Image/text by Batbold Ragchaa, whl.travel local connection in Mongolia
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On the day this photo was taken in August 2007, our tour group was travelling from Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia, to Dadal County through the whole of Khentii Province via Bereeven Monastery, Rashaan Khad Stones and the town of Binder.
Posted under General, Mongolia, Photo of the Week, countries
This post was written by editor on November 29, 2009
By Ben Colclough, Director of Tourdust Ltd.
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There is a shift in Western societies that has its roots in travel. Social status has always traditionally been about flash badges of wealth, but nowadays, having a couple of wild and romantic stories up your sleeves from your travels is a far more impressive social differentiator.
Through AWOL (tour operator) and the Bicycling Empowerment Network, travellers can tour by bicycle through the Cape Town township of Masiphumelele in South Africa. Tours like this provide real jobs for people in the community. For example, bike mechanics repair the bicycles used and all guides are local.
Posted under General, opinion, responsible organisations, responsible travel, whl.travel newsletter
This post was written by editor on November 28, 2009
* MIRAR DEBAJO POR ESTE MENSAJE EN ESPAÑOL / SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN SPANISH
* LEIA LOGO ABAIXO ESTA NOTICIA EM PORTUGUÊS / SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN PORTUGUESE
After descending from the plains of El Alto to an elevation of 3,660 metres above sea level, intrepid travellers are treated to an unfolding view of the lovely city of La Paz. Situated in a canyon cut from the rocky South American backbone of the Andes Mountains by the Choqueyapu River, La Paz is home to nearly 1,200,000 people and is the administrative capital of the country.
Travellers bargain with a vendor in the famous Witches Market of La Paz, Bolivia. Quite a range of goods is available, including objects in honour of Pachamama, or Mother Earth.
Posted under Bolivia, General, countries, new local connections, whl.travel news
This post was written by editor on November 27, 2009
By Ethan Gelber
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Youngsters from the Mphaphati community of Swaziland are a regular feature at the starting and finishing points of the Swazi Trails rafting trips. The current crew of river guides remembers vividly the days when they play-acted on the company's rafts, just like these kids.
Since the 1990s, white-water rafting operators Swazi Trails, the whl.travel local connection in Swaziland, have voluntarily set aside a small amount of money for each person who joined one of their trips. Then, on 25 November 2009, in the spirit of responsible tourism, they contributed the latest amassed total of 80,880 South African rand (approximately US$11,000) to the impoverished rural riverbank community of Mphaphati located in central Swaziland. The Swazi Trails donation will finance the construction of houses for teachers who work at the Mphaphati Primary School.
“We have a very long relationship with this particular community,” explained Darron Raw, Managing Director of Swazi Trails, “as not only do we pass through this area on a daily basis with our rafting groups, but all of our river guides are drawn from families and homesteads within the Mphaphati area.”
Posted under General, Swaziland, countries, responsible organisations, responsible travel, whl.travel newsletter
This post was written by editor on November 26, 2009
Enigmatic, unspoiled and replete with smiling locals, Oman is an ideal destination for the intrepid traveller. Stretching across its perch at the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, the changing terrain of endless sand dunes, unique villages integrated into canyon walls and breathtaking beaches make Oman’s variety of attractions and distractions seem almost infinite. Even better, Oman’s network of new roads now allows access to pristine landscapes and some of Oman’s preserved treasures that were once relatively unreachable.
The construction of dhows, the same traditional trading vessels used in the area centuries ago, is a major industry in the city of Sur, a northeastern regional capital of Oman
Posted under General, Oman, countries, new local connections, whl.travel news
This post was written by editor on November 25, 2009
* MIRAR DEBAJO POR ESTE MENSAJE EN ESPAÑOL / SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN SPANISH
* LEIA LOGO ABAIXO ESTA NOTICIA EM PORTUGUÊS / SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN PORTUGUESE
The Chilotes of Chiloé, an archipelago located off the coast of southern Chile, are renowned for their elaborate folk tales and mystical stories inspired by the epic forests and ocean tides that surround them. Over the years this long-established mythology has blended with Catholic traditions to produce an unusual cultural fusion. A trip to Chiloé provides a friendly glimpse of the resultant unique customs against a backdrop of pure natural beauty.
After a rainy afternoon, the vivid colours in the sky blend to create a lovely sunset conclusion to a typical day in Chiloé, Chile
Posted under Chile, General, countries, new local connections, whl.travel news
This post was written by editor on November 24, 2009
By Iana Malikovskaya and Ethan Gelber
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Moldova doesn’t quite have the prominent profile of the big and magnificent European republics. However, despite its more modest stature and reputation, it is well known for its calm, nature, hospitability and the preserved ancient traditions kept in nearly every home.
Moldova's Old Orhei is dominated by impressive limestone promontories chiselled into place by a sweeping S-curve of the Răut River
Posted under General, Moldova, countries, local tips, whl.travel newsletter
This post was written by editor on November 23, 2009
Image/text by Pedro Paulo Godoy Capelossi, whl.travel local connection in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
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These eagle spotted rays were seen at Laje Dois Irmãos, a dive site off Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, famous for reef sharks encounters. Coming across rays like those pictured here is also very common.
Posted under Brazil, General, Photo of the Week, countries
This post was written by editor on November 22, 2009
* MIRAR DEBAJO POR ESTE MENSAJE EN ESPAÑOL / SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN SPANISH
* LEIA LOGO ABAIXO ESTA NOTICIA EM PORTUGUÊS / SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN PORTUGUESE
Situated 156 kilometres off Venezuela’s central coast, the Los Roques Archipelago is a true Caribbean paradise, one with all the hallmarks of a Fantasy Island experience. Alongside bright white sands, translucent waters sparkle in shades from deep green to brilliant blue as they glide over marine plant life and through lush mangrove swamps.
Los Roques is a far-reaching archipelago located 11 degrees north of the equator. The majority of its keys - like the pictured atoll - are easily accessible to tourists who venture to a pier and request a boat ride from a local. The boat men are not only knowledgeable about the area, they can also handle the permit logistics.
Posted under General, Venezuela, countries, new local connections, whl.travel news
This post was written by editor on November 20, 2009
By Ethan Gelber
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LEIA LOGO ABAIXO ESTA NOTICIA EM PORTUGUÊS / SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN PORTUGUESE
Some things make no sense at all, especially when it comes to politics and the environment. Far too often, years of careful consultative and democratic negotiation in favour of cultural and environmental conservation can be – and are too often – undone by the surreptitious and unilateral actions of a (perhaps) ill-informed and (sometimes) self-serving few.
Such appears to be the case today along the Emerald Coast of Brazil and adjacent islands (especially Ilha Grande), where a June 2009 decree signed by the governor of the state of Rio de Janeiro has relaxed 23-year-old environmental protections and now threatens the ecological sustainability of the entire area.
Ilha Grande recently received the title of the 'Second Wonder of the State of Rio de Janeiro' and has routinely been recognized as one of the world's most beautiful tourist destinations. Its beaches are certainly amongst the best in Brazil.
Fortunately, the sly changes in policy have not gone unnoticed. “Here in Brazil, we have many people and organizations mobilized to repeal that decree,” said Nélio Ricardo Aguiar, the whl.travel local connection in Ilha Grande.
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While the vocal opposition is building, so is support for their cause via an online petition calling for immediate revocation of the decree.
Posted under Brazil, General, countries, responsible travel, responsible travel news, whl.travel news
This post was written by editor on November 17, 2009