New BBC Series, ‘Ancient Egypt – Life and Death in the Valley of the Kings’

Madinat Habu on the West Bank of Luxor, Upper Egypt

Madinat Habu on the West Bank of Luxor, Upper Egypt

If you’re planning a trip to Egypt and want to find out about its ancient history, or have already visited this incredible country, and have become fascinated by its past as a result, then you might want to tune in this evening to the new BBC2 series, ‘Ancient Egypt – Life and Death in the Valley of the Kings’.

This new two-part series follows Egyptologist, Dr Joann Fletcher as she delves into what life was like for ordinary citizens living 3,500 years ago in the Valley of the Kings.

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Audley client story: climbing Mount Kinabalu

Views from Mount Kinabalu

Views from Mount Kinabalu

We often get emails from those who wish to put their trip into words such was the impression it left upon them. Here is just one such case in which Grace Hui describes an event she participated in while on a recent Audley trip to Malaysian Borneo.

She’d already visited the Sepilok Nature Reserve, a haven for the endangered orang-utan, and travelled down the Kinabatangan River to spend two nights at the Abai Jungle Resort. Here she was surrounded by exotic wildlife as well as the more mundane, such as the wild bearded pig locally known as “Junior” who would appear like clockwork every dinner time.

Perhaps her most vivid memory however came near the end of her trip when she took part in a two-day climb to the top of Malaysian Borneo’s highest peak, Mount Kinabalu. It’s this event which she recounts here.

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Big breakfasts raise money for Comic Relief

Delicious Indian breakfast

Delicious Indian breakfast

Last Friday the kitchens here at Audley were buzzing. The smell of eggs, bacon, sausages and pancakes and many other breakfast combinations filled the air, all in aid of Comic Relief.

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Today is the 200th anniversary of the birth of David Livingstone

David Livingstone was the first European to set eyes on Victoria Falls

David Livingstone was the first European to set eyes on Victoria Falls

I descended the narrow steps below St Monica’s Guesthouse and found myself in a small underground vault hewn out of the rock with hefty wooden beams covering it. In the semi-darkness just ahead was a large waist high stone platform, bolted to which were lengths of rusting iron chain. It was these that held in place its human cargo. I was in Stone Town, on the island of Zanzibar, following some of the physical remnants of the slave trade.

The cross in Christchurch Cathedral

The cross in Christ Church Cathedral, Stone Town, Zanzibar

A two minute walk from here I found myself staring at an incongruous sight: an English-style Anglican cathedral called “Christ Church”. It was built over the island’s largest slave market, the alter apparently positioned over the exact spot where the whipping-post stood. I went in and on the left-hand side against the fourth pillar was a large wooden cross with a simple inscription. It read: “This crucifix is made from the wood of the tree under which Dr Livingstone died at Chitambo village, Hala, Zambia 1873, and under which his heart buried [sic].”

I’d been travelling in Africa for six months, first down the continent’s French-speaking western side, through places like Mauritania, Benin, Ghana and Nigeria. Now I was journeying down its eastern flank, passing through Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia and into the game-rich parts so beloved by the wildlife documentary makers, places like Kenya and Tanzania.

Seeing this cross and reading its message was my first tangible connection to the great Victorian explorer, missionary and slave trade abolitionist, David Livingstone. A few weeks later our paths would cross again, quite literally, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

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Puma spotted at El Remanso Lodge, Costa Rica

Tony and Jenny Duval have recently returned from a trip to Costa Rica. They stayed at El Remanso Lodge and caught footage of this female Puma on camera.  She’s a regular visitor and has been seen several times in the last couple of months.

Hidden in the rainforest above a secluded and wild beach, El Remanso Lodge is located on the Osa Peninsula and offers some fantastic wildlife excursions, from early morning bird watching to late night tours of the forest.  Set in its own 150 acre reserve,  there is a restaurant with stunning views and a small swimming pool.

There are plenty of activities on offer, including waterfall rapelling for the more adventurous, canopy tree platform tours,  hiking in Corcovado National Park and horseback rides through the rainforest and beaches.

To discuss a trip to Costa Rica or a stay at El Remanso call our specialists on 01993 838 665. Alternatively find out more on our website or make an enquiry online.

Audley clients raise money for Cambodian charity

YouTube Preview Image

Liz and Robert Morris recently returned from an Audley trip to Cambodia, in which they saw not only the rich culture and beautiful buildings and temples of this magnificent country (I speak from experience), but also the stark reality of the grinding poverty many people have to endure daily, particularly children.

Determined to do something to help, Liz wrote an email to one of our Cambodia specialist’s, Laura, detailing how she is trying to make a difference. This included setting up her own fundraising page and creating some nice slideshows on YouTube, one of which she narrated herself and which I’ve included above.

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Staff photography competition

Dunhuang Singing Sand Dunes, China by Katie Stearn

Every year here at Audley we hold a staff photography competition, an opportunity for our staff to enter their favourite photos taken on their travels.  There are three categories for this competition: People, Landscapes and Wildlife.

This year the standard, as usual, was exceptional.  See the winning photos above and below. Staff voted for their favourites as part of a pub quiz evening to raise money for the charity Friends of Conservation.

Wildlife

Leopard cub in South Africa by Scott Simpson

People

Nokpa clansman, Papua New Guinea by Mark Robinson

Leftover foreign currency

Audley also asks clients for any leftover currency when they return from their trips. This gets sent off to a currency company who convert it to sterling, which we then donate to charity. The last amount donated was a massive £1,375 which also got donated to Friends of Conservation, not bad for leftover small change!

To find out more about our work with charities visit our website. To find out more about life at Audley visit our careers website.

Visiting Japan? Take a look at these blogs

Being part of the e-Commerce team here at Audley, I often come across blogs and websites that are well worth a visit. While doing a bit of research into Japan recently, I discovered two such blogs: Continue reading »

Win a trip to Morocco with Bob Books and Audley!

Bob Books are running a competition to win a trip to Morocco with Audley.

If you’ve ever wanted to immortalise a holiday, family celebration, childhood or even your pets to calendar, wall art, or perhaps a hardback, it’s likely you would have heard of a wonderful company called Bob Books. With Bob Books you can download their free design software and, using your own photos, create your very own keepsake, which they will then print and send to you.

To celebrate the launch of their brand new website, Bob Books are giving away a trip for two to Marrakesh, in conjunction with Audley.  This fantastic prize includes:

  • Flights for 2 people from London to Marrakesh
  • Two nights at the Riad Al Massarah including breakfast
  • Private transfer from airport to Riad Al Massarah
  • A private guided tour of Marrakesh

To enter this competition, simply visit the Bob Books website and answer the very easy question. Good Luck!

New Channel 4 series: Ottolenghi’s Mediterranean Feast

Cookery course at the La Maison Arabe in Marrakesh

Cookery course at the La Maison Arabe in Marrakesh

Our North Africa and Middle East team review Channel 4’s new series, Yotam Ottolenghi’s Mediterranean Feast and share their love of Moroccan cuisine, which featured in the first episode.

“Yotam Ottolenghi’s Mediterranean Feast, which was shown on Channel 4 last Sunday (24th February) was another reminder to the North Africa and Middle East team here at Audley as to why we love visiting the region. This is a four part series which sees the chef visit the northern Mediterranean, including Morocco, Turkey, Tunisia and Israel. On Sunday, Ottolenghi visited Morocco, treating us to a riot of flavours, colours and cookery techniques. From Marrakesh to the High Atlas mountains, and then on to Essaouira, Yotam did a wonderful job of showcasing the huge range of Moroccan food available on a visit to the country. From grilled lamb with fresh herbs and spices, prepared on the roof of a traditional riad in Marrakesh, to rustic cooking in the home of a Berber family in High Atlas, and fresh fish balls prepared on a traditional blue boat on the coast.  This was a wonderful reminder that Moroccan cuisine really is a melting pot of many different influences, tastes and flavours. Much more than a pot of hummus from the local supermarket!

Cookery courses are a wonderful way to really get under the skin of a country and these can be easily included as part of a trip to Morocco. Our favourite is at the La Maison Arabe in Marrakesh where local chefs will not only teach you the art of traditional home cooking, as Yotam experienced, but also include a trip into the medina where you can select and buy your ingredients. His trip closely matches our classic Marrakesh, Mountains and coast itinerary, so if food is your thing, this is certainly a journey to consider!

If you missed the programme then it’s available to watch online through Channel 4′s on demand service, but be warned it will make you hungry!”

  • Episode one (Sunday 24th February): Morocco
  • Episode Two (Sunday 3rd March): Istanbul
  • Episode Three (Sunday 10th March): Tunisia
  • Episode Four (Sunday 17th March): Israel

To find out about a tailor-made trip to Morocco or other destinations in North Africa and the Middle East with Audley, call one of our specialists on 01993 838 400 or contact us online.