Honduras Political Resolution

TOURISM AREAS CONTINUE TO WELCOME VISITORS
Tegucigalpa, Honduras (October 30, 2009) – Four months after President Manuel Zelaya was relieved of power on June 28, the interim Roberto Micheletti government and Zelaya officials have come to a resolution to end the ongoing political situation in Honduras.

On the evening of October 29, in a U.S.-brokered deal, both sides agreed to a resolution that asks the Honduran Congress, with prior authorization by the Honduran Supreme Court, to approve Zelaya’s return to the presidency until the end of his term. Under the agreement, the candidate elected in the November 29 elections will take office as planned in January 2010. The international community has praised both Micheletti and Zelaya for their willingness to come to a consensus, and end four months of uncertainty in the country.

As a result of this resolution, the World Bank will resume all projects committed to prior to June 28, and the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa will begin issuing Visas to Hondurans within the next week. The Honduran consulates in the U.S. and throughout the world will also resume their diplomatic positions within the next week.
Meanwhile, the Honduras tourism sector continues to welcome visitors to its many tourist areas. Wholesalers, tour operators and hotels in areas such as Roatán, Utila, La Ceiba, Tela and Copán Ruinas are offering special promotions to visitors for the remainder of 2009 and continuing into the 2010 high season. With this resolution and its widespread acceptance in the international community, the travel alerts issued by many countries are expected to be lifted in the forthcoming weeks.
“The committal to this resolution is excellent news for the Honduras tourism industry,” stated Ana Abarca, Minister of Tourism for Honduras. “With this, travelers from around the globe should have no hesitation in taking advantage of everything Honduras has to offer. We very excited to welcome visitors back to our beautiful country.”

Honduras is located in the heart of Central America, encompassing over 43,000 square miles, making it about the size of Tennessee. It is only a short flight from the U.S.: two hours from Miami or less than three hours from Houston or Atlanta. Honduras features a 500-mile Caribbean coastline on its north and a 100-mile Pacific coastline on its south. Travelers can tour Maya ruins in the western highlands, explore an underwater paradise in the Bay Islands, engage in eco-tourism in the La Moskitia region, immerse themselves in the Garifuna or Lenca culture, and much more. Honduras borders on the west with Guatemala, the southwest with El Salvador, and on the east with Nicaragua.

Lost World takes it on the road! Andrew and family are visiting Patagonia. For two nights we are visiting Remota a fantastic option in Patagonia near to the town of Puerto Natales. Engaging excursion, comfortable yet elegant surroundings and delicious food make it a new favorite. Here is a picture from the excursion today where we saw a dozen condors.

Penguin Promotion in the Galapagos

Low, low Galapagos cruise rates on Explorer II . Contact Lost World Adventures at info@lostworld.com or 800.99.0558 for a complete itinerary.

Suites only grace the 100 passenger Explorer II. Be assured that you'll receive the same level of services as on a smaller boat, with the luxury that a larger boat can offer.

Book before Halloween for rates below 2008's. Four day/three night cruises depart on Wednesdays and five day/ 4 night cruises depart on Saturdays.

Classic Suites are $1159 for 4 days, $1545 for 5 days, $2539 for 8 days. *
Premium Suites are $1275 for 4 days, $1703 for 5 days, $2790 for 8 days. *

* per person based on double occupancy

4 day/ 3 night itinerary departing the 14th and 28 of Oct, 18th of Nov, 2nd, 9th and 16th of Dec.
Wednesday
Arrival at Pto. Baquerizo Moreno airportTransfer to the Galapagos Explorer IIPM: Cerro Brujo, San Cristobal Island
Thursday
AM: Punta Suárez, Española IslandPM: Gardner Bay, Española Island
Friday
AM: Charles Darwin station and Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island PM: Rabida Island
Saturday
AM.: Playa Bachas, Santa Cruz islandTransfer to Baltra airport to take the flight back to the continent.

4 day/ 3 night itinerary departing the 14th and 21st of Nov, 5th and 12th of Dec.

Saturday

Arrival at Baltra airportTransfer to Galapagos Explorer IIPM: Cerro Dragon, Santa Cruz Island

Sunday

AM: Bartholome islandPM: Puerto Egas, Santiago island

Monday

AM: Punta Espinoza, Fernandina IslandPM: Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island

Tuesday

AM: North SeymourPM: Highlands and lava tunnels, Santa Cruz Island

Wednesday

AM: Visit to Lobería , Isla Lobos , Tijeretas , El Junco or Interpretation Center, San Cristobal island**PM: Transfer to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno airport.

8 day/7 night itinerary departs on the 14th and 21st of Nov, 2nd, 5th, 9th and 12 of Dec

NOTE:** Considering changes in flight schedules, weather conditions, and Galapagos National Park regulations we have considered some alternate programs that we may offer the first and last day of the cruise. The guides will inform regarding any variation.

Mare Australis special promotional rates

The Mare and Via Australis are offering special low promotional rates for their 2009/2010 Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego cruises.

Promotional rates start at $840, per person (3-night cruise) and $1120, per person (4-night cruise).

Promotional departure dates:

3 nights (Ushuaia to Punta Arenas):

2009 - September 23, 30; October 3, 7, 10, 14

2010 - April 3, 7, 14

4 nights (Punta Arenas to Ushuaia):

2009 - September 19, 26, 29; October 3, 6, 10, 13

2010 - April 3, 10

Also offered are low-season rates for the folllowing 4 high-season 2009 departures:

3 nights - December 16, 19

4 nights - December 15, 19

All special rates are subject to availability. Contact Lost World Adventures for availability and a detailed itinerary. We specialize in customized adventure travel and can include an Australis cruise on your Chile & Argentina itinerary.

Holiday space in Costa Rica still available

As travelers are booking their holiday vacations to Costa Rica, we still have rooms available at two upscale lodges for holiday season - Lapa Rios on the Osa Peninsula and the Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa.

The Arenal Kioro is a beautiful 5-star hotel with excellent views of Arenal Volcano, its own private hot springs and a spa of the highest standards available in the Arenal region. All suites have two individual terraces with the best panoramic volcano and mountain view.

The world famous Lapa Rios eco lodge is set in a private nature reserve spread over 1,000 acres of Central America's last remaining lowland tropical rainforest in Costa Rica, Lapa Rios Ecolodge overlooks the pristine point where the Golfo Dulce meets the wild Pacific Ocean, a destination matching everyone's idea of paradise.

John and Karen Lewis first envisioned Lapa Rios a private nature reserve. The Minnesota couple was driven by a dream that required liquidating all their assets to finance the purchase of a large tract of rainforest and to build a small, supporting ecotourism project. A conservation easement elaborated by The Nature Conservancy and CEDARENA will ensure this primary forest be preserved in perpetuity, the land never to be developed. The 930-acre Lapa Rios Reserve helps buffer the Osa Peninsula’s Corcovado National Park and serves as a wildlife corridor.

Lapa Rios was designed in harmony with the surrounding forest and beach environment. The main lodge and bungalows line three ridges and are connected by walking paths and steps. Built over 350 feet above the sea, Lapa Rios catches the cooling tropical ocean and forests breezes. The main lodge and the Brisa Azul restaurant soar 50 feet above the sea and, like the private 16 bungalows, are built of locally harvested materials and have intricately woven palm thatched roofs. Climb the lodge’s three-story circular stairway to overlook the forest canopy and breathtaking ocean vistas. Comfortable, locally made bamboo furniture and huge private decks aid relaxation amidst pristine nature.

If you want to spend your year-end holidays in Costa Rica, book now while rooms are still available.

Atacama Skies - Observatory Adventure

Call Lost World Adventures to book an Astronomical tour of the Atacama Desert.

Renovated Galapagos Yacht Isabela

Periodically, all vessels need more substantial marine maintenance and need to be hauled out of the water. This is called a dry dock period, and Metropolitan Touring plans these for its vessels in order to keep them under top performance due to its intensive use throughout the year. Metropolitan Touring’s Yacht ISABELA II, which operates Tuesday to Tuesday Galápagos Expeditions, went through its regular dry dock works where various important improvements were made; all of these are done taking into consideration guest satisfaction, energy efficiency, safety, and assuring minimal environmental impact.
The Ship:
Significant repairs to machinery and equipment and general maintenance of the ship’s hull and structures
Change of shafts and complete overhaul of engines
Assembly of new rudder and steering mechanisms
Installation of two brand new generators that use state of the art technology and match environmental efficiency according to international standards.
Safety
A new sprinkler system was installed throughout the vessel to upgrade and monitor more closely its safety standards
Kitchen:
General maintenance of the kitchen with new flooring, refrigeration systems and air conditioning.
Complete maintenance and overhaul of kitchen equipment
Public Areas:
Bar Lounge furniture received new leather tapestry and new upholstery.
Replacement of all dining room chairs upholstery.
New carpeting in: bar lounge, reception area, reading room, dining-room, stairs and hallway.
Jacuzzi: maintenance and overhaul of all systems, including pumps, filters and coating.
Guest cabins
New upholstery was installed in the furniture of the guest cabins, as well as new wallpaper.
Staff
Engine room staff had their cabin redone and properly equipped
Public restroom facilities, including showers, were thoroughly upgraded
Additionally, the ISABELA II now has a brand new Glass-bottom boat to discover the underwater realm of the Galápagos Marine Reserve, the second largest in the World.