Guatemala: Eco-Tours, Local Markets, & Luxury

Every Jauntophile knows... Guatemala is one of Latin America’s hidden gems. Sandwiched between Mexico and Belize in the north and El Salvador and Honduras in the south, the name itself means 'Land of Trees,' and this hot jungle country is every bit as green as it's name suggests. Poised somewhere between the old and the new, roughing it or Ritzing it, this Central American country combines the unique traditions of Mayan heritage with a urban landscape of bustling cities and lush resorts. Wildly beautiful with towering volcanoes, verdant rainforest, colonial architecture and fascinating beaches, fusing these elements together are the people, the majority descendants of the ancient Mayan. Warm and generous, their spirit is one of welcome. This Central American country is also one of the most indigenous in the world, now distanced from it's unstable 36-year civil war. The best part? In this down economy, you can still get an entire meal for $3.00!
This photo contains a piece of deer meat, Tepezquintle meat (this would be a noctural rodent highly prized for it's rich flavor), a piece of wild turkey, and... a piece of Armadillo! Don't worry, not all the food is this daunting.

So where to stay in this wild jungle paradise of woven ponchos and beaded bracelets? Below are a few places to rest your weary head, a homebase from which to take off and land. Ideally located in Guatemala City and Antigua, each hotel below is a destination unto itself, ideal for couples, business travelers, and families.

Guatemala City
Guatemala is the country’s cultural, political and economic capital. Founded on the site of the ancient Mayan city Kaminaljuyu, the city is renowned for its abundance of archeological sites and rich cultural history. Now with a population of more than 3 million, it is one of Latin America ’s most vibrant urban destinations.
Hotel Vista Real, a member of Preferred Hotels® & Resorts, is the city’s grande dame. Perched above the city in an exclusive residential enclave, the Hotel Vista Real welcomes guests into an oasis of service and style. This all-suite luxury hotel stands out for its elegant artwork and fine dining. Comprised of 123 suites and eight meeting rooms, the Hotel Vista Real is ideal for a weekend getaway or dazzling wedding.

Rates starting at $145
www.vistareal.com
Hotel Princess, a member of Sterling Hotels™, combines a great location in the bustling zona viva with a friendly staff for a reasonable price. Just off of one of the city’s main avenues, Hotel Princess’s 104 guest rooms encircle an inner courtyard that is a haven for business and leisure travelers. The perennially popular Garden Court restaurant and Clancy’s Bar are the perfect places to sample great food and local hospitality.

Rates starting at $129
www.hotelesprincess.com

Antigua
An hour from Guatemala City lies the captivating town of Antigua. Situated in the central highlands, La Antigua Guatemala (“The Old Guatemala”) was the country’s third capital and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, if you're looking for a beach close to La Antigua Guatemala, a few hours away is the beach of Monterrico where chickens and pigs roam free. In fact, we've even heard they like to dip in the ocean. Talk about au natural. A range of backpacker pensions and 3 star hotels are also available, if you're interested in staying the night.
La Reunion, Antigua Golf Resort, a member of Preferred Boutique™, is the region's most exquisite hideaway. A sophisticated collection of 26 free-standing cottages, each with their own plunge pool, every suite has been tastefully appointed in colonial style. Nestled amid two volcanoes, La Reunion also offers golf on a memorable Pete Dye-designed course. Gourmet cuisine and numerous activities make La Reunion, Antigua Golf Resort the great destination for a complete couples getaway.

Rates starting at $225
www.preferredboutique.com or www.lareunion.com.gt
Porta Hotel Antigua, a member of Summit Hotels & Resorts™, is located in the heart of the city, an easy distance to explore Antigua’s cobblestone streets, colonial churches and monuments. With 115 guestrooms, the hotel is a lush oasis of soothing greenery. Encircled by trees, the pool area is a popular destination for cooling off after a busy morning of sightseeing or meetings.

Rates starting at $162
www.portahotels.com

Before you start booking your tickets, growing a beard, and thinking you can singlehandedly unite The Americas into one (a la our favorite renegade revolutionary, Che G.), don't forget to visit Lake Atitlan. Lake Atitlan is one of the country’s most prized scenic locations. The tourist friendly fishing town of Panajachel is a great place to take an eco-tour of the area or climb the Pacaya volcano for a glance inside its cone. We also hear that a bus about five kilometers away from Antigua to Pastores is a village known for handmade leather Cowboy Boots.

Here's a handy guide for Guatemala's Eco-Tours:

www.ecotourdirectory.com/ecotours/guatemala/
www.atitlanresource.com/travel_agencies_eco.htm
www.enjoyguatemala.com/tours.htm

In addition, a trip to Guatemala wouldn't be complete without a jaunt to the ruins of El Mirador and Tikal in the northern Petén region. The nearby city of Flores serves as the ideal base for any trips into Petén. In the village of Chichicastenango, the Thursday and Sunday market are the best ways to gain insight into Guatemala culture as indigenous groups come from around the country come to sell their handmade multi-colored goods. For hotels in Flores, we recommend checking out:

Flores Hotels
www.destination360.com/central-america/guatemala/flores-hotels.php

Oh, and for those of you with, how shall we say, more 'discerning tastes,' here's another list of swanky Guatemalan digs:

Guatemala's Ultra Luxury Hotels
www.kiwicollection.com/luxury-hotels/guatemala
We think Casa Palopo is one fine spot overlooking Lake Atitlan, set against a backdrop of three volcanoes, Tolimán, Atitlán and San Pedro.

