In Search of the Elusive Rare Blue Morpho Butterfly, Monte Verde Cloudforest - Costa Rica John M. Edwards compares Costa Rican ecotourism vs. narcissism I awake from a Magic Realism dream, evaporating. I am once again surrounded by evil anacondas in the charmed atmosphere of Costa Rica’s “Monteverde Cloud Forest,” breathing the bracing air of golden pre-Colombian pagan gods talking in exceedingly loud voices. I astounded myself by the … [Read more...]
Freak Show Without a Tent by Nevin Martell
This book is a fast, engaging and at times humorous read - highlighting stories from the author's childhood trips gallivanting with his family around the world. They visit exotic destinations - remote islands in the middle of the South Pacific and fish in Piranha infested waters - always in search of "local" non touristy experiences. The author's father was infected with wanderlust, taking trips without making many plans and always bringing … [Read more...]
Five Selfish Reasons to Add Volunteering to your Travels
Let’s face it; volunteering our time and effort to a worthy cause is a nice, feel-good thing to do. For many of us, however, the idea of doing work when we could otherwise be relaxing on a beach or exploring the jungle just sounds … crazy. We’re traveling to enjoy life, not to waste our precious time milking cows or digging ditches. Well, I’d like to help you see the light: not only can volunteering let you to contribute directly to a cause … [Read more...]
Brazil World Cup: A Preview for Travelers
Hordes of soccer fans from around the world are about to descend on Brazil for the 2014 World Cup Finals. It promises to be a spectacular party, and if you're one of those lucky enough to be able to go, there are a few things you'll need to know before you arrive. Planning your travel arrangements around the big games will take a little work, but it'll pay off. Brazil is absolutely vast, with the most northerly host city, Manaus, being around … [Read more...]
Postcard from Cahuita: Wish You Were Here on the “Rich Coast” (Costa Rica)
John M. Edwards succumbs to the lures and snares of Costa Rica’s Caribbean “ecotourism,” instead of “narcissism,” in a relatively wealthy country translating literally as “Rich Coast.” I stood in a state of stupefaction, eavesdropping on a few randomundocumented locals who looked like they were engaging in a slapping fight—except with warm smiles of nonrecognition on their faces, maybe ganja buzzes. “Hey, mon, wha’appen!” “Wa’appen, … [Read more...]
Expedia.com Partners with Passports with Purpose to Raise Funds to Support Children’s Education and Adult Literacy in Mali
BELLEVUE, Wash., November 25, 2013 – Expedia.com®, the world’s leading online travel company, has agreed to serve as the platinum sponsor of Passports with Purpose, a community fundraiser powered by travel bloggers. Passports with Purpose aims to raise $115,000 for buildOn – relying on the support of thousands of travel enthusiasts – to fund the construction of three primary schools and support three adult literacy programs in Mali, Africa. This … [Read more...]
JEOPARDY! Explore the World Sweepstakes
JEOPARDY! And Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Announce the JEOPARDY! Explore the World Sweepstakes NEW YORK, October 21, 2013 --- JEOPARDY! and Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic have announced the upcoming JEOPARDY! Explore the World Sweepstakes set to begin this month as part of JEOPARDY!s season-long celebration of their 30th anniversary season. The Explore the World Sweepstakes will provide 30 extraordinary voyages for … [Read more...]
Costa Rica Tourism Board Launches New Travel iPad® App
goCostaRica allows travelers to explore beauty, adventure of the country, create customized video experience ATLANTA, GA (September 24, 2013) – Today, the Costa Rica Tourism Board announces goCostaRica, a new travel iPad® app created by advertising agency 22squared and developed by MaxMedia. The app allows travelers to explore Costa Rica through a selection of videos, photos and interactive maps. Users can also build their own Precation video … [Read more...]
New Public Television Series, The Travel Detective with Peter Greenberg
New Public Television Series, The Travel Detective with Peter Greenberg, Premieres Fall 2013 (check local listings) Travel guru offers tips and tricks for traveling like an insider Tired of feeling like a helpless traveler? In the new series The Travel Detective with Peter Greenberg, premiering nationwide beginning Monday, September 30, 2013 on public television (check local listings), CBS News Travel Editor and The Royal Tour co-host Peter … [Read more...]
Saul Bolanos: A Modern Day Alchemist
John M. Edwards finds out that Costa Rican Artist Saul Bolaños’s Medium Is Hot Costa Rica, a coffee democracy in a sea of banana republics, is known more for its number-one export than its art. So perhaps it is only natural that Costa Rican photo-artist Saul Bolaños decided to fuse the two and extract art from the ubiquitous bean. His CAFEGRAFIA®, sepia-color photo images made real by coffee, explore the offbeat flight paths of Central … [Read more...]