Today was an excursion I'd really been looking forward to -- our Amazon tree climbing day. Luckily, I'd way overpacked so Robyn was able to borrow all the clothes and shoes she needed for the day from me. Our two guides, Eddy and Fabiano, picked us up along with Melanie, a German med student who was traveling through South America on her way to a clinical rotation in Buenos Aires, and took us by speedboat to our first agenda item of the day: swimming with pink dolphins. A local family had set up a platform about 1 meter below the surface of the river that you stand on. They then pulled out small fish and smacked them on the surface of the water to 'call' the dolphins. Sure enough, within a couple minutes, several pink (and one grey) dolphins swam up wanting to be fed. They let us pet the dolphins and at one point gave us each a foam noodle to use as a flotation device to swim amongst the dolphins, but it kind of freaked me out to have them brushing up against my legs so I went back to the platform.
We then continued on into the jungle to climb a tree. I had thought we'd actually climb up the branches, but I was wrong. They strung a rope from the top branch of the tree, hooked us into harnesses, and then we used hand pulleys and our feet to pull & push ourselves up to the top 6 inches at a time. So much fun! We could even hang upside down from the rope. The view from the top of the canopy was pretty cool. When we got back to the hotel, Robyn's suitcase had arrived (via Sao Paolo). Good thing -- we were leaving on our cruise the next day and there would have been no way for them to deliver it to her there.
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
3 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
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.