12th Man in Africa!

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Table Mountain

Wine Safari

On day 3 of our Southern Safaris tour we were transported to the wine growing region of the Western Cape.  South African wines are becoming increasingly popular on the international market and some of the country’s best vintages come from the region just east of Capetown.

After a leisurely breakfast we boarded our bus and headed east, passing through the City Bowl and eastern suburbs.  We made one brief stop en route, Drakenstein Prison where Mandela finally regained his freedom in 1990.  He had been transferred here at the end of his 27 years of imprisonment because his failing health demanded the superior medical facilities available at Drakenstein.  At the entrance is a recently unveiled statue of the anti-Apartheid campaigner so we stopped for a photo op.

Our first wine stop was Anura Winery. They have a lovely vineyard and facility with views of the distant Hawaquas Mountains.  Our host was the ebullient Francois, a descendant of French Huguenots whose family has been making wine in South Africa for generations.  After a tour of the warehouse and facilities, we retired to the tasting room.  We tasted 3 whites and 3 reds, all paired with home made cheeses and fruit compotes.  Francois was quite the entertainer and he regaled us with stories and anecdotes.  We laughed, nibbled, and sipped our way through the offerings.  I’ve done tastings in many countries and it was a nice and unique touch to have the cheeses as well.

After our Anura tasting, we slipped off to lovely Stellenbosch, a university town in the heart of wine country.  Colonial architecture, wide and tree-lined streets, boutique shopping, and that unique, energetic vibe that seems to pervade university towns the world over made it a pleasant visit.  We made our lunch break there with lots of fun choices for sidewalk cafes and student eateries.

Our afternoon tasting took place at Spice Route winery.  If possible, the setting was even more picturesque than Anura.  The estate is on a hill with vineyards spreading down the slope in front. The distant mountains create a lovely backdrop for the idyllic vista.  The grounds are pleasantly organized with statues adding to the ambiance.

In addition to wines, the compound also sports a micro-brewery, grappa distillery, chocolate factory, couple of restaurants, and a blown glass gallery/shop.  We began with the tasting, sampling 4 wines.  This time the vintages were paired with chocolate – something unique for me.

I must confess, my palate was not refined enough to distinguish flavors between chocolates, but it was fun and pleasing to try.  After the tasting we took a couple of hours of free time to enjoy all the offerings of the estate.  Many of our tour members opted to do a beer tasting in the brewery.  Others merely wandered the grounds taking pictures.  A few tried home made Biltong, South Africa’s game meat jerky, in one of the restaurants.  It was a beautiful fall day so many simply relaxed on the grounds until time to return to Capetown and further culinary explorations of our Long St neighborhood.  The relaxed pace, beautiful setting, and ideal weather made the day a perfect rural outing.

Capetown - Cape of Good Hope

I mentioned in my Capetown blog that further highlights await the traveler who ventures beyond the City Bowl and V&A Waterfront.  I was referring to the scenic Atlantic beaches and communities, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and of course the excursion up Table Mountain itself.  We visited all these and more on our Day 2 excursion to Cape Point.  The Cape of Good Hope, made famous by Portuguese explorers Diaz and De Gama, is part of the Table Mountain National Park.  It is a scenic excursion and photographic safari par excellence!  We packed in a full day to catch the highlights.

We began the day with a photographic stop in the Bo Kaap neighborhood with its colorful houses and stunning venue.  Then it was up and over the shoulder between Table Mountain and Lion’s Head to the Atlantic beaches.  The Atlantic coast of the Cape is sprinkled with sandy beaches and intimate coves surrounded by granite boulders or picturesque fishing villages, all with a scenic backdrop of the Cape’s dramatic spinal chain of mountains.  Our first stop was Camps Bay and the spectacular 12 Apostles.  Twelve peaks dominate the vista beyond this arcing golden sand beach.  We stopped for photographs in the early morning light.

Then it was on to lovely Hout Bay, another stunning view, and more photo ops.  This time, the highlight is the bay itself with its striking northern headland.  Further south we were ready for a rest stop so we visited an ostrich farm.  We’d seen a few wild ostriches in Namibia, but only at a great distance.  So it was fun to be “up close and personal” with these strangely gangly yet majestic birds.  Then back on the bus for the final leg to Cape Point itself.

The Cape is the southwestern-most point of Africa and the meeting place of the Indian and Atlantic oceans.  Bartolemeo Diaz was the first European to sight the cape in 1494.  Later, Vasco de Gama would round the point, sale on to India, and open a new era of European history - the shift from Mediterranean to Atlantic trade and the age of exploration.  My overriding impression of this historic place:  it’s windy!  At the southernmost extreme, the Cape narrows to a vertical, rocky point jutting out into the sea.  Crashing waves from the dual oceans break on the plunging cliffs of the point, adding to the drama.

A picturesque lighthouse tops the highest point and travelers can hike out to several view points to take in the dramatic scenery.  Baboons beg for food and generally make a nuisance of themselves.  For those not wishing to climb, there is a handy funicular to take you most of the way up.  After our blustery visit we circled back to the actual Cape of Good Hope (not the southernmost spur) for the obligatory photo op with the sign.  We waited patiently in the long line of tourists to take our shot.

The morning was long over so we started back north, this time driving the eastern edge of the Cape along False Bay.  We stopped for lunch in the pretty harbor village of Simons Town.  After lunch we visited Boulders Beach.  The beach itself is worth a visit with its tumble of huge boulders which divide the sandy bay into smaller coves and inlets.  But the real draw is the colony of cute, African penguins that call Boulders home.  Handy boardwalks have been built so visitors can be in and among the birds without disturbing them overmuch.

With still more to see we proceeded north toward the back of Table Mountain.  We visited Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.  Being there at the end of their summer, the gardens displayed only a few flowers, but the rolling verdant terrain of the park was a pleasant respite.  Locals were enjoying picnics on the expansive lawns and those interested in flora could explore the great variety of plant life on display.

Our final stop of the day was the jewel in the crown.  We arrived at the cable car station for Table Mountain at the end of the afternoon.  The rotating cabin swept us up to the top where we enjoyed the tremendous views and waning afternoon light.  The rugged, rocky terrain of the mountain’s plateau top glowed reddish gold in the last rays of the sun.  Views down to the harbor, V&A Waterfront, City Bowl, and Atlantic coast added to the experience.  We had only about an hour at the end of our busy day, but it was enough to wander about and soak in the views and rugged landscape.  It was a fitting end to a jam-packed excursion day.  After returning to our hotel home on Long St., tour members were free for dinner.  I opted for Indian – tandoori ostrich!  One of the best meals I had in Africa.

Captivating Capetown

Recently the New York Times Travel Magazine voted Capetown the #1 travel destination for 2014.  Having now visited the city with two Imprint groups, I can see why she was chosen for the honor.  Capetown is an energetic, friendly, and stunningly picturesque destination.  With Table Mountain as a majestic backdrop, the city center boasts a vibrant waterfront, lively and colorful neighborhoods, beach communities and promenades, and a historic center.  This is perhaps the most attractive urban setting I’ve ever seen.

The downtown area, or the City Bowl, sports historic architecture, interesting museums and a diverse restaurant scene.  One can visit the Castle of Good Hope, the 17^th century fortress built by the Dutch to defend their colonial interests in the city.  It contains military and decorative arts museums.  Next door is the impressive Capetown City Hall.  On our Southern Safaris tour we made a brief foray here on our way out of town on our wine tasting day.  A short walk away is the District Six Museum, dedicated to the memory of the community forced to vacate the district in an Apartheid era eviction.

A 20-minute walk takes you to Bo Kaap, the colorful Cape Malay neighborhood.  Cape Malay is a community descended from Indian and Indonesian slaves, intermingled with Europeans - a unique cultural blend.  This neighborhood, which they settled, is easily the most colorful and photogenic of the city with brightly colored houses on streets climbing the foothills of Table Mountain.  On our tour we explored Bo Kaap in the perfect morning light when the vibrant colors were electric.

Long Street is the place for an evening out with its colonial architecture, multiple celebratory venues, and Bourbon St vibe.  Wrought iron balconies and a lively bar and restaurant scene provide the New Orleans atmosphere.  I loved it!  Our unique hotel, Daddy Long Legs, was right in the heart of the action.  The rooms were small, but absolutely unique.  Each

room has been decorated by a different local artist or designer.  Mine was the Levis room, complete with bluejean studs and buttons embedded in the toilet seat.  The staff was friendly and accommodating, making our creaky/funky Capetown home warm and welcoming. 24 hour fresh coffee was another welcome bonus.

I chose a classic venue for our first night dinner - Mama Africa's, a travelers’ institution.  Live music, the colorful African décor, classic “snake bar” (the bar itself is shaped and like a giant, winding serpent), and friendly service made for a fun-filled first evening.  Oh, and the menu was a mixed grill of game meats: ostrich, kudu, crocodile, springbok, and venison sausage!  You’re not in Kansas anymore Todo.

The Victoria and Alfred (V & A) Waterfront is another choice spot for a drink or a meal.  This historic working harbor is a fun excursion within the city.  It is bursting at the seams with shops, restaurants, bars, and street performers.  There is also a giant ferris wheel, an excellent aquarium, and a fortified battery to explore.  On our tour we explored the area after an AM excursion to Robben Island, the infamous Apartheid-era political prison.

Departing from the waterfront, a one-hour boat ride takes you to the island.  There you board buses for a tour of the facility.  Like many important travel destinations, it is what occurred here that makes it worthwhile rather than the physical makeup of the place.  In this case, I think Robben is the ultimate Apartheid site.

Former inmates are the docents that walk you through the cell blocks and buildings, relating their own stories.  It is a moving and chilling experience.  The harsh reality of the oppressive regime makes a visceral impression as you tour the prison.  Highlights (lowlights??) include visiting Nelson Mandela’s cell, the immediacy and empathy of the docent’s stories, and the pile of stones in the quarry spontaneously created by returning inmates as a memorial cairn. We were all glad to have visited, but also to get back on the boat to return to lovely Capetown waterfront for lunch.

Capetown is host to many other worthwhile activities and destinations, some of which I’ll describe in my Cape Point excursion installment.  I’ll finish with Capetown proper by saying, in 4 ½ full days of exploration I feel I just brushed the surface of the delights this city has to offer.  This is a world-class travel destination.

Namibia Part II

After the emotional high of Sossusflei I was concerned that the rest of Namibia might be a bit of a let down.  But that notion was dispelled almost immediately on day 5.  We'd made an early departure and had bumped along for about 20 minutes when we spotted some animals running on the road about 100 yards ahead of the bus.  I thought they were jackals or domestic dogs. But suddenly I realized they were cheetahs!  I shouted it out and everyone on the bus jumped up and scrambled for their cameras.  It was a family of a mother and 3 adolescents.  We soon overtook them and they leaped off the road and ran along side in the brush, darting to and fro.  Soon they started going through, under, or over the fence and scattered into the bush beyond - disappearing as quickly as the lizards in the sand back in Swakopmund.  One had gathered and jumped gracefully and rather majestically over the fence - a good 4-5 feet high.  It will be one of those indelibly imprinted memories of Africa, I'm sure.  The last cheetah ran along for another long stretch, finally ducking under the fence in a little gully - you could tell he knew he could get through there.  He quickly disappeared into the brush to join the rest of his family.  Our guide told us seeing a family of cheetahs is extremely rare - in 6 years of guiding groups in Namibia he has never seen it.

We know they were a family because the adolescents were smaller (probably teen-agers) and because adult cheetahs are loners, never traveling together in a group.  Its hard to put into words how exciting it was - the group was atwitter for the next 30 minutes as we reveled in the experience.  No one got a good photograph - but all agreed the memory will need no external reinforcement for longevity.

Not very long afterword, we stopped to see a huge weaver bird nest in tree close to the road.  Hardly as dramatic as loping cheetahs a few yards away but fascination none-the-less.  We had seen several of the giant wads of what looked like hay in the trees.  Imagine a hay bale, from 4 to 8 feet in diameter, in the branches of a tree.  We could hardly believe it when our guide told us they were weaver nests.  I've seen weaver nests before, but they were about 5 inches in diameter.  Turns out these are huge colony nests - like a weaver bird condo.  The doors to their individual homes are underneath.  Our guide told us their natural enemies are raptors, owls, and cobras - yowza!  We were all very careful where we stepped while taking our photos! The rest of the drive was fairly uneventful.  We saw a few zebras, an owl on a pole, a soaring eagle, some baboons far away on a railroad track, a number of herons, and a few ostriches.  We arrived about 3PM at our hotel - very nice.  Another oasis in the midst of nowhere, this one is decorated with old vintage cars.  Old rusty ones with plants growing out of them in the yard, nice polished ones inside.  There was a lovely but small pool, a fun bar, and lots of T-shirts and tourist knickknacks for sale.

At 4PM we gathered to go the Fish River Canyon.  It was really big!  In fact, it is the second largest in the world after our Grand. Who knew??  We had a leisurely hike along the rim - much like one does at the Grand Canyon.  We hiked from one view overlook to another - and when we arrived at the 2nd, I had arranged for the guide to be waiting with Champagne and snacks.  We drank, toasted, nibbled crackers and cheese, and then watched the sunset on the opposite side.

On day 6, our shortest driving day, we departed at about 8:15 and drove the morning to the Orange River - which is the natural border between Namibia and South Africa.  Not much excitement on the road, but miles of lush, green vineyards once we got to the river. It seemed almost strange after days of brown and sand.  The Felix Camp Hotel was the most picturesque yet, with thatched roof bungalows overlooking the river and a scenic overlook pool.

Each thatched-roof bungalow has a table and chairs on a private patio overlooking the swirling waters of the Orange.  Very peaceful to write, read, or relax serenaded by the sound of the rushing water.  After lunch we piled into a rickety old bus which pulled a trailer upon which 8 canoes had been stacked.  We drove 15 minutes upriver and put in.  The river is beautiful at that spot - dramatic stony cliffs on the southern bank, big sweeping turns and just a few mild rapids.  No wildlife to see on the river but lots of birds.  Herons again, of many varieties and lots of swimming/diving White Breasted Cormorants.  Our river sojourn lasted about 2 hours of easy paddling, but even so I was exhausted and had tired arms and shoulders.  In the evening we had a fun happy hour by the swimming pool with its brightly colored umbrellas.  As we had left the desert, it stayed warm in the evening so we ate outside.  The canoe ride was nice, but simply relaxing at the riverside was the real pleasure of yesterday. Clanwilliam, South Africa was our last stop before Capetown.  Day 7 was largely a travel day and we welcomed the paved roads of South Africa.  After an early departure on Day 8 we drove 2 hours into the nearby Cederburg Mountains.  We have seen mountains and mesas from the very first moment in Namibia (putting one much in mind of the American Southwest) but the Cederburgs are quite different.  The rocks are different than any I've ever seen.  They are unusually and dramatically shaped and jumbled in fantastical combinations and configurations.  We burned through flash cards and batteries at a furious pace as we slowly climbed the once again unpaved roads over passes to high meadow.  At a vineyard we bought some award-winning wines for our picnic lunch before arriving at the real excursion highlight - ancient San Tribesman Rock Art.

