This morning we decided to go on a skiff ride with Vanessa before breakfast. It was just three of us and our naturalist guide, so we were able to see quite a lot, including another brown bear wandering along the shore. He gave us quite the show, and the kayakers were able to get pretty close to him. As we ate breakfast, we were heading back out to go north towards Glacier Bay. A fellow ship radioed our captain to tell him that there were a pod of humpbacks just ahead of us. And they were bubble netting! There were at least twenty of them and they would swim around in circles while letting out air - small bubbles. The bubbles would look like a net rising to the surface and essentially corral the fish. Then the remaining whales would swim straight up with their mouths open and eat. We witnessed this by a dozen or more humpbacks coming above the surface, mouths' wide open all at the same time. Then they would blow air out repeatedly as they cooled back off. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. Amazing how they all work together to each like this. We even were able to put the underwater microphone below the surface and listen to them communicating. We saw whales breaching off in the distance. This was our "OMG" moment. My Alaska cruise could have ended right then and there, and I would have been more than ecstatic!. After a couple hours watching this pod, they began moving south, and we were heading north so we parted with the whales and headed out into the more open channel. Unfortunately, the part that the Safari Spirit had left on shore for us the night before was not the right part, so we were still motoring a little slower today. It was a beautiful day though, so most people took advantage and sat on the upper decks, looking for more whales. And whales did we see! They were everywhere! The scenery and sky were both beautiful, so I took the opportunity to work out on the top deck, did some yoga with some of the other passengers, all while keeping my eye on the horizon looking for whales. As we were motoring along, our captain told us that we would be getting a special delivery from Juneau - the part needed to fix the engine! It was to be delivered by float plane somewhere along the channel. Sure enough, as the plane approached, the captain called over the speaker that it was landing and we all went out to watch it land, watch JD take the skiff to meet it, and cheered as the pilot delivered the precious box! With a victory lap around the boat, JD returned with the bolt - literally one bolt - that was needed to fix the engine. By dinner, we were up and running full power again! That evening, we had yet another amazing dinner, and the crew surprised my mom and I with a special birthday cake made for each of us! And they presented it to us in full, silly, costumes. It was hilarious, and a verb special way to ring in our birthdays!
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.