Dreaming of that sunny vacation but have to stay put? Well, we’ve put together a list of Kensington’s “hottest” TV documentaries to make you feel like you travelled somewhere warm on a chilly day.
Think of us as your living room travel agent and trip leader. Or just watch one of these shows.
1. Inside the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City (44 mins)
Playa del Carmen, Cancun. Puerto Vallarta: all fabulous tourist destinations in Mexico. But if you’re the kind of traveller who wants a little more culture and history with your vacation, then come with us to Mexico City. The National Museum of Anthropology is an impressive modern museum, visited by 2 million people every year. The artifacts it houses tell the story of Mexico from before the Mayan civilization to the Spanish conquest. In this episode, we dive into a watery cave to discover the Mayan path to the afterlife, then investigate the power of a crystal skull to reveal the secrets of the dead. We pilot an ancient canoe through Aztec canals to discover why modern Mexico City is sinking, then discover how a dress worn by the most notorious woman in Mexican history led to a massacre that changed history. Watch this episode on VHX or Vimeo On Demand
2. The Sacred Balance, Episode 2: The Matrix of Life (52 mins)
Water is this substance we depend on every day of our lives. It also the reason many people travel to the Southern hemisphere or coastal areas for a trip. In this series based on the influential book of the same name, host David Suzuki travels to India to see the River Ganges, to the Las Vegas desert, to a South African mine three kilometres deep, to Shark Bay, Australia, and to the Amazon rainforest to understand the science of water. You will definitely enjoy learning about what makes the world go ’round while taking a trip to some of the world’s most intriguing locations. “Wherever we are, air and water move through us like a river of life. What we do to it, we do to ourselves.” Well-put David. Now put on your bathing suit and jump in to this episode. Watch this episode on Vimeo On Demand
3. One Warm Line: The Legacy of Stan Rogers (46 mins)
“Tracing one warm line through a land so wide and savage
And make a northwest passage to the sea.”
The east coast of Canada has never been considered a “sun destination” but this musical documentary is named One Warm Line for a reason. Standing at 6’4” tall, Stan Rogers was truly larger than life. His songs were well-crafted folk ballads, often about surviving the harsh conditions of Canada’s land and climate. Rogers died at 33, in a tragic accident aboard a plane that was forced to land due to fire. This documentary shows off a musician in his prime. With rollicking shanties like Barrett’s Privateers, Stan Rogers can win over even the most frigid heart. Stream the documentary online at the Kensington Store for $2, or purchase our bestselling DVD.
4. Inside the Bardo National Museum, Tunisia, Museum Secrets (44 mins)
For some, it doesn’t get any hotter than ripped gladiators fighting bare-chested and trekking the Sahara desert. Travel to Tunis in this episode where we expose Hollywood myths about Roman Gladiators, then find out if historical reports of child sacrifice are myths as well. We fire Roman catapults to test their killing power, then meet a camel whisperer to discover how he convinces camels to take him where he wants to go. We climb a mountain to survey Roman era waterworks, then meet a Star Wars super-fan as he discovers the connection between his favourite sci-fi franchise and the culture of a desert land. Watch this episode on VHX or Vimeo On Demand
5. Return to Nepal (46 mins)
Accompany musician Bruce Cockburn as he returns to the spectacular Himalayan nation after twenty years away. He finds a land where much has changed, with a Maoist government recently elected, women newly empowered and fresh initiatives to deal with the grinding poverty of the majority of the Nepali people. But it’s also a land where, in some of the remotest areas, life is lived in much the same way it has been for centuries — salt caravans, subsistence farming on steep mountain terraces and off-the-grid villages connected by an ancient network of footpaths. Stream the documentary online at the Kensington Store for $2, or purchase the DVD.
6. Museum Secrets: Inside Cairo’s Egyptian Museum (44 mins)
Golden treasures, pyramids and mummies. How much further from freezing temps can you get? Watch this episode on VHX or Vimeo On Demand