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Jane Tomlinson

Thursday, March 22nd, 2007

Earlier this week I spotted a very interesting blog by Jane Tomlinson called “Sightlines“. In the about section she has a lovely sentence about what she does:

“I try to make lively, colourful images to excite the eye and feed the soul.”

And I think I would agree.

Jane has been on several Explore trips, however her most recent to South West Africa was what initially caught my eye. These pictures of Antelope (taken by her and her husband Moth Clark) and her drawings and sketches are lovely. Her writing also conveys what it feels like to be in a place and how she reacts to a variety of different sights, smells and sounds around her.

Sketches from Etosha National Park, Namibia Jane’s sketches from Etosha National Park, Namibia

You can see more of Jane’s sketches in her gallery.

Gemsbok Gemsbok, Namibia

Puku Puku in Chobe National Park, Botswana

Jane has an exhibition of her work in May and June 2007 – I think I may take a visit.

All images © Jane Tomlinson 2007

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Pictures of India

Monday, March 19th, 2007

I wanted to share with you some pictures taken by a fellow passenger on my recent trip to India.

John Patterson took the following wonderful shots on the extended version of the tour I went on, which also includes Moghul Highlights as well as Rajasthan.

John and his wife Kay are extremely keen walkers, and John even leads walking tours in the UK. He has a great eye for ‘photos’ and he kindly sent me through these great pictures.

Amber Fort, Jaipur The Amber Fort, Jaipur

Amber Fort, Jaipur Also the Amber Fort, Jaipur

Meherangarh Fort in Jodhpur Meherangarh Fort in Jodhpur

Jain temple at Ranakpur Jain Temple at Ranakpur

On the way to Udaipur Traditional Cattle powered pump for irrigating the crops.

Fort at Kumbalgarh Gateway to the Fort at Kumbalgarh

All photos © John Patterson 2007.

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Carry on Exploring!

Thursday, February 22nd, 2007

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!

 
icon for podpress  Interview with Bryan Tomalin [4:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Indie or Operator? – depends what sort of travel you’re looking for?

Friday, February 16th, 2007

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…

 
icon for podpress  Interview with Rachel and Paul Stevens [1:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Travels with Sheila

Tuesday, February 13th, 2007

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.

Bwindi Gorillas

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Destinations

Monday, February 12th, 2007

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.

 
icon for podpress  Interview with Stuart and Annette Attfield [3:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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