R The Hidden Tropical Islands, Caribbean Rain Forests ... · Lubaantun, a sprawling ancient Maya...

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The Hidden Caribbean January 3 - 10, 2014 Tropical Islands, Rain Forests & Ancient Sites of Central America February 22 - March 1, 2014 Two Voyages Aboard the 130-Guest, American-Flagged Yorktown Tropical Small-Ship Discoveries with FREE AIRFARE See inside R & WITH AUDUBON NATURE ODYSSEYS LECTURERS DOUG MEFFERT, ERIK JOHNSON, & ERIC LIND

Transcript of R The Hidden Tropical Islands, Caribbean Rain Forests ... · Lubaantun, a sprawling ancient Maya...

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The Hidden Caribbean

January 3 - 10, 2014

Tropical Islands, Rain Forests & Ancient Sites of Central AmericaFebruary 22 - March 1, 2014

Two Voyages Aboard the 130-Guest, American-Flagged Yorktown

Tropical Small-Ship

Discoveries with

Free AirFAre

See inside

R

&

with audubon nature odysseys Lecturersdoug Meffert, eriK Johnson, & eric Lind

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Experience the Unspoiled Caribbean & Central America

Soon after Columbus set sail, seafarers told tall tales of lands far to the west that were an earthly paradise. When the first European explorers landed at the Caribbean islands and Central America, it must have seemed to them that the tales were true. Here were clear turquoise waters, shimmering white-sand beaches, cloud-capped mountains covered with tropical foliage, and an endless string of sunny days cooled by the trade winds, along with marvelous stone temples and monuments created by the ancient Maya civilization.

Today, travelers are still drawn to the Caribbean islands and the shores of Central America, although few will ever truly experience the land that the early explorers saw. The mega-cruise ships carrying thousands of passengers follow a familiar circuit of big islands that cater to the tourism industry, visiting places overrun by sprawling resorts and crowds.Lubaantun, a sprawling ancient Maya center in Belize

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But there is another Caribbean—quiet, intimate, pristine—and that is the Caribbean we will explore on these two spectacular small-ship cruises in the winter of 2014. We have selected Caribbean islands and ports of call along the coast of Central America that are not accessed by massive cruise liners, because their harbors cannot accommodate such large ships. This is the Caribbean where the beaches are deserted, where you and your fellow travelers may be the only ones snorkeling along an enchanting coral reef, where fascinating Maya sites are not overwhelmed by crowds, and where, as you follow a trail through the rain forest, you can hear the calls of tropical birds rather than the chatter of tour guides.

Ours is a small-ship cruise experience. Yorktown accommodates no more than 130 guests. Because of its size, Yorktown is ideal for entering small bays and inlets and docking at unspoiled tropical islands. From Yorktown you’ll discover the incredible ancient sites, rain forests, extraordinary beaches, and beautiful reefs of the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala—along with a way of life that is simple, unhurried, and friendly.

This winter, join fellow Audubon members and our esteemed leaders—Doug Meffert, Erik Johnson, and Eric Lind—aboard Yorktown on voyages of discovery to the tropical paradise that is the unspoiled Caribbean.

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The 130-Guest Yorktown

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Yorktown is the perfect vessel for relaxed and convivial exploration of the Virgin Islands and Central America’s Caribbean coast. Built in Florida in 1988 specifically for coastal cruising and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard, Yorktown flies the American flag and is staffed by friendly and experienced American officers and crew. With a draft of only 9 feet, Yorktown is able to maneuver in secluded waterways and visit small ports that are inaccessible to larger vessels. The ship’s cuisine, served in a dining room large enough to accommodate all guests at once, incorporates local flavors and culinary traditions. Accommodating only 130 guests in 65 exterior cabins, Yorktown enjoys an atmosphere of warm and relaxed informality that endears it to repeat and new guests alike.

Life aboard YorktownLife aboard Yorktown is relaxed and informal, and dress is always casual. Guests discover soon after settling in that the ship’s design fosters a sense of community and shared enterprise. Most cabins have large picture windows, and each is furnished with comfortable beds, a writing desk, ample storage, a clock/radio/CD player, and a private bathroom. Your cabin is the perfect place for peace and quiet and for private rest and reflection. But you will want to spend most of your time in one of Yorktown’s inviting common areas. The Lounge, never more than two decks away (Yorktown has no elevator), is the hub of shipboard activity—the place to read, to converse with fellow travelers, to attend lectures and concerts, to enjoy a cocktail as the pianist performs on the ship’s Steinway piano, or simply to enjoy unobstructed views of the passing scene. The Sun Deck affords similar opportunities to read and relax in the open air.

