National Geographic’s ‘Digital Nomad’ Andrew Evans Embarks on Tanzanian Adventure

WASHINGTON (Nov. 19, 2012)—Andrew Evans, National Geographic Traveler magazine’s “Digital Nomad,” has embarked on an adventure to explore Tanzania. For the next four weeks, Evans will tweet, blog, vlog and “Instagram” on NationalGeographic.com’s Digital Nomad blog (http://digitalnomad.nationalgeographic.com/), his Twitter feed @WheresAndrew and his Where’s Andrew Facebook page.

“I can’t wait to explore the wild side of Tanzania, far off the beaten path, in the heart of the African wilderness,” said Evans “National Geographic’s very own history lies in the forests, plains and shores of Tanzania, and I am honored to be a part of this great legacy.”

With followers in tow, Evans plans to dive the Indian Ocean coral reefs of Zanzibar island; explore Tanzania’s largest national park, Ruaha; and visit the chimpanzees of Gombe Stream National Park, where Jane Goodall performed her groundbreaking research on primates for National Geographic. Also on the itinerary are the ancient markets of Zanzibar; a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa; and a visit to Katavi, one of the least-accessible regions of Tanzania.

“Andrew continues to push the boundaries of travel and exploration with his latest trip to Tanzania,” said Keith Bellows, National Geographic Traveler magazine editor in chief. “National Geographic is approaching its 125th anniversary in January, and it’s exciting to see how far travel has come in that time. With the help of social media, people all across the world can follow Andrew from the coral reefs of Zanzibar to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.”

Evans is a veteran travel writer for National Geographic Traveler magazine and National Geographic’s Intelligent Travel blog. His most recent assignments have taken him Around the World by Private Jet with National Geographic Expeditions and to Switzerland and Norway.

These trips came on the heels of a journey through South Africa and Malawi, where he was one of the first people to report the death of Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika. In February he visited Maya sites in Mexico. Last year he explored the best of Ontario, Canada; tweeted and blogged around Japan; and wined and dined his way through Louisiana, experiencing the best of the bayou and New Orleans. He finished the year skiing, snow-shoeing and trekking through western Canada’s ski country with renowned mountaineers, ski instructors and naturalists.

In 2010 Evans journeyed from Washington, D.C., to Antarctica — a 10,000-mile trip through 14 countries — using public transportation as far as he could go. He rode buses to Ushuaia in Argentina, the southernmost city in the world, and then boarded the National Geographic Explorer to Antarctica.

About National Geographic Traveler Magazine

National Geographic Traveler: Nobody Knows This World Better. National Geographic Traveler is the world’s most widely read travel magazine. Published eight times a year, Traveler is available by subscription, on newsstands in the United States and Canada and digitally for tablets like the iPad (on Zinio) and Nook (at BN.com). Its website (www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler) offers inspiring and authoritative digital content including trip ideas, photo galleries and blogs. It also houses travel apps, including 50 Places of a Lifetime that showcases the world’s greatest destinations handpicked by National Geographic’s family of globe-trotting contributors, and the award-winning National Parks app, filled with stunning pictures, maps and tips to explore America’s national parks.

###

View the original article here

National Geographic’s ‘Digital Nomad’ Andrew Evans Embarks on Around-the-World Expedition by Private Jet

WASHINGTON (Oct. 17, 2012)—Andrew Evans, National Geographic Traveler magazine’s “Digital Nomad,” has set off on an Around the World by Private Jet trip with National Geographic Expeditions. As he explores with National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Wade Davis, art historian Jack Daulton and National Geographic photographer Massimo Bassano, Evans will tweet, blog, vlog and “Instagram” on NationalGeographic.com’s Digital Nomad blog (http://digitalnomad.nationalgeographic.com/), his Twitter feed @WheresAndrew and his Where’s Andrew Facebook page.

“I’ve gone on some pretty cool trips, but this one truly will be an expedition of a lifetime for me and my digital community,” said Evans. “Who else but National Geographic could offer such an exceptional trip to some of the world’s most legendary places, accompanied by top National Geographic experts?”

