The smell of New Zealand's own Monteith's Golden Lager filled the Skywagon propeller airplane as it sat docile on the dirt runway of 'Skydive New Zealand.' Poised for takeoff in the shadow of the South Island's most breathtaking landscape, I couldn't help but ask myself, how the hell did I get here?
There is an instinct inside many of us, a raw natural urge that draws us to the Road. It is a longing for the excitement of the unknown, the freedom a traveler feels when waking up in a place unfamiliar to him, not knowing where he will find himself tomorrow. It is the sense of liberty that comes with putting yourself in the hands of fate and waiting to see what life throws your way. A land of coups and diamond smugglers, Sierra Leone had always caught my imagination, and now that peace and stability has returned once again it is accessible to visitors. It seemed like the perfect antidote to the tedium and monotony of university life. On one dreary summer afternoon I found myself in Heathrow airport boarding a plane to Freetown with my girlfriend, Tash, and two close friends, Fred and Anwen.
Unprepared trips sometimes bring about wonderful surprises. For a summer escape, I had vaguely planned a short escapade to Quebec City. Then, one of my friends persuaded me to accompany her to the Gaspé Peninsula, a destination she had briefly toured which had completely enticed her. At first, I had been reluctant to visit this remote Quebec region because I am not a very outdoorsy person. Yet, despite a little anticipation, I accepted her invitation mostly on account of my desire to explore new places.
Cambodia's roads are hot, flat and straight as a rail, but for all that, cycling on them is an exhilarating multi-dimensional experience Just for a moment, the piglets stopped their squealing. Wouldn't you, if a panting, sweating, red-Lycra-shirted cyclist loomed into spitting distance of your personal space?
It is the last day of the year and Pam, Judy and I are in Bagan, Myanmar. Until about ten years ago, it was impossible to enter the country, formerly Burma, for more than a week. This ensured a minimal influence from the outside world. The near absence of transportation guaranteed outsiders could not venture far beyond Yangon, the capital. But with an eye on the tourist dollar, the outrageously repressive military government extended its visas for up to one month. This extension played a large role in ending Myanmar's preparation for the advent of tourism.
Hampi, the former capital of the Vijayanagar Empire (1336-1565 AD) in India, is a city set in the bygone era of medieval history. Positioned on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, the village of Hampi is as captivating as it is old. Each boulder of the ruins has a story to tell. Some represent the beauty of the architectural creations. Others show the brutality of destruction at the hands of the Deccan Kings. My trip to this ancient city would soon open my eyes to both sides of this historical landmark.
A week ago, I was just as frustrated as any other chump annoyed by the weight of responsibility. Finishing one job just to rush to the next; paying one bill and another was already on its way. The monotony was beginning to take its toll. Food didn't taste as good and Seinfeld wasn't making me laugh as hard. It was definitely time for a vacation. So as a travel hippie at heart, it didn't take more than a little opportunity and some extra cash to transform my trip from elaborate daydream to comforting reality.
Barack Obama's ideals and visions for this country were not new. The history of the United States of America has always been underscored by the concept of hope and a steadfast belief in change. Every history or social studies lesson from elementary school through college that I can recall was chock full of examples of both. However, it wasn't until January 20th, 2009 that I fully understood and witnessed the realization of it all.
On a sultry evening in Key West, my friend and I strolled down Duval Street, towards the Gulf of Mexico. Nearing the water's edge, we followed the garden pathways of the Pier House, the island's first luxury resort, to watch Key West's favorite cabaret act, Carmen Rodriguez. Her smooth voice gave joyous, soulful expression to the jazzy piano bar tunes. Carmen is a regular here, and listening to her at the Pier House is one of the sophisticated pleasures of the island.
Ana just might be the hardest-working tour guide in Europe. During the week she led our cycling tour around Croatia's Dalmatian Islands she rode with us, entertained us, educated us, and watched over us – from breakfast until we were safely tucked in bed at night. Because of her efforts, we were transformed from a group of strangers into a cohesive group of friends … and in some respects into her temporary family.
The Plitvice Lakes National Park is Croatia's best kept secret. It's a string of sixteen blue-green lakes, with an accompaniment of forests, meadows, caves and waterfalls, across the Mala Kapela and Pljesevica Mountain ranges. For its colours alone, the park deserves its UNESCO World Heritage status.
Watching rugby at the Stade Jean Bouin is like no other sporting experience. Only in Paris, a city which embraces individuality, can ten thousand people arrive to watch a rugby match dressed in pink replica shirts, waving pink flags and holding heart-shaped pink balloons.
No sooner had we sat down than a large body of Roman legionaries appeared and the rattling of shields, swords and armour clamoured amidst the blaring of trumpets and martial music. Roman soldiers drilling, gladiators fighting each other and chariot races all followed, depicting the days of Roman splendour.
In the lively fishing village of Danshui (more commonly known as Tamsui to the locals) a lengthy boardwalk summons its strolling visitors to slow down a notch; to look left at Taiwan's Danshui River, and right at the flashing arcade games lined up in blinking rows. For the residents of Taipei a mere 40 minute ride on the metro can provide an escape from a city of over 2.5 million. A bike path serves as a more scenic route, and was in fact the mode of transportation I chose to make my way from Taiwan's capital to Danshui.
Washington State is a perfect vacation spot for the entire family. There is fun, adventure, and challenge for all ages. The recreational opportunities are endless, from sport fishing and whale watching to whitewater rafting and mountain climbing. The difference between the west and east is like night and day – divided by the Cascade Mountain Range. The diverse climate and environment offer a wide array of options for adventure and experiences.
There is nothing better than disappearing to some insane, off the beaten path place that nobody in their right mind would go to, and Tichit delivered on all accounts.
I'm in Istanbul and I can't get chicken soup out of my mind. No, not the brothy kind – I'm not hungry. I'm talking about the cliché, the balm for your weary soul. I've found my chicken soup. Except in Istanbul the chicken soup is a couch. And despite the declamations of Ecclesiastes, there is something new under the traveler's sun.
With such a fluid atmosphere of open-air cafes and meandering canals spotted with lazy mallards, the city of Amsterdam offers the backpacker a rare slice of history, and the chance to submerge into a culture where anything, and often everything goes. The Dutch push the aesthetic appeal of art and style into a realm of unabashed individualism, yet between each skirted beauty and scarf-wrapped gent there glides a constant and implacable social bond.
They remind me of cats: some aloof, some prancing, some sprawled in the dust. One of the llamas leaps into the air, heels almost clicking together, then rushes over to the paddock fence to snuffle at my fingers. A white one, blessed with a lustrous coat and limpid eyes, turns his back to me with a snort. A grey appaloosa arches his back and tosses his head, then flings a glance at me to see if I've noticed his display.
The province of Mendoza is rapidly becoming one of the hottest travel spots in Argentina. And with good reason: It produces 70 percent of the country's wine and boasts labels rated among the best in the world. It is also home to the acclaimed dry powders of Las Leñas ski resort, the white waters of the Mendoza River, and the volcanic summit of Aconcagua: a climber's dream with numerous glaciers and the highest peak outside of Asia.
Hiking toward the summit of Pen Y Fan, third tallest peak in Wales, the burden of keeping up with long-legged leaders forced my head down as I gasped for air. It wasn't until I got to the summit that I finally looked around. That's when it happened – I became captivated by the net-like pattern across the valley slopes. Also likened to spider webs or embroidery work sewn into the hills, the pattern is formed by hedgerows – the patchwork quilt of ancient people of the Bronze Age that has survived Norman occupation and the more recent accommodation of modern farm equipment.
The travel bug is not simply a contagious virus that sends us packing our bags for one destination, infecting us, and sending us on a whirlwind tour of places unseen and cultures unheard. The bug carries with it benign side effects, none better than the chance to let the mind wonder while it wanders.