Travel Tuesday
It all started back in early 2006, when I was having a chat with a travel agent friend of mine about life in general. I was lamenting the fact that I had got to a stage where, as much as I love my travelling and definitely wanted to keep travelling with my daughter, I did not necessarily want it to be just us given she was getting that bit older. And how we were starting to feel a little restricted given her school requirements were growing, as was she. Not being terribly fond of organised group tours either, I was in a bit of a quandary as to what to do.
Yes, we had already toured the UK when she was 18 months old, cruised around Singapore and Thailand when she was 4 years old, and then sang as part of a Gospel Tour through New Orleans (just as Hurricane Katrina was arriving), Memphis, Chicago and New York when she was 7 years old; all in all not a bad looking itinerary thus far. What to do next?
And then he said to me, "Would you be interested in going to Africa?" "Would I?" I replied. "That would be the best place I could take her to."
I then explained how I had visited approximately 7 countries in Africa in 1996, and how I was keen to take my girl back there and introduce her to the places that I love. He then proceeded to say how he was part of an invitation only, family run safari adventure that was being organised, and planned to be away Christmas/New Year '06-'07. But the best news was that they were one family short, an original family had pulled out due to personal reasons. Well, you could have knocked me down with a feather! Without a second thought I locked us in to be the additional family, and our next exploit was planned just like that. Had no idea how on earth I was going to fund it at this stage, but hey, why let fact get in the way of a good adventure!
What has subsequently happened is that the travel agent and his wife and daughter, and my daughter and I, have become the #1 travel team. Not only did we do Africa together, in April/May this year we did Spain and Morocco, and have the next one planned for Peru and Bolivia in Dec '10/Jan '11. How exciting!
Next week, beginning in Africa, I'll share some of our more memorable experiences and a few photos.
I hope you'll enjoy them.
Happy Travels
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