The road ends at Rancho Margot where new life begins.

I’ve committed to a work-exchange program at Rancho Margot for at least one month. I found Rancho Margot by googling ‘yoga retreats and farms in Costa Rica.’ I was torn between what farm to volunteer at first, and then I met someone who had been to the ranch. After a yoga workshop I took in New Jersey, I talked to one of the yoga teachers, Jo Ann Jones. She had a pamphlet in her hand about Costa Rica. Farming came up in conversation and Jo Ann mentioned Rancho Margot. “You have to go. It’s a magical place,” Jo Ann said. My decision was made then and there.

Rancho Margot overlooks Volcano Arenal, which was Costa Rica’s most active volcano up until 2010 and Lago Arenal, Costa Rica’s biggest lake. At the 400-acre ranch we produce our own electricity with hydroturbines; we heat the shower water with compost; we create our own methane gas from animal waste; we grow food without chemicals; we make our own soap and furniture and so much more. Learning about the sustainable steps the ranch implements, makes me wonder why more people and organizations don’t follow suit. There are simple ways to live in symbiosis with nature all while nourishing and preserving the Earth.

The owner of the ranch, Juan Sostheim, opened the first Burger King in Europe and owned a chemical factory in Holland. While vacationing in Costa Rica he stumbled upon a barren horse and cattle pasture. For the past nine years he has been reforesting that land, which is now the ranch, and turning it into a model for sustainability.

At the ranch there’s about 50 workers and a rotating cast of anywhere from 5 to 10 volunteers. I sleep in la casona, in a bunkbed in the voluntarias room. I work a 6-hour day in the vegetable garden and when the tour guides need help, I give tours to guests and visitors. I take daily yoga classes at the outdoor studio on the ranch. I love working in the garden, surrounded by green, being a part of the process of cultivating life. I love giving tours and educating people about our sustainable practices, learning more and more about plants and wildlife all the time.

View of the garden from above

Part of the vegetable garden

Part of the path I walk everyday

La Casona, where the volunteers and workers stay

Baston del Emperador, the King’s Stick.

Heliconia. We have tons of species of these on the ranch. I’ve seen them in other parts of Costa Rica too.

So far everywhere I’ve been in Costa Rica has bordered a body of water. I can always hear the vital life force rushing, always moving. At the Nicoya Peninsula it was the ocean. Here it’s the Caño Negro Rio that’s along the ranch. Instead of the rush of traffic, it’s the rush of a river. Instead of the wail of sirens, it’s the wail of birds. Instead of gray concrete buildings, it’s green growing plants. This presence of nature is always something I want to surround myself with, something I always want to keep alive in my heart.

During our trip to the Amazon in July 2008, we took a daytrip to a small indigenous village near the Rio Negro. Built to attract tourists, the village was quite idyllic, and its inhabitants performed dances and sold handicrafts to visitors who wanted to experience local indigenous culture.

Our guide told me that the villagers belonged to the Baniwa indigenous group who had migrated from their original home upriver to this place in order to earn a better livelihood. Other members of the tribal group still living near the Brazil-Colombian border received financial support from them. According to Brazil’s Instituto Socioambiental, an estimated 15,200 Baniwa reside in the tri-border area of Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela. Many reportedly live in poor conditions and are subjected to human rights abuses such as encroachment on their land by illegal loggers and poachers.

We disembarked from our tour boat and walked among wood and thatched-roof buildings to a large hall. We sat down on benches lining the hall and waited for the Baniwa performance to begin. Ten youths, five women and five men, performed songs and dance in ceremonial dress. The men played upbeat melodies on large wood flutes and pipes and chanted skyward as the women danced with them. Nothing represented the spirit of harmony between the indigenous and the rainforest to me more than their haunting songs that still echo in my mind.

As the dance grew livelier and less somber, the men pulled spectators from the audience and invited them to perform. My wife joined in. She tried to play the flute but was too preoccupied trying to dance! I opted out but took a photo afterwards with some of the performers. The lead performer made my son an honorary Baniwa, adorning him with a headdress and ceremonial stick.

After the performance, we were ushered to the souvenir shop, where my son tested a dart gun and we browsed the handmade art. We made sure that we were allowed to buy and export the souvenirs we bought.

Our son really enjoyed the visit, especially when our guide painted his face with berry juice. I’m glad he had the chance to experience a unique culture he might never have if we hadn’t visited the Amazon.

About Indigenous Peoples

Some international organizations and human rights groups have questioned the humanity of tourist attractions involving the indigenous and suggested that they are exploitative. As someone who has worked with the indigenous and documented indigenous issues, I support efforts to promote indigenous rights and applaud the efforts of governments, human rights organizations, and indigenous groups to improve their living conditions. I also favor allowing indigenous groups to support themselves legally as they wish. If they freely, without exploitation or prejudice by outside influence, determine that it is in their best interest to develop tourist attractions that showcase their cultures, they should be legally permitted to do so. It not only brings in much-needed revenue but promotes greater understanding of and preservation of indigenous cultures.

Click here to read about the Kayan-Lahwi (Karen or “Long-Neck” people) of Thailand and Burma

Click here to read about the Akha of Thailand and Burma

Click here to read about the Guaraní and Exnet of Paraguay

More About the Amazon

Click here to read about Manaus, Brazil.

Click here to read about piranhas, a well-known fish native to the Amazon.

Click here to read about the Amazon River.

Click here to read about the Amazon EcoPark Jungle Lodge.

Click here to read about an Amazon monkey reserve.

Click here to read about the Meeting of the Waters in the Amazon.

Click here to read about the Amazon rainforest.

About Alexander the Salamander

A young salamander named Alexander living in the Amazon River Basin joins his friends Airey the Butterfly and Terry the Tarantula for an unforgettable jungle adventure. Come along with Alexander and friends as they meet birds, monkeys, and other creatures, enjoy the beauty of the rainforest, and face danger along the way.

The first book in the World Adventurers for Kids Series, Alexander the Salamander is an illustrated story inspired by the authors’ visit to the Amazon in 2008. Fun for kids and adults alike, the story teaches children the importance of listening to teachers and other authority figures.

M.G. Edwards is a writer of books and stories in the mystery, thriller and science fiction-fantasy genres. He also writes travel adventures. He is author of Kilimanjaro: One Man’s Quest to Go Over the Hill, a non-fiction account of his attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, a collection of short stories called Real Dreams: Thirty Years of Short Stories and Alexander the Salamander, a children’s story set in the Amazon. His books are available to purchase as an e-book and in print from Amazon.com and other booksellers. He lives in Bangkok, Thailand with his wife Jing and son Alex.

For more books or stories by M.G. Edwards, visit his web site at www.mgedwards.com or his blog, World Adventurers. Contact him at me@mgedwards.com, on Facebook, on Google+, or @m_g_edwards on Twitter.

© 2013 Brilliance Press. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted without the written consent of the author.

During our visit to the Amazon region in July 2008, we took a long walk in the rainforest to explore under its canopy. The trained guides who led us through the jungle showed us a bevvy of interesting flora and fauna with so many useful properties that the walk was like exploring a natural laboratory. The promise and danger of this intriguing rainforest gave me a health respect for it. Our walk was a major inspiration for my children’s picture book, Alexander the Salamander, where Alexander and his friends get more than they bargained for when they wander too far into the Amazon rainforest.

As we walked, the guides demonstrated how some trees and plants produced a variety of compounds and substances that were poisonous, medicinal, flammable, or could be used or consumed by humans. Our guides showed us edible and poisonous fruit that looked startlingly similar to the untrained eye. They sampled sap from trees that could be used as a salve to treat wounds or as fuel for torches. One tree had bark that smelled like fragrant incense when burned. Another produced berries used in cosmetics. Years of exploration had uncovered many potential uses for the rainforest, convincing me that what we were seeing was just a glimpse of what this green realm offered.

My son was awestruck handling a fiery sap-fueled stick while my wife tried on bright orange nail polish made from small round berries.

Our guides showed us how a tree commonly known as the “telegraph” tree produced a loud echo that could be used to send coded messages over long distances. The forest’s acoustics easily beat any home theater system.

They also pointed out parasitic vines and foliage that grew from or wrapped themselves around trees in a delicate dance where both grew dependent on one another.

The guide pointed out some potential pitfalls, including plants with thorns sharper than needles and plants with poisonous or hallucinogenic properties capable of killing humans. We skirted a dark swamp hiding all sorts of nasties waiting for an unlucky trespasser. I was glad that we went with guides who knew how to avoid the Amazon’s pitfalls.

The guides made the walk more fun by showing us how plants and trees could be used for leisure. My son, who fancied himself the king of this jungle, loved the crown and glasses one of the guides fashioned from palm fronds.

My son and I both enjoyed swinging on a makeshift swing made from vines and sticks. The living vines were so strong that they easily bore my weight as I swung through the jungle like Tarzan!

Our tour of the Amazon rainforest taught us a healthy respect for this place filled with wonders yet to be discovered and unseen dangers lurking in dark corners.

More About the Amazon

Click here to read about Manaus, Brazil.

Click here to read about piranhas, a well-known fish native to the Amazon.

Click here to read about the Amazon River.

Click here to read about the Amazon EcoPark Jungle Lodge.

Click here to read about an Amazon monkey reserve.

Click here to read about the Meeting of the Waters.

About Alexander the Salamander

A young salamander named Alexander living in the Amazon River Basin joins his friends Airey the Butterfly and Terry the Tarantula for an unforgettable jungle adventure. Come along with Alexander and friends as they meet birds, monkeys, and other creatures, enjoy the beauty of the rainforest, and face danger along the way.

The first book in the World Adventurers for Kids Series, Alexander the Salamander is an illustrated story inspired by the authors’ visit to the Amazon in 2008. Fun for kids and adults alike, the story teaches children the importance of listening to teachers and other authority figures.

M.G. Edwards is a writer of books and stories in the mystery, thriller and science fiction-fantasy genres. He also writes travel adventures. He is author of Kilimanjaro: One Man’s Quest to Go Over the Hill, a non-fiction account of his attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, a collection of short stories called Real Dreams: Thirty Years of Short Stories and Alexander the Salamander, a children’s story set in the Amazon. His books are available to purchase as an e-book and in print from Amazon.com and other booksellers. He lives in Bangkok, Thailand with his wife Jing and son Alex.

For more books or stories by M.G. Edwards, visit his web site at www.mgedwards.com or his blog, World Adventurers. Contact him at me@mgedwards.com, on Facebook, on Google+, or @m_g_edwards on Twitter.

© 2013 Brilliance Press. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted without the written consent of the author.

The Meeting of the Waters, where two major tributaries, the Rio Negro and Rio Solimões, merge and form the Amazon River, is a sight to behold. Like the convergence of the Blue and White Nile rivers in Africa, the collision of these rivers is a spectacular mixture of color that looks like a blend of black coffee and milk tea. The darker Rio Negro with its decaying, organic debris and foliage flows into the light brown Rio Solimões. The result is a swirl of lighter and darker water that ebbs and flows for more than six miles downstream like yin and yang.

Differences in the temperature, speed, and water density create a boundary between the two rivers that continues like an impenetrable wall until the Rio Negro is finally absorbed by the Solimões. The slower-moving water of the Rio Negro flows about two kilometers per hour at a temperature of 28°C (82°F) while the Solimões moves up to six kilometers per hour at 22°C (72°F).

In July 2008, we took a river cruise from the Amazon Eco-Park Jungle Lodge to see this phenomenon. The swirling mixture of water looked almost potable. Almost. Our boat cruised for a while up and down the snaking line, giving us the chance to snap photos. I watched in amazement as the Gemini twins battled for supremacy. The Solimões was the more aggressive of the two. Sometimes it made some gains; sometimes the Negro rebuffed its advance.

Our cruise boat departed the Meeting of the Waters about noon and passed through shallow water of a channel on the Rio Solimões. I wondered whether the trees protruding from the water were tall or the boat was close to scraping the riverbed.

We stopped for lunch at a small village not far from the Meeting of the Waters. It was just half an hour downstream from the city of Manaus but felt a world away. With no motorized vehicles that I could tell, the residents relied on their feet and boats to get around. The church and school were the main buildings in the small, dry earthen square shaded by stately palms.

The locals seemed industrious and enterprising. They helped the tourists who disembarked to eat and browse the large gift shop filled with handmade souvenirs like stuffed and mounted piranhas that were presumably made by the villagers. I’m sure the residents earned a healthy income from the steady stream of tourists who visited each year. Others were busy working on the dock, farming, or fishing.

I saw one villager making rubber from the sap of a rubber tree. After tapping the tree with cuts that looked like slashes from a bear’s claws, the man collected the oozing white substance in a container and melted it into a large ball on a stick. I assumed that he was gathering the rubber to sell to a manufacturer or broker.

We returned to the Meeting of the Waters in the afternoon and followed the Rio Negro upstream past Manaus to our resort. Another day in the Amazon introduced us to yet more facets of this fascinating place.

More About the Amazon

Click here to read about Manaus, Brazil.

Click here to read about piranhas, a well-known fish native to the Amazon.

Click here to read about the Amazon River.

Click here to read about the Amazon EcoPark Jungle Lodge.

Click here to read about an Amazon monkey reserve.

About Alexander the Salamander

A young salamander named Alexander living in the Amazon River Basin joins his friends Airey the Butterfly and Terry the Tarantula for an unforgettable jungle adventure. Come along with Alexander and friends as they meet birds, monkeys, and other creatures, enjoy the beauty of the rainforest, and face danger along the way.

The first book in the World Adventurers for Kids Series, Alexander the Salamander is an illustrated story inspired by the authors’ visit to the Amazon in 2008. Fun for kids and adults alike, the story teaches children the importance of listening to teachers and other authority figures.

M.G. Edwards is a writer of books and stories in the mystery, thriller and science fiction-fantasy genres. He also writes travel adventures. He is author of Kilimanjaro: One Man’s Quest to Go Over the Hill, a non-fiction account of his attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, a collection of short stories called Real Dreams: Thirty Years of Short Stories and Alexander the Salamander, a children’s story set in the Amazon. His books are available to purchase as an e-book and in print from Amazon.com and other booksellers. He lives in Bangkok, Thailand with his wife Jing and son Alex.

For more books or stories by M.G. Edwards, visit his web site at www.mgedwards.com or his blog, World Adventurers. Contact him at me@mgedwards.com, on Facebook, on Google+, or @m_g_edwards on Twitter.

© 2013 Brilliance Press. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted without the written consent of the author.

Not far from the Amazon EcoPark Jungle Lodge on the banks of the Tarumã River lies a sanctuary for monkeys that have been orphaned, injured, or confiscated from illegal dealers. The dozens of primates who are rehabilitated and, if possible, released back into the wild find respite there from the harsh reality of the jungle. Visiting the reserve managed by the Amazon EcoPark and spending time with its friendly residents was one of the highlights of our trip to the Amazon region.

The gray woolly monkeys, one of two genera of monkey at the reserve, greeted us upon arrival. Their name comes from their thick, wool-like fur that beckoned to be touched. Their longing eyes looked at us for hand outs with an eagerness that cast a spell over even the most calloused visitor.

The gray monkeys are cousins to the brown, or common woolly monkey, the Colombian woolly monkey, and the silvery woolly monkey that live together in the same areas of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

Even though we didn’t feed them, a job we left to their caretakers, the woolly monkeys still mingled with our group. One took a liking to my young son, who fearlessly pet its soft fur.

We also encountered red bald uakari monkeys. These were more timid and reserved than their woolly counterparts, preferring to linger in trees and making wide berths around our group. These distinctive creatures are from one of four species of uakari (pronounced “wakari”), the others being the black-headed uakari, Ayres black uakari and Neblina uakari. This one inspired the character “Manny the Monkey” in my book Alexander the Salamander.

Both woolly and uakari monkeys prefer to spend most of their time in trees, although the reserve’s inhabitants might have been an exception because they seemed to spend much of their time milling about on the ground with the humans.  The woolly monkeys had long, strong tails that allowed them to balance and swing from limb to limb without using their hands, while the uakari’s strong arms and legs helped them jump long distances from tree to tree. Both used their arms and legs when they walked on the ground around us. It was fun watching them swinging in the trees as if putting on an acrobatic show.

I watched the monkeys lounge around and eating food. Meal time was a shared free for all. The two species seemed to get along well as de facto neighbors in the reserve. None of them fought over their lunch and seemed content with their fair share, although I’m sure they’ve had food fights and monkeyed around.

While some might disapprove of the close interaction between humans and monkeys and tourists wanting to pet and take photos with these creatures, I appreciated the efforts of the Lodge to help rescue and rehabilitate them. Their populations range from vulnerable to endangered because of legal and illegal hunting and habitat loss caused by deforestation, and the sanctuary’s efforts will help the monkeys survive for generations to come.

More About the Amazon

Click here to read about Manaus.

Click here to read about piranhas.

Click here to read about the Amazon River.

Click here to read about the Amazon EcoPark Jungle Lodge.

Visit A-Z Animals for more information about woolly and uakari monkeys.

About Alexander the Salamander

A young salamander named Alexander living in the Amazon River Basin joins his friends Airey the Butterfly and Terry the Tarantula for an unforgettable jungle adventure. Come along with Alexander and friends as they meet birds, monkeys, and other creatures, enjoy the beauty of the rainforest, and face danger along the way.

The first book in the World Adventurers for Kids Series, Alexander the Salamander is an illustrated story inspired by the authors’ visit to the Amazon in 2008. Fun for kids and adults alike, the story teaches children the importance of listening to teachers and other authority figures.

M.G. Edwards is a writer of books and stories in the mystery, thriller and science fiction-fantasy genres. He also writes travel adventures. He is author of Kilimanjaro: One Man’s Quest to Go Over the Hill, a non-fiction account of his attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, a collection of short stories called Real Dreams: Thirty Years of Short Stories and Alexander the Salamander, a children’s story set in the Amazon. His books are available to purchase as an e-book and in print from Amazon.com and other booksellers. He lives in Bangkok, Thailand with his wife Jing and son Alex.

For more books or stories by M.G. Edwards, visit his web site at www.mgedwards.com or his blog, World Adventurers. Contact him at me@mgedwards.com, on Facebook, on Google+, or @m_g_edwards on Twitter.

© 2012 Brilliance Press. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted without the written consent of the author.

An hour-long boat ride upriver from Manaus brought us to the Amazon Ecopark Jungle Lodge, an eco-resort on the Tarumã River, a tributary of the Amazon that flows into one of the main branches of the Rio Negro.

Nestled in a quiet cove, the lodge was our home for five days in July 2008. When we arrived, I thought we had been stranded on Gilligan’s Island until we saw the carved wooden sign near the dock confirming that we were in the right place.

The site was only accessible by water, and I felt like we were being marooned in the jungle until a boat took us back to civilization.

The Ecopark offered plenty to see and do in the small area where we were permitted to wander without a guide (not that I had any desire to get lost in the jungle, mind you). We could walk on the beach, enjoy the view, or swim in the cove – an opportunity that my family reluctantly avoided. Other visitors were brave enough to take a dip, but we weren’t about to swim with the caimans, piranhas or needlefish. Instead, we walked around the lodge and snapped photos.

The beautiful scenery whispered “Amazon,” coaxing me to tell its story and inspiring me to write Alexander the Salamander. The still pool of water from a small stream made an idyllic backdrop for the creatures featured in the book.

Unplugged with no Internet or phone access that would have made ardent tech addicts stir crazy, the lodge made up for it with leisure activities. My son and I enjoyed many a game of pool and chess. While he had some trouble getting the pool stick to connect with the cue ball, the little chess whiz beat his dad over and over.

Once in a while, dad got the upper hand.

The Ecopark offered several off-site excursions to introduce visitors to the Amazon, including boat cruises to an indigenous village and the Meeting of the Waters at the confluence of the Rio Negro and Rio Solimões; rainforest hikes; visits to a monkey sanctuary; piranha fishing; and nighttime animal spotting. During a moonlight cruise, our guide suddenly sprang from the boat onto the shore and caught a small caiman that he showed us and later released. I marveled how he found saw glint in the creature’s eyes in near darkness.

Before and after a long day of touring, we retreated to the dining hall for dinner or to the lounge for drinks. I still remember the caipirinhas I enjoyed on the veranda overlooking the cove as my wife sipped on margaritas and tropical juices. My son enjoyed the juices but liked playing with the tiny cocktail parasols even more.

Local residents occasionally popped by for a visit. A large lizard searching for dinner crossed our path. We steered clear of a parrot and macaw that hung around the bar. While they were the inspirations for the characters Polly and Molly in Alexander the Salamander, these one were quite aggressive. Molly the Macaw was downright ornery, shooing away visitors wherever she landed.

The Amazon Ecopark Jungle Lodge is just one of many resorts along the Amazon’s many tributaries. Other resorts offer similar amenities. We enjoyed its ambiance, activities, price, and close proximity to Manaus. We were grateful that was located on the mosquito-free Rio Negro, where the high acidity from decaying vegetation and low oxygen content prevents mosquitos from breeding. Although we contended with our fair share of spiders, ants and other jungle critters, the bloodsuckers left us alone.

More About the Amazon

Click here to read about Manaus.

Click here to read about piranhas.

Click here to read about the Amazon River.

Click here to watch the Amazon Eco-Park’s promotional video.

About Alexander the Salamander

A young salamander named Alexander living in the Amazon River Basin joins his friends Airey the Butterfly and Terry the Tarantula for an unforgettable jungle adventure. Come along with Alexander and friends as they meet birds, monkeys, and other creatures, enjoy the beauty of the rainforest, and face danger along the way.

The first book in the World Adventurers for Kids Series, Alexander the Salamander is an illustrated story inspired by the authors’ visit to the Amazon in 2008. Fun for kids and adults alike, the story teaches children the importance of listening to teachers and other authority figures.

M.G. Edwards is a writer of books and stories in the mystery, thriller and science fiction-fantasy genres. He also writes travel adventures. He is author of Kilimanjaro: One Man’s Quest to Go Over the Hill, a non-fiction account of his attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, a collection of short stories called Real Dreams: Thirty Years of Short Stories and Alexander the Salamander, a children’s story set in the Amazon. His books are available to purchase as an e-book and in print from Amazon.com and other booksellers. He lives in Bangkok, Thailand with his wife Jing and son Alex.

For more books or stories by M.G. Edwards, visit his web site at www.mgedwards.com or his blog, World Adventurers. Contact him at me@mgedwards.com, on Facebook, on Google+, or @m_g_edwards on Twitter.

© 2012 Brilliance Press. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted without the written consent of the author.

The day after we arrived in Manaus, we boarded a small green wooden motorboat with our luggage and headed about 25 kilometers up the Rio Negro to the Amazon Ecopark. The aging vessel was driven by a kindly Brazilian man who spoke no English but smiled a lot and helped us with our baggage. My son, wife, and I were the only passengers on the watercraft designed to hold 12 people plus luggage stowed in the aft. I chuckled at the sight of our bags lounging with a bird’s eye view of the river.

As the city of Manaus disappeared on the horizon, the rainforest surrounded us and left me transfixed on its emerald beauty. The wake behind the boat blended in artistically with the swirling clouds.

I’d seen other tropical forests, but the allure of the Amazon played with my mind and made the scenery utterly magical. The excitement of being in an almost-mythical place that I dreamed of visiting as a child grew as the boat glided deeper into the wilderness.

The occasional bungalow and sagging structure along the waterfront reminded me that we hadn’t quite left civilization behind.

More powerful boats zipped by us, throwing waves in our path and jostling our craft. I dreaded to think what we would find in the river if we fell overboard.

Half an hour later, the boat slowed and veered away from the Rio Negro into a channel that took us to our resort hidden in a cove. The calm, serene water mirrored the rainforest that pressed in on us from all sides.

The afternoon faded and the sun set behind the trees, casting its golden rays through the breaking clouds. The shadows deepened, painting the landscape in dark hues that blurred the outlines of the sky, forest, and river. Aside from the rumble of the outboard motor that sounded taxed by the hour-long journey from Manaus, the jungle was quiet. Life was all around us, but the stillness was deafening when the motor cut out.

During our five days in the Amazon, we ventured up and down the lifeblood of the rainforest. The melding of trees, plants, wildlife, river and sky instilled a sense of natural harmony. I was grateful to have experienced this wondrous place in person, albeit as an outsider looking in.

More About the Amazon

Click here to read about Manaus.

Click here to read about piranhas.

About Alexander the Salamander

A young salamander named Alexander living in the Amazon River Basin joins his friends Airey the Butterfly and Terry the Tarantula for an unforgettable jungle adventure. Come along with Alexander and friends as they meet birds, monkeys, and other creatures, enjoy the beauty of the rainforest, and face danger along the way.

The first book in the World Adventurers for Kids Series, Alexander the Salamander is an illustrated story inspired by the authors’ visit to the Amazon in 2008. Fun for kids and adults alike, the story teaches children the importance of listening to teachers and other authority figures.

M.G. Edwards is a writer of books and stories in the mystery, thriller and science fiction-fantasy genres. He also writes travel adventures. He is author of Kilimanjaro: One Man’s Quest to Go Over the Hill, a non-fiction account of his attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, a collection of short stories called Real Dreams: Thirty Years of Short Stories and Alexander the Salamander, a children’s story set in the Amazon. His books are available to purchase as an e-book and in print from Amazon.com and other booksellers. He lives in Bangkok, Thailand with his wife Jing and son Alex.

For more books or stories by M.G. Edwards, visit his web site at www.mgedwards.com or his blog, World Adventurers. Contact him at me@mgedwards.com, on Facebook, on Google+, or @m_g_edwards on Twitter.

© 2012 Brilliance Press. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted without the written consent of the author.

Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa, located on a beautiful white sand beach
in Riviera Maya, is one of the hottest destinations these days in Mexico.  Because of its quiet location in the middle of a lush green area at the edge of the Riviera Maya exotic jungle surrounded by cenotes, mangroves and natural lagoons, the hotel caters to families.  Of course, you’ll find a water park, video games, a jungle gym,  trampoline and a bouncy castle.   But the resort also boasts eco activities for children focused on teaching them to live in harmony with nature, like Sandos Planet, an educational program explaining the effect of our everyday actions on the land, oceans and atmosphere.  We could all use a lesson like that.

Belize is celebrating Independence Day and Saint George’s Caye Day in September. The Lodge at Chaa Creek offers an interesting summary while extolling Belize’s eco-tourist attractions:

The little Caribbean country of Belize is celebrating two big birthdays next month, and the Lodge at Chaa Creek is inviting friends and families from around the world to come join the party, Chaa Creek Marketing Administrator Larry Waight said today. September 21 is Belize Independence Day, a big deal in this nation that is one of the world’s newest additions to the UN, having achieved independence from Great Britain on that date in 1981. September of 1981 also saw The Lodge at Chaa Creek officially make the move from small family farm to become Belize’s first eco-resort, ushering a new age of sustainable tourism for the region.

September also holds another national holiday, Saint George’s Caye Day, which commemorates the battle in which English settlers and their slaves defeated a superior Spanish invasion force to put what would become the colony of British Honduras on the path to statehood as Belize.

Mr Waight said independence is still fresh in most Belizean’s minds and is celebrated enthusiastically throughout the country. “Imagine Americans celebrating the Fourth of July 31 years after they achieved independence, and you get the idea,” he said, “It’s still very fresh in everyone’s minds and means so much to all of us. “Combine that with the anniversary of the battle of Saint George’s Caye, and then our own month-long birthday bash here at Chaa Creek, and you have a pretty heady, vibrant September to look forward to,” he said, adding that, “And we’re inviting the whole world to join the party.”

Mick and Lucy Fleming first came to Belize in the 1970s when it was so far off the beaten track as to be virtually unknown. Little did they imagine that the small farm they resurrected on the banks of the quiet Macal River would become one of Belize’s biggest and most well respected eco-resorts.  And when Belize achieved independence the same year, few people would predict that eco-tourism would replace agriculture as the main income earner in the little English speaking country with the world’s second largest barrier reef and a long and proud Maya heritage.

This year’s theme for the celebrations “Many faces, many dreams, but one goal – celebrating Belize” sums up both the country and its most recognised eco resort, Mr Waight said. “We’re probably the most multicultural place on the planet, but we’re all distinctly, proudly Belizean,” he said.

For more information, you may contact Larry Waight at The Lodge at Chaa Creek (877) 709-8708

For full article, see http://www.virtual-strategy.com/2012/08/09/mark-your-calendar-belize-birthday-bash

The Berkeley River eco-resort, accessible only by seaplane or boat in Western Australia

InterContinental Hotel Group launches a brand dedicated to Chinese consumers, whilst Sofitel opens its second property in the UAE and Hilton’s Conrad launches in New York

Luxury hotel brands were some of the quickest to acknowledge the potential of Mainland China, developing properties far beyond Beijing and Shanghai well beyond luxury goods brands came knocking. But what they are now also beginning to gauge, is the growing significance of the affluent Chinese traveller, an increasingly global and mobile consumer who interacts with brands in Shanghai, Wuhan, San Francisco and Paris.

Thinking along these lines, the InterContinental Hotel Group has developed a new hotel brand based on four priorities it feels are important to Chinese travellers: tradition, rejuvenation, status and familiar spaces. HUALUXE – a hybrid of ‘Hua’ meaning majestic China and luxe – has been launched with the understanding that the Chinese traveller wants the status of a world-class luxury hotel group combined with a feeling of pride in China and respect for Chinese tradition.

The hotel giant expects the number of domestic travellers in China to reach 3.3bn in 2015 and forecasts the China hotel market will grow by 5-8% annually by 2030. The group has reportedly signed over 20 letters of intent and expects the first hotel to be open in late 2013 or early 2014, with plans to roll the brand out in 100 Chinese cities in the next 15-20 years.

Sofitel, Abu Dhabi

As part of the new Capital Plaza Complex, Sofitel Luxury Hotels has opened its second property in the UAE at the eastern tip of Abu Dhabi’s Corniche. The hotel’s 282 rooms and suites elegantly blend modern design with authentic French “art de recevoir” combined with Arabic hospitality, featuring Jean Cocteau lithographs and sculptures inspired by Brancusi.

Website: sofitel.com
Source: Gulf News

Swissôtel, Chicago

Swissôtel has unveiled renovations at its Chicago location, inspired by the work of the building’s original architect, Harry Weese. The lobby now features backlit glass panels etched with Chicago’s skyline, where check-in pods replace the traditional bulky hotel front desk. Concierges are equipped with tablets for quick access to all necessary information.

Website & Source: swissotel.com

Fairmont Grand Hotel, Kyiv

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce the opening of Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv, the luxury brand’s first hotel in Eastern Europe. The 258-room, 54-suite property offers spectacular views of Podil Square and the Dnipro River, as well as a fully equipped business centre with 24-hour access as well as secretarial services.

Website: fairmont.com
Source: Elite Traveler

Radisson Blu Istanbul Asia, Istanbul

Offering Super chic and contemporary Istanbul accommodation, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Istanbul Asia has 195 stylish, well-appointed guest rooms and suites, featuring a mix of designer furnishings and every conceivable modern convenience, including free high-speed Internet access, Anne Sémonin bath amenities and a 37-inch LCD television.

Website: radissonblu.com
Source: Hospitality.net

The Westin Lake, Las Vegas

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has launched The Westin Lake Resort and Spa, its second location in Las Vegas. 493 rooms and suites, feature the world-renowned Westin Heavenly® Bed, exclusive SuperFoodsRX® menus, White Tea Aloe bath amenities and in-room, high-speed Internet access alongside ergonomic workspaces.

Website: westin.com
Source: 4-Traders

Viceroy, Maldives

Located in Shaviyani Atoll, Viceroy Maldives is an ultra luxury resort comprising of 61 Villas with 32 over the water and 29 on the beach, designed for maximum privacy. The resort features five distinct dining venues, specialised massage techniques, yoga practices and dietary guidance as well as a series of Ayurvedic, regional and traditional spa treatments.

Website: viceroyhotelsandresorts.com
Source: CPP Luxury

Conrad, New York

Rising 16 stories along the Hudson River waterfront, Conrad New York is the first NYC address from Conrad Hotels & Resorts, the global luxury brand of Hilton Worldwide. The 463 all-suite luxury hotel features panel televisions, one-touch technologies, wireless Internet access and iPod sound docks. Contemporary design by interior designer Jill Greaves has incorporated custom furnishings through separate areas for work and sleep as well as spacious bathrooms.

Website: conradhotels3.hilton.com
Source: Market Watch

Capofaro, Salina

The Capofaro Malvasia & Resort has reopened following extensive renovations, on the Eolian Island of Salina in Southern Italy. One of the first Mediterranean wine resorts and retreats, the property is surrounded by the lush of Malvasia vineyards on soft slopes degrading towards the blue sea. Just twenty rooms are laid out across seven acres of vineyards, all of which have a terrace overlooking the sea.

Website: capofaro.it
Source: Grassi + Partners

Berkeley River, Western Australia

Berkeley River luxury resort has opened in Far North Western Australia, on a 4600 hectare site accessible only by seaplane and boat. Located near a stunning river, with waterfalls and fresh water holes, 20 luxury “eco friendly” villas feature open air bathrooms with a shower and full bath. The resort can also arrange private boat and helicopter expeditions for guests.

Website: berkeleyriver.com.au
Source: The West

Westin, Xian

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has launched The Westin Xian, its first entry into the Shaanxi province of China and the first hotel in Xian to have its own museum, paying tribute to the ancient history of China with a collection of over 2,000 artefacts. 329 rooms and 32 apartments feature LCD televisions, rainforest showers, extra-large closets, personal refreshment centres, and Westin’s signature Heavenly beds.

Website & Source: westin.com

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For more in the series of The Latest Hotels, please see our most recent editions as follows:

- The Latest Hotels, Istanbul, Panama & Berlin
- The Latest Hotels, Mumbai, Moscow & Riviera Maya
- The Latest Hotels, Kitzbühel, Tuscany & Hanoi

IT’S A RETURN TO THE ROOTS. MINIMALIST
construction and pristine conservation define
eco resorts across the country. While they are
designed for comfort, these retreats have a
calming influence on holidayers as they bask
in nature’s glory.
At Our Native Village, a holistic health eco
retreat in Bangalore, nothing is left to chance.
The retreat, designed by Chitra Vishwanath,
generates electricity through solar panels and
a wind mill. It’s hard to move around the 4.5-
acre property without acknowledging its
commitment to nature. The place has been
kept open and airy. The construction is
minimalist and doesn’t go beyond the basic
wood-stone-brick concept. The soil excavated
from the construction site was used to make
hand-pressed, sun-dried bricks. Alternatively
and more realistically, these bricks function as
room insulators, in the absence of air
conditioners. Most of the water is rainwater
gathered from the roofs and stored in an
84,000-litre underground tank. The
swimming pool operates on the principle of a
village pond, with fresh underground water
instead of a chlorinated pool.
While this is a way of life for C.B.
Ramkumar, a former ad professional who
envisioned it, it offers a cheerful abandon for
its guests. “Our Native Village is the first of its
kind in India and I love the concept. In an era
of computers and technology, children should
know what simple living is. The resort has
done a great job in trying to bring out the best
in children and adults alike,” says Preethi Kini,
a tourist from Mumbai.

At daybreak, the retreat comes alive
with farming activities.
As geese gaggle in the
background, visitors can try
their hand at milking the cows
or wait patiently as the hens lay eggs.
The agrarian experience also includes a
laidback bullock-cart ride. And on weekends, a
potter helps people craft a pot, while a kiteflying
session and a game of catapult keep
children engaged. Among life’s other small
wonders, hero stones or veeragallus, popular
in local history, form part of a rock garden.
All this blends in with the rustic setting.
Since it is in Hessarghatta, the last 2.5-km
approach to the retreat is a flat land and
attracts migratory birds. Apart from
birdwatching, nature lovers can soak in the
rolling uplands of the Arkavathy river, while
the culturally and religiously inclined can head
out to an ancient Hanuman temple.

The retreat has moved with the times in its
own pace. “This year, Bangalore’s Foundation
for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions
planted a few hundred species of medicinal
plants which we use for common ailments like
cough and cold. We also have an Ayurvedic
treatment centre, where healing programmes
integrate ancient and new-age therapies like
Ayurveda, yoga, diet, meditation and
acupressure, among others,” says Ambika
Ramakrishnan, the retreat’s executive chef and
farm manager.
While it’s difficult to imagine drinking
magic herbal potions to heal oneself at a
retreat, the wellness extends to the culinary
fare. About 80 per cent of the pulses, grains,
vegetables and fruit are from the resort’s
organic farm. “Our food can be described as
compassionate fare, as we are compassionate
towards both the ingredients used for cooking
and diners who consume the food. The spread
is vegan and we avoid all four whites
like sugar, polished rice, maida
and milk,” says
Ramakrishnan. Garnishes
include calcium-rich
gingili seeds and flak
seeds, a source of
omega-3 fatty acids.
Going beyond the
vegan spread, several
eco resorts dotting the
country’s landscape,
score with their clever
use of natural resources,
combined with rural
flavours, which make these a
great place to unwind. No
doubt, eco initiatives offer regional
cuisines, but they rely on organic farm
produce because travel-worn produce never
tastes the same as veggies from a herb garden.
With its sprawling patios and pastoral
charm, eco retreats like the Wildernest Nature
Resort in Goa offer a compelling sense of
seclusion. While many resorts in Goa are
packaged as beach destinations, what probably
makes Wildernest different is that it is located
in the Chorla Ghat. The resort is nestled in the
Swapnagandha Valley amidst lush greenery.
Sudhir Naik, director, Wildernest Nature
Resort says: “As a nature lover, I chose to set
up Wildernest because I felt if the place was
not protected, it would probably end up in the
hands of the mining and timber lobby
sometime. That’s how I stepped in to create a
sustainable venture which would conserve the
forest and biodiversity of the region.”

Wildernest has created the elegance of a rustic getaway through eco-friendly materials
such as grass, black mud tiles, bamboo and
acacia, a social forestry wood. The huts are
styled in the village module and built amidst
the forest cover. Besides, the resort has come
up with a 100 per cent employment policy for
the neighbouring villagers.
As guests are treated to the colours, forms,
textures and myriad moods of nature, Naik has
a conservation plan. “The Mahdei Research
Centre is dedicated to the conservation of the
local natural and cultural heritage. The centre
works with individual researchers and
organisations, local communities and students
to address various issues that concern the
ecological and cultural diversity of the region,”
he says. The Chorla Ghat, where Wildernest is
located, lies in the north-eastern side of where the Goa-Karnataka-Maharashtra boundaries
meet. Being a part of the Western Ghats and
the Sahyadris, Chorla Ghat is home to
deciduous forests. Given its location, the resort
manages to attract people all round the year.
Come May and the south-west monsoon
brings forth gushing waterfalls which keep
photographers engrossed. As rains cease in
September, it leaves behind a carpet of green
grass and gentle streams. Flowers and fruits
are in full bloom across the valley in winter.
Summer encourages nature lovers to set out
on trails and walks.
Open balconies, tree houses with the flora
and fauna for company seem like whimsical
eccentricity, but eco resorts are making
informed choices as they put together these
elements in an artistic and sensitive manner. It
required a group of nature lovers to create
what nature lovers would describe as a utopian
village. The concept morphed into Pepper
Green Village in Wayanad, Kerala, which
brings under its umbrella 200 trees and
flowering bushes, vines of pepper and the
scent of spices. Here wood and bamboo
cottages are built on the concept of a tree
house. Besides the rustling of wind and the
flow of the Kabini river close by, retreat
seekers are treated to the occasional sound of
the drum beats from the tribal villages.
Cottages are connected through tree-top
walkways raised on stilts that offer a full view
of the paddy fields and forest canopy on either
side. “We try to avoid using plastic in our
premises and aim to make our resorts 100 per
cent plastic free in near future. In sync with
our philosophy, sewage treatment plant reuses
the water for plantation,” says Captain T.S.
Saju, director, Pepper Green Village.
The silence is surreal and activities at the
resort are languid. Life is chalked out here, as
nature lovers can walk down to the river bank
to fish or swim. At night, a camp-fire and
barbecue by the riverside completes the
experience. A boat ride takes birdwatchers to
the uninhabited Kuruva Island, which is home
to unnumbered varieties of birds.
A river bank, forest fringe, magical world of
birds, spices and a place to relax can send the
most reluctant traveller into an instant
vacation mode. Sanctuary seekers can look
forward to a hidden oasis among trees. Even
the laptop-wielding, jargon-speaking
corporate professionals turn into sanctuary
lovers, as these eco resorts take them back to
the basics — back to where life began — in a
setting which blends greenery with
countryside lifestyle.

