Category Archives: Travel

Farm Sanctuary: New York Shelter Sample Itinerary

Written on May 17, 2012 by Liz in Farm Sanctuaries, Travel

Farm sanctuaries are wonderful places to visit and perfect for long weekend summer family trips. I thought it would be fun to compile a few sample itineraries for the various farm sanctuaries in New York to help you see some of the activities you can do with your loved ones around visiting a sanctuary.

Here’s the first one, for Farm Sanctuary’s New York shelter near Watkins Glenn.

Please note: These itineraries are just for inspiration, I have not tested out the activities, restaurants, etc.

Farm Sanctuary New York: A 175-acre shelter is set amidst rolling green hills and forests in the Finger Lakes Region of upstate New York. It is located next door to Sugar Hill State Forest, just west of Watkins Glen. It is a 45-minute drive west of Ithaca and a 1½-hour drive southeast of Rochester. They care for hundreds of animals and receive thousands of visitors every year. The “People’s Barn” is a unique visitor center filled with displays, literature and videos and also includes a “Kid’s Korner” and gift shop.

Itinerary Summary

Day 1: Arrive at Watkins Glen, NY
Day 2: Farm Sanctuary / Guided Tour
Day 3: Farm Sanctuary / Volunteer
Day 4: Corning Museum of Glass / Vegan Wine Tasting
Day 5: Shopping, Museums, Hiking, etc.!
Day 6: Leave Watkins Glen

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Watkins Glen, NY

Today you’ll arrive at Farm Sanctuary near Watkins Glen, New York. You’ll lodge at Farm Sanctuary’s own Bed & Breakfast where you’ll enjoy continental vegan breakfasts. Every cabin overlooks the sanctuary. Farm Sanctuary’s B&B fills up fast so book far in advance.

Day 2: Farm Sanctuary / Guided Tour

Your day will begin with the sound of crowing roosters. Today you’ll spend your time getting to know the animals as you take a guided tour. You’ll meet the rescued pigs, cows, and other farm animals and learn their individual stories of survival. After the tour, you can visit the education center which provides literature and videos for your enlightenment. The education center also carries gift items. The schedule for the guided tours can be found here.

When you’re done hanging out with all of the amazing animals you can head over to Wildflower Cafe & Crooked Rooster Brewpub to enjoy vegan burgers and sandwiches.

Day 3: Farm Sanctuary / Volunteer

Today you’ll volunteer at the sanctuary pitching in with chores and helping to take care of the animals. You’ll learn more about the sanctuary itself and the work they do to protect farm animals. Volunteer work is only available on the second Saturday of every month from April to November. The volunteer work starts at 9:00 AM and ends at 4:00 PM. You’ll need to attend a mandatory orientation. For any child between ages 12 and 17 there must be a parent or guardian accompanying. Chores include activities such as administration, beautification, and shelter maintenance.

After your day of work and playing with the animals you can have dinner at Stonecat Cafe which offers organic regional cuisine with many vegan options.

Day 4: Corning Museum of Glass / Vegan Wine Tasting

After your vegan breakfast, you can hang out with the farm animals for a bit and then drive to the Corning Museum of Glass. This amazing museum offers exhibits entirely dedicated to the history and making of glass. For an extra cost, you will also be given the opportunity to create your own glass souvenir. No experience is necessary for the class as you will be instructed by experienced glassworkers. The museum is open 7 days a week from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Continue your day by driving 40 minutes to the Herman J. Wiemer Vineyard where you’ll experience wine at its best. This vineyard does not use any animal products in their wine making process. Also, they do not use herbicides or insecticides and their wines ferment on natural yeast. Tastings starts at 8:30 AM and the last tasting is at 4:45 PM.

When you get hungry try Seneca Harbor Station Restaurant which offers views of the lake and has many vegan options. You can finish your day by visiting the Great Escape Ice Cream Parlor which offers homemade soy ice cream and vegan soft serve.

Day 5: Shopping, Museums, Hiking, etc.!

Today you can choose from the countless activities that Watkins Glenn has to offer. You can wake up and hang out with the farm animals before heading out to shop at Ithaca Commons, visit museums, or just relax by the lake. We recommend going to the Watkins Glen State Park that is known for its famous gorge which features 19 waterfalls and 2 mile hikes.

For an enjoyable home cooked meal, go to Geka’s Soul Vegetarian Restaurant which offers 100% vegan food. Geka’s Soul Vegetarian Restaurant is 40 minutes away from Watkins Glen State Park and an hour away from Farm Sanctuary.

Day 6: Leave Watkins Glen

This will be your last day to experience the wonderful sights and sounds of the sanctuary. Say goodbye to the adorable animals you’ve befriended throughout your stay. Then tell your friends and family about the amazing animals you met and the important work Farm Sanctuary is doing to protect them!

You can learn more about Farm Sanctuary and the work they’re doing for farm animals on their website by clicking here.

End of itinerary

Would you take your family on a long weekend trip to a farm sanctuary?

