Culinary Travel: Suriname

You get the best of both worlds here: a city that's chock-full of restaurants, shopping venues and night spots and an untamed jungle utterly away from modern development. It's not easy to get around this river-heavy, forest-dense country, and the mix of languages can make it hard to communicate, sometimes even for Dutch speakers. Don't forget that a meeting of culinary traditions means the food here is as spicy and rich as the country itself.

Bojo Cake - Coconut and Cassava Cake

Prep Time: 20 minutes  Cook Time: 60 minutes  Total Time: 80 minutes

Bojo is a rich flour less cake made from grated coconut and cassava. Cassava is a starchy root plant, also known as manioc and yuca. Bojo is flavored with rum and cinnamon, and as is typical of many South American desserts, it's both European and tropical at the same time.

This cake can be baked in a round or square pan.  You can find peeled frozen cassava root at Latin food stores.

Ingredients
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/3 cup rum
1/2 pound peeled manioc root (with woody center removed)
2 cups grated coconut ((fresh or dried)
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 eggs
1/4 cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 teaspoons almond extract
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
Graham cracker pie crust (optional)

Directions
Soak the raisins in the rum (overnight if possible). 

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. 

Butter a 9 inch round cake pan, or 9 inch square brownie pan, and line bottom of pan with wax paper or parchment.

Finely grate the manioc root (easily done in a food processor). Stir the coconut and grated manioc root together with the cinnamon and sugar in a large bowl. 

In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, coconut milk, vanilla, almond extract, and salt. 

Stir the liquid ingredients into the coconut mixture. Stir in the melted butter. Stir in the raisins and the rum. 

Pour the batter into the prepared pan (or graham cracker crust if using).

Bake for 1 hour, until golden brown on top. 

Run a knife around the edge of the pan while the cake is still warm, then let cool in the pan. 

Cut into small squares or slices and serve. This cake is delicious warm or cold, with a dollop of whipped cream.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
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Best Pumpkin Patches: PEANUTS™ Pumpkin Patch Express, Bryson City, NC

The leaves are turning this October and the pumpkins are ready to be carved! The Peanut gang returns to the GSMR Pumpkin Patch this October. Ready for some family fun? PEANUTS™ The Great Pumpkin Patch Express returns to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. The excursions, which are themed after Charles M. Schulz’s classic story “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” will be departing from the Bryson City Depot in October.

Passengers will hear a narration of Schulz’s “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” as the train travels to the Pumpkin Patch. Upon arrival, guest will be greeted and have a photo opportunity with Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy. During the 1 hour and 45 minute layover, the activities to enjoy at The Great Pumpkin Patch will include: campfire marshmallows, a coloring station, temporary tattoos, trick or treating, bouncy house, hayrides and live musical entertainment. Wearing of Halloween costumes are encouraged.

There will be plenty of PEANUTS™ merchandise at the Smoky Mountain Trains gift shop and each child selects their own pumpkin from The Great Pumpkin Patch to take home.  

On Halloween, for some spooky adult fun, there is a Masquerade train. It is an evening of dining and dancing with delicious drink concoctions and a fantastic spread of food. Costumes are a MUST on board this Masquerade Train. 

To learn more about the the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and book your Pumpkin Patch experience call Rawhide Travel and Tours at (602) 843-5100. Check out our website: rawhidetravel.com.

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6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
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Update: Rawhide Travel and Tours Holiday Tree

Our little Holiday Tree is ready to go haunting. The tree is all dressed up and ready to go trick and treating. 

Because of the unknown, Halloween is the one of the most captivating holidays, often celebrated by both adults and children. The element of surprise makes it fun and unpredictable.

Here is some fun Halloween trivia:

Orange and black are Halloween colors because orange is associated with the Fall harvest and black is associated with darkness and death.

Jack o’ Lanterns originated in Ireland where people placed candles in hollowed-out turnips to keep away spirits and ghosts on the Samhain holiday.

Pumpkins also come in white, blue and green. Great for unique monster carvings!

Halloween was brought to North America by immigrants from Europe who would celebrate the harvest around a bonfire, share ghost stories, sing, dance and tell fortunes.

Tootsie Rolls were the first wrapped penny candy in America.

The ancient Celts thought that spirits and ghosts roamed the countryside on Halloween night. They began wearing masks and costumes to avoid being recognized as human.

Halloween candy sales average about 2 billion dollars annually in the United States.

Chocolate candy bars top the list as the most popular candy for trick-or-treaters with Snickers #1.

Halloween is the 2nd most commercially successful holiday, with Christmas being the first.

Bobbing for apples is thought to have originated from the roman harvest festival that honors Pamona, the goddess of fruit trees.

Black cats were once believed to be witch's familiars who protected their powers.

We here at Rawhide Travel and Tours would like to wish you a happy and safe Halloween.

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com.

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Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
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In the News: Over the Top First Class Flights

In an effort to really make it "worth it," airlines have started offering passengers everything from on-board apartments to post-boarding limo rentals and private jet access.

Etihad
Come December, the Abu Dhabi-based airline is taking luxury a step further with the launch of Residence Class on its Airbus A380 and Boeing B787 Dreamliner aircraft. Wealthy customers can enjoy three-room apartments while in the air. These suites cost around $40,000 for a round-trip flight from Abu Dhabi to London,  will feature a private bedroom, a living room and en suite shower.

Passengers looking for a slightly scaled down experience can book a First Apartment -- a private suite with a full-length bed, separate reclining ottoman and access to a bathroom with shower.
All suites will come with a private minibar.

Passengers of Residence Class will get their own Savoy Academy-trained butler, concierge, a chauffeur to get them to and from the airport and a private chef. While guests can order off the a la carte menu, they can also request personalized dishes anytime.

Emirates
Emirates has announced similar plans to launch a private, on-board residence, though the details have yet to be released. Still, the Dubai airline has long been at the forefront of in-flight luxury. In 2008, Emirates was the first carrier to install first-class cabins with sliding doors for privacy on their Airbus A380s, A340-500s and on most Boeing 777s.

Cabins come with a personal minibar, adjustable lighting, private vanity table, mirror and wardrobe.
Guests can avail themselves of a "shower spa" treatment (though actual shower time is limited to five minutes).

There's also turndown service, where cabin crew convert the seat into a bed with a real mattress.
And of course there's the award-winning food. Passengers can expect items like Iranian caviar or stir-fried lobster in black bean sauce.

Air France
Passengers craving an extra level of comfort can book Air France's new La Premiere cabin. These mini-suites, available on the carrier's long-haul Boeing 777-300 aircraft, feature lie-flat seats that adapt to each passenger's morphology, a 24-inch HD screen (one of the largest available on board), a private wardrobe and an adjustable privacy curtain. There's a reclining ottoman, so guests from other parts of the cabin can visit.

Come nighttime, cabin crew will outfit the seat with a mattress and linens from the Sofitel range.
Air France has also teamed with an army of Michelin-rated chefs to design its new La Premiere menu. It features gourmet touches from Joël Robuchon, Régis Marcon, Guy Martin, Anne-Sophie Pic and Michel Roth.

Qantas
Qantas offers the ubiquitous lie-flat seats, though when it comes time to snooze, cabin crew will set it up as a bed with a sheepskin mattress. The seats also have a range of massage features. The first class "pods" are also roomy, taking up the space of about four economy seats.There are also privacy screens to give passengers that much-needed feeling of seclusion.

In a bid to make in-flight dining restaurant grade, Qantas has teamed with Australian chef and TV personality Neil Perry to design the menu.

Diners can go a la carte or enjoy an eight-course tasting menu. Sommeliers are on hand to recommend wine and champagne pairings.

Lufthansa
Lufthansa's first-class cabins are fairly standard. They come equipped with lie-flat seats and an amenity-filled washroom. One of the main perks, however, is access to the Lufthansa private jet. Granted, the extra service isn't included, but for travelers wishing to hit up a second,  perhaps more remote, location, the jet offers a seamless means of transport, minus the rigmarole of layovers. Lufthansa also tapped a few Michelin-starred chefs to design its in-flight menus, complete with caviar service. The award-winning wine program (Vinothek Discoveries) offers a rotation of vintages handpicked by sommelier world champion Markus Del Monego.

