My Spirit of Adventure

Archive for the ‘Adventure’ Category

Skills and special equipment are absolutely necessary in the ice mountain climbing Elbrus (5642 meters) in southern Russia. Equipment can be bought or rented. Climbing skills while using the equipment must be trained.

Expedition Team Seven World Summit of the Association of the Mountain Climber facer Wanadri Woods and intend to reach Elbrus, Europe’s snow-capped peaks, on August 17.

Therefore, before climbing, mountaineering skills to train a team of ice in Glacier Kashkatash, near Elbrus, Wednesday (08/11/2010) afternoon.

Success of the exercise will determine the success of the glacier climbing in Elbrus later.

Kashkatash very well known among climbers Elbrus. That’s where climbers to train myself to walk on ice climbing ice cliffs. Distance glacier was about 10 kilometers from the hotel where the team stayed in the village of Elbrus, Terskol, Karachay-Balkar autonomous region, southern Russia.

Kashkatash taken approximately one to two hours of climbing from a guest-house (hut) in the form of tanks (barrels) lined up in the valleys.

Team members noted climber, lodging is located at an altitude of 2200 meters, while one point Kashkatash gym at 2600 meters high.

Kashkatash climbing route towards a path of craggy, steep, rocky, and the gap in left and right. The climb was very exhausting and draining.

We used a double boots to the ice-field and can also be used though not recommended-in rocky terrain. The shoes weigh more than 2 pounds. Moreover, we still have to be shouldered equipment, supplies and equipment in the bag, and carrying a ski stick.

I am not accustomed to running large and heavy shoes. Especially towards the Kashkatash, the terrain is a pile of large stones, sharp, and vulnerable to landslides.

I once fell and almost hit the rocks at the jeep. Fortunately the ski stick save lives with the weight of my body, despite a broken one, so the body from hitting a rock.

Our climbing guides are Sergei and Daniel from Alpindustria, service companies climbing and outdoor activities in Russia.

His name is famous among lovers of the sun are always looking for beautiful beaches for a vacation. Why not. Port Elizabeth has a cluster of beaches along the 40 km is located in a protected bay.

One of the hosts during the World Cup event in 2010 that has long been a favorite destination for one of the travelers during visit to South Africa. He was famous as a place to perform a variety of water sports, like surfing to diving. Coral reefs, ships stranded in the bottom of the sea, to the collection of reef fish colorful one selling point. Divers can enjoy it in the water with visibility up to 30 meters so crystal clear.

Vacation pleasures here, too, supported the Port Elizabeth climatic conditions relatively comfortable throughout the year. However, not only just the pleasure it offers sun drenched, Port Elizabeth is also packed with many historic attractions.

Port Elizabeth was named in 1820 by Sir Rufane from the UK as a tribute to his wife Elizabeth, who died in India, the journey can begin tracing the history of the Historic Donkin Heritage Trail. Here, everyone can look back at the beginning of the traces initiated by migrants from the continent of Europe when he came in 1820.

Travel along the 5 km’s past the 47 historic sites and beautiful architecture in the Old Hill area, in downtown Port Elizabeth. Wrong
them is the Colonial City Hall, built between the years 1858 to 1862. Clock tower that looks unique also added in 1883.

There is also the Public Library which has been operating since 1902 and became one of proof of the splendor of the Victorian gothic architecture. Meanwhile, Fredrick Fortress which was built in 1799 still looks solid. Stone fort was built by British soldiers to protect the Beakens River and watch out for the arrival of French troops.

Victoria BC whale watching is a unique opportunity not to be missed! It is quite popular amongst tourists as it is not very often that people get the chance to immerse themselves in nature in such an intimate way. Seeing the beautiful marine creatures in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience for many travellers.

