Josh Black in the Wild E.5
Josh Black
Travel Designer - Slow Travel + Luxury Group Travel Expert | Environmental Steward
Welcome to episode 5?
?????? I.????????? Introduction
Every two weeks we share our insights and explorations with you.? This episode, we are diving deeper into adventure travel.? What does it mean?? Mental images of zip lines and riding in an offroad vehicle through savannah come to mind.? The term adventure travel is often co-mingled with eco-tourism or sustainable tourism or slow travel.
Slow down!
Too many labels.?
Let’s simplify.?
Adventure travel is more than sluicing through narrow canyon walls in a giant raft, pummeled by white water rapids.? The most important aspect, communing with the natural world.? Learning about plants, animals, and peoples.
Everyday, they are your hosts.? It’s not some scheme, with actors in approximate native garb putting on a show.? There is a perception, unfortunately proved true, that in general western world tourists are rude or disrespectful.? It’s not untrue.? Thankfully there is a ground swell of awareness.?
More travelers are understanding visiting far away places is not just about getting that selfie and likes on their instatok page.? Put down those selfie sticks and breathe in the sweet air.?
Adventure travel is an emerging category.? It will be a recurring topic going forward.? We will regularly share our ideas, adventures and would love to spotlight your experiences too.? We appreciate you reading our newsletter, it’s a joy sharing our knowledge with you.?
What won’t you find in our newsletter??
Travel brands who sell BIG, bright, glossy vacations.? Think travel and tour companies who are focused on shuttling people, herdlike on and off massive cruise vessels.? Tour operators who aren’t committed to leaving the places visited as well off if not better than when the tour marched through.
Our version of adventure travel promotes tour companies who emphasize cultural experiences.
Making a traditional midday meal with a local restaurateur.
Cycling from your hotel to a vineyard to pick grapes, talk with the multi-generation run winery.?
It’s quality experiences over quantity.? The slower traveler usually has a more memorable experience when interacting with the locals.? Eating the traditional foods, getting your hands in the dough, your feet in the grapes.
Adventure travel is the new standard how we travel our world.?
?????? II.????????? Yellowstone photo essay
A photo set from a solo adventure through Yellowstone National Park
Fast facts about Yellowstone National Park:
?????? III.????????? Urban Adventure – Amsterdam, NL
Pedal power significantly improves the amount of ground you and your travel band can accomplish by foot.? Note, this ride is not for the beginner cyclist.? ?A moderate to advanced rider is best suited to this urban adventure.
The course is approximately 19 miles / 30.6 Km.? The main theme is riding from greenspace to greenspace, there are many in the greater Amsterdam area.?
The city limits bound an area, 84 square miles/ 136.2 Km.? By foot this same course would consume minimum 6 hours.? Contrast, by bike, just under 2 hours if the goal is a solid workout.?
If the plan is casual, taking multiple rest breaks, allot 3-hours for your bike tour.?
Now, about renting a bike; there are numerous vendors throughout the city.? At the close of the tour description, a few bike rental agents are listed. Most of the shops offer multiple options:
·?????? 3-hour
·?????? one day
·?????? multi-day rentals
Most are strict about the rental policy.? If you think 3-hours is not enough time, consider a full day rental.?
Tip: Give the bike a look over before pedaling away, in case there is noticeable damage you can point out to the shop steward, even snap a photo in the shop to avoid getting dinged.
Amsterdam offers an astonishing 320 miles/ 515Km of dedicated bike paths.? Be alert, some locals ride with elan and daredevil tendencies.?
There are an estimated 600,000 bicycles for approximately 750,000 full time residents.?
Alright, bike and bike lock rental secured.? Safety check complete.?
The starting point is also the finish line.? Depending where you rented the bike or are lodging for your stay, Dam Square is at the heart of the cosmopolitan city.?
Dam Square is a popular public meeting place.? Don’t be surprised to hear buskers entertaining for tips or oratories by impassioned citizens.? The large open air square often is quite busy, walking the bike through the square is not a bad idea, particularly if this is your first visit.
The first stop: a 10-minute ride.?
Short enough to ease into the ride, and long enough to get the bike legs warmed up.? The Hortus Botanicus is a private botanical garden.? The small shop at the gates offers details about tours, admission in case during your stay a proper meander through the lush garden interests.
Next up is a public park, Oosterpark Amsterdam.? Translated to English, simply, East Park.? On the ride, a couple sites, the city zoo, ARTIS is on the left.? Just ahead, crossing two bridges in quick succession, is the squat, domed Muiderport on your left. ?
Historically it served as the eastern entrance to Amsterdam.? In 1811 Napoleon intentionally rode through this gate into the old city.? ??Ahead, just before the roundabout is the Tropenmuseum.? The massive three-story structure is a cultural archive.?
The large green space might be a good opportunity to dismount and wander through the sculpture garden or pause on the bank of the calming pond.? Peeking through the jagged treetop horizon, spot the top of the spire on the Muiderport gate, just poking above the tree line.
The next waypoint Park Somerlust.? In English, summer lust.? Feeling a riverside pause before the park?? A popular local café is just ahead.? The t’Huis aan de Amstel, is a lovely spot for a light snack and a refreshment.
The park is nestled in between the River Amstel and a canal.? Lots of open space to pause and watch the water taxis and barges steam by.?
Our next station is the quickest ride, point to point.? If a cardio session is appealing, it’s a great opportunity for a sprint.? The distance is about three-quarter mile or 1.2 Km.? The river side ride ducks under a busy elevated road, emerging on the other side, peer toward the river, a boat house might still have a black classic car perched on the top.?
Why such a short ride?? Natuur Tuinpark Amstelglorie is in the neighborhood. For those who enjoy gardens, and horticulture, this is a slice of heaven.? The vast acreage is part community playground and part community garden.?
Neatly parceled, there are over 400 small plots for locals to plant, grow and harvest what they choose.? See several species of birds, herons, owls and kingfishers.? Look closer, salamanders, dragonflies, hares, and frogs make this nature setting an urban wonderland.
Up next are the two longest legs. The next course moves through the most diverse scenery.? Park space to industrial. The next waypoint, the Olympic Stadium.? Still in use, long after the 1928 summer Olympic games.? The torch is still a prominent feature.?
Officially beyond the halfway point. Next is another park, on the west side of Amsterdam, Sloterplas.? An urban aquatic playground.? Rowing, fishing, kayaking and scuba diving.? Yes, you can dive Amsterdam.?
Connecting the western lands of Amsterdam, Vondelpark is a green gateway to the old city core.? Think Amsterdam’s version of Central Park or Golden Gate Park.? Named after a famous Dutch poet, Joost van den Vondel.?
The park is a gateway to the old city quarter.? In summer the evenings, pop concerts fill the air with music.? Before completing the ride, if the bike rental isn’t about to expire, wandering the park is a nice way to wind down the day’s urban ride.
Last, the final stretch, back to the starting point, Dam Square.? Multiple paths are an option.? Because of the density of the buildings in the old city, there isn’t an easy sightline or visual marker to home in on.? The map below demonstrates a few options.? It is an opportunity to get lost a little bit.? It’s bound to happen in the old district, that’s part of the charm of old Amsterdam.
Back to where the day’s adventure began, it’s time to turn in the bike and find a hearty meal to wind down the epic day touring the Dutch urban landscape.
领英推荐
Bike rental companies:
A complete route map:
?????? IV.????????? TRAVEL IDEAS
6 days/ 5 nights cycling in Italy
Bike porters manage maintenance and transportation
Multiple cycling skill route options
Visit world heritage sites
Bookings available through Fall 2024
?
10 days/ 9 nights
5 ports in Greece
2 days at sea
Suez Canal into the Red Sea
2 ports in Egypt
Shore excursions available to add on – Great pyramids of Giza
Sailing June 2024
?
7 days/ 6 nights
Utah and Arizona
Begins and ends in Las Vegas
Hike Zion, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon
Indigenous trail guide
Guided jeep tour
Navajo cuisine
Add on helicopter tour of Grand Canyon
Bookings available through Fall 2024
?
10 days / 9 nights
Local guides
Hot air balloon flight over Dubai
Old city and modern city private tour
Visit the 124th floor observation deck, the world’s tallest building
Culture tour Ubud, Bali
Catamaran cruise
Spa day in Bali
Seasonal availability
?????? V.????????? Trivia
Trivia question episode 4:? How many of the 7 ancient wonders of the world still exist?
A:? One. The Great Pyramid at Giza. The other wonders lost to history:
Source:? education.nationalgeographic.org
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New trivia question:
What country has the most islands??
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Do you know the answer?
Answer in episode 6
?????? VI.????????? TRAVEL QUOTE
“It ain’t where you from, it’s where you’re at”
William Griffin Jr. - A.K.A. Rakim
Thank you for reading!
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