to the top of our list of places to “get to before it changes”. Boundless Journeys’ staffer, Ashley Morton, spent part of the winter traveling the waterways and paths of Myanmar in search of the most unique and rewarding experiences this country has to offer. If you are interested in knowing more, send Ashley an e-mail at ashley@boundlessjourneys.com.

Peru
As a classic destination that never fails to entrance travelers with its vibrant culture, spectacular scenery, and iconic Inca ruins, most people who travel to Peru want to spend at least a day hiking on the Inca trail into Machu Picchu. Permits are required and issued first-come, first-served, and are non-transferable. In other words, once they are gone for the dates you want, they are gone. Plan ahead if you want to travel to Peru this year – permits are still available for most dates from September-December, but they are going fast!

Tour du Mont Blanc
For those who love a great hiking tour, and want the sense of accomplishment that comes from circumnavigating Western Europe’s highest mountain on foot, we’ve always known that our hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc is hard to beat. But since National Geographic Traveler named our trip as one of their 2012 “50 Tours of a Lifetime”, everyone else knows it too! We still have limited space on our June 23-July 1, July 14-22, and August 25-September 2 departures, but don’t delay as trips are quickly filling!

About Boundless Journeys
Boundless Journeys is an award-winning small group adventure tour operator. With a diverse collection of locally guided, small group itineraries and Private Collection trips around the world, Boundless Journeys offers “The World’s Great Adventures.” The adventure trips for 2-16 guests are active, ranging from leisurely cultural explorations and wildlife safaris to challenging trekking ― with plenty of easy to moderate walking and sea kayaking in between.

A fascinating side trip, Boundless Journeys-style – Vietnam

Matt — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:35:08 +0000

- Written by Boundless Journeys’ Vietnam guest Barbara H.

Because my husband is in the furniture business, our guide Elske arranged for a visit to a village that makes heavy, traditional Asian furniture. Dong Ky was a real highlight for all of us with its narrow muddy streets, open-air workshops with craftsmen at work, houses under construction, herbalist conducting her business on the street, another woman plucking gray hairs out of her customer’s head — all the sights of daily life and definitely NOT a place that sees tourists! We walked around the town for about an hour and then drove on to a roadside tent where the locals stop for bean curd wrapped in banana leaves, peanuts wrapped in sugar and rice wine that is really more of a liqueur. We squatted like the locals (ouch!) and had a unique and very authentic experience. Our driver was somewhat shocked that we wanted to do this, but then was quite impressed by our curiosity and enthusiasm. It is precisely this kind of custom-tailoring — adapting the trip to the style and spirit of the travelers — that keeps us coming back to Boundless Journeys. It was one of the most exciting days of our wonderful trip.

The local pharmacist diagnoses the proper herbs for her patient on the side of the road.

Mothers and grandmothers with their babies come to this shop for a soupy rice that is put into bowls or baby bottles.

No such thing as a safety seat for babies on motorbikes!

She is carving the ornate wood furniture that is sold all over Vietnam.

Workshops are open to the street and offer us a glimpse of the private living space upstairs. The muddy, crude working conditions downstairs do not match the colorful private homes that sit directly on top of them.

Vietnam: Cultural Explorer
All senses will be engaged on this active exploration of the natural and cultural treasures of Vietnam.

Tips for exchanging currency for your next trip

deborah tobey — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:32:30 +0000

So, you’re getting ready for your next Boundless Journeys adventure, and are wondering where – and when – to get local currency for your trip. Here are some recommendations from our home team of travel experts:

Credit Cards: You can use your credit card just as you would at home. Card issuers typically tack on currency-conversion fees of 2 to 3 percent for international transactions. You’ll get the best exchange rate and fees that are lower than if you exchanged cash. Do not use credit cards, however, to withdraw money out of an ATM. You’ll be hit with hefty fines and ATM fees, not to mention interest on your withdrawal. This is the best option for big purchases, pre- and post-tour hotel rooms, and restaurant tabs.

ATM Cards: Most banks allow you to use your debit card in international ATMs to withdraw local currency. Check with your bank to make sure your ATM card will be compatible at your destination, and make sure to let your bank know where you will be traveling. If they are not notified, banks often put a hold on your card when you use it abroad.

Most banks tack on 3 to 8 percent for ATM withdrawals, however, some banks have international branches or partners that allow you to use your ATM card free. Again, check with your bank. If you do have international transaction fees, you may want to minimize them by withdrawing larger amounts less often. This is the best option for daily expenses such as museum entrance fees and smaller purchases.

Exchange at your bank: Most banks sell foreign currency, but make sure to order the cash a week before you travel as it often has to be delivered to the bank. You may incur delivery fees of $10 – $20. Exchange rates for banks tend to be slightly better than exchange rates elsewhere, as banks receive wholesale rates not available to the general public. This is recommended if you want to have some foreign currency on hand upon arrival at your destination.

Buy cash online: You can by cash on websites like oanda.com and they will ship it to your home. Exchange rates are not as good as the ones you will receive at your bank, and there are often delivery fees incurred. With a poor exchange rate and delivery fees, this option is not recommended.

Traveler’s Checks: This is a good option for those who do not want to use credit or ATM cards or carry large amounts of cash, and it comes with peace of mind as Traveler’s Checks can be replaced if lost or stolen. The downside is you will need to find a place to exchange the checks for local currency upon arrival, the exchange rate is worse than any of the above options, and there are fees of up to $9 incurred for each check. This is a good option if you are traveling to China, as fees are low and the exchange rate is regulated by the Chinese government, making this one of the most inexpensive options.

Currency Exchange Desk: This would be the last option due to hefty fees – sometimes up to 20% and the lowest exchange rate. It is best to avoid visiting currency exchange desks, unless you’re in a fix and need money immediately.

The lowdown: Before you go, exchange some cash at your bank to have on-hand for immediate expenses such as taxis and food. Use your credit card for large purchases and your ATM card for daily expenses. If traveling to China, Travelers Checks are a good option.

If you have any doubt about how or where to get local currency for your next Boundless Journeys trip, our travel experts are on-hand to help with these and other destination specific questions. Give us a call at 1-800-941-8010.

Impressions of Myanmar – A Boundless Journeys Preview

amorton — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:30:52 +0000

You may have caught wind of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, a Southeast Asian nation that is emerging from relative isolation and entering onto the global stage. If you are an adventurous traveler and someone looking for an experience out of the ordinary, there’s reason to turn your attention to this place. I’ve just visited Myanmar to develop a tour for Boundless Journeys and here’s a little snap shot of my ten-day journey.

Arrival in Yangon
I was anticipating sprawled human settlement to appear outside my ovular plane window as we began our descent into Yangon, the capital of Myanmar, an estimated population of 3 million people. But as far as the eye could see, there were verdant rice fields, farmhouses and ancient Pagodas – Buddhist shrines- dotting the landscape. I realized then that I was in for something extraordinary.

Artisans of Mandalay
Venturing through the artisan districts of Mandalay, you encounter stonecutters covered from head to toe in white stone dust from carving, cutting and polishing marble Buddha statues. Gold beaters, use heavy wooden mallets to pound by hand thousands of individual paper-thin gold leaf plates destined for the monasteries and pagodas throughout Myanmar. Rather than using a clock, they measure time by putting a half coconut shell in water, and when it sinks (after about 30mins) this indicates they have completed one of numerous rounds of pounding. Women weave sliver and gold sequence-studded tapestries, using care with each minute detail. They all seem casual, but focused and content with their work. Each of these trades is passed down through the generations and remains vibrant to this day.

Invitation for a massage
As I made my way through the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds of buyers and sellers at the local Jade market in Mandalay, I happened upon an opening where onlookers encircled two men sitting cross-legged on the ground: one, a traditional healer, and the other a layman. The healer was rubbing his hands on an assembled mass of various animals’ horns and specimens doused in aromatic oil. He sucked some substance from one of the horns and then proceeded to forcefully contort the patients’ back, while blowing on specific areas. The crowd seemed to take lightly the grunts of discomfort coming from the patient. Being the only foreigner, my curiosity drew too much attention and upon completion the healer motioned to me, as if I were next in queue. I shook my head with a courteous smile and then quickly slipped back into the labyrinth of the market stalls.