Orca Spirit gives Victoria whale watching tours, which are three hours in duration, and the ideal months for sighting are April through October. The spring and fall tours run twice a day, 9am and 1pm, and the summer tours depart three times a day: 9am, 1pm, and 5pm. If you book in advance, additional tour times may be requested, and large bookings can be accommodated with flexible departure times. The tours have a high success rate of 95% for orca sightings. There are three resident pods in the Juan de Fuca and Haro Straits, which equals a total of roughly one hundred whales, so sightings are frequent.

In addition to the orcas, Dalls porpoise, Harbour porpoise, otters, Harbour and Elephant seals, and marine birds are often observed on tours. Additionally, there is a chance of sighting Humpback, Minke, and Gray whales. There is plenty of beautiful scenery and oceanic wildlife to be enjoyed!

Orca Spirit offers you the choice of two whale watching vessels: one is an open zodiac (with an onboard washroom) where the wind can whip through your hair, and you get the thrill of adventure, and the other is a large covered boat with luxurious indoor seating, onboard washrooms, and a liquor license. The covered vessel is best for people who are pregnant, have back or neck problems, or have otherwise compromised health. Children under six years of age are only allowed on the covered boat for their own safety.

Lastly, larger groups can also book a custom charter with one of the following vessels: zodiacs that seat 12 people–the boats manoeuvre easily and offer an exhilarating ride; The Pacific Explorer, a 70-seater with all the amenities; the signature vessel, The Orca Spirit, a 45-passenger boat which was custom designed for whale-watching, optimizing the comfort and safety; and coming soon, The Orca Spirit II, a catamaran seating 168 passengers that will be the height of luxury!

I went to a desert island for work. Not the palm-trees-and-sandy-beach kind of island, mind you. My company sent me to Iceland, the icy piece of rock jutting out of the North Atlantic, just below the Arctic circle. In the middle of November. I absolutely froze, of course. But I also swam in a hot turquoise lagoon, just outside Reykjavik. And that is what I found so fascinating about Iceland: over there, water comes as either icebergs or as scalding steam. Truly, I had arrived at the land where ice meets fire.

Because of Iceland’s position on the mid-Atlantic ridge, the blood of the Earth boils up through its soil, in the form of countless volcanoes and hot springs. At the other extreme, glaciers and ice fields are a huge part of the Icelandic scenery. I came unprepared for ice-climbing or any other feat requiring Viking stamina, but was still able to explore some of the country’s more accessible natural wonders.

In Reykjavik, my friend Marta and I booked an excursion called “horses and hot springs”. The tour company drove us out into the Icelandic countryside – if the scrubby, treeless expanses surrounding Reykjavik can be described with the same word you might use for rolling English pastures. (In fact, the lava fields of Iceland are so desolate that NASA astronauts have practiced moon landings there.) At the riding center, we donned fleece-lined jumpsuits with reflective bands – on top of our double layer of clothes, coats, scarves, gloves- plus a helmet over our hats. “We look like obese space invaders!” shrieked Marta.

Cotopaxi, Ecuador’s second highest mountain, looks like it a child’s drawing of a volcano – a perfectly symmetrical cone, with a white crown of snow. And the climb to the 5,897-meter summit (19,347 feet) is supposedly child’s play – by Andean standards, of course.

That is to say it is not technical and can be attempted by even non-experienced mountaineers, provided they acclimatize. While Cotopaxi is just one of Ecuador’s many peaks studding the Andean spine of country, its appeal lies in its superlative title as “the active volcano closest to the sun”. Other peaks may be higher above sea level, but because of the planet’s equatorial bulge, Cotopaxi is furthest from the center of the earth.

When I lived in Quito, on clear days, I would catch glimpses of its sky-scraping shape, deceptively close. How could I not be fascinated? So one fine summer weekend, I took on the mountain, and faced the hardest physical challenge of my life. Each one of the nearly 6,000 meters of the mountain had to be labored for, slowly, painfully, and breathlessly, to reach that final climax.

The two divided areas of Korea are North and South Korea both of which offer unique and memorable travel experience. The most popular destination in Korea is Seoul located in South Korea. Currently travel to North Korea is only available if you are part of a guided tour which is presented by the North Korean government.

