Around the World Plane Tickets Starting at $999

by Adrienne Wilson on

Ahh, summer is slowly, but surely working its way to an end and as students prepare to bury their heads into texts for the fall, wouldn’t you know those around the world plane tickets and trips dreamt about all summer long would finally go on sale. Shame ain’t it? Who creates these sale dates?

STA travel currently has around the world fares starting at $999 with an itinerary that gets you into several kick-arse places if you’re a student taking a breather this fall. The cheapest package moves you from New York City-London-Nairobi-Bangkok-New York City and doesn’t look to include any kind of accommodation. In other words – this works out best if you know a couple of people in at least two destinations. Perhaps it’s time to make friends before you go. (See hospitalityclub.com) If you’ve got some extra dinero to spare ($1,399) then consider the Los Angeles-Tahiti-Sydney-Bangkok-Nairobi-London-Los Angeles ticket.

The sale will only last until August 31and travel must be completed by December 12, 2006.

Kenya's Masai Mara

by Karen Walrond on

CNN’s travel site is
featuring a really great
personal account of safari in Kenya’s Masai Mara.  The author, Leigh Murray, was lucky enough to visit Kenya
during the Great Migration, when more than a million wildebeest, zebras and other animals cross from the Serengeti into
the Masai Mara in search of fresh grass.

It’s a great read, especially when you read of the author’s up-close
encounter with a cheetah.  Kenya is a country I’ve always wanted to visit (a desire made more potent recently by my
two-year-old’s sudden obsession with "The Lion King") — this article has me ready to call my travel agent
now.

Word for the Travel Wise (04/11/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Funny how certain things prompt me to
think of a particular word to provide on a particular day. For instance a friend of mine called me from Africa this
morning and I missed the call.  Unfortunately I was unable to call him back. Mainly because I didn’t have a
calling card and I’m really trying to be mindful of my phone bill these days. I have a bad habit for splurging on
breathy overseas calls of no real importance other than checking on the well being of friends afar. Sigh. If for some
reason you need a phone in Kenya here is one way to say the word. The other
is in English.

Today’s word is a Swahili (Kiswahili)
word used in Kenya:

simu –
telephone

Masai-Mara has a section devoted
to useful Swahili and Kenya Travels has a similar list,
but to catch the missing words between the two I suggest looking at them both. The Kamusi Project is the internet’s only living Swahili dictionary which has
been suspended due to funding issues. Sad, seeing it seems like one of the best sources to learning the lang, but the
if you’re willing to donate a few dollars you can help keep the website alive. To learn basic background facts about
Swahili check out Wikipedia. Did you know the name Swahili comes
from the plural of Arabic word sahel (singular) or its plural sawahil meaning "boundary" or "coast?" Just one cool fact I
discovered during the first lesson I taught.

Past Swahili words: unasemaje

Gadling Spring Cleaning: The African Kanga

by Adrienne Wilson on

Today the great spring cleaning closet
excavation will come to a close, but not without one last hint at what should be replacing yesteryears fashions. Again
I’m no expert in telling one how to dress themselves by the season, but I’m a woman of ideas and I like to make use of
them.

My last idea and recommendation for spring: Zip over to Kenya or search online for a traditional
African Kanga or cloth used to cover-up at the beach, lounge at the house, wall-hanging, or tablecloth. I prefer the
Kenya and beach cover-up combo. You may be thinking the kanga is far too similar to the saree selection mentioned
yesterday, but like their destinations they are quite different. The kanga usually carries a message in Swahili. You
cannot tell from the photo above, but this particular kanga has a Swahili saying that translates into English as this:
"Do not blame others for problems you have created yourself." If you ask me that’s much better than
the "Trust me, I’m a Doctor"  message so overused on tee-shirts. With that being said – should
you happen to have one of those please toss it now.

Here’s where to look:

  • Kanga USA – an online distributor based out of Lebanon, PA with a variety of genuine
    kangas made of 100% cotton
  • Magical Kenya – Official
    tourism site for the country.

Word for the Travel Wise (01/28/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Africa offers a lot more than a day jeeping around an outdoor zoo. Safari’s are exciting, but it’s certainly not the end of the road for the continent and its diverse countries. One click into a Magical Kenya tourism site and BOOM, I discovered the Dinai Skydive Boogie to be held in October 2006 and the MEAK Charity Kitesurf Cup happening Jan. 25, 2006 to Feb. 5, 2006. The event is being hosted in Mombasa and is used to bring medical aid and assistance to Kenyans needing eye surgery, heart operations, and supplying hospitals with equipment. Now that’s a reason to grab a board and ride the trade winds.

Today’s word is a Swahili (Kiswahili) word used in Kenya:

Unasemaje – How do you say______?

Even though today’s word has no direct connection to the events above, it is one of the best words/phrases to know when traveling anywhere. The use of this word and pointing can help one learn a lot in a little amount of time. Want to know how to say fish, road or telephone? Start with unasemaje and point at the object. Now that I’ve told you twice how to use the word and hopefully didn’t insult anyone’s intelligence let’s move onto some useful links.

Masai-Mara has a section devoted to useful Swahili and Kenya Travels has a similar list, but to catch the missing words between the two I suggest looking at them both. The Kamusi Project is the internet’s only living Swahili dictionary which will cease to operate in three days if funding doesn’t come through. Sad seeing it seems like one of the best sources to learning the lang. To learn basic background facts about Swahili check out Wikipedia. Did you know the name Swahili comes from the plural of Arabic word sahel (singular) or its plural sawahil meaning “boundary” or “coast?” Just one cool fact I discovered today myself.