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View Requirements >- Mauritanian Visa Requirements to See the Eye of the Sahara
- Oman Visa Requirements to Camp Out in the Desert
- Brazilian Visa Requirements to Visit Marajó Island
- Zimbabwe Visa Requirements to See the Rock Art of Matobo Hills
- 5 Reasons to Get a Laos Visa
Author Archive
Mauritanian Visa Requirements to See the Eye of the Sahara
February 27th, 2011
Can you imagine how surprised the first astronauts to orbit the earth must have been when they saw an enormous blue eye staring back at the from the Sahara Desert?
The "eye" was actually a landform called the Richat Structure, otherwise known as the Eye of the Sahara. With a diameter of approximately 31 miles, it was originally thought to be the landing site of an ancient meteorite. However, scientists have since concluded that it's actually a natural geological feature called a "symmetrical uplift." (h/t Environmental Graffiti)
Unfortunately, visiting the Eye of the Sahara is a little complicated. First, you'll need a Mauritanian visa. Plan ahead: the US Department of State advises that "Mauritanian visas require an invitation or sponsor, can take up to several months to process, and mu
Oman Visa Requirements to Camp Out in the Desert
February 25th, 2011
It might seem as if the whole Middle East is going up in flames, but at least for the time being, Oman remains calm and welcoming to tourists. One of the country's main attractions is the "Empty Quarter," a vast stretch of desert made more hospitable by the camps and resorts sprinkled throughout.
Joshua Hammer of the New York Times recently visited this region of Oman, staying in the 1,000 Nights Camp. Here's how he described the area:
The Sharqiya Sands, or Ramlat al-Sharqiya, of the Empty Quarter is one of the world’s most desolate and starkly beautiful regions: 4,800 square miles of rippled, undulating dunes that rise as high as 300 feet above the desert floor. It is also one of the not-to-be-missed attractions of Oman, an oil-rich and peaceful sultanate, bordered by Saudi Arab
Brazilian Visa Requirements to Visit Marajó Island
February 24th, 2011
The New York Times' Frugal Traveler column is a great place to get inspiration for international vacations that won't break the bank. Recently, the Frugal Traveler visited Brazil, recommending Marajó Island. It definitely sounds like an awesome trip-read the description and see if you don't find yourself wanting to book a ticket:
"While the morning away on the smooth sands of a virtually empty, mangrove-studded beach. Wander all afternoon through gorgeous wetlands, spying on sloths, scarlet ibises and capybaras (the world’s largest rodent). Dine in the evening on tender filet mignon of locally raised water buffalo covered in water buffalo mozzarella and wash it down with pitchers of icy mangaba juice."
Sounds awesome, right? But you can't just book a ticket, unfortunately. This is Br
Zimbabwe Visa Requirements to See the Rock Art of Matobo Hills
February 21st, 2011
If you visit this week's featured UNESCO World Heritage Site, you'll see some of the most incredible rock art in all of Africa. The Matobo Hills of Zimbabwe have been inhabited for many thousands of years, since well before the dawn of agriculture. The area's distinctive boulders and caves form natural shelters that humans have long taken advantage of. The name Matobo means "Bald Heads" in the language of the Ndebele people.
According to the World Heritage website, "The Matobo Hills has one of the highest concentrations of rock art in Southern Africa. The rich evidence from archaeology and from the rock paintings at Matobo provide a very full picture of the lives of foraging societies in the Stone Age and the way agricultural societies came to replace them."
There are several camps fo
5 Reasons to Get a Laos Visa
February 20th, 2011
After decades of war, Laos is slowly but surely picking up and moving on, and the country is now being discovered by increasing numbers of Western tourists. Here are 5 great reasons to get a Laos visa and go see this beautiful country while it's still relatively undiscovered:
1. Luang Prabang: Walking into this gorgeous little town is like stepping into the past. Picture-perfect, flower-strewn landscapes combine with charming buildings and serene temples to create an enchanting travel experience.
2. The Plain of Jars: Thousands of ancient stone jars carved from local boulders dot this mysterious landscape. Who made them, and why? Just as with Stonehenge, the answers are lost in time, though the number of human remains and grave goods found in nearby excavations implies that they mus
