http://whaleman.org/angela-sun-the-whaleman-foundations-newest-spokesperson/
From Instagram: Simply Straws Announces Angela as Newest Ambassador!
by Angela Sun for wandermelon.com
Fanciful and dangerously romantic, Cartagena will entice you with promises of cultural riches steeped in its tumultuous 500-year history and leave you breathless from its beauty. A UNESCO world heritage site, this city is one of South America’s greatest cultural treasures.
IF THESE WALLS COULD SPEAK–CUIDAD AMURALLADA
Cartagena’s rich colonial heritage can be found anywhere in the Old City, Cuidad Amurallada, as it is referred to locally, but to understand the sheer magnitude of this city,teeming with nearly one million denizens, one must visit the old walls. Built on the backs of slave labor, they took over 100 years to complete. It’s no wonder swash-buckling pirates in the mid-1500s sought to conquer this prosperous trading outpost, for those five miles of massive ten-foot-thick walls, thirty feet high, concealed the riches of Spanish conquests from all of Latin America.
Within the city walls, enchantingly bright bougainvillea adorns colorful historical buildings and massive churches, curling around corners to invite you into its colonial charm. There is something magical about getting lost along the maze of narrow cobblestone streets and luscious green plazas, and feeling the warm breeze from the Caribbean Sea on your skin. People watching is a must at one of the many outdoor cafes, as is browsing in the numerous boutiques and art galleries that have helped revitalize the fifth largest city of Colombia.
BOCAGRANDE
In more recent years, many of the wealthier Cartageneros moved to the modern area of Bocagrande. Outside of the fortifications of the Old City, large hotels and condos line the beach alongside upscale restaurants and extensive shopping, including many emerald dealers waiting to sell you a piece of Colombia to take home. (Around 80 percent of the world’s emeralds are mined in Colombia). Bocagrande also boasts one of the few city beaches, although a trip to nearby Playa Blanca is a better option. However, if solitude and isolation is what you are pining for, be aware that in most places in and around Cartagena, you are only steps away from vendors hawking cheap jewelry, fruit, massages and other trinkets and souvenirs.
DINING/NIGHTLIFE
Colombia may be tainted by a drug ridden past, FARC insurgency, and kidnappings, but Cartagena is relatively safe nowadays, and the young vibrant dining scene and nightlife are a reflection of it. An unassuming foodie destination, hard-to-impress palates from around the world are flocking to taste the culinary delights offered in this Caribbean jewel, infused with local flavor, such as plantains, fresh fruits and seafood. Trendy and hip restaurants that rival South Beach, Miami serve up refreshing cocktails in the tropical heat all night long to beautiful-looking clientele.
Vallenato music (traditional music of Colombia’s Caribbean coast) can be heard everywhere, and don’t be surprised to get caught up in a spontaneous dance party in one of the plazas. Cartagena’s exciting nightlife has something for everyone. Whether you want to sip cocktails at Café Del Mar (located on the western wall and great for sunset views), salsa dance Caribbean-style, or jam to ’80s rock or house music, much of the nightlife is centered on Calle del Arsenal, in the Getsemaní area, although the Old City has plenty of options as well.
WHERE TO STAY IN CARTAGENA
The Tcherassi Hotel + Spa
To really experience the heart of Cartagena, it is best to stay within the Old City. Located in the historic center, the stylish Tcherassi Hotel + Spa is a renovated 250-year-old colonial mansion featuring expansive hacienda-style suites. Fashion designer Silvia Tcherassi’s first hotel endeavor stands apart from the rest as a journey for the senses. From the moment you walk through the beautifully appointed front doors, the fragrant smell of sandalwood and jasmine wafts lightly in the air, creating a sense of calm. The artfully sophisticated decor is rugged yet soft with bold and calming textures in each individual room tailored with Tcherassi’s unique fashion sense in mind.
Located in the hotel’s lush courtyard, the glamorous indoor/outdoor restaurant VERA features delectable Italian coastal cuisine created by head chef Daniel Castano. Indulge on house specialties like Penne Melanzana, a delicious combination of eggplant, marinara, and mozzarella or the Risotto Pescatore cooked with Arborio rice, clams, mussels, shrimp, and squid.
