June 28, 2014 trip

OK, it is getting close enough to travel time to ask for people who are going on this trip to come in and start the "bonding" process. Boy, did that sound like a visit to the psychiatrist office or what? Next, we'll all be sitting around the camp fire singing "Kum Ba Yah" or holding hands and singing "We Are The World."

Oh well, it will be nice to have talked (written) to some people before I arrive. I am coming in early (1:00 AM) on the 27th for two (the 26th has to count since I am arriving in the middle of the night) extra nights in the hotel. I am working, so far unsuccessfully, to hire a small plane to do a two hour, or so, fly around on the 27th. I know we do a hot air balloon ride for some aerial photographs, but it would be interesting to do another type of photographic exercise. If some of the "veterans" of this tour know how I can set that up, I would appreciate the help.

I am coming in from Venice after a Disney cruise with my youngest daughter and her family. I have no idea how I'll handle that one, but from friends that have gone on cruises with Disney, the kids are well taken care of and have a lot of activities to keep them busy when on the ship. Time will tell.

I am also a solo traveler on his first solo trip. I know it will be fine and after being on other Tauck tours, I know that the company, tour directors, and other guests will be great to get along with. The last day of the trip would have been our 44th anniversary. That will be a tough day.

OK, enough of the sad stuff. Let's see who is going and what great life's stories they have to share. It is exciting.

Comments

  • We did this trip last October, and it was our favorite out of 12 Tauck trips! Packing for a cruise followed by a safari has to be quite challenging!
    I just wanted to comment on your small plane adventure. Remember that you will have a number of small plane flights on the tour itself (Serengeti to Arusha, Amboseli to Nanuki, Nanuki to Masai Mara, Masai Mara to Nairobi). I got some outstanding photos from those trips. And, as far as photos from the balloon ride...phenomenal!
    If you are looking for pre-tour activities to fill that time, other than the Cultural Center, a couple on our trip hired one of our drivers (I think through the hotel) and did a tour of some park or preserve nearby. They had a wonderful experience. It might be worth checking into.
  • Thanks for the suggestion. That sounds like a great alternative. I guess I want to do the flight because I can have the pilot fly where ever we want to go. And, probably more importantly, I love flying in small bush planes. I also might get put in the co-pilot's seat which would allow me to open a window for shots without shooting through glass. However, your suggestion gives me what seems to be an equally good situation. I can have the driver go where we want and take some shots of animals (hopefully) at our leisure. I will be sending the hotel an email to see if they can set that up for me.

    The Cultural Center is also an option, as is a guided tour around the lake. We will see. I just don't want to sit around the hotel all day and feel sorry for myself that my wife isn't with me any more to enjoy these trips. Actually, I have almost two days to do all of this, since I get there at 0100 on the 27th (I'll want to sleep late that day but probably be too wired to do it) and the tour doesn't do anything on the 28th, that I can see. Maybe I can do a couple of those things, keeping in mind that these tours are marathons, not sprints.

    As far as packing for both the cruise and safari, if anyone notices (and I can't imagine they will), they will be saying, "Look at that guy, he dresses like he is on a safari." Having been to most of the places the cruise takes us (Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Florence, Rome, Naples, Catania, Corfu, Dubrovnik, and Venice), I really don't think I'll be out of place with khakis and casual shirts. I don't plan on taking a suit because I know I won't need it on either trip. I'll be spending most of the days sightseeing. I hired a car, driver, and guide for the family at all of the stops in Europe. I've never been on a Disney cruise, but as I look at pictures on the internet, there are very few men in coats and ties--even in the upscale restaurants. When we are on the "at sea" days, I'll just lounge around the pool with the kids, when they aren't in some activity or editing photos of the stops at the pub.

    It's all good and I am very eager to take part in both adventures.

    Thanks for the help. That is what I have come to expect from fellow Tauckers, or is it Tauckists, or Tauckconians, or something else. Peter and Dan should have a contest to find a nickname for their travelers. They could give away a free hotel night or something.

