Lion taming in South Africa!

Hey!

Just back from South Africa where I was lucky enough to come into very close contact with a couple of lions (and actually hold one in my hand!!). Lucky for me it was a baby and so it hadn't quite developed the skills to eat me... which was nice! - Click here for some lion piccies and a few South African ideas. And for all those considering a gapyear in S.A? All I can say is do it - you'll love it!

So what's in this issue?
South Africa, America, stuff to do in the sun and a round up of this summers' festivals in the UK. Also thanks for the feedback about the newsletter becoming too long, this month we have cut it down. Hope you like it! If you have any more feedback about gapyear.com or this newsletter, click here.

2003 gapyear census: Have you been counted yet? click here.

Best of luck with your revision, exams, or anything else you are up to...

Peter 'Lion Tamer' Pedrick
Founder and Director
www.gapyear.com

gapyear.com notices - get involved:

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  Click here >> and read how to get involved.

Here's some ideas for you...

USA: Adventurebus
Tour around some of the most beautiful national parks in the USA. What can you do? Mountain bike, canoe, hike - you name it!
Read on >>

A2b in the USA!
America is a big old place. If you are planning on touring this beast of a country we have some ideas for you.
Read on >>

Monkeys, lions and leopards with i-to-i:
Get to grips with the 'Big Five' (lion, buffalo, leopard, elephant and rhino) Trek and Raft in the Drakensburg Mountains and hike through the wild-coasts of the Transkei.
Read on >>

South African 'Pick and Mix' - gapyear placements
Following my trip to S.A. I have put together a round up of some awesome placements.
Read on >>

Guide to Summer Camps in the USA!
Jambo has been there, done that and got the t-shirt on several occasions - so if you are planning on going to the US to take part in a Summer Camp read this!
Read on >>

Member Focus - Member departures this month:

Farewell to Chris and Alison!

Name: Chris Sadler Where are you going:South Africa, SE Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Mexico. Is Chris heading your way? Click here >> to read a bit about Chris.

Name: Alison Fraser
Username: wholenutter
Where are you going: San Francisco, Tahiti, New Zealand, Samoa, Australia and Singapore.
Is Alison heading your way?
Click here >> to Private Message her.
Click here >> to read a bit about Alison.

Travelmate Classifieds PEOPLE SEEKING A TRAVEL MATE...

Click here >>to go to Travelmate Classified page - you will find details and contact information for all the people mentioned above.
Click here >> to head to the 'Find a travel mate' messageboard.

People looking to meet others worldwide

Where and When: August 2003, Sydney, Australia
Who: klegnutcity Read more

Where and When: SOON! Wellington, New Zealand
Who: Susisannah Read more

Where and When: June 2003 onwards! Bahamas/Fiji/NZ/OZ and more!
Who: Richard Read more

Click here >> to go to the 'Meet up with others overseas' classifieds
Click here >> to go to the 'Meet up with others overseas' messageboard

Wish you were here...New*

AndyU, Japan - 'been in Japan now for nearly 3 months and I`m still completely in love with the place. It strangely seems like home......
Click here >> to read more

Member get-togethers

Where is the next get-together?
Date: 19th/20th July or 26th/27th July
Location: Alton Towers
Details: More than 10 people have confirmed they are going, so if you are free and want to hang out with a few people that have travelled/are going travelling and have a laugh then get your name down.
Organiser: Jambo
Click here >>for details of this get together

Gappers diaries

[Put pointer over pictures to see their details and usernames -
click on them to go to their diaries]

Click here >> To see all the gappers diaries on gapyear.com

Have your say...

Should the UK join the single european currency?
Click here >> vote/comment on the current Survey.

SARS - did it make you change your plans?
Click here >> to see the results from last months survey.

Sun, sand, sea and sensible behaviour?
If you're planning a bit of a summer getaway then here are a few options - remember to get travel insurance, use sun cream and suitable contraceptives!

Just down the road - Newquay, Cornwall If you don't fancy leaving the UK then Newquay is a great option for a beach holiday - If you want to try a bit of surfing then head to Fistral beach or if you just want to chill then why not check out the Eden Project.

Getting there - Regular train, bus links from all over the UK. You can now fly in with Ryanair/easyjet from London.

Click here >> for information on backpacker accommodation
Click here >> for information on the Eden Project

A bit further afield - Ibiza, Spain (Balearics)

If you want to spend days on the beach and nights partying then this place has your name on it!

Getting there - Easyjet have regular flights from London Stansted from about £100 return - but there are cheaper options available, check out cheapflights.co.uk - I found 7 nights accommodation and flights in Ibiza for only £99 on Lastminute.com

Click here >> for travel information for Ibiza
Click here >> for Clubbing information in Ibiza

Travel kit: gapyearshop.com
Got everything you need for your trip? No? Why not use the wish lists to create a list of all the kit you will need before you leave the country?
Take me to gapyearshop.com >>

Goto: Wishlists in the gapyearshop.com
Goto: Gift ideas in the gapyearshop.com
Goto: Backpacker kit lists in the gapyearshop.com
Goto: www.gapyearshop.com

Advice guides
Take me to a list of ALL the Guides >>
Quick guide to travel preparation
Guide to choosing, buying and packing a backpack
Guide to understanding, choosing and buying insurance
Guide to budgeting
Guide to fundraising

Before You Go

First book by Founder of gapyear.com, Tom Griffiths

Written with wisdom and humour...if you have an urge to travel you should read this book. Michael Palin.

Having trouble getting started? Need some tips and advice on packing, parents, hitchhiking, travelling alone, hostels and embassies, blah blah blah? Then this is the book for you.

Site review: FANTASTIC READ - of all the books on gapyears I've read this is the best. Daveybaby2000
Take me to 'Before You Go' >>

The Virgin Travellers Handbook

Second book by Founder of gapyear.com, Tom Griffiths

From buying your equipment through to information on the top 50 backpacker destinations, this book gives answers to all the questions you can think of. Will certainly get you started and so is highly recommended.

Reader review: ...heading to Brisbane tomorrow, have been away 3 months now and loved every second of it. Reading your Virgin Travellers' Guide a couple of years ago was the inspiration for doing this, and I just wanted to say thanks! Nicki Kyle..

Sir Richard Branson says: Tom's message is clear - nothing is ever achieved by staying at home and it's up to you to shape your own future. This book will certainly help you achieve that. His energy and enthusiasm is infectious and, being of the same age as his readers, my hope is that his If I can do it, you can attitude will tempt many of you to pluck up the courage and take that final step

Take me to 'The Virgin Travellers' Handbook' >>

GapyearInsurance
NoWorriesInsurance.com:A specialist youth travel insurance created by Columbus Direct, the UK's largest travel insurance company and the team at gapyear.com.
Take me to NoWorriesInsurance.com >>

Buy online
To save you time and money we have put together the top companies in each area for you to shop around, rate and review. Click here for insurance, visas, meet & greet, calling cards, foreign exchange etc.
Take me to the One-Stop-Shop >>