Explore Blogs

Apparently Kilimanjaro comes from “Kilima Njaro” in Swahili, meaning “shining mountain”. Uhuru (the peak) is the Swahili word for freedom. It’s these kind of fascinating things you find out when writing about the amazing travel destinations we go to. It’s also stunning just looking at the pictures, but hearing from someone who has been, is inspiring.

Ingrid Waterfield, in another podcast from Destinations, talks about her experience on the mountain that is Kili. Ingrid is probably a bit biased about Explore as she is Sandy Beatty’s partner - our African Ops manager. (You can listen to Sandy’s take on Africa here). Nevertheless take a listen and imagine trekking up the shining mountain.

Elephants in the Shadow of Kilimanjaro

 

 Interview with Ingrid Waterfield on Kili [3:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1245)

Kate Plummer, one of our wonderful tour leaders, who has also been presenting at our Evenings of Adventure, talks about leading tours in Africa, particularly to Uganda. The trips Kate has been leading have also been to see the Mountain Gorillas and she talks about what an amazing experience meeting the apes actually is, and how emotional it can be.

You can catch Kate at any of our remaining Evenings of Adventure (see our website). Well worth a look, as the presentations are really rather good.

 

 Interview with Kate PLummer - Explore Tour leader [3:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1266)

Bryan Tomalin is certainly one of Explore’s best customers. He’s travelled no less than 38 times and has more trips booked for 2007 (and yes that’s trips!). He even talks about being on a tour led by Derek Moore, one of the founders of Explore, who is now an Associate Director of the company (not the Managing Director, Alastair!) and the current Chairman of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO).

Bryan talks about his love of Explore and the type of trips offered and about some of his future plans. And also sings the praises of our website at www.explore.co.uk

All I can say is, Bryan is defintely an Explore enthusiast! Thanks for your support, Bryan!

 

 Interview with Bryan Tomalin [4:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1267)

We believe in looking after people who talk to us, book our tours and keep coming back. And I believe we do it rather than merely talking about it.

One of many key people in the company that do the hard work is Charlotte Laughlin, who works as a Customer Support consultant, looking after you after you have booked. In this podcast she talks about how the department works and some of the benefits of working for Explore!

 

 Interview with Charlotte Laughlin, Explore Customer Support Consultant [2:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (950)

A lot of people who popped by at Destinations, and who talk to us throughout the year, are people (of all ages) who are thinking about travelling to somewhere new, and wondering whether to opt for independent travel or head off with a tour operator.

Alastair interviews a couple, Rachel and Paul Stevens, who have previously travelled independently, and now want someone to do the hard work for them, because they have limited time to organise it themselves. A good reason to opt for an adventure tour operator that only runs tours with small groups but can do all (or most) of the organising for you.

Personally I would also like to head to Peru and Machu Picchu, or even Choquequirao…

 

 Interview with Rachel and Paul Stevens [1:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (772)

Continuing our Destinations podcasts, our Operations Manager for Africa, Sandy Beattie, talks passionately about the wonders of Africa, as well as giving some advice to first time travellers and those more experienced. Also covered in his interview is aspects of eco-and responsible tourism and he also offers some views on emerging destinations and by emerging we mean places where very few outsiders have been (that’s our Beyond tours by the way).

Personally I think Sandy would rather be on an expedition than in the office! If you don’t want to go to Africa after listening to this I’ll be very surprised. I know I do.

Now, this Livingstone bloke, what did he do?

 

 Interview with Sandy Beatty - Operations Manager, Africa [5:49m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (868)

Following yesterday’s posting I thought I would also introduce another good friend and ‘experienced’ Explore customer - Sheila Simkin. Sheila publishes the blog - Travels with Sheila where she posts about trips taken with different tour operators (including lots with Explore) and those organised independently. Sheila is based in the US and generally writes from an American perspective however the travel writing gives you an excellent flavour of places, people and what to look out for.

Always worth a read but particularly interesting series of posts on Uganda and Rwanda at the moment - I particularly liked this posting on Mburo as it shows Ankole cattle (one of my favourite aniumals - don’t know why!) and a shot of Boda - Bodas:

A “boda-boda” is either a motorcycle or bicycle used to carry passengers…similar to taxis and also used to haul goods on the back of them.

Sheila has suggested that this was one of her most inspiring trips and I can certainly see the attraction of Uganda from a wildlife and cultural perspective. Maybe next year…

Picture of Mountain Gorillas near Bwindi taken on Explore’s Gorilla and Chimp safari.

Explore exhibited at the Destinations travel show at Earl’s Court recently, and on the 3rd February Alastair recorded some interviews with customers, some people just visiting the stand and some Explore staff. We’ll try and get a few of these up over the next few weeks. And you can also see us at the Destinations show in Birmingham between 2 and 4 March, apparently we’ll be at stand AA18.

Anyway, to kick off this series of interviews,  I decided it would be good to hear from some of our most experienced customers. Much more experienced than I at Explore trips!

Stuart and Annette Attfield have travelled 18 times (no that’s not a typo!) with Explore. They give you their views on what its like, what the Explore style is like and out tour leaders (phew!)

Enjoy.

 

 Interview with Stuart and Annette Attfield [3:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (999)

Bernice Davison, a journalist, went on our Winter Belarus and Ukraine Tour last year. She wrote this up for The Telegraph, in a piece called The Remains of the Day, which focuses on the visit to Chernobyl and Pripyat.

The podcast here though, talks about the whole itinerary as an incredible experience.

 

 Winter Belarus and Ukraine [4:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download