Jeff Oatley Wins 2009 Iditarod Trail Invitational

While the Iditarod Sled Dog race got underway this past weekend, another Alaskan classic, the Iditarod Trail Invitational, also known as the "Idita-bike". This annual event has the competitors following the same trail as the mushers, but they race along on foot, mountain bikes or skis instead, and can tackle either a 350 mile course or the full 1100 miles of the Iditarod trail.

Mountain biker Jeff Oatley was the first to complete the 350 mile course, crossing the finish line on Saturday, with a time of 5 days, 19 hours and 34 mins. Tracey and Jay Petervary, who tied for second with a time of 6 days 5 hrs 28 min. You can check the full results on the leaderboard page, which has current standings for all who have finished, and for the few that will now continue on to Nome. Most of there racers will finish up in McGrath, the 350 mile point, but a handful, roughly three or four, will have a go at the full 1100 mile course. They are moving forward on skis or on foot, but none are continuing on their bikes.

In a related story, an Australian competing in the race, was rescued from the trail on Saturday after getting lost early last week. The 53 year-old went down the wrong trail last Tuesday, ended up breaking through ice on a river, and soaking himself, before managing to pull himself, and his bike from the water. Eventually he found a snow cave and holed up until he was rescued. Scary story with a good ending for once. He could have easily died of hypothermia out there in the wilderness.

Thanks to Andrew Felix who sent this story to me via Twitter.

Trip to Barcelona . The Modern Ancient Paradise.

****

The following post is my entry for 'Traveling smart with Skyscanner' in participation with Indiblogger.

Skyscanner - http://www.skyscanner.co.in

****

Isn't it wonderful to travel to a city that virtually gives you best of literally all the worlds. Barcelona , the city I'd love to travel in 2014, is in a league of its own when it comes to city-spirit and vibrancy. Rich history, modern infrastructure, fabulous food, sports, outdoor shopping markets and......wow that heavenly serene beach !

Barcelona personifies every traveler's dream, by its unlimited options to explore and re-explore.

Ever since my childhood, Olympics in Barcelona (1992) was one event that caught my fascination immensely. In fact, it was through the sports carnival, that I first learnt about the city. The cosmopolitan bustle and the zealous beaches with golden sands... Even in that dull TV box, what a city it looked! A paradise in all sense, through all the senses. Even in that summit coverage, I was in awe of the surreal beauty of this diverse city. Without an iota of exaggeration, Love got struck at the first sight. (The cupid being the television set ...)

Dull TV played the cupid for Barcelona

I still hold memories, that as a 10 year old school boy, how I used to spend hours in the library, trying to figure out that one book that could narrate the city, square by square, block by block. street through street.

Discovery of Spain - Oceanic route of library

Those days even a work in fiction with Barcelona's setting would glue me passionately. A good two decades later, I realize that even today that aspiration still perspires deep within the heart. When I look back, I enjoy the way I used to live and relive the quaint charm and magic of Barcelona just before the sleep, every night, for countless nights. The belief resonates with my dream that one day, I'll cross the famed Las Ramblas as the array of the trees on both the sides of the street would hug me and allow me to playfully meander and open-up in my own world. The stress would fly with the swirling of the leaves, and the heavy heart would melt with cone of the Ice-cream!

Las Remblas - Hug  to let Open up - http://pher.ch/photos/cities/barcelona/Barcelona,%20las%20Ramblas%201.jpg

Heavy heart melting in the Ice-cream conehttp://collegian.csufresno.edu/a/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/f_icecream.jpg

I'd enjoy the Spanish uniqueness by heading to La Boqueria to taste the delicacies of the...yummmmm.... divine Spanish cuisine. Happily relaxing alongside my Camelot on Sant Sebastia beach, I wish to bite the sandwich, wearing the weirdest Tee, or none, and read an unsung poem to leave it halfway incomplete. And then suddenly the sound of waves of Mediterranean Sea would rise across the golden yellow sands to narrate the remaining half. Or those eternally repeated tales, of the littoral glory it impregnates within.

