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[Relaxing In Peru's Best Beach Town: Mancora]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/21/relaxing-in-perus-best-beach-town-mancora/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/21/relaxing-in-perus-best-beach-town-mancora/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/21/relaxing-in-perus-best-beach-town-mancora/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

mancoraAfter hiking the Inca Trail outside Cuzco and exploring the museums in the bustling city of Lima, many travelers agree they crave nothing more than a relaxing setting and a beautiful beach. If you're making your way north, a worthwhile stop is Mancora, thought by many locals and tourists to feature Peru's best beaches.

Getting There

If you'd like to make the journey in style and comfort, my recommendation is to take the Cruz del Sur bus company. Backpacking six countries in South America, I definitely had my fair share of questionable bus rides; however, Cruz del Sur was the best company I traveled with on the entire continent. Not only do they check bags and do body scans for safety reasons, they feed you a delicious hot meal, show movies in English or Spanish with subtitles, have comfortable reclining seats and provide you with a pillow and blanket. And, the bathrooms were clean and stocked with toilet paper and soap, something almost unheard of on bus transportation in South America.

If flying, the closest airports are in Piura, Tumbes or Talara. When flying internationally, you'll need to travel to Lima first, and then take a national flight to one of the three cities.

Continue reading Relaxing In Peru's Best Beach Town: Mancora

Relaxing In Peru's Best Beach Town: Mancora originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 21 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure travelAdventureTravelbackpackingbudget travelBudgetTravelcabo blancoCaboBlancoernest hemingwayErnestHemingwaymancoranightlifeperuMon, 21 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bestselling Author Mark Adams On Machu Picchu]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/20/bestselling-author-mark-adams-on-machu-picchu/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/20/bestselling-author-mark-adams-on-machu-picchu/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/20/bestselling-author-mark-adams-on-machu-picchu/#commentsFiled under: ,

turn right at machu picchu mark adamsMark Adams is the author of "Turn Right at Machu Picchu, Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time," his bestselling account of his attempt to retrace Hiram Bingham's groundbreaking 1911 expedition to "discover" Machu Picchu. The book, which is now out in paperback, was a New York Times Bestseller and was named one of the best non-fiction titles of the year by Men's Journal and the Washington Post. Adams gave us the inside story of what motivated him to take this expedition, shared some tips on visiting Machu Picchu and gave us his take on Bingham's legacy.

What inspired you to trace Hiram Bingham's famous Machu Picchu expedition route of 1911?

I was an editor at National Geographic Adventure magazine and working at a place like that, Machu Picchu played the same kind of role there that Tiger Woods might have, pre-scandal at Golf Digest. It's always in your face; you're always thinking about it; you're always trying to come up with new ways to look at Machu Picchu because people love it. They can't get enough of it.

Why is that, do you think?

It has that little element of mystery. Someone once said that you can't take a bad picture of Machu Picchu, and I think it's that iconic shot that's just so alluring that people are really drawn to it. People think, 'That's one of those places I want to see before I die.' It's so far out and it's so exotic and yet, pretty much anyone can do it if they have enough money and time.

Continue reading Bestselling Author Mark Adams On Machu Picchu

Bestselling Author Mark Adams On Machu Picchu originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 20 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cuscoMachu PicchuMachuPicchuMark AdamsMarkAdamsperuturn right at machu picchuTurnRightAtMachuPicchuSun, 20 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[8 Languages You've Never Heard Of (And Who Actually Speaks Them)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/18/8-languages-youve-never-heard-of-and-who-actually-speaks-them/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/18/8-languages-youve-never-heard-of-and-who-actually-speaks-them/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/18/8-languages-youve-never-heard-of-and-who-actually-speaks-them/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,



As anyone who follows my articles here on Gadling knows by now, I don't travel to relax poolside at a resort or sip a fancy drink with coconut oil. I travel because this world is a fascinating place.

While everyone has their own travel philosophy and reasons for wanting to get away, I know that for many travelers, one of the greatest joys of travel is experiencing other cultures and peeking into corners of the world, which are far removed from our own. This could range from immersing yourself in a culture with a different religion, cuisine, or something as simple as driving on the other side of the road.

More often than not, however, one of the largest indicators that we "aren't in Kansas anymore" is traveling to a place with a language that is different from our own. With linguists estimating there are over 7,000 languages spread across the globe, there is little to no chance of any traveler ever having the opportunity to properly experience them all. Furthermore, as Gadling blogger Kraig Becker points out, there are still uncontacted tribes in parts of the Amazon where we don't even know what language they speak yet.

Though situations like these are encouraging, the sad reality is that the majority of indigenous languages is critically endangered and will most likely not survive the next generation. According to the United Nations and UNESCO, not only does an indigenous language go extinct every two weeks, but up to 90% of the world's languages are likely to disappear in the next century if current trends continue.

While the Economist reports that recent advances in technology may actually be able to aid in the rescue and rebirth of languages, the fact of the matter remains that thousands of global languages are dying at a terrifying rate.

So, in a nod to the fascinating beauty of global tongues, here is a rundown of eight languages that you've probably never heard of, and are lucky if you ever hear.

Continue reading 8 Languages You've Never Heard Of (And Who Actually Speaks Them)

8 Languages You've Never Heard Of (And Who Actually Speaks Them) originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 18 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Anal languageAnalLanguageAnus languageAnusLanguageKet languageKet peopleKet SiberiaKetLanguageKetPeopleKetSiberialanguages youve never heard ofLanguagesYouveNeverHeardOfMelpa languageMelpaLanguageobscure languagesObscureLanguagesrare languagesRareLanguagesSamiSilbo GomeroSilboGomeroTaushiro languageTaushiroLanguageweird languagesWeirdLanguagesXhosaYoron languageYoronjimaYoronLanguageFri, 18 May 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Torture Museums Look At The Dark Side Of History]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/13/torture-museums-look-at-the-dark-side-of-history/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/13/torture-museums-look-at-the-dark-side-of-history/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/13/torture-museums-look-at-the-dark-side-of-history/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Torture Museum
Ah, the Good Old Days, when everyone lived in a perpetual Renaissance Festival quaffing ale and shouting "Huzzah!" It must have been wonderful.

Not!

People died young, the cities were filled with rats and open sewers, and God help you if you ever got arrested. You'd be taken to a torture chamber in order to "confess" while being subjected to various imaginative torture devices, like the rack shown here in a photo courtesy Jan Mehlich. It's from the torture exhibit in the Lubuska Land Museum in Zielona Góra, Poland. A victim would be tied to it and stretched until his limbs popped out of their sockets. The spikes on the cylinder would add an extra level of agony. This museum stands out among torture museums in that many of its objects were used in the local area.

Germany was a pretty rough place back in the Bad Old Days, and this has spawned several good torture museums in the country. The biggest is the Medieval Crime Museum in Rothenburg, with 2,000 square meters of displays on torture, execution and medieval law. Nuremberg has a preserved torture chamber underneath city hall.

Italy was a rough place too, and you can find out more at the Criminal Museum in Rome, the Museo della Tortura housed in the Devil's Tower in San Gimignano and the Museum of Criminal Anthropology in Turin. The latter museum is interesting because it reflects the 19th century belief that a person's physical features, especially the shape of the skull, could show criminal proclivities. Hundreds of skulls, brains and death masks from executed criminals are on display, as well as the weapons they used in their crimes and the instruments of their demise.

Gallery: Torture Museums of the World

The gibbet displayed the rotting bodies of executed criminalsThe skull cracker removed heretical thoughtsEarly waterboarding, Inquisition Museum, LimaMask for gossips, RothenburgChain worn as punishment for cheating at gambling, Rothenburg

Continue reading Torture Museums Look At The Dark Side Of History

Torture Museums Look At The Dark Side Of History originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 13 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimecrime preventionCrimePreventioncriminalcriminal interrogationCriminalInterrogationcriminalscriminologyEuropeEurope tourismEurope travelEuropeTourismEuropeTravelgrosshistoryinstruments of tortureInstrumentsOfTorturemedievalmiddle agesMiddleAgesoddrenaissancescarystrangestrange museumsStrangeMuseumstorturetorture instrumentstorture museumtorture museumsTortureInstrumentsTortureMuseumTortureMuseumsweirdweird museumsWeirdMuseumsSun, 13 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Inca Rally: A Road Race Through South America]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/13/the-inca-rally-a-road-race-through-south-america/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/13/the-inca-rally-a-road-race-through-south-america/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/13/the-inca-rally-a-road-race-through-south-america/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Inca Rally begins in AugustLooking to add a little excitement to your summer? Then look no further than the Inca Rally, a new road race that is set to get underway in August and promises to offer plenty of adventure to those crazy enough to enter.

The three-week long event begins in Lima, Peru where racers will first barter for a car that is utterly ill suited for the roads they'll be driving on. Once they've acquired their sacrificial vehicle, they'll hit the road on August 1, driving across Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and Guyana. What route they take along the way is completely up to the drivers, they simply have to reach the finish line in time for the blowout party at the end of the three weeks.

This is pure adventure at its finest. There will be no support crews, few directives and plenty of freedom on the open road. Teams can choose to make their way through the Andes, visit the Amazon Rainforest, follow the scenic coasts or get completely off the beaten path. They can visit large, bustling cities or remote villages; they just have to get to the finish line in Georgetown, Guyana.

While the Inca Rally is meant to be a spirited adventure it will also help shine the spotlight on local charities and help raise funds for those organizations. You can find out more about the event and those charities on the Rally's official website, where you can sign up for the race as well.

We definitely need a Team Gadling in this event!

The Inca Rally: A Road Race Through South America originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 13 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelinca rallyIncaRallyRoad RallyRoadRallySun, 13 May 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Where Would You Travel Just to Eat?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/11/where-would-you-travel-just-to-eat/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/11/where-would-you-travel-just-to-eat/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/11/where-would-you-travel-just-to-eat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Where Would You Travel Just to Eat?It's a question that comes up again and again. Even more so in the last few years, as the industrialized world seems to become food obsessed. Not just with eating in general but also where it comes from (is it local?) and how it's grown. Our preoccupation with provenance is almost an existential crisis: it seems we have this growing need (no pun intended) to touch our food, to get closer to it, because technology is alienating us in an unprecedented way.

And so now, more than ever, we're traveling just to satisfy that craving - a simple desire and a deeper one. Okay, this is getting way too serious. The point is, when I attended a couple food-centric events recently for the Lucky Rice Festival and the James Beard Awards, both in New York, I asked the participating chefs and mixologists the question: where would you travel just to eat? Not surprisingly many of them were looking to Japan and Spain for their inspiration.

Here's how they all answered:

Continue reading Where Would You Travel Just to Eat?

Where Would You Travel Just to Eat? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 11 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>new yorknew york cityNewYorkNewYorkCityFri, 11 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[10 Things To Do In Cuzco, Peru, That Don't Involve Visiting Inca Ruins]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/08/10-things-to-do-in-cuzco-peru-that-dont-involve-visiting-inca/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/08/10-things-to-do-in-cuzco-peru-that-dont-involve-visiting-inca/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/08/10-things-to-do-in-cuzco-peru-that-dont-involve-visiting-inca/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

pisaq marketWhen visiting Cuzco, Peru, you will be overwhelmed by the amount of tourism agencies and street vendors selling tours to Machu Picchu, Moray, Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuaman, Q'enqo, Puca Pucara, Templo de la Luna and the various other Inca ruins. While seeing these sites is an important part of the culture and getting to know the area, there are days you may want to do something different. Here were some of the things I enjoyed doing when in Cuzco that didn't involve Inca ruins.

Explore Pisaq Market

Pisaq Market (shown right) sells handicrafts, jewelry, minerals, herbs, spices and local foods and is the biggest market in Cuzco. Sunday is the best time to go, when locals from hours away come to attend church and buy and sell goods. This is also when you can see locals dressed in traditional clothing from the church procession that takes place in the town. Even if you don't buy anything it's a good way to learn about the local way of life, get a taste of how herbal medicine works, see how paints and dyes are made using natural minerals and sample the various local foods. Make sure to try the choclo con queso, a regional strain of corn on the cob topped with cheese and chili sauce.

For something closer to the downtown area of Cuzco, you can also visit the San Pedro Central Market located on Santa Clara near the Church and Monastery of Santa Clara. The market is enormous and sells an array of traditional and offbeat items. You can purchase handicrafts, beauty products, fresh fruits, ornate flans, sweet breads, traditional llama fetuses, colorful masks and even hallucinogens.

Continue reading 10 Things To Do In Cuzco, Peru, That Don't Involve Visiting Inca Ruins

10 Things To Do In Cuzco, Peru, That Don't Involve Visiting Inca Ruins originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 08 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artbudget travelBudgetTravelchocolatecristo blancoCristoBlancocuzcofoodhistoryperuvian foodPeruvianFoodTue, 08 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tips For Backpacking South America]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/17/tips-for-backpacking-south-america/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/17/tips-for-backpacking-south-america/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/17/tips-for-backpacking-south-america/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

south america Backpacking South America is a worthwhile adventure I recommend everyone to have at least once in their lives. Before I arrived on the continent, I was unsure of what to expect. To help prepare you before you go, here are some things I wish I had known before I left for my trip.

