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Bungee Jumping at the Victoria FallsExtreme Challenge in Livingstone, Zimbabwe Bungee jumping really does allow you to understand what it feels like to leap from the highest point you can find, but without the nasty bump at the end.
The bump is, in fact, replaced by a thrilling, stomach-deserting rush up and down at the end of an elastic bungee cord, and it is preceded by an equally exciting period of freefall.
The highest bungee jump available commercially (for amateurs and who do not have their own equipment) tops 111m, which provides five seconds of unadulterated freefall. Be sure to keep your eyes wide open, though, because this jump is from the middle of Victoria Falls Bridge, which arches magnificently across the mighty Zambezi between towering, tree-clad cliffs and provides a jaw-dropping view of the falls themselves.
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Review by Photo by flickr user i_pinz |
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Fushimi Inari ShrineTemples in Kyoto, Japan I took a lot of photos in Japan, but these are the ones I look at most. It's just such a feat that these tori gates have been built here, in these eiry corridors all the way up the mountain. As much as anything else it's a surprise. When you approach the tori tunnel from the main temple at the bottom of the hill you can only see a few hundred metres worth of vermilion – people gather here taking photos, and I did the same – not realising that these gates are just the sentinels or the forward party for the thousands that follow. And it doesn't get old. Walking up the hill I didn't stop being impressed by the rows on rows of gates. In some places, like at the beginning and along flatter areas, the gates are put up right beside each other in almost closed corridors which you can only see fingers of green through, but in some places they're set almost a metre apart from each other, looking all the more striking for being able to see the forest though them - because there is really nothing else up here. The whole hill is a thank you to the gods of prosperity – that's what these gates are, thank yous to the Inari gods who look after rice, sake and now business. Each gate has a message carved into it, usually a thank you, some from individuals, some from companies. Some of the other gates are hopeful prayers to prosperity. You really should take the time to walk up the hill – it was one of the highlights of my trip to Japan. There are stairs but it's steep in parts, and it's about four kilometres walk, a lot of it on a sharp incline, but think about people carrying the gates up and maintaining them and you'll get some perspective about walking with your water bottle and camera. The view from the top is charming and you pass little cafes on the way, but all that is nothing compared to the rows on rows of gates which I feel useless to describe, suffice to say that it's like nothing else. Statues of foxes guard the ways, many of them wearing red bibs or with keys in their mouths, they are the keepers of the granary, and the hill was littered with cat litters – maybe the equivalent of the stone foxes? The atmosphere is still, quiet and very peaceful, despite, or possibly even aided but the exertion of climbing the hill, and all metaphor and pretty strings of words aside this was an entirely magical experience. I really felt like I was seeing something I had never seen before, which was totally true.
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Review by Photo by Kat Mackintosh |
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Edinburgh HogmanayFestivals in Edinburgh, United Kingdom Edinburgh has turned New Year’s Eve into a four-day festival, beginning on 29th December with a torchlight procession of hundreds of flickering flames, carried through the town to the accompaniment of a pipe and drum band. It culminates in the ceremonial burning of a Viking ship and a display of fire sculptures. The city plays host to a huge street theatre carnival on the following night, and public concerts and ceilidhs carry revellers through New Year’s Eve itself to the early hours of New Year’s Day, when children’s events take place, presumably coordinated by whoever manages to get out of bed again in time.
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Review by Photo by flickr user Stuart Yeates |
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HarrodsShop in London, United Kingdom How does what is essentially a department store selling mostly the same products as other department stores become a travel destination? How about be a one-off for starters. And being known for selling premium brands can’t hurt either. A historic façade and carefully designed rooms and ‘galleries’ certainly make the experience of shopping there feel a bit different to the mall, as do the smells which waft invitingly from the plentifully and richly stocked Food Hall. How about an annual Boxing Day sale known for its beyond belief discounts – who wants to buy a TV for 1 penny? Me! but is it worth queuing for two days for the pleasure over a London Christmas? To some people yes. Is the Boxing Day Sale one of those things we should all do once? Probably. Harrods is a part of London’s history. It had the world’s first moving staircase – us modern people would call it an escalator – the pioneer travellers on it were given brandy at the top to stave off a potential shock or fear, sadly not a practice still practiced. Its walls also house two memorials to Princess Diana. If you want to shop like the royal family there is probably no store with more guilt and gold paint. The Egyptian escalators aren’t the easiest to navigate but they’re awfully opulent and the wood on each floor has an expensive gleam. As do the tiles in the Food Halls. A Harrods hamper or its branded or premium food products are probably the best things to walk away with pacted in the signature green and real gold. Their other departments have some unusual brands and some very desirable 'items' your materialistic tongue will loll over, but you’ll probably pay more than you strictly need to. Best tip: the bakery – a delicious selection a pastries and fresh breads that almost anyone can afford.
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Review by Photo by Ryan W. Judge |
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Vision QuestsSpiritual Retreats in US West Coast, United States This is a contemporary experience based on ancient vision quests that act as a rite of passage essentially to understanding your personal link with nature. The quests usually have a duration of twelve days and the process includes fasting, solitude, poetry, ceremonial drumming and dance. Together with exercises to open up your psyche these practices are intended to separate you from everyday consciousness to enable self-discovery.
The Animas Valley Institute runs several quest trips every year to locations such as Death Valley in California, Cortez in Colorado or Lima in Montana. All the settings are remote and the focus of the quests is on healing, renewal and empowerment.
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