If you are a member of the travel blogging community, you are probably familiar with Passports with Purpose.  Last year, Passports with Purpose raised over $7000 dollars for Heifer International. In 2009, we've extended our goals and hope you'll join us again for a second round of giving.

This year, fellow travel bloggers are joining together to support American Assistance for Cambodia (AAfC) and independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving opportunities for the youth and rural poor in Cambodia. Our goal for 2009 is to raise $13,000 so we can build a school in rural Cambodia!

Beginning on November 30th, you will be able to see a list of prizes on the Passports With Purpose website, and each one will link back to a full description of the prizes on the blogger's website

Your purchase of a $10 raffle ticket will help support Passports with Purpose and ultimately build a school. For each $10 in donations that you make to AAfC, you will will be entered to win a prize (or prizes) of your choice. The fundraiser begins on November 30th and closes on December 21. All proceeds go directly to AAfC.

Got Prizes? What a Trip!

This year I'm pleased to offer Passports with Purpose two fantastic prizes from Briggs & Riley and OtterBox.

Briggs & Riley 20" BagBriggs & Riley is donating a Baseline 20" Carry-On Expandable Wide-Body Upright

This expandable wheeled carry-on is ideal for those who want one bag for both domestic and international air travel. The shorter and wider configuration offers maximum packing capacity while still fitting in the overhead. Retail value $369.

OtterBox is donating a $100 Gift Certificate

Otterbox iPhone Defender Case ReviewThis Colorado-based company started with something as simple as a box. OtterBox was created in 1996, building cases geared to the klutzy traveler who has broken a device. I prefer to think of my OtterBox as offering stylish and rugged protection for my iPhone and my active lifestyle. (Doesn't that sound better?)

Each OtterBox ranges in price to $50, so you'll be able to select two boxes!

Learn more about American Assistance for Cambodia

Roatan, Honduras Garifuna Dancers My first visit to Roatan, Honduras and it was during November's rainy season. I was cruising on the Crown Princess as a guest of Princess Cruises. My dolphin encounter shore excursion was cancelled due to rough waters on the seas. As an alternative, I selected "The Best of Roatan" tour and discovered the Garifuna Dancers.

Go With the Flow When Cruising

As a person new to cruising, I have learned that you need to be flexible when it comes to ports of call and shore excursions. On this particular Western Caribbean sailing, Hurricane Ida had Commodore Giuseppe Romano changing our itinerary to avoid rough seas. With my Holland America experience, our ship wasn't able to tender at Sitka, Alaska due to hurricane force winds. Instead Captain Henk Keijer selected the protected and scenic Tracy Arm and it was fabulous! I have learned to adapt the "go with the flow" mentality when it comes to cruising.

Garifuna Culture

As I watched the traditional dances performed by descendents of African slaves, I learned that the men disguised themselves as women to avoid being killed during war time. The males dance the Jur Ca Nu and the women dance the Punta. Watch the feet of the women in the video and enjoy the traditional dances that have been handed down from generations since they settled in Roatan in 1797.

Local Food

Roatan, Honduras Yuka Bread BakerI was fortunate to taste the Yuka bread after watching a local Roatan women prepare the casava bread on a mud stove. From there we journeyed to a local village to watch as the planteen was mashed to make the native Machuca. A typical dish, Machuca is made of boiled planteen that is mashed, a local white fish and coconut milk. Tasty!

All photos and video courtesy of Nancy D. Brown

Crown Princess for a Day - DesireDid you ever play dress up as a child or trick-or-treat dressed as a Princess?  Ever fantasized about your ultimate wedding?

After a day at sea as a guest of Princess Cruises Crown Princess, I've experienced the pampering of the Lotus Spa, wandered into the adult-only Sanctuary and gazed upon a bride-to-be as she transformed from a fiancee to a newlywed, to half of a honeymooning couple on her wedding day. All of this took place during a day at sea.

SPA TIPS

As a newbie to cruising, I've learned that it's best to book your spa treatment in advance if you'd like your appointment to be during a day at sea. Often times, spa treatments can be less expensive if you schedule them during a day in port. My masseuse on the Crown Princess noted that prices may drop toward the end of a 15 day cruise.

Crown Princess Thermal SuiteHave you tried the Aroma Stone Therapy massage? For cruisers allocating dollars to pampering, the cost is $195. As a guest of Princess Cruises I was fortunate to enjoy 75 minutes of bliss at the Lotus Spa. They were running a little behind on my visit, so I was escorted into the Thermal Suite and promptly settled into a heated ceramic lounge chair.

Recycling Program On Board Crown Princess

After pouring myself a cup of lemon water, I was pleased to see that Crown Princess had a container for recycling the paper cups alonside the water pitcher. For a ship of this size, carrying 3,000 passengers, it is reassuring to know that Princess Cruises cares about their environmental impact.

While cruising Alaska recently, on Holland America Lines Westerdam, I enjoyed hanging out in their Thermal Suite while I watched the ship sail scenic Tracy Arm. If your ship has a thermal suite looking out over the water, the minimal cost of a half day pass might land you the best seat in the house!

Escape to The Sanctuary

Adult-Only Sanctuary on Crown PrincessFor those of us hoping to escape loud children or loud adults, for that matter, The Sanctuary is an adults-only retreat located on deck 17. Guests may purchase a half day pass for $10 or full day pass for $20. Additional amenities such as MP3 players with Bose headphones or an Evian Face Mist, at $3.50 a pop, will further isolate the noises of the outside world and leave you feeling moisturized and toned (according to the brochure.)

Personally, if I had a budget for pampering, I would try the cabana massage for $119, accompanied with a little cabana cuisine. Afterall, I'd be on vacation.

What are your recommendations for a day at Sea?

You can follow along on my discoveries via the #FollowMeAtSea hashtag I’m using on Twitter.

All photos courtesy of Nancy D. Brown

Nantucket Travel WalletMy hair is rumbled as I pull off my not-so-glamorous eye shades. The plane has touched down in Miami; a red eye from San Francisco and I have raccoon eyes from sleeping with my makeup. A quick trip into the bathroom with my Pond's Towelettes and I look presentable again.

Pond's sent me a package of Towelettes to try out on my travels. They also included a gift pack for me to give away to you, my dear reader.

Let's face it, a review of Pond's Towelettes is not going to bring eyes to this site. What about a Travel Essentials gift pack giveaway? Bring it on!

Mini Jet SetGift Pack Description

The gift pack includes a Nantucket Traval Wallet, Mini jet set, Carry-on Bottle set, in a clear plastic case for all of your 3 oz liquids, as well as your own package of Pond's Towelettes to try.

I like my Pond's Towelettes because they come in a convenient, re-closable package that fits into my makeup bag. My eyes tend to react to strong eye make up remover, yet I didn't have any reactions to the Pond's Towelettes and, more importantly, the towelettes removed my mascara.

Ponds TowelettesBeauty Tips

If you enjoy reading beauty tips, fashion and beauty guru Jenn Falik shares her tips and you can download coupons for the towelettes, too. 

What's your essential travel product? I can't leave home without my Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer bag.

Carry-on Bottle SetLeave a comment and I'll pick a random winner in ten days. The folks at Pond's will ship your Travel Essential gift pack directly to you after supplying me with your address.  Happy Travels!

Next time you admire that glossy brochure touting a cruise to Alaska's pristine Inside Passage or are considering a Disney Cruise with Grandma, Grandpa and the entire family, look beyond the gourmet dining and children's program. Ask yourself how these cruise lines impact our environment?

While some cruise lines take great care to tread lightly on their surroundings, other companies are failing miserably. Have you asked yourself if cruising is any greener than flying?

Marcie Keever, Clean Vessels Campaign Director for Friends of the Earth notes, “it only costs about 1-3% of the value of a single cruise ship to install advanced sewage treatment technology on a cruise ship.”

2009 Cruise Ship Environmental Report Card 

According to a report issued September 16, 2009 by Friends of the Earth, cruise ships are like floating cities that release substantial amounts of pollution into the air and water.

I recently spoke with Friends of the Earth Clean Vessels Campaign Director Marcie Keever to ask her what cruise ship passengers could do to be proactive in selecting their next cruise.

"Passengers have a choice in where they want to go and what they want to eat; even what shore excursions they select," said Keever. "For the first time, passengers have a choice in what environmental impact their cruise ship will have."

In September of 2009, I sailed aboard Holland America Line's Westerdam and took a behind the scenes look at their waste recycling center. While I don't think many people would be interested in watching a video of their food waste management system, Holland America takes great pride in its environmental record.

The company was one of the first cruise ships to sail in Alaska and they have no intention of fouling their own backyard. Like Princess Cruises, HAL has installed shore powered technology where available. However, utilizing shore powered technology requires joint cooperation between the port and the ship. Many port infrastructures don't yet have the ability to support these power grids.

I look forward to learning more about Princess Cruises environmental programs when I sail as a guest of the Crown Princess from Miami, Florida on a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise.

Here's what Julie Benson, Public Relations Director, had to say about Princess Cruises environmental policies. "We care deeply for the environment. We make our living on the ocean. We're a highly regulated business. In terms of our commitment and our doing things the right way, we meet or exceed all environmental requirements."

You can follow along on my discoveries via the #FollowMeAtSea hashtag I’ll use on Twitter.

What can you do as a consumer to support a clean marine eco-system? Roaming Tales blogger Caitlin urges you to sign the Clean Cruise Act petition. What's your take on cruising and the environment? Leave a comment below.

Crown PrincessIn a week, I'm sailing to the Western Caribbean. This is my first trip to the Caribbean and my first Princess Cruise, with exotic ports of call including the Grand Cayman Island, Honduras, Cozumel, Mexico and the Bahamas. What a Trip!

Along with several other tweeting travel writers, I was invited by Princess Cruises to take a hosted trip and share my experiences as part of a first-ever “Twitter Press Trip.”

Check back here  for some videos and posts along the way. You can follow along on my discoveries via the #FollowMeAtSea hashtag I’ll use on Twitter.

I'll share details from my Aroma Stone Therapy massage to shore excursions in each location including swimming with sting rays and a dolphin encounter at Anthony's Key Resort & Tabyana Beach. I'll be horseback riding at Punta Sur State Refuge in Cozumel, Mexico and snorkeling at Princess Cays in the Bahamas.

Truth in Travel

One of the reason I like Twitter; immediate feedback or in some cases, fallout. There's been a lot of tweeting about "Truth in Travel." On Twitter the hashtag is #twethics. As I mentioned above, this is a hosted trip, yet I will do my best to present an honest take on our cruise.

I also hope to learn about Princess Cruises' efforts on keeping green while sailing the big blue.

#FollowMeAtSeaYou can follow me, along with other travel tweeters on Twitter.

@Nancydbrown

Gary Arndt @EverywhereTrip

Anita Dunham-Potter @ExpertCruiser

Kim Mance, Shanna Quinn & Courtney McGann @Galavanting

@cherilucas

@JohnnyJet

@PrincessCruises

Shannon Hurst Lane @Cajun_Mama

Simone di Santi @ARoadRetraveled

Beacon Hill Park, Wendi Dube photographerMy favorite tips and locations for visitors to Victoria, Canada.

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is to the  Inner Harbour or Dallas Road.

When I crave Victorian cuisine, I turn to Red Fish Blue Fish.

To escape work I go to Lower Johnson Street (LoJo) for awesome shopping, North Fort for food (Sally Bun), exercise (yoga) and more shopping or to the beach to relax.

For complete quiet, I can hide away at Sooke Harbour House. To be surrounded in nature, head to Gold Stream Park or East Sooke Park.

If you come to Victoria, get your picture taken in front of the Parliament buildings.

If you have to order one thing off the menu at Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub, get one of their hand crafted Artisan Beers - Iceberg Pale Ale is an excellent choice.

Victoria is my one stop shop for outdoor adventure.

When I'm feeling cash-strapped, I go to Daidoco or the Noodle Box. 

For a huge splurge, I go to Brasserie L'ecole. 

Butchart Gardens, Nancy D. Brown photographerPhoto ops in Victoria include The Fairmont Empress Hotel, Butchart Gardens, the Inner Harbour, Fishermans Wharf, Market Square, Bastion Square, Dallas Road and Beacon Hill Park to name a few.

The best vantage points are taken by hiking or driving to the top of Mount Tolmie or Mount Douglas. Or by taking a quick elevator trip to Vista 18.

The most random thing about Victoria is the Free B Film Festival and the Symphony Splash.  

In Victoria, an active day outdoors involves walking, hiking, kayaking, cycling, kite surfing or scuba diving.

My favorite walking route is walking through Cook Street Village (stopping at the Mocha House to get a "London Fog") and to Dallas Road, along the beach and back through Beacon Hill Park.

Victoria's best museum is The Royal BC Museum. 

For a night of dancing, go to Darcy's Pub and onto Lucky Bar. 

The Mint is the spot for late night dining.

To find out what's going on at night or on weekends, read The Monday Magazine and Eat Magazine.

You can tell a lot about Victoria and Vancouver Island from visiting the Cowichan Valley and attending the Feast of Fields. 

In the spring you should attend the Spark Festival and the Island Chef's Collaborative's Defending your Backyard event.  

In the summer, you should attend the Symphony Splash and Luminara.

In the fall you should visit Goldstream Park to watch the salmon spawn. 

In the winter you should go to Butchart Gardens and skate on their outdoor ice rink and view the gardens lit up with Christmas lights.  

Beacon Hill Park Petting Farm photo Christina CraftA hidden gem in Victoria is the Fernwood Neighborhood - Tapas at Stage, then a play at the Belfry Theatre.

For a great breakfast treat or espresso, go to The Black Stilt Cafe. 

Just outside of Victoria you can visit Sidney and have lunch at the Fish on Fifth.  

The best way to see Victoria is to walk, cycle or rent a scooter.

If you have kids, you won't want to miss The Beacon Hill Park Petting Farm. 

Thank you to Kelsey Ewart of Tourism Victoria for assistance with this post.

OtterBox iPhone Defender Case ReviewLove your iPhone but not so happy with your iPhone case?

That was the situation for me until I received the OTTERBOX IPHONE 3G/3GS Defender Case and now I'm a happy camper.

Active Adventure Traveler

If you are an active adventure traveler or simply clumsy and prone to dropping your mobile phone, I strongly suggest that you invest  $49.95 in an OtterBox iPhone Defender Case.

When I purchased my iPhone 3G at the AT&T store, I also purchased a hard-shell leather case from Griffin Technology. I actually bought two; one for me and one for my 17 year old daughter's iPhone. We both hated the Griffin case. The bottom corners of the leather melt in the California heat or from hand-held body heat and start to pull away from the phone.

I wasn't home the day my OtterBox iPhone Defender Case arrived. Unfortunately, my daughter was and she immediately opened the box and proceeded to put the case on her iPhone. She enjoyed the OtterBox iPhone Deferender Case for two days and then had to give it up to her mother. So what does this say about the OtterBox appeal? Both a 40-something woman and a teenager liked the Otter Box.

Some OtterBox iPhone Defender Case reviews have had some negative comments about it's clunky look. Personally, I like the unique look because my iPhone case stands out in a crowd, or should I say on a coffee table with five mobile phones scattered about. My black and yellow OtterBox iPhone Defender Case is a kin to having a tan piece of luggage pop out from the airport luggage carousel in a sea of black suitcases. The case also comes in black, white and pink colors.

Three Layers of Protection

The OtterBox defender case has three layers of protection. A thin, clear membrane covers the screen. Next, a Polycarbonate skeleton cradles the iPhone. Finally, a layer of silicone protects the phone from shock and drops. Do keep in mind that the OtterBox iPhone Defender Case is not waterproof.

FYI, if you plan to use a docking station on a daily basis, this case is not for you!

The Fort Collins, Colorado-based company is on Twitter and Facebook and is social media savvy. Please note that OtterBox supplied me with this product for review.

Nancy D. Brown wearing Plane Quiet HeadphonesWhat a difference a switch makes. As I sit on a Hawaiian Airlines flight from San Francisco bound for Honolulu, the plane engines drone on in the background. Visions of Kauai's Hanalei Bay and Poipu Beach drift in and out of my mind, like the gentle waves in the ocean, as I listen to native Hawaiian music with my Plane Quiet Pink Noise Canceling Headphones .

The switch I'm referring to is the switch to activate the noise reduction function on the Plane Quiet Headphones. First, let me say that I appreciate that the ear covers are labeled with an "L" and "R" for left and right. As soon as I clicked on the noise reduction switch, the airplane engine droning was eliminated immediately. I could still hear passenger's voices in the background, but the music was now front and center in my ears.

David Dillinger, a former airplane pilot and the inventor of the Plane Quiet Headphones, makes no claims that these headphones are on par with aviation equipment, but they do work well for your average traveller.

I like the "limited edition" pink color and the fact that for every Plane Quiet headset sold, ProTravel Gear donates 10% of proceeds to Breast Cancer Research.

As Dellinger notes, "noise isn't the only thing we are trying to silence!" 

Plane Quiet Headphones retail for $99.95 (excluding tax.) Follow them on Twitter for more Pro Travel Gear deals. Please note that ProTravel Gear supplied me with this headset for review.

My favorite tips and locations for visitors to Fairbanks, Alaska.

Riverboat Discovery Photo by Nancy D. BrownThe first place I take a visitor from out of town depends on how much time they have. The museum is a great overview of local life.

The Riverboat Discovery tour is rated the #1 boat tour in North America. It is a 3 1/2 hour cruise and they impart an incredible amount of information. (I went on this cruise as a guest of Royal Caribbean's Alaska Land Tour, and it was excellent.)

The interpretive exhibit galleries at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center is worthwhile. Fairbanks resident Karen Lundquist has spent the last 10 years working on this project.

"People are going to be blown away by what they see," adds Lundquist. "Incredibly stunning life-sized dioramas and crafted galleries with a smokehouse and public use cabin."

When I crave Fairbanks cuisine, I eat halibut or salmon. With the ethnic and cultural diversity in the region, there isn't a signature dish or food.

To escape work I go to the Alaska Club to work out.

Chena Village photo by Nancy D. BrownFor complete quiet, I can hide away at the Noel Wien Library or the University of Alaska Museum of the North. The Place Where You Go to Listen is a sound and light environment created by composer John Luther Adams. The musical ecosystem gives voice to the aurora borealis.

If you come to Fairbanks, get your picture taken in Golden Heart Plaza with the First Family statue behind you.

If you have to order one thing off the menu at Lavelle's it would be the calamari, ahi or the filet. At Silver Gulch Brewery, the Parm fries are awesome. The Turtle Club serves excellent prime rib, prawns and has a great salad bar.

Fairbanks is the largest city in Interior and Arctic Alaska, so it's the best place to shop for everything when it comes to variety and volume.

When I'm feeling cash-strapped, I go to one of our 20 Asian and Thai restaurants. The Pagoda in North Pole has excellent Chinese food.

For a huge splurge, I go to the Lavelle's Bistro. Great service and attentive owners.

Photo ops in Fairbanks include the University of Alaska Museum of the North and the northern lights.  Chena Hot Springs Road is a great place to see moose in the ponds.

The best vantage points are taken by walking to the top of Hagelbarger overlook out the Steese Highway, West Ridge at the University of Alaska. Chena Ridge Road is a loop.

Nancy D. Brown Iditarod Dog RaceThe most random thing about Fairbanks is the outhouse races on skis and the snowmobile tug of war during Chatanika Days.

In Fairbanks, our climate is season-driven. In the summer, bike around Farmer's Loop Road, hike the trails in the Chena River State Recreation Area and canoe or kayak down the Chena River that runs through town.

In the winter, cross-country ski at Birch Hill or UAF trails. For downhill and snowboarding go to Moose Mt. or Skiland.

My favorite walking route is in downtown Fairbanks. There are lots of historic sites, nice waterfront walking and bike paths with shops and restaurants along the way.

Fairbank's best museum is the University of Alaska Museum of the North. It has stunning architecture and exceptional galleries. There are also smaller "community" museums with exceptional early 1900's and on collections; Pioneer Museum, Pioneer Air Museum, Wickersham House, Kitty Hensley House and the Fairbanks Community Museum.

For a night of dancing, go to the Howling Dog Saloon. It is in Fox, about 10 miles from downtown Fairbanks. There are bras hanging from the ceiling and the red stage carpet was taken from when the Pope and President Reagan visited. This is a seasonal rock and roll place, as there is no heat in the winter!

Fairbanks doesn't stay up late, but the Pump House Restaurant is a favorite for late evening snacks. It is a national historic site as they pumped water from the river over the hills to gold fields.

To find out what's going on at night or on weekends, read the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

In the spring you should attend Arctic Man.

In the summer, you should attend the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival; Golden Days; the Yukon 800 Boat Race and the Midnight Sun Festival. Take in a Midnight Sun Baseball game that won't get underway until 10:30 at night. Don't forget the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics in July.

In the fall you should do the Equinox Marathon or check out the Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival.

In the winter you should go to the World Ice Art Championships, the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, the Open North American Championship Sled Dog Race and the Festival of Native Arts.

Athabascan Indian Woman A hidden gem in Fairbanks is the migratory waterfowl refuge about five minutes from downtown.

For a great breakfast treat or espresso, go to the Cookie Jar.

Just outside of Fairbanks you can visit the Monderosa Bar and Grill on the way to Nenana for great burgers.

The best way to see Fairbanks is by car.

If you have kids, you won't want to miss the World Ice Art Championships in March. Chena Hot Springs Resort is about 55 miles from Fairbanks and has natural hot springs, as well as inside pools.

For families with older children Alaskan Tails of the Trail with Mary Shields (the first woman to finish the Iditarod) is a place to pet dogs, eat homemade brownies and visit her home. Also for older children is the Large Animal Research Station. A great up close and personal tour of muskox and reindeer.

There's also Santa Claus House and Pioneer Park, a historic theme park with rides, mini golf and train.

On a summer day, adults and children will like Hot Licks hormone-free ice cream, made with all natural flavorings. Try the blueberry with local berries.

For additional information visit Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Photos by Nancy D. Brown