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The Ol Pejeta Experience
Apr 19th
If you are looking to be soothed with serenity, spoilt with luxury and dazzled by striking scenery and wildlife, the Ol Pejeta conservancy is the place to invade. The Ol Pejeta is situated in Nanyuki, Laikipia District in Kenya nestled in the shadow of the majestic Mt Kenya. An easy three hour 250 kilometres ride form Nairobi the Kenyan capital will get you there. Accommodation in the Ol Pejeta is provided in the form of the Ol Pejeta house, the Buffalo house and if you fancy some outdoor camping, there is the sweet waters tented camp.
The Ol Pejeta has an intriguing history. Now owned by the Serena Group of Hotels, Ol Pejeta was previously owned by one Adnan Khashoggi. Khashoggi was an extravagant tycoon who its alleged influenced many geo-political events in the 1960`s including arms deals and was the uncle of the Dodi Al Fayed, princess Dianas lover. It is rumoured he inspired the Novel The Pirate by Harrold Robbins.
The Ol Pejeta ranch is on the leeward side of Mt Kenya and is as a result warm during the day and quite chilly during the night. The Ol Pejeta Serena sweet waters tented camp is the surprise package of the Ol pejeta conservancy. It is situated next to the Ol Pejeta House and it lies right on the Equator. It is comprised of about 35 canvas tents on raised platforms snuggled by a remarkable waterhole cherished by warthogs and giraffes that come to quench their thirst. The tents dont compromise on comfort but still retain the wilderness feel. After a ravishing meal from the five-star kitchen, the night game drive of the sweet waters is a MUST DO! Get nocturnal and make sure you use the blankets given to you once you start the game drive. It gets quite chilly at night.remember? The game drive is usually accompanied by a spotter. Its amazing how these spotters can identify an animal simply by the light reflected by assorted pairs of night eyes. I reckon it may be the colour/shape of the night eyes or the height from the ground. The animals that may be viewed include zebras, impala, hyena, antelopes, lions and other big five animals.
The Ol Pejeta house which was Khashoggi`s play ground is a three bed roomed house elegantly furnished and located on flourishing green gardens. There is the back yard veranda set on the back ground of undulating plains and the majestic Mt Kenya. If you ever wanted a beautiful setting for a wedding or a difficult lady to accept a marriage proposal the Ol Pejeta gardens will do the trick. The Ol Pejeta house boasts of massive 12 by 12 lavish beds complete with canopies where you can snore and roll away the African nights if you have no company. (Did I mention weddings?)
There are two stunning swimming pools where one may splash away during the day but not evenings when its chilly. Masseurs are available at ones request and camel rides are also offered during the day. At lunch time a mouth-watering buffet is served outdoors by the waterhole after which one may decide to raid the well stocked bar that is near the dining area. The sunsets at Ol Pejeta are scenic and the resident Naturalist then does a slide show on wildlife accompanied by some soothing acoustic music.
Another pleasant surprise at the Ol Pejeta is the Chimpanzee sanctuary. The chimps were all rescued from poachers and bush meat dealers. Donations are accepted towards this sanctuary and furthermore the chimps are also up for adoption to any wildlife lovers. El Morani the rhino is also present and can be visited. The Buffalo house is smaller than the Ol Pejeta house but still tastefully furnished. The Ol Pejeta guest compound has no electric fence and once in a while one may rub shoulders with a buffalo or other wild game.
If you fancy a holiday to revitalise yourself, an adventurous holiday or simply to relish some secret delights, Ol Pejeta is the place to be. Exclusive yet available and furthermore one can make a donation to the conservancy to banish all that responsible tourism guilt.
Kill Two Birds With One Stone – Medical Tourism
Apr 18th
Medical tourism is a fairly new term used to describe an amazing amount of people globally that travel world-wide for health care. Why these people travel and for what differs, but basically there are two types of medical tourists the regular tourist that adds a visit to the doctor for some minor treatment, as part of his or her holiday, and the tourist travelling primarily for medical treatment.
Before there even was a term ‘medical tourism’, it was common practice among the well-to-do in third-world countries to travel to the USA, Switzerland and Germany for medical care. However, since the year 2000, this trend has been reversed and now countries such as Thailand, are attracting patients from the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom.
This new market has grown as modern health care systems all over the world are struggling to meet the medical needs of their own populations. In the United States, the price of health care is beyond the means of most and there are an estimated 40 million people without health insurance. While in Britain, Canada and Holland, socialised health care ensures affordability, demand for medical services far outstrips supply and waiting lists for surgical procedures or specialty medicine can be as long as two-to-three years.
Today, governments, insurers and employers are carefully looking at outsourcing medical treatments as a way to improve access and lower health care costs for their citizens, policy-holders and employees.
Thailand’s health care services are about one-half the cost of similar services in Singapore, one-third the cost of Hong Kong and one-tenth the cost in the United States.
Who are the medical tourists and what are they coming for?
By and large, medical tourists are travelling for specialty surgical and medical services. The recent upsurge in the popularity of plastic surgery, however, has led to a new wave of medical tourists and headlines like “Sun, sea and surgery” or “Scalpel tourism” have helped create the buzz for this growing phenomenon. Medical tourism destinations, such as Thailand, promote the benefit of high-quality medical care as just one more reason to visit the kingdom.
Elective out-patient procedures like check-ups, dental care, and LASIK eye surgery are becoming increasingly popular and there is a growing interest on the part of the tourism industry to include these services as part of their travel packages. Higher intensity medical services, like spinal and cardiac surgery, pose a greater challenge because these medical services are not as easily packaged and require significantly more knowledge about medicine.
Bumrungrad Hospital, located in central Bangkok, is a major player in the medical tourism field in Thailand, attracting over 360,000 international patients every year from over 150 countries worldwide. But Bumrungrad is not alone. There are quite a few other hospitals in Thailand and also in out-lying regions that are aggressively marketing their hospitals to capture a slice of this fast growing market. Both Bumrungrad Hospital and the India-based Apollo Hospital were recently featured on the CBS award winning news program “60 Minutes” as medical tourism destinations for a growing number of Americans.
Reliable figures on the size and growth of medical tourism are hard to come by, as government and immigration statistics do not yet categorize inbound travellers coming for medical care. That said, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is actively promoting medical tourism as medical tourists on average spend more and stay longer than leisure travellers.
So, whether you are the casual visitor that will take advantage of some minor medical work while in Thailand, or you are planning your vacation around your surgery, Thailand is the place to go and get it done professionally and at an extremely good price.
The Natural Side Of Aruba: Arikok Park
Apr 18th
Of Arubas many activities, a tour of Arikok Park may be the most unique. From sand dunes and cacti within the parks desert interior to the limestone cliffs and hidden coves on the Caribbean shore, Arikok Park offers as much ecological diversity as any place youll ever visit. Unique historic sites within the parks boundaries shed light on Arubas agricultural and mining past. Arikok Park is also home to numerous unique species, supported by the microclimates of the parks geography. Several types of snakes, lizards and birds native to the park are found nowhere else on earth. With nearly 20% of the island devoted to this one-of-a-kind preserve, nature lovers wont be disappointed by this Caribbean treasure.
Arikok Park is simple to explore as the trails are well marked and informative signs and displays are placed along many routes. For a little extra direction, the park office offers a very detailed guidebook worth your investment if you plan to spend much time here. Try to arrive early in the morning, as the birds and animals are most active just after sunrise. It is also recommended that you pack food, water, sunscreen and comfortable shoes.
Our first stop inside the parks boundaries is the farm known as Cunucu Arikok, an attraction recalling Aruba’s agricultural history. Walking paths wind through natural vegetation and wildlife – land formerly used to grow beans, corn and peanuts. The adobe farmhouse has rarely-seen cactus roof beams, while cacti hedges still stand guard for the farmland. Additionally, several fine examples of Amerindian drawing exist on the rocks above the farm.
The Prins Plantation was the site of a coconut farm until the 1960s. Walking through the trails of the Prins Plantation, one will come upon a captivating ocean cove and plenty of wildlife. For a bit of history on Arubas aloe cultivation, visit the Masiduri, a unique garden complex featuring a wealth of eucalyptus trees and informative exhibits on the aloe industry. Miralamar, an abandoned group of gold mines and trenches, is another interesting location to explore.
Nearing the coastline, the vegetation and landscape change dramatically. On the beaches of the rocky northern coast, where the sea meets imposing limestone formations, you will see crabs darting across pristine stretches of sand and giant birds floating above the water. The beach of Boca Prins is a popular site to watch the hatching of baby sea turtles, while Fuente possesses the cinematic grandeur of crashing waves. For picnics and sunbathing, Dos Playa is the best option inside Arikok Park, though swimming is usually too dangerous. Here you will also find the only eating establishment inside the park, serving excellent local cuisine and fresh seafood.
Hiding on the coast northwest of Dos Playa, the Natural Pool – known to locals as Cura di Tortuga – is sheltered from the waves of the Caribbean by rock formations. It is believed that the pool once held sea turtles waiting to be sold (tortuga means turtle in the indigenous Papiamento language). Today, the pool serves as an exotic swimming hole for those lucky enough to discover it.
Just a short walk from Boca Prins lays the Fontein Cave, the most visited cave of Arubas northern coast. The walls of this cave are covered in Amerindian drawings and markings of early European colonizers. For your inner spelunker, the bizarrely-shaped stalagmites and stalactites are sure to impress. Just south of the Fontein Cave is the Hofi Fontein, or Fountain Garden, site of the only freshwater spring on Arubas northern coast. The site also features a charming museum with plant and animal displays, always staffed by friendly park rangers.
With two large chambers opening to the Caribbean sky, the Quadirikiri Cave allows visitors to explore its cavern without flashlights. Local myth has a strange explanation for the caves ceiling: it is said that the fiery daughter of a prominent Indian chief became trapped in the cave with her scorned suitor. In death, the spirits of the young couple burst through the top of the cave to heaven.
Also located on Arubas northern coast, the Baranca Sunu Cave, also known as the Tunnel of Love for its heart-shaped opening, is rumored to have been popular hiding place for pirates and their treasures. Though the stories havent been validated, the cave certainly possesses an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue. When you leave the caves and Arikok Park, consider following the coastal road to San Nicolas, a charming town with plenty of new activities for you and your family.
Key West, The American Caribbean
Apr 18th
Among the Florida Keys, the island and city of Key West are considered a sort of paradise on earth, and the American city closer to Havana, Cuba, and major seaport destination for many Caribbean passenger cruise ships.
Key West is the southernmost East Coast Greenway, an urban path linking the major Atlantic coast cities from Maine to Florida with non-motorized human transportation. Although this is also the southernmost city in the Continental United States, the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys, the southern end of State Road A1, U.S. Route 1.
Enjoying some of the finest saltwater fishing and deep-sea fishing are activities attracting many anglers each year. However, anyone can enjoy a range of entertaining activities for all, including dolphin encounters, sightseeing, waters sports, and many others.
The Key West International Airport is a convenient way to arrive. Even though, you can visit the city by sea or land through the U.S. Highway 1 (U.S. Route 1) that runs through 2,390 miles (3,846 km) from Key West, to Fort Kent in Maine, bordering in the north with Canada.
Crystal blue skies, turquoise water, and balmy weather are the perfect scenery to enjoy relaxing beach holidays under the sun, or practicing your skills at the Key West Golf Club, an 18-hole course designed by golf legend Rees Jones.
Beautiful foliage and wildlife are available through the many eco-tours available at most Key West Marines, from where you can rent boats and water sports gear, or join one of the kayaking, diving or scuba diving expeditions.
Sightseeing, island tours, and sunset cruises are just around the corner wherever you go in Key West. Otherwise, join the Sunset Celebration held at the Mallory Square, where musicians, mimes, jugglers, and other street artists join in jamboree.
There are many other events, festivals, and venues throughout the year, including musical, drama, comedy, and art exhibits. At night, Key West beat turns out to the streets, where open-air bars and sidewalk cafes are the beginning of a magic experience under the starry sky.
Food and wine have their own space and time in a city where everything leads to happiness. Some of the finest restaurants offer the best of the island in gourmet specialties, while legendary pubs come alive by night providing you with entertaining that you cannot find at any nightclub, but in Key West paradise.
Key West is also a synonym of freedom and respect, where a vibrant Gay and Lesbian Community contribute to making the stay of locals and visitors as pleasant as possible. Understanding and comprehension of human values make of Key West a warm-heart city.
Touring around deserves you take a ride aboard the Conch Tour Train, seeing Hemingway Home and other points of interest within the city. However, if you really like sightseeing, take the Old Trolley Tour and enjoy more than 100 different points of interest, filled with history, facts, and fun.
Traveling with kids is not a problem when visiting Key West. Pay a visit to the Key West Nature Preserve, the Key West Marine Park, or the Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Beach for an unforgettable time together in communion with nature.
The Historic Seaport District is another point of interest that you must not miss. This public walkway was originally used as a commercial-fishing harbor today featuring restaurants and charter services, as well as the free Turtle Kraals Museum.
Key West nature trails offer the contemplation of endangered species of flora and fauna, including Pelicans, Ospreys, Bald Eagles, Herons, Terns, and other birds and animals.
Although there are countless attractions and things to do around the island and city of Key West, fans of the most haunted places in America will find a sui-generis attraction right here, in the gateway to the Caribbean.
Ghost Tours of Key West approach visitors to the haunted side of the city since 1996, discovering the legends, ghouls, and ghosts. Being more than a tourist attraction, this service was founded by David L. Sloan, author of the book “Ghosts of Key West,” featured in the History Channel.
The Most Unique Park In The Usa?
Apr 18th
The word unique will have different meaning to different people, and not all will agree on which park is the most unique. I have found one park that just struck me as unique. I wonder if you will agree.
Visiting the National Parks, National Monuments, Wilderness areas and State Parks in the United States can be an adventure. Ive been visiting, climbing, hiking and taking photographs in these parks for years. Certainly, I could say that almost every park is unique. I am an outdoors type of person and enjoy the fresh air, sunshine and incredible views. These parks are wonderful for people who enjoy these types of activities:
Hiking
Camping
Cycling
ATV
Scenic Drives
Horseback Riding
Wildlife
Rafting
Fishing
Hunting
Canyoneering
Photography
Water sports and boating
Caves and exploring
After all these years of traveling and exploring the hardest part always seems to be the research time. Ill visit website after website finding the parks or areas of interest that I want to explore, then onto researching where Im going to stay. Then to the task of mapping out the travel time details to make the trek comfortable as I go from the first location to the next activity, to the accommodations and so on. To solve this inefficiency a group of us outdoor enthusiasts have been creating a website with all the National Parks, National Monuments, State Parks and Wilderness Areas all located in one forum message board for adventure travelers to read, share and post their trip reports. I invite you to visit. We bought the web domain name adventurezonetours and have been busy loading basic data for each location. Now its all in one place.
So, which park do you think is the most unique? I have always just loved Glacier National Park in Montana and have been drawn back for visit after visit. But, in the last couple of years I seem to be changing my mind. Ive been turned onto Zion National Park in Utah and the slot canyons of the southwest. Zion Canyon is just awesome. I have also recently taken my first journey into the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument also known as GSENM. It was really just a quick trip through the monument on one of the remote wilderness roads that crosses from near Kodachrome State Park to Southern Utah, near the Arizona border. It may turn out to be the most unique. Which park do you think is most unique?
All those hours of loading data in the adventurezonetours message boards gave me a chance to see parks, monuments and wilderness areas in the USA, and some areas I have not visited. One park stood out as a bit unique to me. It is in Michigan and I have not visited it. I doubt that you have visited it either! The park is a state park called Meridian – Baseline State Park. It is not open to the public, so how could we have visited it? Heres the link for information about this state park. Check it out!
Meridan – Baseline State Park
So, I guess since this park is not open to the public, it has struck me as very unique. Would you agree?
The Meridan Baseline State Park is 88 acres and preserves a marker that was used for the Michigan Survey. In general here is what the marker preserves.
At the end of the Revolutionary War, there were only thirteen states. The territory of land between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River were in question.
The new Continental Congress was asking these states to give up any claims of ownership of these lands to the federal government. Virginia, Massachusetts, and Connecticut all claimed large chunks of this land. A large chunk of Michigan had been chartered to Virginia from King James in 1609, at the time this was the Northwest Territory. In 1787 a territory was established by congress in what is now Michigan. After a new territory grew to a population of 60,000 free citizens, it could petition Congress to become a state. This new state could then have all the rights of the original 13 states. At that time a survey would happen and thus, in 1815 two men were hired to establish accurately the location of the base line and the principal meridian which are preserved by this marker.
