Imprint Tours

New Zealand II – South Island

Reid Coen — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:48:14 +0000

Recently I posted an account of our experiences on New Zealand’s north island from our January tour. After Auckland, Waitomo Cave, Otorohanga, a homestay, and the thermal wonders and Maori culture of Rotorua we were ready for the natural splendors of the south island.

Our 5th day in NZ began with a morning flight to Queenstown and the south island. The weather was mostly cloudy but we got tantalizing glimpses of alpine lakes and the Southern Alps (used as the Misty Mountains in the Lord of the Rings movies). Queenstown (QT) has a western, sporty, welcoming vibe and a great energy. Activity centers in a pedestrian core and along the waterfront. The three pedestrian streets are interconnected by numerous passageways, all lined with eateries and boutique shops, making for fun explorations. Restaurants and bars compete with adventure sports outlets and souvenir shops for tourist…

Imprint News

Reid Coen — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:27:27 +0000

Imprint Tours is pleased to announce our 2013 Tantalizing Thailand tour, Jan. 27 to Feb. 9, 2013. Come join us for two weeks in this amazing Southeast Asian gem! Details available on the website Tours page – click on the tab at the top of this page. To whet your appetite check out the photo gallery from the 2008 Thailand tour under the photo category on this page.

For those of you in the Seattle area, Reid is speaking on Thailand at Wide World Books and Maps, Wallingford on Tues. Feb. 28 at 7:00PM and again at The Savvy Traveler, Edmonds on Sat. March 31 at 1:00PM (and New Zealand that same day at 10:00AM).

New Zealand Photo Gallery

Reid Coen — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:23:06 +0000

These images taken on Imprint Tours’ 2012 New Zealand tour. The image sequence roughly reflects the itinerary of the tour.

Thailand Tour Photo Gallery

Reid Coen — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:02:32 +0000

These images taken on Imprint Tour’s 2008 Tantalizing Thailand Tour – the sequence roughly equates the tour itinerary.

Imprint New Zealand Tour (part I)

Reid Coen — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:08:55 +0000

Imprint Tours’ first foray to the southern hemisphere was a huge success. Our intrepid group of 23 travelers enjoyed a fabulous 2 weeks in New Zealand and Sydney, Australia. Every new tour I do develops its own “theme”. For NZ, that theme was Natural Wonders and Natural Warmth. The spectacle of glowworm caves, geo-thermal wonders, and the stunning scenery and wildlife of the south island were matched only by the genuine friendliness and hospitality of the Kiwis themselves. Throw in some great entertainment (the Kiwis know how to put on a show), a homestay, wine tasting, great meals, some Maori connections, and the world-class city of Sydney and you have the recipe for a great tour.

We began our adventure in Auckland with a morning driving tour of the city. We crossed the famous harbor bridge for views from the other side, stopped for a photo op…

Travel Synchronicity

Reid Coen — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:38:22 +0000

Last year I wrote about travel serendipity – the kind where fate seems to conspire to place the right person in your path at the right moment. I have had that experience often with Imprint Tours, the travel gods providing me the right local partner for developing tours in Thailand or India. Since I wrote that article I bumped into an old friend, also in the travel business, who set me up with just the right travel partners for creating our pending New Zealand tour. But I want to write about a different kind of travel serendipity today. The kind where one is abroad, miles from home, and seemingly randomly, you bump into someone you know. The odds seem fantastically against such chance encounters, yet they happen. And it seems that everyone has more than one similar story to tell. Additionally, in my experience, it seems these “random” meetings provide…

Reid’s Speaking Schedule

Reid Coen — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:12 +0000

Hello Imprint travelers! For those of you in the Seattle area I thought I’d let you know about my next few speaking engagements. This Saturday, Nov. 19, 9:00AM I’ll be speaking about Greece at the Rick Steves Travel Festival (http://www.ricksteves.com//news/classes/nov11_menu.htm). Later that day (1:00PM) I’ll be doing a talk on Thailand at the Savvy Traveler, also in Edmonds. (http://www.savvytravelerstore.com)

In December, I’ll be speaking on Venice, Florence, and Rome at the Edmonds Theater (ETBD sponsored; http://www.ricksteves.com//news/classes/class_menu.htm) at 10:00AM.

We are planning for an Imprint Thailand tour in January 2013. If that sounds interesting, this Saturday is a perfect time to come and find out more. I’d love to see some familiar faces.

Khao Sok – Thailand’s Hidden Jewel

Reid Coen — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:17:21 +0000

Extraordinary, stunning Khao Sok National Park is composed of 400+ square miles of rugged limestone mountains and lush tropical rainforest. One of Thailand’s hidden treasures; its relative remoteness helps insure its status as an off-the-beaten-track, undiscovered treat. The centerpiece is vast Chiaw Lan Lake. Over 100 miles long, it was created by the Ratchaprapha dam in 1982.

Often called Thailand’s Guilin for its karst landscape, it is characterized by limestone outcroppings, similar to those in more famous Phang-Nga bay. However, these reach a height of over 3000 feet; more than triple the size of the Phang-Nga formations. The dramatically vertical peaks, draped with verdant jungle vegetation provide the visual backdrop for every breathtaking vista as well as create over 100 islands in the lake. Many waterfalls splash over limestone cliffs, adding to the visual splendor. One guidebook describes it as stepping into a “George of the Jungle” movie.

The park…

Elephant adventures in Thailand

Reid Coen — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 09:02:01 +0000

Whether traveling independently or on a tour, an elephant encounter is almost certainly a part of a trip to Thailand. Modern Thais recognize our western fascination with the massive pachyderms and camps, shows, and trekking have proliferated with the advance of tourism. But the historical role of elephants in Thai society has been much more than entertainment for tourists. Elephants have long been an important element of Thai spiritual, cultural, and economic life.

As a significant presence in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology elephants hold a place of profound spiritual significance. The Hindu deity Ganesh, with his elephant’s head, is the god of knowledge and remover of obstacles and is depicted on temples throughout the country. Another Hindu deity, Indra is often shown with his three-headed elephant mount Erawan. In Buddhist lore the future Buddha’s mother was only able to conceive after dreaming of a white elephant. The legend…

Angkor Wat

Reid Coen — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 08:46:10 +0000

Angkor Wat is Southeast Asia’s most famous and evocative archeological site. Built by the Khmer rulers between the 9^th and 13^th centuries, the temples of the Angkor Archeological Park represent one of the world’s great architectural achievements. The 100+ stone temples one sees today are but the survivors of a colossal city whose palaces and houses, built of wood, are long gone. The complex once incorporated almost 400 square miles, making it by far the largest preindustrial metropolis in the world. Khmer power stretched across most of Southeast Asia and each succeeding ruler built a temple or monastery to enhance his legacy. Strictly speaking, Angkor Wat is but the crown jewel of the site, built by Suyavarman II in 1150. Dedicated as a personal mausoleum and state temple, Angkor Wat stretches nearly one half mile on each side of its outer walls making it the world’s largest…