Coral reefs around the world are the most beautiful eco-systems that you can imagine. From the obvious Great Barrier Reef, Australia to the little known Abul Thama, Bahrain, the colours and wildlife can captivate the first time diver. But it is important to understand the impact tourism has on these delicate areas. And, the role visitors can play in helping to save them.

Take for example the local Marine Conservation Project on the island of Koh Tao, Thailand. The small dive school and project – run by a British diver – aims to develop the understanding of responsible tourism in Thailand. By making tourists and the locals aware of the impact to the natural environment, they work to preserve the reef for future generations of responsible travellers. The welcoming team regularly dive down to the coral to check on the coral nursery (bio-rock) which is essential to ensuring the continued survival of the reef.

Checking the health of coral reefs off of Koh Tao, Thailand.

Coral reefs cover only 2 percent of the world’s sea beds, but support an astonishing 25 percent of the oceanic wildlife. They are also the most threatened eco-systems in the world. With the decline in coral reefs, nearly 2 million species are at risk, not to mention the millions of people that are supported by them.

As Koh Tao has become more popular, the coral reef has come under increasing pressure, and it is vital that its protection is continued.

A volunteer inspects plant life.

Koh Tao itself is a stunning diving paradise, with sites within 40 minutes by boat. The sites range from a few metres below sea level to 40 metres down, where divers can witness the local wildlife, and a mixture of hard and soft corals. Alongside this is the vibrant mix of dense jungle terrain and granite outcrops, providing a beautiful surrounding for the duration of a stay.

As Koh Tao is a multi-cultural island, visitors will undoubtedly meet new and interesting individuals from a range of backgrounds and cultures. Normally teams are numbered between one to six volunteers, but even in small groups, divers work alongside a permanent team of helpful and friendly, like-minded individuals. With the continued daily support from Dev and Chad, the leaders of the team, the conservation work is scheduled once everyone is settled in properly.

Volunteers and staff pose for a photo.

Volunteering includes taking part in:

• Reef surveys (Ecological Monitoring Program)
• Biorock Coral Rehabilitation and Nursery
• Artificial Reef Construction and Maintenance
• Mid-water coral nurseries
• Giant Clam Nursery
• Sea Turtle Sanctuary and Releases
• Land and Underwater Clean-ups

Interested in volunteering?

Prices start from $924USD (£585) excluding flights, but include PADI dive training courses, with fully qualified instructors and full equipment. Approximately 70 percent of the fee goes to the conservation project, which provides employment for the Thai locals.

Volunteering abroad is rewarding and fulfilling, but it is important volunteers are fit and healthy enough to keep up with the physicality of the work, not to mention being able to cope with the high temperatures and the humidity. Taking this into consideration, the Marine Conservation Project in Koh Tao will be the most memorable experience of your life.

About the Author:  Robert Hewitt is a freelance journalist and founder of Fly Far and Fast, a travel website bringing the world closer to you. Robert has written for several travel websites and online magazines, and is a proud member of Travel Bloggers Give Back. He is passionate about travel, writing and coffee. Available for freelance assignments on request.  Follow him on Twitter and  Facebook.

—–

d travels 'round

Love. Berlin.

It’s no secret I love Berlin. This is the second post I’ve done that features Underground Berlin, and with good reason: there is just so much awesome to be shared. Even if I had a terrible couchsurfing experience, the city wrapped its way around my heart.

The art scene in Berlin fascinates me. From the graffiti to the sculptures to the colorful buildings adorned with twisted takes on pop culture, there is art everywhere.

Covered walls in Tacheles.

Kunsthaus Tacheles, an old department store turned artist enclave in the Mitte neighborhood of Berlin, features both a colorful interior and exterior, along with artist studios.

Even outside of the giant building, there is art to be explored.

But, the art goes beyond Mitte and into every facet of this dynamic city. Neighborhoods all over town echo the culture of the past and present day together.

This is one of my favorites … this work is found in the area where Hitler committed suicide.

Even Knut, the infamous polar bear who captured everyone’s hearts when he was a baby, is included in the telling of stories. This piece shows how he went from adorable baby to bear. Sadly, the beloved animal passed away recently.

Artists took over an entire building in one area, painting murals of people from all over the world. I love the whimsical look of this painting.

Even the buildings tell stories …

The gorgeous art in Berlin goes beyond the paintings though and into structures, too. One of my favorites is the Berlin Holocaust Memorial, which actually has a chemical on it that makes it impossible for would-be graffiti artists to tag these larger than life pillars.

