Biography
ENLARGE
Jonathan has a background in archaeology and completed his masters degree in 2001. It was this career that first got him travelling to all corners of the world. Tempted by the opportunity for a gap year he travelled the world with his wife (another member of the Audley team). Together they crossed Russia, South East Asia and Australasia but it was South America that really won Jonathan over. The journey included Argentina, Chile (including Easter Island), Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. Two years in the wine industry followed before he joined Audley and since then he has returned to Chile and Argentina developing a passion for the remote wilderness on offer which has been extended with multiple trips to the Falklands and even on to Antarctica and South Georgia. Continuing a theme of wildlife destinations he has also visited Costa Rica to seek out the quieter spots of that beautiful country.
My Most Memorable Experience
"Like all of us at Audley I have been incredibly lucky with the travelling I have done in my life but there is one moment that will always stand out for me and that was in South Georgia. This tiny island in the South Pacific, only reachable by boat, is one of the most beautiful places on earth and carries with it an air of greatness left by names like Ernest Shackleton and Tom Crean.
At St Andrews Bay you have several hanging glaciers, a wonderfully long beach and the only signs of human occupation is the remains of a tiny research hut from the 1950's.
However, despite the lack of people St Andrews bay is far from deserted; this is home to some 500,000 king penguins and the barrage on the senses is immense! They are wonderful birds with almost no fear of anything so while the rules say that you should stay five meters away there is no chance of doing that. I walked for nearly half a mile with an entourage that consisted of five king and two gentoo penguins!
To add to the penguins there is a large colony of elephant seals that add to the noise and confusion. I will struggle to beat that day."
My Favourite Destination
"Imagine a place where four miles of pristine white sand is completely deserted, dolphins are playing in the surf and Peregrine Falcons are hunting in the wet lands behind you. Not far away there are thousands of penguins as well as black browed albatross, giant petrels and king cormorants.
Sounds good? Well, it really only gets better! Pebble Isand lodge is run by Allan and Jacqui who are not only incredibly welcoming but astoundingly knowledgable about the island that is there home. They will ensure that whatever your interest, be it wildlife or history, you will see all that there is.
It may not be the most glamorous destination but, for me, it is certainly the most unforgetable."
My Favourite Accommodation
"It is no secret in the office that I like the remote spots of the world, so anyone here would not be surprised at all that my favourite hotel is on the shores of the Magellan Straits and is only reachable by zodiac.
It is not a fancy affair as you'd expect given the location but there are plenty of five star luxury hotels in the world and not one that I have experienced has the character or atmosphere of Hosteria San Isidro.
Just half a dozen simple rooms mean there are never many people here and that is a great thing.
Days can be spent paddling in kayaks around the stunning coastline, or going out whale and dolphin spotting in slightly larger zodiacs.
If you like a good trek then you can get to the very tip of the American continent before it breaks up into islands. Alternatively you can simply relax and watch albatross and giant petrel skim the water.
After sumptuous Patagonian meals the generator is turned off and you can gaze at the immaculately clean night sky.
This is all about the great outdoors but at the end of the day there is always a clean and comfortable room to return to."