Copy
Explore the Island of Gods, Coral laden Tioman in Malaysia, Discounts... etc. www.vegvoyages.com
Another year for VegVoyages Adventures!!!... 
 
On January 13, 2013, we’ve packed our bags and headed for the adventures in South and North India. Singhji had welcomed two groups in January and will continue to welcome travelers in North India all the way until March. Zac and Yusi headed to South India in January for the rehearsal of our South India Serenade (the tour is schedule for December 2013, but we like to be as ready as possible). The trio will meet up in North India this month (February) for a long awaited reunion and to welcome a team of photographer and writer who are writing a Vegetarian Cookbook. What’s exciting about this project is, they were so intrigue with the variety of regional Indian dishes we provide on our India adventures, they would like to cover all these on their book. Now, how cool is that!!!
 
As always, we are very thankful to all our families, friends and our travelers for giving us such a wonderful support throughout 2012, and we look forward to all the great experiences we’ll have in 2013.
 
Thank you all,
 
Your VegVoyages Team. 

Website: www.VegVoyages.com
LIke us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/VegVoyages
VEGVOYAGES FEATURED TRAVELER
My name is Siri Latina and I’m from sunny Las Vegas, Nevada. I heard about VegVoyages from my mother-in-law, who had already booked a Rainforests, Reefs, Cultures & Cuisines! - Malaysia trip, so I decided to join her. My mom then decided to come along, too. Halfway around the world with my mother-in-law and mother was sure to be an interesting adventure and I looked forward to our trip to Malaysia for months. Prior to this trip I had been no further from home than Central America so this was a huge first for me!

Our adventure itinerary was absolutely incredible. We started out in Kuala Lumpur and somehow made another seven stops in the following two weeks. Our experiences ranged from gorgeous, historical hotels to rustic, island hideaways. I can’t even begin to describe this trip when people ask me; the only word I ever come up with is amazing! I honestly cannot choose one stop that was my favorite.

Everywhere we went was distinctly different and diverse. Tioman Island featured probably the best snorkeling I have ever experienced. The scenery there was stunning (especially the Dragon Peaks, one of my favorites!) and the water of the South China Sea was as smooth as glass. Spending the afternoon helping out at the Juara Beach Sea Turtle Sanctuary was also a great experience. Yoga with Singhi was wonderful everywhere, but was the most relaxing and scenic on Tioman Island!
 
The three larger cities that we visited (KL, Melaka and Penang) were all very different and again, it’s very difficult to choose a favorite. KL was… well, amazing (there’s that word again!). On our first day there we ventured out on our own before the tour officially started and we found ourselves on top of the Menara KL; I didn’t realize the size and scope of the city until we were looking out at the entire valley. Exploring it up close and personal with VegVoyages for the next couple of days was pretty cool. Our walking tour with Julie was very informative-we learned a great deal about the city and its history. Melaka and Penang were much smaller, but each was also jam packed with its own charm and history. Wandering the streets of those cities (both with our guides and on our own) is among my favorite memories. I absolutely loved where we stayed in both cities and exploring their temples, clan houses and mosques provided experiences of a lifetime. I especially enjoyed visiting the remnants of St. Paul’s Church in Melaka.

Just as the history and culture was different in each place, so was the cuisine. Everywhere, everything we had was delicious, but Penang probably featured my favorite eating experiences, especially the huge veggie buffet! Some other culinary highlights of the trip were the banana leaf lunches (another first for us) and getting to experience the unique Baba Nona style that is specific to Malaysia.
 
In addition to the cities and Tioman Island, we also really enjoyed our time at Lake Chenderoh and Kuala Gula. Our hosts in both locations cooked some delicious meals for us, a favorite being pineapple curry; getting to take that recipe home was an added bonus! Kayaking on the lake is also among my favorite experiences. Zac made sure we worked off all that we ate in Lake Chenderoh, for sure! Exploring the mangrove swamp was another new experience for me and we thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Tan’s history on the area of the Chinese fishing village in which we stayed. Finally, our last stop, Langkawi, featured some absolutely stunning sunsets rivaled only by those seen in the Nevada desert. Our stay at the Sunset Beach resort was relaxing and a perfect way to end our trip. Another highlight, another favorite for all of us was the cable car ride up the mountain. Langkawi was very different from Tioman, which we weren’t expecting--two completely different tropical islands, both with their own unique styles of food, people and scenery.
 
I would absolutely recommend VegVoyages to anyone who has the capacity for adventure; in fact, I have spent the last few months telling everyone how they must go on a VegVoyage someday! I returned a little different than I was before I left; VegVoyages posted a quote on Facebook shortly after I returned that sums it up perfectly for me: To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries (Aldous Huxley).  I didn’t have any preconceived ideas of what Malaysia would be like, but like most Americans, I had not ever spent time in a Muslim country. Our time spent with the warm people of Malaysia, especially with our hosts in the Minangkabau village of Gemas was eye-opening for me and probably the most valuable experience I walked away from this trip with.
 
I definitely plan on taking another VegVoyages trip in the future. I’m not sure which one; that depends on my schedule, but Thailand, northern India and Bali/Indonesia are all on my bucket list. The care with which Zac and Singhi planned and executed this trip are second to none. From the wide variety of foods to the language lesson cards to the local guides to the different locales, everything was perfect down to the tiniest detail.

I want to thank VegVoyages for one of the best trips I have ever taken.
Everything was… amazing!

VEGVOYAGES FEATURED TRAVELER
India, Indonesia and Thailand – what a year! 
(part 1 of 3)
 
Hi, my name is Isolde and I am from Austria but I work and live in Belgium. I have been an expat living in several European countries for about ten years now. When I turned vegan about two years ago (after having been vegetarian for quite a while) I was worried about my passion for travelling. As a longtime vegetarian I was aware that travelling vegetarian can already be a challenge but at least there are always meal options with cheese and/or eggs, but as a vegan I just had no clue. So I began to search the Internet in the hope that there would be other vegans who love to travel… and that’s how I came across “VegVoyages“! 
 
INDIA:
I gave it a try and so I booked the 23day-trip to India in Oct/Nov 2011. How would it be on traveling in a group of people from all over the world and vegans? I must say that I don’t have other vegans or vegetarians in my family, only a few vegetarians among my friends. I was so nervous about this travel but it all went well. As soon as I came to Delhi I started feeling good: the heat, the adventure ahead, all the exotic surroundings, people smiling, colorful settings and animals on the street and everywhere. Singhji, our tour guide was very friendly, always having a smile on his face and trying to make our trip as comfortable possible.  

Among our little group were US-Americans, Canadians, Australians and Irish, couples, singles, mother and daughter, friends… not so many vegans (only three) but all very interested in a vegan lifestyle. We were on the road for 3 weeks and we saw so many things it is almost impossible to describe! After visiting the famous Taj Mahal we went on to see places with no other tourists!

We visited marvelous Jain temples – among them was the holiest place for Jains, Palitana, situated on a mountaintop which we had to climb early in the morning alongside with hundreds of Indian pilgrims. It was so worth it!  One thing I will always remember was a stay at a Rajasthan fort in the desert. We went in Jeeps and visited nearby villages, climbed a dune and saw an amazing sunset. At nightfall we visited a nearby Hindu temple and witnessed a temple ceremony where the Hindu priests did a chanting, fire were lit and lots of bell were ringing. On our way to the Arabian Sea we stayed one night in Ahmadabad, a big town. We visited Mahatma Gandhi’s Ashram and comparing city and rural life. Near the Arabian Sea we stayed at a national park and went for safari. We were very lucky to see some Asian lions and even a leopard! After two weeks of experiencing so many things we came to Diu where we could relax next to the beach. It is almost unbelievable how much you can see and experience in a day and all the new sensations make you sleep so well at night. 
 
Singhji was not only our guide; he also was our Yoga-teacher in the morning. Some soft exercises together with a good breathing followed by a laughing exercise were a good start in the morning. Being a lover of Indian food I was very happy with the food selections that are made vegan specially for us. I did not know that there are so many vegan varieties of curries and I did not know the Bishnois or Jains before the adventure. Both the Bishnoi and Jain have religious beliefs making them vegetarians with slightly different restrictions. For example, the Jains not just "don’t eat animal flesh" but they also avoid foods like onions and garlic. All in all it was so good to see all the vegetable markets and restaurants with “Pure Veg” - signs on it. Everybody accepted vegetarians as normal people and they were very helpful and friendly to us.

The last days of our trip we spent in Singhji's hometown: Udaipur – a lovely city surrounded by lakes in the middle of the desert. Finally we had time for some relaxing massages and exploring the little shops along the streets on our own. My mind and my suitcase were filled with wonderful souvenirs and it felt like I'll be going home after a year abroad when instead it was only 23 days.

BALI (Indonesia) and MALAYSIA...
So, then I was back in Brussels and already started to look for new adventures. I got sort of addicted to the idea of sun and adventures in combination with nice people and great vegan food. I started looking at and inquiring VegVoyages for my next adventures...  
 
Experiencing different cultures, getting to know people from all over the world and exploring so many wonderful places with VegVoyages - It was just Great!

(to be continued on next edition of the Wandering Tusker; Adventure Chronicle)
VegVoyages Recipe - Indonesian Sambal Hijau
SAMBAL HIJAU - Green Chili Chutney
 
Ingredients:
·      10 Jalapeno/Serrano Peppers
·      3 Green Thai chili (bullet chili)
·      1 Medium size Green Tomato
·      6 Shallots
·      2 – 3 Tablespoon of cooking oil
·      Salt to taste
 
How to make:
  1. Steam ingredients #1 – 6 for about 5 minutes (until soft, but not too soft)
  2. Blend to a rough paste (avoid smooth paste)
  3. Heat oil in frying pan and add all blended ingredients and salt. Careful because the oil will splatter and the fume will make you cough.
  4. Stir and fry for about 3 -5 minutes (until it cooks through, but not burn).
  5. Season with salt.
  6. Ready to be served. 
Summer will be here and what a better topic than Beaches to bring us closer to summertime. During the summer, VegVoyages Travelers will explore:
  • The small, sleepy, laid-back town of Pemuteran on our Vegin' Out on the Island of Gods - Bali adventure. Far from the tourist crowds of South Bali, we’ll be staying in traditional Balinese style bungalows on the beach, just a stone throw away from a beautiful shallow coral reef - home to countless different fishes and coral species. Join this adventure on June 2 - 15, 2013.
A wooden pier in Tioman Island - Malaysia
Pulau Tioman is the largest and most impressive of the east coast islands. In the late 1950s Tioman was the setting for the mythical Bali Hai in the film South Pacific’ Hollywood film. 
 
Legend has it; Tioman Island (Pulau Tioman) is the resting place of a beautiful dragon princess. Whilst flying from China to visit her prince in Singapore, this beautiful maiden stopped to seek solace in the crystal-clear waters of the South China Sea. Enraptured by the charms of the place, she decided to discontinue her journey. By taking the form of an island, she pledged to offer shelter and comfort to passing travelers. 
 
Located 2 hours by boat off the coast in the South China Sea on the Malaysian Peninsular, this lush tropical island boasting sun drenched beaches, marine-life-rich, crystal clear waters and a dense interior rainforest that’s home to over 141 species of birds and wildlife including the elusive mouse deer, brush tail porcupines, giant squirrels, monkeys and a variety of reptiles.  
 
Without a doubt, snorkeling is a must as Tioman is a protected marine wildlife refuge that is home to sea turtles, blue spotted stingrays, moray eels, Napoleon fish, angelfish, butterfly fish, parrotfish, clownfish, damsels and beautiful black tip reef sharks.

The wide variety of coral reefs will satisfy all underwater life lovers. There are soo many places to stop, swim and snorkel. Luckily, on our VegVoyages adventure in Malaysia, we have our own wooden boats. This allows us to stop at anytime along our route. 
 
The sun is warm and the water is warm on the South China sea and we look forward to sharing this adventure with you!... Our boat is waiting, don’t forget your sunblock!
Read The Itinerary
Receive a US$100 discount on the
Rainforests, Reefs, Cultures & Cuisines! - Malaysia Adventure June 22 - July 7, 2013. Your Booking should be received by March 10, 2013. Mention "The Tusker" upon booking. 
On the way to Menjangan Island - Bali
Pemuteran, a small coastal town located in the West of Bali, lies in the shadow of mountains to the south and to the north is Menjangen Island, famous for diving and nature treks. Because the area is furthest from the island’s main tourism centers to the south, it was quiet and unspoiled.

Pemuteran also home to a Coral Conservation project which uses the Biorock™ method to increase coral growth rates, increasing reef fish density by providing fish with a suitable habitat. Corals transplanted onto the structures attract high densities of all type of fish. As a result of the dense swarms of fish in and around the coral nurseries, they have become the major focus of near shore diving and snorkeling. Spinner dolphins, which vacated the bay due to bomb fishing, returned to the site, where they are protected. 

We also spend a day long in the uninhabited Menjangan Island. The names Menjangan means “deer”. Legend has it, the name was given by the local population observing wild deer herds swimming to the island every spring and covering a distance of approx 1.2 miles. 

The coral walls around Menjangan are vertical down to 30-60 meters, and then slope outward. The reef surface is particularly rugged and it is textured with little nooks and crannies. Gorgonians of many kinds reach large size here and huge barrel sponges are abundant. Soft corals blanket the colorful wall all the way down. 

The water is very clear, a distinct 25 meters above and the rest of the time the visibility seldom drops to less than 15 meters. It's always a good day here in Pemuteran. See you there soon!... Oh, don't forget your mask and snorkel...
Read The Itinerary
Receive a US$100 discount on the
Vegin' Out on the Island of Gods - Bali, Indonesia Adventure June 2 - 15, 2013. Your Booking should be received by March 10, 2013. Mention "The Tusker" upon booking. 
Copyright © *|2013|* *|VegVoyages|*, All rights reserved.
*|February 2013|* *|The Wandering Tusker|*

Our mailing address is:
Vegan Travel Asia by VegVoyages
4500 Williams Drive #212-214
Georgetown, TX 78633

Add us to your address book
unsubscribe from this list   update subscription preferences 

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp