Stephen R. Smith Curacao Travel Guide
Colourful Curaçao is a vibrant mix of cultures - from the colonial architecture of the Dutch to the mouth-watering cuisine of the Creole. The island's handsome UNESCO heritage capital of Willemstad offers visitors a window into the past with its pastel-coloured houses and cobblestone plazas.
While elsewhere, the island's rolling desert plains hide a myriad of scenic gems, from hidden rocky coves trimmed by massive cliffs, to long sandy beaches flanked by clear blue-green water. Leafy nature trails offer quiet seclusion while music-filled malls bustle with bag-laden shoppers and cut-price deals
Steve Smith Tanzania Travel Guide
Close your eyes and conjure up the quintessential image of Africa: the wildebeest migration along an infinite savannah; the incongruous snow of Mt Kilimanjaro; proud Masai warrior tribes; exotic beaches along the spice islands of Zanzibar. Now look no further - it's all here in Tanzania.
Humble Tanzania is where the myth of Africa comes to life. Throngs of wildlife roam free in sprawling national parks, fishermen still plough the turquoise waters off Tanzania's coast in traditional wooden sailboats, and pristine beaches lie in wait for the sun-worshipping crowd. Best of all, Tanzania has seen little of the strife that has afflicted other African nations, meaning that all its treasures are tantalisingly accessible.
Tanzania boasts the most impressive National Parks and game reserves in all of Africa. The plains and savannahs of Serengeti National Park are considered the premiere spot on the continent to see wildlife up close. Nearby, the crater bottom of Ngorongoro National Park lies packed thick with wildebeest, gazelle, zebra, lions, leopards, cheetahs and even the elusive white rhino. Not to be forgotten, the Selous Game Reserve is larger than Switzerland.
Tanzania's coastline, known as the Swahili Coast, was a favoured stop on ancient trading routes between the Indian sub-continent and the Middle-East. Spices, jewels and slaves once passed through, bringing with them a melange of cultural riches that remain today. The language of Swahili was born here, and old mosques, coral palaces and pearly-white beaches still remain.
A mountain that needs no introduction is Mt Kilimanjaro, snow-capped and standing as Africa's tallest mountain at 5,895m (19,341ft). Open for climbing to those with energy and time on their hands, the week-long ascent is one of Africa's most challenging achievements.Tanzania is home to over 120 different ethnic groups and takes pride in its multicultural heritage. The tall, red-robed Masai are the best known of Tanzania's people and are easily visited as part of a safari itinerary.
Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, was one of the first countries in the 1990s to successfully effect the transition from dictatorship to a pluralistic political system. Today, it is one of the most stable countries in Africa.
Although Benin has seen economic growth over the past few years, and has a high standing with the international community, it remains among the world's poorest countries. Within West Africa, Benin enjoys stable relations with Nigeria, the main regional power. The only significant problem has been a long-running border dispute with Benin's northern neighbour, Niger, over ownership of islands in the Niger River. This was finally resolved by the International Court of Justice in July 2005, which awarded 16 islands to Niger and nine to Benin. Both countries accepted the ruling.
Stephen R. Smith French Overseas Country: New Caledonia, located in the South Pacific, east of Australia and formerly an Overseas Territory, became the only Overseas Country in 1999 following the Nouméa Accord in 1998. The French government is represented in New Caledonia by the high commissioner and two deputies are also elected to the National Assembly in Paris.
Steve Smith Kenya Travel Guide.From the vivid aquamarine shades of the Indian Ocean to the enchanting strangeness of the flora on the slopes of Mount Kenya, Kenya is a startlingly beautiful land.
Famed for its striking wildlife bounding across the acacia-studded savannah of game parks, such as Amboseli, the Masai Mara, Samburu and Tsavo, Kenya is a safari-fanatic's dream; vast national parks and reserves encompass one-tenth of Kenya's surface, spanning desert, grasslands and dense mountain forest.
Kenya's human population is equally as fascinating: around 40 different tribes live in Kenya, including the Kikuyu, the Luo and the proud and beautiful red-clad Masai, who still lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle of cattle-herding along the southern border.
On the balmy Swahili coast, African and Asian culture blends together, the result of a tradition of ocean-going commerce which stretches back for centuries. Even today, romantic dhows (sailing boats) still ply these waters.
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