Good Morning Vietnam!

There’s something about that moment when the customs official at a foreign airport takes his heavy duty stamp, and with an authoratative “thump- thump”, makes the requisite entries into the passport to permit entry into his country. I’ve traveled all my life, but that single instant gives me a surge of adrenaline every single time.

I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City at about 2 am this morning. After some sleep, I wandered the streets to explore and instantly felt right back at home. There’s so much for the senses in this part of the world. Family and friends gather along the sidewalks in make-shift congregation areas of plastic chairs and tables to laugh and share tales; tantalizing scents waft from woks and stalls in the central market; honking horns compete with urgent shouts of vendors in silks and conical hats hoping to sell their wares; children dart in and out of the crowds while their mothers call after them. Its always a good test of one’s acting abilities to step off the curb with nonchalance and watch as the seemingly impenetrable stream of motorbikes magically diverts around you. There’s such a feeling of high energy and hard-working industry here that, paired with the thriving luxury hotels and shiny new office buildings that are everywhere, its easy to wonder if Ho Chi Minh City didn’t somehow manage to sidestep the effects of the world’s current economic downturn.

I stopped off at a cafe for a pair of bottled waters. Since they were out at the front counter, someone went upstairs for more. While I waited, an employee urged me to sit down, pulled out a chair, and joined me for some impromptu casual conversation. When the bottled waters arrived, they were individually wrapped in plastic to maintain their chill and provided to me in a durable bag with handles. The two cafe workers waved at my thanks and sent me off with genuine and warm smiles.

Yeah….its great to be back.

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Lets Hear it for the World’s Women

Today’s edition of NY Times Magazine is devoted to the topic of women in the developing world.  It references the notion that if you want to change the world, you need to empower the women.

Research shows that women, more than men, tend to parlay improvements in their own lives into their communities. Increases in income typically translate into greater investments in children’s education and health care.  Education for girls and women plays a strong role in the next generation’s health and well-being. And, the world benefits from the creativity, intelligence, and effort of educated, empowered girls and women.

Click here to view the story. Be sure to check the supporting articles and videos as well as they are insightful and inspiring.  Want to help?  Contact some of nonprofits on this list doing work to help the world’s women. Goooooo girls!

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Morocco Trek with Nomadic Tribe Offers Authentic Cultural Adventure

Adventure travelers, take note. BikeHike Adventures is offering a rare opportunity to transcend the invisible boundary that exists between tourist and local and completely immerse in a native culture that is so unlike our own. Join BikeHike’s “Journey with the Nomads” expedition and spend nine unforgettable days in Morocco amongst the semi-nomadic Berber tribe of the Ait Atta as they make their remote, migratory trek from the breathtaking High Atlas mountains to their homeland in the lower-altitude Jebel Sagrho range. Led by BikeHike Operations Director Meghan Burton, this is a very special trip that will engross you in primordial nomadic ways and may leave you contemplating your own life and what is truly important.

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Three Places to Visit This Year

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HazelMail.com - Easy Way to Create and Deliver Travel Postcards

I found out about a cool new website called HazelMail.com from my friends over at BikeHike Adventures.  HazelMail.com lets you create your own travel postcards online - complete with customized photo -  and then takes care of delivering it for you.  The service even has an iPhone app that lets you take a photo directly from your iPhone/iPod Touch and instantly send it as a postcard.  It takes about one week for your postcard to be received.  This means that your inner circle may actually get your postcard before you arrive home and…it eliminates the hassle of seeking out a foreign post office to get the appropriate postage!  I just tried the service out and it is really easy and fun to use.  The cost is $1.50 to create and mail anywhere in the world (including postage).  So, HazelMail.com - a great way to connect with friends and family while you’re on a trip!

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Update on Proposed California State Parks Closures

A few days ago, I wrote about Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposal to close 220 of California’s state parks in a cost-cutting move to address the state’s budget gap.  Here’s an update on the situation…yesterday, the California Budget Conference Committee voted to approve an alternative measure to this action that would purportedly keep all California State Parks open.

The committee’s recommendation is to impose a $15 increase to vehicle licensing fees that would fund California State Parks.  Those driving cars registered in California would be provided with free day use of any park in the state. 

A recent report by California State University, Sacramento found that park users, on average, spent $57.63 per visit.  Across the system, this amounts to a more than $4.2 billion in positive economic impacts – impacts that would be lost if state parks are closed under the Governor’s proposal.

