Off The Beaten Track Archives - Page 9 of 10

Finland: Lapland – Enontekiö

Post author:Tracy Earwaker
Post published:December 23, 2003
Post category:Finland
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A long, long time ago we went to find Santa Claus ... or in Finland: Joulupukki is the Finnish Christmas figure. The name joulupukki literally means "Christmas goat" or "Yule Goat" in Finnish; the word pukki comes from the Teutonic root bock, which is a cognate of the English "buck", and means "billy-goat". An old Scandinavian custom, the figure is now often conflated with Santa Claus. We were not disappointed and all believed in the Magic of Christmas all over again!

UK: Scotland Loch Tay 2003

Post author:Tracy Earwaker
Post published:October 25, 2003
Post category:Scotland
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Loch Tay is a freshwater loch in the central highlands of Scotland, in the Perth and Kinross and Stirling council areas. It is the largest body of fresh water in Perth and Kinross, and the sixth largest loch in Scotland. The watershed of Loch Tay traditionally formed the historic province of Breadalbane. Schiehallion is a prominent cone-shaped mountain of the Breadalbane in Perthshire, Scotland. Schiehallion has a rich botanical life, interesting archaeology, and a unique place in scientific history for an 18th-century experiment in "weighing the world".The Schiehallion experiment was an attempt to measure the mass of the earth using a pendulum and a mountain (Mount Schiehallion). The mass of the mountain was approximated and the deflection of a pendulum due to the gravitational force of the mountain was measured.

Maldives: Kuramathi Village

Post author:Tracy Earwaker
Post published:August 12, 2000
Post category:Maldives
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Situated in Rasdhoo Atoll , Kuramathi Maldives is 1.8 km in length and tapers to a pristine stretch of white sandbank, lending a dramatic quality to the idyllic surroundings of turquoise lagoons, tropical jungle and flora. Catering to all budgets, 12 distinct choices of villas are on offer, ranging from the individual Beach Villas to the idyllic Water Villas with Pool. A splendid pick for families and friends travelling together is the Two Bedroom Beach house. Savour exquisite dishes from 12 superb restaurants catering to diverse taste buds. Sip exotic cocktails in the 7 bars located in beautiful settings around the island. The island's vast size opens up to a wide range of activities. Immerse in therapeutic healing at Kuramathi Spa as we revive the holiday psyche. Younger guests find thrilling options at Bageecha Kids club, featuring fun and educational experiences. There is something for everyone on this paradisiacal haven that embodies Maldives in a natural setting.

Tanzania: Kilimanjaro 1998

Post author:Tracy Earwaker
Post published:January 3, 1998
Post category:Tanzania
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Kilimanjaro's huge snow capped summit dome rises high above the surrounding savannah. At 5,896m it is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free standing mountain in the world. It has three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. The highest point on Kibo is Uhuru Peak - summiting Kili is an essential part of a visit to Tanzania!

Nepal

Post author:Tracy Earwaker
Post published:November 15, 1995
Post category:Nepal
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Nepal takes pride in being home to the highest mountain in the world: Mount Everest standing at 8,849m. Kathmandu has a fabulous hippy vibe and everyone should visit the famed Rum Doodle Bar & Restaurant after completing a Trek. We did the Around Annapurna when Trent was 5 years old and every minute was spectacular.

Nepal: Chitwan National Park

Post author:Tracy Earwaker
Post published:November 2, 1995
Post category:Nepal
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Chitwan National Park is a preserved area in the Terai Lowlands of south-central Nepal, known for its biodiversity. Its dense forests and grassy plains are home to rare mammals like one-horned rhinos and Bengal tigers. The park shelters numerous bird species, including the giant hornbill. Dugout canoes traverse the northern Rapti River, home to crocodiles. Inside the park is Balmiki Ashram, a Hindu pilgrimage site.

China: Guilin – Yang Shou 1995

Post author:Tracy Earwaker
Post published:October 4, 1995
Post category:China
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Guilin is a city in southern China known for its dramatic landscape of limestone karst hills. At its center are 2 lakes, Shanhu (Cedar) and Ronghu (Banyan), remaining from a medieval-era moat that once surrounded the city. Boats travel through these and other lakes via connected rivers. On Shanhu Lake’s shore, twin pagodas, the Sun and Moon, light up the sky at night. ....Yangshuo, a county and resort town in southern China’s Guangxi region, is known for its dramatic karst mountain landscape and outdoor recreation. The town is set amid pinnacles like Bilian Feng (Green Lotus Peak), which has a hiking trail to the top. Tour boats offer cruises on the Li River past picturesque countryside from the town of Guilin to the north.

China: Kunming

Post author:Tracy Earwaker
Post published:October 3, 1995
Post category:China
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Kunming, the modern capital city and transportation hub of China’s southern Yunnan province, has a large student population and a temperate year-round climate. Bridges and pavilions cross the islands of Cui Hu (Green Lake), a park designed in the 17th century. Nearby is Yuantong Si. A temple founded by Buddhists in the 8th century, it features a statue hall and a pond with an ornate stone bridge. The Stone Forest or Shilin is a notable set of limestone formations about 500 km² located in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China, near Shilin approximately 90 km from the provincial capital Kunming.

Thailand: Chiang Mai & Golden Triangle 1995

Post author:Tracy Earwaker
Post published:September 30, 1995
Post category:Thailand
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Chiang Mai is a city in mountainous northern Thailand. Founded in 1296, it was capital of the independent Lanna Kingdom until 1558. Its Old City area still retains vestiges of walls and moats from its history as a cultural and religious center. It’s also home to hundreds of elaborate Buddhist temples, including 14th-century Wat Phra Singh and 15th-century Wat Chedi Luang, adorned with carved serpents. The “physical” Golden Triangle is the area where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong rivers. A marker stands at the spot from where you can view these three countries. The Golden Triangle region has historically been known for opium production and smuggling. In the 20th century, the mountainous area at the intersection of Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos was the world's largest opium-producing region. We travelled to little villages, Mae Sai border; trekked up mountains and drifted down the Mekong River to Chiang Saen on bamboo rafts which we accessed on elephant back. Remote and wonderful.

Malaysia: Tioman and Perhentian Islands

Post author:Tracy Earwaker
Post published:September 14, 1995
Post category:Malaysia
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Tioman Island lies off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, in the South China Sea. It's a nature reserve, ringed by beaches. The area is known for its dive sites, which have corals, sea fans and sea sponges, as well as shipwrecks. The island is covered in tropical rainforests, home to butterflies, lizards and monkeys. On the east coast, the Juara Turtle Project is a hatchery that protects and studies sea turtles. Perhentian Islands are beautiful tropical islands in the South China Sea on the east coast of Malaysia. It is a perfect getaway with spectacular pristine beaches, crystal-clear water, rich marine life, and a great variety of things to do.

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