I stretch both my hands out, to feel the wind between my fingers. This must be flying like a bird feels like.

The green pasture, trees, and cows are now beneath my feet, fading further and further into the distance as we float higher and higher into the sky. The early morning breeze is whipping my face, but I’m too distracted by the view before me. Suddenly, I see a big burst of clouds gathering before us, and it seems like we’re heading right into it.

I laugh, scream and cheer as we glide into the clouds; so does my instructor Paul Franco. The Brazilian pro has been paragliding for almost 30 years, and he’s as excited as he was on day one. Having started this career in 1989, Paul has since taught paragliding in various parts of the world but have found Maui to be the best place to live. He now lives here in Kula, just 10 minutes away from the mountains (for paragliding) and the beaches (for his second love: kitesurfing).

Kula, the upcountry region of Maui, is one of the best places to paraglide in the world because of the predictable weather conditions. The trade winds that come through Maui help stabilize the wind direction and create conditions suitable for paragliding. Dexter Binder, who owns Proflyght Paragliding, says they fly almost 25 days per month, sometimes even up to 30 days in a good month.

Proflyght Paragliding is one of the oldest paragliding schools in the world, having been around for 50 years. Dexter himself has done 10,000 flights without using any reserve chutes — which is quite an accomplishment I’d say. I ask if he ever gets tired of flying, he responds with a wide grin, “Never.”

Indeed, I understand what he means. The feeling of flying on a paraglide is unlike no other — I’ve skydived before, bungee-jumped, and flown on a microlight, but none compares to paragliding. There’s the adrenaline of soaring into the sky, but then there’s also the calming sensation of floating in the air and seeing the world from above. It’s relaxing, soothing, and carefree.

At the end of the morning, we all leave with a giant smile on our faces. Dexter pads our shoulders and says, “That’s what we call a para-grin!”

Here’s a short video that we took with our GoPro in the air:

Extra Information:

No experience is needed for a tandem experience. There is no age limit either (Proflyght has flown with passengers aged 3 to 98 years old).

The price for a 3000feet descent is $185 (10-15 minutes), and the 1000feet descent (3-5 minutes) is $95.

Disclaimer: Our trip was made possible by Visit Maui, but all opinions expressed above are our own.

The post Video: Paragliding Above Maui appeared first on Wild Junket.

And while it takes a lot to beat a walking safari in Tanzania, white water rafting in Iceland or shark cage diving in South Africa, there are plenty of other ways to experience a country.

Here are 10 of the more unusual adventure activities you can take part in around the globe.  

1. Explore Saigon by Vespa

For those with a need for speed, exploring Saigon in the evening on the back of a Vespa is a must! You’ll be driven around by a local guide who knows the city like the back of his hand, stopping at a seafood restaurant and pancake shop to satisfy rumbling tums before heading to  a local music venue for an injection of local culture. This is a really fun way of getting to know one of Vietnam’s most exhilarating cities and with your guide on hand to lead the way, it’s a really authentic experience.

2. Swim in Antarctic waters

As crazy as it sounds, this is possible! Deception Island, just off the Antarctic Peninsula, is home to thermal waters thanks to the fact it is a caldera, and while the waters aren’t exactly warm enough to be compared to say, a tepid bath, they are warm enough to take a dip – and who else can say they have swam in the Antarctic?!  

3. Take a biplane safari

Step back in time and observe safari wildlife from the air in a traditional biplane. There is only one place you can do this in East Africa – the Lewa Wilderness Conservancy in Kenya, so it’s a really unique experience and one that you are unlikely to forget in a while! The pilot, Will Craig, has over 5000 hours flying experience and takes great delight in pointing out the area’s local landmarks amidst the dramatic and beautiful landscape.

Photo provided by Audley Travel

4. Canoeing and camping on the Zambezi

An adventurer’s dream, you spend three days canoeing down the Zambezi, setting up camp each night on one of the islands in the river. There is literally no way of getting any closer to the wildlife in the area as you share the river with hippos, crocodiles and elephants, who all make regular appearances. Although  the pace isn’t too strenuous, you undertake approximately 4 to 6 hours paddling daily, stopping once in the morning and once in the afternoon for a break.  

5. Combine adventure and wine in Argentina

What a wonderful combination! If you consider yourself a foodie and an adventurer you’ll love this activity, which begins at Brazo Tristeza in the Argentine Lake District, where you can admire the stunning panorama before descending on a rope followed by a 40m rappel to the base. At the base adults enjoy wine tasting and a light lunch before an afternoon of water-based activities – don’t forget your swimwear!

Flickr image by Gollmar

6. Swim with whale sharks

If you’re in Western Australia between March and early July, don’t miss the opportunity to snorkel with whale sharks in the Ningaloo Reef where these magnificent creatures congregate, timing their annual visits with the coral spawning. At an average of 32ft long, this is the largest species of fish in the world and jumping into the water with them may seem a little loopy, but really they are gentle giants and a wonder to behold.

Photo provided by Audley Travel

7. Heli-biking

New Zealand is king when it comes to adventure activities, so it seems natural only that this is one of the places you can take part in heli-biking. As the name probably suggests, heli-biking is where participants are flown by helicopter to the beginning of scenic but remote bike trails before hopping onto a mountain bike and making their way to the end. This activity is normally guided and one of the best places to do it is in the Kaimanawa Ranges in the North Island.  

Flickr image by vertphoto

8. Climb Sugar Loaf Mountain

Without a doubt, Sugar Loaf Mountain is one of Rio de Janeiro’s most famous landmarks, so any chance to experience it whilst avoiding the crowds is a welcome opportunity. Instead of taking the cable car, stroll along a beautiful shoreline path before heading onto a trail which includes some sections of scrambling. This is followed by a challenging, 25m rock climb to reach the top, after which you will be rewarded with stunning views that Sugar Loaf Mountain is so famous for.

