Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Hotspot for World’s Second Largest Fish
By Linda Tancs
Did you know that the basking shark is the second largest fish in the world? Second only to the whale shark, this fish grows up to 30 feet in length. Feeding largely on plankton, fish eggs and small fish, they’re generally harmless to humans. Snaking their way through coastal temperate waters, these surface-cruising giants are a tourist draw on the Isle of Man during the summer. Their numbers are particularly dense there, making the island one of the world’s hotspots for sightings. Head to Port Erin, Niarbyl or Peel for perfect views along the sheltered south coast.
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Sand and Shingles
By Linda Tancs
Heather and gorse, shingles and sand. That’s what you’ll find at Dunwich Heath, Britain’s gem on the Suffolk coast. The scenery is bursting with color this time of year, not to mention enviable bird watching for the likes of the Dartford warbler, nightjar, woodlark and others. During school holidays the ranger team provides child friendly activities such as pond dipping and bug hunting. Geocaching is one of many new activities; you can borrow a free tracker pack at the information hut.
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On the Ropes
By Linda Tancs
How far will you go for a fantastic cliffside view? Across a wobbly rope bridge closing a 98-foot deep and 65-foot wide chasm? If your answer is yes, then Carrick-a-Rede island in Northern Ireland is for you. The rope bridge to the island was erected by salmon fisherman to check their salmon nets during the industry’s heyday in the area. Along with uninterrupted views of Rathlin Island and Scotland, you’ll no doubt encounter fulmars, kittywakes, guillemots and razorbills that breed on the islands close to the bridge. The area is rife with geological formations, flora and fauna, earning it a citation as an “Area of Special Scientific Interest.”
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Mink in Maine
By Linda Tancs
Mink is an elusive animal in Isle au Haut, an island off the coast of Maine so remote that you need to take a mailboat from Stonington to get there. French explorer Samuel Champlain noted the island in 1604 and named it Isle au Haut (High Island) because it is the tallest island in Penobscot Bay. Not surprisingly, the year-round population is rather small (less than 100) but nonetheless dedicated to preserving their island way of life. This is the place to take a breather from the hustle and bustle of daily life–troll for seafood or native berries, or get lost in the park. About half the island, or 2,700 acres, is part of Acadia National Park. Techies needn’t worry. The Town Hall is equipped with free, high speed wireless internet access.
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The Care and Feeding of Pandas
By Linda Tancs
Less than 2000 in number, the giant panda (native only to the six major mountain ranges in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces of China) is a national and international treasure subject to intense conservation efforts. That’s why the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding was established in March 1987. The 92-acre verdant parkland is dotted with ornamental green lawns and greens, wild bamboo forests, woods, man-made dens, rocks, caves and plant pits along rivers, lakes, and brooks, all intended to mimic the gentle creatures’ natural environment. Visitors get a close look at their movements through winding paths flanked with bamboo and ornamental plants. Red pandas (called “lesser pandas”), a much smaller cousin, live at the base as well, as do other endangered wildlife, including swans, peacocks, birds, butterflies and hundreds of insects.
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Panama Canal’s Centenary
By Linda Tancs
An engineering marvel of its day, the Panama Canal manages five percent of shipments worldwide, linking more than 144 routes, 1,700 ports and 160 countries in commerce. The grand dame is celebrating her 100th birthday today with a makeover in the works that includes new locks, wider shipping lanes and bigger ports. A canal cruise frequently lands on the bucket list of travelers. Look for cruise deals highlighting the centennial, including increased transits (Holland America has nearly 30 full or partial transits on its 2014 schedule), stage celebrations and enrichment classes.
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Maine’s Leading Lady
By Linda Tancs
First lit on January 10, 1791, the Lighthouse at Portland Head is Maine’s leading lady according to visitors to the Pine Tree State. Situated in Cape Elizabeth, this postcard-worthy icon adorns the shores of Fort Williams Park, a 90-acre retreat offering magnificent views of Ram Island Ledge Light and the islands of Casco Bay. The park is open all year; the lighthouse museum opens daily during the summer season until mid-October.
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Oxford’s Cathedral to Science
By Linda Tancs
Founded in 1860, Oxford University’s Museum of Natural History was created in the neo-Gothic style to evoke a cathedral–in this case, a cathedral to science. Its insect collection, five million specimens strong, rivals that of the Natural History Museum in London. It’s probably better known, though, for the dinosaurs, the dodo, and the swifts in the tower. Visitors are greeted by “Stan,” a complete replica of a T-rex skeleton found in South Dakota. Even more fascinating are the most complete remains of a dodo anywhere in the world, one of the museum’s greatest treasures. The museum recently reopened after a 14-month restoration of its glass roof.
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Ten Thousand Smokes
By Linda Tancs
The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes is a valley within Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska, a landscape created by the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. Open year round, hikers’ favorite destinations include the Baked Mountain Huts, Novarupta lava dome and Mount Griggs. But this time of year, Katmai is prized as one of the premier brown bear viewing areas in the world. This month’s viewing is particularly strong at Geographic Harbor and Funnel Creek. For guides and/or transportation to bear viewing areas, licensed commercial operators stand ready to assist you.
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A Series of Firsts at New York Port
By Linda Tancs
On July 31, 1789, the Second Session of Congress chose the village of Sag Harbor in New York as the first official port of entry into the United States. That was a smart choice, considering that the hamlet had more square rigged vessels engaged in commerce than the Port of New York about 100 miles away. This enterprising locale enjoys the distinction of having had the first custom house in the country, the first volunteer fire company in the State of New York and the first newspaper printed on Long Island. Its ascension as a whaling capital was fueled by the need for whale oil to light lamps. The Broken Mast Monument in Oakland Cemetery is a testament to the whalers lost at sea centuries ago.
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