Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 141

Lunch in the Winter Sun, Afghanistan

In northern Afghanistan, in the Bamyan Province there is a beautiful blue lake called Band-E-Amir. It is in Afghanistan’s first National Park and is completely frozen in the winter, under drifts of snow. After doing humanitarian aid work for nearly 2 years in Afghanistan I had the chance to drive several hours to visit the lake and enjoy the incredible surroundings. There was nothing to eat, but one family said they would cook us a basic kebab and naan bread lunch. Crisp , clear and well below freezing outside, we were very happy to come into the 2nd floor of a home just to the left of the walking entrance to reach the lake. The large window allowed us to be bathed in warm sunshine during the simple meal.

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Traveling to Tanzania with Brec Bassinger and G Adventures

Brec Bassinger and  Dylan Summerall  went to Tanzania and Zanzibar with G Adventures.

Brec shared her thoughts on social media saying: “Thank you gadventures for letting me and my best friend see AFRICA together. I learned so much about myself and the East African culture. During these past two weeks I have learned so much about not only the world, but myself.”

Brec added, “I’d also like to thank every single person I met in Africa. The kindness and joy that the Tanzanian people illuminate is like nothing I have ever seen. You all are so genuinely happy and appreciative; I hope I can take a little bit of that home with me.”

Look for Brec in her next adventure as STAR GIRL!

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Adventuring through Serengeti national park with @gadventures I LOVE THE WORLD #gadventures Xo.

A post shared by Brec Bassinger (@brecbassinger) on Jan 7, 2019 at 10:11pm PST

Africa here we come

Tidying Up to Spark Joy by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback

Tidying Up
by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback from Stephen Wise Temple

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts; you shall accept gifts for Me from every person whose heart so moves him. (Exodus 25:1-2)

לֵּאמֹֽר: אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה  יְהוָ֖ה  וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר

יִדְּבֶ֣נּוּ לִבּ֔וֹ תִּקְח֖וּ אֶת־תְּרוּמָתִֽי׃

 כָּל־אִישׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר מֵאֵ֤ת תְּרוּמָ֑ה׃

When I was a kid, tidying up was definitely not something I looked forward to.

Now it’s officially a craze.

Marie Kondo’s show, “Tidying Up,” is a big hit on Netflix. It’s based on her book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, which has sold millions of copies and has been translated to 30 languages.

Sermon from Soulful Shabbat at Stephen Wise Temple February 8, 2019

Here’s how Kondo describes the way it all started:

“I was obsessed with what I could throw away. One day, I had a kind of nervous breakdown and fainted. I was unconscious for two hours. When I came to, I heard a mysterious voice, like some god of tidying telling me to look at my things more closely. And I realised my mistake: I was only looking for things to throw out. What I should be doing is finding the things I want to keep. Identifying the things that make you happy: that is the work of tidying.”

The basic idea is to go through your belongings, keeping only those things that “make your heart flutter” or “spark joy” in you.

I was thinking about this “tidying up” phenomenon as I read the opening verses of last week’s Torah portion.

Our ancestors are asked to bring donations for the construction of the Tabernacle.

All sorts of objects are mentioned – gold and silver and bronze; linen and ram skins; acacia wood; pure oil for the menorah; aromatic incense; precious stones. All for the purpose of constructing a Tabernacle so that, as our Torah puts it, we might be closer to God.

It’s an inversion. We are asked to take objects that most probably make OUR hearts flutter and we give them away for a higher purpose.

Here’s the insight from our tradition: the focus is on “sparking joy,” as it were, in God’s heart, in the hearts of members of our community.

I’m not suggesting that what God wants above all else is for us to build edifices in God’s honor. I don’t believe that God would very much care about that sort of stuff.

But the notion that we should devote our time, our talent, and our treasure to behaving in ways that would bring God joy and satisfaction – I like that idea very much.

Indeed – that idea makes my heart flutter.

Let’s ask ourselves – just as a thought experiment – what we could do to spark joy in God and in those around us. I bet we would be kinder, gentler, more loving and more generous people. I imagine we would fight harder for justice. I’m sure we would be better people as a result.

It’s not that our joy is unimportant. It’s the idea that the well-being and satisfaction of others should matter, too.

And it’s a core Jewish value. It’s the way the Rambam understands the very central teaching of our tradition, what Rabbi Akiva called the great principle of Torah:

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

What I want for myself – that is, what makes my heart flutter – I work to provide for the other.

This way of thinking, this way of living will make hearts flutter. It will spark joy in others, in ourselves, and maybe even in God.

It’s the kind of tidying up to which we should commit ourselves.

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What Happens at ILTM Cannes 2018? Part 1

Travel Journalists on the VIP Media Program had interactions with many incredible hotel brands.

