Countries youd like to visit – Part 1

The earth’s surface is divided into over 200 official countries and territories, incorporating a multitude of differing terrain and contrasting cultures.

Having been inflicted with the travel “bug” from an early age, the urge to acquire first-hand experience of the diversity in the topography and civilization that adorns this planet has evolved into a passion for exploration.

However, the realistic perception lies with the awareness and understanding that both time and finance has, and will probably continue, to influence the opportunity to achieve the desired reality of having visited countless nations.

What, therefore, is a rational expectation for a life-long travel itinerary? For a personal target I have opted for a minimum of visiting a country located within each of the seven continents. If the opportunity is forthcoming and I am able to incorporate a higher number of worldwide destinations then I will view this as an unexpected extra, but for now the target remains a destination within each of the seven continents.

I have travelled across Europe, to countries including France, Italy, Romania and Cyprus, so the intentional travel itinerary will concentrate on the remaining six continents.

North America – A visit to the largest state in the United States of America, with a trip to Alaska. One travel option is for an Alaskan cruise and as my travel plans also includes the intended use of a variety of differing modes of transport, the preferred method for visiting Alaska would be aboard the cruise ship.

South America – The archaeological remnants of the Inca empire in Peru, and the citadel of Machu Picchu.

Africa – Two countries continue to dominate my thoughts: A safari in Kenya, and a visit to the north-eastern region of Tanzania with the intention of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Asia – Kathmandu and the Himalayan peaks of Nepal. One cannot ignore a destination that includes the mountain kingdom of the Himalayas, and the pinnacle that is Everest. Climbing Everest is probably a little optimistic, but the view from base camp will be an equal experience.

Australia and New Zealand – From Alice Springs by road to view this bewildering rock formation, made of sandstone, at sunset or a dive beneath the ocean waves to explore the Great Barrier Reef. If the opportunity becomes viable then I would endeavor to plan a trip to incorporate both Australia and New Zealand within one extended vacation. Landing in Australia first for Sydney and Alice Springs, then across the Tasman Sea to the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

Antarctica – This will undoubtedly be the most extreme destination of choice, due to the nature and climate of this frozen wasteland, but future plans entail a flight to the South Pole and the viewing of the native Emperor Penguins.

Will I achieve this quest? I cannot tell, but I am hopeful of many years ahead to achieve the desired, and to be able to compile a catalogue of memories and personal experiences from across the globe.

Do You Feel Free?

“…no one ever pushes you toward freedom. You need to take that for yourself.”

–Joan Erickson, wife of psychologist Erik Erickson, quoted in Joan Anderson’s book, A Walk on the Beach.

Do you believe that someone has to give you your freedom? Do you believe that you can be free only when you have others’ approval? Is your sense of freedom dependent upon what others think of you?

If you believe that your freedom is dependent upon another or others, then you will wait forever to be free. You will feel free when you decide that you are going to do what feels right and loving to do for yourself, regardless of what others think.

How do you reach a place where you are willing to trust yourself enough to follow your own inner guidance rather than be limited by others? How do you come to a place where you are willing to experience others’ disapproval in order to be true to yourself?

This freedom comes from a deep place within regarding which intention is most important to you:

• To control what others think of you, or

• To support your own highest good.

These two intentions are mutually exclusive. You cannot be focused on trying to control getting others’ approval or avoiding their disapproval, while at the same time be focused on lovingly supporting your own freedom and what is in your own highest good. You automatically limit your freedom when your concern over what others think of you is more important to you than your freedom to be yourself and do what feels good and right to you.

Of course, it is challenging to trust your own inner promptings regarding what would bring you joy, and run the risk of losing someone who is important to you. But if that person truly cares about you, he or she will want you to do what brings you joy, unless what you want to do is likely to be harmful to you. For example, in the book quoted at the beginning of this article, Joan Anderson wanted to take a trip to Machu Picchu in Peru, but she was worried that her husband would be upset about her going. This is when her close friend, Joan Erickson, told her, “…no one ever pushes you toward freedom. You need to take that for yourself.” She took the trip and it was one of the best things she ever did for herself!

What are you wanting to do that you are not doing because you are afraid of someone else’s reaction – your partner’s reaction, your parent’s reaction, your children’s reaction, your friends’ reaction? How are you limiting your own freedom to control what others think of you? What are you doing in your attempt to please others that you don’t want to be doing? In what ways are you giving yourself up to get others’ approval?

How do you feel inside when you make what others think more important to you than your own freedom and joy?

Often resentment, anxiety, anger and depression are the result of not doing what we really want to do, not being who we really want to be – not being ourselves. Giving ourselves up to others may feel safe, but it will never feel joyous.

Right now, think about something you REALLY want to do and are not doing out of fear of disapproval. Or think about something you are doing that you REALLY don’t want to continue to do but keep doing to gain approval or avoid disapproval. How do you feel inside when you don’t do what you want, or do what you don’t want? Is it worth it?

Brazil Delivers on Its Property Promises

With some of the most exciting opportunities in overseas property situated in far-flung locations around the world, many investors who are making good returns on their overseas property portfolios never get to see the properties in question. But with the global travel and tourism markets constantly evolving, some destinations which were previously thought of purely in terms of their investment potential are now coming to be considered as viable holiday destinations.

