Anza Borrego – A Day in the Colorado Desert

April 14, 2012 Red Hunt 9 Comments

When most people say they’re flying to California they tend to be excited about spending time in big cities like Los Angeles or San Francisco.

For me, the first thing I did when I arrived in San Diego was head for the Colorado Desert. The desert is actually in Mexico and California – south of the Mojave Desert and considered part of the Sonora Desert.

Colorado Desert - Creosote Bush and Canyon — Colorado Desert - A Creosote Bush and Canyon View in Anza Borrego Desert State Park

Geography lesson aside, the Colorado Desert is a low-lying desert. It’s dry and shrubby. Not many big cacti in this part of the desert. There is plenty to see though!

Barrel cactus - Colorado Desert — A Barrel Cactus in the Colorado Desert, California

Most of my time in the Colorado Desert was spent in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. As California’s largest state park, there was a lot to explore. The wildflowers weren’t out yet, as I arrived in late winter, but I still found the odd looking plants quite interesting.

Anza Borrego Desert State Park - Wildflowers — The only Wildflowers I could find in Anza Borrego Desert State Park

As I continued east from San Diego, through the park I eventually came in sight of Borrego Springs. Nestled amongst the mountains Borrego Springs proclaims itself as California’s Secret Desert.

If you judge it by the odd desert sculptures that greet you as you approach the village, then you don’t doubt you’ve entered some sort of strange desert oasis.

A Woolly Mammoth Sculpture near Borrego Springs in the Colorado Desert

As alluring as those rusty sculptures and looming mountains were, I resisted spending much time in Borrego Springs, as I found the desert itself interesting enough. Wide washes that had been previously flooded were countered by deep canyons and the rocky cliffs would be spattered with pockets of colour, creating a nice visual as I passed through the State Park.

A Cactus in the Colorado Desert — A Spider-like Cactus in the Colorado Desert, California

If you like wide-open spaces and big skies this is a perfect place for camping only a few hours from San Diego. But, if you’re like me, you may want to drive a little further northeast to the edge of the Colorado Desert and into the Mojave Desert to check out Joshua Tree National Park.

Travel Articles

Iskender – The Tastiest Meal in Turkey

April 12, 2012 Red Hunt 4 Comments

When I think of all the meals I enjoyed in Turkey, one stands out above all the rest.

I’m not as much of a ‘foodie’ as many other travellers, but I’ll admit Turkey was one of the most surprising gastronomic destinations I’ve visited. Of all the great meals I enjoyed there, Iskender is the only one I still often have cravings for.

Istanbul Snack Vendor — Hello Mr. Vendor in Istanbul, your food looks tasty but it isn't Iskender.

Yes, I had snacks, fresh Baklava and Turkish Delights from the markets in Istanbul. I enjoyed some seafood feasts while sailing on the Mediterranean. I had some savoury, home made Gozleme in Selcuk too…but Iskender beats them all.

Even the Testi Kebap in Goreme – cooked in a clay pot that you get to break – couldn’t beat Iskender.

Haci Beker Turkish Delights — A box of the best Turkish Delight treats from Haci Beker...still not as good as Iskender

What is Iskender?

You can find Iskender variations around the country, but the birthplace of the original (and best) Iskender dates back to the 19th century in Bursa. Created by İskender Efendi, it is a mouth-watering mix of strips of meat (generally lamb or beef), tomato, hot pepper, yogurt and fresh pita bread.

Iskender in Bursa, Turkey — The one and only official Iskender, enjoyed in Bursa, Turkey

What brings it all together, creating the tastiest meal in Turkey, is that it is topped off by pouring a bubbling hot butter mixture over the plate, which mixes all the flavours together. It might not look pretty, but it is sweet music for your stomach.

Where to eat Iskender

Be warned, there are many knock-off Iskender kebab versions out there, which are frequently done quite poorly. The mix of ingredients and boiling butter are a must and the only way to guarantee you’re dining on the official Iskender is to visit one of their restaurants.

The original Iskender restaurant is a small blue corner restaurant that still exists in Bursa. This is where I first had Iskender, but they have a handful of locations in Turkey now. As it is the only meal they serve, it’s fixed price dining and you know it will be done perfectly. The family that runs the Iskender restaurants are descendants of it’s creator, so it is a proud family tradition.

Complimentary Turkish Coffee comes with your fixed price Iskender meal

They take the Iskender meal so seriously that they actually have a series of patents and trademarks protecting their name and the way they serve and prepare their Iskender meals! Kebapçı İskender is their official name and the name of the restaurants you want to find. You can also find their newer Iskender Ekspres locations, but you’d be doing yourself a disservice by taking the fast-food route.

Travel Photos

Wildlife Photo: Waterbuck

April 11, 2012 Red Hunt Leave a comment

One of the larger antelopes of Africa, the Waterbuck is also very widely spread. They’re found in West, Central, East and Southern Africa, across much of the entirely of Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite this, I only managed to see a couple of them during my time in East Africa.

As with many antelopes they prefer dry grass and scrub lands (not water, as their name implies). From a distance they have a similar profile to many of the deer commonly seen at home in North America – except of course the males which grow two piercing, long horns.

This male Defassa Waterbuck was photographed in the Serengeti, lying in the cool grass and taking a break from the afternoon heat.

Travel Photos

National Wildlife Week in Canada

April 10, 2012 Red Hunt 8 Comments

Hey wildlife friends, it’s National Wildlife Week in Canada this week.

Every year, on whichever week April 10th falls, is National Wildlife Week. The Canadian Wildlife Federation runs events and contests during this time to help get everyone – in particular youngsters – interested in wildlife and the outdoors.

If you’re a fan of Canadian nature and the animals that make their homes in our lakes and forests, then enjoy this selection of Canadian creatures from Ontario and Quebec.

Hope you have time to get outdoors for a hike this week!

Photo of a Deer — A Deer photographed in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Ontario

Chipmunk Photo — A Chipmunk photographed in Arrowhead Provincial Park, Ontario

Midland Painted Turtle Photo — A Painted Turtle photographed in Point Pelee National Park, Ontario

Moose Photo in Algonquin Park — Moose photographed in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario

Groundhog Photo — Groundhog photographed in Wakami Lake Provincial Park, Ontario

Red Squirrel Photo — Red Squirrel photographed in Killarney Provincial Park, Ontario

Beaver Photo — Beaver photographed in Parc national d'Aiguebelle, Quebec

Travel Photos

Wildlife Photo: Sally Lightfoot Crab

April 4, 2012 Red Hunt 6 Comments

One of the most colourful creatures of the Galapagos Islands and Pacific Ocean coastlines of the Americas!

You see these red, orange, yellow and white crabs almost everywhere in the Galapagos. On remote coasts, clinging to lava rocks on beaches and walking along docks in the few villages of the islands.

Everyone in the Galapagos islands seems to call them Sally Lightfoot crabs, supposedly named after a beautiful dancer from a sailors legend. They are also known as Red Rock crabs…but their official name actually sounds the coolest: Grapsus grapsus.

Red Hunt Travel

Anza Borrego – A Day in the Colorado Desert

Iskender – The Tastiest Meal in Turkey

What is Iskender?

Where to eat Iskender

Wildlife Photo: Waterbuck

National Wildlife Week in Canada

Wildlife Photo: Sally Lightfoot Crab

travel writer. wildlife photographer. beer geek.