...begins with a single step. I try to keep this saying in mind as my husband, Cory, and I set off for Ushuaia, Argentina for our once-in-a-lifetime Patagonian adventure. But the journey from our apartment in New York City - a whopping 6,458 miles away - requires a daunting itinerary of flights, including an overnight layover in Buenos Aires, before the trip can even officially begin. There is much debate as to what we should do with our time in the capital of Argentina - a mere 11 hours when all is said and done thanks to a 5pm hotel arrival followed by a 4am wake-up call. To sleep or not to sleep? That is the question.
We decide to just go for it. From the hotel we make a leisurely walk to San Telmo, the oldest neighborhood in Buenos Aries. I am enthralled by the cobblestone streets and quaint wine bars and it is so lovely to just stop and spend some time in an open air and share a bottle of wine and some cheese with my husband. Our ultimate destination is LaBrigada, a nearby grill that was recommended to us, but we take our time getting there. South American restaurants open later than what we are used to, and so there is plenty of opportunity to explore (and drink more wine) before sitting down to dinner around 10pm. Our steaks were even better than expected and Cory and I spend much of the dessert course congratulating ourselves on the decision to seize every moment of this trip. We even stumbled by an unassuming Irish pub on the way back to the hotel and decided to stop in for a shot of Jameson in honor of St. Patrick's Day.
Morning comes much too quickly. We are shuttled to the airport in time for our 5:45am flight, the majority of which I spend dead asleep on my seat tray. We finally arrive in Ushuaia that morning in need of a hot shower and a long nap.
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.