Christine Stockton – Impressions of Iran – Persian History and Culture.
A trip to “Classical” Iran told through its history. We visited historic and architectural sites from the early civilisations and First Persian Empire through succeeding dynasties, experiencing Zoroastrian and Islamic cultures, the beauty of seven Unesco recognised Paradise gardens, the poetry of Shiraz, the glories of Esfahan, the bling of the Qajars and life today under the Islamic Revolution. Our abiding impression is of the friendly and welcomign iranian people.
Nicola Young and John Sunter – Chasing Adventure in Namibia.
Join John and Nikki are seasoned travellers as well as some of our regular speakers and organisers talk about their African adventure in Namibia.
Doors open 1pm for 1:30pm Start till 4:30pm Entrance Fee £3.00 includes refreshments and two talks Grosvenor Museum 25-27 Grosvenor Street, CH1 2DD Enquiries to Hanna tel: 01244383392 or Angela tel: 01244 629930
The meeting for May been postponed to a future date due to the Corona virus and the national guidance on self-isolation and social distancing.
Presents
Maggie Davenport – Our introduction to travel, and beyond, in Indonesia.
In 1998, 2 middle-aged untravelled people set off for Java and Jakarta where my brother was working. We had no idea of how to travel or where we would go when we arrived. This is the story of that first adventure which led to our ongoing wanderlust, and the subsequent return holiday to celebrate my brother’s 60th birthday
Pat Jones – Cradle of Voodoo – Togo and Benin.
Pat has enjoyed travelling for many years. She would like to share her experience of a recent trip to Togo and Benin. The trip covered many aspects of life in these two West African countries.
Doors open 1pm for 1:30pm Start till 4:30pm Entrance Fee £3.00 includes refreshments and two talks Grosvenor Museum 25-27 Grosvenor Street, CH1 2DD Enquiries to Hanna tel: 01244383392 or Angela tel: 01244 629930
Due to the effects of the Corona virus in the UK now officially a Global Pandemic and bearing in mind our next Chester Globetrotters meeting in just over one weeks time when the contagion will have likely increased, we have taken the reluctant decision to postpone our meeting for Saturday the 21st of March to a future date.
We have spoken to the management of the Grosvenor Museum and have also taken current advice into consideration to limit social gatherings in order to slow down the spread of the virus.
Consequently we have to take positive action at least one week in advance to be able make a timely decision so that attendees and our speakers can be prepared.
This is the first time in ten years that Chester Globetrotters have been forced to postpone an event, and whilst we hope the situation resolves itself quickly we want to err on the side of caution and therefore make a responsible and timely decision.
From all of us in the Chester Globetrotters committee we wish you all the best and thank you for your understanding at this time.
Chris Prior – Kerala and Tamil Nadu
We went on a two-week motorcycle tour around the South Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. From the coastal town of Cochin we rode 1950s Indian-built Royal Enfield 350cc Bullets to Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu. We passed through tea growing areas to Madurai, famous for it highly decorated temples.
Dr Emma Roberts – From Shanghai to Xian, Futuristic and Ancient China
Dr. Emma Roberts is Associate Dean for Global Engagement at Liverpool John Moores University and also heads the BA (Hons) History of Art & Museum Studies degree course at this organisation. Emma’s academic research is largely based in China as she works with Chinese partner universities to advise on how former industrial sites can be revitalised as hubs for the creative industries.
This talk begins in Shanghai and discusses some of the delights and highlights that travellers may experience in this cosmopolitan, vibrant city. Following this, we move to Xian, the home of the iconic ‘Terracotta Warriors’. The history, meaning and creative processes behind these mysterious statues will be explored. Our ‘travels’ in this talk will therefore move between the absolutely new and the very ancient that China has to offer.
Doors open 1pm for 1:30pm Start till 4:30pm Entrance Fee £3.00 includes refreshments and two talks Grosvenor Museum 25-27 Grosvenor Street, CH1 2DD Enquiries to Hanna tel: 01244383392 or Angela tel: 01244 629930
Running Scared? A marathon in Afghanistan By Keith MacIntosh
It’s early morning to the west of Bamiyan in the highlands of central Afghanistan. There is fresh snow on the mountains, and a crowd is huddled together in the cold air. A couple of pickups are mounted with heavy machine guns, and uniformed men hover, clutching their rifles. We are waiting.
A whistle is blown, the pickups set off, and the crowd scatters. We all run.
Sometime around 2003, I received an invitation to visit Afghanistan – I’m still not sure how it reached me, but supposedly it was from the Minister of Tourism. I didn’t go, and over the subsequent years, I assumed it would never happen. Too far, too difficult, too dangerous. Always somewhere else to travel instead. But in late 2015, a few clicks on the internet led me to talk of a ‘Marathon of Afghanistan’ – the first ever attempt to stage such a thing in such a place…
I’m not absolutely certain why we decided to add on a side trip to Panama when we visited Costa Rica, but in many ways it was the highlight, despite the money shots of the sloths and toucans.
The essential ingredients were a vibrant modern city with a historic Spanish quarter and a modern airport and airline making it the best hub for the region, just as much wildlife as its westerly neighbour, and, of course, the Canal. Although we didn’t sample them, there are also beaches and islands to die for.
If you are looking to make a difference while on holiday this summer, Uganda Lodge are looking for volunteers to help with various projects, from working with children at the school to aiding in the new medical facility. Such opportunities can be a great way to make friends, get fit, and become immersed in a new culture while seeing a new part of the world and benefiting local communities.
Opportunities last from a few days – great for combining with gorilla trekking, say – to longer term projects, and profits from staying at the lodge are ploughed back into the community projects. For more information visit ugandalodge.com
Aged about 10 years old, I was lying on a sofa that had been moved into the middle of my parents’ living room so a major spring clean could take place. I was exempt from working as I was recovering from measles. The radio was on and the subject being discussed was kibbutzim in Israel. I announced that is where I was going to go when I grew up. I was perplexed that everyone thought that funny and ridiculous. 12 years later, a four year contract I was in came to an end. I was in my early 20’s and this was the mid 1970’s. None of my friends were interested in travelling but I had not forgotten my 10 year old vision.
Morocco has so many hidden gems and it has been a popular location for the filming of many movies because of its vast and interesting terrain. It is located in Northern Africa bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and it is also known as the Kingdom of Morocco. With a subtropical climate and extreme heat in Summer it might be a good idea to travel during Spring to avoid the heat waves.
There are so many hidden gems in the country and a variety of things to do including mountains, deserts and beaches which is why we have made a detailed 7,000-word insider’s guide to the 100 best things to do in Morocco, a country of many hidden gems. From the Erg Chebbi dunes to the snake charmers in Marrakech, Morocco has something to offer everyone.
Nothing spoils a vacation or foreign trip quicker than that sinking feeling or realization that something is wrong and you have left yourself exposed to a personal dilemma while you are a long way from home.
It might be easier to travel the globe than ever before but amidst all the excitement of planning for a new adventure on foreign soil, you also need to pay attention to how to stay safe while travelling.
This guide looks at how to prepare for your travel and how to reduce the odds of facing a worst-case scenario that could not only threaten to ruin your vacation but leave your personal safety at risk.
