Word Travels

Travel writers, like all journalists, have different beats. Enjoying the "people" side of a story, Dimon investigates indigenous female wrestling, while Esrock hits the mountains to bike down the world's most dangerous road. Getting online to file and pitch stories may be a challenge, so it helps to be blessed by Andean priests on LakeTiticaca

African stories fill up notebooks in minutes, but before Esrock and Dimon can explore the 12th century rock churches in Lalibela, they have to deal with social issues, mechanical faults and each other's ethical differences.

In this episode, the journalists head deep into the Orinoco Delta for a lesson in jungle survival. While Esrock takes the plunge to swim with dolphins, abseil a canyon and catch a piranha dinner, Dimon goes where only few have been before in a hunt for the elusive moriche worm. For each, its a journey full of surprises.

Jordan is a country of contrasts, and so are the personalities of these writers. Dimon lifts the veil to discover the hip bars and malls of modern Amman, while Esrock channels his inner Indiana Jones and gallops into the ancient city of Petra. With posh hotels and five-star feasts in the desert, both relish the luxury of a sponsored press trip.

The job of a travel writer is to inspire, and to break myths. Far from being a warzone, our writers are stunned by Colombias warmth and beauty, but a sellable story needs more edge. Julia looks into the art of buying emeralds, Robin visits the infamous bulletproof tailor of Bogota, and both head to Cartagena for a dip inside the crater of a chocolate mud volcano.

Robin and Julia brave an exhausting road trip to one of the worlds most culturally diverse regions inhabited by over 50 distinct tribes and cultures. Travelling through the Lower Omo Valley, what they discover both shocks and inspires them, as they grapple with their ethical responsibilities when promoting tourist activities.