Escape Routes

ESCAPE ROUTES

TRAVEL NEWS | FLIGHT DECK | CHARITY UPDATE | CHECK IN

↘ ON THE COVER

The winner of our front cover competition, revealed

For this issue of Audley Traveler, we’ve turned to you for your photos, stories and tips. Of course, the takeover issue wouldn’t be complete without a cover shot from one of our travelers. We received hundreds of fantastic entries that we’ve narrowed down to our three favorites. Here’s what our photographers had to say about their shortlisted images…

Runner up Nick Kinna “I took this photo in the Mitai Maori village just outside Rotorua, on New Zealand’s North Island. We’d all settled down by the river in quiet expectation when the Maori warriors appeared from upstream in a waka (traditional canoe) – it was a magical start to a cultural and entertaining evening in which we learnt about the history and legends of the Maori.”

Runner up David Reynolds “Last June, we visited Khwai Tented Camp in Botswana. Our guide, Sinka, was determined to find a leopard that we had briefly seen the previous evening – and we were lucky to see her again in daylight. This is my favorite photo of the mother and cub, as they’re looking directly into the lens; the picture is hung on my wall and their eyes follow me around the room.”

Winner Christopher Donovan “As visitors arrived at North Seymour in the Galapagos Islands, this blue-footed booby waited to greet them. Although small, the island is an astounding wildlife location, with boobies, frigate birds (with their enormous red pouches) and brightly-colored land iguanas. We even witnessed a few steps in the famously awkward booby courtship dance.”

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FLIGHT DECK

The latest flight news

Kenya Airways is launching new direct flights from New York’s JFK airport to Nairobi, Kenya, on their Boeing Dreamliner. The flight will launch this October in conjunction with their new direct option from Nairobi to Cape Town, South Africa, making multi-destination travel more accessible.

Latam Airline Brazil will offer direct flights from Boston’s Logan International Airport to Sao Paulo, Brazil. The flight will operate four times per week starting on July 2nd.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport will now offer direct flights to Auckland, New Zealand, offered through Air New Zealand. Flights will be offered on a 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on a thrice-weekly basis.

The world’s longest non-stop flight is launching on October 11th thorough Singapore Airlines. The 19-hour-long flight will travel from Changi Airport in Singapore to Newark Liberty Airport in New York.

New Zealand on two wheels

New Zealand is known for its Great Walks, but if you’re looking for a different way to explore its scenery, there are also some equally rewarding cycling trails that are well worth your energy.

Whether you’re seeking a multi-day experience or something shorter, we have sought out trails of differing lengths across both the North and South islands. Choose from options such as the historic Otago Central Rail Trail, mountain vistas around Queenstown and the coastline near Hawke’s Bay. For more information, please contact our New Zealand specialists on 1-844-250-3440.

South Africa in numbers

100

Years since the birth of Nelson Mandela

3

Capital cities: Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Cape Town

11 Official languages

2,200+

Species of plants found on Cape Town’s Table Mountain

2.3-million

Year-old skeletons found in Sterkfontein caves

7,523

Square miles covered by Kruger National Park

Explore sustainable Borneo

Set within a remote part of Sabah, Borneo’s Deramakot Forest Reserve has suffered greatly from logging in the past. However, a recent change of attitude and greater education on forest conservation has allowed it to thrive. The area is home to some of Borneo’s native wildlife, including pygmy elephants, orangutans and the elusive clouded leopard.

Spending time here is a great addition to a Borneo trip. Learn about the history of the area on night safari drives and explore the walking trails that wind through the lush rainforest. Accommodation here is locally run, providing an authentic and sustainable experience. For more information, please contact our Borneo specialists on 1-855-838-2120.

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CHECK IN

The most exciting new stays

Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp, Wadi Rum, Jordan Located in the heart of the Wadi Rum Reserve, this camp offers traditional Bedouin-style and en suite ‘Full of Stars’ tents (pictured). The latter’s bubble-like appearance stands out against the desert landscape, while a clear dome above the bedroom offers panoramic views of the night sky.

Shipwreck Lodge, Skeleton Coast, Namibia Each room in this property resembles the remains of the derelict ships that are strewn along its coastline. Enjoy views across the dunes to the Atlantic, and activities including sunset drives, exploring shipwrecks and tracking desert-adapted elephant.

Samudra House, Habaraduwa, Sri Lanka Sitting at the southern tip of Sri Lanka on Koggala Beach, the newly built Samudra House is a two-bed villa with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. Designed by one of Sri Lanka’s top architects, the villa boasts stylish interiors and is just ten kilometres from Galle.

Maria Bonita Inn, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil This boutique inn is set in a quiet neighborhood and within walking distance of some of the island’s best beaches, including Cachorro Beach. It has been uniquely furnished with locally sourced materials, providing a tranquil place to say on one of Brazil’s beautiful laid back islands.

Your news: painting a picture

Taking photographs on your travels is a great way to capture some of your favourite moments. Artist and Audley traveller Bob Woodhouse takes things a step further by recording his most memorable moments in a series of detailed paintings.

“My interest in art was recently reignited by a visit to India. When planning our trip, I almost persuaded my wife not to include the Taj Mahal, fearing that it may be overcrowded. However, timing our visits there at sunrise and sunset meant we avoided the crowds and had a very special experience – how glad I was that we decided to include a visit after all.”

To see more of Bob’s work, please visit www.bobwoodhouseart. blogspot.com

Picture perfect ‘Blue Taj’ By Bob Woodhouse

Score a ticket to the Australian Open

Every year at the end of January, Melbourne, Australia hosts the 14-day Australian Open, a tennis tournament featuring some of the world’s most talented players. Audley Travel is offering a VIP ticket option to the event. Tickets will give access to the matches as well as entrance to a designated marquee where guests can go to escape the heat.

