It’s summer, Wanderluster!
The Seattle joke is that summer doesn’t arrive until July 5th. This year it actually arrived a few days early and I’m now officially a happy camper to see that big orb in the sky unobscured by clouds. With the exception of a couple of weekend wedding getaways, I’m in town this month to enjoy Seattle in all its glory before I become a road warrior from August through October.
So where in the world will I be? First I’m off to Papua New Guinea on our (now sold out) tour. In September I start a speaking tour that includes REI in the Bay Area (sponsored by Briggs & Riley) and The Travel Bloggers Show in Vegas. I’m then on to Santa Fe for the culinary tour. Back to Seattle for a couple more speaking gigs in late September and THEN to Bhutan for the trekking tour! (NOTE – seats are extremely limited on flights into Bhutan for this tour due to the King getting married and all. Please let me know immediately if you’re interested in this trip – I likely can’t guarantee seats after another week or two.)
I’ll be squeezing in a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii somehow, too. Phew!
Other updates? The Santa Fe culinary tour in September has only 4 spots left. We’ve got North and South India all queued as well as ladies-only tours to Vietnam & Cambodia AND a Buddhism-focused tour to Bhutan.
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***Tours***
Bhutan, India, Papua New Guinea, Santa Fe and Vietnam & Cambodia!
Read Testimonials from previous participants. See tour videos and Beth’s NEW photo galleries of Bhutan, India, Vietnam & Cambodia, Santa Fe and Papua New Guinea.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA MT. HAGEN TOUR (co-ed) – August 5 – 19, 2011
SOLD OUT! Please contact us if you’d like to have your name added to the 2012 waiting list. See the full itinerary.
SANTA FE CULINARY TOUR (co-ed) September 15 – 18, 2011
ONLY 4 SPOTS LEFT! Join me on this culinary extravaganza to one of my very favorite destinations in the U.S., Santa Fe. You’ll be treated to cooking classes and demonstrations, take guided walks, soak in mineral hot springs and learn about the area’s Native American history and culture. Suitable for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. We can still squeeze you in! See the full itinerary.
BHUTAN LAYA TREK (co-ed) October 11 – 22, 2011
LIMITED SEATING ON FLIGHTS DUE TO KING’S WEDDING! 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 NEW PRICING!
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.
SOUTH INDIA TOUR INCLUDING PASSPORTS VILLAGE!
(women-only) January 25 – February 11, 2012
This 18-day women-only tour focuses on South India’s highlights including spectacular temples, tea and spice plantations, pristine beaches, the waterways of Kerala AND a trip to the Passports with Purpose Village! 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.
VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA TOUR (women-only) March 8 – 24, 2012
Back by popular demand is the Vietnam and Cambodia cultural tour with a few new stops! The 2012 tour includes a visit to Phnom Penh, a ride down the Mekong River from Cambodia to Vietnam, a visit to the Sapa region of North Vietnam AND an overnight on a houseboat in Ha Long Bay. You’re gonna love this tour! See the full itinerary.
BHUTAN BUDDHISM TOUR (women-only) March 27 – April 7, 2012
Whether you’re a practicing Buddhist or you simple want to know more about how the Bhutanese practice, this tour will be a wonderful way to tap into the very spiritual and mystical side of the Kingdom. Meditate with a monk, take a yoga class and hear a lecture given by a Buddhist scholar. You can’t help but feel the power of Buddhism in this Himalayan country and this tour will help you understand the basis for their beliefs! See the full itinerary.
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Wander Recommendations
(Purchase directly through this Newsletter and you help support Wanderlust and Lipstick!)
On the Bookshelf
Married to Bhutan by Linda Leaming
Other memoirs written about Bhutan by westerners have usually been by those living or working in-country temporarily. Linda, however, is a long-term resident – having married a Bhutanese man 10 years ago, she makes this fantastic country her home. This book provides an excellent overview about Bhutan as well as insight into the quirks of both Western and Bhutanese cultures from someone straddling both worlds (and finding culture shock in both!). She also shares a bit of insight into what makes Bhutan so magical and how Buddhism permeates every corner of the country. Available on Amazon
In the iPod
Kala by M.I.A.
