Back In 2014, I was in shock when Big Five won the first of what would later be three of the Virtuoso sustainable tourism awards. At the time I was recovering in my hotel room after being under the weather when the phone rang over and over again. When I noticed the missed calls and heard the voicemails, each one started with the same message. “Where are you? you won!” honestly, I was stunned and overcome with emotion as I really didn’t expect to win, considering the great work others were doing. It was an affirmation that the journey we had embarked on 10 years before was indeed the right one, moving all in on sustainable tourism, a bold move that many years ago. We knew we were ahead of the curve and that the travel world was heading this way, and we would not waiver no matter what. It was in 2004 when we made this shift and knew this would define us as a company going forward as it was the foundation of Big Five. The notion of social responsibility was the entire reason I left a Fortune 500 financial firm to come back to the family business in 2002.
Once I made my way to the room, fashionably late of course, and received my award, I walked over to my mentor, who was sitting in the audience and asked him the same question I ask after receiving any award. “Did we earn this?” I was fully prepared to surrender the award, our first Virtuoso Sustainable Tourism Leadership award, if we didn’t earn it. I felt that strongly about the belief in giving a voice to the voiceless. Once I was comfortable receiving the award, I left the room quietly and called my parents, waking my father back in Florida. I exclaimed. We won with whatever voice I had left before crumbling into tears of joy. I heard my mother cry, and I heard my father clearly say, “We are not supposed to be here, but we dared to believe. Your mother and I are so proud of you.” He was emotional, too, though he was half asleep, so it was hard to hear a discernible difference. That moment was etched into my memory.
Fast forward to 2016, our second nomination. This time, my mother was home, recovering from a health scare earlier in the year while visiting family in India. My father was with me. He sat at a cheery table with friends from Direct Travel, and I sat at a table with friends from different adventure companies. I didn’t realize it but the last time we were both together like this was my college graduation! Big Five is called as the winner again, and I go racing up to the stage excited to meet my father up there, again overcome with emotion, this time because the images of my mother entered my thoughts immediately. You see, I watched my parents struggle from nothing when we arrived in America. They watched me struggle. At 17, I was told by many that I would never amount to what I believed I could be and that I should lower my expectations. It was the same when my father started hearing that about his future. It made our presence on that stage even more of a special occurrence. I didn’t know it yet; that would be the last time my father and I were ever in the same place again to receive an earned accolade.
In March of 2024, as many of you know, I lost my father to a head injury. This year’s VTW was my first without him, and we were nominated again for the Sustainable Tourism Leadership Award. To this day, I have to share all the drawers of trophies I have, academic and sports, which meant nothing because my father wasn’t there to watch them being received. The only award I cared about, and still care about, is this one. As our name was called for a rare third-time winner, all I could think about was my father. A jolt of energy like I had never felt before ran through me, and I just knew! my father was in the room. Overcome by emotions, all I could see was my father’s eyes, filled with pride. You may see a photo of me accepting, and yes, I was ugly crying. Those of you who have lost a parent know that they are always with you and likely know this energy I am talking about. I had never felt it to this degree like I did on this day. As I walked back to the table, award in hand, I looked up and said one thing… “What ya think Dad.” It was a day I will never forget.
The foundation project that allowed us this honor and put us in rare company funds the delivery of robots named mini Kipi to remote, underserved communities in Peru, providing education and preserving Indigenous languages in danger of being lost. Mini Kipi speaks 13 of the over 40 dialects in Peru and is growing. We brought her to Las Vegas to demonstrate a fraction of her capabilities for our advisor partners. This week’s video shares that experience.
A – Acceptance: Embrace life’s changes with an open heart
Dear Advisors, Partners, and Friends
This is a very special Blog… A letter written 2 months ago by my fathers hands, in his office, alone with his thoughts and sheer reflection of the world and how we should all perceive and embrace every outcome as it is believed, in life all is as it is meant to be. Almost as he him-self knew he would be writing this blog, as so, please take note of the Date and Time it was written… exactly 60 days…almost to the hour when we said our final goodbyes.
*** *** Below is one of his last letters composed of his Outlook of Inspirational thoughts onto the world *** ***
From: Mahen Sanghrajka
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2024 1:50 PM
Subject: A – Acceptance: Embrace life’s changes with an open heart
As the sun gives light, the sensation gives birth to compassion, and the flowers always spread their fragrance. The same way may your New Year be a pleasant one for you and everyone every day, every moment.
In the spirit of gratitude and respect for these remarkable individuals, we acknowledge the invaluable contributions of Saints, Swamis, and Other Distinguished writers who have enriched our lives with their timeless wisdom.
Also, to thank all of you for being a part of this uplifting journey with us.
In 2024, we’ll board on an alphabetical journey filled with positivity and wisdom. Each message we’ll send you will be a message centered around a word that begins with the letter. Together, we’ll explore valuable lessons and insights that can enrich our lives at this age and beyond.
A – Acceptance: Embrace life’s changes with an open heart.
Acceptance is a fundamental aspect of personal growth and well-being. It involves acknowledging and welcoming the various changes and transitions that life brings, whether they are positive or challenging.
Here are some more details about the concept of acceptance:
Understanding Change: Change is an inevitable part of life. It can take many forms, including changes in relationships, career, health, or personal circumstances. Acceptance starts with recognizing that change is a natural and unavoidable part of the human experience.
Embracing Impermanence: Nothing in life is permanent. Embracing Acceptance means understanding that circumstances, people, and even our-own feelings and thoughts are in a constant state of mix.
By accepting impermanence, we can find greater peace and resilience in the face of change.
Letting Go of Resistance: Resistance to change often leads to stress, anxiety, and suffering. Acceptance involves letting go of resistance and the desire to control every aspect of our lives.
Instead, it encourages us to flow with life’s currents and adapt to new situations.
Cultivating Resilience: Acceptance is closely linked to resilience. When we accept change, we become better equipped to deal with adversity and bounce back from setbacks.
Flexibility, resilience allows us to navigate life’s challenges with grace and determination.
Self-Compassion: Being kind and compassionate toward yourself is an essential aspect of Acceptance. It’s important to recognize that it’s okay to have mixed feelings about change and to treat yourself with gentleness during times of transition.
Acceptance can be challenging, especially when dealing with major life changes or loss. Seeking support from friends and family can provide a valuable space to process your feelings.
Embracing change and practicing acceptance can lead to personal growth and transformation. It allows you to develop a deeper understanding of yourself and others.
In summary: Acceptance is a mindset and practice that encourages us to greet life’s changes with an open heart and a willingness to learn and grow.
“However, whatever, whenever, wherever, learn to Adjust, Adapt and Accept.”
Stay tuned for letter B
Mahen Sanghrajka
We have prepared a short AI of our Beloved Father, Founder & Friend in Loving Memory.
The Unforgettable Bridge
Dear Advisor Partners,
I was 18 at the end of my first year of university when I came home for summer break. I had just recovered from an injured Achilles tendon and was on crutches for what seemed like the millionth time. I am not sure what came over me, however, my sense of adventure went into overdrive. Within days of returning to Florida, I went skydiving with a friend. Some kids sneak out of the house to party, and I snuck out to jump out of an airplane… go figure. The landing didn’t go as smoothly as I hoped. The instructor, who was supposed to plant his feet first, ended up being too short, and my 6 ft 3 frame and healing foot landed for both of us and none too gracefully. After grimacing, I asked what any 18 year old would ask, “Can we go again?”, because I wanted to step out on the landing gear of the Cessna at 15,000 feet again!
I thought of that story the entire way up the side of the cliff at Sky Vertical in the Sacred Valley, the subject of Part II of our latest Peru dispatch. We crossed a cabled bridge that made you count the steps just to avoid the feeling of falling, and that was after descending by cable from the starting point to the bridge. We had to go down before going up. It was at this moment when an important thought hit me. I forgot my %$#@ GoPro! It’s a good thing that John Ellis from Ellis Travel House in Portland, a key member of our amazing group, brought his (we included some of his footage in this week’s blog). Up the side, we went one hand here, one foot there, detaching and reattaching our carabiners as we moved from one cable to another during our ascent. Knowing where to place your feet, sometimes in contorted positions, was key so your hands could be placed to help your legs move up.
