A spectacular view of a giant brick red cliff greeted us when we opened our curtains today. On the beach I know I finally got a video of the bullet dive of a blue-footed boobie, and a rather less graceful looking fishing pelican in which can best be described as a skim the water and flop in move. An American oystercatcher pecked its way down the beach, and four pelicans roosted in a row along the cliffs, looking like little statues up on pedestals.
The brackish lagoon is no longer home to flamingoes and has been taken over by sea lions. It is rather smelly and one of the only places I have seen so far on the islands that I could not find beauty in. Looking up at the hill, the top was greener, and a distinct line forms where the plant life is ghostlike. They looks like dead plants although Galo tells us they are dormant, and the top of the hill gets water from mist to keep it green.
Snorkeling we see a sea star village with variations of color and pattern and thousands of tiny little fish. The wet suits have been great, we stay out every time until the very end.
From the sand to the rocks, Santiago is a black island. The volcanic formations swirl, flow, form cones, arches, recessions and layers like works of art. Adding splashes of white are the latrines/perches of the birds. In one spot the guano has heated up from the sun and formed a bright, shiny layer of white over the dark rocks, making it look like marble. In several recessions, salt had crystallized. Hiding down near the shore were a group of fur seals. We stopped to watch Darwin’s toilet flush.
We watched as head after head of marine iguanas appeared from different directions in the water, all heading toward shore. As they got closer we could see their tails swishing through the water, and then they climbed up, and joined the several hundred other iguanas on the rocks. Oftentimes, they piled right on top of each other, looking a bit like iguana dominoes. Baby and juvenile iguanas joined the group. We could get so close we could see each spine along their backs and the shadows they made along their bodies. Small sneezes came from the some, releasing the salt from their system. It was yet another time when we just sat and enjoyed the show put on by the animals with scenery provided by the rocks, sun, and water.
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.