Denmark: Hybrid Living & H2pia

Villa Hybrid, H2pia

Holy Hydrogen... homes? Yes, last year, just as the debate about the efficiency and affordability of alternative energy sources began to 'heat up', developers in Denmark also began conceptualizing their very own way to solve the problem. Say hello to H2PIA, the world's first hydrogen powered community! After the successful re-development of Stockholm's Hammerby Stad, we're not surprised that the Nords are continuing to shine when it comes to design and efficiency.

Though someday suburb, called 'H2pia' is completely geared towards balancing energy needs and, if it comes to fruition, will certainly lead the way to a model future of truly fine living. Here's how it works. Residents collect their own energy via solar and wind sources that then charge hydrogen fuel cells that then power both the home and automobiles. The various structures within the neighborhood have been designed so that 'their curves maximize returns on energy collection.' And if we know one thing in life it's this... curves maximize collection.

Villa Unplugged

With different living options available depending on family size and needs, Villa Unplugged is created for families that enjoy nature and open spaces. The villas are not connected to the common energy grid and they manage their own storage of hydrogen and production of energy for the home and the cars. Villa Unplugged is completely self-sufficient with energy as the heat comes from solar panels that also produce electricity together with wind turbines. Part of the electricity is used for producing hydrogen for the fuel cells in automobiles. The rest of the hydrogen is stored and used later in in-house fuel cells for electricity and heating during periods with insufficient sun and wind.
Villa Plugged, H2pia

The inhabitants of Villa Plugged, however, get 100 % of their energy supply from a central energy producer. This is how most people in Denmark live today. Villa Plugged contains a communal residence for the younger town residents. Plugged constitutes 'an open, creative and inspiring milieu, created by young people – for young people.' As the name of the area implies, this part of the city is ‘plugged into the socket’ and gets electricity and heat from the central energy supply. Villa Plugged gets electricity and heat from the central energy supply of H2PIA, which is placed in H2PIA Public.

Villa Hybrid is a family residence where the concepts from Unplugged and Plugged are combined. The families produce their own energy but are also connected to the common energy grid. They can also supply the grid with any excess energy. The hydrogen car is another central element of Villa Hybrid. When it's parked next to the house, its on-board fuel cell produces large amounts of power which is delivered to the common energy grid, thus contributing to the balancing of the family’s energy consumption and production. The houses in ‘Hybrid’ are intended to be luxurious, with panoramic views, style and comfort.

We don't doubt that the Danes will do it right.

Last, but not least, H2PIA Share is the town center with a mix of shops, public spaces, businesses and recreational areas. As their site notes, "In H2PIA, a large part of the inhabitants are self employed, a fact that creates possiblities for new lifestyles that combine work, leisure and fun. Share allows for a context of optimism, creativity, joy of life and confidence in the future.

Peter Qvist Lorentsen, architect of the project and partner at PQL Studio, the design studio at the helm of H2PIA, isn't yet sure what part of Denmark the concept will be realized, but at the moment different Danish municipalities are interested, as are other places abroad. "And we are also still waiting for calls from different EU-foundations," Lorentsen says. "So, the construction of H2PIA has not started yet and therefore the project has been delayed. In the meantime, we're fine-tuning the concept.

Regarding the prices, Lorentsen says the buildings will only be a little bit more expensive than normal house prices in Denmark. "The reason is that the houses will be very very well insulated and be added with energy saving technologies as heating reuse systems etc.," he explains. "That means the buildings will get a minimum energy consumption. Regarding the prices of technologies for energy production (solar heat, solar cells, wind turbines, fuel cells etc.) it all depends on what extent we can get financial support from different national and EU foundations."

So we'll cross our fingers the Foundations are listening.

H2PIA - www.h2pia.com
PQL Studio - www.pql.dk
HOW2LIVE - www.how2live.dk

Vancouver Island, Canada: Free Spirit Spheres!

We don't know why, but we're always strangely drawn to capsules, pods, and spheres. And, just to prove we're not alone...







Welcome to the world of Free Spirit Spheres!







Set amid the tall trees of Vancouver Island's rainforest, it's, you guessed it, a tree house for adults. Jaunt says, 'Finalmente.' Built with an un-tamed vision of nature and engineering, you'll feel like an Ewok swinging from the canopy and crawling from your tree sphere at dusk.

Handcrafted spheres are suspended like pendants from a web of rope and, as their website says, "They occupy a truly unique place in the world while providing a habitat for the un-tamed spirit that exists in all of us."

So just how un-tamed are you? If you really want to make a statement, you can purchase a pod or components to build your own. Recommended uses include: Healing, meditation, photography, leisure and game watching.

Spheres, Eve and Eryn, are available for overnight rental and promise a truly unique, jungle experience. Approximately 30km north of Parksville on Vancouver Island along the Inland Island Hwy (#19), near Qualicum Bay. The acreage is on private property close to Horne Lake Caves, Georgia Strait and Mount Washington.

Rates: $125-$175/night

Free Spirit Spheres
Qualicum Beach, BC, Canada
Tel (250) 757-9445
Cell (250) 951-9420
Email: tom@freespiritspheres.com

www.freespiritspheres.com

South Africa: #1 Game Reserve in the World

If you haven't seen the incredible footage at Kruger National Park, we recommend visiting Youtube after your little tete-a-tete with Jaunt Magazine.

