Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[10 Extraordinary Islands To Visit On Your Next Vacation]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/10/10-extraordinary-islands-to-visit-on-your-next-vacation/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/10/10-extraordinary-islands-to-visit-on-your-next-vacation/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/10/10-extraordinary-islands-to-visit-on-your-next-vacation/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

vacation islands

Summer is the time of island vacations. It is time to put as much distance between you and the real world as possible. It is time to stand outside of your everyday life and to see how it all looks from a paradise perspective. Here is a collection of islands for escape - places to recharge, gain perspective and explore. From an island in the land of the gods to a tropical Amsterdam at the edge of an ocean trench, each of these ten destinations provides something extraordinary.

Gallery: 10 Islands To Visit Next

SantoriniSantoriniSantoriniGili TGili T

Continue reading 10 Extraordinary Islands To Visit On Your Next Vacation

10 Extraordinary Islands To Visit On Your Next Vacation originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 10 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaborneoCorsicafrancegalapagosGiliIslandsGR 20Gr20greeceindonesiaislandislandsmalaysiamaldivespalauperhentianperhentian islandsPerhentianIslandssantoriniscuba divingScubaDivingSt. CroixSt.CroixtasmaniaUS Virgin IslandsusviUsVirginIslandsvacationvacation islandsVacationIslandsvirgin islandsVirginIslandsThu, 10 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The world's most ethical tourism destinations]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/18/the-worlds-most-ethical-tourism-destinations/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/18/the-worlds-most-ethical-tourism-destinations/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/18/the-worlds-most-ethical-tourism-destinations/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

ethical tourism destinationsEach year, non-profit organization Ethical Traveler conducts a survey of the world's developing nations, analyzing their progress toward promoting human rights, preserving their environment, and developing a sustainable tourism industry. The study, run by Ethical Traveler's all-volunteer staff, factors in country scores from databases like Freedom House, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the World Bank, then dives into actions that governments have taken to improve circumstances within their countries in the previous year.

The top countries are celebrated in Ethical Traveler's annual list of the Developing World's Best Ethical Tourism Destinations, with the hope that increased tourism will help those countries continue to improve. "Travel and tourism are among the planet's driving economic forces, and every journey we take makes a statement about our priorities and commitment to change," they say. "Ethical Traveler believes that mindful travel is a net positive for the planet. By choosing our destinations well and remembering our role as citizen diplomats, we can create international goodwill and help change the world for the better."

This year's list includes Argentina, the Bahamas, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominica, Latvia, Mauritius, Palau, Serbia, and Uruguay. Explore these countries more in the slideshow below.

Gallery: The world's most ethical tourism destinations

ArgentinaMauritiusLatviaPalauUruguay


[Flickr image via Lisandro M. Enrique]

The world's most ethical tourism destinations originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>argentinabahamaschilecominicaconscious travelConsciousTravelcosta ricaCostaRicadeveloping worldDevelopingWorldethical tourismethical travelerEthicalTourismEthicalTravelerfreedom houseFreedomHousehuman rightsHumanRightslatvialistmauritiuspalauserbiasustainable tourismSustainableTourismuruguayWed, 18 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Longest zip-line in the world at Palau's new eco theme park]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/09/30/longest-zip-line-in-the-world-at-palaus-new-eco-theme-park/http://www.gadling.com/2011/09/30/longest-zip-line-in-the-world-at-palaus-new-eco-theme-park/http://www.gadling.com/2011/09/30/longest-zip-line-in-the-world-at-palaus-new-eco-theme-park/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Palau Eco-Theme Park in Micronesia with longest zip line in world Palau is no longer just a destination for underwater adventure. This destination in Micronesia, which is ranked as one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world, has recently opened the Palau Eco Theme Park, home to one of the longest zip line courses on Earth.

The three-course zip-line that allows participants to get really high about the trees, flying over the Taki Waterfall Park in the State of Ngardmau. Because story-telling is also a major focus of the theme park, these waterfalls were selected to provide the backdrop (or underdrop) for the experience not only because of their beauty, but also because of the legend that is associated with them. Apparently, an eel with magic powers once changed into the river itself, with its head being the waterfall.

With the length of each section running between 300 and 340 meters (about 985 to 1,115 feet), this course is no joke, and is said to be one of the longest zip line courses in the world.

For more information on Palau Eco Theme Park you can call (680) 747-1004.

Longest zip-line in the world at Palau's new eco theme park originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureeco theme parkEcoThemeParkmicronesiaoceaniapalautaki waterfallsTakiWaterfallstheme parkThemeParkzip lineZipLineFri, 30 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Video of the Day - Jellyfish Lake, Palau]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/05/24/video-of-the-day-jellyfish-lake-palau/http://www.gadling.com/2011/05/24/video-of-the-day-jellyfish-lake-palau/http://www.gadling.com/2011/05/24/video-of-the-day-jellyfish-lake-palau/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Swimming in water filled with millions of jellyfish may be most people's worst nightmare. But for visitors to the Palauan island of Eil Malik, it's the main attraction.

Situated about 500 miles east of the Philippines, Jellyfish Lake is one of 70 marine lakes on Eil Malik that was formed when the ocean receded over 12,000 years ago. After being trapped in this natural basin, the jellyfish that inhabited the lake gradually evolved without the ability to sting since there were no predators sharing the same waters. Now, daring snorklers can fulfill their worst nightmares (or biggest dreams) by swimming among the jellyfish without being stung. However, those with sensitive skin are advised to wear a wetsuit or protective clothing.