Our first media luncheon was at Relais & Châteaux property Bruno Oger La villa Archange in Cannes. I recently stayed at Auberge Saint-Antoine Relais & Châteaux in Québec City. 

I was able to meet with the General Managers and top executives as well as re-connect with travel friends like Mark Ellwood from Condé Nast Traveler and Bloomberg. I met editors like Zhu Tong from Condé Nast China, Steven Bond from Destinations of the World News Dubai and Hill Choi Lee from South China Morning Post.

VIDEO: WHAT HAPPENS AT ILTM IN CANNES?

Walking the red carpet into the venue for the ILTM Global Forum – “The Year of Health and Wellness” in the Grand Auditorium at Palais des Festivals et des Congrès was magical. We went to the ILTM Welcome Reception at the Ambassadors Suite, Palais de Festivals which was sponsored by The Italian Tourist Board and had photo booth specials with the gorgeous Italian countryside.

Over the course of the conference, I went to many rooftop and penthouse parties where I learned even more about the top brands. At the Shangri-La Hotels event, I was able to see the team from Shangri-La Hotel, At the Shard, London. 

We finished our evening at San Telmo with Lucy Clifton and her team from Spotlight Communications who made my first experience at ITLM a dream. Their attention to detail was legendary and I was well prepared and organized to make the most of my time in Cannes at the conference.

Media Dinner at ILTM Dec 2018 Cannes

Day Two, December 4, 2018 started with breakfast by Hilton Luxury & Lifestyle Group at Restaurant Mantel (Table 22) 22 Rue Saint Antoine, 06400 Cannes where we learned about the new Waldorf Astoria and Aston Martin partnership as well about the underwater Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and many other new and exciting properties. I cooked with a chef at the Conrad in Miami  and recently filmed at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. 

Each morning at the ILTM Media Centre, we had ‘In Conversation with’ or press conferences with big brands and destinations with top line stories. There were 5 minute presentations by senior board directors, CEOs and/or Presidents with 15 minutes of questions from the floor.

Walking the floors of the conference halls I saw many travel friends in their booths and was able to make appointments to learn about the happenings with various brands.

Good Morning from Cannes by Lisa Niver

We had glorious weather and enjoyed our luscious lunch hosted by Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts outdoors at the penthouse of Résidence 67 Croisette with live music and lively conversations. I recently had a hard hat tour of Four Seasons Philadelphia at Comcast Tower.

Our Afternoon Tea Networking sessions where in the First Floor Restaurant at the Palais des Festivals and were very valuable. I was able to meet with many hotels and brands in a short amount of time and learn about new stories in many locations. I meet with Edwardian Hotels, Sweet Bocas, Jumeirah Vittaveli and more.

Sunset in Cannes by Lisa Niver

As the sun set and the sky was full of magical colors, my journalism friends and I were able to participate in several cocktail parties and events including cocktails hosted by Cheval Blanc in the Majestic Suite, Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, Cannes. We experienced VOGA Vogue Yoga with PROUD Experiences NYC. We went on Mabruk III for the Visit California yacht party. We had drinks with IHG lifestyle and design and I loved that every event in Cannes had live music.

Sunset in Cannes by Lisa Niver

Where did I stay in Cannes? Hôtel Martinez Cannes by Hyatt. See part TWO of my video for more of my ILTM VIP MEDIA experience!

Thank you to Lucy Clifton, the entire team at Spotlight Communications and everyone at ILTM for including me in the International Luxury Travel Mart Cannes 2018.

Watch all my conference videos and look for ILTM Part 2 for more of what happened in Cannes Dec 2018.

 

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Red Boat on Water Scotland

Taken with a Canon EOS 500D ISO speed 100 F stop f/4 Exposure time 1/500sec

Edits: I don’t know much about photoshop so usually apply a few basic edits if it is needed/ On this one I adjusted the shadow/highlights to bring out the weedy brown colour in the middle of the image. And I tweaked the hue by reducing the cyan colour.

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When Two Worlds Collide in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Portrait Mode on the IPhone X with minor light detailing

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Filling in the void in Malpe Beach, Karnataka, India

Canon EOS 700D, F/5.6, 1/60, 44MM 1SO160

Lightroom editing

Location: Malpe Beach, Karnataka

Time: Evening

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Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Iphone 7 plus no filterwaikik

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USA TODAY Photo SlideShow: The Vast Expanse of Nothingness!

USA TODAY 10best: Clear your mind in these open spaces made for exploring

JANUARY 15, 2019

Get out there

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.

