The Happiest Country on Earth is…

by Adrienne Wilson on

For those of you unfamiliar with the reality TV series Survivor or have better things to do with your time than watch average folk battle it our for prizes and such by competing in gladiator type competitions, you may not be familiar Vanuatu. Perhaps, you’re fortunate enough to know about the group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean without the help of television and if you are you may also like to know that Vanuatu has ranked tops as the world’s happiest country. According to this Yahoo News piece, a study measuring people’s wellbeing and their impact on the environment has ranked Vanuatu at the top with Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, and Panama trailing close behind to complete the world’s top 5 happiest places to reside. Not really surprising if you ask me. Islands always come off as cheerful places to me and having been to Costa Rica myself, I could certainly see myself living there. As far as Vanuatu is concerned – I’d love to go there as much as I’d love to go to Somalia. Happiness is what you make it.

The Happy Planet Index is complied by the British New Economics Foundation (NEF) and also combines life satisfaction, life expectancy and environmental footprint to rank countries. Hopefully the results won’t drive herds of shutter-bug tourists to happy little Vanuatu or away from Zimbabwe, an African country my friend finds as one of the best, but ranks 178 on the list. The U.S. comes in at 150, Canada (111), France (129), Germany (81), Japan (95) and Russia (172).

What do you think? Agree or disagree? What do you consider the happiest place on Earth?

Kayak and Eat

by Erik Olsen on

I’m always eager to find cool stuff about kayaking and, well, food, too. So here is a unique kayaking excursion that may satisfy your palate and curb your hunger pains as well. A company called Edible British Columbia, has teamed up with a kayaking adventure company called Blue Planet to organize a 3-day Gulf Islands Gourmet Kayaking Weekend includes a menu of locally sourced organic vegetables, wild British Columbia fish, pasture raised poultry, artisan cheeses and creative desserts paired with BC wines. There are several 2006 trip dates left for July, and one in August. The cost is $549 for what sounds like a suberb series of things to do with fitness and food.

Detroit Marathon Running – Crossing Borders

by Adrienne Wilson on

For folks that like to travel healthy and be on the run simultaneously the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon sounds like the type of event for you. Known as the only race course in the world that crosses U.S. and Canadian borders twice with an underwater international mile, the marathon is one of the fastest, spectator-friendly, qualifying races for a first-timer to enter. Judging from some of the comments by previous first-time Detroit runners at MarathonGuide this one seems like the crème de la crème in regards to race organization, course scenery, weather, not to mention water and gel stops to name a few.

Tomorrow, I myself will take the first step in embarking to the Detroit marathon by registering as a participant. While I may have spent the last 11 weeks walking across America the beautiful with 11 other people, I admit running a cool 26.2 miles seems a bit intimidating. There’s a whole different set of rules and training needed, though I’m certain I’ve gained the ability to be on my feet for an extended period of time walking 6 hours a day at least twice a week. Wish me luck or better yet, hope to see you in the races.

The Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon takes places on October 29, 2006.

Word for the Travel Wise (06/28/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

The last time I hit you with a phrase from the Inukitut lang it was more than a mouth full and enough to scare any potential student away from ever attempting to spew out any sound related to this particular tongue. I myself tried shaking the crazy combination of vowels and consonants out from my mind, but only the brave and bold continue to go where many men choose not to and that place is one of communication beyond our own borders.

Today’s word is an Inuktitut word used in Canada:

malikkit – follow them

Inuktitut words as noted from this Nunavut.com site are more “like Lego blocks, intricate pieces locked together to produce a nugget of meaning.” Wiki breaks things down further with in depth info on territories where the language is heard in Canada, differences between Inukitut and the Inuit heard in Greendland and Alaska and includes pictures of the alphabet. Learning this one on the web will be tough, but for those who wish to tackle such linguistic feats check out the links above and some of these last few: Nunavut Living Dictionary, Inkutitut Syllabarium, the Inukitut Morphology List which holds the key to one of the best online dictionaries for getting started.

Past Inukitut words: quviasuktunga tamaaniinnama

Newfoundland Advice

by Erik Olsen on

Hey Gadling readers, I’ve got a question for you. I just shored up my week-long vacation plans and would love any feedback from folks who have been to my destination. Heading to Newfoundland and Labrador. I am told the paddling up there is superb, as is the seafood, hiking, biking, etc. Anyone ever been? Any recommendations for places to stay, things to do, places to eat?

Please post a comment and let me know!