Blogs

Explore Operationd Manager Megan Freese recetly travelled on our Discover Orkney tour and share her highlights with us - including the reason she knows she'll be heading back.

When I think of my week in Orkney I picture big open skies, brooding clouds and waves crashing on cliffs. Everything is dominated by the elements up there and you experience it when exploring the different islands. Whether you are walking through valleys, looking for puffins along cliff edges, crossing fields of cows or exploring Neolithic buildings that have emerged from sand dunes, you are always aware of the wild and remote nature of the landscape.

I had expected the dramatic scenery and great walks exploring the islands but it is the islands’ rich, proud history and culture that really took me by surprise. We were there during the summer solstice and St Magnus’s music festival so there was a real buzz about the place and in the end the historical parts were as memorable as the beautiful landscapes.

Our visit to Maes Howe consisted of 30 of us wedged in a very dark and fairly small Neolithic tomb with Jerry the guide telling us tales of marauding Vikings and translating the rude rune graffiti. We had a picnic next to the oldest stone structure on the islands, the Knap of Howar dated around 3000BC and I had a magic moment at the Ring of Brodgar (standing stones); it was getting late and big, grey clouds were gathering, the rest of the group had started walking down towards the bus stop, I wanted a last photo of the stones and suddenly everyone else who had been there disappeared and I got to walk around these old, mystifying standing stones all by myself at that moment I couldn’t see or hear another person, that is a memory that really stays with me.

I caught up with the group and found our tour leader, Malcolm randomly teaching the group how to make fire!  Malcolm is not originally from Orkney, he is what the islanders call an ‘incomer’ but he is so passionate and knowledgeable about the place and he really loves to share that with people, you can’t help but get caught up with his enthusiasm. We talked about the issues that the island communities face; youth unemployment, loss of industry, movement of people to the mainland etc. However all the islands we visited (4 in all) are vibrant and consciously addressing problems they face and developing their sustainability.

We were really lucky that during our week on the islands we got a couple of days of  bright sunshine, which completely transforms the islands; what was rough and wild becomes bright, colourful and welcoming. It was during one of these days that we visted the island of Papa Westray. We met the local RSPB man Chris (‘birdie man’ as he is known on the island) and he walked with us, pointing out birds and flowers along the way. He then led us down to a beach where the water was almost turquoise, within a few minutes over 40 seals appeared, we obviously all scrambled for our cameras. We carried on down the beach, and all the seals followed us bobbing along, watching us as reached the head before turning inland. I still wish I had my swimmers with me that day!

Another of my highlights was the people; especially on the smaller islands every passing car will wave at you and every passing person will have a chat. I stayed with a local family for a couple of nights and I asked if I could have a key, they smiled and told me the only time they locked their doors was when they went away for over a week. It is strange and intriguing that part of my own country can feel so different and in some ways foreign and I think this is another part of what drew me in and would send me back to Orkney.

Explore's Head of Marketing Michelle Laverick recently induldged her passion for trekking on our Mini Annapurna Circuit tour in Nepal...

Taking time out from creating the brochures which land on your doorsteps, Explore's Marketing Services Manager Claire Breakspear recently traveled to Oman on our Heights of Oman holiday. Here she shares her thoughts on the tour.

Original
Middle East
Adventurous, trekking, swimming in caves, snorkelling, kayaking
Natural – wild camping, wildlife, getting closer to nature

......... All words that sum up and describe my recent experiences when I went on the Heights of Oman tour. So much was squeezed into such a short space of time it felt as if we’d been away for ages whilst gaining a real snapshot into this fascinating country.

Our small group started our tour in Muscat. This was a leap into life in a Moslem environment, particularly for the women as we were instructed to cover up from head to toe, despite temperatures in the high 30’s, ready for a tour of the Grand Mosque.

Then we left the city life behind to begin an exciting week of exploring off the beaten track. Walking boots on and layers of clothing dramatically reduced, we spent the afternoon on the Sayq Plateau wandering through the fertile landscape, dotted with villages and a glimmer of the traditional way of life, getting our first real taste of the beauty of Oman. Later we pitched our tents for our initiation into wild camping Omani style.

The next few days were spent crammed with activity giving an amazing insight into the diversity of landscapes, wildlife, food and culture of this intriguing country. We pitched our tents in the mountains, in the desert, on beaches or just slept out under the stars, which were simply mesmerising, and finally took to the Arabian Sea for a chilled out lazy night afloat a traditional Omani Dhow boat.

Throughout it all, Rob our Tour Leader completed the overall experience with his in-depth knowledge on anything and everything, pampering to our whims although even he drew the line at putting up our tents or making early morning tea! However, for the more resourcful help can be always be found and for the females of the group - ‘Nigel’ a true British gentleman, was always quick to offer assistance!

Being quite a veteran to Explore trekking tours I didn’t have any real concerns prior to booking this tour except the fact that it was going to be hot, there would be a lack of showers and I have vivid childhood memories of family beach hols and sand getting everywhere – and I mean everywhere ……, and so the idea of desert camping was already ear-marked as a day just to be endured. However, this turned out to be a major highlight of tour for me. That feeling of waking up at sunrise, climbing the nearest dune, like walking on virgin snow …… it was magical.

As for the lack of showers, well there was ample opportunities to swim in the sea and not forgetting swimming in the fresh water of Wadi Shab and discovering the hidden caves - water scorpions too, and then to wrap it all up, jumping off the Dhow in the Arabian Sea..

So what more can i say, except that this was a fantastic tour and has left me feeling that Oman is definately a destination that i want to return to whether it be to take in more of the landscape through extensive trekking, or perhaps gain a more indepth insight into the culture on our Discovery tour Arabian Sands.

We have quite a few staff at Explore who have travelled to, and fallen in love with Japan.  You can see why it is easy to fall for its charms. Here is what they all consider to be their top highlights - all of which you can experience on our Shogun Trail adventure holiday in Japan.