Chasing Clean Air

Maui - Humpback Whales

10,000 whales mating, so I'm told, and sun-bathing minutes ago, I shot a series of whale photos (albeit far away from beach with magnificent Nikon 70-300 mm lens) to show you how plentiful these beautiful whales are off Maui's clean air coast. (It's definitely clean air today!)

I'm signing off to look for a whale boat tour, so hope to see you with more whale photos soon. :-)

So much more to report about air quality, magical tours, and scenic drives--scenic drive code for high scary cliff roads, overlooking...ahhh Pacific Ocean whale territory!

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Welcome to Maui!

"You must go on the Atlantis Submarine," my dancing friend, Al, said upon learning I was Maui-bound.

Today I'm going on the submarine despite claustrophobia that began 20 years ago trapped in an elevator for twenty-five minutes.

There will be no getting out of the submarine. So I will enjoy the views of a sunken 19th-century whaling brig, now a reef 100 feet (did I just write 100 feet?!) under the surface of the water where we'll glide through a real life aquarium.

And above. The Pacific with views of sandy beaches, wind-swept palm trees and rainbows galore, which I captured this morning--steps from my hotel.

Traveling to Maui on American Airlines

Traveling comes with mixed emotions, transitioning from the familiar to the mysterious. Familiar being like morning coffee, a reliable pick-me-up, and the mystery of travel leading to anything from excitement to disappointment to tantalizing new adventures. 

In any case, one's mind, perspective, and world expands when traveling.

Books To Improve Your Life

While I'm traveling today, I thought I'd share books to improve your life and our planet.

Animal Factory by David Kirby is about the threat of industrial pig, dairy, and poultry farms to humans and the environment. It lays out a good case for watching what you eat and where you buy your food. Animal Factory's release on March 2, 2010 by St. Martin's Press, shall be a boon to more sustainable farm practices, not to mention, better eating habits.

After I read Colin Campbell's book, The China Study, and John Robbin's book, The Food Revolution, I became a vegan. Since that time, I'm a near-vegan, occasionally eating fish.

Animal Factory shares the caliber of insight as these nutritionist giants, with a fresh perspective secured in investigative journalism.

True Green Life in 100 everyday ways by Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin is put out by National Geographic--which is to say, quality upon quality. My first thought: This book should be in every green hotel's guest room to spread ideas and new habits to sustain our population and natural resources.

Influencer: The Power To Change Anything. I saw one of the authors on a book TV show, and was blown away by their studies and common sense approach. I bought the book (downloaded on my Kindle) and immediately started applying lessons learned.

My Favorite Travel Items For Hawaii

My top picks for travel to Hawaii include multi-functional gear because weight counts.

• Chaco sandals are  sturdy sandals that I've worn hiking and doing water sports. I'll do both in Hawaii. They dry fast and are attractive. I like the blue waves in my latest pair. To read more about my favorite sandals, click here.
• Baggallini travel bags are indispensable. I love the big blue bag you see in photo, which folds up super-small. This is what you take to the airport when you're not sure your checked bag is under 50 pounds. If you need to at the airline check-in counter, quickly take a few pounds out of your suitcase, and stuff things in your baggallini travel bag, before walking onto the plane without overage charges.
• I bought a Travelon device to check weight of my bags before I go to airport. I have to admit last time I went to the airport confident I was under 50 pds., I was over by about 5. So either I used the device wrong or ? But I'm still using travelon because the weight was in the ballpark, and any extras I may have I will put in my baggallini tote.
• Costco had great prices on Speedo bathing suits $19.95 (normally $76) so I bought a few. The one pieces double as tops for skirts, pants, and shorts.

Helpful travel links include: www.travel.state.gov and www.cdc.gov/travel

And protection against mosquitoes and ticks, click here. 

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No! That's A Scary Cliff Road! Take Two: The Road To Hana?

After my harrowing scary cliff drive clutching the wheel like a ninety-five year old lady, winds beating my car like a dish rag as I lowered gears for the steep incline, going over the thousand miles high (so it felt) bridge atop Mt. Shasta, while truckers flipped me the finger for the crime of driving gingerly, I question:

Will I drive the scary road to Hana?

Air Pollution in Bali

Turns out the air pollution detective (that's me!) has a secret spy! Dave, of Smiling Dave comments, and an air pollution scientist from a previous life, was doing more than just enjoying his honeymoon in Bali. He hung out on the breeze way of the ritzy St. Regis resort in Bali with camcorder in hand spying unsuspecting polluters.

Air polluters.

Yes, Dave spied and choked on smoke wafting toward his luxurious room on Bali, as he documented people playing soccer under a halo of smoke, which proves that money can not buy health and happiness, not even at the snazzy St. Regis resort on Bali.

How Do YOU Ensure Bugs Stay Away On Your Next Adventure?

Any self-respecting woman knows it's preferable to be covered in kisses than mosquito bites.

I am no exception.

Therefore, my Hawaiian adventure shall include... How does a woman protect herself while hiking in a rain forests' moist canopy of trees, branches, and ground dripping with bugs?

Dipping in a lagoon?

At sunset.

When bugs come out to play, bite, and suck blood.

Bali & Air Quality Challenge

Air pollution in Bali?

Apparently, it's true.

A friend and regular reader/commenter here, Smiling Dave returned from Bali with bad news for those of us who prefer travel to clean air destinations.

Who would've thought out in the middle of the ocean, you'd have to worry about air pollution from leaf burning of all things. Turns out the Balinese burn lots of leaves.

According to a Californian named Diane Livingstone, who is helping the locals get better habits that don't involve burning,

"Every day in Bali they sweep two to six times a day and they burn those leaves. Altogether they burn an estimated quarter of a million kilos of leaves each day. This not only causes pollution, but it destroys the nutrient value for food production."

They also have a lot of cars and trucks in crowded downtown. My experience in poorer countries, cars and trucks tend to be older, less well-maintained, and more polluting.

Well, it's a big world out there, many destinations to choose from. Thanks for sharing, Dave. I really appreciate it. :-)

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The Benefit of a Travel Agent

I'm busy planning for Hawaii, and aware how appreciative for the assistance I had while traveling to, and within, Canada.

I'm quite sure, travel agents earn their keep.

Left to do most of Hawaii planning on my own, it's so very time consuming.

Despite everything being online, if you're like me, someone who had a horrible experience with Hotwire, you don't take advantage of so-called internet deals. I'm using miles from my American Airlines credit card for starters. What's your secret to affordable travel?

For those of you not in America, or not in California, this is an increasingly poor state with high unemployment and high debt. Schools and hospitals have closed. Los Angeles has laid off thousands of employees.

Travel deals are important to keep California citizens--the largest state in America--coming.

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