by Kathryn Burrington | Nov 27, 2016 | Christmas, Fairtrade, Soap Box, Sustainable Tourism
With Christmas fast approaching, we are constantly bombarded with festive songs, adverts, cheerful Santas and a bewildering range of gift ideas. Every other travel blog I read at the moment seems to be sharing a gift list for travel addicts. However, at the risk...
by Kathryn Burrington | May 23, 2016 | Human Rights, Soap Box, Sustainable Tourism
The first time I visited Africa, many years ago, I remember waltzing into both a school and then an orphanage, amongst a stream of fellow tourists, on an organised excursion. We all took out our cameras and started clicking away while the children looked back at us....
by Kathryn Burrington | Mar 18, 2016 | Africa, Soap Box, Sustainable Tourism, The Gambia, Wildlife
For thousands of years turtles have been visiting the beaches of West Africa to lay their eggs. The few female hatchlings that battle the odds and survive into adulthood return to the very same beach of their birth, some 25 years later, to lay their own eggs. Yet last...
by Kathryn Burrington | Dec 1, 2015 | Africa, Review, Soap Box, South Africa, Sustainable Tourism, Wildlife
As the audience rose to give a standing ovation at the UK premiere of Blood Lions at the Royal Geographical Society on Friday, sobbing could be heard around the theatre. My feelings were a mixture of anger, sadness and hope. Anger at the people breeding lions so that...
by Kathryn Burrington | Jun 13, 2015 | Africa, Food and Drink, Ghana, Recipes, Senegal, Soap Box, The Gambia
The baobab tree is a proud symbol of Africa. A majestic tree that can live for thousands of years. A tree of legend and fables. Griots, the hereditary musicians of West Africa, were traditionally buried within a baobab. With trunks that can be as large as 15m in...
by Kathryn Burrington | May 4, 2015 | Nepal, Popular, Soap Box, Sustainable Tourism
Earlier today I received a tweet from my friend Sallie, from the award-winning volunteer organisation people and places, asking for my help. She had been in contact with the children’s charity, Next Generation Nepal (NGN). Following the recent devastating...
by Kathryn Burrington | Mar 4, 2015 | Human Rights, PLAN UK, Soap Box
One of the things I love most about travelling is learning about different cultures and traditions. I try to travel with an open heart and mind, seeking positive, enriching experiences. But every now and again, as is inevitable, I come across...
by Kathryn Burrington | Feb 12, 2015 | Africa, Human Rights, PLAN UK, Senegal, Soap Box
The dust, the smiles and the rhythm of the drums, West Africa, can really get under your skin; I lost count of the number of times I’ve visited this corner of the globe a long time ago. As I set out on a journey of a different kind, namely sponsoring a...
by Kathryn Burrington | Jan 19, 2015 | Asia, Soap Box, Sustainable Tourism, Vietnam, Wildlife
Have you ever been to Halong Bay? I’ve read many of my fellow travel bloggers’ stories from this enchanting place in Vietnam and for a long time I’ve longed to go there, to taste the delicious cuisine, to learn about local culture, to witness its...
by Kathryn Burrington | Nov 9, 2014 | Soap Box
Out of all the places I’ve travelled to, I don’t think I’ve been to anywhere and seen so many cats as I have in Greece. My latest visit was no exception but this time I also noticed a lot of very friendly and enchanting dogs, not forgetting the...
