Bucket List 2017

Dear all

Thank you for dropping by.
And I have planned out some interesting intineraries to these fascinating destinations.

These are the dates which I have chosen based on the best time of travel. All itineraries
can be carried out with a minimum of four passengers.

You are most welcome to form your own group.

Hello

Keeping in touch. Providing updates.

The below tours are all based on Min of 4 to go. Prices depend on the group size & airfare.

My tour plans for the year 2017. 

2017

01Feb - 11Feb Rajasthan, India

Stay in Palace Hotel & the Haveli 

Rajasthan - Land of the Rajput, the rulers

Visit Mehrangarh Fort, Picolo Lake in Udaipur, Ride elephant to Amber Fort, Jaipur

For people who love history, culture, architecture and exotic culture

01Mar - 10Mar Iceland & Aurora

The Aurora is said to dim for the next decade.

See the natural wonders of Iceland  with a SuperJeep - waterfalls, geysers, Aurora (subject to weather), Blue Lagoon. Go see Aurora by boat. 

30Mar - 06Apr Japan & Sakura

Osaka - Kyoto - Tokyo

Visiting castles, parks famous for the Sakura blooms.

Note - Sakura season varies from year to year due to weather 

13Apr - 22Apr Nepal & Bhutan

Visit the Himalayas, and be awe-struck by the mighty Himalayas. Enjoy your time by the lakeside Pokhara, and visit the temples in Kathmandu. Experience the sense of peace in Bhutan, with its steeped Buddhism and lush greenery.

17Apr - 29Apr Central Greece &Santorini

Athens, Corinth Canal, Sparta, Olympia, Shipwreck beach, cave, Santorini

Historical & UNESCO sites

Savour the many Greek pies & authentic Greek food

For people who can appreciate history & culture, and seascape 

01Mar - 15Mar Argentina, South America

Buenos Aires, Iguazzu Falls, Patagonia, El Calafate, lakes , Perito Moreno Glacier

Nature at its best with Los Glacieras National Park , Fitzroy Mountain - Lakes, Snow-capped peaks, glacier, waterfall

Extension possible to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. 

08May - 17May Mongolia

Terenlj National Park, horse riding, vast grasslands , mountains, scenery

For nature lovers

May or June

South Africa & Safari

Stay Leopard Hills or Sabi Sabi Sands Resort. 

Game safari to seek out the Big Five - Elephants, leopards, Buffaloes, Lions, Rhinoceros 

(June - sunrise & sunset safari)

Optional

- try shark cage diving

- wine tours

27May - 10Jun Botswana wonders

Okavango Delta - Mokoro dug out canoe rides

Chobe National Park - elephants

Kalahari Desert

For those who love wildlife and nature.

12-21Jul Migration Safari (Africa)

Migration of the wildebeest

Many other wildlife - elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah etc

Serengeti National Park & 

Ngorongoro Crater

Epic trip of a lifetime

September - Tibet/ Croatia / Spain

October - Portugal / Iceland

08-17Dec Iceland (confirmed departure)

See the natural wonders of Iceland  with a SuperJeep - waterfalls, geysers, Aurora (subject to weather), Blue Lagoon. Go see Aurora by boat.

Cape Town and Cape Peninsula

I was fortunate as I get to organize my own trip and travel with the group.

Two years ago, we have a total of 10 people travelling to South Africa, and we went to Cape Town, and the Cape Peninsula. We actually stayed at Hout Bay, which was lovely and it was easy for us to proceed for the cruise to see the seal colony. Thereafter, we flew to Johannesburg, and stayed at three different National Parks and game reserve.

Kruger is the largest and most popular of the South Africa, and needless to say, it was included in our itinerary. We went to Imfolozi-Hluluwe National Park, which is the oldest in South Africa and last of all, we went to Pakamisa Private Game Reserve.

We all had wonderful times at the three parks, driven in the open top vehicle for our game drive- trying to spot the different wildlife - rhinoceros, cheetah, lions, Buffaloes, zebra, impala, elephants, and many other birds, as our ranger guides went around hunting for them. As it was winter, it gets dark early. We went for both the sunrise and sunset safari, and the sunset in the African bush was mesmerizing, when the whole horizon was painted in fiery red or orange.