Two years ago, real estate in Brazil was still being treated with some caution by property investors. While the economy was beginning to grow, and the idea of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India & China) countries was coming to the fore, it was still difficult to consider property investments away from the established business and cultural centres. When developments began to appear in and around Recife, there was some suspicion of the viability of the investment, and where the rental income would come from.

With the recent launch of a number of lifestyle resorts in some of the more untouched parts of the country, there is a whole new market opening up – residential tourism. With the development of resort-based properties, ambitious plans for golf, equestrian and spa facilities, and a healthy dose of celebrity endorsement, buyers are beginning to view Brazil’s north east coast as an extension to the Caribbean, or according to one agent, the new Algarve.

The area around Natal is Brazil’s closest point to Europe, boasts a climate that with an average temperature of over 24 degrees celsius in winter, and according to the Institute for Applied Economics Research, is the safest city in Brazil. There are now direct flights from London to the city, and with the new resorts managing to secure large tracts of unspoiled beach and coastline, the prospects not only for a relaxing undisturbed beach holiday, but also space for watersports and other activities are superb.

Other factors from more established overseas real estate markets are also helping to attract buyers. Grand Natal Golf, a huge development of over 30,000 properties stretched along 7km of beach, is being marketed in the UK by Resort Group International, and has the kudos of being able to use Brazilian football legend Ronaldo and actor Antonio Banderas as ambassadors for the project. Both celebrities have already secured their properties on the development, with Ronaldo also opening a football academy on the site.

On top of celebrity endorsements, the Grand Natal Golf project also includes plans for a plastic surgery clinic, and with direct flights starting at just £190 return, the cost of cosmetic surgery tourism is likely to rival southern European destinations.

The major attraction with buying property in Brazil however, is that anyone buying property there will open up the potential rental market not only to Brits and Europeans, but also to the US market, who increasingly see Brazil as an alternative to the beaches and overdevelopment of Mexican and Caribbean resorts. Resort Group International’s Graeme Grant says “Now the tourism industry is discovering the fabulous 418 km coast around Natal and property in this area is moving beyond the investment phase into second home purchases. The region is popular not only with Europeans but North Americans and Brazilians as well. Natal is the new Algarve.”

According to NASA surveys, Natal and Antarctica enjoy the cleanest atmosphere in the world, so developers are also keen to make sure their green credentials are recognised as the region develops. As well as protecting the local environment, this should also make sure that there is no overdevelopment in the future, keeping resale values high.

The Brazilian government is also getting involved in promoting the growth of tourism, and protecting the environment. The Ministry of Tourism has only been in existence since 2003, but since then has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into promoting and protecting the country. Adam Cornwell of Gem Estates, who are promoting the Porto dos Corais development just outside Natal says “The target is to grow tourist arrivals annually from the current base of 5.5 million to 9 million over the next couple of years. Rio Grande do Norte is seeing the most tangible results with tourist arrivals for the State increasing by 134% between 2002 and 2005.”

It isn’t just the agents who are getting excited about property in Brazil. Equity International, a US investment company, stated “Brazil is an exciting market with profound political, economic and societal developments propelling it onto the world stage”

Reflections: Reality

Incan civil war

Nazco

Cuzco

Aqueducts

South America

Tis essay is about the Incans and acrostic which explains more about how and what the Incans did and more interesting facts about them, I am only going to do the CAS for you. Sorry about that.

Let’s get started.

Aqueducts

Aqueducts are long water supply. It was used to provide areas with water for drinking, farming, bathing, and etc. For the Incas, who were great warriors, also needed water for herbs and plants. The Incas build the most aqueducts out of the Mayans and Aztecs (I call them big 3). Some of the aqueducts are still located in the region of the Incas. Like Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, and Tambomachay near Cuzco, the capital of the

Incas, you can go there if you want to see the aqueducts of the ancient civilization of the Incas. However, the cool part of aqueducts is that they still build them, there is one in Rome and other place that depend on irrigating. Nevertheless, they are not like the old kind but they transformed the whole idea to new aqueducts.

south america

South America is located in the southern hemisphere and it is connected to Mexico by the isthmus. The Incas lived in the South America because the climate varies very greatly so various kind of crops grow there. I think because of the Aztecs, and the tributes, the Incas had no other way than to become warriors and keep there tribe alive. However, I bet if the Aztecs were not in the South America then the Incas would have been probably herbalist like the Mayans. Nevertheless, they still were successful as warriors, until the so-called fearless gods in shiny armor and the hornless deer’s, also known as the Spaniard came and captured them for riches.

cuzco

Cuzco was the capital of the Incan civilization. Also known as the imperial city. When Pizarro captured the Incas he named it Cusco, but lather on it became its now days name, Cuzco. Mostly the food of Cuzco was mostly potato stuff. If you go to Cuzco, you can still see the ruins of Cuzco. After the Incas stayed there, the Killke Empire started to live there. If you ever want to go see or learn about the Incan civilization then you should go see Cuzco or near there because there are still ruins of the ancient civilization.

Final word: Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Botswana Emerges as an Up Market Safari Destination

Botswana is a country of seemingly endless open spaces. Though it occupies an area the size of France, the human population is only 1.6 million. This is one country where wildlife does not face stiff competition for land resources from man. As a result the animals have multiplied with a flourish. Botswana can justifiably claim to host some of the finest game sanctuaries in Africa. The worlds’ largest exporter of diamonds by value, the country is not under pressure to get in more tourists. And the government has adopted a deliberate policy of keeping visitor numbers low. The hidden hand of the market has responded by adjusting the price to reflect this reality. Botswana has therefore emerged as an exclusive up market safari destination.

