Category: Story

Getting to the start line involved planes, a ship and a tiny speck of land in the middle of the Pacific. Then they had to run 42 kilometres.

Kirk Owers hops on a cruise boat to explore the Mekong River, the lifeblood of Cambodia and Southern Vietnam, and absorbs a history lesson by osmosis as he drifts along the mighty waterway.

On a mission to experience the real Cuba, Guy Wilkinson rents some dilapidated wheels and tackles crumbling roads and a corrupt constabulary on a road trip from Havana to Trinidad.

For decades it was relegated to the international sidelines, but visit Cuba now while its true heart still beats. And there’s no better time to get out and about in its capital than after the sun sets.

The upside is a complete lack of crowds. On the other hand, the weather can be a little unpredictable. Danika Porter sails from Dubrovnik out of season and discovers a charming coastline dotted with idyllic islands.

Despite a slothful start, Natasha Dragun manages to explore one of the pioneering countries of the eco-tourism world.

One of our group is crying quietly inside the hood of her jacket as the nine-seater aircraft quivers and bucks in the wind. “Is this normal?” I yell over the hum to Gonzalo, our guide. “It’s a normal windy-day,” he nods with a smile. Then the pilot cranks the engine to taxi for take-off.

Cam Cope ventures to the south of South America and explores Chile’s magnificent fjords by boat.

Once the centre of Brazil’s diamond-mining region, Chapada Diamantina National Park, with its underground caves, soaring plateaus and diverse ecosystems, is now on the travel radar. Get there before everyone else does, writes John Malathronas.