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#cocoakayaking #ecotravel #ecotoursim

With the onset of September and the great festival of Dashain closing in, the Bote community is set to begin operation in the domestic tourism sector with the Bankatta model of our beloved project MADI.

As we come to the end of this first project phase, we are happy to announce that we have successfully curated a design model for the homestay infrastructure alongside installation of clean drinking water treatment plant and the off-grid solar energy units. The sensuously curved bamboo roof of community hall makes for a great resting spot already and the quality finishing of the river stone wall complements the upper layer of skillfully woven bamboo walls. The homestays with reclaimed khapada tiles will be up and running, welcoming the national and international visitors to enjoy the Madi landscape.

None of this would have been possible without the proactive community of Bankatta who have shown deep interest in learning and understanding the approach of conservation, sustainability and means to achieve authentic tourism.

The making of these sustainable buildings have been documented in the Virtual heritage tour at Bankatta, organized by the Storycycle and British Council last April which was led by SMA architect Aarati Rana. You can find it here.

https://bit.ly/3tk48OD

Moreover, this Nepali-Swiss initiative in Madi Valley has also been selected as a Case Study (of inclusive, community-based architecture) by the British Council, Pakistan & Bangladesh as part of voicing women working in nature/sustainability and climate action. Similarly, the project was also accepted among the 306 participants from all around the world for the Terrafibra Awards 2021. We are elated to be a part of the history the Bankatta Model is making in the country and abroad.

For more info and future bookings, you can reach out to Santosh Bote at +977 9862373388.

#sustainablemountainarchitecture #madi #ecotoursim #dry run #homestay #community hall

The Hardest Part of Travel: Coming Home

There’s nothing quite like traveling. It’s this adventure where you live in each moment; never looking too hard toward the future, or reflecting on the past. You get caught up in the thrill of it all: the people, this stupendous, wonderful, enthralling place you’re visiting, these other worldly experiences that you have each and every day, and all that you’re learning about this life you’re…

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If you’re looking to really your get your heart-rate up, see the other side of the Chuckanuts, and hit two lakes in one day (potentially), head on over to Pine and Cedar Lakes Country Park. A true Bellingham adventure gem, this hike is not for the faint of heart. This hike is one that I like to do in order to get back in shape, seeing as the first couple of miles are pretty steep! Don’t let that deter you though, cause the lakes, viewpoint, and your newly sculpted glutes will make this hike totally worth it.

Getting There

From Bellingham, head south toward Fairhaven (you can do this via 1-5 or Old Samish Road). The trail-head is nearly impossible to miss, as there is a sign visible from the road. Once you get into the parking lot there is also the painted informational concrete block pictured above.

The Trail

Like I stated earlier, the beginning of the trail is uphill. VERY UPHILL. Don’t get discouraged though! Fight through until the trail finally mellows out, and you know you’re through the worst of it. To make it through the incline, distract your mind with the water cascading down the gully to your right and how green everything is (even in winter! How cool is that?!). The whole trail there and back is around 5 miles, and the incline gets more gradual coming out of the first mile and a half. Unlike other trails in the Chuckanuts *cough cough Lost Lake* this one has really good signs. So, about 1.75 miles in there will be sign to turn left for Cedar Lake. If you go this way, then you have the opportunity to also go up to a beautiful viewpoint before heading back down and continuing on to Pine Lake. If you decide to skip the turn, you’ll just head off toward Pine Lake.

So, get ready to sweat! Grab your boots, head for the car, and #maketrails up to Pine and Cedar Lakes this week!

The trail up to the viewpoint

Cedar Lake Viewpoint

Pine Lake

Weekly Microadventure: Pine and Cedar Lakes If you're looking to really your get your heart-rate up, see the other side of the Chuckanuts, and hit two lakes in one day (potentially), head on over to…

Green Travel Trash Talk: 10 Simple (and fun) Beach Clean-up Ideas

It’s summer! Well, at least according to the school calendar here in Colorado. While it may not be beach weather – yet – we are gearing up for a spending a few weeks in Florida. For millions of Americans, summer is synonymous with the beach. For our family it’s more like November through February since we’re trying trade snow for sand. This will be the first time the kids have technically been to…

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#ecotoursim #travel inspiration #Traveling with kids

We are honored to be recognized by the Hawaii Ecotourism Association for our environmental practices. #maui #greenpaddlingbluewater #alohakayaksmaui #aloha #hawaii #ecotoursim #sustainable #808 #protector

#protector #ecotoursim #hawaii #aloha #sustainable #808 #maui #greenpaddlingbluewater #alohakayaksmaui

Ten Ways to Travel Responsibly

Responsible travel is having an awareness of the global community in which we live and employing this awareness on a local scale. It is a type of travel that involves an ethos of being culturally aware and environmentally responsible, as well as conscious of the economic factors that we contribute to as travellers.

