Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 104

Who gets to wear a full suit of chain mail and #dive wit...

Who gets to wear a full suit of chain mail and #dive with #sharks in the desert? I LOVED IT! #SharkReef @MandalayBay @shark_reef #grateful pic.twitter.com/dRa6rTFwWF

— Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) September 6, 2017

The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

A Shaman Shows the Way: Channeling the Pachamama in Machu Picchu

My eyes were closed, my arms outstretched
and my face lifted to a sun-filled sky when Shaman Daniel raised his
crystal-tipped scepter over my head. Moving it slowly down my body, he chanted
softly, invoking a blessing from the Pachamama
– revered earth mother and goddess of the Incas. I was soaring like an Andean
condor over Machu Picchu Mountain as a soft wind rose like a sigh, engulfing
and swirling around me, and a sense of great peace consumed me. Opening my
eyes, I saw Daniel smile. “The Pachamama
has welcomed you home,” he said in Quechua. 
Then I saw the astonished eyes of our tour guide and interpreter, Eddie,
who whispered, “I’ve never seen the wind do that before.” The Pachamama had, indeed, announced her
arrival.

[image error]Machu Picchu, Peru

As an internationally acclaimed
wonder of the world, Machu Picchu is magical in many ways – from its majestic
setting in the Andes to its ancient lore. But there is also powerful mysticism
here among the Apus (mountains), considered themselves to be divine. I had come
to Machu Picchu to walk in the footsteps of the ancient Incas, but also to
explore the spiritual significance of this sacred site, under the guidance of a
Shaman.

Dressed in traditional white with flowing jet-black hair, Shaman Daniel Gutierrez embodies the idyllic image of an Andean spiritualist. Descended from generations of Shamans, he keeps the lore alive and provides an essential connection between today’s Peruvian people and their cherished past.  My small group was introduced to Daniel by Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel , itself an authentic embodiment of Andean legacy, nestled at the foot of the legendary mountain redoubt. At Sumaq’s request, Shaman Daniel performs many traditional ceremonies for guests, from a “Payment to the Earth Ritual” to a time-honored Andean wedding ceremony. He would lead us on a Mystical Tour of Machu Picchu, explaining how the Incas lived, worked, celebrated and prayed for guidance to their gods.

[image error]Shaman Daniel Gutierrez prepares for a ceremony at Machu Picchu, with a little help from a friend.

We boarded a bus for the 20-minute
climb up a winding road to the historic citadel.  Trekking up the steep stone steps, Daniel
employed the ancient Incan practice of chewing coca leaves as an energy kick –
and happily shared them with us. But soon, we discovered they were also talismans:
he handed us each three leaves, and instructed us to offer a prayer to the
north, south, east and west.  The leaves
would embody our wishes and prayers, and we would leave them at Machu Picchu as
an offering to the Pachamama.     

With a Shaman’s insight, we learned
why certain rock formations signified a god’s presence; how structures were
advantageously aligned with the stars; and how the Incas worshiped the earth
and pledged to protect it.

[image error]Shaman Daniel introduces visitors to the spiritual significance of Machu Picchu on a Mystical Tour of the citadel arranged by Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel.

It’s not clear how long Machu Picchu thrived,
but to me, one thing is clear: The Pachamama
protected the sacred site from discovery until the gold-hungry Spanish conquerors
had vanished and the coast was clear. Then, she lifted the clouds to allow
discoverer Hiram Bingham inside, so the cherished Incan citadel could live
again, this time as an awe-inspiring example of Incan ingenuity to be celebrated
worldwide – and protected by an ever-watchful maternal force of nature who
sleeps with one eye open.

The post A Shaman Shows the Way: Channeling the Pachamama in Machu Picchu appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT: FIJI

Welcome to my new series: “TELL ME MORE ABOUT:” where I will be sharing resources from my favorite past adventures around our planet during this time when we cannot travel due to COVID-19. In the next weeks, I will share about all 10 trips in my recent article on Ms Magazine and I wanted you to have access to the photos, articles and videos that I produced from these experiences. For now, I hope you find inspiration until we can all begin to wander around the world again.

I visited Likuliku Lagoon Resort, stayed in an overwater bungalow and learned how they are bringing the Fijian Crested Iguana back from the brink of extinction. I also stayed at their sister property, Malolo Island Resort and went scuba diving. I shared about my experiences in many articles, videos and social media which you can find below.

[image error]Sunset at Likuliku Lagoon Resort in Fiji by Lisa Niver

See all of my adventures in these videos:

ARTICLE in TODAY.com: “We All Need to Unplug!



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Fiji in my Ms. magazine article: 10 Global Travel Adventures To Inspire Global Eco-Activism

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Saving the Fijian Crested Iguana in Fiji

The Republic of Fiji in the South Pacific Ocean consists of over 330 islands, about a third of which are inhabited.  These islands have been populated for 5,000 years, originally settled by adventurers who are thought to have made their way over 1,000 miles by canoe from New Zealand. Like many island nations, Fiji is home to numerous unique plants and animals, many of which also floated by sea from other far-off lands and have adapted to Fiji’s unique environment over many millions of years. 

5,000 years of human habitation are exacting a toll of Fiji’s rich biodiversity. Some researchers have estimated that 25 percent of bird species, 12 percent of mammals, 67 percent of amphibians and 11 percent of reptiles and plants are already threatened or endangered.

In my first several visits to the Fijian Islands, I said, “Bula,” which means hello and welcome, to everyone. I loved the clear waters, incredible scuba diving and white sandy beaches. On my recent stay at  Likuliku Lagoon Resort , I also loved lending a helping hand in the fight to save the Fijian Crested Iguana. This creature was thought to be extinct—but after two were found nearly 10 years ago, the resort has made heroic efforts, along with USGS and the San Diego Zoo, to restore the tropical dry forest, remove the invasive species and create a captive breeding program.

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I got a first hand look at a turn-back-the-clock success story at the  Likuliku Lagoon Resort  (owned by Ahura Resorts) on Fiji’s volcanic Malolo Island,  which has brought the Fijian crested iguana back from the brink of extinction. Ahura resorts have claimed to be wholly committed to sustainable tourism and have backed that commitment up with, among other things, herculean efforts to save this iconic, critically endangered iguana. Their efforts have included restoring the tropical dry forest with over 4500 seedlings of nearly two dozen species planted in the last four years,  controlling mammalian invasive species, implementing a Fijian Crested Iguana captive breeding program and collaborating with scientists from USGS and San Diego Zoo.

From 1984 to 2010, there were no sightings of the Fijian crested iguana. Today, there are many sightings of the species out in the last remnant of protected forest within the resort leases. 

There is an educational and awareness program implemented for guests, staff, the local community and also at the sister property, Malolo Island Resort. While on property, guests can assist with tree planting and scouting at night for these amazing species. Part of the nightly room fee goes to help with their environment initiatives and conservation programs, and you can make a donation at any time.

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I published a series of articles in the Jewish Journal: Welcome Home at Malolo Island Resort, Fiji, Fall in love with Fiji at Likuliku Lagoon Resort and Bula! Enjoy Sheraton Fiji Resort and Fiji Airways Premier Lounge

These articles also appear on my site, We Said Go Travel:

Welcome Home at Malolo Island Resort, Fiji

Fall in love with Fiji at Likuliku Lagoon Resort

Bula! Enjoy Sheraton Fiji Resort and Fiji Airways Premier Lounge

Many photos were on my social media across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can see the images in this Facebook album.

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ShemeshFarms: A Story About Resilience

In times of adversity and the unknown we look for inspiration all around us in hope of harnessing our own resilience and strength to get through.  We look to our friends and family, to our communities, to our faith, to nature, to books, to social media!

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Our friends at Tripping Kosher filmed a short documentary about ShemeshFarms/Shalom Institute post the Woolsey Fire. The film is a reminder that we are a community, and together we continue to support each other while innovating during difficult circumstances. Thank you to Tripping Kosher for telling our uplifting story in such a beautiful way.

