There’s nothing like scrambling to stay out from underhoof as two horseback wrestlers charge into a crowd of journalists to really set a festive tone. With the Winter Olympics having wrapped up in Sochi and the FIFA World Cup in Brazil only a few months gone, one might have assumed that all the best sports-themed travel opportunities were done for 2014. In a quiet corner of Central Asia, however, for the first time ever delegations from across … [Read more...]
Lariam Dreams: Malaria or Madness?
John M. Edwards wonders whether taking the world’s strongest antimalarial drug might be worse than getting the dread eldritch disease itself? “I dared to dream with my eyes wide open. . . .” --T.E. Lawrence, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom In Nairobi, Kenya, a man from Philadelphia loses it and leaps from a hotel’s second-story window. . . . He is now a paraplegic. At a Waldenbooks store, an ex Peace Corps worker goes … [Read more...]
Riding the rails, the Legendary Ghan – Alice Springs to Adelaide
We pulled out of the Alice Springs station at 1245pm sharp on the legendary Ghan train. The recent rain had passed and it was another cloudless warm brilliantly sunny day that this town is noted for this time of year. Harbouring bit of sadness because I am leaving the great Outback, I silently treasure my new-found experiences as we head south. These are memories created from watching the sunrise on Uluru, being introduced to the indigenous … [Read more...]
2013 Travel Writing Contest Winners & Honorable Mentions
Of all the past travel writing contests, this was the most difficult year to narrow down the entries to the top three winners. We initially selected 11 from over 100 entries. One entry stood out from the others and was the unanimous choice for our top spot. After discussion among the three judges - the three top entries are: Bring Adventure Back to Europe, by Richard Bangs Without An Address, You Can’t Go Home, … [Read more...]
Afghanistan Exposed
Just over one year into our odyssey, while headed overland to Europe, we ventured through Afghanistan. Rocking atop burlap sacks in the open-backed truck, I watched as Peshawar faded into the morning’s mirage. Knowing I’d never return in this lifetime, I felt history being made beneath my feet as upturned dust exposed ancient stories. With a mandatory armed-escort riding in the front, I knew I better play by the rules. At 50C, halfway to the … [Read more...]
2013 Dave’s Travel Corner Travel Essay Contest
Of all the past travel writing contests, this was the most difficult year to narrow down the entries to the top three winners. We initially selected 11 from over 100 entries. One entry stood out from the others and was the unanimous choice for our top spot. After discussion among the three judges - the three top entries are: Bring Adventure Back to Europe, by Richard Bangs Without An Address, You Can’t Go Home, … [Read more...]
’50 Greatest Photographs, National Geographic Exhibition to Open
Imagine Exhibitions Gallery at The Venetian to Host Comprehensive Exploration of Iconic Photo Collection LAS VEGAS (January 31, 2013) — On February 14, 2013, Imagine Exhibitions Gallery at The Venetian will welcome 50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic to Las Vegas. The traveling exhibition showcases some of National Geographic’s most-remembered and celebrated photographs from its 125-year-old history, such as Steve McCurry’s … [Read more...]
Traveling in the North Country Fair… Part 1 Adirondacks & Catskills
Part 1 Even though few therapists would agree, sometimes neglect paths to the best possible outcome. Such is the case with the Adirondacks, whose fierce geography, unproductive soil, and hard weather diverted early American settlers to more benign plots. As a result, a state of raw wilderness maintained into the 19th century. Some credit the turning point to William H. H. Murray’s book, Adventures in the Wilderness, extolling the freshness … [Read more...]
Ed Stafford: Adventurer
For more than 2 years Ed walked from western Peru to eastern Brazil - locating the source of the Amazon high in the Andes and then following the entire length of this great river to where it empties in the Atlantic Ocean. What a story! Recently we had a chance to ask Ed about his adventures and this epic trek. Q. Tell us a bit about yourself and where you are from. My name is Ed Stafford. I'm an ex-British Army captain who has spent the … [Read more...]
Robert Young Pelton: Author, Filmmaker, Journalist, Adventurer
We recently had a chance to ask Robert about his travels, current projects, his life spent traveling to "dangerous places" and the unique perspectives he has gained from his years on the road. Q. When did you get hooked on traveling? Was it a particular trip or event? I lived in a car when I was 16 and picked fruit for a living. A year later I bought a $150 ocean liner ticket from New York to Southampton on the SS Canberra and … [Read more...]