Barra de Potosí is a small coastal village at the mouth of a lagoon, part of a complex and interdependent system of lagoons, which runs along the coast of the Municipio de Petatlan. The lagoon network regulates the lives of both human and animal lives and has a balanced ecosystem that has kept its people gainfully employed and its environment protected.

Barra de Potosí beach. Photo courtesy of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

A Mega-Development Threat

The people of Barra de Potosí are now confronted by a development project that they believe will destroy the existing ecosystem, in spite of Mexican laws protecting the environment and in contradiction with industry trends that seem to point toward interests in sustainability and ecotourism.

Fonatur, a branch of the Ministry of Tourism, and its subsidiary Fonatur Operadora SA de CV are planning a mega project in the area of Petatlan that includes Barra de Potosí. The proposed development would include construction of a cruise ship pier in the bay, as well as the expansion of an existing installation in the bay of Zihuatanejo. The official document published in the Gazetta Official refers to a concession in the bay of Potosí covering 1,500 hectares and an almost 8,000-square-meter pier. Indicating the intention to go ahead with these plans, developers a few miles south of Barra de Potosí have recently built a road that will block the natural flow of water from one of the rivers that feeds the lagoon.

Residents of Barra de Potosí and neighboring communities have tried to obtain detailed information about this development project, but have only received evasive answers. The people have stood up in protest, for example in Zihuatanejo and Petatlan, to convince civil servants as well as representatives of Fonatur and its subsidiaries that this project goes against all national environmental laws. It would also annihilate the unique biodiversity of this region in a just few years, while depriving the population of its traditional means of existence.

Local fisherman hard at work near the mangroves. Photo courtesy of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

An Irreplaceable Ecosystem

The Potosí lagoon and those interconnected with it, together with long stretches of adjoining beaches, are home to over 200 species of birds, endangered butterflies, rare mammals and reptiles, nesting sea turtles, coral reefs, breeding whales and many species of threatened plants.

Preliminary studies by biologists from the Independent University Metropolitan (UAM) indicate that within the ecosystems of Barra de Potosí there are hundreds of species of flora and fauna, of which 46 are endangered or at risk according to the official Mexican regulation NOM-059. For example of the seven surviving species of sea turtles in the world, the leatherback, olive ridley and hawksbill all nest on the beaches of Barra. The Laguna de Potosí contains 450 hectares of mangrove swamps and three threatened species of manglar: botoncillo, black, red and white listed in NOM-059.

Other species threatened by extinction are the rare Tamandua anteater, the puma jaguarundi, the jaguar or Panthera onca, Mexican white tail deer, boa constrictor, iguana and American crocodile. Over two hundred species of birds – including 22 on the NOM-059 list – have been sighted by UAM scientists including roseate spoonbills, painted buntings, trogans, white and brown pelicans and woodstorks. The nearby islands of Los Moros are rookeries for brown boobies, tropicbirds and magnificent frigates, to name a few. The waters off the beach form part of the migration route for humpback whales, bottlenose and tropical dolphins, among other endangered species.

Over 200 species of birds have been sighted here in the pristine Potosí lagoon, and in the surrounding ecosystem. Photo courtesy of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

Barra de Potosí’s Youth: Ideas to Sustain the Community

Some of the local youth, well-educated sons and grandsons of fishermen have been working on developing an economic plan that would help preserve their way of life along with the precious natural environment. These future leaders of the community have been working on an ecotourism project alongside academics from various national universities. They believe very strongly that this project is not only an economically and environmentally sound venture, but also acts as a line of defense against predatory mega-tourism enterprises which often ally with short-sighted government agencies.

The youth’s efforts in this grassroots ecotourism project are strongly supported by the great majority of the population, which has seen the unfortunate results of devastating mega-tourism projects in Huatulco, Cancun, nearby Ixtapa and elsewhere in Mexico. A defense fund has been created and an environmental lawyer has been hired to help on the legal front, while an informational campaign has been launched with the aim of enlisting help from the general public as well as from international organizations.

