April 25, 2026 • 54 mins
The Wishing Well's Terrie Dean explores the growing movement of impact travel—luxury travel experiences that actively give back to the destinations you visit. From biodiversity restoration in Scotland and conservation efforts in Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands, to marine protection in Thailand and the Caribbean, this episode highlights how travel can support wildlife, protect ecosystems, and empower local communities.
We also dive into powerful stories of education and community engagement in Africa, where safari lodges partner with local villages to support children’s learning and conservation leadership. Finally, we examine how travel plays a role in aid and recovery, spotlighting rebuilding efforts in Jamaica after hurricanes and California after wildfires.
If you’re dreaming of meaningful vacations that go beyond sightseeing—journeys where your presence helps restore environments, protect marine life, and strengthen communities—this episode is for you. Learn how responsible travel, curated experiences, and thoughtful tourism can leave a lasting positive impact on the world.
Links from this episode:
Scotland & Europe
Ecuador & Galápagos
Thailand
Mexico & Caribbean
We also dive into powerful stories of education and community engagement in Africa, where safari lodges partner with local villages to support children’s learning and conservation leadership. Finally, we examine how travel plays a role in aid and recovery, spotlighting rebuilding efforts in Jamaica after hurricanes and California after wildfires.
If you’re dreaming of meaningful vacations that go beyond sightseeing—journeys where your presence helps restore environments, protect marine life, and strengthen communities—this episode is for you. Learn how responsible travel, curated experiences, and thoughtful tourism can leave a lasting positive impact on the world.
Links from this episode:
Scotland & Europe
Ecuador & Galápagos
Thailand
Mexico & Caribbean
- Impression Isla Mujeres (by Secrets)
- COMO Parrot Cay (Turks & Caicos)
- Tryall Club (Jamaica)
- The Jamaica Inn
- Xigera Safari Lodge (Botswana)
- Wilderness Safaris – Children in the Wilderness
- Singita Serengeti (Tanzania)
- Micato Safaris
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is a Lifeless Ordinary, the travel show and podcasts
from your friends at the wishing Well two forty three
f Avenue in Harsmer and online at the wishing Well
dot this. The wishing Well is your ultimate luxury concierge,
travel agency and a Lifeless Ordinary is a travel show
and podcasts hosted by Terry Dean, bringing her over forty
years of experience in the travel industry to help guide
(00:21):
you to great experiences in your travel, whether it be
around the block, around the country, or around the world.
Let's bring in Terry Dean and say hello, Chris.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
It's another Saturday and here we are.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
And it has been a busy week. I'm glad we
made it to the weekend it is.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
You know, it was actually a good week in many
ways for a lot of nonprofits. I know our area
really stepped up and did a lot of community support
this week. We had the great community to.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Give, so I was there broadcasting all day. I was
there for thirteen hours or something. Raised over two point
eight million dollars.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
That's amazing.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Their goal was two point five million and surpassed that
by more than three hundred thousand.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
What a fabulous, fabulous community and you know, just the
idea that our community gets behind other causes, which is
so pointed. Actually for the show that we're going to
be doing today, excellent, Okay.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
I look forward to seeing what we're going to be
talking about today. So it's definitely starting to feel like
spring where it is. It's actually we keep going back
and forth between freeze warnings and it's going to be
ninety degrees I know.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
And I have to say, I am so you talked
about freezing. I'm so sad for some of the wineries
in our area who really lost a good bit of
their product over the last couple of days because of
the lower temperatures. They didn't know that freezing temperatures at night. Yeah,
so you know, hearts go out to all of those folks.
But the sun will shine again from you know, beauty
(01:54):
comes from ashes, so I know that'll happen.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
So our show this week it's entitled Impact Travel. I'm
interested in finding out exactly what that means. Why don't
you get us up to speed?
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Yeah, so you know, Chris, the best trips were likely
to take ever are more than just a great time.
They also do good and this year's Virtuoso twenty twenty
six Impact List actually celebrated travel experiences that continue to
make a positive impact in the world. We had a
(02:28):
great show, I thought last week. We talked about the
impact of wildlife and how that can be a very,
very much a part of your vacation experience. But we're
going to talk today about how these some of these
destinations are making a positive impact in the world. And
(02:48):
that's whether they're contributing to conservation, if they're preserving cultural
heritage or empowering local communities. And in wild places, travel
company are replanting endangered flora, they're introducing vulnerable wildlife back
into their natural habitat. We talked about that too last week.
(03:09):
And in tight knit towns and villages, they're even participating
in public education, and they're fostering some economic health and
in areas affected by natural disasters as well, while they're
pulling their resources and they're working together to rebuild those areas.
So to compile the Impact List for twenty twenty six
(03:32):
and this year's stand out sustainable trips, there were nearly
two hundred and fifty luxury operators that were polled to
find out what they were the most proud of and
how visitors can do good alongside of them. It was
so exciting for me to read this report and to
actually feature then some of these destinations today on our show,
(03:55):
A Lifeless Ordinary And I want to stop right here
as every week and all of you who are out there,
who are faithfully listening to us yet for another Saturday,
you join us faithfully with your cup of coffee, we hope,
or something some kind of beverage or maybe breakfast, and
you enjoy the world of travel with us from the
(04:17):
Wishing Well. Harry actually is not with us today because
he is on a guided escorted tour hosted by the
Wishing Well to Savannah with a group of lifelong learning
folks from James Madison University. So we have a great
trip that I'm sure he's going to be telling us
(04:38):
all about when he gets back. But we are so
very grateful for the time that you spend with us
on Saturday. And today's episode is really not just about
where we go, but it's going to be about how
our presence there matters, okay, And because everything very important
(05:00):
happening across the world right now, from the highlands of
Scotland to islands in the Caribbean, from the plains of
Africa to the shores in California. Travel Chris is no
longer just about seeing beautiful places. It's about restoring them,
and it's protecting them and in some very real ways,
(05:21):
helping them heal if they need to. And the most
remarkable part where you don't have to be a scientist
or a conservationist or even an expert to be a
part of it. You just simply have to choose to go.
And so today I'm going to take you on a
little journey to some of the most extraordinary destinations in
the world, not just because they're beautiful, but because they
(05:45):
are making a difference and they're inviting you to be
a part of that story. So this is going to
be a little exciting, I think, because we're going to
touch on some areas that we have never touched on
before here on a Life lesson Ordinary. And I've got
this broken down really into about four segments. We're going
to talk about biodiversity, we're going to talk about protected
(06:09):
marine environments, we're going to talk about learning with local kids,
and we're going to talk about aid in recovery. And
all of those really are things that I think are
a great thing to focus on right now, especially since,
as I mentioned in the beginning, we just came off
(06:29):
of the great community to give this all ties in
very perfectly, I think, with that atmosphere and the spirit
that we've got going on right now. So I want
to start, first of all under the heading of biodiversity,
and I want to take you to a place that's
doing something truly extraordinary right now, and that's Scotland. It
(06:51):
isn't just about the beautiful landscapes there, and goodness knows,
Scotland's got plenty of that, but it's about a country
that is quietly eating the world in something called rewilding. Okay, yeah,
and that just simply means bringing nature back to life
in a very intentional, very meaningful way. And you can
(07:11):
actually see it happening when you're there at one of
Scotland's most iconic estates called Glen Eagle's Hotel. They've planted
thousands of native trees and those are wild cherry rowan hawthorne,
and now you're watching that landscape quite literally come back
to life. You'll see pollinators returning, wildlife reappearing, even hedgehogs.
(07:38):
This was surprising to me when I was doing the
research for today's show hedgehogs, which had nearly disappeared in Scotland.
They're finding their home again through carefully created wildlife quarters
there in Scotland and the efforts that they've put into place.
And this isn't tucked away somewhere out of sight. This
is happening right alongside of one one of the most
(08:00):
celebrated golf courses in the world. And I'll bet if
I ask you, you'd be able to name that. Oh no,
it's called the Old Course.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Willen Scott Never have gotten to that.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
Oh yeah, it's it's quite the place for anybody who
holds golf clubs at any time in their life, that's
where they want to play. But you've got this beautiful
balance here of luxury and refinement and nature restoring itself
right in front of you, which is a beautiful thing
to see. And what I love about this, and what
(08:32):
I think our listeners are going to really appreciate, is
that it isn't just something you observe from a distance.
It's immersive and that's important. Families traveling here are going
to find that their children are able to learn in
ways that don't even feel like learning at all. Young
people are exploring bug farms that actually improve the soil,
and older kids are given guides to walk through the
(08:55):
forest and gardens and truly understand what's happening around them.
And for those who want to go a little bit deeper,
there are curated journeys that take you right into the
heart of Scotland's conservation story. Now one that stands out
is a journey with Luxury Gold. That name might sound
familiar to all of you who have listened to us
(09:17):
faithfully here on a Lifeless Ordinary. We actually interviewed one
of the sales representatives from Luxury Gold and made a
whole show out of that, so if you want, you
can always go back and listen to that. But they've
been doing a lot to work with this country Scotland.
Traveling from Edinburgh into the Highlands and over to Oban
(09:39):
along the way, you're not just seeing scenery. You're stepping
into places like Carragorm's National Park and lock Fleet National
Nature Reserve where conservation is active. It's visible and it's
incredibly incredibly inspiring, and behind the scenes there's real investment
(10:00):
happening through organizations like the tread Wright Foundation efforts are
underway in Scotland to restore the ancient Caledonian pine forests.
These are some of the oldest ecosystems in the UK.
They're home to red squirrels and the very rare kper kiley.
