Ultimate Vacation Spots

posted by Travel Cat on Nov 6

Not that Florida needed another attraction………….

Hot off the press is the fact that the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens chain have opened a brand new and enormous water park complex to complement their existing theme parks.

They call them ‘Worlds of Discovery’ but we call them ‘A Great Vacation!’.

Aquatica Theme Park, Orlando, Florida:
This new theme park is called Aquatica and will involve you getting very wet - and not from giant killer whales belly flopping you close to the edge of their pools!  You will need your trunks here, and bring your friends……..

Taumata Racer is an 8 lane speed open water slide that starts with a 300ft slide and goes in and out of tunnels galore.  Find yourself turning a 360 degree corner and racing your friends to the end!

Dolphin Plunge is another type of water slide that sends you underwater and through an amazing dolphins habitat.  There are 250 feet of tubes for you to propel yourself through from start to finish here.

For a slower waterway try the Loggerheads Lane, a meandering splosh underwater floating on a comfortable inflatable.  Slow and wide enough to travel the length of with your friends or family.  That way you can share your amazement as you pass through an aquarium with thousands of tropical fish flitting above you.

There are also 1500 feet of rapids to travel, as well as 2 man-made beaches with wave machines - one with a gentle swell and the other with 5 foot high waves!  You can also hire your own cabana in the sand and stay here with your group.

The Whole Deal.
As part of the whole Florida package, there are ticket deals on offer where you can combine the atractions you want for the times that you want.

For swimming with dolphins you need to be over 6 years of age and will need a one day pass to Discovery Cove.  Only a 1000 people are allowed into the attraction per day so booking is essential.

To see polar bears and white beluga whales you will need SeaWorld itself.  It also has the new Manta roller coaster, which has you flying through the air facing the ground……

And for white tigers and hippos - plus being face-to-face with a lion, you will need a pass for Busch Gardens.  This location also has many great rides and thrills to keep you busy.

Universal Studios and Wet ‘n’ Wild are also part of these packages if you are buying one of the more inclusive packages like the Orlando FlexTicket Plus which gives you unlimited access to all the parks for the duration of your stay (although Discovery Cove can only be visited one time and is not included in the FlexTicket as a result).

Visit Aquatica for more on this new theme park, and have fun!!!

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posted by Travel Cat on Nov 2

Trekking the Inca Trail - A Reader Postcard from Peru

It all began so perfectly - with a day in Cuzco, a fantastic colonial Spanish Town built on historic Inca ruins.

After getting used to the altitude and sampling some of the local dishes, we met some of local Quecha people and did some last minute shopping for essentials. It’s going to be an early start in the morning, and there won’t be a hotel waiting at the end of it all: we have a tent and portable toilets to look forward to.

The drive through the mountains in the morning along some of the hairiest roads ever - clinging to the side for all they were worth - certainly opened up the conversation with the others in the group. We’d been training for months for this trip, making sure we could enjoy the 4 day trek, and now - the moment of truth was approaching. In the next hour or so, we would actually be on our way.

The Start:
To be honest the first few hours for me were not fun. Yeah, it was great being one of the first across the rope and timber bridge over the Rio Urubamba at the entrance, but then it got quite windy. Not a problem in itself but I had to hold my hat on the whole time, making walking a bit tricky and meaning that sightseeing was next to impossible due to all the grit blowing about.

However, as we gained height the wind lulled and I got on with the views and chatting to other walkers. We were glad for having trained for this as some parts were quite steep, I was more than grateful for having worn in my walking boots! Lunch and snack stops were well appreciated by everyone and after about 5 hours of trekking, we arrived at the first camp site.

We knew that Day 2 was supposed to be harder, so we all retired early after a hearty dinner. No-one had trouble sleeping.

Day 2:
Up early after the donkey in the field next door started braying endlessly, and wolfed down breakfast - ready to go.

Some others were starting to experience some signs of altitude sickness - and there were many ‘upset tummies’ shall we say! So far so good for me, as we headed off again.

Today really was tough, and at one point the steps were just endless. All we were doing was going up and up and up, step after step. There didn’t seem to be any flat parts here and at one point I actually got an evil headache! At lunch stop and hour or so later, I just needed to sleep.

I found a tent (already with someone else in it) and fell asleep suprising fast! After getting woken up as everyone started of again, I felt a lot better and managed a few bites of apple before offering it to one of the porters who was much more grateful of it than I was.

Air was thin at Dead Woman’s Pass - the highest point of the whole trek - but we had hot drinks waiting for us at the top and we all cheered everyone as they arrived after us. Apparently just down the other side was campsite 2. A welcome site - although it started to rain, and didn’t stop all night.

Day 3:
Still not hungry, we headed of into the drizzle of the morning. Nothing much to see for most of the day really in the thick mist, but there were some nice ruins along the way.

Really picked up the trek after lunch - it was all downhill from here, but stepping down was really sore on the knees. We noticed that the porters were jogging down with all the heavy bags - so we joined them. And it was so much easier and very exhilarating after a dull plodding morning.

The path was quite wide here most of the way and the stones were solid so we sped down the slopes towards our next stopping point: Huinay Huayna. This hostel has showers (unlike the last 2 campsites) and we are having a little party here tonight. So straight to the (tepid) shower and a hair-wash!!

I managed to eat a bit of cucumber for dinner, before starting on the vodkas - maybe not the best idea, but we had been drinking so much water over the trek that I knew I’d be fine in the morning - even if I got a little tipsy for the party………

Day 4:
As we headed up the final path to the Sun Gate, I was all excited. I was finally going to stand in that picture of Macchu Pichu that you always see in travel brochures. The picture that I saw as a young girl that inspired me to learn more about South America, and to one day be right here, right now.

I was a little disappointed as I finally saw the site though. A great big zig-zag road was cleared to one side to allow people to just arrive there by public transport - not what I was hoping for. And it looked so small and not quite as high and remote as I thought.

If the road is just down there and I can see the river from here, then we aren’t quite so ‘in the middle of nowhere’ as I had envisaged from the picture and descriptions. How did the Spanish not find it all those years ago?? It’s so ‘near’ everything.

However, once I was down amongst the buildings and looking over the steep terraces I felt interested again. The details I had read in the books was here in front of me, there were llamas wandering around and I even saw a wild chinchilla nibbling at grass by the ruins.

It bewitched me for the several hours we were there - I was investigating every nook and cranny. Wandering in and out of peoples houses and temples (if that’s what they were). Walking where they walked, seeing what they saw, and touching what they had touched. It was a shame that time ticked away so quickly, and we had to leave.

Down to earth at the restaurant though, when the radio was announcing the UK football results……..

I’d definitely go back.

posted by Travel Cat on Oct 19

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Iceland

Everyone is talking about Iceland at the moment, so I thought I’d throw some interesting facts about the country into the mix.

Top 10 Amazing Facts:

1) This country sits on the very active Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the Atlantic Ocean, and is growing around 1cm wider each year as the ocean-bed spreads apart.

2) The people of Iceland can trace their ancestry all the way back to the invading Vikings who colonised the island in around 800bc

3) Every 4-5 years, this country has a significant volcanic explosion. However they are usually under the thick ice sheets, but you could get to see fresh flowing lava.

4) In the peak of summer you can get almost 24 hours of daylight in the very north of the island - (almost) the land of the midnight sun!

5) Due to the atmospheric conditions and the clearness of the skies, if the conditions are right you can see the Northern Lights here. These amazing patterns of red and green ‘lights’ can be seen across the skies throughout the winter months.

6) Icelandic people still use a system of naming their children that means that every member of the same family could have different surnames. Basically, the child get their first name as usual, but their surname is created by their fathers name plus whether they are a ’son’ or ‘dottir’. So if Halldors parents where Eider Gudjohnson and Vigdis Olafson, his full name would be Halldor Eiderson.

7) Because of this naming system, people are listed in the phone book by their first names to make it easier to find them!

8. You can see over 6 types of whale here on boat trips - including the humpback and the blue whale if you are very lucky. You can also spot orca, dolphins and porpoises around the capital in particular. There are also 5 types of seal commonly seen here and there is always the possibility of seeing a walrus!

