#ThrowBackThursday Mongolia's Ghosts of the Mountain
Thank you Kenya's One Way
#SafariSaturday Great Day at Osan Air Base Fall Market!
Thank you to all who attended.
Loved meeting so many people enthusiastic about African Safaris!
Great Juneteenth Celebration at Camp Humphreys, South Korea! #celebratefreedom #safari #wildlifeconservation
Great event at Camp Humphreys Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) Festival!
#ThrowbackThursday As the Queen's Jubilee Trooping The Colour Approaches Fondly Remembering Our Stay at the Cavalry and Guards Club
Cavalry & Guards Club Water Bottles London, England©Flyga Twiga™ LLC.jpg
Thanks to my wonderful husband, a few years ago we had the privilege of staying at the historic Cavalry and Guards Club in London.
A reciprocal of the Army Navy Club in Washington, DC, the Cavalry and Guards Club is a “Gentlemen’s Club” Notable members include King Abdullah of Jordan, the Sultan of Brunei, and Prince William.
Insider scoop: The Club is truly a “Gentlemen’s Club”. Women aren’t allowed in Geoffery’s Bar until after 6:00 pm.
Congratulations Queen Elizabeth II
on her Platinum Jubilee!
Water Bottles from the Cavalry & Guards Club©Flyga Twiga™ LLC
Feeling super energized, motivated, and inspired after tonight’s event. Thank you The Explorers Club NYC!
#SafariSunday Honored to again be a Delegate at Dubai Chamber Global Business Forum Africa - GBFA
GBF Africa is bringing the trade and investment community together to explore opportunities between Dubai and Africa.
The landmark African Continental Free Trade Area agreement (AfCFTA) came into effect in early 2021, creating the world’s largest free trade area—a key step towards Africa controlling its own destiny. The UAE also responded decisively to the crisis, quickly moving to reopen and adapt for the future. What synergies exist between the UAE and Africa, and how can the relationship between the two regions drive progress to realize a shared vision for the future? GBF Africa, building on its reputation as an essential forum for senior government, business, and finance leaders, will look closely at how Africa is responding to current challenges—particularly those presented by covid-19 and examine the role of innovation, collaboration and, above all, trade-in enabling solutions.
#GBFAfrica2021 #Expo2020 #Dubai
UAE Sunset © Flyga Twiga™ LLC
Happy Lunar New Year! Thank you ArmaSkin for Again Honoring Me as an Ambassador!
Lunar New Year 2021 ©Flyga Twiga™ LLC
Deeply honored to again be asked by the awesome company Armaskin to be an Ambassador!
Looking forward to many, many new adventures in the new year!
#TravelTuesday Thanks USPTO for the Swift Trademark Renewal. See you in another 5 years!
#TravelTuesday As Saudi Arabia Opens Up for Tourists - Interior Ministry Announces New Public Decency Regulations
Photo courtesy of the Royal Commission for AlULa (RCU) supplied by Center for International Communication, Ministry of Media, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Exciting times for Saudi Arabia!
As Saudi Arabia opens up for Tourists, the Interior Ministry has announced new Public Decency Regulations and Penalties. These Regulations may be found here.
Most of the Regulations are common courtesy, a decent traveler would adhere to at home or abroad. Of those specific to an Islamic country, many of the Regulations will be familiar to anyone who has traveled in Middle East or Africa.
For instance, “not taking pictures or videos, without permission, people, traffic accidents, crimes, or other incidents” is a common politeness in traveling throughout the world, but legally enforced in the Middle East and most of Africa.
One offense I found interesting and had not noticed during my travels in the Gulf States, is “playing music during prayer times.” Which, of course, makes sense.
If you would like further information, Saudi Arabia has created a beautiful website for Tourists. And, with my deep love of Middle Eastern Culture & Architecture, I can’t wait to visit!
Have a great Travel Tuesday!
Saudi Arabia will be host to the Dakar Rally in January 2020. Photo courtesy of the General Sports Authority (GSA), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Excited and Honored to be Invited to Attend Global Business Forum Africa Hosted by Dubai Chamber UAE
2019 Global Business Forum Africa
Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Global Business Forum Africa (GBFAfrica) encourages international revenue flows into Africa by engaging leading decision-makers on the global investment scene. The Forum will involve prominent African stakeholders to engage in a dialogue at the highest level of implementation.
فعالياته يومي 18-19 نوفمبر المقبل، تحت شعار "أفريقيا الغد، نماء المستقبل"، مشاركة رفيعة المستوى من رؤساء دول أفريقية، و17 وزيراً أفريقياً، وعدداً من كبار المسؤولين الحكوميين ورؤساء كبرى المؤسسات الاقتصادية الأفريقية والعالمية، بجانب عدد من كبار الشخصيات الاقتصادية ورواد الأعمال من مختلف دول القارة السمراء، وذلك لبحث سبل التعاون الاقتصادي وتعزيز نمو الأعمال ومناقشة مختلف القضايا المتعلقة بالتجارة والاستثمار المشترك.
ويشهد المنتدى الذي يعد من أبرز منتديات الأعمال العالمية حضور فخامة جورج ويا رئيس جمهورية ليبيريا، وفخامة داني فوري رئيس جمهورية سيشل، بالإضافة إلى عدد من الوزراء وكبار المسؤولين الحكوميين والشخصيات الاقتصادية في أفريقيا.
We are ready to welcome heads of state, 17 ministers, high-ranking government officials and prominent business leaders from Africa to our 5th Global Business Forum on Africa, on November 18-19. Among the high-level attendees taking part in #GBFAfrica2019 are: H.E. George Weah, President of Liberia; H.E. Danny Faure, President of Seychelles; and 17 ministers from Sierra Leone, Ghana, Namibia, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Senegal, Uganda, Malawi, Congo, Tanzania, Niger and Liberia; as well as high-level public and private sector stakeholders from several other African countries, including former heads of state, CEOs, entrepreneurs, industry experts and economists. Under the theme “Scale Up Africa”, the forum will highlight the important role of cross border cooperation in supporting and accelerating’s Africa’s next phase of sustainable economic growth and development.
#TravelTuesday Super Excited to be Selected for the Atlantis Sand Dunes Experience WTMA19 Fam Trip
Amy Millican Dessert Safari ©Flyga Twiga LLC
World Travel Market Africa (WTMA) Offers The Best Fam Trips
And Always Sees That I Am Challenged.
How Exciting!
BRIEF ITINERARY
The Atlantis dunes are one of Cape Town’s premier adventure hotspots. These ever-changing pure white sands offer the perfect opportunity for adventure seekers.
TOUR OUTLINE
Visitors will have an opportunity to choose from
• Quad biking
• Sand boarding
• 4x4 rides
• Guided walks of the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve where one can get to enjoy this city’s natural area and biodiversity heritage
After the activities International Hosted Buyers can be treated to an African inspired lunch at the African themed Moyo restaurant at Eden on the Bay.
Can’t Wait!
See you in Cape Town, WTMA!
Happy March! An Amazing Shout-Out in March 2019 Military Spouse Magazine by Communikait - Thank You!
#TravelTuesday New Safari and Exceptional Experiences for 2019 - Happy New Year!
Amy Millican Is Changing the Way Travelers View Africa - AzureAzure Magazine Feature
#TravelTuesday I did something I swore I'd never do again - and loved it!
Turbus © Flyga Twiga LLC
The History
Back in 2009, I found myself on a bus in Tanzania, headed to Swahili Language School in Iringa. The bus flew around hairpin curves, going well above the speed limit, with no brake bars on the side. I promised myself that if I got back to Dar es Salaam (in one piece!), I would never, ever take a long distance bus again.
Well…fast forward to the end of 2018, nearly a decade since that promise to myself, and where do I find myself? On a long distance bus in Chile!
Long Lines at Calama Airport © Flyga Twiga LLC
The Options
While planning our unusual getaway to Chile, we had our hearts set on going to San Pedro de Atacama. In fact, I booked lodging reservations before even firming-up how we’d get there from Santiago. Unfortunately, I quickly realized a “Road Trip” was simply out of the question. 26+ years of marriage has given us the blessing of knowing each other’s travel limits. Mine include avoiding 8 hours a day of driving in a country to which we had never been.
While we could have flown, our instincts were proven right when we got to the Calama Airport to pick up our truck for the short drive from Calama to San Pedro. While my husband had flown from JFK to Santiago on Aerolíneas Argentinas, I had flown Emirates from Seoul via Dubai. This included the 20 Hour transit via São Paulo, Brazil. A regional puddle jumper was not how I envisioned spending our vacation.
Turbus Machine Chile © Flyga Twiga LLC
What to do?
While preparing for the trip to Chile, I had begun listening to Podcasts about the country. One good one was Passport Joy. In their podcast they mentioned how the wished they had taken a bus. Their description of the bus and the excellent infrastructure in Chile made me question my complete ban on long distance buses. And I am so glad I did. We found Turbus!
Calama Bus Terminal © Flyga Twiga LLC
Turbus Chile
In less than 24 hours, you can board a bus in Santiago and be in Calama, the closest large town to San Pedro. If you book Premium – you are given a Layflat Seat, a comfortable pillow and blanket, and time to relax and enjoy the trip to the Atacama.
Light snacks were provided on the bus, with an occasional “local” hopping on and off to sell Empanadas. But, most importantly, it gave us time to acclimatize, in our attempts to avoid Altitude Sickness. While I had thankfully never experienced Altitude Sickness, in 2004 during a vacation in Sante Fe, New Mexico, my husband had. We knew to be extremely cautious.
And, sure enough, sitting on the bus, gradually ascending to the Atacama, religiously drinking water we had brought with us, we thankfully were not stricken with Altitude Sickness. We credit that in part to taking the bus.
View from Turbus Lower Level Window © Flyga Twiga LLC
Would I do it again?
In a heartbeat. Chile has long distance bus travel down. This was an extremely relaxing way to traverse the extraordinarily long country that is Chile. My husband and I had a chance to chat, enjoy being with each other, and try something we had not done together in our 26+ years of marriage – take a long distance bus ride together.
So, I did something I swore I would never do again and loved it. Thank you Turbus and Chile for such a great experience!
View from Our Window On the Way to San Pedro de Atacama on Turbus © Flyga Twiga LLC
Happy Independence Day Kenya!
Kenya 55th Independence Day Celebration © Flyga Twiga LLC
A wonderful evening at the Grand Hyatt Seoul celebrating the 55th Kenya Independence Day. Honored to be invited by the wonderful Ambassador Gello. An evening of warmth and friendship celebrating the truly magical Republic of Kenya!
Kenya Independence Day Invitation © Flyga Twiga LLC
Deeply Thankful to Kait Hanson for Featuring Me in Military Spouse Magazine
Twiga Kenya © Flyga Twiga LLC
So deeply grateful and honored to be featured in
December Issue of Military Spouse Magazine.
Written by the awesome Kait Hanson @bykaithanson, the Article can be read here, with hard copies hitting the shelves soon.