Taking a break from the usual photo-stream, I've decided to participate in an initiative which the travel blog BootsnAll has created. Starting November 1, they launched a project called 30 Days of Indie Travel. They’re inviting bloggers from around the world (including you!) to join us in a daily blogging effort reflecting on our past travel experiences.  Each day, they'll post a new prompt on BootsnAll articles. Bloggers can follow the prompts as strictly or loosely as they like, interpreting them in various ways and responding via text, photos or video posted on their own blogs.

Today's theme: Kindness
One of the greatest joys of travel can be the random acts of kindness you’ll receive from total strangers. Have you ever found kindness from strangers in unexpected places?

Kindness is something which can be expressed in many different ways, be it through a generous act, by showing empathy or support, or perhaps just pleasant demeanour. Because of it's diverse interpretations, and the abundance you can find in the world if you actually watch for it, I will just try to focus on one of the more exceptional examples that comes to mind from my travels. 

I remember, one of the most unique experiences I had, when I was travelling through Indonesia on the island of Java. I had stopped in the city Yogyakarta, a city heavily influenced by the arts, with loads of batik shops lining the streets and theatres around every corner. One day, while minding my own business, a boy just a year or two younger than myself, approached me on the street. At first I had my guard up, with the typical North American big city attitude of "They must want something, try to ignore them" (I hate that attitude by the way, yet sadly have fallen victim to it on several occasions). The boy broke the barrier down by calling to me "Hey.... Fred Durst?!". I laughed, as I was wearing a backwards ball cap and baggy jeans. It turns out he just wanted to see if I'd join his friends skateboarding just a couple blocks away. He thought I looked like I needed some friends in the city, since I had been walking by myself. We all had a great time, and shared some laughs, and they gave me a temporary tattoo of a dragon on my back. All in all, this would have been a great day as it was, but it was about to get much better. 

After the busy day, the original new friend said that he was from a small village close by, and that I should come meet his family. Throwing caution to the wind, I thought this would be an incredible experience not many would be able to share in. I packed up, and we were on the road. Close by turned in to a 9 hour train ride, followed by a bus up a hill, followed by some tuk tuks up some crazy switch-backs, only to find myself in a village that seemed lost in time. Very quickly I was welcomed by the family, who took me in for a couple days as if I was their son. I was fed well, helped around the house, and taken to some of the local attractions that only a local would know about (ie Jungle waterfalls, beautiful valleys, local buildings, etc). Their kindness to this unkown foreigner was only paralleled by their ear to ear smiles, seemingly a genetic feature of all the villagers.

A strong believer in Karma, to repay my gratitude, I took their son with me further across the island to climb Mt Bromo, an active volcano. I remember him telling me he didn't know his own country held such beauty. It was a simple thing to do, and cost nearly nothing on my behalf, but it was the experience which was priceless.. for both of us. This kindness was truly a risk on his behalf, taking a stranger in - yet I think it just came without any consideration. Something I found all over Indonesia, in fact. 

There's been many acts just like this, be it having a stranger I just met nurse me back to health from Malaria while stuck in a remote village in India, to the 4 day drive I was given by one person while hitchhiking across Canada, to being offered a place to sleep for the night in Bangkok because I stupidly misread my bus ticket, missing the last bus of the night. The occurrences are endless, and not all of them will be as grand scale as some of those, but they exist all around us. Often we just have to open our eyes, ears and hearts to what's happening around us, and others will do the same right back to you.  If you carry a shield, it will deflect good things that come your way - in fact, it may even attract more bad than if you didn't have it in the first place.

"Kindness in words creates confidence, Kindness in thinking creates profoundness, Kindness in giving creates love." ~ Lao Tzu

Kinkaku-Ji, also known as The Temple of the Golden Pavilion is one of Japan's most visited historic sites. Originally built in the Shogun era in 1397, this ancient temple has remained an important Zen Buddhist temple for the past 600 years. However, due to an accident by a monk in the mid 1950's, the temple was burned to the ground. It has since been rebuilt with efforts to be an identical replica of the original, though critics may argue about minor details which were not mirrored perfectly. The temple remains a beautiful site to visit, in a very peaceful setting surrounded by forest and a large pond teaming with coy and other fish. Definitely worth a visit when travelling through Kyoto.

There are many ways you can choose to appreciate what is considered one of the most holiest rivers in the world. Activities which take place along the river banks include bathing to purify oneself before the daily happenings begin, participate in Ganga Aarti - the nightly act of placing candles with flowers in the river (as pictured above) as part of the worship, or  attending one of the hundreds of festivals such as Kumbh Mela held every 4 years, a Sadu festival where millions make pilgrimage to bathe in the river and partake in Ganga Aarti - meaning you will see the river appear as if it were lit on fire as millions of candles float past. 

Many children use this opportunity to make some extra money for their family, by selling the candles and flowers to locals and tourists alike. It is an excellent source of income for their families, and keeps the children from begging and stealing. If you choose to participate, you may want to consider buying from one of the children, as opposed to the shops (which may be overpriced anyway). 

