Explore!

Whether you enjoy swimming, hiking, canoeing, exploring or just floating down a lazy river relaxing in an inner tube, your Belize vacation is sure to offer all of these fantastic opportunities at once. Join a Belizean naturalist tour guide on an amazing journey through all of Belize’s scenic and historical attractions and get acquainted with the exotic wildlife.

Black Rock Canyon – Visit the tropical rain forests located in the foothills of the historical Mayan mountains. Just over the Guatemalan border you can swim the clear waters of the Macal River in the company of iguanas, lizards, over 200 species of birds and all three breeds of Toucans which are indigenous to the region.

Xunantunich Ruins – Experience the Belizean culture while you enjoy an educational guided tour down the Macal River by canoe. Paddle your way through the rain forest to the site of the beautifully historic ancient ruins of Xunantunich. The structure rests 130 feet above ground level allow you a panoramic view of rain forest and ancient city below while your guide describes in vivid detail the lifestyle of the ancient Mayans who once inhabited the area.

Belizean Jaguar

Cockscomb Basin & Jaguar Reef – Wildlife and reptile enthusiasts will enjoy hiking through Belize’s magnificent nature reserves. The 100,000 acre sanctuary of lush tropical forest is home to numerous amphibian and reptilian creatures, nearly 300 species of birds, Howler monkeys, endangered Scarlet macaws and the largest cat on three continents, the jaguar. Experience all of this amazing wild and botanical life against a backdrop of captivating natural waterfalls.

These are just a few of the magnificent adventures that you and your family can experience on your tour of beautiful Belize. The most amazing part is, there is so much more!

Kiyomizu Temple

Jishu Shrine Of Love

A popular tourist attraction rich with Asian culture is the Kiyomizu Temple in east Kyoto, Japan. The temple was constructed in 780 in the wooded hills surrounding the Otowa Waterfall. The Kiyomizu Temple is the oldest school of Buddhism on the continent and is known for its wooden stage that overlooks the maple and cherry wood forest below. An Autumn visit to the temple allows tourists a breathtaking view of the rainbow colored foliage present during the change of seasons. At the back of the main hall in the temple stands the Jishu Shrine dedicated to love and matchmaking. The entrance is marked by two sacred stones placed eighteen meters apart. Asian legend tells that heartsick individuals who are able to walk from one stone to the other with their eyes closed will experience great luck in finding love and companionship. It is also said that you may receive assistance when traveling blindly from one stone to the next but you will then rely on your guide’s assistance in all future matters of the heart.

The Legend Of The Otowa Waterfall

At the base of Kiyomizudera’s main hall stands the Otowa Waterfall. The natural flowing fall is divided into three separate streams and visitors are encouraged to drink from the streams of their choice to reap the benefits of mystical Asian offerings. You may collect water from each stream using a cup attached to a long pole (to reach the stream). One stream promises peace and longevity, another scholarly success and the third is believed to enhance a fulfillment in love and romance. Drink at your own discretion, but be warned that drinking from all three streams is considered a sign of greed and is said to counteract your intentions.

These are just a few of the amazing ancient legends that you can take part in when you visit Japan. Asia hosts endless scenic adventures that include a plethora of sights and activities that are rich with Japanese culture and philosophies. Confucius says; See for yourself!

Chilean Miner

Not that all the recent worldwide media attention wouldn’t make that any more obvious. From the major, 8.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked Santiago in February, to their exceptional playing (to a sudden-death loss) in the World Cup, and now, the heroic rescue of the trapped miners. After 69 days, a rescue operation the whole world was tuned into had taken place. 33 miners trapped below the earth, a fellowship of spirit, and the help of the planet’s best set forth to free them from the earth’s depths. Yes, miners die every day in the world. No miner would ever boast their job’s safety stats, but it’s a job that needs to get done. And these brave men captivated the world with their tale of survival against all odds! It was not only a Chilean ordeal; it quickly became a world ordeal.

So, now that Chile is firmly cemented into our connected consciousness, it has probably occurred to you how awesome of a place it is for an adventure. Not necessarily are we talking about playing in dangerous, collapsing mines, but 11 days and 10 nights exploring the natural wonders of Patagonia, Easter Island, and the Tyndall Glacier sound just a tad bit enthralling, no? Touring Chile & Patagonia is not a voyage for the weak-at-heart or those looking to lounge lazily. This is an active, trekking, hiking journey that will take you to majestic places way off the beaten path.

Ahhh, Chile, after all we’ve heard of your legend this year, why would we not want to see it with our own eyes?

Peru's Nazca Lines

A tour of Peru is the most perfect way to maximize your visit. A journey that takes you through the historical spots, and not forgo the hidden paths will please any traveler. The spirit of exploration will take over, allowing you to immerse yourself fully within the culture, the sites and the incredible environment.

Peru is home to not just awe-inspiring ancient cultures, but also to a very beautiful modern culture as well. The way of life is brilliant, with a reverence to both nature and the arts. Peruvian clothing is sought after all over the world- the vibrant colored parkas, dresses, tunics and ponchos created from shorn alpaca are a Peruvian signature. Tourists find that native clothing is often the best choice because it suits the climate so well.

Machu Picchu is considered one of the world’s seven wonders, and it goes without question as to why! Its majesty is unmatched, and its beauty is unparalleled. Machu Picchu tours can include visiting the famous Lake Titicaca, the ruins of Sacsayhuamán, the amazing Inca Trail. For the athletes, hiking the Cordillera Blanca trail is a definite must! Not only will your eyes be greeted with scenes of the gorgeous, snowy Andes mountains, but also incredible glaciers, and lagoons formed by melting glaciers. The ancient Nazca Lines, echoing the lost culture of the Nazca people, with their mysterious designs, are a sight to be cherished.

Peru is seriously a spectacle for the eyes, soul, and heart. You will never be the same after!

The Tour de France isn’t just a bicycle race. It is a physically demanding marathon

that spans over 2,000 miles and 20 days. At the end of each day, or stage, the cyclist with the lowest time gets to wear the famous yellow jersey. The race goes throughout France and boarding countries, with a good portion of the event navigating mountains.

The physical and mental pressure can be daunting. This sometimes leads to riders getting severely penalized for infractions. Just ask Mark Renshaw who was thrown out of the tour for head-butting Julian Dean on the final sprint of stage 11. Not just once, but three times! This aggressive maneuver helped Renshaw’s teammate Mark Cavendish win the stage. Hooray for teamwork!

“I went to a fight and a bike race broke out.”

That joke is reserved for hockey, but its relevance can satirize any sport. Who would of thought that Carlos Barredo would take off his bike tire and use it as a weapon? Certainly not Rui Costa who allegedly elbowed him in the ribs on stage 6. After the two riders cleared the finish line, Barredo wielded his wheel and whacked Costa. Punches were thrown by both opponents and officials had to pull them apart. Both cyclists were fined for their behavior, but not disqualified.

Riders are more likely to get stripped of their title and banned from the sport due to doping. Doping is using illegal performance-enhancing drugs to gain a physical advantage. This controversy is almost as old as the tour itself and has plagued the sport. Seven-time Tour de France champion, Lance Armstrong, has many accusations against him, but has never tested positive for steroids (other than a Cortisone topical skin cream). He has never been sanctioned.

Armstrong made an announcement this year that this tour would be his last. After multiple crashes during stage 8, his run for the 2010 title was over. He continued to finish and place 23^rd overall. As they say in France, “C’est la fin des haricots.” That’s the end of the beans.

Now that Lance Armstrong has bid his final adieu to the tour, it’s time for a replacement. I recommend starting slow, maybe a scenic ride through the south of France. Here you will get a taste of French culture.

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Bike tours through Provence offer scenic wonders that range from historic medieval towns to a vast countryside blooming with orchards and vineyards.  Visit the vibrant artist community of St-Rémy where Vincent van Gogh painted his famous masterpiece, The Starry Night. During this leisurely ride you don’t have to worry about taking performance-enhancing drugs, other than fine French wine of course. After this jaunt around Provence you’ll be feeling like a tour racer in no time. You might even throw in a head-butt or two.

