Biography
ENLARGE
After completing a degree in History of Art, Debbie began work in marketing and merchandise. A year later, she left her job to take her first adventure in Peru, Bolivia and Chile.
Back to reality, Debbie continued where she left off with her career in London. Inspired by her passion for all things Latin American - especially the dance and the music - she took breaks whenever possible to visit the part of the world she fell in love with. She partied at the Carnival in Olinda, salsa danced around Cuba and ate 'mole' in Mexico.
Since joining Audley, Debbie has visited a variety of areas in Brazil and also spent time in Buenos Aires. Highlights include surfing on Lopes Mendes beach in Ilha Grande, wildlife spotting on horseback in the Pantanal and stopping at deserted beaches in the north east of Brazil on a self drive adventure.
In her spare time, Debbie can be found swimming in rivers, or day dreaming about her next trip to Latin America!
My Most Memorable Experience
Not one for early mornings, I can still say that one of my most memorable experiences was watching the sunrise in the Amazon. We woke early and took a canoe out in the pitch black. The sounds of the Amazon are magical and I have never before felt so close to nature and so far away from the hustle and bustle of real life.
We paddled out and waited for the sun to rise. The monkeys and birds are louder than I would have imagined. To sit in the canoe miles away from a city I felt totally immersed in nature.
My Favourite Destination
Ilha Grande is the perfect beach destination. It's about a 3 hour drive from Rio and then a small boat takes you to the Island. As you get closer you can see the striking green colour of the sea. Its beaches are stunning, and the interior of the island is a tropical rainforest - where I saw my first monkeys!
The island is dotted with a variety of lovely pousadas all a stone throw from a beautiful beach or set in the hills overlooking the sea. There are many laid back bars here where you can enjoy a caipirinha in the evenings and totally relax.
My Favourite Accommodation
Uxua Casa is located in the Quadrado, the main square, in Trancoso, Bahia. I stayed in the Casa da Arvore which is a tree house set in lush tropical gardens. Whilst having the luxuries of being in a hotel; a relaxing lounge area, a beautiful pool made from quartz stones and a bar and restaurant, when you are in the tree house you feel totally secluded set up in the trees with the sounds of the birds and the monkeys.
The house is made from local recycled wood and has a traditional thatched roof. Although the style is very rustic, it has some luxuries that will take you by surprise. And if this isn't enough, the service here is exceptional.