Oasis Holidays: Adventure

Adventure

Showing posts with label Adventure. Show all posts

If you like to travel, you probably have a bucket list of places you want to hit throughout your lifetime. Here’s 20 things to see and do at least once in your life (…or maybe even a few more).

01. HOT-AIR BALLOON RIDE IN TURKEY

Cappadocia is a landscape that you will have never witnessed before in your lifetime. This makes it one of the most popular spots in the world to go up in a Hot Air Balloon.

As you take off for sunrise you will start to be hypnotised by the spectacular and surreal landscape that lies below you. You will gently drift over the fairy chimneys, through valleys scattered with pigeon houses, over orchards and vineyards. The different colours of the diversified landscape will leave you breathless. An activity not to be missed.

02. NORTHERN LIGHTS IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE

The spectacular Northern Lights are visible in the Arctic parts of Norway from October through March.

Nothing else on the sky looks like the Northern Lights! While the sun, the moon and the stars are visible from everywhere and natural parts of our everyday life, the Northern Lights can only be seen in certain areas. They vary in color and intensity and as opposed to the moon, sun and stars they are unpredictable and unique. The Northern Lights in Norway are called the night-time Aurora because they are on the night-side of the earth. The Northern Lights - nature's own light show - are solar winds that meet the atmosphere in a zone around the magnetic North Pole, forming arches, waves and curls of light moving across the sky, with sudden rays of light shooting down from space.

03. SAFARI IN AFRICA

Whether you go deep bush in northern Kruger or follow the big cats in the Maasai Mara, a trip into the wilderness will be life-changing.

04. SKYDIVE OVER THE SWISS ALPS

I’m not particularly fond of heights but I’ve told everyone that if I was to ever travel to Switzerland, I wouldn’t miss the chance to skydive over the Alps.

05. FLOAT IN THE DEAD SEA IN ISRAEL

The Dead Sea (Yam Hamelakh — “The Salt Sea”) is the lowest place on earth, roughly 1,300 feet below sea level. Visitors can float effortlessly on the waters of the Dead Sea due to its concentration of minerals, which is the highest in the world.

06. NEUSCHWANSTEIN, A FAIRY-TALE CASTLE IN GERMANY

Neuschwanstein is a 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace that inspired Walt Disney to create the Magic Kingdom, in particular, Cinderella. It was built on a rugged hill against a backdrop of the most picturesque mountain scenery, especially magical during Winter. Talk about the perfect White Christmas!

07. THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS IN ECUADOR

The Galápagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago of islands in the Pacific Ocean. These 19 islands and the surrounding marine reserve have been called a unique ‘living museum and showcase of evolution’. Its geographical location and ongoing seismic and volcanic activity, together with the extreme isolation of the islands, led to the development of unusual plant and animal life – such as marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, giant tortoises, huge cacti, endemic trees and the many different subspecies of mockingbirds and finches.

08. THE TAJ MAHAL AT SUNRISE IN INDIA

The Taj Mahal at Agra, India, is one of the wonders of the world, and also known as “crown of Palaces’. It’s 171 metres (561 feet) in height and it took 17 years to complete!

09. HIKE IN TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK, PATAGONIA

Torres del Paine National Park, in Chile’s Patagonia region, is known for its soaring mountains, electric-blue icebergs that cleave from glaciers and golden pampas (lowlands) that shelter rare wildlife such as llama-like guanacos.

10. SAIL CROATIA’S DALMATIAN COAST

Amazing beaches and sunshine are the star attractions here, while medieval towns and charming fishing hamlets provide a gorgeous coastal backdrop. A very popular venture among young people, but one I would encourage everyone to experience once in their life. The Yacht Week was the craziest most incredible week of my life and I would recommend it to anyone!

11. TAKE A CRUISE IN HA LONG BAY, VIETNAM

Hạ Long Bay, in northeast Vietnam, is known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforest's. Junk boat tours and sea kayak expeditions take visitors past islands named for their shapes, including Stone Dog and Teapot islands.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, New Zealand

12. VISIT THE WAI-O-TAPU THERMAL WONDERLAND

New Zealand’s most colourful geothermal attraction, located on the North Island with unique features including the world famous Champagne Pool naturally coloured springs, bubbling mud, steaming ground, expansive vistas, huge volcanic craters and sinter terrace formations.

