Wanderlust & Lipstick Newsletter – September 2009
Hello, Wanderluster!
Lots of exciting news this month!
First, we’ve just launched the 2nd annual travel writing contest, WanderWomen Write, encouraging gals to pursue their Wanderlust and share their stories!
The Grand Prize is a 12-day Health and Harmony tour in Vietnam with Buffalo Tours! 12 Days. Culture. Spa. Vietnam. Get busy writing – you don’t want to miss this! 5 category winners will receive bags from Overland Equipment and a travel pillow and blanket from Cocoon.
Secondly, I’m off to India in October for the women-only tour and I then depart for Bhutan for the co-ed Buddhism-focused trip in November. Both have limited space available in case you’ve been considering a fall trip but haven’t made the move yet.
Finally, I’ve got a small quantity of the 1st edition of The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo left. Consider one for yourself or a friend for just $8 (plus half price shipping).
Stock up for the holidays! Buy for your friends! Only $8 each!
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Wanderlust and Lipstick Tours India or Bhutan in the Fall!
Bhutan or Vietnam and Cambodia in the Spring!
Join other Wanderlusters for one of these exciting adventures.
INDIA CULTURAL TOUR – Oct. 16 – 30
Ever want to experience India in all its frantic glory? Come with me on the women-only trip in October. We’ll visit some of the country’s most iconic locations including the Taj Mahal and the ghats of Varanasi as well as festivals such as Diwali and the Pushkar Camel Fair. This trip is a well-rounded mix of culture and sightseeing – sleep in the desert, shop for fabric and volunteer at a home for widows. See the full itinerary.
Watch this video on Varanasi to spark your India Wanderlust.
MYSTICAL BHUTAN – Oct. 30 – Nov. 11
13 days for the price of 12!
Druk Air canceled our flight out of Delhi on October 31st – therefore, we’re departing a day early and YOU get an extra day in Bhutan.
Join me for this co-ed culture and Buddhism-focused trip to Bhutan in November (immediately following the women-only India trip). Take part in a meditation class, meet His Holiness Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, hear lectures on Buddhism and visit the Haa Valley, until recently closed to tourists. See the full itinerary.
Join both the India and Bhutan trip for a discount!
JUST ANNOUNCED!
TIMELESS VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA – Feb. 27 – Mar. 14
This 15 day women-only tour encompasses the best of Southeast Asia in both Vietnam and Cambodia. Trek the Mai Chau region of northern Vietnam, visit ethnic villages, take a cooking class in Hanoi, experience the bustling city of Saigon before relaxing along the Mekong Delta. Then head off to Cambodia where you’ll revel in the wonders of Angkor Wat. A special tour for WanderGals who’ve always wanted to experience this region. See the full itinerary.
ENCHANTING BHUTAN – Mar. 20 – 31
This 12 day cultural adventure in the Kingdom of Bhutan is a women-only tour. It combines the best of Bhutan’s cultural highlights with light trekking in the pristine Himalayas. Take part in a cooking class, hike to Tiger’s Nest and enjoy the Paro Teschu for the special unfurling of the great thongdrel (banner) which takes place in the wee hours of the morning. This is a SPECIAL event not to be missed! See the full itinerary.
FALL 2010 – TREKKING IN EASTERN BHUTAN – STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS
For more on Bhutan, visit my WanderGallery and read my blog posts.
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August Newsletter Winner!
Congratulations R. Chalmers from Las Vegas – you’re the lucky August winner of a Travel Swag Bag for being a new subscriber. (I guess not everyone in Las Vegas loses!)
Welcome to all new subscribers!
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**New Subscribers** Win her and his ExOfficio hoodies
All new subscribers during the month of September will have the opportunity to win her and his Alpental Hoodies from ExOfficio.
- ExOfficio
Tell all your travel loving buddies and family members to subscribe and they’ll be in the running for the her and his Alpental Hoodies! (Pssst… I never spam or share email information.)
Not only will sharing the WanderLove give your friends a chance to win but you’ll be doing them a favor by letting them in on the hot topics, ethnic recipes and Wanderlust event updates in each newsletter!
