Amongst all destinations and tourist spots in Australia, one of the best loved and impressive place is Uluru / Ayers Rock, located in Australia’s Northern Territory. This is the location of the impressive Ayers Rock – a single sandstone mass, the best place for Uluru Tours – and Kata Tjuta, made up of volcanic stones wrapped in red sandstone.

There, many different ways to discover the rock and its history enable visitors to get the best out of their trip to Australia’s Northern Territory by enriching their culture and their mind. Uluru has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and by taking some Uluru tours, mainly guided by Aborigine people – the traditional owners of the place -, visitors can learn a lot about Aborigine culture and the history of these incredible rock formations situated in Australia’s outback.

What to do in Kata Tjuta National Park

At destination, tourists – from backpackers to families -, are able to enjoy Uluru and Kata Tjuta in many different ways. The best known Uluru Tours are Uluru at sunset and sunrise: sun gives Uluru amazing colours, changing a lot the aspect of the rock and offering visitors the best sights of Uluru. During these Uluru tours – some departing from Alice Springs -, visitors can also have breakfast and dinner when they can learn even more from the guide, like local legends, and understand why Uluru is such sacred place for Aborigine people. And by walking around Uluru and Kata Tjuta, visitors have the possibility to approach Uluru fauna and flora, at the condition of keeping their eyes wide open.

Plenty of choices are available for tourists to see and experience Kings Canyon and Kata Tjuta National Park. Helicopter Ride over Uluru / Ayers Rock and Kata Tjuta / The Olgas will offer panoramic and amazing views of Uluru right in the middle of the desert. Camel rides and 4WD tours will allow visitors to come close to the rocks and keep learning about the history of Uluruand Kata Tjuta National Park. Even climbs on Uluru / Ayers Rock are available, but only if temperatures are not too high, as it becomes difficult to climb it.

Before deciding to climb the Uluru, which is also one available tour, visitors must be aware of its sacred meaning and why this path has a real significance for them, which explains their will to convince people not to climb.

By: Mimi Rippy

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For most people getting from Adelaide to Perth is as easy as jumping on a plane for a few hours. But for the more adventurous there is an alternative – a much harder alternative, but one that is altogether more satisfying. It involves driving for 1000s of kilometres across one of the most barren and desolate areas of Australia, the Nullarbor Plain. ‘Crossing the Nullarbor’, as its referred to, may not be for the faint hearted, but its seen as the ultimate way to experience the Australian outback without completely surrendering yourself to the elements. The road is excellent the whole way through, and there are enough settlements to keep you safely refuelled and stocked up with water, provided you are sensible. As a result more people than you think make the trip, so if you break down chances are someone will be along before too long a time.

The shortest route from Adelaide to Perth is 2680 kilometres. This is if you make the trip in a relatively straight and boring fashion without allowing for stopovers or diversions. It also takes you via Kalgoorlie and through the desert to Perth, whereas an alternative and longer route takes you along the south west coast of Australia, through Esperance, Albany and other coastal hotspots. This second route will be closer to the 3000 kilometre mark. Id recommend taking the diversions- this is the kind of journey most people only make once, so you may as well include some interesting sights Otherwise your memories will just be long straight roads, dry shrubbery, lots of blue sky, dead kangaroos… you get the picture! That said, if you do it properly, this is one of the most epic journeys you could possibly take in Australia.

Starting out in Adelaide, the first leg is a 320 kilometre drive to Port Augusta. You could go straight down Highway One, or take a more leisurely drive through the lush wineries of the Barossa Valley. Either way, overnight in Port Augusta before attempting the next leg in the journey, which takes you to Ceduna and the start of the Nullarbor Plain. This second leg takes you across the Eyre Peninsula, and again you have two options as to which route to take. An extra 280 kilometres takes you via Port Lincoln, the hub of the Eyre Peninsula and a pretty coastal town surrounded by sheltered beaches and impressive lookouts. If you bypass Port Lincoln its a straight run into Ceduna, the last place where there is any mobile phone coverage for some time, and a great place to stock up on supplies.

