The Big Journey • Diamond's Big Book by TheBrandChap.com

Philip Brook is a time served Bookbinder from the beautiful Lake District in Cumbria. Specializing in restoration of antiquarian books and limited edition binding, Phil provides his unique and highly sought after service to printers, booksellers, libraries and private collectors throughout the UK and abroad. The leather used by Phil to beautifully present your hand crafted gift from The Big Journey Company, is split sheepskin from the UK. It has been hand stained to produce an aged look. This is the last to be sourced in the UK and is no longer available in this form - these are the last skins. The binding is developed from a German technique which Phil pioneered in the 1980’s. Phil has since developed this further to produce a book that opens well with little strain. Finally your book cover has been lined and personalized using ‘Blind’ lettering by impressing hot ‘Characters’ (or letters) on to the leather.

The carving of Ebony is steeped in history, pieces have even been found in ancient Egyptian tombs thousands of years old. Ebony wood is a very dense and finely textured wood, so dense it will actually sink in water. Found only in the center of the tree it is rare and valuable.

Your handmade book has been beautifully presented in a Chinese silk envelope. The origins of silk date back to Ancient China. Legend has it that a Chinese princess was sipping tea in her garden when a cocoon fell into her cup. The hot tea loosened the long strand of silk.

Native to Africa it is no surprise that it is found as a raw material of the Kenyan Akamba tribe. In Kenya many tribes are associated with a trade. The Luo are the fishermen from Lake Victoria. The Masaai tribe are nomadic herders of cattle on the great planes. And for generations The Akamba tribe have traded their wood carving.

Of course the secret to silk production is the tiny creature known as the silkworm. The life cycle of the silk worm begins with eggs from the adult moth. The larvae emerge from the eggs and feed solely on the mulberry leaves. During the larvae stage the caterpillar known as the silkworm spins a protective silky cocoon around itself so it can safely transform into a chrysalis. It is from these cocoons that the beautiful silk filaments are spun. One cocoon produces between 1,000 and 2,000 feet of silk filament which is then transformed in to some of the most beautiful fabrics unique to China.

With no plans or pictures, intricate carvings are handed down from father to son. Pictured here, Solomon is a fourth generation wood carver who has individually carved each of your keyrings to ensure they are a unique piece of art created just for you.

Your silk envelope has been handcrafted in the Suzhou city, the land of chinese silk, using beautiful and traditional chinese designs, and carefully fastened using the chinese good luck knot.

Contents Message from Sohrab

The Big Journey Difference

Watching silk worms at work - China

A night at the palace - India

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the little things that make the difference - Kenya

A bed of ice anybody? - Norway

Kimono & slippers - Japan

Making lampshades & fighting crocodiles - Vietnam and Cambodia

We saw mummies older than Egyptâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Peru

Fantastical landscape - Iceland

The remote beauty of the Emerald Isle - Ireland

Stepping off the beaten track - Egypt

The 8ft baby python - Kenya

He packed his paintbox - Borneo

Snakes in a tree - Australia & New Zealand

Small is beautiful - Costa Rica

Breakfast in the Masai Mara - Kenya

Thanks to Diamond Resorts International

Good things can happen

Tread carefully the land of your brothers and sisters, respect the ways of their ancestors, leave judgement to God. Above all, choose well the friends with whom you share the road.

Sohrab Jahromi

As I write and reflect on the year, it’s easy to forget that the road stretching ahead is the product of the road behind us, and my road has been filled with smiling faces, laughter, fabulous food and breath-taking sights. I see warm sandy beaches, the icy cold of the Arctic Circle, wide open spaces, seldomtrodden paths, different cultures and languages, and all of it shared by friends old and new. When I try to imagine what I’m most thankful for, I see the Taj Mahal, I see the huge creatures that swam alongside us at The Great Barrier Reef, I see the pyramids at Giza and the Great Wall of China stretching across the mountain-tops.

But I think it’s the memories we helped to create through the little things we did that are my fondest; the apparently unremarkable things that we’d later learn made a huge impact on our travellers’ experiences. Like the bent birthday cake! It reminds me that travel is about more than places. In the end, it is about people – sharing experiences, making new friends, creating memories together. Of course, trips to far-flung places are what we do at The Big Journey Company, they’re our raison d’être; and as many of our trips have been created especially for members of Diamond Resorts

International, it is deeply gratifying to see just how successful this partnership has become and how much it is appreciated by Diamond members. The stories you’re about to read are not only a testament to that success, they are the inspiration for new Big Journeys we’re planning this year and beyond – our debut to Kilimanjaro, for example, the highest free-standing mountain in the world. It will be the first in a new kind of adventure for Diamond members to enjoy. Thank you for sharing the road with us.

Sohrab Jahromi - CEO The Big Journey Company

THE BIG JOURNEY DIFFERENCE

Chris, a Diamond member, turned 50 the day we reached the River Kinabatangan in the Borneo jungle. Naturally, we wanted to celebrate, but our last chance to get a birthday cake had been three days before the event. This presented the team with the tricky task of transporting a cake across Borneo, incognito – and intact. It was in a bag inside the luggage compartment when there was an almighty crunch as our truck hit an enormous pothole. The team looked at one another with some dread and sure enough, the cake had taken a hit. Undeterred however, we decorated the cake at our jungle camp later that night, bringing it out, one side completely collapsed, to a chorus of happy birthday and hoots of laughter when the group realised what we’d been up to. Then there’s Turtle Island, an hour’s boat ride from the Borneo coast. Keen to maximise our

chances of seeing the wildlife, we headed out at sunrise. As we strolled around the island in the cool of the morning, we heard a scratching sound coming from up the beach. It turned out to be a stranded, exhausted female turtle. She’d finished laying her eggs but had become stuck between two trees, unable to turn herself around. If she remained where she was, the heat would kill her. We had to get her into the water. A little nervous, five of us tried to lift the turtle – all 400lbs of her. We weren’t the only ones who were nervous. But, after a few moments of panic, our turtle allowed us to slowly manoeuvre her into a position from which she could edge her way back into the water. It was an extraordinary connection we made with nature that morning. I’ve spoken since to the members who helped; none of us quite have the words to describe such a poignant moment.

Of all the memories I have however, the most profound is one about a lovely lady called Maureen. It is a constant reminder of why I founded The Big Journey Company. Maureen and her husband Brian had always wanted to see the Northern Lights, so they joined our trip to Norway last year. Clearly unwell, Maureen, who was later diagnosed with cancer, was already very frail. Undeterred, however, she signed up for our ‘Chase the Lights’ excursion in which we drive to the best place to see the lights, guided by a team which monitors solar activity, cloud cover and other conditions affecting the aurora’s visibility. We reserved a seat at the front of the bus for Maureen and drove a couple of hours to a frozen lake in Norway’s Arctic Circle. As the lights began, the ground team gently helped Maureen off the bus and

turned out all lights on the bus so as to give her the best view. The Aurora Borealis poured from the skies as if on cue, and it was among the best displays I’ve seen in all my trips to the Northern Lights. A few months later, I received an email from Brian. Maureen had sadly passed away, but he wanted us to know how thrilled she’d been at finally getting to see the Northern Lights. “After 47 years of marriage and many travels all over the world”, Brian said, “It was a wonderful last trip together. Thank you for making it happen.”

It’s moments like these which continue to humble myself and my team. We’ve met incredible people with amazing stories, and we will continue to be as aware as possible to ensure subtle, powerful and emotional care is taken to make our journeys the best they can possibly be.

WATCHING SILK WORMS AT WORK Terri Thomas in China

Terri Thomas’s mother, Sharon wanted to take Terri and her sisters on holiday as they’d never been away together and China had always been on her bucket list. Here, Terri reflects on their trip to China. Beijing was an unexpected highlight for me. It’s a city in which old and new are crammed together. I knew the Great Wall would be ‘great’, and I knew the Summer Palace and Three Gorges Dam would be spectacular. But it was the cities, where traditional China meets all the hallmarks of a dynamic country, which added the Wow! factor to this trip. We spent the first two days wandering through Beijing to see how the development of capitalism exists alongside the lingering restraints of communism. From Beijing, we travelled to Xian, cruising the Yangtze River past the Three Gorges Dam and on to Shanghai. This city was also a revelation. Shanghai is a very modern city, where capitalism in China has rushed ahead, yet we were able to travel in relaxed fashion by gondola through River City. The tour enabled us to mingle with Chinese people, whom we found very friendly. Amongst the young people, we sensed huge optimism about the future of their country. As there were 31 in our party, it helped that it is customary in China to eat at a round table. It made mixing much easier, and every time we sat down to eat, we’d learn something new about a different culture. We were grateful for that opportunity; we saw lifestyles very different from our own.

We saw panda bears, and watched music and dance typical of the Tang dynasty. We also saw some fabulous Chinese “Cirque de Soleil” and watched a very entertaining show which told the story of a young Shaolin monk and his journey to becoming a Shaolin priest and expert in Kung Fu.

