Our guide Mauricio arrives in a fedora, is a slightly built and easy going. Joining him is our driver Osvaldo (a university math prof). We do the standard local tourist stuff---the Teleferico cable car and lookout; El Panecillo the giant, aluminum virgin overlooking the city; the old town a UNESCO joint; Mitad del Mundo the equatorial exhibit and line. The old town is impressive. Narrow cobblestone streets, well preserved colonial architecture, enough old churches to satisfy even the most fervent Catholic historian, plazas and squares that invite you to linger and people watch for days, shops and street vendors hawking trinkets as well as high end local stuff.
I keep an eye on Hil and Ev, figuring if I were a pickpocketer, or an unscrupulous vendor, they'd provide dinner. After a rough gastrointestinal bout in Central America, I remind everyone to not eat anything uncooked or unpeeled. Hil's videocam is permanently on. She has recorded the vibrancy of the old town, but also every meal, the waiter, the sidewalks, the traffic, the sights, the washrooms, half of Quito.
Dusk arrives quickly and the streets and sidewalks of Mariscal are teeming with life, beautiful locals, blessed travellers, hungry stomachs, and thirsty throats. We go for the authentic meal at Mama Clorinda as recommended by our guide Mauricio.
Jeff orders the guinea pig, which comes deepfried and is more or less like a dry, meatless chicken carcass. Everything else is meat and potatoes heaven, with a hearty dose of corn. Because of this, I've never been a huge fan of cuisine in Latin America but am impressed with the freshness of everything, especially the seafood.
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.