Tour Managers Tales

In August I took a trip to somewhere I have wanted to visit for many years, Beirut, Lebanon. I was a bit apprehensive as the country lies on the edge of a war zone, but there was no reason to be. This is a country that could do with some tourism to help boost the leisure economy. There are lots of good standard reasonably priced hotels all over the city from hostels to five star. I picked the Crowne Plaza, it is in the heart of Hamra, which is described as the place to be.... lots of bars and restaurants, from corner take aways to expensive, there is something to suit everyone and very budget. Currency is no problem, they use the US$ which is exchanged at 1500 Lebanese, no need to change money, pay in $$ and get your change sometimes in Lebanese. The people are friendly and when in bars people will talk to you, if like me you might find it initially difficult to get your head around the mix of cultures in the bars especially Muslims and Christians all drinking and eating happily be...

Hello, I hope everyone is well, we have been back a week …. where does the time go ? since getting back I have been in Spain  and now in Portugal, Villamoura down on the Algarve for a few days. I hope that all my adventure travellers from the Parks and Canyon tour have arrived home and all was well. As promised here are some of memories of our time together, I really enjoyed the tour, you folks were great company, wish you were still with me …… okey dokey !!!! … if you want to download a pic, just right click it and save and its all yours. Most of you will have some good pics of your own, I know they are good … I took them … 👍. Hope to see you all again soon. Vegas, Park and Canyons, Group at Monument Valley Monument Valley Monument Valley  Monument Valley "Forest Gump" view of Monument Valley  Sunset on the Colorado River at Moab  Moon on the Colorado at Moab Moon over the Colorado at Moab Arches National Park,...

Another great Grand Designs of Portugal coming to an end, I have had a great time with a fantastic group. Here are a few pics that I have taken along the way .... Cockburns Port Cellar, Porto Santa Luiza Sunrise over the Serra Estrella Sunset over the Atlantic, from Viano do Castelo

Happy Easter everyone, I hope that you all have a great weekend with lots of chocolate. It is a week since I returned from another great trip to New Zealand, oh how I hate that flight. Once again I had a fantastic group, I hope that you have all recovered, laundry done, photos edited,  relatives and neighbours summoned to the viewing, and to listen to the stories of the great adventure. Seriously I do hope that you all had a great time and have some happy memories. I have,  as promised posted below some photos from the trip, enjoy. If you wish a copy just right click and save. Best of New Zealand March 2018  Mirror Lake Eglington Valley from Mirror Lake ( Milford Sound Road) Milford Sound Mount Cook  Mount Cook (Sunrise) Hokianga Copthorne Hotel grounds Paihia (Bay of Islands)  Sunrise over the Bay of Islands  Huka Falls (Taupo - Waikato River)