Bill Clinton, together with his wife went on safari in Botswana in 1998. The power couple was greatly fascinated by the wildlife, and the serious games of life and death they play. Affirming his position on top of the food chain, the president ate for dinner some of the animal species he had watched earlier. His evening buffet included zebra, crocodile, impala in monkey sauce, and giraffe. “I tried it all”, he declared with satisfaction. But the former American president is only one in a long line of heavy hitters to enjoy the wildlife havens of Botswana. Hollywood legends, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor chose to remarry here, for example.

Botswana is dominated by the Kalahari Desert. It occupies 84% of the land area, mostly in the west, central and north of the country. But the Kalahari is not a desert in the Sahara sense. You find the occasional sand dune, but also substantial vegetation in the form of short thorn and scrub bush, trees and grasslands. Very little water though, and hence the desert tag. To the northwest, you find Okavango, the world’s largest inland delta. The northeast is a land of gently rolling tablelands interrupted by granite hills and rock formations. The east and southeast, where 80% of the people live has more varied relief. And the rain clouds linger more and unburden themselves more freely, relative to the rest of the country.

Today Botswana is a peaceful, well-managed and relatively prosperous country. The country wealth per man indicator places among middle-income nations alongside Mexico and Russia and ahead of Brazil. But it has not always been so and the country has come along way. The San people (otherwise known bushmen) are believed to be the original inhabitants of Botswana. Their descendants survive to this day, some living as their forefathers did for most of the 30,000 years historians guess they have been around. Later -much later, Bantu groups, prominent of which were the Tswana, became the masters of these realms.

The modern Botswana nation has been shaped by the alliances made in response to historical currents swirling in southern Africa in the eighteenth century. The rulers at the time aligned their interests with those of the British against the Boers who were approaching from the south and the Germans from the west. For the British, the value of the alliance was strategic and not much was expected in terms of economic advantage. And that is how the relationship resulted in the Bechuanaland Protectorate – the recursor of modern Botswana. The British remained in charge until independence in 1966.

The visitor to Botswana is drawn by the credible intelligence that abounds about the quality of its pristine wildlife sanctuaries. Chobe National Park, one of the finest game parks in Africa is located to the north east of the country. The park has the greatest variety of game anywhere in the country. That is why the busy Bill Clinton found himself at Chobe for his short safari. Wildlife thrives among the swamps and grasslands that stretch along the flood plains of the Chobe River. Occupying 10,560 square kilometers, it is particularly renowned for the great concentration and sheer abundance of its elephants, estimated to number 80,000.

The Chobe elephants are migratory and move along the Chobe River, their reliable redoubt in the dry season. African elephants are the largest among elephant species -and those at Chobe are the largest of them all. The population has gradually built up since the 1930’s when wildlife in the area began to enjoy some sort of protection. The infamous trade in ivory, particularly in the 1970’s and 80’s encouraged the decimation of elephant populations in other parts of Africa. But the elephants of Chobe – thank God -were spared contact with the dirty hands of poachers. Other animals to see here include some of the usual suspects on an African safari – lion, cheetah, hippo buffalo, giraffe, antelope, jackal, warthog, hyena, crocodile, zebra. The birdlife is also diverse. Cruising or driving along the Chobe River, you get the best view of the animals.

The Savuti Marshes of Chobe are reputed to have the largest predator population density in southern Africa. The marshes have the textbook features that draw predators. In a flat and hostile environment, they provide a place where wildebeest, buffalo, zebra and many species of antelope congregate for a drink. The predators – cheetahs, leopards, lions, wild dogs, hyenas, wild dogs, and jackals – naturally follow. Some predators such as lion tend to be rather lazy and the setting here is a gift. The usual entry point for Chobe is Kasane, which is located about 800km north of Gaborone. You get here by flying from Gaborone, Maun or Victoria Falls in neighbouring Zimbabwe. Camps and lodges can be found throughout the park.

The Okavango Delta, in the north west of Botswana is the largest inland delta in the world. Spreading over 15,000 square kilometers, it is formed as the flow of the Okavango River slows down and soaks into the sands. That is why it is referred to as ‘the river which never finds the sea’. The network of channels, ox bow lakes, lagoons, swamps and islands that arise is very pleasing to the eye. But that is not all of Okavangos’ bounty. The delta is filled with wildlife – wildebeest, giraffe, hippo, elephant, zebra and buffalo have all found a home here. The birds too are plenty, more than 550 types, some of which live on the trees and others on the water.

The best place to see wildlife in Okavango is within the spectacular Moremi Wildlife Reserve. The reserve lies in the centre of the delta and occupies 3,000 square kilometres. In Moremi you view game aboard a vehicle or by gliding on a makoro (dugout canoe) or other type of canoe. Accommodation is available in camps and lodges within the delta area. In Moremi itself, you can stay in tented campsites but no permanent camps or lodges are allowed.

