15 October 2019

WHERE DO I START? This place was fantastic and the highlight of the trip my partner and I took in October 2017. Elephant Hills is the most responsible and sustainable soft-adventure tour operator in Southern Thailand. Not only do they respect and value their elephants (hence there is no elephant riding at Elephant Hills!), but they also take excellent care of the environment, put great emphasis on recycling and resource saving, as well as cooperating closely with the local community by sourcing staff locally and improving education in the area with their Elephant Hills Children’s Project. This was my partner’s first time to Thailand (my 2nd) but we both shared the experience of Elephant Hills for the first time together. You can book various packages at Elephant Hills but the one I did and would highly recommend is the 2 night/3 day Lake Safari. So let me tell you about it…. WHERE IS ELEPHANT HILLS & HOW DO YOU GET THERE? Elephant Hills is located in the beautiful Khao Sok National Park. It combines the idea of African National Parks with the Thai Tropical Forest environment. You can actually get to Elephant Hills from a number of locations making it an easy mid holiday stop to get you from A to B without having to pay for extra flights in between in some cases. Plus, the transfers are all included in your Elephant Hills package price. You can easily get there with a flight from Bangkok to Surat Thai Airport, Koh Samui by ferry and road, Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lak. WHAT TO EXPECT We arrived by 11:30am after taking the ferry and road transfer from Koh Samui. A little tired from an early wake up but we were excited to have arrived and get settled in. After a quick check in we were offered a superb buffet lunch with local cuisine on offer. After that we went to check out our tent which was located right opposite the flowing River so the sounds of nature and the river combined was great. Your tent comes with a big bed, private bathroom with flushing toilet and a proper shower so you are ‘glamping’ more than camping. You also get a free-standing fan as it can get hot plus your own hammock just beside your tent. After having some time to have a look around the tent we head back to reception with our camera’s and hop onto the bus to take us to the Elephant Sanctuary. Upon arrival you will witness the Elephants having a wander around and splashing in the water. The guides then run you over a briefing on safety and teach you more about the Elephants and who’s who. You’ll then spend some time filming videos and taking pictures of the Elephants playing in the water before their carers call them out and over to an area ready for washing. This is where you come in. Most people in our group were allocated their own Elephant within each couple or family. You are handed a hose and a scrubber and wash away. This was great fun, spraying the Elephant and giving them a good clean and a little tickle behind the ears. Once they’ve had their shower, it’s time for the Elephant’s lunch. Meat cleaver in hand, you are taught how to cut and prepare their food and treats and drop it in your own basket ready to feed. The Elephant’s know what time it is as they all line up in a row and wait to be handed their selection of Bananas and various fruits. This is great fun and another opportunity to get up close and to touch the elephants. Once the Elephant fun is over it’s time to hop into a Canoe and be paddled down the river passing by the Limestone hills and mountains and various bird species. Now you’ll be taken back to the Camp on a short bus ride ready to freshen up and relax for a while before the evening begins. A live cooking demonstration takes place where the food is served with everyone crowded round to watch before this is then served as one of the dishes on the buffet for dinner. After the evening entertainment by a group of local dancing school girls we took ourselves back to our tent for a good night’s sleep. Breakfast eaten, we head off for our day of excitement. A short bus drive takes us to a local market in Takhun with free time to scope out the stalls and shops selling with souvenirs, clothes, food and spices. Next up we took a sightseeing boat trip in a traditional longtail boat on Cheow Larn Lake. After a few hours on the lake we were taken by boat to the Rainforest Camp (floating camp on the lake). This camp was more exclusive with only 20 tents located on the floating jetty. Lunch