Justin Timberlake To Climb Kilimanjaro?

by Kraig Becker on

Pop singer Justin Timberlake tells GQ magazine that he intends to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, to raise awareness for that continent’s dramatic water shortage which has hit nearly every nation and has had a tremendous impact on the environment and people that live there.

Timberlake is reportedly already preparing for the challenging trek to the summit of Kili, which stands at 19,340 feet, by working out four times a week in an attempt to increase the efficiency of his cardio system to deal with the altitude. He says the team will be climbing for “a week straight, carrying thirty pounds on our backs”, indicating the daypacks that typical trekkers on the mountain carry.

There are multiple routes to the peak of Kilimanjaro, and it can take as little as five days to summit, although most take eight or nine days to top out. Porters carry the bulk of the equipment, while the climbers usually carry a daypack with a variety of gear, food, water and so on. While it is mostly a non-technical climb, the fairly rapid ascent, and high altitude can be quite daunting for many, which Anne Curry of the Today Show discovered when she made an attempt on the mountain a few months back.

At the moment, there is no word on when Timberlake is expected to make his climb. The spring is traditionally the rainy season in East Africa, so it’s likely to not take place until June or later.

[via Backpacker.com]

Top 10 stupidest laws you could encounter abroad


Wilbur Smith: The ultimate travel read

by Brenda Yun on

I pretty much have just one kind of book that I read when I’m on the road. My friend lent me his vintage book entitled “Eye of the Tiger” by Wilbur Smith, and since then I have been hooked on Wilbur Smith books.

I’m also in luck because Smith has over thirty novels in circulation and I’ve found at least one for trade at any book exchange that I’ve discovered abroad. Whether I’m in southeast Asia or Latin America, I can come across a Wilbur Smith quite easily. I guess this means I’m not the only one that thinks Wilbur Smith books are the ultimate travel read.

Though the title of “Eye of the Tiger” is quite deceiving, the novel is actually about an underwater treasure hunt off the coast of Mozambique. Smith’s novels always have an element of adventure, romance, and danger. There’s always a death or two scattered among some pretty intriguing historical events. In addition, all of Smith’s books take place somewhere in the continent of Africa — whether that be in Egypt, Kenya, or South Africa.

The most captivating read I’ve come across is part of Smith’s Egyptian series. “Warlock” follows the epic journey of an old clairvoyant aid to Queen Lostris, Taita, and her grandson Nefer. This was one of the best page-turners I’ve come across in my lifetime, and even if the Egyptian history is not completely accurate, I still completely bought into the world Smith created.

I’d like to clarify that Smith’s novels are not perfect for every occasion. In fact, I don’t read Wilbur Smith books when I’m home. I’ve tried, but they never seem to have the same kind of effect as when I’m traveling. I think this has something to do with the fact that Smith’s novels always have an element of adventure, which can be so inspiring for someone who beds down for the night with a great, sweeping adventure story. I can think of nothing better to cap off a great day of exploring.

The Best Places to View Wildlife

by Kraig Becker on

Yesterday we posted an article with the top places to view penguins in the world. Here are five more amazing places to view wildlife from around the globe.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
The wide open grasslands of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania have one of the most impressive displays of wildlife that you could ever hope to see. Each year, one of the greatest natural spectacles on the planet takes place when literally hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, along with over a million wildebeest make the Great Migration across the great savannah in search of grasslands to graze upon. Following in their wake are lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and dozens of other species. The migration is unmatched for the size and scope of wildlife, and is awe inspiring to see.

The Amazon Rainforest, South America
The Amazon Jungle in South Africa is so vast that it it covers parts of eight countries. It is also the home to the highest concentration of birds and freshwater fish on the planet, and more than one third of the world’s animal species call the Amazon home. Highlights of these species include jaguars, anacondas, giant anteaters and a variety of monkeys. The Amazon River contains plenty of interesting creatures as well, such as electric eels, freshwater dolphins, pirarucu, which grow to more than 2 meters in length, and of course the piranha.Alaska, USA
America’s 50th, and largest state, is home to a wide variety of wildlife as well. The remote backcountry is a perfect habitat for migrating herds of caribou, moose, elk, and reindeer. Alaska also boasts polar, kodiak and black bear, large populations of bald eagles, and packs of wolves. Head out to the coastal regions, and you’ll find seals, sea lions, and walrus. But best of all, the waters that surround Alaksa offer some of the best opportunities for spotting whales that you’ll find anywhere anywhere on Earth, with beluga, blue, humpback, and even killer whales on display.

The Galapagos islands, Ecuador
The Galapagos Islands may have made yesterday’s list for great places to view penguins too, but they have plenty more to offer as well. Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the small volcanic archipelago is home to a host of animals that are found no where else on Earth, such as marine iguanas the only lizard in the world that lives in the ocean. There are plenty of lizards that live on land as well, along with several breeds of turtles and sea tortoises, an array of distinct birds, and a large colony of sea lions and fur seals.

Kruger National Park, South Africa
When it comes to spotting wildlife in its natural habitat, few places on Earth can compare to Kruger National Park in South Africa. Kruger is the home to hundreds of species of animals, including more than 500 species of birds alone. But visitors to this park, the largest in South Africa, don’t really come for the birds. Instead, they come to see the hippos, zebras, giraffes and other exotic beasts. Kruger has a reputation, and deservedly so, for being the best place on the planet to spot the “Big Five”, which include lions, elephants, leopards, cape buffalo, and rhinos.

Any one of these places will give you the opportunity to see ome of the most impressive and amazing animals on the planet, and fortunately they are all accessable to travelers, offering unique and wondrous experiences.

The Best Places To View Penguins!

by Kraig Becker on

There is something about penguins that seem to capture our imaginations. Perhaps it’s the fact that these funny looking birds are flightless, and a bit awkward while moving on land, and yet so beautiful and graceful when floating through the water. Maybe it’s the fact that they’ve been the subject of so many Hollywood films over the past few years, but there is no doubt about it, we’re fascinated by penguins.

Many people have the misconception that the only place to really see these birds is in the Antarctic, a costly proposition for most. But, there are actually a variety of species of penguins, and they can be found in a variety of places as well. The National Geographic Intelligent Travel blog recently took a look at the top places around the world to see penguins in their natural habitat.

The article actually gives six great places around the globe to go to see these lovable birds. They include Chile and Ecuador in South America, as well as the Falkland Islands. Australia and New Zealand make the list as well, as does South Africa. Each location comes with an explanation as to what to expect there, including the species of penguin that inhabit the region. And if those international destinations are a bit too remote for your taste, the article also lists the best penguin colonies in American zoos as well.

If you should venture abroad however, each of these trips is environmentally safe, allowing humans to interact with the environment in a sustainable way, ensuring that the penguins will remains safe and protected for generations to come.

Cleveland International Film Festival: One Day in Africa

by Jamie Rhein on

The Cleveland International Film Festival, from March 19-29 is the largest film festival in Ohio. That’s merely one reason to attend this kaleidoscope of images and stories from around the world.

The other reason is that Brook Silver- Braga will be at the premiere of his film One Day in Africa. Brook wrote the Gadling series Across Northern Europe. Back in January, I wrote a post about Brook’s film and he promised to keep me up to date about the schedule. Now the news is out, and he has added the details to the One Day in Africa Web site.

I’ll be at the screening on Saturday, March 28th at 9:15 a.m. There is an earlier showing on Thursday, March 26th at 7:25 p.m.

Along with Brook’s gem are dozens of others that span subject matters and countries. I’m going to the preview party this Friday in Columbus at the Wexner Center for the Arts so I can give you a heads up on what other films to look for.

In the meantime, here’s a link to the complete film listing and schedule. To help wade through the offerings, some are divided out as being teen friendly.

If you do head to Cleveland, the film festival takes place at Tower City. Take some time to go to Terminal Tower, the original part of the building. First of all, the art deco atrium is stunning. Terminal Tower was the 2nd highest building in the United States in the 1960s after the Empire State Building. The Prudential Building in Boston took its 2nd place status away from it.