I have always enjoyed planning my own adventures and felt it would be amazing to help customers tick off their bucket list destinations, celebrate a special occasion, or even visit a new destination that I’ve visited myself and can therefore answer questions they may have. 

 

I live locally and worked in the same building as the Ongar shop when it was Barclays Bank. I have been married for 10 years and love spending time with my husband and family at our holiday home by the coast. I love to read books and enjoy going running when I get the chance.   

Each day brings new knowledge, and every day is unique, and incredibly rewarding. Providing exceptional customer service and witnessing repeat customers return is a wonderful feeling.

Most memorable holiday?

Our Borneo Orangutan & Rainforest Adventure last June, in celebration of our 10th wedding anniversary, was truly unforgettable. We initially thought the highlight would be meeting an orangutan at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, but we quickly realized how mistaken we were. Each day offered its own thrill, packed with adventures that included not only observing orangutans at the sanctuary but also spotting a wild pregnant female orangutan building her nest by the riverbank.

We enjoyed river safaris where we saw pygmy elephants, the smallest elephants in the world, feeding on the long grasses along the bank. A nighttime expedition at the Rainforest Discovery Centre revealed wildlife we had never encountered before, such as flying squirrels, a flying lemur, a small green viper, and a slow loris!

We will always cherish our stay at the jungle lodge, listening to monkeys jumping on the roof throughout the night, as well as our time at the tea plantation, which offered breathtaking views. It was an extraordinary wildlife experience on a momentous occasion, and we even planted our own tree as a lasting tribute to this once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Where to next?

I am heading to Cape Verde in May for a relaxing beach holiday. This will be my third visit to the beautiful island of Boa Vista. In June, I'm embarking on my first-ever cruise, a short trip on a Royal Caribbean ship from Southampton to Bruges. I can’t wait to try something new!

Then in October, I have booked another first—our first self-drive trip to Canada. I can't express how excited I am about this next adventure; I've wanted to visit Canada for a long time, and I'll finally be exploring Banff, Lake Louise, and Emerald Lake.

Lastly, I've scheduled a South Africa safari for 2026. I have a deep passion for wildlife and can't wait for our second safari—the first being nearly 15 years ago in Kenya, where we got engaged. It will surely bring back wonderful memories, and hopefully this time we will spot a rhino, one of the Big Five that we missed in Kenya.

Top travel tip?

Plan your days to get the most out of holidays and adventures and, if you have time, do an idea of an itinerary. That could be booking those must-do excursions or attractions, to booking that one bar or restaurant you really want to experience.

If I had to pick one destination…

I think Italy would be a great choice - I love the architecture, food, the wine of course, and the people. I hope to visit Italy much more in the future but I have high hopes for Canada too!