0:00:04 > 0:00:06Now on BBC News, The Travel Show.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33Hello and welcome to the travel show with me, Ade Adepitan,
0:00:33 > 0:00:36coming to you this week from Ghana.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39And it's the perfect place to kick back, relax and look at some
0:00:39 > 0:00:42of our favourite stories from the programme over the last
0:00:42 > 0:00:43couple of months.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46And if you tune in regularly, then you might remember
0:00:46 > 0:00:49that it was here in Ghana, back in April, when I headed off
0:00:49 > 0:00:52to the twin villages of Boabeng and Fiema to meet some
0:00:52 > 0:00:58very special animals.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01We'll check that film out again in a moment.
0:01:01 > 0:01:06And also not, we've got me cramming in as much as I can
0:01:06 > 0:01:10-- And also coming up, we've got me cramming in as much
0:01:10 > 0:01:12as I can during a six-hour stopover in Rome.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Carmen gets a lesson in rickshaw road rules in Tokyo.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Did I just make that man crash?
0:01:17 > 0:01:19And Christer heading out into the countryside in Spain
0:01:19 > 0:01:22on the lookout for walks.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25-- on the lookout for wolves.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28All great stuff but lets kick off with Rajan's truly epic
0:01:28 > 0:01:29journey across India.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33As the country prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary
0:01:33 > 0:01:36of independence, in March, he set off to travel from Gujarat
0:01:36 > 0:01:39in the west, all the way to Assam in the east,
0:01:39 > 0:01:42and he met some amazing people, including the mystical dancing monks
0:01:42 > 0:01:47on the island of Majuli.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59Majuli island is home to 22 monasteries or satras,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02initially established in the 16th century by the Assamese Guru
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Sankardeva.
0:02:04 > 0:02:09Boys are instructed from a very young age in the religion
0:02:09 > 0:02:19he preached, Vaishnavism - an offshoot of Hinduism.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21The monks are celibate and, according to their beliefs,
0:02:21 > 0:02:25they worship only one God, follow a vegetarian diet and reject
0:02:25 > 0:02:29the caste system.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33And here, at Uttar Kamalabari,
0:02:33 > 0:02:40the doctrine includes this special art form.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45This form of classical dance is now recognised by the authorities
0:02:45 > 0:02:48as a genre in its own right,
0:02:48 > 0:02:53and many of these monks have performed around the world.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55That was amazing.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57Thank you very much indeed.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01I know you spend a lifetime learning the skills of this,
0:03:01 > 0:03:03but can I have a go?
0:03:03 > 0:03:04Can I try?
0:03:04 > 0:03:06Like this?
0:03:06 > 0:03:07Yeah, yeah.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10The arm is through here?
0:03:10 > 0:03:12Yeah.
0:03:12 > 0:03:12OK.
0:03:13 > 0:03:19One, two, three, four...
0:03:19 > 0:03:21There are 64 positions in this classical dance
0:03:21 > 0:03:27and I'm having trouble with the first two.
0:03:27 > 0:03:33It's very difficult.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35He makes it look so easy.
0:03:35 > 0:03:36That is incredibly difficult.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39And I just think I'm going to leave it to the experts.
0:03:39 > 0:03:44Sometimes you just have to give up and let them carry on.
0:03:47 > 0:03:56An exquisite performance.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01Rajan there going off the beaten track
0:04:01 > 0:04:04and meeting the dancing monks of Majuli back in April.
0:04:04 > 0:04:09Up next, we leave behind the tranquillity of rural India
0:04:09 > 0:04:11and head for the noise and bustle
0:04:11 > 0:04:14of some of the world's most famous cities.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17In a moment, you'll see just how much of Rome
0:04:17 > 0:04:21I could fit in during a six-hour stopover.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25But first, how about the time when we let Carmen take the strain
0:04:25 > 0:04:33when she joined a special team of rickshaw pullers in Tokyo?
0:04:33 > 0:04:35In other cities around the world,
0:04:35 > 0:04:39tourist rickshaws are sometimes seen as an unregulated menace.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41But here in Tokyo,
0:04:41 > 0:04:51the hand-pulled carts are a much loved symbol of the city.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53If you want to try a hand pulled rickshaw for yourself,
0:04:53 > 0:04:55there's no better place.
0:04:55 > 0:04:55Hi, Airi.
0:04:55 > 0:04:55Hi!
0:04:55 > 0:05:00I've come down to meet one of the city's few
0:05:00 > 0:05:02female rickshaw drivers.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06First, we have to look the part so you've got me a uniform?
0:05:06 > 0:05:06Yeah.
0:05:06 > 0:05:07This is our uniform.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10OK, here we go.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12And then here is a belt.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14A very long one.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16And then turn.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18One more, I think!
0:05:18 > 0:05:20And make tight!
0:05:20 > 0:05:21How do I look?
0:05:21 > 0:05:23Ta-da!
0:05:23 > 0:05:24And to complete the look,
0:05:24 > 0:05:29I'm wearing those traditional split toe shoes.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31It's more comfortable than running shoes.
0:05:31 > 0:05:32Is it?
0:05:32 > 0:05:32Yes.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35There we go.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37You got it.
0:05:37 > 0:05:43Stand up very slowly like this.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45OK.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Because if you do like quick, the customer gets very,
0:05:47 > 0:05:48feels scared.
0:05:48 > 0:05:54Oh, I see.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Lesson over, it's time for my first customers.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59OK, so they're two small children, but it still counts.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02They look a bit scared!
0:06:02 > 0:06:06Slowly, up.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09Here we go.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12This isn't too bad, actually, once you get going, you get
0:06:12 > 0:06:17a bit of momentum.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26They look a bit shell-shocked!
0:06:26 > 0:06:28High five!
0:06:34 > 0:06:37So you find yourself stuck on a Rome layover here
0:06:37 > 0:06:40at Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42This is one of the largest in Italy
0:06:42 > 0:06:45and is the central hub for its national airline.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Unfortunately, Rome is ranked as one of the most delayed airports
0:06:48 > 0:06:52in the world, so you'll probably find yourself with a bit of time
0:06:52 > 0:06:56on your hands,
0:06:56 > 0:07:00so I've decided to make it a bit more interesting and set myself
0:07:00 > 0:07:02a challenge to see Rome in under six hours.
0:07:02 > 0:07:02Hello!
0:07:02 > 0:07:04Hi, Ade, how are you?
0:07:04 > 0:07:05Nice to meet you.
0:07:05 > 0:07:05Buongiorno!
0:07:05 > 0:07:11Where do we go to first?
0:07:11 > 0:07:14I've chosen a bespoke tour and have specifically requested five sites
0:07:14 > 0:07:15to visit during my whistle-stop tour.
0:07:15 > 0:07:16I want to see:
0:07:17 > 0:07:17the Coliseum,
0:07:17 > 0:07:18the Circus Maximus,
0:07:19 > 0:07:21the Palatine Hill,
0:07:21 > 0:07:22the Mouth of Truth
0:07:22 > 0:07:25and of course, the Trevi Fountain.
0:07:25 > 0:07:30My first proper stop here is to go and see the Circus Maximus.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33Older than the Coliseum
0:07:33 > 0:07:36-- My first proper stop here is to go and see the Circus
0:07:36 > 0:07:37Maximus.
0:07:37 > 0:07:38Older than the Coliseum
0:07:38 > 0:07:42and with a capacity of hundreds of thousands of people,
0:07:42 > 0:07:46it was at the heart of Rome's lavish and brutal public entertainment,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49the gladiators, to you and me.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55This was the place for the spectators,
0:07:55 > 0:07:56the excavations over there.
0:07:56 > 0:08:02The spectators sat all around.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06And resting just above the site is the Palatine Hill
0:08:06 > 0:08:18which is one of the most ancient parts of the city.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26Next stop is a little hidden gem.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28It is the Mouth of Truth.
0:08:29 > 0:08:34If you are a liar and you put the hand inside of the mouth,
0:08:34 > 0:08:36your hand will be cut.
0:08:36 > 0:08:46LAUGHTER.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48Every time I see the Trevi Fountain,
0:08:48 > 0:08:52it always takes my breath away because it's so beautiful.
0:08:52 > 0:08:59And I'd say this is definitely one of the most must-sees in Rome.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02One of the downsides of a tour like this
0:09:02 > 0:09:05is there's no real time to stop and really enjoy the sights,
0:09:05 > 0:09:06because of the tight schedule.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10But they give you a great taste of what's on offer.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13And who knows, maybe one day I'll be back to explore Rome
0:09:13 > 0:09:17at a more leisurely pace.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22Me there, trying to cram in 2,000 years of history
0:09:22 > 0:09:25into a few hours in Rome.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Well, stick with us, because coming up on today's show,
0:09:28 > 0:09:36Henry visits the first ever elephant hospital in Thailand.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Sitting on this beach in Ghana,
0:09:42 > 0:09:44it is hard to believe that only a few months ago
0:09:44 > 0:09:48I was a world away in terms of geography and temperature,
0:09:48 > 0:09:55when I took a special trip to Finnish Lapland
0:09:55 > 0:09:56to meet the Sami people
0:09:56 > 0:09:58who live a life dominated by snow, reindeer
0:09:58 > 0:10:02and where temperatures sometimes drop as low as -4 Celsius.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05and where temperatures sometimes drop as low as -40 Celsius.
