I am working on re-focussing my travel business, to put my energy into developing and promoting itineraries to destinations I am passionate about and which get people engaged with the places they visit, whether locally or far away. I want to promote travel to places my clients are passionate about and in a way that fosters that passion; to encourage people to take their children along and teach them to travel responsibly. There are great things that can come from travel if we all try to be engaged with the people and places we visit.
I left the travel industry to go back to University in the summer of 1978; I took an Economics and an Anthropology course and I got the same mark in both courses. While studying Anthropology really was my passion, Economics was interesting and practical. As I am ever the practical person I chose to study Economics.
My interest in wildlife and particularly the big apes and the “Leakey” women who studied them and championed their survival (Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey and Birute Galdikas) never waned. When I visited Kenya in 2006, I was able to visit the Chimpanzee sanctuary at Sweetwaters . The Chimp’s stories were heart-breaking, but seeing them in a healthy, safe environment and the clear bonds they had with one another was heart-warming. Although not the life they should have had it was so much better than what they had been living. Watching them was mesmerizing – I could have stayed there for days.
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| "George" - photo Karl Schulz |
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| "Paco" - photo Karl Schulz |
After my trip, I was lucky enough to meet the amazing Jane Goodall, but unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to travel with her or to her famous camp in Gombe. I will however, travel with Birute Galikas on the Orion II, an expedition cruise from Bali to Singapore in February. I have invited local animal activist, photographer and filmmaker, Jo-Anne McArthur, to lead my group. These two women are extraordinary in their own right and this will definitely be a once in a life time experience. To get close to wild and rehabilitated Orangutans and other wildlife in the forests of Borneo and to have experts there to inform and interpret what we are seeing – wow!
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| Orangu-tan photo courtesy of Orion Expeditions |
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| Orion Expeditions |
I am also planning a two night trip to the Farm Sanctuary in upstate New York, October 12th. Rescued farm animals, on their way to a certain death, have found safe and loving homes here. We will stay at the farm’s B and B and have the staff and Jo-Anne McArthur teaching us to appreciate these animals as living, feeling creatures – not just as our food. Activities will include photography with Jo-Anne, hikes, village and winery visits.
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| Farm Santuary founder and friend - Jo-Anne McArthur photo |
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| Jo-Anne McArthur and friend "Ndele" |
For more information please see my links and the following:
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