Dear Advisor Partners,
As we entered the midpoint of 2021, I found myself looking back at the blogs sent out in June 2020, when fear followed confusion, and I gravitated to a blog our team wrote on June 3, 2020 titled “Because We Are Better,” (which you can read here). We talked about the difficult journey the world had undertaken, challenges in every direction, and the impacts of the world being shut down. We talked about how helping the voiceless became less of a choice but rather more of an honorable responsibility, an obligation even. It has come to a time where we can finally start to see the silver lining.
Now that the storms of 2020 are beginning to move off into the past, there is sunshine peeking through again in 2021. Yesterday the CDC and the US State Department eased restriction on 60 countries with more to come. Friends are returning to work, expeditions are restarting and people are planning and travelling. The light and the path are even brighter today. More countries are allowing vaccinated passengers to enter without testing. Europe is opening up, and progression is occurring. Everything is changing and will continue to change as we progress further into 2021 an beyond. The one thing that will not change, and cannot change, is remembering where we came from these last 12 months. I hear people talking about how bad 2020 was, and it was, no doubt, yet the one major positive is the light shining on all those suffering around the world, voiceless to their struggle. The 100,000+ that go hungry in the islands around Cartagena, the 600+ Andean weavers and their children in the communities around the Sacred Valley in Peru, the hundreds of children that now get clean drinking water in Guatemala and the 217 children from the neighboring Maasai communities receiving a promising education in Tanzania, all have much more needed visibility. The one that hit closest to my heart is the young and brave Arianis in Cartagena, who is happily in foster care now, healthy and prospering. In fact, I firmly believe this little girl will be telling her story on a Ted Talk stage one day.
This blog and the accompanying video is a reminder, as we begin to grow again, to look back where you came from these last 18 months. Let’s not forget what it took to get here, and continue to increase our social responsibility in our travels. The work we saw around the world, that inspired us to hang in there, to keep fighting, to keep struggling, isn’t going away. Those needs have always been there. The Big Five team united behind our foundation, loudly said to all those that we were fortunate to help, “we see you, we hear you.” As we begin what should be an epic recovery, we say to them now, “we still see you, we still hear you, even clearer now.”
Look back on your accomplishments, be proud of them, and rise together. Learn more about the Spirit of Big Five Foundation’s work here.
Dear Advisor Partners,
As the father of a high school freshman, graduation week takes on a whole new meaning. It takes me back to my own graduation, high school and university (being the first in my immediate family to attend university was an added bonus), and how special that week is. As a parent though, the conversation is very different, rather than a sense of achievement your child has, you have a sense of urgency, counting the number of summers and holidays left with your child before they head off to graduate studies, and their own life. While my son is an incoming freshman, I essentially have four more summers, four more festive holidays, and 208 more weekends before he heads off on his own road. I remember even now, as if it was yesterday, holding him in one arm, his head in my palm and his body resting on my forearm. I went from massaging his ankles as a baby, to him frankly breaking my ankles in a game of 1-on-1 basketball.
You see these are the memories all of us have as we proudly watch our children reach the lofty aspirations we set for them at an early age. It is in these memories that we realize, that our children actually set goals for themselves even loftier then the ones we set, which explains why our expectations are exceeded so often. The other part as parents that we think about often, is family adventures, creating memories in the time you have left together. Now this is not to say future travels won’t be together, however there is a moment, before children head off to further their studies, where they get one last hurrah. They get the adventure they will use later on to shape their own journeys around the world. It was from this concept, that Precious Journeys® College Edition was born a few years ago.
Just think of all your fellow travelers young and old and ask them where their love of travel began. Almost every answer starts with an experience with their family or friends, doing something they never thought they could or would do, or a memory so powerful that all the years cannot water it down. You see, the College Edition is just that, a collection of programs meant for children heading to adulthood, ready to carve their own path in life, ready to take on the world and inspired to change it. It’s equal parts ultimate adventure, unique experiences, and family memories all blended together in the perfect balance. This could mean hiking in the Sechura Desert in Northern Peru, getting off the beaten track in the salt flats of Botswana, immersing in the graffiti scene in Guatemala, Argentina and Colombia, or hiking through one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world in Australia.
