In this episode of Travel Nuggets, Sam Thiara talks about his latest book detailing his travels in India to find his ancestral home in Punjab!

You can order Lost and Found here: http://www.sam-thiara.com/mywriting/

Travel writer Rick Antonson joins us again to talk about his latest book : Walking With Ghosts in Papua New Guinea.

Like his other writing, this book does not disappoint! @rickantonsonauthor weaves WW II history into vivid images of the islands landscape along the Kokoda Trail.

Jason “walks 500 miles” (well, not quite that many) but I couldn’t resist the Proclaimers reference) to celebrate 2020 like the Scots…or the Vikings. There are a few explanations for the origins of Hogmanay but the bottom line is: this party involves fire sticks! Not glow sticks — sticks with REAL flames!

We’ll also get outside Edinburgh and head up to Inverness, the Isle of Skye and Islay for great landscapes, castles and some peaty scotch!

Here are a few of Jason’s favorite distilleries in Scotland: The Macallan; Glenmorangie; The Dalmore, and Tomatin

Here’s a good site of found on what to see in Skye: https://www.isleofskye.com/skye-guide/top-ten-skye-walks/old-man-of-storr

In the episode, (now-doctor) Charles Davidson takes us with him on his PhD homestretch. He escaped to the quiet island of Newfoundland in Canada to focus on getting his dissertation done. However, there was plenty to distract him! Don’t worry — the story has a happy ending … he did get his doctorate.

Here is a list of a few of the spots Charles mentions — along with his notes!

• Quidi Vidi Village (the information center has a fantastic artists collective)

• Mallard Cottage (1820-1840)...fantastic local fare in an old home.

•   Fishing Village – Fishermen came from UK in spring and established “Fishing Rooms” through he fall. Cod

• Downtown St. Johns - - George Street (rumored to be the highest concentration of bars in the world)

• Cape Spear...easternmost point in North America 30 minutes

• Signal Hill

• Maddox Cove/Petty Harbour

• Yellow Belly Brewery (Check out their basement, dimly lit and incredibly old)

• Bagel Cafe, where I ate the incredibly dense "native" Newfoundlander breakfast with "toutons"...ask me about this.

• Duke of Duckworth pub...fish and "traditional" chips...Newfoundlanders know how to eat.

• Lots of local shopping and bookstores (OLD/used Book stores?!)

• Great Newfoundland author: Wayne Johnson: http://waynejohnston.ca

In this episode, Jaya makes the most of her work trip to Kigali, Rwanda by venturing out to hangout with some gorillas at Volcanos National Park. This entire episode is a HUGE TRAVEL NUGGET — who would think to travel to Rwanda? Jaya dispels ‘90’s-based impressions and ignites interest in getting over there! Rwanda is certainly not what is was in 1994.

Book Recommendation: Left to Tell: by Immaculee Ilibagiza: https://www.amazon.com/Left-Tell-Discovering-Rwandan-Holocaust/dp/1401908977

VIDEO: Rwanda is the cleanest country in Africa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AVuNmwBeMo 

Join the Gosses as we reminisce about our unconventional family vacation: a safari in Namibia!

Here is an overview of our stops: Windhoek, Sossusvlei (place with old, dead trees)/Namib Naukluft National Park, Swakopmund, Damaraland (view of Brandberg Mountains; Twyfelfontein rock engravings), Ongava Game Reserve, Etosha National Park, and back to Windhoek! It was a whirlwind! HA!

VIDEO: Springbok Pronking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMIiB9DnRXg

In this episode of Travel Nuggets, Charles Davidson puts Andorra on the map for us! Charles and his wife, Abby, spent a few days in this charming, tiny country tucked in the Pyrenees. And, as a special bonus, Charles gives his list of top 5 countries to visit in 2020!

Andorra is a little country with a rich and complex history. Here are some helpful links to learn more:

BBC Country profile: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17028050

Andorran Food:

• https://www.inyourpocket.com/andorra-la-vella/food-5-must-try-andorran-dishes_75769f

• http://www.traveltourxp.com/12-top-foods-and-drinks-in-andorra/

Santa de Columba: https://visitandorra.com/en/culture/church-of-santa-coloma/