News from Pura Aventura published June 2007

In this issue:

See the incredible Galapagos Islands on Flickr.
Go skiing this summer – in the Andes.
Meet our new man in the Picos, Alex Asensio.
Sponsor my over-ambitious triathlon in aid of the Peru Dental Project.
One of the best parts of my job is travelling to take photos for our brochure. So it was that I found myself amongst the incredible wildlife in the Galapagos Islands last month armed with my camera. I’ve posted some of the highlight photos on Flickr, so please take a look.

If you can’t face the prospect of another 6 months before going skiing or snowboarding again, then help may be at hand. The ski season started in Chile last week with a big dump of snow.

Pura Aventura is just about to move into its 8th year. As we grow, one of the hardest jobs we have is finding the right people to work with us. First rate guides make a huge difference to our holidays. So I’m delighted to introduce the latest member of our team in Spain: Alex Asensio. Alex used to be a movie stunt man, but he assures us that his leaping from improbable heights days are over.

Finally, it will be easy for you to see how ridiculous I look in a triathlon wetsuit. Please reward my lack of dignity by supporting the Peru Dental Project by sponsoring me in the London Triathlon.

Remember, if you want to talk to one of us, just call us on 0845 22 55 058 (+44 1273 676712 from outside the UK). We’re here from 9am-7pm weekdays.

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All the best,

Thomas Power

See the incredible Galapagos Islands on Flickr

Last month I was lucky enough to get to the Galapagos to join a Pura Aventura group on a 7 night cruise around the islands aboard the charming boat Cachalote.

The group had bonded whilst hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – I appeared half way through their holiday to do the easy bit. I should say thank you to all of them: great fun and very welcoming so thank you.

The islands themselves are extraordinary. Without getting too sentimental, to be treated as a non-threatening presence by wild animals is really very moving. You almost feel like you have stumbled into a wildlife documentary as you observe animals’ behaviour at close range.

During my time there I was sniffed by sea lions, sneezed on by a marine iguana and swum into by a sea turtle. Have a look at some of the photos I took. Hover over the photo & click the ‘i’ to bring up my comments on the image.

Read more about our Peru & Galapagos Holiday. We have just 2 cabins left on our charter in late October this year and then dates throughout 2008. We also arrange tailor made departures to suit you.

Go skiing this summer – in the Andes

The 2007 Ski Season has hit the Chilean Andes. Here’s a photo from Chillán taken last week. If you can’t wait until next year to ski why not head to Chile this summer? The season runs from now right through September.

A couple of us here in the office have skied in all of the main resorts in Chile (Chillan, Portillo & Valle Nevado) and we are always happy to talk you through each one, jealousy notwithstanding. Chillán is a wonderful spot for skiing as it has the best hotel, complete with volcanic hot springs, as well as some of the most extensive and varied skiing in Chile.

Remember that you can also combine a week of skiing with time on a beach in Brazil, a drive through Chile’s vineyards, the Inca Trail or even the Galapagos Islands. Don’t worry, we have a web page dedicated to all of our skiing combinations.

Meet our new man in the Picos, Alex Asensio

We are very excited as Alex is joining our team of guides in the Picos full time. Alex brings a touch of glamour having worked as a movie stuntman amongst his past adventures! He has guided in Spain, South America and the Himalayas during which time he climbed several 6,000m peaks.

From these travels he holds various mountain guiding certifications which allow him to guide any mountain from sea level to 6,000m. He also holds the highest level of canyoning qualification which allows him to guide canyons anywhere in the world.

Alex settled back in his native Picos de Europa Mountains 6 years ago to set up a riding school. He trains horses to take part in races across the open country while his girlfriend rides the races.

Now, back to that stunt work. Although most of his on screen work was with horses, he has also done his share of falling through windows, being blown up and going into space. Fans of Spanish b movies should dust off their copies of ‘Viaje al Infierno’ and play ‘spot the Alex’.

Alex will be guiding our small group holidays in the Picos as well as welcoming more of you on our Picos Self Drive holidays and Picos Inn to Inn walks.

Some of you have already met Alex: “We couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Alex made this holiday a perfect vacation”. Sarah R, Picos Family Adventure.

Sponsor my over-ambitious triathlon in aid of the Peru Dental Project

I’m not sure when or why I thought that doing an Olympic distance triathlon was either big or clever but it’s too late now. On August the 5th I will be taking part in the London Triathlon in the romantic setting of London’s Docklands. Yes, the swim is effectively in the Thames.

My plan was to wear fins in order to get a head start and minimise my exposure to weils disease but apparently that’s not allowed. So, here I am back at square 1 and having to actually train properly. The only thing which is going to make me actually put this ridiculous wet suit on is if I know some good is going to come of it. Which is where you come in…

Pura Aventura and our clients have been supporting the marvellous Peru Dental Project for a couple of years now. Basically, Jacqui Nimmo gathers a group of volunteer fellow dentists to head into the high Andes around Cusco. Here they set up a dentist’s chair (sometimes on the edge of a mountain) and get to work. There is nobody else doing it and it makes a huge difference to people’s lives. Please take a moment to support their work at www.justgiving.com/perudental

Remember that all of our holidays in Peru support the work of the Peru Dental Project.