Off to Africa: First Time. Leaving this Thursday, All Planned by Julian of Timeless Africa! WAHOO!
May 25th, 2008, 03:19 PM
#22
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Robyn --
I've been hanging around Fodor's for only a few months, but I've obsessively read many of the past posts on this board and have followed your trip planning timeline (albeit over a compressed time period). I remember the posts in which you were trying to choose between Julian and a well-known Conde Nast recommended agent, as well as many other decision points in your plans, including the initial sticker shock over Mombo, the decision between Little Vumbura and Kwetsani, and your longstanding wish to go to Singita. Given your extensive travels and your obviously high standards, your praise of Julian is high praise indeed. I value your opinion and enjoy your enthusiasm.
How wonderful to find an agent that is on the same wavelength as you are. I'm definitely going to keep your recommendation in mind for my next trip. I've found Julian's past posts useful, informative and entertaining, and I'm sorry that he doesn't post here anymore. I don't quite understand the history, but in my view this forum has lost an extremely valuable contributor.
I had been wondering whether you'd left yet and I've been hoping that you'd post again. I'm seriously in suspense as to how this will all turn out! Among other things, I'm very interested in hearing how Singita measures up to your expectations.
Have a great trip, and try and post at least a few words right when you get back. We leave on June 26, and I'd love to hear at least your initial impressions before I leave! Bon Voyage!
I've been hanging around Fodor's for only a few months, but I've obsessively read many of the past posts on this board and have followed your trip planning timeline (albeit over a compressed time period). I remember the posts in which you were trying to choose between Julian and a well-known Conde Nast recommended agent, as well as many other decision points in your plans, including the initial sticker shock over Mombo, the decision between Little Vumbura and Kwetsani, and your longstanding wish to go to Singita. Given your extensive travels and your obviously high standards, your praise of Julian is high praise indeed. I value your opinion and enjoy your enthusiasm.
How wonderful to find an agent that is on the same wavelength as you are. I'm definitely going to keep your recommendation in mind for my next trip. I've found Julian's past posts useful, informative and entertaining, and I'm sorry that he doesn't post here anymore. I don't quite understand the history, but in my view this forum has lost an extremely valuable contributor.
I had been wondering whether you'd left yet and I've been hoping that you'd post again. I'm seriously in suspense as to how this will all turn out! Among other things, I'm very interested in hearing how Singita measures up to your expectations.
Have a great trip, and try and post at least a few words right when you get back. We leave on June 26, and I'd love to hear at least your initial impressions before I leave! Bon Voyage!
May 25th, 2008, 06:13 PM
#23
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I agree with the comments of daoracle, Skimmer, Richardnj and lbj. The episode that we all know as the fodors soap-opera was nothing short of internet scam/duping fodorites. Why all the gushing continues, is beyond me?
I think everyone in Africa - I mean every single safari camp/lodge/operator is aware of the fiasco/saga!!!
I think everyone in Africa - I mean every single safari camp/lodge/operator is aware of the fiasco/saga!!!
May 25th, 2008, 06:50 PM
#24
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I'm I actually missing something here.
What fiasco?
All I know is that two people who had a business together splitup.
Really, I do not know of anything else. Came to the Africa board after perhaps all this happened?
Really, I do not understand what has happened here. Honestly.
What fiasco?
All I know is that two people who had a business together splitup.
Really, I do not know of anything else. Came to the Africa board after perhaps all this happened?
Really, I do not understand what has happened here. Honestly.
May 25th, 2008, 07:29 PM
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Just wonder why daoracle doesn't have the balls to use his usual Fodor's name. Obviously he knows the whole story of Rocco/Julian yet hides behind a name that has only a few posts. Tripgirl has many posts and doesn't know the story we all know so well.
As Lynn said, "Who is this masked man?"
I bet it starts with an R. and with that ego associated with that name, I'm sure he thinks he is an oracle.
As Lynn said, "Who is this masked man?"
I bet it starts with an R. and with that ego associated with that name, I'm sure he thinks he is an oracle.
