Gadling

Heat-Map Shows Travelers Most And Least Frequented Destinations

Jessica Festa — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Learning, Photos, Stories, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Antarctica, Internet Tools, News, Middle East, Central America, Caribbean

Have you ever wondered what countries are the most and least frequented by travelers? Estonian tech firm Bluemoon has taken data from the photo sharing service Panoramio and created a heat-map based on photos. The map details which countries are the most visited (in yellow), which have a medium amount of visitors (in red) and which are explored the least (in blue). A grey area signifies that no photos have been taken there using Panoramio.

As you can see from the map, Europe is a major tourist destination, as is much of the east and west coasts of the United States and Japan. Certain regions that seem to receive few visitors include Mongolia, India and Australia. Moreover, many areas in Canada and Africa remain unexplored.

They've also created a map of the "world's most interesting remote places." It only looks at destinations away from cities with remote tourist attractions. Some examples from the data show the Greek Islands are touristy (red), the Amazon Basin has almost no tourism (green) and Ladakh falls in the middle (yellow).

For a bigger view of the map, click here.

Heat-Map Shows Travelers Most And Least Frequented Destinations originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 25 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Meet The Man Who Spent 11 Years Walking Around The World And The Woman Who Waited For Him To Return

Dave Seminara — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, News, Middle East, Central America

On his 45^th birthday, Quebec native Jean Béliveau went out for a walk. He crossed over Montreal's Jacque Cartier Bridge in Montreal, where he originally dreamed up the idea of escaping his life as a neon sign salesman nine months before, and kept going for 75,554 kilometers through 64 countries. He burned through 54 pairs of shoes but somehow managed to maintain his relationship with his wife, Luce, who stayed at home while Jean spent 11 years walking around the world. But when he returned to Canada, some criticized the walk as a self-indulgent escape from a midlife crisis since it wasn't done for a specific charity.

Seven months after returning home from what is believed to be the world's longest uninterrupted circumnavigation on foot, Béliveau is being courted by publishers who want the rights to his story. We caught up with Jean to find out more about his motivation for taking an 11-year walk, how he pulled it off without losing his wife and what he's up to now.

Why take a walk around the world?

Jean: I owned a small neon sign factory but when Quebec had a terrible ice storm in the winter of 1998, we lost power for weeks. We had to close the factory and then my wife had to move to Montreal for her job. I had a midlife crisis in the meantime. I began to sell neon signs but I wasn't making much money. I said, 'My God, what happened with my life? I'm throwing my life away.'

I felt like I was working just for money and giving my soul away, and for what? I ran over Jacques Cartier Bridge in Montreal one day and thought, 'I wonder how many days it would take to get to New York. And how many weeks or months or years to get to Mexico, South America, the rest of the world.'

Continue reading Meet The Man Who Spent 11 Years Walking Around The World And The Woman Who Waited For Him To Return

Meet The Man Who Spent 11 Years Walking Around The World And The Woman Who Waited For Him To Return originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 25 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Challenge: Learn All Of The Countries In The World

Elizabeth Seward — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, History, Learning, Stories, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Antarctica, Travel Trivia, Middle East, Central America, Caribbean

While in DC a couple of weeks ago with fellow Gadling writers, a few of us hopped into a taxi on our way to dinner. Our driver was an African man from a country he kept under wraps. He told us that if we wanted to find out which country he was from, we'd have to earn our way to the answer through his impromptu trivia. And so we tried to answer his questions.

"You have to exercise your anthropological and geographical versatility to comprehend my country of originality," he teased us.

"I can guess the continent," one of our writers chimed.

"Oh yes, guessability, no problem, Madam," he cooed.

"West Africa?" she guessed.

"Well," he drew out the word for a few seconds. "I will formally agree but I will formally disagree with you. I am an individual of complexity. You want a clue?"

"Yes," we all answered in unison.

"OK. I am going to give you a complex geographical clue. Let me see. Name me 11 countries in the world that have four letters," he began.

