I have wanted to visit the Galapagos Islands since I was a little girl. I knew I wanted to spend the maximum amount of time in the islands that my budget would allow on a small boat with few passengers. It did not take long as I researched my trip to figure out I wanted a boat that accepted 12 to 16 passengers max, went out for 8 days without returning to pick up or drop off 3 and 5 day passengers, had air conditioning, included snorkeling in the itinerary and visited lots of islands. After looking at about 40 itineraries I found the Samba!
The Samba is a motor sailor (they don't use the sails) with an excellent itinerary. They do a great job with the food, the rooms have adequate space and the crew was a delight! The other passengers selected the Samba for the same reasons we did, so we had a completely compatible group to sail with. I have received e-mails from fellow passengers from Great Britain, Australia, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, and the U.S.
We had one night of ''rough sailing'' during which the Captain directed that passengers were not allowed on deck. 3 passengers left the dinner table as soon as food was served to nurse their sea sick stomachs in private. The rest of us ate with gusto! I don't usually get seasick, but I was glad I had the anti-motion sickness patch on behind my ear that night. Our forward room really rocked and Kathleen was at risk for dumping out of the top bunk a few times. The crew laughed the next day when we talked about the rough water. They said that was nothing! In June, July, and August they said all the passengers get sick on that particular nights sail!
It took no effort to get into the rhythm of this trip. Each day we had two excursions, transferring from the Samba into ''pangas'', small motorized rafts, for either a ''dry'' or ''wet'' landing. Starting day 3 we snorkeled either once or twice a day. Our guide has a degree in marine biology and has been doing his job for 21 years. He was very knowledgeable, his English was great, and he set a moderate walking pace. He ensured we had time to hang out and look at views and wildlife so I did not feel rushed. His experience showed.
At home I read about the Post Office Bay sailing ship tradition of dropping off and picking up non stamped mail to be delivered by others throughout the world. I pre-cut hard stock watercolor paper into the shape of post cards and brought them with me. I placed 8 watercolor sketches in the Post Office Bay container for future visitors to pick up and hopefully mail for me. I put a note on each post card for the recipients to call me when/if they arrived. (Note: I'm back home now and four of the eight have arrived!)
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.