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Welcome to the Bales blog, where we get a chance to share our thoughts, experiences and future plans with you and hopefully provide you with an interesting insight into what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ at Bales Worldwide.Happy Reading! |
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Merry Christmas! Since I have last spoken to you I had a flying visit to Egypt going out on Friday night and back in first thing on Sunday. This was not to see the sights, though I always feel sad if I don’t even get to see the Pyramids on a trip and I didn’t on this particular one as I was staying in the centre of Cairo - actually correction to that as you can see them from the hotel (be it that they are some six miles away) It isn’t the same as being there and exploring. However many times I have been to Egypt and I think that it is about 70 times, I never ever get tired of the place. It simply just has so much and they do say once you have been, you will want to return again and again- and that is certainly the case with me. I purely went on this trip to meet with our business partners and further affirm how we are working together in 2008. There is a round of festive lunches going on but I have committed to far less this year- a mix of time and lets face it- do I look as if I need another lunch?!!! I think when you are in an industry that offers so much hospitality, you have to be discerning about what you go to. It is always very generous of anyone to invite us in the first place and much appreciated but the time out needs to be evaluated against the reasons to go, to ensure that there are enough valid business reasons to go, after all there is no such thing as a free lunch or dinner. My assessment would be on how important the business relationship is and also the contacts you may meet when you go. Two extremely good examples would be that I met with Andy Cooper who runs the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO). Though I know him, it is often just for a quick exchange at functions. He was asked to speak at this particular lunch and gave a fantastic overview of the industry in the past year. I wrote to him afterwards, as I wanted to find out the sources of information because I thought it would be good to talk about the industry at a Bales staff update and open it up more. Usually I just address things that happen at Bales, though now I can see the advantages of a wider discussion to show where Bales fit within the industry. The long and the short is that Andy has offered to come and speak to all of us. Another excellent example is meeting with Susan Lamb who fairly recently joined ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents). Susan has subsequently come to the office to meet and discuss crisis management and procedures. Susan was responsible for this in a very major travel organisation and has lots of useful support they can offer to ensure we cover a wide scope of eventualities. We already have some very comprehensive plans but it is always good for these to be reviewed. I wouldn’t want you to think we spend all our time on events that may not happen but it is makes good business sense to have plans in place. We also met with the Director of Tourism for the Cayman Islands – who certainly changed my pre-conceived ideas of the Islands, with facts like having a wider range of wildlife than the Galapagos Islands. They have blue iguanas that are up to 5foot long, 35 dive centres with excellent facilities and much much more. We are definitely considering featuring it for 2009 but obviously we need to prospect it first – yes I would happily volunteer for the job but I think I would have to join a queue. For those regular readers that may be interested about my fitness programme – for the first time in a long time I did a road run yesterday, well I tried to do a road run, how my girlfriends can run and talk is beyond me - I have to concentrate on simply breathing. I know that some people run in the dark but I don’t enjoy doing that at all and though I would like to be out again this week, I (like so many of you-) leave home in the dark and get home in the dark, so the run will have to wait until the weekend …. well that’s my rationale!!! I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year. We do close on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years day but we are open up until then and in between so if you do want to talk to us and make an enquiry we are here and delighted to have the opportunity of helping you. Will catch up again in the New Year. Mandy |
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Having experienced a mind-blowing safari earlier this year, on an educational to Tanzania, I was intrigued to find out whether Kenya could live up to it… Like Tanzania, Kenya is a fantastic destination for first time safari goers in search of the Big Five. The endless plains of East Africa are the setting for the annual wildebeest migration. It is usually by around April time that the short grass plains of the Southern Serengeti are unable to sustain the herds and so the wildebeest begin sweeping North and West, where there is an abundance of food in the long grass and woodland. By the end of May, during my visit to Tanzania, this had been decimated by the herds and so they had scuttled off into the Western Serengeti in search of more. My visit to Kenya was well timed, as the wildebeest had crossed over the border into the Masai Mara. To be able to witness this great wildlife spectacle, of around 1.5 million wildebeest, followed by herds of zebra, is such a phenomenal experience, be it in the vast plains of the Serengeti or the colourful hills of the Masai Mara. What I did love about Kenya was that I had more of an opportunity to take in the culture of the country. Our journey from Nairobi to Samburu, to the picturesque Lake Nakuru, and onto the great Masai Mara, took us through local village life. The roads are dotted with young children, on their way to school, or helping their families with daily chores. They are all so friendly and welcoming, waving at every given opportunity and smiling to the tourists as they drive past in their 4 by 4s. I was disappointed not to have taken a supply of pens or sweets with me, so that I could have given in to their requests. The highlight of my trip was a fascinating visit to a Masai village. As we entered through the protective thorn bush fence, the women were busy - some weaving branches which they were going to mix with cow dung and build a new hut; others making beaded jewellery to flog to tourists. We were shown inside the huts and tested out the beds, made of woven twigs and cushioned with dry grass and animal skins, whilst learning about their diet of cows’ milk and blood, which is attained by shooting an arrow in the neck. When choosing a safari destination, it would be worth noting, however, that Kenya’s road network has become increasingly dilapidated in recent years in comparison to Tanzania’s and at certain times of the year, drives can be quite arduous in some parts. The road system will, allegedly, improve in a few years time… we shall have to see what changes the new government has in store. I must say though, that these drives are well worthwhile. Once you are sitting back listening to the rumbling movements of mighty elephants and watching them splashing about in a waterhole just metres in front of you, lone acacia trees standing still in the distance backed by a glorious sunset, the drives are soon forgotten! The 60,000 square kilometres of the Serengeti, home to the Ngorogoro Crater, the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera, versus the smaller 1510 square kilometres of the Masai Mara, nestled within the enormous Great Rift Valley. To pick between these two beautiful landscapes is a tough choice. It is fair to say that the game viewing opportunities and stunning scenery would overwhelm any individual in either part of East Africa, so i’m going to sit on the fence and leave it to you to decide… Rachel Worley, Operations Executive |
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A winter wonderland setting! I have just arrived back from the snowy climes of Eastern Canada, after a quick blitz of three of the major cities: Montreal, Quebec City and Toronto. It was great to see how much the destinations have to offer during the Winter Season, with various activities available including skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sledging, shopping, ice-skating, and various festivals. Toronto also offers the chance to indulge in some sporting games, such as the basketball and ice-hockey – which are well worth going to, even if it’s just for the atmosphere! And then there’s Niagara Falls – just 90 minutes from Toronto, easily done as a day-trip, with a chance to visit the Falls from Behind, and the charming boutique shops in Niagara-on-the-Lake. December is a beautiful month to visit this area, as snowfall is common, and teamed with the Christmas lights and decorations, it offers a romantic Winter Wonderland setting. I travelled between the 3 cities with VIA Rail, travelling in Via 1 Class (First Class). This is by far the easiest and quickest way of travelling with a meal served onboard and complimentary beverages. One tip would be to take a big coat and sensible boots, as it is very chilly at that time of year! I was lucky enough to stay in the Fairmont Properties in all three cities, with the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac, in Quebec City standing out as my personal favourite – a beautiful castle situated on the top of the mount offering spectacular views of the river and lights below. You will find that the Fairmont properties in Toronto and Montreal are attached to the underground shopping centres, train stations, and subway system, which is a great advantage if you wish to avoid the colder weather! Laura Trace, Sales & Tailor Made Consultant |
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Undiscovered Rajasthan.. Having travelled to India numerous times before, this visit was to travel through more of the undiscovered Rajasthan to see what new hotels or regions that Bales could start promoting. My journey started in Udaipur, which still remains one of my favourite places in Rajasthan, staying at the heritage Shiv Niwas hotel overlooking romantic Lake Pichola. I travelled by road northwards to Deogarh, visiting the stunning 18th century hilltop fort hotel of Devi Garh, the 15th century Kumbhalgarh fort and the Jain Temples at Ranakpur en-route. This incredible temple complex is covered in intricate milk-white marble carvings and well worth the visit. Continuing through the Aravalli Hills I travelled to the wonderful summer home of Shahpura before driving to a small village called Nimaj, to a truly magical tented camp, called Chhatra Sagar, pitched on a dam overlooking a lake teaming with birds. Heading west past Jodhpur deeper into Rajasthan, I spent a night at the Manvar Tented camp to get a glimpse of a true Rajasthani desert experience with camels, music and dance under the stars, which was fantastic. Travelling further into the Great Thar Desert towards the Pakistan border, I visited Jaisalmer, a ‘golden city’ that thrusts skywards out of the desert. Within the fort walls is a winding labyrinth of streets and bazaars where you can spend hours wandering around getting lost or shopping. I then headed north east to Nagaur passing through Pokaran and Khichan where between September to March it is possible to see the spectacular sight of hundreds of demoiselle cranes feeding on grain that is laid out twice daily by villagers but the best time for viewing is in the morning. The fort of Ahhichatragarh at Nagaur is not visited by many tourists but has been restored to a fascinating ancient fort and although there is no-where to stay in Nagaur itself, a day trip from Khimsar or Jodhpur is something unique. A short drive to Jodhpur and a flight saw me arrive into Delhi, the busy capital. The following day an early morning journey on the ‘Shatabdi Express’ train was the start of my journey to Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh & Chhatisgarh. This was a unique journey for me as I had backpacked around India by train for 6 months in 1994 and 1999 but never on a tourist train so it was nice to have an allocated comfy seat with air conditioning and a meal served! It was a good part of the trip for me as I had not travelled here before and the large old fort has several interesting temples and ruined palaces. It is an astonishing 1.5 miles long with great views over Gwalior. My trip ended on a high visiting Amritsar, which is at the centre of the Sikh religion due to the amazing Golden Temple with exceptional beauty. Amritsar itself is not particularly interesting but with the Golden Temple and the Wagah border closing ceremony it makes it an important inclusion to many itineraries and the reason I wanted to visit. This military theatre between the armies of India and Pakistan is truly brilliant with lots of singing, dancing, flag waving, machismo and pride on show but remarkably it is all done with unbelievable harmony. With grandstands on either side of the border this spectacle occurs every night 365 days a year and happens around 5pm for 30 minutes. I had wanted to see this for years and now to have experienced it first hand it made the very long days looking at hotels all worthwhile!! Paul Taylor, Sales Supervisor |
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A sense of the sublime, savage, untrammelled Eco-system, climate change are familiar words to the Lost Continent i.e Antarctica as well as the rest of the world. I was pleasantly surprised aboard the new expedition vessel MS Fram which was on its second voyage to the South Shetlands Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. It is not a cruise but an expedition where itineraries are flexible according to weather, sea and ice conditions. What I appreciated was the safety measures aboard the Norwegian vessel, the onboard lecturers in history, biology, ornithology and geology which gently introduced you and taught you about this great wilderness while at sea. The scenery is magnificent and ever changing during this short season, the same as the wildlife. The austral daylight allows you to enjoy hours out on the top deck or the observation lounge to spot whales, penguins, birds, seals but the excitement is be taken ashore, all warmly dresed, to observe the behaviour of penguin colonies, to take photos and then return to the vessel to use the main facilities. You can remove yourself from the real world or can link to the internet and have an experience of a lifetime. Mountains, waters, ice, remote research stations are unique and you relive the history of expeditions of Captain Scott, Amundsen and Shackleton, but in greater comfort. As comprehensive travel and health insurance is mandatory, I recommend you go when you are reasonably fit to enjoy Antarctica. Those amusing penguins entertain so many people and let’s hope that they breed for ever and that the ice does not melt too fast. Chantal Chenede, Sales and Tailor Made Consultant |
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