If you are interested culture, take a break at Chief’s Island, the largest in the delta, and see ancient rock paintings. The painting were presumably executed by the artistically inclined fore bearers on the San people. The Okavango Delta should be avoided in summer, especially December to March, when most of the camps are closed down. At that time, it is very hot and humid- temperatures rise above 38°C, and thunderstorms unleash daily. You enter Okavango through Maun – the deltas’ principal town, by flying or taking a bus from Gaborone, 600 km away.

Visitors to either Chobe or Okavango may wish to add on a visit to Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls is actually in Zimbabwe but is easily accessible from the northern part of Botswana. Victoria Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world and one of Africa’s prime attractions. Situated on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, the falls occur where the steadily flowing Zambezi River, unwarned, casually approaches and then suddenly plunges down a series of basalt gorges in a breathtaking display of several waterfalls. Mist and thunder emanating from the falls can be witnessed from far off.

The spray from the falls sustains the rain forest on the opposite wall of basalt and creates an almost constant rainbow visible even by the light of the moon. The falls are best seen from the air, thus activities such as helicopter flights, balloon rides and micro-lighting over the falls are a must do. Other exciting activities available are bungee jumping off the bridge – which also gives a spectacular view down the gorge, canoeing, white water rafting, river safaris, elephant back safaris and many more.

Adventure seekers, who travel not merely to convenient places, may wish to check out the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. The shallow saltpans cover about 6,500 square kilometres and rank among the largest in the world. The atmosphere here is admittedly surreal, with shimmering mirages in a vast open terrain broken only by a few baobab trees. Bird watchers in particular will be intrigued at the unusual environment as they watch numerous flamingos and pelicans. The pans occupy the area between Francistown (410 km north east of Gaborone) and the Okavango Delta. There is plenty of wildlife, in the Makgadikgadi National Park, but not as much as Chobe- so this will not be your only reason for coming here.

Botswana is the site of a unique wildlife conservation initiative in Southern Africa- the concept of cross border parks. The initiative is anchored on the common sense observation that wildlife does not recognise international borders. Successful conservation efforts in an area bordering another country can be reduced to naught if the neighbouring countries do not collaborate. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a combination of two parks -the former Gemsbok National Park in Botswana and Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa.

Covering over 36,000 sq km, Kgalagadi is one of the biggest wildlife conservation areas anywhere in the world. Botswana contributes about 75% of the park in the southern Kalahari Desert. The park is a unique conservation area for it allows the large-scale wildlife migratory movements that were once common in the savanna grasslands of Africa, but are sadly not possible any more. The appeal of the harsh beauty of the Kalahari aside, scientists are extremely curious to find out the secret story of the flora and fauna that has adapted to what appears to be a very difficult environment.

For ordinary folks, the park is host to the famous black-maned Kalahari lions. You will also see gemsbok, springbok, eland, blue wildebeest, cheetahs, wild dogs, jackals, bat-eared foxes and leopards. Birding is also excellent and of 297 species recorded, 96 are resident. It is difficult to get to Kgalagadi. From Gaborone, you drive for 860 km, of which 550 km is tarred and the rest gravel. Being a cross border park, you can also access it through South Africa. The park has no permanent tented campsites and on safari you must bring in everything you need.

The dry season, especially between April and October, is the best time to visit Botswana on safari. It is then easy to spot wildlife gathered near water sources. The rains come over the southern summer months of November to March. The roads are then difficult to use and with the abundance of water and pasture, the animals tend to scatter. Early morning and night temperatures in winter (May to August) can drop below freezing, especially in the southwest. But the days are then cool to warm. The summer experiences high daytime temperatures of up to 38°C. The cloud cover, though, and the rains tend to cool things a little bit. Beware that August is very dry and dust and sand storms tends to rise from the west.

Remember to pack a pair of binoculars- they bring the animals closer without the usual risks. A pair of decent sunglasses is a good idea, especially if you travel to the Kalahari, where the glare can be somewhat unsettling. Also pack photographic and video equipment to record your safari for the sake of those of your unlucky friends who may not have been to Botswana. On safari, you are advised not to wear white or bright clothing to avoid exciting the animals. Light cottons and linens are adequate for summer. To survive winter mornings and evenings, you need warmer wraps and sweaters. Women should avoid wearing scanty beachwear in rural areas away from hotels and campsites to avoid offending locals.

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Copyright © Africa Point

About the Author

Andrew Muigai is editor of AfricaPoint Insider online newsletter. It is published by AfricaPoint.com- the Africa travel website that has helped thousands of travelers discover Africa. You can view more info on Botswana safari and tours at the website.

Peru – Part 2

The origin of the word ‘ Peru ‘ has been traced to the name of an ancient monarch who was named Biru in the early years of the 16 th century. The picturesque country of Peru is a premier country of the South American continent with Lima being its capital city. Peru is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean in the west, Brazil on the east, Bolivia on the south east, Ecuador and Columbia in the north and Chile in the south. The magnificent stretch of the Andes Mountains divide this country into three physiographical zones and are abounding in terms of scenic beauty. These regions include the ‘sierra’ or the high mountain regions comprising of the Andes and the Altiplano plateau. The second zone is known as ‘costa’ which comprises of river valleys cut by the seasonal rivers. The Amazon rainforest totally constitutes the third section known as the ‘selva’ with Amazon being the premier rivers of the region along with its tributaries like Maranon, Ucayali , Mantaro, Urubamba etc.