13. SWIM IN DEVIL’S POOL IN AFRICA

Only a slippery, submerged lip of rock stands between these bathers and a 100m drop over the world’s largest waterfall. There’s a reason it’s called the most dangerous swimming pool in the world. Definitely one for the thrill-seekers.

Machu Picchu in Peru

14. HIKE MACHU PICCHU IN PERU

Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains in Peru, above the Urubamba River valley. Built in the 15th century and later abandoned, it’s renowned for its sophisticated dry-stone walls that fuse huge blocks without the use of mortar, intriguing buildings that play on astronomical alignments, and panoramic views. Its exact former use remains a mystery.

Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon, Burma

15. ADMIRE THE SHWEDAGON PAGODA IN RANGOON, BURMA

The 325ft zedi , adorned with 27 metric tons of gold leaf and thousands of diamonds and other gems, is believed to enshrine eight hairs of the Gautama Buddha as well as relics of three former buddhas.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

16. WALK ON WATER IN SALAR DE UYUNI IN BOLIVIA\

Introducing the world’s largest salt flat. It’s the legacy of a prehistoric lake that went dry, leaving behind a desertlike, 11,000-sq.-km. landscape of bright-white salt, rock formations and cacti-studded islands. Though wildlife is rare in this unique ecosystem, it does harbor many pink flamingos!Related: 10 Most Surreal Destinations in the WorldYi Peng Festival in Thailand

17. RELEASE A CANDLE AT YI PENG FESTIVAL IN THAILAND

The Festival of Lights is celebrated all around Thailand with Loi Krathongs (lotus-shaped receptacles) released on water to bring luck and fulfill wishes. Did anyone else immediately think of Tangled? (if you didn’t, you MUST watch that movie!).

Blue Lagoon, Iceland

18. SWIM IN THE BLUE LAGOON IN ICELAND

In a magnificent black-lava field, the milky-teal spa is fed water from the futuristic Svartsengi geothermal plant. The superheated water (70% sea water, 30% fresh water, at a perfect 38°C) is rich in blue-green algae, mineral salts and fine silica mud, which condition and exfoliate the skin.

Volcano Sliding, Nicaragua

19. BOARD DOWN AN ACTIVE VOLCANO IN NICARAGUA

People are hiking up an active volcano in Nicaragua, and sliding down, sitting or standing, on a thin plywood or metal board at 60mph. I mean honestly, who wouldn’t want to tick ‘slid down an active volcano’ off their bucket list?

20. VISIT JAPAN DURING CHERRY BLOSSOM SEASON

Springtime in Japan is nothing less than magical. From late March to mid April/May, the country’s iconic sakura (cherry blossoms) capture the attention of visitors and locals as their beautiful pink flowers blanket the country in soft, colourful splendor.

In 2003, together with more than 300 youth leaders, we sailed around Southeast Asia and Japan aboard a ship named Nippon Maru (literally "Japanese circle"). For more than a month, we lived in the spirit of cultural exchange and camaraderie despite our differences. As young leaders, we were welcomed in every port of call like ambassadors, earning an audience with prominent leaders like then Indonesian president Megawati Sukarnoputri, and with Emperor Akihito with wife Empress Michiko.

A day before we left the ship (which also signalled Nippon Maru's last sail for the program after decades of service), I wrote this letter in behalf of the other participating youths.

Dear Nippon Maru,

This morning, I woke up with the ocean in my head constantly moving against my temples as if it was angry that I have forgotten about it during my sleep. While some would call this seasickness, I think that this is an awakening, a call to remember.

It seemed like it was just a day ago when you welcomed us, all 300 -plus youth leaders from Southeast Asia and Japan, into your halls and cabins. Experiencing for the first time your warmth and comfort, we were like stray waves that have found a temporary shore by your presence.

This morning, I wish I could skip the morning exercise just to stay in my room and recall the many times I spent bedridden because of seasickness. Or the times I prepared and opened gifts for and from our homestay families . Or the cup noodles I shared with my cabin mates over conversations that ranged from culture to souvenir prices.

