November 29, 2011

Dear Valued Travel Partner,

As you may know, American Airlines today took a necessary and responsible step to secure the future success of our company by filing for reorganization under Chapter 11. We took this action in order to become a more efficient, financially stronger, and competitive airline that is even better positioned to deliver for customers and the communities we serve. It will be business as usual at American during the Chapter 11 process.

In recent years, we have built the foundation for our future growth and long-term success. We strengthened our domestic and global network; fortified our alliances with the best partners around the world; launched a transformational fleet deal that will give us the youngest and most efficient fleet in the industry; and invested in our product, service and technology to build a world class customer experience.

However, to capitalize on these foundational strengths, we must address our very substantial cost disadvantage compared to our larger competitors, all of which restructured their costs and debt through Chapter 11. We are committed to working as quickly and efficiently as possible to appropriately restructure American Airlines so that we can emerge well-positioned to compete effectively in the marketplace for the long-term.

The Chapter 11 process lets us continue normal business operations while we restructure our debt, costs and other obligations. American’s $4.1 billion in unrestricted cash and short-term investments, as well as cash generated from operations, is anticipated to be more than sufficient to assure that all vendors, suppliers, and business partners will be paid timely and in full for goods and services they provide us during the Chapter 11 process in accordance with customary terms.

Our relationship with you is paramount to us, and we look forward to continuing it well into the future. Please be assured that our sales agreement with you remains in full effect.

During the reorganization, American Airlines will also continue to:

• Provide safe and reliable service. Our customers remain our top priority and will continue to enjoy the quality service they know and expect from us.
• Operate our regular flight schedule. There are no immediate changes to our service or schedules as a result of the Chapter 11 filing. We intend to maintain a strong presence in domestic and international markets, including our cornerstones in Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, New York, Miami and Los Angeles, while using the flexibility of our fleet renewal program to remove less-efficient aircraft in our fleet.
• Honor tickets and reservations as usual. Policies regarding exchanges and refunds remain the same.
• Maintain the AAdvantage program and ensure all miles and elite status earned by members remain secure and intact.
• Remain an integral member of the oneworld Alliance, of which American is a founding member, and continue our relationship with our codeshare partners.

If you have any questions about the reorganization process, please contact your American Airlines sales representative. Further information can also be found at AA.com/restructuring.

American Airlines has a proud history, and we will have a successful future. Through this process, we will enhance our reputation as a global leader known for excellence and innovation, a travel partner customers seek out, and a carrier that serves communities throughout the world. All of us on the American team appreciate your support, loyalty and business, and look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship well into the future.

Best regards,
Derek DeCross
Vice President – Global Sales

Huaorani guide, Eme, shows us how hunters call a toucan

Visiting the community of Quehueri’ono

An all round cool adventure in the Amazon, but that’s only the beginning…

A visit to the Huaorani Lodge is about learning about the remarkable Amazon forest from the people who have lived here for centuries. Community interaction and education is a significant part of this itinerary. The Huaorani Lodge is a community owned and operated lodge – designed specifically to help preserve the territory and traditions of the Huaorani community.

The fight to protect the Huaorani culture and environment first came to the fore in the mid nineteen nineties. Moi Enomenga of the Quehueri’ono community was featured by the New Yorker magazine and was the principle character of Joe Kane’s book ‘Savages’ (1995); an NBC television documentary later told of his struggle to protect his people’s land from oil companies. Moi’s experiences gave him a new perspective. He came to believe that ecotourism could provide a means by which his people might receive an income while maintaining the integrity of their culture and conserving their rainforest territory.

The ecolodge is one of the outcomes of Moi’s vision. The project to build and run the lodge was developed by the Ecotourism Association of Quehueri’ono – representing five communities on the upper Shiripuno River – and a well know pioneer ecotourism operator based in Quito. Low impact and local participation were given priority.

Carefully chosen expert guides (who have spent significant time with the Huaorani) and Huaorani community members join travelers throughout this trip. Not only are travelers accompanied by local guides on this trip, but they will also spend time visiting the Huaorani Community of Quehueri’ono. There is no set agenda for the community visits – sometimes visits will include a welcome ceremony, sometimes a dance, sometimes travelers are welcomed into a household for the afternoon, sometimes they help the Huaorani in the field… It all depends on what the community’s agenda is for the day. Travelers can also purchase crafts directly from community members. It is very common for community members to causally stop at the lodge and campsite to visit travelers.

Waterfall retreat from Nenkepare campsite

The Huaorani Lodge is one of the lodges that Adventure Life has worked with on an USAID funded project with the Rainforest Alliance. The purpose of this project is to support to community owned lodges in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The goals of this project include the preservation of at least 200,000 hectares of Amazonian rainforest in Ecuador — combined with training and technical assistance to community-owned lodges located in or adjacent to protected areas. The focus is on reducing negative impacts associated with tourism — and reevaluating the most successful and practical practices of responsible tourism. The Huaorani Lodge – as all lodges involved in the project – specifically requested to be involved.

1. Post this blog or video to your Facebook page anytime between June 10, 2011 and June 26, 2011.

To post the video copy/paste this URL to your Facebook post: http://youtu.be/yk2WjswA9Ns
To post this blog copy/paste this URL to your Facebook post: http://blog.adventure-life.com/2011/06/10/post-this-eagle-ray-video-to-win-eagle-creek-gear/

2. Tag Adventure Life in your post

3. I’ll pick a random winner to walk away with over $400 of great Eagle Creek gear.

One of our Galapagos guides, Fabricio Chavez, captured this “flock” of spotted eagle rays while snorkeling in the islands. A resident of the Galapagos, spotted eagle rays can reach up to 8 feet across and 16 feet long from head to tail. While they are found widespread throughout the Galapagos, they are not extremely common. This was a rare — and beautiful — treat.

Enter to win over $400 of Eagle Creek gear

Prize: Winner receives a Traverse Pro 25, and a folder, cube, and sac from Eagle Creek’s exclusive Pack-It System; or what I like to call, the tidy-traveler’s best friend. Here’s how to enter:

1. Post this blog or video to your Facebook page anytime between June 10, 2011 and June 26, 2011.

2. Tag Adventure Life in your post

3. I’ll pick a random winner to walk away with over $400 of great Eagle Creek gear.

Yes, it’s that simple!

Winner will be posted here on our blog, so stay tuned. GOOD LUCK!

The “Small Print”:
Submissions are open to legal residents of the continental United States and must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Once contacted, winner will have 2 work-days to reply before another winner is selected. Winner agrees to let Adventure Life brag about you on our Facebook page, Twitter, and any other promotion of this sweepstakes as part of the winning announcement. Prize is non-redeemable for cash.

With the help of seasoned travelers, journalists, and local experts, Traveler discovers properties that exhibit strong local color, authenticity, a sustainability ethic, and community involvement. Further research narrows the list down to our very best picks—places you can count on for a great overnight (and cultural) experience.

Here are a few details on just why these accommodations made the list.

The Madidi River -- Enroute to the Bolivian Amazon's Chalalan Lodge

EcoCamp in Torres del Paine National Park

Ecuador's Sacha Lodge makes National Geographic Travelers 2011 Stay List

EcoCamp
EcoCamp is designed to expose travelers to nature as in a camp tent but with the comfort and sophistication of a four star hotel. The structure is built to interfere as little as possible with the surrounding Torres del Paine environment, and to take full advantage of the site. EcoCamp gives sight to the park’s granite pillars right from the dining room and from many dormitory domes. Here the environment is the star. Travelers come very far to be outdoors in the park, so indoor amenities are as little as possible to encourage as much time outdoors as possible exploring the trails of Torres del Paine. The maximum capacity will be 30 guests so the feeling of intimacy, the idea of being in a Nomadic convoy in a remote environment will be kept even if the EcoCamp is full.

Sacha Lodge
Sacha has long recognized how rich and rare its surrounding environment is – and has designed a number of structures to highlight the region. This includes its kapok tower; this 135-foot tower is situated on a hill and constructed around a giant kapok tree for stability. This tower allows guests another opportunity to climb into and above the rainforest canopy. And its recent 940-foot (275-meter) long canopy walkway – at approximately 94 feet (30 meters) above the ground – is exclusive to the lodge. While at Sacha, travelers paddle dugout canoes along blackwater creeks and lakes; swim with piranha; take night walks and canoe trips in search of caiman and other nocturnal creatures. This is the Amazon – and Sacha is designed educate and immerse travelers in the jungle during the day, and relax in comfort at night.

National Geographic Traveler definitely has some nice things to say about Chalalan, Sacha, and EcoCamp (and we certainly share their sentiments) — but how about a few recommendations directly from the source. Here’s just a few things our travelers are saying about their time at these lodges.

What our travelers are saying about Chalalan:
“The Chalalan Lodge experience is just fantastic. Madidi Park is everyone’s dream of a rainforest-lush, beautiful, and filled with wildlife. Everyone at the lodge was super. Ricoberto, our guide, was knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic. The meals were delicious and the service was great. Every time I got back from a hike someone was waiting to greet me with a glass of cold lemonade. This was a fabulous tour!” – Kathy R.

What our travelers are saying about EcoCamp:
“Our EcoCamp dome was beyond our wildest dreams – wood floors, a comfy king-sized bed, floor to ceiling windows, a spacious bathroom – all the comforts of home with none of the environmental impact. After settling in, we headed back to the main dome where we were to have all our meals. Our first night, a delicious steamed salmon for dinner awaited, wine…plus good conversation with new friends. We agreed right then and there that life just doesn’t get much better.” – Jesson B.

What our travelers are saying about Sacha Lodge:
“I can’t tell you how impressed we were with the facilities. I constantly found myself thinking about how much it must take to maintain the place which essentially sits on stilts above the water and mud. Our guides, David and Poncho were excellent. Their knowledge is extensive and I am still amazed at their ability to spot wildlife in the jungle. On the evening of our arrival, Sacha hosted its once weekly barbecue at the boathouse. The food was delicious! All of the mysterious and fascinating sounds of the jungle could be heard right out of the windows of our cabin. What an experience!” – Charles A.

Adventure Life Giveaway - Win 2 Free Flights to South America

Enter our free flights giveaway NOW!

Having personally flown LAN airlines a handful of times, I am continually impressed with their services both on and off board. The giveaway closes April 17, 2011.

Adventure Life's Andean Multisport featured in Outside Magazine's 2011 Best Trips Issue

Want to go?

Enter your photo for a chance to win $500 to luggagepros.com today!

Enter now: Post one of your favorite travel photos on our Facebook Wall. Then ask your friends to “like” your picture. Photo with most votes/likes wins!

Good luck!
Voting closes Jan. 23 – the winner is up to YOU!

The Giant Tortoise - A Galapagos Superstar

With the changes already on the horizon, however, many Galapagos yachts are voluntarily moving forward with the changes and operating the new 15-day itinerary in 2011, as originally proposed. Boats that are moving forward on this 15-day itinerary are hoping to secure preferential and the most sought-after itineraries for their clients. Travelers have the option of booking the full 15-days … or, depending on the boat, any length from 4 to 15 day itineraries. The new itineraries should not visit any site more than once.

Why the Change?
The protection of the islands is the foremost concern for all parties involved. This new itinerary project is designed specifically around preservation of the islands. The islands continue to wow travelers, and along with their fame, their number of visitors has increased dramatically over the past few decades. This lengthened itinerary will spread travelers out — decreasing visitation to the most heavily visited sites and allow the opportunity for travelers to visit some of those lesser-explored regions of the islands.

The International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) states:

The purpose of this measure was to cut visitation at 15 heavily used sites, give equal access to all boats at sites, increase the use of underused sites, enhance the visitor experience, reduce accidents, and reduce the total number of visitors by cutting out shorter itineraries.

To break it down to numbers – implementation of this measure will reduce visitors to some sites by 50%. The goal is to enhance Galapagos travel for both the islands and its visitors. In other words, change is good.

Is Your Yacht Making the Change in 2011?
These Galapagos yachts have decided to start offering the 15-day itinerary starting sometime this upcoming season. I know this is vague, but each yacht has their own agenda and initiation schedule that vague is the only option. Certainly give us a call 1-800-344-6118 if you have any questions on your yacht, your trip, or Galapagos cruises in general.

Aida Maria
Eden
Angelito
Cachalote
Guantanamera
San Jose
Millennium
Athala
Beluga
Seaman II
Queen of Galapagos

One of Easter Islands' famous Moai: LAN airlines offers new ways of traveling to Easter Island from Lima, Peru

UPDATE 10/28/10: As of Oct 28 (interestingly enough one day after I posted this article) LAN announced flights from Lima to Iguazu will now go through Foz do Iguazu International Airport (IGU, Brazil) replacing the original published operation from LIM-IGR in Argentina. Still totally doable — but now many travelers (including US travelers) will be required to purchase a visa for Brazil.

LAN airlines recently announced new direct flights from Lima, Peru to Iguazu, Argentina — and direct flights from Lima, Peru to Easter Island, Chile. So what’s the big deal? Well, prior to these offerings, travelers had to fly – and overnight in – the capital cities of Buenos Aires or Santiago, and then purchase additional flights to Iguazu or Easter Island … all of which added excess days and costs to the itinerary. The new direct flights not only make travel easier, but save time and money; travelers’ two most coveted commodities.

Offerings include both round trip Lima-Iguazu-Lima and Lima-Easter Island-Lima; or one-way options. Flights schedules are somewhat limited, specifically for the round-trip Lima-Easter Island-Lima (and quite honestly can get a little pricey). But there are plenty of one-way flights available typically starting around $270.

These new international flights are a direct result from the combined requests of Adventure Life, our travelers, and other companies in the travel industry who share our mission to make great travel effortless. Very cool LAN.

Need help putting it all together? Contact us.