All packed up and ready to wait. Now I feel bad we made the kitchen staff start early so we could get breakfast before hitting the road.
People from just about any culture other than NA would chill for 2 hours, find a coffee shop, socialize and relax; but when Americans are told there's a flight change and they have two hours to wait they pack it full of something. In our case that meant hunting down some local landmark (a church). I'm not the church going type but they're cool to look at.
Stumbling upon a Saturday morning market in the local park as the vendors were setting up is far more engaging. "How much more do you need?" Good thing we didn't bring large empty packs or the craft-shopping may have caused us to miss our bus.
SA airport security is great; just like the US 10 years ago. No need to show up 2 hours early. 30 minutes and you're clear.
The chill of a Quito morning doesn't prepare you for the humidity and warmth of San Cristobal. It was obvious from the minute we sat down to a mid-afternoon lunch that the trip guide, Alfredo Meneses, cares about his guests and food. Local cuisine, top level service and preparation. So much for loosing a few....
A hike to and through the local preserve, up a hill and along the coast is the only thing that kept me from napping. Intro to geography, history and ecology of Galapagos permeated the excursion. I could have spent 2 hours just in the open air museum but I had to keep up so as not to miss anything....
Warm breezes sitting bayside is not how I expected to be eating on the trip - but I wasn't going to complain.
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
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
4 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
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.