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The Winners of our Hot Travel Hubby and Travel Diva!

By on December 1, 2010 in General

Congrats!

The votes have been counted!  Congrats to out 2010 Travel Diva

Katrina of Patick & Katrina Do the Globe

Patrick and Katrina feature trip reports and touring tips from two travel obsessed newlyweds.  They have   Check out their great adventures!

A huge thanks to all of our Travel Diva nominees!

Nicole—www.travelingcanucks.com

Lucie—www.thevagabondadventures.com

Mary—maryandseansadventuresabroad.blogspot.com

And our 2010 Hottest Travel Hubby is Greg from Follow our Footsteps.

Greg and Ash have traveled the globe and share their unique perspective of the sights and sounds of far reached locales.  Their blog is chock full of fun Youtube videos with interesting facts on locations.  Visit their blog at Follow our Footsteps.

A huge thanks to all of our Hot Hubby nominees!

Randy—www.beersandbeans.com

Craig—www.ytravelblog.com

Rhys—www.2nomads1narrative.com

Soweto

By on October 15, 2010 in General

Soweto-  (SOuth WEstern TOwnships)

The site was the theatre for deadly clashes that started the dominos falling to the end of Apartheid.   Candidly, on the visible surface, not much has changed in the 2010 version of the Soweto.  Poverty still rules the day.  Opportunity is no longer limited but an oppressive government, but it is a difficult road to travel.  Access to healthcare, education and clean water is not as plentiful as your would expect.

Main streets are lined with open air butchers, abandoned cars, and pick up soccer games.   Our guide took us to see an African “natural medicine market” located just outside of the Soweto.

The now abandoned twin nuclear cooling towers have been converted into a tourist attraction.  I understand that they filmed a location of “The Amazing Race” here.  Stretched between the two concrete towers is a bungee jumping facility.  We were on a tight schedule and were unable to check it out.

We spent nearly a full day in the Soweto area, and came away with more questions than answers.  We counted a significant number of Mercedes and BMWs coming and going in the neighborhoods.  We saw well dressed folks coming and going.  We saw clearly malnourished kids wandering among cardboard and tin shantys.  There was a government employee strike during our visit and the large hospital at the hear of the area was completely empty.  It was heavily fortified by the military.  Where did the patients go?  We understood that locals that attempt to volunteer during the strike are attacked.

So many difficult questions.  No easy answers.

Our impression of the Soweto was dramatically different than our visit to Swaziland.  The Swazi situation felt hopeless.  The Soweto again presented a constant dichotomy.  It appeared like some had found the escape hatch from desperation.

Swaziland-A window into Hope and Desperation

By on September 22, 2010 in Slideshowable

Sometimes what you expect to see and reality can be so dramatically different.  Unknown to us, we found Swaziland is a hauntingly beautiful land of undulating mountains.  Huge tracts of domesticated forests at different points of growth and harvest dominate most of the country.  Amid this striking setting, people cling to life in dire poverty.  Nearly a quarter of the county is infected with HIV/Aids.  The living conditions and mortality rate is dire.

In prep for our visit we had done our homework on the tiny Kingdom located almost entirely in South Africa.  As a part of our research we watch Without the King.  A documentary on the Monarcy, and specifically the King’s eldest daughter, Princess Sikhanyiso.  The movie portrays the masses as being on the verge of a overthrowing the ruling body.  We did not witness any outward evidence of civil unrest.  We witnessed a people eking out a meager existence.  A people clinging to life in anyway possible.

So why visit Swaziland?  We truly count our visit there as a blessing.  Amid difficult circumstance there is hope.  We met hope in the people with whom we interacted.

We stayed at the Forester Arms Hotel outside the capital, Mbabane.  Roughly a 30 min. drive through the mountains and forest to an isolated tree plantation.  This charming retreat is very comfortable and the food was very good.  They serve both dinner and a full to order breakfast.  The hostess of this impressive oasis is an amazing woman.  Our interaction was limited, as we only stayed a night, but we witnessed the kindness she exhibited to her extensive staff was only exceeded by her graciousness to us as guests.

You really must visit Swaziland.  The natural beauty is compelling.  Swazi crafts are also impressive.  But most of all, go to Swaziland to learn about yourself.  So many life lessons are learned when you witness happiness and hope amid abject poverty.  The Swazi situation is difficult to witness, but you will be the better human for the experience.

Globe Nomads

By on August 26, 2010 in General

The Globe Nomads

Leng & Li have one of the most organized blogs out there.  They even invented a unique rating system for reviews on hotels, gear and destinations!  Leng and Li offer an extensive review of sites in the UK.  Give their blog a look!

1) How many countries visited between the two of you?

Just 12 for now.

2) If you had to travel with someone else besides your travel partner, who would it be? (this person can be living, historical or mythical?.)

