Orang-utan video guide

Using a combination of photographs and maps two of our Southeast Asia specialists – Pat and Sarah - describe their own experiences of seeing orang-utan in Malaysian Borneo and Indonesia.

Simply click on the video play button above to view it in full.

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The world’s rarest otter has been rediscovered in Borneo

The hairy-nosed otter was pictured in the Deramakot Forest Reserve in Sabah.

From elephants to orang-utan, Borneo is one of the world’s jewels in terms of wildlife. Unfortunately, a sizable portion of this wildlife – much of it endemic – has become endangered or even extinct due mainly to habitat loss. However, thanks to a camera trap set by conservation scientists, at least one rare otter has been rediscovered.

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Audley quiz night update: how the money will be spent

The home page of the James House website.

A week ago we held a quiz night which raised over £600 for two African charities we support – Uthando in South Africa, and the Mara Rianda Charitable Trust in Kenya. We’ve just received these emails from them describing in detail how this money will be spent and just how valuable these contributions will be.

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Audley quiz night raises over £600 for two African charities

'Uthando South Africa' is a registered non-profit organisation based in Cape Town.

Each year, the Africa team organises a fund-raiser quiz for the staff of Audley, and this year it took a Family Fortunes theme, with the various departments battling it out through various rounds for the champion’s trophy! Nearly 80 people came along to support the event, which was a really fantastic turnout.

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‘Orangutan Rescue’ on Sky TV

The Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sepilok, Malaysian Borneo.

If you’re lucky enough to be a Sky subscriber you might like to know Orangutan Rescue premieres tonight and highlights the plight of these magnificent but very much endangered animals.

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British Museum exhibition: ancient Egyptians’ journey from death to the afterlife

Statue at Luxor Museum, Egypt

If you’ve been to Egypt or are considering a trip there in the near future you might like to know there is a major related exhibition this autumn at the British Museum.

This exhibition focuses on the ancient Egyptians’ journey from death to the afterlife, focusing on the famous Book of the Dead. This ‘Book’ was not a single text but a compilation of spells designed to guide the deceased through the dangers of the underworld, ultimately ensuring eternal life.

The exhibition will be displaying many never before seen papyrus and linen texts, some over 3,500 years old. There will also be funerary figurines, amulets and jewellery on display.

Exhibition details

For more details visit the British Museum website.

Use your iPhone to help save the mountain gorillas

gorillaapp.com, the website where you can get the new iPhone gorilla app.

If you have an iPhone you can now download “iGorilla”, the first app dedicated to supporting the plight of Africa’s endangered mountain gorilla.

The app allows uses of iPhones and iPads to follow the daily lives of gorillas in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, through reports, photgraphs and videos.

It costs $4 (about £3), most of which goes towards the conservation of the gorillas.

To find out more visit www.gorillaapp.com

India: Where your £s go further

Possibly India's most iconic building, the Taj Mahal in Agra.

A recent survey by Thomas Cook has shown that India is easily the best place in terms of making your £s go further.

Their 2010 Cost of Living survey shows that you can buy a beer there for the equivalent of just 68 pence, and if you want a three course meal to go with it, you’ll pay just £5.48.

In fact, the top six are all places that Audley can arrange tailor-made trips to:

Singapore’s new ‘eco-friendly’ airport lounge opens

Singapore is a popular stopover destination.

As I’m sure you’ll agree spending time in an airport these days is something to be endured rather than enjoyed, but thanks to the new “green” premium lounge in at least one, this no longer needs to be the case.

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Audley at the Chelsea Flower Show

The Malaysian garden at the Chelsea Flower Show

Our Southeast Asia Programme Manager, Natalie Lewis, was the guest of the Minister of Tourism from Malaysia at the Chelsea Flower Show on Wednesday last week. The Malaysia garden received a Gold Award for their garden entitled “Spirit of Malaysia Garden”.

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