Mongolia by Lisa Niver
Traveling by van in Mongolia
One Camel in Mongolia by Lisa Niver

For eleven days, I traveled by van in Mongolia. Two hours outside of Ulaanbaatar, the capital city, there were no more roads, street lamps or electricity poles.

One camel in the distance

When they told me I was going to the vast expanse of nothingness in Mongolia, I asked, “How will I know when I get there?”

They said, “You will know.”

Gobi Desert Dunes by Lisa Niver


The Gobi Desert

The goal of our van trek was to walk in the sand dunes of the Gobi Desert.

A ger, our home in Mongolia by Lisa Niver



Sleeping in gers

Each night we stayed in different gers (you may also know them as yurts) along the route to the Gobi Desert.

Bayanzag, the Flaming Cliffs in Mongolia by Lisa Niver

Bayanzag, the Flaming Cliffs

This area in the Gobi is called the Flaming Cliffs, Bayanzag, Bain-Dzak or in Mongolian, Улаан Эрэг, and it’s where many dinosaur fossils have been found. An America paleontologist, Roy Chapman Andrews, discovered dinosaur eggs here in the 1920s.

Polar Bear at Nanuk Lodge by Lisa Niver
Walk with polar bears

If you’re interested in wildlife, perhaps travel to the northern reaches of the planet where you’ll be outnumbered by animals. At Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge near Hudson Bay, I walked with polar bears with Churchill Wild. It was one of the best bucket list adventures I’ve ever experienced.

 

Arctic Landscape with Polar Bear by Lisa Niver
Touch the Arctic

I took four planes to arrive at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. There was nothing else around for miles and miles.

Polar Bear at Hudson Bay by Lisa Niver
Polar Bear at Hudson Bay

Ride the Arctic Rhino (a lunar rover-like vehicle), spot a polar bear and walk with wild animals.

Wolf seen near Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge by Lisa Niver
Wolves walked with us, too

During my time at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge, we saw over a dozen wolves.

Polar bear from Churchill Wild Walking Adventure by Lisa Niver
Arctic beauty

As we drove in the Arctic Rhino and walked in single file to see the polar bears, the landscape seemed surreal.

Rocky Mountaineer Train on bridge by Rocky Mountaineer
Over the river and across the bridge

If the Arctic isn’t your scene, perhaps traveling by rail through the Canadian Rockies will be more your speed. You’ll feel like you could stare out the giant train windows all day.

Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountaineer

Hells Gate from Rocky Mountaineer Train by Lisa Niver
Welcome to Hell’s Gate

We traveled along British Columbia’s Fraser River and were able to see Hell’s Gate in southern Fraser Canyon.

Reflections from Rocky Mountaineer by Lisa Niver
Reflections on the lake

During the day, we saw bears, eagles, osprey and the reflections of the clouds in the calm, blue-green waters.

Sunset from Rocky Mountaineer Train by Lisa Niver
Sunset from the train

In addition to spectacular views, we saw the historic Spiral Tunnels and Craigellachie, where in 1885, the “last spike” united the East and West of Canadian railway track.

Snowy Peaks from Rocky Mountaineer Train by Lisa Niver
Snow in the peaks of the Rocky Mountains

See the highest peaks in the Canadian Rockies and the remote vistas of Canada’s West.

Zebras in Tanzania by Lisa Niver
Watching zebras in Tanzania

For wide-open spaces in warmer climes, a trip to Tanzania and Kenya might be in order. I saw these zebras on the first day of my African safari in Tarangire National Park with Abercrombie and Kent.

Hippo Pool in Tanzania by Lisa Niver
Hippo pool at sunset

It was a treat to be allowed out of the safari vehicle to walk around high above the hippos. As the light faded, we went back to our mobile tent camp, Sanctuary Kichakani, and heard lions roaring around us during the night.

Lions in the Serengeti by Lisa Niver
Lions in the Serengeti

Early in the morning, we saw these four lions. Soon after, one of the lionesses killed an antelope.

Giraffes in the Maasai Mara by Lisa Niver
A family of giraffes in Maasai Mara

After visiting the children at Enkereri Primary School, we passed by this family of giraffes. The Chief of the village near Sanctuary Olonana, Richard, invited me to teach his warriors in the Maasai Mara how to hula hoop.

A Parade of Elephants by Lisa Niver
A parade of elephants

We spent hours watching elephants in the Maasai Mara, Kenya. Some of them were practicing fighting, some were eating and all were moving along towards the water.

See the full article on USA TODAY
Lisa Niver’s article on USA Today 10best

Watch my videos

From my 1st African Safari:

From Churchill Wild:

From Rocky Mountaineer:

 

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Beach Volleyball, Montenegro

Camera used is Huawei P8 smartphone. Edited in Adobe Photoshop, basic adjustments.

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