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[Video: kalimba player in Malawi]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/09/video-kalimba-player-in-malawi/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/09/video-kalimba-player-in-malawi/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/09/video-kalimba-player-in-malawi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



One thing that consistently amazes me while traveling in Africa is how the people are able to create musical instruments out of just about anything. Take the kora, for example. This West African stringed instrument is made from a gourd and fishing line.

Another popular instrument is the thumb piano, or "lamellophone" for all you musicologists out there. It's a small wooden plate or box with strips of metal of different lengths on it. These are plucked with the thumb to make different notes. A bit of scrounging in any African town can get you the parts for a thumb piano in less than an hour. Because they're light and easy to make, they are popular with the griots, Africa's wandering troubadours. They're also popular with kids because it's easy to learn the basics.

The thumb piano is called different names by different people, like kalimba or mbira. In Ethiopia, where I saw them being played, the instrument is called a tom. I bought one for my kid when he was five and he loves it. In fact, it was the first instrument he learned how to play. Unlike the recorder, which he's learning now in school, nobody taught him how to play the tom, he simply figured it out for himself, and that's much more fun.

Check out this video of a kalimba player in Malawi, who's so good a bird starts singing along with him! I'd love to know the words to his song.

Video: kalimba player in Malawi originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure cruiseadventure vacationadventure-travelAdventureCruiseAdventureVacationAfricaAfrica tourismAfrica travelAfrican musicAfrican musical instrumentsAfricanMusicAfricanMusicalInstrumentsAfricaTourismAfricaTravelgriotsinstrumentskalimbaMalawiMalawi cultureMalawi musicMalawi tourismMalawi travelMalawiCultureMalawiMusicMalawiTourismMalawiTravelmusicmusic videomusic videosmusical instrumentsMusicalInstrumentsMusicVideoMusicVideosthumb pianoThumbPianovideoFri, 09 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Book celebrates 10 years of the Tour d'Afrique]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/13/new-book-celebrates-10-years-of-the-tour-dafrique/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/13/new-book-celebrates-10-years-of-the-tour-dafrique/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/13/new-book-celebrates-10-years-of-the-tour-dafrique/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Tour d'Afrique celebrates ten yearsThe Tour d'Afrique is a legendary cycling event that runs from Cairo to Cape Town on an annual basis. Covering more than 7500 miles, and requiring four months to complete, the Tour is a popular "bucket list" item for adventure travelers and cyclists the world over. This year, the Tour d'Afrique commemorates its tenth anniversary, and to celebrate, the company behind the epic event has released a fantastic coffee table book entitled 10: Celebrating Ten Years of the Tour d'Afrique Bicycle Race and Expedition.

The book begins with a forward written by Tour founder Henry Gold. A decade ago, when he first pitched the idea of a bike ride across Africa, Gold was met with skepticism to say the least. Many thought that it simply wasn't possible for an event like this one to exist and he was regularly told he was crazy for even considering it. Ten year later, Gold has turned his idea into a yearly event, and his adventure travel company produces similar cycling tours in a host of other locations across the globe.

10 is filled with stories from the road, as riders share tales, quotes, and anecdotes of their own experiences from the Tour. For some, it was a life altering experience for others an adventure of a lifetime, but no one who has taken part in the journey has come away unchanged. Their words are likely to inspire readers to want to join Tour as well, and even if you haven't been on a bike in years, you may find yourself dreaming of pedaling under African skies. The book doesn't try to hide the challenges of the ride, which range from oppressive heat to unexpected downpours, not to mention ever changing road conditions, but the amazing beauty of Africa and the camaraderie that is formed amongst the riders, will have a universal appeal all the same.

If the words of the riders don't inspire you than perhaps the amazing photographs contained in this book will. 10 is a visual love letter to cycling, adventure travel, and most importantly, Africa itself. The 252 page volume is packed with breathtaking images that have been compiled over the past decade and capture the spirit of the Tour very well. Not only do those photos show the day-to-day experiences of the ride, but they also manage to convey a sense of wonder at the countries and environments that the riders pass through, as well as the people that live there.