I also love this building, with this half-bust hanging over the entry.

And, who doesn’t love these little guys? They may not be considered art, but to this girl, they are!

Where have you been with amazing art?

—-

Want to get out of town? There are always cheap flights to Corfu to help the planning process!

d travels 'round

A potential office view?

It’s amazing how quickly life can change.

Two weeks ago, I was trying to balance my day job (a part-time position with full-time responsibilities) with my freelance writing.

I was stressed. I was overwhelmed. I was exhausted.

Then, I took a trip to Red Mountain Resort in Ivins, Utah for a story I am working on …

And, my experiences there changed my entire path.

I’m not going to get into it right now because they make far better stories than quick summaries, but I will say this:

The events which transpired over those two days in the gorgeous Utah terrain, coupled with the insight I gained while there, gave me permission to do what it is I have dreamed of doing since I returned from my first long-term travel adventure in September 2010 — fulfill my destiny.

Chase after my dreams.

Yesterday, I gave my two weeks notice at my day job.

Yup, I quit my job.

As of March 2, I answer to me.

What does this mean?

I will be working for myself. Creating relationships. Chasing after my goal to become a full-time writer.

A few months ago, a writer I respect greatly, inspired me to write my book. For nearly 60 days, I would take the time to hammer out 3,000 words a day, weaving tales of my career break in 2010. I finished the first draft a few days of schedule — wrapping it up just before New Year’s Eve.

So, there’s the book which is going through edits, but will ultimately begin to get pitched to agents this year.

Then, there’s my freelance writing career.

I have a lot of gigs going on, but could have more, with more time to pursue it.

Free like a bird. Well, a bird on a tight little budget.

And, there is travel.

The resignation isn’t like the last time I quit and tackled my 30-life-crisis head on. This time there are no immediate long-term travel plans.

Quitting my job means a temporary hold on travel, unless it is for writing purposes, but I have my travel funds earmarked and ready … and plan to embark on the next journey (and it will be a good one) after spending Thanksgiving with my family.

For now, expect the site to stay pretty consistent with the past year — stories, Escapes (like this one to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda), other traveler’s tales — and expect it to grow even more.

And, should you know anyone who wants to take care of my cats for a few months (until my parents can take them), check out their cute little site. (Don’t let the name of the site deter you! It’s all in good fun.)

I know this choice is risky. I know it isn’t going to be easy. But, for the first time in … ever … I truly believe in myself and what I can accomplish when I give myself permission to do so.

It’s the perfect time for me to repeat my mantra: Life isn’t about happily ever after, it’s about living.

—-

You don’t need to quit your job to travel. Head out and explore Europe with cheap flights to Faro.

d travels 'round

For about one week, I was a volunteer at Elephant Nature Park. During that time, I did everything from shoveling poo to being blessed by a shaman to becoming part of the heard and spending time with elephants up-close, to singing “Que Sera, Sera” as they fell asleep. There were tears of joy and tears of heartbreak.

And lots of photos.

—-

The Park

Situated on 30 acres about an hour north of Chiang Mai, Thailand, Elephant Nature Park is a gorgeous enclave where elephants rescued from the tourism industry and illegal logging industries and more, are able to live their remaining lives in peace and free from abuse.

The lodging is not glamorous, but I loved my room in the primitive Palace structure.

Particularly the views that include elephants in the background …

And even those that don’t.

Beyond the lodging, the other areas where volunteers spend time are vibrant, rustic and beautiful, too.

There is also the stunning tropical land inhabited by the elephants to gaze at all day long.

The Elephant Kitchen

The elephant kitchen at the park is a huge structure, packed with shelves stocked with fruits that need constant rotation. Elephants can eat upwards of 700 pounds of vegetation each day. With more than 30 elephants in the park, that’s 21,000 pounds of food being moved from the kitchen and other areas to the searching trunks each day!

There kitchen includes bunches and bunches and bunches of bananas …

Melons …

… Sugarcane and more. Volunteers fill buckets for each elephant and then help deliver them to the feeding platforms and nearby shelters for mealtimes.

 For the elephants who can’t chew the fruit, volunteers roll banana balls.

Life at the Park

Chores, like shoveling, are daily tasks at Elephant Nature Park. Volunteers shovel into a trailer and then a staff member removes the waste.

But, there are also other aspects of the park that should be mentioned, like the boards which honor the mahouts.

The mahouts and others at the park also lend their talents to the gift shop, where hand-carved renditions of the park’s elephants are prominently displayed.

Aside from the elephants at the park, water buffalo, cats, dogs and more call this place “home.”

It’s also home to larger than life insects!

Want to see elephants? Stay tuned!

—–

Planning a trip? If you aren’t thinking about visiting Elephant Nature Park, how about spending your holidays in Egypt?

d travels 'round

Editor’s Note: The following is a guest post from Rease Kirchner. If you are a writer and interested in providing a guest post, please  contact me. 

Up until very recently, I was living as an expat in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Whenever people find this out about me, there first question is, Why Buenos Aires?

Allow me to (attempt to) explain.

Buenos Aires is a city full of life. This city is constantly moving, yet somehow slower and less stressful than my life was in my much smaller city back in the US. The city of Buenos Aires parties hard, doesn’t take work too terribly seriously, and relaxes like a champ.

The crowded streets after Argentina won a World Cup game.

Dancing with one of my best friends, Magu (pink hair) in our favorite club.

Although Buenos Aires has a misleading name, as the air is actually quite polluted, I still think it can be really beautiful. It certainly had its days/areas that I might want to retract this statement, but most of the time, Buenos Aires was just an awesome place to walk around. It’s important to remember to look up too, otherwise you’ll miss out on some great architecture.

Awesome street art in Buenos Aires.

Bosques de Palermo Lake

It would be ridiculous for me to write about the merits of Buenos Aires, Argentina without mentioning the wine. The wine is cheap, delicious and an integral part of every meal. I loved that getting a bottle to share between friends was not only economical, but something we did without hesitation.

Toasting to a relaxing day with my friend Jenny.

And of course, I wouldn’t be me if I did not highlight my absolute favorite thing in the world, but especially in Argentina: ICE CREAM.

Argentina is up there with the likes of Italy, France and Spain when it comes to the quality of ice cream. Not only is the artesian ice cream absolutely incredible, it’s everywhere! There is no need to hunt down a specialty shop because you’ll stumble upon a place every few blocks. No one buys ice cream in the supermarket because it’s not even in the same league as the stuff you can get at an ice cream shop. Plus, they deliver! Kilos of artesian ice cream, right to your door! I have literally dreamt of a world like this, then I discovered the world exists, and it’s Buenos Aires.

I want this again. Right now.

Getting there: Buenos Aires is a major hub in South America, so there are always flights going in and out. If you are traveling through South America, you can grab a really cheap bus from any nearby city or country and if you are coming from Uruguay, there are boats running between Buenos Aires and Colonia or Montevideo several times a day.

About the Author: Rease Kirchner is a US Citizen who spent the last year and a half living the expat life in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is fluent in Spanish, overly snarky and more in love with ice cream than anyone you have met or will ever meet. She likes to keep it real and keep her readers laughing. You can follow her at @Travelated, @TravelatedRease and on her site, Travelated.com.

—-

After spending time in Argentina, head across the Atlantic to Spain to get even more Spanish in your life! There are plenty of cheap holidays to Spain that let you take in the culture and create your own escape.

d travels 'round

Editor’s Note: The following is a guest post from Nancy Sathre-Vogel. If you are a writer and interested in providing a guest post, please  contact me. 

Does our brain change when we travel?

I’ve read a lot of blog posts throughout the blogosphere about how travel changes people. People talk about becoming more comfortable in their skin, about an increase in confidence, and more knowledge of the world. There is no doubt – travel does change people. Quite literally.

I doubt most of us realize just how fundamentally we’re changed by the travel experience, but our brains react to our experiences at the cellular level. In other words, your brain structure literally changes in response to your experiences.

Each one of us is born with all the brain cells we’ll ever have – somewhere around 100 billion of them.  That’s a one with eleven zeros behind it.  In other words – that’s a lot of brain cells.

Those cells are pretty much worthless unless they are connected together, and that’s the job of the dendrites. Dendrites grow in response to challenge and stimulation.

The most crucial job your brain has to do is communicate within itself. Its cells need to “talk” to each other. That’s what the dendritic network does – it sends messages between brain cells.

Let’s take an example. You’ve played video games before right? Remember how hard it was when you first started? How you had to study each and every aspect of the screen and reason it all out to figure out who was going to be where and what the consequences of being there were? It was hard. It was frustrating. It was challenging and stimulating.

Fast forward a few months and you’ve now mastered the game. Now you sit at your computer and play the game effortlessly. It’s like you’re on autopilot and your fingers somehow know what reaction they need to make in response to what’s happening on the screen.

In those months, your brain created a network of connections between your brain cells to facilitate your efforts. Instead of the message needing to scramble from one part of your brain to the other, your body created a network to take the messages directly where they need to be.

Fast forward another couple of months. By now, you’ve mastered the old game and have moved on to another. This time, however, the learning curve isn’t quite so steep and you master the game a bit easier. Blame all the work you did on the first game for that.

What’s happened is that your brain has done the hard work of creating the network. Now, you can call that into play. In effect, you can hijack the dendrites that were grown for the other game, and utilize them to facilitate learning the new game. In essence, you had a “hook” to hang the new information on, so it slotted into your existing framework more easily.

That’s exactly what’s happening when you travel.

The brain is changing ...

The first time you visit a ruin site, you’ll most likely be overwhelmed. So many new pieces of information bombard you – sights, sounds, smells. History, architecture, and lifestyle. You’ll pick up a bit of the information; your brain will grow a few dendrites to process what you’ve learned.

Now you visit another ruin site from perhaps a different civilization entirely. You’ve got the “ruin network” started in your brain, so you’ll slot whatever new information you can into the existing framework. With whatever doesn’t fit, your brain will grow new dendrites to make sense of it.

The extensive dendritic network is hard at work here.

Over time, and hundreds of ruin sites, you will have created an extensive dendritic network in your brain. You’ve got all those seemingly random bits and pieces of information neatly organized within your brain and you “know” it. The information is readily retrievable and can be applied to anything.

Is this all to say that travel is essential to create an extensive dendritic network within your brain? No. As long as you are in a challenging, stimulating environment, your brain will be working to make sense of your surroundings. You’ll be growing dendrites and slotting information into what you already know.

But while traveling, you’re automatically in challenging, stimulating environments rather than having to seek them out at home. So really, heading out to travel may possibly be the easiest way to learn everything. Even “school” stuff.

About the Author: Nancy Sathre-Vogel is chief blogger at Family on Bikes. Together with her family, she spent three years cycling from Alaska to Argentina. Now, she back at home writing books and blog posts about their adventures.

—-

Want to get those brain cells really kicking? Think about Barbados holidays for upcoming travel adventures!

d travels 'round

Medo, one of the abused elephants at Elephant Nature Park, rests against a log. Despite her very apparent injuries from past abuses, she is able to live day-to-day at the park.

To say there are a lot of tears on the last day as volunteers at Elephant Nature Park is an understatement.

At least as it relates to me.

If there’s one thing I have noticed during my week as a volunteer at Elephant Nature Park is that I cry. A lot. More than most people. Maybe it’s because my emotions are hard-wired to my tear ducts. And, combined with my love for animals and my admiration for these elephants, along with learning all of the awful things they are subject to in their pre-ENP lives, those tears just flow, flow, flow.

After seeing Mae Sai Roong stand following a day of heartbreak? Tears. Tears. And, more tears.

Dumping the last buckets of water over elephants in the river? More salty goodness down the face.

Saying “goodbye” to the first group of volunteers as they are ushered into the van and taken back to Chiang Mai? Yup. Stupid tears.

Of course, when Lucy and I decide to go spend the last remaining bits of time with “our” elephants on the gorgeous Sunday afternoon, it’s pretty much a recipe for watering of the eyes.

And yet, I do it anyway.

We have our plan: first, we’ll find Medo’s mahout and see if we can go down and see her, then it’s back to the front of the park to see Mae Sai Roong.

I want to see Jokia, too, but Jack says because she is blind, it’s not such a good idea to go and hang out with her. [If you want to read her story, visit the Park's Web site.]

After we’ve dumped the last bucked of water over the gigantic elephant heads, she and I head to the deck where some of the mahouts are sitting, their elephants below them.

Medo’s mahout sits on a bench above her, watching her as she idly chomps on fruit.

“Can we see her?” I ask him, gesturing down to the elephant, who is easily recognizable by injuries that have left a lasting mark on her body. I had a good look at the remnants of abuse on her body earlier in the week when I got up-close with the elephants.

He nods, stands up and walks with us down the wooden stairs to the creature.

I’ve loved Medo since the moment I saw her and heard her story.

She and I walk towards each other, her flapping her ears, me with a huge smile on my face.

I like to think both of us are smiling at our time together.

I look to her mahout, arm raised, about to reach up to her giant leathery gray and pink speckled face. “Can I?

He nods his head.

I place my hand on her face, behind her eye, and scratch.

