Adventure travel will get your heart pumping, muscles working and adrenaline coursing. It can, therefore, make you feel more alive than ever before! However, before you pack a bag and head off on an active pursuit at home or overseas, there are things you can do to improve your experience.
[Read more…] about How to Transform Your Adventures
Alternative Travel for Adventure Lovers!
What does “vacation” mean to you? Sometimes people have three things on their minds: sun, sea, and sand. However, every now and then you do need a vacation that entirely revolves around rest and recuperation. For the adventure lover, there are plenty of alternative vacations out there that might suit you a little better! No matter what your area of interest, there will be some sort of specialist trip out there to suit your needs. So, here are a couple of alternative getaway ideas for those who are looking for something a little different!
Sailing
Who said you need to stay on dry land while you’re away? Sailing remains an extremely popular means of exploring unfamiliar areas, not only do you get the thrill of the sea breeze through your hair out in open waters, but you can pull up at some truly unique beaches and coves along the way! Now, there are two different ways to undertake a sailing trip. The first is to go it alone (or with whoever you’re travelling with). This will require a thorough understanding of how to sail – not only will this help your trip to go smoothly, but it’s important for safety’s sake, as open waters can be dangerous if you don’t know how to navigate them properly. On the other hand, if you are feeling a little reluctant to head straight out into open waters alone, you could take part in a pre-planned sailing trip that will follow a mapped out route. To take a look at some of the most desired sailing package trips in the world, click here.
Rock Climbing
If you’re comfortable with heights and are looking for an intense trip that can provide you with an adrenaline rush and some of the best views of different areas that you visit, then a climbing trip might be the best option for you. If you’re already into climbing, you’re probably pretty set and ready to go. You’ll have the necessary skills and equipment to take straight to the cliff edges or mountain faces. But, if you’ve never tried climbing before, you don’t necessarily have to rule yourself out of this kind of trip. There are plenty of ways to prepare yourself. Perhaps the easiest and safest way to get into rock climbing is to participate in indoor climbing closer to home first. Your first visit may feel a little intimidating, but it will be more than worth the effort. A tutor will be able to guide you step by step through all of the basic moves, meaning you add some to your inventory every visit. It won’t be long until you have the essential skills to climb unsupervised and can start planning your climbing holiday. Just make sure to always climb with a group of friends so that someone can seek help if an accident does occur.
These are just two different types of adventure holiday that you might like to consider when planning your next trip! So, be bold and brave and try something new and a little more adventurous!
Contributed and collaborative Post
Are you ready for more amazing travel photos from 2017?
Raja Ampat means the “four kings” in Indonesian. Raja Ampat is an archipelago with four main islands, or “kings” in West Papua. They are Misool, Waigeo, Batanta, and Salawati, and I had the privilege of diving all of them, and participating with Ray of Hope Expeditions in citizen science. Dr Andrea Marshall led the expedition. The photography opportunities were amazing above, and below, the waterline!
I love Cozumel, and have been there many times. My summer trip was highlighted by a wedding on my lawn, whale sharks, Isla Mujeres and its turtle farm, and my cousins coming to visit.
You will also enjoy:
http://tamtravels.wpengine.com/wild-amazing-travel-photos-from-2017/
Guest Post by Emma Grant
Whatever the time of year, there’s always something interesting to do in Wonderful Whistler. During the winter, Canadians head to the slopes for skiing and snowboarding. The same ones come back again later in the year when the weather picks up for hiking, mountain biking, and relaxing. If you like the outdoors and want to get some fresh air, search the best Whistler vacation rentals and start planning your dream trip to beautiful Whistler. Here are a few more reasons to visit for those who still aren’t convinced.
Expect various slopes to suit any level of skill or ability in the 8000-acre resort. Some hills are smaller for the beginners. Instructors can also give you skiing lessons before you hit the piste for the first time. Others, especially on Blackcomb, are for the more advanced on challenging terrain.
People from around the world come to use the slopes in Whistler, and you’ll meet everyone from family vacationers to the pros. Snow begins to fall from October and stays at a consistent level until the end of February. Because of this, Whistler’s snow is some of the best in all of North America.
Whistler Village is everything you would imagine an alpine wonderland to be like. Small cottages line the streets with the towering mountains in the background. When the snow starts to fall, this really becomes beautiful. White snow covers the picturesque village as tourists wrap in layers to keep warm. The cafes are bursting at their seams as people crowd around the cozy fire with a hot drink watching the snow dance down from the sky.
Even if you’re not into skiing, Whistler Village makes a perfect mountain retreat to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the picturesque surroundings. Families from around Canada bring their children here for a Christmas vacation.
So, we all know that Whistler is the place to be for skiing or snowboarding. But, many tourists love the other seasons too. As the snow melts, buds flower on the trees giving the area a colorful and vibrant appearance. Walking through the forests at this time of the year allows you to view the rebirth of the trees and the wildlife starting to come out again. Likewise, as fall approaches, the leaves change from green to golden colors and slowly drop from the branches. Hiking gives a different experience depending on which season you visit Whistler.
And then there’s summer. During summer, everyone comes to this mild mountainous region to take part in their favorite outdoor activities. Some bring their dogs and hike for days on end around the trails. Others come and visit the lakes or try to climb the peaks of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Other outdoor activities are available to keep everyone busy from kayaking to zip lining.
Regardless of when you’re in Canada, Whistler is sure to have something to cater for your needs and interests. Each season is different and gives tourists a different experience.