The committee’s vote to approve license fees was split along party lines, with only Democrats approving it, and all Republicans voting against.  Republicans are frustrated at the prospect of raising license fees for the second time this year.  Because the vote did not gain Republican support, its fate as part of the final budget package is far from certain. 

In terms of next steps, the actions of the Budget Conference Committee are to be compiled into a Budget Bill, which will be voted on by both houses of the Legislature.  At this time, it is unclear when an actual budget vote will take place.  The budget is required to be approved by a 2/3 vote in both houses and signed by the Governor.

Please visit the California State Parks website for more information and to read the Budget Committee’s statement on the vote.  The future of California’s state parks remains in flux, but it is certainly positive that the legislature is considering options in order to keep access to the state’s great environmental treasures open for the public’s enjoyment.

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Save Our State Parks (SOS)

Here we go again….

California Govenor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed closing 220 of 279 state parks for at least two full years due to the state’s budget crisis.  He joins other state legislators who have proposed similiar measures this year, including Washington and Illinois.
 
While I appreciate the significant fiscal challenges faced by government, closing parks just doesn’t make good sense.  It simply cannot be done without inflicting maximum pain on the public, local businesses, the tourism sector, and our environment.  Not only will Californians lose access to a public trust resource that is theirs, but California’s travel and tourism industry will be hit hard. Locally-owned establishments, nearby restaurants, retail shops, tour operations and many more businesses that rely on parks for visitation and economic activity will be devastated.  At a time when the state needs to encourage and retain economic activity, this proposal shuts the door to a vital part of its economy.  All for a total savings of less than 0.62 percent of the state’s budget gap.

As David Lytle explains in his great post about this topic on Frommers.com, “consider that 80 million people visited a California state park last year. The typical visitor is a California resident who brings a visiting guest along to show off the natural features of the state. And, not only are the parks obviously resplendent — they’re cheap. It costs just $6 per car for entrance to most state parks. Camp sites can be reserved for as little as $15 a night. Closing the parks removes a true budget option for people looking for an affordable vacation.” 

And as an LA Times editorial astutely notes, the state will still have to care for the wilderness areas, and one fire caused by illegal activity could more than wipe out any savings.

A review of the list of proposed park closures is not for the faint of heart - there are many treasures here including Mono Lake Tufa State Reserve and Humboldt Redwoods State Park.  Mono Lake is over a million years old and one of the oldest in North America. The slow evaporation of the lake has left salt and minerals behind and the reserve serves to protect them.  Humboldt is famous for its towering redwoods, including some of the lartest in the world. 

Check out the California State Parks Foundation for an overview of how this measure would affect the state.  The Foundation is also running a terrific campaign on June 20-21, 2009 called Save our State Parks (SOS Weekend).  Head to your favorite park with the downloadable SOS sign from their website. Snap a picture of the park with the sign in it and forward it along to the foundation. They will include many of the photos in a presentation to the state government.  It is Father’s Day that weekend..so what better way to spend it than heading out to the woods with your family for some camping, hiking, fishing, and other nature pursuits and then taking a group shot with the SOS sign that will help make a difference in the protection of our public lands in California state?

Humbodt Redwoods State Park

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Save Money on Your Active Family Vacation this Summer

Discount travel offers are widespread and many tour companies are willing to negotiate rates in order to fill their trips in this down economy.  This summer may be the best time to take your family on that dream trip you’ve been talking about for years.  Here are some tips and ideas:

Thompson Family Adventures - Named the #1 adventure travel company for families by National Geographic Adventure magazine, Thompson was the first company to offer family- focused adventure travel 11 years ago - and still only serves this market.  Their 9-day Panama Family Adventure takes you ziplining, whitewater rafting, and through the Panama Canal. Most notable is a Pen Pal program where your family will meet the local children you have been corresponding with in advance of the trip.  $200 discount is offered for children 11 and younger who are sharing a room with two adults.  Request a brochure, complete their survey, and save an additional $500 on any trip you book.  FamilyAdventures.com

Wildland Adventures - Known for creating authentic experiences and attention to detail, this family-owned company is the real deal when it comes to adventure travel.  Children qualify for discounted vacation prices when sharing a room with parents and usually get a 25-50% discount on international air travel according to individual airline policies. Wildland is offering $100 child discount on its nine-day Costa Rica Family Vacation for departures between May - November.  You’ll explore cloud forests, sea kayak, experience volcanos and hotsprings, and interact with the local culture. From $1995 per person;  www.wildland.com