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The U.S. and British Virgin Islands are rated among the most beautiful and appealing of all the places in the Caribbean. The small, idyllic islands on our itinerary are off-the-beaten path, pristine, and waiting to be discovered. Their forests are rich with birds, their waters are clear and clean, their coral reefs unspoiled, their towns and villages quiet and laid-back—the perfect destination for a relaxing escape.

You’ll find that the pleasures of these islands are simple but unforgettable. Jost Van Dyke is the jewel of the British Virgin Islands, a place where you can swim, snorkel, and watch for passing whales or dolphins as you lounge on the beach. On neighboring Tortola you’ll find one of the last surviving rain forests in the Caribbean, located over 1,000 feet above sea level in the Sage Mountain National Park. You’ll probably have the park to yourself—visitors to Sage Mountain are that rare.

One of the highlights of this voyage is a visit to Peter Island. Privately owned and largely undeveloped, Peter Island looks the way most of the Caribbean islands looked before the arrival of mass tourism. Follow one of the hiking trails into the tropical forest, where you can immerse yourself in the varied flora and fauna. On St. John, you will have the opportunity to explore the Virgin Islands National Park, with its hiking trails and miles of shoreline and reefs.

If you prefer the beach, you’ll have ample opportunities to bask on some of the world’s best. Visit the mile-long crescent of Deadman’s Beach on Peter Island, where the sand is pure white, and when you’re ready to get out of the sun you can retire to the shade of a coconut palm. On Virgin Gorda, one of the most beautiful places in the British Virgin Islands, you can explore The Baths, a geological curiosity where enormous granite boulders lay scattered along the beach to form sea-filled grottoes and pools perfect for snorkeling and swimming.

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The U.S. & British Virgin Islands: The Gems of the Caribbean

Colorfully painted houses, Soper’s Hole, Tortola

Moko jumbie stilt dancer, Virgin Islands

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Yorktown navigating the scenic waterway that leads to Saugatuck

In spite of their prime location between the Caribbean and the North Atlantic, the British Virgin Islands were virtually unsettled throughout the 16th and most of the 17th centuries. During those years the islands were a popular lair for pirates, which may have discouraged colonists. But in the 1670s and 1680s, the British captured or annexed many of the islands. Initially the British Virgin Islands served a strategic purpose, protecting Britain’s interests in the Caribbean. Once sugarcane was introduced, the islands became an economic dynamo.

Today the approximately 60 islands and cays that constitute the British Virgin Islands are a British Overseas Territory, with a governor appointed by Queen Elizabeth II. All residents of the islands enjoy full British citizenship.

Approximately 83 percent of the islanders are of Afro-Caribbean descent, and Afro-Caribbean culture is strong in terms in local music and cuisine. Nonetheless, the classic British sport, cricket, is still a popular game in the islands, although in recent years the game has lost some ground to basketball.

The British Virgin Islands Are Still British

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ItineraryFriday, January 3, 2014ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands | EMBARKArrive in St. Thomas and transfer to the Crown Bay Marina to embark Yorktown. Overnight aboard ship docked at the marina. (D)

Saturday, January 4JOST VAN DYKE, British Virgin Islands | SOPER’S HOLE, TORTOLARelax aboard in the morning as Yorktown navigates to idyllic Jost Van Dyke. A base for seafarers, pirates, and adventurers for over 400 years, Jost Van Dyke is now one of the favorite islands of yachtsmen. Yorktown will anchor at magnificent White Bay, which is sheltered by a barrier reef and lined by a superb white-sand beach. In addition to offering wonderful conditions for swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling, unspoiled and sparsely populated Jost Van Dyke has green hills for hiking and bird-watching. In the afternoon, sail to nearby Soper’s Hole, at the western shore of Tortola, where the ship anchors for the night. (B, L, D)

Sunday, January 5TORTOLA & PETER ISLANDDeparting from Soper’s Hole early in the morning, Yorktown will dock shortly thereafter in Tortola’s Road Town, the capital of the British Virgin Islands. Dutch buccaneers arrived here in 1648, becoming the first European settlers in the island group. About 21 square miles, Tortola’s terrain includes lush rain forest and pristine white-sand beaches. Explore the Sage Mountain National Park for a hike through the rain forest. Mount Sage rises more than 1,700 feet, the highest point in the British Virgin Islands, and is covered with undisturbed rain forest vegetation, including mahogany and kapok trees, while the pathways are lined with elephant ears, ferns, mountain guava, and other vegetation. The views of the surrounding islands are superb. There will also be time to explore quaint Road Town on your own, or enjoy swimming and snorkeling at one of the island’s stunning beaches. In the afternoon, Yorktown will make the short crossing to Peter Island, a lush small island, most of which is privately owned, that offers hiking paths and pristine beaches for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. (B, L, D)

The hIdden CarIBBean: exploring the Yachtsman’s Grounds of the Virgin Islands

Magens Bay, St. Thomas

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Annaberg Sugar Mill ruins, St. John

January 3 - 10, 2014

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Monday, January 6VIRGIN GORDAArrive in Virgin Gorda, where we will land at the Leverick Bay Marina, on the island’s scenic North Sound. Named “Fat Virgin” by Christopher Columbus when he arrived in 1493, the island is one of the most beautiful in the British Virgin Islands. The island offers many sites for exploration, including The Baths, a geological curiosity where enormous granite boulders lay scattered along the beach to form sea-filled grottoes and pools perfect for snorkeling and swimming; and Gorda Peak National Park, a nature preserve, where trails lead to the summit offering spectacular vistas of the surrounding islands. (B, L, D)

Tuesday, January 7COOPER & NORMAN ISLANDSToday we will call at two of the “Out Islands,” a local expression for the archipelago’s small and remote islands. Spend the morning at Cooper Island, which is virtually undeveloped. Yorktown will anchor at sheltered Manchioneel Bay, with its beautiful palm-lined beach. Enjoy swimming and snorkeling. Cistern Point, surrounded by coral reefs, offers excellent snorkeling. In the afternoon, call at Norman Island, reputed to be Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Yorktown will anchor at The Caves, an outstanding swimming and snorkeling area, with crystal-clear water, colorful corals, and other marine life. (B, L, D)

Wednesday, January 8ST. JOHN, U.S. Virgin IslandsIn the morning, Yorktown will anchor at St. John’s Cruz Bay, the island’s small, neat, and tidy main town. Two-thirds of St. John is a protected national park, and during our visit we will have the opportunity to explore this verdant and welcoming island, including the Virgin Islands National Park, with its hiking trails and miles of shoreline and reefs. The park is home to a variety of flora and fauna, and historic buildings and sites, such as the Annaberg Sugar Mill ruins. During your visit, also learn about the Taino, the ancient inhabitants of the island. As the ship stays in Cruz Bay overnight, you will have the opportunity to shop and leisurely enjoy the town. (B, L, D)

Thursday, January 9ST. THOMASIn the morning, call at St. Thomas, where Yorktown will dock at Crown Bay Marina. Spend the day relaxing and exploring Charlotte Amalie, the island’s capital, on your own, or join an excursion to the island’s historic landmarks, including the Estate St. Peter Greathouse & Botanical Gardens, with its 500 varieties of plants. Nestled high on St. Thomas’s peaks, Estate St. Peter offers wonderful views. (B, L, D)

Friday, January 10ST. THOMAS | DISEMBARK Disembark in the morning and transfer to the airport for return flights home. (B)

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The Atlantic coastlines of Guatemala and Honduras, as well as Belize, remain among the least explored and developed areas of Central America. Here you will discover the mystery of fascinating Maya ruins; the beauty of the rain forest teeming with birds and wildlife; the enchantment of snorkeling in crystal clear waters along a magnificent coral reef; the splendor of pristine, uncrowded beaches; and the charm of Spanish colonial towns.

Discover the ancient Maya city of Quirigua in Guatemala, where the stelae, obelisk, and altars are all elaborately carved with images of gods, portraits of kings, and images of sacred animals. And Belize’s Lubaantun contains eighteen main plazas, three ball courts, and numerous pyramids. The summit of the tallest pyramid boasts spectacular vistas of the Caribbean Sea.

The ancient Maya carved their empire out of the rain forest, and Honduras’s Pico Bonito National Park preserves a world they would have known—a world of monkeys and tropical birds in the treetops, armadillos scurrying through the undergrowth, and otters floating on their backs in the rivers. Nearby is the Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge, originally created to protect manatees, which has become a vital habitat for an incredible variety of birds. You can explore these emerald paradises on foot, by raft, or by kayak.

Beneath the crystal-clear turquoise waters off the coast of Honduras and Belize lies another world, waiting to be explored. At Snake Cays, snorkelers and divers enter the habitat of sand dollars, octopus, barracudas, spotted eagle rays, and sea urchins. Just off shore from Roatan, the largest of Honduras’s Bay Islands, is a magnificent reef that stretches for almost seventy miles, where you’ll find an abundance of tropical fish swimming amidst spectacular coral formations. And then there is Cayos Cochinos, a remote archipelago where the reefs are considered one of the least disturbed marine ecosystems in the Americas.

Cayos Cochinos, Honduras

The Incredible diversity of Belize, honduras, and Guatemala

Sculpted stelae at the ancient Maya site of Quirigua, Guatemala

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Honduras has been described as a biodiversity hotspot, with approximately 700 species of birds, 110 species of mammals, 250 species of reptiles and amphibians, and thousands of types of plants, including 630 varieties of orchids. During our cruise, we will have the opportunity to explore this lush world. But as fascinating as the wildlife of the rain forests may be, the rain forests of Honduras—along with rain forests elsewhere around the world—play a vital role in the well-being of the planet.