A young protester at a public march. Photo courtesy of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

How You Can Help

This fight against a huge government institution out of touch with its own public policies is proving to be a difficult one, and the people of Barra de Potosí can use all the help they can get. Consider offering your support of this community by participating in one of these easy ways:

1. Send an email to Mexican decisionmakers. See here for a sample template and instructions for how to address your letter.
2. Spread the word on Facebook. Join the Barra de Potosí “Causes” page.
3. Post a message of support on the Save Barra de Potosí guestbook page here.
4. Use your voice! Tell popular cruise lines that you don’t want them in Barra de Potosí, and let them know that Barra residents have international support. See more information here on how and where to send an email or letter to cruise lines.
5. Inform yourself and others about this important issue.
6. Spread the word! Share this link with your friends and colleagues!

Let the decisionmakers know that the small town of Barra de Potosí is not alone in its fight against over development, destruction of an irreplaceable ecosystem and disregard of an entire community.

From Curitiba's Telecom/Ol Tower, there is an unbeatable 360-degree panoramic view. There is also a telephone museum in the lower levels that attracts numerous visitors to this part of Brazil. Photo courtesy of Marcela Guimarães Pesso from Flickr/whltravel

Despite its size, Curitiba is considered by some people to be an ‘unknown’ destination, especially when compared to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and other cities in Northeast Brazil. What most travellers do not even imagine is the exuberant flora and fauna found in the city and its surrounding areas, especially the wonderful islands on Paraná’s coastline.

Curitiba is located in an ‘ombrophilous mixed forest’ area also known as Araucaria moist forest, a sub-type of the Mata Atlântica or Atlantic Forest. The city is therefore fittingly famous for its green areas, like the Botanical Gardens and three greenhouses used for the annual production of native and exotic tree species, fruit plants and flower seedlings. Elsewhere there are thick populations of purple and yellow ipês (tabebuia) and Paraná or Brazilian pine (Araucaria angustifolia).

Biodiversity by Rail

To reach Paraná’s coast from Curitiba, you can go by car or take one of the most exciting train tours in the world across the Serra do Mar, one of the best-preserved Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest areas.

The incredible ecosystems of between Curitiba and Parana's Coast glide by during the train trip across the Serra do Mar, one of Brazil's best preserved Atlantic Rainforest areas. Photo courtesy of Carlos Renato Fernandes

Along the 110 kilometres of rail, the train traverses 14 tunnels, 30 bridges, and several mountains and viaducts. One highlight is the Viaduto do Carvalho, a segment of rail suspended on five masonry pillars above a hillside of rock; you almost feel like you are flying. Another unforgettable sight is a 70-metre waterfall called Véu da Noiva, which means ‘bride’s veil.’

Once you arrive in Morretes or Paranaguá, two historical and colonial towns located on the Paraná coast, you aren’t far from amazing landscapes, rich animal and vegetation biodiversity, spectacular bends, canyons, gorges, waterfalls and a lot more. You will also find the piers mooring boats to Superagui National Park and Ilha do Mel State Park and Ecological Station. Both are gorgeous islands offering up-close contact with the environment of the region, each of them with its own characteristics and peculiarities.

Ilha do Mel State Park and Ecological Station

Ilha do Mel is carpeted by the Atlantic Forest and home to two conservation units devoted to preserving the natural environment of the island. The Ecological Station covers approximately 95% of the island, focusing on scientific research and environmental educational. In addition to similar pursuits, the Ilha do Mel State Park is also open to the public for leisure and tourism.

The Praia de Fora beach catches late afternoon light on the Ilha do Mel, a favourite island and state park on Paraná's Coast of Brazil. There is a strong focus on environmental preservation and education, as well as scientific research, but also public visitation, leisure and tourism. Photo courtesy of Guilherme Mendes Thomaz

The island is a perfect destination for hikers, bikers, surfers, nature lovers and anyone who just wants to relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Beautiful beaches, rich flora and fauna, mangroves, lagoons, swamps and other interesting attractions such as the Fortress Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres, the Lighthouse Farol das Conchas and Encantadas’s Grotto have turned the paradisiacal isle into one of the most visited places in Southern Brazil.

