FP
Forums are excellent! They provide you we a wealth of information. But are these guys responsible? Of course not.

A decent TO/SC well pays attention to your needs and interests and he/she will do the utmost to serve you in order to keep you as a client.
Despite money is involved: a honest and frank rekationship between clients and SC is the most valueable asset you could get.
Forumites - no one to contact if difficulties arise - afterwards and claim anything.

Anyway - wish you well an hopefully you got honest advise ;-)

SV ((@))

AG FP
You cannot really differentiate whether you got some advise from professionals here in order to enhance their very own potential with any of the recommended camps/lodges.

So better be careful with what you take ;-)

SV ((@))

SpassVogel,
I NEVER said the fordorites planned my trip - I said they were very helpful in "MY" planning..obviously giving me OPINIONS on camps, air vs. driving, hotels to stay in upon landing in Nairobi ...normal discussions amongst fellow travelers.

When I contacted (and AM USING ONE OF THEM) the Op's in Kenya I did get a lot of information I did NOT ask for - i.e. I should stay in "X" camp instead of the one I WANTED..so I got the feeling they had an interest (i.e.financial) in trying to get me to use a particular camp.
However I do have a stubborn side to me and held out for what I wanted - even to the extent of contacting the camps directly, which was very interesting and in my trip report, I shall address that.

I never said I would travel without a "paid" contact with a TO in the country - I do not know where you got that from..I merely stated with the vast amts of info available on the web that the tourist industry is due for a change.

And I stick to that.

NOW, the quote you gave me: "A honest and frank relationship between clients and SC is the most valuable asset you can get."

That would be fine if when I asked a question I got an honest answer. Anything to do with costs was avoided. That is not an honest answer in my world.

So I feel you might be living in a dream world if you think all fodorites are useless and all To's are honest and frank.
There are always some good and some bad; that is why I stated earlier it is a choice we make to listen or not.


Nonetheless, I do hope you have a great time on your upcoming trip, come back with a fabulous trip report and pics, and I plan on doing the same!

This is why we have forums - for exchange of ideas, opinions, great trip reports and pics. I am not here to get into arguing about anything else. What I think is mine, and what you think is yours. That's about it. And-
That is what I am taking.

FP

FP
I honestly feel qwith yiu!

Finding a honest and sincere SC makes such difference.

Hope you post your trip retort! I must admit I never do............

I wish yo a great trip and a memorable safari! You deserve it!

SV ((@))

Hi FP
Just read your post now as I was away over the weekend. I think it is well balanced and has pertinant points. Things certainly have changed, I mean who ever thought in this day and age we would have a world wide recession created by the mightiest of nations with the worlds greatest brains.
As you say. "What is the answer?"

This is NOT a shouting match, I honestly wish you a good trip and look forward to seeing or reading the glee on your eyes.

Have a GREAT SAFARI!

Thank you LOL; yes I agree - some of the brains have drained for sure;
perhaps that is why I love planning my great escape to Kenya!

I am looking forward to realizing my great dream and do hope things progress in my country and in yours so that we all may be eventually financially secure and stable- and for sure, at peace.

Who knows, I may run into you at the mara (haha) I will have my cap on that says Make Flowers, Not War, and you will have LOL written all over yours :)

Thanks for contributing to my postings!

FP

FP
If the right wording is "Touche" then I am touched by a poster on Fodors.

You have my blessing.

G-D Bless

Laugh out Loud,

I thought the recession was caused by USA, your description seems to refer to somewhere else?

surkamp
Didn't you know that the Germans bought/sold/re-bought and re-sold these toxic stocks like mad?
I have heard they were America's biggest customers. German bank's hunger for that toxic stuff making profit and end loosing BILLIONS was unbelievably big. Greed driven bankers stirred the wheel in Germany!

Now banks haven been bailed out on taxpayer's accounts and bankers get boni again. At least these criminals have the sufficient funds to go on safari ;-)

SV ((@))