Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 451

Hong Kong: A Private View

I awake in the dark. Where am I? Momentary befuddlement is replaced by a kaleidoscope of recollections. The journey. The excitement of arrival. The dizzying intoxication of new sounds, sights and smells. Marvelling at the dazzling beauty of Hong Kong, her skyscrapers illuminated like stars in the firmament. The captivating juxtaposition of East and West. Feeling almost overwhelmed by the sheer mass of humanity, the thousands-strong crowds of people intent upon business or shopping. Before finally surrendering to an exhausted sleep.

I draw back the curtains. Yes! I really am here. The lights of Victoria Harbour sparkle like coloured jewels against black velvet. I’m reminded of childhood Christmases, of multi-coloured fairy-lights on the Christmas tree and the same bubbling sense of anticipation about the day ahead. I curl up in a chair by the window and feast my eyes on the scene before me. There is no traffic, no noise, no one else around. For the moment this magnificent vista is mine alone.

Dawn breaks. Mountains appear as smudges of grey which develop, like a Polaroid, into looming masses of dark vegetation. The inky sea fades from black to grey, grey to blue. The brightening sky reveals a host of iconic buildings. The softly curving roof of the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre contrasts with the fierce spike of Central Plaza. The squat HSBC headquarters, once the most expensive building in the world, is now overshadowed by the zigzagging Bank of China Tower. Most impressive of all is the regal Two International Finance Centre which towers over its neighbours, reinforcing its air of majesty with its crown of claws.

I leave my hotel and head down to the waterfront, admiring the splendid skyline on the distant shore. It is winter here but to me, recent escapee from a cold and dismal London, it feels like balmy spring. The sunlight sparkles on the blue sea and the air is so warm I have no need of my jacket. I watch the ships sailing through the harbour: tiny fishing boats, barges laden with containers full of goods, several yachts, a classic junk, even a gigantic cruise ship – bigger than I could ever have imagined!

This area is normally heaving with tourists but so early on a Sunday morning I have the luxury of solitude. It is the Lantern Festival, the last celebration of Chinese New Year, and the promenade is decorated with huge, colourful lanterns in the form of the Chinese zodiac (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, roster, dog and pig). This is the Year of the Dragon so the largest lantern of all is, of course, a dragon and there are dragon themed decorations, posters and even cuddly toys on display throughout the city.

I find myself at the deserted Star Ferry terminal and board the ferry to Central. I am the sole passenger and the six minute crossing, with its unparalleled panoramic view of Hong Kong island, is one of the most magical and memorable experiences of my life. All too soon I have to disembark, and I discover today is the Hong Kong marathon. Friendly volunteers are preparing for the arrival of the runners and their supporters, and they greet me with smiles and cheery hellos.

The city begins to stir. Three ladies are practising Tai Chi together in a pristine public park. A family with two adorable little girls passes by, clearly on their way to church. An elderly man, well wrapped up in a coat and scarf, enjoys the sunshine while smoking a cigarette. The traffic builds as cars and taxis are diverted around the race route. Shops open. Cafés fill with customers. Everywhere there is hustle and bustle. I set out to explore, feeling immensely privileged and grateful for my unforgettable, private introduction to this vibrant and cosmopolitan city.

About the Author: After a nomadic childhood Caroline Hawkins moved to London to study at UCL, graduating in 2000 with a B.Sc. in History and Philosophy of Science. Her many interests include art, writing and travel.

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Italy: The Oltrepo Pavese

Located 40 minutes south of Milan, the capital of the Lombardy region, is the town of Pavia, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe (1361). And, just across the river from Pavia sits the region of Oltrepò Pavese, which means just that. It is “on the other side of the Po River from Pavia”. Because of its rolling hills, it is frequently called the “Tuscany of the North” but although the Oltrepò Pavese is one of the largest wine producing regions in all of Italy, it is still fairly unknown, which makes it a great “off-the-beaten” path place to visit.

