karmatrekkerstv

A Peek Inside Damon's Journal

As every fan of Karma Trekkers knows Damon keeps a journal throughout every trip. He always has. From the first adventure in Peru to our most recent journey through Costa Rica, Damon has diligently recorded his thoughts and observations.

We get many emails from fans across the world inquiring about his writings. But since a journal is a personal memoir we felt it best not to ask for a copy. However all that changed this week when we received two notes; one from Adelaide, the other from Zurich. When we saw that fans from A to Z were curious about his writings, we asked him for some notes.

We're not so sure how easy his writing is to read, but trust us, these notes are a great insight into his very witty mind.

Great Hotels: A home while you roam

As the Karma Trekkers team travels the world they get to stay in some wonderful properties and have had some truly life changing experiences in great hotels. A brilliant property is in fact a world unto itself. So while the producers and crew have been crisscrossing the globe capturing Karma Trekkers, the team has been keeping notes on the best attributes of the hotels they call home. Here their list of the Top 5 things that EVERY great hotel needs.

But first a quick clarifiction. Producing a show like Karma Trekkers means that the team doesn't always get to stay in 5-star hotels. Many times they're in small family run guest rooms, grungy old state-owned hotels or worse. But that's a whole other post - the worst places to stay and there have been very many scary places.  This blog however, is about the nice ones. It is about ammenities not concepts, so we'll keep it light and luxurious, two words not normally associated with Karma Trekkers.

Number 1: A View
Ok it sounds obvious that a show about travel and experiences should like hotels with a view but well, they do. Being isolated in a hotel is no way to see and experience a culture, so even after a long day of trekking and meeting the locals it is still nice to retreat to a room with a view. For this, nothing beats the innovative Commune By The Great Wall in China which features a view of a private unrestored portion of the Great Wall.

Number 2: Coffee Maker
It goes without saying that if you spend your days walking and talking, exploring and filming then you’re going to need a good coffee maker. And that also means great coffee and cream in the room. Kudos here to the Grand Hyatt Erawan in Bangkok which not only has excellent in room coffee but they also offer a hot water machine and a selection of teas and noodles. This is perfect for the jet-lagged traveler.

Number 3: Pub
On the road rituals matter so the team has a tradition of having a tasty local beer at the end of a long day. It is a time of relaxation that they all look forward to. The belief is that you always meet the most interesting people in Pubs. In Cuzco, Peru they found a wonderful Irish Pub right near the hotel. Technically it wasn't part of the property but from what they say it felt more like home.

Number 4: Free Internet
The winner here for the team was a French Antartic ship called L'Boreal. While part of the usual Karma Trekkers team was shooting a documentary on climate change in Antarctica they were in constant contact with the studios via WIFI. It wasn’t fast but hey they were on a ship in the Antarctic Ocean and that’s just wonderful.

Number 5: Bathrobe
There’s an unwritten law in hotel operations that says you send the maid, bellman or maintenance man to guest rooms only when the guests are exiting showers. And for this reason alone all hotel rooms should come with large and well fitting bathrobes. Trust me the maids, bellmen and maintenance guys will appreciate it as well. The best according to the team was at the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town.

Karma Trekkers' crew usually prefers small, culturally-sensitive properties with authenticity and a sense of community. But when pushed they do confess to liking a few luxuries every now and then.

So what about you? What do you think we’ve missed so far on this list of what every great hotel should have?

The joy of living green in Costa Rica

Guest writer David Lando Ramírez shares his passion for environmentally-friendly living in paradise.

The beauty of Eco-friendly architecture is that you are tapping into and amplifying the peace and exhilaration of nature.

Since graduating from Santa Clara University with a double major in environmental studies and anthropology I have remodeled and landscaped our family vacation home into a luxury villa which is now available to rent by night, week or month. When I first walked the hill above the Sarapiqui River I could feel how peaceful that area was. The goal of remodeling the villa was to combine luxury in the jungle with a peace beyond imagination.

I designed oversize custom furniture built for comfort, added soft décor, ceiling fans and all amenities including a fully equipped kitchen, entertainment system and Wi-Fi. 38 huge wrap-around windows were installed to minimize the need for artificial lighting and provide a 360° view. I also raised the roof of the foyer to 35 feet to create a natural convection system that draws the cool river breezes through the villa.

A balcony running the length of the back of the house was added to optimize the views of the river island and thousands of acres of rainforest reserve on the far shore. Sipping delicious Costa Rican coffee on the cushioned furniture or resting in a hammock overlooking the rainforest canopy is surreal. You find yourself sharing one continuous moment with the multicolored humming birds, toucans, and flocks of green parrots flying by at eye level.

Eco is fun. There is a 100 foot tall stand of bamboo fifty yards from the villa. The clicking sounds it makes as it sways in the wind are incredible. I decided to maximize the experience of the bamboo and the view of the river by building a 600 sq. ft. outdoor entertainment area complete with BBQ, bathrooms, tables, chairs, hammocks and a dance floor for gatherings and parties.

The landscaping was designed to enhance the eco-architecture. Eco is easy, we like what the wildlife likes.

Want birds?
Planting fruit trees increases the wildlife populations and provides us with the delicious fruits we enjoy. Bananas and papaya are favorites of the humming birds, toucans and parrots, mamón chino (rambutan), shaped like a small green plum with rubbery red spines succulent and sweet, draws in hundreds of golden tailed oropendolas.

Want butterflies?
Plant bougainvillea, hibiscus, bird of paradise and dozens of other varieties of native heliconias with intense colors and shapes you may never have seen before. Blue morphos and a variety of species of butterflies with brilliant orange, red and green flutter throughout the property.

Want longevity?
10 acres on the river bank and island are a rainforest reserve.

Want community?
All of the artisans, landscapers and staff are from our local community. They have become friends who share in the satisfaction of creating the first and only luxury villa in Sarapiqui.

Want motivation?
Helping the habitat helps ourselves
Costa Rica is fast becoming the first country to reach carbon neutrality.

David Lando Ramírez

Owner

www.casadetranquilidad.com

From Barcelona with Love

 

Guest writer Adrienne Mendonez shares her experiences in living in Barcelona

I had been in Barcelona for over a month, living in a flat two blocks from La Sagrada Familia – Barcelona’s most famous landmark and Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece.  Yet I had only been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of it every day as I walked briskly past each morning, towards the school where I’d been teaching a class of natives the fundamentals of the English language. 

“How is Spain?” everyone at home would ask me eagerly, awaiting exciting tales of adventure and passionate stories of some tall, dark, and handsome Spanish man.  But all I could answer with was “From what I could tell from my walk to and from work, it’s beautiful.”  Frustrating as it was that I hadn’t gotten to explore yet, I had come to Spain with a goal: to immerse myself completely into an environment I was completely unfamiliar with, and to learn from the experience accordingly.

So far, the immersion consisted of earning a certificate allowing me to teach English as a foreign language, an intensive course allowing me little time to even eat or sleep, let alone explore the city.  Directly after, I obtained a job teaching both children and adults the English language.  I had no experience in education prior to my arrival.  Each morning brought anxiety and excitement with my cup of tea; and each evening, a sense of accomplishment and pride on the metro ride home.  Though there was still much to see, I was content with this.

Eventually, I finally did get to see what the tourists travel to Barcelona for.  I witnessed the intricate detailing adorning the walls of La Sagrada Familia.  I explored the fantasy-like wonderland Gaudí created in Parc Güell.  I traveled through time studying the Medieval and Roman architecture in Barri Gòtic (or the Gothic Quarter).  I took a dip in the salty waters of the Mediterranean Sea on a hot day in September.  I came to understand the exuberant pride and passion the Catalan people have in their unique culture, and I experienced the immense hospitality they extend to travelers.

When I felt my original goal was achieved, I knew it was time to move on.  I had managed to step foot into Barcelona with just two suitcases and an extremely limited Spanish vocabulary.  I left months later equipped with not only my two suitcases, but a new respect for and knowledge of the Catalan culture, special friendships that can only be formed by experiencing an adventure together, a new sense of confidence and accomplishment in myself, and the knowledge that humans are capable of extraordinary things.

  

Global Flavor

After years of picky eating and an overly cautious palette, I’ve recently developed a keen interest in cooking. One of my favorite activities is scouring the library for books on different regional cuisines.  Preparing dinner feels less like a chore when there’s a fun cultural theme involved; when I’ve never heard of the dish beforehand or have to travel ton a tiny ethnic food shop to secure a key ingredient. I’ve been trying out recipes from all over the world and it’s been a great way to infuse more culture into my life.

