Globerovers Magazine, Dec. 2015

Globerovers

Special Edition

Intrepid destinations Guide 2016. Where to travel next?

Like some of us, you either have a limited budget or limited time. Or, like most of us, you have both limited funds and time, but you want to see the world. It’s tough to decide where to travel next. As the saying goes: “A picture is worth a thousand words”, which means this Special Edition of Globerovers Magazine is worth almost half a million words, which tells quite an incredible story. Look at these photos; listen to their stories; dream about your next destination; then book that special trip. Off you go! Safe travels!

ARTICLES ARTICLES

Faces in Far Away Places

One of the greatest incentives of travelling around the world is to meet people of all creeds and colours. People are what makes travel so incredible!

Frozen Zones

Extreme weather always adds a thrill to an environment, with snow and ice being the most exhilarating. Nothing as exciting as making snow angels!

Cityscapes

Urban sociology studies life and human interaction in densely populated areas. Urban socio-photography is the pleasure of capturing these humans’ urban lives.

Ancient Civilisations

No man-made achievements on earth can be treasured more than architecture of long lost civilisations.

Wildlife

Wildlife photography can easily grow on anyone. Its so rewarding to capture a special moment in animal behaviour.

Sacred Architecture

Churches, cathedrals, monasteries, temples, and the list goes on. ey are all great to explore and experience.

Thermal Earth

To experience an active volcano, owing lava, or a gushing geyser or fumarole is the ultimate day out on planet earth.

Coastlines

No day in the life of the traveller is complete if you have not discovered a new beach. And so many beaches are waiting to be discovered and enjoyed.

Empty Quarters

Just when you think nothing is to be found, just wait and be amazed with how much there is to be found in a place seemingly void of everything.

Natural Wonders

If we were to explore one natural wonder every day, it would take a few lifetimes to get through them all. Don’t despair. Start your journey of discovery today.

Adrenaline Rush

Pump up the adrenaline and go on an adventure trip high into the mountains, on the glaciers, and on the frozen lakes.

Foodies

Travel with your stomach is great advice! Never be skimpy or scared when it comes to enjoying local cuisines.

Time to Parade

Become part of their celebrations. Go on the festive parade circuit and become one with the strangers.

Day’s End

Get up early and enjoy the sunrise and never go to bed without staring at the setting sun.

Tachineputa Matsuri festival, Goshogawara, Tohoku Region, Japan

ON THE FRONT COVER: Stepantsminda Church, Kazbegi, Georgia, The Caucasus.

Globerovers Magazine

currently is a biannual magazine, available in digital and printed formats. We focus on bringing to the intrepid traveller exciting destinations and inspiring photography from around the globe.

Published in Hong Kong

Printed in U.S.A.

WHO WE ARE:

Editor-in-Chief - Peter Steyn

Editorial Consultant - Tsui Chi Ho

Graphic Designer - Peter Steyn

Photographer & Writer - Peter Steyn

Proofreader - Janet-Lynn Vorster

Advertising - Lizzy Chitlom

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CONTACT US: editor@globerovers.com

Editor‛s Message

“Not all those who wander are lost.” J.R.R. Tolkien John Tolken (3 Jan 1892 – 2 Sep 1973), an English writer, poet, philologist, university professor, and author of ‘The Hobbit’, and ‘Lord of the Rings’.

Dear Readers,

As we are getting ready for 2016, this 6th (Special Edition) of Globerovers Magazine, is providing intrepid travellers with travel destinations by “interest category”. Whether you are into portrait photography, wildlife, thermal activity, ancient ruins, or even dogsledding - we have it all covered.

No better way to start this issue than by meeting the people of the world. For travel portrait photographers, some of the most exciting countries are Bangladesh, Myanmar (Burma), Papua New Guinea, and the challenging but highly rewarding countries of Central Asia and the Middle East.

In total, we cover 14 photography interest categories with 465 photos from 76 countries. At Globerovers we believe that we should travel now because tomorrow may never be your yesterday. In addition, what we see today may be gone tomorrow. We think particularly about the tragic destruction of ancient ruins in Iraq and at Syria’s ancient city of Palmyra where many structures have been destroyed by evil forces over the past few months. We also think of glaciers that are melting and wildlife that are being slaughtered to be used as delicacies and “medicines” in places like Vietnam and China. So, get out and travel before it’s too late!

Please visit www.globerovers-magazine.com, and our Pinterest and Twitter pages. For easy access, please see the QR codes on page 5.

Send your feedback to editor@globerovers.com.

Globerovers travels so you can see the world!

Peter Steyn

Editor-in-Chief and Publisher

All

Mandatory military protection while travelling in parts of Bangladesh

THE FRONT COVER

In the far north of Georgia, in the Caucasus Mountains just south of Russia’s Chechen Republic, sits a 14th-century church above the village of Kazbegi (2,200 m). Known as Stepantsminda, it has become a symbol of Georgia for its photogenic hilltop setting with the majestic Mount Kazbek (5,047 m) rising behind it.

rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of this magazine is strictly prohibited without the prior written approval of the publisher. The publisher does not take responsibility for any potential inaccurate information herein.

Alaska, USA

Hawaii, USA

Mexico

Cuba

Guatemala

Honduras

Nicaragua

Costa Rica

Colombia

Ecuador

Peru

Bolivia

Greenland

Argentina

Brazil

Iceland Luxembourgh

Canary Islands

France

Mozambique

DESTINATIONS IN THIS ISSUE

Destinations 2016

Earthling portraits

Faces in Far Away Places

Meet our fellow earthlings

What really makes a country great? Some travellers would say it’s the people. Others would argue its the food, or the infrastructure, nature, or the cost of travel, or whatever. I tend to agree that people are at the heart of a country. If the people are nice and hospitable then we easily conclude that we had a wonderful time in that great country.

All true. However, as a photographer I could not really care if the people are the friendliest or the most hospitable in the world. As long as they are photogenic and don’t bite my head o every time I point a camera in their direction, as was the case at Fairy Meadows (locally known as Joot) in Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan region.

So at the one end of the scale we have the camera-shy people of Pakistan’s Fairy Meadows, and at the other end of the scale we

have the Bangladeshi people of the Sundarbans Delta. Most people in and around the Sundarbans, especially those on hard-toreach islands, have never seen White people or a camera but for some unknown reason they will stand in long line-ups to get their photo taken. I could not understand what their concept is of a camera. With no access to electricity and all the comforts that come with it, such as television and smartphones, they have no concept of image capturing.

One of the greatest motivations to travel the world should be to see and meet the souls in far-away places. To capture those faces and to treasure them for life is such a wonderful reward for travelling afar.

Some of the faces in far-away places that has le the most impact on me and my camera are the people in Syria, Yemen, India, Tibet, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Myanmar, Iran, Tibet, India, Afghanistan, China and all of Central Asia.

One of the greatest incentives of travelling around the world is to meet people of all creeds and colours. People are what makes travel so incredible!

Monks of Myanmar

Buddhism in Myanmar is mainly of the Theravada tradition and is practised by about 90% of the population. Monks, collectively known as the sangha, play a very important role in the country which is known for its many monasteries and large number of practicing monks. One of the best places to see the monks is in the town of Nyaung Shwe, located to the north of Inle Lake.

Cheroot Smoking

This lady at the village of Indein, on the shores of Inle Lake, is smoking a cheroot, or stogie. Inle Lake is particularly known for its flavored cheroots; cigars rolled with dried banana, pineapple, tamarind, honey and even rice wine.

Inle Lake, Myanmar

Inwa, Myanmar

Amarapura, Myanmar

Thanakah Painted Faces

This yellowish-white cosmetic paste is made from ground bark of trees such as the wood apple and is commonly applied to the faces and even the arms of most women and children. It is used to a lesser extent by men. It serves as a sunscreen, skin softener and whitener, and to prevent acne. It is also an anti-fungal cream.

Holy Sadhus of Nepal

The sādhu, or “holy man” is a religious ascetic (abstinence from worldly pleasures) or holy person in Hinduism. This man is sitting by the Bagmati River, Pashupatinath, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

Kerala Kathakali

Kathakali is a stylized classical Indian dance-drama known for the attractive make-up of the actors. It originated in Kerala state during the 17th century and is still performed today.

Goroka, Papua New Guinea

Thula, Yemen

Yunnan, China

Shughnan, Afghanistan

Orheiul Vechi, Moldova

Kerman, Iran

Petra, Jordan

Kulusuk, Greenland

Mtskheta, Georgia

Firuzabad, Iran

Lhasa, Tibet

Tbilisi, Georgia

Mae Hong Son, Thailand

Faces in Far Away Places

Twalid Dabaghein, Syria

Hpa-An, Myanmar Xinjiang, China

Goroka, Papua New Guinea

Salvador, Brazil

Svalbard, Norway

Kiev, Ukraine

Firuzabad, Iran

Xinjiang, China

Nizwa, Oman

Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan

Khumjung, Nepal

Vang Vieng, Laos

Yunnan, China

Persepolis, Iran

Yunnan, China

Akameku, Papua New Guinea

Sacred Valley, Peru

Baku, Azerbaijan

Gyeongju, South Korea

Goroka, Papua New Guinea

Tarim, Yemen

Bamrail, Bangladesh

Lhasa, Tibet

This child is at the Jokhang temple (built in 652 A.D) in Barkhor Square, Lhasa, Tibet. Typical of Tibetans, her cheeks are very red from the brutal cold winters.

Hama, Syria Sarouj, Syria

This is the deepest lake in Japan at 423 m and famous for the statue of Tatsuko. Erected in 1968, this golden statue encapsulated the mysterious folkloric tale of Princess Tatsuko’s enchanting beauty who drank from these waters in the belief that it would give her eternal beauty. Sadly, she drank so much of the water that the Goddess Kannon cursed her, and turned her into a water dragon. Then arrives Prince Hachirotaro, a young prince from a nearby village and he also drank too much water so he also turned into a huge water dragon! So the romance started. Apparently the constant heat from their passionate lovemaking prevents the lake from ever freezing over. See p. 34 for a photo of Princess Tatsuko’s statue.

Mount Komagatake and Lake Tazawako, Akita, Tohoku Prefecture, Honchu Island, Japan.

Destinations 2016

The coolest places

Cool

Frozen Zones

Explore the lands of snow and ice

Magical to look outside of the window in the middle of the night and see so snow falling and falling, knowing that tomorrow the roads will be closed so no going to work! Its so , its romantic, is truly magical. But, its temporary and soon the sun will burn it away. e ice hotels and the snow castles will fade away until next winter.

And then there is the big ice. Ice that has been around for ages, but ice that most likely won’t be around for a long time.

Some of the best places to see ancient glaciers are around the Himalayas in northern Pakistan, India, Nepal, and China. en there is New Zealand, the European Alps, Iceland, Greenland, and Alaska, to name but a few. e most spectacular, and likely one of the most accessible glaciers in the world lies in South America’s Patagonia region.

e massive Perito Moreno Glacier is located in the Los Glaciares National Park in southwest Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. e best way to reach Perito Moreno is to take a bus for a very long ride down to the town of El Calefate. From there either drive or take a day tour to the glacier. ere are travel companies who specialise in taking adventurers on hikes across the glacier. It’s a day trip you will never forget.

A er Perito Moreno, get to nearby Upsala Glacier and sail by catamaran on Lago Argentino to view this glacier from many vantage points.

Between December and March the ice hotels come to life in the northern hemisphere and most notably in Canada’s Quebec province, and in Scandinavia. Highly recommended is the world’s rst ice hotel located in Sweden’s Lapland village of Jukkasjärvi, about 17 km from Kiruna. Take a train all the way from Stockholm or y into Kiruna. Sleep cool.

Extreme weather always adds a thrill to an environment, with snow and ice being the most exhilarating. Nothing as exciting as making snow angels!

Tromsø, Norway

For great views over the town, take the cable car up Mount Storsteinen (the “Big Rock Mountain”) which rises 421 m over Tromso. The views are spectacular and especially in winter it is a scenery fit for a pretty Christmas card.

Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina

Located in the Los Glaciares National Park in southwest Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, it is one of the few large glaciers in the world which is still growing. The glacier area covers 250 square km, is 30 km long, ice depth of 170 m with the deepest at 700 m. The terminus (end of the glacier) is 5 km wide and 74 m above the lake. Probably the most beautiful and easily accessible glacier in the world!

Going deep down under one of the southeastern glaciers, east of Longyearbyen village.

An advancing glacier in the Kenai Fjords National Park of southern Alaska.

Located in the Jungfrau-Aletsch area, at 23 km long it is the largest glacier in the Alps.

It empties into the Jökulsárlón glacial lake on the edge of Vatnajökull National Park.

Aletsch Glacier, Switzerland

Svalbard, Norway

Holgate Glacier, Alaska, USA

Breiðamerkurjökull Glacial, Iceland

Svalbard, Norway Walk deep inside the glacier.

Khumbu Glacier, Nepal

In the shadows of Mount Everest the glacier is slowly melting away under the rocks.

Minapin Glacier, Pakistan

The glacier lies at the foot of Rakaposhi Peak (7,788 m) in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region.

Upsala Glacier, Argentina Chunks of the glacier break off and float on Argentino Lake, Patagonia.

Upsala Glacier, Argentina

Luleå, Sweden

Dog-sledding on a crispy cool day in Sweden’s Lapland.

Tohoku, Japan

The Nyuto Onsen situated on the Tazawa Kogen plateau, Akita prefecture.

Yamagata, Japan

Soaking in a hot river at the hot springs town of Zao Onsen next to a ski resort.

Svalbard, Norway

The best way to see Svalbard in the winter, and to search for the 3,300+ polar bears, is by dogsled. From here expeditions set off for the North Pole, about 1,000 km away. In summer, best is by boat to Kong Karls Land in the east where the bears are breeding.

Yamagata, Japan

The Juhyou frosted fir trees look like grozen ghosts.

The Juhyou frosted fir trees decorate the ski slopes above the hot springs town of Zao Onsen.

Yamagata, Japan

Masuleh, Iran

This 1,000+ year old stepped village with about 1,000 residents is located in the northwest of Iran’s Gilan Province not far from the southern coast of the Caspian Sea. The village is 1,050 metres above sea level in the Alborz mountain range which means it is often cut off by heavy snow storms, or fog. There are no cars in the village because the roof of the house below is the walking path and/or playground of the house above. The village is famous for their bakers who offer special bread and other baked goodies. The best place to meet the friendly locals is at one of the many authentic teahouses where you can lunch on kabab followed by tea and gheliyoon (hookah tobacco water pipe).

Svalbard, Norway

Wooden row houses in the village of Longyearbyen are covered in snow. Summer nights see no darkness (midnight sun shines from 19 April to 23 August) while no sun in the cold winters (polar nights are from 27 October to 14 February).

Mürren, Switzerland

This traditional Walser mountain village with a population of about 500 is located in Bernese Oberland at an elevation of 1,650 m. It is only reachable by aerial tramway.

Tromsø, Norway

The quaint town of Tromsø lies covered under heavy snow.

Nyoto Hot Springs, Japan

The cosy Tsurunoyu Onsen (hot springs) at the Nyoto Hot Spring village near Akita.

Tornio, Finland Finnish Orthodox Church.

Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

In the far north a large icehotel with suites for over 100 guests rises and falls every winter.

Masuleh, Iran

Where the roof of the house below is the walking path and playground of the house above.

Rostov Veliky, Russia

Kemi, Finland

At the northern tip of Bothnian Bay the SnowCastle rises in early winter and fades away in early spring.

The wooden Church of St. John of Nazianze near the river Ishna.

Lake Tazawako, Japan Statue of the legendary folk tale Princess Tatsuko in northern Honshu Island.

Kulusuk Village, Greenland Sled dogs are resting before taking passengers across the vast snow covered landscape.

Lake Kussharo, Japan

Whooper Swans fly from Siberia to the warmer waters of Hokkaido Island.

Lake Kussharo, Japan

Japan’s pride: Tancho Cranes at the Kushiro marshes, Hokkaido Island.

Svalbard, Norway

The Noorderlicht lies frozen in the waters at Templefjord, Svalbard. Here it will serve as a short term hotel from where to view wandering polar bears, as well as to provide basecamp accommodation for arctic journeys.

This steel two-masted schooner was built in 1910 in Germany. It has a long and interesting history which includes being fitted with an anti-aircraft gun during World War II at which time it was known as the Flensburg. After the war it was used as a workers’ hostel and a a clubhouse and then sold to buyers in the Netherlands where it was transformed into an adventure cruise and named the Noorderlicht (northern light).

In summer it takes voyages within the Svalbard archipelago and sometimes down to the Lofoten Islands to the south. Ten cabins provide accommodation for up to 20 passengers. One of the summer of 2016 voyages, the “Around Spitsbergen Tour” of 15 nights go for US$6,250 for a twin shared room with no window.