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Private Notes
Traveller Justine Shapiro's journey through the Holy Land begins in Tel Aviv where she joins the Israeli population celebrating the start of Shabbat. Traditionally Friday night is spent with the family, but Justine finds there's a thriving clubbing scene in Israel's capital.
The first leg of her journey takes her north of Tel Aviv to the holy city of Safed where she learns about Jewish mysticism and spend time working with other travellers on a kibbutz near the Golan Heights.
These two former Soviet Republics are in the heart of Central Asia in a vast inaccessible wilderness, surrounded by harsh deserts and high mountains. It was once the site of the ancient caravan routes and its towns were oases on the Great Silk Road of the East.
Justine Shapiro uncovers 4 of China’s hidden provinces, only recently opened to travellers, from the beauties of Moon Hill, Yangshuo, to rare tribes in Guiyang, bustling markets in Chengdu and trekking in Songpan.
Justine Shapiro travels through South India, an enchanting land of Hindu Temples, hill forts, pigeon English and vegetarianism which has become a favourite destination for backpackers.
Ian Wright's journey to the Arctic takes him through the volcanic landscapes of Iceland and the frozen wilderness of Greenland.
Beginning in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, Ian joins the crew of a replica Viking ship to learn about Iceland's history and Viking ancestors. He then sets out for a plane journey to Vatnajokul, but the unpredictable Icelandic weather proves a major obstacle and the plane is grounded. Travelling east, Ian hitches a lift to the natural wonders of Gulfoss, a 32 metre waterfall and Geysir, where boiling water is shot 20 metres in the air every 3 minutes.
Ian's next adventure is tasting the local delicacy - fermented shark. The shark is left in rock covered boxes for two months and then hanging for several more. As if this isn't enough, the shark is accompanied by Icelandic potato wine, known as Black Death.
A short place trip north-east takes Ian to Greenland, the largest island in the world and the most northerly country. The landscape is rugged, dramatic and at times, forbidding but the Inuit, or Eskimo people have survived thousands of harsh winters. Ian joins an Inuit family in Ammassalik for a dinner of raw seal liver. Ammassalik is also the starting point for the highlight of Ian's trip to Greenland: an action-packed dog-sledding trip across the snowfields.
From Ammassalik Ian travels to Isotoq, a small piece of land in the fjords of the south west coast which is the site of Greenland's only reindeer farm. The harsh conditions here mean there is little else to eat, so reindeer is the main source of food. Nuuk, the capital of Greenland is rather more hospitable. Here Ian visits a school in an abortive attempt to learn the native Greenlandic language, then heads for the bay to join local fishermen sea kayaking.
For the final leg of his trip, Ian joins Ono Rasmussen, grandson of the great Arctic explorer Knud Rasmussen, on an Arctic safari. They head off from Illulissat cross country skiing and spend the night in an
Justine Shapiro heads for Turkey – a land fusing many people, continents, culture and religions from East and West, discovering great food, ancient history and bustling markets.
Ian Wright explores New York, one of the world's greatest cities, which is situated on the East Coast of the United States. He visits not only the famous landmarks but also lesser known attractions which are rarely visited by tourists.
Ian's New York experience begins at the city's most enduring and evocative symbol - The Statue of Liberty. Two million foreign tourists visit New York every summer and no trip would be complete without seeing this sight.
Then after checking into Manhattan's Gershwin Hotel, patronised by models and socialites, Ian takes a taxi to the Lower East Side. The taxi driver gives Ian some lessons in New York Attitude - you are not only welcome to be as obnoxious as you please but it's actually expected of you. Be specific and decisive, but don't forget to tip...
Ian goes shopping for trainers in preparation for a basketball game in Washington Square Park, and later in Central Park he has a go at the ultimate New York exercise - rollerblading. That evening Ian goes out and experiences New York's hectic nightlife.
Ian hangs with the homeboys in Harlem and the Bronx before moving on to Brooklyn where he plays dominoes in a Puerto Rican cassita. Finally he heads to Coney Island beach, best known for its gruesome freak shows and fairground rides, but also an ideal spot to soak away the cares of city life.
Before leaving New York Ian takes a helicopter ride over Manhattan by all accounts the world's most spectacular city skyline and the perfect way to end a hectic week in this incredible city.
Ian Wright’s African adventure takes him from the historic slavery island of Zanzibar to Tanzania, from bustling Dar Es Salaam to fantastic wildlife, nature and treks – tackling the mighty Kilimanjaro.
Traveller Ian Wright's explores the Rocky Mountain States of South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Steeped in myths and legends of Native Indians and cowboys, Ian sets out on a journey to find out how the West was really won.
Ian begins his journey in the Badlands of South Dakota - learning the history and culture of the Lakota Indians on the Pine Ridge Reservation. After staying a night in a teepee, Ian heads for the Black Hills, where 60 million years of erosion have created a honeycomb of tunnels and caves. Ian goes potholing with experienced caver Stan, exploring the endless caverns that make up the Wind Caves.
Ian's next stop is the Indian holy mountain of Bear Butte. This is the place where the Sioux gather to pray and pay homage to the spirits.
From Bear Butte, Ian travels north to the town of Deadwood near the border with Wyoming. Deadwood was once a wealthy gold mining town, but now the main source of income is the gaming parlours along the main street. Ian tries his hand at poker and hears stories about the legends of the 'Wild West' from one of the local cowboys.
Just outside Deadwood, Ian joins cowboy Dave at the Dude Ranch and tries the local delicacy - bull calf gonads - euphemistically known as Rocky Mountain Oysters.
On next leg of Ian's journey he drives through Montana to Jackson Hole. He dons his leathers, joins a group of Harley Davidson bikers and hits the open road to take in more of the spectacular scenery the region offers.
En route to Jackson Hole, Ian stops off at the historic site of Little Bighorn where General Custer fell to the Sioux Indians. Arriving in Jackson Hole, Ian goes gliding over the Teton Mountains. He hooks up with a local who takes him to the world famous Yellowstone National Park and Whitefish for a few quick lessons in the art of snowboarding.
At the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho Ian witnesses an authentic Pow wow - a spectacular song and dance ceremony performed by the Nez Perce to honour their
Ian Wright's journey down the length of Chile takes him from the driest desert in the world to the southern-most point before the Antarctic Ocean. Nearly three thousand miles of stunning countryside encompass a vast and beautiful country with a variety of terrains and climates.
The scorching aridity of the Atacama Desert is a great preserver of history and Ian sees beautiful hillside geolyths made hundreds of years ago and ancient mummies, their glossy black hair still neatly braided.
From the northern deserts where the llama farmers continue their forefathers ways; to the modern technology of the largest telescope in the world; to the spectacle of a pilgrimage of thousands of devotees... finally reaching the countryís geographical and commercial centre - Santiago.
From Santiago Ian continues south to Temuco on a luxurious wood panelled 1930's train to visit the indigenous Mapuche Indians who still struggle to retain their own language and identity in their on-going fight against Chilean colonisation. Nearby, across the lakes and volcanoes, live 8th generation German ex-pats who have been allowed to retain their native language along with their distinctive architecture, music and strudel.
Patagonia is penguin country. The wind and weather conditions here can be brutal but the astounding natural beauty of the glacier-streamed mountains in Torres del Paine National Park more than makes up for the chill factor.
Nearing the end of his trip, Ian flies north to Robinson Crusoe Island, named after Daniel Defoe's famous novel Robinson Crusoe, which was set there. He finds it's not as exotic and palm-lined as the book would have you believe, but the local people are hospitable and lobsters are excellent.
Finally, 2,000 miles west of Santiago, Ian ends his journey on Easter Island, the most remote inhabited place on earth. The people here are Polynesians who are segregated from mainland Chileans and the island is also home to huge protective moais that cont
Intrepid traveller Ian Wright begins his journey down the peninsular of Baja California in the border town of Tijuana. This is the place where hundreds of thousands of Mexicans risk their lives every year attempting to cross into the United States. Ian is challenged to run through no-man's land and having survived the armed air and land patrol he begins hitching south on Baja's only highway.
After miles of uninterrupted cacti, Ian has a sea-spray shower at one of the world's best blowholes, and then ends the first part of his adventure at San Quintin - a typical Baja one-horse town. The only accommodation available in San Quintin is a faded hotel originally built for Hollywood stars.
After a short stop in the beautiful Bahia de Los Angeles, where travellers sleep in huts on the beach Ian continues south on the back of a motorbike, through more desert landscapes to the mission oasis of San Ignacio. Here the over zealous religious imperialism of the Catholic missionaries is evident: the cemetery holds the remains of the indigenous people who refused to convert.
One of the highlights of Ian's journey is a whale watching trip with two local fishermen in Mulege. Not content with simply swimming around the tiny boat, the whales actually come close enough for Ian to touch them.
Ian also goes in searches of the perfect beach, experiences a true ranchero style dance - complete with a hangover the following morning, and enters into the spirit of a wild and hedonistic carnival at La Paz on Baja's southern tip.
The last part of Ian's journey involves a ferry ride east across the Sea of Cortez to mainland Mexico, where he ventures into the stunning Copper Canyon.
Here he meets real cowboys who give him very useful lessons on picking up senoritas. Finally, Ian climbs high into the mountains where he is privy to an ancient ceremony of the cave dwelling Tarahumara Indians - the ritualistic killing of a goat - something which has rarely been witnessed before by a w
West Africa is one of the poorest but most culturally diverse regions. For decades many parts of West Africa were under French rule and a strong connection with France still exists today.
Traveler Justine Shapiro visits three former French colonies: Benin, Burkina Faso andMali, travelling north from the old slave coast into the Sahara ending her journey at the legendary city of Timbuktu.
Mediterranean islands Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily are the stepping stones between Europe and Africa. Ian Wright begins his journey on the French island of Corsica, throwing himself into every water sport imaginable before heading for the cooler climes of the mountains. Mountains cover a third of Corsica and hikers flock to the peaks and gorges in the Valley of Restonica.
From the mountains Ian heads south to Ajaccio. It is the birthplace of the famous French ruler, Napoleon, a fact which you can't escape in this small town where every shop, cafe, restaurant plays on the 'Napoleon theme'.
The Italian island of Sardinia is Ian's next port of call, but he has his work cut out to get there: he finds a yacht at the Corsican port of Bonifacio and Ian pays his way to Sardinia as a deck hand/assistant chef.
The mountain village of Sedilo is where the S'Ardia takes place, a two day festival in honour of Saint Constantine. Sardinians have a long tradition of fine horsemanship and a high-speed race through the narrow streets is the main feature of the festival.
The best way to see Sardinia is by car, so Ian rents an old Fiat Topolino and drives east to Orgosolo. Orgosolo is a former bandit town and is now famous for its powerful political murals. Nearby Ian witnesses the Mammutones perform a folk dance, where black-masked men wearing goat bells representing Moorish prisoners are rounded up by dancers dressed as Sardinian soldiers.
Ian leaves the frenetic mountain lifestyle behind him and heads south to the beaches of Costa Verde, also known as 'The Silent Coast'.
Continuing his island hopping, Ian catches a ferry to Sicily and journeys to the capital, Palermo. Here he cooks up a storm with a local pasta chef and then tears around town on his rented scooter. The highlight of his trip to Palermo is the Festival of Santa Rosalia, complete with operatic music, flying angels and fireworks.
The volcanic island of Stromboli is Ian's final destination. After a
