For the past 5 years, Antarctica has been a dream on a very distant horizon - a one day, some day dream that I never actually thought would come true. Even after I booked my trip on the Ortelius, Antarctica was a dream I couldn’t quite bring myself to believe – not when I purchased my flights, not when I packed (and repacked) my bags, not when I boarded the plane out of Missoula or landed in Ushuaia, Argentina.
Two days into a very rough crossing of the Drake Passage, our Expedition Leader made a call over the PA system: “Ladies and Gentlemen, step outside. Welcome to Antarctica.” I joined the masses as I zipped up my parka, grabbed my camera, and eagerly stepped through a side door on deck 4.
Nothing but water. I scurried around to the bow. Nothing but fog. Antarctica was out there – somewhere – I just couldn’t see it yet. Anticipation hung in the air as the entire ship clung to the railings and then, all of a sudden... “there!” someone pointed towards the horizon and a multitude of cameras raised in unison. A humpback raised its fluke.
“There,” I whispered to nobody but myself as the whale dove beneath the waves and the fog finally lifted to unveil what lay beneath.
Just like that, I felt the dream come true. Goosebumps spread all over my body. Antarctica stretched before me in dramatic shades of blue and white – a contrast of water in all its forms. Pristine and virtually untouched after the long winter, the continent at the end of the world beckoned me closer.
The humpback surfaced again and took a deep breath, reminding me to let go of the one I’d been holding. Antarctica was no longer a dream, it was now my reality. 5 years in the making, the dream was worth every minute: I had arrived.
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.