You might remember M.I.A.’s performance at the Grammys a few years ago when she took the stage 9 months pregnant (she was actually due THAT day). That performance shouldn’t have surprised fans who know her as a rebel and cutting-edge performer. This Londoner of Sri Lankan-descent isn’t afraid to sing about issues we face today – whether it has to do with politics or technology. She’s a superstar singer/songwriter/hip hopper who doesn’t get as much attention as I’d love for her to receive. So give her some, OK? 🙂 Available on Amazon
In the DVD Player
Medicine Men Go Wild
This Discovery Channel program is indeed “wild.” This documentary series follows twin brothers from the UK, who are also doctors, as they venture off to Peru, Central Africa, Siberia and India/Tibet/Malaysia to find out what makes the rest of the world tick when it comes to pain management and utilizing the natural world for medicinal purposes. They endure tremendous pain themselves to make their point(s) and discover some truly amazing things about traditional medicine which puts into question their (and our) approach to it. Be prepared to close your eyes now and again because you can’t imagine the pain! You can stream this on Netflix for free or check it out on Amazon.
WanderGear Review
Horny Toad Chaka Dress
Nope that’s not me over there but it IS the Horny Toad Chaka Dress. This lightweight dress travels really well and can be worn most seasons since you can add to it in the spring and fall with a jacket and scarf or wear it a la carte in the summer. Gotta love it in black so that it’s easier to accessorize (i.e. fewer clothes to pack). Read more…
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** July Contest **
Win a $100 Gift Card from AmEx!
Tell me where to go and this month you could win a $100 gift card from American Express! All you have to do is help me create a long weekend getaway using 150,000 points on my AmEx card. See details here for how to enter and then check out the Pay with Points site on AmEx to find some ideas so you can tell me where to go 🙂
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** June Subscriber Winner! **
Congratulations to Lynne from Arlington, VA for being the winner of our June subscriber contest! Vani is a new newsletter subscriber, having signed up for my blog’s RSS feed, and will receive a Lilypond Daybreak Bag. Yeah for Lynne!
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New WanderBlogger!
Carolyn at WanderFood
Carolyn Heller is an avid traveler and passionate food lover who has eaten on the streets, in fine restaurants, and everywhere in between in nearly 40 countries. She has taverna-hopped on Crete and tapas-bar-hopped across Spain, swapped fairy tales with a Druze family in a Golan Heights village, shared dumplings with a family in China, and learned to cook salt cod and fry bake on the island of Grenada. She got engaged (in a restaurant) in Australia and got married (in a restaurant) in Boston. She’s the mother of 18-year-old twins who (fortunately) were not born in a restaurant.
After calling Boston home for more than 20 years, Carolyn now lives with her husband and daughters in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she’s trying to learn enough Mandarin to read the specials on Chinese restaurant walls. She’s the author of the expats’ guide, Living Abroad in Canada, and is now writing about her food finds on the WanderFood blog.
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I have been getting away from eating seafood these past few years, but shrimp is one weakness I still succumb to now and again. My mouth literally waters just looking at this Aruban Coconut Shrimp recipe. And, these are easier to make than you might think. Batter ’em up, fry ’em and dip ’em in a sauce of your choice. Good for a dinner enjoyed al fresco this summer!
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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.
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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Upcoming Wanderlust and Lipstick Events
September 6                          September 7
Essential Tips for Travelers     Essential Tips for Travelers
REI – Saratoga, CA                  REI – Berkeley, CA
Sponsored by Briggs & Riley   Sponsored by Briggs & Riley
September 8                         September 11
Essential Tips for Travelers     The Travel Blogger Show
REI – Santa Rosa, CA              Las Vegas, NV
Sponsored by Briggs & Riley
October 5
Travel Safety Tips for Women
REI – Seattle
Sponsored by XShot
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Wanderlust in the News
In case you missed these mentions, interviews and reviews:
- TripAdvisor – Travel Blogger Spotlight: Wanderlust and Lipstick
- Travel Blogs for Women – Top Travel Blogs for Women
- Cheapflights – Waiting to Board with Beth Whitman
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Till next month…
Travel Well!
Beth