Greetings from Southeast Asia, Wanderluster!
I’m back from Burma where our group just returned from touring this emerging and quite magical destination. Wish you could have joined us (that’s me with our local guide, Mya)! We’ve already got a list started of interested gals for 2013 so email me if you want details for next year’s adventure.
It’s November already and we are winding down our 2012 tours but “gearing” up for the holidays. Consider a Wanderlust and Lipstick branded shirt, coffee mug or canvas bag for yourself or as a gift from the Cafe Press Wanderlust shop. We’ve just added some new items that you might really dig.
As a reminder, our 5th annual WanderWomen Write Travel Writing Contest is now underway. Sponsored by Expedia, the contest gives you the opportunity to show off your writing prowess for a chance to win a fantastic getaway to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (value $4539)! Four Category winners will each receive a $300 voucher to be used on Expedia.com.
Later this month, the annual Passports with Purpose fundraiser kicks off. Our goal is to raise $100,000 to build 5 water wells in rural Haiti. Keep an eye open on my blog and on my Facebook personal page and fan page for more details. $10 can make a difference AND gets you the chance to win a prize.
Finally, in an effort to provide you with more relevant information, please take a moment to provide some feedback on this newsletter. There are only 7 questions and you might even win a $50 gift card from Amazon 🙂
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***WanderTours***
See our new videos: WanderTours and the Santa Fe Culinary Tour
SOUTH INDIA CULTURE AND TEMPLE TOUR (women-only) January 27 – February 10, 2013 LAST CALL ON THIS NAMASTE TOUR!
Journey through South India’s spectacular temples, tea and spice plantations, pristine beaches and the waterways of Kerala. Take a yoga class, overnight on a houseboat, learn the secrets of South Indian cuisine in a cooking demonstration and experience the music, culture, and food for which South India is famous. See the full itinerary.
VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA TOUR (women-only)
March 13 – 30, 2013 JOIN TODAY – GET CONNECTED WITH ANOTHER SOLO TRAVELER!
Experience the unique culture, cuisine, history, scenery and people of these fascinating Southeast Asian countries. Pay a visit to awe-inspiring Angkor Wat along with other remarkable temples near Siem Reap, learn about Cambodian culture and history in Phnom Penh, take a relaxing boat trip down the Mekong, feel the vibe of Saigon, hike through Sapa tribal communities, take part in a cooking class, overnight on a traditional junk boat in Ha Long Bay. See the full itinerary.
BHUTAN CULTURAL TOUR (women-only)
March 17 – 28, 2013 1/3 2/3 FULL WITH LIMITED FLIGHT AVAILABILITY!
Discover the unique cultural aspects of this Buddhist Kingdom. Visit impressive dzongs (temples), learn about their philosophy of Gross National Happiness and meander through ancient villages. Finish the trip with a hike to Tiger’s Nest! The tour coincides with the Paro Festival which features the unfurling of the country’s largest thongdrel (banner). It is a spiritual event not to be missed! See the full itinerary.
SANTA FE CULINARY TOUR (women-only)
June 5 – 9, 2013 SEE THE VIDEO
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 ONLY 4 SPOTS LEFT!
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.
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.
SNOWMAN TREK IN BHUTAN (co-ed)
September 15 – October 16, 2013 THE HARDEST TREK IN THE WORLD
Known as the hardest trek in the world, this legendary adventure is only for the experienced and determined trekkers. The route essentially combines the Jomolhari and Laya treks, passes through the Lunana region and ends at Bumthang. The trek includes breathtaking landscapes and ultimately reaches an altitude of about 18,480 feet. See the full itinerary.
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WanderWomen Write Travel Writing Contest
Now in its 5th year, we’ve just launched the WanderWomen Write Travel Writing Contest. This is an opportunity for you gals to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and share your most wonderful travel experiences. This year our categories include: Adventure, Passion, Food & Drink and Spiritual.
The Grand Prize winner will receive a 7-night all-inclusive stay at the Hard Rock inPunta Cana, Dominican Republic for two (including airfare vouchers)! Total value is: $4,539. The four category winners will receive $300 vouchers for Expedia.com.
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NEW WanderBlogger!
Sarah is an unashamed consumer of the world. Skilled in the art of haggling over traditional textiles, artisan crafts, and silver jewelry, and equally comfortable in high-end boutiques, rural markets, antique shops or contemporary art galleries, Sarah has yet to find a destination without something unique and spectacular to bring home.
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Wander Recommendations
On the Bookshelf
Lonely Planet’s Food Lover’s Guide to the World
I love the Food Lover’s Guide from Lonely Planet. This ain’t your normal guide book… this is a lovely bound coffee table book that is broken up into various categories such as Countries (France, Turkey, South Korea and USA), Regions (Eastern Europe, Latin America) and Global Eating (coffee, cheeses, breakfast). Not every item mentioned has a recipe attached, but many do – sure to keep you busy discovering new foods.Â
In the iPod
Gurrumul by Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu  Â
I have a soft spot for the aboriginal culture of Australia and I love the modern music they are producing. Gurrumul is a blind aboriginal from Elcho Island (off the coast of Arnhem Land in the north). His eponymous album is called the best album ever made by an Australian Indigenous Musician. While I can’t attest to that, I can tell that this CD, sung mostly in his native tongue and backed by acoustic guitar, is touching and addictive.
Happy This documentary takes you to Bhutan, Japan, Louisiana and India – all in search of what makes us happy (and not). You’ll be amazed to see a poor family in the slums of Kolkata talking about how they have everything they need while the Japanese, who you might think have everything they need, are killing themselves. Happiness, of course, comes from within (but a good vacation now and again helps 🙂
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WanderFood Find
Our WanderFoodie shares her favorite fall recipe, Butternut Squash, Apple and Vadouvan soup. The Vadouvan, a spice blend from the Pondicherry region of India that evolved out of its French colonization, adds a tangy curry kick to this otherwise sweet and creamy soup, and together, it’s just heaven.
Lauren’s recipe is from the Cooking For Geeks cookbook. Check it and other recipes out on her WanderFood blog.
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Upcoming Wanderlust and Lipstick Events
December 1, 2012 – 10 am                                 February 5, 2013
Joslin on Vietnam                           Beth on Women’s Travel Safety Tips
Savvy Traveler, Edmonds, WAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â REI, Alderwood Mall, WA
February 12, 2013
Beth on Women’s Travel Safety Tips
REI, Redmond, WA
See Beth’s calendar for details.
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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,
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.
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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.
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Parting Words
From Agnes Repplier… “The impulse to travel is one of the hopeful symptoms of life.”
Until next month,
Travel Well!
Beth
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