Archive for the 'TotalAdventure' Category
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE !
On April 9, TotalAdventure returned to China for the first time in 12 years.
Cathay Pacific is the best route from JFK New York to Hong Kong.Because it’s a Chinese airline it’s permitted to fly though Russian airspace, saving several hours of travel time and making it un necessary for West Coast layovers.
Economy Plus is a pleasant and not so costly way to travel. On this return flight I had no one next to me. Food is good and Chivas is available upon request.
Over the Danish Colony of Greenland. The flight left New York at 2 AM Wednesday April 8 and arrived in Hong Kong at 5 AM on April 9, a total of 15 hours and a 12 hour advance in time. Dark on either end, with about 5 hours of Arctic Midnight Sun in the middle.
Irkutsk near Lake Baikal. First time seeing Russia in 2 years, when I was on the Georgia-Russia border. TotalAdventure was in Irkustk in 2014.
From Chep Lap Kok ,it’s another 2.5 hours to Chongqing. Immigration is fast and efficient. TotalAdventure haas a 10 year unlimited entry visa.
DIdi is right on the Alipay App.
Alipay is used for everything. Payment, car, train, plane, All charged to your credit or debit card. Hardly any need for cash. I exchanged US 100 on arrival and only used it up buying trinkets at the airport when leaving.
Chinese Yuan, known as RMB is 6.77 to the US Dollar. Prices in China are significantly lower than the USA and Europe.
The 4 following stories cover TotalAdventure’s return to China. From Chongqing to Chengdu, to the mountains of Sichuan – East to Shanghai and back West to Enshi and then Chongqing to Hong Kong. BE SURE TO WATCH ALL THE VIDEOS !
On April 9th, TotalAdventure arrived in Chongqing, the world’s largest city with a metro area of over 50 million people. It was my first voyage to the People’s Republic since 2014. Above is the Grand Theater.
Chongqing has become world famous for its’ fantastic building light shows, though Shanghai’s architecture is more impressive.
View from one of my hotel rooms – Raffles Center.
In another hotel room – Words of Warning !
Chongqing lights up every night.
SEE THE VIDEO AT TOP FOR ROBOTICS .
Conjoined Chryslers.
April is a perfect time to visit, as the summer can be ferociously hot at 40 C. In general it was about 25 to 30 by day and about 20 at night.
Saturday Night Drone Show .
From My 38th Floor Hotel Room.
The Mighty Yangtze.
Chongqing North Rail Station.
Floating Entertainment And Sightseeing.
A midnight meal of delicious yak noodle soup and a cold beer for 35 RMB, around US 5. One needs a minimum of 3 days to explore the world’s largest city, but could easily spend weeks seeking all its’ corners.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE !
On November 2, TotalAdventure departed Miami on Air Europa bound for Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands. After a 3 hour layover in Madrid, the there was a 3 hour flight to Tenerife, changing the clock back one hour to GMT.
The Canaries are a chain of volcanic islands about 100 mile, 160 s km off the coast of Morocco. While Spain is located in the Iberian Peninsula of Southern Europe, the country is also is on the African continent in the Enclaves of Ceuta and Melia ,surrounded by Moroccan territory. The Canary Islands erupted from the volcanic Mid Atlantic Ridge, although it is not quite the mid Atlantic, like the Azores, Iceland or Tristan da Cunha. The climate is moderate, subtropical and dry, influenced by the nearby Sahara. While the Atlantic offers year round swimming and surfing, the peak of El Tiede is covered with snow in winter.
Upon arrival at Aeropuerto Tenerife Norte I was transported to Hotel Silken Saaj Maar. in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This is the view from my room .It’s fun to ride the waves in the rock pools below.
In the evening we toured the center of Santa Cruz.
Baptismal Font.
Fresh tuna is landed daily in the island’s many harbors.
A subtropical night in the Eastern Atlantic.
The next morning, November 4th, after an invigorating swim in the waves of the rock pool below the hotel, our group left for the seaside town of Garachico. Before touring the town and inspecting some great boutique hotels, TotalAdventure rode bigger waves in volcanic rock chutes there. SEE THE VIDEO AT THE TOP OF THE ARTICLE.
