Eco Travel to Europe Anyone ?

Hi SHC members,

I am planning to make trip to UK, Europe not only to sight see , but also on a Eco-village discovery tour. Such Eco-villages are under  GEN ( Global EcoVillage Network) and are endorsed by United Nations. They have all- year volunteer programmes and also conduct courses on various topics on Eco-village Matters  that are also endorsed by UN. Overall, i would say, the intention is to travel not to just the towns but also the countryside, and  learn from people of different cultures, on the Main issue of living and doing something to care for the environment that is around us. Singapore, in many ways is quite pro-active in being ECO- friendly , from the ways we recycle water,  to be self sufficient and the concept of making a greener Singapore with rooftop gardens, etc.  A very few like Ivy Singh-Lim has even started Singapore’s most well-known back-to-nature countryside living and have expanded into the farming business “Bolloywood veggies”.

Right now, for me it is just to travel and visit  other countries that i have not been to, while i am still strong and healthy. There are many such Eco-villages all round Europe, England, Italy, Spain ,  that have all-year round volunteer programmes,, that you will probably take a life time to visit. Right now,i t is almost the end of summer so it is the right time to visit Europe and then maybe Australia and New Zealand after Dec.   Estimated cost, will be the air tickets, train tickets, and basic meals cost, and hoping to save as much on hotesl by getting free lodging volunteering in the Eco-villages.  I think it is better than staying at some expensive hotel for a night, this way you can meet friends and  stay longer with them.  You get to see and experienced a lot more and you can learn a lot more, of the food, culture , ideas  and at the same time  leaving a healthy life in the countryside.   I believe the Eco-village concept should start with our own body first.  The first village is our body ( it holds our mind and soul )  that we have to keep healthy to serve us for the many years down the road.  So if anyone of you, is free, after retiring and feel you are healthy and strong enough to take on such travel, do consider, to join me.  You are invited to join me at any stage and at any place while i am on the move in Europe,as i may be there for 3 months or more.

Cheers, maybe i will learn how to make heathlier Sheppard’s Bread by then.

8 thoughts on “Eco Travel to Europe Anyone ?”

  1. Hi Allrounder,

    We encourage Silverhairsclub members to get to know one another and be friends. Can I ask you to put down your name, as you have not met many of the other members. I would ask you to use Allrounder as your username to login and a nickname that is related to your real name.

    Terence Seah

  2. I share the enthusiasm for eco-village concepts and development. Eco-tech encompasses ideal goals for ecological, social, and spiritual sustainability. The sites provided in this thread gives a wealth of info and examples on eco-theism.

    However, 90% of eco-villages out there fall short of the ideals. Many of them including most in the Asia Pacific region are just real estate branding. They have scant practical reference to the ideals which they claim.

    It has been pointed out elsewhere in this forum that eco-theism can be practised anywhere including Singapore or “next-door” locations all within 100 km radius.

    Eco like charity starts at home. You don’t have to go to the end of the world to taste nirvana. Why don’t we create a chapter or discussion group to explore the possibilities for interested parties?

  3. Hi Kong Thean,

    I am not familiar with eco-village concepts. but I was pleasantly surprised that when I spoke yesterday with a few other SilverHairs, they were equally interested about the eco-village ideas of Ronald Wi.

    Let’s go ahead with the discussion. I shall have a category created sometime next week.

    As I see, Ronald Wi has some good ideas on this concept. Ronald, if you can take us through, and bring some awareness to us SilverHairs. Then, I read another similar from Laurence.

    There is much to explore in Singapore and near-by places too.

    I guess costs and risks are always factors to bear in mind. Everybody invited to share their ideas.

  4. Hi Wong,
    Check this website on Global Eco-village Network at http://gen.ecovillages.org/ and also GAIA.com. You will be amazed how well organised GEN is and i got a response almost immediately from the first Eco-village that i wrote to, saying yes the can accomodate me in the volunteer program as they are having Summer Festival. So, looks like i am all ready to travel,work, learn and meet new friends in the most Eco-friendly way rather that just taking a Europe tour running around the cities and shopping. Check my website for the progess on my trip plans at http://retirees-point.blog.spot.com or SMS me at 91519301 Ronald Wi. Cheers

  5. Hi All,
    Wow! What interesting exchanges of information. Travelling, seeing the world economically by volunteering at Eco Villages in exchange for accomodation is certainly my cup of tea. Wish I can join All Rounder for the 3-month trip or part thereof but unfortunately, my programme for the next few months is super-tight. Maybe next time.
    Anyway, I must say that I’ve learnt something new. I do know that interested persons can volunteer in National Parks, Forests and some privately owned premises in the USA but do not know about Eco Villages and its world wide operations. Never-the-less, whatever activities they organise and the rationale / objectives behind such operations excites me. At the same time, I must mention that All Rounder and I appear to share similar interests, hobbies and views. Looking forward to meeting up with you Mr All Rounder and, of course, the rest of you who are interested in Eco Villages etc. If you’re looking for a place to meet, I’ll be happy to host the meeting at my home. I live close to Changi Prison. Say aye and I’ll fix the date and time.
    Evelyn

  6. Hi Eveyln,
    Thanks for your strong encouragement and
    yes, will take up on your offer to arrange a meeting for all would be and keen travellers.

    Also will you be going for this month’s walk at Sembawang,if you do it will be a good time for us to meet and to also listen to your travel stories of Sabah, as most of us have never been there. Maybe you can bring pictures of your travels, experiences and future plans. Dave, Andrew and myself, who have just been down to Malacca, Port Dickson and Kukup, can keep you all updated on these places and the food we tried. And we can try to gather other would be travellers and backpackers along the way.

    Cheers,
    Allrounder

  7. Hi Allrounder,
    Sorry that I cannot make it to Sembawang this weekend though I would very much like to do so. This place brings back a lot of fond memories as well as not so pleasant ones too. Perhaps I’ll go there or, if the group decides to go there for a walk again, I would, the next time round.
    How did you know that I’ve been to Sabah? I’ve been there twice and hoping for my friend there to arrange more trips. I love Sabah and this is once place I can “retire” in. I love the mountainous terrain, the beautiful scenery, the clean crisp morning air, the vegetation, the sea, the people – yep, can go on and on. Do I want to live in Thailand and Peninsula Malaysia -very unlikely, that is, if I have to decide now. Haven’t found anything truly nice yet in both places. Maybe I’ve not seen enough. Anyone can choose to disagree with me, this is only my personal opinion.
    If you want to see pictures of sabah, I can show you some taken during my first trip. For my second, well… our key camera man was not present so we all got lazy and did not take much. However, I can forward my “Travel Log” if you care to read it. It’s quite lengthy but good enough to use is you plan to travel around Sabah rather than stay put at a few selected places.
    Want to hear more? Will continue if we meet.
    Evelyn

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