I would like to skip breakfast and just marvel at the assortment of food that we get to eat three times a day, witness how the crew happily present us our meals, and just look at the immortal ocean through the windows. I would like to be free for the whole day and just run around you – entering your rooms, opening doors, bumping on the walls, and climbing up and down the stairs. Just to memorize the secrets of your cabins, your halls and lounges, and the decks, I would like to run my fingers again on their floors, walls, and even ceilings.

But then, I could just sit here in my cabin and look at myself in the mirror.

What have I become because of you? Every part of my face has an answer. My eyes glow with a vision of a world of peace and understanding. My nose, proud that I have done something to bridge the gaps of my ignorance and prejudices. My lips, joined together to savor a thousand words in various languages that have linked the ASEAN to Japan.

My skin remains eager to feel the texture of national costumes being exchanged every occasion, and the geography of the palms that have travelled across the borders of color and culture.

My ears just can’t stop expanding even after listening to a thousand speeches, and morning and night calls. They long for more songs, greetings and prayers, which have transcended beyond the barriers of language and religion.

This morning, I broke my face with a smile shaped like a boat sailing in the ocean of my memories of you, Nippon Maru. You have been a pillar and a bridge, a home to us.

If they say a picture paints a thousand words, and a face could launch a thousand ships, you are the Ship that has launched a thousand journeys of young people honing their leadership skills to bring about unity.

Tonight, I will not give up my memories of you to sleep. Instead, I will dream about you. As I wake up to another morning, I will remember you.

It will take just a second to close my eyes and go back to a place where we joined our efforts to build a better world. And no amount of seasickness could stop me from humming over and over again… “Nippon Maru, sailing the blue, blue ocean…”

Yours in gratitude and remembrance,

Participating Youths of 2003

Dear Participating Youths of 2003,

I feel sorry that you woke up this morning with the ocean in your head, but for what it’s worth, I’d like to tell you that I’ve been living with the ocean for so long. I feel how you feel.

If I were your fingers, I would already look like prunes after soaking myself in saltwater for thirty years. But why am I still here?

A wise man said that if you want to create sailors, don’t send them to the forest to gather wood and build a ship. Instead, let them long for the deepest sea.

I’ve been travelling ever since. But the ocean still remains a mystery to me. I still find it difficult to understand its temper and moods.

Now, we only have a day or two to spend together. I will go back as an empty box floating without a star to reach for. You are all my paddles and we both long for that one island of peace and unity. I have been a wishing well for all your dreams.

Tonight, I want to share the sky with you. I want to console myself with the thought that as we part, we’ll always share the same moon. For as long as there are seas, I will always reach you. Let the waters be the bond between our souls.

Tonight, I hope the stars would reflect the memories we share with each other. In the dark sky, let them paint a picture of our experiences.

I will always remember how you ran around me to smell the morning air, how you gathered in my arms singing songs, and how you discovered my secret pockets, and spent perhaps, the best times of your life.

I can only hope that these empty halls of mine would house the echoes of your laughter and songs, and would rock me once in a while in my silent moments.

For tonight, let the waves of goodbye transport us to that place where we fear to tread on, but eventually we will reach there. And yes, let your smile be a boat in the ocean of our memories.

For tonight, let me cradle your first steps toward your dreams.

For tonight, let me experience seasickness.

Let me savor the saltiness of tears. Let me cry.

Yours in memory and experience,

Nippon Maru

Paris, Paris. There’s nothing like the City of Love. You’ll definitely fall in love with its structures and corners. If you have the chance and the time in the world, you can walk for days on end around this lovely, lovely city, but you won’t find any end to its beauty and grandeur.

So, what if you only have a couple of hours (preferably at least a day) and a few euros to spare? Let’s try to measure the City of Love by metro (and other convenient transportation) based on what #RoverRecommends.

Your ticket to this French wonderland is called the Ticket Mobilis. It’s a day ticket that currently costs starting from Eur. 7.30 only, but will allow you unlimited number of journeys within selected zones of Paris on all modes of transport. It is valid from 00:00 to 23:59. You can purchase it at ticket offices in rail stations, on automatic ticket machines and in some shops.