Photo provided by Audley Travel

9. Go in search of dinosaurs

Canada’s very own “Wild West”, the Canadian Badlands is an area rich in fossils, including dinosaur bones, so grab your fedora and your walking boots and embark on your own Jurassic adventure. There are a number of tours that you can join in the area, including the Dinosaur Badlands Tour, which takes around two hours to complete. Stop at the Royal Tyrrell Museum which houses one of the world’s largest dinosaur collections before exploring Horsethief Canyon and Hoodoo geological formations. The tour also includes crossing Red Deer River and the historical Rosedale Suspension Bridge, originally opened for the nearby coal mining community.

Photo provided by Audley Travel

10. Glacier landing and dog sledding

One of these would be exciting enough on its own, but combining the two is a real treat and the Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska offers the opportunity to take part in one such adventure. This exhilarating activity includes a scenic flight above some of Alaska’s most picturesque landscapes followed by 25 minutes dog mushing, during which you can choose to drive or just relax in the sled.  

This is a sponsored post from Katy Pannell, Online Travel Editor at Audley Travel, an award-winning tour operator that specialises in tailor-made trips and small group tours to over 80 countries around the world.

The post 10 Unusual Adventure Activities appeared first on Wild Junket.

By Day Four of our heritage cruise voyage, our luck with the weather gods had run out. That morning, we awoke to pouring tropical rains and a sky covered with thick dark grey clouds. The island of Taveuni appeared outside our window, its silhouette shrouded in a blur of trickling rain.

Rugged and green, Taveuni is known as the Garden Island of Fiji for good reasons. Due to the trade winds that occur in the wet season, Taveuni experiences a colossal amount of rainfall, blessing the island with acres of thick rainforest, an array of rare flora and fauna, and a sprinkling of waterfalls and mountain lakes.

Despite the unfavorable weather, we were eager to head inland for a different peek of Fiji. Just before we headed to shore, a pod of dolphins came cheekily swimming by our boat, wildly diving in and out of the water as if they were curiously checking us out. We took this as a sign – a sign that our day wasn’t about to be ruined by the rain.

In the drizzling rain, we hopped on a local bus with the wind and rain whipping our faces and the sun poking out of the clouds, excited to head into the unknown.

Heading Inland

Winding our way inland, we steered away from the coast that we’ve become so familiar with, into a different world of emerald green banana trees, bright red ginger flower, swaying coconut palms and thatched bamboo huts.

Lush, tropical vegetation flank both sides of the muddy road that run alongside the beachfront before turning up into the hilly slopes further inland. Tall papaya and pineapple trees stood side by side in the wet tropical garden, next to sprawling taro fields. Locals – young and old – peeked out from these plantations, waving enthusiastically at us, shouting ‘bula!’

Our bus driver carefully navigated through gentle flowing streams, passing raging rivers along the way. Several rivers run through the island, most of which originate from the mountains and snaking all the way into the sea. Villages were few and far between but farmers and school children were all eager to say hello to us visitors – an uncommon sight in the backcountry of Taveuni.

Garden Island

Our destination was the Bouma National Heritage Park on the eastern side of the island. We were here to hike up to the Bouma Waterfalls (also known as Tavoro Falls), made famous by the movie ‘The Return of the Blue Lagoon’ which shot Brooke Shields to fame. The park’s located in the Bouma district, a conglomeration of five villages stretching from the hill slopes deeply entrenched above the valley, all the way to the coast. Over 5,000 people live in this district, which is considered a large community in Fijian terms.

Upon arriving at the entrance of the heritage park, our local guide Tale led us on a hiking trail that was neatly carved out from the green grass. We traipsed alongside a gently flowing channel, snapping photos of the beautiful red ginger flowers that hung poetically from the vines into the water. Along the way, we found several tiny toads hopping from one spot to another. Tale pointed out the local plants that were used for cooking and medicinal purposes but we were too distracted by the sounds of the roaring water.

It wasn’t long before we found ourselves at the base of the Lower Bouma Falls: the raging water water cascaded down a height of almost 24 meters, bellowing so loudly that we could hardly hear ourselves. Water sprayed in all directions and cold wind whipped our faces. The river and waterfalls were flowing at their highest level – this was the height of the rainy season and it had poured that morning. Even from a distance, we could hear the thundering of the water and feel the spray on our faces.

Higher and Higher

Most of our travel mates could barely wait to dive in, but we wanted to forge ahead, higher up the slopes to the upper falls. The steep trail snaked higher and higher up the muddy slopes, curving around the bends and up above the canopy of the trees. The hike was easy enough and soon we were at a panoramic point with a view of the rain forest, coconut groves and the dark blue waters of the Pacific Ocean before us.

A quick rest at the viewpoint later, we continued trudging up the path which became more slippery and muddy with each step. The path soon twisted its way around to the other side of the valley, revealing a different landscape. Gone was the ocean and in its place was acres and acres of emerald green forest, with coconut palms poking above the canopy and ferns draping over giant mango trees. A mountain rose in the far distance, its peak shrouded by puffy clouds in the dark sky.

By the time we passed the Middle Falls, the dirt track was already covered with mud and overgrown with algae. At one point, it was so slippery we had to hang on tight to the algae-covered wooden railing along the trail to stop from slipping or sliding. Puddles of rainwater had formed along the second half of the rock-strewn path, and we were soon hopping from one to another.

