What we’re about
Welcome to the group! Houston is HUGE and only getting bigger. So for newcomers it is a daunting task to do anything. For locals...well they tend to stay in their local community and not venture out much. This group will explore familiar haunts along with periodically checking out some new areas of interest. We're always looking for new Assistant Organizers with new/fresh ideas. If you are willing to host events, please email me with your ideas. I would love to hear from you!
Should you need help finding a home, I would love your help you. Just message me and I'll get back with you promptly.
All the best,
Nermine, Realtor®
ThisPrettyHouse@yahoo.com
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Ultimate Botswana Safari & Best of Cape Town, South Africa!Kanisa Road, Arusha
May 10th - May 19th
Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club ( http://www.photoflytravel.com/ ) have put an amazing, unbeatable Botswana safari combined with the best parts of Cape Town in South Africa!
E-mail joinus@photoflytravel.com for the DAILY ITINERARY!
Sign up here: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/botswana-okavango-safari-cape-town-group-tours/
It’s clear we just can’t get enough of Africa based on everyone’s requests and how quickly these trips are filling up! This is a trip designed to experience the finish line of Africa's greatest migration - the Okavango Delta! Millions of animals and hundreds of species find their way to this part of Botswana to soak up the waters revealed annually by natural flows.
After several days of luxury safari, the trip continues to South Africa's tourist paradise - Cape Town. The city is one of the most popular places to visit on the continent. Expect to enjoy dramatic coastline, vibrant city life, historic sites, Table Mountain, and a trip west of the metro area along the world-famous garden route.
This is going to be a photo dream trip in style with luxury boutique accommodations, all-inclusive in Botswana, plenty of included activities, and so much more!
Email us to see the daily itinerary at joinus@photoflytravel.com
- 9 nights/10 days of Botswana safari and South Africa touring
- All-inclusive Botswana, 4 lunches & 5 dinners in South Africa
- Glamping and boutique properties throughout
- Wildlife: elephants, buffalos, antelopes, lions, leopards, giraffes, wild dogs, birding, and MUCH more!
- Multiple included flights
Botswana's Okavango Delta - 4 nights
"Welcome to one of Africa’s most extraordinary places. There is something elemental about the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Okavango Delta: the rising and falling of its waters; the daily drama of its wildlife encounters; its soundtrack of lion roars, saw-throated leopard barks, and the crazy whoop of a running hyena; and the mysteries concealed by its papyrus reeds swaying gently in the evening breeze." - Lonely Planet
From the luxury tented camp in the bush of the country, we'll be able to enjoy Africa's wild in total comfort.
- Daily game drives or other safari activities
- Private chef
- Incredible photo opportunities
- World-class animal viewing
- Local drivers & wildlife guides
South Africa's Cape Town - 5 nights
"A coming-together of cultures, cuisines, and landscapes, there's nowhere quite like Cape Town, a singularly beautiful city crowned by the magnificent Table Mountain National Park. And one can’t help but be seduced by the glorious natural beauty of the Garden Route. The range of topography, vegetation, wildlife, and outdoor activities is remarkable, not to mention the world-class vineyards & stunning beaches." -Lonely Planet
There is A LOT to see and do here, this is what we have planned.
- Cable Car up Table Mountain
- City highlights private tour
- Traditional cooking demonstration and lunch
- Harbor cruise to photograph seals
- Visit to Boulder Beach's penguin colony
- Kirstenbosch botanical gardens
After a few days exploring the city, we'll be heading west towards Hermanus along the world-renowned Garden Route finishing in one of the country's wine region.
- Abalone aquaculture tour
- Fernkloof nature reserve
- Wine tasting safari
- Beautiful scenery with photo stops
- All taxes, transfers, & fees included
- Airfare is not included, ask us for help. Flying into Maun International Airport (MUB) & out of Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
- Roommate pairing to save money
- Email us to see daily itinerary at joinus@photoflytravel.com
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Join Us!
*For our solo travelers I will pair you up with someone of the same sex unless single occupancy is requested.
Price: $5,695
Single Supplement: $1,550
Deposit: $600
Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/botswana-okavango-safari-cape-town-group-tours/
- Wonders of Japan!Tokyo, Tokyo
May 10th - May 19th, 2024
Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club ( http://www.photoflytravel.com/ ) have invited us to a one of a kind adventure throughout Japan!
E-mail joinus@photoflytravel.com for the DAILY ITINERARY!
Sign up at: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/japan-group-tours/
Our Japan group tours are chock full of diverse activities including unique cultural experiences, fantastic landscape & people photography, and all the beautiful temples and architecture which make Japan so iconic. E-mail us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!
- 9 nights/10 days throughout the highlights of Japan
- Breakfast Daily
- 1 Lunch, 3 Dinners (Welcome Dinner & Farewell Dinner)
Tokyo: 2 Nights
Everything that you have heard about Tokyo is true – and it is not. For if ever there was a city that you could not confine to one definition, this would be it. Tradition and technology stand side by side in this city that can be whatever you want to make of it.
Highlights:
- Privately guided tour throughout parts of Tokyo including Akihabara, Asakusa Kanon Temple, Sensoji Temple, Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku, and more
Takayama: 2 Nights
Mountains in Japan were once believed to be the sacred dwelling places of divine spirits. The Hida, Kiso, and Akaishi ranges, known collectively as the Japan Alps, rise majestically in northern Honshu.
Highlights:
- Privately guided tour throughout Takayama
- Takayama Morning Market
- Takayama’s Old Town
- Optional Hida Folk Village Tour
The Japanese Alps & Her Wonders; Stunning National Park Walk, Hot Springs, & Waterfalls
Highlights:
- Japanese Alps of Kamichochi
- Shinhotaka No-Yu Hot Springs
- Hirayu Great Falls
Hiroshima & Charming Miyajima Island: 1 Night
Hiroshima is a city that needs little introduction. Despite its tragic past, Hiroshima is now a bustling and vibrant city which has risen phoenix-like from the ashes. No visit to Hiroshima would be complete without sampling okonomiyaki, a Japanese savory pancake. While in Hiroshima we’ll take a ferry ride to Miyajima Island where the world famous Itsukushima Shrine is located.
*Privately guided tour of Hiroshima:
- Memorial Peace Park, Museum, & A-Bomb Dome
*Privately guided tour of Miyajima Island
– Vermilion Torii Gate & Optional Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima
Kyoto: 4 nights
Filled with tradition, Kyoto is the ultimate destination for anybody who wants to soak up time-honored Japanese culture.
Highlights:
- Privately Guided Tour of Kyoto:
– Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavillion)
- Okochi Mountain Villa
– Monkey Park Iwatayama
– Gion District (The Old Geisha Quarter) & Optional Geisha Photo Shoot
– Free time in Kyoto to explore on your own
– Fushimi Inari Shrine
*Japan is wonderful country to see by train and of course they are world famous for their advanced bullet train system. For many of our journeys between each city we visit, we’ll use this fun and efficient way to travel the country. This is one place where local public transit is a lot faster than using a vehicle!
- All transfers, rail tickets, transit passes, entry fees and activities as listed in the daily itinerary, & taxes included!
- Tour Leader and photographer to help those interested in photography throughout this Japan group tour
- International Airfare is not included. We are happy to help you find a good flight as always! (Flying into Narita International Airport in Tokyo (NRT) and departing from Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka)
E-mail us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!
Join Us!
*For our solo travelers I will pair you up with someone of the same sex unless single occupancy is requested.
Price: $3,895
*Single Supplement: $825
Deposit: $600
Go here to sign up: http://www.photoflytravel.org/japan-group-tours/
CST 2101181-40
- $$ Kayak Camping Skills Class | Includes One Overnight CampSam Houston National Forest, New Waverly, TX
$399 per adult | $209 per child <12 y old | Max 6 participants
Includes: instruction and premium kayaking and camping equipmentCLASS INTRO: Do you hate bugs, dirt, sleeping on the hard ground and eating gruel?
It doesn’t have to be that way. With the right planning and gear, kayak camping can be enjoyed in real comfort, if not luxury. More importantly, kayak camping offers a unique sensory experience.
At remote campsites there is peace, solitude, and the sights, sounds and smells of nature. This experience allows for a connection to nature that is second to none. In this environment all food tastes like a gourmet meal. Inexpensive wine seems like the finest vintage. Sunrises and sunsets are longer and more profound and intense.
CLASS OVERVIEW: This "Kayak Camping Skills Class" is designed for participants to learn the basic skills required to plan and prepare short overnight trips in coastal environments, rivers and near shore lakes. The participants will learn about proper equipment and how it is used, how to select a camp location, food transportation and preparation, and to follow leave no trace principals throughout the trip.
CLASS GOALS: By the end of this class, you will become a more confident and skillful kayaker and camper. Principles and skills learned in this class are transferable to backpacking, mountaineering, bike touring, and other outdoor travel/primitive adventure circumstances.
Duration: Morning to next day afternoon.
Paddling Distance: 5 – 10 miles roundtrip.
Paddling Time: 2 - 4 hours each day.
Land based training: 3 - 4 hours each day.CAMPING: Primitive camping is recommended for a deeper learning experience, but multiple camping options exist including car-camping with shower, restroom, drinking water, etc.
EQUIPMENT: Premium quality kayaking, backpacking and camping equipment is included with instruction. A list of what's provided and what you need to bring, itinerary and a course syllabus will be provided once you register.
CLASS TEACHING STYLE: all hands-on deck, "challenged by choice" philosophy.
BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction, expectations, and logistics | Personal preparation | Kayak camping and touring | The paddling environment | Trip planning and leadership | Equipment | Wilderness repairs and maintenance | Loading and trimming | Getting started | Paddling on large bodies of water | Safety and rescue | Dealing with hazards | Navigation | Making camp | Environmental concerns and practices | Conclusion and wrap up.
REGISTRATION: Minimum 3 students are needed to run the course, and capacity is limited to 6 participants. This is a rain or shine event. A waiver must be signed. This class requires a moderate fitness level and the capacity to bend (body flexibility/touch your toes test). Our sea touring kayaks can accommodate paddlers up to 250 lbs. and 40-inch hip/pants size.
NOT SURE IF THIS IS RIGHT FOR YOU? Take a look at our pictures:
2019 Winter Kayak Camping Buffalo River, AR
2020 Easter Kayak Camping Matagorda, TX
2020 Summer Green River Expedition, UT
2021 Winter Kayak Camping Matagorda, TX
2021 Spring Break Kayak Camping Matagorda, TX
2021 Fall Kayak Camping Matagorda, TX
2022 Kayak Camping Everglades, FL
CREDENTIALS: This course is taught Constantin Platon, an experienced outdoor educator, geology professor, and happy camper with 25+ years of experience, and the following current certifications:
ACA Level-3 Coastal/Sea Kayak Instructor
ACA Level-3 River/Whitewater Kayak Instructor
ACA Level-2 River Canoe Instructor (Solo & Tandem)
ACA Trip Leader & Eskimo Roll Endorsements
Sierra International Wilderness First Aid
NOLS Wilderness First AidPLEASE REPLY WITH YOUR PHONE NUMBER!
I am excited to share with you from my expertise, and I look forward to paddling together!
Constantin
Call/Text: 832-686-3231Do you have in mind a different drill, date, or destination?
Want to hire us for a corporate team building, birthday party or family engagement, or a Scouting event? Let’s get in touch!
Born to Paddle!
- Mother's Day Celebration Swamp Eco Tour & Kayak AdventureLake Charlotte, Texas, TX
It's a special day to honor and appreciate all the wonderful Mothers out there! Let's celebrate and create new memories! Take a guided kayak tour to one of the largest and most beautiful cypress trees swamps in Texas, enjoying the comfort of premium quality paddling equipment and the peace of mind provided by your experienced guide.
$199 per person includes premium guiding service and outfitting | 3-4 hour guided wilderness eco tour to explore a world-class quality bottomland hardwood forest and spectacular rookery wetland: Trinity River Delta | Lake Charlotte is a natural wonderland abundant in wildlife.
Small group size: minimum 4 - maxim 10 | Includes lecture on history, geology, geography, biology, specialized touring equipment to efficiently and stealthy cover distances, certified instruction and pictures.
Activity Duration: 4-5 hours
Paddling Time: 3-4 hours
Paddling Distance: 4-8 milesJoin us! Relaxed pace. Outstanding Earth Sciences field learning opportunity. Awesome destination.
EQUIPMENT: We use premium-quality, professional-grade, field tested, kayaks designed for touring the sea. They have sit-inside cockpit seat, with long and narrow hull. We do not use sit-on-top kayaks.
REQUIREMENTS: Good balance skills and reasonable fitness level is advisable. Our sit-inside cockpit touring kayaks can accommodate paddlers only up to approximately 250 lbs. or less. Best for outdoor enthusiasts without motion or sea sickness, comfortable with vigorous exercise. No previous paddling or swimming experience required - instruction provided!
ITINERARY: Tailored to guests' desire, fitness level, group dynamics, weather conditions, etc.
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SIGN UP EARLY!!
A RSVP “Yes” on Meetup merely states your interest.
Seats fill up quickly - the tour is cross posted on several platforms.***TO SIGN UP & CONFIRM LOGISTICS CALL 832-686-3231 ***
Call Constantin Platon to confirm logistics, gear size, set up expectations, fill out waiver and to process payment.You can also book directly via our website at:
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WHAT TO BRING/HOW TO DRESS:
Bring two 33 oz. water bottles and pack a snack/lunch to take with you in the kayak. Bring with you a towel and a set of dry clothing to change at the end for a comfortable ride home.
Dress only with synthetic clothing. Wear outdoor, fast drying, non-cotton/synthetic clothing like hiking pants and shirts. Long sleeve shirts and long pants prevent sunburn and insect bites.
Bring water shoes/closed toed sandals; old sneakers work great. No crocs, no flip-flops, no rain boots. Wear a large brim hat with under chin strap and sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm. Wear paddling gloves or cycling/ workout gloves to prevent blisters and sunburn on hands.
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TOUR OUTCOME:
Despite being relatively close to a major metropolitan area, exploring Lake Charlotte by kayak is a unique experience for most people: you will be amazed by its natural beauty! It's a really cool experience!
By the end of this trip, you will be a more confident kayaker and have increased knowledge and appreciation for the value of wetland coastal ecosystems.
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UNDECIDED? Check out our recent photo album:
Kayaking Joy | Autumn on Lake Charlotte
Lake Charlotte Spring Wonderland
Lake Charlotte Autumn Wonderland
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CREDENTIALS: This tour is organized by Constantin Platon, an experienced outdoor educator, geology professor, and happy camper with 25+ years of experience, and the following current certifications:
ACA Level-3 Coastal/Sea Kayak Instructor
ACA Level-3 River/Whitewater Kayak Instructor
ACA Level-3 River & Flatwater, Solo & Tandem Canoe Instructor
NOLS and Sierra International Wilderness First Aid= = =
PLEASE REPLY WITH YOUR PHONE NUMBER!
I am excited to share with you from my expertise, and I look forward to paddling together!
Constantin
[Call/Text: 832-686-3231]= = =
Do you have in mind a Different Drill, Date or Destination?
We also run team building events, birthday parties, church functions, historical and geological field trips and eco tours; overnight camping excursions down the river and weekend long adventures at sea along the Gulf Coast; and advanced paddling skills courses.
Born to Paddle!