I was stumped on a gift for Father’s Day. My dad never seems to need anything, so shopping for him is a frustrating experience. But he’s always had a taste for the exotic and he’s an excellent chef (even if my previous eating habits kept me from fully enjoying his talents). So I invited my whole family over for a Moroccan themed Father’s Day feast. I made couscous, a soup flavoured with the popular Moroccan spice mix Ras-el-hanout (ground together by hand with my trusty mortar and pestle!) and a lemon kefta tagine. For dessert I prepared an almond snake pastry, painstakingly rolling phyllo pastry around homemade almond paste carefully weaving it into the shape of a coiled snake. I took a chance and trusted that however dinner turned out, it would be a worthwhile adventure! The results were varied; most things were tasty if slightly flawed in execution. The soup was definitely the highlight and Ras-el-hanout remains a pantry staple. My careful snake design didn’t hold much shape when dessert was served, but it was no less delicious.

And why not try a global mish mash on a special occasion? For my birthday I invited all my friends over for an international smorgesborg and experimented with different cuisines. When you throw it all together on the same plate, it’s extremely unifying and satisfying; Greek salad, alongside Caribbean spiced meatballs; Indian Lamb Korma, melding with a Thai chicken satay.  It really works up excitement for global flavors.

On  one of my frequent library excursions, I stumbled upon the cookbook  ”Street Food” written by Clare Furgeson, which contains simple recipes for foods sold at markets and street vendors around the world. From well known snacks like the middle-eastern samosa, to more unique dishes like fried bananas and mango fritters. What I find so interesting is that these are simple dishes, which seem exotic to me, but are common fast foods in their countries of origin.

The book really got me thinking about planning a global trip themed by food; to travel all around the world with a mission to “taste as much as possible”. Getting up early to explore the Brazilian countryside, while munching on some deep fried Bolinho de chuva; Brazilian donut balls which are traditionally served during breakfast time. Sample some spicy watts in Ethiopia; traditional thick and spicy stews served together atop a flatbread. And although admittedly cliché, what could be better than a plate of pasta on a romantic rendezvous in Italy?

Any journey is more enjoyable on a full stomach and when you get out on the streets to sample authentic cuisine, you feel less like a tourist. People take such pride in the foods of their nation. They infuse passion and character into their cooking. On some level, understanding spices and secret ingredients uncovers a piece of their cultural puzzle. It also provides the perfect opportunity to interact with local citizens. Proud chefs never have trouble chatting about their creations!

 Eating is an intense sensory experience. That first tantalizing bite of something delicious will stay with your forever.  I was recently treated to slide-shows of my brother and sisters respective trips to Asia and Ecuador and many photos focused on culinary experiences. Even though their trips happened months ago, they still speak with animated detail about the meals they had.

But until my own journey becomes a reality, I’ll keep scanning the library shelves for new inspiration. Of course there’s no substitute for real travel and the opportunity for worldwide adventure, but until my wallet allows, global cuisine is an acceptable and tasty substitute.

Jennifer Bragg is a writer, story researcher and passionate television fan.  Jennifer is often heard saying, "If you want to talk about television...I'm your girl."

Invisible Giants

It is astounding how you can cross man made border lines and still see a physical change in the landscape, it´s almost as if the earth is in acquiescence. The realms in which we all comfortably belong will change as we pass through the invisible barriers in space that divide giants. The monstrous historical tales of nationalities and how in one way or another we all interconnect become apparent as we dive deeper into foreign territory. We recognise what we see and we can relate to it, but it still leaves an odd taste when mixed with the food you are used to digesting. In essence humanity as a whole can all be taught and raised the same but it is the earth that decides what language we speak and what culture we are meant to adhere to. 

Once when looking out of my window at a tree in the garden I couldn’t help but have a philosophical moment and saw in the tree a symbol of the world as we know it. The tree grows wiser with the seasons and allows its creatures (leaves) life and death. In death the leaves return to the ground thus helping to refuel the cycle we all adhere to. That is the way it works and you can twist that anyhow you want to fit in with your own ideals. I know my science however so keep on reading. I would like to dedicate this piece of writing to travelling. You may wonder what it has to do with travelling and I will tell you, everything. Unless you are an unfortunate businessman living out of hotels and journeying from office to office we all like the idea of travelling. Travelling on our own terms anyway because when that happens we travel for our own good. We do it to grow and feel and learn and for that reason there is no better way to learn about yourself and thus become who you naturally are. When you become an adult in most cases you are on your own. You no longer have someone to teach and lecture you in the ways of the world. What you do learn on your own however is that you have a new teacher – Life.

In my eyes these elements are one in the same whether it is Life, Earth or Nature herself. It is there, you can feel it when you close your eyes and ask a question. It is there to punish you severely when you make a mistake but it is also there to embrace you when you begin to understand. It offers you those special moments of clarity when it just all makes sense but these moments are short lived because just when you think you know what it is all about the lesson changes and you are faced with the reality that you do in fact know nothing at all. It´s elusive! What you begin to understand however is that no matter how much you may excel at your chosen path, you need to have at least a basic understanding in all others to achieve any form of enlightenment. Unless you are stupid of course because it is true, ignorance is bliss.

The Earth is like a textbook on anything and everything you want to know. Each country is a chapter, each state is a topic and each letter is a creature (I say creature because I much prefer animals to humans, we are all one in the same). You can analyse and experience every part of it and that is how you learn. If you stay in one place you will never reach your potential, you will never be as great or as wise as you can be. You need to get out there and touch it, you need to feel and breathe it because when you are there and it reaches across the chasm that lies in front of all of us, grabs your shoulder and gently shares its existence with you; you feel blessed.

When I begin to doubt such things and I don’t have the ability to travel or my mind refuses to open I like to take a walk outside on a star filled night and take a look up. The power of creation that made all of us and every atom is out there. I am not necessarily talking about God, in fact you can call it what you want. But it is out there and it knows, and we have all forgotten about it.

About the Author: Antony J. Hayes is a British/South African freelance journalist who currently resides in Norway.  Antony believes there is no better way to find fuel for writing than travelling. His definition of life is similar to that of experience, and when he experiences life, he likes to write about it and share his perspective with the world. Other than travel writing, Antony is also professional in small business marketing and creative copywriting.  www.antony-hayes.com

One dollar can be worth a million

History is always fascinating.  It can be foreign and unfamiliar or it can be recognizable and hit close to your heart.  During my recent trip around Europe, I learned about so many historical accounts from a plethora of different cultures.  However, nothing compared to the history I learned about my family in Germany. It is unbelievably satisfying to learn about the origins of your family and find out what preceded your own existence in order to give you the life you have today.

My family is from a small town in Germany called Lohr am Main.  Geographically it is outside of the huge metropolis, Frankfurt, and near the smaller city, Wurzburg.  Lohr, as it is often called, is to be the origin of the famous Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale Snow White.  It is also the origin of my family, the Schneebacher’s.

When visiting Lohr, I learned about the traditions and stories of my family.  I’ve seen photos, read letters and heard stories about them growing up.  However, nothing compared to actually being in Lohr to see these places and hear about these people in the environment they lived in.

Since the late 1800’s, my family owned a clothing store in Lohr.  It still exists today and I am so lucky to have gotten a chance to visit it.  The Schneebacher Store has survived through two World Wars and still exists in the same place it was originally built.

While the store was prosperous in Germany, my Great Grandfather immigrated to the United States to begin a new life.  His twin brother stayed in Germany.  He worked hard to fulfill his American dream, and was so proud of the first American dollar he earned.

He took so much pride in it, that he sent his first American earned dollar back to his mother in Germany.  Just a few years ago, that first American dollar that he earned was found in the apartment my family owns above the Schneebacher store.

I was actually fortunate enough to hold that silver dollar in my hand.  Amid seeing the photographs, hearing the stories, and seeing the Schneebacher store in person, holding my Great Grandfather’s first American dollar was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.

That light silver coin held more significance than any amount of money in the world. 

About Laura Schneebacher,

Marketing & PR Assistant EAST Tours

Laura has various experiences in the media and communications industry, such as MTV Networks and WWOR News. She was also an anchor for Rutgers Campus TV news. Her major in college was Journalism and Media Studies with a minor in Art History and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Communication and Information studies.

