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Looking for Winter Sun? Here Are the Top Destinations You Should Consider

Looking for Winter Sun? Here Are the Top Destinations You Should Consider

Jenny Lewis

When people think of winter holidays, they usually think of snowy destinations: visiting Santa Claus in Finland, skiing in the Rockies, or just getting cozy by the fire during your staycation (at least if you’re like us in the northern hemisphere, that is). In the southern hemisphere, however, the party is just getting started. If you want to enjoy a warm winter instead of being trapped indoors next to a fireplace, then here are the top destinations that you need to consider:

 

Hawaii

Hawaii has plenty of warm sun during the winter months. Despite it being a fantastic destination to visit no matter what time it is, winter is one of the more unique times to visit—especially if you’re into surfing. Winter is when the big tides come out to play. With waves that stretch past 20-feet, there’s no shortage of excitement in Hawaii. There are plenty of things to do with your family in Oahu in winter because it houses the state’s capital, Honolulu. It’s also close to the Pearl Harbor WWII memorials and is home to Waikiki Beach. In addition, the early months of the year (January, February and March) are the perfect time to spot humpback whales.

 

Australia

The winter months are actually summer for Australians, which makes it one of the best places to visit if you want to escape the cold embrace in the northern hemisphere. It can get pretty hot especially if you plan to stay after the new year, but it’s still a beautiful country to visit if you want lots of sun and fun. If you’re sick of snow during Christmas, then why not visit Australia? Christmas is usually celebrated on sunny beaches instead of indoors. There are barbecues, beach parties and plenty of water sports to get involved with thanks to the great weather.

 

Dubai

Dubai gets sun all year round, making it another great place to visit during our cold winters. There are extravagant hotels, plenty of shopping districts to sink your teeth into and lots of entertainment both during the day and at night. Let’s not forget the fantastic adventures you can have in the desert either. Jeep tours and camel rides are perfect for exploring the arid environment, and there are plenty of beaches for you to relax on. There’s no shortage of entertainment or sun in Dubai during our cold winters, so put it on your list of must-visit destinations.

Cape Verde

Cape Verde is the name given to an amazing bundle of islands off the coast of Senegal. There are clean, golden beaches, crystal clear waters and plenty of water sport opportunities. Whether you’re into scuba-diving, fishing or jet skiing, there’s a lot to choose from. The beaches are a perfect opportunity for you to get the tan you’ve always wanted, and there’s no shortage of delicious food and luxury resorts to indulge in. No matter what island you decide to visit, they are all filled to the brim with different cultures and influences, making it a beautiful country to visit during the winter.

 

 

 

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Essential Items to Protect Your Camera

Jenny Lewis

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Everyone wants to avoid their camera breaking, if you don’t then you clearly don’t value your camera a lot! They are expensive pieces of equipment that we often form special bonds with, learning the ins and outs of the machine, attaching us to it. We want to avoid any damage so that we don’t have to get upset and spend a lot of money on a new one. Damage is unavoidable on a camera, but thankfully there are a few things you can buy to help reduce it.

 

Filters

Filters are like an attachment for your camera that sit neatly just in front of your lens. In actual fact they clip onto the side of your lens and provide protection and a better shot. Lens filters will always be able to protect your lens from dust and thumbs prints as they cover it completely, but are a “one use” form of protection against anything else. Lens filters are designed to break but not shatter when something hard hits it, meaning that it saves your real lens from getting broken as the shape of the filter stays the same. But due to the filter still breaking, it means that you cannot use it again. You can buy these here and are an excellent way to ensure that your camera lens stays safe! It also enhances your shots too, as if you needed another reason to get one.

 

Water Covers

Firstly, if you’re not going to be around water with your camera then don’t bother! It’s designed specifically for water protection, and if you’re not going to be around it then there is no point in owning one, however a lot of photographers do go to the water to take photos so listen up! These simple covers strap to your lens casing and then unfurl around the rest of your camera. People often don’t realize that water damage comes from water being exposed to the camera body itself as opposed to the lens, majority of the electrical parts are in the camera and lenses are replaceable, so by covering up your camera any kind of splash that come your way will be nullified! Check out FujiUser for some good advice on which one to get, the all vary in sizes and thickness so you must get one that suits your purpose otherwise you’ll be hindered by it!

