Injuring myself and not being able to walk around was not in my plan for this vacation. Once back with our friends we were supposed to visit the Historic District in Quito, take a day trip to Otavalo to see and shop the markets. Perhaps dinner and dancing in La Mariscal...? I hadn't bought any souvenirs during our road trip. In part because we weren't really at touristy places...we were just IN Ecuador and because it was our plan to do that with our friends...but sometimes plans change.
Thankfully, this knee injury didn't happen at the beginning or middle of our trip. If it had...I would have missed out on so very much. At least we were now in one place for next few days and I could keep my leg elevated and iced with friends to help. Aaron picked up some crutches (not a souvenir I wanted) which made it possible to get around a little bit. We did take a trip to Parque Metropolitano Saturday afternoon. You might say that Parque Metropolitano is the equivalent to Central Park in New York City with many different sites to see or things to do. Again, because I'm not very mobile and in a lot of pain...I made my way as far as a cafe to visit with Maria while the boys and family dog took in the sites. After lunch we spent the rest of the evening at their home enjoying good company, good food and for me...staying off my feet and seriously swollen knee. Now, just so you don't wonder if I should have been seeking medical attention...I was certain I knew what had happened and there wasn't anything more that could be done. The best medicine was rest, ice and ibuprofen.
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.