November 2015

We've talked about Viajes Tuareg Photography and Video Competition on other occasions: like proud parents, we always find a good excuse to bring it up in conversation. This time we want to show you some of the photographs arriving in our inbox to encourage you to take part. You probably already know how to submit your entries, the requirements and the competition rules. So let’s enjoy some of the images that, after an initial selection, we will present to the jury for the 2015 competition.

Last week we had the pleasure of attending the presentation of the International Tourism Communication Awards #PICOT2015 in Madrid. There we meet representatives, colleagues and personalities who lead the world of tourism and travel in Spain. Viajes Tuareg could not miss the event, especially its first edition.

Our partner in Viajes Tuareg Joan Bartomeu has just returned from his trip to Sri Lanka and brings us fresh photographs of this beautiful Asian destination.

On his trip, he visited important temples and palaces listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, saw Asian elephants in their natural habitat in national parks, and ended his journey with a well-deserved rest on the secluded, idyllic beaches of the south coast.

We have asked Joan to answer the questions we normally ask our customers after a trip. And we've added some more that don't appear in the satisfaction questionnaire usual. We are keen to hear his thoughts on the trip and find out more.

Near Erta Ale volcano (‘smoking mountain’ in the Afar language) lies Lake Afrera. Its waters do not quench thirst, as it is a salt lake, but its minerals are a source of wealth. Water is channelled to its shores, where it evaporates, leaving fine white salt of the highest quality in the Danakil. Millions of years ago, the entire Danakil Depression was a vast sea. As it evaporated, it left enormous salt deposits, which are a source of wealth today.

It is worth visiting the salt workings to see the grid lines marking each property. After the salt flats, our next destination is Erta Ale volcano.