An upgrade option is also available which includes a behind-thescenes event tour and possibly the chance to stand on the court before the matches start. A ticket to the match is a wonderful way to expand and enhance any trip to Australia. For more information, please contact our Australia specialists on 1-844-250-3450.

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ESCAPE ROUTES

How carbon offsetting is making a big difference

To counteract the carbon footprint left by flying, we offset all flights taken by staff on research trips, and give all Audley travelers the option to do the same. In 2017, we offset a total of 2,251 tons of carbon. This doesn’t tell the full story, though: by supporting Kenya’s LifeStraw water filter project, which reduces the need to burn wood for boiling water, Audley also provided around six million liters of clean water for around 5,000 people. This year, Audley is supporting a new project: the Jikokoa stove. Much of Kenya’s household energy comes from wood, mostly burnt on smoky open stoves; this leads to air pollution, respiratory diseases and contributes to climate change and deforestation. The Jikokoa stove dramatically reduces fuel usage and cooking time. Find out more about these projects at www.audleytravel.com/us/about-us/ responsible-travel#carbon

↘

CHARITY UPDATE

What’s in a ShelterBox?

We are supporting ShelterBox as

our Charity of the Year in 2018.

Following a disaster, a ShelterBox contains all the essentials to help rebuild the lives of those affected. Each item in the box is carefully picked to ensure that the best help is on offer in all individual circumstances.

Here are some examples of items typically found in a ShelterBox:

• Custom ShelterBox family tent – built to withstand high winds and sub-zero temperatures

• 50 foot nylon rope – vital for keeping shelters secure and stable

• Two collapsible 4 gallon water carriers – enough for a family of four for a day

• Two treated mosquito nets – offers protection against malaria-carrying insects

• Two inflatable solar lights – keeps families safe in the darkness

• Water purification unit – turns dirty water into clean drinking water

• School bag – packed with everything a child needs to keep learning

• Other essentials such as blankets, groundsheets, cooking pots, utensils and multi-use containers

When a community is damaged, but not completely destroyed, a smaller ShelterKit can also be provided; this contains essential tools to repair homes. We aim to raise £50,000 this year to put towards providing shelter and equipment to around 200 families.

To read more about Audley’s fundraising efforts, please visit www.audleytravel.com/us/about-us/ fundraising

What to READ

What to WATCH

What to SEE

What to DOWNLOAD

Recommended by Danna English “Road Trip Rwanda combines humor, history and geography to educate and entertain the reader about Rwanda. Will Ferguson takes you on a fun and enlightening journey though this amazing place known as ‘The Heart of Africa.’” Out now.

Recommended by Jenny Ramsey “I really enjoyed learning about Egypt’s history by watching BBC One’s Civilizations. When I saw Mary Beard gazing at a statue of Ramses II and exploring Karnak, I finally booked a trip.” Civilizations can be viewed at www.pbs.org/civilizations/home/

Recommended by Suzanne Buikens “A true marvel of the modern art world, I recommend going to The Cleveland Museum of Art this summer to see the work of Yayoi Kusama. Her bright installations are a rare treat for the senses.” On display July 7th through September 30th

Recommended by Anna Li “Keeping track of multiple currencies can be tricky. XE Currency offers live exchange rates and will even store the most recent rates, so you can continue to use the app offline. I use it all the time when traveling.” Available on iOS and Android.

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↘ READER RECIPE

Indian kadhi

By Elizabeth Kolbeck, Audley traveler

Knowledgeable, elegant

Mrs Singh, the grand lady of Dera Mandawa, was all mine. No one else had booked the cooking course that evening. My husband sat comfortably reading, supplied with drinks; she and I cooked at a courtyard kitchen in the soft Rajasthani dusk. I had time to ask all the questions I wanted, and she even changed her planned menu to show me kadhi (a chickpea flour and buttermilk gravy spiced with fenugreek).

Tasting everything as we went along, we ate a full meal over the evening, talking and laughing about local history while we cooked. I’m now using this recipe on a regular basis at home, to great applause from the family.

Ingredients

1 cup chickpea flour (gram flour) 1/2 cup buttermilk 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter) 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds 6 curry leaves Pinch asafoetida (this is very strong tasting, so start small) You can also add other flavorings, such as cumin seeds, chillies or turmeric powder Coriander leaves, chives or mint to garnish

Method

Mix the buttermilk and chickpea flour to form a medium-thick paste (like single cream) and set aside. Whisk if needed; you don’t want any lumps. You may find you need to add slightly more buttermilk or chickpea flour to get the consistency just right.

Put the ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan and heat, adding the fenugreek seeds, curry leaves and asafoetida. Fry until they pop and the scent rises. Add the flour and buttermilk mixture and stir until it thickens. Cook it

on a low heat for another 10-15 minutes.

This is used as the basic gravy for a meal served with rice. Add cooked vegetables or fried pakoras to the sauce and garnish with coriander leaves, chives or mint.

Have you recreated a recipe we’ve featured in Audley Traveler? Or have you sampled a delicious local cuisine on your travels? We’d love to see images of your favorite food and drink experiences. Tag your Instagram and Twitter posts with #TheAudleyWay and @AudleyTavel.

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COMING SOON!

VISIT SPAIN & PORTUGAL THE AUDLEY WAY

In July 2018, we’ll be unveiling our latest Audley product – custom trips to Spain and Portugal! Follow us on social media to stay up to date on the launch

Our Spain and Portugal specialists will connect you with local experts who know the people, restaurants, and experiences you won’t find in a guidebook. See what travel can be when you know the right people.