The next 1220 kilometres are going to be spent crossing the Nullarbor Plain, the end of which lies at the town of Norseman, well across the WA border. When making this crossing there are a few things you need to remember. Firstly and most importantly, water is in very short supply. Ensure you have taken more than enough for your own drinking purposes and for the radiator in your car. Secondly, a container with extra fuel in it is also a good idea. Most fuel stops along the way are only open during the daylight hours for some reason, and you dont want to be caught short. Also, you need to keep an eye out for kangaroos. For various reasons they are attracted to the side of the road, and stand like sentinels watching vehicles pass. They are easily frighted into running into your path, as the hordes of dead ones on the road testify to! So be careful.

Although the highway through the Nullarbor (the Eyre Highway) runs parallel and close to the shore for much of the way, there are few opportunities where you get to see the ocean, so detours are needed to appreciate the coastline here. When taking detours you are likely to bump into surfers camped out amongst the dunes, hunting the perfect wave. Cactus Beach is a popular surfing spot, and is found by turning off from the highway at Penong. When driving through Penong look out for the old windmills scattered through the fields alongside the highway- a novelty for photographers.

300 km from Ceduna is the Nullarbor Roadhouse, where there is a motel, restaurant and caravan park, as well as the opportunity to refuel. From here it is 186 kilometres to the state border, which takes you past the amazing Bunda Cliffs, which stand 80 metres high and are definitely one of the highlights of the trip. At the borderpost there is a fruit quarantine station, where you will be searched for any fruit. From here there is little more than flat earth and the occasional settlement until you reach Norseman. Eucla first, and then Mundrabilla, over the Madura Pass (some interesting feature here in an otherwise monotonous landscape), and on to Cocklebiddy. From Cocklebiddy its just over 430 kilometres to Norseman. Now well into WA, its time to congratulate yourself- you’ve crossed the Nullarbor!

After Norseman head south to Esperance, and then drive up the beautiful coast of South West Australia. Lush and brimming with feature and stunning scenery, it will provide a welcome contrast to the bare and open land you have travelled through. Its about 1000 kilometres from Esperance to Perth via Albany and Bunbury, and its a fitting final leg to an epic journey in which you would have seen a whole lot of Australia!

By: Gavin Wyatt

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If you’re looking for something to really get the adrenalin pumping, why not try out-running a bunch of 600 pound bulls. In mid July 95 during a surf trip around the European coastline I dropped into Pampalona to take part in the famous bull running festival, in which thousands of nutters (and myself) ran down a stretch of winding streets, being chased by about 10 angry bulls.

The event starts at 8:00am, every morning for a week, where if you are taking part you find yourself a spot within the crowd. The run starts in a stretch of old style Spanish street between two tall buildings, loaded with locals making the sign of cross on their foreheads down to the fearless participants below. As you can imagine, it’s slightly unnerving and would be more so if the skin-full of red wine and cola, dancing & no sleep, hadn’t numbed the nerves a tad. It’s quite a sight to behold, if you can imagine a small version of the London Marathon, only with thousands of drunken Spaniards and tourists all dressed in white with red scarves. If you think it sounds like a death wish, it isn’t, because you do get to protect yourself with a rolled up newspaper! Yes that will protect your butt cheeks from the impending doom of a bulls horn. Not!

Your position in the crowd determines your initial safety during the first part of the run. If you’re right at the front you will most likely get into the arena before seeing a bull (as long as you stay on you feet). If you’re at the back the bulls will definitely pass you. So for your first time its best to go near the front until you get the gist of what’s going. We positioned are selves in the front 3rd.

The first gun is for everyone to start running. Running is a slight exaggeration as, if you do run, you will trip over the person in front of you. So you barely make a slow trot along with the rest of crowd. Then moments later the second gun sounds. The bulls are free and running, at full pelt I expect.

The course is 3/4 mile in total and goes from being totally surrounded by buildings with nowhere to escape, to open sections, which have been marked out by wooden barriers sunken into the ground. These are also pretty hard to escape over, as there are teams of spectators peering over and waiting to push the frantic and afraid back into the affray.

Chaos is about the best term to describe the run and that was without even seeing a bull on the course. You then run through the entrance to the arena, which is a concrete corridor about 50 feet long. This is the most dangerous spot and one you definitely don’t want to get involved in a pile up here. Once through the entrance you run into the arena, a great way to see it for the first time and for the Life of Brian fans amongst you, a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to live out the gladiator scene for real. The bulls eventually appear, bringing you back to reality and run straight through the crowd into an enclosure at the back of the arena. Next “they” (the crazy perpetrators of the event who are obviously hell bent on killing or at least maiming the odd participant) let smaller, more energetic bulls out, one at-a-time, to cause some mayhem. These bulls have leather protectors on their horns to protect the crowd at least, meaning that if you do get charged you won’t die, a slow and pain full death, but you might get thrown into the air a few feet and land on your head! The hard bit about this is that there are a thousand other people in the bull ring, which makes spotting the bulls very difficult. Suddenly the crowd in front of you parts to reveal a crazed bull running directly at you at full pelt, head down and closing fast. My natural instinct was to run and throw myself head first over the 6 foot high barrier. In a normal situation this would be seen as a reckless and dangerous stunt but considering the circumstances I felt it was a carefully considered life saving maneuver and one that meant I survived with everything but my pride intact!

Once everyone has got used to the smaller bulls, they let the, now rested, larger bulls out into the crowd, to shake things up-a-bit. This is obviously much more dangerous, as you can imagine, what could happen if one of these steps on your head. Luckily during our run there were no serious injuries (I think), but they do have severe injuries all the time, so don’t take this past-time too lightly. The year that I ran an American chap aged 22 died and became one of the 15 death since 1924. In fact everyday they post pictures of that day’s run for the participants to buy. Also all around the town there are pictures from the past, with some pretty sobering images of accidents that have happened. I suppose this is done to remind the runners that the worst thing that can happen is death! A pretty extreme sport all-in-all!

Tips for survival at the Pampalona – San Fermin

Try and familiarise yourself with the course before hand. Don’t run before you have watched a run. Be aware that falling and being trampled by people is one of the main dangers. If you fall, stay down, cover your head & wait until an onlooker taps you on the shoulder. Its more dangerous to try and get up at this stage. Be aware that Callejon-Plaza de Toros and the end section of Cuesta de Santo Domingo are the most dangerous area. These spots have claimed a total of 12 lives over the years Stay tight to the corners as the bulls run wide. Don’t be drunk and get some sleep. Even with this advice running the bulls at Pampalona can be extremely dangerous.

By: Ben Simon

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Around the beginning of July, I received an email from Tim, a fellow Summit Post member from Salt Lake City. He had read my Arequipa Seven Summits report and wanted to climb some of those peaks using public transportation. I also was interested in climbing Chachani by the southern route using public transportation so we discussed that and agreed to do it together. As usual, Julver Castro, a mountain guide friend here, was willing to give us very helpful information about the route. He showed me some photos and pointed out the route on them, which seemed very clear at the time. He also told me that we could take a taxi to the first National Reserve sign on the old road between Misti and Chachani, which is the trailhead for the climb. I had driven past that point about seven months before, but didn’t remember the sign. Not wanting to lead Tim astray, I decided to ride up there on my mtn. bike and check it out while he was climbing Pichu Pichu. I did this on Tuesday, taking a few photos and climbing up the first hill as well, to get a better look at the route. I again checked with Julver after returning to Arequipa that afternoon to confirm the route, using my photos.

Tim and I got together to make final plans and agreed to take a combi as far as possible and then use a taxi to the trailhead. On Tuesday afternoon I had talked with a taxi driver at the end of the combi route, but couldn’t find his card when I wanted to call to arrange for him to meet us there on Thursday morning, so we decided to just find one when we got there. I met Tim at his hostel at 7:00 am on Thursday and we walked a couple of blocks to get the combi (see route page for details). All went well until we got to the pueblo of Primero de Junio and the combi didn’t stop at the same point I had found as the end of the line a few days before. Evidently there are a couple of different routes they use, anyway, it was only a five-minute walk from where we needed to be and a lady kindly gave us the directions.

Just as we arrived at the proper street and I realized that we were above the gas station where the taxis wait, an empty taxi came by so I flagged him down. He was familiar with the route and agreed to take us to the start of the gravel road for 15 soles or a little farther on the gravel road to the sign for 20 soles. It turned out that he had climbed El Misti many times, so we talked about climbing and religion the whole way to the trailhead. I didn’t understand everything he was saying but the main point was that religious leaders should be out helping and teaching the people rather than just sitting in a fancy office drawing a large salary. I was in agreement with that so we got along well. He made sure we had his cell number so we could call to have him pick us up the next day, and even wanted to take our photo on his cell phone before he left.

We started hiking just before 8:30 am and were soon met by the goat herder’s dogs, which Tim was able to make friends with. Alfredo wasn’t home but we talked with his sister and gave her a bag of bread, which they don’t get very often. We then climbed up the first hill, followed the ridge to the larger hill and started our traverse around that. We stopped for lunch on the far side, and after that Tim decided to take the direct route down and through a large bowl while I chose to go around it, trying to maintain hard earned elevation. My route turned out to be a rough rocky traverse, which was slower than I expected, and I got to the other side about a minute after Tim. Then it was a fairly easy hike to Pampa Grande, where we found a nice campsite in the flat sand near a large boulder, at around 15,000 feet. However we were close to the mountain and the sun went down early, after which it turned quickly turned cold. We had our dinner of grilled cheese sandwiches and instant mashed potatoes and went to bed early.

Starting up the steep side of the mountain in the morning, we soon deviated from the normal route and took our own, a more direct route up a rock strewn sandy gully, rather than going back to the start of the long ridge. Tim went up the sand in the bottom of the gully while I hugged the rocks along the left side, at the base of a cliff at the bottom of the ridge. We later joined up and climbed up a rocky slope to the main ridge, just below a large step, which thankfully was easy to climb around. From there it was a direct climb up the sometimes very rocky ridge to the snow, just below the final summit ridge. We arrived there just before 1:00 pm, had a snack and put on our crampons. Thankfully the final climb on the snow wasn’t quite as steep as I’m still not too confident with crampons and an ice axe, and we made it to the summit at a little after 1:30. Supposedly Chachani can be busy at times but in both of my climbs we haven’t seen any other groups on the mountain, unlike Misti where there have been others at high camp, on the trail and at the summit. As usual the weather was clear and sunny and the views of the other Arequipa area peaks were spectacular.

On the descent, Tim chose to keep his crampons on and go down the snow gully, after which he decided that would probably be the fastest and easiest ascent route as well. I stuck with the ridge until I found a sand slope to plunge-step down and then used a combination of sand and snow in the lower part of the gully. At 4:40 pm we were packed and leaving the campsite, hoping to get as far as possible before dark, as there is no trail for most of the way. We had just rounded the large hill and could see the almost full moon coming up behind El Misti, but as we traversed lower it went behind Misti again and we had to use our headlamps. We could see the Arequipa city lights off to our right, and knew that we had to keep Misti to our left, so we headed in-between in the general direction of Pichu Pichu, which was also nicely silhouetted in the moonlight. On the way, the taxi driver called to make sure we were OK and to see if we needed him to pick us up, however I had already called and made arrangements to have my friend Lucho meet us with my car.

We knew we needed to reach the long ridge and hill above the goat herder’s home, but we couldn’t see any detail in that direction. We finally had to sit and take a break while we waited for the moon to get above Misti so we could see our landmarks. We were making very slow time in the dark and I finally got a hold of Lucho by cell phone to tell him we would be late. He had gotten to the sign at 7:00 pm, our expected arrival time, and when we didn’t show up after awhile he went and talked to Alfredo and his sister. She was worried about us and stood outside yelling “Gringos, Gringos”, but we were too far away to hear her. We couldn’t tell where we were on the ridge until we came to a fire circle on the top of the hill, just above their place. That is where the trail starts and we quickly found that and started down, flashing our headlights at Lucho waiting below. He flashed the car lights for us and we continued down, soon reaching Alfredo’s house where he was waiting outside, relieved to see us. We reached the car at 8:40 and were soon telling our story to Lucho as we drove back down to Arequipa.

By: Vic Hanson

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Australia’s Northern Territory is the ideal state for an active, yet cultural, break. With dramatic scenery and Aboriginal art from hundreds of native artists, the region is perhaps best known for the incredible Ayers Rock and the town of Alice Springs in the outback.

There is a heavy Aboriginal influence in the state, with over 80 art centres, most of which are run on a no-profit basis by the artists themselves. There is also an annual art event which takes place in Alice Springs where work from several art and craft centres is exhibited.

Alice Springs is also the location of an event called DesArt in the Park, which gives visitors a chance to see and buy work by various artists. It’s lively family event, with live music, film screening and refreshments.

Travelling deeper into the outback visitors to the state can get permits form the Northern Land Council and visit genuine Aboriginal reserves to see yet more of the fascinating artwork; items such as timber sculptures, didgeridoos, and bark paintings, all of which are great souvenirs and will be a stylish reminder of your Australian holiday.

If you’re looking for more of a challenge, perhaps head to Victoria, one of the country’s smaller states and home to the Grampians mountain range, Melbourne and a variety of scenery from forests to beaches. Surfing is particularly prevalent here, with a national pro surfing competition held every year. Beginners are also encouraged here as there are many surf shops and experienced surfers willing to offer their expertise. The town of Torquay in Victoria is home to Australia’s biggest surfing museum, dedicated to the history of the sport.

Finally, if neither of these activities is your thing, head to South Australia, specifically Adelaide, and try your hand at the annual cycling event Tour Down Under. This has several ‘classes’; from an 84 lime long route down to a shorter route catered for children and their parents.

Of course, there’s no saying you have to do anything on your Australian holiday! There are plenty beaches for soaking up the sun, or bustling cities for a little retail therapy, or perhaps even a road trip around the country, just doing your own thing in a hire car and going where the mood takes you. Whatever your favourite type of holiday is, Australia will provide it.

By: Jay Tillotson

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You could call them the home squad, the fab five, the dream team of your Big Island volcano tours. They are the five volcanoes that make up the island of Hawaii, and each one plays an important part in the geology, history, and culture of the Big Island.

Kohala is the oldest volcano on the island of Hawaii and is considered to be an “extinct” volcano. It is the oldest player on this dream team and doesn’t have the moves it used to. Lava flows from the two young upstarts, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, have covered a good portion of this volcano. In sports terms, Kohala is the player most likely to retire soon. But for now, and until the up and coming Lo`ihi Seamount gets drafted onto this dream team, Kohala is still a player on the island of Hawaii.

Mauna Kea is the second member on this volcanic squad. Mauna Kea is the tallest player (mountain) in the world, but this volcano doesn’t have the moves it used to. It’s been about 4,500 years since Mauna Kea busted a big move on the court, but it is still a staple in the roster. Scientists consider Mauna Kea a dormant volcano, but some believe this old giant might still have a few surprises up her sleeve.

Mauna Loa is the next towering player in the Hawaiian volcanic lineup. Mauna Loa is the immense center player on this team; the tallest volcano in the world league. In 1984, this volcano made a big splash on the island of Hawaii, with an immense eruption that took everyone by surprise. Expect big moves from this giant of a player in the future.

Hualalai is the player that rises up above Kailua-Kona, and is a steady and predictable presence on and off the court. Kona airport was built across the top of Hualalai’s hard work, and this volcano’s influence is felt up and down the Kona coast. The people in the towns of Holualoa and Kona keep a watchful eye on this unpredictable player.

Kilauea is the flashiest player on this dream team. Its moves on the court are unpredictable and Kilauea can be known as something of a showboat. Kilauea’s hotdog moves are felt across all the Hawaiian Islands and as point guard, it definitely calls the shots on the Big Island. Known for not stopping for anything or anybody in its way, Kilauea is a fiery addition to this dream team and shows no indication of curtailing its full court press across the island of Hawaii.

As a team, the five Big Island volcanoes are an awesome spectacle. Individually, each has something different to offer the millions of visitors who come to this island paradise to watch the volcanic dream team in action.

By: Ryan Underdown

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Stunning Katherine Gorge, the major attraction of Nitmiluk National Park in the Northern Territory of Australia, is an absolute must see. Katherine Gorge shows that the most impressive experiences in the Australian Outback don’t cost an arm and a leg, don’t have to be shared with a kazillion other tourists, and they don’t require any special preparations.

The 180,353 hectare Nitmiluk National Park is typical rugged Australian Outback country: red rocks and escarpments, and dry bushland with pockets of rainforest along streams and water holes. Wherever there is water the area is teeming with wildlife: lizards, insects, birds, turtles, and even harmless freshwater crocodiles.

On top of the natural beauty, flora and fauna Nitmiluk offers insights into Aboriginal history and Aboriginal culture. The rock art you see here is up to 7000 years old. The traditional owners, the Jawoyn Aboriginal people, only regained the title to their lands in 1998. They gave the area its name: Nitmiluk – meaning Cicada Place.

The main attraction of Nitmiluk National Park is Katherine Gorge itself.

No visit to the Australian Outback is complete without a flight, cruise, canoe trip or hike up the spectacular 12 km Katherine Gorge, winding its way between red sandstone cliffs up to 70 metres high.

23 million years it took the Katherine River to form this natural wonder… An amazing region that can be discovered and enjoyed in many ways.

For those with little time there is the usual array of boat tours and scenic flights to choose from. Both can be recommended and will reward you with impressive views and spectacular photos to take home.

However, Katherine Gorge is also one of the big tourist attractions in Australia where it is very easy to get away from the tourists…

Here are some suggestions on how to do just that:

Go hiking along Katherine Gorge

The shortest track at Katherine Gorge is a 400 m steep climb near the Visitor Centre and boat ramp. It will take you to a magnificent spot overlooking the start of the gorge. Many of the Katherine Gorge promotional pictures are taken from here (and nearly every visitor to the park will come up here to take a photo…).

But for those who want to get away from the masses and explore the gorge further there are another 100 km (!) of marked walking trails winding through the park, including serious full day and over night hikes. You won’t see many tourists on these.

For example you can walk along the rim of the gorge to Smith’s Rock, which marks a huge fork in the river. This full day hike offers breathtaking views and opportunities to duck down to the gorge itself for a swim. Other trails take you to scenic outlooks (Windolf Walk), secluded swimming spots (Southern or Northern Rockhole) or simply beautiful places well worth visiting (Lily Pond and Butterfly Gorge, which really is filled with butterflies…).

The king of all walks is the Jatbula trail, a three to five day hike to Edith Falls (now called Leilyn), the popular lake and waterfall in the north western part of Nitmiluk National Park. The hike spans 66 km and leads away from Katherine Gorge, through scenic rocky country to spring fed creeks, waterfalls, wetlands and pockets of rainforest. It is well marked and not technically difficult in any way. Above all it offers stunning scenery. However, it IS a five day walk and requires fitness and preparation.

Go canoeing in Katherine Gorge

Canoeing is my favourite way to see Katherine Gorge. The days in the Australian Outback are hot! If you’re in a canoe you just slide over the side, cool off and climb back in… But there is another reason:

You often read that thirteen individual gorges make up the Katherine Gorge. They are actually sections of one and the same gorge that become separated by rock bars and boulders when the water level drops during the dry season. Tour boats have to stop at these rock bars, canoeists don’t. A canoe is the only way to explore the whole length and the most spectacular parts of the gorge.

If you choose to go on an overnight trip you will often find that you have the more distant parts of the gorge entirely to yourself. No other people, no tour boat engines, no shouting and splashing. Wildlife doesn’t take much notice of a canoe quietly moving along the still waters here and you will see a lot.

One and two person canoes can be rented for half a day, a full day or over one or more nights. The rental of the canoe includes waterproof containers for your food, sleeping bag, camera, tent, change of clothes, whatever you wish to take. No special preparations or equipment are needed.

An overnight canoe trip in Katherine Gorge definitely gets my vote as the number one experience in the Australian Outback!

By: Birgit Bradtke

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TRAVEL THE VIRGIN ISLANDS-A LOCAL TRAVEL GUIDE

If you are planning a trip to the Virgin Islands, are you sure about your travel plans. There are unique travel sites where you can ask established locals pertinent travel questions about your travel destination. Ask a local about your selections and it is free. Ask a local about your hotel plans, favorite restaurants, favorite beaches, local attractions known and unknown.

A WORD FROM A VIRGIN ISLAND LOCAL

Just ask a local and do not be unpleasantly surprised and disappointed. Just imagine a lazy island local on a normal Sunday afternoon. Hello… I can hear the gentle surf and feel gentle winds through the palm trees on a typical winter day, as I lay on my blanket with left over dinner lobster, a bottle of cheap rum with orange juice. The sun is gentle and the view second to none. I am on Trunk Bay, United States Virgin Islands. It is December and the temperature is a high of eighty-two degrees. The night before I went to a local beach bar and listened to a local jazz band.

Tomorrow I will be traveling by ferry to the British Virgin Islands,Virgin Gorda, for a day trip by ferry and spend the day exploring the magnificent Baths of Virgin Gorda. I will return that night to a luxury condo overlooking the ocean that I rented at a bargain price and plan my next day, considering the many sites and beaches just a short drive away in my rented jeep. Yes, I have traveled the Virgin Islands every year for twenty-five years. I practiced law and lived there in 2007/2008. If you go there plan ahead. Use your precious time wisely. Whatever your budget or goals, a resort hotel, private home-condo, quaint guest house, or chartering a sailboat, you can make your trip the best you ever had. Get with a local and let them be your guide. Save time and money and do not waste your precious time.

Smooth sailing. If you are going to the Virgin Islands, consider these travel tips. Always practice social graces on the islands. If you travel the Virgin Islands.. one important tip..It is very important to always approach anyone with a friendly “Good Morning” or ” Good Afternoon”. I cannot over emphasize this. It is an insult to the locals if you do not. The locals expect this and may not even recognize you if you forget to start a conversation with this simple introduction. If you travel on the islands there are several ways to do this. Assuming you want to explore the islands of the virgin islands, and if you go there you honestly need to spend some time going to the many beautiful beaches, quaint restaurants on the beach, historic sites, etc and just spend time enjoying the island experience.

ST THOMAS, ST CROIX, ST JOHN OR WATER ISLAND

All three islands have their own personality. St Thomas has the luxury resorts and the world class duty free shopping. St John has the National Park and the true tropical experience. St Croix has a little of both plus great golf courses. All three have great beaches. You will notice I mentioned Water Island. Water Island is a small island that is secret small island just south of St Thomas, known about mainly by the locals. It is a small island with private gentle beaches, private rental homes and quaint quest houses. Water island is like having a private island to yorself, but just a short boat ride from the hustle and bustle of St Thomas.

TRAVEL ON THE ISLANDS

So if you are going to explore you have several choices. You can rent a car/jeep (a car is fine), take the local taxi services, or take the little known local shuttle, the “Safari”. If I stay over a week, I will usually rent a car at least a couple of days. It will cost $50- $65 a day. Rent from a local mom and pop shop. Their cars are fine, they deliver, they are cheaper and they will negotiate. You can rent a local taxi, however, a taxi is not cheap. For two people to travel from one end of the island to the other it will cost $20-one way. If you stay in close proximity to the major east/west highways on St Thomas, you can take the local shuttle, the “Safari”. It is a reliable open air shuttle bus the locals use and cost just one dollar to go from one end of the island to the other. A new bus arrives at many sites along the route about every ten minutes. It is safe, interesting and amazingly fast.

Travel books and guides are fine, but are often outdated. At any given destination there are locals that know their location better than any travel book author. The local even knows about those hidden gems at their location that tourist are not privy. Why spend thousands on a vacation and not be sure about your selections. Why not ask a local.

By: David Burlison

About the Author:

What do we understand by adventure travel? Years ago, an intrepid traveller, would take many months of preparation, and need as many months again, to embark upon an adventure. They would need a lot of money to arrange all the resources they needed. We imagine them to be hacking their way through a Malaysian jungle with a trail of bearers behind, or pulling their sleighs across frozen Arctic wastes. Perhaps, even, exploring the upper Nile, or crossing a desert by camel.

We have travelled far since those early pioneers paved the way for us. Now you can go on a family adventure as part of your annual holiday. Honeymooners can enjoy the first blooms of married life in a tropical jungle or trekking in Peru. Seasoned travellers may go to remote places by canoe, or hike over a mountain range. Even gap year travellers can make the journey of a lifetime and fall in love with the Brazilian Pantanal, or the Australian Outback. You can travel as part of a group or on your own.

There are some tour operators that specialise in adventure travel. They already have the resources in place in your preferred destination. Experienced group leaders and much local knowledge allow them to offer a high quality service to travellers looking for adventure.

These tours are generally eco-friendly and travellers can interact with local people and put their finger on the pulse of a country or region, to really feel the heartbeat of a place. Adventure travellers are ecologically aware and are looking for something different. The adventure traveller is not just seeking his own gratification, but would want the local people to benefit from his visit. He is a responsible traveller.

Where can you start with adventure travel? You can start in your own country by doing something you have never done before. You can start by doing something adventurous for one day – go up in a balloon, or take a canoe trip down your favourite river. If you want to trek through the foothills of the Himalayas, start with a walking holiday through the local hills or across the moors where you live, and build your confidence and your enthusiasm

Adventure holidays offers something for everybody. A wide range of tours are available to suit various styles, tastes and levels of experience. These tours are for anybody who is looking for something different. Many group tours are only six to twelve people in size, so you can get to know everyone, an adventure tour can offer a good social interaction with like-minded travellers.

When is the best time to go on an adventure holiday? That is the beauty of adventure travel, you can go anytime of the year. Different continents means there is something to do in any month of the year. When the Northern Hemisphere is having its summer, the Southern Hemisphere is in winter.

The adventure travellers of bygone years still have something to show us. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare. Save your money, read your books, and the old timers did not have the benefit of internet research – get to know something about your destination. Then a good tour operator can help make your dream holiday come true.

By: Alan Rivers

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Taking an African safari in Puebla, Mexico, may not be the real thing; after all, there is nothing quite like being in Africa itself however, to get in amongst some of the world’s most fascinating wildlife, Puebla certainly doesn’t disappoint.

African safari destinations are popular in North America and the Puebla establishment is a great way to get close to some of the best known creatures Africa has to offer.

The Mexican park is divided into several sections with the African safari division the biggest and most popular. It even has a strong African identity with it’s areas named after countries such as Botswana and Kenya.

One of the appealing aspects of the Puebla park is the animals live unrestricted by cage bars and the park encourages reproduction. From a spectators perspective, this means travelling through the park in vehicles for obvious reasons.

Under the watchful eye of tour guides and African safari in Puebla experience means there is always a slight risk of danger and there are some areas during the trip where vehicle windows need to be wound up. For those who prefer to let others do the steering, a bus regularly traverses the park.

A stop is made during the trip at a souvenir shop which also provides plenty of refreshments.

Yes, there is plenty of wildlife on display including the some of the best known African species. There is also an extremely strong emphasis on the tiger at this African safari in Mexico.

From a spectator’s point-of-view, this type of wildlife park is great for those who like to sit back, relax and stare through a vehicle window. For those who like the walking tour, then a more traditional zoo would be more beneficial.

An African Safari in Puebla won’t leave your hip pocket light either. Around $15 will get you in and it’s a whole lot cheaper than travelling to Africa. But if safaris are in your nature, then Africa should be your ultimate goal.

By: Dean Caporella

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