ROW Adventures - ROW has spent the last 30 years developing unique itineraries for adventure travel tours around the world.  In celebration of their anniversary this summer, they rolled back prices on their 5-day Idaho Salmon River Canyons family-only rafting trip that includes Class II-III rapids, camping, and a guide who entertains children with nature hikes and other fun activities. From $1295 for adults and $995 for kids; www.RowAdventures.com

Cross Cultural Solutions - For the volunteer-minded, Cross Cultural Solutions offers a one-week Insight Abroad program that is the perfect introduction to a volunteering vacation.   Available in eight countries — Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Morocco, Peru, Russia, and Thailand — the program combines cultural and learning activities with free time to relax, reflect and explore. Children under 13 receive a $500 discount for the one-week program and a $700 discount for longer program options, From $1,765; www.CrossCulturalSolutions.org

Also, check out this great article featuring 8 family travel stories that demonstrate how travel can strengthen family bonds and make us all a bit wiser for the experience.  This is sourced from World Hum , an online publication “dedicated to exploring travel in all its facets: how it changes us, how it changes the way we see the world, and how travel itself is changing the world.”

Have an exciting family adventure to share? Drop me a line at paige@paigestringer.com andI’ll select some of the best stories for a future blog post.

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Announcing the new Seattle PI “Get Outside Yourself” Blog!

I am pleased to be the new travel blogger for the Seattle PI online newspaper!  Get Outside Yourself  is about adventure travel and volunteer tourism and I’m looking forward to sharing stories, news, and ideas to help readers plan memorable and meaningful vacations. 

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New Volunteer Match Program Connects Travelers with Sea Turtle Conservation Projects

For your next volunteer vacation, how about a close-up and personal encounter with one of the world’s most mystical and prehistoric creatures?  That is what engagement with sea turtles is all about. There are many projects around the world that work in sea turtle conservation.  In order to find the best one for you, check out the new volunteer placement service that SEE Turtles is offering at  www.seeturtles.org. The free service matches interested travelers with sea turtle projects in Mexico, Costa Rica, Tobago, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.  SEE Turtles, sponsored by The Ocean Foundation, is a non-profit conservation tourism project that works with turtle conservation organizations and tour operators to promote responsible turtle watching.

Watching a green sea turtle gracefully meander through the water or witnessing a horde of leatherback sea turtle hatchlings scramble to the ocean may be one of the most joyful experiences in life.  Sea turtles are among the earth’s most ancient and fascinating animals: they have been a mainstay in six of the world’s seven oceans for millions of years, can travel thousands of miles, and can live to be 80 years old.   While they live most of their lives at sea, they come to shore for nesting rituals that date back to prehistoric times, creating unforgettable and intimate opportunities to interact with them.

All seven species of sea turtles are threatened or endangered, and three, the Leatherback, Kemp’s Ridley, and Hawksbill are listed as critically endangered.  The Leatherback population in the Pacific Ocean was once the world’s largest, but has declined dramatically primarily due to human exploitation, commercial fisheries, and loss of nesting habitat.

The SEE Turtles volunteer program is a terrific opportunity to engage with sea turtles, and participate in conservation efforts right alongside expert biologists and sea turtle researchers. Volunteering on a sea turtle project generally involves tracking and tagging turtles, night patrols of the nesting beaches, and helping researchers collect data.  Many projects also include shifts in the egg hatcheries where the eggs are protected from poachers and animals.  In addition to meaningful project work, volunteers will have time to explore the rainforest, visit local towns, or simply enjoy a refreshing ocean swim and relaxation on the beach.

For more information and to apply, visit www.seeturtles.org and click on the link to the volunteer matching form.  Applicants will be asked to submit their preferred destinations, dates of travel, budget requirements, desired accommodations, and other criteria.  SEE Turtles will then match volunteers to partner organizations and projects that best fit their preferences.

SEE Turtles is also offering a unique expedition with EcoTeach,  called Costa Rica Sea Turtles Adventure between June 7 -15.   All trip proceeds will go towards turtle preservation in the local communities, making this a true conservation effort. 

The one-week adventure will be lead by SEE Turtles Director/Co-Founder Brad Nahill who has worked in sea turtle conservation and ecotourism for 10 years with organizations such as Ocean Conservancy, Rare, and Asociacion ANAI (Costa Rica). He has also worked with or consulted for many ecotourism companies, and has co-authored several abstracts on turtle conservation in Costa Rica and turtle watching best practices. 

The Costa Rica Sea Turtles Adventure costs US $1500 (double occupancy) and includes all in-country transportation, hotels, guides, activities, and most meals. For more details, please visit www.seeturtles.org, email  info@seeturtles.org  or call (503) 608-9679.

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