January, 2008 Photo Contest

Where Was This Photo Taken? This month’s contest is a history lesson. This is a photo showing some of the damage caused by the largest earthquake on record ever to occur in North America. Where is it? Last Month's Winner Congratulations to Dianne McNair, who was the first to identify the tea plantation in Assam shown in December’s contest.

Tea and Culture at "The-Hutong"

Tea houses and street signs clamor for attention through the thousands of ancient Beijing alleys known as "hutongs," but take yourself to The Hutong, and learn the secrets of some Chinese mysteries beyond its lion handled courtyard doors. From The Hutong’s courtyard rooftop, enjoy the bird’s-eye view of life in the alleys below.  Daily social events bring like minds together and while in the tearoom you can sip your way through China's provinces.  The-Hutong’s course leaders have years of tasting knowledge and you’re sure ...

Reindeer Herding in Northern Mongolia

Join the Tsaatan people in Mongolia’s northernmost village – Tsagaan Nuur – when you travel through a program established by The Itgel Foundation in conjunction with the Tsaatan community in 2008.  Created as part of their Reindeer Life Project, which was set up to revitalize and protect the Tsaatan reindeer-herding community of Northern Mongolia, visitors will enjoy learning and participating in nomadic life while supporting the program’s important work.  The Tsaatan are Mongolia’s smallest ethnic minority, a nomadic people who depend on reindeer for nearly all aspects of survival. ...

Ride the Criollo Across the Argentine Pamap

Ride the horses of the legendary Gauchos when you travel to Los Dos Hermanos Estancia, a charming family ranch located an hour out of Buenos Aires in Argentina. A few days on the Estancia offer a glimpse of Argentine rural living in a beautiful traditional setting - a wonderful juxtaposition to the elegance and bustle of Buenos Aires. The Estancia is home to over 60 horses mostly of the sturdy and reliable Criollo breed native to the Argentine pampa. The vast pampa, which means “plain” in the Quecha language, ...