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TRY SOMETHING NEW4 ET TRAVEL, MUMBAI, DELHI, BANGALORE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

HORSEBACK RIDE IN ARGENTINA:Try the ideal way to exploreArgentina’s terrains. Go horsebackriding through the countryside andget awestruck by nature’s bounty

COLORADO, USA● With rugged acres to boast of, many people come toColorado with adventure vacations and activities on theirminds — and they do not leave disappointed. Warmweather finds folks hitting thousands of miles of RockyMountain trails for ATVing, four wheeling, mountainbiking, backpacking and climbing Colorado’s 14ers (54peaks rising more than 14,000 above sea level).

The Colorado River,Arkansas River and Cache la

Poudre lead through canyons, gorges and miles ofwhitewater rafting and kayaking thrills, while massivebodies of water like Grand Lake, Lake Dillon and BlueMesa Reservoir, and several lakes in the Colorado StateParks system, cater to those wanting to pick up speed.

Travel with your family to the Dude Ranches here forsome Wild West Fun. From archery, panning for gold andchuckwagon dinners to feeding the animals, throwinghorseshoes and learning to rope and trapshoot, everyonecan participate in square dancing, cowboy poetryreadings, hayrides, sing-alongs and — of course —s’mores around the fire.

www.colorado.com

ROTORUA,NEW ZEALAND● Rotorua is one placewhere the turbulent forcesthat formed New Zealandare most evident. This city,on the Volcanic Plateau, hasone of the world’s mostlively fields of geothermalactivity and sits squarelyon the Pacific Rim of Fire.

Rotorua is also theancestral home ofthe Te Arawapeople who settledhere more than 600years ago and theirpresence offers thevisitor numerousculturalexperiences. Try ahangi feast –cooked in thesteaming ground,take a tour of anauthentic pre-European Maorivillage or treatyourself to an

indulgent spa therapy. If adventure is your thing, Rotoruahas many attractions to get the adrenaline flowing;everything from skydiving and luging to zorbing andbiking through New Zealand’s best mountain bikecircuits. Right till Feb 24 in Rotorua, witness the TeMatatini National Kapa Haka Festival and experiencethe world’s largest celebration of Maori performing arts,showcasing Maori culture, talent, crafts and cuisine.

www.tematatini.co.nz

MEXICO● The ideal time to visit Mexico is when thelocals are celebrating. Thus, Holy Week(Easter), Grito de Independencia (September15), Day of the Dead (November 1 and 2),Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December12), and of course, Christmas and New Yearare good times to travel. While here,adventure must take a front seat as you gotouring. Many consider San Luis Potosi’s

FF or a refreshing and energising dash of newperspectives, go ahead and travel. While on thetrail across the globe, keep your hearts open to the

amazing work ethics of Vancouverites in BritishColumbia; the joie de vivre of Mexicans; the adventurousstreak of New Zealanders and the charming true-to-nature appeal of Argentinians. The striking lifestyle oflocals has to be felt to be imbibed. And everywhere you go,always take the weather with you...

Compiled by Nimisha Tiwarinimisha.tiwari@timesgroup.com

When it wasfreezing in therest of Canadawith mercury

dipping close to -10degrees, British Columbia— a province of Canadawas experiencing anenviably pleasant weather.That’s what overwhelmedme during a week-long visithere in January.

What made an instantimpression were the people.They were hospitable andreflected an amazing senseof ownership toward theprovince. Roads were clean,parking meters were self-operated, work ethics ofevery individual wassuperior. Right from the airport manpower to thecabbies to shopkeepers, hotel staff and individuals ofhigh authority, their zeal to work and cheerfulness wasinfectious. The Indian community in Surrey andVancouver made me feel that I am not too far awayfrom India, either. So, it was home away from home, ina rather comforting manner.

One tour around the city and it was obvious that theprovince is blessed geographically. It enjoysnature’s best attractions that are truly worthboasting about. The challenge here was how to seeand do it all. Victoria, GasTown, Stanley Park,Granville Island Public Market, seaplanes harbour,Squamish villages, the University of BritishColumbia...phew! The brilliant array of must-visithighlights along with outdoor and indoor activities

one can indulge andexperience in BritishColumbia is simplyexhaustive.

There are myriads ofmunicipal, provincial andnational parks in which towalk, hike and bike. Iparticularly liked theMuseum of Anthropology,where an elderly guiderevealed her love for Kashmirto me and that she hadvisited Gulmarg, since herfather studied there as achild. With those pleasingKashmir-inspired memories, Ivisited Whistler, a ski havenlocated just 1 hour 40minutes drive fromVancouver downtown. Once

on top, I felt snowflakes kissing my face softly as westood near the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola area. Oh! whata breathtaking feeling it was when my heart meltedand my spirits soared. In the mountains, I saw kidslearning to ski on powder snow and higher peaksattracting pro skiers from across the world.

By March and April, my friendly skier guide Steveadded, with a smile, British Columbia starts gettingway more daylight. So, the chairlifts in Whistlerstay open for an extra half hour and he extended aninvitation to the World Ski & Snowboard Festival(WSSF) from April 12 - 21.

I am visiting again. What keeps You?For details: www.britishcolumbia.travel

Nimisha Tiwarinimisha.tiwari@timesgroup.com

RRiiddee tthhee RRiissiinngg SSuunnExplore off-roading adventures with ET-Travel

LONG HAUL DESTINATIONSWORLD SPECIAL

Been on a long vacation recently? Share yourrare moments with us and send your photos andinfo at economictimestravel@gmail.com orupload them on www.facebook/ettravelindiaand the best ones will be printed in the nextissue of ET-Travel

MEET WITH INDIGENOUS FOLKS●● WHY TRY: Most travellers usually love meetingwith the indigenous folk of the destination they aretravelling in. Most tribes are friendly and eager toshare their culture with tourists. Take in their art,lifestyle, dress and maybe even pick up some oftheir unique handmade jewellery.●● BEST DESTINATIONS: The Masai tribe in Kenyaand northern Tanzania are well known for beingtourist friendly. The tribespeople of Cusco, Peru withtheir bright colourful attire are a treat to watch. Visitthe Flower Hmong women in Vietnam or check outthe unique hairstyle of Himba women in Namibia.

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LOCAL FLAVOUR: Don traditional Peruviandance costumes while in Cusco, Peru

Enjoy mountain top picnics, snowboardcontests, biking and more...

MOUNTAIN LOVE: A couple enjoys a picnic in thesnow on Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver

CALIFORNIA GRAY WHALE WATCHING:Whale watching could neverget so exciting. Go for it in SanIgnacio Lagoon, Colorado

CLIMB THEFLATIRONS:Traditional climbingon the world-famousFlatirons in Boulder,Colorado with theexpert guides atAlpine World Ascents.No prior experiencenecessary. So go...

FOLLOW THE SUN: Great Sand Dunes NationalPark and Preserve in Colorado is massive

HONGI: Maoris do atraditional greeting bygently pressing theirforeheads and noses

LOCAL ATTRACTION: Visit theWhakarewarewa Maori Villageand view amazing carvings

Sotano de las Golondrinas the most beautiful open-shaft cavernin the world. Encounter a freefall drop of more than 1,200 ft here.The lush jungle setting and hundreds of squawking parrots —your companions all the way down — are like something out ofscience fiction. Also, try the Mexico hang-gliding at Valle deBravo. Whichever activity you choose, Mexico memoirs are boundto linger on.

www.visitmexico.com

DANCE WITH ME:Carnivals are a greattime to visit Mexico.Get clicking!

ROW ON IN NZ: Ride therapids of different gradesas you go river rafting onthe Rotorua River

SO BIG! Join inthe ‘dwarfing’fun with fellowtourists inCenote Samulaon the YucatanPeninsula inMexico

IN THE LAP OFNATURE: Forgetyour worries andenergise yourbatteries as youtravel to Whistler

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RNI No.: DELENG/2006/17688, Vol. No.: 8 Issue No.: 8

Published for the proprietors, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd., by Mohit Jain at Times House, 7, BahadurShah Zafar Marg, New Delhi – 110002 and printed by him at Times of India Press, 13 & 15/1, Site IVIndustrial Area, Sahibabad (UP). Editor: Nimisha Tiwari – responsible for selection of news underPRB Act (C). All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission ofPublisher is prohibited.

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