In terms of history, Peru had been witness to the life and times of the Norte Chico civilization which is known to be one of the most primitive civilizations of the world, having prospered between 3000 to 1800 BCE. Before the Spanish occupation of this territory, Peru had also been home to the Incas. The landscapes of Machu Picchu are of immense importance within the Peruvian territory and it is referred to as the ‘lost city of the Incas’ and this place has even found mention amidst supreme literary works of the 20 th century as in the renowned poet Pablo Neruda’s legendary work titled ‘The Heights of Machu Picchu’. Peru remained under Spanish subjugation from the 16 th century till 1821 when it became independent under the able leadership of Jose de San Martin. In the later years of the 20 th century however, Peru was again plagued by a series of internal strife resulting in the declaration of a coup. While at present Peru is a presidential representative democracy, it is still struggling with its political unrest.

Economically, Peru has been showing a promising growth and is a developing country with its exports comprising of products such as textiles, copper, zinc, gold and fish meal. The Peruvian population is a mix of multiple ethnic groups and the main language still remains Spanish though a considerable section of the population also communicates in Quechua, a local language. Peru also has a very rich and thriving cultural heritage with its ancient architecture, many and sculpture along with literature and music being well-known worldwide.

Why to go to Lima, Peru? – Part 3

I write this whilst seated in the Migration office, Lima’s International waiting room. Looking around at the other hapless Gringos, one might assume that every traveler finds themselves in Peru’s smog-filled capital, through obligation rather than choice. Either like me they’ve had the misfortune of being robbed or are merely here on a swift ticket to Machu Picchu.

I could be feeling sorry for my possession-less self and frustrated at having had to stay in Lima for longer than planned; for the hours in endless queues at the embassy, and the rows with well-meaning bank clerks, awaiting the postal system to perform a minor miracle and deliver me a new credit card.

But after nearly a month of planning my escape, it seems today I will in fact be free to leave Lima, armed with a newly stamped passport and an onward ticket. How is it then, that I can hardly stand to leave?

Had I never been mugged, I wouldn’t have known the kindness of the waiter at the Buen Sabor Cafe, who gave me a free meal, or the two women passers-by, who took pity on my panic-stricken state and took me to the Police station. Nor of Carla at the Tourist office who bought me a phone card so I could phone my Mum. There would have been no Fransisco the Angelic Taxi Driver, who whisked me away from my woes and lent me some money in nothing but good faith. Who then deposited me at the bus station, where above all I would never have bumped into Jeru, my host for the last month. She insisted on inviting me to her family home, where I’ve had the privilege of staying, in sharing their conversation, their food and learning rude words around a seven-strong family meal table. The home that brought me to her cousin, Jackson and ultimately to falling in love.

How ironic then, that the soulless, dirty city that at first glimpse stole my most valued possessions, would be the same one to steal my heart!

A Guide To Rio De Janeiro

The Marvelous City (Cidade Maravilhosa), Rio De Janeiro is a Southeast Brazilian city on Guanabara Bay, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean. The city was founded by Portuguese in the 16th Century.

According to a tradition belief, the city was named “Rio de Janeiro” meaning “River of January” by the Portuguese explorers in 1502 believing Guanabara Bay to be the mouth of a river. The city of Rio de Janeiro became the capital of the colony of Brazil in 1763, the capital of the Brazilian empire in 1822, and the capital of the independent Brazil in 1889; however the capital was shifted to Brasília in 1960.

The former capital of Brazil, Rio De Janeiro City acquired its modern cloak in the early 1900s. Rio De Janeiro city is presently the second largest city after São Paulo, and the capital of Rio de Janeiro State of Brazil. It is the cultural, financial, commercial, communication, and transportation hub of Brazil. The city is commonly known as Rio, particularly in English and Brazilians. The official song of Rio is “Cidade Maravilhosa.”

The estimated population of the city in 2005 is about 6,094,183. The residents of the city are known as Cariocas. The majority of the population of the city is of Portuguese descent. It includes a large number of people of African descent, and mulattos of mixed Portuguese and African descent. The city’s other important ethnic groups include Germans, Italians, Spaniards, Arabs, Jews, Asians (mostly Koreans and Japanese), and mixed Amerindians. Percentage wise, the population is comprised of White European descent (56%), of mixed-race descent (32.3%), of Black African descent (11.4%), of Asian descent (0.1%) and of Amerindian descent (0.1%).

The only Portuguese-speaking nation in the Americas is Brazil. In fact Portuguese is the official language that is spoken by almost the entire population. It’s the language largely used in schools, newspapers, radio, TV and for all business and administrative purposes.

The Portuguese language in Brazil has undergone fewer phonetic changes that often called the “language of Camões.” The other languages spoken in the city and the entire Brazil include English, Spanish, Brazilian German dialects, such as Riograndenser Hunsrückisch and the Pomeranian language, and also the Talian, based on the Italian Venetian language, and Japanese In the city of São Paulo.

Rio is largely divided into Centro, Zona Sul (South Zone), Zona Norte (North Zone), and Zona Oeste (West Zone). The “Centro” is comprised of the historic downtown. Including Santa Teresa, the “Centro” is the city’s financial and business center. The Zona Sul (South Zone) is the tourist-friendly area with the world-famous beaches.

