Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!The Heart of Buddhism
By Linda Tancs
Tomorrow marks the full moon day of the third lunar month. That means that in Buddhist-majority countries like Thailand they’ll be celebrating Makha Bucha Day. Held in honor of Buddha, the event commemorates Buddha’s sharing of his enlightenment with a congregation of disciples. The day ends with a closing ceremony where thousands of monks light candles, chant scripts in temple grounds and perform the ritual of wien thien (circling the temple three times) in major shrines.
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The Life and Times of Romans in Jordan
By Linda Tancs
In yet another nod to the appeal of gladiator contests and chariot races, Jerash, Jordan is the latest site for the staging of gladiator fights and chariot races at its restored hippodrome. This “Rome away from Rome” as the Tourism Board so aptly puts it is a perfect locale for the reenactments of ancient sporting events. After all, the excavated colonnaded paved streets reveal chariot tracks worn in the original stone.
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Adopt a Tree in Provence
By Linda Tancs
What better way to guarantee yourself a steady supply of sumptuous truffles than to adopt your own oak tree at Les Pastras, an organic property in Provence featuring 11 hectares of grapes, olives, apricots, cherries, plums, apples, pears, pomegranates, figs, almonds, hazelnuts and, of course, black winter truffles. They offer truffle hunting tours followed by truffle hors d’œuvres and champagne. Best of all, for every tree adopted, Les Pastras buys a fruit tree for the One Family orphanage in Haiti.
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The Joy of Boating
By Linda Tancs
Looking to master the high seas without the maintenance headaches? Well, your ship has come in. Get My Boat offers rentals and charters in over 80 countries and 1100 locations at various price points. Hot spots include Miami, Split, San Francisco, San Diego and USVI. Are you ready to make some waves?
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The World’s Longest Teak Bridge
By Linda Tancs
In Myanmar’s ancient capital Amarapura you’ll find the expected ruins of the palace and tombs of old kings. But what survives in the old capital is even more stunning: a teak bridge spanning 1.2 kilometers. The longest teak bridge, U Bein Bridge was built from pieces of the city’s dismantled teak palace when the capital moved to Mandalay. Enjoy the view at sunset.
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Calais’ Better Half
By Linda Tancs
Nestled between Boulogne-sur-mer on the Côte d’Opale and the port of Calais you’ll find the seashore and salty air of Wimereux. Boasting 19th century Victorian Anglo-Norman architecture, this relatively undiscovered gem offers all the familiar fare of not-too-distant Paris, as well as sunbathing, sailing, windsurfing, horse riding, walking, tennis and golf on one of the region’s oldest courses. On a clear day, you can see forever (or, at least, the white cliffs of Dover).
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Very Superstitious
By Linda Tancs
Located east of Phoenix, Arizona, the fabled Superstition Mountain is aptly named considering the history and folklore of the region. Perhaps best known as the alleged site of the richest gold mine in the world, treasure hunters still descend on Apache Junction in search of the Lost Dutchman Mine. You’ll find interesting memorabilia at nearby Superstition Mountain Museum, where exhibits include the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine maps, gold samples from local mines and Native American artifacts.
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Celebrating Island Life
By Linda Tancs
Rapa Nui, better known as Easter Island, is an isolated volcanic island located in the heart of the South Pacific, halfway between Tahiti and South America. Populated mainly by Polynesians and Chileans, its subtropical climate draws visitors year round. The locals celebrate their culture during the first two weeks of February during the Tapati Festival, a spirited affair featuring a triathlon, horse racing, group dance competitions and, for the more adventurous, a hill slide on a sled of sorts fashioned from banana tree trunks. This year’s event runs through 15 February.
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The Runes of Oklahoma
By Linda Tancs
Mysterious carvings known as runes bring curious visitors to Oklahoma’s Heavener Runestone Park, located atop Poteau Mountain in the edge of the Ouachita Mountains that stretch across the Arkansas – Oklahoma border. The park’s centerpiece is the Heavener Runestone, a massive boulder bearing what some believe is an ancient Viking inscription claiming the discovery of this land in present day Oklahoma. Of course, the only known Viking settlement in North America is located considerably north in Newfoundland. So is the rune a ruse? You be the judge.
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A Weald View
By Linda Tancs
The views across the weald are stunning at Ditchling Beacon, East Sussex’s highest point in England’s South Downs National Park. Kite flying is, unsurprisingly, a fun activity there. It’s also a great spot for sheep spotting, hiking and blackberry picking. This time of year, though, you’d best look forward to a bracing winter walk; conveniently, the South Downs Way national trail runs right through Ditchling Beacon.
Travelrific® Travel Journal 