TBY featured twice among '500 new ways to see the world'
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Published by GP
on Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Cover page: edited by Jeremy Smith and Richard Hammond
Discusses 500 experiences and different ways to travel. This book lets you discover various adventures from sleeping in houseboats in Kerala and witnessing the zebra migration in Botswana to taking the train-hotel from Paris to Madrid. It offers information on the best hotels, resorts, and tours run by people who are passionate about what they do.
Pic: Kerala scenes, Kathakali performance, practicsing Kalaripayattu, peppercones growing in the sun
The following excerpts are from the book
" To really discover the heart of Kerala, you need to leave the beach, jump off the houseboat or troop down from the hills to the banks of the River Nila, where a variety of traditional activities are on offer with The Blue Yonder...."
"The Blue Yonder take guest to see people who make dolls like this"
"The largest state in India, Rajasthan is also one of the most beautiful and exciting - home to colourful markets, welcoming cities, vibrant music and delicious cuisine. The royal palaces that pepper the state feature heavily on tourist itineraries, rich , decorative and intricate, they epitomize the luxury and decadenance of the Raj. But for those who want to go behind the scenes, India-based travel company The Blue Yonder runs custom-made trips that allow you to explore what really makes Rajasthan tick. "
Labels: Foot Print Guide books, Jeremy Smith, Kerala, Media, Rajasthan, Responsible Tourism, Responsible Travel, Richard Hammond, River Nila, The Blue Yonder
River Nila initiative amongst India's "very best" 5 Sustainable Tourism initiatives
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Published by GP
on Friday, 23 January 2009
From the Footprint India guidebook 2009 :
" In a country of a billion people, conservation efforts can only succeed when they bring real, tangible, benefits to local communities, while ecotourism worthy of the name also has to provide you, the travellers, with an unforgettable experience.
The following ventures in sustainable tourism are among India's very best."The Blue Yonder, River Nila, Kerala.The river Nila flows through some of Kerala's richest scenic and cultural landscapes, exercising a Ganges-like influence over the spiritual and artistic life of northern Kerala. The Blue Yonder, tours, born of a desire to halt degradation of the river, have had a transformative effect on local culture. Journeying by jeep, hand-propelled thoni boat and bamboo raft, passionate local guides introduce guests to classical musicians, snake worshippers and sand miners, and decade unforgettable folk performances a million miles removed from the tourist spectacles proffered by the big resorts. In doing so, the tours demonstrate- to the locals as much as travellers - that the river and its traditions are integral elements of a sustainable, fruitful future. "
Labels: Foot Print Guide books, India, Responsible Tourism, River Nila, Sustainable Tourism
World Nomads launches Travel Scholarship to Kerala!
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Published by GP
on Tuesday, 7 October 2008
Go on an assignment to Kerala with Footprint Travel Guides! Kick start your travel writing career by going on assignment to Kerala, India. You will enjoy a 10 day tour with The Blue Yonder, offering unique insight into the River Nila civilization. Then, after touching base with your travel writing mentor - David Stott, you will hit the road for 10 days reviewing and writing for the Footprint India Handbook!
The River Nila offers countless opportunities to witness thrilling folk performances, far beyond the tourist trail. Photo © David Stott
Assignment brief from worldnomads.com :
* We'll fly you to India from your country of residence. You need to be available between February 16th and March 7, 2009 to participate on the Blue Yonder Tour and Footprint travel writing assignment.
*Your Kerala journey with The Blue Yonder will give you unique insight into the River Nila region. With a focus on sustainable tourism, the tour is specifically tailored for the lucky scholarship recipient to inspire your travel writing , and you will be personally escorted by a TBY interpreter.
*The ten day tour will include interactions with musicians, folk artists, bell metal workers, potters, sand miners, fire worshippers and ritualistic healers. You will also be planting saplings at the 'Traveller's Forest' a community driven eco-restoration project.The tour will be based on the age-old tradition of story telling that reveals the uniqueness of the region and the importance of rivers for a sustainable life.
*After touching base with your mentor - David Stott, you will research, review and update essential travel info including accommodation, bars & restaurants, entertainment, shopping, tours, activities and transport, as well as searching out those local secrets that travellers want to read about.
* Your mentor will be at hand to offer guidance, but essentially this is your assignment; you will travel on your own for this part of the journey so you must be comfortable travelling solo. David will assign you a specific local area based on your travelling experience.
* The fruits of your labour will feature in the new edition of the Footprint Inida Handbook, placing your foot firmly in the door of the elusive travel writing industry!
The River Nila offers countless opportunities to witness thrilling folk performances, far beyond the tourist trail. Photo © David Stott
Assignment brief from worldnomads.com :
* We'll fly you to India from your country of residence. You need to be available between February 16th and March 7, 2009 to participate on the Blue Yonder Tour and Footprint travel writing assignment.
*Your Kerala journey with The Blue Yonder will give you unique insight into the River Nila region. With a focus on sustainable tourism, the tour is specifically tailored for the lucky scholarship recipient to inspire your travel writing , and you will be personally escorted by a TBY interpreter.
*The ten day tour will include interactions with musicians, folk artists, bell metal workers, potters, sand miners, fire worshippers and ritualistic healers. You will also be planting saplings at the 'Traveller's Forest' a community driven eco-restoration project.The tour will be based on the age-old tradition of story telling that reveals the uniqueness of the region and the importance of rivers for a sustainable life.
*After touching base with your mentor - David Stott, you will research, review and update essential travel info including accommodation, bars & restaurants, entertainment, shopping, tours, activities and transport, as well as searching out those local secrets that travellers want to read about.
* Your mentor will be at hand to offer guidance, but essentially this is your assignment; you will travel on your own for this part of the journey so you must be comfortable travelling solo. David will assign you a specific local area based on your travelling experience.
* The fruits of your labour will feature in the new edition of the Footprint Inida Handbook, placing your foot firmly in the door of the elusive travel writing industry!
Assignment location:
While Kerala is ranked as a top ten destination in the world, some parts of Kerala still remain unknown and unvisited. The river Nila, the longest river in Kerala (209kms) offers one of the most unique cultural experiences as it has an ancient and steeped in tradition river civilization. Be it the classical Kathakali or ritualistic folk art forms or temple festivals or literary traditions, you can trace a definite and indelible impact of the river Nila in each and every aspect.
The recipient of the Scholarship, along with the best entries will be published on the WorldNomads.com website on January 23, 2009. Applications close midnight January 9, 2009.(AEST): Apply now here:
For any further information, please read this section:
© The Blue Yonder 2008
Labels: Foot Print Guide books, Kerala, Responsible Tourism, Scholarships, The Blue Yonder, Travel Writing, World Nomads