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ShemeshFarms, an initiative of Shalom Institute, employs young adults with diverse abilities and special needs. The Farm Fellows are part of our vibrant Shemesh Team and develop an array of products from our local farm & garden in Malibu, Ca. The Farm Fellows farm, plant, harvest, and curate the ShemeshFarms Salt, Pepper, Spice & Blend line as well as Wildflower Malibu Raw Honey. Everything is crafted on site, and can be shipped to your home.

It is a privilege to lead this incredible group of young and diverse individuals to build a social enterprise from the ground up. Executive Director Rabbi Bill Kaplan at Shalom Institute had a vision inspired by a trip to Israel to create an inclusive social enterprise for young adults with special needs ,who have aged out of the school system and services, to be hired as Farm Fellows to help run the enterprise. With my background as an Art Therapist and a few entreprenurial projects under my belt, Rabbi Bill hired me to develop and see his vision through.

We started with 6 Farm Fellows and a strong partnership with the day program Creative Steps/Aurelia Foundation. With the generous support of The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles and The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles we were able to hire our Farm Director Davis Watson. We rapidly began to grow and expand, hiring 60 Farm Fellows to work at ShemeshFarms as employees. Soon, more people wanted to be part of our social enterprise and our volunteer base grew as well. Farmer Davis taught us how to work with the earth and grow a variety of herbs on our farm. Together, a strong inclusive work culture was developed. A culture that honors integrity, inclusion, and the idea that everyone counts.

This time of COVID-19 and the challenge and hardship it brings is very reminiscent of the recent Woolsey Fire that severely impacted the Shalom Institute last year. Our entire camp and property burned to the ground including our ShemeshFarms citrus farm, herb and vegetable garden, office yurt, products, and inventory. It was a devastating time for all of us, many Shalom Institute staff who lived on the property lost their homes, our beautiful camp was taken over by a ferocious blaze. As staff and members of our community banded together and began to take hold of the dire situation, we realized we had a choice, we could either be defeated or we could adapt. Adapting, was the key to lifting our spirits and motivating our hope to allow for innovation and imagination to set in. As all of the various pillars of Shalom had to scramble and makeshift quickly with little time for reflection, for ShemeshFarms due to the responsibility of keeping our social enterprise intact, we quickly reached out to Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue to see if we could bring our ShemeshFarms working community to their site, and begin to grow our variety of herbs in a different way; hydroponic garden towers. Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue warmly agreed to host Shalom Institute’s ShemeshFarms. The rebuild began with 6 hydroponic garden towers from LAurbanfarms followed by the ShemeshFarms team tilling and planting on an 1/8 acre at our new site to create in addition, a soil herb garden. With our strong and resilient team of Farm Fellows, coaches, and partners, we adapted. Today we continue to grow and expand our social enterprise creating positive impact in our community.

With the Passover Seder’s upon us we are reminded of the various spices that make up the story of our lives. Each spice with a different symbolic value coupled with faith and resilience that lead us to the beauty of Spring and the freedom that it ultimately brings.

Please visit our online store to purchase our spices including our unique Passover spice Karpas Diem (  dried parsley, onion blossoms, horseradish, & himalyan pink salt). All of our products are certified kosher, premium quality, fresh and delicious! Your purchase helps ShemeshFarms continued effort to hire more young adults with special needs and benefits our ability to be sustainable.

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ShemeshFarms is supported by a generous grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, as well as the generosity from Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, Erwin Tautenberg Foundation, The  Diane and Guilford Glazer Philanthropies, Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary, and from individual donors and sales.

The post ShemeshFarms: A Story About Resilience appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Want to go traveling? Take a Virtual Field Trip!

Thanks to Global CommUnity for this list of Virtual Field Trips! While we are #SafeAtHome, we can explore the world from our computers! I cannot wait to go back traveling when it is safe but for now–I will see you on a Virtual Trip!

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Virtual Field Trips Farm Edition
Learning about animals is just about every kid’s favorite thing. Their fascination with two- and four-legged creatures is unmatched. No wonder so many schools incorporate a trip to a farm or petting zoo into elementary school. So, why not visit a farm virtually?

Farm Fresh 360
Farm Fresh 360 lets kids immerse themselves in life on a Canadian farm through a variety of tours. In the process, kids will learn about everything from producing milk and cheese to raising pigs.