May 25th, 2008, 08:03 PM
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Here's a trip down memory lane - Some comments towards the end of the thread are particularly interestinghttp:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35092734 and warrant a flash back!
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35092734 and warrant a flash back!
May 26th, 2008, 12:37 AM
#31
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As has been mentioned, our forum troller has a new ground to tout for business. This time he even more blatant.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...ngo_Delta.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...ngo_Delta.html
May 26th, 2008, 10:12 AM
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Tripgirl, Have a great trip. Please post a trip report when you return. We also have booked a trip through Timeless Africa for September. We received nothing but exemplary service from them for the planning and booking part of the experience. Above and beyond what was expected. I hope that the actual on the ground experience will be the same and look forward to hearing your impressions of your experience. I am not plugging any agency! We decided to use Timeless Africa before I read any of the soap opera and really wish I had not. It has just put doubts in my mind that are probably not necessary but it is our first trip to Africa and the most we have spent on any trip so far. Again Bon Voyage!
May 26th, 2008, 10:56 AM
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scphoto and tripgirl,
Timeless Africa arranged our Namibia/Botswana/Vic Falls trip last July and we were most pleased both with the trip planning and the trip itself. You have nothing to worry about, Julian runs his business in a most professional manner. There's a lot of good information on this board but unfortunately there are also quite a few people who bring personal agendas/grudges. Have a great trip and post a report when you return!
Timeless Africa arranged our Namibia/Botswana/Vic Falls trip last July and we were most pleased both with the trip planning and the trip itself. You have nothing to worry about, Julian runs his business in a most professional manner. There's a lot of good information on this board but unfortunately there are also quite a few people who bring personal agendas/grudges. Have a great trip and post a report when you return!
May 26th, 2008, 06:30 PM
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May 26th, 2008, 06:58 PM
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Hey Hari -- I always enjoy your posts; you are one of the people in this forum that I've learned the most from. I'm always interested in what you have to say, even if I sometimes disagree (like with the Chitabe fire situation; I still think the operator, not the client, should bear the risk of an unexpected event like a fire, but I was super-interested in your views).
But as a relative newbie and a non-insider, I'm finding your posts on this thread sort of hard to follow. For example, I clicked on the link in your last post, but I can't tell exactly what you object to. I understand that Mombo is likely to be out of reach for someone who doesn't want to spend $15K on a safari, so I agree that it is a bit silly to go on and on about the game viewing at Mombo, but the rest of the advice seemed pretty consistent with what you guys always say -- i.e., for photography, you need to get out early and it is best to have a private vehicle if you can afford it. It's the same thing with some of the other posts -- I have no idea why it would be a bad idea to fly to Etosha instead of driving, but I now feel sort of like the non-cool kid for not knowing.
So, I guess this is just a little plea to be a bit more direct in your criticism (but still with your usual respectful tone), so the rest of us can follow what is going on and can benefit from your knowledge and expertise. Your posts on this thread seem just a little bit snarky in a way that seems out of character with your usual persona. You really are someone who many of us look to for reasoned opinions; we'd love to be able to follow your opinions in this thread, too.
But as a relative newbie and a non-insider, I'm finding your posts on this thread sort of hard to follow. For example, I clicked on the link in your last post, but I can't tell exactly what you object to. I understand that Mombo is likely to be out of reach for someone who doesn't want to spend $15K on a safari, so I agree that it is a bit silly to go on and on about the game viewing at Mombo, but the rest of the advice seemed pretty consistent with what you guys always say -- i.e., for photography, you need to get out early and it is best to have a private vehicle if you can afford it. It's the same thing with some of the other posts -- I have no idea why it would be a bad idea to fly to Etosha instead of driving, but I now feel sort of like the non-cool kid for not knowing.
So, I guess this is just a little plea to be a bit more direct in your criticism (but still with your usual respectful tone), so the rest of us can follow what is going on and can benefit from your knowledge and expertise. Your posts on this thread seem just a little bit snarky in a way that seems out of character with your usual persona. You really are someone who many of us look to for reasoned opinions; we'd love to be able to follow your opinions in this thread, too.