She closes her eyes.

Tears well up in mine.

I’m truly moved by this beautiful animal … her pain and struggles over as she lives the rest of her life here, at a place that within a week has touched me so deeply.

I whisper softly to her, telling her how lucky she is, that I love her. She presses the front of her face into a post and leans in, towards my hand as I scratch more.

I stand with her, filled to the brim with admiration and gratitude, for about 10 minutes. When it’s time to leave, I gently pat her cheek and promise to see her again one day.

Then, it’s off to Mae Sai Roong for Lucy.

The makeshift bed for Mae Sai Roong is abandoned after a long 24 hours.

Only remnants from a fire and medical supplies remain from the previous emergency.

When we get there, both of us freeze.

Mae Sai Roong stands up after nearly passing away the day before.

“I can’t believe it,” Lucy says as a smile breaks out across her face. “This morning, I didn’t think she’d make it. And now, look!”

Hooked up to an IV, and with an appetite, Mae Sai Roong has come along way.

What a difference 24 hours make.

She’s standing. Flapping her ears. Chomping on fruit.

Tears of happy bubble up in my eyes.

Lucy smiles as she visits with the recovering elephant.

We reach our hands into a bucket and produce pieces of melon for her to eat. The elephant, who could barely muster the strength to swallow bananas the day before, sticks her trunk out through the fence and wraps it around our offerings, then shoves the fruit into her mouth.

We smile to each other.

Then, it’s time to go.

Time to leave the world of elephants.

I’m not even sure how to say a proper goodbye.

Lek is at the main compound when we begin to gather our things.

I walk up to her and hug her. This time, the tears choke me. I can barely muster a “thank you” to her. After all, how can I possibly convey my experiences in the form of “good bye.”

Instead, I hug her tightly, promise her I will share my stories.

As we drive down the dirt road, I wipe the tears from my eyes.

I have a new mission as we head back to Chiang Mai: to do whatever I can to help save more of these elephants and to educate others about Elephant Nature Park, the dark side of the elephant tourism industry, and what we all can do to give back and make a change in their lives.

But first, I have five more days in Thailand and some exploring of Chiang Mai to do.

—–

Planning a trip? Be sure to take the time to use a flight checker to find the best deals for upcoming travels.

d travels 'round

“D” and “skiing” are not used in sentences together.

I’m fairly confident the last time I put skis on and raced down a mountain was during President Clinton’s first term.

I’ll admit — I never imagined my first real foray into West Coast skiing would be in Las Vegas. As a teenager when I was able to whisk down those black diamonds, I envisioned myself clad in a faux fur hat and pink ski goggles racing down a majestic mountain on fancy skis  in some resort town like Park City or other ski-bunny town.

Nope.

The first time in my adult life I faced the mountain west of the Mississippi was this past weekend. In Las Vegas. At Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort.

Proof it's Las Vegas!

Yes. Las Vegas has skiing.

And, it’s not inside some resort on an artificial mountain, it’s outside. In the mountains. With real snow. (Well, most of the stuff people actually ski on has been made by snow machines, but it’s still snow.) And, below that stuff is the real, fallen-from-the-sky deal. In fact, as we entered the holidays in 2011, Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort, the only ski/snowboard resort in the area, had the deepest snow base in the region, measuring in at a whopping 50 inches.

A pretty 45-minute drive from The Strip is the resort, tucked into the Spring Mountains’ Lee Canyon. Here, unlike the desert some 6,000 feet below, winter actually comes. Sometimes with striking force. Fortunately, the day I head up the mountain, the sun is shining.

The rustic entrance to the resort.

The mountain attracts both locals looking for a day trip, and tourists keen on experiencing yet another side of Las Vegas.

The last leg of one of the blue slopes.

Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort has 11 trails — only two of which are beginners (the ones I explored). The rest of the trails are blue (60 percent) and black (20 percent).

Thanks to the terrain park, the snowboarders outnumber skiers on the mountain.

The vertical drop is on par with what I’m used to from my Mid-Atlantic skiing days back home — a tamer 860 feet. In terms of distance, the longest run at the resort is 3,000 feet.

But, for me, that’s just fine.

Although I used to be a good skier, on the mountain that day my legs refuse to unfreeze from the oh-so-attractive “wedge.”

The biggest challenge for me wasn’t gliding down the mountain. It was getting on and off the lift the first time. There were no bars on these bad boys, so my hand wrapped around the frame in a death grip.

The wooden benches transport to the top of the bunny hill.

