Getting around Oman can be challenging, but booking your ground transportation ahead through Green Path Transfers is the perfect way to explore the country. Photo courtesy of Elite Travel & Tourism

A Green Path Transfers Partner

For anyone planning a trip to this beautiful country, finding reliable transportation is of course key. Long driving distances combined with regularly washed-out roads and occasionally dangerous wadi crossings all pose serious challenges for travellers. It therefore pays to consider booking at least ground transportation with a knowledgeable local taxi and transfer service.

Fortunately, the experienced professionals at Elite Travel & Tourism can provide comfortable transportation to any destination. In addition to being the whl.travel local connection in Oman, Elite is now the local partner of Green Path Transfers, the fast-growing global and eco-friendly transport service.

Through Green Path Transfers, Elite Travel & Tourism looks forward to expanding the reach of its taxi and transport business to responsible travellers from all over the globe.

“In a developing country like Oman, we have worked hard to bring professionalism and safety to this market,” explains Will Plummer, Business Director at Elite Travel & Tourism. “We believe that with our friendly staff we are ideally place to be the first introduction to those visiting Oman and reassure people of what a fantastic country it is to visit.”

Since 2004, the experienced and knowledgeable team at Elite Travel & Tourism has been helping travellers explore legendary Oman. Photo courtesy of Elite Travel & Tourism

A Local Leader

Founded in 2004 by a Omani local Amor Hardan, Elite Travel & Tourism has grown into a successful and responsible travel business that today offers transport services, as well as tailor-made tours and vacation packages throughout the country. When he decided to launch the company, Hardan, who had already enjoyed a 15-year career at the Intercontinental Hotel Muscat, was eager to show people the many stunning off-the-beaten track destinations worth visiting in his home country.

In 2009, Elite Travel & Tourism acquired another business, called Alanaka Tours, as a way to lead small-group tours and desert-camping adventures. In the same year, Amor’s wife, Karen Hardan, joined the company as general manager and, with her wealth of experience in the hospitality industry, raised the company’s overall level of professionalism.

Today, as a local tourism operator with a strong commitment to the environment and to local communities, Elite Travel & Tourism is pleased to join the Green Path Transfers’ growing global network of responsible transport partners and ground transfer operators. “Being part of the WHL Group family” – both whl.travel and Green Path Transfers are part of the WHL Group – “has already been very successful for us and it is great to be part of Green Path Transfers too,” Plummer adds.

A Greener Perspective

Elite Travel & Tourism is encouraged by the positive value of lasting partnerships with other like-minded tourism and transport businesses also part of Green Path Transfers. Like other partners committed to responsible and sustainable local travel and transportation, Elite Travel & Tourism shares the emphasis Green Path Transfers places on going green, in particular the ability to offset a full 100 percent of the carbon emissions generated by its transfers business.

In keeping with its responsible tourism philosophy, Elite Travel & Tourism is intent on helping to preserve the beautiful local environment of Oman. Photo courtesy of Elite Travel & Tourism

“We believe we can offer the services and standards that clients of Green Path Transfers expect and with our own responsible tourism policy we are very conscious of the need to offset the carbon emissions we make,” explains Plummer. “We are continually working to find new ways to make our own service more green and are exploring what we can do within the Middle East to accomplish this.”

In keeping with its own philosophy and goals, Elite Travel & Tourism hopes the new partnership will help raise consciousness in Oman around the need for more eco-friendly vehicles and transportation solutions.

Far-Reaching Service

With a 32-vehicle fleet of luxury sedans, 11-passenger minibuses and 4×4 off-road vehicles, Elite Travel & Tourism is more than capable of meeting any request for ground transportation in Oman. The majority of the company’s clients head to the beach resorts of Muscat or to the old capital of Nizwa in Oman’s northern region. A journey to Nizwa is Plummer’s top recommendation, since it can be a jumping-off point to the stunning canyon-like scenery of the Hajar Mountains. Also in the north is the Musandam Peninsula, separated from the main part of Oman by the United Arab Emirates.

Beyond this, says Plummer, “a trip to the desert is a must.” With the Wahiba Sands only two hours from Muscat, they are very accessible. For those with more time, he recommends visiting Salalah in the tropical south, a city famous for its sweet-smelling frankincense trail.

“Of course,” adds Plummer, “we offer services everywhere in between all these sites and have many guests who enjoy exploring between north and south, especially along the stunning coastline.”

To learn more about Green Path Transfers and how to be part of carbon-neutral travel arrangements that emphasise green technology in a growing number of destinations around the globe, visit www.GreenPathTransfers.com.

What will it take to build a more sustainable transportation industry that is less dependent on fossil fuels? Looking ahead into this brave new world of alternative transport, we bring to you some of the better (but also weirder and wilder) ideas and conveyances of the future.

'Oscar' is a Toyota Sienna minivan that can hold up to seven passengers. On the roads around Burlington, Vermont, its hydrogen injection system reduces the inefficiency of the internal combustion engine, using less gasoline and producing less emissions. Photo courtesy of Green Cabs VT

Green Path Transfers

After having responsibly paid the carbon offset for your flights, or, better yet, opted to travel by train or even slower local transport, you might as well do the right thing during airport and other intercity motorised transfers. Green Path Transfers is one company that has built an entire business around going green.

Its long-term goal is to support innovations in low-carbon transport. Fortunately, today’s scientists, engineers and manufacturers are hard at work building smarter, cleaner and more energy-efficient vehicles. In fact, the latest wave of hybrids (see below), which include a new plug-in model of the Toyota Prius with a fuel economy of almost 100 miles per gallon, are just a taste of the many bigger and better innovations to come.

The Nissan Leaf is the world's first mass-market all-electric vehicle. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Club RACC

Turning Over a New Leaf

The amount of fossil fuel burned while driving is staggering: put 12,000 miles a year on a regular 20-mile-per-gallon car and you will produce upwards of six tons of CO2 every year. Hybrids like the Prius bring that number down to approximately 3.5 tons annually, but there’s no time like the present to knock that figure down to… zero.

Enter the Nissan Leaf, which made its debut last year as the world’s first mass-produced all-electric vehicle. Ushering in a new era in transportation, this green dream machine starts at US$33,000. The downside? Extreme temperatures are bad for the batteries and internal heating/cooling control uses lots of juice.

The USS Makin Island is the US Navy's first hybrid amphibious assault vessel. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Official U.S. Navy Imagery/Ray Narimatsu/Released

Lean Green Fighting Machine

Beginning with a supersonic jet powered partly by biofuel, the U.S. military has set itself an aggressive mission to reduce its dependence on petroleum through the use of renewable energy sources. Make no mistake: this actually has nothing to do with halting the environmental damage done by burning 300,000 barrels of oil on a typical day. One cold hard fact alone is behind the military’s move to go green: half the deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan occurred while guarding fuel convoys.

With the Navy having set its sights on cutting its petroleum use in half by 2020, all eyes are now on the greener fleet being built. The USS Makin Island is its first hybrid amphibious assault vessel and is capable of transporting an entire marine unit. On its first voyage, the ship is rumoured to have saved $2 million worth in fuel.

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A Motorcycle Worth Wearing

Half exoskeleton, half motorbike, the Deus Ex Machina is the brainchild of Jake Loniak, a former student at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Planned with efficient urban transport in mind, the bike would be powered by lithium-ion batteries and ultracapacitors, and steered via pneumatic muscles that inflate and deflate with pressurized air. The Tron-like suit exists for now only as a computer illustration, but its technology and design is based on real-world science. If built, this evil-looking green machine would be capable of going from 0 to 60 miles in just 3 seconds.

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Going Solo in the City

Honda unveiled its unusual personal transport vehicle, the Honda 3R-C, at the 2010 Geneva International Motor Show. Designed for urban commuters, the three-wheeled electric 3R-C is part motorcycle and part car, with an enveloping glass windshield that can move back to completely cover the driver during inclement weather. Designed at Honda’s research and design facility in Milan, the concept vehicle also has a lockable boot area for luggage storage.

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Dreams of Flying Cars

When it comes to hard physics, it’s true that automobiles and airplanes function in very different ways. Fortunately, that hasn’t stopped engineers from promising us a flying car since the early days of science fiction. Today, those dreams of personal flight have finally become a reality.

Cleared for flight in 2010 by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and for the road by the state of Florida, the I-TEC Maverick is a true flying car with a wing deployment system and powered parachutes. Part dune-buggy, part aircraft, this aptly named machine can be used off-road and in mid-air, as well as on the highway.

