A-Q & M.I Abaga – The Live Report (EP Review) – Hip-Hop is not dead!
Zhajj_ EPs & Mixtapes, Nigerian, Uncategorized April 17, 2020 4 Minutes
GENRE – Rap/Hip-Hop

EP RATING – 9/10

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What happens when two OGs of the Hip-Hop game come together to drop a project? What happened when Kanye and Jay Z dropped a collab project? or when Lil Wayne and Birdman came together in ’06? What would happen if Drake and K. Lamar did a joint project? – Yeah, an explosion of Hip-Hop Bliss is what happens.

It seemed far fetched when M.I jokingly teased A-Q for a collab project on Twitter. Far fetched because it’s just April and they’ve both released successful, individual 2020 projects of their own. M.I released ‘Judah the EP‘ which is still doing well on streaming platforms while fellow MC, A-Q dropped ‘God’s Engineering‘ who although is running the numbers as well too, claimed it to be his last Album ever. So How was a joint Collab going to materialize in less than 7 days amidst all these?
Best Believe the Joint Project we thought wasn’t going to happen is the reason this article happened. ‘THE LIVE REPORT‘, a joint project between A-Q and M.I Abaga dropped one week after they agreed to do it. Yes, you heard right, this whole EP was done and dusted in a week!

There has been a recurring notion in the country recently about the Hip-Hop culture being in a regressing state, about Supposed-to-be rappers joining the mainstream community – about rappers not going hardcore and raw like they should. While this notion has got some truth in it, enough credit hasn’t been given to rappers who have kept the Hip-Hop Culture alive, rappers like M.I, Vector, A-Q, Paybac, SDC, Jagz, Boogey, Terry, Alpha Ojini and others I might have forgotten to mention.

The Live Report is more than just a joint rap project, it’s about keeping the Hip-Hop game alive and running, it’s about retaining the culture for the upcoming rappers to see and learn from. For M.I, it’s been about retaining his ‘Best Rapper‘ title and making sure he’s not caught slipping, while for A-Q, it’s been about getting the flowers he deserves, getting more recognition and respect for his amazing style of Rap/Hip-Hop . While both sides were unified on this EP, a whole lot of other things made this project stand out.

One of the most important factors when cooking a project up is its Production and Sound Engineering, you could have the best punchlines in the world, and it just wouldn’t sound right if the production is inadequate or isn’t in sync with the style of rap technique. The 6-track EP is produced by BeatsByJayy and Engineered by Jude Abaga himself, so you just know the production aspect of this project is impeccable with that kind of combo.

We’ve had joint projects where both artists try to outdo each other, this wasn’t the case here and I feel it’s amazing. Instead of competing with each other, AQ and MI complimented each other instead. This unison was significant for the EP’s direction and purpose.

Hardcore rap at its best, amazing production that syncs perfectly with the Hip-Hop flow, enough Punch-line/Bars filled verses, Strong Theme to go with a fine album structure. Everything just clicks on The Live Report and we all love to see it.

Track-by-Track Review
I’ll do a Track-by-track analysis because it’s an EP.

The Intro track is the best intro you could ask for. ‘Tone of the conversation‘ literally set the perfect tone for this them of work. It starts with an interpolated protestive speech, then goes on with a hard mid-tempo early 2000s-esque production. This is the most streamed song off the album on Apple music, it’s for a good reason. Then it transitioned into ‘The Live Report‘, the song with the album title is centered about debunking conspiracy theories majorly about the pandemic COVID-19 and the fact that the answers to most questions are in our midst. Brought to you by MI and A-Q, the live reporters.

Then the most sensitive track, ‘Jesus said use your head‘, like its title suggest, targets fake prophets and religion extremists that tends to be purposely ignorant to the truth that is in front of them – the truth that their pastors are not gods. A-Q delivers a sublime verse on this one while spitting hard truths.

i probably know more than whats in your Pastor’s head

A-Q on ‘Jesus said use your head’
BeatsByJayy is severely underrated for all that he does in the production department of the Hip-Hop genre in Nigeria. He’s been very vital to the re-incarnation journey of the rap culture. He shows how much of a genius he is yet again on the next track ‘Clap for yourself‘ in which he also got a feature credit for additional vocals on the chorus. This one focuses on the Prolific liars Geng both in real life and social media, tells them to clap for themselves for living perfectly crafted fake lives(lies).

‘When i’m gone (feat. Nawe)’ is probably the song with the slowest tempo on the EP with soft recurring bass fused with an RnB feel that provides an amazing template for Nawe’s smooth chorus, it talks about leaving a legacy before leaving this world, M.I and A-Q drops bars of wisdom on this one. Finally, the outro track ‘Braveheart‘ is a correct representation of saving the best for the last. The production on this is amazing too, the interpolations by BeatsByJayy on this project is really impressive. They ended the way they started with enough bragging word plays and bars, A-Q’s rap technicality on this is pure flames while M.I might have thrown a not-Subtle diss at someone trying to “affect his mindset”. You know who he’s referring to? I’ll let you guess.

cause i could never let you affect my mind state

have a sign that says you rhyme good, but i rhyme great

i diss you, i make you famous. so what have i gained?

M.I on ‘Braveheart’
In conclusion, it will forever be a mystery as to how M.I Abaga, A-Q and BeatsByJayy have dropped arguably the best hip-hop project out there this year in less than 7 days!!!! If anything, it’s further proof that Hip-Hop is well alive and healthy!

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Lamborghini Huracan Performante: Review
Lamborghini Huracan Performante: Review
FEBRUARY 20, 2018 ~ TOMS CHIT CHAT
I’m back to my speciality again this week.

I think it’s time to review a car which we all dream of, yet, can’t possibly afford; the supercar. The new Lamborghini in fact, which is actually very new indeed, as it was only released earlier this year. It is the newest sibling to the older, Lamborghini Huracan, which when it was first released, was a car I didn’t like very much. I know that being a petrol-head and saying you hate a car, specifically a supercar is the same as Sir David Attenborough saying “I HATE THE ENVIRONMENT!” It doesn’t sound right at all. Hear me out on this, I have always admired Lamborghini’s, they are the kind of car that every nine-year-old boy dreams of, and wants the bedroom poster up on his wall. This was the exact case with the Lamborghini Aventador, it’s a few years old now (2012/13), but it is still, and I think always will be for me, the car I have always wanted. And the car which is the most jaw-dropping to look at, which is why as a nine-year-old boy, I had the bedroom wall poster of the Lambo Aventador.

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Lamborghini Aventador Pic: Lamborghini
There was just always something about this car that looked angry, and that if you tried to stroke it, you always got the feeling that it would bite your arm off. And that’s what Lamborghini’s should always be, an experience that makes you finish with your trousers not being the original colour they were when you started.

If I were to be a Lamborghini designer, I would simply do as they do, and not give a toss as to what goes where. Since I’ve been in a few Lamborghini’s before, you do get the sense that the ludicrous Italians that design these simply say; “ah yes, give the wheels ah fire blades, and ah, lasers for windscreen wipers, ah! Molto Bene!” That’s how all Lamborghini’s should be designed.

This was not the case, however, for the Huracan. I was never really sure what it was about that car, but, after Lamborghini made the Aventador it seemed like the sky was the limit. When the Huracan rolled off the production line, there was just something missing that I couldn’t really put my finger on. Compared to the Aventador, the Huracan didn’t have the same drop-jaw look that the Aventador owned. You wouldn’t imagine the Huracan being the amazingly framed bedroom wall poster that it’s big brother got.
The Huracan on the streets of London
I got to go in this very car in fact, which is why the caption doesn’t have any photo credits because I took this picture myself on my iPhone, after my scary stint around London’s streets.

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Lamborghini Huracan Performante Pic: Car and Driver
A standard Lamborghini Huracan will cost £155,000, and the all-new Performante is a whopping £55,000 more expensive, at £208,000. So, what do you get for your money? Well, it seems that on paper, not much.

Compared to the standard car, the Performante has been given 29 more horsepower, which takes it from 602 to 631BHP. It’s also got 30 more torques and, all of this means then, is that both cars have the same top speed of 202MPH. It’s also only had its 0-60 speed taken down by two-ninths of a second, 3.1 seconds has been shaved down to 2.9- which isn’t really much difference, at all. So, what is all the extra £55,000 fuss all about?

It has been fitted with a 5.2 litre V10, with a brand spanking new exhaust. You very nearly got this, in the standard car. The difference is though, that when you plant your foot down in a straight line, it’s exactly like having 1000 grizzly bears in the back, along with, Krakatoa, a nuclear bomb, a squadron of hawks, a pack of lions, a war and a dog. The engine noise is just explosive.

The next thing is just how fabulous this car looks… It’s soo much more dramatic than the standard car, it feels like the “please take a photo of me” look, is screaming from the bonnet because the jaw-dropping look is 100% back with this Lambo. The materials used to make this car are also typically Italian. For example, the epic rear wing has been made from carbon fibre bonded in a resin. This look has been repeated on several instruments inside the car, and all of this makes it very light- actually 40kg lighter than the standard Huracan.

Italian designers of the Performante have been brilliantly clever because, they have fitted the car with a system called ALA, which is a boffin aerodynamic system which moves a set of flaps in the front spoiler, flows air through the underside of the car, and controls air ducts in front of the rear wing, this controls the airflow over the back of the car. Yes, you are right, ALA does stand for something, but it’s Italian and I can’t be bothered to type it.

In a straight line, the Huracan Performante will leave a Ferrari 458 Speciale for dead, it will absolutely cream it, and still be wanting more by the time it’s finished it’s drag sprint. The aero system doesn’t stop there either, it’s clever. It gives you the confidence, to corner at absolute tremendous speeds and gives you the confidence that you’ll come out relatively okay on the other side. It also dials up the grip through corners by, distributing power to each specific wheel as and when it requires it. It’s like Usain Bolt. I’ve fallen head over heels in love with it. It’s a masterpiece. A genuine new chapter, in the history of motoring. It’s just brilliant.

What surprised me, most the test drivers, and will probably surprise you is that this car went around the Nürburgring five seconds quicker than any of the multi-million-pound hypercars. It went around in six minutes and 52 seconds. A Porsche 918 did the same lap in six minutes 57 seconds. This is a bloody quick machine.

The Huracan Performante isn’t just a track-bred car either, yes it gives you one hell of a driving experience, but it also comes as standard with Apple connectivity and air conditioning, it really is just as much an everyday car as is is track record breaker.

I started this test with some faults, and I just want to end it with some too, the only huge pain with this car, is that it bongs every time you do so much as move when you’re driving, as it’s stupid system thinks that the driver could have fallen asleep at the wheel. Cars these days bong when you open the door, bong when you sit down, bong when you don’t put your seatbelt on, bong if you don’t release the handbrake, bong if you don’t depress the clutch before you set off, bong if your shopping is placed on the passenger seat, bong if your lights are off, or bong if a postbox is approaching five miles away from your location. This car wins the bonging contest hands down, I’ve never sat in a car which bongs as much as this did. It was a bloody nightmare. It will tell you it’s TSU is malfunctioning- now I have no idea what its TSU is, and I’m sure that the person who buys one, won’t have a clue either. Furthermore, it may say that it’s MMI has been disabled. Let me tell you, that for acronyms, this is ten times worse than the British Army.

Every car has faults and problems. As do humans. That’s what makes them special, that’s what gives a car a proper meaning and a human-like beating heart. That’s the difference between, a good car and a great one.

I would actually say, that the Huracan Performante is currently, my favourite car of the moment.

Thomas

[Hotel Review] Parkroyal on Beach Road Singapore
ON OCTOBER 21, 2019 BY SATU KOSONGIN EXECUTIVE CLUB LOUNGE, GHA DISCOVERY, ORCHID CLUB, PARKROYAL HOTELS, SINGAPORE, STAYCATIONS
parkroyal beach road
Grabbed from Parkroyal Beach Road’s official site
My previous experience in this property was back in 2011. With the recently completed refurbishment and glowing pictures and reviews online, I decided to take advantage of the Amex Plat offer for getting $100 back with every $300 spent at Pan Pacific Group of Hotels, which includes Parkroyal properties. And being able to stack my GHA Black benefits was a bonus for sure!
Address – 7500 Beach Road Singapore 199591. Website.

Contact – Tel: +65 6296 3600. Email: enquiry.prsin@parkroyalhotels.com.

Location – the property is located along Beach Road, right opposite Haji Lane and its neighbouring alleys. Concourse is right next door which gives you access to a comparatively sad handful of F&B. Then you get The Plaza which is the smallish block of F&B located to the behind of the hotel. But all these places are un-sheltered access which means rain will cause plenty inconvenience. Nearest major mall will be Suntec City which is about10mins unsheltered way away.

Price – SGD183.60++ = SGD$210nett for 2 pax under the Member’s 14 Days Advanced Purchase rate. One of the cheaper staycation rates in Singapore.

Prior to Arrival – with this rate in mind, I emailed the hotel to confirm the possibilities of the double upgrade so I know which room to book. The reservations team responded to confirm that GHA Blacks’ highest upgrade possibility is the Club Premier: the next higher (and highest category for the property) is the Executive Suite which is excluded for upgrades. So I picked the Deluxe room, hoping to snag a double upgrade to the Club Premier. What I wish they could have told me is that GHA Black upgrade does not include access to Orchid Club – which I’ll talk about below.

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Check In – Arrived at 1:30pm on a Saturday afternoon to a bright and colorful lobby and was attended to immediately. The staff confirmed that I had received a double upgrade to Orchid Club Premier and also confirmed my late check out at 6pm. At the end of the process, I confirmed that club access is for 2pax – only to be told that the upgrade does not include access to Orchid Club and that I’d have to top up for it. I was quoted $56++ for 2pax which I thought was very reasonable since it includes breakfast and evening cocktails amongst others. I paid the extra but was not given letter stating the club benefits and timings.

Now, let me be clear that I do know that lounge access is not a guaranteed benefit for GHA Blacks. I just wish the property could be a little more transparent about the upgrade being only in terms of hardware but not club access. If I were to be honest, I don’t really agree with the principle since there is no such category of “club rooms without club access”. But sure, the hotel can decide to tweak at discretion. But stating this info upfront would have been a much better experience for guests – the reservations team or the front desk could have been pro-active in relaying this crucial piece of information rather than wait until I ask. I’m sure I’m not the only person who would have assumed all club rooms come with club access and it would have a terrible embarrassment if I had attempted to access the club with this assumption.

Room – I was assigned room 754 which is on the highest floor of the property. I was already impressed by the corridor when the lifts opened – the bright color scheme and orchids made the entire space really elegant (I found out thereafter that the corridors for other floors were more muted and mundane).

I have been house hunting lately, for a 2-3 bedroom apartment in Nairobi. My search was mostly focused in areas around my work place, and with a certain budget in mind.

I have come across many decent apartments, very many. During my search I noticed that most of the vacant units were in the upmarket areas – Westlands, Kileleshwa, Hurlingham, Kilimani..just to mention a few.

 

I decided to dig a bit deeper, to understand why exactly this was the trend. My analysis yielded interesting results.

In one search, of 13,164 vacant properties available for rent, 73% were in upmarket areas of Westlands, Lavington, Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Runda and Karen. See the below breakdown:

Westlands	2,955
Lavington	2,328
Kilimani	1,461
Kileleshwa	1,046
Runda	556
Karen	547
Loresho	324
Hurlingham	252
Muthaiga	247
Parklands	127
Gigiri,	60
Kitisuru	53	9956	73%
Rest of Nairobi	3,658	3,658	27%
Total Nairobi rentals	13,614	13,164

In the above search, the source does not differentiate between main houses and apartments. All the same, the findings can be summarised as below;

In a different search, I found that more than 65% of vacant rental apartments in Nairobi are in the aforementioned upmarket areas, with another 15% in areas around Langata, Nairobi south and west and Mombasa road area in general.

Apartments available for rent in Nairobi	1534
Westlands	244
Kilimani	216
Lavington	182
Kileleshwa	126
Riverside, Brookside, Parklands (rest)	233	1001	65%
Rest of Nairobi	533	533	35%
Total rental apartments in Nairobi	1534	1534

This particular source differentiates between main houses and apartments, giving us more accurate results for apartments.

 

Now, why do we have so many vacant rental apartments in these upmarket areas of Nairobi?

The average monthly rent for a 3 bedroom apartment is those areas is around Kshs 90,000/- and Kshs 70,000/- for a 2 bedroom.

Of the 1,534 rental apartments in Nairobi, 1,173 (76%) of them are going for 50k and more in terms of monthly rent. About 1,090 (71%) rental apartments are going for 70k and more in terms of monthly rent.

Not to mention the other highly priced rental apartments in those areas, charging a monthly rent of between 200k and 602k

Supply vs demand

In an ideal marketplace, the price for a good or a service is determined by the forces of supply and demand. In a competitive market, the price of a good will vary and settle at a point where the supply of that good equals the demand for it.

In Nairobi we are at a time when the supply of rental apartments outstrips the demand for them. Ideally the property owners could lower the rent they charge to attract more customers. This is however debatable, with so many other factors in play such as return on investments and market value of the property.

In another post, I will look at the value of apartments, in particular those available for purchase.

In the meantime have your say, why do we have so many vacant apartments in the upmarket areas?

Source: OLX and the Rocket Internet owned real estate marketplace, Lamudi.

New Model 2016 Audi Q8 Review, Release Date and Price

A subdued Laure gets roasted by Acting Divisional Commander Anfrey from Disciplinary, as Tintin looks on – how does he really feel about his former colleagues? Their questioners fail to divide and conquer Laure and Gilou, who know the routine only too well. But it’s a huge humiliation when their offices are searched. Fortunately, Ali seems to have moved the cash which Laure had left in her filing cabinet, so the two are off the hook for the moment – but Anfrey and TinTin keep tabs on them.