Superagui National Park

In 1989, environmental activism resulted in the creation of Superagui National Park, 21,400 protected hectares that are considered by the UN as one of the most important coastal ecosystems in the world. The park was also been declared by UNESCO a Biosphere Reserve in 1991 and a World Heritage Site in 1999.

Superagui National Park includes Ilha do Superagui and other small islands on Paraná’s coast such as Ilha das Peças, Ilha de Pinheiro, Ilha do Pinheirinho and some contiguous continental areas like the Rio dos Patos and Canal do Varadouro. Bays, beaches, mangroves and abundant Atlantic Forest compose the Superagui National Park ecosystem.

The lush vegetation of Brazil's Parana Coast, seen here at Superagui National Park, is why the area is considered by the UN as one of the most important coastal ecosystems in the world

The park is the natural habitat of a multitude of animal and plant species, some of them rare or endangered, such as the red-tailed Amazon (Amazona brasiliensis), the broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris), the cougar (Felis concolor), the brown howler monkey (Alouatta fusca) and the Superagui lion tamarin (Leontopithecus caissara). This last one is a monkey species only been found on Superagui Island. Agoutis, deers, wild pigs, toucans, marine birds, jararaca and coral venomous snakes, among other animals, can also be found in the region.

On Ilha do Pinheiro, the roosting habits of the red-tailed Amazons are a strong draw. These endemic birds leave their nests in the morning to fly to the larger islands and then on to the continent, where they spend long daytime hours. They then flock by the hundreds back to the island at the end of the day, a natural spectacle not to be missed.

Another appealing animal is seen on the way to the park are dolphins. Wherever you end up, you are close enough to Baía dos Golfinhos (Dolphins Bay) at Ilha das Peças that you could see many groups of them. A dolphin-watching jaunt on Dolphins Bay is certainly a must-do when you go to Ilha do Mel State Park or Superagui National Park.

Along Paraná's Coast of Brazil, the endangered endemic red-tailed Amazon, or papagaio de cara roxa, perform their spectacular daily migration from Praia Deserta beach to the mainland and back. Photo courtesy of Guilherme Mendes Thomaz

There are also human settlements in the area, like the small fishermen communities on Ilha das Peças and Ilha do Superagui, where they run other businesses, such as pousadas and guesthouses, camping grounds, bars and restaurants. These locals live a life in sync with nature; unlike their counterparts on Ilha do Mel, Superagui locals also have less access to new technologies, which means that traditional costumes and dances, like the fandango (Paraná Coast’s popular dance), are preserved for future generations. Public access to the park is restricted, so you can only visit the communities, the beaches and their immediate surroundings.

The greatest land attraction of Superagui National Park is Praia Deserta, a 38-kilometre-long desert beach that can only be appreciated on foot (a four- to seven-hour hike) or by bicycle (rentals are available in the park).

For more about the wild nature, rich fauna and flora of Brazil’s Paraná Coast, contact Special Paraná, your whl.travel local connection in Curitiba and Paraná’s Coast, also an expert on the area’s accommodation, tours, activities and loads of local hints.

Creole Capers

The island nation of Cape Verde is situated 450 kilometres off Africa’s west coast. A former Portuguese colony, the archipelago has a multitude of ethnic and cultural influences from Brazil, Senegal and Portugal. Think fabulous food, dancing and irrepressible salsa rhythms!

Tarrafal Beach is the largest and most impressive stretch of sand on the island of Santiago, Cape Verde. The fishing village of Tarrafal is the site of an colonial Portuguese political prison.

Comprising a string of volcanic islands ringed by white sand and turquoise sea, the country serious rivals the Caribbean as an autumn and winter sun destination, but for the time being remains pleasantly unspoiled and crowd-free. Its excellent year-round climate and almost constant sunshine mean sun worshippers have plenty to be thankful for and water-sports enthusiasts will not be disappointed either.

