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Exploring nature in Christchuch
Exploring nature in Christchuch
“Penguins are cool,” a friend of mine once said.
“Well, of course they are,” I joked, not realising that one day, they will show me the way out of dark.
I was in Christchurch, New Zealand. I had taken a leave of absence from my office, packed my bags and left with a thought that said- “I really need to relax.” Exhaustion. Yes. All my life, I made fun of people who said they were tired and then, I found myself struggling through days. What caused it: Job, drive, traffic, money and responsibilities. Hence, I took a swift trip to New Zealand.
I was on a 2 weeks trip. For one whole week, I just sat by the pool, lay beside the pool, ate beside the pool and did nothing else. “When you do nothing, life is sweet.”
On Saturday, one of my friends called me and told to visit Christchurch and see some wildlife. I have been to hotels and casinos and beaches and such, but wildlife!! Never crossed my mind. So I was like what-the-heck and I came to Christchurch.
My first stop was Kaikoura. I rented a BMW320i from Hertz and drove straight to the zigzag coastline and equally zig zagged mountains of Kaikuora. Resting on the coast, I watched seals oozing their carelessness away in the July sun, albatrosses swooping up and down, their mighty wings… a vague tail of a sperm whale maybe, which got everybody excited but I was in my own thoughts. “The sheer simplicity of nature, the absolute biology of need and how easy it is for animals,” I thought. “What if I was a sperm whale?” I wondered
Next day, I went to Riccarton Bush. Forests have always intrigued me. I wandered around on green-brown soil with a little sunlight in my eyes. It was an exciting day in the forest. Exciting because every next minute brought a gust of fresh breeze, an exotic animals right out of the woods or better, weird sounds, melodies of nature. My day ended with a sumptuous meal of New Zealand delicacies and as a folk song played on the stereo.
Next, I spent the day in Orana Wildlife Park. I did all the signature tourist things, hand fed a giraffe, made faces at monkeys and meerkats, got amused by the size of the rhinoceros and got terrified to the bones when tigers strolled all around our safari jeep in a dangerously easy manner, like they know everything about the jungle. Wildlife..!! Looking at carefree animals lazying around in the wintery warmth, busy in nothing, gave me a sense of fulfillment.
I remembered my friend’s “penguin” request when I reached International Antarctic Centre. International Antarctic Centre is miniature Antarctica, lot of snow and lot of activities. I tried some. I slid on one of the icy slides… took a “Polar plunge” in ice cold water, found myself lost in a snowy cave, got caught in an artificial a storm and finally, watched a movie in a 4d theatre… what an amalgam of science and nature.
I walked around, deep in thoughts, and then I saw them. Peeping out of a glass wall, walking around in an awkward gait, flapping their arms, little blue penguins.
I sat beside the glass and observed because they were funny to watch… cute.
One of them came near the glass, towards me. It turned around, looked at me and just stood there. I looked at it too, in its 2 happy eyes. The blue penguin waited for a while, turned back and went away.
I kept sitting there, watching them, watching myself in a glass room and gradually, it came to me. There is nothing to figure out. Life is such. Adventure. Amazement. There is no glorious solution to life but being happy and content about it.
“Penguins are really cool,” I thought and I came back home.
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Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar
Find out why Sand boarding, Diving and Safaris through the desert are included in the Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar.
Qatar is a country of reinvention. Shimmering towerblocks rise against a desert horizon, and maze-like souks thrive next to 21st-century shopping palaces. It’s also one of the more accessible countries of the Arab Gulf, with a welcoming reputation towards visitors and plenty of attractions to keep them coming. Some of the best holiday activities you’ll find in Qatar are the adventurous kind. And these are the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar.
Sunset in Qatar – Photo by wj2012
Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar
Diving expeditions
The Gulf Sea is famed for its crystal waters and the exuberant marine life which lurks just beneath the surface. Messaid is a good jumping-off point where you’ll find angelfish and barracuda, while those intrigued by underwater wrecks will love the Hall Island dive site at Al-Sharqi, where bright clownfish circle the abandoned boat.
Sand Adventures
Many of the sports here have been adapted from colder climates, so instead of skiing down a mountain piste, try Khor Al Adaid beach to glide down the impressive dunes on a sand-board. Alternatively, race your blo-kart along the sands of Al Wakrah, south of capital Doha, to experience the thrill of wind-sailing on dry land.
Sand Boarding – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by ground zero
Al Jassasiya
The ancient carvings of Al Jassasiya lie to the north near Al Shamal, amid a truly remote landscape of village ruins and limestone. Hire a 4×4 of your own and make the journey to see the 900 petroglyphs which riddle the rocks here. The carvings denote flowers, animals, fleets of shows, or traditional Arab boats, and to this day, their origins remain a mystery.
Sunset Cruise
When the time comes for a more relaxed excursion, you can do no better than a sunset cruise onboard a wooden dhow as you drift past the super-modern Doha seafront of Al-Corniche and the old harbor at Al Khor. If you’re still hankering after some adventure, rent a smaller vessel and go for a fishing trip the following day.
Desert Safaris
Much of the inland desert in Qatar remains inaccessible on foot, but fortunately, that’s where a 4×4 comes in very handy for a safari trip you won’t easily forget. There are numerous options available from Doha, including day-long excursions, bumping, and rolling to the inland sea at Khor Al Adaid. Or make the trip at dusk for a spot of star-gazing before you settle in Bedouin-style tents for the night.
Desert Safari – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by robertpaulyoung
Most activities can be arranged via a tour company. Although cash has been the predominant payment method in Qatar, this is beginning to change, which is good news for tourists since HSBC offers protection against loss or theft. If you’re planning on taking part in several activities, it can be handy to have some plastic on you to avoid expensive traveler’s cheques, plus credit cards from HSBC and other familiar providers also enable easy access to money at the ATMs. However, it’s wise to exercise caution, using only official bank machines here and sticking with local currency at the market and in smaller shops.
There’s no doubt that Qatar offers some world-class cultural attractions beyond the more energetic highlights, and while you’re in the country, set aside some time for the historic Al Zubarah fort or browse the recreated 19th-century Souk-Waqif, in Doha.
This country has been undervalued in the past but is now coming to the world’s attention. With its desert adventures, ancient sites, and thriving culture, this attention is thoroughly deserved.
This is a travel feature by world traveler, Jose Capelo. He loves exploring the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar and has spent many trips exploring the wild deserts of Qatar.
Bondi is well known for sun, surf, and fun, but what can you do if you find yourself there in the colder months from June to August? Here are a few suggestions for things to do in Sydney’s most popular suburb when the temperature drops.
8 Things to do in Bondi in Winter
1. Go on an art tour
If the weather doesn’t allow for the typical outdoorsy activities Bondi is known for, a tour of some of its first-rate art galleries can be a great way to spend an afternoon. Don’t miss the Cooee Aboriginal Art Gallery, dedicated to promoting Indigenous art, and the Bondi Art Lounge, where you can view works from local artists or even take a beginner class and create a masterpiece of your own.
2. Take a hike
In crisp cool temperatures, a hike along the coastal cliffs with a view of the gorgeous Pacific Ocean below can’t be beaten. One of the most popular hikes is the Bondi to Coogee Walk, which is 6 km and takes you through Sydney’s eastern suburbs and past plenty of cafes, restaurants, and kiosks where you can stop to rest and take in the sights.
3. Head to Bondi Icebergs for some winter swimming
Even during winter, swimming is not entirely out of the question in Bondi. The Oceanside pool at Bondi Icebergs Club is open year-round, and the winter swims every Sunday from May to September have become a time-honored tradition. Although club members must complete at least three winter swims a year to retain their lofty membership title, non-members who are up for the challenge can pay a one-time fee to use the pool and sauna.
4. Strap on your skates and visit the only beachside skating rink in Australia
If winter swimming is a step too far for you, why not skate instead? Bondi has Australia’s only beachside ice rink, and the ocean view in the background makes for a striking contrast. The ice rink is open from June 27 to July 13, and aside from hosting skating sessions that are open to the public, it also features spectacular ice shows from Stars On Ice.
5. Settle in for brunch at one of Bondi’s decadent cafes
Winter wouldn’t be the same without a few indulgences, and after all your skating and hiking, you’ve probably earned a hearty brunch anyway. Fortunately, Bondi is full of great brunch options, from Trio Café with delicacies like poached eggs with truffle oil and char-grilled halloumi; to the rustic Brown Sugar, where you can indulge in classic comfort food like buttermilk pancakes and English muffins with bacon.
6. Join a cooking class, dodge ball game, or salsa lesson
During the winter, it may seem like most people have gone off to hibernate, but if you know where to look, you can still find plenty of social things to do. Start by checking out the Bondi community page on Gumtree. You can find like-minded individuals to explore the area with or even join a group for fun activities like hiking, biking, or cooking.
7. Score some vintage fashion at Bondi Markets
The Bondi Markets, held every Sunday on Bondi Beach, are known in Sydney for being the best place to shop for vintage clothing and accessories and hip new fashions from emerging designers. Aside from style, you can also shop for art, furniture, flowers, books, local produce, and delicious street eats. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s a great place to do some people-watching and see the Bondi locals in their element.
8. Stop by the Bondi Pavilion
The Bondi Pavilion is one of the suburb’s oldest landmarks dating back to 1928 when it first opened, featuring grand dining rooms, a lounge, a ballroom, and the Turkish and Hot Sea Water Baths. Today, it’s used as an art and cultural center and is home to a theatre group, recording studio, and art gallery. There’s always something going on here, from pottery classes to festivals to open-air cinemas, so check it out if you have a chance.
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We think our blog is thought provoking and a little witty. But we have been proven wrong before. Find out more about us here...
