Resources -

Below are some of the best external sites we’ve found related to EcoLodges and ecotourism.

Organizations

Articles

New York Times article: 1000 Years of Art at the Edge of Gobi Desert
New York Times article: Trekking With the Gorillas of Rwanda

Travel blogs

Worthwhile Books

Authentic Ecolodges: More than 300 full-color photographs, detailed architectural sketches, and a rating system for ecolodges.
Ecolodge Sourcebook for Planners and Developers: Provides a comprehensive view of all key issues related to the complexities of ecolodge development.
Eco-Resorts: A design guide for low impact, environmentally friendly tourist resorts in the tropics.
Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise? A comprehensive overview of worldwide ecotourism and how the concept and the reality have evolved over 25 years.
Ecotourism: Principles and Practices (CABI Tourism Texts): Describes how the concepts of ecotourism have evolved and what it attempts to achieve.
Green Travel: The World’s Best Eco-Lodges & Earth-Friendly: Features 100 accommodations that are environmentally friendly and work to support local communities.

Worthwhile products for world travelers

I usually take two international trips per year, as well as completing a backpacking trip each year in the US. Over the years I’ve found that a few essential items are not always available at my location. For me those essentials include food, water, and power.

Through a process of trial and error, I’ve been able to solve, or at least mitigate, many of the problems I’ve experienced. The most important is water. Although I’ve tried purification tablets, filters, and disinfectant straws, the product that works best for me is made by SteriPEN. They have a number of different tools that work with ultraviolet light to disinfect water, but the one I like the best is the SteriPEN Ultra USB Rechargeable UV Water Purifier. I’ve taken it on many trips, and the battery easily lasts over a week purifying 4-6 or more liters per day on a single charge. And because it can be recharged via a USB port, if you have a power source, you can recharge and clean your water for extended trips.

Of course, you’d need a power source, which takes me to the second item. What I’ve found great to use are the solar chargers and batteries made by Goal Zero. The product I use is the Goal Zero Switch 10 USB Recharger and Solar Panel Multi-Tool Kit. The solar panel charges a high capacity battery in as little as 4 hours, which can then be used to charge anything that has as USB input, such as a phone, camera, or that SteriPEN water purifier I mentioned above. It also has a flashlight and fan in the kit. I’ve also used the Goal Zero battery to charge a set of AA and AAA batteries that are rechargable by USB port, made by Pilot Automotive, which I use in my headlamp and GPS.

Finally, there’s food. When I was newly married I moved to Wyoming, where I spent a lot of time hiking and camping in the mountains. My parents sent me a food dryer, which after 40 years, still works great to dry apples, bananas, and beef jerky (my staples). Although the brand they sent me is no longer available, I’ve found this Cooks Club Food Dehydrator has a similar construction. Most food products can be dried within a day or two, and it sure cuts down the weight and cost of products bought in a store.