The Chinese were the first to learn how to manufacture silk This is one of the attractions of Big Journey tours – the bonds that we make. We’ve kept in touch with several people. The other is the pace. There was no sitting around; the days were full and there was always something to see or do. Naturally, in a country as vast as China, we could only scratch the surface in 10 days. But the tour offered great insight into Chinese culture, and The Big Journey Company did far more than simply herd us to the predictable tourist honey-pots. One of our highlights was the Huairou Cloisonné Factory near Beijing. We watched as artists transferred images from sketches on paper onto copper moulds, using copper filigree. They applied enamel paint to the filigree, a process repeated many times to give layers of glaze, and then fired it to render the surface smooth. The artists created all kinds of pictures, vases, plates, urns, saki cups, jewellery and jewellery boxes. Because our guides were so knowledgeable, we got a good sense of the story of this ancient Chinese art, many of us leaving with treasured pieces bought from the gallery. We saw freshwater pearls in production at a pearl factory, and we visited a jade shop. At a silk factory, it was amazing to see the workers wind and stretch the silk from the silkworms. We learned that the Chinese were the first to learn how to manufacture silk; nobody else could figure out how to do it, and it’s how China made much of its wealth, trading along the famous Silk Road.

For a foodie like me, a visit to the markets was definitely one of my highlights At a tea factory, we were shown many kinds of tea, and we learned how to brew tea properly, using a different method for each type.

Eating at different restaurants throughout China was a great way to see the range of cuisine between north and south. All the food was really good, and for a foodie like me, a visit to the markets was definitely one of my highlights. This, alongside the sights and the temples – every one of which was different from the last – was fantastic, so exciting.

Our Big Journey guides persuaded the ship’s captain to make an unscheduled stop During our trip along the Yangtze River, a local guide took us into the countryside to show us how local people farm the steep-sided hills. The landscape surrounding the Yangtze is rugged and beautiful – a magnificent contrast to the cities. It was these little excursions away from the bigname attractions that proved most revealing for me; I felt we were experiencing the real China. Our guides, local people who joined us at various stages, gave us a flavour of each region’s own customs and culture, making it a very informative trip. The enthusiasm of Mark, one of the guides, was so powerful it was infectious. We felt safe too, not only because we formed a strong bond with our national guide Charlie, who was with us throughout the trip, but because we could see how The Big Journey Company reacted to the unexpected. When one of our party experienced heart problems and the ship’s doctor wasn’t sure what to do, our

Big Journey guides persuaded the captain to make an unscheduled stop and ensured that an ambulance and doctor were waiting on the dockside. Then Charlie and So disembarked with the patient and his wife – Charlie to act as interpreter and So to ensure everything went smoothly. Mark stayed aboard with the rest of us. Charlie later caught the train and rejoined the ship, as did So, after a three-hour taxi ride at 4am!

This trip to China was a chance to make new friends and create wonderful memories We were really impressed. We could see the company was happy to go the extra mile for us; they even made a special detour for my sister Cindy to find new batteries for her camera! Our trip to China gave us a taste for adventure, and it was quite hard to come home. But, we’ve booked a trip to Africa, because we’re so confident about travelling with The Big Journey Company. We think it’s great that Diamond Resorts has teamed up with the Big Journey people; the range of trips now on offer is remarkable, and I’d love to do them all. But the biggest highlight of this trip to China was the chance to make new friends and create wonderful memories with other Diamond members. We plan to create a few more – in Africa, our next trip!

Terri Thomas

A NIGHT AT THE PALACE Gerald Sandwell in India

Gerald Sandwell and Pamela Marson have been away with us many times – to China, Kenya, Peru, and to see the Northern Lights. We asked Gerald about their latest Big Journey, a tour of India. We like going to off-beat places. We particularly like to experience something authentic rather than just the tourist hotspots – which is why we really appreciate the chance to use our Diamond points on a Big Journey. Our first-ever escorted tours were with the World Wildlife Fund and, although we’re interested in wildlife, we wanted more balance between birdwatching and sight-seeing. The first Big Journey we took was the Kenyan safari. After that, there was no looking back – we signed up for China, Peru, the Northern Lights in Norway, and of course, this trip to India, a place that had always been on my radar as I’d been there on business and two of my cousins are married to Indians. India is huge and our trip was only two weeks long, but what struck us was the scope and variety of the Big Journey itinerary. Even so, we still found time to have dinner with relatives of my cousin, in Jaipur. It all came together very nicely for us.

With a lot of ground to cover, we moved quickly. After a night in Delhi, we embarked on what’s known as the Golden Triangle – south to Jaipur, then Agra, then back to Delhi.

We felt connected to a part of India’s past We visited the main tourist sites, but it was the little adventures we took that made us feel less like tourists. It must surely be a challenge to offer a portrayal of a country as vast as India in just two weeks, but The Big Journey Company’s tour did very well, thanks to their highly skilled local guides. In Jaipur, we took some quirky modes of transport: first, a rickshaw and later, an elephant. Thankfully there was a little platform from which we could step onto the elephant’s back. We were sidesaddle, in a special seat, while the keeper straddled our vehicle’s neck, guiding her with his feet. It took a while to get used to the rocking motion, but once we did, it was very enjoyable to be so high, and to feel connected to India’s past and the way Indians used to get around. The Taj Mahal at Agra was a most impressive place. It was even better to be there in front of it after having seen so many pictures of it. We arrived early in the morning to watch the sun rise over the water gardens in peace. It was a good decision; we beat the dense crowds that formed later in the day. At a nearby nature reserve, we saw large, elegant birds nesting in the trees around a lake. I think they were cranes – birds that are powerful symbols in some parts of Asia. Our hotel that night had once been a maharajah’s palace, and it was enormous, with high vaulted ceilings decorated with marble and gold and brightly coloured paintings. Our room was the size of a small hall!

We went out into the reserve to look for tigers Food in India was very interesting for us as we’ve become used to a particular take on Indian food in the UK. We could certainly taste the difference between these authentic dishes and the Western versions we’ve become accustomed to; these were more subtle, with less heat, and more sophisticated flavour.

At the Ranthambore reserve, we paused for three days – a nice change from travelling and sightseeing in the cities. With our lodge as our base, we went out into the reserve, looking for tigers. Each day, we split into three groups, hopped into our jeep, and went to find the elusive big cats. We saw monkeys, wild dogs, and some wonderful birds and were beginning to give up hope when, on the final day, we found an entire family. Taking care not to disturb them, we kept our distance; nevertheless, it was the icing on the cake, particularly as we’d watched a documentary about one of the tigers living in the reserve just a few days earlier.

They knew each of us – and our limitations Later, at an arts collective, we watched the workers create silk embroidery, paintings and other crafts. I marvelled at the magnificent workmanship of a huge Buddhist temple with its carvings of elephants. Another temple we visited was designed like a lotus flower, and interestingly was not dedicated to any particular religion. No services were held there, but anybody could enter and pray as they wished. Pam had a birthday during our India trip, so she was thrilled when The Big Journey Company

guides brought out a cake especially for her. Without wishing to sound competitive in any way (!), I do however feel that my 75th birthday, which fell during our Big Journey to China, upstaged Pam’s slightly in that the guides produced my cake when we were on the Great Wall! On a serious note, we’d be hard-pressed to find a tour company that could look after us as well as The Big Journey Company. Their guides did everything they could to ensure we were all getting what we wanted from the trip. They knew each of us – and our limitations – and showed us more care than larger companies would. We have total confidence in them because they are meticulous in their preparations and any problems are resolved swiftly. They are in control – and we could simply relax.

Gerald Sandwell

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE THE DIFFERENCE The Keighrons in Kenya

If you’d asked Gretchen and Kevin Keighron before their trip if they were interested in birds, they’d have said no. But the birdlife they saw on their Kenyan safari turned out to be one of their highlights, as was the care they received from their guide. We jumped at the opportunity to go on safari. It was something we’d never experienced – and we thought it was wonderful to be able to use our points in this way. Our guide So was excellent – so good we told him we’d go any place with him! He was totally accommodating, as we witnessed when a fellow traveller asked if we could hold a Sunday service. So promptly arranged for a space to be cleared in the hotel, and when we discovered that two of our party were retired preachers, we held an impromptu service, there and then. So made it happen. Little touches like that make all the difference. The safari lasted 11 days, with a full schedule which offered the opportunity to see as many animals as possible, but we didn’t ever find it tiring.

So met us at Nairobi airport, drove us to our hotel, and chatted with us over drinks in the bar. He was keen to get to know us and find out what we wanted from the trip so that he could plan who would travel with whom – and he did an excellent job; we got on really well with the people in our truck.

The birds were undoubtedly one of the things that impressed us most From Nairobi, we headed north, staying a night here and a few nights there at a number of parks in the mountains and on the plains. Our drivers, all friendly, knowledgeable and fluent in English, had been handpicked by The Big Journey Company and were able to answer all our questions – on politics, geography, and on the flora and fauna. They would raise the roof of the vehicle so we could take photos of the wildlife. It was interesting to compare the parks either side of the equator and see the remarkable differences in species indigenous to each side. Did you know there are two kinds of zebra? We didn’t, but the fact that we saw both, and three kinds of giraffe, marked our safari out from others we’ve heard of, which visit just one park. We were very glad our Big Journey safari had such scope. In fact, the range of animals we encountered was amazing – hundreds of elephants, many lions, giraffes, wildebeest, monkeys, cheetahs, black and white rhino, and – hardest of all to spot – leopards.

