Monthly Archives: February 2013

A Tented Rainforest Resort in the Balinese Mountains

Posted on by

A new luxury tented resort camp in the cool mountains of Jutiluwih in central Bali is taking rainforest luxury to a whole new level. Surrounding the resort are the vivid green rice fields, contoured rice terraces, high mountains and forests that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jutiluwih. This is a remote area far from the tourist crowds where you can come together with nature in this spectacular environment.

The resort consists of only eight permanent deluxe tents set on raised wooden platforms with terraces that face the incredible sunrise, definitely worth waking up for. The modern rustic ensuite bathrooms feature a hot and cold water rain-shower that uses mountain spring water, and no air-conditioning is necessary as the fresh mountain air naturally cools the tents.

Getting close to nature is reflected in the resort’s cuisine as dishes are created using edible wild grown vegetables, leaves and roots collected from the rainforest and the resort’s organic garden. Cooking classes are also available so you can learn how to create authentic Balinese cuisine using the same fresh produce.

Activities revolve around the stunning scenery and include night treks up Mt Batukaru with mountain porters, nature walks in the rainforest and rice fields to spot birds and wildlife, mountain biking through traditional villages and visits to spiritual temples, natural hot springs and cascading waterfalls.

Sound interesting? For more information please contact the Footprints office.

 

Chasing Ice – Raising Awareness of Climate Change

Posted on by

In the spring of 2005, acclaimed environmental photographer James Balog headed to the Arctic on a tricky assignment for National Geographic: to capture images to help tell the story of the Earth’s changing climate. Even with a scientific upbringing, Balog had been a skeptic about climate change. But that first trip north opened his eyes to the biggest story in human history and sparked a challenge within him that would put his career and his very well-being at risk.

Chasing Ice is the story of one man’s mission to change the tide of history by gathering undeniable evidence of our changing planet. Within months of that first trip to Iceland, the photographer conceived the boldest expedition of his life: The Extreme Ice Survey. With a band of young adventurers in tow, Balog began deploying revolutionary time-lapse cameras across the brutal Arctic to capture a multi-year record of the world’s changing glaciers.

As the debate polarizes America and the intensity of natural disasters ramps up globally, Balog finds himself at the end of his tether. Battling untested technology in subzero conditions, he comes face to face with his own mortality. It takes years for Balog to see the fruits of his labor. His hauntingly beautiful videos compress years into seconds and capture ancient mountains of ice in motion as they disappear at a breathtaking rate. Chasing Ice depicts a photographer trying to deliver evidence and hope to our carbon-powered planet.

To see some absolutely incredible footage of a calving glacier, check out the following at YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/embed/hC3VTgIPoGU?rel=0

 

Vietnam: Private Living in HoiAn

Posted on by

Looking for the ideal location for a family holiday or a group of friends? There is a new, one-off, private villa that has recently opened, superbly located on the river between the historic town of HoiAn and the nearby coastal beaches.

 

The villa sleeps a maximum of 7 people, and consists of 3 bedrooms, a living and dining area, fully-equipped kitchen, a library spread across 2 levels and a tropical garden. Interiors evoke an Asian ambiance with delicately carved marble work, deeply oiled wooden antiques, and richly upholstered contemporary furniture.

 

You can enjoy a private in-house massage while taking in the spectacular views of the river, sip mango daiquiris by the pool and enjoy dinner in your villa prepared by the chefs. When you feel the need to explore take a bicycle to the nearby beaches or into the old town of HoiAn to visit the ancient houses and riverside restaurants.

 

The villa is in a separate private compound within a greater complex that contains a restaurant, cooking school, bar and swimming pool.