| Hi Guys,
Just wanted to let you know that I just sent
off the comments below to Lonely Planet.....let me know how
it's all going there.
Take care,
Helen
Just wanted to let you know that as usual
my Lonely Planet guide proved indispensable recently in organising
my trip to the Dominican Republic. I took your advice and
booked a couple of trips through IguanaMama in Cabarete which
really made our trip memorable.
We did two trips - 3000ft downhill mountain
bike cruise and the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua. The Mountain
Bike cruise was amazing - giving 'high-fives' to the kids
in the villages as you pass through and getting a real insight
into the countryside. The Waterfalls trip was fantastic too...
We crawled, climbed and were hauled up 12
of the waterfalls whilst other companies stopped at 7. The
guides were really friendly and knowledgeable - Although IguanaMama
is a little more expensive, you really do get a lot more bang
for your buck!
IguanaMama also organised a dinner party
at the home of a retired American couple who live in what
is basically a partially completed mansion on top of a hill
in a breathtaking (tear-jerking) location. It's sort of strange
set-up...they welcome you into their home and pour you drinks
and chat in their kitchen before serving you a fabulous 3
course dinner. The meal cost 300 RD each - a little on the
expensive side but they were pretty free with their drinks
and with drinks it worked out around 400 RD each, including
3 glasses of wine - pretty damn good.
IguanaMama has just been taken over by an
American couple called Chad & Jennifer who are continuing
the good work started by Tricia and they're committed to eco-tourism
with 20% of the profits given back to the community to provide
libraries and sponsorship for children.
They are a model of what tour companies should
be and it's just a shame
that more aren't.hanks for everything!
Heln Rankin
London, England
Hi Dominique!
We had an excellent time! I have already told some friends
who go to the Dominican every year that they should go next
year! It was an awsome experience! The pictures actually turned
out great - tons of really good shots and only about 3 or
4 splash pictures! I was really happy to get so many good
pictures.
:)
Thanks for everything!
Lisa Golko
Edmonton, Canada
We had a wonderful time!! Thank you for everything.
A special thank you to the smiling assassin - Maximo!
Steve Kane
Florida, USA
Carm and I wanted to thank everyone, especially
you, Richard and extra specially Emilio, Adolpho and Freddy
for their guidance and knowledge. I know Carm and I learned
a lot about the geography, flora, fauna, people, culture,
history and more! And we had a BLAST on the trips!
We've heartily reccommended your trips to people at our hotel
and people that we met while we were down there. We're back
home now and settling into the pattern of daily living but
we're planning on coming back, and when we do, we'll be sure
to do a couple of trips with you (hopefully, Pico Duarte).
Cheers, and thanks again
to everyone. You guys ROCK!
Shawn and Carmela Marshall
Toronto, Canada
 |
Dear Tricia, Just a note to say Hello. I'm
sorry we didn't get a chance to say Good-by, it all seemed
to come upon us all at once. We SURE hated leaving, especially
to come back to winter. We arrived home on Jan/ 12, it still
seems like we should be on the beach or in the pool. I am
usually ready to get back to my own home when we are away,
but not this time. We hope you, Freddy and your sweet little
kids are doing well. We still relate stories of the great
trip to the falls. Some of the photos turned out, but unfortunately,
not all. I was using one of those Sports cameras (all in one
type) I guess it didn't have a flash so the photos down in
the rocks didn't turn out, too bad. We sure had a hoot, very
EXHILARATING!!!!! We have so many fond memories, wish we could
make it a regular trip. I know it will be quite sometime before
we can travel again. We feel fortunate to have been able to
do what we did and to meet so many wonderful people such as
yourselves. Many, many lasting ,memories! Say hello to Junior,
Maximo and Aldolpho. thank you so much again for the great
trip and your kindness, helping us out in the ways that you
did. We will never forget our experience.
Gary, Cheryl, Kyle and Kirk Norbraten
I just wanted to send a quick update on
the article, and to thank you again for all your help. We
really had a good time with you, hiking Pico Duarte, Mountain
Biking and taking in all that Cabarete and the North Coast
has to offer. I'm really impressed with Iguana Mama; your
company is great with logistics, and everyone was very responsible
and committed to helping the clients make the most out of
their trip. Plus, you have something that is often sorely
lacking in this part of the world: great equipment. Again,
thanks for all your help when I was in the D.R. You went the
extra mile for us and it really made a difference.
Tom Clynes
Author/Journalist for National Geographic Adventure
First of all thank you for a wonderful holiday.
Bryn and I had a great time and I'm recommending you to all
my cyclist friends. As I was cycling through the London rush
hour this morning I couldn't help but think how nice it would
be to be off road in the Dominican Republic somewhere, even
one of Alex's up up up up UPs seemed preferable to battling
with London's bus and taxi drivers!
Thanks again,
Best wishes, Wendy & Bryn
Thanks to you and your great staff for a
wonderful trip. I especially want to thank Gerry and July
for being tremendous guides. They were responsible for our
care and went out of their way to help the injured and the
mechanically impaired. You have great staff and great integrity.
Thanks.
Regards
The Lawson family
Hi there...we were on two of your tours the
week before Easter with Alex and July and just wanted to let
you folks know what a great time we had. Thanks for a good
time and we really appreciated they "extras" Hope
to see you again...
Pam Green and Reg Martin
Hope you all have recovered from my visit...a
special thanks to all my riding partners...it was great!
Stay in touch!
Mon Dorris
We just returned from a trip to Cabarete
- which included some of your bike and hike tours. Just wanted
to let you know how much we enjoyed the trips as well as the
guides and the people you have working for Iguana Mama.
It's a first class company! Jane, at the front desk, did an
outstanding job! Alex & Julie, our guides on different
trips were enjoyable and fun to be with. They did a great
job educating us about the countryside, plants & towns.
Truly an enjoyable experience that I'd recommend to anyone
visiting Cabarete or the Dominican Republic.
Greg & Alison Clark
Dear Iguana-Mamas,
Once again thank you very much for the very nice downhill-trip
during my Vacation on Dec. 16th. It was a great pleasure!
When I come back again at the end of March 1998, I will make
further mountain bike-tours with you. I wish you a merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year 1998.
Kindest regards
Dirk Grothe, Hamburg/Germany
Wow, thanks for adding us to your mailing
list. We just returned from the DR on Sunday and have been
re-living our Cabarete memories. Thanks for a great Blue Moon
ride. Our friends Alisa and Hugo were able to also do the
Rocky Mountain ride, and we all returned to the Blue Moon
for dinner the next week (fantastic!). We will definitely
be back to the DR and hope to do more Mama Iguana Adventures.
Thanks,
Katie and Bob Blakewell
Davis, California
I think that you are running a great operation.
It is great to know that there is a company who is responsible
to their host country and takes an interest in improving education
among the children.
Hope to see you next year. Thanks for the great experience.
Rob Cochran,
North Bay, Ont., Canada.
I just came back from last leg of my vacation
and just wanted to tell you how appreciative I am of all the
help that you provided with in Dominican Republic. The day
trips were very good.
Many Thanx,
Virginia Malik and family
Thanks so much for taking time to speak with
Cybele and I, and at your house while you were making Xmas
cookies no less! We had a great vacation in no small part
due to you. I've told all my adventure minded friends about
your bike rentals, and we're looking forward to getting the
pictures back. BTW, Cybele and I got engaged on New Year's
Eve, and although I can't give you credit for that, having
a sensational vacation leading up to the big moment was great.
Sincerely,
Rich Brooks
I just wanted to send a quick email letting
Iguana Mama know what a great excursion we had to Samana.
Jerry keep the bus rolling with his witty character. Thank
you for making a trip into lasting memories! The memories
are keeping us going, we just got 12 inches of snow in Minneapolis.
Heide Hoeschen
Dear Tricia!
Just a quick thank you note to express what a terrific time
we had on your downhill excursion! It was truly an experience
worth having - and a great way to see the real Dominican,
as you put it. We enjoyed the lunch at the Blue Moon (again,
a first!), so please pass along our thanks to the owners there.
Your guide Alex was funny and informative too. He even offered
to push me up one of the hills.
Kira & Steve Walker
Brampton, Ontario
CANADA
As a result of your incredible enthusiasm
to help the local education efforts (as well as phenomenal
bike tour), I wrote a text book on the Dominican Republic
for 3rd through 6th grade social studies. A whole class of
kids have set up a mini raffle for some T-shirts that they
hand painted with Dominican scenery. They would like very
much to send the money to you to use for one of your educational
projects. It’s nice to know that your company has given
these local kids not only books but teachers. Keep up the
good work and can’t wait to do another one of your great
tours
Glenn Wilson
Alberta, Canada
We’ve been on the El Choco tour with
Adolfo in March and we thought it was great. We thank you
all very much for the tour, especially Adolfo for his guidance.
We had great fun and the photos turned out nice!
Konni Vierneisel,
Germany
I have been going to the DR on vacation for
the last 5 years- since my children were only six months old
and three years old. My husband and I have been on all of
Iguana Mama's local trips. They just keep getting better and
better! They are totally fun, physically challenging and really
educational. I have loved getting to know the local guides
and hearing about the people and culture as we travel through
the countryside. As my children have gotten older they have
come on some of the trips. The guides always pay special attention
to them so that they always have a wonderful time and feel
very included. Our Dominican experience stays with us all
year round which is why we will come back every year.
Judy Greenburg
Brattleboro, Vermont
Thanks so much for all of your help, the
great rides, the amazing dinner at Blue Moon, your advice.
This was one of the best group trips I think any of us have
ever been on. You are the best!
Lisa Gosselin
New York, New York
Thanks for making my vacation fun and memorable.
I’ve been on lots of "adventure tours" in
exotic locations but Iguana Mama is then most organized and
friendly group I've traveled with
Leigh-Ashley Lipscomb
Lynchburg, VA
I just wanted to send you a note to say thanks
for such a great time on the back roads of the Dominican Republic.
Iguana Mama, Mountain biking and your crew have changed my
perspective not only on exercise but on life.
Linda Lynch
Minneapolis, Minnesota
My wife Angie and our friends Chris and Shawn
just returned from Cabarete yesterday. All of us participated
in your half day downhill trip on Friday Feb 5th. We just
wanted to say thanks for a wonderful time! The views from
above Santiago and Moca were wonderful and your equipment
was super!! You run a very professional business and that
is certainly reflected in your service, your guides, and the
equipment you rent. We will recommend Iguana Mama as a MUST
DO to anyone considering a trip to the Dominican Republic.
Our only regret is that we did not sign up for the full day
trip or even an overnighter!!
Thanks again!!
Aron & Angie Hill
Shawn & Chris Kellitt
Minneapolis, Minnesota
On the Downhill excursion, Jerry and Omar
did a great job of keeping my five girlfriends and me in one
piece. Great fun was had by all and it will remain one of
my favorite memories of the week in Cabarete (Jan 27 –
Feb 3,99). Thanks for contributing to a perfect holiday. Now
all I have to do is re-adjust to sub-zero temperatures……
Hope to ride with you again soon! Cheers!
Michelle
Annandale
Thank you for a fabulous vacation. We were
the family that made you stop to buy more film. We immensely
enjoyed our experience on the Islabon Coast Cruise. Who could
believe there were so many trees with edible fruit in one
area. Your guides Freddy and July were without a doubt the
highlight of the trip. Their humor and patience will not be
forgotten. We look forward to coming back with all of our
friends next year.
Elizabeth Inralt
Paris, France
Hola!
I am back in Vancouver and I already miss Cabarete. Thanks
for your gracious hospitality and the El Choco tour, it was
a highlight for me. Meeting the families and Frederico &
Santina (I think that was her name) on the tour were moving.
I only wish that I could have stayed longer.
Paul Newitt
Vancouver, Canada
We absolutely loved our bike trip with Alex.
Without question, it was the highlight of our trip. I would
love to encourage our tourism & recreation college students
o choose you as their operator for their week long educational
tour.
Thanks,
Bryon Howard
Outside Expeditions, Prince Edward Island
Canada
You have taken us to parts of the country
I never expected to see – secret caves, an Ocean island
inhabited only by us, numerous waterfalls and even the home
of Dede Mirabal.
Ellie Happel,
Garfield High School
Seattle, Washington
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