I’ve mentioned in previous travel stories about taking along the family. My very first time abroad I spent the first two weeks with my sister and mother. Having never been abroad before, my eyes were opened next to theirs to the excitement and breath of fresh air SE Asia provides. I leaned heavily on their excitement too. Since that trip, I’ve returned many times by myself, but also with family. This particular trip was with my mother and her good friend. I was the “tour” guide and did all the arrangements as well as flagging down the tuk-tuk, bartering with the locals, and pre-selecting the restaurants. Though I love traveling alone, there is something to be said about experiencing a place with someone from home. Perhaps there are things you would have never noticed, compared, or recognized without them.
This particular trip was my mother's second trip back to Thailand and was days after the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, also called Phumiphon Adunlayadet or Rama IX passed away. This was such a unique time to visit Thailand. As a Cultural Anthropologist, I was educated daily on the love this country had for its king and experienced what it felt like to mourn a leader. The Thai shut down shops and businesses for months, they wore black every day for even longer. And while we were in Bangkok, we visited the Grand Palace which held a month-long memorial service where Thai nationals could line up (for hours) to pay their respects to the family and the deceased. A truly humbling experience.
Another unique aspect of this trip was my return to Angkor Wat. This was the second time I had visited and this time under careful planning. A friend of my sisters, a local Cambodian, was working for guide service and was able to arrange 4-days of exploration with us. Not only was this a completely different experience than my previous visit, but we had so much fun hearing about Ranet’s perspective of Cambodia and also tourism and its effects on the area. Ranet was a wonderful guide. He provided us with insight into temples I had never heard of. He took us to temples away from the main complex and best of all, was quite the photographer along our journey. I was worried that returning to Angkor Wat wouldn't bring quite the thrill as before, but I couldn't have been more wrong. Visiting these ancient ruins with insider information is a complete 180 from having only a guide who transports you from place to place. This trip was also unique since we were in Siem Reap when President Trump was elected. Since we didn't have very good Wifi in our hotel, we depended on Ranet for the news the following day. Anytime you are traveling in a foreign country and your government has major transitions, it always makes for entertaining conversations with locals and other travelers alike.
After Cambodia, we said our heartfelt goodbyes to Ranet and returned to Thailand to spend our last days on the beach. I demanded that instead of a popular island, we stay on the lesser-visited island of Koh Chang off the coast of Trat. This island is located inside the peninsula so you sacrifice a bit of those crystal clear waters for just as beautiful a beach and a bit murkier water. Still. Totally. Beautiful. The island itself was still frequented by travelers, but most of them were looking for calm and quiet (unlike Phuket, Koh Samui, etc). A bit older traveler lends to early nights and relaxing days, something I value most as the years go on.
I was blessed to make a quick stop in Aceh, Indonesia on my way home. During my undergrad, I studied in Malaysia and befriended some of my closest companions through probably my most profound life-changing experience thus far. As I return to Asia year after year, I make it a point to drop in on my old flatmates and on occasion get to share a couple great photo ops.
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.