Our guide took us to visit a local family whose house had been badly damaged by an earthquake mud slide a few years ago. The family was tremendously warm and inviting, but the harsh realities in the lives of the average villagers were evident. We were again fortunate to witness a ceremony while visiting Maximon,a carving of a Mayan folk deity who resides in the home of a carefully chosen resident. Maximon is an auspicious figure and those seeking his favor offer candles, cigars, flowers, incense, rum, or money. Maximon is dressed in clothing and often is smoking a cigar or cigarette during ceremonies. A local couple sat motionless and quiet as a priest prayed. We later explored the market of Sololá and were amazed by the colorful costumes and variety of produce and food stuffs. Our local supermercado just doesn’t carry baskets of live chickens and turkeys, cow hooves, beef brains, and braided innards. During our return to Antigua, we barely missed a close encounter with two “chicken” buses, careening around a hairpin mountain curve at high speed.
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
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.