International Travel Adventure

I wanted to share a little something special this time: a unique experience that can be considered “international” by all but U.S. residents. The circumstances and remote location for this adventure make it rather unusual. While it is “off the beaten path” for most tourists, it is still in the south Utah/north Arizona scenic area that fascinates and thrills thousands monthly, usually in any season but winter. (Hardier souls do venture winter explorations, but we can’t say the numbers are as many.)

Either side of the border between Utah and Arizona are some of the most beautiful and unusual landscapes and stunning natural visuals to be found anywhere. Most people are familiar with the existence of Arizona’s Grand Canyon, even if they’ve never visited it. In the vast (mostly) wilderness area north and east of “that big ditch” are found such treasures as the five major national parks in southern Utah: (1)Zion, (2)Bryce Canyon, (3)Capitol Reef, (4)Arches, and (5)Canyonlands; and in Arizona: Canyon De Chelly National Monument, Navajo National Monument; and such spectacular areas as are found surrounding the huge Lake Powell, with its Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, mostly in Utah.

Somewhat lesser known, because of what some might consider “extreme” hiking required to reach them, are areas of interest here - along the state border area in the vicinity of U.S. Highway 89, roughly halfway between Kanab and Page. This is the area of Vermillion Cliffs, Coyote Buttes, Buckskin Gulch, and more. What Readers Digest calls the “Best Curves” are the sometimes elusive formations known commonly as “The Wave”, and “Wave 2″. Driving to the area, and parking, is in Utah; the destinations are in Arizona, roughly a 1-1/2 hour (3 mile [4.8 km]) trek from the parking area. You’ll cross the state border when you step over a barbed wire fence well into the hike.

In this area, managed by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management), access is by permit only; 20 visitors per day (10 pre-scheduled through a lottery system, and 10 “walk-ins”). Here is the BLM permit site for The Wave and other area “goodies”. Since the formations are sandstone, and therefore delicate, extra care is needed to walk amongst them. Of interest in the immediate vicinity of The Wave are “brain rocks” and “Wave 2″. Considering the hiking time to and from the area (approximately 3 hours), and finding and hiking to other nearby sites, one should allow a good part of the day - perhaps 6 hours. An early morning start is recommended.

A great time to capture the multitude of colors and their variations in photographs is the middle of the day, when there are no shadows. (Many have repeatedly described the colors as psychedelic.) However, quality photos for textures and dramatic lines can be better shot in early morning or late afternoon; given this consideration, photographers - amateur and professional - may decide to make a day of it.

Good hiking shoes, comfortable clothing for the prevailing weather (often very hot in summer - 100+° F [38+° C]), at least a gallon of water per person, and a hand-held GPS receiver are all equally important. It is a sad truth that many hikers take the time, make the effort, and never find The Wave, and some have needed assistance finding their way back out of the area; this is one hike devoid of any markers - or even a trail most of the way - so it is a good idea to keep looking back while hiking in - to have landmarks for finding your way out. The rangers allowing access will give exact GPS coordinates and a “crudimentary” (I love that “word”!) map. However, you will find the primary destination at 36^o59.77′N 112^o0.40′W, and at an elevation of approximately 5,200 feet (1,585 m). On the trek going in, you’ll gain approximately 350 feet (107 m) in elevation!

For more photos that are fine art quality, visit this link to Terra Galleria to see the work of Q.T. Luong. Check out each of the photos in the bottom row of the page, showing hikers in the midst of “wave heaven”. Skateboards? Not hardly - even if you could manage to carry one in on your hike. (Sandstone - delicate, remember?) But can you imagine someone constructing a duplicate of even part of “The Wave” just for boarding?

If you’re still unsure of anything about your next international travel - and you want it to be cheaper, safer, and more adventurous, get my free “Smart Tips Handbook” available exclusively to Registered Readers! Click the link below.

International Travel Adventure

Does anyone really go to Costa Rica for anything other than to buy and enjoy their own little slice of “retirement heaven”? If your e-mail inbox (or spam folder) is anything like mine, you’d think that Costa Rica was full of American and European retirees living out their golden years drinking genuine mountain grown coffee, playing golf, and perhaps learning a bit of Spanish to help “get by” a little more easily. Well, let’s see about that, shall we?

First, Costa Rica is one of only seven countries that make up Central America. It is even more unique in that it is also one of only five of those countries that have two ocean borders – Pacific and Atlantic. Just that, alone, makes it a very unique country to visit and explore. Then, since the country is only 10 degrees north of the equator, we must add the fact that we have rain forests and jungle. OK, it’s becoming more interesting!

