Gadling

Serena Hotels: Opulence amidst squalor and bloodshed

Dave Seminara — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Asia, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Hotels and Accommodations, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)

Anyone for a game of badminton and a round of emerald-hunting in Pakistan's Swat Valley? Or perhaps you fancy a beach resort on the shores of Lake Kivu, just minutes from the Democratic Republic of Congo?

The March/April issue of Foreign Policy features an interesting story and photo gallery on the luxury Serena hotel chain, which they dub the "Ritz Carlton of Failed States." The chain, which originated in Africa in the 70s, operates luxury hotels in a variety of dodgy places, including Pakistan, Kabul, Rwanda, Tajikistan, Mozambique and others. The Serena hotels are operated by an economic development fund founded by the Aga Khan, a spiritual leader for Shia Ismaili Muslims.

FP reports the Kabul Serena (see photo above), which has been attacked three times has rooms that start at $356 per night. The chain has been criticized for partnering with the Assad regime in Syria on the development of hotels in Damascus and Aleppo, but Aga Khan told FP that the company's involvement in conflict zones brings "an investment seal of approval" that helps attract more foreign investment. The hotels also create jobs in countries with high unemployment.

But is there something unseemly about a luxury hotel which features "holistic health and wellness services," a pastry shop, swimming pool, a "mind, body and spirit spa," and other amenities in an impoverished, failed state like Afghanistan? FP's slideshow juxtaposes scenes of opulence at the Serena hotels with images of children sorting through trash, smoldering buildings, and tin roof shacks.

One can certainly quibble with the high prices and unnecessary luxuries of these hotels, but the notion that aid workers, journalists, government officials, and businessmen should stay in slum-like conditions while traveling to conflict states is far-fetched. The reality is that many of these people are stuck in very primitive, dangerous conditions, sometimes for weeks, months or even years, and only get to repair to places like the Serena hotels for well-deserved R & R's.

I certainly wouldn't begrudge a Medicins Sans Frontieres volunteer who spent the last six months treating sick children in the Congo a long weekend at the luxury Serena resort in Rwanda. That said, a case can be made that holing foreigners up in luxury hotels allows them to exist in a fairytale bubble, where they are insulated from what's going on in the country at large. What do you think?

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

View Poll

Serena Hotels: Opulence amidst squalor and bloodshed originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Build your own adventure with the Africa Safari Planner

Kraig Becker — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Australia, Hotels and Accommodations, Ecotourism, Internet Tools, Luxury Travel

The Africa Safari Planner, a newly launched website from adventure travel company Natural Habit Adventures, gives travelers the ability to create their own custom trips to the African bush. The site, which launched earlier this week, provides options to visit nine different countries, and stay in over 300 unique camps, while encountering some of the most spectacular wildlife on the planet.

The process begins by selecting which months you would prefer to travel in, and indicating the number of people in your group. From there, you'll be presented with options for travel in both Eastern and Southern Africa, in such countries as Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and Namibia. After selecting a starting destination, travelers are then given the choice of several single and multi-country routes for their African adventure, which then prompts the site to suggest possible camps to stay in for each day of the journey. Those camps are broken down into categories based on price, giving the customer the ability to budget accordingly.

That said, there isn't much that is "budget" about these tours. They definitely fall into the upscale category, and travelers on these custom safaris aren't exactly roughing it. No matter which camps they choose to visit, they'll have their own comfortable rooms, complete with large beds and private showers. They'll also enjoy gourmet meals in spacious dining rooms and access to a host of other amenities while at the lodge. Of course, you don't go to Africa to hang out at the lodge, and each of the camps offers unique options for viewing the wildlife as well.

If you're looking for a truly once-in-a-lifetime journey, and don't mind paying for it, then this is an excellent tool for creating your own custom safari itinerary. There are less expensive alternatives for booking a trip to Africa, but few offer this kind of flexibility and options for travelers.