Tintin, though, destroys evidence that might point to their guilt – is he covering for them, or trying to get them under his thumb?

Ali is certainly learning to bend the rules, promising papers for the Syrian immigrants if they tell what they know about the kidnap of Mazouz – DNA evidence links it to Herville’s murder, so it gets top priority. When a witness describes in English the kidnap driver wearing a ‘smoking’, he uses a French colloquialism for a dress jacket. He identifies David Cann’s driver Vadim from photographs. Could Vadim also have been Herville’s executioner?

Roban orders the teams to cooperate in a raid on Chen, seemingly unaware that Laure and Gilou are under the cosh – but their plan is working. Money man Cann and his contact Chen are falling out over the missing cash.

When the raid on Chen is cancelled on orders from above, Roban confronts the Commissioner with the email evidence that led to the death of Herville – reluctantly, the Commissioner agrees to let the raids go ahead, despite his fears that it will cause political repercussions. Sometimes we have to disobey order, says Roban – well, he should know.

Josephine’s case is floundering because she can’t get Lola to admit her childhood rape – even when Lola’s mother turns up, it doesn’t help. She turns to Edelman for ethical advice – his retort being to ask since when ethics bothered her? – but in the end she can’t force herself to give away Lola’s secret in court. But Lola finally reveals the truth, and the tribunal, implausibly, softens and hands out a suspended sentence. We doubt if a jury would have been so easily swayed. Josephine and Lola are jubilant, but what of the dead man’s grieving wife?

The raid on Chen’s finds stacks of cash, Chen is put under pressure and David Cann panics, telling his wife – Mazouz’s sister – to disappear, not mentioning of course that it’s he who kidnapped Mazouz, and will probably bump him off if he starts to look like a loose end.

(Incidentally, we only just caught on that Mikaël Fitoussi, who plays Mazouz, is the brother of Grégory Fitoussi, who played advocate Pierre Clément in seasons 1-5 of Spiral).

We still think, though, that Mazouz’s girlfriend Nadia knows more than she’s letting on, particularly about the killing of her son Fouad.

With the identification evidence on Cann’s driver, Roban gives the go-ahead to take in Cann, but he’s done a flit, and is planning to get out of the country with the help of Mazouz – but it all depends on Nadia laying her hands on Mazouz’s hidden cash.

Cann turns to his old schoolfriend Edelman for help – possibly not the wisest move – and gets zero sympathy. In fact, Edelmean squeezes out a confession to involvement in Herville’s murder – so that’s sorted out, then. In fact Cann’s henchman Vadim dunnit, but of course on Cann’s orders, desperate as he was to avoid the money laundering conspiracy being exposed.

Laure and Gilou plan to capture Cann when he and Mazouz come to pick up money from Nadia; but Anfrey is still pursuing them despite TinTin’s interference. Anfrey summons Soizic for questioning (we only catch on here that her name’s actually Bretz – Soizic is apparently a diminutive of Françoise. Who would have guessed?), and she fesses up to blocking Mazouz’s accounts.

At the handover, Edelman turns up to collect the cash from Nadia, so the cops nick him instead of Cann. Edelman, rather implausibly, calls on Josephine and admits that he knows Cann is responsible for the death of Herville.  Cann flees to the nightclub where Mazouz is being held, confessing that he killed Fouad, and threatening to get rid of Mazouz next.

So it seems that all our tentative theories about Herville’s killing being the fallout from a gay love triangle, or Fouad’s death being at the hands of his own mother, were worthless; David Cann is the big baddie, he’s responsible for all the killings, and all that remains is to get him in the bag.

Josephine goes to Roban, who regards her like a rabid skunk, and offers to turn in Cann if Edelman can go free. Not much of a way to relaunch her career, offers Roban, but she professes not to care. What would she do instead of the law, though? Social work?

In any case, the team reject her offer, opting instead to stake out Cann’s family in the hope he’ll come for them. But she goes in search of Cann at the nightclub, and is nabbed by Vadim, but not before putting in a call to Laure.

When the cops raid the club, Cann and Mazouz  turn themselves in, and Vadim tries to do away with Josephine, but Ali shoots him dead. We’re amazed that Ali survives, there have been premonitions of his death all through the series, but amazingly he escapes without a hair out of place. It’s also Ali who breaks Mazouz and gets him to rat on Cann, so he’s pretty well solved the case.

At a celebratory drink-up, who should turn up but TinTin, warning Gilou that Soizic has rolled over and that Anfrey is coming for him; will he now be seriously tempted to take the money and run? In fact he turns himself and the cash into Anfrey, takes full responsibility and refuses Laure’s pleas to let her confess too.

Roban sadly packs up his office and leaves after a drink with his faithful clerk Didier; Laure is left to watch her daughter Romy with her father in the park, but at least with some sense that there may be a chance of a relationship.

So what’s our conclusion on this terribly slow and rather underwhelming series? It can’t be said to have been twisty or thrill-packed – in fact it rarely got more surprising than the episode one killing of Herville. The guilty parties, if not totally obvious, were no surprise; and there was little brilliant detective work to be done, mainly observation and phone taps. The political dimensions of the case were barely explored – bent MP Aline Lecomte was quietly forgotten. Distractions like the Barbie and Ken case merely served to slow down the action, and the less said about Josephine’s miraculous defence of blackmailer Lola, the better.

In fact, a lot of the qualities of Spiral seems to have worn thin in the last couple of series; it’s rarely violent, shocking or exciting any more; one could almost say it’s plodding.

So what’s the future for Laure and Gilou? Well, with a season eight in production, we can be pretty sure he’ll beat the rap and they’ll be together again – but how will Roban return from retirement? And will Josephine have the energy to continue practising law? We’ll be there to find out – but let’s hope the script-writers have a rocket put up them. We couldn’t take another season of this ennui.

Apart from being the easiest breakfast recipe, maandazi are delicious and can be prepared in any flavor you like.

I particularly enjoy Lemon Maandazis, the lemon zest adds a pop in the taste. You can alternate the lemon zest with any fruit flavor or spice like a cardamoms or nutmeg.

PREPARATION : You will need some oil for deep frying. The amount of oil will depend on the number of maandazi you intend to fit in the frying pan. Just ensure that the oil is enough to float/ keep the maandazi from touching the bottom of the pan.

Also, set aside some time to allow the dough to rest after kneading. The dough may rest longer than 1 hr.

Once done.. Keep the maandazis in a zip lock bag or in a dish/airtight container to keep them fresh and moist.

**NOTE.

I used the standard 200gms measuring cups/spoons and not tea cups.

For best results try and follow the recipe measurements carefully.

Incase you use self rising flour.. Do not add baking powder..

In case you need a video reference Cardamom/Cardamon Maandazi Recipe

Let`s begin.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Cups of All-Purpose Flour
• 1  1/2 Full Teaspoons of Baking Powder
• 2  1/2 Full Tablespoons of Sugar.. ( Maximum of 5 Tablespoons) 
• 1 Teaspoon of grated Lemon Zest
• 3-4 Full Tablespoons of Margarine/ Butter (Room Temperature) 
• 1 Cup of Water/ Milk
• Pinch of Salt (Kwa umbali)

YEILD: 12-15 Pieces

PREP TIME : 1 Hr 30 Minutes

METHODS

• Step 1: Add flour into a mixing bowl together with the sugar, lemon zest and mix.

• Step 2: Add the margarine/butter. Mix well. **NOTE..  Do this with your hands until the flour and butter/margarine blend together. It should look like bread crumbs.

• Step 3: Add lukewarm milk/water. Mix well. 

• Step 4: Start kneading. Knead on the bowl or flat surface until the dough is soft and firm. When it`s ready, it should no longer still to your fingers. Powder some flour.. if necessary to firm the dough up.. just a little.

• Step 5: Roll the dough into a ball and place the dough back in the bowl and cover with a warm dump kitchen cloth. Let it rest for 1+ hour.

• Step 6: Take the dough.. It should feel fluffy and airy. Knead once, then cut into 4 pieces. Take 1 piece and return the others into the bowl. Roll it out with a rolling pin to a 1 cm even thickness and cut four mandazi pieces. 

• Step 7: Place them aside.. let the maandazi pieces rest as you heat up the oil for deep frying. Continue with the others.

• Step 8: When the oil is hot.. (Test the temperature of the oil first with flour or water droplets if unsure) Then add in the Mandazi pieces one by one. Shower the mandazis with the oil until it starts swelling up. After swelling.. turn the maandazi  with a ladle / cooking spoon as they cook in the oil. Cook until both sides turn brown :).

• Step 9: Once all pieces are cooked.. serve with some tea or juice.

Share your pictures with me by tagging @cookingwithnimoh on social media 🙂

Cow liver is a superfood rich in Iron, Proteins and Vitamins. It also boasts of very low calories.

This recipe is simple, quick and will leave you wanting more.  Maini is best served with Ugali and leafy greens.

Preparation; I marinated the the liver in fresh lemon juice for 1 hour to get rid of the strong metallic taste. You can do this with milk too.

Lucky enough, my local butcher always removes the thin clear film on the liver so qI didn’t have to do it. If your liver has this.. ensure that you peel it off because it makes the liver chewy when cooked.

Lastly, cut the liver in medium chunks to avoid drying out when cooking.

Let`s begin;

SERVES: 3-4 Decent Portions

INGREDIENTS

• 400 gm Cow Liver
• 2 Medium Sized Onions 
• 3 Ripe Tomatoes
• 1 Green Pepper
• 5 Garlic Cloves
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/2 Teaspoon of salt
• 4-5 Tablespoons of Cooking Oil
• 1 Teaspoon of Spanish Paprika 
• 1 Tablespoon of Garam Masala
• 1 Bunch of Coriander/Dhania

 

METHOD

• Step 1: Add the liver into a sufuria/sauce pan together with the water, salt and oil. Let the liver simmer until the water is evaporated.

• Step 2: Let the liver brown a bit.. this will form a foundation and good build up of flavours. (Shown in recipe video)

• Step 3: Once browned, add in the onions and green peppers. Cook until translucent.

• Step 4: Add in the crushed garlic. Mix well and be careful not to burn it.

• Step 5: Add the Tomatoes. Add in the spices. I used Spanish paprika, garam masala and black pepper. Mix well and cook until soft.

• Step 6: Let the tomatoes cook until they form a thick paste and are well blended with the liver.

• Step 7: Add 1/2 Cup of water, mix and add let the liver simmer for 2 minutes. 

• Step 8: Add in the coriander and green pepper (Hoho). Mix well and serve.

Back in 2017, as a requirement of a degree of Masters of Science in Food Safety and Quality, I was privileged to join my class in a one week community outreach and assessment program in Kwale County. The one week assessment interrogated community food handling and safety knowledge to tackle the increasing cases of malnutrition and periodical cholera cases experienced in the county during that period. The one week interaction with the Mijikenda (nine sub tribes) gave me an endowed experience and a burning desire to make a trip again at the Kenyan coast and learn more about the communal orientation of the community. The dream got actualized when, fortunately, I merited as one of the students in the cassava project. This time, the trip was not to Kwale but to two other counties, Kilifi and Taita-Taveta, which boarder Kwale.

In my earlier years, I lived having two perceptions about the Kenyan coast, typically dabbed a lifestyle of the Mombasa people; “Mombasa raha”, loosely translated as “Mombasa the home of luxurious living,” and that “Mombasa hakuna haraka” meaning everything at the Kenyan coast is done with no haste.  So when I got the opportunity to work with these two counties, I knew I had the perfect opportunity to learn about the Kenyan coast. At the same time, it dawned on me that I was in for a hard task. At this time, in 2018 April, I was walking into a society that had been declared by the Kenyan Government, just few months ago, as food insecure deserving food relief from the government since it had insufficient produce. I did a quick background check in the community and found out that despite being hunger prone, the community had grown Cassava crop since time immemorial. At this point I convinced myself that all was not lost. Hence I consoled myself that, the work could not be as hard but a little motivation to the farmers would help us to contribute to the actualization of two SDGs of Food and Nutritional security and eradication of poverty within this community.

My interaction with the coastal farm households for the last one year has taught me and motivated me to be committed even further to the African Agenda 2063. The local farmers are committed to getting and adopting the new technologies presented to them by either the NGO’s, Banks and research institutions such as universities, Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Organization (KALRO) and others.  Notably, the commitment of Kilifi county Extension officers Mr. Nyinge and Mr. Mwadzua is quite commendable. The first trip during the focus group, remarkably, Mr. Nyinge knew about 100 farmers by name, farmer group, homestead and some by their children names. The few questions he kept asking the farmers were, “Hello mama Y, how are the fruit trees we gave you fairing?” This became a chorus as we navigated the county. In this officer, I learnt that community interaction calls for meeting the farmers at their farms, moving a notch high to associate with them at personal level and sharing with them their experiences.   The up close interaction with the farmers showed an open interaction between the Extension officer and the farmers.  This way, the farmers learned while being motivated and with a clear focus of making money from agriculture while feeding their families.

Cassava is grown in under 2 acres of land in Kilifi and Taita-taveta Counties by over 70% of farmers, however, there are a few farmers who have grown the crop in over 20 acres of land and are mincing millions from cassava crop cultivation.At the Kenyan coast, the people are endowed with a lot of crops, from traditional vegetables, coconut, bananas and tomatoes (Taveta sub county), beans just but to mention a few. The geographical location of the place and the presence of the Taita hills and the Indian Ocean creates a larger disparity in terms of micro climate. Some of the places I visited had an Altitude of Negative 10m while others had as high as 2200m above sea level. In the lower regions of Baharini, Mwatate, Voi, Bhughuta farmers do small scale goat rearing as a commercial activity and there are sisal farming alongside the growth of cassava crop.

In the highlands there is commercialization of dairy animals though on small scale.  In my interaction with the farmers who mostly cultivated Cassava in under 2 acres of land, I was privileged to meet a retired old man, though young in his ambitions and desires. The gentleman who worked as a Postal corporation of Kenya driver before retirement narrated story worth sharing. “While I retired in early 2000’ I knew I had to venture into agriculture, I tried doing pawpaw but the returns were minimal. At a later stage, I decided to upscale my cassava crops, today I do close to 20 acres of cassava per each planting season. I have been able to educate my children and build a new house from returns from Cassava, something that I was unable to do during my employment age. I can assure you my son, Cassava crop is like gold to me.” The research assistant (guide) who walked me to the old man’s homestead and farm retaliated that the old man minced a lot of money from cassava farming and that he was on record of doing more than 50 acres and not 20 acres as he had reported.

While growing up and during my schooling years, I was always advised and trained to take personal initiatives. I did not, however, appreciate or conceptualize it in a farmer’s life. ‘Local farmers do the same’ my mind was jolted when I met Mama Jane.  Mama Jane is a woman in Mbale, Taita sub-county. Mama Jane is an embodiment of self-drive towards the desires to actualization of desired motivation. She is quite motivated to do that which is within her capacity to help change her state. My first visit to Mama Jane’s kitchen, she did small scale value addition of cassava into boiled roots as well as crisps. My one year interaction with her has totally changed her perception about cassava and re-energized her to drive and expand her kitchen into a community training center. After training her in college on value addition, she was quite clear on what she wanted to do. Barely a month after training, she was already representing her county in a commonwealth event in Nairobi.  Lately she has been identified by the county as the face of cassava value addition. She recently (2020 February) organized a farmers training session in partnership with the University of Nairobi and the county Government of Taita-Taveta and I personally attended and affirmed that her drive to facelift the thinking of her fellow women was still a blaze.

There is just so much I learnt from Taita-Taveta and Kilifi counties. One may not put a full stop with stating the level of peaceful co-existence amongst the people and the level of tolerance and humility of interaction.  The people cherish communal values and respect for the law including the clans’ headmen.

I take this opportunity to thank the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), the MasterCard Foundation and the University of Nairobi for giving me the opportunity to be part of the cassava project team. The cassava project is committed to contributing towards the realization of three SDGs that is Food and Nutritional security, Eradication of poverty and quality education for all. I still look forward to continue working with the people of Kilifi and Taita- Taveta counties as we focus to ensure enough food for all while raising the living standards of farm households.

1. Cruise the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
One day you’re watching giant tortoises mate in swirling mists, then you’re nose-to-nose with a seafaring marine iguana, or snorkelling with a group of penguins. As Darwin appreciated, neighbouring islands have sub-species that have developed differently, leading to one of the most important, world-changing discoveries ever known: evolution.

Make it happen: The best way to explore is by boat. Although three- or four-night cruises are available, try to go for a week at least.

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2. Arrive in Timbuktu, Mali
The small, dusty town of Timbuktu has long been a byword for isolation. Visit the bustling market, where salt was once worth as much as gold, and then cool down with sweet tea as you barter for silver with the Tuareg nomads. Come sunset, venture out into the desert by camel, and drift to sleep under a million stars.

Make it happen: Note that the FCO currently advises against travel to Timbuktu. If you choose to go, you can fly from Bamako to Timbuktu airport, or take a Niger River trip.

More on Mali.

Tuaregs in Timbuktu (Shutterstock)
Tuaregs in Timbuktu (Shutterstock)

Mountain gorillas in Uganda (Dreamstime)
Mountain gorillas in Uganda (Dreamstime)

3. Meet mountain gorillas, Rwanda/Uganda
Alan Wood, one of our readers put it perfectly when he said, “Imagine our surprise when we came upon the family of gorillas all sleeping peacefully with only the silverback on watch. We sat enchanted at their feet and, after a while, they started to wake and stretch just like a human family in the morning. He was unperturbed by our presence and we felt privileged to be visiting.”

Make it happen: fly to Rwanda or Uganda. For Rwanda, fly to Kigali, and for Uganda, fly to Entebbe, near Kampala. In both countries, gorilla-trekking permits start from US $500.

More on gorilla-watching.

