Category Archives: Adventure Travel
10 things you never knew about the North Pole
Kaeli Conforti , Budget Travel
Say “North Pole” and most people think of Santa, but did you know that the region is a hotbed for international intrigue? Or that it has a special connection to the unicorn? Just in time for Christmas, here are 10 fun facts about the most mythical place on earth.
There’s more to the North Pole than just snow and Santa. Ever since it was discovered by Robert E. Peary, Matthew Henson, and four Eskimo companions back in 1909, the North Pole has been a place of international intrigue — did you know several countries are now fighting over vast underground oil reserves in the Arctic Circle? You can go see for yourself with expedition voyages or even spend the night in a hotel made entirely of ice — try the IceHotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, or stay overnight at the Aurora Ice Museum in Fairbanks, Alaska, for a unique twist on the average igloo.
Here, 10 more facts about the North Pole that may surprise you:
There are two North Poles
Unlike the South Pole, which lies over the continent of Antarctica, there is no land beneath the North Pole but more of a floating Arctic ice sheet that expands during colder months and shrinks to half its size in the summer. To complicate things even more, there are two different definitions of the North Pole. The first is the north magnetic pole, which is, quite literally, a magnetic phenomenon which changes daily depending on changes under the Earth’s crust. Additionally, there is a north terrestrial pole, which is the fixed point that references the top of the Earth. Regardless of how you define the North Pole, global warming continues to be a problem here — as the polar ice caps melt, the sea levels rise, eliminating the land that polar bears and other wildlife depend on for survival.
It’s at the center of an international controversy right now
Did you know 30 percent of the world’s untapped oil reserves are located in the Arctic Circle? The U.S. Geological Survey says that amount could actually be higher, since so much of the region has yet to be explored. Complicating matters is the fact that multiple countries lay claim to the Arctic Circle — Russia, Canada, Norway, Denmark (via Greenland), and the United States (via Alaska). Each country is allowed to explore potential oil reserves within 200 miles of their coastlines, but in 2007, Russia used a mini-submarine to plant the country’s flag on the floor of the Arctic Ocean in an attempt to claim the region and its natural resources, a move that was rejected by the U.N. as the countries continue to work toward a solution.
The North Pole has seasons
Just like everywhere else on Earth, the temperature varies here depending on the time of year. The North Pole is warmest in July, if by warm you mean it’s actually freezing — 32 degrees. If that gives you the shivers, brace yourself. Temperatures in February drop to a bone-chilling 31 degrees below zero. The amount of light each day depends on the time of year, too. Alaska as well as Norway and the other Arctic Circle countries each face six months of broad daylight and six months of almost total darkness because of the angle at which this top portion of the Earth receives sunlight.
Yet, it is not the coldest place in the world
It might come as a shock, but even with temperatures with a high of just 32 degrees, the North Pole is not the coldest place on Earth. The South Pole is (in winter temperatures average -76 degrees F). Unlike the North Pole, the South Pole sits on top of a thick sheet of ice, which in turn sits on top of a piece of land — Antarctica. At more than 9,000 feet above sea level, Antarctica is also the world’s tallest continent. The North Pole, on the other hand, is made up of a thin Arctic ice sheet that sits barely a foot above sea level — a fact that allows the landscape to absorb heat from the surrounding Arctic Ocean.
There is life up there
While the conditions may be considered too tough for most humans, there are native Inuit tribes living in northern Canada and Alaska. The outer reaches of the Arctic Circle are a great place to see polar bears in the wild. Keep an eye out for other Arctic dwellers like Orca, Humpback, and Beluga whales, the arctic fox, and Svalbard reindeer. This isn’t the only place to see reindeer in the world; a reindeer herd in the U.K. inhabits the Cairngorm Mountains of northern Scotland. One animal you won’t see in the North Pole is the penguin. They live in the South Pole. Several species of flying penguin-like birds called auks, guillemots, and puffins can be seen in the Arctic Circle, though.