Pamper yourself with a soothing massage or try an energizing Deluxe Colombian Coffee body wrap at the full-service spa where the treatments are based on holistic principles. Or head to the rooftop pool for mesmerizing views of the colonial skyline and hustle and bustle below. Enjoy the cityscape vistas from the Convento de La Popa, the highest point at 150m in the city, to the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, the greatest and strongest fortress ever built by the Spaniards in their colonies.
With only seven guest rooms, this converted 17th-century colonial mansion feels more like a stylish home than a boutique hotel. The impeccable service, personal attention and hospitality make this unique property the ideal place to stay when visiting Cartagena. Ask for Mary at the front desk; she will take care of every detail and ensure your stay is memorable.
Rates from US$295 per night. A two-night minimum stay is required for weekends. To book visit here.
Read more: http://wandermelon.com/2011/05/12/cartagena-colombia%e2%80%99s-coastal-gem/#ixzz1Z8gFdKIv
by Angela Sun or wandermelon.com
No longer just a haven for honeymooners, these idyllic islands also offer endless options for adventure junkies and solo travelers.
A light warm breeze brushes my skin as I place my paddle in the crystal clear water with conviction. Determined to follow what lies beneath, I paddle 50 meters or so before I surrender to my poor form. The dark mass below moves quickly. “He’s getting away,” I yell to my friend who is swimming next to my stand-up paddleboard. It was pre-race day and we are on a mission to capture the perfect underwater photo chasing stingrays around a turquoise lagoon in Bora Bora, Tahiti.
With its idyllic scenery and beautiful white sand beaches, French Polynesia is best known as a honeymooners paradise. What many people miss is the fact that Bora Bora is the ultimate destination for those looking for an adventure. Being an active person who happens to be single as well, I was a bit nervous that I would run out of things to do, but my experience was quite the contrary. From feeding sharks and stingrays, to endurance paddling, swimming, snorkeling, diving, and jet skiing, Bora Bora is an ocean lover’s dream.
IRONMANA Liquid Festival
Every December, hundreds of Tahitians as well as international competitors flock to Bora Bora for the annual IRONMANA Liquid Festival, a four-day festival celebrating water-based sports such as traditional Tahitian outrigger canoeing (Va’a-1), Stand-Up Paddleboard, Surf Ski, and an Open Water Swim. The shorter distance sprint races, as well as a cultural education program (where the athletes teach the community swim, paddle, SUP techniques), takes place the first three days, and on the last day, athletes who are ready to take the challenge tackle the grueling 34 miles paddling around the island of Bora Bora in the premier endurance race.
True to the laid back island vibe, the guiding concept of the IRONMANA Liquid festival is less about competing against each other, and more about pushing your own limits through mental and physical endurance activities. It is a great way to submerse yourself in local Tahitian culture and partake in their national sport rich in Polynesian Heritage. The first Austronesian speaking peoples of the islands of Southeast Asia used va’a’s (outrigger canoes) to migrate to Polynesia, New Zealand, and beyond.
If you can’t make it during the IRONMANA Liquid festival, the company behind the event, Kainalu XT, offers personalized fitness holidays throughout the year for the professional athlete, families, group fitness, and adventure seekers. They cater to your every need while pushing your physical boundaries. For more information visit www.kainaluxt.com.
Swimming with Sharks and Feeding Stingrays
One of the most adrenaline inducing activities on Bora Bora brings you face to face with nature in the form of resident reef sharks and stingrays. Contrary to popular belief, they are relatively docile creatures that are just as curious about us as we are about them. We ventured out by boat to a shallow reef where, on cue, about 30 stingrays and a school of black-tipped reef sharks appeared. (Apparently they are accustomed to the humming of the boat motors). Standing in chest deep water there was a false sense of security hiding behind a simple white rope as our guides sectioned off a triangle shaped area to feed the sharks. The colorful corals and abundant reef fish added to the vibrant palette of the underwater masterpiece. The stingrays were quite friendly, acting like excited puppies waiting for a treat. There is nothing like a stingray swimming up to you, trying to give you a hickey to get the endorphins going. They don’t have teeth and suck in their food, so if you are not alert, beware of coming home with more than just a photo! We each had a chance to feed the stingrays and as soon as our fish supply was exhausted, the rays and sharks slowly melted away into the emerald abyss until the next meal delivery.
The nation of Tahiti is comprised of four island archipelagos. Tuamotu Atolls, Marquesas Islands, Society Islands, and Austral Islands. Bora Bora is part of the Society Islands and one of the most frequented by travelers– for good reason. I have traveled to many beautiful places in the world but this truly is a little piece of heaven on earth. It is only eight hours from Los Angeles. Air Tahiti Nui flies direct to Papeete; www.airtahitinui.com
Internal flights are run by www.airtahiti.com
WHERE TO STAY
Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa
A member of The Leading Small Hotels of The World, this boutique resort sits on its own island, Motu Tevairoa. If you truly want to get away, this is the perfect hideaway. Over water bungalows dot the entrance to the resort, and the garden bungalows are just as inviting with a large private lanai, outdoor jacuzzi and open air shower. Everything is crafted using local materials to create the most authentic Polynesian environment. The serene Manea Spa is the only hotel with an on-site Marquesian tattoo artist for those who would like to take a permanent souvenir home from paradise by embracing the oldest art form in the Tahitian culture.
Hotel Manava Tahiti
Designed by Tahitian architect/designer Bruno Hervochon, all guest rooms reflect authentic Polynesian décor while still offering contemporary amenities and creature comforts of home. If you are transiting through Papeete, (most international flights route through PPT) this hotel is close to the airport, has a sleek infinity pool, and a very modern, spacious design. Located on the sunny west coast of Tahiti, there is a beautiful view of the island of Moorea where guests can catch the unbelievable Tahitian Sunsets.
Sofitel Marara Bora Bora
A starting point for one of the Ironmana events, the Sofitel is near Matira Point where many of the festivities for the liquid festival take place.
Read more: http://wandermelon.com/2011/01/28/tahiti-adventures-in-paradise/#ixzz1JIdmHj2H
No, Not Facebook and Twitter! My lifelines.
I am so annoyed. It says I’m connected to the wireless router but I can’t seem to get onto facebook. Or twitter. They are my lifelines to the outside world! How else am I supposed to stalk friends and read up on their status updates so I don’t have to call or hanging out with them?! Hey at least I’m speaking the truth. I’ve been without internet for a week in Thailand and jonesin’ for my fix. After about 20 minutes of playing around with my settings, I realize that BOTH facebook and twitter are censored in China! Public enemy number one on the Chinese government’s hit list! Blocking open source content in cyberspace is like trying to clean up all the plastics in the oceans, but leave it to the Chinese to try and suppress freedom of thought.
Ahhh…I am once again reminded that I’m in a communist country, The last time I was here were I was blatantly told that local authorities were after me in a province outside of Beijing for reporting on the AIDS problem in the countryside. Previous to that, I investigated the lack of religious freedom and persecution of Christian missionaries. Our missionary contact’s computer was confiscated and he fled the country soon thereafter our encounter. (The local authorities had been investigating him for sometime). I have had my fair share of run-ins with the Chinese government, and I didn’t intend to this time around.
With its pretty façade, Beijing puts on a good superficial show to convey its openness to the rest of the world, but it doesn’t take much to scratch beneath the surface of this beautifully manicured, new, and eerily squeaky clean city to find that EVERYTHING is monitored.
I give up trying to get online and head to out to explore the city. The bitterly sharp cold cuts through my light long sleeve wrap and yoga pants like a chilled razorblade and I feel completely exposed. I was definitely ill-prepared to battle the bone chilling 1C/32F temp. Anyone who knows me knows I’m like a tropical fish, I need the perfect temperature and environment to keep me sustained. The balmy 30C temperature in Thailand seemed light years away though it was only yesterday morning that I caught my last rays of equatorial sun.
I surrender to the outside elements and sprint to find shelter, careful not to step in the snow. Like an old friend smiling at me, the bright gleaming Starbucks logo in the brand new mega mall on Sanlitun Rd.,(an area frequented by expats and foreigners) invites me in for a non-fat sugar-free vanilla latte. As I look out the window de-thawing with my hot drink in hand I can’t help but think of the irony. The mall is home to legit retail stores like Columbia, Apple Store, and North Face, yet 10 minutes away stands one of the largest knock off markets in the world, Hong Qiao or Pearl Market. Once again, that’s China for you.
Then it dawns on me. In true Chinese fashion, there is also a knock off facebook site. Maybe I’ll check that out.