4. Discover wildlife in Madagascar
Madagascar is the oldest island on earth, and its flora and fauna have evolved in isolation over tens of millions of years. Madagascar developed lemurs, a gentle primate. There are 86 different species recognised, ranging from mouse lemurs up to the indri, the size of a chimpanzee. A stunning 90% of Madagascar’s flora and fauna is endemic, and don’t miss the chance to see spectacular baobab trees.

Make it happen: Fly to capital Antananarivo (known as Tana). Apr/May and Oct/Nov are the best times to visit.

More on Madagascar.

Baobab trees, Madagascar (Dreamstime)
Baobab trees, Madagascar (Dreamstime)

Snorkelling in Bora Bora (Dreamstime)
Snorkelling in Bora Bora (Dreamstime)

5. Snorkel in Bora Bora, French Polynesia
There’s no need to don your diving gear – just bring a mask and snorkel, immerse yourself in the shallow lagoon and wait for a graceful giant to glide silently by. While you’re exploring this underwater garden, don’t be surprised if you bump into a bat, leopard or eagle ray – the waters here host some of the most diverse marine life on earth.

Make it happen: Bora Bora is 250km north-west of Tahiti. Daily flights from Tahiti’s Faa’a airport take 45 minutes; some stop at the islands of Moorea, Huahine and Raiatea.

More on Bora Bora.

6. Iguazu Falls, Argentina/Brazil
A fine force of nature straddling the border between Argentina and Brazil, this chasm is one of the widest waterfalls in the world, consisting of 275 cascades spread in a horseshoe shape over 3km. Make the journey on foot and let your anticipation build with the growing roar before emerging to soak up the spray on a walkway or boat ride.

Make it happen: Puerto Iguazú, Argentina, is a 90-minute flight from Buenos Aires. Buses run to the visitor centre; from here, walk or take a quick train ride to the falls.

More on Iguazu Falls.

Iguazu Falls (Dreamstime)
Iguazu Falls (Dreamstime)

Paradise Bay, Antarctica (Shutterstock)
Paradise Bay, Antarctica (Shutterstock)

7. Appreciate all that ice, Antarctica
The notorious sail to Antarctica across the Drake Passage can be a tough one, but that’s swiftly forgotten as you start to see more and more ‘bergy bits’. Of course, the wildlife is a reason to go to Antarctica too: the various penguins steal your heart while sightings of whales, leopard seals and snowy shearwaters will make any trip memorable.

Make it happen: Expedition cruises leave from Ushuaia (Argentina), Christchurch (NZ) and Hobart (Tasmania).

More on Antarctica.

8. Sit on the summit of Stromboli, Italy
The climb up takes two to three hours, moving through fig trees, oleander and broom at the base to sparse shrubs further up and finally nothing but black volcanic rock. If you set off in the afternoon, you reach the summit at dusk. Hard-hat on, you spend an hour ooh-ing and ahh-ing as magma bubbles through the volcano’s vents.

Make it happen: Stromboli is a four-hour ferry or 1.5-hour hydrofoil journey from the Aeolian Island of Lipari. There is no airport.

More on Italy.

Stromboli, Italy (Shutterstock)
Stromboli, Italy (Shutterstock)

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia (Shutterstock)
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia (Shutterstock)

9. Salar de Uyuni salt flats, Bolivia
In the dry season these vast expanses appear as an endless patchwork of hexagonal shapes, white as the Arctic; in the rainy season (December to April) the area becomes a 9,000 sq km mirror, giving the sensation of travelling across the sky. Drive out over the plains in a jeep and stay in a hotel made out of salt – beds, chairs, tables, the lot.

Make it happen: The hub-town of Uyuni is a seven-hour bus ride from Potosí; 12-15 hours by bus from La Paz. The seven-hour train ride from Oruro is a scenic option.

More on Bolivia.

10. Venture to Shibam, Yemen
In the words of our Wanderlust reader Jane Baxter, “As you approach Shibam by plane, you get spectacular views of the mud-brick towns of the Hadhramaut built high into the rugged flat-topped mountains. Shibam dates from the fourth century and all the houses – which rise up to nine storeys – are made from mud-brick, with decorated doors and windows.”

Make it happen: Yemen is currently off-limits: the Foreign Office advises against all travel to the whole of the country.

More on Yemen.

Shibam, Yemen (Dreamstime)
Shibam, Yemen (Dreamstime)

Bagan, Myanmar (Shutterstock)
Bagan, Myanmar (Shutterstock)

11. Visit the temples of Bagan, Myanmar
It’s the sheer scale that astounds: the remains of 2,217 ancient stone temples, scattered across a vast, barren, copper-coloured plain. From the 11th to 13th centuries this 41 sq km complex was the biggest religious and cultural centre in the world. Now dusty and abandoned, what is left is best toured by bicycle or by horse and cart.

Make it happen: Bagan is 140km south-west of Mandalay.

More on Myanmar.

12. Watch the sun rise over Angkor Wat, Cambodia
It’s the combination of beauty and scale that provides the wow factor for this temple, the principal monument in a complex that includes Hindu and Buddhist temples in their hundreds. Arrive early to catch the sunrise and miss the crowds, and make the most of that famous view from across the moat, where Angkor Wat is reflected in the water.

Make it happen: Siem Reap is the hub town for Angkor, served by flights from cities including Bangkok and Hanoi.

More on Cambodia.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia (Dreamstime)
Angkor Wat, Cambodia (Dreamstime)

Petra, Jordan (Dreamstime)
Petra, Jordan (Dreamstime)

13. Get a glimpse of ancient Petra, Jordan
Deep in the Jordanian desert, hemmed in by sandstone crags and approached along a slither of a canyon, suddenly an ancient facade looms out of the rock. And not a weathered outline: a crisply-defined colossus, six mighty pillars guarding the entrance as if the Nabateans (who built them two millennia ago) had just popped out for lunch.

Make it happen: Allow two days (or more). See our Petra travel guide for more information.

More on Jordan.

14. Take a mokoro through the Okavango Delta, Botswana
Traditionally carved from a tree trunk, the mokoro was the common means of transport of the Bavei tribe. Today, fibreglass is increasingly common, rather than wood, but these canoes are still the best ways to explore the channels and waterways of the largest delta in the world.

Make it happen: Maun is the gateway into the region. Pick up a safari there, or pre-book with a specialist.

More on Botswana.

Okavango Delta, Botswana (Shutterstock)
Okavango Delta, Botswana (Shutterstock)

Karakoram Highway, Pakistan (Shutterstock)
Karakoram Highway, Pakistan (Shutterstock)

15. Travel the Karakoram Highway, Pakistan
This is the stuff of travel legend. The route wriggles from north of Islamabad to Kashgar in China, and there are plenty of adventures on the way: you’ll drink tea with polo players, see peaks soaring over 7,000m and spot ancient rock art by the roadside. You’ll be whiplashed, bruised and exhausted. You’ll have the time of your life.

Make it happen: UK nationals require a visa to enter Pakistan.

More on Pakistan.

16. Trek to Machu Picchu, Peru
How did they do that? How did those 15th century Inca architects construct a city of mortarless stone, 2,500m up in the Andes? This is engineering of the tallest order, in the most dramatic of settings – one so remote even the conquistadores couldn’t find it. Today, access is a little easier – but the views and the achievement no less impressive.

Make it happen: The classic 43km Inca Trail hike from Km88 to Machu Picchu takes 3-4 days; permits are necessary – independent trekking is not allowed.

More on Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu, Peru (Dreamstime)
Machu Picchu, Peru (Dreamstime)

Perito Morena Glacier, Argentina (Dreamstime)
Perito Morena Glacier, Argentina (Dreamstime)

17. Watch the Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina
Sail up to Perito Moreno’s terminus to appreciate its scale: the white-blue cliff is up to 70m high, advancing into Lake Argentino. Keep a safe distance: every now and then the glacier heaves, and huge chunks calve off into the water below.

Make it happen: Los Glaciares NP is 78km from El Calafate, accessible by car or bus. Boat tours can be taken from Puerto Bandera;

More on Argentina.

18. Hike the Tongariro Crossing, New Zealand
It’s touted as New Zealand’s – if not the world’s – best day walk. It’s a manageable challenge – at six to eight hours it will test but not break you. Then there’s the variety: from the shrubby Mangatepopo Valley, to the lunar Red Crater, the sulphurous sparkles of Blue and Emerald Lakes and, finally, the descent into lush forest.

Make it happen: The Crossing starts from Mangatepopo Roadend, 6km off Highway 47; it finishes at Ketetahi Roadend. Local operators can arrange transfers.

More on New Zealand.

Tongariro Crossing, New Zealand (Dreamstime)
Tongariro Crossing, New Zealand (Dreamstime)

Easter Island, Chile (Dreamstime)
Easter Island, Chile (Dreamstime)

19. Meet moai in Easter Island, Chile
Polynesians first arrived on the isolated outcrop of Easter Island around AD 300. And here they stayed, unbothered by anyone, until Europeans arrived in the 18th century. In that time, they got creative, constructing nearly 900 stone moai. Believed to represent ancient ancestors, many of these spirits continue to watch over the island today.

