Africa 101

This post was orginally posted on Oct. 12, but it was accidentally placed in jogimogu's own blog, Travelling to Kenya.

Sunday, October 12, 2008
WHEN IN AFRICA

Traveling to africa can be both exciting and scary, all you need to remember is know where you are going. First, do some research on where you are going to go and what you are going to do. Make a to do list and make sure you follow it to the letter. When you arrive to a specific destination please stay by your traveling guide and please do not stray far because you may never know who may have ill thoughts.
PLACES TO VISIT IN KENYA:
MASAAI MARA
KENYA INTERNATIONAL INTERCONTINETAL CENTRE
THE KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE
OSTRICH PARK
GIRRAFE CENTRE
MOMBASA
THE GREAT RIFTVALLEY
Posted by jojimugo at 11:51 PM 0 comments

Portugal: Western Europe's Pearl

Portugal is one of the most beautiful nations in western Europe but yet it is one of the least known travel destinations in Europe.

Portugal is a country with 900 years of history. Its geographical location provided the Portuguese with the opportunity to navigate and discover new lands around the world. Because of this, Portuguese culture is rich and diverse.

The country is divided into five regions and two autonomous regions. The major and most well known cities are Lisbon, Braga, Coimbra, Porto and Guimaraes. Here you will be able to find a wide range of museums, historical sites, restaurants and malls. It is in the cities that you will see how the ancient meets the modern as the beautiful architecture of Portugal's plazas and churches still prevails.

This is a country with 530 miles of coastline and it is here where you can enjoy the gorgeous beaches and great sea food Portugal has to offer.

Portugal is also home to some of the best wines in the world. Some of these wines go well with fish dishes. Portuguese food is also delicious and has influenced the food of many countries in the American and Asian continents.

In Northern Portugal you will be able to see historical sites that date back to the Baroque period. And in the southern part of Alentejo the forests and mountains draw an incredible landscape that will leave you breathless.

In short Portugal is an amazing country that although small has an array of diverse scenery and culture. So next time you plan to tour Europe don't forget to include Portugal in your list.

You can find more information about Portugal in this website:
http://www.visitportugal.com/

You can also check out these two videos for more information and pictures (the first video is a National Geographic Clip in Portuguese and Spanish):

Traveling Tips

Below is a website from Crazy dog Travel Guide. The information I found is useful. Look at the section that talks about gestures. Body language and gestures vary from country to country. A simple gesture like O.K. in U.S can be an insulting gesture to someone in another country. When there is a language barrier, gestures are the best way to communicate.

http://www.crazydogtravel.com/language.html

Another tip before traveling abroad is to read and find information from the U.S Department of State. This website gives information about passports, medical insurance, how to avoid being target of crime, etc.........
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html

Welcome to Mount Kenya,the second highest mountain in Africa at 5,199m (17,058 feet). Thrill seakers out there if you want adventure this is a place to start. Mount Kenya lies approximately 200km north of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, and is comfortably accessible by road using a variety of transport options - buses, mini buses, taxi cab or a car hire (wikipedia).

When in Mount Kenya, especially in the low attitudes zone trekkers may want to look out for wild animals such as lions, elephants, buffalos,leopards, rock hyrax, and various antelope species. In the high altitudes trekkers will be facinated by alpine vegetation including giant groundsels and lobelias.

So if you want to see snow in Africa, come and experience Mount Kenya. All year round the mountain can be climbed, but beware the temperature can get nasty at night.

Argentina

If you're interested in traveling to South America then you should not miss the opportunity to visit Argentina. Argentina is a country full of beauty and excitement. It is a blend of the Old World and the New. According to the U.S. Department of State, 400,000 Americans visited Argentina last year and the number keeps rising.

Argentina has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Iguazu Falls is one of the most popular sites to visit. It is made of 275 falls that are along the Iguazu River (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iguazu_Falls). The falls can be accessed in Brazil as well as Paraguay. On the Argentinian side, the falls are reached by the Rainforest Ecological Train which allows visitors to reach a variety of walkways. If you're interested in rock climbing and water sports then this is a great spot for that.




If extreme sports aren't your thing, well there's always dancing. There are many night clubs in many of the major cities. Maybe you'll get a chance to learn how to dance the tango.

When it comes to satistying your hunger, Argentina has many delicious options. Because of it's Spanish and Italian hertiage, there are many dishes that contain Spanish and Italian elements. Argentina has great beef, pastas, pizza, and wine. In addition, Buenos Aires contains many international restaurants if you're in the mood for something other than Argentinian food.

If' you want more information don't forget to check out: http://www.bue.gov.ar/servicios/index.php?menu_id=62&#&#

New Zealand is the youngest country on earth to be discovered; just a thousand years ago. It is approximately a 12 hour flight from California. This country is known for it’s stunning landscapes, lush forests, amazing wildlife, and pleasant climate. European, Maori , Pacific and Asian influences are the unique culture of this country. The scenic highlights are: many islands around the edges of the north and south, lakes gouged out by glaciers and volcanic craters, 14 national parks and 25 marine reserves. New Zealand's temperature is mild with lots of rainfall and sunshine. You can enjoy different seasons throughout the year unlike California who has only two seasons.