0:10:05 > 0:10:06True story.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12There are more reindeers than people in Lapland.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14These animals need large areas of unspoiled forest
0:10:15 > 0:10:21to find the little food buried under the snow.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24So there you see how the reindeer live in the winter.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27They get their own food in the forest, they eat the lichen,
0:10:27 > 0:10:31they are digging the snow off and the eat the lichen on the land.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34There they are, they are all coming down from the hills.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38They know you're here!
0:10:38 > 0:10:40Reindeer herding is in Petri's blood.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43These animals have been crucial to his family for survival
0:10:43 > 0:10:50for generations, providing food, clothing and transport.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53We are surrounded by reindeer.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56This is so beautiful.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Look at them!
0:11:03 > 0:11:05SHOUTS.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07Look at them all coming.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Yes.
0:11:09 > 0:11:17BOTH SHOUT.
0:11:27 > 0:11:27Wow!
0:11:27 > 0:11:30Petri supplements their diet to increase their chances
0:11:30 > 0:11:31of survival till the springtime.
0:11:31 > 0:11:37Look at it!
0:11:41 > 0:11:43Now it's only -5...
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Only -5?
0:11:45 > 0:11:50Three weeks ago it was -44. -44?
0:11:50 > 0:11:53The coldest it has been is 1999 January, one week and it was -55.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Oh, my! Now it is like the summer!
0:11:56 > 0:12:01Are we going to build the fire? Yes.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04Cool.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Well, I've had an amazing time here in Finnish Lapland,
0:12:13 > 0:12:17and this place just gets to you.
0:12:17 > 0:12:18It has a real rugged beauty.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21It's the furthest north in the world I've ever been to,
0:12:21 > 0:12:24and it feels like I'm at one with nature.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27You know what, it's been such a privilege to spend time
0:12:27 > 0:12:30with the Sami people.
0:12:46 > 0:12:55So that was me learning the ropes with the reindeer in a very cold
0:12:55 > 0:12:56Finnish Lapland back in March.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59And they weren't the only animals we've met over
0:12:59 > 0:13:00the past couple of months.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04So, to finish off today's show, here's a few of our favourite
0:13:04 > 0:13:05recent animal encounters.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09In a moment, Christa goes looking for wolves in Spain,
0:13:09 > 0:13:13and I make friends in Ghana with these little fellas.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20But first, back in April, Henry travelled to Thailand to pay
0:13:20 > 0:13:24a visit to the world's first ever elephant hospital, just in time
0:13:24 > 0:13:28to meet their newest and cutest arrival.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32What kind of patients do you have?
0:13:32 > 0:13:35We have all kinds of illnesses, sicknesses,
0:13:35 > 0:13:41knife wounds, gunshot wounds.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43Some have diarrhoea, constipation, cataracts.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47Some have serious like cancer and tumours.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50The most difficult cases are the victims of landmines.
0:13:50 > 0:13:57For Motala, each day starts with her prosthetic being fitted,
0:13:57 > 0:14:01so she can walk out for breakfast.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Wow, so this is the prosthetic leg.
0:14:05 > 0:14:06Can I see?
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Heavy.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12So heavy!
0:14:12 > 0:14:19It weighs a good, at least 15 kilograms.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22In the early morning and late afternoon,
0:14:22 > 0:14:25when the sun is not too hot, Motala will walk out
0:14:25 > 0:14:26for a few hours.
0:14:26 > 0:14:27There you go.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Adult females weigh just under three tonnes on average.
0:14:29 > 0:14:35So the prosthetic is needed to give vital relief to her other three legs
0:14:35 > 0:14:40which are under enormous pressure.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43How long did it take her to get used to the prosthetic leg?
0:14:43 > 0:14:44Five to seven days.
0:14:44 > 0:14:49Then she gets used to it? Yes.
0:14:49 > 0:14:56The focus here is an working with elephant owners
0:14:56 > 0:15:00in the community, to help any animal that needs medical attention.
0:15:00 > 0:15:06The baby!
0:15:06 > 0:15:09They also have a nursery section and I'm fortunate enough to be
0:15:09 > 0:15:12able to see a newborn.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16So how old is the baby? Nine days.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18Nine days.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23The baby's name. His name is Mina.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31It is humbling to see the connection Doctor Kay has with these animals,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35as she gives baby Mina a checkup.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42It is amazing to see elephants like these that would have otherwise
0:15:42 > 0:15:46died in the wild to be thriving in the hospital, and spending time
0:15:46 > 0:15:48with Doctor Kay and Soraida, learning the ins and outs
0:15:48 > 0:15:51of what goes on here has been an absolutely amazing experience
0:15:51 > 0:15:55that I won't forget any time soon.
0:15:55 > 0:16:00If you're not a fan of very early starts, then wolf watching
0:16:00 > 0:16:04is not for you.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14If you're not a fan of very early starts, then wolf watching
0:16:14 > 0:16:15is not for you.
0:16:15 > 0:16:16Good morning, Christa.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Good morning.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21I'm tired, that's what I am!
0:16:21 > 0:16:23I wish you a good day.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34Living in such close proximity to humans,
0:16:34 > 0:16:37these wolves have learned to survive by keeping a low profile,
0:16:37 > 0:16:39so don't expect to hear any Hollywood-style howling coming
0:16:39 > 0:16:40from up in the hills.
0:16:40 > 0:16:41Is it safe?
0:16:50 > 0:16:51Is it safe?
0:16:55 > 0:16:56My life's in your hands, Tino.
0:17:03 > 0:17:04My life's in your hands, Tino.
0:17:11 > 0:17:16The Iberian wolf was almost hunted to extinction in the 1970s,
0:17:16 > 0:17:20but as the failing economy forced people to move away
0:17:21 > 0:17:25from the villagers, the wolf population started to climb.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Tino has got to know wolves individually,
0:17:32 > 0:17:35after watching the same packs for many years.
0:17:35 > 0:17:36But there is one wolf who is very special to him.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05Sadly, this isn't the best time of year to see wolves.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09Spring heralds the start of the mating season,
0:18:09 > 0:18:10and they like to keep their courtship rituals pretty private.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16Tino likes to bring people later in the year,
0:18:16 > 0:18:17when the cubs have grown up.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46As the day wears on, I'm beginning to lose hope.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49If I'm going to see a wolf, I'm going to have to get creative.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53This is a local breed called the wolf dog.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56Genetically, if partly domesticated dog but it's mostly Iberian wolf.
0:18:56 > 0:19:04These dogs were bred to protect cattle from wild wolves.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07They look like and think like the enemy.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10And the puppies beg for food from adults just
0:19:11 > 0:19:12like wild wolf cubs do.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18I think this is definitely the closest I'm ever
0:19:18 > 0:19:20going to come to a wolf.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Christa almost meeting wolves in Spain in March.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36And to finish this week's programme, will it back to my trip to Ghana
0:19:36 > 0:19:40in April, when I went to a monkey sanctuary to meet some
0:19:40 > 0:19:42of its rather cheeky residents.
0:19:44 > 0:19:45Hello.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Look at that!
0:19:47 > 0:19:50It's so cute!
0:19:50 > 0:19:55You said they're not shy.
0:19:55 > 0:19:56Look, Emilia.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58Wow! That's so nice.
0:20:06 > 0:20:11I am amazed at how much banana little monkey that can eat!
0:20:11 > 0:20:17That monkey must have eaten at least ten bananas.
0:20:18 > 0:20:19They can eat more than ten.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27The villages here believe these monkeys are sacred.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29There are two types.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33The cheeky Mona and the black and white Colobus which is slightly
0:20:33 > 0:20:37more aloof but with good reason.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43Declining numbers through habitat loss means there are currently
0:20:43 > 0:20:48listed as a vulnerable species.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50There can't be many places left where you are virtually
0:20:50 > 0:20:52guaranteed a sighting.
0:20:56 > 0:21:01Harming either species is strictly forbidden under local law,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04which means these villages have become a sanctuary.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08In fact, the monkeys here are loved so much,
0:21:08 > 0:21:12In fact, the monkeys here are loved so much,
0:21:12 > 0:21:13In fact, the monkeys here are loved so much,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16that once they die, they are given a proper burial.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19I hear the monkeys belong to the gods, so the villagers have
0:21:19 > 0:21:23to stay with the monkeys peacefully here.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27If we punish them, you get the same punishment from the gods so we have
0:21:27 > 0:21:28to stay with them peacefully.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32And that is why the monkeys are here are unique from other
0:21:32 > 0:21:32parts of Ghana.
0:21:32 > 0:21:38This is special? This is special.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41Well, that's it for this look back on the Travel Show,
0:21:41 > 0:21:44but make sure you stay with us, because we've still got plenty more
0:21:44 > 0:21:49countries to visit.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Well, that's it for this look back on the Travel Show,
0:21:52 > 0:21:56but make sure you stay with us, because we've still got plenty more
0:21:56 > 0:21:57countries to visit.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59And next week...
0:21:59 > 0:22:05Carmen is in Hong Kong tracking down the kung fu legacy left behind
0:22:05 > 0:22:07by Bruce Lee.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11Now block. Almost fell over!
0:22:11 > 0:22:14And don't forget to check out our website or follow us
0:22:14 > 0:22:15on social media.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19But for now, from me, Ade Adepitan and the rest
0:22:19 > 0:22:21of the Travel Show team here in wonderful sunny
0:22:21 > 0:22:22Ghana, it's goodbye.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Well, let's see what the weather's got in store for this weekend
0:22:52 > 0:22:56and it is looking a little mixed, not a completely dry one.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58There will be some showers around but sunshine too.