Africa We have travelled the length and breadth of Zimbabwe. We got drenched at Victoria Falls, went white-water rafting, and then saw the Zambezi River and Falls from a helicopter. Watched the Presidential elephant herd of 30,000 come to waterholes at sunset in Hwange National. We enjoyed fabulous hospitality from the locals and met rhinos on foot.
On a truck decked out with airline seats, we then traversed Southern Africa from east to west – through Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. We were paddled in mokoro canoes around hippos in the Okavango Delta, cruised the Chobe River to see dozens of Nile crocodiles and camped at an old German Fort in amazing Etosha. Lots and lots of stories and many lasting friendships were forged around evening campfires.
Then there was East Africa – exotic Zanzibar and Kenya and Tanzania for the Great Migration. The movement of thousands of animals across the grassy plains was staggering; the close encounters with many of them and numerous wildlife sightings overwhelming. As were the luxury tented camps complete with antiques and full Edwardian bathrooms! Massai Mara, Serengeti and the natural wonder of the Ngorongoro Crater were all highlights of this great adventure.
We haven’t yet finished exploring this vast, exciting continent; we will be returning!
Cuba Castro, Hemingway, lots of rum, cigars and salsa. Havana is like travelling back in time. Beautiful old weathered buildings from Spanish colonial to art deco, sightseeing in the old classic convertibles, visiting the bars and hotels made famous by Hemingway and snorkling in the Caribbean. A visit to the cigar factory was a surprising highlight, we’ll never forget Tamara, who taught us the correct way to light and smoke a cigar.
Mexico The ancient Mayan and Aztec ruins are quite amazing – as was the exotic Frida Kahlo’s blue house. Stunning silver jewellery, ceramics, Mariachi bands and huge margaritas. Beautiful beaches, picturesque hilltop towns, authentic Mexican food and discovering that road runners are real birds!
Nepal We went trekking in the middle hills of Nepal, in the care of our trusty Sherpa guide, watching the scenery change hour by hour. We crossed a lake in a boat loaded with locals, wandered the laneways of Katmandu, and were blessed by a monk at the monastery. We visited Chitwan National Park, ran from the rhinos and, best of all, swam with the elephants.
Vietnam Traversing Vietnam from south to north was an unforgettable experience. Exploring the culture, learning the history, seeing all the sights, sampling the food, meeting the people and, of course, shopping, shopping and more shopping.
South America Touring South America was full of adventure and surprise. Seeing Machu Pichu (a tick on the bucket list!), shopping in the world’s oldest marketplace, getting wet at Iguazu Falls, visiting Rio and swimming at Copacabana Beach, cruising across Lake Titicaca, buying fetishes at the witches market in La Paz, shopping in La Boca, and seeing the tango danced like you’ve never seen before in Buenos Aires.
France Staying in a chateau was a great base to explore the Loire Valley’s other beautiful chateaux and gardens. We then moved south into a quintessential French farmhouse to visit vineyards and sample the wines of Bordeaux. We dined in bistros on their plat du jour, sipped coffee in sidewalk cafes and generally enjoyed that French difference. Paris never disappoints. Seeing the sights while cruising the Seine at sunset: the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, the museums, galleries and so much more!
Jordan In biblical Jordan we followed very famous footsteps through Jerusalem, Bethany and Mt Nebo, floating on the Dead Sea smeared in mud and riding camels (a la Lawrence) at Wadi Rum. Petra was as spectacular as we all hoped and imagined – another tick off the bucket list.
Turkey Seeing the best bits of Turkey – bustling Istanbul, Gallipoli in remembrance, Canakkale and Troy for the ruins and wooden horse, Kusadasi’s beautiful seaside setting, Pamukkale to bathe in hot springs, Konya for the Dervishes and one of the big highlights – hot air ballooning over Cappadocia.
India The Taj Mahal and the wonderfully preserved and stunningly beautiful forts and palaces of Rajasthan, cruising the lake at Udaipur, seeing tigers, pythons and peacocks in Ranthambore National Park, the welcoming people, temples, religions, history, wonderful cuisine, shopping, persistent hawkers (which we could do without) and of course the cows!
I was never a big fan of group travel
I was never a big fan of group travel until my first trip to Cuba and Mexico with Girls’ Own Adventures. I am now disappointed if I cannot join one of this group’s trips and events. The trips are always interesting and well planned. There is plenty of time to enjoy your own time and no cheesy side trips or tourist traps. The groups have always been diverse but loads of fun. There is so much involved in organising these trips but you would never know from the smooth execution of the trips I have been on. Going on a Girl’s Own Adventure trip or event will change your mind about group travel!!!