Singapore Airlines
In 2012, Singapore launched suites aboard its new A380 aircraft. Each cabin features sliding doors and window blinds for maximum privacy. Eschewing the lie-back seat, the carrier opted instead for a standalone bed that can accommodate two people. The cabins also come with a 23-inch screen and USB and HDMI ports, enabling travelers to plug in their own devices. Singapore's Book the Cook service lets passengers pre-order one of more than 60 dishes. Some of its more off-the-cuff items include kyo-kaiseki, a traditional, bespoke Japanese tasting menu, and wagyu sirloin. Singapore also offers an extensive selection of champagne, grand cru red burgundy and second growth Bordeaux.

JetBlue
Somewhat surprisingly for what was once a low-cost carrier, JetBlue recently introduced JetBlue Mint -- a premium class that offers the only private suites with closing doors in the U.S. market.

Though the luxury experience is scaled back compared to many other major carriers, so too is the price (one-way tickets from New York to Los Angeles, for example, clock in at a relatively modest $599).
When fully flat, the seats, at six feet, eight inches, are the longest in the U.S. market and have a massage function. Passengers can adjust the seat firmness at the touch of a button.

The food in Mint is also upscale. JetBlue partnered with New York restaurant Saxon+Parole to introduce a choice of swank tapas, such as Portobello mousse with truffles.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
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Off the Beaten Path: Guyana

Mashramani

An Amerindian word meaning "celebration after hard work". On February 23rd is the country's republic anniversary celebration. A carnival-like event with float parades and costumed bands. Colorful float parades and costume Bands wind their way through the city. While you spectate, have a swig of local rum with coconut water or have some Banks beer, all the while swaying and wining to the beat of the soca and calypso. 

Kaieteur Falls
It is 4 times the height of Niagara Falls and about twice the height of the Victoria Falls , 741 feet tall. Kaieteur Falls is a major tourist attraction in Guyana. The falls is located in Kaieteur National Park and is in the centre of Guyana's rainforest. There are frequent flights between the falls' airstrip and Ogle Airport and Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Georgetown.

Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve
The Iwokrama forest and its research centre are unique, providing a dedicated site in which to test the concept of a truly sustainable forest – where conservation, environmental balance and economic use can be mutually reinforcing. 

Photo curtesy Conservation.org

Shell Beach 
Shell Beach is a must for travellers to Guyana.  Shell Beach, a relatively remote stretch of 90-mile long beach, is located in the Northwestern Region of Guyana. It is the only place is Guyana where four of the world’s eight endangered species of marine turtles, Leatherback, Green, Hawksbill and Olive Ridley, come to lay their eggs. These massive reptiles usually arrive under the cover of darkness from March to August every year.


Merume Mountains
Legend has it that no one has been to the top of the Merume Mountains, or even found the source of the Mazaruni river rumoured to be within their limestone nest. There are trails from Kamarang towards the top however.

Kumerau Falls
Wider than Kaiteur, these falls are accessable from the bush truck road from Bartica. Diamonds have been found in Kurupung River above the falls and numerous miners have sifted the deposits of the river in search for the valuable gemstones. Currently the road is rebuilt and it is expected that more and more people will arrive here.

Splashmins Fun Park and Resort
Splashmins Fun Park and Resort is an amusement park in Georgetown, Guyana. It is located on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. The theme park features shows, pristine plant life and beaches. The Park is built on one hundred and sixty four acres of amidst numerous species of flora and a variety of fauna which include spectacular bird life. Splashmins is a privately owned resort.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
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Culinary Travel: Guyana

Rice Field

Guyana is a paradise for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and the Eco-tourist alike. They boast an irresistible combination of fascinating and breathtaking natural beauty; pristine Amazonian rainforests; immense waterfalls;, amazing wildlife; blended with a vibrant indigenous culture, rich heritage and the most hospitable and friendly people in the world.

This dish is of West African origin and is popular in Rural Guyana around Emancipation Month. There are other variations of this dish using tubers and pumpkin.

