City Walks

Istanbul: Fifth largest city in the world and home to more than 15 million people. It truly is the ‘bridge’ between East and West, extending into both the European and the Asian sides of the Bosphorous Strait, earning its unique status as a city embracing two continents. This ancient city in Turkey walks a tightrope of cultures, stirring in a simmering melting hot pot of East and West, and pulling out a jewel.

If you begin your Turkey walking holiday in Istanbul, it is not hard to get a sense of how life may have been hundreds of years ago. On an early morning walk around near-empty streets you can hear the muezzin’s call to prayer. That same haunting wail has resonated around the walls of the city for centuries and will echo in your ears as you continue your walk. Turkey is known for its stunning coastal scenery and, as Istanbul stirs, you can make your way around the city walls to admire the elegant sweep of the harbour – the Golden Horn.

Turning back into the city, you can stop for a coffee before taking a deep breath and entering the maze of lanes and back streets that make up the geography of Istanbul. The heart of ‘old Istanbul’ is Sultanahmet – an area of great historical importance to Turkey. Walking holidays are ideal for getting to the heart of a country’s history, and this area is home to such renowned monuments as the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace. As you explore the city further, you will probably traverse a route that takes in the heaving Grand Bazaar and the delightfully pungent Spice Bazaar. You will also pass by such grand sights as the Haghia Sophia, and the Sunken Palace Cistern in the Hippodrome on your city walk. Turkey has a rich and tapestried history, and walking the secret streets of Istanbul can reveal the relics of this ancient society.

Country Walks

A Turkey walking holiday through the vast regions of unspoilt countryside will reveal an entirely different facet. If you take the coastal route of the Lycian Way, you will follow in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks and Romans. This 530km walking route takes in traditional nomad tracks and winds through forests and cliffs. You can discover deserted beaches and tiny fishing villages, or you can divert inland to hike along pathways through fields and farms. Walking holidays in Turkey nearly always include some routes along the Lycian Way. The trail is so long that it is possible to hike in any direction for many miles without seeing a soul.

You can also take some amazing walking holidays in Turkey around the remote region of Cappadocia. The stark, volcanic landscape is dotted with incredible rock formations, fairy chimneys and underground cities. The Cappadocian cave dwellings, carved into the sides of the hills, are a fascinating adaptation to life in this strangely beautiful terrain. There are literally hundreds of ancient walking routes all over the country and you could spend weeks trekking remote villages and mountain trails on a walking holiday in Turkey – and still only scratch the surface!

For those in search of a new area in which to go walking in Turkey, the country’s Kaçkar Mountains in the north east provide wonderful walking. Hikes go through high summer pasture or ‘yaylas’; this alpine area close to the Black Sea coast resembles Switzerland with mosques. Good walking bases in for your walking holiday in the Kaçkar Mountains are Ayder, Ikizdere, Maçka and Uzungöl.

From the vibrant, eclectic buzz of Istanbul, to a solitary stroll amongst ancient relics in a remote country region – a walking holiday in Turkey will take you to the extremes of this captivating country.

I used to dream of visiting South Africa.  I always thought of it as a mystical place full of mystery and surprise.  It has lived up to my expectations; WOW is what I have to say about my visit.

After we arrived in Johannesburg we were transferred to the Emperors Palace where we spent our first night.  Our accommodations were very comfortable, the room pristine.  I must say it is the first time we had a room without walls separating the bathroom and shower from the bedroom area.  It was very different from what we Americans are used to but it was very nice.  A word of caution be careful not to lean on the curtains thinking they hide a wall or you will be in serious trouble when you fall into the marble sink.

The Emperors Palace is a group of hotels; ours was the Peermont Metcourt that is connected to the Casino via hallways.  We walked to dinner in the casino.  There is a large variety of restaurants to choose from.  The selection of food is also varied and extremely tasty.  My husband ordered Karoo, we had no idea what type of meat this was.  It turned out that Karoo is an area in South Africa where the animal is from; we think the meat itself is mutton.  I am not as adventurous as my husband so I ordered beef cooked on a skewer.  Both meals were delicious and very inexpensive.  We spent $20.00 US for the two of us and our dinner included a wonderful African wine and desert.

Our second day in Johannesburg after breakfast we were transferred back to the airport and caught our flight to Kimberley, South Africa We were met at the airport by our guide, Steve, for the next three days with Jacels Tours.

Kimberley is the area where diamonds were first discovered in South Africa.  The diamond mine called, the Big Hole and Museum Village is in the center of town and is preserved today as a living museum of bygone days.  A very interesting place to visit!

After we had lunch at the Big Hole we departed for our three hour drive to Mattanu (Hebrew meaning Gift from Above) Private Game Reserve located in the Northern Cape Province, the biggest, safest and Malaria free province in South-Africa, approximately 58Km North West of the diamond digging city of Kimberley..  Upon arrival we met the Owner/Manager, Jacques Kriek.  We toured Mattanu after our welcome drink.  I am including a few of the pictures I took while at Mattanu.

After our tour of Mattanu we took our first wild game drive.  It was great.  We drove all over the reserve and gazed upon several different animals in the wild.  I got some great pictures and so did everyone else in our small group.  After our wild ride through the preserve we returned to the main house and enjoyed a wonderful dinner prepared by the owner’s wife and daughters.  After our scrumptious meal we were taken to our guest rooms for the night where we were able to rest and recuperate from a long inspiring day.

Early the next morning we had another great meal, breakfast, and then we went out for a wild game move where we were allowed to help with the activities.  This was quite an experience for us.  The owner of the reserve is a well known and greatly respected veterinarian who specializes in endangered species of South Africa.

Dr Kriek rode in his helicopter to find the two wild animals we were going to transport to another area.  Below is one of the animals called “Oryx Antelope” we captured and moved. They are the largest of the Antelope species.

I am including some photo of our capture and move.  It was quite an experience watching the Dr. shoot the sedative from his helicopter over the animals.  Once he the animals were under the effects of the drug we were signaled to close in on them and gently maneuver them into the flat bed truck we used to move them to their new location.

Once at the new location we were given the opportunity to vaccinate the animals against diseases common to their breed.  I was the lucky one chosen to give the shot to bring the Oryx out of the anesthesia back to full function and my husband was so engrossed in what I was doing he didn’t even get a picture.  I was bummed about this dilemma.  I will probably not see another opportunity like this one again.

After our wild game safari ended we packed up our things and headed for Twee Rivieren located on the banks of the Nossob Riverbed. We were met by the camp ranger who showed us to our accommodations for the night before we met for dinner.  The facilities are lovely and clean, we saw several animals and plants in the camp and in the immediate areas. Twee Rivieren is the only camp with 24 hrs electricity (except when we had a thunder storm and all the lights went out overnight) and cell phone reception.

The next morning after our breakfast we headed back to Kimberly airport to catch our flight back to Johannesburg to make our connection to Sun City for the ASTA International Destination Expo.  We were met in Johannesburg by our motor coach transfer to Sun City, another 2 hour drive.  It turned out to be quite a long day.

Our hotel accommodations in Sun City were the Cascades hotel.  We stayed in a suite that was very comfortable and quite nice.  The meals were excellent.  Outside our room and everyone else’s were wild monkeys who would break into the rooms if a door or window were left open or unlocked.  They were little devils, we watched them climb the outside of the hotel and break into rooms on the upper floors where the windows were left open.  They would steel food from the mini-refrigerators’.  It was quite amusing to watch them.

During the conference we learned about the surrounding areas of South Africa (Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, the Garden Route (wineries), Western Cape, North Cape, Northern Cape, and Eastern Cape.  We also learned about the spa industry in South Africa.  We were treated to another game safari and local entertainers.  The food was excellent and we were treated very well by our hosts.

Places to See:

South Africa is a very diverse area.  You will have the opportunity to see lots of elephants, land turtles, zebra, wild boar, bungee jump, go zip lining, surf in the ocean, fish, visit local tribes peoples, hike, ride a donkey drawn cart, visit historical sites.

Don’t miss Cape Town; the unusual exquisiteness of Cape Town makes it one of the most eye-catching cities in the world. Cape Town enjoys stunning beaches as well as the extraordinary Table Mountain seen from anywhere in the city. The restaurants are comparable to the great restaurants in major cities such as New York or France, and so are the wines. Cape Town is one of the principal ethnically varied cities in Africa and is known for its social tolerance.

East of Cape Town one can visit the Winelands with their dramatic vistas and beautiful mountains.  This area is known for its culture and past history with various superb examples of characteristic Dutch structural design dating back to the 17th century. The Winelands include quite a few regions with their own wine tasting tours.

Knysna is a township in the center of South Africa’s stunning Garden Route. Knysna lies between the Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean. Knysna designated South Africa’s beloved town, a pleasant and friendly place with lots to see and do. There’s a great lagoon ideal for water sports and adjacent forests are grand for walking.

Durban’s “Golden Mile is a series of beaches sheltered from sharks by nets and policed by life guards throughout the day. This is major surfing terrain but has plenty of room for swimmers and body-surfers too.

Shopping: Victoria Indian Street Market in Durban has a large Indian populace, their forefathers were laborers transported in by the British to labor in the sugarcane fields the end of the 19th century (as was a youthful Mohandas Gandhi). The Indian street market is a busy fascinating place housing mosques and temples, with an abundance of shops and scrumptious foodstuff.

The most extraordinary shopping area of Cape Town is the Canal Walk. The shopping shrine with its architecture showcasing designs from the Orient and the Renaissance is home to more than 350 stores and eateries, and theaters. Canals meander outside that’s reflective of Venice. One can purchase most anything here from clothes, toys, attractive home goods, books and jewels here.

Wedding Ceremonies are held here over the pool at Mattanu Private Game Reserve

Food and Drink:

A great South African dish is Cape Malay.  It is very spicy, being a blend of Dutch, and a mixture of east Indian and oriental blends, all fused with colors and flavors’ that are definitely African in foundation.  Don’t miss the prospect to see, feel and taste this exceptional Cape Town experience.  The cuisine throughout South Africa is not to be missed.

South African Wine Country

Best Times to go:  South Africa is a year-round destination so the time of year you visit depends on what your travel plans are. The finest time for game watching is early spring (August to October). The southern right whales are best seen off the coasts from mid-June to the end of October, and humpback whales from August to December.

Scuba diving is usually at its finest from April to September, like wise is the surfing; however one can partake of these activities any time of year. Flowers showcase themselves best in August and September. River rafting is always best at the end of winter; and in summer (late November to February) in KwaZulu-Natal.

In Mpumalanga and Limpopo states, spring and autumn are unsurpassed for hiking since summer tends to be very hot. If you enjoy the beaches, midsummer is the preeminent time to do so; however everyone else will be there as well. The beaches of KwaZulu-Natal are temperate and sun-drenched, even in midwinter.

Delhi is the most preferred tourist destination of India. It is the capital of India. Delhi is located on the banks of the river Yamuna. Delhi is a major cultural, political, and commercial center of India. Delhi’s culture has been influenced by its lengthy history and historic association as the capital of India. Tourist attractions in Delhi are a varied and colorful affair for the tourists. The capital city of Delhi offers an insight into the history of India and promises an exciting tour for the tourists. Situated between the Himalayas and Aravalli ranges, the national capital, Delhi connects to other popular tourist destinations in India. Delhi has observed Indian history from a close proximity and has been confidante to many royal lives. Major tourist destination are :

Red Fort : It is built by Mugal emperor Shah Jahan. The Red Fort today is a busy market-place called the Meena Bazaar, selling a host of wares. Popular as Lal Quila, the grand and imposing fort is today a regular haunt of tourists from all parts of the world. The fort is also famous from a historic perspective as it gives us an idea of the system of governance. The poet Amir Khusro once remarked, “If there is Paradise on the face of earth, it is here, it is here, it is here”. The Rang Mahal or the palace of colors is another of the remarkable attractions of the Red Fort, noted for its beautifully Lotus-shaped fountain. Every year, on the 15th of August, the National Flag of India is hoisted at the Red Fort by the Prime Minister , celebrating India’s independence.

Jama Masjid : Jama Masjid is the biggest mosque in India. It is situated near Red Fort in Chandni Chowk. It was begun by Shah Jahan and completed six years later. It was constructed in Sandstone and white marble.The Jama Masjid is one of the most famous landmarks of the country, symbolizing for the country’s Muslim population a guide to the religious doctrines. Jama Masjid can be entered from both the directions – North and the South Gates. The mosque owes much of the respect associated with it to the relics of Mohammad, which it houses.

