by - 0 comments

How I Fell in Love with Africa and Safaris

Bushtops Serengeti

Bushtops Exterior

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Africa ended up being everything I thought it wasn’t and so much more.  I was completely dumbfounded by the beauty, wildlife, people, and high level of service and sophistication in the hotels, and camps.  I returned from that trip a total convert, wanting to share this “secret” with everyone I knew.  And the seed was planted for my African Safari business.

I travel with my six sisters every year and when we had been most places one sister suggested Africa. I did not want to go and fussed for two weeks, eventually agreeing to go under duress. On the flight to Kenya I immediately began to feel the sweetness of Africa when I heard the lilt of the flight attendant’s voices.  By the time I returned home I was hook, line and sinker in love with the people, the land and game viewing.  It was like a wild place between Iowa farms where I grew up and it felt like home.  I realized that Africa was my passion and what I had to do in life.

There are so many clients with ideas similar to what I had before my first trip to Africa.  They are afraid to travel there, thinking it is full of nasty critters, hot, humid and a primitive third world.  My husband was one of those people who said, “Why would I travel all that way, when I can see it on the Discovery Chanel?”  I wrote journals of my trips without him and after reading the 5th trip journal he decided to join me. Now he is hooked and will not let me go without him, unless it is for a convention.  When clients know my story they can relate.  They often have the exact same misunderstandings I did. Knowing I have high standards for travel as they do, they decide to travel to Africa.  I email them one of my journals from the country they are thinking to visiting so they will have an idea of what to expect.  They all come home as entranced with Africa as I am.  Better yet, almost all of them go back to Africa and sometimes frequently.  Upon arrival home most of them tell me their Africa safari was the high water mark of all their travels.  It is truly a magic place.

 

 

 

 

 

by - 0 comments

You might be wondering what types of deo

You might be wondering what types of deodorant have to go in the baggies, and what types don’t. That is a question often asked.

• Stick deodorant is fine in any size. Powders and crystals are good to go as well.
• Spray, Gel, Liquid, Cream, Pastes, and Roll-On deodorants need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces and placed in a clear quart-sized baggie.
Or, you always have the option of placing deodorant in your checked baggage if you’re checking a bag.

by - 0 comments

AndBeyond sets romantic packages to Afri

AndBeyond sets romantic packages to Africa
By Dorine Reinstein
In true Valentine’s Day spirit, AndBeyond is offering two new romantic packages to Africa.

The Masai Romance and Sultry Beaches package takes travelers on an eight-day adventure to Kenya. Guests will spend one night in Nairobi where they can experience a close encounter with a giraffe at the Giraffe Centre or with a baby elephant at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. They then spend three nights all-inclusive at AndBeyond Bateleur Camp on the Masai Mara National Reserve known for its excellent Big Five game-viewing and four nights all-inclusive in Mombasa known for its beautiful, safe beaches and excellent diving. Prices start from $4,251 per person, sharing, a saving of $1,191 per person. The special is available from April 5 to June 30.

The tour operator is also offering a slightly more cosmopolitan African adventure with four nights on safari departing from Johannesburg and two nights in Cape Town. This special includes one night in Johannesburg, two nights all-inclusive at AndBeyond’s Ngala Private Game Reserve known for its leopard and wild dog sightings and two nights all-inclusive at andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, known for its cheetah and black rhino sightings. The trip then takes guests to Cape Town for two nights. Prices start from $5,260 per person sharing, a saving of $530 per person and is available through Nov. 30.

http://ow.ly/i/4sSHx

by - 0 comments

Thieves Want Your Frequent Flyer Miles T

Thieves Want Your Frequent Flyer Miles
Thieves Want Your Frequent Flyer Miles
Posted by George Hobica on Tuesday, June 18, 2013

When was the last time you changed the password and user name for your frequent flyer account? If you’re like most people, it was probably on the 12th of never. Miles are like money, and that’s why, as this report explains, thieves and scam artists are stealing miles from unwary consumers’ accounts, spending them on flights, selling them, or using them for other nefarious purposes.

Whether you have 25,000 miles or 250,000 or 2.5 million, you need to protect them.
What’s amazing is that some people, for example those signed up for United’s MileagePlus program, only use an account number and a four-digit pin code to get into their accounts. If someone gets hold of your boarding pass with your frequent flyer account number on it, how hard is it for an experienced hacker to work through the possible four-digit combinations to get into your account? It’s probably the easiest password combination to figure out. So be sure never to leave a boarding pass where someone else can find it. Shred them just like you would any sensitive document.

In addition to hacking into accounts the old fashioned way, thieves are using phishing techniques, as this alert from Delta explains. It’s easy to change your user name, PIN and password on some airlines’ sites. On United.com, for example, go to MileagePlus>My Account>Profile>Username>edit. It’s a good idea to change your password every so often, just as you would with any important account.

And airlines need to do their part too. Frequent flyer account security is woefully inadequate. They should start requiring members to set up challenge questions (“What color was your first car?”) and remind them to change passwords regularly. But consumers need to be alert, as well. Check your accounts as often as you check other assets, such as bank balances, to make sure nothing is amiss. If miles are missing, contact your airline immediately and ask for restitution, although this may not be a simple task.

by - 0 comments

The stripes of a zebra have caused much

The stripes of a zebra have caused much speculation as to the why they exist. Certainly in dappled light, in a herd, they help to dazzle a predator. The white stripe also acts as a window to deflect heat. All zebra patterns are like our finger prints in that they are all individuals and foals have to imprint their mother’s coat pattern at an early stage in life. The

by - 0 comments

Kier Matthews, Vice President of Sales f

Kier Matthews, Vice President of Sales for Europe Express, recently shared his list of “must-haves” for a trip to Europe.
1. iPad – Loaded with books and movies for entertainment, and it’s also not bad for catching up on emails on the go.
2. Vanity Fair magazines – Can’t get enough highbrow gossip and fashion.
3. Brookstone eye pillow – Blocks out the light.
4. Leather weekender – I strongly dislike dragging a suitcase over cobblestone streets and sidewalks.
5. Dark suit – I can wear it as separates or as a suit for meetings. Add several vibrant shirts and you are styled for days.
6. Note cards – To write thank you notes on the go. Manners, manners, manners.
7. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream – Flying really dries my skin. In my opinion this is the best daily moisturizer on the market.
8. Clinique eye serum – Helps end eye puffiness after a flight and is refreshing.
9. Lip balm – Can never have enough of this.
10. Multi vitamins – Helps me flight off colds and fatigue.
11. Noise canceling head phones – No explanation needed.
12. Scarf – An easy way to add a pop of color and stay warm on cool evenings.

What’s on your list? Share in the comments below!