This has been a short Christmas season, it seems shorter than usual with Christmas and New Years falling on a Sunday. It seems like the holidays just got started and they are already coming to and end!

We are home for the holidays this year and as we watched the snow fall outside, we started to reminisce about where we’ve been for New Year’s over the past decade. It’s been a very fun ride.

So while we celebrate at home for the first time in a few years, enjoy our trip down memory lane and share your stories of where you’ll be this year and where in the world you have celebrated New Years abroad in the past. 

Thailand

Dave and Deb Dukin' it Out at New Years in Thailand

Last Year this time we were in Studying Muay Thai Kickboxing at Rawai Muay Thai in Phuket. A fun New Years on the beach complete with Karaoke, Lady Boys and a little Thai Wiskey. Not much though, we were all in training!

India

Hussein and His Mother in Udaipur India at New Years

We were staying in Udaipur at the Lakeshore Guesthouse where we grew close with it’s manager Hussain. He took us up to the rooftop of his families building to overlook the magical city at midnight. Fireworks were let off over the Lake Palace Hotel standing proud in the middle of Lake Pichola. It was a beautiful sight.

Egypt

2008 Started Off With a Bang, Cycling a Continent!

We were about to start our ride down the continent of Africa and celebrated New Years on the plane to Cairo. We weren’t really thinking about the celebrations we were missing out on, we were getting ready to change our lives and live our dreams.

Somewhere between Florida and Toronto

Our Home Town, Toronto at Night

We had just spent a couple of weeks visiting my parents in Florida and were going to stop at Myrtle Beach on the way home when we left late Dec. Instead, we decided to drive straight through to Canada ended up crossing the border at Niagara Falls somewhere around midnight. It was raining, it was late and it was depressing. It was that night that we made the New Years resolution to change our lives. We watched an interview on CBC with Ray Zahab about how he is now living his dream as an ultra marathon runner and made a pact to do something like that ourselves. One year later we were in Cairo at the start of the Tour d’Afrique and have never looked back!

Quebec City

The Fairmont Hotel in Quebec City Christmas

There isn’t a more romantic city in Canada than Quebec City. We bundled up in our down jackets, snowboarding pants and Sorrel winter boots to walk around the old city and take in its historical architecture. Fondue, cheese, fresh fruit, wine and hot chocolate made for the perfect getaway after a few days of snowboarding at Mont St. Anne for celebrating New years.

Honduras

Starting our Dive Masters in Honduras

We were ready to take our dive masters and there was no where cheaper on earth to study than Honduras. Hanging out on Utilla for a few weeks was an awesome way ring in the New Year. We made new friends and celebrated together like we had known each other for years. When the New Year came, we said our good byes, never to see them again. But we came away with memories to last a lifetime.

Laos

OK, So We dont' have Photos of Vang Viang, It was 2003 we didn't have digital yet!

We had arrived in Vang Vieng just a couple of days after Christmas. I hear that it is over run with backpackers these days, but when we were there on the even of 2004, things were fairly quiet. We walked down the dirt streets and sat with some locals by a fire. We walked some more and grabbed a Bear Lao on a floating bar on the river and eventually settled in while trying to drown our the blaring music coming from the empty bar next door.

Mexico

Traveling Around the Yucatan in Mexico During the Holidays

There’s nothing like celebrating New Years in the tropics and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico is one of the most gorgeous places on earth. Dressed in a sundress for Deb and Shorts and a Hawaiian shirt for Dave we put the cold of winter out of our minds while sipping Margaritas at the beach bar listining to Mariachis serenade the crowd.

So, Where are you this New Years Eve? At Home with your family, somewhere exotic, an awesome party? Share your plans, we’d love to live vicariously!

Happy New Year and See you in 2012! 

It is while putting it all down on words that I realized that we just lived a year of adventure travel that I never thought I would have the opportunity to ever do in my life. We left for Fiji last November knowing that we would be going to China afterwards but then, the plans were all up in the air. All we knew was that we were going to fly to Thailand to hang out for a bit because its a cheap place to visit.

It was then the Real Adventures Began.

2011 started off with us studying Muay Thai Kickboxing at Rawai Muay Thai in Phuket. We spent a month boxing, skipping, sparring, visiting an orphanage, learning the wai kru and making new friends.

Thailand

Muay Thai Training at Rawai Muay Thai

Malaysia

After a month in Thailand we had to do a visa run to Malaysia so we thought we’d stick around a bit to witness Thaipusam. This festival is an adventure unto itself. Imagine seeing people with spikes through their cheeks, hooks on their back and carrying heavy kavadis on their heads walk by you so close that you could reach out and touch them. It was our second time experiencing Thaipusam and no less thrilling.

Worshipper at Thaipusam, Malaysia

Thailand

We were then back in Thailand doing a great adventure with the Tourism Authority. They sent us on a two week custom itinerary showcasing the great adventures that Thailand has to offer. From rock climbing in Railay to paddling into sea caves of Phuket with high tide rushing in to add to the thrill. We then flew north to take a week long motorcycle journey to the Myanmar border through tea terraces, mountain passes and hill tribe villages. It all rounded off with a mountain bike adventure, elephant safari and longtail boat back to Chiang Rai.

Mountain Biking in Northern Thailand

New Zealand

Just when we were trying to figure out what to do next, we received an email from our good friend Melvin on Travel Dudes. “Do you guys want to go to New Zealand?”" I can’t do it so I recommended the Adventure Couple!” Do we!

Sadly, the earthquake hit 2 days before we arrived in Christchurch and we witnessed the devastation that an angry planet can reap on civilization. But the Kiwis are resilient and they pushed forward.

The Devastation in Christchurch, New Zealand

We shared their story with our readers telling people to not forget New Zealand. It’s still open for business and outside the city of Christchurch it was business as usual. Even though the country was mourning the loss of life, they were doing their best to rebuild and move forward.

And move Forward we did!

How can I sum up 6 weeks of the greatest adventure of our lives…Do I dare put photos in of the 30+ adventures we did day in day out?

Ok, that will be another post but for now, imagine every thrill you can think of that happens in the World’s Adventure Capital, add some more and that is what we did.

Adventures in New Zealand

Skydiving, bungy jumping, paragliding, flying a stunt plane, white water rafting class 5 rapids, swimming with dolphins, paddling through glow worm caves, riding a jet boat, 4X4ing through old gold mines, sand boarding, glacier hiking, sailing, cruising, paddling, eating, camping, hiking, you name it, we did it!

Mexico

While we were in New Zealand we received an email from Jordan to come and sample their adventures but first we had commitments at Rancho La Puerta in Mexico where we spent 1 week working out and detoxing in such classes as cardio drumming, African Dance, walking the Labyrinth and spinning the Hoola Hoop just to name a few!

Walking the Labyrinth after a Workout at Rancho La Puerta

Jordan

Directly from Mexico we then flew to Jordan where besides witnessing the beauty of Petra, the classic landscape of the Arabian Desert in Wadi Rum, the medicinal elements of the Dead Sea and the gorgeous views from the Dana River Reserve, we also had the chance to go Canyoning in Wadi Majub. We’ve always wanted to rappel over a waterfall and this was our chance. We slid down rocky dams, waded through rushing rivers and yes, we jumped over a cliff and lowered ourselves into the spray of the mighty waterfall!

Canyonning in Wadi Mujib, Jordan

There was no rest after Jordan, our greatest journey of 2011 had yet to begin.

The Mongol Rally

In July, we met our teammates Sherry Ott and Rick Griffin to take part in the Mongol Rally. A 10,000 mile drive in an inappropriate car from England to Mongolia through 13 countries. We drove through the Ukraine and Kazakhstan and Siberia! Yes, Siberia! We then dodged camels, yaks, serious potholes and herds of horses through the Gobi Desert. All while nursing a broken exhaust, tender tires that were constantly being punctured, a busted shock and most importantly a dead horn. No honking at the wildlife or just for the heck of it. It was just us and our duct taped gear shift keeping us company.

Mongol Rally River Crossings

Canada

It was late September when we were finally back in Canada.

It was wonderful to be around family and friends and it was here that we had the opportunity to do an adventure in our own back yard with Samba Days. We took a flight over our home city of Toronto and it was spectacular. It was nearly as thrilling as the Stunt Plane in New Zealand.

At The Toronto Island Airport Awaiting Take-Off

It was then off to Mexico. While we didn’t do adventures there, we did go to the Adventure Travel World Summit where we learned that in the tourism industry, 16% of all travellers are adventure travellers. That is awesome!

Jamaica

We rounded up the year with a soft adventure tour in Jamaica where we went Jamaican Bobsledding! We then spent the next 5 days sampling the islands other adventure activities such as ATVing, catamaran sailing, snorkelling, ziplining, hiking and mountain biking and finally eating spicy Jamaican Jerk Chicken at Scotchies.

Jamaican Bobsledding

We are heading to Seattle this weekend to watch a Seahawks game and then we’re jetting off to Cairo next week to speak at the ioeti Conference.  While it is not going to be a physical adventure, speaking to the Middle East Market about the future of Travel Blogging is definitely going to be an exciting moment in our lives and we can’t wait to end our year with this wonderful opportunity. Plus, we’re really looking forward to seeing Alexandria, we missed it during our last trip to Egypt.

I don’t know how we are going to top this year, but 2012 is starting off with a bang to Antarctica. More on that next week!

Out of 56 countries visited and counting, a place must have something special to entice us to keep coming back and all of the above have it. We have come to the conclusion that we love these countries not only for their culture, scenery and people, but because they each hold a special memory for us. It was in these countries that we enjoyed many firsts in travel and they always remind us what made us fall in love with being perpetual wanderers.

Mexico

What is so enticing about Mexico? Could it be its proximity to Canada, it’s diverse landcape and rich Mayan culture? Of course it is!

Tulum, Mexico

When we land at the airport in Mexico, everything feels good. We love that warm burst of air that hits our faces as we step off the plane after a long cold winter in Canada. We have fond memories of our time in Mexico. It was in 2003 when we went on our first diving trip with our dive club from Barrie. We spent a week on Cozumel doing nothing but two dives per day exploring the pristine Palancar Reef. We saw everything you could ever hope for in the underwater world. Palancar reef boasts incredible coral gardens with an abundance of marine life. We saw eagle rays, nurse sharks, barraccudas, eels and a blanket of star fish lining the sea ocean floor. We even saw a sea horse which someone told us is very rare. (we later saw many in Honduras, but it was exciting to see our first one in Mexico)

We’d dance every night to the Mariachi bands as we sipped Coronas from an icy bucket of beer.

Mexico is a massive land and it will take years to explore it. Our few trips have barely scratched the surface and yet we’ve been at the far southern reaches of the Guatemala and Belize borders to the northern towns of Tecate and Tijuana near the United States. We’ve walked its sandy beaches, paddled its rivers, hiked is jungles and explored its ancient Mayan ruins. And yet there is still so much more to see and do.

Maybe we’ll have to take advantage of  Thomas Cook Canada’s Massive Facebook Travel Sale. They’re hosting an online extravaganza offering incredible deals to Mexico. If you want to go to one of our favourite countries for cheap, join us and Thomas Cook On December 7th from 7-9 on their facebook page for special discounts.

Give Thomas Cook a like today so you don’t miss a thing! Thomas Cook on Facebook

Thailand

When people ask us if there is one place in the world that we think we could settle down in and live outside of Canada,Thailand always springs to mind.

It has some of the most spectacular beaches on earth, a strong cultural identity and it has all the amenities of home with massive, modern malls, movie theatres and fine dining. Mmm, when I think of Thai food, it makes my mouth water.

Thailand is special to us because it was our first extended independent travel. It was in this country that we first stepped out of the all inclusive vacation mode over a decade ago. We took local transport for the first time and hired local guides. We didn’t have anyone arrange one aspect of our trip for us and we travelled completely on our own for 5 weeks.

It is always special for us to land at the Bangkok airport. That feeling of excitement and wonder always comes back to us. We revisit what it was like to be in awe of a distant land and we are reminded of a time when travel to a new country felt completely foreign and almost frightening to us. We were terrified and excited all at once when we first arrived in Bangkok in 2000, and sense memory comes back to us with each visit. We are reminded why we started traveling in the first place.

Thailand has islands in the south, mega cities in the centre and jungles and hill tribes to the north. Throughout the entire country you’ll find culture and adventure. Visiting a pagoda or temple in Thailand is a cultural experience you will always remember. You can visit a monastery one minute, be on the beach or hiking in the jungle the next and be back in time for dinner and a movie to round off the night!

France

Who didn’t dream of visiting Paris as a child? I watched Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron dance through its streets in An American in Paris and I listened to my parents Frank Sinatra albums as he sang I love Paris in the Springtime. I didn’t know anything about Paris, but I knew very young that I loved it!

When Dave and I went to Paris, it was like a dream. Everything I had ever seen on TV was standing there before us. To this day, every time we are in Paris, we re-visit its historical monuments and wander the city with our mouths agape. It is the most beautiful city in the world and it was here that we rented our first car overseas and drove in a foreign land. France was a part of our first trip to Europe and it was the first time we ever visited a museum outside of our own country. It was the first time we witnessed a battlefield when we drove to Vimy Ridge and it was the first time we stepped foot in an actual castle.

Even when we went back to visit again last summer we had another first in Travel. It was in France that we saw the Mediterranean Sea for the first time. We have always seen movie stars and royalty use it as their playground and in 2010, we used it as ours.

We have climbed it’s rock faces, hiked through its forests, camped on its beaches and browsed its art and architecture. It also has a strong cultural identity and love it or hate it, France is very French.

Like Thailand and Mexico, France is another massive country that will take years to truly explore and we are happy to keep going back to discover more.

This post was brought to you by Thomas Cook Canada. We’re excited to be taking part in their exciting new campaign and share our love and knowledge for Mexico with all of you! Make sure to keep checking their facebook page all week and tune in on Dec. 7th from 7-9 for amazing deals!

We have yet to see Easter Island, Stonehenge, The Acropolis in Athens or the Roman Colosseum. We may never see any of the great structures of Afghanistan or Iraq, however we have seen some pretty spectacular archeological wonders during our travels and we want to share a photographic memory of some of our favourite ruins of the world.

Check out our latest chat on CTVNewsChannel where we discuss our favourite ruins with host Dan Matheson

1.Bagan, Myanmar

Bagan Myanmar

The days were hot that we explored the Temples of Bagan. We hired a horse cart for one day and a bicycle for the next. One thing we remember the most was that our horse cart driver was expecting a child any day now. It was a happy time.

2.Petra, Jordan

Monastery in Petra, Jordan

Having the chance to visit Petra was a dream come true. We had heard about this ancient city but never thought that we’d get there. To have a guide from the Jordan Tourism Board and a Petra official long for our walk through the ruins allowed for us to experience a Petra that many others don’t get to see.

3.Hampi, India

The Ruins of Hampi

4.Giza, Egypt

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

It’s the most famous of all ruins of the world. The Pyramids of Giza don’t disappoint. We saw them by camel and were thoroughly ripped off by the sly guides. We didn’t care a bit as we had just witnessed the mysterious temples that we have seen on movies and television all through our childhood.

5.Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu, Peru

6.Tikal, Guatemala

Tikal, Guatamala

7.Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

8.Chizen Itza, Mexico

chitzenitza-mexico-ruins

The first archeological site we ever visited. We took a tour from our resort in the Mayan Riviera and enjoyed every minute of our day. We learned about the ancient Mayans, climbed to the top of the main temple and listened to the acoustics of the ball court.

9. Jerash, Jordan

The Ruins of Jerash

10. Tonina, Mexico

Tonina Ruins in Chiapas, Mexico

11. Great Wall of China

the Great Wall of China

6. Malaysian Borneo 

7. Thailand 

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8. Tanzania 

9. South Africa

South Africa is not only beautiful, it is an adventure traveller’s playground to the nth degree.

10. Mexico 

Sure it’s probably the number 1 vacation destination for North Americans to go and chill out on the beach, but there is so much more to Mexico than Margaritas and laying in the sun.

Mexico has some of the most pristine scuba diving on the planet.

The Palancar Reef was made famous by Jaques Cousteau and has never lost speed. Diving in the Cenotes near Tulum will give you a memory to last a lifetime. But there’s more to Mexico than diving. Paragliding and Hang Gliding can be experienced all over the country including Tapalpa and Oaxaca. Mexico is known for its rock climbing too, there are sites all over the country most notably  El Potrero Chico. There is surfing all along the Pacific Coast and mountain biking in Copper Canyon. Of course there is hiking too. Mexico is such a giant country that it is impossible to pin down where to choose to do your vacation.

While all countries offer adventure of some kind, there are a few that we have been to that seem to cater to the true adventurous spirit. We came up with a list of our top 10 favourites and here is part one of our two part series featuring the best countries for adventure in the world! 

Have you got a favourite adventure destination? Share it with us!

1. New Zealand

 

2. Zambia

Staying with the them of Adventure Capital… Zambia is considered the Adventure Capital of Africa.

3. Fiji

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4. Nepal

Paragliding over Pokhara Nepal

5. Peru

Check out our video of highlights from our time in Peru, there is so much to do!

Stay tuned for part two of our most exciting adventure destinations in the world. What, did you think there were only 5?

So to put our families fears at ease, we thought we’d share this post that came across our inbox of the 10 Most Dangerous Countries as seen by the people at Quickbeds in Australia. At least we’re not going to these places… But then again, we’ve been to one on this list, The Sudan and can attest that it isn’t the big bad dangerous place that people think it is. It was actually one of the most amazing countries we have ever visited. Let us know if you agree or disagree with some of the countries named below.

World’s 10 Most Dangerous Countries

Travelling is one thing that many people all over the world love to do. Louis Armstrong sang a song titled, “What a Wonderful World.” Although he is correct that this is an amazing world in which we live in, all parts of the globe are not necessarily safe to visit. In fact, there are some places that are quite dangerous. Drugs, murder and terrorism are all signs of the perilous world today. Crime is also rampant all across the globe. People from all over the world love to travel; however, you need to think twice before visiting these hostile destinations. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

1.      Afghanistan
Afghanistan is a country at war. There are landmines dispersed throughout the region, and bombings are a regular affair in the country. Military operations continue to occur in Afghanistan, and there is an array of political unrest in the area. Even with the death of Bin Laden, Al Qaeda still operates in some parts of the country. Afghanistan remains an unpredictable and unstable environment.

2.      Iraq
Saddam may be gone, but the threat is still real. There are terrorist’s organizations and militia groups that place bombs in markets and beside the roads. Sometimes these groups take hostages and kill them. Ironically, the presence of military troops from other countries has made Iraq even more dangerous. Many Iraqis have a lot of anger towards outsiders. Therefore, foreigners could be in grave danger when they visit Iraq.

Image from Wikipedia Commons

3.      Somalia
The country of Somalia seems to be in chaos because there is no government. The country has become a home for warlords, pirates, kidnappers, Islamist insurgents and angry young people. Tensions from surrounding borders are trickling into Somalia, and the seas around the country are invested with pirates. Somalia also is suffering from drought, war, famine and high food prices.

4.      Pakistan
Militants operate freely along the Pakistani border. Pakistan also consists of massive bombings that kill hundreds of people. Violence in the country is out of control, and there are many kidnappings every day in the area. The Afghan border probably the most dangerous places to be in the country.

Dave and Deb at the Pakistan Border in India with no fear

5.      Democratic Republic of Congo
This country is afflicted with lawlessness and conflict. There are armed militias, military and policemen who pose threats to people in the region. The military is guilty of corrupt behaviour and abuse, often attacking women. Illegal armed militia groups operate in the area, often using brutal violence, such as rape, on their targets. Law enforcement officials are non-existent, and justice is nowhere to be found in the country.

6.      Sudan
Lack of control and banditry are not uncommon in Sudan. The country poses a risk of terrorism, violent crime, or getting trapped in crossfire of the genocide or militia attacks. There are religious extremist in the area that could be drastically against your presence just because of your religion or nationality.

Just some of the many kind people we met cycling through the Sudan

7.      Yemen
Al Qaeda is in existence in Yemen, as it is considered to be the home of some of Bin Laden’s most loyal supporters. In addition to Al Qaeda, Houthi rebels in the north keep this nation in constant unrest.

8.      Russian Caucasus
The Russian Caucasus continues to be in a state of unrest. People every day are being killed by bombs are gunman. Empires often meet and clash in the Caucasus, and the Russians are very unsympathetic to many countries in the Caucasus. There are still many hostilities left after the collapse of the Soviet Union, so the Russian Caucasus still remains a treacherous and unpredictable place.

9.      Guinea
Criminal gangs are known to be active in Guinea, and police presence is almost non-existent in the area. There seems to be constant fighting in the region that started in Liberia more than a decade ago. The area is also considered to be suffering with an overwhelming amount of AIDS cases, and the people live in poverty.

10.     Nigeria

Nigeria has been the source of periodic episodes of violence for decades. There are many Christian and Muslim disputes that plague the area. The country has been torn apart by wars, violence and ethnic conflict, making the area very unstable.

So when it comes time to plan your next holiday, we suggest you avoid the above, unless of course it’s necessary to travel there, or you really are an extreme adrenaline junkie! Consider somewhere safer such as Australia. Head to one of the beautiful Gold Coast hotels and take in some beach and sunshine. Alternatively you could head to the Western Australian city of Perth, where cheap Perth hotels are aplenty and you’ll find yourself surrounded by friendly locals and wonderful attractions!

Clearly most of these countries listed are common sense. Don’t go to a country that is in the middle of a war. That’s normally a good rule of thumb. As we said above we have been to the Sudan and didn’t feel threatened in any way. We also visited the Pakistan border when we were in India and the people on the other side were friendly and welcoming. We would happily visit Pakistan and plan to in the near future. 

Have you recently travelled to any of the places listed above? Do you agree or strongly disagree with any of the countries mentioned? Let us know and lets get the discussion started.

Go where you want, from where you want

There are ferry crossings from right along the south coast of England, from Dover and Folkestone, to Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth. You can travel to ports all across the north coast of France, from Calais and Boulogne in the east to Le Havre, Cherbourg, St Malo and Roscoff further west. If you’re taking a holiday in Brittany, for example, what could be easier than driving your car onto the ferry at Poole and driving off at St Malo?

When you need the car

If you’re on a family holiday with the children or you’re on a daytrip to stock up on good French wine and beer, you need the car. Unless you want to pay out for a hire car when you arrive in France, the plane’s no good for the family holiday and it’s absolutely hopeless when it comes to bringing back bottles of your favourite French tipple. You could take the car on the train through Channel Tunnel, of course, but that’s pricey.

There’s no doubt about it, when you need to take the car to France, your best bet is a ferry crossing.

Easier on your pocket

Cross-channel ferry services are often the most affordable option on the market. Dover to Calais fares with the car, for £80 return, makes a ferry crossing a real recession buster.

The comfort of the ferry

If you take the train, you spend much of the journey in a tunnel, with little space to move around. On the plane, you’re buckled into your seat. Compare that to the modern comfort of the latest ferry fleets. You can take a walk up on the deck, take in the stunning views from coast to coast, and enjoy the invigorating sea breeze. You can also wander around the ship, have a delicious snack or relax with a drink in one of the on-board restaurants. And don’t forget shopping; no other mode of cross-channel transport offers the kind of duty free shopping that has always been the forte of the ferry.

It was this time three years ago that we started our transformation from working class career oriented professionals to adventurers and full time travel bloggers.

It started out as a New Years Resolution on the eve of 2008.  We were feeling blue after 2 years of working too hard and traveling too little. We were stuck in a rut. It was just after midnight on a very gloomy New Years Eve for us. We were watching TV and luckily a profile of ultra marathon runner Ray Zahab came on the CBC. We were instantly inspired and made a pact to do something extraordinary in the New Year.

Two weeks later we made the decision to cycle Africa and take part in the Longest Cycling Race in the world at 12,000 km.  We trained for the year leading up to the race and dreamed of selling a travel show to Discovery or The Outdoor Network.  We stayed focused on our goal of becoming a part of the EFI club and to win the race.  I was woman’s champion and Dave succeeded in cycling Every Fabulous Inch and we fulfilled our goals for the Tour d’Afrique 2008.

Finish Line in Cape Town of the Tour d'Afrique

While our television career didn’t happen, our adventure travel blog was born and a year and a half later we were back on the road as full time travelers finally living our dream of becoming full time travelers.

And the rest is history.

In honour of our three-year anniversary since the trip that changed our life, we thought that we would share our favourite moments in Egypt.  The first leg of the Tour d’Afrique starts at the Pyramids and follows the Nile all the way to the Sudan.

We wanted to make sure that we had the chance to see everything that the country had to offer, so we left for Africa two weeks early to experience one of our own Egypt Holidays.  We are glad that we did because once we hit the road it was a non-stop race to the finish line.

What we did for our Two Weeks in Egypt before The Tour d’Afrique.

1. Bedouin Safari to the White Desert

Taking a trip to the White Desert is one of our best travel experiences of all time.  A jeep takes you deep into the Sahara Desert where you pass through the Black Desert before Entering the White Desert.  The White Desert is like being on a different planet.  Your Bedouin Guides set up camp as you have the chance to explore the most incredible formations you may ever witness.  Giant rocks pop out from the desert floor forming curious shapes like giant mushrooms, camels and birds.  The formations are made of a chalky substance and years of erosion has carved an impressive sight in the middle of the desert.

2. Hire a Camel to see the Pyramids

A person cannot go to Egypt without seeing one of the world wonders.  The Pyramids of Giza do not disappoint and there is no better way to see them than on the back of a camel.  Hiring a guide and camel takes you to the back of the pyramids away from the tour buses and crowds.  You can live out your Lawrence of Arabia fantasies while exploring one of the last remaining Ancient Wonders of the World.

3. Take a Felucca on the Nile

There is nothing more magical than sailing on the Nile. This mythical river lives up to the hype.  To think of the historical events that took place on it’s banks is overwhelming. It on the Nile that baby Moses floated down the river. Pharoah’s ruled the land and Cleopatra and King Tut spent time on these waters.  To set sail on a Felucca and feel the breeze on your face while listening to nothing but the silence of the wind, you can almost imagine what life was like thousands of years ago.

4. Explore the Valley of the Kings

Burial grounds to the great Kings of Ancient Egypt, the Valley of the Kings is impressive.  A Giant Valley surrounded by cliffs and mountains is the perfect resting place for royalty. Final home to King Tut and Ramses I, III, IV, it is filled with large chambers buried under the mountains.  While you are out at the Valley of the Kings, make sure to stop and see the temple of Hatshepsut. It is considered one of the most impressive monuments on the planet and what is unique is that this temple was made for a female king.

5. Visit a Charity in Cairo

A community in need in the heart of Cairo

When we cycled through Africa, not only did a portion of our funds go the Tour d’Afrique  Bicycle Foundation, we also raised money and awareness for Plan Canada. We have the honour of visiting an area of Cairo where no tourist ever goes.  This is the poorest part of the city, but with the help of Plan, microfinance  projects are being funded for craftsmen and artists, running water has been brought to the community, children with disabilities are being taken care of and integrated with society and people have hope for the future.  It was an uplifting experience to see and meet people that have so very little welcome us into their homes with warm smiles.

We saw so many things during our time in Egypt. The Luxor Temple, the Cairo Museum, Abu Simbel and we  camped on the Red Sea. We sailed along Lake Nassar all the way to Sudan and still have so much more to see in Egypt. But this trip before the Tour d’Afrique has made a great start.  It changed our lives and we will never forget our the beginning of the trip that changed our lives.

New Years Resolutions

Have you ever made a New Year’s Resolution that changed your life? Do you believe in New Years Resolutions and if you do did you follow through?  This resolution that we made on New Years 2008 was our biggest ever and we fully believe in making new goals and seeking new opportunities every year.

This year we made a new resolution to get ourselves back into Tour d’Afrique shape. We have started our Muay Thai training camp and you can read all about it next week.

We posted a Twitter Question before writing this post to ask people if they make New Years Resolutions, here are the responses that we got.

• SaritaAshley I personally don’t like the New Year’s resolution bit. I don’t understand why we can’t live our whole life like that everyday.
• EvannRachel I think they’re a good thing. People need that date change sometimes to get started on something new. It’s motivational.
• Nomad_Student I think making resolutions on Jan. 1 just because of the date is silly. Make them when you’re feeling resolved to do something!
• backpackingww Good intentions, but it shouldn’t take a new year to want to make a change!

On Facebook we posed the question and here are the responses:

A photo can transport a person to a place instantly.  We visited 10 incredible countries in 2010 and coming up with our favourite photos of the year was almost impossible.

We spent three months in India alone, and could have had an entire photo post that country.  Oh wait, we already did that way back in March, You can see those photos at Our Favourites From India, A Photo Story.

Moving on…

We sat down together to go through the thousands of photographs sitting in our hard drive from the past 12 months.  Choosing one photo from each country that we visited this year, we came up with 11 favourite photos. I know, we visited 10 countries, but we count Hong Kong and Mainland China as two since they had separate immigration.  Besides, it allows us an extra photo!

Enjoy the memories of our past year in snapshots.

Goa Sunset, India

This sunset in Goa was the most beautiful we have seen in our lives.  It was one of those evenings where everyone stopped what they were doing to look out over the water and take in the view.

Panorama of Himalayas Nepal

It is almost impossible to capture the gandeur of the Himalayas.  The best way that we can revisit them is in a panoramic view of the mountains.  Behind that plume of smoke lies Mount Everest.

Hikkaduwa Beach, Sri Lanka

If there is one photo that sums up Sri Lanka it is this one. The perch of the fisherman standing strong against the setting sun as high tide rushes in. One crumbling perch refuses to give in and the country’s flag is fastened strong, to remind it to keep fighting to survive.  Sri Lanka has had its share of turmoil, but maybe now it can rebuild and stand united.

Approaching Storm at Versailles, France

The clouds rolling in made for a dramatic shot of the Dragon Fountain at the Palace of Versailles. At first we were upset that we visited the palace on such a dreary day.  But then we noticed that the storm clouds added depth and texture to our image creating some of our most colourful photographs from Europe.

Medieval Town of Toledo, Spain

We were driving back to our campsite at dusk when we looked behind to see this spectacular view of Toledo. Turning the car around we set up the tripod and took the shot just before the sunset to complete darkness for the night.

Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera

We didn’t have a lot of time in Italy. We only made a quick detour from Cannes France because we heard that the Cinque Terre of Italy was not only stunningly beautiful, it also offered an amazing day hike through the Five Villages.  It didn’t disappoint with exquisite views of colourful towns dangling over the Mediterranean Ocean.

Denali National Park - Alaska, USA

Taken from the seat of a Focker 50, this shot of Denali National Park in Alaska really shows the vastness of the land and the beauty of its mountainous landscape.

St. Kitts Marriott Resort in HDR Photography

St. Kitts is a small island. We climbed a volcano, zip lined over a jungle canopy and visited a fun local beach, but it was this shot from our balcony that captured the beauty of the island and the feeling of truly escaping the stresses of life while visiting the Caribbean. It was Dave’s first crack at HDR and he enjoyed playing with the photomatix to give the shot a feeling of fantasy.

High Dynamic Range Photography of Fiji

Dave has really started getting into High Dynamic Range photography.  He takes 3 different exposures of one scene and sews them all together into one photograph.  It creates a true image of what your eye sees. By capturing the perfect exposure each section of the frame, every colour, bit of light and pattern comes out with perfect clarity in the photo. This photo made our beach in Fiji look out exactly like the paradise that it is.

Hong Kong Skyscrapers

Hong Kong has one of the most impressive skylines on the planet.  Standing across Victoria Habour taking shots of Honk Kong islands make for beautiful photographs, but standing in the centre of the skyscrapers and looking up makes you realize just how giant these building are. This photo brings back the feeling that we had while in Hong Kong.  We were always looking up in awe at these monster buildings.

Yangzi River, China

I know what your thinking.  You cheated, you already have a photo of China above in Hong Kong.  Technically yes, Hong Kong is a part of China, but they are two very separate entities and we thought that they could warrant two separate photos.  After all, we didn’t need a visa to enter Hong Kong but we needed one for China.  We even had to go through a border crossing to enter Mainland China from Hong Kong.  Therefore, we get an extra photo for an extra country and this photo is our favourite.

On the Three Gorges portion of the Yangzi River  the sun barely breaks through the haze causing the perfect reflection on the water surrounding a fishing boat below. In the distance is a multimillion dollar bridge connecting this once remote area to the rest of China.  This is a perfect image to sum up China where the old and the new collide.  Two fisherman try to earn a living the way that their ancestors have for centuries while big business and commerce spring up all around them.

We have had quite an amazing year when we stopped to think about.  It is funny, when it is your own life, you don’t really realize just how incredible things are while they are happening, but in retrospect, life can be quite extraordinary.

We gave up our entire lives last November when we set off for India.  Having travelled on and off for the past 10 years, we finally took the plunge to become full time travel writers and photographers.  It was a big step. We quit our jobs, gave up on any chance of owning a home any time soon and probably pushed back our retirement years to at least another decade.

But we finally feel like life has a purpose.  We look forward to seeing what each new day brings.

I won’t lie, things haven’t been all roses.

We worry about where the money will come from, what the future will hold and if we will ever feel comfortable enough to actually stop counting every penny that we spend.

But we wouldn’t have it any other way.

We have fulfilled some of our wildest dreams this year.  Dreams that we thought we would have to wait for, dreams that we thought we would never fulfill because we thought we had to have a huge bank account to do it.  And yet we managed and had an amazing string of adventures in 2010.

So what were our favourite moments?

Here are our top Five Adventures for 2010.

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5. China

China has been one big adventure.  We never thought that we would make it to this place.  We thought that it would be too difficult and truthfully, we thought that we wouldn’t like it.  We put off coming to China on two different occasions, but we finally made it. And what an adventure we have had.  We have climbed in Yangshuo, walked on the Great Wall, witnessed the Terra Cotta Warriors and cycled through magnificent karst formations.  China has been surprising and beautiful.  The people have been welcoming and warm.  We wondered what took us so long to get here? But we are glad that we made it.

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-4. Via Ferrata

With our Cheap Car Hire in France this past summer we had the freedom to go anywhere and do anything. So we hopped in and drove south from Paris searching for adventure.  We had heard of these crazy walkways along the side of cliffs, but didn’t know what they were called and certainly didn’t know that they were found all over France, Spain and Italy.  When we ran into a Canadian couple living in Switzerland, they told us about a via feratta just a couple of hours away from where we were camping.  We decided to make a detour to … and try one out for ourselves.  It was a fun day of tackling our first Via Ferratta.  Having climbed before we had the skills to use a harness and clips and didn’t have the fear of heights dangling off the side of a cliff.  It was quite a thrill and the next time we go back to France we are definitely going to seek out more Via Ferattas.

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3. Zodiac Adventure in Alaska

Our Princess Cruise to Alaska was the best trip that we have ever had in our lives. We had two weeks of adventure mixed with decadence and fun.  It was the trip of a lifetime. We met amazing people, ate incredible food and enjoyed adventures that we could only dream of otherwise.  We flew over Mount McKinley in a small twin engine plane, drove ATV’s through the valley, rode horses through mountain trails, watched whales and took a helicopter to a remote Alaskan trail for a hike.  However the most memorable adventure in Alaska was our Zodiac Adventure in Ketchikan.  We were allowed to drive our own zodiac through rivers and harbours of Alaska.  We watched a whale breach from sea level, enjoyed seeing bald eagles dive for their prey and roasted marshmallows in the middle of the wilderness. It was an incredible day.

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2. White Water Rafting Fiji

Who would have thought that two little adventure bloggers would make their way to Fiji. Celebrities go there for their honeymoon.  But then we got an email from Tourism Fiji to come and sample some adventures.  We had a week of zip lining, jet boating, hiking in the jungle, seeing remote caves and meeting the villagers. All were great adventures, but the one that stands out the most is White Water Rafting on the Upper Navua River.   The scenery was beyond anything we have witnessed on earth.  Great gorges jutted up from the river banks with hundreds of waterfalls cascading down towards the river.  It was like a dream that we were woken from regularly with exciting rapids tossing and spinning our group of five. It was a perfect day.

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1. Mount Everest Base Camp

It has been a dream of ours for over a decade to go to Nepal.  We made it there this past March and climbed to Mount Everest Base Camp.  To walk the steps that Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa walked in 1953 was unbelievable.  The Himalayas are the most astounding scenery on the planet.  We felt privileged every day being there amongst the most beautiful mountain range on earth.  No other words can describe what we felt there in the Kalimatan region except complete awe.  The journey was just as fulfilling as reaching base camp.  We walked through villages, met local people, took in the view and pushed ourselves to the limit.  It was an adventure that we will never forget and was by far the most extraordinary experience of 2010.

We can’t wait to see what 2011 has in store for us.

With a photography tour lined up in India, a kickboxing course in Thailand and the Mongol Rally from July to September, we think that 2011 will offer even more exciting adventures.

6 More Great Places in Africa

The African continent enjoys a vast and ever-changing landscape from lusciously fertile jungles through to the hot, arid desert. If you are visiting anywhere in Africa or better yet traveling through, there are some breath-taking places you won’t want to miss out on. Below are the last six great places to visit in Africa.

Egypt’s Valley of the Kings:

For a period of about 500 years between the 16^th and 11^th centuries BC it was in the Valley of the Kings where the tombs for Kings and all other nobles were constructed. Found on the West bank of the river Nile near Luxor this impressive valley is not only majestic because of the 63 (approximate) royal tombs in the area, but because of the expansive landscape. Most of the tombs are said to hold priceless Eqyptian antiquities (some of which have been stolen over time). It was in this valley in 1922 that the intact tomb of the great historical figure Tutankhamun was discovered.

Namibia’ Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert:

Image by www.freemages.co.uk/

This huge clay pan enclosed by magnificent sand dunes is located in the Namib Naukluft Park. Some the massive sand dunes are an unbelievable 300 metres tall and are often referred to as the highest in the world. When it rains, a rare occurrence, the Sossusvlei fills with water and the resultant turquoise lake remains for long periods as the clay layers allow very slow water filtration.

Egypt’s Karnak Temple Complex:

This is one of the most impressive and largest temple sites around the globe. It is a conglomeration of three main temples and several smaller temples (which sadly are in ruins). The Karnak Temple Complex is also located near Luxor which is home to other impressive sites. It is the only main temple area open to tourists and the general public.

Botswana’s Okavango Delta:

This delta is often incorrectly referred to as the Okavanga Swamp. It is the world’s largest inland delta, and covers an area of 17000 square kilometres. Thousands of years ago the drying up of the Lake Makgadikgadi was the cause of this unique water feature, and it has attracted explorers and tourists ever since. The Okavango River drains its water onto the Kalahari Desert plains in Botswana and forms an intricate and awe-inspiring labyrinth of inland lagoons, lakes and islands – the Okavanga Delta.

DRC/Rwanda/Uganda’s Virungu Mountains:

The chain of volcanic mountains that make up the Virungu Mountains lies on the border of Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC. Their spectacular beauty is due to their luscious and fertile slopes. They are also the only remaining home of the severely endangered mountain gorillas. They are home to other interesting animals such as Chimpanzees, forest elephants and the okapi (a mammal similar to the giraffe but with much shorter legs and neck, they have stripes down their legs).

Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater:

The world’s largest unbroken, unflooded volcanic caldera, the Ngorongoro Crater measures 19km across, 600metres deep (from the rim of the crater to the floor) and has a total floor area of 260km squared. A giant volcano exploded and then collapsed on itself around three million years ago to form the colossally remarkable crater. It is considered a “natural enclosure” for wildlife – many species are found on the crater floor.

Bio:

“Jade Scully is a copywriter, blogger and online marketing enthusiast who has published her work on a series of online publications and websites including Leeulekker who provide a range of travel and touring information for southern Africa travelers.”

The African continent enjoys a vast and ever-changing landscape from lusciously fertile jungles through to the hot, arid desert. If you are visiting anywhere in Africa or better yet traveling through, there are some breath-taking places you won’t want to miss out on. Below are the first 6 great places to visit in Africa.

Egypt’s Abu Simbel:

Historically moved from their original location the two temples at Abu Simbel are an impressive sight to behold. They were carved out of the sandstone cliff near the River Nile over three millenniums ago – during the reign of the great Pharaoh, Ramesses II. The temples were built to honour the Pharaoh and the Egyptian Gods.

Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro:

This is not just an afternoon hike up Table Mountain; Mount Kilimanjaro (Kili as it is affectionately known) is the highest mountain in Africa, and at 19340ft its not surprising that summiting this impressive mound is a difficult and sometimes grueling task. The highest peak, Uhuru, can be reached by those with a moderate to high level of fitness, and if you can summit you’ll be able to say you reached the point of the tallest free-standing mountain in the world.

More on Mount Kilimanjaro – Mount Kilimanjaro, How Hard is it to Climb

Zambia & Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls:

The thousands of tones of water gushing downwards is the site of the “largest curtain of falling water on the earth”. Victoria Falls is a grandiose waterfall on the Zambezi River at the Zimbabwean-Zambian border. The “Mosi-oa-Tunya” (smoke that thunders) columns of water spray can be seen from miles away and the sound elaborates to visitors just how powerful the water-flow is. On the Zambian side there are relatively-safe natural pools to swim in so don’t forget to bring your costume (and your camera of course).

More on Victoria Falls – Victoria Falls Adventures, Top 5 Adventures in Victoria Falls

Egypt’s Great Pyramids at Giza:

The Egyptians have such a rich and decadent cultural history, and the Pyramids are an important cornerstone in that regard. The triangular architecture of the Pyramids has become the icon most famously synonymous with Egypt, and most of them (there are over 100) were built as tombs to preserve the mummies of Pharaohs and their family-members.

More on Pyramids of Giza – Great Temples and Monuments of Egypt, Discovering Egypt, A Photostory

Namibia’s Fish River Canyon:

After the Grand Canyon of America, the Namibian site of the Fish River Canyon is the most spectacular in the world. With a 160km ravine which measures at about 27km wide and 550 metres deep in some places the Fish River flows in the belly of this giant spectacle. Here you’ll enjoy wide open spaces that allow you to breathe the fresh air easy and take in the vast scenery.

More on Fish River Canyon – Last Day in Namibia, Final Stretch

The Maasai Mara and Serengeti’s Wildebeest Migration:

Arguably one of the most amazing natural events in the world, the Wildebeest Migration is an impressive movement to witness. The migration takes place among the open plains as hundreds of thousands of the magnificent wildebeest and zebra move towards greener pastures. The mass movement is a tense journey for the herbivores as they are followed closely by various predators hoping to benefit from the stragglers’ weaknesses.

Photo credit for Migration: UpHaa.com

Bio:

“Jade Scully is a copywriter, blogger and online marketing enthusiast who has published her work on a series of online publications and websites including Leeulekker who provide a range of travel and touring information for southern Africa travelers.”

Normally we talk about our destinations as we travel through them.  We tell you about our journey day by day and that can be exciting to see what we are up to, but we neglect to offer a summary of what exactly there is to do in each country that we visit.

Since we don’t leave for China until the end of October, we thought that it would be a good time to sum up some of our favourite destinations on earth.

Let’s start with Tanzania

Tanzania was one of our favourite countries in all of Africa.  People with big smiles yelled “Jambo” as we passed. The landscape was lush and beautiful, the energy was vibrant and exciting and the wildlife is second to none. Tanzania is Africa to us. If you happen to have a couple of weeks off and want to visit an extraordinary destination, Tanzinia just might be the place for you.

Here are some things that wil entice you to take off for your next African Adventure.

1. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro – Our number one pick for adventure in Tanzania. To climb to the roof of Africa and look out over the Furtwängler Glacier is an awe inspiring sight.  Climbing the Machame Route gives you an extra day to acclimate to the elevation and it is considered the most scenic route. You will have an excellent chance of reaching the summit of one of the most famous climbs on earth. At 5895 metres, it is a feat to be proud of when you reach the summit. Don’t miss this trek of a lifetime.

More on Kilimanjaro Mount Kilimanjaro, How Hard is it to Climb? , Mount Kilimanjaro Adventure

2. Go on Safari – Everyone has heard of the Serengeti. Every year over a million wildebeest migrate over its great plains along side thousands of the other herbivores of Africa the Gazelle and Zebra. Don’t limit your wildlife viewing to the Serengeti alone though, the Ngorongoro Crater houses the largest density of mammals in Africa. You’ll see everything from lions, elephants, leopards and buffalo. Tanzania is filled with game parks to view the African Big 5.

More Safaris - Chobe National Park, World Wildlife, Leopard Spotting at Yala National Park

3. Snorkel or Scuba Dive in Zanzibar – No trip is complete without island time and Zanzibar is paradise on earth. This spice island is not only beautiful above its turquoise water with its sandy white beaches, it is beautiful below. Considered to have the best diving on the entire east coast of Africa, snorkellers will also be satisfied with what they will see.  Make your way to the north of the island to Nungwi and snorkel only 800 metres off the coast at the Kendwa Reef.

More on Zanzibar - Island Paradise of Zanzibar, Snapshot, A Moment of Zen in Zanzibar

4. Go on an expedition to Gombe Stream National Park – Located on the north Shore of Lake Tanganyika, Gombe Stream is a protected area made famous by Jane Goodall. Hire a guide to take you to trek and see the famous chimpanzees of the area. You are almost guaranteed a sighting of our closest cousins.

More on Primates – Ian Redmond Talks about Gorillas, Great Things to do in Malaysian Borneo

Our Bikes at Sunset

5. Cycle the Country - If you want an epic adventure. Take a ride from Arusha in the north to Mbeya in the south.  See everything that Tanzania has to offer from the seat of a bicycle.  Ride through coffee plantations and lush countryside. This is the Africa you have always dreamed of. Epic climbs through tropical forests, switching between paved roads and bumpy trails will challenge and excite you.  Make your way to the Capital of the country Dodoma. See a Tanzania that other travellers never will and get to know the people of Tanzania up close and personal as you stop for a coke on the side of a highway.

More on Cycling Africa – Our adventure Page dedicated to cycling the continent

With so much on tap, astute potential visitors should keep several key landmarks in mind before they consider accommodation options and hotels in Kuala Lumpur.

Central Market

The historic, Art Deco Central Market of Kuala Lumpur is far from a secret gem. The city is famously rife with furtive enclaves that proffer a multitude of markets, both wet and night, and untold, miscellaneous vendors. Nonetheless, Central Market is a must. Built by the British colonial authority in 1888, the heritage landmark is a one-stop shop for food, culture and civic life and opens daily from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Be sure to visit the adjacent Annexe Gallery, the veritable “Art & Soul of Kuala Lumpur”.

Photo credit

National Art Gallery

The cultural landscape of a capital city is sadly incomplete without a premier fine arts museum. Thankfully, Malaysia has one in Kuala Lumpur’s magnificent National Art Gallery. While the modern facility is not quite the Guggenheim Bilbao, the museum certainly stands out amid KL’s wildly eclectic architectural cityscape. The permanent collection at the NAG is impressive and spans a wide range of disciplines.

Photo credit

Bazaar Baru

A surplus of nonpareil sensory stimuli is on hand in Chow Kit’s frenetic and extraordinary Bazaar Baru. The hyperactive KL hub has all the hallmarks of a classic Malaysian marketplace: loud vendors, pushy, purposeful shoppers, feral cats, potent smells, gory animal flesh, exotic produce and just a trace of sweet, hospitable claustrophobia.

Photo credit

Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve

Kuala Lumpur’s proclivity for vivid contrasts comes to life in Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve. The urban oasis thrives under the conspicuous loom of the colossal KL Tower and as a result, is curiously close to a bevy of predictable tourist traps, from theme restaurants to theme shops. Alas however, KL is not alone in this department and indeed, the rainforest is well worth a tour. Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, the implicit, precious lungs of KL, is the last bastion of primary woodland left in the metropolis. For a more immersive jungle wilderness escape however, head 20 minutes north of the city to Templer’s Park in the Klang Valley.

Photo credit

Suria KLCC and KLCC Park

On the other end of the tourist attraction spectrum is a massive retail and leisure complex at the base of the Petronas Towers. One of the best malls in Southeast Asia, Suria Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) proves how utterly futile it is to visit KL and fight off urges to indulge in rampant consumerism. Decidedly upmarket and sleek, Suria KLCC is a posh polar opposite of dingy (but fun) night markets. The fashionable mall, close to several fine KLCC hotels, has a variety of designer brand shops from Europe and Japan, a concert hall, art gallery, cineplex, science museum and a small but high-quality food court. For remarkable skyline photo ops, head outdoors to the lush confines of gorgeous KLCC Park to snap blog-worthy pics of the Petronas Towers.

Photo credit

Aquaria

The Aquaria is another vital KLCC landmark that deserves a whirl. The vast underwater marine park is home to more than 20,000 aquatic creatures, from hawksbill turtles to piranhas, sand tiger sharks to mammoth freshwater fish. A popular family destination in KL, the Aquaria won “Best Attraction in Malaysia” in 2009.

Photo credit

Kuala Lumpur was one of our favourite cities when we travelled through South East Asia in 2004.  We saw a lot of the city, but surprisingly we didn’t see many of these key landmarks.  When this guest post came into our inbox the other day, we thought it would be cool to share this list of places to visit in KL.

With the advent of digital cameras most people don’t really think of photographing in Black and White.

Well I think people are missing out.

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If you look back over time you will see that some of the most striking and evoking photographs were taken in Black and White. It gives images a certain impact. Ansel Adams is a perfect example.  His Landscapes of Yosemite stand up to this day. I like to use black and white in instances that would normally be a color photograph. This can completely change the mood and emotion that a photograph conveys.

Here are some of my most recent Black and White efforts. I hope you enjoy them. For more of my photographs please check out Picture the Planet.

Hard at work in Delhi, India

Denali National Park in Alaska

The Athabasca Glacier in Banff, Alberta, Canada

Notre Dame in Paris, France

911 Memorial in New York City

The Beautiful city of Udaipur in Rajasthan, India

A monk stands proud in the Himilayas of Nepal

The Taj Mahal in Agra, India

Just spending the time browsing through the amazing photo’s at National Geographic and seeing different perspectives and compositions really inspires. So I hope these photo’s inspire everyone to go out there and take in the beauty that this world has to offer.

After all National Geographic’s tag line is “Inspiring people to care about the Planet”.

TOLEDO, SPAIN

National Geographic's Toledo, Spain

Dave Bouskill's Toledo, Spain

BANFF NATIONAL PARK, ALBERTA, CANADA

National Geographic's Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Bow Lake in the Canadian Rockies, Alberta

DENALI NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA, USA

National Geographic's Denali National Park, Alaska, USA

Dave Bouskill's Denali National Park, Alaska, USA

TAJ MAHAL IN AGRA, INDIA

National Geographic's Taj Mahal in Agra, India

Dave Bouskill’s Taj Mahal in Agra, India

THE WHITE DESERT, EGYPT

National Geographic's White Desert, Egypt

Dave Bouskill's White Desert, Egypt

One thing that we absolutely loved when we arrived at Kathmandu, Nepal was the variety of food.  Once you have spent weeks eating Dal Baht (Traditional Nepalese Dish) while climbing to Mount Everest Base Camp or trekking around the Annapurna Region, it is heaven to be able to come back to Kathmandu and sample all the international cuisine.

We loved the food in Kathmandu.

We had been traveling Asia for 5 months when we arrived in Nepal and we looked forward to indulging in all types of food available in Thamel, the main tourist area of Kathmandu.  We had heard that it had the most varied menu in Asia, and we sampled it all from Pizza and Pasta to Mexican and Thai.   Coming from Canada, we are used to having variety and choice in our diets.  We are a multicultural country and we seem to eat food from a different nationality almost every night.

This is not the case when we travel.

While Indian Food is good, we didn’t love eating it every day.  Sri Lankan cuisine was a nice change, but after a month or so we had enough.  Whenever we travel, we love the food at first, but no matter how much we enjoy it, our pallets tire of the same taste. Needless to say, when we saw all the different restaurants and types of food in Kathmandu, we definitely indulged.

Here is a list of the best places we found to eat at in Kathmandu.

1. Road House Café

Roadhouse Cafe, Our Number 1 place to eat in Kathmandu

The Roadhouse Cafe was the first place that we ate in Kathmandu. Located just down the street from the Kathmandu Guest House on JP School, it has an relaxed atmosphere. Serving Italian Illy Coffee and fresh Woodoven Pizza with olive oil and hot chilies on the side it has the best pizza in Nepal. It serves pastas and fresh bruscheta as well as delicious deserts.  A quiet courtyard in the back of the restaurant gives a relaxing escape from the chaos of Kathmandu.  The Roadhouse Cafe is definitely tops on our list of places to eat in Kathmandu.

2. OR2K

The sign for OR2K in Thamel Kathmandu

Patrons eat in OR2K, Kathmandu, Nepal

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OR2K was the last place that we found to dine out in Kathmandu. Located down a side street just off Tridevi Marg, West of the Main Thamel Cowk this place is outstanding.  Like many restaurants in Kathmandu, OR2K has free Wifi, but it also has atmosphere.  It’s Middle Eastern Cuisine is delicious and plentiful with excellent hummus and falafels.  Relax on their comfortable floor cushions as you enjoy a healthy juice or fresh mint lemonade while munching on a delicious vegetarian snack.

3. The Northfield Café

The Northfield Cafe Restaurant in Kathmandu, Nepal

This place is packed every night and after eating there we could understand why. The Northfield Café’s Chimichangas and enchiladas were delicious.  We suggest getting the bean and grilled chicken mix when ordering your burrito or any wrap.  The plates are filling and the service friendly.  We enjoyed a skype conversation home while waiting for our meal using the free wifi and listened to the band playing in the background off to the side of the restaurant. A pleasant dining experience all around.

4. New Orleans

New Orleans has a variety of food to eat in Kathmandu, Nepal

It took us a while to finally make our way to New Orleans and after eating there we wondered, why did we wait so long? Located almost directly opposite of the Kathmandu Guest House, New Orleans 0ffers a wide variety of food.  We enjoyed the Jambalaya and an ice cold beer in a chilled glass!  Don’t forget to try their apple pie. They have fresh baked goods on display at the cash.

5. La Dolce Vita

The sign for la Dolce Vita Restaurant in Kathmandu

La Dolce Vita eatery has an Espresso Bar as well

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For a celebratory night after returning from your climb,or for a romantic meal with your spouse, La Dolce Vita was so nice, we ate there twice! The gnocchi and cannelloni were tops for us and we even splurged on a fine bottle of wine. Dine in peace and quiet in this second story eatery with linen table cloths and fresh brea, then retire to a comfortable sofa by the window to enjoy your espresso.  This Italian eatery was the closest that we found to authentic Italian cuisine.

6. Food Bazaar

Food Court offers fast food, Thamel Kathmandu

Everyone in your party feel like eating something different this evening? If you can’t agree on the type of food you all want, try the food court.  This place is smartly decorated with sofas and padded chairs surrounding large coffee tables. If that’s not your style, you can eat at tables too.  With a selection of India, Italian, Chinese and Lebonese food, you will be sure to find something to please everybody’s pallet.  There are even balconies for outdoor eating and the wait staff takes care of your every need.  This food court serves alcohol and provides free wifi.

The bonus is after your meal, head over to the Espresso Bar in a separate section for a cappuccino and desert.

7. Coffee To Go

For a quick eat in Thamel, Kathmandu, Coffee to Go

In a hurry and not looking to spend a lot of money on your meal? This corner café has the best wraps and falafels in town. The vegetarian or chicken wraps are giant and filling.  Located right in the heart of Tamel on the main street leading from Thamel Chowk to the Kathmandu Guest House, you can’t miss Coffee to Go because there will always be a crowd of people feasting on its delicious wraps.  The coffee is fresh and delicious and it is one of the most reasonable places to eat in the Thamel area of Kathmandu.

Note: OR2K is located right beside Coffee to Go.

8. Café Kaldi

The sign for Cafe Kaldi, an eating place in Kathmandu

We noticed this cafe when shopping at the Sherpa Store on Tredevi Marg, west of Thamel Chowk.  As we shopped for trekking clothes on the second floor, we saw a wall of people working on their lap tops in a trendy looking café.  We tried it the next day and enjoyed a delicious breakfast and cappucinno.  The breakfast consisted of two eggs, fresh fruit, toast and roasted vegetables.  The presentation at this café is stylish and the service is prompt.  It is an excellent place to hang out free from the heat, pollution and noise while enjoying healthy and tasty food.

Cafe kaldi is located on the same side street as OR2K and Coffee to Go. Look for the outdoor shopping centre and cobblestone street. There is a Bikram (Hot) Yoga Centre located on the second story of the plaza.

The Final Word on Food

We sampled some other places to eat in Kathmandu. It was our home base before and after trekking to Everest Base Camp and Mountain Biking and Hiking in Pokhara after all, so we returned many times. K-Too Steak house is highly recommended in the Guide Books, but we were disappointed in eating there.  We found an excellent Mexican Restaurant that served wickedly fresh Mojito’s just down the street from K-Too Steak House, but we can’t remember the name. It is on the second story of the main street west of Thamel Chowk. The Chips and Salsa were outstanding.

I know many of you will be wondering where the traditional meals are. Why didn’t we eat at any Nepalese Restaurants?  Well, on the mountain you can eat all the Nepali Food that you want and if you go into any guest house in Kathmandu, you can order all the Nepal and Indian food you want. Our favourite guest house to eat at was Pilgrims Guest house north of Thamel Chowk. It had a wonderful quiet outdoor patio, free wifi and delicious eats.

For us there is nothing we craved more than scarfing down some pasta and pizza after a long trek though.

The very best locations to get some serious SCUBA action.

Photo: donemat

SCUBA diving is a phenomenal pastime which can unlock a completely different world to the adventurous traveller. There are hundreds of fabulous natural and artificial dive sites across the globe, but there are certain places that should tip the top of your must-dive list.

Here are 5 of the top places you should definitely take the plunge.

Yongala – Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Photo: StuandGravy

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most famous dive locations in the world. It would be clichéd to say you have to dive here if it weren’t so mind-blowingly amazing. No true dive list is complete without including Yongala. March is the best time to dive along the reef and the coral is simply stunning.

Sharm el Sheikh – the Red Sea, Egypt

Photo: NataRajam

Diving in the Red Sea is spectacular and the diving resorts don’t come much better than in Egypt. Sharm el Sheikh is gathering quite a reputation among Western tourists with its fantastic year-round weather and cheap prices. The resort is a great place for a diving holiday.

Belize – the Caribbean Sea

Photo: Sharnik

There should be fewer language barriers in Belize, as the primary language is English, which can be a big comfort for diving beginners. Belize is also home to the second largest barrier reef system (after Australia) which stretches down to Honduras. Belize offers some of the best diving in the Caribbean and certainly has enviable marine life and coral – truly breathtaking.

Manta Ray Night Dive – the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii

Photo: CWilso

As part of the vibrant local nightlife, seeing manta rays requires a darker dive which is a heady experience all in itself. The diving around Kona Honu in Hawaii is spectacular and offers some of the best chances of meeting the majestic winged water creatures. An utterly awe-inspiring encounter for any serious diver.

Palau – the Pacific Ocean

Photo: ctsnow

There are so many islands in over 65 million square miles of Pacific Ocean to choose from, but diving in Palau is probably the best of the collection. The shallow reef lagoons offer some 1,400 species of fish and 350 species of coral. Don’t forget a waterproof camera!

Dave and I used to be very avid scuba divers. So much that at one point we packed up and went to Honduras to pursue our Dive Masters so that we could travel the world and teach scuba diving. So when this guest post came across our inbox, we were more than happy to put it up and share the top diving destinations with you.

We have only dove in 1 of the places listed above and we have only been to two of the places listed in the post. This article is as much an inspiration for us as it is to other would be world scuba divers.

Do you have an ultimate top 5 or top 10 destination list? We are looking for guest posts for the summer to share dream destinations and adventures with our readers.

Sources:

MatadorTrips, ScubaTravel, Kona HoduDivers

Before leaving for France one of the best ways to warm up to the French culture is to spend a couple of days in the beautiful city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.  It is also a great tourist destination in its own right.

Beautiful Montreal in the Summertime

Montreal is one of Canada’s most beautiful and romantic cities.

Located on the St. Lawrence River, it has a certain European vibe. Cafés line the sidewalks of Old Montreal, bicycles are readily available for rent, grand historical buildings have stood the test of time and old Cathedrals are the cornerstone of French culture and site seeing.

A long weekend in Montreal is the perfect getaway and here are a few things that will help you to occupy your time while visiting our relaxed French speaking city this summer.

Take in Old Montreal for Something fun

1. Old Montreal - Not to be missed. Old Montreal feels as though you are in Europe. Cobblestone streets, Victorian architecture and classic street lamps line the walkways. Watch street performers and musicians as you enjoy a coffee on the terrace of a fine café or shop in the market or one of the many boutiques in Old Montreal. Exploring Old Montreal is about taking your time and enjoying the moment. Pretend you are in Europe and all you have to worry about is enjoying your café au lait with a soft croissant.
2. Visit the underground city – Montreal can get mighty cold in the winter but that doesn’t keep people at home. Visit the worlds largest underground city. Many Canadian cities have underground malls and walkways due to the cold weather, but Montreal takes it to the next level with over 32 km of tunnels containing restaurants, bars, shopping malls and even concert halls!

Summers can be very hot in Montreal. Just because it is located in Canada, doesn’t mean that temperatures don’t rise in the warm months.  Take a break from the heat in the cool underground and find some excellent deals in the shops.  Loose yourself and see where you end up in this massive complex.

Rent a bicycle, A Great way to see the Montreal

3. Rent a bicycle - Montreal is a very bike friendly city. Like many European cities you can rent a bike with the swipe of a credit card and start exploring. You can then drop your bike off at any other rental location with are many and easy to find.  Make sure to ride along the Lachine Canal a 14 km cycling, inline skating and walking route starting just west of the Old Port.  There are bike lanes and bike paths everywhere and cyclists are a plenty in the active city of Montreal.

Notre Dame a site not to be missed in Montreal

4. Marvel at Notre Dame Cathedral – It may not be as famous as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, but it is a proud monument in Montreal. Unfortunately the square in front of Notre Dame is under construction until next summer, but it is still an extraordinary example of Gothic architecture.  Make sure to go inside to witness its ornate displays of religious events.

5. Hike up Mont Royal - Go for a hike for a gorgeous view of the city. Not only is Mont Royal a wonderful park for hiking or to go on a picnic, it is also a trendy neighbourhood of Montreal offering great dining and shopping.

Don't miss out on a Prix Fixe meal!

6. Eat a Fix Prix Meal - While you are up at Mont Royal head over to Rue Rachel and have a fantastic 5 course dinner at Apres Le Jour. Make sure to bring your own bottle of wine! You can find restaurants all over Montreal where diners can bring their own bottle of fine wine to enjoy while eating their set meal. Experience French Cuisine at its finest without having to think very hard about what you are going to eat. Just pick a selection off of each course and enjoy as the staff pours your wine and keeps the food coming.

Head out for some Montreal nightlife on Crescent St.

7. Crescent Street - Go out on the town for some dining and dancing on Montreal’s most vibrant street.  This is where the kids and party goers hang out. Montreal is famous for its nightlife in Canada and here is where you will find it.  The drinking age in Montreal is 18 years old, so you will find a lot of Americans and youth from neighbouring Ontario coming over to enjoy an early drink.

A Handsome Cab is a fun way to see Montreal!

8. Hire a Handsome Cab – Montreal is the city of love.  Known as a calèche in Quebec, this horse and carriage ride is a must for couples in love. Like Paris, Montreal is Canada’s city of romance.  There is nothing more romantic than hiring a horse and carriage to take you through the cobblestone streets to enjoy the cities historical buildings.  What I love about the horses in Montreal is how healthy and happy they are.  We have seen a driver stop in the middle of a tour to give his horse some water and a break to cool off on a hot day.

Take a Cruise on the St Lawrence River

9. Take a Cruise on the St. Lawrence -  From the Old Port in Old Montreal, hop a riverboat to view Montreal from the St. Lawrence River.  It is a romantic and relaxing way to enjoy the city.  Different companies offer brunch, dinner and site seeing cruises daily. There is even a tour that offers an exciting ride through a Jet boat tour through the lachine rapids.

The St. Lawrence river is Canada’s main waterway shared with the United States, you will be sailing on one of the most important trade routes in the world.

Montreal is the birth place of Cirque de Soliel!

10. Spend an afternoon at the waterfront – Pathways and parks line the waterfront.  Rent yourself a quadracycle to explore the area or bring your inline skates. You can bring a picnic lunch or enjoy a famous Montreal bagel.  Catch an afternoon performance of Cirque de Soleil (Montreal is where it was founded) or enjoy the most recent Imax movie before heading for dinner at one of the many restaurants.

Montreal is filled with exciting and interesting things to do.  Head out of the city for excellent hiking, mountain biking and paddling.  The Laurentian Mountains are a hop skip and a jump from Montreal and are an adventure seekers dream destination.

But that list my friends is for another post.