While staying at Yacutinga Lodge, we were given the opportunity to go on a night walk in the jungle. Not really sure what this could entail, we were the only two who signed up to go (we were two of four guests there at the time)! We met about an hour after dinner, our flashlights and/or headlamps ready, and were off! We walked among some Yerba Mate plantations and tracked footprints of what looked like some wild animals. It was a full moon while we were there, so the light was just enough in some areas to not even need our flashlights. After a while and a little bantering back and forth about our histories, Jenica boldly said, "my cousin will probably kill me for this, but are there any Argentinean ghost stories you could tell us?". Growing up camping in Glacier National Park with our families in Montana, this was a favorite pass time when we were kids. As adults though, what's the point, right? He said there wasn't much in the way of ghost stories - more just legends which are re-told. He told us of the legend of how Yerba Mate came to be - a Guarani Legend of two Goddesses (of the Moon and of the Clouds) came to Earth and encountered a jaguar who was about to attack. An old man saved them from their peril and in return, they bestowed a new plant to him, from which a "drink of friendship" could be prepared. Lovely. He then began to tell of another legend from Patagonia - Southern Patagonia. There was an unknown lake where a young woman had died due to the rough conditions surrounding the waters and the hiking trails. People eventually stopped going there as they feared it was haunted by this young women. Ignoring the warnings, a young man ventured to go to this lake and camp overnight. During the night, he had a vision of a young women walking out of the water. The next day - he met the same young woman from his dream the night before and when he asked her if she was the "Lady of the Water", she said. . . .. YES! Okay - so it may not be as dramatic in writing as it was in person (he actually yelled out YES)! We SCREAMED soooo loud, I imagine that any animal nearby went running. We then laughed hysterically and gave major kudos to Nestro for being able to capture such a great reaction from his story and not even doing so in his native language. I still giggle every time I think of that evening. Our night walk in the Jungle - one of my favorite moments from the trip!
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.