1. Let's say we start from Olympiades, the southern end of line 14, from which we proceed to Bibliothèque François Mitterrand, then change to RER C to Saint-Michel-Notre –Dame.

Our First Stop is at the Notre Dame Cathedral, where French Gothic architecture adorned with gargoyles and chimeras would take you back to scenes of the movie, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Across the river is my favorite secondhand bookshop (well, along with those literarily scattered about the streets) in Paris, Shakespeare and Company.

[If you’re up for it, you can go tomb-raiding at not-so-nearby Paris Cemetery where you can try looking for graves of famous people like singers and musicians Frederic Chopin, Jim Morrison and Edith Piaf as well as writers Marcel Proust, Oscar Wilde, and Honore De Balzac, and just about the strangest and most fascinating tombs in the world. It’s an hour walk from Notre Dame one way, so no matter how interesting the prospect is, you might set aside your Lara Croft skills and fan mode for another time.]

2. Again from Saint Michel, we take 27 towards Gare Saint-Lazareand stop at ...

The Louvre Museum. Perhaps, the Museum of museums, where the Mona Lisa awaits to half-smile at you. It’s a big place, so we might take a couple of hours here.

[Actually, a few strides away is the Musee D’Orsay, another very important museum and a less-frenzied alternative. But then, again, Louvre would take time. So, another day then.]

3. From Palais Royal Musée du Louvre, we take 1 towards La Defense and stop at Franklin D. Roosevelt to marvel at the...

The Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, Champs-Élysées. The arch that pays tribute to the heroes of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars stands majestic at the centre of the famous Parisian roundabout that we usually see in movies.

4. From Rond-Point des Champs-Elysees take bus 42 towards Hôpital Européen

Georges Pompidou and stop by the ...

The Eiffel Tower. On my very first time in Paris, I was treated to one of the best surprises in my life when my French friend took us along without saying anything only to be greeted by this beautiful iconic monument as we alighted from the metro.

[From here to our last stop, a long ride awaits. And so, don’t get mad at me if I told you that for now we have to skip Moulin Rouge, which is along the way, just to be able to catch the sunset at our last destination.]

5. From Monttessuy, we take Bus42 Gare du Nord to Concorde - Cours la Reine, then change to Metro 12 Front Populaire towards Abbesses and walk up to...

Montmartre. Where by sunset we can enjoy a view of the City of Love as it transforms into...the city of Lights. Here, we look back at our daytrip as we look down at the City that has been enchanting everyone for centuries.

So should I book a Ticket Mobilis for two? // Unshod Rover for Oasis Holidays

For a guided tour of Paris and other cities in France as well as tour and pilgrimage packages in Europe, you may contact our subsidiary Volando Tours.

For Tour and Travels India as well as International packages from India, please contact us at Oasis Holidays.

Unshod Rover is a worldwide-eyed wanderer currently based in Bangalore, India. You may follow his musings and journeys on this blog. "All Rover the World" chronicles his continuing travels wandering about the world and stumbling upon strangers.

How do we measure our world? What are our ultimate global travel goals?

#RoverRecommends to us to do it via these 7 destinations scattered all over the planet. Let’s see where we have been so far, and what is still left out there to be conquered.

1. 1. Sail across the equator. In 2003, our boat sailed from Malaysia to Indonesia, crossing the equator and I got a certificate to prove that! But the greater milestone would be at the Gulf of Guinea, in the northeasternmost part of the tropical Atlantic Ocean between Cape Lopez in Gabon, north and west to Cape Palmas in Liberia.

2. 2. Stare at the Strait of Gibraltar. Here, Europe meets Africa and the Mediterranean joins the Atlantic. [Did this in 2014 while in Morocco during Ramadan.]

3. 3. Skip to Sentosa. Singapore is a stone's throw south of Cape Piai, Malaysia, southernmost point of mainland Eurasia. [Was out of my country for the first time in 2003, visiting Singapore!]

4. 4. Summit the Everest. The rooftop of the world at almost 9,000 metres awaits. [Still on my bucket list! And being in India makes it more feasible at this point of my world journey.]

5. 5. Stand by Cabo da Roca. In Portugal. Stood there in 2014, at the westernmost edge of mainland Eurasia "where the land ends and the sea begins..." (Luís de Camões)