Iditarod 2009: Changing of the Guard?

The 2009 Iditarod is pretty much all wrapped up by now, with the bulk of the mushers coming into the finish line over the past few days. By now, everyone knows that Lance Mackey won his third straight title, cementing his legendary status even more fully. But something else interesting took place in the race, with the emergence of some younger mushers who gave strong performances, giving us a glimpse of the future of The Last Great Race.

Not the least of these young racers is Dallas Seavey, whose father Mitch won the Iditrod back in 2004, and finished 4th this year. Dallas, who is just 21 years old, claimed a 6th place finish for himself this year. A former winner of the Junior Iditarod, the younger Seavey looks poised to leave his mark on the sport for years to come.

While Dallas is clearly the standout for the younger generation in this year's race, there are a number of other good mushers in their 20's and 30's who are now starting to leave their mark on the race as well. It seems the Iditarod has a bright future in front of it, if the competitive field is to be used as a gauge.

But before we clear out the "old timers", lets not lose sight of the fact that Lance is just 38 years old himself, and could continue to dominate the race for years to come.

The Norther Gourmet - VietNam Travel

Taste the finest cooking of the North and stay at the specific convenience while immerged in the society of customary Hanoi.

Travelvietnam planned this excursion for the individuals who love nature, society and need to know inside and out the food of Vietnam.

Begin from Hanoi – the exquisite Capital City of Vietnam and investigate one of Vietnam's top attractions – Halong Bay, which interprets as 'where the monster slides into the ocean'. You will encounter the remarkable perspective of blue water intermixed with in excess of two thousand limestone islets…

Upon entry, your driver and aide will reach you outside the stuff case of Noi Bai Airport and take you to your lodging in the downtown area to weigh in Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel. Later toward the evening go out for a stroll in the Old Quarter with the aide and delight in extraordinary shopping in the boutiques around St Josephs Cathedral. Appreciate a welcome supper at one of Hanoi's celebrated restaurants.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel Hanoi's comprehensively presumed food was the beginning stage for opening the inn school of cookery. Veritable inundation in neighborhood society, the experience begins with a walk around the nearby market joined by the Spices Garden Chef, to find Vietnamese fixings, their flavors and perceive how neighborhood get ready for suppers. This is trailed by a cookery exhibit in the inn kitchen where everybody assumes a dynamic part.

Toward the evening you will investigate Vietnam's beguiling capital. With its wide tree-lined streets, French pioneer building design, quiet lakes and antiquated oriental pagodas, Hanoi is a varied blend that offers something for everybody. At that point delight in a conventional Water Puppet Performance – an extraordinary Vietnamese artistic expression hailing from Southeast Asia's wet-rice society.

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After breakfast at inn, your driver will reach you at lodging at 8:00 A.m to assume a 4-hour drive passing the farmland of the Red River Delta to the remarkable World Heritage Site of Halong Bay.

Welcome ready for set cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay while fish lunch is served. Rest your eyes on the purplish blue waters of this mysterious straight, where a great many etched limestone islands climb from the waves like mythical serpents' teeth, passing beautiful territory around Mat Quy islet, Am islet. Mid-evening, get to Cua Van angling town and delight in an average bamboo vessel line to through the town with a gallery and a school among drifting homes. Visit Tien Ong give in then again ready for delight in dusk mixed drinks and canapé. Supper is served ready for.

Begin the day right on time to appreciate a Tai Chi class on top deck with a chance to concede the glorious landscape of first light over the ocean. After that, you can decide to go to Soi Sim shoreline for swimming or join your culinary expert for cooking exhibit to take in more about Vietnamese food craftsmanship. On the route back, take profound voyage into Bai Tu Long Bay, passing Pearl Farm, Phao Dai islet, Tam Cung hole, Hon Xep islet, Dau Moi sanctuary, chance to journey through acclaimed L'indochine film site (subject to tide co

Terri Gold | The Nomads of Niger

Photo © Terri Gold-All Rights Reserved

Infrared photography and off-the-beaten path nomadic people...this is exactly what photographer Terri Gold features in her new Nomads in Niger gallery.

She photographed the Wodaabe; nomadic cattle-herders and traders in the Sahel, who periodically migrate from southern Niger, through northern Nigeria, northeastern Cameroon, southwestern Chad, and the western region of the Central African Republic. The number of Wodaabe is estimated to be 100,000 and are widely known for their beauty, elaborate attire and rich cultural ceremonies.

Terri tells me there has been no tourism in Niger for 6 years now, and her photography group numbered less than five. The Wodaabe festival she attended had no fixed date, so it was a matter of crossing fingers and being patient. Her group had to have 18 guards armed with Kalashnikovs and a 50 mm machine gun on each truck. 

The Guérewol festival is an annual courtship ritual competition among the Wodaabes, when young men dressed in elaborate ornamentation and made up in traditional face painting gather in lines to dance and sing, vying for the attentions of marriageable young women.

Terri Gold is an award-winning photographer and artist based in New York City, and has built an impressive reputation for her infrared imagery of rituals, rites of passage, festivals, celebrations and portraits from all over the world.

Her artistic creativity and energy were patently obvious during my Tribes of South Rajasthan & Kutch Photo~Expedition™which she had joined in January 2010, as she moved from one photo shoot in a village to the next photographing with her two cameras; one "normal" like those used by the rest of us, and the second professionally modified to shoot infrared.

Biking North VietNam - VietNam Travel

Inundate yourself in North Vietnam's rich society and characteristic magnificence on a four day cycling excursion that takes you profound into heart of this mysterious area. Sell through emerald-green rice paddies and past aged, mountaintop pagodas. Take in the rhythms of nearby life and appreciate a provincial homestay, making new companions and fashioning deep rooted memories.

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Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam's clamoring provincial capital. Your driver and aide will reach you outside the stuff case of Noi Bai Airport and take you to your lodging in the downtown area. Toward the evening, delight in an introduction walk, going to some of Hanoi's primary attractions: the Opera House, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. At night, relish a welcome supper of credible Vietnamese sustenance at one of Hanoi's finest restaurants.

Wake early and revel in breakfast at the inn, before setting off on your drive to Mai Chau – a yawning valley, supporting pleasant rice paddies and sheets by approaching karst rock developments. Have a genuine lunch with a nearby group of the Thai Tribe and revel in some leisure time to familiarize yourself with the villagers. At 3:00 PM cycle along the landing area trails through the town and over the rice paddies. Come back to the Thai Village at night to spruce up and appreciate a scrumptious supper at the long house.

Eat at the town then drive to Nho Quan and use the day biking through the lavish and delightful field. Stop for a cookout lunch then bicycle through Cuc Phuong National Park. Keep on cycing through nation paths and crosswise over emerald-green rice fields. Touch base in Tam Coc in the late evening. Check-in at the lodging and use rest of the day at your recreation.

Eat at the lodging, then begin the day the neighborhood way—paddling conventional sampans through the rice fields to visit 3 collapses Tam Coc (Hang Ca, Hang Giua and Hang Con). Eat then bicycle to Bich Dong to visit the mountaintop pagoda. Proceed with you on your bicycle outing, spinning through the nearby towns to Hoa Lu. Drive over to Hanoi in the late even