Up at our leisure this morning and we have breakfast at the Albrook Inn on their lovely outdoor seating area. The birds join us for breakfast as they have each morning that we have been here. We're all packed and ready to tranfer to the Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Center in Panama City. The cab ride to the hotel goes through the entire city to the south where our hotel is located.
This is a beautiful full service hotel with shopping, several restaurants, pool and spa. After checking in and getting settled we venture out to the Amador Causeway for spectacular views of Panama's skyline and a stroll along the causeway.
Jake, a professional photographer, has chatted on-line with a young female photographer who lives in Panama City and they arrange to meet so that she can show him the sites of Casco Viejo and have a cup of coffee. He returns after having a very nice time but complaining about the ever-present grey sky that doesn't make photographers too happy. Do notice the one photo of the Panama skyline (mine - Jake's similar shot is fantastic) where we have blue skies with huge cloads forming.
To see more of Jake's photos of Panama (some of which I included in this album): http://flickr.com/photos/44169863@N00/2097556768/in/set-72157603409165474/
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
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.