    Happy Trails.
  • I think Joycesw makes a good point, I remember when I did this tour that you did get great views from the small planes, which was great because our group got up at 4am two days running for the balloon ride but the weather was not suitable so it was canceled and Tauck did give everyone their money back for the ride.
    I can see you have a great passion for photography but I found that on a safari trip you can get so hyper about getting a perfect shot that you can actually miss what is truly going on around you because the animals are a moving target. My camera is my brain on these occasions. Of course one has to take some photos to prove you went to friends and relatives, but after the first couple of days it's good to relax and just enjoy. And to be honest our camera at the time did not have date and time on it and I think it must have been film not digital, but either way they got mixed up and it's hard to remember 'was that the elephant at a or b or was it c?' I will have a better camera and will be making a shutterfly book this next Africa trip, but I will not obsess, memories of being pushed and shoved by other members on some of the safari vehicles to get their great shots does cloud my memory a bit too. I have done shutterfly books for several trips now, prior to that scrap books. In the end I think the Africa Kenya and Tanzania trip was just a basic photo album.
    Please post your finds for things at the Duluti, especially if you do an extra safari tour, we will be leaving on July 2nd for our tour, wow, hire your own plane! Impressed!
  • You must have been in the Narcissist's Jeep. I don't plan on knocking people down for pictures....really? I do like to take pictures and, like you, put them into books or frame them for the house or as gifts. I think I can take pictures and watch the animals too. It isn't rocket science. However, it would be nice to be on my own, in a car or plane, to take pictures at my leisure and without interfering with other peoples' desire to see the animals.

    Hiring a plane or car and driver isn't all that impressive. A couple hours in a small plane or a car and driver aren't terribly expensive...at least they weren't in other areas of the world I have been in. I have no idea what it is in the African bush. After all, with the money that gets spent on the trip, a few dollars more to enhance your experience isn't something to get too upset about. I have no idea if, or when, I will get back there.

    It is nice that you have a photographic memory ("My camera is my brain...") but it is difficult to share those thoughts with others, put them in a book, or frame them. It'll all work out and I'll enjoy "memorizing" and "photographing" the necessary animals, people, and scenes on the tour.

    I would thank you for the advice, but I didn't get any.
  • edited May 2014
    Well, I don't really want to get in the middle of this discussion, but I do have a few comments ...About photography...I got a new super zoom before the trip and found that at least three others on our tour (plus others from the Tanzania/Zanzibar tour that were at the same lodge) got the same, or nearly the same one. We were mostly novices, but we had so much fun comparing notes and photos, it was very worthwhile! My husband used his trusty compact camera and got great photos. Between the two of us we took well over 3,000 photos, and that is with downloading them nightly to our ipad and deleting the duds! We also borrowed a video camera (wouldn't do that again, but was fearful of loading up the memory card...would just use our cameras..two 16 gig cards hold ALOT!) and we love the videos we captured! We had some avid photographers with us (two of them sent CD's of their photos...spectacular), but EVERYONE was very polite and mindful of others having the opportunity to get a great shot. Did we miss much by taking photos??? Not a bit! Most of us put down the cameras and just gawked often! But we wouldn't trade those shots for anything. In fact, there was one instance where we were watching a leopard descend a tree and it was pretty hard to see with the naked eye. I raised my camera, took a shot and I have a fabulous, centered shot of the leopard backing down the tree!! We've all have a good laugh over that one!
    Upon the advice of a fellow traveler, I used My Publisher to create a deluxe photo book...he said, "Don't go cheap! Use the best paper and photo quality." By using a sale coupon, I got a great deal, and the book is nothing short of wonderful, if I do say so myself!! In fact, I am now going over my previous 11 trips and thinking about creating books for each of those trips! I have two toddler grandchildren who love animals, and I created a personalized story book about a trip to Africa for each of them using many of the photos I took on this trip for a Christmas stocking stuffer! It was fun to do, and they love looking at the photos with them in the scene! Just another perk of having fabulous photos!
    About free time...We were more concerned about the extensive time at Mt. Kenya Safari Club...the first day after arrival you visit the animal orphanage, the second day you go to Ol Pejeta and a chimp sanctuary (both great) with a free afternoon (we played golf...a funky little nine-hole course that is loads of fun...Where else can you tee off in the Southern Hemisphere and hole out in the Northern Hemisphere??). The third day you visit local weavers and we visited an orphanage. Interesting, but not a high point on the tour for us (many really were moved by this, but we loved the school we visited in Tanzania). An option, at your own expense, is a trip to a preserve can't remember the name) to see rhinos. I really wish we had done that. I almost started to feel a bit "Game Drive Deprived" with the down time there. In my opinion, Tauck needs to revise that part of the itinerary. With that said, I think there were those in our group who liked the "down time." I sense you might get a bit restless.
    Okay, so now is my response on the emotional level. It is clear that this is going to be a tough trip for you, understanding the dates involved. One of the many benefits of traveling with Tauck is the kind of people that choose this travel company. Taucktourians (a name given to us by our local guide in Turkey on the "Treasures of the Aegean" tour) are nothing short of wonderful! I am certain that your fellow travelers will understand the difficulty of these dates for you and help you to celebrate the years you and your wife had together.
    If you have any specific questions about the trip, my email is joyce_sw@att.net. While we went later in the year, I might be able to address other questions you may have.
  • ndvb wrote:
    After all, with the money that gets spent on the trip, a few dollars more to enhance your experience isn't something to get too upset about.

    An excellent point we keep coming round to. I was talking with my wife about options and costs for getting from Heathrow to London. When all was said and done there wasn't a huge difference in costs- so my wife said, let's go the quickest and easiest way!

    British- you just had to mention Shutterfly!- I still haven't organized my photos from last year's trip for a Shutterfly book! Wanna do it for me?
  • edited May 2014
    Joycesw, thanks for your response. I know the photography and videography of the trip will be important memoirs of this trip. I use an Apple computer and Aperture software. Apple also has a great program for designing a book of photos and comments after the trip. I have used it many times. It too uses high quality paper and finishing with a hardback edition. I took my camera to my granddaughter's lacrosse game today (2nd grade, so it looks like the Keystone Cops out there running in a bunch and chasing a ball....only they have sticks that usually get in the way). I took 250 photos in 45 minutes (continuous fast frame shooting can really run up the shots).

    I am not worried about interfering with other peoples' views of the animals. I am very aware of who is around me and where I am. I am taking the zoom lens since this glass will give me nice close-ups and probably belay my need for binoculars. I might stick a small pair in my pocket, just in case. I'm not worried about memory cards for either camera. I have several large ones and, like you, I download them to the computer daily and send some out a daily log to friends.

    I am taking my GoPro camera along with me. It is just a great little camera that can be put into a pocket and put onto a monopod to extend it as close to the animals as possible. I'm getting better at cutting long amounts of video down to a couple of minutes of enjoyable movies that I will put on YouTube...music and all. No one want to see a long uncut video. I can also stick some of my photos in them as well.

    Now for the more relevant stuff. I appreciate your understanding of how important this trip is to me, considering the loss of my wife. I have every expectation that the Taucktourians will be great to deal with. This is my third trip with Tauck and after this one, I have two more planned for next winter (Yellowstone and Antarctica). We have had great experiences with everyone on the previous trips. It'll be good, I promise.

    I will check into some of the additional excursions you suggest. They sound great. Yes, I will be much happier seeing more of the wilderness. We lived in Colorado for 10 years and I had a "rock crawling" Jeep that I took up into the mountains very often. The game drives will be the highlight for me.