Granted, I was also a little nervous about the actual act of skiing. Since it had been ages, I joined a class quickly to get a refresher in the fine art of the “wedge.” The resort offers a wide-range of classes, including group and private lessons for skiers and snowboarders.

Little kids learn how to ski. And likely look more graceful than yours truly whilst learning.

I am very happy to report, I sustained no injuries on this sunny Las Vegas day. Which is more than I can say for other adventure sports activities I have tried … like  the time I enjoyed para-falling instead of paragliding; or my sea navigation issues.

In terms of what to wear … I think it is safe to say my outfit was laughable. Being chic and a budget traveler don’t go together! I don’t own ski clothing, so I wore jeggings (I know …), a turtleneck, T-shirt, fleece vest and brought with me a pair of thick sweat pants, an REI fleece-lined jacket, knit gloves and a hat.

Hat and gloves I brought along to go with my sweats and fleece.

Fortunately, the resort offers clothing to rent so within minutes, I had a nice pair of waterproof pants to wear. And, had I needed it, I could have also rented a thicker coat. Bonus? Unlike my scrounged together winter monstrosity I assembled, the apparel at the resort won’t leave guests looking like they are a fashion “don’t.”

A gorgeous day in the Las Vegas mountains.

On this Saturday morning though, the sun was shining, the sky was nearly cloudless and the mid-30 temps didn’t require too many layers beyond what I was already wearing.

I also don’t own skis, or any of the other gear that goes with it, so I rented those there, too.

Skis covered with snow fresh from a quick run down the bunny slope.

When the snow melts, the resort turns into a gorgeous area for hikes winding through pine trees complete with fresh mountain area and perfect temps compared to the sweltering heat in town.

The bottom line:

Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort is a the perfect place for people in Las Vegas looking to get a breath of the great outdoors without venturing too far from The Strip. The snow conditions vary depending on the weather and when I skied, it was packed and slightly icy. Price is fair, and deals can be found online to help minimize the expense. People coming to the mountain should not expect a Vail or an Aspen, but they should expect a fun day skiing less than an hour from one the most popular tourist destinations in the world — Las Vegas.

Lodging:

Unlike resorts dotting mountains in the west, this one doesn’t have on-site lodging. In fact, the closest beds available are on the other side of the mountain in Kyle Canyon with a choice of two properties — The Resort at Mt. Charleston or Mount Charleston Lodge.

Otherwise, it’s back down the mountain and into town. The closest major resort in town is Santa Fe Station.

Getting there:

From The Strip, take I-15 North to 95 North. Stick on that for around 30 miles then turn left onto Rt. 156 to Lee Canyon. About 17 miles up the road (note: don’t speed, there are police who will pull you over, take it from me), the road dead-ends into the resort. Don’t have a car? Don’t worry. The resort also operates a shuttle bus that departs from Town Square and Santa Fe Station around 8 a.m. every day, returning after 4 p.m.

For details, visit Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard’s Web site.

Editor’s Note: I was a guest of the resort for the day, however all opinions are my own. If you have questions regarding this, please read my disclosure policy.

d travels 'round

Review of Glow, a MANDARA Spa, at Tropicana Las Vegas’ Glo2 Facial

“It’s been, uh, awhile, since I had a facial,” I tell my esthetician, Jacqueline Zayed, when she comes into the dimly lit room at Glow inside Tropicana Las Vegas.

I search the corners of my mind to try and remember the last time I surrendered my face to someone else’s hands. October … 2009?

Yeah. It’s been awhile.

Laying in the room inside the megaresort of Tropicana marks my first treatment — ever — at a major Strip hotel.

Sure, all of the facials I have had in my life have been in Las Vegas, but never inside one of these behomeths. Since I live here, I’m not one among those who book holidays to Las Vegas and then incorporates the perks of a vacation with opulent (and, often times, necessary for any holiday) treatments.

Needless to say, knowing what I’m walking in to, and why others visit, I have high expectations.

Glow, a MANDARA Spa, is awash in mid-day sun when I check-in for my appointment. The hotel, which was recently renovated to emulate a South Beach vibe, added Glow in late 2011, so it’s pretty new to the Strip spa scene.

It a Blackberry photo, which means it's no good. But, you get the point. The lobby of Glow.

Like the hotel and it’s new white wash overlay, everyone on staff here is clad in white. For some reason, seeing all of the staff in white instantly transports me to a place that is not Vegas. (Perhaps because it’s winter and white and winter don’t go together, even if I am smack dab in the middle of the Southwest and the desert.)