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Wander Recommendations
On the Bookshelf
Journey to Tibet’s Lost Lama: A Woman’s Pilgrimage, the Karmapa in Exile, and the Fate of Modern Tibet by Gaby Naher
I thought this might be a piece of fluff writing about a woman’s desire to meet the second most renowned Lama (the 17th Karmapa). What I discovered was a solid (but brief) history of Tibet, the story of her own journey and details of the previous Karmapas. I found this to be a great primer for those without in-depth knowledge of Tibet’s history. Available on Amazon
In the iPod
Kerala Dream: A Shaman’s Dream Project
I happened to pick this up in the International section of my local library. I was drawn to the name because I was just in the Indian state of Kerala less than 2 years ago. According to the cover art, “Shaman’s Dream has been the underground soundtrack of L.A.’s dynamic yoga scene for a decade”. I found this music makes for a delightfully relaxing soundtrack to everything, not just yoga. It calms me when I’m driving and is wonderful to simply have playing in the background while I’m working. Sitar and Indian chants are highlighted by mellow percussion and sound effects. Available on Amazon
In the DVD Player
The Painted Veil with Edward Norton and Naomi Watts
Based on the book by W. Somerset Maugham, this film’s plot is a bit formulaeic and predictable, but the cinematography is beautiful and makes the whole film worth it. Naomi Watts and Edward Norton are an English couple living in cholera-infested China in 1925. As a newly married couple, they struggle to understand each other as they live the expat life. Available on Amazon
Eton Solar-Powered, Self-Powered AM/FM/Weatherband Portable Radio
I picked this little guy up at the Outdoor Retailer show in July. Since then, I’ve been pretty much using it every sunny day as I either take my lunch break outside in my courtyard or work in the garden. Once I actually take a camping trip, I know it will come in super handy, too. This multi-use am/fm/weatherband radio is both solar and hand-crank powered. I love the fact that it doesn’t use batteries. The only caveat is that once the juice runs out – it needs to sit out under direct sun for a full day before it’s fully powered up again. The hand-crank, while useful, will only provide about 10 minutes of power after hundreds of cranks. It’ll do in a pinch but is not preferred. It will be interesting to see how much use I can get out of it for the next 8 months! Read more…
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New WanderBlog - A Broad Volunteers
Rebecca believes it’s never too late to try and find a path that’s more rewarding, challenging, and interesting. She was first bitten by the travel bug in grad school. Six years of managerial roles in academic medical centers later, she left her job in NYC to explore her growing interest in community development and social welfare.
Join Rebecca at A Broad Volunteers and read about her travels through Argentina and India as she makes her way through these countries as a volunteer!
Want to be a WanderBlogger? Email: beth@WanderlustAndLipstick.com
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World Eats
This recipe for Caprese Kabobs is an easy appetizer to throw together using fresh veggies from your garden as you’re doing your last bit of entertaining this summer. It only takes a few ingredients and is a refreshing start to any meal.
For more ethnic eats, see Myscha’s blog, World Eats and Readers’ Treats.
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Got Wanderlust?
Need something to inspire your travel dreams?
The 2nd edition of Wanderlust and Lipstick: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo is the definitive resource for all women travelers. Packed with anecdotes, expert advice and tips from more than 45 women travelers, it’s sure to have you packing your bags before you have time to check your bank account. Don’t wait another moment to pick up a signed copy of every WanderGal’s favorite book.
Wanderlust and Lipstick: Traveling with Kids is the practical guide for traveling with children. Learn how to turn possible 
roadblocks into opportunities for stretching your family’s travel wings.
Written by Leslie Forsberg and Michelle Duffy, highlights include tips on saving money, packing, booking your flights, product recommendations from strollers to baby slings and much more. Buy now!
India is a magical destination that awaits you. Discover the joys and challenges of the subcontinent in For Women Traveling to India and start planning the journey you’ve been dreaming about. In addition to Beth’s own advice and guidance, this book incorporates stories and tips from dozens of women who’ve made the journey to the country themselves. Buy Now!
Don’t even THINK about going to India without it. Seriously!
All books are guaranteed to INSPIRE!
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Wanderlust in the News
In case you missed these mentions, interviews and reviews:
• More Magazine – Your Airport Survival Guide
• MSNBC.com Travel – Keeping Your Circadian Rhythm
• 5 News in Fayetteville, AR – Websites for Women Travelers
• IndieTravelPodcast – Beth talks about India and Bhutan
• Trekaroo - WanderMom talks about kids’ and world poverty
• Transitions Abroad – Beth writes about Traveling without a Purpose
And stay tuned as Wanderlust and Lipstick will soon be featured in Every Day with Rachel Ray and Real Simple this fall!
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Featured WanderGear from CafePress
Enjoy a cuppa joe this fall served in your very own Wanderlust and Lipstick mug! Simply order through the Wanderlust and Lipstick shop at Cafe Press.
Be an insider and join others by treating yourself to a fun and funky Wanderlust shirt, messenger bag or other gear.
Go on, be a Wanderluster!
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Connect with Beth
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Till next month…
Travel Well!
Beth
