Wanderlust & Lipstick Newsletter – September 2010

Hello Wanderluster!

Papua New Guinea fulfilled every fantasy I had about the country, and then some. It’s a country so diverse and complicated that I’m nearly speechless when asked how the trip was. I literally don’t know where to start. You MUST see these images and hopefully they will fill in the gaps while I try to formulate the words. I am working on a tour for 2011 that will likely be a very small group to allow me to test this new market. Interested? Let me know immediately as I’m keeping a waiting list!

FINAL CALL for both the Eastern Bhutan Trek and the North India Golden Triangle tour! Details are being finalized this month so if you’ve been holding out – come on forward to let me know you want on board!

This month, I’m on the road doing a series of talks. The first brings me to the Travel Bloggers Show in Orlando on September 12. I’ll then be speaking on behalf of PacSafe with events in Boulder & Littleton, CO; Portland, OR; and the Bay Area. Live in one of these places? Please stop by and say Hi. I love meeting more Wanderlusters!

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***Tours***

Bhutan, India, Vietnam and Cambodia!

Read Testimonials from previous participants.
See videos of Bhutan and Beth’s photo gallery of Bhutan, India, and Vietnam & Cambodia.

LAST CALL FOR BHUTAN TREK AND NORTH INDIA!

TREKKING IN EASTERN BHUTAN (co-ed) – OCTOBER 12 – 28, 2010
Merak and Sakten, in Eastern Bhutan, JUST opened up to travelers and as far as I can tell, we will be among the very first group allowed into this region! While Bhutan is a relatively unexplored country, it doesn’t get much more remote anywhere on the planet than Eastern Bhutan. This co-ed 17-day tour includes 5 days of trekking as well as jeep and elephant safaris in Northeast India. Access to this area is extremely limited and will be like nothing you’ve ever experienced. Includes the Mongar Festival and a hike to Tiger’s Nest. If you’re interested, we MIGHT still be able to get you on this tour – please inquire immediately if you want to join. See the full itinerary.

NORTH INDIA (women-only) – Nov. 4 – 21, 2010
It’s not every year that Diwali (the Festival of Lights) and the Pushkar Camel Fair fall closely enough together to include in the same tour. 2010 is such a year! This 18-day North India tour also includes a guided tour of the Taj Mahal and visits to Varanasi, Khajuraho, Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur. This unique journey has been specially crafted for women and includes unique opportunities where you get to experience the diverse culture of the subcontinent through special pujas (prayers), private music concerts and safaris in the desert of Rajasthan. This tour is one-third full! See the full itinerary.

SOUTH INDIA (women-only) – Jan. 14 – 30, 2011
SLOTS ARE FILLING FOR THIS TRIP – DON’T WAIT!
This trip incorporates the best of South India including spectacular temples, tours of tea and spice plantations, wildlife viewing in a national park and relaxing on pristine beaches. Take a yoga class, overnight on a houseboat and experience learn to cook local specialties during this journey from Chennai to Kerala. See the full itinerary.

VIETNAM & CAMBODIA (women-only) – Feb. 10 – 28, 2011

This 17-day journey explores the highlights of these two southeast Asian countries. Trek the Mai Chau region of northern Vietnam, visit ethnic minority villages, take a cooking class in Hanoi and experience the bustling city of Saigon before soaking up the Mekong Delta by boat. Then, head off to Cambodia, where you’ll revel in the wonders of Angkor Wat and explore the small city of Siem Reap. See the full itinerary.

BHUTAN YOGA TOUR (women-only) – April 19 – 30, 2011
Join tour leader Susan Weis for this 12-day tour of Bhutan that incorporates yoga, meditation and Ayurvedic workshops! Enjoy the serenity of the Himalayas on this unique journey that also includes the cultural highlights found on other Wanderlust and Lipstick Bhutan tours such as light trekking, festivals, a hike to Tiger’s Nest and a lecture on Buddhism by a renowned Bhutanese scholar. See the full itinerary.

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** New September Subscribers **
Briggs & Riley Toiletry Case & Tom Bihn Goodies

All new newsletter subscribers during the month of September to this newsletter will be entered in a drawing to win a toiletry case (left) from Briggs & Riley, 2 travel pouches (right) AND a passport pouch from Tom Bihn. Value for these 4 items that can easily be tucked away into your carry-on bag is… $80!

Increase your karma – tell your friends so that they, too, will have a chance to win this month’s awesome giveaway. (Names are never shared, by the way.)

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August Subscriber Winner!

Congratulations to Janice from Dallas, TX for being the winner of our August subscriber contest! Janice is a new newsletter subscriber and will receive a Different Drummer Legends Women’s Traveller/Carry-On Vest and Hemp Broad Brimmed hat from Tilley. All that for being a new newsletter subscriber! Yeah for Janice!

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WanderGear from CafePress!

In time for fall, consider a sweatshirt with the “meditating woman on an elephant” design by Elizabeth Haidle. Available on Cafe Press along with many other designs…

Wanderlusters across the country have been ordering products from 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 coffee mug.

Go on, be a Wanderluster!

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Wander Recommendations
(Purchase directly through this Newsletter and you help support Wanderlust and Lipstick!)

On the Bookshelf
Four Corners by Kira Silak
I read Kira’s memoir of traveling through the Papua New Guinea jungle while I I was in PNG and was enthralled with her adventures. And “adventure” barely begins to describe what she did. I dare you to find any man who’s got more hutzpah when it comes to putting themselves out there in the world. But this is not only an off-the-charts travel tale, it’s an insight into her psyche and what motivates her sense of adventure. You won’t want to follow in her footsteps, but you won’t be able to put the book down either. Available on Amazon

In the iPod
Putumayo: Tribute to a Reggae Legend
It’s been a long time since I just jived out to some reggae and listening to this tribute to Bob Marley gave me a perfect excuse. It IS reggae, for sure, but there are enough twists from the participating artists (12 in all) that it doesn’t feel totally island-like, mon. Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars bring a fantastic African bent to the CD and Funkadesi is funk, funk, funk all the way! Available on Amazon

In the DVD Player
At Play in the Fields of the Lord
With my recent trip to Papua New Guinea, I was reminded of how much I love this movie about missionaries heading into the jungle (in this movie’s case, the Amazon rain forest) to “save” the natives. It is one of my all-time favorite flicks and makes an important point about how we effect local cultures when we intrude on their lives. Based on the book by Peter Matthiessen, it features an all-star lineup of actors including Kathy Bates, Tom Berenger and John Lithgow. Available on Amazon

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.
Buy Now!

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 Michelle Duffy (WanderMom) and Leslie Forsberg, 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 Wanderlust and Lipstick: 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:

• CNN – Women traveling alone
• Brand X Daily – Nine Vacations for Solo Travelers
• Walked and Walked – Bhutan Photo Feature

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Connect with Beth

I want to hear from you!

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Till next month…

Travel Well!

Beth