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18 Amazing Things To Do In Amazing Almaty
Learn the best things to see and do in Almaty, Kazakhstan. From admiring its breathtaking snow-capped mountains, to visiting stunning, and unique, alpine lakes, lovely parks, and old Russian cathedrals, learning the history of its old frontiersman towns, and much more, the cosmopolitan and surprisingly European-like city of Almaty offers many things to see and do. Almaty is the former capital, and most populated city of Kazakhstan. It in itself offers a lot, while also making an excellent base for day trips to explore the amazing natural beauty of Kazakhstan. The name Almaty comes from the Kazakh name “Alma-Ata”, which means father of apples. Biologists have traced the genome of…
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Malawi Travel Guide
This Malawi travel guide covers an overview of the top destinations, how to get around, best time to visit, safety, scams and more, to help you plan your adventure. Although Malawi is probably not the first destination that comes to mind when you think of Africa, it has some great attractions, like its massive ocean-like white sand lake, Lake Malawi and wonderful trekking. It’s also known as the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’, with some of the friendliest and most engaging people that you’ll ever meet. You can also spot the Big Five here, as Malawi is working to restore its parks and become a safari destination. Note: The information in…
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Best Things To Do In Malawi | Warm Heart of Africa
Bordered by Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique in southern Africa, Malawi has several unique sites and things to do, with this post highlighting its best. Visiting Malawi is a bit like taking the road less traveled, offering surprising rewards. It may not be a destination trip, although I know people that have visited as a destination with charity groups, but it’s ideal as part of a visit along with other nearby countries like Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, and/or Namibia. You can holiday on a supersized freshwater lake that looks and feels like a sea, with golden sandy beaches and colorful aquarium-like fish, hike up lush mountains for stunning vistas, or visit a…
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Ultimate Bali Travel Guide
Are you visiting Bali for the first time? My ultimate travel guide for Bali features the top places to visit, what to see there, how to get around, safety, scams to avoid, logistics, and more to help plan your trip. Bali, often mistaken for a country, is actually one of the 17,000 plus islands in the Republic of Indonesia. Also called the Island of the Gods, this is Indonesia’s most popular tourist destination. This unforgettable island offers stunning landscapes with mountains and volcanic peaks, lush, terraced, green rice fields, many lovely waterfalls, and incredible sandy beaches with crystal clear blue water, as well as outstanding surfing and yoga, and amazing…
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Exploring Munduk and Lovina Bali
Explore the small villages of Munduk and Lovina in northern Bali to see serene and tranquil Lake Tamblingan, trek to waterfalls nestled on jungle hillsides, visit remote temples not seen by many tourists, experience traditional hot springs, see a monastery, and more, all while experiencing incredible Balinese hospitality and local culture. It’s also a great way to escape the heat and tourists of Ubud, Kuta, and other hot spots. Exploring Munduk Bali Munduk, in the lush, green, mountainous northern region of central Bali, is about an hour and a half drive from Ubud and two from Kuta. With a population of about 6,000, it’s refreshingly quiet, and with an elevation…
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Cremation Ceremony in Bali: Releasing The Soul
In Bali, the family at my homestay invited me to a Balinese cremation ceremony, one of the most important events in a Balinese life. After expressing my condolences, I was met with a perplexingly blank stare. He said that, yes, it is sad to lose a family member, but the cremation ceremony is a way to celebrate that loved one’s life and consecrate their soul, so it can be born again. This centuries old tradition is one of the last payments a child makes to their parents. One with a strong obligation to do properly. The Balinese believe that the soul is eternal, returning to earth repeatedly, working through its…
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Hiking Stromboli Volcano: Fire At Sunset
Hiking the world’s most active volcano, Stromboli, which erupts about every 20-minutes, is one of the more exhilarating and unforgettable hiking adventures I’ve experienced. Not only for the thrill of seeing it erupt from its rim, but also for the spectacular views from its summit. Note that you must be accompanied by a guide to hike to the peak. Also, depending on volcanic activity, sometimes you can not hike all the way to the peak. Please check with local guides for current conditions. Where Are The Aeolian Islands? The Aeolian islands are a group of volcanic islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea, north of Sicily. These UNESCO listed islands include; Lipari,…
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Surfing And Yoga In The Maldives
The Maldives is a stunning, laid-back, tropical paradise of over 1,000 tiny, coral islands grouped in clusters, or atolls, amidst a vast expanse of mesmerizing blue-green water. With it’s soft, shimmering, white sand, translucent, warm water, colorful sunsets, and incredible overwater bungalows, it’s well-known as a dreamy honeymoon destination. Yet there’s a sporty side to the Maldives too, perfect for active solo travelers and couples, particularly if you love surfing. World-Class Waves And Yoga There are world-class waves in the Maldives. Long, fun ones and chances to catch barrels. Yoga, usually offered with the surfing, is a great compliment, with pre-surf stretching and a post-surf restorative practice, helping to keep…
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Zambia Travel Guide
This travel guide is designed to help you plan your trip to Zambia with an overview of the top attractions, safety, scams to avoid, what not to do, money matters, visa information, best time to visit, and more. From sightseeing and adrenaline adventures, at the amazing Victoria Falls, to spotting wildlife at some of its top national parks, you will feel at ease in Zambia as it is one of Africa’s safer countries. It’s also uncrowded, allowing you to fully appreciate and enjoy its natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and wildlife. Note: The information in this travel guide and the linked post on Zambia are updated as of May 2022. Travel…
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Top Tourist Attractions Of Zambia
Zambia, named after the Zambezi River which flows over one of its top tourist attractions, the Victoria Falls, sits just north of Zimbabwe. Beyond incredible Victoria Falls, Zambia is also known for its national parks, rich with wildlife for safaris. In fact, 30% of Zambia is reserved for wildlife, with 20 national parks and 34 game reserve areas. And although most only have four of the Big Five, lion, elephant, cape buffalo, and leopard, due to incessant poaching of rhino, one park offers all the Big Five and you can see rhino elswhere. Top Tourist Attractions Of Zambia Victoria Falls One of the most well-known tourist attractions in Zambia is…