We put together a video of some of these experiences, with more being designed all the time. These journeys don’t have do overs, and neither do you.
To fellow parents – well done, celebrate your hard work in raising such fine leaders.
To the high school graduating class of 2021 and 2022 – we need your help, your ideas, and your leadership. Congratulations on achievement. The journey isn’t over, it’s just beginning.
See our collection of Precious Journeys® College Edition.
Dear Advisor Partners,
With the start of summer, everyone is back to enjoying outdoor festivities and celebrating with friends and family once again. But let us not forget to take time to also remember those who put their lives on the line to ensure we have the freedoms to do so. Thank you to all those who have served and are still serving our countries. To our neighbors to the north, Happy belated Victoria Day and to our neighbors here, Happy early Memorial Day.
Dear Advisor Partners,
By now you’ve heard the exciting news, Peru has removed the antigen test requirement for arriving guests. This is certainly a step in the right direction and the reopening is picking up momentum with each day. As some of you know, I have been traveling in Peru since May 10th, exploring unknown areas in the north and now traveling through the Sacred Valley and Cusco, experiencing some of the lesser-known ruins. As an added bonus, I am traveling with a few great travel advisors who are funny, curious and definitely happy to be here. Together we are checking out how ready Peru really is, firsthand. Around each corner seems to be something new and each new story we have to tell begins with the infamous line, “what had happened was”.
I was planning a visit to my favorite eco domes, only to end up surrounded by dogs at a local farm. See, what had happened was…the road we wanted to take was closed, so after visiting the ruins of Tarawasi, we decided to break for lunch. We were in an avocado region, so naturally, we skipped the restaurant, bought some tomatoes, onions and peppers and handpicked some avocados, (we’ll say “borrowing”). While trying to choose where to stop and eat, we were invited to a farm by a lovely lady and her dogs. It was here that I learned just how much dogs love bread, as I somehow ended up serving an impromptu canine buffet line (who says no to big brown-eyed dogs?). The day ended with the best avocado sandwiches I have ever had, whether its because the were “borrowed” or just how hungry I had become, I’ll never admit.
As for Peru being ready, I can tell you, or I can show you in this week’s video. First what is required to get here – a PCR test 72 hours before arrival and the health declaration form completed electronically. Masks are only required in crowded or indoor areas and social distancing outdoors has become natural for most people, so often masks are safely not needed. Once in country, our team takes every precaution while ensuring you are immersed in Peru.
I have to share one of my more personal experiences encountered here, with our long-standing sustainable partner, Awamaki, that the Spirit of Big Five proudly collaborates with to support micro entrepreneurship for women from five Andean communities through weaving. Due to Covid, these women have not seen travelers in over a year and the tears they shed were real, their struggle over the last year has been real and their joy in seeing visitors again, very real. Everywhere you go, there is gratitude for your visit, welcoming smiles and open arms, tears of joy, and a passion and pride to share their country with visitors, all magnified to a much higher level than all my previous repeated visits to Peru.
So, enjoy the video and feel free to share it to show your friends and colleagues what the experience is like once you arrive. See our newest additions for Peru.
Dear advisor partners,
You know the phrase, getting off the beaten path? Well, I am writing this from Illescas Reserve in northern Peru, 300 km/186.4 miles from the Ecuador border, 900 km/559.2 miles from the Galapagos coast. Here, there is no path. There is no industry standard route, or Peru hotlist tourist spots attracting crowds of people. Here, at Illescas, there is an adventure not yet discovered full of raw nature, adrenaline rushes and welcoming locals. My trip has been full of surprises and left turns, and this is only day four.
When I set out on this adventure, I had our high school graduates on my mind, finishing up their final year in 2021, during interesting times. Whether they finish through virtual learning or in person learning, tomorrow’s leaders are about to embark on their next chapter. However, there is a gap between those chapters where most grads head off for a summer internship, a job, summer school, or in most cases, an ultimate ‘leaving the nest’ family vacation. Precious Journeys College Edition was born specifically for this gap, and where I am standing presents new opportunities for our grads.
