Deni and Carlin are 19 days into their trip and they have finally made it out of the Western Cape.

The Sustainable Living and Indigenous Plant Fair (SLIP), to be held in Pietermaritzburg at the end of April, will incorporate sustainability in its broadest and truest terms. Naturally, Green Times are the official media partners.

Planting time is here again! This is a fun time of the year where we can dream of crops to come.

Water is a mysterious substance that not only sustains all life, but is also present in all life.

It has happened yet again, another African tragedy with more than 250 dead, 2000 wounded with varying degrees of severity including burns, mandatory amputations and major trauma.

Cape Argus cyclers are going to be encouraged to cycle and recycle at the same time this year!

Smallholder farmers will soon be better able to weigh up the cost and benefits of adopting new practices that support some of the most overlooked contributors to global food security.

In order to understand what is possible, one needs to understand some buzz words. If one wants to learn to sail, one needs to learn words like Port, Starboard, Stern, Forward, Hatch, Spinnacker, Port, etc. If one learns to run, one learns about Pronate, Shoes, Roads, Tracks, etc.

Is your New Mobility project moving minds as well as people? Then enter the SMART Mobility EnterPrize competition and you could find yourself moving in new mobility circles at Rio+20, and beyond.

Everyone is a sower of seeds. Every thought you think and word you say sows seeds which ultimately lead to actions. Which future are you selecting – which seeds do you want to sow?

Antarctica’s reputation as one of the most pristine environments on earth is being threatened by foreign plants and animals that are unwittingly being brought to the icy continent in the luggage of tourists and scientists. Changing climates are making matters worse, and are making it easier for these plants to establish, to become invasive, and to ultimately disturb the naturally occurring Antarctic ecosystems.

We’re so lucky to have a whole plethora of natural cosmetics to choose from nowadays, so gone are the days when you simply had to take what you can get. I have only ever used natural products, as my skin has a built-in chemical detector and breaks out in red itchy bumps from any regular cosmetics. Hence I frequented health shops since my teen years.

All our beauty products are handcrafted and made in small, fresh batches. No mass-manufactured products and we always use the highest quality natural ingredients & organic ingredients wherever possible.

We’re committed to making products that are free from petrochemicals, parabens, synthetic fragrances and harmful chemicals. We do not test our products on animals, nor are any of our source products tested on animals.

Plans to build a new development and two world-class hotels inside the Kruger National Park is now threatening one of South Africa’s most pristine locations. A pressure group called AIKONA (Against Interference in Kruger & other National Assets) was created by some members of the public and a concerned conservationist who are up in arms.

Rhino poaching is not being resolved, in fact it is escalating apace this year and now the inside jobs are becoming clear. It seems there are some of those who are paid to protect these ancient creatures that are in fact part of the poaching network. Are we fighting a losing battle here?

The history of the South African English newspaper industry goes back hundreds of years as mining tycoons acquired newspapers through Johannesburg Consolidated Investments, a subsidiary of mining giant Anglo American.

The Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa (SESSA) has welcomed Government’s allocation of R4.7-billion to the solar water heater campaign, as confirmed by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in his budget speech last week (February 22).

Sacred Earth Retreat, owned by Elizabeth Bardin once again offers a thrilling journey to Peru and Bolivia from 8-22 June 2012.

Itinerary - Journey to Peru & Bolivia from 8-22 June

Please note some of the final detail of the itinerary may still change.

7 June (Thursday)

Meeting of group at Lima International Airport

Short flight to Arequipa

Overnight Arequipa

8 June (Friday)

Breakfast

Visit to famous Santa Catalina Convent Overnight Arequipa

9 June (Saturday)

Breakfast

Travel to Puno (near lake Titicaca)

Overnight Puno

10 June (Sunday)

Breakfast

Day of rest and connection to Lake Titicaca (very high altitude)

OPTIONAL TRIP:

Visit to the floating Island of Uris and Island Taquile on lake Titicaca.

Overnight Puno

11 June (Monday)

Breakfast

Travelling across border to Bolivia

Overnight Copacabana

12 June (Tuesday)

Breakfast

Visit and special ceremony on the Islands of the Sun and the Moon.

Overnight Island of the Sun

13 June (Wednesday)

Breakfast

Day of resting and integration

Overnight Island of the Sun

14 June (Thursday)

Breakfast

Travelling back into Peru and further north to Cusco (visiting some Inca sites on the way) Overnight Cusco

15 June (Friday)

Breakfast

Free day to discover the wonder of Cusco (called “navel of the world”)

Visiting the Inca Gold Museum to connect to the Inca engeries

Overnight Cusco

16 June (Saturday)

Breakfast

Travelling to Ollantaytambo (village in the Sacred Valley leading to Machu Picchu)

Overnight Ollantaytambo

17 June (Sunday)

Breakfast

Visiting Moray (circular site where plant experimentation took place)

Overnight Ollantaytambo

18 June (Monday)

Breakfast

Visiting the Inca Ruins of Ollantaytambo

Overnight Ollantaytambo

19 June (Tuesday)

Breakfast

Train to Machu Picchu

Getting connected to the energies of the Cloud Forest in the area

Overnight Machu Picchu Pueblo

20 June (Wednesday)

Breakfast

Exploring the markets of Machu Picchu Pueblo and preparation for our solstice visit to Machu Picchu

Overnight Machu Picchu Pueblo

21 June (Thursday) Summer Solstice

Breakfast

Early morning visit to Machu Picchu to see the Winter Solstice sunrise and ceremony

Overnight Machu PIcchu Pueblo

Optional: For those who are energetic and want to experience something similar to the INCA TRAIL, you can climb HUAYNA PICCHU PEAK (you will then need an extra approx $56 )- it is well worth the climb with magnificent views of the city of MACHU PICCHU and the surrounding valleys and mountains from the top of HUAYNA PICCHU PEAK –it takes 2-3 hours of quite steep climbing on steps up the mountain which is very similar to some of the climbs on the Inca trail but more spectacular 360 degree views.

22 June (Friday)

Breakfast

Train back to CUSCO

END OF THE RETREAT

(15 nights 16 days)

Retreat fee: R17 300/£1460 /$2200

Retreat trip cost includes:

• Subject to availability at time of your booking: 2 flights: Lima/Arequipa AND Cusco/Lima
• Accommodation (x2/3 sharing) at scenic and local hostals with en suite bathrooms
• All breakfasts as indicated
• All transfers as per above itinerary
• All transportation to sites as per above itinerary
• Return train trip to Machu Picchu Pueblo
• All entrance fees to sacred sites on retreat itinerary
• Full day entrance and return bus ticket to Machu Picchu
• Guided SOLSTICE sunrise meditations at Machu Picchu and at other sites as per itinerary
• Shamanic and trip leader, Elizabeth Bardin, personally accompanying you
• Shamanic meditations and ceremonies
• Small group tuition

Not included:

• Airport departure taxes which are never included in air tickets (approx $60)
• Optional trips/excursions listed on itinerary
• Lunch and suppers (approx $12-15 per day)
• Tipping (tipping- ($60 to be collected at the start of the trip))
• Drinks
• Items of a personal nature
• Souveniers
• Travel and holiday insurance

Note for South Africans: The retreat cost is based on a maximum conversion rate of 8:1 South African rand to the US dollar. Please ask for specific information on international flights please-

The rapid global expansion and acceleration of the extractive industries presents an unprecedented & devastating land grabbing threat, claims a new report, launched in Westminster today.