Today we flew from Darwin to Stanley, the capital of the Falklands and the home of most of the 2500 Falkland Islanders. We were met the the Stanley Airport and taken on a tour of Stanley, which included a visit to the impressive museum, which is housed in a former Argentine airline office. The Argentines no longer reure the building. The only Argentines who visit there either come by cruise ship or on a once monthly Lan flight from the southern Argentine city of Rio Gallegos.
Early in the afternoon we were delivered to Lafone House, our lodgings for the next three and final days of our Falkland's tour. Lafone House is run by Arlet, a charming and very warm lady who made us feel completely at home in the first few minutes we were there. By luck, I guess, we were assigned to the master bedroom of the house which has a lovely view across Stanley Harbour. The house, which came to the Falklands in kit form was built by the Falkland Islands Co. as a manger's home and is of modern Scandinavian design.
Also staying there were eight Argentines, who were all photographers. Many of the Argentines who come to the Falklands are veterans of the 1982 war.
Dinner was not included at Lafone House so we went up the hill to a nearby restaurant named Shorty's. They featured Chinese style meals as well as fish and chips. The fish used is mullet; a locally caught fish, not to be confused with the once popular hair style of the same name.
An interesting feature at Shorty's was a play area for small children at one end of the dining room. We were surprised by the large number of young families who brought two and three year olds out to dinner with them which made the play area very useful.
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.