There were two main draws this morning: #1: big blue tabular icebergs, and #2: penguins porpoising through the water. Which led to the natural confluence of the two, and a sight we'd all been waiting for: penguins on ice. Better than Disney on Ice, penguins on ice are a combination that so greatly enhances the spectacle of either it's almost unfathomable. Plus, we were now moving into chinstrap penguin territory. Chinstrap penguins, as I like to explain, are amazing in that they have a strap on their chin. Swoon.
The Argentinian Orcadas base in the South Orkney Islands gave us a chance to stretch our legs on land today. Crew members can be on the island for a year or more, and even though this particular crew had just arrived the day before, they welcomed us on land and toured us around the island, which is deep with history of various explorations. Inside we ate cookies and had our passports stamped, and outside we watched penguins: a healthy array of gentoos, chinstraps, and a new contestant in the mix: the adelies. Energized by the excursion, the rest of the night was filled with happy hour and dinner and drinks with friends old and new. We fought over the last Beagle Stout and cached a secret stash hidden away from our rivals. And I must admit that we felt just a hint a pride that we drank them out of this beer only midway through the trip.
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.