A Hungry Canadian Beaver at Parc National d’Aiguebelle in Quebec
The great Canadian beaver! This is an animal that Canadians take pride in for it’s resourcefulness and industrious nature.
No other animal on Earth – aside from man – has the power to transform land as much as the beaver can! These semi-aquatic rodents are the second largest in the world, after the Capybara of South America.
Known for their ability to dam lakes and rivers and build impressive beaver lodges, they were once hunted for their furs. Today, they are mostly protected, but beaver hunting does still occur. The Canadian beaver is actually one of dozens of subspecies of beavers found across the world, although most people only bother to differentiate between Eurasian and North American beavers.
Beavers do not hibernate in the winter time, they remain somewhat active and will come out to feed. They do so by leaving a hole in the bottom of their lodge so they can swim in and out. They also leave a hole in the top of their lodge to let air escape. Sometimes in winter you can see steam coming from the top of an active beaver lodge!
We live in a connected world where every type of travel experience seems to be available with a click of the mouse. We can watch live footage of erupting volcanoes, immediately learn about the discovery of new species and be inundated with photos on Facebook, Instagram and all sorts of other social media platforms.
So, why do we want to travel even more when we can so easily experience things from the comforts of our own homes? Why is it that the more places we visit, the longer our travel list grows?
For some there is the sense of escapism, or the need to re-charge. Perhaps we’re just being selfish by indulging our personal desires. Everyone has their own reasons, but I think ultimately it comes down to knowing that the world won’t always stay the way it is today.
Lonesome George was the last of his species.
As hard as we try to preserve and sustain our cultures and wildlife around the world, it simply isn’t possible to hang on to everything. Progress creates an equal amount of new opportunities. We may not be able to fly on the Concorde any more, but double beds and spas are now possible in flight.
For better, or worse, here are some recently extinct travel experiences that were possible as recently as last year, but sadly are no longer.
Seeing Lonesome George in the Galapagos Islands
June 24th, 2012 was the date that Lonesome George passed away. While there are many other giant tortoises in the Galapagos, George was the last of his kind. Years of research and even rewards to find a way to save his species couldn’t help. A sad reminder that the actions of our past still impact us today when it comes to wildlife conservation.
Filling up your Passport going through Europe
A couple of decades ago you’d have a healthily stamped passport while travelling across most parts of Europe. Nearly every border would require you to hand it over. Then the Schengen Agreement – promoting borderless travel – came in to place and has grown from a handful of countries to more than two dozen countries. Sure, you can still collect a few passport stamps, but they’ll more likely be optional, fun tourist stamps in places like Luxembourg and Liechtenstein instead of required stamps from border control guards. Not as exciting as it used to be – but much easier and faster for Europeans and tourists to get around!
Zebras were once on the menu in Kenya, but game meat is illegal now
Eating Zebra and other Wild Game at Carnivore Restaurant
Once reaching legendary status, the Carnivore restaurant in Kenya is now a much tamer BBQ experience. Wild game is illegal in Kenya now, meaning the most exotic things on the menu are ostrich, crocodile and ox balls. Not so exciting when I can get all of those here at home in Toronto. Still, any place with unlimited portions of these meats plus beef, chicken, pork and lamb is worth a visit to me.
Supersonic flights on the Concorde
As mentioned earlier, the way we travel in the air has changed. For the most part, we’re packed in like sardines, as air travel has become so commonplace. We expect to be able to hop over to a nearby country for a couple of hundred dollars whenever we want. If we crave luxury though, we can have double beds, spas and more on the new generation of airplanes. Ahh, but even the fancy new Boeing and Airbus planes don’t have the same allure as the supersonic, sleek Concordes which were officially retired in 2003.
Seeing the Great and Minor Buddha Statues of Bamiyan
Somewhat erroneously heralded as the largest Buddha statues in the world, they were destroyed in 2001. Their destruction was at the hands of the Taliban who destroyed as many idols as they could across Afghanistan. There are many larger Buddha statues in the world today, but most of them are made of bronze or are seated Buddhas. The real claim to fame for the Great Buddha at Bamiyan was that it was the largest carved, standing Buddha when it was destroyed.
You can still climb Temple IV and V at Tikal, unlike the tall pyramids of Giza or at Chichen Itza.
Climbing to the Top of Egyptian and Mayan Pyramids
At Chichen Itza, the impressive El Castillo can no longer be climbed and authorities continue to place more areas off-limits to the public. At the same time, over in Egypt it is illegal to climb the great Pyramids. Why? Partially because climbing such pyramids is dangerous and partly because it can be damaging to the structures. With that said, disrespecting travellers spend outrageous amounts of money to bribe guards in Egypt for midnight climbs. My thought on that? If you do it, I hope you get caught. If you must climb some ancient ruins, the Mayan temples of Tikal offer up Temple IV (tallest) and Temple V (harder climb) for nice views of the jungle.
Being Disconnected
Is there anywhere left on earth where you are truly disconnected? People can send tweets from Antarctica, file reports from the Amazon or talk on cell phones in the middle of the Serengeti. Now, it’s been this way for a long time and we don’t all travel with satellite phones and fancy gear – but when was the last time you went somewhere and told people they would not be able to get in touch with you?
Cycling the World’s Most Dangerous Road in Bolivia
Known as ‘The Death Road’, and officially as North Yungas Road, this was once a journey reserved for only the craziest, death-wish travellers and backpackers. It is 60+ km of downhill excitement from the highlands near La Paz to the lush tropical-like setting of Coroico. The narrow, unpaved road and sheer cliffs have sent many buses, vehicles and cyclists falling to their death over the years. In 2006 things changed as a much safer bypass was finished, with railings, bridges and paved surfaces. Nearly all vehicles now use that bypass, instead of the world’s most dangerous road. Today, with very little traffic sharing the road with you, you can still definitely cycle down the perilous North Yungas Road, it just isn’t the same experience it was when it received the title of ‘World’s Most Dangerous Road’. But don’t worry, people do still occasional ride their bikes over the edge and die.
…and so much more
That is just a taste of what I could think of off the top of my head. I know I’ll also never have the chance to visit Czechoslovakia either, or East Germany – although I can thankfully still visit the places where those individual countries, among others, once existed. I probably won’t ever get to travel by blimp either. But, I may just be able to travel into space one day.
In recent years I’ve been Zorbing in New Zealand and saw penguins in Antarctica. Both of which being relatively new travel experiences. So, it’s not all bad news. Yes, there are things you and I will never have the chance to see or do during our lifetimes, but there are just as many new, exciting travel opportunities that didn’t exist a few decades ago, or even a few years ago.
In Ecuador, everyone drinks Pilsener. It’s just what you do. It’s a sponsor of a major soccer team, its logo is seen plastered everywhere.
But there is also Club, or Club Premium I should say. It comes in a small bottle and is branded as a higher end option, yet tastes pretty similar.
Craft Beer taps at Cherusker in Quito, Ecuador
For the vast majority of people who visit, or even live in Ecuador, that is the extent of their Ecuadorian beer experience. Pilsener or Club (both brewed by the same big brewery, Cervecería Nacional Ecuador, part of SABMiller).
Club Roja, Dorada and Conquer are found in some places. If you’ve tried them all that’s great, but you’ve still missed the best. As these beers are still brewed by the big brewery!
The good news is that there is a growing craft beer scene emerging in Ecuador. With a bit of effort you can unearth companies like Cerveza Umiña, Roche’s Brewery, Cherusker and Montañita Brewing Company.
Brau Platz in Quito serves Ecuadorian craft beer including Roche’s
Find these craft brewers and your beer selection in Ecuador suddenly includes stouts, IPA’s and strong Belgian-style tripel ales! Flavours like chocolate, hops, bananas and raisins can be found in decently complex, small-batch brewed beers.
I wasn’t able to sample all the craft beer in Ecuador (sadly none of it exists on the Galapagos Islands yet, where I spent most of my time), but I managed to sample a mix of eight different macro and micro brews from the country. I shall return sometime in 2013 to try the rest…
Popular Beers of Ecuador
Most popular beer in Ecuador
Pilsener by Cervecería Nacional Ecuador
This is easily the most popular beer in Ecuador. Yes, it is grainy. It has a bit of sweetness that makes it taste decent when cold. A typical corny, light lager beer that is great in the Galapagos and heat of the day or for a long night outs at the club. It is better than many macro lagers in Canada or the US, so don’t be gutted if it is the only beer you can find.
This very light coloured lager comes in a green bottle. It is quite sweet, and is often slightly skunked – but still drinkable. Fresh it’s a better lager than Pilsener but not by much and it’s not usually fresh. Different flavour profile, not quite as grainy, yet no flavours that really stand out either. Not worth paying more for than Pilsener, except to say you tried it.
Roja beers seem to be all the rage down in South America right now. A little darker than your typical lagers, but still usually pretty generic. In the case of Club Roja, it is an amber ale colour and decently malty for a South American brew. It sustains a lingering, foamy head which is also a nice surprise. No skunky aroma and no off-taste. Quite drinkable, even when not ice cold. A big step up from regular Club or Pilsener offerings.
I enjoyed the Roja, Rubia and Tripel offerings from Roche’s microbrewery at Mulligan’s Pub & Grill in Quito.
This is a medium orange-red colour beer. It has little head but is bursting with a strong musty, malty aroma – fitting for the style. More rough than sweet. Undertone is some mild fruit, like bananas.
You will notice a bit of alcohol on this one yet it drinks smooth, with a very nice bitter finish. Not hoppy, just solid flavours and smells here. Overall this beer tastes good, a solid upgrade from the usual beer suspects in Ecuador.
Roche Rubia
Tastes slightly metallic and tinny. Somewhat disappointing. Took some time to get from the keg without a glass of head, ah well it’s been around for a while I assume. But wait, there is hops in this beer. Or something. Flavour exists. Let’s look at this blonde beer closer…
Roche’s Rubia (Blonde) craft beer in Ecuador
Wet on the lips at first but indeed there is a strong bitterness factor. It’s a moderate orange colour, slightly lighter than the Roja. Aroma has hints of papaya or something exotic once you get past the tininess. That papaya is prominent on the taste as well. Clingy, sticky head on the glass shows this beer still has character.
Getting through the beer more it is less tin and more beer flavour. Lots of potential here…need to find a fresh pint of this next time as it has gone stale and lost its zip.
Oh – but even with the tinned taint, I’d drink this beer stale over a Club or Pilsener any time.
Roche’s Belgian-Style tripel beer
Roche Belgian Tripel
Required a double pour from tap as the keg was head heavy. Glass arrived 90% full, but it’s a 7%+ beer so can’t complain about that.
How about that – a strong Ecuadorian beer! It is reddish in colour though, a bit odd, as many Triple style beers are a light blonde, yellow colour.
It smells yeastier than the other beers, with a bit of a spicy mix to it. No huge floral bouquet like the great Belgians but can you really expect that? Alcohol is fairly evident but not overpowering.
A definite stronger beer that has been spiced up. Drinks more like a strong Belgian ale than a tripel as it has good complexity. Perhaps the best South American brew I’ve had – it really changes it’s profile from start to finish. I can’t quite put a finger on the spices. Not your typical coriander and citrus twist. It’s deeper, thicker than that. Let’s say some ginger, some very mild raisins. I’m probably over-analyzing it.
Unique among brews I’ve had in South America. First beer in Ecuador I’ve had that has a lingering finish with a flavourful profile right to the end. Good effort, would love to see a fresher, livelier version. So many flowers, herbs, fruits and options around locally in Ecuador…take advantage of it!
