Category Archives: Travel Lists

Popular travel lists.

5 Things you Didn’t Know about the Galapagos Islands

After spending many months in the Galapagos Islands during my various visits there, I’ve learned quite a few travellers have strange expectations when it comes to visiting the Galapagos. Even people who have visited the islands often get things wrong. So, here are 5 things most people don’t know about the remote Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador.

1 – 40,000 People Live in the Galapagos

Galapaguenos playing Soccer
A local soccer match on San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos

 

It’s not all about the animals, as four islands support towns, with populations from 140 to more than 20,000. Spending time in the towns, especially on Isabela Island and San Cristobal Island, is a great way to get the full travel experience of the islands, instead of just ticking off animals from a guide book. Because of the higher standard of living in the Galapagos compared to mainland Ecuador, there are strict immigration controls in the islands for both visitors and workers.

2 – Galapagos Travel Guide Books are Usually Wrong

The park rules change so fast in the Galapagos that all printed guide books are out of date, even the famous Lonely Planet. Seek out current online sources for your travel information if you’re trying to visit independently, as you’ll be disappointed with the information in most guide books. I’ve seen dozens of people show up, believing their guide book is right, only to find out their Galapagos travel plans are no longer possible, or are now illegal. If you use your guide book for basics such as finding some hotels or restaurants, you should be able to find some still up-to-date information. But when it comes to visiting tourist sites that require a Naturalist Guide, either by land, or by boat, check with the locals or an actual tour company first.

3 – There are no Giant Turtles in the Galapagos

Galapagos Giant Tortoise
A giant tortoise (not turtle) on Floreana Island in the Galapagos

 

Giant turtles do not exist. Yes, there are some very big turtles. Green sea turtles that swim in the water in the Galapagos and lay their eggs on beaches can weigh hundreds of pounds. But these are green sea turtles, not a giant turtle species. The massive land animals that people come to see are giant tortoises, not turtles. Very different animals. Need to know how to tell the difference?  In short – tortoises stay on land, turtles prefer the water.

4 – Charles Darwin only spent 5 Weeks in the Galapagos

Three years after Ecuador claimed the islands from Spain, Charles Darwin arrived and spent five weeks on the islands in 1835 as part of the HMS Beagle voyage captained by Robert FitzRoy. Darwin actually only visited four of the islands, and while he made many important observations at the time, it wasn’t until he arrived home in England much later on that he studied the finches and worked out his theory of evolution through natural selection – leading to his published work The Origin of Species. What is the most impressive thing you’ve accomplished after a 5-week visit somewhere?

5 – Goats have Wreaked Havoc in the Galapagos Islands

In recent decades, studies proved that feral goats were straining the local giant tortoise populations. These goats first arrived when early settlers and previous whalers and sealers visited the islands. Spreading into the highlands, their numbers increased to dangerous levels, where tortoises would starve because they couldn’t compete with the more aggressive goats, who would eat everything in their path. Eradication programs have eliminated more than 270,000+ goats in recent decades! About half of those are from Isabela Island.

10 Surprisingly Tasty Animals

One beautiful thing about travel is that you get to try different cuisines and local delicacies.

As a meat-eater, that means I get to try eating different animals in different countries. Sometimes it’s not quite as great as hoped for, such as toad’s legs in Cambodia; while other times I’m pleasantly surprised.

Another tasty animal
What tasty animal is this from Peru? Check #10 to find out!

 

Over the years I’ve sampled many good, and bad, creatures. You may find some of these to be odd animals to eat, but to me – they’re all tasty animals! While there are hopefully many more deliciously odd animals to eat in my future, here is my current run down of 10 surprisingly tasty animals.

Bon appetit!

#1 – Camel

Sweet and tangy, perhaps my favourite meat overall. I can’t really say exactly how it tastes, except that it had an actually sweet flavour to it. Unlike any other meat I’ve enjoyed, even the related Alpacas and Llamas. I would make this a more regular meal, except that camel meat is hard to find. On a side note – apparently baby camel meat is extremely popular in Saudi Arabia!

#2 – Alligator / Caiman / Crocodile

They’re all pretty similar from my limited dining experiences. If you’ve only had little fried ‘bites’ of an alligator tail it doesn’t really count. You need to get a nice slab of meat, a Caiman steak for example. There is a good amount of squishy ‘fat’ on them, but the more meaty portion is tender and flaky – resulting in something that tastes like a fish that ate a chicken. The easiest of these to get at home in Toronto is imported, farmed crocodile meat from Australia.

