ATG's Director of Global Recruitment and European Development recently escorted a group of travelers in Morocco along with Churchill's granddaughter Celia Sandys.  The series continues with a trip to South Africa in June of 2009.

An Overview of Morocco, part of the "Chasing Churchill" Travel Series

by Robert Tynan

The drive from Casablanca to Marrakesh is beautiful and exhilarating with an array of mystifying natural hues. It is easy to see why a person with an artist’s eye, like Sir Winston Churchill, would fall in love with such views, from the low land browns speckled and dashed with dark greens to the white peaks of the high Atlas Mountains. This is an extraordinary landscape.

On to Marrakesh and the exciting prospect of exploring the city.  It is a sight to behold, from the Majorelle Gardens to the Souks the hustle and bustle of the city streets.  The Majorelle Gardens, now owned by Yves St. Laurent, were created by the French artist Jacques Majorelle, whom Churchill met on his visit to Marrakech in 1950. The gardens are bursting with colors, unusual plant life and bizarre-looking cacti.

In the Souks of Marrakesh within the ancient walls of the medina, I met many strange and wonderful characters whose daily life follows an intriguing, centuries-old pattern. Goods are bought and sold amidst plenty of haggling in tiny shops and stalls. There are many places to grab a drink or two.  Many of the locals chat over glass after glass of what is commonly considered the national drink--hot mint tea as sweet as pure honey with the essence of chewing gum. Echoes reverberate along narrow passageways as craftsmen pound out designs on metals and veiled women move through the day's activities.

Jemaa el Fna is the heart of Marrakech's shopping experience where performers and tradesman gather in this sprawling square.  I watched cobras dance to the sway of a wooden flute, and wondered around the mesmerizing circus-like square. This dramatic stage of Marrakech's Souks is an experience not to be missed.

The drive through Ourika valley provides breath taking views and unusual color schemes reminiscent of the great movie scenes. It's exciting to stand in the same place Sir Winston stood and draw inspiration from the same source.  As for the gardens of Navarone - a wonderful experience filled with unusual fact as well as intriguing information about the indigenous plants and herbs of Morocco.

While in Marrakech we had the wonderful opportunity to meet with several dignitaries as guests traveling with Churchill's granddaughter.  The English Ambassador to Morocco and an Austrian princess made very lively dining companions!

The Dar Ahlam, our oasis resort in the midst of Ouarzazate, is a true escape from the trials and tribulations of life. The wonder and beauty of this renovated Kasbah lies in the uniqueness of the property.  There are no numbers on the beautiful, wooden room doors and no phones in any of the rooms.  Breathtaking panoramic views from the roof let the imagination wander as utter relaxation sets in.  The magical feeling of the place, its delectable foods and exquisite service will always hold a special place in my heart.

With A population of well over 40,000 inhabitants Ouarzazate is a center of tourism in the Sahara. Ouarzazate is also the hub for international filmmakers seeking the perfect desert scene.  The Gladiator, Alexander, Lawrence of Arabia and The Sheltering Sky are among the films shot here in this place of mystique and wonder.

I encourage everyone to visit Morocco at least once, and would eagerly accompany Ms. Sandys on future installments of the "Chasing Churchill" series. 

Click here for details of "Chasing Churchill" in South Africa.

The Gorillas of Rwanda

My First Gorilla Experience
by Safari Specialist Ryan Hilton

On that cold, clear September morning in Johannesburg I knew within minutes of arriving at the airport that this safari would be very different from any other I had ever traveled previously. Rwandair Express had cancelled all direct flights from Johannesburg to Kigali for the next week as they had to return their loaned aircraft to its owner and the man on the other end of my barrage of questions simply replied, “What do you want me to tell you? The flight is cancelled. Go find something else.” I did and without much inconvenience and delay Dr. Danton De Guia (Dan) and I were on our way to Kigali, Rwanda through Entebbe, Uganda. Dan & I had taken on a few other destinations in Africa and I was excited to have him along. His photographic enthusiasm is contagious and I had no doubt that my traveler’s photographic records of this experience would benefit.

The next few days while in Kigali gathering my travelers as they arrived from various parts of the world, I found it hard to focus on anything other than the one question I had been asking myself for the last few months, “How would my first encounter with a Mountain Gorilla unfold?” My mind would then race to the many questions that make up that big one, “How long and how steep will the climb up the volcano be?” And, “Am I fit enough to get up the mountain to even see a Mountain Gorilla? What would the conditions underfoot be? How much light will there be? Will we get rained on? How do I keep my camera equipment dry? What about the altitude?”

Repeatedly I found that I had to step back, shake my head, gather my thoughts and return to my most important task of ensuring that my travelers were all safe, comfortable, aware of what was expected of them and what their opportunities for unique experiences were in the next 24 hours.

On the morning that our two 4 wheel drive Land Rover Defenders rolled out of Kigali amid the honking and the dust I could feel the expectations being carried by my travelers. I could have sworn I heard a collective chant from the vehicles “Go-ri-lla! Go-ri-lla! Go-ri-lla!”

We had given ourselves 4 hours to drive from the Kigali Serena to our first appointment in Musanze and we used all the allotted time as the drive was filled with sights and content only available in this land of a thousand hills. Streams of men and women laden with their goods for the markets in Kigali, groups of children in school uniform walking to their small schools, road-side stalls selling many things including eggs wrapped in banana leaves, goats tied to trees, kids in trees, mud brick factories, men and women in the fields tending their crops and preparing the ground for new crops about to go into the ground.

This hilly region of central Africa offers some fantastic African vistas and we made a point of stopping a number of times to have a comfort break, stretch our legs and snap a few shots of the scenes we encountered. I was sure that at some point the cultivated land and its inhabitants would thin out and we would begin to see some native vegetation. I was wrong. If the ground was not cultivated it meant that the slopes were too steep to work, and those slopes were planted with the exotic Eucalyptus. It was clear to me that any wildlife in this region had to compete for resources with the native populations.

I had read as much as I could get my hands on about this population of Gorillas and the conservation efforts of this region to protect them, but nothing could have prepared me for the human density that we encountered. This point was driven home at our first appointment in Musanze which is better known as the town of Ruhengeri. This town is the gateway to Volcanoes National Park for travelers seeking a gorilla encounter and also serves as the regional headquarters of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (MGVP).

