ExploreThere

What is Canyoning?

Imagine a hybrid journey consisting of rapeling and rock climbing through river carved tunnels and over waterfalls. Yes, you’re going to get wet, so don’t even think about this if you have a fear of messing up your hair. This sport is getting more and more popular every year as equipment becomes safer and easier to acquire. While there are places for the novice, this is not a sport for the weak and some of the more difficult areas have minimum age requirements. Some countries even have restrictions for good reason, so please do your research, and most importantly have fun.

Here are ten places around the world where you can find some truly world class canyoning and find companies that will take you on a tour. Each location has many different tour groups who will take people on half day up to two week trips, so there is something for everyone.

Interlaken, Switzerland

Probably one of the more famous locations, Interlaken is known for its Canyoneering and many other adventure sports which bring in thousands of people every year. Even if you don’t go canyoning in Interlaken, you can’t come away from here without at least knowing about it.…

What humanly possible reason would anyone have for charging you $10,000 for bungie jumping you ask? How about getting flown 700ft over an active volcano in a helicopter kind of bungie jump. Thats right, you heard it correctly. You will be falling from the sky tied to a machine which floats in the air by a couple of spinning blades as you fall head first towards a pool of molten lava. We can’t wait to try it!

Still sounds kind of expensive until you realize its being sold as a package deal that includes a 5 night stay in Hotel De Lago Resort and Casino in Pucón, Chilé.

In addition to your hotel they will also take you on some world class white water rapids and have you spend a day in some of the local hot springs.

Jump can be arranged by Bungee.com…

There are many who attempt to walk the full Appalachian Trail, 2100 miles of backcountry through the Appalachian Mountain Range that spans from Georgia to Maine, and many who simply do not have the time to spend 4-6 months hiking the entire thing. For those of you who are up for a sort of mini challenge however should look no farther than the last 100 miles of the trail in Maine.

Most hikers move along the trail from south to north and end with this last section referred to as the “100 Mile Wilderness” because of just how remote it actually is. Along the trail through the southern states you are really no farther than just 2-3 days away from any given town, but this last stretch of wilderness is estimated at 8-10 days before you reach the peak at Baxter State Park and a mammoth of a climb up Mount Katahdin.

Backpacker Magazine rates this an 8/10 on difficulty, with several major peaks to climb, at least 6 river crossings, and a climate that can be more than a little harsh if you are there for the changing of the fall foliage. Its absolutely worth attempting with a couple of friends, but make sure you are prepared for a minimum of 10 days of supplies.…

While its not technically a rainbow, instead being referred to by astronomers as a Moonbow. They are caused not by rain and the sun, but by water particles from other sources such as this waterfall Skógafoss in southern Iceland.

While this happens in other parts of the world, Skógafoss offers up another spectacular sight due to its location in beautiful Iceland. This is Aurora territory, and those of us from more southern latitudes who are used to rainbows, but less likely to be experienced in the northern lights will be pleasantly surprised at the view.

The Moonbow is only visible a couple of times a year though, so plan your trip to Iceland with a full moon on the calendar since this is the only time it is bright enough to create this phenomenon. Send us a postcard!

[Nuits Sacrees via NASA APOD]…

Looks scary doesn’t it? Well you shouldn’t worry too much about these ancient creatures. At least in this specific place.

In Palau, on the island of Eil Malk, these creatures due to receding water nearly twelve thousand years ago were trapped. Over the timespan until today they have evolved into a harmless species of jellyfish due to the lack of predators and a symbiotic relationship that they have developed with a certain type of algae in the lake for food. These jellyfish produce a very slight if even noticeable sting and can be experienced migrating across the lake each day.

The lake itself is one of the most popular snorkeling spots in Palau as it is the only Marine lake that is open to the public.

Where is it

Warnings

Although swimming with the jellyfish is perfectly safe, there are other dangers in the water. The lake is not open to scuba diving because swimming below 15 meters would introduce you to a layer of hydrogen sulfide that is absorbed through skin and is highly toxic to humans. Snorkeling is perfectly fine and poses no health risks.…

Its an interesting phenomenon.  Everyone seems to like the idea of travel, or say they want to travel, but how often is it that they take a break from their lives and go explore the world?  Hardly anyone does.

Its a sad fact that only 37% of Americans actually have a passport according to the latest stats put out by the State Department.  How many of those have stamps to prove that they’ve gone and experienced something different than their own culture? We can’t be sure.  For most Americans it seems to be a question of “When can I find the time?”.

What is Travel?

The truth is that travel is many things and people should define what is to them. Travel can be an escape from your normal life where the bills, school, kids, and all the rest of lifes normalcy piles up on top of you until you feel like you’re drowning. Its important to remember that traveling is a way of relieving stress, but it should not be though of as an houdini escape act from your life.

It can be a learning experience in so many ways. When was the last time you got to interact with a sherpa from Nepal, kayaked with a local in the Amazon basin, or traded stories with a stranger from Norway while having coffee in Costa Rica?…