Such is the case with The Region Initiative (TRI), a broad-based, tri-regional responsible-tourism partnership founded in May 2010 and spanning South Asia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe with the goal of connecting communities along the ancient Silk Road. By working with a coalition of nongovernmental stakeholders, including tour operators, nongovernmental organisations, tourism experts, academia and youth, TRI hopes to push beyond the similar threats and challenges faced by destinations along the Silk Road and sharpen the focus on the regions’ shared opportunities, particularly with regard to responsible travel and tourism.

An Enduring Ride on the Silk Road

What is known today as the “Silk Road” (also called the Silk Route) is a vast network of interconnecting routes that was arguably the most important transcontinental trade road in history. It once extended nearly 12,000 kilometres and linked many powerful civilisations across ancient China, India, Tibet, Egypt, the Persian Empire and the Mediterranean. Beginning around 200 B.C.E., merchants managed highly lucrative businesses along these interweaving long-distance tracks, bartering for all manner of goods that included spices, tea, gold, jewels, ivory, silk, carpets, porcelain and much much more.

But the Silk Road was more than just a channel for trade. Following in the footsteps of these tradesmen, other travellers, such as nomads, missionaries, pilgrims, conquerors and early explorers (some of them long before Marco Polo), set forth from all corners of the world, forging cross-cultural connections that encouraged the spread of spiritual wealth, religious doctrine, great scholarship, art and architecture, and resulted in numerous intellectual exchanges. Strong echoes of the ties born in these early times still exist to this day.

The modern “Silk Road” also remains an inspiration and magnet for curious and intrepid travellers. In fact, for decades, the growth of tourism in regions along the Silk Road has been steady, bringing with it new challenges as well as the strong potential for improving local economies. And now, in a good 21st-century twist, there’s growing community-led unity behind a quest to promote sustainable tourism and travel along the Silk Road.

In Nepal, one of the Silk Road countries participating in The Region Initiative, emblematic eyes are painted on Swayambunath temple in Kathmandu

Creating Sustainable Tourism Connections

While governments often put politics ahead of policy and sometimes fail to establish strong international collaborative ties among those in the tourism sector, other groups, like TRI, are leading the process of building cross-border partnerships in the industry and to encourage responsible tourism.

TRI has already established its presence in 15 Silk Road countries: Armenia, Bangladesh, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Tajikistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Tourism operators in each of these countries have adopted the aim of encouraging local travel professionals to share ideas and strategies that minimise the negative impacts of mass tourism and instead encourage sustainable, long-term and responsible practices, focusing more on history, people and culture than on the their outer trappings.

Unfortunately, the way ahead is not as smooth as silk. With current or recent armed conflicts in Afghanistan, India, Nepal Pakistan and Sri Lanka in South Asia, as well as economic and political unrest in several Central Asian republics and in Eastern Europe, there are many obstacles to overcome. But high hopes persist through the efforts of The Region Initiative to support small community-based tourism stakeholders who work as accommodation providers, tour operators and guides.

For more information about The Region Initiative, please visit www.theregionaltourism.org.

The dizzying melting pot of Delhi, the quiet canal-lined streets of ancient Kochi and the magnificent Taj Mahal, a World Heritage Site, are just three highlights that travellers have visited for centuries. Countless other local sights are just as captivating to anyone who ventures just off the tourist trail.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the white-marble Taj Mahal is, with SS Travels, just a short ride away from the Indian capital of Delhi. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Friar's Balsam

Worry-free and Also Green

When faced with the vast distances to cover in India and so many worthwhile places to explore, however, you may find that planning travel in India can be overwhelming. Fortunately, one local company can take all the hassle out of getting around in India – helping travellers arrange transport that is comfortable and worry-free. Now they can do it in an environmentally responsible manner as well.

Since 1991, the experts at SS Travels have always used their first-hand local knowledge to bring a high level of luxury service to ground transportation in India. But the SS Travel quality promise hit a new high when they joined the growing ranks of local partners part of a new, global, environmentally friendly transfer service called Green Path Transfers. In keeping with the Green Path Transfers 100%-carbon-offset policy, SS Travels is poised to deliver reliable transfers to ever greater numbers of passengers keen to go green.

The reliable transfer service offered by SS Travels provides ground transport throughout India, including such cities as Delhi, Bangalore and Kochi. Photo courtesy of SS Travels

“We want to keep the environment of India clean and green,” explains Anil Kumar, Marketing Director of SS Travels. “Together with Green Path Transfers we look forward to demonstrating to the world our responsible outlook towards society.”

“It’s great to see a company in India offering such unparalleled service, whilst at the same time having a strong interest and focus on being eco-friendly,” commented Adrian Cordiner, CEO of Green Path Transfers.

An Established Local Leader

Launched with just one single car, SS Travels has since grown into a far-reaching transfer-service provider with over 600 modern, stylish and fuel-efficient vehicles. Renowned for its high quality transportation services, the company’s personalised and professional approach caters to both leisure and corporate travellers.

Today, SS Travels also maintains strong partnerships with airlines such as Air India, Gulf Air, Emirates Airlines and Malaysia Airlines as a proven purveyor of prompt and reliable airport transfers and hotel pickups in cities such as Delhi, Bangalore and Kochi.

The picturesque town of Alleppey in southern India has numerous canals and backwaters and is know as the

Comfortable and Reliable Rides

Placing special emphasis on ensuring that travellers’ ground transportation plans are secure, SS Travels offers 24-hour, seven-day reservation and operations services. In addition, SS Travels works only with carefully selected, well-trained, English-speaking chauffeurs who can demonstrate expert knowledge of local roads and vehicle safety measures.

Clients can choose from among a wide range of economy vehicles, luxury sedans or SUVs, all kept up to date thanks to a fleet change every three years. This helps SS Travels ensure its vehicles are highly fuel efficient and come equipped with all the modern conveniences, including extras like newspapers and magazines.

Enchanting Attractions of India

With one simple online reservation, tourists and business travellers alike can now easily arrange airport pickups, event transfers and ground transportation in India.

The area around the Kabini River, a recommended destination by the SS Travels team, is a popular site for elephant watching. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Pondspider

For visitors with a little time to spare, SS Travel drivers are fonts of knowledge about interesting sights easily accessible by vehicle. For instance, Mr. Kumar suggests that anyone arriving in Delhi should not skip a visit to Agra, site of the monumental white-marbled Taj Mahal, or Shimla with its beautiful old colonial buildings. Further afield, another excellent stopover is the ruined royal palace that towers over the mountain town of Leh.

If you’ve got even more time, Mr. Kumar recommends a visit to Ooty, a beautiful hill station in the Blue Mountains close to Bangalore; the Kabini River for its incredible wildlife viewing and frequent herds of elephants; and the lovely town Alleppey, which is known as the Venice of the East and is “all about house boats and beautiful trees in and around the backwaters.”

To learn more about Green Path Transfers and how to be part of carbon-neutral travel arrangements that emphasise green technology in a growing number of destinations around the globe, visit www.GreenPathTransfers.com.

Do you shop when you travel? Are souvenirs irresistible? It's important to understand the perils of irresponsible shopping and learn how to shop the fair way - or else. Photo courtesy of Flickr/|vvaldzen|

The great part about buying handmade items like these is that they were all purchased directly from the artists who made them – an exceedingly rare interaction in an increasingly mass-produced world. Buying the items felt good to me, but best is that I know these local artists appreciated each sale as well.

Whether our purchases make a positive impact when we travel is unfortunately not always so clear. Yet in developing countries, where Western currency goes that much further, it’s a thought worth investigating. How can we be sure that our purchasing choices will ensure the well-being of locals and the environment? Are we supporting an industry that helps sustain the local economy? Do our penchants support a trade that values the labour, dignity and rights of all those it employs?

You could hardly do better than local handicrafts made from indigenous bamboo grown in the forests around Luang Prabang, Laos. Photo courtesy of Stanislas Fradelizi/Teamworkz

When it comes to buying the “fairest” souvenirs, being well informed can make a big difference. Responsible shopping means understanding what’s at stake with each penny traded with the goal to preserve the world’s heritage and resources.

Here then are a few points to consider to help ensure that our tourist dollars are well spent. I’d really encourage you to add some of your own.

Look Around for Local Crafts

From the hand-woven traditional textiles of Laos to the fine filigree jewellery available in Portugal or the eclectic wire sculptures sold along South Africa’s Garden Route, nothing compares in value to beautifully produced local handicrafts made by some of the world’s finest artists. After all, craft items make far better gifts than boring old t-shirts, and purchasing locally produced goods constitutes a viable source of income for local creative types the world over.

