False msafiri BEIJING PARALYMPICS GAMES Following the Olympic Games ( 8- 24 August) the 13th Paralympics will feature 20 sports, including rowing, wheelchair basketball, swimming, five- a- side football and athletics. http:// en. paralympic. beijing2008. cn 6- 17 SEPTEMBER habariinspiration KQ CALENDAR Find out what’s on, when and where with our essential round- up of seasonal hotspots in some of KQ’s destinations NAVRATHRI: MUMBAI Ten- day festival celebrating the victory of the goddess Durga over the buffalo- headed OCT demon Mahishasura. 34 LONDON: NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL Join two million people on the streets of Notting Hill during London’s colourful carnival. The free fiesta kicks off with a family-orientated parade on the Sunday, followed by the main event on Bank Holiday Monday. Second in size only to Rio’s Mardis Gras, the Notting Hill Carnival has two major elements – Mas ( the costumes and masquerades) and Soca ( the vibrant mix of soul and Calypso). www. visitlondon. com 3- 4 OCTOBER 24- 25 august 24- 28 SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER-SOUTH AFRICA FISH RIVER CANOE MARATHON Churning through the semi- desert of South Africa’s Karoo, the 644km Great Fish River is the setting for one of Africa’s most challenging adventure races. The two- day Fish River Canoe Marathon pits kayakers against 81.8km of the rapid- strewn river. Competitors face hazards ranging from weirs and whirlpools to a grade 3+ rapid known as Keith’s Flyover – which defeats at least half of those who choose not to portage. www. fishmarathon. org. za South Africa HERMANUS WHALE FESTIVAL Celebrating the annual return of southern right whales to Walker Bay, this lively festival features arts, music, an environmental expo and, of course, whale watching. www. whalefestival. co. za CANOE: JUSTIN VELLACOTT/ GAMEPLAN MEDIA, WHALE: WILLIAM GRAY EXPERTS ONLY!

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