We then went to the lovely Hotel San Roque.
We enjoyed a poolside lunch of local Canarian delicacies.
After lunch we drove from sea level to over 2000 meters in the Chinyero region. From the volcanic forest we could look down upon the ocean and to islands beyond.
Volcanic El Tiede is 3718 Meters ( 12188 ft.) and until recently spewed out hot lava ,taking over many parts of the island. The last big eruption took place in 1909 – a split second in geological time. SEE THE VIDEO ABOVE OF THE LAVA IN THE FOREST FROM THE 1798 ERUPTION.
1798 Lava Flow.
On Wednesday November 5th with checked out of our hotel in Santa Cruz and drove high up into the misty mountains of Parque Anaga. SEE THE VIDEO ABOVE. While Tenerife has very little rain, passing clouds leave mist on the trees making the forest green.
Ferns grow along the forest floor,giving an appearance of a rainforest in a desert climate.
A truly exotic part of Spain. The islands are part of Spain like Hawaii is part of the United States.
Park Information.
Later we stopped to explore the town of San Cristóbal de La Laguna,
A pre-lunch pickup -A Barraquito – coffee with condensed milk and Licor 43.
Bananas are the main cash crop of Tenerife, supplying all of Europe.
Sunset over the cliffs of Tenerife Sur.
The next day our group was supposed to kayak along the cliffs, but high wave warnings caused cancellation. KAYAKING FOOTAGE IN THE VIDEO AT TOP OF ARTICLE.
For our last two nights our group checked into the Hotel Mynd Adeje..TotalAdventure had a very comfortable room, fast wifi,and ocean view, two pools – one on the rooftop and dinner served until Midnight – a reason I love Spain.
A excellent and healthy dinner.
On our final day, November 6, we ventured again into Parque Nacional El Tiede.
The mountain in early November. 5 weeks later it was covered in 1.5 meters of snow.
A high desert landscape, sometimes snow covered in winter. One can be in the snow in the morning and swimming at a warm sunny beach in afternoon.
In volcanic areas there is no uniform landscape. Random rock formations are created according to lava flow.
Tenerife is 2.5 to 3 hours from Madrid. At this time there are no direct flights from North America., but easy connections are made through European capitals. TotalAdventure left Miami on a Sunday night and was in Madrid the next morning, in Tenerife by afternoon on Air Europa.
Special Thanks To Our Host Tenerife Tourist Office.
Special Thanks To Our Guide Dario López !
Special Thanks To Newlink España . They represent top tourist destinations, including Tenerife,La Palma Malta,Peru,Qatar .Jordan, South Korea and Hungary.
TotalAdventure invites active adventure companies to post packages in our marketplace. Go to TotalAdventure Website and click BECOME PROVIDER.
TotalAdventure invita a empresas de aventura activa a publicar sus paquetes en nuestro mercado. Vaya TotalAdventure y Clique BECOME PROVIDER.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE !
On the cold spring morning of October 4th TotalAdventure arrived in Santiago, Chile on the way to three separate adventures in the 6000 kilometer long nation. After spending the weekend with a boarding school friend, I was joined a pre-Adventure of the Adveneture Travel World Summit in Cajon de Maipo , a beautiful mountain region just west of Santiago. The theme was adventure in the countryside, followed by two days of exploring Chile’s capitol.
Our Adventure Crew. Names and links to companies will soon be listed here.
Our first activity was rafting down the Rio Maipo. The rapids were fast, about Class 3 ,withspring snowmelt from the glacial mountains. The runoff is dark with sediment and doesn’t slow down until summer in December. Company : NatExplora. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE FOR EXCELLENT RAFTING FOOTAGE !
That night we drove up to 2500 meters to observe the Southern Hemispher stars – three times as many as are visible in the Northern Hemisphere. While I was not able to capture photos through the telescope lens – I did see the rings of Saturn for the first time !
The next morning was canyoneering – rappelling down the side of waterfalls .
We drove high into the valleys ,where strong October spring sunshine melted the snow above. Just a few days before the snow levels had reached down to our level.
A panorama shot of the valley.
