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I Was on White Island in New Zealand

12/17/2019

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White Island in New Zealand
White Island was one of the destinations we visited during a multi-sport adventure in New Zealand with Backroads.
By John Roberts
People around the world are hearing about New Zealand's White Island, perhaps for the very first time, and for an extremely sad reason.
At least 18 people were killed and many others injured when the volcano erupted while dozens of tourists were visiting this fascinating natural attraction.
White Island is located in the Bay of Plenty off the coast of the country's North Island and is New Zealand's most-active volcano. The privately owned island is a destination for tourists and scenic helicopter flights. The island is owned by the Buttle Family Trust and operates as a scenic reserve, which is open to tourism with access granted to designated tour operators.
The island is monitored closely by a government agency that puts out bulletins that warn of increased volcanic activity.
According to an article in Afar, the agency GeoNet "had reported increased activity at the volcano for several weeks, raising the warning level to 2 out of 5, but still reported that the island was safe for visitors. (A level 2 alert means moderate volcanic unrest.) Currently, Krakatoa in Indonesia is also a level 2, as are two famous volcanoes in Italy, Mount Etna and Stromboli."
In the same article, volcanologists said the deadly eruption that happened December 9, 2019, was "the worst kind of freak accident."
This tragedy has stirred emotional reactions for me -- because I spent time exploring during my time in New Zealand early this year. It was an amazing visit, and I considered a highlight of my first time in this beautiful country.
When 17 fellow adventurers and I stepped ashore as a group at White Island, we were traveling with Backroads on a wonderful multisport expedition. We shared a whole range of magical experiences over the course of 10 days during which we went to both the North Island and South Island. Our morning stop at White Island, also known by its Maori name Whakaari, was a low-impact walk and offered a thrilling way to take a bit of a rest from our daily long hikes, bike rides and kayaking activities.
Thousands of visitors come to White Island every year because it is a stunning formation. About 70 percent is under the water, with the cone and crater popped above the surface and easy to reach by small boats.
We landed by Zodiac from our cruise ship, Ponant's Le Laperouse, and wandered ashore to grab gas masks and helmets. Sulphur gasses hung like a mist over the moonscape-like surface, and mustard-yellow colors mixed with the browns, reds and grays in the rocky walls. Small streams of water spilled down the trail, and the waters grew warmer and revealed more colors as we got closer to the crater area. Nearing the crater, the sulfur mists were thicker, requiring those of us who hadn't already done so to place the masks over our mouths and to suck on hard candies to keep from coughing.
We learned that the island is a nesting and breeding ground for thousands of gannet birds and that a number of attempts to build a profitable sulfur-mining enterprise on the island had failed, with the last mining operations ended in the 1930s.
Remnants of the mining operations are still visible on the island, and we saw a few helicopters landing, bringing tourists and scientists.
White Island in New Zealand
White Island in New Zealand
White Island in New Zealand
White Island in New Zealand
White Island in New Zealand
White Island in New Zealand
We got this close to the rim of the crater.
I am glad I got to see such an amazing natural formation. I look at these photos you see here in this post, and I am struck by the fact that the tourists who perished were much like us and probably tracing our footsteps and discussing the same aspects and geological features of White Island, asking some of the same questions that we had of our guides. In short, it could have happened to me and my group of new friends while we were there.
But it didn't.
It happened to them. Why?
Life is mysterious.
Questions arise as to whether tourism should be allowed in such a place. I have also visited Mount Etna in Sicily, Pacaya in Guatemala and volcanos in the Philippines and Hawaii. Hiking in the wilds of Alaska comes with the risk of bear encounters. Scuba diving offers risks, as do helicopter rides over the Grand Canyon and bus journeys on sketchy roads in poorly developed countries.
Many things we do to go out and experience life come with an inherent level of risk.
It's not something many of us typically worry about (too much), or we learn how to suppress our apprehension by weighing it against the rewards of a thrilling new experience.
A stop at White Island was just another in a series of adventures for me, with no concern that this was a dangerous activity, despite it being an active volcano. I'm sure the people who arrived on the day of the fateful eruption also were focused on their visit, excited to see the small island, learn about the history of the volcano, snap pictures and create new memories. Sadly, that visit ended horribly.
I heard that a guide who we had met on our trip was among those who died. My heart aches for his family and all the families who have been affected by this.
Stories are coming out discussing whether volcano tourism is safe. This is always the reaction to such events. As travelers, we have to research and understand the risks of any activities that we choose.
The only way to remove all risk is to shut down and do nothing.
Tour companies and guides must always be transparent with information about an attraction and vigilant in making them as safe as possible. Then, we can make an informed decision about whether it's still something we want to undertake.
The tragedy on White Island reinforces the fact that life is precious and to be enjoyed. We should live it to the fullest while we have the chance.
I'll choose to go forward with the memory of these lost adventurers in my heart. That is the best way I can honor them and make sense of this horrible misfortune.
Thanks for reading,
JR
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Festive Ways to Keep Fitness in the Mix During the Holidays

12/13/2019

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You know how we feel about travel and fitness. If you're healthy and strong, you're going to have a better experience. There are many reasons for this, of course, and most are no secret.  
We have a whole channel on this site dedicated to fitness, and I lay out some of my thoughts and best practices in this short article on training to travel. 
To keep the momentum rolling around the holidays, we've got a guest post from expert trainer Cat Kom, founder of Studio SWEAT OnDemand.
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By Cat Kom
It's the most wonderful time of the year, filled with holiday festivities, jam-packed schedules, amazing desserts, and . . . dropping our fitness routines!
Right?
Oh, heck no!
We know it's not easy to stay fit during the holidays, surrounded by pie, cold weather, and more pie. But just because the weather outside is frightful, that doesn't mean your workouts have to be! By incorporating a bit of the holiday spirit into your health and fitness, you'll be sweating straight through to the new year.
You can get a jump on any resolutions you have in mind, maintain your routine and work off those extra calories that come with scrumptious holiday meals and desserts as you spend time with friends and family. Get going with these fun and festive holiday fitness games:

Fitness Advent Calendar
Counting down the days until Christmas gets even more fun when you get a little piece of chocolate every day -- for 25 days in a row! Yes, we have traditionally put chocolates in our Advent calendar.
Unfortunately, chocolate isn't the ideal fuel to keep your workout momentum going. So, change up your calendar, replace the candy with cardio and give yourself the gift of health.
Write down 25 exercises, one for each day until Christmas, and place them on a calendar -- somewhere you'll be sure to see it. As each day passes from December 1 to 25, complete those 30 crunches, 15 minutes of cardio, or 2 miles of walking you wrote for that day.
To ramp up the difficulty level even more, add each exercise onto the one from the previous day. By the time Christmas comes around, you'll have earned any extra cookies that you desire.

Trim the Tree
Decorating the tree is one of the best parts of getting into the holiday spirit. What could possibly make it even more fun? Adding exercise, of course!
This one is a super simple way to spruce up your workout routine. Write your favorite workout move on each ornament. Once you've completed it, put it up on the tree. When you're done, you'll be feeling festive and fit. Plus, you'll have a beautiful tree to show as a result of your dedication -- and one that reminds you of your commitment to a healthy lifestyle throughout the year.

Give Back to Charity
The holiday season is also the most wonderful time of the year to give back to others. And your hard work and fitness motivation can also benefit others if you participate in a charity event.
If you need some extra motivation to get moving, get in the giving spirit and collect sponsor pledges. Set up a challenge for yourself (be it miles walked, squats done, whatever), and get your friends, family and co-workers to sponsor you, with the proceeds going to a charity of your choice.
This is a great way to feel warm and festive inside and out.

Themed Classes
If you really want a heart-pumping, muscle-building workout that will also get you singing along to those classic holiday tunes, take a themed holiday workout with Studio SWEAT onDemand. Fitness classes can encourage you to stay on track, even in those busy winter weeks.

Thanks for reading.
Also, happy holidays, and remember to travel fit, travel happy and travel often!
JR

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First Look: UnCruise's New Itinerary in Belize and Guatemala

12/9/2019

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Yours truly with the research team during our visit to a Maya ruins site in Belize.
By John Roberts
UnCruise Adventures is returning to Belize. The leader in small-ship expedition cruising had sailed in the stunningly gorgeous Central American nation many years ago, but it's returning to the region with a finely tuned and dedicated itinerary that includes exploration of its neighbor Guatemala, too.
It's always been a no-brainer that UnCruise should sail in places like these underrated destinations. Belize is a nation of fewer than 400,000 that offers a stunning mix of culture and natural beauty. The warm and inviting people possess a rich multiracial ancestry, with Mestizo, Creole, Maya and Garifuna as the most prevalent.
Belize is located on the Eastern Coast of Central America hugging the Caribbean Sea, with amazing access to waterways that reach the Mesoamerican Reef (Belize Barrier Reef) and are speckled with tiny low-lying islands called cays. Inland, there are lagoons, jungles and rivers.
UnCruise worked hard to design a trip that gives its guests access to an immersive range of all of these features of both Belize and Guatemala.
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UnCruise Adventures owner and CEO Dan Blanchard skippered our catamaran trip through Belize and Guatemala as the company put some of the finishing touches on designing a new expedition in these Central American countries.
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One of the many tiny islands that UnCruise will visit for quiet beach days and uncrowded snorkeling opportunities along the Belize Barrier Reef.
I was fortunate enough to tag along on a late-stage research and development trip to get a good idea of how special the experience will be. The trip brought us to stunning ancient Maya ruins sites, got me in the water for snorkeling among vibrant reef systems, had us hiking into the jungle and along savanna to spot birds or swim under rushing waterfalls. Best of all was chatting with the ambitious villagers who have started their own small businesses or clinics to improve their lives and that of their communities.
There also is plenty of amazing food to enjoy, of course.

Check out the full itinerary, which is a seven-day roundtrip voyage from Belize City.
And this video of my R&D trip:
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This national park features opportunities to spot parrots, foxes and other creatures like manatees that live in the nearby lagoon.
I was among a group of seven as we sailed on a double-hulled catamaran testing out the route and looking for the places that few other travelers will get to experience. I joined UnCruise Adventures expedition guides, as well as founder and owner Dan Blanchard and Capt. Andrea Kosto, who was the driving force behind creating this new itinerary. She is also at the helm of Safari Voyager, the 70-passenger ship that will be the home for UnCruise passengers on these voyages. It also is used for the line's Panama, Costa Rica and Colombia expeditions.
During my 10 days getting a first look at the trip, we visited serene conservation areas, taking hikes in the rainforest at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and on savanna land at Payne's Creek in Belize. Lush mangrove areas are vital parts of the ecosystems in both Guatemala and Belize, and visitors can spot manatees, gray foxes and yellow-headed parrots (and dozens of other birds).
Blanchard thinks a favorite day for guests will be the visit to Cockscomb Basin, which offers a broad range of hikes, river tubing and chances to swim beneath waterfalls. The itinerary includes time in towns, too, with opportunities to shop at a produce market in Punta Gorda, Belize, and hang out at the bustling seaside town of Livingston, Guatemala.
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A family preserves its Maya traditions and shares this way of life with visitors to their home in Belize.
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A small, women-owned baking business in a village in Guatemala.
The Maya and Garifuna represent the indigenous residents of the region, and UnCruise offers interactions and experiences with them to show their daily life. Of course, you'll get to challenge yourself with trying to craft tortillas from scratch using traditional tools and your bare hands.
Blanchard spent quite a bit of time in Belize when he was younger and has always been impressed by the friendliness and inviting nature of this young nation, which achieved independence in 1981.
"Belize is a very open-for-business country," he says. "Getting things going here is relatively easy. Our first thing we do is just get out and experience the destination (to create a new itinerary).
"Beyond that, it comes down to contacting all the conservation organizations. Because they're the ones that really know what's going on, the special places that fit our clients best. 
"So, there's that early stage of the process, and now we're down to refining the daily activities."
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We took a panga boat to explore Guatemala, along the coast and into rivers and lush mangrove areas.
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The rustic coastal areas of Guatemala.
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A swimming area at a national park in Guatemala.
And I was able to experience some of these special spots and unique discoveries as the research team focused on how the days would play out during these trips. It was fascinating to watch them plot the route, ensuring safe navigation through shallow waters, as well as find the best places to stock up on fresh foods and other supplies.
The Maya ruins sites are particularly interesting. Some have been unearthed just decades ago. Plus, the villages along the Rio Dulce River in Guatemala offer a fantastic opportunity to see how Maya women are finding new roles in their society, breaking with antiquated norms to develop their own businesses. We stopped off to patronize small baking businesses and meet with women running important community health clinics.
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We had a number of chances to make our own tortillas in both Guatemala and Belize.
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Tiny Carrie Bow Cay is home to a Smithsonian research operation.
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Expect stunning sunrises and sunsets every day of your voyage.
I have been on several UnCruise sailings now, in Alaska, Costa Rica and Panama, Coastal Washington, Hawaii and the Snake and Columbia Rivers. This has all the makings of being one of the more memorable trips the company offers.
Like I said, it fits with the DNA of the company. Longtime UnCruise Adventures aficionados are craving new expeditions and certainly should be excited to add this experience to their list. 
"We have a high number of returning guests, and they want to go to new destinations," Blanchard says. "Everything is indicating that Belize is kind of that budding flower as far as tourism goes.
"And I think one of the things we've found in Guatemala is under-tourism. On both the border rivers and some of the estuaries that are open to the ocean, this is incredibly authentic compared with what is generally available to the traveler today in North and South America. The children still look at you like you're an oddity (when you visit their villages)."
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This sanctuary is known for its jaguar conservation efforts.
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The secluded swimming hole at the end of one of the fun and challenging hikes at the wildlife preserve.
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Safari Voyager Capt. Andrea Kosto and Dan Blanchard cool off in a refreshing spot in the river during a hike in Guatemala.

A Vision for a New Adventure: Q&A with Captain Andrea Kosto

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Captain Andrea spent months in Belize and Guatemala, tracking down the best places and activities that will offer the most intimate and immersive experiences and truly represent what UnCruise Adventures is all about -- that is, what loyal travelers have come to love about the line.
I her asked what she expects for the new adventures and what goes into creating this kind of expedition cruise itinerary.

In The Loop Travel: What are you most excited to show your guests on this new itinerary? What do you want them to get out of it?
Captain Andrea Kosto: I am most excited about showcasing the pristine conservation areas that we are accessing. Where the conversation directors inform us that we are the very first small expedition ship and foreign operator to visit. It doesn't get any more UnCruise than that! 
We have forged relationships with environmental and cultural organizations that have amazing community outreach programs for youth education, wilderness and wildlife preserves and community health. Our partnership will help support those programs and hopefully have a profound positive effect on the indigenous peoples of the area.
It's my hope that our guests not only have an amazing and memorable experience, but that they take away a deeper knowledge and respect for the Belizean and Guatemalan people and cultures. All while understanding that as our guests, they enable us to operate in areas untraveled by others, which allows our presence to positively impact an entire region and its peoples.

ITLT: What challenges do you face when trying to develop a new itinerary from scratch?
AK: It is easy to "find" places that everyone already visits; those places are suitable for many people and tour companies, but those type of settings aren't what we're about.
UnCruise proudly touts wilderness, wildlife and cultural experiences that aren't crowded. The Uncrowded places don't advertise, usually because they're a niche location and they want to remain untrammeled by large crowds. Discovering these gems is generally by word of mouth and listening to the people who live where we want to explore. The local people know where those places are and what they have to offer.  
You have to be receptive to the ideas and information that they have, because they most often have terrific knowledge of where these undiscovered gems are hidden.
ITLT: Why should travelers take an UnCruise voyage to see Belize and Guatemala vs. any other form of travel?
AK: In a nutshell, comfort, access, professionalism and respect for the cultural diversities of the region. We are accessing some spectacular places that other tour operators simply do not visit, or even know of. These locations are far off of the beaten path that everyone else travels. The local conservation organizations we will interact with know that they have something special, and we agree. The local children are learning about how precious and unique their home is, and we are humbled that their parents and elders are allowing us to take others to see how spectacular these areas and cultures are.
At the same time, we're honored to not only help promote the conservation of the region, but to educate others as to its importance. By choosing UnCruise, people will be able to travel both comfortably and safely into regions not easily accessed by any other modes of travel.

 
The first of these "Belize and Guatemala Wonders -- Rivers, Reefs and Cultures" voyages embark on Safari Voyager on October 31, 2020, and UnCruise is offering six of these weeklong expeditions ending with a December 5 voyage.
 
Thanks for reading,
JR

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