Make it happen: Easter Island is 3,800km west of mainland Chile. Flights from Santiago take around five hours; onward flights to Tahiti are around five hours.

More on Easter Island.

20. Lounge on islands, Malaysia
These coral-fringed islands offer lush forest scenery, unspoiled white beaches and plentiful opportunities for scuba diving in their pristine turquoise waters. Get hands-on with turtle conservation projects or stretch your legs on a trek through inland jungle brimming with wildlife (including exotic birds, monkeys and giant monitor lizards).

Make it happen: The Perhentian Islands can be accessed by boat from Kuala Besut, 110km north of Kuala Terengganu. Ferries to Tioman run from Mersing.

More on Malaysia.

Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia (Shutterstock)
Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia (Shutterstock)

Tikal, Guatemala (Dreamstime)
Tikal, Guatemala (Dreamstime)

21. Marvel at the Mayan ruins of Tikal, Guatemala
Today, deep in the tangled interior of the Petén Basin, it feels like time has stood still: climb the iconic Jaguar Temple and watch the sun set over the primordial jungle for an ancient overview. Just don’t leave your bag unattended: the local coatis, raccoon-type creatures, have light paws and a penchant for muesli bars.

Make it happen: Flores is the gateway town for Tikal, serviced by flights from Guatemala City. The Flores-Tikal minibus ride takes around 75 minutes. Tikal is open 6am-6pm; stay overnight so you can catch sunset and sunrise at the site.

More on Guatemala.

22. Delve into the dunes of Sossusvlei, Namibia
There are sand dunes, and there are sand dunes. And the Namib Desert’s offerings in this arena are the Himalaya of the granular world: the dunes here tower up to 300m, massive undulations that shape-shift with the wind. They’re not just big, they’re beautiful – gracefully curved, rippled, and apricot-orange under a perennial blue sky.

Make it happen: Sossusvlei is 590km west of Windhoek. It’s accessible by 2WD; a 4WD is necessary for the final 5km to Sossusvlei Pan (or walk from the car park).

More on Namibia.

Namib Desert, Namibia (Dreamstime)
Namib Desert, Namibia (Dreamstime)

Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia (Dreamstime)
Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia (Dreamstime)

23. Ride the Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia
Beginning in European Russia, the railway rolls eastwards, through the Ural mountains and the vastness of Siberia, finally ending in the Russian Far East, on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Or maybe not. Veer off after Lake Baikal and make for Mongolia or the north of China on the railway’s Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Manchurian offshoots.

Make it happen: Most travellers begin in Moscow due to ease of access. Trans-Siberian high season runs May-September.

More on Russia.

24. Roam the remains at Hampi, India
In the state of Karnataka lies Hampi, capital of the once great Vijayanagara Empire. The city was destroyed in 1565, but even in its present state – a vast ruin among incongruously shaped boulders – the scale of the achievement still reverberates. Get here early, hire a bicycle, and marvel at a city that was said to rival Rome.

Make it happen: Bangalore (Bengaluru) is the closest major hub with direct flights from the UK. Take the Hampi Express night train to the ruins.

More on India.

Hampi, India (Shutterstock)
Hampi, India (Shutterstock)

King penguins (iStock)
King penguins (iStock)

25. Sit among 100,000 king penguins, South Georgia
This spectacularly beautiful island is often summed up as being like Switzerland dropped into polar waters. You may have been told to keep 5m from the creatures, but they didn’t attend the same briefing! Expect overload at Salisbury Plain, where 100,000 king penguins crowd the beach. At Gold Harbour, get close to the giant elephant seals.

Make it happen: Join an expedition cruise to Antarctica from Ushuaia (Argentina) that takes in South Georgia.

More on South Georgia.

26. See wild orang utans, Borneo
Waiting in anticipation on the forest floor, you scan the canopy above for a flash of orange. After listening to the guide’s orang utan calls, you suddenly lay eyes on these human-like creatures as they make their long-limbed way through the trees. Sanctuaries such as Sepilok and the Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Sarawak are the easiest places to get a good glimpse; in the forest you’ll need lots of luck.

Make it happen: Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary is 23km from Sandakan; public buses run to within 1.5km of the sanctuary, or you can take a tour. Sepilok is open 8am-5pm; orang utans are fed twice daily, at 10am and 3pm.

More on Borneo.

Wild orangutan (Dreamstime)
Wild orangutan (Dreamstime)

A safari in Botswana (Shutterstock)
A safari in Botswana (Shutterstock)

27. Go on a bush safari, Botswana
Desert, delta, forest, big skies: Botswana is the safari destination par excellence. Here, you can gallop on horseback alongside herds of zebra, sway on elephant-back above feeding antelope, or canoe the Selinda Spillway, currently full of water after being dry for 30 years.

Make it happen: Fly to Maun and pick up a safari, or cross the border from Zambia (having visited Victoria Falls en route), South Africa, Zimbabwe or Namibia.

More on Botswana.

28. Get close to Mount Everest, Nepal
Given that it’s the world’s highest mountain – an 8,848m behemoth – Everest is surprisingly accessible. Not its summit perhaps: tough training, 70 days and £30,000 are needed for that. But you can get intimate in other ways: 32km from Kathmandu, Nagarkot offers non-trekkers a breathtaking panorama, while short flights from the capital take you within touching distance.

Make it happen: The dry season (October-May) is best for clear skies. This is also peak trekking season. October-November are best; nights are cold December-February.

More on Nepal.

Mount Everest viewed from Gokyo Ri, Nepal (Shutterstock)
Mount Everest viewed from Gokyo Ri, Nepal (Shutterstock)

Victoria Falls (Shutterstock)
Victoria Falls (Shutterstock)

29. Feel the spray, Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe
As the Zambezi River encounters the 1,700m-wide edge of the Victoria Falls gorge on the Zambia/Zimbabwe border it tumbles 100m into the depths below. You’ll fall head over heels for the world’s largest waterfall, as cascading torrents roar into deep pools, producing giant clouds of mist which glisten like diamonds in the African sun.

Make it happen: Victoria Falls’ water levels are highest April-June, but this is also the wet season; visit July-September for a good flow, but drier weather and better views.

More on Zambia and Zimbabwe.

30. Glimpse Torres del Paine, Chile
The sharp-shard peaks of Torres del Paine National Park, granite horns piercing the wilds of southern Chile, are fearsome. But there’s majesty and drama on a romantic scale in these mountains. Head to the lookout of Mirador Ferrier, via a winding beech-lined path from Lago Grey, for a panorama of the whole massif.

Make it happen: December to March are warmest; October to November are best for wildflowers. The Circuit hike takes 7-9 days, covering an average of 15-20km a day

More on Chile.

Torres del Paine, Chile (Dreamstime)
Torres del Paine, Chile (Dreamstime)

Alaska, USA (iStock)
Alaska, USA (iStock)

31. Plunge into the wilderness, Alaska, USA
North America is renowned for dishing up huge portions, but it’s outdone itself with Alaska. The Last Frontier State is the USA’s biggest – but its least densely populated. It has 17 of the country’s 20 tallest mountains, topping out at the formidable 6,194m Mt McKinley, plus 70,000km of coastline, 300 rivers and around 100,000 glaciers.

Make it happen: May-August is the best time to visit; winters are long and cold, and snow can make some areas inaccessible.

More on Alaska.

32. Catch your first sight of the Taj Mahal, Agra, India
Yes, it’s familiar, but the Taj – its graceful white curves, misty reflections, exquisite inlaid stone – does not disappoint. You’ll be fighting the crowds so make your first sight special: get to the gates for dawn, to be first in to watch as the mausoleum transforms from picture-on-a-poster to living, breathing 3D beauty under the rising sun.

Make it happen: The Taj is open daily from sunrise to sunset (closed Friday); entry costs Rs750 (£10).

More on India.

Taj Mahal, Agra, India (Dreamstime)
Taj Mahal, Agra, India (Dreamstime)

Cappadocia, Turkey (Shutterstock)
Cappadocia, Turkey (Shutterstock)

33. Explore Cappadocia, Turkey
Around AD 600, early Christians burrowed into the Anatolian plateau’s soft volcanic rock, creating underground homes, churches and monasteries. The result: a unique cultural adventure playground. Take a balloon ride to see the patchwork unfold beneath you. Or spend a night in your very own cave hotel.

Make it happen: Kayseri is the gateway city – fly via Istanbul, or take the train. The laid-back village of Göreme is a good base for hikes and ballooning.

34. Visit the Jokhang and Potala Palace, Tibet
Jokhang Temple, in the centre of old Lhasa, is proof of the nation’s spiritual life. It’s a kaleidoscope of colourful prayer flags and trinket stalls where monks and farmers jostle for position on the pilgrim path that surrounds it. At its heart sits a temple where each morning crimson-robed monks chant in the glower of a thousand yak-butter candles.

Make it happen: Trains run from Xining to Lhasa; journey time is around 24 hours. Overland tours run from Nepal.

More on Tibet.