She loves to travel and has a passion for modern art. Hence, as you can imagine, museums are the "must visits" in her recent trip across Europe - D'Orsay in Paris and The Salvador Dali Museum in London are amongst her favorites.

Yet, Barcelona is her true love thus far. She enjoys this romantic yet "non cliche romance" destination. The easy-going atmosphere mixed with the historic richness and gorgeous Mediterranean makes it special. In fact, you can almost see the same traits in Laura, a pretty young lady that is calm, but with real depth.

Other than museums, Laura likes nature exploration and enjoys everything outdoors from the beach to hiking.

 

Better the Devil You Know: The Tasmanian Devil

Tasmania is the island state of Australia. It is roughly the size of West Virginia and Tasmania is by Australian standards small. It’s a mere one fifth of the size of the Great Barrier Reef.

Yet Tasmania’s landscape is extraordinarily diverse which makes the state quite the contrast to the rest of Australia. In some parts of the Outback residents drive for eight hours across an unchanging landscape to buy fruit at the supermarket yet in Tassie the rainforests, white sand beaches, ancient alpine landscapes, farm gates offering berries, seafoods and cheeses as well as the state’s prolific wildlife can be easily encountered during a day of cruising on uncrowded roads.

If you know little of Tasmania a peek at the extraordinary Tasmanian devil, the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial, can offer a few clues to the island state.

If you know little of Tasmania a peek at the extraordinary Tasmanian devil, the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial, can offer a few clues to the island state.

Though only small, devils weigh on average about 17-22 pounds, a devil is the largest living carnivorous marsupial. It has refined its profession of scavenger – devils mostly eat carrion – to such an extent that it can eat an entire wallaby carcass. That’s fur, bones, the lot.

Fearsomely powerful jaws and suitably razored teeth mean that a devil arrives ruthlessly equipped at the dinner table and ready to eat up to 40 per cent of its body weight in one night of feeding. Yet, despite the name, appearance and reputation, the Tasmanian devil is actually keenly shy and wary. As for the fearsome bad tempered reputation, that, mostly, is bluff. Surprising?
 
Well so is Tasmania.

The Tasmanian Devil is the world’s largest surviving marsupial carnivore and is only found in the wild in Australia’s unique island state of Tasmania. Tasmanian Devils were regarded as common a little over a decade ago. But there is nothing common about this amazing animal. Despite its fearsome reputation, the devil is a timid creature that poses no danger to humans.

People who work with devils invariably grow to love their personality – they’re feisty, raucous and bursting with curiosity.

A concerted multi-million dollar fight is being waged to save Tasmanian devils from a fatal cancer that is decimating wild populations. This battle though is ultimately about far more than saving a Tasmanian icon.

The species has suffered a major decline over the last ten years and is now listed as endangered. This decline in population is due to an infectious cancer known as Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). The first signs of DFTD were recorded in 1996. It is a new and fatal condition that is only recorded in Tasmanian Devils and is characterized by cancers around the mouth and head. The Save the Tasmanian Devil Program (STTD) was established in 2003 as the official response to the terrible threat posed by DFTD. It is now led by Andrew Sharman.

The Save the Tasmanian Devil Program is operating on a number of fronts. It includes advancing insurance populations/captive management/disease suppression techniques. It also includes oncology: finding a cure for the devil could have wider implications for human cancers.

For more information how you can save the Tasmania Devil, visit www.tassiedevil.com.au.

To learn more about Tasmania and find travel deals to Australia’s Natural State, visit www.discovertasmania.com .

About the Author:

Australian writer Greg Clarke is a regular contributor to magazines in Australia and Asia. He once lived in London's East End which proved handy while he was at The Sunday Times. When he's not travelling or writing his daughters take him and his wife on wanderings in search of the fairies that live in the forest around their home.

Past presence: Life in a cemetery

Why do we love to visit burial sites while traveling abroad? Certainly hanging around cemeteries in our own neighbourhood would earn us reputation for being a little morbid. But on vacation, we view them as cultural goldmines. Visiting one becomes a fun outing. We observe all the little details and eagerly snap photos for vacation slideshows and albums.

