“Hands down it’s the food!” That was the immediate response when we asked Jacqueline Donaldson, Intrepid Copywriter, what was her favourite thing about travelling in India…
“Everyone I’ve met who’s fallen in love with India talks about its spirituality, people, history and colour, but for me all of this is encompassed in the delectable cuisine that is found in every city and every village.
Ancient cultures sure knew a thing or two about preserving their food. They might not have dried, pickled or cured the tastiest treats by today’s standards, but their clever ways of storing sustenance ensured their survival through very lean times…
North American tribes were the first ones to eat pemmican, a mixture of dried meat and tallow. It was widely adopted as a high-energy food by Arctic and Antarctic explorers, as it is a concentrated mixture of fat and protein.
Founder of Roupa Suja Project, a union of women who work to provide childcare, education, job training and assistance to people living in one of Rio’s largest slum, Marcia Ferreira da Costa is a fitting addition to our series on inspiring women…
“I was born in the favela of Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro, in the mid 1960s. I was one of four daughters and we, along with my parents, lived in a very very poor house. It was in front of an open ditch. Every time it rained a lot we would lose everything, and this is something I’ll never forget. The ditch would overflow and inundate my house bringing rats and garbage. We needed to sleep in other people’s houses and keep our clothes in bags etc. But despite this hard situation, I also remember we were always happy as a family. We were very close.
Can you imagine the entire Russian Federation being reconstructed in miniature? The diminishing Soviet Union tradition and technique of producing scale models has been resurrected for this impressive project and Intrepid Group Leader, Boris ‘Bob’ Golodets, walks us through this interactive work of art…
“Known as the Grand Maket or ‘Grand Model’, it is the one of the most unusual museums of Russia. It’s an incredibly interesting miniature depiction of my country and it is in my city, St Petersburg.
Always wanted to go to Vietnam? Jeremy Bookman explains why he gives it the thumbs up…
“This journey was a long time coming, but even with all the anticipation my Intrepid adventure still exceeded my wildest dreams. I finally found myself on the Vietnam Express trip going south from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. After a day or two adjusting to life in South East Asia, we left the kinetic pace of Hanoi behind for the serenity of Halong Bay.
Being stranded at an airport is like being stuck on a city’s front doorstep. A doorstep that’s normally full of uninspiring fast food, uncomfortable chairs and awkward body searches. But before you curl up on the welcome mat and wait it out, Intrepid’s Adam Slater has come up with some handy tips for surviving the ultimate travel purgatory – the airport layover…
Tip 1 – Repack your bags
OK, this suggestion might seem rather hellish at first, but hear us out. We’re not saying you need to scatter your dirty underwear all over the boarding gate lounge, but a quick repack can make the next leg of your journey just a little bit more manageable. Heading for a change in climate? Time to take out that warm jacket for when you arrive. Where are your headphones? Could you find them in a dark aircraft cabin when the baby in front of you starts screaming? What about your passport? You’re going to need to be able to find that when, after said baby has kept you up all night, you suddenly find yourself in a foreign passport control. We might sound like your mother here, but an efficient packing strategy can stop you being ‘that guy’ who accidently threw his boarding pass in the bin with his packet of corn-chips.
Intrepid is thrilled to announce that Australian MasterChef 2011 finalist and MasterChef 2012 All-star Dani Venn will be joining our team of Intrepid Foodies and this week she’s off to enjoy a culinary journey through Bangkok and Chiang Mai on Bite-size Break – Thailand!
Dani’s love of food and cooking came from watching her Mum work the wok to create delicious meals for the family. Chinese food has influenced Dani’s style, as her ancestors were some of the first Chinese settlers to come to Australia. After finishing high school, Dani spent seven months voluntarily teaching English in Vietnam. Here she discovered street food, ate as much as she possibly could, and experienced an amazing and intriguing way of living.
The winners of the “Academy Awards of the food industry”*, The James Beard Awards have been announced and lo and behold, who should make the list but our favourite Intrepid Foodies and partners, The Perennial Plate!
The Real World Food Tour that Intrepid Travel produces in partnership with Daniel and Mirra, the dynamic duo behind The Perennial Plate, won the ‘Video Webcast: On Location’ category.
You’ve decided that Peru and its famous Inca Trail is at the top of your travel wish list, but how do you make it happen? Is it within reach for an inexperienced hiker and what should you know before you go? MatadorU student Leora Novick shares valuable tips to read before planning this popular trek to Machu Picchu…
“I arrived at the Sun Gate at the end of a grueling four-day hike and took my first look at Machu Picchu. As the stone walls pierced the early morning fog, and the entire Inca city unfolded before me, the tiredness melted away.
