Of Global Interest UPCOMING TOURS - International & USA 2008

UPCOMING TOURS (sign up now!):

Spring 2008
Mid March I will be flying round the globe once again.  First I'll spend a week in Bali, Indonesia - a new country to add to my passport!  I'll soak in the sun and what looks like a complete botanical garden - as it appears from the pictures in the guide book.  I imagine exotic floral fragrances, heat and sparkling sands surrounded by ice-blue waters and surfable waves - plus volcanoes to explore.  We'll see.

Next a night in Singapore and then onward to Kathmandu, Nepal where I'll meet my first two trekkers, Joe and Julie from Massachusetts.  Julie came to Nepal with me in 2003 and is on her way back for more - with her husband this time.  Our plan is to trek to the top of Kalapathar (18,300 feet) and visit Everest base camp (17,600 feet).  We will sleep in tents at base camp - on the Khumbu Glacier - one night with the climbers during the peak climbing season.  Pem (formerly Pemba) Dorjee Sherpa, who made world news with his wedding on the summit of Everest in 2005, will be our guide.

After returning to Kathmandu, I'll fly to Delhi, India where I'll meet the next four trekkers:  Bob, Kris, Roland and Allison.  We'll spend three days in Delhi, including an excursion to the Taj Mahal in Agra.  We'll then fly to Kathmandu where the plan is again to trek to Kalapathar and Everest base camp.  Again we will sleep in tents at base camp - on the Khumbu Glacier - one night with the climbers during the peak climbing season.  There should be some interesting egos up there in the thin air. 

Summer 2008
Then home in May and back to the same-old-same-old here at my desk.  Actually, well surely, we will have a few Gourmet Dinner or Lunch Treks around town, kayak some in the Huron River and host a few travelogues, slide and DVD shows, and/or a few movie nights.  Maybe a few Himalayan Bazaar sales too.  For sure, I am determined to organize a camping trip to Manitou Island(!) -- Isle Royal, Pictured Rocks and Luddington, too!  If I get to one of the four I will be happy.  My usual August adventures out west (WY, AZ, UT, CO) are also in the works.

Fall 2008
is open for business.  Any ideas?  Any lifelong travel dreams gnawing at your heels?  Probably lots!  My thoughts are Peru, then Spain, France and either/or Norway, Turkey, Hungary or other...  These would/could be separate trips from which to choose.  I have not determined dates exactly, but I am thinking three weeks in Peru starting around September 15, then a week in Spain and a week in France in October, and 2-3 weeks elsewhere at the end of October and into November..  All is doable.  The hard part is getting time off work.  If any of these or other destinations have you itchin' to go -- let's make it happen.

ABC World News recently reported that Americans GIVE BACK an average of 483 million vacation days a year!!  The USA is the only country that has a government that does not encourage time off work.  In France, for example, the government mandates 31 vacation days a year - plus holidays.  It is not a secret that workers who take time off are better workers and have less stress.  To work or not to work....that is the question...I have no trouble answering.

Travel is safe for consumption.  If you live in another state - come visit Michigan this summer!
Sincerely,
Heather O'Neal
Of Global Interest LLC Adventure Travel
Ann Arbor, Michigan
(734) 369-3107
http://www.ofglobalinterest.com
For more information about my tours click here and here.
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My tours are not like the big company tours.  I am an advocate for traveler who wants a meaningful experience without being confined to out-of-the-way hotel chains, tourist traps where the guide gets a commission for bringing you and your dollars, consolidators and tour industry conglomerates who are carting entire plane loads of people into Timbuktu.  We are not confined to rigid schedules and every minute is not planned.  We have an itinerary which we can stray away from if an unexpected delight or cultural opportunity exists.  I require travel insurance and have information on this for you.

On my tours, you are the boss, and I am the enabler.  I have knowledge of the good places to go and things to do, and I will make the trip as smooth and as wonderful as possible.  It is as if I am a Peace Corps Volunteer living in another country and you are coming to visit me.  Through me, you instantly have an IN into the culture, customs, traditions of the region, something that takes independent travelers weeks to discover.

In my mind, the best way to travel is to visit friends who live and work in far away places.  Unfortunately sometimes we don't have friends in all those wonderful places, and that's why there is ME.  Because I work hard when I am not traveling, I have savings that I devote to my tours twice a year.  My prices are low because my company helps cover my costs.  This way, I do not need 30 people following me around from town to town.  We travel in small groups and as friends.

I'll even go half way around the world if only ONE person signs up.  The traveling part of my work, is enabling me to live the lifestyle I want to live.  I am willing to pay for that privilege at times which saves you money while giving you the experience of having a personal guide - or more like - a friend who is there to pick you up at the airport, book hotels and show you around. 

On my trips, we are not attached to a 30 member group.  We are not stuck in the same place for the entire time.  My tours are varied, adventurous, active and ALWAYS interesting.  All you need is a sense of adventure, a good attitude and a few short days off work.  ;)

Sincerely,
Heather O'Neal
Of Global Interest LLC Adventure Travel
The Eighth Street Trekkers' Lodge B&B
120 Eighth Street
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103
(734) 369-3107
ofglobal@aol.com