was served on the floating jetty upon arrival. Then there was some free time to jump in the lake for some swimming or to take your own canoe out to explore the surroundings and see if you can spot a monkey jumping from tree to tree. We then decided to partake in the optional jungle trek up into the rainforest hills to a huge bat cave. This is not for everyone but we thought it was great. I probably spent about 5 minutes in the cave before heading back out to daylight. Heading back to the floating camp we then had time to relax and bob about in the lake before changing for another meal on the jetty. The evenings were the best here, the sounds of nature seem to turn up the volume when the sun has gone down and if you look up the view of the starlit sky was phenomenal. After a filling breakfast it’s time to head out in your group on a guided canoe safari for wildlife spotting for a few hours. Once back at the camp you have time for a swim, lunch and a freshen up before your transfer is ready to take you onto your onward journey. I must say, I love Thailand but before I went I had an image in my head of Thailand and the beaches and cities didn’t quote match my vision (although still stunning), but Khao Sok National park did. With the lush green rain forest and towering limestone rock formations it definitely beat the image I had in my mind. If the opportunity should arise, I will definitely be heading back to Elephant Hills. I only wish they had packages where you could spend longer on the lake as my partner said he could have spent a week at the floating camp just out exploring on the canoe and having a swim. This is a great add on when travelling with friends, family or as a couple as it caters for all. They do have an age restriction of 4 years and above. However, I think to make the most of it and for the children to appreciate it I would recommend taking children 7yrs and above. So, when will you be heading to Elephant Hills?

27 September 2019

When I say Mauritius, what images do you conjure up in your mind? Beautiful beaches, snorkelling, honeymoon's and weddings? Well you would be correct, but I’ll admit there is a huge amount more activities and things to do in Mauritius than you might think. I’ve been lucky enough to visit the beautiful island of Mauritius 3 times in the last 10 years. In this blog I’ll give you hints and tips on places to visit and information on the things you can do and where to stay depending on the type of trip you are after. It’s a 12 hour flight if you want to go direct from Gatwick or Heathrow or to break it up you could fly via Dubai and have two holidays in one and make it a twin centre. Mauritius is quite a small island with it only taking a couple of hours to drive from North to South. From the airport located on the East Coast you are never more than about 1.5hrs away from your hotel. Wherever you choose to stay in Mauritius you’ll be sure to see the view of the beautiful lagoon, the nearby islands and stunning beaches. What coast should I stay on? The North coast is where Grand Baie is located. This is a quaint harbour town in a sheltered cove. The village has restaurants and lively bars if you are after a bit of local nightlife. You will also find lots of vendors at the Grand Baie Bazaar selling handicrafts. You’ve got a few hotels within walking distance and a few about 20 minutes drive away so it’s easily accessible if you are in the North East or North West of the island. ‘West is best’ – you may have heard this before. I don’t totally agree with this as the whole of Mauritius is beautiful however, this mainly applies to the fact that the West Coast is very sheltered from the winds coming in from the East. This will mainly apply if you are travelling in the UK summer months as this is when it is Winter in Mauritius. So, any other time of the year and you won’t be overly affected. The West coast is where the Capital city of Port Louis lies. This is worth a visit for the day to check out the markets selling everything from fabrics to spices and just getting a feel for the busiest part of the island. The sleepy south as it’s known is a great location for people looking to stay within their hotel for meal times and make use of their all inclusive and all the activities the hotel has to offer. There isn’t a busy town in this area but there is the Heritage Nature Reserve (Formerly known as Frederica Nature Reserve). Here you will find breath taking views, vast plains where stags