Extraordinary Vacations for 2010
by Claire Bryant
Are you looking to make your time away from work mean a little bit more than just “time off”? What if your vacation had spiritual meaning? What if you came home from your trip and could honestly say you had a minimal environmental impact because the hotel where you stayed was truly eco-friendly? What if the you learned something unique about native American history? The following suggestions are among the hottest 2010 travel trends that can offer these experiences and much more.
Temple Stays in South Korea
If you are looking for a truly distinctive occasion to commune with nature, meditate, have a spiritual experience that is second to none, and learn about a culture unique from our own, temple stays in South Korea may be just the experience for you. Eat, sleep, and pray alongside Buddhist monks and nuns as part of this unique opportunity in almost 100 participating temples—about 25 percent of which have English-speaking translators. Go to eng.templestay.com to learn more about the experience and to make reservations at any of the locations.
What to Expect
While the schedule may vary slightly from temple to temple, the following is typical of your visit to any of the temples. I encourage you to go to the eng.templestay.com website to see pictures of the various temples and read stories from actual participants. As Roger Shepherd wrote in his story, Sudeok Temple Offers Soul-Searching Experience, “If you desire a rich cultivating meditative experience, Sudeok Temple under the auspice of Deoksan Provincial Park is definitely worth a soul-searching visit.”
On your first day of a two-day stay at a Buddhist temple in Korea, you will arrive, register, receive your clothing and room assignment and learn the proper etiquette for interacting with the monks and nuns, other guests, and at mealtimes. You will then participate in an Opening Ceremony and further Orientation followed by a Temple Tour and rest. Dinner is served in true monastic fashion. Austerity is encouraged, and not a single grain of food is wasted. Equality is also emphasized—everyone shares food equally, and silence is kept to allow for self-reflection. The evening meal is followed by the Evening Buddhist Ceremonial Service. There are three such services each day, early in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. Some temples follow the evening ceremony with a Tea Ceremony and Conversation with Buddhist monks and nuns while other temples offer further special programs instead of a tea ceremony. Bedtime comes early, at 9:00 p.m., since you will be rising early, at 3:30 a.m., for the Pre-Dawn Buddhist Ceremonial Service on the second day of your visit.
This service is followed by the Seon Meditation and Rest—Sitting and Walking Meditation, allowing for in-depth self-reflection. It’s of interest to note that Seon means “meditation” and is translated from the Chinese word “Chan,” which comes from the Sanskrit word “Dhyana.” In the West we are more familiar with the Japanese translation of the Korean word Seon, which is Zen. During the Temple Stays, participants have the opportunity to find the True Nature through Samadhi from an ancient tradition of Seon Meditation. This experience is followed by breakfast and community work, a time when all visitors and residents in the temple work together, cleaning and maintaining the temple ground. It allows participants the opportunity to commune with nature, harmonize with others, and reflect upon themselves. Some temples offer an Hermitage Tour, while others offer the Tea Ceremony at this time. When you reserve your stay at a particular temple, your specific schedule will be provided. Packing is followed by a Closing Ceremony, then lunch. Departure is generally at 1:00 p.m.
Costs
The actual costs for the temple stays are very reasonable at 30,000 to 50,000 won for two days and one night. At today’s exchange rate, that comes to $26-$43 per person. More information is available on the website about the accommodations. The more costly part of the adventure is traveling to South Korea. Airfares to Seoul, South Korea, from New York City appear to be most reasonable in the autumn, after the rush of summer vacation travel is over. It’s possible to find fares under $1,000 per person round trip if you book through an online, do-it-yourself ticketing website, such as Travelocity.com, but be sure to shop around and book early for the best prices.
Native American History on the East Coast
One such location is North Carolina’s Town Creek Indian Mound State Historic Site, where archeological excavations this past summer uncovered that humans lived at this site as far back as 13,000 years ago, approximately 3,000 years earlier than thought. Town Creek Indian Mound State Historic Site is North Carolina’s only state historic site dedicated to American Indian heritage and is located about five miles east of Mt. Gilead in southern Montgomery County. It is one of North Carolina’s most popular historic sites. For more information on the latest archeological discovery and on Town Creek Indian Mound, visit towncreek.nchistoricsites.org.
Eco-Tourism: A Top Travel Trend for Oh-Ten
Estancia Vik Jose Ignacio
One of the international hot spots in 2010 on the eco-tourism scene is the Hotel Estancia Vik Jose Ignacio in Uruguay. The Southern Atlantic is just one kilometer away from the Estancia Vik Jose Ignacio, and a lovely river runs through the property allowing guests to enjoy kayaking, fishing, sailing, windsurfing, and kite surfing. Jose Ignacio, Uruguay, is about 20 kilometers northeast from the coastal city of Punta del Este. But it’s not just the location and beautiful surroundings that makes the Estancia Vik Jose Ignacio special. The owners are working to make its 12 bedrooms with private baths, restaurant, bar, fitness center, and spa completely energy efficient using alternative energy resources. Currently, they are operating a program of water collection and recycling, and using solar panels and wind energy. The project has been designed to maximize nature and minimize the need for energy use. Conservation practices are encouraged, and staff is trained in green practices.
An on-site garden provides organic vegetables and herbs and chickens produce fresh eggs. The culinary offerings at Estancia Vik Jose Ignacio celebrate the dishes of Uruguay. Guests will enjoy traditional barbeque, fresh fish and seafood, locally grown fruits and vegetables and homemade breads and pastries. Vegetarian cuisine is available for those preferring it.
Guests are sure to work up an appetite with the numerous activities available on the grounds and in the area. In addition to the ones mentioned above, other activities available for guests to enjoy include cooking, golfing, yoga, hiking along nature trails, bird watching, riding horses, swimming at the beach and at the pool, canoeing, playing darts and pool, watching or playing polo, and weddings. Pets are welcome. Rates begin at $275.00 USD per night, double occupancy, and includes a delicious breakfast buffet. For more information, visit the Estancia Vik Jose Ignacio online.
Tucson Natural Bed & Breakfast
Closer to home and more affordable is the Natural Bed and Breakfast in Tucson, Arizona. As many guests have commented in their reviews, they felt very much at home at the Natural B & B, thanks in large measure to owner and host, Marc, who takes a holistic approach to running his establishment. As he states, “We offer all the comforts of home in a safe, healthy, and personal environment. Our full breakfasts can be modified for any diet, and are healthy and hearty.”
The rooms he provides also are very healthy and eco-friendly. The property is chemical and insecticide free, and no perfumes or colognes are allowed. Street shoes are not worn inside, and slippers are provided. Pets also are not allowed, so guests with allergies do not have to worry about unsuspecting allergens. The home is equipped with air purifiers and humidifiers. Children over six years of age are welcomed.
The Natural Bed and Breakfast also offers on-site professional massage, which is either a great way to start out your morning or end a long day of sight-seeing. The Bed and Breakfast is centrally located in Tucson, close to public transportation and with easy access to the freeway. There are tennis and fitness facilities nearby at the Tucson Racquet Club as well as nearby parks, golf courses, horseback riding, desert hiking trails, bike rentals, and sightseeing tours. Restaurants, art galleries, museums, and other entertainment will round out your Tucson experience, or just come back to enjoy relaxation at the Natural B & B, where there’s free wireless internet access and relaxing music.
The Natural Bed and Breakfast is located at 3150 E. Presidio Rd., Tucson, AZ 85716. The phone number is (520) 881-4582.
Northern Edge Algonquin
Eco-tourism has many opportunities from our neighbors to the north in Canada, but a favorite one is the park, Northern Edge Algonquin, which is a solar-powered nature retreat in northern Ontario, Canada, inspired by its natural surroundings. The park offers many different activities, including yoga retreats, shamanism retreats, canoeing and kayaking adventures, dog sledding, and wilderness art programs, among others. Meals are prepared using locally grown organic food.
The Edge provides a green vacation experience literally from the ground up. The boardwalk is made of 100 percent recycled plastic, and you can stay in a century-old log cabin, recycled and rebuilt on location. Your comfort is important as you enjoy hot showers and use energy-efficient lights powered by 22 solar panels. Bathrooms have composting toilets as well. The park encourages all guests to participate in its comprehensive recycling program, and those who prefer to camp are asked to participate in no-trace camping as you hike and paddle throughout the park. As stated, you will taste the freshness in the organically grown foods, locally raised meat, and fair trade coffee. The Edge hopes that its operations, facilities, and staff proves that responsible travel experiences which honor a connection with the earth and local communities “can be economically viable while being vital to the health and wellbeing of people across the world.”
The Edge is located just 2 ½ hours from Toronto and four hours from Ottawa. As its website states, the park is a place “where passion meets purpose…” For more information, go to www.northernedgealgonquin.com.
