I had no idea what to expect during my time on Easter Island but a few pleasant surprises told me that this was going to be a good visit. The first surprise was that I got upgraded to business class for the 5-hour flight to Easter Island. The second surprise was that, unknown to me when I arranged this part of my trip to Easter Island, I would be on the island during the Tapati (a Local Festival – more on this later). After I landed at the airfield built by the U.S. military in 1950s – the U.S. had a small base on Easter Island until the 1960s – I met my group (an American lady from California and a Canadian).
But the other surprise was that when I got off the plane I was met by a very attractive lady, Josefina Mulloy, who was going to be our guide for the next four days.
Josefina is an American (married to a local) who grew up on the West Coast of America and on Easter Island and our surprise came when we found out who she was. While we were on tour a man from another tour group came up to our group and introduced himself to us and Josefina. He then thanked Josefina for all the work her family did and told us who we had as our guide. In the late 1950s an American research professor (William Mulloy) visited Easter Island, fell in love with the island then devoted his life’s work to restoring the island. Because of William Mulloy’s effort and work, all of the statues (moai) now erected around the island are the result of his doing. William Mulloy is the person responsible for bring back the life and culture to Easter Island and now as our guide was the granddaughter of William Mulloy. This made my time on Easter Island more special because of her background and the personal insight that she provided during the tour.
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.