1
CLIMB THAT (BIG) WALL!
There’s something evoking about being alone, high above solid ground, facing your fears, holding on to that mountain face for dear life – strange how being so close to the possibility of death can make you feel so alive! If you’re looking for that adventurous something to get into, climbing could be a good possibility. And, you don’t have to climb El Cap on your first go – there are plenty of climbing gyms where you can hone in on skills. Once you get good enough, then maybe you can do something like this, from National Geographic: “During a big-wall ascent, climbers may set up a camp at night on a hanging ‘portaledge,’ a lightweight platform constructed from collapsible aluminum bars and stretched nylon fabric. It is a small rectangle just big enough for two climbers to lay down and rest.”
And, if you are the best in the world at it, this is what you can expect: “Alex Honnold Completes First Free Solo of El Capitan.” Free solo means: no ropes. If you’re even just a little curious of what that must be like, check out this awesome YouTube video of Alex ascending El Cap (let me geek out for a second: this YouTube video is really cool – it allows you to move the screen around to get 360 degree views. Not for the faint of heart!).
2
SHE-BA GOOD
“I’m standing by the remains of a stone palace in Aksum, the onetime capital of the ancient Aksumite kingdom and now a World Heritage site. Many believe it also was once the home of the Queen of Sheba. The day is slipping toward dusk here in northern Ethiopia. From darkening hillsides comes the soft tinkle of sheep bells.” Ethiopia has been on my must-visit places for as long as I can remember having a must-visit places list. So much culture, some of the kindest people, great nature and hiking, and from what it appears, a booming economy, but, not yet that over-visited feel. Something to consider!
Addis Ababa surpassing Dubai as the leading gateway to Africa is certainly making it easier to get there too: Why Addis Ababa might be your first stop in Africa.
3
WONDER 8, AND 9?
If you’ve ever wondered whether there is an 8th wonder, well you need not wonder any more – you can just wander on over. Ok, I’ll stop that now. Scientists believe they’ve located the eight lost wonder of the world: “The Grand Canyon. The Great Barrier Reef. Mount Everest. Victoria Falls. You may not be able to remember all seven natural wonders of the world; but you could be forgiven for thinking there were only seven of them. Well two scientists now reckon they have an eighth to add to the list: the Pink and White Terraces of New Zealand’s Lake Rotomahana, which were thought to have been destroyed in the late 1800’s by an eruption of a nearby volcano.”
I also have a feeling something will be made of this recent discover: A massive newly discovered cave may be the biggest in Canada. I don’t know if it will be a new wonder, but, there is something somewhat comforting in knowing there are wonder-size things on this Earth that have yet to be discovered.
4
PLEASE DON’T CHARGE ME SO MUCH MODE
“Even if you aren’t taking a flight, travellers should always be aware of potential charges that come along with accidentally roaming. Earlier this year, a German family racked up a €12,500 phone bill when their son used his phone while on a cruise to Norway.” Can you imagine? I would not be a happy camper and that phone may or may not end up in the middle of the North Sea. Another reason to be a fan of the airplane mode is not to be charged while flying if your device happens to connect to the in-flight wireless automatically, or to other destinations, like during layovers. Happened to me once. I was like: “Wait, was I in Turkey last month?” Then I realized what happened.
5
RYO-KAN DO, YES PLEASE!
Have you been to a ryokan (a traditional Japanese guesthouse) before? I haven’t but have always dreamed of staying in one – being able to experience that culture, serenity, service. I think it would definitely be one of those great experiences of a lifetime. If you’re in the market for a ryokan on your next trip to Japan, here are a few suggestions from CNN: Japan’s most beautiful ryokans invite you to do absolutely nothing.
Thanks,
Joe Naaman
Managing Editor, Waywinds
Keep Exploring!