PONCHO'S BEACH TO MIKE'S SKY RANCH ( December 9, 2014)
As soon as the sun rose so did I from a long cold night on the cot. Poncho made me some hot coffee which was much appreciated and then I loaded the bike and left by 7 am. Was dirt road for an hour and a half to Bay of Los Angeles which was a good thing I was off that road cause the Coyotes were about to do a pre run of that road for the Baja 500.
It was asphalt for aways and then turned onto a real ugly, knarly, rocky road for 20 miles to the famous Coco's Corner. My timing was perfect cause a young couple there had just prepared breakfast for Coco and invited me to join them cause they had made too much, luckily for me. Got FKS sticker in Coco's book and had a coke and then departed , hoping to make Mike's Sky Ranch for the night. Was back on asphalt within 15 miles going through San Felipe and then turned west towards Ensenada. Continued on for about 30 miles and then exited on the dirt road for 31 km to Mike's.
On the way up I ran into two brothers who were on their way to Tierra del Fiuego and the one had a diesel bike made in Holland with the goofiest looking engine.
Was a nice road in on the bike and as I pulled in so did five other guys and then two more later on. Had 2 Australians, 2 Canadians, 1 African and 5 Americans. I was the only guy there without a GPS which they all could not believe and quizzed me for ages on how I find my way !!
After not showering for two days and almost smelling like Dingaan's crutch after a war dance, it felt real good to be clean again.
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.