We were very late disembarking today as we waited until 11am for their immigration officials to come onboard and finish our forms. Once we finally disembarked, we made a hurried tour of Alexandria including Pompey's Pillar and the Roman catacombs.
We had lunch in a hotel and then continued for a quick photo stops at a Roman theater and the site of the Pharos lighthouse, the last Ancient Wonder of the World to be added to the list.
We all piled on the bus for what was supposed to be a three hour ride to Cairo. After nearly four hours, we were all getting cramped in the tiny seats and quite hungry. Petula announced that we were thankfully five minutes from the hotel and started explaining the check in procedures. Another twenty minutes later, she annouced that the drive thought we were going somewhere else and it would actually be another hour to the hotel. She said it so matter of factly that we thought she was kidding.
We finally arrived at the Heliopolis Fairmont Towers hotel ~ 6 hours after leaving Alexandria at 9pm. We were very hungry, tired, and sore from the small bus seats. The rooms were stunning and we all wished that we would have more time to enjoy them, but gratefully fell into bed.
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.