South Korea is the site of a wonderful natural landscape featuring everything from beaches and mountains to large urban cities. South Korea is a great travel destination for anyone who is interested in Asian culture. It is the home to a volcanic mountain range which creates background scenery consisting of vivid green mountains among the flat plains used to grow rice and local crops. There are several mountainous islands which are well known for their beauty and peaceful atmosphere.

Seoul is one of the most densely populated areas in South Korea. Seoul is home to a huge range of cultural activities as well as a shopping and dining experiences not found elsewhere. Seoul is a rich cultural area filled with temples and pagodas which are many centuries old. The climate in Seoul calls for spring or autumn travel when the temperature is more moderate. The rainy season is in the summer which makes the season humid and extremely hot.
You will love the beautiful landscape of Seoul which is built beneath towering mountains and vast vegetation. Here you can readily discover several parks which rest amid the huge city.

If you wish to travel into North Korea then you will need to become a member of one of the guided tours which are offered for that purpose. You will not be allowed to leave your tour group and venture out on your own under any circumstances. You will still be able to fully shop, dine and interact with the North Korean people permitting you to adequately enjoy the sights associated with North Korea from your tour group. You will need to obtain a tourist visa in order to visit North Korea even if you are traveling with a guided tour group.

In recent years, North Korea has begun to reveal more about the country and its people although you should expect to only receive a limited view of the country while traveling with your tour group.
North Korea has a rich history and is located in an area of beautiful landscape which most everyone can appreciate and enjoy. The country is typically of a farming nature with plenty of beautiful terraced hillsides visible as you travel the country roads.

While thinking on going on holidays or vacations the majority of people inclines to go to the most usual locations. The destiny doesn’t change even if it’s a cruise, a road trip, a stay at a hotel or even a time share. It’s ok to travel to Florida, California or the Bahamas. Very good holiday destinations all of them. Having said this we all need a change now and again. A change that brings us a sense of new and inspiring. The type of change that the Algarve has to offer. You will be knocked out by the beauty of this Region in Portugal while discovering how it can reenergize you.

To tell the truth this southern region of Portugal is desired by almost everyone. First we have the marvelous weather and the extraordinary environment. Must have conditions for the exact holiday set, right? Join magnificent beaches, impressive mountains, pleasant weather, a resplendent sun, and a large assortment of islands and islets, no one can be skeptical about the Algarve being capable of eliminating all the troubles and issues accumulated in our heads that we all need to do away with.

And we can not ignore the Ria Formosa lagoon and its magnificent beauty where it’s possible to watch hundreds of birds as this nature reserve is part of their migratory trail.

As years went by for lots of Europeans of all kinds the southern Portugal got to be the first holiday destination. At the beginning it was the preferred vacation destination for the British but since then it turned out to be also very praised by a great number of Irish, Dutch and Germans. The Algarve consequently has become all the more a better spot to go to. It offers the chance to know and relate with a wide variety of people of different customs and also appreciate its wonderful landscape.

Low cost is one of the greatest qualities of this holiday destination. Lots of people travel to the Algarve for being safe for their families and for the low prices. You can certainly find an adequate property to your budget if it is an agreeable cottage adjacent to a main house in one of the various local towns or villages or even if it is in a sumptuous development. What is it that makes this south region so special? When you start listening to this question from a great number of people you will have more difficulties answering another question: What is it about this place that isn’t so special?

The first stop is the chaotic capital city, Hanoi. Spend some time in this wonderful cultural hub and you will soon learn what makes in one of the best tourist attractions in Vietnam. Stop off at the Old District or wander down to the Perfume Pagoda, which is a must-see for every tourist. Ha Long Bay and Sapa are nearby and are sure to tickle your fancy.

Visit Northeast Vietnam.Get out and explore the wilderness! Find places that only a tiny percentage of tourists have ever seen. Jump into one of the four-wheeled vehicles provided for the purpose and discover regions such as Ha Giang and Cao Bang. The longer you go for, the more you’ll discover!

Who’s Hue?One of the ancient capitals of Vietnam is the city of Hue. Take the time to explore the temples in this area, some of them will simply take your breath away.

Pop into Hoi An.This is the place to go for excellent quality tailored clothes at great prices. Shop around and enjoy the beautiful streets of Hoi An. If you have got time, wander down to the beach, which is quite nice.

Nha Trang.Scuba diving is great in this region, with a number of amazing beaches around.

Saigon.Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh city as it is also known, is business central in Vietnam. It’s even wilder than Hanoi! But it also has plenty of sights and activities on offer.

Mekong Delta.The Mekong Delta will prove to be a unique experience as you drift along. Take a look at the floating markets as you go.

Phu Quoc Island.This island is located just south of Cambodia and is like a little piece of paradise. Though it is growing commercially, it is still unspoiled and can offer clear waters and beautiful, long beaches.

South Africa, Gods own country, where the untamed splendor of Mother Nature mingles seamlessly with man-made opulence. The country is a veritable traveler’s paradise; epitomizing everything that a tourist wants in a world famous vacation destination.

South Africa is flanked by the Indian and the Atlantic Ocean to its south which give it a massive coast line of 2,798 kilometers. Long expanses of sandy beaches beckon to you from South African shores as the azure water twinkles.

You’ll find an incredible variety of landscapes in this country, ranging from lush vegetation to deserts, mountains to coastal plains. Living among the varied terrain of South Africa are an incredible variety of animal and plant life. One of the best ways to see all of the country’s natural beauty is by visiting one of South Africa’s many national parks.

South Africa offers elements of African and European culture, spectacular views of nature and plenty of activities and attractions which make this a country everyone should visit.

You’ll find luxury accommodations and shopping here which are some of the world’s greatest and people whose hospitality is legendary. You’re not limited for choices either in places to visit or places to stay. From five star luxury hotels to lodge accommodation in the country close to national parks, it’s all here.

Although the thought of lodge accommodation may conjure up images of a spartan dwelling, several lodges in South Africa would qualify as luxury accommodation and offer just about every amenity that you would need to make your stay comfortable.

One of the advantages of choosing luxury accommodation in South Africa is that most of them are located within walking distance of some of the most popular tourist attractions in the country.

While you are in South Africa, you simply cannot miss the extravaganza that is Sun City. It is an internationally renowned holiday resort that will enthrall your senses with a plethora of entertainment and relaxation opportunities. From golf to gambling and from safaris to rides in a biplane, you name it and the resort has it all.

Another place which you must see on your visit is The Garden Route, a region along the coast which delights the senses with forests, lakes, rivers, sand dunes, marsh and mountains all in one relatively small area. The variety of landscapes as well as plant and animal life you’ll see here is unmatched by any other place in the world.

The Garden Route is another area that enchants most visitors, the area is a coastal corridor with a myriad of dunes, wetlands, ancient rivers, forests, indigenous fynbos, lakes and vast stretches of mountains. This strip of land although small, will stun your senses with its unparalleled beauty and fabulous flora and fauna. The area has three of the most famous hiking trails in the country and even if you are not keen on walking, you should consider these trails to experience some of the most picturesque and scenic pockets of the country. You can find a host of luxury accommodation facilities in all these provinces.

South Africa is quite simply a unique country which you have to experience for yourself to really believe the beauty. If you’ve never been to this one of a kind place, then it’s time you started planning a visit to this country; a visit you’ll surely want to make time and time again.

Cherine Hattingh is Manager of Southview Lodge, a magnificent  lodge accommodation situated in Jo’burg, in beautiful South Africa. To find out more information on this stunning country, go to magnificent  accommodation This article, South Africa: An Incredible Country For Sightseeing  is released under a creative commons attribution licence.