Chris's imagination was initially captured by Latin America on a family holiday to Venezuela as a teenager. His passion for travel eventually led to him taking a career in the travel industry, and it was almost inevitable that he would find his way to Latin America and Peru, where he worked for a tour operator for a year and followed this up by travelling around the continent extensively.
After taking a break from the travel business, during which time Chris gained experience running a bar in Spain, working for a charity, and studying toward a degree in international studies, he is back doing what he loves best and is working for Audley.
Chris's return to Latin America has taken him through Central America extensively, including Cuba, Mexico, Costa Rica, and most recently, Honduras, Guatemala and Belize.
As soon as I set foot in Havana for the first time I knew was going to love it. It's a city that quite literally moves to its own beat, where it's not unusual to see a full jazz band performing to punters in a bar on a Tuesday afternoon, and where the beautifully restored and the delightfully crumbling buildings are of equal importance to the character of the city.
Bosque del Cabo is my favourite place to stay in Costa Rica. It is located high on a cliff top overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Golfo Dulce on the remote and beautiful Osa Peninsula.
This laid back lodge has a friendly feel to it and you can often see the owners Phil and Kim, chatting to guests and sharing their knowledge of the area. The thatched cottages are simple but stylish and the range of activities is extensive, ranging from relaxing birding tours to surfing.
The Quetzal is one of the most beautiful birds in the Americas.
Part of the Trogon family it has bright green, blue and red plumage and long tail streamer feathers. The bird lives high up in the trees in the cloud forests of Costa Rica and can be difficult to spot. Fortunately, my expert local nature guide Roberto had a keen ear and was able to identify the call of the male and track down the branch on which the quetzal was perched. With the aid of Roberto's scope I was able to view this wonderful bird in its natural habitat.
Certainly one of the highlights of my trip.
