Cape Town is a beautifully unique city of South Africa, best-known for the striking natural environment and the harbour. Table Mountain has recently been voted one of the new 7 Wonders of Nature, which is no surprise as experiencing a day on Table Mountain is nothing short of breath-taking. Table Mountain consists of a 3 kilometre long plateau, and features an exclusive abundance of flora and fauna, some of which are not found anywhere else in the world.

To get to the top of the mountain you can either take a long hike up through the natural landscape or catch a lift in the Cable Cars; which is a fun and exciting experience in itself. On the way up, you get to see an amazing and vast view of the coastline and Cape Town from above. From up there, you can also see the famous Robben Island served as a place of banishment, isolation and imprisonment and where Nelson Mandela alongside many other political prisoners were imprisoned for decades. The picturesque views and the uniqueness of Table Mountain make it a must-see in Cape Town.This photograph is a view of Table Mountain from Bloubergstrand, which was also a nice destination to visit for a walk along the beach and a meal or coffee.

Photo courtesy of Gita Zimmermann

The purpose of our visit to this beautiful part of the world was to visit Mama Lumka, the Charity of choice of my mother’s business Tell IT Media which offers Branding, Design and Website Solutions. For more about Mama Lumka and the kids visit www.mamalumka.org.au or the blog of our visit to Mama Lumka.

Arctic Foxes

Arctic foxes have stunning coats which tend either to be white or a beautiful blue-grey. As well as being attractive, these coats act as very effective winter camouflage and are the warmest fur of any mammal – even warmer than that of the polar bear. The foxes also have furry soles, short ears and a short muzzle, all of which are important in helping them survive the chilly climate. They are amazing creatures to observe, as the basic social unit is a breeding pair who will remain together in the same territory and den for up to five years.

Polar Bears

The main highlight of an Arctic cruise is often spotting the iconic polar bear. Only in the Arctic can you see this amazing creature in its natural habitat and view their full personality. You’ll be impressed by their amazing adaptations to life in the harsh Arctic environment and dependence on sea ice. However, while they look cute and friendly they’re actually incredibly strong and ferocious, measuring up to 3.1 metres long and weighing up to 1,200 pounds. Sadly, these giant beasts are becoming highly vulnerable, threatened with the increasing effects of global warming, which is melting their habitat.

Svalbard Reindeer

Svalbard has a unique subspecies of reindeer, the Svalbard reindeer which is the smallest species within the deer family. The deer have characteristically short legs but still carry impressive antlers. They spend their days concentrating on eating as much as possible creating large fat reserves to survive the long Arctic winter. These reindeer are not shy and can be more commonly spotted than the polar bear.

Ice Seals

The Arctic is home to several unique and extraordinary, beautiful seal species, such as: ribbon seals, bearded seals, ringed seals, spotted seals, harp seals, and hooded seals. These seals are often called ice seals because they spend the bulk of their lives either on or near sea ice. They can be spotted along with walrus on ice floes or off-shore islands and so make perfect photographic subjects.

Whales

Whilst some whales may migrate over the severe winters, the bowhead, beluga and narwhal can be seen in the Arctic all year round. The bowhead feeds by swimming with its huge mouth open, taking in enormous amounts of water and trapping copepods and other drifting crustaceans. This is because it is a baleen whale and so instead of teeth, it has several hundred fringed plates, called baleen, that hang down from its upper jaw and filter small prey from the water.

The beluga is a very beautiful creature which is also known as the white whale due to its distinctive white colouring. Belugas are a sociable bunch, often gathering in large numbers so once you spot one, look out for others nearby. You may only need to listen out for them as belugas are quite loud and can often be heard whistling, clicking, and grunting.

What distinguishes the narwhal from the beluga is its magnificent spearing tusk which can extend up to half of the whale’s body weight. Nicknamed ‘unicorn of the sea’, the tusk is actually a long, twisted tooth that is projected up to three metres in front of the whale.

Arctic Birds

There is also a variety of birds which can be seen in the Arctic. If you cruise during the summer months you may spot the Arctic tern which is famous for its migration, flying from its breeding grounds in the Arctic 44,000-miles to the opposite pole the Antarctic. Here it will spend September to May before flying back again for summer in the Arctic. This is by far the furthest migration by any known animal and ensures that this bird sees two summers per year and more daylight than any other creature on the planet.

Other birds you may spot are puffins, eider ducks, skuas, sandpipers and auks. The birds in the Arctic are also feeling the effects of climate change; from difficulties in flying in foggy weather to avalanches and new threats such as mosquitoes.

Unspoiled Wilderness

In addition to unique wildlife, an Arctic cruise enables you to sail round some one of the world’s last great wildernesses. The dramatic scenery ranges from ice covered seas, fjords with breathtaking mountain scenery, rarely visited bays and inlets and glaciers flowing into the sea around you.

