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Travel Inspirations
 Dear Soul Adventurers,
Have you ever traveled somewhere that has left you painstakingly hungry to continue your journey (and possibly call it quits on your job?!) As we travel to various places around the world, including places close to home, we can often times be struck with the inspiration to just keep going... to explore further parameters... to dive deeper into exploring other cultures... to enjoy more time-free living and deeply memorable moments that a travel journey typically offers. I clearly (as if it were yesterday) remember my 8-day trek journey around Torres del Paine National Park in southern Chile (Patagonia) with two of my dearest friends (Elizabeth (Norman) Rubin & Aron Ralston) a little more than 5 years ago. As we were trekking through this temperate environment (i.e., the weather was constantly changing within minutes to hours) and pristine natural wonderland, I could not help myself from being on a 24/7 emotional high from what was around every corner and every moment. I wrote poems multiple times a day, took hundreds of photographs, and my journal quickly turned into a book! As we walked hours upon hours, there was really never a moment that lacked AWE... there were new flowers, wildlife or new angles to view the impressive granite and shale peaks... there were events like dodging a stampede of wild running horses, watching a bus-size glacier calve, and shifting from tank tops & Chacos (water sandals) to full rain & snow gear within the same day - each of these moments is ingrained within my photographic memory and heart forever. The laughter and challenges that we encountered along the way were something that bonded the 3 of us together for life (we became "los tres penguinos" - the three penguins) and the trip left me grasping for more experiences of this magnitude thereafter. We had met a number of locals and explored less-traveled paths during our weeks in various Patagonian districts, and the excitement that resonated within to get to know other people, cultures, and backroads around the rest of the globe has been a part of the fire fueling Global Soul Adventures. As I create Our Soul Adventures trips, my number one goal is to offer you the same depth of an experience along with the feelings and inspirations that will linger on within your heart for your lifetime. To encounter the random moments that a travel adventure presents, is to encounter the SOUL of travel... everything beautiful - Andean Condors gracefully soaring overhead, turquoise blue rivers tumbling over into waterfalls, penguins waddling to and from the ocean... everything magical... two rock-toned mountain peaks, glaciers stretching for miles, clouds swirling in serenity... everything hysterical... sliding down snow and mud, crazy pictures, smelly socks... everything challenging... sideways blowing snow, river crossings without much of a crossing, higher climbs... everything loved - your friends, your experience, your moment! I wish you continued amazing, soulFULL travels... and more beautiful memories ahead! Live it up TODAY,  Kate LaCroix, Founder & Director |
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Our Soul Adventures.... UPCOMING TRIPS
Bali, Indonesia - Aug 22-29, 2009
Queensland, Australia - Sep 3-6, 2009
Adirondack Mountains, NY, USA - Oct 2009
Bahia, Brazil - Nov 2009
Ubud & Nusa Lembongan, BALI - Indonesia
with Yoga Instructor Jo Tastula, of Venice Beach, CA / Freemantle, W.A.
There is a very good reason why everyone always raves about Bali... with its artistic heart residing in the village of Ubud... hand-made offerings line the streets, monkeys fill the forest, and rice terraces highlight just about every part of the local landscape... we will spend our first 4 nights here, followed by 3 more nights on the island of Nusa Lembongan, overlooking turquoise blue paradise... with opportunities to explore an off-shore surf break, snorkeling, or simply sunbathe at your leisure.
Mountains of Queensland, AUSTRALIA
with Yoga Instructor Jo Tastula, of Venice Beach, CA / Freemantle, W.A.
Tucked high up in the mountains, where the Atherton Tablelands meet the Daintree; where you can retreat into eco-friendly timber cabins; where you are only a 25 minute drive from Port Douglas, and access to the Great Barrier Reef, awaits the ultimate 4-day, 3-night mountain spa retreat getaway. Indulge on scrumptious foods made by our retreat chef and pamper yourself with massages and other spa sessions!
Adirondack Mountains - USA
We are lining up a few weekends of "GSA Base Camp" adventures for small groups of 8 people or less... keeping the cost to a minimum, and the fall fun to a maximum during the best colors of the season in this very special region. Our concept is to offer you 3 different 3-day travel camps this coming October... 1) Beginner Yoga & Eco-Adventure Base Camp; 2) Intermediate Yoga & Eco-Adventure Base Camp; 3) All Eco-Adventure Base Camp.... please e-mail us if you have an interest in any or all of these above adventure camps. They will most likely run from Fri-Sun and will be accommodated in a more home-style location with special visits to the GSA Base for bonfires, and other gatherings.
Bahian Island Hopping - Brazil
We are considering leading an island-hopping trip to Bahia, Brazil in November 2009... if you have a serious interest in exploring tropical islands by jeeps, boats, and hiking... swimming, snorkeling, surfing & sunbathing... and are possibly enticed by coconut water, turquoise waters and bright sunshine, then this adventure may very well be calling your name! Please let us know if you may want to join us and we'll begin to plan a trip based on Soul Adventurers interest!
On each of the above mentioned journeys, you will have the opportunity to relax, sleep and unwind, or take to daily adventures - your choice! Each of these journeys will offer at least two yoga practices each day and the opportunity to select your eco-adventures. The bios for each of our fantastic yoga instructors can be found on the respective itineraries, and Kate (Global Soul Adventure's founder) will be with us to facilitate all of the trip logistics, general guiding and coordination with local guides for anything else you may seek to do during your retreat. The yoga style is Vinyasa Flow, and is open to all levels.
Our August 2009 trip to Copan & Roatan Island, Honduras has been postponed until new trip dates can be established to allow for more soul adventurers to join us (most likely in late 2009 or early 2010.) If you have an interest in traveling here, just let us know and we'll add you to our list and keep you updated.
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Something to play with... Laughter Yoga
Did you know that Laughter Yoga is an actual form of yoga practiced around-the-world? There are laughter yogis who lead practices to rumble your belly and spirit in a positive ways... vibrating all of the little cells within your body to happily raise your energy and feel-good nature, while helping you to simultaneously relax and embrace the moment. This vibrational increase enhances your health and healing, as laughter is one of the best mind-body-spirit activities we can engage in... seems simple, eh?
How about seeking out some comedy and playfulness with your yoga this month? You can check for laughter yoga classes in your area, find a video to follow, gather with groups of friends and make up charades that will leave you giggling, or simply enjoy laughter-inspiring activities - such as comedy shows, light-hearted movies, or other forms joy!
Photo courtesy of LaughterYogaPhotos.org
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Did you know?... Monthly Travel Tip: Travel Insurance
One decision that every traveler faces with the commencement of a new journey is whether or not to purchase travel insurance. This is always a personal choice, and at times highly recommended or required by vendors with whom you travel.
With Global Soul Adventures, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance for your international trips. There are a few categories to consider when looking into this type of insurance:
1) Flights -
If you are purchasing an International flight, either (a) purchase the travel protection coverage offered by the website or your travel agent to help cover any flight cancellations, delays, or lost baggage (b) purchase general travel insurance that will cover the same, (c) check to see if the credit card you may be using to purchase this insurance will cover these items.
2) Health Insurance -
Make sure to double check your policy to ensure that it covers you while traveling abroad. If not, you may want to consider purchasing an additional travel medical insurance or emergency medical coverage for your specific dates of travel. Should you be participating in more risky activities or off the beaten path multi-day excursions, you may want to take out a "Sports Rider" coverage that includes Medical Evacuation.
3) Family Emergencies -
To ease your mind, in the event that you or your family back home encounters a medical emergency, then you may want to consider finding a travel insurance policy that will cover either your transport or theirs (in either direction) and assist with the unexpected costs of such an occurrence.
It is very common that all 3 of these categories can be easily covered under one travel insurance policy. Check with various providers (most can be found on the Internet, and you can even compare their levels of coverage on sites such as Squaremouth.com.) Make sure to purchase this insurance prior to departure, if you choose to do so - travel insurance companies usually will not allow you to purchase their policies from your destination.
Insurance is always a bit of a gamble (i.e., whether or not to purchase it,) and the hope is that "Murphy's Law" will take effect - if you have it, you won't need to use it!
(The picture above is of "Zorbing" in New Zealand... you can Google this crazy fun style of adventure!!!)
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May you follow your SOUL to your next adventure....
Happy travels,
Kate LaCroix
Global Soul Adventures |
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Early Bird
Discounts
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REGISTER for trips early, and receive a special Early Bird Registration discounts. Each of the discounts we offer can be found in their respective itineraries on our "Our Soul Adventures" link on globalsouladventures.com.
We look forward to having you travel with us!
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Offers this good are available now!
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