To get the full vineyard experience, look no further than the charming bed and breakfast Villa Arabella, owned by Paul and Arabella Lizioli. With only three rooms, their home is peaceful and luxurious and the breakfast that Paul makes in the morning will give you the perfect start to your day.  If you want to relax and be lazy, you can spend the day at Villa Arabella, relaxing by the pool, looking out at the vineyards.

Of course there is alot of wine tasting to do in the area.  In the area, you can find the local grapes Croatina (which makes Bonarda), Pinot Nero (pinot noir), Barbera, Riesling and Moscato, as well as Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. In addition, there are a lot of champagne-style sparkling wines made in the area.  Be sure to make an appointment in advance but visit are Ca’di Frara for a tasting with fourth generation winemaker Luca Bellani. Luca makes beautiful sparkling wines, including a Rose which always makes me smile, after all, I do say that “pink wine makes me happy”. Another winery to try is Cabanon with female winemaker Elena Mercandelli who began making wine when she was 14.  While they don’t make sparking wines, they make Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Rose, as well as grappa.

In addition to wineries, there is a goat cheese farm and a salumi factory to visit as well!

Il Boscasso has been owned by Maria Chiara Onida, a former mathematician, and her husband Aldo Galbiati for 25 years.  After studying the genetics of goats, she recognized a certified strain called camosciata dell alpi, which she breeds and also produces a range of pure creamy cheeses including ricotta, herb, blue cheese and wrapped in walnut leaves.

La Piola and the salumi factory is owned by Giorgio Perdoni, Grand Master of the Confraternity of Salame di Varzi. Salame di Varzi (salami from Varzi) DOP, dating back to the 13th century, is made exclusively with most valuable cuts of pork, such as the leg, shoulder, loin, coppa, and filet, with the addition of cheeks and bacon for the fat parts. The proportion of the various cuts is established in the production rules and is currently overseen by the Consorzio di Tutela (Consortium for the Protection of the Salame di Varzi DOP.) There are 85 members of the fraternity and to become a member, you must fill our a formal application and be approved. What do they look for in members?  Foodies who enjoy life! Perhaps that’s you!

  

If you do feel like exploring beyond the Oltrepo and have a few days, try the walking tours of the old salt trails that will take you from Lombardy to Liguria. This is an unexplored area just waiting to be explored!

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Angkor Wat: A Journey of Life and Beauty

Walking through the Angkor Wat and experiencing its majestic nature felt like a lifelong ambition of mine had been completed. I arrived by tuk-tuk in the mid-day tropical sun, beating down upon me and the surrounding complex as if God himself relinquished all his power and energy to show me, in all its glory, the significance of this wonder.

I strolled slowly on the walkway leading towards the entrance of the temple, my head held high in an almost permanent state. The five ancient temple towers representing Hindu spiritualism drew me in as I became closer to the outer 12th century façade.

My surroundings transported me to a by-gone era, an ancient civilisation in the midst of religious power and might. Fellow travellers near me seemed to disappear into non-existence; it felt like I became one with the Khmer people and their beliefs.

The temple unhurriedly attained developing depth and complexity with every stride I took. What gazed upon me suggested Vishnu himself devised such an exquisite sanctuary. I brushed my hand upon the stone-cold exterior and instantly felt a rush of hope – of almighty grace and importance.

I stopped still and closed my eyes. My five senses were at maximum level, bringing alive the magical awe-inspiring feeling I had read so much about in previous journals and diaries documenting this area. I felt, for the only time I have felt during my travels, a sense of bewilderment and wonder.

This is the Angkor Wat, the land of enchantment.

I continued through the crumbled yet dignified main entrance, finding myself immersed in its interior. My head – constantly moving at all angles – absorbed every single fragment of its architecture; it was nothing I had ever seen before. The walls were a diminished grey colour, due to this I felt the temple had aged; bringing it into a higher level of wisdom with an impressive story to tell its pilgrims.

Like a living and breathing organism, the mysterious pull of the temple grabbed me further into its heart. I continued walking, constantly in awe around me as I touch and feel my way round. I found myself to be outside again, but within the internal structure of the site. The sunlight touched my skin to create a warm feeling, one of tranquillity and calm. I felt like the temple wanted me to be at peace.

