Ultimate Vacation Spots

posted by Travel Cat on Dec 17

Being the anniversary next year of Charles Darwin’s ‘On The Origin of Species’ which he based on his finding in these wonderful Pacific Islands, what better way to celebrate than actually go there.

This group of 13 major and 6 smaller islands (plus many islets) sits over a 1000km from the nearest mainland of Ecuador - to which they belong. Completely volcanic in origin, they are mainly extinct peaks and old lava flows. As a result, most of the islands look more like the moon and have hardly any vegetation.

This is what makes them so unique.

They are almost untouched by man, even though there is a population of around 30,000 people and urban developments on 5 of the larger islands to cater for the many tourists that flock here, the smaller islands are only visited by tourists, and there are strict rules about the effects of travelers.

The Islands:
There really isn’t a bad time to visit the Galapagos Islands for nature watching however, you must decide which season more suits your needs.

By that I mean that there are 2 different seasons: the warm/wet season from January to June or the cool/dry season from July to December. Both seasons offer great nature watching, but the warm/wet season is much more crowded and the cool/dry season can have rough seas and less business cater for tourists. It depends what is the worst of those two evils for you.

Isla Santa Cruise is the most important island as it houses the largest town in the Galapagos of Peurto Ayora. From here you can organise most budget tours and general supplies and accommodation. It is close to the airport and will suffice your average needs if travelling independently. It can be difficult to find cheaper tours during the busy season, and you may have to wait several days (or weeks) for a slot.

Tours and Cruises:
Everyone visiting the Galapagos Islands has to pay the $100/£50 entry fee - as it is a National Park. And to be honest, for a weeks vacation here including the flight from Ecuador (there are no direct flights from anywhere else), the entrance fee, bottled water, a cheap cruise and tips could easily top $1000/£500.

There are only a few terrestrial areas that you are allowed to visit alone without a guide, so you will need to book a cruise at some point to see the beauty of the whole place and those locations several days sail away. However, you may not be thinking of the type of ‘cruises’ they offer in the economy section.

Economy Cruises:
Some ships have shared accommodation - sometimes with mixed sex and there could be over 20 people on your tiny boat. There are also ships that do not have fresh water showers - or even actual showers - a hose on deck is not uncommon. Some do not supply fresh water, or any meat other than fish.

Itineraries can change, boats can break down, refuelling can take hours, the seas can be very, very rough - sometimes causing the ship to return to port for the sick person/people, and getting a refund can be extremely difficult.

Most of the economy cruises have a Spanish speaking guide only, or a guide in training who knows about the same or less than you about the wildlife - they mainly make sure that you don’t wander of the paths when on-land.

Upgrading a step could get you an English speaking guide and a shower, but you still can’t expect anything more than the basics, and of course breakdowns, sickness and changes can still occur.

Luxury Cruises:
They are available and usually need to be booked in advance as park of a holiday package, either in your home country (most expensive but guaranteed), in Quito (cheaper, but possibly with a wait of a few days for confirmation), or in Puerto Ayora (no cheaper really but you could be waiting for days or even a week here - wasting money on hotels etc).

Expect to pay at least double the cost, and some higher end cruises could cost up to 5 times the amount, but you will get extras. Always check on the particulars of each boat, including the number of people (you have to stay in your groups on the islands so smaller is better for nature watching, but less people crammed onto your boat means that you really need to get on with everyone - there is nowhere to hide from that annoying couple……)

Seeing as you are travelling all the way there, make sure it suits your needs. If you can get something better for another $10 then pay it. However saying that, some people think that the whole holiday can be made memorable by certain uncontrollable things happening - for example how sick you were on that trip or the woman you shared a cabin with who talked in her sleep…….

Don’t forget that the flights and park fee are never included in any cruise. They may well be included if you book a whole vacation package from your home country.

The Wildlife:
Well, there certainly are a lot of finches here! And a lot of other things to be honest. However there are no large native land mammals on the islands - it’s all birds and reptiles. However in the water you find the mammals and the fish - including non-people eating hammerhead sharks in their hundreds you can swim with…….

97% of the land here is designated as National Park, and 133,000 sq km of ocean is protected under the Galapagos Marine Resources Reserve and a 20,000 sq km ‘buffer zone’ around it too. You need a guide to visit most areas, and many regions are no-tourist zones with or without a guide for the sake of the environment and delicate ecosystems. And no means no!

Birds are abundant here and seem almost fearless of humans. You will no doubt see over 30 species on your vacation without really trying - just hope your guide can identify them all for you. Species include the comical boobies (in Punta Pitt all 3 species can be seen together), and even Galapagos penguins on Isabela and Isla Fernandina.

Other well known species include frigate-birds, waved albatross, brown pelicans, blue herons, greater flamingos and many many wetland birds and gulls. There are however species specific only to these islands, so you will need a guide book if you want to tick of more than just ‘gull’ or ‘wader’ on your tours.

The islands are also famous for their reptiles, including the giant tortoises - of which there are many island-specific species. Snorkelers can get up close with many turtle species just offshore including the giant leather-backs, as well as the marine iguanas that grace many islands. Land iguanas and lava lizards stay on-land for those who would rather not get wet!

Sea-lions, and some 25 species of whales and dolphins are also frequently spotted on cruises.

Enjoy it while you can - there may soon be restrictions on tourist numbers here….

posted by Travel Cat on Dec 4

Get you hands on the GreenForce Vacation Brochure!

I found a UK based adventure company that offer some of the most amazing holiday adventures in some of the most amazing places.

No more boring destinations for your year out, no more tree planting in Central America, these are excellent locations - dream locations in my opinion…

Diving in Fiji or the Bahamas: Up to 10 weeks
After receiving your dive training to PADI Advanced Open Water & Emergency First Response whilst on location, you will begin your volunteering in a UNESCO research environment. 

Great White Shark Project in South Africa: 4 weeks
After receiving basic seamanship training and a short underwater photography course, you will learn everything about these magnificent creatures and study them in the wild.

Community Support in Tanzania or Ecuador: Up to 10 weeks
After introductory lessons in the local language and cultures, you get to work with local communities on serious projects.  Whether it’s building a school in the Andean cloud forests or living with the Maasai and learning about animal migration.

With Penguin Rescue, Panda Conservation and working in Australia or India, even a trek to Everest Base Camp in there as well - you would be mad to spend your spare time anywhere else.

Take a look for yourself on www.greenforce.org. 

GreenForce is a non-profit adventure specialist so you know your money and time are going to the people, wildlife and environments that need it.

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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