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A Challenge: Learn All Of The Countries In The World originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 24 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Airplane Engine Covering Falls Off During Takeoff (VIDEO)

Libby Zay — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: South America, Brazil

A passenger filming out an airplane window captured part of an engine cowling ripping off during takeoff on a flight in Brazil. Watch above to get an idea of how the terrified passengers - who later described the event as an "engine explosion" - must have felt watching the parts fly off. According to an incident report on The Aviation Herald, it all happened on a TAM Airlines Airbus A320-200 traveling from Natal to São Paulo on Saturday, May 19. There were 166 people on board, many of whom you can hear hurriedly asking questions and yelling during the video. According to the Herald, both the inboard and outboard fan cowl doors of the left engine opened in flight and "were ripped off." Stay tuned until 1:54 to see the extent of the damage. In the end, the pilot managed to return to the airport in Natal without any further problems - but the passengers sure did get a scare.

Airplane Engine Covering Falls Off During Takeoff (VIDEO) originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 23 May 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Relaxing In Peru's Best Beach Town: Mancora

Jessica Festa — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Food and Drink, South America, Peru, Hotels and Accommodations, Budget Travel, Nightlife

After 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.

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Bestselling Author Mark Adams On Machu Picchu

Dave Seminara — Sun, 20 May 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: South America, Peru

Mark 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.

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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.

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Expedia Launches Flip Flop Report On Beach Behavior Around The World

Jessica Festa — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Stories, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, United States, News, Central America

Have you ever wondered what country enjoys the beach most? Or what culture is most likely to sunbathe in the nude? To help unravel the mystery of beach behavior around the world, Expedia has shared the results of a global study that looked at 21 countries on five continents. Some areas the study examined include what things people look at when choosing a beach, preferred beach activities and what makes people most nervous about going to the beach. Some of the findings from the study include:

The average beach vacation lasts 7.7 days, although this is less true of Koreans, Japanese and Singaporeans, who seem to prefer beach weekends.
For Americans, one of the least important criteria when selecting a beach destination is a desire to find a new location. This is the opposite for Indians, who view finding a new location to be one of the highest priorities.
Germans are the most likely to sunbathe nude, and are also the most likely to spend time at the beach with a stranger.
Fifty percent of travelers keep the presence of sharks in mind when deciding on a beach location. Likewise, 68 percent of beach vacationers admit to not swimming at a beach due to the possibility of sharks.

Click here for the full report. If you're having trouble viewing the infographic, click here for the interactive version.

Expedia Launches Flip Flop Report On Beach Behavior Around The World originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 18 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Kyle Ellison — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, South America, South Africa, Indonesia, Japan, Russian Federation, Finland, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Papua New Guinea, Peru

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.

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Relaxing At The World's Highest Beer Spa In La Paz, Bolivia

Jessica Festa — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Food and Drink, Stories, South America, Bolivia, Hotels and Accommodations, Budget Travel, Nightlife, Travel Health, Women's Travel

At 11,975 feet above sea level, the city of La Paz in Bolivia is pretty high. In fact, it is the highest "de facto" capital city in the world. Because of this, it's not uncommon to experience some kind of reaction to the altitude. To help your body relax, backpackers can enjoy the world's highest beer spa at The Adventure Brew Hostel.

This hostel has many opportunities for experiencing Bolivia's beer culture. Along with having their own on-site microbrewery, giving guests a free beer each night and featuring a rooftop lounge, their beer spa allows for a unique outdoor experience.

"The beer spa came as an idea some six years ago. It was the result of having lots of leftover beer from Sayabeer brewery," explains Remo Baptista, creator of the beer venue. "We built two old hot tubs with brick chimneys - we can heat the water with wood under it - filled it with 20 liters of beer plus water and voilà!"

Continue reading Relaxing At The World's Highest Beer Spa In La Paz, Bolivia

Relaxing At The World's Highest Beer Spa In La Paz, Bolivia originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 17 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Bolivian Mennonites' Photography Exhibition Begins In New York

Meg Nesterov — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, South America, Bolivia

Unless you've followed the horrifying story of the serial rapists who wrecked havoc in the community in 2009, you might not know that the small South American country of Bolivia is home to a large community of Mennonites. Photographer Lisa Wiltse traveled to the isolated colony of Manitoba to capture the conservative community, who shun cars, electricity, and other modern conveniences, and live by a strict religious code. Many of the Mennonites do not speak Spanish, and women typically only speak low German, as the founders of the religion did in the 16th century.