River Trading
The Irrawaddy River winds its’ way from north to south of the country and remains a major trade and transportation route for much of Myanmar today. A cruise down the Irrawaddy from Mandalay to Bagan, gives you a unique glimpse into life on the river. Small fishing villages inhabit the shoreline, large barges transport foodstuffs and export goods, laborers carry gravel by in bamboo baskets perched on their heads, pottery villages make use of the abundant clay on the river delta, and ancient ruins and temples are a constant feature of the land. All sense of time is lost as you make your way down the Irrawaddy.

Arriving in the Ancient Capital
I’ve never been the seafaring kind, but there’s nothing quite like the feeling of arriving at a port of an unknown land. As I hobbled ashore in Bagan, attempting to shake off my sea legs, I felt wonderment for what lay ahead. Thousands of pagodas dating back to the 11th to 12th centuries are scattered throughout the landscape of deep red earth, encircled by distant, hazy blue hills. I explored by horse and carriage, still a main means of transport for villagers. As I meandered on dirt pathways interconnecting the ancient temples, discovering their elaborate frescos and golden Buddha statues, ancient Bagan came alive, enhanced by my guide’s tales of the extravagant and at times volatile kingdom. I concluded my day watching the large, rounded fiery sun setting behind the countless monuments spread over Bagan’s misty plains.

Leg Rowers of Inle Lake
My leg rower was wearing an Aung San Suu Kyi t-shirt. I wasn’t quite sure what to be more curious about: What this political figure, who has been the leader of the democracy movement in Burma since 1990, meant to this young man who has grown up in the remote, backwaters of Inle Lake. Or, how he precariously stood on the bow’s upper ledge with his left leg, while simultaneously wrapping his right leg around a wooden oar and deftly propelling the boat forward. This method of leg-rowing has been used for centuries, allowing them advantageous viewing of the fish in the waters beneath them, while also freeing up a hand as they cast their nets. I pondered how my leg-rower seemed to be balancing in two worlds: the tradition of fishing he learned from his father and the desire for political freedom.

Merit and Hospitality
The land is bucolic, the history rich, and the culture vibrant, but in my opinion it is the people of Myanmar that really win you over. Hospitality to the people of Myanmar is something woven into their daily lives. They believe that if you take a stranger in, you will accumulate merit for your next life. There was not a village that I visited where I was not extended an invitation into a home for a cup of tea, or a meal.

Blessing
Near the end of my visit, while I was wandering through the stalls of a local market, I came across two Buddhist nuns (one just a girl and the other an elder) dressed in their traditional pink robes, walking barefoot, each carrying a modestly-sized basket. They were collecting food donations from the various vendors and lay folk for their daily meal. After buying some grapes from a nearby vendor, I gestured to the nuns and placed a small amount in each of their alms baskets. The elderly nun bowed to me and said something in Burmese. I turned to my guide for a translation, and she told me the nun had blessed me. She asked that I have a successful journey through Myanmar, that I have richness and peace in my life, and that I may always have protectors looking after me.

Thinking of exploring Peru’s famed lost city of Machu Picchu this summer? Plan ahead – permits are going fast!

karen cleary — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:31:59 +0000

Hiking the Inca Trail

It happens every year, but 2012 seems even earlier than usual. Only 500 permits per day are issued for people to hike on the Inca trail into Machu Picchu, and already permits are sold out for almost the entire month of July. As of this writing in March, there is still good availability for August, but that is likely to change dramatically in the next few weeks.

Machu Picchu is undoubtedly the highlight of most travelers’ exploration of Peru, and hiking in on the Inca Trail, whether on our 5-day trek, or the so-called “Inca Trail Express” a one-day hike that culminates at the Gate of the Sun, is an unforgettable experience that will stay with you for years. If you’ve been thinking of joining us in Peru this summer, please don’t delay and risk disappointment – let us know now if you are considering a trip so we can keep you in the loop!

Peru: The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

Still available for 2012…

with the Inca Trail Express: August 19-26; October 7-14, December 23-30

without the Inca Trail Express: July 8-15

Or, consider Boundless Journeys’ Private Collection departures, available on the dates that work for you:

Peru: Land of the Incas

Peru: Trekking the Hidden Inca Trail

Peru: Lima, Cusco, & Machu Picchu

Peru: Into the Amazon

Peru: Lake Titicaca

Spotlight on Boundless Journeys Guides

deborah tobey — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 22:28:35 +0000

The importance of the guide in a Boundless Journeys tour cannot be overestimated. Much more than a tour escort, our guides are the key to creating exceptional experiences that stay with our guests for a lifetime.

That is why we choose only the best guides who are local to the area you are exploring, passionate about their country, well-connected, knowledgeable, engaging, and highly experienced. Boundless Journeys guides go above and beyond the usual to introduce you to the most authentic in locales, people, and food. Whether leading you on an elephant-back safari in Africa, or sampling wine at a family owned vineyard in Tuscany, our guides know where to go and how to get you there. But don’t just take it from us, here is what some of our past guests have said:

Brooks

Botswana: Wilderness Safari: “I wish there were words to tell you what a remarkable guide and human being Brooks is. To say he is “the best” sounds trite and superficial, but I can honestly say that my two safaris with him have opened up the way I see the world. ” – Pat C., Malibu, CA

Snori

Iceland: The Land of Fire & Ice: “Snorri is a better guide than I would have known to ask for. He loves his country and language and goes to great lengths to share them both – always reading the interest and energy level of the group well. His attention to detail, relaxed manner and thorough preparation are exemplary, as are his competence hiking, driving, and his ability to manage a group. ”
- Jan S., Phoenix, AZ

Carron

Scotland: The Highland Way: “I cannot speak highly enough about Carron. She was simply a wealth of information. She met us at the train station when we arrived in Inverness. She didn’t have to be there for another hour, but she thought we would like to eat lunch somewhere a little nicer than the train station…that was it, we were off and running. Carron’s ease and sense of humor were greatly appreciated. Even in the middle of this beautiful wilderness, I never felt lost or in any danger. She is an amazing woman and a totally prepared professional.” – Rose Flynn, Rivervale, NJ

Alex

Italy: A Taste of Tuscany & Umbria: “Alex went out of his way to create opportunities for us to experience local culture – meeting a friend who invited us into his home for a glass of wine, getting a spontaneous tour of a private palazzo in Gubbio, meeting a medievalist scholar in his small apartment in Assisi – these enriched our days, already rife with interesting commentary.” – Randal & Leanna W., Huntingdon Valley, PA

"Tex"

Costa Rica: Nature’s Richness Revealed: “I have to tell you that Marco “Tex” Fallas is one of the best wildlife guides in the world. He is continually working on behalf his guests. I have been fortunate to work with guides around the world (above and below water including the high Himalayas) and he is probably the numero uno that I have come across.” – Rob K., Watford, Hertfordshire, UK

Dawa

Bhutan & Nepal: Himalayan Kingdoms: “Our guides were amazing and made the trip unforgettable. By the end of the trip I stopped thinking of them as guides and considered them friends. I was very impressed with their knowledge, professionalism, friendliness, and generosity”. – Sarah I., Harsens Island, Michigan

Murat

Turkey: Istanbul to the Turquoise Coast: “I’d like to praise our guide, Murat Tiryaki, who was above and beyond! Murat is an exceptional person and obviously very smart and well-educated as well as even tempered and great company. He is also a very kind, thoughtful person. His leadership made the trip.” – Suzanne S., Catlett, VA, Turkey

There is no one we trust more to satisfy and exceed your expectations than a Boundless Journeys guide! Their insiders’ perspectives and enthusiasm make for an unforgettable journey, and they are the number one reason our guests return year after year.

