Comments on My Open Wallet: Last Summer's Vacation (Yes, It Was Botswana!)

Thanks so much for finally posting about your holi...

2009-12-19T17:21:44.810-05:00

Thanks so much for finally posting about your holiday. It sounded amazing! An African safari is at the top of my travel "wish list". I'd also like to know who your tour operator was if you get a chance.great posting.. that's a really good

Bathmate

Awesome pics! Congrats on your great trip! I had ...

2009-08-18T14:16:10.163-04:00

Awesome pics! Congrats on your great trip!

I had the pleasure of doing a Zambia safari trip years ago....because I only had to pay for airfare - all else was "free"! I went to my friend's brother's wedding who owned the company. It was once in a lifetime and I used CCs to pay for it and I don't care. It was worth it.

I thought I'd never have a chance to do that again so I took it! (and I was right, an opp never appeared again)

Saving your money for experiences vs material things is totally worth it! So glad you enjoyed it!

-FW

I love your blog! I've always wanted to go to Sout...

2009-08-17T15:45:31.407-04:00

I love your blog! I've always wanted to go to South Africa. Great pics.

What an amazing trip! I'm not sure if it's somethi...

2009-08-16T03:25:24.310-04:00

What an amazing trip! I'm not sure if it's something I'd do (I'd rather have a bit of luxury on a holiday rather than an adventure) but it sure would be an experience. BF wouldn't be able to tolerate the heat, though, and I'd probably be failing at 40 overnight too. I may have been born in the tropics but I can't hack the weather!

GIRAFFE! OMG, that's such a wonderful picture. A...

2009-08-14T23:14:29.488-04:00

GIRAFFE! OMG, that's such a wonderful picture. And lions.....I think I just weeeed my pants. Ok, not really but that trip looks very cool. Thanks for sharing! Also now i don't feel so bad about not posting a trip report for Belize/Guatemala (April) and Alaska (June). ;)

Please email me if you want the tour company name,...

2009-08-14T10:56:38.315-04:00

Please email me if you want the tour company name, I'd rather not post that here.
@Archie, The photos were from my camera and a friend's, actually. Mine is a Casio Exilim and hers was a Canon Powershot.

@SingleMa, there are definitely options that involve less camping, but you might sacrifice some of the immediacy of the animal viewing. And there are lots of other interesting countries to go to in Africa! I have a friend who's in Senegal right now, and Namibia also sounds interesting.

@anon 9:46, $5900 was the tour company cost, which as I explained included a lot of lodging and meals but not all airfare, etc. when you add in the other expenses I detailed throughout the post the total was over $9000.

well, i'm confused about the cost. First you said ...

2009-08-14T09:46:53.990-04:00

well, i'm confused about the cost. First you said it was $5900, then later you said $9,000. Which was it?

anyway, this was fascinating. Very interesting.

What an amazing experience! Would love to hear whi...

2009-08-14T09:32:00.820-04:00

What an amazing experience! Would love to hear which tour company you went with.

Wow...$9k for a vacation! I don't know if I could...

2009-08-14T08:43:38.143-04:00

Wow...$9k for a vacation! I don't know if I could do that, but the vacation does sound really great.

Thanks so much for finally posting about your holi...

2009-08-14T00:40:50.018-04:00

Fabulous post and pics, Madame X. Maybe you will ...

2009-08-13T20:23:36.596-04:00

Fabulous post and pics, Madame X. Maybe you will consider a career in travel writing. I only got confused once (about 40 being cold) I forgot, you're thinking fahrenheit, and I'm in a celsius country ..... 40 in the tent at night is way too hot to sleep well.

Glad you did this, it's something you'll always remember.

I am sooo jealous! This post was long overdue but...

2009-08-13T18:12:25.528-04:00

I am sooo jealous! This post was long overdue but definitely worth the wait. Thank you!

I've always wanted to visit some part of Africa, but I knew a safari wasn't my kind of thing. I couldn't imagine sleeping in a tent and doing my business over a pit. The moon and the stars could sing the sweetest melody, but I'd be so distracted by the creepy crawlies, I may end up crapping in my pants!

Your pics are beautiful. Thanks again for sharing.

Madam X - What "point-n-shoot" camera is this?? ...

2009-08-13T17:52:35.172-04:00

Madam X -

What "point-n-shoot" camera is this?? It's absolutely awesome .. :)

Thanks for the amazing breakup of monies involved. This kind of trip is something hubby and I have been wishing for a long time - so it's good to know all costs (incidental and planned) involved. Definitely to be used whenever we plan a trip like this .... expensive (like you said, once-in-a-lifetime) so we'll plan carefully (have learnt something from you about managing money to enjoy life's little luxuries)

Yes include the tour information or email seperate...

2009-08-13T16:12:25.881-04:00

Yes include the tour information or email seperately!

I would like the tour information as well. Your pi...

2009-08-13T13:55:37.850-04:00

I would like the tour information as well. Your pictures look awesome and the experience sounds wonderful. Glad you enjoyed it.
-Tasha

Oh how lovely!!!!! Would you be willing to email m...

2009-08-13T12:50:18.144-04:00

Oh how lovely!!!!! Would you be willing to email me the tour company you went with?

Wow!! That sounds amazing!!! I wanted to this fo...

2009-08-13T11:51:24.330-04:00

Wow!! That sounds amazing!!!

I wanted to this for our honeymoon, but it just wasn't in the budget.

How did you get two weeks off??!!?? That sounds like the hardest part!

Thanks for this post Madame X! I am one of your l...

2009-08-13T11:18:22.137-04:00

Thanks for this post Madame X! I am one of your loyal reader who has been curious about your trip since you mentioned it last year. The post was worth the wait! As I ready your post I felt like I was vicariously experiencing your adventure. Sounds like an amazing once in a lifetime trip.