I ask all guests a series of questions that I normally ask myself after I come home from travelling, these questions are aimed to give some insight into how these travellers accomplished what they did. These questions also will help you find out if your style of travel matches well with this guest.
What led you to this destination?
African Dream Safari
The family chose the destination it was a choice by Mike’s mother and a goal for her for awhile to go see Africa, Arusha specifically was the town closest to the area they visited. Mike’s parents had gone before and wanted Mike and his sister to experience that place before the bush could possibly destroyed by a highway going in there.
Were there any surprises during your trip that were contrary to your beliefs?
The number of guns and guards when they entered the bush that was extreme. All of the park rangers are armed to defend against poachers with Ak-47s. However when you start as a park ranger you are stuck with a bolt action rifle until you prove yourself as reliable. There is no legal hunting in the area Mike visited, the tours help subsidize the costs of taking care of the animals and letting them live in their natural environment.
Did you run into any trouble while there?
Mike was not a fan of the TT-Flys. Like a very big horse fly that can easily draw blood with their bite. You are told to wear neutral colours but according to Mike that does not provide the most help. When you get into the bush there are a ton of mosquitos and flies. Luckily Mike and his family had taken their malaria pills as they had a relative who had been to Africa many times and figured she must be immune because she had been taking the pills every time she went. Needless to say you should always take malaria pills when going to an area with even the slightest chance of contracting the disease.
What did you discover there that was off the beaten path?
Mike did not luckily, because he followed the instructions of the rangers. He did see some people who wanted to get their own jeep and take off on their own safari. They did take off and got almost immediately stranded because they did not know the terrain. Unless you are man tracker mike believes you will not be able to survive out there. The tour guides made sure that mike had a very unique experience, the guides would take a different route through the bush and they knew the animals very well and could frame photo opportunities so all the people on the tour got amazing pictures.
Do you think you found out anything about yourself that you regularly would not have?
Mike did actually not want to go because he was very confident he would be eaten by some kind of creature. However his father was also afraid when mike’s mother first confronted him with the idea of going to Africa. Once Mike’s father visited he played a major part in convincing mike to go and risk getting eaten.
If you went with anyone on this trip what role did they serve for you?
The family vibe was very easy except for having to bicker with his sister as they have very different personalities. Mike would go back with anyone, even his family if anyone wanted to return he would definitely love to go back as he was very glad to have the opportunity with them.
Did you spend any extensive time with the locals, what were they like?
When mike was in Amsterdam he was not a big fan of the local people as they treated him and his family very different. In Africa he found everyone to be very nice and genuine on every interaction even the people who weren't part of the tour company.
Did you try to blend in to that local atmosphere, or act more like a tourist?
There was no attempt by Mike or his family to blend in as they
are very white and North American compared to everyone who mike had the privilege of meeting.
How did your country of Origin influence your behaviour when travelling?
The people would obviously treat each other as locals differently than Mike and his family. Overall everyone warmed up to them as they found out they were Canadian rather than American. Mike found it beneficial to wear something subtle to make it apparent he was Canadian.
Was maximizing Utility to cost a priority?
It was not, because the whole trip was prepaid to the safari company. They did not spend to much money outside of Amsterdam and Arusha.
Would you save or spend more in the future?
The only difference mike would make would be in Amsterdam if he had been with his friends, mike does not drink so he would have spent more on weed and other treats in Amsterdam.
What was the approx cost of the trip, how did you save for it?
Mike knows it was an expensive trip but is not sure about a number, his dad did not want to take any chances with the safety of his family and spared no expense to guarantee that.
Are you a vacationer or a traveller?
Mike is not really a big fan of going away to sit at a pool, he gets bored easily and needs a wide variety of stimulus. He has been on those trips before and does not find them much enjoyment compared to something unique like Africa.
When people ask about your trip, what do you tell them?
Tell them often the full stories behind each destination as he is very adamant about everyone going to Africa.
Where do you think you will be heading next?
Mike thinks he will be heading to New Zealand next because it is very easy for travellers to camp around on a limited budget.