Get Ready for Whale Season in Baja with RED Sustainable Travel
?What I see in Nature is a magnificent structure that we can comprehend only very imperfectly, and that must fill a thinking person with a feeling of humility. This is a genuinely religious feeling that has nothing to do with mysticism? ~ Albert EinsteinTis almost the season? whale season that is. Mexico and marine life have a very specific bond, and there are few places where it is felt more strongly than along the coasts of the Baja Peninsula. With the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Sea of Cort
October 5th, 2012 at 4:28 am
“What I see in Nature is a magnificent structure that we can comprehend only very imperfectly, and that must fill a thinking person with a feeling of humility. This is a genuinely religious feeling that has nothing to do with mysticism” ~ Albert Einstein
Tis almost the season… whale season that is. Mexico and marine life have a very specific bond, and there are few places where it is felt more strongly than along the coasts of the Baja Peninsula. With the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Sea of Cortés on the other, this is one of the best locations anywhere to witness nature’s magnificent wonders. The Sea of Cortés is one of the world’s unique ocean environments, and is considered by some to be the most biologically rich body of water on earth. In late December through the end of March, it also happens to be one of the premiere whale watching destinations in the world.
RED Sustainable Travel makes its home in La Paz, which means “peace” in Spanish. This is the capital of the state of Baja California Sur and is the second largest city south of Tijuana on the Baja Peninsula. La Paz is also arguably the ecotourism capital of North America. Just outside the city itself are countless deserted beaches, calm bays and ecologically pure offshore islands. The region’s complex wildlife, plant life, and geology are truly astonishing. More than 850 species of marine life make their home in its temperate waters. Colonies of sea lions, pods of Humpback, Blue, Sperm, Fin and seasonal migrating Gray whales are a very common site.
Each year an estimated 12,000 of the world’s 21,000 Gray whales make a 6,000-mile journey to bear their calves in the warm waters of the Pacific lagoons to the north of Los Cabos. From there, many continue south, veering around the tip of the Baja into the crystal waters of the Sea of Cortés. Here they find peace and freedom and provide whale-watchers with incredible thrills. At birth, the pacific gray whale is approximately 15 feet long. As adults, their average length can be from 40 to 46 feet (about the same as a Greyhound bus!), and they can weigh up to 35 tons. They spend their summers northwest of Alaska in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas before making their way toward Mexico for the winter. The journey to Mexican waters is a lengthy trip for the gray whales that travel in pods as small as three whales and as large as sixteen members. Though they only swim at about five miles per hour, they are extremely agile. Diving as deep as 500 feet, they can stay under water for up to 30 minutes. Since they are mammals and surface to breathe, they have two blowholes near the top of their heads. You can hear them spouting from nearly a half a mile away and the stream of water shooting from their blowhole can rise 10-13 feet above the surface.
In the sheltered lagoons of the Baja, the calves learn survival skills and gain strength by swimming against the ocean currents flowing into the calmer waters. The calves weigh around 3,000 pounds and are about 19 feet long when they are ready to leave. RED’s whale tours take place in Magdalena Bay, which is one of the most famous breeding lagoons in the area and it’s not uncommon for the “friendlies,” as they’re called, to approach the small boats (“pangas”) of whale watchers. The sweet-tempered leviathans often approach the boats and welcome a gentle rub from humans… truly extraordinary. It’s an encounter with nature not easily duplicated. The Magdalena Bay area comprises the largest wetland ecosystem on the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula and is considered one of the most important in North America. The Bay not only provides a vital calving area for the Gray whale, but is also feeding grounds for several species of endangered marine turtles. There are mangrove forests, barrier beaches and sand dune islands, contributing to the incredible scenery and diverse biological makeup of the zone. The Bay harbors the continent’s northernmost breeding colony of magnificent frigate, the southernmost breeding site for threatened bald eagles, a large nesting colony of the endangered California brown pelican, and one of the largest California sea lion colonies on the Pacific coast of the peninsula.
There are a number of tour operators in the area, but RED takes a particularly unique approach to nature-based travel. According to their website, “RED Sustainable Travel was founded in 2009 upon the idea that conservation and socioeconomic well-being go hand in hand. Since its founding, the RED project has shattered paradigms, changed lives, and created natural resource stewards in rural communities throughout northwest Mexico. RED takes conservation projects – such as sea turtle monitoring – and turns them into Conservation Adventures, along the way creating sustainable economic alternatives (to poaching, for instance) to local communities along northwest México. As part of these efforts, RED fosters direct support for conservation work and community development (such as cash or volunteer time), and promotes a model of tourism for the region based on natural resource preservation.”
RED works with TourRadar (a social platform for organized group tours) to offer the upcoming GRAY WHALE AND SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION ADVENTURE. This is one not to be missed and incorporates working with the sea turtles as well. (Five species of sea turtle are at home along the Baja peninsula. This area provides both nesting habitat and vital feeding grounds for turtles from as far away as Japan and Indonesia.)
Description: This tour will start and end in La Paz. Experience the wonder of the gray whales, on this 5-day expedition in scenic Magdalena Bay on the Pacific coast of the Baja California peninsula where come to mate and give birth to their calves before returning north towards the Bering Sea. You will also take part in a sea turtle conservation project recognized around the world as a model for community based conservation. From your secluded base camp on a tiny shell island, learn about the importance of the green sea turtle’s survival and the role local fishermen play in the species’ recovery, before heading out in pangas to capture and release turtles after recording vital data.
Activities: Gray whales, Sea turtle monitoring, mangrove exploration, dune hikes, cultural interaction, bird watching, star gazing, gourmet cuisine. For more information and trip details visit: http://www.tourradar.com/t/45256
About TourRadar
TourRadar is the social platform for organized group tours. We help travelers search & compare 27,772 organized group tours visiting 220 countries of the world as well as helping them meet and engage with other people in their groups before the tour departs. By using our online tools (search, compare, reviews, meet) travelers can better inform themselves before making critical purchasing decisions about the organized group tour that suits their needs. Since launching 2 years ago, TourRadar has evolved into the leading cloud based platform for businesses in the tour industry providing cost effective access to Web, Facebook, Android and iPhone Apps that reach and engage travelers.
October 5th, 2012 at 5:15 am
David Simmonds
I want to introduce you to Stacy Taylor, a friend of mine. Stacy has spent most of his adult life in radio as a talk-show host. He’s one of the best in the business, having had good runs in San Diego, Chicago, and most recently San Francisco. Stacy couldn’t do the right-wing scream that dominates the airwaves. He’s way too smart and independent for that, so he’s in Mexico, a place he has always like. In fact, that is how we got to know each other about 17 years ago when I was publishing the Mexico File and he had a top-rated show in San Diego. He graciously had me on his show a few times.
Well, the radio biz has changed in recent years and Stacy is now living in Rosarito Beach in Baja, just about 30 miles south of the border on the West Coast. I wanted you to read some of his thoughts that he posts on his blog. I have the feeling that Stacy will be migrating from radio to writing, and if you read this piece you’ll see why.
http://stacytaylor.com/living-in-mexico/baja/some-observations-after-two-months-in-baja/
October 5th, 2012 at 6:10 am
Expedia marking Mayan calendar milestone with savings up to 40% in Riviera Maya, Cancun, Guatemala, or Belize PR
Newswire BELLEVUE, Wash., Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Expedia.com®, the world’s leading online travel site, today announced that the company plans to honor the end of the Mayan calendar cycle with savings throughout the Mayan world. More than 100 hotels throughout Cancun, Cozumel, Riviera Maya, Merida, Guatemala, Belize and El Salvador are offering up to 40% off of travel, from today through March 2013, in areas where travelers can explore Mayan ruins. In addition, 11 hotels are offering exclusive $0 rates on December 21, 2012, the date that the ancient Mayan Long Count calendar identifies as the end of an era that would reset the date to zero.
Hotels include: • Gran Melia Cancun • Intercontinental Presidente Cancun Resort • GR Solaris Cancun & Spa – All Inclusive • Hyatt Regency Cancun • Villa del Palmar Cancun • Great Parnassus Resort and Spa All Inclusive • Golden Parnassus Resort & Spa All Inclusive • Flamingo Cancun Resort • Now Jade Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa • Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun All Inclusive • GR Caribe By Solaris Deluxe All Inclusive Resort
“The Mayan region has always been a fascinating destination, but interest is up this year for reasons that might be obvious. In fact, travel to this part of the world is up over 10% this year over last,” said Joe Megibow, Vice President and General Manager, Expedia.com. “Given that this might be the last chance to see this great destination, we thought we would make it easier to get there, by introducing some amazing sale prices. We do realize you’re not going to have much use for the money you’ve saved if the world actually does end, but either way, those savings are yours to keep.” In addition, Expedia also announced the launch of their fall promotion. Now through October 1, 2012, travelers who book on Expedia.com can save on hundreds of hotels. As part of the sale, Expedia® Rewards members and non-members can register to earn double points on all hotels and vacation packages.
About Expedia
Expedia.com is the world’s leading online travel site, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel. http://www.expedia.com
October 5th, 2012 at 6:28 am
As host of the ILTM Americas, Fairmont Mayakoba offers innovative and responsible tourism experiences
Riviera Maya Mexico, September 18, 2012 – Traveling to discover new worlds and have authentically local experiences, with the least environmental impact, are key components that define the contemporary luxury traveler. Fairmont Mayakoba, host of the first edition of ILTM Americas, offers participants of the world’s leading luxury travel expo the possibility of discovering innovative and responsible tourism practices.
Since opening in 2006, Fairmont Mayakoba has been committed to environmental care and sustainability bringing to reality the harmonious equilibrium between luxury and nature. Its construction contemplated the use of recycled and sustainable materials whenever possible, the relocation of more than 10,000 plants and a commitment to implement actions to conserve the natural resources, support the development of local communities and encourage guests to actively participate in the conservation of the environment while providing facilities and premium experiences in a majestic setting surrounded by mangroves, rainforest, water canals and the spectacular turquoise waters of the Mexican Caribbean.
“Sustainability includes not only environmental management but also socio-cultural aspects and economic benefits to local communities” mentioned Ian L. Robinson, Regional Vice President and General Manager of Fairmont Mayakoba. “In our commitment to promote responsible tourism, we are pleased to participate in ILTM, Americas and share luxury experiences in harmony with nature and, our knowledge to a real sustainable tourism with unique services with true value for the sophisticated traveler”.
Guests attending ILTM Americans can participate in sustainable practices even before their arrival to the Riviera Maya. The hotel invites all guests to help underprivileged children by supporting Pack for a Purpose program, in which the empty space left in their luggage can be used to bring a donation for the community centers of Save the Children in Playa del Carmen. The list of donations such as school supplies, books and learning games can be found at:
http://www.packforapurpose.org/docs/countries/mexico/fairmont-mayakoba.shtml
During the day, travelers can participate in different activities to discover the beauty of the surroundings. Boarding a lancha (electric boat) with biologist Rosaura Cuevas, Ecology and Social Responsibility Manager of the resort, guests will be guided on an adventure to discover the more than 250 species living around the hotel such as turtles, herons, fish, coatis, and even deer. This is a unique opportunity to experience the resort’s tangible commitment to the local environment.
Furthermore, as host Hotel, some of the programs that ILTM Americas participants may discover include:
Green Cuisine:
– The food products, whenever possible are organic, local and obtained via fair treatment practices, including the Chef’s Garden with native products as chaya and habanero chile.
– The endangered species, such as Chilean sea bass, shark and blue fin tuna are not offered in any of our menus and closed seasons are strictly respected.
Support Mayan Communities and Social Responsibility:
– Fairmont has donated $10.000 USD for a group of Mayan women who are dedicated to making medicinal products derived from honey to support the family economy. Through this program, women have managed to develop and market their products, these products can be found at Willow Stream Spa. In gratitude, the community donated a “meliponary”, an area where two hives of native stingless bees called Meliponas live, which is very important in the Mayan culture.
