For more amazing photos, visit www.burnmonkey.com

So Burning Man is only a little over a week away…and I’m getting excited! I’m in scramble mode, trying to pack all the gear necessary for what will be my very first Burn. I’ve got the desert goggles, I’ve got the boots, I’ve got the costumes, the camel back, the hat, the sunscreen, the tent, the sleeping bag, the coolers, the chairs, all my food, the body and bike lights (so I don’t get run over by hippies high on hallucinogens), wet wipes, the toilet paper, the Cliff pars, the hand sanitizer and of course….an open mind. But is it enough? Will I make it through a week of camping in the harsh, inhabitable desert? Help! Holler with anymore advice if you have any….this ain’t no trip to Europe.

What the hell is Burning Man anyway? This annual week-long festival dates back to the early 80’s and has since grown into a bustling city of some 48,000+ that descend in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, to be part of an “experimental community, which challenges its members to express themselves and rely on themselves to a degree that is not normally encountered in one’s day-to-day life.” That’s a nice way of saying it’s a complete shit show! Art installations, trippy costumes, pulsating techno music, drugs, performance art, and whatever else you can imagine – done in an eco-conscious way that promotes sharing and human bonding. At least that’s what I think it is….I’m a virgin after all, so Burning Man is all new to this expert traveler.

This year Burning Man is from Aug 30-Sep 5th. I will be out there, camping in a tent, sweat’n my balls off and having the time of my life!

Have you done Burning Man before? What advice do you have for a first timer? Feel free to leave your advice below or email me directly at julia@traveljunkiejulia.com

See you on the Playa!!

If you dream of trekking with mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the place to be for gorilla gazing. Located in the South Western part of Uganda, Bwindi is home to some 320 mountain gorillas. Visitors keen on eco-tourism  should flock to this World Heritage site for a close-up view of the largest and rarest of all ape species.

When I was backpacking through Africa I had a chance to go and it truly was one of the most magical experiences.

From the Ugandan capital city of Kampala, I traveled to Nkuringo, the newest section of Bwindi National Park. Daily, only 18 tourists are allowed to visit one of the park’s three habituated gorilla families, so it’s important to book a permit in advance.

A one-day permit costs around $360USD which includes the guide fee, park entry and a one-hour visit with the gorillas. Permits should be booked a few months in advance through the Ugandan Wildlife Authority, visit www.uwa.or.ug Last minute permits, for one or two people with flexible dates, are sometimes available at local UWA offices.

Under the direction of several armed rangers, our group of sweaty tourists descended into the jungle. The length, difficulty and distance of the trek changes and depends on a variety of factors including. the weather, the location of the gorillas and the physical capability of the group. There is no guarantee that tourists will see the gorillas but, if rangers fail to locate them, a large percentage of the permit fee is reimbursed.

Finding the mountain gorillas was half the fun. We followed our machete wielding guide; clawed up grassy knolls, bushwhacked through thick vines and scrambled on hands and knees.

A few quick tips: While trekking, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and sturdy hiking boots. Bring a raincoat, snacks and several liters of water. It can be a tough trek, but porters are available for hire if you need help carrying your stuff.

It took about an hour-and-a-half before spotting them. This family of five mountain gorillas, scattered among the trees, were in the middle of breakfast. A blackback teen chomped on leaves while a curious baby frolicked with mom. As we tip-toed towards them, the dominant silverback grunted and shot us a look. Separated by a mere seven meters, I felt humbled by the size of this massive vegetarian. Huge and hairy, his arms were as thick as tree trunks; his body, a bulk of fur; his facial expressions and mannerisms proved Darwin was right.

Habituated in a project that took rangers several years, the dominant male gorilla lost interest in us tourists. He grunted again, grabbed a fist full of leaves and shoved them into a King Kong-sized mouth.

Seeing these animals up close and in their natural habitat is truly amazing! It’s one of the most impactful experiences I’ve had while traveling. It inspired a deep connectivity with nature and a burning desire to protect it.

Wrapped in a rainbow poncho, I peered over the side of the giant airborne picnic basket. Gliding in a hot-air balloon over the moon-like landscape of Cappadocia was surreal. With its predictable wind currents and static landscape, Cappadocia, located southeast of Istanbul in Turkey’s central Anatolia, is one of the best places in the world for hot-air ballooning.