Though were are at 9000 feet, 2700m the terrain was once part of a seabed.
Evening festivities at the local community center of Maipo.
Like the USA, German heritage is common in Chile.
In a small valley village.
East towards the glaciers.
Our group enjoyed many local festivities and the excellent wine of the region. Soft adventure here.
A view from the room at Cascada de Las Ánimas. Much like a treehouse looking at the surrounding forest and mountains, with decent WiFi.
The very cold pool which apparently warms in summer.
We descended from the mountains to the vineyards.One of the world’s largest producers – Santa Rita.
They have a historic museum with ancient Inca artifacts – Here – a cuy.
Nearly 40 years old !
The hotel features a billiards room.
A chapel.
A gourmand dining room.
A lunch worthy of a Michelin Star.
A palette to Japan.
After lunch , a tasting of the whites. We had Tinto ( Red) with lunch.
We arrived back in the capitol on time for sunset from the top of Latin America’s tallest tower – Sky Costañera – 300 meters – 980feet 82 stories tall. Impressive for a major earthquake zone ! VIIEW THE VIDEO AT THE TOP !
From the 82nd Floor of Sky Costañera.
La Moneda – The Presidential Palace.
Many Cathedrals dominate this Catholic City.
On Sunday, October 12, predawn transport to the airport, thistime the domestic side, for our 4000 km 4 hour flight to Puerto Natales for the Adventure Travel World Summit.
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On Sunday October 12 TotalAdventure soared over the Andes, above the Patagonian Icefields , the world’s largest in the temperate zones, for a 4 hour flight from Santiago to Puerto Natales.
Over 700 delegates from all 7 continents flew in to this remote spot on the Planet to take part in the 20th Adventure Travel World Summit . TotalAdventure took part as a buyer. We buy trips to sell to our worldwide following of adventurers. TotalAdventure has been to over half of the ATWS events – Seattle 2006, Whistler 2007, São Paulo 2008, Lucerne 2012, Swakopmund 2013, Puerto Varas 2015, Anchorage 2016,Salta 2017, Gothenburg 2019,Sapporo 2023 and now, Puerto Natales for 2025. 2026 is in Quebec City.
Shannon Stowell is Our Leader. of the Adventure Travel Trade Association. He estimates about 50,000 Adventure Travel leaders have taken part in events over the years. The industry is estimated to generate $1.16 Trillion in revenue annually worldwide generating many millions of jobs. Tourism is the 2nd largest source of jobs in many countries, especially poorer ones. The ATTA’s message is one of sustainability . Travel enterprises should have minimal effect on the environment, recycle and reuse whenever possible, hire local people as guides and storytellers. Most members are small entrepreneurial companies.
One of the main events at ATWS is the marketplace. Agents and providers meet each other to sell amazing worldwide experiences.TotalAdventure had 30 meetings leading to 18 new listings. Here I meet with Pia Abboud of Discovery Beyond Borders, Lebanon.
I first came to the Far South of Patagonia in February, 1991. I drove to Puerto Natales from Rio Gallegos, Argentina. I was one of 5 cars to cross the border that day. This photo is on Glaciar Moreno in El Calfate, Argentina. 35 years later, I am happy to report that the nature has not been changed much – due to strict and well planned conservation and sustainable tourism. Of course there are many more hotels, restaurants and tour companies catering to adventurous travelers from all over the world. Also technology is far more advanced. That’s a Sony Hi-8 video camera – considered quite advanced for the time with 480 lines . I had a custom made battery belt that powered it all day. To edit, I had to rent a $ 200 per hour studio in New York. Now I shoot on a GoPro 12 with up to 5300 lines and edit on my MacBook Air with FinalCut Pro.
My next trip here, in September 2022 , for Adventure Next took me on the 4 day W Trek. You can read about it HERE.
TotalAdventure has explored 106 countries. Torres del Paine is perhaps the most beautiful place on Earth. Torres del Paine is the broken end of the Andes, stretching 12000 miles North to Alaska via the Rockies.
Empty land makes for pure mountain rivers going from glacier, to lake to river to another lake and eventually into the icy Pacific.
The water runs very fast and very cold. SEE THE VIDEO AT THE TOP OF THE ARTICLE.
Tens of thousands of gallons per minute.
ATWS held a huge welcoming party at Torres del Paine National Park. A huge asado of local lamb was amazing – eaten right off the bone, Large helpings of pisco helped attendees endure the numbing cold, rain and sleet.
For our entertainment – Chile’s top band – Los Jaivas !
A small cottage along the fjords of Puerto Natales. Firewood is needed year round.
The weather never truly warms up due to proximity to Antarctica and a frigid ocean. He we see the southernmost reaches of the Pacific Ocean. When people think of the South Pacific, they imagine palm fringed tropical paradises. Not here. October is spring but still 3 C with 60 kph winds. The fjords often have floating ice chunks . wWnter lows in July can be -22C 0 F and in summer rarely goes above 22 C 72 F.
51 43 South.
Parihuela- a seafood stew of local delicacies.
Swans and their offspring.
Downtown Puerto Natales.
From Puerto Natales it is not possible to drive to the rest of the country without driving though Argentina. Navimag Ferries take cars and people on an amazing two day journey to Puerto Montt through stunning fjords.
From Puerto Natales, TotalAdventure flew North to Puerto Montt for the third and final phase of Adventures in Chile.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE !
After a week in Mato Grosso do Sul for Adventure NEXT it was time to explore Florianópolis in the State of Santa Catarina.
Santa Catarina is in the far South of Brazil. Although it’s the 7th smallest state , it’s the size of Hungary. The climate is less tropical than much of Brazil, with colder winters, sometimes with snow in the mountains in the winter months of July and August. The population is mainly of German ancestry.
Florianópolis , or Floripa, as it is known to Brazilians is a surfer’s paradise. While I did not have a board with me, I did quite a bit of bodysurfing. May – mid autumn in the Southern Hemisphere is mild with daily highs of about 24 C and lows of 16. The water was quite pleasant about 21.
Sunset view from my balcony.
Brahma Bulls provide succulent Brazilian beef.
Picanha.
Ice cold choppe.
Cold water Santa Catarina oysters are plump and tasty. This dish of a dozen cost 40 Reai or about US $ 7.20. As mentioned in the Mato Grosso do Sul article, the real, at about 5.5 to the dollar makes for overall costs to be moderately lower in Brazil than in the USA or Western Europe.
Southern Hemisphere pines over the South Atlantic. BE SURE TO WATCH THE VIDEO AT THE TOP OF THE ARTICLE !
Floripa also has large lakes not connected to the Ocean.
An odd local seagull.
TotalAdventure flew LATAM roundtrip from São Paulo Garulhos. One can also fly from Congonhas.
Since The Algerian War of Independence against France from 1954 to 1962, Algeria has been off the travel radar. Although close to Europe and bordering heavily touristed Morocco, not much is known about the vast nation, 9th largest in the world, by the traveler community. Years of instability followed the Revolution, and Algeria was often aligned with movements unfavorable to the West. Income from vast oil and gas reserves provided income for the government and its’ people making the necessity for tourism a low priority. Above Is The Interior of Emir Abdelkader Mosque iin Constantine.
Indeed, even as tourism is opening up, it is still quite a process to procure a visa. TotalAdventure had to submit, along with the form and two photos – work and residential history, name and birthplace of parents, passport, driver’s license, 3 months of bank statements, complete itinerary with name and address of hotels ( changeable ) and reservation plan for transport in and out of the country. Once this is all submitted with the US $ 160 fee,it’s approved in about 7 business days. My visa is multiple entry and good for two years – I shall return !
Algeria is 99% Islamic. The Mosques are beautiful and also open to non-Muslim observers.
Just after Mid Day Prayers.
Street Scene.Algerians are extremely friendly and happy to meet foreigners. Never are there aggressive sales tactics.
A Sealed Portal.
Sharia Law does not apply. Alcohol is permitted in private,but not widely availabe ,except in international hotel bars. About half the women wear the hijab, while many also wear modest Western style attire.
TotalAdventure’s hotel in Central Algiers. The city architecture is Parisian with an Arabian mix. SEE THE VIDEO AT TOP OF PAGE !
An interior of an apartment building.
Fending Off Pirates And Infidel Invaders.
The National Post Office. The postcards I mailed from there have yet to arrive
Notre Dame d’Afrique. Beautiful Moorish design to blend in with Mosques. Algeria is 1% non Muslim – including Catholics and Jews.
SEE THE VIDEO ABOVE FOR A GREAT EXPERIENCE OF ALGIERS !
The view from Notre Dame d’Afrique.
The Martyrs Memorial , high above the city. Underneath is an amazing museum of the Revolution, however no photos are permitted.
A Fighter Against France.
The Algerian Dinar is officially 130 to the US Dollar ; the street rate is 220. This makes prices very low compared to the USA or Western Europe. By paying in cash your hotel rate can be less than half. Large delicious meals are $8 to $ 10, with several courses, coffee and mineral water. Do not keep any more than for souvenirs, as the currency is unconvertible anywhere.
Lunchtime. Tasty lamb and chicken kebabs.
My lunch order was about $3.50 and could not finish it.
Red and purple olives, like I’ve never seen before.
About 120 km West of Algiers is the ancient seaside Roman City of Timgad. It was built around 100 AD and is mostly in original form – nothing has been rebuilt.
Arches With A Seafront View.
Timgad overlooks the effervescent Mediterranean . Algeria has great potential for resorts, but let’s hope it doesn’t happen the way it has in Europe.
There are so many coliseums in the Roman Empire that they must have been a chain.
The Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania, also known as Kbor er Roumia, is a large, circular tomb located near Tipasa, Algeria. It was built in the 3rd century BC and is believed to house the remains of King Juba II and Queen Cleopatra Selene.. The monument is a significant example of Numidian funerary architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, SEE THE VIDEO AT TOP OF PAGE !
On Tuesday May 27th TotalAdventure hired a car to Bou Saada – about 4 hours southeast of Algiers – The Gateway To The Sahara. Temperatures in summer reach 50 C , but it was only 36 on this late spring day.
Center of Bou Saada.
Poolside Lunch At Hotel Caid.
A Very Fertile Stork.
Modesty And Beauty.
From the desert we ascended to the eastern highland city of Constantine.Perched upon the mountaintops it is united by chainlink suspension bridges. Above, is Algeria’s second largest – Mosque of Emir Abdelkader.
Islamic Stain Glass.
Minarets Reaching To The Heavens.
Children Taking Part In Bismillahkhani – Introduction To Learning The Quaran.
Open To Everyone.
Travelers -Your Phone Is As Important As Your Passport. Soon Even More So. See http://www.adventuretravel.ai To See The Future Of Travel.
From Near And Far. The Gorge Is 150m Deep.
By Night From Igherssan Restaurant.
Lamb With Couscous.
Sparkling Water Cocktail.
Arabian Nights.
SEE THE BRIDGES IN THE VIDEO AT TOP OF PAGE.
On the final day in Algeria I explored the Roman Ruins of Tiddis, in the hills about 40 km from Constantine.
I had the entire site to myself – a benefit of being in sparsely visited Algeria.
Ancient tales live on.
Shelter From Summer Sun And Winter Cold. It snows in this part of Algeria.
Nightfall in Constantine.
The Crescent Moon Heralding The Arrival Of Eid Al Adha.
On Sunday June 1 , TotalAdventure boarded the Anaba – Tunis Express, only recently resumed running after many years. Three hours later I crossed the border into Tunisia . We will soon return to Amazing Algeria !
On April 21, TotalAdventure flew from Miami to Campos Grande, Brazil , the Capital of the State of Mato Grosso Do Sul, via Sǎo Paulo. Our international group of travel industry buyers, suppliers and journalists was hosted by the Adventure Travel Trade Association , Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, Adventure Travel companies in our host town of Bonito and EMBRATUR for Adventure Elevate Latin America 2025.
Our first morning out of Campo Grande, our team rappeled down the Inferninho Waterfall. We literally came through the waterfall! WATCH THE VIDEO UP TOP TO EXPERIENCE !
