Aloha! I recently sat down with Expedia’s Viewfinder to discuss my recent eco-adventure to the Maldives. Here are more tips on how to set off on your own environmental friendly adventures!”
Below are some of my eco travel trips for a tropical to moderate climate.
WHAT TO BRING IN YOUR CARRY ON:
- Instant miso soup packages: Miso helps with the radiation from flying and also jet lag.
- Herbal Tea: will settle your stomach and help with airsickness. Especially those including ginger, chamomile tea, and peppermint tea help relax and calm the body.
- Raw Honey: a healthy substitute for sugar and also help with dry throat on airplanes. Whipped honey is easier to travel with.
- Electrolytes: packets of electrolytes such as Emergen-C are a great jet lag cure.
- Sarong: many airplanes have stopped giving out airplane blankets and now I always carry a sarong. Sarongs pack down very small and can also double as a towel or beach throw upon arrival.
WHERE TO STAY:
I prefer to live off the land, BUT that is not the only way to travel eco.
Eco Resorts: research what resorts are eco friendly and what makes them an “eco resort.” Two eco resorts that I recommend from my last Maldives adventure are Dusit Thani Maldives and Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa.
While at a resort:
- When you arrive, ask about their eco policies and share that this is important to you! This will encourage them to continue with eco consciousness!
- Opt for fan over AC and enjoy the natural environment around you.
- Do not buy items that are from endangered species or that may encourage environmental damage such as pieces of coral or ivory.
Camping: Leave no trace – pack out what you pack in.
WHAT TO BRING ON YOUR TRIP:
- Wear environmentally friendly clothing and gear made for travel: some company suggestions Patagonia, Prana, Teeki, Odina, Blue Avocado, Keen Shoes, Eagle Creek.
- Reusable bottle: my favorite is the HydroFlask that will keep liquid hot or cold all day.
- Re-usable titanium silver wear: such as Snow Peak.
- Dr Bronners Soap: especially when in a wilderness setting so as not to pollute the environment.
- Portable solar chargers: great for small camera and iPhones and iPads etc. Check out Goal Zero.
- Rechargeable batteries: (Goal Zero also makes them!)
- Natural Sunscreen: the chemicals in sunscreen can kill the reef and effect your health. Opt for a natural sunscreen like Elemental Herbs “All Good” Sun Screen or Sierra Madre Super Salve Sun Creams.
- New Skin: a liquid band aid and disinfectant that allows you to cut back on wearing band-aids that may float off into the ocean.
- Eat Local: Seek out resorts or restaurants that source directly from local farmers, or better yet visit a local market. The more you support local farmers the more they can supply! Make sure to peel most fruits before eating to avoid bacteria.
- Eat/Drink Coconuts: Coconut trees are considered the tree of life in most tropical cultures. The water in a coconut is like a natural gatorade and the meet is some of the best natural energy food in the world.
OFFSET THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF YOUR TRIP:
- Plant trees! Wild Life Works is one of the great organizations that can do this. In one easy step you can offset your footprint!
- Do activities that do not create carbon emissions: Try out Stand Up Paddling instead of jet skiing or opt for the horse ride through the wilderness over an ATV ride.
LEARN ABOUT THEIR CULTURE, AND TRY TO BLEND IN.
Always wear a grass skirt and coconut shells whenever possible. ????
Of course if you are flying through underwater clouds, make sure you are all waterproofed up! Safe journeys!
I love you!