M.E. Cohen

In 1812, somewhere between Damascus and Cairo, desert Bedouins spoke of a legendary city. The magnificent ruins of this ancient city were all that remained of a po werful trade center that linked Western civilization and the Far East. Fluent in Arabic, young Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt, set out to find this fabled crossroads.

Upon learning that the shrine of Aaron, Moses’ brother, was located near the city, Burkhardt devised a plan to pose as a Muslim traveler. He convinced Bedouins to lead him through the inaccessible Sharra Mountains so he could sacrifice a goat for religious purposes. His Bedouin tour guides escorted him through the Valley of Moses (Wadi Musa) that bisects the city and into an extremely narrow winding chasm (the Shiq), 2200 yards long. Like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, he came out of the gorge with an eye full of the spectacular rock temple of El Kazneh. Its name translates to the Treasury, referring to the myth that the Pharaoh hid his riches in the urn-looking ornament atop the stone façade while on the pursuit of the Jewish exodus. The temple is more than a 100 feet tall and craved out of the red sandstone cliff. His dis covery was a reopening of the great city of Petra, which was lost in time for 300 years.

Before Burkhardt’s adventure, the last known history of Petra was a Crusader fortress built in the 12th century, but to the upset of archeologists, there was no Holy Grail. Burkhardt’s guides became suspicious and he had to exit Petra before witnessing the impressive El Deir. El Deir, also referred to as the Monastery, is sculpted out of an isolated mountainside with a meticulous chiseled rock face that towers 147 ft and spans 164 ft wide. The doorway alone rises 26 feet. This is believed to be a tomb and also later served as a church as different empires took control of Petra.

Around 312 BC Petra became the capital of the Nabataea n kingdom. The city flourished as a crossroads to the Orient. Other major trade routes intertwined Gaza, Syria, Persia, and Europe. The Nabataeans achieved remarkable hydraulic engineering systems such as dams and other water conservation methods. Later on when the Roman Empire took control, they joined in the rock carving tradition and cut out an amphitheatre with a 3,000 person seating capacity. Throughout the centuries, Petra has become a necropolis, embedded with vast historical tombs that have become archeological and tourist treasures.

Petra supposedly harbors the tomb of Miriam, the sister of Moses, but her location has been lost over the years. Also, it is the alleged biblical site where Moses struck rock and water sprung forth. This rose-red city has recently been listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World and you don’t have to be as daring as Indiana Jones or Johann Burckhardt to discover its beauty. Tours to Petra and the near by Dead Sea are fun and exciting without the need to trick any Bedouin tour guides, and you can leave the sacrificial goats at home.

M.E. Cohen

Antarctica is naked. Considered a desert, this white wasteland barely gets 8 inches of rain on its 5.4 million square miles of thick ice. Not many things can live on the coldest, driest, and windiest place on Earth. Human inhabitants are nonexistent. Except for the nudist colonies.

Antarctica will get you nude. The continent doesn’t have a real population, but the scientists at the various research stations through out Antarctica like to partake in nude activities. At the South Pole American station, Amundsen-Scott, they sit in a 200-degree (F) sauna on the first day the outside temperature drops below -100. Then they go streaking around the South Pole marker. They feel the 300-degree drop in seconds. This colony is called The 300 Club for obvious reasons. The Australians have a “Blitz Run” at their stations where the loser of a bet or dare has to take a nude run around the base. Though the craziest of them all might be the New Zealand scientists, or Vandals, at the Vanda Station. When the summer air gets up to a sweltering 15 degrees, these crazy Kiwis skinny dip in 38 degree Lake Vanda! The Royal Lake Vanda Swim Club does allow socks however; human flippers will stick to the ice. Tuxedo-clad penguins aren’t the only Antarctic residents dressed, or should I say “undressed”, to party.

Antarctica has feathers. The Feather Star and Sea Pig (sea cucumber) are tiny creatures that float through the surrounding sea, fulfilling their niche in the food chain. Check out the Daily Green for more weird and fascinating pictures. You’re more likely to see penguins, seals, and whales on an Antarctica vacation, even though those weird creatures wouldn’t be the strangest sight on this continent.