Build your own adventure with the Africa Safari Planner originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ten big travel adventures for 2012

Kraig Becker — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Climbing, Arts and Culture, Hiking, History, Paddling, Scuba Diving, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, Antarctica, Botswana, Rwanda, Afghanistan, China, Iran, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Turkey, United States, Camping, Ecotourism, Luxury Travel

A new year always brings new possibilities, particularly in the realm of travel. With 2012 now officially underway, it is time to start plotting our adventures for the year ahead. This year, rather than share yet another top ten list of adventure travel destinations, we thought it would be fun to recommend some highly specific adventures instead. These are unique journeys that will take you to the very ends of the Earth and deliver a travel experience that simply can't be easily found elsewhere.

Visit Yellowstone in Winter
Yellowstone National Park is one of the most breathtakingly scenic destinations in all of North America, and well worth a visit any time of the year. But in the heart of winter, it takes on a whole new level of beauty and wonder. With fewer than 100,000 visitors during the colder months, the park offers plenty of solitude as well, making it the perfect winter wonderland for those looking for a true wilderness adventure in the snow. Cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and wildlife spotting are amongst the best activities, and Austin Lehman Adventures offers fantastic itineraries that provide all of that and much more.

Explore Botswana's Okavango Delta By Canoe
Botswana is home to the Okavango Delta, which is formed when waters from the Okavango River empty into the flat-lands near the base of the Kalahari Desert. The result is a fertile piece of swampland that attracts all manner of African wildlife, including elephants, zebras, giraffes, lions, and much more. The best way to explore that expanse of wetlands is in a traditional dugout canoe, which puts you in very close proximity with those amazing animals. National Geographic Expeditions has a unique itinerary that allows travelers to do just that, while learning to track game with the famed Kalahari Bushmen and wander the Makgadikgadi salt flats on horseback. This is truly an amazing, once in a lifetime, journey to the very heart of Africa.

Cycle The Silk Road
Stretching across Europe and Asia, the Silk Road was once one of the most important trading routes in the entire world. Today it serves as the dramatic and historic backdrop for one of the longest, and most epic, annual cycling trips that any adventure traveler could ever ask for. The Silk Route Tour, which is designed by the team behind the amazing Tour d'Afrique, stretches from Shanghai to Istanbul, covering a distance of more than 7450 miles and requiring 129 days to complete. This year's route takes riders into Iran for the first time and will test their legs on Tajikistan's Pamir Highway, which rises above 15,000 feet. Don't have time to commit to the full tour? Then ride any combination of the individual legs instead.

Continue reading Ten big travel adventures for 2012

Ten big travel adventures for 2012 originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

African governments doing more to stop poaching of endangered species

Sean McLachlan — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Africa, Asia, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Vietnam, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)

This year in Africa, the fight between law enforcement and poachers of endangered species has flared into a war.

In the first two months of 2011, nine poachers were shot dead in South Africa. Despite this, poaching is up. In that nation alone, 333 rhinos were killed in 2010, and there have been 309 rhinos poached so far this year. It looks like the illegal hunters are set to break a grisly record.

Now South Africa is holding talks with Vietnam to reduce the demand for rhino horn, which some Asians use as an aphrodisiac and as a cure for cancer. Sometimes the horns are kept whole as curios or for religious rituals, as this 1930s photo of a Tibetan monk from the Bundesarchiv shows. The two governments are working on a plan to fight organized syndicates that trade in animal parts.

South Africa isn't the only country seeing trouble, and isn't the only country fighting back. In Zimbabwe, poachers have been poisoning water holes so they can kill animals silently and avoid detection by park guards. At least nine elephants, five lions, two buffaloes, and several vultures are known to have died.

Meanwhile, Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are going to sign a treaty to cooperate across their borders to stop poaching of mountain gorillas and other species. The treaty also sets up joint research and education about the region's diverse flora and fauna.

