The Shona are Zimbabwe's largest ethnic group. Traditionally they lived in settlements consisting of a few families. They live in Zimbabwe where they make up about 80% of the population. They have lived in the area since probably 600 A.D. The Shona as a people group have always been admired for their art. Artists are greatly respected among the Shona and there are more paid artists then in most other people groups. The Shona have produced...more
The Christmas and New Year holidays should be a time for relaxation, for coming together with loved ones and for a chance to reflect on the past year and look forward to the next. There is no better place to do this than in one of the leading luxury resorts on the Costa del Sol, Hotel Villa Padierna, Marbella (http://www.hotelvillapadierna.com): the perfect backdrop to an elegant and tranquil Christmas and New Year.Hotel Villa Padierna, Marbella...more
Has this ever happened to you? You have all your holiday shopping done. The packages are all wrapped. Your Christmas cards have all been sent. And, then, it happens.In the mail you receive a Christmas card from someone who was not on your list of cards that you sent. Oh, no! Now what do you do? It's too late. If you do send them a card they won't get it in time. This is but a small part of what I call, "the stress of Christmas."What if you received a card from someone not on your list and with it they included a gift card? You have not even sent them a card, let alone a gift. More stress. And what about receiving a gift from someone that is much more expensive than the gift you gave them? More stress.These and other similar holiday related events cause people a lot of unnecessary stress. Times may be a little tight for some families and they just cannot afford to buy the kind of gifts they would like to for their children. In years past, they may have given gifts to their nieces and nephews, but not this year. More stress.Some people go through stress with company holiday parties. Should you go? If you don't go, will it look bad? What about a gift for the boss?A...more
The Mossi have organized some of the most powerful kingdoms in Africa. The Mossi kingdom was once one of the richest kingdoms in Africa but it is now one of the poorest. The Mossi effectively stopped the spread of Islam southward by the Fulani and have kept their animistic, ancestor worship until the current day. Now, they work together with the...more
There are many things that have to be taken care of before you can go on a holiday. One important thing to remember is to make sure you find reliable care for your pets. There are several different choices that can be made. You could put your pet in a kennel or cattery. You can have a friend or relative watch your pets. You can hire a professional...more
Lion conservation is vital work. The king of the jungle is not invincible. Sadly the lion is in grave danger across Africa and it's man who is causing the damage. Fortunately the opportunity exists to help try to redress the balance and a lion walk is just one of the benefits.Figures tell us that lion population in Africa has dropped from something in the region of 200,000 in 1975 to less than 40,000 today. That's a huge decline in just thirty years. When you see pictures on the TV of a pack of lions bring down a Wildebeast it's difficult to think of them as "vulnerable" isn't it? But that is the official listing.So what can be done? And what's this about lions walks?One exciting program in Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa is run by the African Lion & Environmental Research Trust (ALERT), a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the African lion. They rehabilitate lions, using both rescued and those originally captive bred, to breed "wild" offspring for release into the relatively safe surroundings of some of Africa's national parks. The breeding program is highly monitored for correct welfare and animal husbandry and has received many accolades.Of course there...more
Anyone interested in wildlife volunteering must consider Africa as the number one destination and will soon come across the phrase "The big five". But what exactly are they and what made them top of the list?Well it seems the phrase was originally...more
If you're thinking of spending part of your gap year volunteering in Africa, or indeed you are a little older and are one of the many people who volunteer to work in Africa each year, don't forget that you'll need a visa in addition to your passport....more
For more and more students deciding what to do with their gap year, Africa is becoming the destination of choice - for at least part of the time. It's not just the stunning scenery and the unique wildlife. As people become more aware of the...more
If you're anything like me you see an African wildlife photographer on the TV and you wish it could be you. Out there in the bush with lions, elephant, cheetah, rhino, hippo. The amazing, evocative sights and sounds. Well what if it could be you?...more
Famous for its natural harbor, one of the best in the world, Cochin has received the sobriquet "Queen of the Arabian Sea." Cochin is one of India's most fascinating cities. Here one can see the oldest church in India. The very old temples, churches...more
Kovalam is a picturesque beach town in the southern state of Kerala. It is situated merely a few kilometers from the capital city of Trivandrum also known as Thiruvananthapuram. Kovalam is flanked by millions of domestic as well as international...more