He Said: Sir David Attenborough. I have always been fascinated by his documentaries.

She Said: Joanna Lumley

3)What has been your favorite destination in your wanderings?

He said: I have to say it’s Japan with no place in particular. Both the cities and the countryside or the historical attractions and the modern entertainment have lots to offer with incredible hospitality.

She said: I cant decide between Mt Fuji (Japan) or the great ocean road in Melbourne.

4) If you had to eat one last meal, what/ where would you eat?

He said: A simple Chinese kind of thick vermicelli in soup. The broth reminds me of home and family.

She said: Barbeque chicken wings and dark chocolate ice-cream for dessert

5)How do you pick the places you visit? Spontaneous vs. planned?

He said: Always planned using a combination of guide books and online review sites such as tripadvisor.

She said: Planned

6) If you could solve one problem in the world what would it be?

He said: Quality education for all.

She said: Species extinction

7)You knew it was coming….What has been your greatest travel fight/disagreement?

She said: I hate it when the travel itinerary is so packed that I have to rush from place to place.

He said: I’m always complaining on my wife being slow and not being aware of our surroundings. However it can be tiring to be always vigilant and that led to me having a foul mood at the most inappropriate of times.

The Souvenir Dilemma

By on April 20, 2010 in General

Dong Xi’s, Choch-Keys, junk, Dust collectors, trophies…whatever you call them… they are the items that you bring home as little mementos of your travels. The tradition is as old as time: Romans picked up Egyptian Obelisks…Greeks a golden fleece…hundreds of US midwesterns….I heart (insert town). Souvenierring is a time honored tradition. One of my favorites is exhibited above. My prized Whirling Dervish! My wife keeps hiding it as he continues to show up on various “highly visible”-her words not mine– places. I cherish my dervish. It really spins! I remember the tiny shop in the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul where I discover this treasure. Tucked way back in vast dark passageways, was this little family selling metal wares. I tried a little Turkish, they a lot better English, and the result was an emigrating Dervish (and a lighter wallet).

Why do we do it? Why must we bring a piece of our travels home? Do we worry that we will forget the sights sounds and smells of _________? I really think so. I think that in our soul, we hope that one day when time creates a great chasm between the now and then, we will find the Dervish and it will bring a smile and a rush of memories to mind.

Sometimes these items represent a victorious negotiation. Perhaps a memorable shopkeeper or locale? Not sure some items will qualify…my I heart NY t-shirt never really spans the distance like my Dervish.

What is your favorite item? What reminds you of your adventure?

Why can’t we just get along?

By on March 14, 2010 in General

60 percent of British couples fight on holiday

Holidays with one’s partner can become a relationship’s crucial test. As an international online survey by the travel site trivago.co.uk has just revealed, only 40 percent of British couples spend their holidays in peace and harmony.

A holiday trip with one’s partner can mean harmony and cozy togetherness. But what if you do not agree with your partner on the destination, the organization of your trip or your holiday activities? How to react, if your partner flirts shamelessly with other travellers? According to the survey, it seems that 60 percent of British vacationers fight with their beloved while on holiday. In most cases it is jealousy which causes such fights, said 17 percent of the survey’s respondents. 16 percent stated they fight about everyday issues like the weather or food and 15 percent about who’s in charge of what on vacation.

The reasons for holiday tiffs differ enormously throughout Europe. With their latin temperaments, the Spanish are especially prone to react aggressively to their partners’ flirting: 60 percent of them named jealousy as the reason for arguments. Only 19 percent of the French spend their holidays untroubled; again it is jealousy which causes disquiet. In contrast to that 40 percent of the English and Polish and 45 percent of the Italian vacationers get along perfectly with their partners on holiday. Germans fight mostly about jealousy and diverging ideas about travel plans (22 percent). It seems that the further North you go the less inclined travellers are to quarrel. Hence the country with the most harmonious holiday couples is Sweden: 62 percent of the Swedish couples relax without any conflicts on their vacation.

BY WWW.TRIVAGO.CO.UK

Fight on Flight

By on March 11, 2010 in General



helicopterOf all the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai is best known for its breathtaking landscapes. It is known as the “Garden Isle” due to the beautiful greenery that drapes the island. Cliffs, canyons, and waterfalls remain untouched, as the terrain is impassable by car. The only way to see the whole island is by air.

We are partnering with The Villas at Poipu Kai to give our readers a chance to fly around the island for free. For every booking made in March of 6 nights or more the Villas at Poipu Kai is giving away a free helicopter ride.  The helicopter ride lasts an hour and takes you to the most remote places on the island. The helicopter comes with “Mega” windows so that all passengers have an unobstructed panoramic view – a very unique opportunity for couples and families.