This Week’s (April 22-29th) Great Reads

April 29, 2010

There has been plenty written this week about the fallout from the ash cloud.

We’ll hear more in the weeks to come as the event will be dissected and analyzed to bits. Stay tuned.

Last week The Sunday Times had this to say: Get packing: Brussels decrees holidays are a human right. The Greeks will be happy. At least they won’t have to give up holidays in the face of austerity measures.

A website worth bookmarking is called Practical Hacks. Kevin states “that he provides practical, down to earth tools, techniques and ideas to help busy people”. Every week you’ll find some gems on this site.

This week’s roundup from travel blogs around the world include the following articles.

The Best European Beach Holidays for Travel Snobs Budget, beauty, boating and beautiful people. Great pictures and interesting list.

Culturally Correct Nudity – Staying Safe If you’re traveling ouside of North America then give this a quick read.

Our Favourite Countries Seven countries are chosen from 38 visited. Some interesting outcomes.

The 10 Cheapest Cities in the World There are some surprises in the list.

How do we Pay for our Extended Family Trip This isn’t just any family trip but a 20,000 mile bike ride over 30 months from Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina. One amazing journey. I wish I was one of those kids!

money 003 This Weeks (April 22 29th) Great Reads

Much needed money to pay for an extended trip

Bed Bug Alert: What to Know Before You Go Make sure to read the comments section since it has more good advice.

Posted by Hike Bike Travel | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Miscellaneous travel tips, Safety Tips | Leave a Comment 

Adventures on Canada’s Ferries

April 28, 2010

Canada’s ferry system is extensive. Did you know that 7 out of 10 provinces operate ferries? There’s something about summertime, ferries and vacations that go hand in hand. It’s almost always easier and far cheaper to go as a ‘walk on’ or to ride your bike and then you’re loaded first.

Here are some ferry adventures you might want to consider.

British Columbia

BC Ferries 056 Adventures on Canadas Ferries

Schwartz Bay-Tsawwassen Ferry

  • The 90 minute ride between Tsawwassen and Schwartz Bay on Vancouver Island is especially scenic. Pass Galiano and Mayne Islands as you head through Active Pass. If you’re lucky you’ll see whales and porpoises.
  • The southern and northern Gulf Islands are linked by a smaller set of  ferries. Most of the rides between islands are short – 15 minutes to 45 minutes. It’s quite easy to island hop over the course of a few days. Here’s an example of what you can do: Tsawwassen – Galiano – Mayne – Pender – Saturna – Salt Spring Island – Schwartz Bay. You’ll need to plan where you want to night over and work around the ferry schedule. Download my free bike guide to the Gulf Islands for the details.
  • A summer only service is available from Port Hardy at the northern tip of Vancouver Island to the mid coast ports of Bella Bella, Shearwater, Klemtu, Ocean Falls and Bella Coola. This route is referred to as the Discovery Coast Passage. You can also continue all the way up to Prince Rupert on a summertime 15  hour cruise and then head over to Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands). The coastal route is particularly stunning…in sunny weather the scenery will dazzle.

3402872580 37d14d015c Adventures on Canadas Ferries

Ontario

  • Ontario has 12 ferries.  Visit Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest fresh water island, from Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula. Or try a trip to Pelee Island, the most southerly point in Canada. It’s particularly good for bike riding and bird watching. You can actually continue via ferry to Sandusky, Ohio from there. Other short trips connect Kingston to Wolfe Island , where there’s quieter backroad type biking, and Adolphustown to Glenora, a ferry that puts you squarely in Prince Edward County wine country.

Quebec

  • Fourteen ferries ply the waters of Quebec. The short 10 minute ride across the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord is one of the shorter rides. Another short but scenic ferry ride takes you to Isle aux Coudres, an island discovered in 1535.  It’s famous for its craftspeople, apple and nut orchards, summer theatre and great food. The hour long  Riviere-du-Loup – Saint Simeon ferry crosses the St. Lawrence River in an area frequented by whales. The Iles de la Madeleine are far removed from the Quebec mainland and in fact are accessed via  a 5 hour ferry from Prince Edward Island. Here you can easily spend a week exploring.  The islands are renowed for their restaurants, wind surfing,  kite surfing, snorkeling, caving and biking.

2672721919 063d4369cc Adventures on Canadas Ferries

New Brunswick

  • Fourteen ferries operate within New Brunswick and one three hour ferry leaves Saint John, New Brunswick for Digby, Nova Scotia. Most of the provincial ferries are short 5-7 minute affairs. The exception is the 90 minute crossing to Grand Manan Island. Grand Manan Island has plenty to offer the visitor. Whale watching, kayaking, biking, beachcombing and bird watching are all possibilities. Wildflowers, interesting rock formations and trips to nine different lighthouses all help round out your experience.

Nova Scotia

  • The three ferries operating in Nova Scotia take you to either Saint John, New Brunswick, Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island or Port aus Basques/Argentia, Newfoundland from North Sydney. They offer time saving alternatives to alot of driving and make it possible for Newoundlanders to leave their island without flying.

Prince Edward Island

  • Look for ferries to Nova Scotia on the 75 minute route between Woods Islands, PEI and Caribou, Nova Scotia or the 5 hour ferry to the Iles de la Madeleine.

3709012711 e634b03d41 Adventures on Canadas Ferries

Newfoundland

  • Newfoundland has ferry service to Nova Scotia, Quebec (near the Labrador border) and St. Pierre and Miquelon. In addition 17 ferries unite small communities up the coast of Labrador and along the remote southern edge of the island.  The Port aux Basques – North Sydney, Nova Scotia route crosses the Cabot Strait and can be done as one very long day trip during the summer months. The St. Barbe-Blanc Sablon ferry takes just under 2 hours and connects Newfoundland to Labrador via ferry and a short drive from the Quebec ferry terminal. The return trip can be easily done in a day. Look for whales as you make the crossing.
  • The St. Pierre and Miquelon ferry will take you to another country – quite literally. France is the proud owner of these two small islands. Daily trips during the summer will allow you to get a real taste of Europe, complete with croissants, Euros and French culture.

Leigh McAdam

www.hikebiketravel.com

Posted by Hike Bike Travel | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Canada | 2 Comments 

One of Africa’s Gems: Etosha National Park, Namibia

April 27, 2010

One of Africa’s gems is Etosha National Park located in northwestern Namibia. It covers 4600 square kilometres making it one of the biggest parks in Africa. It’s dominated by a huge white mineral pan full of salt and DUSTY clay. The rest of the park consists of scrub vegetation and some trees interspersed with dozens of natural and man-made watering holes. A number of roads loop through the park and accommodation is available both in and outside the park boundaries.

namibia11 One of Africas Gems: Etosha National Park, Namibia

Elephants in Etosha National Park'

The pan is a dominant feature but is mostly avoided by wildlife unless it’s the rainy season. Then flocks of flamingos and other waders descend briefly for the water doesn’t last long. Along the edge of the pan perennial springs are the magnet for birds and wildlife. But head for the water holes when it’s the dry season – May to September. Then one of the most enjoyable things to do is to spend hours watching the comings and goings of the animals. Look for giraffe, elephant, rhinos, lions, zebra, wildebeest, springbok, impala, eland and occasionly leopard and cheetah.

namibia21 One of Africas Gems: Etosha National Park, Namibia

Zebras in Etosha National Park

Driving on the roads through Etosha National Park can prove interesting. Elephants and giraffes inadvertently stop traffic as they meander along the edges and across the roads. Night time driving is prohibited.

Bird watching is first rate. Peak season is November to March and coincides with the rainy period.  The lilac breasted roller is a perennial favourite – a beautiful, multi hued bird with flashes of electric blue visible in flight. They can be found on telephone wires. Another easy to identify (maybe that’s why I liked them so much) bird is the squacky yellow billed hornbill. Altogether it’s possible to see over 300 bird species so binoculars and a good bird book are a must.

namibia41 One of Africas Gems: Etosha National Park, Namibia

Weaver nests

You can easily book a trip to Etosha National Park with the help of the Cardboard Box Travel Company. Renting a car and touring the country is surprisingly easy. Allow at least 3 days for Etosha and plan a stay in one of the private hotels just outside of the Park. Namibia is a long way for most people to go but it’s a country very much worth visiting.

Leigh McAdam

www.hikebiketravel.com

Posted by Hike Bike Travel | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Africa | Leave a Comment 

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