Antarctica pukes blood. From five stories up! Blood Falls is located on Taylor’s Glacier and slowly spews blood red liquid that is pumped up by a salty lake beneath the ice. When this iron rich water hits the surface, the oxidation rusts the iron forming the blood red color. Researchers have found microorganisms surviving in this ancient subglacial lake with no oxygen. They believe that the microbes might have adapted to use sulfate to breathe the iron. This could be an explanation on how life survived when Earth froze over hundreds of millions of years ago or give astrobiologists hope for finding subsurface life on other planets with harsh environments like Mars. Not all life on our planet breathes oxygen.

Antarctica breathes smoke. It’s alive! Or better yet, it’s active. Mount Erebus, located on Ross Island, is Antarctica’s only active volcano with low level frequent eruptions. Erebus’s 12,448 ft summit has a continual lava lake, but skinny dipping is not recommended.

Antarctica will get you high. Its tallest mountain, Vinson Massif, is relatively easy to climb because of gradual slopes, little snowfall, and 24 hours of daylight. Experienced guides cook food and set up camp as you spend a couple days hiking up the mountain. Just don’t watch the horror movie The Thing before your trip. If you can handle the extreme cold this would be the trip of a lifetime. Imagine reaching the 16,067 foot summit and looking out over the breathtaking Antarctic plateau and surrounding mountains. Tell your friends you wore crampons and watch their eyebrows rise.
what have we learned? Antarctica is nude, pukes blood, has feathers, breathes smoke, and will get you naked and high. Ready to sign up? Check our our guided tours in Antarctica here.

M.E. Cohen

1. ANTHRAX ISLAND (Scotland, UK)

Open to the public

If there was one island in Scotland I wouldn’t recommend visiting, it would be Gruinard Island off the North West coast. 80 unfortunate sheep were chosen to visit Gruinard in 1942. These were test subjects for a biological weapons experiment using anthrax. With the fear of Nazis developing similar weapons, the British Army picked an island that they thought was safest for the people, so that they could test the weapons. The poor sheep were left on the island in wooden cases, the first weapon was a 25 pound mustard gas bomb loaded with concentrated anthrax spores, it was dropped from a Wellington bomber. Later explosive devices also released more anthrax on the island. The sheep began to die within a few days. This was all recorded on colour film and was classified up until recent years. Footage shows the sheep being brought to the island, the bombs exploding, and the sheep carcasses being incinerated. In April 1990 after nearly 50 years of quarantine, the island was deemed to fit to walk on again. Although many scientists say that the anthrax still wont be safe for hundreds of years.

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2. ALCATRAZ aka THE ROCK (San Francisco)

A spooky rock

Welcome to ‘The Rock’/Alcatraz, the small island prison that sits in San Fransico Bay. This fortress has become infamous due to the fact no prisoner ever escaped. Only a few tried but they were either caught early on, shot by the guards, or drowned. It doesn’t look too far from mainland, but the strong ocean currents are far too much to swim through. The Rock held some of Americas most dangerous criminals. Famous inmates to check in to Alcatraz include Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. But the lifespan of the prison was short, spanning less than 30 years. It opened it’s doors in August 1934, and was shut in 1963 by Bobby Kennedy. At 10 dollars a prisoner per day, as appose to 3 dollars at Atlanta prison, it was deemed to expensive. Since closing as a prison it has become a historic site of national recreation. Many films, cartoons, computer games have been set on this island. Other visitors have included Sean Connery and Nicholas Cage in the movie ‘The Rock’.

Al Capone did eventually leave the prison, due to illness. But rumour has it, that he and many of the other inmates are still prisoners on the island, as ghosts. Cell Block D/ solitary was said to be the most haunted, sometimes 20 degrees colder than the other cells. One prisoner was said to have gone in there and started to scream the second he went in. He told the guards there was a set of green eyes staring at him, but they didn’t believe him. After he had stopped screaming hours later, he was found strangled to death in the cell. Spooky! Alcatraz is easily one of the scariest islands on Earth, why not book a tour?

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3. GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (Ecuador)

Survival of the fittest

The Galapagos Islands are most famous for their natural beauty, a thousand kilometers from the Ecuadorian coastline they are formed from volcanic rocks and are host to thousands upon thousands of species. Their most famous visitor to date was Charles Darwin in the early 1830’s, where he made some discoveries that would lead him to write On The Origin Of The Species. This book caused much controversy, starting an argument between creationists and scientists about how life formed on the planet. Although evolution and natural selection would have been discovered eventually anyway, these islands are a symbol of how these discoveries started, and how science has made some people question religion.

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4. The World Islands (Dubai)

A bit ambitious

Did you ever build a sandcastle on the beach as a child and watch it get washed away by the sea? Did you ever think perhaps that castle wasn’t enough? I’ll build an island instead. For Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, who originally conceived this idea, only The World was enough. The World’s developer is Nakheel Properties and development began in September 2003. The final stone was laid in January 2008. Not quite as fast as God made it, but still quite impressive none the less. The World consists of approximately 300 small man made islands, 4 kilometres off the coast of Dubai. Each is composed mainly from dredges of sand, piled up to form shapes of the major land masses of the World. It measures approximately 9 km in length and 6 km in width. If you have a spare 10 million dollars or so, you can grab yourself an Island, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Even God needed a day off, but he nor the bankers predicted the financial collapse and construction has been put on hold. It has since been described as dirty blobs of sand that will just sink back into the sea as well as the biggest shipping hazard in the Gulf. It was supposed to be paradise, but it looks like lack of money has made these islands an infamous financial disaster.

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5. The Island of Dr. Moreau (H. G. Welles)

Where they walk and talk, just like the humans

This fictional island is the last place Brit-gent Edward Prendick expected to get washed up on after he becomes stranded following a shipwreck. He soon realises the pigs, dogs and monkey resembling beastmen are actually genetically modified animals that Moreau has been working on in order to make his perfect human race. Moreau builds a set of laws for the beastmen to abide to including: do not kill, stay with one lady and walk on two legs, not four. Easy for him to say, which is why it’s not long before the beastmen begin to question what they are and start looking for answers. Edward witnesses the beasts becoming so human, some become greedy fro power and start to kill. The island shows a portrait of how ugly humans can get when they are lead by their primal instincts. And questions the borders between man and beast. Ultimately it’s a dark lesson not to fiddle with nature. At the time of publication, Britain scientific community was engulfed in debates about animal vivisection. And following Darwin’s theories of evolution of the species, theories of degeneration were also of much debate.

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6. The ‘LOST’ Island

The hit television series

Nobody has all the answers yet. At first a good old fashioned plain crash leaves a bunch of strangers on a desert island. But within the first episodes we discover there’s more to this fictional island, spawned from the mind of creator J. J. Abrams. As monsters come for them, ‘Others’ are found on the island, and man made objects and ships are found too. What’s going on? Are they in pergitary? Is it a reality television show? Are all their lives some how linked together in some cosmic pattern. We still have to wait for the big answers as the TV series goes on and on. But this island is infamous, and has been a huge talking point over its six series. Hopefully all questions will be answered in 2010.

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7. Robben Island (Cape Town)

The Prison Island

From this distance, Robben Island just looks like any other small island, but for 400 years men have been banished, isolated and improsened on this island just off the coast of Cape Town in South Africa. Men have lived on the piece of land for thousands of years, but when water caused a 7 km gap between the mainland and island, it was ‘perfect’ to be used as a prison island. It’s only main purposes, other than being a prison, has been in World War II for training, and as a hospital for mentally ill and people with leprosy. But basically, this island is designed to keep everyone away from everyone else. In 1959 it became a maximum security prison. From 1961 to 1991 more than 3000 men were held here as political prisoners including Nelson Mandela, who was held here for 25 years. Since 1994 a Democratic South Afirca has led this site to being a heritage sight but the island remains infamous as a prison, especially after holding Mandela for all those years.

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8. Tiwi Islands (Australia)

Watch the bugs don’t bite

This Australian beach looks fantastic for a nice relaxing sunbath, there’s nobpody around for miles. But you better watch out for the things that creep around in the sea, they might just kill you. The box jellyfish has killed over 60 people in the last 100 years and puts about 40 a year in the hospital too. With the fastest acting venom of any sea creature, you can be dead within 5 minutes of a sting. This is just one of many islands around Autralia and South East Asia where some of the deadliest creatures on Earth exist, making this one of many infamous islands to be scared of. I was going to put Komodo Island here because it’s full of dragons. But you can see them and apparently they’re not even real dragons.

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9. Three Mile Island (Pennsylvania)

Nuclear meltdown

Things got a little scary down at Three Mile Island back in March 1979. At 4:00 AM a series of accidents began on these islands on the Susquhanna River which were responsible for extensive revaluation of the safety of nuclear power. Numerous failures caused a near meltdown to the uranium core which would have resulted in extensive radiation contamination. This was the largest ever incident concerning commercial nuclear powerplants and due to this there have been no plans to build more plants, up until very recently.

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10. Spiral Island I (Cancun)

Rubbish put to good use

Is it bush, on a beach, on an island, made out of platic bottles and bamboo, floating around like a boat, in the sea like a floating man made island? Yes. That’s exactly what Richard Sowa built, the brilliant British eco-pinoeer started off back in 1998 by attaching nets of plastic bottles to rows of plywood and bamboo. I don’t know if he’s been watching that film Water World or just been a big fan of Blue Peter. But before you know it he’d made himself an island. This one’s a little more realistic than the one in Dubai (above) where they remade the world. Once he made the floating island, he pured sand on top and began to grow plants. And there it was, Spiral Island, almost completely eco friendly. With a two storey house, a soar oven and an antique toilet from Argentina, as well as three beaches to chill by. This all happened in a lagoon near Puerto Aventuras, on the Caribbean coast of Mexico south of Cancún. He used 250,000 bottles in total. Sadly the island become infamous as it was blown away by Hurricane Emily and destroyed in 2005. Some people think it ended up making big mess in the sea and not eco friendly at all, but it was obviously never really meant to do that. Accidents happen! He has since built another in Mexico: Spiral Island II.

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11. Liberty Island (New York)

Liberty till the end.

Imagine being one of the first migrants to ship into New York past the Statue of Liberty, what an inspiring symbol to first see when starting a new life in America. Liberty Island is the place where the famous Statue of Liberty stands. She was presented to the US by the French in 1886 to celebrate the Centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. The statue alone without the pedestal stands at 151 feet. She stands a symbol for everything great America wants to stand for. In films such as ‘The Planet of the Apes’ though, she has become an infamous symbol for the end of days as we know. Liberty Island, being buried deep as apes take over the planet in the future. Luckily the statue still stands today though. Of course, the doors recently had to close following the events of the 9/11 attacks. But in 2004 she reopened to the public. It wasn’t up until 4th July 2009 that the crown reopened to the public.

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12. Laputa (from Gullivers Travels)

A floater that will not go away

Laputa is a giant floating rock island from the book Gullivers Travels by Johnathon Swift, the Irish author. The island hovers above it’s neighbouring island, controlled by a giant magnet, with a tyrannous king in charge. It is populated by over educated men who fail to make practical use of their knowledge, the lesser educated become their slaves in this male dominated society, which doesn’t allow it’s women to leave or do much. The island threatens cities on the ground with no rain or sun, by casting a shadow. In the story Laputa threatens the city on the ground, Lindalino. Lindalino eventually overthrows Laputa though. Swift wrote Gullivers Travels as a study of the political and social relationships, or lack of, between governments of the world. Laputa was to represent England. And for Lindalino to represent Dublin. La Puta translates to the whore in Spanish.

