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EXCESS BAGGAGE
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19ÌýJanuaryÌý2008
AND
The Republic of Congo, often called Congo Brazzaville to distinguish it from its neighbour the Democratic Republic of Congo on the southern side of the Congo River, is a country not much visited by tourists.
Despite a civil war ending as the new century started, peace has brought little in the way of infrastructure for visitors and it is only intrepid travellers who venture up the rivers to observe the wildlife like forest elephants, gorillas and chimpanzees.
John McCarthy talks to two women this week on Excess Baggage who have had very different experiences of this fascinating but little known land. One is an aid worker involved in humanitarian relief in the wake of the war and the other, one of the first tourists to visit the reserves that have now been set up to conserve the local wildlife.
John also meets the man behind a travel company which links up the visually impaired with sighted partners to go on trips to far flung destinations. Once there they experience activities that appeal to the senses other than sight; cooking, dancing, music and more active pastimes like para-gliding and sky jumping – as well forming bonds that last much longer than the holiday.
That’s Excess Baggage with John McCarthy at 10am on Saturday.
Presented by John McCarthy
Photo: Western lowland gorilla
This week’s guests:
Cassie Knight lived and worked in Congo Brazzaville from 2001–2003, managing a humanitarian aid programme in the aftermath of the 1999 civil war. She has written a book about her experiences which tells of witchcraft, sorcery and superstition.
Brazzaville Charms: Magic and Rebellion in the Republic of Congo
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Publishers
ISBN - 10: 0711227985
ISBN – 13: 978 0711227989
NickyÌýis a travel writed and has spent many years working in different places round the world. She was involved with the Scientific Exploration Society, working on elephant projects in Burma and on a water provision project in Nagaland in northern India.
Nicky is fascinated with wildlife, particularly gorillas and managed to join an experimental trip to Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic to trail gorillas.
Amar is the founder and director of ‘Traveleyes’, the world’s first international air tour operator specifically dedicated to serving blind as well as sighted travellers. In founding this ground-breaking enterprise, he set out to challenge the commonly held assumption that visually impaired travellers need to accept restrictions on their travel aspirations and achievements.
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| PRESENTER BIOGRAPHIES |
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John McCarthy is a widely travelled journalist and presenter with a particular interest in the Middle East.
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