Okay... now I expected a big city... a busy city.... but this place is huge and it doesn´t sleep. It´s in constant movement. Giant masses of people moving about in anything motorized... and the noice... WOW. They also drive like maniacs. Shifting gears, grinding them, making the engines throttle at high speeds... blearing horns... braking at the last possible minute... and that was just a cab ride! I´m not really sure why there are any painted lines on the pavement... they are simply not required or respected. Single lane street have upto three cars wide at any time. There were even some streets that have upto nine actual lanes accross, all going in the same direction (you do the math).
We spent the day walking around the San Telmo, Centro, and Puerto Modero barrios.
These picture are from a pedestrian street... called La Florida. As the day progressed, more and more people came out. The street is lined with stores... selling everything under the sun. Prices also fluctuate from one store to the next... as much as 50%.
We stopped along the way to enjoy a large cup of coffee. At least it´s a large by argentinian standards, we would consider it an extra small. Coffee is always served with a small glass of "agua con gaz" (mineral water). Havn´t figured out why yet... but maybe it´s because it´s served extremely, piping hot. Yup...I burned my tongue on my first sip!
Buenos Aires natives are friendly. Their spanish is extremely fast, however, the language barrier isn´t there. Thus far we have been able to communicate, albeit with hand and face gestures, pointing, using english and french, actually it´s much similar to playing charades... and they are very good at figuring out what we mean ;o)
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.