In message <1102966430.415820.90720@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>
eben.schoeman@mindspring.com wrote:
Eben-
I wish you would interleave your replies in normal Usenet style.
It would make it much easier for newbies to a thread to work out what on
earth you're on about.
And so that we know that you actually have thought about what I wrote.
You seem to post based on only one thing I've said in any post, and it often
looks as though you haven't read or understood the whole post.
So I'm having to repost the same things all the time.
Maybe I'm being unfair. Maybe your newsreader truncates my posts?
> You are always promoting Kuoni, Liz. And WWJE.
I really wonder about your grip on reality.
A google.groups search will easily prove that's not true.
**You** were the one who asked who I had travelled with.
In message <1102792398.190445.179850@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>
eben.schoeman@mindspring.com wrote:
> Which UK company do you use? Who is their local outfitter?
Until that point I had not named either Kuoni or WWJE.
But when you asked a question and I answered it, you malign me.
Where's the logic???
Neither of these companies are likely to be of any interest to Americans.
I clearly pointed out the advantages (bangs for bucks) and disadvantages
(the strong possibility of seven in a vehicle in peak season) of travelling
with Kuoni.
When Joel (the OP) specifically asked for companies which do
tailor-mades, I named ETG, with whom I have travelled and have had good
experiences - of which I have explained some. I also said there were
plenty other reliable companies. I wasn't prepared to name any (except EAOS,
which is very specialised and within that specialism has an excellent
reputation), since I have no personal experience of them.
I do name these companies *when asked* because I have direct experience of
them, and within their fields they are very good: two totally different
markets.
> You are promoting packaged travel that send hordes of people on safaris
> on suspect itineraries at inflated prices while hiding behind this
> insurance thing.
Again, you haven't the slightest clue.
Search google for my posts over the past five or so years and you'll see I
always recommend tailor-made safaris when possible.
But I also recognise that plenty of people like to travel in a group: you
might be a misanthrope, that's your choice, but it's not everyone's.
You insist on ignoring the price advantage which comes from their group
discounts with the airlines.
Again, this may not apply in the States, I couldn't possibly say.
However, it has been suggested in the group in the past that it does.
You also haven't answered what would happen if you booked directly with a
company in e.g. Kenya then the FGO or the American equivalent advised
against travel to that country (as I said already, in the UK, that
immediately invalidates all sections your insurance should you decide to go
anyway)
> You think it is a great thing. Fine. Just don't promote it.
You don't own this group.
Kill-file me if you like - I really don't care.
People ask for advice: if it's within my area of experience, I reply.
If it isn't, e.g. if they're asking about camping, mountaineering,
overlanding, driving in Kenya or about countries I know nothing about, I
neither post nor do I malign others who give such advice.
I'm opinionated, of course, and sometimes stroppy, and I do say when I think
wrong advice is given, or a poster hasn't thought of alternatives.
I'm open to correction and to expanding my knowledge-base: e.g. I'm grateful
for Rita's update on Kuoni's tailor-making policy. Way back when I tried
them, you could only semi-tailor-make, for example you could back-to-back
two or more of their shorter safaris if the dates articulated, and you could
get a vehicle to yourself, flollowing one or more of their itineraries, but
you couldn't send them a unique 'itinerary for quotation' to places outwith
their brochure (e.g. going to Kakamega or Ruma, which are off the 'usual'
safari circuit). I'm interested to learn that this has changed.
People can heed or ignore my advice as they see fit, according to their needs.
I keep in email contact with quite a few whom I've helped off-group too.
Obviously only those whose safari model matches approximately with mine.
No doubt you will find the same for those following your model.
I have no problems with difference: why do you?
Even if someone wants to pay mega-bucks to travel with Ker and Downey, I
don't get upset about it! It's their money, it's their choice. (You do
believe in the concept of personal freedom, I hope?)
They'll probably really enjoy the Ker and Downey 'thing'.
Here's another thought (one which bothers me):
If everyone travelled in a vehicle with only one or two visitors, the
environmental impact would be horrendous.
Kenya has a policy of accepting many visitors paying 'lower' prices.
Other countries, particularly Botswana, have a different model: many fewer
visitors paying much more (staying at 'exclusive' lodges) for a lower
impact. (They also have people doing rough camping, nothing in between.)
I suspect you don't approve of the few visitors/high price model.
But I could easily be wrong.
Liz
--
Virtual Liz now at http://www.v-liz.com
Kenya; Tanzania; Namibia; India; Seychelles; Galapagos
"I speak of Africa and golden joys" |
