Kumuka Venture, June 2007, Claire Madden from Big Brother and Kumuka Worldwide

This month we meet Claire Madden ex Big Brother inmate, turned animal conservationist as she heads to Borneo on her documentary debut. Rose Riungu writes in from East Africa, we get tips on learning the local lingo and find out how many rivets are in the Eiffel tower.

Move over big Brother; here comes Big Sister!

Some of you may have noticed that over the last two seasons Big Brother contestants in Australia have been Escaping from the house and onto Kumuka trips.

Well there is one Big Brother House mate that we have really sent packing. It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to Claire Madden ex Big Brother 06, or 'Zoo Girl' as she prefers to be known.

Appearing on Big Brother gave Claire the opportunity to create a media profile for herself which she is spring boarding from in order to become a voice for animals under threat around the world. Her ultimate goal is being a recognised wildlife presenter through educational documentaries, which is where Kumuka Worldwide come in.

Claire approached Kumuka Worldwide for ground handling assistance in Borneo on her quest to film the wildlife and document the challenges that the modern world has on the economy and ecology in Borneo, a country rich in natural resources and home to biodiverse ecosystems.

We were quick to support. Claire’s message fits the Kumuka ethos perfectly, for 24 years we have been taking travellers to meet the world’s endangered species in a sustainable fashion. By introducing people to these beauties first hand, we have supported local ecological organisations assisting in the preservation of certain species; we have also massaged international awareness of the animal’s plight. By being involved in the Zoo Girl documentary, we raise our ecological support to the next level.

Having met and now worked with Claire I can tell you that she is not just a pretty face, in fact she’s the average girls worst nightmare, she’s smart, (In 2004 Claire graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Science, Animal Studies and was awarded First Class Honours!), articulate, passionate, loves animals and very nice to boot! Her parents must be very proud.

Claire will return in early July when she will get to work with a distinguished post production company putting the finishing touches on her hard work. When the documentary is to go on air has not yet been finalised but before any documentary goes to air we will be giving Kumuka followers exclusive access to meet and hear from Claire, as she talks of her adventures and the conservation of animals.

We wish Claire all the best in her documentary debut and are very excited about venturing a little further with her.

The animals need a Big Sister like Zoo Girl.


Are you a past Kumuka traveller? Did you know that you automatically qualify for a 5% discount over and above any published discounts! So what are you waiting for, Venture even further…

Kumuka Worldwide in conjunction with GE Creditline, are offering travellers interest free finance on travel arrangements booked through the Kumuka Worldwide Australian office. This means that you won’t need to use your credit card to make your dreams of travel come true, nor spend the next year saving when you could be travelling now! (Available to Australian clients only) Visit www.kumuka.com/interestfree for details

Unforgettable Nambia

Hi Guys,

As part of my Kumuka Overland tour, The Southern Star, from Cape Town to Vic Falls, we spent about a week in Namibia.

After all the fantastic feedback I had heard prior to my visit, I was keen to see if the country lived up to the hype. It did not disappoint! With every day bringing something new, it's hard to pick highlights, but I'd have to say the sand dunes offered a whole new world of adventures: climbing Dune 45 to stand atop and watch the sunrise, quad biking, sand boarding as well as getting clocked at 70kph coming down a dune on my tummy! Also spending the afternoon in a local village playing with the kids and sampling the local cuisine which included worms! Being licked by a "tame" cheetah at the Cheetah Farm and sitting by the spot lit waterhole at Etosha, watching giraffe and Rhino come in for a drink was better than watching any video!

Spectacular & inviting, I am now one of the people that will rave about Namibia and tell you it is a must on your African itinerary.

Cheers Jo

Jo Bates travelled to Africa with Kumuka Worldwide

Do you have a Postcard you wish to send us? Email Meg

Learning the local lingo

Learning a new language is nothing short of daunting, for this reason a lot of people don’t even try before they go travelling to foreign countries. But you don’t need to be an A grade translator to enjoy conversation in an unfamiliar idiom, all you need is a few basic phrases to set you on your way.

Here are our tips to help you converse on your travels.

Learn a few phrases that interest you: For example; How much does beer cost in Ecuador? Does Kenya have many public holidays? Where can I find the nearest pedicurist? I like to eat roast chicken, where can I buy one in Saigon?

Learn a few engaging sentences to start conversation: Do you live in this city? How many children do you have? Where is the best place to mix with the local people? I like your hat, where can I buy one?

Learn some safety phrases: Where is the hospital? I need a doctor, I need a telephone, Can you help me? Do you speak English? I am lost! How do you say (point to item) in (insert language). Have you seen a big blue Kumuka truck?

Use your travels to enhance your knowledge: Don’t forget to use what you have learnt, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, don’t be afraid to ask questions, listen to the locals as you travel.

Try and think in your new language: This is harder than it sounds and more effective than you can ever imagine.

Have fun! It’s not a test.

Want to learn Spanish with a Spanish family? Check out our language schools.

Meet Rose Riungu Kumuka’s ground handler in East Africa

Having been in the travel game for 16 years, Rose has seen and done more than your average traveller. The thing that keeps her coming back for more is the adventure; no two trips are ever the same.

In her own words.

What is your favourite African country? Kenya, I love Kenya, it offers everything that I want to see, animals, the beaches, the scenery, the people, I don't know of any other single country with all these combined.

What is your favorite African meal? Ugali (a cake made from maize flour) and sukuma wiki (green leafy vegetable - the perfect companion to Ugali).

When travelling in East Africa what is the most important Swahili word we can learn? “Asante” it means thank you. A word that means the world to most people

When on game drives what animal do you look forward to seeing the most? I just love the Giraffe because it is graceful, humble and gentle.

Can you offer our clients a good tip for travelling in Africa? Be ready for adventure and go with the flow. Enjoy it while it lasts and never let small issues spoil the memories that no one can take away!

Travel to Africa in style with Kumuka Worldwide

• The Himalayas cover one-tenth of the Earth's surface.

• The Eiffel Tower has 2,500,000 rivets in it.

• An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.

Mount Kinabalu

I wanted to cycle around the beaches of Stradbroke Island, Alena wanted to climb Mount Kinabalu. So Mount Kinabalu it was.

We agreed on the essentials, sunrises are over-rated, so we would walk up during the day, rather than go for the highly touted 3 am start at Laban Rata. We asked Kumuka to set up a tailor made tour, which gave us a seamless experience – no waiting for buses, or haggling with guides. We paid more than most hikers, but it was worth every cent.

Dawat, the guide Kumuka found for us, took us all the way up on the first day, while other hikers sat in frustration at Laban Rata – their guides had told them they couldn't go up in the afternoon. We had the mountain to ourselves, and what an experience! Massive slabs of granite, each as big as a pyramid. The bluest sky I've ever seen, with sudden changes to thick fog, or drizzle, or biting wind. Buffeted by nature, dwarfed by granite, we felt like ants. From Laban Rata onwards we learnt what it's like to struggle for oxygen. Fortunately, Dawat carried our luggage, and watched patiently as we sat and gasped for breath every few steps. Was the pain worth it? Definitely.

My tips? Make sure you go in the dry season – much of the route is along creek beds. If you're fit enough, start early and go all the way to the top, it leaves you with a less painful descent the next day. And unless you have really good lungs, pay a bit extra for a porter to carry your luggage – you will curse every kilo above 3,000 metres.

Alex Dobes
Sydney

Alex organised a tailor made trek to Borneo with Kumuka Worldwide

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