June 1, 2015 -- I stared out at the incredible view from atop a stony ridge next to the Lamplugh glacier. In the distance, our ship, which carried about 90 passengers and crew members, looked like a tiny little dot next to the massive mountaintops, receding glaciers, and steep rocky shores.
My little excursion group, which included Ranger Jenny, had motored over in the skiff past the face of the glacier, dodging 200-year old chunks of ice to land on a wet, rocky shore. Leaving our rubber boots behind, we’d climbed up a steep dark rocky ridge dotted with purple lupins.
“Alaska has the power to really make you feel small,” our guide Marika said as we stared across the wide blue bay at the mountains in the distance.
No kidding. My iPhone camera just couldn’t do it justice. Richard, who had our good camera, had chosen not to go on this hike. Which was a good call for a person afraid of edges. And no use messing up those two new knees.
I wasn’t sure I’d wanted to go on this hike either. Beth, our activities director, had made it sound very treacherous. “It’s rocky and steep, and you may have to slide down on your butt,” she’d told our group the night before. “You should be in good shape to do this hike. And, if you’re afraid of edges or heights, it’s not for you.”
It was challenging for a Sunday hiker like me. But I power walk almost every day at home and play competitive tennis. I managed just fine.
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
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.