Spanish Steps-Monumento a Vittorio Emanualle II-Coliseum
One of our number wanted to photograph the Spanish Steps in early morning light - we were out of the hotel before six (glad I had dozed the day before) and had the light and the Steps virtually to ourselves. Magical; serene, timeless. We returned to Steps many times: busy afternoons with people milling everywhere; and at night, when people just settled in to be part of the scene. Lunch was at a traditional Roman restaurant - very good and a welcome rest, one we didn't take every day. I had thought I was a good walker, but I was outclassed. These people were tough!
By the end of the day, we had threaded our way from piazza to piazza leading us to the Fontana Di Trevi - another highly populated place, but we were still able to photograph. No crowd could diminish the scope, detail and magnificence of the fountain. We passed the Presidential Palace, the Monumento - which seemed out of scale with more impressive antiquities that flank it - past the Forum, which just appears around the corner along side a busy thoroughfare -- as if serious history were the most normal thing to find in a city. And then, at dusk, the Coliseum. We couldn't go inside, but we waited across the street, watching the day fade, the lights come on, the structure glowing in the oncoming twilight. Even my tired feet couldn't diminish the sense of awe. We decide to take a bus back to the hotel. Happy me!
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.