parade majestically, impressive waterfalls and intact natural beauty all on your doorstep. In the East you will find is the perfect location for surfers and kite surfers especially in the UK Summer month’s as this is when it is more windy in Mauritius and this is the coast you are likely to feel it. The rest of the year it is still a good location to stay in and is close to the airport so transfers are shorter. What can I do in Mauritius? You may now have a bit of an idea on the location you would like to stay in but what would you like to do on your holiday? Mauritius is an ideal destination if you are looking to stop, relax and unwind. With many hotels having a very comprehensive all inclusive you will be sure to find the perfect one for you. If you like the idea of relaxing on a sunbed letting your indulgent breakfast go down before heading out for an afternoon snorkel trip then sipping on your cocktails while watching the sunset then that’s what you can do. Most hotels located on the coast will have direct access onto the beach with some even being beachfront rooms. If you’re an early riser and like to head out after breakfast for a day of adventure then maybe Half board will be better for you offering breakfast and your evening meal ready for when you return from your day trips. Here is a list of some of the things you can do while in Mauritius: • Casela World of Adventures – This is like a nature park rather than a zoo, offering the chance to walk with lions, have breakfast with the giraffes, take a trip on the toboggan and zip wire across the Mauritius forest. • Snorkelling and diving around the lagoon as well as boat trips to take you out deeper. • Sunset boat trips. Some of my favourite sunset snaps have been in Mauritius. • Grand Baie – For the harbour town, Bazaars, local nightlife with restaurants and bars. • Port Louis - Why not see the capital city of the destination you have chosen to visit. • Waterfalls – There are quite a few different spots for checking out the waterfalls, mainly down the South and South West of the island. • Adrenaline activities – These include Canyoning, Mountain Climbing, Rock Climbing and Hiking. • Swimming with wild dolphins – It’s not like other places, these are wild Dolphins, so you don’t get to touch them. You snorkel around in the ocean while a pod or pods of dolphins jump and click happily around you. • Seven Coloured Earth - The Seven Coloured Earths are a geological formation and prominent tourist attraction found in the Chamarel plain. It is a relatively small area of sand dunes comprising sand of seven distinct colours. • Pamplemousses Botanical Garden – This is the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere. • Helicopter trip over the island – Discover what Mauritius looks like with a bird’s eye view. There are still many more things for you do in Mauritius but they are some of the one’s I have experienced myself and the one’s I would recommend. Mauritius is a destination for all the family, whether you are wanting to travel as a group and have a villa, travelling as a family with younger or older children, going away as friends or a romantic getaway/ honeymoon or even getting married there is a hotel for everyone. Please feel free to get in touch if you would like to discuss the possible options for you to go to this stunning island and I will help suggest the most suitable hotel and location to meet your needs.

27 July 2019

Where do I start with Cape Town? South Africa as a country must be my favourite country and I have been lucky enough to visit 4 times in the last 11 years but still haven’t managed to visit all the great areas of interest and beauty. Why go to Cape Town? Why not is the real question. Cape Town is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world and I couldn’t agree more. Cape Town has a real laid back vibe and atmosphere. The backdrop of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and Signal Hill just adds a whole load of scenic beauty to it as well as some adventurous activities to get you up and down the mountain and hills. Eating out Most people would have heard of the V&A Waterfront (Victoria and Alfred). This is the social tourist hub of Cape Town. Although you can be staying in any location to see the main sights of Cape Town this has become the most popular due to its abundance of shops, restaurants, bars and markets. Set right on the harbour you often see yachts pulling in and the odd friendly seal bobbing about. The nightlife is fantastic with many restaurants offering great meat and fresh seafood and at such reasonable prices. Super cheap prices compared to the UK and excellent quality. Eating and drinking all over South Africa will not cost you much at all. For example, a 200g fillet steak could cost you approx. £7.50! If you are a foodie like me, you will be in your element. Even if you aren’t you will be astonished by the choice, quality and prices. You have a good mixture of fine dining down to tasty local food. One restaurant I would recommend if you enjoy seafood or sushi is the ‘Codfather’ in Camp’s Bay. You select the size you want, and they weigh it before cooking to tell you the price. Make sure you give the Biltong a try, it’s an air-dried meat and is perfect as a bar snack. How to get about. Cape Town does not have a tram and underground service as it’s just not big enough to need that. They use Uber a lot as its well-priced, alternatively hop on an open top bus from £14.00 per person for a 1-day pass or £20.00 per person for a 2-day pass. This is a fun way of getting around the city if you don’t fancy hiring a car or getting an Uber. It means you can tick off many attractions in one day. If you would prefer to be guided, then choose to do your excursions privately and tailor your holiday to suit your needs. Car hire is extremely popular in South Africa as they drive on the same side of the road as the UK, they have good quality roads and sat nav’s available to hire. The big bonus is that the insurance is all included in the car hire price rather than all the additional extras you must add on in USA. Many hotels have car parks if not there is street parking nearby. If you like to be independent without following a structure to your holiday then I would recommend car hire as you can then take yourself off to the main attractions whenever you want as there are also a few on the outskirts and just outside of the city. It’s ideal if you want to do the famous Garden Route. Places to tick off your list. • Table Mountain – How can you go to Cape Town and not go up Table Mountain? If the wind is low and there is no cloud cover then get yourself to the cable car and up the mountain on your first opportunity as the cable car closes when it’s windy or cloudy. Always have this planned in on your first opportunity to start site-seeing. • Robben Island - This is where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated and hosts many tourists each year. It’s a short ferry across to the island. You can expect your time at the museum and trip to and from the island to last around 3.5hrs. • Cape Point and Peninsula – This can be done by driving yourself or with a guide. You’ll get to pass Boulders beach (Penguins living on the beach), Hout Bay, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and Simon’s Town. This is the most southerly point of the Cape Peninsula and has a dramatic cliff scene where the Atlantic and Indian Ocean meet. • Winelands - There are many wine regions surrounding Cape Town. Stellenbosch is the atmospheric university town, Franschhoek is a beautiful town set in a valley surrounded by mountains and take you back to the South of France with its French name and influence. Both are approx. 2hrs drive away. Or if you would like something a little closer then visit Constantia Wine Region which is only 45 minutes from the centre of Cape Town. • Bo Kaap - Formerly known as the Malay Quarter. It is a former township, situated on the slopes of Signal Hill above the city centre and is a historical centre of Cape Malay culture in Cape Town. Each building is painted in bold bright colours and is an Instagrammers dream photo spot. • Whale Watching - Organised tours can pick you up from your hotel and take you to Gansbaai near the quant town of Hermanus about 2.5hrs away. The best season or this is June – December. • Shark Cage Diving – This operates of the same area as the whale watching. This is something I ticked off my bucket list in May 2018. It’s not for the faint hearted or anyone that suffers from seasickness but maybe that was just my unlucky day. Still, I got in the cage and it was one of the best things I’ve ever experienced. As you can see there is loads to do and still many more so depending on your plans for the rest of your holiday, I would say you need at least 4 nights in the city, more if you have time. Get in touch if you would like to have a chat about your next trip to Cape Town.

27 July 2019

Have you been on an African safari? If the answer is yes, then you will appreciate everything I have to say, and you are one of the privileged people to have experienced the African dream. If your answer is no, then let me give you a little insight into why an African safari needs to be on your bucket list and can hopefully be something you can tick off more than once in your life. In June 2019 I returned home from my third trip to Kenya and my eighth time to Africa as a continent. This trip was particularly special as it was my partner’s first trip to Africa. Having sold luxury holidays to Africa for the past 11 years I have a huge passion for Africa and my partner couldn’t quite work out why I loved it so much. He was about to find out. When is the best time to travel? We travelled to Kenya In June as it’s just after rainy season (end of March, April and May) so it was nice and dry. It is also just before the peak travel season of July and August which also happens to be when the migration takes place. What is the migration you may ask? It’s when millions of wildebeest are travelling from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya. They do this every year and can arrive as early as late June and head back to the Serengeti in September/October. This in itself is a breath-taking sight, but not only will you see millions of wildebeest you will have the chance to see the action unfold as well. Following the migration, you often have the cats out for an easy meal or a crocodile waiting along the riverbanks for them to cross. Your game drive experience is often heightened but just remember there will be a lot more people there at this time of the year too. Other than the rains Kenya is still a year-round destination with warm temperatures and is usually dry during the day. What are the Big 5? The lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo. We were lucky enough to tick them all off in 1 day plus see them again on other game drives. Leopard and rhino are extremely rare to see. How did we get there? We took a fantastic 1-hour flight in a 12-seater plane straight into the Masai Mara. As we came into land our pilot gave us a guided tour of what was happening on the ground. We flew over herds of elephants, giraffe and the famous Mara River. Upon landing we had a 5-minute drive to our camp. Within this 5-minute journey we had been welcomed by a huge troop of baboons, buffalo, giraffes and many smaller animals. Everything was right there ready and waiting to be spotted. A typical day on safari. We arrived at 11am into the Mara, had a quick briefing about the camp and what we would do on our 4-night stay and were taken to our luxury tent overlooking the Mara River with a couple of crocs and hippos relaxing on the bank. Don’t worry, we were quite a few feet up the riverbank. After a lovely warm rain shower, we headed back to the main area for a delicious lunch overlooking the bush. The Mongoose and Pumba’s (warthogs) liked to take a stroll around the camp and check out what’s for lunch (they aren’t fed). Head back to your tent for a bit of relaxation or a nap before heading back out at 15:30. This was my favourite part of the day. We went out in our open 4x4 vehicle for a 3-hour game drive. The cooler hours of the day are when the animals are more active, and you have the best chance of spotting them. Watching an African sunset is magical! Back to camp at 18:30 we sat on the main deck overlooking the hippos in the river with a drink in hand and some bar snacks. The chattering of other guests comparing stories and what they had seen that day brought a very comfortable communal feel. 8pm and its time for an a la carte dinner. Having a dedicated waiter and separate barman was great, he knew our drinks order before we sat down and it was great to have the same staff for every meal giving the real personal touch to our stay. After dinner we took our drinks and sat on benches around the fire with other fellow safari goers, sometimes joined by a hippo taking a stroll off to eat some fresh grass. We were surprised to find a lovely turn down service including a hot water bottle in our bed which was a lovely touch. Our personal wakeup call with hot chocolate and biscuits at 5:45. 06:30 head off on your morning game drive for 2.5hrs to see what other animals will be ticked off. You can decide to either head back to the camp at 09:00 for a freshly cooked breakfast or decide to extend your game drive and have a picnic breakfast of sausages, bacon and pancakes in the bush, usually heading back around 11:30 so not to miss lunch. Your days then generally follow the same structure, but a game drive is never the same as the last, you don’t know what you might see or what ‘safari dramas’ may happen. How about a hot air balloon ride? This was my first experience in a hot air balloon, and I got to do it in my favourite place! 04:30 you are off to the balloon staging site. After a safety briefing, we climbed into the basket and we were ready to go. As the sun rose in the early morning African sky so did we. The pilot explained that the balloon is driven by the wind so as we glided through the sky he took us up and down at different heights for spectacular views over the Masai Mara and the animals who lived with in it. Elephants were a great sighting at this height. Spotting them from afar with your binoculars and then majestically gliding over the herd and watching them go about their business. 1 hour in the African sky was not enough but all good things must come to an end. After a fun but bumpy landing we were driven off to where a champagne breakfast awaits in the bush! What better way to end a once in a lifetime experience than sitting on a little stall eating freshly made scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon and fresh fruit? They even cooked fresh crepes using the balloon gas cylinders. Once everyone was finished, we hopped back into the vehicle and head out on our 3 hour game drive which was now over the other side of the Mara River from where our camp was. To our excitement we caught a black rhino and her calf wandering through the vegetation. A quick snap on the camera and she was gone. This was such a rare sight that everyone back at camp was very jealous as we had managed to tick off the final member of the Big Five. What a fantastic holiday this was!