Kanki

Ingredients:
1 lb fine cornmeal
1 Freshly grated coconut
1pt. Fresh milk. [not needed if coconut was grated by a juicer - yields its own milk.]
4oz. Raisins [optional]
2oz. Margarine (melted)
4oz. Brown sugar
4tbsp. Water ..[this is increased based on the dryness of mixture]
¼ tsp. Nutmeg ; 1/2 tsp blackpepper
A few drops of almond or Vanilla essence
Foil/banana leaves { leaves passed over fire to give pliability}

Directions:
Use a large mixing bowl and add all ingredients ..mixing well.

Make a pocket from the foil/banana leaf, each approximately (8in x 6in)

Leave an opening in the short side and fold over well the edges of the remaining two sides, to ensure that they are sealed.

Put about one or two spoonfuls of the mixture into each pocket and fold over top.

To seal by tying with a piece of dried banana stalk.

Place in a large saucepan of boiling water and simmer for approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

To serve, remove foil or leaf .

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

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Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
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Best Pumpkin Patches: Pumpkin Village, Dallas

The beloved Pumpkin Village returns this year featuring Storybook houses, hay bale maze, Cinderella’s Carriage and the Tom Thumb Pumpkin Patch. Children can explore these amazing houses made out of pumpkins while parents seize the opportunity to capture photos filled with beautiful backdrops of spectacular color. Each house features a popular children's storybook including "Pumpkin Jack," "Too Many Pumpkins," "Strega Nona's Harvest," "Pumpkin Town!," "Scarecrow" and the classic story of "Cinderella."

Over 50,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash come together to form the nationally acclaimed Pumpkin Village. A multitude of special events are also available throughout the festival including a hay bale maze, scavenger hunts and the Tom Thumb pumpkin patch (pumpkins available for purchase). Autumn is the perfect time of year for a picnic in the gardens with friends, a fun family photo, or a leisurely walk among 150,000 blooming fall flowers such as chrysanthemums and impatiens. The fall foliage, cool weather and deep colors make Autumn at the Arboretum a must-see.

Fall is really the arboretum most colorful time of year. Many of the summer flowers like zinnias, impatiens, salvia and coleus respond to cooler nights with blazing bursts of color. The thousands of pumpkins bring out the color in banks of chrysanthemums that are layered with ornamental grasses, copper plants and firebush.

If you love fall and all the vibrant colors, then you'll love the Dallas Arboretum. Autumn at the Arboretum is a beautiful transition of the garden from bright spring colors to radiant fall colors.

To learn more about the Dallas Arboretum and book your Pumpkin Village experience call Rawhide Travel and Tours at (602) 843-5100. Check out our website: rawhidetravel.com.

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Rawhide Travel October 24th Cruise Night Get-Together

If you are going with Ron Oster on the "Locks of Fun" Panama Canal Super Cruise sailing on the Celebrity Cruise Lines awesome 91,000 ton luxury Superliner Infinity, leaving November 4th 2014 then you need to attend the Cruise Night Party at Rawhide Travel and Tours office.

You will meet with Ron and his staff, Diana Duncan and Debbie Jakubowski, along with the Celebrity Cruise Lines representative Richard Fox and receive your Cruise packet. Included is your tips and tricks section, packing list, check-in information and itinerary. Ron will go over each step of the itinerary and of course your questions as well.

This is a great way to meet the people who you have traveled with before and many new people as well.

The cruise night is casual dress and starts promptly, Friday October 24th at 6:00pm. The office address and contact information is at the bottom of this blog.

The party should last about ninety minutes and will be followed by a complete question and answer session. Water, soft drinks and snacks are included. Door prizes and hand-outs are part of the nights festivities. As last minute scheduling conflicts can occur, participation by individuals is subject to change without prior notice.

There will be a special announcement and introduction to a new free service from Rawhide Travel and Tours that will sure to be of interest to all of the friends of Rawhide. Would you like to improve your travel photography?

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation and travel needs. We are very happy to answer your travel questions. Just call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website at rawhidetravel.com.

