SAFARI WEST, SANTA ROSA, NAPA VALLEY - FAINA’S REPORT

SAFARI WEST RIDE
Absolutely worth the time and money. Make reservations in advance: we had to settle for whatever slots were available. I think this weekend March 8-9 is the last weekend of the winter schedule, and the price will go up from the $55 per person we paid, but more rides will be available.

Bring binoculars and a sweater even if you think you won’t need it. And be ready to take 1,000,000 pictures!

You can come earlier and wander around a little, they have a few cages like in a zoo, but don’t come early just to see them - you’ll have a walking tour of those after the ride. Check in at the office next to the gift shop - they give colored bracelets for the ride.

The special trucks have lower level and 4 upper level seats. You can see them on the website. If you want to ride on the top (part of the way, the rotate the seats) try to make it first. The first one-third of the ride is interesting to see from the top, and then the guide rotates the seats, but honestly not interesting for the rest of the tour. Just watch out for the trees not to hit you on the face.

The ride is bumpy. If you rode Eastern European dirt roads, double the bumpiness. But it’s not as bad as to make you to buckle up except while being on the upper level.

The seats are soft, and so are the backs. But I would not advise a pregnant woman to get on.

The only problem I had was to get on and off. There are no flat steps, only railing-like. They have 2-steps plastic ladders with 2 wide steps, which I needed for the broken foot. I had the medical shoe on, a cane, and a visible limp; still I had to ask to put the steps close to the truck for me to get on.

At the end of the drive, my son did it for me, as the driver/guide simply walked away. I didn’t ask for any support or help, just to put the steps close to the truck.

The dirt roads are bad. We saw a truck stuck in a lake, why did it even go there? But the people were fine, and I’m sure very soon they will think of this with a smile.

The branches, doesn’t matter how large, are not taken off the roads, and our driver moved the truck over them, one jumped up like a rake, and missed my son’s face by an inch. I was pissed.

The ride is 2 hours long. You will see different African animals, some of them you won’t see in the zoos, and get ears full with all kind of information. After that, 1 hour easy walking tour, just make sure your shoes have thick sole, as you’ll walk on small rocks.

At the end of the walking tour the guide thanked us and started to walk away. We were the only ones to tip him, although on the website and in the truck there are notes about tipping. I pitied the man - he was limping, twitching while driving, and had a face scar. I know how it feels to have to go to work every day even if it hurts.

SAFARI WEST LUNCH
After 3.5 hours in the fresh air we were sooooo hungry! Reserved the barbeque lunch with 1 vegetarian dish.

Pay attention, vegetarians, and don’t repeat my mistake! My dish was bland pasta with some veggies. Others had soup, green salad, potato salad, beans, and chicken. I would be much better off with potatoes/beans.

Lunch was just OK, I can tell, my non-dessert kids all had a slice of something, it was either German chocolate cake or carrot cake, nobody was sure after eating it.

Outside they had lemonade and iced water. Only after I went inside to pay, discovered coffee. Next time, I would not do lunch. Did not expect anything gourmet, but I did expect something filling!

SAFARI WEST LODGING AND GIFT SHOP
The bungalows looked like having all hotels‘ or at least motels’ amenities, but very romantic. Such a nice environment to spend a night with a sweetheart! Too bad, the kids didn’t want to stay there. The gift shop looked like any zoo gift shop except the items had Safari West’s name on it.

MOTEL 6 SANTA ROSA
This was my first stay in a Motel 6 ever. Let me tell you, I’ve stayed in motels in California worse then this one!

Of course, being so affordable, it was like bare bones. No clock radio. No coffeemaker. No shampoo, only soap. In the bathroom, only shower, but a rather large counter space. TV with HBO. Semi-soft beds.

We all found it very adequate for the price and very clean. Each room was $55.93 with AARP discount - and this is a Saturday night!

CHARLES SCHULZ MUSEUM
The kids walked around on both levels looking at the drawings. There is a video nook and a theater - probably with the same schedule. The map of the museum is easy to use. At 3.30 they have some silly cartoon showing.

It was the first time I saw a Peanut and Snoopy cartoon. It was the first time Mr. Again napped to the music of the cartoon. Even if you are a fan, $8 is way too much!

Not surprisingly, we didn’t see many children there, not much for them to do. They would have more families with non-stop cartoons.

JHANTHONG BANBUA
My spell check is screaming at me! It’s a Thai restaurant with a nice decor. We were so hungry after the Safari lunch, were there for dinner maybe even before 6 pm, and this place is busy!

After 2 shared appetizers and an entree each, washed down by beer or wine, there was no room for dessert. We liked the food, and recommend it for a casual or a semi-casual lunch or dinner.

PINER CAFE
looked like it was a Thai restaurant before, judging by carving and glass doors‘ design. The breakfast was filling, fairly priced, good coffee, friendly service, we all had some variations of eggs and/or toasts.

We needed it, as Motel 6 did not offer any breakfast. Not even a pastry or a doughnut! Only coffee in the office.

NAPA VALLEY AREA
We drove to Sonoma, then Napa area just to see the beauty of those. Now is the best time: the green grass and leaves are young and bright, and everything blooms. Amazing views.

We parked at Domaine Carneros for the view. The tasting menu looked fantastic, wine, champagne, cheese, smoked fish, and you sit at a table being waited on - but we went with the kids’ choice not to spend much time at this place.

IMAGERY ESTATE WINERY
The kids split the tasting of $10, they thought the advertised art gallery is a real gallery. When will they finally learn not to fall into tourist traps?

But we had fun, checked out the gift shop while they were sipping, sat outside enjoying the view and the weather, waiting for them to pick which bottle to buy.

They ended up not liking any, and with Mr. Again we didn’t care to drink. Fare to say, the glass art which was dishes, was nice. And they had chocolates; we got dark from New Guinea. After all, how often do you see anything from New Guinea? 71% cocoa.

BISTRO DON GIOVANNI
Without reservations, the waiting at Mustard's would be 1.5 hours, so we drove down to the Bistro. After getting in right away, it felt strange to wait 1/2 hour to get food on the table.

The portions were small, but filling. Coffee is fine. Pellegrino limonata is good. Carrots with my gnocci were not properly peeled.

Overall, I would not recommend this place only because I feel it’s overpriced. But then, in that touristy area everything must be overpriced.

Now I need to start packing for San Diego