(10:22):
I'm not quite sure what that animal is, but it's
native to Scotland and they are working hard to regenerate
the life of that particular character. So when we talk
about travel that means something. This is really it. This
is where luxury travel and responsible travel come together in
a way that feels authentic but really not forced. You're
(10:43):
not giving up anything, You're gaining a deeper connection to
the places you're visiting. At least that's the goal. And
quite honestly, Chris Scotland is showing the rest of the
world of how this is done. So these are the
These are great biodiversity types of explanations of what's happening
(11:05):
in one single country like Scotland, and I think that's exciting.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
So the biodiversity programs that they're running, is that meant
to be the draw to get me to come there
or is that the outcome because I have arrived and
they're able to use some of their profits to give
back to nature.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Both are true, So the idea is, yes, what they're
doing should be and hopefully is compelling enough sort of
tour operators like Luxury Gold who are actually designing and
curating experiences for travelers to be able to go in
and even participate in the biodiversity efforts. But also the
(11:52):
income that you leave behind when your travel is over
is so very beneficial to these programs continuing their programs.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
I'm sure as a family, if you're going to one
of these locations, you're helping to educate your children and
showing them their responsibility as they grow in this world
that we live in.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
Absolutely, and that looks so much different than the vacations
I used to take when I was a kid. I
don't know about you.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
We went to Ocean City, Myrtle Beach, and we stayed
in a hotel, and we fought a lot because we
were all in a van, and I think we did
pup put golf and we actually did it all you
can eat buffet.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
Yeah, now, you know, I think my parents were ahead
of the curve a little bit when it comes to
things like this, because they really were they being My
parents were really interested in making sure that my brother
and I, through vacation, got an education that wasn't in
the classroom, but that was out in the world that
we were able to see. And I'm so grateful for that.
(12:53):
I'm grateful I had parents who had the forethought and
the means to be able to let us see a
small part of the world life.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
When you were describing all this, I was thinking of
places like colonial Williamsburg, where there's the hands on its
living history exactly, And I thought, but you're kicking it
up to luxury gold standards.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
You know.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
It's like, I can see how that could be a
really enjoyable time for a holiday.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
Yeah, and this show is going to be really interesting
today because we are not going to cover the usual suspects.
Scotland is, yes, but I'll bet most people listening to
us today had no idea that their efforts were so
concentrated in biodiversity.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
I don't think when you say Scotland, my first thought
was going to be biodiversity. It probably would have been golf. Yeah,
of course, I think that would be the first. And
maybe if you're wanting to go to our castles and things.
Speaker 2 (13:48):
Yeah, yeah, now let's go somewhere else that feels a
little more remote, okay, a little more untouched, and incredibly
powerful in terms of what's happening behind the scenes. And
that's Ecuador. Now, way up in Ecuador's cloud forest and
where the air really really feels different. There, where everything
is alive, You're going to find a very special place
(14:10):
called a mash Pee Lodge. And this is not your
typical luxury lodge. You ought to look this one up, Chris.
It's called a rainforest hotel in the clouds. It is spectacular,
and it is intimate. It is beautifully designed. But I
got to tell you what makes this experience so remarkable
(14:31):
is that you are stepping directly into an active, working,
conservation environment and oh boil boy, by the way, you
gotta check out the sky bikes. There just an amazing
experience in how one can really touch these ecosystems on
(14:53):
a very different level. There's even an on site research lab.
There's real scientists, real discoveries happening in real time, and
guests here can actually sit in on talks with biologists.
They can walk alongside conservation projects, see species that quite
honestly weren't even known to exist until just recently, and
(15:18):
in fact, the researchers here have identified more than two
dozen previously unknown species, including a tiny, little translucent glass
frog that lives only in this region. Sounds a little
bit like a sci fi movie done. And then there's
something I find especially fascinating, a critically endangered magnolia tree
(15:41):
that grows right around the lodge. It is so rare,
it is so important that it's now being carefully cultivated
and even used to scent the soaps and lotions you're
going to find in your room at this property. It's
a small touch, but it tells a much bigger story,
and that story is all about restoration. And right now,
(16:04):
the team behind mush Pee is actively working to restore
nearly two thousand acres of forest on the western slopes
of the Andes. They're planning thousands of these rare magnolia
trees that I just talked about, and they're building nurseries
to ensure that they can thrive for generations to come.
(16:24):
So again, this is not passive travel. This is participation
in something very very meaningful. And then we move from
the Cloud Forest out into one of the most extraordinary
places in and around Ecuador, and that is the Galopocas Islands.
We talked about that yep, and this year, a beautiful
(16:45):
new expedition vessel, the National Geographic Delfinia, is sailing these
islands with just a handful of guests on board. And
what makes this journey so compelling is that you're not
just visiting the glas. You are seeing the direct impact
of conservation and action. And when I hear myself even
(17:08):
say that, you know who I think of Jacques Cousteau.
I mean, I grew up as a kid watching those
shows and I loved what he did because he did
that he traveled for good. And that's what today's show
is all about. By the way, you are listening to
a life less ordinary, and we are talking about the
impact that travel has and some of the countries that
(17:32):
are experiencing travel for good in ways that you can
get involved. You can experience this and actually here in
the Galopocas, through the work of National Geographic lend Blad
Expeditions and their Conservation Fund, they are actually have ongoing
efforts to remove invasive species. They're protecting marine life through
(17:54):
phishing patrols, and they're restoring some of the fragile ecosystems there.
And here's moment that really stays with you. Just recently,
on the island of Floriana, one hundred and fifty eight
giant tortoises were reintroduced into the wild on an island
where they had completely disappeared nearly two hundred years ago. Man,
(18:18):
that is exciting. Think about that for a minute. Travelers
standing there today are witnessing the return of a species
that was once gone gone. And so when we talk
about travel that changes you. That's exactly what I mean.
Ecuador offers something rare. It allows you to experience extraordinary
(18:38):
beauty while also knowing that your presence there supports the
protection and the restoration of it, and that that is
a journey worth taking.
Speaker 1 (18:50):
The pictures are impressive, aren't they. There's a picture here
of some people right on the edge of the water
on the beach, and I'm not sure if these are
emperor penguins, but they are some proud looking penguins that
are very excited to be having their picture taken with
the tourists. Yeah, a giant tortoise, and the blue footed
(19:13):
booby is in one of the pictures, like this is
in seals and just so much wildlife.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
Yeah, and you know, I don't know about you, Chris,
but when I talk about this, and I think, after
all these years of having been in the travel industry,
and to think that now the people that I send
on vacations, that I send to certain destinations like Scotland,
like Ecuador that we just mentioned, can actually go and
(19:42):
the efforts of them arriving once they go to these
places can actually make a difference in the world. That's
exciting to me. I really think that's just the best
possible outcome of somebody visiting another country.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
I've got a crazy idea. How about next week we
do our show from the Galopicos Islands.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
Okay, I'm in, Yeah, I'm all in. Yes, we can
go remote.
Speaker 1 (20:07):
This just looks like everyone's dream getaway.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
Yeah, it really is. It's fascinating. And so there you
can understand in our first segment here about the efforts
that are being made in Scotland and Ecuador on biodiversity
and the ways in which they're making a positive impact
on the world. The next segment that we're going to
(20:33):
talk about are the protected marine environments, and we've got
two very exciting places that we want to talk about
there too.
Speaker 1 (20:40):
Well, and with the pictures I just saw from the galopicos,
that's a perfect lead in. We'll get into the protected
marine environments next. Here on a Life Less Ordinary, why
do you recharge your cell phone?
Speaker 3 (20:51):
Maybe because, just like you, it functions much better with
a little revitalization. The Wishing Well helps people refresh and
revitalize with individually designed, customize vacation planning. We'll send you
anywhere in the world, plus offer advice on packing, navigating customs,
and more. Wishes really do come true. At the Wishing
Well visit us at two forty three and a f
(21:11):
avenue call us at five four zero nine zero eight
two three three three, or on the web at the
Wishingwell dot biz.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
And welcome back to a Life Less Ordinary. Every Saturday morning,
Terry Dean usually Harry, he's on a working vacation this week,
and I sit down and we talk travel for an hour.
And if you're inspired to learn more about the topics
that we discuss anytime here on a Lifeless Ordinary, I
(21:39):
encourage you to get in touch with Terry or Harry
or their team at the Wishing Well. There's a couple
of ways you can do that. First way stop in.
They're on that f Avenue in Harrisonburg. You can also
find information on their website, the wishing Well dot biz,
or give him a call at five four nine oh
A twenty three thirty three. Our show this week is
(22:01):
entitled Impact Travel, and we're talking about destinations where the
location is making an impact in many different ways. We've
just talked about biodiversity. We talked about going to Ecuador.
I really want to go in not camping. I'm staying
in the clouds. I think I told you last week
(22:24):
my dream vacation was to go to Kenya, where you
camp in the trees. So we're going to move on
now and talk about sustainability within the marine environment.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
Yeah we are. And you know, Chris, we're calling this
impact Travel today, and I actually love the name of
that because it kind of says something about the way
in which we want to travel. Who do you know
anybody that doesn't want to have a great epitaph when
(22:57):
they leave this world. Everybody wants to do something positive
that someone will say of them good things.
Speaker 1 (23:06):
Yeah, So when you travel, when.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
You are able to make an impact because you traveled
somewhere and you did something good, I think that says
it all.
Speaker 1 (23:19):
And travel has had in some ways a reputation of
not always giving back to the areas we go. I
think there are a lot of like World Heritage sites
that have been trampled under by so many tourists. So
I love this idea that we can we can get
(23:39):
away from our normal life and have a life less
ordinary and give back. This is exciting for me. I
really am enjoying this.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
It had gotten so bad. As a matter of fact, Chris,
at one point, you know, there was a mantra being
talked about through the travel industry, do no harm, and
it was up to us as travel professionals and travel
advisors to remind our clients of that when they traveled.
I am so excited that that has now shifted. We've
(24:12):
shifted away from that of having to be able to
be so cautionary to our clients and to our travelers.
And now this is what people want to do. They
want to make an impact in a very positive way.
So it really is all about now traveling for good
and I like that. So, as you said, we are
(24:34):
going to head into the protected marine environments now, and
I want to take this conversation a little farther across
the globe to a destination that many of our listeners
probably already love, but they might not realize just how
much good is happening behind the scenes there. And that
is in Thailand. Thailand has always been known for their beauty.
(24:57):
They've got those warm waters, this certainly gracious hospitality, those
people are so kind, and the sense of calm the
minute you arrived. But what's happening now adds a whole
new layer to that experience. Now, in the coastal town
of Huahn, there is a wellness resort. Actually, I've got
(25:18):
some clients that went there not long ago that many
in the travel industry hold in very high regard, and
that is the Shiva Som Huahn. And the translation of
this property literally means the haven of life.