Virtual Egg Farm Field Trips
Another fantastic option is the American Egg Board website, which features Virtual Egg Farm Field Trips. Tours explore the challenges facing the farms that produce the nation’s egg supply. They cover how farmers manage their ecological footprints to operate more sustainably.

Fans of marine life will enjoy a virtual tour of one of the nation’s many aquariums.

Aquarium Virtual Field Trip Options
Are your kids fans of marine life? Then, take them on a virtual tour of one of the nation’s many impressive aquariums.

Seattle Aquarium
One of our favorite options is the Seattle Aquarium’s 30-minute video tour, which teaches kids about Puget Sound’s food web and the marine wildlife found there.

The National Aquarium in Washington, D.C.
If you’re after a more traditional aquarium experience, then check out the self-guided virtual tours available through the National Aquarium in Washington, D.C.

Georgia Aquarium
Kids also have a wide variety of options when it comes to scoping out the behavior of marine animals on live streaming webcams. Among our favorites? The Georgia Aquarium’s Ocean Voyager webcam offers fascinating glimpses below the surface of the water, including a whale shark!

Monterey Bay Aquarium
There’s also the “jellycam” at Monterey Bay Aquarium. It’s sure to pique your children’s interest in learning more about the oceans.

Kids will delight in the National Zoo’s Panda Cam.

Virtual Field Trips Zoo Edition
Like aquariums, you’ve got plenty of options when it comes to observing wildlife at zoos. Many across the nation have live webcams in some of their most popular exhibits.

Smithsonian National Zoo
For example, Smithsonian National Zoo’s Panda Cam will delight kids interested in knowing more about these gentle mammals.

San Diego Zoo and Safari Park
The San Diego Zoo also maintains a variety of live camera feeds highlighting different exhibits. Among our favorites? The Giraffe Cam lets you view giraffes, rhinos, and more at the Safari Park’s African Plains habitat. There are also endless antics on the Penguin Cam.

[image error]Lions in the Serengeti by Lisa Niver

See animals in the wild as filmed by Lisa Niver in her videos: Animals Around The World: Zebras, Lions, Polar Bears, Wolves, Elephants, Sea Lions, Flamingos, Giraffes from all over our planet including Tanzania, Galapagos Islands, Canada, Kenya and the United States!

Kruger National Park – South African Safari are doing 2 game drives a day, which you can watch live on YouTube. Interesting and informative, and questions pop up and are answered by the game rangers. Recently, they discovered a  hyena who has brand new pups and they check on them on each drive.

Explore the US Geological survey’s volcano interactive map.

Biomes Virtual Field Trip Options
Are your kids ready to explore biomes all over the planet in search of biodiversity? From the vast coral reefs of Palau to the deserts and grasslands of Africa and the mindboggling biodiversity of Peru’s coastal ecosystems, there are fantastic virtual options.

The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy has created 11 excellent virtual field trips that will change how your kids view the natural world. Each field trip lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Great Lakes Now
If you’re looking for an exploration of ecosystems a little closer to home, check out the virtual field trip from Great Lakes Now. This tour explores three topics in brief five-minute-long videos: coastal wetlands, algae, and lake sturgeon.

The US Geological Survey
For kids interested in geology and volcanoes, there’s also the US Geological Survey’s interactive volcano map. It allows kids to click on and learn about any volcano located in the US.

Virtual Travel to Mars by Access Mars.

Science and Discovery Virtual Field Trips
Bring science to life for your kids through websites offering virtual tours. From learning about the future of technology to exploring the surface of Mars, you’ll find plenty of options to captivate children of all ages. Let the discovery begin!

Discovery Education
Discovery Education offers a variety of fun virtual events that’ll fascinate your kids and open their minds to new experiences. For example, there’s Tech for Tomorrow, which explores four exhibits at The Tech Interactive. Another timely virtual field trip is How Science Powers Us, providing a behind-the-scenes look at pharmaceutical labs at AstraZeneca to explore how scientists are working to create medical breakthroughs.

Stellarium Web
Stellarium Web lets kids take astronomy virtual field trips where they get to explore more than 60,000 stars and try their hand at locating planets. They’ll also enjoy the opportunity to watch eclipses and sunrises. What’s more, when you enter your location, your kids will see constellations visible in your area’s night sky.

Access Mars
What’s one of the best things about virtual field trips? The chance to explore places where no human has ever set foot. Such is the case with the virtual field trip to Mars by Access Mars. It allows your children to explore the real surface of Mars based on images recorded by Nasa’s Curiosity rover.

Take an online tour through past, permanent, and current exhibits around the world.

Social Studies Virtual Field Trips
From the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Smithsonian and the Louvre, your kids can experience renowned institutions across the nation and around the world through virtual tours.

Google Arts and Culture
There are a variety of resources for exploring museums such as Google Arts and Culture. A collaboration with more than 1,200 leading museums and archives, this app represents an amazing storehouse of monumental artwork. Choices include Street View virtual tours and Art Zoom guided tours. You can also explore many institutions through individual links.

Boston Children’s Museum
The Boston Children’s Museum’s virtual tours let kids explore all three floors with exhibits ranging from the Japanese House to Explore-a-Saurus.

The Metropolitan Museum
New York’s iconic Metropolitan Museum virtual tour showcases 26 online galleries. Exhibits include the Art of Music Through Time and a New Look at Vermeer.

The Smithsonian
The Smithsonian’s virtual experiences allow you to take self-guided tours room-by-room through past, permanent, and current exhibits. For the ultimate fossil virtual field trip, have your kids check out the Hall of Fossils and the Fossil Lab.

The Louvre
The Louvre in Paris also offers many virtual exhibit tours, including its Egyptian Antiquities collection and the remains of the Louvre’s moat, built in 1190 AD to protect Paris from Viking attacks via the Seine River.

View Mount Rushmore from multiple angles in this virtual tour.

Explore American History
With these online field trip options, your kids will step back in time, learning firsthand about American history and the people and ideas that shaped our nation.

Virtual Field Trip of the Mayflower and Plimoth Plantation
The Scholastic virtual Mayflower trip allows kids to learn more about the Mayflower’s journey to the New World and the colonists aboard. Through four 20- to 30-minute-long videos, they’ll explore daily life in a pilgrim village, the lifeways of the indigenous Wampanoag tribe, and preparations for the first Thanksgiving.

Virtual Field Trips: Underground Railroad
On this trip along the Underground Railroad, children will travel back in time to the year 1860. They’ll witness a young slave’s flight from a Kentucky plantation to freedom in Canada following the Underground Railroad. In the process, they’ll learn more about the lives of slaves, the dangers of the Underground Railroad, and the brave abolitionists who helped runaways achieve freedom.

Gettysburg Battlefield Virtual Tour
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is home to one of the most scenic and historic Civil War sites in the country. This 360-degree Gettysburg virtual field trip lets kids follow in the footsteps of soldiers, exploring famous places such as Little Round Top and Cemetery Ridge.

Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty
Let your kids go on an Ellis Island virtual field trip to explore the former immigration inspection station in New York Harbor, home to the Statue of Liberty. America’s busiest immigrant inspection station from 1892 to 1954, the station processed approximately 12 million immigrants.

The Statue of Liberty
Besides a field trip to Ellis Island, your kids will also enjoy this virtual field trip Statue of Liberty option. They’ll learn more about the statue, dedicated on October 28, 1886 and its role as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy.

Mount Rushmore Virtual Field Trip
Amidst South Dakota’s rugged Black Hills sits one of the nation’s most iconic monuments, Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Showcasing four of America’s most prominent presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt—this virtual exploration lets kids view the monument from multiple angles.

Explore the world’s largest cave, Son Doong Cave in Vietnam.

Uncover Iconic Destinations Around the World
Your kids can explore some of the world’s most incredible landscapes and monuments from the comfort of your living room through virtual field trips, too.

Son Doong Cave
National Geographic has created an interactive map that lets you explore the world’s largest cave, Son Doong Cave in Vietnam. The map immerses you in the full experience of the cave, so make sure your computer’s sound is on.

Easter Island
Your kids can also explore the secrets of Easter Island through Nova’s virtual tour, which provides the inside scoop on the island’s impressive megaliths.