Rain forests absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. They stabilize climate, produce rain, and protect against flood and soil erosion. They are home to rare plants and wild creatures, as well as ancient tribal societies. And some plants from the rain forest have proven to have medicinal properties. For example, treatments for respiratory illnesses are derived from the trumpet tree, compounds from the clavillia plant kill viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, and the root of the suma plant lowers blood cholesterol.

The Rain Forests of Honduras

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ItinerarySaturday, February 22, 2014SAN PEDRO SULA | PUERTO CORTES, Honduras | EMBARKArrive in San Pedro Sula. Transfer to Puerto Cortes to embark Yorktown. Sail in the evening. (D)

Sunday, February 23PUNTA GORDA | LUBAANTUN | SNAKE CAYS, BelizeArrive in the morning in Belize’s Punta Gorda, a port town sited on sea cliffs. Drive inland to explore Lubaantun, a Late Classic Maya center that thrived between a.d. 700 and a.d 800. Built on a ridge and surrounded by forest, Lubaantun’s remains include five plazas, eleven major structures, three ball courts, and other edifices. The visitor center displays artifacts excavated at the site. Spend the afternoon at the nearby Snake Cays to swim and snorkel. (B, L, D)

Monday, February 24LA CEIBA, HondurasFriendly and bustling La Ceiba, built beneath the forested slopes of the Cordillera Nombre de Dios, will be our base for exploring the most important attractions of this region. Visit the Pico Bonito National Park, a vast rain forest with 20 rivers and abundant wildlife, including howler and spider monkeys, armadillos, tigrillos, and over 400 bird species. In the winter months, sightings of multiple male cotinga birds are common at Pico Bonito—with a shy female nearby—and recently the elegant euphonia was seen for the first time on Honduras’s North Coast by Pico Bonito’s visitors and staff. Or choose to visit the Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge, a major wetland and mangrove lagoon that is home to a rich wildlife. There will also be the opportunity to go rafting on the Cangrejal River and kayaking on the Cacao Lagoon. (B, L, D)

Tuesday, February 25ROATAN ISLAND, Bay IslandsSpend the day on Roatan, the main island of Honduras’s Bay Islands. Over 120 species of birds live on Roatan—the majority of them migratory—including the endangered Yellow-naped parrot. Our exploration of Roatan includes visits to the Institute of Marine Sciences, with its exhibitions of

TropICal ISlandS, raIn ForeSTS & anCIenT SITeS oF CenTral amerICa: honduras, Guatemala & Belize

Our itinerary offers exciting snorkeling opportunities

Detail from one of Quirigua’s sculpted stelae, Guatemala

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February 22 - March 1, 2014

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marine life and geology of the island, the Carambola Botanical Gardens, whose native trails are lined with tropical plants and flowers, and the Tropical Treasures Bird Park, home to scarlet macaws, toucans, parrots, and other birds. Also enjoy a canopy hiking tour through Roatan’s lush forest for further bird-watching opportunities. (B, L, D)

Wednesday, February 26TRUJILLOIn 1502, Columbus landed at the spot where Trujillo was founded 22 years later, becoming one of the earliest Spanish settlements in Central America. Explore Trujillo and some of its colonial buildings, including the 16th-century Santa Barbara Fortress, overlooking the sea. Also visit the Campo del Mar Nature Park, with its native flora and fauna, and enjoy swimming and snorkeling at its beautiful white-sand beach. There will be opportunities to discover the area’s wildlife by exploring the Guaymoreto Lagoon, with its boardwalk that meanders along the mangroves, and the Capiro y Calentura National Park on Mt. Calentura, which looms some 4,000 feet above Trujillo. Enjoy a bird-watching group excursion in the Trujillo area where, in the winter, transient migratory birds will be nesting alongside the local species. You may identify at least four different parrots, Blue-gray Tanagers, numerous hummingbirds, Keel-billed toucans, and countless other species. (B, L, D)

Thursday, February 27CAYOS COCHINOSCall at the unspoiled Cayos Cochinos (Hog Islands), consisting of two small islands and thirteen tiny, lush islets that are a protected marine park. Forty-three bird species have been noted on the Cayos Cochinos, including Blue and Green Herons. The area is used by Red-eyed Vireos and several species of Parula warblers in winter, and also probably by Merlins and Peregrine Falcons. Yucatan Viero, the Fork-tailed Emerald hummingbird, White-crowned Pigeon, and the Great-tailed Grackle all breed on the islands. Hike on Cochinos Mayor, the main islet in the group. On the nearby Cayo Chachahuate visit the small Garifuna village, where we will be greeted by a traditional drumming and dancing ceremony. (B, L, D)

