Tag Archives: sustainable travel

Costa Rica’s Finca Rosa Blanca: Paradise For The Conscious Traveler | Ibex Expeditions

Costa Rica’s Finca Rosa Blanca: Paradise for the Conscious Traveler

Costa Rica’s Finca Rosa Blanca: Paradise For The Conscious Traveler | Ibex Expeditions

Nestled in the hills above San José in the rugged, rainforested Costa Rica is the divine Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation and Inn. Recognised by The National Geographic as one of the Unique Lodges of the World, it is a welcome retreat where art meets nature meets incredible cuisine, and coffee!

Costa Rica’s Finca Rosa Blanca: Paradise For The Conscious Traveler | Ibex Expeditions

A labour of love of over 30 years, Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Resort is the creation of three generations of the Jampol Family. Sylvia Jampol along with her son Glenn and his wife Teri started the dream in 1985. More than three decades later, Teri and Glenn live next door to the hotel in the organic coffee plantation which allows them to oversee the guests’ every need. Their two daughters Lily and Olivia, grew up on the grounds of Finca Rosa Blanca along with countless dogs, cats, horses, friends and family.

Glenn Jampol is an artist, and his artwork is on display at the hotel and restaurant. Mr. Jampol is also one of the pioneer advocates of the global ecotourism movement. He is one of the founding member of the outfit Global Ecotourism Network (GEN), and is considered to be one of the fathers of sustainability of Costa Rica, owing to his work in the country as president of CANAECO, a nonprofit organization with the aim of stimulating the country’s tourist activities in a responsible manner.

Costa Rica’s Finca Rosa Blanca: Paradise For The Conscious Traveler | Ibex Expeditions

The Finca Rosa Blanca embodies the spirit of sustainability. No chemicals or fertilisers are used in the coffee plantation, all waste is recycled. Over the last 25 years, the outfit has planted more than 7,000 native trees and is carbon neutral. We highly recommend this wonderful resort and meeting the wonderful owners.

Trans-Siberian Journey - Ibex Expeditions

The Songs of Old Believers – Trans-Siberian Journey

 

Trans-Siberian Journey - Ibex ExpeditionsFor many travellers who ride the Trans-Siberian Railway (spanning eight time zones, goes from Russia to the far east via China and Mongolia, at 9,289km, it is the third longest continuous service railway in the world), visiting the Old Believers and listening to them sing is one of the top features of their journey.

The Old Believers are Eastern Orthodox Christians who maintain the practices of the Eastern Orthodox Church that existed prior to the reforms of Partriach Nikon of Moscow between 1652 and 1666. They resisted his liturgical and doctrinal reforms. Exiled for holding on to their religious beliefs, some were sent to #LakeBaikal in Siberia. Their isolation allowed them to preserve their culture, their language and clothes and most important, their music.

Trans-Siberian Tours - Ibex Expeditions

In #Tarbagatay, Siberia is where most of the Old Believers live. The village is reminiscent of a 17th century space, with colourful houses and vibrant dress codes. The women sing haunting songs, helping visitors understand their lives and struggles.

Perhaps the highest concentration of older established Old Believer communities, with foundations dating back hundreds of years, can be found concentrated in Eastern Siberia, specifically the Transbaikal region in desolate areas of Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai

Trans-Siberian Trips - Ibex Expeditions

Today Siberia’s Old Believers number more than 200,000. In villages around #UlanUde, their #polyphonic singing, culture and way of life have been added to the #UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage for protection and preservation.

Trans-Siberian Travel- Ibex ExpeditionsJoin us in our culturally immersive journeys!