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Exotic Destinations To Visit If You Dare

April 15, 2016 By Anne Burwell Leave a Comment

Are you tired of going on the same vacations at the seaside or at the mountainside? A pang of envy undoubtedly clings to you whenever you open Facebook and see a friend check-in somewhere in Africa, announcing that they’re about to leave for an exciting safari. But since you’ve clicked this article, it’s very likely that you’d like to break the routine and venture somewhere that not many people normally go to.

The following exotic destinations are open to anyone who has the heart to pack their bags and head for an unforgettable adventure. Most of the time, adventure naturally implies certain risks. Whether this trip involves some extreme activities of the likes of bungee-jumping off the Tibetan Plateau into a river full of crocodiles or whether it’s all about dire weather conditions, there’s definitely enough to get the adrenalin circulating.

The Emperor Penguin Camping Tour

Photo Courtesy of Kids National Geographic

For this amazing holiday, you need to make sure that you’ll include a lot of coats, scarves, and gloves in your baggage. Union Glacier is a facility in Antarctica that’s recognized unique in the world for the possibilities given to those who travel to it. Visitors are able to sign up for a five-day camping trick in the heart of the glaciers, right next to a colony of emperor penguins.

Tourists board a private transport jet in Chile, from which they fly to the remote Ellsworth Mountains area. It’s undeniable that being surrounded by countless of penguins is more than a surreal experience, but this is the ultimate haven for any wildlife photography enthusiasts. Children would definitely be overrun by glee at the sight of a penguin colony carrying on its daily mundane tasks which involve feeding and nurturing. That’s just in theory because we don’t recommend having any children tag along. This is Antarctica, after all, and despite all the accommodation and conditions guaranteed, one of Earth’s ultimate extremities is no place to take lightly.

The trip takes place in November and the price of a holiday package totals $40,700.

Volcano Trip

Photo Courtesy of Inside the Volcano

We know we said “adventure,” but this is really something else. Every year, between May and October, tourists are able to journey to one of the volcanoes from Iceland, Thrihnukagigur (five bucks if you can say that quickly three times). But the catch here isn’t visiting the volcano from the outside but from the inside. The last time the Icelandic volcano erupted was 4,000 years ago and, fortunately, geologists have given us reassurances that another one won’t happen anytime soon.

An open cable elevator lowers the tourists into the heart of the volcano, which consists of a one-of-a-kind magma chamber and which is spacious enough to contain the Statue of Liberty in its entirety. What makes this volcano’s magma chamber truly unique is the complete lack of magma. Scientists believe that this is due to the liquid rock having either been absorbed by the walls, either having completely retreated into the depth of the volcano.

Either way, lava isn’t something you need to worry about. The retreat of the magma has left behind a multi-colored chamber which can definitely awe you through its impressive size and the dazzling colors painting its walls. Departures for this trip are in Reykjavik and in order to admire the volcano from the inside, you’ll need to take out of your pocket just $315. Double the price for a helicopter tour.

Via Ferrata Climbing

Photo Courtesy of Mount Kinabalu Ferrata

Via Ferrata is the Italian construction which translates to “iron road.” A mountaineering company called Mountain Torq built in Malaysia a Via Ferrata which traverses Mount Kinabalu. What’s a Via Ferrata, you ask? It’s the golden ticket for any beginner climber who wants to experience the thrills of mountain climbing without having to go through much training beforehand.

Being essentially a climbing route, it features a variety of paths and elements that make its completion an achievable goal even for inexperienced travelers. A sturdy steel cable is fixed to the rocks of the mountain, running wholly through the route traversed by tourists. Aiding themselves through ladders, bridges, steps, and iron rungs, those daring enough to go on this adventure are rewarded by a spectacular view of the summit from almost 12,400 feet above the ground.

The pricing for this adventure is of $340, regardless of which of the three routes (beginner, advanced, expert) the adventurer chooses to pursue. The package also includes a mandatory accommodation night, but while you’re at it, why not also go visit some of the beautiful Malaysia?

An Ostrich Ride

Photo Courtesy of China Daily

Speaking of safaris, these are always the best kind of exotic vacations. Who wouldn’t get pumped after journeying through the fields of Africa and observing its wild inhabitants in their natural environment? Book a trip to South Africa and, while going on a safari is a definite must in your bucket list, you might be interested to know that you can participate in a unique activity.