As we drove through the white steel gates at the MGVP we were warmly greeted by the ever smiling regional field veterinarian Dr. Magdalena Mukasik-Braum and one of her assistants. The MGVP regional headquarters is nothing more than a converted, white, single story home in a suburb of the town of Ruhengeri. Off the central courtyard there were a few doorways leading into small rooms that served as administrative offices, conference room, storage and the laboratory. A large blackboard on the wall with dates and notes showed a busy schedule for the week ahead.

We started in the conference room where Dr. Magda passionately presented an introduction to the species, the conservation concerns for this population that lives on the Virunga Volcanoes (which straddles 3 countries, Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo or DRC), what the goals of the MGVP are and how they work with the officials, guides and trackers of the Parc National des Volcans (PNV). The presentation and tour of the facility including the laboratory only increased the sense of urgency among my travelers and I could hear the chanting getting louder. As an Admiral Travel Gallery exclusive experience I know our travelers benefited tremendously from our time at MGVP. We said our thank you and good-byes to the team at the MGVP and with rumbling stomachs we drove the 35 minutes to Virunga Lodge for our 3 night stay with the Sabyinyo and Muhabura volcanoes rising high to our left.

After a brief, warm welcome to Virunga Lodge and a room introduction we were all seated around the lunch table firing questions at the Virunga Lodge team and Volcanoes Safaris guides about how the next 24 hours would unfold, completely ignoring the amazing views of Lake Bulera and Ruhondo from the lodge. I was okay with that as my travelers were focused on the next scheduled activity. That afternoon and evening just evaporated and before I knew it I was saying good night to my guests and heading back to my room. Dan & I had spent the afternoon preparing our camera equipment so there was nothing left to do but rest. A tough task on the night before I was to see my first Gorilla. I felt as if I was perched on the lip of a broad, dark, deep chasm and was about to leap off the edge into who knows what.

At breakfast the silent chanting I was hearing from my travelers was now deafening and for a moment I saw them all pounding their fists on the breakfast table “Go-ri-lla! Go-ri-lla! Go-ri-lla!”  The sun had not even broken the horizon over lake Bulera and my travelers were in the vehicles as our guides negotiated the steep, rocky, dirt roads away from the lodge with only one destination in mind. “Go-ri-lla! Go-ri-lla! Go-ri-lla!”  Along the way to Kinigi, the site of the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, I gave our guide instructions on how we wanted the group split for the day on the volcano as some of my guests wanted to challenge themselves while others wanted a more moderate climbing experience. All wanted gorillas.   

There were already 7 – 10 vehicles in the rotunda and 40 – 60 people were on the lawns when we arrived and eagerly joined the sea of anticipation that emanated from the premises. Twenty anxious minutes later we were all split into groups, introduced to the PNV guides who would lead us up the mountain and briefed on the gorilla family we would visit. With the group dynamics slightly altered we were back into the vehicles and off to the trailheads at the foot of the volcanoes on which the gorillas lived. My sense of responsibility had encouraged me to opt for the more ambitious hike along with my two travelers who were looking for a challenge. We 3, and five other international travelers, had been assigned to the Sussa group on the Karisimbi Volcano by PNV. Our guide Dee, had assured us that we were the fortunate ones as we had drawn the Sussa group, a large group of 40+ family members that included twins (very rare in Gorillas) and 4 silverbacks. The last 15 minutes in the vehicles we were bouncing uphill as Dee communicated with his tracking team and porters to ensure that all were in place at the rendezvous site which was where the slope of the Karisimbi’s incline prohibited the vehicles from carrying us any higher.

When we exited the vehicles at around +/- 7200ft above sea level, the sun was shining and there was a slight chance of rain predicted for the day. All my travelers had received their requested assignments, were prepared accordingly and I thought to myself for just one moment, “Everything has gone just about as well as I could have hoped for.”

I shook the hand of my porter, handed him my backpack and familiarized myself with my hand-carved walking stick (with a gorilla on top) while Karisimbi loomed over me. Setting off from the vehicles on foot, our party of 15 (8 travelers, 1 guide, 2 soldiers 4 porters) was greeted by immediate gradient on uneven paths and a 50 minute uphill hike through cultivated lands dotted with small mud-brick houses before we arrived at the wall that separated the gorilla’s fragile environment from the productive fields of the local farmers that pressed all the way to within feet of the boundary. On the way up we stopped a couple of times to catch our breath and take in vistas over the fields of Irish Potato and Pyrethrum to Lake Ruhondo in the distance and did so again as we reached the wall and received a second briefing and welcome.

We scaled the 4ft volcanic rock wall, dropped down onto the other side and everything changed. This is where my gorilla experience really took off; this is where it began for me. Within minutes we were swallowed up by the jungle and the now familiar sounds of goats bleating, cows moo-ing, children laughing and farmers calling across the fields to each other were being muffled and obscured by the dense vegetation in the form of bamboo forests that stretched far overhead.  My attention was drawn away from the pounding of my heart in my ears to the plants, insects, animal tracks & bird calls. Only now did I feel that we were in their habitat.

Repeatedly, Dee checked-in with the trackers (who by now had located the Sussa family) and through the crackled transmissions on the hand-held two-way radio, confirmed the route up the volcano. One hour later and we had cleared the bamboo forest and were now in one of the varied Afromontane habitat types that occur on the Virunga massif. There was dense ground cover of leafy plants and shrubs 4ft – 6 ft high and the occasional tall tree, but an absence of high canopy as we began to hear the sounds from the villages below again. We took 3 or 4 more short rests over the next 2 hours to catch our breath and encourage those who were really starting to feel the effects of the altitude and exertion.

Shortly after one of these breaks Dee pointed out an area of trampled vegetation littered with Gorilla feces, “they slept here last night” he said, “and went that way” as he pointed up. By now the volcano was beginning to feel like a mountain and the hike or trek was beginning to feel like a climb. My heart was pounding even louder in my ears now and noticing that my two travelers were still doing well and stood no chance dropping out I re-enforced my strategy to myself: “Little steps! Little steps! Make sure you see where your next footstep will land. Little steps! Little steps!”

