Archive for the 'Windsurfing' Category

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One week in Namibia barely scratches the surface. ArcticTropic was there in October, 2013 for the Adventure Travel Trade Association annual conferences in the capital city of Windhoek and the small seaside city of Swakopmund. At least weeks is needed to see the country properly.

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Explora Parques , led by Ramón Ossa Federico took ArcticTropic on an adventurous excursion to Parque Nacional El Leoncito. The first activity was dry land sailing on Barreal Blanco, a dry lake bed located at the foot of the  Andes.  The video above was taken as we drove at 100 mph ‘160 kph across the lake bed.

The lake bed is parched as it rains or snows only a couple of times a year.

No sound except for the wind.

The wind dies down, so the sailing is a bit slow.

The technique is not much different than water sailing.

Entrance to the giant park.

A valley oasis.

Complejo Astronómico El Leoncito (CASLEO), where we will vist at sunset.

A cooling waterfall. There may well be gold in the rocks.

Will almost no rain,these rocks take eons to form.

Springtime in the oasis.

Some rare clouds.

The park is near the Chilean border – the mountains offer huge mining potential as well.

As darkness fell around 8 PM we arrived at Complejo Astronómico El Leoncito (CASLEO). There are three times as many stars to view in the Southern Hemisphere than in the Northern Hemisphere. The high Andean deserts in Chile and Argentina offer the best viewing in the world  due to high altitude,clear air and a total lack of light pollution due to being one of the more remote areas of the world. Even with some volcanic dust in the air from Peyhuehe the viewing was incredible. Above is a photo taken with a radioteescope.

Comet Halley in 1986.

Planet Venus in the West.

The radio telescope is for the astronomers only. We were treated to views from a smaller but very powerful telescope outside. The roof above retracts.

We saw many galaxies billions of light years away. The highlight , however was seeing Jupiter and a few of its’moons.
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Yesterday’s Midwest Cyclone packed 70 mile per hour winds from North Dakota to New York State. Lake Michigan,home to the best fresh water surfing in the world,had waves approaching 12 feet. Ingrid Lindfors, a top surfer and professional photographer took these photos in her hometown of Grand Haven.

Grand Haven features many tournaments throughout the year.

The best way out to the waves. To see more of Ingrid’s photography visit her Website – Ingrid Lindfors Photography.

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Margarita Island is about 40 miles off the coast of mainland Venezuela. The desert climate and rugged landscape reminds one of Arizona,surrounded by the translucent Caribbean. Constant winds in the 30 mph range every afternoon create some of the world’s best windsurfing and kiteboarding conditions.

The current political climate has slowed foreign travel to a trickle – meaning great prices for those who do go. Recently the price for a beach front resort – including double room, windsurfing,sailing,tennis,all meals and Venezuelan rum and beer was $50 a night.ArcticTropic already has several Venezuela adventure travel providers – go now !