These petroglyphs, thousands of years old, are truly impressive.  I expected some faded, hard to identify stick figures.  Instead, we had to be assured they'd not been "restored" with modern pigments.  A small group of San hunters approach three, bright orange colored elephants. Rather sophisticated representations, at least of the elephants.  It was a bit of an adventure to climb up to the art and the photographers in the group seemed to relish clambering around the boulders and cracks for the best angles for shots.  Another fantastic picnic, prepared by our guide and driver, finished off the morning and we headed back down to the main highway.

Our Namibia adventure concluded with our arrival in Capetown.  We drove to the northern suburb of Table View, appropriately named for the reason of our detour.  We walked along the Atlantic beach snapping late afternoon shots of iconic Table Mountain and central Capetown across the bay. Everyone was happy to check into our Long Street hotel, knowing we'd not have to unpack again for 5 days.

Namibia

Wow. Wow. WOW!!

Namibia has been everything I'd hoped for and far surpassed my already inflated expectations.  Our week there was amazing.  Our travel partners have been great, the hotels have been wonderful, the food has been excellent, and the experiences superlative.  Where do I begin?

Perhaps with the fact that Namibia is vast and empty.  We drove for hours without seeing other vehicles, settlements, or people. And in the name of full disclosure, we left behind paved roads once we started south from Swakopmund.  For 4 straight days it was hours of dusty bumping along between the sights and stops.  But honestly, that is part of Namibia's charm - emptiness, remoteness.  It truly costs something to get to the highlights, and the the rewards far outstrip the costs.

I was exhausted by my 38+ hour journey to Africa but excited to be here.  The drive from the capital Windhoek to our fist destination Swakopmund was pleasant with dramatic scenery, some impressive termite mounds, and our first dramatic African sunset.  In my first encounters with Namibians I found them reserved but very friendly and accommodating.  Our first African dinner was a preview of things to come.  Lots of choices, well seasoned and prepared, and a great value.  The style of cooking, like the overall feel of Namibia, is very European and western - a surprise to me.  Everything is clean, the streets are wide and well maintained, everyone speaks English (but also Africaans and German) plus many native languages.

Swakopmund is the "Adventure Capital" of Namibia.  So activities were on the agenda this first day.  In the morning we organized a Quadbike tour of the nearby sand dunes.  We road all over the dunes, stopping once in a while to learn about life in the desert.  It was really fun.  One of the highlights was a chameleon - the guide held it against various backgrounds so it would change colors right before our eyes!  Then he held a beetle about 6 inches away and, like lightning, the chameleon shot out it's tongue and snagged it like a sticky harpoon.

Another lizard was very tiny, but brightly colored and we learned it glows in the dark at night.  When dropped back on the sand, it wriggled quickly back under the sand, disappearing in a half second.  The tiny sidewinder snake captured had the same burrowing trick. After 3+ hours of zipping about our little "biker" gang returned to town for lunch.

 In the afternoon those who had signed up took the scenic flight I had arranged.  It was wonderful and we saw beautiful mountains, the giant orange-red sand dunes of Sosssusvlei, canyons, and a spectacular stretch of coast line from the air.  It was amazing to see the massive and varied sand dunes (white now instead of red) marching down right to the seashore.  Sometimes the ended abruptly in tiny "Dover-like" cliffs, but in other places the dunes themselves extended like fat fingers right into the Atlantic.  Great salt making pans, seal colonies, and a couple of shipwrecks added interesting elements to the coastal views. But my overall impression was the vastness, inaccessibility, wildness, and emptiness of the country as mentioned above.  It was a perspective not available in any other way.

The next day was primarily a  travel day. But we periodically stopped to see Springbocks, Oryx, Jackels, and Gemsbocks along the way.  The Oryx are the most striking, with long, arching, very lethal-looking horns and an attractive mix of brown bodies and white faces with accenting black marking.  The scenery was varied, beautiful, and interesting - which made the long drive quite pleasant.  We got to Hammerstein Lodge about 4:30PM.  It is like an oasis of civilization with trees that shade a pleasant patio area, a swimming pool, and a couple of picnic pavilions.  Additionally, they have some big fenced pens with animals to see up close.  Those already mentioned, plus a beautiful young leopard and two cheetahs.  The leopard acted just like our tabby at home, flirting with the group and then moving away when it suited her.  But we were warned not to approach.  For a special treat we were allowed to go INTO the cage with cheetahs.  They are almost tame.  You can't pet them but you can get pretty close.  At first the were lying on the ground and one was purring away - just like our Mango at home.  Somehow the experience of these caged animals was superior to a zoo visit at home.  For starters, we got much closer and then seeing them in their native habitat, even a fenced portion, seemed more genuine.

At dinner that night we had a buffet with lots of choices.  In addition to beef and chicken dishes, there was a goulash made with Oryx meat - delicious. The second night there were Springbock steaks as well as Zebra and Kudu dishes - we're not in Kansas anymore Todo.  Each evening the whole kitchen staff came out with drums and symbols and sang and danced for us - it wasn't hokey or silly.  They were really good, the music was very engaging, and they seemed to be having a genuinely good time performing.

Day 4 was spectacular and my personal highlight for Namibia.  We got up very early and drove about 90 minutes to get to Sossusvlei - with the highest sand dunes in the world (up to 3300 ft high). But it is not the size alone that makes them impressive - they march in rows for miles on end and the sand itself is red! VERY dramatic in the early morning sun.  The sun makes the red sand glow orange on the east sides, contrasted in stark relief by the black shadows on the western flanks.  The contrast is so acute, it looks like a razor's edge between the black and orange.

Some of the "separator" lines were strait but others undulated like a snake. Both impressive!  We hiked in to Deadvlei, an area where the trees have all died, but remain in place, black and petrified by the desert sun.  They are quite striking as black silhouettes backed by the glowing red sand in the early sun.  Many people chose to climb the surrounding dunes.  They look like a chain of ants moving up the ridge. After LOTS of photographs, we headed back for one last stop.  There is a tiny canyon called Sesriem.  You don't see it until you arrive right at the edge.

Its not big but very dramatic. The conglomerate stone walls twist and wind to a tiny pool of water at one end, to which we hiked.  If reminded me of the end of the 3rd Indiana Jones movie where he rides through the very narrow wadi defile on the way to find the Holy Grail. Our holy grail was the photographic wonders of Sossusflei.  As an additional bonus, this area is one of the darkest places on earth.  It has actually been designated by the United Nations as a Dark Sky Preserve.  So at the very end of the day, after dinner, I walked away from the compound a few hundred yards and looked up into the moonless sky - the milky way looked just that, a broad band of milky white that swathed across the entire length of the night sky.  Individual stars burned like bright signal beacons.  I don't believe I've ever seen a night sky so electric!  It was an impressive sight, very nearly equaling the drama of the morning at Sossusflei.

Needless to say, Swakopmund and Sossusflei have provided a fitting and rewarding start to our Nambia adventure.