The porters with our backpacks, the soldiers with their gear & weapons and Dee with his back-pack and Wellingtons did not find this hike difficult at all. At every rest opportunity they stood around eyeing up the unfit white visitors panting away and sucking down large quantities of water. This was where I realized why our guide had asked us to call him Dee. His longer Rwandese name would have been unpronounceable to the travelers sucking wind on the way up and the one syllable of the first letter in his name would be all the travelers could get from their oxygen-starved brains when trying to get his attention.

Dee’s shouting into the hand-held and crackled replies increased in frequency and his attention was sharply focused in one direction. Up! He looked as if he was straining to see something or someone in a particular direction and I tried as well, but saw nothing. Dee gave us the 15 minutes to the trackers notification and all travelers perked up. The end of the climb, and the gorilla sighting we had all traveled so far for was within reach. Whether it was the freshness of their presence or our heightened sense of awareness I am not sure, but I began to pick up a distinct pungent odor occasionally and saw a lot more fresh feces when suddenly a human voice called out from above and Dee replied. We had arrived. Finally!

In conversation with Dee, the tracker pointed to his left, gestured over a small ridge and nodded his head. Dee turned to us and confirmed the direction of the animals and said “Get your cameras ready, all backpacks stay here with the trackers. No water no food!” As tired as we all were it took us about 90 seconds to be at attention and ready to walk towards the ridge to our right. Dee had to ask the group for permission for us to enter their space and he made a series of low grunts which was answered almost right away by the same sounds from one of the silverbacks. Ahead of me was Dee and one other traveler as we approached the small ridge and saw the ground gently slope away from us and up to another ridge about 500 yards away. Amongst the dense Afromontane ground cover I saw one little black speck moving about 100ft away I did what comes naturally to me when traveling with guests, I turned and found my travelers, pulled them towards me and confirmed that they could see what I was seeing…a gorilla!

Knowing that the sighting was strictly limited to only one hour with the animals, I had promised myself that for the first 15 minutes I would not take any photographs, would just observe some animal behavior and try to get a handle on how they move, why they move and hopefully some interaction between them. This would prevent me from having my eye to the viewfinder the entire time with the animals. Ha! That plan went out the window immediately. As we crested that ridge I was still looking at the individual that was about 100ft away when I turned my attention a little to the left and closer to me and saw 30+ individuals of all sizes with the closest being no more than 25ft from me. Dee must have seen my frozen stance and the look on my face because he called out to me and reassuringly directed me to follow him down off the crest towards the group of animals. I hesitated, a natural response I thought. I was looking for cover to hide behind and tried to get a sense of the wind direction as I would with elephant or rhino when on foot but none of this was necessary as we literally waded into the middle of the family. Every direction I turned there were Gorillas.

The next 55 minutes flew by as we watched mothers and babies, sub-adults and silverbacks staring back at us as they fed, played and very slowly moved towards the far crest. Maybe 20 minutes into the sighting Dee grabbed one of my travelers, took his camera and motioned for him to take a seat with his back to a female that was 15ft away and casually feeding at a seated position. As the traveler sat down and was beginning to get his smile going for the camera the animal stood up, walked over to my traveler and placed its hand on his shoulder as if she wanted to be in the photo too. Immediately Dee stepped up, produced a reassuring gorilla sound, reached out to my traveler and pulled him away from the setting as the animal’s hand gently slid off his right shoulder. As the animal initiated the contact I was assured that was quite okay, but I struggled to come to grips with how habituated these animals are. Three of four times I had to freeze as individuals moved within 2ft of me without any concern for my presence whatsoever. I was astonished at how human-like their actions were when interacting amongst themselves. Body language, hand movements, head movements and most importantly the way the looked back at us looking at them. Dee gave us notice that our sighting would end in 5 minutes so we all fired our last few shots and then stood to watch the family slowly climb to the top of the far ridge and disappear. We all stood for a while attempting to process some of what we had just seen as we turned to each other and gasped with hands on heads or thumbs up in the air. We could not see or hear the animals anymore but their presence could still be felt and I know that this would stay with me for a very long time.

Within minutes we were reunited with our porters so that we could put our cameras away and have a drink of water before starting the journey back down the volcano. Getting to the wall took less than half the time it took us to get up and along the way I found myself really enjoying the walking, slipping/sliding in the mud and finding tracks and signs of the other wildlife that inhabited this forested piece of central Africa. Beyond the wall the stares from the locals in their fields were a little different as we glided down the steep and uneven ground back to the waiting vehicles.

Or was I just a little different after my encounter as I had now experienced and seen with my own eyes two sights I had always wanted to see? A central African forest (sometimes referred to as the deep dark jungles of Africa), and a mountain gorilla in its own environment. My legs ached, my stomach was rumbling, I had consumed all the water I carried up the mountain with me, but I was surprisingly buoyant as we approached the vehicle and our Volcanoes safaris guide. By now it was just after 3pm as we all fell back into our vehicle seats, ate a little of the packed lunches we had brought from the lodge and did our best to re-hydrate ourselves as we knew we would do it all over again tomorrow. On the drive back to the lodge I asked our guide to confirm that my other travelers had already returned and seen the gorillas on their day on the volcano. They had indeed seen gorillas and were all resting.

By the time we had arrived at the lodge, still very sweaty with mud up to our knees, the aches in my legs had intensified, my muscles had tightened considerably and the hot shower and clean clothes were greatly appreciated. The cold beer and conversation around the fire prior to dinner that evening was even better as the primary goal of getting my travelers safely to and from a gorillas sighting had been accomplished. It was wonderful to see the smiles and hear the recounts of how their interactions with their family of gorillas had unfolded and even better to know that all were as enthusiastic about tomorrow and the encounter that it held.

On our second day up the volcano in search of the Gorillas I was fortunate again that our guide was able to negotiate with the PNV route assignment individual that my travelers received their group of choice. My second day was far less strenuous than day one with the walk to the wall being 30 minutes and then only one hour to the gorilla family. This time it was the Sabyinyo group which includes the largest of all silverbacks among the habituated families. They were in the bamboo forest feeding on the new shoots at the base of the plant. Seeing them in the bamboo was amazing as parts of these forest are very dense and they would appear and then disappear, only to reappear again somewhere else. Quite ghost-like, indeed. Still fairly clean and not all that fatigued, I was back at Virunga Lodge in time for lunch and the afternoon.

The above recount of my first two gorilla treks are just that, mine, and this how I viewed it as it unfolded for me. At the time that this report is going to press Rwanda’s Director of State Protocol is under arrest in Germany, soon to be extradited to France to face charges of involvement in the 1994 genocide and General Laurent Nkunda (leader of the rebel group controlling Goma and much of eastern DRC) is threatening to bring the entire central African region to conflict again. None of these stories have any positive impact on the Mountain Gorillas and the state of their conservation. Please read my notes below on a few of the details that will help prepare you for when you take on the mountain in search of the Mountain Gorillas.

Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei)
The estimated total global population of these animals is around 700 and today they occur in only two places on the African continent; the Virunga volcanos which is where the countries of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) meet and the Bwindi impenetrable forest in Uganda. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has compiled a list of the most endangered species in the world and the Mountain Gorilla falls into the Endangered category. The IUCN lists the total population as declining and is only one stepping stone away from Extinct in the Wild. Please take a moment to review the IUCN 2008 Red List for more detailed information on this unique species’ geographic range, population, habitat and ecology as well as it’s threat and current conservation actions.

In Rwanda there are currently 7 families of habituated gorillas and every day a maximum of 8 travelers per group hike up the volcanoes for their allotted 1 hour visit.

Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project
This amazing project is responsible for the health of pretty much every gorilla in the wild today. Their teams in the field are so dedicated and committed, working in all three countries where these animals occur they monitor and treat any health issue that they encounter on the treacherous slopes of the mountains. In order to achieve this they work closely with the park officials, guides and trackers to observe very part of every animal every day. Please take some time to learn more about this underfunded operation and the work they do by visiting the website for Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project at www.mgvp.org anytime. Should you consider visiting

Virunga Lodge
Set high on the top of a hill that overlooks both Lake Bulera and Lake Ruhondo every one of the 8 guestrooms and all common areas have amazing views of the lakes. This property has been identified as one of the most environmentally friendly stays in Africa with it’s bucket showers and dry human waste management system. Hospitality is warm and friendly and all staff are very accommodating. The kitchen is able to work with travelers with dietary requirements and requests.

My conclusion is this; if you have ever wanted to see these animals in their own environment I encourage you to plan and go now as I am not confident that they will still be available to travelers the way they are now in one generation. Do not expect to be immersed in the wild of the deep, dark continent as this is a very densely populated region and you can expect to see 200,000 to 300,000 people every day before you get to see gorillas. Make sure you carry the best camera equipment you have and I found that the wide-angle zoom options worked best around these animals. Please email me on ryan@admiraltravel.com or call on 941.951.1801 should you wish to plan your gorilla experience or have any questions about mine.

Click here to view details of our 2009 Gorilla Tracking Safari.

ATG’s Director of Global Recruiting and European Development Robert Tynan recently completed a tour of Japan to preview the sites, accommodations and events ATG Elite travelers will experience when they travel there with Chef Roy Yamaguchi next fall.   He filed the following report.

Inside Japan
A Preview of Chef Roy Yamaguchi's 2009 Tour

by Robert Tynan

Guests will have a wonderful experience at the Sushi cooking school where the chefs will offer an overview of their craft.  From the Sushi school I moved on to the Hokone region by Bullet train, where we first stopped at the western-style Kan-In-No Miya Mansion restaurant.  This used to be the holiday home of Japanese royalty. The furniture maybe old English style however the menu is very Japanese and delightfully tasty. The mansion is in the heart of green covered valleys and mountains with awe inspiring views, and the menu changes every 3 months.

On to the Hyatt Regency Hakone. This hotel is a beautifully designed complex with clean lines, earthy colors giving a strong sense of harmony. The property feels at one with its location high in this forested, mountainous region. The rooms have very pleasing décor and the most spectacular views. The hotel also has hot springs for bathing and relaxing in the spa area.

The next day, I transferred to Kyoto via train and taxi. We went for lunch at the Japanese monastery Tenryuji. This monastery is set in a bamboo forest and provides an opportunity for wonderful photographs.  The food was traditional, all naturally grown vegetarian fare and very enjoyable. Guests usually sit on the floor in the traditional Japanese manner; however there are small seats and tables available if guest prefer. 

From the Monastery we moved on to the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Temple). Beautiful scenery and great photo opportunities, although the temple is in the middle of a lake and guests cannot get near to the actual building.

We arrived at the Hyatt Regency Kyoto, which has the same designer as the Hyatt Regency Hakone with similar earthy colors and a sense of calm.  Although the rooms are smaller than the previous hotels used for this trip (standard guest room is 28-33 squared meters and deluxe 33-37 squared meters) it is by far the best hotel in Kyoto, and the rooms are all beautifully designed.  I strongly recommend while staying here, that guests visit the Temple of 1000 Buddha’s right next door as it is a must see and as intriguing and spectacular as the other temples on the tour.

Also visited on this day was the Todai-Ji temple. Wonderful structures steeped in an abundance of history from ancient Japanese civilization. America is 200 years old some of these temples date back to 700 AD.

The Napa Deer Park is a walk through park on the way to the Todai-Ji temple.

We had lunch at the beautiful Le Benkei restaurant in the middle of the country. French-style cuisine and very exclusive, again the menu changes every few months.

The final Temple visited was the Kiyomizu Temple. Built at the top of a great hill with steep cobble stones leading up to the temple and all through it. Again what an amazing structure and wonderful views! I do advise all travelers here to have their walking shoes on as there are many steps and steep inclines. There is a fountain of long life at the centre of the temple grounds.

On the final full day of the tour, guests will travel to visit the shrine and monument at Hiroshima, and will also have the opportunity to partake in the Okonomiyaki traditional style of cooking, which is open-style cooking on hot tables. A great authentic experience, although everyone will have to be cautious.  The skillets are HOT!

Click here to view complete tour information for Inside Japan with Chef Roy Yamaguchi.

Easter Island - the name immediately calls forth the mysterious monolithic tiki-like faces, but what do you really know about this remote South Pacific destination? ATG’s new Director of Global Adventure, Jennie Morris, recently traveled there to experience a new program offered through Explora, a South American tour operator specializing in natural and cultural discovery in the remote regions of the continent. She offers the following commentary on her journey.