Speaker 1 (25:33):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (25:34):
In that great and while guests come here for rejuvenation,
something equally important is happening just beyond their spa. The
team at Shivasum has taken on the restoration of the
town's last remaining mangrove system. They've planted thousands of seedlings.
They've created a natural buffer that actually protects their coastline
(25:57):
now from erosion while bringing life back to an area
that was slowly disappearing, which is so important for them.
That shoreline is everything, and as a guest, you're not
separated from that story, and in fact, you're invited to
participate in it. There are private, guided visits to the
mangroves where you can actually see this restoration taking place.
(26:19):
It's peaceful, it's beautiful, gives you a real sense that
your time there is connected to something so much bigger. Now,
if we travel just a bit farther south toward Fouquet
and the Anna Damen S, that same philosophy continues. As
a matter of fact, at Anata Maya Caw Fouquette Villas
(26:41):
and Anata Leyan Fouquet Resort, conservation becomes something you don't
just hear about, you actually experience it firsthand. And this
is when it really gets special. If you happen to
be there during Thailand's New Year celebration Song Kron, you
might find yourself standing on the shoreline alongside of local conservationists,
(27:03):
maybe releasing some baby turtles into the ocean, or even
helping to return young bamboo sharks back to their reef
habits habitats. Again, it's one of those moments that's going
to stay with you because it's not staged, it's not
for show. It's real, and it's not a ticket you
can buy to get there. This is a real deal.
(27:27):
And suddenly your vacation becomes something more than just time away.
It becomes a memory tied to a purpose, to that
preservation we're talking about, to being part of something that
really truly matters. And I think that's what we're seeing
more and more in travel today. It's not again about
where we go, it's about how we leave it behind.
Speaker 1 (27:49):
Yeah, And you know, I think about my wife Becca.
She loves aquariums and zoos, and she's always begging me
to go, and I'm always like, I don't like so
I am not a museum, zoo, aquarium. I don't like
to go and stand and look at placards. That's just
like my brain is already passed it. I want to
see the next thing. I feel like this would be
(28:12):
a really good compromise for Becca and myself, going somewhere
where she would be able to enjoy all of this
marine life which she so dearly adores, and I would
feel like I wasn't in a zoo, and I think
I would enjoy that too, So I think this could
be a good compromise and ultimately knowing that there's a
(28:36):
powerful impact on the environment that we were helping give back.
Speaker 2 (28:39):
Yeah. Again, this isn't planned. It's not a ticket item.
It's not like that zoo ticket that you're gonna buy.
You are actually working alongside of the positive things that
are going on. Just like I said, you can stand
right next to one of these conservationists as they gently
release these little baby turtles into the ocean. You're gonna
(28:59):
want time.
Speaker 1 (29:01):
And I love that you said this is real, Yes,
because one of the things that I was thinking as
you were talking about that was are they releasing them,
re releasing them the next day for the next group
that comes by, you know, are they going and recollecting.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
Those it's a chance you have.
Speaker 1 (29:17):
I love that, yeah, because that's not how most of
our vacations go. No, they're usually very planned out. And
you know, think about Disney World. They put the same
show on twenty times a day every day. Yes, yeah,
and we love Disney World, by the way. But I
love this realness that you're doing too.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
I do too. This is where the evolution, and you know,
we began this year, if you remember a lifeless Ordinate,
we started talking about the evolution of travel, and this
is yet another facet Chris of where travel is going,
what people yearn for, what they're longing for when they
go on a trip. They want something real. Yeah, and
(30:03):
now we're gonna head. We're still going to stay in
the same vein of marine life, but we're gonna head
somewhere a little closer to home, but with a story
that might surprise you. And that's the Caribbean. When most
people think of the Caribbean, and I think I probably
could guess right, they think of turquoise water, they think
of that white sand, complete relaxation, and that's all still
(30:27):
very much a part of the Caribbean experience. But what's
happening beneath those waters right now is something far more meaningful,
and it centers around one of the ocean's most misunderstood creatures,
the shark. H And let me start in Mexico, a stunning,
stunning resort called Impression Islah Marhari's by Secrets. This is
(30:51):
a beautiful, intimate property, but what makes it really special
is how guests stays are directly supporting local fishing communities
as they transition into conservation work. Now instead of relying
on fishing alone, a lot of them now are involved
in marine monitoring and protection efforts. I think that's exciting.
(31:15):
And here's where it really becomes real for travelers. Guests
can actually join guided snorkeling experiences, again led by conservationists,
where you see firsthand how these programs are making a difference.
It's not just about observing marine life, it's about understanding
how it's being protected. And let's move a little farther
(31:37):
east into the Caribbean and into the Turks and Caicos
where one of the most exclusive private island resorts, Como
that Como Parrot K is taking this work even further
through its newly established Parrot K Marine Conservation Trust. That
island is actually becoming a true hub for marine research
(32:01):
and one of their first major projects is focusing on
tracking oceanic white tipped sharks. That's an endangered species that
scientists are still working to fully understand, and for the
first time, researchers are tagging these sharks to study their
movements through the region. And here's the part that really
(32:21):
resonates with travelers. Guests are soon going to have the
opportunity to adopt and even name one of these sharks,
directly supporting the research there and the conservation efforts behind it.
So again, what we're seeing here is a shift. The
Caribbean is not just a place you're going to go
to unwind anymore. It's a place where your presence can
(32:43):
actually support the protection of one of the most important
ecosystems on the planet. And quite honestly, that makes those
crystal clear waters even more meaningful when you step into them,
and it doesn't hurt that the properties there are kind
of out of this world.
Speaker 1 (32:59):
Beautiful, you know.
Speaker 2 (33:01):
So that helps. We want to next go into our
third segment, which is learning with local kids.
Speaker 1 (33:10):
Let's take one quick break and then we'll start learning
next here on a life less ordinary.
Speaker 3 (33:14):
Why do you recharge your cell phone? Maybe because, just
like you, it functions much better with a little revitalization.
The Wishing Well helps people refresh and revitalize with individually
designed customize vacation planning. We'll send you anywhere in the world,
plus offer advice on packing, navigating customs, and more. Wishes
really do come true at the Wishing Well. Visit us
(33:35):
at two forty three and a half Avenue. Call us
at five four zero nine zero eight two three three
three or on the web at the Wishingwell dot biz.
Speaker 1 (33:43):
Yeah, welcome back to a life less Ordinary. Every Saturday
morning we talk travel, more specifically luxury travel, and this
week we are talking about luxury travel that makes an
impact on our destinations. And as we discuss these different locations,
I'm sure it's having an effect on you and you're
thinking I want to be a part of that. I
(34:06):
encourage you to talk to Terry. You can give her
a call after the show's over at five four oho
nine oh eight twenty three thirty three. It's not her
cell phone, I don't think, but as close as you're
going to get to our personal phone number, that's the
number for the Wishing Well. You'll find them also located
on nef Avenue in Harrisburg. You could stop by if
you're outrunning some errands right now. You can also find
(34:28):
them on the web at the Wishingwell dot biz. So
we are talking about impact travel and we have talked
about some really great destinations. We've talked about Scotland, Ecuador,
we talked about marine sustainability, and now we're going to
talk about educating children.
Speaker 2 (34:49):
We are we're going to talk about learning with local kids.
Speaker 1 (34:53):
Actually, so when you say that, the first thing that
pops into my head is, I know that on some
of these af Rican safaris and African tours they have
classrooms you can go in and interact with the children.
Is this what we're talking about.
Speaker 2 (35:07):
We're gonna spend some time on that and go to Africa,
because if there's anywhere in the world, Chris, where you
can truly see the connection between people and wildlife and
the future, it's right there. As a matter of fact,
I was sitting at home watching television the other night
and a show by Rick Steves popped up, and that's
(35:28):
exactly what he was talking about. Was he did a
show where he was in Ethiopia and he was showing
how this tremendous impact is affecting even that country also.
And I'm going to begin though in Botswana. It's actually
one of the most extraordinary ecosystems on the planet and
(35:49):
the Okavango Delta, and tucked into that landscape is a
very special place called Kuijera and that's x i ge
R pronounced Kijera Safari Lodge. It's intimate, it's beautifully designed.
It is completely solar powered and it's set right on
(36:13):
the water. So if you have a chance and you're
in front of a computer, first of all, I encourage
you to take a look at this beautiful place. It
is extraordinary. And of course you come there for the wildlife.
You come there for the elephants and the BirdLife and
the quiet of that delta. But what makes this experience
so meaningful is the connection to the local community. That
(36:37):
is what makes it unique. And just nearby is a
village called Haboo, and something quite wonderful is happening there.
Children from the village are invited into the lodge environment
for hands on learning, real exposure to conservation, to wildlife,
(36:57):
to opportunities they might not otherwise have. And as a guest,
you're invited to step into that story along with them.
You can visit that village, you can spend some time
at the school, see firsthand how initiatives like book clubs
and sustainable programs, even composting projects are helping to shape
(37:18):
the next generation there. And if you go to that
website for Kijeri Safari Lodge, there is a great video
on their website. It's called our Local Community and they
actually show you firsthand some of the impact that that
is having with the children in the African nation. And
(37:40):
this is part of a much larger effort through Wilderness
and their children in the Wilderness Program, which has now
been doing this work for over twenty five years, so
they are seeing significant impact from what they're doing. Young
people from rural communities are brought into Bush for the
immersive camps. They're mentored by environmental leaders, and in a
(38:03):
lot of cases they are supported with scholarships that carry
them forward even into higher education.
Speaker 1 (38:10):
When I was a kid, the school headed an agreement
with the local park and we went to reap is
what it was called. I don't remember what it stood for,
and we spent a week in the environment learning And
I'm thinking how amazing it would be if I didn't
grow up in the northern Panhandle of West Virginia, grow
(38:34):
up in an area that we're describing right now, where
I'm out learning in the most amazing environment with this
kind of opportunity. And these kids, their parents probably went
through the program as well. If it's been going on
for twenty five years, and they're continuing to grow in
that knowledge base.
