Daredevils and Thrillseekers Unite
Edited by Jennifer L. Price
 Leaping
out of a plane 15,000 feet above the Earth. Swimming with great white sharks.
Scaling the sheer face of a thousand-foot cliff. For most people, the thought
of these activities conjure feelings of terror and dread. For adventure lovers
and thrill-seekers, they sound like the perfect vacation getaway. With
adrenaline junkies in mind, Hostelworld.com has compiled the following vacation
destinations for those who prefer bungee jumping off bridges to picnics at the
beach.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Renowned as the worldwide epicenter of adventure tourism, the resort town of
Queenstown offers daredevils of all breeds a buffet of heart-thumping activities
that are guaranteed to keep the blood racing. Resting on the shore of
lightning-bolt shaped Lake Wakatipu, and within sight of the Southern Alps,
Queenstown provides a stark backdrop for the myriad of adventure activities at
tourists' whim. Those who crave the excitement can bungee jump more than 300
feet above the Shotover River in Skippers Canyon or tandem skydive out of a
plane at a dizzying altitude of 15,000 feet and within 60 seconds reach a
screaming 200 miles per hour. Once the sun sets, those who haven't collapsed
from exhaustion can experience the raucous nightlife that earned Queenstown the
nickname "Vegas by the Lake."
Hostelworld recommended Hostel: YHA Queenstown Lakefront
Rates start at $18/day
Swakopmund, Namibia
 Nestled
between the unforgiving heat of the Namib Desert and the cool relief of the
Atlantic Ocean lies the fog-laden summer capital of Swakopmund. Home to an
eclectic mix of artists, hippies and game rangers, Swakopmund offers a desolate
playground for adventurers of all extremes looking to test their sand
savvy. Thrill seekers flock to this seaside town not only for the cool water
and big waves, but also for the fierce challenge presented by the relentless
terrain. Quad-bikers can feel the burn of the roasting dunes emanate beneath
their wheels as they twist and turn through the endless sand, passing the Gravel
Plains and the Horses' Graveyard, while sandboarders carve their mark on the
dunes, riding the constantly shifting waves of sand under the broiling desert
sun. When a reprieve from the blistering heat is required, travellers can
retreat to the palm tree-lined streets of downtown for a leisurely afternoon in
one of the local pubs.
Hostelworld recommended Hostel: Dunes Backpackers Lodge
Rates start at $14/day
Mission Beach, Australia
A year-round tropical paradise perched along the shores of the Coral Sea,
Mission Beach is a small village on the frontier of untamed wilderness and
excitement. Explore an ancient shipwreck in the warm, clear waters that teem
with rainbow-colored life as you scuba dive along the Great Barrier Reef. Leap
into the Aussie heavens as you skydive above ancient rainforests, clear volcanic
lakes and towering, blue waterfalls. Tame the raucous Tully River as you go
whitewater rafting through the frothing waters of this turbulent waterway. In
the midnight hours, those still standing can toss back a handle of grog with
fellow party-goers at one of Mission Beach's famous night spots.
Hostelworld recommended Hostel: Scotty's Beach House
Rates start at $20/day
Penang, Malaysia
Resting on the northwestern coast of the Malaysian peninsula lie the sun-kissed
beaches of Penang, also known as the Pearl of the Orient. An outdoorsman's
dream, Penang offers endless activities that take advantage of the natural
beauty of this tropical paradise. Parasail across the warm Penang sky alongside
the isolated beaches of the Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve or snorkel and scuba
dive in the waters of one of the leading dive destinations in the world. Those
who enjoy a good fright can start their heart racing by exploring the deeper
mysteries of local folklore, including the ominous Snake Temple, dedicated to a
Buddhist healer-priest, filled with the smoke of burning incense and swarming
with pit vipers. The vipers, with fangs intact, are believed to be rendered
harmless by the sacred smoke. The most important rule: Don't pick up the snakes!
Hostelworld recommended Hostel: Ali's Ferringi Guest House
Rates start at $12/day
Hermanus, South Africa
 Sink
your feet into the endless stretches of glistening white sand of Grotto beach or
stand atop the stark cliffs that gaze over the shark and whale infested sea.
Located along the shores of Walker Bay near the southern most tip of Africa, is
the tourist destination of Hermanus, famous for viewing southern right whales,
dusky dolphins and Cape fur seals that call the waters off South Africa home.
However, for those travellers who prefer to be participants rather than
spectators, the serenity of this once-small fishing village can be erased with a
splash into the cool waters off of nearby Dyer and Geyser Islands, fondly known
as "Shark Alley." Once in the cage, adventurers are lowered into the great white
shark infested waters while those safely in the boat "chum the waters" with a
mix of fish ingredients designed to attract the sharks. Those too timid to enter
the water can watch the spectacle of the famous "flying sharks" as they blast
out of the waters of False Bay.
Hostelworld recommended Hostel: Hermanus Backpackers
Rates start at $13/day
Bled, Slovenia
Famous for its clear alpine lake of the same name, Bled offers daredevils a
cornucopia of extreme activities that are not for the faint of heart. Whether
skydiving among the majestic peaks of the Julian Alps or paragliding past the
iconic Bled castle that towers over a sheer cliff overlooking the glacial lake,
risk-takers of every breed can find their sought-after adrenaline fix. Those who
prefer to share their rush with friends can engage in a game of survival,
stalking each other through the lush wooded terrain armed with paintball guns
and clad in head-to-toe camouflage - a game of teamwork, stealth and strategy
that is sure to have its participants looking over their shoulders and peering
precariously around every corner.
Hostelworld recommended Hostel: Jakelj Backpackers House
Rates start at $21/day |
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