We wait down the hill in Boca de Tomatlan. It’s humid, but a fan blows gently on us, cooling me down … and my french fries. Icy cold Corona placed on the wooden table in front of me, I look off into the distance, squinting for signs of a little motor boat coming to whiskContinue reading “Eco Love at Majahuitas Resort”
Category Archives: Responsible Tourism Featured
The Best Gifts for Travelers
There are so many gifts for travelers on the market, and will soon be an onslaught of online gift guides for travelers. But, this guide is different.Welcome to the second edition of The Feel Good Gift Guide, which highlights some of the best gifts for travelers in your life. Why? Below, you will find only sustainableContinue reading “The Best Gifts for Travelers”
The Truth About Riding Elephants
I watch, happy tears swelling in my eyes, as the first of two rescued ex-trekking elephants walks off of the truck, backing out slowly and cautiously placing her hind legs, one-at-a-time, on the ground. It’s pitch black, save for a few flashlights and one camera light. Around us, cicadas, frogs and crickets all compete toContinue reading “The Truth About Riding Elephants”
Questions to ask about volunteer vacations
Editor’s Note: I recently contributed to a book about volunteer vacations and how to be responsible when choosing one. Details are at the end of this post. I remember when I first booked my volunteer “vacation” to Thailand. My friends thought I was nuts. “Who takes time off of work to go and work inContinue reading “Questions to ask about volunteer vacations”
Are tourists ruining Venice?
In front of me, a sea of people spans in all directions, even as the gray clouds above us threaten to burst. Deep in the heart of San Marco Square, and what I deem the heart of the touristic center of the main island which makes up the step-back-in-time Venice, the tourists are unavoidable. InContinue reading “Are tourists ruining Venice?”
Responsible tourism twitter chat: what you need to know
“Responsible tourism” isn’t just the latest catch phrase in the travel universe. These two words are slowly changing the way people travel. With more attention being placed on the environment, people and animals, a shift is beginning to be made towards a more responsible, more ethical way to see the world. Recently, both STA andContinue reading “Responsible tourism twitter chat: what you need to know”
Tourists behaving badly: how to be PC in Thailand
Tourists behaving badly. It happens everywhere. I’m sure you’ve seen it: drunken bar fights with locals over a bill. Tagging an historic landmark. Taking smiling group photos in places which are disrespectful (like Auschwitz). Living as an expat in Thailand, I am treated to this display of very non PC behavior/stuff to make Thais blushContinue reading “Tourists behaving badly: how to be PC in Thailand”
The “Get F*cked Up Lifestyle” of a traveler: more harm than good?
I’m no angel. Hell, I don’t even come close. I’ve done my fair share of partying all over the world. But, today I saw the new Matador book that was released “101 Places to Get F*cked Up Before You Die” and it made me think about the stereotypes of backpackers and travelers. I’ve written forContinue reading “The “Get F*cked Up Lifestyle” of a traveler: more harm than good?”
Up-close with elephants: a photo essay of life with a herd
//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js // <![CDATA[ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); // ]]> Thick, leathery gray legs covered with a layer of thick, wet, chocolate-colored dirt, surround me. At first, I am apprehensive. On all sides of me are six-ton elephants. Capable of plowing me over. I look over to Lek, the founder of Elephant Nature Park, withContinue reading “Up-close with elephants: a photo essay of life with a herd”
D Travels 'Round 