When Patrons get Pooped On

by Jamie Rhein on

With waterfront property at Long Beach, California, one might think the restaurant Schooner or Later had it made in the shade. It’s the shade that actually was causing problems. Blue herons loved the palm trees that used to shade Schooner or Later’s patio. As birds are known to do, they relieve themselves and that was the problem. Folks eating out on the patio were getting pooped on. There was a article about this back in September on MSN. The story wasn’t just about the restaurant, but about the blue heron population that is finding a hard place to live since development has encroached on so much of its habitat. Therefore, the palm trees that line the beach are perfect if you happen to be a heron.

Today, the story was a Day to Day segment. For awhile, the owner of the restaurant had been trying to get permission to move the four trees that shaded his patio. He didn’t get permission, but someone cut back the trees anyway. Even though it was the landlord who cut the trees, the owner’s pleased. I’m sure the people getting pooped on are pleased as well. According to some, however, this is an example of nature conservancy and tourism being at cross purposes. The blue heron used to be considered endangered and there is worry blue herons may become endangered again if their nesting places keep disappearing. If you want to see a heron habitat that’s protected, head to Morro Bay State Park that includes the Heron Rookery Natural Preserve.

St. Stupid’s Day Parade, 2007

by Willy Volk on

Don’t forget that April 1st is the 7th Annual BYOBW. However, if you don’t feel like racing a big wheel down one of the crookedest streets in the world (OUCH!), then maybe you just want to get stupid. In that case, it’s time to hit San Fransisco’s St. Stupid’s Day Parade.

Meeting at noon at 600 Montgomery Street, the parade — sponsored by The First Church of the Last Laugh — appears to be equal parts stupid and awesome and stupid. Winding through downtown San Fran, at the end of the parade, there will be a 2-minute talent show, a short sermon, live music, and the Pacific Sock Exchange, which is something like a pillow fight… but with dirty socks.

For those who don’t know, Saint Stupid is the patron saint of civilizations and parking meters. For those who STILL don’t know, St. Stupid’s is anything but serious. This tongue-in-cheek parade is meant to celebrate silliness, fun, merriment, and stupidity. Heck, what more do you want? The event is free!

[Photo: Steve Rhodes]

Voluntourism

by Neil Woodburn on

Voluntourism. Here’s one of those word mash-ups which means exactly what you think it means.

According to a recent LA Times article by Kimi Yoshino, more and more people are giving up the traditional frivolous holiday of merrymaking and mirth and opting instead to volunteer their time wherever it is needed most.

In response to such philanthropy, United Way and CheapTickets.com have combined forces to launch a website which helps do-gooders plan their vacations with volunteer work in mind. The cool thing about the website is that one doesn’t have to donate their entire vacation to some type of work project. The site is organized so that people who want to donate just one day (or more) of their vacation can do so.

Currently interested travelers can search for opportunities by specific social issues, or by zip code or state (the site is currently limited to just U.S. locations). Interested in voluntourism abroad? Check out i-to-i, a British company that specializes in the larger world.

This is a great idea folks! It’s time to give back to the same planet that has so graciously hosted your travels for so many years. And, it’s probably good for your taxes as well.

Rickshaw Run Himalaya/Monsoon Edition

by Willy Volk on

Oh, how I wish the heavens would align so I could participate in this summer’s Rickshaw Run: the Himalaya/Monsoon Edition. Beginning on June 23, racers will traverse 2000 miles of road — described as “average, bad, terrible and non-existent depending on where you go” — through India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and China. And that’s just the first leg.

Organized by the brilliantly-named Institute of Adventure Research (a.k.a., Tom Morgan), the 2-week-long contest is a charity event disguised as an adventure race. On Day One, racers spend the day “playing cricket and acquainting ourselves with the rickshaws, each other and no doubt some gin and tonics.” Subsequently, teams launch from the start line (this year, Calcutta) and travel the length of the mighty Himalayan range — passing through mountains, forest, jungles, wild plains, and “just about everything India can through at you and your almost useless vehicle” — toward the finish line, using any route they like. There are optional checkpoints along the way, but who has time to stop when your 150cc vehicle travels at only 34 miles per hour?

Why a rickshaw? With only 3 wheels and half a horse power, Morgan argues that the rickshaw is more fun than any other vehicle on the planet. Amusingly, he claims the Rickshaw is “undoubtedly the ultimate long distance, off road machine, despite being designed for short distances on road.”

If you *think* you might want to enter, watch some of the clips from last year’s race, and then read up on the rules. If you’re looking for a teammate, please contact me.

Awesome UNESCO Panos

by Neil Woodburn on

I’m a big fan of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and over the years have loved strolling through the official website to check out possible places to visit.

In the past, the website only had a handful of photographs to give you an idea of what to expect from a location. But now, they are moving with the times.

WorldHeritageTour.org has set up a few dozen Quicktime panographics where visitors can look up, look down, and spin around 360 degrees. Very cool! It really gives you a sense of what it is like to actually stand in front of an exotic location so very far away.

Click here to check out a world map of the locations they have shot so far. I particularly liked the ruins of Afghanistan, the Sphinx in Egypt, and lovely Samarkand.

According to the website, they’ve only completed 19 percent of “all 830 registered sites.” The site currently functions as a nonprofit, so if you like what you see and want to help them complete their job, be sure to make a donation.