The Bushmen called it The Land God Made in Anger and the Portuguese said it was The Gates of Hell. Sounds pretty harsh but when you consider an ocean so unforgiving it crushed ships against its hidden rocks and a desert so deadly it wore the bones of its victims, human and not, with pride. This is Namibia’s Skeleton Coast — a tragic yet breathtakingly beautiful place!

What is most interesting about the area is that from all the death and despair has emerged an abundance of life. Old wrecks provide excellent habitats for a thriving Cape fur seal colony and for the 247 species of birds in the area too. In fact, despite its barren appearance...

A jewel in the crown that is Africa, the Quirimibas Archipelago is a unique string of 32 unspoiled, tropical islands that wallow lazily in the bright azure of the Indian Ocean. These tropical islands contain some of the richest coral reefs in the world and provide habitat for an abundant array of marine life… move over Great Barrier Reef.

It is here, off the northern coast of Mozambique, that Matemo Island exists — a place where time seems to have stood still. Of all the islands in the area, Matemo is the one of the largest and friendliest, and one of the only luxury islands in Mozambique that happily accepts children. Add a comment

Thanks to Hollywood, our children perceive a swamp to be a muddy place that belches toxic gasses from its murky depths. It’s a place where green beasts, Shrek in particular, emerge irritable and anti-social.

And then there’s reality, where swamps actually make up some of the most beautiful places on earth and where the locals are only too happy to welcome you in. Add a comment

When CNN photojournalist Steve McCurry was sent to India on a two-week assignment to cover the annual Holi Festival or Festival of Colours, he had no idea that he would lose his heart and not return home for more than two years. India is indeed an enchanting country, but with the added “holi spirit”, it is nothing less than captivating.

There are three stories behind Holi, none of which stands above the others and all of which are celebrated annually in March with bonfires and smearing of fellow festival-goers with a diverse palette of powered paint. Add a comment