Pula Pula

We have finally returned from our trip of a lifetime -- for those of you had not guessed or did not know -- we did a two week photographic African safari, traveling through Johannesburg, South Africa; Maun, Botswana; the Okavango Delta, Khwai and Linyanti in Botswana, and on to Livingstone, Zambia for a viewing of the final, missing chapter of the African Big 5.

Botswana was a remarkable country, with warm and wonderful people, stunning vistas and incredible wildlife. 

Pula means many things -- it's Botswanian currency; it means rain, and is said as everyone raises a glass and cheers, "Pula Pula" to encourage the rain to fall during this dry, hot season.

It's a beautiful land, and in the coming days, weeks, months, I'll share more information about the trip than you probably ever wanted to know.  It was special....and I am encouraging everyone I know to add a photographic safari to your bucket list -- an absolute must do.

Pula Pula to our new friends, Marlies, Bernhard, Angelique, and Martha from Switzerland, and the Big 6 - our incredible guide, Bapadile Brooks Kamanakao....and to our moturi and camp staff, Joseph, Timothy and Obi.

 And Pula Pula to African Portfolio, the adventure travel company extraordinaire who made this adventure possible. Check them out online. Really.

Best travel deals 2010

I caught the tail end of a piece on the Today show this morning, covering great travel deals for 2010.

Some of the items mentioned -- cruises -- 7-day cruises to the Caribbean can be found for $375 through March.  Lots of cruise lines like Royal Carribbean built new, larger ships last year and would rather sail with those rooms sold at ridiculuously reduced prices rather than sailing with them empty.

China -- Shanghai - $1399 per person.  China spent lots in 2008 to build infrastructure for the Olympics and hasn't rreally started recouping that money yet.  Lots of good deals to Shanghai and Beijing.

South Africa -- The President of South Africa has recently said that 2010 would be the best opportunity to vacation there in years.  The FIFA world soccer championships are being held there this summer.  That won't be the best time to get a deal -- but before and after, round trips can be purchased for $2500 -- unheard of for a trip to SA.

Las Vegas -- Town Center recently built  hoping to bring tourists back. Good deals to be had there.

More might have been mentioned.  Check it out at todayshow.com.