Explore new worlds and journey deep into the jungle on the adventure of a lifetime!

In this issue of Bare Essentials ‘OUT NOW’ our sports spy gets muddy on a marathon in Costa Rica, we talk tribal sports with the athletes of Last Woman Standing and serve up some Ice Age Appetizers for a Prehistoric Party!

Click below for a sneak peak….

Fans of the sci-fi classic Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea have a chance to discover the deep on their own ocean odyssey when they book a bed at Jules’ Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, Florida.

Just to enter the Lodge, one must actually scuba dive 21 feet beneath the surface of the sea. Jules’ really is underwater. Diving through the tropical mangrove habitat of the Emerald Lagoon and approaching the world’s only underwater hotel is quite an experience. Even from the outside, Jules’ big 42 inch round windows cast a warm invitation to come in and stay a while, relax and get to know the underwater world that so few of us have even visited.

Jules’ Undersea Lodge was originally built as La Chalupa mobile undersea laboratory, the largest and most technically advanced in the world. The Lodge has been completely remodeled to provide guests with approximately 600 square feet of luxury living space for up to six people.

The interior has two living chambers, each 20 feet long and 8 feet in diameter. One chamber is divided into two 8 x 10 foot bedrooms; the other is an 8 X 20 foot common room with dining and entertainment facilities. Between the two chambers is a 10 X 20 foot “wetroom” entrance area with a moon pool entrance (similar to a small swimming pool), a shower and bathroom facilities.

Entering through an opening in the bottom of the habitat, the feeling is much like discovering a secret underwater clubhouse. The cottage sized building isn’t short on creature comforts: each of the bedrooms and the common room is equipped with telephone, intercom, VCR/DVD and our latest addition of the, “i home”, so you can enjoy your own choice of music from home.

But the main focus of attention is the big 42 inch round window that graces each room.

“Waking up to view a pair of angelfish looking in your bedroom window is a moment you’ll never forget”, states Koblick co-developer of this amazing sea structure.

Jules’ Undersea Lodge manages to reach a perfect balance of relaxation and adventure.

He’s the face of a couple of successful television travel programs, which spawned a series of follow-up books, and Charley Boorman could now easily claim to have one of the most interesting jobs in the world.

The actor/presenter began it all with his first travelogue titled Long Way Round in which he travelled with his mate Ewan McGregor on a motorcycle from London to New York.

In his latest expedition, Charley’s on his own traveling from Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Japan by any means!

Using quad bikes, hovercrafts, wooden scooters, canoes, paragliders and of course his favourite mode of transport – motorbike – Charley travels through some of the most exotic and exciting countries in the world. Along the way he encounters fascinating people and tests his endurance to the limit.

Packed with adventure, and written with Charley’s trademark humour and enthusiasm, Right to the Edge: By Any Means, will delight fans and new readers alike.

In the US Storm Chasers track Tornadoes, Downunder we delight in the dance of a Dust Devil.

Willy Nilly Watching is a favored pastime in the outback, where whirlwind wonders or dust devils appear frequently dancing across the dirt for a few minutes or at times for several hours depending on weather conditions.

Dust devils eventually burn themselves out when the air pressure within the cone rises to the pressure of the surrounding environment. Along their paths, dust devils mostly carry dust, dry leaves, and other feathery things, but they also may pick up enough strength to pull shingles from a roof.

Dust devils form through a different mechanism than tornadoes, and are much smaller, usually only 10 to 50 feet in diameter, and usually not extending more than 100 feet into the air. Common in relatively dry conditions, where sunlight heats the earths surface, and where winds are generally light. The heated land starts to produce convective rolls of air (as in the diagram above). Some of these rolls can get tilted upright, producing a dust devil.

Taking on the Thunder Downunder can be an exhilarating experience and a must try on the Curious Adventurer’s Aussie Agenda!

A few Willy-Nilly websites to get you started:
Storm Chasing in Australia
Australian Storm News and Chasing

The curious individual seeks new wonders of insight and intrigue adventurously experiencing life from every angle. Entertaining the apt adventurer is never difficult for the world is an infinitely curious cornucopia of creations.

One such, unique destination sure to bewilder and excite is The Cloisters a 1930’s museum in New York where you can explore medieval treasures and priceless artifacts ‘just like Dr. Jones!’

Designed around chapels, halls and cloisters from medieval Europe its historic atmosphere transports visitors to another century. The hidden treasure of Manhattan is tucked away on 190th street contrasting the city backdrop like a porthole in time!

The collection inside spans the Romanesque and Gothic periods most of which was amassed by a sculptor and keen medievalist George Grey Barnard who then sold the collection to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Highlights include the Unicorn Tapestries woven in Brussels around 1500 and a intricately illustrated prayer book engraved for the Duc de Berry. But of all the wonders that reside within this museum most impressive is the building itself – a 1930s structure that incorporates ancient architecture with an authentic presence. With its period style courtyard and mythological heritage The Cloisters offers curious adventurers a chance to peer into the past.

In Bare Essentials Sept/Oct Issue ‘OUT NOW’ we’ve included a BONUS ‘Wild Side Travel Guide’ that serves up a hefty helping of Intrepid Insights ‘every useful tip and trick to make travel a treat!’

From open roads to snow-capped mountains, rapids and ravines a world of adventure awaits!

With this carry everywhere companion you get advice on Grab and Go Gear, Nomad Nutrition, Travel Technology and much more….

It truly is the Ultimate Travel Resource for athletes abroad, culture chasers, fresh air fanatics and extreme explorers!

Exclusive offer: This special travel edition of Bare Essentials Magazine is dedicated to our Wildlife Warriors Initiative and anyone who donates $2 or more via the subscribers page will receive an all action pass to this MEGA issue!

Our latest issue with BONUS ‘Wild Side Travel Guide’ is the inspiration for this Month’s MISSION!

Mission: To go on a Mini Adventure of your Local Metropolis!

Brief: Imagine you are a castaway in the city for the day exploring street culture in search of hidden treasures and vibrant flavors.

Resources: Take a map and maybe a handful of nomad nibbles but nothing more.

Leave the Big Bloke Bites at Home!

Otherwise you won’t have room to enjoy the tastes to be had in town.

The only other items you will require is a bottle of H20 along with a comfy carry bag to stash your cash, camera and nomad nibbles in.

Top Tip: Checkout KEEN for a great selection of eco friendly day packs and side sacks perfect for the neighborhood nomad.

NOW you are ready for a day long expedition chasing culture in the city.

Objectives: Add a Wanderer’s Wisdom to your Roamer’s Repertoire.

Don’t stick to the beat but take your journey to the side street!

Here is where you will find village vendors and unique tenders who sell a variety of weird and wonderful wares to amaze and delight you.

Last summer famous Comedian and Scottish actor Billy Connolly spent 10 weeks travelling from Canada’s east to west coast and along the way explored some of Canada’s most remote northern locations. Currently showing on the UK’s ITV channel this show is a great watch for people looking for Canadian adventure that is off the beaten track. The Show is also available on DVD from March 16th 2009. Watch the trailer here…