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10 Surprisingly Tasty Animals

January 5, 2013 Red Hunt 35 Comments

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.

#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.

#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.

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…

Wildlife and Nature

Waking up Bundala

December 31, 2012 Red Hunt Leave a comment

Imagine having an entire National Park all to yourself.

My friend and I arrived early, before sunrise, at Bundala National Park in Sri Lanka and were greeted at the entrance. After paying our park fee, locating a driver, park guide and hopping into their safari truck, we were on our way – well almost.

Elephant in Bundala National Park — Admiring an Elephant during sunrise in Bundala National Park

We had gotten up early for a morning of wildlife and bird watching in Bundala. We had been told that elephants, deer, crocodiles and a huge variety of bird life call this park home, in total almost 200 species of birds use this park as a migratory stopover. It was a quiet morning, still very early. Misty and cool. The perfect time of day for exploring and photography. But when our Jeep arrived at the park checkpoint, to start our official safari, there was no guard to be seen. We had no way to get through the checkpoint!

Waking up Bundala – the sun rising above the park in Sri Lanka

Finally, after searching all the nearby buildings and gatehouses, we stumbled across a sleeping park worker – the gatekeeper. It seems that they hadn’t been getting many visitors recently, or perhaps he had just been out a little too late the night before?

Stumbling to his feet, he checked our permit and let us by…I’m pretty sure he fell asleep again as soon as we passed by.

Land Monitor in Bundala — A Land Monitor getting some sun on a tree branch in Bundala National Park

It was kind of exciting, knowing we were the first people to be entering the park that day. An entire National Park all for us! Waking up the workers is one thing, but watching the park wildlife come to life was even better.

For the next 2.5 hours we rode along the bumpy dirt roads in the park, stopping to watch land monitors and crocodiles sunning themselves in the early morning light and watching peacocks flutter about and colourful birds wading in the marshy waters of the park. Monkeys slowly became active and around every new corner, animals started appearing out of nowhere – as if they didn’t expect any visitors to see them this early in the morning.

Buffalo and Birds in Bundala — An early morning scene – Buffalo and birds in Bundala National Park

We would turn one corner and be greeted by quiet, majestic elephants grazing on the tasty grasses of the park. A few minutes later there would be a troupe of monkeys lazily waking up and grooming each other in some trees.

It kind of felt like a scene out of the Jungle Book, where animals reigned supreme. Without any other safari vehicles in sight, it was easy to forget that towns and villages were nearby, just beyond the visible horizon.

Hanuman Langurs in Bundala National Park — Hanuman Langurs enjoying the morning sun in Bundala National Park

We passed by one other person in the entire park. A local farmer on the edge of the park who lived off the land and let his cattle graze here.

As the journey came to an end, we drove back past the gatekeeper and to the park entrance. Only then, did we seem one other safari vehicle loaded up with travellers. It seemed that it was their turn to have the park all to themselves.

Bundala National Park - Coastline — Coastline scenery of Bundala National Park in Sri Lanka

Travel Articles

Twenty Dollars a Day for Da

December 29, 2012 Red Hunt 6 Comments

What do you do when you’re working in Cambodia and your company gives you a daily cash allowance of $20 for transportation?

This was the case years ago when I was doing some journalism work in Phnom Penh. The project lasted more than two months in total and we had a great time exploring the city during the week and rest of the country on weekends.

Weekend Roadtrip – Hanging out with Da in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

As for that $20/day we could have pocketed it as extra cash ourselves, since nobody from the office cared. After all, for just $1 we could hop on the back of a kids moped and they’d take us anywhere in the city. But we weren’t ready to pocket the extra cash. Instead we ran into a college graduate working at the Ministry of Tourism.

His salary as a university graduate? $35/month. Someone else we knew who was a teacher made $40/month.

Our tourism contact wanted to go back to university to become a lawyer, so he could then make $50/month. Those numbers may seem small, but he was living a decent life with his parents in Phnom Penh. Saving up money, he hoped that within a few years he would have enough money to get a place to live for him and his girlfriend. He had goals, he knew what he wanted out of life and worked hard to achieve those goals.

Our new friend, Da, happened to have an older brother who had a car and he didn’t have to be in the office for his job at the Ministry every day, so it was settled – he became our personal driver.

Da at Independance Monument — Da at Independence Monument in Phnom Penh

The convenience of having an air-conditioned car waiting for us at the hotel and businesses we visited was a life-saver considering we were wearing suits every day in 40C heat. It didn’t take long to develop a great rapport with Da, who was always eager to practice and improve his already impressive English speaking skills. He took us to hidden Khmer restaurants that remained undiscovered by foreign travellers and he knew all the best places for our business needs – from where to get business cards printed, to which business were brand new and might be worth visiting.

Da quickly became part of our team even after hours, playing billiards along Sisowath Quay, joining us on weekend trips to Sihanoukville and Siem Reap as well as trips to the Royal Palace, National Museum and every other popular attractions we wanted to see. Most of these places he’d never visited before as his family couldn’t afford the meagre entrance fees or transportation costs.

We worked hard during the days, but had plenty of free time to enjoy the nights and weekends.

