Left Samuc at 7 am after having fruit and granola at the hostel, Cisco had told me not to take the short cut road, so I took it .Road was closed for and we had to wait luckily cause my pannier had broken open and thankfully I did not lose anything..Fixed that hopefully and then it was time to go, the road was a knarly rocky road that I shouldn't have been on but was spectacular going through the mountains and villages. Was heading downhill when a hi- lux was coming up the one track loaded with 18 people , I moved over and was on the loose stones and down I went. The guys jumped out and picked up my bike while I gathered my self and my camera and off I went gingerly back on the track.
After travelling 40 miles in 4 hours on this knarly rocky damn road I came to halt cause some trees had fallen across it. So much for the short cut, so back I went now uphill , back to where I started. Along the way I encountered a guy who had strung a rope across the road and wanted 25 qeutzales ($3) and I told him I did not comprehendo and after ten minutes arguing he lowered the rope in frustration. Five hours later I was back where I started and now it was 1 pm. Battled my way through the towns cause there is no signage whatsoever and then came to a standstill cause they were demonstrating and closed the road for the day. I explained to some of the leaders of the pack that I needed to get to Flores which was 5 hours away and that I am just a tourist and by holding me won't help their cause. I pleaded in the 10 Spanish words I know and then they started arguing amongst them selves and told me To go , rapido, then they cheered me on and off I went, but they didn't let any of their countryman through. I guess the government hasn't paid them in 6 months so they were not happy.
The road was excellent no potholes the whole way thankfully cause I did 3 hours in the dark following a Toyota Hi lux all the way to Flores arriving at 8:30am , 13 hour ride ! *@$€₩#&÷%.
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
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.