There’s no doubt that exploring Machu Picchu in Peru, now voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, will make you feel on top of the world, but for Intrepid’s Martin Ruffo he was just trying not to feel like a dead man as he made his way to Dead Woman’s Pass…
“Day 2 of the Inca Trail is perhaps the hottest topic among travellers in Peru. Extremely hard for some and a walk in the park for others, everyone is quick to share their experiences, feelings, fears, failures and successes on the most challenging day of the trek. And this is mine:
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Are you curry-blind when it comes to trying to pick a red, green or yellow Thai curry? They are all hot, spicy and delicious, but as Intrepid’s Karen Rastall discovered in northern Thailand, there’s more fun to be had than just eating…
“One of my favourite countries for food would have to be Thailand. The flavours and tastes are incredible and there is such an array of different food to try. On a recent trip to Chiang Mai we found a little local restaurant with a typically huge menu. After reading the menu back-to-back, I decided upon a yellow curry.
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From couscous to spice-rich tajine concoctions, the cuisine of Morocco is distinctive and delicious, but that’s not to say it’s what you might expect to eat at home. When Intrepid’s Siobhan O’Halloran leads her groups through the amazing medina of Morocco they are in for a barbecue meal to remember…
“A melancholy camel head hangs from the butcher’s wall. It stares lifelessly out at me as I wait patiently for my kilo of jamel. As the fresh meat is minced the butcher throws in handfuls of fresh coriander, pepper, salt and cumin. I look behind me and see my 12 bewildered, smiling passengers, cameras clicking as djellaba-clad men and women shove their way through the narrow alley of the medina. “Balek, balek, balek”. Stand back, an old man yells as he tries to push a cart full of fresh mint through the crowds.
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A word of warning to the savvy shopper, if you are coming to Spain after visiting other counties in Europe, make sure you leave room in your backpack! Though the outstanding handcrafted wooden furniture of Valencia is not so easy to transport home, fortunately that’s not such a problem for the divine leather goods of Andalucia, the clever toys made in Alicante, the internationally-famous textiles of Catalonia and the delicious sherries, wines and spirits found throughout Spain! High quality items at fair prices are always appealing, so Intrepid’s Monica Alvarez gives us some tips on shopping in Spain…
“For many shoppers, Spain is paradise. Prices are generally much lower than in the rest of Europe and fashion is one of the main exports of the country, from cheap and chic Zara and Mango to trendy designers such as Loewe, Custo, Camper or Manolo Blahnik, plus you can shop under the sun year round. Actually during the warm months of summer, particularly in hot cities such as Seville, the shopping areas are sheltered to allow customers to wander around in the comfort of the shade.
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Some say you’d be mad to travel to Mongolia in winter, but as Kate Sykes discovered there are precious rays of sunshine to be enjoyed even in the freezing temperatures.
Kate visited Mongolia as a volunteer for Lotus Children’s Centre, a dedicated non-government organisation that has been operating since 1995 and benefits from the support of The Intrepid Foundation and Intrepid travellers. There are 300 days a year of sunshine in Mongolia, but it’s the smiles of those children that warms Kate’s heart most…
“Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital city, is generally not a pretty city, especially in winter. The weather is bitterly cold, the building facades grimy, the pavement is cracked and undulating, making walking difficult even without the slippery ice, the haze grim and the cacophony of tinny car horns in rush hour punctuates what could possibly be calm mornings. There are a few diamonds in this rough place though, and certainly make a visit, even in winter, worthwhile.
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