Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Exploring the marine life of Madagascar]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/20/exploring-the-marine-life-of-madagascar/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/20/exploring-the-marine-life-of-madagascar/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/20/exploring-the-marine-life-of-madagascar/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

madagascar While many people may think of DreamWorks' animal cartoon movie when they hear about Madagascar, there are many reasons the destination warrants a visit in person. The country of Madagascar is actually a large island off the eastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. Because of it's unique location and climate, the area is home to an array of interesting and colorful diving opportunities.

First of all there is Nosy Tanikely Nature Reserve and National Marine Reserve, located on the very small island of Tanikely that has three very different and distinct reefs, each ranging from 5-18 feet in depth. Here you will find marine life like sea turtles and Leopard Sharks. There is also Nosy Be island, which literally means "big island". Dive sites here range from about 15 feet to 150 feet and feature myriad varieties of hard and soft corals as well as underwater animals.

The best time to visit is from the end of March up until the very end of December, as January-March is the rainy season, and February is their Hurricane season. In Madagascar, December is considered to be summer and is very hot, while June and July give the country a very warm (about 79 degrees Fahrenheit) and dry winter, making this the perfect time visibility-wise for scuba diving.

To get an idea of the scuba diving experience in Madagascar for yourself, check out the gallery below.

Gallery: Marine life of Madagascar

Hump-Back whale migrationWhale SharkEnormous jellyfishCrocodilefishColorful oyster with shell open

Exploring the marine life of Madagascar originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure travelAdventureTravelecotourismmadagascarscuba divingscuba diving in madagascarScubaDivingScubaDivingInMadagascarFri, 20 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Are you ready for a once in a lifetime cycling holiday?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/25/are-you-ready-for-a-once-in-a-lifetime-cycling-holiday/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/25/are-you-ready-for-a-once-in-a-lifetime-cycling-holiday/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/25/are-you-ready-for-a-once-in-a-lifetime-cycling-holiday/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Enjoy a once in a lifetime cycling holiday in 2012Pedalers Pub and Grille may sound like a place where you'd stop for some grub after a long day riding your bike, but in actually, its an adventure travel company that specializes in cycling holidays to some of the best destinations on the planet. To celebrate their 25th anniversary, the company has just announced a new tour that will take riders on an eight month, six continent odyssey that will truly be a once in a lifetime experience.

The trip will begin with a "get acquainted" ride through Vermont, which will give everyone who signs up for the tour a chance to get to know one another before the real excitement begins. That shakedown cruise will also give travelers an opportunity to work out the bugs of the trip, such as learning what to carry with them on their daily rides, how to pack and unpack the bikes, and how to endure the rigors of the open road.

From there, the route will take cyclists across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, and Central America, before eventually returning to the United States. In all, they will ride will through nearly 30 countries, including Ireland, France, Italy, Egypt, Kenya, India, Nepal, New Zealand, Peru, Costa Rica, and more. They'll average anywhere form 45-60 miles (80-100km) per day on mostly paved roads with the occasional dirt track as well.

The Once In A Lifetime Tour won't get underway until June of 2012, which gives you plenty of time to save your pennies. With a price tag of $95,000 the trip doesn't come cheap, but that price does include all accommodations, most meals, all transportation costs, guides, tours, and even a custom built bike.

If you happen to have $100k and 8 months of free time coming your way, you may want to consider joining this trip. If nothing else, it sure seems like it'll live up to its name and truly be a once in a lifetime experience.

[Photo credit: Pedalers Pub and Grille]