Imagine heading to a reserve in Peru, where you can go kite surfing, hike to see endangered condors in the wild (the true wilderness), encounter migrant sea lions and birdlife that have arrived here from the Galapagos Islands, and even see species such as the Andean Cat and the desert fox just to top off the experience. There is only one hotel, with four rooms serving 76,000 hectares (1 hectare = 10,000 sq meters for fellow math nerds), and it’s a hidden gem. I can’t even call it a hotel because frankly, it does not feel like one. It’s so much more, it is a home away from home. Not to mention, getting here was an excursion in itself. A trip that saw us pushing a 4×4 to its limits, testing each facet of its abilities, crossing deep soft sand, rocks, mud, and compact beach sand. We even managed to get the 4×4 stuck a few times, including once with the rear axle bending in a way Toyota likely never intended. If you want more of that story, you can head over to my Facebook page.
There are no groups here, no cruise ships, no transit cars – just pure wilderness, amazing food, and warm smiles. Some 3000+ people visited Machu Picchu each day in 2019. Just 1100 people visited Illescas in TOTAL, in all of 2019. This is the perfect setting to take in the known history of Peru, featuring Machu Picchu, and merge that with the climbing adventure of Sky Lodge and Turawasi in the Sacred Valley, then top it off with the Illescas Reserve in northern Peru for the grand finale. The new Precious Journeys College Edition adventure to Peru is here.
Dear Advisor Partners,
Travel advisor day is normally one day, however, after the year we just had, I think you earned the whole week. This video is dedicated to you. Happy Travel Advisor WEEK!
Dear Advisor Partners,
Even though we are still seven months out, the festive season of 2021 is starting look how a festive season should look. The months feel like they are flying by and everyone is dusting off their passports, finding those travel bags and getting ready to return to adventure. With inquiries starting back up, I get asked frequently, where are people looking to travel? Rather than tell you, let me show you!
Since the world started opening up, the requests have focused on several countries; Peru, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Ecuador and Galapagos, Colombia, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. These areas are among the first to regain interest and spark excitement. With so many festive opportunities out of reach last year, the planning for 2021 is underway and agents, travelers and suppliers alike are eager and ready to get back to the road. In some destinations, space is already near capacity for 2021 and 2022 trips are being enthusiastically planned. When we first started down this arduous path, the conversation about when to talk about travel was a delicate balance, with many simply not yet ready to discuss travel.
Well my friends, fast forward to today and listen to the conversations now. Talking about travel is no longer in anticipation, but has become a conversation full of excitement, action and passion once again. Advisors are reporting that their clients are talking about travel, planning travel, and I can proudly share, actually traveling. Children are returning to school, fans are slowly being allowed back into sporting events, so it’s only fitting that travelers are emerging with vacation windows open, ready to put the perfect adventure for themselves and their families together, sooner rather than later. The path forward is getting clearer each day. Take a look at some of my private collections, known as Presidents Picks.
So enjoy the video, share it with your clients and happy travels!
“While we’ve been exploring, you’ve been waiting planning traveling!”
Many of you have never met Deborah Kilcollins, our brand manager. Yet I promise you all know her. If you’ve read any press release, read this blog, or have simply called the office, you know her. You see, she is the one who wrote them all. She has even wrote every Big Five Navigator Series®️ hard cover book, from cover to cover.
Well after 21 years at Big Five, Deborah is calling it a career and retiring at the end of May. I came to Big Five 19 years ago and met Deborah, who was already working at Big Five. I went up and said, “Hi Debbie,” and her reply was “Nice to meet you, and it’s Deborah, thank you.” Little did I know that this person, over the next two decades, would help Big Five with launching the Spirit of Big Five Foundation, launching Precious Journeys®️ family programs, and helping to shape the messaging you read to this day.
Deborah will still be coming into the office periodically as she embarks on her new adventure, writing a book!
Thank you Deborah, for the laughter, the tears, and for simply being you.
I wanted to share something beautiful that Deborah wrote to our team:
A note from Deborah Kilcollins
What do you say after 21 years in one job? Shazam….