Zip-lining is growing in popularity for adrenaline junkies around the world. Mainly, the sport consists of a wire being attached between two points, with one being higher than the other. The Zip-liner stands at the top and straps themselves onto the small seat before plunging off the edge. As they race from the top to the bottom, they get their fix of adrenaline.
In recent years, Whistler is starting to take advantage of this mild version of an extreme sport. In some parts of the resort, you can take part on several lines, some are suitable for first-timers and others should only be attempted by the more adventurous. Spending an afternoon on the zip-lines is a great way to pass the time for the whole family.
A mountain resort that caters for skiers and snowboarders from around the globe should have a decent selection of food and restaurants. And this is the case in Whistler Village. The culinary experience at some of the restaurants ranges simple budget food up to world-class cuisine. You can find meals from a hot dog or spaghetti to veal.
Some cozy bars and cafes are in the village, where the skiers tend to hang out after a day on the slopes. You can find a selection of drinks from hot chocolate and tea to fine wine and top shelf liquors. Families are welcome too. Some hold shows in the evening, such as the fire and ice show, to entertain the children.
One of the advantages of having such a versatile array of cafes and dining options is that you can hit the slopes for a few hours while the non-skiers enjoy the facilities in the village. This also applies for the summer months when parents bring their children for a relaxing vacation. Several parks and playgrounds will keep the little ones busy.
Whether you want to come in the summer to hike to Whistler Mountain’s summit at 2182 meters or spend hours snowboarding down challenging slopes on Blackcomb, Whistler has something for you. Bring the family and enjoy the picturesque setting in the village before indulging in the wide variety of dining options later in the evening. Whistler makes the perfect retreat at any time of the year and visitors always want to return.
In Antarctica there were incredible sightings of Orcas! Have you ever seen an Orca? I’m not talking about the poor captives of Sea World and other marine parks, but killer whales in the wild. I had seen Orcas off in the distance, but in Antarctica I had a bird’s eye view! We sighted Orcas a few times, but on the last day in the Antarctic Circle, in the Ross Sea, we ran into either several pods, or one large pod. They traveled alone, together, and we witnessed a hunt involving several at the same time. *( I did feel sorry for the penguin they caught, though!)
The Orca, or Killer Whale, is a member of the Cetacean Family. There are two types of Cetaceans, toothed and baleen. Dolphins, Killer Whales, and porpoises are toothed Cetaceans. They are a part of our family of mammals. Millions of years ago their ancestor lived on land, but eventually spent their entire lives in the water. They adapted to the marine environment, but they breathe oxygen, are warm blooded, and give live birth, and nurse, their young.
There are different types of Orca, and those populations are currently being studied. The scientists aboard the Lindblad NatGeo Explorer discussed types A, AA, and C. I have no idea which Type or Types I photographed, I only know it was wondrous to see them. Ever passenger on the ship was on the bow!
Did you know that no Orca has ever killed a human in the wild? In captivity, yes. They also do not display the fallen over dorsal fin that many of their brethren do in captivity, so well shown in the documentary, Blackfish. It has never been seen in the ocean. I watched these magnificent creatures, and felt such sorrow for captured Orcas like Tilikum, who must have been mad with grief, with claustrophobia, and with loneliness. Orcas are very social, have their own families with whom they spend their entire lives, their own language and forms of behavior. Orca sons often spend their entire lives in matriarchal pods, with their mothers. For an Orca to be separated from family, from hunting, from migrating…is absolute hell for the animal. Tilikum had had two years of life in the sea with his pod before his capture. I hate to say it, but I feel sure that Tilikum would rather have been dead than in a small pool, performing tricks for the amusement of humans, mourning for his family for his entire life. And yes, of course, I have seen dolphin and whale shows. But no more, and not for a very long time. Never again.
It is a quandary though, as we want appreciation for these magnificent animals, and how to do that for the majority of humans, who will never actually see one in the wild? I can’t say that I know the answer, for any animal. I just know in my heart, to cage a wild animal is surely wrong. But is it necessary? I’m not sure. What I do know is that I am so fortunate, and so privileged, to see animals in the wild, to see other cultures, to travel the world. I am grateful into my very marrow for the life and experiences I have had, and will have. Travel truly does gift one with new eyes, and new perspectives.
On Day 4 we were in the Penola Strait region of the Antarctic peninsula. The area has the most amazing basalt rock…and a lot of penguins, of course! Booth Island and Port Charcot are one of the few places all three species of brushtail penguins – Adelies, gentoos, and chinstraps – nest together. I did not hike to the location where the Adelies were, mostly because everyone said they were nervous and very uneasy when people went near them. The scenery, the water, the rock were all so beautiful I decided to sit and just contemplate, or meditate, about the incredible place I found myself in. A friend took a photo of me as I sat on a rock, being mindful of my surroundings. As I sat quietly, a couple of Gentoo penguins came right up to me on my rock, and I did snap a couple of photos of one of them. It was an amazing start to the day.
After a lovely morning on the island, we were able to take zodiac rides around Petermann Island, surrounded by ice floes and incredible icebergs. We ran into a huge Leopard Seal snoozing on an ice floe. These animals are huge! The large females can be 1300 pounds and 10 feet long. They can be dangerous, but also surprisingly gentle. Paul Nicklen, a NatGeo photographer, dove into water and observed Leopard Seals. A large female, instead of attacking or killing this interloper, tried to help him. She brought him dead and live penguins in order to feed him and teach him to hunt. Obviously, Paul Nicklen captured some amazing images of her. Seeing Leopard Seals up close was incredible. My travel buddy, Annie, was kayaking with me when we saw a leopard seal hanging out on an ice floe!
Ice is everywhere, and beautiful in its different colors, shapes and sizes.
