Escorted tours to exotic and off-the-beaten-track destinations with New Zealander Jill Worrall.
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Our tour in Zambia ended with a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Tomorrow we head for Botswana. We will be camping for a week so my next posts will probably not appear until we reach Namibia. We will have private campsites in national parks and private reserves and tents with en suite bathroom. Watch this space!
Our Livingstone hotel is inside the Falls national park. Zebras, giraffe and impala are regular visitors around the pool and bar. Swimming in the pond, however, is not recommended, as Sue discovered!
Meanwhile, back in Zambia we are at the Victoria Falls. There's been a terrible drought here so not much water on the Zambia side bit more on the Zimbabwe side (where the channels are lower). Still spectacular though!
Yes, I'm still in Africa but I have news about a 2025 tour to share! The final itinerary and prices for my Scottish Island Tour (June 5 -26, 2025) are now ready! The tour includes Orkney, Shetland, Lewis and Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, Eriskay, Barra and Valesay PLUS Scone and Inverary castles, the North Coasr 500 scenic drive and the Jacobite Steam Train.Do message me for more information and a copy of the itinerary.
This afternoon we saw a leopard who had recently hauled her kill (an impala) up a tree and was lying on another branch nearby. Amazing. We saw lots of giraffe too and four elephants having a bathe in the river.
This baobab tree is at least 800 years old. Although it looks dead it is still very much alive and has the ability to photosynthesise through its bark. It was festooned with birds' nests.
Walking in Africa. Group members with Missile, our armed scout and on the right our guide Malama.
This morning we went on a walking safari, a real highlight of South Luanwa NP. Btw, the floral perfume we were smelling was not jasmine as I say in the commentary but the fluffy caper bush!
Our afternoon and early evening game drive brought us lions, another leopard, a civet AND painted dogs, photo especially for you Sylvia Allan ! There were also some spectacular cranes, eagles and hornbills. Oh, and mongoose and tiny tree squirrels. The g and t at sunset wasn't too bad either!
We set off at 6am today on our first morning safari. We were only metres from the lodge when we encountered giraffes and a family group of elephants. Then not long after the wonderful sight of a leopard on the prowl. Morning tea was beside the river with an accompaniment of hippo snorts.
We arrived in Africa just yesterday and already have been on our first safari. According to one tour member "I am lost for words"
So here we are ! We are about to head off on our first safari in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. Already seen five elephant, storks, eagles, impala, puku and bush buck and that was just on our drive into the wonderful Flat Dogs Camp. My third time here and so happy to be back!
I was keen to take my travellers to the Seychelles after my Sri Lanka tour, departing March 17, 2025 but it seems many people would prefer just to go to Sri Lanka! I do listen to your suggestions so the tour is now Sri Lanka and is going to be at a considerably lower cost. It will make a great, less tiring adventure in a truly awesome country. Please contact me if you'd like to see the new itinerary and tour cost.
My Totally Turkey tour scheduled for April-May next year is now a confirmed departure! If you are still thinking about joining me there are just five places left. There are two twin/double rooms available and one single occupancy room.
My South India tour (Nov 9-28) this year is a confirmed departure. If you are not already coming with me to this exotic, fascinating region, we may be able to fit you in, but you will need to get in touch very soon
It's finally ready! My Sri Lanka and the Seychelles tour itinerary has been launched! The tour, from March 17 to April 7, 2025 includes Sri Lanka's Ancient Cities, Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth, one of the world's great short train journeys, two nights in a colonial-era mansion hotel, safaris in Yala National Park, the historic port city of Galle and spice and tea plantation visits. The tour ends with four days in the exotic, tropical and fascinating Seychelles archipelago, Africa's smallest nation. Contact me for the full itinerary and prices.
The itinerary for my Totally Turkey tour (April 29-May 20, 2025) is now available. We are already getting close to making this a confirmed departure after just a week of the tour launch. So, if you plan to book or want a copy of the itinerary, do get in touch soon as places are limited. Highlights include three full days on Istanbul, Gallipoli, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Turquoise Coast, Cappadocia, Nemrud Dagi, Lake Van and much more.
My South India tour from November 9-28 is the only remaining tour for 2024 with vacancies. This fabulous tour will start in Chennai and end in spectacular fashion with the 98,000 bulb extravanza that is the Palace of Mysore's illuminations. Along the way will be incredible Hindu temples, tea and spice plantations, heritage hotels, a cruise on the Kerala backwaters, superb cuisine, a Kathakali dance performance and much more. South India is a world of its own and with its lush, tropical setting, fewer travellers and unique culture it's an forgettable experience. Full itinerary and prices available now. Do join me!
Fifteen is a milestone birthday in Panama and it sometimes includes a photoshoot for the girls.
Our last sightseeing in Panama was a walk around the old Spanish colonial town which has been recently restored. A delicious farewell dinner and a birthday celebration for Alison ended the day.
Leeston
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This morning we went on a walking safari, a real highlight of South Luanwa NP. Btw, the floral perfume we were smelling was not jasmine as I say in the commentary but the fluffy caper bush!
Two trains went past while we were in the trackside Cafe.
We saw the famous Long Bien Bridge across the Red River today. Built by the French more than 120 years ago it is used by trains and thousands of motorcycles. How about this for a commute? Excuse the end...someone actually rode their scooter up the ramp we were standing on and onto the railway platform!
So, what to do when you can't see the view! You take a ride on the ski jump and downhill skiing simulator. There is a lot of screaming so be prepared and do ignore David Wilson saying it was the best thing he'd done on the entire tour. I mean it was great but .... Disneyland next for you David.
The last of the daylight, approx 4.30pm.
Driving to Tromso.
Our host singing one of his favourite yoiks.
Sledding Part Two. After this I was doing the driving so no more pics! You definitely need two hands in the sled and two feet on the brakes. Also, the snow accumulates all over your feet, brakes and runners so you have to stand one foot while hurtling along and kick the snow off with the other!
Sledding Part 1.
Our last adventure activity and what a one to end with! We went dog sledding ..we had to find our own team of four dogs, harness them, attach them to the sleigh and off we went into the,-20C Arctic landscape. More photos and another video to follow!
A short video of the Ice Hotel.
Our sleigh ride.I made this for the grandchildren so sorry about shots of me that I normally avoid!
And so we left Egypt where people were hospitable, kind, full of good humour and so proud of a heritage that dates back so facts to be almost incomprehensible. The images in my head will stay with me probably forever.
Our coach driver took our massive bus right through the middle of the Old Cairo soul I don't know how we got through!
I meant to post this earlier. If anyone deserves to make a sale, these two guys did. They tied up to our ship and as they were towed along threw parcels of tablecloths and shawls up four decks. Buyer put money in surplus bags and threw them down. A few bags got caught on a ledge...I don't have a photo of one of the waiters climbing over the side to get them because I was holding one of his arms to stop him falling in. And I bought a tablecloth..how could I not!
This is live from Skellig St Michael, Co Kerry.
We are in Dubrovnik right on the waterfront and tonight was the Captain's Dinner with music by Steppo, Luka and Antun (a JWTours extra!). Great food, music and dancing which included a few passers-by joining in.
Arriving in Hvar and tying up in port.
