My first overseas trip was at the age of two months when Mum and I travelled by boat from Sydney with all our belongings to join Dad who was then working as an agricultural scientist in Papua New Guinea. For the next 18 years the family, eventually with three daughters, moved around the country and my mother remembers that, as a small child, this traumatized me – I hated change, hated moving and screamed every time I saw a suitcase. I … [Read more...]
Kidnapped In Africa – Part 2
Before I begin, I want to thank those of you who have come back to finish the story of: ”Steve And The Unsuspecting Backpackers” Just a quick summation of where we are in the story: 1. We met a guy called ‘Steve’ 2. Steve seemed nice 3. We got a lift with Steve to a club that was, apparently, 10 minutes away 4. The car had blacked out windows and only one back door worked 5. After driving for nearly 1 hour a 'Titan' of a man got in the … [Read more...]
Kidnapped In Africa – Part One
For me, Tanzania is a tainted country. If you can believe it, we were kidnapped and robbed within 24 hours of arriving into the country. So... let’s begin the tale. The night before the ‘incident’ took place, one of my best mates and I touched down into Dar es Salaam (the biggest city in Tanzania). As soon as we arrived we did what any proper backpacker would. We rushed from the airport to our hotel, check in as fast as humanly … [Read more...]
Seychelles, an Introduction
Warm tropical waters - aquamarine colors layer, upon layer - clear waters and white warm and inviting sandy beaches. Perhaps those are the thoughts that come to mind when one mentions the Seychelles. Rightly so! However, geographically their location may be a bit hazy and one may grasp for their exact location. In fact these small islands are a part of Africa. The Seychelles are located about 1600 km east of Zanzibar and the Eastern African … [Read more...]
National Geographic Announces Student Photo Contest
Opportunity to Win National Geographic Student Trip to London WASHINGTON (March 5, 2012) - National Geographic announces the kickoff of the first National Geographic Student Photo Contest to win a trip on a National Geographic Student Expedition this summer. This contest invites high school students to submit a photo and a short statement describing the photo and how it captures the essence of what exploration means to them. The grand prize … [Read more...]
Countless Conservation, Community and Charity Initiatives With The Selous Safari Company In Tanzania
Comprising two remote safari camps and a beach retreat in southern Tanzania, The Selous Safari Company ( www.selous.com ) is involved in several partnerships with local communities and conservation organizations, from the preservation of endangered species to the sponsorship of college scholarship programs and "adoption" of schools. The Selous Safari Company's ethos centres on the fact that the future of Africa's wild places ultimately lies in … [Read more...]
Chobe National Park
Today we visited the interior of Chobe National Park with our intrepid guide Shime - a Botswanan who hails from a small village 7 hours away near the city of Maun. We are staying at the luxurious isolated Ngoma Safari Lodge located on the edge of Chobe on the Namibian border. The Chobe game drives are the main activity offered by Ngoma - and along with their lodge, these drives are first class. Their guides are super knowledgeable, have eyes … [Read more...]
Pack for a Purpose with the Selous Safari Comany in Tanzania
Small space. Little Effort. Big Impact. Pack For A Purpose (www.packforapurpose.org) is a simple concept that makes a big impact on the lives of children around the world. The organization was founded on the principal that every little helps; all it takes is to use a small amount of holiday luggage space for medical supplies and educational materials. The Selous Safari Company in southern Tanzania is one of Pack For A Purpose's biggest … [Read more...]
…A Quick Injection of Vitamin D
We all have those moments in life, myself more frequently during the winter months, during which we just want to leave everything behind and run away or hide to clear our heads. Last week I did just that... Cabin in Tulum to which I have frequently run away to I have never been one of those people who can run a hot bath, soak and be magically refreshed and focused for the following week of my life - simply not me. I was always a shower … [Read more...]
Travel Life List
I was recently stuck in the Miami airport for 5 dreaded hours (not because of the particular airport, but because I hate long connection times) and I was talking to Maggie who runs Mighty Girl and maintains her own Life List. We were discussing top 10 life experience lists based on experts in their fields. My focus would be on travel of course; here is my top 10 list in no particular order. Perspective. This is a word that defines travel. … [Read more...]