The Perpetual Tourist

This Saturday, 1000 gorillas will run through the streets of London, in what is quite possibly the coolest charity race ever.  Great Gorillas is a non-profit organization working to protect all species of gorilla from the looming threat of extinction.

Starting in London in 2003, there have been Great Gorilla Runs each year — 7km races where every participant wears a gorilla costume.  It’s a funny, light-hearted event for a very serious cause.  This year, there will be more runners in the London race than there are mountain gorillas in the entire world (720).

Money raised in the Great Gorilla races — over £1 million  to date — goes to help the impoverished people of West and Central Africa so they don’t have to mine and farm in gorilla habitats to earn a living.

The Great Gorilla Run expanded to San Francisco in 2007, and future runs are planned for New York, Amsterdam, and China.  The 7km London run is an annual event that takes runners through some of the city’s most famous landmarks.  I wonder if those stoic guards at Buckingham Palace can keep a straight face when 1000 people dressed as gorillas come jogging by.

In addition to the races, the charity offers a trip called The Great Gorilla Adventure.  The 10-day itinerary gets you up close with gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda, and the proceeds benefit conservation efforts.

It’s not too late to register for this weekend’s run.  If you’re already in London, click here to sign up.  They’ll even provide your gorilla suit!

Our quest for the best place on Earth to spend the night started in the Netherlands, and now takes us to the Chilean rain forest. Nestled in the Huilo Huilo Reserve in Southern Chile, we find the Magic Mountain Hotel, a fairytale style building with 13 private rooms and an additional 11 cabins elsewhere on the grounds.

www.ayrhoteles.cl

This unique building even has its own waterfall cascading down one side. Each of the rooms looks out into the beautiful natural setting, with condors and eagles flying by and pumas and other native animals wandering the forest floor below.

A snowboarder enjoys the Choshuenco volcano

More than a two hour drive from the nearest airport (Pichol airport in Valdivia, Chile), the Magic Mountain Hotel seems a bit out of the way, perhaps in the middle of nowhere. But there’s plenty to do, even without a big city close by. There is an aerial walkway through the reserve as high as 90m up at some points. You can take in the scenery from the treetops, above cliffs and over valleys. Hunting and fishing are popular summer pastimes (remember that this is the Southern hemisphere, so summer is January-March), and expert skiers enjoy the challenging slopes of the nearby Choshuenco volcano. This is not a ski resort with lifts and trails, but the hotel provides transportation and snow cats for skiers. Other activities offered by the hotel include whitewater rafting and horseback riding.

www.allsouthernchile.com

After a long day of busy sightseeing, there’s no better place to relax than in the tree trunk hot tubs on the hotel deck with a glass of fine Chilean wine — and Magic Mountain has the finest!

Room rates at the Magic Mountain range from approximately $150-$250USD, and the hotel accepts Visa and Mastercard payments. For reservations or further information, call +56 63 1972681.

Also check out the newly constructed Baobab Hotel, located in the same area as Magic Mountain.

Baobab Hotel

This whole area is an architecture-lover’s dreamland, and a haven for any naturalist.

Stonehenge is probably one of the coolest things on Earth. It’s simply a formation of big rocks, so that in itself is nothing spectacular, but the fact that it’s been there for several thousand years is just mind boggling. Which is why it’s also one of the most annoying things on Earth. The unanswered questions — the how, the why — are enough to drive a curious person insane.

Stonehenge as seen from the heelstone

Even with modern technology, such a building project would be no easy task. Those stones weigh many tons apiece — just thinking about how they got there is enough to make me strongly consider belief in aliens.

Located in Wiltshire, England, construction began on Stonehenge an estimated 5,000 years ago. Archaeological evidence suggests that Stonehenge was used as a burial ground in its earliest days, before the stones were placed.

Historians estimate that Stonehenge was created in phases, and was used for a period of up to 6,500 years — but what is was used for is one of the world’s greatest mysteries. Most leading theories suggest that the site was of religious importance, either as a worship site or altar for human sacrifice. Others suggest that Stonehenge was built for astronomical purposes. Some of the more colorful theories, based on the assumption that moving stones that size would have been impossible for humans at that time, assume that Stonehenge is a supernatural creation, or that it was built by extraterrestrials.