This shot was taken in a game park at Hluhluwe-Umfolozi which is in the KwaZulu-Natal province. The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi game park (prounced something like: ‘shla-shloo-wee oom-fa-low-zee’) is much smaller than say the Kruger (being about a twentieth of the size) but it is teeming with game and is a very beautiful park with huge landscape areas with a wild feel to them. We took several pictures of a group of male buffalos, enjoying the mud wallow in the warm sunshine. Male Buffalo can be dangerous creatures, but these were quite happy for us to photograph them at leisure, it was as if they were all out on a ‘jolly’!

Photo courtesy of Lavinia from Dorset, England.

Present Day Camusfearna

Sandaig and the ‘Bay of Alder’ is a very remote destination found on the Isle of Tiree, off the west coast of Scotland. Here writer Gavin Maxwell lived with his beloved otters. Guest writer Jean from the Netherlands shares his dream, travel destination and fondness for the author with TravelTipsPlus.com.

Some places are more special than others. The most special #dream #travel destination for me is Gavin Maxwell’s (1914-1969) ‘Bay of Alder’ in Scotland. It’s the remote place where Maxwell lived for almost 20 years. The place where he wrote his books, took care of his otters, planned his travels and licked his new wounds.

Camusfearna during the 1950s

Sandaig, Bay of Alder (in gaellic ‘Camusfearna’) in 1950 to the right and top photo, of present day Camusfearna.

I have read all Gavin Maxwell’s books. I have also read all the books that talk about him and his life. His father and grandfather were also authors and I’ve read some of their books also! To be short, I’m very fond of Gavin Maxwell. Here is a quote by him (1959) that I would like to share:

“It is October, and I have been for six unbroken months at Camusfearna. The stags are roaring on the slopes of Skye across the Sound, and yesterday the wild swans passed flying southwards low over a lead-grey sea. The ring of tide-wrack round the bay is piled with fallen leaves borne down the burn, and before a chill sea wind they are blown racing and scurrying up the sands. The summer, with its wild roses and smooth blue seas lapping white beaches, is over; the flower of the heather is dead and the scarlet rowan berries fallen. Beyond are the brief twilit days of winter, when the waterfall will thunder white over flat rocks whose surface was hot to bare feet under summer suns, and the cold, salt-wet wind will rattle the window and moan in the chimney. This year I shall not be there to see and hear these things; home is for me as yet a fortress from which to essay raid and foray, an embattled position behind whose walls one may retire to lick new wounds and plan fresh journeys to father horizons. Yet while there is time there is the certainty of return.”

Edal the Otter's Grave

My three favourite Gavin Maxwell books: G. Maxwell, ‘Ring of Bright Water’. G. Maxwell, ‘The House of Elrig’. Douglas Botting, ‘Gavin Maxwell, A Life’.

One day in the month of May I will walk with a rucksack from Inverness to Sandaig. Accompanied with rain, wind and sun. At the end of the journey I’ll find Edal’s monument at Camusfearna. It’s the exact place where once Gavin’s writing table stood. The house was burnt to the ground in January 1968 and Otter ‘Edal’ perished in the fire.

RING OF BRIGHT WATER – Gavin Maxwell

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TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Isle of Tiree

One Great Reason to Visit Sandaig

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for the very remote location accompanied with wild otters once in a while.

Wings of Wild Swans

Contemporary folk song. Inspired by the Scottish Highlands. Lyrics inspired by a line in Gavin Maxwell’s ‘Ring of Bright Water’. Photographed at Sandaig where, as Camusfearna, Gavin made his home.

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View from Mt Oberon

Wilsons Promontory or more fondly known as ‘The Prom’ is the most southerly tip of mainland Australia. It has been one of my favourite camping spots for many years, offering bushwalking, wildlife viewing, swimming in the clear waters and general relaxation in the protected National Park.

Wilsons Promontory National Park was one of the first national parks declared in Victoria, more than 100 years ago, and is an icon of the park system and draws visitors from all over to this travel destination.

Development within the park has been minimal and it was only recently that a major objection was fought to keep development and commercial tourism out of ‘The Prom’. The only facilities for camping are located at Tidal River camping ground. The park information centre, small supply shop and petrol station are also found here.

During the summer peak season camping is so popular that you not only have to book a site but enter a ballot system due to the demand. Unfortunately, there are times when you will miss out!

The special attractions include Tidal River, a hike to Squeaky Beach, Whisky Bay, a 20km return hike to Sealers Cove (the only access is by foot) and Lilly Pilly Gully. It is a bushwalker’s delight.

The National Park offers the perfect opportunity for taking photographs of beautiful landscapes and wildlife you will encounter. You might like to take a look at Tony Page, professional photographer and writer and what he has on offer.

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One Great Reason to Visit

One great reason to visit this travel destination is to experience the sunset from the top of Mt Oberon looking over Tidal River and Norman Bay.

Gippsland, Victoria including Wilsons Promontory

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Medlands Beach

Great Barrier Island is located 90 km from Auckland on the east coast of New Zealand. Angela Pearse spent a weekend on the island courtesy of Tourism Auckland and Sealink ferries.

Visiting Great Barrier Island is like winding back the hands of time. The 800 or so islanders generate their electricity by wind, solar, battery or diesel power. There is no main water supply or street lighting. Mail is infrequent and supplies of fresh food such as bread and grocery items are shipped over on the ferry.

But it is this back-to-basics lifestyle and untouched natural landscape which makes Great Barrier Island such a special travel destination. On our trip we met some locals who are passionate about “The Barrier”.

In Port Fitzroy on the west side of the island, Sven Stellin extracts manuka and kanuka oil and makes products, such as mosquito spray, balms, soaps and essential oils. He gives visitors a first-hand look into the process of extraction and a chance to buy Barrier Gold products.

Also at Port Fitzroy is Glenfern Sanctuary run by Tony Bouzaid. Glenfern is a 150 acre reserve where endangered species such as the rare black petrel, brown teal duck and North Island Robins can live safely from predators. Tony’s guided walk takes you through the sanctuary, which has elevated boardwalks through native forest and a suspension bridge into a 600 year old kauri tree. A ride in Tony’s Unimog, a 4WD all terrain army vehicle, is included in the walk.

Solar Panel House

The largest settlement in Great Barrier Island is at Tryphena Harbour in the south west of the island where the ferry docks. It has a good selection of accommodation including:

There are eight camping grounds on Great Barrier Island, with some situated a short distance from pristine white sand beaches. Medlands Beach and neighbouring Okupu Bay on the east coast are particularly beautiful and it is not uncommon to see dolphins there in the warmer months.

Other top notch accommodations include Mt Saint Paul Lodge at Medlands Beach and Great Barrier Lodge at Whangaparapara Harbour on the west, which has self-contained cottages and backpacker cabins.

Currach Irish Pub, Mt Saint Paul Lodge and Great Barrier Lodge

Sealink ferries and Fly My Sky

You can reach ‘The Barrier’, as it is affectionately known, by a relaxing four and half hour Sealink ferry ride (with onboard café + two movie theatres) or a 35 minute chartered Fly My Sky flight from Auckland Domestic Airport.

New Zealand (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

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One Great Reason to Visit Great Barrier Island

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for the more than 100 kms of walking tracks. One of the most popular is Kaitoke Hot Springs. Reached by a gentle meandering bush walk, Kaitoke Hot Springs has a series of natural pools for bathing and is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a hard day of sight-seeing on the island.

Great Barrier Island

Great Barrier Island from Dave Woodard on Vimeo.

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View over Kaikoura

Kaikoura is located at the top of the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. A small township with a population of only 3,000 people, it draws around 900,000 tourists a year because of resident giant sperm whales and up to seven other species of whale which come to feed in the deep waters off the coast.

Angela Pearse spent three days in Kaikoura and had her own up close and personal whale experience.

“Our first sperrrrrm whale coming up ladies and gentlemen!”, shouts Jim our onboard commentator, and general funny man, for the two and a half hour whale watching experience.

Up until now we’ve been motoring at a steady pace from shore but suddenly the boat shoots off, rocking alarmingly up and down on the two metre swell. When checking in with Whale Watch Kaikoura [www.whalewatch.co.nz] there was a sea-sickness warning but I came prepared with my ‘Ease the Quease’ pills which I dutifully took before even setting foot on the boat. I have a weak stomach at the best of times.

A fellow passenger lets the waves get the better of her and throws up gracefully into a complimentary paper bag. I’m sympathetic but with cries of “We’re chasing a whale, ladies and gentlemen,” from Jim, there’s no time to waste being sick.

We all pile over to starboard (“If you’re on the left, you’re on the wrrrronnng side”, drawls Jim). And wait and wait. The captain turns off the motor and we galoop up and down on the swelling sea. Nothing. The whale has already dived and is now feeding somewhere up to three kilometres beneath us. “It could be down there for up to two hours,” says Jim, “We lost that race. But not to worry, the captain is going to listen to see if there are any other whales around”. A handy whale listening device is hastily produced which looks like a long bendy bit of plastic tubing with a funnel duct-taped to the end. The captain listens intently to whale noises which apparently sound like trying to start your car with a flat battery.

Whale watching

We take off again. Jim tells us that all the whales in the area are male as the water is too cold for the breeding females. The females are all (rather cleverly, I think) in the Bahamas. Some of the whales which we will encounter, like Manu, are resident and stay in Kaikoura all year round.