The Zone including the Copacabana and Ipanema is the epicenter of the city’s tourist activity. The Zona Norte (North Zone) is the industrial zone, and is home to the Maracanã stadium, which was once the world’s highest capacity football (soccer) venue. The Zona Oeste (West Zone) is a suburban area including primarily the districts of Jacarepaguá, and Barra da Tijuca, popular for its beaches.

Situated in the tropical South Atlantic, Rio is warm all year round. The summers (November to March) are very hot and humid. The winters (June to September) are cool and dry, never cold, with some precipitation.

Rio is one of the popular tourist destinations of the world. Hemmed in beautiful low mountain ranges, Rio De Janeiro is one of the most beautiful natural harbors of the world. The city is known for its breathtaking landscape, its laidback beach culture and its annual carnival. Highly celebrated city of Brazil, Rio is widely known for its scenic beauty, natural setting, Carnival celebrations, samba and other music, and marvelous crescent-shaped beaches, such as Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon. Rio is known for being easy-going and friendly lifestyle.

Samba music and samba dance is soul of Rio and Brazil. It’s the essence of the Rio carnival- Brazilian Carnival that is an annual celebration held 40 days before Easter, marking the start of Lent. The carnival in Rio de Janeiro features a number of parades including the famous Escolas de Samba (Samba schools) parades in the sambódromo exhibition centre; the popular ‘blocos de carnaval’ that parades in almost every corner of the city; Cordão do Bola Preta, one of the most traditional exhibits that parades in the centre of the city; Suvaco do Cristo parades in the Botanic Garden; Carmelitas parades in the hills of Santa Teresa; Simpatia é Quase Amor parades in Ipanema; and Banda de Ipanema including families and a wide spectrum of the gay population that parades in Ipanema.

Rio is the city full of a number of terrific tourist attractions. The city is blessed with numerous spectacular sights, beautiful beaches, elegant edifices, magnificent museums, and pleasing parks.

Spectacular sights include Corcovado, Pão de Açúcar, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, The Maracanã stadium, Parque Lage, and Jardim Botanico. The beautiful beaches in city include Flamengo, Botafogo, Leme, Copacabana, Arpoador, Ipanema, Leblon, Recreio dos Bandeirantes, and Grumari. Copacabana and Ipanema are the hot favorites of tourists.

Elegant Edifices in the city include Paço Imperial (1743, old Imperial Palace in downtown, next to Praça XV, Fifteen Square), Casa França Brasil (1820, French cultural center in downtown, next to CCBB), CCBB – Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (1906, a cultural center with gallery, movie theater in downtown), Candelária Church (neoclassic cathedral next to CCBB), Mosteiro de São Bento (1663, Saint Benedict’s Monastery, colonial architecture in downtown), Ilha Fiscal Palace (1889- in the Guanabara Bay, next to the Navy Museum), Palácio Gustavo Capanema ( A modern architecture in downtown designed by French architect Le Corbusier), Arcos da Lapa (1750), Catedral Metropolitana (cone-shaped cathedral in Lapa), São Francisco da Penitência church (1773 – colonial church), Theatro Municipal (1909 – City Theater in Cinelândia square), Biblioteca Nacional (1910 – National Library in Cinelândia square), Câmara Municipal (City Hall in Cinelândia square), Palácio do Catete (the former presidential palace), now a museum of recent history), Itamaraty (the former presidential palace), and Palácio Guanabara (Former palace of the Imperial Princess)
Magnificent Museums of the city include Centro Museums, Zona Sul (South Zone) Museums, Zona Norte (North Zone) Museums, and Zona Oeste (West Zone) Museums.

The Centro Museums include Museu Histórico Nacional (National Museum of History, Downtown), Museu Nacional de Belas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts, Downtown), MAM – Museu de Arte Moderna (Museum of Modern Art, Downtown), Museu da Imagem e do Som (Image and Sound Museum, Downtown), Museu Naval (Navy Museum, Downtown), Museu do Carnaval (Museum of Carnival, Downtown), and Museu Chácara do Céu (Museum of South American modern art, Downtown).

Zona Sul (South Zone) Museums include Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden), Museu da República (Museum of the Republic), Centro Cultural Telemar (Telemar Cultural Center), Museu Internacional de Arte Naïf (International Naïf Art Museum), Museu Carmem Miranda (Carmem Miranda Museum), Museu do Índio (Museum of the Indian), and Museu Villa-Lobos (Museum of Brazil’s most important composer).
Zona Norte (North Zone) Museums include Museu Nacional (National Museum), Museu do Primeiro Reinado (First Reign Museum), Museu Museu de Astronomia e Ciências Afins (Astronomy Museum), Museu do Trem (Train Museum), and Museu Aeroespacial (Aerospatial Museum).

The only museum in Zona Oeste (West Zone) is Museu Casa do Pontal that is the most important collection of popular craft and artisanin Recreio dos Bandeirantes.
The Pleasing Parks in the city include Jardim Botânico, Parque Lage, Parque do Flamengo, Parque Guinle, Campo de Santana, and Quinta da Boa Vista.

Rio is one of the major transportation hubs of Brazil, situated 450 km (280 mi) from Belo Horizonte, and 430 km (270 mi) from Sao Paulo. Located 20 km away from the city center and main hotels, the Galẹo РAnt̫nio Carlos Jobim International Airport (Galẹo International Airport) is the major international airport of Rio de Janeiro receiving most of the International and domestic flights. Santos Dumont Airport, located right in the city center, by the Guanabara Bay, receives flights from Sao Paulo and a few other domestic destinations.

