Kumuka Venture, December 2005, Postcard From Everest Base Camp, Nepal

Have you had enough of Christmas parties yet? I was unfortunate enough to be egged at a Teppenyaki restaurant with our mad Kumuka bunch this week. For those of you who have not been to a Teppenyaki restaurant, it is a theme restaurant where you have to catch the food you eat – from the chef! They say I am a bad catch, but I feel sure that this waiter aimed at my head!! Oh the things I must go through for work.

Though a little bit “eggy” it was a hilarious night out ending an incredible year here at Kumuka Worldwide. (Tip – if you are to eat at a Teppenyaki restaurant take wet ones and a change of clothes for going out afterward)

In this months Venture we learn to do more than just eat at restaurants (and try to catch eggs), we meet Emma Coburn from the London office, head to base camp with Michael Gatt and find out if we have what it takes to “Venture a little further”

From all of us at Kumuka, have a fantastic festive season. We hope to see you some where around the world, venturing a little further, in 2006.

Happy travels everyone,
Meg Hall
General Manager

Do you have the right travel attitude?

My mother always used to say it’s not what you know it’s how you use it. It is a timeless saying that can be applied to all aspects of life and none truer than in travel.

Knowledge is a valuable asset and applied in the correct manner it can make all the difference when on the road. So whether you are young or old, green black or blue, it doesn’t matter so long as you have the right attitude you are bound to 1) Have the time of your life 2) Make amazing friends 3) Get the most out of the places you travel to 4) Add to group dynamics 5) Take home amazing memories.

For 22 years we have been successfully carrying clients from all over the world, from all ages, races and religions. Not believing in stereo types we have found that the most endearing people can come from the most un-stereotypical demographic for such attributes.

To help you with decide whether travel with Kumuka Worldwide is for you why not try our:

If you said yes to these questions then we believe you have what it takes to venture a little further and we look forward to travelling with you in 2006.

Visit www.kumuka.com and whet your adventurous appetite.

Adventure Travel Presentations Go Virtual

In what may be a world first, Kumuka Worldwide’s Australian Sales Manager Brett Wendorf has created a fully narrated, on-line tour presentation - click here

Anyone with a sound card and Macromedia Flash (which 98% of the computers in the world already have) can self-navigate through what will be a number of Kumuka’s adventure destinations worldwide, including Africa, South and Central America, the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

“For the first time, anyone with access to the internet around the world can see the beauty of our destinations, as well as have the entertainment, information, and personality that voice narration brings,” Wendorf said.

Presently, Kumuka have a ten-minute presentation on their ‘Rift Valley Wildlife’ tour in Kenya and Tanzania, but are planning to add new tours weekly, to eventually cover every destination we travel to.

Hi Guys!

I DID IT!! I TREKKED TO EVEREST BASE CAMP!!

What a mind blowing experience! I planned this trip about 6 months ago so you can imagine I’ve had plenty of time to day dream about what it would really be like, but NOTHING prepared me for this.

The people: I have found the most gentle, yet strong culture on this planet, the Sherpas.
The scenery: Was out of this world, forget the pictures you see, there is nothing on earth like standing at the base of an 8000 + metre mountain, talk about feeling humble. The physical strain: We sweated, we swore and it was worth every movement.. all we had to do was look up from our feet to forget the effort it took to get there. My travelling companions: Coming from all over the globe, we all had one thing in common – adventure. I have made friends I am sure I will keep for the rest of my life.

Guys throw away your fast cars and stressful jobs, pack your bags and head to Nepal! What a way to travel. I can’t wait to travel to Nepal again and I haven’t even left yet!!

Michael Gatt

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

Michael trekked to Everest Base Camp with Kumuka.

There is more to eating out than just eating.

Eating out is always an exciting time when travelling but many things can be overlooked when stunned by unadulterated culinary glee.

Whilst engorging on your sang choy bau, fondue or guinea pig, don’t forget to look up!

These are the things you might miss if you take your latest Harry Potter novel to the restaurant instead of letting your surroundings do the entertaining.

Décor: A restaurants décor can be anything from the sublime to the ridiculous; in some countries the decorations can directly reflect the culture. Eg look for Hindi gods in Indian restaurants, Inca legends in South America, Roman history in Italy. There is a lot to be learnt by looking at the four walls surrounding you.

The Menu: If your waiter speaks English, or another language you can converse in, ask him questions about the menu if there is an item on there that you have never heard of. This may offer all kinds of clues into the intricacies of the culture.

People: The restaurant culture in every country is different, some cultures never eat at home; some never eat out. It is fascinating to sit back and people watch (not stare mind you, just surreptitiously observe), look at who is in the restaurant, are they families? Are they mainly men? Are they mainly women? Can you imagine what they do for a living? Is this a once a year affair or do you imagine they come here all the time? The day dreaming under this category can keep you entertained for hours.

Eating habits: Eating habits of restaurant guests in some countries tell a lot about them as a person, their culture and religion. E.g. do they eat with their right hand only, do they say a blessing before eating, do they use chopsticks, hands only etc.

Scenery: Have you ever sat at a restaurant, paid a penny for the meal and had a millionaires view? Developing countries especially offer access to such combinations and there is nothing quite like sitting back in your restaurant chair, drinking in the scenery to really bring home to yourself, exactly where it is in the world you are and how lucky you are!

Savor every bite you take of your gastronomic experience. Guaranteed the next time you eat that dish (if you can) will bring floods of visual memories back in a stampede of flavor and aroma.

Meet Emma Coburn - Product consultant.

Born and bred in Melbourne Australia, Emma high tailed it for the UK to work for Kumuka after finishing her degree in Tourism Management. A keen traveller, Emma has been found in far flung climes such as Europe, the Middle East, South East Asia and Latin America. Working with the Kumuka product acts as Emma’s motivation in the office.

Emma’s favourite destination is: Brazil. “The Brazilians lust for life, open mindedness and complete lack of self-consciousness create a fantastic and enviable atmosphere and culture, and Bali - because of the friendliest locals in the world despite their setbacks.”
She is also known as: ‘Lou Lou’. Emma’s mother affectingly nicknamed her ‘Lou Lou’ after a paddle steamer on the Murray River - the Emmy Lou.
Emma can be found wearing: Aussie sheepskin booties. Much to her partner’s embarrassment, Emma finds great comfort in wearing her booties on long plane, train, boat or bus trips.
Pack your bags and go – her dream destination is: Antarctica, to visit a land completely unlike anything I have ever seen before, and experience the very extremes of nature
Travel tips from our product consultant: When you have free time on tour, don't limit yourself to just what is suggested in your guide book. Speak to the locals and other travellers, and many times you will find yourself in a place you hadn't heard of, but can often be the highlight of your trip. Oh, and pack lots of spare snap-lock plastic bags in your backpack!

Impress your friends at dinner parties with Kumuka facts.

An elephant's tooth can weigh up to three kilograms.
90 percent of women who walk into a department store immediately turn to the right.
Malaysians protect their babies from disease by bathing them in beer.
India used to be the richest country in the world until the British invasion in the early 17th Century

Visit India with Kumuka Worldwide.

Comments from ...
Maria Gonos from STA Travel Hurstville who travelled on Kumuka’s Inca Heights tour.

Hi Jackie,

How you doing?

I just got back from South America ...absolutely loved it! Am sooo depressed being back...
Just wanted to let you know it was brilliant! The tour guide Lisa and the driver Pete were so great...

The group was very cool, we got on really well, lots of Aussies and English... The Inca trail was brilliant, so the highlight was: we had porters who carried all of 25 kilos on their backs while running the trail... while we were huffing and puffing along... and the food they prepared was gourmet! Not what you’d expect..

Thanks so giving me the chance to do this... I really appreciate it and would never doubt giving a second thought about Kumuka... and selling your wonderful product.

Ta
Maria Gonos
STA Travel Hurstville

Click here and speak to an expert.

Kumuka Worldwide has been one of the leading specialists in adventure travel for the last 21 years. Our successful operation spans five continents, Africa, North America, South America, Europe and Asia where we operate exciting tours renowned for their quality and reliability.

Our combined expertise and experience adds new scope to the destinations and styles of trips available throughout the world. Together with the accumulative knowledge of our enthusiastic staff we are able to map out itineraries to 54 countries. Our clients tend to be between 18 and 45 with the average age being 28. It is however attitude that is more important than age and we do take some clients over 45 if the style of travel suits them. In general our clients are professionals with 65% travelling solo.

Visit www.kumuka.com - for more information on the ultimate adventure.