The adrenaline starts kicking in fully when you look up, and the capsules suspended off the side of the cliff above you get closer and closer. Every now and then, I would turn around to look at the view, even getting the rare sighting of the peak of Mt Veronica to the side of us as we approached our summit. As we summited, another thought hit me.. we get to zipline down to the lobby area from the summit, I wonder how fast I can get going. I know, I’m a nerd.
What a zipline it was, getting back to the starting point, stunning views, a speed of about 30mph, just enough to hear the wind, not enough to be blown off course. The adrenaline was in full force, I didn’t care that I was going to have jello legs in about an hour when my senses returned to normal levels. Like I said, after sky diving, when do I go again?
Enjoy this week’s video, and stay tuned for Digital Founder, my father’s avatar, at the end. He seems to want some attention.
The End of the Beaten Path
Those of you who saw my Peru images on social media know it was one of the most epic adventures ever as we discovered Peru beyond Machu Picchu. This will be a three-part dispatch, so stay tuned as part 1 may look familiar, and parts II and III will look decidedly “BigFiveish.” One of the other aspects that I was most excited about was the introduction of synthetic media to enhance your client’s in-country experiences. I know you are likely asking, what does he mean by synthetic media?
I mean digital renderings of me and my father, aka avatars that have our likeness, both in sight and sound. This adventure allowed us to test the application, and it spurned so many ideas that we are beginning to plot out and design, all for you. In this video, our avatars make their first appearance. As you watch them, let your imagination run wild.
Our first stop was one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu. Now you will laugh, maybe even cringe, when I say this. As amazing as Machu Picchu is, we wanted to see it first to get that box checked.
That is not to take away from the “how magical this sight is” but rather an acknowledgment that we mark the end of the beaten path with this visit because of how unorthodox our next activities will be.
Check out this week’s video, and make sure you wave to Digital Founder, my father’s avatar.
This past Saturday, the Big Five team had an epic weekend, celebrating 50 years as a company. The evening was a tribute to my colleagues, who have persevered through thick and thin to see the success of this company unfold, and it was also in honor of my parents, celebrating the vision that started in Kenya 50 years ago. In addition to those in attendance, physically and virtually from the Big Five family, a few important, influential guests who settled us as a company and family joined us to celebrate this milestone. I have to admit the butterflies were settling in my stomach a few hours before the event because I wanted this evening to be perfect for my colleagues, and it has been in the works since February of this year.
At the end of the evening, I was exhausted, but in a good way, as my thoughts returned to all the smiling faces. My parents, in particular, were beaming, especially my father, as he felt his parent’s presence at the event. This was just the second time that I heard him speak of his parents, as they had both passed away before my father turned 20. The first mention of them was when our office was built and how he wished his father was there to witness his success.
The next day, my parents sent me a thank you message, unlike any other message my father had ever written. It was gratifying and, at the same time, perplexing. While I knew the evening was special for everyone, I didn’t fully understand how special it was for my parents. Often, I think about how I came to Big Five. I recall talking with my father at the age of 17, saying that I wanted nothing to do with travel; I wanted to head out on my own, far away to college, to make my own way and make my own mark on the world. Years later, who knew that a BBC videographer in India’s Ranthambore Park would be instrumental in my return to Big Five back in 2002, considering I had worked in the mailroom when I was 8, I guess it was inevitable.
Sitting on the plane en route to ILTM, the gravity of the moment really hit home, and I have to thank my colleagues for bringing this clarity. All the sacrifices and struggles over 5 decades were worth it because we’ve always believed we were a higher-purpose company. At this party, we saw the journey and belief come to full fruition. This celebration served as an illumination, particularly for my parents. They finally were able to look back and see the body of work they started and the momentum to build on.
Here is to the next 50 years. Enjoy the video we played at our party. I think even Flat Ash made an appearance.
The Coffee Blend
It was 1974. A local resident and friend of the Mehta family in Khartoum made an introduction to a young lady named Usha Mehta, living in Wad Madani, Sudan. The young lady traveling to Nairobi, and this friend thought we should meet. In those days, the tradition was to have an arranged marriage. And so, after being introduced, Usha Mehta and I went for coffee at the Panafric Hotel in Nairobi, which surprisingly still exists to this day.
We must have talked for almost 2 hours about everything we had in common and our lives. Afterward, when Usha went home, I was asked to make a decision regarding whether or not I wanted to proceed with the relationship. And so I did. 20 days later, we were arranged to be married on Oct 20, 1974.
Shortly after our wedding, 15 days later, we went on a safari in Tanzania, visiting the Northern Circuits from Manyara to Serengeti. Back then, this was all done by road, meaning some excitement was bound to happen along the way. I remember it was a dry day; the weather was perfect for the drive, and, as an added bonus, along the way, we met with a group that was traveling with Big Five, as some of our first travelers since the company was not even a year old at that point. One of the guests was from Syria and met up with us, conversing with Usha Mehta; now, my wife began speaking to him in Arabic since she was fluent as a Sudanese resident living in Kenya, making it a very nice encounter.
That following year, Usha visited India with her father; as for me, having never been before, I made my very first visit to the United States. From day one, we found ourselves exploring different parts of the world; in some way, Usha was part of my path, and now here we are…50 years later. My Family, Big Five, and my Parents Dream in full circle.
The Indestructible Beetle
It was 1971, just before Big Five was officially launched, though the idea of adventure was already instilled in me. This story takes place when I was 23 years old which is ironic since I just turned 75 a few days ago. A group of friends in Kenya and I decided to take a trip to Lake Turkana, one of the most remote locations in Kenya. There were 14 of us split between three classic Land Rovers and one old-fashioned water-cooled VW Beetle. The Rovers were all heavy trucks with iron cladding fit with everything from a 4×4 transfer case to a snorkel and off road gear. The Beetle, on the other hand, was an original design, water cooled engine in the back and nothing special added to it, except for its driver, Sukhi Patel, a dear friend. Sukhi could drive anything on wheels in a manner nobody else could. Three of us drove to Kitale, 3.5 hours from Nairobi. Here we were joined by 11 others (two in our party were friends of friends and were newly married).
After several nights in Kitale, we carried on to Lake Turkana, the second leg, a 10-hour ride on dirt and muddy roads. Sukhi let me drive the Beetle on dirt roads, however, in the mud, he was back in charge. Along the way, one of the Rovers had a flat tire and got stuck; another had a fan belt snap also got stuck. Fortunately, we had a mechanic in the group, as in those days, no roadside assistance existed. The final Rover had a mechanical issue also requiring repair work. The Beetle, with its underpowered engine, 4-speed manual, no 4wd, and no ground clearance, carried on without a hiccup. The local Meru and Turkana tribes came out and helped us along the way, letting us enter their communities and offering the hospitality Kenyans are famous for.
Once at Lake Turkana we set up our beds on the platform sleeping under the stars. There was no hotel here, only one tent for the newlyweds and a platform with sleeping pads for the rest of us. We had to create a perimeter around our platform using Gamatox powder (dry sulfur), a great home remedy to keep the poisonous critters away. We slept soundly, knowing nothing venomous was crossing our powdered barrier until we heard a yell from the tent. The groom had been bitten by a scorpion!
Two hours from the closest civilization, with no doctor in sight, a witch doctor from the local community graciously helped us remove the poison from the bite. The groom was screaming so loudly in pain, you could likely hear him in Cairo. How do we take the edge off the pain, we wonder? A few minutes later we had our solution, which in hindsight may not have been a medically approved procedure, a bottle of whiskey. Once the poison and the edge were both removed, the patient relaxed, and we took a sigh of relief. By 9:00 AM the next morning, he was somewhat back to normal. The sun was scorching, so we jumped into the lake to cool off, even pushing our bite victim in with us. At this point, he was safer in the water than he was left unsupervised on land.
Back home we went after our adventure at Turkana, and once again the Beetle reached home without incident. I started Big Five two years later.
