Group Trip Highlights
Here I've linked to photos from past group expeditions. If you are thinking about a trip to any of these destinations or beyond, call me for travel advice and I would be
happy to help you orchestrate something similar and equally wonderful.
I'll be adding more photos -- check back later!"
EGYPT and JORDAN - Fall 2007
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"Walk like an Egyptian"
Our 18-day journey through Egypt and Jordan was pretty spectacular. We bargained our way through the ancient open-air market of Khan el Khalili… meandered through King Tut’s amazing
collection at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo… toured the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx… sailed on a local felucca in Aswan… explored fabled Abu Simbel… skirted the edges of
the Nile River on a “First-Class” train to Luxor (remind me to tell you THAT story over a cocktail some evening, along with a similar tale of our overnight “First-Class” train
journey in India)… dined at the famous Old Cataract 1902 restaurant where “Death on the Nile” was written by Agatha Christie and much of the movie of the same name was filmed… hot-air
ballooned over Thebes and the Valley of the Kings… strolled Karnak Temple in what seemed like 110° weather (in the shade)… scuba dove in the Red Sea at Sharm El Sheikh (off the
shores of the same resort where Condoleezza Rice visited days before – we even procured the same suite where she resided during the peace summit)… 4X4’d into the depths of Wadi Rum and
rode out on camels a la Lawrence of Arabia after an overnight stay in a goat-hair Bedouin tent with traditional Zarb dinner… traipsed through Petra (where another celebrity, Ted Turner,
walked along the same rock-cut path the following day)… and cooked traditional cuisine alongside local Jordanian women. We ended the journey at the lowest place on earth – the Dead Sea – for
a little dead man’s float of our own. Several bobs in the salted sea followed by black mud baths at our luxurious shoreline spa were the salubrious end to our Middle Eastern wandering.
THAILAND - Spring 2007
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“A little more Bangkok for your Baht”
Thailand truly was "More Bangkok for your Baht" with the combination of urban Bangkok, shopper's-haven Chiang Mai, and
the idyllic beaches of Phuket along with cultural visits to rivers, remote jungles and villages, and off shore islands in between. Traveling is not always about how far, long or remote you go in your
travel experience; it is also about how deep you go into the lives and the customs of the people who inhabit the land where you visit. Our journey offered authentic experiences and plenty of time
to mingle with old and new travel friends. Some of my personal highlights along the way included: Nightly (yep, nightly) hour-long foot massages and reflexology for 200 Baht ($6)... Crunching on deep
fried grasshoppers and Thai-spiced ants, and drinking local beer in Bangkok... Sipping expensive cocktails at the “Dome” under the stars overlooking the Chao Phraya River and all of Bangkok
... Enjoying some unique entertainment in Patpong as well as watching Izzy shake her groove thing on stage... Exquisite dining with good friends at Le Normandie atop the fabulous Oriental Hotel … Cooking
Thai food at chef Sompon Nabnian's country-side Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School... Elephant trekking and bamboo rafting in Chiang Dao (on the same river where they were filming the last scenes of
'Rambo IV')... Shopping
throughout Chiang Mai’s night markets … Sailing aboard “Seraph”, a 106-year old private yacht in the Andaman Sea at sunset... Canoeing through dark, bat-infested sea caves
and island inlets in Phang Nga Bay with my mother (mom, you rock!)... Bobbing in the massive Le Meridian pools with umbrella'd beverages in hand… If you are thinking about a trip to South East
Asia, put Thailand at the top of your list. It is an undervalued diamond in the rough
PERU - Fall 2006
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“Jungle Fever and a little Mucho Macho Machu Picchu”
Traveling is not always about how far, long or remote you go in your travel experience; it is also about how deep you
go into the lives and the customs of the people who inhabit the land where you visit. The combination of both high adventure along the mighty Amazon and cultural immersion visits to remote jungle and
mountain villages throughout Peru brought us in touch with both nature and the natives. This journey offered authentic experiences: a first-class private voyage deep in the jungles of the Amazon River
aboard our chartered 28-passenger jungle boat, La Amatista as well as an extension to Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cuzco punctuated by mysterious Inca spirituality and history, frequent
visits with local craftspeople, "Day of the Dead” celebrations, and abundant and
delicious Peruvian cuisine. Highlights included: Strolling the Barranco and Miraflores districts in Lima for shops and fabulous eateries… Sighting colorful rare birds, monkeys and sloths, and
catching piranhas by day and caimans by night in the mighty Amazon… Hydrating with local Cusquena beers and Pisco Sours on our chartered 28-passenger jungle boat, La Amatista... Feeling heart-warmed
and humbled by impromptu village visits and cultural exchanges with local children... Luxuriating at Sol Y Luna and soaking up the beautiful and culturally-rich Sacred Valley… Hiking the Ollantaytambo
ruins all astronomically lined up on the solstices... Trekking the Inca Trail to the Sun Gate overlooking Machu Picchu just as the sun peeked through a couple scattered clouds on an otherwise remarkably
crystal clear day ... Witnessing local life throughout Peru at the open markets, town squares, and cemeteries on All Souls Day ... Enjoying Cuzco at 12,000 feet...
INDIA - Fall 2005
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“Himalayan On Me”
Our expedition to India was culturally rich with pangs of enlightenment. It is a country of extremes, just like the river Ganges – beautiful beyond compare and often vile (or at least misunderstood
by our Western eyes) beyond belief. The river's water nurtures the life that also pollutes and strangles it. Indians do laundry and bathe in it for blessing and absolution of sin, and then climb the ghat
steps, squat down and urinate on the side of the building. Children step over Brahma and human waste, carrying candles and garlands of flowers which they sell to the pilgrims on their way to the river.
Multi-colored kites fly over flat roofed buildings with brightly colored people flowing in and out. All the colors give up and mix into an increasingly uniform brown layer on the ground. Quite a beautiful
contrast, really. The ubiquitous honking of every vehicle on every road, cries of children, street vendors trying to be heard, chirping of birds, barking of dogs, bellowing of cows, screaming of verminous
monkeys, scents of masala spice blends and burning incense, and the chanting singing drums and bells of religion all echo between the brick and concrete confusion of the city. Our journey left an indelible
mark – non-western traditions, arranged marriages, casts and impoverished villages invokes debates, reflection and humility. It reinforced an appreciation for life in America with freedom of choice
and opportunity. It sparked conversations of spirituality, traditions and prosperity or lack thereof, and - just as I suspected and was promised – it was difficult to return home unchanged without
a myriad of thoughts and feelings. Cliché maybe, but it WAS life changing…
THAILAND - Fall 2001
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“Thai One On”
Like multicolored gems adorning an heirloom necklace, Asia’s sparkling cities are intriguing at a distance and enchanting up close. Unlike more orderly Asian cities like Tokyo or Hong Kong, Bangkok
was a study in chaos – a surreal mix of wildly careening automobiles, placid temples, overflowing markets and modern skyscrapers. The energy and excitement of this great Asian city is hard to describe,
as is the serenity of Chiang Mai’s landscape dominated by bamboo and rice terraces and the stunning beaches along Southern Thailand. Highlights included: Visiting Bangkok’s most important wats,
hidden temples, haunting ruins, silent monasteries, ancient palaces, enchanting architectural masterpieces with sparkling pinnacles and curling roofs and lively night markets. Exploring soon-to-be-extinct
klong canals by traditional long tails boat and racing through streets via tuk-tuks. Gnawing on some of the best cuisine ever to pass your lips in all of South East Asia. Floating through the Damnoen
Saduak Floating Market, purchasing silk and eating stinky, but delicious Durans. Absorbing the mysterious spiritualism and intriguing beauty of Chiang Mai. Taking private cooking lessons with celebrity
Thai chef Somphon Nabnian. Trekking through the hill tribes of Northern Thailand bordering Myanmar by way of pachyderm (elephant) back, rickety bamboo rafts and a long 8-hour, arduous, wet and dry trail
by foot. Snorkeling through the amazing Marokot Cave and all around the Wan, Ma and Cheuk Islands.
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