VIP Blog

National Geographic Traveler - 2009 Annual Destination Survey/Assessment

omegaet — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:01:26 GMT

Having been a long time subscriber to National Geographic Traveler Magazine, I look forward with great anticipation to their Annual Destination Survey/Assessment.

Being journalists, or at least trying to pass as such, the writers who compile this list have developed some points of perspective resulting in the application of their Stewardship Index.

I don’t agree with their scores on a number of the selected destinations, having completed my own first-hand assessments during prior trips....but they have added some new destinations this year and updated their scoring.

All in all, I enjoy their annual review and thought I would put up a link for those of you who might have missed it:

http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2009/11/destinations-rated/intro-text

There is one caveat I would offer about adventure travel and it goes something along these lines:

There is something about discovering or learning early on about the existence of very special destinations…what might be called "the place" to visit and experience...especially those requiring a two week hike or trek or a pack horse supported expeditions just to arrive there.

“These places” can be very, very special!

Soon though, after a few people have visited “the places,” others hear about the “the place” and want to go, so they can tell their friends they have visited “the place”….but they don’t want to endure the hardships or inconveniences of getting there….so tourism adjustments are instituted.

Accommodations (some times rustic and some times quite extraordinary) are constructed, access is improved such as clearly marked trails, bush strips for aircraft are carved, helipads, hard packed roads, followed by four lane hard surface highways suitable for tour busses….all construction sequenced so it is easier to visit “the place.”

At last, yes finally at long last, everyone is able to arrive and remain in relative comfort to see and experience “the place,”

….but...

Oh My, when we all get there….”the place” is not so special, it is too crowded, too much conversation in different languages we have difficulty understanding, too may cameras clicking and video recorders humming and people jabbering or texting on cellular or satellite telephones.

Oh My, “this place”….the one that only a few years ago everyone was calling “the place” is too much like home, too much like what we do everyday to earn the money to allow us to travel to “the place”…..why are we here and why have we paid so much of our hard earned money (is the market up or down today…let me check my iPhone or Blackberry) to get to “the place” and discover it offers nothing more than the “the place” we visited last year and really didn’t enjoy!

How did this happen?

Just an observation..…

Let's Do Ecuador...

omegaet — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:53:38 GMT

Ecuador remains one of our favorite countries in South America for both luxury and budget travel.

Just arriving by air can be your first taste of adventure:

Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport (UIO) is one of my least favorite airports in the world....out dated, situated on a plateau, surrounded by some of the tallest peaks in the Andes, and completely besieged by industrial and residential structures…it has never been a fun place to land, at least during our last three arrivals and departures….certainly seems like the runway is just too short and the structures too high for large aircraft to be negotiating.

Here are two perfect examples of a spiraling corkscrew on a clear day....just think how many barf bags you could fill on an overcast approach or may a very dark night:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjiLGKKwOGk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXSJVHoXy58&feature=fvw

Imagine doing this with low hanging clouds.....while fixating on towering snow covered peaks of several surrounding volcanoes on the initial approach, then transitioning into a downward blind spiral through the clouds...wondering if there really is a runway below and if the pilots are going to come in too short or a go a little too long!

Hopefully by our next visit, the new Quito International Airport, which is scheduled to open sometime in 2010 and is situated about 10 miles outside of the city will be operational. The new airport promises to provide a little less excitement for landings and take off, but the safe arrival percentages are anticipated to escalate dramatically.

For us, Quito is a place for a brief stop, maybe to shower, grab some sleep and then move on to more interesting destinations. Never seen much there to excite us….how many more cathedrals can I walk through?

The JW Marriott is our choice for an overnight or two in Quito (everything works, including the plumbing and their sewer system accepts soiled toilet tissue….such is not the case in a couple of the other hotel we have tried:

http://www.ecuador.com/health-safety/

http://www.exploringecuador.com/ecuador_toilets_drinking_water.htm

..if you don’t mind their “once daily” emptying of the little baskets, then there are several historic hotels in Quito you might consider for your visit, but you can do your own Internet search and live with your own decisions.

Honestly, don’t break your neck to rush to the Otavalo Market….over the past ten years it’s basically morphed into a commercial flea market for tourists…much like Chicastenango in Guatemala.