African governments doing more to stop poaching of endangered species originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rwanda looks to its history to get over its past

Sean McLachlan — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Africa, Rwanda

Sadly, when people think of Rwanda they tend to think only of the 1994 genocide, yet Rwanda has a rich history and heritage.

Now the government is developing its museums and historical sites to encourage cultural tourism. Sites like Nyanza Palace, shown here, will get special attention. Other attractions include dance troupes and even something called the Inyambo dance, performed by trained cows!

Rwanda has been inhabited for at least ten thousand years. Around the 15th century AD, several kingdoms cropped up with distinctive artistic styles. Several good Rwandan museums showcase this heritage.

Rwanda has become increasingly popular with adventure travelers and safari groups. It's working to preserve its environment to help its rebounding population of mountain gorillas as well as other species.

This new move towards cultural and historical tourism appears to be emphasizing a common past in order to erase longstanding ethnic divisions. Hopefully this new project will get the international community to see more to Rwandan history than its tragic recent past.

[Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons]

Rwanda looks to its history to get over its past originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Africa's new middle class benefits travel

Sean McLachlan — Thu, 12 May 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business, Photos, Africa, Botswana, Ethiopia, Gabon, Liberia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tunisia

Africa's middle class is growing.

The African Development Bank says one in three Africans are now middle class. While the bank's definition isn't comparable to the Western definition--the African middle class makes $2-$20 a day--the lifestyle is similar. Middle-class Africans tend to be professionals or small business owners and instead of worrying about basics such as food and shelter, their main concerns are getting better health care and getting their kids into university.

The bank says the countries with the biggest middle class are Botswana, Gabon, and Tunisia, while Liberia, Mozambique, and Rwanda have the smallest. The BBC has an interesting photo gallery profiling members of this rapidly growing class.

So how does this affect travel? With an growing middle class you get more domestic tourism, good news for non-Africans traveling in Africa. More regional airlines are cropping up, and comfortable buses provide an appealing alternative to the bone-shaking rattletraps familiar to travelers in Africa.

It also makes consumer goods easier to find. This generally means cheap Chinese exports of even worse quality than what we're accustomed to in the West, but in bigger cities quality goods are readily available. There's also an increasing number of nice restaurants and cafes geared towards locals. Internet access is also improving.

During my Ethiopian road trip and my two months living in Harar I benefited from Ethiopia's middle class. Mobile phone coverage is available everywhere except remote villages and the wilderness, and although the Internet is slow, there are Internet cafes in every town. Improved education meant there many people who could speak English and who could help me learn some Amharic and Harari. Often I could take a more comfortable "luxury" bus rather than be stuffed in a local bus with an entire village of passengers. Self-styled budget travelers may turn their nose up at spending an extra two dollars to be comfortable, but the middle class buses are quicker and you're more likely to meet someone you can talk to.

In fact, I made some good friends on the luxury bus to Harar. A group of Ethiopian pharmacy students showed me the town and gave me insights into their lives. University education is free in Ethiopia if you pass a rigorous entrance exam. The government even pays for your room and board, and you pay them back by working a government job for some time after you get out. The students I met will be setting off to villages to provide basic health care.

Nearly all these students, and in fact nearly all middle-class Africans I've met, yearn to go to the West. One even called her country "a prison". While heading to the West may be a good career move, it hurts the continent. As one African pointed out in the BBC photo gallery, the money it takes to get to Europe can start up a nice business in Africa.

Africa's new middle class benefits travel originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 12 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rwanda pledges to save the environment

Kraig Becker — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, History, Learning, Africa, Rwanda, Ecotourism, News

The United Nations has declared 2011 as the "Year of the Forests" as it continues to work to encourage nations across the globe to take sustainable actions to protect the planet's woodlands. One of the first countries to answer the call to action is Rwanda, which has laid out an ambitious plan to protect its jungles, even as it struggles to develop economically.

