Monthly Archives: December 2011

Using Your Vayable Gift Card

Posted on by under Helpful Tools

Whether you were basking in a tropical environment by the beach or escaping the cold by drinking some hot cocoa next to a fire, we hope you had a great Christmas and are enjoying your winter holiday! If you were lucky enough to get a Vayable gift card this year, we encourage you to start getting inspired about your adventures in the coming year. Simply start exploring and then click on “book it” when you find something you want!

Enter the code provided in your email, and you’ll be on your way. Not sure what you want to do yet? Don’t worry because you gift card never expires! As always, if you have any questions or want recommendations, please contact us at any time, and we’ll get back to you in a jiffy!

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

5 Best Natural Highlights in New Zealand

Posted on by under Ambassadors, Explorer Perspectives

It seems like a week of introductions, and we are happy to introduce Artūras, our New Zealand Vayable Ambassador! He hails from Northern Europe and moved to Auckland after getting tired of really bad weather (eg horizontal rain). By day he works as an intellectual capital consultant and spends his time outside of work traveling, reading books, and listening to music on Spotify. He’s a tech geek who’s always on the lookout for the next new thing. As one of the first 50 users of Vayable, he’s excited to share his love for New Zealand and help build the community out there.

Here are his picks for the 5 best natural highlights in New Zealand!

Tongariro National Park

Grab your hiking shoes and equipment and go for Mt Ngauruhoe which served as “Mount Doom” in the Lord of the Rings movies. Though it’s currently resting, Mt Ngauruhoe is considered to New Zealand’s newest and historically most active volcano. The park also has Emerald Lakes, sulphurous pools formed by the park’s volcanic activity, glitter against the dark scree and boulders that surround them. Lakes is one of the park’s most famous sites and a popular place to stop along the Tongariro Crossing which is rated one of the best one-day hikes in New Zealand.

Doubtful Sound and Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of the World

Fiordland National Park is one of New Zealand’s most well-known and well-visited destinations for land and water-based activities. You will find a quiet serenity emanating from Doubtful Sound. As stunning as it is, the journey to get there is equally inspiring with wild waterfalls, forested valleys, granite peaks and crystal-clear lakes. Fiordland also contains one of the most renowned NZ’s tracks – Milford Track which takes four days to complete. If you like adrenaline, go for 43-metre plunge off the Kawerau bridge and later on enjoy late night drinks on top of Bob’s Peak in Queenstown.

Waitakeres Ranges National Park in Auckland

After a day of hiking and spending an afternoon by Kitekite Falls, go catch a sunset in Piha. This famous surf beach, with its rugged cliffs and crashing waves, is split in two by the impressive Lion Rock. The surf here is dangerous, even for experienced locals, be warned.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

Despite the sulphurous stink that Rotorua has become known for, there are plenty of enjoyable sites to explore. There are spas, thermal parks, a golf course, museum and much more (heard about The Luge or Zorbing?) Also prepare to see the Champagne Pool hot spring, Lady Knox geyser in a place where visitors have enjoyed these sulphurous geothermal attractions for centuries. Unwind in country’s famous Polynesian Spa.

Cape Maria van Diemen

Cape Maria van Diemen holds the distinction of being the westernmost point of North Island. It was named by Abel Tasman after the wife of his patron, Anthony van Diemen. Later on head straight to Cape Reinga Lighthouse where Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet. Be prepared for some dramatic scenery!

Introducing Juliann: New Vayable Intern

Posted on by under Vayateam

Recently you might have seen some new names and faces at Vayable - either virtually or in person! We hired some awesome interns and want to take the time to introduce them one at a time. Our first in this series, Juliann, is a do-gooder, world traveler, and English major. Here is her personal introduction:

As a native of San Francisco, I’ve always been exposed to the variety of cultures and little pockets of communities here. At a young age, I was itching to see what else was out there. In high school our family hosted students from Israel, Japan, and Germany. This expanded my curiosity and my desire to seek adventure and understanding. At 16 I decided to volunteer abroad in Argentina, where I worked at an orphanage and soccer camp for deaf teens. Being there without my parents or anything familiar not only took me out of my comfort zone but also made me aware of what it really means to travel and experience how other people live.

Ever since that trip, I make it a point to be what I like to call, a productive traveler. Whether it’s volunteering or just taking the time to talk with a local over coffee, traveling should be a shared experience and not a closed off tour cluster. For me that is why Vayable is so exciting to be a part of. To meet locals and get insight into their memories, favorite places, and knowledge is what makes travel memorable. It makes me happy and ecstatic to help people get to explore unique places and connect with the people that make them fascinating.

Traveling and How “Tourism” Became a Dirty Word

Posted on by under Vayable Perspective

When we think of tourism, we think of people in Bermuda shorts carrying point-and-shoot cameras going to foreign countries just to seek out the same things that they do at home. They eat their hamburgers, ride around on a double decker bus, go to the tacky souvenir shops, and pay way too much for a taxi ride or clichéd trinket. There are plenty of funny comparisons on the internet between “travelers” and “tourists,” and no one wants to call themselves a tourist when they travel.

A tourist, via definition, is somewhat similar to a traveler. But the connotation of a traveler implies a deeper intent than a tourist. The tourist might get the basics down, see some sights, take a few pictures, and go home, experiencing only the surface of a country. A traveler goes deeper. A traveler explores the culture, the people, the traditions, the food, the lifestyles and inner workings of a country. A traveler gets more involved. This is not to suggest that being a traveler is better than being a tourist, as there are some amazing sights to be seen, and I’m sure that many tourists appreciate where they are. But being a traveler demonstrates an understanding of this world that we all live in together. - Debby Jagerman

All semantics aside, we feel that the main difference is one in mindset. Instead of forcing their culture upon others, which is how many “tourist traps” come to be, travelers integrate themselves in local experiences and are open to new things. We hope to keep culture alive by using technology to make it a little easier to become a traveler and get to the heart of a place. With a focus on building community and the sharing economy making the world a smaller place, hopefully in a few years the distinction won’t be so apparent, and the notion of “tourism” won’t be so dirty.

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” - Henry Miller

Giving Memorable Gifts that Benefit the Community

Posted on by under Vayable Perspective

We’ve been doing a lot of thinking about holiday gifts and realized two things:

    1. Most of us don’t even really remember what we got last year.
    2. Going to the mall, fighting through crowds to buy gifts benefits big box retailers but not necessarily our local communities.

It’s been a tough year for everyone. We don’t want to waste money on things that won’t last and are easily forgotten. Instead, we want to give memorable gifts that also do a little something to support the people in our local communities. Even if we don’t remember the things we were given last year, we do remember and smile fondly upon all the small and great adventures (or misadventures) we’ve been on with the people we love.

Going to new places and seeing new things make us happy both in the moment and years later. If we had never ventured up to hidden vantage points we wouldn’t truly appreciate the amazing beauty of San Francisco, Istanbul, and even Lisbon. If we hadn’t been out way too late in the Keys on a moonless night, we wouldn’t have seen the phosphorescence glowing in the dark water. These things might have happened years ago, but we remember them clearly and are better off for them than we are for any present we’ve ever unwrapped (sorry, Mom).

Even if, like us, you won’t be giving tropical paradises or far off getaways anytime soon, adventures at home are just as exciting and meaningful to loved ones - especially if you can be there to experience it with them. Every community, whether it’s in a big city or a small suburb, has a story and spirit all its own. When you take time to explore it, you’re really taking time to discover both the stories that you’re part of and the going-ons that are not part of your everyday routine. Better yet, you have the chance to support your local economy by visiting the small, off the map places that give life to your community and the people in it.

So instead of giving things that are wrapped in paper and then collect dust in closets, we’ve decided that we’ll be giving our loved ones the opportunity to gain new perspectives by exploring the world around them, to support the people and culture in their neighborhoods, and to create memories that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. This year, we’re giving the gift of experience and adventure.

Love,

The Vayable Team

Creating Light Graffiti in Dolores Park

Posted on by under Vayable Experiences

A few weeks ago, we created light graffiti in San Francisco’s Dolores Park with Elena, our guide from Berkeley. After a few hours of preparing Thanksgiving dinner, it was a great diversion that kept our minds off of food while the turkey roasted in the oven. Perfect light graffiti images require the right mix of long exposure, light, insider tips, and creativity. Here are some pictures of the results!

Elena is flexible on where you want to do this, and we strongly suggest Twin Peaks, Golden Gate Park, and various places where you can get the San Francisco skyline in the background. Check out her light graffiti experience to book it for yourself!

Holiday Cocktails from Our Cocktail Guide

Posted on by under Community

A couple of weeks ago, the Vayable team won Foodspotting’s startup cocktail mix-off thanks to the skills we learned at cocktail hour with H Joseph, the owner of San Francisco’s Elixir. He shares some original cocktail recipes so that you can make them too to please all your family, friends, and guests during the holidays.

“I like to look for new ways to incorporate traditional flavors. The “warm baking spice” combination is something that approaches the senses in a way that has a nostalgia-inducing effect. They make most people feel that warm and fuzzy memory of holidays past, so incorporating them into cocktails is something that so many are looking for. This really sets the moment.” - H. Joseph Ehrmann

The Homecoming

1.5oz Ron Zacapa 23 yr Rum
1 oz Warres Otima 10yr Tawny Port
1 oz lemon juice
2 barspoons pumpkin butter
Luxardo Maraschino Cherry

In a mixing glass, add all ingredients, fill with ice and shake well for 10 seconds.

Hawthorne strain into a coup glass and garnish with a Luzardo Maraschino cherry on a toothpick.

 

Old Sydney-Town Punch

1 liter Bols Genever
11 oz. of St. Elizabeth’s Allspice Dram
11 oz. of Orange Juice
16 oz. of Lemon Juice
11 oz. of Pineapple Gum

Place a large piece of block ice in the bowl and let rest, stirring before serving.

To make a hot batch, use above recipe and 32 oz. water and warm in a pot, crock pot or soup toureen.

 

Yuletide Moon

4 pitted bing cherries*
1/4 oz. of simple syrup
1 1/2 oz. Night Harvest merlot
1oz. bourbon
1 fresh lemon wheel
fresh nutmeg to grind

In a mixing glass, muddle the cherries (if no pitter, just remove pits after muddling). Add simple syrup, merlot, bourbon and lemon slice. Top with ice to 2/3 full and shake lightly. Empty entire contents into a 10.5oz. old fashioned glass. Top with grated nutmeg to garnish.

*When fresh cherries are not in season, substitute quality marinated cherries like Marascas from Luxardo or Morellos from Trader Joe’s and do not use simple syrup

Enjoy the holidays! Brought to you with love from Team Vayable and all of our guides.

How to Immerse Yourself in New Cultures

Posted on by under Guest Posts, Guide Stories

Randy is a software developer who decided to pack up his life and move to Thailand after running a business for 10 years out in Los Angeles. In the beginning, he was a complete novice to Thai culture but over the past years, he’s learn to cook, talk, and walk like he’s Thai! He now shares his version of stunning Phuket with travelers who are lucky enough to book his experience.

by Randy, Vayable guide and software developer

I couldn’t even pick out Thailand on a map, let alone speak the language or understand the culture. My understanding of ‘Thai’ began and ended with a delivery of fried spring rolls and a ginger chicken dish to my Los Angeles home. I was as green as possible when I began a new life in the ‘Land of Smiles’ over 6 years ago.

Although there is a wide international culture living in Phuket, and English is widely used, I made the decision early on to immerse myself in Thai culture. Thai natives were so happy all the time, and I was determined to find out the key to happiness for myself. After 10 years of running a stressful business, my first goal was to get in shape and take care of myself. With an entirely different diet, work schedule, and exercise regime, I was able to turn my health around, giving me an entirely new energy for life.

I had my Thai friends take me to local outdoor markets where they shopped, showing me the amazing and colorful ingredients used to make some of the world’s best dishes. My friends taught me how to prepare and cook these meals which included delicious natural fruits, vegetables, and herbs that could satisfy all of my cravings without fat, preservatives and artificial flavors that often accompanied the food back home.

Because my friends were primarily Thai, I pushed myself to learn the language and asked them to speak to me in Thai as much as possible. Through a lot of patience and a few embarrassments, I have been able to pick up the language, and have began reading and writing some Thai as well. Thai people are incredibly respectful and willing to share their culture with others.

Thai culture has taught me to slow down, enjoy every day as your last day, and be happy with what you have. I try to continually push the boundaries of my comfort zone in order to be able to enjoy new experiences. Living in another part of the world has not only opened my eyes to new languages and food but also to entirely new ways of life. Now I want to share this new way of life with travelers who are lucky enough to visit my new hometown.

On Following your Heart and Passions

Posted on by under Vayable Perspective

It’s been a few months since Steve Jobs passed, but his words still resonate deeply with us and inform what we do every day at Vayable. So many people opt out of doing what they’re passionate about in favor of a career that provides more stability and follows a set path. There are so many things like food, art, and humanities that are difficult to monetize in mainstream society.

The sharing economy is the quiet revolution against established systems and ways of doing things. In working on Vayable, we hope to turn passion into the source of stability in life. The other day, one of our guides told us that he’s getting closer and closer to quitting his night job and focusing on his love for food and bridging cultures.

People will no longer be afraid to live their passions, and we will be able to be our true selves. There are too many mediocre things in life. Love should not be one of them. “Work is love made visible.” - Kahlil

Why Everybody Needs Some Vayable … and Italy More Than Most.

Posted on by under Ambassadors, Guest Posts

by Douglas, one of Vayable’s newest ambassadors hailing from the beautiful Cinque Terre region in Italy!

In a moment when everything seems to flit by us at the speed of a mouse-click, when information zooms past and relationships are sometimes reduced to nothing more than a “like” on Fb, the thing we all need to combat the sense of constant movement and uncertainty is passion … genuine interest and care in what you are doing, the spiritual activity of slowing down and really looking at what is going on around us.

Tourism is too often reduced to a checklist of things to see and places to visit, and once seen and visited, the experience they leave can be little more than a snapshot in a forgotten desktop folder. Paris: Eiffel Tower, Bateau-mouche, Notre-Dame, Louvre, Cafè les deux magots, Tuileries, shopping, home. New York: Empire State, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, MOMA, Times Square, Broadway, shopping, home.

What makes Vayable unique is its guides, who offer themselves and their passion as a new way to enter worlds that otherwise would be next-to-impossible for a tourist to find. It is precisely this passion that make Vayable experiences stay with you long after you have returned home. Vayable guides are not guides in the official sense of the word: they are people with other jobs and other pursuits who want to share their personal world with you. And as anyone knows, doing something for your boss and doing something for yourself are totally different things.

And now Vayable has come to Italy, a place that perhaps needs it more than others. Tourism in Italy, like much of contemporary Italian society, stagnates under the weight of history. Italy means old buildings, old paintings, old churches. The structure of Italian bureaucracy doesn’t help much either. Want to be a tour guide in Italy? First, go to the high school for tourism. Second, apply for your tourist license. Third, pass a test. Fourth, shell out fees and taxes to the state. Fifth, get registered in the Regional Registry. Sixth …. You can imagine how stultifying it all is.

But the relative anarchy of the internet, gently tamed by responsible sites like Vayable, throws out the rules. For all of the wonderfully inventive, creative, and vibrant young Italians who are going through a moment of social crisis as the older generation shows itself incapable of evolving for the future, sites like Vayable offer hope. It is an idea bound to grasp the imagination of young Italians.

And the winner of this is the tourist, who all of a sudden finds him or herself with a new choice, the choice of the genuine, true, authentic, passionate Italy, seen through the eyes of their Vayable guide. Benvenuti nel futuro.