Archaeologists have discovered holes where stones once stood but are now fallen or gone. Restoration efforts began in 1901, and several stones have since been re-erected or repositioned in accordance with how we know they once were. Digs are ongoing to find more clues to the erection and use of Stonehenge. Volunteers are welcome at the site to help with conservation efforts as well as management and education.

1877 photograph of Stonehenge, prior to any restoration work

If you’d like to see Stonehenge, but a trip to England isn’t in the cards for you, there are replicas (of varying accuracy) all over the world.

In the US, you can visit a full-sized, astronomically-aligned replica of Stonehenge, as it would have originally been built, in Maryhill, Washington. Dedicated in 1918, this monument was built as a memorial to soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War. Another American replica, this one half-scale, can be found at Missouri University of Science & Technology in Rolla, MO.

Maryhill, WA Stonehenge Replica

Ever since I saw the movie Pete’s Dragon when I was a kid, I’ve wanted to live in a lighthouse. But this is just a pipe dream — most lighthouses are historic sites, not very roomy, or incredibly inconvenient to reach, out on a remote cliff somewhere. Oh well.

There are a few lighthouses in the world where you can live at least temporarily. They’re in use as hotels, and the most spectacular of these is in Harlingen, Netherlands. The Harlingen Lighthouse Hotel, about an hour away from Amsterdam, is a beautiful out-of-service lighthouse where guests can enjoy 360 degree panoramic views and luxury accommodations in the heart of the historic docks of Harlingen.

There is only one bedroom to rent, so guests have the lighthouse to themselves. You’ll have to climb 80 steep steps to reach the dwelling area, so pack lightly! Once you’re inside, you’ll find a 3-story luxury getaway, with incredible views from your bedroom and an upstairs lookout area, and all the modern comforts you find in any hotel.

Guests can climb to the original lantern room and balcony for some of the most spectacular views of all. In the lantern room, owners have put a VHF radio so guests can listen to the shipping traffic on the ocean.

Breakfast is delivered to the bottom of the lighthouse stairs each morning.

This fantastic hotel is just a short walk from the shops and restaurants of Harlingen, and right in the center of the historic port. Accommodations start at 319 Euro per night, and you need to book way in advance. It would make a unique getaway and a fantastic honeymoon destination!

For more unusual accommodations in Harlingen, check out the sister properties: The Harbor Crane and the Lifeboat.

In the United States, surprise fees are the norm whenever you stay at a hotel. Sure, it’s 89 bucks a night, but factor in taxes, service charges (whatever that means), and $3 for every coffee bean you used, and your budget hotel room is now costing your month’s rent.

That’s why the idea of an all-inclusive resort is so appealing. The price tag may seem a little steep at first glance, but factor in all the charges you won’t be hit with at checkout, and you might actually find that you’re saving money. In fact, if you’re someone who likes to be really active on vacation, you’ll probably save lots of money with all-inclusive resorts, which not only include your meals and all the cocktails you want, but often also activities on and off the resort.

All-inclusive resorts dominate Mexico tourism, and Cancun is one of many vacation hot spots in the country. The Cancun climate is temperate year-round, with average temperatures in the 70s and 80s whenever you visit. Rainy season is from May through October, so expect wetness and high humidity in these months. Winter months are generally more comfortable for travelers. Just keep in mind that if you visit during March and April, you’re likely to meet up with crowds of spring breakers.

For your family vacation

• Beach Palace Cancun - Your stay at Beach Palace includes all your drinks, snacks, and meals at any of the resort’s four restaurants and four additional bars, non-motorized water sports, daily activities, nightly entertainment, and guided tours of the hottest sites around Cancun. Beach Palace hosts theme parties and shows each night, sure to be a fun treat for the whole family.
• Grand Oasis Cancun - This large resort boasts over a dozen restaurants, as well as several swim up bars, so you don’t have to get out of your bathing suit to enjoy your afternoon (or morning - we won’t judge) cocktails. Oasis holds live nightly entertainment as well as theme parties, daily activities for kids and adults, and off-site excursions.