As most people know, Rwanda was devastated by civil war and genocide during the 1990's. That struggle extended throughout the country and caused untold damage to its natural resources, including the rainforests that are home to a host of amazing creatures - not the least of which are the endangered mountain gorillas. Since that time, Rwanda has been experiencing plenty of growth and prosperity however, with the economy making strides forward in recent years and the population expanding at a rapid pace. Those conditions have put demands on the country's natural resources, including the jungles. One report says that the Gishwati rainforest, for example, has shrunk in size by as much as 90% since 1960.

Earlier this week the Rwandan government vowed to change that pattern. Minister of Land and Environment Stanislas Kamanzi has pledged that "By the year 2035, Rwanda will have achieved a country-wide reversal of the current degradation of soil, land, water and forest resources." A bold statement indeed for a country that faces many challenges to its continued growth.

Continue reading Rwanda pledges to save the environment

Rwanda pledges to save the environment originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 12 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mountain gorillas making a comeback

Sean McLachlan — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Africa, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ecotourism, News, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)

In the latest in a spate of good news about wildlife conservation in Africa, BBC Earth reports that mountain gorillas have increased their numbers on Virunga Massif, their core habitat stretching across Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. From a population of only 250 thirty years ago, their population has almost doubled to 480 today. Another 302 live in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The rise is attributed to increased cooperation between the three countries to protect the gorillas and stop poachers.

Safaris to see mountain gorillas have become increasingly popular with adventure travelers. Uganda has expanded its gorilla safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Rwanda is also offering safaris to see the gentle giants.

African nations are getting better at preserving their wildlife. Namibia and Zimbabwe are clamping down on poaching and last year we reported how Niger has pulled a unique subspecies of giraffe from extinction.

[Photo courtesy user KMRA via Wikimedia Commons]

Mountain gorillas making a comeback originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ethiopia tops list of African nations improving quality of life

Sean McLachlan — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Africa, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, News, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)

Ethiopia suffers from a bad image thanks to the war and famine of the 1980s. As my series on travel in Ethiopia showed, however, this is a land of friendly people, beautiful nature, and fascinating historic sites. Infrastructure is slowly improving and the Ethiopians are making serious efforts to boost education, access to clean drinking water, and other improvements to the quality of life.

These efforts have been recognized in the UN's 2010 Human Development Report. It ranked Ethiopia as number 11 in the world for improving human development since 1970, the highest ranking in Africa. The report was prepared by the United Nations Development Programme and measures progress in health, education, income, gender equality, and other areas. Researchers then formulate a "human development index" (HDI) for 135 countries.

Other high-ranking African nations include Botswana (14th), Benin (18th) and Burkina Faso (21st). All of these countries and some others have done especially well in the past ten years. Only looking at the past decade, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Uganda all come out in the global top ten.

One of the biggest areas of improvement was in education. Literacy has almost tripled in Sub-Saharan Africa in the past 40 years to 65 percent. Also, life expectancy is up and infant mortality is down.

Sadly, not all the news is good. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe were the only three countries in the world where quality of life actually went down.

Good news for Ethiopia is good news to travelers too. While the country is still an adventure travel destination, it's not as rugged as many people think. I spent two months there and my wife spent three weeks, and in all that time we never got sick. Chalk one up for good sanitation and clean water! Also, Ethiopia scores well of gender equality, which meant that, unlike some countries we've been to, my wife didn't get harassed by obnoxious guys. Good education meant we met lots of people who spoke English and wanted to improve it by chatting with us. Improved infrastructure meant there were more paved roads along our route than there were ten years ago.

When it comes to improvements in a country's Human Development Index everybody benefits, even people who don't live there!

Gallery: Roadtrip: Ethiopia

Ethiopia tops list of African nations improving quality of life originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The (Un)Wired: A Free Wi-Fi Manifesto

Andrew Evans — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: North America, Rwanda, United States, Hotels and Accommodations, Airlines, Airports, Internet Tools, Consumer Activism

The year is twenty-ten A.D. and Wi-Fi should be free.
We travelers bear no grudge with you as long as you agree,
But if you're that one schmuck who likes to play it old school,
Charging folks for internet--well, then basically, you're a tool.