Geographical region:  Being the most isolated island in the world, halfway between Chile and Tahiti, Easter Island is like no place else. It sits in the South Pacific Ocean 2,300 miles west of South America, 2,500 miles southeast of Tahiti, 4,300 miles south of Hawaii, 3,700 miles north of Antarctica. The closest other inhabited island is 1,260 miles away - tiny Pitcairn Island where the mutineers of the H.M.S. Bounty settled in 1790. Rapa Nui is a volcanic cone that rises to a maximum of 1,640 feet above sea level. The triangle shaped island is 166 square km, and home to a fascinating history, as evidenced by the giant moais-giant stone sculptures- sitting atop their ahus, or ceremonial platforms.

 
Easter Island Getaway: A New Adventure From Explora 
by Jennie Morris

The Explora program has a 3 night minimum stay as part of their philosophy. The history of the island and its culture unfolds in the progression of sites taken in on morning and afternoon excursions. Take my word for it, 3 nights is not enough!

There is so much to do, so many different hikes to go on and so many sites. You can take bikes out, go for walks, go into the town, go to church (which we did and it was great!), go to the markets, go scuba diving or horseback riding (these are not included and must be arranged separately), or just relax at the resort, use the pool or sit out on the deck or the terrace or get a massage.

There is one town, where 98% of the population of 4000 people lives. It is charming, and most of the hotels are located there in addition to little cafes, restaurants and shops, the markets, the church, the fishing pier, the dive shops, the soccer field and the post office.

The Explora lodge is not in town, as part of its philosophy is being a part of a remote environment and experiencing nature. And the lodge is fantastic. The scenery is a bit strange, not traditionally picturesque and ‘beautiful’ like most Polynesian islands, but amazingly serene and spiritual. Due to competition for resources when the inhabitants were warring in the 16th and 17th centuries, a lot of the island is fairly barren, mostly scrub. Also, the winds ensure it stays like that. Additionally, the island’s 7000 horses add to the scenery. 

The resort facilities are made of natural materials: wood, glass, slate, etc. - more functional than extravagant, but you definitely have everything that you need. Very comfortable beds, amazing chocolate on your pillow, fantastic sunken tubs with Jacuzzi jets, fabulous picture windows with views over the entire island, separate room with toilet and bidet and the amenities you would expect to find in a luxury property: toiletries, welcome cookies, robes and slippers etc. There is a small shop and even internet for those who need to get online, though no phone or blackberry connection out at the resort.

Our first afternoon we were driven from the lodge in one of their vans with an Explora guide (there are 10 and they are all local Easter Islanders) to the site of our first hike. Groups are split to ensure a maximum of 8 people. We usually had 4.

We hiked along the ‘moai’ route to the quarry, called Rano Raraku, where the monolithic human figures were mostly carved. The mystery has been how they got these huge statues from here to other parts of the island. The main theory that the locals agree with is that they ‘walked,’ meaning they moved them forward from one side to the other slowly using ropes. Though it is thought that the inhabitants first arrived in the 4th century AD from Polynesia, most likely the Marquesas, different clans developed on different parts of the island, and one way to manifest their power was in building more impressive moai.

The moai represent ancestral chiefs who were believed to be descended directly from the gods and whose supernatural powers could be harnessed for the benefit of humanity. The massive stone figures were generally erected on temple platforms (ahu) along the coast, where they faced inland to keep watch over the local community. Between roughly 1100 and 1650, Rapa Nui artists created nearly 900 moai. Most were carved from soft volcanic tuff at Rano Raraku, an extinct volcanic crater that served as the primary statue quarry. The giant stone sculptures commonly weigh between 10 and 12 metric tons. Their average height is roughly 13 feet, but they range anywhere from 8 feet to an unfinished example over 70 feet high.

Moai are characterized by long sloping noses, strong brows, deeply inset eyes, and prominent chins. Some examples also wear a hatlike cylinder made of red stone on their heads, which may represent a headdress or elaborate hairstyle. Each moai was commissioned by a specific individual or group and created by a team of expert stoneworkers under the direction of a master carver. As many as fifteen people began by quarrying a large rectangular block using basalt picks (toki). Once the figure was roughed out, the master carver and his assistants added the fine details, usually beginning with the head and face. Afterwards, a team of workers used ropes and levers to move the sculpture down the quarry slope. It was then set upright and the remainder of the carving was completed. The finished sculpture was then moved to its final destination using a wooden sled or rollers.

Experimental re-creation of this feat by modern archaeologists suggests that it required approximately 40 individuals to move an average-sized moai, and roughly 300 to 400 people to produce the rope and food required. By the time Europeans first reached Easter Island in 1722, the moai tradition was already in decline. Early explorers reported many moai still standing, but by the mid-nineteenth century, all had fallen due to neglect or warfare. Many have since been restored by archaeologists.

The guide took us around the quarry and explained the history of the island and the moai, which we viewed in all stages of development; some were even halfway carved still in the rock. That night we had an amazing dinner. As it is all-inclusive resort, you can choose from 2 options for appetizer and dinner, open bar and lots of dessert options. They have fantastic fresh food, lots of seafood, and excellent Chilean wines. The staff is so sweet and friendly, and can’t do enough for you. We also went into town for a local traditional dance performance. The place was packed, and we strolled right into our reserved seats in the front row!

Sunday morning we went to church - another great experience escorted by your guide and driver. The mix of Catholicism with local flavor and music is very touching. We then visited the museum, highly recommended, Ahu Taihi, and then went to the artisans market, which was quite expensive.  We later got to go to a more local market that was more affordable.

In the afternoon we visited Ahu Akivi, the seven moai, and then we spent a great afternoon out on the cliffs and even got to try our hand at fishing local style. Our guide then treated us to a chilled bottle of wine!  Incidentally, travelers who are interested in partying with the locals should be advised that the bars are only in action on Friday and Saturday nights. Otherwise, you will be enjoying fabulous dinner with drinks and the amazing view at the resort.

Monday was a long morning of hiking along the north coast to the beaches, after a visit to the 15 moai at Tongariki. There are two beaches on the island, called Anakena & Ovahe and they are located on the North end. Both are on the same road. Anakena affords the scenery you would expect on a Polynesian island, with loads of palm trees and a very wide, white sand beach. It is the best place for shore break bodysurfing.  Though busy on weekends, it was empty when we were there on Monday. Ovahe is less busy and has some interesting caves in the area.

We returned to the lodge for lunch and a nap, then headed out to Rano Kau, the large crater in the SW of the island, and Orongo ceremonial village (if you read history, you will know this was where the Birdman cult was). It was windy and cold up there, but the houses were still intact. There were great views up at the crater overlooking the 1000 foot drop to the sea and the small islands of Motu Nui, Motu Iti, and Motu Kao Kao.

That evening we were treated to a great BBQ with whole fish and steak and lots of fresh vegetables along with a local band and dancers. The food was again fantastic, and it was so much fun. I slept very well in my comfortable bed.

We awoke on our final morning for another tremendous breakfast while the staff picked up our luggage, and then checked out. We enjoyed some free time to wander around town and visit another market. I saw many things that I wanted to do had I more time: scuba dive, learn to surf, and fish.  I particularly would have liked to ride on horseback up to the highest point on the island, but there was no time! Then it was off to the airport for the epic journey home.

All in all, Easter Island is a totally amazing, unique place. I recommend a minimum 4 night stay to allow enough time to relax and just enjoy the resort as well as all of the activities the island has to offer.

Getting there: the flight from Miami to Santiago is 8 hours and 20 minutes. (Quite a haul, I would recommend business class!) Then after a layover of a few hours in Santiago, a 5-hour flight out to Easter Island arrives in the morning. There are now daily flights from Santiago due to popular demand. You are picked up at the airport upon arrival (it’s pretty small, not difficult to find your driver!) and driven about 10 minutes (8 km) to the lodge.

Are you a top-selling Independent Travel Advisor who is ready to take your career to the next level?  Are you eager to deliver Virtuoso value and amenities to your clients?

Cruise the Nile with celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten with our compliments
when you affiliate with ATG by October 31, 2008.

Our unique hosting program for luxury travel consultants offers flexible compensation plans and the opportunity to sell exclusive product your clients can't book online - or anywhere else!

Discover the difference for yourself when you travel as our guest on a 4-night Nile River cruise with celebrity chef Jean-Georges. This unforgettable ATG Elite tour, escorted by Travel + Leisure-recommended Egypt specialist Malaka Hilton, includes all manner of special perks and insider access along the way.  Click here for complete tour details.

Contact Robert Tynan, Director of Global Recruitment and European Development, to learn more about this once-in-a-lifetime Nile River experience and the many benefits of affiliating with ATG or click here for more information.

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Board Chair Lou Marinaccio
Welcomes Admiral Travel Gallery to Lakewood Ranch

Malaka and Ryan Hilton, owners and principals of Admiral Travel International, Inc., announce the launch of Admiral Travel Gallery’s concierge travel services at MGA Commerce Plaza in Lakewood Ranch.

Lou Marinaccio, president of MGA Insurance Group, is pleased that ATG has chosen this location to bring to Lakewood Ranch residents its portfolio of exclusive tours and custom travel services. "This is a welcome addition to the Ranch and we are thrilled and honored to have them," he said.

“We’re very excited to be joining our good friends and business partners here in Lakewood Ranch,” states Malaka, who organizes The Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club’s annual culinary tour with Chef Tommy and Jaymie Klauber of the Polo Grill and exotic photographic journeys with commercial photographer Carlton Grooms of Big Bamboo Adventures.

ATG’s ‘concierge service’ will offer clients the convenience of meeting at the time of their choice, right in their own back yard.  Travel specialists will come to your home, meet at your favorite restaurant or welcome you in a private reception area to their state of the art conference facilities at MGA, which provide a perfect space for small group presentations and gatherings.

As young entrepreneurs and renowned experts in travel, the Hilton’s are eager to engage area businesses, residents and social organizations with experiences that break the mold of what affluent travelers have come to expect from a luxury travel agency.  “We are the only Virtuoso agency in the Ranch,” states Malaka. “We’re eager to welcome new travelers to experience the Wow-factor with us in Egypt, Africa and other worldwide destinations – to really see what’s possible when you go with the right people.”

Named the "single best travel professional for Egypt" by Travel + Leisure magazine every year since 2003, Ms. Hilton is recognized throughout the world for her knowledge and the insider experiences she arranges for clients in Egypt. She earned similar distinction from National Geographic Traveler in 2004.

Condé Nast Traveler has recommended Ryan Hilton for his extensive knowledge and expertise in South African safaris every year since 2002.  A native Zimbabwean and prolific wildlife photographer, Ryan grew up in the wilds of southern Africa and was formerly a guide in one of South Africa’s premiere game reserves.

Of course, ATG’s unique travel experiences are not limited to the African continent. Their portfolio of custom escorted tours spans the world. Exclusive programs include retracing Winston Churchill’s footsteps in Morocco with his granddaughter and noted author Celia Sandys, tracking gorillas in the mists of the Rwandan hillsides, attending an Iron Chef-themed dinner at Roy’s Tokyo with your host and escort Chef Roy Yamaguchi and dining at the base of the Pyramids on a meal prepared by world-renowned restaurateur and chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. 

Members of ATG Elite, the company’s exclusive travel club, earn points on these and other far-flung adventures that may be redeemed for future travel. For details, visit www.admiraltravel.com or call 941-907-2858.

For more information please contact:
Kimberley Mancini, Director of Strategic Alliances
Admiral Travel Gallery
Phone: 941.951.1801 or 888.722.3401
Email: kmancini@admiraltravel.com

Click here to view our Summer 2008 Newsletter.

Place deposit on the following cruises by May 30, 2008 and receive promotional discounts listed below.

Silversea's new expedition ship, the Prince Albert II
Rates will never be this low again! Receive a 10% discount on any of the below sailings:

Jun 12, 2008                 18 day             London (Tower Bridge) to Tromso

Jun 30, 2008                 12 day             Tromso to Tromso

Jul 12, 2008                  18 day            Tromso to Reykjavik

Jul 30, 2008                  16 day             Reykjavik to St. John's

Aug 15, 2008                10 day            St. John's to New York

Sep 1, 2008                  16 day             Fort Lauderdale to Acapulco

Sep 17, 2008                12 day             Acapulco to Los Angeles

Sep 30, 2008                12 day            Los Angeles to Acapulco

Oct 12, 2008                 22 day             Acapulco to Valparaiso

Nov 3, 2008                  11 day             Valparaiso to Ushuaia                                
 

Two Crystal Cruise Offerings
Pay with your American Express Platinum card and receive shipboard credit in addition to the incentives below.

Athens to Rome on Crystal Serenity
Departs October 06, 2008 - 12 days

*Receive one free night in Athens at the Royal Olympic (or comparable property).

 
Caldera to Miami on Crystal Symphony
Departs February 05, 2009 - 11 days
*Receive a 2 night PRE PACKAGE in Costa Rica for all Penthouse bookings and above (CAT A and B receive one night.)

Regent Seven Seas
Choose a complimentary helicopter tour in Monte Carlo, one complimentary night at the St. Regis Grand (or similar) in Rome, one complimentary night at the Royal Olympic (or similar) in Athens or shipboard credit of $500 per cabin.

Rome to Athens on Seven Seas Navigator
Departs August 16, 2008 - 14 days

Contact us to reserve. 

Turkey with Chef Roy Yamaguchi, Antarctica for Photographers and the Dramatic Landscapes of New Zealand

Click here to view details. 

Click here to view ATG's Kids FREE to Egypt offer.

Click here to view ATG's Spring 2008 Newsletter.

Are you looking to expand your passion for travel into your professional life?  Join the ATG team and open the door to the world’s most intriguing destinations and cutting edge travel opportunities.

“The benefit of affiliating with our company is the opportunity to experience the world the way our clients do,” explains ATG Owner and President Malaka Hilton.  “Our partnerships and friendships with top suppliers all over the world allow us to extend VIP status, upgrades and other special amenities to our clients as well as our affiliates and staff.”

ATG Advisors have recently visited the Bahamas, Belize, Botswana, China, Egypt, Hong Kong, France, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Myanmar, Singapore, Tahiti, Tanzania, Thailand and Vietnam on familiarization, educational and escorted departures with the industry's top suppliers - Silversea, Crystal, Sea Dream, Regent as well as the World and the Christina O.

ATG Advisors who escort group departures experience once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunities alongside our clients.  Recent experiences include private wine tasting and dining with Salvatore Ferragamo at the family estate in Tuscany,  watching Il Palio horse race in Sienna from a Contessa's private flat, cruising the Yangtze River, attending red carpet events at the Cannes Film Festival, attending cooking demos and private dining with menus created by Chef Roy Yamaguchi in Cape Town, at the Pyramids of Giza and onboard Sea Dream Yacht Club.  

Those interested in blending their love of travel with their career aspirations are encouraged to contact Malaka Hilton for more information: email Malaka@admiraltravel.com or phone 941 951 1801.

Do you specialize in niche luxury markets? Admiral Travel Gallery is currently recruiting experienced luxury Travel Advisors for part time and full time positions in our Downtown Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch locations. 

Work with our team of inspiring travel professionals to grow your career to the next level. In addition to Virtuoso amenities and benefits, ATG Advisors access the hottest ‘wow factor’ experiences available in luxury travel. 

Benefits include competitive compensation, flexible scheduling and amazing travel opportunities. Preference is given to established Cruise, Spa, Golf, Destination or Group specialists.  Contact ATG Owner/President and CEO of Exclusive Product Development Malaka Hilton for more information: email malaka@admiraltravel.com or call 941 951 1801.

What better way to learn about the exclusive product, signature service and amazing on-the-ground experiences ATG provides for clients than to witness them first hand? 

ATG Owner and President Malaka Hilton is demonstrating that she’s serious about recruiting the best-of-the-best by treating the first new members to join her team to choose between her “Mal Factor” Egypt tour escorted by celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten or an amazing tour of the highlights of Turkey escorted by celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi. 

Click here to view Cairo and the Nile River with Guest Chef Jean Georges.

Click here to view Turkey with Chef Roy Yamaguchi.

Discover why Malaka has been named the top Super Agent for Egypt by Travel + Leisure every year since 2004, and then share the experience with your clients!  

Contact ATG Owner/President and CEO of Exclusive Product Development Malaka Hilton for more information: email Malaka@admiraltravel.com or phone 941 951 1801.  This signing bonus offer expires March 31, 2008.

Looking for a dynamic, high-energy position in the up-and-coming Main Street shopping and dining district in Lakewood Ranch?  Join our team of creative, inspired travel professionals as the “glue” that holds this luxury office together. 

The Administrator will be responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the office and oversee technological operations for our team of in-office and remote Travel Advisors.

The ideal candidate must be well-organized with impeccable client service, communication and computer skills.  Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications is required as well as the ability to quickly learn software specific to the travel industry such as Trams Client Base, Trams Back Office and Sabre.

Interested parties are encouraged to contact ATG Owner/President and CEO of Exclusive Product Development Malaka Hilton for more information: email malaka@admiraltravel.com or call 941 951 1801.

Click here to view ATG's Winter 2008 Newsletter.

Click here to view ATG's Summer 2007 Newsletter.

Click here to view ATG's Spring 2007 Newsletter.

Click here to view ATG's Winter 2007 Newsletter.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sarasota, FL (January 4, 2007) On Sunday, January 28th, Hawaiian-Fusion Chef Roy Yamaguchi will welcome guests at Sarasota’s Roy’s location, 2001 Siesta Drive, for a 7 p.m. four-course Wine Dinner celebrating the late September trip he will be escorting to Egypt with Malaka Hilton of Admiral Travel Gallery. Guests who reserve space on the departure are also invited to attend a private Wine Reception with Chef Roy and special guest Salvatore Ferragamo, who will be serving his signature Il Borro reds.

Roy Yamaguchi and Salvatore Ferragamo will each be escorting unique exclusive departures with Admiral Travel Gallery in 2007.

Roy’s Egypt departure is based in Cairo and includes a three-day Nile River cruise from Luxor to Aswan, featuring a kick off dinner at Medinat Habu temple and Roy’s culinary touches onboard Abercrombie & Kent’s Sun Boat IV. Guests will experience a rare opening of Queen Nefertari’s tomb, named among 50 ‘one of a kind’ lifetime experiences in Condé Nast Traveler’s December 2006 issue, spend a day in the desert with Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities and meet former Egyptian first lady Jehan Sadat at a private reception in her villa overlooking the Nile.

The trip concludes with a tented Bedouin-style farewell dinner on the Giza Plateau where the Pyramids will serve as a dramatic backdrop to Chef Roy’s cuisine. Salvatore Ferragamo will attend the dinner in Cairo to present his Il Borro wines.

The upcoming Egypt departure builds on the success of Roy’s 2006 safari to South Africa, led by Admiral Travel Gallery co-owner and Safari Specialist Ryan Hilton.

Beginning August 27, Chef Roy welcomed 25 travelers in Cape Town, South Africa for a nine-day tour, which included the sights of Cape Town, visits to South Africa’s most elite wineries, magnificent dinner presentations crafted by Roy in conjunction with notable South African chefs and a four-day safari at Singita, South Africa’s preeminent destination for big game viewing, adjacent to Kruger National Park.

“I’ll really miss the Singita days and nights,” said Chef Roy at the conclusion of the trip. “I had such a great time with this group; I would love to travel with them again next year.”

This year’s Egypt departure is organized and presented by Malaka Hilton, owner and CEO of Exclusive Product for Admiral Travel Gallery, who has been recognized as Travel + Leisure’s “SuperAgent” for Egypt each consecutive year since 2003.

For the past two years, Malaka has been developing her line of ‘exclusive product,’ which she describes as, “over-the-top experiences that are all about the ‘wow-factor.’ It’s much more than going to exotic locations and staying in luxurious properties,” she continues. “My travelers are meeting influential people and accessing special places that leave them with memories and experiences they will treasure for a lifetime.”

A trip to Italy hosted by Salvatore Ferragamo is also slated for her 2007 Exclusive Product lineup. Salvatore first escorted ATG clients on a trip to Tuscany in 2006, which featured a stay at the Ferragamo family’s private villa of Il Borro and a rare opportunity to view Sienna’s famous bareback Palio horse race from a Contessa’s private apartment overlooking the Piazza del Campo. The trip was so popular, Malaka decided to repeat the experience one last time in 2007 for those who missed out on her initial offering. Beginning June 24, guests will spend ten days in Italy, with stays in Tuscany, Rome and Florence.

Salvatore, grandson to the famous shoemaker with the ultimate last name in fashion, manages the family’s estate at Il Borro and is passionate about the wines he crafts there. "I truly enjoy spending time with the travelers that Malaka brings to Tuscany,” says Salvatore. “To share valuable experiences such as the Palio with her guests is always a pleasure."

Guests who register for “Cruising the Nile with Chef Roy” or “Classic Italy Featuring Il Palio Hosted by Salvatore Ferragamo” are invited to meet their hosts at a private reception to be held at Roy’s prior to the Wine Dinner, whose guests will also have the opportunity to meet Roy and learn more about traveling with him to Egypt.

For more information, please call Admiral Travel Gallery at 941-951-1801. Reservations for the Wine Dinner with Chef Roy are available on a first-come, first-served basis through Roy’s (941 952-0109); however, priority will be given to guests who have registered to travel with him to Egypt. To learn more about these unique travel opportunities, please visit www.admiraltravel.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sarasota, FL (January 2, 2007) Last December at International Luxury Travel Market based in Cannes, France, Virgin Galactic, in conjunction with Virtuoso, proudly announced the travel consultants who will train to become “Accredited Space Agents” – the first and only consultants in North America allowed to reserve seats aboard Virgin Galactic’s suborbital space flights. Ryan Hilton, internationally renowned Safari Specialist and co-owner of Sarasota’s Admiral Travel Gallery, is among an elite group of 45 consultants in North America selected for this unique accreditation.

To date, the world has seen fewer than 500 astronauts, but with the launch of Virgin Galactic spaceflights that will soon change. Together with Virgin Galactic, Virtuoso’s “Accredited Space Agents” are poised to turn the dream of going to space into a reality for their clientele. The once-in-a-lifetime experience includes Astronaut training, ‘G force’ acclimatization and a sensational spaceflight lasting over two hours.

At $200,000 per ticket, Virgin Galactic’s flights are a mere fraction of the $20 million price tag associated with other commercial space tourism. And while Virgin Galactic’s technology makes space travel more attainable for the general public, it takes a talented and skilled luxury travel consultant to sell a trip to space.

“As a Virtuoso consultant, Mr. Hilton embodies the adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit needed to represent Virgin Galactic,” said Carolyn Wincer, Head of Astronaut Sales for Virgin Galactic. Ryan’s passion for space travel, combined with his talent for selling unique experiences, makes him an ideal candidate for this new level of space tourism.”

As a part of this select group of consultants, Ryan will go through a comprehensive education program in his quest to become an “Accredited Space Agent.” Training will take place in early 2007 and, once accredited, he can begin reserving seats, with the first flights launching in late 2008. Overall, Admiral Travel Gallery will make a five-year commitment to the program, which includes marketing and sales support in addition to training.

Matthew Upchurch, CEO of Virtuoso, added, “By becoming an ‘Accredited Space Agent,’ Ryan and the Admiral Travel Gallery team continues to set itself apart, reinforcing its position as an innovator in the life experience business.”

Click here to view ATG's Fall 2006 Newsletter.

LAS VEGAS, NV – Today Virgin Galactic announced the appointment of prestigious travel company, Virtuoso, as their exclusive retail travel group in North America, promoting commercial space tourism to the North American market. A select group of Virtuoso’s elite members will go through a comprehensive training program with Virgin Galactic to become “Accredited Space Agents,” making them among the first travel consultants in the world endorsed to reserve seats on Virgin Galactic spaceflights, due to launch in late 2008. Together with Virgin Galactic, Virtuoso’s member consultants will help make the dream of going into space a reality for their affluent clientele.

Selected for qualities which mirror Virgin’s values and complement Virgin’s experience in aviation, quality travel and adventure, Virtuoso’s member consultants will be the first – and only – travel agents in North America to gain full accreditation, enabling them to offer their clients a unique, three-day Virgin Galactic space adventure. This once-in-a-lifetime experience includes Astronaut training, ‘G force’ acclimatization and a sensational spaceflight lasting over two hours.

Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Group, said, "Today’s announcement is exciting. It makes space travel even more accessible for the general public, who will now be able to simply contact their trusted Virtuoso "Accredited Space Agent" to reserve a Virgin Galactic ticket into space. They may even find themselves being flown into space by Virgin Blue or Virgin Atlantic pilots, who are currently training to fly the Virgin Galactic spacecraft."