We flew on a quick island hopper from Missoula to Seattle, grabbed a quick terriyaki dinner during our 40 minute layover, an then flew the rest of the way north to Juneau. The landscape out the window is beautiful, white, snow-capped mountains with blue ocean and forested steep hills plunging into the water. It is absolutely stunning.
We arrive at 10 PM and I’m surprised to see it just as light when I remember it is light almost 24 hours a day here in June. That could take some getting used to! We arrive in to Juneau and touch down, deplane and get our luggage all in a matter of minutes (small airports have their advantages)! Then we step outside, grab a taxi, and head to our hotel – the Alaskan Bar & Hotel.
Now let me explain myself. We booked our cruise last minute for the first full weekend in June, planning to arrange for 1 hotel night before to allow for any flight delays. What we didn’t realize is this is the weekend of some huge local festival and every hotel in town has been booked solid for this weekend for weeks. After trying many hotels without luck – I finally, reluctantly, called the last one on the list – the one that received the worst reviews on tripadvisor. And guess what, they had 2 rooms left – one with a private bath, and one without. This is the oldest operating hotel in town, and still has the newspaper clipping from its grand opening nearly 100 years ago in 1913 proudly displayed in the foyer.
Aside from the shared bathroom facilities (we could hear someone showering in the hallway as we walked), the smell of weed in the foyer an the loud bar noise, and every feeling like I stepped into an old western movie, the hotel is quite nice. I wouldn’t ever recommend someone stay here by choice unless they were trying to avoid sleeping on the streets as we were, or had an affinity for authentic western style architecture and design. I’m not joking – you half expect to see a cowboy walk down the hall, its that strange.
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.