Responsible Travel

http://adventurezinmexico.blogspot.com/2010/08/responsible-travel.html
I posted this way back in August but it doesn't hurt to remind everyone, as this is the time of year everyone is making travel plans.

Responsible Travel
Many of these Tips came from Lonely Planet Suggestions and I added to them.

Go Overland - Ride Buses or local transportation whenever possible, opposed to planes. Buses in Mexico are Excellent. Their service is much better than Canadian Greyhound. Their ticketing service is excellent and Greyhound would do well to adapt it. Also their security. I love taking the buses in Mexico.

Give Right - I always made an attempt to buy from small stores and spread the wealth around. Lonely Planet recommends you donate to schools, and clinics and avoid giving hand-outs to children in order not to encourage begging. We used to give the children pretty photos.

Buy Local-Eat in Local Restaurants, buy from local small stores.

Use cold showers - avoid hot showers that use wood heat.

Pick up your litter, and if you pack it in, pack it out!

Be Respectful! Especially of local traditions and customs.
Use appropriate attire when visiting churches and local villages

Ask Questions! Learn the customs and ask how not to make mistakes
the other tourists do.

Other Recommended Website Links are:

http://www.eco-indextourism.org/

http://www.ecotourism.org/

http://www.planet.org/

http://www.tourismconcern.org.uk/

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/

Aerial View of Suites Costa Dorada in Bucerias from Google Maps

Sorry, I had a map here but it was really slowing down my blog. Just Google Bucerias and click map. :)

Suites Costa Dorada has a Special Place in my heart, they have been so good to us. I have visited there a number of times in the last 20 years and we are always well recieved.

Bucerias is a really cute town, even though it has really changed over the years. Marks Bar & Grill is really famous and I remember it when it was just a house and Mark came to fix it up and work on it each year.


I think Bucerias has something for everyone, you may have to hunt but I think it's possible. We found a lovely little place to stay that was affordable. Of course it's very expensive compared to the $12 a night room with a kitchen I rented in the 90's but if you rent long term you can get a good deal.

I recommend Bucerias if you have never been to Mexico and want to get a feel for things.

Aerial View of Palenque from Google Maps

Sorry I had a map here but it was really slowing down my blog. Just google Palenque and click Map. :)

This is an aerial view of the town of Palenque, I could not find the ruins on the map. I really liked the town, we didn't stay there, we stayed out by the ruins, when we went to town to book our tour for Agua Azul and for banking and a little shopping, I really enjoyed this town. It's hot though, humid, but lovely. IT'S SO GREEN!!

Aerial View of the Zocalo and Cathedral in Oaxaca City from Google Maps

Sorry I had a map here but it's really slowing down my blog. Just go to Google, Type Zocalo and Cathedral in Oaxaca City and click maps

Aerial View of the Zocalo and Cathedral in Oaxaca City from Google Maps

Google Map of Santa Domingo in Oaxaca City Mexico

View Larger Map

Aerial View of Santa Domingo in Oaxaca City from Google Maps - Love this! it's so cool!!

Google Map of Zipolite Oaxaca Mexico

View Larger Map
Aerial View of Zipolite in Oaxaca Mexico from Google Maps!

Haiti- Our S.O.I.L

http://www.oursoil.org/

On the Ground: On the Ground with Nicholas D. Kristof - American


Here are what some people are doing to help the dire situation in Haiti. We met Corinne in Zipolite and she is on her way to Haiti! Best of Luck to her and everyone who is trying to help.

Life is an Adventure!

Can't sleep and was checking my facebook when I came across this link for this video.



Curious I looked for more videos and there are tons of them by different people, the music is by Karunesh. Here's what it says on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karunesh



Karunesh (Hindi: करूनेश, "God of compassion"; born Bruno Reuter in 1956)[1][2] is a German-born New Age and ambient musician. His music has strong Asian and Indian influences prevalent throughout, with liberal use of Indian instruments, such as the sitar. Having sold 450,000 albums, Karunesh is one of the best-known New Age artists.[2]

Karunesh was born in Cologne, Germany in 1956.[2] Although he had been drawn to music as a child and played in bands as a teenager, he chose to study graphic design as a career. However, after attaining his degree, Karunesh was involved in a serious motorcycle accident. His brush with death prompted him to choose music as a career instead of graphic design. He rethought his life and embarked on a spiritual journey of sorts, traveling in 1979 to India, where he met Osho in his ashram in Pune. He became initiated and took on a new spiritual name, Karunesh, a Sanskrit name meaning "master of compassion".

