Today is primarily just a day to do nothing. We decide to walk along the beach and look at the other lodges and eat breakfast at the sister lodge.
About half into it, we get caught in a thunder and lightening storm. We find shelter in an abandoned thatched roof hut on the beach. Again, my mom has surprised me. She has handled these storms with grace and calm. I thought she would be a nervous wreck!
When we reach the sister lodge, we are drenched. We take cover for the next couple of hours as we have a nice breakfast and wait for the storm to clear. Never happens.
We get a taxi back to our hotel and spend the afternoon playing scrabble on the porch while we watch the rain pour down.
After about 2 hours, we look out the ocean and see one of the strangest things I have witnessed. The river pouring into the ocean. The ocean is such a bright, crystal blue. Because of all the rain, the river has reached its banks and mud and debris flood into the ocean. So you see this dirty brown water merging with crystal blue. Quite a scene.
Tonight we went on a night jungle hike. Initially I was really excited for this adventure. Then when we get to the entrance of the park, I quickly change my mind. There on the counter where you sign in is a jar full of liquid. In the jar is Fer de Lance, the deadliest snake in all of Central and South America. Did I forget to mention mom and I are deathly afraid of snakes. And we already know I am afraid of spiders.
At this point one my ask (our guide especially) why would we arrange a night hike being such "scaredy" cats? For the possible chance at seeing a Jaguar. This is when they are most active so our chances of seeing them are great.
Our guide is a good sport and is very excited to show the jungle. We spot frogs and he chases a tarantula out of its hole (I am not too scared of them for some reason). To enhance our journey, he has us take a seat by the river until it gets really dark. He shows us a click beetle. These bugs are so cool. They remind me of the type of barrettes I use to use in my hair as a little girl.
Once it gets dark enough to make the hike more interesting, it starts to down pour again. On the way into the jungle, we had to cross a foot bridge that had been covered by water that afternoon. The deeper we got in the jungle and the harder it rained, all I could think is that we were going to get stuck. So we decided to head back. I think our guide was disappointed. But after seeing Fer de Lance in a jar, the spiders, hearing about our guide getting attacked by a jaguar and the threat of a flood, we had had enough.
The hike back was as interesting as hike in. Every tree limb hanging down looks like "Lance" and I am afraid of squishing a frog. All part of the adventure right??
At Hamanasi, we have an unwind beer (thank goodness) and head back to our room with chips and salsa from Hamanasi (much better than what we have in our room).
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.