Mmm, Alligator
A meaty-looking Alligator!

 

#3 – Ostrich

I first had Ostrich in Africa, but luckily there is an Ostrich farm not too far from home. It’s a healthy meat that is perfect for things like kebabs or burgers. Not overly gamey, but it does have a somewhat strong flavour making sure you know you’re eating something different. I enjoy the slightly longer lingering after-taste of Ostrich as it isn’t too strong. A little Ostrich tenderloin with a mixed-green salad is my favourite way to go.

Ostrich tenderloin
An Ostrich tenderloin salad, so good!

 

#4 – Manta Ray

To be 100% honest I don’t know if it was Manta Ray or a different kind of ray that I ate on multiple occasions in Borneo. It was definitely ray and I was told Manta Ray each time I asked, but I’ve also been told since then that it may be a protected species? I haven’t verified that claim though. What I can verify is that the Ray I ate was among the tastiest items at a dinner buffet in Mulu National Park. It tasted meaty, with a slight fish flakiness. Similar texture and consistency to Caiman, but denser.

#5 – Horse

Horse meat is common in Quebec, Canada. You go to a grocery store and see ground beef, ground turkey, ground veal and ground horse meat. Surprisingly, the horse meat is often cheaper than the beef too. I’ve had ground horse meat more times than I can remember now, but a tender horse steak is the way to go. Succulent and super tender, better than beef in my opinion. It’s a controversial meat that some say comes from old race horses that have been pumped full of questionable drugs over their lifetimes. Perhaps. Or perhaps the horses I’ve eaten have been raised for that sole purpose. One thing is for sure – I’ve had my fair share of troublesome horse rides and horses with attitudes during my travels and adventures. So, for me, dining on horse is a bit of tasty revenge.

Cheval is Horse
Cheval, or Horse meat in Quebec CIty

 

#6 Wild Boar

Ok, this may not be the most surprising entry as Wild Boar is a somewhat common meat in North America, Australia and New Zealand. I’ve had Wild Boar in burger and sausage form numerous times, but the Wild Boar ribs I had in New Zealand were by far the best. Even the rack of Wild Boar I cooked at home recently couldn’t stack up to the meaty, sticky ribs I had on New Zealand’s south island. So tender and juicy – delicious.

Rack of Wild Boar
One tasty animal – part of a rack of Wild Boar

 

#7 – Wapiti and Elk

Wapi-what? Wapiti is essentially another name for Elk. This large deer species is a great protein-rich meat. From Montana to Montreal – if I see Elk or Wapiti steak on a menu, it’s destined for my fork. I enjoy the natural taste of both meats, without needing any real seasoning besides salt and pepper.

Elk - Another tasty animal
Elk, another surprisingly tasty animal!

 

#8 – Bison

The second largest ungulate found in North America (after the Musk Ox). This is easily the most commonly accepted, and eaten animal on this list. But, for foreigners visiting Canada or the US, Bison can be a surprise meat discovery. It’s a feel-good food to me, as I’ll opt for a big Bison burger from time to time. Sometimes with some bacon on top, for a little extra animal love.

#9 – Impala

What is it about hoofed animals that makes them so tasty?

Impala is a common antelope from Africa, which could easily find it’s place on dinner menus at swank restaurants around the world if it were more readily available. Tender, juicy and full of flavour, give it a go next time you’re in Africa! When I first had Impala in Botswana I was actually surprised at how tender it was, after having seen them leap and bound around so much in the wild I figured they had to be a tough meat. But, find the right cut and you’ll understand why the ‘Big Cats’ of Africa find Impala so irresistible.

Impala
Impala, a favourite food of African predators and tasty too!

 

#10 – Alpaca and Llama

Oh baby, perhaps the best meal I had in Bolivia was a big Llama steak cooked over a grill out on the salt flats. It was the first of a few Llama steaks I had in Bolivia and definitely won’t be the last. After recently visiting Peru, I was finally able to test out the theory held by other travellers I know that Alpaca tastes even better than Llama. Better? Perhaps…I tried succulent, tasty morsels of Alpaca meat almost every day I was in Peru, it was that good! At home in Canada it is growing in popularity to start an Alpaca farm for their wool. So every time I drive by one of those farms now, I’m sad that they’re not meat farms. Watch out Alpacas and Llamas, I’m coming back for you one day.

Al Paca
An amazing Alpaca salad in Cuzco, Peru.