Know the Exchange Rate

The exchange rates vary considerably from country to country in South America. For example, while travelers can spend a lot of time in Bolivia and Peru, stretching their dollar very far, popular tourist cities in Brazil, Chile and the Galapagos Islands can be expensive. If you're on a budget, look up which cities are the most affordable beforehand. For example, I noticed in Argentina that the farther south I went - basically the farther into Patagonia - the
more expensive things cost. For example, my usual chicken sub went from being 10 to 15 Argentine Pesos ($2 to $3) in Buenos Aires to 45 to 60 Argentine Pesos ($10 to $14) in Bariloche.

Moreover, don't always think "roughing it" will save you money. Making use of the shelters on the "W" circuit in Torres del Paine and camping your way through the Inca Trail to Macchu Pichu are quite expensive. In fact, one night in a "refugio" in Torres del Paine will cost about $40 to $60 - and that only includes the mattress. Camping in the park is free if you bring your own gear; however, this can be tricky as the hike is difficult at times and you will have to carry your own
equipment. Moreover, to trek with a good company for the Inca Trail will cost about $500 to $650 for the trek.

Continue reading Tips For Backpacking South America

Tips For Backpacking South America originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure travelAdventureTravelbackpackingbudget travelBudgetTravelhikingsouth americaSouthAmericaTue, 17 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vagabond Tales: Why Is There A Monkey In My Sleeping Bag?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/09/vagabond-tales-why-is-there-a-monkey-in-my-sleeping-bag/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/09/vagabond-tales-why-is-there-a-monkey-in-my-sleeping-bag/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/09/vagabond-tales-why-is-there-a-monkey-in-my-sleeping-bag/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Santa Teresa Hot Springs Peru

There are few moments more startling than waking up to a jungle primate seeking refuge in the warm recesses of your crotch. Consider the fact you're sleeping in an abandoned, open-air, concrete nightclub in the middle of a Peruvian cloud forest, and the entire ordeal takes on a new aura of peculiarity.

This, however, was exactly how I started my morning in the rural village of Santa Teresa in the 6,000-foot highlands of southern Peru. One of the stopping points along Peru's Salkantay Trek - the budget friendly and more adventurous alternative to the famous Inca Trail - is Santa Teresa, a remote little village that modernity seems to have forgotten.

Level of development aside, the real draw of Santa Teresa is undoubtedly the muscle-soothing hot spring, which percolates on the outskirts of town. From the confines of a massive thermal swimming pool set on the banks of a raging river, local women wade waist deep in the tepid waters and sell baskets of cold beer while attempting to simultaneously bathe. A surefire way to dehydrate yourself and welcome a morning hangover, the entire scene takes place alongside torrid waters hell-bent on draining into the Amazon Basin as part of a muddy, eventful journey to the Atlantic.

Completely unregulated and awash with the stench of freedom, in a word, it's utterly perfect.

A welcome respite for the weary, Santa Teresa is the first real town Salkantay trekkers will encounter after having crossed over the 15,200-foot Salkantay Pass the day before.

In the actual town there are a handful of small restaurants, children playing in the town's only square and shop owners willing to place a cot in their kitchen and firmly call it a hotel. Oh, and there's also a communal concrete slab for slaughtering livestock, a daily affair which doesn't seem to turn that many heads except for, perhaps, mine.

Continue reading Vagabond Tales: Why Is There A Monkey In My Sleeping Bag?

Vagabond Tales: Why Is There A Monkey In My Sleeping Bag? originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budget-travelHike PeruHikePeruSalkantay TrekSalkantayTrekSanta Teresa hot springsSantaTeresaHotSpringstravel storiesTravelStoriesvagabondtalesMon, 09 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rising Fuel Costs Cause No Reason To Kill Vacation Plans]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/08/rising-fuel-costs-cause-no-reason-to-kill-vacation-plans/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/08/rising-fuel-costs-cause-no-reason-to-kill-vacation-plans/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/08/rising-fuel-costs-cause-no-reason-to-kill-vacation-plans/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

rising fuel costsAs travelers make plans for summer, rising fuel costs are coming into play more than ever. Still, a recent survey indicates that vacation loyalists continue to plan summer travel by land or air, despite rising fuel costs.

