Joanna Eveleigh-Whitford

Product Coordinator

Joanna’s longing for travel to faraway destinations started from an early age when her father brought exotic gifts from his trips abroad. When the school years were over Joanna set off for a year of independent travel and returned home with the resolve to leave again as soon as funds allowed. The next trip soon followed and this time Joanna’s thirst for adventure took her around the Indian Sub-continent and South East Asia where she cooked her way around these countries and spent much time visiting food markets and local sellers. Since returning to Australia it has been Sundowners Overland’s tours that have captured Joanna’s passion for travel and discovery and she joined the Operations team to create adventurous and cultural travel itineraries for like-minded travellers. Joanna finds that the most fascinating aspect of her position with Sundowners Overland is the communication responsibilities she has with our diverse group of local partners as well as the creative aspect of planning unique itineraries that link up various train routes for our clients to make their trips unforgettable for all the right reasons.   

What do you love most about overland travel?
The opportunity to understand about the diverse cultures we visit through conversations with local people within their community.  A traveller can have identical experiences of what life is like in a rural village or how time is spent travelling on one of the world’s most famous train ride, rather than read this in a travel book when flying over.

What is your most memorable travel experience?
Travelling numerous trains north to south in India, looking at enchanting scenery as the train travels by and having the most fascinating conversations with locals of all diversities.

Which of the Sundowners Overland destinations fascinates you most?
Starting in India and travelling west along the Silk Road allows you to follow in the footsteps of the mighty, 14th Century, Tamerlane, a direct descent from Genghis Khan.  The last of the grand nomadic leaders, he built a powerful empire and led armies across Eurasia from Delhi to Moscow. 

Give us your best tip for travelling on Sundowners Overland journeys.
Grab every opportunity to converse with the locals and share life experiences.  Asian cultures are just as interested in Western travellers.

Which Sundowners Overland journeys are on your wish list?
45 Day Grand Asian Caravan for its cultural diversity

What is your favourite season to travel?
I just like to travel and as long as I am aware of any change in climate conditions the season is not important
 
Where have you travelled in the world?