One of the most striking elements of the Angkor Wat is the five towers that rise above the rest of the temple. I stopped, wiped my face with a cloth to freshen myself, and took a moment to gaze upon one of them. A rather steep flight of stairs seemed to lift into the air flowing into the mouth of one of the towers. My inquisitiveness got the better of me, so I started towards them.

The sense of elevation as I climbed the stairs gave me a feeling of undertaking a trial, that to truly understand and comprehend the beauty of this complex then a physical and mental challenge must be undertaken. I gladly accepted myself to participate in this, with most other tourists crowding around the base of the stairs taking photographs or idly sitting down drinking copious amounts of water.

I climbed higher and higher. The baking temperature was beginning to make my skin turn a pinkish hue and my forehead was trickling with beads of sweat. The magnificence and beauty of the Khmer civilisation propelled me into succeeding, I thought to myself. I had to see this.

Upon reaching the top I staggered and caught my breath. I took a big gulp of water, wiped my mouth and slowly turned around to see the view that I had reached. The view was astonishing. As far as the eye could see, lush green fields dotted with healthy tropical trees surrounded the vicinity. The moat surrounding the Angkor Wat could be seen, acting as its natural protector – but looking ever so tranquil and calm. Small families of monkeys could be seen relaxing in the natural playground the site had to offer. This is how the ancient Khmer would have felt, and wanted future generations to feel. I was seeing life at its most beautiful. I spent awhile staring wondrously at the Cambodian frontier, feeling awe-inspired and touched.

About the Author: I am interesting in travel and seeing the world, having been to South East Asia twice and seeing most of Europe. My next adventure see’s me exploring this Asia for the third time, including Australia and North America. Graduating with a Geography degree in 2013, this propels my interest even further and I am thinking of undertaking postgraduate study. I also very much enjoy writing.

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A Short Break to Cyprus

Cyprus is a fascinating destination that despite it’s small size, has an abundance of activities and things to see. It’s long, rich history has helped shape it’s landscape over the centuries so that ruins and buildings can still be seen to this day, coexisting harmoniously with modern day Cyprus.

The third largest island in the Mediterranean sea, Cyprus sees no shortage of sun-seeking tourists looking for a relaxing beach holiday. If that’s what you’re looking for, you won’t be disappointed – the Cypriot coastline is awash with clear, blue waters. However, there’s so much more to Cyprus than initially meets the eye.

Here’s my recommendations for a short holiday in Cyprus, add your own in the comments below!

 

By Dickelbers, via Wikimedia Commons

The Last Divided Captial

The capital Nicosia, is unique on this planet as the last divided capital city. You can still see the guard towers and barbed wire that line the Green Line, marking the division between North and South. You can now walk the length of Ledra street, the connection between North and South unhindered. The  northern part of the city is well worth checking out, and of particular merit is the Great Inn. Also, worth a stop is a traditional Turkish bath in any one of the old bathhouse dotted around the north of Cyprus.

Strolling around the Cypriot capital is an adventure all on it’s own. Combine it with stops in charming coffee shops or restaurants serving local food & Cypriot wine and you’re off to a winner!

By Dickelbers, via Wikimedia Commons

The Resorts & Nightlife

Cyprus has a well-earned reputation as one of Europe’s hottest nightlife destinations. Young revellers are attracted by the sun and beach resorts by day, and the nightclubs and bars by night. Parties go all night long and are a huge draw for tourists. Ayia Napa in the South East has the biggest reputation of them all, and if visiting during peak season, be prepared for the insanity!

There’s one club that stands out amongst the crowd and that is the Castle Club. It is consistently ranked in the top 50 clubs in the world year on year and with good reason, it is incredible. If you’re looking to continue the day time pool theme, River Reggae and Aqua both have indoor pools.

 

By Romeparis, via Wikimedia Commons

Paphos & the Tomb of the Kings 

The south west city of Paphos is an absolutely beautiful city and the best setting to explore this region of Cyprus. Rather fittingly, it is the birthplace of Greek goddess Aphrodite. It is designated as a UNESCO world heritage site and just by walking around, you’ll see why : ancient ruins are dotted throughout the city, well-preserved and maintained throughout. Take a stroll through the lower Kato Paphos and you’ll come across ancient Roman villas and taverns.

A must see ancient attraction located north of Paphos, the Tombs of the Kings is a well-preserved burial site that is a great way to spend an afternoon exploring. The tombs were carved into the caves around the 4th or 5th century BC and give a glimpse of how life was back then.

 

Mgiganteus1 , via Wikimedia Commons

Food & Drink

My favourite part of travel – the food! Cyprus doesn’t disappoint. Benefiting from separate Greek and Turkish influences, the Cypriot cuisine has combined elements from both into a unique palate that delights the senses. The epitome of typical Cypriot food is the humble Kebab, to be found on literally every street corner. If you can’t see one, you’ll certainly smell one so just follow your nose and you won’t go far wrong.

For real local Cypriot fare, look our for Meze, which you could liken to Spanish tapas. They often come in meat or fish varieties, with the best a combination of both. Some restaurants serve nothing but meze, and you could do no better than checking out the family run Meze Taverna Restaurant in Limassol.

Home cooked Meze, by Ccarlstead, via Wikimedia Commons

 

Another local favourite is Haloumi cheese, which is becoming more and more popular overseas. It’s a unique flavour, made from mixing cow and sheep milk, it’s texture is hard and salty but it is often grilled so it becomes softer and lighter. You won’t need to look too hard to find it, it should be on the menu of most local restaurants.

 

Grilled Haloumi with Mint Pesto

Fresh Haloumi Cheese

 

No matter if you’re looking for a sun holiday or a cultural tour, Cyprus offers both in abundance. Have you been to Cyprus? What are your recommendations, comment below!

 

 

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Coron, Philippines: Taking A Plunge to Nature’s Beauty

One can truly find serenity when nature offers you its beauty.

Philippines has truly endowed great natural resources since time immemorial. Ranging from white sand beaches to gigantic waterfalls, the country boasts a lot of these from its 7,107 islands.

Needless to say, tourism is continuously flocking a wide array of tourist spots with people slowly recognizing the beauty of the nature. For economic purposes, tourism is a great potential to the future of the whole country. The only downside of tourism falls when people are abusing what the nature can offer, putting great damage to a lot of wonderful places, just like what is happening to Boracay Island. Good thing, though, that there are still unexplored and reserved places that makes one reconnect with nature.

Tagged as one of the best beaches in the Philippines, Coron, Palawan has maintained its great way of caring the beauty of nature. The travel from the country’s capital, Manila, to the jump off point to Coron may take several hours. Some may find the travel very exhausting, but hey, Coron welcomes its every tourist with the true beauty of nature with a touch of Filipino’s hospitality. The quaint town boasts a lot of natural wonders that a weekend trip may not be enough to take the taste of Coron. I actually thought that sceneries of Coron may not exceed my expectations of a great beach. But boy, upon seeing Coron’s true and real beauty made me realize that pictures do not lie.

Nestled with different bodies of water, Coron has its fair share of clear waters and pristine, white-sand beaches. The background of limestone cliffs hugged by vibrant, green trees perfectly complements the clear waters of every lagoon. It is indeed tempting for anyone to take a plunge to its waters. One of its more popular destinations, Kayangan Lake has been renowned to be the country’s cleanest lake. And it is no doubt with that recognition, as the lake shows how every lake must be. It is a must see for all the tourists as its picturesque scenery is already enough as a souvenir. Twin Lagoon is also a popular choice to enjoy the waters of Caramoan. These two lagoons are separated by towering rocks but are both accessible in two ways. During low tide, one can go kayaking and transverse the lagoons under the hole of the separating rock. On high tide, one can challenge himself by diving to get to the other side. For those who opt to take the safer way, there is also a walkway that links both lagoons. Beauty under the sea is a sure treat for most divers and snorkelers taking the opportunity. The Siete Pecados are among the best snorkelling sites in the Philippines. There is abundance of fancy-colored fishes and coral reefs as if one is swimming under an aquarium. It’s amazing to see how these under-the-sea creatures welcome the tourists by showing their colors and magnificent sizes that one may actually feel the importance of clean water. Also, different underwater rock formations and some World War 2 shipwrecks serve a tasty feast for our eyes.

