Central America, Countries, Sustainable Tourism

The perfect Latino immigrant to America

And we’ve found the perfect Latino immigrant to America, who barely causes a ripple and never stays past her shell-life.

Meet Peggy who we learn washed up without a by your leave on the sands of the east coast as a hatchling turtle.

And was so taken by the States, as we all are, that she returned 30 years later to the very same beach, as a mother to lay her eggs.

Peggy’s odyssey

Land ahoy: For the turtles

Peggy’s peregrinations come to mind as we prepare for World Earth Day on April 22.

And celebrate the global leadership of Belize in caring for our heroes in a half-shelf.

As they set a benchmark for marine sustainability by legally protecting 30% of its waters by 2026.

And use drones and climate modelling to balance fisheries, tourism, and shoreline protection.

The Great Migration

Sat-nav: The turtles at sea

The aim is to integrate reef restoration and community-led monitoring to ensure healthier ecosystems support coastal livelihoods.

And now here’s where MarAlliance come into play.

With the first satellite-mappped loggerhead turtle migration from Belize to the US.

And mangrove restoration projects that nurture juvenile fish, boosting biodiversity and food security.

Scholarships and education programmes empower young Belizians to become future marine scientists.

All so that we can explore clean Caribbean seas on those de rigueur holiday excursions of swimming with the turtles.

Belize please

Peggy’s peregrinations: Peggy’s odyssey

And, of course, it doesn’t stop there.

Yes, you’ll get to mingle with the natives, the turtles and the indigenous wildlife.

And explore the Bladen Nature Reserve trails.

And the Belizians will power up local airlines, helicopters, rental cars, buses, boats and even horses.

To get you on your way and off the beaten path.

While you can zipline through the jungle too or scuba dive.

And for those who like an easier life, you can relax on the beach or pound on a Garifuna drum.

So if you want to enjoy an ecoliday with plenty of activities you wouldn’t do back home.

Then check out Belize in Central America with the major airlines who fly there.

And just say Peggy and the turtles sent you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Countries, Cruising, Deals, South America

World Earth Day on the seas

It’s never been plain sailing but our cruise friends at Celebrity Cruises have led the way to make this a World Earth Day on the seas.

Fuel-guzzling cruise ships have always been an easy target for the Greta Thumbergs of this world.

And the fartygskam crew, the shipping equivalent of flygskam flying shame… no sniggering up the back!

Now the cruise industry has been taking leaps and strides to clean up the seas afterwards.

Getting the Edge

Fab Four: Celebrity Edge

Celebrity are rightly excited about the fifth ship in their Edge Series.

The ship will be equipped with a new engine model, along with storage and delivery systems.

And listen up here Greta, it will give unmatched fuel flexibility.

With the ability to use three types of fuel, including methanol.

Piping hot: Entertainment with Celebrity

Now we’ve seen, and heard, first hand on the maiden voyage of Celebrity Edge to the Bahamas how committed they are to sustainability.

The bottom line is that they are hell-bent on achieving zero waste across their fleet.

And through their ‘Green Hub’ waste vendor programme, 85 per cent of their waste is recycled.

That and the whole gamut of scientific and technological advances they’ve made certainly gives them the edge.

Message for Greetin’ Greta

Windbag: Greta Thumberg

Now what Greetin’ Greta and her groaners have to say about the World Wildlife Fund endorsing Celebrity, well…!

Among the bigger shared initiatives, with the sale of merchandise available on select cruises. 100% of the net proceeds will help support WWF’s ocean conservation work.

While you can also join the ‘Walk For Coral’ activity on your next cruise.

And I do owe Coral after standing on her from the Maldives to Barbados and Tobago.

Galapagos glory

Turtley blue: The Galapagos

All around the world our natural world and those who live in its seas and earth depend on us.

And very visibly in one of the most authentic islands on Earth, the Galapagos.

Aboard the Celebrity Xpedition, Xploration, and Celebrity Flora, Celebrity have planned their Celebrity Galapagos experience in conjunction with the Galapagos National Park.

They’ve also established the Galapagos Fund, an onboard conservation program that gives guests the chance to participate in the ongoing conservation of the islands.

Be a Celebrity

Love me tender: Celebrity Edge and its floating tender

The most popular of Celebrity’s packages is their 10/11 Galapagos & Quito deal from £7,649pp. 

Even before you leave for your seven nights cruise to the Galapagos.

You can enjoy two nights pre-cruise luxury accommodations at JW Marriott Quito and a full-day guided tour of the city.

There are round-trip flights between Ecuador and the Galapagos.

And then one or two-night post-cruise luxury accommodations at the Marriot or EB Hotel (depending on guest flight schedules and/or package length.

So, we’re in safe hands on World Earth Day on the seas.