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.

A Guide to Malaysia

Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country that borders Thailand, Brunei and Indonesia. It is a small nation made of 13 states with about 2.5 million people.
Despite its size it is one of the best traveling destinations in Southeast Asia.

Kuala Lumpur is the biggest city and capital of Malaysia. It is a true melting pot in southeast Asia and it provides many attractions and sightseeing spots. One of the city's most famous spots is Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle. Here you may find shopping malls, restaurants, bars and clubs and much more. It is here that you can see the amazing Petrona towers which are among the tallest buildings in the world(you may see a picture of the towers above).

Kuala Lumpur's City Center is also a great tourist spot. Here you may find the British colonial buildings, the National Museusm and the Islamic Arts Museum.

In Kuala Lumpur you may find a wide range of foods such as traditional Malaysian and Chinese food. You may also find great Indian food as there is a great number of Indian residents in the city.

You may find in the most beautiful beaches in the Penang province. This place is known as the "Pearl of the Orient." It is full of high class restaurants and resorts. Penang is absolutely a great place to relax.

Malaysia is a country made up of many cultures, such as the Malay, Chinese, Indian and European cultures. You may find a little bit of all of Asia in Malaysia which makes it a great tourist spot.

You may see more about Malaysia through this great video:

Exploring Down Under

When you think of Australia what do you think of? Maybe you think of koalas, dingoes, and kangaroos. You probably think about the late Steve Irwin as well. Part of Australia's charm is it's exotic fauna but the rest of it is it's beautiful cities and breathtaking landscapes.

Did you know Canberra is Australia's capital and not Sydney? It's a fact many people do not know since Sydney is known throughout the world. Sydney's popularity as a tourist spot overshadows the capital city of the country. And did you know Australia is not only a country but a continent as well?

Australia offers so many options for those that dare venture to this wonderful country. Some of things you can do are:

• Scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef
• Listen to opera in the world-famous Sydney Opera House
• Visit the Parliament building

To find out what else you can do in Australia visit: http://www.australia.com/

Just so you know, Australians refer to vacations as holidays just like the British do.

The good thing abou Australia is that U.S. dollars will buy you more in Australia than in other places. Check out this link to find out more: http://http//www.australia.com/centric/trade/us/holidays_deals_en.htm?ta_intcmp=hp-3-1:topnav:holidaysanddeals

Welcome to Masai Mara land of the big five: the Lion, the African elephant,cape buffalo, black rhinoceros, and the leopard. Masai Mara is located in Kenya. The entire area of the park is nestled within the enormous Great Rift Valley that extends from the Mediterranean Sea to South Africa (wikipedia). Masai Mara is a dream vacation, although it is half way aross the world. The experience is not only worth it, but it is a must for all you vacationers and people who love to experience new worlds. Named for the Maasai people (the traditional inhabitants of the area) and the Mara River, which divides it(mara.org). From the lodges to the camps around the reserve, vacationers will surely have the time of their life.

Traveling to South Korea 101

South Korea is a beautiful country located in East Asia in between China and Japan.

Traveling to Korea can be an exciting and rewarding experience.

I will talk about how to get there, its main cities and atractions.

If you are planing to travel to South Korea you can do it through a wide range of airlines

traveling to Asia, but if you are looking for a cheap price and a great service you should try

Korean Air and Asiana Airlines.

http://www.koreanair.com/

http://flyasiana.com/gateway/gateway_en.html

Both of these airline companies are Korean based and they provide the best service with

direct flights to South Korea.

Once you get to South Korea's international airport in Inchon you can travel to Seoul by bus

or train.

Seoul is the capital city of Korea with over 10 million people. Here you will find a huge range of

restaurants, bars, clubs, and important sight seeing spots.

After exploring Seoul, you can vist Daejon, located at the center of the country. You can get there by train (Korail) in less than 2 hours.

Next stop is Daegu, this city is located in the southeastern part of the country. This is one of the biggest cities of the Gyongsang-do area.

At the south you have the second largest city Busan. Busan is a port city which is know for its great sea food and for its high paced life style.

And you should also visit the island of Jeju. Jeju is to Korea what Hawaii is to the US. Jeju is a beautiful island with many resorts and great beaches. It is absolutely an amazing place to relax.

These are just some of the most popular cities of South Korea. Exploring the whole country takes time but spending a little bit in each city will be a rewarding experience.

If you are interested in traveling to China for a really inexpensive price, below are some websites you can visit. This company has two websites, one for tourists and another for the locals.




http://www.ritztours.com/ is for the tourist. For the price of $2,130(including airfare, hotels, tourbus and tourguide) you get to go to Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai for 10 days.





http://www.ritztours.net/ is for the locals. For the price of $2,150(including airfare, hotels, tourbus and tourguide) you get to go all above destinations plus Guilin for 10 days.





So, for $20 more you get to go one more city. Guilin is situated in the west bank of the Li River. Its name means "forest of Sweet Osmanthus", owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. The city has long been renowned for its unique scenery
cited from Wikipedia.



I personally do not really care for the big cities. I like Xian and Guilin.

South Africa

South Africa, also known as the Republic of South Africa,has a very vast history. Any traveler looking for some adventure and knowledge will be enchanted. From the coastline that stretches more than 1,550 miles to the vast communities, this country has a lot to offer to any tourist that wants to have a vacation to remember. South Africa contains some of the oldest acheological sites in Africa, these include Sterkfontein, Kromdraai (wikipedia) and these places would be good for a traveler to start with. From the 11 laguages (English being official) this country has a lot of heritage to offer to any tourist traveling there.

Hola, Mexico!

