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Tag Archives: Exodus

Beyond the Sky & Earth

28 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by Natalie Amos in Adventure, Amos_phere loves, Responsible Luxury, Reviews, Travel

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

adventure, authenticity, Bhutan, Bhutanese, Exodus, Exodus Travels, Paro, Rinpoche, Thimphu, Tiger's Nest, Travel

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Why visit … known as Land of the Thunder Dragon, the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan holds an allure as the destination many regard as the last Shangri-La.  The reality is perhaps equal to the myth.  Soaring mountains, hidden valleys, sacred monasteries and ancient fortresses dot the landscape of this beautiful and little known nation.  Tucked in the Himalayas between China and India, Bhutan is the last remaining Buddhist state in the region.

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Nepal

01 Friday May 2015

Posted by Natalie Amos in Adventure, Amos_phere loves, Travel

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Tags

adventure, Exodus, Exodus Travels, nepal, Travel

I’m not much of a runner.  I prefer to take things slow and enjoy the scenery. However, I will be joining 400 proper runners this evening at The North Face Night Rock Run in Ras Al Khaimah home to desert landscapes, such as Wadi Al Shawka.

From the desert trails Ras Al Khaimah

I do like mountains however, and some of you will    remember when I climbed   Kilimanjaro and reached Uhuru Peak.  I    climbed with Exodus and Friends of  Conservation for the Tanzania Porter  Education Project and you were all very  generous in your sponsorship.

A few years ago I visited Nepal with Exodus and fell in love, not just with the landscapes but with the generosity and spirit of the Nepali people.

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Mountain peaks Nepal

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Rock of Ages – Jordan

23 Sunday Feb 2014

Tags

adventure, Exodus, Jordan, Petra, Travel, Wadi Rum

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The thing about winter in the UK is that it is cold.  Freezing cold.  On the spur of the moment after trudging through the snow to my London office I booked Exodus’ Week in Jordan.  It sounded so perfect.  Only five hours away from the UK, yet 15 degrees warmer.  Jordan has history and culture in bucket loads and the itinerary meant I could really get under the skin of the country in a short time, and without having to fly halfway across the world.

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The trip began in the Greco-Roman city of Jerash, 30 miles north of the capital, where we spent several hours exploring well preserved monuments including the Temple of Artemis and Temple of Zeus.  Buried under sand for centuries until being rediscovered in 1806, Jerash was famed as one of the ten wealthy self-governing cities of the Decapolis. With a long and colourful history, Jerash enjoyed a golden age with luminaries including Alexander the Great and Emperor Pompey amongst the visitors to this great city.

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Posted by Natalie Amos | Filed under Adventure, Reviews, Travel, Writing

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Cairo – beyond the pyramids

26 Tuesday Nov 2013

Posted by Natalie Amos in Adventure, Travel, Writing

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Tags

adventure, Cairo, Egypt, Exodus, Exodus Travels, Travel

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Real Travel

After many months of turbulence, Egypt is now back on the travel map after the Foreign and Commonwealth Office relaxed its advice about travelling to this ancient and mysterious destination.  From the colossal statues at Abu Simbel, to the Great Pyramids of Giza, to ancient, bustling Cairo and the tranquil Nile, Egypt is certainly a destination of contrasts.  Adventure tour operator Exodus is offering  tours to Egypt from January 2014.  Here is a piece from Real Travel Magazine when I visited Cairo to coincide with the anniversary of Howard Carter’s opening of King Tutankhamun’s tomb, 26 November which also happens to be my birthday.

Egypt, from its ancient wonders to the blend of tradition and modernity that characterizes everyday life. Explore legendary monuments from the Pyramids at Gîza to the colossal statues of Abu Simbel, and discover bustling Cairo. – See more at: http://www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/expeditions/egypt-tour/detail#sthash.mj1Gtdmw.dpuf
Egypt, from its ancient wonders to the blend of tradition and modernity that characterizes everyday life. Explore legendary monuments from the Pyramids at Gîza to the colossal statues of Abu Simbel, and discover bustling Cairo. – See more at: http://www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/expeditions/egypt-tour/detail#sthash.mj1Gtdmw.dpuf

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Kilimanjaro – on the roof of Africa

01 Tuesday Jan 2013

Tags

Africa, Exodus, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, trekking, Walking

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Real Travel

Real Travel

It’s his handshake that tells his story. His grip is strong, and his palms have been toughened by years of hoisting bags, and clients, as they scramble over the icy scree and shale.  By contrast, his voice is soft, almost sing-song and puts me at ease immediately.  This is Florence, assistant guide, we are told. ‘Florence will be making sure you make it up the mountain’.  For some reason, I am certain the statement is aimed squarely at me, and for a moment I don’t know whether to feel indignant or reassured so I settle on a combination of the two.  Kilimanjaro is affectionately called the ‘Roof of Africa’ for one reason. Her highest point, Uhuru Peak sits in splendid isolation, bathed in clouds at some 5,895 meters above sea-level. Three miles above the level generally associated with holidays.  Nowhere else on Earth is it possible to climb a mountain on such a grand scale without an ice-pick or a frost-flecked beard. I have neither beard nor ice-pick and throughout my climb I reminded myself that summiting Kilimanjaro is a test of endurance, not climbing ability.  I prepared for the trip for two months, but some of my fellow climbers had been preparing mentally, as well as physically for over a year. Cardio-vascular workouts in the gym as well as long walks were highly recommended to get me into peak condition. Whilst you do not have to be hugely fit, physical wellness is essential. Oh, and as I found out pretty early on, those attempting Kili must really like walking… as up to 17 hours a day are spent placing one foot in front of the other!  Travelling in a group of ten, each of us had our own reason to conquer the mountain. Mine was a personal ambition – part of my list of ‘things to do in my 30th year’. We were joined by a small army of guides and assistant guides, as well as an assortment of cooks and porters.image 

We took the lesser-known Rongai Route, the northern trail, which passes through rainforest, alpine desert, then over a landscape which could only be described as lunar before climaxing at the ice-capped summit. Minor ailments such as bruised toes, blisters and altitude headaches were all forgotten when morning breaks and the sheer beauty of the mountain is revealed. Our trip took six days and five nights which saw us strolling across beautiful trails, marching towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, the second of Kilimanjaro’s cones, followed by a day of crossing the saddle towards Kibo camp, a bleak, desolate site which is like the end of the earth. Kibo was our rest point before the final ascent. Finally, we reached Gilmans Point, at 5,685m, the stopping point, before we made the final push. It is an unwritten rule that you must not stop too long at Gilman’s in case you are discouraged by the couple of hours ahead before you reach Uhuru, the true peak. The sun began to rise and we saw the glacial rim begin to light up as if on fire. The heat gave us new energy as we pursued Uhuru which finally seemed within touching distance. Finally I reach the famous sign and have my picture taken next to the highest point. We have all made it – the perfect ten.  I almost forget to smile, all I can think of is getting to the bottom and filling my lungs with delicious oxygen. One thing is for sure, I cannot spend much longer than 15 minutes at the top! I glance around the group of people I have spent the last week with and feel affection for them. How we’ve bonded since we’d met for the first time at the departure gate at Nairobi, bound for Kilimanjaro airport. I realise that the short time spent at Uhuru Peak are not the most significant. The highlights are the magical, small moments of the journey itself and the friendships which have been made.  As I begin my descent with Florence at my side, helping me as my knees buckle under the strain, I smile as I pass the hoards of people heading in the opposite direction.

Natalie Amimageos climbed to raise funds for the Exodus & Friends of Conservation Porter Education Project.  Exodus, Friends of Conservation  and the Africa Walking Company operate three schools to teach English during the rainy seasons. They also provide porters with skills to help them progress in the local tourism industry.

Posted by Natalie Amos | Filed under Adventure, Reviews, Spa & Wellbeing, Travel, Writing

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