Starting off our staff travels for 2010, Adventure Life's fantastic office manager and gate-keeper, Lynessa Nelson, is readying for a Peru adventure with her husband, Matt. Next week, Lynessa and Matt will hop on a plane from the Missoula airport to Lima, Peru. The first leg of their Peru journey is on the floating reed islands of Lake Titicaca, where they will spend time with a host-family on Amantani Island. Peru's floating islands are built using the buoyant totora reeds that grow along Lake Titicaca, and these reeds are interwoven to make homes, boats, and crafts ... and islands. Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu are next on their agenda. Lynessa and Matt will be taking one of our travelers' fan favorites -- our Machu Picchu by Train trip. Along with a few days exploring world famous Machu Picchu, the Inca ruins of Sacsayhuamán, Pisac and Ollantaytambo are also on their list of must-sees. Finishing their trip with a handful of days in Cusco, Lynessa will have a chance to practice her Spanish and do a little bargaining at the witches' market.
Lynessa will add Peru to her list of international adventures -- a list that also includes Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico, Scotland, UK, Spain and Canada.
The Nelsons promise me both a fantastic journal and surprising photographs of their journey. Can't wait!
Oh, and a quick note to Lynessa -- On the edge of Cucso's Plaza de Armas is a frequented Gato Market. A very convenient market for the gringo and a good place to stock up on water or day-snacks or any little item you may have forgotten to include in your suitcase. As a special bonus -- right outside the market is a lady who sells fresh, hand-made tamales. I understand she's been in that same spot for years. The tamales? Fantastic. Forgive me, but I cannot remember her name.
Wishing you safe and happy travels, Lynessa and Matt!
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.