Why?

Because plenty of amazing survival instincts abound.
And we're all about survival of the fittest (not counting those who amend nature with 'the knife').

Speaking of which, now's the time to give a shout out to Travel + Leisure's #1 in The World.

South Africa's:
Singita Sabi Sand.

Giraffes, lions, zebras, elephants. We're really not sure what more you need, but, perhaps, 45 immaculately designed environmentally friendly lodges deep in the African bush?


Singita Ebony and Singita Boulders are located in the Sabi Sands reserve known for prolific wildlife, while Singita Lebombo and Singita Sweni in Kruger National Park, close to the Mozambique border, offer more of the same and stunning wilderness.

We could go on and on about realizing what life has to offer, conservation, the beauty of Africa, the homeland of every single one of us, but instead we'll give you this.

A glass and wood cabin at Sweni Lodge for river views, 4 restaurants, 4 bars, and wine tasting in the 14,000-bottle cellar at Boulders Lodge.

5 star Africa.

Kruger National Park
27-21/683-3424
www.singita.com

Once you get your game on, don't you dare forget to give a little back. Here are a few sites for conservation and volunteer travel in South Africa to round out your life-changing trip.

www.i-to-i.com/south-africa

www.volunteertravel.com/southafrica.html

www.caresa-lesotho.org.za

Hamba kahle.
That's goodbye in Zulu to you.

Sleep It Off: An Eco-Chic Boutique B&B - Hollywood, CA

An eco-chic boutique B&B right in the middle of Hollywood? Wait a minute. Why haven't I ever written about this before? I know I've seen it.

Good thing I was chatting up Erika McQueen, my Pilates instructor at Whole Body Gallery; otherwise, I never would have known just how cool it actually is. She and her hubby, Dougald, own the place.

Perfect for the semi-working actor, DP, writer, or family member, Hollywood Pensione is a 1915 Craftsman specializing in weekly stays. Featuring eco-pure rooms with specially-made organic mattresses, fine organic bed linens by Anna Sova, complimentary organic wine and dark chocolate truffles, and state of the art in-room technology like flat screen TV's, DVD's, and high speed WiFi, it was 'designed for the discerning traveler and professional seeking the privacy of a hotel, with the comforts and conveniences of home for short and long term visits to Los Angeles.'

Walking distance from the Hollywood sign, Griffith Park, the Metro Station, cafes, markets, shops and Hollywood landmarks including the Mann Chinese Threatre, Walk of Fame, Kodak Theatre, Hollywood Bowl, and Hollywood & Highland, it's close to the studios and offers a different, more unique sort of experience than the other (more pricey) digs near Sunset or Beverly Hills.

Just what you might be looking for when it comes to planting those creative seedlings.

Oh, and the owner? She says she's adding a yoga studio so you can thankfully leave Hollywood with a tighter ass too.

Rates are from $149/daily - $2,000/month

1845 N. Wilton
Hollywood Ca. 90028
Tel: (323) 369-2411
hollywoodpensione@gmail.com

www.hollywoodpensione.com

Boot Camp Series: Bespoke Bali - A Yoga Retreat

COMO Shambhala Estate, Bali

It’s not that I don’t like working out and living a free-radical life, it’s just this... I don’t like thinking about all the effort it's going to take before I actually do.

That’s why I like yoga. I can take it at my own pace. There's no judgment, it’s not too loud, not too long, and not too stressful. More importantly, I don’t have to listen to bad techno or watch sweaty people pushing weights or huffing and puffing around me. A peaceful exotic setting doesn’t hurt either.

Welcome to Wellness.
Bali-style.

And practice yoga on the base of the River Ayung.

Do you (and everyone else who depends upon your wellness) a favor.
Check out COMO Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri, Bali.

The Hotel’s flagship wellness resort recently launched five (yes, FIVE) new Wellness Programs.

We decided to focus on COMO Shambhala Estate because it was established as one of the world’s leading residential health retreats. Opened only two years ago, it's owned by the award-winning holistic health company, COMO Shambhala; providing the best possible environment to start a new lifestyle. When extreme luxury is married with an extremely beautiful natural setting, you really can't go wrong. The Estate's motto: 'to deliver a deeper experience than the typical fly-and-flop resort while fostering a more nurturing approach than the current spread of high-end destination spas.'

To give you an idea of their amenities: Private spa suites with attached therapy rooms, state-of-the-art health facilities, private butler service, organic food, private sun deck and fresh pools, indoor and 'jungle' gyms, a climbing wall (wuuhhu!!), a Pilates studio, an infinity-edged lap pool with views of the forest beyond and a Hydrotherapy Pool where chlorine-free water is funneled using bio-energy water treatment systems from the local spring, known as The Source.

We likey.
No, we loveyyyyyy.


As the story goes, The Estate’s location is predicated upon the existence of The Source, a natural spring on site that has long been revered by locals for its healing properties. Water from The Source fills Kedara (Sanskrit for ‘Water Garden’). Sounds almost surreal, doesn't it? Then you remember... this is Bali, not Baltimore. Anything is possible.

Engage with the local Balinese landscape during your pursuit of better health, artistry and culture abound. Mountain bike, climb, raft, do pilates, yoga, or a little outdoor circuit training, it will undoubtedly change your perspective on life for at least a week and the months following.

