Posts in the Top Life Travel Experiences Category

March 13, 2008

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro Day 7– The Summit

11:40pm

It is freezing. The wind is howling. We are waiting on some of our group to get up out of bed. Somehow Marv and I are awake, changed, and ready to go in ten minutes. Most of our group is here. What could possibly be taking Isaac so long? We are currently at 4600 meters high. By sunrise we need to get close Uhuru Peak. The highest point in Africa is 5825 meters high. That is a long way up.

Marv and I are layered up like a pair of 4 year olds going outside to play in the snow. 3 pairs of socks. Long johns. 2 pairs of pants. 2 sets of gloves. T-shirt. Undershirt. Fleece. Ski Jacket. Hat. Face-mask. It could get as cold as 20 below tonight. I hope we are prepared.

Most importantly, we need to be ready mentally. Minds can play tricks at this altitude. Sub zero wind chill does not help either.

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Africa (2008), Mt. Kilimanjaro, Natural Wonders, Top Life Travel Experiences, Treks Comments( 6 )

December 31, 2007

The Top 10 Experiences of 2007

When I was in Canada a few weeks back my Australian friends Benny, Billy, and I started talking about all of the things that we had seen through our travels in 2007. After reminiscing, we each made a list. I decided to include my list here in the blog. It seems like a good way to recap my experiences.When compiling the list so many memories came rushing back. There is no doubt in my mind that 2007 has been the best year of my life. I have made so many new friends and been a part of so many life changing experiences. I literally had to take a minute to reflect and just say ” Wow”!

My Top 10 Experiences of 2007

Tied at 10. The Salt Flats, in southern Bolivia is simply the weirdest place I have ever been: Miles and miles of salt that you can see from space, red lagoons, and rock formations that look like they were dropped by aliens litter the surrounding desert. Plus, when in the salt you are able to shrink down to the size of a “tiny person” as seen in the picture here with me standing in Benny’s hand.

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Top Life Travel Experiences, Travel, Travel Tips Comments( 3 )

December 23, 2007

Day 21, 22, 23 (Final Cross Country Post): Magic in the Grand Canyon

We hiked 8 miles into the depths of a massive hole in the ground and fell in love with what we discovered. A vast, open, beautiful new world lie in the depths of the Grand Canyon. We saw new animals, met new friends, and liked it so much that we decided to stay longer than we originally planned. We stayed at the lone cabin system in the Canyon. The Phantom Ranch is usually only available if you book 1 full year in advance. Our motley crew rocked up and got a cabin to ourself. There was a water main break and many of the people with reservations had canceled at the last minute. We got very lucky. This luck gave birth to some of the “highlight moments” of our entire trip.

While in the Grand Canyon it felt was like we were on another planet. We were so removed from everything and everyone. It is a place where one can achieve the inner peace that so many of us are looking for by simply hiking around.

For me, I was able to reflect and personalize my experiences of the last year. I thought quite a bit about what the future will bring and how I have come to this point in my life.

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North American Travels, Southern U.S Cross Country Road Trip, Top Life Travel Experiences Comments( 3 )

August 13, 2007

The Colombian Jungle, a Cocaine Factory, a "Lost City", and a Scorpion Attack

“The Lost City”

Ciudad Perdida (The Lost City) was discovered in 1973ish in the northern Mountains of Colombia called the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Archaeologists believe that the settlement was built sometime between 800 AD and 1400AD. In truth, nobody seems to have the foggiest clue about the Lost City. Different reference points give completely different information. Its builders were the Tayrona Indians and they did not keep any written records. Eventually, they were destroyed by the Spanish in the 1500s. There are a few remnants of the Tayrona indians still in the region. They seem very unhappy. This probably has something to do with the fact that a bunch of gringos are trekking through their land every single day of their lives.

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Colombia, South American Trip (2007), Top Life Travel Experiences, Treks Comments( 5 )

June 30, 2007