Happy Summer, Wanderluster!
Yup, I have to wait until July to wish you a happy summer because it’s just now arriving in Seattle 🙂
Me? I’m just back from the Sante Fe Culinary Tour and, gals, you missed a good one! We ate our way through the City Different. We made tamales, tasted red and green chillis, indulged in 4 chocolate tastings, and sampled tapas, local produce and baked goods. Needless to say, I enjoyed a few days of fruit and veggie fasting when I returned home!
Speaking of home, I’m thrilled to be here for awhile before heading out to Papua New Guinea in August (and then again in September). There’s still room on these singsing tours if you’d like to join. On both tours, we have someone who’d like to share a room – contact me immediately if you’re interested – it’s on a first come basis.
In other news, last month at TBEX (where my photo, above, was taken), the Passports with Purpose gals announced our beneficiary for this year’s fundraiser. It’s Water.org and we’ll be raising funds to build 5 wells in rural Haiti. I’m personally thrilled that we’re supporting this organization AND that we’re working in Haiti, a country that so needs our support.
This month’s WanderTours Deal: Register for the Fall 2012 Bhutan tour by July 15 and receive a free copy of Francoise Pommaret’s Bhutan: Himalayan Mountain Kingdom!
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***WanderTours***
See our new WanderTours Video!
PAPUA NEW GUINEA MT. HAGEN SHOW CULTURAL TOUR (co-ed)
August 4 – 17, 2012 LAST CALL – SEND DEPOSIT TODAY!
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.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA GOROKA SHOW CULTURAL TOUR (co-ed) September 9 – 21, 2012 WE’RE BOOKING IN-COUNTRY FLIGHTS THIS MONTH – DON’T MISS OUT!
The Goroka Show Cultural Tour features 2 days at this famed singsing in the Highlands that attracts nearly 75 tribes from around the country. In addition to this magical festival, you’ll have a chance to float along the Sepik River in the north and enjoy the natural beauty and birdlife of the mountains in the Mt. Hagen region. See the full itinerary.
ROGUE RIVER RAFTING TRIP (women only)
September 9 – 12, 2012 ALL SKILL LEVELS WELCOME
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rafter, the generally moderate whitewater of the beautiful Rogue River in Oregon is ideal and might just be the perfect rafting trip. Rapids such as Blossom Bar and Rainie Falls are sure to inspire a generous dose of adrenaline. Expect sightings of abundant wildlife on the way and be serenaded by boisterous crickets and the rush of the passing river while you camp along the sandy beaches at night. See the full itinerary.
BHUTAN CULTURE AND FESTIVAL TOUR (women-only)
October25 – November 5, 2012 BOOK BY JULY 15, RECEIVE A COPY OF FRANCOISE POMMARET’S BHUTAN: HIMALAYAN MOUNTAIN KINGDOM
Experience the best of Bhutan’s cultural highlights with light hiking in the pristine Himalayas, a cooking class and a hike to iconic Tiger’s Nest in this 12-day women only tour. The trip is highlighted by a visit during the Jambay Lhakhang tsechu (festival) in Bumthang where a midnight dance takes place in the courtyard of an ancient monastery. See the full itinerary.
MYANMAR (BURMA) CULTURE AND PAGODA TOUR (women-only)
October 29 – November 9, 2012 3 SPOTS LEFT!
Visit Burma just as the country is opening up to the outside world and slowly but surely changing its reputation. This 12-day adventure includes Burma’s highlights – the pagodas of Bagan, the magic and artistry of Mandalay and the peaceful and tribal-filled region of Inle Lake. This tour is close to selling out – don’t miss your chance to experience Burma with a group of Wanderlusters. See the full itinerary.
NORTH INDIA CULTURAL TOUR (women-only)
November 4 – 17, 2012 4 SPOTS LEFT!
Join us on this unique tour of Northern India – a destination we know well. Visit the Taj Mahal, be immersed in a Bollywood-like cultural extravaganza in Delhi, get to know the cuisine through an intimate cooking demonstration and enjoy spectacular Diwali festivities with a local family. This tour covers the best of the North including Delhi, Agra, Chambal and Rajasthan (with a Varanasi option). See the full itinerary.
SOUTH INDIA CULTURE AND TEMPLE TOUR (women-only)
January 27 – February 10, 2013 REGISTER NOW TO SAVE ON FLIGHTS AND BE CONNECTED WITH A SHARE
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 YOU WON’T FIND ANOTHER TOUR TO THE REGION AS GOOD AS THIS ONE 🙂
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 ALREADY RECEIVING DEPOSITS!
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.
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Wander Recommendations
On the Bookshelf
Cruelest Journey by Kira Salak
Kira is one of the few truly adventurous women (and writers) of our times. I revere her for her book Four Corners (which is about travel through Papau New Guinea) but this book is equally as captivating. Cruelest Journey is about her kayaking experience down 600 miles of the Niger River to Timbuktu. Throughout the journey, she’s taken in by villagers and stays in mud huts along the riverbank. There’s a good dose of loneliness, personal struggle and harrowing experiences – enough that you might not be able to put this book down.
In the iPod
Native American Flute Lullabies
FREE DOWNLOAD! Having just returned from Santa Fe, I was drawn to this compilation of Native American flute music. Though it’s called “lullabies,” it’s simply soothing trance-like music that makes for a wonderful background soundtrack to your day. It features a handful of artists on flute with light music in the background. You’ll have to go through a few hoops to download Amazon’s music player, but it’s worth a few minutes to get this free compilation.
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Upcoming Wanderlust and Lipstick Events
December 1, 2012 – 10 am
Joslin speaks on Vietnam
Savvy Traveler, Edmonds, WA
See Beth’s calendar for details.
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Got Wanderlust?
See links above for $10 Mother’s Day Special!
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.
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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Wanderlust in the News
In case you missed these mentions, interviews and reviews:
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Parting Words
From Urusla K. Le Guin… “It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”
Until next month,
Travel Well!
Beth
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