All packages include accommodation (prices based on double occupancy), meals (cuisine is organic and nutritionally rich), return airport transfers, The Estate’s daily schedule of activities, services of a Personal Assistant (!!), and the use of the steam, sauna and 25m lap pool.

Here are the Programs:

CLEANSING PROGRAM
This powerful, but safe program allows you to cleanse your body of toxins accumulated through bad diet and polluted environments. Angelenos and New Yorkers, take note.

GET FIT PROGRAM
Designed to get you back on track and back in shape, motivating you to enjoy a new sense of fitness and good health. The program includes a wellness consultation, fitness assessment, 60-minute massage, 60-minute personal training, and guided biking and trekking.

Costs from $2,103 per person for a 5-night program.

REJUVENATION PROGRAM
This program combines the beneficial effects of beauty and spa treatments with healthy eating and positive thinking.

STRESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Designed for those who feel the need to make positive lifestyle changes to combat the pressures of the busy modern world.

AYURVEDIC PROGRAM
Ayurveda addresses the root cause by enhancing toxin catabolism and by balancing the five elements of body and mind to bring about wellness.

Here's a sample itinerary of the AYURVEDIC PROGRAM:

· Accommodation
· Breakfast, lunch and dinner (including standard beverages)
· Wellness consultation
· Ayurvedic treatments*
· 60-minute therapeutic Yoga
· Complimentary return airport transfers
· Participation in The Estate’s daily schedule of activities
· Complimentary use of the steam, sauna, and 25metre lap pool
· Services of a Personal Assistant

More specific inclusions depend on whether you choose a three, five or seven, night program. Rates vary anywhere from around $1,400 for three nights in a spectacular Garden Room to around $15,000 for an Estate Residence for a week. Programs are designed to deliver simple, well-priced combinations of meals, treatments, and activities.

What we like best?

You can follow workouts with a massage at the base of The Source.
You can chill out on this Garden Villa sundeck:


Norma Gray, Activities Manager, also serves as an instructor for private training during the Get Fit Program and she’ll check in with you to make sure you’re feeling perfectly relaxed and fit. She even emails guests on the program an exercise routine they can continue at home.

Too bad she can't email Bali.
Need we say more?

See you on the banks of the River Ayung.

www.comoshambhala.bz

Boot Camp Series: Amansala's Bikini Boot Camp

Amansala's Bikini Bootcamp: Tulum, Mexico

The second in Jaunt Magazine's 'so nice it's naughty' Boot Camp Series, this one is bound to give you the vacation you desperately need. Add a stunning setting, eco-chic digs, chemical-free fresh food, and a Bikini-tastic agenda that will get you in gear for that balanced body right in time for summer. The best part? It won't break the bank and you can do it alone, with friends, or a lover.

Imagine staying in Pablo Escobar’s old beachfront pad on the Mayan Riviera’s Caribbean with Melissa and Erica, two ex-New Yorkers with a flair for substance and style. Now, imagine an ocean brighter than Jude Law’s baby blues, a creative relaxing vibe, a bit of indulgence, and a naturally-fulfilling yoga bikini boot camp.

Did you imagine it?

Good.

As the site says, “Amansala was the name of Melissa’s small import company selling interesting items collected on her world travels. Taken from the two Sanskrit words ‘Peace’ and ‘Water.’ It was while Melissa toyed with the idea of starting a traveling spa, that she finally decided to create a fixed location in one of her favorite places in the world... Tulum, Mexico. After years of traveling throughout Southeast Asia and experiencing the best and the worst hotels, she wanted to create a place where people could come solo - or with their partners or friends - and have an adventure where they would meet other like-minded people, eat good healthy food, be on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and it would feel more like staying at a friends beach house than a hotel.”

I’m here to say this… my good friend at OK! Magazine swears by the place so... I’m next.

Erica, who had been working in Public Relations & Marketing in NYC, was ready for a change so when Melissa suggested she join her in her latest adventure, the two girls packed up and left the city behind. They set out for Mexico, and together, they created Amansala and Bikini Boot Camp on the beaches of Tulum, Mexico.


With beautiful white flowing fabrics, mosaics, eco-bohemian style and the comforts of staying at a plush friend’s pad in the Caribbean, Amansala is all about getting back-to-basics… in paradise.

2 hrs south of Cancun, Tulum is famous for the Mayan ruins and a relatively undiscovered paradise with pristine beaches and clear turquoise waters that will remind you to give thanks and BREATHE.

Says a recent visitor, “One of my greatest memories with Amansala was eating grilled shrimp and sipping fresh pineapple juice, barefoot on a sandy beach, surrounded by candles, a starlit sky and a small group of good company.”

Days start with a beach or jungle powerwalk followed by a combination of body sculpting, power ab sessions or pilates, and end with yoga and meditation. In between there are excursions to the nearby jungle for swimming and snorkeling in fresh water swimming holes (cenotes), visits to Mayan ruins, pampering with beach side massages, salsa lessons, Mayan Clay Treatments, plenty of agua di limon and sunshine.

Sample Itinerary
8:00-9:00 Silent Beach Walk

9:15-10:45 Exercise In Motion

10:45-11:30 Beach Body Sculpt

11:30-12:30 Free Time & Spa Services
 (yipppeee!)
12:30-1:30 Low fat, low calorie Lunch

2:00-5:00 Hike to the freshwater swimming holes (cenotes)

5:00-6:00 Gentle Yoga
 (Ommmmm....)
6:00-7:00 Meditation
7:30-8:30 Candlelight dinner

8:30-9:30 Salsa Lessons (Aye Dios Mio!)