Choosing the best beach is a tall order, but the endless stretches of white sand around the main town, Santa Maria, on the island of Sal are hard to fault, as is the vast Curralinho beach on the island of Boa Vista. Boa Vista is also a fabulous spot for snorkelling and sailing, whilst São Vicente island offers the best windsurfing. The cooling breezes off the island of Sal make for great surfing and the whole archipelago offers top-notch diving, with abundant sea life including turtles and plenty of caves, rocks and wrecks awaiting exploration.

Oman’s 1001 Arabian Beaches

One of the more unspoilt and under-frequented destinations in the Middle East, the Sultanate of Oman, boasts a 1700-kilometre coastline with some of the finest (and emptiest) beaches and cleanest waters in the Gulf, if not the world. Unbearably hot during the summer months, Oman is the perfect place to visit in autumn; October is a very pleasant 25 degrees Celsius with plenty of sunshine.

Oman is a haven for five species of rare turtle, four of which nest here. Tours to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat are extremely popular with visitors. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia/M@t

The capital, Muscat, has some great sun spots, including Qurum Beach, a favourite with picnickers and day trippers thanks to its shady palms, as well as the more secluded Bandar Al-Jissah, a bay that provides the perfect city getaway sheltered by cliffs and hidden from onlookers.

If you’re looking really to get away from it, 4×4 car hire opens the way for a two-hour drive over the dunes from Muscat to Sifah Beach, voted one of the world’s best beaches by the Guardian newspaper’s readers. Getting there is half the fun apparently, but being there isn’t so bad either. For your own private tropical paradise, fishing boats from there are available to whisk you away to one of many little coves off the main strand.

As you would expect, water sports are available up and down the coast with excellent diving, snorkelling, fishing, sailing and kayaking on offer, as well as dolphin-watching trips.

Panama’s Caribbean Coast

Situated on Panama‘s Atlantic coast, the province of Bocas del Toro – actually an archipelago of seven large islands and hundreds of smaller ones – enjoys a brief dry season during the months of September and October, which means not only is there welcome respite from the frequent rain, but the water is at its clearest. Year-round tropical temperatures and calm azure seas mean boat trips, deep-sea fishing, kayaking and snorkelling in the area are pretty spectacular.

Although off the mainstream tourist radar, the islands of Bocas del Toro in Panama have been popular with backpackers, hippies, divers and surfers for some years now. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia/Carlos Adampol Galindo

The archipelago is surrounded by coral reefs (home to a dazzling display of sponges and fish), caves and wrecks that make it one of the top dive sites in Central America. Above the water, light ocean breezes help keep the temperature down and make Bocas del Toro a popular spot with surfers picking between easy beach breaks and challenging tubes over the reefs. Travellers on a budget will be pleased to note that water sports can be organised in Bocas at a fraction of the price in neighbouring Costa Rica and Honduras.

If lazing around in a hammock is more your scene, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better place to do absolutely nothing. With its palm-fringed, white-sand beaches set against a backdrop of lush rainforest, Bocas is the epitome of a paradise on earth. The best beaches include Red Frog Beach on Isla Bastimentos, named after the poison-dart frogs who make it their home, and Cayos Zapatillas, a long stretch of ivory sand in a protected marine park with some of the best snorkelling in town.

Philippine Dream

Regularly lauded as one of the best beach destinations in the world, the Philippine island of Borocay, located about 200 kilometres south of Manila is small but perfectly formed. Its two main beaches – White Beach and Bulabog Beach – sit opposite each other, with White Beach catering more to the party crowd with its bars, clubs and restaurants, and Bulabog offering the best wind- and kite-surfing in town.

