After a hugh continental breakfast, we loaded onto one of the dive boats and headed off into the ocean. A series of squalls had been scuddung through the coastal region so the water was a bit choppy. The first snorkle spot was a smattering of reef patches . Nice, but the visibility wasn't too good after the rain. We stopped on a private cay for cookies and fruit. Hooray!! the sun came out and the second spot was calm with great coral and lots of fish. We saw a scorpiion fish--an almost invisible ugly old guy until it swam away and then it had bright yellow spots on it's wings/fins. Good day on the water.
That night Hamanasi hosted a ''drummer'' troupe from Dangriga. This is a big Garifuna cultural event with two drummers playing handmade African type drums, one large bass drum and one smaller tenor drum, and one ''shaka'', gourd rattles, player. The rest of the company consisted of 8 dancers chanting and doing interpretative dances of Garifuna life. Very African with a Caribbean flair..We loved it! This group performs all over the globe. How fortunate we were to be able to enjoy this insight into Garifuna culture!
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.