The low fat diet consists of all local fresh food like just caught grilled fish, mangos, jicima salads and other yummy low cal selections that leave you satisfied, yet feeling lighter and cleaner.

The price for all of this back-to-basics Caribbean coast meets Mexican retreat fabulousness?
A reasonable 
$1675 plus tax and service for a grand total of $1954

($700 extra for a private room: with tax and service $818)

Price Includes:

Accommodations
All meals

2 massages

A Mayan clay treatment

All classes, activities, excursions

Designed to help people feel good about themselves and their bodies, this is the part we like best: “There is no pressure to participate in any of the activities and there is no competition. Guests are encouraged to set their intentions, become more aware of how they feel and pay attention.”

Ditto. And sign me up!

I detest pressure, but could totally use a Bikini Boot Camp escape... in paradise.
Couldn't you?

Running weekly starting NOW!

www.amansala.com

Chile: Domo Domo

With the most powerful economy in South America (and a woman at the helm of the country... HURRAH!), Chile tops my list of 'Get Off Your Hiney And Go's. Inexpensive accommodations, economic stability, vibrant graffiti art that rivals the street sketches of Buenos Aires, Chile has the Andean peaks and plenty 'o plenty of vino. What more does one person really need? Sharing a string of ice blue glacier lakes in the South with Argentina and hosting a plethora of vineyards scattered about the country, Chile is the next big thing. Which is why, when we here at Jaunt happened upon this little gem of a secret spot, we said, 'Aye Dios! Que Bueno!'

There's something about a geodesic dome that just screams serenity, doesn't it? It's a bit off the beaten path (about 580 Km from Santiago), but you won't regret the trek. The road is paved until you reach the town of Pisco Elqui, but the resort will help arrange travel from there. One of only seven astronomic hotels in the world, you can literally sleep with the top down. Each has two floors. The first, with a living room and the bathroom, and the second, with the main bed (and your detachable roof). They also have a terrace, as well as a telescope and offer a fridge bar, free tea & coffee, specialized astronomic literature, BBQ's and cutlery. In addition to viewing the night-sky with your lover, they offer astronomic tours and nighttime horseback rides.

Does it really get any more romantico? Oh, and it's all earth-friendly too. So hitch that wagon to a star. Orion's waiting.

$85-100/night

www.elquidomos.cl

Costa Rica: Sustainable Adventures

I've never written about this before because words, well... they just don't seem to do it justice.


But when I graduated from college I had an experience that would change my life forever.





I said goodbye to my friends and family and flew under the cover of night to Costa Rica. My wild daydreams of becoming an Adventure Guide in the jungles of Central America had actually come true. My parents thought I was insane, but I embarked on the crazy journey with little more than will and a prayer. It was a lot like The Secret. My relationship with my first love was on shaky ground. I was graduating soon. I would have to decide - and visualize - which direction my life was going to take. All I knew was that I needed nature, a spanish-speaking country, and the opportunity to learn and teach. I became obsessed with the idea that I should be an Adventure Guide.
------>
Sort of like this without the guns (and add a horse, a bow, and some arrows).

Of course, I had no real qualifications (unless archaeological digs and riding horses with my dad counted as 'experience'), but I scoured the internet regardless, reaching out to every single adventure company listed. Whales, turtles, rafting, sailing, ecology... you name it, I begged for the chance to learn the ropes.

I never heard back. I was a senior; unsure of what life - after graduation - might have in store, but somehow I saw - and willed - what would later become one of the most memorable experiences in my life. Strangely enough, I was on my way to see the movie Titanic, when I ran into Jordie, an old friend from freshman year. We hadn't seen each other since we took a train from Philly to Madison Square Garden to see one of the last Grateful Dead shows in history. We stood outside the movie theater catching up... Jordie had taken a semester off to travel Costa Rica and clear his head, I had moved to Spain to study Spanish literature.

"Costa Rica... that's amazing," I said. "I just got back from Spain and I've been dreaming about becoming an Adventure Guide. Costa Rica would be the perfect place..."

As fate (or The Secret) would have it, Jordie responded:

"That's what I did... and I think they're hiring."

The rest, as they say, is history. I willed my fate and the universe had finally heard me. Two weeks later, Jordie called to give me the phone number of Stephen Brooks, the 25 year-old eco-adventurer and owner of Costa Rican Adventures. Ten minutes later, Stephen offered me a job. Those two guys in the photo above, Brian (left) and Jupy (right), would be my fellow companions and guides throughout the Costa Rican jungle. Together, and with our passionate boss, Stephen, we studied poisonous dart frogs at a biological reserve, learned about sustainable farming, visited a co-op of women who farmed natural herbs, hiked steep mud-filled mountains to eat with a local tribe of Bribri, went white-water rafting (where I momentarily fell for a local river guide), and cooked yucca for high school and college students who were all there to learn - with us - about the miraculous beauty and plenitude that is... nature.


Peto and I leaving Manzanillo, the last stop before Punta.

Four months later, clarity came by way of rafting through Turrialba, picking and cooking my own food, listening the symphonic cascade of the jungle at night, and witnessing the first-hand struggle of a green turtle laying her eggs in the sand along the Panamanian border.