A farm in a town called Oudtshoorn raises ostriches and its gates are open to curious visitors. Aside from being able to admire the giant birds up-close and personal, tourists are also allowed to go on a ride on the back of one of them. That’s right, ostrich riding is something you can actually do and it’s guaranteed to leave a lot of people impressed when sharing the story.

Just Go To Bolivia

Photo Courtesy of WSJ

Bolivia may not be associated with luxury holidays or holidays in general, but it’s a hotspot for travelers to wish to take their vacations with a dose of adrenalin. There are several things you can do that can definitely increase your heart rate, one of which includes pedaling down the most dangerous road in the world, the Death Road.

The infamous dirt road is cut into the side of a mountain and bikers pedal downhill from a height of 15,400 feet. With the path being as narrow as it is, as well as surrounded by intimidating hulking rocks and waterfalls, this is the ultimate challenge for anyone who really wishes to push themselves to the extreme. However, be absolutely certain that you wish to partake in this activity, as it’s taken the lives of 21 bikers in the past.

But the destinations don’t end here! Also in Bolivia, tourists can visit the silver mines located in a cooperative mountain town called Potosi. Several agencies provide you with the necessary tools and gear (and a tour, obviously), but the peak of this journey is a visit to the explosive market, where you can purchase dynamite and nitroglycerine which you can legally detonate outside on a hill.

World’s 10 Most Astonishing Natural Wonders

March 8, 2016 By Toby Isaacson Leave a Comment

Over the course of billions of years, Earth has shaped up some astonishing sights that can’t be labeled as anything but “wonders.” These wonders are of many types, categorized by certain criteria. Even though humankind can definitely pride itself on being responsible for some truly incredible constructions, Mother Nature remains the best sculptor. Scattered all over the globe, the 10 World’s Most Astonishing Natural Wonders are definitely destinations that anyone should have on their bucket list.

1. The Grand Canyon

There isn’t one person that hasn’t heard about the Grand Canyon before. Not just Arizona’s trademark, it’s one of the most visited tourist attractions in the United States. With a length of 277 miles (446 km) and a width of 18 miles (29 km), this rocky landform gained its unique appearance as a result of millions of years during which the Colorado River has been digging its course through layers of stone. It was considered to be holy land by many Native American tribes, including the Pueblo people, who held pilgrimages in it.

2. The Great Barrier Reef

Located in the Coral Sea near Queensland, Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is considered by CNN as one of the Seven Wonders of the World – for good reason, too. The coral reef can be seen from outer space, as it’s the biggest living organism structure on Earth. It became a World Heritage Site in 1981 and ever since numerous organizations are trying to protect it against climate change and coral bleaching. In 2012, it was revealed that the reef lost in the last thirty years more than half of its initial corals.

3. Mount Everest

The tallest peak in the world is located in the heart of the Himalayan mountain system, bordering Nepal, Tibet, and China. It became the biggest dream of any professional climber. However, the dire conditions resulted from altitude take the lives of those that try to conquer it yearly. The first people to reach Everest’s top were Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953.

4. Auroras

Auroras are nature’s best spectacle of lights. Caused by a reaction between solar waves and magnetic fields, they can be seen around the extreme poles of the Earth. Depending on their location, there are two types of auroras: aurora borealis (also known as the northern lights), and aurora australis (also known as the southern lights). The latter can be seen forming in areas such as Antarctica, New Zealand, and Australia. Moreover, Earth isn’t the only one that benefits from spectacular displays of light: other planets’ skies are also lit up by auroras.

5. Iguazu Falls

A system of waterfalls positioned on the border between Argentina and Brazil, the Iguazu Falls are astonishing through their sheer massiveness. While most waterfalls average around 64 meters in length, the Iguazu Falls reach an impressive 700 meters. An old myth says that they were formed by a deity that was so upset his lover ran away on the river with her mortal lover, he split the water in two and condemned the couple to an infinite fall. The biggest attraction of the waterfalls is Devil’s Throat, a narrow chasm shaped like an U.

6. Parícutin

It may be surprising that a volcano managed to land a spot on this list, but Paricutin isn’t just any volcano. What makes it stand out is the fact that its whole life cycle, from birth to extinction, has been witnessed and documented by humans. First emerging from the cornfields of a local farmer in 1943, it became a topic of interest for many scientists worldwide. Even though today’s Paricutin is extinct, the forces that led to its birth sometimes still quake the Earth. The volcano is a common recurrence on many lists and versions of the Natural Wonders of the World.

