What is your favorite travel memory?
My favorite travel memory has to be Machu Picchu in Peru! Peru is a wonderful country with really friendly and fun people, lots of traditional culture still celebrated, beautiful nature, great food and of course the amazing Inca historical sites which are all so well respected and preserved.
Machu Picchu was a beautiful experience for me, traveling from Cusco as a trek to the site through the countryside of cocoa, coffee, and avocado plants! Then of course the Machu Picchu site itself which is in such a uniquely beautiful and breathtaking location high in the mountains with deep valleys all around and amazing views! Its an incredible feeling!
I also climbed up Machu Picchu mountain to see the site from the top to appreciate how well and cleverly it was made in the shape of a Condor! Amazing!
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
My traveling style has changed. There are so many wonderful volunteer opportunities offering experiences and interaction with local people, local nature, and local wildlife that my travels have become more than just restaurants, bars, and famous monuments.
I can now access rare places untouched by tourism, see daily life and culture first hand and of course enjoy all the beautiful natural wonders without crowds and development and have close interaction with enchanting local people plants and animal species!
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
I would love to take part in the Environmental Conservation and Protection on the Galapagos! Wow! What a unique opportunity to spend time in one of the most untouched and natural places in the world. Where the patterns of evolution can be seen, understood and experienced in a way not possible anywhere else.
Then to also help protect, nurture, see and learn about some of the rarest and wildest species of flora and fauna in existence. All with great weather, beaches, volcanos and so many activities available! Sign me up…
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
Authenticity. When we are true to who we are and work in a way which is aligned with our core values, then work feels like fun and is passion.
When the people within a company feel good about what they contribute to and how they do it, then the company is happy and any volunteers and staff are all aligned in their purpose and also feel happy. This creates a wonderful atmosphere and experience for all.