THIRDHOME Adventures Archives

Mike and Sue Challenger have been members of the Club since 2021. Keep reading to hear about their extraordinary South African safari experience by THIRDHOME Adventures & Custom Travel.

Read their full testimonial below:

Whoever said, “You can’t teach old dogs new tricks,” hasn’t been on a THIRDHOME Adventure, arranged by Liz Bates, Director Adventures & Custom Travel. At 70+, we had never been on a 4-wheeler (quad as they call them) in our lives, but that all changed at Leobo Private Reserve, the first leg of our three segments Adventure in South Africa.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Heidi, co-manager with her husband, Chris, took three of us out for our first ride around the upper savannah, and animal activity at that hour was prolific. Giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, kudos, warthogs, springbok, and impalas were everywhere. We loved every minute and looked forward to our next ride, which came on Thursday afternoon when we went for a 17 km ride down the rugged road to the hippo pond. And we did all of that just hours before our helicopter ride around the entire property to get an up-close aerial view of all the animals.

We experienced lunch out in the bush and dinner under the stars. We were busy from morning to night every day with more new things to do than we ever had done in one week. We would say our favorite experiences here were the quads and the helicopter ride witnessing all the many animals from above, and the sweeping river views. This experience at Leobo could not have been accomplished without Heidi and Chris and their excellent support staff. They spent many long hours making sure everything was perfect and that we were all having a fabulous time.

The second leg of our trip was to Cape Town and Table Mountain, the Wine Country, Cape Hope, and the South African Penguins. Everything was perfect, from meals and accommodations to our tour guide, Luci, and everything in between. The views from Table Mountain and Cape Hope were extraordinary, the wine countryside was beautiful, and the wines were delicious. Of course, our favorite experience here was the penguins, which were beyond adorable. Liz once again outdid herself on accommodations, activities, and lunches.

For our third and final segment, we went to Camdeboo Lodge. Wow, the adventures just keep continuing; nonstop action of early morning game drives to a shortcut over and down the mountain that literally had us on the edge of our seats and the edge of the road while returning to the lodge in the evening. On the first day, we encountered the Lions—that was a WOW moment for us! It was good to know they were not there to eat us but leisurely enjoy the day. The female cheetah, however, was not to be outdone. We slowly walked over to the bush with our guides, where she had her cubs. We didn’t see the cubs, but the cheetah was sitting there regally posing and letting us soak up her beauty. The second day was just as extraordinary. We had close encounters with elephants, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, vervet monkeys, and much more. We were so excited to see more of the Big Five. The staff and guides at Camdeboo were wonderful.

Lastly, to add to this once-in-a-lifetime trip and all its memories were the extraordinary new friends we made on this Adventure! Wade and Debbi were absolutely perfect hosts. We can’t wait for everyone to get together again for a reunion and experience more. We are all hooked on travel and are always looking for the next new experience and WOW moment. This Safari Adventure definitely gets a 5++. We feel it was definitely over the top and our favorite trip from all the places we have visited all over the world.

Seeking a personally curated South African safari experience for your own private group of family and friends? Collaborate with Liz Bates.

What are other members saying about this incredible South African safari experience?

“We had such an amazing time with the group in South Africa! The entire trip was AWESOME!! We loved the trip! Our favorite Leobo experience was the helicopter ride! Absolutely beautiful and thrilling at the same time! Ruth’s WOW moment was capturing the video of giraffe running with the helicopter so close she felt like she could touch their ears! Favorite Cape Town experience was the coastal drive to the Cape of Good Hope. Views were breathtaking and the hike by the lighthouse was fantastic! We would rate the safari experience at a 5, actually higher!! And YES, we would like a reunion experience with the same group. Everybody, including us had so much fun. And we have made new friends–including with Wade and Debbi!! We all became friends very quickly and enjoyed our time together!“
– Frank V. Member since 2021.

“I must say I really wasn’t sure exactly what to expect on our trip to South Africa but what I can say it was beyond my expectations!!! It was an unbelievable trip with several amazing experiences that makes it hard to pick just one. We have traveled with groups before where we didn’t know most of the other people but this group we met on this trip were all amazing and wonderful and everyone got along so well. I really feel that all of us from this group will continue to stay in touch with each other and try to meet each other again whenever possible. It was so nice to see people helping each other if some could not keep up and everyone was very encouraging to help people try new things! This trip was so well organized with never a lack of something to do. If anyone asks what kind of trips Thirdhome organizes I would be very happy to say only the very best!“
– Ruth V. Member since 2021.

“WOW WOW WOW!!!! I can’t say enough about the fabulous trip at Leobo Private Reserve. From the moment we landed in South Africa, we had a smile on our faces. Leobo was beyond impressive…the adventures were unique, the food was scrumptious, the accommodations and views were breathtaking and of course, the company was extraordinary! This was the most memorable trip Milt & I have ever been on. We look forward to experiencing more THIRDHOME Adventures in the future.“
– Dee and Milt W. Members since 2015.

“If life is a tapestry made of our experiences and memories, we would like to thank the Thirdhome family for adding bold colors and golden threads to our fabric. The trip to South Africa put together by Debbi, Wade, and Liz was a dream come true, full of unforgettable people and events. We can’t wait for the next Thirdhome Adventure!!!
– Neal and Jamie H. Members since 2015.

In celebration of turning 70, Larry is hitting all seven continents with the help of THIRDHOME.

As Larry travels the globe with THIRDHOME, he’ll be blogging about his experiences as he navigates the post-pandemic world. His planning began in 2019 with THIRDHOME Director of Adventures, Liz Bates, who has assisted him in pivoting to satisfy his travel cravings when COVID-19 restrictions have not allowed him to visit a destination. Keep reading to learn more about Larry’s most recent travel experiences.

Next Stop: Peru

Look, I’m all about a relaxing vacation. Poolside margaritas, reading a good book at the beach, and maybe a yoga class or two. But this trip wasn’t THAT vacation. This was going to be an adventure. I was headed back to possibly my favorite country on the planet, Peru, for three weeks and I needed guidance and ideas. So, I did what I always do when I’m visiting a faraway place and I called my secret travel weapon, Liz Bates at THIRDHOME Adventures.

After all, post-COVID travel has gotten more complicated and more expensive, so there is little room for error. Back in the day (I’m old), there was no such thing as Expedia, Kayak and the like. There were travel agents in the mall who gave out brochures and travel advice and offered a variety of trip options. Real, live human beings who planned travel adventures for a living, and had a passion to help folks like me who wanted to explore the world. Enter Liz, a throwback to the Travel Agent Era!

I had already reserved a really cool THIRDHOME property in the Sacred Valley of Peru. My daughter, Morgan, made it clear that if I was going to Machu Picchu, she was going with me. So I called Liz and pleaded:

“I need a ‘kick-ass’ Peruvian itinerary that explores the Sacred Valley, Cusco, and the Peruvian Amazon that will be interesting for me and my 31 year-old somewhat quirky daughter who lives on Instagram.“

I knew Liz was up to the task, since she was the coordinator for Morgan and my “Colors of Morocco” tour this past October. We not only survived the tour together, but had a blast, met some great people, and decided we were pretty good travel companions. In this case, Morgan could get her Machu Picchu groove on, and I could continue my adventure into Cusco, and later, visit Iquitos and the Amazon jungle.

It was at this time I was introduced to Marco Bustamante and his travel company ,Peruvian Odyssey. After 28 years of helping Gringos and other foreigners explore his country, Marco put together the perfect itinerary that would keep both of us happy. Marco is one of those people you could sit and talk to for hours. He’s visited all corners of the globe and has a story for each corner. His plan allowed Morgan to knock Machu Picchu, one of the 7 Wonders of the World, off her bucket list and enjoy her celebrity as the Queen of Instagram. I could do my thing and take photos, explore glorious foreign markets, and practice my bad Spanish with the lovely Peruvian people. We would climb hundreds of Inca stairs while exploring ancient Incan structures and visiting villages inhabited by direct descendants of the Incas.

From Cusco and the Sacred Valley, I flew to Iquitos, Peru. After a four-hour journey by van and wooden boat, I arrived at Treehouse Lodge (suggested by Liz) to spend three nights in the Amazonian jungle doing my best Mowgli (see The Jungle Book) impression. Sleeping 60 feet above the ground while listening to birds chirping, monkeys howling, and insects buzzing is a different kind of experience for a guy who grew up in Chicago.

Over the next three days, my guide, Leyner, demonstrated why he was the guide… and I was not. Where I saw a never-ending canopy of uninhabited trees, he saw trees full of monkeys, sloths, macaws, toucans, and owls. On the river, we witnessed pink dolphins jumping during the day and cayman alligators cruising at night. In one of the Amazon riverfront towns, we met the town’s mascot: a 12-foot anaconda snake.

Trip Highlights? Here’s a few:

Riding the Vistadome train from Urubamba to Machu Pichu. The Andes never disappoint in terms of majesty and beauty.
Eating one of the 4000 plus varieties of Peruvian potatoes that are baked underground in a dirt cooking pit or huatia in the Andes mountains.
Hanging out in the Cusco Plaza del Armas in the afternoon and evening. Music everywhere, aromas from the many restaurants enticing visitors, and a walk through the Cusco market for smoothies, souvenirs, or street food.
There’s not a sight on earth that compares with looking down on the Incan village of Machu Pichu from up high.
Going back in time several centuries to visit the high in the Andes village of Willoq, a community where time stands still and artistic, musical, cooking, and dress traditions of ancient Peruvians flourish today.
Seeing the creepy crawlers of the Amazon up close, including tarantulas, bullet ants, the jumping stick, and the Leaf-Cutter ant.
Visiting classrooms in remote villages to see youthful villagers fully engaged with outstanding teachers learning a new language and working on school projects.

Maybe in time I’ll be a sit-around-the-pool-guy and revel in relaxation. But for now, bring on the adventure!

PHOTO GALLERY

MEET LARRY

World Traveler, Philanthropist, Friend, & THIRDHOME Member

THIRDHOME member Larry Grossman turns 70 this year.

In celebration of this milestone, he’s hitting all 7 continents with the help of THIRDHOME.

Meet Larry:

World Traveler, Philanthropist, Friend, & THIRDHOME Member

Next Stop: Morocco

I didn’t like the camel and the camel didn’t like me! It was a rout, a blowout, a first-round knockout. If there was a scoreboard, it would have read “Camel 70 – Larry 0.” So, after five agonizing minutes aboard this gargantuan dromedary, I accepted the fact that I was a “desert weenie,” and came back down to the Sahara dunes and did two things I felt comfortable doing: walking in the Sahara and taking pictures. Gone forever was my fantasy of reprising the role of Lawrence of Arabia on the big screen, and winning the Best Actor Oscar wrongly denied to Peter O’Toole in 1963.

My Morocco adventure started more than two years ago when my “travel muse” and THIRDHOME Director of Adventures, Liz Bates, called me and said, “Don’t miss our Colors of Morocco tour! I’ve been there and the country is spectacular.” I had to confess that I knew little about Morocco beyond the fact that Casablanca, to this day, remains one of my favorite classic movies. I also knew a that an endorsement from Liz had proven to be the closest thing to a guaranteed great travel experience. She got me to the Peruvian Amazon and to the Galapagos, so why not Morocco? Finally, I remembered just enough geography to know that Morocco was in northern Africa, and would therefore move me forward in my 7 at 70 Adventure to visit all 7 continents in the next 18 months. Thus, with the words from “Marrakech Express” (Crosby, Stills, and Nash) and “Midnight at the Oasis” (Maria Muldaur) dancing in my head, my daughter Morgan and I proceeded to meet 10 fellow travelers in Rabat, Morocco to begin our journey.

I’ve learned that a successful tour is dependent on a charismatic leader, and we were lucky enough to have resident Moroccan Berber villager, Abdou Imelouane, guiding us for the 14-day adventure. Abdou was knowledgeable about all things Morocco (culture, food, history, religion, and art) and he patiently answered every question we threw at him, often with a wry sense of humor.

Some of the many interesting factoids about Morocco we learned from Abdou on our adventure:

Although tourists can visit “Rick’s Café” in Casablanca and listen to live piano music, the movie Casablanca was filmed in its entirety on the Warner Brothers lot in Burbank, California.
There are massive underground reserves of water under the Sahara Desert, making water easily available to residents. Long hot shower, no problem!
Morocco has been the site of 37 feature length films including Gladiator, The Mummy, Lawrence of Arabia, Sahara, Hidalgo, Sex and the City 2, and Kingdom of Heaven.
In 1777, Morocco became the first country to formally recognize the United States as an independent nation.
The national drink of Morocco is a special green tea drink called atai, a mixture of green tea, mint, and sugar. Guests are offered tea at every meal and it is considered rude to refuse the tea.
Morocco is the third largest exporter of olives (behind Spain and Tunisia) in the world.
The Moroccan military has gone deep into the desert to vaccinate the nomad population against COVID-19.

Our tour included visits to Roman ruins, Kasbahs, Royal Palaces, Unesco World Heritage sites, the Sahara Desert, as well as ancient Medinas (walled historic city sections) and Riads (large traditional houses with open areas/gardens in the center) in both Marrakech and Fes. We enjoyed meals in restaurants and villas across the country, and sampled typical Moroccan cuisine including lamb tangine, chicken pastilla, vegetarian couscous, and olives of every shape and color. Our accommodations ranged from funky and colorful Riad residences to luxury hotels. Our group bonded during long rides through the Atlas Mountains with breathtaking scenery and hair-raising curved roads. We witnessed nomads moving across the desert with mules and donkeys while establishing temporary homes held together with wood, blankets, and rugs.

Highlights? There were so many:

Sunrise, sunset, and starry nights over the Sahara were mystical and unforgettable.

Our “back-of-the-bus” discussions during long rides solved no pressing problems, but we covered politics, movies, sports at every level, and established new friendships that are destined to lead to more adventures.

Walking through the Marrakech market at night shopping, haggling, taking photos, and talking to shop owners. Massive crowds everywhere: monkeys with handlers, horse drawn carriages, shop owners selling, drums beating, and the smell of lamb, chicken, and beef wafting over the main square.

Our culinary workshop cooking various versions of Moroccan tangine. Not only was the final product photo worthy, but absolutely delicious and ready for prime time.

Touring the Hassan II Mosque inside and out. This magnificent structure completed in 1993 is the second largest mosque in Africa, and features the tallest minaret in the world.

“Colors of Morocco” offered an exceptional opportunity to experience the African Continent for the first time.

To read more about Larry’s adventures with THIRDHOME, click here. Stay tuned for more of his travels!