– Muyil Forest and Float Tour: This off-site tour is operated by Community Tours Sian Ka’an, a community-based operator supported by the World Heritage Alliance. Fairmont donated $ 5,000 USD for the construction of toilets in Muyil, installation essential for the operation of the tour and the cooperative.
– Fairmont Babies Room, the hotel has an area enabled for employees who are breastfeeding can express and store milk for their babies. In this way, they can ensure the best nutrition for their children and not be forced to choose between their professional and economic development and breastfeeding.
Greening our Greens:
El Camaleon Mayakoba golf course, managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, participates in the Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuaries, an organization which sets guidelines for an international system of wildlife and environmental conservation. Through our participation, we have developed an extensive integrated management plan for ongoing improvements to our golf courses called “Greening Our Greens”. The program offers practical ways for our courses to make positive changes, while working toward the larger goal of achieving certification from Audubon International.
October 5th, 2012 at 6:59 am
Every year (November through March, with the best month being February) millions of black and orange monarch butterflies find their way to Mexico. The monarchs’ annual journey, encompassing more than 2,500 miles, takes the butterflies from Canada and the northeast United States to their winter home in Michoacán, where, in some areas, they can number four million per acre of land. With their four-inch wingspans, the monarchs cloak fir trunks and hang on boughs in clusters of tens of thousands. Up to 250 million monarchs winter in the region pulsating in the trees and creating one of nature’s brilliant displays. A Mexican legend says that the souls of the dead are reborn as monarch butterflies. Organized tours are available from the capital city of Morelia. Read more and see a video clip….
SK Films is proud to present Flight of the Butterflies. Follow the monarchs’ perilous and extraordinary journey, and join hundreds of millions of real butterflies in the remote mountain peaks of Mexico. For the very first time, witness the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly. This includes being able to see inside a chrysalis, due to advanced MRI and micro CT scans. Become lost in the compelling story of a courageous scientist’s 40-year search to find the secret migration destination of monarchs. More details…
Here is a link to the dates and locations where the film will premiere in the US and Canada.
October 5th, 2012 at 7:54 am
Mexico Today News
History, art, nature and a culture of mining come to life in Real de Asientos, Aguascalientes, Mexico. An ancient city, Real de Asientos dates back to 1548, when it was founded by the congregation of a religious group. Over the past few centuries, Real de Asientos transformed into a mining town, and then to a city of great mystery. Read more…
Photo courtesy of http://www.visitmexico.com
October 5th, 2012 at 8:32 am
Mexico Today News
The tacos of San Felipe, a town on the coast of Baja California in Mexico, are getting global recognition. Earlier this month, the Daily Beast published the Newsweek article “Top Chefs Choose 101 Best Places to Eat Around the World.” Renowned chefs participated in this global survey in order to compile a list of must-eats. Representing Mexico are the delicious tacos – specifically from taco trucks – located downtown San Felipe. The article recommends trying the carnitas and al carbon tacos, but the true specialty of San Felipe is its fish tacos. Read more…
October 5th, 2012 at 9:20 am
by Ron Mader
Oaxaca de Juárez, México – This week is the 40th anniversary celebration of the Sánchez Pascuas Market. Check out today’s music video from the state’s police band.
Of course I am biased, but Oaxaca is a great place to celebrate the Fiestas Patrias!
October 5th, 2012 at 9:58 am
Mexico Today News:
Once a refuge for pirates, the river village Palizada in Campeche, Mexico has transformed into the perfect destination for a relaxing vacation. Palizada is frequently overlooked, and used as a stopping-off point on the way to Ciudad del Carmen. But if you pause to appreciate the peaceful town, you will be rewarded by the warmth of its locals, mouth-watering traditional food, beautiful nature and unique sunset experience. Read more…
October 5th, 2012 at 10:35 am
Tupperware Brands and the Global Fairness Initiative Announced “Empowering Women in Mexico” study findings at Press Conference in Mexico City Showing Socio-economic shifts among Tupperware and Fuller Cosmetics sales force and greater spending ability on education and technology
Tupperware Brands Corporation (NYSE: TUP), a global direct-selling company with a strong sales presence in Mexico, through its Tupperware and Fuller businesses has announced findings from a new independent research study that analyzes the economic and social impact of empowering women in Mexico. The Global Fairness Initiative (GFI), a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs partnered with Tupperware Brands on the independent study. Findings were presented by Tupperware Brands Chairman and CEO Rick Goings and GFI Executive Director Caleb Shreve at a press conference held in Mexico City.
