World Traveler

 

I headed from Melbourne over to Perth, which surprisingly is often missed by travellers and holiday makers but I love the place! There are fabulous beaches and the water in the Indian Ocean is a beautiful blue, with excellent waves. Perth is pretty small, the first day I arrived I some how managed to keep getting lost and ending up in the middle of no where with nothing around! Perth is very laid back but can’t be a bit expensive which is probably due to the mining boom which has made Perth Australia’s richest state.

The city has something for everyone and there are plenty of smaller towns within half an hour from Perth that have beaches as Perth its self doesn’t. Perth also has some stunning islands surrounding it with loads of wildlife including strange animals that aren’t found anywhere else, seals, penguins, loads of bird life and reptiles.

Perth is basically far from everywhere else, there are a few amazing rock formations around like Wave Rock (you guessed it, it looks like a wave but it’s a rock) and the Pinnacles which are basically giant bits of pointy rock out in the middle of the desert. It all looks amazing on photos but it’s a four hour drive to see a bit of rock. Saying that I still want to go!

Perth has plenty of cafes, restaurants and bars of all variety to keep you entertained, plus some excellent outdoor activities and sight seeing. In many ways I prefer it to Melbourne (I love that city!)

Read about some of Perth’s Islands……

 

I can’t help it, I’m an explorer and as soon as I get to a new destination, I’m straight to explore and find out every possible thing to do! I arrived in Perth and did just that and found out that I can see penguins and seals in the wild, obviously excited (I never seen a real seal, apart from TV of course) and even better, the Penguin and Seal Island were only a 40 minute journey from Perth.

I hoped on the train and got to the jetty. You can actually walk through the water to Penguin Island as it was fairly shallow but not to Seal Island, so I got a boat. Seal Island is very small and is protected so you can’t get off the boat, but you get within 10 metres of the seals and they are so cute to watch. The boat also takes you to Penguin Island which you can get off.

Penguin Island is home to the Fairy Penguin, also known as the Small Penguin (what an inventive name!) As they only come out after dark it’s hard to see them during the day but they usually lie under boardwalks so I managed to see some. However, for those that miss out there is a discovery centre with Penguin feeding time so you get to see them in action as well, very cute! The island is also home to Giant Pelicans and there is a whole nesting ground, plus plenty of other wildlife like Sting Rays, a variety of birdlife and skinks (they look like a short snake with legs!) The beach is deserted and absolutely beautiful with crystal clear water so great for snorkelling. Brilliant if you love wildlife and nature!

Read more about animal places…….

 

As I was travelling around Malaysia I discovered the beauty of Langkawi. The island itself is huge but there isn’t a great deal going on. On land there are a few waterfalls, and amazing white sand beaches that are totally deserted and a few temples. Although on land there isn’t a lot to keep you entertained for long, fortunately there is off land!

Langkawi has the best Marine National Park that I have ever been too, and the nicest water. I decided to take a day tour out on a sailing boat, no, not one of those posh ones, it looked like a pirate ship! The boat set sail and a drag net was put out (it’s basically a net that you can sit in, in the water, while sailing). Everyone else was too scared to go first so as usual I was the Guinea Pig. Stupidly I was wearing a bikini and a loose on at that, trying to keep my head above water whilst holding by bikini top over my boobs at the same time holding my bikini pants on to stop them floating away was almost impossible and I had visions of the bikini pants getting pulled off by the strong current I was fighting against and seeing them float off into the sunset with out me in them. Luckily I managed to keep everything on, without flashing anyone, I was very proud of myself! We then saw a huge Monitor Lizard (about 3 metres long) in the water near us swimming, at which most people freaked out and got out of the water, but they are harmless.

The boat stopped and we all went for a swim (except one man that refused to go in the water again after seeing the Monitor Lizard) and I thought there was a coconut floating next to me, until someone screamed and I realised it was a huge jelly fish. I don’t think I have ever moved that quickly in my life and jelly fish always sting me – not this time!

We visited deserted islands, had lunch, relaxed, swam and kayaked through caves. It was a day from heaven and a totally amazing experience and I can’t wait to go back!

Read more about beautiful places…….