    Thanks for giving me additional contact information and if need be I will make sure and contact you. I go through life with the mantra "Life is 5% of what happens to you; 95% of how you deal with it."

    Happy Trails.

  • edited May 2014
    Did any of the former Taucktourians (special note to Joycesw for passing that word on) get Tanzanian or Kenyan Shillings (TZS and KES, respectfully) for their trip? I was going to see if I could get a couple of hundred dollars (USD) in each to take with me. Is it really necessary? Maybe $50 or $100 might be enough? I will use a credit card whenever possible, but thought I might need some local currency. What do you think?

    Thanks.
  • I'm not sure this will be any help at all …. but in Australia, retail banks don't trade in those currencies. I suspect it might also be the case in the States, but I haven't verified that. My suggestion …. take a wad of US $1 notes..er, bills to you! Collect a tiny bit of local currency when you arrive. I doubt you'll need much. You could probably break a life rule and exchange some at the hotel rather than wandering around outside looking for an ATM. You might also find your wad of greenbacks diminishes as you proceed!

    Perhaps someone else can chime in with more local advice for you. Leo?

    Cheers,

    Jan
  • We never converted any money nor withdrew any while there (didn't notice any ATM's in the places you visit). We brought US dollars which are accepted everywhere and used credit cards. Just be aware that the bills you bring must not be torn, worn and issued after 2006 (I recall, better check on that one). We don't usually travel with much cash but did bring more than usual. With that said, we returned home with most of it! Do not bother to bring big bills. Twenties are the largest you should bring. It made no sense to pay conversion fees when US dollars are what most people accept .
  • edited May 2014
    OK. Although $200 USD translates into 330,199.74 TZS. It would be interesting to see the denominations of money you have to carry around with those kinds of numbers. Might need a wheel barrow to buy a candy bar.
  • In light of the UK pulling travel to Kenya today, is anyone canceling on this trip?
  • edited May 2014
    That's interesting. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) issued a travel advisory for Kenya this morning, 17th May. It did not "pull travel", but rather said this:

    Current Advice Level: "High degree of caution"
    Change Summary:
    It contains new information in the Summary under Safety and security: Terrorism (on 16 May 2014, explosions in Nairobi's Gikomba market area killed at least ten people and injured many others. On 3 May at least three people were killed following explosions in a bus terminal in Mombasa and another at a hotel in Nyali. On 4 May at least four people were killed and more than 90 wounded when two explosive devices were detonated on passenger buses in Nairobi. On 24 April extremists attempted to kidnap aid workers from the Dabaab refugee camp near the border with Somalia). We continue to advise Australians to reconsider their need to travel to Nairobi and the Mombasa region, including Diani Beach, due to the high threat of terrorist attack and high level of crime. We also continue to strongly advise Australians not to travel to border regions with Somalia, Ethiopia and South Sudan, because of the extremely dangerous security situation. Elsewhere in Kenya we advise Australians
    to exercise a high degree of caution.


    As you see, the advice is very specific about particular areas. As is the UK. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) notice, issued 16th May and still current at the 17th, I just checked. In fact, they are nearly mirror images of each other. How surprising! ;) Neither set of advice "pulls travel" to Kenya, per se, rather they are very specific about where not to travel in Kenya. Your itinerary only has 1 day in Nairobi … en route for the international airport. Other than that, you are nowhere near the prescribed areas.

    Of course, you must do what you think best. But talk to Tauck directly before you decide. They don't specialise in war zone tours. And they may well have plans B & C in the works.

    Cheers,

    Jan

    References:
    http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Kenya
    https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya
    http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/kenya-travel-warning.html
  • ndvb wrote:
    OK. Although $200 USD translates into 330,199.74 TZS. It would be interesting to see the denominations of money you have to carry around with those kinds of numbers. Might need a wheel barrow to by a candy bar.

