Cycling is a great way to exercise. You get your legs working, as well as your entire cardiovascular system. It’s a thousand times better than driving a car because of many reasons. Some of them are the exercise you get, they’re much greener and help the environment, and you can appreciate the scenery in the meantime.

It’s a great activity to include in your daily life. It’s low on intensity, while still keeping you engaged. You can also feel the meditating effects during long rides where you feel connected to nature while strolling through. However, not all roads were created equal, and your legs can only take you so far. Click here to read more.

If you’ve been cycling before, the first thought that comes up in your mind on a steep hill was probably how to make it easier. Sometimes you may have wished that your bicycle just moved on its own. Well, now it can combine the world of cycling with the world of technology. The new improvement in bikes is adding a motor and a battery to decrease the amount of legwork. And that’s revolutionizing the game.

There are a lot of different types

No matter where you want to go, there’s an e-bike for that purpose. The range is incredible. There are mountain bikes, city ones, folding ones, commuting bikes, and many other subtypes. The beauty lies in their functionality and accessibility. The main difference between all of them is the class they are in.

Three main classes are ranging from one to three. Class one bicycles can only reach speeds of 20 miles per hour, and they have a motor with 750 watts. Class three, on the other hand, can reach speeds up to 28 miles per hour. The motor is the same with 750 watts, which equals one horsepower. Depending on your needs, you can pick a class that will suit you best.

There are a whole lot of motors and batteries

Motors can be silent, or they can be powerful. The major companies that produce them are Yamaha, Bosch, Shimano, and other lesser-known brands. The thing you need to take into consideration is the torque. That lets you know how much power you can get out of it. The more energy there is, the bigger the boost you can get.

As well as the torque, you should also pay attention to the battery life. That’s measured in watt-hours. If you’re going for long-distance rides, then this is what’s vital for you. This metric gives you the idea of the battery life as well as the output. In any case, look for some balance between the torque and the watt-hours. You can read more in this buyer’s e-bike guide for more information.

Other features to look for

Since this is a relatively new industry, you never know what kind of product can hit the market. However, some things will remain universal. Pay close attention to the weight of the battery. It can range from ten to fifteen pounds. When you’re riding in the open, you get an assist, and you won’t feel it. But, if it runs out, then you need to move that extra weight. The same thing goes for carrying the bike up a flight of stairs.

It can get pretty heavy, pretty fast. We recommend keeping the electric bicycle somewhere safe. They are pretty expensive, and you wouldn’t want to wake up one morning and see that it’s gone. If you keep it out in the open, make sure that it’s properly locked in place. View this link for more info: https://momentummag.com/keep-e-bike-safe-secure/

Since they go fast, you want to have wider tires and more reliable brakes. The wider tires will absorb more of the bumps, and that will give you more control. And for the brakes, well, if they are not working correctly, you have no way to stop. You don’t want to get hurt so make a habit of checking them every time before going on longer rides.

A few final words

Getting an electric bicycle may be the best investment you make. You can switch your car for it, and you’ll be doing yourself a favor. Your heart health will improve, and you’ll feel better. As well as that, you’ll be saving the planet of unnecessary carbon dioxide.

The East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are famous for their numerous safari destinations. The countries feature vast stretches of national parks and game reserves that offer splendid opportunities for adventure trippers and nature lovers.

But game drives aren’t the only things that these countries are known for. In this guide, we shall explore the top five most adventurous things to do whenever your dreams take you to East Africa.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

There’s no better place to begin your tour of East Africa than in the territories of some of our distant cousins – the gorillas. Uganda is known for its abundance of mountain gorillas. It’s estimated that there are just about 1000 mountain gorillas still living on earth, and more than half of them are found in Uganda.

Uganda has two national parks that are dedicated to gorilla conservation. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to 17 of the 18 gorilla families living in the country, with the remaining one family residing in Mhahinga National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located across the Albertine Rift Valley and is served with three airfields located at Kihiihi as well as an airfield in Kayonza and Nyakabande. A road trip from Kampala takes roughly 7 h 30 min.

There are four major trekking regions in the park, including Ruhika to the east, Buhoma to the north, Nkuringo to the south, and Rashaga to the west. This activity can be as exciting as watching the Kentucky Derby horse race, as well as it gives you the sense of adrenaline and enthusiasm for nature.

In total, Bwindi contains 90 mammal species, 11 of which are primates. Besides gorillas, another special highlight here is the black-and-white colobus monkey.

Towards the extreme southwestern region of Uganda lies the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. A road trip from Kampala or Entebbe to Mgahinga takes about 8-10.

Though Mgahinga only has one gorilla family, there’s a lot more wildlife to sight within the park.

The best time to consider gorilla trekking in Uganda is during the dry months of June to September and December to February.

Game Drives in Maasai Mara, Kenya

Maasai Mara is Kenya’s defining game reserve. The park is located in the southwestern plains of Kenya, some 280 kilometers from Nairobi. You can drive into the park from the capital, a 6-hour’s scenic road trip that meanders through the dusty Narok plains. However, the fastest way to get to Masai Mara is to take a one-hour flight from the JKIA or Wilson Airport into the Mara Serena Airport.

In 2017, Maasai Mara was feted Africa’s leading game park, and deservedly so. The park is famous for its broad diversity of wildlife, including Africa’s iconic Big 5.

Driving through the grassy Mara plains, you’ll also sight numerous cheetahs, leopards, antelopes, spotted hyenas, zebras, giraffes, hundreds of bird species, to mention but a few.

The best time to visit the Mara is between July and October, during the famous Great Migration. The migration sees over one million wildebeests, about half a million zebras, and thousands of other grazers crossing over from the neighboring Serengeti National Park, in pursuit of greener pastures.

The epicenter of this legendary migration is at the Mara River, which lies directly on the migratory route. As thousands of herds make their crossing, hundreds fall victim to stampede and the resident Nile crocodiles, in one of the most savage scenes in the animal world.

Camping at the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The Serengeti National Park is another excellent destination to go on a wildlife safari in East Africa. The 14,750 square kilometers park is located about 320 kilometers from Arusha. Tourists mostly fly from Arusha to a few airstrips located within and right outside the park, such as Senorera and Serengeti Kusini.

As it overlaps with Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, the Serengeti offers tourists an opportunity to extend their wildlife sightseeing tours into Kenya. But the park’s expansive size mostly makes it ideal for adventure seekers who’re looking to camp in the middle of nature. Indeed, setting a camp at the Serengeti will see you waking up to nothing but the sights and sounds of Mother Nature every morning.

The Serengeti is divided into three sections, all of which are perfect for remote camping. The Southern Serengeti plains, which is characterized by a treeless grassland, is a haven for grazing herds, such as wildebeest, zebras, antelopes, and buffalos. Camping here will also bring you closer to other exotic animals like the rock python and hyrax.

The Western Savanna section, which hosts the Grumeti River, is a favorite camping spot for sighting water dwellers like the Nile crocodiles and the hippopotamus.

Lastly, you can camp at the Northern Serengeti which borders the Mara River if you’re looking to experience the Great Migration.

July to August, which is the period of the Great Migration, is the ideal time to camp at the Serengeti.

Hiking Gorges and Volcanic Sites at Hell’s Gate National Park, Kenya

The Hell’s Gate National Park is located on the floor of the Rift Valley, about 70 km from Nairobi. Visitors generally access the park via road.

Hell’s Gate is famous for the iconic Hell’s Gate Gorge. The gorge is characterized by its red cliffs and contains two major volcanic plugs, namely, the Central Tower and Fischer’s Tower. But hiking this magnificent gorge isn’t the only attraction here. Hell’s Gate is also known for its numerous geothermal highlights, which include sites of extinct volcanoes and natural geysers. The Olkaria Geothermal Station is the main geothermal feature in the park. You can visit this station to uncover how power is generated from hot and pressurized water underground.

Hell’s Gate presents many other opportunities for nature lovers. You can sight several animals during your walking or cycling safaris, including baboons, leopards, gazelles, and over 100 species of birds. Nearby points of interest include the Hippo Point located some 7 km from the park, as well as the imposing Mount Longonot located about 30 km away.

The dry season of June to November is the ideal period to go on hiking, walking or cycling tours of Hell’s Gate.

Climbing the Rwenzori Mountain, Uganda

Rwenzori Mountain is located in Uganda’s south-western region, on the eastern section of the Western Albertine Rift Valley. The mountain is situated some 350 kilometers from Kampala, and a road drive from the city takes about 6 hours. Alternatively, you can take a 30-minutes flight into an airstrip in Kasese and maneuver the rest of the distance by road.

Considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there are lots of activities to do here. However, conquering the third-highest peaks in Africa is surely the most interesting one.

The lower slopes of Rwenzori Mountain are characterized by bamboo, moorland, and moist montane vegetation, just the perfect vegetation for hikers. At the foot of the mountain is the Rwenzori National Park, which teems with all kinds of wildlife. The park is home to 70 mammal species, including four primates and 219 bird species, which include 19 Albertine Rift endemics. Some of the rare inhabitants of Rwenzori National Park include hyrax, chimpanzee, the black-and-white colobus monkeys, and the Rwenzori turaco.

The best months to climb the Rwenzori are the dry seasons between June and August, and between December and February.

Due to its rich abundance of flora and fauna, East Africa never runs out of adventure activities to do and exciting places to explore. However, the ones we’ve highlighted above are sure enough to pique your wanderlust.

 

Traveling the world is one of the most exciting things that anyone can do with their life. Yet, you might worry about missing some of the things that you leave behind.

You are sure to gain new hobbies and interests as you travel, but that doesn’t mean giving up what you already love. The following tips and tools will help you to keep enjoying your favorite hobbies wherever you go.

Take an E-book Reader with You

There are sure to be plenty of opportunities to read as you travel. From long waits in airports to bus trips and quiet nights in your hotel, having a great book to hand can keep your mind occupied.

Taking a physical book or two and then looking for book exchanges along the way isn’t a bad idea. However, you might struggle to find exchanges in some places, or not see any titles that interest you in the book exchanges that you come across.

An e-book reader is a compact device that can store as many books as you want to have with you. A couple of the best-known names in this industry are the Amazon Kindle and the Barnes & Noble Nook.

Follow the Sports Action Online

The thought of not being able to follow your favorite NFL team or keep up to date with the latest news from the NBA might seem too much to bear. If you are used to following sporting action on the TV or by going to games, you need to adapt to being far from home.

You are certain to enjoy finding new sports as you travel. Whether it is soccer games in Europe, cricket in India, or rugby in Australia, there are numerous unmissable sporting events for you to catch while you are exploring the planet.

As for the action from back home, you can easily follow the likes of football news and basketball betting online. Simply bookmark the sites you are interested in and then you can catch up whenever you get a free moment or two.

Edit and Store Your Photos

If you love taking photos then travelling the planet will be like a dream come true. Everywhere you go, you will find incredible photo opportunities that you won’t want to miss. Best of all, if you prefer you can take quality pictures with your cellphone instead of hauling a separate camera around with you.

You should sort out any applications that you need before you go. You might want one that adds filters or that makes it easier to take snaps. Another important point is that of sorting out enough storage space using the likes of Google Photos or Dropbox.

Being able to edit your photos as you travel is also crucial. Otherwise, you could end up with loads of unedited photos to deal with when you get home. Some of the best, professional-quality photo editing apps are Instasize, Google Snapseed, and Adobe Lightroom.

Get Some Art Supplies

Perhaps you prefer to capture your travel experiences using your artistic skills. In this case you might wonder whether it is possible to carry on painting, sketching, or doing whatever else you most enjoy.

The good news is that there are plenty of travel-friendly art supplies out there for you to choose. These include sketchbooks, mechanical pencils, and water color sets. Look for small, robust items that aren’t likely to let you down at a critical moment.

In this way, you will be prepared whenever inspiration strikes you, but won’t need to use too much of your valuable luggage space in doing so.

Australia has a lot of great places and cities in which Melbourne is inevitable. This city is composed of cool architectural structures and hip music and cafes that create a robust arts scene. The narrow lanes were covered with amazing and unique street arts that hide one of a kind beer gardens and restaurants. Consequently, this place mixes well with the imaginative and creative aspects of both the tourists and the locals.

There’s a lot more to do and see in Melbourne. And for those people who are planning to visit the place, compiled below are some of the to-dos and places to check out.

The street art

As being said, Melbourne has a street full of arts and graffiti designs created by the local artists. This is probably the highlight of every tour because the scenery tells more about the culture of the city. Also, instead of clearing it up or covering it with plain paints, the local government has embraced this creativeness and even promoted tour in which travelers got to see these designs while being able to enjoy drinks and cheese in the local cafes and best pub in Melbourne. Moreover, the money obtained from this activity was allocated as a support to the local artists who created the masterpieces.

The Queen Victoria market

Unlike any market, the Queen Victoria market is the combination of a flea market and a food market because this is composed of various knick-knack vendors and food sellers. Although it already has a great food hall, this outdoor vicinity offers bigger variations of food sellers that fill up to the outdoor vending spaces during weekends. As the best sellers for the locals and tourists, wines are also piled up within the market which is sold at cheaper prices and are sometimes even given out for free.

The Royal Botanic Gardens

For people who wanted to unwind and take a break from the crowded city, the Royal Botanic Gardens is a great place to visit. This garden covers more than 86 acres of land and features various species of trees, shrubs, and flowers some of which are from different countries. People could either wander around or stay and relax while reading and drinking some of the city’s local wines. Moreover, tours around the vicinity are also promoted by the local government so that people could have more ideas regarding the place, the plants that grew within, and the culture of the city.

Conclusion

Despite all the other places in Australia, the city of Melbourne is truly one of a kind. This place holds sceneries that would surely awaken the artistic and imaginative sides of the people. Moreover, some of the best pub in Melbourne is located just within its streets lining up together with the city’s local and foreign restaurants and cafes. It is guaranteed that people would be able to enjoy their stay, be satisfied with the local delicacies, and be amazed by the city’s culture.

Author – Ann White

Tourists have marked Costa Rica as the perfect vacation destination because it is a beautiful country in Central America with so much to offer. Between the rainforests, 300 beaches, cloud forests, volcanoes, waterfalls, national parks, wildlife, luxury hotels, spas, restaurants, and more, you will never run out of things to do in this vibrant country. You can even find a great surf camp in Costa Rica if that’s the type of activity you’re into.

Planning a getaway here is a smart move because apart from the touristy spots, the country has a vibrant culture that touches your soul.

The moment you land in the airport, you will see the slogan called “Pura Vida”, which literally means pure life. But after spending some time in this dynamic country and engaging with Ticos, you will realise that it can mean many things like fabulous, welcome, hello, thank you, and more.

But above all else, this slogan is a positive approach to life. Look at the fantastic reasons below why you need to visit this amazing country.

Explore the National Parks

Costa Rica boasts of 27 national parks that are home to 5% of the world’s biodiversity. This is not just all about the jungle, but it also includes cloud forests, coral reefs, rainforests, dry forests, and swampy areas. The government manages the national parks so entrance is sometimes free, or if with a fee, it is very affordable. One of the most popular things that people like to do here is to hike the Tenorio Volcano National Park. There, you can see glorious views of the Celeste waterfalls.

Dare to Discover Various Volcanoes

Most tourists are amazed to hear that Costa Rica is home to 6 active volcanoes and more than 60 dormant ones. The most famous volcano is the Arenal with so many tourists coming to see its majestic form. Apart from hiking its rugged terrain, people like to swim in the geothermal hot springs at its foot. Because of this, there are many lux resorts and spas that take advantage of the all-natural sulphur warmed water with healing properties.

Get to Know a Biodiverse Wildlife

Because the Costa Rican government has made it their mission to allot over 30% of the country to serve as a natural park, there are many natural places for various animal breeds to thrive. Wherever you go in this beautiful country, you will encounter a lot of diverse wildlife. To date, there are over half a million species of animals, including the exotic ones like scarlet macaws and howler monkeys.

Enjoy the Water

With more than 800 miles of pristine shoreline on both the Caribbean and Pacific sides of the country, Costa Rica has many beach resorts and water activities for you to enjoy. You could go to a surf camp in Costa Rica if you’ve got your heart set out on a thrilling adventure to ride the waves. There is also snorkelling, scuba diving, boating, banana boating, jet skiing, parasailing, and more. If you enjoy a tamer activity, you may want to go to Tamarindo to look at sea turtles or to sunbathe in the powdery white beaches.

Try Local Coffee

If you need a caffeine fix, you will be happy to know that Costa Rica is known to serve some of the best coffee in the world. This place is a haven for java lovers. Ticos themselves drink at least six cups of coffee in a day. Coffee plantations abound, with the coffee industry as one of the primary driving forces of their economy.

Final Word

There are so many more attractions to explore, do, and see in Costa Rica. Immerse yourself in the “Pura Vida” way of life, so you can come home relaxed and refreshed ready to face your days with a bright smile on your face. After all, this is the true essence of a vacation. You need a breather so you can learn to appreciate the blessings that abound in your own life even more.

 

Author – James Corbin

Guest Author: Darren Wilson

Everybody gets excited when an upcoming vacation is approaching. With all the excitement, people may forget to plan and end up not having a relaxing time at all. So if you are headed to a pool villa in Bali for a vacation, do not let your eagerness and excitement get the better of you. Do a little research about the area first so that you can know what to do and what not to do in Bali.

Here are some tips to help you out on your Bali vacation.

Dress like a local

Bali is a tourist trap. Bali locals can easily smell a first-time tourist in their country. So if you do not want to be swarmed by locals that force-sell their trinkets on you, then dress not to impress. Instead, dress like a local and try to blend in by keeping a low profile.

Bali weather is also warm all year round, so if you are spending time in Bali, do not pack too many pants. They will probably end up inside your pool villa in Bali since you would rather wear shorts the whole time you are there.

Know proper Balinese etiquette

Bali is filled with old temples. Although they have become famous tourist attractions, these temples are still the sites for religious practices and traditions. Dress modestly and appropriately when visiting Balinese temples. Do not go inside temples wearing anything but a bikini as this may be offensive to the locals. Temple guests are required to wear clothing that covers the shoulders and the upper arms. When entering a temple, it is a best practice to wear a traditional Balinese sarong. Also, do not be loud and boisterous when visiting temples since other people may be there for prayers.

General safety tips

 

• Pickpockets. Although a lot of people call Bali “paradise,” it also has its share of snakes and hazards. Areas filled with tourists are also filled with unscrupulous individuals who would take advantage of a naïve tourist. Be careful with pickpockets and always carry your wallet and relevant documents on the front portion of your body so that you can quickly feel them.

 

• Taking the taxi. When travelling from your pool villa to other Bali locations, walk if you can. However, if you must take a taxi ride, then ask for referrals to which taxi company to trust. It is a harsh reality that there are taxi drivers in Bali that are dishonest and would try to cheat you into paying for higher fares.

 

• Money changing. When in Bali, be careful when you need to change your money into their local currency. There are always dishonest money changers that will fleece you with your hard-earned money. If you can, avoid having your money changed in the uncertified shops. Also, try to use international credit cards whenever you can. If you need to change your money, ask the hotel front desk to convert your money for you. Pool villa Bali Hotels usually have lower exchange rates as compared to the money changers.

 

• Smoking. If you are a heavy smoker, limit your smoking to the confines of your pool villa in Bali. Bali has recently passed a “smoke-free” law in most public areas. If you need to smoke, it is a good practice to ask your hotel’s concierge if it is allowed or ask for the location of the smoking area.

 

Remember to research first on Balinese culture and customs before visiting so that you will have a worry-free vacation.

 

Guest Author: Darren Wilson

Nowadays, people cannot live without their mobile devices. You can quickly get in touch with your friends, relatives and business associates with mobile phones. For business, having a mobile phone allows you to reach your colleagues, suppliers, clients and other stakeholders. However, when you have to travel abroad either for work or leisure, you can opt to activate your mobile network’s roaming services.

Activating your roaming service may result in an expensive phone bill. Luckily, you can minimize your phone bill with international sim cards such as a USA Sim Card when you are planning to travel to another country. Here are some of the advantages of having a USA Sim Card.

Device Compatibility

Travel sim cards are compatible with almost any type of GSM mobile device that requires a sim card. Mobile phones differ in the sizes of sim cards that they accept. Fortunately, sim cards come in three cut sizes, namely: standard sim card, micro sim card, and Nano sim card. Travel sim cards are also pre-activated, which means that you can use them immediately after you land in your country of destination.