 

There you have it, ten tasty species, plus a couple of extra relatives thrown in for good measure! Did any of these surprise you? If you have an animal to add to my surprisingly tasty animals list, leave a comment and I’ll seek it out on my travels! Oh, and watch for my not-so-tasty animals list coming soon too!

Eat ya later…

8th Wonders of the World

You don’t need to be a world traveller to have heard something labelled as the ‘8th Wonder of the World!’ But the more you travel, the more of these ubiquitous 8th Wonders you seem to run into.

I’ve had the luck of visiting at least four places that share this namesake. They were all wonderful indeed. It got me thinking though, just how many 8th Wonders of the World are there? I mean, there is no official title, so I could call myself the 8th Wonder of the World if I wanted to.

The Grand Canyon, USA
8th Wonder of the World Candidate – The Grand Canyon

 

My friend Google quickly presented me with more than 22 such places in only a few minutes. Filtering through the 8th Wonders I’ve seen and the ones presented by Google and others, here is my attempt at listing the most impressive places that have been unofficially deemed 8th Wonders of the World. (But are officially on my list of worthwhile travel experiences.)

 

8th Wonder #1: The Wonderful Grand Canyon, USA

I had heard from many photographers and travellers over the years that the Grand Canyon was over-hyped. They didn’t enjoy it as much as they had expected. The most common complaint was that it was too crowded and too hot. Sure, if you go in July or August I can imagine that to be the case, even more so if you drive yourself instead of take the free shuttles around the south rim.

I visited in early May, before the long weekend. The weather was in the 90s during the day but dipped near freezing at night. No crowds around and I was the only person on some of the trails I hiked. A few workers commented that it was the best week of the year to visit. Clear skies and great views of the rim and canyon greeted me each day, while the roadways were clear to stop and take pictures of the landscapes and wildlife too.

I won’t say I enjoyed it more than Bryce Canyon for photography and scenery, but I can say this whole area of the US deserves to be an 8th Wonder of the World.

 

8th Wonder #2: Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

This is the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera in the entire world. It also happens to be smack in the middle of prime big mammal territory in Africa.

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
A Rhino in Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania – Possibly the 8th Wonder of the World

 

More than 25,000 animals call this crater home, which is like an oasis for many of them. Lions here have it easy – plenty of antelopes, wildebeest and zebras. Life is so good in the crater that many of the animals here don’t even have to migrate with the changing seasons.

Rhinos and hippos and elephants are all found here as well. So are flamingos and hyenas. For any wildlife lover, a trip down into the crater is a wonderful experience, easily worthy of the 8th Wonder of the World title.

 

8th Wonder #3: The Ancient Wonders of Angkor, Cambodia

Not far from the backpacker friendly town of Siem Reap lie the ruins of Angkor. These are the largest Hindu temple ruins in the entire world, built roughly 900 years ago.

To enjoy the large complex as much as possible, you can ride a bicycle through the ruins. A moment that is on many bucket lists is to get up early and watch the sun rise above the most famous of Angkor buildings – Angkor Wat.

Spiritually strong, the mix of ancient wonder, slowly being reclaimed by the jungle, is a special travel experience to say the least.

 

8th Wonder #4 – The Towering Wonder of Milford Sound, New Zealand

Milford Sound, New Zealand
A Wonderful day of Kayaking in Milford Sound, New Zealand

 

I enjoyed kayaking to Milford Sound, keeping an eye out for seals and wildlife along the way. Locals often say that Doubtful Sound is the more impressive place to visit, but when you’re here, it is hard to think anything else could be more impressive. Soaring fjord walls, capped with snow, guide you along this lush landscape.

Waterfalls plummet from the peaks, in this wet – and wonderful – part of the world. If not an 8th Wonder of the World, surely a top wonder of New Zealand.

 

8th Wonder #5 – The Religious Wonders of Lalibela, Ethiopia

Sacred churches, built out of rock. Not by placing stones together to form walls, but by literally digging out the ground!

You really need to visit Lalibela and see the rock churches yourself to fully appreciate the human effort involved in creating them. These 13 monolithic churches are divided into three groups, and include the largest monolithic church in the world.

Quite possibly the most impressive religious wonder in the world.

 

8th Wonder #6 – The Lion Rock Wonder of Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Sigiriya Rock, Sri Lanka
Sigiriya (Lion Rock) in Sri Lanka may be Wonder worthy

 

Sigiriya is often called the Lion Rock. Once, a giant carved lion appeared at the foot of the staircase to the top of this rock, but it has since broken and only the lion ‘paws’ remain.

An interesting history of battles and a strategic vantage point from the rock, make Sigiriya an important landmark in Sri Lanka. But when you add the impressive rock art, a curious ‘mirror wall’ and expansive, carefully excavated gardens to the nearby lands, it becomes even more.

 

8th Wonder #7 – The Warrior Wonder of the Terracotta Army, China

What makes the Terracotta Army extra special is that they remained undiscovered until less than 40 years ago! Despite being built more than 2000 years ago, this army remained hidden for thousands of years.

You can almost imagine them coming to life as well, perhaps because everything was built life-size – horses, chariots, acrobats, musicians and more than 8000 warriors! Kind of creepy? Yes. Kind of cool? Absolutely.

 

8th Wonder #8 – The Mysterious Moai Wonders of Easter Island, Chile

Easter Island has always fascinated me. So much mystery still surrounds this island. Once home to a thriving population, civilization quickly crumbled turned the island into a barren, inhospitable wasteland.

Easter Island, Chile
Mysterious Moai Statues on Easter Island – The 8th Wonder of the World?

 

The people living here once carved huge Moai statues from quarries, but at some time there was a change in beliefs, the Moai were toppled and the Bird Man Cult came into existence.

It is the kind of story that is perfect for blockbuster movies. Unfortunately we don’t fully know exactly why things changed. We don’t know the entire reason why the Moai were created or why the islanders didn’t see that deforestation of their island would lead to their starvation.

Mysteries surrounded by more mysteries is what makes Easter Island a worthy wonder.

 

8th Wonder #9 – Somewhere you have been…

What do you think? Do any of these ‘Wonders’ hold their own against the 7 Wonders of the World? What would be your choice for 8th Wonder of the World?

 

My 7 Links: From Humble Beginnings

Last year, the ‘My 7 Links’ project was creating big buzz in the blogging world, with travel bloggers clamouring to share and show their greatest links.

Since then numerous new series of posts have begun, but I couldn’t let my nomination by Erin Halvey from A Sense of Place (formerly Visual Vacation) go unanswered as that would be bad Karma. Initiated by the good people at Tripbase, the project aims to give older posts a second life by sharing them with the online travel community.

Erin nominated me to participate in the My 7 Links project 10 months ago, when my website was only a few months old. I hardly even had 7 links total, let alone capable of filling in the topical needs for the project. So…I banned myself from participating in any such posts, but promised to catch up on them once my site was at least 1 year old.

That year has passed and I’m not one to break my promises, so here is my post – better late than never!

Most Beautiful Post

Maldives Cruising Safari

There is something about remote islands with perfect beaches that makes people go crazy. In the Maldives, having your own private island for a game of volleyball is a possibility. It is hard to take bad pictures in the Maldives, they’re such a beautiful destination.

Playing beach Volleyball while Picnicking in the Maldives
Enjoying a Game of Beach Volleyball on a Private Island in the Maldives

 

Most Popular Post

5 Crazy Moments from my Most Epic Road Trip

Driving 4000 miles, being scared by wild animals in Yellowstone, losing keys and nearly dying from dehydration seem to resonate well with my readers.

I still say, you can’t say you’ve really gone camping until you’ve had to deal with Bison roaming around your tent at night.

Bison near Campsite in Yellowstone
Don't Feed the Wildlife - Bison roaming the Campground in Yellowstone

 

Most Controversial Post

New 7 Wonders of Nature Controversy

This is an easy choice. Last October, a month before the world ‘caught on’ I unearthed some controversial news about the New 7 Wonders of Nature campaign. Let’s just say sketchy business dealing not unlike bribery and blackmail may have helped decide on who won the competition.

The post generated media interview requests as far away as South Africa, Indonesia and the Philippines. It also generated more traffic to my site in one single day than I had received in the 5 months prior.

Iguassu Falls in Argentina
Iguassu Falls, Argentina - A New 7 Wonders of Nature Finalist

 

Most Helpful Post

A Word of Warning about hittheroad.ca

I thought perhaps my post on how to properly enjoy and appreciate Tequila would fit here,  but instead something more practical.

Renting a car can be a costly pain if you need to pay for insurance and can’t get a great rate. But if you’re a frequent traveller, you should be able to get a deal through your favourite airline or credit card loyalty program. On the other hand, if you choose another, potentially cheaper, option like delivering a car … you might end up paying more in the end.

Road trip through the Petrified Forest
Delivering a car as a Hired Driver - like this Jaguar in Arizona - is one way to Road Trip

 

Post whose Success Surprised Me

The Largest Stone in the World

Really, it is just a stone. But it happens to be the world’s largest stone!

I love how we’re drawn to weird, quirky and often lame roadside attractions. It could be a huge chair, apple, ball of twine or fork and people will flock to it.

Largest Stone in the World - Baalbeck, Lebanon
Largest Stone in the World - Baalbeck, Lebanon

 

Post that Didn’t get the Attention it Deserved

The Wild West of Madagascar

Some stories have a strong sentimental attachment to them, which I think is hard for many writers to detach themselves from.

That is the way I am with any story I write about Madagascar. It remains my favourite country in the world, yet I know others who were thoroughly unimpressed by it.

Still, any story that has a hint of Wild West to it, including an actual beheading, deserves some attention doesn’t it?

Rest stop after hiking in Isalo National Park
Sitting with Jacques, taking a Rest after hiking in Isalo

 

There you have it. 10 months after being nominated, I finally completed this long overdue post. Anyone out there who hasn’t created their 7 links post…go for it and nominate yourself to participate or hop on one of the more recent themes like 7 Super Shots!

Top 6 Wild Cats of the World

So, who is the coolest cat of them all? This list of six big cats represents the biggest, smartest and coolest cats around the world.

Of all the wild cats I’ve seen on my travels, I’ve only seen one from this list – the Lion. Looks like I have to plan some more feline friendly travels? See if your favourite cat made the list.

Leopard in the Serengeti Photo
A Leopard in a tree in the Serengeti - A Cool Cat, but not one of the Top 6 Coolest Cats!

 

#6 Mountain Lion (Puma concolor)

You don’t need to travel anywhere exotic to come in contact with a potentially lethal big cat. The Cougar, Panther and Mountain Lion are all the same animal – roaming across the wild areas of the Americas. From the Rocky Mountains to the Andes in South America these are extremely elusive cats that are capable of hunting big prey like Moose, Elk or Deer. Chances of seeing one are slim as they’re weary of humans and prefer to avoid any contact.

#5 Lion (Panthera leo)

Lions used to live in various locations around the world, but now wild lions are only found in Africa and India. The “King of the Jungle” is known for its distinctive mane and strong roar, a key component of big cats. What many people don’t know is that the Asiatic Lion can be found in India. Only around 400 of them remain, so it is an endangered animal and can only be seen in the Gir Forest in Gujarat, India. Over in Africa, the lion is listed as a vulnerable species, but ranges across much of Southern and Eastern Africa still.

A Lioness in Ngorongoro Crater
A Lioness on the Lookout in the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

 

#4 Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

The Cheetah is the fastest of all land animals, travelling at speeds upwards of 100km/hour. How can they run so fast? Well they have semi-retractable claws, enlarged nostrils, lungs and hearts that increase their running capabilities. Quite slender in appearance, these long-legged cat weighs in at 90-140 pounds. They are a vulnerable species that are found primarily in Africa and parts of the Middle East.

#3 Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia)

The elusive and endangered Snow Leopard is a close second to the Cheetah for biggest small cat. For its environment, the mountain ranges of Central and Southern Asia, it is a big cat, weighing 77-121 pounds. White in winter and brown in summer, their fur is probably the best camouflaged of any of the big cats, adding to their elusiveness and stealth capabilities. To endure cold winters, its proportionately large tail doubles as a scarf!

#2 Siberian Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)

This is the largest cat on the planet, with males weighing in at as much as 800 pounds. The Siberian Tiger is critically endangered with only about 500 left in the wild. The remaining Tigers reside in Northern Asia and Russia. It has larger feet than most tigers to navigate through snow, and has brown rather than black stripes, just to be different!

#1 Jaguar (Panthera onca)

This is the third largest cat, and one of only four “roaring” cats from the panthera genus. It is also the least threatened species on this list. Typically weighing between 124-211 pounds, some have been recorded at more than 300 pounds. This compactly built cat excels at climbing, swimming and crawling. Currently, they live in a range of places from Mexico to Northern Argentina. Jaguars are highly successful hunters with sleek features and are sometimes rumoured to be the only big cat that kills for “fun”.

While these may be my favourite six big cats, the Leopard (Panthera pardus), Bobcat (Lynx rufus) and Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) are also pretty amazing wild cats.