Today would be a continuation of the day before. We would begin with the bridge to bridge section and then we would add two more rapids-Mas o Menos and Casa de Piedra, both class V rapids. Our crew was feeling good, and Phil was as energetic as ever. By the time we hit Mas o Menos, we were looking like an Olympic rowing team.
Mas o Menos went quick. Before I could blink, I was gulping mouthfuls of the Fu. We paddled hard and had a clean run, which gave everyone confidence for Casa de Piedra.
By the looks of things, it was going to be more than a challenge. The rapid was long and very technical. Phil explained that we would enter with an angle, hoping to catch an eddy on river right before heading into the meat. Then, we would paddle through everything and Phil would take care of the rest. Lucky for us, Phil knows the intricacies of the Futaleufu like a seasoned medical student knows all of the bones in the body. We made it through with a spotless run.
This afternoon we had options. We could spend another day kayaking or we could relax on one of the rafts, which our guides turned into a booze cruise. I opted to kayak. It was a mellow run and we all had a great time getting to know how running water manipulates plastic boats.
We took out a few miles downriver and luckily had warm clothes waiting for us-a few hours in a kayak can make you cold to your bones.
Happy hour began as soon as we set foot in camp and we nibbled on empanadas and sipped on delicious Chilean wine. After a dinner of salmon, salad and the most perfectly-seasoned potatoes, I let the river lull me to sleep.
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
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.