Announcing 2015 Southern Safaris Tour

Dear Imprint travelers.  Later today I'm boarding my flight for Windhoek Namibia and Imprint's inaugural Southern Safaris tour.  What better time to announce next year's tour!  We are excited to offer this fantastic travel adventure again for 2015. For this year's tours we created an "unpublished" Namibia extension for our alumni travelers.  For 2015, we are offering it to everyone.  Read on to be inspired for an African adventure and watch for my blog posts over the next 5 weeks to see and hear how this year's safaris progress.  Reid

Southern Safaris April 20, 2015

Dates:  April 20 to May 2, 2015 Cost:  $4100 + air    Single Supplement $500 Tour begins Capetown, SA ends Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Namibia Extension:  April 12 to 20; Cost: $2300; Single Supplement $300; begins Windhoek ends Capetown

Day 1 Capetown  4/20

Get Acquainted Meeting followed by neighborhood orientation and dinner together. Our hotel is near the Castle of Good Hope, South African National Gallery, Houses of Parliament, District 6 Museum, Grand Central Shopping Center, Green Market Square, and lively Long Street where we will adjourn for dinner.  Also nearby is the colorful, photogenic Bo Kaap neighborhood.

Township Hotel - our hotel is centrally located, owned by a local family, is non-smoking, and boasts “uptown luxury and down-to-earth hospitality”.

Day 2 Capetown  4/21

Full Day Cape Point and Peninsula Tour This is an awe-inspiring tour to the towering headland known as Cape Point. Magnificent beaches, breathtaking views, historic and picturesque coastal villages are to be seen along the way. The Cape Peninsula is one of the world’s most scenic areas and stretches from the City to Cape Point.  We travel along the Atlantic Seaboard via Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay, stopping at a Llandudno look-out point before continuing to Hout Bay, a quaint village and fishing harbor with magnificent mountain views and beach. Here you have the option to take a boat trip to Seal Island (not included). We carry on over Chapman’s Peak, one of the world’s most breathtaking coastal drives, to Cape Point and the Good Hope Nature Reserve. The reserve is rich in magnificent fynbos vegetation, birdlife, endemic antelope species and zebra, and boasts a historic lighthouse.  After a lunch break we travel on to Simon’s Town with its charming Victorian architecture and then on to a penguin colony at beautiful Boulders Beach. The tour ends after a visit to the well-known Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Day 3 Capetown  4/22

Full Day Winelands Tour A delightful drive winds its way into the heart of the Cape winelands, through superb mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads.  We begin the journey on the N1 to one of the Cape’s first farming districts – Paarl.  The town is set at the foot of a cluster of remarkable granite domes from which it takes its name. Our first stop of the morning is a local wine estate. An informative cellar tour and wine tasting gives us personalized insight into the finer points of wine-making.   We proceed to the town of Franschhoek which dates back to the 17th century when French Huguenots arrived.  Billed as the Gourmet Capital of South Africa, this charming town retains its French Huguenot style. The artistry of Franschhoek's chefs and winemakers is complemented by the beauty of its valley setting. Then it’s on to Stellenbosch via scenic Helshoogte Pass. Take a stroll down the canal-lined avenues in the shade of giant oak trees and past beautifully preserved historic buildings or enjoy the coffee shops, galleries, antique shops and wine bars that line the sidewalks.  This university town exudes an air of quiet intellectualism and wine-making history. With the great numbers of wine estates on offer we are truly spoiled for choices when we enjoy our final wine tasting of the day.  Excursion includes 1 Cellar tour, 3 Wine Tastings and 1 cheese tasting

Day 4 Capetown  4/23

Free Day

Organized Option:  AM Excursion to Robben Island Located in Capetown’s Table Bay, Robben Island is the infamous Apartheid era prison.  The most famous inmate, of course, was Nelson Mandela.  All groups are escorted through the complex by former inmates – a fascinating cultural connection experience.  [Note:  Imprint Tours’ operational values are to include all major sights on our tours.  However, Robben Island does not offer any group discounts, meaning we are unable to add value by including it.  Therefore, we have elected to make it an optional excursion.]

Table Mountain Sunset Excursion The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway sweeps visitors to the top of Table Mountain. It is one of Capetown's most popular tourist attractions.  The upper cable station is on the westernmost end of the Table Mountain plateau, at an altitude of 1067 meters (3500 feet).  The station offers views over Table Bay, Capetown center, and Robben Island to the north, and the Atlantic seaboard to the west and south.  [Imprint Tours will include the excursion during the tour but will not schedule a specific day.  As the cable car is often shut down by late afternoon winds, we will plan to make the journey whenever conditions allow.  Due to the weather factor, this activity is not guaranteed.]

Day 5 Okovango Delta  4/24

This morning we will be collected and transferred to the Capetown airport where we board our flight to Maun.  Upon arrival you will be met and driven deep into the Okovango Delta to enjoy a traditional Mokoro excursion.  Afterward, we’ll be transferred to Mogotlho Camp for dinner.

Mokoros are the indigenous dugout canoes of the region, carved from the trunks of Sausage Trees.  We will be “poled” by our boatmen through the shallow waters of the Okavango Delta, one of the great natural wonders of the world.  This unsurpassed natural environment is a maze of waterways, islands and reed banks creating a perfect setting for wildlife.  As we drift silently along, this water-level vantage will provide us a unique perspective and personal experience of this amazing ecosystem.  Mokoros, traditionally the most practical way for locals to get around, are the ideal way to traverse the Delta channels.  This particular outing is not necessarily a big game excursion but rather a chance to enjoy the isolated beauty and serenity of the waterways, with time and leisure to notice details such as the flora (papyrus, reeds, and water lilies), a plethora of colorful water fowl (440 varieties), amphibians, and smaller mammals.

Mogotlho Camp accommodation is comfortable and in typical safari style.  We’ll enjoy raised beds and ensuite bathrooms in our permanent tents.  Our camp is perfectly located for forays into Moremi Game Reserve and the Okavango.  All meals are provided during our safari stay (dinner tonight + next 4 days).

Day 6 Okovango Delta  4/25

This morning we begin our big game safari adventure in earnest.  We’ll head into the famous Moremi Game Reserve in our custom built 4-wheel drive safari vehicles for an entire day of game viewing.  Moremi is known as one of the most beautiful and varied reserves in Africa with an unprecedented concentration of wildlife - making it a ‘must see' for a Botswana Safari.  It contains within its boundaries approximately 20% of the Delta, and a vast range of habitats: acacia forests, floodplains, reed beds, lagoons, wetland, mopane forest, and dry savanna woodland.  Game sightings could include lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, hyena, wild dog, kudu, impala, roan, zebra, lechwe, hippo, and crocodile.

Day 7 Okovango Delta  4/26

In our pursuit of the greatest variety of game viewing experiences possible, we’ll leave our safari vehicles behind today.  Instead, we’ll undertake a half day guided bush walk to get up close and personal with the wildlife and bush that surrounds us. Led by expert guides and trackers we are sure to have extraordinary game viewing experiences.  This evening we will take a night safari drive through the private concession.  The pursuit of nocturnal wildlife promises to provide new and different game spottings from those seen during the day.

Day 8 Chobe NP  4/27

Today our destination is Kwalape Safari Lodge near Kasane, the gateway to the Chobe National Park. We’ll board our custom safari vehicles and make a day’s journey with game-viewing stops along the way.  Our next two days will be spent in Chobe National Park.

Kwalape Safari Lodge  Situated between Botswana’s northern towns of Kazungula and Kasane and opposite the Chobe River, Kwalape Lodge offers the perfect base to discover the wonders of Chobe NP.  The main restaurant and bar are thatched and nestled into the surrounding bush with the restaurant bar offering an elevated deck, ideal for sun downers and sharing the day’s experiences. Other facilities include a swimming pool, conference facility and Boma for starlight meals.  Sleeping facilities are once again permanent tents with raised beds and ensuite bathrooms.  This evening, after dinner together, the Kwalape Lodge staff will entertain us with traditional African music and dance.

Day 9 Chobe NP  4/28

In case we’ve not seen enough animals on previous safari outings, today will begin with a Chobe game drive.  The park is over 4000 square miles of wilderness area watered by the Chobe & Savuti Rivers – big game magnets.  This includes lion and some of the highest concentration of elephant in Africa, an estimated population of around 25,000.  In addition we’re likely to see zebra, giraffe, warthog and numerous antelope including Sable, Roan, Oribi, Reedbuck, Lechwe and the colorful Chobe Bushbuck.  Bird watching opportunities in Chobe are ample and include some 350 species including the African Fish Eagle, the rare Pell’s Fishing Owl, saddle-billed storks, long-toed Plovers, pink-backed Pelicans, African Skimmers, Bradfield’s Hornbills and Carmine Beeeaters. This evening we enjoy a sunset cruise on the Chobe River where we can watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles and myriad birds without having to reach for our binoculars.  You’ll be close enough for close-up photographs, not to mention the chance of a spectacular African Sunset.

Day 10 Victoria Falls  4/29

Today we head across the border to Victoria Falls,  Zimbabwe.  Upon arrival you will have a free afternoon to explore the town and the falls.

Spectacular Victoria Falls, one of the world’s seven natural wonders, is our goal this afternoon.  “So lovely it must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight” said David Livingstone of the spectacular Mosi-oa-Tunya (‘The smoke that thunders’).  The mighty Zambezi River is divided into a series of braided channels that descend in many separate falls.  Together, the Falls are over a mile across and boast the largest curtain of water in the world – over 130 million gallons of water per minute go over the falls and drop more than 300 feet at its highest point.  We’ll be here at the end of the rainy season so we’ll experience the falls at their thunderous best.  Below the Falls the river flows through series of dramatic, zigzagging gorges.  Additionally, Victoria Falls is fast becoming one of the top adventure destinations in the world.

Ilala Lodge  After five days in the bush we’ll indulge in some comfort at the Ilala Hotel, a perfectly located, stylish boutique hotel.

Day 11 Victoria Falls  4/30

Today we travel to the Chinotimba Township for a tour. The word Chinotimba describes the roar of the water from the mighty Victoria Falls in the local Nambya language. The Nambya and the Tonga people are the original people of the Victoria Falls area. The majority of people in Victoria Falls live in the Chinotimba Township, which has a population of about 60,000. During this tour, we will have an opportunity to observe township life – the oldest houses, the taverns, the local market, and churches.  We will then be transferred to a home in the township, hosted by a local family in their residence, and served a traditional homemade African lunch.  Stomachs full, we return to our hotel where the remainder of your afternoon is free.

This evening’s highlight is a sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River.  The Zambezi sunset cruise is a traveler's institution:  animals coming to the river for their evening drink, beautiful scenery, the sounds of the falls approaching, and another amazing African sunset.

Day 12 Victoria Falls  5/1

Free Day

Today is yours to spend as you wish, with many optional activities to choose from or you can relax and enjoy your last day in Africa by soaking up the atmosphere.

Optional Activities include but are not limited to: Helicopter Flight; Bungi Jump; Elephant Back Safari; Rhino Safari; Elephant Interaction; Canoeing; White Water Rafting; Flying Fox (ultralight); Gorge Swing; Zip Line; Lion Walk; Vintage Railway

This evening we will gather for happy hour to celebrate the highlights of the tour before going to a last night’s dinner together.  Then, for our final evening together, we have something truly rare and spectacular planned.  Today is one day prior to full moon – so we are able to have a special, post-sunset tour of Victoria Falls. On our tour, we’ll walk along the rim of the spectacular First Gorge, seemingly within reach of the roaring thunder of the falls.  Victoria Falls is one of the only places on the planet where one can see a “moonbow.”  The combination of bright moonlight and the tremendous waterfall spray creates this unique phenomenon.  It’s a true travelers’ pilgrimage and bucket list sight – and we’ll be there to enjoy it!  It’s a perfect farewell to our African adventure.

Day 13 Victoria Falls  5/2

Tour over after breakfast

What’s Included: 12 night’s accommodation; All breakfasts, all meals during 4 safari days + 3 dinners & 1 lunch; full time services of professional tour director and local guides for all excursions, sights, and safaris; all tips for drivers, guides, tour director, group meals; all tour transport (except int’l flight and Capetown-Maun flight) bus, custom safari vehicles, airport transfers day 5; mokoros, river boats; all park, preserve, and included sight entrance fees and activities (Cape Point ; Stellenbosch Botanical Gardens; Table Mountain Cablecar excursion {weather dependent}; Mokoro excursion; driving safaris; walking safari; night safari; Chobe River cruise; Zambezi River cruise; Township visit; Moremi Preserve; Chobe NP; Victoria Falls NP)

 

Important Exceptions: Tour participants are responsible for the cost of drinks, free-time sightseeing, flight to/from tour, Capetown-Maun flight, travel insurance, and visas.  See our Terms and Conditions for important details regarding everything listed above.

*No carriers offer a group fare for the Capetown to Maun flight. We are able to book a great group fare from Capetown to Johannesburg (for about $100) but elect to have our travelers book the ongoing Johannesburg to Maun, Botswana flight online as individuals, thereby saving $200+ per person. In 2014 the total cost was $350 per traveler (Capetown to Maun).

 

 

Namibia Extension (8 days/nights)

Our attitude at Imprint Tours is to provide an opportunity for those travelers who have the resources to see as much of whatever corner of the world we are visiting.  Therefore, whenever possible, we offer an optional tour extension.  For our Southern Safaris tour, that extension is 8 days in Namibia.  The choice of Namibia was easy.  It is a desert state and therefore a fundamentally different African experience than any on our Southern Safaris tour.  If you are able to stretch to an extra week, we think the addition of Namibia creates the best three weeks possible in Southern Africa.

Day 1 Arrival Windhoek/Swakopmund  4/12

You will be collected at the Windhoek airport and transferred to the coastal town of Swakopmund.  Swakopmund is a charming “German feeling” town on the beautiful Atlantic coast of Namibia.

Departure:  15:00+/-    Accom: Hotel A La Mer

Day 2 Swakopmund 4/13

In Swakopmund we’ll have a free day to adjust our clocks.  As Swakopmund is the adventure sports capital of Namibia you will have the opportunity to participate in the many available activities. Imprint organizes an optional scenic flight over the Sand Dune Sea and Skeleton Coast – one of the best we’ve experienced on any continent (2 hours+; price determined by participation numbers). Some of the other popular activities on offer are quadbiking, sandboarding, tandem sky diving, and shore or boat fishing.  Alternatively just soak up the atmosphere of this quaint town and enjoy its character and beaches.