Sant Sebastia beach - Impregnating tales - Littoral Glory
http://maninamsterdam.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/barcabeach.jpg

I'll fold the city-map deep in my pocket and find my inner happiness by getting lost in the beauty of the old streets of Barcelona. And then be stunned by the marvel of Barri Gotic or the Gothic Quarter. The heritage of the city and the manner it has been preserved manifests the glory of not only the city, but also its inhabitants. Basilica La Seu, supposedly built in 343AD, testifies the meticulousness of preservation by Spaniards through symbiosis of ancient and modern. It is commendable to read on the efforts and manner in which Barcelona has evolved itself, while still able to restore its history since ages. 'La Boqueria' would be a great way to feel the energy that makes the city, what it is. What a great way to catch a random conversation or two, in that historical local market and then thud down a few shots of Cappuchino down the throat to let it emanate some random conversations on its own. In the meantime the experience would let me touch the warmth and verve of the denizens.

Basilica La seu - Marvel of Heritage preservationhttp://www.travelsignposts.com/Spain/files/2010/08/La-Seu-Barcelona.jpg

La Boqueria - Lots of food for Lots of thoughts !http://www.prime-junta.net/gallery/galleries/barcelona/img/CRW_1824.jpg

While the ancient Art is ubiquitous in the city, Barcelona has a strong and emphatic symbolism of Art Nouveau or modern architecture too. Rebelion, Renaisance whatever one calls... that 'X' factor lives in the city through its distinct soul, contemporary and modern, at the same time. I'd love to see how Antoni Gaudi lives through his immortal creations like Casa Batlo or the famous Salamander and its inhabiting Park Guell. To rejuvenate I'll try Escalivada with some bouts of Mel i Mato under the bronze statue of Columbus, below the ambit of clean blue sky and wise white clouds.

Casa Batlo - Immortal creation of Antoni Gaudi

Escalivada - King of deliciousnesshttp://www.ocado.com/cmscontent/recipe_image_large/330166.jpg?IXyA

Divine Dessert - Mel-i-Matohttp://www.barcelonacitytours.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Mel-I-Mato.jpg

Columbus Statue

As a traveler, a single trip to Barcelona would definitely be inadequate, given what the city has to offer. Each trip would be drawing contours for the succeeding trips. A pride that none of the global cities can share with Barcelona. And 2014 would be a great time to make the first move. The city is as much outdoors, as between the walls. The sporty beaches and the Olympic stadia complement the world class museums and that unrivaled historical part of the city. In all ways, Barcelona is every traveler's imagination precipitating into realty. There is a lot to explore and what's better, there is a method  too for that in the city. An academic, leisure,  adventure, or all of them in a single trip........Barcelona's gamut is huge! Being one of the most frequented cities in the world I'd also have the chance to interact with diverse people, meet different cultures and in turn widen my horizon.

Olympic Stadium
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Estadi_Ol%C3%ADmpic_Llu%C3%ADs_Companys_-_Barcelona,_Spain_-_Jan_2007.jpg

 The Spanish cuisine, like me, attracts millions across the world. The uncomplicated mouth-watering delicacies would certainly make me say 'Buen Provecho'! And if that comes with the liberal dose of liveliness and warmth of Spaniards then that's opera to the soul. Enjoying the Spanish snack, watching my favorite team FC Barca in action would take the definition of adventure and estrogen to a next level altogether. For me it truly holds the punchline 'Mes que un Club'(More than just a club). Watching Messi in live action would be more than a treat for eyes , for it'd be a feast for consciousness.

FC's Logo

***And here's my plan for traveling smart :***

The way to travel smart is to save money, without compromising comfort, reducing stress points to the minimal. Get the right airline deal and well...... the trip begins with a bang. To do away with the fallacy of missing out on the best fare, I'd use none other than Skyscanner website, . By using the comparative results I'll be rest assured of finding the best price for the airline ticket. Its benchmark research reports would also help me in all the facets of trip, taking care of the finer and larger aspects, alike.

There were several experiences when I've repented of missing out on the best deals on the Hotels. Sometimes those complementary pick-ups or the last minute upgrades, with Skyscanner, I'd travel smart by getting the best price and the deal on the hotels too.

Skyscanner - My friend in traveling Smart

Skyscanner's advantage of comparing the historical price and patterns would help me in selecting the right time for travel and just the right hotel to fit my budget. If that comes with the added flexibility of car-hiring that Skyscanner provides, well I'm sure my journey would not be good, it would simply be great !

Traveling Barcelona in 2014 would be my dream and planning my travel with Skyscanner would make my dream come true, smartly.

***

Disclaimer : I've never ever been to Barcelona or Spain in my lifetime.

***

This entry won a prize in the contest , Traveling smart with Skyscanner.

When To Travel To Vietnam

The atmosphere in Vietnam can be separated into three separate zones - North Vietnam, Central Vietnam, and South Vietnam. The atmosphere in North Vietnam damp and subtropical, while South Vietnam delights in a tropical atmosphere lasting through the year.

Focal Vietnam lies some place in the middle. As Vietnam is a long, contract nation atmosphere conditions fluctuate extensively, with temperatures extending somewhere around 20 and 35 degrees.

In Central and Southern Vietnam, there are a few tropical islands and in addition the calm terrain shoreline at Mui Ne. Atmosphere in Vietnam will clearly be of more essentialness to you amid your stay on the shoreline, so it bodes well for arrangement your excursion considering the shoreline climate. Here are some helpful pointers:

You can expect substantial storms in the months of October, November and December, in spite of the fact that there are a lot of sunny interims.

Phu Quoc Island and Mui Ne have great shoreline climate in October, November and December. On the off chance that you are wanting to stay in these shoreline resorts amid your Vietnam occasion, its best to maintain a strategic distance from the months of July and August, when substantial downpour is more probable.

A shrewd man once let me know that there is no such thing as awful climate simply terrible apparel, and generally I think this rings genuine. As long you come readied to experience the infrequent storm, a lively night, and hot sunny days you can travel practically at whatever time in Vietnam.

See more: Vietnam travel deal

As Vietnam compasses three atmospheres from north to south you ought to be fortunate enough to experience a few diverse sorts of climate, which will include an entire new point of view the nation. In case you're taking a Vietnam visit that incorporates outside exercises, the neighborhood aides will attempt and adjust your system to stay away from any evening showers.

A large portion of our occasions in Vietnam run during the time paying little mind to climate. In the event that you end up in the midst of a tropical deluge, you can just withdraw to your home or neighborhood bar and watch Mother Nature in activity with a mixed drink under control.

Phong Nga Ke Bang National Park in VietNam travel

Much sooner than Phong Nha-Ke Bang (additionally spelled Phong Nga-Ke Bang) National Park started to be, the Champa individuals were utilizing its gives in for different purposes. The Champa were individuals of aged Cambodia and Vietnam who controlled the greater part of southern and focal Vietnam from the seventh century through the mid-nineteenth century. Cutting out engravings on steles and sacrificial tables inside the caverns, the Champa left their imprint in the sublime holes numerous years before present day Vietnamese and British researchers would start to investigate the hollows. Later investigations found Neolithic hatchet heads in the zone, demonstrating that utilization of the hollows go back even before the time of the Champa individuals.

There is no exaggerating the wonderfulness of the collapses Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. The recreation center was made to ensure the world's two biggest karst, or limestone, areas. Inside the limestone geology are in excess of 126 km of hole frameworks, with in excess of 300 caverns and (caves will be surrenders that have been occupied or utilized by people). For anybody going by Vietnam with the smallest enthusiasm toward holes, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is an absolute necessity see objective.

See more: Vietnam travel

The cavern from which the recreation center takes its name is Phong Nha hole, which is considered by numerous to be the best collapse the world. At 7,729 meters in length, with 14 caves and a 13,969 meter-long underground stream, Phong Nha hollow has been a site of secret and wonderment for locals and guests apparently equivalent for quite a long time. With towering roofs that can achieve 40 meters over the water level and rock creations that energize the creative energy, Phong Nha is interested in visitors up to 1,500 meters.

Child Doong Cave 

Child Doong hole isn't new, however it is newfound. In 1991, a nearby man discovered the cavern without precedent for cutting edge memory, however sadly he couldn't recall how to get there until January 2008. The man helped British researchers to discover the hole mouth, and they have been investigating it after. Child Doong hollow is at present the biggest known collapse the world. Lamentably, because of unstable conditions inside the cavern, it is not yet open to sightseers. Later on, assuredly guests will have the capacity to get a sight of the huge hollow; the greatest chamber is in excess of five kilometers in length, 150 meters wide, and 200 meters high.

Made a huge number of years prior, the stalactites and stalagmites inside Tien Son wander aimlessly into children's story shapes. Tien Son is found right alongside Phong Nha, making it simple for guests to investigate both hollows.

As though the marvelous hollows at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park weren't sufficient, the recreation center is likewise an incredible spot for mountain climbing, trekking, and eco-voyages through the encompassing Ke Bang Forest. With forcefully inclining mountains arriving at statures of in excess of 1,000 meters, you don't need to be a spelunker to discover a testing undertaking at Phong Nha-Ke Bang.

There's a touch of something for each guest of each age at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. For any individual who revels in the outside and common ponders, this park ought to make it onto your Vietnam agenda.

Christian Bobst | Meskel in Lalibela

Photo © Christian Bobst-All Rights Reserved

Meskel is an annual religious holiday in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church commemorating the discovery of the True Cross by Queen Helena (Saint Helena) in the fourth century. It  is celebrated for two days beginning September 26th, and commemorates the legend that in the year 326, Queen Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, discovered the cross upon which Christ was crucified.

It is in Lalibela, one of Ethiopia's most religious towns, that Christian Bobst photographed the ceremonies and rituals observing this fascinating religious festival. During the ceremony, a priest rubs the pilgrims with the holy Lalibela Cross to heal diseases or drive out devils of the bodies of the believers. The Lalibela Cross is thought to date to the 12th century and is considered one of Ethiopia's most precious religious and historical heirlooms.

Christian tells me he used two Fuji X-T1 camera bodies and prime lenses between 14mm to 35mm, as well as using the cameras' wi-fi capabilities to capture high angle shots. He also appreciated the lightness in weight,  smaller size and the retro look of the Fujis.

He also tells me that during the ceremony, one of the pilgrims saw the pictures on the screen of Christian's iPhone while taking the high angle shots on the X-T1 he had perched on a monopod. The pilgrim liked the photographs so much that he persuaded the presiding priest to allow Christian to photograph right in the center of the crowd.

Christian Bobst is a Swiss documentary photographer who originally studied graphic design. For almost 15 years, he worked for advertising agencies like Young & Rubicam/Switzerland and Jung von Matt/Germany as an Art- and Creative Director, before deciding to move on into documentary photography in 2010.  He now works as a freelance photographer, and is a member of 13 Photo in Zürich.

The Rest of Everest Episode 103: A River Runs Through It

Another excellent new episode of The Rest of Everest with Josh Butson and Ben Clark joining Jon Miller to continue telling us all about their adventures on Annapurna IV, where they hope to not only summit, but also make the first descent on skis as well.

When the video opens, we join the guys, along with the third member of the third member of their team, Tim Clarke, in base camp. This episode is called A River Runs Through It, and we soon learn why, as a series of small trenches dug through BC and into the main tent itself, allowed for the free flowing of water thanks to the spring melt off, to make it's way down the mountain.

We continue to get a look at life in base camp for the team, as they prepare their gear for their assault on the mountain and share their thoughts on the climb ahead. The team is in good spirits as they discuss the challenges of high altitude climbing, with Ben talking about getting in the right frame of mind and having his body move and breathe on the mountain.

THe last six or seven minutes of the episode gives us great shots of the mountain and shows the team as they set off for their first acclimatization climb on Annaurna IV. It also gives us our first look at how they use their skis to help them climb as they "skin up" the slopes through deep snow. The video of the mountain itself looks great, and we can now expect to get into the meat of the climb.

Next week we'll get to see the process of establishing high camps on the mountain, which should be very interesting for those of us who follow these big climbs.