Since 1998, Costa Rican Adventures has certainly been thriving. What was once a run down treehouse where we camped and washed dishes in the ocean, is now Punta Mona or Monkey Point, a 30-acre organic farm and educational retreat dedicated to environmental consciousness by creating an example of sustainable living through permaculture design, eco-technology and organic farming. Located 6 km south of Manzanillo on the Southern Caribbean Coast, 'Punta' (as we called it) is surrounded by nothing, but monkeys, turtles, the jungle, coconut, and the Caribbean, complete with the locals that you can really only dream of...

Take Padi, a 70 year-old man who lives alone - with no electricity - on the border between Costa Rica and Panama. The nearest town is only accessible by boat or a two-hour hike with a machete through dense jungle and swarms of mosquitos. How long he's been there... it's a mystery. Thirty, maybe forty, years. Time here is dictated by the movement of the seasons, the migration of the turtles, and the tides. A remarkable man of almost Lama-esque peace and calm, Padi really is the old rasta man to your sea. He follows the turtles by the cycles of the moon and tides; consulting a lunar calendar as he tells you, before bedtime, just why there's no place on earth he'd rather be... even if he's got a few kids living in the big city.

Stephen Brooks knew something before most of us did. If you want to find some meaning in your life, really engage in the natural world and take refuge in the land that's right there before you. 'If you want to connect to the land, her resources, and her people, this is the place to do it,' he says. Having farmed the soil, climbed the peaks, and witnessed a turtle struggle to lay her eggs in the sand... I can heartily say, Brooks was way ahead of his time. He knew - and fulfilled - what any person needs to encounter at least once, if not repeatedly and permanently, in life. An experience - or, better yet, a lifestyle - that really reminds you how to live. Naturally.



They'll tailor trips for up to 40 people from one day to several weeks where you'll hike, kayak, get massages, do some organic farming, swim, observe turtle nesting, get permaculture instruction, do yoga, and even... learn how to make chocolate!




They'll even take care of all meals and snacks (the majority of food comes fresh from their organic gardens and the sea).

www.costaricanadventures.com
www.puntamona.org

Last year, I covered the incredibly cool turtle sanctuary at the luxurious Le Meridien Bora Bora and, in addition to sustainable trips and organic farming with my alma mater, Costa Rican Adventures, I'm passionate about hunting down the best trips for the heart, the soul, and... the turtles.

So, if you're in the mood for a more research/labor intensive trip focusing solely on these glorious Chelonia mydas, check out:

The Caribbean Conservation Corporation and Sea Turtle Survival League (CCC). For over 45 years, they've conducted sea turtle nest monitoring studies located on the most popular nesting sites for green turtles in the Western hemisphere. The area stretches along the twenty-mile black sand beach of Tortuguero and now provides the majority of the information on the reproductive ecology and migratory habits of sea turtles. Researchers (and volunteer guests like you) are based at CCC's John H. Phipps Biological Field Station or the Landon T. Clay Scientists Residence where you'll monitor nesting trends, growth rates, and reproductive success. You'll walk along the large expanse of beach at night - just you and the world - tracking turtles and observing babies hatch while mother heads back to the shore.

The best part?

Through this conservation initiative, CCC has reversed the decline of green turtles in the Caribbean.

For centuries, the long beach draws the largest nesting population of green turtles hunted for their meat and eggs; still considered delicacies, regardless of the fact that, like shark and shark finning, it's pretty tasteless and there's a good deal of fresh fish, coconut, and vegetables around to eat instead. After all, it's illegal to kill and eat these ancient turtles for a reason.



The sand is soft and the wind is smooth, but they recommend people in good health and physical condition. You'll pull a 4-hour nightshift with a few others between 5 -7 miles a night, walking in the dark (with no flashlight as to avoid scaring the turtles). You'll pick a shift that runs from 8am-12am or 12am-4am and then... get taggin'. When you're not tracking the turtles and watching them lay eggs and hatch, you'll have plenty of time to veg in a hammock and write plenty of Darwinian sonnets as you plan the next 10 years of your life.

Here's a sample room:



$1,399 for a one week session - $2,699 for a three week session.
Contact CCC for details, fees and availability of the Scientist Residence or local Eco-Lodge options.

www.cccturtle.org

At the end of your sustainable adventures, when you're ready to check out a bit more of the country, take a trip to the volcanic hot springs of Arenal and then treat yourself to Manuel Antonio/Quepos where you can really contribute to that Costa Rican economy. When my family came into town to visit me at the end of my eco-journey, we stayed at:

The Tulemar Bungalows (****), my personal favorite. Intimate and nestled in the jungle, monkeys will greet you in the morning and play in the trees as you sip a pina colada in the pool. You can choose from modern eco-friendly bungalows, private villas, and houses on the beach.



$128 (Green Season/Bungalows)-$11,000 (private villa that sleeps eight for a week)

www.tulemar.com

Our plush eco-loving staff also recommends the only five-start property (and eco-reserve!) in Costa Rica, Gaia Hotel and Reserve.




$220-$970 (high season, 2-bedroom villa)




This place will not only remind you why you needed to lend your beautiful spirit to the earth and her creatures around you, but it will also remind you to appreciate the beauty, and the design, that is lovingly made by man. Now go farm the jungle and track some turtles already!

www.gaiahr.com

Swedish Genius: The Hammarby Model

Idyllic, isn't it? Malmö and Hammarby Sjöstad... They're on everyone's tongues (or at least everyone following eco-development trends).

