Adventure Travel : March 2012

Kokoda Campaign 70th Anniversary

2012 is the Kokoda Campaign 70th anniversary, during which the allied troops fought in Papua New Guinea.

In particular, the Kokoda campaign consisted of a series of battles between Japanese and Australian troops which took place from July to November 1942. The Japanese had landed on the North Coast of Papua New Guinea's main island and were planning to advance south to Port Moresby (the capital of Papua New Guinea) and eventually advance to take Australia.

Papua New Guinea had been a protectorate of Australia since the end of World War I, so Australian soldiers were sent to protect Port Moresby from Japanese invasion, and keep Japanese troops as far away from the Australian mainland as possible.

Kokoda Trekking

These days, the Kokoda Trail or Kokoda Track is a popular destination for adventure seekers around the world. The rugged terrain throughout the Owen Stanley Ranges is covered in dense jungle - so dense that it was never possible to build road or even use animals for transport.

In combination with the searing heat of the sun, intense humidty and tropical downpours the climate poses a challenge in itself.

The Kokoda Track goes for 96 kilometres and takes most groups 10 days to complete, although there are some elite competitors who complete the track in as little as 4 days. The record of getting from one end of the Kokoda Track to the other is held by a local who reportedly managed to cover the distance in 18 hours.

Can You Track Too?

There are many tour operators along Kokoda who provide the necessary comfort for every day people to experience this adventure. They carry your tents, make food, give you the historical background and even carry your luggage if you would like. Although it is possible to trek the track without an operator, it is recommended that people go with a guide for safety.

Tour operators offer different types of tracks, such as charity tracks (where the trekkers raise money for a chosen charity), women-only tracks, extended tours visiting the North Coast of PNG and anniversary tours, such as for the Kokoda Campaign 70th anniversary.

There are many tour providers operating along the Kokoda Track. You can find anything from one man bands to well equipped tourism companies.

To ensure you choose the right touring operator, make sure you do your research. Otherwise a carefully planned adventure could derail and become an uncomfortable experience or even an outright disaster.

To research more about the Kokoda Track, including different tour operators, what to pack and how to train, visit http://www.kokodatrekkingreview.com

Visit Tanzania for a Luxury Safari

Why Choose Tanzania for your Luxury Safari?

A luxury safari in Tanzania is a truly unforgettable experience. This stunning country in East Africa contains some of the most arresting wonders of the natural world. Whether you wish to watch and photograph the incredible migration of wildlife that takes place on the Serengeti plains, or climb the famous peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, a safari in Tanzania enables a huge range of activities that live long in the memory. Expert guides will take you to key regions where you can lose yourself in the astonishing beauty of your surroundings. The culturally diverse populace can be viewed farming rice, wheat, bananas and coffee in the fields and fishing on the banks of Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake. A luxury safari in Tanzania also provides an excellent opportunity to watch indigenous species living in their natural habitat. One day you can see the chimpanzees play in Gombe National Park, situated in west Tanzania, while another day can be spent watching giant giraffes chewing leaves from the trees in eastern Tanzania's Mikumi National Park.

Scale the Majestic Heights of Kilimanjaro

Immortalized in Ernest Hemingway's short story The Snows of Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain at 19,341 feet is a riveting scenic climb enabling panoramic views of the plains that stretch out for miles into the distance. A dormant volcano, Mount Kilimanjaro must be visited during your luxury safari in Tanzania. A guide will assist you to meet the challenge of the climb, as you breathe in the fresh mountain air and stare in awe at the exciting environs. Camp sites and shared huts surround and dot the mountain and the rocky route affords numerous rousing photo opportunities to treasure once you return back home.

Witness the Spectacular Serengeti Migration on your Luxury Safari in Tanzania

Few sights can compare to the mass migration of animals that occurs in February across the Serengeti plains to Kenya and back again. A luxury safari in Tanzania at this time will allow you to follow this incredible event as part of a luxury mobile camp. In total, some two million antelope, wildebeest and zebra make the 1,000 mile trek, giving birth to their young on the way. The migration also provides the ideal hunting conditions for predators like lions, leopards and crocodiles, enabling onlookers to witness the African wild in all its raw intensity from the safety of the guide directed trekking party. Rich with enchanting natural beauty, a luxury safari in Tanzania makes for a magical vacation.

Touring the Blue Mountains in Australia

Located in the rocky region in New South Wales, the Blue Mountains are a beautiful sight to behold. On 20th November 2000, it was listed as a World Heritage Area by UNESCO. What is so special about this area? The mountains are surrounded by lush green eucalyptus forest that supports the mountain's diverse wildlife.
It has many attractions like the Three Sisters and the Giant Stairway. It is a huge rock formation that resembles three girls standing together. There is native aboriginal legend associated with the three rock formations, which talks about three girls named Meehi, Wimlah and Gunnedoo. The sisters fell in love with three men from a neighboring tribe. However, due to strict tribal laws, they weren't allowed to marry those men. The three men weren't happy to hear this news and they decided to retaliate.
To stop the girls from reuniting with the three men, an elder turned the three sisters into stone. Meanwhile, the three love-struck men started a battle in hopes of gaining the rights to marry the three sisters. Unfortunately, the elder died in the battle and so nobody knew how to transform the sisters back to their original human forms. Maybe that is why there is whimsical and poignant beauty surrounding the Three Sisters that makes one feel sad.
When you go on a Blue Mountain tour, you will uncover more details about this legend. The Three Sisters are located near the Giant Stairway. This is a magnificent entry to the Jamison Valley that descends approximately 300m. The old stairway has around 800 steps and runways.
Nature lovers will also enjoy their Blue Mountain tour because they will get to see a rare plant species. Recently, the Wollemi pine was discovered up in the forest. This plant can be dated back to the age of dinosaurs and it was thought to be extinct a million years ago. However, it was discovered that few trees of this species still survive in the mountains. In addition, more than 300 different kinds of animals live within the Blue Mountains. These include rare or almost extinct species like koala, the spotted-tailed quoll, the green and golden bell frog, the yellow-bellied glider and the Blue Mountains water stink.
This mountain is also the perfect place for bikers, hikers and rock climbers. Individuals can enjoy the thrill of their favorite adventure sports as well as the natural scenery. In short, this is the best place to go if you want an adventurous holiday.

Through flexible, creative itineraries, experience the world-renowned wines of the Hunter Valley charters, the famous views of the Blue Mountains and Australia's iconic wildlife.

Visit Nocatee Florida

There is a small village or you might say a crossroads in southwestern Florida called Nocatee. It is not to be confused with the newly built master-planned community of the same name in northeast Florida. The original Nocatee is located in DeSoto County in southwest Florida. It is a Seminole Indian word that means, "What is it?" It is an interesting place to visit although you will not find a place to stay for the night. There are no motels with distinct styles of deluxe guest rooms and suites. It's defiantly a day tripper when visiting Nocatee. A Mediterranean atmosphere with tropical pools and lush grounds will not be found in this village. Nocatee offers more of a Florida cracker type ambience. There are no beaches, but you could bring your bathing suit and swim at the county owned boat ramp down at nearby Peace River.

If you are interested in playing golf while visiting Nocatee, you can't. Golfing will have to take place up the road in Arcadia which is the county seat. Or you could go eight miles south of Nocatee to Sunny Breeze Golf Club.

If shopping is your thing, you are in luck. Just five miles up the road in Arcadia again there are several stores to choose from. And you can venture down Arcadia's old Oak Street in the antique district.

On August 13, 2004, Hurricane Charley passed directly through Nocatee with winds which persisted for an hour, damaging most of the structures in the burg and causing some to be completely destroyed. You can still find many buildings with the blue FEMA tarps still protecting the roofs.

Actually, the most interesting thing about Nocatee is not what is there now but what use to be there. I know of one person who said he was from Nocatee. The King Lumber Company founded in the late 1800's was the main industry and the largest employer in DeSoto County. It eventually became the Nocatee-Manatee Crate Company until it closed in 1951. The First settler was the Carlton family. Baptist and Methodist churches were founded there in 1890. There was once a stump plant which employed many people until it close in the 1980s.

DeSoto County was initially a much bigger county and later subdivided to create five smaller counties in 1921. There was an election to figure out where the DeSoto County seat should be. Nocatee lost by one vote. Nocatee has never had much population to speak of. It's pretty much maintained the same size since 1900. It's never been an actual incorporated town.

Sadly, Nocatee doesn't have much of a tourist draw but there is an interesting Civil War history in the county. For the paleontologist the county lies in what is known as bone valley. It's a phosphate rich area where many mastodon bones can be found.

For more information about the village of Nocatee, Florida visit DeSoto County Florida online. Also check out Howard Melton's book, "Foot Prints & Landmarks which gives the interesting history of Nocatee and DeSoto County. You may also visit Arcadia's antique district online. Better yet, take the opportunity and come visit us.

Mel Jackson is a writer and former radio broadcaster, social worker, circus promoter and resides in Florida. He is the author of the book, "Runaway," about a young boy's longing for the love of his father. For more information click here http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004THZ4OW