The Diomede Islands are a place of contrast unlike any on earth. The small sliver of water between these two tiny islands, which sit in the middle of the Bearing Sea, is the precise point at which the Eastern Hemisphere meets the Western Hemisphere, where America meets Russia, and where today meets tomorrow at the all powerful international dateline. It is where Americans look at Russia and the future out of their bedroom windows and can literally walk there during the winter. And, more recently, it is where Sarah Palin summons her supposed foreign policy bona fides (watch the video after the jump). As such, these two small rocks inhabited by small Inuit populations and military outposts offer an extreme opportunity to stand at the nexus of time and culture all at once. Let’s explore Little Diomede (USA) and Big Diomede (Russia) after the jump…
Deemed the “most remote island on planet earth,” Rapa Nui, or Easter Island, dots one of the least travelled corners of the Pacific Ocean. Any destination that earns such a superlative deserves a nod from Pyrodes, so here we go. Owned by Chile and regulated by no one, Easter Island offers a living museum of one of the most unique cultural stories anywhere. Dotted by ancient stone figures, known as Moai, the island and its rocky residents inspire tales of space aliens, lost civilizations, disease, war, and colonialism. No matter what version of history you adopt, the present day Easter Island offers one of the most unrestrained and engaging adventures available to travelers anywhere. Let’s go there and figure out how to get you there after the jump…
We all know and love the Chinatown Buses of the American east coast. They ferry us from city to city from anything from $1 to $20 thus overcoming the tyranny of the expensive and ineffectual Amtrak railroads. Yet, in recent years, the choices of which bus to hop on have exploded, and so Pyrodes thought it good to list, rank, and review our favorite bus companies that spot the highways between New York and DC (For the NYC to Boston rankings, click here). These are the best NY-DC buses, so you won’t end up stuck on a 90 degree bus, 60 minutes late, and headed for Montreal instead of Manhattan (we hope). So, without further introductions, here be the list:
1. BOLT: Bolt Bus (Website Here) is quite the covert corporate coach. Actually owned and operated by Greyhound, it has sprung up on the east coast to stop the hemorrhaging of customers to the cheaper Chinatown buses. That aside, Bolt has proven its value with one word: Internet. All Bolt buses are new, air conditioned, and sport slow, but functional wireless internet to make sure you don’t go into technological withdrawal on your trip. Bolt will pick you up at Penn Station and Canal Street and drop you off near Metro Center, thus allowing you to avoid the central bus station of death in DC. The one downside is timelines, as we have quite often seen the buses 15 min-1 hour late in arriving, but build this time into your schedule, and you will surely be happy with the Bolt.
For Pyrodes’ other favorites and the bus company that meets your needs, whether you need different NY and DC drop off points or more time options, follow us after the jump…
Pyrodes has already taken you to Baghdad’s latest honeymoon destination (look here), and we have also pointed out some great destinations to search for Osama on an afternoon hike (look here). So, it seems fitting to remind you of another great idea in the Terrorism turned Tourism fad that is gripping the world these days. We all remember Tora Bora where the Bush administration dutifully cornered Osama bin laden just before deciding to do the sporting thing and let’em go. Now, the governor of Tora Bora is continuing his campaign to turn this bombed out cave complex into the next Disney World worth almost 5.3 million pounds, or nearly 11 million US dollars. It is an admirable effort, and, no doubt, Pyrodes would be curious to see a Tora Bora Cribs episode. In the words of the governor himself, “Long before anyone had heard of Osama, Tora Bora was known as a picnic spot and now it can be both.” The Governor has plans for hotels, theme parks, and a vast array of gimmicks to attract you to Osama’s former caves of choice. We remain doubtful of his assessment that Tora Bora is perfectly “safe” these days. But, if you insist on going for a day of family fun, consider the videos after the jump…(The Times) (Ananova)
The world may be headed for a financial Armageddon, but that is no reason to stop traveling, especially if you are a budget traveler. Pyrodes is all about making lemons out of lemonade, and, let us tell you, Iceland is one lemon of a country right now. Its banks are down the drain, its currency is in collapse, and its government is nearly bankrupt. Heck, you can even buy the whole defunct thing on Ebay. But, Iceland’s woes can be your cause for celebration because now one of the most expensive destinations on earth is on sale. Everything from the flights to the hotels to the beers in the pub are dropping in value, so buy low, readers, and take advantage of one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Let’s explore the nuts and bolts of this thing after the jump…
Driving in China can be a bit crazy at times. Driving in Pakistan’s far northern tribal areas can be pure suicide. Couple those two together and add a bout of altitude sickness, and you have a must see Pyrodes‘ post. Welcome to the Karakoram Highway, or the Friendship Highway as it is called in the PRC, which connects China’s Xinjiang Province to the Northern Areas region of Pakistan. The Highway runs along at an altitude of over 4,000 meters, making it the highest major highway on earth. If you can stand the oxygen deprivation and love a good border crossing in a politically tumultuous climate, then this is the road trip for you. (For Pyrodes’ other famous road trips, look here and here). It is an adventure that takes you through a myriad of cultures and natural environs before leaving you deep in the Peshawar region of Pakistan or Kashgar in the Uyghur cultural center of China. Either way, it is a road trip for the ages, so let’s explore after the jump…
Road of Death, Bolivia’s Death Road, Most Dangerous Road on Earth. Pyrodes loves a good road trip. We have already taken you by car to the Arctic Ocean (look here) and how to navigate the China/Pakistan border (look here), but we would be remiss if we did not find for our readers the craziest, most unnecessarily dangerous road out there. And so, let us introduce you to Bolivia’s Yungas Road, lovingly named the Road of Death. Rated by the Inter America Development Bank as the world’s most perilous road, this stretch of rubble and bad karma claims upwards of 300 lives a year. The Yungas stretches a mere 70Km between the Bolivian capital of La Paz and the boony, but beautiful town of Coroico. With only 3 meters of road between you and a 1,300 ft drop into the rainforest below, this isn’t a trip for the faint at heart. Today, there is another paved route to Coroico, but adventure travelers and misguided Bolivians alike still take their buses, trucks, bikes, and cars up this death trap. And so, let’s get some tips, photos, and videos after the jump…
Since everyone in the United States will be bankrupt by next week, and since it costs as much as a your house to treat a cold these days, Pyrodes would like to usher you into the brave new world of medical tourism in our Beyond Borders series. No matter what you ailment may be, there is doctor somewhere in the world who will do it for cheaper than Dr. Charge-Alot down the road. The general assumption has always been that flying to Mexico for medical treatment is like lighting a match to cool off, but as US News and World Report suggests in their most excellent report, you may not only get a better price these days by outsourcing your health, but better service as well. From India to Brazil to South Africa, the world is now your hospital. Enjoy, and Healthy Travels! (US News)
Feeling Romantic? Tired of the same old Caribbean resorts and mountain cabins? Well, Pyrodes is proud to point you to a place where your love can explode in ways never thought possible: Baghdad. Yes, Baghdad. The Iraqi Tourism Board, which apparently exists, has a grand scheme to set up a private island in the middle of the city for couples to do their coupling in heart of the most romantic war zone this side of the Tigris River. And, the island will be called… Wedding Island. It will feature golf courses, villas, and, in case you do get swept into the war, handicap accessible amenities. Wow, this officially wins the Pyrodes Great Idea of the Year Award. (LA Times).
Make Sure to Look for Our Iraqi Antiques at the Pyrodes Store.
Pyrodes would like to introduce you to St. Maarten Airport, a stretch of runway that hugs the beach and the beach goers so closely that this could be you vacation picture. St. Maarteen is just one in a long line of airports that were found fit to be built amidst mountains, skyscrapers, and a host of other obstacles that make getting to your destination just that much more exciting. This airport is a thing to behold, but Pyrodes has listed some of our other favorites with video after the jump, so please enjoy…
View Shopping Cart
(
2 ) 
