Riding Camels in Australia? I thought present day camels were native to parts of the Middle East and parts of the Horn of Africa? In fact they are, but were brought to this part of the country in 1840 from the Canary Islands. Nine camels were originally brought over - all but one died en route and that one was eventually killed - but then more arrived. More than fifteen hundred camels were released into the wild many generations ago - and … [Read more...]
Archives for February 2014
2 Awesome Places I Got To Tick Off My Bucket List
I’ve had an overseas bucket list since I was 18 years of age and I’m still nowhere close to completing the list, though I figure If I get to have 15 countries under my belt I’d be a very happy guy. So far I have visited 8 countries (Peru, Mexico, Philippines, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Mongolia, UAE and Brazil)…my highlights of those trips were: Trekking the Inca Trail in Peru Staying in a Yurt in Mongolia Sand dune boarding in … [Read more...]
Experiencing the lights and sounds of Lille
It is true that France is a beautiful country that offers something special and distinct in each one of its cities. Lille is a city located in the North Eastern region of the country and is inarguably one of the most beautiful of all. It’s beauty lies in its perfect tranquility, peaceful environment surrounded by some of the most fascinating structures in architectural history, lush green parks, galleries and museums dedicated to the history of … [Read more...]
A Kentucky Storyteller’s 30-year LDR with NYC
NEW YORK — There are 8 million stories in the Naked City; on this night, one of them is mine. The producers of The Moth Radio Hour have invited me to come to New York from Kentucky to tell a story at one of their Mainstage events at a Manhattan club, and I am feeling pretty naked myself. The emcee is about to call my name, and then I'll be standing onstage before an audience filled with people who look as if they just came from the party scene … [Read more...]
An Exceptional Day Regardless of the Rain
I'm not one to enjoy rain - really, ever. Today was an exception. Joe, our driver for the day from Wayoutback Safaris pulled up nice and early at 630am, making the rounds of hotels and hostels in downtown Darwin. We were off for a day of swimming - heavy rain was not going to stop us. Our destination was Litchfield National Park located in the bush about a 90 minutes drive south of Darwin. Our first stop was the impressive Florence Falls for … [Read more...]
The Dangerous First Descent of the Zambezi
It was Valentine’s Day when I first saw the river; it was love at first sight. Along with a party of tour operators, I had been shuttled between game parks and hotel lobbies for days, all leading up to this: Victoria Falls. While the other occupants of the Land Rover pressed for a glimpse of the great falls upstream, I looked the other way, out of habit. Some 350 feet below the bridge we were driving over, a mighty river coiled and cursed through … [Read more...]
Little Denmark
At a British- or Irish-style “public house” in an old colonial town, a fictional action figure named John M. Edwards sucks down suds with serendipity. I was standing at the bar at the Jolly Trolley in Westfield, New Jersey, staring at my Fuller’s London Pride, when I decided I was so drunk I would indeed have a hangover in the morning. The red label reminded me of the Protestant solidity of London and the infinite possibilities of drinking … [Read more...]
How I Got My Glow On in St. Thomas
Three if by land, two if by sea. Sorry, Paul Revere, but you got lit up your way, I’ll do it mine. I was at Frenchman’s Reef and Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort on St. Thomas recently, a glorious iconic resort perched high on a bluff and overlooking the capital city of Charlotte Amalie, which a few years ago did a $48-million renovation, jazzing up the spacious rooms (which start around $220 a night), and adding a fitness center, two pools, … [Read more...]
Secret slopes: Europe’s hidden ski villages
If you have always assumed that a skiing holiday is out of your price range, or you've been on a trip but were put off by busy slopes and over-crowded restaurants, then think again as there might be another option. Go 'off-piste' with your choice of resort. Mainstream does not suit everyone, and whilst the big famous resorts are well-established and set up with great facilities, by their very nature they bring in a lot of tourists at peak … [Read more...]
Five Great Drives Around the World
Just like a garden is only as good as its soil, or a place is only as good as it’s people, a car is only as good as the road underneath it and whether you’re into grand tourers, sporty hatchbacks or just bundling the family into the back of the MPV, seeking out great roads can make a long drive into an epic adventure! The only real question is where to find these fabulous drives, and to help you get on your way, here’s GoMotorTrade’s guide to the … [Read more...]