We reluctantly left the Estancia Rincon Chico at 10am when Ignacio arrived to take us to town. The night was cool, with a gorgeous sunset. The power was off, so the air was still and silent. I slept better last night than I have in a long time!
We drove to Puerto Madyrn, where we had lunch and wandered through the shops. I was in a precarious position, since I had only 6% power left on my iPad, and no Internet connection to download my photos. We stopped at a cafe for a hot drink, but, to my disappointment, they had no place to charge my pad, nor a true connection to access my email. I try to take every opportunity to connect so I can update the journal each day.
We arrived at the airport in good time, only to discover our flight was delayed one hour due to Buenos Aires, where our flight originated. I tried to charge my computer there, but alas, they had a different configuration plug. Dan said God just didn't want me to connect that day! I sadly agreed, but was revived when he told me I could download the photos on his iPad instead. Hubby to the rescue!
Our flight finally came for us, but again, Mario's bag was checked by security. Something fishy about that boy! The flight to Ushuaia was a bit turbulent, but we arrived safely. The short flights disembark the passengers the old way, down aluminum steps to the ground. The minute we stepped foot out of the plane, we were met by a cold blast of air. Tall, sharp granite-like mountains of enormous proportions surrounded us, and Mario commented that we landed on a strip of land in the bay!
We had come from a flat steppe in the Peninsula Valdez to a mountainous region reminding me of Alaska. We were truly at the end of the known world. Only the Antarctic, 400 miles to the south was beneath us! I had forgotten what happens to the day night cycle this far south. Walter, our driver, told us that the sun goes down at 10:30pm, and up at 4:30am. Eerie!
The fresh air was invigorating, but, it was time to go to bed. Our Hostel Linnarias is charming, and a promising goodnight is at hand.
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.