Are you ready for a once in a lifetime cycling holiday? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure cyclingadventure traveladventure-travelAdventureCyclingAdventureTravelbikebikescyclingcycling toursCyclingToursOnce in a Lifetimeonce in a lifetime cycling holidayonce in a lifetime tripsOnceInALifetimeOnceInALifetimeCyclingHolidayOnceInALifetimeTripspedalers pub and grillePedalersPubAndGrilleFri, 25 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[10 breeds of pirate - Somalis to Vikings to Japanese Pirate Ninjas]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/21/10-breeds-of-pirate-somalis-to-vikings-to-japanese-pirate-ninj/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/21/10-breeds-of-pirate-somalis-to-vikings-to-japanese-pirate-ninj/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/21/10-breeds-of-pirate-somalis-to-vikings-to-japanese-pirate-ninj/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

pirate
A yacht carrying a quartet of Americans was recently seized by Somali pirates, the latest in a string of hijackings that reaches back millenia. According to MSNBC, the seized yacht, the "S/V Quest," is owned by Jean and Scott Adam - a couple on a worldwide quest distributing bibles. While they no doubt expected to spread the word far and wide, they were certainly not expecting to be boarded by Somali pirates off the coast of Oman in the Arab sea. The waters along the horn of Africa are a hotbed of piracy, and travelling by boat in this region is about as reckless as booking a 2 week holiday in Mogadishu.

The Somali pirates are the modern day face of an enterprise that has existed for centuries. Piracy has been part of seafaring culture since man first took to the open water. As early as 1400 BC, Lukka sea raiders from Asia Minor began committing acts of piracy throughout the Mediterranean. These early pirates were known simply as the "Sea Peoples." Aside from these early innovators of seaward sabotage, many groups and clans have sailed under the banner of terror on the high seas. The Vikings innovated the craft, the Barbary corsairs elevated it to an art, and the pirates of the Caribbean made it famous. Many other groups, operating in the shadows of history, took to piracy on the high seas. From dark age plundering to modern day terrorism, some of these groups of pirates include:

Continue reading 10 breeds of pirate - Somalis to Vikings to Japanese Pirate Ninjas

10 breeds of pirate - Somalis to Vikings to Japanese Pirate Ninjas originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BarbaryCoastborneobugislandcarribeanchinachina piratesChinaPirateschineseDayakTribesgulf of adenGulfOfAdenhorn of africaHornOfAfricamadagascarorang lautOrangLautpiracypiratepirate ninjasPirateNinjasPiratespirates of the caribbeanpirates-vs-ninjasPiratesOfTheCaribbeansomali piratessomaliasomalia terroristsSomaliaTerroristsSomaliPiratesvikingswokouMon, 21 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Foreskin for thought: Andrew Zimmern comtemplates cannibalism at circumcision]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/10/foreskin-for-thought-bizzare-foods-andrew-zimmern-comtemplates/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/10/foreskin-for-thought-bizzare-foods-andrew-zimmern-comtemplates/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/10/foreskin-for-thought-bizzare-foods-andrew-zimmern-comtemplates/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


You just can't make this stuff up. Our friends at The Huffington Post have published a highly entertaining, albeit controversial, narrative by the host of the Travel Channel's "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern." As the name of his show attests, Zimmern travels around the globe, hanging with the locals and chowing down on the most freakishly weird/unsavory/downright disgusting foods imaginable. You might recall that Gadling's Mike Barish memorably interviewed Zimmern last April.

Zimmern and his wife are in Madagascar, and while taping an episode of his show, he recently found himself in a position to put his reputation where his, ah, mouth is. It seems they were staying with a family in a remote village at the island's southern end, and said family was celebrating the circumcision of their five-year-old son (to quote Zimmern, "Don't ask...that's just when they do it."). It is traditional for the paternal grandfather to consume the foreskin afterward, or give it to an honored male guest (in this case, Zimmern).

Understandably, Zimmern is wondering if he can get past our Western taboo of consuming human flesh, especially at the risk of offending his gracious hosts. The foreskin is passed to the boy's uncle, who places it upon the tip of a banana, as tradition, er, dictates (I promise to give the puns a rest, really). Eventually, the whole shebang was given to the maternal grandfather, who, Zimmern says, "scarfs it down like a hungry drunk at a hotel hors d'oeuvre buffet." Cue Zimmern heaving big internal sigh of relief.

Zimmern's a hilarious storyteller, and my synopsis doesn't begin to do him justice. But the point he ultimately makes in this piece is that cultural differences are what make this big planet of ours such a fascinating place, and that we are enriched by these experiences if we approach them with tolerance and respect. As Zimmern says, "...I (also) live by a creed of acceptance and exploration, curious about everything and trying to experience life and translate that experience for my viewers."

