Monday 18th Oct
Hello Everyone
I havent introduced you to the rest of the Explore ! Team….Rafeeq you all know as head Tour leader .. we also have Irshad the Driver of our much needed bus, Suman who is our conductor his job is to take care of all the behind the scenes things like keeping us in fresh cold water etc. Also each town we arrive in we have a Guide and since yesterday we have with us for our time in Delhi Prashanto who is genning us all up on the sights and sounds of both Old and New Delhi. Hes been a really fantastic guide and genuinely a lovely guy.
So today is the tour of old Delhi, in order to get there we have today used the Delhi Metro…oh what a challenge, if you think that the London Underground is busy then x 10 for Delhi..the best thing about the Metro here is the lady only carriages, so picture the scene. The carriages are filled with these beautiful elegant Sari clad Indian Ladies enter 9 rather bewildered Brits with their backpacks on the front in case of pickpockets…the carriages are already absolutely crammed in order to board the train and not get seperated from the rest of the group ie the men we have to literally launch ourselves into the throng of rather Bemused Ladies !!! Then into that mix a couple of Indian men seeing that the Lady only carriages are no where near as full as the male carriages follow suit much to the distaste of one particular Indian Lady who very gently and with a wobble of the head (indian style) advised that they were not welcome !
2 stops down and we arrive in the indescribable old Delhi… Now I cannot for the life of me begin to even put this into words that will give you you even one tenth of what is really like there. Imagine a bustling open air Souk type environment over head are the electric cables that literally in places make the Sky go black with their density and thickness Lord alone knows what happens in the Monsoon….its a miracle that no one gets electrocuted….So in order to have the true experience we all jump on the back of Pedal Rickshaws with drivers and head off into the throng of alley-ways and mayhem. I have managed to video record the whole experience which I will show you on return ..you have to remember that we are not alone in these alley ways there are also motor cycles, people rickshaws going the opposite direction & lots of shops and traders …etc and at points its only wide enough for 1 rickshaw..its an experience of a life time ..the smells,colours and the noise its all going on !
We finally emerge from the Alleys and end up at the Great Mosque which will accommodate 20,000 worshippers (in other word its HUGE) where we ladies have to donn what can only be described as Hospital Gowns..glamorous moment !!
From The great Mosque we then need to embark on a bit of a road trip to take us to Agra where tomorrow we get to the Taj Mahal. The Road between Delhi and Agra is 240km but Indian roads and chaotic traffic this will take us approx 5hrs, the plan is to stop midway for food and comfort break to get us to Agra for no later than 18.30ish 19.00 top line. Where we can check in to a nice Hotel get a good meal, and an early night as we need to up at 0500 for the Taj tomorrow Sunrise .
Best Laid plans …..
Ok so we get Half way no problem other than we are held up a little as the Delhi Traffic is horrendous coming through the South, we make the rest stop get drinks and food and a chance to strech our legs, the road speed here is no more than 50 and also the infrastructure isnt marvellous so all in all its ok . At around 16.15, we are driving through the bustling if not slightly industrial town of Kosi ..where all of a sudden our precious bus coughs slightly billows out a whole heap of smoke and grinds to a halt.
Now the tourist buses here especially the 20 seater type like ours see the driver and front passenger in only what can be described as a seperate compartment ..there is a panel of glass so you can see through the windscreen and then a glass door behind the front seat , we all sat and watched speechless as this compartment filled with smoke as our bus decided that Agra wasnt on its agenda.
18 passengers going to Agra whilst our bus went to pieces.
TBC…..
Christine
Adventure Apprentice on tour: Blog 5
October 19th, 2010Adventure Apprentice on tour: Blogs 1-4
October 18th, 2010
Follow in the footsteps of our ‘Adventure Apprentice’ Christine Griffiths.
Earlier this year we ran a competition among travel agents for one lucky agent to win the chance of leading their very own Explore group on our Moghul Highlights tour. After enduring a gruelling showdown in the Explore boardroom against Maxine,(watch the video) followed by trips to the Explore office for full briefings and instruction, Christine has now flown out to Delhi to lead an unsuspecting group! She will be sending daily blogs of her time there. Here are her first 4.
Blog 1
Hello Compatriots !!
Well here we are after months of careful planning and deliberation, Explores 1st Adventure Apprentice is on her way to India !!
After what has been a horrendous Journey around the M25 on a Friday night, I am finally checked in and ready to go. Now I need to introduce my travelling companion who arrived in a box to me at work yesterday …. who could that be… other than Huxley Hippo..(explore Mascot)who will be just as prolific on this journey of Discovery and adventure as I.
Huxley will be appearing in all sorts of places and I am going to hand over some of the resposibilities to him also …No not really hes a stuffed toy but he definately will get into some mischief.
Ok not much more to say at this juncture other than I am now quietly nervous but am up for the challenge, if not only to prove that I am capable of being the 1st Adventure Apprentice and that they chose the right candidate when I was HIRED !!!!
Speak to you all soon, from the Exoticness of Delhi
Love to you all
Christine
Hello to you all,
Blog 2
Lots seem to have happened since yesterday …… let me start by telling you that we nearly had an incident in the Departure Lounge, Huxley was almost Hippo Snatched !!!!!