Share/Bookmark

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

For the Love of Elephants… The Eyes of Thailand

Written on April 25, 2012 by Liz in Thailand, Travel

For the Love of Elephants… The Eyes of Thailand

If you’ve been following my blog for awhile you know I have a special place in my heart for elephants, particularly after volunteering with them in Thailand. A powerful documentary on Asian elephants, The Eyes of Thailand, has its world premiere this Saturday 4/28 at the Newport Beach Film Festival (purchase tickets here).

In this moving documentary, after losing their legs from stepping on landmines, two brave elephants are given a second chance to walk through the use of innovative prosthetics as a result of one courageous woman’s strength, determination and perseverance.

The film was directed and produced by award-winning filmmaker Windy Borman and produced by award-winning producer Tim VandeSteeg.

I had the opportunity to speak with the passionate and determined Windy Borman recently about how this documentary came about. Windy was in Thailand in 2007 on a different film project when she stumbled upon the hospital. Moved by the work they were doing there, by the founder of the hospital, Soraida Salwala, and by the untold story of the elephant survivors, the film was serendipitously set in motion.

Soraida Salwala’s love for elephants started at a young age. When she was 8-years old she saw an injured elephant lying on the side of the road after a truck hit it. As her family drove past, they heard a gunshot. Soraida asked her father what happened. He told her, “Uncle Elephant is in heaven now.” Young Soraida asked “But if he was dying, why couldn’t he go to the hospital?”

In 1993, Soraida opened the world’s first Asian Elephant Hospital, operated by Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE). FAE is a 200-acre facility that includes elephant infirmaries, an operating area, and a nursery for baby elephants. After treating everything from knife and gunshot wounds to car accidents, they faced their biggest challenge the first time they received an elephant who had stepped on a landmine.

Motala

This 50-year old Asian Elephant stepped on a landmine in 1999 while she and
her mahout (owner) were logging along the Burmese border. She walked for 3 days
on her severely injured leg to arrive at the Asian Elephant Hospital.
After 10 years of surgery and rehabilitation she received her first prosthetic
limb built by a human orthopedist in August 2009.

Mosha

Mosha stepped on a landmine in 2006 when she was just 7-months old.
Her young age helped her heal quickly and in June 2008 she received her first prosthetic limb.
She needs to receive a new prosthetic every six months because of how quickly she’s growing.
Mosha’s sassy personality and quirky antics quickly stole director Windy Borman’s heart.

Soraida said she fights for these elephants against all odds because “the elephants cannot fight, they cannot speak, so I am speaking on their behalf.” Soraida herself lives with several debilitating illnesses and walks with a cane so she knows what it means to suffer in this way.

As Motala received her first prosthetic leg, 10 years after she stepped on a landmine, Soraida said to Windy “Some people say we wasted our time, to save just one life. But to me, no. It’s been 10 years and every second of it has been so valuable.”

As tears fill her eyes she says “I don’t want any elephant to be hurt. I’d rather have an elephant hospital without any patients. I hope that day will come.”

The Eyes of Thailand Trailer

The Eyes of Thailand was awarded the prestigious ACE Film Grant from the Humane Society of the United States, who said “The Eyes of Thailand is an inspiring and unique documentary that will open up hearts and minds about the amazing veterinary work being performed at the Asian Elephant Hospital.”

Windy Borman hopes that The Eyes of Thailand will not only highlight the plight of Asian elephants and the wonderful work being done at the elephant hospital, but also encourage countries to sign the Mine Ban Treaty requiring the removal of all land mines, the destruction of stock piles, and the end of landmine trading. Actress Ashley Judd lent her voice in the narration of the film to help make these goals a reality.

Lessons from the Eyes of Thailand

Soraida Salwala shows what one woman can do in the face of insurmountable obstacles. As Windy Burman said to me during our chat, “Soraida’s determination was a personal lesson on perseverance and sacrifice… I looked at my own life and asked, what am I willing to dedicate my life to? What do I think is impossible that’s actually possible?”

Well Windy applied that lesson and did the impossible in the creation of this film. She served as the director, producer, writer, camera woman, fundraiser, grant writer, and more to make this film a reality (eventually gaining a team along the way).

Windy and Soraida both prove that when you really set your mind to something, nothing can stop you.

Actions You Can Take to Help The Eyes of Thailand

1. Purchase tickets for the world premier event this Saturday 4/28 at the Newport Beach Film Festival - PURCHASE HERE.

2. Join their newsletter so you can find out when a screening of the film is coming to your neighborhood. Click here to sign up.

3. Social Media: Join their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/eyesofthailand and follow them on Twitter at www.twitter.com/eyesofthailand

4. Help spread the word!

Sample Tweets:

10 years. 2 souls. 1 amazing feat. Witness @SoraidaSalwala & Motala’s journey in the powerful @eyesofthailand film http://ht.ly/6kJKc

World’s first #elephant hospital. World’s first elephant #prosthesis. A story of love and passion http://ht.ly/6kJQs

Sample Facebook Posts:

Save the Asian Elephants. Help us bring their plight to light. @The Eyes of Thailand www.eyesofthailand.com

Wow! Just watched “The Eyes of Thailand” trailer. It’s truly inspirational. @The Eyes of Thailand www.eyesofthailand.com

