Sunday, June 14 - I did not sleep well last night. My right leg was very sore, and I could not get comfortable. My tossing and turning kept Sheree up as well.
I woke up at about 5:30 or 6:00 to a mild earthquake. I felt the bed moving and when it stopped the overhead light was still swaying. But the earthquake must not have been very strong because no one talked about it all day.
We got up before 9 and had our continental breakfast at the Aurora. We decided to go exploring, looking for a classic rock bar that was supposed to be nearby. We found it around the corner, on Avenida 3. The Aurora is on Avenida 4. We decided to walk down Avenida 3, to head toward the ATM. As we walked down Avenida 3, we came upon an Indian Market. We shopped and got excellent deals on bracelets and necklaces. We ran out of Quetzales, so we had to head to the ATM. The ATM is on the main square and it is close to the Arch street, where Nim-Pot and Frida's are located.
After visiting the ATM, we decided to see if Nim-Pot had jewelry for a reasonable price. This was a great idea. We found some items for better prices than we were getting on the streets. I picked up two t-shirts for me, stamps for my friend Ken, and a doll for my friend Peggy who had jokingly asked that I bring her back a baby. Nim-Pot's prices were excellent, plus they gave a 10% cash discount and accepted dollars at a full 8 quetzals per dollar, which was a little better than the bank rate we could get during our visit.
After, we went next door to Frida's for lunch. I had Pulled Pork Tacos, hoping to replicate the flavors I had last night at Café No Se. It didn't quite match up, but it was still very good. We headed back to the hotel after lunch, and napped while the NASCAR race played on the TV (with Spanish commentary.)
After our nap we took a nice walk to the Rainbow Café, where they have a "book swap." Sheree got only a 10Q credit on a brand new best seller toward a 28Q beat up older mystery best seller. I asked her if we got kissed, too. We were heading toward the square, and we decided we should probably get more bracelets at Nim-Pot, since we don't know what time we will get back next Sunday, our final night in Guatemala. We found a few more to add to our growing jewelry collection/inventory.
It was just about 6 PM and we were right next to Reilly's - probably the most popular ex-pat and tourist bar in Antigua. On Sundays, they have a Pub Quiz, a trivia contest. Right outside of Reilly's, we ran into "Los Cazadores de la Chupacabra." When we left them in Lanquin, they were hoping to find one member of their party, the brother of the guy from Lubbock, who, we learned, had gotten angry with the group and separated from them up around Tikal. Somehow, they had managed to get word to each other, (I presume via the magic of the Internet), and they were able to get back together in Antigua. The Cazadores encouraged Sheree and me to enter the Pub Quiz.
We had to pay a 20Q entry fee, but Reilly's triples the total fees to give a great prize to the winners. The total pot tonight would be 660Q, about $82. Each team is allowed up to five members, but Sheree and I were the only two on our team. We did great in round 1, scrambled movie titles, getting 9 out of 10. The 10th title came to me just after we turned in our answers. Round 2 was Middle East facts, and we surprised ourselves getting 7 of 10. Round 3 was photos of celebrities with a list of real names at the bottom. We had to match the real name to the photo and come up with the stage name. Again, we were awesome, getting 8 ½ out of 9. Round 4 was our downfall. There were really weird questions with a wine theme. We only got 1 ½ points, but the best score for that round was 3 ½, so we were still in the thick of things. In round 5 they play short bits of songs, and the teams try to come up with the artist and title, for ½ point each. We got several but missed several, too. When it was all over, we came in 2nd out of 11 teams. If we had remembered Deliverance in time, or if we could have come up with Lord Byron and Cadillac, and if we had stuck with our first guess of Richie Valens for the version of La Bamba that was played, we would have won. But, as is tradition, apparently, the winners bought us a 20Q liter of beer, and our bill for the whole night was only 200Q, so it was quite an enjoyable evening.
We returned to the Aurora, before 10PM, to find the front door locked. We tried pressing the red button near what looked like an intercom, but we got no response. After a little while, we decided to go around the corner to see if we could get in through the car park. We got to the car park just as a car was leaving, and the lot attendant said we could get in through the lot. He was very apologetic about not hearing us at the front bell, but it was not real problem as we were now in.
We repacked for our departure to Panajachel (Pana) in the morning. I couldn't seem to find my cell phone, but since we couldn't use it here, we agreed it would not be a huge loss if it did not turn up.
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
3 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
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.