Days 3 Namib Naukluft National Park/Sossusvlei, Namibia  4/14

The day is spent driving through the Namib Naukluft National Park on our way to Sossusvlei.  The Namib-Naukluft Desert is an ancient land with an ageless spirit. It is home to some of the rarest plant and animal species in the world; sightings of this flora and fauna on a Namibian safari are a must. The animals of this harsh landscape include the Oryx, Springbok and Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra. One can also see the Welwitschia mirabilis, a curiously odd-looking desert shrub. One notable example we’ll see is a large, protected specimen estimated at over 1500 years old.

Accom: Hammerstein Lodge (swimming pool, bar)

Day 4 Sossusvlei  4/15

This morning we need to wake up early to visit the world’s highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. At sunrise and sunset these dunes, which can reach heights of over 300 m (1000 ft), are absolutely spectacular and provide for a fantastic photo opportunity. With luck, there may even be water in the vlei (lake).  We also visit Sesriem Canyon, a scenic wonder carved millions of years ago by the Tsauchab River.

Day 5 Fish River Canyon, Namibia  4/16

Today we travel south to the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon on earth.  Exceeded only by our Grand Canyon, this is an awe-inspiring gem of nature not to be missed.  Upon arrival we’ll organize an easy hike along the canyon rim with its magnificent views and enjoy a spectacular canyon sunset.

Accom: Canon Road House (swimming pool, bar)

Day 6 Orange River, Namibia  4/17

We leave this morning for our camp on the banks of the Orange River, the natural border between South Africa and Namibia.  En route we’ll stop at Ai-Ais, a natural thermal spa.  Geo-thermal water rich in fluorides and with a temperature of approx. 60°C gushes forth from the springs. In the Nama language, "Ai-Ais" means "burning water".  In the afternoon travelling is done in a canoe. Put your feet up and relax as the currents take you down the scenic Orange River.

Accom: Felix Unite Provenance (swimming pool, bar)

Day 7 Cedarberg, South Africa  4/18

Today we cross the border into South Africa and make our way down the coast traveling through the famous Namaqualand region with its varied wildflowers. We arrive in Clanwilliam in the late afternoon, one of the ten oldest towns in the country, nestled at the foot of the Cedarberg Mountains. Again, we’ll organize an easy, optional hike in and among the curious and fascinating rock formations of this famous trekking area.

Accom: Clanwilliam Lodge (swimming pool, bar)

Day 8 Cape Town, South Africa  4/19

A morning’s drive through the mountains takes us to our final destination of Cape Town.  We’ll make a photo-op stop along the Atlantic coast to view Table Mountain across the Bay.

Accom: Townhouse Hotel

Day 9 End of extension/Start Southern Safaris Tour 4/20

Your tour ends after breakfast and Southern Safaris starts in the afternoon.  In the meantime you’ll be free to explore beautiful Capetown.

What's Included: experienced local guide; 8 nights accommodation: all breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners; all transport in fully equipped vehicles, all park entrance fees; organized hikes at Fish River and Cederburg; Orange River canoe trip; Ai-ais; all tips.

 

Important Exceptions:

Travel insurance, flights, pre tour accommodation, optional and free-time activities, all drinks, all personal expenses, and visas.

NYTimes Top Destinations for 2014

The New York Times Travel Section recently released its Top 52 Destinations for 2014.  I have no idea why they chose 52 (1 per week?).  I though you Imprint travelers might be interested to hear some of the choices.  Topping the list – Capetown, South Africa.  We spend four days in the amazing city on our Southern Safaris African tours this year!  Number 6 on the list was Namibia.  We offer an optional 8-day Namibia extension to Southern Safaris.  There are still a few seats available on our August 8 departure and we plan to offer the tour again in April 2015.  Coming in at number 8 is Quang Binh in Vietnam.  You guessed it, we’ll visit this stunning region on our new Vibrant Vietnam tour – maiden voyage is Jan. 19, 2015.  Also making the list were the Mekong River and Siem Reap.  A village homestay in the Mekong Delta highlights our Vietnam foray and Siem Reap, gateway to Angkor Wat, is the destination for our optional Cambodian extension.  It feels like our travel instincts are pretty finely tuned and we’re proud of all of our destinations.

Number 1 Capetown has been garnering lots of traveling attention and visitor praise since South Africa hosted the 2010 Soccer World Cup.  But even before that Capetown had a reputation as a beautiful city surrounded by water and watched over by signature Table Mountain.  Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid hero, was closely associated with Capetown.  For 18 years he was an inmate of Robben Island Prison and, when released, made his first public speech here.

Always a special melting pot of creativity with its varied cuisine, colorful houses, and famous music scene, the city is putting a new foot forward as the World Design Capital in 2014.  On Imprint’s Southern Safaris tour we’ll explore the city and enjoy two full-day excursions – one to rugged Cape Point, the southernmost point of Africa, and one to the Cape’s famous wine country.  We won’t miss the famous cable car to the top of Table Mountain or a visit to Robben Island, now a national monument.

Number 6 Namibia has been receiving lots of praise and attention in the travel world in recent years.  The country has been honored for its visionary approach to responsible and ecologically friendly tourism development (Gift to the Earth Award from the World Wildlife Fund).  Just last year the stunning Namib Sand Sea joined Unesco’s World Heritage list.

A stark contrast to the stereotypical African safari experience, this desert state offers vast stretches of Atlantic beaches, the world’s highest sand dunes (and they’re red!), and the second largest canyon in the world.  The Namib-Naukluft National Park not only sports the aforementioned dunes at Sossusvlei but is one of the least light-polluted places remaining on the globe.  Perfect for star gazing.  We are visiting all those sights plus canoeing on the scenic Orange River.

Number 8 Quang Binh province is one of those spectacular bits of nature one has to see to believe.  The karst-studded landscape is the oldest in Asia.  Laced with caves and underground rivers, this is a spelunker’s paradise.  On our Vietnam tour we’ll visit Phong Nha Cave.  The approach is half the pleasure as we take a Son river journey past towering jungle-draped karsts, water buffalo, and emerald rice patties.  At the gaping cave entrance we trade motors for oars and paddle silently through a kilometer of the massive cave, floating through cavern after cavern.

Two other destinations that made the Times’ list highlight our Asian adventure – the MekongRiver and Siem Reap.  We always attempt to make genuine cultural connections on our tours and in Vietnam we are spending a night in a Mekong Delta village.  We’ll visit a floating market, experience life on the water, hike our tiny island, and enjoy home-cooked meals and cultural exchange with our village hosts.

Siem Reap is the burgeoning gateway to mighty Angkor Wat, the mother of all Southeast Asian sights.  In addition to seeing the must-see sights of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Banteay Sri, and overgrown Ta Prohm we make sure there is the opportunity to visit lesser known temples and distant gems like Kbal Spean.

The world is full of wonders.  This has just been about 5 of them.  Get out and see some for yourself.  And as always, when you do, Travel with Intent.

Announcing Tantalizing Thailand 2015

Dear Imprint Travelers,We are very excited to officially announce the 2015 Tantalizing Thailand Tour. Since we’ve continued to refine our tour year by year, we’re confident that this will be our best ever. We have changed the itinerary to add efficiency and upgraded most of our tour hotels.  We have pre-booked our amazing Thai guide, Ae. Even with the upgrades and significant inflation in Thailand our price has increased only 3% annually. Even better – we have reduced the cost of the Angkor extension by $450! Additionally, the tour has been scheduled to coincide with the Chiang Mai Flower Festival AND our new Vietnam tour (Jan 19 to Feb 1, 2015). For those with time and resources who’d like to double down on their Southeast Asian adventure you can see the best of 3 fantastic countries on one trip! Please peruse the detailed itinerary below and let us know if you are thinking of joining us for this amazing adventure. Accommodation upgrades are noted throughout.

Dates:  Feb 4 - 17, 2015 Cost:  $3300  Single Supplement $575 14 Days - Tour begins Bangkok ends Ayuthaya Optional pre-tour Angkor extension Dates:  Feb 1 - 4 Cost:  $750  Single Supplement $75

To view the Imprint's Thailand Photo Gallery:  Thailand

Day 1 Bangkok Introductory meeting; Klong tour; dinner cruise Bangkok is laced with hundreds of canals (klongs). A tour of these waterways is a journey into Bangkok's real life and soul, and a fantastic water-bourn photo safari. We'll see people cooking, fishing, washing dishes, swimming, making merit, and playing. We'll float past teak palaces cheek by jowl with ramshackle hovels and workaday wats.  Afterward we’ll enjoy a classic Bangkok experience, a Chao Phraya dinner cruise. The illuminated spires of the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun as well as modern skyscrapers and suspension bridges drift by while we enjoy a buffet dinner. It is a great introduction to the capital and Thailand. Hotel:  Nuovo City Hotel (same great location, but upgraded to 4-star, boutique comfort; rooftop pool) www.nouvocityhotel.com

Day 2 Bangkok Grand Palace; Wat Pho; Tuk-Tuks We have a huge sightseeing day planned for today.  The Grand Palace complex, with its flamboyant architectural style, includes Wat Phra Kaew, a wonder of gleaming stupas, statues, and bots. This is Thailand's premier sight and a fitting start to our sight-seeing. Phra Kaew is home to the country's most venerated religious object, the Emerald Buddha. The complex is surrounded by a galleried wall, displaying an electric mural series from the Ramakian, the Hindu epic of good vs. evil. Giant (18 ft) Yakshas, or mythical guardians watch over the entrances. Gilded garudas and multi-chromatic mythic warriors line the bases of chedis and other gilded statues populate the grounds. There is even a model of Angkor Wat, once part of Siam's domain. You will certainly burn through a flash card or two. Next door is Wat Pho, home to Thailand’s largest reclining Buddha and best therapeutic massage school. Pho has a more work-a-day feel than the national showpiece of Phra Kheo. Engage the monks in conversation, check out the ancient massage school "instruction" panels, drop coins in the alms bowls, or photograph Thailand's biggest collection of Buddha statues or the very whimsical guardian statues at Pho's main gates. Before departing, we'll indulge in Thai massage for the whole group. For the rest of the day we'll explore Bangkok's less accessible sights on a tuk-tuk tour - the ubiquitous Asian 3-wheel transport. Highlights include Wat Saket - the Golden Mount with panoramic city views; Rama V monument - prince Chulalonkhorn of "The King and I" fame; the flower market - blocks of fragrant and visual dazzle; Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall;  Wat Benchamabophit - striking, modern, white-marble wat, and the amulet market.

Day 3 Chiang Mai Morning flight; Wat Doi Suthep This morning we’ll transfer to the airport for a flight to Chiang Mai. Mid-afternoon we’ll depart for the nearby mountain temple of Doi Suthep for panoramic views and the tour's best Buddhist connection experience. While listening to the tinkling of temple bells you can receive a monk's blessing, observe the monk’s chanting ceremony, learn your fortune from tossing joss sticks, join the circumambulation of the stupa, or add oil to the sacred lamps (like lighting a candle in a Catholic church). Our guide will use the wat's "Century Calendar Book" to teach you your birth sign, sacred animal, and ritual Buddha posture. Upon our return to Chiang Mai we'll dine riverside. Hotel:  Raming Lodge Hotel (better location, smaller boutique hotel, same amenities) www.raminglodge.com

Day 4 Chiang Mai Flower Festival We've scheduled this tour to coincide with Chiang Mai's world famous flower festival. The Flower Parade is an experience you'll never forget, a veritable explosion of color and fragrance. Your afternoon and evening are free. Options include a cooking class (we'll arrange for you), Chiang Mai’s many wats and museums, adventure sports, the famous zoo (hold Koalas), a unique Moo Kata "hot pot" dinner, or shopping in the famous night bazaar. Chaing Mai is also an easy place to experience Muay Thai (Thai boxing) or Kathoey Cabaret.

Day 5 Chiang Mai Village excursion Our morning will commence with a visit to nearby craft villages. Then its on to Sankamphaeng hot springs and spa for a genuine cultural connection experience. We'll be the only non-Thais enjoying the pools and spa services. Dip your feet in the soothing therapeutic waters, cook an egg in the natural hotsprings, or have a massage. Before departing we'll have a picnic lunch of local specialties. Next is our village visit for a taste of rural life. We'll begin with an easy countryside bike ride, visiting a local handicraft cooperative, a mushroom farm, and rural wats. Later we’ll partake in a traditional Kantok dinner with our village hosts. Traditional music and a dance performance will be provided by local students. The evening will conclude with a Thai lantern ceremony.

Day 6 Sukhothai Elephant adventures; market dinner Our destination today is Sukhothai with a stop at the Elephant Conservation Center en route. The ECC cares for abused and abandoned animals. We'll arrive in time to see the elephants bathing in the river. Then demonstrations of elephant care and training, an elephant show, and finally an elephant ride through the jungle. Tonight we venture to the local street market for a famous Sukhothai noodle dinner. Hotel:  Le Charm (Boutique resort 1 Km. from Sukhothai Hist. Park) www.lecharmesukhothai.com

Day 7 Sukhothai Sukhothai Historical Park This morning we’ll have a guided visit of Sukhothai, one of Thailand’s World Heritage sites.  Sukhothai was Siam's first "national" capital, uniting the feudal kingdoms in the 13th century. Culture, art, and architecture flourished and today we can visit the remnants of that refined dynasty. The captivating temple ruins boast rows of columns, crumbling stupas, and many Buddhas displaying the enigmatic "Sukhothai Smile." We'll navigate the flat terrain by bicycle (or Tuk Tuk for those not wishing to peddle) and indulge in a picnic lunch among the ruins. Your afternoon is free to relax by the resort pool or explore Sukhothai town.

Day 8 Bangkok/Overnight Train Bang Pa In Palace; Wat Traimit Today is a travel day as we make our way back south to Bangkok. We'll break up the journey with a visit to Bang Pa In Palace complex with its manicured lawns, lakes, and Chinese-influenced architecture. Upon arrival in Bangkok we'll visit Wat Traimit, home to the world's most valuable religious object - a 5.5 ton solid gold Buddha statue. In the evening we'll board our overnight train south, each traveling couple enjoying a private, first-class sleeping compartment. Overnight Train – we’ve upgraded to private first-class sleeping compartments

Day 9 Khao Sok Khao Sok excursion Upon arrival in Surat Thani we'll have a local breakfast. Then its on to Chiaw Lan Lake in beautiful Khao Sok National Park. After checking in to our floating guesthouse we'll enjoy lunch together. Afternoon activities include a boat excursion on the lake surrounded by soaring limestone karsts and cliffs, a short jungle hike, a bamboo raft ride, and a visit to a cave. In addition to the tropical flora and breathtaking landscape we hope to see gibbons, flying lizards, and a variety of birdlife. But the real magic begins at dusk as moon shadow creeps across the surrounding karsts, the sky becomes illuminated by a million stars, and one hears only the sounds of the living jungle. Hotel:  Pleanprai Floating Guesthouse (we’ve upgraded to the newer bungalows with raised beds)

Day 10 Koh Muk A morning's drive brings us to another natural jewel, Than Bokkoranee National Park. We'll board longtail boats and float through a karst hong (natural cave) and emerald pools surrounded by the verdant jungle. Then we continue south to Trang Province where we transfer to our island paradise getaway, Koh Muk. By-passing the now over-developed resort areas of Pukhet, Krabi, and even Koh Lanta, we'll drive further south to the relatively undeveloped Trang Islands. Its longer and more complicated to get here, but the payout is spectacular! Dinner is a seafood BBQ next to the beach. Hotel:  Koh Mook Sivalai Beach Resort (same beach-side magic, with upgraded rooms & resort, arrival pier, and a pool) www.komooksivalai.com

Day 11 Koh Muk Free day Today is a full-stop break from the demands of our tour itinerary. No planned activities. You decide how you want to spend your day in this tropical paradise. Options include snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, scuba, or just relaxing by our resort pool.

Day 12 Ko Muk Andaman excursion After breakfast we’ll take a boat excursion to 3 or 4 of the most picturesque Andaman islands for a fun-in-the-sun snorkeling adventure. The day includes Ko Muk’s spectacular Emerald Cave. We swim through a 300-foot long sea cave (optional) to reach the secluded interior lagoon (actually a collapsed hong). A perfect sandy beach is surrounded by steep jungle-clad cliffs forming a perfect, round, natural chimney up to the blue sky. It is an amazing experience!  We'll schedule our visit to match the tides (not accessible during high tide) and avoid the crowds.

Day 13 Ayuthaya Morning flight; Ayuthaya Historical Park A morning flight whisks us back north to Ayuthaya, Siam’s capital from the 14th to the 18th centuries. It is Thailand’s second World Heritage site and our favorite archaeological destination – a perfect ending for our tropical adventures. Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy lunch on a converted rice barge as we drift by some of Ayuthaya’s outlying ruins. Afterward we'll visit striking Phu Khao Thong, Wats Mahathat and Si Sanphet, and finish with the saffron-sashed Buddha statues of Yai Chai Mongkhon. At the end of the day we'll gather for a final Thai dinner together. Hotel:  Kameo Ayuthaya www.kameocollection.com

Day 14 Tour over Our tour officially ends after breakfast. We will help with transfer arrangements to nearby Suvarnabhumi airport.

Pre-tour Cambodia Extension

Day 1 Siem Reap Welcome Meeting; Sunset Angkor Wat

We'll gather in our hotel for a get-acquainted meeting and to meet our Cambodian guide. Afterward we'll make our first visit to mighty Angkor Wat for sunset. Returning to Siem Reap we’ll indulge in a classic Cambodian feast on our first night together. Hotel:  Angkor Holiday Hotel www.angkorholidayhotel.com

Day 2  Siem Reap Angkor Thom; Banteay Srie Our destination this morning is Angkor Thom, a royal city encompassing famous Bayon & Baphuan temples, the Elephants and Leper King Terraces, and the oft-photographed South Gate. The Bayon is a popular favorite with labyrinthine passages to explore and multiple towers, each with 4 enigmatic Khmer faces. The south gate may well be the most photographed destination at Angkor. Its massive "4-face" tower and "tug-of-war" warrior balustrades adorn many books and brochures. After a mid-day break we’ll head to Banteay Srie, a small but intricately carved temple complex considered to be the jewel of Khmer architecture. Additionally, the journey to and from Srie affords opportunities to see village life, stop at the interesting Land Mine Museum, or catch a sunset from atop a ruined temple.

Day 3  Siem Reap Angkor Wat; Ta Prohm Today’s highlights include photogenic Ta Prohm and world-famous Angkor Wat. Ta Prohm (made famous in the movie Tomb Raider) was left in its natural state, overwhelmed by the jungle. The roots of giant trees weave in, on, and through the temple ruins and walls of the complex. We'll take plenty of free time here for photographers to record these iconic Angkor images. Angkor Wat is the world's largest religious building and Southeast Asia's premier sight. Our guide will interpret its long bas relief galleries, distinctive corncob prangs, and concentric walls and moats:  which together constitute a metaphor for the Buddhist cosmos. We’ll have lunch today at Sala Bai Restaurant.  In keeping with our values of responsible tourism, we support Sala Bai where they not only provide excellent food in a charming setting, but whose purpose is training and employing underprivileged Cambodian youth. Tonight we’ll partake in a traditional dinner and enjoy a classical Khmer dance performance. www.salabai.com

Day 4  Bangkok Angkor sunrise For those interested we’ll start the day with sunrise at Angkor Wat. Then we board our late morning flight to Bangkok to begin our Tantalizing Thailand tour.

[Itinerary details and hotels subject to change]

To view Imprint's Thailand Photo Gallery:  Thailand

To view Imprint's Thai "Sightcasts":  Sightcast

What’s Included:

13 nights accommodation (16 with extension); All breakfasts, 7 dinners, and 6 lunches (+2 dinner, 1 lunch with extension); All tour transport by train, bus, minivan, songthaew, boat, and airplane; All tips for guides, drivers, group meals, and hotel staff; Full-time services of a professional tour director, and a Thai escort; All entrances: Grand Palace; Wat Pho; Ayuthaya Historical Park; Wat Doi Suthep; Sukhothai National Historical Park; Khao Sok National Park; Elephant Conservation Center; Angkor archeological zone (extension); Other included activities: Chao Phraya cruise;Bangkok canals tour; Wat Pho massage; village homestay visit, bicycle tour, dinner entertainment; elephant ride; elephant show; rice barge excursion of Ayuthaya; Cheow Lan lake/jungle/cave excursion; Andaman snorkeling excursion, Emerald Cave; Monk chant; Bangkok tuk-tuk tour; Angkor Archeological Park (3-day pass; extension); Khmer music/dance performance (extension)

Important exceptions: Tour participants are responsible for the cost of drinks, free-time sightseeing, Cambodian visa ($21) and possible baggage charges on domestic flights.  See our Terms and Conditions for important details regarding everything listed above.

Go Seahawks!

In this non-travel post, I have to make one shout-out to Seahawks' Nation. With genuine respect to Denver's, San Francisco's, and New Orleans' great fans, the long suffering fans of the Pacific Northwest finally have reason to cheer! Sunday's Superbowl far exceeded our wildest imaginings.  The consensus around town was that the Seahawks would win, but no one anticipated such a one-sided victory.  Seattle's dearth of major championships is well documented.  For me personally, having been a Seattle sport fan for 35 years (meaning I missed out on the Sonics 1979 NBA Championship), I was unable to relax and believe until the fourth quarter when the Hawks were at least 4 scores ahead and too little time for even Payton Manning's prolific offence to catch up.  Seattle sports teams have too often snatched defeat from the jaws of a certain victory for me to be comfortable until late in the game.  Even then, a part of me feared that somehow it would all blow up and be taken away.

So I hope you will all allow us to bask in the warmth of this big win - its been a long, long time coming. It will add an extra wrinkle of fun to our upcoming Africa tours to pose with our 12th man flag for photos in various parts of Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.

Many of you will enjoy hearing that we shared our Super Sunday with fellow Imprinters Bill & Judy Spaulding and Anne Villeneauve.  Julie and I (+ my nephew Jeremy) were feted with Bill's famous Black Raven beer, a table groaning with food, and great comradery.  Good times! Go Hawks!