When you buy goods and handcrafts directly from the local producers, your money goes straight to the community and will help to preserve those traditional arts. Keep your eyes out at the smaller markets in rural areas for some of the best deals, or buy through specialty Fair Trade stores such as Global Exchange.

Get Goods Made from Sustainable Sources

We all know that poaching is wrong. Tourists who buy endangered animal furs have as much blood on their hands as the poachers themselves. Fortunately, butterflies do not look nice to me in a box. I’d never consider buying ivory, that barbaric and illegal trade that causes incredible agony and death to the most magnificent of creatures. I boycott buying furniture made from rare and endangered woods and always aim to buy products made from the finest renewable sources.

Enough said? Are you sure? Take a stroll down almost any tourist beach and you will likely see vendors selling coral or seashells. But, except in places where some invasive coral is harvested to preserve the native ecosystem, how many people know that the market for harvested coral is destroying the world’s ocean reefs and causing irreparable damage to underwater ecosystems? The colourful shells now sold as earrings and necklaces once contained living animals – creatures that are now dead because someone wanted pretty adornments. Please don’t encourage this trade.

Keep an eye out for homemade items made from sustainable resources, like the natural dyes used by traditional weavers in Peru's Sacred Valley. Photo by Laurel Angrist

Buy with a Conscience – Patronise Stores that Give Back

Another important way to ensure we spend our money responsibly is to purchase items that help to support the communities we visit. In the peaceful Xieng Khoang province of northeast Laos, for example, lies the cultural village of Ban Napia. Despite the countless atrocities they suffered as residents of the most heavily bombed region in the Indochina War, the villagers here are resilient and resourceful: aluminium scrap metal from leftover bombs is converted into delicate spoons and bracelets that are sold to tourists visiting the village-owned souvenir shop.

Around the world, of course, there are many other small stores that provide self-sustainable income to locals, whether through skills training or other means, and countless shops that contribute to worthy causes. Get online and ask around to find the best local charity shops and patronise businesses donating a percentage of profits to local community projects, environmental conservation or humanitarian assistance programs.

The successful thrift shops and bookstore run by Housing Works support programs providing housing, healthcare and job training to more than 20,000 low-income New York City residents living with HIV and AIDS. Photo courtesy of housingworks.org

Consider an Item’s Trade Roots – and Think Outside the Factory-Made Box

Many infamous examples exist of products made by exploited workers, produced under dismal conditions for shockingly minuscule wages. The most high-profile cases that come to my mind are the Christmas ornaments that were made by child workers and sold at Walmart, the Nike shoe company’s questionable labour practices and the horrific abuse and involvement of the Koidu diamond mines in fuelling Sierra Leone’s bloody, decade-long civil war.

Unfortunately, such stories only come to light once a corporation’s underhanded practices become too egregious to ignore. Let’s face it: mass production has had a long history of labour violations, many of which we choose to ignore because we want our cheap dinner plates, children’s toys, cell phones and you name it.

In South Africa, the Consolidated Diamond Mine, owned by De Beers, is said to have the largest private earthmoving fleet in the world. Outmoded vehicles and machines are dumped in this eerie graveyard without a second thought about the environment. Photo courtesy of Flickr/sosij

Factory-made souvenir items such as magnets, key chains or t-shirts are often manufactured outside of the destinations they represent, and typically have little to no real connection to the places they are supposed to portray. I don’t know the industrial origins of the most common and obvious mass-market souvenir items, but knowing what we know already, how much do we really want them? How great could they really be?

Instead, why not hunt for more meaningful mementos? Vacations are the perfect time to get just a little bit more creative: think of items that are not merely souvenirs but are actually used in local households for decoration or day-to-day living. Need some ideas? Go ask a local. They’re bound to come up with some imaginative suggestions you may never have thought of on your own.

Upon reaching her village she began experimenting with many different designs for her instrument, using plucked and bowed strings and various types of other materials before finally settling on a type of bamboo flute. The woman brought the new instrument before the king, who, after hearing her play, curtly responded that it was ‘fair.’ Modifying the instrument, she played once more and again asked the king if he was pleased. “Tia nee kaen dae,” he said, which means “this time it was better.”

The same persistent approach to finding the right kind of sound can be heard today in the mesmerising music of Aluna, the princess of pop in Laos.

Pop singer Aluna Thavonsouk divides her time between her career as a musician and her work as general manager for Thavonsouk Resort, her family's hotel business in Vang Vieng, Laos

Creative Drive

Aluna Thavonsouk is a Lao pop singer whose contemporary musical style draws upon older techniques and often includes traditional Lao instruments. In what she calls her ‘new sound,’ she may even begin including the khene.

“I started with normal pop songs. You learn as you go and I have changed my perspectives in writing songs as well as the way of making music and melodies,” Aluna said of her creative process. “The contemporary ideas came to my soul and I mix the traditional sounds into my music a lot these days, but I am not yet satisfied with the result. I am still looking for the new sound. It might take a year or forever… I don’t know, but it is exciting to me.”

Aluna’s humble attitude – she is also the general manager of her family’s hotel business in Vang Vieng – is uncommon for a musician of her stature, but her tirelessness has paid off ever since she began creating music back in 2002. To date, she has performed in U.S. cities like Chicago, Seattle and Los Angeles, and she has toured in Japan, China, Malaysia and throughout Southeast Asia. Her self-titled albums “Aluna” (2005) and “Aluna Part II” (2008) produced many number-one singles on regional radio charts and her hit “Khaum HouSuek Bork” earned her the award for Best Pop Song at the first annual Lao Music Awards in July 2008. Even The Today Show recognised this 29-year-old artist as one of the preeminent talents of Laos’ burgeoning pop music scene.

New Sounds

Laos’ contemporary music culture has emerged from a long history of political unrest and a complex mix of cultural influences. Although romantic songs and ballads have always been popular in Laos, Western music was first introduced in the 1920s during the French colonial period, impacting a new generation of Lao singers and composers. Then, following the country’s lengthy civil war and the 1975 Communist takeover, patriotic songs and anthems dominated the charts.

Since 2000, though, when the government began to relax the country’s music regulations, Lao record companies have been eager to promote singers who appeal to younger audiences. Today, pop music is booming and local Lao artists are heard on the radio alongside other foreign singers from the U.S. and Thailand.

Aluna is at the forefront of the homegrown talents now changing the Lao music scene. Her songs incorporate the Morlum Loop and other traditional Lao music – especially the catchy fast tracks – and often include unique beats and traditional instruments. Her lyrics focus on themes of love, but she also delves into topics like the environment, social classes and many other touchy subjects.

The man depicted in this statue is playing the 'khene', the national instrument of Laos. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Prince Roy

The artist is currently learning the khene (a bamboo mouth organ with many keys) and the traditional Lao flute, not to mention practicing the Lao Opera singing style, which requires a great deal of energy and the ability to play with how one projects one’s voice.

Deep Roots

While Aluna’s contemporary style has many musical influences, the traditional music of Laos plays an important part in creating that sound: “We, the new generation, never forgot the roots of our music,” she explained.

Born and raised in Laos, Aluna was surrounded by music from a very early age and always loved to sing. “People often ask who my music idols are and I respond, ‘They are my mom and dad.’ In fact, they are the first people who opened up my world to music. During my childhood, I’d often hear my dad singing with his guitar; my mom would sing along in her free time. They loved playing songs created by legends of the 60s and 70s like Elvis, Cliff Richards, The Beatles and The Carpenters, among many others. Those early experiences were so cool. Every now and then, I carry some of those old songs with me and sing along. Some people are surprised by my knowledge of old songs.”

When Aluna was young, there were always instruments around the house on which she could practice. (Her father was a musician.) At just five years old, she picked up her first instrument – a guitar.

“At that age, it was much bigger than my body and too big for me to hold, so I held it on my lap and played. I was always curious about how musical instruments produce sounds and how those sounds turn into different keys and notes. The guitar, keyboard and the harmonica were my favourites. With my mind’s empty canvas, I tried to differentiate the sounds, keys and notes using only my senses.” She did not study music, however, and never had professional training because it was too expensive.

“My childhood experience with music was so wonderful and peaceful that I knew I’d always want to be around it. Though I had been surrounded by music from a young age, I never thought of becoming a professional singer – that dream never existed.”

Life Changes

Meanwhile, Aluna excelled in her studies and received a scholarship to study abroad at a university in Australia. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business and returned to Laos to work at Thavonsouk Resort, her family’s business in Vang Vieng. Still, something was missing and she longed for the next adventure in her life. So, during the tourism low season, she took three months off from her job to travel to Europe. “That trip changed my life,” the singer reported matter-of-factly.