Taking a break from all the busy works in the metro, the Coron trip is truly an amazing treat for everyone. The jaw-dropping sceneries can already leave the tourists at great awe. I thought the place is really magnificent that no other tourist spot comes close. It is a jewel that the Filipino people must take good care of. And I am really proud of my kababayans (countrymen) that are continuously preserving the beauty that left most of us speechless. It’s just sad, though, that the area is often to be the exit point of most typhoons hitting the Philippines; the most recent one is the Super Typhoon Haiyan that unleashed its last stretch of blustery weather and torrential rains on the islands before totally leaving the country. Good thing, though, that nature is known to heal itself on a faster rate. And for sure and I am really hoping, Mother Earth would not let this island paradise go to waste, letting everyone know that a haven where anyone can bond with her still exists.

About the Author: Jose Rexiel Dela Cruz

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Whale Sharks in the Philippines: Swimming with School bus Sized Fish

Wide-ranging Whale Shark Encounters

Back in 2005, my friend and I visited Playa del Carmen, Mexico to enjoy the relaxing summer ambience. After a couple of days of experiencing the touristy side of the Riviera Maya, we departed to Tulum where we appreciated the ruins and the nearby beautiful white sand coastline. However the highlight of our visit to Mexico was yet to come. We boarded a bus and then boat to Holbox, an island removed from the hustle and bustle of the mainland. From Holbox we arranged a tour to swim with the whale sharks. The tour operator stated, “Since the whale sharks exist in the wild, we cannot guarantee that you will see them. But since it is high season, I can tell you that you will see at least a few of them.” We excitedly departed the next morning on a small speedboat forty-five minutes off the island’s coast. In groups of four snorkelers, we entered the sea to swim with nature’s largest fish, adults measuring between eight and twenty meters in length. The boatman dropped us ahead of the whale sharks directly in their path to ensure a successful outing. The massive whale sharks swam past us as we gleefully caught a glimpse of this natural phenomenon. The only other creatures we witnessed that day were manta rays that also consumed the ample plankton.

 

Fast-forwarding in time, in August 2013 my wife and I were offered the opportunity to swim with whale sharks just off the Philippine island of Cebu. In the evening, we arrived just outside Oslab fishing village where we were served dinner in Tata and Vincent’s lovely home overlooking the coast. They explained, “Whale sharks were problematic because whale sharks consumed the bait fisherman used to catch fish. Rather than fighting with whale sharks, the fisherman began to feed whale sharks and after the whale sharks moved on, they could fish in peace.”

This system was in place and relatively unknown until a tourist found out about the fisherman’s practice and filmed the spectacle to be posted on YouTube. After the world caught sight of this wonder about two years ago, tourists began to arrive from around the world. When I related my whale shark experience in Mexico, Ricky Tio, from Cebu Holiday Tours, stated, “It is the same in Dongsol, in the Philippines. You basically have to chase the whale sharks by motorboat. Here it is different. The whale sharks stay in place because the fisherman feed them daily, about five kilos or ten percent of their overall diet.”

Early in the morning we drove to the whale shark site where a few tourists and marine biologists were already present. Near the coast, a few fisherman boats were tethered together feeding whale sharks whose fins were visibly evident. During a short briefing we were informed that we could not wear sunblock and were advised to maintain a distance of at least four meters from the whale sharks. We entered a pontoon style boat and within minutes we were prepared to enter the water. A whale shark was at our bow feeding with its cavernous mouth agape sucking in high quantities of seawater lined with krill and plankton. We donned our snorkels and submerged into the ocean. Unlike the Mexico experience, it was unnecessary to follow the whale sharks by boat since they remained close to the fishing boats. At least five mammoth whale sharks surrounded us in the water. We were unable to maintain the recommended four-meter distance because if we moved away from one creature, we would close in on another. The whale sharks were truly colossal, like swimming with school buses. The whale sharks slowly fed while we carefully observed them for thirty minutes. During our encounter, the boatman took over two hundred photos, many with my wife and I posing under water with the planet’s largest fish.