We had decided to do a short departure lounge photo shoot … with huxley looking cool when a little girl decided that actually Huxly was to cool and picked him up and ran off with him …. dont worry the ransom was minimal and was soon negotiated with a handful of Gummy bears and half a milky way !!!!! Huxley is fine and currently recovering from his Trauma in a darkend Hotel room ..
Ok so flight 9w 121 landed this morning at 0920 ..let me say Jett Airways what an excellent service we were airbourne for only 7.5hrs in total with a seat pitch that would have seen the cast of Strictly doing a tango behind it …top food and excellent service .
It’s been 7 yrs since my last visit to Delhi, and how its changed !! the Airport with its new T3 which opened in July is huge and airy and very welcoming, but once you walk through those doors you cant forget that your just adding to the 20 million who already live here . Its good to know that the chaotic and vibrant nature of this extrodinary city still lives on . It just magical to be back here in India, my passion for this extrodinary country knows no bounds and it going to be an incredibl experience to have 16 others to enjoy this opportunity .
After a quick rest stop, Raj who met me form the airport took me to the Groundagents for a meeting with my fellow guide for the tour . Let me introduce you to Rafeeq. Rafeeq and I have cogitated our plans(through much hilarity ) for the next 10 days and I now get the full drift of what is being expected !!! Ok now I get it ..if anyone here thinks im on the back seat of a bus with my feet up on some kind of jolly then really …think again !!
We have all eaten the most delightful meal crossed legged on the floor of the office which I am told happens everyday … singularly the most amazing Indian food I have ever eaten and now feel like part of the family .. after which Rafeeq and I went in search for a restaurant for the group who arrive tomorrow at around 0930 – with me their first introduction to the Tour …yes reality has just sunk in and its all going to kick off with the arrival of 16 unsuspecting passengers !!
Anyhow I must go I need to check on Huxley to see how he’s coping …
Love to you all
Christine
Hello Everyone
Blog 3
So last night… after sending the last missive, I thought that perhaps an early night would be the best option seeing as though it was all going to kick off in the morning. I wanted to be prepared and ready for action ..so I packed my Explore ! rucksack, procured my Explore T shirt from my case then I unpacked the rucksack and then repacked it …this went on for 20 or so minutes !!
I would prefer to believe this wasnt nerves ..this was me ensuring that I had all the correct documentation and necessary bits !
Ok my Room here at the rather nice Hans Plaza Hotel is on the 20th Floor, it wasnt until last night when i got back to my room that I noticed the view I have from the Window is breath taking. I have the whole Delhi Skyline,India Gate illuminated just for me or so it seems Stunning indeed.
Delhi is very British in its design and infrastructure, wide boulevards with 3/4 lanes of grid designed roads. Even the parliament buildings although Indian in Architecture were indeed built by the British,It looks very neat and orderly Therefore the whole inner working of New Delhi around the Connaught Place area where we are staying feel strangely familiar. That is all except the heat (around 35c) and the madness of the Indian traffic donkeys the infamous Tuk-Tuks and the yellow and black cabs, the continuous honking of the car Horn, not to mention the rikshaw carts with “only just ” on wheels- Motor bikes with a whole family on the back …youve got to love it.
Speak soon
Christine
Sunday 17th October
Hello All
I’m oficially A Chachi. Hindi for tour Guide . I came down for breakfast this morning donning my Explore Tshirt and kit …the waiters in the Breakfast room wouldnt let me do or get anything I had it all brought to my table ..no amount of saying different got a result so in the end i just accepted and enjoyed their attention.
So the group are due to arrive today at around 0945 landing time . Rafeeq and I met in the hotel lobby at 0900 jumped in a metered cab (the famous black and yellow ones) and headed off to the airport where we met with Raj who has the airport permit and the bus.
Airports are fascinating places arent they ? An Emirates flight had arrived bringing Indian workers back from the Gulf whilst we waited for the Jett Air to come in , now if you have ever come through customs or checked in behind Indian travellers you will have noticed that they dont travel with Suitcases, they travel with everything wrapped in either quilts, bed sheets or even towels in all the colours and then Meticulously tied in a complex rope knotting usually in a flourescent nylon . If they do have suit cases then these too are wrapped and tied in the same manner. I asked Rafeeq why dont Indian Travellers carry their Luggage in the usual fashion …..his reply was simple ….Christine didnt you know …..Indians Love Bundles !! We then laughed solidy for around an hour watching these amazing parcels pushed around on airport trollies by their owners. in all the colours and sizes ..the best being leopard print !
The group finally made it through the complex workings of the Indian Customs at around 11am with everyone together we joined the bus and headed back into Delhi to check in, we also had 2 people on land only arrangement meeting us back at the Hotel . Pleased to inform you that my first taste of Airport transfer went well as did the Group Hotel check in …phew ! I am the official checker inner ive got all the Vouchers in my command ..Rafeeq oversaw it for the first time just to make sure it was ok and gave his seal of approval !
We gave the group 40mins to refresh quick Lunch if desired then arranged for them to meet us back in the lobby ready for the full day tour takinig in the Q’tab Minar, Humyans Tomb and then finally the Parliment Buildings and India Gate. The Indian traffic gave the group the most amusement today ..much hilarity ..
I have to say it went well, the group are delightful if not a bit jaded by the end of the tour which you can understand, and they seem to have accepted me too and think that the competition etc was a really good idea. Thats a huge relief. Even after day 1 its really tiring, constantly watching and checking that the group are where they should be and back in one piece at all times, Ive got to remember that I am not one of them I am part of their structure .
So after what seemed like a really long day we all headed out in the evening to the Restaurant that Rafeeq and I had chosen the day before. The food was excellent and everyone had the best Curry ever, a couple of beers later and we were all ready to head back to the Hotel for some well earned rest. I have to say that after the initial nerves have now subsided and I am in a Zone … afer all I am for the next 9 Days I am a Chachi…..
Love Christine
Highlights of Turkey
September 20th, 2010Highlights of Turkey: Gill Stafford
Gill is one of our facebook regulars and sent us this amazing day by day blog of the Highlights of Turkey trip she did earlier this year…
Day 1
Superb flight on wide-bodied plane to Istanbul. Some confusion getting through terminal as a “transit” passenger but linked up with several older gentlemen going walking in Cappadocia and we caught our domestic flight to Ankara. Amused at notice requesting passengers do not sit their animals on the toilet!
Met Group, Ilhan, tour leader and Kamel, driver at Ankara; surprised there are only six of us, all older (but not old!), 2 couples plus 2 lone travellers. First meeting held in hotel but all too tired to go out for a meal – we were well-fed on both flights!
Day 2
Early start with visit to the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations in Ankara. This was an ideal introduction to the sites we were to visit and put the whole tour in context. Onwards to the amazing landscapes of Cappadocia where, after a visit to the underground city of Kaymaki, we arrived at our cave hotel.
Spelunca Hotel, Goreme
Day 3
A magical day! Began with an early-morning hot air balloon ride over the unique Cappadocian rock formations; not only did the balloon travel horizontally, we brushed the wild flowers and soared up high over the fairy chimneys.
Balloon ride
After a simple Turkish breakfast, it was off to Goreme Open Air Museum to explore early Christian churches carved out of the rock followed by a walk through Red Rose Valley. After lunch we toured more outlandish rock formations before climbing high up inside the remains of the 13th century castle in Urgup.
Early evening we descended into a deep cave to watch a Whirling Dervish Sema. This solemn religious ceremony incorporates chanting, religious music, prayers and the twirling which the Mevlevi order are famous for.
Fairy chimneys
Our evening meal was taken in yet another cave, where my friends from the airport were also dining – they ceremoniously presented me with a rose – a wonderful end to a truly magical day!
Rose Valley
Day 4
En-route to Konya, we visited the well-preserved 13th century caravanserai of Sultanhani, a resting place for travellers on the Silk Road. After a traditional lunch in Konya, we explored the museum, formally the headquarters of the Mevlei order before an unscheduled visit to the large city mosque followed by “special” baklava and ice cream. Still full after our snack(!), we took our evening meal in a simple workman’s café specialising in lamb donor kebab.
Day 5
Our long journey over the Anatolian plateau was full of surprises; fields of storks, opium poppies and a flying display by the Turkish All Stars The latter kept us amused for many miles as the eight fighter planes practised their intricate moves blazing trails of red, white and blue vapour.
Opium poppies
We picnicked on a shady riverbank before gazing in wonder at the Roman theatre of Aspendos, still used for productions today and admiring the Roman aqueduct used for supplying fresh drinking water to the ancient city. Tonight’s stop at the Mediterra Art Hotel set down a narrow street in the old city part of Antalya took some finding but our trusty driver did us proud!
Aspendos Theatre
Day 6
A lunchtime picnic among the ruins of Phasellis, with time for a swim! Established as a harbour city in around 690 BC, Ilhan gave us a fascinating tour of the ancient streets and ruins. Time to explore Antalya before dinner in a sheltered square.
Day 7
Today we explored the mountain city of Termessos. Set in Gullug Dag National Park, renowned for it’s insect life, lynx and brown bears, it was a steep climb to the ruined theatre atop the mountain.
En route to Dalyan, we visited the village of Kayakoyu deserted since the population exchange of Greeks and Turks in the 1920’s. The setting for the book “Birds without Wings” by Louis de Bernieres, it is now a World Heritage Site. Tonight we dined at our hotel overlooking the Lycian rock tombs at Dalyan.
Kayakoyu
Day 8
Ilhan chartered a riverboat to take us through the reeds to the ancient ruins of Caunos dating back to 4000 BC. Rejoining our boat, we sailed up to the mouth of the river, a breeding beach for loggerhead turtles. After a swim, we rejoined our boat to sail to a newly opened restaurant before returning to Dalyan for an afternoon exploring the weekly market. Dinner in a traditional café was excellent, the proprietor even fetching us home-made houmous from a friend!
Unexpected visitor at Caunos
Day 9
We meandered along rural roads to Pammukale stopping, en-route at what appeared to be a small roadside café – climbing stairs at the side, we found ourselves in attractive water gardens packed with local Turkish families out for their Sunday lunch.
The white travertine terraces of Pammukale can be seen some distance away and these, together with the ancient ruins of Hieropolis, made for an interesting afternoon walk.
Pammukale
Hieropolis
Day 10
A fairly long drive today to Selcuk where we will spend two nights. The site of Aphrodiasis proved fascinating, being an important artistic centre and supporting a training school for Carian sculptors. The spacious museum held many examples of statuary by established and trainee sculptors.
Aphrodite’s Temple
Our Selcuk hotel is small and family-run, dinner on the roof terrace restaurant had us all gasping with the views of storks zooming overhead.
Stork’s nest, Selcuk
Day 11
Our small group of six with our excellent guide seems a luxury when we encounter the huge coach parties visiting Ephesus. Ilhan never hurries us and is an excellent historian only to happy to answer our questions. Early summer’s an ideal time for a poppy lover like myself as there were masses among the ancient ruins.
The Library at Ephesus
Wild poppies
Lunch today was taken at a Kurdish family café where we watched flat loaves being baked and hot bread just kept coming and coming….an excellent meal, followed by a shopping spree for the three ladies in our group!
Tonight we visited another village de-populated when the Greeks returned to their native land. This time, however, Turkish families colonised the steep twisty lanes and today it operates as a craft bazaar with cafes.
Day 12
A long drive broken up with two interesting visits. Up a narrow twisting road to the remains of Pergamum, where parchment was invented. The library here was the second largest of the Roman world. The theatre here was set on a steep hillside and proved quite a frightening descent – thanks for your helping hands, boys!!
An imaginative mock-up of the Wooden Horse greeted our arrival at the ancient site of Troy. Comprising of nine ancient cities, each built atop the last, the ruins date back 5,000 years.
The Wooden Horse of Troy
Not much time to see the town of Cannakale, arriving just in time for dinner at a harbourside fish restaurant and with an early start scheduled the following day
Day 13
Catching the 7 am ferryboat, we crossed the Dardanelle Straits before touring the battle sites of Gallipoli. A long drive to Istanbul was enlivened by a visit to a service –café that had it’s own zoo!
Dropping off our cases at our central Istanbul hotel, we said a fond farewell to our excellent driver, Kamel – whom we shall ever remember for making a flapjack into a sandwich filling!
Ilhan walked us to the Grand Bazaar arranging to meet us later for dinner. A spontaneous group decision was made to stick together both for safety and to ensure none of us became lost!
We ate an excellent traditional dinner down a small side-street that none of us could have found without Ilhan’s help.
Colourful hats, hookah pipes and dishes in the Grand Bazaar
Day 14
A leisurely and more varied breakfast today before a foot tour of the famous Istanbul sites. We marvelled at the Blue Mosque (though disapproved of tourists who showed such lack of respect that they refused to cover their heads/shoulders) wandered through Topkapi Palace particularly admiring the highly decorated rooms of the Harem and visited Haghia Sophia, now a museum.
Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia
Harem, Topkapi
Instead of the scheduled free-time, Ilhan took us on an extra special tour to show us the “backstreets of Istanbul”. We walked what seemed miles, seeing Turkish traditional shopping areas, visiting a genuine spice market, tasting Turkish Delight in an old established emporium before calling in at the Turkish Railway Museum.
Fish stall
We took a ferryboat across the Bosphorus, admired the interior of an Armenian Church, took Turkish tea, coffee and home-made lemonade at a café that only sold these drinks, wandered the streets and returned across the Bosphorus. Squashing into a Taxi-dolmus we admired street performers in Taxsim Square before walking down steep streets towards the Gallata Tower. Our final dinner was taken at a fish restaurant under the Gallata Bridge watching the sunset over the Golden Horn before a final tram ride back to our hotel.
Day 15
A paper bag of Raki (Aniseed) balls as well as a thank-you envelope awaited Ilhan at our final breakfast! Waving us off at the airport, we all agreed that we’d been very lucky to have such a knowledgeable and affable young guide.
We’d eaten all our meals together as a group with Ilhan and Kamel, socialised together and stayed as a group until we were dispersed throughout the plane home. I’m sure we’ll keep in touch and have already exchanged messages and photos. I went on holiday alone, but not for long, as one of the group soon pointed out, I was really holidaying with friends!!
Eating together in Istanbul
Climbing Kilimanjaro: Blog 4
September 16th, 2010August 2010
Less than four weeks to go before my wonderful (is that the right word?) trip to Tanzania to attempt to conquer the highest free-standing mountain in the world: Kilimanjaro! The phrase “highest free-standing mountain” makes me chuckle; I picture Dali’s famous crutches holding Everest in place… To be honest though, I don’t care whether it’s the highest free-standing mountain in the world or the most utilised-in-product-branding mountain in the world (which I think it may be too – they even have beer called “Kilimanjaro” – how cool is that?), I only care about three things right now: Am I ready to make my best attempt to get to the summit? Have I got all my kit prepared? And, where can I get a beer from right now?
I have been a busy bee in the past couple of months. I’ve just received my passport back from VisaSwift with my, quite wonderful and official looking, visa to enter the country. I’ve been involved in PR efforts (two local newspapers and a local ezine) for young Benjamin in the hope to raise enough for his My Tobii which we’re over half way to the target of £8k, but still need some help yet. My travelling companion and good friend, Stitch, would love to get us on “This Morning”, but I think that’s going too far – especially as he has an unfair thespian advantage and I have a face made for radio and would likely be sick on Phillip Schofield from nerves! I’ve got my inoculations sorted having had more jabs than Mike Tyson’s punch bag in the last three weeks (the key one being Yellow Fever, without proof of this you can’t get into the country, or so I hear, plus Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis A and an accelerated course of Hepatitis B) and have organised my anti-malarial drugs. I plan to beg, borrow and steal (well, “rent” actually, but that wouldn’t have sounded as good) the kit that I haven’t yet sorted out. But actually I’m pleasantly surprised about how organised I am. The most important item of all, the sturdy walking boots, are seriously worn in now. I’m so pleased with them that I’m going to wear them on the plane journey to ensure that they make it there with me; they’re the only irreplaceable bit of kit I have.