India Gate : India Gate is situated in Rajpath is most prestigious area of city Delhi. It was built in memory of the 90,000 Soldiers of the Indian Army who died in World War I. The names of the soldiers are inscribed all along the walls of the arch. India Gate is 42 m high and is popular relaxation area during the summer evenings. India Gate also act as popular picnic spot during winter.India Gate was designed and constructed by Lutyens. an eternal flame was lit here to honour the Amar Jawan (immortal soldiers). Today, the India Gate is one of the most important symbols of India, being at the center of the itinerary of most of the tourists who visit the country’s capital city.

Birla Mandir : The Lakshmi Narayan Temple is one of the major tourist attractions of the city. The Lakshmi Narayan Temple was built in 1938 by Raja Baldev Das and is situated on the western portion of Connaught Place, one of the most important areas of the city of New Delhi. It is the first of the temples built across the country by the industrial family of Birla. This temple is inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. Birla Mandir is also famous for the festival of Janmashtami The festival is celebrated here with much goodwill and cheer.

Jantar Mantar, Delhi : Within Connaught Place is the Jantar Mantar Observatory built by the Rajput King of Jaipur Sawai Jai Singh in 1724. It was believed to have been built with masonry instruments for observing the movements of the stars and planets.

Lotus Temple: It is one of the most beautiful architectural temples in India, construction of the Bhai’s Temple was completed in 1986. It is shaped like a lotus bud with 27 petals, this stunning temple suspended above milky-blue ponds is surely one of the magnificent monuments ever made from concrete. One such temple that facilitates the Bhai’s Faith of Worship. Lotus temple is made of pure white marble in the shape of a half-opened lotus, reaching a height of more than 40m, and is surrounded by deftly groomed lawns. This architectural wonder is made of a combination of marble, cement, sand and dolomite.

Note : Delhi is also known for it’s world class fire ambulance services and Delhi Metro Services.

When on vacation, we all want to cut loose and relax to forget about our stressful lives and this is a good thing. Not only is this a good thing for you but it’s a good thing for anyone looking to take advantage of you and possibly relieve you of your valuables.

As a traveler, whether you are going to Disney World or Thailand, you need to be aware of your surroundings. Whatever tourist destination you find yourself in you can bet there are people waiting there who make it their job to take advantage of you in your relaxed state. Don’t take for granted the security of resorts.

As with any trip to any destination in the world you need to be aware of your surroundings, especially in tourist areas where you may be prey to an unsavory element. I covered the basics in 5 rules of not being a stupid tourist.In Thailand the real dangers may not be what you expect. Thailand, as any other place in the world, has it’s fair share of crime and scam artists. While you are watching out for your valuables and personal safety it’s pretty easy to ignore certain aspects of your trip that you might take for granted back home. Taking these aspects of your trip for granted could very well lead to an untimely death.

Crossing streets, crowded clubs, and road accidents take more lives annually in Thailand than any other activity including crime. Just in a few days last year there were over 226 road fatalities throughout Thailand and one club fire at Santika Pub that has left 86 people hospitalized and 59 people dead. Of the 59 deaths at the club 21 were foreigners.

Nightclubs are the first piece of this awareness trifecta. Some clubs can be quite large and pack the people in, if that’s your thing then you should really take a walk around the club and check it out. Make sure you know where the exits are and if possible make sure they aren’t locked. Last year a club in Pattaya caught fire just before opening resulting in a fair number of staff dying. The fire marshal determined it to be an electrical fire and found chains locked on the secondary exits to keep people from entering for free. This New Years Eve saw a fire at the Santika Pub caused by fireworks lit off inside as part of the celebration that hit the foam acoustical treatment on the ceiling.

Small clubs deserve just as much awareness as they are usually dark and exits hidden. A lot of the fires that do happen in Thailand are electrical. The electrical in most of these places is substandard at best, criminal at worst. Club fires aren’t a daily event in Thailand but they do happen, and when they happen there are usually deaths involved. Go to the clubs and have a great time if that’s what you’re about. Just be safe and scope out the places you find yourself in, it may just save you.

Driving in Thailand

As with any other travel destination in the world you can rent cars, trucks and motorcycles in Thailand. The best tip I can give you is DON’T. Everyone I have ever met in Thailand from expat to the two week vacationer that has driven in Thailand has been in an accident. It’s not a matter of if you will be involved in an accident, but when.