Santa Claus is not the only legendary character in the North Pole
Did you know that the creature that inspired myths about unicorns comes from the North Pole? The narwhal, a small whale that lives in the chilly waters of the Arctic Circle, has a six-to-10-foot long tusk, a trait that earned it the nickname “unicorn of the sea.” Back in the 16th century, they were often believed to possess magical powers that could be used to cure diseases. Demand was high, and legend has it that Queen Elizabeth I shelled out 10,000 pounds to get her hands on her very own narwhal tusk. Nowadays, narwhal populations are on the decline, due to hunting (Inuit peoples use the meat, tusks, and vitamin-C-rich skin in their everyday lives), climate change, and fishing for halibut, their main source of food.
Santa’s magical workshop isn’t in the North Pole proper — but it is nearby
Shh! Don’t tell the kids, but Santa’s Workshop isn’t really in the North Pole — it’s in Finnish Lapland. You can visit Santa Claus Village in the Finnish town of Rovaniemi year round, send letters to and from his post office (they’ll bear the official postmark of the Arctic Circle), and spend time exploring Santa Park, a series of Christmas-themed caves where you can meet jolly old St. Nick and his elves. You can even visit Santa’s reindeer at the onsite Sirmakko Reindeer Family Farm. If Finnish Lapland seems a little out of reach, Santa also has a satellite workshop in the holiday-themed town of North Pole, Alaska where the streets have names like Kris Kringle, Mistletoe, Donner, and Blitzen.
If you would rather write to Santa than visit his workshops, the U.S. Postal Service will postmark letters from Santa Claus as long as they are received by December 10th each year. Simply mail your letters to North Pole Postmark Postmaster, 41-41 Postmark Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99530 with “Santa, North Pole” marked as the return address. If time is of the essence, you can always email Santa —he’ll answer it right away. On Christmas Eve, use the Santa Tracker North Pole Command Center app ($1.99) to keep an eye on Santa’s progress.
You can vacation there
While not exactly a budget destination, you can embark on your own Arctic adventure. Quark Expeditions offers a wide variety of cruising expeditions ranging from the Spitsbergen Explorer, an 11-day cruise around the Norwegian island (from $4,995 per person) to The Ultimate Arctic Adventure, which sails from Russia to the 90-degree north spot that represents the North Pole, visits Franz Josef Land, and tours the Arctic Ocean (from $23,995 per person). Go from June to mid-July to see the polar bears and walrus hunting in their own natural habitat, from mid-July to mid-August to see flowers and other arctic flora in bloom, or from mid-August to September as birds begin to migrate South.
There are hot springs up there
If you are in the frigid Arctic Circle, you’ll need to find a way to warm up. Chena Hot Springs, located about an hour outside Fairbanks has a natural geothermal hot spring in a rock lake surrounded by nature. The hot springs are open from 7 a.m. to midnight, giving you plenty of time to soak and get a front row seat for the Aurora Borealis (best viewed between August and May). You can also stay at the Chena Hot Springs Resort ($65 a night to room in a Mongolia-style yurt, or stay in a room at the resort for from $189 a night). A number of hot springs can also be found in Norway’s Svalbard Islands, in Iceland (the Landmannalaugar Hot Springs is well-known), and in Russia — Scientific American profiled the hot springs in Oymyakon, Siberia, the coldest town on Earth.
There is a North Pole marathon every year
The North Pole Marathon bills itself as the World’s Coolest Marathon, and with an average wind chill temperature of 22 degrees below zero, they’d be right. It’s happened every year since 2002 — in 2011, 255 people from 38 nations around the world braved the conditions to compete in the 26.2-mile marathon race on top of a floating Arctic ice shelf. Competitors are transported to an international North Pole Camp on the polar ice shelf to start the race. And they layer up-thermal layers, windproof pants, gloves, two pairs of socks, and even goggles are necessary. The next North Pole Marathon takes place on April 9, 2013, and costs a pretty penny — about $15,561 for the entry fee that includes accommodations in Spitsbergen, Greenland, before and after the race, flights to and from the North Pole Camp, helicopter flights within the polar region, medals, and a commemorative DVD of the race. But the bragging rights are priceless.
5 Outdoor Adventures in Las Vegas
By Matt Villano
With world-class resorts, top-notch restaurants, and epic nightclubs, most of the people who visit Las Vegas rarely (if ever) venture off the Strip. For those who do, however, a multitude of outdoor adventures await. We’re not just talking about the Grand Canyon, either. Instead, here are a few of our favorite underappreciated backcountry haunts.
River Mountains Trail
Rent a bicycle to appreciate this 35-mile ribbon of concrete that rings the River Mountains southeast of the Strip. The trail, which opened formally in 2011, is both a challenging workout (prepare for hills) and a great way to see local sights. Start in Boulder City and head counter-clockwise, through the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, along the shores of Lake Mead, past Lake Las Vegas, and back into Henderson. Along the way, look out for jackrabbits and red-tailed hawks, as well as a variety of desert flowers. A nine-mile dirt spur trail near the Lake Mead NRA Visitor Center heads through five circa-1930 man-made tunnels down to the Hoover Dam. Especially if you’ve never seen the engineering feat, it’s worth the detour.
Valley of Fire State Park
Marvel at petrified wood and 3,000-year-old Native-American petroglyphs at Valley of Fire, the oldest state park in Nevada. Located about 50 miles southeast of downtown Vegas, the park gets its name from the fire-colored sandstone prevalent in the area; even when the sun is weak, the rocks appear red, orange, and even pink. Start your visit with a stop at the Visitor Center, where interpretive displays present a comprehensive picture of the cultural story of the area. From there, grab a trail map, fill the water bottles, and head out for a tromp on White Dome Trail, a family-friendly (read: not too tough) hike that heads through a quarter-mile slot canyon and past a handful of natural stone arches.
Red Rock National Conservation Area
Sure, you can explore and appreciate the Mars-like landscape of Red Rock National Conservation Area from the air-conditioned comfort of your car along a 13-mile scenic drive. But it’s better to get out and scramble over rocks to find some of the petroglyphs that characterize the area. On the west side of the park, look up, and you might catch a glimpse of local rock-climbers scaling walls like spiders. Camping is available here; the Bureau of Land Management-operated campgroundopened for the season May 29. Before you set out to drive the 10 miles back to the Strip, stop off at Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa to place a sports bet or catch a movie.
Mount Charleston
Beat the heat of the Strip with the fresh and breezy mountain air of Mount Charleston, located northwest of downtown. Hiking is the name of the game here, and the grueling, 17-mile Charleston Peak Trail is the main attraction, as it summits its 11,916-foot namesake peak. Elsewhere in the area, Griffith Peak, accessible by the South Loop and Harris Springs trails, offers unmatched views of the Strip, Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead NRA. Most of the area is part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, a national forest bursting with critters such as wild burros, deer, and desert tortoises. Post-hike, if you’re too tired to schlep back to town, grab a room for the night at the historic Mount Charleston Lodge. Locals swear by the hot chocolate there. You will too.
Bonnie Springs Ranch
Step back in time to the Old West at this recreated Western town located ten minutes southwest of the Strip. Originally built in 1843 as a stopover for wagon trains going to California along the Old Spanish Trail, Bonnie Springs has offered horseback riding and a host of other tourist-oriented activities since 1952. Today there’s a dining hall that serves up banquet-style dinners, a petting zoo, a narrow-gauge railroad, and a quaint (read: no frills) motel for overnight guests. Costumed characters wandering around a recreated 1880s mining town offer lessons on the past, and participate in a nightly musical revue. Because the site is a popular destination for corporate retreats, it pays to make reservations in advance.
Great surf spots you’ve (probably) never heard of
1) Pine Trees, Kauai, Hawaii: Located off the sleepy surf town of Hanalei on the north shore of Kauai, Pine Trees offers an escape from the circus-like atmosphere of Oahu’s North Shore. It’s a fun break for intermediate and advanced surfers, while beginners can find gentler waves in front of the nearby pier.
2) Yakutat, Alaska: If you want to get away — far away — then Yakutat is the place. Don’t let the towering Sitka spruce and bald eagles fool you. Yakutat is a bona fide surfing destination that has drawn some of the biggest names in professional surfing.
3) Cowell’s, Santa Cruz, California: Located just inside the famous break at Steamer Lane, Cowell’s is the perfect spot to learn how to surf. This break is renowned for its gentle peaks and long, rolling waves. A number of surf schools operate here.
4) Burnout, Torrance, California: Despite being one of the most photographed spots in Southern California, Burnout is still relatively unknown outside of the South Bay. A quintessential California beach break, on any given day pro surfers like Alex Gray and Holly Beck can be found pulling into the barrels at Burnout.
5) Trails, San Clemente, California: Technically part of San Onofre State Beach Park, Trails is often overshadowed by the park’s other spots, Trestles and San Onofre. The surf itself is not the most amazing you’ll ever ride, but the laid-back atmosphere and dog-friendly policy make it worth the trip.
6) Reef Road, West Palm Beach, Florida: With it’s clear, warm water, Reef Road is about as good as Florida surfing gets. A popular spot with local surfers, the sandy bottom break can range from three- to six-footers, up to two times overhead on a storm swell.
7) The Cove, Cape May, New Jersey: If The Cove were located in California or Hawaii, it would probably be as famous as Malibu or Waikiki. The Cove is primarily a longboard spot and attracts surfers of all ages and abilities.
8) Alamo, Montauk, New York: Located out on the tip of Long Island, Montauk pulls in all kinds of waves and weather. The hearty souls that are willing to brave the wind and strong currents are rewarded with thick heaving lefts (waves that break from left to right when you’re looking out from the beach). This spot is for experienced surfers only.
There’s also a whole host of activities taking place around the country, and around the world, over the coming days in honor of International Surfing Day. For a schedule of events and additional information about the day set aside for celebrating the sport of surfing, go here
Read more: http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2011/06/great_surf_spots_youve_probabl.html#ixzz1PpewmQze
Seven secret surf spots
17 April 2012|By Cristina Goyanes
Michel Bourez, a 26-year-old Tahitian, loves surfing along the Maoti reef in Tahiti, near Papara. (Ben Thouard)
When your job is to find and ride the sickest waves on the planet, you undoubtedly come across a few standouts that you want to keep to yourself. But these seven pro surfers were amazingly forthcoming about their favourite breaks – maybe because they know that they are not easy to get to. You will have to be pretty adventurous to follow in their footsteps. From the world’s most rippable waves to the best barrels and sweetest swells, these off-the-radar surf meccas guarantee an epic ride.
Black Rock, Australia
“I was seven when my father started taking me and my brother to surf the Aussie Pipe — or Black Rock, as locals call it — nearly every afternoon until dark,” said Owen Wright, the 22-year-old Australian surfer who beat his childhood idol, Kelly Slater, at New York’s Quiksilver Pro in September 2011, earning him the biggest prize in the sport’s history ($300,000). “With lefthand barrels over a shallow reef, it really doesn’t get much better for a goofy footer like myself.”
Getting there: It is about 100 miles from Sydney to Jervis Bay, the closest town to the reef break, which is just south of Booderee National Park. Expect a 10- to 15-minute hike from your car along a bush track to this secluded spot, located on the eastern point of Wreck Bay or Summercloud Bay. Pack your lunch like Wright, who normally brings bananas and a loaf of bread for the day. “I like to just sit on the rocks after a surf and take it all in while eating a banana sandwich,” he said.
Rincon, Puerto Rico
“This must-visit surf break is known as the ‘Surfing Capital of the Caribbean’,” said 21-year-old Aussie Sally Fitzgibbons, who recently became the first person to win the US and Australian Open back-to-back. “Warm water, quality surf and good food – it’s every surfer’s dream. And when you need a break from surfing — not that I ever do — you can check out the migrating whales, go scuba diving, horseback riding or take a walk to a magnificent waterfall. It would probably take a lifetime to explore the whole area.”
