The lists of the best travel destinations are always biased towards a few places like France, England and Switzerland, and in some cases India and Turkey. While these places are of course spectacularly awesome, there are some other places in the world that are less heard of but offer quite a captivating experience for adventure lovers. Sometimes we want our travel experience to be more unique and special. Sometimes we do not want the hassle of … [Read more...]
Adrian Qais: Adventure Traveller
Adrian's travels embody what we define as "experiential travel" - at its core it is traveling with an intent and openness to having experiences - in part focusing on what is unique to a particular region. And Adrian has already had enough unique experiences from his time on the road to last most people a lifetime. From being kidnapped in Africa to staying with nomadic Bedouin tribespeople in the deserts of Oman to total cultural immersion in … [Read more...]
Indonesia: Hello Mister!
The motion sensor detects my presence and two glass doors slide open to grant me entry into the Woolworth's Supermarket. I grab a trolly (shopping cart) and peruse the isles pausing to examine labels at my will. Although I have been shopping for decades, this time feels a little different. To my right a woman in pink track shorts excuses herself to reach across and grab the peanut butter. A mother wheels by with a small girl strapped in the … [Read more...]
Southern Jordan, Fun in the Sun
We are watching the sun slowly drop below the Egyptian skyline here on the edge of the Red Sea merely 3 clicks from the Saudi border. It is so quiet from our mountain side desert perch. 6 minutes walking gets us to the beach. The air is warm and intoxicating. We are on the Jordanian side now. This arm of the Red Sea contains the world's most northerly coral reefs. The Red Sea is full of coral and brightly colored fish. Just got in from a 1 … [Read more...]
Top 3 Favorite Trips & One Bad One!
Time spent using public transportation are good opportunities to reflect on previous travels. One does not always get to do this; when you are addicted to travel you are often thinking about your next trip even during your current trip. I came up with a list of my top 3 favorite trips and the one "trip from hell". #1 Trip to Nepal I took in 1996 - this trip really turned me on to International travel and the hardships I personally faced … [Read more...]
Smithsonian & Singapore organize World Tour of Shipwreck Treasure Exhibition
Smithsonian and Singapore Organize World Tour of Shipwreck Treasure Exhibition Highlights One of the Most Important Marine Archaeological Finds of the Late 20th Century The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., the Singapore Tourism Board and the National Heritage Board of Singapore today announced a partnership to organize the first exhibition and international tour of one of … [Read more...]
The Road to Ubar
The Road to Ubar by Nicholas Clapp The 'lost' city of Ubar is located in Oman in the Desert of the Empty Quarter, one of the largest deserts in the world. The author spent many years researching this fabled city buried under sand. Satellite imagery helped with the discovery. A fascinating read. Dave has personally visited the site of this city. … [Read more...]
Oman Wadi Bashing – May 2009
Oman Wadi Bashing - The country of Oman is a 4 wheel drivers dream with its open deserts, cheap gas, deep steep rocky remote canyons, and large sand dunes. Muscat is the capital and is a great place to rent a 4-whd vehicle ranging from Humvees, to Pathfinders and Land Rovers. Salalah is the largest city in the south and 4-whd rentals and outdoor opportunities also surround this part of Oman. Wadi's are everywhere in Oman and are essentially river … [Read more...]
Wadi’s, Deserts, Ocean, Arabic Hospitality – Enjoying Oman
The following is taken from Dave's Journal regarding his time in Oman in which he covered parts of Muscat, several Wadi's including Tiwi, the fort town of Nizwa, the main north south highway, and many areas within several hours driving of Salalah in the south. We have driven over 2000 miles so far! I must say that Oman is TRULY THE PINNACLE of off roading! With its huge, steep, rocky, remote wadis, large sand dunes, and tracks anywhere you … [Read more...]
Bangkok, Thailand – Restaurants
Bangkok is a city where some of the street food can be as good as any of the sit down restaurants and certainly much cheaper. In addition, Thai's pride themselves on cleanliness. Compared to our street food experiences in other countries where we have often gotten sick, we do not get sick from street food in Bangkok. In many parts of Bangkok street food vendors are seemingly everywhere and in certain districts they stay open very late. For … [Read more...]