It’s hard not to get lost in the noise that hums around a certain region. In the Arabian Gulf, that noise often exudes from certain cosmopolitan cities with attractions such building the world’s tallest buildings, malls with indoor ski slopes, and where architecture takes on forms that only the most creative can imagine.
Oman – Beauty has an address
But if you look further south, you’ll find a country on the peninsula that rejects the over the top construction and has its soul firmly planted in tradition. Oman is a place that while being very much in the present, feels almost lost in time in certain aspects. It’s a fairy tale of a far-away land that retains its charms and culture.
An Introduction to Australia's Outback
Australia's outback is a curious place. Any length of a walk along the fiery red earth will stain your toes a copper orange. People will warn you that beyond your line of sight are fearsome creatures such as spiders, snakes, dingoes, and crocodiles hiding in the bushes in some remote landscape. In my few weeks of exploring, no fearsome creatures were met, unless you count the kangaroos and wallabies with an affinity for darting in front of cars.
Uluru is also known as Ayers Rock, and is probably Australia’s most recognized landmark. It is 3.6 kilometres long and 1.9 kilometres wide.
Most of the ancient land Australia occupies is a dusty plain known as the outback. A sparsely populated arid region, with harsh conditions and out of this world landscapes. That the Aboriginals have managed to survive here for 50,000 years is impressive enough, the fact they thrived for much of that history is beyond comprehension.
New Zealand Southern Alps – A Photo Tour
In a world where countries often come with increasingly similar attributes to its neighbours, it’s always refreshing to find a place a little quirky. To me, that is what New Zealand is. More sheep than people reside here, a fact many seem proud to tell you. It is a place with endless views, cheerful locals, and a culture that embraces its Maori influences.
Russell Lupins in glorious display on the shore of Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. The best time of year to see these flowers in full bloom is November and December.
Patagonia dreaming: A journey through Chile & Argentina
It’s often thought that in the worlds wildest places, the best views are only accessible to those willing to push themselves to the limits. Patagonia, found at the tip of South America straddling the borders of Chile and Argentina while following the spine of the Andes to their southern reaches, is often thought of one of those wild places which rewards only the fittest. It isn’t true.
Cartagena - Colombia’s Fantastic Caribbean Colonial City, Part II
What to see, do, and eat in Cartagena? All valid questions! Luckily we have Dale from The Maritime Explorer who has recently returned from an Adventures Abroad trip to Colombia and is kind enough to share his insights with our readers.
In my first post on Cartagena Colombia I gave a brief outline of the history of the place and a recommendation as to where to stay. In this post I’m going to describe some of the things you’ll want to see, a couple of great places to eat and as promised, how to get rid of a mime. This will be my final specific report from Colombia at the end of what has been an eye opening and frankly unexpectedly wonderful trip to this underrated country. As I’ve come to expect over the past 20 plus years I’ve been traveling with Adventures Abroad, you more than get your money’s worth by getting off the usual tourist beaten path while at the same time not missing out on the ‘must see’ attractions. Colombia’s a bit different that way, in that I suspect most people don’t have a pre-conception of what the ‘must see’ places are. I know I didn’t, other than Cartagena which numerous friends who had visited before me, simply raved about. Turns out they were right. Here’s a few reasons why.
Cartagena Colombia’s Fantastic Caribbean Colonial City
Ever wondered what Colombia's Caribbean city is like? Read on as we've got another instalment by Dale of The Maritime Explorer on a Colombia and Panama tour.
Cartagena Colombia was the final destination on an almost two week tour of Colombia with Canadian travel company Adventures Abroad and it turned out to be the perfect place to wrap things up in this amazing country. After spending much of our time at some very high altitudes with consequently cooler temperatures, it was great to feel the heat of the coast and to see the aqua coloured waters of the Caribbean Sea.