10 Years. Two Souls. One Amazing Feat.

Mosha using the world’s first elephant prosthesis

Motala with her prosthetic – the world’s largest prosthesis

Motala getting fitted for her prothesis

Motala taking her first steps on the prothesis on the tenth anniversary of her landmine accident

Soraida Salwala & Motala
Copyright: Julia Ferdinand

Soraida Salwala & Motala
Copyright: Julia Ferdinand

All photos courtesy of The Eyes of Thailand

Pin It

Share/Bookmark

9 Comments - Leave a comment!

{Gentle Living Safaris} Tanzania National Parks: Northern Circuit

Written on March 18, 2012 by Liz in Safaris, Travel

Elephant in Tarangire National Park

Traveling to Africa is the trip of a lifetime, that should be repeated. The word “vacation” is too shallow to do it justice. It’s a cultural exploration, a deepening of roots, a stimulation of sensations, an enchantment with the people and animals, a mystical awakening that gets inside you, if you let it. The more time you spend there, the better.

Safaris are an animal and nature lovers utopia. Tourism protects the national parks from poachers and land destruction and you get to see hundreds of animals living freely.

We sell trips to Tanzania, one of the safest countries in Africa and the country with more national parks and protected land than any other African country.

Most people traveling to Tanzania for the first time stick to the Northern Circuit. Here is a description of the national parks you can visit in the Northern Circuit.

Lake Manyara National Park

This small but striking park is on the way to the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. Often overlooked by tourists eager to reach the Serengeti, the alkaline lake covers 89 square miles of the 127 square miles that make up the national park. While the lake sits on the east end of the park, the Gregory Rift wall sits to the west and is characterized by volcanic activity.

Lake Manyara is known largely for its baboon and pink flamingo populations but also has a number of other wild animals, such as elephants, hippos, giraffes, tree-climbing lions, and birds. Colors of teal, yellow and red mesmerize bird-watchers as they come across the headed kingfisher, yellow-billed stork and others. Lake Manyara is a hidden treasure of breathtaking landscape and abundant wildlife.

Tarangire National Park

This park is named after the Tarangire River, which flows through the park and is the only source of water for the animals. Large communities of elephants and African pythons inhabit the park as well as many other animals. The park is infamous for its unique Acacias and baobab trees. Similar to Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire is sometimes overlooked on the tourist circuit but it’s a beautiful park full of animals and it’s the best place to see elephants.

Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is a small, 52.9-mile park with three different topographical features: Mt. Meru, Ngurdoto Crater and Momela Lakes. The vegetation and landscape of each area varies greatly. Ngurdoto Crater’s floor is swampy but the crater is surrounded by forest. Around the peaceful Momela Lakes are grassy hills and an alkaline lake, attracting flamingos to its more shallow parts. Mt. Meru is an active yet dormant volcano with rocky terrain.

Arusha is the only area in the Northern Circuit where the black-and-white colobus monkey is easily seen. Giraffes and zebra can be found grazing in the grasslands of the park while hyenas and leopards peruse the land. The region is another bird-watchers delight with over 400 species of birds living in and around the park. Walking safaris are available in Arusha National Park.

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti National Park is 5,700 square miles. The annual Great Migration starts in the Serengeti Plains where the wildebeest gather from December to March for calving season. Wildebeest and zebra inhabit the region during this time but you’ll also see lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and countless bird species all year long.

The Serengeti National Park is split into three parts: the Seronera Valley, the Western Corridor and the Lobo. When you first arrive at the park, you enter through the Seronera Valley, the southern/central region. This is the area known for its vast grasslands and beautiful acacias, unique trees that resemble umbrellas. The Western Corridor is the section where you can find the Grumeti River. When the wildebeest and zebra herds encounter the river on their migration, it’s quite an obstacle because of its deep waters and infestation of Nile Crocodiles, a vicious predator. Lobo, the Northern part of the Serengeti National Park, is untouched mainly because it’s not easily penetrated due to its terrain. The best way to see this area is by air, in a hot air balloon!

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is an extraordinary place to visit. West of Arusha is a range of volcanic mountains with the Ngorongoro Crater as the highlight of the region. The crater, formed about three million years ago from a volcanic explosion, is the world’s largest caldera.

This area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which means the land is protected for its cultural significance. The Maasai people still practice traditional customs in the area where their culture is preserved. When you visit Ngorongoro, you’ll often see herdsmen in their native garb watching cattle. The region also plays a crucial in role in understanding human evolution. Based on evidence found in the Ngorongoro Conversation Area, the hominid species inhabited the area for over three million years.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the best place to see all of the “Big Five” in one safari drive. This is one of the only areas where the endangered black rhinoceros are easily seen and it has one of the most densely populated regions of lions. You’ll also find rhinos, gazelles, hyenas and cheetahs.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Mt. Kilimanjaro is a giant stratovolcano that began forming a million years ago when lava spilled from the Rift Valley zone. It is the highest mountain in Africa and fourth highest of the Seven Summits. It’s the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. Kilimanjaro is composed of three distinct volcanic cones: Kibo – 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), Mawenzi – 5,149 meters (16,893 feet), and Shira – 3,962 meters (13,000 feet). Uhuru Peak is the highest summit, it lies on Kibo’s crater rim and rises to an altitude of 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level. Two of Kilimanjaro’s three peaks, Mawenzi and Shira, are extinct while Kibo (the highest peak) is dormant. The last major eruption has been dated to 360,000 years ago, while the most recent activity was recorded 200 years ago.