If you have a cyclist or adventure traveler on your holiday shopping list, than this book is sure to be a hit. Just be warned, after reading it, they may feel compelled to join the ride themselves. Africa is most definitely calling.

New Book celebrates 10 years of the Tour d'Afrique originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure cyclingadventure traveladventure-travelAdventureCyclingAdventureTravelbook reviewBookReviewbookscairocape townCapeTowncyclingcycling toursCyclingTourstour dafriqueTourDafriqueTue, 13 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter the Put Foot Rally for an African road trip adventure]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/29/enter-the-put-foot-rally-for-an-african-road-trip-adventure/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/29/enter-the-put-foot-rally-for-an-african-road-trip-adventure/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/29/enter-the-put-foot-rally-for-an-african-road-trip-adventure/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Put Foot Rally promises to be quite an African adventureAdventurous travelers looking for a unique road trip this summer may want to checkout the Put Foot Rally, which is scheduled to get underway in June. The event begins in South Africa and promises to send teams on a 7000km (4350 mile) long odyssey through the wilds of Africa.

The 17-day rally will kick off at two separate starting lines, one in Cape Town and the other in Johannesburg. Once underway, competitors will navigate on their own, and are free to take any path they like, but are required to reach certain checkpoints along the way by certain times. For instance, the first checkpoint is located at the Andersson Gate, just outside Etosha Park in Namibia. How you manage to find your way to that destination is entirely up to you, but you'll certainly want to get there on time, as each of the checkpoints will play host to a party as well.

Subsequent CP's will be located on the Okavango Delta in Botwsana, in Livingstone, Zambia, and on the edge of Lake Malawi in Malawi. From there it is on to Inhambane in Mozambique before proceeding on to the finish line in Swaziland. All told, counting the starting and finish line, there are seven checkpoints, and seven parties, in all.

The Put Foot is accepting just 50 crews for the inaugural 2011 rally, and as of this writing they are about halfway to filling that quota. A crew can consist of as many people as you want, but they all have to fit inside one vehicle. Speaking of which, you can also drive any type of car, truck, or SUV you want, as long as it gets you to the checkpoints on time. You can even elect to ride on a motorcycle if you prefer. Organizers of the rally estimate that about 95% of the route can be done on paved roads, which means a 4x4 isn't necessary to compete. But part of the fun will no doubt be getting off the beaten path and finding interesting ways to reach the checkpoints. Just don't take a wrong turn and end up in a country you weren't expecting!

Continue reading Enter the Put Foot Rally for an African road trip adventure

Enter the Put Foot Rally for an African road trip adventure originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure traveladventure-travelAdventureTravelafricaafrican road rallyAfricanRoadRallyBogs for good foundationBogsForGoodFoundationcape townCapeTownjohannesburgokavango deltaOkavangoDeltaput foot rallyPutFootRallyrallyRoad RallyRoadRallyswazilandTue, 29 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[American explorer to cross Africa on foot]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/20/american-explorer-to-cross-africa-on-foot/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/20/american-explorer-to-cross-africa-on-foot/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/20/american-explorer-to-cross-africa-on-foot/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Explorer Julian Monroe Fisher will cross Africa on footAnthropologist, explorer, and member of the Royal Geographical Society Julian Monroe Fisher is preparing for an epic expedition that will see him cross Africa completely on foot. The journey, which is set to begin this spring, will cover more than 4000 miles, crossing the continent east to west, in an effort to raise awareness of the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), an organization dedicated to removing land mines and other small arms from countries that were formerly plagued with conflict.

Julian's adventure will get underway on April 26th of this year, when he sets out from the town of Pemba, located on the coast of Mozambique. From there, he'll begin traveling west, crossing through miles of difficult and varying African terrain, before eventually ending in Lobito, Angola, which falls along that country's Atlantic coast. Along the way, he'll pass through the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Malawi as well.

No stranger to long distance travel, Monroe spent much of his time on the road between 1996 and 2003, crossing through more than 90 countries on five different continents. He has written two books about his travels and was an early adopter when it came to writing about his adventures on the web as well. Last year, he even opened an anthropological research station in the Bunkeye Cultural Village, located in the DRC, which this expedition will help raise funds for too.

This 4000 mile journey is sure to be an amazing adventure to follow, and Julian will be posting updates to his Facebook page along the way. But what he really hopes to do is draw attention to the amazing work that MAG is doing in countries across the planet in helping them to remove old land mines, un-exploded missiles, mortars, grenades, and other small arms that have been left behind following a major conflict. The organization operates throughout Africa and South East Asia, where it saves lives and limbs simply by doing away with old weapons that still litter the landscape.

For me personally, Africa remains my favorite destination, and traveling on foot is truly a unique way to see the continent and interact with its people. I'm sure that this will be quite the adventure when Julian and his team get underway in a few months time.

American explorer to cross Africa on foot originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 20 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure traveladventure-travelAdventureTravelexpeditionsjulian monroe fisherJulianMonroeFishermagmines advisory groupMinesAdvisoryGrouproyal geographical societyRoyalGeographicalSocietytrekkingtrekking in africaTrekkingInAfricaSun, 20 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Malawi to ban farting?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/04/malawi-to-ban-farting/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/04/malawi-to-ban-farting/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/04/malawi-to-ban-farting/#commentsFiled under: ,

malawi ban farting

Malawi doesn't make it into the news often. The relatively small southeastern African country, close to Honduras in size, has a population of around 15 million. According to the International Monetary Fund and the CIA World Factbook, Malawi is one of the world's five poorest countries in terms of per capita income.

All that should change for the next week or so, however, due to the ban on farting currently under debate in the country. Yes, you read that correctly, and I'll repeat. The adoption of a bill prohibiting farting is under consideration in Malawi.

Or is it? There seems to be some disagreement over what the bill would actually prohibit. The BBC reported this morning on a feud between two government officials over the bill, which would aim to turn pollution of the atmosphere "in any place so as to make it noxious to the public" into a misdemeanor. Justice Minister George Chaponda has interpreted the bill to extend to farting, while Solicitor General Anthony Kamanga insists that it should be interpreted as referring exclusively to pollution.

It would be a shame if this scuffle were to derail Malawi's growth as a destination for tourists. The country's profile as a tourist destination is currently rising and it's not difficult to understand why. Malawi boasts beach lodges along Lake Malawi and national parks teeming with wildlife, with Liwonde National Park in the south of the country and Nyika National Park in the north particularly noteworthy.

Continue reading Malawi to ban farting?

Malawi to ban farting? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>africafartingmalawinewsFri, 04 Feb 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Adventure travel meets faith: cycling to Mecca for the Hajj]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/19/adventure-travel-meets-faith-cycling-to-mecca-for-the-hajj/http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/19/adventure-travel-meets-faith-cycling-to-mecca-for-the-hajj/http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/19/adventure-travel-meets-faith-cycling-to-mecca-for-the-hajj/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

adventure travel mecca hajj
Two Muslims from South Africa mixed adventure travel and spirituality this year by cycling to Mecca for the Hajj. Natheem Cairncross, 28 and Imtiyaz Haron, 25, cycled through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Turkey, Syria and Jordan. Visa problems with Sudan and Ethiopia meant they had to take a plane from Kenya to Turkey, but that doesn't lessen their achievement.

In an interview with the BBC, Cairncross said the 6,800-mile journey was a life-changing experience. Both had to sell possessions to raise money for the trip. Cairncross even sold his car. Yes, he had a car and he decided to go by bike.

The Hajj is the traditional pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim should do at least once in their lifetime if they are able. Currently the Empty Quarter Gallery in Dubai is exhibiting photos and recordings made by Dutch explorer Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje in 1885. Check out the link for some amazing early images and eerie recordings made on wax cylinders that had only recently been developed by Thomas Edison.


[Image courtesy Ali Mansuri via Wikimedia Commons]

Adventure travel meets faith: cycling to Mecca for the Hajj originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure activitiesadventure traveladventure-outdoorsadventure-travelAdventureActivitiesadventuresAdventureTravelcyclingcycling through africaCyclingThroughAfricaEdisonexhibitionexhibitionsexplorationexplorerHajjislamMeccamuslimmuslimsphotographyreligionspiritualityThomas EdisonThomasEdisonFri, 19 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Controversy over Condé Nast Traveler's World Savers Awards]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/09/19/controversy-over-conde-nast-travelers-world-savers-awards/http://www.gadling.com/2010/09/19/controversy-over-conde-nast-travelers-world-savers-awards/http://www.gadling.com/2010/09/19/controversy-over-conde-nast-travelers-world-savers-awards/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The popular magazine Condé Nast Traveler hosts the annual World Savers Awards to recognize the efforts of hotels, airlines, tour and cruise companies that give something back through their environmental or social programs. But one recipient of the 2010 award is attracting controversy over its actions.

Wilderness Safaris won this year's award in the Health Initiatives category for its HIV/AIDS program, which includes the construction of clinics in South Africa, Zambia, and Malawi. Now Survival International, which supports the rights of indigenous peoples, says Wilderness Safaris falls short of its image as positive force in the community.

It points to its new luxury lodge, the Kalahari Plains Camp, set on the traditional lands of the Bushmen in Botswana. The lodge boasts a bar and swimming pool while the Bushmen have to walk for miles to get water. The local people used to have a well, but the government capped it when it kicked the Bushmen off the land in 2002. Survival International and the Bushmen went to court and won the right for the Bushmen to return to their lands, but the government still won't allow them to reopen the well.

Wilderness Safaris says providing water isn't their responsibility, but Survival International points out that they constructed a well near one of their resorts in Zimbabwe in order to attract more wildlife.

How much responsibility does a resort have to the local community? Tell us what you think in the comments section.

[Photo courtesy Ian Beatty]

Controversy over Condé Nast Traveler's World Savers Awards originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 19 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aidsAIDS awarenessAIDS EpidemicAIDS in africaAIDS preventionAidsAwarenessAidsEpidemicAidsInAfricaAidsPreventionawardawardsbushmenconde nastconde nast travelerCondeNastCondeNastTravelerhivkalahair bushmenKalahairBushmenKalahariKalahari-DesertKalahariResortsafarisafarissurvival internationalSurvivalInternationalSun, 19 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Get out and go: Events around the world (October 15-18)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/14/get-out-and-go-events-around-the-world-october-15-18/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/14/get-out-and-go-events-around-the-world-october-15-18/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/14/get-out-and-go-events-around-the-world-october-15-18/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Happy Hump Day, Gadling'ers! It's time to look at the festivals and events happening around the world, and this week has a particularly international selection of happenings. If you're close and have time, then you have no excuse to get out and go!
  • Islamabad - The Hot Air Ballooning Competition in Pakistan begins this Thursday, October 15 and ends on the 18th.
  • Malawi - Lake of Stars: This special music festival takes place on the shores of Lake Malawi. The festival begins on Thursday, October 15 and lasts through the 18th.
  • New Zealand - Wanakafest 2009: The Wanakafest, a fun festival that includes urban downhill biking, bike back flips, snowboard rail jam, music, waterfront events, a fashion show, a food and wine fair and a street parade among other things begins this Thursday, October 15 and ends on the 18th.
  • Pittsburgh - International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival: Pittsburgh's an annual celebration of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered writers, directors, actors and their work begins this Friday, October 16, and continues until October 25th.
  • Delhi - Diwalli, the Festival of Lights, will be held this Saturday, October 17. It is a colorful celebration of the victory of the good within people over evil. Traditionally people give gifts to family, friends and employees, making Delhi a bustling marketplace.
  • Shanghai - The 10th Annual China Shanghai International Arts Festival begins this Sunday, October 18 and runs until the 23rd. The performing arts fair, a major sector of the festival, is the largest and most effective performing arts market of its kind in China.
  • Sao Paolo - Grande Premio do Brasil: Brazil's featured Formula 1 car race will be held this Sunday, October 18 at 2 p.m.
If you make it to one of these events, let us know how it was, or if you know of an even that's coming up, please let us here at Gadling know and we'll be sure to include it in the next "Get out and go" round-up.

