… GoPro Hero3 camera mounted on a DJI Phantom quadcopter drone. …
Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.
(via Adventure Blog)
http://theadventureblog.blogspot.com/2014/01/video-aerial-shots-from-okavango-delta.html
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Category: travel
Uruguay – NATION of the year
… the accomplishments that most deserve commendation, we think, are path-breaking reforms that do not merely improve a single nation but, if emulated, might benefit the world.
Gay marriage is one such border-crossing policy, which has increased the global sum of human happiness at no financial cost. Several countries have implemented it in 2013—including Uruguay, which also, uniquely, passed a law to legalise and regulate the production, sale and consumption of cannabis. This is a change so obviously sensible, squeezing out the crooks and allowing the authorities to concentrate on graver crimes, that no other country has made it. If others followed suit, and other narcotics were included, the damage such drugs wreak on the world would be drastically reduced.
Better yet, the man at the top, President José Mujica, is admirably self-effacing. With unusual frankness for a politician, he referred to the new law as an experiment. He lives in a humble cottage, drives himself to work in a Volkswagen Beetle and flies economy class. Modest yet bold, liberal and fun-loving, Uruguay is our country of the year. ¡Felicitaciones!
related – This immediately iconic photo of Uruguay’s president must be seen to be believed
Durban, South Africa
I unexpectedly spent 4 nights in Durbs (3.5 million) and had an unexpectedly good time.
The city had a makeover in preparation for the 2010 World Cup. The new Moses Mabhida Stadium is now the most prominent icon of the city.
The arch was inspired by the South African Flag
Lesson learned. Don’t bike 6hrs in the hot sun on a CRUISER.
Gandhi landed in Durban 1893.
I stayed at Happy Hippo — on Mahatma Gandhi road.
This hostel is near the fantastic uShaka Marine World. From here a sea side promenade runs 6km.
On arrival we remarked on how clean and safe the area seems to be. … Later we learned this is supposed to be the “dangerous” part of town.
UPDATE – South Africa has already been knocked out of the Rio World Cup. 😦
en route to Sani Lodge
Next stop is Sani Lodge:
It’s run by the author of A Backpackers Guide to Lesotho, Russell Suchet.
Looks great.
uShaka Marine World
uShaka Marine World is a … theme park which was opened in 30 April 2004 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It comprises 4 sections: uShaka Sea World, uShaka Wet ‘n Wild, uShaka Beach, and uShaka Village Walk. …
… the 5th largest aquarium in the world … designed around 5 shipwrecks, with its entrance through the above ground “Phantom Ship” …
Click PLAY or watch a promo YouTube.
Though I rarely enter any body of water larger or colder than a jacuzzi, for uShaka I made an exception trying everything but the HIGHEST slide.
Highlights for me were the Aquarium, Dolphin show and the buffet restaurant in the converted ship.
visiting Lesotho in Africa
I’ve posted the full trip report with photos on my hiking blog.
Mike Howarth 2013 retrospective
An adventurer from the U.K., Mike put together some highlights from his travels in 2013.
Including some of his favourite photos.
That last one was from Bhaktapur, Nepal where Mike and I spent about 5 day organizing our trek to Manasulu.
See the rest of his fave pics — A New Year: a new set of reflections
Mike is currently en route to Antarctica.
arrived Johannesburg
My host Derick Sholtz, owner and coach at Vision Gymnastics, picked me up at the airport after 35hrs or so in transit on Turkish Airlines.
(I contacted Turkish Airlines to inform how they had bungled the code share leg out of Seattle.)
After dropping by the gym to say hello to everyone, Derick dropped me at a lovely African themed accommodation called Didiloni.
I stayed in Warthog Hut.
I’m off via Baz Bus for 2wks hiking in the Drakensberg mountains. Back to the big city (8 million) for the month of February, volunteering.
JoBurg has the best weather in the world.
My biggest worry in South Africa is not crime … but possible vitamin D overdose. 🙂
Rick v The Simpsons
Who’s traveled to more nations?
🙂
HuffPo – This Infographic Shows You Everywhere The Simpsons Have Traveled In The Past 25 Years
I’m in South Africa, Homer. 🙂
Rick McCharles 