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In the News: Celebrate Oktoberfest

The largest of all beer festivals, Munich's two-week extravaganza draws about seven million thirsty travelers to the Bavarian capital. It is said that Munich has five seasons; Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall and Oktoberfest. From September 20 to October 5, 14 beer halls, some seating 10,000, others smaller, will serve beer from six Munich breweries with roast pork, chicken and potato pancakes, while bands continuously play German oompah and other music genre. The beer halls are themed: one displays rural Bavarian scenes, one is horse-themed, one is family-friendly, another lures celebrities and some specialize, serving only duck, venison, seafood or cheese.

Oktoberfest began on October 12, 1810 with the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig, who later became King Ludwig I. His marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen was celebrated in Bavaria. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates to celebrate the happy royal event. The fields have been named Theresienwiese ("Theresa's fields") in honor of the Crown Princess ever since, although the locals have since abbreviated the name simply to the "Wies'n".

This celebration of beer, bratwurst and Bavarian culture is enthusiastically embraced by

many without a drop of German blood. There are Oktoberfest celebration all across the United States. Below are a few of the more interesting ones.

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati in Cincinnati
The nation's biggest Oktoberfest and second largest in the world. The celebration draws over 500,000 people each year. The free festival on September 19-21 offers seven stages of live German music, 1,300 barrels of beer and 30 food vendors selling schnitzels, strudels and other specialties. It kicks off with the Running of the Wieners, where dachshunds in hot dog bun costumes race to their owners. Other races include humans running carrying full steins of beer in each fist and rolling beer barrels. First held in 1976, it honors the German immigrants who founded the city's meat-packing, brewing, machine and building trade industries in the 19th century.

Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Texas
This small Texas Hill Country city, settled by Germans in 1845, lures over 100,000 people to its annual 10 day celebration of German sausages, music, beer, crafts and costumes, to be held November 7-16. It's a far cry from its humble origin in 1961 as a one-day Sausage Festival that drew 2,000. Special events during the festival range from tours of a village of 18 restored 19th-century structures once used by Germans and an exhibit about Grimm fairy tales at the Sophienburg Museum to a sailing regatta and a polka-dance contest.

Oktoberfest in Helen, Georgia
The banks of the Chattahoochee River come to life in Helen, Georgia in fall with ompah music and Bavarian bier. Every year since 1970 Georgia's most famous Oktoberfest transforms tranquil Helen into the ultimate north Georgia party town. Polka with dancers in native costume, eat Bavarian food and enjoy the festival into the wee hours of the morning. Helen, Georgia became known as a tourist capital shortly after changing its appearance to look like a town in the Bavarian Alps. Helen expanded the party to six weeks, including the popular leaf-change season.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

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Off the Beaten Path: Colombia

Cerros de Mavecure
Sometimes called the “Crying Rocks of Mavecure”, these epic hills are spectacular to behold. The three mountains are called Pajarito (Little Bird), Mono (Monkey) and Mavicure and 2,336 ft, 570 ft, and 560 ft respectively. They can only be accessed by the river.  You can climb most of them and get an amazing view of the surrounding jungle and rivers.  If you are lucky and it rains, you will have the impression the rocks are crying. It is because of the waterfalls created through water accumulation in the vegetation spread on the rocks, needless to say this is absolutely mind blowing.

Caño Cristales
Caño Cristales, or the River of Five Colors, is one of Colombia’s best kept secrets. A spectacular river that’s located in La Macarena province of Meta, it’s a biological wonder that must be seen to be believed. For a brief period of time every year, the river blossoms in a vibrant explosion of colors. During the short span between the wet and dry seasons, when the water level is just right, a unique species of plant that lines the river floor called Macarenia clavigera turns a brilliant red. It is offset by splotches of yellow and green sand, blue water, and a thousand shades in between. Caño Cristales is located in a remote, isolated area not easily accessible by road. Adventurous tourists can now fly into the nearby town of La Macarena. From there it is a short trip into "Serrania de la Macarena," the national park in which Caño Cristales is located.

Capurgana
Capurgana, just off the coast of Panama, is one of Colombia’s hidden gems – isolated beaches that make a perfect escape for the adventurous traveler. Capurgana is the stuff travelers’ dreams are made of. There are enough activities to keep one busy in this area for quite a few days.  Most travellers will find that three days is enough to see everything in the area.  However, if you plan on spending a lot of time on the beach then perhaps plan a couple more days. Howling winds sweep the waves onto the shore, while locals simply kick back with some of the best seafood you’ll try. Paradise.

