2022
2021 | A Return to Global Travel
A LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT Dear friends, As 2021 winds down to a close, I feel a tremendous sense of gratitude to you and all of our clients, staff, and providers. It has been a time like no other in our history, full of difficulties and challenges and yet also full of support and community. Therefore, the stories that we are sharing with you about travel this year are that much more meaningful to us. While we know that the pandemic will have lasting changes on our global society, here at Holbrook we are happy to see that our human desire to directly experience the world – to capture a leopard yawning (November, Kenya), to sail serenely near an enormous whale (January, Mexico), to watch a sea turtle munch on algae (October, Galápagos), or even to hug someone tightly that we’ve missed – has not changed much in essence. We still need to experience and connect in real life, or “IRL” as my daughter would text. Our first trip, following the total cessation of travel in March of 2020, was to Costa Rica for Chenango Forks High School from New York State. Educator Mandy Black, her students, and their families were the first group to go through the testing requirements and protocols and to experience what would become a routine part of travel. That trip remains in my mind with great clarity; for us here at Holbrook it felt like the first all over again. (It also reinforced for me the great leadership and practical wisdom that teachers
Holbrook Travel’s very first group to travel once restrictions had been lifted was Chenango Forks High School from Binghamton, New York. The decision to go was made jointly by the teachers, parents, students, and the Holbrook team. As they were the first travelers, tremendous care was taken to arrange every detail to ensure the safest trip possible. “We could not have asked for a better experience! All Covid protocols were followed very carefully in Costa Rica, including regular temperature checks, hand washing stations, and sanitizing foot mats. We took part in activities as on trips before the pandemic, and we were happy to be able to patronize businesses that rely on tourism. My students learned many life lessons that they would never be able to get in a classroom. They were so grateful to have the chance to take the trip of a lifetime after having missed out on so many things over the past year. They didn't want to leave Costa Rica. Pura Vida!”
TRIP of a
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lizard Reggie the adventuring
Mandy Black | Chenango Forks High School, Costa Rica
"Paraiso Quetzal was a big surprise to me. At about 9,000 feet above sea level, the hummingbird feeders are just amazing. I got a couple of nice action shots and I know other participants on our trip did too. People have to know that Costa Rica and other Latin American countries are extremely fastidious following protocols, with mask-wearing and handwashing wherever you go."
Debbie Jordan Southern Costa Rica with Mario Cordoba
“I thought Iceland would be a good fit for us and the timing was right. Iceland was open, so we decided to do it. The whole trip was one big special moment. There were so many incredible things to see—all the geysers, the glaciers and the lava flows. We felt very safe with the protocols.”
Janet Skaggs | Land of Fire and Ice, Iceland Adventure
embody and have exemplified, especially during this time.) That first trip set the right tone and since that time, we’ve sent travelers to Mexico, Iceland, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Kenya, Tanzania, and within the United States. And while there continue to be protocols, requirements, and some testing, the travel experience has not essentially changed based on our experiences in the field and those of our travelers. To quote Jim Moses, President of Road Scholar for whom Holbrook has been a very proud travel provider for many years, “Life is to be lived – take precautions but do the things that give you joy.” For many of us, traveling and directly experiencing the world is very high on that list. Perhaps one thing that needs to continue to evolve and change about travel, and every aspect about the way we live, revolves around sustainability. The travel industry, particularly the air travel aspect, is very connected to the fossil fuel industry and we know how urgent the problem is today. We know we have to be part of this movement and are grateful to organizations that are helping to pave the way, like the Center for Responsible Travel. Though we have been offering carbon offsetting since 2001, we know there is more we can do and we look forward to tackling this change together with you one step at a time. With every good wish,
Andrea Holbrook
“What an amazing trip, plenty wildlife encounters, gorgeous views and fauna, with over 150 new wildlife and plant species. My group had a wonderful time and I know everyone will hold this place dear in their hearts.”
"We were very happy with the Covid protocols. They are way more careful than here in the U.S. You cannot go into a building without cleaning your hands and having temperature checked. Our guide Alex was amazing. He did not let anyone be an outsider on this trip."
