It’s 4:30am when I hear the kookaburra’s calling to each other from the distant eucalyptus trees. While I’m not that enthused about getting up at this hour, I know that if I stay in bed, it will only get harder. I can hear movement in the next room and know that it is definitely time to get the day started. Heading to the cookhouse for breakfast, I nod sleepily to the other drowsy faces, who don’t look any more energetic than I feel. The coolness of the morning is welcome after the +40C days we have been having since I arrived. After grabbing a hat and slathering on some sunscreen I head with my broom and bucket to start my first job of the morning. Another day has begun.

In the fall of 2009 I decided I wanted to do something a little different for my winter vacation. Looking for holiday ideas online, I found several organizations that set up volunteer vacations for interested parties. Historically, these vacations have been associated with graduating high school students who have decided to take a ‘gap year’ to travel and spend some time giving back in a variety of projects. Volunteer vacations are a growing travel trend and there are many connection organizations online that, for a fee, link volunteers with not-for-profit organizations that are looking for willing and able bodies for their various projects.

The activities and locations are as varied as the people who now apply for these types of vacations. A quick search on the web shows opportunities throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, South and Central America and Australia. Depending on your interests you can work with community social projects, animals or in the environment doing a number of conservation efforts. The options are endless. The great thing about many of these opportunities is that a person can volunteer alone, with a friend or with a group of people, it just depends on the capacity of the project and the type of work they are doing.

Australia has always held a special fascination for me because of its unique wildlife, beautiful beaches and laid back culture, and I’m not going to lie; the idea of hot weather in the middle of the typically frigid Canadian winter also had a certain attraction. Having planned to visit the country in 2010 anyways, I went looking for an opportunity to do something unique while I was there. One of the volunteer connection organizations, GoEco, was offering the chance to assist with an endangered species project in rural Queensland and I jumped at the chance to work with distinct native animals. To start the process I completed an online application form, which had me describe my qualifications and myself as an individual, as well as what my expectations were for my volunteer experience. After a couple of days I received confirmation that my application had been accepted and the weeks I had chosen were available to accept another volunteer. The minimum requirement for volunteering at the endangered species project was two weeks but this varies between projects and what you are personally able to give. Along with my confirmation to volunteer, I was sent an information package.  It contained an outline of the project that I would be volunteering for and orientation documents that discussed the possible culture shock that could be experienced by visiting and working in another country. I was also contacted by one of GoEco’s staff members to answer any additional questions that I may have had. Then on January 12th, 2010 I boarded the first of a series of planes bound for Rockhampton, Australia. I was ready for the adventure, a bit nervous about the unknown but excited to tackle the new experiences that awaited me in the remote Australian outback.

For more about my volunteer vacation experience and recommendations if you are considering your own adventure, stay tuned for Volunteer Vacation Adventure part two.

» Go Eco

If you're new to the idea of eco-friendly traveling, the various words, terms and phrases might be just a bit confusing and intimidating. Take some of the guesswork out of the equation by brushing up on a few of the meanings before you start planning your next trip.

Ecotourism
Natural, unpolluted destinations are the highlight of this type of travel, which places an emphasis on earth-conscious activities such as recycling, water conservation and energy efficiency. The idea is to not have as little impact on an ecosystem as possible and to protect and preserve the natural beauty of an area, but to create environmental and cultural awareness as well.

Carbon offsets
Purchasing a carbon offset or "credit" is meant to do as the name suggests and offset the effects your travel has on the earth. Many airlines and travel agencies now offer the option to purchase these when you book a flight or vacation package. The money is intended to go toward earth-friendly initiatives such as wind farms, tree planting or renewable energy projects. It is highly recommend you research the offsets you are considering buying, as these are often criticized and some are said to be more legitimate than others.

Carbon neutral
While it is virtually impossible to live an emission-free life, the concept of being carbon neutral means being accountable for the emissions you are responsible for and working to "subtract" the emissions from the ones you have added to the earth. This is generally done by purchasing carbon offsets or credits (see above) for legitimate projects.

Hotel conservation programs
A hotel may offer water or energy conservation initiatives such as installing low-flow toilets and shower-heads, or may run an extensive recycling program. Truly green hotels will take their eco-friendliness even further by providing wind- or solar-generated energy or green roofs.