Los Katios
UNESCO protected Los Katios National Natural Park boasts an incredible amount of biodiversity and remarkable views. Los Katios National Park comprises low hills, forests and humid plains.  Some 550 species of vertebrate (excluding fish) have been found in the park. The manatee has recently been found in the Ciénaga de Tumuradó and the American crocodile occurs in the Ciénaga de Cacarica. Other threatened mammals include bush dog, giant anteater and Central American tapir.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
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Culinary Travel: Colombia

Twice the size of France, and with a diversity of landscapes and cultures that would be hard to find even in countries five times its size, Colombia should by all rights be one of the world's top travel destinations. Colombia is the only country in South America with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea as well as the country with the world's second most biodiversity. 

Rice with chicken is one of the most popular dishes in Colombia and South America, but every country has their own variation.

Chicken and Rice (Arroz con Pollo)

(4 Servings)

Ingredients
Chicken and Stock
2 whole chicken breast, bone in and skin removed
1 scallion
½ white onion
2 garlic cloves
½ tablespoon ground cumin
½ tablespoon sazon Goya with azafran
1 bay leaf
Salt and Pepper

Rice
2 tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ cup chopped red bell pepper
¼ cup chopped green pepper
1 cup long- grain white rice
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 chicken bouillon tablet
2 ½ cups chicken stock
½ tablespoon sazon goya with azafran
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
½ cup frozen peas
½ cup frozen diced carrots
½ cup frozen diced green beans

Directions
Place the chicken breast, 5 cups water and the remaining ingredients for the stock in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce the heat to medium low. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes. Turn the heat off and let the chicken rest in the pot for about 15 minutes covered. Let it cool, shred and set aside. Strain stock and measure 2 ½ cups and set aside.

In a medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, green peppers, garlic and red bell pepper. Cook until the onions are translucent, about 4 to 5 minutes.

Add the rice, tomato paste, chicken bouillon and sazon goya. Stir until the rice is well coated about 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the peas, carrots and green beans and cook for and additional 7 minutes, add the shredded chicken and cilantro, mix well with a fork, cover and cook for 5 minutes more.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
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Best Pumpkin Patches: Grand Canyon Railway

Just as Cinderella’s fairy godmother magically turned a pumpkin into a horse-drawn carriage, so will they transform a historic rail cars into Grand Canyon Railway’s Pumpkin Patch Train.  And wear your favorite costume!

Kids and parents alike are invited to don their favorite Halloween costumes and come join the fun this fall for a fairy-tale ride through the countryside to a secret pumpkin patch, accessible only by train. Pick a special pumpkin of your choosing and then decorate it back at the Williams Depot.

The train ride from Williams Depot to the pumpkin patch as well as one pumpkin per child are included in the ticket price. The train will de-board passengers at the pumpkin patch where you will have between 30 and 45 minutes to pick out that special pumpkin. There will also be a free, walk-through Haunted Train Car, a hay bale maze, and pumpkin arts and crafts at the Williams Depot.

Pumpkin pie, hot apple cider, hot chocolate, and other Halloween treats will be available for purchase at the Java on the Platform Snack Shop.

To learn more about the Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel and book your Pumpkin Patch experience call Rawhide Travel and Tours at (602) 843-5100. Check out our website: rawhidetravel.com.

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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
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Experience Full Service

Need to travel on business or leisure, Rawhide Travel and Tours will make it happen. We will arrange your flights, rail, hotel, car rentals and cruises. Let us assist you in planning your upcoming business trip. We're also available to help you plan that exciting vacation.

Want a small hotel or a luxury resort? Let Rawhide Travel and Tours customize the perfect spot just for you! We have many choices.  Let Us Help You Get Lost.

Call us at (602) 843-5100. Check out our website: rawhidetravel.com or email us at flythis@rawhidetravel.com.

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6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
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Rawhide Travel and Tours Remembers 9/11

Last night thirteen years ago we went to bed not knowing that the next morning events would change our lives, our country and the world forever. For many of us the events of 9/11 are seared into our memory. Our young children were left asking their parents if they were safe.  