Seriously, when Ashish asked me if I wanted to say something, I had no idea what that would be. I can say that this job has been an adventure all its own. I had worked as a freelance writer/photographer for years and in fact, that is how I learned about Big Five. I interviewed Mahen for an article about the company and himself, for a regional business publication. I was taken aback when Mahen offered me a job here. The thought of a “real” job, as my father used to say, was somewhat daunting. So when I started at Big Five, my thought process was that I might work here for maybe five years at the most, and even that was a staggering thought. However, it seemed the most logical course for me at the time. I began as a receptionist with the understanding that the job would evolve, and evolve it has.
Even as a kid, I dreamed about far off places. I took my first trip to Europe on my own when I was 18 with no real experience in traveling alone or abroad. What an eye-opening journey it was. I had a Eurail pass and I ran around Europe for a few months, often sleeping on trains to save money. I had no agenda beyond seeing everything. But that was just the beginning. Since then, I have visited some 60 countries. So when Big Five and I crossed paths, my friends just laughed and pointed out that if I had to have a real job, this surely must be it. And, indeed, it has been. I’ve added a few destinations with Big Five. My favorite and one that I would likely never have been able to do on my own was China.
Big Five has been an education all its own, and I have learned about dedication, loyalty and so much more. I wish Big Five all the success in the world and fully expect it to continue to be among the best. You have all taught me valuable lessons so to each of you I say with gratitude, thank you.
“May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, The foresight to know where you’re going…”
Dear Advisor Partners,
Have you ever seen tears of joy on someone just happy to see you? This past week, thanks to an amazing travel advisor who sent our first guests to Peru since the quarantine lifted, I saw that in Cusco. Picture an Andean story teller, sharing her wisdom about her culture, and becoming emotional as she spoke. She was overcome with joy that someone was there just to listen to her story, something that would sound unbelievable in any time except now.
Imagine the same look on a good friend who normally does all arrival services in Lima, who took a job in a call center in 2020 to provide for his family, vowing to return to tourism. Well, he was overcome with emotion as well, sharing his happiness about greeting his first guests in Lima since the quarantine ended in Peru with anyone that would listen, thanks to yet another amazing travel advisor. I got a good laugh when he noticed the arrival flight for the incoming guests was delayed and laughed at how he loved the stress, that he even missed it!
That is the power of tourism. It’s not just monetary, it’s the silent benefit – self pride. The ability to proclaim in the loudest voice you can, that Peru, like other countries, is on the slow journey back to full strength. Each success story means more, each happy guest means more, each moment of pride means more. Each person you encounter while in country goes the extra mile, even a restaurant in Cusco opening earlier than planned simply because a guest is hungry. Nobody said the road back would be easy, and you are allowed to quit the struggle anytime you want to. What I see in Peru and in so many other destinations, is nobody quit. Nobody said I am done with tourism. Everyone loved what they did and knew the time would return when they could go back to doing what they love.
Well my friends, in Peru, that time has come. This is a new Peru, a grateful Peru, a sincere Peru, and an emotional Peru. They are happy to see you again and say that you may never really know just how happy your visit made them.
Check out our latest video on the joy that is Peru, and the creative way we share Peru.
Dear Advisor Partners,
Good things come to those who wait. Do you remember hearing that from a family member or a friend? Well, the same definitely applies to Egypt. On April 3, 2021, history was made. One of those where were you moments.
In Cairo, the world watched the Pharaohs Golden Parade as 22 ancient mummies of Egypt’s famed pharaohs were transported in a lavish royal parade to their new home, the Museum of Antiquities. After multiple delays when it finally happened there was not a dry eye in the house.
The production value alone with performances at the pyramids, Valley of Kings and Valley of Queens literally brought the country to a standstill. It was only a decade ago in this very same spot, today a beautifully lit circle, looked very different. Back then, the pomp and circumstance were proceeded by crippling protests and two new presidents. At that moment, no one could have imagined what would occur so many years later. I remember an emotional call with our Egypt country manager, who I value as a brother. He yelled out, “This is not my Egypt!” And midway through, he declared, “The world doesn’t have its hands in the fire like we Egyptians do!” How right he was! So you can imagine how powerful it was to hear him say these words once again during the royal parade. He couldn’t stop the tears.
This Indian and anyone watching the parade who knew the history of the past decade and beyond, was on that day a proud Egyptian. Normally our team creates a video for each blog that tells a story with snappy music and catchy words. This time we are all speechless and few words are necessary. Let us just enjoy the video of this once-in- a-lifetime royal parade that we all watch with pride. Begin your own singular Egypt adventure.
Dear Advisor Partners,
You know each event in history happens only once… Well, tune in to April 3 2021 when once again history will be made in Egypt. The ancient mummies are being prepared to be moved in grand fashion from the Museum of Antiquities into the Museum of Civilization.
In honor of that historic event, we have a new tour that allows you to build your own pyramid and even mummify yourself, minus the gruesome parts of course. Scroll down to see some amazing photos of this experience.
While we won’t mummify you or have you build a pyramid, you can see the mummies and go inside a pyramid. We just wanted to make sure you watch on one of the 400 channels that will be broadcasting the once-in-a-lifetime mummy procession on April 3, 2021. We can’t wait to see you in Egypt. Watch the video, then begin planning your Egypt adventure.
Dear Advisor Partners,
Dorothy was right when she proclaimed, “Oh My!” in the Wizard of Oz. Since my last dispatch, I have now seamlessly crossed from Kenya into Tanzania. A friendly medical technician visited me in my hotel to conduct my PCR test. The crossing into Tanzania was effortless as I had my e-visa in hand, arrival and health forms that were printed out ahead of time, and the fast travel service at Kilimanjaro airport in hand in the FBO terminal.
After picking up the two travel advisors who would journey with me, I immediately went back to the land of Oz and the yellow brick road. It was Dorothy, the courageous lion and me (I am not sure if I was the Scarecrow or the Tin Man) off to see the wizard, in this case, named Ngorongoro.
After seeing a full range of wildlife in the crater floor and spending the night at my second home, Gibbs Farm, I flew to the Serengeti to explore the newly rebuilt Namiri Plains. I loved this camp in its original form when it first opened, however, seeing old friends from other camps now at Namiri made me feel right at home. On that first afternoon, a herd of big bull elephants ambled into camp. Stylishly late as I always am for afternoon tea, as I walked to the main entrance of the camp one of the bulls began eyeing me and moving towards me. Either he was scolding me for being late or was intrigued by my sharp fashion sense… I like to think it was the latter. By the second day, the only sighting missing was a leopard.
Now as I write this, I confess to eagerly sabotaging the camp menu, showing the camp chef my favorite recipe for Maru Na Bhajia, crisp potato fritters or pakoras, a comfort food from my childhood in East Africa.
What started as a simple request from one of the advisors turned into a cooking experiment that either will solidify my legend as the bhajia king of Namiri or confirm that I still don’t know a thing about making good food. It’s likely the latter, however, I can dream, right?
Enjoy the latest video of my journey through East Africa. I am happy to share any input for anyone wondering about the entry and departure protocols in Kenya and Tanzania. I proudly share that our team has it down pat in both countries, including employing the newly utilized testing clinic in central Serengeti.
Stay tuned for Part 3 as the bhajia king… er… as I complete my safari with a visit to our ongoing foundation project at Ereto Primary School outside Arusha.
In the meantime, consider creating your own adventure in Tanzania such as on our Tanzania Highlights of the Northern Safari Circuit
Dear Advisor Partners,
I write this blog sitting just outside the fence of Tsavo West National Park in the private Mbulia Conservancy owned by the Taita community, who are based inside Tsavo West National Park, with the Mkamba community on the other side near Tsavo East National Park.
The view is just stunning, looking out over the sanctuary with Kilimanjaro as the backdrop. Not even 24 hours since I arrive and already I have spotted a leopard by a water lagoon, three herds of elephant, and even a herd of the famed and heavily endangered “big tusker” elephants. Incredible!
Tsavo likely has a historic connotation for anyone who read about the ghost and the darkness described in John Henry Patterson’s 1907 book The Man-Eaters of Tsavo, detailing his experiences building a railway bridge over the Tsavo River. Well today on the way in, I went right past the old Kenya Uganda railroad where the two male lions were caught in the late 1800s. One of those lions remains on display at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. If you haven’t heard about this book, I urge you to read Col Patterson’s original published journal. There are movies, of course, but trust me, the journal is better.