Foreskin for thought: Andrew Zimmern comtemplates cannibalism at circumcision originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Thu, 10 Feb 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[UNESCO adds Everglades, Madagascar rain forests to endangered list]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/08/04/unesco-adds-everglades-madagascar-rain-forests-to-endangered-li/http://www.gadling.com/2010/08/04/unesco-adds-everglades-madagascar-rain-forests-to-endangered-li/http://www.gadling.com/2010/08/04/unesco-adds-everglades-madagascar-rain-forests-to-endangered-li/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Yesterday we told you how the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, aka UNESCO, had granted several new sites "World Heritage" status at their recent meeting held in Sao Paulo, Brazil. That same group also moved two other sites to their endangered list in a move that typically serves as a warning about the future health of those locations.

Returning to the endangered list this year is the Florida Everglades, which were first cited back in 1993 and remained on the list until 1997 due to damage sustained during Hurricane Andrew. The sub-tropical wilderness is the largest of its kind in the United States, but is degrading rapidly, thanks to the loss of more than 60% of its water inflow. The committee also noted that increased levels of pollution is causing the water in the Everglades to become toxic, killing, or driving off, large numbers of marine life that once lived in the area as well.

Also added to the endangered list this year are the rain forests of Atsinanana, located in Madagascar. In this case, the World Heritage Committee cited the illegal logging operations that continue to go on there, as well as the hunting of an endangered species of lemurs, as causes for concern for the future of that natural environment.

Being put on the endangered list is not necessarily a bad thing for these World Heritage Sites. In the past, such a designation has brought a great deal of attention and focus to the problems at those locations, allowing governments to clean them up and keep them better protected for future generations to enjoy as well. Hopefully that will be the case in both of these cases as well.

[Photo credit: Moni3 via WikiMedia Commons]

UNESCO adds Everglades, Madagascar rain forests to endangered list originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelevergladeseverglades national parkEvergladesNationalParkfloridarain forestrain forestsRainForestRainForestsUNESCOunesco world heritag...UNESCO World Heritage SiteUNESCO World Heritage SitesUnescoWorldHeritag...unescoworldheritagec...unescoworldheritagecinagadezapataUnescoWorldHeritageSiteUnescoWorldHeritageSitesworld heritageworld heritage listWorld heritage siteworld heritage sitesWorldHeritageWorldHeritageListWorldHeritageSiteWorldHeritageSitesWed, 04 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA["Obama Effect" helps African tourism]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/26/obama-effect-helps-african-tourism/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/26/obama-effect-helps-african-tourism/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/26/obama-effect-helps-african-tourism/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Last year was a bad year for travel in most places, but a continent that has generally been overlooked by the majority of travelers is seeing boom times--Africa.

Africa is the only continent to see a rise in tourism last year, up 5 percent when most other places felt the pinch. The UN World Tourism Organization revealed the figures this week and said Africa had "bucked the trend" of the worldwide travel recession. Part of the boom is attributed to the "Obama Effect", a new curiosity about Africa thanks to the U.S. having its first African-American president. Obama, seen here playing basketball in the African nation of Djibouti, has family in Kenya. The tourist board there says visitors are flocking in to learn more about where the president is from.

The other big factor is the World Cup, due to take place in South Africa this year. Not only will that bring a huge number of visitors to South Africa, but it helps put the entire continent on the map.

Not all countries are doing well. The Gambia has been hit hard, with the usual crowd of beach-loving Europeans tanning closer to home. Meanwhile, Chad and Niger are struggling to expand their tiny tourism industries by protecting and promoting their wildlife. The overall picture, however, looks rosy.

Will this be the decade Africa comes into its own as a tourist destination? There's no shortage of natural wonders, ancient civilizations, and interesting cultures to explore. Our very own Stephen Greenwood is having an incredible time in Madagascar right now, a friend of mine is crossing the entire continent on a motorcycle, and later next month I'll be sending dispatches from Ethiopia.