September 11th, 2014, is the thirteenth anniversary of the attack by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda upon the United States in New York City, Washington, D.C. and in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Did you awake with a feeling that today was a memory that would be with you forever?

On that day, a Tuesday, nearly 3,000 victims perished as the result of terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and what was thought to be the White House by the plane that the heroic passengers fought to regain and was forcibly crashed by the highjackers. These events caused at least $10 billion in property and infrastructure damage.

Four passenger airliners were hijacked by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists so they could be flown into buildings in the cowardly attacks. Two of those planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, were crashed into the North and South towers, respectively, of the World Trade Center complex in New York City. 

Within two hours, both towers collapsed with debris and the resulting fires causing partial or complete collapse of all other buildings in the WTC complex, as well as significant damage to ten other large surrounding structures. 

A third plane, also American Airlines, Flight 77 was crashed into the Pentagon (the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense), leading to a partial collapse in its western side. 

The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was targeted at Washington, D.C., but crashed into a field in Pennsylvania, after its passengers tried to valiantly overcome the hijackers.

The destruction of the Twin Towers and other properties caused serious damage to the economy of Lower Manhattan and had a significant effect on global markets, closing Wall Street until September 17 and the civilian airspace in the U.S. and Canada until September 13. 

Many closings, evacuations, and cancellations followed the attack, either out of fear of further attacks or respect for the tragedy. Cleanup of the World Trade Center site was completed in May 2002, and the Pentagon was repaired within a year. Numerous memorials have been constructed, including the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York, the Pentagon Memorial, and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania.

The skyline of New York City and the collective consciousness of the world changed that day and the future was forever altered.

“One of the worst days in America’s history saw some of the bravest acts in Americans’ history. We’ll always honor the heroes of 9/11. And here at this hallowed place, we pledge that we will never forget their sacrifice.”  President George W. Bush

“Don't put off until tomorrow what you should do today.” Benjamin Franklin

Remembered by;
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Off the Beaten Path: Ecuador

Ecuador is a wildly diverse country, and thanks to its compact size, a lot can be seen and experienced in a very short period of time. Adventurers will enjoy opportunities to mountain bike and climb snow-capped volcanoes, while those seeking a more relaxing experience can cruise around the Galapagos Islands, or go shopping in Otavalo Market, South America’s largest. Travelers will find a country filled with friendly locals and inexpensive options for accommodations, food and activities.

Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World)
One overlooked spot when traveling to Ecuador, especially around Quito, is a monument and area called Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World). it is and a unique spot where you can stand with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and one foot in the Southern Hemisphere at the same time (and even though it is a disputed few hundred yards).

Who could resist the opportunity to visit the Middle of the World (Mitad del Mundo) and have your picture taken as you straddle the equator! This complex, built to commemorate the site where a French explorer calculated the world’s equatorial line, may be a shameless tourist mecca, but it makes for a fun day trip from Quito.

Take the elevator to the top of the enormous, trapezoidal monument for great views of the surrounding countryside. You’ll also find a scale model of colonial-era Quito here too, which really helps you get a sense of the old town’s layout.

You’ll also find an Ethnography Museum and a Planetarium at Mitad del Mundo, as well as several tourist shops, bars and restaurants. On weekends, locals hang out in  the Middle of the World, which comes alive with folk music and dance shows.

Galapagos Island
Encounter incredible wildlife, including the three hundred pound tortoises that lend their name to the Enchanted Isles. Nothing beats getting up close and personal with sea lions, blue footed boobies, curios seals, flamingos, albatrosses, penguins, sea urchins, manta rays, and over 2,228 varieties of tropical fish. Snorkeling, swimming, diving, hiking, bicycling, climbing into a volcano, or paddling through a blue lagoon, Galapagos Island take you straight to nature. 

Situated in the Pacific Ocean some 620 miles from the South American continent, these 19 islands and the surrounding marine reserve have been called a unique ‘living museum and showcase of evolution’. Located at the confluence of three ocean currents, the Galápagos are a ‘melting pot’ of marine species. Ongoing seismic and volcanic activity reflects the processes that formed the islands. These processes, together with the extreme isolation of the islands, led to the development of unusual animal life – such as the land iguana, the giant tortoise and the many types of finch.   

Cotopaxi National Park   
The Cotopaxi National Park is a massive nature reserve and the most popular in Ecuador. The park is well known for the four volcanoes within its bounds. Located beside Cotopaxi National Park is the El Boliche National Recreational Area. This stunning park possesses both natural wonders and a fascinating history. For a magical journey into Ecuador's natural heritage, be sure to visit Cotopaxi National Park.

The Cotopaxi volcano (supposedly meaning smooth neck of the moon) that lends its name to the park is located within its boundaries, together with two others: the dormant Rumiñawi volcano to its north-west and the historical Sincholagua volcano (last major eruption: 1877) to the south east. Cotopaxi is among the highest active volcanoes in the world; its last significant eruption took place in 1904.

Otavalo Market
Otavalo Market, located about a 3-hour bus ride north of Quito, is South America’s largest marketplace. It’s the perfect place to practice your haggling skills, while picking up a few authentic souvenirs for your family and friends at home. The best day to go is Saturday, when the market swells to its largest with vendors from the surrounding region.

If you get up very early, you can experience an all day market experience beginning with the animal market. You can wander from market to market, buy a meal from a vendor, wander the food and produce market, and consider the arts, crafts and textiles before a purchase from the artesan market. 

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Culinary Travel: Ecuador

Photo courtesy of Ministry of Tourism Ecuador

Ecuador spans four vastly different worlds.  From the endless reaches of the Amazon, to the breathtaking beauty of the Andes, to the pristine stretches of the Pacific coast, to the legendary Galapagos Islands, each region boasts a unique landscape, ecosystem and culture.  Nowhere else on earth can visitors experience such extreme diversity in one country.   And because Ecuador is only the size of Nevada, it’s possible to see it all in just one trip!

Ecuador is blessed with a diversity of native ingredients, thanks to its geography. Ecuador has a large coastal region, so seafood is abundant. There's a mountainous strip in the middle of the country, where traditional Andean crops such as potatoes (many different kinds), and grains such as quinoa and corn are cultivated. The tropical region produces many exotic fruits. 

This dish is called Niños Envueltos, which literally translates to wrapped children (unusual name). Niños Envueltos are cabbage rolls stuffed with rice and ground meat. Even better when paired with your favorite brand of hot sauce. 

Niños Envueltos: Cabbage Rolls with Rice and Ground Meat Filling

Ingredients
14-16 large cabbage leaves
water for blanching cabbage leaves
1-2 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup finely diced celery
1cup finely diced carrots
1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion
2 green onion stalks, finely chopped
1/4 cup Chopped Cilantro
1/2 pound ground beef (sirloin recommended)
1/2 pound ground pork
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 dash salt to taste
1 dash ground pepper to taste
1 dash cumin to taste
2 cups cooked long-grain rice

Directions
For the filling: In a large skillet, heat up the vegetable oil. Add all the vegetables to make a refrito. Sautee for 3-5 minutes until the onions turn translucent. Add the ground meats and stir to incorporate. Add the tomato paste, and season with salt, pepper and cumin. Cook until the meats are browned and the juices run clear, about 15-20 minutes. Add the cooked rice and mix to incorporate all the ingredients and flavors. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Assembling the roll-ups: Preheat the oven to 350F.

In a large dutch oven or stockpot, bring abundant water to a boil. Once boiling, add the cabbage leaves to blanche them and make them pliable. Blanche for 2 minutes, and remove from the hot water immediately. Reserve this water, and maintain it hot.

Lay a cabbage leaf on your counter. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the meat and rice mixture. Make a roll by folding the sides in, rolling the bottom side up, and tucking it in, similar to rolling up a burrito. Repeat the process with the remaining cabbage leaves.

Place the rolls, edges down, in a baking dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Place this dish inside a bigger baking dish. Add the hot water to the bigger dish (Baine Marie), until it reaches half-way up the dish containing the rolls.

Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until all the ingredients are warmed through.

Serve with the hot sauce of your choice.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com