Speaker 2 (38:54):
Yeah, and you know, we've done that a lot here
in this country. We've been very good at it. We actually,
if you remember, we've taken children who grew up in
the cities and where they only saw you know, asphalt
and sidewalks, and we brought them to the country where
a lot of them, I know, I've seen a lot
(39:15):
of them right here in the Chanidal Valley in the summertime,
enjoying an outdoor experience. Well, these children in Africa, many
of them come from very low economic standards, where also
many of them are food deprived, so some of them
even are malnourished and that kind of thing. But to
bring them into an environment like this and show them
(39:39):
how they can not only be more, but they can
show them how to do it. You know, there's a
saying that they say, give a man a fish who'll
eat for a day, you teach him to fish who'll
eat for the rest of his life. I think that's
the importance of these programs and I love that. So again,
this isn't just a safari. This is an investment in people,
(39:59):
in educationation, and in the future of conservation itself. Now
I want to move a little bit east to Tanzania,
where that same spirit continues, but in a way that's
incredibly inspiring. Now, across the vast protected lands of the Serengetti,
there's a collection of extraordinary lodges there operated by Sengetti.
(40:21):
We talked about them last week when we were talking
about Wildlife Safaris. And once a year something very special
takes place there. It's called the Serengetti Girls Run. Guests,
guides and local rangers. They all come together, but not
for competition actually, but for a purpose, and they run
through this incredible landscape to raise funds that support specifically
(40:45):
girls education, mentorship programs, and access to essential health resources.
And it's one of those moments where travel becomes something
deeply personal because you're not just witnessing the destination again
beating to it. And then there's another layer to this
story too, through Mikado Safaris, which has long been known
(41:07):
for their commitment to education for every guest. And you
may not know this if you're listening to our show
and you've ever entertained wanting to do a safari. Mikado
Safaris has a program for every guest who travels with them.
They fund a child's education from primary school all the
way through high school. Really, Yes, that's what you call
(41:28):
traveling for good? Yeah, right, Think about that, every single
journey creates a direct, lasting impact on a young person's future.
And when you travel through places like the Serengetti National
Park and Nogoragoa Conservation Area, you're not just seeing some
of the most extraordinary wildlife on Earth. You are also
(41:50):
given the opportunity to visit these community programs and understand
exactly where that support is going. So you get to
see it. It's not like you're just giving that through
a check in the mail. You actually get to see
where that all went. And so once again, what we're
seeing is a very clear shift in travel not just
about extraordinary places, it's about extraordinary impact. And Africa does
(42:15):
this in a way that stays with you long long
after you've come home. Now, the next segment that we're
going to jump into, Chris, is called aid in recovery.
We all know that there's been some areas of our country,
of our world that have been devastated. So there's things
that you can do by just simply traveling, and one
(42:38):
of those comes up we have to talk about in
the wake of all those recovery efforts because This is
where it becomes deeply human, and that's in Jamaica. Last fall,
Jamaica faced devastating Hurricane One that brought record breaking winds
and left a lot of communities needing to rebuild quickly.
(42:59):
And what's it's been so remarkable is how swiftly that
recovery began and how the travel community really stepped up
to help lead the way there. And in a Montego
Bay there's a beautiful private villa community called Trial Club.
I've been there. It is so stunning. Many of our
listeners might already be familiar with it for its elegance
(43:21):
and its privacy, but what you might not know is
that it also has a long standing charitable arm called
the Trial Fund, and in the immediate aftermath of the storm,
that fund from Trial Club became a lifeline. There were
emergency supplies, there were rebuilding efforts, support for families throughout
(43:44):
Hannover Parish. That's in Jamaica. It all moved really quickly
and it made a real, real difference. And here's where
travel becomes part of that story. Guests staying at Trial
aren't just enjoying a beautiful Caribbean escape. They've got the
opportunity to contribute, whether that's through direct donations or attending
(44:08):
something as wonderful as their annual Taste of Trial gala.
That's where a lot of the local chefs come in
and they work together in support of the community. That's meaningful,
it's really personal. And then over in Ocha Rios, another
iconic property Jamaica, in they've also played a significant role
in recovery in Jamaica as well. This is a family
(44:29):
owned hotel and they've got a long long history on
this island and when the storm hit, they immediately directed
their resources towards the most critical areas and the critical needs.
They helped restore infrastructure and support and into more remote
communities that were hit the hardest. And again, travelers can
(44:49):
be a part of that effort in a very simple,
very tangible way. Through a program called Packing for a Purpose,
guests are encouraged to bring along school supplies and essential items.
Things might seem very small, but they've got a very
real impact when they arrive in the hands of local
families and children. So when we talk about travel in
(45:12):
a time of recovery, that's what it looks like. It's
about stepping into a destination that's struggling, but it's also
about supporting a destination that's rising. And Jamaica does that
with strength. They've shown us how they do that with
grace and with a very open heart. And finally, I
(45:32):
want to bring this conversation back home because sometimes the
most powerful stories are happening right here in our back
door in the United States. And I think we couldn't
really talk about aid and recovery if we didn't talk
about California earlier. We know, wildfires moved through parts of
(45:52):
Los Angeles and just devastated that area with incredible force,
forcing families to evacuate. They left a community really uncertain
of what the future was going to look like. It
created an immediate need for support, and again the travel
industry stepped in very quickly and in a very meaningful way.
(46:14):
Hotels actually across the region there they opened their doors
to a lot of people in need. Properties like the
beautiful Conrad, Los Angeles. They offered discounted rates for evacuees,
and they gave people a safe, comfortable place to land
because that God knows they needed it during the times
when they lost their homes and even before the fires
(46:36):
were fully contained the Conrad in. The Hilton Foundation had
already pledged millions of dollars toward that recovery effort. Now
that's immediate response. But what I find especially compelling, Chris,
is what happened after the crisis, how we rebuilt, and
(46:57):
how we think about the future. Over in West Hollywood,
a hotel called One Hotel West Hollywood not only housed
first responders during that emergency, they also looked ahead and
through a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, they committed
to planting one hundred thousand trees to help restore some
(47:19):
areas that were impacted by the wildfires. There that's real recovery,
and think about that for a mint. That's just not rebuilding.
That's kind of reimagining the landscape for the next generation.
And when it aligns beautifully, that's what happens. And that's
what we see, bringing nature into the guest experience in
(47:40):
a very intentional way. But here that philosophy extends far
beyond the walls of that hotel and into the ecosystems
that surrounded. So once again what we're seeing is something bigger,
much bigger than travel itself. It's about these communities it's
about resilience. It's about the role we all play, not
(48:02):
just a few people with money, but all of us together,
working together by showing up, by staying, by supporting places,
and you recover and you help these places grow stronger.
And that that really might just be one of the
most meaningful reasons to travel of all. So as we
(48:24):
wrap up today, Chris, I want to leave you with
just one thought. Travel has really always had the power
to change us, but now it's also got the power
to change the world around us. And we see that.
We see that in the places that we looked at.
We saw it with the restoration of forests in Scotland.
(48:46):
We saw it with the protecting of the wildlife in Ecuador.
We saw that by supporting communities in Africa, and the
rebuild of Jamaica, or even the replanting of the landscapes
in California. They all share one thing in common. They're
not asking you to give up anything. They're not. They
are inviting you to be a part of what they're doing.
(49:10):
Support it with your dollars, with your travel, with your interest.
And that's the future of travel. It's not just where
you go. That's what I said in the very beginning.
It is the impact you leave behind, because the most
meaningful journeys aren't measured in miles, they are measured in
the good they do along the way.
Speaker 1 (49:33):
I have really enjoyed our conversation today. You are listening
to a lifeless ordinary. Every Saturday we sit down Terry Dean,
Harry Rife and myself to talk travel, and this week's
show has all been about impact travel. If if you
feel as inspired as I do right now, you need
(49:54):
to talk to Terry Dean, give her a call at
five four h nine oh eight twenty three thirty three.
We find more information about all of the travel destinations
in the different organizations companies that The wishing Well works
with on their website at the wishing Well dot biz,
and you can also stop by. I'm sure she would
(50:14):
love to say hello to you in person, maybe sit
down at the table and have a nice discussion, or
at least to make an appointment to come back and
have a deeper conversation. They're on nef Avenue in Harrisonburg.
Impact travel. It's something that I would not have thought
about as a specific travel category before our show today. Yes,
(50:37):
I have thought about there are I mean as we
have talked about many different types of travel, and throughout
the years that you and I have sat down and
had these conversations on a Saturday morning, there have been
specific places, whether it be travel for your health or
travel for relaxation, travel for those ones in a lifetime
(51:00):
moments you're curated, cultivated experiences. I love this category.
Speaker 2 (51:08):
Yeah, I do too.
Speaker 1 (51:09):
I love the idea that, yes, I'm going to get
something out of this. I'm going to have some time
away from you, my everyday life, get away from work
for a week or two. But to be able to
do that, and when I leave whatever destination that be,
know that I'm leaving behind something that is going to
(51:29):
make an impact on them is absolutely so rewarding.
Speaker 2 (51:32):
And you know, I know there's a lot of people
probably just screaming at their radios right now, Chris at
you and I both going, Hey, Terry Dean, this is
not new.
Speaker 3 (51:43):
You know.
Speaker 2 (51:43):
I've been in a church for umpteen years and we
call these mission trips, you know, And so you're right,
And actually I applaud people who have traveled and have
done these mission trips in an effort to bring something
to impact positively impact the areas that they go in,
(52:06):
whether it's Tahiti or Sampaulo, Brazil, or you know, pick someplace.
You know, I know a lot of people went to
the Dominican Republic and went there and have done a
lot of things that are would be considered mission type work.
They rebuild homes, they do habitat homes. All of that
(52:28):
is absolutely wonderful. What I'm telling you is you guys
were getting it right because this has now splintered over
into the travel industry and has become something that the
world now is shining a focus on and they want
to participate in as well, and they want to know
(52:48):
more and more and more about how to do this. So,
you know, here's what I'd say to you if this
show really did impact you as you were listening today, definitely,
as Chris said, reach out to the wishing well. We'd
love to take you on a journey about how you
can do this and the best places where your efforts
(53:09):
would be appreciated. And I'm going to ask Chris to
also put some links in at today's show if you're
going to be looking this up online to some of
the properties that we mentioned here so that you can
actually see and view where those properties are. Get a
bird's eye view of what it looks like to kind
of be there. There's a gallery of pictures you can
(53:31):
sort of see yourself there. But what I also want
to say is churches, keep doing what you're doing because you,
along with this impact travel that is now in the
travel industry, you're making a difference in the world. We
are the wishing Well. You can call us at five
four h nine oh eight two three three three. You
(53:51):
can look us up on the web where at though
wishing Well dot biz, or come in and see us
two forty three f Avenue in the Valley Center.
Speaker 1 (53:59):
This has been a life Less Ordinary, the travel show
from your friends at the wishing Well at two forty
three nef Avenue in Harrisonburg. If you have any questions
on topics discussed today, please reach out to the wishing
Well online at the Wishingwell dot biz or five four
oh nine oh eight twenty three thirty three. Past episodes
are available on the iHeartRadio app. And we'll see again
next Saturday morning at ten for a life Less Ordinary
(54:21):
from the wishing Well
This is a Lifeless Ordinary, the travel show and podcasts
from your friends at the wishing Well two forty three
f Avenue in Harsmer and online at the wishing Well
dot this. The wishing Well is your ultimate luxury concierge,
travel agency and a Lifeless Ordinary is a travel show
and podcasts hosted by Terry Dean, bringing her over forty
years of experience in the travel industry to help guide
(00:21):
you to great experiences in your travel, whether it be
around the block, around the country, or around the world.
Let's bring in Terry Dean and say hello, Chris.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
It's another Saturday and here we are.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
And it has been a busy week. I'm glad we
made it to the weekend it is.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
You know, it was actually a good week in many
ways for a lot of nonprofits. I know our area
really stepped up and did a lot of community support
this week. We had the great community to.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Give, so I was there broadcasting all day. I was
there for thirteen hours or something. Raised over two point
eight million dollars.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
That's amazing.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Their goal was two point five million and surpassed that
by more than three hundred thousand.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
What a fabulous, fabulous community and you know, just the
idea that our community gets behind other causes, which is
so pointed. Actually for the show that we're going to
be doing today, excellent, Okay.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
I look forward to seeing what we're going to be
talking about today. So it's definitely starting to feel like
spring where it is. It's actually we keep going back
and forth between freeze warnings and it's going to be
ninety degrees I know.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
And I have to say, I am so you talked
about freezing. I'm so sad for some of the wineries
in our area who really lost a good bit of
their product over the last couple of days because of
the lower temperatures. They didn't know that freezing temperatures at night. Yeah,
so you know, hearts go out to all of those folks.
But the sun will shine again from you know, beauty
(01:54):
comes from ashes, so I know that'll happen.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
So our show this week it's entitled Impact Travel. I'm
interested in finding out exactly what that means. Why don't
you get us up to speed?
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Yeah, so you know, Chris, the best trips were likely
to take ever are more than just a great time.
They also do good and this year's Virtuoso twenty twenty
six Impact List actually celebrated travel experiences that continue to
make a positive impact in the world. We had a
(02:28):
great show, I thought last week. We talked about the
impact of wildlife and how that can be a very,
very much a part of your vacation experience. But we're
going to talk today about how these some of these
destinations are making a positive impact in the world. And
(02:48):
that's whether they're contributing to conservation, if they're preserving cultural
heritage or empowering local communities. And in wild places, travel
company are replanting endangered flora, they're introducing vulnerable wildlife back
into their natural habitat. We talked about that too last week.
(03:09):
And in tight knit towns and villages, they're even participating
in public education, and they're fostering some economic health and
in areas affected by natural disasters as well, while they're
pulling their resources and they're working together to rebuild those areas.
So to compile the Impact List for twenty twenty six
(03:32):
and this year's stand out sustainable trips, there were nearly
two hundred and fifty luxury operators that were polled to
find out what they were the most proud of and
how visitors can do good alongside of them. It was
so exciting for me to read this report and to
actually feature then some of these destinations today on our show,
(03:55):
A Lifeless Ordinary And I want to stop right here
as every week and all of you who are out there,
who are faithfully listening to us yet for another Saturday,
you join us faithfully with your cup of coffee, we hope,
or something some kind of beverage or maybe breakfast, and
you enjoy the world of travel with us from the
(04:17):
Wishing Well. Harry actually is not with us today because
he is on a guided escorted tour hosted by the
Wishing Well to Savannah with a group of lifelong learning
folks from James Madison University. So we have a great
trip that I'm sure he's going to be telling us
(04:38):
all about when he gets back. But we are so
very grateful for the time that you spend with us
on Saturday. And today's episode is really not just about
where we go, but it's going to be about how
our presence there matters, okay, And because everything very important
(05:00):
happening across the world right now, from the highlands of
Scotland to islands in the Caribbean, from the plains of
Africa to the shores in California. Travel Chris is no
longer just about seeing beautiful places. It's about restoring them,
and it's protecting them and in some very real ways,
(05:21):
helping them heal if they need to. And the most
remarkable part where you don't have to be a scientist
or a conservationist or even an expert to be a
part of it. You just simply have to choose to go.
And so today I'm going to take you on a
little journey to some of the most extraordinary destinations in
the world, not just because they're beautiful, but because they
(05:45):
are making a difference and they're inviting you to be
a part of that story. So this is going to
be a little exciting, I think, because we're going to
touch on some areas that we have never touched on
before here on a Life lesson Ordinary. And I've got
this broken down really into about four segments. We're going
to talk about biodiversity, we're going to talk about protected
(06:09):
marine environments, we're going to talk about learning with local kids,
and we're going to talk about aid in recovery. And
all of those really are things that I think are
a great thing to focus on right now, especially since,
as I mentioned in the beginning, we just came off
(06:29):
of the great community to give this all ties in
very perfectly, I think, with that atmosphere and the spirit
that we've got going on right now. So I want
to start, first of all under the heading of biodiversity,
and I want to take you to a place that's
doing something truly extraordinary right now, and that's Scotland. It
(06:51):
isn't just about the beautiful landscapes there, and goodness knows,
Scotland's got plenty of that, but it's about a country
that is quietly eating the world in something called rewilding. Okay, yeah,
and that just simply means bringing nature back to life
in a very intentional, very meaningful way. And you can
(07:11):
actually see it happening when you're there at one of
Scotland's most iconic estates called Glen Eagle's Hotel. They've planted
thousands of native trees and those are wild cherry rowan hawthorne,
and now you're watching that landscape quite literally come back
to life. You'll see pollinators returning, wildlife reappearing, even hedgehogs.
(07:38):
This was surprising to me when I was doing the
research for today's show hedgehogs, which had nearly disappeared in Scotland.
They're finding their home again through carefully created wildlife quarters
there in Scotland and the efforts that they've put into place.
And this isn't tucked away somewhere out of sight. This
is happening right alongside of one one of the most
(08:00):
celebrated golf courses in the world. And I'll bet if
I ask you, you'd be able to name that. Oh no,
it's called the Old Course.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Willen Scott Never have gotten to that.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
Oh yeah, it's it's quite the place for anybody who
holds golf clubs at any time in their life, that's
where they want to play. But you've got this beautiful
balance here of luxury and refinement and nature restoring itself
right in front of you, which is a beautiful thing
to see. And what I love about this, and what
(08:32):
I think our listeners are going to really appreciate, is
that it isn't just something you observe from a distance.
It's immersive and that's important. Families traveling here are going
to find that their children are able to learn in
ways that don't even feel like learning at all. Young
people are exploring bug farms that actually improve the soil,
and older kids are given guides to walk through the
(08:55):
forest and gardens and truly understand what's happening around them.
And for those who want to go a little bit deeper,
there are curated journeys that take you right into the
heart of Scotland's conservation story. Now one that stands out
is a journey with Luxury Gold. That name might sound
familiar to all of you who have listened to us
(09:17):
faithfully here on a Lifeless Ordinary. We actually interviewed one
of the sales representatives from Luxury Gold and made a
whole show out of that, so if you want, you
can always go back and listen to that. But they've
been doing a lot to work with this country Scotland.
Traveling from Edinburgh into the Highlands and over to Oban
(09:39):
along the way, you're not just seeing scenery. You're stepping
into places like Carragorm's National Park and lock Fleet National
Nature Reserve where conservation is active. It's visible and it's
incredibly incredibly inspiring, and behind the scenes there's real investment
(10:00):
happening through organizations like the tread Wright Foundation efforts are
underway in Scotland to restore the ancient Caledonian pine forests.
These are some of the oldest ecosystems in the UK.
They're home to red squirrels and the very rare kper kiley.
(10:22):
I'm not quite sure what that animal is, but it's
native to Scotland and they are working hard to regenerate
the life of that particular character. So when we talk
about travel that means something. This is really it. This
is where luxury travel and responsible travel come together in
a way that feels authentic but really not forced. You're
(10:43):
not giving up anything, You're gaining a deeper connection to
the places you're visiting. At least that's the goal. And
quite honestly, Chris Scotland is showing the rest of the
world of how this is done. So these are the
These are great biodiversity types of explanations of what's happening
(11:05):
in one single country like Scotland, and I think that's exciting.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
So the biodiversity programs that they're running, is that meant
to be the draw to get me to come there
or is that the outcome because I have arrived and
they're able to use some of their profits to give
back to nature.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Both are true, So the idea is, yes, what they're
doing should be and hopefully is compelling enough sort of
tour operators like Luxury Gold who are actually designing and
curating experiences for travelers to be able to go in
and even participate in the biodiversity efforts. But also the
(11:52):
income that you leave behind when your travel is over
is so very beneficial to these programs continuing their programs.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
I'm sure as a family, if you're going to one
of these locations, you're helping to educate your children and
showing them their responsibility as they grow in this world
that we live in.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
Absolutely, and that looks so much different than the vacations
I used to take when I was a kid. I
don't know about you.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
We went to Ocean City, Myrtle Beach, and we stayed
in a hotel, and we fought a lot because we
were all in a van, and I think we did
pup put golf and we actually did it all you
can eat buffet.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
Yeah, now, you know, I think my parents were ahead
of the curve a little bit when it comes to
things like this, because they really were they being My
parents were really interested in making sure that my brother
and I, through vacation, got an education that wasn't in
the classroom, but that was out in the world that
we were able to see. And I'm so grateful for that.
(12:53):
I'm grateful I had parents who had the forethought and
the means to be able to let us see a
small part of the world life.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
When you were describing all this, I was thinking of
places like colonial Williamsburg, where there's the hands on its
living history exactly, And I thought, but you're kicking it
up to luxury gold standards.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
You know.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
It's like, I can see how that could be a
really enjoyable time for a holiday.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
Yeah, and this show is going to be really interesting
today because we are not going to cover the usual suspects.
Scotland is, yes, but I'll bet most people listening to
us today had no idea that their efforts were so
concentrated in biodiversity.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
I don't think when you say Scotland, my first thought
was going to be biodiversity. It probably would have been golf. Yeah,
of course, I think that would be the first. And
maybe if you're wanting to go to our castles and things.
Speaker 2 (13:48):
Yeah, yeah, now let's go somewhere else that feels a
little more remote, okay, a little more untouched, and incredibly
powerful in terms of what's happening behind the scenes. And
that's Ecuador. Now, way up in Ecuador's cloud forest and
where the air really really feels different. There, where everything
is alive, You're going to find a very special place
(14:10):
called a mash Pee Lodge. And this is not your
typical luxury lodge. You ought to look this one up, Chris.
It's called a rainforest hotel in the clouds. It is spectacular,
and it is intimate. It is beautifully designed. But I
got to tell you what makes this experience so remarkable
(14:31):
is that you are stepping directly into an active, working,
conservation environment and oh boil boy, by the way, you
gotta check out the sky bikes. There just an amazing
experience in how one can really touch these ecosystems on
(14:53):
a very different level. There's even an on site research lab.
There's real scientists, real discoveries happening in real time, and
guests here can actually sit in on talks with biologists.
They can walk alongside conservation projects, see species that quite
honestly weren't even known to exist until just recently, and
(15:18):
in fact, the researchers here have identified more than two
dozen previously unknown species, including a tiny, little translucent glass
frog that lives only in this region. Sounds a little
bit like a sci fi movie done. And then there's
something I find especially fascinating, a critically endangered magnolia tree
(15:41):
that grows right around the lodge. It is so rare,
it is so important that it's now being carefully cultivated
and even used to scent the soaps and lotions you're
going to find in your room at this property. It's
a small touch, but it tells a much bigger story,
and that story is all about restoration. And right now,
(16:04):
the team behind mush Pee is actively working to restore
nearly two thousand acres of forest on the western slopes
of the Andes. They're planning thousands of these rare magnolia
trees that I just talked about, and they're building nurseries
to ensure that they can thrive for generations to come.
(16:24):
So again, this is not passive travel. This is participation
in something very very meaningful. And then we move from
the Cloud Forest out into one of the most extraordinary
places in and around Ecuador, and that is the Galopocas Islands.
We talked about that yep, and this year, a beautiful
(16:45):
new expedition vessel, the National Geographic Delfinia, is sailing these
islands with just a handful of guests on board. And
what makes this journey so compelling is that you're not
just visiting the glas. You are seeing the direct impact
of conservation and action. And when I hear myself even
(17:08):
say that, you know who I think of Jacques Cousteau.
I mean, I grew up as a kid watching those
shows and I loved what he did because he did
that he traveled for good. And that's what today's show
is all about. By the way, you are listening to
a life less ordinary, and we are talking about the
impact that travel has and some of the countries that
(17:32):
are experiencing travel for good in ways that you can
get involved. You can experience this and actually here in
the Galopocas, through the work of National Geographic lend Blad
Expeditions and their Conservation Fund, they are actually have ongoing
efforts to remove invasive species. They're protecting marine life through
(17:54):
phishing patrols, and they're restoring some of the fragile ecosystems there.
And here's moment that really stays with you. Just recently,
on the island of Floriana, one hundred and fifty eight
giant tortoises were reintroduced into the wild on an island
where they had completely disappeared nearly two hundred years ago. Man,
(18:18):
that is exciting. Think about that for a minute. Travelers
standing there today are witnessing the return of a species
that was once gone gone. And so when we talk
about travel that changes you. That's exactly what I mean.
Ecuador offers something rare. It allows you to experience extraordinary
(18:38):
beauty while also knowing that your presence there supports the
protection and the restoration of it, and that that is
a journey worth taking.
Speaker 1 (18:50):
The pictures are impressive, aren't they. There's a picture here
of some people right on the edge of the water
on the beach, and I'm not sure if these are
emperor penguins, but they are some proud looking penguins that
are very excited to be having their picture taken with
the tourists. Yeah, a giant tortoise, and the blue footed
(19:13):
booby is in one of the pictures, like this is
in seals and just so much wildlife.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
Yeah, and you know, I don't know about you, Chris,
but when I talk about this, and I think, after
all these years of having been in the travel industry,
and to think that now the people that I send
on vacations, that I send to certain destinations like Scotland,
like Ecuador that we just mentioned, can actually go and
(19:42):
the efforts of them arriving once they go to these
places can actually make a difference in the world. That's
exciting to me. I really think that's just the best
possible outcome of somebody visiting another country.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
I've got a crazy idea. How about next week we
do our show from the Galopicos Islands.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
Okay, I'm in, Yeah, I'm all in. Yes, we can
go remote.
Speaker 1 (20:07):
This just looks like everyone's dream getaway.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
Yeah, it really is. It's fascinating. And so there you
can understand in our first segment here about the efforts
that are being made in Scotland and Ecuador on biodiversity
and the ways in which they're making a positive impact
on the world. The next segment that we're going to
(20:33):
talk about are the protected marine environments, and we've got
two very exciting places that we want to talk about
there too.
Speaker 1 (20:40):
Well, and with the pictures I just saw from the galopicos,
that's a perfect lead in. We'll get into the protected
marine environments next. Here on a Life Less Ordinary, why
do you recharge your cell phone?
Speaker 3 (20:51):
Maybe because, just like you, it functions much better with
a little revitalization. The Wishing Well helps people refresh and
revitalize with individually designed, customize vacation planning. We'll send you
anywhere in the world, plus offer advice on packing, navigating customs,
and more. Wishes really do come true. At the Wishing
Well visit us at two forty three and a f
(21:11):
avenue call us at five four zero nine zero eight
two three three three, or on the web at the
Wishingwell dot biz.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
And welcome back to a Life Less Ordinary. Every Saturday morning,
Terry Dean usually Harry, he's on a working vacation this week,
and I sit down and we talk travel for an hour.
And if you're inspired to learn more about the topics
that we discuss anytime here on a Lifeless Ordinary, I
(21:39):
encourage you to get in touch with Terry or Harry
or their team at the Wishing Well. There's a couple
of ways you can do that. First way stop in.
They're on that f Avenue in Harrisonburg. You can also
find information on their website, the wishing Well dot biz,
or give him a call at five four nine oh
A twenty three thirty three. Our show this week is
(22:01):
entitled Impact Travel, and we're talking about destinations where the
location is making an impact in many different ways. We've
just talked about biodiversity. We talked about going to Ecuador.
I really want to go in not camping. I'm staying
in the clouds. I think I told you last week
(22:24):
my dream vacation was to go to Kenya, where you
camp in the trees. So we're going to move on
now and talk about sustainability within the marine environment.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
Yeah we are. And you know, Chris, we're calling this
impact Travel today, and I actually love the name of
that because it kind of says something about the way
in which we want to travel. Who do you know
anybody that doesn't want to have a great epitaph when
(22:57):
they leave this world. Everybody wants to do something positive
that someone will say of them good things.
Speaker 1 (23:06):
Yeah, So when you travel, when.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
You are able to make an impact because you traveled
somewhere and you did something good, I think that says
it all.
Speaker 1 (23:19):
And travel has had in some ways a reputation of
not always giving back to the areas we go. I
think there are a lot of like World Heritage sites
that have been trampled under by so many tourists. So
I love this idea that we can we can get
(23:39):
away from our normal life and have a life less
ordinary and give back. This is exciting for me. I
really am enjoying this.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
It had gotten so bad. As a matter of fact, Chris,
at one point, you know, there was a mantra being
talked about through the travel industry, do no harm, and
it was up to us as travel professionals and travel
advisors to remind our clients of that when they traveled.
I am so excited that that has now shifted. We've
(24:12):
shifted away from that of having to be able to
be so cautionary to our clients and to our travelers.
And now this is what people want to do. They
want to make an impact in a very positive way.
So it really is all about now traveling for good
and I like that. So, as you said, we are
(24:34):
going to head into the protected marine environments now, and
I want to take this conversation a little farther across
the globe to a destination that many of our listeners
probably already love, but they might not realize just how
much good is happening behind the scenes there. And that
is in Thailand. Thailand has always been known for their beauty.
(24:57):
They've got those warm waters, this certainly gracious hospitality, those
people are so kind, and the sense of calm the
minute you arrived. But what's happening now adds a whole
new layer to that experience. Now, in the coastal town
of Huahn, there is a wellness resort. Actually, I've got
(25:18):
some clients that went there not long ago that many
in the travel industry hold in very high regard, and
that is the Shiva Som Huahn. And the translation of
this property literally means the haven of life.
Speaker 1 (25:33):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (25:34):
In that great and while guests come here for rejuvenation,
something equally important is happening just beyond their spa. The
team at Shivasum has taken on the restoration of the
town's last remaining mangrove system. They've planted thousands of seedlings.
They've created a natural buffer that actually protects their coastline
(25:57):
now from erosion while bringing life back to an area
that was slowly disappearing, which is so important for them.
That shoreline is everything, and as a guest, you're not
separated from that story, and in fact, you're invited to
participate in it. There are private, guided visits to the
mangroves where you can actually see this restoration taking place.