Wiltse's photographs are a rare glimpse into an insular culture. If you are in New York City tonight, you can attend a reception and slideshow of Wiltse's work, moderated by the co-curator of The Half King's photography series. The art exhibition will be on display in the bar until July, and some of the photos can be viewed on the artist's website.

Photo courtesy The Half King. "Bolivian Mennonites" will be on display May 15 - July 9 in New York.

'Bolivian Mennonites' Photography Exhibition Begins In New York originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 15 May 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Torture Museums Look At The Dark Side Of History

Sean McLachlan — Sun, 13 May 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: History, Learning, Asia, Europe, South America, Cambodia, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Poland, United Kingdom, Peru

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

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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.

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The Inca Rally: A Road Race Through South America

Kraig Becker — Sun, 13 May 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Festivals and Events, South America, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Venezuela

Looking 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.

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Vagabond Tales: How To Pay Off The Police While Traveling

Kyle Ellison — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Stories, North America, South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Uruguay, Central America, Travel Security

Let's face it: things happen while you're traveling. Although many travels go off without a hitch, occasionally there are unforeseen hurdles, which simply need to be navigated. Sometimes this can be as minor as your bag ending up in Hamburg when it's supposed to be in Berlin, as unlucky as contracting swine flu in Mexico, or as downright scary as ending up in a knife fight in a back alley in Spain (more on those stories another time).

Of all the travel inconveniences I've experienced over years of vagabonding, however, the one which happens with undoubtedly the most frequency is being cornered into paying off the police. Sometimes this is my fault, sometimes it's someone else's fault, and other times it's nothing more than rampant corruption. Either way, I've paid off the police enough times while traveling to warrant mentioning it with some authority.

One thing I want to set straight, however, is that I have never intentionally bribed the police, because that, I believe, is illegal. In every situation where money has exchanged hands between myself and an officer of the law the idea was proposed to me without my offering it first. I don't by any means condone corruption because it's one of the largest social cancers plaguing much of the developing world. Nevertheless, when staring down the barrel of a sticky situation there is often too little time for letting your morals get the better of you.

It's worthy of mentioning that all of these situations occurred while driving vehicles in Latin America. If the idea of confrontations with police officers doesn't rank high on your list of travel plans, perhaps my number one rule of advice would be avoid operating vehicles in Latin America.

If your bucket list includes a surf safari across Central America or driving the length of Highway 1, however, I offer this mini-survival guide for navigating an awkward situation in places where the lines of justice and extortion are frequently blurred.

Continue reading Vagabond Tales: How To Pay Off The Police While Traveling

Vagabond Tales: How To Pay Off The Police While Traveling originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 10 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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10 Extraordinary Islands To Visit On Your Next Vacation

Justin Delaney — Thu, 10 May 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Scuba Diving, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, France, Greece, United States, Australia, Palau, Ecuador, Hotels and Accommodations, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Nightlife, Caribbean, Luxury Travel

Summer is the time of island vacations. It is time to put as much distance between you and the real world as possible. It is time to stand outside of your everyday life and to see how it all looks from a paradise perspective. Here is a collection of islands for escape - places to recharge, gain perspective and explore. From an island in the land of the gods to a tropical Amsterdam at the edge of an ocean trench, each of these ten destinations provides something extraordinary.

Gallery: 10 Islands To Visit Next

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10 Extraordinary Islands To Visit On Your Next Vacation originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 10 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vagabond Tales: How To Survive A Coup On Your Honeymoon: Part 2

Kyle Ellison — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, History, Stories, South America, Ecuador

The following is a continuation from last week's "Vagabond Tales" column, a rundown of events leading up to Kyle finding himself in the middle of a political coup in Quito, Ecuador.

There are few sensations more terrifying than running away from gunfire - particularly on your honeymoon.

As intermittent pops echoed against the hillsides of Quito, I found myself entrenched in a confused and chaotic mob of civilians all running in a footrace of self-preservation.

"Heather," I thought. "My God where is Heather?"

Knowing my new bride didn't speak Spanish and our having no cell phones to reach each other, this would really be an unfortunate time to find ourselves split up.

Instantly, however, I spotted my wife amidst a nebula of panic, with her blonde hair and tall frame fortuitously standing out above the dark-haired, somewhat shorter crowd surrounding us.