Afterwards we had a scenic 3 hour drive to Bonito. Along the way we saw a herd of capybara walking and feeding in a vast field by the highway. Capybaras are the world’s largest rodent at up to 150 pounds or 68 kilos. Unlike their undesirable smaller cousins, the grass eating capybara are friendly. Their range is from the Amazon to Patagonia.
From a great distance we observed an anteater. Photos of this elusive creature are hard to get. They live on ants and termites and are prey for jaguars and pumas. Their range is from Honduras to northern Argentina.
We also saw ostriches. A bit smaller than the African version ( about 2 meters in height) the Southern Hemisphere birds are known as Rhea in South America.
Our leader Rogerio Alves with the propetieress of Bacuri Restaurant, one of the many amazing restaurants in Bonito. It has specialties like Brazilian Picanha steak and grilled local river fish including Pacu. Rogerio is a Bonito native who is an amazing guide. his knowledge and expertise of the region are limitless. You can check out his information HERE.
Thursday April 24th was a fascinating day underground . In the morning our group descended down hundreds of stone steps into the Gruto do Lago Azul.
Ancient stalactites hang from the ceilings.
Looking out and up to the jungle above.
That afternoon was an experience like no other – Abismo Anhumas ! One is lowered 72 meters ( 234 feet) by a powered rappel almost like a rope elevator. It is dark, eerie and silent in the subterranean underworld. The lake reminded me of the River Styx, in Greek mythology, where spirits cross into Hades. Video was difficult ,as the GoPro does not do well in the dark. Nevertheless you will see some interesting footage in the VIDEO UP TOP.
Unfortunate animals, such as deer have sometimes fallen down the hole, which is not easily found in the forest.
Once in the cave we donned wetsuits and snorkeled in the dark waters. Some people scuba dived many meters below.
The next morning we were off for a day at Boca Da Onça .It was a day of hiking through the sometimes rainy forest, rappelling 90 meters down a cliff and swimming by amazing waterfalls. VIDEO UP TOP will portray these experiences in detail.
The final day we snorkeled in the the Rio Da Prata. The above photo is from a nearby waterfall. The Rio da Prata has the world’s best freshwater snorkeling in the clearest waters of the world. It is like a giant aquarium where one swims and floats for several kilometers. THE VIDEO UP TOP OPENS WITH INCREDIBLE UNDERWATER SCENES OF FISH IN THE RIO DA PRATA.
And finally it was time ot get down to business – the Business of Adventure Travel and Ecotourism. Gabriella Stowelll opened the Adventure Elevate Latin America Conference. Gabriella, who hails from Brazil, now resides in Colorado with her husband Shannon Stowell, President and Founder of the ATTA. For two days ,on Monday Arpil 28 an Tuesday April 29, there were speeches, seminars and one on one meetings between companies. TotalAdventure met with Brazilian adventure companies from the Bonito region, and also outfitters from Bolivia,Chile,Guyana,Colombia,Argentina, Peru,Ecuador and Paraguay. Paraguay is less than 100 km from Bonito.
Leonardo Persi is the Coordinator for Ecotuorism in EMBRATUR – the Ministry of Tourism for Brazil. He spoke of the amazing natural treasures that Brazil has to offer – the Aamzon,The Pantanal, the Atlantic Coast, Fernando Da Noronha, Bahia – in the world’s 5th largest nation ! Brazil is also practicing and promoting sustainable tourism. Our travel professionals can get the word out to the rest of the world – many in the USA only know of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
The night before the events, the Town of Bonito hosted a huge party for a local and international crowd. The Brazilian Beef was amazing !
Bonito – the Center of Tourism in the Pantanal – is a laid back country town – with amazing food just like big Brazilian cities.
The Brazilian Real currently trades at 5.62 to the US Dollar. Prices are moderately lower than the USA and Western Europe. Electronic payment is accepted almost everywhere.
Our Amazing Adventure in Mato Grosso Do Sul had come to an end. LATAM has flights everywhere in Brazil, all of South America, and direct flights to all of the Americas, Europe and Southern Africa. Above is Campo Grande airport.
