Sitting with a family of Mountain Gorillas in the rainforest of Central Africa is an amazing feeling. There are only 700 of these gentle majestic giants left in the World and only a select few have the opportunity to trek them. We started out at 6am, just before day break, boarding our sturdy 4x4 vehicles. The sun was just starting to peak over the mountain ranges; I looked up and saw the Virungas in front of us. That is it, I thought, that is where the Mountain Gorillas live.

We drove for about an hour to base camp, as we disembarked you could feel the excitement rising amongst the group. There was 8 of us about to begin a once in a life time adventure. We met our guide, Paul - not a very African name I thought! He told us he was a former poacher turned guide, his voice crackled as he explained about his former life before deciding to change his ways. He took us through the formalities for the day, the dos and don'ts when with the Gorilla family and finally we were off through the thick dense rainforest.

The sun was shining and we could feel the gentle breeze lightly brushing our faces, as we stepped deeper into the forest it became darker and a little eerie. Paul had mentioned that the trek could last for up to 2-3 hours at first this didn't seem too bad but after 30 minutes the terrain changed and now we were scrambling up and down slippery muddy tracks.

2 hours into the trek, Paul stopped and told us the Gorillas were very near. Thank goodness I thought.

I looked up into a nearby tree and to my amazement a little baby gorilla standing unsteadily on a tree branch began pounding his chest. He was less than 2 metres from me. I could feel a smile planting itself on my face ... I could not believe it. I was face to face with Mountain Gorillas. Paul and his off-siders told us all to be quiet. The Gorillas are here. We walked a few metres on into a natural clearing and there they were ........ 16 Mountain Gorillas of all shapes and sizes. We were completely surrounded by these gentle giants - so many of them we didn't know were to look.

Directly in front of us was the silver back, an enormous strong creature; next to him were one of the dominant females and two little ones. Paul told us the 2 smaller ones were very young; 1 was only 6 months old and the other about 2 years old. They reminded me of my nephews at that age, so curious about everything around them yet so clumsy in every step they took.

The two young ones saw us watching them and started to show off. The older one grabbed hold of a branch and started swinging on it. He lost his grip and fell hard to the ground. We laughed at his antics but the poor little fella seemed embarrassed and ran to the safety of mum's arms. She gently scooped him up and held him before playfully throwing him to dad - the silverback. Dad lay ever so quietly as the little one jumped on his head, pulled at his ears and poked him.

The rest of the family seemed totally unbothered by our presence which I was surprised about. They continued about their daily activities of eating and sleeping. Watching the sheer power these creatures have in pulling down huge bamboo trees fussily choosing only the sweetest leaves and stalks to eat. Discarding the left-overs messily as they went along.

I asked Paul if it was OK to sit down on the fallen log next to us. He motioned that it was. I slowly moved over a step and sat down. A perfect spot to see what was going on around me. Out of now-where a young juvenile male gorilla came from behind and sat next to me. I froze, not sure what to do (this scenario was not explained to us at the beginning of the trek!), I slowly looked at him trying to avoid eye contact; he looked back at me and seemed to have a chuckle to himself. From the other side I felt a tug on my shirt and felt myself flying through the air; after recovering I realized it was Paul who had pulled me off the log. He was laughing and told me to take a picture of my expression.

Sadly, our time was up and it was time to leave. The walk back down the mountain seemed to drag on forever. The whole group seemed very quiet - we were all reflecting on the time we spent with the Mountain Gorillas. What truly amazed me about this experience was how unphased the Gorillas were about us being there. I remember reading books about the killer Mountain Gorillas - killer is certainly not a word I would use to describe these creatures.

Sadly, there are less than 700 left in the World placing them on the Critically Endangered List. There are no Mountain Gorillas in captivity and attempts to keep these animals in zoos have all failed. I wonder to myself if my children will be as lucky as I have been in seeing and experiencing the Mountain Gorillas. Mountain Gorilla treks can be done in conjunction with 14 to 38 day safaris through East and Central Africa. Africa Expedition Support runs regular trips to the Gorillas starting in Nairobi, Kenya.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deborah_Thiele

Pissouri in Cyprus is a traditional Cypriot village about half way between Limassol and Paphos. Positioned on a hill the village overlooks vineyards and is set against the back drop of the Troodas mountains. There are panoramic sea views over the clear blue Mediterranean Ocean that is only a short walk away at the foot of the hill. The village square has a couple of banks and several mini markets along with the usual car hire agency offices ect. Most of what you need for day to day living is available including a pharmacy and a petrol station. There is even a local police station in the village too giving Pissouri an air of a self contained community. There are plenty of tavernas and restaurants in the village as well as down on the beach area so you won't go short of nourishment either. In fact you could spend a real relaxing holiday right there in the village without the need to venture anywhere else in Cyprus.

Pissouri is ideal for those seeking a holiday away from the more crowded holiday resorts and offers a more traditional Cypriot lifestyle. Daily village life there goes on much the same as it has for decades and the tempo is laid back to say the least. The main employment in the area is of course the vineyards and wineries scattered all over the landscape. Be sure to sample the local wine in some of the village restaurants if you get the chance and don't be put off by the fact that it's so cheap. Cyprus wines are amongst some of the best in the Mediterranean area. If you enjoy local dishes like meze and kleftico you are in the right place. The restaurants up in the village tend to make a better job of it than those near the beach but its all a matter of what you prefer.

If you do get desperate for a large supermarket or the bustle of city life the main highway is only about a mile inland. The thriving metropolis of Limassol is twenty minutes drive with more hypermarkets and shops than you can shake a stick at. In fact the modern motorway network links the sleepy hamlet of Pissouri with all the major resorts and the capital Nicosia. If you want culture and history Paphos is only a short hop further north along the motorway too. There you will find a busy resort and town all rolled into one with some of the Islands most coveted ancient sites. Roman ruins, a restored ampitheatre and a medieval fort are just a few of the places of interest you could visit within walking distance of Pahos harbor. The harbour itself is lined with trendy cafe bars where you can relax with a drink and take in the beautiful Mediterranean view.

East of Pissouri along the same motorway is Larnaca and the Islands main airport. Larnaca town is also a mix of resort and a thriving town with a great choice of shops should you need to indulge in a little retail therapy. The man made Larnaca beach is one of the best in Cyprus and a modern promenade runs along its full length. At one end is the pretty marina and at the other stands a medieval fort. The sea front area is thronged with pavement cafes and restaurants including several major take fast food outlets such as Macdonalds. There are plenty of places of interest to visit including several museums one of which is situated in the square next to Larnaca church. The church of Saint Lazarus is alleged to be the final resting place of the same Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead and it is claimed the church stands on the site of his tomb.

You may choose to use Pissouri has a base to explore the rest of Cyprus or maybe just spend a day visiting. Whatever you do the charm of this laid back village just a few minutes of the highway is sure to leave its mark on you. Its a taste of the real Cyprus, in many ways untouched by the hustle and bustle of the modern age. After spending some time there you can't help wondering how long it will be before the pressures of the outside world burst in on it. Maybe they never will and people will continue to come to recharge their inner batteries in this oasis that is Pissouri Cyprus.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevinor_Moore

The luxury trains of India lets the travelers discover Indian heritage, warm hospitality, Indian culture and traditions in royal demeanor. Luxury trains in India were initially meant for only royalties of Indian states and are a much important part of Indian tourism. These trains are meant for the people who want to enjoy the best of luxury while traveling to the royal destinations in India.

Currently there are three luxury trains running on Indian tracks, namely Palace on Wheels, Heritage on Wheels and the Deccan Odyssey. All these trains have luxuries and facilities like those available in a five star hotel. The aura within the trains is of besieging royalty. A traveler feels like a royal monarch himself while onboard. These trains fulfill the much-cherished dream of every heart to live in royalty and enjoy the good life. The staff at the luxury trains is highly courteous to pamper like a Maharaja. All the luxury trains are fully air-conditioned. Travelers can have delicious gourmet fare at any time. Be it authentic Indian cuisine, sizzling Chinese or exotic Continental meals, everything is provided in these moving restaurants to pamper your palate.

The most popular luxury train of India is the Palace on Wheels, which takes its course along the royal terrains of Rajasthan in North India. The Palace on Wheels takes it occupants on a splendid and enchanting journey through the bygone era of erstwhile Maharajas. The Palace on Wheels has luxurious cabins, wall-to-wall carpeting, a well stocked bar, two dining cars and a very personalized service. This train stops at famous Indian heritage sites such as Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Chittorgarh in Rajasthan, North India.

Another luxury train to royal Rajasthan is the Heritage on Wheels, which takes to lesser-explored golden regions of Rajasthan namely Bikaner and Shekhawati region. This train is a meter gauge train with grand facilities. This train has a cozy and royal ambience. The comforts available onboard are unbelievable.

Deccan Odyssey, the luxury train to West India, travels across the heart of India, through the land of the brave Marathas. Journey back in time and relive the luxury of the Marathas on the royal luxury train - the Deccan Odyssey. Watch the grand forts and palaces of Maharashtra and the pristine beaches of Goa. This train takes the tourists on a journey through beautiful scenery and heritage destinations, when touring historic sites of Ajanta, Ellora and Aurangabad and comes to end at Mumbai. Deccan Odyssey has lot more to offer, like a spa car for various health activities, besides luxurious saloons.

Each destination covered, while traveling by the luxury trains, has its own special cultural charm and historical significance and reveals a new shade of the Indian heritage of the particular region.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vandana_Singhal

It's the city that blazed the Freedom Trail - home to the Boston Tea Party. Sure, I knew this town had a ton of history to offer. But I didn't know how great New England really was until my son and I ventured from Phoenix to Beantown to begin his new adventure at Boston University.

After nearly three-thousand miles, and a week spent in our GMC Envoy Denali, U-Haul trailer in tow, we finally reached our destination. I spent my Saturday morning unloading my 18-year-old's "furniture" (if you call plastic storage boxes, a laptop and a futon from IKEA "furniture"), attending a few student-parent orientations, and wandering around the Boston University campus with him until he felt comfortable about finding his classes. It was then I was rather rudely informed that I was cramping his style - so, remembering what it was like to be 18 again, I took it as a cue to head to my Boston hotel room for a little sleep, in preparation for a day of sightseeing before heading back to Phoenix Tuesday morning.

After some much needed rest, it was time to hop back into my Envoy Denali (thank God for OnStar) and navigate my way toward the first touristy adventure: the Freedom Trail. It was there I signed up for the three-mile self-guided trail tour - and you certainly get to see a lot of it! From the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill to Paul Revere's famous midnight ride, you'll see history unfold as you wander through the city streets. Definitely a lesson in Boston history. After a few hours spent there, I'd had it with walking. I jumped into my Envoy SUV again, and found my way across the Charles River to a college that I knew my son and I would never see the inside of: Harvard University. After gazing at the hallowed halls for awhile from the street (and being grateful I'd never have to pay tuition there) I decided to grab a cup of coffee and a bagel at one of the many Cambridge cafés.

I wanted to visit an old friend of mine who moved to Providence, but time was a waistin' and I needed to get to the highlight of my New England trip: Fenway Park. Perhaps I should back up and explain that the only reason my wife got out of this week-long adventure, was through her very persuasive and conniving ways. She knew if she dangled the Boston Red Sox carrot in front of my face, I'd bite. And she was right. After arriving at Fenway Park, and finding a place to park, I stepped out of the Envoy into baseball fan heaven. This was the place where heroes like Babe Ruth, Cy Young, Ted Williams and dozens of other greats have faced the "Green Monster" - and won. The Red Sox-Orioles game was about to begin. Peanuts and crackerjacks, please!

Alas, no time to check in on my friend in Providence - business beckoned back home and my trip had to be cut short. It was time to make my way back to Boston University and unload a few rogue pairs of socks and underwear that was still littering the back of my GMC Envoy Denali. My appreciative son waved a final goodbye (although, I had a feeling I'd be hearing from him as soon as his pre-paid credit card started running low), and I headed off in my Envoy on my nearly three-thousand mile trip home to Phoenix. This time, it would be MY music that would be cranked up on the XM radio.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Castro