The author is a freelance feature writer
based in Bangalore

This article appeared in June 2011 in Business World

Sadie Cove Wilderness Lodge is located on the shores of a lake and  is renowned as one of Alaska’s premier vacation destinations for environmentally responsible eco-minded tourists. One of the many advantages of this eco-lodge is that it is located only just a few minutes away from the ”bear viewing capital of the world,” - Homer, Alaska.

This Wilderness Lodge has been voted one of North America’s top ten eco-resorts by Natural Home Magazine and is recognised by Forbes Traveler’s as one of the 10 best green hotels in the US!

At Sadie Cove guests has a great range of activities to do and there are lots of great places to visit in the local surrounds of this great Eco Lodge. No matter what your level of adventure is, l’m sure you will find an activity to suit your needs. Another great advantage of making Sadie Cove your base apart from the best viewing area for bear viewing is that it is located near the following National Parks:  Kenai Fjords National Park, Lake Clark National Park and Katmai National Park.

One important thing to note in terms of accessing this Lodge is that it is only accessible  by boat, helicopter or float plane, the rustic  lodge gives visitors a front row seat to a beautiful area of  Alaska’s vast wilderness.

www.sadiecove.com

1) The Pre-Date: When you show up on the doorstep of your love or meet them in a fancy restaurant, you want to be prepared with an “opening gift.” Traditionally, this includes flowers, cards, and chocolates. Luckily, there is a way to come prepared with all three and still be ethical. For flowers, look for Fair Trade roses and organic mixed bouquets. You can find these flowers at Whole Foods, local co-ops, and online at sites such as Organic Style. Chocolates also come Fair Trade, organic, and vegan. There are a lot of specialty ethical chocolates and truffles such as Sjaack’s, Equal Exchange, and  Coco-Zen. The most green way to give cards, is not to give them at all. But if you really want to write a love note to your special one, try making a card yourself out of recycled material or old photos, write a song, or send an e-card.

2) The Drinks: For most romantic evenings, wine and cocktails are a must. When you are choosing your wine this year, be sure to stick to organic wines. With the lack of sulfites, these wines will not only impress your green sweetie, but leave your head loving you in the morning. Organic wineries such as Frey, are carried at many natural foods stores, Whole Foods, and even at certain bars and restaurants. Etica is also the first Fair Trade wine and will also impress a socially conscious sweetheart. If cocktails are more your thing, there are now plenty of organic and Fair Trade spirits on the market. We have a great backlog of Organic and Fair Trade Cocktail Recipes.

3) The Food: If you are staying in for the night, make a great meal with organic and local food. You will also want to hold off on the meats. We also have a ton of vegan recipes for all courses of a meal. But not everyone stays in for the holiday and luckily eco-friendly and vegan restaurants are all the rage these days. Make sure you take your date to an ethical eatery. If you are looking for organic or eco-friendly try the Green Restaurant Guide and for vegan restaurants look to Happy Cow.

4) The Big Gift: Sometimes you want to pull all the stops out on Valentine’s Day. If you want to give a big gift, such as jewelry, you have plenty of eco options. For something cute and simple, check out these great recycled gift options on World of Good and fair trade jewels on Global Exchange. If you really want to do something BIG, go for eco-friendly diamonds or recycled gold necklaces.

5) The Bedroom: If all goes as planned, your night might end up with a Do Not Disturb sign hanging from your handle. For some eco-fun in the bedroom try giving your significant other some organic lingerie and undies. You will want to decorate with organic and soy candles. And in case things get a little more intense for the celebration you can find some fun toys at Earth Erotics. Oo la la…

6) The Weekend: It is possible that you want to give your guy or gal more than just a night of love to celebrate your relationship. How about taking them to an eco-friendly hotel or resort. For some listings, check out the Green Hotel Association. There are also really cute and quaint vegetarian and vegan bed & breakfasts throughout the country. Just be sure you get there through alternative transportation such as bike, rail, or bus!

Looking for a special event for you and your 7-15 year old this summer?

Chaa Creek is offering a week long summer camp program to educate children about biodiversity, natural resource conservation, the ancient Maya, traditional healing, and the three “R’s” Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

The program aims to instill memorable values that will have an impact on the way children conduct their lives, their relationship with our fragile Earth, and the sustainable development of our future.

Some of the  guided educational activities include:
Hiking to ancient Maya sites where they will perform archaeological excavations,Horseback Riding through Jungle Trails while studying the medicinal flora within our 365-acre private reserve, Song writing and talent show sessions, Hands-on sustainable organic farming techniques, and Supervised water activities at Chaa Creek’s new swimming pool.

6 Nights/7 Days all inclusive
Chaa Creek Nature Reserve

US$815 per child at the Macal River Camp
US$1206 per parent at The Lodge at Chaa Creek

Children’s Summer Camp includes lodging at the Macal River Camp, all meals plus snacks three times a day, daily scheduling of educational events, arts & craft materials and t-shirt, Camp Counselors 24/7, and guided tours with our licensed naturalist guides.

Parents’ rate includes airport transfers, lodge accommodation (next door to camp), all meals, and onsite activities.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.best-ecolodges.com/belize.htm

Andres, Black Sheep Inn co-owner, just finished a 2 year plus service as President of the local water council. During his term he was able to establish a Water Office complete with a computer and improved accounting/invoicing and left the new water council with significant capitol for ongoing maintenance. Eight new laptops and 3 desk top computers were donated to the local Public Library/Computer Learning Center which Black Sheep Inn established.

Several workshops were sponsored throughout the year:

Soap making for local women’s group, community health and water, and family planning; additionally Black Sheep Inn hosted a luncheon planning session with local Major and elected officials.

Recently, Black Sheep Inn built a multi-function eco exercise/weight room that is constructed entirely of natural materials including: handmade/homemade sun dried adobe bricks, recycled glass bottles for windows, local non-native renewable beams and lumber (eucalyptus), locally made clay tile roof and all homemade gym equipment.

Other spa and healing features include: a wood-fired sauna and solar powered hot soaking pool, massage room and Yoga studio and deck.

For more information click here: http://www.best-ecolodges.com/ecuador.htm

On the “green” side, I came away very impressed with how Tiamo’s management is able to create a strong tandem of ecological and economic sustainabilities while producing a high quality vacation experience at the same time (i.e., with minimal impact on the eco-sensitive environment).  Apparently the southwestern part of Andros Island is one of the least explored areas remaining in the western hemisphere, and it serves as an important habitat for many different species of coastal based wildlife.  In fact, during a guided fishing trip there I felt like I was in one of the last remaining bastions of “God’s country”, as the abundance of fish, endangered sea turtles, birds, and other wildlife species in this pristine environment was something to behold.  Anyway, Tiamo Resort should be commended for its dedication to the ecological sustainability of this eco-sensitive area while enabling vacationers to enjoy this environment without inducing any measureable damage to it.  Finally, taking the “behind the scenes” tour of the self-sustaining operations at Tiamo serves as a great way to see for yourself how an eco-resort can be operated the right way (i.e., from a self-sustaining, ecological standpoint) while maintaining economic sustainability at the same time.

Something to keep an eye on: Masdar City in Abu Dhabi strives to be the world’s first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free city powered 100% by renewable energy.  (Masdar website and PR)

Eco-friendly resorts seem to be all the rage – developers plan to turn Star Island in the Bahamas into a carbon-neutral resort.  (New York Times)

Burt’s Bees and other companies are making money by examining and minimizing their trash.  (GreenBiz)

Landsharing gains popularity – organizations created to connect landowners with people who wish to cultivate their land. (TreeHugger)

Incredible Edible Todmorden in Yorkshire, UK aims to increase the amount of foods eaten from local gardens, with a goal of food self-sufficiency by 2018.  (TreeHugger)

Another example of sharing: Library use is up!  (TreeHugger/Boston Globe)

A new project called Climate Central aims to provide unbiased environmental journalism coverage. (Grist)

Community investment banks, such as ShoreBank Pacific, are on the rise.  (Sustainable Industries)

CleanTech blogger Willie Brent predicts 2009 media trends based on Facebook survey. (Mr CleanTech.com)

Preserve launches Gimme 5 program which collects and recycles #5 plastics, which are not recyclable in all communities, at select Whole Foods for use in creating new Preserve products. (Recycline Press Release)

Green America offers six green-economy solutions to the current mess of an economy, which include community investing and local foods.

Gavin Newsom, inspired by Paris’ successful program, announced a bike sharing pilot program to launch in San Francisco in 2009.  The pilot will involve 50 bikes in 5 locations.  (San Francisco Press Room)

Tesla Motors to make batteries for electric version of Smart Car. (SF Business Times)

Columbia scientist is developing fake plastic tree that can sequester CO2.  (Ecolocalizer.com)

California saw doubling of solar power installations in 2008.

Engineering professor uses bio-mimicry to develop small boats and robots which move through the water like wiggling baby beetles. (GreenerDesign.com)

Alarming study finds that as farm yields have risen, nutritional content of vegetables and fruits have declined along with taste.  (Grist)

New York’s MTA may offer Green MetroCard, which would cost extra and allow consumers to make contributions towards sustainability efforts. (Environmental Leader)

Clorox’s GreenWorks line brings in an estimated $200M annually, and takes 42% of natural cleaners market, after launching recently in Dec 2007. (Environmental Leader)

Coca-Cola opens world’s largest PET plastic bottle to bottle recycling plant in South Carolina. (GreenBiz)  I see this as am improvement on a fundamentally flawed system (i.e why are we drinking out of single use plastic bottles?)

Financial Times wonders if Silicon Valley is up to the task of solving our climate crisis through cleantech innovation.

Hotwire teams up with TerraPass to pay for half of customers’ carbon offsets (if they choose to offset).  (MSN Money)

Inhabitat ran a post about 2 weeks ago talking about these funky little fishbowls in the trees.

Our Planet Retreats, an innovative UK-based company, is building eco-resorts in gorgeous pristine locations like the Phillipines, Vanatu, and Papua New Guinea. Visiting guests stay in simple floating spheres in the trees that are reached by spiral stairs. Crafted from fiberglass and built by locals, each sphere can accommodate up to 4 people. The first resort is comprised of 12 spheres. Other sustainable features include small solar panels and solar water heating systems.

Read the rest here.

This shot gives you an idea of how spacious(?) the orbs are.

http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/

Here is a wonderful organization that focuses on conscious consumerism. Please visit: http://www.newdream.org/index.php

This group supports the ideal that the American Dream is about “more of what matters in life,” not “more is better.” They share a vision of a world in which a healthy global ecosystem anchors a just society offering all global citizens the resources, freedom, peace, and security necessary to pursue their dreams, respect the natural world, and enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

This group also like to have fun. Last year they gave away a bicycle and a gas-sipping hybrid car as part of their campaign to push automakers to do their part to reduce oil dependence and stabilize the climate by bringing far more efficient vehicles to market. In January they gave a New Dream Community member a ten-day trip for two to Costa Rica, complete with airfare, carbon offsets, domestic transportation, activities, and lodging at eco-resorts.

They currently have their sights set on a number of specific goals, including:

• Pushing policymakers to adopt forward-thinking energy initiatives – New Dream Community members have sent thousands of letters to Congress pushing for a forward-thinking energy bill and, in November, participated in a coalition of groups that delivered 85,000 comments in favor of higher fuel economy standards;
• Simplifying the holidays and greening back-to-school retailers – those are the two biggest shopping seasons of the year, with big implications for workers, pollution, and consumer debt;
• Reforming the junk mail industry – in winter 2006, we will deliver thousands of petitions to Congress calling for a Do Not Junk opt-out registry, patterned after the popular Do Not Call telemarketer registry;
• Helping citizens band together to promote positive initiatives in their home cities and towns – this fall, for example, New Dreamers organized alternative gift fairs in 57 communities across the country.

“So,” you say, “that’s exciting and all, but what exactly is MY role in this community?” That’s ultimately up to you, of course, but here are four possibilities:

• Find tips and tools to live consciously, buy wisely and make a difference.
• Influence businesses and policymakers to do their part for a sustainable future.
• Teach, and learn from, others.
• Find events and people on and offline.

To global health!