This is the latest and, in my opinion the best, from the SteriPEN folks. This version is their first rechargeable water purifier and it’s also the smallest and lightest.

If you’re not familiar with SteriPEN, here are a couple of basics:

• These are small, easy to carry water purifiers.
• The UV light used in SteriPENs kill 99.99% of bacteria, 99.99% of viruses and 99.9% of protozoa (i.e. Giardia and Cryptosporidium).
• You simply turn it on, dip the SteriPEN purifier in water and stir Within 48 seconds, you’ve got drinkable water.

Most importantly to me, however, is the fact that:

• You’re not contributing to the piles of plastic bottles that get left behind in so many countries that do not recycle.
• You’re saving money by not having to purchase all that bottled water.

So… wanna win your own?

Throughout December, you can enter to win your very own SteriPEN Freedom. One lucky winner will be chosen on February 1, 2012.

You have TWO CHANCES TO WIN!

1) Sign up for the Wanderlust and Lipstick newsletter. This goes out just once a month and your information is never shared.

2) Sign up for the RSS email feed (see the “subscribe me” box at right) to receive an email each time I post to this blog (usually no more than 3x per week).

Subscribe to both and you’ve got 2 chances to win this month!

Oh, and be a good egg… forward this along to someone whom you think might like to enter and win their very own SteriPEN Freedom. At the very least, you might alert someone to this fantastic product that should be in the luggage of every traveler!

Approximate Value: $120

This contest closes at 11:59 pm PST on January 31, 2012 and the lucky winner will be chosen on February 1. We can only ship to North American addresses (sorry!).

The winner will have 3 days to respond before another winner is chosen.

Good luck!

Travel Well,

Beth

This month you could be the lucky winner!

If you’re not familiar with SteriPEN, here are a couple of basics:

• These are small, easy to carry water purifiers.
• The UV light used in SteriPENs kill 99.99% of bacteria, 99.99% of viruses and 99.9% of protozoa (i.e. Giardia and Cryptosporidium).
• You simply turn it on, dip the SteriPEN purifier in water and stir Within 48 seconds, you’ve got drinkable water.

The new Freedom SteriPEN is their first rechargeable water purifier and it’s also the smallest and lightest.

Most importantly to me, however, is the fact that:

• You’re not contributing to the piles of plastic bottles that get left behind in so many countries that do not recycle.
• You’re saving money by not having to purchase all that bottled water.

So… wanna win your own?

Throughout January, you can enter to win your very own SteriPEN Freedom. One lucky winner will be chosen on February 1, 2012.

You have TWO CHANCES TO WIN!

1) Sign up for the Wanderlust and Lipstick newsletter. This goes out just once a month and your information is never shared.

2) Sign up for the RSS email feed (see the “subscribe me” box at right) to receive an email each time I post to this blog (usually no more than 3x per week).

Subscribe to both and you’ve got 2 chances to win this month!

Oh, and be a good egg… forward this along to someone whom you think might like to enter and win their very own SteriPEN Freedom. At the very least, you might alert someone to this fantastic product that should be in the luggage of every traveler!

Approximate Value: $120

This contest closes at 11:59 pm PST on January 31, 2012 and the lucky winner will be chosen on February 1. We can only ship to North American addresses (sorry!).

The winner will have 3 days to respond before another winner is chosen.

Good luck!

Travel Well,

Beth

This is the latest and, in my opinion the best, from the SteriPEN folks. This version is their first rechargeable water purifier and it’s also the smallest and lightest.

If you’re not familiar with SteriPEN, here are a couple of basics:

• These are small, easy to carry water purifiers.
• The UV light used in SteriPENs kill 99.99% of bacteria, 99.99% of viruses and 99.9% of protozoa (i.e. Giardia and Cryptosporidium).
• You simply turn it on, dip the SteriPEN purifier in water and stir Within 48 seconds, you’ve got drinkable water.

Most importantly to me, however, is the fact that:

• You’re not contributing to the piles of plastic bottles that get left behind in so many countries that do not recycle.
• You’re saving money by not having to purchase all that bottled water.

So… wanna win your own?

Throughout December, you can enter to win your very own SteriPEN Freedom. One lucky winner will be chosen on January 1, 2012.

You have TWO CHANCES TO WIN!

1) Sign up for the Wanderlust and Lipstick newsletter. This goes out just once a month and your information is never shared.

2) Sign up for the RSS email feed (see the “subscribe me” box at right) to receive an email each time I post to this blog (usually no more than 3x per week).

Subscribe to both and you’ve got 2 chances to win this month!

Oh, and be a good egg… forward this along to someone whom you think might like to enter and win their very own SteriPEN Freedom. At the very least, you might alert someone to this fantastic product that should be in the luggage of every traveler!

Approximate Value: $120

This contest closes at 11:59 pm PST on December 31, 2011 and the lucky winner will be chosen on January 1. We can only ship to North American addresses (sorry!).

The winner will have 3 days to respond before another winner is chosen.

Good luck!

Travel Well,

Beth

I visited the Big Island for the first time this fall. The Kohala Coast to be specific. It’s the driest region of all the islands and there isn’t a better place to visit if you want to be ensure an idyllic getaway.

And, that little getaway could be yours…

This year, Passports with Purpose (of which I’m a co-founder), has a goal of $80,000 to build 2 libraries in Zambia through Room to Read.

Though we’ve had a nice jump start to our fundraising efforts with our sponsors, we can only reach our goal through the incredible generosity of the $10 donations made by readers of the more than 100 bloggers who are involved in this year’s fundraiser.

The truth of the matter is that every $10 gets us closer to our goal and you can be a part of our effort to help improve the lives of communities in Zambia.

Here’s how it works…

1) You pop on over to the Passports with Purpose site.

2) You choose your top picks(s) from a list of prizes.

3) You make a donation, in $10 increments, and choose a prize for each $10 donated.

It’s pretty simple and relatively painless.

There are a lot of prizes this year donated from companies located around the world. Take a gander through them all, make your choices and donate to get yourself in the running for the prizes you’d like to win (the fundraiser runs through December 16). Oh, and don’t forget to tell your friends and family – remember, we’re building libraries in Zambia!

What’s my prize? Well…. donate $10 (or more) and you could find yourself enjoying 5 nights on the Kohala Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii. You’ll have:

* Three nights at the Hilton Waikoloa Village
* Two nights at the Fairmont Orchid

Total value is $1,692!

Located on the Kohala Coast on the Big Island, you’re assured perfect weather nearly year-round. The Big Island is big, but not so big that you can’t get out and wander a bit – up to the cool mountains, down to the volcano over to Hilo. You can snorkel, paddle board, relax, hike… the Big Island pretty much has it all.

Fine print:
Hilton Waikoloa Village – Valid from November 30, 2011 through November 30, 2012. Subject to availability, and excludes dates of December 25, 2011 through January 3, 2012. Certificate has no cash value and may not be combined with any promotional packages. It will not be replaced in case of loss and it is not transferable.
Fairmont Orchid – Valid for stays in 2012. Certain restrictions apply, based on availability, not valid for stays between December 20, 2011-January 3, 2012 and December 20 2012-January 3, 2013.

OK, now have it. Help us build those libraries in Zambia!

Oh, and a big thank you to our sponsors who include:

Round the World with Us is a family of travelers committed to raising awareness of global issues, help people to gain a greater understanding of other cultures, and encourage people (especially youth) to see that they have the power to make a real difference in the lives of others.

Travellerspoint is one of the web’s largest and most active travel communities with members representing every country in the world.

To date, their more than 30,000 blogs have shared 175,000 stories and over 1.4 million photos.

HomeAway is the world’s leading online marketplace of vacation rentals, with sites representing more than 625,000 paid vacation rental home listings throughout more than 145 countries.

Good2Go Insurance provides a wide variety of insurance options for international and domestic travel, and for frequent and elderly travelers.

This year, one talented scribe will win a 7-day luxury stay for two to Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa in Mexico! (Value $3,800). And 4 best-in-category winners will receive a Briggs & Riley Explore 22″ Upright carry-on bag (value $290).

It’s all pretty straightforward…

• Write a non-fiction travel story
• Submit it

OK, there are indeed a few more details that you’ll want to read prior to submitting your story.

But the bottom line is that the Wanderlust Team is tickled pink to have the chance to encourage women travel writers in pursuing their passion for both travel AND writing.

We’re accepting contest submissions through December 31, 2011 and the winner will be announced in mid-February 2012!

Tell your friends. Get at that keyboard. And Good Luck!

Travel Well,

Beth

Related links:
Contest Details
Secrets Huatulco Spa Getaway for 2
Briggs & Riley Explore 22″ Upright

Photo credit: prayitno