Potala Palace, Tibet (Dreamstime)
Potala Palace, Tibet (Dreamstime)

Pantanal, Brazil (Dreamstime)
Pantanal, Brazil (Dreamstime)

35. Jaguar-spot in the Pantanal, Brazil
The Amazon has size and fame, but it’s in the Pantanal – Brazil’s lesser-known great green wilderness – that you’re more likely to meet the residents. A lot lives in this vast wetland: giant otter, giant anteater, giant water lilies, huge caiman, umpteen birds. And jaguars, which – incredibly for this elusive cat – are regularly spotted.

Make it happen: In the north, the Transpantaneira Highway runs for 145km from Poconé (near Cuibá) to Porto Jofre; Campo Grande is the main access point for the southern areas of the Pantanal.

More on Brazil.

36. Look out for bears, Canada
Here, beasts weighing up to 450kg might be seen in the mountains or, come salmon-spawning season, standing mid-river, mouths open, waiting for lunch to jump right in. A special treat is an encounter with a blonde-furred spirit bear, a rare sub-type that inhabits the vast Great Bear Rainforest, and holds a special place in Native Indian legend.

Make it happen: Generally, May-October is best for bear-watching. Obey the rules: clear up rubbish, keep food in a bear locker, never surprise or approach a bear.

More on Canada.

Polar bear (Dreamstime)
Polar bear (Dreamstime)

Etosha National Park, Namibia (Shutterstock)
Etosha National Park, Namibia (Shutterstock)

37. Waterhole-watch in Etosha National Park, Namibia
A smatter of ungulates – zebra, impala, oryx – takes watchful slurps. A warthog trots by, tail raised like a radio antenna. Three lions, with blood-stained chops, demolish an unfortunate creature under a mopane tree – until a huffy elephant decides to ruin their picnic. Just another day at the waterhole…

Make it happen: Etosha is a six-hour drive north of Windhoek. Three government camps within the park have floodlit waterholes for nighttime wildlife-viewing.

More on Namibia.

38. Fly over the Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Namibia’s Skeleton Coast is a no-man’s land of starkly spectacular proportions. It’s a place where bleached whale bones and the rusting hulks of shipwrecks line miles of empty sand; where shores sparkle with gem stones; where a few resilient animals – jackal, oryx, desert-adapted elephant – patrol the dunes.

Make it happen: The 200km from Swakopmund to the Ugab River is the National West Coast Tourist Recreational Area; no permits are required. Skeleton Coast National Park begins at the Ugab; the far north can only be visited by fly-in tour.

More on Namibia.

Skeleton Coast, Namibia (Shutterstock)
Skeleton Coast, Namibia (Shutterstock)

Himalayas (Dreamstime)
Himalayas (Dreamstime)

39. Glimpse the peaks of the Himalaya
There’s nothing bigger – nothing more wobble-you-in-your-walking-boots awesome – than the high Himalaya. The entire range spans 2,400km, from Pakistan in the west to India in the east; much of it lords over 7,000m, some of it over 8,000m – a height not approached elsewhere on the planet.

Make it happen: Himalaya hub cities include Kathmandu, Lhasa, Islamabad, Paro, Delhi and Guwahati; take the train to Shimla from Delhi (via Kalka; approx 12 hours) for easily accessible views.

More on the Himalayas.

40. Climb to Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan
This tumble-tiered fortress of white-washed walls and fluted roofs dangles 1,000m above the Paro Valley. It’s built on the site of a sacred cave, which Lotus-born Buddha, Guru Rinpoche, was said to have flown to on the back of a tiger; today, the temple in his honour looks like it might fall if not for the Buddha’s blessing.

Make it happen: Tiger’s Nest is 5km from Kyerchu. The road ends at 2,600m; a one-hour walk leads to a café and viewpoint (2,940m), followed by a steep climb to the observation point (3,140m).

More on Bhutan.

Tiger's Nest, Bhutan (Dreamstime)
Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan (Dreamstime)

Wildebeest migration (Dreamstime)
Wildebeest migration (Dreamstime)

41. See the Great Migration, Kenya/Tanzania
The Masai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Park are famous for the Great Migration: two million wildebeest trek in a constant search for food. From June to September the herds bottleneck at the crossings of the Grumeti and Mara rivers, creating a feast for waiting carnivores.

Make it happen: Fly to Nairobi (Kenya) or Arusha (Tanzania). Pick up a safari locally, or pre-book with a specialist.

More on Kenya and Tanzania.

42. Walk the Great Wall of China
The experience of walking along the entire Great Wall of China would be life-changing indeed. Seek out the less crowded sections. The Gubeikou to Jinshanling stretch is still accessible from capital Beijing, and showcases the barrier at its best: rugged walking via Wall and watchtowers as it snakes over the mountains.

Make it happen: Gubeikou is a three-hour drive north of Beijing; the walk to Jinshanling (10km) takes around five hours. Or head to Simatai, north-east of Beijing, for views of the Wall clinging to sheer Yanshan Mountain.

More on China.

The Great Wall of China (Dreamstime)
The Great Wall of China (Dreamstime)

Angel Falls, Venezuela (Dreamstime)
Angel Falls, Venezuela (Dreamstime)

43. Paddle to Angel Falls, Venezuela
With a drop of 979m, Angel Falls makes Niagara look like a garden water feature. Approach by dugout canoe from Canaima Camp, floating through lush rainforest, before a jungle trek to the vantage point of El Mirador de Laime. Adrenalin-junkies may choose to scale the canyon’s face before base-jumping off the top.

Make it happen: From Caracas you can travel to Ciudad Bolivar by bus; from there the only way into Angel Falls / Canaima is to fly.

More on Venezuela.

44. Motorbiking or biking, Vietnam
You don’t have to be crazy to want to cycle or motorcycle in Vietnam, but it helps. Ho Chi Minh City is a maelstrom of scooters, cycles and cyclos. If you see a break in the traffic, go for it. Just make sure that the guy with a dozen live ducks hanging off his handlebars doesn’t beat you to it.

Make it happen: The best time to visit Vietnam is November-April, the dry season – though the highlands can be chilly at this time.

More on Vietnam.

Motorbiking, Hanoi (Dreamstime)
Motorbiking, Hanoi (Dreamstime)

Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand (iStock)
Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand (iStock)

45. Hover over Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
There are more than 60 glaciers sliding down to the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Franz Josef is one of the most impressive, galloping from the 3,000m highs of the Southern Alps to sea level in a few kilometres. Swoop over in a helicopter – look down on chilling crevasses, towering seracs and sculpted caves.

Make it happen: Several operators offer helicopter trips over Fox and Franz Josef glaciers; scenic flights last 20-40 minutes (with snow landing), heli-hiking tours last three hours.

More on New Zealand.

46. Raft the Zambezi, Zambia
The Zambezi divides Zimbabwe and Zambia. After it takes a 100m-plus tumble over Victoria Falls, it squeezes through a narrow gorge for 120km, boiling up into the biggest sequence of Grade V rapids in the world. Make sure you hold on tight or you’ll be in the Zambezi – along with the hippos and the crocodiles…

Make it happen: The best time to raft the Zambezi is when the water levels are lower and more rapids are accessible, between August and mid-October.

More on Zambia.

Rafting on the Zambezi (Dreamstime)
Rafting on the Zambezi (Dreamstime)

Utah, USA (Shutterstock)
Utah, USA (Shutterstock)

47. Rock out in Utah’s canyons, USA
The national parks of Zion and Bryce Canyon are the most popular and, beyond simply gawping, are great for hiking, adventure sports and wildlife – you’ll see coyote, mule deer, bighorn sheep and, if you’re really lucky, mountain lion.

Make it happen: Fly to Salt Lake City. Hire a car and use Utah’s Scenic Byways to link the parks.

More on the USA.

48. Walking safari in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
This is one of the best places in the world to see leopards. This was also where the concept of the walking safari was born, and exploring on foot will really help you appreciate the bush. Once you’ve sampled Luangwa, safaris elsewhere will be spoiled forever.

Make it happen: Mfuwe is the gateway to the park; there are daily flights from Lusaka and Livingstone.

More on Zambia.

Bee-eaters at South Luangwa National Park (Shutterstock)
Bee-eaters at South Luangwa National Park (Shutterstock)

Banff National Park, Canada (Dreamstime)
Banff National Park, Canada (Dreamstime)

49. Explore Banff National Park, Canada
In winter, skiers love the sheer scale of it, the flinty vistas spread out under cobalt sky. Oh, and the skiing, of course. In the summer, a drive down the Icefields Parkway has you floored in admiration, with spectacular views of mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, glaciers, icefields and, if you’re lucky, the occasional brown bear.

Make it happen: Fly into Vancouver and then take the Rocky Mountaineer train, a two-day journey east to Banff.

More on Canada.

50. Gawp at the Grand Canyon, USA
Not surprisingly, Arizona’s world-beating Grand Canyon – up to 29km wide and 1.6km deep – featured varied and often among your top travel experiences: you climb it, hike it, raft it, fly over it or simply palpitate on the edge of it, consumed by the ineffable geological scale.

