I walked my dog along the quiet small town street. The spring had not brought the leaves from their buds yet.
The night sky was clear and the meteor shower was in full play.
I was transported in a split second from my nightly dog walking duties, from my life as mom and provider, from the weariness felt after a long day, to another place, another time.
Suddenly once again, the great meteor shower as seen from the Tibetan High Plain came to life- as if I was there still. I remember standing with my co-adventurers, eyes wide with amazement, as the stars shot clear across the entire night sky. Not trailing out immediately but lasting a full sky’s worth of glory. From our high altitude plateau one could almost touch the sparkler tail. Our “oooh’s” and “ahhhh’s” rivaled any Forth of July crowd response back home, as did the star’s play rival any fire works show I’d seen before. We didn’t retire to our tents that night for a long time.
Suddenly, back home on my street, leading the dog, I walked on… turning the freshened memory over in my mind. A gem uncovered from my subconscious, gifted to me by my old self on a past Private Journey.
Gift yourself a gem. Take a Private Journey for future’s sake.

Can you guess where this picture is taken- for it is a clue to our latest and greatest addition to our palette of wonderous journeys.

If you’re stumped, the answer will be disclosed in our new, fabulously visual website which contains gobs of
new images of YOU (our clients and fellow explorers) captured during one of your “where in the world” moments!

…all of this and the unveiling of another exquisite destination coming soon!

Happy New Year from Private Journeys!

I’ve just put the finishing touches on the itineraries for 2012: Private Journeys will hosting two trips each to Kenya and Patagonia. We’ll ring in 2012 with a January women’s trip to the Futaleufu river in Patagonia, Chile, followed by a February men’s Fu adventure. Then we’re doing Kenya two ways: a family safari in August and a women’s journey in October. I posted the full itineraries on my website. Let’s talk! – Diane

Meet the real road warriors on a family safari to Kenya in August, 2012!

For me, some vacations go by in a blink of an eye, but I am keeping the memories of this journey very close. My boots are by the back door still touched with volcanic ash, I’ve come to know my backpack has better organizing pockets than my purse and I’ve caught myself deeply breathing in the campfire smell that lingers on my wool hat.

Patagonia is such a magical place. I had seen pictures on the Internet, but words cannot describe the beauty there. It was wonderful to be in the company of the mountains, the river, the amazing guides and the other women.

On the hike to Tree Tops camp, I was animated with emotions and would burst into song:  I sang river lyrics, songs about long roads, songs about being “so excited.” Looking down on the river (such a pure turquoise color), I was overwhelmed and thought, “How fortunate am I to experience this?” Every breath, every heartbeat and every step was so full of life.

Earth River’s co-owner, Robert Currie, and the other guides made me feel like I was a strong hero every step of the way—up and down. They  were relaxed, smiled confidently and had thorough explanations of each sporty challenge. I could feel how passionate they are about their jobs.

When I came home and started planning the spring menu for my restaurant, it struck me that the trip to the “Fu” was like a great recipe: Combine a group of women of different ages from different places who seem to already know each other; put them in one of the most spectacular places on earth, add phenomenal world-class guides, delicious local food and wine; season with a dash of adventure here and there; and stir it all up in a wood-fired hot tub after a full day of action, unbelievable experiences and a whole lot of laughs.

This journey truly filled me up. It was much more than I had expected and I can’t wait to go back in 2012. – Chris

ps. Chris and Diane are hosting a get-together at 101, Chris’s restaurant in Rowayton, CT, on Wednesday, April 13 at 7 pm. Everyone is welcome! Please bring a friend and join us to learn more about Private Journeys’ 2012 adventures.

On the hike to Tree Tops, Chris was inspired to sing and savor the view.

Time to paddle--but first, a little dancing on the rocks.

So many smiles! Robert and Chris before the climb up to Knife's Edge.

Chris is a small-business owner, a mom, a wife -- and a happy adventure traveler!

In my mind I keep seeing the beauty of Patagonia and hearing the frogs, the birds and the roaring of the water. It is difficult to describe the impact of this trip—how it changed me and my sense of adventure and gave me confidence that I can still put myself out there and enjoy the thrill and the physical challenge. The opportunity to explore something new with nine incredible women and experienced, dynamic guides is a gift and a luxury. Spending time out of doors is so important and so liberating.  How incredible to be able to take a trip like the Fu! – Maud

Maud made the first trip on the traverse over Zeta, a roaring Class VI rapid.

Over the edge!

Maud gets her thrills and a faceful of spray; she's at the front of the boat on the left.

This was my third consecutive year on the Futaleufu with Private Journeys.  Why did I go back? I didn’t need a reason!  The only thing I hadn’t done on the previous two trips was the cliff jump: I was so afraid before and couldn’t bear to even look over the edge. Each year I said to Diane, “Looks like I will have to come back next year to do it…”  Now I have done the cliff jump and have lost my excuse to return but I will still go back to the Fu anyway, it is a magical place.

Of my three trips, this was the best: The river was just right in terms of water level and dynamics. Our last day on the river was wildly exciting and adrenaline charged. You paddle through each challenge the river throws at you and they are many and varied: Sometimes there is no water at all and you are paddling air because the boat is raised up on your side; sometimes the water is heavy—really heavy like treacle and you feel the pull on your arms and shoulders; at other times the water is so soft each paddle stroke is as gentle as combing a baby’s hair.  The rapids come and things get serious—you get tossed around a little, you get soaked right through and you get to feel more alive than you ever have before.

When I think of the Fu I think of the bluest blue water and the effervescent quality of it, those champagne bubbles rising to the surface.  It is a perfect and pristine playground.  But always, the best part about these trips is the people I meet and the many experiences we share. – Danielle

Danielle puts a paddle in it: the bluest blue, effervescent, full of champagne bubbles.

Third time's a charm: Danielle jumped off the highest point.

Danielle and Lynn shared memories of the river at Hotel Casa Real.

Traveling with Cathy, my friend of 30 years, was so special as we have not spent that much time together since we were in high school. So many times during the trip we would just look at each other & laugh–we laughed a lot! Having that much time with so many wonderful women was priceless!

There were several times that I went from terror to exhilaration. I was paralyzed on the top of Knife’s Edge! I really did not know how I was going to get off that 330-foot rock! I was terrified before I traversed Zeta and experienced sheer exhilaration as I paused in the middle and hung upside down over the gorgeous Futaleufu River. I didn’t even allow myself to think before jumping off the cliff: I just moved forward and went for it, a pure leap of faith! All I remember was looking into Rayno’s beautiful blue eyes as he said in that fabulous South African accent, “Go for it Suzanne! You can do it!” Those guides can get you to do just about anything! One reassuring look from GI Joe (Robert) and next thing you know you are stepping backwards off a cliff….–Suzanne

Suzanne and Cathy, dressed for dinner on the first night of our journey in Chile.

"One reassuring look from Robert and the next thing you know you are stepping backwards off a cliff!"

Sure she was nervous, but Suzanne let go and let it fly over Zeta, a Class VI rapid.

Chile in January is a sensual delight–the height of summer!  This year getting out of the U.S. was no picnic: A snowstorm dropped 18 inches of snow on New York just hours before many of us departed. When Cathy Fleming found that even a four-wheel drive vehicle couldn’t navigate the snow drifts on her street, she threw her duffel bags on a sled and mushed her way to a waiting car. Within hours we were dropped into a world of rainbows, ripening fruit and evenings of never-ending twilight.

Within hours of landing in Santiago, everyone was lounging around the pool at Hotel Casa Real.

At Hotel Casa Real, fresh fruit is everywhere--on trees, on dining tables and in bowls in each room.

What a destination! Tree Tops camp is at the edge of this high mountain lake.

Hiking up to Condor Mountain from Tree Tops, Leslie and Suzanne found a rainbow.

Summer flowers and twilight frame the Zeta rapid at Cave Camp.

There’s no holding back–on this trip, all of your senses are engaged. From the first sips of wine and the feeling of sun on your skin to the thrill and shock of jumping into the Futaleufu during the flip drill, everyone is in full contact with the environment. “Every breath, every step, every heart beat is so alive,” said Chris McGee after she jumped into the river four times. Maybe that vibrancy is what pulls people back to this trip again and again: Four of the ten travelers on our journey were veterans, returning for another week of fun on the Fu.

Lunch on the patio, then a wine tasting, then more hours at the pool. This is delicious!

Lunch in Cave Camp, never lacking in variety or appeal.

The water of the Futaleufu is the "bluest blue, effervescent, champagne quality," says Danielle.

Cathy pauses mid-traverse and gets a face-full of spray from Zeta.

Guacamole, apple and meat empanadas, red wine, pisco sours, beers--everything is tasty!