Autumn was in the air. It was that special kind of weather, which is hard to put in words but which you’ll recognize once it’s there – very bright and sunny but chilly at the same time with a subtle breeze of crisp air, telling you that summer is over. On a morning just like that, chance had it that I found out about the annual Tofino carving festival named “Carving on the Edge”. Squinting into the sun and sipping on a coffee outside my favorite café, I discovered a small article about the festival happening that same day. As a photographer, I was instantly hooked as I know that traditional arts and crafts can make
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Join us in South Africa – May 2016!
We’re going back to South Africa! And you can come along. We’ll be hosting a very special small-group trip to South Africa from the 7th to the 15th of May 2016 (with optional pre-trip add-on starting on May 4th and post-trip ending May 19th) to experience the incredible adventure experiences, wildlife and natural beauty of the rainbow nation. This very special itinerary is the result of years of travel to South Africa spent scoping out the best experiences the country has to offer. We’re also very excited to include the super-luxurious Blue Train in this itinerary for the first time. We hope you’ll join us!
ITINERARY:
*See Below for Optional Pre-Trip Shark Cage Diving Add-On and Post-Trip Victoria Falls*
8 May – Welcome to South Africa!
Today you will arrive in Cape Town on your own arrangements. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to the Commodore Hotel at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. This evening, we will
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StyleHiClub Tours Are Here!
From Southern Africa to the Galapagos Islands, now you can join us as we explore the world! We make all the arrangements and you get to enjoy the ride.
People seem to enjoy letting us plan their trips. This works out well since we kinda love doing it. Trip planning isn’t for everybody so we’re happy to put this skill set to use for others. Honestly, there’s nothing more rewarding than bringing someone to a new place and watching them experience it for the first time. For that reason, we have begun running our own exclusive small-group trips to select destinations around the world.
Group Tours
We know Southern Africa. Really well. So it makes sense that we began our group tour program with our first ever group to South Africa. Since then, we’ve brought people to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana as well and have now begun expanding outside of Southern
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New Student IDs for the BES Kids
Keep reading this article on Escapology.A road traffic accident is what started it all. This is a story of poverty, natural disaster and how people can make a difference to make this world a better place. During my 3-months trip all across the Philippines, I spent a good amount of time in the picturesque seaside town of Gubat in Bicol. As nice as Gubat, one of the best surf spots in the Philippines, is, there is always light and shadows. At the beginning of this year, one of my good friends in town, Glenda Esperida, had informed me about the desolate condition the local school, Bonifacio Elementary School (BES), was in at that time. And the reason she herself found out about this was a
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Reticulated Python on the Loose in Chiang Mai
A typical Wednesday morning in Chaing Mai took an unexpected turn when I suddenly spotted a 4-meter long reticulated python. I have seen snakes in the city before, but never one so huge.
This animal was a good 20 cm thick and I’m guessing about 4 meters in length. According to Wikipedia, the reticulated python is the longest species of snake, with some individuals growing to nearly 7 meters long.
This particular snake was discovered in the area in front of Chiang Mai University. I just finished having breakfast at the little vegetarian restaurant where I usually eat before going to work. As I was about to get on my motorbike and drive off, I noticed something bright colored under the tree just a few feet away. The yellow and black patterned object at first looked like a piece of plastic because it was so shiny and colorful. Then
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We’re Going to the Galapagos! – February 2016
We’re going to the Galapagos! And you can come along. We’ll be hosting a very special small-group trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands from the 21st to the 28th of February 2016 (with optional Quito add-on starting on Feb 19th) to experience the incredible wildlife and natural diversity of these amazing islands. This very special itinerary is the result of our 2015 pilot trip to the Galapagos and includes all of the best places and experiences you can pack into eight days while island hopping across this majestic archipelago.
ITINERARY:
*See Below for Optional Quito Pre-Trip Add-On*
21 Feb – Welcome to the Galapagos!
Today you will arrive on San Cristobal Island and begin your island hopping adventure around the Galapagos. After arriving in the afternoon, we will check into our hotel near the center of town. Afterwards, we will visit the Interpretation Center for an overview of the geological, political and cultural history of the
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How to best save for Travel
Keep reading this article on Escapology.Let’s face it! It doesn’t matter where we go or how cheap we travel, traveling will always cost money. Nothing is for free in this world and traveling is sure neither. Having said that, I get a lot of comments from people saying they would love to travel but just can’t afford it. But even with expenses you can’t cut, a lower income or facing an unfavorable exchange rate, you can still save money. It just requires determination, commitment and an adjustment of lifestyle and you will find yourself on your way to adventure quicker than you might have ever imagined. With the help of the ESCapology Facebook Tribe, I compiled some easy and creative ways to cut expenses, make some extra
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Joining an Esoteric Buddhist Initiation on Holy Mount Koya
One of the most unique experiences you can have in Japan is to journey to Mount Koya to take part in an esoteric Buddhist ceremony granting entrance into a sacred mandala—a visual representation of enlightened mind. The event is open to the public and held twice a year at the picturesque Garan temple complex—the home of the Shingon school—which was founded in 826 by the great saint Kobo Daishi.
Garan temple complex on Mt Koya
Kobo Daishi traveled from Japan to the Tang Dynasty capital city of Xi’an in search of the esoteric Buddhist teachings which would become the foundation of the Shingon (“true word”) school of Japanese Buddhism. “Shingon” is equivalent to the Sanskrit term “mantra,” and in fact the Shingon school is one of the very few surviving lineages of Mantrayana or Vajrayana Buddhism in East Asia.
Taizokai (“Womb World”) mandala
The imagery
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A Pictorial Trip Through Penang’s Chinatown
For foreigners staying in Thailand long-term, the island of Penang in Malaysia is one of the best places to make a visa run. The Thai consulate is small, casual, and efficient. There is a great variety of food available, especially Indian food. And the old Chinatown in the heart of Georgetown is one of the most interesting and authentic you’ll find anywhere.
There’s no need to follow a particular walking route—just step out the door from your hotel or guesthouse and wander aimlessly through Georgetown’s Chinatown, soak up the atmosphere and see what there is to discover.
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Into the Wild – Bear Watching in Tofino
It was early and just like a heavy blankets, thick layers of fog were still covering the rugged coastline as we set off for an adventure. An adventure into the wilderness of the Canadian Westcoast. My friends Alex and Steve from Los Angeles had come for a visit and together we were on a quest to see some of the region’s true locals, the coastal Black Bears. After a quick breakfast with coffee and donuts, it was time to head down to Meares Landing, our departure point and headquarters of tour company Remote Passages. What started with rather little expectations, turned out to be a fascinating trip into the wild.
Getting ready for adventure
The whole Meares Landing compound conveyed
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