Everyone
has a few travel experiences that stand out as especially memorable,
awe-inspiring or life changing. With this in mind, we decided to ask the Lloyds
Travel team which travel experiences stick out to them as unforgettable.
Barbara:
On Safari in Tanzania
A
few years ago Barbara went on safari in Tanzania with Abercrombie and Kent
tours. Barbara said that the extraordinary setting and the company’s expertise
made it a truly unforgettable experience. The guide was very knowledgeable and
was able to find all of the animals. At one point a family of leopards was
camouflaged in a tree, but he was able to spot them right away. In addition,
the small group size enabled them to get up close with the wildlife. Overall,
it was amazing to see such unique animals in their natural habitats.
Bruce: Cruising Tahiti with Paul Gaugin
A
trip that stands out in Bruce’s mind is a Paul Gaugin cruise through Tahiti. This
was the first time that Bruce had experienced a luxury cruise. The destination
was magical, characterized by spectacular beaches and crystal clear waters. The
food and wine on the ship were absolutely amazing and blew him away. The
combination of the ship experience and the location made the trip
unforgettable.
Deborah: Kenya Safari Experience
An
awe-inspiring travel experience that sticks out in Deborah’s mind is a weeklong
safari in Kenya. She described the visceral experience of being surrounded by
animals in their natural, wild setting. She observed lions on the hunt, barely
visible as they crouched in the tall grasses. The giraffes were particularly
breathtaking, their unbelievable bodies towering over the trees. Ultimately, it
was inspiring adventure unlike any other.
Jude: Local Families in Bali
On
a trip to Bali, Jude had the opportunity to visit local families in a small
village. Jude was particularly struck by her experience visiting the home of
one local woman. Her small house, which was home to a family of five, was
elevated on stilts with chickens and goats kept underneath. The woman was very
inviting and beamed with pride for her home. Jude was really affected by how
happy and proud the woman was. She remarked that in North America we often take
for granted how much we have, and visiting other cultures really puts things in
perspective and makes us appreciate what we have.
Lesli: Gorillas in the Mist
One
of Lesli’s most aweinspiring travel experiences was visiting the gorillas in
Rwanda. Lesli described how the stunning, picturesque setting of Rwanda
provided an amazing backdrop to the experience. She journeyed into the
gorillas’ habitat in the Virunga Mountains in Parc de Volcan. Visiting their
natural home and being so close to these amazing creatures was unforgettable.
Lesli reflected that the gorillas are so human, in their behavior and
expressions. Ultimately, this raw experience was completely unique and Lesli
would return in heartbeat!
Wendy: Philippine Revolution
At
27 Wendy took a trip to the Philippines for a convention in Manila. At the
time, President Ferdinand Marcos was still in power. The liberation movement
was gaining momentum and it was suggested that the conference be cancelled, but
Marcos insisted that it go on. During a slideshow of the Spanish invading the
Phillipines at the opening ceremonies bombs went off in the distance and men
burst in with machine guns. Needless to say the convention was cancelled. The
government asked people to open their homes to conference attendees. Wendy and
her family went to a woman’s house whose husband had been assassinated. The
house was huge and tables of various dishes such as suckling pig were laid out.
Wendy spent the entire night talking with the woman about Asian history, and
this experience ultimately influenced Wendy’s decision to go back to UBC and
take Asian Studies.
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