7. Jeju Island

Also known as Jeju Province or Jejudo, it’s the biggest island in Korea and the smallest province. There are many wonderful things about this idyllic location, including the fact that its secluded position resulted in a civilization that developed its own language and culture. The people of Jejudo are famous for the matriarchal system governing their society. Back in the day, women made roughly 60% of the island’s profit from free diving. They would dive in cold waters without any scuba gears with the purpose of harvesting various marine products. Jeju Island is the home of South Korea’s tallest mountain, which is also a dormant volcano.

8. Table Mountain

A fascinating looking mountain with a completely flat peak, Table Mountain became a landmark of Cape Town, South Africa. Many tourists are drawn to this wonderful landform on a yearly basis, preferring to get to the top either by hiking or using the cableway. Table Mountain is considered to be one of the New Wonders of the World.

9. Puerto Princesa Underground River

North of the Philippine city of Puerto Princesa lies a true paradise corner. Also known as the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, it became a protected area that’s been managed by the government since 1992. Their goal is to try and preserve the natural, raw beauty of the area. During a 2010 expedition, several journeys led to the discovery that the river has a second floor, something that hinted at an alleged existence of a waterfall system. Moreover, the national park houses one of the most complex cave systems in the world.

10. Ha Long Bay

Exhibiting thousands of islets and limestone karsts, Ha Long Bay is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as a highly popular tourist destination. Due to the fairly isolated location of the bay, much of the area has remained unaffected by human intervention. Formations in its composition are the result of over 500 million years of evolution. Also, historical research has shown that pre-historical humans may have inhabited this area.

Our world is big and spectacular. Many of the entries on this list aren’t generally well known, but perhaps in years to come, they will become as famous as the occupants of the first three spots on the list. I’m certain that, despite everything, there are still countless wonders we don’t know much about. These were the 10 World’s Most Astonishing Natural Wonders… at the moment.

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

Cinco de Mayo: A Look into a Mixed Holiday’s Background

April 29, 2014 By Fred Mitchell Leave a Comment

Since it’s almost the beginning of May and in the U.S. that means Cinco de Mayo will soon be here, perhaps now is a good time to delve a bit into the background of this odd holiday. The label of odd comes here because of the ambiguous status of this relatively recent and quite fabricated holiday. Don’t misunderstand us: there’s nothing wrong with yet another reason for a pretty public celebration, or with giving a cultural minority an opportunity to express itself. Nor is there anything wrong with drinking tequila and sampling various kinds of enchiladas and generally eating guacamole on anything until you’re ready to burst. Nope, there’s definitely nothing wrong with those at all, scout’s honor.

A slight problem arises mainly when people are confronted with the question “What exactly is celebrated on the 5^th of May, or during Cinco de Mayo?”, because this is where things usually become blurry and tricky. Many wrongly believe it’s the date when Mexico celebrates its Independence Day: while that may indeed be the most important patriotic holiday in Mexico, it is actually way later in the yearly span, on September the 16^th. Even more, Cinco de Mayo isn’t really that much of a big deal south of the U.S. border; the main celebrations are held on American soil. Think that’s strange? The reason for this is that, actually, Cinco de Mayo is a sort-of “fabricated” holiday for the territory of the ‘states, meant to give the Mexican-Americans an occasion to celebrate their identity with pride. There is a smaller holiday in Mexico that the larger one in U.S. is based on, El Dia de la Batalia de la Puebla (The Day of the Battle of Puebla), commemorating a victory against French troops, but that original holiday is so small-scale that it doesn’t really matter much. It’s not even celebrated in all of Mexico, but just one state and area, where the historic event occurred.

Since it’s such less of a big deal in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is now understandably a holiday with relevance for the Mexican-Americans first and foremost. It makes sense, actually, since they were the ones deeper into not always friendly territory, and needed to find a way of asserting their identity, preferably in a cultural and creative way. And what better way could it be than this wonderful collection of colorful parades, singing and dancing and all the spicy Mexican food and drinks you can muster? Probably none. It’s completely understandable how Cinco de Mayo rose to prominence so quickly in the U.S. The holiday existed since 1860, but it became popular sometime in the 40s, along with the rise of the Chicano movement (which emphasized a pride of one’s Latino identity).

But was the sudden popularity of Cinco de Mayo only related to the rise of the Chicano movement? Unfortunately, whenever there’s a celebration, there’s always some corporate interests involved, at least since the second half of the 20^th century and to this day. Grand American companies that specialized in consumer goods like food and drink saw a major opportunity in capitalizing any holiday man can think of, and Cinco de Mayo was no exception. Especially a beer giant was involved in a bit of controversy about aggressively promoting its beverage on behalf of the Mexican holiday and community, but then again, it would be hard not to find a holiday that wasn’t capitalized upon in a similar manner.

