Africa is on so many travellers’ bucket lists, but that wasn’t the case for Intrepid Express reader, Megan Butler. For some reason the thought of being on safari didn’t grab her, but after reluctantly agreeing to make the trip she soon got a lot more than she expected…
“After arriving in Johannesburg and then travelling by van to Makutsi Safari Park about 5 hours away, my attitude was starting to change. The scenery and towns were so different from home. I sat with my face glued to the window as we approached the park and saw a wild monkey and impala. Wow – maybe this will be fun after all. Still didn’t know what to expect and couldn’t explain why I didn’t want to go.
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Not far from Moscow, there is a charming country town where you can see traditional Russian wooden architecture, taste the best honey mead in the country, enjoy a true banya experience and meet fascinating local people. In this wonderful town of Suzdal, Intrepid’s Oxana Derzhavina enjoys getting to know a special lady who has left a lasting impression on so many…
“Suzdal is remarkable and memorable for me. I love its traditional wooden houses, visiting the monasteries and churches and eating in little local cafes, but my fondest moments are when our Intrepid groups meet with babushka Tonya. In Russia babushka is what we call senior women and what is unusual about this nonagenarian is that she’s is a very outstanding person! A former scientific researcher, for over 50 years Tonya Makarova has helped local orphanages by making handicrafts, felt boots that we call valenki. They are small ones, just as a souvenir that you can take away with you.
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Intrepid’s SAMA is proud to support a range of projects that use education to promote gender equality. And on these projects, we see many teachers championing for change. As part of our series of stories on inspiring women, meet Theresia Musoma, a teacher who works tirelessly to educate and help her community.
In the isolated town of Mabogini in Tanzania, Theresia Musoma teaches in a cramped, whitewashed classroom. Her love and dedication to her students has helped countless children finish school and inspired many others around her.
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Family travel can play a strong role in the education you offer to your children and grandchildren. Lynn O’Rourke Hayes from familytravel.com has 5 great tips for you to consider when deciding where you should go…
Reflect your values
The travel choices you make can send a strong message to your loved ones about what matters most to you. Consider the family travel bucket list as a thoughtful and deliberate reflection of your own values, hopes and dreams. So before you begin listing desired destinations, ask yourself what aspects of the world – geographically, spiritually and culturally – you want to share with your children, grandchildren and perhaps other friends and family members.
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66% of work around the world is performed by women, but they earn a meagre 10% of the total income and own only 1% of the world’s property. These are just some of the inequalities faced by women and girls and an example of why Intrepid wants to promote international gender equality.
How are we doing this? Last year Intrepid created Project SAMA – which means ‘equal’ in the Bahasa language. SAMA is our 3-year global gender initiative that aims to improve the lives of communities and help bridge the gender gap through education. SAMA is supporting projects around the world that contribute to Intrepid’s overall aim of tackling gender inequality.
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Every day, millions of people suffer from the direct and indirect consequences of the poorly regulated arms trade. This month something positive could be done about it. On 18 March, the final negotiations for an Arms Trade Treaty will begin in New York. The world desperately needs a final agreement to ensure that no country or arms dealer will sell weapons to governments, companies or armed groups where there is a big risk of those arms and ammunition, ranging from AK-47s to bombers, being used for atrocities or violent abuse.
Intrepid’s friends at Amnesty International tell us, that halting the use of child soldiers in conflicts is just one of a series of compelling reasons for states to adopt a strong Arms Trade Treaty. Child soldiers have reportedly been used in at least 19 countries, according to the global NGO coalition ‘Child Soldiers International’, of which Amnesty International is a member.
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It’s wonderful being able to snap away happily on our holidays thanks to digtal photography. But it’s not only about the freedom of taking 100s of shots. There’s the added thrill of instantly sharing the moment and meeting locals, as Intrepid’s Yvette Thompson discovers in India…
“Waan foto!” “This is the standard greeting from Indian children to any foreigner: with or without camera. If you don’t have a camera, or you successfully hide it from inquisitive eyes, you can politely smile and walk by the group without risk of an ambush. However, if they spot your camera, then you better be prepared for village kids to run towards you at full speed!
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What is it about the wonders of Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and all manner of photo uploading sites that have suddenly given us amazing photography powers? Or maybe not? It’s not as easy as it looks and let’s face it, there are a lot of very unappetising photo shots being shared, so photographer extraordinaire Steve Davey to the rescue with some much-needed foodie photo tips…
“Some people seem to have a compulsion to record, blog, tweet and update their status with everything that they do, or think. One example is in the habit of photographing each travel meal and posting them on Instagram. Am I unique in not wanting to see everyone’s dinner before they eat it? I might though be interested in seeing a good photograph that shows me something about the culinary traditions or cuisine of a country.
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Just because you have kids doesn’t mean you lose your sense of adventure. Christian Wolters, Intrepid Canada Vice President Sales and Marketing, knows this better than anyone, since his son’s first overseas trip was to Cuba…
“Back in 2011, my wife and I took a trip with my 2 year old son to Cuba. We didn’t want to stay in a resort as we wanted to explore the interior and experience the vibrant Cuban culture. As a history buff, I wanted to visit historic sites, especially after watching Che part 1 & 2. I yearned to visit the Bay of Pigs, explore the train that Che destroyed in Santa Clara and witness the relics form the revolution everywhere.
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