This experience with the whale sharks has been one of many wonderful experiences that we have had during our stay in the Philippines. However, even more amazing than the incredible whale sharks were the sincerely friendly and welcoming Philippine people.

About the Author: George Rajna, M.B.A., Masters of Science in Communications Disorders, is a bilingual speech therapist who has traveled to over one hundred countries across six continents. He composes music on the guitar and ukulele, and spent two years working in rural education for Peace Corps Paraguay. He is the co-author of Traveling in Sin. Since July 2012, George and Lisa have been living abroad in Southeast Asia follow their journey at We Said Go Travel.

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India: Eternal Love

Eternal Love

Sometimes the place that makes you feel gratitude is in your own backyard, sometimes the journey that invokes awe is the journey within…

We are restless, relentless travellers always in search of something ‘new’. We want new adventures, new sensations, new sights, new sounds and new experiences… We crave for the unknown, we seek the unseen, we desire the unreachable and hope that somehow the experience will leave us changed forever!

I was in a state of mental flux with constant highs and lows of emotion as I embarked on the journey to Agra, to visit the Taj Mahal, for my 39th Birthday.

It wasn’t my first time, neither would it be the last, given the proximity of Agra to Jaipur, my hometown, but it was certainly the first time that I would be seeing the symbol of ‘Eternal Love’ with a broken heart!

Who hasn’t heard of the Taj? An Emperor’s ode to his dead wife, a poetry in marble, a ‘Wonder of the World’, a lasting symbol of love… It is what Tagore romantically calls, ‘a teardrop on the cheek of time’.

It was with teardrops on my own cheeks that I got the first glimpse of the Mausoleum through the veil of the ‘Great Gate’: Darwaza-i-Rauza! This monumental structure prepares the visitor for the grandeur of the mausoleum that awaits within, slowly revealing the stunning jewel inside. Beautiful calligraphy and red sandstone provide the perfect frame for the pristine white of the Taj.

The Taj complex is a strictly ordered progression of elements towards the overwhelming climax of the white marble building. The mausoleum is set at the northern end of the main axis flanked by identical two buildings – the mosque on the west and the ‘Mihman Khana’ or assembly hall on the east. The mausoleum is the dominant and unique feature in the center of the tripartite composition. Four minarets stand guard at the four corners. Beautifully set Mughal gardens, in mirrored symmetry, complete the picture.

It is said of the Taj, that it changes color with the time of the day, a blushing pink at dawn, a virginal white during the day and a celestial golden in the moonlight!

I think it also changes its look with the mood of the visitor… The last time I stood before it, as a newly wed, it seemed to me as the very epitome of ‘Eternal Love’, an Emperor’s audacity to keep his wife alive beyond death, a proof of his passion, wrought in living stones! But now, it looked despondent, weary of the burden and expectations of a million hearts! It takes a heart of ‘stone’ to uphold love for so many centuries!

As I stood before it, feeling sorry for myself, a strange thing happened – I don’t know if it was the collective emotions of so many people who thronged the premises, or the good wishes of my loved ones for my birthday, or the magic of the place or simply the fact that I had decided to ‘let go’ and ‘move on’, a burden suddenly seemed to lift from my heart and set me free, light as a feather!

It was ok to be alone, it was ok to be away from my love, it was ok to hope… I was filled with gratitude as I saw the Taj, one last time, in all its rainbow-colored splendor, through the prism of my tears.

About the Author: Archana Saboo is a businesswoman, freelance writer, painter and avid traveller residing in the pink city of India, Jaipur.

