Today we took a small car ferry across the Main River. We visited a Weinhaus that was designed by Hundertwasser. This 20th century architect created whimsical designs with bright colors and spiraling natural features. The winery had a fish pond to entertain the kids while we shopped for local Franconian wines. After the winery, we traveled to another impressive "spielplatz" (play area) complete with an in ground trampoline and a zipline swing in addition to the standard swings and slides. We had a traditional Bavarian picnic of mild cheeses, salami, soft pretzels, Krapfen (jelly filled donuts)and Kinderschocolade (smooth chocolate) for dessert.
We returned to pick up Edith's baby from her mom's house and then took the kids to a nearby ostrich farm. For dinner that night, Edith made veal with gravy and wild boar. The boar tasted a lot like very tender beef and was hunted by her husband, Harald. Harald was the local gamekeeper, which meant that he had the only license to hunt in the grounds around the village. He could invite others to hunt with him in his patch of forest and he was also the one responsible for keeping the forest clear of debris to limit fires. Edith's dad was also a gamekeeper in another village and had the additional job of cleaning up any road killed animals around his village. Hunting is also seasonal with restrictions about which animals can be taken during different times of the year.
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.