Yesterday many of our readers would have either sent a beautiful bouquet of flowers to their loved one, or been the lucky recipient. But did you know that those flowers were probably grown in a rainforest country, and many of the ferns that envelop flower bouquets would have been grown in Costa Rica and Guatemala? [...]
The Frog Blog UK: The blog of the Rainforest Alliance in the UK
Throughout Central America, a puzzling new epidemic is threatening the lives and livelihoods of sugarcane workers. In Nicaragua, it causes more fatalities than HIV and diabetes combined, and in El Salvador, it is the second leading cause of death among males. Thousands of Central American men are afflicted with chronic kidney disease, and some epidemiologists and local [...]
The Frog Blog UK: The blog of the Rainforest Alliance in the UK
This Valentine’s Day spoil your loved one without spoiling the planet with the Rainforest Alliance’s green guide to gifts and activities that help to protect the environment and the rights and well-being of workers around the globe. Breakfast in bed: Get off to a romantic start by bringing your loved one breakfast in bed. [...]
The Frog Blog UK: The blog of the Rainforest Alliance in the UK
Last week, Per Bogstad, our Manager of Sustainable Value Chains for UK and Ireland attended the 2 Degrees Summit, an event aimed at business people serious about sustainability. Here, Per gives us his thoughts on the day… “Do you want to sell sugar water for the rest of your life, or do you want to [...]
The Frog Blog UK: The blog of the Rainforest Alliance in the UK
Three cheers, 21 gun salute, Lonely Planet gave Iquitos more love by naming our charming city to their Top Ten Best Value Destinations for 2012.
Best value does not mean cheapest because Iquitos shares the list with Japan, Northeastern United States, and San Fransisco.
Last year Lonely Planet included Iquitos in their list of Top 10 Cites To Visit In 2011. This year Iquitos is one of the top ten value destinations.
Lonely Planet also gives Dawn on the Amazon more love with the live link for Iquitos going to Dawn on the Amazon Tours and Cruises. Thank you Lonely Planet. I love you too.
Here is what they say;
“If past years (or recessions) have sucked up your travel budget, plan smart and get more bang for your buck in these value destinations, from Lonely Planet…”
6. Iquitos, Peru
“Booking a five-day Amazon cruise from abroad can run to US00 per person, not including flights. That can be cut at least in half by dealing directly with folks in Iquitos – the world’s biggest city not reachable by road. Local outfits can tailor trips to venture into piranha fishing spots, look for pink dolphins in the wildlife-rich Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve (stopping at native villages to mingle with Amazonians) or reach the rustic Otorongo Lodge on the Colombian border. Meanwhile, Iquitos is interesting in itself: Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower) fame came to build rubber baron’s mansions. The best time to visit is October or November, when it’s still dry but before summer crowds.”
“For examples of trips on offer, check out Dawn on the Amazon.”
Check out the full list of Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Best Value Destinations.
Bill Grimes reporting from Iquitos Peru, a popular place to be. This story was picked up by Fox News, Huffington Post, and just about every travel web site on the planet. We are playing in the big time.
Lonely Planet, Great Amazon Raft Race One Of the Best Races To Watch Live;
I’m madder than hell that bush meat is sold illegally in 90% of the restaurants in Iquitos! Travelers pay me to see wild life. Not to eat it! The Dawn on the Amazon Cafe never has and will never serve jungle animal meat, or any endangered species such as paiche. Please support the restaurants that do not serve bush meat or endangered species.
If you read the menu of the restaurant you are in and there are choices such as caiman, lagarto, alligator, turtle, tortuga, tortoise, turtle eggs, majas, agoute, peccary, wild pig, deer, venado, armadillo, carachupa, capybara, ronsoco, tapir, sachavaca, manatee, vacamarina, anteater, oso hormiguero, or God forbid, monkey or mono, stand right up, scold the owner or at least the waitress and cook so they will tell the owner, walk out, and go to a restaurant that does not serve bush meat.
Don’t let that owner tell you those caiman nuggets are farm raised. That is a lie!
Iquitos has a population of 42o,ooo, with another 100,000 rural population in the province of Loreto and add on another 60,000 tourists each year to feed. Do you think feeding 580,000 people consuming jungle meat is sustainable?
On a similar theme, why do you think the Dawn on the Amazon Cafe does not serve heart of palm? Because one palm tree is destroyed for a few salads. It is obvious 580,000 people eating heart of palm is unsustainable.
Take a stand! Don’t support a restaurant that serves bush meat or heart of palm. You can make a difference.
I know for a fact that the Dawn on the Amazon Cafe, and the Amazon Bistro do not serve jungle animals or heart of palm. They deserve your support.
I’m madder than hell that bush meat and heart of palm are served in restaurants in Iquitos. Do you know of any other restaurants that do not serve bush meat and heart of palm? Let us know in the comments below so we can support them. Thanks.
Bill Grimes, host of the Dawn on the Amazon Cafe, reporting from Iquitos Peru, a popular place to be.
As we continue with our travel theme this month, today we look at whether travel can really be sustainable. Unless you’re traveling on foot, tourism inevitably has an impact on the environment. Though cars, buses, trains, and planes have made leaps and bounds in recent years in terms of mitigating environmental impact, they still use [...]
The Frog Blog UK: The blog of the Rainforest Alliance in the UK
Had enough of the damp weather? Feeling the need to start planning that tropical getaway yet? Nothing alleviates the pain of getting through those chilly winter months like the promise of an upcoming holiday, full of warm sunshine and sand between your toes. A beach vacation can rejuvenate you inside and out, leaving you feeling [...]
The Frog Blog UK: The blog of the Rainforest Alliance in the UK
It couldn’t get any damper or any greyer here in the UK this morning, so what better way to cheer ourselves up than visiting Costa Rica´s Southern Pacific region. So read on if you want to experience bountiful nature and the vibrant shades of green that provide a welcome boost of fresh air and rejuvenation. And [...]
The Frog Blog UK: The blog of the Rainforest Alliance in the UK
I was pleased to learn that Lonely Planet, one of the most prestigious travel guides in the world, recognized that the Great River Amazon Raft Race is one of the greatest races to watch live. Those of us in Iquitos where the Great Amazon Raft Race is based have known that for 13 years. I expect the 2012 race, will be the greatest raft race ever.
The Great River Amazon Raft Race is in good company. Among Lonely Planet’s other top ten greatest races to watch are the Tour de France from the finish line at Champs-Élysées, Paris, the Dakar Rally, in Chile and Argentina, (and now Peru), the Great Reno Balloon Race in Nevada USA, and Camel Racing in Dubai.
Thank you Lonely Planet, for mentioning Dawn on the Amazon in your article, with a live link back to our web site. You can depend on Dawn on the Amazon.
Here is what Lonely Planet says;
6. Great Amazon Raft Race, Peru
“Ever wondered how you could rock up at a city of 500,000 people when there are no access roads? This annual jungle raft race to Iquitos may not quite be what you envisaged, but hundreds of crews in weird and wonderful vessels have taken to the world’s greatest river to give the event a go. This stretch of the Amazon is transformed into a cornucopia of colourful crafts (built by competing teams from scratch before launch) contending with caimans, piranhas, currents and each other in order to complete the 180km course.”
“Take your own trip on the Amazon in a hand-built riverboat with Dawn On The Amazon who also provide raft race information.”
Check out the full list on Lonely Planet’s, The Greatest Races To Watch Live.
Click these links to other articles about Iquitos from Lonely Planet;
Iquitos Peru Is On Lonely Planets List Of Top Ten Cities To Visit In 2011;
Iquitos, One Of Lonely Planets Top Ten Best Value Destinations In 2012;
Bill Grimes reporting from Iquitos Peru, a popular place to be.
