Archive for the ‘ecotourism’ Category
down the canal with a paddle
panama canal
the great canal…
On a recent trip to the secluded beauty that is Panama, I was super excited yet a teeny bit apprehensive to find that I would be kayaking the Panama Canal. An architectural and engineering masterpiece; the canal connects the Atlantic Ocean to great expanse of the Pacific, and has seen a whopping 815,000 vessels voyaging through its tropical passage since opening in 1914. Quite the feat you’ll agree. Bearing in mind the closest I’ve come to a kayak voyage before this had been in a swimming pool on the Isle of Wight, you’ll see where the slight concern comes in. However the thought of gliding through the waters with lush jungle lying ahead and giant cargo ships destined for the farthest corners of the globe behind me was just too appealing. So I grabbed an oar and took to the waters.
We set off early in sight of visiting an indigenous community hidden on the edge of Lake Gatun, an artificial lake which links the canal to the Chagres River. With the monstrous ships setting sail for the Far East behind us we glided further into the lake, until we were surrounded by the blissful sounds of nothing, apart from the odd call of a howler monkey echoing from the teetering jungle. After making our way (very slowly) through a dense mass of waterlilies we approached the indigenous community where we were met by the community’s children showcasing handcrafted trinkets forged from local materials, followed swiftly by a brief overview of the community’s past.
Once back on dry land and having conquered the kayak it seemed amazing that we where so close to one of the worlds busiest waterways, yet with a few strokes of a paddle you could find yourself nestled in the midst of a pristine jungle wilderness.
Fancy experiencing the secret beauty of Panama for yourself get in touch…
(4 votes, average: 4.75 out of 5)
Loading ...not just for birds anymore
dining tree pods
Ever caught yourself thinking about how easy life is for a baby bird? Okay, perhaps not, but now that we’ve brought it up – imagine it. They spend everyday cosied up in their nice warm nest, and when they get hungry? The food literally flies in and lands straight in their open mouths. It’s not a tough life.
spot the flying waiter, bottom left...
Well, you still need to use your own knives and forks (probably for the best really), but the Soneva Kiri Eco Resort on the beautiful island Koh Kood in Thailand has their own version of the bird’s nest just for you.
Climb up into your cocoon style dining tree pod, and enjoy a Michelin starred meal brought to you by your flying waiter. Yes, that was flying waiter. Ziplines are used in the making of this dining experience…
There’s probably no need to describe how stunning the views are going to be, but trust us, this bird’s nest has nabbed a seriously prime location.
We’re pretty sure life enjoyment would go up significantly if ziplines were adopted in more places…
[link inhabitat]
(4 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...living in a bubble
luxurious camping in a bubble
Now this is how camping was meant to be. Imagine being able to set up camp without having to faff around with poles and hooks. To step inside your camp without having to crank your head to the side or clamber around on all fours. And lastly, to fall asleep with full view of the twinkling stars above. Yes please. The sad news, they’re only available to rent in France. And if you’re thinking about getting one to use in your own back garden, this bubble boy is going to cost you roughly over £7,000. Ouch.
[link cubeme]
(3 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5) Loading ...fall-ing for montréal
A trip to Montréal in October wouldn’t be complete without carving out some time to wander through some of the spectacular parks there are on offer in and around the city.
Stop off at Atwater market and pick up a whole host of edible goodies (the cheese selections there are to die for) and then set off to our favourite place in Montréal- the Botanical Gardens. Enjoy the last of the summer sunshine and tuck into a French inspired picnic surrounded by flora and fauna that are simply stunning in the fall.Recognised as one of the worlds finest, these thirty gardens and ten exhibition green houses are best to visit during the changing of the seasons. Catch its beauty this month before it becomes completely snow covered from November to April.
the red leaves of fall
Events go on throughout the year in the gardens, but until the 31st October, make sure you wander down to ‘The Magic of Lanterns’ exhibition in the Chinese Garden. Lanterns have been creatively made to re-produce the story told by one of China’s most famous traditional painting, Qing Ming Shang He Tu. As the lanterns are lit from within, make sure you head to this oriental spectacle as the sun is setting to experience that real Montréal wow factor.
(4 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5) Loading ...spotted: tigers in the sky
searching high and low
Here at Black Tomato we like to keep up to date with goings on in the world of travel and nature. So imagine our excitement when we got wind that our new favourite destination, Bhutan, is home to an undiscovered population of planet earth’s biggest cats. The Himalayan region of Bhutan was thought to be simply too inhospitable for any kind of creature, let alone the stomping ground for the legendary tigers.
high altitude felines
But the good old cameramen at the BBC have proved sceptics wrong, and have released footage proving these graceful beasts do indeed exist at hair raising altitudes of up to 4100 m. This is ground breaking stuff for conservationists and the Bhutan authorities. Images of a female and male tiger are the first known footage of tigers in the remote mountains of Bhutan, and the first hard evidence that tigers are capable of living at that altitude. Astonishingly, the tigers are living and breeding at such high altitudes even trees and plants can’t survive, and the fact that they can flourish in such remote and hostile environments is an outstanding discovery for these awe inspiring cats and their future.
As there are as few as 3,000 tigers left in the wild today, Bhutan’s officials are hot on the case of saving these powerful beauties from the brink of extinction. BBC producers believe Bhutan could act as a tiger nursery from which tigers could breed safely and spread out to re-populate forests of some of the surrounding countries. Pretty wild we think.
Catch the lost Land of the Tiger on BBC One at 21.00BST on Tuesday 21st, Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd September.
And discover the Himalayan magic of Bhutan on one of our unique experiences.
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...dizzy sights from the evolver
The Matterhorn Mountain is an impressive mountain range located near the town of Zermatt in Switzerland. Standing tall at 4478 meters high, it’s a mountain hard to miss, however, there’s an alternative way to see this mighty peak.
see the amazing views of the matterhorn mountain from the evolver
Located on the shores of a crystal clear lake sits the Evolver, a spiral alpine structure designed by the students of the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausannce. Made out of wooden slats that twist and turn, enter the sculpture, at your own risk, to walk (or run) the pathway. The resulting effect: an impressive 720 degree panorama of merging landscapes of mountains, lakes and greenery. Talk about a dizzy display.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...the four kings
At Black Tomato we sometimes stumble across a destination so amazing that we rarely want to share it, but we figure you’ll be able to keep this one between us.
the archipelagos of raja ampat
Off the west Coast of Papua Indonesia lies an archipelago of islands called Raja Ampat (the Four Kings). Comprising of over 1,500 islands, this area is scientifically said to have the richest marine diversity in the world, overriding renowned marine sites like the Great Barrier Reef and Sipadan. And lucky for you and fourteen friends, the Daram Marine Reserve is auctioning the chance to explore this magnificent world of paradise over two weeks on the Daram Project.
the luxurious villas of misool eco resort looking out to sea
But this Project doesn’t come cheap. With a starting bid at $96,500 USD you’ll receive 7 nights onboard The Seven Seas boat, accompanied by two marine scientists, and 7 nights at Misol Eco Resort. The auction closes on 31st May 2010, so get your bids started now.
But, if you’d like to retreat to Raja Ampat on your own project without the hefty price tag, get in touch with us.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...colonial cities and volcano surfing in nicaragua
There are few countries out there whose name, mentioned in casual conversation about travel, might set off sirens in your head as a no-go destination. Whilst some countries do require a certain level of heightened caution, our perception of certain countries have sometimes remained tinted by their turbulent past and have led us to forget what an amazing country they were and still are today.
Here are a few words from our resident South American specialist, Anton, giving us the low down on the hidden gem of South America, Nicaragua:
“When touring around the small, yet diverse and often unfairly overlooked land of Nicaragua, I met with the Nicaraguan Tourist board who told me that Nicaragua was officially the second safest country in the world. Whilst I am not 100% sure about the validity of this statistic, it did heighten the fact that this beautiful Central American country has turned itself around from a scary dictatorship to a wondrous tourist destination with a plethora of amazing experiences and sights.
the beautiful architecture of granada
The colonial cities of Nicaragua are simply stunning. Granada rivals Colombia in its colonial architecture, cobblestone streets and wonderful historical buildings. And with some uber stylish colonial hotels dotted around the city, you can easily nip back to avoid the midday sun and cool off in the pool.
Granada is situated on the shores of the awesome Lake Nicaragua (the largest in Central America) which has hundreds of islands called Las Isletas dotted all over. You can easily jump on a boat for a tour of these islands and enjoy the wildlife and towering volcanoes in the distance. A new luxury hotel, the Jicaro Island Ecolodge, has just opened on one of the islands which promises to extend your stay in this part of the world.
anton volcano surfing
The city Leon also has its charms with a slightly more ramshackle authentic vibe. Located close to the Cerro Negro Volcano, no stay in Leon would be complete without a spot of volcano surfing.
Nicaragua is often referred to as ‘the country of Lakes and Volcanoes’; it does after all have 25 volcanoes on its Pacific Coast. And what a coastline! There are some breathtaking beaches that line this coast, with the highlight being Morgan’s Rock Ecolodge. This haven of tranquillity boasts its own picture perfect beach that can only be accessed by those staying at this pioneering eco-lodge. Wonderful food, helpful service, great activities (zip-lining anymore?) and gorgeous, rustic wooden cabins make this a memorable stay and essential part of a Nicaragua.” – AL
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...it’s hip to be green
There’s
no denying it, it’s cool to be eco. Politicians have got on their bikes,
celebrities are counting their carbon and the papers are full of advice on how
to insulate your loft. Environmental attitude is everywhere and the market in
eco-travel alone is growing by an astonishing 25% a year. You can even set up a
green paradise in your garden! (www.blueforest.com)
Ok,
now the technical bit is over, we can get down to the good stuff: where to go
and what to do if you fancy going green. We’ve been quietly scouting chic,
responsible resorts for a while now, and there’s a load to go round, some with
great credentials and others that err on the faux-eco. So here’s our quick
low-down:
The
Best For Wildlife: Sacha Lodge, Ecuador (www.sachalodge.com)
This
gorgeous retreat is pretty much as far off the beaten-track as you’ll find. A
haven for animal enthusiasts (as well of those in need of a bit of peace and
quiet), it’s reached by an international flight, a light aircraft, a 2hr
motorized canoe ride and a short trek through the rainforest. Set in 5000 acres
of unadulterated jungle, this is the place to spot caimans, alligators,
reptiles, monkeys and over 500 species of bird. There’s even a program for
“hardcore” ornithologists. Check out our link if this sounds like your cup of (green) tea: http://www.blacktomato.co.uk/experiences/intrepid+time/amazonian+wildlife+paradise
The
Best for Snow-lovers: Whitepod, Switzerland (www.whitepod.com)
This
place is something a bit different for powder-fiends: Nine, snow-covered pods
(think of those multi-faceted cardboard things you used to build in geometry
class) perched high in the Alps. Each comes with a wood-burning stove, some
nifty insulation and breathtaking views, not to mention a flawless eco-plan.
These guys are all about charity, energy and a love for the locals. There’s an
eco-camp to educate the young-uns, a mountain “refuge” for the totally jaded
and a sauna if you get chilly.
The
Best for the Future: Vil Uyana, Sri Lanka (www.viluyana.com)
Jetwing
Hotels are mad about their environment and have poured a tonne of resources
into this property. They began by re-generating an ancient wetland area and
re-planting its paddy fields, and have finished by building a set of fabulous
dwellings from which to explore the wonders of Sigiriya, Sri Lanka’s former
royal kingdom. The locals have been trained and employed, the wildlife are
flocking and the jungle is slowly encroaching.
The
Eco Test:
If
your eco-haven seems a tad ersatz, ask them to tell you about their policies:
where do they source their food and staff? How do they deal with waste? Quiz
them on special projects and keep an eye out for environmentally-friendly
products and energy saving bits and bobs (like towels changed on request).
LT
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...keeping it green…
Going green is an ongoing discussion in the travel industry at the moment; people are demanding more reassurances that their travel does not have a negative impact on the environment. Since we believe in more than just rhetoric, and since we feel it is important to have an honest and transparent policy that reflects our growing awareness of climate change issues, we have spent a great deal of time researching the best way that we can help fight climate change. After analysing all the options, we really believe that we have found a great way to do this. Check out the Green Policy tab at the bottom of our website to find out what we are doing…
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