The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China represents a series of fortifications built across the historical northern borders of China beginning in the 7th century BC. For a closer look at the ancient site, check out this virtual tour with three viewing options: the watchtower, winter, and Jinshanling to Simatai.

Machu Picchu
There’s also an incredible Machu Picchu virtual field trip. Quite possibly, one of the most amazing urban creations of the Inca Empire, kids will explore its giant walls, ramps, and terraces cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. They’ll also enjoy breathtaking views.

Egypt Virtual Field Trip
The Discovering Egypt website lets kids dive into an exploration of Ancient Egypt. Kids will explore hieroglyphs, pyramids and temples, kings and queens, gods and mummies, and much more.

Thank you to Global CommUnity for the original list of 30 ways to Explore the World and Beyond with Virtual Field Trips. Please keep sending more great resources for kids and I will add them.



Want to explore the world with BOOKS?

Check out “Around the world in 20 books for kids” from Nat Geo!

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Bula! Enjoy Sheraton Fiji Resort and Fiji Airways Premier...

Bula! Enjoy Sheraton Fiji Resort and Fiji Airways Premier Lounge

The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Fall in love with Fiji at Likuliku Lagoon ResortThe pos...

Fall in love with Fiji at Likuliku Lagoon Resort

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Welcome Home at Malolo Island Resort, FijiThe post app...

Welcome Home at Malolo Island Resort, Fiji

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#SafeAtHome We Said Go Travel News March 2020

March News 2020 with We Said Go Travel:

I hope you and your family are #safeathome together and staying healthy. These past weeks have been challenging and have reminded me of being in New York City after September 11 when the travel company I worked for, Renaissance Cruises, went bankrupt in 8 days. I was disappointed to be out of work but felt grateful that I was alive. I was not sure when we would travel again but it did happen that we returned to traveling!

The coronavirus outbreak has impacted individuals, families, our communities, companies, schools, universities and every country on our planet. I know that birthday parties, weddings, proms and graduations have been cancelled, that people could not attend family funerals and that celebrating Passover and Easter will be very different around our planet this Spring.

[image error]SPRING is COMING: Roses from my walk around my neighborhood

While I miss traveling, I know that I need to stay home and wait until it is safe to wander again around our world. I wanted to share some recent articles and past trips for inspiration.

[image error]Lisa Niver at the United Nations Conference GA 74 SDG 2030 in NYC September 2019



Thank you to Ms. Magazine and Carmen Rios for publishing my article: “We Heart: These Seven Feminist Efforts to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030“

I was able to attend the  United Nations General Assembly 74 conference and the Gates Foundation Goalkeepers Conference in New York City in September 2019 when advocates came together to assess progress on the SDG 2030 goals as a representative of Ms. Magazine. I am so grateful to my editor, Carmen Rios, for encouraging me to attend and helping me make it happen!

[image error]United Nations Conference GA 74 SDG 2030 by Lisa Niver



Thank you to Ms. Magazine and Carmen Rios for publishing my article: “10 Global Travel Adventures To Inspire Global Eco-Activism”



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Thank you to Yitzi Weiner and Kristin Marquet for including me in their series
5 Things You Need To Know To Survive And Thrive After A Divorce



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Thank you to the Penn Gazette for sharing my latest news…

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Lisa Niver C’89, a travel journalist and founder of We Said Go Travel, won third place in the National Arts and Entertainment Journalism (NAEJ) Awards for her television segment on KTLA 5 News about the Oscars, featuring Kimpton La Peer Hotel in Hollywood, California, and the on-demand, in-home beauty service Glamsquad. She won in the category Soft News Feature–Under 5 Minutes—Film/TV. Two of her other articles were also nominated for the NAEJ Awards, including “4 Women Founders Share Their Origin Stories” (Wharton Magazine, May 17, 2019), and “Polar Bears Can’t Vote, So You Have To!” (Ms. Magazine, November 5, 2018).

Thank you to Harvard Westlake School for sharing my latest news…

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These videos from my travel conferences in NYC in January 2020 seem like ages ago now that JAVITS CENTER will be used as a hospital. I hope that our incredible medical teams will assist all their patients to recover quickly.

