16 July 2017

Flying across Canada in January, really gives you a sense of the size of the country, it’s huge! Hours are spent, flying over the dull flat snow-laden plains of Manitoba and Saskatchewan and then from nowhere, a jagged wall of granite that is The Rockies appears on the horizon and they are also huge! As our flights descends, the Calgary skyline, packed with towering skyscrapers, looks nothing like the gateway to the best ski and snowboard fly-drive destination on the planet; Canada`s Powder Highway. SUV pick up from the airport couldn`t be easier and it`s only minutes until we are on Highway 1, The Trans-Canada Highway. At 8030 kms, it`s a long road but it`s only the 500 kms or so between the Continental Divide at Banff and the shores of Lake Okanagan, that I`ve brought my first group over from Europe to experience. As I mentioned, our first stop is the Jewel of the Rockies; Banff. A picture postcard all year round destination, littered with great options for shopping, eating and drinking as well as being host to three very different mountain resorts. Banff`s resorts of Lake Louise, Sunshine Village & Mt Norquay, are all on the 1 lift pass, which also includes door to lift transfers from every hotel, very handy for a those that like a well deserved drink after a fun day on the slopes. Banff/Lake Louise really has something for everyone, both on and off the mountains. The Powder Highway really begins once you leave the Banff National Park and head west into British Columbia through the stunning Yoho National Park to the town of Golden, home to the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. It`s the towering peaks, either side of the highway that now draws your attention, with an eye out for Elk, Moose and the magnificent Wolves, which are abundant in the area. An early start, meant we were fortunate enough to see a female Cougar prowl alongside the road before disappearing into the woods. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is more suitable for advanced skiers/boarders, although there are a few rolling intermediate runs, it is the ridges that offer the access to numerous steep bowls of fresh deep powder that we are here for. Golden is a great spot to stay for a couple of days, with a couple of real gems for food and drinks in the evening. The drive west from Golden brings new wonders. The mountains just get bigger and bigger an at Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park, the giants that dwarf the SUV either side of the road, make you feel very insignificant. The next stop is the relative new kid on the block, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, but this is one BIG kid. With 1.7 km vertical, the highest in North America and with one of the highest snowfalls on the planet, this place is immense. I was lucky enough to spend a couple of weeks there in 2007, its inaugural year and have been back many times, but I always find something new, and the town itself, set on the mighty Columbia River is fast becoming a culinary hot spot too. When planning the trip, it was an option to head to Sun Peaks after leaving Revelstoke. Sun Peaks is a great all round resort with a host of ski in, ski out accommodations an hour or so north of Kamloops, but I opted for the more boutique resort of Silver Star at Vernon. Located at the northern tip of the Okanagan Valley, Silver Star is very easy on the eye and littered with brightly coloured accommodation directly on the slopes. The mountain itself is a real mixed bag, long glade runs if you want to take it easy and enough heart racing steeps through the trees, if you fancy a little more excitement. Vernon is a lovely town too, lots of non-chain cafes and restaurants to explore and is the start of Canada`s very underrated wine country. On leaving Vernon, the legs are getting a little jaded, but spirits are lifted by the stunning views of Lake Okanagan as we drop down in the Okanagan Valley to Kelowna. Kelowna is the largest city we`ve visited this trip and is set directly on the lake. The city`s booming wine industry is definitely evident as the main all year round attraction, but we`re here for the snow, so that means Big White Ski Resort. Big White is situated on the edge of the Big White Ecological Reserve, an hour’s drive east from Kelowna. We chose to stay in town but the resort boasts Canada`s largest ski in, ski out village for those looking to stay on the mountain, which I would definitely recommend for families. Big White is a large, all round one stop resort and in addition to the great skiing and snowboarding , there are a host of other winter activities available. Dog sledding, snowmobiling, sleigh rides and ice skating are possible, or for those looking to relax after a hard day on the slopes, there are luxury spas and a wealth restaurants from fast food to fine dining right in the village. After 3 days on Big White, we packed our skis and boards away for the last time and headed back onto the highway and west towards the mighty Pacific Ocean. The 3.5 hour drive took us out of the Okanagan Valley, up and over the Coquihalla Pass, which at 1244m above is the highest point of the highway and then back down to sea level to BC`s most famous city, Vancouver. Vancouver has a much more temperate climate, more akin to San Francisco than chilly Calgary. It is also known for its laid back atmosphere and is fast becoming a foodie mecca, a perfect spot to enjoy the last couple of nights of any trip to Canada before heading home.

16 July 2017

We arrived in what is the symbolic and pretty much geographically, the centre of the western world, New York; it`s like nowhere else. This was my eighth visit to the real-life Gotham City but for my 21-year-old nephew, this was the first time he had stepped onto what was “The New World”, never mind the ultimate metropolis! Nothing can quite prepare you for your first visit to NYC, those first few moments as you stare upwards at the glass and concrete giants, the yellow taxis horns blaring, the locals pushing past you, but it also somehow seems so familiar, after all we have all walked these streets a thousand times from the comfort of our homes in the countless TV and movies filmed here. Three manic days were to follow, to the top of the Empire State and its neighbour Top of the Rockefeller, which has a far better view of all Manhattan, a trip aboard the Circle Line cruise around the island to munching burgers in burger Joint, walking the High Line, having pizza in Lombardi`s and downing craft brews in Hell’s Kitchen. There never seems to be enough time in NYC and we were already planning our next trip back here as we made our way past the boxing mecca of Madison Square Garden and down in the bowels of New York to Penn station to board the Acela Express to our next stop, the city of “Brotherly Love”, Philadelphia. The Acela Express train is the flagship service from Amtrak and runs between Boston in the North all the way down the east coast of the US to Washington DC. With fewer stops than the normal train, free WIFI and large seats, we were pulling into Philadelphia`s stunning 30th St station in no time. Philadelphia is known for 3 things; first its history as this is where the Declaration of Independence and the US constitution was signed and is the home of the Liberty Bell. Second, the city is sport crazy! The Philadelphia Eagles, the 76ers, the Flyers and the Phillies, all dominate the major sports and the fans are known to be the most knowledgeable and passionate in the US. The city`s list of fighting men is legendary too from the very real Smokin’ Joe Frazier to the fictional Rocky! Third, the Philly cheesesteak, chopped steak and cheese in a hoagie roll is delicious. Where the best one is served is up for debate but we sampled the fare in Sonny`s and in Campo`s Deli and I`d recommend both wholeheartedly. After 2 days we were back on the Acela Express and 90 minutes later, arrive in Washington DC Union station. DC is the complete opposite of New York. Open spaces, jaw dropping neo-classical buildings, half empty wide sidewalks and everywhere is so spotlessly clean. We took a hop on hop off city tour, which I`d definitely recommend as the lack of traffic means you fly around the city, giving much need time to visit the countless museums (most of which are free admission) and iconic buildings plus the incredible dining options. DC is a foodie heaven, from food trucks to the famous Ben`s Chili Bowl to fine dining. Once out and about, Capitol Hill and the White House are obvious attractions but Arlington Cemetery and beautiful Georgetown were highlights too. 3 days later we were back at Union Station to continue our journey south this time aboard the Silver Star, but not before sampling the mouth-watering delights available at the insane food hall at the station. With over 35 different stalls, bars and restaurants within the building there is something for everyone. The Silver Star was straight away an altogether different experience than the Acela Express. Once on the platform we passed endless carriages, finally a Porter in very smart attire asked our names and escorted us to our sleeper cabin or Superliner Roomette as Amtrak have called it. The comfortable cabin would be our base for the next 27 hours, all travellers with cabins enjoy complimentary meals served in the dining carriage, which was a great way to meet other travellers over a few drinks after dinner. During the day, the cabin features 2 large recliner chairs set opposite each other, but while you`re at dinner, our porter magically transforms our living space into 2 bunk beds. Next morning, we awoke to fantastic views of Virginia, The Carolinas and the Georgian countryside through our huge picture window. We passed stilted shacks on Bayous and historic plantation houses straight out of "Gone with the Wind. Before moving inland into Florida, first to Orlando before heading back out to the Atlantic coast, we finally arrived at our final destination, Miami. Miami has it all, endless beaches, beautiful people, stunning art deco architecture and a wonderful climate, all aligned with a real party atmosphere. A truly great way to spend our last few days in the US before heading home.

16 July 2017

My first few moments on the giant continent that is Africa was defined by one thing; the air! I had never felt anything quite like it. It was hot and dry but not like the Arabian deserts, it was more infectious, wild and most definitely more alive. East Africa and Tanzania especially, is one of the few places, where you disembark the plane from the “First World” and within minutes you are in a 4WD thundering along a dirt track heading into the animals domain; there are no fences here. Arusha was our first stop, a charming village of hustle and bustle. Here the last preparations were made, before our next 5 days ascending the highest mountain in Africa , Mt Kilimanjaro, The Roof of Africa. The first 4 days did not provide any clue of the hardships in store for the last day. Strolling through beautiful forest, time was spent laughing at the pack of Wart Hogs, (known as a sounder) rustling through the undergrowth and watching a pair of Elephants go about their business. This was going all too well. The only inkling as we climbed higher, was that it was getting increasingly more difficult to fall asleep. On Day 4, after crossing the moon like landscape that is "The Saddle", we reached Kibo Hut at 4750m where there was no sleep at to be had at all. Midnight came eventually and the final ascent began. We headed up the mountain with only our head torches showing the way surrounded by pure darkness. At -25 degrees Celsius, we were like 8 Michelin men shuffling along, completely oblivious to our location over 3 miles above sea level. Then everything changed, it felt like someone had flicked a giant switch and the sun rose out of the sky, then in minutes the temperature rose 45 degrees Celsius! Stripping off layers with very limited oxygen is a hilarious sight but well worth the effort and the views from Gilman`s Point were breathtaking. We could now see the end in sight and another hour putting one foot in front of another, along the rim of what is a very extinct volcano, past magnificent ice blue glaciers we finally reached Uhuru Peak, Africa`s highest point. The descent was, to no one’s surprise, a much quicker affair and after a well deserved last night at the base, we boarded 4WD`s and headed out onto the vast plains. After all the hard work, our East African safari was well deserved but nothing could prepare me for the next few days. From the passing of tons of Zebra under the watchful eye of a pride of lionesses in Tarangire National Park, the endless cloud of pink Flamingos harassed by the sneaking Hyenas on Lake Manyara, the Rhino of Ngorongoro Crater being watched by the lone Leopard perched high in the tree above or the stand-off between a male Lion and a group of very irate Buffalo (the buffalo won that day). I couldn`t pick a favourite, it was an incredible experience. We then took the short flight for our last few days to the Indian Ocean paradise that is Zanzibar. As an important trading post through the centuries, Zanzibar, or Spice Island as it`s known, is a true melting pot of cultures and religions but it is the island`s stunning white sand beaches that is its main attraction, the definition of unspoilt paradise and where I spent the rest of my trip before returning home. For more information on this amazing experience, please contact me.