The Malaysian Insider :: Features
The Malaysian Insider :: Features |
| Top 10 whitewater rafting destinations Posted: 17 Jun 2011 07:15 AM PDT  The Grand Canyon and the Colorado river are seen in Grand Canyon, Arizona on April 1, 2007. — Reuters pic 1. Grand Canyon National Park, United States Sign up for a single- or multi-day excursion on rivers that wind through America's most astounding natural wonder - the Grand Canyon. Spend hours, days - even weeks - on a professionally guided tour of waterways that range from placid to downright wild. Start at Glen Canyon Dam at the northeast part of the gorge and, from there, let your tour director - or your own paddle, should you choose - be your guide. 2. Ottawa River, Canada The Ottawa River does a lot more than distinguish the border between Quebec and Ontario. The behemoth waterway is also Canada's most popular destination for rafting and kayaking. Luke-warm waters attract families and die-hard rafters each summer to steer through a valley thought to be more than 175 million years old. Take the kids for a leisurely paddle, or put on helmets with more competitive friends and race down the wondrous archipelago at top speed. 3. Glacier National Park, United States Travelers aiming to combine whitewater rafting with other outdoor excursions need look no further than Flathead River in Montana's Glacier National Park. More than a million acres of preserved ecosystem and 700 milesof walkable trails make this nature lover's paradise an ideal spot for hiking and, of course, rafting. Pilot your inflatable vessel along the 158 miles of pure, unadulterated water, sourced directly from the Rocky Mountains. 4. Magpie River, Canada It'll take you eight days to steer the escalating rapids of Quebec's Magpie River. Pitch a tent along this scenic stretch of river and savor its splendor, including the northern lights, in between day-long floats. Grade V rapids - the toughest classification recommended to raft - will greet you at the end of your week-long journey at Magpie Falls, a 125-foot vision of cascading water. 5. Pacuare River, Costa Rica Also known as the Rio Pacuare, Costa Rica's Pacuare River is a delightful escape with varying degrees of difficulty that last approximately 67 miles. Divided into the Upper Upper, Upper, and Lower sections, the river's range of difficulty spans from Grade II to V - perfect for novice and veteran rafters alike. Surrounded completely by acres of lush rainforests, sailing down the Pacuare toward the Caribbean may mean introducing yourself to Costa Rica's wildlife, like monkeys, exotic birds and jaguars. 6. Futaleufu River, Chile Arguably the best river in the world for experienced rafters to tackle, Chile's Futaleufu River offers both spectacular views and intense rapids. The stream, which cascades from lakes in the Los Alerces National Park and the Andes Mountains, is renowned for its deep-blue waters and Grade V drops. Recommended for skilled rafters with years of experience, the Futaleufu serves up long stretches of excitement at a time like the Wild Mile, a series of rapids that'll keep any athlete on his or her toes - scratch that - seat. 7. Apurimac River, Peru Earning bragging rights for rafting part of the world's largest river is reason enough to fly to southern Peru for a rafting trip this year. The Apurimac River sources the Amazon, providing kayakers and whitewater rafters a chance to see South America's magnificent wilderness up close. Grade IV rapids - and a four-day commitment - attract skilled rafters with an appreciation for camping and the great outdoors. 8. Zambezi River, Zimbabwe and Zambia Only expert rafters should attempt to tackle the intense swells and challenging rapids that the Zambezi River is so wildly famous for. Separated into the upper and middle Zambezi by Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the river is nearly 1,600 miles of nature at its finest. Look for hippopotamuses and crocodiles along calmer stretches of the river, and brace yourself for massive drops and death-defying rapids along the no-nonsense parts, including the Batoka Gorge. 9. White Nile, Uganda Maneuvering a boat full of rafters along the Bujagali Falls near the mouth of Lake Victoria is an adventure you'll never forget. The White Nile, a tributary of the actual Nile River, flows through Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Inexpensive rafting companies have set up shop near the most exciting part of the river in Uganda, combining world-class rafting with an introduction to Africa's astonishing landscape. Grade V rapids ease into harmonious currents, promising rafters both relaxation and thrills in a single afternoon. 10. North Johnstone River, Australia The four- or six-day expedition along the North Johnstone River in North Queensland's World Heritage rainforests is considered one of the best travel adventures in the world. Ride a helicopter to the beginning of your unforgettable journey and wind your way through Grade V rapids and truly amazing scenery. Not for the faint of heart, North Johnstone offers days on end of the most demanding - and rewarding - whitewater rafting out there. — Reuters Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
| Income disparity causes unhappiness, says study Posted: 17 Jun 2011 06:21 AM PDT  A participant walks past a poster at the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong on January 20, 2010. — Reuters pic The finding holds true for about 60 per cent of Americans, according to research that will be published in the journal Psychological Science. "Income disparity has grown a lot in the US, especially since the 1980s. With that, we've seen a marked drop in life satisfaction and happiness," said Shigehiro Oishi, a psychologist at the University of Virginia. "In general, CEO salary increased tremendously, while that of the average workers hasn't that much," he said in an interview. "I think you can take any occupation in the US and the disparity grew." The researchers assessed the link between income disparity and unhappiness by analysing data from more than 48,000 people who responded to the General Social Survey between the years of 1972 and 2008. They compared their sense of how honest other Americans were with their income and a scientific measure of national income equality. The researchers found that the bigger the disparity in the income gap, the less likely people are to view fellow Americans as fair or honest. This, in turn, leads to a degraded sense of general well-being. "We originally thought economic factors might explain this all, but they don't," he said. "When people see that some people are really in advantageous and favorable conditions while many of us are not, lack of trust toward the system and toward others naturally emerges." The study also found that economic inequality does not bother the wealthiest Americans. The richest 20 per cent reported that income disparity didn't change their feelings of fairness, trust, or general well-being. Oishi said the findings may support progressive tax reforms in which the rich pay more and the poor pay less. "Certainly, any policies that try to reduce income inequality would seem to be good if we care about the average happiness of Americans," he said. — Reuters Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
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