Great Expeditions

Established in 1996, Great Expeditions is a wholesale tour operator that specializes in bespoke itinerary planning for individuals, small groups and families looking to travel internationally and create memories to last a lifetime. Our focus is to offer unique, boutique and personalized experiences; incorporating adventure, nature and culture by working closely with responsible service providers operating with the same ethos. We want to share some of our travel experiences with you on this blog and hope that it may inspire you to visit somewhere you may not have thought to before.  Of course we'd love to put together the trip of a lifetime for you so please get in touch. Great Expeditions Website

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Magical Pemba Island

On our recent trip to East Africa, we visited Pemba Island.  Pemba Island is part of Tanzania's Zanzibar Archipelago and is the most northerly island in the chain. The Pemba Channel, with its coral reefs and abundant marine life, separates the island from mainland Tanzania and offers what is considered some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling off Africa’s east coast.

From Nairobi, we flew to Zanzibar Island (on the way, we had a view of Mt. Kilimanjaro that neither of us had seen since 1995 (Richard) and 1999 (Marjanna) when successful summits to the “Roof of Africa” were made) and then a puddle jump to Pemba Island.  The last leg was on a small plane, but we were assured by the staff that flying small planes are much safer than large ones.  Reason being that you can land a small one anywhere when something goes wrong, whereas with a large plane you need a runway. Luckily, we were not concerned about flying on a small plane…

A visit to Pemba Island is a step back in time. It is a rare gem hard to find; an island paradise that is relatively undeveloped. It has been separated from the mainland of Tanzania and Zanzibar for decades, leaving it untouched and pristine. The local population is about 300,000 people and there are rarely more than a couple of dozen foreigners at a given time.

Our destination was Manta Resort, a remote paradise of barefoot luxury (literally, we never wore shoes our entire stay) located on the northern tip of the island on an unbelievably powdery, blindingly white, sand beach. Offshore, the Indian Ocean sparkles with the brilliant turquoise colors of the coral reefs. And, yes, the sand really is that soft and white and the sea really is that colorful!

Manta Resort is Pemba.  The staff are local. The cuisine is local. The local culture pervades throughout the property and for those with the time and interest, is warmly shared by all.

It is a resort with a conscience and purpose and a plan. They are truly walking the walk, not just talking the talk of responsible, sustainable tourism. Part of their plan includes a 1km stretch of coastline under protection as an officially designated marine conservancy.  The results are evident as the reefs are filled with life. While currently void of pelagics, the continued efforts through conservation and the resulting benefits to the local fisherman, will no doubt see the return of a healthy ecosystem in the near future. Unfortunately, our photos do not do justice to the beauty of the reefs.

While there, we had the opportunity to experience one of the most unique accommodations found in the world, and spent a night in The Underwater Room. Wow! Located about 250m from the shore, anchored in a blue hole surrounded by coral head bommies, it is a three tiered structure with an underwater bedroom, sea level lounge, and a top level sundeck. There are eco-toilet facilities, a fresh water shower, a fully stocked bar – everything you need for an overnight stay. It was a completely private experience, other than the occasional fishing dow sailing past at sunset, and our service fundi bringing our dinner and breakfast. No noise, no light pollution, no Internet. Just us and the fish and the stars.

We really enjoyed our taste of Pemba and Manta Resort, though three nights was not nearly long enough, and we look forward to a return visit one day. If this sounds like your kind of trip, we’d love to help you experience this Life Changing Travel destination. @greatexpeditionstravel

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Vanuatu Moments...

This past May wasn’t my first or even my second visit to Vanuatu, but my fourth. “Where”?  will be the first thing people ask when I tell them where I’ve been. Vanuatu is a small South Pacific island nation, roughly located in between Australia and Fiji. It is an archipelago of 82 islands; most of which are inaccessible to tourism. Better known to the Aussies and Kiwis as a tropical beach destination, it is less known to us Yankees, and a beach holiday would only be part of the reason we would travel there.

Vanuatu Map

According to Wikipedia, the first inhabitants are of Melanesian descent, but both France and England laid claim to the archipelago in the 1880s. In 1906, an agreement was made to jointly run the destination known as “New Hebrides” through an Anglo-French condominium. The nation became independent and changed it’s name to Vanuatu in 1980. While English and French are commonly spoken, the official language is Bislama – a pidgin language that essentially combines a typically Melanesian grammar with a mostly English vocabulary. Learning a few words of Bislama can be a lot fun!

Lukim Yu - See You Later 

Mi Glad Tumas - I Am Very Happy

Yu/Yufala - You/You guys 

Wan/Tu/Tri - One/Two/Three

Mifala/Mifala Evriwan - Us/We/All Of Us

Trak blong mi - This is my truck/car

Bigfala - large / Smol - Small

Bigfala trak: Large truck or car

Pikikini - Child

The resulting French influence is apparent with the abundance of cafes and boutiques touting French cuisine and styles that are found in the capital and international gateway of Port Vila.  Tourism plays an important role in the economics of this volcanic group of islands, but agriculture and cattle equally so.  Back to that French influence on the cuisine… the food in Vanuatu is excellent. An abundance of produce is offered in the local markets and all naturally organic. Free range beef is another main export commodity and readily offered on most menus. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better steak, hamburger, or thai beef salad for that matter! Coffee and chocolate are two newer cottage industries that Vanuatu is becoming known for and you’ll find that “Cup of Joe” mighty tasty in the morning! I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Vanuatu’s local beer – Tusker - and why choose anything else when there?

Chances are that, especially for Americans, you wouldn’t travel all the way to Vanuatu for the food, however. Travel there for the beaches, yes.  To stay at a romantic, boutique resort, yes.  To experience some adventure, absolutely.  Scuba diving, snorkeling, and all the water sports associated with a South Pacific destination can be found here.  Additionally, there are waterfalls, caves, and “blue holes” to explore. Sailing, kayaking, horseback riding and trekking expeditions are also available.  WWII enthusiasts will find a rich history, especially on Santo Island (Vanuatu’s largest), where the US Navy was based. Some are accessible by scuba diving only – ie. the wreck of the SS President Coolidge - and others can be seen by land or by snorkeling such as Million Dollar Point.  Volcanoes… Mt. Yasur, an active volcano on Tanna Island, is one of the most amazing – and unique – experiences I’ve ever had. Vanuatu is family friendly, romantic, adventurous… and just the very beauty of the islands, with all their flora and fauna, are an attraction. So much so, that Ambryn Island, seen in the distance from Santo Island, was the basis of inspiration for James Michener’s Pulitzer Prize–winning book, Tales of the South Pacific.

Vanuatu’s assets to the tourism industry are many, but none so much as the people themselves.  Outside of the main island, most local “ni-Vanuatu” people live traditional lifestyles.  Some offer cultural rituals that are truly “National Geographic” moments, like what I experienced witnessing the Land Jumpers of Pentecost Island this past May. Of course, no visit to Vanuatu is complete without stopping into a local “Nakamal” (preferably with a local), to drink kava. Kava is another major export for this island nation and for those of you who may have had Fijian kava and think “oh, I’ve had kava, I don’t need to try this”, think again. The culture of drinking kava in Vanuatu is very different than that of Fiji, and the kava itself another beast!

With so much to offer it’s always a wonder to me how very “unspoiled” Vanuatu is.  There just isn’t any mass tourism there (yet) and often small group experiences actually end up being private ones.  Where else can you find yourself on a public beach that would rival any in the world – and have it all to yourself?   Or be diving on a pristine coral reef – and yours is the only boat there?  Perhaps this is part of why it is a personal favorite place for @greatexpeditionstravel  to visit and why the welcome from Vanuatu is still so genuine. 

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Colorado - Our Backyard

As owner of Great Expeditions, I have been very fortunate to have explored a bit of this great big world of ours, and have developed Great Expeditions into a company that specializes in offering experiential travel itineraries to international destinations; often with a focus on wildlife. Whether you’re exploring the history of England, scuba diving the reefs around the world, on safari in Africa, bird watching in Central America, or horseback riding in Patagonia, the natural world in which you are based will become part of your experience and the memories, perhaps the trip highlights, that you return with. With so many interesting places to visit, it’s easy to be enamored of the unusual and exotic found elsewhere, perhaps forgetting to notice what’s in our own backyard.  Those moose were a great reminder that nature and wildlife are everywhere – even here at home!

Here’s a few pics from our backyard (and a bit beyond). The bobcat was taken by our neighbor, but is a neighborhood resident (just haven’t had the camera at the right time).  And if we continue to travel on the long, slow road, perhaps a black bear will be the feature in a future blog…

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What an amazing video and article, highlighting an amazing week in Panama! Thanks to all who made this happen and thanks to the amazing group of like minded travel professionals from around the world who shared in the adventure!

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Wildlife – In Colorado - A Road Trip

Though this will ultimately be a travel blog featuring destinations all around the globe I though I’d start at home with a road trip.

Traveling the long way, on two-lane scenic roads, versus the interstate, is always our preferred routing for road trips.  It was no different this past 4th July holiday as we made our way to Buford, Colorado.  Wikipedia definition: “Buford is an unincorporated community in Rio Blanco County, in the U.S. State of Colorado. A post office called Buford was in operation from 1890 until 1961.” I’ll add there is also an historic schoolhouse that marks the town.

Based on that, you may ask why Buford?  The Colorado Visitor’s website will give a more descriptive reason as to why Buford was our destination: “Buford is a small town along the historic Flat Tops Scenic Byway, an 82-mile historic trail from Meeker to Yampa. Scenery includes dramatic geologic formations, cliffs and plateaus formed by basalt lava flows. Above the plateau are beautiful sub-alpine meadows and alpine tundra. The trails here are un-crowded and the scenery is stunning.” We were joining friends for a few days of recreation – fly fishing, paddle boarding, hiking, time with friends and family - switched off from the internet and cell reception. Our base was a small lodge, with rustic cabins located right on the banks of the White River, where we could open the windows and fall asleep to the gurgle of the river and wake to the songs of the birds.

What could have been a 4+ hour commute become a 7-hour drive as we meandered our way from the foothills of Boulder County, through the mountains, across the divide to… Buford.  But, had we chosen the interstate, we would have missed a trip highlight – two moose, grazing without a care in the world, on the side of the road. In all my years of living in Colorado, and being in moose country on several occasions, the best view of one I’ve had has been a fleeting glance or a restricted view as the habitat for moose is often marshy areas and dense forest. Not so this day!  Granted we were very near the town of Walden, whose slogan is “Moose Viewing Capital of Colorado”. Nonchalantly, the two moose grazed in close, but safe, proximity in an open meadow filled with sunshine.  Camera always at the ready, I was out of the truck in no time and happily clicking away.

During our brief interlude in Buford, I was also able to capture through the lens of my camera a bit of wildlife from the opposite scale of magnitude; no less delightful to observe than the giants above.