As we travelers and adventurers get older, our bodies no longer let us do everything that we once did. Our stamina declines, our knees get weaker, and we start to suffer ailments that we knew nothing about in our younger years. But our quest for adventure doesn’t go away. So many of us older travelers get frustrated that we can’t do everything that we would like to do. Trekking to Everest base camp or expeditions to Patagonia start to become … [Read more...]
Safari in Botswana – Hospitable, Warm, Welcoming Botswana
You may wonder what there is to do in Botswana. This large country has only one major city, Gabarone, and Botswana is not greatly publicized when it comes to tourism. I’m not even sure how I found out what a great destination Botswana is. But at some point in my travel research, I decided I had to go on safari in Botswana, most famous for the Okavango Delta and Kalahari Desert. Genuine hospitality, beautiful scenery, not to mention an exciting … [Read more...]
The Blue Lagoon Experience, Iceland
As I pulled out of the airport I saw steam in the distance - making a mental note to come back here I later realized this must be the "sign" of the infamous Blue Lagoon. I returned in the afternoon driving through what at a quick glance looks like a barren wasteland with volcanic rock strewn all about. As you glance across this stark landscape you see no trees - but if you look closer in certain sheltered rock plateaus, there are in fact small … [Read more...]
Fly to Brazil with Tam Airlines
A representative for Tam Airlines recently contacted me to promote their trips from the USA to Brazil. They offer a number of trips from the USA to Brazil - flying to numerous destinations within the country including Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Brasilia. Doing a cursory check on prices I found a round trip from New York to Rio de Janeiro for under $700. And from Miami for closer to $600. That isn't so bad considering some of the round trip … [Read more...]
Jet Extreme Zambia – August 2014
An adventurous man from New Zealand was traveling overland through Southern Africa when he came across the Zambezi River. He never left. This man, "Bottles" now runs Jet Extreme along a remote rugged stretch of the Zambezi River just down from the Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls National Park & World Heritage Site. Bottles designed a Cable Car and had a group of International engineers build it and fine tune his designs. The jump off point on the … [Read more...]
Jollyboys Backpackers, Livingstone Zambia – June 2014
This hip and urban backpackers hangout features friendly folks, a variety of area activities, private and dorm rooms - but most of all is a central meeting point for adventurous travelers from around the world. It was founded in 1995 by backpackers. Long are the days of basic accommodation for backpackers. This place has wifi, a swimming pool, a restaurant on site, a nice kitchen and some of the tastiest mangoes that drop on the roofs during … [Read more...]
Victoria Falls – April 2014
Victoria Falls is best seen from both the Zimbabwe and Zambia sides of the river. The Victoria Falls Bridge crosses the Zambezi River which forms the border for both countries. From the Zimbabwe side you can actually walk across the bridge and technically enter Zambia without going through the border post. Charles Darwin's son, Professor George Darwin officially opened the bridge in 1905. What has to be one of the shortest International flights … [Read more...]
2 Awesome Places I Got To Tick Off My Bucket List
I’ve had an overseas bucket list since I was 18 years of age and I’m still nowhere close to completing the list, though I figure If I get to have 15 countries under my belt I’d be a very happy guy. So far I have visited 8 countries (Peru, Mexico, Philippines, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Mongolia, UAE and Brazil)…my highlights of those trips were: Trekking the Inca Trail in Peru Staying in a Yurt in Mongolia Sand dune boarding in … [Read more...]
The Dangerous First Descent of the Zambezi
It was Valentine’s Day when I first saw the river; it was love at first sight. Along with a party of tour operators, I had been shuttled between game parks and hotel lobbies for days, all leading up to this: Victoria Falls. While the other occupants of the Land Rover pressed for a glimpse of the great falls upstream, I looked the other way, out of habit. Some 350 feet below the bridge we were driving over, a mighty river coiled and cursed through … [Read more...]
Ngoma Safari Lodge Botswana
Ngoma Safari Lodge is located on the edges of Chobe National Park in Botswana. This fairly new property opened in May 2011 and was officially dedicated in July 2011 with his Excellency, Botswana's President Seretse Khama Ian Khama attending the opening ceremonies. This is isolated luxury at its finest and rawest; the lodge is accessible by any of 3 dirt roads - which are more like 4wd tracks among the bush - there are no signs and you must … [Read more...]