The Mbulia Conservancy is magnificent as is the story of the Taita people who built that railroad during the time of those lions. Today the same Taita community is at the forefront of conservation, working in partnership with the Mbulia Conservancy as lessors of the land that Kipalo Hills is built on. Where else could you have a secluded camp like Kipalo Hills in a secluded conservancy such as Mbulia nestled deep inside Tsavo West National Park?
This is the Kenya even Hemmingway didn’t write out. Explore these extraordinary locations and much more on our President’s Pick Wilds of Uganda and Kenya.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of my adventure. And if anyone wants to know what it was flying through Amsterdam to get here, just ask.
Dear Advisor Partner,
I grew up watching Japanese anime. Yes, you know those tech-focused cartoons that came long before Pokémon. My favorite, which fellow nerds will appreciate, was Voltron. Cheesy, maybe, however it was amazing and you either loved it or you didn’t. When this form came along it wasn’t trying to please everyone. It came in two forms – anime (animation) and manga (comics), with most works starting out as manga before becoming anime.
If you look past the product and back into history, you see that manga originated in scrolls in the 12th century while anime only got its start at the beginning of the 20th century and was mainly used for political propaganda in Japan.
What better way to get our children past SpongeBob and take them back to anime that they can really connect with? This includes Beast Lion, the reboot of Voltron! Ok, I am geeking out, it’s true, however, we don’t see our children discovering something like this every day. That was the essence behind Precious Journeys® when we launched family travel so many years ago.
Today families, including grandparents, make up 30% of Big Five’s travelers. And, that number is growing. Why? Because our family travel experiences let children lead! They set the example for us to follow. I’ve experienced that with my own kids, who are inspired to explore the world.
Enter our latest family program, Precious Journeys® Japan Family Adventure into Animation. Kids get to explore the history of Japanese anime while visiting the sites that inspired the backdrops of some of the latest productions, including the Kamogawa River and the steps to Suga Shrine, both recreated into anime icons.
Enjoy the video for this unique adventure into the heart of some of Japan’s unique cultural gems.
Dear Advisor Partners
I remember as a little kid when I first heard the term ornithologist. I remember because I confused it with orthodontist, and confused birds with crooked teeth. Sounds funny, I know. Of course, growing up within the Big Five universe, I learned the definition early on, I think even before I could count properly.
When I was 16, I experienced the meaning of the word firsthand during my first visit to Ecuador with my best friend Fred. The infrastructure was certainly not what it in today, however, the charm was just as powerful and, of course, the birds just as captivating. I often think about that adventure as I explore the Galapagos, the cloud-forest before any development, and the Amazon where the skiffs were locally made and the channels to reach the lodge even narrower.
You can see how much Ecuador has changed over the decades as it has grown in popularity. However, with more than 25% of the population indigenous, and one of the best variety of wildlife in the world, there is hardly a moment that feels boring.
My last visit four months ago was just as exciting as my first visit as a clueless teenager. What continues to draw me in still are the birds – more than 1,600 species, one of the richest most diverse avian populations on the planet. All these years later I still get excited talking about the wildlife of Ecuador. So you can imagine how my jaw dropped as I read this new program our team has just designed. When I love a program I normally share it with the team to prepare it to put it online, and share it on a blog as well as schedule it out. This program was so exciting that it simply could not wait, so the team rushed to prepare this program, because it just had to be shared. Trust me, it’s that good, even better if you love wildlife. And birdwatchers… whoa!
Introducing our newest President’s Pick, featuring the Ecuador you know and the Ecuador that may surprise you. Beyond the Galapagos Islands, which is a perennial favorite with us, lies the protected lands within the Amazon Jungle, where thick vegetation, undisturbed landscapes and the absence of city lights allow the night sky to illuminate the entire horizon. The Tandayapa Valley in this adventure is the true birders paradise going beyond known favorites such as the Mindo to a reserve where hummingbirds and orchids are the stars.
And, of course, you can’t have a complete program in Ecuador without being suspended near the tree line on a moving cycle through the branches… Now that is just plain cool! Watch the great video to see for yourself.
From the first visit to the latest visit, Ecuador never ceases to show me something new. Enjoy our newest President’s Pick A Birdwatchers Paradise.
Dear Advisor Partners,
Have your friends ever looked at you like you are a lost puppy when you say something that just sounds foreign? Well, I was that puppy. Last summer, my colleague, Courtney, and our friend Leigh had an idea to stream content live from various locations. We tried it and so far so good. As we all know today, that is Zoom. But then Courtney chimed in and said, “No, that’s Twitch!”
Of course, I knew what Twitch was but I saw it as primarily a gaming platform. Yet, it never occurred to me that it would make an ideal platform for streaming live travel content. Fast forward a year and many live streams later… It turned out to be a great idea.
Big Five TV launched a Live on Location stream last year, beginning with the pilot Live with Five Junior, a philanthropic gaming stream for kids, which was followed by Tasting Here and There stream. These streams feature extraordinary people, who have a passion for sharing their countries and their cultures with you. You can meet them on our Faces of Five.
Live on Location streams have taken viewers around the globe into the local neighborhoods in Cairo; to the remote ruins in historic Cusco; down hidden streets in the walled city of Cartagena; to explore the biodiversity of a cloud forest in Costa Rica; up an active volcano erupting in Guatemala; and into a favorite bookstore just outside Buenos Aires.
Tasting Here and There focuses on small restaurants, cafes and pubs in locations from old town Cusco to the walled city of Cartagena. The stream shines a spotlight on locally owned establishments that usually serve few international patrons. Big Five TV is opening that door, showcasing even the smallest restaurants and their signature dishes, from a gourmet lunch and handmade ice cream to a uniquely flavored take on a burger, fries and a milkshake.
“As seen on TV” has a dynamic new meaning. Check out Big Five TV streaming on Twitch, www.twitch.tv/bigfivetv. And, bring your lost puppy sense of wonder. I still do!
Dear Advisor Partners,
If a rock moves in Peru and nobody is there to hear it, does it still make a sound? That question has plagued our great philosophers for generations. Ok maybe not them, however, it has perplexed me. Physics and plate tectonics says that rock will move, and apparently there is a sound. More importantly, I am sure I am not the first person to ask this. Well, turns out I’m not. The Incas seemed to have asked this same question centuries ago, and our very one Peru guide extraordinaire, Cris Vera, set out to find an answer.
Cris spent the last few months on various hiking trails, some part of the renowned Inca Trail, and all of them way off the beaten track. Surprisingly, they are all within a few hours drive of Cusco to the starting point. Here are some of the places Cris explored:
So do the rocks make noise? Yes, they do. In this video meet one person who is listening… Cris.
To explore Peru’s secret paths, begin with President’s Pick Hidden Trails of Peru.
Dear Advisor Partners,
Have you wondered why you do what you do? Of course you have… we all have. But how many of you got an answer you were satisfied with? Or, did you stop at the first answer you reached?
Last year and the start of 2021 actually screamed that answer from the top of every mountain. All we needed to do was listen. And that will continue. The team at Big Five have believed in Simon Sinek’s theory of why for quite a while now, including the belief that every person and every company has a higher purpose. Check the very last page of our latest Navigator Series® Edition IV to see what we mean.
The travel engine is starting to move again in stages. One of the items we share at Big Five is that our why will not be forgotten as we begin moving forward. Rather, it will be amplified, centered around our commitments to sustainable travel, and to getting those who rely on tourism around the world back to work so they can begin providing for their families again through distinctive experiences – walking safaris in Kenya conservancies, supporting women run cafes in Egypt, weaving communities in Peru, and our latest, replanting red mangroves during your catamaran adventure in Colombia. All of these activities are designed with purpose in mind, or, should I say, responsibility. You never quite get over the smile on the face of someone who you helped to provide for his or her family using the skills they offer the world. And their pride at being able to share it with international visitors in an authentic way. Read more about our catamaran experience here.
To learn more about our favorite experiences, check out our President’s Picks, with some of our favorite out-of-the-box experiences. Whenever someone asks the team at Big Five why we do what we do, we show them this video and answer, “That’s why.”
Dear Advisor Partners,
Where did civilization begin? I used to have the answer down cold from my history books in grade school and university. And I used to recite it as factual data fact because, well, I was in the nerd crowd in school. Then something amazing happened during my travels. I began to question my history books and delve deeper… And you know, I am so glad I did.
Did the Romans really learn to mummify from the Peruvians as I learned in Northern Peru and at the Field Museum in Chicago? Did the Nile River that flows through Egypt really source from Lake Tana in Ethiopia and converge near Khartoum Sudan, where my mother was born?
Where did it all begin? The one true answer perhaps will continue evading us as new theories emerge from different parts of the world. But we have to start somewhere, and Egypt is a good place to begin. I remember my first visit there as a teenager. A math nerd, I was enamored by the geometric shapes, the acute angles, the perfect construction and, oh, the legends.
What kept me fascinated with Egypt, however, was not the pyramids. It was the history of queens in ancient Egypt and the power they commanded right up until the Cleopatra VIII, who ruled until 30 BCE during the Ptolomaic Dynasty.
Fast forward to present day and you see that a gender gap exists in many countries around the globe. Outside the tourist space, Egypt is no exception. But tourism creates one in six jobs, and it remains the largest employer of women in Egypt. Here our guests discover one of our favorite experiences with my Egyptian soul sister, Farah, who is one of the bright minds in the country. Gaining valuable experience with the United Nation in post education, Farah now takes Big Five guests on a unique exploration of the city revealing it through local people and the local scene of cafes, restaurants and shops.
While Farah is introducing our travelers to the non-tourist side of Cairo, she is also doing the inverse. She is exposing local women working in the small businesses around the city to an international culture, using tourism to empower these micro entrepreneurs and propel them forward.
Egypt… come see where it all began, and meet Farah, Manal, Wafika, and the other great personalities that are ready to tell you their stories. Consider this extraordinary exploration President’s Pick Heritage Journey in Time & Place. Until then, please enjoy our new video!
P.S. We have all our testing protocols in place as we do in our other online destinations. In Egypt, your departure Covid test is done in the comfort of your hotel. Ask us if you need more information.
Dear Advisor Partners,
This might be the strongest experience of travel sensory overload I have felt in a while. I write this literally a few hours after returning from an adventure in Guatemala during my latest visit there. I will go over the travel protocols at the bottom of this blog.
I loved being back in Guatemala. My last visit included my family. As a couple of Star Wars junkies were in the mix this time (myself included), I had to make sure to end up at magnificent Tikal, where the end of Empire Strikes Back was filmed. That same trip took us beyond the norm in Peten to the hidden ruins of El Mirador, accessible only by helicopter or a five-day hike. An added bonus of that trip was seeing that a year later the Discovery Channel copied our adventure, even using the same helicopter and pilot.
This time, we focused on Guatemala’s stunning volcanoes. The country has 37 volcanoes. This time we specifically dug deeper to explore how we can harness active volcanoes and make them part of the Big Five experience there. That started with us setting out on a strenuous hike to the top of Acatenango, a dormant volcano looking down over the very active Fuego Volcano. We took it to a new level from there with a pizza dinner under the moonlight and away from the city lights. We cooked over the lava river streaming down from the top of Pacaya Volcano. And day was topped off with handmade chocolate, and avocado beer. Perfect!
Guatemala remains a delight and it cannot be summed up with any single highlight. After all my visits, it still hast the power to delight and surprise me. It remains more than you ever expect. Check out the video to see what I mean!
To explore this fascinating country, visit Big Five’s Guatemala.
It’s in the details
Getting to Guatemala requires a negative PCR test 96 hours prior to arrival, which we recommend you keep a printed copy of the results with you. Though the health form is not asked for on arrival, it is asked for when checking in and can be filled out 24 hours prior. Make sure to complete it on your mobile device and take a screen shot of the QR code. On return, the Big Five team has all necessary protocol in place to have a medical professional visit your hotel in Antigua for a private PCR test, taken at 9am, with results to you by late afternoon. Print that out and show that at check in along with a short form you are given at check in attesting that you have everything you need to depart Guatemala. We have all the logistics in place so you don’t have to think about anything, just enjoy the sensory overload!
