Crafting the ultimate to-do list for the new year

Blog Courtsey: https://viewfinder.expedia.com/
By the time your calendar reads January 1, you’ll be feeling the effects of your cookie binge and eyeing the treadmill that’s been mocking you from the corner for the last few months. There is no better way to procrastinate your way out of workout goals or overdue emails than planning your epic adventures for 2017. There are plenty of reasons to get out there and explore this great big world of ours, and no shortage of exciting things happening next year that should lure you off the couch and into the greatest adventure of your life. Here are a few things to add to the ultimate 2017 bucket list.

Hop a flight to Cuba for the first time

Flight service to Cuba is officially underway, and you’ve probably been waiting a lifetime to check out the white-sand beaches and vibrant culture of this island. Since 2017 will be the first full year in recent memory that Americans can travel freely to Cuba, put a visit on your travel bucket list and book your tickets today. Once you’re there, spend your mornings traipsing through Old Havana and lazy afternoons lounging on Varadero Beach. Tour the Morro Castle and sink your teeth into street food like pork hamburgers and coconut pies.

Visit Banff National Park for free

In celebration of their 150th birthday, Canucks are letting everyone into their national parks for free during all of 2017. If a trip to Banff has been on your radar, this is the year to pull the trigger on a wilderness adventure north of the border. Put on some hiking shoes and tackle the trails, or take a breathtaking gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site where natural hot springs mark the spot considered the birthplace of Canada’s national park system.

Viewfinder Tip: Head to Hamburg’s Fischmarkt on Sunday morning to pick up fresh fruit and other snacks from the waterfront stalls.

See a show in Hamburg’s brand new concert hall.

Even if you weren’t creating an epic bucket list, things to do in Hamburg could easily convince you to get a stamp from Deutschland on your passport. But aside from the routine appeal of St. Pauli Piers and the Reeperbahn, there is a special reason to visit Hamburg in 2017. The much-awaited official opening of the Elbphilharmonie concert hall is scheduled for January, accompanied by a 3-week festival. Make history by seeing a show at the spectacular venue in its first year, then take a helicopter ride above the skyline to see the feat of architecture from the sky.

Support Honolulu’s newest art festival

We don’t have to twist your arm to get you to go to Hawaii. There are lots of bucket list ideas here, from surfing for the first time to attending an authentic luau. But this year there is another reason to book a trip to Hawaii’s capital city. The destination will host the Honolulu Biennial 2017, a first-time contemporary art festival that celebrates all kinds of visual art from the Pacific region. Taking place between March 8 and May 8, the festival will exhibit work at venues like Honolulu Hale and the Foster Botanical Garden. While you’re in this water sport capital, sign up for an outrigger canoe surfing experience or try stand up paddle boarding.

Watch the total solar eclipse in Great Smoky National Park

There may not be a total eclipse of your heart this year, but the moon has an appointment with the sun on August 21, 2017. The ideal viewing spots for this total solar eclipse are in a ribbon of terrain about 70 miles wide that runs from Oregon to South Carolina. The western half of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee is prime territory to see the event, and the park is organizing official viewing parties at places like Clingmans Dome and Cades Cover. While you’re visiting, check off a few other things on your adventure bucket list, such as hiking the Laurel Falls Trail and biking the Gatlinburg Trail.

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Trekking to see Wild Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda

Blog Courtsey: http://www.travelyourself.ca/

      Sadly there are less than 800 wild mountain gorillas remaining in the world, so when I was given the opportunity by UberLuxe Safaris to see these adorable creatures for myself in Rwanda, I literally jumped at the chance. More than five years ago a few friends of mine had gone on a press trip with Rwanda Tourism to do just this as well and from that day I had dreamed of visiting too and am still amazed that I was able to do it.

If you follow my blog / snapchat / youtube videos you know that I love seeing various animals around the world. From sloths in Costa Rica to kangaroos and koalas in Australia, Komodo Dragons in Indonesia, Orangutans in Borneo, wild dogs on safari in South Africa and so much more. From those trips and this one I now have some great knowledge to share with you my best tips for trekking to see wild mountain gorillas in the Rwanda.

Book ahead of time so you don’t miss seeing this adorable face

1. Book far in advance

There are only 80 trekking permits given out each day to see the gorillas, with those 80 people being divided into 10 groups of eight to visit 10 different gorilla families, one group per family. Sometimes you need to book your permit a few months in advance at least. If you are with a tour company like Uberluxe Safaris, they will book and arrange it all for you which is great.

It is $750 USD per permit, which is pricey, however this is for two good reasons. 1) to limit the amount of people wanting to do the trekking and to limit the demand put on the park and gorillas. 2) to help pay for the all of the guides, trackers, anti-poaching teams, for conservation of the gorillas, research and so much more.

2. Wear really, really, really, good boots

I wore my Blundestones (that I love). They were great for the gruelling 3hour trek up the side of the Mount Sabyinyo Volcano in search of the Gorillas. But going down they were the WORST. So much so that I got blisters, and one of my toe nails even turned black (later fell off, yuck). The problem with them is that they are slip ons and you can’t tighten them, so going down hill my foot kept sliding to the front of the boot and jamming on the front and it was so steep, it was just the worst.

Buy proper boots that you can tie tight without a lot of foot movement. Also the higher the boot the better. It had rained before our trek (and a little bit during) and there were some mega muddy spots. The people with trekking shoes/sneakers that stopped below the ankle got shoes full of mud inside. Not the nicest thing to walk in.

The guides and porters were wearing just normal rubber boots, but I suppose they are accustomed to the hike, I don’t think I could have done it wearing those.

(BONUS: When we got back to our hotel we were greeted at the entrance with sandals to put on and the hotel staff took away our muddy boots and cleaned them just like brand new and delivered them back to our rooms that evening.)

My awesome porter Jackson who I would not have made it to the top without

3. Hire a porter

Even if you don’t think you need a porter, hiring one for a day provides income to them and the community. There is a suggested payment of $10 USD per porter but I would recommend even more. I didn’t have much with me that was heavy that I was carrying, basically just my camera, GoPro, cellphone, gloves, some rain gear, and water. But my porter still carried my bag for me and that was nice so I could focus on the trek and not lugging things. The porter will also give you a walking stick and will help you through the muddy spots and hard bits (aka pushing you up the hill when you don’t think you can make it any further).

Before our trek, looking fresh and not sweaty… yet

The porter will also wait for you if you are slow or need to stop. They are also great to just talk to and learn about their jobs and experiences.

One of the Gorilla trackers who carries a gun incase we encounter wild buffalo. The gun is meant to scare them and not kill them

4. Bring money with you

If you are going to be paying $750 for the permit bring even more money with you. Suggested $20 for each guide (we had two) at least $10 or more for your porter and then inside the Volcanoes National park there are trackers who basically take long shifts in the park on the volcano staying near the gorillas every day and tracking them so when the groups come they know where to find them. All of these guys are working hard, love their jobs and are so friendly.

Feeling strong an fit at 6am BEFORE the trek

5. Make sure you are fit

For a little more than one whole year before my trip I had started working out with a personal trainer and lost 40lbs. This wasn’t in prep of the trip, just a choice to live a healthier life, however because of that success and my increasing strength I thought I could tackle this trek quite easily. Not that I had been focusing on cardio at all though. Definitely train and do cardio and trekking before this trip if you can.

This trek killed me. It was so hard and it was straight up the side of the volcano, I think we walked up about 7,000 feet. Bring water, eat a good breakfast before hand and bring snacks like energy bars with you.

Also make sure your guides know your skill level. There are different families of gorillas that are harder to get to than others. The guides judge you by your appearance and decide which trek you can handle (young = fit to them) so if you want to take an “easier” trek to see a close family, make sure you tell them that.

I made sure that was known and I was put in a group with two 76 year old ladies. I was excited as I thought this would be so easy. I was so very wrong. These women were champs! I wish I had as much stamina as they did now let alone when I’m their age.

I didn’t have a good sleep the night before, anxious/ excited for the trek, I didn’t eat a good breakfast and I didn’t bring any snacks on the trek. Near the end of the trek my porter was pushing me with one of the guides pulling me the last few steps up the hill

TLDR; practice on a step climber 3 hours a day for 5 months before your trip.

Trying to get an epic wild baby mountain gorilla selfie is important, but also don’t forget to put the technology down and enjoy the moment

6. Focus

Each group only gets one hour with the gorillas a day. That is not nearly enough time to enjoy these amazing creatures. I had with me a GoPro, DSLR and my iPhone. I was much to distracted with the three of them. The less gear you take with you the better. Also don’t forget to take some time and put the electronics down and just enjoying this beautiful beasts up close and personal.

A quick glimpse of everything I took with me for the trek. Half of it I wore. Also missing is my DLSR that I took this picture with.

7. Gear to bring

Aside from a good pair of boots, water snacks and extra money also bring high wool socks that you can tuck your pants into, and yes no matter the temperature wear long pants. Bring gardening type gloves that can protect your hands against thorns, vines and stinging nettles. Wear a long sleeve shirt and even consider layering. You never know when it might rain so also bring rain gear, at least a jacket or poncho but you might want to consider rain pants too, also rain gear for your camera(s) and phone.

I had considered bringing gaiters / boot covers that protect from your feet up your leg but then didn’t bring them. The hotel (the Mountain Gorilla View Lodge) that I stayed at however had gaiters and rain gear available to rent for your trek so if you forget something or are on the fence about bringing an item, they might have it there for you to rent for the day as well.

Mr. D and Patience were so kind and knowledgeable!

8. Listen to your guides

This one is a no brainer of course. These are beautiful creatures and it is amazing the relationships that these guides have with them. They understand each other and the guides even know grunts and other noises to make to reassure them that we are friendly and mean no harm, but can also tell them to back off if needed.

A female gorilla gets EXTREMELY close to the group as she passes by

You will be ridiculously close to these wild mountain gorillas who could do a lot of damage to you very quickly if you aren’t careful. When the guides tell you to step back or stand still or to put the selfie stick away be sure to listen to them. Especially since it is a long, long way down to get help.

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