Today is our last in Antarctica, before we head north out of the South Shetland islands and back to the Drake Passage. The wind picks up rather quickly and our excursion to Aitcho Island becomes rather difficult. I hike the entire circumference of the island, sad to be leaving the seals, penguins and sea birds. Boris tells me that the wind has pushed the ice into the bay and that we need to get out of there quick, otherwise the zodiacs won't be able to make it back to the ship. He wades through the ice to get the zodiacs through and the last group of us hop on. We speed through the compacting ice and make it back to the Navigator just in time. I warm up in the bar with a glass of wine and enjoy the company of my fellow travelers. We know the Drake won't be a piece of cake this time as the winds get stronger and stronger through the night. I slap on my seasickness patch again and go to sleep with my fingers crossed.
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.