(26:19):
It's peaceful, it's beautiful, gives you a real sense that
your time there is connected to something so much bigger. Now,
if we travel just a bit farther south toward Fouquet
and the Anna Damen S, that same philosophy continues. As
a matter of fact, at Anata Maya Caw Fouquette Villas
(26:41):
and Anata Leyan Fouquet Resort, conservation becomes something you don't
just hear about, you actually experience it firsthand. And this
is when it really gets special. If you happen to
be there during Thailand's New Year celebration Song Kron, you
might find yourself standing on the shoreline alongside of local conservationists,
(27:03):
maybe releasing some baby turtles into the ocean, or even
helping to return young bamboo sharks back to their reef
habits habitats. Again, it's one of those moments that's going
to stay with you because it's not staged, it's not
for show. It's real, and it's not a ticket you
can buy to get there. This is a real deal.
(27:27):
And suddenly your vacation becomes something more than just time away.
It becomes a memory tied to a purpose, to that
preservation we're talking about, to being part of something that
really truly matters. And I think that's what we're seeing
more and more in travel today. It's not again about
where we go, it's about how we leave it behind.
Speaker 1 (27:49):
Yeah, And you know, I think about my wife Becca.
She loves aquariums and zoos, and she's always begging me
to go, and I'm always like, I don't like so
I am not a museum, zoo, aquarium. I don't like
to go and stand and look at placards. That's just
like my brain is already passed it. I want to
see the next thing. I feel like this would be
(28:12):
a really good compromise for Becca and myself, going somewhere
where she would be able to enjoy all of this
marine life which she so dearly adores, and I would
feel like I wasn't in a zoo, and I think
I would enjoy that too, So I think this could
be a good compromise and ultimately knowing that there's a
(28:36):
powerful impact on the environment that we were helping give back.
Speaker 2 (28:39):
Yeah. Again, this isn't planned. It's not a ticket item.
It's not like that zoo ticket that you're gonna buy.
You are actually working alongside of the positive things that
are going on. Just like I said, you can stand
right next to one of these conservationists as they gently
release these little baby turtles into the ocean. You're gonna
(28:59):
want time.
Speaker 1 (29:01):
And I love that you said this is real, Yes,
because one of the things that I was thinking as
you were talking about that was are they releasing them,
re releasing them the next day for the next group
that comes by, you know, are they going and recollecting.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
Those it's a chance you have.
Speaker 1 (29:17):
I love that, yeah, because that's not how most of
our vacations go. No, they're usually very planned out. And
you know, think about Disney World. They put the same
show on twenty times a day every day. Yes, yeah,
and we love Disney World, by the way. But I
love this realness that you're doing too.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
I do too. This is where the evolution, and you know,
we began this year, if you remember a lifeless Ordinate,
we started talking about the evolution of travel, and this
is yet another facet Chris of where travel is going,
what people yearn for, what they're longing for when they
go on a trip. They want something real. Yeah, and
(30:03):
now we're gonna head. We're still going to stay in
the same vein of marine life, but we're gonna head
somewhere a little closer to home, but with a story
that might surprise you. And that's the Caribbean. When most
people think of the Caribbean, and I think I probably
could guess right, they think of turquoise water, they think
of that white sand, complete relaxation, and that's all still
(30:27):
very much a part of the Caribbean experience. But what's
happening beneath those waters right now is something far more meaningful,
and it centers around one of the ocean's most misunderstood creatures,
the shark. H And let me start in Mexico, a stunning,
stunning resort called Impression Islah Marhari's by Secrets. This is
(30:51):
a beautiful, intimate property, but what makes it really special
is how guests stays are directly supporting local fishing communities
as they transition into conservation work. Now instead of relying
on fishing alone, a lot of them now are involved
in marine monitoring and protection efforts. I think that's exciting.
(31:15):
And here's where it really becomes real for travelers. Guests
can actually join guided snorkeling experiences, again led by conservationists,
where you see firsthand how these programs are making a difference.
It's not just about observing marine life, it's about understanding
how it's being protected. And let's move a little farther
(31:37):
east into the Caribbean and into the Turks and Caicos
where one of the most exclusive private island resorts, Como
that Como Parrot K is taking this work even further
through its newly established Parrot K Marine Conservation Trust. That
island is actually becoming a true hub for marine research
(32:01):
and one of their first major projects is focusing on
tracking oceanic white tipped sharks. That's an endangered species that
scientists are still working to fully understand, and for the
first time, researchers are tagging these sharks to study their
movements through the region. And here's the part that really
(32:21):
resonates with travelers. Guests are soon going to have the
opportunity to adopt and even name one of these sharks,
directly supporting the research there and the conservation efforts behind it.
So again, what we're seeing here is a shift. The
Caribbean is not just a place you're going to go
to unwind anymore. It's a place where your presence can
(32:43):
actually support the protection of one of the most important
ecosystems on the planet. And quite honestly, that makes those
crystal clear waters even more meaningful when you step into them,
and it doesn't hurt that the properties there are kind
of out of this world.
Speaker 1 (32:59):
Beautiful, you know.
Speaker 2 (33:01):
So that helps. We want to next go into our
third segment, which is learning with local kids.
Speaker 1 (33:10):
Let's take one quick break and then we'll start learning
next here on a life less ordinary.
Speaker 3 (33:14):
Why do you recharge your cell phone? Maybe because, just
like you, it functions much better with a little revitalization.
The Wishing Well helps people refresh and revitalize with individually
designed customize vacation planning. We'll send you anywhere in the world,
plus offer advice on packing, navigating customs, and more. Wishes
really do come true at the Wishing Well. Visit us
(33:35):
at two forty three and a half Avenue. Call us
at five four zero nine zero eight two three three
three or on the web at the Wishingwell dot biz.
Speaker 1 (33:43):
Yeah, welcome back to a life less Ordinary. Every Saturday
morning we talk travel, more specifically luxury travel, and this
week we are talking about luxury travel that makes an
impact on our destinations. And as we discuss these different locations,
I'm sure it's having an effect on you and you're
thinking I want to be a part of that. I
(34:06):
encourage you to talk to Terry. You can give her
a call after the show's over at five four oho
nine oh eight twenty three thirty three. It's not her
cell phone, I don't think, but as close as you're
going to get to our personal phone number, that's the
number for the Wishing Well. You'll find them also located
on nef Avenue in Harrisburg. You could stop by if
you're outrunning some errands right now. You can also find
(34:28):
them on the web at the Wishingwell dot biz. So
we are talking about impact travel and we have talked
about some really great destinations. We've talked about Scotland, Ecuador,
we talked about marine sustainability, and now we're going to
talk about educating children.
Speaker 2 (34:49):
We are we're going to talk about learning with local kids.
Speaker 1 (34:53):
Actually, so when you say that, the first thing that
pops into my head is, I know that on some
of these af Rican safaris and African tours they have
classrooms you can go in and interact with the children.
Is this what we're talking about.
Speaker 2 (35:07):
We're gonna spend some time on that and go to Africa,
because if there's anywhere in the world, Chris, where you
can truly see the connection between people and wildlife and
the future, it's right there. As a matter of fact,
I was sitting at home watching television the other night
and a show by Rick Steves popped up, and that's
(35:28):
exactly what he was talking about. Was he did a
show where he was in Ethiopia and he was showing
how this tremendous impact is affecting even that country also.
And I'm going to begin though in Botswana. It's actually
one of the most extraordinary ecosystems on the planet and
(35:49):
the Okavango Delta, and tucked into that landscape is a
very special place called Kuijera and that's x i ge
R pronounced Kijera Safari Lodge. It's intimate, it's beautifully designed.
It is completely solar powered and it's set right on
(36:13):
the water. So if you have a chance and you're
in front of a computer, first of all, I encourage
you to take a look at this beautiful place. It
is extraordinary. And of course you come there for the wildlife.
You come there for the elephants and the BirdLife and
the quiet of that delta. But what makes this experience
so meaningful is the connection to the local community. That
(36:37):
is what makes it unique. And just nearby is a
village called Haboo, and something quite wonderful is happening there.
Children from the village are invited into the lodge environment
for hands on learning, real exposure to conservation, to wildlife,
(36:57):
to opportunities they might not otherwise have. And as a guest,
you're invited to step into that story along with them.
You can visit that village, you can spend some time
at the school, see firsthand how initiatives like book clubs
and sustainable programs, even composting projects are helping to shape
(37:18):
the next generation there. And if you go to that
website for Kijeri Safari Lodge, there is a great video
on their website. It's called our Local Community and they
actually show you firsthand some of the impact that that
is having with the children in the African nation. And
(37:40):
this is part of a much larger effort through Wilderness
and their children in the Wilderness Program, which has now
been doing this work for over twenty five years, so
they are seeing significant impact from what they're doing. Young
people from rural communities are brought into Bush for the
immersive camps. They're mentored by environmental leaders, and in a
(38:03):
lot of cases they are supported with scholarships that carry
them forward even into higher education.
Speaker 1 (38:10):
When I was a kid, the school headed an agreement
with the local park and we went to reap is
what it was called. I don't remember what it stood for,
and we spent a week in the environment learning And
I'm thinking how amazing it would be if I didn't
grow up in the northern Panhandle of West Virginia, grow
(38:34):
up in an area that we're describing right now, where
I'm out learning in the most amazing environment with this
kind of opportunity. And these kids, their parents probably went
through the program as well. If it's been going on
for twenty five years, and they're continuing to grow in
that knowledge base.
Speaker 2 (38:54):
Yeah, and you know, we've done that a lot here
in this country. We've been very good at it. We actually,
if you remember, we've taken children who grew up in
the cities and where they only saw you know, asphalt
and sidewalks, and we brought them to the country where
a lot of them, I know, I've seen a lot
(39:15):
of them right here in the Chanidal Valley in the summertime,
enjoying an outdoor experience. Well, these children in Africa, many
of them come from very low economic standards, where also
many of them are food deprived, so some of them
even are malnourished and that kind of thing. But to
bring them into an environment like this and show them
(39:39):
how they can not only be more, but they can
show them how to do it. You know, there's a
saying that they say, give a man a fish who'll
eat for a day, you teach him to fish who'll
eat for the rest of his life. I think that's
the importance of these programs and I love that. So again,
this isn't just a safari. This is an investment in people,
(39:59):
in educationation, and in the future of conservation itself. Now
I want to move a little bit east to Tanzania,
where that same spirit continues, but in a way that's
incredibly inspiring. Now, across the vast protected lands of the Serengetti,
there's a collection of extraordinary lodges there operated by Sengetti.
(40:21):
We talked about them last week when we were talking
about Wildlife Safaris. And once a year something very special
takes place there. It's called the Serengetti Girls Run. Guests,
guides and local rangers. They all come together, but not
for competition actually, but for a purpose, and they run
through this incredible landscape to raise funds that support specifically
(40:45):
girls education, mentorship programs, and access to essential health resources.
And it's one of those moments where travel becomes something
deeply personal because you're not just witnessing the destination again
beating to it. And then there's another layer to this
story too, through Mikado Safaris, which has long been known
(41:07):
for their commitment to education for every guest. And you
may not know this if you're listening to our show
and you've ever entertained wanting to do a safari. Mikado
Safaris has a program for every guest who travels with them.
They fund a child's education from primary school all the
way through high school. Really, Yes, that's what you call
(41:28):
traveling for good? Yeah, right, Think about that, every single
journey creates a direct, lasting impact on a young person's future.
And when you travel through places like the Serengetti National
Park and Nogoragoa Conservation Area, you're not just seeing some
of the most extraordinary wildlife on Earth. You are also
(41:50):
given the opportunity to visit these community programs and understand
exactly where that support is going. So you get to
see it. It's not like you're just giving that through
a check in the mail. You actually get to see
where that all went. And so once again, what we're
seeing is a very clear shift in travel not just
about extraordinary places, it's about extraordinary impact. And Africa does
(42:15):
this in a way that stays with you long long
after you've come home. Now, the next segment that we're
going to jump into, Chris, is called aid in recovery.
We all know that there's been some areas of our country,
of our world that have been devastated. So there's things
that you can do by just simply traveling, and one
(42:38):
of those comes up we have to talk about in
the wake of all those recovery efforts because This is
where it becomes deeply human, and that's in Jamaica. Last fall,
Jamaica faced devastating Hurricane One that brought record breaking winds
and left a lot of communities needing to rebuild quickly.
(42:59):
And what's it's been so remarkable is how swiftly that
recovery began and how the travel community really stepped up
to help lead the way there. And in a Montego
Bay there's a beautiful private villa community called Trial Club.
I've been there. It is so stunning. Many of our
listeners might already be familiar with it for its elegance
(43:21):
and its privacy, but what you might not know is
that it also has a long standing charitable arm called
the Trial Fund, and in the immediate aftermath of the storm,
that fund from Trial Club became a lifeline. There were
emergency supplies, there were rebuilding efforts, support for families throughout
(43:44):
Hannover Parish. That's in Jamaica. It all moved really quickly
and it made a real, real difference. And here's where
travel becomes part of that story. Guests staying at Trial
aren't just enjoying a beautiful Caribbean escape. They've got the
opportunity to contribute, whether that's through direct donations or attending
(44:08):
something as wonderful as their annual Taste of Trial gala.
That's where a lot of the local chefs come in
and they work together in support of the community. That's meaningful,
it's really personal. And then over in Ocha Rios, another
iconic property Jamaica, in they've also played a significant role
in recovery in Jamaica as well. This is a family
(44:29):
owned hotel and they've got a long long history on
this island and when the storm hit, they immediately directed
their resources towards the most critical areas and the critical needs.
They helped restore infrastructure and support and into more remote
communities that were hit the hardest. And again, travelers can
(44:49):
be a part of that effort in a very simple,
very tangible way. Through a program called Packing for a Purpose,
guests are encouraged to bring along school supplies and essential items.
Things might seem very small, but they've got a very
real impact when they arrive in the hands of local
families and children. So when we talk about travel in
(45:12):
a time of recovery, that's what it looks like. It's
about stepping into a destination that's struggling, but it's also
about supporting a destination that's rising. And Jamaica does that
with strength. They've shown us how they do that with
grace and with a very open heart. And finally, I
(45:32):
want to bring this conversation back home because sometimes the
most powerful stories are happening right here in our back
door in the United States. And I think we couldn't
really talk about aid and recovery if we didn't talk
about California earlier. We know, wildfires moved through parts of
(45:52):
Los Angeles and just devastated that area with incredible force,
forcing families to evacuate. They left a community really uncertain
of what the future was going to look like. It
created an immediate need for support, and again the travel
industry stepped in very quickly and in a very meaningful way.
(46:14):
Hotels actually across the region there they opened their doors
to a lot of people in need. Properties like the
beautiful Conrad, Los Angeles. They offered discounted rates for evacuees,
and they gave people a safe, comfortable place to land
because that God knows they needed it during the times
when they lost their homes and even before the fires
(46:36):
were fully contained the Conrad in. The Hilton Foundation had
already pledged millions of dollars toward that recovery effort. Now
that's immediate response. But what I find especially compelling, Chris,
is what happened after the crisis, how we rebuilt, and
(46:57):
how we think about the future. Over in West Hollywood,
a hotel called One Hotel West Hollywood not only housed
first responders during that emergency, they also looked ahead and
through a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, they committed
to planting one hundred thousand trees to help restore some
(47:19):
areas that were impacted by the wildfires. There that's real recovery,
and think about that for a mint. That's just not rebuilding.
That's kind of reimagining the landscape for the next generation.
And when it aligns beautifully, that's what happens. And that's
what we see, bringing nature into the guest experience in
(47:40):
a very intentional way. But here that philosophy extends far
beyond the walls of that hotel and into the ecosystems
that surrounded. So once again what we're seeing is something bigger,
much bigger than travel itself. It's about these communities it's
about resilience. It's about the role we all play, not
(48:02):
just a few people with money, but all of us together,
working together by showing up, by staying, by supporting places,
and you recover and you help these places grow stronger.
And that that really might just be one of the
most meaningful reasons to travel of all. So as we
(48:24):
wrap up today, Chris, I want to leave you with
just one thought. Travel has really always had the power
to change us, but now it's also got the power
to change the world around us. And we see that.
We see that in the places that we looked at.
We saw it with the restoration of forests in Scotland.
(48:46):
We saw it with the protecting of the wildlife in Ecuador.
We saw that by supporting communities in Africa, and the
rebuild of Jamaica, or even the replanting of the landscapes
in California. They all share one thing in common. They're
not asking you to give up anything. They're not. They
are inviting you to be a part of what they're doing.
(49:10):
Support it with your dollars, with your travel, with your interest.
And that's the future of travel. It's not just where
you go. That's what I said in the very beginning.
It is the impact you leave behind, because the most
meaningful journeys aren't measured in miles, they are measured in
the good they do along the way.
Speaker 1 (49:33):
I have really enjoyed our conversation today. You are listening
to a lifeless ordinary. Every Saturday we sit down Terry Dean,
Harry Rife and myself to talk travel, and this week's
show has all been about impact travel. If if you
feel as inspired as I do right now, you need
(49:54):
to talk to Terry Dean, give her a call at
five four h nine oh eight twenty three thirty three.
We find more information about all of the travel destinations
in the different organizations companies that The wishing Well works
with on their website at the wishing Well dot biz,
and you can also stop by. I'm sure she would
(50:14):
love to say hello to you in person, maybe sit
down at the table and have a nice discussion, or
at least to make an appointment to come back and
have a deeper conversation. They're on nef Avenue in Harrisonburg.
Impact travel. It's something that I would not have thought
about as a specific travel category before our show today. Yes,
(50:37):
I have thought about there are I mean as we
have talked about many different types of travel, and throughout
the years that you and I have sat down and
had these conversations on a Saturday morning, there have been
specific places, whether it be travel for your health or
travel for relaxation, travel for those ones in a lifetime
(51:00):
moments you're curated, cultivated experiences. I love this category.
Speaker 2 (51:08):
Yeah, I do too.
Speaker 1 (51:09):
I love the idea that, yes, I'm going to get
something out of this. I'm going to have some time
away from you, my everyday life, get away from work
for a week or two. But to be able to
do that, and when I leave whatever destination that be,
know that I'm leaving behind something that is going to
(51:29):
make an impact on them is absolutely so rewarding.
Speaker 2 (51:32):
And you know, I know there's a lot of people
probably just screaming at their radios right now, Chris at
you and I both going, Hey, Terry Dean, this is
not new.
Speaker 3 (51:43):
You know.
Speaker 2 (51:43):
I've been in a church for umpteen years and we
call these mission trips, you know, And so you're right,
And actually I applaud people who have traveled and have
done these mission trips in an effort to bring something
to impact positively impact the areas that they go in,
(52:06):
whether it's Tahiti or Sampaulo, Brazil, or you know, pick someplace.
You know, I know a lot of people went to
the Dominican Republic and went there and have done a
lot of things that are would be considered mission type work.
They rebuild homes, they do habitat homes. All of that
(52:28):
is absolutely wonderful. What I'm telling you is you guys
were getting it right because this has now splintered over
into the travel industry and has become something that the
world now is shining a focus on and they want
to participate in as well, and they want to know
(52:48):
more and more and more about how to do this. So,
you know, here's what I'd say to you if this
show really did impact you as you were listening today, definitely,
as Chris said, reach out to the wishing well. We'd
love to take you on a journey about how you
can do this and the best places where your efforts
(53:09):
would be appreciated. And I'm going to ask Chris to
also put some links in at today's show if you're
going to be looking this up online to some of
the properties that we mentioned here so that you can
actually see and view where those properties are. Get a
bird's eye view of what it looks like to kind
of be there. There's a gallery of pictures you can
(53:31):
sort of see yourself there. But what I also want
to say is churches, keep doing what you're doing because you,
along with this impact travel that is now in the
travel industry, you're making a difference in the world. We
are the wishing Well. You can call us at five
four h nine oh eight two three three three. You
(53:51):
can look us up on the web where at though
wishing Well dot biz, or come in and see us
two forty three f Avenue in the Valley Center.
Speaker 1 (53:59):
This has been a life Less Ordinary, the travel show
from your friends at the wishing Well at two forty
three nef Avenue in Harrisonburg. If you have any questions
on topics discussed today, please reach out to the wishing
Well online at the Wishingwell dot biz or five four
oh nine oh eight twenty three thirty three. Past episodes
are available on the iHeartRadio app. And we'll see again
next Saturday morning at ten for a life Less Ordinary
(54:21):
from the wishing Well
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