Make it happen: The Canyon is accessed via the nearby cities of Las Vegas (approx 450km) and Phoenix (370km). Plane and helicopter trips leave from these hubs; otherwise expect a four to six-hour drive, depending on which Rim you’re aiming for.

More on the USA.

Grand Canyon, USA (Shutterstock)
Grand Canyon, USA (Shutterstock)

Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (iStock)
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (iStock)

51. Climb Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Whether you rate a schlep up Africa’s highest mountain as a ‘great travel experience’ depends on when you’re asked. Ask the climber making the final push to the summit – an ascent from 4,000-ish metres to 5,895m – and they’ll likely say not. At that moment it’s a tough, cold, nauseating, exhausting hell. But ask them six hours later, when they’re grinning like an idiot on the roof of a continent, and the answer will be very different.

Make it happen: There are five main routes up Kilimanjaro: Machame, Marangu, Lemosho/Shira, Rongai and Umbwe. Climbs take 5-9 days; longer treks allow better acclimatisation.

More on Tanzania.

52. Get up-close with elephants, South Africa
You’re standing opposite a young bull elephant that may or may not be about to charge. Even as a junior jumbo, it’s very, very big – perhaps a third bigger than the Asian elephants you may have seen in Thailand or India. Emotions are at their most intense on a walking safari, getting you back to your roots rather than encased in a jeep.

Make it happen: Addo Elephant Park on the Eastern Cape is the third-largest national park in SA and home to the densest population of elephants in the world.

More on South Africa.

Elephants in Addo Elephant Park, South Africa (Shutterstock)
Elephants in Addo Elephant Park, South Africa (Shutterstock)

Northern lights over Tromso, Lapland (Dreamstime)
Northern lights over Tromso, Lapland (Dreamstime)

53. Be bewitched by the northern lights
In the words of our reader James Kemp, “We huddled expectantly outside the dimly lit hut at Abisko, Sweden. The cold was forgotten as the clouds parted and we were all stunned into silence as the greens spread across the sky before they were joined by reds. It was easy to see why in older times people revered them as signs of the gods.”

Make it happen: As well as Kiruna, good places to see the northern lights include Svalbard, Tromsø (Norway), Yellowknife (Canada) and Wiseman (Alaska).

More on the northern lights.

54. See a solar eclipse
Most of us at one time or another have squinted through a pinhole in a piece of cardboard or donned a pair of particularly dark glasses to get a look at a solar eclipse. But some travellers are eclipse-chasers, traversing the globe in search of total solar eclipses (which come around every 18 months on average).

Make it happen: A number of tour operators run trips combining eclipse-watching with soft adventure

More on astronomic travel.

Solar eclipse (Dreamstime)
Solar eclipse (Dreamstime)

Abu Simbel, Egypt (Dreamstime)
Abu Simbel, Egypt (Dreamstime)

55. Temple-gaze at Abu Simbel, Egypt
These big, old and beautiful monuments are so great they were actually built twice. Originally carved out of a cliff to honour Ramses II in the 13th century BC, the Great Temple and smaller Temple of Hathor were then cut up and relocated, block by block, in the 1960s to save them from the waters of the Nile, caused by the creation of Lake Nasser. Secure on the new riverbank, the 33m-high facade impresses and interrogates visitors, just as it has for thousands of years.

Make it happen: There are sound and light shows 7pm-10pm, which add another dimension. Avoid visiting in the afternoon, when temperatures are at their max.

More on Egypt.

56. Husky mush in Lapland, Sweden
“We were taken out on the sleds, with six to eight dogs leading and the guide steering the sleighs. It was incredible. But the real fun was the next day when we did it ourselves. We were on shorter sleighs with three dogs each, and after a quick run we were off, racing over frozen lakes and through the trees.” – Liz Davies, Wanderlust reader

Make it happen: Numerous tour operators offer dog-sledding trips in Sweden – check out Trip Finder Wanderlust’s recommended companies.

More on Lapland.

Husky sledding in Lapland (Dreamstime)
Husky sledding in Lapland (Dreamstime)

Orca breaching on Canada's west coast (Dreamstime)
Orca breaching on Canada’s west coast (Dreamstime)

57. Sea-kayak with orca, Canada
You sometimes hear them before you see them: the whoosh of air as they draw breath before diving. Or you’ll see the huge dorsal fin of an adult male as he slices through the water, and then realise there is in fact a whole family pod. Out on the water, you in your flimsy-seeming kayak, you realise just how big and powerful they are.

Make it happen: June to October is best for orcas. Fly to Vancouver, then take the ferry to Vancouver Island; there are plenty of local outfitters who can arrange kayaking trips

More on whale-watching.

58. Salsa in Havana, Cuba
Through the cigar smoke comes the sound of feet stamping, hands clapping, dresses swishing. Two women sashay towards their partners, men wearing neatly positioned bowler hats and wicked smiles. “Aqui, aqui!” they shout, and the women move towards them, while other Cubans holler and cheer, moving to the beat. Now who wouldn’t want to be part of that vibe?

Make it happen: Don’t just leave it to the professionals: many tour operators offer dance classes for travellers.

More on Cuba.

Salsa in Cuba (Shutterstock)
Salsa in Cuba (Shutterstock)

Fiordland, New Zealand (Shutterstock)
Fiordland, New Zealand (Shutterstock)

59. Kayak in Fiordland, South Island, New Zealand
This glacially gouged chunk of South Island’s south-west is riven with inlets, well rinsed by waterfalls, and receives 8m of rain each year. Kayaks are the ideal vessel – for paddling into coves and bays unreachable on foot, and for meeting the seals, penguins and bottlenose dolphins that call it home.

Make it happen: Te Anau is Fiordland’s main hub. From there it’s a 20km drive to Manapouri, followed by a 30km boat trip across the lake to reach Doubtful Sound.

More on New Zealand.

60. Stroll old Cartagena, Colombia
One of the finest colonial cities in the Americas, Cartagena was once a strategic shipping post for the vast riches amassed by Spanish plunder. Today, much of the original walls (built in 1616) remain, topped by cannons and flagpoles. Stroll amid the attractive plazas, grand mansion houses and charming cobblestone streets.

Make it happen: Colombia’s dry season is December to March, with a second dry season June-August. Visitors typically fly in via the US and Bogotá.

More on Colombia.

Cartagena, Colombia (Dreamstime)
Cartagena, Colombia (Dreamstime)

Yosemite National Park, USA (Dreamstime)
Yosemite National Park, USA (Dreamstime)

61. Yomp around Yosemite National Park, California, USA
Yosemite has been a national park since 1890, and every year hordes descend on its riverside meadows, pine forests and rockfaces. Set up camp, stash comestibles in your bear locker and hit one of the many hiking trails; plan your trip for autumn, when most areas of the park are still open but the crowds have gone home.

Make it happen: Yosemite is 314km from San Francisco. The park is open year-round but some roads are inaccessible Nov-May.

More on California.

63. Fancy-free back-packing, Australia
It’s an adventure for a gap year or a career break, a turning point in your life. Somehow, you have a month – maybe three months, or more – and nothing to hold you back. Australia beckons, its vast red blanks on the map as enticing as the coastal cities you’ll start from…

Make it happen: Hire a campervan from Maui or Britz; or browse second-hand vehicles for sale at gumtree.com.

More on Australia.

Exploring Uluru, Australia (Dreamstime)
Exploring Uluru, Australia (Dreamstime)

Hoi An, Vietnam (Shutterstock)
Hoi An, Vietnam (Shutterstock)

64. Browse Hoi An, Vietnam
Hoi An is an elegant waterfront harbour of 18th-century merchant houses, ornate pagodas and French colonial airs. You’ll nose into museums, sip café au laits overlooking the Thu Bon River – and then you’ll buy clothes. Suits for £20, cocktail dresses, shirts… and before you know it, you have fitting appointments all over town.

Make it happen: Hoi An is halfway between Saigon and Hanoi; the nearest train station is 30km away at Danang. Remember to leave space in your bags for a new wardrobe.

More on Vietnam.

65. Have fun on Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia
Fraser feels like nature’s theme park, a place where lakes, dunes and streams seem built for human fun. Four-wheel drive across the beaches to access the ‘rides’ – Champagne Pools’ fizzing surf, the dark depths of Lake Wabby, a gentle float with the fish down Eli Creek and the perfect-blue shallows of Lake Mckenzie.

Make it happen: Fraser is 15km offshore from Hervey Bay, 300km north of Brisbane. A 4WD is necessary to drive the island’s beaches and inland roads; purchase permits before arrival.

More on Australia.

Fraser Island, Australia (Dreamstime)
Fraser Island, Australia (Dreamstime)

New York, USA (Dreamstime)
New York, USA (Dreamstime)

66. Feel like a movie star in New York, USA
The first time most people see the Manhattan skyline there is, ironically, something unreal about it. Here you are in soft-focus taking a romantic stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge; now you’re glamming it up amid the neon-lit fizz of Times Square; come the morning you’ll be brooding on a boat across from the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Make it happen: Get to know the city through a local’s eyes (for free) – go to bigapplegreeter.org.

More on New York.