Did Kaieteur Falls make the list? You betcha!
2012 has been a great year with many adventure travel experiences having me yell “Oh my god.” I have visited three foreign countries, a couple of national parks, skied cross-country ski trails, and canoed many rivers. Of those experiences, here are the top five from 2012. It was a difficult choice and even the most beautiful place in America, which I visited in May, did not make the top five.
Brule River kayaking
5. White-water Kayaking the Brule River in Wisconsin
The water level was somewhat low, which made the rapids a little easier in one respect as the power of the water was reduced, but made it more difficult in another. Lower water means more rocks, so some places where a kayak would easily go over in higher water had to be carefully navigated.
The Brule River is spring fed and lies in the northwoods of beautiful Wisconsin. Just a few miles away, the river meets Lake Superior. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here and would love to come back. Thank you Brule River Canoe Rental for having me up here.
Clouds, pyramids, and mountains at Cantona
4. The Cantona Ruins near Puebla, Mexico
Hiking over ancient Olmec Ruins dating from 1,000 A.D. was something I will remember for a long time. Not only were the uncovered ruins and pyramids amazing, but the city was located in a desolate spot in the Mexico countryside with mountains and desert like flora. Thank you Mexico Tourism Board for making this trip possible. Please see the disclosure statement in the link above.
The amazing Lake of the Clouds in fall splendor
3. Fall colors in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
I felt like a Lord of the Rings character walking through an enchanted forest as the Upper Peninsula Wilderness was aglow with reds, yellows, orange, and green (pine trees). The view from Lake of the Clouds was especially fantastic.
Following the liquor truck at the Trinidad & Tobago Carnival
2. Chocolate City J’Ouvert in Trinidad & Tobago
We started at 2:00 a.m. and followed trucks blaring soca music with thousands of other islanders and a few other tourists dancing the night away, drinking rum and beer, and spraying each other with chocolate. J’Ouvert is the traditional start of Carnival in Trinidad & Tobago and goes all night on Sunday and then Carnival kicks in Monday and Tuesday.
A view from the Rainbow Overlook
1. Mighty Kaieteur Falls in Guyana
I saved the best for last in Guyana just last week. From Georgetown, I took a plane over the extensive Guyana Rainforest to Kaieteur National Park. For two hours we explored the jungle and then was able to view the falls from four vantage points and then once again from the air as the plane was departing. I vowed to come back to this national park and spend several days in the surrounding jungle.
It was tough to choose these five experiences as 2012 was a great year. Honorable mentions include seeing the scarlet ibis rookery in Caroni Swamp, hiking Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan, eating my way through the birth place of the mole poblano in Puebla Mexico, and cross-country skiing at Palmquist Farm in northern Wisconsin
It was a wonderful year, and I look forward to 2013. I already have a lot planned including a cross-country ski marathon in February to start of the adventure travel season. Happy holidays and Happy New Year everyone.
A big thank you goes out to Jeremy of Budget Travel Adventures for including me in his best travel moments of 2012. Check out this amazing compilation by some fantastic travel bloggers.
Stay tuned,
TT
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My favorite is #1. Love the waterfall!
Jeremy Branham recently posted..Me, Michael Phelps, and your chance to win a pair of SOL REPUBLIC headphones
The waterfall was not only the top five for the year, but definitely for life.
Some great pics there, Ted. I can definitely see each of ‘me as some OMG moments. It looks like you had a good 2012 in that. Happy 2013!
Thanks Jason,
Happy Holidays my friend!
YEA for #2-Chocolate City J’Ouvert in Trinidad & Tobago! Definitely something to experience while in Sweet TnT for Carnival!
If you’re thinking about it, let me tell you the place is heating up for Carnival 2013! Many parties are planned . . . carnival bands have been launched . . . steelpan groups are already practicing . . .
Bring on the chocolate!!
I am sure Trinidad & Tobago is getting ready for 2013. Wish I could be there. I will definitely have to come back again!
You had a good year, glad you had fun in both TT and Guyana. Guyana is one of those places that has so much to offer if you can handle the lack of tourist infrastructure.
Now that I know how to travel there, I am itching to get back and experience much more.
Such an awesome reminder of all the palces we visited this year, thanks. Looking forward to next year and more waterfalls.
Robb714 recently posted..Snakes
You can bet on some more waterfalls next year. I am not sure I will be able to surpass Kaieteur though.
It was also a wonderful year for your readers, who have vicariously enjoyed the thrilling places you’ve visited, especially because of your stellar photography that makes us feel we’re there.
Y’know what? It’s gonna be even better in 2013, because you keep gettin’ better!
Thanks Jay,
I thoroughly enjoy sharing my adventures. Thanks so much for following along!
Varied, fun trips and descriptions of your experiences..well done…
Cheers…
Charles Higgins recently posted..Two dead after murder-suicide at Excalibur resort in Las Vegas
Thanks Charles,
Appreciate the support. Happy Holidays my friend!
Incredible adventures! I always enjoy hearing about your latest discoveries. Thank you for sharing these great experiences.
Joel Siegfried recently posted..Solar powered plane plans to fly around the world (Video)
Thanks Joel,
Happy Holidays!
Beautiful! I would hope to one day walk the ruins of the Olmec and other ancient civilizations of central and south America! Their history fascinate me! Great Post!
Thanks Alice,
I wish I knew more about the Olmec Civilization. I am really into history, but more modern events, but the ancient stuff is fascinating too.
The ruins in Mexico are definitely on my must-see list. So fascinating. The fall colors you captured are gorgeous!
Safe travels for 2013!
Jenna recently posted..My “Next Big Things”
Thanks Jenna,
Happy travels to you in 2013 as well.
Happy New Year, Ted! I am really curious about Guyana and I’m glad you’re there now 😀 I think I already mentioned that my dad once lived there. Happy New Year and more travel adventures to come! 😀
Micamyx|Senyorita recently posted..TAIPEI 101 – A Trip to Taiwan’s Tallest Building
Hi Micaela,
Happy New Year to you as well. I am now back from Guyana, but I am busy getting posts up. I had quite an interesting trip.
amazed to see that you been to so many incredible destinations in a single year…3rd “Porcupine Mountains” is my favorite among the list…
Wandering Hermit recently posted..Rock Climbing at Dhauj, Haryana
Thank you. It has been a good year. The Porcupine Mountains was a kind of spur of the moment trip, and I timed it perfectly with fall colors.
My God, way too gorgeous!! Love the photos especially.
Thanks Mariella, glad you enjoyed my year.
Very beautiful place love it!
Alex recently posted..4 Pics 1 Word Answers – 5 Letters Part 8
Amazing! What a great list. And why have I never heard of that chocolate carnival? Spraying each other with chocolate? I have to tell my man about this…
Christina recently posted..Raising funds for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal: the results are in!
Trinidad & Tobago Carnival is a great place to check out.
Nice shots you got there! Looks like you had an impressive year (love the chocolate shot). We gotta update our bucket list now!
Digital Nomads recently posted..The Galapagos Islands on a Budget
Trinidad & Tobago is an awesome place that is far off the travel radar. I highly recommend anytime, but especially during Carnival.