The stay at Pakamisa was memorable as the lodge is located right on a hill top. At night, I could see millions of stars right above me, just outside my room, which is named zebra. The Milky Way and the Southern Cross were both so distinct to me, with easy identification. 

We missed out on one of the main highlights - Shark Cage diving at Gansbai, as there was heavy rain for that week when we arrived in Hermanus, and thus all shark cage diving activity was cancelled for the entire week. 

Below - I am providing some information on Cape Town and Cape Peninsula, and the text was taken from the Wikipedia site. 

Cape Town (Afrikaans: Kaapstad [ˈkɑːpstɐt]; Xhosa: Ikapa) is a coastal city in South Africa. It is the second most populous urban area in South Africa, after Johannesburg.^[7] It is also the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape.

As the seat of the National Parliament it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality. The city is famous for its harbour, for its natural setting in the Cape Floristic Region, as well as for such well-known landmarks as Table Mountain and Cape Point. As of 2014, it is the 10th most populous city in Africa and home to 64% of the Western Cape's population. It is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, reflecting its role as a major destination for immigrants and expatriates^[9] to South Africa. The city was named the World Design Capital for 2014 by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design. In 2014, Cape Town was named the best place in the world to visit by both the American New York Times and the British Daily Telegraph.^[12]

Located on the shore of Table Bay, Cape Town was first developed by the Dutch East India Company as a victualling (supply) station for Dutch ships sailing to East Africa, India, and the Far East. Jan van Riebeeck's arrival on 6 April 1652 established the first permanent European settlement in South Africa. Cape Town quickly outgrew its original purpose as the first European outpost at the Castle of Good Hope, becoming the economic and cultural hub of the Cape Colony. Until the Witwatersrand Gold Rush and the development of Johannesburg, Cape Town was the largest city in South Africa.

Cape Peninsula

The Cape Peninsula (Afrikaans: Kaapse Skiereiland) is a generally rocky peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean at the south-western extremity of the African continent. At the southern end of the peninsula are Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. On the northern end is Table Mountain, overlooking Cape Town, South Africa. The peninsula is 52 km long from Mouille point in the north to Cape Point in the south.

The Peninsula has been an island on and off for the past 5 million years, as sea levels fell and rose with the ice age and interglacial global warming cycles of, particularly, the Pleistocene. The last time that the Peninsula was an island was about 6000 years ago. Soon afterwards it was joined to the mainland by the emergence from the sea of the sandy area now known as the Cape Flats. The towns and villages of the Cape Peninsula and Cape Flats now form part of the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality.

The Cape of Good Hope is sometimes given as the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Thus the west coast of the Peninsula is invariably referred to as the "Atlantic Coast", but the eastern side is known as the "False Bay Coast". It is at Cape Point (or the Cape of Good Hope) that the ocean to the south is often said to be divided into the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Indian Ocean to the east. However, according to the International Hydrographic Organization agreement that defines the ocean boundaries, the meeting point is at Cape Agulhas, about 200 km (120 mi) to the southeast.

Similarly, Cape Point is not the fixed "meeting point" of the cold Benguela Current, running northwards along the west coast of Africa, and the warm Agulhas Current, running south from the equator along the east coast of Africa. In fact the south flowing Agulhas Current swings away from the African coastline between about East London and Port Elizabeth, from where it follows the edge of the Continental shelfroughly as far as the southern tip of the Agulhas Bank, 250 km (155 miles) south of Cape Agulhas. From there it is retroflexed (turned sharply round) in an easterly direction by the South Atlantic, South Indian and Southern Ocean currents, known as the "West Wind Drift", which flow eastwards round Antarctica. The Benguela Current, on the other hand, is an upwelling current which brings cold, mineral-rich water from the depths of the Atlantic Ocean to the surface along the west coast of Southern Africa. Having reached the surface it flows northwards as a result of the prevailing wind and Coriolis forces. The Benguela Current, therefore, effectively starts at Cape Point, and flows northwards from there, although further out to sea it is joined by surface water that has crossed the South Atlantic from South America as part of the South Atlantic Gyre. Thus the Benguela and Agulhas currents do not strictly "meet" anywhere, although eddies from the Agulhas current do from time to time round the Cape to join the Benguela Current.

