This morning, my knee is the size of a baseball and I keep ice on it constantly. I'm able to walk, so I ask Boris, our Expedition Leader, if I can switch from skiing to kayaking. There is an extra kayak to spare, so I'm given the thumbs up. This morning, we head out to Ronge Island, a high rugged piece of land 5 miles long, the largest island in the Errera Channel. This is probably the most spectacular of our excursions. The weather is perfect, sunny blue skies and warmish temperatures. As we kayak closer to the island, we see gentoo penguins popping out of the water to fly through the air for a few seconds before returning to their swimming. Pods of them travel like this together and at one point, a penguin flies right over the bow of my kayak on its way to land. When they arrive, they shoot straight out of the water and come to a skidding stop on land, preening themselves and waddling about. A large leopard seal keeps an eye on them from shore - lazing about and not looking at all like the predator he is. On shore, we are greeted by thousands of curious gentoo, macaroni and adelies. They are arriving en masse now and hungry seals cruise the shoreline looking for their next meal. I leave my backpack on the ground to get a better shot of a penguin. When I turn back around to grab my pack, there's a little gentoo standing right next to it and starting, trying to discern what the bright yellow thing on the ground is. He pokes at it with his beak for a bit, but then gets bored when it doesn't poke back and waddles off. The ship is cruising the Gerlache Strait this afternoon, which ends up turning into one of the best afternoons of the trip. We see a pod of Orcas that have a Weddell Seal cornered on a piece of ice in the straight. The Orcas crash into the ice, trying to get the seal to fall into the water. Over and over again, they hit the ice, but the seal stays firmly in place. We watch this spectacle as the ship cuts her engine for a good hour until the Orcas give up and go in pursuit of easier prey. I'm sure the seal was relieved!
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.