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Grateful in Costa Rica: Our News

From Our Latest Newsletter: PURA VIDA COSTA RICA

Our ten days in Costa Rica were filled with adventure. In Puerto Viejo, we biked to several lovely and undeveloped beaches. We loved the Red Lava tour of Arenal Volcano near La Fortuna and especially enjoyed the thermal river after dark! Traveling across Lake Arenal by boat was beautiful. The night hike with Ficus Trails in Santa Elena was incredible; we saw bioluminescent wood, three sloths, a kinkajou, stick insects, leaf insects and sleeping birds. We celebrated George’s birthday day at El Jardin at Monteverde Lodge. It was definitely the tastiest and most memorable meal of our Central American stay! Samara Beach is a lovely undeveloped beach setting and we enjoyed live music at Rancho De La Playa.

George has been growing our Instagram account. Please connect with us at:http://instagram.com/wesaidgotravel or on Instagram. You can see all the photos he has taken at that site or on our Facebook Fan page.

Enjoy our latest interview as an Adventure Couple on Mountain Travel Sobek. George and I have both been writing up a storm: two recent Articles on the Huffington Post: Life by Keith Richards, and Why Are America’s Teachers Leaving the Profession, as well as all about our trip to the Philippines: Exploring Manila on Johnny Jet, Bountiful Bohol onDave’s Travel Corner, and Exploring Palawan with a video of Lisa hula hooping with the Iwahig Dancing Inmates. More adventures from the Philippines coming soon!

We have MORE NEW VIDEOS to share! From Palau: Our First Zipline Experience, Palau Pacific Resort, and from Panama: Festival de Patria

We appreciate all of you who read our newsletters, articles, website and BOOK! Thank you to everyone for your support of our journey and all our writing. Connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest,  SlideShare,  Twitter, and YouTube.

Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Chanukah and Safe Travels! Gracias!

Lisa and George (Click here to sign up for this newsletter. )

REMINDER: Send your entries for our Gratitude Travel Writing contest by November 28!
$1,000usd in cash prizes, Free Entry. Share your story!

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Norway: Luck, the Aurora and Me

Luck, the Aurora and Me: An Experience of the Northern Lights

Embarking on the ferry from Copenhagen that took me overnight to Norway ignited that sickeningly sweet adrenaline rush of anticipation that comes only when something you have looked forward to for so long suddenly becomes real. I mean, Norway?! The Northern Lights can be seen in Norway. The Northern Lights! NORWAY! Hurrah!

After a bumpy journey full of creaks and moans that were not especially appreciated by a fearer of the sea, I made my way onto Oslo soil. The crisp air hit me first, the excitement ever present. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to breath in the Norwegian air in a cliché happy traveller scenario. My flame of excitement was doused somewhat by a big, fat disgusting bout of the flu. I had never experienced flu before, and I was devastated that I was to experience it for the first time in Norway. Head pounding, eyes streaming and breath rasping, I found my way to the overpriced hostel and gladly fell straight asleep.

To say this was a disappointment to me is an understatement. To add insult to injury, my good friend had just flown half way across Europe to experience this beautiful country with me, and I was bed bound! He organised a beautiful train journey from Oslo to Bergen, nursed me to health with good humour, paracetamol and coffee, and my excitement started to creep back over me. And just in time. In a couple of days I was heading to the Arctic Circle, Tromso, and more importantly, the Northern Lights.

The seemingly impenetrable skyline of dark, grey clouds covering the vast landscape on arrival soon switched my outlook as dull as the weather. The weather combined with the fact it was far too early in the year meant that watching one of the planet’s most out-of-this-world natural phenomena’s was most likely out of the question. My cheery disposition had survived the flu only to be knocked down at the last minute by the weather. My shoulders slumped as I took in the landscape through the rain splashed window of the taxi.

Three dreary days passed in Tromso. The rain was icy and persistent. The sky was black and gloomy. We were staying in a beautiful log cabin, just outside of the city, and rarely left it. On 10pm on the last night of our disappointing trip to one of the most Northern parts of Norway, we spontaneously decided to have a look outside. Maybe, we tried to kid ourselves, maybe we’ll be lucky. Maybe those dense, thick clouds from the past three days will have miraculously cleared. Maybe the Lights will be unseasonably active. Maybe a pig will fly across the aurora soaked sky!