Your penny-pinching greed smells just like boardroom boredom.
It's out of touch and backwards, not to mention just plain dumb.
Please get with the program, be ye airport or hotel:
If you don't have free Wi-Fi, then you can go to hell.

Maybe somehow you're still stuck way back in 1999,
But nowadays, we're all online, everywhere and all the time.
We're riding on a bullet train to a place called progress,
Get on it or get off it; win or lose, more or less.

Now don't start waggin' your finger and talkin' 'bout capitalism.
'Cuz what you're doin' and what that is, capitalism it isn't.
You preach that competition matters most in a race,
But Bandwidth Bandit's the losing horse, so here's my trophy in your face.

Don't believe the suits who tell us bloggers we're too sassy,
'Cuz let me tell you dittoheads, "Do you know what's so not classy?"
Welcoming frequent flyers who only wanna soak their feet,
Then telling your five-star guest to go and check his email on the street.

Hey Luddite, while you're at it, dream big, don't stop there--
Stick your dirty hands in the water, in the men's room, if you dare.
You could make a fortune charging for all the stuff that should be free.
A nickel to wipe, a dime to pee, and half a buck to breathe.

Continue reading The (Un)Wired: A Free Wi-Fi Manifesto

The (Un)Wired: A Free Wi-Fi Manifesto originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Oprah's 10 terrific reads for 2009 showcase diversity and travel

Jamie Rhein — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Business, Stories, Burundi, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, India, Syria, United States, Argentina, Books

Regardless of what one thinks of Oprah, it's hard to argue that the woman doesn't have her thumbprint on some mighty great stuff. Her "10 Terrific Reads for 2009," for example, is filled with suggestions that capture the flavor of travel, adventure and diversity. Many of them are about people from one country who have been brought to another by life's circumstances or their drive to explore.

If you read these 10 books, I'd say you'll have a thought-provoking and enlightening journey through certain parts of the world, particularly Africa. Before you head out on your next journey, pick up one of these and pass it on.

Here are the 10 books with the countries that provide the setting or settings. For a summary of each book, click each title.

The Bolter, Frances Osborne--Kenya (Great Britain connection)
Dreaming in Hindi, Katherine Russel Rich--India (U.S. connection)
Little Bee, Chris Cleve--Great Britain (Nigeria connection)
Blame, Michelle Huneven--U.S. (This one doesn't have a cross-cultural component but is compared to Sand and Fog which is one of the best novels showing cross-cultural connections gone wrong that I've ever read.)
Losing Mum and Pup, Christopher Buckley--U.S. (Another without a cross-cultural component, but loss of parents is cross-cultural and Buckley's dad, William F. Buckley certainly had a lot of opinions about the world.)
Zeitoun, Dave Eggers--U.S. (Syrian connection) I met Dave Eggers. He's as wonderful in person as his writing reflects. Truly splendid. I'm buying this one.
Say You're One of Them, Uwem Akpan--Kenya and Rwanda. Akpan is a Nigerian writer.
Some Things that Meant the World to Me, Joshua Mohr--U.S. Part of this novel takes place in Home Depot in San Francisco. Doesn't the bring up an unusual mix of images?!
The Invisible Mountain, Carolina De Robertis--South America. The reading guide mentions Argentina.
Strength in What Remains:A Journey of Remembrance and Forgiveness, Tracy Kidder--Burundi and U.S.

Oprah's 10 terrific reads for 2009 showcase diversity and travel originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The ultimate road trip: 12,500 miles across Africa on a motorcycle

Sean McLachlan — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Kenya, Lesotho, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Spain, Budget Travel

Thomas Tomczyk is serious about motorcycles. He's done three motorcycle trips across India, from the steamy southern tip all the way up to the frozen highlands of Ladakh. Now he's starting his childhood dream--an epic trip 12,500 miles (20,000 km) across Africa.