LEED certified hotels
Buildings that are certified according to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System are built using specific environmentally-sustainable standards. LEED certified buildings are expected to run more efficiently than other conventional buildings that fall under the same category - such as hotels. The buildings feature prerequisite criteria, as well as optional credits with attached points values. The six major categories assigned to LEED buildings are sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation and design process. A LEED-certified hotel will meet the required prerequisites and credits.

Greenwashing
All eager travelers hoping to stay on the green side of the tracks will want to be on the watch for greenwashing. This term applies to any business that misrepresents the company's environmental initiatives, products or services. While any number of companies may want you to believe they are a friend to the environment, consumers may want to take eco-claims with a grain of salt and request further information to validate such claims. For example, a hotel may say they are energy-efficient, so don't be afraid to ask exactly what makes them so. If their response isn't satisfactory, they may not be an environmentally-aware as they would have you think.

» Wikipedia

As you prepare for your next big trip, so far you should be armed with a great eco-friendly wardrobe and travel accessories, as well as tips from how to travel green to the proper way to apply sunscreen (and subsequently treat sunburn if your sun-blocking efforts should fail). But while you've put a lot of thought into preparing yourself and your human travel companions, have you stopped to think about getting the family dog ready?

The standard dog accessories will obviously be necessary (don't forget that leash!), but there are a couple of additional things to keep in mind when traveling with your furry friend.

Always remember your dog needs to remain well-hydrated (they don't pant merely for the fun of it) so ensure you give them regular and frequent drinks of water. Make sure you always have a water dish handy with the Planet Dog Travel Food & Water Bowl. This compact bowl is made from durable Eco-Tex and will hold food or water - without leaking.

Ensure your pet has easy access to shade to cool off. They have permanent fur coats and therefore will heat up much faster than you will. It should go without saying that you should never leave your animal in a hot vehicle that isn't running with the air-conditioning turned on. If you (hopefully) wouldn't subject your child to that kind of cruelty, you shouldn't even consider it acceptable for your canine either. Though that attached fur coat may seem like it offers protection, remember dogs can get sunburned too - you just may not be able to spot it as easily. This is another good reason to ensure there is adequate shade available and to take necessary precautions to make sure your pet isn't over-exposed to sunlight.

In the event something mishap should befall your dog, be prepared. Watch the video below to see how you can construct a simple first-aid travel kit for your pet. Many of the items included are also fit for human use, and should be easily accessible.

» You Tube

An innovative new website is making green travel a littler easier this Christmas season. A recent study conducted by the Travel Industry Association found that while most people want to make eco-friendly travel choices, they are not willing to spend more money to do so. The creators of RezHub.com decided to provide a solution that would honor both concerns.

At RezHub.com, travelers can find environmentally friendly hotels, reserve rental hybrid cars and contribute to a carbon offsetting program. If that’s not enough to make your heart grow three sizes, RezHub.com also donates a portion of their revenues from travel booked through the site to green organizations. In recognition that people can’t always afford to spend more to make green travel plans, the website guarantees competitive prices.

If you have yet to make travel reservations for the holidays (and beyond!), visit RezHub.com to explore the green options that are available at your chosen destination.

» RezHub.com

If you’ve ever travelled by air during the holidays, you are likely aware that the experience can be a trying one. Despite being the season of supposed good cheer, people are generally more ill-tempered than usual. Is it any wonder with all of the long lines, flight delays, crying children and…well you get the picture.

Travel guru Erik Torkells has produced a timely list of the 14 ways to survive a holiday flight such as flying directly to your destination to avoid missing connections, checking in online 24 hours in advance to avoid waiting in line at the airport and shipping gifts to your destination in advance to mitigate the risk of broken or missing presents.

My personal suggestions include investing in a quality pair of headphones and an iPod to help diffuse a potentially explosive situation when you’re inevitably seated next to the baby suffering from an ear infection. Small travel pillows are also a godsend. I purchased one from Mountain Equipment Co-op earlier this year for a redeye flight to Orlando and I can’t imagine making any future trips without it. A mesh storage sack is included in which you can store the rolled up pillow (much like you would a sleeping bag) and clip to your carry-on baggage with a simple carabiner. As an added bonus, the pillow is filled with synthetic filling, composed of fabric trimming and scrap materials that might otherwise be landfilled.

To help take the Grinch effect out of your travel plans, use the link below to see Torkells’ additional tips and information.

» MSNBC Travel