My Last Post...

This weblog was intended to chronicle my time in the United Kingdom. As my time in United Kingdom has come to a close, so to must this site...

As is the nature of blogs, the most recent posts are the first one's listed. I will not be writing any more posts, so even as lack-luster as it is, this post will forever have the privilege of owning top-spot!

That said, whether this is your first visit, or a return trip I urge you to take a look around--check out some of the older posts, and enjoy them for what they are--not an up date on where I am, but rather a glimpse into my time in the United Kingdom, 'spreading the good word of Planeterra'.

I sincerely hope that you enjoy the stories, pictures, and videos and I hope that you also understand a little better what STA Travel is doing to promote responsible tourism internally and externally. 

Finally, I would like to leave you with one final video; a short, simple thank you and good-bye to the wonderful crew that I worked with day in and day out in London. I had a wonderful month, and sincerely hope to see you all again very soon.  

For more information about Responsible Tourism, and Volunteer-vacations contact your local STA Travel agent or if you are an STA Travel agent, get in touch with your CSR Champion. As always, feel free to email me directly with any questions, concerns, or ideas! 

-Dan

My final act...

I was a busy boy on my last day as the Interim Responsible Tourism Manager--a meeting with Peter in the morning, then catching Hien up to speed, and then a full afternoon of Webinars!

My final act, before passing on the torch, was to award a FREE Planeterra trip to one of the participants of the Wright's Lane trainings. I made a video to share it with everyone, I hope you enjoy...



-Cheers,
Dan

Toronto!

The second stop on my trip was Toronto. As my flights from Maine to London were scheduled to connect in Toronto, and Planeterra is headquartered in Toronto, it seemed all too logical that I would spend a day in the city visiting the Planeterra offices and seeing what goes on behind the scenes!

My guide was Kelly Galaski, Planeterra’s Partnership Coordinator, and an avid supporter of Responsible Tourism. Kelly was a wonderful host and gave me a ton of insight into the past, present, and future of the Planeterra organizations.

Beyond the great conversation with Kelly, I also thoroughly enjoyed seeing GAP Adventures/Planeterra’s office. If you were to walk through the offices without being told where you were you might guess that they are in the business of abstract/alternative interior decorating. Each of the different meeting rooms were themed and decked out accordingly-see attached pictures-how fun!

The Rubik's Room (note the table is made from Rubik's Cubes, and the seating of choice was bean bags!)

The Jane Goodall Room

The William Shatner room. "Why?" you might ask. "Why not?" I imagine they might reply :)

What felt like only moments after catching a ride into the city I hopped in a cab and told the driver “take me to the airport”. I was sad to be leaving Toronto so soon but couldn’t feel too down because leaving Toronto meant it was time to go to London!

Cheers!

-Dan

P.S. A little side note about Air Canada, when my puddle hopper (see photo at top) arrived in Toronto from Portland, Maine I learned that my luggage was not on it (apparently these 20 person-pilot and copilot included-planes frequently cannot carry all of the checked luggage because of low maximum payload limitations. It was nine pm when I arrived, and they said they wouldn't be able to get my baggage to me before the next flight arrived the following morning. As I had a flight scheduled to depart from Toronto to London the following morning I told them not to bring my checked baggage to my hotel in the morning but rather to have it checked on through to London (didn't really have any need to be reunited with my checked baggage 4 hours before rechecking it through to London). The following day when I checked in to my flight to London I learned that my checked baggage was not at the airport but rather at the Strathcona Hotel. They dropped it off earlier that morning (approximately one hour AFTER I checked out to be precise) and would not be able to return it to the airport in time for my flight... Oh, bother... I was eventually reunited with my luggage but disappointed nonetheless that thy managed to misplace my baggage twice in less than 24 hours. :-/

P.P.S.S. Walking around Toronto I laughed when I saw a 'Beware of Dogs' sign... I have to give Toronto credit for making the SCARIEST DEPICTION OF A WATCH DOG EVER. Seriously, it looks like one of the 'bad' animals on Avitars' Pandora :-P