Sawasdee Ka, Wanderluster!
I’ve just finished up touring Bhutan with a truly fantastic group of ladies including our lovely guide, Tshering (right). Missed this tour? Join our fall festival tour – but note this is already half full. I’m now in Northern Thailand and on my way to Laos to research an ethnic-minority focused tour for 2014. Details coming soon.
NEW THIS MONTH – You requested more contests and ways to get involved with Wanderlust and Lipstick so we’ve started a travel photo contest where you can enter your photo(s) and win a prize. This month’s theme is Paris and our sponsor is XShot!
In tour news… book our Myanmar Women-only Culture and Pagoda Tour on or before April 15 and receive the beautiful coffee table book, Humanities III: The People of Burma!
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***WanderTours***
See our new videos: WanderTours and the Santa Fe Culinary Tour
All WanderTour participants in 2013 will receive a free Donner Bag from Overland Equipment!
SANTA FE CULINARY TOUR (women-only)
June 5 – 9, 2013 SOLD OUT! CONTACT US TO GET ON THE 2014 WAITLIST.
A culinary extravaganza suitable for vegetarians and meat eaters alike! Experience a hands-on tamale-making class, tour the farmer’s market with a local foodie expert, take a guided downtown tour, meander through gallery openings and learn about the area’s Native American history, culture and cuisine. Each day includes chocolate-tasting at local specialty chocolate shops. Scheduled for the summer for those who can’t break away other times of the year. See the full itinerary.
SEATTLE CULINARY TOUR (women-only)
June 27 – 30, 2013 WE HAVE ADDED A SECOND TOUR FOR THE SAME DATES. EMAIL BETH FOR DETAILS!
Join Beth on this 4-day culinary adventure to her hometown of Seattle. During this tour, you’ll experience some of Seattle’s best (and most iconic) restaurants, sample wines from the region’s nearby wine country, take a private food tour the Pike Place Market and learn how to prepare a special breakfast using local ingredients. You’ll also visit some of the city’s best sweet shops including specialty chocolates, popcorn and cupcakes. Suitable for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. See the full itinerary.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA MT. HAGEN SHOW CULTURAL TOUR (co-ed)
August 10 – 22, 2013 LIMITED AVAILABILITY ~ THIS TOUR WILL SELL OUT!
This incredibly unique journey to Papua New Guinea features the Mt. Hagen singsing, a tribal celebration like none other. The tour also includes a journey through the waterways of the fantastic Sepik River AND a trip to the Tari region, home to the famed Huli Wigman! Truly a once in a lifetime experience. See the full itinerary.
BHUTAN CULTURE AND FESTIVAL TOUR (women only)
October 15 – 26, 2013 1/2 FULL!
Experience the best of Bhutan’s cultural highlights with visits to the country’s most impress monasteries and a hike to iconic Tiger’s Nest in this 12-day women only tour. The trip coincides with the Jambay Lhakhang tsechu, a festival that features the sacred midnight naked dance. This is where men in traditional masks dance in the courtyard of an ancient monastery. See the full itinerary.
NORTH INDIA CULTURAL TOUR (women-only)
October 24 – November 10, 2013 ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR TOURS!
Join us on this unique tour of Northern India – a destination we know well. Visit the Taj Mahal, be immersed in a Bollywood-like cultural extravaganza in Delhi, get to know the cuisine through an intimate cooking demonstration and enjoy spectacular Diwali festivities with a local family. This tour covers the best of the North including Delhi, Agra, Chambal and Rajasthan (with a Varanasi add-on). See the full itinerary.
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***New Photo Contest***
April marks our first monthly photo contest sponsoredby XShot. It’s easy to enter. Submit a photo that fits with this month’s theme (April is Paris), we’ll post it on the WaL site and you’ll have the chance to win a camera extender, iPhone case and bag from XShot. See details here.
Wander Recommendations
On the Bookshelf
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
In Wild, Cheryl Strayed shows ya that you can do anything you set your mind to. This inexperienced hiker manages to make her way along the 1,100 mile Pacific Crest Trail, finding others and herself along the way. (She also shows ya that sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures.)
In the iPodRough Guide to Samba
Oh Brazil. When will I get to meet you in person? For now, I’ll have to settle for the rhythms and sensual beats of your music. Rough Guides to Samba is a two-CD collection including a variety of artists on Disc 1. While none of the artists are familiar to me, some of the songs are – really some of the best in samba. Disc 2 features the music of Fuivao, an artist best known (until now) for his TV voice-overs and commercials. Love. This. Collection. But it’s killing me. Must get to Brazil!
In the DVD
They Call It Myanmar
Myanmar (Burma) is changing rapidly and it will be interesting to see how things develop in the coming years as the government opens the country up to the rest of the world. While we wait to see how things unfold, check out this documentary, clandestinely shot over two years, which provides insight into the country. Though not an in-depth look, this is interesting none-the-less, particularly for those who could use a primer on the country’s recent history.
WanderGear Review
PacSafe Toursafe 21″ Luggage
PacSafe, the folks known for their slashproof bags and other safety-oriented travel items, recently came out with a line of luggage, including this 21″ carry-on. Excellent for getaways where you won’t need a wide-range of clothes or for someone super-skilled at packing light 🙂 Read more…
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Upcoming Wanderlust and Lipstick Events
April 16, 2013
Beth speaks about Myanmar
Wide World Books, Seattle
April 19-20, 2013
Beth speaks about Wandering the World
Soaring Spirits, Myrtle Beach, SC
See Beth’s calendar for details.
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Parting Words
From Susan Heller: “When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.”
Until next month,
Travel Well!
Beth
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