Credit - Wikipedia (Cape Town & Cape Peninsula)

November will still be a lovely time to visit South Africa but December will be busy with the local tourists.

January to March is the summer time but it is enjoying 23degree on average, thus a very good time to be spent in South Africa. 

We have the following trips for 2017

26May - 09Jun 2017 Botswana Camping Safari (Okavango Delta, Chobe, Victoria Falls)

05Jul-21Jul Kilimanjaro Trek & Migration Safari

11Jul-21Jul Migration Safari

To go for your next game safari, contact me - inspiritjourneys@gmail.com

Anyone keen to learn to make money from Social Media, watch this webinar online
https://goo.gl/XxONyV
Contact me should you need more information. 

Kruger National Park

Kruger Park is South Africa's most exciting African safari destination. Steeped in legend and history, the iconic Kruger National Park in South Africa is waiting for you to explore its vast landscapes and spectacular African wildlife. The Game Safari must be one of the most memorable activities and things that you must do in Kruger National Park, South Africa.

The word 'safari' has its roots in Arabic - and Arab traders were some of the first outsiders to journey into this continent. Caravans replaced jeeps in these early expeditions, as treacherous new trade routes transported goods - and slaves - between Africa and Asia throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.

The first 'safari' took place in 1836, when William Cornwallis Harris set out to observe wildlife in its natural surroundings - rather than simply shooting it, as he did on most of his expeditions. Shortly after, the word 'safari' was introduced into English by the explorer Sir Richard Burton.

 Why Kruger National Park This is considered the king of safari parks. And it is on most Africa Bucket Lists. Fantastic for self-drive safaris, it's the Big Five for beginners. One of Africa's oldest, largest and most diverse national parks, Kruger has over 500 bird species and more mammals than any other park on the continent. Its luxury lodges, top-end safaris and campsites mean that Kruger is really open to all. Whether you are going for an adventure, an experience or even for your honeymoon trip, this has to be on the top of your list.

And I like to share some of the photographs that I had taken while on a safari with my group of friends in June 2014.

It is better to stay in the Kruger National Park itself, as you are much in the heart of the whole area. At that time that we went last June, it was actually winter time, but in the day, it was still very comfortable. We had two game viewing sessions each day.

In a typical day, we were awaken at 5 30am. We had some biscuits and tea or coffee, before we set off in one of those open-topped vehicle that you saw in the picture. It is better to have about up to five people in one vehicle. We were given ponchos to cover ourselves. It was pitch dark, and our knowledgeable guide cum driver would negotiate and find his way round on the road built within the national parks. It was very cold in the morning with a few degrees, and we were all wrapped up in our jacket, and covered with the ponchos. Soon, we could see the sky brightening up, with a tinge of soft orange glow across the horizon. 

We were driven around to hunt for the animals, and we saw impalas, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and lions. The Big Five refers to the lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhinoceros. At close to about nine in the morning, we would have a short break to take our breakfast, with sandwiches, and biscuits. Then, we continued with our game drive.

When it started to get hot, we were driven back to our lodge. Then, it was lunch time. Free at leisure till about four pm. Then, we would go for our sunset safari.
Now, it would be the reverse. We left our lodge in the bright daylight, and continued on until the sunset. Wow, the sunrise and sunsets are really beautiful here in the Kruger National Parks. Bright orange hues right across the whole horizon this time.

We even had our biscuits and champagne in the wild. But we needed to be very careful, as I heard of tales about some other travellers, being cautioned and then had to make their way back to the vehicle due to the big cats approaching their way..

Then, by the time, we were back in the lodge, we could wash up, and get ready for our dinner. The following day would repeat itself with the similar timing.

On our trip, we had the chance to see the cheetah from afar, but didnt manage to see any of the leopards which are high elusive animals. They are nocturnal creatures, and thus spend most of their time resting in the day, and hunt in the night. That makes it difficult to locate and see them.

Interested to make a trip to South Africa? 
Speak with one of our experts who have been to South Africa for many years.

Check it out on my website - 
www.izest-lifestyle.com

2015 TRIPS

Trips for 2015

NOTE - I will be away leading a trip to Canada + Alaska from 31Aug - 16Sep 2014

21Jan - 10Feb 2015 - Patagonia Trek 

SIKKIM + BHUTAN (PARO FESTIVAL)
Mar - 9D Iceland Photography Trip (led by local photographer)
Apr - Kashmir + Tulips
May
06-22Jun - South America (Brazil / Peru / Amazon Jungle)
Jul - Kashmir & Ladakh 
Jul - South Africa + Zimbabwe Camping Safari

Sep - 02-13Sep 12D Greece

Nov - Nepal trekking

Are you ready to explore a new country and travel to somewhere with a group?
Or do you love adventure and travel, but not able to find your own travel kaki?

Patagonia Trek - (21Jan-10Feb)

MALE travel partner wanted!

PATAGONIA PIC from INTERNET

SOUTH AMERICA (BRAZIL/ PERU/ AMAZON JUNGLE)
Last 4 vacancies for June - South America (Brazil / Peru/ Amazon Jungle)




More updates will be added at a later date.

INTERESTED ?
EMAIL ME 

Pictures of South Africa

Dear all,

I planned for a trip to South Africa in June, and went with 10 other ladies on this trip and this is indeed an experience of a lifetime. Finally, my dream came true, as I had wanted to visit South Africa for a very long time.

Our highlights: -
Cape Town,
Kruger National Park (4 game safari)
Pakamisa Private Game Reserve (horse riding, 1 game safari)
Hluhluwe iMfolozi National Park (oldest national Park in South Africa)
St Lucia Estuary (UNESCO, sunset boat cruise)
Shakaland

We stayed at the following lodges -
Hout Bay - Villa Afrique
Kruger - Imbali Lodge
Pakamisa - Pakamisa Paradise Game Lodge
Hluhluwe iMfolozi National Park - Falaza Tented Camps
Shakaland - Traditional hand-woven Beehive Hut.

There are alternative or cheaper package if you avoid Kruger National Park. There is a daily conservation fees of about SGD50 per person a day, excluding your hotel / lodge accommodation. Most of the established lodges are mainly 5 star, and you will be charged perhaps for SGD2,000 a night.

To me, there is no compromise, as Kruger is the largest national park in South Africa, and to really enjoy a great safari experience in the bush, there is no alternative to Kruger. There are some cheaper accommodations or even guests houses, which are located outside of the National Park. But being so much further away, I think time will be lost for driving when you go for your safari. As we travel in the period of June, it is the winter season in South Africa, and this is considered the best time for game viewing. Animals are more likely to go to the water holes for drinking, and it is so much easier to spot them.

We had sunrise and sunset safari in a day. In the morning, we woke up as early as 5 30 am, and then have a light breakfast. Then, we have to put on our full gear, wearing the appropriate jackets, gloves, and pants to keep ourselves warm, as we drove out of the lodge in total darkness. When the winds blew past our face, it was really chilly. We were there to see the sky and the horizon changing colours from pitch black, and then slowly the orange tinge spreading along the horizon. And then finally, the sun rose up to the sky. It was not easy to take the pictures as there were many trees all around.

The ranger guide would point to us, the direction to spot the animals. He is well-trained, and he knew what to look out for. As he drove, his head was sweeping from left to right, and his pair of eyes was constantly, trying to pick up the sights of any animals, if they were chewing the leaves somewhere, with the bodeis partially hidden by the trees.

We were lucky that for the 3 days and 2 nights stay at Imbali, we spotted a lot of animals, and out of the BIG FIVE, we managed to see the four of them. The leopard is a very elusive animal, and it is a nocturnal animal, and thus we missed seeing them in Kruger.

I like to share some of the pictures that I took for my trip in South Africa.

                              Captured this at the right moment, with another baby elephant behind.

Reminds me of the animated movie - The Lion King.

                                                  We were so close to the pride of lions.
                                   

                                                                            A zebra

                                                     Giraffe - is such an elegant animal.

                                                    Impala. Only male impalas have horns.

A group of baboons was crossing the road in front of our vehicle.

                                                                       Baboon & its baby.

More pictures to come. Do come back for more.

If you are looking for the best airfare to South Africa, you normally fly to Johannesburg for a trip to Kruger National Park. For some others, they will fly into Cape Town, and then connect to Johannesburg.
It is a 7 -hour drive to Kruger Park, otherwise, you can also fly from Johannesburg to Kruger, but I understand the airfare is not cheap.

Click below, and register as a PREFERRED CUSTOMER.
Best Airfare/Hotel rates worldwide!
PRICE PLEDGE - if you can find a cheaper hotel rate or airfare after your booking, you will get a 150% Price Difference Refund, when you send the proof and email within the next 24 hours after your booking is made.

More pictures to come.

Olevia Cheong

My Next Dream Destination - South America in 2015!

Montreux Christmas Market (Switzerland)

New Itineraries for 2014

Happy New Year to everyone.
My tour leading to Europe had kept me busy for the last two months of the year 2013.

And I am back now, looking forward to the new year in 2014, ready for more new adventures, and
travel experience to share.

Do note -
06-20Jun South Africa Adventure Safari (CONFIRMED)

There are many places for you to have exceptional travel experience in Kashmir & Ladakh, India,
Bhutan and the festival tours, as well as other countries like South Africa (You must NOT MISS Blyde River Canyon & The Panorama Route), Uzbekistan, Kenya, Tanzania, and etc.

But, I like to share some pictures that I took at the Christmas market at Montreux, Switzerland , as this is the largest Christmas market in the country.

Register as a PREFERRED CUSTOMER for Free at the link below.
Best airfare / hotels to Switzerland
150% Price difference Refund if you find a cheaper airfare or hotel rate at another website.
Free USD200,000 flight insurance.

Pictures -

 

Thanks for coming back again.
This blog will be updated regularly to keep you posted of our latest and new departures.

Upcoming trips.
Please scroll down to the previous posts to download the itinerary.

NEW**. NEW**.
11D Egypt , with Red Sea
By SQ
23Nov,
30Nov
07 Dec
11Jan
08Feb

15Sep 8D Kashmir & Golden Triangle< $1388 SOLD OUT
** 2 NIGHTS STAY ON DELUXE HOUSEBOAT **

20SEP 10D Grand Jordan Tour
** WADI RUM , PETRA - 1 of 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD

23Sep 7D Bhutan Festival Tour, $3650 Nett
THIMPHU FESTIVAL - masked dances, lots of locals, & pilgrims
*** LAST 2 VACANCIES !! Hurry, Don't Miss a Great Experience

26Sep 10D Annapurna Trek , $1,988
** TEA HOUSE TREK **

20Oct 8D Kashmir & Golden Triangle, $1388 SOLD OUT
20Oct 9D Himalayan Charm, $1,488
** HIMACHAL PRADESH - SHIMLA, MANALI, ROHTANG PASS **

18Oct 10D South Africa , Namaqualand Spring Flowers
New Itinerary!

25Oct 10D Bhutan Festival Tour $4750 Nett
** FAMOUS CENTRAL VALLEY **
HURRY, BOOK NOW..

09Nov 10D Bhutan Black-necked crane Festival
08Nov 10D South Africa, Kruger & Panoramic Route $4288 Nett

For the year end, the sky is clear, so you would be able
to see the mountains much more clearly!!
16Nov 8D Nepal & Bhutan - Book early
23Nov 8D Nepal & Bhutan - Book early!!

01Dec 8D Kashmir & Golden Triangle $1,488
08Dec 8D Kashmir & Golden Triangle $1,488
05Dec 10D Nepal Discovery  $2388 Nett

12Dec 15D Jordan & Israel     $3988 

24DEC 10D South Africa, Kruger & Panoramic Route $4,388

08Feb 8D Kashmir & Golden Triangle $1488 (LAST 11 Seats)

11Feb 8D Kashmir & Golden Triangle $1488 (CFM, Last 6 SEATS, One Female looking for another female traveller to share room)

2013 DEPARTURES

10Feb - 7D Magical Bhutan, PROMO PRICE, booked by 28Sep $2,988
11Feb -10D South Africa , Kruger & Panoramic Route $4288 NETT 

26Apr -9D Scenic Kashmir $1388

28Apr - 18 D Everest Base Camp Trek

May/ Jun Kazakhstan

Contact Olevia Cheong

8112 8393

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