The Ganges river is a quintessential part of anyone's visit to India. There is definitely a special feeling from being there, even if you don't participate in any of the blessings of the river.

Varkala is a beautiful seaside city located in India's southern state of Kerala. It has some unique characteristics, such as the towering red-rock cliffs which face the Arabian sea, along the otherwise flat coast of Kerala. In addition to this, there are two distinct areas of the city. The one found inland is primarily hindu, with a large number of temples to be explored, and the other is a small touristy part of town which appears to be run entirely by an impressively large number of Tibetans living here. Being so far removed from Tibet, one may be thrown off at first if not expecting this. It brings a welcome diversity in food, culture and handicrafts available, along with the notoriously friendly Tibetan smiles as you stroll along the coast. 

Making tribute to some of the most naturally breathtaking beaches in world, Railay Beach lay here amongst them. This cove opens up to the sea, with sheer pinnacles and mountainous cliffs jutting out from it's soft yellow sands. This particular area is only accessible by boat, approximately 40 mins from Krabi, on the south western coast of Thailand. It has been deemed a rock-climbers haven, as these steep rock faces hold many of the most popular climbing routes in all of Thailand. I had my first stab at Rock Climbing here, doing the popular "Groove Tube" route, and was privileged enough to be perched at the top of the climb in a little cave, as the sun set over the beach and the sea. Truly one of those moments in life that takes your breath away!

Varanasi, one of the most holy cities in the Eastern hemisphere, is a city rich with culture, history, tradition, and intrigue. Home to the Mother Ganges, quite possibly the holiest river in the world, most of the cities life revolves around the happenings on the banks of the water. Ghats, which are essentially stair-lined platforms which plunge in to the warm running waters, line the river's edge as far the eye can see. Used for bathing, washing of clothes and yoga, right as the sun breaks the dawn of day, the activity only begins at this time. You will find markets, festivals, performances, fishing, and also the ritualistic cremations along the ghats throughout any given day. A quintessential part of any visit while in Northern India.

When visiting Indonesia, or more specifically the island of Java, it is recommended that you see at least one performance of the classical courtyard dances - Bedoyo, Srimpi and Petilan. Traditionally performed in a Pendopo (essentially a large open courtyard covered only by a typical Javanese peaked roof), these ancient dances date back as far as the 8th century AD. Originally performed for specifically for Royalty, there are often now performances found in both public and private Pendopos. The image above was taken in one of the main public Pendopos in central Yogyakarta, and was free for the public to attend. 

What will you find after a grueling week of climbing endless steps, hiking winding trails leading you up and down foothills through extreme climates, and reaching levels of altitude high above where the tree line stops? One of the most wondrous base camps, of course. Annapurna is a mountain range situated in the heart of Nepal, which has attracted avid hikers for decades, if not centuries. Though not conveniently marked, it is possible to navigate the trail to Annapurna's Base Camp (ABC) without a guide, though if you have any hesitation it may be best to hire one or at least get very well drawn out maps prior to your attempt... ahem.. speaking from experience, and having NOT done this. There are a number of towns and villages, mind you, through out the entire trail. Most of these towns have guest houses and restaurants (often two in the same), with more than friendly faces to welcome you. 

Ironically enough, after miraculously finding the base camp unguided, and without a map (or a clue) of how to really get there, a familiar statue stood a top the end of the trail, welcoming me to Base Camp. An Inukshuk is a landmark made of stone, often large enough to be seen on the edge of a horizon, which traditionally have been built by Inuit, and other Native Americans living in the Arctic regions. It is suspected that they were once used for Navigation, a marker for travel routes. I probably could have used many more of these along the hike, rather than just at the end destination. 

The feeling of accomplishment, mixed with the unparalleled view from the Rooftop of the world, however... worth every wrong turn, sprain, cramp, and  complaint I ever could have had, hundreds of times over. 

Honestly, what could be better than having a warm ocean breeze embracing your body and penetrating your soul, while gently rocking back and forth on a tire swing hung palm tree so perfectly shaped it was destined to carry you, as Koh Pangang's powdered-white sands whiski beneath your feet and the tropical sun sets in the west? Not a whole lot, in my humble opinion! 

One of the many relaxing moments which can be had on Koh Pangang, Thailand

What visit to Japan would be complete without a visit to see the snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji? Nestled slightly off the beaten path of the Shinkansens, I did find it was not 'as' easy to get to directly as I would have expected. One of the best observation points is from the town of Fujikawaguchiko-machi (surrounded by the beautiful Lake Kawaguchi). From town you can take either a trail or a gondola up to the top of Mt. Kachi Kachi. From atop the mountain, you will have a breath-taking view of the world famous Mount Fuji, in all it's glory. This photo was taken in early March, when the Cherry Blossom trees were in full bloom, and snow still glistened from the peaks of the majestic mountain. The air is crisp at this time of year, and though it can be quite sunny, you may also risk heavy cloud cover which may obstruct your view of the mountain, along with bringing some spring showers as well.