Getting there:“It is a pleasant 30-minute drive down Carretera Numero Dos from the Marriott Courtyard Hotel in Aguadilla,” Fitzgibbons said. Other perks: most locals speak English, the area operates on the US dollar and cheap car hire is widely available, making it super easy to move around the tropical island. Once there, you have your choice of waves beyond Rincon. “There are literally hundreds of surf breaks!” Fitzgibbons gushed.
Maoti, Tahiti
“Papara is this little beach break close to the road where everyone surfs. If you look beyond it, you’ll see this other wave breaking on a reef way in the back called Maoti,” said Michel Bourez, a 26-year-old Tahitian whofinished sixth on the 2011 ASP Men’s World Tour. “When I was around 18, I went out by myself with my 6ft 10in surfboard to train for a competition in Teahupoo [French Polynesia]. I knew the waves there were big, but I didn’t realize just how big until 10 to 12 footers started coming at me. I had always been scared to go out there alone, but then I caught the best barrel I’ve ever surfed. My board broke on the third wave I caught – it was pretty intense. After that day, I realized that I could do anything.”
Getting there: “Tahiti is a small island – ask anyone about Papara and they’ll tell you how to find it,” Bourez said. Renting a car is the easiest way to get to the break, which you can see from the road. “[From the beach] you have to paddle for 15 to 20 minutes into the deep blue to get to this lost reef,” he warned. “When you finally get there, you’re surrounded by big green mountains in the backdrop and total silence. It’s so quiet and relaxing – that is, until a big set comes in and reminds you why you’re out there!”
The IDK, Mentawai Islands
“I call the wave the ‘IDK’, which is short for ‘I don’t know’ because it just doesn’t have a name – it’s that much of a secret. I only surfed it once, on a Ripcurl Boat trip, when this crazy captain took us out there,” said 17-year-old Tyler Wright, who was crowned the 2011 ASP Women’s World Tour Rookie of the Year (her brother Owen won the same award for men in 2010). “These incredible waves were coming from really deep water, pitching so far out that they formed these perfect cylinders that set you up for riding the best barrels. They were really challenging at first and I had to psych myself up, especially after getting smashed into the reef. I kept at it and got some of the sickest waves – and worst beatings – of my life. Totally worth it.”
Getting there: No, easy X marks the spot here. The best advice is to charter a boat from Quest 1. See if long-time surf guide Captain Albert Taylor is available, then ask to go to the southern-most part of the islands, which are situated just west of Indonesia in the Indian Ocean. “It’s a secret spot, so that’s all you’re getting from me,” Wright said. Make sure there is a chef on board who will cook up deliciousness and slice open coconuts for you while you rip.
Outer Atolls, Maldives
“We called it ‘Crab Claw’ because we didn’t know the name of the wave, which was an awesome righthander with a wall and barrel section that wrapped around a stranded island,” said Australia’s 27-year-old Adam Melling, who dominated at the 2011 O’Neill Cold Water Classic in New Zealand. “The water was crystal clear and super warm – pretty much a surfer’s paradise.”
Getting there: “It took a day and a half by boat to get to the Outer Atolls, some 300 miles south of the capital, Male,” said Melling, who recalls staying on an old pirate-looking ship where he passed the time on deck drinking beers and playing backgammon. “It was rad because we were so far from civilization, but still there were locals – right in the middle of nowhere.” Most surf charters will do boat trips around the atolls, which are also frequented by divers because of the area’s crystal clear water.
Queensbury Point, South Africa
“I remember my first surf out at Queensbury Point, right outside my childhood home – I couldn’t have been older than eight,” said 24-year-old Rosy Hodge, who ranked ninth on the ASP Women’s World Tour in 2009. “I paddled out with my dad and went straight out to the back line. I was so stoked to be out there with the older guys, catching the best waves. I still get that feeling when I’m back home trading waves with my dad. There’s a comfort in your home break, but, at the same time, Queensbury is a place you can never master.”
