Msafiri Issue 181 - Oct-Nov 2023

There's a lot to celebrate in this issue of msafiri. At the end of October, we celebrate five years of connecting Nairobi to New York via our nonstop flight. About 1700 flights in, we have flown 300,000 passengers and 6,000 tonnes of cargo. Thank you for choosing us! We are also delighted to have expanded our codeshare partnership with Delta Air Lines, offering you more options to connect with no fewer than 57 cities across the US and Canada and 31 destinations in Africa. Additionally, we are pleased to announce the upcoming reintroduction of flights to Bangkok as part of our ongoing commitment to increase connectivity between Africa and Asia. There's more great news! I'm also pleased to report that our 2023 half-year group results recorded a 56% increase in…

1 EXPLORE THE GRAND PALACE AND WAT PHRA KAEW Embark on a cultural journey by visiting the iconic Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew). Admire the intricate architecture and stunning mosaics that reflect Thailand's rich history and spirituality. 2 WANDER THROUGH CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET With over 8000 stalls, you can find everything here from clothing to handicrafts and delicious street food. 3 CRUISE THE CHAO PHRAYA RIVER Take a leisurely boat ride along the Chao Phraya River to admire the city's stunning skyline and historic landmarks. You can also visit various cultural sites located along the riverbanks. 4 EXPERIENCE THE FLOATING MARKETS Visit traditional floating markets like Damnoen Saduak or Amphawa where boats sell everything from fresh produce and handicrafts to Thai treats. 5 INDULGE…

For starters, have an honest conversation with your family about long-distance parenting. Let them know the nature of your work and how family dynamics will be affected. Ask them to be honest about their feelings. And while you're away, keep your phone lines open 24/7. Try as much as you can to be in the loop concerning the lives of your loved ones. 1 PLAN HOW TO DO LONG-DISTANCE PARENTING But don't plan alone. Do it with your family and support systems. If you're a single father, who will look after your children? If there's a family member who needs regular hospital visits, how will this happen? Plan how you will communicate with your children's teachers to know how they're doing. Life must go on. Who will take care of your…

01 Inspiration I wanted to raise awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including climate action, good health and wellbeing. 02 Prepare mentally Mental preparation offers personal transformation, attitude revamp and enriching experiences. Engaging loved ones early on is crucial since the climb requires being away for about two months with inherent risks. Climbers must set realistic expectations and brace themselves for a rollercoaster of feelings, navigating through extended periods of intense activity with fleeting moments of respite. 03 Physical training I had a rigorous two-year training regimen leading to the Base Camp journey in 2021 as a preparatory step for the ultimate summit attempt. Training for Everest requires at least 8-12 months of intense physical and mental endurance, including cardio and physical fitness gym sessions, aerobic training, swimming and high-altitude mountain…

01 BE SELFISH You may be employed by someone or by yourself. You may be part of a project that is working towards changing the world for the better. You may be the intern, the head of a department, or the CEO of the company. Whatever your work situation or title is, to be successful at it, you must be selfish. You must think of yourself and whether what you are working on aligns with your purpose, passion and goals. You see, many people are stuck at being mediocre because they just got on the bandwagon of earning and stayed there. The job or contract may be paying the bills, but if it does not feel right for you, chances are you will not excel and be successful at it. If…

Wetland ecosystems cover a small percentage of the earth's surface, yet they are critical to life support systems and host 40 per cent of the world's biodiversity. Healthy wetlands can help solve global challenges such as climate change, human health, biodiversity and water security, yet they are often overlooked in national planning. Q WHAT ARE WETLANDS? The two general categories of wetland are inland and coastal wetlands. Inland wetlands are most common on floodplains along rivers (riparian wetlands); in isolated depressions surrounded by dry land; along the margins of lakes and ponds, and in other low-lying areas. Coastal wetlands are linked to estuaries where seawater meets freshwater. Mangroves have adapted to this environment. Q WHAT DOES WETLANDS INTERNATIONAL EAST AFRICA DO? We are a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation and…