His zigzag tour will take in 22 African nations including South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Chad, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, the Saharawi Republic, and Morocco. . .

. . .before he ends up skinny, exhausted, and happy at my house in Spain, where my wife will fatten him up with her excellent paella.

Full disclosure: Thomas is a friend of mine. We covered the massive Hindu pilgrimage of Kumbh Mela together in 2001 and barely managed not to get trampled to death by hordes of naked holy men. But even if I didn't know him, this trip is so thoroughly cool I would have reported on it anyway.

Thomas isn't just going on vacation; he'll be visiting innovative grassroots projects that are making life better for the average African. Through his website Africa Heart Beat he'll be telling us about ordinary people doing extraordinary things, such as creating a job center for landmine victims in Mozambique, an AIDS theater group in Botswana, and a Muslim-Christian vocational center in Mali that's bringing the two communities together.

"The idea of crossing Africa came to me when I was 10," Thomas says.

Continue reading The ultimate road trip: 12,500 miles across Africa on a motorcycle

The ultimate road trip: 12,500 miles across Africa on a motorcycle originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Through the Gadling Lens: photographing the children of the world

Karen Walrond — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Photos, Africa, Asia, Europe, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Spain, Through the Gadling Lens

I was recently instant-messaging a friend of mine, asking him if he had any suggestions for what we could talk about this week here on Through the Gadling Lens.

"Why don't you talk about taking photographs of kids?" he asked.

I demurred.

"Umm, I really try to keep this column about travel," I explained gently.

He looked at me like I was stupid. Well, as much as one can look at someone else on instant-messaging.

"Karen," he said patiently, "people travel with their kids. Besides, there are children all over the world. Children make great subjects. You should share how you capture kids on camera."

Well, duh. He's right, of course. So this week, with the additional help of some fantastic images in our Gadling Flickr pool, we'll talk about how to capture the essence and innocence of childhood while traveling. A couple of points to remember, before we begin:

1. Be sure to ask permission before you snap any photos, particularly if the children are with their parents or other adults; and

2. Remember the rules about shooting strangers in general (you can see some general guidelines here).

And so now, let's get to it:

Continue reading Through the Gadling Lens: photographing the children of the world

Through the Gadling Lens: photographing the children of the world originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ten amazing "green" adventures

Kraig Becker — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Hiking, Skiing, Africa, Europe, Oceania, South America, Kenya, Rwanda, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Estonia, Finland, France, New Zealand, Brazil, Camping, Ecotourism, Middle East

Eco-adventures are all the rage these days with environmentally conscious travelers choosing to visit far flung places, all the while fully aware of the size of their carbon footprint. They want an amazing travel experience, and are willing to go to great lengths to get it, all the while adhering to the principles of sustainable travel.

With that in mind, the Times Online has an excellent article listing ten top "green" travel experiences, or what they call "clean breaks", each of which offer cultural immersion, amazing scenery, and a fantastic experience that is far off the beaten path. For instance, the article recommends heading to Lebanon to hike the Mountain Trail, the country's first long distance trek, which runs through the Mount Lebanon range from Qbaiyat, in the north, to Marjaayoun in the south. The trail is roughly 270 miles in length, with regularly spaced stone inns offering up a place to sleep, good food, and plenty to drink.

For a completely different experience, hop a flight to New Zealand to spend a little time on the slopes. The authors of this piece recommend heading to Craigieburn Valley in the Southern Alps for some amazing skiing, minus the resort. Yep, that's right, no chairlifts or groomed trails here. Just a couple of rope tows that will pull you to the top of the mountain, where you'll get the opportunity to ski through untouched wilderness. And at the end of the day, relax in one of the nearby huts, which are comfortable but primitive.

Other suggestions include a swimming vacation in Finland, camping in France, and hiking in Estonia. There is a little bit of something for everyone, and you won't need to feel guilty about your impact on the environment while you travel.