Thinking Of Traveling To Alaska?(Part I)

Nancy’s principal area of expertise is Alaska, British Colombia, and the Yukon Territory. Nancy is co-author of Going Places Family Getaways In The Pacific Northwest.

Good Day Nancy and thank you for accepting our invitation to be interviewed.

Norm:

Please tell our readers something about yourself, your educational background, and the books you have written and are now in the process of writing.

Nancy:

I’m a 5th generation Pacific Northwesterner. My father had a profound wanderlust and an enthusiasm for discovering new people and places that rubbed off on me. A university professor, he held jobs around the U.S. and Brazil. I lived in California, Brazil, Washington and Oregon before moving to New York at age 17 to attend Sarah Lawrence College. My upbringing allowed me to feel at home in widely different milieus and engendered deep curiosity about other lands, and I’ve had a passion for travel since childhood. Although I did cherish dreams of writing a great novel as a kid, the passion for travel writing came later.

After college, I moved to Canada and worked a few years before attending York University Law School. On graduating, I worked at public interest law firms first in Toronto, then Vancouver where I wrote and edited legal self-help materials before moving to the US to marry. At that time I made a strategic decision to abandon law and become a full-time writer.

My first venture into authoring a book was when I wrote Adopting Your Child was published in 1993.
This opened the doors for me.
I contributed the British Columbia section to the fourth edition of Going Places: Family Getaways in the Pacific Northwest, published in 2000, and went on to write Going Places: Alaska and the Yukon for Families, which comes out in April 2005. Both titles are available from Sasquatch Books.

I just completed a new Alaska travel book, Activity Guide to the Inside Passage: Whether You Have Four Hours or Four Days. Sasquatch will publish it in January 2006.

Norm:

Where is the Yukon Territory and Alaska, and how easy is it to travel from the United States, Canada or Europe to these areas?

Nancy:

Yukon Territory is bordered to the south by British Columbia, to the east by the Northwest Territories, to the north by the Beaufort Sea in the Arctic and to the west by the state of Alaska. Most of Alaska sits to the left of Canada, but the gorgeous Alaska panhandle, a narrow coastal strip with widely separated communities, many on islands, runs several hundred miles south, bordered to the east by BC. At the top of the panhandle, the towns of Skagway and Haines offer road access to the rest of Alaska, the US and Canada.

The easiest way to get here is by air. International air carriers serve Vancouver and Anchorage. National carriers serve these destinations and Whitehorse (the Yukon capital). Alaska Airlines serves major Alaska cities and many smaller communities. Air Canada and its partners serve BC and the Yukon. Throughout the region, huge distances make plane travel essential. Smaller airline, charter and air taxi service is widely available across the north. From Seattle, a non-stop flight to Anchorage takes 3.25 hours. From Vancouver, a non-stop flight to Whitehorse takes 2.5 hours.

Highways run north through BC and Alberta, connecting to the Alaska Highway, which starts officially at Dawson Creek, BC, and runs through the Yukon into central Alaska. It is 817 miles from Seattle to mile zero of the Alaska Highway; and 548 miles from Calgary.

The Alaska Highway itself is 1,390 miles long, ending at Delta Junction, Alaska. Another 98 miles brings you to Fairbanks. The road is paved all the way, and services are rarely more than 100 miles apart–usually closer.

Once in the Yukon, motorists can drive to Dawson City, ground zero of the Klondike Gold Rush, and over the Top of the World highway to Alaska. The Dempster Highway leads north from Dawson to Inuvik, through the Northwest Territories. It’s not paved but in good summer weather can be driven comfortably.

In Alaska one can drive from Anchorage to Denali National Park, home of the continent’s highest mountain, spectacular Mount McKinley, in eight hours on good paved highway. Four more hours brings you to Fairbanks, with road access to the Yukon and points north. Many northern highways offer good driving conditions, breathtaking mountain and ocean views, and very little traffic apart from the occasional moose or bear ambling across the roadway.

Norm:

Would you consider Alaska and the Yukon Territory a good choice for a romantic getaway or wedding and honeymoon destination? Why?

Nancy:

The answer is a resounding yes–for the right couple. This region contains the world’s largest protected wilderness, spanning Alaska, British Columbia, and Yukon Territory and designated a UN World Heritage site.

The scenery is magnificent, access to wildlife unequalled, and despite its ever-increasing popularity as a tourist destination, has many all-but-undiscovered destinations to explore. Native cultures, largely eclipsed down south, are major players in the north, and are glad to share their world with visitors. However, if your idea of a holiday or honeymoon is lying on a tropical beach, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

Let’s look at weddings first.

Getting your wedding party up north can be a challenge, although it could also be a magnificent experience. Alaska has several five-star hotels in the Anchorage area; otherwise most choices can be characterized as comfortable but rustic. A large wedding party and guests–more than 100 people–could be accommodated in Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks or Whitehorse. The Captain Cook, in Anchorage, or the nearby Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, would be top choices. Smaller wedding parties can be comfortably accommodated in many places.