Getting there: The powerful, wild, righthand point break is located in East London, 300 km from Port Elizabeth, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Stick around for the beautiful sunset on the nearby Kwelera tidal river, and look out for the gregarious giraffe named Abby (she belongs to the neighbouring Areena Riverside Resort).
Palikir Pass, Pohnpei (Micronesia)
“I’ve caught the most fun waves of my life at P-Pass – short for Palikir Pass – which is off Pohnpei, a lush, tropical island in Micronesia,” said Los Angeles-native Anastasia Ashley, 25, the 2010 Women’s Pipeline champion. “The water is absolutely beautiful, crystal clear and warm. I definitely got some high quality barrels and waves, plus awesome surf photos and bad sunburn out there.”
Getting there: Usually you have to fly to Hawaii to catch a flight to the Philippines or to the Marshall Islands, and then get on a puddle-jumper to Pohnpei. From there, you board a boat (Ashley booked her boat, plus room and board with Ppasssurf.com, a local, all-inclusive surfing outfitter) that will take you a few miles from shore to the right-hand reef break. Everyone speaks English and uses the US dollar, plus “they have the best, most affordable fresh tuna, so order lots of sashimi!” Ashley said.
http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20120416-seven-secret-surf-spots/1
Australia—2012 Total Solar Eclipse
News alert for Travellers to Australia:
The Total Solar Eclipse is On The 14 November 2012
Thousands of people from all over the world are packing their bags bound for Cairns, Australia, so they can feel what happens when the moon overtakes the sun and casts a shadow so large the land is plunged into darkness…
What
Australia’s Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region- Nature’s Theme Park- is the only place in the world wher you can experince hte full glory of the earth’s total solar eclipse.
A total solar eclipse occurs naturally once every couple of years however 2012 is your only chance (for the next 400-500 years at least) to experience this amazing natural phenomenon surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef and the oldest, World Heritage-listed rainforests on the planet. Celebrate with culture, music and art at the 2012 Solar Eclipse Festival and then experience some of the many day-tours available.
When
14 November 2012
Where
Great Barrier Reef and Cairns region, Australia
For more information, visit the official 2012 Total Solar Eclipse website: 2012 Total Solar Eclipse
London 2012: Olympic Park general admission tickets to be sold
By BBC
General admission tickets to the Olympic Park during the Games will go on sale to the public, London 2012 organisers Locog have said.
The cost and number of tickets that will allow entry into the site in east London has not been decided.
People without tickets for sports events will be able to watch the action on large screens around the Park.
A Locog spokesman said: “It is our ambition to sell general admission tickets to the Park at Games time.”
He said they were still working through how many tickets would be made available and how much they would cost.
Vantage point
Last week it emerged spectators may be charged to watch Olympic road cycling.
On Friday London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton revealed people may have to pay to watch the cycle race from the prime vantage point in Box Hill, Surrey.
The road race includes a 9.6-mile (15.5km) circuit around Box Hill before finishing in The Mall in London.
Locog has been granted permission to allow 15,000 spectators in the area around Box Hill for the men’s and women’s events on 28-29 July.
Mr Deighton said it would be “perfectly appropriate… to consider charging for the tickets” and they were still working out how this would be done.
There will be several large screens in the Olympic Park, the largest of which will be double-sided and floated on a barge in the River Lea, which runs through the Park.
There will also be large screens in Hyde Park, central London, and Victoria Park in Tower Hamlets during Games time.
Access to these screens will be free although places will be ticketed and a booking fee will apply.
And in Hyde Park tickets will be sold for the showing of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics on 27 July and 12 August.
He Said/She Said: Dream golfing destinations
- By Bailey Mosier , The Golf Guy
- Jan 12, 2012 10:00 AM ET
As the PGA Tour island-hops from Maui to Oahu this week, The Golf Guy and Birdie Bailey decided it was an appropriate time to bust out their picks for their top-5 dream golfing destinations. Feel free to add your thoughts on where YOU dream of playing.