Adults Only

• Temptation Resort - A 21+ resort for singles and couples, Temptation sells itself as a sensual, sexy getaway. Nightly entertainment includes games and shows, all with a naughty twist, like “PJ’s and Lingerie Casino Night,” where the dress code is as sexy as possible, and prizes are awarded for the sexiest outfit.
  
• Desire Resort - Recommended as a couples-only destination, Desire is known for its clothing-optional beach and jacuzzi lounge bar. The resort bills itself as “Deliciously Erotic.” Also a 21+ destination, Desire features three restaurants and three bars, a disco lounge, water sports, and over 200 different tourist excursions.

With most of the all-inclusive resorts, everything on site is included, except sometimes spa extras like massages, while the sightseeing excursions generally cost extra. Before you book anything, though, be sure to shop around for specials — most of the resorts offer various specials throughout the year, including deep discounts on rooms or free extras, like the sightseeing packages.

All the free liquor is grand, and the resorts are definitely comfortable, but be sure to peel yourself away long enough to see some of what the surrounding area has to offer. The ancient Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza are not to be missed, and I’d also recommend that you check out Xcaret, an eco theme park where you can swim with dolphins, see live educational shows, visit Mexico’s best aquarium, visit archaeological sites and more.

Not far from Cancun’s hotel district, you’ll find lots of shopping. I’m not one to tell you what souvenirs to bring home, but you’ll find great deals on silver jewelry, which makes a nice gift for those you left behind, or a lovely keepsake for yourself.

The luxury resorts around Mexico are as clean, if not cleaner, than most places you’ll go in the states, but when you’re out and about, you will need to be careful about what you eat and drink. Stick to bottled water and avoid food from street vendors. Just be smart about what you put in your body, and you shouldn’t have to deal with any major GI situations.

When I was a junior in college, I had the opportunity to travel to Australia with my interterm class. Interterm is the three-week session in January at my alma mater where students can either get a dreaded requirement out of the way quickly, or go on trips or take a class that can’t be offered for a full semester (I got to take a swordfighting class my freshman year). One of my history professors took a group of kids to Australia each year, and I was lucky enough to be one of those kids.

If you want to get to Australia, this is a great way to do it. Traveling in a group made it much cheaper than going on my own, and going with a prof who’d been twenty times already was great, because he pointed out all the little things we might never have noticed as novice tourists of Oz. Our group spent time in Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne, and we packed more into our time there than the Travel Channel could fit in a six-hour miniseries. For now I’m just going to focus on a few of the little things that you may not think about seeing or doing that made my time in Sydney spectacular.

Paddy’s Markets

People who like to shop will want to set aside a whole day to spend at Paddy’s Markets. If you’re not a real shopper, maybe four or five hours will be enough for you. Paddy’s is part mega-mall, part flea market, and it’s HUGE. I literally spent a whole day there and saw maybe 50% of it all. In the lower area, vendors set up booths and tables just like a flea market, and sell everything you can think of — food, clothes, souvenirs, jewelry, and so much more — all at very reasonable prices. When I was there, the US dollar was worth two Australian dollars, but now the currencies are trading almost one for one. Still, the prices are low and you’ll be able to stretch your spending money at a place like this.

Opals

Australia is famous for its opals, and once you get there, it will be impossible to miss all the stores selling the gorgeous gems. These make a great gift for loved ones who don’t get to make the trip with you, so keep that in mind. When you buy any high-dollar item in Australia, you will be charged the local taxes, but you can get a special receipt from the stores that allow you to recover this tax money when you leave the country (if you are not an Australian citizen, that is). Remember when traveling with opals that they are very fragile gems — pack them carefully.

Boulder opals and black opals are the deeply colored, dark stones you’ll find. These are much more rare than the white or milky opals typically seen in jewelry. They will be more expensive, but they’re cheaper in Australia than anywhere else, so if you want them, this is the place to buy. I had a very good experience shopping at Flame Opals in Sydney, but there are plenty of other opal vendors all around. Do some comparison shopping before settling on the first thing you see, because there are so many choices!

Indian Food

Australia has a large population of Indian people, and there are lots of Indian restaurants all over Sydney. The food isn’t Americanized like it is in the Western hemisphere, and I’ve had few meals in my lifetime as delicious as the Indian food I ate in Sydney.

Keep in mind when you dine out anywhere in Australia that tipping is not expected like it is in the US. Tips are always appreciated, of course, but servers are actually paid real wages and restaurants do not put this burden on their customers. A 10% tip is very gracious, and is about the most that would be appropriate for good service. If you are dining with large groups, tips are somewhat more expected, however.

Wine

Australian wine isn’t exactly world famous like French wine or Napa Valley wine, but Australia is the world’s 4th leading wine exporter. According to a coach (not “bus”) driver I had on a tour, Australia only exports the worst of its products — Foster’s, Kylie Minogue, and its bad wines. (His words, not mine.) In other words, just because you haven’t found good Australian wine elsewhere in the world, that doesn’t mean you won’t find it in Australia. I definitely recommend sampling the local wines when you dine out.

Sydney is one of my favorite cities in the world, and I hope one day I can afford another trip back. Maybe I should get in touch with my old professor and see if he’s accepting applications for chaperons. I’d recommend it to anyone who has the chance to visit. Of course you’ll want to see all the things the city is famous for, like the Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, and all the beaches, but you’ll be shortchanging yourself if you skip over all the little things that give the city so much flavor.

Enjoy your trip down under, and please bring me back some opals:)

As a travel blogger and wife of a bridge pro, I get to see a lot of the world, and I’m very lucky in that regard. But there are some places I’ll probably never see, like the North and South Poles, for instance. Luckily, I can live vicariously through someone who has been to both these places, and will probably be one of the first people on Mars if that ever happens in our lifetime. My little sister (which is what I call her because that’s what she IS, never mind that we have different parents), Emily Gercke, spent the summer before her senior year in college doing research on glaciers in the Arctic Circle, and then after she graduated, she spent the next winter living on Antarctica (their summertime) doing hydrology research down there.

I’ve never been much of a science person, so her work was never something I really understood much (except for one thing: Global Warming is real, and so frightening I’m glad I don’t understand it better), but her life is full of fascinating stories and photographs from all the places she’s been.

So what’s it like to live at the South Pole?

In fairness, Emily wasn’t all the way to the pole. As indicated by her blog, she was working at a spot on the Antarctic continent about 78 degrees south. Still, it’s a part of Earth that not many people have ever seen firsthand. Antarctica has no native people, and most of its population is made up of scientists who are there temporarily. You can see the continent from a cruise ship if you can afford it, but to set foot on the ice, you pretty much have to be a scientist. Emily spent the Antarctic summer of 2007 living in a tent on the ice with one other researcher.

That’s right — a tent. During the summer, temperatures aren’t as cold as you might think, with highs in the 40’s. But the lows are still low, and you’re still surrounded by ice, and in Emily’s case, you don’t even have walls around you. The sun never completely sets in Antarctica in summer, but rather just circles the sky. It takes some adjusting to be able to sleep, and then more adjusting when it’s time to return home to a place that actually experiences night.

International laws are in place to protect the Antarctic ecosystem, and these laws are extremely strict. No waste of any kind can be left on the continent, so people living there must contain all their waste — natural and otherwise — to be shipped elsewhere. Living in a tent in the bitter cold comes with some glory, but when I learned about this part of the experience, I no longer envied my little sister so entirely.

Most days, Emily hiked several miles to take readings at various streams. Since she and the other researchers were largely on their own throughout their time in Antarctica, they had to go through survival training called Happy Camper School, where they learned how to not freeze to death or get stranded in a whiteout. It’s a pretty cool life to go where no one else has been and camp among penguins and seals, but the reason no one has been there is because it’s difficult and dangerous.

Every couple of weeks, a helicopter would come to pick Emily and her fellow scientists up to fly back to a base where they could organize their research data, sleep on real beds, and take showers. During her helicopter flights, she had great views of the wildlife below — penguins, seals, whales, and more. It’s one thing to view animals in a simulated zoo habitat, but there’s something really spectacular about seeing whales playing in the sea, or getting nose to nose with penguins, the cutest animals on the planet!

While Emily’s life in the field had its perks, like the close encounters with cute creatures, it’s just a little too rough for most people to handle. Even most people who live in Antarctica don’t go into the field like Emily did. They live at research stations in permanent buildings. McMurdo Station is the largest of the American stations, with about 1100 people living there in the summer. It’s a lot like being at college — there are gyms, intramural sports, bars, a radio station, and clubs. Emily said it wasn’t much different from living in the US in winter.

As a tourist, an Antarctic cruise could be lots of fun. Unlike other popular cruises, which are largely just floating parties, Antarctic cruises are led by experienced guides and are made to be educational journeys. You’ll get to see a lot of wildlife in their natural habitat, and beautiful, untouched ice and snow that just doesn’t occur many other places in the world. As a scientist, Antarctica would be an incredible place to work, if only for a short time. You get to be a tourist, too, and see things that only a few people have ever seen before.

It’s not a trip that’s even possible for most people, though, which is why I encourage you to check out Emily’s blog from her time on the continent. In some ways, it’s even better than being there, because you can see her pictures and read her stories from the comfort of a well-heated home, with beds and showers and toilets.

Every time I fly, I fantasize about what it would be like to work on a plane, either as a flight attendant or pilot. It would be great to get to travel so much and see so much of the world, and the free travel benefits would be pretty sweet. But of course there’s a down side. You wouldn’t get to choose where you go, really, and it’s essentially a customer service job, which I know from too many years of experience is just about the worst possible field to work in. And the schedule would be a bitch. By the end of each flight, I’ve talked myself out of these career ambitions yet again.

Still, I’m always curious about that life. The cons may be enough to keep me from ever having personal experience, but I’d still love to hear more about the perks. And heck, as long as I don’t have to go through the bad stuff myself, I’d enjoy those stories, too. Which is why I’ve become addicted to The Cockpit Chronicles. Kent Wien is a commercial airline pilot who blogs about his job in this new feature series.

In the days before 9/11, airlines used to allow passengers to step up, take a look around the cockpit and chat it up with the pilot(s) for a while during a flight, but those days are long gone now. The only way you’re going to see the inside of a cockpit now is to become a pilot or read The Cockpit Chronicles. Wien talks about flight schedules, airplane technology and design, and shares humorous and interesting on-the-job anecdotes. He takes great pictures from the sky, too, showing views that you can only get from the front seat of the plane.

Reading these stories makes me feel like an especially savvy traveler, as Wien explains all the airline lingo and how they operate. If you’ve ever been curious about the life of an airline employee, Cockpit Chronicles is a must-read. One thing that surprised me is that even with 15 years under his belt with one airline, Wien is still pretty junior on the seniority ladder. 80% of the pilots flying out of Boston with him have more seniority — if 4/5ths of the pilots have stuck with their jobs for 15+ years, there must be something good about the work. I’ll keep that in mind next time I consider signing up for flight school…

By now it’s impossible to avoid all the news stories about the flailing US economy. Even if the latest woes haven’t affected you anywhere else in your life, they’re almost certainly affecting your travel agenda. With gas prices hitting new record highs each day and the value of the dollar plunging against other world currencies, travel plans you made a year ago are now a lot more expensive than you’d budgeted (unless you’re Canadian or European, of course).

Unless you’ve got money to burn, a European vacation probably isn’t in the cards for you this summer, but if you’re still hoping to get a stamp in your passport, there are some places where the US dollar can still buy a nice vacation. Why not consider a trip to Central America this summer? With exchange rates as they are, you’ll find you can stay in comfortable hotels for about $10 per night, and some Central American luxury hotels won’t cost you more than $50 for one night’s stay. Some places are more expensive, sure, but you don’t have to travel too far off the beaten path for great deals, and no matter where you go, the bill won’t be nearly as high as a European vacation.

