Page 73 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

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SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES

ABOVE Gymnasts performing at one of Beijing’s amazing acrobatic shows, China
LEFT Players jostling for the ball during an elephant polo match in Nepal

ELEPHANT POLO, NEPAL It started as an expat joke, but elephant polo makes for a ACROBAT DISPLAYS, BEIJING, CHINA DEEP SEA FISHING, CAPE TOWN,
serious spectacle. Meghauli, in the flat, agricultural western Terai, hosts the tournament Acrobatics in China go back to 500 BC, SOUTH AFRICA The waters off the coast
on its airstrip every December, with teams coming from Britain, India, Australia, Hong and Beijing has some of the best venues. of Cape Town, where the Atlantic and the
Kong, and beyond. The field is slightly smaller than standard, due to the elephants’ Today, you can see high-wire acts, cycling, Indian Oceans meet, offer some of the best
slower pace, while two people ride each mount, a mahout directing the elephant and a juggling, conjuring, gymnastics, and big-game fishing in the world. Hook
stick-wielding player hitting the ball. The action is surprisingly fast-paced and passionate, animal dances based on folk traditions – yellow-fin tuna, swordfish or, if you’re lucky,
with group stages preceding a knock-out contest. all in the same evening’s entertainment. a whopping 1,000-lb (450-kg) blue marlin.

CAMEL-TREKKING, MOROCCO Graceless DIVING AT NINGALOO, AUSTRALIA The hot, dry North West Cape might not seem
and hard to ride, camels are not natural Australia’s most alluring destination, but poke your head under the water and there’s all
mounts but they are the best way to travel in manner of life to see. Hundreds of species of coral and fish support a vast ecosystem,
the desert. On an organized trek, your camel topped by turtles, manta rays, sharks, and whales, but while there are growing tourist
will follow ancient trade routes through facilities, Ningaloo Marine Park is far more low key than the Great Barrier Reef. Its
shifting sands to reach massive dunes and stunning, deserted beaches offer perfect chill-out opportunities, while Coral Bay is a
the vast empty spaces of the Sahara. dazzling playground for both casual snorkelers and experienced divers.

HIKING IN WYOMING, USA Yellowstone LAWN BOWLS, UK Despite its reputation ISLAND-TO-ISLAND SWIMMING, VOLCANO CLIMBING, GUATEMALA
and the Teton Range may be Wyoming’s for attracting Britain’s grey-haired elders, GREECE The Cyclades can be swamped With its fertile flood plains, rain forest,
main trekking areas, but if you want to get lawn bowls is a lot of fun for all ages. The with tourists in summer, but a swim tour buzzing cities, and Pacific and Caribbean
away from the crowds, head for the state’s aim of this skilful game is to roll a black ball, will let you really immerse yourself in the coastlines, Guatemala is not short of
highest, longest and often most stunning or “bowl,” across a smooth grass lawn to hit Aegean – far away from the crowds. The attractions, but its epic chain of volcanoes
range. In the Wind River Mountains, hikers a small white ball, or “jack.” Sounds easy? tours take in uninhabited islands and takes top billing for most adventurous
can follow the scenic Glacier Trail or the Not so. The bowls are biased (weighted) on open water, and even involve treks up visitors. At 7,380 ft (2,250 m) Pacaya is
lovely route from Lander to Valentine and one side and in the case of crown-green hills. Boats accompany groups on most the classic climb, while Tajumulco, at
Washakie lakes. There are fishing and bowls, the lawn has a slightly convex trips, although you need to be a decent 13,845 ft (4,220 m), is the highest point in
geyser trips for the footsore. surface. Runaway balls are not uncommon. swimmer to sign up. Central America and has views to Mexico.

MARATHON DES SABLES, MOROCCO A DAY AT THE RACES, IRELAND With GOLF IN EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
The toughest foot race in the world is over its dressing up and reputation as a boozy Scotland may be the home of golf,
158 miles (254 km) long – more than five day out, it can be easy to forget that horse- but most visitors are totally unaware
times the length of a regular marathon. racing is a sport. In Ireland, Kildare is that they can play on a historic course
Competitors carry all their gear and run home to the Curragh Racecourse, named a few minutes’ walk from Edinburgh’s
over energy-sapping dunes; temperatures after the grassy plain on which it sits. The center. The Bruntsfield Links may have
can edge over 122°F (50°C); and most track hosts many of Ireland’s greatest flat been used for the sport as early as the
runners take six days of pain to reach the races, including the Irish Derby in late 15th century, and are a lovely, relaxed
finish line. Incredibly, some athletes June or early July, with its boisterous setting for a pitch and putt, overlooked
complete the route in less than 24 hours. atmosphere and serious competition. by the craggy Arthur’s Seat.

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