After finishing packing just after midnight, the 4AM alarm came a little too soon! Groggy and excited, I started my long journey to Quito. My flight from Missoula to Minneapolis was plagued by a 2 hour screaming tantrum compliments of the toddler sitting directly behind me- but my Minneapolis to Atlanta flight was much nicer and I was able to get in a much needed nap.
In Atlanta, I met up with my sister, Amanda, who I had not seen in 7 months. She flew in from Michigan.
We immediately set out to find my favorite restaurant that doesn't exist in Montana- a must anytime I visit the south (Thank goodness it isn't Sunday when this restaurant is always closed). We gorged ourselves on deliciously greasy food and then wandered the airport for a while to stretch our legs.
We grabbed a couple of giant sandwiches for the flight and boarded our plane. The Delta flight was AWESOME- we were bumped to an Exit row and there were dozens of movies, tv shows and music stations to choose from. They also served us giant sandwiches...so...4 hours and 4 giant sandwiches later (that's right, waste not...), we landed in Quito! After going through customs, we were met by Betty and Marcelo (they run our office in Quito). It was so nice to be greeted by such wonderful people after a long day of travel! They drove us to Mansion del Angel, our home for the night.
We felt like VIPs as we pulled up to the beautiful hotel and went through the wrought iron gate and up the spiral stone steps. Betty helped us check in (my Spanish isn't what it used to be) and we were shown to our room. The room was fabulous!! Super spacious, clean and very comfortable. There was a fireplace, a living room and a huge bathroom. Our beds even had heated blankets! We were sad to only get one night here!
After taking silly pictures of ourselves in the fancy robes provided, we settled in to rest up for our Galapagos flight.
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.