Famous author and journalist Ernest Hemmingway once said, “I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy.” The general consensus amongst those that have visited this mysterious and alluring continent has been one of positivity, beauty, reflection, and unforgettable sights and sounds. Africa has so many things to offer visitors, but the experience of finding oneself surrounded by African lions, elephants, reptiles, … [Read more...]
Harar, Ethiopia
Harar is undoubtedly Ethiopia’s brightest flower. If a jewel, she may be slightly chipped around the edges, though her centre continues to shine with undiminished brilliance. Of course, like most places on the continent – which Paul Theroux encapsulates as ‘a Dark Star’ – everything is a bit messed up. Located on the border of the far eastern Somali region, French-imported blue and white vintage Peugeot taxis cruise beneath Italian-built colonial … [Read more...]
“It’s Djiboutiful!”(And the Hottest New Destination)
When our rafts were bitten by crocodiles or hippos, complications ensued we hadn't imagined. We were in Ethiopia making a series of first descents down big rivers that fall off the Abyssinian Plateau: The Omo, Baro, Blue Nile, and the Awash. We called our little expedition Sobek, after the ancient Egyptian crocodile god, hoping the homage would ensure safe passage. But, another challenge reared its head, one unanticipated. When we … [Read more...]
Discovering the Kruger National Park
"Look, we have visitors!" My husband hurried outside, excited at catching his first glimpse of animals in the wild. I followed him, smiling at the baby warthog's efforts to dig up roots from the ground. Hearing something behind me, I turned and found a family of zebras standing by the deck, one rubbing an ear against a tree. That was our introduction to Marloth Park, a tourist village near the Crocodile Gate of the Kruger National Park. For … [Read more...]
Zanzibar Attractions that Freddie Mercury Would Love
Had Freddie Mercury been around today to return to his birthplace in Zanzibar, he would find an island paradise: magnificent white sand beaches, world-class watersports, historical landmarks, extraordinary wildlife, and fantastic nightlife. He would especially love these Zanzibar attractions: Bohemian Rhapsody at Cheetah’s Rock Judith Peraino, a music professor at Cornell University, teaches that "Mercury intended... [this song] to be a 'mock … [Read more...]
Something for Everyone: 4 Types of Tourists in Africa
People travel to distant and exotic climes for a variety of reasons: a box on their bucket list, inner personal experience, cross-cultural understanding, or simple rest and relaxation. East Africa, and Tanzania in particular, gives its visitors everything they could wish in a single trip; then, leaves them coming back for more. Whether you’ve saved for months and planned your trip to Africa down to the last detail or just hopped on the next … [Read more...]
River of gold: a personal voyage through Africa’s lagers
When Spain made claim to a small corner of North Africa and christened it Río de Oro – River of Gold – the country’s colonial ambitions for what amounted to a patch of sand in the western extreme of the Sahara Desert were clear. With the third glass of mint tea broiling my insides as I looked across the same area of sand, I considered that perhaps my own intentions in Africa were equally unrealistic. I was a week into seeking as much cold lager – … [Read more...]
Gibraltar: the end and the beginning
My original plan for the end of my Encircle Africa expedition was to return to Gibraltar’s southernmost point, Europa Point, where I began. I liked the idea of looking back at Africa with renewed eyes. But all my reserves of energy were spent, and it was consolation enough to know that all that separated me from Africa was nine miles of often still water, after having travelled a distance equivalent to circumnavigating the earth at the … [Read more...]
The Mauritian Chronicles: Paradise Lost and Found
John M. Edwards grabs his “Beachcombers Card” and does Divali (Festival of Lights) on delicious Mauritius, a paradisiacal Indian Ocean isle--once the roost of extinct dodos, now the boast of professional beachbums--which initially he can’t place on a map! “Incredible!” You are from New York?!” boomed Willy Van Damme, a friendly Belgian restaurateur and former soldier of fortune, in the sleepy resort town of Péreybere. “Very rare! We get almost … [Read more...]
Into Africa: Can BushCats Save the Beasts?
“There is an elephant holocaust going on in Africa today,” says Paul Maritz, the last gentleman adventurer. “Up to this point elephant counts have been done by error-prone Mark 1 Eyeballs, and nobody believes the numbers. You really can’t motivate people to take needed drastic actions unless they are convinced you have the facts. And so we need to get the facts.” Rhodesia born Paul and his brother David have created a flying machine they … [Read more...]
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