Fugitives Drift was established by David Rattray together with his wife Nicky and built an award winning lodge for travellers to enjoy this remarkable tale. Tragically, in January 2007, David was killed by an intruder but Fugitives Drift is a fantastic legacy to something he developed with his wife Nicky and it still remains today. Rob Caskie has taken over as the primary historian. Like David, Rob speaks fluent Zulu, understands the history inside out and is perhaps the best orator I’ve ever heard.

The 2 battles I was interested by were the battle at Isandlwana where the Zulu army wiped out around 1,300 British troops on 22nd January 1879. Later on that day, a lesser force of Zulus who had missed out on the action at Isandlwana, sought their opportunity and so against orders, they assaulted Rorke’s Drift. This defensive action went down in the history of the British Army as one of its most remarkable battles which saw eleven Victoria Crosses awarded. Less than 140 British troops battled with approximately 4,000 Zulus in a battle that raged all night.

My stop at Fugitives Drift started out with the afternoon tour of the Rorke’s Drift site. It is a couple of miles from the Lodge and we started looking round the museum that was hospital building at the time of the battle. As with most battlefield museums, there are different artefacts from the battle (rifles, bullets, buckles, spears etc) yet the most eye-catching item I found was a model of the battlefield. It showed the latter stages of the battle after the hospital had been evacuated and the soldiers were defending the store behind their stacks of mealie bags. The model revealed a few red coated troops surrounded on all sides by Zulu warriors several deep and this was the 1st occasion I’d really had the opportunity to visualise the battle properly. All of the movies and images I’ve seen in the past were in most cases close ups with a few people yet this model provided an overall impression that was quite frankly, astonishing.

To assist travellers and tourists imagine the layout, there are lines of stones marking where the defensive lines were placed. Rob started the tale detailing what Rorke’s Drift was and the reasons why it had been assaulted. He made you realise there was clearly so much more to the battle than only a struggle between black and white, British redcoat versus Zulu warrior. Overall, the excursion was about three hours and everyone only sat listening to this excellent story teller recounting the incidents of 22nd January 1879.

Back at the lodge, I freshened up in my superb room. It really was a shame I couldn’t spend longer in the room since it was so comfortable however it was time for beverages just ahead of dinner and so I made my way to the dining area. The room is much like a museum with pictures, flags, notes, firearms and a great deal more covering the walls. The dinner itself was fantastic. Everybody staying at the Lodge sat around the a single table. It had been an extremely satisfying evening but an early start the next day meant it wouldn’t be a late night.

My 6:30am alarm call was a nice warm pot of tea being brought to my room (its wonderful to see a few British traditions still live on). We’d a good warm breakfast just before leaving for our morning excursion of Isandlwana. This battlefield is across the Buffalo river and the historian was a Zulu named Joseph. This is a very different battleground to Rorke’s Drift. The battle took place on a massive plain in the shadow of a mountain so the orientation took a lot longer as we first went to the museum ahead of moving on to the hilltop from where the Zulu commanders were standing 129 years ago. We headed over to the battlefield itself and parked up. Now the talk was going to be a few hours hence we had deck chairs that we carried up the mountain to a vantage point which offered us a wonderful view of the battleground. Bear in mind, the elevation was around a mile above sea level thus it wasn’t the easiest climb I’d ever tried.

Joseph, like Rob gave us a compelling lecture and really helped us picture the scene. He also said that though he was a Zulu, he wasn’t there to offer ‘their side of the story’, he wanted to provide us with the facts of what happened, occasionally in really graphic detail. At the right times, he would echo the Zulu cries which were made way back in 1879 and as his voice echoed all around us, it helped bring a lot more realism to the setting. The story was captivating. I listened to Joseph recited what was happening and my eyes wandered around the surroundings which was full of heaps of white stones. These heaps of stones mark the resting places of the British troopers who were buried where the died. Each pile of stones represented 6-8 men except for 2 sizeable heaps that were for as many as forty men. The hard African earth meant it had been tough to dig anything but shallow graves for the soldiers and heap stones on them.

Just after the talk was over, we had time to walk round several of the graves and memorials at Isandlwana before heading back again for lunch. This was an amazing destination and I most certainly could have done with having an extra day as there was a Zulu village to visit in addition to the walk down to the Buffalo river where Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill lost their lives saving the Queen’s Colour of their regiment and years later became the very first men to be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

There was a time that when a white man in car was seen in this area, it typically meant they were lost. Nowadays, it has an industry based on the work David and Nicky Rattray began meaning there’s a massive fascination with those battles involving the army of the biggest Empire the planet has ever seen and the very best warriors Africa has ever produced.

The Anglo Zulu War of 1879 last only six months but had a significant impact on both the Zulu Kingdom and the British Empire.. Unique version for reprint here: Fugitives Drift Lodge For The Perfect Zulu Battlefield Encounter.

New York City. One of the busiest cities in the world with its great skylines and traffic streets. Think a New York City break is impossible in here? That’s where you can go wrong.

When you feel that the hustle and bustle of the crown is going to suffocate you, going to a very peaceful place might be the usual option. Here in New York, you might as well feel energize das you join in the crowd. This vibrant city keeps you on your toes!

This city has a lot of things waiting to be experienced. From the tall sky scrapers, the revolving restaurants, the world class shopping districts and great collection of galleries and museums, you won’t fall short of being amazed. Everyday will be a unique experience in New York City.

With the buzzing around, you will not want to miss the Statue of Liberty. This is one of the most famous and prestigious monuments in the world. A lot of visitors climb up the steps to reach the statue’s crown and experience something very different from the post cards and all those movies where you see the statue.

You should not miss out going to Central Park. You will love taking leisurely boat rides in the afternoon or long strolls during the day. You can also jog and brisk walk to improve your health. Aside from that you can enjoy the many entertainments such as the Childerns Park, the zoo, observatory and the several restaurants.

Try visiting the different galleries and museums in this city. The galleries and museums have extensive collections of paintings and work pieces of famous artisans. These vast collections will not fail to impress you.

You can always find your peace in New York City breaks. With the sights and sounds of this city, you sure will be kept on your toes.

You can read more articles from Harvin Gulfill on the website Miniferie. Here you can also learn more about Storbyrejser New York.

The Maldives coral island atolls are located in the tropics, are influenced by monsoons but enjoy a lovely sunny climate and are warm all year round.

The islands of the Maldives host some of the most diverse marine life to be seen on our planet, and it is therefore no wonder that they have become a center of excellence for snorkeling and diving alike.

Resorts like the Bandos Island resort are both a PADI Gold Palm Resort and a Platinum Facility of the International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers. If you do not wish to get too involved with the technical side of things then the snorkeling at resorts like Bandos and Filitheyo is amazing and trips are scheduled each day to local reefs if you wish to see more than the house reef.

The beaches on most Maldives islands are some of the most amazing in the world. At the Filitheyo island resort for example, the superb beaches are unbroken on each side of the island offering great walks and views and furthermore these beaches are definately not crowded.

Many of the island resorts are equipped with modern conveniences such as internet hotspots, and conference rooms but the tropical beauty of the islands are mostly unspoilt, this is what most people come to experience after all. Private accommodation and beach areas are shaded by tall palms and other vegetation.

Most, if not all, resorts offer the luxury water villa accomodation as well as other comfortable beach-side rooms. The resort of Bandos offers superior two storey Beach villas with bathrooms that are half inside and half outside the villa that come with an outside thatched jacuzzi. Other accomodation suites are generally along the water front and are designed to give you the feeling of tranquility and solitude.

Many Maldives resorts also cater specially for getting married during your holiday with wedding parties that can be pre-arranged in advance. Bandos island resort pushes the boat out, so to speak, by offering the “Kuda Bandos Sunset Wedding” featuring a traditional island ceremony complete with a private cruise for the newlyweds on a Dhoni (Maldivian boat).

James is a freelance writer and writes about the Bandos island resort and about Holidays in the Maldives.

Cancun has a lot of beautiful places and a cozy lovely seashore of pure white sand incomparable noctrunal living rich heritage. The town happens to be essentially friendly to gays and some areas are meant only for gay tourist. The food, the shopping, the sand and the sun all are an integral part of this fabulous city.

In Cancun, you’ll find some of the ancient ruins but there’s also more, close by the city. If you plan on a trip, plan an extra day for a day tour of the Temple of Kukulcan. The temple is spectacular but there a good reason to arrive early if you travel during the Spring or Autumn Equinox.

The pyramid’s corner projected a shadow shaped like the legendary snake Kukulcan as the sun moved slowly across the heavens. The Mayans believed the serpent fertilized the earth when it reached the ground.

This beautiful city on the Yucatan Peninsula in an area referred to as the Mexican Caribbean, had only three residents, caretakers for a coconut plantation, until the building of the city in 1970. Until then, it contained the remnants of the Mayans, natural beauty and of course, coconut trees. Today, you’ll find the magic of the ancient mixed with a modern city whose oldest building came after 1970.

Cancun is appropiate place for those who like water and sun. While all the beaches in Cancun are beautiful, the white sand beaches across from Ruinas del Rey is a mainstay for the gay scene. A gay friendly location, Cancun offers fantastic places to meet a special someone, especially on the sandy, sunny beaches.

If you want to do more than bake under the rays or walk along the shoreline, there are plenty of more physical activities available. You want something different to do at night, enjoy you supper on the bow of a boat.

With all the activities of the day, take a nap after dinner to prepare for the nightlife. Nightlife doesn’t begin until 10:30 and then goes through the night to 5:00 in the morning.

There is a large diversity in the bar scene, but if you are looking to mesh with the gay scene, Karamba is the place to go. There’s entertainment to suite every taste in popular music. Get a seat early, because after midnight, the joint fills up with locals, but the place only holds 450 people.

Picante a gay bar in Cancun, and it is the oldest one in the city. Every night there’s a party here, but on special occasions, such as holidays, fantastic performances and fun costumes spice them up. Go on Thursday for Tequila night and free shots.

You can find a lot of gay friendly hotels and resorts like Hyatt Regency Cancun, Gran Melia Cancun, Presidente InterContinental and The Ritz-Carlton.

Surely, you know by now that Cancun is a reality and hosts the main multinationals hotel chains, hundreds of international restaurants and provides eminently good quality tourist services. This tourist pole offers an extended series of activities in order to keep all visitors busy. For these and much more exclusive reasons, Cancun has been selected to host the Latin Hot Party 2009, the greatest lesbian party in Cancun.

Without a doubt, Mexico is a top spot for a vacation. This is a great place, and not only to catch up with the sun on the beach. Some popular locations like Tulum combine history and fantastic beaches to enjoy truly amazing vacations.

Tulum is a city with fantastic archeological findings and amazing beaches. It is located just south of Playa del Carmen and Akumai. Sited on the limestone cliffs, Tulum looks out over the Caribbean Sea.

Tulum is a nice mix of history and the beaches Mexico is well known for. You will get to experience both of them right in the same area where you can focus on having a good time instead of traveling about the country to see all the different types of sites.

History is important in Tulum. The archeological site here was built between 1200 and 1450. It is clouded in mystery, as are all Mayan ruins.

It was a trading post due to its location off the water. The city’s skyscraper El Castillo is used as a lighthouse to help and direct travelers through the reefs.

The wall surrounded the city in all the three sides this scenario was unique. This wall is seven meters thick and up to five meters tall. The wall has a walkway that was used by warriors in their defense of the city. The remaining side of the city is protected by the sea.

Today 60 buildings still stand at the site, which are all open for touring. Plaques adorn the walls to guide visitors, this allows for a self guided tour of the ruins.

Tulum also features amazing beaches, like those you expect from Mexico’s coastline. They are considered some of the world’s top scenic beaches, attracting visitors from around the globe.

The beaches feature turquoise water and white sands. It is the typical beach you would expect in paradise.

The reef at Tulum, the Great Mayan Reef, goes from Cancun, Mexico to Roatan, Honduras making it the second largest in the world. It is 1000 kilometers with 120 kilometers at the Tulum beach.

The waters off the beach offer a chance to see 84 different types of coral and over 450 types of fish and other sea creatures. It is a true adventure.

Tulum is an area of Mexico that is quiet, beautiful and offers plenty to keep you busy. You will never forget your stop in Tulum because it is such a rich place to visit.

Mauritius Island is one of Africa’s most famous travel destination for luxury beach vacations. Yet, besides its spectacular tropical beauty, the Island has a rich culture that many visitors often overlook. This culture is a unique combination of the cultures, traditions and religion of many immigrant populations that came to the island at different stages in the history of Mauritius.

Among the populations constituting the unique mix of culture in Mauritius are the Chinese, Indians, Africans, and Europeans. All these have had religious and cultural practices that date back to over four centuries ago.

Discovering Mauritius can be a journey into one of the most fascinating ancestral traditions. The rich cultural diversity is found in every aspect of Mauritius. Churches can be found next to mosques or Hindu temples next to Chinese pagodas and this co-existence is what makes Mauritius an interesting travel destination.

Another proof of Mauritius rich cultural diversity is in the variety of the country’s cuisine. There are traditional western dishes coming from the colonial past of Mauritius as well as more exotic oriental dishes brought by the Chinese and Indian migrants. Some of these dishes are unique to Mauritius as they have been adapted to suit the taste of Mauritius which combines flavors of the east to the finest of the west.

Mauritian folklore is also a living tribute to the variety and depth of Mauritius culture. This is illustrated by the many different folkloric dances that are unique to the people of Mauritius. There are also numerous chances of watching sophisticated Indian dances if not the Chinese lion and dragon ones.