The study, commissioned by Tupperware Brands, and conducted by GFI and IBOPE Inteligencia, a Latin American research and survey firm, sought to determine the extent to which Tupperware Brands’ business model promotes empowerment, financial security and socioeconomic mobility among its Mexican sales force. Tupperware Brands initiated the study to learn more about its economic and social impact in Mexico, a priority market, and to understand how and why its unique approaches to training, rewarding and recognizing its sales force are creating successful, empowered business women.
“Our research validates our mission as a global company – to help women around the world change their lives and therefore the lives of those around them, having a vital impact on their local communities and national economies,” said Rick Goings, CEO of Tupperware Brands. “When our salesforce in Mexico was asked ‘What happened in your life as a result of engaging with Tupperware Brands?’, not only did they share how their lives had changed professionally as entrepreneurs, but also how they had personally changed – becoming confident and socially empowered.”
The company operates two businesses in Mexico with a combined sales force of more than 700,000: Tupperware Mexico, which sells food storage and serving solutions for the kitchen and home, and Fuller Cosmetics, which sells beauty and personal care products. The study included interviews with 1,600 Tupperware and Fuller saleswomen in six Mexican states. Top-line study findings include:
Karen Tramontano, Founder and President of GFI said, “As an organization committed to creating social and economic opportunity for women entrepreneurs the Global Fairness Initiative was very pleased to work with Tupperware Brands whose direct reach to a sales force of millions of women entrepreneurs is unrivaled. As our study shows, both Tupperware and Fuller have had a remarkable impact on the personal, social and economic empowerment of women in their Mexico sales force and offer a laudable example of a business where the empowerment of women is a fundamental part of the corporate culture.”
Analyzing the Mexican economy and Tupperware Brands’ place in it, GFI observed that unemployment rates have decreased in Mexico, yet salaries have fallen behind the pace of inflation and there are limited employment opportunities for women. This study found that direct sales jobs like those offered by Tupperware Brands – which offer increased flexibility and the potential for income and rewards based on an individual’s effort rather than education level or previous employment history – provide a lifeline for women seeking financial solvency and supplemental income for their families.
Tupperware Brands is successfully breaking down gender barriers because it fully incorporates women’s empowerment and personal development into sales strategy and corporate culture. Interestingly, the empowerment processes of Tupperware and Fuller are uniquely different, but both offer effective opportunities for empowerment and personal development beyond direct selling activities that make a meaningful impact in women’s lives socially and financially. Focus groups showed that the majority of women have increased confidence in sharing their skills and actively support social programs in the communities where they live and work.
About Tupperware Brands Corporation
Tupperware Brands Corporation is a portfolio of global direct selling companies, selling innovative, premium products across multiple brands and categories through an independent sales force of 2.7 million. Product brands and categories include design-centric preparation, storage and serving solutions for the kitchen and home through the Tupperware brand and beauty and personal care products for consumers through the Armand Dupree, Avroy Shlain, BeautiControl, Fuller Cosmetics, NaturCare, Nutrimetics, and Nuvo brands.
About the Global Fairness Initiative
The Global Fairness Initiative (GFI) promotes a more equitable, sustainable approach to economic development for the world’s working poor by advancing fair wages, equal access to markets, and balanced public policy to generate opportunity and end the cycle of poverty. For more information, visit http://www.globalfairness.org.
About the Study
The Global Fairness Initiative and IBOPE Inteligencia analyzed responses from focus groups and face-to-face interviews of 1,600 Tupperware and Fuller saleswomen in six cities throughout Mexico from November 2011 through May 2012.