Fire dancing is a big hit on Boracay's beaches. The beachfront Bamboo Lounge bar and restaurant is a great place to check out this mesmerising entertainment. Photo courtesy of Flickr/www.boracay.travel

There are other smaller beaches and coves too that offer more seclusion and privacy, such as Balinghai Beach, which is enclosed by high rocks and whose nearby coral garden makes it a perfect spot for snorkelling. Another quiet beach is Cagban, which means ‘cave’ or ‘chest.’ Legend has it that there are still treasure chests secreted in the sand and surrounding caves.

In addition to some world-renowned diving, Boracay is the place for sailing in a paraw, a double-winged boat ideal for groups of two to six people. They can be rented with or without crew, depending on your sailing skills.

September is considered off-season, which means there is plenty of cheap accommodation and lots of elbowroom on the beach – welcome relief after the hectic summer months. The weather is at its best during October and November, when the temperature drops a little and makes the prospect of lazing around on the beach all the more enticing.

on February 22nd, many questions have again been raised about the exploitation of whales and dolphins as entertainment. SeaWorld, owned by Blackstone, is a profitable business that fills its stadiums day after day with thousands of viewers eager to watch animals do circus tricks. The animals live and perform in pools the conditions of which have been likened to a human spending the rest of his or her life in a bathtub.

The spinner dolphin is common to the waters of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, and most famous for its acrobatic displays. Some have been seen completing 14 spinning jumps one after another.

And where do these animals come from? Tilikum, the orca responsible for the death of Brancheau, was taken from the wild off the coast of Iceland to live out the rest of his life in captivity. And as revealed in Louie Psihoyos’ heart-wrenching Oscar-nominated documentary, The Cove, many dolphins are also removed from their families in the wild – separating mother and calf – and then distributed to marine parks throughout the world. What happens to those who don’t get picked for marine-park training is yet another story altogether.

A Better Alternative

Many people argue that the current awareness and love for orcas and dolphins wouldn’t exist without parks like SeaWorld. Do I agree? Yes. But do I think there are better alternatives? Most decisively.

The most obvious problem with SeaWorld and other voyeuristic venues is that cash seems to come before conservation. Tilikum fathered 17 calves; those that survived were not set free, but kept in confinement. It is certainly true that the wild is not what it used to be; there are many more threats to wildlife survival. But is it in Ringling Bros. cages that we propose to preserve the future of the animals of this planet?

No. There are better options and better places to put your dollar. Brazil has led the way in promoting marine conservation by creating coastal sanctuaries that allow these animals to return to the wild, where they can swim up to 100 miles a day, as intended. Supporting local efforts like this result in conservation and awareness that create win-win situations for whales, dolphins and other sea animals, and those who admire them.

The grey wolf can now live protected from hunters in Estonia's Soomaa National Park (photo by Jarek Joepara)

Of course careful conservation efforts aren’t limited to targeting marine life. For land animals, numerous sanctuaries have been developed that offer a better alternative to stressful and limited life in a zoo. Addo National Park of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, is refuge to massive herds of elephants that can live peacefully in a protected environment. In Sandakan of Malaysian Borneo, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre saves orphaned orangutans and eventually releases them back into the open forest reserve, where they can roam safely free. Soomaa National Park of Estonia is a protected area where wolves, bears, lynx and beavers can live without fearing the crosshairs of hunters.

These are just a few examples of the efforts taken around the world to protect local wildlife. With so many better alternatives, why not support endeavours that primarily promote conservation and education, rather than shameless profit at the expense of animals?

Animals can’t speak for themselves. We must speak for them. Use your dollar positively. Think before you spend.

Giving It a Spin

The spinner dolphin is a tropical oceanic dolphin that lives in groups numbering three to more than two thousand individuals. Of the 37 different dolphin species, it is the third most abundant in the world and is named for its tendency to shoot out of the water and complete as many as seven rotations whilst airborne.

The dolphins usually surface during boat rides, showing off their acrobatics skills as they leap out of the water and putting on a real show. The stunts they perform are more than simply fun; they’re an important form of signalling, drawing the attention of the boat, which, in turn, protects the rest of the pod from potential predators. The communication system consists of different types of jumps and beats made with the body on the surface of the water, producing turbulence when the dolphin completes its dive.