To learn more about our travel services, click here.

Share/Bookmark

1 Comment - Leave a comment!

7 Places to Volunteer in South America for Animal & Nature Lovers

Written on March 6, 2012 by Liz in Travel, Volunteering

7 Places to Volunteer in South America
for Animal & Nature Lovers

Volunteering abroad can be such a life changing experience. Here are 7 volunteer organizations in South America for animal and nature lovers.

1. El Puma Ecological Park: Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Center, Argentina

This park is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating wild animals and conducting conservation work. They nurse sick and injured animals back to health and, whenever possible, release them back into the wild. Some of the animals here have been rescued from the black market. Animals include monkeys, pumas, birds, wild swine, jaguars, toucans, and other native species. They work with Ministry of Ecology and other national parks and universities to monitor released animals and to foster their conservation work. Their conservation efforts include breeding rare species to increase their numbers.

The park is located in Candelaria near the town of Posadas, the capital of Argentina’s most northern Province of Misiones. Because of lack of financial resources, volunteers are essential to help care for all the animals. Please note that the majority of the staff at this project do not speak any English so a basic level of Spanish would be ideal.

To learn more about their volunteer programs, click here. If you need contact information for the park directly (it’s not listed on their website), contact me (I have volunteered there personally).

2. Black Howler Monkeys Volunteer Center, Argentina

This rehabilitation centre is the only center for the rehabilitation of primates in Argentina. For over 12 years the center has been working with howler monkeys who inhabit the forests and jungles of Northeast Argentina.

The centre is located in the province of Cordoba and occupies almost 900 acres in mountains, rivers, waterfalls and forests at 4,400 feet above sea level. The region is very remote – 11 kms away from the closest village of La Cumbre.

To learn more about their volunteer programs, click here.
www.volunteer-with-howler-monkeys.org

3. Proyecto Asis: Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Center, Costa Rica

Proyecto Asis is a wildlife rehabilitation center that also has Spanish immersion programs. There is a large variety of animal species, many of which were rescued from the black market. Animals you’ll find include spider monkeys, white-lipped peccaries, raccoons, caimans, kinkajous, a large variety of bird species (including parrots, owls, and toucans), and more. Proyecto Asis has been featured on National Geographic and is an extremely well-run volunteer organization. Volunteers of all backgrounds are welcome and the volunteer programs are hands-on, interactive and diverse.

To learn more about their volunteer programs, click here. I’ve volunteered there myself and it was a magical experience. www.institutoasis.com

4. Rancho Mastatal: Environmental Learning Center & Lodge, Costa Rica

Rancho Mastatal is an environmental learning and sustainable living center, a rural sanctuary and a lodge located in and on the edge of the last remaining virgin rainforest of Costa Rica’s beautiful Puriscal County. They practice, promote and teach about living responsibly in the tropics while educating visitors about the significance of the world’s disappearing tropical forests. They work tirelessly to help lead local efforts in conservation, education, natural medicine and community growth. Their site encompasses 550+ acres of picture-perfect waterfalls, crystal-clear rivers, idyllic swimming holes, impressive trees, extraordinary wilderness views, and pristine habitat for the area’s rich flora and fauna.

Rancho Mastatal gets amazing reviews and as they say on their website “volunteers work and live with amazing people at the Ranch…, make lifelong friends, and participate in a style of living that often times changes them forever.”

To learn more about their volunteer program, click here.
www.ranchomastatal.com

5. La Tortuga Feliz: Sea Turtle Conservation, Costa Rica

Poaching, fishing nets, pollution and other threats have caused an alarming decline in the sea turtle population. La Tortuga Feliz protects the critically endangered leatherback and green turtles that come to its beach line every breeding season to lay their eggs.

This project is located on a beautiful isolated Caribbean beach about 3 hours from San Jose. The beach is surrounded by a rainforest, rivers, canals and lagoons and it can only be accessed by motorboat. In addition to the sea turtles, you may also see monkeys, fish, crocodiles, 145 species of birds, iguanas, sloths, foxes, and the dogs the project has rescued. The organization employs local people to guard and patrol the beach. The income the locals earn eliminates their need to poach turtles and allows them to participate in establishing an ideal environment for turtles to lay their eggs.

To learn more about their volunteer programs, click here. I have also volunteered there myself and I’m happy to provide you with additional information. www.latortugafeliz.com

6. Merazonia Animal Rescue Center, Ecuador

Merazonia is an up-and-coming rescue center for trafficked and abused Amazonian animals, located on 250 acres of rainforest, in Mera, Ecuador. Animals confiscated by the Ministry of Environment and the police are brought there for veterinary care. They care for monkeys, kinkajous, cats, and other mammals and parrots. Volunteers help care for the animals and construct enclosures and trails to improve the center. They rehabilitate and release the animals whenever possible.

To learn more about their volunteer programs, click here.
www.merazonia.org

7. The Ara Project/Hatched to Fly Free, Costa Rica

This organization is dedicated to the conservation of 2 native macaw species, both of which are endangered, the Scarlet Macaw and the Great Green or Buffon’s Macaw. This organization rehabilitates rescued macaws, breeds macaws to release them into to the wild and conducts conservation research on their patterns after they’ve been released.

This project was originally founded by an American couple who fell in love with Costa Rica and its animals and were determined to help repopulate these endangered creatures. The project now has one of the largest collection of Great Green Macaws in the world.

While at the project, the birds are provided with the ideal conditions that will allow them to survive and breed in the wild. As a volunteer you will work side by side with dedicated conservationists and biologists to protect these magnificent and endangered birds.

To learn more about their volunteer programs, click here.
www.thearaproject.org

A few other volunteer organizations to consider: Biomindo: Environmental Conservation, Ecuador; EcoCiencia: Environmental Conservation, Ecuador; Santa Martha Animal Rescue, Ecuador; Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation, Ecuador; Foundation Zoobreviven: Environmental Conservation, Ecuador; Foundation for the Protection of Animals, Ecuador

Do you know of any other great volunteer organizations in South America for animal and nature lovers?

Photos from volunteer work in South America…

Pin It

Share/Bookmark

2 Comments - Leave a comment!

Gentle Living Safaris: Monkeys in Tanzania

Written on February 16, 2012 by Liz in Safaris, Travel

In the previous Tanzania safari post I gave you my top 15 safari pictures. Today’s picture post is completely dedicated to monkeys.

In Tanzania you’ll see Vervet Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Blue Monkeys, and more. They travel in very large packs and don’t show too much fear of humans. The baboons walk with an air of arrogance I’ve never seen before.

Our guide told us that the Vervet Monkeys are not afraid of Americans but will run away from the locals. When our guide later went to the bathroom a monkey came over to our picnic lunch to steel our papaya. My husband tried to chase him away and the monkey practically laughed at him. Another guide nearby took just one step forward and the monkey sprinted away and up a tree. I sat there laughing hysterically, such smart little guys You can see this monkey eating our papaya in one of the pictures below.

Gentle Living has a travel department called Your Time Travels (YTT). YTT plans premium trips for discerning travelers with a focus on the respect for and celebration of animals. We believe in using tourism as a tool for animal welfare. To learn more about our travel services click here.

______________________________________________________

If you like this post, please “like” it, share it & leave a comment!
Join us & receive our free guides and weekly newsletter!
Gentle Living addresses all aspects of living living a gentle but powerful life.
From self-acceptance, to animal welfare, to travel, to home decor,
to ethical beauty & fashion, it’s all gentle; not weak, just gentle.
______________________________________________________

Pin It

Share/Bookmark

2 Comments - Leave a comment!

Israel Unleashed: An Animal Lover’s Tour of Israel

Written on February 1, 2012 by Liz in Travel

I’d like to let you know about a very unique tour of Israel being held this summer for animal lovers. This tour is run by a well-known Jerusalem tour guide and animal rescuer named Tova Saul who happens to be one of the sweetest and most endearing people you can talk to.

Travel shouldn’t be about cookie cutter experiences. It should be about unique adventures that respect all living creatures. Tova has combined her passion for animal welfare with her tour guiding skills to make a truly special tour that you won’t find anywhere else.

If you’ve ever had any interest in going to Israel, I encourage you to read the description of this tour below. Applicants are now being accepted for the June 3 – June 13, 2012 trip, which will be limited to 14 people. For further information plus a detailed itinerary, visit www.israelunleashed.yolasite.com.

Jerusalem, Israel:

A 100% wheelchair-bound Israeli veteran looks forward each week to his therapeutic riding lesson and is then able to take a few steps forward.

After several months of veterinary care for a swallowed fish-hook, a sea turtle is released back to the sea on an Israeli beach, with a group of schoolchildren cheering him on.

At the edge of a large Arab town in the West Bank, a thin horse is brought to a free veterinary clinic, where an Israeli veterinarian uses a file to solve a horse’s severe dental problem.

An aggressive grade-school bully becomes more socialized and improves his grades by interacting with a shy, abused rescued dog in an animal-assisted therapy program.

50 tourists in a covered wagon at a pink sunset are filled with awe as tens of thousands of cranes descend to spend the night in Lake Hula.

A group of tourists enter the inner sanctums of the Knesset to meet a Knesset member who speaks with them about passing animal-friendly laws in Israel.

All of these activities involve positive interactions between humans and animals, and are all in Israel. Many tours cater to people with common interests or professions—-doctors, businessmen, teachers…….Why not a group of animal-lovers? For people with an avid (or even lukewarm) interest in animals, visiting such activities can make lasting, inspiring impressions

“Israel Unleashed” is a new tour that blends a love of animals, Israel, and explorations into Judaism. It is a balance of animal-related projects, standard tourist sites, magnificent canyon trails, meeting Israel’s leading domestic animal and wildlife advocates, and several upbeat Jewish experiences.

Hearing of such a tour, some animal-lovers might “prick up their ears”, decide to “hightail it” to Israel, and have a “dog-gone” good time with fellow animal-lovers. According to Tova Saul, well-known Jerusalem tour guide and animal-rescuer, “People who love animals share a language of animal-related opinions, experiences, and feelings. This deeply connects them across differences in politics, religions, personalities, and ages, so they can be a happy cohesive group as they experience Israel together.”

The tour’s speakers are top-notch in their fields, such as:

Dr. William Clark, of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, who has spent 30 years engaged in wildlife law enforcement efforts at the national and international levels, and is a driving force behind the Interpol Wildlife Crime Group;
A Knesset member involved in pro-animal legislation; and
Gila Manolson, author of several books on traditional Jewish dating and marriage.

Share/Bookmark

4 Comments - Leave a comment!

Gentle Living Safaris: Top 15 Tanzania Safari Photos

Written on January 19, 2012 by Liz in Safaris, Travel

Every moment in Tanzania was breathtaking, like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. I’ve traveled all over the world but this trip was truly magical. I now understand what people mean when they say you feel like you’ve gone home when you go to Africa.

We took so many photos as everyday was full of amazing sights, cultural experiences, and animals roaming freely through national parks. I wanted to share some here so I picked 15 photos I love. If you’d like to see more, I’ll be posting many more on my Facebook page.

Tourism is such a powerful tool for animal welfare and it was nice to be in a country where there were no elephant rides or other animal performances. Just animals roaming freely in protected parks living by the rules of nature.

If you ever want to go on safari in Tanzania I’d love to arrange it for you. You can learn more about my travel planning services by clicking here or emailing me at liz@gentlelivingonline.com. I’m sure you will fall in love with this country as much as I did.

I hope you enjoy the photos. Asante Sana (thank you very much in Swahili)!

P.S. Just fyi, we used a Nikon D60 digital SLR with a Sigma 70 – 300mm telephoto zoom lens. It’s a great camera but I am a complete photography amateur

A member of the Maasai tribe

Giraffes in Serengeti National Park

Mama & baby Baboons

Giraffe in Serengeti National Park

Elephants in Serengeti National Park

Lion in Ngorongoro Crater (she just finished eating)

Vulture in Serengeti National Park (with a Thomson Gazelle)

Ngorongoro Crater (pink flamingos in the background)

Baby Zebra in Ngorongoro Crater

Elephant in Tarangire National Park

Zebras in Ngorongoro Crater

Elephant in Lake Manyara National Park

Hippo in Serengeti National Park

Elephant in Serengeti National Park

Beach on Zanzibar Island

Pin It

Share/Bookmark

10 Comments - Leave a comment!

Doing a Vegan Safari Right.

Written on January 18, 2012 by Liz in Safaris, Travel, Vegan

I have so many updates from Tanzania I don’t really know where to begin. The animals, the people, the National Parks, the culture… so much to say on all. I’m going to start with the food, as it’s definitely what set this safari apart from most…

For those who don’t know, I’ve been selling safaris through my company Your Time Travels. You don’t have to be vegan or vegetarian to go on these safaris but it was important to me that if someone is, they’ll have a great safari with plenty of food options.

The vegans/vegetarians I’ve sent on safari so far have been so incredibly happy with the food they received and I feel so fortunate to have found local guides that truly care about making this issue a priority (most don’t…).

When my local guides invited me to Tanzania so I could experience first-hand what I’ve been selling, I couldn’t wait to see for myself what it was like to be a vegan on safari (along with my husband, who’s vegetarian).

First day on safari, I’m just getting out of the jeep as we arrived at the entrance to Tarangire National Park. Our amazing guide, Camillus (I will do a separate post completely dedicated to him), is explaining something to me and my husband and a woman taps me on the shoulder.

Me & the couple from New Zealand

She says she’s sorry to interrupt but she recognizes me from my website and she found out about my company one week after she had already booked her safari. Her and her husband are from New Zealand and they’re both vegan. She said as soon as she found out about my services she called the company she booked with to cancel her trip so she could rebook it with me. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t let her. First day in Africa and someone recognized me?! I’m lucky if my own family recognizes me Didn’t see that coming, the power of the internet…

We got to talking and she said her and her husband had been having a horrible time with the food. Their guides barely attempted to accommodate them. She said once they took her money, they didn’t care anymore about her food preferences (this is not the first time I’ve heard this…). Their packed lunches weren’t vegan and they both ended up getting a bad case of food poisoning (they believe there was egg in the empanada they were given for their packed lunch and it had been sitting out in the sun for hours). Throwing up for four days straight, what a way to ruin a safari…

Immaculate

I’m not sure how I lucked out so well with the local guides I use but I’m incredibly grateful. It all started when I took a business class with a woman from Tanzania named Immaculate who was working in the tourism business in the U.S. We kept in touch and became good friends. She eventually moved back to Tanzania and joined a small local company there to help grow their safari business by coordinating with U.S. travel agents.

Working with her company has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. When I told her I had vegan clients, they didn’t just brush it off or suddenly fail to return my emails, like so many other local operators had… Her and her partners took it VERY seriously. In a country where meat is the foundation of every single meal and eating it is deeply embedded in their culture, I knew I was asking for a lot but they were more than happy to deliver. From the very first vegan clients I sent them they have gone above and beyond.

