My mantra of late; “change is good”
Having been born and raised in Victoria I never imagined wanting to leave the Island, but with a grandchild on the mainland my mind quickly changed.

I’m rather excited about the move, my husband and I are looking forward to being closer to our grandson (there is a second one on the way as well).

“20 years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the one’s you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” -Mark Twain

Nepal Needs Our Help

I love Nepal. My trek to Everest base camp in 2012 was a true life enhancing experience.
Something so special, that I revisit it in my mind on an almost daily basis.
It breaks my heart to imagine what people in Nepal, must be going through after Saturday’s  devastating earthquake and resulting avalanche at Everest base camp.

It doesn’t feel like enough, but a donation to the Red Cross will be my start.
Hope everyone who has ever visited Nepal will do something similar.

Canadians are encouraged to support people impacted by this disaster by making a donation to the Canadian Red Cross Nepal Region Earthquake Fund at http://www.redcross.ca, by calling 1-800-418-1111 or by contacting their local Canadian Red Cross office.

India Photography Tour Wrap Up

As a wrap up to our North India Photography tour, Marlin Travel hosted an exhibit showcasing the wonderful  images created by the participants of our tour. Many thanks to Peter, Orysia, Josh, Karla, Lynn, Kim, Keith, Ann, Margaret and Ernie – by the end of the evening we’d raised over $500.00 for Asha Ka Jharna, a children’s charity in the area of Rajasthan that we visited. Congratulations as well to Peter, his vibrant fuchsia and blue image of Jodphur was selected  “people’s choice” winner.

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Photography Exhibit Invitation

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Incredible India

I’ve just returned from my fifth trip to India and already want to return. Cows, chaos, and colour, amazing sights, fascinating history, a rich culture, crazy traffic, fabulous food and friendly people – India truly is incredible.
It’s also my favorite place for photography – everywhere you looked was another photographic opportunity. Interested in India ? There are many ways it can be explored from small immersive group tours like mine, cycling or cooking tours, luxurious rail and new for 2016 a deluxe river cruise option. Call Marlin Travel at 250-595-1181 for details.

Everyday happenings in historic locations

Friendly smiles

The blue city

Our group had the privlidge of visiting our guides grandmothers home

outside some traveller’s comfort zones, but the rat temple is a must see to me

Majestic Forts

teaching us to play cricket

Typical shops seen as we pass through small towns

Heritage hotels are one of my favorite places to stay

view out the back of the bus

Good driver, good horn , good luck

where else but India could garbage be picturesque

The Pushcar Camel Fair is an ideal place for photography enthusiasts

The trip hightlight to me – celebrating Diwali with a local family in the town of Gajner

“There are some parts of the world that, once visited, get into your heart and won’t go. For me, India is such a place. When I first visited, I was stunned by the richness of the land, by its lush beauty and exotic architecture, by its ability to overload the senses with the pure, concentrated intensity of its colors, smells, tastes, and sounds. It was as if all my life I had been seeing the world in black and white and, when brought face-to-face with India, experienced everything re-rendered in brilliant technicolor.” National Geographic photographer Keith Bellows

North India Photography Tour

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Perfect Day at Kruger

Kruger Park totally exceeded my expectations. I was only in the park for one day on a recent whirlwind trip to South Africa, but in just 10 hours saw an incredible variety of wildlife.
Maybe we were just lucky, but before it was even noon, had seen the “big five” – lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino.
By afternoon, we were well on our way to seeing a second big five, but without a double lion sighting couldn’t quite do it.
Witnessing a wild dog pack on the prowl was the true highlight for me … or maybe it was the elephant within a few yards of our vehicle or … the leopard that we saw leap from the tree then walk along the road right beside us.
AMAZING !

Let me know if I can help plan a Safari for you – it may be less expensive than you think.
Susan Swindells Marlin Travel in Cadboro Bay Victoria BC Canada

Travel – the one thing you can buy that makes you richer

You may be an adventure traveller and not even know it.

I’m not particularly brave, young, athletic, or wealthy, but would say that I love adventure travel. I’ve trekked to Everest,  camped in Botswana, travelled down the Mekong and rode a camel in Rajasthan.

What I find surprising is how many people think these type of experiences are too expensive, too uncomfortable or too adventuresome for them, when it’s probably not the case at all.

While likely more expensive than a typical beach resort vacation, personally find getting a little outside my comfort zone so much more rewarding and memorable.

It’s my favorite way to travel. With a precious few weeks of vacation time, I find small group tours the perfect way to quickly feel completely immersed in another country. With no time wasted on logistics,  you have more time to enjoy, explore and experience. I also appreciate the security,  knowledge and recommendations that a tour leader provides and have always enjoyed the company of my fellow travellers.

With so many tour choices available from basic to luxury, large and small, chosing the right tour operator and understanding the differences can be overwhelming. Which is why you should come see me at Marlin Travel in Cadboro Bay!  This is the type of holiday I truly understand and love. With your input, I’ll be able to recommend a tour to match your needs, expectations, budget, and comfort level. I’ll also be recommending a company that supports local communities and sustainable tourism.

If you were an adventure traveller, where would you go ? Cycling in Tuscany, trekking in Peru, or maybe something like an Amazon riverboat adventure? The choice is yours, I can help make it a reality.
Susan Swindells Marlin Travel in Cadboro Bay 250-595-1181

“Our fears are always more numerous than our dangers”      Lucius Annaeus Seneca

What Travel Adventures will 2013 bring ?

Every traveler is different when it comes to how and where we want to travel. To some, an all – inclusive resort in a tropical destination is holiday perfection, but roughly 20% of the population crave something a little more adventuresome.

Breakfast in Nepal

Chaotic Katmandu

I’m one of those 20%, but you probably wouldn’t guess it by looking at me. I don’t think of myself as particularly brave, young or athletic (young at heart hopefully), but would certainly classify myself as an adventure traveller. It doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy comfort when travelling, but am quite flexible if need be when quenching my curiosity thirst.

One of my favorite quotes is from National Geographic’s Bill Byson, who perfectly describes the way I feel about worldwide adventure travel: “To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.”

That’s adventure travel perfection in my mind. As a new year begins, I’m drawn to participate in list making, so have come up with my own top ten dream travel destinations.

Who knows what the year will bring, but do recall that my Nepal trip all started with a photo of Everest tacked to my refrigerator door.  A year and a half later, I stood at her base.

Never know what may actualize when you dream big.

Wishing you all a very happy, and healthy 2013 !

Here’s my future travel wish list. What does yours look like ?

1) Ladakh (I’ve found trekking very addictive and would love to experience the remoteness of India’s Himalayas)

2) Japan (have visited in the past, but think it’s time to go again).

3) Uganda (recently have heard from three well-traveled people who all said witnessing Silver backed gorillas in their habitat was one of the very best travel experience of their lives).

4) Antarctica (a constant on my travel wish list, but currently out of my price range)

5) Morocco (as a photographer, think I could spend hours in the souks behind the lens here)

6) Churchill or the Artic (another photography wish list item is to go on a polar bear safari)

7) Amazon & Machu Picchu (the Jungle calls)

8) Chile and Easter Island (think my fascination with Easter Island goes back to my youth, when my brother and I  saw the movie, Chariots of the Gods. He’s been there and I’d like to go someday as well.)

9) Galapagos (snorkeling paradise, and wildlife photography)

10) Serengeti (Botswana was amazing for wildlife sightings, but do like the idea of  witnessing the wildebeest migration)