If you want to see mercados authentico, then visit theSaquisilí market down by Cotopoxi, which is one of the largest remaining indigenous markets in Ecuador and there several other markets nearby including Pujili, Latacunga and Ambato…smaller, but the real deal.

Best to have a guide along, just to assist with translations (may of the indigenous speak very little Spanish and even less English).

One thing for certain, if you visit any or all of these markets, you will likely become an object of interest and curiosity, since not too many norte americanos visit regularly.

Previous trips to Ecuador have included trekking some of the lower altitude trails of the Andes and advancing upward to some of the day hikes along the bases of volcanoes such as Cotopaxi.

We have also spent time in one of the eco camps in the rainforest of the eastern slopes of the Andes…Kapawi Eco-Lodge constructed on one of the major tributaries of the Amazon River and not too far from the Peruvian border. This is real rainforest living....so request and pay attention to the DVD before you make your final decision to travel here.

Ecuador was also our jumping off point for a cruise among the Galapagos Islands off the Pacific coast, which involves a visit to Guayaquil.....too many people (largest city by population in the country).

We did spend a week in Cuenca…one of the real treasures of and not so crowded Spanish Colonial cities of the Andes.

Should you travels take you deeper into the Andes and the colonial city of Cuenca….plan on visiting our friends (actually catered events for us for years here in South Florida) Chris and Leslie Breen….owner/operators of

Café Eucalyptus.

They have lived there for many years and suffered the trials and tribulations of opening a business in a foreign county. Thankfully, their most difficult times are behind them and now their café is a favorite of locals and world travelers as well…they are featured in most of the top guide books as the place to refresh yourself when in Cuenca:

www.cafeeucalyptus.com/

Another reason to consider travel to Ecuador is the very favorable currency conversion of the Ecuadorian Sucre with the US Dollar..…approximately 25,000 to 1 at the time I am writing this.

Looking for some interesting places to stay outside of the main cities consider one or all of the following: Each of them offer unique and typical experiences.

Hacienda La Cienega (one of my favorite places in Ecuador)

www.hosterialacienega.com/

Hacienda Zuleta

www.zuleta.com/

The Inca House

http://incahacienda.com/

It would be nice for the Luxury Link Sales Team to find some interesting properties in Ecuador……while the country still offer luxury destinations at relative travel bargain prices!

Message Edited by omegaet on 11-02-2009 07:06 PM

Eating On Early Flights...

omegaet — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:02:25 GMT

consider your fellow passengers when making choices..

Filadelfia Resort & Spa - Again

omegaet — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:51:03 GMT

Revisits are not typically our thing. More like”been there – done that – moving on to see what is next” …..but The Filadelfia Coffee Resort in Antigua, Guatemala was too tempting to pass up for another long holiday weekend.

….well, at least the public demonstration (roughly 30,000 – 40,000 upset because the sitting president allegedly had an opponent “terminated”) in Guatemala City, had occurred a two days prior to our arrival (only a few disgruntled individuals bearing signs were wandering the main avenidas) and we were able to work through the normal congestion around the airport before heading out to Antigua. How about an slight earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 on the Richter scale (must have been some shifting of tectonic plates….like who cares…it’s the fact the ground is moving and you’re trying to stand still….and “slight” is the wrong adjective to use with any earthquake).

The road to Antigua from GUA is almost always “rush hour” no matter the hour….buses and truck…cars and scooters….seems like every inch of pavement is taken by someone trying to get some place. For us, the ride is entertaining…always something different.

Asked our driver if he would mind stopping at a bank drive through window so we could handle a quick currency transaction…of course…no problem…and the conversion rates is far more favorable than the airport or the hotel…..now we have some walking around local money.

The air clears and the temperature drops pleasantly as we leave the city, gaining some altitude on the short 45 minute drive to Antigua…no wonder so many local city dwellers head for countryside retreats on weekends.

Soon we are winding our way down familiar cobblestone roads, entering Antigua and working our way through foot traffic and bicycles along the outskirts and toward the guarded calle arbolada de Filadelfia. There are familiar faces, broad smiles and several hugs from the staff upon arrival….as well as the freshly brew café and assorted jugos. Le us show you to your suite.....so many fresh flowers I'm wondering if we're attending a wake...fortunately no deceased in sight?