At 230 Euros, Kapadokya Balloons’ Classic Deluxe program certainly isn’t cheap but, as I discovered, this one hour and 50 minute ride is once-in-a-life time opportunity worth the splurge.

The shuttle picked me up at my hostel at 5:30 am and drove me to balloon headquarters for a quick snack of tea of biscuits. After a short drive to the take-off site, our group of twelve watched the crew inflate the blue and yellow striped balloon with a high-powered fan and propane gasoline fuelled flames.

Once we were given the go-ahead, we hopped into the basket and listened attentively as Kaili, pilot and Kapadokya Balloons co-owner, gave us a rundown of safety precautions and landing positions.

She sparked a giant flame and pulled the parachute lines. We levitated a few inches above ground before smoothly ascending some 3000 feet. Quietly gliding, vertigo-free over ancient cave dwellings, carved rock faces and chimney-like outcrops, we found ourselves at “Viagara Valley”. Formed millions of years ago through volcanic eruptions and erosion, the giant mushroom capped rocks provided tons of phallic fun. Even the most mature couldn’t resist cracking jokes about these penile formations.

In the soft light of early morning, a bird’s-eye view of this strange landscape was ideal for photos. Flying with a partner balloon, we brushed trees tops, crept up on rock peaks and descended to ground level. According to Kaili, Kapadokya Balloons is one of the only operators selling contour flying in tandem.

As Kaili plunked the basket down in a farmer’s prickly field, us passengers squatted in our learned landing position and held on tightly to the provided handles. The small crew ran full-sped towards the balloon. Though there was some unexpected turbulence, we landed safely. We hopped out, applauded the Kapadokya team and gathered around for a post-flight mingle. We celebrated our ‘first time’ with new friends and a glass of chilled, champagne-infused cherry juice.

Julia’s Tips:
-Though there are several companies offering hot-air balloon rides in Goreme, it’s important to book with one that is safe and credible. After all, it is aviation and cheap companies equal cut corners. Visit www.kapadokyaballoons.com for more information on their services.

It’s not everyday I find myself free diving for conch in the Caribbean ocean but there I was – flippers, mask and snorkel – hunting for my lunch.  This style of boating trip around cays and private islands (many of which have been used for sexy Victoria Secret photo shoots), is just one of the many activities Turks and Caicos has to offer.

Turks and Caicos Islands, which lie southeast of the Bahamas and about 647 miles east-southeast of Miami, are a haven for parasailing, kayaking, horseback riding, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, kite boarding and all kinds of water sports. Local culture takes a back seat to the postcard-perfect turquoise waters, sugar white beaches and outdoor adventures. Home to the third largest barrier reef in the world, Turks boasts some of the most beautiful beaches, coral cliffs and seaweed free neon blue waters.

While the capital of this archipelago is Grand Turk, you’ll most likely find yourself in Providenciales (Provo to those in the know) where most of the resorts are located. I just got back from a four-day weekend getaway and have the up-to-date scoop on the best places to stay and play in Turks and Caicos.

Where to Stay:

The Gansevoort is where the cool kids hang. A stylish property that draws Manhattan scenesters and high end honeymooners alike, The Gansevoort is the trendy choice when staying in Turks.

Located on Grace Bay beach, (voted by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the world’s Top 10 beaches) the property has a real Miami beach vibe. With cushy white lounge chairs and a palm tree lined, 7000 square foot infinity pool that overlooks Caribbean waters, it’s a perfect getaway for those who want to tan poolside, drink pina coladas and get a break from their blackberries.

If detox and relaxation is your game, the hotel offers daily core fusion exercise classes and a full service, onsite spa. Exhale offers luxurious spa services like the 60 minute Four-Handed Massage, where two therapists work in sync to massage your bod in pampered, oily bliss. www.gansevoortturksandcaicos.com

Where to Mingle:

Thursday night head to the Da Conch Shack, a popular beachside bar with live music, potent rum punch and a whole lot of conch. Here they serve it up every which way: curry conch, cracked conch, conch fritters, conch salad and conch chowder. With its chill vibe, local “Bambarra” rum and freshly caught seafood, it’s a spot that’s become quite popular with tourists. www.conchshack.tc

Where to Eat:

With its twinkling lights and soft music, the romantic outdoor terrace of Coyaba is the perfect backdrop for some canoodling and crème caramel. For those who have a sweet tooth, this is the best place on the island for desserts. Overwhelmed by the extensive menu, I decided to get it all and sampled a spread of sugary treats. Must eats are the “Banana Caramel Xango” with banana caramel cheesecake wrapped in deep fried tortilla and rolled in cinnamon sugar. Totally amazing!  If you’re more of a chocola-holic, try the “Chocolate Fondant” a flourless chocolate cake with warm gooey middle.  Sooo good!  www.coyabarestaurant.com

Where to Get Off-The-Beaten Track:

Big Blue offers all kinds of off-the-beaten path trips, from tours of limestone cave systems in Middle Caicos, to bicycling across remote parts the island. It’s also one the first outfitters to offer stand up paddle boarding along the mangroves and cays. For detailed information about their eco-friendly tours, check out www.bigblue.tc

Where to Tear Up the Road:

Explore seaside settlements of BlueHills and rove the remote beaches of Northwest Point in Providenciales all on the back of a four-wheel ATV. Froggie’s Ultimate Tours offers a unique way to explore the island beyond the roads. Strap on your helmet and safety goggles and away you go! www.froggiesatv.com

Where to Snorkle:

For a group experience, Caicos Dream Tours offers 1/2 day snorkel and conch cruises on a large catamaran. The tour stops at several remote islands including, Pine Cay, Half Moon Bay, Fort George, and even one that’s overrun by iguanas. For $89, the tour is all-inclusive, so all you need is your sunblock, credit card, a towel and an appetite for conch.  www.caicosdreamtours.com

Where Be a Nature Voyeur:

Every wanted to watch a glow worm orgy? Well now you can!  Every month, three to four days after a full moon, Suncharters offers a nighttime sailing tour to watch glow worms mate! Hop aboard the 77’ trading schooner for a look at an unlikely ritual. Just an hour after sunset, in a frenzy of glow worm activity, eggs are fertilized and a green phosphorescent hue luminates from the water. It’s science. Check out www.suncharters.tc for their next scheduled tour.

What are your favorite spots in Turks and Caicos or the Caribbean? Any suggestions to add? Leave your comments below….

Legs bound, stomach queasy, it was too late to chicken out. Standing on the ledge of a deep gorge, tied to ropes and harnesses, I was at the gorge swing, summoning the nerve to jump.

The gorge swing experience offered by a locally-run company The Zambezi Swing, is similar to bungee jumping. Adventurers are outfitted in gear, secured to a wire and led to a platform. They free-fall 50 meters and finish with a pendulum swing over a dry gorge. Sounds crazy, but, when visiting the quaint town of Livingstone Zambia, adrenaline-soaked activities are a must.

An adventure hot spot located in the southern tip of Zambia, Livingstone is the place to be for thrill-seekers. Named after the 19th century colonial explorer famed for ‘discovering’ Victoria Falls, Livingstone is emerging as the Disney World of Africa. It draws young travelers keen on testing their nerves and their bladder control.

There are many activities to choose from, including: white water rafting along the Zambezi river ($125 USD for a full day); flying over the Victoria falls in a vintage Tiger Moth plane ($120 USD for 20 minutes); Bungee jumping 111 meters, for an upside down view of the Falls ($90 USD single jump). Activities aren’t cheap but even the stingiest of tourists can rationalize the cost of at least one activity.

Featured in the high-speed travel show The Amazing Race, the gorge swing peaked my interest. Since Livingstone is one of the only places in the world offering the activity, I had to try it.

Early morning, I found myself at Batoka Gorge. Though the scenery was beautiful, with orange rock-faces, lush trees, and a view of the Zambezi, the drop was drastic. I was expected to jump off a 70 meter platform into a pit 170 meters-wide. “Insane,” I thought to myself as a team of efficient staff guided me into two separate harnesses. They tightened thick straps and clipped-on metal karabiners.

Emmanuel, my buff instructor, offered a quick lesson. “Bend your knees. Keep your head down and tuck-in your chin,” he said, binding my feet together with an elasticized rope. He handed me a pair of workman gloves. I slipped them on and positioned trembling hands along thick cords strapped to the front my harness.

There was the option of going solo or tandem; falling face-first or backwards. I chose solo and, due to my extreme dislike of heights, went backwards so I couldn’t see the ground as I plummeted towards it.

Taking baby steps backwards, I inched my way closer to the edge, catching one last glimpse at the drop that awaited me.

My heart was pounding. I was having some major second thoughts. I’m the type of girl who likes the comfort and certainty of terra firma; Evil Knievel wasn’t my thing. I scurried away from the edge and asked a patient Emmanuel go over the safety rules one last time.

“Don’t think about it, just do it,” he said with the gusto of a motivational speaker.

Gaining control of my fear, I remembered The Zambezi Swing’s impeccable safety record: seven years, 50,000 jumps, no fatalities. I accepted the task and got into position. Emmanuel grabbed hold of my harness, dangled me backwards over the canyon’s edge and waited for my word of approval. “Don’t let me go until I’m ready,” I commanded, taking a few deep breaths before whispering a meek “ready.”

It’s counter intuitive to plummet backwards off a cliff, but that’s exactly what I did. The instructor let go and I free-fell backwards into the gorge. Speeding towards the earth, a deep sound escaped my belly. It took a few seconds to realize that the monstrous, echoing moan was coming from my own lips.

The rope sprang back and I swung on the string like a human yo-yo. Alive and well, dangling in mid-air, I could finally enjoy the scenery. “It’s beautiful,” I yelled to a friend.

Finding the courage to step off that ledge was terrifying but, once the free-fall is over and the swinging motion takes effect, dare devils will enjoy an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and relief.

Still buzzing from the drop, I trekked through the gorge, and made my way towards the top. Breathless and exhilarated, I slipped into a harness, clipped-on metal karabiners and prepared for another jump.

The Zambezi Swing offers half day ($75 US) and full day ($85 US) gorge swings. The full day option is the best value and includes lunch, beverages, a Zambian visa and transfers. Adrenaline junkies can swing as many times as they like (on average of three to five jumps) and, at no additional charge, can go abseiling, highwiring and rap jumping. Visit www.thezambeziswing.com for more information.

What’s your craziest adrenaline adventure? Leave your comments below…

It’s a technological scavenger hunt; an activity that has Nancy Drew wannabes out in the field with their GPS, hunting for hidden treasures. Geocaching, as it is called, is a hobby similar to orienteering. It’s done by entering a set of co-ordinates into a Global Positioning System (GPS), then following directions to the carefully hidden ‘cache’ (pronounced cash). A cache is usually a canteen (left by fellow geocachers) filled with plastic trinkets and a log book.

Though geocaching was relatively new to me, I learned that it’s practiced all over the world. From Texas, to the Philippines, Germany to New Zealand, geocaching has become a global phenomenon with a booming on-line community.

While in Northern New Zealand, where there are some 4000 active geocaches, I figured it would be a good place to try it. Conveniently, Rotorua, a tourist town rich with Maori culture and the stench of sulfuric hot springs, has an active geocaching scene.

Kevin Carroll, an avid cacher and member of the Kiwicaching association, agreed to teach me the ropes. First step was to create a profile on www.geocaching.com.

With my new cashing name (I choose ‘travel junkie’), I was able to access all the caches in the area. Kevin and I chose a few to visit, downloaded the appropriate GPS co-ordinates and set out on the road to test our sleuthing skills.

Kevin (a.k.a GenCuster) drove me through red wood forests and glow-worm crusted caverns to Porridge Pot, a scenic spot with pools of thick, bubbling mud. Following the blinking arrow on my GPS, I kept my eyes peeled for the cache. On my hunt for plastic boxes that looked out of place, I discovered that the GPS does have a margin of error and, within five meters of the cache, isn’t much help.

Like a child’s game of “hot” and “cold,” I wandered around, feeling frustrated by the fact that I was so close to the cache, but couldn’t find it. Pants wet and dirty from crawling through the bush, I finally saw the camouflaged canister tucked away behind a tree trunk. Yay! I opened it up, half expecting to find glistening gold nuggets and priceless antiquities, but my retirement riches took the form of made-in-China key chains and toy army soldiers. Though the hunt was fun, truly I found the pay-off anti-climatic. After all that work, at least hook me up with a beer!

Kevin told me that geocaching rules don’t allow perishable items or alcoholic beverages placed inside the cache. With an emphasis on ethics and conservation, this PG-13 hobby seems to be more for families, not real treasure hunters or aspiring alcoholics.

I searched through the canister, past the coins and plastic trinkets to find a log book. With a dulled pencil, I documented my first geocaching experience. Travel Junkie was here…

If you’re interested in learning more about geocaching in New Zealand visit www.kiwicaching.org

Have you ever Geocashed? What are your experiences? Leave your comments here…

Real or fake, that is the question. In Bogotá, Colombia’s capital city, phony green gems are as plentiful as coffee beans. Though Colombia produces some 65 per cent of the world’s emeralds, not all of them are legit.

At the base of Monserrate cable car, tucked away behind local handicrafts and junky souvenirs, there’s a jewelry shop selling big, beautiful emeralds. Staff members give me a quick history lesson about emerald mining and show me the process of polishing the stone.

“How do I tell a real from a fake?” I ask a saleswoman anxiously.

I quickly learn that buying high-quality emeralds is not as clear-cut as you might think. Here are a few things to consider before buying Colombian gems as souvenirs:

*Step 1: Look at the quality of the emerald. The darker the color, the better the quality.

*Step 2: Look at the brightness. Bright is best.

*Step 3: Look at the purity. Purity is the natural imperfection. According to the experts, you want natural impurities in the stone — look for bubbles and little scratches, known as “garden.” When there are imperfections, you know the emerald is real.

The saleswoman whips out a photochromic filter. She tells me this is another great way to tell the authenticity of an emerald. She tells me to put the monacle-like device to my eye like a magnifying glass. “Watch,” she says, “the real emerald will change color.”

She places two huge emeralds on a silk fabric and asks me to identify the fake. I look at both closely, evaluating their color, brightness and purity. I take a final glance before making my selection. “Um, that one?” I guess, pointing to a dark, sparkling emerald. If this were a game show, a buzzer would have gone off, an imaginary audience would boo. Wrong answer.

With a pair of tweezers, she plucks the real emerald. It’s a dazzling four carats worth a whopping $36,000. That’s US dollars, not pesos. I balk. I’m looking to buy a nice (but cheap) souvenir. This one is just a wee bit out of my price range.

The saleswoman directs me to one of the main emerald areas in Bogotá (located at Carrera 6 between Calles 12 and 13). It’s lined with hundreds of jewelry stores selling emeralds of all price ranges and qualities. Since I like to haggle, she also recommends the emerald street market (at the corner of Av. Jimenez and Carrera 7) for cheaper but maybe not so real emeralds.

Lonely Planet calls this market a “trap for the uninitiated.” The guidebook warns travelers: “Unless you’re an expert in emeralds it’s almost guaranteed you’ll be ripped off. Haggle hard and consider only purchasing as a cheap souvenir.”

Lonely Planet has it right. Even armed with the tools of the trade, this untrained eye still can’t tell the real emeralds from the fake. Of course, that doesn’t stop me from buying. I drop $40 US on a cute pair of sparkling stud earrings.

Real or fake, I can’t say for sure; my earlobes can’t tell the difference.

They call it a drinking club with a running problem….the Hash House Harriers in Beijing meet every week to jog the streets of this bustling Chinese capital city, mingle with some folks and pound a lot of beer. This social movement can be found all around the world with more than 1,700 chapters spanning all seven continents! Curious, I laced up my running shoes and joined up for a wacky afternoon of Hashing fun. Watch the video, recently posted on MSNBC, as I join the Hashers for my very first Hash run across Beijing.

For more on this group, check out http://www.hash.cn/
Have you joined the Hash House Harriers in other chapters around the world? Would ya? Leave your comments below…

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Donghuamen Night Market in Beijing boasts dozens of stalls selling some of the world’s most exotic snacks: from silk worm, to scorpion, starfish to centipede, I tried it all….watch the video, just released on MSNBC!

What would you say is the most disgusting dish?