One example is the safari camp you would find in Kenya. What is fine about this one is that it has been designed to operate with solar power. In fact, because of its program, it has just been recognized and has been awarded by the Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

According to the editors of the magazine, they have created such an award and decided to give it to the Campi ya Kanzi, the safari camp in Kenya, because they would like those wanting to travel or to take a vacation to realize that going solar does not mean having to do away with luxury.

Post from: Blisstree

Safari Camp Works With Solar Power

Of course, it does need you to plan well. You should decide on where you would go, what kind of activities you would like to do. And since you would be venturing and communing with nature, make sure that you check out the wildlife you can encounter while you are there.

If you are going hiking, make sure that you follow trails. These trails have been created for people to follow. They were not meant to be used as decoration or something. Following these trails would give you the serene wisdom that you are right on track and you are not wandering in the middle of the forest.

Oh yeah. Do not forget to clean up when you’re done.

[Via Live Earth]
[Image from Carolina House Trust]

Post from: Blisstree

Outdoor Activities Can Be Fun Too

It is a ferry and it is powered by the sun. Yup, a solar-powered ride. It is twelve feet long and it is named the Sunshine Express. Well, what other name would suit such a means of transportation but the Sunshine Express.

For power, the ferry boat has got photovoltaic panels which were installed on the roof. From there, the power is enhanced so much so that it would become power that the boat would need to function.

The owner of the ferry, Judith Verity, is quick to express, “One resource the Caribbean has in abundance is solar power. We hope that the (ferry) will be the first of many solar-powered boats not just in St. Lucia but throughout the Caribbean.”

The Sunshine Express can carry 15 guests at a maximum.

[Via MercuryNews.com]
[Image from Cruise Travel]

Post from: Blisstree

Solar Ferry Offered At One Resort

Sounds icky? Sounds yucky? Sounds just too weird?

It may be so but there are some environment advocates who are already looking at used cooking oil from restaurants as a fuel source for vehicles. After all, it is no secret that the world’s fossil fuel sources are slowly depleting.

The group of advocates seems to have already done experiments and see if such worked and I guess it did. In fact, aside from used cooking oil, these environmentalists are also now trying out vegetable oil to serve as fuel. And now only are these unconventional fuel being tested on vehicles but they are also being tested on houses’ heating systems.

One very concrete example that these “fuels” do work is the fact that Antony Berretti was able to drive through Europe in his Fiat van. And all he was using for fuel was the used vegetable oil that he was able to get from restaurants he passed on his journey.

[Via Yahoo! News]

[Image from About: Greek Food]

Post from: Blisstree

Used Cooking Oil To Power Your Car

What is unique about the Windham Mountain is that it would be using up wind energy throughout the whole duration of the ski season. And yes, the entire season would be using up only clean wind energy which would be powering the entire base lodge as well as three of the ski resort’s lifts.

The general manager for the resort, Tim Woods, shares, “To introduce three new lifts at the resort is tremendous and ensuring they will run on renewable energy is a great step toward helping protect the environment.”

Brend Alderfer also states, “Windham Mountain has distinguished itself as a leader on two of our most demanding challenges – energy and climate. Their decision helps build generation that offers clean air now which protects our climate for future generations.” Alderfer is the president of Community Energy, Inc., a company that supplies wind energy to various facilities.

[Via AlpineZone.com]

Post from: Blisstree

Ready For A New Kind Of Vacation?

Sleeping under the stars, staying at organic farms, and participating in community service projects are just some of the cool things you can experience in these unique getaways. More highlights from the PortlandPeace.org website…

• Study and apply the philosophies of permaculture, alternative building, appropriate technology and sustainable energy.
• Spend time with Native American communities, work with salmon restoration and indigenous building practices.
• Gain a deeper understanding of how organic food is grown, and distributed.
• Explore some of the most beautiful places in Oregon while learning about natural history, deep ecology, and environmental ethics.
• Observe local economics projects and grassroots democracy struggles in places through which you travel.
• Participate in a traveling community of cyclists coming from all over North America with a variety of backgrounds but with a shared longing for a better world.
• Discover consensus decision-making and use it to make collective decisions within your community.
• Learn about nutrition, health and fitness through long-distance cycling.

Head on over to PortlandPeace.org for more information if you’re interested. They’ve got some deep discounts available on the upcoming spring and summer tours for the next little while plus a chance to win a free one-week bike tour just for visiting the website.

A tip of the hat to Mark.

Post from: Blisstree

Sustainable Energy in Motion Bike Vacations

This one is a 6-day hands-on Solar Electric Design & Installation workshop that’s being co-sponsored by Tucson Electric Power and The Solar Store. It’s taking place February 20th-25th and the cost is $675 USD. To quote from the release…

Participants in the Photovoltaic Design & Installation workshop will learn how to use PV technology to produce their own solar electricity. The workshop will include tours, guest speakers and hands-on labs. This workshop is for the beginner who wants to use PV on their home or business and for those seeking employment in the solar industry.

If you’re still looking to take a sunny vacation this winter, what better way than with a little sunny learning included as well? Here’s the link to the workshop page at SEI.

[via Renewable Energy Access]

Post from: Blisstree

Solar Learning Vacation in Arizona

Colorado-based Solar Energy International (SEI) is going to be running a Renewable Energy for the Developing World workshop this coming January down in Rancho Mastatal, Costa Rica. The seven day course, which will include classroom sessions and labs plus have a strong hands-on component, takes place January 23-29, 2006 and the tuition is $650 USD.

From the press release…

The workshop will focus on three main projects: building and using solar cookers, designing and installing a solar-electric system, and building a methane digester. Other sessions and tours will cover solar, wind, and hydroelectricity, solar hot water, and social and cultural issues surrounding renewable energy in the developing world.

Here’s the link to the SEI web site for more details.

[via Renewable Energy Access]

Post from: Blisstree

Renewable Energy Workshop in Costa Rica

Our first Off-the-Grid Vacation profile is going to be on Hotelito Desconocido, a small luxury resort located about 60 miles south of the Puerto Vallarta airport, nestled beneath the Sierra Madre mountains along the ‘Costa Alegre’ in Jalisco, Mexico.

‘Hotelito‘ generates it own power via solar means and that’s only used for indispensable resort needs like hot water and refrigeration. At night, the rooms and restaurant are lit by hundreds of candles and luminaries light the pathways that meander throughout the property. Beyond that, guests are left off-the-grid to enjoy some true downtime.

Amenities like creams and such are 100% natural, the water comes from a neighbouring estuary, and the food is prepared with fruits and vegetables grown in their own organic garden. The owner and founder, Marcello Murzilli, explains his philosophy as…”Hotelito was created for the new millennium. In every aspect, it speaks of change, and of taking care of nature.”

Hotelito Desconocido has got a great web site which you can find at this link here, with lots of details and photos of the resort to dream away to.

[via Treehugger]

Post from: Blisstree

Hotelito Desconocido – Off the Grid in Mexico