The morale of this story, folks, if we’re permitted to suggest one, is that there’s nothing wrong with enjoying your Mexican food and drinks this upcoming May, even if they’re advertised by all-too-eager commercial interests, but a least let’s pay better attention to history. Taking part in the celebration is always nice and even a bit mandatory if we’re to be respectful to the minority celebrating it, but you know what would be even more respectful? Not confusing Cinco de Mayo any more with their Independence Day, for instance. That being said, enjoy the fiesta!

Elf on the Shelf for Adults

December 3, 2012 By This Blog Rules Guest Leave a Comment

Santa’s watching you…

You have to admit that the marketing for Elf on a Shelf is really quite ingenious. Just in case there are a few stragglers out there who don’t know what the Elf on the Shelf is, here goes.

Basically, it is a contrived (yet incredibly successful) product conceived as an instantaneous Christmas tradition-in-a-box. Elf on a Shelf is a book about a magical elf who watches little children before Christmas to see if they have been ‘Naughty or Nice’. It comes packaged with a toy elf that needs to find a different perch for 24 days leading up to Christmas. The story and the elf are intended for children, but the fun is how completely immersed adults and children become in the daily activities of the elf.

There’s something a little bit creepy about a stuffed toy that sits around the house like Big Brother reporting back to Santa. But it’s amazing what these little fellas will get up to when nobody’s looking…From snowball fights, to joy rides, binge eating and premature present opening, the Elf is just as naughty as some of the kids it watches over.

The creators of this phenomenon must be aware of the outlandish situations their elves get into because Elf on a Shelf’s official website has a page called ‘Manage your Elf’. It seems quite clear that the elves out there are living dangerously and getting up to mischief the minute your back is turned.

Let’s be honest here. After the first few nights, Elf on a Shelf starts behaving like a house guest who has overstayed his or her welcome. The elf begins to invade your personal space, not to mention taking liberties with your belongings.
It’s no wonder that many elf owners out there have started rising up in protest and taking revenge on the goody-two-shoes little critters as pay back for tattling to Santa.

Nobody puts baby Elf on a shelf in the corner

The huge popularity bestowed on the elves has obviously gone to their heads. You can’t really blame them, what with elf coloring books, elf craft activities and to top it all off, being invited to the Macy’s parade! Some creative elf owners have thought up unique ways to take these little creatures down a peg.

Hmm…after all is said and done, adding Elf in a Shelf to your Holiday traditions could be rather fun after all. Merry Christmas.

Send us your pictures of a naughty Elf on the Shelf. Email marketing@thisblogrules.com with your Elf of the Shelf photo. Select photos will be selected for a follow up post, and addition to our Facebook page.

Five Friends Take the Same Photo for 30 Years

August 20, 2012 By Vernon Gadson Leave a Comment

In the summer of 1982, five teenage boys sat down on a wooden bench together and posed for a group photo at Copco Lake, California. 30 years later, they’re still taking that photo. High school buddies John Wardlaw, John Dickson, Mark Rumer, Dallas Burney and John Molony made a pact: every five years, they gather together at the California lake, sit on that same bench and recreate the picture they took at 19 years old.

To begin with, a ritual was never intended: the original picture from ‘82 was taken simply to mark the vacation. Captured with a 35-millimetre camera on self-timer, the photo saw the young vacationers sporting curiously “dark and mysterious” expressions as Molony held up a Folgers Instant Coffee jar containing a live cockroach, a piece of butterscotch candy (food for the cockroach) and a photograph of Robert Young (company for the cockroach). Revisiting the lake in 1987 saw them taking the photo again, on the advice of cabin owner Wardlaw (nicknamed “Wedge”), with the same facial expressions and the same pose, and they’ve done so ever since.

Their touching tradition recently gained media attention when Dickson posted the photographs on a website dedicated to the pact. “Watch us lose hair and gain forehead, gain and lose and gain and lose weight,” Dickson posted on the site. “There are reasons we all decided it was better to take the photo with our shirts on.”

Such collective dedication makes for a heartfelt tribute to the power of friendship. But how long will this go on for? “We plan on doing this for the rest of our lives, no matter what,” says Dickson. “Up until there’s one guy just sitting in the same pose! Even then, maybe someone will take a picture of an empty bench for us.” [Read more…]