Our hiking companions needed to leave early to make their flight from Baltra so we left Isabela in a speed boat at 6:45. It was a remarkably bumpy 90-minute ride; a few times we smacked the water so hard I was surprised the hull didn't split.
Back in Puerto Ayora the bus dropped Helen and me off at our new hotel, The Divers Lodge, and took our friends across the island to the airport. Our accommodations were changed because we had been booked at the Red Mangrove, but it had been damaged in the tsunami that followed the earthquake in Japan.
As the staff prepped our room we had a second breakfast in the dining area. Our room turned out to be a suite, complete with kitchenette, sitting room, two bedrooms and bathroom, and we wallowed shamelessly in the luxury of it all.
We waited out a rain shower then headed into town for a little sight-seeing. At the public fish-cleaning station on the harbor I was captivated by the assortment of wildlife drawn to this source of free food. There must have been two dozen pelicans hanging around with their beaks half open. Also a couple of gray lava doves. I was amazed by a frigatebird that demonstrated its aerobatic skills by flying under the shelter's roof, snatching a tidbit on the fly, and exiting out to sea. Incongruously, a marine iguana waddled along the edge of the action and, despite being a vegetarian, gave a long look at a fish tail lying on the pavement before one of the pelicans slurped it up. My favorite, though, was the great blue heron that made a dramatic entrance flying right onto the cleaning table. The heron, with his dagger beak, clearly ruled the gathering. Whenever a pelican crowded too close he would give a mock charge and the flock would scatter.
Our wanderings took us to the beach by the Darwin Station and another quick visit to Lonesome George, who continued to merit the nickname Lethargic George.
We dined on pulpo (octopus) and spaghetti at La Garrapata.
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.