After a welcome reception at National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., in early October, the group of travelers boarded the private jet for Peru, where they visited Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu. They then flew to Easter Island, Samoa and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Evans joins the group in Cambodia, where they explore Angkor Wat’s vast temple complex. From there, they encounter giant pandas on a visit to the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center in China and continue to Lhasa, Tibet, to see the fabled Potala Palace. In Agra, India, they explore the exquisite Taj Mahal, one of the greatest monuments built for love.

The next stop brings the group to Tanzania, where paleontologist and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Louise Leakey will meet with them to discuss the Leakey family’s historic fossil finds. Then it’s off to Egypt to explore Luxor, the Pyramids and the Sphinx. The final stop is Marrakech, Morocco, where they visit the Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace and the colorful suqs. In just 24 days, the travelers will have discovered 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites and seen some of the most legendary places in the world.

“Our Around the World by Private Jet expedition is one of the most unique and exhilarating trips out there,” said Lynn Cutter, National Geographic’s executive vice president for Travel. “Our travelers explore so many celebrated sites in just 24 days, in the company of some of our top researchers, photographers and adventurers. To have Andrew Evans on board capturing and sharing incredible moments as they happen is a fantastic opportunity for all of us to join in the adventure.”

Evans is a veteran travel writer for National Geographic Traveler magazine and National Geographic’s Intelligent Travel blog. His most recent assignments have taken him to Switzerland and Norway. These trips came on the heels of a journey through South Africa and Malawi, where he was one of the first people to report the death of Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika. In February he visited Maya sites in Mexico. Last year he explored the best of Ontario, Canada; tweeted and blogged around Japan; and wined and dined his way through Louisiana, experiencing the best of the bayou and New Orleans. He finished the year skiing, snow-shoeing and trekking through western Canada’s ski country with renowned mountaineers, ski instructors and naturalists.

In 2010 Evans journeyed from Washington, D.C., to Antarctica — a 10,000-mile trip through 14 countries — using public transportation as far as he could go. He rode buses to Ushuaia in Argentina, the southernmost city in the world, and then boarded the National Geographic Explorer to Antarctica.

About National Geographic Traveler Magazine

National Geographic Traveler: Nobody Knows This World Better. National Geographic Traveler is the world’s most widely read travel magazine. Published eight times a year, Traveler is available by subscription, on newsstands in the United States and Canada and digitally for tablets like the iPad (on Zinio) and Nook (at BN.com). Its website (www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler) offers inspiring and authoritative digital content including trip ideas, photo galleries and blogs. It also houses travel apps, including 50 Places of a Lifetime that showcases the world’s greatest destinations handpicked by National Geographic’s family of globe-trotting contributors, and the award-winning National Parks app, filled with stunning pictures, maps and tips to explore America’s national parks.

About National Geographic Expeditions

National Geographic Expeditions is the travel program of the National Geographic Society, with expeditions to more than 60 destinations across all seven continents. A National Geographic expert — photographer, biologist, anthropologist or writer — accompanies these trips to enrich the experience with insights and an insider perspective. National Geographic Expeditions features land journeys, family programs, small-ship expeditions, active adventure trips, private jet trips, photography workshops and expeditions, and student programs. All proceeds from National Geographic’s travel programs support the Society’s aim of increasing global understanding through exploration, education and scientific research. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society’s mission is to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; live events; interactive media; merchandise; and travel programs. National Geographic has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy.

###

View the original article here

National Geographic’s All Roads Film Festival to Present 4 Days Of Film, Photography, Music from Vibrant Cultures Worldwide

WASHINGTON (Sept. 5, 2012)—Romance, drama and incisive documentaries from across the globe will be spotlighted in the eighth All Roads Film Festival, the groundbreaking program that offers contemporary stories by or about indigenous and under-represented minority cultures. The 2012 All Roads Film Festival will take place Sept. 27-30 at the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C. This year’s theme is “Vibrant Cultures from Around the World.”

The four-day event also will include a dance party with L.A.-based, Colombian band Palenke Soultribe; a live mariachi band performance; panel discussions with filmmakers; and a photo exhibit in the courtyard at National Geographic headquarters. The photo exhibit, a collaboration with National Geographic Photo Camp, features images by youth from Chad, Haiti and Burma who worked with National Geographic’s legendary photographers. Award-winning and rising filmmakers will participate in two panel discussions as well as discussions following their film screenings, where they will talk about their careers and the continuing innovation of indigenous filmmaking.

“It’s exciting to see that the artistry and craftsmanship in these films get stronger every year,” said Francene Blythe, director of the National Geographic All Roads Film Project. “This year’s submissions noticeably featured the brighter side of life: inspiring personalities and captivating stories, all presented by some of the most promising filmmakers in the world.”

Some of the festival’s stand-out films are:

Bridge the Gap to Pine Ridge – Filmmaker Chris Bashinelli tells amazing stories of hope and inspiration from South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation. This film will also be part of Bashinelli’s successful Web series, which aims to provide new perspectives from the developing world and foster cross-cultural understanding.Busong (Palawan Fate) – This first feature film from the Palawan community of the Philippines is making its D.C. premiere. It screened at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival Director’s Fortnight, and won awards for Best Director, Best Sound Design and Best Original Music Score at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival last year.Lone Samaritan – Making its D.C. premiere, this Israeli film is about a family in crisis after a daughter leaves their reclusive Samaritan sect and becomes a well-known Israeli celebrity. The film has won multiple Best Documentary awards at festivals around the world.Los Descendientes del Jaguar – This documentary catalogues the courtroom triumph of the Sarayaku people over oil exploration that took place on their land without their consent.Mariachi High – “Mariachi High” follows a group of high school students preparing for high-stakes mariachi competitions. The featured students will open the All Roads Film Festival on Sept. 27 with a live mariachi performance in the National Geographic Society courtyard. “Mariachi High” is an All Roads Seed Grant recipient.The Tundra Book – This film documents the life of the Chukchi people, whom very few outsiders have encountered. It won the Russian equivalent of the Academy Award for Best Documentary, a first for indigenous filmmakers in Russia. “The Tundra Book” is an All Roads Seed Grant recipient.Tomorrow We Will See – This upbeat film from promising young director Soraya Umewaka showcases Lebanon’s flourishing arts culture as the country rebuilds after years of war.

Other festival events include:

2012 All Roads Photography Exhibit – A first collaboration with National Geographic Photo Camp, which gives National Geographic’s network of professional photographers the chance to pass on their skills, knowledge and passion to the next generation of aspiring photojournalists around the world.All Roads Dance Party – On Saturday, Sept. 28, All Roads will co-host a dance party with NatGeo Music, which has just added Palenke Soultribe to its label. Palenke Soultribe is a cadre of young Colombian artists rediscovering the roots of their country’s diverse music and refashioning it for dance floors worldwide. The event will be 21+, and libations will be available for purchase.Panel Discussions– “You Can Go Home Again,” on Thursday, Sept. 27, at 1:30 p.m., will feature award-winning directors discussing their decisions to locate their films in their homelands and heartlands. In “Triumph or Tragedy,” on Friday, Sept. 28, at 2:30 p.m., up-and-coming directors will talk about finding emotional balance in their films.

A full festival schedule and ticketing information are available at
http://events.nationalgeographic.com/events/event-series/all-roads-film-festival-washington-dc/.

For the official All Roads Film Festival trailer, go to
http://www.youtube.com/embed/DA0QcpBuGdY.

Tickets for each All Roads film are $10 for the general public and $8 for National Geographic members. Festival passes, which include the Saturday concert, are $100 for the general public and $80 for members. To purchase, order online via the website above, visit the National Geographic ticket office at 1600 M Street N.W., Washington, D.C., or call (202) 857-7700.

The All Roads Film Festival is part of the All Roads Film Project, a National Geographic program created to provide an international platform for indigenous and under-represented minority-culture artists to share cultures, stories and perspectives through the power of film and photography. In addition to providing a venue for their films, All Roads offers its filmmakers and photographers a series of networking opportunities and awards a minimum of 10 film grants a year to support the development and production of film and video projects by or about indigenous and under-represented minority-culture communities. Film grant recipients are considered for inclusion in the All Roads Film Festival and other National Geographic-affiliated broadcast outlets.

###

View the original article here