 

Lens Hoods

Lens hoods are similar to filters in the sense that they clip onto your lens, but the similarities end there. Lens hoods offer protection from harsh angles, like straight down or up onto your lens. They give your lens a hood to prevent anything from bumping into it and possibly causing damage. They also provide a little bit of shade for your lens too which is always helpful! You can buy them from companies like Canon, just be careful when deciding which size because if it’s too big, just like the water cover, it will hinder you instead of help.

Getting all of these things is highly recommended if you’re going to be doing any kind of work that would be putting your camera in danger. If your camera breaks, not only will you have to buy a new one but you’ll have to stop the job you’re doing which is bad for business. If you’re looking for some different examples of photos taken with different lenses, go here and have a look!

Mountains, Migrations And Maji Maji In Kenya

Jenny Lewis

What is it that makes a truly great vacation spot? For some people, it’s the chance to catch some rays on the beach. For others, it’s a world-class hotel with all the little extras you could wish for. But for many, it’s about finding a trip that you simply won’t be able to replicate elsewhere in the world. It’s finding the gems of the world, whether it’s the temples of Thailand or the Grand Canyon. If you want something that can’t be replicated, then perhaps the best place to visit is Kenya, and here’s why:

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The Mountains

There are two mountains in particular that dominate the skyline of Kenya. In the north, the plains stretch for miles, but the horizon is overshadowed by Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. The second-biggest isn’t all that far off, either. Mt. Kenya attracts loads of visitors and not just because you can climb it if you’re daring enough. The Mt. Kenya national park surrounding is full of caves, waterfalls, and dirt trails that can take you from one wildly varying landscape to the next. Glaciers, mineral springs, slopes that take on an astral beauty just as the sunrise creates a sky of breathtaking hues. 

The Migrations

When you think of a trip to Africa, you obviously have to consider the wildlife that you simply can’t see anywhere else. Seeing a wild lion on the hunt doesn’t compare to seeing them in a zoo. Similarly, seeing a single wildebeest doesn’t compare to the annual drama that plays out on a Masai Mara safari. A natural event as old as the land itself, you can see thousands at them in certain points of the year, with over 1.5 million completing the journey annually. Even if you catch it a little late, you can see many of the migrating herd hanging out with the stragglers that live on the plain all year round.

The Maji Maji

If you’re visiting Kenya, you might want a little trip out of the wilds as well. Nairobi is a sprawling metropolis with a rich culture of its own. Uhuru Park is easily one of the most beautiful city parks in the world, but it’s well worth a trip to the village market to get all the buzz of the city. Just be vigilant with how much you spend as there are Maasai markets everywhere, with vendors who are quick to charge a fortune. But one of the best reasons to stick to the city is some of the food, including the delicious maji maji grilling of Roadhouse, where you can eat nyama choma, the unofficial national dish consisting of little more than some lovingly prepared meats, including ostrich, crocodile, and camel.

It’s an entirely different kind of life in Kenya. It’s a life where astounding natural beauty is rarely more than a day’s trip away, where wild beasts still rule many parts of the land, and where you can get some fine eats surrounded by friendly locals.

Discovering Hamilton’s Hidden Gems

kdorosario
hamilton supercrawl
Streetside Art around James Street North

I would have never guessed that Hamilton, of all places, would be a food and art lover’s haven. Just under an hour west of Toronto, Hamilton is known to most as home of the beloved Tiger-Cats, and also for it’s rich history and preservation of National heritage sites. Contrary to popular belief, Hamilton is an undiscovered wonderland for foodies and art lovers alike. I’ve been to the Hammer several times back in my University days, but have never actually seen anything outside of Hess Village (which I’m kind of embarrassed to admit). Lucky for me, my friends at Travel Massive and Tourism Hamilton gave me a true dose of what Hamilton is really like – here are some hidden gems that I had the pleasure of discovering: Read more →