Our guides could respond quickly to changing circumstances Our accommodation – referred to as a ‘tent’ – was anything but. Built on platforms, the tents had hardwood floors, ceramic tiling, plumbed-in bathrooms, and were situated in the middle of it all. One morning, we looked out of our tent to find an elephant busy eating his breakfast! Much of our food was buffet-style, which was great as it meant we could sample all kinds of local dishes. As a surprise on our last day, So arranged for food to be cooked and served out in the savannah, as though we were on a hunt. It was another little extra something, and it made our tour feel special. When we arrived back in Nairobi, we witnessed more of So’s attention to detail. The first was when it became evident that the hotel we were booked into had suffered a drop in standards. The Big Journey Company won’t compromise on quality and even though it cost the company, So simply cancelled the booking and moved us to an alternate hotel. The company’s flexibility meant the guides could respond quickly to changing circumstances and ensure we were looked after – and that’s what we appreciated about going with a smaller company; it was a much more personalized experience. The second occurred during dinner when an elderly couple who were unfamiliar with the local currency were unsure whether or not to order

water. Although cheap, at 300 Shillings it did sound expensive! Noticing their discomfort however, So discreetly ordered water for the entire table at the company’s expense, resolving the matter in a way that didn’t embarrass the couple.

Each day was an adventure It seemed classy and professional to us, and a further example of what The Big Journey Company stands for. We can’t wait to travel with them to China and we’re delighted that Jim and Lydia, whom we met on the Kenya trip, are coming too. The way we got so close to the animals, and the vast range of animals we saw, will be a lasting memory for us. Each day was an adventure: we’d return from every excursion, saying: “Wow, nothing will top that!” but, sure enough, the very next day would bring something unexpected and even more astounding. The tour really exceeded expectations, to the point that we doubt we’ll ever want to do another safari simply because this one would be so hard to match. I think we were exceptionally lucky to see the animals we saw. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience

Gretchen & Kevin Keighron

Before this safari, we didn’t think we were much interested in birdlife. But Kenya has around 1200 species and we must have seen a good many of them. The size of the flocks was breathtaking and their colours were fabulous. In the end, the birds were undoubtedly one of the things that impressed us most. The drivers were on the ball. They carried radios, and if they received reports of animal sightings, they’d head off in pursuit. Even when we were scheduled to return to base, if the driver got word of a sighting he’d push things to the limit so that we got to see these animals.

A BED OF ICE ANYBODY? Chris Ladkin in Norway

Did you know there’s a hotel where the beds are made of ice? Or that beneath the Norwegian city of Tromso lies a huge labyrinth of underground roads? Nor did Chris Ladkin, until he and his wife Sue took a Big Journey to the Northern Lights. Chris describes this, their most recent trip. I was working at my computer when the bulletin from Diamond Resorts arrived, publicizing the Northern Lights tour. It didn’t seem like my kind of trip, but something prompted me to mention it to Sue. We concluded that even though it’s possible to see the Northern Lights from Britain, it’s a pallid version – no match for the view from the Arctic, and no huskies either. So we booked it. We flew to Tromsø, deep in the Arctic Circle, then bizarrely, we disappeared under the city! The airport is in the north of the island but the harbour is at the south, so we entered a labyrinth of tunnels, popping up twenty minutes later to board the boat.

As we sailed north through the fjords, I was reminded how narrow Norway is, and how northerly. I had no idea how many islands lie off the coast, sheltering us from the open seas and making for a calmer trip than we’d expected. We were aboard the ‘Hurtigruten’, the sevendecked Norwegian sea-bus that holds around 400 people and is used by locals to get to and from the remote townships dotted along the fjords. This made for a good mix: retirees, people like us in their thirties, and every age in between. We ate dinner together and chatted in the cosy ambiance of the ship’s bar, and enjoyed the onboard entertainment.

Guides monitor sightings of the aurora, then radio in the data On one of our excursions ashore we went to the Snow Hotel. It was stunning, made entirely of snow, where the bed you book is made of ice and covered with animal skins. We tried local reindeer sausage and had a drink at the bar. On the walls were amazing ice-carvings, and I learned that the whole hotel was created in just 14 days. Incredible!

A fascinating feature of this part of the world is that there is no dusk; it’s either daylight or it’s night – and it goes dark very quickly. As night fell, we’d leave the deck and head inside for dinner, and it was during dinner the first night that we first saw the lights. Later, during another inland excursion, we saw the lights at their most spectacular.

The aurora seemed to recede, so we re-boarded the bus. Suddenly, the lights reappeared, so we all clambered out again. It was an amazing sight – a wonderful mutating green cloud, with lights dancing across the Norwegian mountaintops. We were really lucky; it was a proper light show, and lasted around an hour.

Our boat was unable to chase the lights, as it’s a scheduled service. But, once off the boat, the fun really began. The Big Journey Company organized spectacular light-chasing trips led by local guides who monitor the weather and sightings of the aurora, then radio in the data so the drivers can head to the best spots – sometimes leaving it until five minutes before departure to decide where to go.

It was also cold, but that didn’t stop our guide, a Colombian photographer, from lying on the ice with his camera poised for the best shots, and some of his photos were astounding. At the end of it all, it was lovely to relax in the hotel back in Tromso, having seen everything we’d hoped for.

We drove for about an hour, arriving at some frozen lakes as the lights emerged, and parked the bus beside the lake – thank goodness for snow-grips.

It was a proper light show and lasted around an hour

To be honest though, even if we hadn’t seen the lights, we’d still have enjoyed the trip. The Arctic was wonderful; the fjords and mountains are like a different world, one I’d have happily immersed myself in a little longer. I never tired of seeing endless ice-covered mountains. I have to say though, seeing the lights definitely added the extra magic.”

Chris Ladkin

KIMONO AND SLIPPERS The Cornwalls in Japan

Peter Cornwall and his wife Karen have been on several Big Journeys, and The Big Journey Company even created a unique honeymoon for their son. After Peter’s many requests for a new trip, we were finally able to make it happen. Here, Peter describes the couple’s trip to the Land of the Rising Sun. After each of our Big Journeys, I’d fill in the feedback form with the words: ‘Can we go to Japan, please?!’ Suddenly, there it was – in their portfolio. Feeling like it was our trip, we signed up for a life-long dream, a 12-day tour of Japan. Mark and So, our guides from The Big Journey Company, arrived early to make sure everything was in place, and we were then joined by our amazing Japanese guide Yumi, who was great fun, not least because she really got our British sense of humour! Thanks to Yumi, we not only learned the background to the customs of Japan, we got involved; within moments of arriving at our hotel we were kitted out in kimono and slippers.

After a night in Tokyo we headed for the mountains, via Matsumoto Castle, an ancient Samurai stronghold made entirely of wood. Then to Kyoto, Japan’s old capital city, where we had a geisha evening – or ‘geiko’ – which was brilliant. The geiko, who arrived with a chaperone, danced for us, then talked and helped serve our meal and saki. Later, we had a fascinating Q&A session with her.

As the conductor entered each carriage, he’d remove his cap and take a bow On the island of Osaka, we climbed to the Sky Gardens for a view of the city, the surrounding hills, and a Japanese garden complete with bonsai trees. After a moving visit to the Peace Park and museum in Hiroshima, we sailed to another island: Itsukushima. Out at sea was a wooden gateway called a “torii” – a religious symbol – and a mustsee. The temple there was huge and built entirely of wood, slotted together, without the use of a single nail. The Great Buddha there sits in the largest wooden structure in the world, and the Buddha itself, also made of wood, has been ransacked and burned so many times that the one we saw is composed of pieces from many different eras. Mount Fuji on a fine day, with its snow-capped peak clearly visible, was one of our highlights. And the village below, which received its crystalclear meltwater was a glorious place, especially as the iconic cherry blossom was just flowering. Everything in Japan was very slick and wellorganized. On the train to Hiroshima, special

Japanese lunch-boxes were waiting for us when we pulled into the station. Train-travel Japanese-style was actually quite a highlight for us: as the conductor entered each carriage, he’d remove his cap and take a bow after checking each ticket. He’d then bow again as he left the carriage. The platform guards timed departures to the second, so the trains were punctual – a breath of fresh air for us Brits! Our party of 14 Americans and 8 Brits was perfect and we all got on really well. Making new friends is definitely one of the big attractions for us. In fact, on our US tour next year we’ll be looking up the friends we made in Japan when we reach Arizona.

Rather than focussing on standard tourist sites, The Big Journey Company takes people to remote areas As with all Big Journey tours, there is always something to do; we really felt we made the most of every moment, and the Big Journey guides are always open to ideas; if you approach them with a suggestion, they do their best to make it happen. It’s this personal touch that delighted our son and his wife after they’d asked The Big Journey Company to create their honeymoon. They simply listed the things they wanted to do and The Big Journey Company pulled out all the stops. Every Big Journey has been well-organized, our guides continually phoning ahead to ensure everything is in place. If we were ever delayed, they would ask the hotel ahead to have our meals ready for us when we arrived. We really feel we get our money’s worth; we just turn up and enjoy ourselves! Rather than focussing on standard tourist sites, The Big Journey Company takes people to the remote areas. One night, for example, we

stayed in a hotel in the mountains, deep in snow. Next morning, the manager was very concerned to know if we’d enjoyed our stay. It turned out we were his first Western guests.

The memories we have from these adventures will stay with us forever Great food is another highlight for us. Our restaurants were very well chosen – many of them five-star. At one place, we had okonomiyaki, a famous dish around Hiroshima. A hotplate is set in front of you, and on it is cooked a big pancake with meat, vegetables and noodles. We also loved the Japanese bath ritual and seized every opportunity to have one. Whether heated naturally by volcanic activity, or artificially, they are hot! The Japanese people were very interested in us, the younger ones in particular coming over to take photographs and practice their English. We noticed that if someone sees you looking a little lost, they will come over and introduce themselves and give you directions. Without Diamond Resorts, we would never have discovered The Big Journey Company. We read about the safari in Kenya, and that was it, we booked one ourselves – and I’m so glad we did. The memories we have from these adventures will stay with us forever

Peter and Karen Cornwall

MAKING LAMPSHADES & FIGHTING CROCODILES Rhona and Alastair in Vietnam & Cambodia

Rhona McGregor and Alastair Harper have joined our Kenyan safari and our trip to the Northern Lights. Here, they tell us about their latest Big Journey – to Vietnam and Cambodia. We knew we’d see temples in Vietnam and Cambodia, but beyond that we’d no idea what to expect. What we found was a real eye-opener. Many of our preconceptions of these countries were totally wrong. Our tour kicked off in Vietnam, with a city tour of Saigon led by guides who explained the history behind the architecture and government buildings. We ate in local restaurants, sampling excellent Vietnamese cuisine. We sailed in a junk in the Mekong Delta at Halong Bay – and it was amazing, cruising past tiny islands and rock-stacks that towered out of the sea. We were at sea all day, breaking for a lunch of seafood and salads.

We went to the place where Tomb Raider was filmed Back on shore, we entered an amazing naturallyformed cavern, and I remember watching how the light played on the surface of the rock, bringing out its many beautiful colours.

We visited museums dedicated to the Vietnam War, which were a challenging yet seemingly essential part of our tour. There are many tunnels in the forest, with hidden trapdoors, and even the ones that had been widened for tourists were very claustrophobic. But it was enjoyable as well as interesting; our mischievous tour guide would jump out from the secret tunnels and give us the fright of our lives. From Ho Chi Minh City we flew to Cambodia, looking down at the rice paddies as we descended. We went to the place where Tomb Raider was filmed: Angkor Thom, and saw many temples, some of them hidden. It was an education. How did our ancestors build such complex structures? The sophistication of the carvings was mind-blowing.

The workers taught us how to make a silk lamp shade Some evenings, we’d have dinner then watch a show, such as a Cambodian traditional dance. We also went shopping in the streets nearby, which came alive after dusk. The local people were smiley and pleasant, not at all pushy.

One day, we visited a kind of commune where people made and sold crafts, things like table mats, silk cushion covers, intricately carved glass and ornaments. The workers even taught us how to make a lamp shade out of brocade and different fabrics – something I doubt very much we’d have done if we’d been navigating Cambodia on our own. Our days were full, but not to the extent that we felt hurried; it was a very laid-back tour, and we weren’t herded around. As we’ve come to expect, this Big Journey Company trip was exceptionally well-organized. Our accommodation and food was very good indeed, and most importantly, we felt safe everywhere we went.

Diamond and The Big Journey Company is a partnership that works brilliantly for us The highlight for us was Halong Bay and our boat trip to a crocodile farm in Cambodia. We sat in our boat, looked down into the pens and watched the baby crocodiles fight over the perch that the keepers were throwing to them.

This was the trip of a lifetime, thanks to The Big Journey Company’s attention to detail. They seem to be streets ahead. When we took an escorted holiday with a different company, we immediately noticed the difference: on a Big Journey tour we feel valued, we feel the tour has been personalized for us, and we’d go anywhere in the world with The Big Journey Company because we know they’ll look after us and go out of their way to help. In the past, we’d sometimes been unsure how to use all our points, but now we don’t hesitate. We think it’s great that Diamond Resorts can offer these exciting trips; Diamond and The Big Journey Company is a partnership that works brilliantly for us..

Rhona & Alastair

WE SAW MUMMIES OLDER THAN EGYPT’S The Infantis in Peru

John and Carmela Infanti had a fabulous time with us in Peru. When they told us they were just itching to watch the sun rise over Machu Pichu, we were more than happy to adjust our schedule, as John recalls... Machu Pichu had always intrigued us. We felt it was something everybody should see, and although we’d been to Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, we’d never been to Peru. We found The Big Journey Company’s website, read the itinerary, and contacted the company to find out if they’d be willing to make some minor adjustments. “Could we go to Machu Pichu the night before our scheduled date, and see the place in the morning light?” I’d asked. The Big Journey Company said: “We’ll call our tour guides.” And, sure enough, they made it happen.

We’d developed a thing for empanadas Usually we’d travel independently, but we knew that we’d struggle with the language and culture difference in Peru, not to mention the logistics of getting around, so we were happy to join an escorted tour. We could also see by the response to our request that we weren’t dealing with a faceless corporation. In fact, The Big Journey Company let us help create the tour; we felt involved, and this was a revelation. It’s the reason that we’ve booked a second trip, this time to China. The folk at The Big Journey Company were open and flexible throughout the trip. Our guide moved from group to group, making adjustments to ensure that all of our needs were met. Some people were on special diets; others couldn’t tackle all the steps in Machu Pichu. But, unfazed, our guide tailored the trip as we went along, keeping everyone happy and involved. A fine example of this took place in a little village. We’d developed a thing for empanadas by this time, so, when we noticed some clay ovens and a man making some spectacular empanadas, we said: “We have to get some of those!” and we mentioned to the guide that we planned to buy some.

“Hey, that’s a great idea,” he said, and before we knew it he’d paid for them all. He was very spontaneous, and it proved that The Big Journey Company is happy to go with the flow. Little things like this made the trip unique.

We were at the heart of things and it was all within walking distance The guides knew the tour inside-out, and they took the time to get to know us almost as well! They took everything in their stride, and it was great to watch them manage problems adeptly and without getting flustered. We stayed in Lima for two days, flew to Cusco to see the sacred sites, then on to Machu Pichu. Our accommodation was excellent – all four or five-star hotels and fabulously situated. We didn’t have to rely on transport to get to places of interest as we’ve had to on other tours. Instead, we were at the heart of things, and everything was within walking distance. Some of our favourite memories are of mealtimes, often because they took place in such unlikely locations: in a museum, or right next to a pyramid. The Big Journey Company certainly found accommodation and food in some pretty out-of-the-way places.

The mountains were amazing – so precipitous they seemed to tower right over us Lima was a wonderfully vibrant city, and the Peruvians were lovely. Seeing the city by bus, accompanied by our excellent city guides, really gave us a feel for the place. We mixed with the people and we saw places off the beaten track. Shopping in the markets was fantastic and we learned much about Peruvian culture and history. Did you know there are mummified bodies in Peru even older than those in Egypt? The landscape was just as amazing – mountains so precipitous they seemed to tower right over us. And, standing atop the mountains in Machu Pichu viewing the panorama of the Inca remains, those incredible stoneworks in such a wonderful location, was mesmerizing. For us, the inclusion of these escorted tours is a very welcome dimension to the Diamond offering. We think it’s great to see Diamond Resorts embrace this diversity, and we love the chance to vary our holidays and mix relaxation with adventure..

John & Carmela Infanti

FANTASTICAL LANDSCAPE Linda Lentz in Iceland

Single traveller Linda Lentz enjoys the conviviality of the Big Journey tours. Here, she reminisces on her trip to Iceland. I have an adventurous spirit, which is why I was drawn to the stark yet stunning beauty of Iceland. But it wasn’t always so. On my first Big Journey tour – a Kenyan safari – I wasn’t sure what I was getting into and I was a little insecure. But, as I’ve taken more trips, I’ve learned that The Big Journey Company will look after me, so by the time I arrived in Iceland, I was quite relaxed. Every tour has its own flavour. Whereas Kenya was about the game drives, Iceland was about the volcanic flow that has formed the landscape, and of course, the volcano that brought Europe to a halt a few years ago. I flew from Toronto to Reykjavik, met up with the other travellers and then with Iggy, our phenomenal Icelandic guide. Iggy did more than drive the truck; he came exploring with us and shared his fascinating knowledge, all the while making sure he gave us what we wanted from the tour.

We stopped below Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano that caused all the trouble in 2010 Driving west from Reykjavik, we then headed south to the shore. Iggy and I sat up front, and in the back were the rest of our party. For me, the charm of these trips is that I meet new people; by

the end of the trip, I felt really close to Gary and Lorraine, a couple from England. Though we never know quite what to expect, we’re all open to new experiences – as we were in a little hotel in Costa Rica when we broke into spontaneous karaoke! Even though I’m from Minnesota and used to cold climates, the Icelandic landscape still seemed otherworldly to me. Where you’d expect to see fields, there was a black, fungus-covered lava formation, and it’s easy to see why many films which need a fantastical landscape, such as Interstellar, have been shot here. We stopped below Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano whose eruption caused all the trouble in 2010, then walked on a nearby glacier. We travelled along the coastline to where it extended into the ocean and I got fantastic pictures from the beach, which was all black lava, with huge icebergs stranded there. We were literally walking between massive mountains of ice.

We ate 10 courses served on plates and platters all made of lava There were geysers too, shooting up into the sky like those in Yellowstone in winter, and even though there was no deep snow, everything had a wintery feel and required winter gear, especially when walking on the glacier. We saw beautiful waterfalls partly iced over, and were able to stand inside the cavern behind them and look out through the water as it descended. One excursion which was full of surprises was a day out at a power plant. We were shown

huge turbine steam engines, built by the Japanese, and learned that there is no air pollution involved in this energy production. They drill about three miles into the ground, drawing up water and steam, and using the hot water to heat cold water because they don’t want the sulphur fumes in it. They then pump the hot water right back down again, making the process selfsustaining. In fact you can stand in the shower all day in Iceland and never run out of hot water. Later, I had cod and mussels at the seafood market, all wonderfully fresh. And, in Reykjavik on our last night, we ate ten courses served on plates and platters that were all made of lava. As we drove back to the airport, we stopped at the blue lagoon for a fantastic spa treatment, lounging in outdoor pools that were heated by lava and because the mud in the pools contained silica, we made our own facials.

On a Big Journey, you don’t feel herded Of all the things we saw, the part of the trip that was most enlightening for me was the countryside. Iggy gave us a huge picture book, a really nice touch – and very typical of the people at The Big Journey

Company. I’m always telling people about the great holidays I’ve had with them thanks to Diamond Resorts. In fact my goal is to do all the trips on offer, beginning with the Galapagos tour next summer. On both the trips I’ve been on, we all end up becoming one big group of friends, and it’s great. During this Icelandic adventure, I retreated to my room early one evening because I felt unwell, and two of my fellow Big Journey travellers came to check up on me. You wouldn’t get that kind of support if you went away on your own. At The Big Journey Company, they really do their homework. They make us feel comfortable and safe, by being organized yet flexible. One key difference I noticed with The Big Journey Company is that, compared to other tour companies, you don’t feel ‘herded’. Even though there’s a lot to see and do, they give us time to relax and take things in – rather than shuttling us around so that they stick to their schedule. They really look after you, and I like that. As a single traveller I can go into an unknown situation knowing I’ll be taken care of. All I need to do is show up and have a good time

Linda lentz

THE REMOTE BEAUTY OF THE EMERALD ISLE Kathy McGowan-York in Ireland

When Kathy McGowan-York joined a Diamond Resorts member event in Ireland, she’d only planned to do the first half of the tour. So we were delighted when she and her husband booked The Big Journey Company’s extension to Dublin. We knew it was going to be pretty remote. We’d looked at the map, and as city-dwellers, found ourselves a little uneasy at the prospect of being in the middle of nowhere. The west coast of Ireland really is a beautiful part of the country, and the tour takes in the country as well as the city. It was actually very relaxing to find ourselves in such rural serenity. Ireland is peaceful, beautiful, and so green you don’t realise how many greens are in the spectrum until you’ve seen the “Emerald Isle”. Even the drive from the airport was pretty, and by leaving behind the tourist areas we immediately saw how people really live in Ireland. We were met at the airport and driven to East Clare, stopping on the way to buy groceries to stock our accommodation, a lovely townhouse, which was nicely furnished and very comfortable – a real home-from-home.

more than five hundred years old and ruins from even further back. We also saw reconstructions of Ireland as it was a thousand years ago.

We were treated to a concert after dinner in a church that was over 1000 years old Some nights, dinner was part of the package; other nights, we could cater for ourselves – so we took advantage of the little restaurant nearby (it’s nice to be waited on when you’re on vacation!) In fact, one of the most satisfying aspects of the trip was this freedom to spend as much time as we chose with the group, and we’re still in touch with one couple we met from Louisiana, whom we used to lunch and dine with frequently. Our driver, a local man, told us much about life in the Irish countryside, describing the history and culture, flora and fauna. He told us stories of the villages and the famous sites, giving us a real glimpse of what life is like, and an understanding of history and tradition which go further back than an American like me is used to. It gave everything great depth and colour. We saw churches that were

One evening, we had a party at a restaurant called Peppers, thanks to local musicians and dancers. On another we were treated to a concert after dinner in a church that was more than 1000 years old. We visited small, pretty villages, and the boat ride on the River Shannon was followed by a medieval banquet – what a blast!

Our days were fun, educational, and hugely varied We had some days to ourselves, when we could explore on our own. We didn’t feel rushed, and it was really nice. Another day, we were given the choice to play golf or join the non-golfers excursion to Ennis, for a little history and shopping. One of the most beautiful days was our trip to the cliffs of Moher and to The Burren. We visited the sea caves and watched a show featuring birds of prey. At The Burren, a wilderness noted for its strange geology, we saw the limestone pavements. Our driver told us how The Burren had been formed and that, because it had once been at sea level, it was home to some species of flowers, reptiles and animals that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Besides our driver, we were looked after by Sohrab and the two Steves from The Big Journey Company. They were fantastic and ran the tour like a well-oiled machine; our days were fun, educational, and hugely varied. En route to Dublin we stopped at Blarney Castle and Jameson Middleton Distillery. Later, we saw the Book of Kells at Trinity College and the Guinness storehouse.

I’d do it all again in a heartbeat It was certainly one of the best holidays I’ve ever had. We didn’t just get taken to the big tourist attractions; they took us to places we’d never have thought of. If we’d turned up on our own on the west coast of Ireland, in County Clare, we wouldn’t have known where to go or what to do and would probably have seen only the main tourist attractions. I would certainly never have seen so many of the villages, or visited a tiny chocolate factory and a woollen mill, or the kind of off-the-beaten-track places that would have taken much research to find on your own, but all the research had been done for us. I think it’s wonderful that Diamond Resorts offer these events, and I’d encourage anyone to join Diamond Resorts International simply to have access to them. I’d do it all again in a heartbeat; in fact, I’m trying to persuade my friends to join us on a trip to Italy with The Big Journey Company next year. I can’t wait to be adventuring again..

Kathy McGowan

STEPPING OFF THE BEATEN TRACK The Thompsons in Egypt

Steve and Julie Thompson are seasoned Big Journey travellers. Once sedentary sun-seekers, their appetite for adventure was whetted by their first trip with us – the Kenyan Safari – and they’ve never looked back. Here, Steve describes the couple’s trip to Egypt. Places that reveal something about our history and evolution have always fascinated me. Naturally, Egypt, with its pyramids, temples and Sphinx, was on my list. It was our second trip with The Big Journey Company, and we knew we’d be in safe hands. Two dozen of us met at Cairo airport to embark on a 10-day tour together. We headed to the pyramids at Giza, marvelling at their magnitude and how they could have been constructed all those centuries ago. In Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, we visited the ancient temples – Karnak, Hatshepsut, and

Kom Ombo. What we loved about the tour was the way it mixed the big tourist sites with places off the beaten track. It was great to see up close the things we’d only ever seen in photographs or on TV – the museums, tombs, mummies and Tutankhamen’s spectacularly ornate mask. Often, when we thought we were about to see something we’d seen on TV, in books or on the Internet, the Big Journey people would throw in a quirky little extra to give us a deeper understanding of Egypt, its people and culture. We were constantly surprised.

The guides even held Q&A sessions during the quieter moments on the cruise We couldn’t believe the scale of the Aswan Dam. As an engineering project it is truly staggering. Later, we stopped at Kitchener Island, the Nubian Egyptian Museum and the Citadel Salam Al-Din.

One of my highlights was definitely the Nile cruise, the perfect way to recharge while viewing the landmarks along the river banks. The crew were firstrate; they really engaged with us, and we all – crew, guides and travellers – had a lot of fun together. Our Egyptian guides, whose backgrounds were very diverse, seemed to have encyclopaedic knowledge of everything we visited, and they even held question and answer sessions about their country during the quieter moments on the cruise. It was a privilege to hear their stories and insight into their country, its economy, religion, culture and people. They made every aspect of our trip informative and enjoyable – especially as they engaged with our British sense of humour. What I love about travelling with The Big Journey Company is that the organization is done for you; all you have to do is get to the meeting points on time. We never feel rushed and everything seems to run like clockwork. They give everything the personal touch too, so we can focus on the adventure. Whenever anybody has an anniversary or birthday, the guides arrive with a cake.

Like many people, we seek more than sun, sea and sand Our accommodation was of a really good standard, and I made sure I tasted local cuisine whenever I got the chance. We got on very well with the other members of our party, and that made everything seem more enjoyable. Julie and I may have been the youngest, but we found plenty of common ground and had a lot of fun, especially when we dressed up to join the entertainment! Our tour of Egypt more than met our expectations. I’ll never forget the pyramids, the temples and the intricate hieroglyphics written over many centuries. There is no way we’d have seen as much as we did – and in such a hassle-free manner – without The Big Journey Company. For me, the link between Diamond Resorts and The Big Journey Company is invaluable. Like many people, we seek more than sun, sea and sand, and The Big Journey Company meets this need, offering a different kind of escorted holiday. Best of all though, we have some terrific photos and many fond memories of the people we met and the experiences we shared.

Steve & Julie Thompson

THE 8FT BABY PYTHON Ann Sells in Kenya

Ann Sells and her sister Adeline used their Diamond points on our Kenyan safari, leaving behind Ann’s somewhat fretful husband Perry, who was sadly unable to accompany them. But he needn’t have worried, as Ann reveals... Our driver and guide was a local man named Ngochi, and he was brilliant. Knowledgeable, cautious, yet full of fun, he was also an outstanding linguist – fluent in Swahili, English, Spanish and learning German. He told us about the animals, the flowers and trees, and every snake and bird. Ngochi’s insights added immeasurable depth to our experience. We saw a desert tortoise – a rare sight – and a pregnant elephant. We saw weaver-bird nests, and ant trails that traversed the road and culminated in ant hills three to four feet high. I had no idea there was more than one species of giraffe, but we saw three, and some gerenuks – a gazelle with long delicate legs which stands on its hind legs to feed. There was a vervet monkey, and many other monkeys and baboons. When a rock-python crossed our path, all eight feet of him stretching from one side of the road to the other, Ngochi said: “That’s just a baby!”

The leopard has such power, it can drag its kill vertically up a tree

We passed two male lions feasting on a zebra, and a herd of buffalo crossing the road ahead. Ngotchi kept a safe distance, because the more belligerent animals are very powerful and could easily do us harm. He knew exactly how to manage these situations – when to go near and when to stay back. We stayed well back when we saw rhinos (the white rhino, which roams in family groups; and the black rhino, which is more solitary), because they really were huge! But when we went in close, we got really close. Ngochi saw a cheetah relaxing in the grasses, so he slowly drove towards him. The cat allowed us to get within 12 feet of him before he got up and slunk away. I was fascinated by the topi, a relative of the wildebeest and the fastest of the antelope, because of its amazing hide – a mix of purple, mauve, tan and brown. We also saw the smallest antelope, the dik-dik, with its pretty little ears and big eyes; and the gorgeous oryx, the Grant gazelle, the Thompson gazelle and the elan. When we found a dead impala hanging by its front legs in a tree, Ngochi said it was a leopard kill. How did he know? Turns out the tell-tale sign is the angle; the leopard has such muscle power, it can drag its kill vertically up a tree, something lions are unable to do quite so well and cheetahs lack the agility to do at all. “The leopard will be back later to feed,” Ngochi told us. Sure enough, the leopard dragged the impala into a horizontal position ready for dinner. We drove in tight circles around the tree to watch the leopard feed then retreat to the tree-top to rest. It was extraordinary to be so close to big cats, these killingmachines, but we never felt scared, only thrilled.

The Ark, a hotel with a watering hole and saltlick to attract wildlife

I’m so glad Diamond Resorts lets me use my points in such an interesting way

Later, Ngochi said: “Look at those three giraffes. They must be watching something,” and he turned to drive in the direction of their gaze. Suddenly, he braked. “There she is!” he whispered. And, as I was sitting next to the driver that day, I was just a couple of feet away from her – a magnificent lioness, right outside my passenger-side window.

Samburu National Reserve was a very different kind of park; we stayed in our own tents, with mosquito nets and curtains that rolled right down as doorways.

The Big Journey Company struck gold when they found Ngochi; he was such an asset – but then everybody we met from The Big Journey Company was wonderful. They really looked after us. My husband Perry, who couldn’t join us on this trip, was a little concerned how we’d fare without him, but he needn’t have worried. The Big Journey guides met us straight off the plane, and from the moment we arrived, we knew we were in safe hands. They even sent Perry daily text messages to report on our progress, and on my welfare! The trip covered several parks. We began at Aberdere National Park and stayed at The Ark, a hotel with a watering hole and salt-lick to attract wildlife – and it worked; we watched buffalo, elephants, giant foresthogs which are black and bigger than their cousin the wart-hog – all at the same time.

At Mount Kenya National Reserve, we donned mackintoshes and wellington boots for a walk in the jungle. The ranger who accompanied us carried a rifle in case we ran into an angry hippo or elephant. One of my favourite memories will be the hot tea and crumpets that we ate on a rotten log in the middle of the jungle! Talking of food, it was outstanding, as was the accommodation. We tasted many local dishes and cuisine from around the world. Sometimes we were spoilt for choice; I have a photo of Adeline and me with four desserts in front of us – we just couldn’t choose! At the end of the tour, we had some time in Nairobi. We visited the fascinating archives in the Kenyan National Museum and its amazing butterfly collection, ethnic Kenyan art and sculpture, and the biggest elephant tusks on record. They were humungous! I love telling people about my trip, and I’m so glad Diamond Resorts lets me use my points in such an interesting way. I cannot imagine getting any closer to the animals we saw, and I now have a wonderful photo collection to prove it. I have posted some on my wall at home as a reminder of a fabulous holiday. Perry thinks they should be in National Geographic!

Ann Sells

HE PACKED HIS PAINTBOX John Medlar in Borneo

John Medlar took his first trip with The Big Journey Company in 2007. Since then he’s been to Canada and Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, Borneo, Kenya, China, the English Lakes and the Mediterranean. Here, John talks about his Big Journey to Borneo. I’m passionate about wildlife, so I was very excited when a guide from The Big Journey Company mentioned the trip to Borneo – a great place to see threatened species such as orang-utan. Around 20 of us convened at the Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the first two days. At a pewter factory, we watched it being purified, refined and made into objects, and we had fun hammering little bowls of our own. We saw the King’s Palace and the monkey temple at Batu Cave, a place of pilgrimage for Hindus, with 272 steps rising straight up a mountain-side! Luckily there were hand-rails. The view of the city from the mountain top was phenomenal. We entered the gloom of the caverns, where the Hindu statues are housed, and then into the crater of the mountain top. We saw a troop of rhesus macaque monkeys and went up the Petronas Towers, crossing the sky-bridge that links the towers, and took in some more amazing views. Then, to Borneo.

We watched a crocodile eyeing up his breakfast Some of the group took the tree-top walk; I stayed behind to paint. On The Big Journey Company’s tours, there is always the option to do your own thing, and this quiet day of relaxation with my paint box set me up nicely for the trip ahead. Heading north to Bilit, we glided through the jungle in dug-out canoes, the only way to cross Kinabatangan, Borneo’s largest river, and reach the traditional longhouses that were our latest lodgings. We followed the ranger indoors. “Don’t turn on the light as you enter the house,” he said, “unless you want to be accompanied by our local moths.” And they were huge – so huge, we couldn’t imagine they would fit through the door. During the night-walk through the treetops, we saw lorises and other small nocturnal creatures. The forest birds were calling, bats filled the air, and larger animals disturbed the undergrowth below. Those of us with the gear captured the scene with infrared cameras. The river trip began at 6.30am, before animals disappear into the cool of the jungle for the day. A crocodile was eyeing up breakfast: a band of macaque monkeys drinking at the water’s edge. One of the monkeys, which are also predators, ran up a tree, attacked another monkey, and carried it off.

Visiting a former Japanese prisoner-of-war camp was an emotional time

Our boat zig-zagged up the river, our eagleeyed guides spotting movement in the bushes and turning the boat towards it, to give us a better view. And then I saw it, the sight I’d hoped for: a female orang-utan in a tree, giving her baby its early morning feed. Next stop was Sandakan in Sabah, northeast Borneo. There, at a fish market, we saw creatures the size of a man – yellow-fin tuna, and they’d been line-caught, not trawled. Visiting a former Japanese prisoner-of-war camp was an emotional time for those of us whose relatives had been captured in World War II. At the time, the Japanese had razed the wooden city of Sandakan to the ground, but a Buddhist temple now stands there, built by the Japanese government in an act of atonement. On the island chain of Selingan, we watched from our longhouse as female turtles came out of the water and onto the shore to lay eggs. The turtles go into a trance while laying, and it was at this point that our ranger took us right up to her, so close we could touch her. The island rangers monitor the turtles: they catch the eggs as they’re laid, they measure and tag the mother turtle, then they bury the eggs in a protected part of the beach to maximise their chances of survival. One turtle laid 105 eggs, all of which were carefully placed into the new hole. The turtles were extraordinary, something I may never see again.

At Sepilok, back on the mainland, we watched as rangers at a sanctuary for young orphaned orang-utans trained the youngsters to go handover-hand through the trees, even holding the baby orang-utan’s hands to guide it. I must say however, that my highlight was the sight of orang-utans in their natural habitat.

Big Journey guides know exactly what to do if they hit a bump in the road As a long-standing Diamond Resorts member, I greatly appreciate the introduction of escorted tours. The Big Journey Company offers fantastic choice, ideal for people who want holidays with adventure, and it’s great to travel alongside like-minded people. We had a lot of laughs. It is the specialist knowledge and flexibility of The Big Journey Company that singles it out from the many tour companies who never deviate from the itinerary. Some friends of mine noted this, when they compared their Kenyan safari with mine: “Our trip wasn’t anything like yours!” they exclaimed, “we didn’t have anything like the range of places you did, nor did we have a day of relaxation at the end of it all.” On the serious side, Big Journey Company guides know exactly what to do if they hit a bump in the road. When a traveller lost her passport, they’d resolved the matter within hours. My Borneo trip with The Big Journey Company was my debut as a single traveller and a huge step out of my comfort-zone. But I felt looked-after; the feeling of ease and security you get with them is superb.

John Medlar 32

SNAKES IN A TREE Jo & Mike Watts in Australia & New Zealand

Jo and Mike Watts’ trip to New Zealand and Australia was the latest in a string of Big Journeys. Here they describe the contrasts in climate and landscape, and their escapades down under. One day, we opened a flyer from Diamond. It was for cruises, so we did one – around the Mediterranean. Then we went on another, this time around the Baltic, and it was brilliant. We loved being escorted because we knew we wouldn’t have seen or done nearly as much without a guide. We also loved being part of a group of likeminded folk, meeting new people and making new friends; so, when we got the chance to do the Big Journey to Australia and New Zealand, two places that had always been on our wish-list, we didn’t hesitate to sign up.

We listened to stories about the cassowary and other mythical creatures Once in Australia, we jetted straight up to Cairns, then drove out to Port Douglas. We stayed in lovely apartments surrounded by colourful flowers and birds. It was really beautiful, and the snakes dangling from the trees gave it a wild feeling we loved. It was also humid – so humid, we couldn’t get our washing dry there was so much moisture in the air. We Brits took a while to get used to the strange heat.

Out on the Great Barrier Reef, some of our group donned scuba gear for a dive, while the rest of us opted for the underwater observatory with its 360-degree windows and glass bottom. We sailed out to it on a catamaran, which was fun, and saw the reef itself, home to lots of brightly coloured fish and underwater creatures – and infinite varieties of coral. It was absolutely gorgeous. We watched crafters at work in an aboriginal settlement, and we listened to storytelling about the cassowary and other mythical creatures, and saw a re-enactment of the dreamtime. On board a train on the Kuranda Railway which winds through hills and forests, we came to a station from where you can take the rainforest boardwalk – a trip through the treetops, which offers a view over the canopy.

A jet-boat ride up the river was a real white-knuckle ride Next stop: Sydney, where we ate breakfast at a wildlife park and I held a koala. They say Sydney is a young city, but even though we’re a bit older, we really loved it. At Bondai Beach we took a dip, followed by coffee outside the Sydney Opera House. Some of our party climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, trussed up in safety gear. Then we boarded a cruise ship for Melbourne,

The crew were lovely, and they would lay on a show in the evenings, in the ship’s theatre.

If we weren’t members of Diamond Resorts, I doubt we’d ever have discovered The Big Journey Company followed by Tasmania. At a wildlife park, we saw Tasmanian Devils – savage little beasts, and not at all the sweet little creatures I’d envisaged. From Tasmania we sailed to New Zealand, up the Milford Sound. I felt I could live in New Zealand; it was lovely. We saw Christchurch before it was devastated by the earthquake, and in Wellington, we visited the film location of Lord of the Rings. Later, on one of our miniexcursions, we took a jet-boat ride up the river, which was a real white-knuckle ride and great fun; it had all of us squealing and laughing. In Auckland we visited the Sky Tower by night, and the view was stunning. Everywhere was lit up and so beautiful. Life aboard the ship was great. There were many buffets, and we could have eaten 24 hours a day if we’d wanted to, so some strengthening of our resistance to temptation was imperative!

What we love about our Big Journeys is the way everything is organized for us; all we have to do is relax and enjoy it. This tour was no exception. It was well-paced, there was always something to do, and we got time to ourselves too. Our group was a nice size – not too big – and we got along with everyone really well, even exchanging letters with our new friends, long after we’d come home. If we weren’t members of Diamond Resorts, I doubt we’d ever have discovered The Big Journey Company. I really feel they provide some of the best escorted tours on offer. We loved our trip down under – and our Kenyan safari and tour of India. Next on our list is Canada, so watch this space!

Jo & Mike Watts

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL The Haggetts in Costa Rica

Stuart Haggett and his wife Joy went to Costa Rica with The Big Journey Company and feel this smaller destination more than deserves its place in the Big Journey portfolio, as they explain here. Costa Rica may not be a large country, but it certainly packs a punch. There is much to see there, so many animals, birds, plants, and wonderful landscapes. San Jose, the capital, lies in a densely populated central plain, but, after just over an hour’s drive our little group of 12 was up in the clouds, crossing our first mountain range. Another hour later and we’d dropped back down into the sunshine and banana plantations, en route for the Caribbean coast. Our 8-day eco-tour began in Tortuguero, with its lagoons that attract all kinds of birds and marine life. Although we’d arrived after the turtle hatching season on the beaches, we did see unhatched eggs, perhaps because Tortuguero is not at all commercial. It is no holiday resort in the usual sense. It felt like the real Costa Rica. Our fellow travellers were great fun; very entertaining companions. We enjoyed the banter – which was in plentiful supply since eight Americans in the group had divided down the middle into Republicans and Democrats, and it happened to be the week before the US Presidential election!

for revenue. In fact the standard of living in Costa Rica ranks among the highest in South America – not least because they abolished the army in 1949.

One very pleasing discovery at Happy Hour was the Guaro Sour cocktail

You’ll find no high-rise hotels along the coast of Costa Rica The climate across Costa Rica ranges from wetter, more fertile areas such as Tortuguero where we witnessed immense downpours, to Ocotal on the opposite coast, with its fabulous weather. In the middle of the country, on the plains, the climate is very pleasant, while north there are more rainforests. The Costa Ricans we met were warm and refreshingly laid back, and our guides were no exception. We were lucky to have Gustavo, a very knowledgeable local guide, and also our driver Orlando, who had an amazing ability to spot birds and monkeys in far-off trees yet still keep his eyes on the road. Owing to Costa Rica’s commitment to conservation, you’ll find no high-rise hotels on the coast, and villages such as Tortuguero remain unspoilt because the villagers use local materials for construction. Many of the roads are basic, an effective strategy for limiting the number of visitors to areas of wildlife. Costa Rica has no need to rely on the tourist industry

Wildlife in Monteverde included monkeys and sloths, and during our night walk, we saw snakes and tarantulas. Ocotal, meanwhile, had its own resident raccoons and coati mundi on the terrace of the restaurant, so the photographers amongst us had plenty to attract our attention. Thanks to a visit to a banana-packing plant run by Del Monte, our party is now conversant with banana-packing processing! We also know why Costa Rican coffee is so good; firstly, the best beans grow at high altitude, and second, the coffee should not produce too dark a colour as it dissolves. We learned that some manufacturers add caramel to give supposed flavour and extra colour. So be sure to look for ‘grown at high altitude’ and ‘organic’ when shopping for coffee. The cuisine was refreshingly simple. Pineapples and other fresh fruit were plentiful, and the diet is not restricted to beans and rice as popular myth would have it – although ‘gallo pinto’ is always available. One very pleasing discovery at Happy Hour was the Guaro Sour cocktail, made from sugar cane.

It was a fascinating eight days – so fascinating we extended our stay by a week

The tour included active pursuits, such as zip-lining through the tree-tops in the cloud forest, horse-riding in the hills, and snorkelling and diving off Ocotal, where the more sedate amongst us watched a stunning Pacific sunset, sipping from a guaro sour. The Big Journey Company provided a very high standard of accommodation. Our highlight was Arenal Kioro near the Arenal volcano, with its palatial and beautifully equipped rooms. We had a late afternoon soak in the stunning falls and pools at nearby Tabacon, although we did feel our age when we spotted the ‘romantics’ taking advantage of the secluded bower at the top of the falls! All in all, it was a fascinating eight days, so fascinating we extended our stay by a week, for some beach relaxation and a day-trip to neighbouring Nicaragua. The addition of Big Journey trips to the Diamond Resorts portfolio brings very welcome variety, and we always have peace of mind knowing that someone is there organizing things for us and choosing the best places to go. If you want a holiday with plenty of attractions in a relaxed environment, choose Costa Rica.

Stuart & Joy Haggett

BREAKFAST IN THE MASAI MARA Larry Bignall in Kenya

Larry Bignall’s first Big Journey was our Kenyan safari. Here, Larry talks about his experience and how it inspired him and his wife Ann to take another of our tours. We were excited and a little nervous about our first trip, the safari in Kenya, because my wife Ann has a bad back and we thought it might be a little too much for her. As it turned out, we had nothing to worry about; it was plain sailing, and we were well looked-after. Lake Naivasha, one of our early destinations, sticks in my mind because I remember thinking to myself: “Why on earth do we need to be escorted from our dining table back to our apartment?” Then, as we walked, one of the guards shone his torch into the darkness and there, just feet away, were two enormous hippos! At breakfasttime too there was another hippo nonchalantly eating his own morning meal. What a tremendous photo opportunity. Later, when we were out on the lake, we got really close to the hippos – so close, my daughter took a photo almost inside the yawning jaws of one of them.

Our guide asked the hotel chef to bake a birthday cake for me

experience. But the Big Journey people did their best for us, and there were many positives because of it. Our hotels were well-chosen and absolutely first class – exactly what Ann needed. At the Masai Mara, we rose at 4am for a hotair balloon ride, landing on the plain close to the Tanzanian border for breakfast. That was fantastic. We’d left so early in the morning, that as we floated along, we saw the stars in their full glory and watched the sunrise. From our fantastic vantage point, we also saw elephants, lions, zebras and antelopes – all just a few feet below us. We left the safari and headed to Nairobi en route to Mombasa. At a rather upmarket restaurant in Nairobi’s business quarter, the other customers, all wearing suits, looked at us somewhat bemused as we still had on our safari gear and were covered in dust. The food was fabulous though. I had my 60th birthday at the hotel in Mombasa and So, our guide, asked the hotel chef to bake a birthday cake for me. My birthday gifts were model cheetahs and leopards, mementos of my safari. Later, while snorkelling, I stood on a sea urchin, thereby earning myself a trip to the local hospital and a place in So’s daily article, an entertaining review of each day’s events, under the heading: “He’ll do anything for attention!” Unthinkable!

He’d taught himself English by watching videos his dad had bought for him Our Kenyan safari was so enjoyable we booked a Big Journey to China. Ann was unwell for much of it unfortunately, so it was quite a different

I thought the Great Wall was every bit as impressive as I’d expected, but the highlight for me was the Terracotta Army in Xian with its amazing city wall. The water village was like a little Venice, bursting with shops and stalls along the waterways and canals. This time, it was Ann’s 60th birthday, and our guide bought her a little present from the water markets. Our three days in Hong Kong were lovely: the weather was warmer, the hotels were fantastic and the food was brilliant. I really enjoyed our guided tours. The local guides were excellent and looked after us very well. One of them had taught himself English by watching videos bought for him by his dad, and he was full of fun; he even rapped for us on the coach, which was hilarious. It was clear that The Big Journey Company selects its guides with care. We cruised down the Yangtze to the Three Gorges Dam, which seemed to stand for the magnitude of everything in China. It is huge and beautifully lit by night. All over China new buildings were going up, and it’s easy to sense what a dynamic country China is. Many boatyards were in operation down the Yangtze, and it was clear the economy in that province was growing like wildfire.

We love the option of using our points on holidays so interesting and diverse The weather grew warmer as we sailed southwards to Shanghai, an astoundingly busy city. Once again, the bustle and size of the city brought home the scale of China and its immense population. In the time we had, we could never see it all, but the tour did cover a great deal of ground – enough to feel the vastness of the country. The Big Journey Company took good care of us, and our guides would do anything for us. Andy, who escorted us on the China tour, was especially helpful when my wife was ill in China, as was So in Kenya. Not surprisingly, Ann and I are delighted that Diamond is working with The Big Journey Company. We love the option of using our points on holidays so interesting and diverse; we’d never have gone to China or Kenya were it not for the possibility of escorted tours. Being in a large group, with guides who know what they are doing – where to take you and where not to take you – we felt utterly secure. In fact, we’re considering going back to Kenya with The Big Journey Company, we enjoyed it so much.

Larry Bignall

Diamond International Thank you for the Member Escorted Journeys I would like to take the opportunity to thank both Diamond Resorts International and The Big Journey Company for offering and conducting the Member Escorted Journeys. I am a single traveler and these trips have allowed me to journey so far, to Kenya, China, The Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu with confidence that I would have a safe and enjoyable experience. The trips have all begun with friendly, organised and efficient staff at The Big Journey Company. They have always answered my questions, assisted me with travel arrangements and clarified details about each trip. Next, when I would nervously arrive at a distant destination, understanding little or none of the language and tired from flying, there would be a smiling representative with a Big Journey Company sign to welcome me and start me on my journey with a drive to my hotel, sailing ship or tent (very nice tent, by the way - the accommodations have always been very nice). From then on, the trips have been very well organised with a Big Journey representative and/or a local representative who understands the local area, customs, animals, plants, etc. accompanying the group. My journeys so far have included seeing 71 different animals and birds on a safari (I kept a list with my guide, Phillipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assistance), taking a hot air balloon ride across the Masai Mara, dancing (and jumping) with Masaai warriors, walking on the Great Wall, viewing Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amazing Terracotta warriors, taking evening boat rides in Hong Kong, zip-lining across the Amazon jungle, snorkeling with seals and sea turtles in the Galapagos Islands and hiking into the fascinating Machu Picchu! Along with visiting so many interesting places, I have also built many friendships with fellow travelers. One couple on my last journey were on their first Member Escorted Journey. She was so pleased by how smooth and efficient things went, that they could not wait for their next trip! Once again, thank you Diamond Resorts and The Big Journey Company for making these trips available and successful. I have several friends who want to know how I can enjoy traveling alone. When I tell them (and I do encourage them to look into Diamond) they are amazed! In February 2016, I am scheduled to join the Northern Lights tour. Five friends from my other tours are also going, and personally, I cannot wait! Sincerely

Roger K Warren

GOOD THINGS CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU TRAVEL TO NEW PLACES Unexpected encounters can have astounding results, as we discovered after an impromptu visit to a school in Kenya, during a Big Journey safari.

The tour had reached Mombasa when two of our travellers, Dennis and Sylvia, asked us if we could visit an education project nearby. “We’ve been sponsoring some children who attend a school not far from here,” they said, “but we’ve never actually met them. Could we swing by to pay them a visit?” Ever spontaneous, and always ready to snatch an opportunity, Big Journey guide Sohrab called Glyn and Jane Davies, founders of Education for Life, and set up a mini-excursion to the school. It was to prove the first step in a very rewarding relationship. Tumaini Timbwani, the school run by Education for Life, is a charity that was founded by English couple Jane and Glyn in 1999. Although the Kenyan government works hard to support children through school, an expanding population means the challenge gets bigger every year. Glyn and Jane were moved by the plight of the children they met during a visit in 1997, many of whom went for days without food and came from families too poor to send them to school. So, in 2000, having founded the charity, the couple moved to Kenya. The Davieses greeted our party of twenty-something intrigued travellers very warmly, introducing them to the children and showing them around the school and its grounds. There were shy smiles all around when Regina and David, the children David and Sylvia had been sponsoring, were introduced to their sponsors. It was a happy day. Glyn recalls the moment a couple from the Big Journey group asked him what the school needed most of all. Glyn had replied: “A new toilet block!” At the time, Tumaini Timbwani had just two toilets for several hundred children. Foundations for a new, larger toilet block had been laid, but the project stalled when the money ran out. There were long queues for the toilet at break times, and children were often late back to class as a result.

The impact of sponsoring a child is deeply rewarding – for everybody – as Glyn and Jane described.

Later, after the Big Journey group had departed, Glyn received a phone call. “It was from Sohrab, the Big Journey guide,” Glyn said, “telling me that everybody had been really inspired by what we’re doing here at Tumaini and wanted to contribute to our Toilet Block fund.” In fact they did more than contribute; one couple pretty much paid for most of the toilet block outright, donating £7,500 – that’s approximately US$11,500. There are now 13 toilets, including a disabled one.

their jobs – to the alarm of many friends and family. “Some said we were crazy, and for a while it left us feeling very isolated,” said Glyn. “But others were incredibly supportive – even feeding us and letting us stay with them after we’d rented out our house.”

Jane described the new facilities’ impact – not only on the children, but on the entire community.

The couple arrived in Kenya with no idea how things would pan out, stepping off the plane with just a suitcase each – and two teddy bears. And they wept.

“As with every construction project we embark upon, the new toilet block had positive ramifications for many people here,” she said. “It provided work for local builders and, just as importantly, it provided a market for local food traders, most of whom are women. This is vital, because women struggle to find work and it is not uncommon for them to be forced to sell sex simply to pay for the basics, like rent, bills and food. Last but not least, the new toilets are much less of an ordeal for our cleaners!”

Fast forward to 2015 and, thanks to friends, sponsors, and church support, Tumaini Timbwani is thriving. It provides jobs for 80 people, a main meal each day for around 700 children and breakfast for 70. Education for Life has also established a children’s home, a water project, support groups, basketball teams, a Special Needs education centre, plus church and farming initiatives. But there’s always more to do.

Jane and Glyn Davies’s own story is a remarkable tale of courage, although the couple don’t see it that way.

“Only 50% of the children have sponsors,” said Glyn, “so we’re always on the lookout for more. We do subsidize the children at Tumaini Timbwani whenever we can, but it means funds are very tight.”

“We are ordinary people, who saw a need and were ready to do something about it,” Glyn said. They began by paying the nursery fees for the children they’d met in 1997. Two years later, from their home in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, the couple registered Education for Life as a charity. Ambitious and successful, with secure jobs in finance and everything they could ever have wanted, Jane and Glyn knew that to give Education for Life the best chance of success, they would have to devote themselves to it 100%. So they quit

The sponsorship scheme at Education for Life covers the basics – a uniform, meals, clean water, and of course teaching and stationery. In an ideal world, however, it would cover extra-curricular activities too, such as school trips and sport.

“We’re most proud of the children who’ve made it against all the odds. Hassan was a 9-year-old orphan when we first met him. He’d missed out on education, his English and Maths were very poor and, not surprisingly, he’d been written off as a no-hoper. But Hassan sailed through school and went on to further education. Now, at the age of 22, he is Administration Assistant at Tumaini Timbwani.” Other Tumaini students have excelled – and even gone to university. William Osaleh is a graduate who now works as a teacher for Education for Life, and Emily Nyongesa is training to be a nurse. As university fees are disproportionally expensive in Kenya (if you don’t qualify for state help), many of those who haven’t entered higher education have instead flexed their entrepreneurial muscle, setting up businesses in the community with help from Tumaini. One of them now supplies Tumaini students with secondhand books and the school with stationery. The Big Journey Company now proudly offers its travellers a mini-excursion to Tumaini Timbwani on every Kenyan safari visiting Mombasa, and any money left over after the mini-bus is paid for goes direct to Education for Life. It is a wonderful tale of serendipity and generosity. Reflecting on the day that The Big Journey Company first came to Tumaini Timbwani, Glyn and Jane said: “We were very happy to meet the Big Journey travellers and show them our work here and how easy it is to radically transform a child’s life. But who could have guessed that one visit would make such a difference?”