Soon enough we see our first whale, blowing and snorting up ahead. “Our first encounter, ladies and gentlemen, fantastic!” says Jim voicing our enthusiasm for us. But it is thrilling to see a whale close up, it looks like a large floating black log. But we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg, the very top of the whale’s head, the rest of the huge mammal is submerged somewhere beneath the waves.

“We don’t know how long he’s been up, he could go at any minute”, says Jim cheerfully, making us grab for our cameras. No pressure, I think. Sure enough the whale lies there for a bit then arches its back taking a last breath. “Cameras ready people”, calls Jim, “He’s about to dive!”. Sure enough the whale ducks down and its tail flicks gracefully up into the air. You could have heard a pin drop (apart
from the clicking of cameras). We are hooked. We want more whales and Jim knows it. We set out on the hunt once again with all of us hanging on for dear life as the boat powers off.

The experienced crew seem easily able to spot the whales from a long distance, and in total we see five sperm whales. But on the way back into shore Jim says he has a surprise treat for us. A sixth whale, a rare Southern Right is in the area.

We all pile outside again as the boat plies patiently up and down the shoreline in search of the whale. “Over to starboard mate”, says one of the crew. After a few seconds a black hump and a tell-tale waterspout emerges on the slate grey horizon. “This whale’s behaviour is slightly different”, Jim tells us. True enough, it doesn’t lie on top of the sea and flick its tail but duck dives smoothly beside the boat as we putt alongside like its anxious child.

We gaze in mesmerised awe until Jim says it’s time to leave the whale to continue feeding. Though I doubt any whales had actually stopped feeding for a minute because of our presence. They probably
never even noticed we were there.

Jim plays us a series of videos on the trip back to shore which show typical whale behaviour, such as tail thumping and jaw clacking. In one of them called ‘The Encounter’ a determined whale tries to make contact with the boat. On second thoughts, I consider, perhaps it is best to leave them feeding in peace.

The Complete Whale-Watching Handbook: A Guide to Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the World

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One Great Reason to Visit Kaikoura

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for an up close and personal experience with majestic sperm whales.

Magic of Kaikoura

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Los Llanos Anaconda

Los Llanos, meaning ‘flat plains’ describes the flat, savannah plains of central and south-western Venezuela of the Orinoco Delta. It is a haven for bird and wildlife. There is really only two distinct seasons in this region being the ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ seasons.

The dry season provides excellent bird-watching opportunities. Other wildlife you can expect to see amongst the various ecosystems include the anaconda (the largest snake in the world), crocodiles, capybaras, giant ant-eaters, piranhas and the pink river dolphin.

Explore Los Llanos and Venezuela with a ‘Lonely Planet’ Travel Guide

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One Great Reason to Visit Los Llanos

One great reason to visit Los Llanos is for the safari’s available to view the bird and wildlife in their natural habitats.

Los Llanos

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Tikal National Park

The remnants of the fascinating Mayan civilisation can be marvelled at Tikal National Park, a UNESCO listed site since 1979. Tikal, meaning ‘place of voices’ is now a National Park and located in the northern region of Guatemala and not too far from the border with Belize.

Tikal was the capital of the ancient Mayan civilisation. It is believe that it would not have been its original name but infact the name given shortly after its modern day discovery during the 1840s. Population estimates place the demographic size of the site between 100,000 and 200,000.

The National Park is not only home to archaeological wonders of temples and ruins but also the home to monkeys, parrots, deer, toucans, macaws, ocelots and the rare jaguar.

A highly recommended book by Dr Peter D. Harrison – The Lords of Tikal: Rulers of an Ancient Maya City

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One Great Reason to Visit Tikal

One great reason to visit Tikal is for the spectacular Mayan ruins; remnants of a grand civilisation.

Tikal, Guatemala – The Mayas One of The Most Spectacular Civilizations

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Gelada Baboons on the Amhara Plateau

The Amhara Plateau incorporates the ‘Simien National Park’ which is a World Heritage Site and was inscribed by UNESCO during 1978 – one of the first localities to receive inscription.

It is located in northern Ethiopia, 120 km north-east of Gondar. Erosion over the years of the Great Rift Valley, has created an amazing landscape of majestic peaks and deep valleys. Ras Dashen, at a height of 4620m, is the fourth highest peak in Africa.

The Gelada Baboons, Simien fox, Ethiopian wolf and the Walia Ibex (a goat) are found nowhere else in the world. Sadly, these species are diminishing. Consequently, during 1996 the park was added to the UNESCO register as a ‘World Heritage Site in Danger’.

The 5th Edition ‘Ethiopia Bradt Travel Guide Book’ comes highly recommended

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One Great Reason to Visit Amhara Plateau

One great reason to visit the Amhara Plateau and Simien National Park is to watch the fascinating Gelada Baboons negotiate the steep cliff-sides and manage it successfully!

Simien National Park

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