Below are some of the things we do for our vegan/vegetarian clients that I got to experience first-hand on this safari:

My guides speak to each hotel restaurant ahead of time to make sure there are sufficient food options and if there aren’t, they have the chefs prepare special meals. One hotel made us the best veggie burgers I’ve ever had in my life. They weren’t your typical veggie burgers, they were made from potatoes and fresh veggies and they were outrageously delicious. Because our guides took the time to speak to each hotel we had several chefs come out to meet us while we ate to make sure we were happy with what they prepared! Sometimes they came with extra dishes just in case. We kinda felt like royalty…
They make sure the packed lunches prepared by hotels (to eat when you’re out all day in the national parks) are vegan even if that means the chef has to whip up special dishes not available to anyone else. This sounds like a simple thing but trust me, getting a chef in Tanzania to prepare things with no meat, cheese or eggs is tricky…
More importantly, my guides don’t just rely on the hotel’s packed safari lunches, they purchase fresh ingredients from local markets so they can cut up veggie and fruit salads for lunch everyday. Avocados, cucumbers, green peppers, papaya, mango, oranges, pineapple, lime, you name it. We were so full every day off of the fresh fruit and veggies that we didn’t really even eat our packed lunches. But as Camillus kept saying, me and my husband don’t eat enough
If you’re staying in a mobile camp or climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, you will have a private chef who will only make food catered to you (these are the only times when you don’t rely on the hotels for food).
My guides buy our clients vegan wine when I request it.

Owners Benjamin & Rashid

I got to spend a lot of time with Immaculate and the company owners while we were in Tanzania. I could never put into words how wonderful these men were. They were joyful, happy, motivated, sincere, funny, and incredibly smart business owners. They spoke to me about Robert Kiyosaki, why they never want to be like the huge local safari companies who churn out safaris like a factory with unknowledgeable and extremely underpaid guides and dissatisfied clients, and why they love that I sell vegan safaris (who knew!). Then we brainstormed on how we’re going to create group yoga safaris.

It’s funny how the people you meet along the way can change your life in unexpected ways. Taking a business class with my now friend Immaculate introduced me to local guides in Tanzania who decided to go the extra mile for me and my clients, even when I was just starting out and they had no reason to pay me any mind. I hope to bring them an abundance of business because they deserve it; they are some of the hardest working, most knowledgeable, and most gracious people I’ve worked with since going into business for myself. I am so proud to be associated with them.

I took over 2,000 photos while on safari (gasp!). The below photos focus mainly on the food since that’s the topic of today’s blog.

Tomorrow I’ll post a bunch of my top safari photos here but I’ll be posting way more on Gentle Living’s Facebook page so feel free to check them out there.

We saw so many animals it was unreal. A lion even walked over to our truck to lie in the shade of our vehicle after it was done eating – we actually made eye contact! And we seemed to keep bumping into herds of elephants that appeared out of nowhere. Even when other guides were having no success spotting animals some days, we managed to encounter them all. My husband came up with a theory: the animals sense that we don’t eat them, so they feel safe coming near us. Works for me

Me & the chef at our hotel in Zanzibar

Pin It

Share/Bookmark

11 Comments - Leave a comment!

Are You Blocking Abundance? (& my trip far, far away…)

Written on December 27, 2011 by Liz in Advice Column, Self-Growth, Travel

Everything you desire, the Universe wants to provide to you.
You just need to be open to receiving it.
See opportunities in disguised encounters,
see possibilities in unexpected happenings.
Receive and you will achieve.

I was recently made aware of how I have been actively blocking abundance from my life. In my first GL newsletter I mentioned that I was just finishing a 6 month entrepreneurial coaching group. During a meeting in Seattle with that group, my coach made a very insightful observation on my ability, or inability, to receive. Her observation has forever changed how I approach life and you may be able to relate…

My coach tried to give me a compliment. She said I’m a gifted writer. I responded that there are much better writers, I just enjoy it. She tried again, “No Liz, it’s really your strength, you communicate so well through writing”. My response went something like, “well, I’m no Shakespeare…”

She had enough. “I’m going to stop you right there. You have a problem with receiving. And if you’re unable to receive a compliment, you’re likely not open to receiving in any area of life.”

Someone chimed in, “Yeah Liz, when I told you your hair was pretty yesterday, you quickly said how awful it is.”

Okay, got it, no need to belabor the point. I have a problem…

It’s true, compliment my hair and I have an arsenal of insults prepared for myself. “No, it’s so thick and curly, very hard to manage.” “No, it can get so frizzy, it’s such a pain.” “Oh, it takes so long to do in the morning, such a hassle.” I’ve got self-depricating bullets to rifle off in response to just about every verbal compliment aimed at me.

I know I’m not the only one out there with this bad habit and women seem particularly prone to it.

Why do we disparage ourselves so? How did humility get so confused with insult?

And in refusing to receive compliments and other forms of abundance, apparently we’re not only robbing ourselves of what’s being offered to us, but we’re robbing the giver as well. As if to say, “thank you for the verbal gift you just sound waved to my conscious, but now please take that thing back, I’ve no need for it.”

So I started to think about all the other ways I’ve habitually blocked abundance from entering my life. Refusing gifts, doing work for free, turning down money, not going for things I want, focusing on the negative instead to the positive. Eyes low. Posture small. Voice soft.

