… penning a book called ‘101 Amazing Adventures of the World’
POPULAR British film producer and creative director, Russell Malkin, visited Guyana last week to explore our unique offerings as ‘Destination Guyana’ will be featured in his new book called ‘101 Amazing Adventures of the World.’
During the four-day visit along with photographer Victoria Morton, the intrepid adventurer, who came through neighbouring Brazil, visited Guyana’s premier tourist attraction Kaieteur Falls, Dadanawa Ranch in the Southern Rupununi and Surama village in North Rupununi, accompanied by Wilderness Explorers tour guide, Luke Johnson.
Malkin has produced and directed three motorcycle adventure television documentaries: Long Way Round, Race to Dakar, and Long Way Down, featuring Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor.
He also founded the television production company Big Earth and spent 20-years successfully putting together international events and expeditions, including award-winning television programmes such as The Long Way Round.
Malkin said he was approached to put together an inspirational adventure book so that people can be inspired to go out and have their own adventures, and as such, is chronicling ‘101 amazing adventures of the world’.
He said the idea is to browse through the book and come up with inspirational ideas which are slightly different and unique.
The book is expected to be released during March/April next year.
Certainly captivated by Guyana, the adventurer at heart said he doesn’t think that many people have truly discovered what Guyana has to offer.
Guyana captured his attention at the 22nd annual British Birdwatching Fair in Rutland Water, England, last month, and he was encouraged to come after meeting with Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Director, Indranauth Haralsingh, and Coordinator of National and Other Events within the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Avalon Jagnandan.
Malkin’s mentioned the vaqueros (cowboys) which is great, because it is very unusual to see the traditional cowboys.
He said to experience this, getting to Dadanawa ranch, which was once the world’s largest cattle ranch, turned out to be an adventure.
He said riding with the vaqueros was very exciting, and watching the cattle and experiencing the ranch life was a great experience not normally available to tourists in such raw form.
The accomplished expedition leader said the trip to Surama was another epic journey for them, and the idea of the eco-lodge being run by the village is fantastic. They learnt about survival techniques after spending a night in the rainforest.
Malkin and Morton also got the opportunity to take part in Surama village Amerindian Heritage Month celebrations and experience the lifestyle and customs of the indigenous people.
“It was a good adventure and exciting. It was unique and that’s what I was looking for,” he said.
He also noted that Guyana is a friendly and safe place with a nice combination of adventure and eco-tourism.
Referring to the majestic Kaieteur Falls, he said it is unbelievably unique, and he described it as probably “one of the most stunning natural sites I have even seen anywhere”, as it is completely untouched surrounded with amazing carpets of pristine rainforest.
Malkin, who won a Broadcast Award in 2005 (Best multi channel programme) for his work on Long Way Round, by the industry journal Broadcast, said he would like to come back and camp near the waterfall.
He said everyone has got a bigger choice now than ever before, and not everyone has the confidence to go and try something brand new; so the “book is about showing them that this is possible and to reassure people that you can get outside your comfort zone…”
He said Guyana is quite different from all the other countries he has seen in South America, and a plus is being an English-speaking country, and everyone is genuinely very friendly.
Deeming Guyana a fascinating country with much to explore, he said it is certainly one of the places they would like to visit again.
Morton, who also does the videoing and assists in the information gathering, said each experience was interesting and diverse.
She said the communities have been very inspiring and she praised the conservation projects that are going on, pinpointing Surama as being very unique and organised in its efforts.
Morton said they will be talking about Guyana in a very positive way when they return to the United Kingdom.
She was also captivated by the Kaieteur Falls, summing it up as “absolutely spectacular and unique, and spiritual.”
She alluded to the country’s amazing wildlife, noting that it will be a really interesting place to come as an alternative to somewhere, like going on a safari in Africa.
She said it is different and that makes it appealing to a younger generation as well, because there is a blend of great people, adventurous environment, and lots to learn.
“Guyana, I think, is setting an example around eco-tourism more than they probably realise,” she opined.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad, said  ‘Destination Guyana’ continues to attract more and more attention, with its immense ecological and adventure tourism potential, and that travel stories such as this will help raise the destination profile and create more awareness for Guyana.
He said this is part of his ministry and GTA’s aggressive strategy to create more awareness about Guyana’s tourism product, and they will continue to encourage and attract more international travel writers, filming crews, and host familiarization tours.
Guyana has been featured and highlighted in various international travel magazines and shows, such as the BBC’s three-part series, ‘The Lost Land of the Jaguar’, and popular United States reality television show ‘Reel and Birding Adventures’.
While Russell is off exploring the earth, you can follow all of his adventures with videos, blogs, and picture on www.bigearth.com, and on twitter and YouTube.