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We still have space on "Unseen Kenya".  We call it a vision trip with volun-tourism and safari.  It's not a working trip.  It's the exact same safari experience with added exposure to the locals.  You will do the same itinerary as this year's group with games drives, boat cruise, balloons,
Nakuru, Naivasha and Masai Mara.  We just added some "joy visits" to 4 orphanages including Kieni, our AFS sponsored children's home. October is our favorite time to bring groups to Kenya as it's the tail end of migration and hoards of tourist have departed.  We've always had tremendously successful wildlife encounters then.
 
This is truly a once in lifetime experience that will profoundly touch your heart.  If you ever
 wanted to see the real Africa, then this is your chance.  We will not repeat this trip for several years to come. 
"The Unseen Kenya" A Vision Trip of Volun-tourism and Safari October 10-19, 2010
if link will not work, copy it below and insert in your browser
http://www.adventuresforsingles.com/2010_Destinations/kenya_voluntourism_and_safari.htm

 

Kilimanjaro Climb Update

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So many of you asked how our group did on their Kilimanjaro climb.  They all returned triumphant!   Carol did a great job of leading 32 trekkers on this amazing adventure.  Along with guides and cooks, they also had 73 porters to help them! Read Carol's report here...

I have been to the mountain top... and THERE IS NO AIR!
 
Ten years ago I took my first trip with AFS and it changed my life!  It was to Kenya, which is still one of my favorite trips of all times.  Since then I've been to Africa several times (all with AFS) and several are tied for #1.  My recent trip to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro has been added to the list of "All time favorites!"
 
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro has been on "My List" for several years, and my dream finally came true!  On October 5th, 31 of us traveled to Kilimanjaro to conquer the mountain and stand on the roof of Africa.  What an incredible adventure it was... a once in a lifetime experience that challenged me to the very core.  Imagine climbing the largest free standing mountain in the world, the highest point in Africa, a 44 mile round trip trek, a gain in altitude of almost 13,000 feet...  THAT is what we did!
 
What an experience!  From our wonderful guides, to roughing it on the mountain (okay, we were in huts, but NO showers for a week!), to the mental and physical challenge of the climb, and the new friendships we made along the way... the entire experience was AWESOME!  It was the hardest thing I have EVER done, and one of the most rewarding.  This was truly an unforgettable journey that I was blessed to share with our incredible group.
 
Congratulations Kili Climbers... YOU ROCK!
   
Jambo!
 
Pole, pole (slowly, slowly) was the mantra for the climb to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and that was fine by me!  Each day we passed through different vegetation zones from forest to moorland to alpine desert and finally ice cap.  Each was beautiful and had its own surprises (like being charged by a couple of colobus monkeys "skunky monkeys" on the trail one day!)  Our AFS group of 31 started around 6,400 feet at the Marangu gate, each of us determined to reach Uhuru Peak at 19,341 feet.
 
For this trip more than most, it was all about the journey... not just the destination.  This journey not only served as a major goal to accomplish, or obstacle to overcome, it was all about the people.  Making new friends, sharing an incredible experience with a group of "strangers" that cannot be described fully to those that did not experience it... creating a bond with others that will not be broken.  Each of us walked away from this trip with a sense of accomplishment, wonderment and awe, a great story to two... along with a connection to the group that shared the experience.
 
For me, this trip was about standing on the roof of Africa, to see what I was made of.  I believe that prayer, perseverance and a positive attitude helped get me to the top.  It is an experience that I will never forget and am very grateful for.  I learned a few things along the way, about me, about life and a great way to live... Hakuna Matata "No worries".  I also learned that our group was nguvu kama Simba!  Strong like a lion!
 
Of our group of 31, 16 made it all the way to Uhuru Peak, 6 made it to the summit at Gillman's point, and of the ones that had to turn back due to the altitude, most reached a point higher than ever before.  CONGRATULATIONS to all the AFS Kili Climbers!
 
 

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I often tell my friends that 95% of our clients are truly awesome.  Good odds for the group travel business.  Most I'd like to clone to take on all trips.
 
In recent years the rumor around AFS is that we remove people from our trips who cause problems.  Some clients make silly mistakes on trips and will say "please don't add me to the deceased file."  This makes me laugh because I'm certainly not that tough. I rarely remove anyone.  It's the groups that decide and it takes a lot for this to occur.  We admit openly that we do in fact occasionally shift clients to the "dead file."  It is only a few per year whose behavior was so abhorrent that it makes our group embarrassed to be American's abroad. 
 
Would you prefer to travel with a fun and flexible person or one who is always late holding up the group?  One who is rude to locals and refuses to tip the guides?  One who chronically complains that "things are not like home"?  One who is loud, bossy, demanding and selfish?  The list is endless when we invite the planet through the world wide web. 
 
Understand that it is not us who decides to block someone from future trips.  It is the complaints we receive from within the group.  Even then it's difficult for us to do this.  We often give a lot of thought with a warning and second chance to those who cause problems.  If it continues and complaints mount, then have no choice.  I strongly feel that what makes our trips so successful these past 18 years is not only the destination and price, but the fellowship within our groups and the friendships made.  "Nuff" said.

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London is no longer the most expensive city in the world.  UBS Bank now lists it 21st!  The survey covers 122 products, services and rents in 73 cities.  Here are the top 10 most expensive cities in order: