In May of this year, Lauren Bush (yes, that Lauren Bush, niece of President George Bush) released the second bag in her line of reusable bags to the general public. Her original line, released through Amazon.com, sold 37,000 bags at a price of $59.99. However the new bags, called “FEED 100”, are designed more for everyday use than were the bags of the original line, and are cheaper. The bags help to raise funds for feeding hungry children through the UN (United Nations) World Food Program. And with the purchase of each bag, made of 100% cotton and sustainable burlap, consumers provide 100 meals for school children.

Another company that’s helping to make “green” fashionable is LilyEcolo, where you can find a variety of fashionable bags and totes to help you to act daily in a more environmentally kind way. The company “brings audacity, style and color in the sphere of ecological choices,” and offers a range of bag choices from reusable bags which fold up as small as a tissue, to the “all-in-one” bag which will hold your wallet, cell phone, makeup kit and more, in an effort to ensure that you’re never left without a reusable tote to fit your purpose. The company encourages people to “shop differently” to “reduce wasting at the source simply by taking the habit of using practical, lasting and reusable bags,” and to daily make a difference in the environment.

Then there are “Baggu” (bag-goo) bags. Baggu is a company that manufactures large, bright, wonderfully colorful bags as fashion and shopping accessories. The company reminds visitors that the average family brings home 1,000 plastic bags a year, and it takes roughly 1,000 years for those bags to decompose. The company further claims that “Using one Baggu for one year replaces 300 to 700 disposable bags.” The bags are made of strong (holds up to 25lbs), lightweight (2 oz) nylon that folds into 5” by 5” pouches. Not a bad choice for fashion-conscious ladies on the go.

Opting to use reusable bags is a responsible choice nowadays. But choosing to “go green” and do your small part in helping to preserve, improve, and protect our environment no longer means having to look “un-cool.” There are plenty alternatives to using disposable bags and containers as we go about our daily lives; we simply have to be willing to use them.

As part of the Cook Islands in the South Pacific, Atiu is one of 15 islands with a combined land area of only 240 square kilometers (92.7 square miles), but spread across 1.8 million square kilometers (0.7 million square miles) of ocean.

Even though the country spans an area the size of India, it’s population numbers just 16,000 with two-thirds of them living on the island of Rarotonga. The Cook Islands are a self-governing parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand. They have their own language and enjoy a vigorous and diverse culture that displays significant differences between each island. 

The Cooks were first settled in the 6th century A.D. by Polynesians who migrated from nearby Tahiti which lies to the southeast. The people are friendly, and despite around 100,000 visitors annually to the capital island of Rarotonga, they are largely unspoiled by tourism.

“They offer a rare opportunity for people from the cities of the world to experience a different type of vacation. There are no high-rise hotels, only four beach buggies and very little hype. Ideal for travelers seeking more than the usual clichés associated with the South Seas, each island has its unique qualities and offers the visitor a special experience.”

Atiu itself, with only about 600 people living there, is called the Warriors Island. It’s elevation of 14,500 feet (4500 meters), and beautiful scenery make it an especially good choice for travelers wanting a vacation that involves more than just lying on the beach. 

“Atiu Villas is situated on Atiu Island on the outskirts of the central villages. The site provides a quiet and relaxing environment surrounded by wild tropical gardens and is only a short walk from the white sandy beaches of the southern coastline.”

The villas are unique chalet style structures made almost entirely of local native timbers and materials and feature the polished woods of mango, coconut, Christmas nut, acacia, cedar, java plum and many other tropical trees.

Each villa has a private verandah, cooking facilities, separate bathrooms, tea and coffee making facilities and a fully stocked larder from which guests pay for what they use upon leaving. The larders are well-stocked with dairy food, beverages, packaged and tinned food.

The villas have sleeping configurations that can take from 2 to 6 people. There is plenty of water and each villa has a solar hot water supply. Electricity and water run 24-hours a day. Your hosts will help you organize transportation, tours, and activities.

As I said earlier, getting to Atiu, takes a little effort, but it’s well worth it. Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti and Pacific Blue are the three international carriers that fly into the international airport on Rarotonga. You then fly Air Rarotonga which provides regular domestic service to Atiu.