Hello, Wanderluster!
I’ve just returned from leading the South India Cultural Tour with a lovely group of women and had the chance to also visit Karunganni, where the Passports with Purpose homes are being built. I participated in a puja (prayer ceremony) for the pouring of one of the homes’ foundations and shook the hands of several proud new homeowners! Photos coming soon.
In mid-Februay, we’ll be announcing the winners for the 3rd Annual WanderWomen Write Travel Writing Contest. With nearly 400 entries in this year’s contest, I’ve had some genuinely wonderful moments reading through the stories. The Grand Prize winner will receive a tour for two through Vietnam & Cambodia with Buffalo Tours and the category winners will receive Briggs & Riley Explore 22″ Upright carry-on bags.
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***Tours***
Bhutan, India and Papua New Guinea!
Read Testimonials from previous participants.
See videos of Bhutan and Beth’s photo gallery of Bhutan, India, Vietnam & Cambodia and Papua New Guinea.
BHUTAN SACRED SITES TOUR (women-only) – April 19 – 30, 2011
** This tour is starting to fill – don’t delay! Join tour leader Susan Weis for this 12-day adventure in Bhutan that explores the spiritual side of Bhutan and incorporates (optional) gentle 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.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA MT. HAGEN TOUR (co-ed) – August 5 – 19, 2011
2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the Mt. Hagen Festival in Papua New Guinea. This “friends and family” tour is the first of (hopefully) many to PNG with Wanderlust and Lipstick. As the inaugural trip, it will be offered at a reduced cost to a select few as we test the waters together on this first adventure. Includes the Mt. Hagen singsing, a tour along the waterways of the fantastic Sepik River as well as snorkeling, diving and cultural experiences along the coastal village of Madang. See the full itinerary.
VIETNAM TRANSFORMATION TOUR WITH AINSLIE MACLEOD (co-ed)
September 14 – 24, 2011
This 11-day tour is more than a travel experience through Vietnam. This is a transformational journey with renowned spiritual guide, Ainslie MacLeod. In addition to touring some of the most popular sights in Saigon, Danang and Hanoi, participants will be led through intensive daily workshops with Ainslie, who has been featured on Oprah! See the full itinerary.
BHUTAN LAYA TREK (co-ed) October 11 – 22, 2011
Experience hiking through Bhutan’s Laya region, where the hospitable Layap people live, on this 12-day tour. This trek takes you over high mountain passes (16,100′) and into the wilderness above the tree line – a world of snow peaks, glacial lakes, herds of blue sheep and alpine blossoms. The group will enjoy the pristine mountain air, the therapeutic hot springs of Gasa and visits to temples including Tiger’s Nest. See the full itinerary.
NORTH INDIA CULTURAL TOUR (women-only)
October 25 – November 9, 2011
This 16-day women-only tour focuses on North India’s highlights including the Taj Mahal, the erotic temples of Khajuraho, the ghats of Varanasi, fantastic Diwali celebrations and a tour of the ancient temple complex at Bateshwar (during their historic animal fair)! You’ll take a cooking class, enjoy a private music and dance performance with internationally-renowned artists and have your fill of exquisite Indian food. See the full itinerary.
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WanderGear from CafePress!
For the cold winter months, you can carry your coffee or tea in this reusable ceramic biker chick travel mug. These are available on Cafe Press along with many other Wanderlust and Lipstick items!
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
May You Be the Mother of a Hundred Sons by Elisabeth Bumiller
Overall, Elisabeth’s perspective on women in India is even-toned and insightful throughout this book. Though some of the material is out-dated given that it was written in the late 80’s, it does offer a fantastic perspective into the sad world of women in India. When you read this book, leave the first 2 chapters for last as they come off as a bit judgmental. Otherwise I’d say you’ll thoroughly enjoy it. Available on Amazon
In the iPod
Rough Guide to Turkish Cafe
This CD includes a wide variety of impassioned sounds from Turkey. Never having visited there myself, this collection still easily transports me to an imaginary world of spices and whirling dervishes. Most of the CD’s 19 songs are fast-paced, while a handful are more mournful. All have the unmistakable pounding beats you’re likely familiar with from this Mediterranean country. Available on Amazon
In the DVD Player
Departures
This sweet Japanese film is the story of a cellist who gives up his craft to take a full-time job. He stumbles into the steady work of preparing corpses for burial. Though it’s a position looked down upon by many, he brings a certain amount of sensitivity to it that can’t be ignored, even by his wife. What might be a disturbing movie about death is quite touching. Available on Amazon
WanderGear Review
Anne Taintor Products
You’ve likely seen this cheeky line of accessories that feature god-awful (but hilarious) sayings that we can only HOPE our mothers never uttered. Choose from bags, fridge magnets, postcards, sticky notes and more! Available on Amazon
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** New February Subscribers **
Win a Language Course from LiveMocha!
All new newsletter subscribers during the month of February to this newsletter will be entered in a drawing to win win a 1-year Active Course from LiveMocha. Winner can choose from: French, Italian, German, Spanish or English. Value is $149!
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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** January Subscriber Winner! **
Congratulations to Jennifer from Chicago for being the winner of our January subscriber contest! Jennifer is a new newsletter subscriber and will receive a PacSafe VentureSafe 400 laptop bag. All that for simply signing up in January! Yeah for Jennifer!
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New WanderBlogger!
WanderNorth
A true Canadian at heart, Jenn lives in the prairie province of Saskatchewan. She first left Canada at 16 for a family trip to Hawaii and her love for travel quickly blossomed. Travels through Europe, China, SE Asia and Brazil followed. Come join her adventures through Canada (eh?) on WanderNorth.
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Food Freeway
I generally like my beets juiced with lots of ginger and carrots but this recipe for Golden Beet Salad caught my eye. Perhaps because the recipe is from the Pacific Northwest! In any case, I think you might enjoy this recipe that includes blue cheese and walnuts!
You can find this and other tasty treats on Stephanie’s Food Freeway.
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Profess Your Wanderlust-ness!
Got a blog or a website? Profess your Wanderlust Love by downloading a Wanderlust and Lipstick badge, placing it on your site and linking back to WaL! Let your readers know you’re proud to be part of a growing community of Wanderlusters!
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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.
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:
- Today Online – Going Solo
- The Baltimore Sun – Going it alone: Tips for Solo Travel
- Perceptive Travel – Divine Bhutan and the Well-hung Lama
- Amateur Traveler – Luggage Fees – Rookie Traveler Tax
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