TotalAdventure landed in Dakar Senegal on November 15, after a long flight across the African continent. On Thursday afternoon I flew Skylink from Antananarivo to Johannesburg where there was a 10 hour layover, spent in a lounge ( for pay) before boarding ASKY from Johannesburg to Lomé Togo with a stopover in Kinshasa,Congo. At Lomé I changed planes for the 3 hour flight to Dakar. In the next TotalAdventure Magazine article, I will show the entire air voyage from North America to Asia to Africa and then Europe.
Senegal is an Islamic nation ,with much French influence from colonial times, speaking French and Wolof. While many are pious, the atmosphere is relaxed, with people free to practice their own ways of life. The nation transitions from the edge of the Sahara in the North to humid jungles in the South. Dakar is right in between those zones with a mild oceanside climate. It is the Westernmost point in all of the Eurasian and African landmasses.
With natural resources ,an educated city population and good air and sea ports, business is connected with the rest of the world – France, the USA and China.
Dakar is a fashion capitol. Getting on the map with New York,Paris and Milan !
West African cuisine is tasty and filling. Chicken,fish ,rice and spices are the main ingredients,
Dakar is also a cultural center for music and art.
Traffic is not horrendous like most African cities and colorful old French buses ply the streets.
Inside the Grande Mosquée Dakar. It’s one of the largest in the world. TotalAdventure was granted entry and given a tour by the watchman.
In the Courtyard, by the tens of thousands.
While the standard of living is higher than much of Africa, it is still nowhere near the level of the West.
The CFA Franc is used in the West African nations of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.It is 630 to the US Dollar. Overall prices are much lower than the US and. Western Europe., though some luxury hotels are the same or higher priced than in Europe.
Dakar coastline by night.
Île Gorée – where millions of slaves were assembled for shipment to America – many of them to Charleston and New Orleans.There was even a house for a US Consulate on the island – probably to process bills of lading. Slaves to Brazil went from Angola. Some buildings remind me of Île Diable in French Guyana – the French excelled at building prisons all over the world.
A ship from nearby Mauritania. TotalAdventure is exploring the possibility of a trip from Morocco to South Africa later this year. Details soon. Contact us directly if interested.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE !
On April 30th at 2:30 AM Azerbaijan Time ( GMT +4) TotalAdventure began the journey from the shores of the Caspian to the Mid Atlantic Ocean. The first flight , from Baku to Istanbul arrived at 0430 GMT +3. After navigating the stringent security control at IST , I boarded my connecting Turkish Airlines flight arriving in Lisbon at 1050 GMT+1. Checking into the EU, and one more control , I had a good Portuguese lunch and boarded the last flight to Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island in the Azores Islands, a Portuguese Territory in the mid Atlantic arriving at 1500 GMT. One third of the way across the Atlantic and 60% of the way home.
The first view of São Miguel. An amazing entity in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
The Azores have been Portuguese since 1427. They stretch 350km along the high 30s latitudes.
The volcanic Mid Atlantic Ridge stretches from Iceland to Antarctica.
There is good surf almost every day of the year, between winter storms and summer hurricanes.
The ocean was about 17 C. ( 63 in American temperature) Perfectly comfortable for TotalAdventure.
A volcanic formed valley with extremely fertile soil. The climate ranges from an average of 13C 55F in winter to 23C 74 F in summer.
Portugal’s currency is the Euro, as of this writing is US $1.07. Costs are slightly lower than the rest of Western Europe or the USA.
TotalAdventure had only local produce and seafood . The Azores are a gastronomic paradise.
Sopa do Bacalǎo. Cod Soup.
Blood Puddding.
Grilled Sardines.
Cod Steak.
Local Pineapples.
Shrimp with head on. 90% of the shrimp flavor comes from the head. Americans have a peculiar habit of decapitating it before sale.
A Peaceful Country Lane.
In Sete Cidades.
THe islands are of course, mainly Catholic. I was not there on a Sunday,so not known on how many attend Mass.
TotalAdventure will definitely ride the next time in the Islands. It was now time to ride hime across the Ocean – first to New York and on to Miami,
WATCH THE VIDEO AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE !