We are back at Pooks!!! Interesting time at Cockscomb!
9AM departure from Cockscomb. It was a 3 hour drive to Pook's Hill Lodge. Most of the students slept on the way back.
Everyone was ecstatic to be back! No bunk beds!
After lunch, the girls either read or napped. The boys opted to go on a hike.
Ryan, Mitch and Griffin decided to try pole fishing at Rock Pool with pointers from Miguel (Mike). All 3 boys found a bamboo pole to use and Mitch provided the string, hook and trout bait that he brought with him from home. They did not catch any fish. Oh well!
This afternoon, we had a major downpour at Pook's. This was our first rainy day at the lodge and it made the day so hot and muggy! Thankfully, the fans in our rooms worked well! Once the sun came out, many of the kids laid out their towels on the grass to sunbathe.
What happens after the first rainfall? Winged termite adults hatch and fly around at dusk. UGH! There were loads of them flying around this evening driving all of us crazy. Luckily, they do not bite! They just buzz you relentlessly! They invaded all the cabanas that had lights on. Many of the kids were in their cabanas reading or hanging out with each other. To get rid of these noxious pests, the students smashed them with their sandals or shoes. What a mess!
Night hike at Pook's with Griffin, Chiara and myself. We saw some of the same creatures as we did at Cockscomb last night plus a sleeping butterfly and a kinkajou.
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.