Get Inspired
Here is how I get inspired
It feels a little like an AA meeting…. I might be addicted.
Hello, my name is Fiona
I have a problem, I like to read and read and read.
I am a BOOK-A-HOLIC.
I like a good yarn and interesting facts
I like to learn why and how….
I am a sticky-beak at heart, looking into the ways of our wonderful world and her people.
I justify my addiction as being useful for our tours. Finding the stories that leads us into new adventures. At heart, I am a just a curious person.
Here is a small list of good reads I have found….. this is just a few suggestions and always wildly out of date….
Getting in the mood…
A little bit of preparation will enhance your anticipation for the coming journey and enrich your experience.
May we suggest raiding the local library and video store for whatever you can find covering our locations- travel guides, histories, cook books, movies all will start to develop some insight into the counties we are visiting.
Get Inspired -some links to help you .
India
Africa
Andalusia & Morocco
Central Asia & Syria
Vietnam
Romania
Inspiring Travel Journals
Ibn Battutah The Travels of Ibn Battutah. Edited by Tim Mackintosh-Smith. In 1325 Moroccan Muslin scholar Ibn Battutah set out to see the world. It took him 29 years to do so, this yarn of his adventures is witty, full of insight into the medieval world and gossip. My hero! what a traveller!
Opal Whiteley The Singing Creek where the Willows Grow. Journal of a young nature writer, inspiring observations of her world, her wonder is inspiring as a way of greeting the world for any traveller.
Chet Raymo The Path- a one mile walk through the Universe “tongues in trees, books in running brooks, sermons in stones and good in everything” so said Shakespeare. Raymo draws these threads together in this wonderful observation of his local way.
Basho Narrow Road to a Far Province translated by Dorothy Britton. 17th Century pilgrim poet Basho undertook a perilous journey, he kept a diary of his journey in prose- poetry and wrote a haiku per day.
Richard Bernstein Ultimate Journey-Retracing the Path of an Ancient Buddhist Monk who crossed Asia in Search of Enlightenment. Highly regarded in both India and China Hsuan Tsang traced the journey of Buddhism from China back to India. He set our in 629 looking for TRUTH, to settle what he called the “perplexities of my mind.” Richard Bernstein, turned 50 and retracing this journey was on his must do list, this tale tells of his journey and re-tells Hsuan Tsang’s. Great read
Travel and new experiences- general
Elizabeth Gilbert Eat, Pray, Love- Especially what she has to say in the first section is a great primer for experiencing new places.
a few book ideas…. so many more to read
blogs about inspiration
Creative Arts Safaris offers craft, textile and travel sketching tours to exotic locations.
We offer fully escorted small group tours and travelling workshops with respected tutors.
On tour we like to get our hands dirty taking workshops, exploring locations and culture. We include lots of local experiences as well as visiting iconic sites.
Crafts, travel sketching and textiles are our passion.
Our friendly groups are inclusive. They are companionable and well organized allowing a relaxed adventure, great for solo travellers.
They include pickup & drop to airport, accommodation, group travel, sightseeing, workshops, and most meals. Almost everything EXCEPT the shopping – that is your job. Help the local economy.