"Many Americans consider travel a mainstay to our way of life and are loyal vacationers," said Bill Sutherland, vice president, AAA Travel Services in a statement. "While some Americans may modify their travel due to rising fuel costs, those who can are still choosing to travel and they are traversing the world."

According to a recent AAA survey, many seasoned vacationers are expanding their travel horizons to exotic faraway lands too. While many Americans head to their computers when planning a summer getaway, AAA has seen a continuation of the number of vacationers seeking expert advice from a travel counselor to help guide their decisions, save time researching and get information on popular destinations.

The top 10 destinations asked about?

By land
  1. Orlando, Florida
  2. Honolulu, Hawaii
  3. Rome, Italy
  4. London, England
  5. Anaheim, California
By air
  1. China
  2. Peru
  3. The Galapagos
  4. The Amazon
  5. India

AAA has more than 54 million members, is a not-for-profit, fully tax-paying leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

America's Forgotten Vacation Spots

[Flickr photo via david drexler]

Rising Fuel Costs Cause No Reason To Kill Vacation Plans originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 08 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAA surveyAaaSurveyAmazon.com IncFinancefuel costsFuelCostsOrlando, Floridarising fuel costsRisingFuelCostssummer travel plansSummerTravelPlanstravel agentstravel plansTravelAgentsTravelPlansSun, 08 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Peru's Mysterious Animal-Shaped Mounds]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/02/perus-mysterious-animal-shaped-mounds/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/02/perus-mysterious-animal-shaped-mounds/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/02/perus-mysterious-animal-shaped-mounds/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Peru, effigy mound
It's always an odd experience to see a familiar name in the news. Dr. Robert Benfer was a professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia when I was getting my master's in archaeology. I was studying the early medieval Europe while he taught about prehistoric Peru, so our paths didn't cross much, but I did go to some of his lectures. I especially remember his skewering of the controversial book "The Bell Curve" for its shoddy use of statistics.

Dr. Benfer has announced that he has discovered several effigy mounds in Peru -- artificial hills in the shapes of birds, including a giant condor, a 5,000-year-old orca, a duck and a caiman/puma monster.

"The mounds will draw tourists, one day," Benfer said in a university press release. "Some of them are more than 4,000 years old. Compare that to the effigy mounds of North America, which date to between 400 and 1200 A.D. The oldest Peruvian mounds were being built at the same time as the pyramids in Egypt."

An interesting aspect of this discovery is that it shows how science works, and occasionally doesn't work. Because it was thought there were no effigy mounds in Peru, nobody looked for them. Benfer himself admits to not seeing one that was right in front of him. Once he noticed several animal-like patterns on Google Earth, however, he rethought his assumptions. He set out to survey six valleys and found effigy mounds in all of them. Another old theory is discarded in the face of new evidence.

Some of the mounds are more than 1,000 feet long and are only clearly visible from above, much like Peru's famous Nazca Lines. Dr. Benfer suggests they may represent the Andean zodiac. Indeed, many appear to have astronomical alignments. A giant condor's eye, for example, lines up with the Milky Way when observed from a nearby temple.

Dr. Benfer's discovery has been published in the journal Antiquity and he is heading back to Peru this summer to look for more effigy mounds.

Photo courtesy Dr. Robert Benfer. More photos, including Google Earth images, can be seen here.

Peru's Mysterious Animal-Shaped Mounds originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Andean zodiacAndeanZodiacAntiquityarchaeastronomyarchaeologyArchaeologyNewsarcheoastronomyarcheologyArcheologyNewsastronomyeffigy moundeffigy moundsEffigyMoundEffigyMoundshistoryMissouriNazcaNazca LinesNazcaLinesperuPeru tourismPeruTourismprehistorysciencescience newsScienceNewssouth americaSouthAmericaThe Bell CurveTheBellCurveUNiversity of MissouriUniversity of Missouri-ColumbiaUniversityOfMissouriUniversityOfMissouri-columbiazodiacMon, 02 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day: giant otter]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/25/photo-of-the-day-giant-otter/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/25/photo-of-the-day-giant-otter/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/25/photo-of-the-day-giant-otter/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Flickr user Max Waugh Photography was on a nature excursion in the Peruvian Amazon when he came upon this unique species of giant otter, popping its head above the glassy water surface. I love the photo's close up details - the animal's elongated neck, wiry whiskers and curious stare. With great nature shots like this one, it's particularly important to get as close (as is safe) or zoomed in to your subject as possible.