As NaturalSpaces.com says, "The city of Malmö on the western coast of Sweden has created one of the world's most dynamic sustainable cultures in Vastra Hamnen. Stockholm has also risen to the challenge of a sustainable future with the latest developments on a much larger scale at Hammarby Sjostad. These developments hope to be a spearhead for a future worldwide agenda."

A spearhead for a future worldwide agenda... you don't say?!

They rightfully call the movement 'The Hammarby Model.'

Hammarby Sjöstad, an exciting new district in Stockholm, came out of the city's tough environmental requirements on buildings from the start. As a result, Stockholm Water Company, Fortum and the Stockholm Waste Management Administration jointly developed a common eco-cycle model designed to ensure organic recycling throughout Hammarby Sjöstad. This model, as the city's website says, 'is the thread that binds together the entire environmental programme and demonstrates how the various technical supply systems are integrated.'

We here at Jaunt say, "Incredible!"

And when you see it for yourself, you'll wonder why we're not all flocking to Sweden. Then you'll remember... Oh yeah, it's cold. But we can tell you one thing. This sub-city of Stockholm is one hell of a genius Swedish idea (say that three times fast). The twelve-year long project which began about eight years ago is now almost at it's completion and you'd be amazed to see that what was once an industrial harbor area home to derelicts is now a district of 8000 apartments intended to soon provide accommodation for 20,000-25,000 people. So far, so great. Re-construction re-creates jobs, in turn, this re-creates vitalization and a communal center. If that's not cool enough, it's almost 100% sustainable.


Västra Hamnen in Malmö is another new district occupying a former industrial area by the sea. Tucked at the end of the country on the Western coast, it's the third largest city in Sweden (and used to be Denmark's second. It's original name was Malmhaug, meaning "Gravel Pile, interestingly enough). Malmö may be small, but these developments, entirely self-sustaining, are the future of art, architecture, and intellect.


A couple of other things about Malmö... it has the highest concentration of restaurants, per capita, is known as 'The City of Parks,' and architecture buffs, if you're interested enough to take a peek up there, can check out the Turning Torso, what looks like a post-modern homage of sorts to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, designed by Spanish star architect Santiago Calatrava. The impressive Öresund bridge - which connects Malmö and Copenhagen - allows you to get that quick 'Two Nation Vacation,' (and learn a bit about sustainability in action).

If you look on Wikipedia, you can read all about Malmö, the German Hanseatic League notable for herring fishing and King Eric of Pomerania (once the area north of Germany and Poland on the Baltic Coast). He held power of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden in the 1400's. The entire province of Scania in the south eventually went from Danish to Swedish control after the Treaty of Roskilde in 1658. The city was then, over the course of many years, home to shipyard constructions, depressions, and sadly, a very high unemployment rate. Now, government-funded projects intended to revitalize the once happening seafront area, are a source of renewable energy. Malmö also has the highest proportion of people with non-Scandinavian descent than any other Swedish city. Interesting to think about the relevance of this when you...

Look at the numbers:

Yugoslavia (8,791)
Denmark (7,826)
Iraq (7,101)
Poland (6,008)
Bosnia-Herzegovina (5,637)
Lebanon (3,309)
Iran (2,958)
Hungary (1,845)
Germany (1,767)
Finland (1,678)
Afghanistan (1,606)
Romania (1,542)
Turkey (1,445)
Chile (1,305)
Vietnam (1,144)

(C) Wikipedia

Makes you wonder about displacement, war refugees, and the real possibility for growth and re-vitalization, doesn't it? Will the children of these immigrants feel Swedish? Does it even matter? Could Sweden be the newer, cleaner, more eco-friendly melting-pot of the world?

Preserving marine life in the surrounding areas, banning cancerous PCB's (polychlorinated biphenyls), boat primers, weed killers, paper bleaching and photograph development, are all leading the discussions that allow a community to build wisely; in essence, thinking about mother-earth from the start. All new designs are approached with what they call 'holistic integration' which means they attempt to eliminate noise pollution to create a more peaceful spacial environment.

Curious how they do it?
This is 'The Hammarby Model.'
(Click for a larger view)



Household waste is sorted into glass, paper, plastics, or compost (ie. organic waste, fish, vegetables, etc.) and for incineration. The waste is put into a vacuum system (one for each type of waste) and then it's sucked to underground offsite storage chambers. On collection days, the waste disposal vehicles suck the contents of the chambers out ensuring a clean airtight process. The non-recyclable waste is converted to bio-gas and, together with bio-gas from the local sewage treatment plant, it's fed back into the houses to fuel kitchen cooking and transport (including the waste recovery vehicles and private cars). Nutrients from sewage treatment go to agriculture.

AND IT WORKS! HALLELUJAH, THERE IS HOPE YET!!!

Over the next three to four years, the area of Hammerby Sjostad will 'officially' be completed. We can't wait to see how this model factors into more developments.

The reason for the success?

Intellect and design savvy.

Remember... these are not only the great Vikings who conquered vast lands, forged earth from the sea (and brought us IKEA), but they're also a population of multi-national survivors; the people who build nations... the immigrants.

High density accommodation + a relaxed spatial environment = The Future of Living.

Ice is Hot: Lap(land) it Up

I'm a warm-blooded desert dwelling gypsy, but when I hear about Swedish Lapland I think of men named Bjorn, fjords, water so blue it's white, reindeers, and Bond... James Bond.

It all started with Art.