If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know that I, and a team of three other Explorites, embarked on a crazy challenge of walking 100km in under 30 hours across the South Downs back in July (we all walk that distance and no, there’s no sleeping or long stops but a dozen check-points where we met our exceptionally helpful, encouraging and warm-welcoming support crew who fed, watered and pampered us).
The Trailwalker Challenge was the most difficult and rewarding event I have ever participated in – more than a half-marathon that’s finished in a mere two hours, more than running in a Santa outfit with a hangover and, even, more challenging and rewarding than having my chest waxed (which, of course, is exceptionally vain and I wouldn’t dream of having it done). Seriously though, I can’t describe how good it made me feel to cross the finish line after 28 and a half hours of walking. Unfortunately we’d lost two of the troops before the end, and troopers they definitely were; the hardcore ladies both made it 91km following a punishing four hour section and were too injured (bloody/broken/blistered – delete as appropriate) to go further, but met us at the 100km mark for an exceptionally emotional finish. I would recommend this crazy event to any other crazies out there that are crazy enough to try it and potentially reap the huge rewards if/when you complete it (and even if you don’t complete it!). Kilimanjaro, I am ready for you! Nearly! Perhaps…
The gymnasium is a constant thorn in my side. It costs me money every month and sits on my shoulder when I eat cakes or pies and it mocks me. It whispers my name and teases me with rewards, but I know how painful and difficult it is to earn those rewards, I’ve been there before and don’t like it. Unless I’m going to the gym and feel the rewards, then it’s fine and doesn’t feel half as bad as when I’m not going and I’m feeling guilty as hell. I need to go to the gym at least a few times in the next month just to keep my fitness level ticking over. Why can’t pies and cakes give you muscles, larger lung capacity and a better recovery rate?
Cross your fingers and toes for me, say a prayer if you like, wish me luck and bon voyage. Next time I write a blog I will have, hopefully, been 5895 metres above sea level to the Uhuru Peak and conquered the ancient, snow-capped beast (acute altitude mountain sickness willing). Unfortunately conquered many times before. Conquered by many friends and colleagues that I know well. Even more unfortunate: Conquered by celebrities. Ugh. Forget all of them. This will be for me and no-one will ever be able to describe to me, as I won’t be able to describe to you, faithful readers [Hi Mum! Hi Nan!], how incredible this journey is. You’ll just have to do it for yourselves.
Eclipse 2010 on Easter Island
July 16th, 2010A spectacular electrical storm over Easter Island on Saturday night proved a fitting reminder of mother nature’s power before the skies cleared the following day so the Explore group could witness a very memorable total solar eclipse. From the slopes of an extinct volcano and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Explore’s intrepid eclipse hunters observed a stunning total solar eclipse that turned day into night for over four and a half minutes.
One of groups that travelled out to Chile almost 2 weeks ago, accompanied by our expert astronomer, Francisco Diego, also had a very successful visit the Very Large Telescope (VLT) at Paranal in the Atacama Desert. Run by the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO), visits to the observatory are normally strictly controlled and so the fascinating visit by our group was a real privilege and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. One of our other groups, accompanied by expert Andy Green, is due to visit the VLT next week.
Exclusive News from the ground
We’ve now received an emotional and moving report from Gabriel Barok, the local organiser of these great tours to Easter Island to view the total solar eclipse.
Explore group on Easter Island
As he safely sees our groups to Easter Island’s airport for the long flight over the Pacific Ocean back to Santiago in Chile, he reflects on some of the most memorable few days of his life.
Gabriel flew out to Easter Island two weeks before the eclipse to ensure that everything was going to be just right for our groups. He spent his days on a reconnoitre of possible eclipse viewing sites and in the days leading up to the eclipse Gabriel, along with our expert astronomer, Francisco Diego, visited the local meteorologist to learn about cloud behaviour on Easter Island. In fact, so dedicated were they to their cause that they often visited the meteorologist as many as 5 times on the same day!
After two days of fierce storms, the sky cleared on the day of the eclipse and Gabriel and Francisco decided to take the group to the quiet seclusion of Rano Kau volcano, a place that their exhaustive research had shown would provide an ideal eclipse viewing location.
Gabriel describes the moment, ‘We divided the groups, Francisco took one group along with the delicate telescopic equipment and I guided 24 trekkers to the top of the volcano to arrive 10 minutes before the darkest border of the moon touched the most clearest sun; thanks to the Explore eclipse sunglasses we could enjoy the most wonderful feast of a never seen dying light and growing deep emotion. At 14.08 came the most spectacular and unexpected performance of nature: a deep dark blue sky with the darkest black hole and a crown of flames surrounding it. Sighs, tears and shouts all along the hill of the famous mythological crater behind us sculpted an eternal moment, for ever.’
After the eclipse our groups returned to Rapa Nui, the island’s capital, where they enjoyed a local curanto feast followed by dancing and music. The spirit of the eclipse, Mother Nature and the music all came together and the group danced into the night.
When is the next total solar eclipse?
For those of you who weren’t able to make the journey to Easter Island, or who made the trip and have a yearning for more, then the next total solar eclipse will be in Australia in November 2012. Keep an eye on our website in the autumn for a chance to book Explore’s trips to Australia to view the next total solar eclipse.
Climbing Kilimanjaro: Blog 3
June 11th, 2010June 2010
Follow Tim Hornby as he prepares for his Kilimanjaro Climb in September this year. (Click here to read his first blog)
So much has happened since I blogged last, I hardly know where to begin! I could come up with all sorts of lies reasons for the big gap between blogs, but I won’t.
I ran a half marathon back in March in one hour, 57 minutes and 48 seconds which I was dead chuffed about (I was aiming for under two hours). Since then though I’ve not been to the gym or for a run once. My midriff is starting to reflect that a little now and I need to do something about it. I haven’t forgone training entirely however; the big Trailwalker challenge in the middle of July is fast approaching and the team and I have been working hard to get prepared to do 100km in one very long day. We’re aiming to complete it in about 26 hours or so, but to be honest I will be very pleased to finish, regardless of how long it takes. This training and the looming event have been great opportunities to wear in my brand-spanking new walking boots (well, they’re far from “brand-spanking new” now, as I’ve already walked about 100 miles in them, which, now that I’ve actually written “100 miles” is a shock even to me!). They’re Asolo Power Matic 200 GTX and cost me £165 and they are bloomin’ marvellous! Quite hard soles, great ankle support, comfortable (now, anyway) and, with the help of zinc oxide tape and some decent socks when I first starting wearing them, they haven’t given me a single blister. I am a little upset with their name which sounds much more impressive than the car I own. It’s almost like you need a cinematic voice-over guy to say “Power Matic 200 GTX: Better than Tim’s car.” Although, come to think of it, it’s probably about right considering they were roughly a third of the price I paid for my little motor (and will probably last longer too)!
I discovered that the primary language for Tanzania is Swahili and English. English is great news because I don’t know much Swahili. In fact, the only words I’ve ever been taught are swear words (juvenile, I know) and I have mentioned before about being conscious of not offending locals, so I think I’ll stick to English and wash out my potty mouth with a bar of soap.
I also discovered that my geography is pretty appalling for someone who works in the travel industry. I blame it on the back-office roles I’ve been in, not having to be in direct contact with our product and all that (ah-hem). I believe I previously mentioned that I hadn’t visited the African continent before, but for reasons that I couldn’t begin to explain didn’t realise that Morocco was in Africa (and I’ve been there, coincidentally with Explore, and it was one of the most wonderful places I have ever visited on our beautiful Earth). I thought Morocco was in Europe, right between Egypt and Cairo, which are both in Europe too, right? Less said about this, the better.
My buddy (who I hope is less geographically impaired than I am), Stitch, and his parents have done a wonderful job of sucking me in to a major charitable campaign for our Kili climb. I went for dinner at a friend of their family’s house one evening to meet their disabled son, Benjamin. He goes to a local school for young people with disabilities where they get all sorts of equipment to help them communicate. Benjamin can’t speak, he uses his eyes and sometimes his hands to show a limited number of responses such as “yes” and “no”, but the school he attends have ingenious technology that allows him to select words, phrases, expressions and the like just by using his eyes to select them from a screen. Stitch and I are going to try and raise enough money for him so that he can have one of these clever little devices at home. As you can imagine, this will enable their family to communicate much more effectively with Ben especially during long school holidays. Nothing like piling on a bit of pressure for us to do our best on Kilimanjaro, but if I didn’t plan to put in 110% before I certainly do now. My friends and family, colleagues, suppliers and Facebook friends (let’s face it: Facebook friends don’t necessarily feature in any of the aforementioned categories) are going to be sick to death of me asking for sponsorship from them, especially as we are still pushing for the Oxfam sponsorship for the Trailwalker challenge (cheekily, please click here to sponsor!).
I must try and motivate myself to get back to the gym, it’s just so darned hot in there in the Summer because their idea of air-conditioning is open windows. That sounds like a rubbish excuse. By the next time I blog I will be back there regularly, will do some more running, will eat more healthily, will have quit smoking and drinking and won the lottery. If any two of those things happen, I will be content (and possibly very rich).
That’s it for now – speak to you again soon
Tim
Explore Trailwalkers – 100km in 30 hours
June 2nd, 2010Four members of Explore staff are currently in Training to take part in the Oxfam Trailwalker UK challenge – walking 100km across the South Downs in just 30 hours – without a break. One of the team, Sean Hughes, tells us about their training so far and why they decided to undertake the challenge…
It is now under 2 months until Tim, Lucy, Jo and me walk 100 kilometres across the South Downs.
When I first agreed to take on this challenge I thought: “100 kilometres? Pah, no problem, that’s just walking 1 kilometre over and over again. That’ll be no problem. Anyway, it’s on the South Downs, so it’ll be downhill from Petersfield to the coast.”
I was wrong on every point.
So far the longest walk we have done as a team is about 35 kilometres. The first 10 kilometres really is just like walking 1 kilometre over and over again. After that your body starts to object.
At 20 kilometres your body starts to REALLY object. At 30 kilometres my body was (quite literally) starting to fail. A muscle that I don’t think I have ever used before (on the back of my thigh) intermittently started going into spasm. Other members of the team found hips seizing. Lips were (I’m not exaggerating) a shade of blue due to the cold. And I wont go into the gruesome details of the ruptured blisters on feet.
So, I am now not even contemplating the pain we will have to go through at 50 kilometres, 70 kilometres…
As for the South ‘Downs’? Presumably this is a name given by some marketing board so that it doesn’t deter ramblers from walking there. Really they are the South Ups. You start by walking up a steep incline – and you admire the views across the beautiful countryside. And you think – this is fine, nice level walk to the coast.
No.
Actually you walk off the top of the nice beautiful ridge, into a valley. And then, you walk up the next hill that appears to be vertical. Those hills that have the decency to be only a ‘steep’ gradient go on for miles and miles. Until you become convinced that at some stage someone will come along and tell you that you should have oxygen to walk at this altitude.
The day after training walks, it is difficult to move. Knees ache from the impact of walking downhill. Walking at all is a chore, walking at pace is impossible. I have had blisters on my feet constantly for the past 8 weeks.
I hope I’ve made our training sound like a real sob story. Of course, it isn’t. Because, I’m choosing to do this walk, and after each training session, I get in a car and drive home. I get a glass of water from the tap. I put some Compeed on my blisters. I have a hot bath to soothe my aches. If my thigh muscle doesn’t get better – I’ll drive to the doctor and be seen that day.
When someone in Africa walks miles to get water, they don’t get in a car to go home. They carry that water miles home. If their feet are blistered the wounds go untreated. If they need a doctor? There may not be a doctor for them to see.
This is why we are doing the walk, to raise money for a charity that helps people like this all around the world. They provide services where they are needed. Clean water to refugees in Uganda. Providing shelter and sanitation to those affected by the cyclone in 2008 in Burma. Helping impoverished farmers in Mexico get a fair price for their crop.
Please give whatever you can afford.
This isn’t about the terrifying/stupid (delete as appropriate) walk we are doing. This is about supporting people around the world who need our help. People who don’t have the luxury to train for walks at the weekend.
Read more about the team’s walk on the Explore website
Joanna Lumley’s Nile Episodes 1-3
April 27th, 2010Khartoum to the Simien Mountains
For the last three weeks, Joanna Lumley’s Nile series has been running on ITV, where she explores the longest river in the world from sea to source. The first two episodes saw Joanna encountering classic Egyptian and Nubian culture and hospitality. (catch up with them all on the ITV player here)
Explore’s Nile Cruise boat – the M/S Doma moored in Luxor
Many tour operators offer Nile Cruises, but no one does it quite like Explore, with a choice of Nile Cruise boats, and the chance of seeing not only the main highlights but getting some real local experiences too. But where Explore are truly different, is that we don’t just stop at Egypt.
Ethiopia: Lake Tana
Episode 3 saw Joanna journeying from Khartoum in Sudan to the Simien Mountains in Ethiopia. Making her way up the Blue Nile by plane to the beautiful city on Bahar Dar on Lake Tana (one of the many sources of the Nile), then up into the Simien Mountains where she saw the incredible sight of Ethiopian girls training for the Olympics, and also the unique Gelada Baboons which exist only in this area of Africa.
Ethiopia: Simien Mountains
Explore offer 4 different tours visiting the unusual holiday destination of Ethiopia – including Blue Nile & Lalibela exploring Bahar Dar, Lake Tana and the spectacular Simien Mountains, as well as the astonishing rock cut churches at Lalibela. But if the Mountain scenery in the program took your breath away – why not try our Simien Mountain Trek? Dramatic views, Gelada baboons and an ascent of Ethiopia’s highest mountain await you.
Tropic of Cancer: Bangladesh, Laos & Vietnam
April 26th, 2010Last week we were sobusy sorting out the Volcano induced flights crisis that we didn’t manage to do a blog about the Bangladesh to Burma program. If you missed it too, you can catch up with it on BBC iPlayer http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00s5wzp/Tropic_of_Cancer_Bangladesh_to_Burma/
Bangladesh
If you are inspired to spend time in Bangladesh, Explore are one of the few tour operators in the UK market that visit this remarkable country. Visiting Dhaka and the Ganges Delta in Bangladesh, through the tea plantations of Darjeeling and mystical mountain state of Sikkim to the magical Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, our unique journey ‘Inside the Hidden Kingdoms’ gets you off the tourist trail like never before.
Laos & Vietnam
In the final episode of this epic journey, Simon Reeve follows the Tropic of Cancer through the remote northern region of Laos just to the south of the tropic (due to the Chinese authorities not allowing him and his crew a visa). But his disappointment is short lived, as Simon discovers the treasures of a little country ravaged over the years by war. Even this remote jungle covered area is not immune to the effects of globalisation, as he stumbles upon a massive building project funded by the Chinese. A ‘Vegas’ style casino and hotel resort in the middle of the jungle! (Watch this episode on iPlayer if you missed it. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00s7glt/Tropic_of_Cancer_Laos_to_Hawaii/ )
You can practically follow in Simon’s footsteps from the romantic city of Luang Prabang nestled on the banks of the Mekong, stop off at friendly hillside villages in northern Laos, pass through National parks and a primate sanctuary in Vietnam on the way to the iconic Ha Long bay in Vietnam on our ‘Bangkok to Hanoi’ tour.
Follow in Simon’s footsteps on a trip across Thailand, Laos & Vietnam
Kasbah Capers – a week in Morocco
April 7th, 2010Time spent wondering in a vibrant, colourful city…
Days in a hidden mountain village…
Riding camels across sand dunes…
Wading through warm Atlantic seas in a pretty harbour town…
Sounds like four very different holidays doesn’t it? Well it’s not, it’s just one! Explore’s Michelle Bird was lucky enough to experience all of the above and more when she travelled on Kasbah Capers, a week-long trip to Morocco. Here are a few of her trip highlights…
We arrived in Morocco late in the evening and headed straight for our hotel just off the famous Djemma el Fna in Marrakech. We were immediately immersed in the sights, sounds, colours and smells of the busy square, suddenly a world away from the UK shores we’d left just a few hours earlier. We weren’t in Marrakech long so didn’t have a chance to explore, but we would be back to fully experience it before the week was out!
Bustling Marrakech
The next day was an early start as we were off on a day-long drive across some stunning Moroccan scenery. We traversed the Tizi and Tichka Pass – the highest vehicular pass in Morocco – and as we journeyed through the Atlas Mountains we stopped off along the way to meet locals and explore an ancient Kasbah which is still home to Moroccans today.
Tamnougalt Kasbah
The whole group were amazed at how quickly the scenery outside our vehicles changed as we drove; we passed through barren land which suddenly erupted into a lush oasis again and again.
Arriving at our destination of Zagora – the ‘Gateway to the Sahara’ – it was an early night for us, recharging our batteries ready for exploring the town and the surrounding areas the next day.
The following day was a highlight for many in the group as we really got to the heart of the area. It started with a guided walk through a beautiful palmery, where dates were blossoming on the palm trees. We wandered from dusty streets, through oases, into desolate landscapes and finally into a small village where we watched silver jewellery being made before having the opportunity to make purchases. After a picnic lunch picked up from the local market we headed out into the desert for a camel ride across the dunes, before we climbed one of the highest to watch the sunset – a beautiful end to a relaxing but packed day.
Riding camels across the dunes
After our time spent in the desert we were ready to head up to our mountain hideaway, a Berber village called Tagoudiche. We walked the last part of the journey to the village and as we were making our way up, we couldn’t believe that we were actually approaching a village, everything seemed so quiet and uninhabited but, suddenly, as we crested a peak, there it was spread out in front of us.
The Berber people of Tagoudiche were some of the friendliest I have ever encountered, welcoming us into their lives and homes. Our hosts were a married couple who looked after us well. On our second day in the village a few members of the group went trekking to Jebel Lekst, a nearby mountain peak, while the rest of us took a tour of the area surrounding the village, finishing with mint tea and henna tattoos in our hosts’ home.
Mint tea with our host and her family
I can’t mention the couple of days we spent in Tagoudiche without talking about the food! The breakfasts, lunches and dinners our tour leader, Aziz, and our local hosts prepared for us using very basic facilities were by far the tastiest we had on our trip. The meals they rustled up were so delicious and consisted of full three course meals in the evenings with more fresh fruit and salad than you could wish for! The whole group could have happily eaten food prepared by them throughout the entire holiday!
Early morning descent from Tagoudiche village
After a couple of days relaxing in the mountains, it was onto the pretty harbour town of Essaouira, where we stayed in the heart of the city walls. With an afternoon free to explore, some of us chose to have a wander round the streets, where there was plenty of shopping to be done but less of the ‘hard sell’ than you’d expect in Marrakech – it was all very relaxed. We then headed for the harbour where fishing boats were coming in and fish was being bought and sold. We decided to climb up the fort ramparts for a great view over the town and beach and afterwards we picked up a bit of lunch which we took down to the beach to watch the sunset over the harbour.
Sunset over Essaouira harbour
There was a little time for a bit more souvenir shopping before a group meal in a delicious seafood restaurant we’d never have found ourselves – this is where Aziz’s amazing local knowledge came in very handy! As we ate we reflected on how each day of the trip had been totally different from the one before it and what a revelation it had been. None of us expected the sheer diversity we’d experienced in one country (and we hadn’t even fully experienced Marrakech at that point!)
The next day was our last and we headed back to Marrakech to explore the city. A local guide took us on a walking tour, taking in the Mosque, Jewish quarter, Bahia Palace, the souks and finally the square, before we spent a bit of time exploring on our own. Many of the group tested their haggling skills as they bought souvenirs for friends and family, whether anyone got a bargain we’ll never really know but I do know that everyone had a great time trying!
Shopping in the busy Marrakech souks
That evening we had our final group meal in a lovely rooftop restaurant overlooking the city (another one we’d never have found without Aziz) and took the opportunity to thank Aziz for being such an amazing guide and patiently answering all of our questions about Morocco, its landscape, history and people. Aswell as seeing the country for ourselves, it was invaluable having Aziz with us to give that extra detail and history you can only get from someone who has grown up there.
As a first Explore holiday for me, it was a great introduction to both small group travel and Morocco itself – a country I’m determined to see more of!
Read more about Kasbah Capers, or see what else we have available in Morocco