For honeymoons and romantic getaways, options are endless. Cities offer the usual urban amenities; but to experience the unique attractions of Alaska and the Yukon, try:

• An out-of-the-way spot like the Boardwalk Lodge on Prince of Wales Island, a great choice for fishing enthusiasts. In recent years, visitors have clamoured for a look at the world’s largest brown bears (AKA grizzlies).

• An August trip to Katmai National Park & Preserve, with a stay at the Brooks Lodge, a short walk from brown bears fishing for salmon, is unforgettable.

• The lovely Windsong Lodge near Seward on the Kenai Peninsula makes a great home base from which to explore Kenai Fjords National Park where you can get up close to beautiful Exit Glacier, hike some of Alaska’s loveliest trails, and kayak among glacier-carved fjords.

• The Yukon, especially Dawson City and Whitehorse, come to life in summer. A trip at the start or end of the season is recommended. Even in August, fall colours are rampant and yet temperatures can rise above 25C/77F. Take a day trip up the Yukon River to Eagle, Alaska.

Norm:

You mentioned to me that you have traveled to the north by just about every means available: plane, cruise ship, sailboat, motoring. Which one did you prefer and why?

Nancy:

I enjoyed all of them. Driving is great because it allows the most access to the region. If you have the luxury of time, the options are infinite! For visiting southeast Alaska, travel by water is my top choice. The variety of options grows every year. At the high end are small luxury cruise lines, or you can book a sailboat, complete with captain and crew, for your party and go exploring. For most visitors, especially those unfamiliar with the region, large cruise-ship travel is often the most comfortable choice. To experience Alaska as Alaskans do, I suggest taking the Alaska ferry up the Inside Passage; it combines the most access at the least cost in time and money. And to simply get north fast and start exploring, nothing beats flying.

Norm:

When is the best time to visit Alaska and the Yukon Territory from the point of view of weather, costs, crowds, and the availability of flights from the USA, Canada and Europe?

Nancy:

The most affordable time to visit is the so-called “shoulder season.” Up north, that’s May and September. Attractions are open and flights are available, but crowds are thinner. Mosquitoes, which can be a trial throughout the north, are scarce in those months, yet days are still long. Thrifty-minded visitors can find cheaper flights and often bargain for lower hotel rates at this time. Cruise fares tend to be lower as well. For a winter trip, avoid Christmas holidays and school midwinter breaks to obtain the best rates.

Norm:

How safe is it to travel to Alaska and the Yukon Territory?

Nancy:

Quite safe. The crime rate is low and human-generated risks are few. However, if you plan to get into the wilderness, you’ll need to be prepared, inform yourself and take sensible precautions. Read up on the terrain and the wildlife. Learn how to handle bear and moose encounters. If you’re visiting in January, you’ll need cold-weather clothing suitable for average low temperatures of -22C/-9F. It’s not unheard of for temperatures to reach -40C/-40F. On the other hand, it comes as a nice surprise to many summer visitors to the Alaska and Yukon interior that summer temperatures can soar to 27C/81F or even higher.

Norm:

Could you give our readers an idea of the costs involved if travel originates from the USA or Canada?

Make Peru Your Next Travel Destination

Inveterate travelers have a new destination to target since Machu Picchu was voted one of the 7 Wonders of World last year. Previously on the radar of adventure travelers and those with an interest in places of rich cultural history, Peru has gone mainstream and it’s about time.

One trip will never do justice to this magnificent land and those who have the good fortune to spend a week or two inevitably leave with the promise of return on their lips. Any trip includes the majestic ruins of Machu Picchu where the experience is so much more than the ubiquitous photographs of green mountains and vast terraces can capture.

Walking the paths through the “Lost City” is a privilege and an unfathomable luxury when you consider that in most other countries, this historical monument would be cordoned off and only available for viewing from behind carefully guarded ropes. Llamas roam the lower grassy areas, lounging in the warm sun while guides at chosen vantage points explain the construction of the Incan walls, made from tons of stone transported from miles below to build this fortress that was never discovered by Spanish conquerors.

Colonial cities were built by the Spaniards with a Plaza de Armas in the center of each. The beauty of these main squares with their soaring Cathedrals and stately City Halls is marred by the knowledge that they were often built on the foundations of Incan temples, torn down to impose Colonial rule and replace the Incan worship of the Sun and the Moon with the religion of the Catholic missionaries. While modern Peruvians are proud of the beauty of their cities they also carry in their hearts a love for their true heritage.

When Colonial rule was established in Peru, the choice of Lima as the Capitol City for the Vice-royalty brought with it many waves of immigration, creating a melting pot not unlike that of the United States. This mix of cultures and races is most dominant in the exquisite cuisine of the country. Complex and varied, the dishes range from seafood on the coasts, to guinea pig and alpaca in the highlands. Stews, sautes, ceviches and soups with flavorings and techniques that represent fusion cuisine long before it became famous in the modern culinary world. A taste of Peru in the literal sense becomes a longing that lingers long after the vacation ends.

While the flavors of Peru are difficult to transport home, the superior craftsmanship of the artisans is not, from the rich textile traditions to the ancient traditions of silver jewelry artisans. A visit to the artisan markets in each of the small provinces in the country is a highlight of any trip. Unique treasures abound and a tourist with a discerning eye can gather a suitcase full to give as gifts or keep as a reminder of moments spent suspended in the magic that is Peru.

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