It all started in 1999. I was introduced to the world of the great Outdoors in Accra Academy, Ghana’s best senior high school. The club that opened that great world to me was the Accra Academy unit of the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Association. Hiking expeditions was one of the prerequisites towards the award of Bronze, Silver and Gold medals in the participation of that youth development programme. Consequently, my first expedition happened November 1-3, 1999.

My first mountain expedition was not an easy one. It took place near Akosombo in the Eastern Region and was supposed to be the easiest location among the many other expedition locations for BraveHearts Expeditions adventures.

The 3-day adventure started with a night hike. As we trudged through the dark forest, I had all sorts of wild imaginations running through my head. I couldn’t help thinking a wild animal or snake was going to jump out any moment and gobble us up.

I was recently in Ecuador for the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC) 2015 as a Speaker and member of the International Ecotourism Society (TIES). Before I left Ghana, I visited the website of the Ecuadorian tourism ministry, ECUADOR.TRAVEL. My breath caught as graphic images of a true adventure destination was displayed, and the sense of a unique ecotourism identity screamed at me from the site, inviting me to come explore the country’s lush environmental and adventure resources.