IE Blog
Travel Tips: Flip-Flops on Safari
If you travel on one of IE's Kenya and Tanzania safaris during April or May, bring an extra pair of shoes for inside your tent at our mobile tented camp. Flip-flops are perfect! Shoes can get muddy in East Africa's green season and a pair of shoes for inside help keep mud out of your tent. So, you might be asking, why travel on an East Africa safari during the green season if it is muddy? Easy! During the green season, safaris are less expensive AND the parks and reserves are less crowded!
What unexpected items do you pack for safaris? Let us know in the comments below.
Thanks to IE Director of Program Development Bill Robison for this great tip!
- emily's blog
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Amazon Tails: Green Iguana
The green iguana is one of the iconic species of the neotropical rainforest. This species has an extensive range stretching from Northern Central America southward throughout the Amazon Basin. They’ve also been introduced in South Florida, as well as the lower Rio Grande area of South Texas. Green iguanas are the largest lizard in the Amazon Basin, including the Peruvian Amazon, and large males may reach six feet in length. Females are considerably smaller, reaching about four feet in length.
Unfortunately, the green iguana has been collected over a wide range for the U.S. and European pet trade. Most baby iguanas do not survive due to very poor husbandry. The few that do survive, once reaching four, five or even six feet in length typically are not good pets as they require huge cages and tend not to be friendly. Bites from a large iguana may result in serious injury. I have a very large male that is an incredible gentle giant. This animal is used in reptile programs, and is often the star of the presentation.
Along the river bank of the Amazon and its tributaries, watch carefully in the trees and especially in the large vine mats hanging down to the water’s edge. These are favorite “hangouts” for iguanas which IE’s local naturalists are familiar with, so hopefully every Amazon cruise guest will be fortunate enough to find a big male iguana basking in the tropical sun.
What a Male!
What are most striking about iguanas are the males of the species. A huge male is an amazing creature with a very large dewlap that hangs very low from the throat. They also exhibit a long row of spines down the back from the neck to the base of the tail. The tail is long and in many individuals, banded in colors of greenish olive and brown. The body of a male iguana may be olive early in the morning before they have had time to warm up, but once warming occurs, they may become bright orange with large bluish cheeks.
Special Diet
Green iguanas are basically herbivorous, but will also eat bird’s eggs, baby birds and young rodents when they can find them. Interestingly, in captivity, it is important not to provide too much protein in the diet of an iguana as they are very prone to health problems as a result too much protein in their diet.
Another very interesting characteristic of the iguana is the presence of a parietal eye or “third eye” — a whitish diamond shape feature in the top of the head. The parietal eye is photo-sensitive and tells this lizard when to wake up, and can detect shadows, possibly warning the lizard of a predator above them, such as a hawk or eagle.
Naturalist Greg Greer is a favorite among IE travelers, and has gained a reputation for his friendliness and good humor, along with his incomparable knowledge of natural history, photos and articles have been widely published in books and magazines, including Georgia Outdoor News, Bird Watcher’s Digest, Alabama Outdoor News, Riversedge and Southern Wildlife.
Guest Haiku: A Hunting Osprey
While part of IE's Cuba travel program in January, Jim Smith wrote a series of poems about his experience. Read other poems in the series here.
osprey spiraling
swooping claws snag water’s prey
flapping fish in flight
While taking a boat ride up a tributary of a canal, we watched an osprey flying nearby with a fish in its claws. The osprey landed on a leafless tree crown and, guarding its catch, observed us from the distance. January 22, 2013 - Boca de Guama, Cuba
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Ice Creams Beans with IE's Director of Operations
International Expeditions' Director of Operations Tara Ellison took a moment to check-in from Iquitos, Peru, where she is spending a week on our Amazon River cruise.
This morning, we visited the local market in Indiana, Peru, seeing lots of exotic fruits and fish. Because it is high water season in the Amazon, the steps leading to the city from the river are covered with water. The local children were taking advantage of this by splashing and swimming there. We also had a chance to try a local fruit called "ice cream bean." It was really sweet and juicy. Then it was off to board Motokarts for a drive to the other side of the city! Once there a boat was waiting to take us for a visit to the Canopy Walkway, which IE helped to build. If you haven't seen the jungle from 10 stories above the rainforest floor - what are you waiting for? What a day!
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Grapsus Grapsus: Sally Lightfoot Crab
The Sally Lightfoot crab is one of the world’s most beautiful crabs. Wow, how often does one hear the two words “beautiful” and “crab” in the same sentence? Well, this is certainly deserved as this hand-sized crab is ornately colored with red, orange, purple and blue coloration. These gorgeous creatures abound throughout the Galapagos Islands, and their typical niche is right at the tide’s edge on lava rocks. It does not matter if it is high tide, low tide, daylight or dark these crabs are at work feeding on algae.
It is easy to tell adult and young Sally Lightfoots apart. The adults are colorful, while young Sally lightfoots are very dark, almost black, which allows them camouflage on the lava substrates. The adults have very keen vision and will run quite rapidly when approached. The large adults also have large pinchers that can give a good nip should a person be foolish enough to try and capture them.
If you are traveling to the archipelago on International Expeditions’ Galapagos Islands cruises, there are several landing sites where Sally Lightfoots are very common. From a distance, it is very strange to see the black lava shoreline covered in what may appear as moving Christmas ornaments. As one gets closer, it becomes apparent: OMG those are crabs! Upon closer inspection, either through the zoom lens of a camera or preferably through binoculars, the observer becomes aware of one of the wonders of nature — a stunning crab capable of clinging to rocks that are slippery as glazed ice. Yes, the Sally Lightfoot is a crab one must see to believe. And please, on your next visit to the islands, take just a little time from watching sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies and other amazing vertebrates of the islands took take a look at some of the smaller residents. I do believe you will be rewarded by looking at these amazing creatures of the tide line.
Naturalist Greg Greer is a favorite among IE travelers, and has gained a reputation for his friendliness and good humor, along with his incomparable knowledge of natural history, photos and articles have been widely published in books and magazines, including Georgia Outdoor News, Bird Watcher’s Digest, Alabama Outdoor News, Riversedge and Southern Wildlife.
Top 5 Things to Bring to Cuba
Often when traveling abroad, the packing list suggestions are primarily related to plug adaptors and the right shoes. But after months of offering people-to-people Cuba travel programs, International Expeditions’ experts put together this helpful list of the five most important things to bring with you to this historic place. As you might imagine, legal travel to Cuba has a very specialized list of things to “pack.”
- Flexibility
Even for experienced globe trotters, travel to Cuba is unlike anywhere else in the world. Your accommodations, activities and more can change daily, varying greatly from the printed IE itinerary. Those who travel with an open mind will be much happier with their experience. When the hours of a restaurant magically change, you may end up at a privately owned paladar sampling delicious food while chatting with this new breed of Cuban entrepreneurs. If a museum isn't open at the intended time for a visit, your Cuban guide may arrange extra time on the trail with a conservation specialist. In short, flexibility is the key!
- Toilet paper
Resources that we view as basic necessities can be scarce in Cuba. While toilet paper will always be found in your hotel room, this is not necessarily the case while traveling throughout the country. Bring some tissues and you'll be prepared in any situation!
- Gifts
If you feel so inclined, gifts are incredibly appreciated in Cuba where, again, resources are limited. Toiletries, schools supplies, and gently used clothing will all be greatly welcomed. You can bring notebooks for the local school you visit or leave extra shampoo and soap for the chambermaid. Just know that Cubans are incredibly resourceful and will always maximize the usage of whatever you may bring.
- Your Own Bottle of Hot Sauce
If you thought Cuban food was the spicy mix of frituras de malanga and melty Cuban sandwiches — think again! Part of the Cuba travel experience lies in sampling the many culinary offerings, and modern Cuba is not known for its inventive culinary scene. The primary staples of a meal are still rice and beans, and many meals may not offer a wide range of vegetables. However, when we stop at an organic farm in the Viñales Valley, you enjoy a range of delicious farm-to-table dishes.
- Cash
When you travel to Cuba, it’s important to carry cash. American credit and debit cards cannot be used unless your cards are not connected with an American bank in any way. All souvenirs, gratuities, bar tabs and hotel extras have to be paid in CUCs (Cuban Convertible Pesos). IE recommends bringing around $700 unless you know you’ll be shopping for art, for example, and will need more. You may not spend this much, there is no way to get more money should you need it. Of course, the cost of IE’s people-to-people Cuba travel program already includes all your activities, visitor visa, accommodations, 25 meals, two drinks at group lunches and dinners, bottled water and tips to porter, day guides and waiters.
Thanks to Cuba guest Jack Grove for this photo!
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3 Must-Use Travel Apps
The days of printed guidebooks seem to have gone the way of cassettes, and smart phones have made us more savvy travelers. Check out these free popular apps - each recommended by the experts at MedjetAssist - to make your travels easier.
- Gate Guru: A must have for anyone navigating a busy airport, Gate Guru provides ratings of many of the top airports in addition to maps, amenities, security wait times and restaurant reviews.
- Google Translate: Google Translate can translate words and phrases in more than 60 languages. For more common dialects, you have the option to listen to the translation spoken aloud or display the translation for others to read. You can even bookmark most commonly used translations for easy access.
- World Customs & Cultures: Brush up on the customs of countries you will be visiting. World Customs & Cultures provides information for over 165 countries including greetings, eye contact, personal space and gestures.
Have an app you don't leave home without? Let us know in the comment section below.