The man who checks me in hands me a mini bottle of ice cold water and instructs me to take a seat on the couch while I wait for my escort back.

Outside, the huge windows show a stunning late January Las Vegas day. The pool below glistens, even if a few stray leaves have begun to gather at the bottom and ropes announce it is closed for the season.

After a few minutes of waiting, another staff member greets me and takes me back into the delves of the spa. Which, in reality, isn’t that big compared to other Strip spas I have ventured through. Absent are the hot tubs, the sauna and other little touches that leave you elated to have access to the spa for the entire day.

“You have until 7 p.m. to enjoy the facilities,” she says to me. I look around. There’s the gym, a steam room and a shower (which looks divine with numerous jets coming out of the walls and the rainshower spout above).

It won’t keep me entertained for seven hours, but it’s still nice.

I am given a locker, a robe, some sandals, and then told to wait in the Relaxation Lounge, a dimly lit room filled with day beds and couches, for my esthetician to meet me.

The Relaxation Room at Glow. Photo courtesy of Tropicana Las Vegas.

Jacqueline is really nice, and seems to know what she’s talking about. Once I’m tucked into the spa bed, she asks if I have any allergies.

No one has ever asked me that before when getting a facial.

I explain I am allergic to Penicillin, but it shouldn’t matter. It’s a facial. Not medication.

“Thank goodness you told me that,” she says. “The chemical peel I was going to use has a derivative of that so we have to change it.”

Well, then. Glad I said something.

I close my eyes and let her work her magic.

First, she wipes my face clean, then applies the chemical mask — a glycolic peel. While the peel sinks into my skin, I get a scalp massage. I’m a sucker for scalp massages, and this one feels great as she runs her fingers up and down my scalp, applying pressure.

When the peel is done setting and tingling, she removes it and then preps my skin for extractions. While cream begins to penetrate my skin, she wraps plastic around my face and covers it with a warm towel. During this process, I get a hand and arm massage.

After about 10 minutes, it’s time for the extractions. Unlike other extractions, this one uses a metal spatula of sorts, called the Bliss Porefector Gadget. It pulses and glides along the skin, extracting and pushing the cream deeper into my skin to help give it a deep clean.

I then get a face massage, a nice once-over that helps send me further into relaxation.

Following the face massage, Jacqueline applies a combination of a triple oxygen mask and triple oxygen energizing cream. While it soaks, I get another massage. This time from my knees down to my feet.

Ahhhh.

I get distracted momentarily when the music, for some reason, gets louder. It’s not the typical spa music, but actual tunes with lyrics. It’s not music I’d like to hear in a spa, so I try to tune it out and just concentrate on her hands working out my legs and feet instead.

Then, it’s on to a daily detoxifying toner, an application of vitamins and a thin piece of gauze soaked in enzymes, left on my face below a hot towel.

During this, she gives me a décolletage massage.

Finally, the last big step in the 75-minute facial is the nebulizer with sea water and oxygen. It’s a light mist that showers my face for five minutes. Refreshing. Invigorating. My skin feels ridiculously clean and revitalized.

The last step in the process is the application of moisturizer and eye cream.

“You’re all done,” she says softly.

I slowly get up and wrap my thick spa robe around me. When I meet Jacquline outside, I go to touch my face to see how smooth it feels.

“Don’t!” She warns. “Wait until you wash your hands. It’s really clean!”

I oblige, then head off to the steam room for a few minutes.

The air is incredibly thick when I walk in and sit on one of the heated ledges. I close my eyes, but the rotating color of lights distracts me. I wish it would just stick on one relaxing color — maybe blue — instead of rotating through the rainbow.

Following a few minutes of steam, I hop in the multi-jet shower.

Amazing.

Then, it’s time to go.

The only down side? Having to walk through the smokey casino with my new, clean face.

The bottom line: The Glo2 Facial is $225 (including a 20 percent gratuity). The treatment includes all-day access to the spa facilities. I enjoyed the facial and even 24-hours later, my skin still feels clean and smooth. Plus, it has a great glow to it. It’s one of the only spas on the Strip to offer a medical treatment (chemical peel) with aromatherapy applications. While the spa facilities are a bit sparse, the facial will leave your skin gorgeous.

For more information on the services, visit Glow’s Web site.

Editor’s Note: I was a guest of Glow for this treatment, however all opinions are my own. If you have questions regarding this, please read my disclosure policy.

d travels 'round

Homesickness while on long-term travel is nearly unavoidable.

