travel

Naivasha is a popular holiday destination, particularly for Nairobi residents who may not have the time to travel far. The area's main attraction is of course Lake Naivasha, a beautiful, shallow, freshwater lake fringed by thick papyrus. The waters of the lake draw a great array of game to the shoreline. Buffaloes wallow in the swamps, while the large hippo population laze their days away in the shallows. Giraffes wander among the acacia, whilst colobus monkeys swing from the green canopies above.

Naivasha is the ideal safari destination for bird-watchers. Among the residentsbirds are fish eagles, ospreys, lily-trotters, black crakes; a large variety of herons, swallows, eagles, hawks, vultures, sparrows, hornbills, night jars and a host of others. In fact, up to 300 species of birds have been spotted here. Naivasha is awash with accommodation to suit every pocket – from luxury lodges to affordable camps and do-it-yourself camping sites. The facilities are located along Moi South Lake Road, which is well served by matatus, meaning they drop you right outside your chosen spot.

However, if you travel by public means, work on your patience and carry a good book, because matatus stop for any length of time at Karagita to wait for customers and load endless numbers of 5-liter jerry cans of milk. Here, uncharacteristically of matatu crews, the drivers actually switch off their engines and get out to chat! Wherever you stay around the lake, you will find a boat ride a relaxing way to spend an afternoon, as you ride past families of hippos lazily swimming with just the top of their heads out of the water. You could easily mistake them for weeds. There are some 1,000 hippos in Lake Naivasha, living in families.

You can take nature and bird walks along the lakeshore and in the natural forest surrounding the lake, as the resident waterbucks and giraffes watch you with interest. You may go for game drives or leisurely bikes rides, walks and picnics in the nearby Hell's Gate National Park. There you will enjoy watching the dainty antelopes, elegant giraffes and other plains animals as well as the geothermal activity of the hot springs, while the energetic can take a rock climb to ascend Fischer's Tower. Sunset over Lake Naivasha are always stunning, with the haunting call of a fish eagle high above bringing the day to a perfect end.

Another attraction is Elsamere, the former home of conservationists Joy and George Adamson. The home, located in an acacia forest on the banks of the lake, provides accommodation for 15-18 people in cottages set in the gardens around the main house. Each cottage has a veranda and faces the lake. You may also choose to stay in Joy's bedroom in the main house. Elsamere is home to the largest waterfowl population in Kenya, which can be viewed during an early morning boat ride. An interesting footnote to Elsamere: The center does not have a bar, but residents are welcome to bring their own alcoholic …

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Many people travel to Peru to hike the famous Inca Trail. There’s an undeniable allure to the idea of treading the same path once used by the ancient Incas as they traveled to the great citadel of Machu Picchu. However, the Inca Trail is not the only impressive remnant of the Inca Empire. In addition to the well-known Inca Trail path to Machu Picchu, the Incas built a vast and elaborate system of roads hundreds of kilometers long that traversed the entire Inca Empire.

The Inca construction, however, didn’t stop at roads. In addition to building paths, the Incas were master bridge builders, and these bridges were an integral part of the road system. Q’eswachaka, commonly known as the Inca Rope Bridge, is the last of these bridges still in use, and is located just outside of Cusco in the Quehue District. Though originally destroyed in an attempt to halt Pizarro’s attack on Cusco during the Spanish invasion, it was reconstructed and continues to remain in use to this day. The bridge spans the raging Apurimac River as it cuts through the breathtaking Apurimac Valley.

Q’eswachaka is made of fibers woven together to create a strong rope, and small slats of wood are used to reinforce the footpath. Part of the reason the bridge has lasted almost 600 years, however, is that every year, the people of four local Quechua communities come together to replace the old bridge with a new one. The Q’eswachaka Festival, four days of work and celebration, marks this occasion. This ancient tradition has been carried out annually since the days of the Incas, and continues to be an important connection to tradition and culture in the high Andes.

Every year, the four communities enthusiastically come together for the process of rebuilding the bridge- an important and ceremonial tradition. Certain members of the community hold the role of engineer, while others serve as weavers. One male holds the important position of “Chakaruwak”, meaning he is a specialist in braiding and construction. In order for the sacred art to be carried on from generation to generation and to keep the spirit of the bridge alive, fathers teach their sons the process, just as their fathers did before them.

Before the festival begins, community members collect the building material, primarily consisting of grass and natural fibers. These fibers will be woven into the cables used in the bridge’s construction. Before the festival and bridge building can begin, however, the spiritual leader of the community must ask the apus, or the mountain spirits, for permission to begin the process, and make offerings of coca leaves and corn to Pachamama, Mother Earth. After this offering, the weaving of the cables begins. In the afternoon, the men divide into two groups, one each side of the bridge, and begin braiding the cables towards each other.

On the second day, the engineers begin by untying the old ropes, which are attached to stone nails, and attach the new ropes to the nails. …

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Travel by air for people with health issues, handicaps, disabilities or special needs, can be challenging. The following air travel tips will help make your flight and trip, whether domestic or international, easier, cheaper and safer.

When making your travel reservations, request any carts, wheelchair services or any other transportation you’ll need. Fully describe your limitations and needs. Get your airline ticket and boarding pass well ahead of time so you don’t have to wait in any lines. You’ll be able to arrange travel at a discount, get better travel deals, and avoid last minute travel headaches.

Talk with your airline representative or travel agent regarding the type of restrooms that are on the airplane. Call your airport and find out as much information as possible about the restrooms and handicapped parking at the airport.

You’ll need to find out how you’ll be boarding the airplane at each of the airports involved in your trip. You may need another type of airplane or alternative route so you’ll have Jetways, or jet bridges, into the plane from the airport and not have to worry about stairs.

One year my mother and I were going to fly out of the San Jose, California airport and discovered after we arrived that we had to go outside on the ground level with the wheelchair to the tarmac. Four airline employees had to carry my mother in the wheelchair up the steep steps to board the plane. This might be impossible if there are weight issues.

Think about what seat arrangement will work best for you needs. Would an aisle seat make it more convenient to get to the restroom? You’ll want to avoid sitting in the emergency exit row. The passengers in this row may be asked to help others in an emergency situation.

Let the airlines and flight attendants know if you have any assisting devices. Find out the best way to store them so they arrive without damage.

Always keep in mind what you can do easily and without assistance, as well as situations that would require help.

Can you transfer to seats by yourself? Will you need a transfer board or assistance from airline staff?

Consider hiring a travel nurse if you have serious health or medical issues. There are traveling nurses networks.

Can you describe your wheelchair, scooter or walker, dimensions, weight, type of tires, type of batteries, etc.? You may need to take along spare batteries. You also may need to rent or buy a travel wheelchair.

Make sure to mention to your travel agent or airline representative any assisting devices you may need or already have like canes and crutches. Do you need a slow pace or are you a slow walker?

If you will be traveling through different time zones, how will jet lag affect your situation?

Consider how the following will be of concern during your trip and discuss with your travel agent: upper body strength, communication ability, speech issues, voice issues, vision problems, hearing problems, …

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Most people choose summer for their holiday adventures. But when it comes to Rome, a winter trip, when the city rests from its clammy, exhausting heat, is even more advisable. Sightseeing is calm and leisurely, and an evening in one of local cafes, like Tazza d'Oro by the Pantheon, is even more pleasant.

Having read a couple of guides on Rome you may feel a bit confused: the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Saint Peter's Square … Experienced travelers say that excursions around main attractions, when you see them one by one in the order they are mentioned in travel guides, are useless. Leisurely idle walks – that is the best way to make friends with Rome.

First thing a tourist is advised to do in Rome is to get the city map and find the nearest stop for traams 3 and 8, which go around the city demonstrating a great amount of attractions. They will of course take you to the Colosseum. It may sometimes be difficult to get inside, but after your visit you can go further to Via dei Fori Imperiali – a road rich in archaeological and historic attractions: the ancient market, Forum of Trajan, Basilica Ulpia etc. Various events often take place here.

You are then free to go anywhere you want – Rome is rich in churches, fountains, squares, museums, cozy streets and shops. On your way from the Pantheon to Piazza Navona (by the way, the famous Fountain of the four Rivers is located here) you will encounter a modern house standing on piles right above the ancient ruins. This is what true Rome is – full understanding between the ancient history and modern life.

Squares are almost at every turn in Rome. The best known of them, like Piazza di Spagna, Campo de 'Fiori, Piazza Venezia and Piazza Navona, are always crowded with people. However, there are also spots that are rarely mentioned in standard guides. Piazza Mincio in the Quartiere Coppede is one of those – fountains, arches and art-nouveau roofs are absolutely worth seeing.

A historic district centered around Campo de 'Fiori also describes one's attention. The place is full of narrow lanes, endless stores selling various goods, small shops selling vintage clothes standing side by side with Renaissance palaces and ancient ruins. Another district (or "rione" like they call them here) pleasant to walk around is the bohemian Trastevere, which greatly differs from other Roman districts. Time runs more slowly, and colors are unlike anywhere else in the city. Trastevere has some churches (basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere, Santa Cecilia in Trastevere) and museums (Museo di Roma). The district is rich in cafés and restaurants serving wine and food. Trastevere still keeps its historic traditions.

As for spiritual traditions, one place that will remind you of those is the Vatican City. However, to enter it you will have to join a guided tour. And do not forget to observe Rome from the Janiculum Hill and Piazzale Garibaldi. An unmounted trip …

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