Have any great travel photos from your recent journeys? Why not add them to our Gadling group on Flickr? We might just pick one of yours as our Photo of the Day.

Photo of the Day: giant otter originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 25 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazoniancanoeclose upCloseUpgiant ottergiant river otterGiantOtterGiantRiverOtternature photographyNaturePhotographyotterperuvianrainforestriversafariweaselwildlifeSun, 25 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flying a dream: Urban Side]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/13/flying-a-dream-urban-side/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/13/flying-a-dream-urban-side/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/13/flying-a-dream-urban-side/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


In this flying video we see Jean-Baptiste Chandelier who has been a paraglidiing pilot since 2004 and wants to inspire us all.

"My goal is to share my paragliding universe with my videos, for make everyone dream of flying," says Chandelier on his website.

Specializing in acro flight, Chandelier flys through Peru, France and Chile using a variety of aero-acrobatic maneuvers and stunt flying, taking advantage of thermal properties of air by bodies of water, beaches, mountains and urban city areas.

"I am happy to present you a video really important for me, the Urban Side. In this video i flight on some really interresting places, and i play with the people. I hope the people inside and out of the paragliding world will like it and share it."

Urban Side from Jean-Baptiste Chandelier JB prod on Vimeo.

Flying a dream: Urban Side originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acroflightChileFlyingFranceJean-Baptiste ChandelierJean-Baptiste MartinoliJean-baptisteChandelierJean-baptisteMartinoliparaglidingparagliding videoParaglidingVideoPeruMon, 13 Feb 2012 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gallery: A guide to South American cocktails]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/08/gallery-a-guide-to-south-american-cocktails/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/08/gallery-a-guide-to-south-american-cocktails/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/08/gallery-a-guide-to-south-american-cocktails/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,


Margaritas, Cuba libres, piña coladas and mojitos are drinks with Latin American origins that have become staples at bars across America. But what about the drinks being mixed up further south? Whether you want to know what to order up at the bar during your next trip to South America or you are looking for a way to raise the bar at home, these mixed drinks will leave you thirsty for more.

Gallery: Cocktails in South America

CanelazoPisco SourGrappamielFernet & CokeCaipirinha

Gallery: A guide to South American cocktails originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Contrary to what you may believe, the ocean in Peru is not very warm. In fact, it's not warm at all. It's freezing.

Other than desert outposts in the northern reaches of the country where it's still possible to surf in boardshorts (Mancora, Vichayito, etc.), the Humboldt current--which swings northward from Antarctica--renders the water in Peru so cold that much of the coast is a seascape of lonely gray populated by neoprene-clad surfers suffering from ice cream headaches (surf slang for intense pain in the temples felt when diving beneath a frigid wave).

For this precise reason there was little part of me which wanted to surf in Peru.

But wait, Peru has some of the best waves in the world. Chicama, Pacasmayo, Cabo Blanco? These places are legendary. What's wrong with you?

Standing on the rocky shores of Huanchaco, a beachfront suburb of the colonial city of Trujillo, the thought of removing my warm flannel and thrusting my ceviche-laden body into 51° water held remarkably little appeal. That, and the waves simply just weren't that good. Admittedly, a fair weather surfer I will be.

Having already toured the ruins of Huaca de Sol and Chan Chan, ancient cities of the Moche and Chimu people who began inhabiting this coastline around 400 AD, my wife and I were simply going to have to find adventure elsewhere.

How about sand boarding?

For years I had seen photos of warm-weather renegades riding down sand dunes from Morocco to New Zealand to here on the coast of Peru. Still, I was skeptical. It's sand. Not snow. Or water. How fun can it possibly be?

Continue reading Vagabond Tales: Is sandboarding better than snowboarding?

Vagabond Tales: Is sandboarding better than snowboarding? originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chan ChanChanChanChimu PeruChimuPeruHumboldt currentHumboldtCurrentMoche people PeruMochePeoplePeruperuPeru cold oceanPeru sandboardingPeruColdOceanPeruSandboardingsand board Perusandboard Trujillo Perusandboardingsandboarding better than snowboardingSandboardingBetterThanSnowboardingSandBoardPeruSandboardTrujilloPerusurf PeruSurfPeruvagabondtalesTue, 31 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[National Geographic offers new Student Expeditions for 2012]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/17/national-geographic-offers-new-student-expeditions-for-2012/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/17/national-geographic-offers-new-student-expeditions-for-2012/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/17/national-geographic-offers-new-student-expeditions-for-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

National Geographic Student Expeditions for 2012High school students looking for something to occupy their time next summer, just received a host of tantalizing new options courtesy of National Geographic. Earlier this week, the organization announced several new trips as part of their Student Expeditions program, which provide young people with the opportunity to experiencing some of the world's top destinations, while learning about new cultures, building new skills, and making a difference in the community there.

Nat Geo's student programs come in three different varieties: expeditions, field workshops, and community service trips. The expeditions are two to three weeks in length and focus on exploring the cultures and landscapes of the destination in a very in depth way. Field workshops, on the other hand, are shorter, usually 11-12 days, and offer students the opportunity to stay in a more central location, while taking part in daily active excursions into the surrounding area. The community service programs take place in a local community, with the participants spending roughly 30-40 hours, over a 14-15 day period, on a service project there.

Some of the new options that fall under the Student Expeditions umbrella for 2012 include community service projects in Tanzania, Peru, and Cambodia, as well as field workshops in Sicily, Buenos Aires and the Grand Canyon. Additionally, aspiring photographers will want to sign up for a new photography workshop to be held in London and led by one of National Geographic's top photographers. These new options join a host of existing trips that can take aspiring explorers to Alaska, New Zealand, the Galapagos Islands, and beyond. To review all of the opportunities, click here.

The National Geographic Student Expeditions are a fantastic way for high school students to not only explore the world, but also get amazing insights into these destinations that you can't find elsewhere. As you would expect, the trips are always led by very knowledgeable guides, and a Nat Geo expert joins the students for at least a portion of the trip as well. For example, on the Tanzania Expedition, the travelers are joined by wildlife photographer Pete McBride, while those on the Galapagos trip get to spend time with biologist and filmmaker Greg Marshall. The other options all offer similar experiences, which are simply invaluable to impressionable young people who are eager to learn about our planet.

Interested students or parents can learn more about the expeditions and how to apply by clicking here.

[Photo Credit: Erika Skogg]

National Geographic offers new Student Expeditions for 2012 originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 17 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelExpeditionNational Geographicnational geographic student expeditionsNationalGeographicNationalGeographicStudentExpeditionsphotographyphotography workshopsPhotographyWorkshopsstudentstudent travelstudentsStudentTravelSat, 17 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Traditional holiday beverages from around the world]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/30/traditional-holiday-beverages-from-around-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/30/traditional-holiday-beverages-from-around-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/30/traditional-holiday-beverages-from-around-the-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

holiday beveragesAmericans aren't very creative when it comes to traditional holiday beverages (do, however, look for my upcoming story on Boulder's banging mixology scene, which includes some killer contemporary winter cocktails). Historically, though, we're more of an eggnog/mulled cider/hot chocolate kind of society.

I'm not knocking our Christmas beverages of choice. Properly made, they're delicious, and certainly festive. But some countries really know how to roll when it comes to holiday imbibing (especially Latin America. One word: rum.).

Below, a compilation of some of the more interesting boozy holiday beverages from around the world that can be easily recreated in your own kitchen. Online recipes abound, and all of these are (almost) as tasty sans alcohol.

Coquito: Puerto Ricans are great because they're not afraid to embrace their love of saturated fats (lard, coconut milk, etc.) or rum. In case you've been living under a rock, coconut is the new fat du jour (read more about its health attributes here). Everything in moderation, including moderation, as I always say.

Coquito recipes vary, but in general, this rich, blended Christmas concoction is a froth of spiced rum, condensed milk, coconut milk or cream of coconut, vanilla, and spices such as cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Some versions may include ginger or ground nuts, but it's always served chilled, in a small glass. Heavy, yes, but both sexy and satisfying. Add some eggs, and you'll have ponche, the Venezuelan or Dominican version of eggnog.

Mulled wine: Variations on this warm, spiced, sugared, and otherwise enhanced wine (usually red) are served throughout Europe. There's Nordic gløgg redolent of cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and bitter orange (and perhaps a helping of aquavit). It's very similar to German glühwein made with lemon, cinnamon sticks, cardamom or ginger, and cloves; in Alsace (the French region bordering Germany), they also add vanilla bean.

In Bulgaria, greyano vino contains honey, peppercorns, and often, apple or citrus. Polish grzane wino is more of a traditional mulled wine, but they also make grzane piwo, in which mulled beer (try a Hefeweizen or Belgian ale which are lighter and sweeter) is substituted for the wine. Na zdrowie ("To your health")!

[Photo credit: Flicker user Akane86]

Continue reading Traditional holiday beverages from around the world

Traditional holiday beverages from around the world originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nazca lines
The Nazca lines are some of the world's most mysterious ancient monuments. Giant images of people, animals, plants, and geometric shapes scratched onto the surface of the Peruvian desert by three different cultures from 500 BC to 500 AD, they've made generations of researchers scratch their heads over their purpose and meaning.

Now it turns out these unique figures aren't so unique after all. They're among the many ancient wonders under threat from the natural and man-made causes. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has been listed in the World Monuments Fund's 2012 Watch because of threats from flooding and tourism. As you can see from these pictures, roads actually cut through some of the images.

Popular Archaeology has reported that trash has accumulated at the site and that tourism facilities are crowding the area. Some mudslides and flooding nearby didn't seriously hurt the designs, but serve as a warning of what could happen. The regional government is working on a plan to save the situation. The region makes a good deal of money from tourism, so they have every reason to preserve these enigmatic figures for the next generation.

Continue reading Nazca lines face threats from elements, negligence

Nazca lines face threats from elements, negligence originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inca KolaOne fun aspect of travel is discovering cool local brands. When I visited Peru back in 1998 I first learned of Inca Kola, a neon-yellow soda produced there. I was curious so I ordered some at a cafe. The waiter was surprised and delighted that I chose his nation's drink over Coca-Cola and told me proudly that it was the only local soda that had a bigger market share in its home country than Coke.

He brought me my Inca Kola and I took a sip. It was wonderful, an ultrasweet bubblegum flavor that my girlfriend couldn't stand but I immediately fell in love with. I brought two liters back with me on the plane and served it to all my friends.

Peruvians are pretty proud of this soda, and that's reflected by its advertising, with lines like La bebida del Perú ("The drink of Peru") and ¡Es nuestra! ("It's ours"). Sadly, the Coca-Cola corporation got its global tentacles wrapped around Inca Kola in 1999 and it's no longer a completely independent company. Several Peruvian-owned rival brands have since taken up the banner.

I haven't seen Inca Kola much outside of Peru. Some Latino shops in the U.S. stock it under the name Golden Kola, but it can be hard to find. Today I discovered it here in Santander, Spain, under its own name. The local long-distance phone bank, where people use Skype for a small fee rather than racking up huge phone bills to South America, had it for sale. Strangely, the shop is owned by Pakistanis. Santander is pretty cosmopolitan for such a small city!

After I bought some I went next door to a Chinese-owned convenience store, generally called Chinos here because most convenience stores are owned by the Chinese. As I picked up some beer the owner asked me how much I paid for my Inca Kola. Turns out he sells it for five centimos less. Live and learn.

In many ways the world is getting smaller, and that can be a good thing.

Inca Kola: Peru's tasty soda originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coca-ColaCokecolaInca KolaIncaKolaPeruSantandersodasoft drinksoft drinksSoftDrinkSoftDrinksSpainFri, 11 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[5 train trips everyone should experience]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/29/5-train-trips-everyone-should-experience/http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/29/5-train-trips-everyone-should-experience/http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/29/5-train-trips-everyone-should-experience/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

the blue train in south africa While some train routes can seem long and boring, there are many that allow for great views of unique landscape or luxury service. Still, there are some train rides that go above and beyond your wildest imagination. Check out these five train trips that everyone should experience in their lifetime.

The Blue Train
South Africa

The Blue Train travels approximately 1,000 miles between Pretoria and Cape Town and is one of the most luxurious train journeys in the world. Some of the amenities include butler service, two lounge cars (one smoking, one non-smoking), an observation car, and sound-proofed carriages with gold-tinted picture windows, full-carpeting, an en-suite bathrooms (many of which include a full bathtub). Both kings and presidents have made this journey, as the train is marketed as a "magnificent, moving 5-star hotel". Along with luxury, the Blue Train also takes passengers through unique countryside scenery. Rolling vineyards, pristine coastline, and jagged mountain faces are all right outside your luxurious, gold-tinted view.

Continue reading 5 train trips everyone should experience

5 train trips everyone should experience originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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