 

( The 12 Apostles, photo by Robert S Butler)

The Great Ocean Road stretches along the coast not to far from Australia’s well loved Melbourne and it’s a great place for adventure, spotting wildlife, surfing and generally experiencing some of Victoria’s beauty. There are plenty of day tours, 2 day tours and even 3 day tours but its better to hire a car as there are so many things that the tours don’t cover and there is so much to see so you can travel at your own pace.

Along the great ocean road there are plenty of places that you can stop and see kangaroo’s and Koala’s which are funny, very lazy creatures but so cute! There is the Kennett River where you can hire kayaks and have a very good chance of seeing a Platypus. I love Australia’s animals; they really are like no other!

Torquay is a popular stop on the Greta Ocean Road, it’s a big surf town, freezing water but huge waves, I tried to put a toe in but it’s far too cold for me! Surfing competitions are often held in Torquay.

There are tree top walks through rainforests, famous rock formations like London Bridge (yes you guessed it, it looks like a bridge) and The Twelve Apostles; which are basically, now 8 bits of tall rock that jet out from the sea. There used to be 12 but some have since collapsed!

Slightly inland there are plenty of wineries to keep you entertained and also a volcanic crater. Its fantastic on a sunny day, very cold and not so much fun on a bad day – I have done both.

Read more about Australian wildlife……

 

Who said that Malaysia was supposed to be a third world country? Times Square in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur shows no sign of being third world at all. Times Square is a huge shopping complex that will keep you busy all day, and more. Talk about shop till you drop!

Times Square spreads itself over about 20 floors and is not only filled to the brim with shops and a food court but its also packed with plenty of restaurants, a gym complete with swimming pool, a hotel, a science centre, a cinema and an Imax cinema but also a theme park! Yes a theme park, inside a shopping centre. There are some excellent rides for adults and children and if you pop in to Times Square for a bit of shopping you can also go on a few rides to break up the day. Rides cater for children as well as adults and you get a pass for the day for about $10 so its perfect for a mid-week cheer-me-up and its almost always empty so you have the whole place to yourself.

Honestly, I could spend a week in Times Square and still not see and do everything. There are loads of shopping complexes like Times Square, Kulala Lumpur’s Twin Towers are another example. Complete with a viewing platform between the two towers and an Aquarium in the basement. How can this possibly be in a third world country, I have never heard of anything like this in the UK, Las Vegas maybe.

Read more about Malaysia…..

 

Tioman is a fabulous little find of the East Coast of peninsula Malaysia. The island has about four or five towns that you can stay at, all very small but still each one has different things to see and do. My favourite has to be ABC; its lined with quite bars and restaurants and a beach, which is a bit pebbly but you can snorkel and see turtles and loads of cool fishes and you don’t have to go very far. There is also a walk that you can do through the woods, passing loads of wildlife on the way, to a secluded little beach. The island is very peaceful and beautiful and there is nature all over, at night there are Flying Foxes, Mouse Deer, Porcupines and during the day there are huge Monitor Lizards. My Mum wasn’t aware of the Monitor Lizards even though I did warn her, she got a bit of a shock when she saw one and thought it was a crocodile, luckily some local kids “saved� her but she was convinced she was going to die, and no matter how much I tried to reassure her that they weren’t dangerous, she couldn’t wait to leave the island!
 
If you want something different to do during the day there is a place where you can make your own sarongs. Its easy to find as there is only one road (actually its more of a track) in ABC. Ricky Power owns the place and he organizes everything, gives advice and helps with the hard bits. It doesn’t matter if you’re not creative as all the sarongs turn out great, he was even thinking about introducing clothing that you can paint.
 
The people on Tioman are really friendly and even remembered me from when I was there 8 months previously, it’s a brilliant place, very quiet, but on of my favourite places in the world. Love it!

Read more about Malaysia…..