Some have been minor scrapes but others have required surgery and long hospital stays. Last year a Thai woman on her way home from work one night in Pattaya riding her motorcycle fell into a pit in the road that was 6 feet deep and 4 feet wide. The contractor working on the road didn’t think a barricade was necessary.

Sometimes accidents are related to bad road conditions but more often than not road accidents in Thailand, from rural areas to the big cities, can be chalked up to bad driving. Motorcycles weave in and out of traffic as fast as they can and cars defend their space with a passion. My second trip to Thailand I saw two motorcycle accidents in one night. The first accident a motorcycle taxi cut in front of a baht bust that decided to drive right over him. The second accident a motorcycle crashed into the rear of a Mercedes at high speed. My last trip when I was coming back from Mukdahan to the bus station in Pattaya we passed a motorcycle torn to pieces in the road with an obvious dead rider 100 feet away.

One taxi ride from the airport to Pattaya my driver could not decide which lane he wanted to drive in so he decided to split the difference and drive between lanes and cars for a half a mile or so. I think the falang screaming in the back of his taxi unnerved him so he stopped.

Traffic is so bad in Bangkok that it’s not unusual to see a motorcycle taxi jump the curb and take to the sidewalk. Driving is more of a sport in Thailand and a blood sport at that. The bad Asian driver may be a cliche stereotype but when it comes to Thai drivers there’s more truth than fiction to that sentiment.

If that doesn’t give you pause to reconsider driving while in the Kingdom then consider the the following two articles:

In 1999 a study was done by G D Jacobs and Amy Aeron-Thomas called A REVIEW OF GLOBAL ROAD ACCIDENT FATALITIES. It broke down road related fatalities by region with Asia comprising a full 44% of all road fatalities world wide. It should come as no surprise then that Thailand has been the leader in road accidents world wide for some time. In 2004 it was estimated that Thailand had an accident rate of 6.6 accidents per 10,000 drivers, in comparison all of Europe was at only 1.8 accidents per 10,000 drivers.

Pichai TANEERANANON and Opas SOMCHAINUEK did a study on bus crashes in Thailand called BUS CRASH SITUATION IN THAILAND: CASE STUDIES. The sheer number of bus crashes and fatalities yearly in Thailand is staggering.

If you just have to drive in Thailand then make sure you have an international drivers license or a Thai drivers license and insurance. If you are involved in an accident most likely you’ll be seen as the person at fault and even if you are not there will be fines to pay.

Public transportation is the the alternative and for the most part will be fine. I’ve been on motorcycle taxi’s, taken tour buses up country and used taxis. I haven’t had a problem yet but I know the odds are against me. With drivers working sometimes 12 -16 hour days it’s hard to know what kind of ride you will get. As Elvis Costello would say “Accidents will happen” but if you keep your wits about you and stay aware of your surroundings then there’s a good chance you can avoid being in one.

Walking on Thailand’s Streets

I’ve been out walking the streets of Bangkok by myself at four in the morning and never once feared for my personal safety, although I was very aware of my surroundings. I can’t say the same for crossing streets in Thailand. Pedestrians are pretty much seen as targets and pedestrians in crosswalks are the bullseye.

Trust me drivers won’t slow down for you crossing the road, if anything they’ll just honk the horn to remind you of your imminent demise if you should trip. Add in bad lighting, alcohol or both on either side of this equation and you have a recipe for disaster.

While Bangkok has many pedestrian bridges the same can’t be said of other popular destinations such as Pattaya where 2cnd road plays out much like the old video game frogger. 2cnd road in Pattaya as well as beach road have a very long stretch without any traffic signals and at night the lighting is sketchy at best in some places.

A study of pedestrian accidents was done in Kohn Kaen province which has a population of 150,000 in 2002. As part of the study they gathered information on pedestrian involved accidents between the years 1998-2000. In 2000 there were over 4400 pedestrians injured or killed on Thailand roads with an estimated 65,000 traffic related injuries and deaths. A Study On Accidents and Investigation of Pedestrian’s Unsafe Conditions in Kohn Kaen.

When crossing any streets in Thailand take your time and judge car distances and speed as best you can even streets with low traffic, because by the time they hit you it’s too late and from some accidents I’ve seen there might not be much left to identify.

As always, no matter where you are in the world make sure you are aware of your surroundings and be in control of yourself at all times and you should be just fine.