Krisztina Scheeff | Ecuador & Galápagos with KS Nature Photography
Stan Whalens | Birding the Ruins of the Yucatan with Buena Vista Audubon
“I thought the group was exceptionally friendly and cohesive. I liked that it wasn’t ALL about the birds. Eva and Eric did a great job covering the geography and history of the island. I have to add that the food was wonderful! It was the perfect Covid antidote.” Peggy West Coastal Birding and Conservation at Hog Island Audubon Camp
“We were all pleasantly surprised about how seamless it all went. I think you step out there and you do it. There's lots of protocols in place and these countries want to see us and honestly, NEED to see us. I think it's important to start to travel again and to support these places that we go to.”
Melanie King Costa Rica with Tennessee Aquarium
ABOUT THE IMAGE We stayed on an island in Magdalena Bay where gray whales migrate each year to court, mate, and give birth to their young. The gray whales were really friendly, coming right up to the boat. They would kind of play games where they’d go under the boat, and they’d pop up. Then they would sit there, then go back down. It was a really intimate experience. As someone who is really interested in marine ecology and conservation, I want to make sure that I’m not contributing to a problem of animal harassment. All interactions were from the boat. Our captain would approach the whales very slowly. You could tell that he loved the whales. The drone photo, to me, captures the respect we had for these enormous mammals as we carefully followed them, juxtaposed against the vibrant turquoise sea. Everyone was so appreciative of our visit. We were one of the first groups to travel during COVID, and we felt very safe the entire time.
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Stefanie Plein Mexico | Baja Peninsula
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ABOUT THE IMAGE One of the great things about Kenya is its rich biological diversity in a relatively small country. This gives visitors the ability to see and photograph the “Big Five”: leopard, rhino, buffalo, lion and elephant on one trip. One of the main highlight is the Maasai Mara. Every year the Masaai Mara is home to the Great Migration of wildebeest from the Serengeti with so many different species. One of the more curious animals are warthogs, wild pigs with strong jaws and tusks like an elephant. photo by Larry Hassler
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story by Reinier Munguia Kenya | Photo Safari with Wildstock Photography
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ABOUT THE IMAGE My Holbrook group was among the first back into Costa Rica after the pandemic. My eight birders and guide Erick Guzman had the lodges and trip virtually to ourselves. With Costa Rica closed for a year, the birds and other wildlife had rest from people and carried on their natural routine. We found over 300 species of birds, and we all returned home safely. The Lesser Violetear photo was taken with a Nikon D 7200 and a Sigma F 2.8 120 300 mm lens on April 18, 2021, at Savegre. My group was traveling from Savegre to San José when we saw the tapir in vegetative cover close to the highway. We had made five Holbrook trips to Costa Rica, and this was the first tapir seen. Our guide, Erick Guzman, had never seen one in all his group travels. Most Costa Rica residents live a lifetime and never see a tapir. We were fortunate to do so, and this added to a very successful trip. The tapir photo was taken with a Nikon D 7200 and a Sigma F 2.8 120 - 300 mm lens on April 18, 2021. Jerry Wayne Davis Costa Rica | Birding Expedition
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ABOUT THE IMAGE We weren’t really sure about traveling when we did our Costa Rica Osa Peninsula birding tour. A good friend was leading the trip to the Osa Peninsula for Grand Valley Audubon, and other good friends had joined in. We went back and forth but finally decided to take the risk. As it turned out, Costa Rica was a great place as far as COVID precautions. Every business required hand-washing before entry, and every employee everywhere wore a mask. Tourism is a huge source of employment for Costa Ricans, and the “ticos” we met seemed very grateful to be back to work; everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. One of the highlights of our trip was a whalewatching tour. What a great experience! A personal highlight on that day was that our guide Leo gave me tips about how to take pictures from the boat. It’s not easy when the boat is moving and your subject is moving! I still got a lot of pictures of nothing but water and sky, but also some great shots of the whales and of birds. This photo (above) was one of my favorites. On the way back, I loved the sight of these local fisherman, with Magnificent Frigatebirds hovering around, hoping for a free meal. The pretty female Cherrie’s Tanager (below) posed for me right off the deck of our room at La Cusinga in Úvita. Diane Smith Costa Rica | Birding the Osa Peninsula with Grand Valley Audubon
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ABOUT THE IMAGE We were walking at Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island and heading back to our panga as the sun was slowly setting. Lots of sea lions on shore were lounging around, sleeping, enjoying their beach—but then I noticed this little girl looking right at me as she was asking for her photo to be taken. The great thing about the Galápagos Islands is the abundance of wildlife in a short distance, no matter where you look. So I spent a few minutes waiting for her to open her eyes, and she was a great model to let me get right in the center. One of my favorite birds on this trip was the Red-billed Tropicbird. I mean, look at that long amazing tail! A sighting of the Galápagos Red-billed Tropicbird in flight is an especially mesmerizing and rewarding experience. Getting them on camera from a panga is not easy; however, thanks to the awesome crew and our driver Fernando from Tip Top II, who always got us in the right spot, we got them! Krisztina Scheeff KS Nature Photography Galápagos Islands | Nature & Wildlife Photography
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ABOUT THE IMAGE I got lucky and found this golden eyelash viper (Bothriechis schlegelii) while out hiking near Cahuita National Park in Costa Rica. It is a venomous snake known locally as an “oropel.” They are a nocturnal small snake which preys mostly on lizards and frogs. This is my favorite animal to see there. It is always a magical experience for me, especially after not being able to travel for so long. I cannot express how much being able to travel again has boosted my overall mood and attitude. It was greatly needed, and I’m already planning this summer’s trip back to Costa Rica! I took this photo of the red-eyed tree frog eggs (Agalychnis callidryas) while staying at Selva Verde Lodge in Costa Rica. It was so nice to be able to travel again, and the weather was great. It had rained the previous night, and I saw and heard the red-eyed tree frogs mating. So the next morning I went looking for egg clusters, and I was lucky enough to find this cluster. It is a few days old, as evidenced by the development of their eyes, which are visible. I also saw them wiggling inside their eggs. They were laid on a leaf overhanging a pond. When the eggs are fully developed, and when it rains enough, the eggs will hatch, and the tadpoles will fall into the pond below to start developing into frogs.
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John Earl Kneisler Costa Rica | Dobie High School
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ABOUT THE IMAGE Living most of my life in the South, I am always drawn to the complete opposite landscapes that the West offers. Having the chance to visit two bucket-list places, Yellowstone and Grand Teton, after the COVID shutdown was a dream come true, and I will be forever grateful for that opportunity. Once we arrived, it was hard not to keep my camera glued to my face, snapping pictures and trying to capture the magnificent expansive rivers, fields, mountains, unique thermal features and so much wildlife! You can’t get any more iconic than the picturesque location of Mormon Row with the Grand Teton Mountains in the background. Even the smoke and haze from the California wildfires could not diminish the majestic landscape. It wasn’t hard to imagine how awe-inspiring it would have been for the homesteaders to wake up to those views every morning. Jennifer Bruck-Mobley United States | Grand Teton & Yellowstone Wildlife Safari
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ABOUT THE IMAGE Everywhere we went in Kenya, I was afforded many "firsts"—or "lifers," as we birders (photographers) call them. Lake Naivasha was no exception. We were on small boats slowly moving our way up the shoreline when we came across these hippos lying on the bank. The babies were so adorable, and to see this little oxpecker lying on the little one was so wonderful. It was like they were napping together. It was one of the moments that stood out for me. What an awesome trip this was! After postponing travel for so long, it was a delight to be in the field again, exploring, and seeing incredible scenery and wildlife. Georgia Wilson Kenya | Photo Safari with Wildstock Photography
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ABOUT THE IMAGE To be able to travel again was so exciting; even the airport didn’t bother me! With my mother alongside, we joined a really amazing group of nature enthusiasts, photographers, teachers and birders for a stay on Audubon’s Hog Island Camp in Maine. We had the place all to ourselves—an amazing 330 acres where Bald Eagles soar above, and you feel the sense of overwhelming freedom to explore. It was exhilarating and much needed after so many months of isolation! Each morning, we enjoyed coffee with views like this one and then with a ring of the historic meal-time bell, we enjoyed delicious culinary treats and great conversation before exploring the beautiful waterways and trails that surrounded us. This is one of the few places in the U.S. that you can expect to see an Atlantic Puffin, along with 199 other species. We also enjoyed watching the harbor and grey seals frolicking about, and even the small American red squirrels with their delightful calls. However, it’s the haunting voice of the Common Loon I won’t soon forget, so eerily serene. They say you always come back to Hog Island; it’s nice to see a few chairs ready and waiting! Stephanie Kowacz United States | Birding & Conservation, Hog Island Audubon Camp, Maine
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ABOUT THE IMAGE Our Galápagos trip in July 2021 was truly extraordinary! With our amazing naturalist guide who grew up in Galápagos, Lourdes Pesantes (Lulu), and the fantastic crew of the Bonita, we were fortunate to be one of the few visitors here as a result of the decrease in travel due to COVID. It felt like we had the Galápagos all to ourselves and the animals “seemed so happy” to see us! In the Galápagos, it’s not hard to take amazing photographs, as animals are so used to humans. The snorkeling at Tagus Cove off of Isabela Island was spectacular! Sightings included pufferfish, Mexican hog fish, rainbow wrasse, chocolate chip sea stars and several other types of sea stars, sea fans, orange cup coral, Galápagos red conch, green sea urchins, pencil sea urchins, sea cucumbers and lots of Pacific green sea turtles. They swam around us, unafraid! Lulu took a deep dive down with the underwater camera to get some good shots for us. Page Keeley Galápagos Islands | Professional Development for Science Educators
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ABOUT THE IMAGE After postponing all of our travels for a year due to COVID-19, we decided it was time to re-start our traveling agenda this year. At first the process seemed daunting and complicated, but soon it became almost seamless, and it was the right thing to do. Kenya is one of my favorite destinations because of its rich biological diversity. In a relatively short amount of time, you can see a variety of species, including the “Big Five”: leopard, rhino, buffalo, lion and elephant. Our itinerary covered the great national parks of Amboseli, Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, and the Maasai Mara. We were able to get unbelievably close to these animals, capturing their beauty in the wildest and most natural form, all while exercising our photography techniques. This leopard was resting on a tree at the end of the day in Samburu National Park. We also were treated to this mother elephant nursing her week-old calf early in the morning. Reinier Munguia Wildstockphotos.com
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Kenya | Photo Safari with Wildstock Photography
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Image by Todd Gustafson
ABOUT THE IMAGE As a Peruvian Group Leader for Holbrook, I have always admired the curiosity, courage and passion of Road Scholar participants. But this trip to Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley will always stand out for me. We were one of the first groups there after the country reopened to travelers in the face of the pandemic. We followed extensive safety protocols and everyone was so grateful. They loved the experience. We explored the archaeological sites, tasted the local food, saw weaving demonstrations, danced to music, and gazed at stars. When I took a photo of our intrepid group from the top of Machu Picchu, I felt a strange feeling of timelessness. So much had changed in the last year and so much was just the same. Daniel Rojas Peru | A Taste of Peru, Road Scholar
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JANUARY | Mexico
February | Kenya
March | Costa Rica
April | Costa Rica
May | Galápagos
June | Costa Rica
July | United States
August | Kenya
September | United States
October | Galápagos
November | Kenya
December | Peru
ABOUT THE COVER IMAGE In the open plains of the Serengeti, cheetahs hunt and raise their families. The hunting strategies they rely on are sight and speed. To see over tall grasses, adult cheetahs will often climb termite hills for an unobstructed view. When we saw this mother and cub in long grass, we looked for the highest, most likely mound and waited for them to climb up. The photo chance revealed itself when they both looked out and curled their tails!
COVER | Tanzania
TODD GUSTAFSON | Gustafson Photo Safari
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