Photo Credit: The Stampin' Soldier

Prior to my trip to Brazil last winter, I made a quick stop to the Travel Clinic to get important shots for Yellow Fever, Typhoid and Hepatitis A. The doctor also recommended I take Malaria pills since I was spending 6 days in the Brazilian Amazon. There are several types of Malaria pills: Mefloquine, Malarone, Doxycycline and Fansidar. My doctor recommended the Malarone pills, which I believe are the most common ones. I wasn’t too paranoid about taking the pills even if some other travelers warned me about its side effects.

As my doctor recommended, I began taking the pills 1 day prior to arriving in the Amazon. It’s suggested to take your pill with a full stomach and I did, most of the time. The problem is that it’s difficult to plan all this when you’re on some crazy adventure in the Amazon! And so, I did take my pill without eating and I paid the price for it! The “rare” side effects include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and headache. And guess what? I experienced sharp abdominal pain and headaches. But the question is: Was it worth it?

I had difficulty sleeping that night so I spend some hours speaking to the tour guide about malaria pills. He suggested that malaria pills weren’t necessary because we wouldn’t too far into the Amazon. He also told me a story about how one of the girls at the lodge had a severe reaction to malaria pills and had to be rushed to the hospital in Manaus. So now what? Should we be taking malaria pills when traveling to malaria prone destinations? My answer is still yes!

Discomfort and pain. I agree. But taking the pills is well worth the pain to avoid the chance of getting malaria. Malaria is transmisted by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Its side-effects would include influenza-like symptoms such as chills, headache and malaise. Although it can effectively be cured at the early stags, it does become increasingly difficult to treat it if you miss the bus. But the thing is that once you have it, you run the chance of bring  stuck with recurrent malaria symptoms for the rest of your life. Is it worth the risk of foregoing the malaria pills? That choice is up to you.

After much debate on whether I should spend the extra money to visit Zanzibar, I decided to go through with it! When will I ever go back to Tanzania? Who knows? So that’s when I decided that I was indeed going to visit Zanzibar, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world!!

Photo Credit: http://www.starstore.com/

So how will I be spending the Holidays this year? Check it out my itinerary!

1. My flight Montreal-Kilimanjaro is on Dec 16th in the evening. Arrival to Kilimanjaro International Airport on Friday Dec 17th. I’ll have to transfer to Moshi, the town where my hike begins from.
2. I have 3 full days in Moshi (Dec 18-20) to relax, explore the town and get acclimatized.  I had fever last year before leaving for my Brazilian adventure in the Amazon so I rather pay the extra $$ to relax and get over any colds I may catch between now and then.
3. My 7-day and 5,893 m (or 19,334 ft) hike to Kilimanjaro summit begins on Tue Dec 21. I hope you’ll be thinking about me because I may be freaking out! I’ll be spending Christmas on the mountain. How cool is that?!
4. After an exhausting hike, my 5-day safari to the Serengeti will begin on Tue Dec 28th. I’ll be spending New Year’s Eve in the Serengeti surround by wild animals! Very random and fun!
5. Following a difficult hike and a fun safari, it’ll be time to relax and enjoy Africa! I’ll be heading to Zanzibar on Jan 2 to explore pristine beaches and enjoy my last 4 days on the continent.

Having scary but exciting feelings is confusing! It’s probably one of the most challenging things on my list of things to do before I die. I’m obviously looking forward to it but with some reserve I guess. Let’s see how things work out for me… Keep you posted with my planning

The two main things to do from Tangier are explore Essaouira and Cap Spartel. Essaouira is a small village located along the coastline of Morocco. It is a bit of a drive from Tangier, but since you are already near the coastline, why not take a wander down the coastline to not only explore the little towns, but also see this wonderful surfing beach. It’s where many surfers across the world come to enjoy one of the continents best places to catch a few waves. For now it is Morocco’s most popular destination to relax on the beach, among one of the most popular spots for hippies too. Cap Spartel is the favourite stopping point, only because it has the most extraordinary view of the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. You see the dark blue ocean meet crystal, clear turquoise water, where white sandy beaches start along the coastline. It is something that only those who see it will grasp how amazing the scenery really is.

As far as going to Tangier for the first time, you not only should experience Essaouira and Cap Spartel, but as the Grand Socco Square that is the entrance into the Medina. It is a square filled with cafes, restaurants, and market stalls. Seeing this square will grab your attention and really help you understand the local way of life within the city. Within this square you can wander around these little alleyways that will take you to see snake charmers and musicians. From here you will enter the Medina, the old city where you can come across jewelers to herbalists. It is a market that will not only amaze you for its variety of products, but also culture.

Tangier, for years has now been the hangout of many celebrities, and tourists that can just enjoy the laid back culture.

So let’s start with South Africa and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. As every soccer fan in the world knows, the next world cup is scheduled for June in South Africa, in northern and southern cities. Now, an event like this will attract a large number of tourists, especially backpackers who are travelling Africa and the rest of the World. I have two words for you- Be Careful! 

If you are currently travelling in the South African area, be aware of the current racial conflict between blacks and whites that has aroused earlier this year. Only 70 miles from a 2010 World Cup football stadium, white farmers and their families are learning to defend themselves with lethal weapons. Thousands of white landowners have been killed by Zimbabwe style marauders. I digged up a bit more information to find out that the main problem in South Africa is that commercial agricultural production has taken a massive hit where land reform has occurred. And as the attacks on white farmers continue, the police seem increasingly powerless and ineffective, and farmers are turning to vigilante behavior as their way of life comes under violent assault. This is a problem that has existed from colonisation and now that the international press is in South Africa to cover the FIFA World Cup, it’s their chance to show the reality of things. It’s getting to the point that the FIFA is seriously examining their options of moving the 2010 FIFA World Cup back to Germany, where the stadiums are still standing and functioning.

So for those of you who are planning to travel in this area, I’m not implying to cancel your trip but be aware of the unstable political situation and travel safely!

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1192088/South-Africa-World-Cup-2010--shootings-started.html

1. Africa’s Leading Airline – South African Airways
2. Africa’s leading Airport – Tambo International Airport, South Africa
3. Africa’s Leading Hotel – Saxon Hotel & Spa, South Africa
4. Africa’s leading Car Rental – Avis
5. Africa’s Leading Travel Agency – Travel with Flair

So if you are traveling to Africa anytime soon consider the above since they are known to be the best! If you want the best, and the most sufficient travel companies it is a good idea to do your homework. Not only can you find the best of best in Africa, but also in every country. Before you book, keep in mind what travel companies are the most excellent routes to go.