'Til next week, have a great weekend -- the first of October!

Get out and go: Events around the world (October 15-18) originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brazilchinadelhieventsfestivalsfilmgayget out and goGetOutAndGoindiaislamabadlesbianmalawimusicnew zealandpittsburghsao paoloSaoPaoloshanghaiWed, 14 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tour d'Afrique Off and Running!]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/15/tour-dafrique-off-and-running/http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/15/tour-dafrique-off-and-running/http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/15/tour-dafrique-off-and-running/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The 2009 edition of the Tour d'Afrique got underway last Sunday, with cyclists setting out from Cairo, Egypt on a 7317 mile long race to Cape Town, South Africa. In between they'll pass through the Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia, fostering international goodwill along the way, while raising funds for environmental protection and promoting cycling in Africa.

The race is broken down into 96 stages of various lengths, with a typical day getting underway at 7:30 AM, when the top riders start out on the course. They are soon followed by another group who may not be contending for the top spot, but still want to complete every mile, while the "Back Pack" is made up of a group of riders who just want to enjoy the adventure and soak up some of the culture of the countries they are passing through.

This is the seventh year that the race has been run, and the web coverage seems to be the best ever. For instance, there are photos from each stage, videos from the various countries and introductions for some of the riders, and a daily blog with results and news from the course.

With six stages done, the riders have more than three months of riding ahead of them through a variety of climates and terrains before reaching their final destination on May 9th. They'll struggle through the Sahara Desert, roll across the Equator, and race across an endless savannah, and they each payed more than $10,000 for the privledge. Seems like it's an adventure worth every penny.

Tour d'Afrique Off and Running! originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure travelAdventureTravelafricabotswanacyclingegyptethiopiakenyamalawinamibiasouth africaSouthAfricasudantanzaniaThu, 15 Jan 2009 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[One Day in Africa: Lives of six ordinary Africans ]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/10/one-day-in-africa-lives-of-six-ordinary-africans/http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/10/one-day-in-africa-lives-of-six-ordinary-africans/http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/10/one-day-in-africa-lives-of-six-ordinary-africans/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

When I watched the trailer of One Day in Africa, the latest documentary of Brook Silva-Braga, the resonance of village and city life in most African countries was immediately evident. It's a resonance that often doesn't make headline news. It resides in the pattern of each day that starts before the sun comes up when Africans, in particular women, get busy.

The shot of women pounding grain comes to mind. When I lived in a Gambian village for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer, the thwack of a wooden pestle against a mortar as it removed husks from grain was like a heartbeat.

What Silva-Braga shows about African life is that it has rhythm and cadence and is not totally embroiled with AIDS and poverty. There is another theme to explore, one that involves the complex melding of African traditions with the modern world.

Sure AIDS, poverty and violence do exist, but they are not what Brook Silva-Braga set out to show in his second film project. His first film, A Map for Saturday, was a documentary about around the world travel--his and others. That film included every continent except Africa.

One Day in Africa is a companion project in a way, but the focus is different. In this latest project, Silva-Braga got up close and personal with his subjects-- six Africans, both men and women, whose stories are typical of the stories of others who live in this vast continent. [For the trailer, keep reading.]

Continue reading One Day in Africa: Lives of six ordinary Africans

One Day in Africa: Lives of six ordinary Africans originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brook silva-bragaBrookSilva-bragaculturedocumentariesfilmmakerfilmmakingSat, 10 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lonely Planet lists Ireland as the friendliest country in the world]]>http://www.gadling.com/2007/10/19/lonely-planet-lists-ireland-as-the-friendliest-country-in-the-wo/http://www.gadling.com/2007/10/19/lonely-planet-lists-ireland-as-the-friendliest-country-in-the-wo/http://www.gadling.com/2007/10/19/lonely-planet-lists-ireland-as-the-friendliest-country-in-the-wo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Sometimes you go to a place for its beauty or famous tourist sites. Other times, you simply go for the people.

That's partially how I ended up in Ireland to work after college. In my humble opinion, the Irish are some of the nicest people on this planet. And now, there is documented evidence to support this.

Lonely Planet's remarkable Bluelist now boasts that Ireland is indeed the friendliest, most welcoming country in the world.

While this is no surprise for me, I'd never be able to guess the other countries mentioned in the top ten list. And in fact, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that backpackers and travelers voted the USA in at second; this is great news considering the bashing we've been receiving abroad in the last few years.

In case you are looking for a holiday destination where the people themselves will put a smile on your face you may want to check out the other countries which also made the list; Malawi, Vietnam, Thailand, Fiji, Indonesia, Samoa, and Scotland.

Lonely Planet lists Ireland as the friendliest country in the world originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Oct 2007 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fri, 19 Oct 2007 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Condom Truck Tips, Spills Load]]>http://www.gadling.com/2007/06/19/condom-truck-tips-spills-load/http://www.gadling.com/2007/06/19/condom-truck-tips-spills-load/http://www.gadling.com/2007/06/19/condom-truck-tips-spills-load/#commentsFiled under: ,

I spent the summer of 2003 working in the Public Affairs Office of the US Embassy in Malawi. Pinned above my desk was a newspaper clipping, with a headline that read, "I am not a condom." I read that clipping every day -- and laughed about it every day.

The subject of the piece -- a Member of Parliament -- was explaining how indispensable he was to Government and how he could simply not be tossed aside, like a worthless rubber. Hence: "I am not a condom." Arguably, his decision to compare himself to a prophylactic was not in his best interest -- but it sure did give some reporter a headline that wrote itself.

Speaking of headlines that write themselves, check out this clipping, titled "Condom truck tips, spills load." Opening with the line, "The rubber truly hit the road yesterday..." this is one travel story I'd love to have covered -- if just for the easy jokes.

Condom truck

Easy jokes include:

  • Condoms can't save truck driver from accident
  • Condoms fall off driver's big rig
  • Spilled condoms make for messy clean up

Got a better one?

Condom Truck Tips, Spills Load originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>condomcondomsfunnyheadlineheadlinestruckTue, 19 Jun 2007 16:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Where on Earth, Week 3: Senga Bay, Malawi!]]>http://www.gadling.com/2007/04/13/where-on-earth-week-3-senga-bay-malawi/http://www.gadling.com/2007/04/13/where-on-earth-week-3-senga-bay-malawi/http://www.gadling.com/2007/04/13/where-on-earth-week-3-senga-bay-malawi/#commentsFiled under: ,

Madagascar, Spain, Tanzania, Kenya, Vietnam. These were some of the guesses people offered up for this week's Where On Earth. However, none of them were right. I was beginning to wonder if anybody'd get it...
warning
Then along came Saki, who knew exactly where kevinalaska92 had made this shot: Senga Bay, Malawi. Saki was there in February.

Though it's only about 2 hours by car to Senga Bay from the capital, Lilongwe, if you have to take public transport, you have to take a bus from Lilongwe to Salima and then hitch a ride to Senga Bay. In other words: it could take all day.

There isn't a lot to do in Senga Bay. There's a hammock to the right. About 500 feet behind is a small bar, and 1/4 mile up the beach is a dude who rents a plastic boat by the hour. And just beyond that is a pretty posh hotel -- the Livingstonia Beach Resort -- which struck me as oddly out of place. The cool thing is that the campground here attracts lots of different kinds of travelers -- and it's a favorite stop for overlanders -- so there's a continuous stream of fresh faces. However, if you get tired of roughin' it, you can always hike to the Livingstonia, have an iced drink, and order a sandwich from the bar.

I spent 4 or 5 days on Senga Bay over Y2K. No, we didn't see any hippos, though we heard some snorts at night.

Where on Earth, Week 3: Senga Bay, Malawi! originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 Apr 2007 10:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>malawisenga baySengaBayFri, 13 Apr 2007 10:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Mega, as in the Biggest Ever, African Adventure Trip]]>http://www.gadling.com/2007/02/28/mega-as-in-the-biggest-ever-african-adventure-trip/http://www.gadling.com/2007/02/28/mega-as-in-the-biggest-ever-african-adventure-trip/http://www.gadling.com/2007/02/28/mega-as-in-the-biggest-ever-african-adventure-trip/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Suppose you have time-lots of it. Let's say you have 44 weeks. Perhaps you'd like to go overland from Morocco to South Africa by way of Egypt. Here's a travel adventure that will take you through 10 game parks, various cultural and historical landmarks, and enough thrills like rafting and tandem sky diving that you'll have stories to tell for years. Countries not typical as tourist hot spots are included in the mix. Angola, for example, has only allowed tourists in since 2004.

In Angola you'll see Portuguese influenced architecture and gorgeous beaches besides the 3rd largest statue of Jesus in the world. The other countries in this multi-stop, pack-in-variety approach are: Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, DRCongo Zaire, Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Egypt.

The highlights of this tour calledTrans Africa. Europe--CapeTown-Nairobi-Istanbul read like a cross between an outdoor wilderness experience, a cultural bonanza and a journey through an African history book. Read the itinerary and you might find yourself chomping to take this trip on. I sure am. R&R opportunities and the chance to luxuriate are built in. Africa Travel Center also offers shorter version African adventures where only parts of this trip are included.

* photo taken in Benguela, Angola by zokete.

Mega, as in the Biggest Ever, African Adventure Trip originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure travelAdventureTravelAfrican Travel centerAfricanTravelCenterlong tripsLongTripsWed, 28 Feb 2007 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Art in Malawi is a World Heritage Site]]>http://www.gadling.com/2007/02/25/rock-art-in-malawi-is-a-world-heritage-site/http://www.gadling.com/2007/02/25/rock-art-in-malawi-is-a-world-heritage-site/http://www.gadling.com/2007/02/25/rock-art-in-malawi-is-a-world-heritage-site/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

One of the latest UNESCO World Heritage sites is in Malawi. Chongoni Rock Art, found clustered in 127 different locations in the granite hills of Malawi's central plateau, are images painted onto rock. They've been here for a long time-a very long time. The folks who painted them may date back to the late Stone Age when folks were hunter-gatherers. The Chewa ethnic group in Malawi whose ancestry goes back to the Iron Age is also responsible for some of the art. The Chewa, an agriculturally-based ethnic group that lives in Malawi today, were still painting on the rocks until the early 20th century. They continue to tie their ceremonies and rituals to the paintings. Because the practice of creating rock art is not common among agriculturally-based people, the existence of this work is interesting in itself. As another interesting note, most of the art is connected to symbolism that depicts women. Yeah! I like that.

One of the reasons Chongoni Rock Art is deemed a World Heritage site is that this is the largest concentration of rock art in Central Africa.

Rock Art in Malawi is a World Heritage Site originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 25 Feb 2007 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ancient artAncientArtChongoni Rock ArtChongoniRockArtethnic artEthnicArtIron Age artIronAgeArtStone age artStoneAgeArtsymbolism of women in artSymbolismOfWomenInArtUNESCOwomensymbolisminartSun, 25 Feb 2007 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Africa Travel: Malawi]]>http://www.gadling.com/2006/02/18/africa-travel-malawi/http://www.gadling.com/2006/02/18/africa-travel-malawi/http://www.gadling.com/2006/02/18/africa-travel-malawi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

LakeMalawiOf all Malawi has to offer Lake Malawi seems to be somewhat of a highlighted attraction for the country where many tourists often flock to the lake's shores to bask in the warm African sun and try a little fishing. 95% of the fish in Malawi's waters are found nowhere else and there are approximately 400 species in the lake though overfishing has become a bit problematic. While the governement continues to educate locals to respect breeding and growth periods anglers are still welcome to spend their hand at catching some trout. It is suggested visitors bring their own rod and tackle during fishing season which runs from September to May. For more on the fish in Lake Malawi visit this site here and for general tourism information head to the Africa Guide on Malawi. Malawi is located in Southern in Africa east of Zambia.

Africa Travel: Malawi originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 18 Feb 2006 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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