About Us
2009 Finalist - Stevie Awards for Women in Business
2009 Who's Who of Australian Women
2008 Winner - Outstanding Innovation Award
Our adventures are especially designed for women by women, with small group sizes in mind. We organise every detail of your trip while you enjoy the adventure. Our trips are designed in conjunction with leading international tour operators who are members of the IATA and Australia's Travel Compensation Fund and who show respect for the environment as well as a cultural sensitivity. They provide us with experienced local guides and a wealth of knowledge.
We arrange get togethers to meet the other adventurers...share a meal, enjoy practice walks and help prepare for your adventure.
We sponsor children in Nepal with a very dedicated organisation called NEPCAM which is an initiative of a group of people in Australia that helps poor communities in Cambodia and Nepal directly.
We also donate clothing, toys, books and pencils to the poor street children in Peru thorugh an amazing lady called Carmen who dedicates her time and energy to these children.
We have adopted a baby Orangutan named Sogo Sogo in Sabah, Borneo. This baby is being cared for by the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
Women's Own Adventure is the result of a passion for travel and adventure, as well as the belief that life is too short and great experiences should be shared.
Marika Martinez is the director of Women’s Own Adventure.
INTERVIEW for Bare Essentials Magazine, Fit Heritage article.
She is a mother of 2 wonderful grown children who are about to embark on their own life adventures.
Marika has had an interesting life where every day was an adventure. Having lived on an island (with water access only) for 14 years with her husband and 2 young children, life was anything but ordinary. There were storms to endure, sinking boats, lack of water and sometimes a sense of exhaustion from carrying absolutely everything (including building materials, groceries, children and dog).
But there was also abundant fun, enduring friendships, adventure every day, a feeling of freedom and a huge sense of achievement. It is these things that inspire one to take the next challenge.
Marika has many years of travel experience to various places and with a love for the great outdoors, learning about different cultures and making new friends, she is always ready for the next challenge. In her 40's she decided to finally learn how to fly, a deep seated desire that has always been there. Over the years Marika has tried all forms of flight including jumping from a plane with only a parachute, taking lessons on a single engine plane, flying a no engine sailplane, being a passenger on a very tiny ultralight aircraft, and jumping off cliffs with a paraglider.
Paragliding has become her preferred method of flight, with around 100 hours of airtime behind her; Marika plans to fly for as long as she is able to walk. The freedom this form of flight offers is amazing and is as close to free flight that we humans have been able to achieve so far. If you are interested in trying paragliding, Marika can point you in the right direction.