By GOLF GUY
Maui, Hawaii: Wailea to be exact. The Blue Course, the Emerald Course and the Gold Course. Three fun layouts, each with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and some of the nearby islands. And I’ve never witnessed more beautiful shades of green in my entire life. My favorite part? Playing late in the afternoon with the setting sun, and realizing some cocktails and a steak are waiting after the round in the clubhouse, where you can talk about how this may have been the greatest day of your life.
Cape Kidnappers (New Zealand, pictured above): Never been there. Good chance I’ll never get there. But just seeing a picture of that golf course makes me think that it is has to be the home course of the golfing gods.
Whistling Straits (Kohler, Wis.): Strange as this may sound, I have mixed feelings when I think of my trip last year to Whistling Straits. I played all three course in the area – Blackwolf Run (the fairways are in better shape than most greens), the Irish Course (incredible, perfectly framed course standing on the tee), and the Straits Course (pretty sure what filmmaker Tim Burton would have in mind if he ever designed a golf course). Where do the “mixed feelings” come from? I had to go to the hospital (no joke) after playing the Straits Course. No carts allowed. Walking mandatory. Bring muscle relaxers.
Cypress Point (Pebble Beach, Calif.): Aerial views of the famed par-3 16th are awesome (Google it). The rugged coastline around the hole looks like pre-historic times, the crashing waves are awe-inspiring … and it’s a par 3. That means, I could somehow get a green in regulation on one of the world’s greatest golf holes. Only one problem: It’s is a very exclusive club. Not likely to see ‘Golf Guy’ on the tee times sheet … ever.
Anywhere, Ireland: Again, never been there … yet. Do I want to play in the wind, cold and rain? No. Do I want to at least set out to play in horrible conditions knowing full well that I can quit at any time and instead head back into a pub and try to decipher crazy Irish talk? Absolutely.
By BIRDIE BAILEY
Monterey, Calif.: Pebble Beach is as amazing as its reputation suggests. And yes, Cypress Point is even more spectacular and breathtaking. Throw in a few other rounds at Spyglass, Poppy Hills or Monterey Peninsula Country Club and have yourself a bowl – or 10 – of clam chowder from the Old Fisherman’s Grotto on the wharf and I can’t say it gets any more heavenly than that.
Long Island, N.Y.: Bethpage, Shinnecock, Long Island National and a slew of other courses crowd the populated state and I imagine any of them would be one of the best courses I’ve ever played. I’ve never been, but would love to see grown men sleeping in their cars overnight just to be one of the first in line to tee up at Bethpage.
Bandon, Ore.: Rumor has it that Bandon is home to some of the most beautiful, links-style courses on the western coast. With four courses to choose from – Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails and Old Macdonald – I’d be lucky to play just one, let alone all four.
Scottsdale, Ariz.: Call me biased, call me partial. I spent three years in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area playing golf and writing about it, and it was nearly the perfect job. A few of my favorites include Quintero, We-Ko-Pa, Southern Dunes, Estancia, Grayhawk and DC Ranch, but you can hardly go wrong anywhere you play. Throw in a good margarita, guacamole and some short rib tacos and call me a happy clam.
St. Andrews: I surmise St. Andrews is on every golfer’s list of dream destinations, so I don’t have to explain myself on this one. Seeing the birthplace of golf and soaking in the history? I’ll get there one day.
Originally posted on : http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golftalkcentral/he-said-she-said-top-5-golf-destinations/
Checkout some of these Adventure/Sports vacation packages: http://vcolon.worldventuresdreamtrips.com/new/
Why its so important to Travel Now Even if You Have Limited Cash..
Posted by travel answer man
There are numerous reasons travel is good for you, especially in economically difficult times. Please share these important tips with your friends and take advantage of them yourself today! Cash in on the great end of the year deals before it is too late!
Travel is great for your overall health! Just one vacation annually might be able to reduce an individual’s chance of a heart attack significantly and eliminate stress. Upon returning from a trip, many travelers admit their deep sleep is significantly improved. While traveling, most people’s blood pressure will drop. You can’t ignore these vital health tips!
It’s great for personal relationships! The anticipation of going on a vacation increases positive emotions about one’s own life. A new travel experience can cause a person to look at the world differently. Most will return from vacation with a much more open mind…a much improved outlook on life. That has got to be a good thing in today’s negative thinking world!
Travel may deposit more money in your wallet. Many people are more creative when they return refreshed from a long holiday. Your day to day performance at work is likely to improve also…rested physically and refreshed mentally. Imagine what you might be able to do! It might even help you get that new promotion or next raise. A “new you” might just be all it will take in the eyes of the boss.
So what are you waiting for? As the world economy has suffered the last number of months, the travel industry suppliers have been forced to re-invent themselves and revise their current strategy. They have lowered prices to levels that have not been seen for many years. This includes the airlines, hotels, resorts, spas, car rentals, cruise lines, trains, restaurants, golf courses, and various sightseeing activities. Go now! Don’t wait any longer…quit procrastinating! Travel is a wise investment in your life.
Where to See (and Swim With) the World’s Smallest Dolphins and Penguins
Jaunted special contributor Eric Rosen drops us a line from way, way down under…
There’s nothing new about swimming with dolphins these days; it seems like you can hang out with the aquatic mammals pretty much anywhere from Australia to the Bahamas. But during a recent visit to check out post-quake Christchurch, I drove an hour outside the city to the Frenchified hamlet of Akaroa on the craggy Banks Peninsula to swim with some pretty special aquatic life: the world’s tiniest marine dolphins and wild penguins.
Akaroa is a winding hour-long drive southeast of Christchurch through the hills of the Banks Peninsula, where some of the earliest settlements on New Zealand’s South Island were founded. Akaroa actually lies quite near the center of this bulbous landmass, but it’s on the water because its harbor was formed by the collapse of an enormous mega-volcano eons ago.
The French were the first to find it, but before they could come back to claim their land, the English snuck in there and claimed the whole South Island for the British. The Frenchies were still allowed to settle here, though, and to this day many of the town’s street’s bear French names, and some folks will proudly tell you they trace their ancestry back several generations to the original settlers.
Rather than the history, though, I was there to see the wildlife. That’s because Akaroa Harbour is home to the smallest species of marine dolphins, and the smallest penguins in the world. The waters were rough the day I was there, so instead of Black Cat Cruises’ swimming with dolphins experience, I hopped aboard the company’s larger vessel to view the wildlife from the deck. There’s also another company in town called Akaroa Dolphins, which has a smaller boat and serves fresh pastries and local wines on board.
Akaroa’s harbor is one of the last homes of an endangered species of dolphin (there are only about 7,000 left in the world), called Hector’s Dolphins, that grow only to about 1.4 meters long (just over four and a half feet), and weigh up to about 50 kg, or about 115 pounds. They are mostly a very light gray, but their fins, tails and truncated noses are black and their bellies are almost white, making it easier to spot them in the water. Due to their size, speed (these guys were super quick and surfaced only sporadically), and the fact that they travel in pods of just 4-6 dolphins, I wasn’t fast enough to snap a photo of them frolicking curiously around our boat, but I did get one back at Black Cat’s reservations office with a life-size model of a Hector’s Dolphin so you can see it to scale based on the fact that I’m a compact 5’8”.
The harbor is also home to a colony of noisy fur seals (far from town, so their barking won’t wake you), giant petrels (related to the albatross) gliding around, cliffs where spotted shags nest, and the underground burrows of the world’s smallest species of penguin, the Blue or Little Penguin. These blue-plumed water birds, called korora in Maori, grow to just over a foot long and are rather shy, usually coming ashore just during the evening.
All in all, I lucked out with the great weather, as do visitors on most days according to my Black Cat Cruises captain, so if you find yourself with a free day in Christchurch, consider a drive to Akaroa for a day in the quaint seaside village and a two-hour cruise on its aquamarine waters.
Full disclosure: Eric Rosen traveled to Akaroa courtesy of Tourism Canterbury, but all opinions expressed are entirely his own.
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