A direct translation of the word Etosha into the English language means Great White Place, a fitting description of the vast ancient white, salt pans in the Kalahari Basin of southern Africa. The floor of this huge basin is made up of dry, dusty clay and salt and seldom sees water and then for only brief periods of time and has been dated at more than a billion years old.

As such an ancient remnant of Africa, this area has always been home to a variety of impressive animal- and plant life. Some of the fauna that have made their home here include zebra, rhino (black and white), cheetah, leopard, caracal, elephant, kudu, wildebeest and giraffe, amongst many, many others. In addition, the prolific birdlife presents species numbering almost 400. Eagles, vultures and even the endangered blue crane soar above Etosha, gracing visitors with their majestic beauty and power.

The Etosha National Park in Namibia provides travellers with the prime opportunity to experience the salt pans. This park has been established for over 100 years and covers over 22 000 square kilometres. Any visitor to Namibia is encouraged to pay this park and the magnificent pans that make up about a quarter of its land a visit. In fact, most tour packages include the Etosha National Park in recognition of its significance and awe-inspiring beauty.

Etosha is bordered by fantastic perennial springs that are frequented by an abundant variety of wildlife including an impressive array of birds. This area of Africa is best visited during the cooler winter months between May and September as summers can be oppressively hot. The watering holes in the Etosha National Park are lit during the evenings and early mornings as to give the discreet onlookers a better view of the wildlife that visit them.

The Etosha National Park has three camps, all with the tourist facilities that one can expect from a luxury modern game reserve including a restaurant, a shop, a swimming pool, and many more comfortable conveniences.

In the Eighteenth Century, they found dishes, saws, knives, flints, a scraper, a prehistoric horn celt with strange markings, a spokeshave and some arrowheads from the Neolithic Period. These artifacts are safely ensconced in the Museum of Wales in Cardiff, but unfortunately, no one at the time thought the find significant enough to warrant a dig and now there are houses on it.

An ancient Roman kitchen replete with cooking utensils and food remains was also abandoned without investigation. In 1533, Leland, the King’s Antiquary, was ordered to visit ‘all places where records are held’. It took him nine years and he wrote of Barry Island:

“It is about a mile in circumference and has good corn, grass and some wood, and there is no dwelling on the Island, but in the midst of it is a fair little Chapel of St. Baruch which is visited by many pilgrims. It took the name Barri from this holy man who was buried there and whose remains are yet on the Island”. (The Welsh name for Barry is Y Barri).

Vikings raided the coastline of south Wales in the Tenth Century often taking hostages from the monasteries, but they did not seek to settle the area. The island was known as the ‘Saints’ Retreat’ or the ‘Island of Saints’ for a long time. Later, in the Sixteenth Century, the island was used by smugglers and pirates and was known locally as the ‘Smugglers’ Fortress’. This occurred at the same time as Bristol, Britain’s second largest port, was growing rapidly.

Barry Island became the centre of piracy in the Bristol Channel. In 1784, the island was known as the Fortress of Knight. Knight was the top smuggler and pirate in the area and people were frightened of testifying against him, although he was also something of a local hero. His armed brig’s name was John O’ Combe. He was eventually moved on to Lundy Island, which he also turned into a fortress, although he and his successor, Arthur, still returned so often to Barry, that H.M. Customs requested the government to permanently post a cutter to Penarth and 60 light infantry to Barry.

Rhoose was infamous for its wreckers and George II sent troops to break up the smugglers and wreckers. They landed at Aberthaw “the Rhoose men’s favourite landing zone, from where they could easily transport the contraband along Port Road to Cardiff, the main market for such things”. Several large caves were filled in while constructing the present day docks and it is likely that they were used by the pirates until they were moved on in about 1850.

Since the Hawaii climate is pretty consistent throughout the year with only minor temperature changes, you can travel there any time of the year. While the humidity is pretty high, the constant tropical breezes keep the conditions pretty comfortable throughout the year. During the day you will be comfortable in a T-shirt or an Aloha shirt and a pair of sandals. Once the sun sets you will probably want to wear a light jacket since the temperatures can fall around ten degrees.

The surrounding mountains provide a shielding effect and the different elevations have an effect of the weather which creates diverse climate zone. There are distinctive micro-climates in specific mountain peaks, beaches and interior valleys. Hawaii has only two different seasons since the islands are located on the outskirts of a tropical zone and warm sea surface temperatures throughout the year. Since the overlying atmosphere is warm, both of the seasons are warm, with one having slightly more rain than the other.

The Hawaii Climate of Summer

Between April and November it is warmer and drier with the average temperature between 75-88. During summer (the kau season), the trade winds blow from the north east bringing most of the rainfall to the leeward side of the islands, offering pleasant relief from the hotter and drier weather.

Where you are on the islands will depend how warm it is on any given day. For example, on the side sheltered from the wind i.e., the west and southern sides, temperatures are usually hot and dry. The east and north windward sides, which get the wind’s full force, are generally cooler and moister. So, if you want wet, humid, tropical jungle-type weather, go windward. For a more arid, sunbaked climate and go leeward.

The Hawaii Climate of Winter

During the months of December through March the temperatures are normally a little cooler. The average temperature is usually between 68-80 F. In Hawaii the winter months are considered the rainy season, with the heaviest down pours between October and April. During these months storms are common, but they usually pass through rather quickly with little incident. There will likely be more days that are cloudy which may interfere with you sunbathing, but it rarely rains for more than three consecutive days.

Winter is surf season, so if you’re a surf rider, come to the North Shore in Oahu to catch the perfect wave. Also, whale watching season is at the end of the winter, during January to March, so make sure you are here if you want to see these magnificent creatures!

Hawaii Climate is Greatly Influenced by the Mountains

For example, Mt. Waialele in Kauai is the wettest spot on earth with 420 inches (38 feet!) of rain every year while, just a few miles away, Waimea Canyon is dry and nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”. On Big Island Hawaii, Hilo is one of the wettest cities in the country, with 180 inches of rain a year. But Puako, only 60 miles away, gets less than 6 inches of rainfall. If you decide to explore the natural beauty found at higher elevations such as Mauna Kea, wear long pants and several layers of cool weather clothing. The temperature in the higher locations drops 3.5 degrees for every 1,000 feet above sea level.

Want to watch the sunrise from the summit at Mt. Haleakala? Great idea, but make sure you’re cozily bundled with gloves and a scarf as the temperature can be as low as 30 F! Also, keep in mind that at such high elevations, there is less protection from the sun. Be sure to use sun block liberally, and bring a hat and sunglasses. When you are up the mountains, the climate can change from summer to winter in a matter of hours. This special Hawaii climate makes it possible for you to ski on Mauna Kea in winter and sunworship on the Kona Coast, on the best beaches in Hawaii all on the same day.