Music in Laos today comes in many styles. This photo of a percussion band was taken at the Bee Mai Lao Festival in 2002. Photo courtesy of Flickr/NeilsPhotography

Arriving in Paris in the early morning of June 21, 2002, Aluna noticed that a festival was in progress. “I heard music along the road, and I saw people spontaneously come out and play music. They sang about everything using their guitars, saxophones, trumpets, harmonicas and accordions. They were everywhere – on roadsides, in the Metro and on almost every corner I walked past. I was so happy to be in this amazing environment. I felt like I was brought back to something familiar, but also something that I was missing for some time. It was great to hear music again.”

That event was France’s Fête de La Musique (Music Festival), which offered Aluna the chance to see shows by musicians such as Lenny Kravitz, Sheryl Crow, R.E.M., Bryan Adams and many other legendary artists.

“It was so inspiring!” the singer recalled. “I was about to celebrate my birthday a few days later and I truly felt that witnessing this event was one of the most precious gifts ever… I tuned in and silently listened, and in that moment, I felt like a bolt of lightening struck me. It was in that moment that my dream was born. I said to myself, ‘Yes, why don’t I create music? Why don’t I sing?!’ ”

Since then, Aluna has moved from strength to strength and encouraged others to follow their hearts. “There are many ways to realise your dreams and true passions,” she revealed. “Free your mind and look deep down into your heart, because sometimes ideas don’t come right away. Part of the journey is to develop and grow by following your passion.”

For more information about Aluna, visit her facebook page.

Of course, finding a reliable transportation service in Sydney is essential for discovering the many local gems, and one Sydney taxi company has the experience, the expertise and now, especially important, the green underpinnings to help all visitors make the most of their stay.

Corporate Cars Australia has more than 30 years of experience transporting passengers throughout Sydney's harbour area and beyond. Photo courtesy of Corporate Cars Australia

A Local Leader

For more than decade, the ground-transportation company Corporate Cars Australia has brought a high level of service to the local tourism industry, meeting the needs of both corporate clients and leisure travellers. The company prides itself in offering personalised customer service for a wide range of transportation arrangements that include airport pickups, sightseeing excursions and even travel between cities.

Now, Corporate Cars Australia, already also a leader in responsible transportation, has joined the ranks of scores of other local partners of Green Path Transfers, a global, eco-friendly airport transfer and ground transportation network. The Sydney local partner looks forward to expanding its operations to deliver responsible transport solutions to travellers from all over the globe.

Ian Gordon, pictured here wearing the company's trademark red coat, has been an employee of Corporate Cars Australia for the past 12 years. Photo courtesy of Corporate Cars Australia

“We’re very pleased to have partnered with Corporate Cars Australia for Sydney, and we look forward to a successful working relationship with them,” said Adrian Cordiner, CEO of Green Path Transfers.

“I believe the association between Corporate Cars Australia and Green Path Transfers to be one of mutual benefit,” commented Craig Wagstaff, Managing Director of the Sydney-based transport company. “Our expertise in ‘Meet & Greet’ allows us to ensure customers enjoy trouble free ground transport. Our distinctive uniform – the red coat – means that you will never miss us.”

Responsible Roots

Launched in 2001, Corporate Cars Australia began as the result of a merger between two operators who combined their strengths to create a more efficient and larger ground-transportation network. With over 30 years of experience in the transfer business, the company’s directors have a firm grasp of the industry and their business has met with a large degree of success.

Today, Corporate Cars Australia performs approximately 25,000 transfers per year and has a staff that includes 19 drivers fully accredited by the Australian Ministry of Transport. All chauffeurs have passed stringent police and driving-record tests and each one has a minimum of seven years’ driving experience.

Sustainable Solutions

With an eye towards protecting the global environment, Corporate Cars Australia has continuously sought out alternative and responsible transport options. Given the Green Path Transfers emphasis on going green without sacrificing quality, this commitment to sustainable car-transfer solutions made it an ideal local partner.

The company’s 15-vehicle fleet includes six Fairlane LTD Ghia sedans and five Holden Statesman Caprice sedans, all of which run on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

The use of LPG cars leads to better fuel consumption and improved mileage, while studies have also shown that LPG engines may produce up to 75 percent less carbon monoxide than petrol and have 87 percent less ozone-forming potential. The LPG tanks themselves are also safer than petrol tanks and have passed numerous fire and safety tests.

For larger groups, Corporate Cars Australia also has one seven-passenger Toyota Tarago, two seven-passenger Mercedes-Benz Viano minivans and one 13-passenger Toyota Commuter. The entire fleet is air-conditioned and all drivers have extensive local knowledge of all the areas they service.

The Sydney-based Corporate Cars Australia fleet includes five Holden Stateman Caprice sedans that use liquified petroleum gas, which is much better for the environment than normal gas. Photo courtesy of Corporate Cars Australia

Stunning Surroundings

Corporate Cars Australia caters to travellers visiting Sydney and far beyond, with associated operations now in existence in the Australian cities of Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, as well as in New Zealand.

For first-time visitors in Sydney, Wagstaff’s list of must-see sights includes the inner-city leisure district called Darling Harbour and the world-famous surf destination of Bondi Beach, as well as other northern beaches, including Manly.

Travellers with more time might also opt to hire a driver for the 2.5-hour trip to the wineries of the Hunter Valley or the 1.5-hour drive to the Three Sisters, just one of many impressive rock formations in the highlands of the beautiful and nearby Blue Mountains.

To learn more about Green Path Transfers and how to be part of carbon-neutral travel arrangements that emphasise green technology in a growing number of destinations around the globe, visit www.GreenPathTransfers.com.

Mineral Spring, seen above from Darjeeling town, India, is located at an lower elevation low and warm enough to enable the growth of various agricultural produce

Two of these values are commitments to traditional agriculture and to protecting the region’s incredible biodiversity. This vibrant ensemble of small farms has been producing high-quality and certified organic Darjeeling tea since 1998 – even competing successfully against large corporate tea companies – without losing sight of the health and long-term preservation of their local environment. All of this is particularly important given the adjacent Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary, whose resident birds and wildlife such as rhesus monkeys, barking deer and Himalayan flying squirrels know no borders.

Ever mindful of the difficulties involved in maintaining traditional ways of life and protecting nature, local farmers have also started harnessing the power of community-based tourism as an opportunity for additional income. The Himalayas and the people who inhabit them have long been powerful magnets to adventurous travellers, particular those interested in rural lifestyles and culture. Now, in Mineral Spring, homestays with locals have been set up, satisfying the desires of both mindful travellers and responsible hosts, the latter eager to share the unique character of their village and local environment.

It’s a win-win situation that brings greater economic prosperity to Mineral Springs and emboldens local efforts to ensure the vigour of the environment.

Foreign visitors enjoy Mineral Spring delicacies as just part of the local hospitality during a farmstay near Darjeeling, India

Homestays in the Himalayas

The Mineral Spring homestay initiative was lauched by Tathagata Journeys, a local tour operator that aims to promote socially responsible and sustainable tourism, and specialises in off-the-beaten-path travel experiences. Born and bred in Darjeeling, the owners are brothers Pravin and Navin Tamang, who are joined by media and marketing manager Yogita Ranapaheli.

“We are all from diverse fields but have one thing in common – love for travel and love for the region,” Pravin explains. “This enables us to work closely together as a team bringing in our own expertise to this wonderful world of travel and remote-community tourism with the participation of local farmers.”

Their goal is to offer travellers overnighting in Mineral Spring some intimate insight into the challenges of daily life in this agricultural community. One important byproduct of visits is to see firsthand how tourism can make a positive difference, so hosts encourage their guests to participate in community activities during their stay. For example, travellers with an interest in agriculture can lend a hand on the farm by harvesting organic produce and learning about permaculture. Others can enjoy cooking traditional dishes at home with the family, or teaching English at the village primary school. Still more options abound for those who wish to take in the scenery during yoga classes, local hikes or down time amongst friendly faces.

Homestays in Mineral Spring. Gallery instructions: + Click on a thumbnail to open a preview. + Click the photo itself to close the preview. + Use the arrows to navigate through previews.

Three traditional village homes and a two-cottage farmstay (the latter operated by Tathagata Journeys) currently host travellers in mountainous Mineral Spring; all accommodations feature private rooms for travellers with Western-style bathroom facilities. In all cases, there is direct involvement with locals interested in participating in the project and benefiting from it.