Back in Germany, Karunesh lived in the Rajneesh commune of Hamburg for five years. Here he could develop his musical creativity in a spiritual surrounding. He came in contact with many musicians from all over the world and developed an ability to weave different styles and feelings from different cultures together in a living symbiosis, creating a music that is both spiritual and danceable.

In 1987, Karunesh released his first album, entitled Sounds of the Heart, which is regarded as a classic of New Age music.[2] Sounds of the Heart was followed by Colors Of Light the following year and by Sky's Beyond the year after that. As of 2006 Karunesh has released 17 albums.

Karunesh has lived in Maui, in the U.S. state of Hawaii, since 1992.

Life is adventure, what an amazing turn this guys life took.

I would like to visit Maui!! I dream about visiting India too! It's on my list of To Do Things. Part of my resolutions. I never do resolutions but for some reason feel compelled to compile something.

Ten Resolutions for 2011

1 Listen more!

2 Practice Calmness

3 Review my Artistic focus

4 Keep projecting positively and wildly for everything I desire.

5 Be grateful and give "Thanks" for EVERYTHING!

6 Sleep more

7 Eat more and better, Juice Lots! More nuts and fruit!

8 Learn & Practice Yoga

9 Dance & Learn Drumming (my hands could never do this but I can dream!)

10 Focus on my Art 

That's a start for this year... 

So You Want To Travel...Consider these things.

Here is my New Year's Gift to you, I am posting my travel info links so you can easily grab it. I hope it really helps you and the environment and culture of places you travel. May you be blessed with wonderful enlightening experience and you travel with a green touch! Blessing to All! 
http://adventurezinmexico.blogspot.com/2010/09/things-to-consider-when-travelling-long.html
http://adventurezinmexico.blogspot.com/2010/09/children-get-natural-education.html
http://adventurezinmexico.blogspot.com/2010/09/eating-well-and-sticking-to-budget.html
http://adventurezinmexico.blogspot.com/2010/09/homeschooling-home-education.html
http://adventurezinmexico.blogspot.com/2010/09/think-green-or-good-bye-paradise.html
http://adventurezinmexico.blogspot.com/2010/09/lets-learn-about-chocolate.html
http://adventurezinmexico.blogspot.com/2010/09/making-tamales.html
http://adventurezinmexico.blogspot.com/2010/09/tinas-travel-tips.html

New Years Resolutions

Well normally I don't make New Years Resolutions, but this year I have the urge. Downsize, Organize, Re-invent, Popularize,  these words all come to mind of things I want to work on this year.

We moved and have put down roots and now I feel the need to really start fresh. We will see. Today is a beautiful day here in Vancouver, but I miss Mexico. I will miss the Karma Cleansing in Zipolite at Shambhala tonight, and that's sad.

We had the most wonderful times there the last two years. I really have no desire to do anything this year. With so much going on before and over the holidays, I feel the need for calm.

So we will just breathe deep and make wishes and say a little prayer for all our loved ones to stay safe and that we all enjoy a beautiful 2011. May we blessed with peace and prosperity and love and may the opportunity to travel and learn present itself again when we are ready, willing and able.

Most of all, that this time I can share in way that really can reach out and enlighten the masses. I haven't figured that one out yet, so I hope that this New Year Resolution materializes, and soon.


Happy New Year's Everyone!!

The Twitchhiker

http://twitchhiker.com/
Found this guy on twitter today. This is super cool, he's in Spain right now. I haven't read enough to see exactly how he's doing it, guess I have to buy the book


Twitchhiker@twitchhiker Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
In March 2009, I travelled around the world, relying on the goodwill of Twitter. Personal account at @paul_a_smith, book now available on Amazon.
http://twitchhiker.com/

Happy New's Year Everyone!! 

KARMA CLEANSING- SHAMBHALA- 2008

This is a re-post of the 2008 Shambhala Karma Cleansing Ceremony-Dec 31/2008

All the people in white with there floral crowns,at the New Years celebration in Zipolite at Shambhala. Gloria puts on the most beautiful celebration. I am so thankful for being able to experience it. Gracias Gloria. Muchos Besos!

Cooney World Adventure

http://cooneyworldadventure.com

Here's another cool travel adventure site. What a wonderful gift to give their children. Read about their adventures and check out their videos as they travel thru Mexico, Guatemala and around the world.

Feeding the Iguana Blue Flowers in Zipolite

I just LOVE this photo. Angel was feeding the Iguana (wild but protected-while on Shambhala land)blue flowers. It was just a fluke, as I remember once I had fed a little white flower to a small lizard on Ohm Beach. So I told Angel, grab a blue flower and it worked. Turned out the iguana was pregnant and she didn't want to leave her nest under the walk. So it worked out great. A wonderful magical experience!

Merry Christmas Zipolite & Gracias Charlotte

Charlotte & John were Santa's helpers the 2 winters we spent in Zipolite. Charlotte is a MASTER AT TYE DYE!! She made these two awesome shirts. THANKS SO MUCH CHARLOTTE! They are beautiful. Muchas Gracias to you both.

Projections for the New Year!!

Well, who would have thought that they would chose Fabio to win Survivor!

I'll tell you though, that scene when he's hopping around with the thorn in his foot, I related to that...I have been there. When you in a strange environment all sorts of crazy things happen. I'm so happy he won. He seems like such an earthy wholesome dude...he's totally fit in in Zipolite.

My plan was for us to visit Central America this year, Honduras was definitely on the list, but it hasn't come together. Obviously the Universe has something else in mind for us.

So while a tad sad, and missing friends, family and gorgeous beach and sunsets, I must dream and PROJECT FORWARD!! Something is coming, great and positive things are around the corner, and we must go with the flow and keep projecting, because we've been thru the lows and the highs are about to flow. My life is a rollercoaster...it can be darn scary, but it's filled with miracles.

Going to Zipolite and living there for 5 months, 2 years in a row, NOW THAT'S A MIRACLE!
If you knew how little we survived on and If you knew all the wonderous things that happened to us...THAT'S A MIRACLE! THOSE WERE MIRACLES!

While I'm sad our plans for this year didn't pan out, I can only believe that God and the Universe have a greater plan for us and we just have to wait and see what it is. We learned so much, and I know while Angel may not remember alot of it, that she was impacted deeply by so much, by the environment, the people, the love, the beauty, we had really wonderful special incredible life changing experiences, and so we give thanks for those. I hope that you can experience similar experiences. I pray that your lives can be enriched the way ours were.

Blessing to you all, Blessing to all of us, that we are blessed with Miracles and can run and play and be free, the way you can in Zipolite. Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad. Muchos Besos, Paz y Amor Amigos.

We will see you again...soon I hope and Pray and Project!!

Shine!! And NEVER take Anything for Granted!!

I miss Zipolite So Much!! When you live there for 5 months, you take the beauty for granted, and when you are so blessed and fortunate to return a 2nd year in a row...oh, for shame, I took this wonderful miracle for granted.

I appreciated but it's true, while it was a struggle, somehow I really feel I did not appreciate this miracle as much as I SHOULD HAVE!! I really miss you Zipolite.

I pray we will return soon. For all of you there, ENJOY!! Every blessed minute, it really is such a magical place...especially the Meditation Point, as all the wonderful little experiences...and fabulous people.
Take care, Paz y Amor, Angel y Tina :)

Missing Zipolite y Amigos!!

Sitting here watching Vancouver's winter sunset...and Missing Zipolite So Much! And Margarita y Chico, Charlotte, John, Gloria, Thelma, Sergio, Kelly, Oscar, and all our amigos. Beso y Abrazos and wishing you the best in the New Year!!

Christmas in Zipolite!!

Rosarios y Pinatas en Zipolite

rosarios y pinatas


Join us as we share a traditional experience with our friends and family in Mexico.