Mexico is a great travel destination. It's not that far from the US which means it won't cost you as much as going to other destinations. You might feel like you already know a lot about our neighbor to the south but the truth is you never really know a culture until you immerse yourself in it. Eating tacos at your local Mexican restaurant or going to the Placita Olvera in LA is not the same as actually being on Mexican soil. Visiting Tijuana or other border towns, is a start to exploring Mexico but it doesn't really cut it. To truly visit Mexico, means you have to go further into the country.

Mexico is a modern country but you can easily find yourself within its ancient past. Imagine yourself standing at the steps of the ancient Sun Pyramid, and mere hours later dining in a fine restaurant. There is so much to explore in Mexico: fine beaches, ancient relics, beautiful landscapes, shops, restaurants, etc.

These are a couple of places to check out:

• Mexico City
• Teotihuacán (Ancient site that contains the Sun Pyramid. It is near Mexico City).
• Monterrey
• Guadalajara
• Acapulco

Once you have visited these sites, then you can really say that you have immersed yourself in the culture of Mexico.

If you would to learn more, please visit: http://www.visitmexico.com/wb2/

Traveling to Japan II

Traveling to Japan is a really exciting experience. Once you get there you must visit

certain places in order to get a grasp of Japanese culture.

The first stop after arriving at the airport is Tokyo. Tokyo is the most populated city

in the world. Here you will be able to find many shops, restaurants, visit the Imperial Palace

and go watch the Japanese baseball league at the Tokyo Dome.

The next must see city is Kyoto. Kyoto is the ancient capital of Japan. Here you will be able

to see temples, gardens, Shrines, and learn about the culture and history of Japan.

Next stop is Osaka, this is the largest city in the Kansai area of Japan and second biggest in

the country. In many aspects it is similar to Tokyo but you will see that Osaka is much diffrent than Tokyo culture wise. While in Osaka you must try Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki. These are two traditional foods of the region. You may find Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki stands all over Osaka.

Hiroshima is also in the list of places to visit. Hiroshima is known for the atomic bomb that was drop[ed in the city. In this city you can visit the Peace Museum and park.

Finally, the islands of Okinawa and Hokkaido are two places where you can find true relaxation.

Both islands are full of resorts. Okinawa is to the south and it is known to be Japan's Hawaii. To the north we have Hokkaido which is known for its delicious sushi and fish.

There are many more place you can visit while in Japan. This just a list of cities you might not want to miss if you are planning to visit the land of the rising sun.

If you are planning to visit Niagara Falls, make sure you go on the Canadian side. This side of the fall is much more amazing than the American side. Also, ride Maid of the Midst, this boat ride takes you under the falls. You are guaranteed to get wet and see a rainbow.

Traveling to Japan I

One of the most famous destination points in Asia is Japan. Although Japan is a small island nation, there are countless things a tourist can do in this country. A tourist may enjoy the great taste of Japanese food, vist amazing sightseeing spots, ride the fastest train in the world, enjoy the Japanese hot springs, and so much more.

I will like to make clear a common misunderstanding about traveling to Japan. People tend to think that Japan is too expensive for a tourist to travel. While it is true that Japan is expensive in many aspects of everyday life, it is not completely unaffordable to a tourist. Here is a list of things you can do to cut the costs of traveling to Japan.

First you can buy your airplane ticket through a traveling agency. Traveling agencies usually have specials and always look for the cheapest airplane tickets to any destination around the world. It is better if you look for qoutes in diffrent agencies.

Through these agencies you should also buy a Japan Railway Pass (JR PASS), this enables you to travel through all of Japan for a really cheap price. One of the most expensive things you will encounter in Japan is the cost of transportation. The JR PASS is a "All You Can Ride" ticket to all the JR trains in Japan. You can also use the bullet train, and this helps you get from one side of the country to another in a short time period.

If you are looking for a place to stay for a considerable price you should look for a hostel. They are affordable, clean, and near a train station. But if you want to stay at a hotel, you can still look for a cheap business hotel. You can do this through the help of you travel agent or through the internet.

While being in Japan you cannot miss the opportunity to get food from the convenience stores. Convenience stores in Japan are really convenient. You can find a wide range of snacks, drinks and food in them. They products in the convenience stores are delicious and cheap.

This is the first part of two posts on Japan. On my second post I will talk about places to visit and Japanese food you must try.

Making Traveling A Bit Easier

Traveling is supposed to be a relaxing experience but sometimes little things can get in the way and make the experience more of a hassle than it really has to be. These are a couple of tips that I have come up with to make your experience a bit easier and save you money.

Tips Before Parting:

• Make a list. You don’t have to make a detailed list to keep you informed of what you need. Making a quick simple list of some of the things you will need for your trip will help you remember what you need. Or instead of writing it down, you could simply put in your cell phone or email it to yourself.



• Pack early. Don’t wait until the day before you leave. Packing something each day in the week before you leave ensures that you won’t forget something and you won’t be stressed out about picking out what you need all in one day.



• Don't pack so many things. Chances are you won’t need so many things. Try to research the weather conditions of the place you are going to visit so you can pack accordingly.



• Set your alarm.Make sure you put one or more alarms to wake you up so you can arrive at the airport three hours before your trip.



• Call to confirm plane tickets, hotels, etc. before you leave your house.
  

Tips While Traveling:

Try the less populated restaurants. Instead of going to tourist populated restaurants, try the less populated restaurants. You'd be surprised to find out they have just as good food as the other restaurants for much lower prices.

Make your own lunch. You can make your own food/snacks before leaving your hotel, so instead of spending on food you can spend on other fun activities.

Keep on eye on your budget. Make sure that while your having fun, you don't overspend. It's easy to just spend, spend, spend, so keep make sure your spending within your limits.

Ma Tong Restaurant in Taiwan