“I feel proud to be a homestay member letting travellers explore our village,” explains Jangbeer Chettri, a local host and community representative. “We have been part of the premier, organic, small-farmer group since 1998 and a number of buyers from abroad have visited our village, but we did not have proper facilities to accommodate them. Although this idea of a homestay was new, the number of travellers who have come here and stayed with us have experienced a very different rural life in Darjeeling. Their visits and the income they generated have helped us sustain our family, farm and community.”

Plans for the Future

Building upon the success of the Mineral Spring homestays, a new local initiative is targeting the development of infrastructure needed for long-term sustainable tourism in the area.

This new undertaking is one of four projects selected for support by the Geotourism Development Foundation, due to launch later this month, and will receive additional assistance from Tathagata Journeys. The aim is to promote the village as a responsible travel destination sensitive to the needs and qualities of both the local community and environment.

The Mineral Spring Community Collective. Gallery instructions: + Click on a thumbnail to open a preview. + Click the photo itself to close the preview. + Use the arrows to navigate through previews.

Much remains to be done before tourism can begin generating additional revenue for the villagers. In addition to the need for more guest rooms, improvements are required to maintain the local environment, including investment in ‘green’ facilities such as environmentally friendly toilets, solar-powered lighting and water-heating systems, black- and grey-water management systems and rain-water harvesting. Investing in a biogas facility is also being considered; created through the fermentation of biodegradable material – such as manure – biogas is a renewable fuel used to run heating and cooking stoves.

Other important tourism developments underway in Mineral Spring involve training local youth as guides able lead treks and inform guests about local traditions and wildlife; promoting activities such as bird- and butterfly-watching; and getting the word out about volunteer opportunities, permaculture courses, yoga retreats and opportunities for meeting local families.

“The project will promote the people and the place by emphasising the sustainability of actions undertaken and the historical, cultural and biodiversity attributes of the place,” says Navin. “It will build on and supplement the work that is already being undertaken and it will help in improving and further diversifying local livelihoods, creating awareness regarding biodiversity conservation, and appreciation and pride in their natural and cultural heritage.”

The Geotourism Development Foundation (GDF) is a not-for-profit organisation committed to elevating travel as a force for good. It fosters a fairer, safer and more prosperous world by promoting projects that enhance the distinctive aspects of places to the benefit of both local residents and visiting travellers. The GDF funds local community, environmental or cultural projects that link to tourism and derive revenue from visitors. Through tourism development, it aims for ‘win-win-win outcomes’ – sharing the beneficial results of projects with all stakeholders (local communities, travellers and the travel industry) in a manner that enriches better, sustainable and more unique connections between hosts and travellers.

Erin Shields, Founder of Green Carpet Limousine. Photo courtesy of Green Carpet Limousine

Going Green in San Francisco’s Bay Area

In the San Francisco ground transportation industry, one local company is helping set the standard for reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Green Carpet Limousine is an alternative luxury-transportation service that caters to the entire Bay Area. Having now joined the ranks of local partners that are part of Green Path Transfers, a new global environmentally friendly transfer service, Green Carpet Limousine is ready to deliver eco-friendly San Francisco transfers to even larger numbers of passengers in the modern, comfortable and fuel-efficient cars.

“We are not simply the ‘green division’ of a large transportation company that wants to appear to be doing the right thing,” says Erin Shields, founder of the earth-conscious San Francisco car service. “We are committed to providing the most fuel-efficient vehicles available, while still creating a luxury experience. We believe that by combining first-class service with environmental responsibility, we have created the ultimate experience.”

Rolling Out the Green Carpet

Reducing carbon emissions has been an important goal for the company from the start, explains Shields. “Green Carpet was started in September of 2007 from an observation I made that corporate travellers were not being offered an alternative and more conscious option for their transportation needs.”

The staff of Green Carpet Limousine enjoys a night out on the town in San Francisco, California. Photo courtesy of Green Carpet Limousine

Filling that void, Green Carpet Limousine launched with just one vehicle, but quickly expanded to three vehicles, enjoying a very favourable response throughout the local area despite the difficut economic times. Today, the company has a steady stream of clients, including large corporate account holders and solo travellers who use the service for both work and pleasure.

Encouraging Eco-friendly Alternatives

Committed to providing an environmentally sound alternative to the traditional taxi service, Green Carpet Limousine owns and operates a fleet composed of cars capable of running on compressed natural gas and biodiesel.

Conserving energy through other smart-technology advances like regenerative breaking, Green Carpet’s Super Ultra Low-Emissions Vehicles like the Toyota Prius hybrid sedan and the luxury full-size Lexus RX 400, transport customers around town the responsible way, minimising toxic carbon emissions without sacrificing any of the comforts of luxury limo service. Travellers enjoy a smooth journey equipped with luxury amenities like satellite traffic information, GPS tracking and state-of-the-art sound systems.

Green Carpet Limousine driver Pierre awaits a client at Moffett Field, a private airbase in the Bay Area of northern California. Photo courtesy of Green Path Transfers

“San Francisco is renowned for being at the forefront of environmental issues, and it’s great to have such a proactive, forward-thinking partner as Green Carpet Limo in such an important destination,” says Adrian Cordiner, CEO of Green Path Transfers.

Riding the Green Carpet in the Bay Area and Beyond

Staffed by knowledgeable local drivers, Green Carpet Limousine delivers friendly, personalised, 24-hour service to the airport as well as to special events, meetings or anywhere a client wishes to go. The company’s service area even extends into northern California and trips are often arranged for passengers travelling to cities in Silicon Valley like Palo Alto and Menlo Park or to East Bay and Marin County destinations.

Visitors to the area should also consider Shields’ recommended destinations beyond the city proper, which include the green hills and redwoods of Carmel Valley and the beautiful waterfront of Monterey. “Napa is a popular destination as well, and our vehicles are perfect for a couple or three people max travelling to wine country.”

For more about Green Carpet Limousine, or to book environmentally friendly transfers within San Francisco and elsewhere around the globe, visit Green Path Transfers.

With so much appealing nature on hand so critical to its charm, the scenic city now clearly really has a vested interest in pollution abatement, including in transportation, where there has definitely been a steady rise in demand for environmentally conscious alternatives.

Co-owner Bruno Mora poses beside the biofuel-powered company van run by Wherever Shuttle in San Diego, California. Photo courtesy of Sunny San Diego Tours

Prominent in this space is Wherever Shuttle, San Diego’s first and only green transfer company. As an exemplary part of the county’s green innovations and achievements, Wherever Shuttle transports business and leisure travellers wherever they want to go in San Diego. And now, Wherever Shuttle brings a new level of service to travellers as a local partner of Green Path Transfers, the world’s first global environmentally friendly transfer service.

“Wherever Shuttle is proud to represent Green Path Transfers in San Diego,”says Bruno Mora, co-owner of Wherever Shuttle. “Both companies are eco-friendly and have the same mindset to make the transportation of the future a personal conscientious decision!”

It’s Bio Logical

Wherever Shuttle was launched in July of 2007 by two friends passionate about the environment and alternative energy. After extensive online and local research on the production of biofuels, San Diegan Ryan Wilcox and Brazilian-born Bruno Mora set out to turn their expertise into a responsible, profitable and worthy new business venture.

Belonging to Wherever Shuttle's fleet, this converted Mercedes-Benz E-Class vehicle runs around San Diego, California, on recycled vegetable oil. Photo courtesy of Wherever Shuttle

Eliminating carbon emissions continues to be a fundamental objective of Wherever Shuttle. Its fleet – a 12-passenger Mercedes van (equipped with an LCD television, DVD player and satellite radio) and a sleek Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI for the ultimate in luxury and comfort – is therefore powered by 100%-recycled vegetable oil. Unlike fossil fuels like petroleum, vegetable oil–based fuels (made of soy, corn oil and leftover grease from local restaurant kitchens) are sustainable, renewable and readily available. The process involved in burning these biofuels is considered carbon neutral and therefore much better for the global environment.

Today, the company’s services include chauffeur pickups for weddings and birthdays, transfers to nightclubs, support for corporate and special events, airport transfers (including LAX) and even local wine tours.

Powered Responsibly

With the slogan ‘powered by biofuel’ proudly displayed on the side of its company van, Wherever Shuttle caters to the growing pool of responsibly minded travellers interested in reducing their footprints.

