Think Africa and it’s likely to be the incredible wildlife that first springs to mind – impala, ostriches, zebra, gorillas and of course the ‘Big Five’, elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo. Creatures big and small add to the appeal of Africa as Intrepid’s Ellen Sziede discovered…
“All the animals of Africa are astounding, but I have to admit that I also find some of them quite threatening. While working for a lodge in Malawi it wasn’t all that unusual for a hippo to lose its way into our village. I soon became wise to checking before I used the outside bathroom at night, as hippos graze on land after dark, and this also happens to be when they are at their most aggressive.
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Indian tigers are known for being stealthy, beautiful and almost impossible to spot. That didn’t deter former Intrepid leader Kate Whitton when she went searching for this illusive giant cat in the north of Rajasthan
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“Being a mad cat lover I couldn’t possibly visit India without including one of its many National Parks on my trip. So on trusted advice, I chose an itinerary that visited Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan in the hope that I might see a tiger.
As dawn broke I headed to the wildlife park (ironically, this park was once owned by a maharaja for hunting purposes). The scenery was stunning in the morning light – wildlife abounded in the form of monkeys, spotted dear, sambar, crocodiles, jackals, peacocks and more.
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Spain is famous for its passion and nowhere is this more evident than in the rhythmic beats of flamenco. This dance is atmospheric, colourful and soulful and, as Intrepid’s Summer Davis discovered, there’s no better place to witness it all than in the historic city of Jerez…
“Arriving late into Jerez de la Frontera, we headed out to search for the traditional ‘peña’ where our own private flamenco performance was booked. This small city, nestled in the south of Spain and only a few hours from Seville, is famous for both its sherry and flamenco and as we didn’t have time to visit a wine bodega we were eager to see a proper flamenco show.
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Colourful, graceful and shrouded in century-old traditions, Chinese dance is an art form that is gaining popularity the world over. There’s no better place to witness one of its many than while travelling in China. Here, the costumes, stories and legends come to life and, as Intrepid’s Cathy Shi explains, you get a taste of China’s multilayered history…
“When you think of China you don’t necessarily think of dancing. Yet, dance has a long history here. In fact, a 5000-year-old piece of pottery unearthed in Qinghai’s Datong County was decorated in the picture of three people dancing, confirming just how long dance has been around in China.
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One city that has definitely grown old gracefully is London. Sure it’s sagging here and there (so would you at around 2000 years old) but it’s constantly reinventing itself, so this week’s top trip shows you a side to the city that you probably wouldn’t expect. Intrepid’s John Warland takes us to the backstreets of London on East End Uncovered…
“Most tourists arriving in London head straight for the iconic sites of Big Ben and the Millennium Eye, or the bright lights of the vibrant West End, but for those wanting to see why London is known as being on the cutting edge of art, fashion and design you have to head East to find the real action.
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After an exhausting flight and the excitement of exploring your new surrounds, every traveller could do with a little pick-me-up. Intrepid Express reader Mike Uyyek went in search of a culinary adventure in Singapore, and ended up finding a wine that promised to make him feel like the man of steel…
“At the Imperial Herbal Restaurant, near the famed Raffles Hotel, they serve a variety of dishes you won’t find at any other establishment. The restaurant has its own Chinese apothecary and herbalist on the premises, and if you tell him what medical problems you have, he can suggest menu items that will treat them. We didn’t have anything specifically wrong with us, so we simply each ordered something we’d never tried before, and if it helped to balance our yang humours, so much the better.
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Since time immemorial people around the world have been coming up with ways to look and feel younger. Some pretty strange potions and practices have been trialled, and Intrepid’s Nicki Gibson discovers some beauty techniques in South East Asia that could make your eyes water…
“Coming from the western world, we admire the beauty of the South East Asian ladies – their lovely brown skin, brown eyes and slim physiques. Yet my experience is that many South East Asian women are also envious of our pale complexions and curves.
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