Eventually our time in Cambodia came to an end. But in the short months we had been there, Da had saved up enough money to sell his moped and put a down payment on his own new car. He could now be a taxi driver for tourists or other visitors and continue to make extra income on the side after we were gone. He still planned to go back to school, marry his girlfriend and get his own home.

Da's New Car — Da’s New Car outside the National Museum

It was only $20/day for us, but to him it was equivalent to 5 years worth of salary. A life-changing chance encounter!

Travel Articles

The Unphotographable Jeita Grotto

December 10, 2012 Red Hunt 2 Comments

Between midnight mezze meals and afternoon beers I found that from Beirut, you can take a day trip to virtually any part of Lebanon. From Beirut you head north for an hour or two and hit the ruins of Byblos or the typically Middle Eastern destination of Tripoli, with it’s souks and old charm. Head south to the seaside fort at Saida or down to Tyre, again just a short hour or so from Beirut. It’s a small country, one you can explore quite extensively in a week, although Beirut itself can easily take up that much time on its own.

A Sculpture in Lebanon, outside of the Jeita Grotto

I found myself wondering what to do for a 1/2 day after recovering from a late night in the city that was once called the Paris of the Middle East. The choice was the Jeita Grotto. Something I’d suggest anyone to visit if you happen to be in Lebanon.

Grotto. It’s kind of a boring word, I’ve never really been attracted to other grottos, they’re all pretty much the same aren’t they? Maybe some have more interesting caves or wall paintings or whatever, but the Jeitta Grotto is heralded throughout Lebanon as their greatest natural wonder…well, maybe second to their biblically famous cedar trees. The Jeita Grotto though, is worth seeing.

Train Ride in Jeita — A fun little Train Ride that you take between caves at the Jeita Grotto

So heading off to the grotto, again just a short drive form Beirut, I couldn’t help but get excited. Billboards and flyers and websites hailed it as one of Lebanon’s best attractions! With such hype, it had to be good, right?

I arrived at the grotto stoked to check out this natural attraction. If you’re wondering exactly what a grotto is, well in this case the Jeita Grotto is an immense cave complex of stalactites and stalagmites. Massive open air caves where the temperature stays steady throughout the year and water drips down through a mountain into these caves. The upper level has crazy stalactites that look like lions and giants, quite the place for an active imagination. The lower level is flooded with water so you need to take a boat ride around to stare at the hundred or thousand year old stalactites.

It’s all lit up beautifully too, giving the cave complex an eerie and magical feel. You really should see it. I’d show you my pictures to convince you, but I can’t. You see, for all of its hype, you’re not allowed to take any photos of the Jeita Grotto in Lebanon. I really wish I knew that before I got sucked in by all the pretty billboards and posters.

Guardian of Time at Jeita Grotto — The Guardian of Time sculpture outside of the Jeita Grotto

Upon arriving at the site, you’re promptly directed to lockers to store your cameras. If you think sneaking in a camera phone or small digital camera is going to work, think again. The employees, who look more like security guards, are stationed about every 50 feet throughout the caves…scoping out everyone, on the lookout for image taking devices.

It is a photo-worthy place. Better than any grotto I’ve seen in Central America, North America or Asia (although I could take photos in all of those).

Talking to the people there, it makes sense you wouldn’t want bright flashes going off in the cavernous grotto tunnels all the time, but the fact that no photography is allowed…ever…even without a flash seems a bit extreme.

If you don’t make it there, not to worry, there are plenty of other photo-friendly grottos around the world.

Wildlife and Nature

Nikolskoye Village and the Easternmost Church in Russia

December 6, 2012 Red Hunt 3 Comments

The Commander Islands…quite possibly a destination you’ve never heard of. On a map, follow the Aleutian Islands from Alaska all the way across to Russia and the closest islands to Russia are actually the Commander Islands.

A Rusty Ship at Nikolskoye Village, the only permanent settlement in the Russian Commander Islands

These Russian Islands, almost 200km off the coast of Far East Russia, are a protected marine area. The village of Nikolskoye, on Bering Island, is home to 800 people. This is the only permanent settlement on the islands, which are prone to severe weather, including earthquakes. There are no trees on the islands – it’s quite a desolate looking part of the world.

Nikolskoye Village, Russia — A home in Nikolskoye Village on Bering Island – Far East Russia

This is a place that survives on fishing and was only just escaping the icy grip of winter at the end of May. Not many people visit here, but the wildlife draws some adventurous people who are on the lookout for northern fur seals, sea otters and Steller sea lions.

Nikolskoye Village on Bering Island in Russia. The blue building is the museum.

Russia recently went on an improvement spree here, painting and fixing up some old buildings, building a new church for the village and creating a lookout honouring Vitus Bering, whose ship, St. Peter, wrecked here in 1741.

The church officially opened in October and took about two years to build. It is actually the easternmost Orthodox church in Russia!

Easternmost Church in Russia — Building the Easternmost Orthodox Church in Russia, on Bering Island

As a visitor, the island museum was entertaining too. They had a skeleton of an extinct species of sea cow that was once very common in the area, as well as a good amount of displays showcasing the natural history of the islands.

Nikolskoye Village Museum on Bering Island, Far East Russia

The lady who takes care of the museum was quite friendly and gave us some insights into local life on the islands as well – such as her favourite meal being puffin soup with lots of blood in it!

Red Hunt Travel