... as soon as possible, if you responded to my apology for using offensive wording regarding COVID. 

 

I was totally inundated by email responses, and I am still going through them to answer everyone individually.  It has taken some time as I spent the end of January with the family in the US and on a Disney Cruise to Bahamas for my eldest daughter's Quinceañera - 15th birthday - which is a BIG THING in Latin American countries. 

February also looks very busy with guiding practically everyday in Peru and in Ecuador (and there are still vacancies should anyone be interested in that.)

 

So I wanted to extend a BIG THANK YOU to you all for the replies and feedback, and also share what I learned from your replies. 

 

1. Offensive? There were relatively few people who were offended, but I take to heart that swearing in a newsletter is generally seen as not being very professional. It will not happen again. I once again apologize for my tirade rant. 

 

2. Support. On the other hand, the majority of the replies shared my sentiment, that we really have had enough of COVID in our lives. It is time to move on! And get our lives back.I think everyone will be happier to see less in the news feed about COVID, so I will not include anything COVID in the coming newsletters, but will link to vlogs about the current situation for different upcoming destinations. 

 

3. Uncertainty with traveling. This is the main reason why people are not traveling. Simply having to take a test either before your trip (not necessary for Peru if you are double vaccinated) or to go back to your own country (still necessary for coming back to the US for example, but not for most of Europe) is extremely stressful. There is the risk of missing a trip or be trapped and not being able to go back if if you test positive, even if you don't present any symptoms. 
It seems more and more border controls are dropping mandatory COVID tests for arrivals and just demand vaccination. This shall ease travel from now on.

My family and I, certainly felt our share of this uncertainty and stress. Before taking off to the US, we all had to take a test. I additionally had some weird virus or something that gave me a light fever and and an upset stomach just before the trip as well as a few days before the cruise, which also demanded a test. I seemingly cured both instances with plenty of sleep and felt well just before each test. 

Fortunately, we all tested negative, and we were on for both  the flight to the US and getting onboard the ship. 

I should add, that while flying and while on the cruise, we felt very safe with the COVID protocols in place. If you like cruises, perhaps now is the best time to take one, while prices are low. We also got extremely inexpensive airfares. 

Flying back to Lima from Miami with COPA, we could even add a short stopover in Panama. We are now on our last leg in Panama, and we are flying back to Lima tonight. 

Here is the view from our hotel as I write this. 

In spite of the stress, this trip was totally worth it. We were extremely careful before the trip wearing masks, keeping distance, and washing our hands constantly.

 

4. Keep it shorter! Yes, my emails tend to become too long and perhaps contain things that are of less interest to you. 
As you know by now, I have two different newsletters. 
Kolibri News. This newsletter not only covers our tours and projects but also more personal updates what I am too in the realms of biohacking, better health, marathon training, Guran Guran the band and various conservation projects.

 

Here I keep it more concise, and will update on new 7 Wonders Birding departures, and podcast updates. 

I will try to post less of the personal projects in the Kolibri Newsletter, and rather link to a blogpost or a vlogs were such things will be covered in more detail.

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That is all about this. I will take the time for individual replies. If you have questions about certain tours or destinations, don't hesitate to reply to this email or resend any request unanswered. February will indeed be very busy for me. 

Apart from the trips listed below, we also have several private tours coming up. If you like a private tour, don't hesitate in replying to me. 

 

Early-February 18. Peru - the itinerary is very loose right now with just one punter who never been to Peru and is very flexible as to where to go. Join us for a good price and decide what area in Peru you want to go to. 
Feb 19-27. Ecuador send me an email if interested. We are looking for harder birds including Banded Ground Cuckoo, as well as trickier hummingbirds. 

 

March 21-25. North Peru.  Confirmed. Also some Lima day tours associated to this trip before and after. 

 

 

I will be in Europe in end of April. Anyone interested in doing our Spain tour in early May? 

Also possibly Uganda with Gorilla, Chimps and Shoebill. I just got a request. Would you be interested?

 

 

By end of June or early July there is a request for Machu Picchu, perhaps Manu road and a Chuncho macaw lick program, 

 

A bit of an open slate at the moment. Let me know what you are interested in for August. There is a possibility to do the South Africa programs I had in mind earlier this year or perhaps Namibia presented in a previous newsletter. 
Uganda is scheduled, but needs bookings. Pantanal and Rio/Iguazu as well. 
Also, if I win entry in London Marathon ballot, I shall also offer Southern Spain in September. 

 

5-10 October Cambodia - confirmed.

10-27 October Manu road our classic 18 day tour. Confirmed

 

Tanzania Classic Safari with Serengetti and Ngorongoro in production and perhaps Kilimanjaro summiting in the last half of October. 

 

1-18 November Chile for Scandinavians. Private trip. But a few vacancies available for anyone from Sweden, Norway, Denmark or Swedish speaking Finns.

 

End of November to early December. Madagascar. Confirmed. Program is forthcoming. Core trip 6-8 days. pre-trip and post-trip offerings. Focus to get all Madagascar unique bird families plus most special birds such as Helmet Vanga and several Ground-Rollers, plus Lemurs and Ai-Ai. 

 

December. 
I hope that India and Bhutan trips shall run by the end of December and over New Year. 

 

I am also taking requests for Japan in March, 2023.

 

I am constantly getting requests for day tours, pelagics, shorter and longer tours in Peru. Let me know your Peru plans to get your tours into the calendar or assign you a guide for a private tour. 

 

Saludos

 

Gunnar

P.S. Don't forget to listen to the Bucket List Birding Podcast. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to make sure not to miss a post. I am editing a new episode with Terry Townshend of Birding Beijing. I am sure you will enjoy this one.