Ramah BayAfter some onboard shenanigans, including a goofy celebration of the 150th year of the Canadian Confederation and a polar plunge in Ramah Bay, we left Torngat National Park and steamed toward our next landing. I was looking forward to visiting the mission site we had learned so much about in the days prior; shut down by the government in 1959, the remote Hebron Mission Station forced a massive relocation of its residents to more southerly Nunatsiavut communities. Films we had viewed onboard represented the trauma this caused, as Hebron was an important trading center for Inuit in the area, and these communities depended on its educational and medical services. It was also an important site for celebration during Christian holidays; the Moravian church had been established there in the early 19th century and the residents often gathered there for community dances and musical services.
We unfortunately had to miss the visit to Hebron due to weather; fifty-knot winds made for choppy waves and unsafe conditions for the zodiacs, and we were left with only the haunting images of Hebron’s abandoned structures and homes we had only seen in photographs. The storm chased us down the coast, and we were forced to ride it out until we made it to our next stop at Nain.
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
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