You Pay Local Rates

When you purchase a USA sim card for your travel, you will be issued a US mobile number. This means that you only pay the local USA call rates. This is much cheaper than paying international roaming rates when you use your network’s roaming service. Having a USA sim card will allow you to save up some money.

Free Incoming Calls

When you have a travel sim card, you can receive incoming calls without having to worry about costs. The USA sim card comes with unlimited incoming and outgoing calls to US numbers. You can also use it to make phone calls in Australia because the sim comes with unlimited incoming and outgoing calls to Australian landline and mobile numbers.

Prepaid Only

Another advantage of a USA sim card when travelling to the US is that you get to pay for the calls and data usage that you use. You do not have to worry about hidden charges. USA sim cards give enough data for free to cover all your calls and data usage for the length of your US stay. However, the USA sim card can only be used for a maximum period of 30 days. If you need to stay longer than 30 days you can always bring extra USA sim cards with you.

Better than Local Sim Card

Although you may opt to purchase a local sim card once you land in the US, it might not be such a good idea. That’s because some stores may require you to provide proof of residency to purchase a local sim card. With a USA sim card, you immediately know the number you are going to be using once you land in the US. You can already let your friends and relatives know of your US number. When you purchase a local sim card from the US, your friends in Australia will have to pay international rates when they want to get in contact with you while you are away.

So always prepare before leaving for the US, purchase one or two USA sim cards so that you can still be reached by your loved ones even when you are travelling.

Los Angeles, CA, is a city everyone should visit at least once. However, there is so much more to do in the city than just one visit will allow. Home of Hollywood and known as the city of angels and the city of sunshine, LA has so much more to offer than you may think. If you are planning a trip soon either by yourself or with friends and family, here are eight reasons to make Los Angeles your destination.

1. Stay in Style with a Rented Apartment

A great way to see Los Angeles or any city is to rent an apartment or room via a service such as Airbnb. These services allow you to experience the city the way a local would rather than paying for an expensive hotel. There are beautiful spaces to rent right in the city center, which will allow you to walk around like a true LA native. You should always exercise caution when renting a room. Look up your host on Go Look Up to view any public records or arrests they may have, and rest easy knowing you have the comfort of information on your future host.

2. See All-Star Comedy Shows

One of the big draws of Los Angeles is their all-star comedy scene. Go see an open mic at The Comedy Store or the Laugh Factory, and be prepared for some famous faces to pop up for one night only and treat you with laughs.

3. Go Star-Seeing

As many know, there are hosts of celebrities who live in the city of angels. There are even tours you can take which will show you the neighborhoods where many of the stars live. See if you can spot any famous folks or grab a few amateur paparazzi shots.

4. Hit the Beach

Los Angeles has almost 70 miles of coastline, meaning you will never be at a loss if you are looking for a beach day. Grab your best swimsuit and catch some rays at Santa Monica Pier or Venice Beach. Or, travel a short way to Malibu for some delicious fresh seafood and an afternoon at a more peaceful shore.

5. Sample Delicious Cocktails at Luxurious Bars

Los Angeles is home to tons of bars with celebrity chefs and mixologists offering the latest in hot cocktail trends. Treat yourself at Genever and sample some of the best gin cocktails in the country. However, there is always much more to do on vacation than drink alcohol. If you or anyone in your vacation crew are struggling with alcohol addiction or substance issues, look up drug rehab in Los Angeles. You or your friend can visit CAST Centers at 630 N Doheny Dr., West Hollywood, CA 90069 Phone: (323) 457-8208.

6. Enjoy the Beautiful Weather

A huge reason to visit Los Angeles and a reason many people move there is the beautiful weather year-round. Often, temps are in the 60s and 70s Fahrenheit, meaning you can spend more time outside seeing what the city has to offer.

7. Be a Museum-Goer at Some of the Top Galleries

While LA itself is very full of art, vibrancy, and culture, it is also home to many established museums. Some of the most renowned and popular museums are the Getty Center, the Natural History Museum, and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Learn something new and be enriched by the beautiful art and cultural artifacts housed in those walls.

8. Shop ‘Til You Drop

LA has one of the best shopping districts you could hope for in Melrose Place. Additionally, the city is home to several vintage shops and traditional mall stores, meaning you are sure to leave LA with at least one new fashionable outfit.