It’s a bumpy one hour drive on a sandy road to Addo Elephant National Park. Due to hunting, disease and colonisation, by 1931 only eleven elephants remained in this area. Although local farmers wanted to exterminate them, the South African government established the park at Addo to protect these endangered animals. Conflicts between the farmers and the park continued until finally the park was fenced. Now the park keeps around six hundred … [Read more...]
Archives for September 2017
Traveling Solo, Worth it or Not?
Over the years, most of my trips have tended to be solo ones. There are both positive and negative factors to traveling this way. The most obvious one is the freedom of traveling solo. You only have yourself to answer to - you make your own schedules and you aren't at the whim of others. As an independent traveler, you can make decisions on the fly. Disadvantages to traveling solo include expenses - you don't have anyone to split the cost of … [Read more...]
Yabouy Home Cooking School
Browsing the markets of Western Africa, one soon realizes the diversity of fresh ingredients that are available. During a recent trip to The Gambia we spent half a day with Ida Cham - an accomplished individual who spent years in the Gambian hospitality industry. In 2008 she started her cooking school and over the years has entertained visitors from around the world interested in various Gambian cuisines. Guests enter Ida's home and are … [Read more...]
Atlantic Canada Delivers Foliage, Flavor and Festivals Aplenty this Fall
ATLANTIC CANADA (September 2017) – As summer gives way to crisp autumn air, the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island offer more than breathtaking horizons of gold, crimson and amber leaves. This fall, travelers to coastal region of Atlantic Canada will find fewer crowds, lower rates and a variety of festivals, culinary indulgences and experiences that deliver more than simply … [Read more...]
Celebrate the best of California food and wine September 22-23 at Terranea Resort
Anyone who has been to Terranea can attest to the unparalleled location in Los Angeles's South Bay that rivals quintessential Mexican resorts with its idyllic location, cliff-top ocean views, inviting accommodations, renowned spa and array of dining options. For those who haven't visited, this fall you'll have the best excuse to check out the Rancho Palos Verdes seaside oasis. Hosting its 3rd annual Celebration of Food and Wine September 22 - 23, … [Read more...]
My Thoughts on Cruising
I've been on a number of cruises over the years from a wine-centric river cruise in Bordeaux France, to an adventure cruise in Antarctica to a more relaxing tropical cruise in the Caribbean. However one cruise that has eluded me to date is a cruise around the world. I remember as a young child visiting with my grandparents at one of our local ports - just before they were set to embark around the world on a several month trip of a lifetime, … [Read more...]
Catching Fish and Memories at Waterfall Resort, Alaska
On an unusually clear day in Southeast Alaska, I find myself peering out the window of a float plane several thousand feet above a swath of wilderness alternating between dense forest and sparkling dark blue lakes. Our pilot was in shorts and a t shirt displaying a prominent skull decked out in a red bandanna framed by the 'cross hairs' of a propeller. I was with a group of journalists on a plane operated by Pirate Airworks. Our departure city … [Read more...]
Put Cornwall in the UK on your Bucket List
I have traveled in the UK a number of times - usually short stop overs on my way to other parts of Europe - most often using London as my base for day trips to the surrounding regions. During my last visit, despite being miserably sick - I was able to explore Cardiff and even do some rock climbing in Brecon Beacons and explore an old coal mine. But for all the times I've been to London I have not yet gotten down to Cornall (about a 6 hour … [Read more...]
Conquering the Iron Road of Saguenay
"Abdul! Are you enjoying the views," he asks me in his thick, Quebecois accent. "I'm trying not to!" I bark back at him, just barely managing not to suppress a barrage of foul language. Cedric, my guide, watches on in amusement, a thick smirk covers his unshaven face. I'm balancing on the narrow beams of a hanging bridge, 85 meters long but only 20 cm wide, some 150 meters above Saguenay fjord (280 feet, 8 inches and 500 feet, respectively). The … [Read more...]
4 Best Holiday Vacation Destinations
The holidays are coming and it's time to book your hotel! It's always fun to get away for the holidays, whether to relax or see family and friends. If you don't know where to go this year, check out these four best holiday vacation destinations. Each has something unique to offer to put you in the holiday spirit. Portland, Oregon (Image via Flickr by Mike Rohrig) If you're staying in Oregon for the holidays, several annual events take place … [Read more...]