A morning of varied transportation. We took a cab ride to the north end of Santa Cruz, a ferry across the strait to Baltra, a bus to the airport. We met up with our guide and fellow cruisers, then another bus ride to the harbor, a Zodiak ride out to the Coral I, anchored in the bay.
There was a grand buffet in the dining room shortly after we boarded. The crew mustered us early for our hike up Cerro Dragon in hopes of beating a rain squall that was bearing down on us. We landed on slippery lava boulders and saw a flamingo, white-cheeked pintails, black-necked stilts and a fine land iguana before the rain hit.
The ship-issued ponchos were very welcome as we hiked 45 minutes through the rain and very slick mud on the trail. The rain gradually let up and stopped as we got back to the beach.
From the ship we watched the sun set over Islas Guy Fawkes.
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.