CONTRIBUTORS

Just for a moment, stare at the picture of the earth on this page. You and I are neighbors. I can see your house from here. We think of the earth as incredibly large and very small, as the most solid entity we can imagine and the most fragile. To the best of our knowledge, it is the only place in the entire universe where dogs can be found. That in and of itself makes this a pretty special place. Add to dogs, octopuses, river otters, blue whales and, OK, cats, and it’s pretty hard to imagine a more perfect spot in the universe. During the history of the human race, we have been pilgrims, wayfarers, explorers and pioneers. Our feet and minds have carried us far. We migrated out of Africa and spread across the planet in search of food, fortune and, sometimes, just the horizon. But we did so in a thinly populated world with what seemed to be limitless resources. We are fast approaching 7.5 billion humans on the planet. Getting along with the earth, and with each other, will be increasingly important. Some would argue that travel wastes resources like vast amounts of fuel, is a privilege of the wealthy and exploits indigenous people and ecosystems. At times, travel and tourism does all of these things and perhaps even worse than we realize. But travel also expands our understanding of other people and cultures. Travel reminds us of how alike we are. Travel reminds us of the fragility of the planet and seldom do we travel that we return unchanged. So here’s our hope. Actually, it’s our mission. Terra Travelers seeks to inspire a community of like-minded individuals that respect the road, respect the people we visit, and those with whom we travel. It’s not really THAT big a goal. But it’s ours. Please feel free to join us. Richard B. Earls Publisher, Terra Travelers OUR MISSION STATEMENT

ON THE COVER

The bright dancing lights of the aurora are actually collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere. The lights are seen above the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres.

PUBLISHER Richard B Earls

EDITOR Elizabeth Cody

AUTHORS Kat Richter Richard B. Earls Travel Hippy Regina Winke-Bryan Nadia Ali Lesley Stones Cindy-Lou Dale

EDITORIAL & CREATIVE DESIGN Taylor Enos

MARKETING EXECUTIVES Randi White

CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTION Zocha Pomp Mariana Saca Brooke Van Wyk

CUSTOMER SERVICE Erin von Scherrer

Terra Travelers seeks to inspire a community of like-minded individuals that respect the road, respect the people we visit, and those with whom we travel.

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FINDINGS IN THIS ISSUE

2 PUBLISHER’S LETTER 16 CASTLES SERENE IN ARBERDEEN

2 CONTRIBUTORS

6 TANZANIA: THE CAMP ELEPHANT Sometimes you find yourself on the wrong side of nature. And sometimes nature finds you.

9 Iceland’s Blue Lagoon: Tackling the Art of Relaxation

10 THE WITCHES OF NAVARRA, SPAIN

12 ROVING ICELAND’S GOLDEN CIRCLE 18 AN AMAZONIAN ADVENTURE

20 A DAY IN EDINBURGH Not only is Edinburgh a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s also Scotland’s capital city and home to phenomenal festivals, which have the city buzzing with a sense of excitement all year round.

24 The Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth

60 Second Geography:Scotland The Romans stopped at York - they never conquered Scotland. Gaelic language survives in the more remote areas of the country even today. The landscape is dotted with mystical pagan ruins and the people remain as independent as they are friendly. Traveling to Scotland is traveling to a land of mountains and hills, of poets and warriors, where a drive to remain free from domination by others never failed its people. • More than two thirds of Scotland is mountainous and the Highlands remain a bucolic setting for unspoiled lakes and valleys. • Scottish tourism accounts for approximately 5% of the nation’s GDP and is primarily in the hands of small business enterprises. • Homecoming Scotland is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland, during 2009. • Scotland’s national drink, whisky, is uisge beatha, meaning “water of life” in the Gaelic. • Speaking of Gaelic, this vestige of the celtic heritage of Scotland is still spoken by many and road signs bear witness to the culture that underlies the modern veneer. • City breaks in Scotland take advantage of the increased tourism and accessibility of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Stirling. • There are 5 times more people of Scottish descent in other countries than there are in Scotland itself. Genealogy is one of the most often cited reasons for travel to Scotland. Learn more at www.ancestralscotland.com. Scotland boasts some of the world’s greatest freshwater and sea fishing, and different species and locales make it a yearround reason to visit. • Throughout the summer season, the Highland Games take place from Cowal to Tomintoul. Historic and modern track and field events, piping and Highland dancing competitions are the major attractions for visitors from around the world. • The freshwater lakes in Scotland, or “lochs” as they are known, are major attractions scattered throughout the country, with ancient castles overlooking the mysterious deeps. • Skiing is a popular winter attraction from December to April. • Special interest and activity holidays based on golf, heritage, the islands of Scotland, fishing and whisky are serviced by a wide variety of destination tour operators specializing in each and accessible through tour operators in the United States and Canada.

Stay in Spain for 21 nights with Air! Duration: 23 Days | Prices from: us $1,849 | Savings: us $100

Highlights:

Enjoy a Mediterranean climate with warm winters in Benalmadena in Costa del Sol. Stay in first class accommodations in a One-Bedroom Apartment with full kitchen facilities. Flights included.

Inclusions:

Round trip airfare from listed cities in North America to Malaga, Private transfers to and from airport, 21 nights accommodation in a One-bedroom apartment with Mountain or Seaview (subject to availability).

Dates: Daily Departures from November 1/19 - March 10/20

Trip Type:

Snowbird Winter Escapes

Destinations:

Malaga, Benalmedena, Costa del Sol

Price is per person based on twin/double, subject to availability and current exchange rates. Pricing reflects discount for departure on March 10 ’20. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Blackout dates: December 22/19 - December 31/19 (inclusive). Additional dates may apply and subject to change. Limited seat/ spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire. Please inquire about departures from other cities, extensions or upgrades.