Tracking mountain Gorillas in the Footsteps of Dian Fossey
Posted on May 15, 2011 By Joseph
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International is dedicated to the conservation and protection of gorillas and their habitats in Africa. During my trek through Volcanoes National park to the mountain gorillas of Rwanda, I was accompanied by Claire Richardson, CEO of the Fund. After our encounter with the Agasha group, we spoke together about the history and future of Gorilla protection in the Virunga mountains and how tourism, in the form of park fees, hotel accommodations and tours run by companies like Baobab Expeditions, are contributing to the welfare of the gorillas and their human neighbors. After you listen to the pod cast if you want more information on the Fund go to GorillaFund.org. Don’t forget to catch Travelscope’s Rwanda Mountain Gorrilla show airing beginning September 2011 on your Public Television station.
For more information about Baobab Expeditions click here.
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Tracking mountain Gorillas in the Footsteps of Dian FosseyRwanda – Saving Gorillas and Helping People Through Tourism!
Posted on April 22, 2011 By Joseph
From his travels in Africa Joseph has come to expect much more than grand savannahs where herds of wildebeest and prides of lions roam. Yet, Rwanda expanded even those expectations. No larger than Maryland, Rwanda is a small chunk of Africa shoehorned in between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania. With its verdant hills, jungle wildlife and some of Africa’s highest peaks it’s been called, “a tropical Switzerland at the heart of Africa.” And the wild soul of the country lives in Volcanoes National Park—a sanctuary for most of the world’s mountain gorillas.
The base of Joseph’s gorilla trekking adventures was the Virunga Safari Lodge. The eco-friendly lodge, which sports solar panels and eco-plumbing, is set on a stunning hillside with a panoramic view of the Virunga volcanoes and the lakes Ruhondo and Bulera. In keeping with a general effort in Rwanda to ensure that tourism benefits the local communities, the resort’s eight stone “bandas” (traditionally-design accommodations) are locally-built and a nearby school is funded in part by the guests’ dollars. During this pod cast Joseph’s speaks with resort manager, David Magezi about the resort, their community involvement and gorilla trekking activities. To learn more, visit VolcanoesSafaris.com
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Rwanda – Saving Gorillas and Helping People Through Tourism!Joseph and Travelscope Join PTV at Sea Regent Cruise!
Posted on April 06, 2011 By Joseph
Joseph will join other PBS and NPR journalists on a PTV at Sea cruise aboard the Regent Seven Seas Mariner which sets sail on an 11-day cruise on November 10, 2011. Besides joining Gwen Ifill, moderator and managing editor of Washington Week, Mark Samels, executive producer of American Experience, Scott Simon, host of NPR’s Weekend Edition and an exclusive group of passengers consisting of Public Television viewers and National Public Radio listeners, Joseph will be part of the Travelscope team that will produce an episode featuring the cruise’s destinations for Season 6 of Travelscope. You will find the Spotlight On…PTV at Sea article in spring 2011 issue of Travelscope’s eMagazine.
In addition, this pod cast features Joseph’s conversation with Kevin Corcoran, president of Artful Travelers, the company that is organizing the fall cruise.
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Joseph and Travelscope Join PTV at Sea Regent Cruise!The Other South of France
Posted on March 21, 2011 By Joseph
While the Cote du Azur gets all the publicity as The South of France – there is another French Riviera and South of France that offers a gentler and less flashy experience, but is no less marvelous. Languedoc – Roussillon, one of the 26 regions of France, stretches from the artsy fishing village of Collioure in the south to the Rhone River and the marshes of the Carmargue in the east. Inland and to the north it encompasses the medieval walled city of Carcassonne, the Canal du Midi which winds its way to the sea and the Grand Canyon of France – the Gorge du Tarn. On this pod cast you join Joseph as he explores and enjoys the many attractions and pleasures that await in The Other South of France.
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The Other South of FranceIreland - From the Ring of Kerry to the Blarney Stone
Posted on March 07, 2011 By Joseph
Ireland is a country of song and poetry and breathtaking beauty. It’s a country of steaming hot teas, hearty soups, fresh food and great drink! It’s a country where even though it may be your first visit, you’ll immediately feel at home. Joseph continues his explorations of Western Ireland with a drive aournd the Ring of Kerry and then on to the Blarney Castle in order receive the “gift of gab” by kissing the famous Blarney Stone!
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Ireland - From the Ring of Kerry to the Blarney Stone