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13. Long Island

Something spooky out in the suburbs

The immense Long Island, a land mass that stretches 118 miles from the north east coast of the USA, straight into the Atlantic Ocean. The East of the island contains two suburban counties and the West of the island contain two counties of New York City. Being the most populated island in the States, and having legendary residents like Lou Reed, Robert De Niro and even the infamous Al Capone to walk it’s streets, Long Island has a thousand stories to tell. If you were around in the 1970’s in the town of Babylon, you might have walked into a bar called the Oak Beach Inn, where you may have been lucky enough to try out first hand, Robert (the Rosebud) Butts now legendary Long Island Iced Tea. On the other hand, one place that would have been good to avoid was Henry’s Bar in Amityville. At about half past six, November 13th, 1974, Ronald De Feo, Jr burst in pleading for help, claiming that somebody had shot his parents. De Feo led a group from the barvto his house at 112 Ocean Avenue, the scene of the murder, where his entire family had been massacred. It later turned out that it was De Feo himself who had committed the gruesome crime. A dark family history was later unraveled, and the small town would become infamous for the Amityville Horror. Firstly for the murders themselves, and afterwards, for one of the most infamous haunting in history. Some claim that the house was built on an ancient Indian burial ground and that De Feo was possessed by an evil spirit.  This caused numerous books and films to be released, telling us of the dark tale. There’s even a website where you can see photographs from the scene of the crime.

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The traditional process of making mate is very simple. First, you take the ground dry mate leaf mixture that you buy at the store and fill half or 2/3 of your gourd, thermos, or ox horn. Then put your palm over the top and turn it upside down. Shake the gourd so the mate mixes up. When you are done keep the gourd tilted on its side so the mate is sloped. The mixture should be all on one side with the powder on top and bigger leaves on bottom. Next, leaving the mate mashed up to one side of the gourd, pour cold water in the other side (the gap) so it can soak for a minute. Follow this up with hot water, but not boiling. Stick your bombilla in the bottom and enjoy! Add more water as needed. Metal bombillas, stainless steel or silver, have a filter built in so you don’t have to worry about sucking up leaves. The first couple sips can be a bit bitter and some people add sugar to sweeten the earthy taste.

You could take a cultural tour of Argentina without leaving the house, but I recommend traveling to Buenos Aires to get a real feel of the impact this drink has on the society. In this country, friends throw mate parties where the host serves up one gourd and passes it around, everyone drinking from the same bombilla. This may appear unsanitary, but this custom is highly respected and forges an intimate bond. Also it is common to see people on the streets sipping from the traditional gourd or from a thermos. Cafés are mate hangouts where Argentineans socialize, read, or study just like coffee shops in the U.S.

Mate vs. coffee? Mate has more health benefits than coffee and without the jitters or crash that many people complain about. Mate has more vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, and other health boosts that keep the body sound and vigor. It has less caffeine than coffee, but with the combined nutrients, mate stimulates the body with a nourishing effect that will not add stress to the mind or muscles. This combination of beneficial strengths is often called mateine.

Yerba Mate is prepared much like tea and can be purchased in tea bags or dry ground leaves and stems. Your mate selection depends on your own preference. A popular brand is Guayaki, which sells all kinds of variations including already brewed cans and bottles with various fruits. It can be drank by oneself or shared with friends and family. Enjoy mate with your roommate, soul mate, or even your inmate. Whether you are looking for a coffee alternative or just bored out of your gourd, go ahead, grab some mate and a bombilla and get a taste of Argentina.

M.E. Cohen

But time changes everything, especially peoples perspective and attitudes. I read a blog comment a while ago from a person who claimed “All projects where you pay money to volunteer are scams”. But the case for paid volunteer trips are easily made. Those that want to volunteer need to understand they aren’t paying to work. Volunteer tour operators provide services, to different degrees, that should benefit you and the community that’s being helped. As with most reputable volunteer tour service providers we provide the following;

* Help planning and making the travel arrangements
* Transportation, airport transfers, and accommodations
* Side trips and guided tours (our trips combine both volunteer time and time for outdoor activities )
* Meals & language assistance
* A onsite employee who is familiar with the community and can help if issues arise.

Yes travelers can do these things and set up their own plans on their own, as they can with any kind of overseas adventure. However, just as with regular vacation planning, many individuals prefer to let an experience and reputable company put the plans in place for them and rely on the security and expertise they provide.

While volunteer trips continue to rise in popularity, would be philanthropists need to consider their expectations of how they will benefit the community. I’ve met quit a few travelers hoping to go somewhere and make a difference, only to feel overwhelmed as though their help is only a drop in the ocean. But making a difference in one life and with one community has long term effects that we just can’t measure. I hope this trend continues and the companies that participate continue to leave a positive impact, instead of commercializing an industry for the sake of just profit.

If you’re interested in booking a travel tour contact us for more information.