Namakwa, as part of the Succulent Karoo, is a biodiversity hotspot and as such is the only arid hotspot in the world. It contains more than 6 000 plant species, 250 species of birds, 78 species of mammals, 132 species of reptiles and amphibians and an unknown number of insects, making it the world's most diverse, arid environment. More than 40% of these species are found nowhere else on Earth.
The world's largest forests of quiver trees or kokerbome - Aloe dichotoma - lie outside Loeriesfontein, Kenhardt and Onseepkans. Owing its name to the San, who used the trunk, branches and its bark to make quivers, the aloe grows to four metres, stores water in its trunk, resists drought and lives for up to 400 years.

Rate and Review : Namakwa in South Africa is a Biodiversity Hotspot

My stomach problems of yesterday had disappeared and I felt as good as new on this gorgeous late May morning. An early highlight of the day was the breakfast on our large balcony in the Torrenova Aparthotel complex. Although the hotel itself is somewhat outdated and not particularly fancy, our view over the Mediterranean was simply precious. By 10 am we had driven from the touristy coastal areas into the quiet mountain town of Calvia which stretches along the foothills of the Tramuntana mountain region. In the middle of town we stopped at the local church, Sant Joan Baptista, a late 19th century church that was built on earlier foundations from the 13th century. Calvia itself is not a very large tourist destination, but an authentic Mediterranean town where locals go about their daily business.

Rate and Review : Mallorca Travel – Sant Elm & Sa Dragonera, Galilea and an Evening Stroll in Palma de Mallorca

Arroyo Guacamaya is one of the closest ecotourism sites to the City of Oaxaca, accessible by private vehicle in about an hour, or public transportation. La Guacamaya has most if not all of the features and attractions of the more distant ecotourism locales in the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, including mountain biking, nature trails for hiking and climbing, streams and waterfalls, lodging, children’s facilities, and a restaurant featuring fresh fish from the local trout farm – all within a community-managed forest promoting sustainable logging operations.

Rate and Review : Ecotourism in Oaxaca: Arroyo Guacamaya, Ixtlan District, Sierra Norte

Springfield, Mo. – A swarm of VW Beetles, buses and buggies will descend on Springfield June 11-12 as GROOVE (General Registry Of Ozarks Volkswagen Enthusiasts) is sponsoring its 16th Annual June Bug Jamboree.

Over the years, the GROOVE June Bug Jamboree has become a staple for VW owners and enthusiasts. The Jamboree will be on the grounds of American Legion Post 639, 2660 S. Scenic Ave. in Springfield. Registration starts at 5 p.m. June 11.

You can still get good travel deals in December. Just in time for the holidays ... SeeTheGlobe.com brings you the specials we find most cost effective. We list only deals that offer very specific steps to a good travel bargain. These are precise coupons, free night offers, percent off for specific properties, dollar amount savings and similar. Absolutely no "savings up to ..." offers, "get the best deal" and anything that does not offer very definitive money savings. Links point to SeeTheGlobe.com pages with more specifics about each deal. Here is a summary of best deals for December:

November's deals are coming in a few days late so not talk, without further ado, here they are ... SeeTheGlobe.com brings you the specials we find most cost effective. We list only deals that offer very specific steps to a good travel bargain. These are precise coupons, free night offers, percent off for specific properties, dollar amount savings and similar. Absolutely no "savings up to ..." offers, "get the best deal" and anything that does not offer very definitive money savings. Links point to SeeTheGlobe.com pages with more specifics about each deal. Here is a summary of best deals for November:

Pilar Cabrera’s world had changed – how she taught her cooking classes, how she ran her restaurant, her vision of her gastronomic future – and she had only been back from her month-long visit to Toronto for 10 days. But outside influences have always played an integral part in the history of Oaxaca’s rich culinary heritage, dating back at least five centuries to the melding of native Zapotec traditions with the import of Old World ingredients during the Spanish Conquest.

We welcome you, oh month of November. While Thanksgiving reigns in November, there are still quite a few noteworthy events to capture your imagination. Before it gets too cold, New York City Marathon offers runners the opportunity to compete for amazing prizes. Sitka WhaleFest celebrates the abundant marine mammal population in this part of Alaska. And if you are in the mood for something completely different, try yourself out at the World Duck Calling Championship or perhaps at the World's Largest Disco. I would like to attend both of those events .... Here is a sampling of interesting events in November of this year 2009 ...

A big storm was forecast for our second day in San Francisco, but so far we had been lucky. Our culinary tour through the North Beach area had gone off without a hitch. Even the sun peeked out here and there. Local food and culture expert Tom Medin who runs Local Taste of the City Tours, provided us with a great introduction to San Francisco and its lifestyle as well as a sampling of the culinary treats on offer in this bustling Italian-flavoured neighbourhood in San Francisco.This three and a half hour tour had not only enhanced our knowledge of San Francisco; the various treats we were offered had also stimulated our taste buds.

We said goodbye to Tom on Washington Square and started heading up a steep street called Filbert Street to explore another San Francisco landmark: the Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill. Walking up the steep incline I was amazed how people are able to park their cars on these streets. As we continued further up the hill, a beautiful view opened up towards downtown San Francisco, crowned by the Transamerica Pyramid. Through the trees we even got glimpses towards the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Rate and Review : Hello from San Francisco - A Bike Ride across the Golden Gate Bridge and Dinner at McCormick & Kulet

American Farmhouse Grill has been receiving some good word of mouth advertising in the South Bay so we decided to give it a try. On this specific day we were in the mood for burgers, steak or something along those lines. We were also not too far from their address at 350 North Sepulveda Blvd. The decision was easy. Let's check out the American Farmhouse Grill. I generally knew where it was located. For those that do not, it is in a super cute small mini mall, sort of Western themed, just North of 5th Street. Parking is plentiful around the restaurant and it is shared with several other establishments.

Rate and Review : Late Lunch at the American Farmhouse Grill in Manhattan Beach, California

I have been watching a lot of local Torrance TV lately. My favorite show is Spotlight Torrance, where reporters visit popular, quirky and cool local establishments. The miniature railroad at Wilson Park was featured recently. It looked very interesting and most promising. Just last weekend we were perusing the local events trying to find a place to visit. I remembered the show and after a quick Internet search found the Southern California Live Steamers club web site. They run the miniature railroad in Torrance and their site had all of the necessary information, the most important being that first Sunday of each month free rides are given from 11am until 3pm and also every third Saturday. Lucky for us this was a first Sunday. We quickly packed our stuff and headed out to Wilson Park.

October is the month when travelers start buying their travel accommodations for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Well, not all travelers, but certainly those looking to get some good deals ahead of time. There is less pressure to buy early on. You might also get to choose your favorite airplane seat. 'Tis the time when all the aisle seats are not yet booked. Check out the deals and perhaps you too will get the urge to book everything in advance and then chill until the holidays .. so to speak ... SeeTheGlobe.com brings you the specials we find most cost effective. We list only deals that offer very specific steps to a good travel bargain. These are precise coupons, free night offers, percent off for specific properties, dollar amount savings and similar. Absolutely no "savings up to ..." offers, "get the best deal" and anything that does not offer very definitive money savings. Links point to SeeTheGlobe.com pages with more specifics about each deal. Here is a summary of best deals for October:

The month of October is here. Fall festivals around the country are in high gear. Almost every town with any German heritage will host an Oktoberfest event. Do not forget the amazing color spectacles of the leaves changing colors in the North East of the US. Halloween is around the corner and pumpkin festivals sprout about as do scary nights and special events not for the faint hearted. Here is a sampling of interesting events in October of this year 2009 ...

Having planned to spend a nice week in the Hamptons on Long Island we were set on enjoying some good seafood in the process. Lobster Rolls are our favorite roadside, or should we say waterside, treat and we searched for places that serve this specialty. One of the most and best reviewed local spots was, wouldn't you know it, the Lobster Roll restaurant. We stopped there after a most pleasant visit to the Montauk Point State Park. Our GPS had it in their list of local seafood restaurants which meant that we would not miss it. It's interesting to note that you cannot actually see the restaurant name from the road. All it says is "Lunch". Ok then.

Rate and Review : Lunch at the Lobster Roll on Long Island, in Amagansett, NY

Start of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada is approaching faster and faster. It's already time for the Olympic Torch Relay. Having participated in one years ago I can only attest to the wonderful atmosphere, positive energy and overall ambiance during these events. If you will be visiting Canada in the next few months, check the schedule and take part, if only clapping your hands as the torch passes by. Here are all of the details provided by the Organizing Committee : Communities, organizers put finishing touches on plans to engage and inspire a nation. Skydivers parachuting in from above, top regional musical performers, giant puppets, a dazzling light show, foot stomping Acadian fiddlin', towering snow and ice sculptures, a huge tepee, as well as a kazoo band: that is just a sampling of the unique local flavour almost 200 torch relay celebration communities plan on showcasing when they welcome the Olympic Flame and potentially the world to their part of the country.