Tag: offbeat destinations

Have a whale of a time!

By Srinivas Krishnan

How about going to a remote spot in the Canadian Arctic? A place so remote that you need to take a private chartered flight from Yellowknife in the Northwestern Territories, fly for 1,500 km, then walk about one kilometre across the Tundra, and follow it up with a short raft ride across the Cunningham river.


A journey that will have you mesmerized by four-and-half hours of stunning aerial views and wondering at the majesty of nature unfold ground-level. Your eventual destination? The spectacularly located Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge on Somerset Island in Nunavut.
It’s so remote that you can watch the unique Beluga Whales frolic without inhibition in the water. It’s remote enough to spot that shy giant called the Musk Ox which seems to actually enjoy living in this brutal environment. Also remote enough to watch the antics of the mischievous Arctic Fox, fondly called “clowns of the Tundra” as if they are performing for you.


Again, remote enough to observe all the birds and animals that thrive in this harsh, frigid temperatures: Peregrine Falcons, Arctic Terns, Eider Ducks, Plovers, Snow Geese, Jaegers, Sandpipers, Snow Buntings, Loons, Rough-legged Hawks, and of course, Ring Seals, Bearded Seals and the magnificent Polar Bear.
But not so remote that you sacrifice creature comforts! The Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge is a unique destination that mixes camping luxury with the arctic wilderness, adrenaline-inducing adventures with moments of great calm and quiet introspection, sumptuous gourmet food and drink in the midst of a hostile environment and the warmth of terrific knowledge and hospitality at 805 km north of the Arctic Circle!

This is a different kind of experience than what you perhaps are used to, because when it comes to polar experiences, every day is different and every day offers a new adventure – and you get 24 hours of daylight to make the most of your time there… So many things to do, so many things to see, that you’ll wonder how 10 days just went past.
What makes this remote part of Planet Earth rather special and unique is that the Cunningham River estuary is a Beluga Whale migration site. These wonderful white whales are rather endearing because they communicate with each other using sounds like clicks, moos, whistles and clangs. Not just that, they tend to mimic sounds they hear. You know what that implies, right? It includes the sounds of human speech! Because of the variety of sounds they produce, Belugas are famously known as “canaries of the sea.”

There’s no better spot on the Planet to watch these majestic, friendly and intelligent creatures in action. The proximity of the Lodge to the Beluga Whale migration site as well as their density makes it so. You can see them and even hear them while standing on the river banks and using the hydrophones supplied by the guides, you can even eavesdrop into their conversations.

During your stay here, you will have the opportunity to understand more about the flora and fauna of this land from experts who spend entire lifetimes researching about the natural history, geography and the intersection of man and nature in this part of the world.

For example, on the ATV ride to Cape Anne, you will visit some ancient Thule sites, the Thule people were Bowhead Whale hunters and are ancestors to today’s Inuits. On this ride, while you will be gobsmacked not just looking at the scenic Arctic vistas and the monstrous icebergs, but also the ancient campsites and prehistoric whale bones.

And on a trip to the Somerset Island canyons, which were formed because of shifting fault lines, you will wander wonderstruck looking at the steep walls and the millions of fossils of prehistoric plants and animals scattered around the ground. You’ll get the opportunity to intimately observe the nesting sites of the local birds, watch Arctic Fox cubs at play, witness the mighty Musk Oxen pass by and a unique gull rookery.

During this time, you will enjoy driving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) around the landscape, go paddling in kayaks around the Cunningham Inlet, experience the immense capability of the legendary Mercedes-Benz Unimog four-wheel drive truck, go rafting on the crystal-clear water of the gentle rapids as well as hike in the stunning landscape to reach spots that are mind-blowing. You’ll have a whale of a time, that’s a promise!

To know more check out our Itinerary

An Insiders View on Cyprus

By Evropi Navrozidou

Everything the guide books or tourism websites won’t tell you about the place

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, with spectacular scenery and an enviable climate. An island of beauty and a country of contrasts with its cool, pine-clad mountains forming a complete scene-change compared to the golden sun-kissed beaches. Cyprus may be a small country, but it is a large island with a big heart; an island that gives its visitors a genuine welcome and treats them as friends.

What makes Cyprus an ideal travel destination for all?

Whether you prefer to relax and enjoy your stay on the beach or want to experience new adventures, Cyprus is the ideal place to be. The island offers a wide range of activities such as cycling on the outstanding Limassol promenade, Segway tours, participating in dance workshops and yoga sessions, golf training, countless cultural and art activities. As for the more adventurous individuals visiting the island, guests have the opportunity to enjoy team building activities such as dragon boat racing, motorbike tours, off-road bike expeditions, mountain quad safaris, antique car rallies, jeep expeditions and even horse riding.

Quad Ride

Tell us something that every traveller should know when traveling to Cyprus?

Hospitality in Cyprus is legendary and Cypriots have a unique way of creating a warm and loving atmosphere that makes people feel relaxed and welcomed. The strong spirit of hospitality always leaves visitors impressed every time they visit Cyprus.

Bring a big appetite and try a traditional meze. Meze or mezze is a selection of small dishes. It is the Cypriot style of eating where there are many different courses, but each course contains just a little of each item, enough for everyone to have a taste while incorporating what’s fresh each season. The Mezze is more than just a meal it’s all about sharing and bringing people together.

Lastly, if you do not know what to do after a morning on the beach, you can head up to Troodos Mountains just an hour away and hit the ski slopes. Cyprus is able to offer just about everything.

Any essentials that one needs to carry when they traveling to Cyprus? 

A hat, swimwear, a pair of sunglasses and your sunscreen, these are your 4 must-have pieces!

Which are the most surreal places to visit when in Cyprus?

Some of the most surreal places to visit in Cyprus are the following:
Akamas Peninsula
Larnaca Salt Lake
Troodos Peaks
Cape Creco, Ayia Napa


Ayia Napa

Can you tell us a little about the life of the locals? 

If you want to immerse yourself into the local culture, you need to know a couple of things:

Experience the café Culture:
Cypriots love coffee and particularly frothy ice coffee that we have mastered to creamy caffeinated perfection! On Fridays and weekends all over the island, the Cypriots like to gather with friends and family to share their news and stories. Hang around long enough and some cafes turn into bars and music venues, where you can spend the rest of the evening drinking cheerfully with the locals.

The “Siesta”:
The sun rhythms the day of the locals, the sun rises early (get a few things done before temperatures rise…), burns at its zenith (just give into that sleepy feeling after lunch so you’re all rested after 5 pm) and sets when life on the island picks up again (dress up well and get ready for your nightlife as in line with Mediterranean culture dinner starts and lasts late).
Embrace the slow pace of life, eat well (and slow!), and you’ll come back rejuvenated and in love with this beautiful island.

What are the local delicacies/drinks which one must try and where in Cyprus?

Meze:  No visit to Cyprus is complete without enjoying the traditional meal of many small dishes known as ‘meze’. It comprises of an array of approximately 20 dishes, starting with dips, salads and followed by casserole dishes and charcoal grilled meat or fish or both!

Meze

Loukoumia:  It has a soft, jelly-like and sometimes sticky consistency, and is often packaged and eaten in small cubes dusted with icing sugar or coconut to prevent clinging. They are exotic, intensely sweets with a delicate flavor of sweetness from most of the times rosewater and icing sugar. “It is a Cyprus delight sweet.”

Soutzoukos:  Is a traditional, chewy sweet made from grape juice that has a unique appearance (it looks similar to a candle!), and is popular at traditional festivals. The sweet is made using the surplus of grapes after the grape harvest, which is why it is commonly made in the wine-producing villages of the Troodos and Paphos regions.

Zivania: With an alcohol content of 40-99%, it is no surprise that is also referred to nationally as ‘firewater’!

Halloumi: Is the island’s most famous cheese! Made from goat or sheep’s milk, this white semi-hard cheese has been produced on the island for centuries and is traditionally prepared with a precise recipe.

What are things which one must buy when in Cyprus?

Olives : Olive oil and associated goods are probably the must buy gifts that you should bring home from Cyprus. Olives have been cultivated on the island since ancient times, and the expansion of the olive cultivars has been growing at the beginning of the 20th century after the British founded 6 new olive farms that provided this rapid expansion.

Honey: Cyprus has a long-standing tradition of honey making, producing a large number of high-quality and award-winning kinds of honey that are known for their pureness.

Rose products: Deep in the heart of the Pitsillia region of the island, is a village, Agros, known for its rose-growing and production of rose-related products. From perfumes to cosmetics, to candles, liquors and others, you will definitely try some of the local products made with the fragile light pink flowers.

Wine : Cyprus has been a vine-growing and wine-producing country for millennia and wine is and used to be a major part of the Cypriot diet. Cyprus’s wines rank among the world’s best, finest-quality wines. A big percentage of Cyprus vineyards are planted with indigenous grape varieties that have “melodious-sounding” names like Xinisteri, Maratheftiko, Lefkada and Mavro.

Winery

Which is the most romantic places to visit in Cyprus?

Aphrodite’s Rock during sunset. The combination of the beauty of this place during the sunset and its status in mythology as the birthplace of the goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, make this place as one of the most romantic to visit in Cyprus.

Alphrodite

What are the local festivals which one must come to attend in Cyprus?

There are many local festivals in Cyprus, Limassol stages some of the island’s best-known festivals:

The annual Wine Festival in September, the pre-Lenten Carnival; with masquerade parties, balls and grand parades, and the ancient Drama Festival at Kourion theatre.

Kourion Theatre

The things guidebooks will not tell anyone about?

Cyprus is ranked as the fifth safest country in the world when considering life expectancy, CO2 emissions, national police personnel, traffic deaths, thefts and assaults. As a small Mediterranean country, with a stable political climate, Cyprus has a strong reputation as a trouble-free travel destination.

According to you what is the best thing about Cyprus?

The island has an efficient road transport and communications network, two multi-purpose seaports located in the coastal cities of Limassol and Larnaca and two modern international airports in Larnaca and Paphos. The island’s main resorts are connected by modern highways and make transfers a lot easier. Furthermore, distances in Cyprus are relatively short, which gives delegates the opportunity to explore different parts of the island in a limited period of time. It only takes around 40 minutes to travel from one city to another while the longest distance might be around one and a half hours by car.

Evropi Navrozidou &  Drakos Team

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