Source: http://feeds.tnooz.com/~r/Tnooz/~3/9JR69LAeGj4/
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Monday, February 28, 2011
Jetsetter private sales not so exclusive with iPhone app
Jetsetter, the members-only hotel site, introduced a free iPhone app, with all iPhone users invited to join its ranks.
Save the Bahuaja Sonene National Park
An urgent appeal to all fellow travelers. It has recently come to my attention that the Peruvian Government and a number of large multinationals are planning to reduce the size of one of the country?s key national parks by 200, 000 hectares. If the proposed bill ? soon to be deliberated by the Peruvian Congress ? gets passed, concessions will be granted to a number of gas companies in the Bahuaja Sonene National Park 
Located in the South Eastern department of Madre de Dios, Bahuaja Sonene (sometimes called the
Not only it seems will this project endanger the extraordinary flora and fauna found in the reserve (much of which remains undiscovered), but it also seriously risks destroying an already endangered culture and threatening the health of members of indigenous groups who are still believed to be fatally susceptible to such maladies as the common cold.
200,000 hectares. I know it just seems like a figure, but let?s put it into perspective. Comparatively speaking, we?re talking about an area of land about the same size as
In a time when global warning is the most prevalent threat to the continued survival of us all, it seems that there are people out there determined to destroy this beautiful planet even further. The destruction of this beautiful park for financial gain ? or any other gain for that matter ? simply cannot be allowed. An appeal needs to be made to the Peruvian Government as soon as possible. They need to know just how atrocious and devastating this proposed bill will be, and they need to know the extent of the opposition towards it, so that when the bill gets deliberated, the right choices can be made. Currently there is petition online at http://www.salvemoscandamo.com/. I urge everyone to take a minute or two to sign this and get their voices heard. I would also encourage people to oppose the US-Peru Free Trade agreement which will give large
Bart
Source: http://bart-cat-travel.blogspot.com/2007/10/save-bahuaja-sonene-national-park.html
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Kids Free on Early Season Disney cruises
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| View of Alaska from the water (by Steve Anderson) |
Well, Goofy bites Tarzan! It looks like Disney is whistling a different (happy) tune this year. To innaugurate its cruises to Alaska, Disney will be allowing kids to cruise for free if they're accompanied by two parents, and can play hooky by vacationing between May 3 and May 24.
Alas, only deluxe staterooms are covered by the freebie offer, meaning that even with the freebie for kids, you won't be spending less than you would on other ships at this time of year. I just found $600 Alaskan cruises on Royal Caribbean for May, meaning one could get four into a cabin for a hair less than the price of two in a deluxe stateroom on Disney (which starts at $1250 from most sellers). Still, if you want to have the "Disney experience" for your family at a reasonable rate, this sale is as good as it gets.
Source: http://paulinefrommerbriefing.blogspot.com/2011/02/kids-free-on-early-season-disney.html
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Back Home in Cornwall, England
Well, after another great trip away, 9 month this time, I'm back home.
I am really enjoying being back, despite coming home just as Winter is setting in. I don't like cold weather, and Winter in the UK is a challenge for me. Let's see how it goes.
Source: http://www.itravelabout.com/blog/darren/back-home-in-cornwall-england
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Cruising the Galapagos: Setting Out!
We're planning to turn our trip to the Galapagos Island into a series of posts that will build upon one another, exploring our trip through the Galapagos over a number of days.
"Cruising the Galapagos: Setting Out!" is a post from Two Go Round-The-World. Join Kathryn and Daniel as they plan, prepare and pack for a year-long RTW trip! Ready to dive in? Click here for a few easy ways to stay connected with us!
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/twortw/~3/BDeRz0cAGb8/
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Delta Says Adios to Expiration Dates for Miles
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| Delta soars above the competition with its latest move (photo by CPY) |
With this extremely customer-friendly move, Delta becomes the only major carrier in the United States to have loyalty miles with no expiration date.
I, for one, think its a good reason to fly Delta in the near future.
Hey, other carriers, did you hear that? Delta actually earns my loyalty with this move. You may want to try it, too.
Source: http://paulinefrommerbriefing.blogspot.com/2011/02/delta-says-adios-to-expiration-date-for.html
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Live travel Q&A: Ask Tom - snow disruption special
Today 1-2pm: Is snow causing you travel dilemmas? Lonely Planet's Tom Hall, will be offering expert advice live online tomorrow
Are you worried about your Christmas travel plans or unsure of what to do if your flight has been cancelled? Or are you planning a holiday in the new year? Tom Hall will be live on Guardian Travel tomorrow from 1-2pm offering expert advice. Post questions below in advance or on the day. Tom will get to as many as he can in an hour.
Tom may not be able to answer any emailed questions in the live blog, but these will be considered for future Ask Tom blog posts.
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/blog/2010/dec/21/ask-tom-snow-disruption-advice
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Sunday, February 27, 2011
KOAN Podcast: Parks, parks and more parks
Our guest, former Director of Parks Jerry Lewanski. My co-host, the lovely and talented Erin Kirkland, is all about the parks. She’s deep into the Campbell Creek Science Center…in fact we were there this weekend during “Winter Trails Day” (above). You may recognize Jerry’s name–after he retired he and his wife Janice opened Fire Island [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AlaskaTravelgram/~3/19Q2i1tKlV4/
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Save the Bahuaja Sonene National Park
An urgent appeal to all fellow travelers. It has recently come to my attention that the Peruvian Government and a number of large multinationals are planning to reduce the size of one of the country?s key national parks by 200, 000 hectares. If the proposed bill ? soon to be deliberated by the Peruvian Congress ? gets passed, concessions will be granted to a number of gas companies in the Bahuaja Sonene National Park
Located in the South Eastern department of Madre de Dios, Bahuaja Sonene (sometimes called the
Not only it seems will this project endanger the extraordinary flora and fauna found in the reserve (much of which remains undiscovered), but it also seriously risks destroying an already endangered culture and threatening the health of members of indigenous groups who are still believed to be fatally susceptible to such maladies as the common cold.
200,000 hectares. I know it just seems like a figure, but let?s put it into perspective. Comparatively speaking, we?re talking about an area of land about the same size as
In a time when global warning is the most prevalent threat to the continued survival of us all, it seems that there are people out there determined to destroy this beautiful planet even further. The destruction of this beautiful park for financial gain ? or any other gain for that matter ? simply cannot be allowed. An appeal needs to be made to the Peruvian Government as soon as possible. They need to know just how atrocious and devastating this proposed bill will be, and they need to know the extent of the opposition towards it, so that when the bill gets deliberated, the right choices can be made. Currently there is petition online at http://www.salvemoscandamo.com/. I urge everyone to take a minute or two to sign this and get their voices heard. I would also encourage people to oppose the US-Peru Free Trade agreement which will give large
Bart
Source: http://bart-cat-travel.blogspot.com/2007/10/save-bahuaja-sonene-national-park.html
round the world round world travel house vacation blog blog vacation
Top 10 places to visit in Thailand
Thailand, the backpacker?s paradise, is a country full of history and culture. With so many tourist attractions on offer, how does a first timer to this far-flung land know where to start? Well, I have made up a list of the top 10 places to visit, all my own personal opinion and in no particular ...
Source: http://www.alexasigno.co.uk/top-10-places-to-visit-in-thailand/
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Where to Nap in Europe
When I was in Madrid, I saw it all--from the Goyas at the Museo del Prado to the colorful cafe umbrellas lining Plaza Mayor--all within 48 hours. But the best thing I saw? The back of my eyelids as I dozed off in Buen Retiro Park. Sure, you can pack all the sights into one non-stop itinerary, but nothing compares to the relaxing pleasure of a sweet siesta. Travel napping is underrated--do it in the right places and you can take in a little culture while you soak up some rays. The following are a few of my favorite napping spots in Europe. Buen Retiro Park
Madrid, Spain
Spend a few afternoon hours in Buen Retiro Park and you'll understand why the Spanish came up with the whole siesta concept. This huge green space, just east of central Madrid, has so much to do and see that you can easily lose track of time and forget about your busy life. My favorite area is the breathtaking Rosaleda rose garden, with its maze of paths and rose-rambled arches. There are a handful of good nap sites surrounding the garden. When you wake up, follow the large road to the west that leads you to the slightly unsettling fountain of El Angel Ca�do, one of only a very few public monuments to Satan in the world. Napping near Lucifer is not recommended, due to unconfirmed reports of nightmares and madness caused by the statue.
Boboli Gardens
Florence, Italy
The gardens behind the Palazzo Pitti were the site of my first great European nap. Up the hill from the garden's central amphitheater you'll find a giant stone head and a patch of open grass with breathtaking vistas of Florence. When you're done here, follow the shaded path down the hill to the west and you'll find a pair of sculptures that look like two giant Mentos candies in the forest. The mammoth granite discs stay remarkably cooler than the surrounding air and make a great place to rest on a hot summer day in Tuscany.
Source: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2011/02/where-to-nap-in-europe.html
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Top 10 places to visit in Thailand
Thailand, the backpacker?s paradise, is a country full of history and culture. With so many tourist attractions on offer, how does a first timer to this far-flung land know where to start? Well, I have made up a list of the top 10 places to visit, all my own personal opinion and in no particular ...
Source: http://www.alexasigno.co.uk/top-10-places-to-visit-in-thailand/
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Part Four ? Tripbod in the Valley video diary
Another day at the Launch Conference and the Tripbod team find some time around preparing for their presentation to meet some more startups and other wise heads.
Source: http://feeds.tnooz.com/~r/Tnooz/~3/f1GH1RfYrXA/
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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
He arrive in Kuala Lumpur.
After 2 months in Bali we are pleased by the cleanliness and efficiency of the city, but the pace is frantic and it takes a moment to adjust.
We grab cash and drinks and take the efficient bus to KL Sentral. Then take the monorail to the Tune hotel.
We are in KL for a few days. We are hoping to visit the Petronas Towers, which has eluded us so far, and to get some shopping.
In 1 week will be home in Cornwall, back in the house that I left 9 months ago. We are ready to go home. I am ready to go home. It will be cold and expensive, but it will be civilised, and organised, and cheap if I want it (actually cheaper than here if you're clever), and ultimately it will be home.
I intend to make the most of being home. Going to the gym, makeing nice food, seeing my family and friends, working hard, enjoying quality items at cheap prices.
I love travelling in Asia. I love the cheapness and the variety of life. But it wares me down. I had thought about trying to live here for a time. But now I am worn out my Asia.
Maybe if I went back to live in the house in Thailand I would love it all again.
Dunno
But for now I am going home, and I will enjoy it.
Source: http://www.itravelabout.com/blog/darren/kuala-lumpur-malaysia-0
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The Khalerias
To quote: “Just in case you stumbled here by accident and dont have the first clue what a khaleria is?.”, then let me explain. It is one part Sabeena Khan mixed with one part Ryan Galeria. Throw in a couple of backpacks, a camera (or two), give a quick stir and you have a photojournalistic [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/travelblogs/~3/ut4I7clyzik/the-khalerias
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Saturday, February 26, 2011
Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Harbour, Sydney
Today Dorota and I went to visit the Chinese Garden of Friendship at Darling Harbour, Sydney. It’s set in the hustling centre of the CBD, yet is very quiet and all you can here is running water from the numerous waterfalls. We visited the Garden in true Ming Dynasty style and hired Chinese costume. I ...
Source: http://www.alexasigno.co.uk/chinese-garden-of-friendship-sydney/
The "Big Picture" and How It Will Affect Travel
Yesterday, I blogged about the price of gas and how it would impact travel costs in the coming months. Today, the New York Times chimed in on the topic, noting that we've already seen four airfare hikes since the beginning of the year. That compares poorly with last year's record: only three over the course of the entire year. Many airlines are adding peak season surcharges and fuel surcharges.
And just like I did, the Times is predicting the fares will only go higher. They really have no choice: the cost of gas now accounts for 40% of the airlines' expenses. Last year, it was just 30%.
??
?The Upcoming US Government Shutdown
Travelers heading to or staying within the United States may be in for a rude shock if congress is unable to pass the requisite funding measures necessary to keep the government operational after March 4 (the date the current measures expire. The last time the government had to shut down, in 2005 and 2006, National Park employees got a defacto furlough and 386 NPS sites shuttered. According to a report by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service, some 7 million vacationers had to be turned away.
The New York Times quotes a Park Ranger who was forced to clear out visitors from the campgrounds at the Great Smokey Mountains National Parks, ruining their vacations. ""I was cursed and verbally abused more on that one day then in the rest of my 32-year career," he said. "No one told the public not to come to the most-visited National Park Service area during the fall color season. What they found were no campsites, no visitor centers, no park ranger programs, and most importantly, no restrooms."
And remember: the NPS isn't just in charge of the big parks, like Yellowstone and Yosemite. When the government closes, many very important urban attractions will also have to lock their entrance gates, like the Statue of Liberty, the visitor centers at the memorials on National Mall in Washington, DC and Alcatraz in San Francisco (to name just a few).
Sorry to be the bearer of such bad tidings. But forewarned in this case is forearmed. If you're planning a National Parks vacation for early March, please be sure to also concoct a back-up plan should the park be forced to close down.
And just like I did, the Times is predicting the fares will only go higher. They really have no choice: the cost of gas now accounts for 40% of the airlines' expenses. Last year, it was just 30%.
??
 |
| Yosemite viewing areas could close in March (photo by D.K) |
Travelers heading to or staying within the United States may be in for a rude shock if congress is unable to pass the requisite funding measures necessary to keep the government operational after March 4 (the date the current measures expire. The last time the government had to shut down, in 2005 and 2006, National Park employees got a defacto furlough and 386 NPS sites shuttered. According to a report by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service, some 7 million vacationers had to be turned away.
The New York Times quotes a Park Ranger who was forced to clear out visitors from the campgrounds at the Great Smokey Mountains National Parks, ruining their vacations. ""I was cursed and verbally abused more on that one day then in the rest of my 32-year career," he said. "No one told the public not to come to the most-visited National Park Service area during the fall color season. What they found were no campsites, no visitor centers, no park ranger programs, and most importantly, no restrooms."
And remember: the NPS isn't just in charge of the big parks, like Yellowstone and Yosemite. When the government closes, many very important urban attractions will also have to lock their entrance gates, like the Statue of Liberty, the visitor centers at the memorials on National Mall in Washington, DC and Alcatraz in San Francisco (to name just a few).
Sorry to be the bearer of such bad tidings. But forewarned in this case is forearmed. If you're planning a National Parks vacation for early March, please be sure to also concoct a back-up plan should the park be forced to close down.
Source: http://paulinefrommerbriefing.blogspot.com/2011/02/big-picture-and-how-it-will-affect.html
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Beqa Lagoon, Fiji ? Black & White Tip Sharks @5m
Diving Beqa Lagoon (Pronounced Benga) was absolutely fantastic. I have never seen so many sharks before on a single dive. The sharks just swim gracefully around you as if you are not even there munching and crunching on their food. This video is of our safety stop coming up from 30m after seeing the bigger ...
Source: http://www.alexasigno.co.uk/beqa-lagoon-black-white-tip-sharks-5m/
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Freebie Friday: Free Museum Entry Across the USA
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| Chicago Art Institute (photo by David Paul Ohmer) |
This freebie is tied to a credit card, but its such a common one, I thought I'd spotlight it. Culture vultures might consider switching to Bank of America, just for this periodic free museum entry.
To help you decide whether you'd like to switch, click here. Bank of America's site lists the dates for the free museum entries (they occur the first full weekend of each month) as well as the names of the 151 participating museums across the United States. And these aren't secondary institutions. The Art Institute of Chicago participates, as do such varied institutions as the National Constitution Center, Seattle Art Museum, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Phillips Collection, The Great Lakes Science Center, the Houston Zoo, and The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.
I can think of sillier reasons to take on a new credit card!
Source: http://paulinefrommerbriefing.blogspot.com/2011/02/freebie-friday-free-museum-entry-across.html
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The Radar: London Day Trips, Maple Syrup Festival, World's Tallest Hotels
- Escape from the hubbub of London with these quiet day trips. In Oxford, families will find plenty to do at the Museum of Natural History and treasure hunting at Christ Church Abbey. Or take a leisurely stroll along Brighton's beach. [Europe a la Carte]
- Over 6,000 flapjacks will be served at the National Maple Syrup Festival kicking off in Medora, Indiana the first two weekends in March. Learn how syrup is made, taste test pure maple syrups or participate in non-syrup related activities like wool spinning, blacksmithing, and needle art. [Jaunted]
- Among the world's tallest hotels is the Baiyoke Tower II in Bangkok, which stands 85 stories tall and offers 673 guest rooms. [Web Urbanist]
Photo: Hasan Khan/My Shot
Source: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2011/02/the-radar-11.html
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Friday, February 25, 2011
Freebie Friday: Carpooling to Ski Resorts & Free Kids' Flights to DisneyWorld
The savings go beyond the cost of transportation. Resort areas such as Copper, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin want to reward those who help keep the highways leading to their resorts traffic free by offering deals to carpoolers, from premium parking or discounted lift tickets. (You'll find a full list of these offers at the GoI70 website).
American Airline Vacation's Own Form of Fairy Dust
Remember in Peter Pan when the guy in tights sprinkles magic dust on the children allowing them to fly? Well American Airlines Vacations is pulling the same trick, offering free flights to children when their parents book air and hotel packages to DisneyWorld. Once in Orlando, the entire family gets whisked from the airport to DisneyWorld on a free shuttle.
The small print on the offer is a bit more earth-bound, but not too bad:
- Vacations must be for a minimum of 3 nights
- Stays are at Disney Resorts only, but they included the lower-priced options
- The offer is valid for "most days" between Feb 17-Apr 16, Apr 28-June 14, Aug 14-Oct 1
- Bookings no later than Feb 13
Source: http://paulinefrommerbriefing.blogspot.com/2011/01/freebie-friday-carpooling-to-ski.html
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Ask Tom live Q&A today
Post your questions to Lonely Planet's travel expert Tom Hall, who is offering expert advice live online now!
Are you thinking of a new destination for the new year? Or do you have a general travel question? Tom Hall will be live on Guardian Travel today from 1-2pm offering expert advice. Post questions below and Tom will get to as many as he can in an hour.
Tom may not be able to answer any emailed questions in the live blog, but these will be considered for future Ask Tom blog posts.
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/blog/2010/dec/15/ask-tom-holiday-advice
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World Nomads Promotional Code: 5% off!
Sign up for the web's most flexible travel insurance with World Nomads and save a whopping 5% with your Two Go Round-The-World coupon!
"World Nomads Promotional Code: 5% off!" is a post from Two Go Round-The-World. Join Kathryn and Daniel as they plan, prepare and pack for a year-long RTW trip! Ready to dive in? Click here for a few easy ways to stay connected with us!
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/twortw/~3/En61hc6stXg/
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Lunch with Yulia
Lunch with our landlady was a nice experience. She lives outside the city of Moscow. Its about a 30 minute drive. You have to drive to a place called "Luxury Village". This was not my first time visiting "luxury village". I had the unusual experience before Christmas of teaching an Oligarch's son near where our landlady lives in Luxury Village.
Yulia (Julia) lives in one of the many gated private villages that seem to be common here in and around Moscow. We have gated communities in Britain, but they are few and far between. I would not mind living in one, if I could afford it, they are safer and cleaner than regular housing estates.
Yulia (Julia) lives in one of the many gated private villages that seem to be common here in and around Moscow. We have gated communities in Britain, but they are few and far between. I would not mind living in one, if I could afford it, they are safer and cleaner than regular housing estates.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/travelblogs/~3/a7SjUTOX5LY/lunch-with-yulia
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Imagine how easy reverse parking a rental car would be with this
Reverse parking for many motorists is not a particularly easy task - but then put someone in an unfamiliar vehicle when on holiday and it can be even trickier.
Source: http://feeds.tnooz.com/~r/Tnooz/~3/CoEyWjDFcL8/
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Brazilian goverment makes unauthorized use of blog content
Copyright � 2010 Tony G�lvez. Read the original at http://www.braziltravelblog.com/2011/02/07/brazilian-goverment-makes-unauthorized-use-of-blog-content/. If you find this text at a location other than the Brazil Travel Blog it is an unauthorized use of the blog material.The title of this blog post summarizes the problem I am facing. A couple of Brazilian official tourism sites have been making unauthorized [...]
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The Great Food Safari ? Weird and Strange food from around the world
Have you ever had a huhu? It’s a traditional Maori grub that supposedly tastes like buttery chicken. Or how about tasty lizards from the food stalls of the Philippines? Trying new and unique foods from all over the world is perhaps one of the most exciting experiences about travelling to new places. There’s nothing quite ...
Source: http://www.alexasigno.co.uk/the-great-food-safari/
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Memory, Photography, and Machu Picchu
Hi there to all of you. It has been a while since my last entry, but times have been and continue to be hectic, what, with the world crisis and all. More later on that boring but serious pit-bull-like subject? For now, on to more elevating stuff: www.fotomission.org!
People that know me will agree I am a lousy photographer. I actually prefer to travel without a camera, as looking at the world through a lens never was my greatest pleasure in life. I really love looking at pictures though, especially if they are good and/or about an area I have recently visited or about my past (so much has happened, so few memories) and so I am a photo fanatic nevertheless. Also, of course, travel and photography are as strongly linked as it is impossible for me to combine the two on a personal level. If it weren?t for Karin, who actually is a great photographer (most of our current best online pictures still come from her Nikon D80!), most of what we do (and sell) would have never made it to the public eye? Now that would have been a true disaster!
Travel photography of course plays an important role in a couple of our most-sold destinations: The Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu. I have been there several times and all of my visits have been truly amazing, although tremendously different experiences:
Jan 6th, 1991, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley: Epiphany or Three Kings Day as it is better known in Peru. Took a cab to Ollanta to participate in the fiestas and enjoy endless quantities of ?Chicha? (corn juice, fermented on human saliva additive; yummy!). Somehow made it up the fortress? ruins and crashed out lying on one of those immense granite building blocks, only to wake up in the middle of the night from the reflective light of a huge full moon. The awe and absolute natural beauty of that moment stay with me to this day, but guess what?I had no camera!
? The only other time I have seen a moon like that was during another midnight escapade, this time to the Geysers of El Tatio in the Chilean part of the Atacama Desert in 2004. During that mind-boggling occasion I forgot to wake up Karin and, in addition to being punished for the rest of that trip, I again have no photographic evidence of what I witnessed.
Jan 10th, 1991, Machu Picchu, take 1: after a disastrously funny ?San Pedro ? hallucinogenic cactus experience? somewhere near a ?temple of the moon?, I woke up sick, having to cancel my planned Inca Trail hike and take the train instead. Getting to see the ruins and somehow making it up to Wayna Picchu made more than made up for Montezuma?s bitter revenge. The view from up there I will never forget, but I would need to become a great painter to share it with you.
Sometime in 1995: First Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: those were the times when you could still do it yourself? so we each hoisted over 25kg of canned food, lighter fluid, cooking equipment, tents, hard liquor and yes, some cannabis on our backs and into the mountains we went. The first night it rained so hard that we literally had a small creek running through our tent. I woke up because Karin had managed to crawl on top of me in her sleep, avoiding the water from running into her sleeping bag. She slept straight through the event, but made it kind of difficult for me to forget the fact I was soaked and very, very cold. The second morning we had to climb some 2,200m (6,600ft) straight up to the infamous Dead Woman?s Pass, where Karin almost became a dead woman herself as she slipped and almost fell down a small crevasse. I?m not sure why, but I had been holding a flap on the back of her pack for quite some time already and managed to steady her before worse could happen. The images that stay with me though are those of the moss dangling in some seriously bewildering ways from the trees in the cloud forest we passed through on day 3. Fairytale type stuff, really, but still, somewhat regrettably, these images live on only in my mind.
I could go on and on, but that would be taking things out of perspective. Maybe one day I will share some of my earlier travel experiences with you, but for now, suffice it to say that sometimes it would have been great to have a camera on me with the actual knowledge on how to use it properly. Had I known the people from Fotomission years ago, I might have become a different type of traveler. Let me share with you some of their ?About Us? page:
?Photography is a powerful language; it is the language of light. With it we strive to understand and shed light on the complexities of human activity, its dependence on its causes and in connection with its effects, not merely in relation to how it affects us as individuals, but our world as a whole.
No other form of communication or expression has done as much to transform our sense of self, our daily lives and our society as the photograph. Photography is probably the most influential medium of the modern era.
Fotomission is a volunteer operated non-profit organization dedicated to promoting as well as producing artistic and documentary exhibitions, publications and online presentations of significant and socially conscious photographic endeavors.
Our mission is to utilize artistic and documentary photography as a means of creating positive social change while at the same time promoting the art of photography.?
Pretty cool stuff! Take a look at the following link to get a better idea of a great tour these guys have set up and which might be a great tip for an upcoming photo-traveling experience: http://www.fotomission.org/expeditions/machu_picchu/index.html
Remember, May is a great time to visit Machu Picchu. It?s right after the rainy season and guarantees lush, green views and good temperatures, as well as good late afternoon and evening light for great picture taking. This is actually one of those gems when it comes to organized tours; well-organized, unique, very dedicated staff and great photographic memories for sure! Need I say more?
Happy Trails!
Bart
Source: http://bart-cat-travel.blogspot.com/2009/02/memory-photography-and-machu-picchu.html
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Freebie Friday: Companion Airfares to the Bahamas Gratis
Recently, a colleague of mine at Wiley Publishing (which is the publisher of the Frommer Guides) came by my office to shyly pose a question. She and her new husband were going to be taking their first non-honeymoon trip together and after the long, long winter we've just suffered through, she was thinking of going either to the Caribbean or the Bahamas. She said her interests were culture and cuisine more than beach-time, so I was frank with her steering her towards such Caribbean islands as Puerto Rico, Jamaica and St. John's. I also noted that the Bahamas weren't nearly as far south as the Caribbean, so the weather wasn't as foolproof. Sometimes, just as in Florida, spring days could be downright chilly, not beach weather at all.
She ignored my advice and chose the Bahamas for a very simple reason: the cost. This year, in an attempt to lure visitors, Nassau/Paradise Island are giving away companion airfares for free. Of course, there are a lot of strings attached including:
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| The view from the Atlantis Resort by Derek Skey |
She ignored my advice and chose the Bahamas for a very simple reason: the cost. This year, in an attempt to lure visitors, Nassau/Paradise Island are giving away companion airfares for free. Of course, there are a lot of strings attached including:
- Bookings must be made by Feb 28
- Travel is good until Dec 23, though the months of April and July are blacked out as is August through the 14th
- Travelers must purchase their airfare as part of a package and stay a minimum of four nights at one of 17 approved hotels (including the famed Atlantis).
To see all of the details, click here. And you may be able to find out whether its actually "better in the Bahamas" (I think you can tell from my first paragraph where I stand on that slogan).
Source: http://paulinefrommerbriefing.blogspot.com/2011/02/freebie-friday-companion-airfares-to.html
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Thursday, February 24, 2011
An Open Letter To United Airlines
Dear United Airlines: I admit it-we’ve had our ups and downs.� But you know, deep down, that I have always loved you.� I’ve loved you even though you lost my luggage when I was speaking at a major conference and gave me a hard time about buying ONE lousy outfit so I could look presentable [...]
Source: http://aviationqueen.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/an-open-letter-to-united-airlines/
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A Colombian Adventure Continued: Part 2
Neiva-San Agustin (227km, 4 hrs)
After breakfast, and a not so pleasant stay in a hotel in Neiva, we meet our driver Jairo who will take us to San Agustin - Jairo is contracted by Rene, a Swiss guy who settled in San Agustin many years ago, probably one of the first foreigners to settle down in this beautiful area. He runs the agency Chaskatours and we will probably hear more from him in the not too distant future. Here, the Andes Mountain Range, in one final show of grandeur, splits into three majestic mountain ranges, the Cordilleras Occidental, Central and Oriental. We are now driving through a wide green valley that divides the Cordilleras Central and Oriental, which is itself split in two by the Magdalena River, which stretches 1500km from San Agustin to Barranquilla and is the longest and most important river of Colombia.
15 minutes outside of Neiva we stumble upon the hamlet of Rivera, known for its thermal springs, and here we find a great alternative to the place we slept last night. This is the perfect place for our groups when they come driving down from Bogota to make a stop on their way to San Agustin. What better place to spend the night after a long day?s drive than a hotel with 4 swimming pools, next to a set of thermal springs?
A nice detail of local roads here is that, as well as being mostly perfectly asphalted, they are shaded by ?ecological tunnels?. This part of Colombia gets very hot and most municipalities make a habit of having their main roads lined by trees that meet each other over the middle, thus creating a green roofing that not only creates shadow but also absorbs most of the exhaust gasses of the trucks, cars and motorbikes passing by. On top of this it truly enhances the visual experience of driving here.
Jairo is a good driver and he also turns out to be an excellent storyteller. Thanks to him and his knowledge of local folklore I have a very interesting ride, while the girls mostly sleep in the back. The first thing he asks is if we have already tried the famous ?Asado Huilense?, a ritual pig roast only prepared during the festivities of San Juan & San Pedro. During these festivities, about which I still need to do some more reading, each province holds folkloric dancing contests where one girl is chosen to be the ?Reina? or ?Queen?. During the ?Vispera de San Juan?, or ?the Eve of Saint John?, which I understand falls on midsummer?s eve, the family spends all day on the preparation of the pig; first the slaughter, then the cleaning of the animal and the selection of the best parts of meat. Then follows the preparation of the wood for the fire and finally the entire family, friends and neighbors sit down for a true feast. It is kind of a sacred ritual, but these days the Asado Huilense has found some resonance outside of El Huila and you will find more and more local restaurants offering the dish, also out of the official season.
Next we drive through the small town of Hobo, apparently a tourist stop, but we decide to push on. While we drive out of town on one of the scarce pieces of straight road that we have encountered on our trip, Jairo tells me that this is the highway airport of Hobo. Upon my puzzled look he explains that some nine years ago a local governor managed to get his private plane hijacked and forced to land on this main road. The governor was then kidnapped, and as far as my recently blossoming understanding of Colombian Spanish helps me understand, was released after direct negotiations between the FARC and the then president Pastrani.
Now we drive past ?Los Altares? ? sand rock formations that line the road, shaped by wind and rain, resembling the medieval gothic churches of Europe. Here, at 700 m.a.s.l, climate and vegetation have already changed completely. Whereas in Neiva the main crops are rice and cotton, here we drive across coffee and cacao plantations. We pass countless food stalls selling ?Quesillo?, a local cheese variant made from cows? milk. The kids are asleep so we don?t stop; we?ll have to try this on our way back?
A road sign indicates the distances to the next three villages, one of them called ?Gigante?. I turn to Jairo and he begins to tell the legend of El Gigante, a giant Indian who according to the story used to steal the crops of the local villagers until they had enough of it and finally managed to ambush and kill him. Apparently he still lays there today, flat on his back. We drive through the town of Gigante, but I see nothing strange or disturbing?
?Curvas Peligrosas?? we drive through a stunning mountain area, on a recently paved road, but with about as many curves as a beautiful woman, each one more dangerous than the one before. Numerous signs alongside the road warn against drinking and driving, or simply taking the wheel when tired: ?No more stars on the road?, they say, and before and after practically every curve a star-shaped cross is painted on the asphalt, marking a fatal accident? We take it slow, following a ?Poker? Beer truck and then all of sudden he appears, Matambo, the slain giant. A huge face-shaped mountain, looking like those on the statues found on Easter Island, a true indigenous boogieman, carved out of Andean rock.
We drive past a pond where ?mojarra? is cultivated, a local fish that is served in restaurants throughout La Huila province, of which Neiva is the capital. Will make sure to try some in San Agustin! Jairo warns us not to eat mojarra from ponds close to ?lulo? (a local fruit used to make juices) plantations, as this particular plant needs a lot of chemicals to withstand insects and other threats. With rain, the chemicals are flushed into the soil and then find their way into the ponds which makes this particular fish not always the healthiest option.
Up and up we go, from the 400 or so m.a.s.l where we started out this morning, making our way through the valley and up the hills. Cacao and coffee make way for tobacco as the air gets fresher and temperatures slowly drop. We drive past the town of Garzon (named after the male variant of the ?garza? (heron) that frequent this area. Garzon is the second city of El Huila and is the catholic center of the province, and most of the south of the country. The town has a beautiful cathedral and a seminary from which most of the prominent priests and clergymen in the country emerge. If that is a good thing or not I?ll leave to your own judgment. It?s a nice town though, from what we see driving past.
La Jagua, the next spot on the map, is a town of artisans, formerly known for being bewitched? I imagine the 31st of October must be a true party here, but we do not get much time to ponder, as Jairo begins a story about the two towns that we are approaching, Altamira & Timana.
Altamira & Timana are home to the Timanareis people. Their most famous ancestor is probably the Caciqua La Gaetana - a local chieftain whose son was killed by a Spanish invader looking for gold. The story goes that she was so angry and grief-stricken that she gathered all the local caciques in the south and together they conquered the Spaniards and captured their leader, Pedro de Allasco. La Gaetana picked out his eyes, punctured his lower jaw through the mouth, tied a rope through it and pulled him behind her horse before decapitating him. Sadly enough history was not in her favor; the Spanish came back with more men, to avenge the death of their kinsmen. La Gaetana was hunted down, but before they could catch her, she managed to reach El Pericongo, a steep cliff from which she is said to have jumped and disappeared into the Magdalena River.
The Timanareis people are the oldest tribe in Colombia. In the town of Timana there is a statue of La Gaetana, holding Allasco?s head in her hand. In Neiva, around this time every year, there is the ?Cabalgata de la Gaetana? where around 3000 women saddle up their horses and parade through town, emptying bottles of ?aguardiente?, the local liquor, and making a lot of noise in praise of this fierce warrior of the past.
Driving through Altamira, we come past a sign saying ?Florencia?. Under the Pastrani government, this town was the gateway to the ?zona del despeje?, a large area of land cleared of military and police forces, where the FARC incumbents were given the right to reassemble, rearm, train and basically reinforce. This was a state within the state, ruled by the guerilla. I still have a lot to learn about Colombia, its history, and its people. There will most probably be a logical explanation for this guerilla state, but at this point I have no clue as to why a government would allow an enemy army to have a place to rest and rearm. I am not Colombian, so I?m in no place to judge, of course.
Late afternoon and after a great trip we arrive in San Agustin. Not too long ago this little town was a stronghold of the FARC, and to this date the area has still not been officially given the green light by most embassies. However, as locals assure and reality shows, there is nothing to be afraid of here. Two main military bases in the vicinity mean that there are soldiers present in the streets, restaurants and sometimes also at the hotels. Through time people here have come to terms with the fact that either military or guerillas frequent the town and its facilities. The difference now is that the military are treating the villagers with respect, they pay for the services rendered and help out where needed. They are like any other citizen of Colombia, carrying out their assigned job, living and working amongst their fellow citizens. Their job is to keep the area safe and yes, they have to go on patrols into the surrounding areas, but a normal passer-by is taught to see them as peacekeepers and defenders of everybody?s safety. After a while we hardly notice them as different and the kids play around them as we all eat breakfast together.
The Anacaona is a true find and probably the best place in town. An old farm-house, this place was bought by a Frenchman some nine years ago and was slowly converted into the oddly quaint home-stay it is today. A beautiful garden and a wide, panoramic view over the adjacent valley combined with a very friendly (even if somewhat inexperienced) staff, make this a good place to spend at least a few days. The manager, Hector, is on his way to becoming one of the main players in San Agustin tourism development, and is a nice guy to have a chat with if you want to get to know more about the area. He arranged for horses, guides, a jeep and everything else that we needed when planning to explore the area. The equipment was good, the horses healthy and well fed, the guides and drivers correct and on time. English is a challenge still, though we did see some people with English speaking guides, but they had come together from Bogota. No problem for us, but something to keep in mind if you want to visit this beautiful area.
Source: http://bart-cat-travel.blogspot.com/2010/08/colombia-part-2.html
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