Roche’s Negra Beer, a stout, in Quito
Roche Negra
This was sold as the ‘artesenal de la casa’ beer at Brau Plata in Quito, but pretty sure it was from Roche Brewing.
Big chocolate flavour, whoa a stout with substance! This was a dark brown beer with a reddish hue that had a small clingy head and a chocolate, sweet smell. Oddly this stout was served in a wheat beer glass, a bit puzzling but all good.
The taste is what pleases most though. It’s a medium-bodied stout with a bit of chocolate, coffee and toffee all mixed together. Heaviest on chocolate, the overall taste is sweet with a enjoyable coffee bean finish.
Well balanced, better than some stouts I’ve had at home from Canada or the US! Almost as enjoyable as the tripel.
Cherusker Roja craft beer in Quito
Cherusker Roja
Enjoyed at Cherusker Cervecería Alemana in Quito, a nice bar with their own microbrews. This is a good smelling brew, not overt, not subtle, just a nice balance. Roja seems to be a relative term in Ecuador, as this is more orange than anything.
Taste is decent, simple, not as good as I expected. No stand out flavours for good or bad, just a safe beer with some flavour. Cherusker was a very friendly place, with a great vibe. I would have liked to have had time to enjoy more of their beers, but will have to return.
When I was in Ecuador in late 2012 Cerveza Umiña was only selling their beer online, available for delivery to your home, hotel or business. I was also unable to locate any beers from Montañita Brewing Company in Quito. If you’re out in Quito, Ecuador I can recommend all of the places mentioned in this post, as well as Turtle’s Head Pub & Microbrewery as places to find a good selection of beer.
Sometimes it is nice to splurge isn’t it? The Maldives Islands is one place where splurging is far too easy.
Before heading off on a leisurely boat safari to experience the Local Life in the Maldives, I spent about 36 hours at one of the most accessible resorts on the islands, the Sheraton Full Moon Resort.
Boardwalk at the Sheraton Full Moon Resort in the Maldives
It’s only a 20-minute fast boat ride away from the airport island, but seems like a world away as soon as you step foot on the island. Simply luxury and sheer beauty greet you with everything being impeccably clean, bright and welcoming. The staff are attentive, the restaurants at the resort are all amazing and the beaches are perfect.
It’s not a cheap place though! Even if you’re not staying in one of the premium over-water bungalows, your rooms are huge, many coming with outdoor shower areas and views of those perfect beaches.
A perfect beach in the Maldives
I have stayed in some really nice hotels over the years and have been to resorts in the Caribbean, South Pacific and Africa. But, overall it’s this one place in the Maldives that gets my vote as the most luxurious place I’ve stayed.
I ate well, I slept well and I could have stayed much longer…if it was rich.
Night time at the Luxurious Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort
Those 36 hours at the resort cost me more than the week on the safari boat, but somehow the steak seemed juicier and beer seemed colder! It’s always a bit of a struggle when I travel to decide how to travel. I’ve found that mixing in a slice of luxury with a larger dose of adventure seems to be my favourite travel style.
An Over Water Bungalow at the Sheraton in the Maldives
A Nazca Booby at Punta Suarez on Espanola Island in the Galapagos
The sleek-looking Nazca Booby of the Galapagos Islands.
Not many years ago, the Nazca Booby was considered a subspecies of the Masked Booby, but now it is recognized as it’s own unique species.
They are mostly white in colour, with black wing tips and black around the face. Despite breeding and hatching on islands with few predators (the Galapagos), the Nazca Boobies will only raise one chick.
Usually two eggs are laid, and whichever hatches first (if they both hatch) will eventually push the other baby Nazca Booby out of the nest. Once out of the protected ‘ring’, the parents will refuse to feed the abandoned baby and it will inevitably die! Cruel siblings huh?
