[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]As the world gradually reopens, more people will travel than before the pandemic. From personal triumphs to long-awaited openings, here are five recent travel stories that have us falling back in love with the world this season.
Prepare to be amazed by a mesmerizing desert show taking place above Uluru. While one might assume that the awe-inspiring landscapes and vast skies of the area require no embellishment, a revolutionary experience called Wintjiri Wuru has emerged, blending ancient traditions with modern technology. This world-first Indigenous tourism endeavor utilizes lasers, light projection technology, and a fleet of 1,100 drones to narrate a chapter of the Mala ancestral story. The utmost care was taken to collaborate with Anangu elders, ensuring the story is respectfully conveyed. Developed over five years, the result is nothing short of spectacular.
Wintjiri Wuru, meaning “beautiful view out to the horizon,” serves as a remarkable tribute to the world’s oldest continuous living culture. With an eye toward the future, this creation is a gift for the next generation and a testament to the Anangu Consultation Group’s dedication. Rene Kulitja, speaking on their behalf, expressed the intention to honor their heritage and create an extraordinary experience for their grandchildren.
If you have yet to visit Uluru, this captivating show provides a compelling reason to plan your trip. From May to December, two shows are presented each night, while in January and February, there is one show per night. To enhance the experience further, a delightful three-hour sunset dinner featuring locally sourced ingredients is available.
Each year, a distinguished group of experts gathers in Paris to decide on the finest baguette in the city. Known as the Grand Prix de la Baguette, this prestigious competition has been held since 1994 and attracts bakers from all corners of Paris. Participants submit two baguettes, which are blindly tasted and assessed by the panel based on criteria such as appearance, cooking, texture, and taste. The victorious baker not only receives a prize of €4,000 but also earns a year-long contract to supply baguettes to the French president.
In recent years, the competition has seen winners with diverse backgrounds, and this year was no exception. Tharshan Selvarajah, an immigrant from Sri Lanka and a baker at Au Levain des Pyrénées in the 20th arrondissement, triumphed as the winner. Upon hearing the news, he expressed his emotions, saying, “I cried because we are foreigners, and we came here to learn how to make traditional French bread.”
Celebrating its centenary this year, The Flying Scotsman, an iconic British railway locomotive and an impressive engineering feat, is marking 100 years of service. The festivities have been in full swing since the start of the year, with a range of events held at the National Railway Museum in York and the introduction of a new £2 coin. This summer, there will be special one-time journeys on the steam train, including a captivating day trip along the famous Settle & Carlisle Railway, renowned as one of Britain’s most spectacular railway routes.
After over two decades of planning, the highly anticipated International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston, South Carolina, will officially open its doors on June 27, 2023, just after Juneteenth. This museum’s significance spans back 2,300 years, as it explores the history of Africans’ earliest enslavement dating back to 300 BCE. Situated on Gadsden’s Wharf, a prominent slave-trading port in the United States, the IAAM stands on 18 stilts, symbolically elevated above the ground to honor the enslaved individuals who once trod upon that land. Inside, visitors will encounter a permanent collection of 300 artworks and historical artifacts that vividly depict the harrowing Middle Passage, during which millions of Africans were forcibly captured and transported across the Atlantic.
Kochi, a city in southern India, has made headlines with the introduction of what is being touted as the largest electric ferry fleet in the world. The unveiling ceremony took place in late April, coinciding with India’s ascent as the most populous country, surpassing China. The vibrant and sleek electric vessels, numbering 78 in total, now serve as a connection between Kochi, located in the state of Kerala, and 10 neighboring islands in the Arabian Sea.
Kochi’s achievement is part of a larger global trend that embraces eco-friendly water transport solutions in cities worldwide. Stockholm, for instance, plans to test a 30-passenger electric hydrofoil ferry this summer, set to become the fastest electric ship globally when it launches next spring. Hyke, an initiative in Oslo, aims to introduce a partially solar-powered, wirelessly chargeable ferry in May, along with four e-ferries operating along the Seine for the 2024 Paris Olympics. In 2024, Northern Ireland will unveil a zero-emissions e-ferry, while Bangkok has been replacing its aging diesel-powered boats with new e-ferries.
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