9) There are no train lines in Iceland, and only one main road which circles the whole country.

10) If its rainy or cold on one side of the island, it will always be sunny and dry on the other!

There are of course many more amazing things about Iceland - but you can find them out for yourself when you get there……

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posted by Travel Cat on Oct 14

Travel to the south African country of Namibia and save up to 2/3s off the cost of a similar holiday to Botswana.

Namibia has plenty to offer, and sits right next-door to Botswana and shares part of the Okavango Delta - the latter countries ‘big draw’. North of South Africa and running up the coast of the southern Atlantic Ocean, this county has plenty to offer and 4 of the ‘big 5′ plus seals, ostriches and miles and miles of sand dunes…..

I have chosen 3 of the best locations in the country, not only for wildlife but for just amazing views and miles of endless scenery.

Etosha National Park:
In the north of the country, close to the border with Angola, sits the amazing national park. 25% of it’s surface is covered with a huge clay pan, shimmering white in the sunshine. This region is regularly flooded and the shallow lake becomes a haven for thousands of flamingos and other waterbirds.

Etosha is one of the Worlds greatest known conservation areas, and with a list including lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, giraffe, jackal, hyena, warthog, rhino zebra and wildebeest, it no wonder. At 186 miles wide and just 68 miles north-south it is remarkably easy to see game here - and with 114 mammal species within it’s boundaries - you will not be disappointed on your safari.

You need an entry permit to visit (usually included with most organised tours) but you are not allowed to visit the west of the park without a guide as the animals are not so used to humans and so will be greatly affected by your presence.

The Namib-Naukluft Park:
Running up the coast in central Namibia is this large almost un-inhabited region, divided into 3 distinct zones.

1) Sandwich Harbour:
To the north of the region you will find this isolated wetland along the Atlantic coast, where thousands of waders and other seabirds spend their days on the mudflats, including terns, flamingos and pelicans.

You cannot visit this region without a permit and there are strict guidelines about when and where you can drive. Only a 4×4 will do, and it is a 2 hour walk from the ‘car park’ to the lagoon. There is no overnight camping allowed, so you had better start out early for this ornithological day trip.

2) The Namib Desert:
Famous for it’s endless reddish dunes, this region seems devoid of life. However, you will find springbok, gemsbok, mountain zebra, bat-eared foxes and ostrich all doing well here.

There are basic campsites here and you need a permit for some areas. There are gravel paths for sturdy vehicles - for the best; follow the Welwitschia Drive for the longest and most scenic tour of the region.

3) Naukluft Mountains:
This area of rugged cliffs and steep escarpments is on the edge of the Namib and has some dramatic landscapes.

Home to a small amount of large mammals including zebra and leopards, you can hike through this region using the many campsites and you will certainly need the largest memory card you can get your hands on. The scenery is just perfectly photogenic, and the different light throughout the day makes even the same place seen totally different.

Fish River Canyon:
Legendary as the largest area of canyons anywhere near here, these geological beauties will certainly leave you speechless.

This complex of steep sided gorges in a lovely rusty stone are surely Namibia’s most spectacular natural feature and are easily reached from nearby Keetmanshoop. Created over millions of years when the land rose in height causing the river to rage it’s way down to sea level - eating away at the cliffs as it tore it’s way down to the ocean.

There are many viewpoints along the way, and some very popular hiking trails and many basic campsites. The best trail is the 85km back-packing trail starting near Hobas and ending in the delightful Ai-Ais hot springs. Just what you’ll need after several hard days hiking!

What Else:
Well, of course, the country has plenty more to offer, including the Skeleton Coast filled with shipwrecks, the local Himba tribes and German colonial towns filled with great architecture and history including the capital Windhoek. Then there is Sossusvlei - where you can watch the sun rise over the flame red dunes wearing out your camera shutter and the wildlife-crammed Bwabwata National Park, just north of the great Okavango delta.

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posted by Travel Cat on Sep 25

Destination Venezuela

One of the 9 countries bordering on gigantic Brazil, Venezuela sits to the north. It rests on the shores of the Caribbean Sea and has a whole host of pristine beaches,strands of coral reef and isolated tropical islands to it’s name.

To the east you find the Orinoco Delta weaving it’s way across the land into the Atlantic Ocean; and to the west you can find the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, which can be seen for miles around. Finally, the mighty Amazon sits to the south of this diverse destination and offers a whole host of tropical rain-forest and amazing wildlife to explore - including the highest waterfall in the world: Angel Falls.

Lets take a quick glance at what each of these locations has to offer the visitor.

The Caribbean:
There are several groups of islands in the Caribbean sea that are worth visiting and are inhabited. Of course there are many more islands that are uninhabited and are great for snorkeling and diving but there are too many to discuss here.

Archipielago Los Roques- This chain of small coral reef islands around 160km north of the mainland - about 40 of which are large enough for names - where as the other 250 or so are just rocks or sandbars. This area is a real paradise for divers and snorkelers and the infrastructure makes getting around very easy. The whole region is a National Park, so you will be charged an entry fee when visiting here.

Dos Mosquises Sur - This inhabited island is home to the Marine Biological Station which rears turtles from the surrounding area to be released locally. There are therefore some restrictions about activities in these waters.

Isla de Margarita- This large island is a vacation spot for package tours and is very popular with Canadians and Europeans. The island has some amazing white sandy beaches and 2 national parks. It is also a duty-free shopping zone so is very popular with Venezuelan vacationers too.

The Orinoco Delta:
This river basin is second only to the Amazon Basin in size and at it’s widest, the river is over 20km wide. It then splits into around 40 main channels that spread out across the delta and empty in the Atlantic Ocean.

It is easy to arrange a boat tour of the delta from most surrounding towns and even from some more distant destinations, such as the Isla de Margarita. Along the river banks you will find a whole host of wildlife species, including spider monkeys, caiman, hummingbirds and toucan to name a few. And in the water you are sure to find pirahna, but also pink river dolphins if you are out at dusk……

Many tour companies will arrange for you to stay overnight in an old oil prospectors cabins or local stilted houses on the river itself the very places that gave this country it’s name - Little Venice. Take some serious insect repellant though if you are out in the rainy season!

The Andes Mountains:
The very tip of this huge mountain chain splits into 2 and creeps into the western corner of Venezuela and can be snow-covered all year round. Many of the highest peaks are around 5000m and most towns between 2500m and 3500m. Hiking is risky at any time due to the changeable weather, but August to October really are the worst months here.

Merida state is nestled in-between the 2 ridges and does have an excellent infrastructure for travel and touring, however; neighbouring states can still offer some amazing landscapes and are probably less touristy - although you may have to be a bit more flexible with your arrangements.

Remember that the altitude here can easy reach over 3000m, so it is possible that you will need to take a few days to acclimatise yourself, otherwise you may find yourself feeling terrible the whole time possibly with some serious headaches and other unpleasant (and possibly fatal) side effects.

The Amazon Jungle and Angel Falls:
The Venezuelan Amazon is only small - just a 5th of the country’s size, but never-the-less it is a beautiful place to visit. It is predominately thick forest filled with networks of streams and rivers criss-crossing the land. Many indigenous tribes live here, and around 20 different languages are used.

Puerto Ayacucho is the main town on the Orinoco River and with a landing strip, but the infrastructure is poor and private guides are the only option here if you want to explore. Flora and fauna abound here, with birds, insects and reptiles fitting in every niche. Mammals such as the giant river otter and the ocelot do live here, but are rarely seen - but monkeys may be more frequently seen.

Salto Angel - or Angel Falls is the most visited tourist destination in the country - and I know why. When I flew here recently, the views from the ‘plane were amazing. We flew low over the tops of the giant outcrops of the ‘tepuis’ - the flat-topped mountains. Rather than the mountains coming up out of the ground, these 1000m high plateaus are what is left of the original ground when all the rest fell away!!

I though that was a great site until the ground fell away from under our plane in an instant and we tilted to the left over the falls. All I could see was the continuous drop of this amazing waterfall all the way to the ground below me!!!!! All that water, falling away into the depths of the jungle below leaving a rainbow behind as evidence of it’s beauty!

This is certainly a place to return to, over and over again. And I will.

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