Ester PereiraEster M. Pereira, Ph.D. is a tourismprofessional who has travelled tomore than 120 countries as lecturer, consultant, expedition leader, and asa tourist herself. Firsthand experienceof different cultures and wild placeshas given her an awareness of theworld's diversity and a perspectiveover several decades of how peopleand places have changed.This knowledge is something she hasenthusiastically shared with her studentsas an instructor of sustainabletourism, as well as with the travelcompanies for which she has collaborated.She endeavors to inspireyoung readers' curiosity about theworld, its peoples, and its naturalwonders through Mariana, the series'main character. A native of Portugal, Ester now makes her home in St.Augustine, Florida where she liveswith her husband and his chickens. Read More Read Less