Frivole Travel

Albuquerque, New Mexico – Plastics Pollution Vol. 1

Neil de la Flor — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:33:21 +0000

Albuquerque is a gorgeous city. The extreme landscape features the lush forest-covered Sandia Mountains which turn the color of watermelon at sunset and give way to desert plateaus at its base. The city is situated between the Sandia Mountains and the Petroglyph Monument National Park, which contains volcanoes, hardened lava flows, and over 24,000 carved drawings by ancient civilizations. Albuquerque is clean, vibrant, hip, but plastics pollution dots and decorates the landscape from city to forest to desert. This splendid paradise is not immune to human waste and some of the world’s most recognizable brands are in some of the most remote locations.

Click to view slideshow.

Camel & Tissue by Neil de la Flor

Abandoned Sneakers by Neil de la Flor

Cream Ale by Neil de la Flor

Miami’s Biscayne Bay Is A Trash Dump, II

Neil de la Flor — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 03:24:07 +0000

Miami, FL - Biscayne Bay - Legion Park -

Miami, FL - Biscayne Bay - Legion Park - Petit

Miami, FL - Biscayne Bay - Legion Park

Miami, FL - Biscayne Bay - Legion Park - Juice

Miami - Legion Park

Miami - Biscayne Bay - Legion Park

Miami - Biscayne bay - Legion Park

Miami - Biscayne Bay - Legion Park

Miami’s Biscayne Bay Is a Trash Dump

Neil de la Flor — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:03:37 +0000

: Miami, FL – Biscayne Bay – Legions Park

: Miami, FL – Biscayne Bay – Legions Park – Sparkle

Miami, FL - Biscayne Bay - Legions Park - Nike

Miami, FL - Biscayne Bay - Legions Park - Coke

Miami, FL - Biscayne Bay - Legions Park

Miami, FL - Biscayne Bay - Legions Park - Dunkin Donuts

Morningside Park: Plastics Pollution 7 Days Later

Neil de la Flor — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:53:33 +0000

I returned to Morningside Park in Miami, FL and found basically the same trash, most of it plastic, in the same place. Squirrels are awesome recyclers however there’s only one problem: squirrels can’t eat plastic. Most of this plastic in Morningside Park will never degrade. What you see on the shores of Biscayne Bay will be around after you’re dead. Dead dead. The issue of plastics pollution isn’t unique to Miami. Plastics pollution is a global issue, a crisis, that should not be ignored. How we resolve the issue is much more complex. More images to come in few days. I love you Miami, just not the trash. Maybe the City of Miami will fight for its shoreline?

Morningside Park - Miami, FL - Plastic Orange Caps

Morningside Park - Miami, FL - Oreos

Morningside Park - Miami, FL - Lays

Morningside Park: Plastic Heaven & Hell

Neil de la Flor — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:23:59 +0000

Morningside Park has a dark side, an underbelly that reflects the impact of plastic’s pollution in our oceans and shores. Often we miss this disaster because the city cleans it up so we never see what hits land. There is an immense amount of trash, mainly plastic, that either washes up or is dumped on shore. This is just a small example of the (almost) irreversible dilemma of plastics pollution in our planet’s oceans. Yes, I know. You didn’t do it, but the things you buy end up in our oceans either directly or indirectly. Check out nurdles.

If you have a minute, call the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. Tell them you’d love to visit Miami as soon as its beaches are truly plastics free.

Morningside Park - Miami, FL

Morningside Park: Mermaid Burial Ground

Neil de la Flor — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:23:51 +0000

Wrap your arms around Morningside Park in Miami, FL and dive into the North Pacific Gyre, or the Eastern Garbage Patch, where all the plastic byproducts used to manufacture Wal-Mart goods end up and end up killing all the goddamn fish. Factoid: we’re next! More pictures to come that exposes the real and irreversible dilemma of plastics pollution in our planet’s oceans. And it’s coming to a beach near you. You’ve probably even contributed to it, and lots of little mini-gyres all around.

Morningside Park - Miami, FL

Cool Collioure

Neil de la Flor — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:28:23 +0000

Collioure, France is, without question, magnificent. It’s where the masters Matisse and Derain, Picasso and Braque, found solace and inspiration in Collioure’s royal castle. Just a few kilometers from the Spanish boarder in southern France, Collioure is an idyllic fishing post that is utterly French yet owes its heritage to Catalan culture. Unburdened by the hoopla and drama of better known destinations such ad St. Tropez or Paris, Collioure is watched over by the towering snow-capped Pyrénées-Orientales and is home to supposedly the smallest AOC vinyards in France.

You won’t find jetsetters or the Ibiza crowd in Collioure unless they’re hiding behind dark sunglasses or snuggled away in their hotel rooms. If you decide to visit Collioure, you risk the chance at a totally chilled vacation. You’ll be impossibly overwhelmed with the desire to disappear down the winding sun baked streets.

In Collioure, you’ll want to consume ice cream. Watch the ducks be ducks from your hotel balcony at Les Templiers where the hotel rooms are uniquely designed. And, believe it or not, every square inch of the hotel is outrageously stuffed with over 2,000 original art pieces passed down from father to son.

Must see: the church, Notre-Dame-des Anges, the Chateau Royal de Collioure, which has a fabulous history and gorgeous views of the town, and Fort Saint-Elme.

Must Dos: Rent a boat. Visit the ancient fortresses. Go fishing. Visit the local wineries. Eat. Make love. Lounge by the shore. Shop. Eat some more. Live happy.

Photo by Neil de la Flor

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Neil de la Flor — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:33:34 +0000

Montezuma Castle National Monument – Verde Valley, Arizona.

The Montezuma Castle, located about 1 1/2 hours north of Phoenix and 45 minutes south of Flagstaff, is one of the best preserved Sinagua cliff dwellings in North America. Sinagua, which means “without water”, is the name given to the the culture and people that once flourished in this barren, desert landscape. The castle, a 20 room ‘high-rise apartment’, is embedded in a soaring limestone cliff and was once only accessible by a series of ladders. Although the dwelling is off limits to visitors today, birds and mammals, such as the shy ringtail, inhabit the site. Highly recommended stop easily accessible by car off route I-17. As an added bonus, stop by the Montezuma Well, just 11 miles away, which was formed by the collapse of a limestone cavern. Over a million gallons of water a day flows into the well and serves as an ‘oasis’ in an otherwise desolate landscape.

Helpful Hints: Don’t forget, you’re in Arizona and it can get crazy hot. Sizzle sizzle. Bring lots of water. Also, bring a sweater and jacket. It gets cool at night, crazy cold in winter.

Photo by Neil de la Flor

Photo by Neil de la flor

Wupatki National Monument

Neil de la Flor — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 03:03:02 +0000

Wupatki National Monument - Flagstaff, Arizona.

Just north of the Sunset and Lenox Crater Volcanos, several well-preserved ancient pueblo sites, such as the Wupatki Pueblo, Lomaki Pueblo, Citadel and Nalakihu pueblos dot the desert landscape. All of these sites are easily accessible and worth a stop on your tour through the park.

Wupatki Pueblo homes, preserved in the monument, remain partially intact after being abandoned for more than 700 years. The largest dwelling in the region had about 100 rooms. Each structure was built using local materials, such as sandstone slabs, limestone blocks, and chunks of basalt.

The most fascinating aspect of your trip to the Wupatki and Sunset Crater National Monument is the landsacpe that transforms in front of your eyes. If you enter the southern entrance, you’ll first encoutner the lunar landscape of the Lenox and Sunset Craters and then pass through the goulash of the Bonito Lava Flow. As you proceed north, the landscape flattens and turns to vast desert, dust and sun your only friend. It’s an amazing journey. Bring plenty of water and a great pair of walking shoes.

The 6 Million Year Baby

Neil de la Flor — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:30:59 +0000

Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument – Flagstaff, Arizona. Located just 12 miles north of Flagstaff, Arizona, the windswept Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument offers visitors a trip to Mars on Earth. It’s a climactic alien landscape of pitch black lava flows birthing Ponderosa pines and juxtaposed against a vast desert oasis to the east and towering snowcapped mountains to the west. This national monument reveals the 6-million-year history of volcanic activity that shaped the landscape and the lives of the ancient and agriculturally savvy Wupatki people who once lived in this region.

Erupting in 1064-1065, the people living in this region must have been forced from their homes, at least temporarily, as the Sunset Crater erupted. However, by 1180, thousands of people were farming on the Wupatki landscape and took advantage of the improved farming conditions that resulted from the thin layer of ash that absorbed precious moisture and helped prevent evaporation. By the time the crater had quieted down around 1250, the Wupatki people had moved on. It is believed the Hopi, Zuni, and Navajo people, who live in the region today, are descendants of the Wupatki people. In fact, the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation boarders the national monument.

The 32 mile loop of the national monument is easily traversed by car or bike if you’re super brave and fit–bring lots of water and a sweater. You’re in the desert one minute then the next you’re in the mountains where temperatures can radically change. Although you cannot climb the Sunset Crater, you can climb other cinder cones in the area, like the ones I did, such as the Lenox crater and Doney Mountain. At Sunset Crater you can hike the one-mile Lava Flow Trail at the volcano’s base or checkout the surreal Bonito Lava Flow.

Over 600 hills and mountains and cinder cones make up the San Francisco volcanic field which was created by the mighty force and power of Mother Nature. In addition, the loop takes you by several well-preserved ancient pueblo sites, such as the Wupatki Pueblo, Lomaki Pueblo, Citadel and Nalakihu pueblos. All of these sites are easily accessible and worth a stop.

Fun Facts:

Cinder Cones are formed during early explosive stages of a volcanic eruption. Magma surges to the surface which causes extreme pressure to drop and gases are released. When the explosion occurs out of the central vent, solidified rock pieces fall around the vent and create the cone.
Wupatki Pueblo homes, preserved in the monument, remain partially intact after being abandoned for more than 700 years. How many of us can say our homes have been around for more than 700 years? The largest dwelling in the region had about 100 rooms. Each structure was built using local materials, such as sandstone slabs, limestone blocks, and chunks of basalt.

Images From Sunset Crater Volcano and Surrounding Lava Flows: