I got up at 6:30 and went to the lounge where Lamech, our fabulous baker, had put out eight different kinds of doughnuts. I ate a coconut and half a maple and bacon(very different) one. For breakfast, I tried the lox and bagel (salmon , cream cheese and capers), but I am not overly fond of salmon for breakfast. As backup, in case I did not like the lox and bagel, I ordered a buttermilk pancake with Sitka Spruce syrup and bacon. We were divided into groups to go in the dib( outboard-driven inflatable pontoon vessel) so we could get closer to the glacier and wildlife. Sixteen of us suited up in our Wellies and rain gear as it was quite cold. Once, we had our like jackets on, we looked like were were from another planet. Tracy Arm, one of the lesser know, has a very unique beauty. It is crammed into a space averaging just a mile wide. This glacial fjord is 32 miles long with mountain walls rising up 4000 feet. Hundreds of seals were lying on the floating chunks of ice. The faces of the baby seals elicited many oohs and ahhs. The ice that had broken off from the glacier was a beautiful blue hue. We saw Sawyer Glacier and well as several waterfalls. I felt like my mouth was constantly open as I was mesmerized by the sights and sounds. Here is some of the most beautiful scenery on earth. There are no words to describe the blue color of that ice We saw a small calving off South Sawyer Glacier which was quite a treat to see. After yet another delicious lunch, Aspen napped and I laid own when the boat started to violently rock. As I opened the door to my cabin, I was thrown across the hallway. a huge calving of Sawyer Glacier sent waves our way. Things started crashing in the bar and kitchen and the crew were desperately trying to hold the glass ware in the galley and bottles in the bar area from falling. Amazingly enough, only one bottle of wine was broken in the lounge. For dinner, we had baked potato soup(the best) fennel salad and Rocky Road cheese cake(oh my goodness!)We docked at Hobart Bay and a group of us went for a short hike. This would be the only night we were docked and not sailing. The bugs were very bad there, but we sprayed ourselves good with bug spray. We saw a Blue Heron. I have to say, I missed sleeping while sailing and it was not quite as cool.
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.