On a bright partly cloudy sunny day I found myself tethered to a speeding boat in Lake Zürich Switzerland, attempting my first wake boarding. Several fellow journalists enjoying cold beers and sunshine were watching me from the boat while I found myself struggling to stay warm in the early summer's cold waters. Fortunately they were also cheering me on. I was pulled out of the water successfully on the first try and then again 5 subsequent times. … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2016
First Week USA Challenge ‘Fifty States of Wigge’
I am currently on my new USA Challenge challenge called ‘Fifty States of Wigge’. That means I have to travel all 50 states in 50 days and I have to face one challenge in each state. My start of the USA challenge was in Maine last week, traveling all by van. The result after seven days is pretty awsome, because I have traveled to already eleven states and drove 1,400 miles. Eleven states sounds way ahead of my schedule, but keep in mind that … [Read more...]
Traveling to Malaysia?
I have been fortunate to have spent significant time in South East Asia over the years with many trips to Thailand. During several trips I've either flown or taken a bus from Thailand to Malaysia. I was recently approached by a Malaysian online booking company that offers flight tickets, Traveloka Malaysia. I was not familiar with this company; in the past I've booked directly through some of the major airlines in this part of the world or some … [Read more...]
Personalogy – A Great Game for the Road
This compact interactive card game recently came across our desk - the directions as listed on the outside of the box seemed simple enough "Predict your opponent's answer and the reason why". It comes with a cool tagline to: "An Absurdly Provocative Game For Thinking People". And always looking for a much needed social activity in a world dominated by screens these days I was immediately intrigued. Three versions of this game can be chosen … [Read more...]
Traveling Kids Grow up Too Fast
Traveling kids have a big advantage over their “stay at home” peers, in my opinion. The world is an amazing place but especially so for young children as everything they see is fresh and exciting, filled with wonder. Traveling with them adds a whole new level of joy and energy to any trip as you feed off their enthusiasm. As I have just discovered, it comes at a long term cost to parents, but more on that later. Little travelers have a … [Read more...]
“Alcatraz: Life on the Rock” & “Alcatraz: The Last Day” Now at Queen Mary in Long Beach
(Los Angeles) --- The Queen Mary in Long Beach has set the stage for the “Alcatraz: Life on the Rock” and “Alcatraz, The Last Day” exhibits. On display through February 28, 2017, the 3,000 square-foot exhibits are an ideal way for families, students and visitors alike to get a real feel for the history of and the fascination with Alcatraz Island. The “Alcatraz: Life on the Rock” and “Alcatraz: The Last Day” exhibits are included with … [Read more...]
Falles: Flowers & Fire
I was lucky enough to visit Valencia during its traditional Falles celebrations; it was a fantastic experience. Falles is a wild five-day fiesta held in commemoration of Saint Joseph. The celebration is citywide and involves the entire community. Each neighbourhood has an organisation, thecasal faller, that work year long to support the celebrations. Each casal faller produces a construction known as a falla, which is eventually burnt. The … [Read more...]
The Best Lobster Meal in Barbados
Freshly caught seafood, live cool jazz and the Caribbean Sea as the backdrop. Certainly, this is an idyllic setting for a romantic dinner on the beautiful island of Barbados, the easternmost island in the Caribbean. It is the Caribbean; as expected there are numerous restaurants in Barbados serving fresh seafood. However to score a delicious lobster meal almost anywhere on the island chances are the lobster is provided by the owner of Lobster … [Read more...]
What it’s like rappelling a Waterfall in Costa Rica
Rappelling a waterfall in Costa Rica is a little like climbing a mountain, you're harnessed in, you're navigating ropes, etc. Except rappelling a waterfall means it's slippery so you will get wet. Oh and you're doing it backwards. At first the idea of doing a waterfall rappel with my two children in tow sounded a bit intimidating. I have never rope climbed, rappelled, zip lined (at this point) in my life so attaching myself and my children to … [Read more...]
50 States Challenge – Fifty States of Wigge
I am German travel extreme reporter Michael Wigge, and I specialize in extreme travel challenges. I am now ready for my new 50 states challenge. Here are my prior projects: How to Travel the World for Free – 2010 How to Barter for Paradise – 2011 (trading an apple in to a house in Hawaii) How to Travel 2000 Miles on a Razor Scooter in 80 Days – 2013 Europe Blindfolded – 2014 My fifth challenge is a 50 states … [Read more...]