History buffs will love visiting the ruins of ancient civilizations. You’ll find spectacular Mayan pyramid temples at Chichen Itza in Mexico and Tikal, Guatemala, among other sites.

Central America is also a nature lover’s paradise, with rich rain forests full of diverse wildlife, gorgeous rivers and beaches, and towering mountains.

Many of the mountains in Central America are actually volcanoes. The most strenuous thing I’ve ever done to date was when I hiked Volcan Pacaya in Guatemala when I was seventeen years old. The three-mile hike took almost all day, as the active volcano was covered in fresh ash, meaning that for every step two feet up the mountain, we slid down about a foot and three quarters through the ash. The struggle was worth it for the breathtaking views of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at the top of the volcano. Then sliding down the ashy mountain on our way back took all of fifteen minutes for what had taken hours in the other direction.

Most of Central America is Spanish-speaking, but don’t worry if you don’t know the language. There are many Spanish schools for tourists throughout the area, and you’ll be surprised at how much you can learn from a few days of classes. If you do sign up for a school, be sure to choose one that takes frequent field trips. Most of the classes aren’t really classes at all, but controlled immersion. It’s loads more fun than regular school.

Most will agree that the best beaches are in Costa Rica. After all, the country’s name translates to “Rich Coast.” So if climbing pyramids and volcanoes isn’t really your thing, you’ll find plenty of ways to relax, too.

I’ll leave you with one warning about Central American travel. Don’t think the Spanish that you learned in school will get you very far. You probably learned Spain Spanish, and you may find out the hard/funny way that a lot of those words don’t mean the same thing in Latin America. On my first day in Guatemala, I asked about a dozen shopkeepers where I could find maxi pads for my brother (really he needed to buy a towel) and where we would go if we wanted to have sex with (catch) the bus.

February is winding to a close, so that means Spring Break is right around the corner. College students all over the US and Canada are getting ready to take off for a wild week without classes, homework, or supervision. So where is everyone going this year?

The most popular Spring Break trip is to go to the beach and spend a whole week wearing only swimwear and drinking only booze. It’s called Spring Break because it falls in the middle of the spring semester for most schools — not because Mother Nature is done with winter yet — so if you’re going to spend all week in a bikini, you don’t really have the same beach selection you have for your summer vacations.

According to MTV, the network that turned Spring Break into a worldwide celebration of debauchery, the best destinations are south of the border, in Mexico. If you want to stay in the US, the Spring Break hot spots are Panama City Beach, FL and South Padre Island, TX. Of course, if you’re not interested in getting yourself on a Girls Gone Wild video, these are exactly the places you’ll want to avoid for the first few weeks in March.

Here’s a quick summary of where to find all the crazy college kids over Spring Break:

Cancun, Mexico: As if Spring Break isn’t wild enough anywhere, the heavy partiers go to Cancun, known as Mexico’s Sin City, for their week off. It’s a beautiful spot for sure, but if you want to remember your Spring Break, maybe you want to start somewhere less notorious.

Panama City Beach, Florida: For revelers without passports, Panama City Beach is the most popular Spring Break destination in the US. Over half a million students flock to Florida’s Emerald Coast to party with the MTV crew each March. Panama City Beach is the place to go for concerts, clubs, and perhaps a cameo on TRL.

Nassau, Bahamas Party Cruise: According to the veterans of this cruise, it’s a more laid back Spring Break experience than some of the other popular destinations. It can be a relaxing getaway from the grind of your classes, and you can still take part in some partying — but you’re less likely to wake up next to a stranger than your friends who went to Cancun.

For more Spring Break destination information, visit StudentCity.com. You’ll find lots of featured destinations, most of which are described as “the place to go for PARTIES!” If that doesn’t sound like your scene, you probably want to avoid the beaches for the next month or so, and save your sunbathing for the summer, when the coast is more family-friendly.

If huge, wild parties are your thing and you can’t wait to strip down and drink up over your break, just remember to be responsible. The more you drink, the more likely there will be embarrassing photos of you all over the internet before you even get home. But for some folks, that’s just part of the fun.

Have a good break, and don’t forget your sunscreen…