The story goes something like this. In the late 80's, Japanese ice artists visited northern Sweden, an area known as 'no man's land' at the foot of the Arctic Circle. It was there they created an exhibition of ice art. A year later, French artist Jannot Derid held his own exhibition in a nearby igloo. One night, there were no rooms available in town so visitors asked for permission to spend the night in the exhibition hall. They slept in sleeping bags on top of reindeer skin. Voila! The first guests of the Icehotel (c) had unofficially checked in.




Located in Jukkasjärvi, a town in Swedish Lapland (northern Sweden), there are only 541 permanent residents year round, the majority of whom are Sami, a nomadic Nordic people that live in the area stretching from northern Norway to the Kola peninsula in Russia with a fascinating culture based on animistic beliefs where everything from animals to minerals have a soul. They have 400 words for reindeer alone. Pushed north by the Vikings, they are one of the oldest surviving cultures in the world settling the Scandinavian Peninsula over 4000 years ago.

Since its creation, the Icehotel (c) has seen numerous guests. New ice art, and the rooms themselves, are created by visiting artists from around the world. Yes, the entire hotel is made out of ice blocks taken from the Torne River. The best part? When the weather warms, the hotel begins to disappear... melting right back into the environment from which it's sprung. With more than 80 rooms and suites, bar, reception, and even a church (in case you want to get hitched in the Arctic Circle), guests can expect to pay about 1,400 Swedish Krona (@ $196 US dollars/night). Keep in mind, the hotel only exists between December and April.



The only building not made of ice is the amazing restaurant which serves up cuisine fresh from the fells, forests and marshes north of The Circle. Think venison, ptarmigan (a medium-sized game bird), wood grouse, reindeer, salmon, whiting, grayling and arctic char. Desserts are prepared from the wild cloudberries, blueberries, lingonberries and arctic bramble that thrive in the nearby marshes and moors. In addition to the local fare, the hotel offers excursions such as dogsledding and snow safaris.


(c) Jorma Jaemsen—zefa/Corbis

So if the ancient Sami, safari sledding, cloudberries, and ice rooms that promise to make you feel as if you've stepped into the hands of time aren't Jaunt worthy enough for you... forget ever living up to the likes of Bond.

Stay home and eat a pot pie, as far as I'm concerned.

I'll be Laplanding it Up.
Sami style.

www.icehotel.com

Nepal: Because The Himalayas Feel Good

Two words for your next foray into... feeling good.

Volunteer. Nepal.

Several programs today reflect a growing trend among exotic travel junkies. The volunteer experience. Forget trekking for yourself, it's time you trek for your fellow man. Or in this case, a beautiful Nepalese family, an orphaned child, or a village of farmers. You need them and they need you (and your soon-to-be-semi-expert guidance on health or the English language). You could certainly learn a thing or two about nature, living with less, and the human experience, right?

Nepal, with it's ever-reaching Himalayan mountains, is one of the poorest countries in the world.

Through Volunteer Nepal, volunteers in schools and orphanages in Nepal offer short stays and 2-5month programs that cover all food, accommodation, orientation courses, lessons in Nepali, tours, lectures, and social events. As they say, with little contact with the outside world, you, the volunteer teacher, will form an intimate relationship with the students and their culture, while you also learn what it's like to be freed from your Western attachments.



In addition to volunteering at an orphanage, you can study/volunteer in the following areas:
Environment & Community Education
Language and Culture
Construction

You can even teach in a monastery!

Program fees for schools/orphanages placement are as follows:

1-2 weeks US$ 300
3-4 weeks US$ 400-$500
For each additional month US$ 200

www.volunteer-nepal.org

Another feel good program, Volunteer Society Nepal, offers stays from 1 week-5 months and fees that range from $300-$1150, depending on the program and length of stay. You can choose different areas that interest you like:

Health
Teaching
The Environment
Women's Issues

www.vsnnepal.org



Want a few more options to make sure the program, and the group, is right for you? See below and fulfill what your heart and soul is really craving.

The Global Volunteer Network
www.volunteer.org.nz/nepal

Transitions Abroad
www.transitionsabroad.com

So, really... next time you want to galavant around the globe and make out with every Tomas, Ricardo, and Horacio, remember to make out with the greatest lover of all...

Enlightenment.

Africa: Heli-Fari Out

Adventure...
It's the last refuge of the revolutionary.
At least that’s what I always say.

In this day and age, finding the right destination to fit your needs can be as elusive as finding ‘The One’. So before you throw caution to the wind and blindly take the travel plunge, look into luxury destination with a twist. Swim with sharks or charter a seaplane, just don’t say I didn’t recommend an African heli-fari.

Heli-Fari, Far Out: The Okavango Delta with Orient-Express

If you really want to take your safari to new heights, Orient-Express Safaris offers the path less ordinary with the heli-fari experience. Their three camps; Eagle Island Camp, Savute Elephant Camp and Khwai River Lodge – are all, without-a-doubt, extravagantly... eco-friendly. At Eagle Island Camp deep within Botswana's Okavango Delta on the island of Xaxaba, you are surrounded by Illala Palms and a camp overlooking a lagoon fed by the Delta while you enjoy Champagne picnics, outdoor showers at Savute Elephant Camp or specialty cocktails at Eagle Island’s Fish Eagle Bar, a NY Times honoree for one of ‘the most romantic bars in the world.’

So save up, shut up, and get your safari on.

www.orient-express.com/web/luxury/travel/travel_botswana.jsp