In 99.9% of cases like this, our maybes would of course transpired into vain hopes. We would have gone outside, strained our eyes at the thick blackness above us, and dejectedly returned to the cabin to discuss how unlucky we’ve been.

But if 99.9% of the time is unlucky, then there’s always that 0.1% chance. The odds, unbelievably, were in our favour. The sky was crystal clear. Each diamond bright star outshone the other. The air was the crisp temperature of absolutely unprotected surroundings. And then it started.

Atmospherically just over a mountain behind the cabin, a faint white mist started to spread. The mist rapidly transformed before our eyes into the incredulous eerie green of the aurora; the Northern Lights. The lights flared to each side, seeming to twist and turn, fade and then shine again with a vengeance, each time taking my breath away.

People around me hurriedly tried to rush indoors, fetching their cameras. They fiddled with buttons and settings to try and capture a snapshot of the wonder in front of us. I didn’t have a camera with me and for this, I am absolutely grateful. Cameras distract from the beautiful reality before your eyes. The scene I witness that night will be as clear as the arctic sky was for my entire lifetime, and is incomparable to any snapshot I could have possibly got through a lense.

About the Author: Gemma Fottles is an English travel addict. My passion in life is to follow my passion in life; exploring the world and penning the experience one country at a time. Learn more on my blog,  or Twitter, @FottlesTravels

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The Day I Got Soaked in the Tent…in Budapest

It was the best of times. July 2011 and our first trip to Budapest as a couple. On a lowish budget, we figured we’d have more money to spend in the city if we stayed in a tent. We found Haller Camping close to metro station, easy to get to from Keleti pu and close to the Danube, too.

Things were wonderful the first day. On the second day, it was hot and muggy. But we had a big plan: to visit Elisabeth Tower on the hills of Budapest. It started to rain a bit when we hiked the trail to get to the tower. And then it was hot and very muggy on the way back to the camp site. I was actually beginning to feel dehydrated. And sick. Because I forgot to refill the water bottle when we left Elisabeth Tower.

Back in the tent we settled for the night when we heard thunders. And saw lightning. It rained continuously from 8 p.m. until past midnight. We did fell asleep meantime only to wake up…in a puddle. And being rained on, despite being …in our tent.

We quickly realized that our low budget tent wasn’t made for such a summer heavy storm. Our sleeping bags coped better with the water, though. Still, we were faced with a tent which wasn’t water proof, two backpacks, two sleeping bags and badly needed to get dry and find a place to actually sleep.

Not surprised by how our tent performed, we got our belongings – nothing was wet in the backpacks – and left the tent with the gear inside. I was surprised to find every single shower stall full: one lady plus one tent or sleeping bag. I was hoping to take a hot shower and then change into something dry. Not so much but I managed to change and we left the damp clothes to dry in the laundry area of the camp site.

It was probably a good hour or two until we decided to go to the cafe’s terrace to find a place to crash. We weren’t the only ones. Some used the shower stalls and some went to the terrace. It didn’t take long to understand that during the night , even in July, it is cold in Budapest. The rain eventually stopped. And I put on every single long-sleeve blouse I had in the backpack. I managed to fall asleep with the head on the backpack on the table and spread over two chairs. My boyfriend didn’t sleep at all. And as soon as the sun was up, so were we.

We had to deal with the tent. It was a nice summer day. So we decided to go to a supermarket, grab some construction foil and garbage bags to insulate our tent and prevent further problems. Once this one done I had the “pleasure” of cleaning the tent and taking out the gear to dry in the sun.

We spend the entire day doing stuff in the camping and plotting the next days. The forecast wasn’t nice and as a result, we got rained on when we visited Vajdahunyad castle, as well. But at least our tent was now dry and didn’t get any drop of rain during the next days.

Conclusion?

July is , apparently, one of the wettest months in Hungary. No, we didn’t know that.

It’s better to pay a bit more for a decent tent, then get soaked , and then have to figure out alternative ways to get insulation.

It was one of the best stays in Budapest, regardless of the issues we had. Plus, you wouldn’t be reading this article if we were more intelligent, right?

Photo by Traveling Cricket and cannot be used without permission.

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