"What are we going to do?" she frantically clamored as we met in a momentary embrace.

"I'm not sure, just keep moving with everyone".

Then, in a strange twist of irony, the same bus we had ridden directly into the center of the coup had made a U-turn on the highway and was now loading fleeing civilians in an impromptu evacuation effort.

Continue reading Vagabond Tales: How To Survive A Coup On Your Honeymoon: Part 2

Vagabond Tales: How To Survive A Coup On Your Honeymoon: Part 2 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 04 May 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How To Survive Bolivia's Death Road

Jessica Festa — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Learning, Stories, South America, Bolivia

"This is the most dangerous road in the world. Don't become part of the landscape," advised Oscar, a biking guide from Vertigo Biking Co. Bolivia.

On a sunny Wednesday right outside of La Paz in Bolivia, I found myself adorned from head to toe in cycling gear, standing at the summit of a 40-mile downhill road. While technically called Old Road, the path is more commonly known as Death Road, even by locals. While I've written about numerous travel destinations with menacing names, such as Devil's Tooth in Bolivia, Death Valley in Chile and Hell's Gate in New Zealand, the name Death Road should be taken very literally.

The road was originally built by prisoners of war from Paraguay in 1932. Before 2006, Death Road was the only connection between La Paz and the jungle. According to Oscar, before this time there were about 25 cars per year and about 2 bikes per year that would fall over the edge. The terrain is rough and the road is narrow, so there isn't very much space to move over. Along the trail you can even see memorials dedicated to lost lives, like an area called "The Balcony," where several politicians were killed. If you climb down the steep valleys - which I don't advise - you can still see some buses that fell over the edge. Even knowing these facts, I knew it was something I had to experience for myself. It's kind of like flying; yes, people die on airplanes, but a majority of fliers survive the journey. I knew if I kept a positive attitude and focused, I too could survive Death Road.

Continue reading How To Survive Bolivia's Death Road

How To Survive Bolivia's Death Road originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 03 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heifer International: Working To End World Hunger, One Llama At A Time

Laurel Miller — Thu, 03 May 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Business, Food and Drink, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, United States, Ecotourism, Consumer Activism, Middle East, Central America, Caribbean

Got an extra $20 burning a hole in your pocket and want to make a difference in the lives of others? Buy a flock of ducks. Eighty-five dollars will get you a camel share, while a mere $48 purchases a share in a "Knitter's Gift Basket (a llama, alpaca, sheep and angora rabbit)."

Since 1944, Heifer International has provided livestock, and animal husbandry, agricultural and community development training to over 125 countries, including the U.S. The goal: to help end world hunger and poverty by improving breeding stock, providing valuable dietary supplements such as milk and eggs, and creating viable business enterprises for commodity products such as cheese, wool, honey, or crops cultivated by draft animals like horses and water buffalo.

The livestock species used to support disenfranchised communities are diverse, but traditional to their respective regions. They include goats, sheep, honeybees, beef and dairy cattle, water buffalo, yaks, horses, donkeys, llamas, alpacas, camels, rabbits, guinea pigs and poultry.

When I was a kid growing up on a small ranch in Southern California, we used to donate our male dairy goat kids (which, if sold here, would most likely be relegated to dinner) to Heifer. Although the program no longer ships live animals overseas (it's easier and safer/more humane to ship frozen semen), the concept remains the same: using top bloodlines to improve the quality and enhance the genetic diversity of herds or flocks in impoverished regions.

Heifer teaches the concept of the "Seven M's: Milk, Manure, Meat, Material, Money, Motivation and Muscle." These are the benefits livestock animals provide to people in developing nations. With the training provided by Heifer employees and volunteers, the cycle of poverty can be broken, and families and villages can thrive. During the holidays or for birthdays, I like to make animal gift donations in the name of the recipient, an especially valuable lesson for children (who, let's face it, really don't need another electronic piece of crap to foster their ADD and lack of global awareness).

Never doubt the power of a furry friend to change the world. To make a donation, click here.

Check out this Heifer International gallery of animals and their proud owners from around the world:

Gallery: Heifer International

Heifer International: Working To End World Hunger, One Llama At A Time originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 03 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Visiting The Devil's Tooth In La Paz, Bolivia

Jessica Festa — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Business, Photos, Stories, South America, Bolivia

When loud, traffic-heavy, protest-passionate La Paz gets to be too much, one way to escape while not even leaving the city is to visit the Devil's Tooth, or Muela del Diablo. While this may sound scarier than ingesting smog and crazy drivers, seeing the site on horseback is actually quite serene.

Devil's Tooth is an inactive volcano that is approximately 492 feet high. According to our guide, it got its name because indigenous people believed it looked like the tooth of Satan. The journey also allowed us to take in sweeping city views and Moon Valley, or Valle de la Luna. The valley gets its name from its unusual rock formations.

What I really loved about the area was how much culture there was. Along with stunning landscapes, there are indigenous women wearing traditional bowler hats working outside, children herding sheep and playing soccer, and small schools and homes residing on the hills. The trip really allowed for a glimpse into local life in Bolivia.

In the middle of the tour - once you get to the best lookout point of the trip - the group stops for an included lunch of fruit, a ham and cheese sandwich, and chocolate and flavored milk. The guides are Spanish speaking, but usually speak a little bit of English, too. Either way, talking isn't necessary to enjoy this trip. You can book through most travel agencies in La Paz. Expect to pay about $50.

For a more visual idea of the experience, check out the gallery below.

Gallery: Visiting The Devil's Tooth, Moon Valley And The Countryside Of La Paz, Bolivia

Visiting The Devil's Tooth In La Paz, Bolivia originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 02 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hollywood In Cambodia: Buenos Aires' Only Bar and Urban Art Gallery In One

Jessica Festa — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Business, Stories, South America, Argentina, Nightlife

Buenos Aires in Argentina has one of the most vibrant art scenes in all the world. Walking down the streets of the city, you'll see colorful, political and passionate works of graffiti art on every corner. If you're looking for a truly unique way to experience the art scene in Buenos Aires, one option is to visit the city's only bar and urban art gallery in one, Hollywood in Cambodia.

Hollywood in Cambodia opened in 2006, when the owners of Post Street Bar decided to do something different with the space. They approached a number of stencil artists and asked them to help paint the interior of the bar. While the artists and owners got along well, the artists wanted compensation, as the bar was a commercial space. Because the owners didn't have the money, they came up with a different plan. They offered the artists three rooms at the back of the bar, rent free, to use however they pleased. From there, the artists covered every inch of the bar and terrace with intricate stencil art. One room became a permanent gallery and shop, and the two others were transformed into temporary exhibition spaces. This is what visitors can experience today.

Continue reading Hollywood In Cambodia: Buenos Aires' Only Bar and Urban Art Gallery In One

Hollywood In Cambodia: Buenos Aires' Only Bar and Urban Art Gallery In One originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sandboarding And Sunset In The Atacama Desert, Chile

Jessica Festa — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: South America, Chile, Budget Travel

"They call this Death Valley because of all the people who don't make it out alive," our tour guide, Steve, whispered in a haunting voice.

Staring at the enormous sand dunes and unworldly rock formations, I felt fearful of what I was about to do. Of course, Steve was joking. The name actually comes from a mispronuciation by a Belgian priest, Gustavo Le Paige, who thought the landscape looked like Mars, or Marte. Because of the way he spoke, locals believed he said "death," or muerte.

I found myself here after booking a "Sandboarding in Death Valley + Sunset in Moon Valley" excursion with Atacama Inca Tour. It was during a trip to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, where tour agencies occupy every other storefront. However, this company was the only one I noticed offering this unique combination package. For 12,000 Chilean Pesos (about $25), plus 2,000 $CLP (about $4) to enter Moon Valley, you get transportation, a sandboarding lesson and about two hours of sandboarding, a tour of the Chulacao Caves, which are covered in edible salt, an uphill trek to a viewpoint in Moon Valley to sip Pisco Sour while watching the sunset and a free DVD of the afternoon. The tour also stops at many lookout points, so you'll be able to get many photos. While Death Valley holds a surreal beauty, Moon Valley has some interesting landscape as well. In fact, the area gets its name due to its resemblance to the moon's surface.

For a more visual idea of the day, check out the photo gallery below.

Gallery: Sandboarding And Sunset In The Atacama Desert, Chile

Sandboarding And Sunset In The Atacama Desert, Chile originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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