AYESHA
My early childhood years were spent in Kerala, Southern India. Learning to swim in the backwaters, hiking in the cardamom hills and snorkelling around Bangaram island are some of my fondest early travel memories. Long and exciting road trips across India lit the flame for my future adventures and travels.
Moving across the country and then across the world to the UK, I stumbled into the working world of luxury travel in early adulthood and that’s where I have really found my feet. I was lucky to explore Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka as well as the jungles of Borneo on various works trips with Ultimate and love sharing these destinations with first time and repeat visitors. There is always something new and exciting around every corner to provide an assault on all your senses in Asia and most recently I was utterly charmed and impressed by South Korea.
MY FAVOURITE PLACE
Sri Lanka ticks all my boxes for a relatively small island – history and culture, nature and wildlife, mountains and forests, fabulous food and a wonderful coastline of beautiful beaches. Nowhere else can you see blue whales, elephants and leopards almost on the same day!
MY FAVOURITE LODGE
Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Utterly remote in the heart of the Danum Valley Conservation, surrounded by tropical rainforests and no human settlements nearby.
MY MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE
Climbing up the thick jungle path to the top of a view point for a 180° view of the rainforest to the horizon in all directions followed by a cooling dip tubing down the Danum river and seeing an Orangutan mother and baby in the canopy above. Also, hiking up to the Tiger’s Nest monastery in Bhutan for an unexpected blessing by Buddhist monks was the nearest I’ve come to a spiritual out of body experience.
MY TOP TIPS
- Carry a long cotton scarf to cover your head and shoulders or knees when visiting temples and monuments in Asia.
- Take some time to explore authentic local markets – the smells, sounds and colours can be both exhilarating and overwhelming!
- Never take direct photos of people or children at work or play without asking.
AYESHA’S TRAVEL JOURNAL
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