While browsing Twitter I stumbled across Ramona's outdoor and adventure accomplishments. Discovering that she is originally from Adelaide and with a recent trip to South Australia including Adelaide, Kangaroo Island and Barossa Valley still fresh in the mind - this became a timely interview. Adrenaline and outdoor junkies take note - Ramona is just as comfortable carving tracks down the side of a mountain as she is jumping out of a plane or … [Read more...]
My Winter Wish List for the Holidays
As the weather cools, travel heats up this time of year- visits to friends and family during the holidays, local trips to experience outdoor activities or destination trips to warmer locales certainly sounds appealing - especially as I write this - huddled next to a space heater. The warmth of this heater is making me reflect upon warm weather destinations that I visited earlier this year; Bermuda (an easy flight from the East Coast), Sydney, … [Read more...]
A Quotable Vacation, Nepal
Tihar, or Diwali, came and went last week and I went to Pokhara for a mini vacation. After a rainstorm, dinner at a Nepali family’s house, and an impromptu whiskey with an old friend passing through Kathmandu, Kendra and I headed out to Pokhara via microbus on Tuesday morning. A day of travel on each end, we spent three full days in the town and it was a relaxing respite. We didn’t realize we chose to travel on the biggest day of the Diwali … [Read more...]
Win Lunch with John Glenn in Charity Auction
Kennedy Space Center, FL - One lucky winner will have the opportunity to enjoy a private lunch with Mercury and Space Shuttle astronaut John Glenn in the 9th Annual Auction of Astronaut Experiences & Memorabilia to benefit the non-profit Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF). The auction opened online today at 9 AM EDT and features 50 lots of rare memorabilia and Astronaut Experiences like the afternoon with Glenn. Also up for grabs is a coin … [Read more...]
Johan Ernst Nilson: International Explorer
Johan is in the middle of a global expedition in which he is journeying from the North Pole through North and South America and ultimately reaching the South Pole. Pole2Pole is a 12 month journey. Along with the unique adventure aspect of the journey (never been done), Johan is also raising awareness for the environment and working with additional charities. Recently we had a chance to ask Johan about both his current and prior … [Read more...]
India for Individuals
The land of dreams and romance, of fabulous wealth and fabulous poverty, of splendor and rags, of palaces and hovels, of famine and pestilence, of genii and giants and Aladdin lamps, of tigers and elephants, the cobra and the jungle, the country of hundred nations and a hundred tongues... ~~~ Mark Twain Pink, the navy blue of India, is everywhere in Varanasi, Copyright Stephen Bassman When I was a twenty-two, I was both naive and … [Read more...]
A Climb of Mount Kilimanjaro
As per Wikipedia: Altitude sickness: Symptoms that may indicate life-threatening altitude sickness include: - Pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs): - Symptoms similar to bronchitis - Persistent dry cough - Fever - Shortness of breath even when resting - Cerebral edema (swelling of the brain): - Headache that does not respond to analgesics - Unsteady gait - Gradual loss of consciousness - Increased nausea - Retinal … [Read more...]
Larry Jacobson: Sailor, Author
Larry Jacobson spent 6 years of his life sailing around the world - leaving from and returning to San Francisco California. Recently we had a chance to ask him a few questions about sailing, his 6-year trip and his new book, "The Boy Behind the Gate". Q. You are a prolific sailor - tell us how you first discovered your love of sailing? When I was 13 years old, I crushed both bones in my leg while skiing. I was laid up for 3 … [Read more...]
The Other Side of Everest
The Other Side of Everest by Matt Dickinson This gripping tale is told by a fairly novice climber (at the time) who summits Mt. Everest from the north side during the infamous climbing season of 1996. He joins a team from the UK to film an Everest expedition. Ultimately he along with the UK's most famous high elevation climber, Alan Hinkes and three Sherpas are thrown together after a number of their group drops out. They all summit - … [Read more...]
Mainland Ecuador: A Traveler’s Delight
The Galapagos Islands are among the most popular tourist hot spots of South America, topping the list with Peru's Machu Picchu and the shared Brazilian/Argentine wonder, Iguazu Falls. As a consequence of the islands' appeal, mainland Ecuador is often relegated to a short stopover enroute to the coastal launching point. Visitors choosing to skip the continent and tour only the islands are missing a country with some of the most diverse tourism … [Read more...]