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Amos-phere

~ travel | spa & wellbeing | responsible luxury | adventure

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Blog Archives

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How to make a grand entrance

24 Friday Apr 2015

Tags

grand arrivals, Kenya, Maldives, seaplane, Travel, Victoria Falls, Zambia

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So if “Life is a Journey, Not a Destination” as highlighted by Ralph Waldo Emerson, then the arrival must surely be an experience to be savoured.

I clearly recall the delicious thrill more than a decade ago of being swept away by a seaplane and being transported magically to a desolate sandbank in the Maldives.

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Posted by Natalie Amos | Filed under Adventure, Amos_phere loves, Reviews, Travel

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‘Made’ to be beautiful and inspirational

30 Monday Jun 2014

Tags

beauty, Kenya, trends

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Fair trade is rarely sexy. Galvanised metal is never sexy. But these hand-made Mabati necklaces are stunning. Astonishingly the Swahili word for galvanised tin (mabati) even sounds beautiful, delicate and yet strong. I am also obsessed with the Mungu spike necklace. Each and every piece is hand crafted by skilled artisans in Made’s Kenya workshop using recycled materials sourced from the local community in nearby Kibera, one of the world’s largest slums and ethically sourced new materials. For more information please visit http://www.made.uk.com where you can ‘meet your maker ‘ and find out more about the people behind these beautiful and inspirational creations

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Posted by Natalie Amos | Filed under Amos_phere loves

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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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TTG Luxury, the experiences and trends for 2014

16 Monday Dec 2013

Tags

Travel, trends

TTG LUXURY

Travel trends and predictions for 2014

Read my contribution to TTG Luxury MENA Winter 2013 about the top trends in luxury travel for 2014.  Below are my predictions in full for 2014. What an exciting year it is set to be!

1. Bespoke travel

Reports from our clients and from the market intelligence available suggest that luxury travel will continue to thrive and attract high-net-worth individuals in search of bespoke experiences.   In 2014 expect to see an increase in hotel groups and tour operators catering to ultra-luxury travellers with personalised itineraries, private guides bespoke tours and concierge services.

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Posted by Natalie Amos | Filed under Out & about, Writing

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Flying colours, Dubai

14 Saturday Dec 2013

Billed as the ‘Happiest 5k on the Planet’, the inaugural Color Run UAE rolled into the Dubai Autodrome on 14 December 2013.  I  took part, along with 8,500 people in what might possibly the world’s happiest and most colourful 5km fun run.  With no winners or official times, and a focus on wellness, individuality, and giving back to the community, the event has exploded in popularity since its launch in 2012, with more than one million entries registered for over 100 international Color Run events in 2013.   I proudly donned my white Color Run t-shirt and tennis skirt and lined up with 8,500 other runners ready to hit the course.  At each kilometre a different colour of powder was thrown in the air ensuring all the runners became constantly evolving artwork.  The morning was topped off by the Finish Festival with coloured powder bursts and a DJ creating a party atmosphere. $1 from every registration was donated to local and international charities through Just Giving, the world’s largest fundraising platform.  I am pleased to say that I ended the  day feeling tired and happy?  So was the inaugural race a success? Well, I can only say the organisers passed with flying colours.

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Posted by Natalie Amos | Filed under Out & about, Spa & Wellbeing, Uncategorized

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Polo, the sport of queens

20 Wednesday Nov 2013

Tags

Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace, polo, Polo at the Palace, riding

Discover Polo Day

Discover Polo Day with the Dubai Polo Academy & Coutts Polo at the Palace

Perhaps the oldest team sport in history, polo is said to have first been played in Persia more than 2,500 years ago.  Historical references to polo date from the reign of Alexander the Great when it evolved from training manoeuvres for the cavalry.  As Alexander the Great of Macedonia, King Darius of Persia and other rival conquerors swept across Asia, polo was adopted as pastime by kings and conquerors, to while away the hours and plan their tactics.  Fast forward six centuries, and polo was played for the first time in the north-east state of Manipur, India by British tea planters who later introduced the sport to England.  A century and a half later, polo is played from Argentina to the UAE and remains a wonderful way to keep fit, enjoy the great outdoors and spend time in the company of magnificent polo ponies. Now even mere peasants like myself can now saddle up and experience the sport of kings.  On the eve of Coutts Polo at The Palace which takes place at the iconic Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, I joined the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club  for an afternoon of chukkas in the shadow of Emirates Palace.  After just a few hours of learning the rules and tactics I learned enough to be able to join two chukkas and even hit the ball!  A group polo lesson costs from £99 at the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club or the Hurlingham Club for details of UK polo clubs.

Posted by Natalie Amos | Filed under Adventure, Out & about, Reviews, Spa & Wellbeing, Travel, Uncategorized

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2014: The top luxury tourism trends

16 Monday Sep 2013

Tags

authenticity, luxury, social media, Travel, trends, trendwatching

2014: The top luxury tourism trends

Hospitality Business Middle East

Luxury Tourism Trends

Posted by Natalie Amos | Filed under Out & about, Writing

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Conservation in flight, Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Maasai Mara

30 Sunday Jun 2013

Tags

Kenya, Kicheche, Mara, Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Safari, Travel, wildlife

Cheetah in flight

We were on the first afternoon of a wildlife photography trip with Kicheche Camps when we found this beautiful female cheetah in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy bordering Kenya’s Maasai Mara.  The sun was breaking through the clouds and the mother had two cubs and the family were enjoying a respite from the heat under an acacia tree.  Despite their playful games and mock charges, all three were clearly hungry and fatigued.  After a short while, the mother  decided enough was enough and leapt into action in pursuit of a young Thomson Gazelle. She went from rolling in the savannah with her cubs, to a 60+ mph (96kilometre) sprint in less than three seconds. I captured the scene with a slow-pan. Only seconds later when it was over, did I realise I had been holding my breath.   For many reasons, the conservancy model is the template for the Mara community wildlife conservancies and a blue-print for the sustainability of the greater Maasai Mara eco-system.  Consisting of representation from both Maasai landowners and tourism partners including Kicheche Camps, the conservancy limits guests to a maximum of 94 beds in five camps. This equates to a ratio of one game-viewing vehicle for every 2,100 acres, a move that is aimed at maximising the client wilderness experience and minimising the environmental impact of tourism.  We were alone in our encounter with this beautiful cheetah and without the conservancy model ensuring there are no interruptions from revving vehicles and her two legged beasts, the future of the cheetah and her cubs is guaranteed.  For more information about wildlife safaris visit www.kicheche.com

Kicheche Bush CampOlare Motorogoi ConservancyKicheche Camps Landing strip, the Mara

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

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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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