Let’s just jump right to the point – a regular cruise ship is not at all discreet. Whether it is the thumping night club music or the non-stop buffet, there is nothing small, quiet, or unnoticed on or about the traditional cruise liner. So, if you are going somewhere that might benefit from small, discerning, and eco-friendly ships it means you may not be able to “cruise” to the destination.

Fortunately, the popularity of the Ecuadorian islands known as the Galapagos has created an entire industry around small cruises. These are going to be far more intimate and enjoyable than those which might ask you to stand at a railing and look through a pair of binoculars to “see” the far shore.

Ah, you might think, but if giving up the large ship means giving up all the little luxuries, then what is the point? The point is that you don’t have to give up anything except the size and clumsiness of that massive cruiser.

When heading to a place as ecologically fragile as the Galapagos, you will be able to find yachts, sailing vessels, and very small ships that bring you right to the islands, but which also give you a great deal more than the average cruise. For instance, small vessels are often “intellectual” vessels that have lectures from knowledgeable experts and guided tours by those who study the region as a way of life.

The small vessels are also the ones that can allow you to enjoy a “greener” vacation because the amount of waste is minimal at best. These are also the kinds of environments in which you can easily bond and befriend the crew, which is the best way to find out a lot more about the locale. For instance, your ship’s crew may be composed entirely of locals who can point you to the best shopping, dining, and sightseeing when you return to your point of departure!

Small can be wonderful, especially when cruising the historic, fascinating, and fragile Galapagos!

The ankh symbol is among the most recognized of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Also known as “key of the Nile” or crux ansata, it is a symbol of eternal life. While its origin has been hotly debated, Egyptian scholars state that it represents the all important role of the River Nile. The elliptical head symbolizes the river delta and the vertical mark indicates the course of the river. The two ‘arms’ pointing east and west represent the country’s two sides, unified by the river.

The ankh is frequently depicted in Egyptian tomb frescoes. Ancient Egyptians kept an ankh symbol as a charm, often along with two other icons, the djed and was, representing vigor and health.

The ankh was a sun symbol and therefore crafted in gold when it was required for royal tombs and other important purposes. Burnished copper was also used at times.

Source: NASA

Unlike the fibrous, horizontally-spreading root systems common to most grasses, vetiver roots grow fairly deep to about 2-4 m. They produce an essential oil that is extensively used in perfume manufacture and aromatherapy. Vetiver oil has a deeply soothing quality and is valued for its earthy, yet elusive scent.

Vetiver has an amazing variety of practical uses. It is called the ‘moth root’ – sachets of the powdered root are placed in Indian muslin to repel moths and insects. During summer in the north Indian plains, blinds and awnings made of khus – another name for vetiver – are sprinkled with water, allowing for cooled, scented air to circulate through houses. A vetiver sachet in an earthen pot of drinking water imparts a deliciously “cool” flavour and aroma.

In Java (Indonesia), vetiver is woven into mats for thatching roofs. Vetiver lends itself  to a host of household items that combine utility with beauty, like­ place mats, fans, runners and baskets. In agriculture, vetiver finds excellent use as an erosion control system. Vetiver Network International, a non-governmental organisation has pioneered the Vetiver System, a soil and water conservation method, which utilizes vetiver as a natural barrier to slow down water runoff,  hedge paddy fields, treat waste water and control pollution.

In aromatherapy, the soothing oil is used to treat stress, exhaustion and disorders of the central nervous system. Traditional medicine systems use vetiver to balance female hormones during menopause. Generally speaking, vetiver is believed to have tremendous revitalizing and restorative properties. It is also a beauty aid that helps retain skin elasticity.

Pictured Above: Indonesian Vetiver Placemats from Cultural Elements

One is never quite prepared for the reality of Bali. Emerald hillsides curving spectacularly against  azure skies, satin-ribbon beaches, the sensual fragrance of frangipani and jasmine, timeless temples and a culture of slow grace… for a very small island, Bali packs a huge punch as a travel destination.

Arguably the best known island in the Indonesian archipelago, Bali on a map, looks rather like a large, exotic fish facing westwards. Its central and eastern regions are mountainous. Mount Agung, the highest point is a volcano, last active in 1963. Coral reefs rim the island. Southern Bali has white sand beaches while those on the northern side have black sand. Just eight degrees south of the equator, Bali enjoys a tropical climate with temperatures averaging 88° F(31° C). The best time to visit is in the drier months between June and September when humidity is low and fresh, cool breezes temper the daytime warmth.

In predominantly Islamic Indonesia, Bali is a Hindu enclave. Over 90 percent of the population is adherents of Balinese Hinduism, which is a fascinating amalgam of Hindu, Buddhist and native deities, besides local practices like ancestor worship and animism. Religion pervades every aspect of existence here.

Life has never been the same since the twentieth century traveler stumbled upon Bali. The island makes more money from tourism than the rest of Indonesia, with agriculture now taking second place in the local economy. It’s not hard to figure out why.

From sinfully luxurious hotels to quaint, family-run outfits, Bali has a wide range of accommodation. The western coastline boasts of world class surf spots; the eastern side is better suited for family vacations. Kura and Seminal are towns synonymous with Bali’s happening nightlife. If you’d rather poke around off the beaten track, visit smaller islands like Nusa Lembongan with quiet beaches and no vehicular traffic

The drive through mountains to the northern coast is manna for the tired, urban soul. Terraced paddy fields interspersed with coffee, vanilla, cocoa and spice plantations make a pretty picture. Exploring the misty trails around the volcanoes is a must-do (you can take a walk across the crater lake at Mount Batur).

Art and life are a seamless blend for several of the locals. Many Balinese work in their fields by day and turn into artisans at night. Religious beliefs are an intrinsic part of artistic traditions. Gold and silver jewelry, textiles, woodcraft, stone carving, painting and metalwork – Bali has it all. A visit to artisan villages like Batubalan, Mas, Celuk, Pengosekan and Sukawati will leave your pocket lighter. Most travelers also do the rounds of art galleries and shops at Ubud, the cultural center.

If you’re lucky, you could catch a religious festival in progress involving community dances and worship. If not, there are staged performances for visitors.  Typically, a Balinese dance performance is a heady combination of theater and entertainment based on mythology; often, there’s a fun, interactive element with performers dressed as exotic creatures bounding into the audience.

There are around 20, 000 temples in Bali of which Besakih or the “Mother Temple”, on the way up to Mount Agung, is the largest and most revered. A trip to the seventeenth century Taman Ayun temple can be combined with a tour of the Monkey Forest, home to around 300 Balinese macaques.