And so my coach instructed me to simply say “thank you” the next time someone gives me a compliment. And to then thank myself for allowing myself to receive that compliment.

Practice receiving abundance in one area, and you’ll learn to be more open to it in all areas.

Old habits die hard… This little habit of mine is so ingrained in my subconscious that I’m constantly slipping. Compliment me online, and I can easily write back thank you. Compliment me in person, and my verbal assault habits kick in. But with awareness, practice, time and effort, I’ve made big progress.

I’ve found that whenever you learn a new life lesson, the Universe wants to see if you’re really paying attention. It always tests you.

Within a week of returning home from that trip to Seattle, I received an email from my tour guides in Tanzania. They were inviting me on an all expense paid trip to Tanzania so I could experience the country I’ve been selling through Your Time Travels first hand. Fancy hotels, all meals, private guide, on safari all week. ABUNDANCE.

Their last sentence: “We await your positive response.”

My first abundance blocking instinct: “No, I could never. That’s way too generous. I don’t deserve that. I really appreciate it but I haven’t earned that yet.” “Thanks, but no.”

Stop – Awareness. Practice. Effort.

My response: “I say YES.”

Did you hear that Universe?

We serve no one and nothing by slamming the door on abundance. Welcome abundance and you will have more to share with others, you will have more to give.

And so on Thursday I’m leaving for the trip of a lifetime. My husband is joining me and we parlayed our flights to Africa into an extended layover in Paris using points to cover 4 free nights at a Starwood hotel.

New Years even in Paris. Abundance.

And when guilt creeps in, that maybe I don’t deserve this trip, it’s too indulgent, it’s bad timing, etc., I stop myself and remind myself to always welcome abundance into my life.

How have you been blocking abundance? Are you ready to stop this bad habit? I hope so. Let me know if you need any help.

Share/Bookmark

25 Comments - Leave a comment!

New Biz. New Start. New Gift for You.

Written on December 5, 2011 by Liz in Self-Growth, Travel

Hi there,

I’m so excited to announce the launch of my new business, Gentle Living. I wrote a launch gift for you about finding your life’s purpose that I’ll tell you more about below.

Gentle Living is an online magazine about living a gentle but powerful life.

It’s a blog but I hope you find that it has the look, feel and virtual smell of a magazine column. My goal is to make it full of inspiration, motivation, encouragement, tips and tricks, reviews, resources and advice. It will cover all of the wonderful nooks and crannies that encompass a gentle lifestyle. From self-help, to animal welfare, to travel, to home decor, to ethical beauty & fashion, to an advice column, it’s all going to be gentle; not weak, just gentle.

Gentle Living is a business that serves you but that reflects my purpose – spreading a message of love and compassion for ourselves and the world around us.

If you’ve been following me for a bit, you may be familiar with Your Time Travels, the travel company for animal lovers. Your Time Travels is still running! It’s now the travel department of Gentle Living. Here I will sell handpicked trips that are life changing and full of animals and nature.

Reflecting my purpose is important to me and that’s why I took the time to create this new vision.

In running my first business, Your Time Travels, I grew as a person and with that my vision grew. I found out what was working for me, what wasn’t, and what I was longing for. Gentle Living is a reflection of both this learning experience and a deeper understanding of my purpose. It allows me to fulfill things that my initial business goals didn’t account for.

I will still be customizing select trips abroad but now I will also write about an abundance of amazing travel options for ethically-minded travelers. I’m a lawyer so research and writing are my way of life, this business will allow me to deliver that to you more freely.

We all have a purpose, it may grow and how we deliver it may change but discovering it is key to a fulfilled life. Our purpose is what makes us tick, what makes us feel like we’re living the life that was destined for us.

It’s that feeling of total and utter spiritual completeness, of knowing you’re doing exactly what you should be doing. Suddenly you need nothing else, nothing is missing, you’re no longer longing for the unknown and your feelings of emptiness vanish. You’re just doing, just being, just fulfilling. Whether it’s a full-time gig or a part-time hobby doesn’t matter, it just matters that you do it.

When I was working as a lawyer I never thought about purpose, not until I was so unhappy that I was desperate to find deeper meaning. Now I’m thankful that I was forced to look deeper and that I learned how to find it.

If you’re not living a life true to your purpose, whose life are you living? What programmed thinking is controlling you? Are you feeling fulfilled or are you feeling like there’s something missing? Are you unsure of what your purpose is? It’s not always so easy to find.

My FREE gift to you is a guide I wrote called The 5 Steps to Awaken Your Purpose & Fulfill Your Destiny.

It’s yours, free. I hope it’s helpful to you or anyone you might know who needs it. If you’re on my list it will be emailed to you. If you’re not, hop on and you’ll receive it.

Thanks for being here, for reading this, for supporting me and for being patient with me as I formulated my new business. I appreciate you immensely and I hope to serve you well.

Lots of exciting things coming up, including a January trip to Paris followed by a vegan safari in Tanzania! One of the perks of selling travel Can’t wait to share it all with you. So excited for this new direction!

P.S. Do you like the new site??

Share/Bookmark

31 Comments - Leave a comment!