Just three months after my 18^th birthday I moved to Voronezh, Russia for half-a-year to teach English. This was, without a doubt, one of the very best things I ever did for myself. But, on the flip side, it was also one of the most difficult things I have ever done.

In retrospect I was young, but at the time I didn’t realize how young I really was – I became more homesick than I’d ever expected. Thankfully, I learned a few tricks to bring the familiar to the foreign.

Goodies from home inside!

Ask for the comforts from home

Receiving packages isn’t just about pieces of home coming to you; packages are also a way for you to share pieces of your home with others. As I found myself wishing I had this or that, I would add them to my ongoing list of what I’d like to receive in a package. The list usually included items like Oreos, Peanut Butter Cups, lemonade mix, Butterfingers, microwave popcorn and card games like Uno, Skip-Bo and Phase 10. I had more fun getting to share and talk with others about what I got rather than sitting in a corner stuffing processed chocolates in my mouth.

The family I lived with was totally amazed that we could have popcorn at home rather than having to go to the movies, although it took some convincing and a promise that if I broke their microwave I would replace it with a new one. I’m pretty sure they were hoping for a new microwave to be the outcome rather than microwaveable popcorn, but the experience turned out to be one of my favorite stories to share.

 

Those golden arches need no translation!

Find your nearest McD’s or other fast food outlet

I know it seems a little sacrilegious to eat at McDonalds while surrounded by a foreign culture but sometimes you just need that fix of home. McDonalds can be more than mainstream greasy food. They almost always have better bathrooms than other restaurants. Culture and the country isn’t lost — many McDonalds adds cultural twists like spices, sauces, meats, style and booze. Yes, booze.

Going to McDonalds has become a favorite tradition of mine. I’ve been to several international McDonalds outlets including enjoying little pieces of home in Lithuania, United States, Mexico, Israel, Russia, London and France.  It’s fun to compare similarities and differences in cultures and countries.

Carve out some time to write.

Stay in touch via the (gasp) postal system

I love to send postcards when I travel, probably because I love getting postcards when my friends travel. Who doesn’t love getting something in the mail? The further into the twenty-first century we get, the more of a novelty it is! Sending postcards worked well for me because it’s something I could do whenever I wanted … like when the craving for home hit, or trying to fall asleep after a long day, riding on a bus or even in between teaching classes. It was my way of letting my mind wander and allow myself to think about the people and things I missed from home while being productive, rather than missing home and letting myself get depressed.

Friends help cure homesickness.

Get out and meet people

Traveling to Russia with seven fellow English teachers helped make the transition smoother for my stay in a foreign country. We became a great support system for each other, even though we all lived with separate local families. Having a host family was amazing – I wouldn’t do it any other way. They were a sweet, understanding family who included me in as many family outings as I wanted to attend.

The longer you’re abroad the easier it is to approach locals and other travelers. Take advantage of sites like Couchsurfing.  Although I didn’t know about it when I was in Russia, I have since used it to find people in the area I was visiting for a cup of coffee, tips and ideas and even had a few people offer to show me around. I’ve never had a negative experience with Couchsurfing, but always remember to be safe and smart about meeting places.

There are other ways to meet people, too. Do a search on Facebook to see if there are any groups in the town you are living in. Enroll in a language course. Take a cooking class. Get out there and meet people with similar interests.

Subtitles rock!

Find music and movies to remind you of home

I moved to Russia before iPods or digital music and movies were common, so I was stuck with the dozens of CD’s I brought with me. Luckily, buying American movies made illegally were easy to find and fairly cheap. However, finding movies in English that hadn’t been dubbed over was a little bit trickier and more expensive. Needless to say, when I found them, I bought them. I came home with “Hitch,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Peter Pan” and “13 Going On 30.” Sure, none of them are my favorites, but it was nice to have 90 minutes of English and not have to make conversation.

What do you do when you get homesick? Do you have any surefire ways to kick it to the curb?

About the Author: Heather is passionate about three thing: 1) traveling; 2)humanity; and  3) education. In 2012, upon earning her Integrated Studies degree in History & Political Science, she is leaving her life in Salt Lake City, Utah to live the life of an expat. With only the intention to travel, she is leaving the planning and itinerary to where the trade winds of the universe send her. Follow Heather’s journey on her blog, HeathersHarmony, on Twitter and Facebook.

—–

Want to stay and play for less time? Check out vacation rentals for a unique experience abroad!

 

d travels 'round