NYC VIDEOS: TravMedia Summit, International Media Marketplace and the New York Times Travel Show

Recently published videos: United Nations GA 74, Gates Foundation Goalkeepers 2019 and Basma & Sesame Street at the UN Conference. See my Polar Bear videos in my first post on Bored Panda!

WHERE CAN YOU FIND MY TRAVEL VIDEOS?

Here is the link to my video channel on YouTube where I have over one million views on YouTube! (Exact count: 1,169,000 views)

Thank you for your support! Are you one of my 2,625 subscribers? I hope you will join me and subscribe!

For more We Said Go Travel articles, TV segments, videos and social media: CLICK HERE

Find me on social media: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and at LisaNiver.com.  My social media following is now over 160,000 and I am verified on Twitter.

My fortune cookies said:

“To think is easy; to act is difficult. To act as one thinks is the most difficult of all.”

and

“We can’t control the wind, be we can always adjust the sails.

I hope that you and your loved ones are safe during this time of Covid-19. Dream big dreams, we will travel again in the future! Lisa

[image error]Sunset in Santa Monica in Feb 2020

The post #SafeAtHome We Said Go Travel News March 2020 appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

“TELL ME MORE ABOUT” Walking with Polar Bears

Welcome to my new series: “TELL ME MORE ABOUT:” where I will be sharing resources from my favorite past adventures around our planet during this time when we cannot travel due to COVID-19. In the next weeks, I will share about all 10 trips in my recent article on Ms Magazine and I wanted you to have access to the photos, articles and videos that I produced from these experiences. For now, I hope you find inspiration until we can all begin to wander around the world again.

I walked with Polar Bears and Wolves at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge with Churchill Wild in 2018. It was one of my most amazing and memorable trips.

[image error]Polar Bear by Lisa Niver at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge, Churchill Wild

I wanted to share my articles, photos and videos in one post so you could easily learn more and get inspired to go someday!

[image error]Wolf seen near Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge by Lisa Niver



Watch all of my videos from my Churchill Wild Adventures!

Read more on We Said Go Travel:
Part One: Do You Want to Walk with Polar Bears?
Part Two: Are You Ready for an Adventure? Walk with Polar Bears
Part Three: How Do You Get To Churchill Wild?

and read about my adventures in Winnipeg which is a wonderful city full of art, history and culture!

[image error]Polar bear from Churchill Wild Walking Adventure by Lisa Niver

I wrote about the Polar Bears from my visit with Dr. Petersen at the Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre, Winnipeg, Canada for Ms. Magazine. Click here to read: “Polar Bears Can’t Vote, So You Have To!”

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Read about this adventure on Ms. Magazine in my article: “10 Global Travel Adventures To Inspire Global Eco-Activism“

“I hoped that someday I would see a  Polar Bear  in its natural habitat—but also assumed that I would be in a vehicle a safe distance away when I saw them. When I chose to go on an adventure with  Churchill Wild at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge , though, that wasn’t the case. Instead, I put on my borrowed boots and Churchill Wild coat and walked with our guides near wolves and polar bears. It was truly spectacular to be close to these giant creatures, and it reminded me, leading up to a pivotal election, how important it was for us to show up at the polls for the animals who can’t.”

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Read my USA Today 10best article: “Clear your mind in these open spaces made for exploring” about “Fifty percent of the world’s population lives on just 1% of the Earth’s surface.  That leaves plenty of wide-open, uncrowded spaces to explore.  Taking a break from the hustle and bustle can help you find a new perspective or ease your troubled mind.  Here are a few places where you can get away from it all.”

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See my Polar Bear videos on BORED PANDA!

Find more photos in this Facebook album from my trip!



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My We Said Go Travel articles also appeared on the Jewish Journal :

1: Do You Want to Walk with Polar Bears?
2: Are You Ready for an Adventure? Walk with Polar Bears
3: How Do You Get To Churchill Wild? 4: Wonderful Winnipeg

The post “TELL ME MORE ABOUT” Walking with Polar Bears appeared first on We Said Go Travel.