As you may recall from the previous post, the Pacific Ring of Fire includes the west coasts of North America, South America, and of course, Central America. Costa Rica has eleven volcanoes, seven of which are considered “active”. The volcanoes of Costa Rica are: Arenal, Barva, Cerro Tilaran, Irazu, Miravalles, Orosí, Platanar, Poás, Rincón de la Vieja, Tenorio, and Turrialba. The 7 “active” volcanoes are: Arenal, Barva, Irazu, Miravalles, Poás, Rincón de la Vieja, and Turrialba.

Volcano Arenal, which is the youngest and most active in Costa Rica, has been continually active from 1968 to the present. It also lends its name to the country’s (nearby) largest lake. While volcanoes are not the only attractions in the country, they include some of the most active - while being “up close” visible, volcanoes in the western hemisphere. The areas surrounding active volcanoes also cater to the explorers with resorts featuring natural hot springs or ocean-side pools; relax while photographing some of the most spectacular glowing nighttime lava flows, or watching the sun set over the Pacific horizon!

Costa Rica has attained a 44^th place world ranking in the 2008 Travel and Tourism Competitive Index (first among Latin American countries). The real success story behind that is ‘ecotourism’, which capitalizes on the country’s extensive protected areas and national parks. Costa Rica is a pioneer in this type of tourism, and is hailed as one of the few countries worldwide with genuine ecotourism being offered. Fully 23% of the country is protected forests and reserves, and has the greatest density of plant and animal species in the world. Wikipedia states that while the country has only 0.1% of the world’s land mass, it contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity, due in large part to the jungles and the tropical setting of the rain forest areas.

While areas are protected, they are also “on display” for visitors. Enabling actually viewing much of the wildlife, in addition to the myriad of plant life, are “canopy tours” through the forests – both via platforms and zip lines, as well as via the “hanging bridges” that are in place. If you ever wanted to get “up close and personal” with some of the amazing wildlife here, these adventure treks not only allow it, but promote it. Many species of monkeys, turtles, birds (over 850, including eight species of parrots), sloths, reptiles, big cats, tapirs, among so many others, are ready to be spotted and perhaps photographed. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, alone, has about 2,000 plant species, including many orchids. Hanging bridges in cloud forest areas afford spectacular views of amazing scenery.

Other adventure activities include white-water rafting and kayaking on the many rivers, two of the most notable for such being Rio Pacuare and Rio Reventazon; several other notables include a few on the Pacific coastal drainage areas. If you’re into climbing, the highest peak is 12,500 feet (3,810 meters), while the highest volcano comes in at 11,257 feet (3,431 meters). If you prefer tropical islands, Costa Rica has its share, the largest, Calero Island being only 58.5 square miles (151.6 square km), and the most distant being Cocos Island, which is 300 miles (500 km) off Puntarenas on the Pacific coast.

All in all, I have long considered Costa Rica to be a primary destination for adventure travel in the Americas. While it has become quite popular for retirement, it has become almost as popular for romantic adventures, as well; there are many websites devoted to honeymooning in Costa Rica. Romance aside, ecotourism and adventure treks contribute most heavily to the economy, and remain the primary attractions for foreigners.

If you’re still unsure of anything about your next international travel - and you want it to be cheaper, safer, and more adventurous, get my free “Smart Tips Handbook” available exclusively to Registered Readers! Click the link below.

International Travel Adventure

Have you ever gone volcano trekking? I was fortunate (?) enough to live in Vancouver, Washington when Mt. St. Helens reawakened with “a start” in 1980. Being so close to a live volcano (40 miles “the way the crow flies”) - seeing and feeling the effects - was an interesting part of my life then, although sometimes a health hazard (falling ash) and inconvenient (again, falling ash). But flying over her was spectacular; looking into the crater, and seeing the dome being pushed up in the middle, growing with each succeeding view was amazing.

Trekking along the flanks and shoulders of Mt. St. Helens was even more adventurous. Being able to watch the recovery of plant and wildlife in the years following “the big one” was an education few get to have in a lifetime; I considered it a privilege then, as I do now. While trips to Windy Ridge (best drive-to crater viewing point on her flanks - about 4 miles from the crater) were more frequent, one of my best memories was being part of a 2-couple group (plus dogs) that hiked up a mountain stream out of the foothills south of her base to an overnight camping spot virtually unknown to most people who even live in the area. Parts of the “hike” involved swimming upstream in the coldest water I’ve ever endured (it’s what you do when there is no more riverbank to hike - on either side). The hike culminated at a beautiful waterfall and pool (the planned campsite) that made continuing further upstream impossible anyway.

Also in the south foothills, nearer the mountain, are the lava tubes, the longest of which is named Ape Cave; they are great for underground exploring fun (mega-candlepower flashlights/torches are needed, due to the immense size and lengths). Other regional activity included finding huge ash beds (while visitor center tourists paid dollars for small vials), and trekking through, while photographing, the many square miles of flattened trees from the May 18, 1980 blast. What a surreal landscape!

Mt. St. Helens is part of the Cascade mountain range in the Pacific northwest of the United States. The Cascade mountain range is, in turn, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanoes around the rim of the Pacific Ocean, which claims more volcanoes as part of a continuous system than anywhere else on Earth. This ring contains over 50% (452 according to a Wikipedia article) of the world’s volcanoes - both active and dormant. It also generates “90% of the world’s earthquakes and 81% of the world’s largest earthquakes” (same Wikipedia article).

My other favorite volcano viewing has been on the Big Island of Hawaii. Actually seeing a different kind of devastation up close that is totally different from that of Mt. St. Helens is an experience not to be missed. Many people are affected regularly by the sometimes uncertainty of the next eruptions. Rather than the multi-megaton explosive power of a blast like Mt. St. Helens on May 18, 1980, the Big Island’s Kilauea exudes pryoclastic lava flows. These flows have even closed highways (Caution! Lava Crossing). Night views are spectacular, as are those where lava spills into the ocean, instantly turning the water into huge steam plumes.

If visiting Hawaii is out of the question, and you can arrange a trek amongst any of the world’s other volcanic regions, plan for the trip to be adventurous. If you are not familiar with where some of the best volcanic sites are located - even relatively near you - check out the free version of Google Earth “on a PC near you”. Using the ‘Layers’ options (usually located in the lower left corner, open ‘Gallery’, and put a check next to the ‘Volcanoes’ item. Then go exploring; “fly” over the earth at about 2000 miles ‘eye altitude’ (referenced in the lower right corner), and have fun planning your treks! Did you ever imagine there were so many volcanoes in the world?

Bonus: Here are a number of excellent images of Klyuchevskoy Volcano which has been erupting on the Kamchatka peninsula over the last year. The text is in Russian (and sometimes also English), but these twenty photos are worth a look even if you do not read Russian. Shown are impressive ash eruptions, lava flows, night scenes, pyroclastic flows and more. Three of the photos are sampled below - all three photos by Yu. Demyanchuk. Trek on!

Disclaimer for U.S. and other litigious societies (the things my lawyers might want me to say): Don’t try this at home! (Say what? If you live on a volcano, consider moving!) Don’t explore volcanoes during eruptions (duh!). Only trek volcanic areas not posted as “Danger, Keep Out” (need I explain?). If regional authorities are absent from a volcanic area, at least wait until the danger is over. Hikes to the peak of Mt. St. Helens, for example, didn’t resume until 1986. [Now removing tongue from cheek.]

If you’re still unsure of anything about your next international travel - and you want it to be cheaper, safer, and more adventurous, get my free “Smart Tips Handbook” available exclusively to Registered Readers! Click the link below.

International Travel Adventure

A dear friend suggested that she would like to see at least one article here about Greece, which is her “dream getaway” for a romantic adventure. Indeed, it seems Greece is a popular destination for many travelers, and for various reasons. For this particular episode, we’ll glimpse a bit of one of my favorite Greek islands, Santorini, which is a beautiful gem in an archipelago of volcanic islands in the south Aegean Sea, and is about 200 km off the mainland of Greece. It is not limited to romantic adventure, at all.

Many of you may remember this as the featured island in the 1982 movie Summer Lovers, which starred younger versions of Daryl Hannah and Peter Gallagher as a young and sensuous American couple who traveled to the Greek Isles for an expected quiet summer vacation in isolation from everything with which they were familiar. Their plans were turned upside down with the arrival of the French lovely, Valerie Quennessen (hey, she inspired me to want to visit Greece [and France?]!). While the movie is a bit “racy”, it is also somewhat representative of romantic adventure lifestyles to be had in the Greek Isles.

You can view photos here and here. The island Thera, renamed Santorini, after “Saint Irene”, through Latin influence, is actually the main outer caldera island resulting from the volcano that erupted spectacularly in about 1628 B.C. (subject to dispute of up to 100+ years), resulting in the destruction of the Bronze Age Minoan civilization on the islands of Thera and Crete. The other islands, of today, include Aspronisi (smallest) and Therasia, completing the outer rim of the sunken and water-filled caldera, with Nea Kameni and Palea (Palaia) Kameni making up the islands of the central “cone” of the volcano. Nea Kameni is nearly round, and about 2 km in diameter. While these other islands are uninhabited, they make great excursions from Santorini for that extra bit of privacy desired by those who want to leave it all behind. (There are regular boat trips to Nea Kameni for tourists to view the sulfuric yellow wasteland surrounding the area that still spews sulfur plumes into the air.)