Mauritius has a fair share of wildlife and bird species, including some brightly colored birds. The game parks are a great place to see most of these. Other places worth visiting for relaxation include the capital city – Port Louis, and the neighboring Mahebourg town. Adventure travel enthusiasts will also find it worthwhile visiting Rodrigues for diving, Caverne Patate for caving, Mount Limon and Mount Malartic for trekking expeditions, and the area around Port Mathurin for coastal hiking.

All travelers to the island require a visa to get there, with the exception of USA, EU, and Japan passport holders, and citizens of commonwealth countries. Before traveling to Mauritius it is advisable to check the most up-to-date visa requirements information. A number of international airlines and shipping companies can get you to the Island. You can obtain comprehensive information on the shipping services between Reunion and Mauritius Islands from the Mauritius Shipping Corporation based in Port Louis.

Mauritius’ national airline – Air Mauritius – operates scheduled flights to Rodrigues Island. Within the island, you can travel by bus and taxi or you can hire a rental car. Taxi fares are high especially at night, and you have to negotiate the fares before starting your trip. At some tourist hotspots, boats for hire are available.

July to September is the best period to go on vacation in Mauritius. There is lower humidity at that time, and the temperatures are more tolerable. From January to April, the island often experiences tropical rains, making it an ideal season for a romantic holiday spent mostly indoors.

Honeymoons are designed to give the newly wed couple a little time alone to enjoy each other before getting on with the business of living. This is supposed to be a romantic adventure for just the two, away from the ordinary. It’s a time to remember fondly as the years pass. Some people choose to have a “second honeymoon” many years later to the same destination. So selecting your perfect honeymoon trip is very important and should be carefully considered. What does the couple like: Adventure or perhaps an exotic atmosphere? How about a place that has both? Whether your favorite pastime is water oriented (swimming, diving, or boating) or sight seeing through the wonders of nature or manmade structures these are some of the best possible locations for a honeymoon filled with love, laughter and memories that are sure to last a lifetime.

More than 80 islands make up the Maldives. This array of island getaways allow honeymooners to take their pick as far as the delight they wish to explore and embrace. The turquoise waters surround the islands adding to the unique colors melting into the endless scenery. For the most lavish and stunning accommodations, the bride and groom will find an exotic honeymoon sanctuary at Huvafen Fushi Maldives. Enjoy the fine dining, spa treatments and over all five star service that this quality retreat has to offer.

If scenic landscapes are a high point in the decision making of your honeymoon, Mauritius can provide you with what you desire. The Black River Gorge is a world renowned location for some of the most breathtaking and uplifting views. Enjoy the gardens, a pleasant hike, and gaze upon the lush and fertile hills, mountains and forests glades.

Another ideal location for honeymoons is Zanzibar. Exploring the House of Wonders and wandering through the streets of Stone Town are awe-inspiring experiences, indeed. The sights, sounds and smells of exotic Zanzibar have enthralled visitors for centuries and a couple on their honeymoon will be no exception. The warm African sunshine and temperate climate make this a perfect destination any time of the year. Songs and stories have long been told of the beauty of Zanzibar. The streets are lined with exotic plants that perfume the air and add to the atmosphere and appeal.

If a honeymoon of richly fertile lands that are unspoiled by pollution tantalizes you the Thailand could be the key to the ideal destination. It casts a natural magnetism from its culturally diverse area and draws people from around the globe to enjoy some of the abundant pleasures. Khao Lak Resort is one of the most fabulous and luxurious facilities for a honeymoon in all of Thailand.

Kuala Lumpur is a Malaysia destination filled with diversity and delights. It is a land of well blended ethnic qualities and style. A couple on their honeymoon can find a great many things to enjoy on this luxury trip of a lifetime. With so many activities, night life, entertainment and shopping there is never a dull moment. Jungle trekking, river cruises, discovering some of the best and most exclusive beaches as well as relaxing in the natural hot ponds are only a few of the activities honeymooners can enjoy.

The Caribbean is a paradise that is richly endowed. The natural gifts and the unbridled exquisiteness that this tropical honeymoon has to offer can add an unforgettable element to any getaway. St. Lucia offers top quality five star resorts such as Almond Beach Resort and Coconut Bay. These are by far a couple of choices that are sure to please even the most fastidious guests. The beaches, spas, recreation, food and service all make a honeymoon as memorable as they come.

Rafting, swimming, diving, tropical majesty and romance are all waiting in Bali. Whatever your pleasure, its right here! Long walks on a moonlit beach can inspire the heart and fill the mind with visions of paradise. Listen to the waves and sea breeze as they lull you to sleep after a long day of adventure. The tropics are probably the most desirable honeymoon location and Bali is another jewel in the tropical crown!