Lisboa-Dakar Rally 2007

by Adrienne Wilson on

Danger – it is your middle name. You’re the type that likes big vehicles, fast motorcycles and gnarly tricked out cars sliding the thru desert sand in the race of a lifetime across two continents. Are you going to be there? The Lisboa-Dakar Rally kicks off this year on January 6, 2007-January 21, 2007. For the second time in history the race will start off in Portugal and run through Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali and Senegal.

While trying to catch sight of death-defying feats during my travels hasn’t been high on my personal list of activities I can see how others might enjoy the action and suspense. I’d love to go if only to check out the African backdrop (villages, forests, and Sahara) these crazy men and women will be torpedoing by in their efforts to be victorious.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of November 19

by Adrienne Wilson on

Now that you’re settling in and letting all that turkey digest and I have your attention I think it is the perfect opportunity to serve you this week’s five favorites found on Gadling.

5. The Post on Hookup Travel:
Face it – the holidays can be a drag without someone there to cuddle with in the lodge on your ski vaca or to without a hand to hold as you stroll alone down a sandy beach on the islands. In short, if you’re single and desperately wishing not to go solo this season check out this piece on hookup travel.

4. Stink 0, Airlines 1:
Here’s an interesting story of a smelly German guy who got booted from his flight for being a little too offensive with his odor. The poor fellow never made it to court and his case was tossed anyway considering his odor wasn’t due to disability or illness. That stinks! (No pun intended.) Read the full deal for yourself.

3. How to Bargain Abroad: The Right Way:
Savvy shoppers know how to bargain, yet there are two ways of going about this sport: the right way and the wrong way. If you’re good and I mean really good at doing it the right way you’re bound to score some awesome goods, otherwise you’ll be like the rest of us suckers getting jacked by high prices. Learn to do it right.

2. Stashing your Goods in Your Sandals:
For all the gift-giving individuals out there, give your loved one the gift of peace-of-mind. These women’s sandals by Reef allow you to stash a credit card or two, a key and some cash in a secret compartment. Pretty cool gear piece if you’ve always been one to cling to your goods on the beach fearing someone would take them.

1. America the Unfriendly:
Say it ain’t so? Or is it? Is it really that hard making it into our borders? Visas that tough to obtain? You be the decision-maker.

How to Bargain Abroad: The Right Way

by Adrienne Wilson on

There aren’t too many situations on the road where I need someone to hold my hand or baby me, but when it comes to bargaining abroad I stink. I hate bargaining. Just tell me what the item is worth, don’t cheat me and I’ll pay up. That’s how I like to do business, but the rest of the world does not operate this way and to avoid getting ridiculously ripped off I usually recruit a local or friend to walk me through the process. While I’ve watched several buyers score some amazing goods at jaw-dropping, super cheap prices I’ve also seen some bargaining foreigners receive ill looks from the seller. Some prices are insultingly too low. So how does one bargain the right way?

This is where I point you to this WorldHum piece titled the Art of the Deal. Readers walk with Peter Wortsman through the stalls of Marrakesh as he masters how to go about naming the right price and playing a good game. It’s a real good read especially if you’re way out yonder looking to collect gifts for your loved ones or maybe you’re just planning on heading to Macy’s this Black Friday, either way you may learn a thing a two from Peter’s Moroccan encounters. As for me – I’ll never be fond of the bazaar bargain biz.

A Tunnel to Africa

by Neil Woodburn on

The Chunnel was the world’s last great tunnel project. When it was completed a number of years ago, it linked England to Continental Europe–something Hitler certainly wished existed 60+ years ago.

Now there’s talk of another engineering marvel being considered: a tunnel from Spain to Morocco. Currently the only way to travel between the two continents is by air, boat, or overland through Turkey. An underwater tunnel connecting Spain and North Africa, however, would turn a long arduous journey into a short rail jaunt lasting only a couple of hours.

The Euro/African Chunnel would be 25 miles long (6 miles shorter than England’s Chunnel) and would take about 15 years to build. When completed, passengers will be able to travel from London to Tangier without ever having to get on a boat.

Now, about that New York to London Chunnel…

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of August 27

by Adrienne Wilson on

It’s the beginning of a new month, but still the end of the week for us here and with that we bring you some of the week’s best:

5. Pilot Locks Self Out:
This is the kind of story one reads and rubs their eyes in disbelief. Sure it’s humorous, but somewhat scary too. A pilot locked out of the cockpit? How can that be? You’ll need to head over for more details.

4. Sex and Violence, Elk-style:
Iva Skoch wastes no time in making her presence known with this alarming headline. I won’t spill all the details here, but let’s just say its got a something to do with hiking and animal acts. Read further – I dare you.

3. Cape Verde:
I’m giving this plug on Cape Verde the number three spot because we don’t get around to Africa much and it seems like such an amazing place. (Understatement, yes – of course.) Cape Verde is beginning to attract interest according to this piece and you wouldn’t want to be the last to find out why would you? Go check it out!

2. Backpacking in California’s Sierras:
We love first-hand experiences here and Neil does a fantastic job on recounting his trip through California’s Sierras. Complete with photos and enough tips to help you plan your own visit out yonder.

1. Never Heard of:
Great post if you’re the traveling type that likes to wander into places no one has ever been or few people know little about. I know I’m one of them and this list from Budget Travel is worth clipping out and saving for later when an exciting destination where no-one will find you is much needed.