Photo of the Day (1.5.10)

by Stephen Greenwood on
Today’s Photo of the Day comes from contributor muddynights. The natural light, composition, and layering in the photo are well captured, which really puts the proximity of the mountains and sea in perspective.

The photo was shot on the Sinai Peninsula – the official land bridge between Africa and Asia – which lies atop the Red Sea. Over the past 30 years, the Sinai has become a tourist destination due to its natural setting, rich coral reefs, and biblical history.

So where do you want to go in 2010? Tell us with a comment below! And if you have any travel shots you’ve been hanging on to from 2009 – put them in our Gadling Flickr Pool – it could be our next Photo of the Day…

Photo of the Day (4/30/08)

by Jamie Rhein on

This shot taken in Jaisalmer, India by arunchs looks like one of those scenes that might have looked the same 100 years ago–except for the sneakers. Also, notice the exquisite embroidered cloth underneath the saddle on the camel. There is a blue ruffle border to jazz it up. The embroidered household items sold in Rajasthan, where Jaisalmer is located, make shopping here sheer pleasure.

Send your shots that evoke pleasure our way at Gadling’s Flickr Photo Pool.

Camel cheese – coming soon to a grocery near you

by Jeremy Kressmann on

As any proper Bedouin will tell you, camels are an essential part of a nomadic desert existence. They provide a convenient method of transportation, require little water and can stand up to great extremes of temperature. We now also know that they provide the perfect compliment to your next cheese and cracker platter. I’m talking more specifically about camel cheese, the latest delicacy to make its way to grocery stores here in the U.S.

The camel cheese trend started in the African nation of Mauritania, site of the world’s first and, to the best of my knowledge, only camel dairy farm. Mauritanians consume camel milk as part of their everyday diet, but it was a local expat named Nancy Abeiderrahmane who first got the idea to turn the milk into cheese to preserve its shelf life. The idea was a hit, and Nancy has been producing camel cheese ever since.

The cheese made its debut in the New York City area this past month. Connoisseurs compare it favorably to goat cheese, citing its subtle “barnyard flavors” and the ability to spread it easily on bread or crackers. When it comes to food, nothing wins me over quicker than when I hear phrases like “barnyard flavors.” Pick up some now for your Final Four party this weekend!

[Via Buzzfeed]

The World’s Craziest Sports

by Justin Glow on

Forbes Traveler is running an interesting story on what they’re calling the world’s craziest sports, including chess boxing, typewriter tossing, cheese chasing, camel wrestling, and something called kabaddi, an Asian sport that’s a mix between the popular children’s game of tag, and swimming — without the water. The game “involves trying to ‘tag’ members of an opposing team and making it back to your side of the court,” explains Forbes Traveler. “all while holding your breath.”

Or how about the World Series of Elephant Polo? “… this sport can look freakish. Elephants move surprisingly fast (remember that on your next walking safari), but they’re not exactly maneuverable.”

For even more bizarre sports from around the world, visit Forbes Traveler.