world reviewer
Anna Dejardin
Anna Dejardin is an astronomer and passionate star-gazer. Her travels have taken her all over the world in search of the darkest parts of the sky.
Anna Dejardin's activity
- 13 Jan 2009
Anna Dejardin reviewed The Northern Lights in Nord-Norge, Norway
Set in the province of Lapland in the north of Finland this extraordinary hotel is a perfectly placed gateway to night sky experiences including the graceful mystery of the aurora borealis, or northern lights, and the surreal beauty of the midnight sun.…"
- 12 Oct 2007
Anna Dejardin reviewed Vision Quests in US West Coast, United States
This is a contemporary experience based on ancient vision quests that act as a rite of passage essentially to understanding your personal link with nature. The quests usually have a duration of twelve days and the process includes fasting, solitude, poet…"
Anna Dejardin reviewed Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey in North East England, United Kingdom
Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey is a working monastery that offers various opportunities for visitors through retreats. Set in a remote area of the Northumberland moors, the abbey was established in 1972 and its members live by the Soto Zen tradition. Sot…"
Anna Dejardin reviewed Samadhi Hermitage in Deep South, United States
Set in the foothills of the Ortiz Mountains at the southern end of Sante Fe in New Mexico, you can find the Samadhi Hermitage. The contemplation cave of the sadhu Francis Ananda Love, it is open to the public in order to facilitate their desire to experi…"
Anna Dejardin reviewed The Wild Mushroom Traveling Road Show in Iquitos, Peru
The Wild Mushroom Traveling Road Show starts in Iquitos, the largest city in the Peruvian rainforest, and sets off at midnight on the day of your arrival. It involves travelling with Amazonian shamans deep into the rainforest where you will visit remote …"
Anna Dejardin reviewed The Human-Dolphin Connection in Bahamas
The WildQuest Retreat Lodge is set on the beach in Porgy Bay, a fishing village on one of the smaller, quieter Bahamian islands. From the lodge runs The Dolphin-Human Connection, a group that provides week long retreats based around the belief that conta…"
- 28 Sep 2007
Anna Dejardin reviewed The Northern Lights in Nord-Norge, Norway
The Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights, the stunning swathes of colour changing light created by the interaction of charged particles and the earth’s magnetic field, are a life-changing sight and one not to be missed by any keen stargazer. The Aurora se…"
Anna Dejardin reviewed The night sky over Lake Tekapo in South Island, New Zealand
Situated in the Mackenzie Basin in the foothills of the Southern Alps on New Zealand's Southern Island, Lake Tekapo is surrounded by the breathtaking scenery that has made New Zealand a must-see destination for travellers the world over. The area surroun…"
Anna Dejardin reviewed Astronomy on the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico
The Yucatan coast of Mexico, home of the ancient Mayan culture, is a must-see destination for anyone interested in both amateur astronomy and the history of its relevance in human societies. As well as excellent stargazing conditions and clear, dark skie…"
Anna Dejardin reviewed Jantar Mantar Observatory in Jaipur, India
Jantar Mantar in Jaipur in western, central India is the largest of five astronomical observatories commissioned by Maharaja Jai Singh II. Built between 1727 and 1733 Jantar Mantar is a collection of huge architectural astronomical instruments constructe…"
Anna Dejardin reviewed Yosemite's night sky in US West Coast, United States
Yosemite National Park was one of the first wilderness parks in the United States, covering approximately 1,200 square miles of the Sierra Nevada in California. The park is probably best known for its waterfalls, glaciers, deep valleys and rolling meadow…"
Anna Dejardin reviewed Astronomy in the Karoo National Park in NW South Africa, South Africa
Karoo National Park is set in the Great Karoo, South Africa's largest natural ecosystem. Consisting largely of vast, undulating plains and including part of the Numeveld mountain range the park is a spectacular landscape containing a hugely diverse range…"
Anna Dejardin reviewed Barringer Meteor Crater in Southwest Desert, United States
The Barringer Meteor Crater, often simply referred to as 'Meteor Crater' is the most famous and well preserved example of an impact crater in the world. Situated east of Flagstaff, Arizona the crater is a massive 1.2km across and 175m deep and is thought…"
Anna Dejardin reviewed Stargazing clear skies around La Serena in Coquimbo, Chile
Chile is widely recognised as having the world's best skies for stargazing with an average of 300 clear nights a year and the extremely dry air creating excellent visibility. The area surrounding La Serena in the Andean foothills is home to many of the …"
Anna Dejardin reviewed Night skies over the Kimberley in Western Australia, Australia
The Kimberley region of Western Australia covers an area of around 421,000 square kilometres, with a total population of only 25,000 this is a true wilderness; vast, ancient and an excellent place for stargazing. One of Kimberley's town is Broome on the …"
Anna Dejardin reviewed Stars over the Galapagos: Finch Bay Hotel in Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galapagos Islands, an archipelago of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean west of Ecuador, are world famous for their sheltered ecosystem and their importance in Darwin's theory of evolution and natural selection. In addition to this however they al…"
Anna Dejardin reviewed Cherry Springs State Park in Philadelphia, United States
Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania is regularly quoted as being the 'very darkest stargazing site on the Eastern Seaboard'. In 200 Cherry Springs was declared the first Dark Sky Park by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; all lig…"
Anna Dejardin reviewed Antarctic Star Cruise in Antarctica
Antarctica is widely documented as the best place for astronomy on the planet. Home to some of the driest conditions on earth and very calm local atmospheric air patterns, these combine to produce pretty much unparalleled visibility. However, a keen star…"
Anna Dejardin reviewed Mauna Kea: Stargazing in Hawaii in Hawaii, United States
Hawaii is a destination really geared towards stargazing; boasting 90% clear nights and a total of 13 large telescopes on the summit of Mauna Kea alone. The surrounding ocean cuts down on artificial light pollution and leads to better, more stable seeing…"
Anna Dejardin reviewed The Sahara Sky from the Kasbah Hotel in High Atlas, Morocco
Set in the heart of Southern Morocco, the Kasbah Hotel Sahara Sky nestles up against the first of the Tinfou sanddunes on the edge of the vast Sahara. Built in the traditional Kasbah style and far away from the distraction and light pollution of any neig…"
Anna Dejardin reviewed Uluru at Night in Northern Territory, Australia
Ayers Rock, also known in the aboriginal tongue as Uluru, is one of the world's most unusual and infamous natural landmarks. Set as it is in the middle of the desert of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the 'Red Centre' of Australia's Northern Territory …"
Anna Dejardin reviewed Star Gazing in the Algarve in Portugal
Mention of the Algarve might conjure up images far from the quiet pursuit of uninterrupted stargazing but this southernmost region of inland Portugal offers exceptional conditions for a little amateur astronomy, provided you steer clear of the tourist-he…"
Anna Dejardin reviewed Sky over Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in South Australia, Australia
The Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, a seven hour drive north of Adelaide, is right out in the middle of nowhere in the Australian Outback. Arkaroola’s isolated position is great for stargazing and the park was the first in Australia to adopt the ‘Dark Sk…"
- 01 May 2007
Anna Dejardin reviewed Zarautz in San Sebastian, Spain
Zarautz in San Sebastian is an expanse of beautiful golden sand that can appear to stretch on forever; at 2.5 km it is the longest beach in the province of Gipuzkoa. The focus here is really on water sports, with almost all tastes catered for, and espe…"
Anna Dejardin reviewed Mount Beach, Bay of Plenty in North Island, New Zealand
‘Mount Beach’, as it is known, is an unbroken sandbar stretching around the New Zealand coast, under the shadow of the dormant volcano Mount Maungauni. It is a truly beautiful sight; clear, white sand and the warm, blue Pacific Ocean. The beach is also…"
Anna Dejardin reviewed South Beach (beach), Miami in West Palm Beach, United States
South Beach, affectionately referred to as SoBe, is actually the southernmost section of Miami Beach and is world-famous for its vibrant atmosphere. A favourite spot for fashion and film shoots this is a real haunt of celebrities and ‘the beautiful peo…"