The Snow and Cold on Mount Washington, New Hampshire

This city is located in the White Mountains along the east coast of the United States. It has been labelled “Home of the World’s Worst Weather.” Being 1,917 meters above sea level, the city is known for extremely cold temperatures, heavy snowfalls even during summer months and high wind speeds year-round. Geologically, the reason for the extreme weather is due to the height and the location of the city. Nestled in a high valley among the mountain range, the city is situated in a corridor and receives constant winds from both the Atlantic Ocean, and the western side of the mountains.

Papua New Guinea Volcanoes

The country is known for extreme rainfall and volcanic activity. The country is located 160 kilometres north of Australia and is on the south-western Pacific Ocean. Typically 2,000 millimetres of rain will fall per year but some areas receive more; especially during the monsoon season which occurs in the winter. Papua New Guinea is home to “Ulawan” which has been dubbed the “Decade Volcano” due to its recent volcanic activity and its close proximity to human population.

Typhoons in the Philippines

This country experiences many typhoons and earthquakes throughout the year and contains three active volcanoes. The Philippines is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is an area in the Pacific Ocean that is home to high seismic activity and extreme tropical climate. Approximately 30 typhoons will hit the country in a given year.

The Heat in Death Valley, California

Located in the Mohave Desert valley near the California and Nevada border within the USA, this valley has earned its name through its reputation of having extremely hot and dry weather. Temperatures normally reach 49 degrees Celsius during the day. The high temperatures are due to the depth of the valley; the high mountains surrounding it don’t allow for adequate air flow and the air becomes trapped with little room for movement. In addition, the trapped air prohibits clouds from moving in and providing rainfall.

Australian Droughts
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the south-eastern portion of Australia has experienced extreme drought conditions in the past decade. Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland are the hardest hit areas and have had some of the highest rainfall deficits recorded, which in turn affected both domestic flights and tourism within the country. Between the years 2002 and 2010 the area only received 10% rainfall. Scientists at the National Centre for Atmospheric Research partially blame the recent increase in droughts to the global warming, but this area is known to have natural shifts in rainfall patterns which lead to on going drought conditions.

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The United States might actually save the day. Now, I know what you’re thinking: The U.S. is the definition of sprawl, and anywhere that English is spoken can’t be all that exotic. The sites to be seen in America are undoubtedly far apart from one another and the culture is probably the only one you’re most familiar with besides your own. But carefully coordinating flight arrangements, choosing one coast over the other, and making it your mission to finally get to know the culture that’s dominated your television ever since you can remember are ways to make a trip to the land of opportunity an exciting adventure.

The American Midwest is a prime selling point for a humble holiday visit to the States, but if you’re determined to see a beach at some point or at least something else besides cornfields don’t worry I got that covered. In the meantime, allow me to pitch to you the idea of focusing the first part of your visit on the flyover states.

Chicago is a world renowned city and can be the perfect base point for a journey through the heartland. Once the city on the lake wears you out, high speed rail travel currently being built will take you to the river city: St. Louis. St. Louis not only sports the one and only Gateway Arch, it has a zoo considered superior to Chicago’s and only beaten in nationwide ratings by the National Zoo in Washington, DC. It also has an art museum that holds some of the finest collections in the country.

In addition to the cultural perks there are also cultural truths about America that St. Louis will exhibit to you that you may not have the chance to witness in more traditional U.S. destinations. The poverty crisis in the aforementioned land of opportunity is shockingly evident in St. Louis. Anyone who has either the stomach or the desire to see an American reality often hidden from foreign view should visit the Mississippi River metropolis. However be careful, as crime rates in St. Louis’s less affluent districts are notoriously high.

The majesty of Montana, the placidness of the Great Plains, and many other centralized American wonders are only a day or two’s drive away from either Chicago or St. Louis. Even the most remote of Midwestern locations are still close enough to a city that has flights that can take you to either coast for a final leg of the American journey. It’s probably the part of the trip you were waiting for, whether it’s a final week of kicking it back California style or submitting yourself to the pleasures of an all-inclusive resort in the Florida Keys.

From either of these places or any final American destination you choose on either coast, there’s most certainly an international airport close by to arrange your return flight home from. The final stint of ideal American travel hopefully doesn’t diminish the experience of traveling the mostly unassuming yet awe-inspiring Midwest regions of the United States. When the primal pleasures of a luxury cap on your trip wears off, what lingers will be a recollection of the side of America you never knew before – the inside.

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Set 35 miles from the coast in the heart of the states lakes area, Orlando had hardly been heard of a few decades ago. Now it is one of the most visited places in the area owing to the proximity of the Disney Park with all its off shoots such as the Epcot Center and Sea World and also because of the Kennedy Space Center.

However for golf Florida is a good bet. If you are keen on golf Orlando has so many courses to choose from with championship courses, public courses and club ones which of course are more pricey. There is even a course designed by one of the greatest golfers of all time – Jack Nicklaus. And Arnold Palmer owns another one that puts golf Florida style on the map.

Anyone who knows about the game will tell you golf Florida and sunshine gel well together. It must be to do with the space there is in the country and the keenness of the people to build so many interesting and different types of courses.

Most of the courses offer 18 holes with a variety of terrain, water features and difficulty. Playing golf Orlando way is easy as you can book a tee time, make sure you are wearing the right gear and hire some clubs if you need to. Then you can enjoy the game at your leisure knowing that playing golf Florida in the sunshine is one of the best places to be.

If you are into golf Orlando will not disappoint with its public courses which are far more affordable than if you want to play as a one-off at a club. There are at least six public golf courses to choose from in the Orlando area offering a variety of skills required to complete them. Some of them have driving ranges so if you do not have time for a full round of golf you can practise your swing on the range.

And then there is always the 19th hole to enjoy after your game. What better way to spend that than watching the sun sink below the Florida horizon drinking a cool American beer, munching on some nuts and reminiscing about the great game of golf you have just enjoyed.

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Apologies for that. Had to be done so that if any of you fall off a cliff you can’t sue me!

During the course of my own travels I have taken certain risks to get that special photo. You know the one people look at and go wow that’s cool. I may or may not have accidentally ignored certain safety signs and got very close to the edge of things or climbed over certain barriers. (Can you see why I needed the disclaimer?). Do I advocate this? Not really, I am a fool. Nevertheless I am a fool with some awesome photos. Let’s take a look…

This photo was taken at the Grand Canyon. I saw a tiny little ledge in which I could shuffle across and stand on while I held on to the edge… tightly. It was a long way down. Called Grand for a reason you know!

Whilst on a tour of the Grampians and Great Ocean Road I took a step to the edge for a closer look.

Similarly, I just enjoy climbing over stuff. At the Blue Mountains it was no different!

Interestingly, there once was a barrier at Indian Head on Fraser Island but all that remains is a little sign telling you to go no further. Well I could see giant Sting Rays and besides, I wanted to try my own adaption of Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker.

During my time Backpacking New Zealand I wanted to get a little closer to the rather interesting rock formations that create pancake rocks.

Depending on your fitness level, doing handstands can be difficult. Doing it on ice is even harder! Whilst hiking up the Franz Josef Glacier I thought I would give it a go. Hint: Ice is slippery.

Like I said at the start. Attempt at your own risk!