Maybe it’s because cemeteries are intimately connected to cultural and spiritual beliefs.  Every society has different ideas about how someone should be laid to rest. The rituals they perform and the tributes they leave, reveals a lot about their value systems.

While on vacation in Cuba, I went on a tour of Havana, stopping at the famous Catholic cemetery, Cristóbal Colón.  Unlike the greenery of North American cemeteries, Colón is a sea of stone and granite. The remains of the deceased are kept in above ground stone tombs, rather than buried. The tombs are packed closely together, a seemingly endless mass of monuments. When someone dies, they are usually kept in a ‘family tomb’. Three years later their bodies are removed and their bones are places in a smaller storage compartment, making room for the next person who passes on. It certainly saves space, but it’s also an interesting statement about family and community; a sharing spirit that extends even beyond death.  Each name is etched into the stone and and people come to pay their respects to family members who have come and gone.

One popular attraction at Colón is the tomb of a young woman who died during child birth, along with her newborn. She was laid to rest with her the body of her child at her feet. According to legend, when her grave was re-opened, the remains of her child were safely nestled in her arms. She was given the name ‘Milagrosa’ (the miraculous lady) and visitors to the cemetery often leave offerings of flowers by her gravesite. It’s a strong testament to the superstitious and religious nature of the Cuban people. They believe in the power of God and pay tribute to the miracles he can perform.

I also spotted several tombs where empty rum bottles were placed in tribute; an offering with far less gravitas, but no less revealing. Even a short stay in Cuba opened my eyes to their love affair with rum! And that may be the most interesting thing about gravesites; the opportunity to see the personal touches people leave behind. 

But perhaps the real reason we’re drawn to foreign cemeteries, is because the commonality of death is comforting.  Whatever our backgrounds are, none of us can escape it. Rites and rituals may vary, but the reality of immortality is the same. Ironically, standing among the dead allows us to feel connected to the living. It’s the cycle of life and that we all face and we’re fascinated by how each culture chooses to handle it.

Jennifer Bragg is a writer, story researcher and passionate television fan.  Jennifer is often heard saying, "If you want to talk about television...I'm your girl."

 

 

See the world - see yourself

Traveling has never been a past time exclusive to the young. People of all ages trek the globe in their spare time; some on casual sprees while others pursue deeper missions. But there’s something about the idea of ‘seeing the world’ that has been romantically linked to the journey into adulthood. It has become a special form of travel that helps us form our identities and our ideals.

It’s that year after college you spend backpacking across Europe, the month you volunteer in Africa, or even the road trip you take across North America. 

It’s a rite of passage before embarking on a career, getting married or having a family. No matter how much education or life experience we’ve accumulated, we understand that we can’t truly come into our own until we’ve ‘seen the world’.

If we’re lucky enough to have the time or the money, it’s an experience that informs almost everything that follows. Those moments are benchmarks in our lives, our fondest memories and often where we learn our greatest lessons; and if we don’t get the opportunity, it remains a constant regret. In the back of our minds, there’s always that feeling that we’ve missed out on something.

So why is travel such a popular way for young people to find themselves? Perhaps the experience mirrors physically what we experience emotionally as we transition into what our parent’s always referred to as the ‘real world’. Suddenly we have to start thinking outside the bubble in which, we’ve grown up and understand our place in a larger society; and what better way for young adults to do that than by expanding their geographical borders and visiting other cultures.

 Exploring ancient ruins in Rome or Greece allows them to walk the pathways of ancient history, bringing them closer to myth and legend than any textbook ever could.

Visiting monasteries and temples in Asia, opens the door to a spiritual world outside their own. They can start to understand religion in a larger social context and appreciate the history behind every faith.

Working with a charity in Africa or staying on a farm in South America gives them an understanding of the difficult economic realities of the world and teaches them to appreciate all they have or will have in their own lives.

That desire to travel is an encouraging sign because it is proof that young people are willing to experience points of view aside from their own. As young backpackers and college graduates bring home a greater understanding of our global world, they will hopefully foster a more open society. One that is able to view different societies, beliefs and cultures in shades of grey, rather than black and white. 

Jennifer Bragg is a writer, story researcher and passionate television fan.  Jennifer is often heard saying, "If you want to talk about television...I'm your girl."