 

I’m always fascinated by sand dunes so when I realised that you can actually surf down them I was so excited, and like I always do, I get excited but don’t really think about what is involved! I was in Australia and the nearest sand dunes to me were in Newcastle in NSW so I headed up there and found a tour company that takes you there are provides all the equipment (its much less hassle for me that way!) First was a 4-wheel drive across the dunes and I’m glad that I wore a seat belt, unfortunately my seat wasn’t attached to the floor so I had to concentrate on not hitting my head on the ceiling or the window, whilst I was being thrown around like a rag doll, fun all the same though. We parked up at the top of one of the highest dunes and I remembered my fear if heights and thought “oh my God, what am I doingâ€? and chickened out.
 
I watched as everyone else had a go and when I realised that you can do it sitting down instead of standing up I managed to muster enough courage to have a go. I waxed down my board, positioned myself and off I went. As I neared the bottom of the sand dune I had built up so much speed that I screamed, at the same time I veered out of control sending a wave of sand over me, most of which went into my open mouth – mouth full of sand, lovely! By this time I was covered in sand and loads was stuck up my nose so yes, I had definitely learned to keep my mouth shut for the next go!
 
Its tiring walking back up the dunes so I only got a few more slides before my legs gave way, but its a great way to have fun and get loads of exercise at the same time – just remember to keep your mouth closed!

Read about more places to go in Australia…….

I love adventure but I’m very unfit, but I never seem to think about that when I decide to climb volcanoes, mountains or go on hikes, just like i didn’t think about my fitness levels when I decided to go on a three day canoe safari in the small town of Noosa, Queensland, Australia. My sister made most of the arrangements for the trip so I didn’t really know what was going to be involved, and apparently neither did she! We were collected at 7.45am for an early start (way too early for me!) and soon realised that it was a self-guided tour, at this I nearly freaked out. I’m not a camper although I have been before but I was scared at the fact that we would be out on our own in the middle of know where with a canoe, seemed like a recipe for disaster if you ask me!

We set off on our canoe safari and all seemed good at first, in fact we were quite impressed with ourselves, even though the bottom of the canoe was filled with a fair bit of water, but we didn’t think much of it. The Everglades were beautiful and really peaceful and there was plenty of wildlife around and some breath-taking scenery. The reflections in the water made it feel like I was Alice in Wonderland as the water is black because of all the tea tree oil in it so it acted like a mirror. This was bliss, was just what I needed to de-stress.

Our canoeing skills were getting better, apart from crashing into the odd tree and nearly capsizing, there were a few close calls and we even managed to get out of the way as bigger boats came along, all in all day one was brilliant. We set up to camp and managed cooking etc, unfortunately it started to rain just after it was dark so we were confined to the tent. We woke up the next day to a wet tent, complete with wet sleeping bags and wet clothes. It was still raining and it rained well in to the afternoon, then we heard from some other campers that a tornado was coming! Great. Obviously we freaked out, packed up in a matter of seconds and hit the river to row back home as quickly as possible before we ended up like Dorothy in ‘Wizard of Oz’.

The water was pretty rough but luckily there was a break in the rain, else our canoe would have filled up with water and sank! After arm-breaking rowing session we arrived back at the pick up point and luckily had phone reception to get someone to pick us up. We later found out that a few of the near by islands were being evacuated so were pretty glad to be back safe in the warm! I should have known - whatever I try and do it turns into a shenanigan!

Read about more shenanigan’s……

 

To celebrate my birthday me and my sister went to the water park, which is about 20 minutes out of Ho Chi Minh City and it is the coolest water park I have ever been to!  It was empty so there was just a hand full of people in the water.  They had loads of really amazing slides   one of them was a tunnel which was blacked out so you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face, so you had no idea what turn was coming next, plus you aren’t allowed on the ride unless your in a double inflatable ring for 2 people.  One person sits in the front ring, the other in the back.  The slide is fairly steep too so we were both flying down the tunnel, in pitch black, which had loads of sudden corners.  Then at the end of the ride there is an open, almost vertical drop so you fly through mid air before you hit the water and almost drown!  I’m not exaggerating either, but because you think your going to die just makes it more exhilarating!

There was another slide where you had to lay on a mat face down, headfirst.  My sister and I went on at the same time, as there were two slides next to each other.  It wasn’t as scary as the previous slide and I slowed down and stopped at the end but she just kept on going, and going, past the end of the slide.  There were loads of people that she was heading straight for, they were all running and screaming trying to get out of the way in time.  Finally in the middle of the passage way, on the concrete, she stopped sending a blast of water over everyone.  It was hilarious to watch, I only wish I had a video camera!

We were the only ones in bikini’s and it made me feel really bear everyone else was swimming in shorts and t-shirts but Vietnamese people are pretty shy and conservative.  It was a brilliant day out!

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For those of us whose four-legged friends are a member of the family, it can be difficult to leave such a cherished companion behind when a trip arises. If you do elect to take your furry friend on your travels, remember that traveling with your dog takes a bit more planning than you may be used to. Here are a few points to keep in mind when arranging a pet-friendly journey.

Make sure your dog wears identification at all times. If you become separated from your pet while away from home, your dog’s ID tag needs to have your complete name, address, and at least one phone number to ensure that you can be reached. If you’re staying somewhere awhile, consider adding a local phone number on the tag.

Make sure your dog is up for the trip. Have your vet give your animal the OK t\for travel at least a week before your trip. Make sure you obtain a recent health certificate and proof of all vaccinations. If you’ve never traveled with your dog before, let him get accustomed to being in the car by starting out on short trips around town and gradually lengthening the trips. NEVER leave your pet in the car on a warm day (even mild temperatures can cause the inside of your vehicle to become deadly very quickly), and be mindful of leaving your pet for too long even during cool temperatures. Always keep a car window partially open when parked. Consider using a dog gate or doggie seatbelt to ensure your pet is safe while driving.

Plan your accommodations ahead of time. After a long day of travel, the last thing you want to struggle with is searching for a pet friendly hotel. Book your hotels and campgrounds ahead of time. Remember to get information on additional charges or security deposits.

Make sure you dog is well-trained before you embark. Ensure your dog understands basic obedience commands such as ’sit,’ ’stay,’ ‘come,’ and ‘quiet.’ Keep him leashed as much as possible, and be sure to secure the leash even before you open the car door. Of course, remember to clean up after your dog, both in public places and in your lodging.

Create a familiar environment. Make every effort to keep your dog on the same food and routine that he is accustomed to. If your pet is used to sleeping it a crate or on a bed, bring those items along. Bring familiar toys, water and food bowls, and brushes along as well.

Pack carefully. Pack a small first-aid kit with tweezers and any medication your dog takes regularly. Keep a lint brush handy. Bring plenty or water, both for you and your pet. Keep a recent photo of your pet with you at all times in case you need others to help you find him. Also keep your regular vet’s phone number with you in case you have any non-emergency questions. Bring plenty of plastic bags for poop-duty.

More and more kids are traveling alone these days, as they fly to see friends, visit relatives, attend camp, or take an adventure trip. Unfortunately, the number of delays, missed connections, and canceled flights has also increased dramatically over the past several months. Although airlines have policies regarding minors and provide workers to make sure their travel goes smoothly, many teenagers fly unaccompanied and therefore still run into the same problems encountered by experienced adult fliers. Here are a few tips on keeping your teenage flyer safe.

Book direct flights. If all possible, book direct flights for you teen. There’s much less risk of canceled flights, and no risk of missed connections, if you can find a direct route. If a direct flight isn’t available, try book on an airline that has multiple flights to the destination daily, and nab a flight that is early in the day.

Make sure your child has a cell phone, the charger for the phone, and cash. Your teen needs to be able to reach you or relatives and friends if they do miss their flight. Make sure any phone numbers they might need are already programmed in. If their travel is delayed or canceled, they may need cash for meals and other incidental expenses. Instruct your child to call you immediately if any problems do occur, so that you can be involved in the situation from the beginning. If need be, have the child hand their phone to an airline employee so you can deal directly with the representative. Also, make sure your child has a copy of his complete itinerary, so he can keep up with where’s he headed and who he’s meeting.

Keep the airlines posted on the situation. Airlines will take care of minors, even if they have to stay overnight somewhere, but unless they are aware your teen is traveling alone, they can’t help. If your young traveler encounters problems, he needs to let the airlines know he’s alone. Of course, each airline has a different policy on minors traveling, so be sure to check the requirements before you book–some airlines charge, and most have different age requirements to qualify for airline assistance.

Don’t lose your cool if there are problems. The best reaction you can have is calm and collected; you don’t want to scare you child by becoming hysterical on the phone. Try to control you anger, and reassure them the situation will be resolved.

Pack carefully. Make sure your child has plenty of food and snacks, as well as entertainment. Many parents even opt to pack one set of clean clothes in their child’s carry-on. Be careful not to make your child’s backpack too heavy, and ensure they have a luggage tag.

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Ouray has enough diverse and unique hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and cabins to satisfy any taste. You can enjoy beautiful views of the San Juan Mountain range from many hotels and motels, or enjoy being closer to the surrounding forests and streams in a cabin or vacation home. The tiny town offers everything from complete luxury to secluded and spartan.

Bed and Breakfasts
The China Clipper Inn is by the far the most elegant and comfortable B&B in town. The Victorian-style inn is customed designed and has twelve large private rooms, decorated with antiques and other unique furnishings. All of the modern amenities are included with every room, and guests can enjoy a large sitting room, several fireplaces throughout the house, and an outdoor hot tub. The inn is as distinctive as Ouray, and is located in the heart of town.

Cabins and Vacation Homes
Ouray Lodging is one of the most reliable companies in town for vacation rentals, condos, apartments, and homes. The Riversong Suite is spectacular inside with a full kitchen, laundry, and fireplace. The Cabin as Eagle Point is sought-after by regular travelers to the area; the cabin is nestled in the national forest surrounding town and has spectacular views, 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, and a full kitchen. The deck at Eagle Point overlooks a small creek, and is a great place to stay if you’re looking for a secluded location. The Aspen, Blue Spruce, and Cottonwood Ouray Lodging suites are of varying sizes, and are suitable for families and couples.

Ouray Vacation Rentals is another reliable and helpful company. They have seven properties available, ranging from secluded and private to large, multi-room houses for large groups. Ouray Realty Rentals is the largest provider of private rental homes in Ouray. All of their units have full kitchens, televisions, laundry rooms, and a desk or a patio. They have properties that can accommodate from two to 12 people. One of their most unique properties is the Mission Rock Cottage, or Hanson House. The Rock Cottage is just off Main Street and only a block from the Uncompahgre River. The cottage is large enough for a family, and has a beautiful wood burning stove. The views from the front patio are great, and the cottage itself is adorable and rustic.

Hotels and Motels
The Beaumont Hotel is a gloriously historic place to stay. The Beaumont Hotel has been a landmark in Ouray for over 100 years; originally established in 1886, the hotel had been passed to several owners and even closed for a number of years before the current owners restored it a few years ago. The hotel has 12 rooms, all with views of town and the mountains and decorated with period furnishings. The hotel advertises all the rooms ‘have been designed to maintain the historical significance of the hotel while catering to the needs of today’s guest.’ The in-house spa and restaurants are fantastic.

The Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa and Lodgings offer a very unique environment. The hotel offers accommodations paired with a spectacular underground natural ‘vaporcave,’ an outdoor hot springs swimming pool, and a private hot springs soaking pool for guests. They also have complete spa services available. The main lobby is actually constructed over a continually flowing natural hot springs that was used by American Indians long ago. Although it’s not advertised, non-guests can actually use the cave and pool for a small fee–we highly recommend paying the fee for use of the establishment’s true attraction and staying the night somewhere else. The Wiesbaden’s on-site lodgings have gone a bit downhill over the last decade while the prices have continued to rise. Regardless, don’t pass up the cave or pool, even if you just have a weekend in Ouray.

The Historic Western Hotel is one of the oldest surviving wooden structures on the Western Slope, the hotel features authentic Victorian architecture mixed with a distinctly old West atmosphere (don’t miss the Saloon Restaurant downstairs). The only downside is that the majority of the rooms share bathrooms with one other room; however, there are two suites with private baths–if you can, reserve the suite with the bathtub in the middle of the room!

The Ouray Hotel is another historic fixture downtown. Built in 1893, and restored 100 years later to it’s original appearance, the hotel offers several suites with private baths. Of all the Victorian-era hotels in town, we’ve found the Ouray Hotel to be one of the most cost-effective.

Campgrounds and RV Parks
For those of us that prefer the joys of camping outdoors to more modern conveniences, the area around town houses several great campgrounds and RV parks. The US Forest Service operate Amphitheater Campground is located on the side of one of the many peaks surrounding Ouray. The campground is at an elevation of approximately 8,400 feet and has both reservable and first-come, first-serve sites. Most of the loops and camping areas are surrounded my conifers, and many overlook the ‘amphitheater’ that was formed by a volcanic explosion. Small RVs can also utilize the grounds. The 4J+1+1 RV Park is the only real RV park located within Ouray. The park is located on the banks of the river, and has very reasonable rates.

Ouray, Colorado is a relatively unknown destination for astute adventure and international travelers. The small town itself is picturesquely nestled among some of the most impressive and beautiful peaks in Southwest Colorado. Set in a small valley and surrounded on three sides by the towering mountains of the San Juan range, Ouray is locally referred to as the ‘Switzerland of America.’ In addition, the majority of the small town’s unique Victorian businesses and hotels have been lovingly restored to their original glory. An incredibly peaceful and relaxing atmosphere dominates the town. The friendly locals, unique landscape, and spectacular Victorian architecture make this a stellar travel destination.

Dining
Despite it’s quaint size, Ouray offers an amazing variety of small cafes and restaurants. Whether you’re after a relaxed atmosphere or a formal experience, or a Southwest-inspired menu or a French flair, you’ll find a local restaurant to satisfy your desires. The Bon Ton Restaurant is one of the local favorites for an upscale atmosphere. The Bon Ton serves continental cuisine with an Italian flair–the menu has everything from prime rib to ravioli. The dining room is located in the bottom of the elegant St. Elmo hotel and is open year-round with an excellent Sunday brunch.

For a more relaxed atmosphere, the Buen Tiempo Mexican Restaurant and Cantina is a worthy choice. Serving an enormous menu of Mexican and Southwestern fare, the Buen Tiempo is clean and comfortable inside; the patio outside overlooks Main Street and is inviting and filled with flowers throughout much of the year. The Coachlight is another of our favorite dinner destinations. Although the dining room has slightly unpredictable hours (it’s only open intermittently throughout the summer months), the tasty salads and old-West atmosphere make it a great dinner place for families.

Shopping
Shopping in Ouray is even better than the dining selections! The small town is home to an incredible number of outstanding and well-known artists of many different mediums, from wood craftsman to painters. Inspired by the breathtaking scenery, these resident artisans are constantly creating one-of-a-kind creations that fill the local galleries. Many local galleries hold regular workshops and classes by artists that are well worth the time. In addition, the small unique boutiques and gift shops that line Main Street have interesting and exclusive high-quality items not typically found in tourist destinations.

North Moon Gallery, located in the dramatically restored Beaumont Hotel, features some of the most unique art in all of Colorado. The small shop has fine art of all kinds, including a diverse collection of jewelry, locally inspired paintings, and gorgeous landscape photography. Red Moutain Gallery and Studio is another excellent gallery; the small business manages to host tours and maintain gardens outside. Open in the fall months, Red Mountain is by appointment only. Finally, San Juan Pottery is another local gallery worth a peek–located one story about Main Street, San Juan is somewhat difficult to locate. They carry an enormous collection from most of Colorado’s most renowned potters.

The shops in Ouray as equally as classy and memorable as the galleries. Travelers can easily purchase all their Christmas and holiday gifts on one trips, as well as acquire stunning Native American art, unique jewelry, and craft masterpieces for themselves. Duckett’s is a good shop to begin your stay in Ouray. Duckett’s is an old-fashioned, tiny family-owned and operated grocery store. The have excellent meat and vegetables all the time, and the staff is fun to talk to. Buckskin Booksellers carries all types of literature, but specializes in Western books and gift items. The Ouray V&S Variety is open seven days a week and year-round; the small old-fashioned store carries most everything you could ever need: food, drinks, snacks, sunscreen, film, cameras, games, clothing, shoes, etc. Every time we visit, we’re amazed how many different items are crammed into such a small storefront. Ouray Toys is open year round, and is fun for adults and kids; they have thousands of high-quality and unique games, toys, dolls, activities, puzzles, and books. Finally, Schalla Jeweler of Ouray is worth a visit. They create custom silver and gold jewelry with gemstones and diamonds. Many of their creations are inspired by the peaks surrounding the town.

Lying within easy traveling distance of Cuzco is one of Peru’s most famous tourist destinations, the impressive Inca fortress Machu Picchu. The ‘city of Incas’ is probably even South America’s most coveted archaeological attraction. The ancient city sits high in the mountains, and is particularly interesting because it is relatively pristine and intact–the site itself was never found by the invading Spaniards and was largely untouched until the early 1900s.

Despite constant studies dating back to the time of it’s rediscovery by Hiram Bingham in 1911, the history and purpose of the compound remains a fascinating mystery. Some experts and scholars believe the citadel was a royal vacation palace, while others are convinced the structures actually represent an effort by the Inca to rekindle their dying culture in the final years of the empire. Either way, the incredible stonework and craftsmanship at the site is evidence the compound was of some great cultural significance to the Inca.

The site is open from dawn till dark. Many tours from Cuzco visit the site, but many travelers also visit on their own. However, keep in mind you are not allowed to carry large or bulky backpacks, food, or drinks into the ruins. There is no official visitor center, but tickets to the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary can be purchased in neighboring Aguas Calientes or through a Cuzco tour agency. Also, the Museo de Sitio Manuel Chavez Ballon is a nice place to get maps and information about the site.

Once you actually enter the complex compound and it’s confusing passageways, keep an eye out for a few buildings and areas that you shouldn’t miss. The Hut of the Caretaker of the Funerary Rock is a bit morbid (mummification may have been performed here), and the nearby series of ceremonial baths is captivating and beautiful. Some of the most intricate stonework in the whole site is featured in the delicate looking Temple of the Sun. The tower may have been used for ceremonial and astrological purposes. The Temple of Three Widows has nice views of the Sacred Plaza. The main altar is the Intihuatana, located beyond the strange Sacristy. The small building called the Sacristy has many nooks and niches of all sizes, and an impressive stone bench; the building is especially known for the intricately cut rocks flanking it’s main doorway. The Intihuatana is a delicately crafted rock pillar that may have been used to predict the solstice, and is one of the few remaining such pillars because of the Spanish effort to smash the shrines.

Most people traveling to Machu Piccho stay in Cuzco or Aguas Calientes. Aguas Calientes sits in a large valley just below the famous ruins, and has many convenient hotels and tour guides. The aptly-named Hotel Machu Picchu Inn is comfortable and clean–we recommend making reservations ahead of time. Cafe Inkaterra is located in the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, and is a quiet and calm place to go after a long day traveling. The foot is both traditional and modern, and the atmosphere is inviting and romantic.

If you want to stay at the ruins themselves, the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge is one of your only choices. The hotel is often full, so book rooms ahead of time. All of the rooms have views of the ancient compound, and the staff is attentive. The in-house food is expensive but tasty.

According to those who “know� this year marks the 60th anniversary of the 1947 UFO incident at Roswell, New Mexico. And what could be more fun than visiting Roswell for this august anniversary. So, start making plans for the Roswell UFO Festival, which will be held July 5-8.

Here is what Roswell UFO Festival publicity says about the event:

In early July, 1947, a mysterious object crashed on a ranch 30 miles north of Roswell. The Roswell Army Air Field (RAAF) issued a statement claiming to have recovered a crashed “flying disk.� An article ran on the front page of the Roswell Daily Record and the next day, RAAF changed its statement to say that the object was a weather balloon, not a flying disk as they previously reported. This revised statement sparked immediate controversy and has continued to be a topic of debate 60 years later.

While there, you can enjoy book signings, lectures and even see alien attractions. But if you want to go, you better start making plans. With estimated 50,000 people expected for the 60th anniversary of the Roswell UFO, you need to book your rooms now.

For more on the Roswell UFO Festival, including a list of events, visit www.roswellfestival.com.

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