Taking part in a volunteer project is a fantastic way to help make your travel more responsible by giving a little something back at the same time. Whether you choose to get to know a community or help out with a cause you're passionate about, there are also some extra steps you can take to help make your travel experience as ethical as possible!

1. Be conscious of cultural difference and respect local customs Make sure to read up on the country you're visiting before you leave and do a little research on its cultural traditions. It would be quite embarrassing to start your big trip only to end up offending the locals with your rudeness; pointing with your finger instead of your thumb in Malaysia for instance is quite likely to cause upset!

2. Buy local By buying local and at a fair price, especially in developing countries, you'll be being responsible by helping support the local economy. This is also a great chance for you to get to know more about where you're staying as your explore the exotic markets and bazaars and try out new and exciting local produce.

3. Ask before taking someone's photo Wherever you are in the world, remember it's always polite to ask before taking a photo - especially in some places where people believe a photograph steals their soul! If there's a language barrier, a simple gesture to your camera can be enough.

4. Respect your environment There's a famous saying that goes 'take only pictures, steal only time, leave only footprints' that sums up responsible travel. When travelling, be sure to respect your environment: keep to walking trails, try not to damage coral when scuba diving, and don't remove anything from its natural environment.

5. Reduce your use of plastic Just like at home, it's vital to reduce your use of throw-away packaging, especially in places that don't have recycling facilities to handle the waste. Where possible use reusable containers like refillable water bottles, either topping up from clean water dispensers or using water purification tablets.

6. Use water carefully Water can be scarce in many countries around the globe which makes it incredibly valuable. Try to waste as little as possible by not leaving taps running or taking long showers. Being aware of water wastage shouldn't stop once you return home however, as reducing our use of water also helps to reduce pollution and increase energy savings.

7. Make informed purchases Think carefully when buying any souvenirs and try to make sure wherever possible your purchase won't be supporting any damaging activities to the environment. You can also avoid supporting illegal actions by not buying prohibited items such as ivory, endangered animals or hard woods, or ancient artefacts.

8. Reduce your carbon footprint This can be done by travelling as light as possible to reduce the weight and subsequently the pollution of the plane you travel in. Once you arrive at your destination, exploring by public transport or walking will help you both travel green and have a more authentic experience.

9. Learn some local language No matter where you're travelling learning simple phrases such as 'hello' and 'thank you', no matter how badly pronounced, will get you a smile from the locals!

10. Get involved Get involved as much as possible when travelling to really make the most of your experience and help create the memories that will a lifetime. Whether you choose to get involved byvolunteering abroad, or simply joining in with local events, getting involved with help you meet more locals and other travellers alike.

Maria Sowter is Online Content Editor at Frontier, an international non-profit volunteering NGO that runs 320 conservation, community, and adventure projects in 57 countries across the globe. She can be found blogging on Frontier's Gap Year Blog or posting on the Frontier Official Facebook page.

#travel #responsible travel #ecotoursim #blog

TRAVELLING NOT FARTHER, BUT DEEPER: GUIDO SARREAL

Walking alongside him, I found that almost everyone we bumped into greeted Guido Sarreal with so much joy and sincerity. His 4 months of stay as a volunteer on the island of Culion got him the chance to really be with the people. Despite the fact that he had been away for quite some time and was just visiting for a project we both have been working on to help local tourism, one would see how attached the community is with him, and him with the community. I was fortunate enough to get the chance to interview him in Culion, Palawan, which he says is a place very close to his heart. There, I was able to see him at his most passionate self.

It was no surprise that he, growing up in a family who really had a heart for the poor, had an inclination to bring whatever he was doing back to the society. With the fire already burning in his heart, he knew there was no time to wait. Unlike most of his fellow graduates, who immediately took management trainee positions at big companies, Guido wanted to join the Jesuit Volunteers Philippines, where volunteers are sent to far-flung areas in the country to serve. However, he opted go to Culion and help in its eco-tourism development and community organization. The invitation to go to the island came from his college professor and mentor Eduardo Calasanz. Today, Guido remains as an advocate and supporter of Kawil Tours, which he built together with Fr. Javy Alpasa and Jun Tibi. Kawil Tours is operated by Culion locals themselves and offers expedition tours in Culion-Coron. Guido has empowered the local team behind it, who also have become his closest friends, and helped them build opportunities to further promote the beauty of Culion.

Indeed, the island was captivating and no doubt that Guido fell in love with it. It wasn’t as commercialized compared to most of the islands in Palawan, so most of the people whom you’ll be bumping into are the locals themselves. The place was as beautiful as the people: Guido toured us around and brought us to the magnificent coral reefs surrounding the island. The place also had historical stops that will allow you to know more about the story of Culion.

Culion Island is located in northern Palawan, with a rich marine life boasting over 200 species of fish, as well as coral and sea grass. During the American Occupation, it was known as the ‘Island of No Return’ because it held the largest leper colony in the world. Today, however, people like Guido have helped transform the island’s image from a leper colony into an emerging tourist spot. From here, Guido is able to carve a path to taking care of the environment and promoting Philippine tourism.

As he is a man of many talents, being a musician and public speaker as well as a leader and mentor, I asked Guido if eco-tourism was really his passion. “Actually, it’s more of eco-social than eco-tourism,” he corrected me. “Because it’s not just about protecting and preserving the environment, but also making it socially relevant. We need to involve the community to take care of the environment."

After serving in Culion for 4 months, Guido went back to Manila to work for an NGO for a short duration, and then ventured on to start the travel and tours company Trail Adventours with his friends. Together with close college friend Osep Reyes, he also started Culture Shock PH, which is more focused on culture and culinary tourism. “I’m particularly excited about Culture Shock," Guido shared. “Trail Ad may be more exciting for most people because it gives a sense of adventure through its hiking and trekking events, but Culture Shock shares the country’s history and heritage. You’ll get to experience what the Philippines has but forgotten. The opportunity to experience our country’s heritage will revitalize one’s love for country. It’s not just about ‘what’s out there,’ but, ‘what’s the story that led to this?’”

Guido wants to redefine the way we travel. It’s is not about how far we go, but how deep our experience of a place is. He also told me it wasn’t about going somewhere, just ticking it off on your places-to-go-list, and moving on to your new destination—but going to a place and realizing it’s a place you want to come back to. "The goal is to get people to see how beautiful the country is, that they fall in love with it, and so they feel responsible and end up taking care of what then becomes their country"

People say they are proudly Filipino, but they might still be surprised that they lack awareness of everything that our country has to offer. The whole time we were talking, I was able to picture in my mind all the beautiful sceneries in this country, and the beautiful people as well. Guido spoke about the places, the mountains, the food and the adventures with so much excitement that it made me all the more proud to be a Filipino, and one with so much more meaning.

The thing that amazes me the most about Guido is how he is such a big dreamer for the country, but at the same time shows such deep compassion for the individual. When he talks to me as one of his mentees, or to one of the locals in Culion, he displays so much sincerity and genuine care—something all his friends would attest to. He doesn’t only leave a mark on a beach or an island, but in a person’s heart as well. No wonder everyone in Culion stops driving their motorcycles for a while just to greet him and say hi.

I realized that the peacefulness and beauty of Culion was similar to Guido’s soul. It was always easy to be with him, and though he was crazy and makulit most of the time, it was just one of his ways of showing his love.

Seeing such passion and clarity in his mission, I asked him how people could find their own passion and mission. “It’s all about discernment. Discernment is not about choosing the right decision, but making your decision right. He reminded me that no work is more meaningful than the other. It doesn’t matter where we are or what we are doing, it depends on how we see ourselves contributing to this country.

Our generation is one that has a lot on its plate. While there is nothing wrong with that, we should remember that life is not just about checking everything off our bucket lists. We all dream of going far and doing so many successful things, but what I have learned from Kuya Guido is that it’s really all about depth and impact. He may have been speaking in the language of the environment, but at the end of the day, it was all about the people—and this is how he can travel with such great meaning and deeper purpose.