June 2007- Independent Kayaking/Hiking Expedition - Chicago, Illinois, USA. (from a brother and sister) "Thank you! [We] had an absolutely amazing time in Peru! ... The trip was fantastic - completely magical and fascinating. The guides and staff were wonderful and knowledgeable, and I thoroughly appreciate you being able to set up a private trip for us. Getting to spend a solid week exploring by foot and kayak and boat was a perfect way to get to see the Amazon! It was great to get to see the things I'd learned about in the Shedd's Amazon exhibit - especially to get a first-person sense of the flood cycle. There's something amazing about going out into the world and finding out that it is just like they tell it in the museum; it's kind of like walking into a storybook. So, thanks also for helping make the exhbit so accurate and vivid! [Note: Margarita Tours provided the Amazon logistics and expertise for the Shedd Aquarium's award-winning Amazon exhibit].

I'm having a hard time picking out which parts of the trip were best, to thank you for those pieces. The hiking and kayaking were amazing. Getting to see and hold a sloth was amazing to the point of being surreal. Stopping to see the rum distillery on the way back to Iquitos was an unexpected treat. My friends back home have all been delighted with the souvenirs I picked up in Comandancia, especially the canoe paddles. ... Even the rain several times a day was thrilling - a constant reminder of what a different place we were in. Thank you for putting this trip together for us. Please feel free to pass this along to the staff in Peru. They made the trip fantastic and easy.

June 2007- Independent Kayaking/Hiking Expedition - West Roxbury, Massachusetts, USA. (from a young couple) "We had a blast experiencing the areas we visited with your gang and loved being with Edwin [boat operator], Raul [cook] and Margarita [otter]. ...fell in love with Margarita and any news of her would be great. I had a great time swimming with her and she'd always drag herself out after a while and dry herself in our arms and then fall asleep....

We thought everything was really superb. Well-thought out, easily adjustable to fit our goals/plans. And some great remote areas to explore. And Raul singlehandedly kept us rolling with his nourishing and lovingly cooked food. We were actually knd of blown away by the whole operation. It far exceeded our expectation for that kind of wilderness travel... There was an excellent balance of a chance to access some exciting and remote areas, on the one hand, with great recuperative facilities and sustenance on the other.... And we loved the overland trip from Madre Selva [a Project Amazonas biological field station] out to the river pick-up the next day and the kayak back.

It's tough to see the logging operations, poaching threats, etc. threatening the area. What was unique about the areas we got to with your help is that they did not have the Pac-Sam [Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve - the largest in Peru] type of protection, so we could witness their embattled status and appreciate the tough work to preserve them. Thanks for first-class advice and execution. Let us know what we can do for you."

April 2007- Amazon Kayaking - Starkeville, Mississippi, USA. (from a retired couple) "We are still enjoying memories of our Amazon trip. There are so many places to see that we don't repeat trips, but if we did, a week on the Tucanare' would be the first repeat! What a wonderful relaxing time. Nothing like lying in a hammock on the deck and watching the scenery go by! From my bunk at siesta time the shoreline relfected in the water looked like one giant ongoing green inkblot. And the crew were all such fun. It was great and we thank you. Many thanks... We would like to know more about Project Amazonas. It sounds like a wonderful program and wonder how we could participate. Thanks again, and do keep us posted if you have trips going other places."

March 2007- Amazon Winterim Course - Lawrence Academy: Groton, Massachusetts, USA. (from accompanying professor) ...This was a great trip for me and for all the kids. ... I've already got people here very excited about setting up some long term programs there! Anytime you want to present at a teacher workshop or need help from me to do so, let me know! I'm there! ...again, thanks so much for a tremendous experience and adventure. (And, a couple of months later...) "All of us, J..., K..., the students and I admired the work of Project Amazonas and, in particular, your personal dedication and sense of responsibility for your neighbors. We all say "Thank You!" to you for your unstinting efforts in behalf of our group. I wish you could have seen our group on Winterim nite (a sort of mass reunion of all the groups and show and tell). No group was more excited to be reunited or more proud of what they had done. Thanks again."

March 2007- Amazon Herpetology and Birding Expedition: Switzerland. (from a 20-something Swiss professional) I'm sitting here drinking 7 roots rum (which unfortunately is not as good as the one we tried - but OK.....) and listening to a good CD I bought in Lima. Sucks to be back in this crowded country!! Cold here too, hate it. ...I enjoyed it so much, really! That was pure nature around us with beautiful creatures, birds, snakes, etc. And a group of fun people. When you get a chance (no hurry) please send me your Barbie pics [you'll have to ask...] and let me know how my hawk [a young hawk brought to us for rehabilitation] is doing, OK? Wish you all the best, cheers.

February 2007- Amazon Fish Collection and Study Expedition: Garner, North Carolina, USA. (from Napo River fish collecting trip participant - 2nd trip with Margarita Tours) Thanks again for a great trip. ... Your disk [CD] with the photos was an unexpected but very welcome touch. It filled in a lot of the [photographic] gaps. ... Can't wait to start giving programs of the trip. It puts me back on the Napo [River]. What a great time.

February 2007- Amazon Fish Collection and Study Expedition: Weaverville, North Carolina, USA. (from a retired aquarium fish enthusiast) I want to thank you and Dave [Schleser-trip leader] for an outstanding fish collecting experience. It was evertyhing I had envisioned and more. You, the crew and land contacts have really got your act together to make things flow smoothly. Please express my thanks to the crew for all they did...I'm pleasantly surprised that the fish shipments could arrive so soon [fish were shipped to the USA through a licensed exporter in Iquitos shortly after the expedition ended].