Converted to run on biofuel, this 12-seater Mercedes van is equipped with LCD TV/DVD player and satellite radio. Photo courtesy of Wherever Shuttle

“Whether you are travelling on business or on vacation with your family or friends, Wherever Shuttle, powered by 100%-recycled vegetable oil, will take you in an environmentally friendly way WHEREVER you want to go” says Mora. “We are very happy and proud to represent Green Path Transfers, a global company with the same green transportation mission as us!”

“As Wherever Shuttle are the only transportation company in San Diego to make a real commitment to going green, it was a logical choice for us to partner with them,” said Adrian Cordiner, CEO of Green Path Transfers. “We hope more ground-transportation companies follow their lead in using environmentally friendly biofuels.”

For any visitor who enjoys spending time in the beautiful outdoors, San Diego’s comfortable coastal temperatures and unique landscapes provide the perfect year-round escape. From a wide variety of beaches ideally suited to sunning and surfing, to the abundant opportunities for wine tasting and the endless range of hiking trails and bike paths, every visitor will find something that is worth discovering in San Diego. Now, even better, this soul-filling indulgence can all be enjoyed in good conscience through Wherever Shuttle.

For more about Wherever Shuttle, or to book environmentally friendly transfers within San Diego and elsewhere around the globe, visit Green Path Transfers.

Travellers who make it there, specifically to the lesser-known Lao province of Champasak, are always wowed by the region’s attractions and wonders, the first often being the phenomenal World Heritage site of Wat Phou.

Beyond these ancient Khmer temples however, are the region’s extensive undisturbed landscapes and spectacular national parks. From the thunderous waterfalls of the Bolaven Plateau and the wetlands and wildlife of the Xe Pian Conservation Area to the quiet pace of life in the Four Thousand Islands – Champasak’s abundance of natural thrills will keep even the most ardent eco-adventurers entertained.

Treks for Eco-Enthusiasts

Located on the Bolaven Plateau, the 120-metre waterfall of Tad Fane is the tallest in Laos

Hikers of all skill levels often head straight to the Bolaven Plateau, the uplands in the northeast of the province, which is bordered by the Mekong River and the Annamite Mountain Range. Site of many of the area’s most stunning waterfalls, sweeping coffee plantations and many ethnic minority villages, this area has seen tourism find a solid foothold and given a great boost to the local economy.

Any walk through the beautiful scenery is a highlight for travellers in the area and guided tours can sharpen one’s grasp of the region’s unique natural history and culture. The two-day loop offered through Teamworkz, your whl.travel local connection, takes in several hilltribe villages, visits the spectacular 120-metre Tad Fane waterfall – the tallest in Laos – and stops at a swimming hole and for some local coffee tasting. Travellers with less time can see the essentials on a day tour.

Experienced hikers are sure to be drawn to a two-day trek through the Xe Pian Conservation Area, one of the most important protected areas in Laos and one well known for its incredible biodiversity. The trip includes canoe rides, treks through dense jungle and a homestay in a local ethnic village. Along the way, the local guide points out the park’s native medicinal plants and wildlife, a special sharp eye out for the endangered yellow-cheeked gibbon.

Other excursions within Xe Pian are the climb to the top of Mount Asa, during which a half-day elephant ride takes you through the forest and up to the summit, site of a pretty ruined fort.

Scenic Cycling Excursions

Cycling is always an engaging way to enjoy the scenery and interact with the locals. In Champasak, Teamworkz’ extended four-day cycling tour is ideal for physically fit travellers looking to make the most of their time. Departing from Pakse, the provincial capital, famous for its hand-woven cottons and silks, the trip includes visits to coffee plantations and waterfalls along the Bolaven Plateau, small forest trails throughout Xe Pian and several local ethnic villages. The distances covered each day range from 40 to 90 kilometres; bikers bed down at local homestays and ecolodges, where there is time to relax in the evenings and sample the local fare.

A gentle 90-minute ride on the back of an elephant takes travellers to the summit of Mount Asa, located in the Xe Pian Conservation Area of Champasak, Laos. Photo courtesy of Stanislas Fradelizi in Flickr/whltravel

The saddle of a bike is also the perfect perch from which to explore the sleepy islands of Si Phan Don, also known as the Four Thousand Islands – where the Mekong is up to 18 kilometres wide and encompasses thousands of small islands. The largest island, Don Khong, is just a short ferry ride from the mainland and has plenty of comfortable guesthouses, many of which have bikes for rent to travellers for around 10,000 KIP (US$1). It’s the best budget way to pedal around and enjoy the laid-back riverside scenery.

Teamworkz also has a full-day bicycle tour to an abandoned French railway that once linked Cambodia and Laos across a different island, called Don Khone. The day trip departs from Pakse and includes a stop at the stunning emerald green Liphii waterfalls, close to the Cambodia border.

Zip-line Jungle Jaunts

Thrill seekers longing for the ultimate adventure are sure to find it in Champasak. Just one hour by car from Pakse, the small village of Ban Nongluang is the launching pad for a heart-stopping and high-flying jungle excursion by zip line.

The adventure is offered in two- and three-day packages, both of which also begin with a breathtaking canopy walk across a steep river valley. Continuing past plunging waterfalls, travellers receive a zip-line safety briefing before blasting off through the treetops. Speeding through the jungle, they savour phenomenal views from above the dense forest, an elevation kept even at bedtime, as lodging is in tree houses.

Real adrenaline junkies may prefer the three-day adventure; day two features extended zips of up to 400 metres at daredevil speeds through the forest’s upper stratum.

Real thrills await everyone on the final day for both tours: the ultimate highlight is the steep bolted rock climb up one of the highest peaks in the area. At the summit, the impressive views take in nearby waterfalls, the mighty Mekong and even neighbouring Thailand.

One local company, Il Viaggio Travel, has been at the forefront of ‘green’ initiatives in Costa Rica by providing reliable, comfortable and eco-friendly Costa Rica transfer services in every region of the country. Now, Il Viaggio Travel has aligned itself with Green Path Transfers, the world’s first global environmentally friendly transfer service.

Il Viaggio Travel's fleet includes this Toyota Hi-Ace 2010, which comes with air conditioning and a DVD player as well as a billingual chauffeur.

“Since we first heard about Green Path Transfers, we knew we wanted to be part of the project,” says Emilio Zuñiga Cubillo, Operations Manager of Il Viaggio Travel. “It is very ambitious and well planned. They have every angle covered and we share most of their principles 100 percent. Our goal is to share with our customers their philosophy and try to convince all our local suppliers to get involved. I am sure this will make a huge change in the way other transport owners think. They will understand that you can still have a profitable business while turning your operation into a greener one.”

Il Viaggio Travel’s own fleet of superior fuel-rated vehicles includes two 12-passenger Toyota HiAce mini vans and an eight-person Hyundai H1, as well as a Suzuki Grand Vitara for solo travelers; the company has also joined ranks with many local and independent drivers, all of whom are bilingual and operate modern and fuel-efficient vehicles. Biodiesel is used whenever possible and is made locally from the African palm and Jatropha curcas trees.

Having launched its operations in March of 2005, Il Viaggio began providing travellers with a variety of services that included hotel and lodge reservations, guided tours and transfers for those interested in visiting Costa Rica in an environmentally responsible way. Today, in addition to offering luxury transfer services to any Costa Rican destination, the company continues to design tailor-made itineraries and packages for all types of travellers, while also offering many activities and tours such as paragliding, whitewater rafting, nature walks, canopy tours, sunset sails and much, much more. In 2009, Il Viaggio Travel was awarded an excellent grade by the Costa Rica Tourism Board’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) program.

The rainforest that surrounds Monteverde, Costa Rica draws tourists and naturalists from all over the world. Photo courtesy of Flickr/baxterclaus

As part of its commitment to environmental standards for sustainable business practices, Il Viaggio Travel also participates in local tree planting and recycling programs and supports local artisans through the purchase of handmade goods for client gift packages. Local service providers and partners are chosen and vetted based on their ability to meet certification standards established by the CST, the Rainforest Alliance’s tourism and agricultural programs, the Ecological Blue Flag, or something similar.

For ecotourists and adventure travellers who have set their sights on Costa Rica, Emilio Zuñiga of Il Viaggio has a long list of not-to-missed recommendations. Among his top picks are rural La Fortuna, lying just 10 kilometres from Arenal, one of the world’s most active volcanoes; Manuel Antonio National Park, home to beautiful white sand beaches and wildlife that includes iguanas, monkeys, sloths and many species of birds; Monteverde, adjacent to two cloud forests and home to the rare and beautiful Quetzal; and Puerto Viejo de Limon in the southern Caribbean, notable for its unique Afro-Caribbean culture.

“It’s great working with a team as committed and passionate about environmental sustainability as Il Viaggio, especially in a destination as ecologically diverse and fragile as Costa Rica,” says Adrian Cordiner, CEO of Green Path Transfers.

To learn more about Il Viaggio, book environmentally friendly transfers within Costa Rica and learn more about other local partners around the globe, visit Green Path Transfers.

The spectacular Royal Palace of King Sisavangvong, a Luang Prabang landmark, is now a national museum. Photo by Stanislas Fradelizi

Given the inspiring surroundings and long history, Luang Prabang has understandably become an important artistic and cultural centre as well. Travellers will discover a multitude of phenomenal museums, craft shops and other cultural offerings, with plenty of opportunities to participate in and learn about local traditions through activities such as weaving lessons, fashion shows and much, much more.

Exploring the Culture

Luang Prabang’s museums offer travellers a window into the unique history and cultural heritage of Laos. Anyone especially interested in local arts and culture should head first to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre, an independent non-profit museum located behind Luang Prabang’s Dara Market. Having opened its doors in 2007, the centre features a variety of exhibitions and resources dedicated to the collection, preservation and interpretation of the local arts and lifestyles of Laos’ ethnic groups. Permanent displays offer insight into the cultural melting pot through artefacts, writings and photographs that help visitors understand more about the identities of groups such as the Akha, Hmong, Tai Dam and Khmu.

The Royal Ballet, banned for period after 1975, now once again holds regular performances. Photo by Stanislas Fradelizi

An easy walking distance from the centre is the Royal Palace of King Sisavangvong, built in 1904 and now a national museum. At the entranceway, keep an eye out for a three-headed elephant sheltered by a sacred white parasol, the symbol of the Lao monarchy. Inside the museum’s garden, the Royal Ballet troupe holds regularly scheduled performances. The productions feature dancing and traditional folksongs that describe events from the Phra-Lak Phra-Lam, the sacred Lao version of the ancient Sanskrit epic, the Ramayama.

Local handicrafts made from indigenous bamboo grown in the forests around Luang Prabang, Laos. Photo by Stanislas Fradelizi

Taking Textiles Seriously

A visit to Fibre2Fabric, a non-profit gallery space, is an eye-opening exploration of the cultural significance of textiles from various regions and ethnicities in Laos. Past exhibits have focused on the weaving motifs of the Tai-Lao people, the batik patterns of the Hmong, and ikat, a ceremonial tie-dye technique practiced by many ethnic groups. The Fibre2Fabric gallery lies just off Mekong Road, three blocks from the 16th-century Wat Xieng Thong (“Monastery of the Golden City”).

The founders of Fibre2Fabric, Veomanee Duangdala and Joanna Smith, are also the brains behind OckPopTok, a textile gallery and weaving centre that works with local development agencies to train Lao artisans and provide sustainable employment to rural people in Laos. OckPopTok – which translates to “east meets west” – also offers hands-on activities for visitors to Luang Prabang, including half-day classes on Hmong batik drawing, a full-day course on natural dyes and weaving and and an afternoon workshop about silkworms and silk making. All classes take place at the Living Crafts Centre, which sits approximately two kilometres outside of town and overlooks the Mekong.

Getting the Goods

Take-home products and and accessories handcrafted by local Lao artists can be found at Kopnoï, an award-winning fair-trade export company based locally in Luang Prabang.

Kopnoï, which means “little frog” in Lao, was founded by Québecois Isabel Dréan and her partner Simon Côté. The pair first landed in Laos in 2001, settling in Luang Prabang and opening L’Etranger, Books and Tea, the town’s first licensed bookshop. In the months that followed, the couple discovered the cotton handmade in Laos and, impressed by its fine quality, decided to get involved in clothing production. Recognising another worthy business venture, Dréan and Côté launched Kopnoï in November 2005. “Fair trade was hardly ever mentioned at that time in Laos,” Dréan recalls. “We wanted to make a difference not only in town, but also reach out to small villages all over Laos.”

At Kopnoi, an award-winning fair trade shop, travellers can pick up a wide range of goods all locally made in Laos. Photo by Simon Côté

The company, which aims to promote handmade Laotian goods on the world market, has grown exponentially since its first days and now works closely with artisans, villagers and local nongovernmental organisations to create products useful in modern life using traditional Lao skills. “We have developed a lot of different products, lines and collections over the years,” Dréan explains, “but we always make sure that our producers have standards and a philosophy that goes with ours, protecting the artisans, farmers and villagers.”

The Ethnik Fashion showcases the colourful clothes worn by a wide variety of ethnic groups living in Laos. Photo by Simon Côté

Among Kopnoi’s best-selling items are its sustainable bamboo drinking straws and cotton apparel. The company also sells a range of home décor, jewellery and silk products. Luang Prabang visitors wishing to sneak a peek at the latest fashions should head to Hive Bar, a popular local drinking establishment, for their Ethnik Fashion Show. Scheduled for Tuesday through Saturday at 7pm and featuring more that 95 costumes, the show pays homage to the wide variety of traditional clothes worn by more than 20 different ethnic groups in Laos. The colourful and entertaining event lasts one hour, but the party continues well into the night!

For more information on events and activities in Luang Prabang, as well as an insider’s selection of local accommodation, contact TeamWorkz, your whl.travel local connection in Laos.

It is, in general, very rewarding work. We are an outlet for ideas and images generated by people who sometimes have never yet been published. As the huge majority of our local partners are not from English-speaking countries, often the articles we publish by them are their first bylines not in their native tongues (some 30 of which are also represented on this blog, even including Chichewa, Dagbani, Dzongkha, Lao, Malay, Maltese, Rajasthani and Tonga).

Making it all possible is a small team of extremely dedicated people. They’re the grammarsmiths and word wizards hidden behind The Travel Word cyber curtain, never spotlighted enough. And so, in keeping with this season of reflection and thanks, here’s a chance for them to step out of the shadows and be acknowledged.

If you like what you’ve been reading and have got a moment to spare, please do let us know.

Who We Are

The Travel Word team consists of:
+ Ethan Gelber, Editor-in-Chief
+ Paul Tavner, Techie-in-Chief
+ Laurel Angrist, Wordster-in-Chief
+ Cynthia Ord, Newsletterer-in-Chief
+ Natasha Robinson, Newsletterer-in-Chief, Emeritus
+ Jen Aston, Special-Dealster-in-Chief

.

Ethan Gelber
Ethan is the Architect (yes, like in the Matrix) of The Travel Word. He spelled its first words and guided its growth from very modest origins to what it is today. Like a proud poppa, he can’t believe how much this little baby has matured.

Ethan Gelber happily on two wheels in southern Namibia

Ethan says:
When I was freshly in my teens, I went on an organised bike trip. Fittingly, my memories of it today revolve around goofy, barely pubescent social interactions; I recall almost nothing of the physical exertion. But a seed must certainly have been planted. In the more than 30 years since, I have gone on other two-wheel excursions, spent a decade guiding bike tours in Europe, managed epic pedal expeditions and written extensively about cycling (both on the Web and in guidebooks).

I can now declare without hesitation that cycling has been a lifestyle choice. It is even my primary means of transport, both at home and on the road; I can boast that to this day I have covered more ground propelling two wheels than I have steering four.

I just love the experience of it. I crave the feelings of both freedom (of movement) and intimacy (with a place) when I’m in the saddle, preferences that now also rule my travel inclinations. After long years on a bicycle – open to the elements and the people of a place – I now always seek out a way to connect with locals in all my travels, to respect local cultures and customs and to minimise my impact on the local environment, all while maximising my contribution to the local economy.

These are the practices I have brought to bear in the 70-plus countries I have visited (many by bike) and in many of the professional choices I have made. In present-day terms, this makes me a local and responsible traveller. And as they mean so much to me in how I live my life, I am overjoyed to be able to emphasise these values through something like the WHL Group and The Travel Word.

• Read articles on The Travel Word written by Ethan Gelber.
• Send Ethan a message.

Paul Tavner outside the museum at Verdun on a visit to the French Battlefields of Word War One

Paul Tavner
Paul keeps The Travel Word’s CSS engine running smoothly. He’s its engineer-tinkerer, who rebuilt the machine in July 2010, converting it from a charming jalopy into a sleek new alternative-fueled sedan. He’s also handy with a pen and nimble with design. A true triple menace.

Paul says:
I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a bit of a geek. As ‘Techie-in-Chief’ of The Travel Word, that probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise, but contrary to popular belief, I’m not permanently wired into the ‘net. Just like the rest of my teammates, I love to travel, and in many ways I’m a travel geek, but the real nerdiness comes out when I catch a whiff of a museum.

I love history. History and travel have always been intertwined for me. My family holidays as a child were filled with trips to battlefields, castles and monuments. I get it from my Dad – he’s a history teacher.

I sincerely believe that you can learn a great deal about a location and where it’s going simply by looking at where it’s been. And, yes, you can get some of this from a guide book or by reading up in your local library, but the absolute best way is to get there and immerse yourself; to touch the warm stone of the city walls or, for more recent history, to be with people who lived through it.

One of my fondest travel memories is slipping away from a group of friends in Zagreb, Croatia, and spending some time wandering the cool halls of the city’s Archaeological Museum. It was a quiet day, so one of the elderly curators walked with me. He spoke little English and I had no Croatian, but our shared passion for the history on display allowed us to communicate. An understanding that crossed boundaries of language and culture, via a detour of generations into the past.

• Read articles on The Travel Word written by Paul Tavner.
• Send Paul a message.

Laurel Angrist
Laurel is The Travel Word’s Mistress of Interrogative Words. With so many sources of inspiration, the blog’s got to have someone who knows who’s where, what’s when and how’s why. It’s a juggling feat worthy of Durga. Fortunately one hand also holds an editor’s pen and another an author’s quill.

Laurel Angrist enjoying good company in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador

Laurel says:
“So when is your next disappearing act?” friends are often asking me. Like many of my WHL coworkers and trip-obsessed pals, I spend an impractical amount of time just plotting my future escapes! Whether it’s my own country that I’m researching or yours, I love a good scavenger hunt for the tastiest food, the wackiest customs or the wildest path from A to B. Tell me where you are headed to in 2011 – I seriously need to know!

All that pre-trip planning keeps me reasonably sane, but it’s the unexpected possibilities that make travel exciting! I’ve been hopelessly lost and stumbled upon festivals; I’ve met locals who are now lifelong friends. “What sort of traveller are you?” someone recently asked me. It’s funny that after all my well-planned escapes and accidental adventures, my only possible answer was “a serious one.”

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Cynthia Ord
The Travel Word releases a theme-driven newsletter once a month. Cynthia is the new force behind it, a lively mentor eager to open her demure disciple to new opportunity. Look for her intro each month and her steady byline.

Cynthia Ord playing with perspective at Formentor, one of the most dramatic coastlines of Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Cynthia says:
I like to migrate. Over the past eight years, I’ve followed this strange instinct of mine – find opportunities in amazing new environments. Some of my past habitats include:

UDLA. I studied abroad for a semester at la Universidad de las Américas in Puebla, Mexico. My on-campus dormitory, Ray Lindley, had these peacocks that lived on the lawn among the topiary.

Finca Ixobel. After six months as a volunteer at one of Guatemala’s most legendary ecolodges, I will always be a little ‘Ixobelizada.’ I highly recommend Arbol tree house.

Spring Lake Ranch. During my year in a farm community in Vermont, I was a house advisor, woods crew leader, wooden bench builder, and maple syrup bottler and connoisseur.

Yoga House. After two months on the waiting list, I shared this space with a fun community of people in Xela, Guatemala, where I lived and worked for a year. I miss Lucky’s classes and Sunday night dinners.

Totoco Ecolodge. I spent two weeks here as a WWOOF volunteer, transplanting cacao trees in the organic garden area and staring at the volcanoes on the island of Ometepe, Nicaragua.

Adan’s piso. This is the crazy two-story apartment I found in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, where I was studying tourism. It had this green terrace and two secret passageways.

Outdoor Albania. Interning for this whl.travel local partner and living at Tirana Backpacker Hostel was the ultimate summer adventure in a fascinating little Balkan country. Best trip: sea kayaking.

Now I’m back home in Denver, Colorado, for the next half year or so, but the migratory instinct is still strong. I’ve already got my eye on the next opportunity. South America is calling!

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Natasha Robinson
Natasha helmed the newsletter of The Travel Word until Motherhood brought her a daughter as her Christmas Eve gift. We have great confidence that she will bring even more character and wit to the raising of her child than she did to the development of our monthly missive.

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Jen Aston
Jen’s got both a knack for knowing people’s longings and an eye for good deals. It’s a one-two combo that would make her a great Santa, but we’re happy she’s with The Travel Word as our bargain sleuth. Keep an eye on our SPECIALS page for new offers almost every month.

Jen Aston mountain biking in the Knysna Forest of South Africa during the Oyster Festival

Jen says:
I’ve spent most of my life in Cape Town, South Africa, but have family scattered all over the world. Although I don’t get to see them much, when I do show up, I’m usually lugging dirty washing and a couple of guidebooks. If I could just find a few distant relatives in Guatemala or Costa Rica, then I’d be all set.

I realised a while back that loving to travel and being a hardcore traveller are not necessarily related. As much as I love to disappear off to unusual places, I’m don’t relish the discomfort of it all. If I can avoid heat rashes, public bathrooms and eating weird parts of usual animals, then I’m all the better for it. Despite being a bit feeble, I just can’t cure my need to travel.

As a rule, I don’t take many photos when I’m on the road; instead, I keep a journal. Looking back through them brings my trips to life in a way that old photos never seem to. Here are some travel experiences that I’ll never forget:

+ Visiting the torture museum in Prague. I hope the nightmares will stop soon
+ Seeing the giant Buddha on Lantau Island in Hong Kong. Bi-zarre.
+ Looking up at Niagara Falls. I mean seriously, they went over the falls in a barrel!?! Was nothing on TV that day?
+ Rafting on the great Zambezi. I owe our fab local partner in Livingstone for that one.
+ Walking through the rainforest to the Deer Bat Caves in Borneo. Then enduring the laughter as, after landing flat on my back, I walked home dripping in guano.

By this time next year, I hope to have a whole new list to look back on.

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Green Limousine is just that and much, much more. Launched in 2005, it brings sustainable luxury transportation to the Vail Valley region, managing exceptional customer service without overlooking the need to preserve the local environment. And now Green Limousine has signed on as the new local partner of Green Path Transfers, the world’s first global environmentally friendly transfer service.

“Our environment is what makes our destination what it is, and we serve to transport visitors in and out of this amazing area, while at the same time working to protect the environment that draws guests here,” explained Seth Bounds, CEO of Green Limousine.

Working together with Green Path Transfers, this local Vail Valley taxi service provides safe and reliable transport to and from all regional airports, including Eagle County and Denver International. Green Limousine’s experienced drivers undergo routine driving tests and background checks, and specialise at navigating the snowy local roads to and through world-class ski destinations like Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs and Keystone.

Sustainable transportation has been the goal from the start of this small and successful company. Green Limousine’s fleet ranges from three-passenger cars to 14-passenger vans, all powered by biodiesel, ethanol and hybrid gasoline-electric engines. Biodiesel and ethanol are nontoxic, all-natural, renewable fuels that greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, airborne toxins and other types of pollutants. By relying on renewable energy sources and alternatives to fossil fuels, Green Limousine helps visitors in the Vail Valley to dramatically reduce their carbon footprints.

In fact, a deeply ingrained respect for the local environment is apparent in all aspects of the Green Limousine business. From relying on nontoxic and chemical-free cleaning agents to using high-efficiency light bulbs, the company operates with the goal to reduce, reuse and recycle at every possible turn. Even the passenger name signs that drivers brandish at airports are printed on the backs of old wine lists gathered from Vail Village restaurants.

Inside each vehicle, guests find plenty of healthy beverages and organic fruit snacks – adding a true touch of luxury and comfort to journeys of any length. Bottles of water for guests are sourced locally and the company has even researched how much new and post-consumption plastic has been used to produce every bottle they use. An extensive list of organic beer and wines is also available for celebrations in transit – each beverage has been carefully chosen for its superb quality and authentically natural character.

“It’s great to see a company really responding proactively to their environment like Green Limousine have done,” says Adrian Cordiner, CEO of Green Path Transfers. “It is the actions of companies such as these that will help preserve the natural environment for visitors to continue enjoying well into the future. We’re pleased to have Green Limousine as our exclusive partner in the Vail Valley.”

Paying attention to the finer points of environmentally sustainable transportation has helped establish Green Limousine as a successful and award-winning Vail Valley business for more than five years running. Today, the company’s clientele is largely split between business travellers headed to corporate retreats and conferences, and families on holiday ski trips. For special events, parties and weddings, Green Limousine offers flexible, personalised service arranged by knowledgeable staff with long experience managing groups of any size.