Friday, February 28SANTO TOMAS DE CASTILLA, Guatemala | QUIRIGUA | PUERTO CORTES, HondurasYorktown docks at Guatemala’s port town of Santo Tomas de Castilla, set at the head of spacious Amatique Bay. Drive to Quirigua, an ancient Maya center that was founded around 200 b.c., and flourished in the 8th century a.d. when it embarked on a major construction program. Alternatively, take a boat to Rio Dulce, a great place to see birds in a canyon on the shores of the lake. After exploring the site, return to the ship and cruise to Puerto Cortes, where Yorktown arrives in the evening. (B, L, D)

Saturday, March 1PUERTO CORTES | DISEMBARK | SAN PEDRO SULA Disembark and transfer to the San Pedro Sula airport for return flights. (B)

TropICal ISlandS, raIn ForeSTS & anCIenT SITeS oF CenTral amerICa: honduras, Guatemala & Belize

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(Applicable to Tropical Islands, Rain Forests & Ancient Sites of Central America only)

Explore magnificent Copan in depth prior to embarking on your voyage. The optional pre-cruise extension begins with one night at the Hotel Marina Copan, including a welcome briefing and dinner. Spend a full day exploring Copan, the largest and most influential city in the region during the Maya Classical period, a.d. 300-900. Visit the Acropolis; the Ball Court; the Ceremonial Plaza flanked with stelae; the Hieroglyphic Stairway, with more than a thousand glyphs that together constitute the longest known Mayan inscription; and the Jaguar Stairway, with sculpted figures of jaguars originally inlaid with black obsidian. Also visit the site museum, containing an excellent display of jade, ceramics, obsidian knives, and figurines of the Maya, or tour the Macaw Mountain Bird Park, a nature reserve housing a wide selection of rare and endangered parrot species. Overnight at Hotel Marina Copan.

The following day, visit El Rastrojon—a Maya site recently uncovered by Harvard University—en route to Puerto Cortes. Arrive in the late afternoon and embark Yorktown.

Rate: $935 per person, double occupancy

Single supplement: $225

opTIonal pre-CrUISe exTenSIon To Copan

Trujillo & the Spanish EmpireOn August 14, 1502, during his fourth and final voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus sailed into the Bay of Trujillo on the coast of what is today Honduras, and went ashore—the first time he had set foot on the mainland of the Americas. He claimed the territory for Spain, but years would pass before the Spanish attempted to colonize the area.

In 1524, Hernan Cortez had conquered the Aztecs and established himself in Tenochtitlan—modern-day Mexico City—and he desired a new settlement on the Caribbean. Cortez sent his cousin, Francisco de las Casas, to the area where Columbus had landed more than twenty years earlier. Las Casas noted the location’s large natural harbor, ideal for ships, and established the town of Trujillo in its current location.

Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, gold and silver mined in the interior of Central America was sent by pack mules to Trujillo for shipment to Spain. The presence of so much gold and silver attracted pirates as well as Spain’s rivals—the Dutch, the French, and the English, all of whom raided Trujillo. To protect the town, the Fortress of Santa Barbara was constructed on the hill overlooking the harbor. In spite of the fort, Trujillo still attracted raiders. In the 18th century Spain abandoned the town and it remained virtually uninhabited until the 1820s, when Spain’s empire in Central America began to crumble and new, independent nations were born.

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How the Virgin Islands Got Their Name In 1493, during his second voyage to the New World,

Christopher Columbus sailed into a vast archipelago of islands,

islets, and cays. They were so numerous that he named the

island group the Islands of St. Ursula and the 11,000 Virgins.

opTIonal pre-CrUISe exTenSIon To Copan

Coral Bay and East End, St. John

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Travel, Learn, & Enrich Your Exper ience with a Team of Experts

Chris Harbard is a British ornithologist and conservationist who, after 24 years working with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, now works as an author, editor, broadcaster, and lecturer. His travels have included many Caribbean islands, Belize, and Guatemala. (Onboard both cruises)

Sandra Noble is Executive Director Emerita of the Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies, Inc. She earned her PhD in Maya Studies at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Dr. Noble has taught courses about Mesoamerica, the Maya, and the Aztecas. (Onboard Tropical Islands, Rain Forests & Ancient Sites of Central America, Feb. 22–Mar. 1)

Naturalist and photographer Jonathan Green studied Geology and Geography at the University of North London. He has spent the last 20 years working as a diver, photographer, and naturalist in the Galapagos, Central America, Andes, Amazon, and Patagonia. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of London. (Onboard both cruises)

We have earned a reputation for providing the very best in educational small-ship cruising in large part because of the experienced and talented study leaders we bring to our programs. Our voyages to the Virgin Islands and Central America feature a diverse collection of talent to enhance your journey.

NATURALISTS AND HISToRIANS

AUDUBoN NATURE oDYSSEYS LECTURERS

Onboard The Hidden Caribbean January 3 - 10, 2014 Dr. Douglas Meffert is a Vice President and Executive Director of Louisiana for the National Audubon Society. Audubon’s Louisiana team focuses on large scale coastal and gulf restoration and the protection of

many globally significant Important Bird Areas. Doug was most recently Director of Project Development and Associate Professor at Tulane University’s Payson Center for International Development as well as Executive Director of River Sphere. Doug is also working with Audubon’s International Alliances Program on projects protecting birds that migrate from North America, the Caribbean and central and south America. Doug received a Loeb Fellowship at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design and is a faculty associate at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in Cambridge, MA. He holds MBA and Bachelor of Engineering degrees from Tulane, and a Ph.D. in environmental science and engineering from UCLA.

Onboard The Hidden Caribbean January 3 - 10, 2014 Dr. Erik Johnson has a diverse background in ornithology, having studied birds on three continents, including in the rain forests of Brazil and Australia, as well on both ends of the Piping Plover’s life cycle. Through his

role as Director of Bird Conservation with Audubon Louisiana, Erik engages citizen scientists to help monitor birds and implements conservation measures for species of concern in Louisiana, across the Gulf Coast, and in North and South America. He has played critical roles in developing large-scale monitoring efforts to document the impacts of the BP oil spill on Gulf Coast birds and to understand the value of isolated forest remnants on bird populations. Erik conducted his graduate studies at Louisiana State University where he continues to serve as adjunct research faculty and work with undergraduate and graduate students. A passionate life-long birder and academically trained ornithologist, he will provide guests with expertise in bird identification and ecology.

Onboard Tropical Islands, Rain Forests & Ancient Sites of Central America February 22- March 1, 2014

Eric Lind is the Center Director at the Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary in Cold Spring, NY. Eric is responsible for all aspects of planning, developing, operating, and managing this well-established and successful Audubon Center. A life-long resident of the Hudson River Valley, he has a deep personal connection to the Hudson

River and its wild inhabitants. Eric is also an accomplished wildlife photographer, and he exhibits his work frequently. He has led previous Audubon Nature Odysseys trips, and has traveled to Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, and the Caribbean.

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Travel, Learn, & Enrich Your Exper ience with a Team of ExpertsPHoToGRAPHY WoRkSHoPWhether you are beginning your photographic journey or have years of experience, this program offers a unique opportunity to capture splendid images with personalized guidance from a professional photographer. You will receive detailed instruction on exposure, white balance, histograms, composition, and more. With mentoring on location and onboard lectures, you will learn techniques to take control of your camera and fulfill your creative vision. Your travel images will never be the same.

Chris Corradino, a professional photographer whose credits include the Associated Press, USA Today, National Geographic, The New Yorker, and Wall Street Journal, is also a licensed photography teacher committed to training others to “maximize their camera and take their craft to the next level.” Drawing on his experience with

students of all levels, during this voyage Chris will conduct a series of workshops designed to help travelers create “unique photographs of things that would have otherwise gone by unnoticed.” (Onboard The Hidden Caribbean, Jan. 3-10)

WATERCoLoR WoRkSHoPVerdant gardens, scarlet flowers, luscious tropical fruit, and of course, the dazzling, turquoise sea—the vibrant colors and sun-drenched light in the Caribbean beg to be captured by artists. Our watercolor workshop allows you to try your hand at expressing what you are seeing and help preserve your travel memories in a unique manner. An expert watercolorist will share her experience and expertise with all who wish to explore their own talent.

Judi Betts is a respected painter, author, instructor, and juror who has attained an international reputation. Her memberships include the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Federation of Canadian Artists, Societé Canadienne de l’Aquarelle, the National Arts Club, and Watercolor USA-Honor Society. Her work is included in the

collections of the Springfield (MO) Art Museum, New Orleans Museum of Art, and the Permanent Collections of the states of Arkansas and Louisiana. Her award-winning book WATERCOLOR...Let’s Think About It! is in its 4th printing. Her paintings are featured in numerous art books and periodicals. (Onboard The Hidden Caribbean, Jan. 3-10)

Marina Cay, Tortola

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deck plan

proGraM InclusIons

[18] [19 ]

cruIse and land rates for the hIdden carIbbean | January 3 - 10, 2014 or tropIcal Islands, raIn Forests & ancIent sItes oF central aMerIca | February 22 - March 1, 2014

PER PERSON, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY (PER VOYAGE)

category description rate

E Outside cabins with two lower beds, two portholes, and private bathroom. Cabins M11-M17 $4,995

D Outside cabins with two lower beds, two windows, and private bathroom. Cabins L43-L48 $5,695

C Outside cabins with two lower beds, two windows, and private bathroom. Cabins P49-P76 $6,495

B Outside cabins with two lower beds, picture window, and private bathroom. Cabins M18-M26 $7,195

A Outside cabins with two lower beds, picture window, and private bathroom. Cabins L29-L42 $7,995

AA Outside cabins with two lower beds that can convert to a queen bed, picture window, and private bathroom. Cabins L27, L28, P59*, P60 *P59’s two lower beds cannot be converted. $8,695

S Superior outside cabins with walk-out balcony, full-size bed, private bathroom, and mini-refrigerator. Cabins S77-S80 $9,395

Port taxes & Charges: $250 per personSINGLE RATES

a limited number of cabins for solo travelers are available in Categories C–a at a supplement of $1,295 added to the per person, double occupancy rate.

free airfare

■ Free airfare as specified below ■ Cruise aboard the 130-guest Yorktown■ Complete program of tours

and excursions■ Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions

aboard ship■ All meals aboard ship, including

house wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner

■ Educational program of lectures, discussions, and workshops by accompanying lecturers, naturalists, artist, and photographer on select dates

■ Experienced Travel Dynamics International tour staff

■ Courteous pre-departure services including comprehensive trip documentation

■ Transfers and baggage handling between airport and ship on the program arrival and departure dates

■ Gratuities to guides and drivers

NOT INCLUDED: Airfare other than specified below; port and embarkation taxes; luggage and trip cancellation insurance; meals, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages other than those specified above; personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, faxes, and Internet service; and gratuities to shipboard personnel

Free round-trip economy class airfare will be provided from Boston, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Depending on the time of the booking, a supplement may apply. Airfare from other cities is available and may require a surcharge. Reservations must be made by calling the Travel Dynamics International air desk. If you wish to make your own travel arrangements, an air credit of $500 per person will apply and will be deducted from the listed Cruise and Land Rates. Please call toll-free 1-877-711-9896 Monday - Friday from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm (EST). Please have your tour name and dates handy for reference.

F o r r e se r va t i ons o r i n f o rma t i on , p l ease ca l l 800 -257-5767

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[19]

Pico Bonito National Park, Honduras

reGIstratIon NAUD14602/14609

Enclosed is my check or credit card no. for $________ ($750 per person) as a deposit to hold ____ place(s) on _______________________ (name of trip.) I understand that final payment is due ninety (90) days prior to departure and is payable by check only.Please make check payable to: Travel Dynamics International and mail with this registration coupon to: Audubon Nature Odysseys c/o Travel Dynamics International, 132 East 70th Street, New York, NY 10021 Telephone: (800) 257-5767

o AmEx o Discover o Visa o MasterCard

No. _______________________________________________________

Exp. _____________________ 3- or 4-Digit Security Code _____________

Please select cabin category in order of preference:

S__ AA__ A__ B__ C__ D__ E__

o Twin Beds o Double Bed o Single Occupancy o Share (cannot be guaranteed)

Our trips are designed for Audubon members. if you are not a member, please send the National Audubon Society a separate check for the special introductory rate of $20. Please tell us how interested you are in birding: o Very Interested o Interested o Not Interested

Please select your departure date:o The Hidden Caribbean January 3 - 10, 2014

Dr./Mr./Mrs./Ms. First Last

Dr./Mr./Mrs./Ms. First Last

aDDress

City/state/Zip

teLephone (Day) (evening)

e-MaiL

Each participant must sign below: I/We have read the “General Information” section and agree to its terms.

signature Date

signature Date

o Tropical Islands, Rain Forests & Ancient Sites of Central America; February 22 - March 1, 2014

General InForMatIonPAYMENT SCHEDULE: A deposit of $750 per person is required to reserve your space on the tour. For your convenience, you may charge your deposit to your American Express, Visa, Discover, or MasterCard. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Credit cards are not accepted for final payment. However, personal checks are accepted for both deposits and final payment.CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS: All cancellations are subject to a $300 per person fee. Cancellations received 61-90 days prior to departure will be assessed a penalty equal to 50% of the total program cost per person. Cancellations received within 60 days of departure are subject to 100% cancellation penalties. INSURANCE: We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance, which is available for coverage of expenses in conjunction with cancellation due to illness or accident. Baggage insurance is also recommended. In the event that you must cancel your participation in a travel program, trip cancellation insurance may be the only source of reimbursement. ITINERARY: The itinerary, accommodations, and arrangements are subject to change at the discretion of Travel Dynamics International Ltd.RESPONSIBILITY: Please read carefully the following terms and conditions, which constitute the sole, legally enforceable agreements between the passenger and Travel Dynamics International Ltd. and the tour’s sponsoring organization. The passenger is also advised to review his/her separate ticket passage contract with the vessel’s owner/operator, which will constitute the sole, legally enforceable terms of carriage for this cruise and is available on request from Travel Dynamics International Ltd. Travel Dynamics International Ltd. and the tour’s sponsoring organization act solely as agents for the passenger with respect to all transportation, hotel and other tour arrangements. In that capacity, we exercise all reasonable care possible to ensure the passenger’s safety and satisfaction, but, we neither assume nor bear any responsibility or liability for any injury, death, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity arising in connection with the services of any ship, airplane, train, automobile, motor coach, carriage or other conveyance, or the actions of any third-party, involved in carrying the passenger or in affecting these tours. We are not responsible for damages, additional expenses, or any other losses due to cancellation, delay or other changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, civil disturbances, acts or threats of terrorism, travel warnings or bans, termination or suspension of war risks or other carrier insurance, quarantine, acts of God or other causes beyond our control. All such losses must be borne by the passenger, and tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. In the event of cancellation, delay or rescheduling mandated by any of the aforesaid causes beyond our control, the passenger shall have the option of accepting in lieu of the original tour such rescheduled tour or other substituted tour(s) as may be offered by us, or else, receiving a refund of as much of such advance tour expenditures as we are able to recover on the passenger’s behalf from carriers, third-party tour vendors, etc., but, we shall not have any obligation or liability to the passenger beyond the foregoing. We reserve the right to make alterations to the tour’s itinerary and to substitute hotels, ships, or lecturers if this is required. We reserve the right to cancel, delay, or reschedule any tour prior to departure, and, so long as this is not due to any of the aforesaid causes beyond our control, the passenger shall be entitled to a full refund of all monies paid to that point if he/she so desires. No refund shall be made for any unused portion of any tour. By forwarding their deposit(s), the passenger certifies that he/she and/or their dependents, minors or others covered thereby do not have any mental, physical or other condition of disability that could create a hazard for them or other passengers. We reserve the right to decline to accept or to decline to retain any person as a member of any tour should such person’s health, condition or actions adversely affect or threaten the welfare or safety of other passengers or impede the tour. Baggage or valuables brought on the tour shall be transported, handled or stored at the passenger’s risk entirely, and, we shall bear no liability or responsibility for any damage or other loss thereto. Passenger tickets are not transferable and are not subject to alteration by the passenger. No suit shall be maintainable against the carrier, or vessel, for any losses, accidents, damages to person, property, personal injury (including death or other types of bodily injury) of the passengers, unless written notice of the claim, with full particulars, is delivered to the carrier or its agents at its office at the port of sailing or at the port of termination within six months from the day when such incident occurred. In no event shall any such suit or any claim against the carrier or vessel for any losses, accidents, damages to person, property, personal injury (including death or other types of bodily injury) of the passenger be maintainable unless such suit is commenced within one year from the day when the incident causing such losses, accidents, damages to person, property, personal injury (including death or other types of bodily injury) of the passenger occurs, notwithstanding any provision of law of any state or country to the contrary. Resolution of any disputes arising hereunder shall be brought within the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, pursuant to the applicable general maritime law, and applying the applicable general maritime law and Federal maritime statutes.RATES: Tour costs are based upon current airfares, tariffs, and currency values. While we do everything possible to maintain the listed prices, they are subject to change.FUEL SUPPLEMENT: Travel Dynamics International Ltd. reserves the right to charge a fuel supplement, without prior notice, if the NYMEX oil price exceeds $85 per barrel. This supplement may be charged even if the cruise fare has been paid in full.SHIP’S REGISTRY: USA CST #204 3599-40 TDI

www.audubonnatureodYsseYs .o rg

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The Yorktown was Proudly Built in the USA,

Flies the American Flag & is Operated by an All-American Crew

The 17th-century Castillo de San Felipe guards Guatemala’s Lake Izabal

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Pico Bonito National Park, Honduras

cruise the idyllic u.s. & british Virgin islands & central american caribbean this winter

St. Thomas

FREE AIRFARE See inside

NAUD14602/14609

with audubon nature odysseys Lecturersdoug Meffert, eriK Johnson, & eric Lind

Audubon Nature Odysseys225 Varick Street, 7th FloorNew York, NY 10014

For further information about this travel program, please contact

Travel Dynamics International at (212) 517-7555 or

toll-free at (800) 257-5767(Mon.-Fri., 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EST).

PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL

US POSTAgEpaId

PERMIT # 36 BRENTwOOD, NY