Tales from the Trail in Bhutan and Nepal

Matt — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:32:14 +0000

by Ashley Morton, Boundless Journeys Destination Manager

Tiger's Nest, Bhutan

The only day it rained during my visit to Bhutan this past February was the day before I was scheduled to hike to Taktshang, also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery. This was the second to last day of my journey to this remote Himalayan Kingdom, coined as the land of Gross National Happiness and one of the last remaining Shangri-Las. As I fell asleep that evening, a fierce thunderstorm (quite unusual for the winter months) sounded overhead and left me wondering if I would perhaps miss the opportunity to see this most auspicious monastery, perched high amidst a cliff-side, shrouded in mystery and magic.

That night, I dreamt of tigers. It may have been because I was soon off to Nepal to try to catch a glimpse of this rare animal of the Terai jungle that borders India. Or perhaps my dream could be attributed to my long-anticipated morning adventure to the storied and sacred Taktshang. According to Buddhist legend, during the 16th century the saint Guru Padmashambava visited from Tibet riding a flying tiger to this site, bringing Buddhism to Bhutan.

The next morning I awoke at dawn to fog veiling the Himalayan peaks, yet bits of clear blue sky were beginning to poke through, and a fresh dusting of snow glistened on the surrounding ridge-tops. I hastily readied myself, and after some tea, I met Leki and Pema, my trusty Boundless Journeys guides. At this point I felt as if I had been lifelong friends with them, even though we had only known each other for a week.

We set out to Tiger’s Nest meandering through a misty forest of conifers. The first mornings’ light slowly replaced the rising fog, granting us the occasional glimpse of the imposing monastery, clinging to the cliff face 1,600ft above us. The prior nights’ storm made sense to me at this moment. My goal to reach Tiger’s Nest should feel intangible, as it is a sacred destination. People come on pilgrimage from far and wide to be in its’ presence and receive blessings. After a couple of hours of winding our way up the mountainous trail, spinning prayer wheels along the way (Buddhists believe that doing so will give you positive merit in your next life), and eventually making our way around the cliff that cradles Taktshang, we finally arrived.

Entering the monastery courtyard, we wandered through its’ maze of temples built inside of caves, passing shrines with burning incense and butter lamps, while listening to the murmuring prayers of monks’ emanating from the earthen, whitewashed walls. As Leki and Pema showed me around and shared the story of the epic journey the Tibetan saint undertook, flying on the back of a tiger over the Himalayan peaks to land at this very place, I began to feel somehow that this was not just a myth.

Leki elaborated about how Tiger’s Nest burned down from a butter lamp fire about 14 years ago. He mentioned that many valuable relics and statues were lost, but somehow the most precious of them all, the one of Guru Padmashambava, was salvaged – and not by human hands. According to locals, this statue miraculously survived by managing to escape the flames, moving to safety on its’ own volition and subsequently returning to the original altar after the fire.

Tiger Safari, Nepal

I left Tiger’s Nest feeling awed by the stories and magic of the Taksthang. While concluding my adventures with our Boundless Journeys’ team in Chitwan National Park, located in the southern Jungles of Nepal, riding on elephants searching for fresh Tiger prints, I could not help but muse at the thought of Guru Padmasambhava’s journey flying over the Himalayan peaks atop a tiger to bring Buddhism to Bhutan. Few places remain on this planet where boundaries blur between myth and reality.

Botswana on 60 Minutes

karen cleary — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:48:52 +0000

"Relentless Enemies," the Cape Buffalo and Lion

While they may not have the name-droppable fame of a George Clooney or Brangelina, Dereck and Beverly Joubert are celebrities in the safari community.

Filming, researching, and exploring Africa for over 25 years, these award-winning filmmakers from Botswana have 22 films to their credit, including the famed National Geographic film “Relentless Enemies,” about the precarious predator-prey relationship between the Cape buffalo and lion prides of a remote corner of Botswana’s Okavango Delta.