Look in the Leaves for Katydids
Leaf-mimic katydids are one of the marvelous designs of nature that IE guests typically observe during nocturnal walks on Amazon rainforest trails. These insects, which are comprised of a number of at least 13 different genera and over 100 species, have been described from Central and South America.
These insects are incredibly camouflaged as they rest on foliage by day…looking just like a leaf. Some mimic green leaves, while others mimic dead leaves and many actually will have spots on them like lichen or even notches in their wings that make them look like they’ve been chewed upon by an insect.
Overall, leaf-mimic katydids are basically nocturnal but with flashlight in hand, visitors often find these wonderfully adapted creatures as they perch on leaves or tree limbs, often very low to the ground. Katydids are also very vocal insects, and many of the loud choruses heard at night along the Amazon and its tributaries are the calls of numerous species of male katydids. There are just a couple of species where the females call as well but this is certainly an exception.
Leaf-mimic katydids feed on leaves and many have fairly sharp mandibles adapted for chewing the edges of fairly thick or dense leaves. Although the leaf mimic katydids are quite harmless, there is one cone-headed katydid — called a “Thorny Devil” — with massive mandibles capable of biting and breaking the skin of hands that may be inclined to pick one up.
Naturalist Greg Greer is a favorite among IE travelers, and has gained a reputation for his friendliness and good humor, along with his incomparable knowledge of natural history, photos and articles have been widely published in books and magazines, including Georgia Outdoor News, Bird Watcher’s Digest, Alabama Outdoor News, Riversedge and Southern Wildlife.
Hot-Air Ballooning Over the Serengeti
You arrive in the hours of darkness just prior dawn. The sounds of the Serengeti are still the sounds of the night shift. A hyena whoops and others reply. A bushbaby screams in the distance. A male lion roars in short multiple roars as he smells a receptive lioness off in the darkness.
Then, a bright flame and forceful roar breaks the sounds of the African darkness as the big hot-air balloon begins to inflate. Impressively, the filling of the huge balloon does not take long and soon the towering balloon is only confined to earth by tethered lines. The pilot boards the basket followed by guests, who quickly board the basket with great anticipation of what soon will happen…the gently lifting of the balloon as it defies gravity. And as the balloon rises, the sun also rises and gradually illuminates the balloon. A gorgeous glow comes over the Serengeti.
First, the tops of the tallest acacias are brightened, and in one acacia a number of vultures have their wings spread as they are eager to warm themselves after a chilly night. As the balloon ascends, the vastness of the plains becomes very apparent. There are animals scattered about, some in small herds, some in family groups while others are entirely by themselves. There is a herd of elephants moving towards the river. A few cows have young calves, and thus the herd is moving slowly to ensure that the youngsters can keep pace. A lone giraffe is browsing on acacias having to stretch the full length of its neck to get to some leaves as the browse line is already at giraffe height from previous browsing by these tallest of African animals. There are also a few hippos returning to the Mara River, having wandered a little too far from the river in their nightly foraging and they did not make it back before the sun shone brightly. Everywhere there are impala, zebra, wildebeest and the occasional topi antelope, many of which are perched on termite mounds to get a better view of their surroundings. Each time the burner is shut down, the only sounds are the sounds made by the myriad of wildlife below and by the “oooos” and “ahhhhhs” of excited guests within the basket of the balloon. A hot-air balloon safari is a magnificent way to learn a little more about Africa. And to top it off, a Champagne breakfast mysteriously awaits upon landing…often many miles from your take off point.
Did you add a hot-air balloon ride to your East Africa safari? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!
Naturalist Greg Greer is a favorite among IE travelers, and has gained a reputation for his friendliness and good humor, along with his incomparable knowledge of natural history, photos and articles have been widely published in books and magazines, including Georgia Outdoor News, Bird Watcher’s Digest, Alabama Outdoor News, Riversedge and Southern Wildlife.
Local Library Serves Amazon's Children
International Expeditions' Director of Operations Tara Ellison took a moment to check-in from Iquitos, Peru, where she is preparing to spend a week on our Amazon River cruise.
Today we visited a library on the Amazon founded in 1999 by Dr. Nancy Dunn for the local children. Free lending libraries are uncommon in this part of the world. As you can see, it's high water here in the Amazon. It was worth wading through the water to visit with these children! While this is officially the local library, there are also after-school programs, spelling bees, music classes and even computer classes. The library currently serves 12 surrounding communities. Once a child reads 50 books, they get to pick a book to take home with them to keep. The top reader last year read 650 books! The library also offers scholarships to university. Books are very expensive in Iquitos, and many of the children who came to the library when it first opened had never seen a book before. I asked the local director what the most popular book had been this year. It turns out, Peru isn't that different from the U.S., the most popular book was The Hunger Games.
