Swiss scores high in the sky

There's long haul flying and there's business class long haul flying...For those fortunate enough, flying business brings almost back the joy of traveling. Swiss International Air Lines is doing a good job on their Europe-South-America route. At least they give an option for those completely traumatised because of flying with Iberia. They have a Taste of Swisterland foodie programm on board which translates into decent, light and tastefull food and a good selection of wines. In 2009 they will introduce a 2 meter lie-flat bed and even more gadgets like iPod docking stations. Now it's just a matter of time untill the Swiss also realise that internet in the air is just a bear necessity.

The Oberoi Zahra, new style river cruising

Without a doubt the best way to experience Egypte is to cruise along the Nile. Even just being docked along the quay in Aswan gives a special oasis sensation, hectic noise of the bustle of the city included. The new style to cruise the Nile is boarding the ultra-luxurious Nilecruiser the Oberoi Zahra. Sleek, minimal, stylish (only too bad about the fake woods on the floor). Every room has floor-to-ceiling windows, even the bathrooms. She has dedicated private mooring places to avoid the hectic piers where all the other cruisers board. Of course the Zahra comes with a price but for those who can stand the sizzling heat of the Egyptian summermonths the Zahra offers a reasonable price. After all, Egypt is all about the desertheat and that special steamy atmosphere.

Nomads of the Seas, flyfishing in No-man's-land

Today my article about Nomads of the Seas got published in De Tijd, the financial newspaper in Belgium. A good reason to look back at this unique sailingtrip we did a good month ago. We cruised around the area of Puerto Montt in northern Patagonia on what is by any doubt one of the most high-tech ships in the world. Owner Andres Ergas made sure the hardware for this flyfishing expedition is top-end: 25 milion dollar boat, US Army zodiac of one milion, state-of-the-art helicopter,... Definately the ultimate way to discover this end of the world and most of all, to (learn how to) flyfish. Mister Ergas is quite ambitious and is planning more ultimate experience places all over Chile. From ultra-skiing in the Andes to going deep into the Atacama desert. Will be interesting to follow that. On the other hand, tourism and hospitality in South-America is growing so fast, that even a high-end project like Nomads is suffering from growing pains. My feeling is they have to make sure that the software, or the people running these operations, is as good as their hardware. I guess they still have some fine-tuning to do. Let's keep an eye on that!

Valparaiso, the creativity of a harbour city

What we sometimes miss in Antwerp is that special harbour-city feel. You know that the harbour is there, but it's far away from the citycenter and the hussle and bussle of the coming and going of the ships is missing. Here in Valparaiso, you look out of the window and you see the city below and a bit further the sea and it's busy harbour. You hear and even smell the port. In the hills of Valparaiso, especially in Cerro Alegre and Cerro Conception, life goes a lot slower than down in the city center. Narrow street, colorful houses, more and more restaurants and bars...Good addresses to sleep are the newly opened Zero Hotel and a bit further down the road Casa Higueras. The last one offers a bit more classe with a nicely designed swimmingpool and a good restaurant with fantastic terrace and view on the city and port. A good up-to-date guidebook to discover the city is the blog Corrugated City. Matt moved from England to South-Amerika and made it's way from Quito to Buenos Aires and finally ended here in Valparaiso.