This beautiful, dreamy music video comes from photographer/videographer Sarosh Jacob who captured his adventure with a Canon 5D Mark II and a Sigma 15mm fisheye lens, set to Radiohead's "Nude". For more great underwater videos, check out Sarosh's Vimeo page.

What's the most daring adventure you've been on? Share it with us! Upload photos to Gadling's Flickr Pool or leave a comment with a link to your video in the comments below & we may select it as our next Photo/Video of the Day!

Video of the Day - Jellyfish Lake, Palau originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 24 May 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdventureAdventure TravelAdventureTravelAquaticAquatic VideoAquaticVideoAsiaCanon 5DCanon5dEil MalikEilMalikJellyfishJellyfish Lakejellyfish+lake+palauJellyfishLakejellyfishlakepalauNudePalauPhilippinesRadioheadSarosh JacobSaroshJacobScubaSnorkelSouth PacificSouthPacificTravel VideoTravelVideoUnderwaterVideoTue, 24 May 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gadlinks for Thursday, 6.11.09]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/11/gadlinks-for-6-11-09/http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/11/gadlinks-for-6-11-09/http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/11/gadlinks-for-6-11-09/#commentsFiled under: ,

Bored at work? Here are a couple travel links to keep you entertained.

  • Over at World Hum, Rob Verger spends 24 hours in JFK's new JetBlue terminal-- and lives to tell about it.
  • The crew over at the Freakonomics blog is holding a contest to try to find the worst road in the United States. The rules: "Tell us why your road is the best example of the worst in American transportation, toss in a bit of wit and literary flash, and post your entry in the comments section." Winner gets some Freakonomics schwag.
  • Highly amusing: The Seven Types of Bookstore Customer from an apparently disgruntled employee. I proudly accept my status as an Internet Hobo.
  • US government convinces tiny island nation of Palau to accept 17 Chinese Muslims held at Guantanamo Bay. The $200 million deal-sweetener probably helped.
  • MatadorNights brings you the Ten Best Film Festivals from around the world (and one "stinkarooni").

Gadlinks for Thursday, 6.11.09 originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gadlinksThu, 11 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Palau: the ultimate dive-spot?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2007/12/30/palua-the-ultimate-dive-spot/http://www.gadling.com/2007/12/30/palua-the-ultimate-dive-spot/http://www.gadling.com/2007/12/30/palua-the-ultimate-dive-spot/#commentsFiled under:

I've been doing a lot of reading on Palau for a possible magazine story somewhere. It seems in a single decade this tiny island (the last colonial territory to gain its independence, in 1994) has almost switched its entire economy from fishing to tourism, in the form of diving.

Now it's arguably the hottest dive site in the world, mostly because of the sheer numbers and variety of fish (1,500 species) and coral (700 species). This year, Palau began linking up all of its scattered marine protected areas (MPA) in the world's largest campaign to thwart coral bleaching. Though they've had a long history of sustainable fishing (codified in ancient fishing laws known as tabu), the country's recent emphasis on ocean conservation and eco-tourism is refreshing, to say the least, especially after all that we've read on the demise of coral reefs by global warming.

I've posted before about sustainable dive-trips. I feel like this may be one of the few places you could go to for scuba diving, and not feel that bad about really screwing up the environment. They're just so far ahead of the crowd when it comes to balancing tourism with conservation.

Palau: the ultimate dive-spot? originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 30 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>divingecotourismSun, 30 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Word for the Travel Wise (04/20/06)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2006/04/20/word-for-the-travel-wise-04-20-06/http://www.gadling.com/2006/04/20/word-for-the-travel-wise-04-20-06/http://www.gadling.com/2006/04/20/word-for-the-travel-wise-04-20-06/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Palau FlagEven though I never watched a single episode of Survivor: Palau, the seasons long reality show always comes to mind when hearing the country name. (Now, that's how you know you've got a show that works.) While I lack the time to sit engulfed in primetime television, I've got nothing against watching the adventure armchair type travel/challenge programming and I suppose with each season Survivor has given the hard working mother, under tipped waitress, and the too-afraid to fly there themselves person the opportunity to see Palau up close. My only question for all those religious Survivor fans out there is did they teach you any Palauan? If not perhaps it is time to start tuning into Gadling as well.

Today's word is a Palauan word used in Palau:

chellimosk - expert; a person who has in depth knowledge on his/her trade

Palauan (also spelled Belauan) is spoken by some 15,000 people in Palau. It is considered one of the two languages of Micronesia and belongs to the Austronesian language family. Palauan is 64.7% official in all islands except Sonsoral, Tobi and Angaur. Filipino and English are also spoken on the island. Learning Palauan online may prove a bit difficult, but you can start at this Palau: Airai - Native Place site. The word list found here covers family members, society and terms relating to geography. A small pronunciation guide is included below the list as well. Palau Island has a phrase list, common proverbs, and tons of info on diving and things to do and see when visiting one of Oceania's most popular destinations.

Word for the Travel Wise (04/20/06) originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 20 Apr 2006 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>languagepalauanreality televisionRealityTelevisionsurvivorsurvivor palauSurvivorPalauThu, 20 Apr 2006 20:00:00 EST