Ethiopian Explorations and the Beauty of the Omo Valley

Are they the most beautiful people in Africa? Ros Freeman dives into the famed Omo Valley of Ethiopia and finds herself both enthralled and taken back in time.

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Words and photos: Ros Freeman. Main Image: Mario Gerth

The first thing you notice when you arrive at Addis Ababa airport is the date. It’s 2018. The Ethiopian calendar is seven years behind the Gregorian calendar. There are thirteen months in a year, the new year commences in September, and Christmas is in January. Ethiopia moves to the beat of a different drum. The time also differs. The day begins at dawn, with only twelve hours in a day: from 6.00am to 6.00pm; the remaining twelve hours are night.

Symphonie and the Capitals of the Danube with CroisiEurope

Enjoy the scenic Danube aboard a CroisiEurope river cruise. John Newton sailed aboard Symphonie

With the crack of a whip, the dynamic riding skills of Hungarian horsemen thrilled the crowd in the old wooden stand, providing one of the highlights on a 1000-kilometre cruise along Europe’s second longest river – the Danube. John joined CroisiEurope’s rivership - Symphonie – for the eight-day cruise spanning three countries.

Cruising the Rhine with CroisiEurope

Captaining a river-cruising vessel is not always plain sailing, as the unpredictable can be just around the bend and create a dilemma for captain, crew and passengers. Having the expertise to turn a chance problem into a positive is essential. 

Travel Throwback: Airport Adventures

For most of us, travel means. airports. You can't avoid them, but can you learn to love them?

Airports are adding all types of rooms, including tiny hotel rooms for travellers who want to sleep a few hours, massive rooms where premium passengers can lounge in luxury and even prison cells. 

I came across the latter recently on a tour of Zurich Airport. Our minivan passed a large grey building with small square windows on the runway perimeter. A new hotel, 1 wondered. "No, our guide explained candidly. "It's a prison for those arriving who are not legal in Switzerland."

Down to my last Guinea

Globetrotter, Ros Freeman, continues her quest to visit the lesser-known countries of the world.

Guinea is just as you’d imagine an African country to be. Jungle-covered mountains tumble down to a myriad of waterways. It’s the source of three major rivers and home to elephants, leopards and monkeys. In the rainforest, an abundance of brilliant butterflies and iridescent dragonflies flitter by, while thundering waterfalls enveloped us in fine mists.

Be enchanted by Borneo

Few islands in the world evoke the sense of mystery and fascination that Borneo does. Throughout history, the world’s third-largest island (after Greenland and New Guinea and excluding the continent of Australia) has attracted a rich array of merchants, adventurers and entrepreneurs, and now intrepid travellers and tourists can be added to the list of visitors as they pursue their own personal adventures in Borneo.