So the ground hog saw his shadow... Great.. just wonderful. Did it have to be this year? Checking the weather networks and sure enough we are getting some. So, rather than wait for the weather... we have opted to outfly it. We were able to change our flights and leave a whole 12 hours earlier than planned. Of course, we will spend that 12 hours wandering around the Toronto Airport, but at least we will be outflying this storm.
We left home at 4:30 AM and got a drive to the airport with a cabby. Just so happens that the cabby was fresh back from a trip to South America herself... what were the chances of that happening?! We took that as a good omen.... and it seems we have been successful thus far in outrunning the weather. Keeping my fingers, toes (and soon my eyes) crossed; we are still set to depart at 10:55 PM this evening. Current weather in Buenos Aires, partly cloudy and a high of 30C.
Spent the morning in downtown Toronto. We are now just relaxing in the Mapleleaf lounge, enjoying the finer things in life ;o) and looking forward to meeting up with the advanced party that is eagerly awaiting our arrival.
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.