Our last scheduled day, but there was more to come!
Once again, we heard Mariano wake us up at 7:30 in morning to get ready to enjoy what we thought would be our last whole day of excursions. After breakfast, we landed on Mikkelsen Harbour (Coordinates: 63 deg 54' S 60 deg 47' W) is a small bay indenting the south side of Trinity Island at 9 am. This little island full of interesting wildlife, including some blue eyed shags, and to observe leftover deserted huts and artifacts from whaling operations in the early 1900's.The harbor was used by whalers for mooring factory ships. On the island there is a gentoo penguin colony, a few unoccupied huts. We had two hours ashore to enjoy among the Gentoo penguins and a lone Weddell seal.
Mikkelsen Harbour video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcGIwfixEN8
In the afternoon we repositioned to Spert Island(Coordinates: 63 deg 51' S 60 deg 57' W) after Andre gave a talk about Climate Change. It is a little known island lying off the west extremity of Trinity Island, in the Palmer Archipelago. We went for an exhilarating 2 hour Zodiac cruise around Spert Island. It was fantastic to be in such a place with steep walls next to us, channels and spectacular monstrous icebergs.
Spert Island video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmQrCEYeKrc
We had our farewell champagne toast with Captain Alexey and the Expedition Staff and we remembered through pictures all what we had been doing during these intense four days on board M/ Ocean Nova. The farewell dinner was capped off with the catering staff parading in Baked Alaska!
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.