Reaping Our Rewards

Eventually, the thick rain forest opened up to reveal a river where turbulent water was running over a rocky riverbed – we had arrived at a river crossing. Thankfully a thick rope hung overhead, connecting one end of the river to the other. I took a look at the rope then at the river and shuddered at the thought of being swept away by the water. But Alberto agilely scampered over the rocks and made it look awfully easy. I braced myself and started to make my way across by hanging on tight to the rope with one hand and using the other to feel my way around the rocks to make sure I didn’t slip into any holes (which could easily make me sprain an ankle). As we navigated the slippery rocks, we pushed ourselves to trudge forward despite the powerful force of the water.

With much determination, we were out of the water and soon we were continuing our hike to the Upper Waterfall. After a quick walk through the thick bamboo forest, we trekked even higher up into the valley, along the edge of steep slippery slopes. I had to avoid looking down in case of vertigo. 20 minutes or so of hiking later, the foliage finally opened up to a narrow water way that led to the double-barreled Upper Bouma Falls.

We were soaked in sweat and covered in mud by this time — it didn’t take us long to peel away our clothes and plunge straight into the cool, swirling water. The temperature was well below 20 degrees Celsius but it provided much respite from the sizzling tropical heat. This was surprisingly the smallest waterfall of the three, with a short drop at just 10m. But it was literally hidden within the jungle, offering a much more secluded and atmospheric setting for swimming and relaxing. The fact that we had to hike all this way to the waterfall made it well worth it.

That afternoon, we frolicked in the cool spring water, listening to the jungle orchestra echoing in the distance. It was just us and the waterfall, with not a single person in sight – just the way we liked it.

Extra Info:

This was part of a half-day excursion on our heritage cruise with Captain Cook Cruises. The trip was free for all cruise passengers and included transportation. The trail is relatively easy and takes a total of 1.5 hours to walk up to the Upper Falls and back.

To visit yourself, you can hire a car or take the local bus to Bouma Heritage Park. Most resorts have shuttles as well. The entrance fee for the falls is FJ$8 (around US$5). You can also book a guided hike that will continue past the three waterfalls all the way to Lake Tagimaucia, at the top of the mountain.

Disclaimer: Our trip was made possible by Captain Cook Cruises, Air Pacific and Tourism Fiji, but all opinions expressed above are our own.

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The air is hot and steamy, and I’m completely drenched in sweat. Emerald palm trees and beautiful yellow-and-red heliconia surround us but I’m too tired to care. I’m out of breathe and low in energy level, gasping for breathe and working hard to keep up with the rest. By this time, we’ve been walking for just two hours, but it feels like eternity on this seemingly never-ending trek.

We are here on a mission to hike all the way to the top of La Soufriere volcano – the highest point on the island of St Vincent standing at 4,048 feet above sea level. Located in the northern part of the island, La Soufriere occupies almost a one third of the island, and features many geographical formations such as hot springs, several craters and dry rivers.

As an active volcano, La Soufriere sure has made some history. The biggest eruption took place in 1902, killing almost 1,680 people during this destructive explosion. The death zone was inhabited by mostly Caribs, destroying this last large remnant of Carib culture. The last recorded eruption was in April 1979; there were no casualties due to advance warning.

Our guide Ozzie tells us it usually erupts every 50 to 60 years, and it’s definitely safe to climb now. Having been a local guide for nine years with Sailor’s Wilderness Tours, he’s accumulated quite an impressive collection of knowledge on La Soufriere and St Vincent and the Grenadines, and has climbed this monster of a volcano more than a hundred times. When I ask what is it that keeps him motivated, he answers, “The look on your face when you reach the top of the volcano.”

“It’s priceless.”

Walking through Eden

Earlier that morning, we started our walk at the base of the volcano in the midst of a thick, luscious rainforest. Tall coconut trees, banana shoots and stick-thin bamboo stood elbow to elbow in the thick luscious forest, vying for sunlight, while curly vines dangled carelessly from the canopy. Cute little green lizards scuttled past us along with a few other millipedes and spiders. Mosquitoes buzzed above our heads and dragonflies whizzed from one flower to another.

Along the way, Ozzie pointed out plants commonly used by locals, such as the trumpet leaves, often boiled with water as a remedy for cold. We also came across a fern plant with an interesting name, jumanju; each of its leaves curled up like a chameleon’s tail, lime green on the outside and brown underneath. Another plant I found interesting was the strangular fig, also known as the monkey goblin, that had long winding roots resembling those in Angkor Wat, Cambodia.

We constantly heard distinctive high-pitched ringing sounds echoing from the distance. Ozzie pointed out the sounds came from the whistling waddle, one of the two endemic birds from St Vincent and the Grenadines. In fact, La Soufriere is home to five endemic plants of St Vincent and the Grenadines, two endemic birds and four endemic reptiles. The volcano has been a proposed National Park and once its status gets approved, it will be the first declared National Park for SVG. It is now under the National Protected Areas System Plan managed under the National Parks Rivers and Beaches Authority.

The Trail to Heaven

As we ventured higher and higher into the rainforest, the gently sloping trail eventually turned into a series of steep bamboo steps. We had to take big strides and haul our bodies up the steps with the help of our bamboo walking stick. Two of the girls in our trip, Sarah and Ruth, had already thrown in the white towel and headed back down the trail, but the few of us were determined to forge ahead.

The ascent became tougher and tougher with each step we took. We didn’t dare ask Ozzie how long more we had left to reach the top, worried that it would only lower our morale. But Ozzie pushed us further, enticing us with the view that would await. We scrambled over muddy rocks, crossed river streams, and hiked up ridges — all with the aim of getting to our destination.

After a seemingly endless steep ascent, we finally emerged from the rain forest to a rugged and rocky terrain. “We are now walking on lava,” announced Ozzie. The volcano had spewed out these lava almost four decades ago, but they have since solidified and formed a new environment. The tree line had faded by now and we were surrounded by low bushes and pretty flowers.

“This is the Soufriere flower,” said Ozzie, pointing to a simple, purple flower sprouting out from the small bushes that grew around the lava rocks. The volcano was named after this plant, La Soufriere, meaning Sulfurer, which only grows near the top of the volcano.

Our spirits grew. We knew what this meant — we were almost at the top.

Top of the World

Now back on the trail, we’re ready for the last stretch of the ascent. But the view behind us is so distracting, we constantly stop in our tracks to snap photos of the stunning landscape. The greenery of the lush rainforest splashes beneath our feet, covering every inch of the volcano base, stretching all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. Ozzie points out to a hut with a tin roof in the far distance – that was where we started our trek. We find it hard to believe how far we’ve come.

The large lava boulders are now gone; in their place are steep mounts of small, black sandy rocks. Trudging up on this volcanic ash is akin to walking on a Stairmaster — no matter how hard I try, I seem to stay at the same spot. Ozzie encourages me further, “Just twenty more minutes and we’ll be there.”

“Trust me, it’s worth the hard work.”

With much determination (and constantly stopping to catch my breathe), I press on and finally catch up with Alberto and the rest of the group to be greeted by a mind-blowing view.

Before us, the circular rim of the volcanic crater plunges down 700 feet or so to the bottom. On the crater floor is a dome-shaped mount that rises approximately up to 500 feet, covered completely in green vegetation. The crater bottom too is blanketed in green grass and splashed with milky water that has been accumulated from the rain. And somewhere in the distance, covered by the clouds, lies the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea. The scenery is so dramatic and the landscape so rugged and alien that it almost feels like another galaxy here.

Two and a half hours of steep walking later, we’re finally here, at the peak of La Soufriere.

“I’ve done this for nine years, but I never get tired of this,” Ozzie exclaims as we sit and drink in the fantastic view. Indeed, it’s easy to see why.

Disclaimer: This trip was made possible by Discover SVG, but all opinions expressed above are our own.

The post Lava and Ash: Climbing La Soufriere Volcano on St Vincent appeared first on Wild Junket.

Located in the northern coast of Honduras, the Pico Bonito National Park is an area with one of the highest biodiversity in Central America. It’s home to various species of amphibians, coatis, monkeys, parrots, and parakeets. Within the impenetrable cloud forests perched high up in the Nombre de Dios mountain range, you can even find the endangered Honduran emerald hummingbird and the prized bright-blue feathered cotinga, favorite of the Mayans.

In the day, we had the opportunity to catch fleeting glimpses of a variety of birds – from the legendary mot mot, to the yellow-tailed Montezuma oropendula and the chicken-like the great tinamou.  But once the sun set and darkness unfolded, it became a different world out here. Gone are the diurnal birds and rodents, in their place are tiny peculiar insects, large venomous snakes, and big cats lurking behind the trees. The forest feels almost as if it’s alive.

Safe Encounters

Feeling the tension in the air, we are all slightly nervous as we’re reminded of what James Adam, the head naturalist at the Lodge at Pico Bonito, had shared with us earlier. A few years ago, he had battled a near death experience, after being bitten by a deadly coral snake in this forest. If he hadn’t been rushed to the hospital and given the one and only anti-venom injection in the hospital, he would have lost his life.

Thankfully, instead of dangerous snakes, we encounter a tiny red-and-black ladybug munching away on a green leaf, a giant cricket with red eggs on its body, and a lime green katydid wildly fluttering its antennae-like feelers. Further down the trail, we come across a tropical wandering spider, its luminescent white eyes sparkling in the darkness and its milky translucent legs firmly attached to a leaf. A common toad hops past, with an inflated throat to boot.

Bringing New Life

“Guaaaaakkk,” a loud noise erupts all of a sudden.

“What was that?” We all unanimously ask. It’s so loud that whatever made it must be near. Our guide Elmer calms us down and points out the creature responsible for that ominous sound. Right above our heads on one of the tree leaves is a red-eyed tree frog – a creature we’ve heard so much about.

It has finally showed up. With its shimmering blood red eyes, it stares at us innocently, stretching out its lime green webbed feet on the giant leaf.

We look around the pond and find even more tree frogs around us, belching out melodic tunes together along with the pitter patter of water streaming in. Our guide Elmer tells us that the team had built this pond in 2009 with the hopes of attracting these red-eyed tree frogs. Now after almost three years, they’re here, clearly thriving even more than ever.

In the blur of flash lights and darkness, we all smile as we watch the frog in awe – cheering for the new life that’s been created here in Pico Bonito.

Disclaimer: This trip was made possible by the Lodge at Pico Bonito, but all opinions expressed above are our own.

The post When the Forest Comes Alive: Pico Bonito at Night appeared first on Wild Junket.

We’re here to spend the weekend in the Pico Bonito National Park, Honduras, in search of some birding, hiking and boating opportunities away from the crowd. Located on the northern coast of Honduras, Pico Bonito may be just 15 minutes away from the gateway city of La Ceiba yet it’s still quite a stranger to tourism. As the country’s biggest national park, the protected area spans over an area of 564 square kilometers, with many pockets of wilderness that are impenetrable. With one of the highest biodiversity in Central America, the national park sprawls across a multitude of forests – ranging from low-level dry forests to high altitude cloud forest – in the Nombre de Dios mountain range.

This largely unexplored area is home to a myriad of wildlife, ranging from the world famous toucan bird to the Central American aguti, the elusive jaguar and ocelot (a type of big cat). Out of the 750 species of birds that inhabit Honduras, 500 of them are found here in Pico Bonito. New species continue to be found each year. Head naturalist of the Lodge at Pico Bonito, James Adam,  even goes so far to call this, “the toucan capital of the world”. Undoubtedly, we’ve made it our mission to catch a glimpse of the toucan bird while we’re here.

Over the short span of a weekend, we’ll be unearthing as much of Pico Bonito as we can from our base, the Lodge at Pico Bonito, a luxury eco-lodge standing at the foothills of Pico Bonito in the midst of the lush, tropical rain forest. A network of hiking trails, as well as two rivers and a series of waterfalls are peppered all over the grounds of the property. We won’t have to travel far to see wildlife or immerse in the natural environment – the lodge is literally in the heart of all the action.

Here are some photos Alberto has snapped so far. But do we complete our mission in the end? Keep reading to find out.

Read the full article here

Disclaimer: This trip was made possible by the Lodge at Pico Bonito, but all opinions expressed above are our own.

The post In Search of the Toucan – Pico Bonito, Honduras appeared first on Wild Junket.

Dawn had come and go. Rising at 5am was well worth it: the sunrise over Uluru and Kata Tjuta proved to be spectacular. After seeing Kata Tjuta from atop the sand dunes, it was now time to see it up close and learn about the many stories behind it.

Our young and energetic guide Nick claimed this to be his favorite part of the trip, “At Uluru, we can only walk around its base and admire it from below. But here at Kata Tjuta, we get to walk in and around the site, and immerse deep within it.” He said that once, there was an Australian woman in his group who cried the whole time they were hiking in Kata Tjuta – because it was the most beautiful place she’d ever seen.

Domes of the Olgas

We were eager to see Kata Tjuta’s beauty for ourselves and it wasn’t long before we were hiking along the Valley of the Winds route that snaked into and around the domes of Kata Tjuta. A cluster of large dome rock formations, Kata Tjuta is also known as the Olgas (because of the highest point Mount Olga). But don’t let this name fool you – the 36 domes that make up Kata Tjuta are assembled in such a unique and artistic way. From the base, we could see each dome rock pointing in a different direction, soaring into the sky like heads of giants. Perhaps that’s why the local Anangu named the site Kata Tjuta, meaning  ‘many heads’ in the Pitjantjajara language.

A cluster of large dome rock formations, Kata Tjuta is also known as the Olgas. But don’t let this name fool you – the 36 domes that make up Kata Tjuta are assembled in such a unique and artistic way.

“Kata Tjuta is a very sacred spot, only suitable for initiated men.” From our hike in Uluru, we knew this whole national park was a sacred area for the local Anangu who have been lived here for approximately 20,000 years. But here in Kata Tjuta, most of  the sensitive spots are away from the walking trail.

“There are many Pitjantjatjara dreaming legends associated with this place. A number of legends surround the great snake king Wanambi who is said to live on the summit of Mount Olga and only comes down during the dry season.” Tell us some of these legends, I urged Nick. “Unfortunately, the majority of mythology surrounding the site is not disclosed to outsiders.”

“There are many Pitjantjatjara dreaming legends associated with this place. A number of legends surround the great snake king Wanambi who is said to live on the summit of Mount Olga and only comes down during the dry season.”

Ancient Rocks of History

As we continued to make our way deeper into the dome rocks, we found ourselves looking at the highest point of Kata Tjuta – Mount Olga, rising 1,066 m (3,497 ft) above sea level. It’s hard to imagine all these rocks date back to 500 million years, when they were all part of the Mount Currie Conglomerate.

Back in those days, these mountains were higher than the Himalayas but when Earth’s tectonic plates started separating, these mountains were lifted. Uluru was formed when part of the mountain got shifted 180 degrees, therefore resulting in a monolith; while Kata Tjuta was raised in various directions, causing the mound to be shattered into many domes.

On the surface of these sedimentary rocks, we could see striations, a result of different types of rocks mashed together. We also saw black stains on these rocks, a result of rainwater tricking down the rocks’ surface. Traipsing down these rocks, we found ourselves passing bearded dragons and galahs along the way – wildlife often found in the Central Australian desert.

By this time, the temperature was reaching 38 degrees Celsius, and the sun was blazing. We had started our hike at 7am so that we could walk in the morning temperatures but even though it’s hardly past 9am, we were soaked in sweat and finding it hard to cope with the weather. The trail was already closed for hikers and we had to finish our hike before 11am otherwise the extreme temperature might become a danger.

Soon we were climbing up steps that were naturally carved into the rock surface, towards the Karingana lookout point that led us way up towards the top of the valley. I struggled to keep up with the pace, the sun’s rays shining ferociously upon me, making it harder than before to continue. By the time we got to to the lookout point, we were drenched in sweat but thrilled to see a stunning panorama before us. The entire basin stretched out beneath us, with Uluru in the far distance. We sat and drank in the views, treating ourselves to some trail mix and snacks while taking some respite under the shade.

Winding Down At Camp

The walk back down to our starting point was easier than before as we skipped and hopped down to the valley, past creek beds, and over dome rocks. That day, we walked a total of 7.4km in three and a half hours, a great feat considering the extreme weather.

In the evening, we drove over to Kings Creek Station, a cattle ranch that had been featured in the ‘Australian Story’, a TV series about how an Australian couple had bought the land and and made it their mission to help educate the local Aborigines. It’s a great success story and we were glad to have the opportunity to be part of this brilliant project.

