Tag Archives: Antarctica

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Summer Travel, Trip Ideas, International Travel, Travel FAQ, Health & Safety

Top 10 Coronavirus Free Destinations: Travel After Covid19

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Note: Since this is an ongoing situation, we’ll be updating this article every day! Last updated: March 16, 2020.

If you are like me, you must be anxious about when this Coronavirus mess will end and when your life would get back to normal! Well, worry not because like everything in nature, nothing goes on forever and this too shall pass away!

Microscopic photo of Coronavirus. The spikes on the outer edge of the virus resemble a crown thus giving it that name.

At the time of this writing, the virus has spread to over 160 countries and territories. Therefore, for now, we strongly recommend that you maintain social distancing, stay put in your home, save some money, catch up on great books, finish those binge-worthy TV shows, and start that passion project of yours that you always wanted to do!

Note: Do Not Travel Right Now (even if you can, because you may not show any symptoms and therefore can carry the virus with you and infect the otherwise isolated population and other people at higher risk. Please use common sense and exercise patience.)

Summer 2020

Let’s say, coronavirus gets under control (maybe even completely gone) and we are all in the clear. Also, let’s say if you have been itching to get out of your town and you are ready to travel, the first thing to check would be any still-remaining effective travel restrictions.

Assuming most of the travel restrictions have now been lifted (let’s say by May 2020), below are our top 10 recommended destinations which are either Covid19 free or with only foreign cases (i.e. no community transmission reported).

Antarctica

We have traveled to 6 continents so far and Antarctica has been on our list for a long time now. Well, keep in mind though if you live in the northern hemisphere (US, Canada, Europe, etc.), your winter month is summer-time in Antarctica.

So, why not visit a place which has no permanent human settlement and no cases of Coronavirus!

Big Island, Hawaii

Although Hawaii (Oahu) has cases of Coronavirus, all of them except one were imported. There are no reported cases of Coronavirus cases in the islands of Kuai, Maui, and Big Island.

Madagascar

The isolated environment, which Madagascar hosts, makes for exotic flora and fauna. The biodiversity that is present here is unique, in comparison to anywhere else in the world. 

If you ever visit Madagascar, you will fall in love with the island’s plants and animals, which exist nowhere else in the world.

So far there has been no positive cases of Coronavirus here and therefore makes it a safe destination to visit.

Galapagos Islands

You may have heard of the Galapagos Islands from Charles Darwin’s voyage. It is a remote volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ecuador. It’s considered one of the world’s foremost destinations for wildlife viewing.

The isolated terrain of Galapagos makes this island a heavenly shelter for a diversity of plant and animal species, many of which are not found anywhere else in the world.

Reunion Island

Just at 134 kilometers, southwest of Mauritius lies the magical destination, Reunion Islands. It abounds in volcanic scenery and the tropical climate makes it a beautiful getaway for travelers.

Furthermore, Reunion’s magnificent volcanic landscape makes it a paradise for hikers. With little to no crowd and the remoteness of this destination, nothing gets safer than this island in the Indian Ocean.

Mongolia

Well, if North Korea has open borders then they would have been severely impacted just like South Korea and since they are a closed border country, they seem to be doing fine at this time of the global pandemic.

But Why am I talking about North Korea! Because it’s not easy to go there and it may not be on your travel bucket list. But, Mongolia might be.

And if it gives you any reassurance then know that just a few weeks after the first coronavirus case was announced in China on December 31, 2019, Mongolia announced they would be closing the borders with China. They were the second country to do so, after North Korea.

They have had Covid19 cases but if it’s among the isolated, less crowded countries in Central Asia and therefore a safer place to visit compared to any other country in that region.

Alaska

Alaska announced its first case of Coronavirus on March 12 (much after the rest of the US). Furthermore, the case happened to a foreign tourist. So far, Alaska due to its remoteness and harsh winter condition has been safe from Covid19.

Greenland

Like Alaska, Greenland reported its first case of coronavirus on March 16 with a person with travel history. That said, in the western hemisphere, remote places like Alaska and Greenland are safer destinations as compared to densely populated cities of Europe and North America.

I wish we could say the same about Iceland. We’ll continue to monitor the situation in Iceland and update this blog if it seems to be a safer place to visit in 2020.

Nepal

Nepal has only reported one case of coronavirus (a student who traveled from Wuhan, China). Since then the student has recovered and there has been no additional cases of coronavirus reported in Nepal.

Given that there are active Covid19 cases in both neighboring India and Pakistan, I would wait a few more weeks to see how the situation progresses in South Asia. Also, note, like Nepal, Bhutan has only reported 1 case and there have been no cases reported from Bangladesh.

Islands of the Caribbean

Most of the tiny island countries in the Caribbean have been either coronavirus-free or with less than 5 cases at maximum. The hot and humid climate definitely helps this region.

However, we recommend flying instead of taking a cruise for now until everything settles down. The point is to minimize human contact. Both flights and cruise have their how risks but flights are shorter. Also, pick one destination instead of a multi-day cruise that visits several islands.

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Winter Travel, Snorkeling, Trip Ideas

Top 6 Destinations for Winter Cruises

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It’s wintertime! It’s cold, and we are all looking forward to a way to escape from those freezing blizzards. Just like birds do, it is thus time to head south for warmer temperatures and to take a break from the stress of your workplace.

If you are planning to go for a winter vacation, you are probably thinking of enjoying a cozy fireplace atmosphere while looking outside the window to the snowy mountain.

Well this winter, why not try something a lot different than usual. Have you ever thought of taking a cruise for your winter vacation?

Top Destinations for Winter Cruises

Cruises are the best way possible to explore the world’s most beautiful places. Whether you book a private cruise or choose one of the many itineraries available for families, we have selected the best destinations for winter cruises.

With our recommendations, you can be sure to book only the best winter vacation for you and your loved ones.

The Caribbean

A Caribbean Vacation

Are you looking for a luxurious and glamorous experience that will take you from Boston to Miami? Then a Caribbean itinerary is best for you. Beautiful beaches, amazing wildlife and exciting adventures are waiting for you.

Perfectly warm water and equally beautiful beaches are spreading both on easter and western Caribbean routes. Whatever cruise you choose, you’ll enjoy thrilling activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, sunbathing, and many more.

You can also book a private island experience, which features an expansive water park in the Bahamas. However, if you are on a budget, you can also enjoy a 21-night cruise from Miami to San Juan, and maybe head to New York just in time for New Year’s celebrations.

Antarctica

Emperor Penguins in Antarctica

For those that enjoy cold weather here is a cruise idea that will take them to an even colder destination. Yes, this may sound like an odd idea, but many travelers choose Antarctica as their winter destination.

Although this region is now far more accessible than it used to be in the past, there are still only a few vessels that are built for forging through the iceberg-flanked passageways.

Antarctica is one of a kind experience. The snowy white surroundings, blossom ice, silence filled with calming sounds of nature and clear blue skies make the mesmerizing sights of Antarctica.

For a bolder experience, you can book a flight-cruise trip and fly over the breath-taking swells of the Drake Passage. As you can imagine, these cruises are not recommended for families with little children, but couples and solo travelers will definitely love this adventure.

Drake passage on the way to Antarctica

Southeast Asia

Singapore 

Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia are only some of the gems that Southeast Asia has to offer. This area provides lovely weather in winter, while it would be too hot and humid in the summertime.

Singapore is the central hub for cruise ships and a popular stopover for many travelers, but there are many other cities waiting for you.

If you wish to experience a river cruise, several companies offer itineraries through the Irrawaddy River. This will make you discover the beauty of places like Vietnam and Myanmar.

Australia

Sydney Harbor Bridge

If you have ever dreamed of viewing the majestic Sydney Harbor Bridge, then you should definitely book a winter cruise to Australia. January and February are usually the warmer months, but many tourists gather here in December for the New Year’s Eve fire celebrations in Sydney.

With its vibrant coffee shops, posh wines, local jazz music, and unique street art, Australia is the perfect destination to keep you and your fellow travelers warm. Your children will love it since this country is able to accommodate each of your family member’s needs.

Just don’t forget that Australia is our planet’s sixth-largest continent, meaning that you may need to book more than one cruise over your lifetime if you wish to visit every city and enjoy all the Australian landscapes.

Hawaii

A Navy battleship docked in Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii

Hawaii is, for many travelers, the quintessential destination for winter vacations. Despite what you may think, it is possible to book an unforgettable cruise and explore this area of the world while still being on a budget.

In other words, you don’t need to invest all your money to spoil yourself. For an unforgettable adventure, you can try a 15-day itinerary which includes a trip to Hawaii from Los Angeles or San Francisco.

The majority of Hawaiian itineraries originates from Vancouver and sometimes cruise ships stop in Mexico on their way to Honolulu. From January to March is usually the best timeframe to visit Hawaii, with some occasional whale spotting in the ocean.

On the other hand, this means that ships may be busier than usual. Consequently, we recommend booking your cruise to Hawaii as soon as possible, ideally in the summertime.

Norway Northern Lights Cruise

Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)

Spectacular natural light show. This is how we can describe this natural phenomenon called the northern lights. For those brave enough to face one of the coldest destinations and witness some of the best views in their life, Norway will be an unforgettable winter destination.

The Norwegian cruise from Oslo to the Arctic Circle is a very beautiful experience overall, however, the highlight of this particular cruise makes it special. Seeing the northern hemisphere’s spectacular light show is equally mesmerizing for those that will enjoy it from the deck and those not willing to compromise the worm and cozy cabin or ship’s lounge.

As with each natural phenomenon, it can not be guaranteed to you that you will for sure witness it during your stay there, however, sipping a cocktail or enjoying a hot cup of tea cruising around the Arctic Circle sure makes it possible.

Though the temperatures are very low, this one of a lifetime experience is totally worth it. Moreover, there are many other activities you can enjoy on Norwegian ports such as ice-fishing, husky sledding, snowmobile safari, that will certainly keep you warm.

The Northern Lights cruise is once in a lifetime experience and something every person should see. It truly is a magical journey. As it is Norway, so is every other cruising destination – enjoyable and memorable.

Cruises are pleasant all-year-round and are the best way possible to explore and enjoy our beautiful planet.

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Bucket List, Nature Travel, Adventure Travel, Extreme Places

The Best Month To Cruise To Antarctica

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Oh! when the summer arrives, Antarctica sounds divine, doesn’t it? The summer months and early winter months mark as a travel season for most of the North Americans and Europeans. Many fly halfway across the globe to visit their dream destinations.

If you are planning to visit Antarctica, why fly and spend big bucks when you can immerse yourself in the excitement of an Antartica cruise! Antarctica might be the coldest and the driest, but it is also the queen of polar expeditions.

So, when you get a chance to ditch all the regular tour packages and embark on a polar voyage, why not take it?

Visit in November

Golden sunset in Antarctica

Traveling to Antarctica is not all flowers and the sunshine. That is why most of the travelers tend to visit during the summer months.

But we recommend that you travel in winter. Since Antartica is in the southern hemisphere, it means the months of November and December are warmer while the northern hemis[here begins to get chilly.

Spring Scenery

The Austral Spring is already on the go and you can see the sights that you will seldom see if you take the cruise at any other time of the year.

Emperor penguins 

You see the cute penguins following the courtship rituals, humpback whales feeding on the zooplankton, Crab-eating Seals guarding their younger ones and Southern Elephants on the watchdog duty.

It is only at this time of the year that the entire Antarctic habitat decides to unveil itself.

White Christmas

It is not just the animal habitat that is in its ultimate glory. The white sheet of icebergs shine and glow with the nests of various animals. It is the best time to capture the unadulterated magic of the Southern Pole.

Antartic scenery  

The Hurtigruten Way

Hurtigruten is an age-old cruising company, based in Norway. Instead of flying, you can cruise along in the expertly designed ships and see the frozen beauty of Antarctica up close.

There are many cruise packages that Hurtigruten offers. And that includes three of its leading ships – MS Fram, MS Roald Amundsen, and MS Midnatsol.

MS Fram

  • No of Cruises available – 8
  • Short trips – 5

MS Fram is a trendsetter in the line of adventure travel ships. It offers five short voyages to Antarctica. It’s usually a two-week voyage from Ushuaia. Argentina through the mysterious Drake Passage.

They also have tours in January-February, but it’s more expensive than November. We recommend traveling in November when the price is lower, and the sights are gorgeous.

But the golden deal is in October. It is just the time when the Antarctic ice starts melting and you can see the polar wildlife come out of their hiding. MS Fram departs from Montevideo, Uruguay in South America.

Another season package is available in February, where you get to see the beautiful Chile Coast. As we said earlier the price tag during January – February goes a notch higher.

A golden sunset in Antarctica

MS Midnatsol

  • No of Cruises available – 9
  • Short trips – 9

MS Midnatsol offers shorter voyages than the other two ships. And it gives a luxurious experience even in the remotest of locations. You get a Jacuzzi and a sun deck in the freezing poles, isn’t that exciting?

All the itineraries of MS Midnatsol are short and swanky. The ship offers a two week trip in November and a few trips in February.

If you really want to celebrate White Christmas, then MS Midnatsol does offer a Christmas voyage each year. A two-week adventure trip to Antarctica is the best way to finish strong and start your new year!

If you are interested in seeing the Chilean Fjords or touching the icebergs or if you want to enjoy the views of the Patagonian Coast- then check out MS Midnatsol tours.

Hiking on the slippery ice might sound tempting and MS Midnatsol makes it possible. You can go on circling and enjoying the beauty of the South American coast and may even visit the Falkland Islands.

Light reflecting through frozen polar ice

MS Roald Amundsen

  • No of Cruises available – 3
  • Short trips – 2

This brand new addition to the fleet of Hurtigruten is MS Roald Amundsen. It defines sustainable travel to perfection. It uses modern technology in an environment-friendly design which is commendable.

There are number voyages of MS Roald Amundsen to Antarctica each year. Usually, the tours span to 18- 19 days and are far pricier than the other ships. But as we mentioned earlier, you can’t go wrong on any of these ships!

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Nature Travel, UNESCO Sites

The 7 Strange Natural Wonders of the World

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Strange natural wonders take us by surprise. Nature has a mind of its own that continually amazes and perplexes us.

Just as soon as we think we have understood nature, it surprises us with another phenomenon that challenges our understanding. Have you ever seen a glittery beach or a rainbow-colored tree?

Nature plays weird tricks on us every day. Here are some of the top strange natural wonders in our world.

RAINBOW TREES

rainbow eucalyptus by hollyladd is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The Eucalyptus Delta is a rare tree. You can find these elusive trees in Seram, New Britain Island, New Guinea, and Mindanao.

The trees shed the old bark when the new bark emerges. This process is beautiful to watch. As the transition occurs, the bark becomes the colors of the rainbow. The blue, red, purple, and orange hues give it an unnatural beauty.

 

GLITTERY SHORE, MALDIVES

Just coming to the Maldives will make you think that you are on an alien planet. Or maybe you will believe that you are dead and gone to heaven. Either way, these beaches are ethereal. The shores of Vaadhoo Beach in the Maldives stand above the rest.

The phytoplankton in the water emits light. Consequently, the blue waters glow at night due to the bioluminescence. The glittering shore of Vaadhoo beach is one of nature’s anomalies and thus a strange natural wonder of the world.

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BLOOD FALLS

The name itself fills you with curiosity, what is this place? East Antarctica is a pristine piece of land where many strange things occur, including the Blood Falls. Furthermore, this phenomenon is straight out of a vampire movie. At Taylor Glacier, the red colored water flowing through the snowy landscape is haunting. However, the red tinge of the water is due to the presence of iron oxide. Regardless of the explanation, the falls are still eerie to many.

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DOOR TO HELL

Sounds chilling. The door to hell is a gas crater in Turkmenistan. Derweze was a place rich in natural gas. Thus, Geologists tapped into the natural gas supply in a cavern in Derweze. However, soon after the whole rig collapsed into the ground.

To prevent methane from spreading in the atmosphere, the geologists decided to burn the natural gas. Since then a crater the size of the rig (230ft wide x 66ft deep) is all that remains. The crater might have occurred due to man’s activity, but the structure is a natural one. Therefore, you can call the Door to Hell one of the strange natural wonders of the world.

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LIGHT PILLARS

You can witness this magnificent sight in Moscow. During the evening it seems like the doors of heaven open up as pillars of light consume the sky. You can not see this anywhere else in the world. The secret behind this strange natural wonder is ice crystals. The tiny ice crystals hang in the air. Then the light from the sun, moon, or other terrestrial source hits them. The angle of the crystals is planar or parallel and therefore when the light hits them, pillars of light illuminate the sky.

SALT MIRRORS

There are countless reflective surfaces around the earth. However, this reflective surface is something you would have never imagined. The Salt Mirrors appear in Bolivia. Plus, they cover an area of 10,582 square km! Changes in prehistoric lakes have given us the salt mirrors. Now the flat salt deposits cover the ground as clear as glass. Thus, the sky is vividly reflected in these mirror-like sheets of salt deposits. You can even see your reflection in the natural salt mirror. Salt and mirror? Sounds unbelievable, but nature always surprises us.

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UNDERWATER FOREST

The dreamer in you will be excited to discover there is an underwater forest. You may ask, where can I find this natural wonder? The Kaindy Lake in Kazakhstan holds the secrets to this enchanted forest. The lake is a part of Tian Shan Mountain. During a massive limestone landslide in 1911 the forest was dislocated, resulting in the sunken wood inside Lake Kaindy. The trees have not rotted because of the perfect conditions in the Lake. Now the Lake is home to an underwater forest which spans 400 meters! 

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There are many strange natural wonders you can visit around the globe beside the ones in this article. However, these are good places to start your adventure into the abnormal!

 

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Trip Ideas, Itineraries, Did You Know

180th Meridian and International Date Line Mystery

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Did you know that the 180th meridian navigates the entire surface of the Earth from the North Pole to the South Pole? It exists 180° East and 180° West of the Prime Meridian.

Starting at the North Pole and heading south to the South Pole, the 180th meridian passes through Arctic Ocean, Russia, Chukchi Sea, Bering Sea, Amchitka Pass (east of Alaska), Tuvalu, Cikobia Island, Fiji, and Antarctica.

However, the only place where roads cross this meridian, and civilization exists, is in Fiji.

180th Meridian

Photo by Paul Lenz shared under CC BY 2.5 license

The 180th meridian is used as the basis for the International Date Line (IDL) because for the most part, it passes through the open waters of the Pacific Ocean without much international water disputes or boundaries.

International Date Line

In reality, the International Date Line (IDL) does not exist. It is an imaginary line roughly based on the meridian of 180° longitude. I would love to go to Fiji and change my day by just taking a step.

If you cross the date line moving east, you subtract a day, whereas if you are moving west you add a day. For example, if today is Friday and we crossed the International Date Line from west to east then it would be Thursday. 

When you cross the date line, you sort of become a time traveler! Cross to the west and it’s one day later; cross back and you’ve “gone back in time.”

Look at the man standing in the center of the past and future (pictured above). This is almost mind-tripping. At one moment you could be in the present and yet another moment you could be still living in the yesterday. How cool!

Around the World in Eighty Days

The concept behind the International Date Line was used as a plot device in Jules Verne’s novel “Around the World in Eighty Days” published in 1873.

Original book cover

The book’s main protagonist, Phileas Fogg, travels eastward around the world. He had bet with his friends that he could do it in 80 days. To win the wager, Fogg must return by 8:45 pm on Saturday, 21 December 1872.

However, the journey suffers a series of delays and when Fogg reaches London, it’s 8:50 pm on Friday, 20 December, although he believes it’s Saturday, 21 December and that he has lost the wager by a margin of just 5 minutes.

The next day, however, it is revealed that the present day is still Saturday, not Sunday, and Fogg arrives at his club just in time to win the bet.

Verne explains:

In journeying eastward Phileas Fogg had gone towards the sun, and the days, therefore, diminished for him as many times four minutes as he crossed degrees in this direction.

There are 360 degrees on the circumference of the earth; and these 360 degrees, multiplied by 4 minutes, give precisely 24 hours — that is, a full day unconsciously gained.

In other words, while Phileas Fogg, going eastward, saw the sun pass the meridian eighty times, his friends in London only saw it pass the meridian seventy-nine times.

Fogg had thought it was one day more than it actually was, because he had forgotten this simple fact. During his journey, he had added a full day to his clock, at the rhythm of an hour per 15 degrees, or 4 minutes per degree.

So what do you think? Would you like to explore the 180th meridian and make it in some sort of trip idea or bucket list? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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