Your Travel Companions
Richard and Michael’s Epiphany
Richard and Michael have been engaged in a decades long conversation about how to take travel to the next level—the level where (to paraphrase Aldo Leopold’s saw) “the quality of the experiences expand through successive stages from enjoyable, to inspiring, to magical, to values as yet uncaptured by language.”
During the 2 weeks of filming Quest for Pura Vida they had an epiphany. Years of effort working on itinerary planning, logistics and guiding techniques has reached a point of diminishing returns. If we are going to move on to the next level–the level where as Richard put’s it, “…the resin drop of revelation is transformed by luck and alchemy into amber,” it will have to do with the group’s participants who self-select to be in the Quest for Pura Vida expedition adventure.
Only by attracting a group of highly evolved, broad spectrum travelers with shared passions will we increase the chances that the travel experience evolves from prose into poetry.
How Can We Attract Such a Group?
We designed and presented “Quest for Pura Vida” along 4 key dimensions. The Quest adventure (both monthly and limited edition) are designed to resonate with people:
- Who are fascinated by the prospect of a quest – in this case not only a quest to observe, experience, and embody the lifestyle of pura vida, but also the quest to contribute to a magical group experience that takes the travel to “… values as yet uncaptured by language.”
- Who value immersive direct experiences, with lots of spontaneity, serendipity, and even surprises.
- Who share a calling – in this case for topics such as nature, ecology, and what makes for a farsighted graceful society.
- Who are drawn to the experience of relating to the local people (see below).
Of course the clear implication is that people who are not drawn to these opportunities will not choose the trip.
Am I Up to This Standard?
Don’t worry about it Richard and Michael aren’t either. The standard is aspirational If these ideas resonate with you. If you aspire to get the most possible out of your travel you are who Richard and Michael had in mind when they designed this program.
Aren’t Itinerary Planning, Logistics and Guiding Techniques Important?
Of course they are. They are so important that if they are not completely seamless, virtually invisible to participants, the quality of the experience is diminished. Furthermore, they are not easy. Travel providers will continue to compete in how they choose world class destinations, provide skilled planning and logistics, and offer top guides.
Indeed, highly evolved broad spectrum people with shared passions will only be satisfied if they get all that at the highest levels. They want legendary service, peak experiences, and memories of a lifetime.
We expect your group to embody that kind of exceptional quality greatly enhanced by the quality of the participants.
On Relating To The Local People
The opportunities to engage with local people will be everywhere in the Quest experience. These experiences are indeed one of the keys to experiencing pura vida, and the guides will be facilitating them.
Participants will observe how the local people relate to each other as they live the pura vida lifestyle in their way of working, playing, and relating.
To amplify the experience, guides will continually find opportunities for guests to engage local people in ways that are natural and comfortable for both parties:
- For example, individuals in the group can buy things in a farmers’ market and find the answers to such questions as: whether the person was also the grower, whether they had to travel far, whether their family is involved, and why they chose to create what they’re selling.
- Or, by finding opportunities to interact and play with local children – for example playing soccer together if they’re at similar levels.
Some travelers will participate in The Words Adventure Program developed specifically for Costa Rica Expeditions lodges. It promotes authentic cross-cultural interaction and gives guests the opportunity of making a NON-financial contribution, by helping kids to learn English. You can get a feel for this program and how it works by entering in this blog & watching this Video.