Before dinner, we set off to explore the sparse forest that surrounded our campsite. According to Nick, there were wild camels and dingos in the area – but all we found were massive mounds of black ants. As the sun set, we began piling out the wooden branches that we’d picked up along the way, and started a fire. We were blessed with a great cook as our guide, and as Nick whipped up stir-fried chicken for dinner, we all helped out while chatting and having a great time in the kitchen shack. For dessert, he prepared his specialty dish – delicious bush bread that tasted like fragrant scones.

That night, we slept like babies, tucked comfortably under our swags to a view of the star-lit skies before us.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Camping in Australia’s Red Center – Part III: Conquering Kings Canyon

Disclaimer: Thanks to Tourism Northern Territory and Wayoutback Desert Safaris for making this trip possible! While the trip was sponsored, all opinions expresses above are our own.

The post Camping in Australia’s Red Center – Part II: Exploring Kata Tjuta appeared first on Wild Junket.

Dawn had yet to arrive, but the sounds of the desert had awoken me. I opened my eyes to the sounds of birds chirping and dingoes howling in the distance. A sky full of stars sprawled before me, the Milky Way running its course overhead. I listened to the desert orchestra and smiled to myself, enjoying this rare moment of solitude to myself. It was a privilege to be here in Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park, but even more so was the opportunity to camp out in this quiet and remote spot, and awaking to such a beautiful surrounding.

It was a beginning of a new day and the start of an action-packed day in Uluru. After a quick breakfast over the campfire, we packed up our swags, sleeping bags, and belongings and drove up a sand dune to watch the sun rise over Uluru and Katja Tjuta.

We didn’t have to wait for long:  Blinding rays of orange flashed across the vast desert like a laser light show. What was grey and black in the dawn light instantly came alive. The brooding Uluru was now painted in burgundy red, rising from a lime green plain of spinifex grass with patches of red sand in between. The stack of rock mountains at Kata Tjuta was illuminated in a shade of rose red, with striated lines of black and white running across their flaky surface. The fascinating transformation from night to day took place in a sheer matter of minutes – but it was a moment I would remember for life.

What was grey and black in the dawn light instantly came alive. The brooding Uluru was now painted in burgundy red, rising from a lime green plain of spinifex grass with patches of red sand in between.

Aboriginal Culture in the Outback

We were on a camping safari with Wayoutback Desert Safaris, spending three days in the national park camping, hiking, and exploring the area. The three main sites in the national park are Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon – all of which are considered sacred to the Anangu, the Aboriginal people of the Red Center. Having lived here for a approximately 20,000 years, the Anangu have a particularly close relationship with their land – surviving entirely on what the bush provides for food, education and spiritual development. Today, the traditional landowners continue to live here, protecting and managing the World Heritage Site.

The day before, we had started our trip from Alice Springs, a gateway town in the Outback. Led by our young and feisty guide Nick, we drove almost 335km (208 miles) through vast fields of red sand and green spinifex along with 16 other campers on board a massive 4WD truck. The Stuarts Highway, that connects the top end of Australia all the way to the southern edge, brought us right into the heart of the Red Center. Along the way, we saw falcons flying overhead and giant lizards crossing the road. Sometimes we drove for miles without seeing anyone else in sight – that was the sign that we were heading further away from civilization and closer towards the our destination.

 Having lived here for a approximately 20,000 years, the Anangu have a particularly close relationship with their land – surviving entirely on what the bush provides for food, education and spiritual development.

Our first stop was the Uluru Cultural Centre, where we hungrily devoured interesting information about the area’s cultural heritage and tradition. Here, we learnt about the Anangu, one of the 500 different Aboriginal tribes that live all over Australia. They speak mainly Pitjantjatjara (pronounced as pigeon-jarrah) and Yankunytjatjara (pronounced as young-kun-jarrah), each of which only boast 4,000 speakers.

Having been named Ayers Rock by the Europeans who arrived later, Uluru is now once again known by its Aboriginal name. When I asked Nick about the meaning of Uluru and how it came about, he explained, “The word Uluru has no specific meaning in Pitjantjatjara, it’s merely the name of a place, although the place itself holds very special meaning for the Anangu.”

Dreaming and Songlines

So why is Uluru such a sacred spot for the Anangu?

When we arrived at the base of Uluru, Nick pointed at the monolithic rock mountain rising above the sand before us and said in an almost poetic fashion, “Look at it. How many monoliths like this do you see in the world?” Spotting big blond dreadlocks, Nick looked like a new-age hippie but he had an endless thirst for Aboriginal knowledge and he was as curious and intrigued by his own country as we were.

We stood staring at the majestic Uluru, thought for a moment and nodded in unison. In the morning sun, Uluru spotted a perfect dome-shaped silhouette. There was nothing surrounding it, except for flat desert plains that ran for miles. It was as though God had purposefully molded it into what it is today – a flawless mound of red sandstone, standing lonesome and majestic in the middle of the desert. There really isn’t any monolith as big and perfectly sculpted as Uluru anywhere else.

Because Uluru is considered sacred, this spot often appeared in Aboriginal Tjukurpa (pronounced ‘chook-orr-pa’) stories. Tjukurpa has many deep, complex meanings – even the Aboriginals themselves find it a concept hard to explain. In general, Tjukurpa refers to the creation period when ancestral beings created the world. From this came their religious heritage, explaining their existence and guiding their daily life. Like religions anywhere in the world, Tjukurpa provides answers to important questions, the rules for behavior and for living together.

Many of the rock paintings on Uluru show scenes from Aboriginal dreaming, which explain how the rock was created and how some cracks came about on Uluru. Scientifically speaking, the cracks and flakes on Uluru are formed by the extreme cooling of water beneath the rock layer (which freezes at night and then expands in the day, which causes the cracking). But the Anangu think otherwise and they’ve got plenty of stories to show their side of it.

Because Uluru is considered sacred, this spot often appeared in Aboriginal Tjukurpa stories. Tjukurpa has many deep, complex meanings – even the Aboriginals themselves find it a concept hard to explain.

The rocks told many stories – those of the Anangu and of the Europeans. We came upon drawings of camels on the walls. Nick explained that these paintings were done during the 1850s when Europeans arrived with camels. The first European who came was Ernest Giles, who first sighted Uluru in 1872 and climbed the monolith with the help of an Afghan camel driver. This spot became the classroom for the Anangu children, who all came here to learn about the dreaming stories.

Meandering further along the base of Uluru, Nick picked out plants like the bush fig and wattle (Australia’s national flower), which fed the Anangu for centuries. Even now, it is still part of the Aboriginal culinary tradition, which we would learn about later during a Mbauta dinner with an Aboriginal chef. Continuing on our walk, we found a part of the rock formation that resembled a wave. Nick told us this was the kitchen for the Anangu. There was a grinding area where they used to ground wattle seeds and drain blood from kangaroos. They usually barbecued the kangaroos for a short while and ate them almost raw as the meat would have more moisture in them.

By this time, the sun was blazing even though it was only 11am. Temperatures at Uluru can rise up to 42 degrees Celsius and dip to a low of 5 at night. To escape the extreme heat of Uluru, we headed back to the camp. Nick grilled some thick juicy Australian sausages and we all gathered for a quick lunch, before heading back to the base of Uluru for another evening walk. There are several hiking routes along the base and it takes several days to walk all of them.

Uluru’s Modern Day Problems

When tourism in Uluru started in the 1940s, the white Europeans drove the Aboriginals out as they didn’t want them in the area when tourists were taking photos. The Anangu suffered in silence, left their sacred land, and retreated deeper into the desert. Fortunately in the 1970s, the land was eventually returned to the Anangu.

They now have a shared management program with the government authorities, which means both parties maintain the site, protect it and make any Uluru-related decisions together. On the board of authorities, half of the members are Aboriginals and the other half are white Australian government officials. The board ensures that visitors to the site adhere to both Aboriginal laws and Australian rules.

Photography of sacred sites is not allowed and no other animals are allowed to be brought into the park. Climbing Uluru is strongly discouraged as it is considered disrespectful to the Aboriginals; but it is not completely banned, so some people still attempt the climb. Each year around 40 climbers die, because of the danger involved (some slip and fall, others suffer from the heat). Some of these climbers hike and camp on the top, which often destroys the environment considering how fragile Uluru is. I personally think that as travelers, we should always respect the locals, regardless of where we are in the world and as such, I would never attempt the climb.

Continuing further along the trail, we came across an area with burnt vegetation. Nick explained that the vegetation was just recently burnt by a young Aboriginal boy. The Aborigines like to burn vegetation so that new plants can grow and that would give them more food. This has become quite a serious problem in Australia, and we’ve seen it in other parts of the country as well. Thankfully, Nick said that the burning in Uluru is controlled now.

Right before ending our walk, someone in the group pointed out to a giant lizard standing on a rock surface. It was a perentie, Australia’s largest reptile. We watched in awe, amazed to find a creature of this size running wild in the desert. It stood staring at us for a long time, before sneaking off into the seams of the rock.

Sunset at Uluru

By the time we finished our walk, it was the perfect time to catch the sun set over Uluru. We drove out to a nearby lookout point, but sadly we were not the only ones there – a whole row of tourist buses and campervans had already gathered here to watch the spectacle.

“When sun is low, the sky becomes red because of the infrared rays that penetrate through the atmosphere. And when that happens, Uluru will become red too.” Nick shared with us.

Along with probably hundreds of other tourists, we stood with our cameras ready, anticipation and tension piercing the air. Soon enough, the color of the rock changed quickly from sandy brown to orange and eventually bright red. As Nick said, Uluru was now shrouded in a shade of vermillion red, glowing like a tungsten light bulb against a clear cloudless sky. Everyone went silent, watching the phenomenon in awe.

As the magical moment passed us, Nick popped open a bottle of champagne and we clinked glasses in celebration of the moment. Platters of cheese and crackers were served and everyone was in high spirits; Nick was spoiling us terribly. Back at the campsite, night fell and we were quick to get started on cooking. The guys helped Nick start the fire while some of us girls started chopping, dicing and washing. It was plenty of fun getting to know our group of travelers from different corners of the world – made up of a Norwegian couple, an outgoing Canadian brother and sister team, an American girl traveling solo around Australia for a year, and two young German boys who had just graduated from college.

That night, we sat by the campfire and tucked into a hearty meal of pasta bolognaise and chocolate cake, chatting and laughing as Nick told us campfire stories. Under the starry skies, we tucked into our sleeping bags and swags and dozed off – dreaming about what would await us the next day.

TO BE CONTINUED…. 

Camping in the Red Center Part II: Exploring Kata Tjuta

Additional Info:

The weather conditions in Uluru can be very extreme, with blazing heat in the day and cool desert temperature at night. We visited in October and the heat was really extreme. I fell sick after a day under the sun. Be sure to bring lots of water and hydration salt with you and wear layers for the extreme weather. Hiking at the base of Uluru is rather easy and straightforward, the longest hike we did at Uluru was three-hour long but it was a flat path. If you’re hiking on your own, be sure to time your walks with the coolest time of the day (either before 8am or after 5pm).

