I'm fidgeting and anxious because I can almost smell the saltwater, hear the roar of the waves! My friends, I give you the OCEAN!!! Coming from a land-locked state, one learns to appreciate seeing the ocean at least once a year and boy do we relish it.
Before I leap into the sea head first; let me tell a great piece of advice. If you have time for a Thai massage do it! I paid $20 for an hour and a half massage at a local massage place right outside the Tamarind Hotel in Chiang Mai. What a way to start my first beach day.
We drove to the airport and took a two hour flight to Phuket. Because we wanted to experience a little less foot traffic and people, we opted to stay at Dewa Hotel just across the street from the ocean. Dewa Hotel is located in Northern Phuket about ten minutes from the airport. Sirinat National Park borders the hotel which means you're not getting a whole lot of people hanging around the beach, as you would in Patong. It's nothing but trees and beach here, too bad Leo Dicaprio didn't find this place first. But guess who did? Our first traveling friend, Beach Dog. Of course the first man I meet traveling is an adorable, four legged charmer.
Given the numerous islands in Southern Thailand, you really wouldn't want to stay at Dewa for an extended period. It's a great location for a stop over in Phuket if your flight arrives in the afternoon and you can't catch a boat out to a neighboring island until the next day. There are more gems to be had around Southern Thailand. One of which is known as "Paradise". To be continued.....aka read onto the next post!
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.