Interview with Joshua Berman on Rolf Potts.com

by Erik Olsen on

Several times over the last few months we’ve called out the site of Joshua Berman Tranquilo Traveler for its compelling writing about India and other far off places. Berman seems to be in India now, following in the footsteps of Buddha.

Rolf Potts did an interview with Berman for his excellent travel writer series in which writers talk about how they got started, what inspires them and the nature of the travel writing biz. I enjoy all these interviews, but Berman’s was particularly good because we’ve had the pleasure of following his travels lately (even if we got one post wrong about where he was :-(). Oh well.

Anyhow, take a read. Berman’s an accomplished writer. Just this year he won a 2005 Lowell Thomas Award for best guidebook for his book on Belize.

DiCaprio Buys Island

by Erik Olsen on

OK, maybe this is old news for some folk, the ones who follow all this star stuff so closely, but it was news to me. Leo DiCaprio of Gilbert Grape fame (my favorite movie of his), has bought himself a little slice of tropical heaven.

For a mere $2.4 million, Leo purchased Blackadore Caye, an island off the coast of Belize. He says he’s gonna turn the 104-acre Caribbean beachfront into an eco-friendly resort. And what could be more eco-friendly than clearing palm trees and beach grass to erect hotel buildings and swimming pools? Just kidding! Good for him. One wonders, however, if Rolf Potts will soon stage a one-man invasion of the island. Do it Rolf! In other interesting Leo news, it looks like he is working on a film adaptation of Vonnegut’s classic Cat’s Cradle. Now that’s cool. Can’t wait to see the special effects of Ice Nine.

(via Worldhum)

The “On the Verge of Discovery” Caribbean

by Dave (Blogsmith Old) on

The Caribbean…as it once was before mass tourism choked it. Authentic local experiences, no American chains and a feeling of discovering a place few others have seen. If you haven’t hit ports of call like these yet, says the San Francisco Chronicle, you better get off your duff and make plans soon. Cruise lines are working on expanding their stops to places like Belize City and Isla de la Margarita and it will only be a matter of time before you are greeted dockside by Ronald McDonald or a Hooters girl.

Eco Fun for Divers and Land Lubbers Alike

by Dave (Blogsmith Old) on

MSNBC has a great story up right now from Sport Diver magazine about 10 amazing “eco wonderlands” which will excite divers and land lubbers alike. Their top choices include the waters and wilds of Dominica, Tobago, Belize, the “Maya Riviera” and good old American Maui. There’s also the usual suggestions on “must dos” and interesting lodging.

Great Kayaking Gallery

by Erik Olsen on

I am a Nat Geo wannabee, so I am always on the lookout for folks who are really making a living shooting outdoors. Joel Rogers provides a glimpse of his amazing sea kayaking photos at Great Outdoors. From Japan, to Crete to Belize, the series is really wonderful. Rogers is based in Seattle, Washington, and is currently writing and photographing a book on Seattle due out soon. Rogers has his own site, where you can see his stock photos, and lots of other sweetpics.