Who We Are

 

Doug Walker Joan Daynard
Tour Manager
E-mail: group@ettravel.com

 





After graduating from Victoria Hospital in London, I worked as a nurse at Henderson General and McMaster University Clinic in Hamilton, and at the American Embassy in Nairobi. I have lived and worked on a sheep/cash crop farm near Staffa, and was involved in an agricultural ventilation business as well as raising two children. I took a travel course at Westervelt College, and then worked as a travel agent for Ellison Travel for five and a half years.

I have travelled extensively in Europe, including Russia, Scandinavia, Estonia, Turkey overland to India via Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, lived and worked in Kenya and travelled throughout Southern Africa. I've also explored North America, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bali.

I have a passion for all aspects of nature from flowers, trees and birds to the stars. I enjoy canoeing, hiking and camping - having done a 13 day wilderness canoe trip in Algonquin, kayaked 3 days in Abel Tasman National Park in New Zealand, hiked the Chilkoot Trail in Yukon, as well as Routbourne, Kepler and Stewart Island tracks in New Zealand.

Some of the highlights of my travelling life are: sunrise over the jungle from a Mayan pyramid in Tikal, Taj Mahal at sunrise and full moon, swimming with sea lions in Galapagos, a month spent among the incredible wildflowers of Western Australia, wildebeest migration in Serengeti, sailing and snorkeling in the Whitsundays, whales cavorting near the beach in W.A., 21 grizzly bear sightings in one day in Denali, camping along the Dempster Hwy in Yukon, sunrise on the Himalayas in Nepal, turtles laying eggs on a beach in Costa Rica, the dawn chorus in Africa, Ayers Rock at sunset and sunrise, stars in the clear air of many deserts, interaction with and welcoming smiles of the local people in various countries, sampling ethnic food and wine, and trying to communicate in various languages with interesting people.

I have enjoyed escorting groups to Europe, New Zealand and in Canada.

Travelling is full of excitement, joy and unexpected 'Wow' moments and I look forward to sharing memorable travel experiences with fellow travellers.