Disclaimer: Thanks to Tourism Northern Territory and Wayoutback Desert Safaris for making this trip possible! While the trip was sponsored, all opinions expresses above are our own.

The post Camping in the Red Center – Part I: Uluru and its Aboriginal Roots appeared first on Wild Junket.

But we are travel addicts after all and traveling is what we do, so our feet are starting to itch once again. Even though we’re spending three months in California (until May), we’ve decided to break up our time here with a few short trips in between.

As you’re reading this, we’re on our way to Fiji in the South Pacific, thanks to Air Pacific and Tourism Fiji.This will be our first time in the South Pacific, and we can’t wait to get a taste of it in Fiji. We can’t believe it only takes 10 hours to fly direct from USA to the South Pacific!

Photo from Captain Cook Cruises

Visiting Remote Islands

Unknown to many (including myself), Fiji is actually an archipelago made up of 332 islands – out of which only 110 are inhabited. We obviously will only get to see a fraction of it, but thanks to Captain Cook Cruises, we’ll be able to see several of the remote and lesser known Northern Fiji islands.

On board the small and intimate MV Reef Endeavour, we’ll be doing a one-week heritage cruise, exploring the unexplored islands far and beyond, getting to know Fijian cultural heritage and uncovering a different side to the islands. Some of our stops will include the historic island of Ovalau which still features 19th Century colonial architecture, the Bouma Waterfall lagoon on Taveuni Island, and the extinct volcanic crater and hot springs of Savusavu. Fiji straddles the 180 degree longitude line which is the international date line, which we’ll also be passing through on this trip.

We’re not usually fans of massive commercial cruises – but are drawn to small-scale environmental-friendly cruises and expedition vessels. One of the things that drew us to this cruise trip in particular is the emphasis on local heritage and culture. We will have the opportunity to experience village life and take part in kava cerrmonies as well as traditional meke (dance) and learn about their lives through the local guide.

Photo from Captain Cook Cruises

Learning About Village Life

After the cruise, we’ll be joining Sigatoka River Safari on a jet-boat safari tour along the Sigatoka River to visit authentic Fijian villages and experience a day in the life of the real ‘kaiviti’ (Fijian). A local guide will be sharing with us the history, customs and legends of the area. In the village, we’ll get to visit the village Chief’s bure, take part in a kava ceremony, and feast on a traditional Fijian lunch.

Sigatoka River Safari works with 15 different villages and visits a different village every day, to minimize the impact of tourism on the village lifestyle. I think that’s a key element to making tourism in Fiji sustainable.

Photo from Sigatoka River Safari

Next, we’ll be hopping on an off-road cave safari, where we’ll be exploring Naihehe Cave,Fiji’s largest Cave system, and learning about its history. What was once a fortress for a cannibal tribe is now still guarded by betes (priests) who are the traditional protectors of the site. We’ll be crouch through narrow chambers, wade through water, and hike in the darkness to get a feel was life inside the cave.

During our trip, we’ll be staying at an assortment of hotels: ranging from the funky and young Uprising Resort to the sophisticated and luxurious Outrigger on the Lagoon, and the city hotel Mercure in Nadi. We’ll be spending some time sussing out the quirks of each resort and reporting back from all our adventures in Fiji, so please stay tuned!

Photo from Off Road Fiji

Disclaimer: Our trip is made possible by Tourism Fiji, Air Pacific, and several other sponsors, but all opinions expressed above are our own.

The post Next Stop: The South Pacific Nation of Fiji! appeared first on Wild Junket.

Just ten minutes outside of Jerusalem lies the Judaean Desert, a sprawling desert of stone-studded hills, valleys and gorges. The area stretches from the Negev Desert to the Jewish settlement of Beit El in the West Bank, ending in a steep escarpment dropping to the Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley. Despite its proximity to the city, it’s a whole different world here.

The Judean Desert is often called the ‘desert in the shade of the mountain’ – for good reasons. In contrast to the wet, rainy climate of Jerusalem (which receives up to 1,000 liters of rain per year), it is extremely hot and dry, regardless of the time of the year. Jerusalem stands at 800m above sea level, while the Dead Sea lies at 400m below sea level (the lowest point on earth), and as a result of this major drop in height, the desert is what it is today.

To explore the area, we hopped on an ATV with Abraham Tours and roared through the rugged landscapes armed with our helmets. With a short safety briefing, we were soon off on the dirt track. Even for a clumsy driver like myself (having toppled on quad bikes and go-karts several times), it was a fun and easy ride.

We rumbled up and down steep rocky slopes, past grazing camels, and wound through narrow valleys flanked by Bedouin tents. At an ancient cistern, our guide shows us signs of life that dates back to centuries ago. Passing through a ravin, we negotiated a series of challenging sections, on the way passing fortifications dating from the Crusaders’ period to the Six Days War. Time and again, we would find ourselves riding alongside the 1,000m-high Judaean Mountains looming in the distance.

Towards the end of the ride, we found ourselves climbing up Jabel Umm Katef – to one of the highest spots in the desert. Our guide pointed out to what was said to be the most beautiful view in the desert – a 360 degree panorama of the Dead Sea, Jericho in the West Bank, Mount Azazel and Horkania Valley.

With mint tea and snacks in hand, we drank in the view and slowly came to understand what drew the Bedouins to this part of the world. Here are some photos from our desert experience, hope they’ll give you a glimpse of its beauty.

This Off Road ATV Desert Adventure experience was organized by Abraham Tours. The half-day trip costs 290 Shekels (US$78). A valid driver’s license is required.

Disclaimer: While our trip was made possible by Abraham Tours, Abraham Hostel and Tourist Israel, all opinions expressed above are our own.

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