Have you been in Africa? Tell us about it in the comments section!

Continue reading "Obama Effect" helps African tourism

"Obama Effect" helps African tourism originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[East of Africa: Departure]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/22/east-of-africa-departure/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/22/east-of-africa-departure/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/22/east-of-africa-departure/#commentsFiled under: ,


The boiling hot shower is streaked with trails of reddish-brown dirt that's been bonded to my skin for the past several days. I take a series deep breaths in the therapeutic warmth of the water, thankful to be back at the cozy, quiet, and hospitable Radama hotel.

The day's journey was a sudden reminder of just how dangerous a two-lane road winding through the hills of rural Madagascar can be. Outside of Fianarantsoa we passed an overturned semi truck belonging to the biggest brewery in Madagascar (Star Brasseries), quickly being picked apart by an excited crowd. Men, women, and even a few children stuffed liter-sized bottles of Three Horses Beer into their shirts and bicycle baskets while stray dogs sheepishly lapped at the containers that had shattered in the crash.

Continue reading East of Africa: Departure

East of Africa: Departure originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AntananarivoEast of AFricaEastOfAfricaHotel RadamaHotelRadamaMadagascarRadamaStar BrasserieStarBrasserieTHBThree Horses BeerThreeHorsesBeerFri, 22 Jan 2010 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[East of Africa: Rural Madagascar (Video)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/13/east-of-africa-rural-madagascar-video/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/13/east-of-africa-rural-madagascar-video/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/13/east-of-africa-rural-madagascar-video/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Now that you've seen scenes from the capital city, Antananarivo - here are some final shots from the rural towns of Antsirabe, Fianarantsoa, and Ilakaka. For more, catch all of the previous articles in the East of Africa series!

East of Africa: Rural Madagascar (Video) originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AfricaAntsirabeEastofAfricaFianarantsoaIlakakaMadagascarSapphireVideoWed, 13 Jan 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[East of Africa: Scenes from Antananarivo (Video)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/08/east-of-africa-scenes-from-antananarivo-video/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/08/east-of-africa-scenes-from-antananarivo-video/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/08/east-of-africa-scenes-from-antananarivo-video/#commentsFiled under: , ,



As the East of Africa series wraps up, I want to bring you a small collection of video that I hope will bring the previous articles and audio clips to life. First up: faces and street scenes from the capital city, Antananarivo. Enjoy!

East of Africa: Scenes from Antananarivo (Video) originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AntananarivoCapitalCity of the ThousandCityOfTheThousandEastofAfricaKat MisKatMisMadagascarQuatre MisQuatre-misQuatreMisStephen GreenwoodStephenGreenwoodVideoFri, 08 Jan 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[East of Africa: Sounds from the Red Island]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/05/east-of-africa-sounds-from-the-red-island/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/05/east-of-africa-sounds-from-the-red-island/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/05/east-of-africa-sounds-from-the-red-island/#commentsFiled under: , , ,





Belltowers can be heard from the top of a hillside on a warm Sunday morning in Antananarivo.


After returning from Tuléar, I had a few remaining days in Antananarivo to explore the city and capture some additional photo and video. I've started getting in the habit of keeping an ear out for interesting sounds and pulling out my audio recorder to capture the moment. Below are a few of those experiences - and I hope they're able to transport you to the beautiful and exotic world of Madagascar, even for a split second.

If you have headphones I'd suggest using them so you can pick up the small details in the audio. Enjoy!

Continue reading East of Africa: Sounds from the Red Island

East of Africa: Sounds from the Red Island originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AntananarivoAudioBelltowerChoirChurchcockfightingEastOfAfricaguitarkat-misMadagascarquatre misQuatreMisRadiorestaurantSnapshotSoundSoundscapeStreet Childrenstreet musiciansStreetChildrenStreetMusicianswildfireTue, 05 Jan 2010 09:00:00 ESTeoa_belltowersStephen Greenwood1:00<![CDATA[East of Africa: Toliara (Tuléar)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/02/east-of-africa-toliara-tulear/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/02/east-of-africa-toliara-tulear/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/02/east-of-africa-toliara-tulear/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Our driver has a big smile on his face. He points ahead at the landscape which has become increasingly flat in the past hour or so. I follow his finger up to see the road dramatically disappearing into a vast, clear, blue horizon.