The next five days past too quickly…mule rides into the mountains - and we are reminded why mules are strong, determined and sometimes stubborn, volcano treks up Picaya…..a long steep trail that may best be attempted early in the AM….worth the effort (you can cheat and ride horses), excellent dining at both upscale (Panza Verde www.panzaverde.com/en/dining.htm) and modest restaurants (Sabe Rico…Thanks for the special vegetarian lunch packed for our Picaya trek….also loved the secluded courtyard dining).

The Filadelfia remains a very peaceful, private retreat – a place to come home to – even if it is your first visit….close enough but not too close to the activity and crowds of Antigua.

Maybe another long weekend next year…..we’ll just have to shop around on LL to see what great return deals pop up!

PHINDA: THE PERFECT HOLIDAY

snapyou — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:41:57 GMT

PHINDA Game Reserve

Zanzibar Kempinski

snapyou — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:50:09 GMT

5 Nights of Indulgence in Zanzibar

A Different Guatemala

bonniejoy03 — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 14:40:26 GMT

The Beach & The Lake

SKIING LES 3 VALLEES - VAL THORENS, FRANCE

LL_Travelfan — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:53:32 GMT

Les Trois Valles in France, where skiing is at its best!

HOW FAR SOUTH?

omegaet — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:39:30 GMT

we wanted to go deep into South America…certainly as far as Santiago, Chile…....maybe further…..possible to the Antarctic region…should do some serious research…

THE FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE

omegaet — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 22:02:07 GMT

For years, I have received a Christmas card from a friend dating back to my university days….not a “close friend” in the sense I see him frequently, but someone with whom I have maintained contact over the years.

* * * * * *

While a student at university, I received an invitation to my friend’s family home one Thanksgiving, since my Mother and Father were out of the country on a business trip. Having no inclinations to endure a round trip trans Atlantic coach flight to join them for two days and a meal, I thought the drive to my friend’s family would be a better option.

I accepted my friend’s invitation and was warmly welcomed into their home.

Following their early afternoon traditional dinner, the Mother and Father (a successful dentist), the two sons and one daughter invited me to join them in the decorating of their home for Christmas.

Several large boxes were brought in from their garage, we began unwrapping and placing assorted seasonal decorative items about the home and soon the place took on a festive holiday theme. A lovely fresh balsam wreath was decorated and a “hand tied” red ribbon bow was attached and placed on the front door.

As the afternoon wound down and the decorations were all in place, I committed a minor faux pas, by asking about decorating their tree. “We always decorate the tree on Saturday,” answered the Father, “will you be staying over to join us?” I explained that I would only be staying the night and leaving the following morning to make the six hour drive home and pick up my parents at the airport, who were flying in from Europe on Saturday. And so, the issue of tree decorating came to a halt.

The Father, a dedicated bonsai hobbyist, gave me a personal tour of his arboretum greenhouse, where he displayed and lovingly care for many of his prized bonsai trees and gave me an abbreviated but informative lecture on the dedication necessary and rewards forthcoming from growing and caring for bonsai trees.

Fast Forward About A Week Or Ten Days

As we approached Christmas and I was making the rounds of numerous parties and seeing old friends during my holiday school break.

I received an envelope postmarked from the town in which I had spent Thanksgiving. I found inside a photo Christmas card, with the inscription “The Family Christmas Tree” and personally signed by each member of the family, with whom I had spent Thanksgiving.

Honestly, I was not impressed with their card choice. It was a photograph of a small tree, with several simply (probably homemade decorative ornaments)…..and it appeared the photo of the tree had been taken outside. Simple and somewhat out of character with the lifestyle I had witnessed during my over night visit to their home.

Fast Forward About A Week Or Ten Days

Upon returning to school, I saw my friend again, we discussed our respective holiday time at our homes and I thanked him again for inviting me to join with his family for Thanksgiving. I thanked him for the Christmas card but didn’t ask any questions.

Fast Forward A Number Of Years

Each year a similar simple photo Christmas card arrives, the tree looks different, somewhat larger, carefully pruned and the number of simple decoration have increased. Sadly, the signatures of the Mother and Father no longer appear, but they have been replaced by five additional signatures of grandchildren. The inscription remains the same “The Family Christmas Tree.”

It was only a few years ago, after I became aware my friend’s Mother had passed away (the Father had passed a couple of years earlier) and I received the same Christmas card, that I took the call and during the telephone conversation inquired about the significance of the photo of the tree.

My friend told me his late Father had not only been a successful dentist and pillar in their community, but had always demonstrated a commitment to the Earth.

He continued, “As young children, we had wanted a Christmas tree in our home to decorate, just like all of our friends had. That was not to be the case, my Father informed us, he would not permit us to kill nor support anyone who made a living killing trees simply to gain temporary holiday enjoyment.”

The family owned several acres and a small cabin just a few hours drive from their primary residence (the home in which I had visited). The property had been subjected to minimal clearing and modest development, while in their possession for several generations. It had been passed along to surviving heirs, with stipulations: No modernization of the two room cabin (still has an outside privy) and only selective undergrowth clearing, but no removal of living trees.

“The year following our big commotion over having an inside Christmas tree,” my friend continued, “my Father took us on a very, very cold early November day to the cabin property. We spent at least a couple of hours searching the area until we found a sapling we all agree would become the perfect The Family Christmas Tree. The Friday, following Thanksgiving, all three of us kids were given basic materials, including glitter and paints and directed to make our very own tree ornaments…and the next day, Saturday, we drove back to the property, hiked to our newly crowned Family Christmas Tree and decorated it. The tradition was formed….first came Thanksgiving dinner, then the decorations were put in place in our house, the following day, we would make our ornaments and then Saturday we would visit the Family Christmas Tree and decorate it for the holidays.

Over the years, each of us kids learned a lot about the care of and respect for bonsai trees from watching our Father. Needless to say, we jointly applied many of these trimming and care techniques to our Family Christmas Tree…although we were not encouraged to totally stunt or contain the growth of the tree. As you may have noticed from our annual Christmas card, the care and attention has produced a beautiful shape and since it is an Eastern Red Cedar, Juniperus Virginiana, it has a straight trunk and annually produces a huge supply of dark berries for the local bird population. We do some minor clearing a couple of times each year, but the tree sustains life and actually flourishes in the wild and on the rocky soil without our interventions using irrigation or artificial nourishment.

Now that we have children, we have introduced them to and carry on our tradition…hence the additional decorations. By the way, after our Father and Mother passed, we scattered their ashes around the base of the tree. Maybe or maybe not, but we think the Family Christmas Tree has grown stronger and looks better now that they have become a part of it.”

Fast Forward To This Year

And so….the card arrived in the mail a few days ago. The Family Christmas Tree looks beautiful….maybe a little taller and a little more robust….certainly better dressed with ornaments this year…probably because the grand children are more artistic than their parents and disconnected from their iPods long enough to carry on a tradition.

Maybe next year, I’ll join my friend’s family for Thanksgiving, try to make a homemade ornament on Friday and take a walk in the woods with them on Saturday!

Happy Holidays

Nashville

omegaet — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:50:14 GMT

....but not downtown

Disconnect in Julian - The Apple Capital.....

omegaet — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:51:46 GMT

...and stay at the New Artists' Loft

THE KEATING HOTEL

omegaet — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:42:41 GMT

.....What an experience THE KEATING offers in SAN DIEGO

Travels in Tuscany --- Start in Pisa!

obrienkf — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 02:03:26 GMT

Start your holiday in Pisa, arrive without the chaos of Rome or Milan, and see a part of Italy that is steeped in history.

Washington DC with the Pup

bonniejoy03 — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:27:51 GMT

Pup Friendly Getaway!

Lunch at the Mohonk Mountain House in the Shawgunk Mountains

lhbrown — Wed, 14 May 2008 00:34:50 GMT

Ahhh…the hidden wonder in the woods. It’s amazing how many people live in this area or go to school close by and have never been to the Mohonk Mountain House. This interesting resort, perched on a mountaintop, truly is a destination.

HUNDURAS…make that Honduras..

omegaet — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:19:56 GMT

……just returning from a few days in Honduras….

The Resort at Squaw Creek, an excellent base in the Sierra Nevada

disneygal — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:25:43 GMT

I was really looking for an auction package for a ski vacation, but spotted an a la carte offering for the Resort at Squaw Creek.

The Amazon

kyshel — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:35:19 GMT

Brazil’s Other Playground...

The River Club -- Riverside Dreaming in Victoria Falls

jashermd — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 20:37:50 GMT

One of the best things about The River Club is that once you stay there you’re always a member of the family