Adventure opportunities abound, whether it be those of a sporting nature or adventures ‘of the heart’. The numerous rock cliffs of the caldera provide great climbing areas, as well as spectacular dive points nearer where they meet the water. The town of Thira sits atop sheer cliffs of the collapsed caldera, providing spectacular views of the surrounding islands, the caldera, and the beautiful Aegean. Anyone wanting to explore should include the ruins of Akrotiri, the town which some call the ‘Minoan Pompeii’. Akrotiri enables our time machine to travel back to a civilization that flourished between about 3000 to 1600 or 1500 B.C. Amazingly, however, one finds houses as large as three stories, and with “water closets” that included both hot and cold running water. To quote from an article in Wikipedia: “The dual pipe system suggesting hot and cold running water, the advanced architecture, and the apparent layout of the Akrotiri find, resemble Plato’s description of the legendary lost city of Atlantis, further indicating the Minoans as the culture which primarily inspired the Atlantis legend”. So, if you want to explore a bit in the Bronze Age – and, for that matter, even possibly Atlantis, definitely visit Akrotiri!

Santorini’s population centers of today include the towns of Thira and Oia, famous for the dynamic nightlife as seen in Summer Lovers, and which makes Santorini a hot spot for European vacationers. The sunsets are amongst the most beautiful in the world, and the deep blue of the Aegean Sea is spectacular in its own right. For a romantic getaway that includes a different flavor of nightlife, you might just find Thira to be your tonic. On the other hand, if strolling on beaches or cliffs, with dazzling views of volcanic beauty against an unmatched backdrop of the Aegean, or even classic Greek architecture - ‘island style’ - are more to your liking, you’ll likely want to stay on Santorini forever.

If you’re still unsure of anything about your next international travel - and you want it to be cheaper, safer, and more adventurous, get my free “Smart Tips Handbook” available exclusively to Registered Readers! Click the link below.

International Travel Adventure

After writing the last two posts – about ‘time travel’ — I was struck by the relative definitions of “old”. How old is “old”? How old must something be before it is considered “ancient”? Places come to mind that might illustrate this point somewhat; yet, while possibly illustrating the idea of “old” versus “ancient”, they have similarities, as well. The places I have in mind are nearly half a world apart. And both are an adventure to visit, explore, and photograph.

In the southwest part of the United States is the state of Arizona. Amongst the relatively large number of “prehistoric” dwelling and artifact sites in Arizona is one known commonly as Montezuma Castle, fairly near the Sedona red rock region. (What a great region to explore - really!) While it’s not a castle, and Montezuma was never there, it is a very interesting “high-rise apartment building” of sorts; it is built into a natural limestone recess overlooking Beaver Creek, and is five stories high, comprising twenty to 60 rooms, depending on which part is being described. It is called “prehistoric”, which for North America, is basically anything older than around 500 years, since “historic” only pertains to time after Europeans began settling in the land. We know the Sinagua Indians built this cliff dwelling over 600 years ago. This was when ladders were more ‘en vogue’ than elevators… and presumably, sleep-walking was not yet invented (phew - it’s a good thing!).

While this is old – even “prehistoric” by modern North American standards, it is hardly ancient. Perhaps by standards of any of the rest of the world, it is barely even “old”.

So, ancient, by comparison, would easily describe Petra (meaning Rock), in Jordan. Some say it is half as old as time itself. At one time, it was even one of the wonders of the ancient world. Forgotten for centuries, it was rediscovered in 1812 by a Swiss explorer named Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. What he discovered, hidden at the end of a narrow mile-long passageway winding between four-story rock walls, is a two square mile fortress city essentially carved right out of the canyon’s rock. A prominent feature of this city, seen immediately upon nearing the end of the passageway, is the towering treasury temple, or “kaznah”, hewn right out of a 130-foot-high sheer cliff wall; this columned classic Greek style structure was very befitting a thriving trade city — which it was, in its time, dating from 56 B.C. Additionally, there are many other houses, temples, and tombs all carved by the city’s inhabitants.

So, we have two cliff-dwelling monuments half a world removed from each other, and separated by around 1,400 years on the time machine’s trip meter. One is considered “ancient”, while the other is merely “old”… right?

If you’re still unsure of anything about your next international travel - and you want it to be cheaper, safer, and more adventurous, get my free “Smart Tips Handbook” available exclusively to Registered Readers! Click the link below.

International Travel Adventure