After two days and 1,000km, we've made it to Madagascar's southwestern coast - to the small, sleepy town of Toliara.

Continue reading East of Africa: Toliara (Tuléar)

East of Africa: Toliara (Tuléar) originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AntandroyAriarybeachBob SinclarBobSinclarCECAMCoca ColaCocaColaDavid GuettaDavidGuettaEast of AfricaEastOfAfricaFishingIfatyMadagascarMahafalyMalagasyNomadSouthwesternSri LankaSriLankaThailandToliaraTuléarTulearVezoSat, 02 Jan 2010 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[East of Africa: Sapphire of Ilakaka]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/27/east-of-africa-sapphire-of-ilakaka/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/27/east-of-africa-sapphire-of-ilakaka/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/27/east-of-africa-sapphire-of-ilakaka/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


After hours of driving through untouched landscape, a speck of civilization appears on the horizon. It's a sizable town; modest in structure, but full of activity and commotion -even at a distance.

A patchwork of low-grade wooden structures stem from a single main road. Electrical wires criss cross each other in all directions, connecting small shanty homes with restaurants and makeshift offices with pre-fabricated Zain mobile phone shops.

Gallery: East of Africa: Ilakaka

Continue reading East of Africa: Sapphire of Ilakaka

East of Africa: Sapphire of Ilakaka originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 27 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BrokerbrothelCaliforniacasinoChineseEastOfAfricaGemGemsGemstonesgold rushGoldRushIlakakaLawlessMadagascarmalagasyosama bin ladenOsamaBinLadenpopulationsapphireViolenceWild WestWildWestZainSun, 27 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[East of Africa: the Road to Tuléar]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/22/east-of-africa-the-road-to-tulear/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/22/east-of-africa-the-road-to-tulear/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/22/east-of-africa-the-road-to-tulear/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


I sneak a glance at the side-view mirror to try and catch a reflection of my face; I'm trying hard to look at ease, but my tight grip on the door handle suggests otherwise. It certainly isn't the worst road I've been on in Africa, but it seems that our driver is intent on moving as fast as the laws of physics will allow; navigating hundreds of hairpin turns with haste so that we can get off the road by nightfall.

Our driver recognizes my apprehension, shouting "Don't be nervous!" before reaching to turn up the Jerry Marcoss album that's playing in the truck. I take a deep breath and focus my attention on the scenery around me. It's stunning.

We've been on the road for nearly 8 hours, and the mountainous highlands of Antananarivo have given way to sprawling golden plains that are fringed by large rock formations and orange-red dirt. There are unfavorable clouds in the distance, which causes our driver to shake his head as he slows down for the first time of the trip. A light rainfall begins to hit the windshield.

Gallery: East of Africa: the Road to Tulear

Continue reading East of Africa: the Road to Tuléar

East of Africa: the Road to Tuléar originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AriaryCECAMEast of AfricaEastOfAfricaFianarantsoaIlakakaIsaloJerry MarcossJerryMarcossMadagascarNational ParkNationalParkRavalomananaRoad TripRoadTripTulearTue, 22 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[East of Africa: An island divided]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/14/east-of-africa-an-island-divided/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/14/east-of-africa-an-island-divided/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/14/east-of-africa-an-island-divided/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We're at a small, roadside cafe - a room that consists of a few wooden planks slung together to form a humble dining area. Our server is a loud, jovial woman in her fifties and seems particularly excited to have a vazaa in her restaurant. She enthusiastically brings out six plates of over-saturated rice and sets them down on a cheap plastic tablecloth. I reach for the aluminum fork in front of me and hang it over the rice as I wait for the others to dig in.

Nobody moves. They're all waiting for the side dishes of chicken, fish, and shredded pork to be brought - and not one person starts eating until every last plate has been set down. It seems particularly strange because the rice is presented almost as soon as we are seated, and the side plates arrive one by one over the course of fifteen minutes.