Their mission of wildlife conservation will soon be covered on CBS’ 60 Minutes program. After a week of shooting with correspondent Lara Logan and the 60 Minutes crew in Duba, Zarafa, and Selinda areas of Botswana, the 12-minute segment will air in March or early April 2012 (exact date is unknown at this point). With a reach of 30 million U.S. viewers, plus many more via the internet, this program promises to be a great opportunity to highlight current challenges facing Africa’s big cats.

We hope you’ll watch, and perhaps be inspired to plan a journey of exploration too. Boundless Journeys offers low-impact, high-quality safaris to all of the places shown in the story. Visit our new safari planning web site www.Boundless-Safaris.com and contact us to start planning your dream safari in Africa!

Boundless Journeys congratulates Grant Korgan, the first adaptive athlete to reach the Antarctic South Pole.

deborah tobey — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:10:13 +0000

Grant Korgan

Boundless Journeys congratulates Grant Korgan, the first adaptive athlete to reach the Antarctic South Pole.

Just a few weeks ago, on January 17th, Grant Korgan succeeded as the first adaptive athlete in history to reach the Antarctic South Pole. The arrival of Korgan and his South Pole team coincided with the 100-year anniversary of Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s Terra Nova Expedition in 1912. Korgan, who became paralyzed in a snowmobiling accident in 2010, traversed 75-miles using a custom sit-ski.

After the first 10 pushes, Korgan stopped abruptly; pushing his sit-ski across the Antarctic ice felt like crossing Velcro, and he couldn’t believe the effort it required. “There was some doubt in my mind he could complete the journey,” teammate Stoup said. “The first 10 pushes were very hard. It hit me right away that it would take him a herculean effort to do it 12 days in a row, 10 hours a day.”

Temperatures loomed in the minus-mid-30s to as low as the minus-mid-50s with winds of 20 to 30 knots. Whiteouts enveloped the team for three days and half of a fourth, turning progress and navigation into acts of faith.

“My bones [were] clacking against each other. And you really can view this thing in any way you want,” Korgan said. “When I realized that I could see the beauty in any and all things, it brought another level of freedom.”

“I used affirmations to keep me moving forward,” Korgan said. “I began silently saying to myself, ‘I am strong, I am healthy, I am healed, and I am working toward my goal of reaching the South Pole.’ I eventually began to say these statements aloud and my teammates would often join me. Then, I said to myself daily, ‘Although my body has been broken in the past, my spirit never can be. I am unbreakable.’ ”

On the final morning, a clearing in the clouds appeared and the sun poured like a beacon onto the South Pole, dedicated by a group of flags and pole marker. About 100 feet away, Korgan got off his sit-ski, as teammates Fletcher and Stoup each gave up one ski and pole and affixed them to the feet of their friend. Then with a small crowd watching nearby – more than 150 scientists from the South Pole’s Amundsen-Scott research station – Korgan made it to the end, on his own, on his two paralyzed feet, Stoup said.

Korgan said he will remember reaching the South Pole as his greatest moment, second to his wedding with Shawna Korgan, who surprised him a quarter mile before the finish.

The overall purpose of the project was to make strides for spinal cord recovery and to support the High Fives Foundation, which helps adaptive winter athletes ideally get back on their feet and to their sport. “The Push” is also in support of The Reeve – Irvine Research Center, a science research facility at University of California, Irvine devoted to the study of repair, regeneration and recovery of function after spinal cord injury. And, of course, Korgan’s accomplishment serves as an inspiration to us all. In Grant Korgan’s words, “Every single person has the ability to do anything they want in this life.”

Baby Elephant at Wilderness Safaris Abu Camp

Matt — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:29:42 +0000

On 17 December 2011, Wilderness Safaris Abu Camp in Botswana announced the wonderful news – Shireni had given birth to her third calf, Warona.

So far she’s been a thrill a minute as guests have been able to watch her antics and how the whole herd interacts with her. Enjoy this fabulous YouTube video (courtesy of AfriScreen) of Warona at three days old, getting used to her surrounds and trying to work out how to use her trunk!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDChPkELatw