Santa Cruz. I remember Santa Cruz from an earlier trip that I had taken here with my family. I remember flaming drinks and dancing. Lots of dancing. Lots of Cuba Libres. This was not the Santa Cruz I remembered from my youth. This was Santa Cruz in the day light.
Now, I know that I should pay more attention to the briefings the night before, but I still think that somebody should have seen me wearing my little short shorts and reminded me that we are going into tick infested forestation today. I was blindsided when we arrived at the giant turtle reserve. "What do you mean we have to put on those muck muck boots? I'll be fine in my sneakers." At least this time someone warned me that, yes, I did need to wear the proper attire. Okay, even though my bare calves are sweating in these boots that have seen who knows how many other feet today, I am happy to have some protection from the mud and grossness of it all. Where are we going, anyway? Wait a second . . . what is that? A giant turtle! How unbelievably cool. It almost made the humidity and itchiness worth it. Those turtles are so cute! They really remind me of dinosaurs. We were amongst grapefruit trees, so somewhere along the line husband opened one. I ate half, and I fed the other half to the cutest turtle ever! His little lips were all covered in grapefruit! I could die from cute overload.
Afternoon. Sovenirs, gifts, shopping, blah blah blah, frozen drink. Back on the boat.
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
3 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
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.