I guess I've lived for so long in a culture where everyone rushes to eat every meal, that it's sort of refreshing to sit back and let the food get lukewarm for the sake of good manners.

Continue reading East of Africa: An island divided

East of Africa: An island divided originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AntananarivoCoupcoup detatCoupDetatEast AfricaEast of AfricaEastAfricaEastOfAfricaElectionJourneymanmadagascarMalagasyMilitaryMonja RoindefoMonjaRoindefopoliticsPresidentRajoelinaRavalomananaMon, 14 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[East of Africa: ToughStuff (w/ video)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/11/east-of-africa-toughstuff-solar-led-lights/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/11/east-of-africa-toughstuff-solar-led-lights/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/11/east-of-africa-toughstuff-solar-led-lights/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The idea for ToughStuff came to Adriaan on a trip to his home in the Netherlands, between stints of working with charities and NGO's in Africa for fifteen years.

He was in the garden, inspecting a cheap outdoor lamp that had solar panels built in to the top of the plastic. The light would automatically recharge a set of internal batteries during the day, and have enough power to stay illuminated throughout the night.

He thought, if the developed world could be using this technology to light our gardens, then why can't this same equipment be used as a primary light source for the most needy people in the world?

After few years of research and development, ToughStuff International was born.

Continue reading East of Africa: ToughStuff (w/ video)

East of Africa: ToughStuff (w/ video) originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Adriaan MolAdriaanMolEastofAfricaLampLEDMadagascarNetherlandsSolarsolar powerSolarPowerTough StuffToughStuffFri, 11 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[East of Africa: City of the Thousand]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/07/Antananarivo-madagascar-travel/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/07/Antananarivo-madagascar-travel/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/07/Antananarivo-madagascar-travel/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


In Antananarivo, the French colonial influence is everywhere: spired churches sit atop the city's prominent hills. Pretty jacaranda trees line Lake Anosy, which wraps around a war memorial statue in the center of the water.

A large defunct train station sits negelected at the end of a wide boulevard. The sign below the grand clock spells the city's old French name: "Tananarive". Horse-drawn carriages and 1960's Renault and Citroën taxis jam the stone-covered roads, with crackling radios blaring out a french news broadcast.

In this sense, Antananarivo feels like a fractured, soiled apparition of Paris.

Continue reading East of Africa: City of the Thousand

East of Africa: City of the Thousand originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AntananarivoAriaryBeggarsEast of AfricaEastOfAfricaFranceFrenchKat-misMadagascarMalagasyQuatre-misRovaTanaTananariveMon, 07 Dec 2009 09:30:00 ESTTana MarketGadling0:34<![CDATA[East of Africa: Arrival]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/03/east-of-africa-arrival/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/03/east-of-africa-arrival/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/03/east-of-africa-arrival/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Adriaan and I are barreling down a small cobblestone street in a dusty 4x4. Several people narrowly miss the car's bull bars as they dash across the road, yet hardly flinch when we brush past them. I look out into the mass of people; skin tones are a mix of brown and black. Moderately well dressed people walk next to beggars with torn shirts.

The market we're passing feels as crowded and energetic as those that I left behind in Hong Kong 48 hours ago, except there are far fewer neon lights and far more visible indications of poverty.

I hang my arm out of the window; the air is noticeably chilly and thin. I mention this to Adriaan and he explains that Antananarivo sits at roughly 4,200 ft above sea level in Madagascar's central highlands - not quite the hot, dry, barren desert I had somehow pictured.

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East of Africa: Arrival originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Adriaan MolAdriaanMolAntananarivoEastofAfricaFrenchLEDmadagascarRadamaRovasolarToughStuffVazaaThu, 03 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Madagascar: East of Africa]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/30/madagascar-east-of-africa/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/30/madagascar-east-of-africa/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/30/madagascar-east-of-africa/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


I have this habit of never preparing adequately for trips. The tickets get booked, the bags get packed at the last moment, and I suddenly find myself about to touch down in a foreign place.

