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WILDLINGS
Who says adventure and romance don’t go together? I once read that if you say something important like, oh, I don’t know, “I love you”, perhaps, while experiencing some sort of rush (for example from adventure), you associate that feeling with the person for a long time to come. Basically, what a way to impress your significant other. To help you do that, Lonely Planet has shortlisted for you a number of romantures (I made up that word, obviously. The other option would have been adventurances, but it didn’t quite have the same ring to it): “Balmy evenings in sea-salted air and colourful cocktails at sunset are cornerstones of a romantic getaway or honeymoon, but who’s to say a holiday must be all about relaxing? When lounging loses its lustre and your paperback starts to wilt, try hiking, diving or climbing to create your own romantic adventures in these classic couples’ destinations.”
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CASPIAN SEA. OR IS IT LAKE?
Before we get into the semantics of whether the Caspian Sea is actually a sea or merely a lake, I first want to share that it now open for cruises. This is particularly cool considering the exotic locations it can call…port of call to. I mean we’re talking: Baku, Derbent, Astrakhan and more. When was the last time you mentioned these destinations in a sentence, let alone thought about going there on vacation? From CNN: “A brand new cruise ship, the Peter the Great, is currently under construction in Astrakhan, a Russian port city at the mouth of the river Volga. The ship will have 155 cabins and capacity for 310 passengers and is expected to launch this summer, although specific dates have not been announced and itineraries are not yet on sale. Its operator, the Moscow River Shipping Company is said to be planning one- and two-week itineraries around the Caspian Sea, calling at ports in Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran.” The consensus is not yet in, but in my humble opinion, it’s a lake. Random fact: it is bigger than all the Great Lakes of the United States, combined.
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ASIAN IMMERSION
If you’re looking for unique immersive experiences in Asia, where you go beyond the Instagram pics to learn more about the culture (no need to hyperventilate, there will be plenty of Instagram-worthy moments as well), The Telegraph has put together a fun list of things to do from mediating with monks in Myanmar to experiencing unusual spa treatments: “The therapeutic effects of Japan’s hot springs have been harnessed for centuries, but you may balk from having a soak in an onsen down to the strict rules – full nudity is compulsory. Feelish prudish? Try something less revealing in Kagoshima, where the practice of being buried up to your neck in the hot, black, volcanic sand of Yunohama beach is equally traditional. You’ll get to keep your yukata robe on the whole time, too.” Silly yukata robe.
For more unique Asia experiences like Paro Takstang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery) and El Nido in the Philippines, CNN also put together a list of off-the-beaten path destinations worth giving a go in Asia.
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ELEUTHERA MY DEAR WATSON
With stunning vistas, the Queen’s Bath, and a name that actually means freedom, how could you not consider Eleuthera as a place to relax and enjoy. I’ll be honest, I hadn’t heard of it before, but I have heard of the Bahamas, and it is actually one of the islands that is part of it. I guess I’ve been reading a lot of CNN lately, for here is another one from them: “High cliffs braced against the Atlantic line the eastern shore. To the west, clear aqua water laps sugary white beaches and low rocky coastline. Blissful average temperatures range from the low 70s F in winter to the low 80s F in summer. And one main road runs the length of Eleuthera, which stretches 110 miles but is only two miles across at its widest point.” I feel free just reading this.
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HAPPY WORLD OCEAN DAY
Some of you may know that June 8 was actually World Ocean Day. Not only was it created so we can celebrate our oceans, but more importantly, it was created in 1992 to raise awareness about the need to protect them as well. Moving forward, we shall hold a World’s Ocean Day party. You’re all invited, if you can find us. In the meantime, here are a few ocean-inspiring photos that show ocean conservation success stories from National Geographic: “The world’s oceans need our protection now more than ever. Under attack from plastic pollution and climate change, global seas are under huge pressure, which has direct impacts on humans. But marine protected areas are making a difference.”
Thanks,
Joe Naaman
Managing Editor, Waywinds
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