Midweek Interview with Aurora Expeditions’ Robert Halfpenny

Midweek Interview with Aurora Expeditions’ Robert Halfpenny

This week, we picked flowers and frolicked in the grass with the MD of Aurora Expeditions. Oh, and we interviewed him, of course.

The challenge for the industry is…

Managing the demand and growth of the pristine and delicate areas we visit. Aurora is a member of IAATO’s subcommittee which is developing suggested solutions and regulations with environmental and safety objectives to assure we travel to these areas of the world responsibly and environmentally responsible.

The things I like about my job…

I love the destinations and the group of people I work with in this sector of the travel industry. I personally gravitate to these regions of the world and taking a responsible leadership role towards these destinations and wildlife.

And the frustrations are…

Just doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to achieve everything I would like to achieve and still balance a healthy and wholesome lifestyle.

If I didn’t work in travel I would be…

I would have like to be a coach for an athletics team.

Favourite airline?

Singapore Airlines and Emirates. I also tend to fly to the America’s quite often and Air Canada are very good.

My proudest moment was…

Sounds corny but marrying my wife and raising our son and daughter. I am proudest of them!

The naughtiest thing I ever did was…

Too many to mention. I am trying to curve my naughty side these days. It just doesn’t get a pass when you become older.

I try to relax by…

I love to surf and hang out with my family and friends.

The last time I feared for my life was…

Free climbing a cliff in Scotland and started to second guess myself. Which isn’t a thought you want to cross your mind when you’re vertical on a loose rocky surfaced Scotland hillside.

If I can, I always try to avoid…

Letting myself get into a down mood. I learned from some aspiring people that it’s me who controls my mind and if I want to set my mind to positive or negative.

I really wish I had…

More time.

The best advice I’ve ever received was…

I am an inherently impatient person who has always jumped into projects 100%. When I headed off to University I was told to slow down. It baffled me at the time but I have learned it was very good advice.

My greatest weakness is…

Making sure I take the time to thank people.

And my greatest strength is…

I have plenty of energy and I enjoy working with others towards team goals.

If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would…

Invest it for my children and a good cause that needs it more than we do.

If I was prime minister I would…

Not be Prime Minister I would get swallowed up in a job like that.

If I could be someone else for one day I would be a…

One of the crew on Apollo 13 who landed on the moon.

I’ve always wanted to travel to…

The Himalayas and the Arctic both of which are programs with Aurora Expeditions!

My favourite holiday was…

A holiday to Mexico with my family.

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