1
ADVEN-TICO!
Did you know Costa Rica has some pretty amazing adventure to be had there? From zip-lining to walking across tree top canopies to climbing active volcanoes to surfing the Pacific Ocean, it seriously has almost everything you can ask for from an adventure destination. And then, it has those Ticos (Costa Rican natives) – warm, fun-loving, and easy to get along with. If you haven’t been already, add it to your must-visit list: “Costa Rica is often credited as the birthplace for the adventure sport [zip-lining], which sends participants flying over scenic landscapes while harnessed to wire that is suspended high above the ground. The combination of speed and height makes for a thrilling experience that is tough to top.”
2
NATIONAL MONTHLY CLEANING DAY
I hereby declare every country to have a national cleaning day once a month! Can you only imagine? And to instill it in the minds of the citizens. I think Sierra Leone gets it: “A new campaign introduced by the country’s president, has called on people to get out on the streets and clean in order to improve everyone’s hygiene. Cleaning days are held on the first Saturday of each month.” Added to my must-visit list.
3
GHANA-BECOOL
When you think of the place that is being heralded as the next big tourism destination, did you think: “Ghana?” Neither did I, but, now it seems like I’ll have to add this country to my must-visit list as well. Not too bad I’m 3 for 3 in this newsletter! CNN explains why Ghana should be next on your list: “When some of the most well-known faces from the African diaspora arrived for a recent vacation in Accra, Ghana, it looked like just another gathering of famous people. Actors including Idris Elba rubbed shoulders with supermodel Naomi Campbell, TV sports presenter Mike Hill, and author Luvvie Ajayi. Behind this meet-up of box office stars, fashion royalty and top creatives is a focused and ambitious strategy to make Ghana a major tourist destination. The country recently unveiled a 15-year-long tourism plan that seeks to increase the annual number of tourists to Ghana from one million to eight million per year by 2027. Ghana’s travel industry is projected to raise $8.3 billion a year by 2027, plus associated benefits, according to the plan.”
4
SHE’S GONNA BLOW!
Have you always wanted to climb an active volcano, but just wondering which one exactly? Note: do not go all the way to the edge to look into the gorge. I did that once and there was literally no oxygen to breathe on account of all the sulfur – a pretty interesting experience – it was like being underwater but on top of a mountain. If you’re going to listen to someone, it may as well be National Geographic with a list of active volcanoes to think about climbing: “Planning a trip to an active volcano may sound like buying a one-way ticket to hell on Earth. The perfect combination of foreboding danger and desolate beauty certainly ignites the imagination. This fiery adventure is not reserved for the pages of Jules Verne. Some of the planet’s 1,500 active volcanoes prove accessible to tourists, no training regime required.” Do it!
5
LOUNGIN’ AROUND
Have you ever missed a flight because the airport lounge was awesome? Me neither, but, with this list from CNN you may as well. I must admit, I’ve planned longer layovers at some of these airports just to chill in the lounge a little longer (Al Safwa lounge in Doha is just lovely!): “Airline lounges are hardly created equal. Many have bare-bones amenities, limited seating and far too many people. These extremely average lounges are often just a step up from the cramped gate area. The more premium ones, however, are fine for killing an hour or two between flights. They offer tasty, if predictable, food, reliable WiFi, and comfortable chairs and work stations as you travel. And then there’s the other lounge, the kind that can be best described as the sublimely luxurious.”
Thanks,
Joe Naaman
Managing Editor, Waywinds
Keep Exploring!