    Easy peasy. Give up candy bars! ;)
  • OK, I found a private air tour company that I can hire for a day, or partial day, air tour around the Arusha, Kilimanjaro, and Moshi airports. They have scenic flights that last from 1:45 to 3:45 hours. I emailed them for the cost and will let folks know when I get it.

    This sounds like a great way to spend the first day of the tour since Tauck really doesn't do anything that day. I am still trying to figure out how they include that as an official day. Anyway, I arrive on the 27th at 0100 and will probably get to the hotel around 0300, I would expect. I'll sleep in that day to around 1000 and either take an afternoon/evening flight or get up early on the 28th and get some early morning sightseeing and pictures. I am not worried about jet lag since I am coming in from Venice. Time changes don't effect me anyway. Hopefully, I'll sleep on the flight from Venice and not be too tired.

    I think this sounds like a great addition to the tour.


  • OK, I'll try this again. I am looking for other folks that are registered for this trip--Kenya and Tanzania on June 28, 2014. No one answered when I posted it before. This time I brushed my teeth, took a shower, and combed my hair so I am presentable.

    It would be nice to communicate with others on this safari. I am leaving for Europe on Thursday and will fly from Venice to Mt. Kilimanjaro on June 26 (arrive the 27th). Any of you "Taucktorians" willing to admit you are on this one? It is full, so I know some of you are out there.

    Happy Trails.
  • Everyone must be too busy packing. We are booked for next year.

    I wanted to ask, however, what was the quoted price for the air charter sightseeing flights? Will you be doing it?
  • OUTRAGEOUS!!!!! It would cost more to do that flight than I paid for first/business tickets from Venice to Mt. Kilimanjaro and Nairobi to home. I just laughed. Those folks must think all Americans are rich AND stupid. I told him I'd pay a reasonable amount that would allow him some profit, but I didn't want to BUY the plane and his business. Although, if he gets that kind of money regularly, I might want to buy his business.

    He told me the cost of doing business in Africa is different than in the States. I told him it couldn't be 200 times more expensive. His margins must be astronomical. Or, he has no margins because no one hires him. I knew it would be a bit expensive and was willing to pay it, but he was off the charts.

    I'll just find a guide to take me to the rhino area and spend some time there. I'll let you know what I find.

    I was going to post pictures that I took of a tiger and a lion at the local zoo, but I can't get them to transfer for some reason. When I use the button at the top of the page, it just puts the address of the picture on my computer.

    OK, have fun in the Alps, AlanS. I'll be interested in hearing about your trip when you return.

  • I'm still trying to get a response from someone who is on the June 28th trip to Kenya and Tanzania. They tell me it is full, but no one fesses up to actually being on it, besides me.

    Oh well, it will like Christmas....just don't know what you are getting until it happens.

    AlanS, when do you leave for the Alps?

    I leave Thursday (6/12) for the European cruise part of this adventure. It should be fun. I arrive in Arusha on 6/27.

    Happy Trails.
  • We are going on the Kenya tour on June 27. This is our nineth or tenth Tauck tour! And loved every one! We are going super casual...it does say a casual tour, so we will be looking Safari like casual and trying to pack super light because of the small plane flights. We are not even packing clothes... Slacks etc ...for " dinner".
    We have traveled with other "solos" and have always tried to make sure everyone is included in all plans. Look forward to this great trip! We have heard from other travelers who have gone in the past just how fabulous the trip is and never a problem with photos...there are just too many animals to be seen by all!
  • Good to see someone is on this trip. I am in Venice and leaving tomorrow morning for Tanzania. This is the last night on the Disney cruise of the Mediterranean. It was a great trip. The grandkids loved it. We are taking off to walk around Venice in a few minutes. I thought I'd give a last minute check to see if anything exciting has been posted.

    I'll let you know how the Turkish Airlines flights are. I have flown on them before and thought they did a great job.

    Ciao.

  • I hope you both have a great time on your trip, ndvb and Rkps!

    -Tim

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