Swimming along with a sea turtle off Ambergris CayeThis morning we leave for Guatemala. Ray drives us into town where we pick up Lenny, who will be with us during our trip to Guatemala. We drive to the border where there is a long queue to go into Guatemala. Fortunately, our new driver knows someone who knows someone at the border and we pass through very quickly. Then a very scenic trip through the countryside where we make a few detours through some villages and lakes. Lenny provides us with a comprehensive historical, cultural and biological background of the area we pass through. Almost no traffic. We arrive in Tikal and meet with Antonio who will be guiding us through the site. He is a very knowledgeable guy with a great sense of humour. Fortunately we are arriving at the solstice and a lunar eclipse. An important time in the Mayan calendar. We visit many of the buildings, and wind up on top of one of the ruins waiting for the sun to set. When it goes down wend our way back stopping to watch the coatimundis dance around the offering pit where the Mayans leave there offerings for the gods. Back to the hotel where we partake of some local foods... mmmmm.
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
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