Ten amazing "green" adventures originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gadling Take FIVE: Week of March 21 --March 28

Jamie Rhein — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Arts and Culture, Hiking, History, Learning, Rwanda, France, Ireland

I'm psyched. As soon as I set this puppy to post, I'm heading to Cleveland to go to the Cleveland International Film Festival where I'll meet up with Brook Silva-Braga for the showing of his film A Day in Africa. There's also a load of stuff going on to commemorate the inductions at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

It's been busy around here at Gadling as well. Kent has been posting about his Competitours Race in Europe, Aaron is posting about his Heathen in the Holy Land experiences which includes why wearing stripes is a good thing. For anyone who wants to be a flight attendant, Heather has the scoop on that . And Karen, with her artist's eye, tells about color in photography. Her post is gorgeous.

Here are six more.

Annie who can't seem to get enough jerky. This week she has posted about the venison version.
Jeremy has the scoop on the new season of Locked up Abroad
For a life changing experience, Kraig suggests that chasing gorillas in Rwanda might be just the answer.
To see Ireland in an usual and accessible way, Scott gives details about touring on an electric bike.
In case you're going to be in Paris anytime soon, Tom found you a deal at a hotel that will give you the third night free.
And to commemorate David Letterman's recent marriage, I wrote a post on Choteau, Montana, the site of his nuptials. I've been to Choteau and can vouch that it is out of the way and special.

Gadling Take FIVE: Week of March 21 --March 28 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Big in Africa: Spotlight on Rwanda

Matthew Firestone — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Rwanda, Big in Japan

This month, Big in Japan is on vacation in Africa, and will be bringing you travel news and happenings from around this often misunderstood continent.

Although Africa is usually viewed in the West as a singular entity, the continent is incredibly varied. From the Saharan desert and the Sahel to equatorial rainforests and acacia-lined plains, Africa offers up an impressive amount of biodiversity.

While most first-timers on the continent choose to safari in classic destinations such as Kenya and South Africa, there is one tiny country that is turning heads in ecotourism circles. Bordering Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda is emerging as one of the continent's top attractions.

Whether you trek along the Congolese border in search of rare mountain gorillas, or unwind with a passion fruit cocktail on the sandy shores of Lake Kivu, Rwanda is a remarkable tourist destination that deserves its share of the spotlight.

Continue reading Big in Africa: Spotlight on Rwanda

Big in Africa: Spotlight on Rwanda originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Photo of the Day (1/17/08)

Neil Woodburn — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Rwanda, Photo of the Day

Appropriately titled "Smiley," this wonderful shot by Fiznatty perfectly captures that spontaneous grin that occasionally greets travelers in remote lands where simply catching sight of a foreigner is enough to trigger a child's irrepressible smile.

What makes this shot even more amazing is that it was taken in northern Rwanda--a place more commonly associated with horror than with our smiley friend above. It's certainly a testament that no matter how bad a place might be, a child's resiliency will always shine through.

Photo of the Day (1/17/08) originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Paris Hilton Plans to Travel to Rwanda

Justin Glow — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:55:00 EST

Filed under: Rwanda

Fresh off of getting kicked out of this year's Oktoberfest, Paris Hilton is planning a trip to Rwanda to "bring more attention to what people can do to help," she told E! Online.

I'm not arguing the fact that more attention should be directed towards countries like Rwanda, but is the type of attention that's wanted or needed? I'm not sure. On one hand, hordes of Hilton fans will actually hear the word "Rwanda" mentioned, and maybe half of those will realize it's a country (and not just a Don Cheadle movie). A few of the remaining might bother to look it up on a map or check Wikipedia to figure out why the hell Paris Hilton is going there in the first place. So I guess not all is lost.

Unfortunately for her, there's no Hilton hotel in Rwanda.

Paris Hilton Plans to Travel to Rwanda originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments