I've been to India several times already; earlier this year I secured a 10 year multiple entry visa, for more exploring within this amazing country. We visited Chennai in July for my sister's wedding - as expected, the weather was hot and humid - frequent dips in the pool made the weather more bearable. It was nice to visit Southern India for the first time - although we were missing the mountains. A few years ago we got to experience the … [Read more...]
Ed Stafford: Adventurer
For more than 2 years Ed walked from Western Peru to Eastern Brazil - locating the source of the Amazon high in the Andes and then following the entire length of this great river to where it empties in the Atlantic Ocean. What a story! Recently we had a chance to ask Ed about his adventures and this epic trek. Q. Tell us a bit about yourself and where you are from. My name is Ed Stafford. I'm an ex-British Army captain who has spent the … [Read more...]
Commercial Coffee Production in California?
Organic farmer, Jay Ruskey has been at the forefront in California of commercially growing exotic and rare fruit species at his farm perched on the side of the Santa Ynez Mountains above Goleta since the mid 1990's. The 42 acre farm is about 650 feet above sea level about two miles inland from the Pacific Ocean and on a clear day (of which there are many at this elevation) there are great views of the ocean and the Channel Islands. For … [Read more...]
Huaraz, Peru
In every inspiring natural creation there is a realism that speaks to you. In every moment on a mountain you find it more and more. You discover yourself in ways not possible through other means. This stays with you and guides you for the rest of your life. May everyone have this chance at least once. ~ Dave Remember, the key to getting high is not "the herb", but rather time spent acclimatizing ~ Dave Huaraz (population … [Read more...]
The High Life, McLeod Ganj
We are now at about 8000 feet up in the Himalayas near Mcleod Ganj just outside of town at a guest house; we will stay here 2 nights and then move further up into the Himalayas. Very very humbling to be back in the shadow of the WORLD'S GREATEST mountains, no apologies given to the Andes in this regards, as the Himalayas are in THEIR OWN CLASS and everyone should see them at least once in their life. These 5 and 6 thousand meter mountains tower … [Read more...]
Moon Ecuador
Moon Ecuador by Julian Smith and Jean Brown Certain countries often have one site or attraction that pops to mind when mentioning that country. For Ecuador it is certainly the Galapagos Islands but this country has so much more to offer than these famous Islands. Moon Ecuador covers each of this country's major regions well including the coastal zones, the great mountains of the Northern Andes and the jungles east of the Andes. The capital … [Read more...]
The 2011 Travelers GO/NO Go List
Los Angeles, CA - 22 December 2010 - The website has published the ultimate New Year's resolution wish list for travelers, with their '2011 Travelers GO/NO Go List' for those looking for something different. "Serious travelers want authentic, exciting and participatory adventures nowadays," says the website, "they want to visit places that seem exotic, places that are new on the horizon and that offer them a chance to get out of their comfort … [Read more...]
Alive Piers Paul Read
Alive by Piers Paul Read This is the amazing story of survival high in the Andes after a charter plane crashes in the snow. The plane carries 45 people at the time of the crash - 16 living survivors are eventually rescued. Ultimately two of the survivors have to climb over a steep pass and hike miles to gain access to below the snow line. This is after living in what's left of the plane after 10 weeks This story has also been made into a … [Read more...]
Touching the Void
Touching the Void by Joe Simpson In our opinion, this is probably the most amazing mountaineering survival story of all time. Two climbers set out to climb a 6,000+ meter peak in the Cordillera Huayash range in the heart of the Peruvian Andes. An accident befalls one of the climbers and his partner makes a life or death choice. We've climbed a number of times in this part of the Andes - these are some of the most spectacular mountains in the … [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...]