For they who dream about doing many things in short time within a small area, the mythic island Malta in the heart of the Mediterranea Sea, is an excellent alternative. On the Norwegian travel fair trade Reiseliv06 in January 2006, tourist representatives from Malta presented great opportunities for most people. Some of the most picturesque scenery of all the Maltese islands can be found on Gozo. For nature lovers, they can enjoy the rugged landscape and spectacular coastline. For sun tourists, they can enjoy rocky inlets to red sand beaches and sail, snorkel, dive and fish. For party lions they can drink and rock around in a wide range of pubs. For genuine explorers, they can ahieve unique adventures admiring the world`s ancient temples and explore great mysteries just waiting for being solved.

When the Inca Empire fell, the Incas took many of their mysteries with them. One of the greatest mysteries is found at Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, Peru. Ollantaytambo is a massive citadel located about 50 kilometres from Machu Picchu, but it was also built for serving a higher purpose than this. It was far beyond my imagination when tried to understand how the Incas could be able to bring such gigantic blocks of stone to the top of the mountain from the quarries many kilometres away, and how have they shaped the stones to fit so well together? And perhaps the biggest question: what was the purpose of this construction? Why did the people in ancient time make so big efforts to build this amazing wonder of world?

On our way deep in the jungle of Amazon, on the Peruvian side, we chased away some crocodiles - caimans from the river shore, and jumped out into the water for a refreshing bath. We were told that caimans never attack people as far we stayed close together. Anyway it was a risk to take.

This journey has been so tough that I think it will be a very long time until someone tries to repeat our expedition," says the Norwegian Børge Ousland - Borge Ousland, according the blog on his website. Even so, he is in excellent form, and his friend and expedition partner Mike Horn is in much better than a couple of days ago. These two men are the first to reach the North Pole on skis in the dark of winter. This is a real venture....

El Dorado - an utopian dream or based on reality? The astonishing movie Aguirre, the Wrath of God from 1977, is based on historical circumstances. A few decades after the destruction of the Inca empire, a Spanish expedition leaves the mountains of Peru and descends to the Amazon river in search of gold, wealth and power. It doesn't take long time before they encounter big difficulties.

Scientist have recently found new species of fish and other sea life during a more thoroughly exploration of the Great Barrier Reef. The wonderful coral area is a paradise for Scuba divers and snorklers. It draws two million tourists a year, and discoveries new sea life will probably attract more visitors to the reef. Is the ongoing survey just a start for more discoveries? Could there be other uknown species hiding in the deep tropical water here?

In addition to admiring great temples as Angkor Wat, Bayon, Pre Khan, and Ta Prohmin at the Angkor site, I took a boat trip to the Vietnamese Floating Village near the town Siam Reap. I started from Phnom Kron where the boat docks, and floated out in Tonlé Sap Lake, a large lake about 100 kilometres long. It was amazing experience the pulsating life in this floating village, which is another wonder in Cambodia.

The Norwegian Tormod Granheim and the Swedish Tomas Olsson plan to ski down the world`s highest mountain, Mount Everest, in the Himalaya region. They hope to make an attemp from Everest's North side in May. These men successfully skied down Cho Oyu in 2004. Due to logistical problems they were prevented to make an attempt to ski down Shisha Pangma afterwards. Now Tormod og Tomas prepare themselves for their life biggest stunt ever.

The heydays of explorations and discoveries were from the early 15th century and into the early 17th century. This period was the so-called Age of Discovery or Age of Exploration. At that time Europeans sailed around the world to search for new trading routes. There are better opportunities for transportation and communication now than it was for some centuries ago, and eager travellers know how to take advantage of them to reach remote areas. But there are still some "white spots" left to explore for they who venture...

Cecilie is the third Norwegian to reach all the 7 Summits, and the first lady in Norway and Scandinavia to reach all the 7 Summits. It`s a milestone in her life. The Seven Summits are the highest peaks on each continent: Mount Everest, Aconcagua, McKinley, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Vinson, Carstensz Pyramid or, Koskiusko. She has been working on this project for seven years, and finally in the beginning of February 2006 she accomplished the last top. There is a debate on whether Kosciuszko should be the highest peak for Oceania. Anyway Cecilie made an attemp on Carstensz Pyramid in West Papua - Irian Jaya in Indonesia, but she had to return due to threats from a guerrilla group in the jungle. Therefore she went to Australia to complete the Seven Summits by reaching the top of Australia`s tallest mountain.

The Caodaism - Dai Dao Tam Ky Pho Do, or Third Great Universal Religious Amnesty, is a special belief practised in the city Tay Ninh located 100 kilometers northwest of Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon in Vietnam. I looked into the devine eye, which is the religion`s official symbol, and hoped for a vision. Some people in the sect preyed around me, other played on instruments and song. It was a relaxed, but strange atmosphere. The extravagant interior of the Caodai Great Temple gave me a feeling of being in another world. In the four daily ceremonies the intention was to create a harmonic synthesis of world religions. It is a mix of religions as Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Confucianism, Hinduism, Geniism, and Taoism. So by looking into the Divine Eye of Caodai...

Did USA loose the Vietnam War due to the Cu Chi Tunnels? The Viet Cong guerillas plan was to set out surprise assaults on the enemy, and then disappear. I was in the Vietnamese jungle about 30 - 35 kilometres outside Chi Minh City - Saigon. The Vietnamese guide challenged me: where is the hole (trapdoor) down to the tunnel system? I looked thoroughly around in the jungle, but couldn't see anything. Try to look once more, he said. Even not after my second attempt I couldn't spot any traces of a hole. The nature looked untouched, and I started to wonder about he was kidding with me, but anyway I made a guess close to the place where we were standing. Here I pointed, with my finger, probably not so convincing, but the guide shined up with a big smile, and wondered: how did you know? It was so close as it could be. If I had been so successful in guessing in football betting and in other games, I have probably been a millionaire now.

Candomblé is a religion which came from Africa to Brazil. On the New Year`s Day in Rio, religious rituals are performed by the Candomblé cult. Candomblé is an Afro-American religion practiced mainly in Brazil, but also in adjacent countries. It was carried by African priests and adherents who were brought as slaves between 1549 and 1888. Now it has become popular when Brazilians celebrate the New Year!

This year Salzburg city in Austria celebrate the 250 year`s Anniversity of its big son Mozart. The Mozart Year has already been started with festivities to honour the world famous composer and musican. You can almost feel Mozart's melodies in the narrow streets of the city. As the Tourismus Salzburg says: You won't need to look for Mozart in Salzburg this year - Mozart will find you! The special "Viva! Mozart" exhibition will give visitors an opportunity to glance behind the scenes of the legendary Mozart. The Whitsun Baroque Festival in June 2 - 5 this year - 2006. The Salzburg composer's birthday is moving the music-historical aspect: into the center of ancient Europe, into the middle of the 18th century. It started 250 years ago when Mozart was born in Salzburg. Today many big rock groups as the Radiohead, Waterboys, Roxy Music, Libertines, A-ha, U2, REM, Kent and Madrugada continue to develop the music, but for many people Mozart is still rock`n roll, and he will never be forgotten!

This event is hosted annually by the Adventure Travel Trade Association in USA. The Adventure Travel World Summit brings managers together for establishing contacts, cooperation, exchanging of experiences and stimulating them to exploit more of the potential in the adventure travel market. Mark your calendar today for the big event.