January 2007- Berkshire Community College Educational Expedition: Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA. (student participant) Many, many thanks to you and your fabulous crew. You guys made it the best trip of my life.

January 2007- Berkshire Community College Educational Expedition: Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA. (student participant and Iraq veteran) Thanks again for providing the most memorable experience of my lifetime. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the Amazon River Basin and Madre Salva. What Project Amazonas does is amazing and I plan to share with everyone at the ... science deparment along with family and friends. I would crawl through 10 miles of barbed wire and 15 miles of broken glass to have the opportunity to come again. I hope that ... [the BCC professors] run another class again or maybe I'll find another way. Either way I am coming back.. Well I will write again when I have some more free time. I would like to set up a trip web site with you and incorporate my journal with the appropriate pictures to really bring out the truly great experience the trip provided for me and to let others know so they may want to come see what you and your organization does. You guys might make a democrat out of me after all. Anyway, I will be in touch. Thanks again for the wonderful learning experience. [Note: Project Amazonas is the non-profit USA/Peru organization that is supported by Margarita Tours].

July 2006- Amazon Natural History Trip: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. (from a near-retirement but still young couple) Thank you for the excellent job you did in organizing and leading our Amazon River experience. I appreciated the various opportunities you provided to help us tune into the interactive life cycles of the flora, fauna, and humans. So much was accomplished in such a brief time! It was a great opportunity and a rich experience. We have memories and photos to treasure. ...I think you are exceptionally well-suited for your job. Your passion for understanding the life in the Amazon jungle (and your extensive knoweldge of biology) is complemented by your efficient organizational skills. I value your sensitivity to different peoples' needs and requests, whether they be passengers or staff, American or Peruvian. You conveyed respect for everyone and never expected anyone to do something you would not do yourself (one caveat here-I wouldn't subject anyone to my cooking, so I do expect our excellent cooks to things that I wouldn't (or shouldn't) do!). You seemed ever calm and patient, yet energetic, and flexibile and adaptable. And you even had a sense of humor!

July 2006- Friday Harbor High School Educational Expedition: Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington, USA. (from a high school student) I would like to thank you once again for the amazing opportunity that your project afforded me. The time that I spent in Peru, and Madre Selva in particular, was one of the most incredible-unimaginable-awesome-superneat-life changing experiences that I have ever had, and the memories I have will stay forever. It would not have been the same without your casual, laid-back approach to everything, from the first bullet ant we saw (which you repeatedly poked with your finger) to whenever we asked if something was poisonous and you replying "Probably". For my first time traveling in South America, I don't think it could have been any better...Anyway, I am very grateful for your guidance through the misty forests, treacherous swamps and bustling cities of Peru. Good luck in the future, and thank you.

January 2005- Amazon Herpetology & Birding Trip Trip: Boulder, Colorado, USA. (from retired MD and bird enthusiast) Hard to believe time has passed so quickly. I had a great time and a broadening appreciation and understanding of the
rainforest thanks to you. The birding contributed as did the consideration of the various plants and processes in the forest. It was all far beyond my expections but in line with my hopes.

January 2005- Amazon Herpetology & Birding Trip Trip: Littleton, Colorado, USA. (from first time participant and boa breeder and all-round snake enthusiast). "[We] just returned from an awesome trip in the jungle of Peru. We went down with Dick Bartlett & Margarita Tours & stayed about 100 miles down the Amazon from Iquitos. What a freaking blast. Snake hunting day & night, fishing, kayaking, swimming in the river & everything else you could imagine. There were about 14 of us looking for reptiles full time & the only boas found were a couple ATB's [Amazon tree boas] & one beautiful little Rainbow. Contrary to popular belief, boas are very few & far between even in pristine jungle....If any of you ever get a chance, try Peru out it really was a serious blast."

January 2005- Amazon Herpetology & Birding Trip Trip: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA (from 2nd time participant and palm and beetle enthusiast). "I enjoyed the trip immensely and it is overwhelmingly thanks to your efforts. The amount of attention you gave to everyone's special interests is extraordinary. Thanks for letting us have the tambo! Thanks for arranging the UV light. Thanks for all the fine hikes and discussions of palms and critters. I envy you the opportunity to be down there so many weeks, but I couldn't put in the amount of effort you do making it all work."

May 2001- Puerto Rico Heliconia Society Expedition; Napo River: Carolina, Puerto Rico "Thank you, thank you, thank you, for a wonderful expedition to Peru that we shall all fondly remember for the rest of our lives. It far exceeded our wildest expectations. Condor Travel agency was absolutely wonderful. They saw to it that our every need and desire was met on time wiith utmost courtesty for the "Highlands" portion of the trip. As for the Amazon portion of the trip, it was absolutely perfect. Devon was an absolute Prince at all times and far outdid himself in leading us on the hikes, spotting heliconias for us with his trained eyes, and sharing his scientific knowledge with us throughout the trip. He was a perfect scientific leader for our trip. We cannot adequately thank him enough for all that he did for us. The boat accommodations on the "Tucunare" were excellent, and Danilo's cooking was fabulous. The entire crew were excellent in their kindness and help and we are deeply appreciative to you for hiring such excellent crew members for your Amazon excursions...."

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