When I found out I was going to Madagascar for work, I did some brief Wikipedia and Wikitravel skimming: fourth largest island in the world...lots of plants and animals...used to be a French colony...etc...etc...but I really had no idea what to expect.

I hadn't seen the famous animated movie, my French was mediocre at best, and I knew very little about the history of the country.

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Madagascar: East of Africa originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventuremondayAntananarivoEast AfricaEast of AfricaEastAfricaEastOfAfricaFrenchmadagascarMalagasyRed IslandRedIslandToliaraMon, 30 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 (+2) adventure destinations for 2010]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/30/top-10-2-adventure-destinations-for-2010/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/30/top-10-2-adventure-destinations-for-2010/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/30/top-10-2-adventure-destinations-for-2010/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

With 2009 rapidly coming to an end, it is time to look ahead to 2010 and begin making our travel plans. For adventure travelers, the year ahead is full of possibilities, with amazing destinations just waiting to deliver the trip of a lifetime. Here are ten of the very best places to feed your need for adventure.

10. Antarctica
One of the most coveted destinations on any adventure traveler's list has always been Antarctica, the coldest, highest, and driest place on the planet. The frozen continent is remote, rugged, and challenging, but there are now multiple ways of getting there, ranging from luxury cruises to "last degree" ski expeditions to the South Pole. You could easily make the argument that Antarctica is the last great frontier, and perhaps the most adventurous destination on Earth, and should be ranked higher on this list. I'd agree with those sentiments, except for one very big consideration, which is the expense of getting there. Unfortunately, it still costs a good deal of money to visit Antarctica, and for now, it is beyond the budget of many of those adventurous enough to want to make the journey.

9. British Columbia, Canada
If you're the kind of person that enjoys a busy, active vacation than perhaps British Columbia should be your next destination. Located in Western Canada, BC has so many options for outdoor adventures, you may never want to go home. Adrenaline junkies will have opportunities to mountain bike, hike, and climb there way through the Canadian Rockies. And when you grow tired of all the fun on dry land, the Pacific Ocean beacons with some great sailing and sea kayaking options as well. Throw in breathtaking scenery and legendary Canadian hospitality, and you have everything you need for a very adventurous trip. Don't miss out on a visit to Vancouver while in the area too, and you'll discover why it is considered to be one of the best cities on the planet.

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Top 10 (+2) adventure destinations for 2010 originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure traveladventure-traveladventuremondayAdventureTravelbackpackingbig fiveBigFivebritish columbiaBritishColumbiaecotourismhikinghimalayan mountainsHimalayanMountainshimalayaskayakingpaddlingsailingtibettrekkingMon, 30 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[25 great adventures for 2010]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/21/25-great-adventures-for-2010/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/21/25-great-adventures-for-2010/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/21/25-great-adventures-for-2010/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The latest issue of National Geographic Adventure has just hit the newsstand with a special treat inside for adventure travelers looking for their next big trip. The magazine has listed its selection for the 25 best new trips for 2010, offering up suggestions of places to visit in nearly every corner of the globe.

The list is organized in alphabetical order by destination, starting with Bhutan and running through several U.S. locations as well. Each of the locations also has a tour operator associated with it, and clicking on the text will give you a more detailed description of what you can expect on your adventure.

No matter what draws you to adventure travel, you're sure to find something on the list that appeals to you. For instance, if you're up for a challenging kayaking adventure, head to Bhutan with Bio Bio Expeditions, where you get the opportunity to make the first descent on a previously unpaddled section of the Drangme Chhu River. Does an island adventure sound more enticing? Then plan a trip to Sri Lanka with Access Trips, where you can go surfing and mountain biking through that amazing setting. And for those who would prefer a little more rest and relaxation with their adventure, there is always the Muang La Resort in Laos which offers jungle escapes that includes luxury rooms and a deluxe spa. That trip is available through Asia Transpacific Journeys.

No one knows adventure like National Geographic, and you can bet that each of these trips will deliver in that category. With 2009 quickly coming to an end, it is never too early to start planning your own adventures for 2010, and this list is a great place to start.

25 great adventures for 2010 originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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