The daily routine for the spinner dolphins in Fernando de Noronha involves feeding, primarily during the night, followed by a morning relocating to the appropriately named Dolphins Bay. They arrive in the bay at sunrise and depart for various feeding areas in the afternoon.

Seeing and Understanding through the Spinner Dolphin Project

Dolphins Bay (Baia dos Golfinhos), located off Sancho Beach, is a top destination for dolphin spotters. The bay’s waters are the calmest and deepest in the entire archipelago, ranging from 0 to 25 metres but averaging about 15 meters in the centre. The floor of the bay is composed predominantly of volcanic sands with scattered rocks and can be accessed by a single trail that offers a good vantage point from which to observe the activities of the spinner dolphins. One ideal point from which to observe Dolphins Bay is Dolphin Lookout, set 55 metres above sea level. It can be reached via a one-kilometre-long walking trail that begins in a parking lot at Sancho Bay.

Sancho Bay, on Fernando de Noronha, has what many consider to be one of the county's 10 best beaches

Early in the morning is the best time to visit. Between 5:30am and 8am the dolphins can be seen entering the bay, sometimes engaging in communication activity. Monday through Saturday, from 5:30am until one hour after the last dolphin leaves the bay, researchers from the Spinner Dolphin Project (Projeto Golfinho Rotador) are on hand to help visitors understand the dolphins’ behaviours. They explain the importance of Dolphins Bay by answering questions, giving information and providing binoculars for a closer look (usually available from 7am).

The Spinner Dolphin Project was established in 1990 and strives to develop environmental awareness in the local population, train local teenagers to work in ecotourism, promote research of the natural history and behaviour of dolphins in Fernando de Noronha, study the interaction of the dolphins with nautical tourism, propose standards for the preservation of spinner dolphins and propose and implement actions aimed at conserving the area in general.

It is a wide-reaching partnership that includes the Aquatic Mammal Centre, which is a specialised centre for the study of marine fauna, the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation and the Brazil’s Ministry of the Environment. The centre is a non-governmental environmental organisation of Fernando de Noronha and is sponsored by the Petrobras oil company.

The spinner dolphin is common to the waters of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, and most famous for its acrobatic displays. Some have been seen completing 14 spinning jumps one after another.

Local Tourism Involvement

Trip Noronha, my locally based tour company, interacts often with the Spinner Dolphins Project. We make every effort to promote their admirable initiatives whenever we can. My experience as a dive instructor has been utilised by the programme on several occasions to help maintain buoys in Dolphins Bay. As Fernando de Noronha is well known as a diver’s paradise and many of our tours use dive sites near Dolphins Bay, visitors need to know the correct way to behave underwater near dolphins. Our tour guides are therefore responsible for educating guests about these beautiful animals, not only for the sake of safety but also to increase awareness of the dolphins and the issues they face.

We are thrilled to have the resources of the Spinner Dolphin Project in Fernando de Noronha dedicated to actively spreading knowledge about the correct way to coexist with this amazing species. In the future, I hope to see more organisations such as this one becoming active the length of the northeastern coast of Brazil since the spinner dolphins are free roaming and should be protected in all of their habitats.

.

For more information about the Spinner Dolphin Project in Brazil and anything else in Fernando de Noronha, including accommodations, tours, activities and lots of insider tips, contact your local whl.travel connection: Pedro Capelossi and the team from Trip Noronha.

.

Visit the whl.travel Flickr photostream for a set of more pictures of Fernando de Noronha, including a previous Photo of the Week of eagle spotted rays.

.

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

Muscat, the capital of Oman, is usually the first stop for visitors to the country. Despite its small size, it is replete with things to see and do. Literally meaning ‘anchor,’ Muscat is a port city that has carefully adopted modern-day conveniences without disturbing its charming Arabesque architecture or the forts and palaces of its past. Although considered a desert centre, Muscat could justifiably be called a ‘garden city’ with its numerous parks and green areas promising respite from the sweltering midday sun.

Oman hotels cover a wide variety of urban tastes, as well as desires for retreat beyond the bustle of town. For example, the Turtle Reservation Scientific Research Centre now includes a new lodge, and Qurum Beach and the quiet bay of Bandar Al-Jissah have become popular havens for travellers in search of water-based activities like sailing and dolphin-watching.

whl.travel’s launch of www.hotels-oman.com opens Oman to the local-travel community through its connection to Will Plummer and the team of Alanaka Tours.

Fully aware of the detrimental effects that mass tourism can have on a destination, Will and the team strive to promote responsible tourism in Oman, allowing travellers to explore their incredible destination without making much of a negative impact. A number of unique Oman tours are led by local guides, limited to 12 people per tour and only follow existing trails. As desert camping is much in demand, Alanaka Tours uses local Omani partners to provide accommodation and tents are equipped with eco-friendly toilets.

Work on the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque of Oman was completed in 2001. It contains the world's largest single hand-woven carpet, measuring 70m by 60m.

Says Will about joining the whl.travel network: “The ability to travel and explore new destinations is one that this generation has had the great privilege to enjoy, and long may this continue. We are all acutely aware though of the damage that is being done to the planet and as a traveller can see the effects that tourism has had on communities and landscapes. If we don’t collectively take action to ensure that environments and local economies are protected rather than being exploited, if we don’t take action to ensure new tourist-related building work is built in an environmentally considerate manner, then we will not only contribute to the destruction of the planet but will ruin the very heart of what makes visiting new countries so exciting – the people and the places themselves. Tourism will become a chore rather than the pleasure it should be.”

Champasak Province lies in the far south of Laos and is bordered by both Thailand to the west and Cambodia to the south. It boasts a wealth of attractions, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Wat Phou, which dates back to the sixth century; the Khongprapheng Waterfalls, which are the largest in Southeast Asia; the beautiful Four Thousand Islands (Si Phan Don), where rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins can be seen; and the Bolaven Plateau, with a multitude of waterfalls and coffee plantations that yield some of the best coffee in the world.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Wat Phou, located in Champasak, Laos, dates back to the sixth century

Before you visit Champasak, though, make sure you research the province’s wealth of options: a wide range of Champasak hotels and Champasak tours, as well as many attractions well worth a visit.

Active travellers with a passion for water sports will revel in a four-day trip through the sites of southern Laos that takes in the Si Phan Don wetlands, where kayaking, rafting and scenic boat cruises are all possible. Two-wheelers may prefer the four-day cycling adventure that promises genuine insight into the lives of locals who live off the tourist trail.

Alternatively, spend a day in Pakse, the largest city in southern Laos, famous for its hand-woven cottons and silks. You’re almost guaranteed a bargain at one of the local markets that welcome merchants of colourful ethnic textiles and clothes, as well as the full range of jewellery and local specialities, like coffee, tea, vegetables and fruit.

For those who wish to experience ancient history, while Wat Phou tops all lists and is just six kilometres southwest of Champasak Town, the area’s renown also extends to the smaller Khmer-style Um Tomo Temple and the living museum of Don Khong, an island south of Champasak town where the locals reside in traditional wooden houses on stilts and have retained the Lao lifestyle of 100 years ago.

At sunset over the Mekong River in Si Phan Don, a nearly submerged tree is all that remains of one of the four thouand islands and shows the huge increase in water levels experienced during the rainy season

These and more opportunities are now possible through the launch of www.champasak-hotels.com, the fourth whl.travel destination portal in Laos (following Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane), all of which connect travellers to the highly professional local-expert team at Teamworkz Consulting.

“We are very proud to have launched our Champasak site and believe it offers a great range of opportunities for travellers looking to get off the beaten path,” said Lee Sheridan, Teamworkz General Manager. “Coupled with our three existing sites and two new ones under construction for Luang Namtha and Xieng Khouang, we are very excited to be able to share the destinations we love so much in Laos with visitors from around the world.”