"Hello Tom,
... We wanted to thank you (as well as Andi, Galih and the team) very much for the formidable trip. It was our first trip with you but we came out very happy with the experience. In particular, we were very pleased with the following :
(1) excellent organization and logistics and good food (especially in challenging Batu Tara conditions) with no hic-ups or problems encountered,
(2) great flexibility to accommodate changes until the last minute (we were very happy to have chosen Rinjani as Andi must have told you),
(3) small groups that make the trip so much enjoyable, and
(4) a very good guide (Andi), knowledgeable, flexible, passionate...
Again many thanks for the trip and we will be looking forward to
joining another trip with you soon. Enjoy Colima and Guatemala and
have a great holiday season and a wonderful New Year!
See you soon,
Judith and Fady"
(from The Netherlands & France, about the Batu Tara volcano expedition in November 2015)
"Hi Ingrid
I received your calendar gift just after Christmas. It was a very nice surprise. ...
I was able to tell many people of our adventure over the Christmas and New Year break. I think it was wildly apparent to those that I told that I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and had great experiences.
Most people thought we were crazy, but everyone was impressed.
I saw Tom's video on TV before Christmas – It was on one of the science channels – it was really impressive and such a buzz to see the things we experience firsthand.
I think the way you ran the tour was great. There will always be unforeseen challenges and they will probably always be different. I think when the “heat was on” people got a little stressed and that will always create some interesting reactions. Being involved with Volcanoes you know that – turn up the heat and anything can happen!!!
All the very best for 2016. I wish you all the best success in the Volcano world and beyond!"
-Paul W. from Australia about the Danakil volcano expedition from November 2015)
"I find it very difficult to express my feelings and thoughts about this trip, which was by far the most adventurous experience I have ever done.
Although I had prepared it as well as possible and had seen many photographs of this area and read feedback from previous participants, it was really still a surprisingly big and unique moment when I stood next to the lava lake, traveled through the Danakil Desert, saw the giant salt planes, spotted for the first time crocodiles, vultures and orex in their natural habitat,
swam in a salt lake under a star-filled night sky, camped for three days on the crater rim of a volcano without any running water or electricity, ...
"
Read all
(Ingrid Smet, Belgium about the Erta Ale lava lake and Dallol expedition in November 2015)
"Dear Ingrid,
I'm sitting here in a coffee bar on Kuta beach walk and fill the time
between two espressi to write these few lines about my trip.
I enjoyed it very much. Organisation, accommodation and transfers went
well. Galih was guiding with a lot of passion, competence and patience.
Especially Krakatau was one of the highlights.
Unfortunatly Ijien was closed due to vulcanic activities.
But apart from that, a wonderful trip with an excellent guide.
Thank you
(Thomas N. from Germany, on his private October 2015 which was customised with an extension to Krakatau)
"...wieder einmal hat es VolcanoDiscovery / Volcano-Adventures geschafft, eine faszinierende Reise zu liefern, diesmal nach Äthiopien.
Hochachtung und vielen Dank gegührt dem Team vor Ort, das die Tour bestens organisiert und zu vollster Zufriedenheit und sicher durchgeführt hat."
-Dietmar B. über die Danakil Expedition im February 2015
Dietmar's Bilderauswahl zur Reise
"Tom,
now my wife and I are at home after our From Krakatao to Bali trip and I want to thank you for a great experience. It was a marvelous trip that exceeded even my high expectations. Some comments:
a) Galih was an excellent guide both in terms of trekking volcanoes and giving us an insight into Indonesian culture.
b) The drivers, especially the first one (Danny?), was exceptional in smoothly and safely navigating the maze of cars and motorbikes.
c) My initial concerns (based on Internet comments) about the Batavia (now De Rivier) Hotel in Jakarta were misplaced. This hotel is very good for its price, and it provides comfort and a unique atmosphere. I am glad we stayed there.
d) The itinerary was thoughtfully planned and well executed. Emphasis on early morning departures for good light and diminished crowds was very appropriate.
e) Having hammocks on Krakatau was most welcome. It was much better than sleeping in the tent, and to my great surprise, there were no (or very few) mosquitoes or other biting insects.
f) On the first night we were the only tourists on Krakatau, and the morning walk up the volcano was a real pleasure. On the second (weekend) night there were already many people camping there, and the walk on the following day would not have been as pleasant. Keeping away from weekends on Krakatau is indeed very desirable.
g) The Ijen Resort was a highlight of the trip. It is one of the most beautifully located hotels we have ever encountered over many decades of world travel.
h) Although the last hotel on Bali was fine and its location did not affect us, it is not on the beach as the trip outline on the web indicates. Had we expected to have a great beach-experience, we would have been disappointed.
i) We were surprised about the few American volcano tourists. You may use us references, if you wish.
With appreciation and best wishes,
Peter"
(Peter K., about the Krakatau to Bali tour)
"Hi there Tom,
First up - AMBRYM WAS EPIC!!!! Thanks so much for the opportunity Yasmin is a fantastic guide and what can I say about the crater lakes?
Unbelievable! Everyone has been absolutely raving about the photos I bought back-hopefully you'll get some business off the back of it, you guys deserve it."
(Kat S. from Brisbane, about the Vanuatu volcano expedition)
"Yes,yes, Tom! Please, emails! Don't disappear on us! Congratulations and good luck in new venture. You can't miss. You're the best... And funny too. May this be wonderful New Year for you and yours and Volcano Adventures.
Fondest memories... Many hugs to you,
Sandie N."
(Sandra from Washington about a tour to Etna and Stromboli)
"Just wanted to say I'm very impressed with Andi. He is amazing...." (Michael D., Volcano Special to Sinabung)
"Hi Tom,
I am finally home . The tour was excellent, exceeded all expectations. Galih made the trip very interesting and was a pleasure to know. He kept us informed on everything and every where we went. I hope to catch up with him again. Thanks for organising such a great tour, it will have lasting memories .
Cheers
Vic"
(from from Bridgetown, Australia about the Krakatau to Bali photo tour)
"Hi Tom!
We hope you got back ok. How was that trip up on the last day? Any good views? I was just dying to stay one more day and go back up the mountain again, but it would have been too hard to change the planes at the last minute. We were watching the mountain while waiting for the bus and actually saw a couple of big red explosions. Mount Etna is in today's news here - they are showing videos of it erupting again! We're so lucky to have seen it!
Just wanted to say thank you again for everything - that we are so happy to have met you. This trip was the most awesome thing we've ever done! Saw things that only a relatively few people have ever been able to see, and we'll always remember it (and you, and Bea and Reto).
We'll, have to unpack now and get back to the old routine again. Talk to you soon,
Love,
Carolynn and Ronnie
...
Hi Tom,
Thanks again! Certainly you can use the comments however you like. I've been telling everyone here about the trip - still can't stop talking about it, LOL!
Carol"
(Carol & Ronnie, Massachusetts, about the Stromboli to Etna tour)
"Chris
The website says that you are a volcanologist, science publisher and photographer.
I does NOT say what a great chef you are.
Once again thanks for a Brilliant two weeks in Iceland (and congratulations to Germany 7.1)
Brian B." (UK, Colors of Iceland tour)
"One of the best volcano trips you can ever think to do is this one. I went with Volcano Discovery in 2012 (http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/). First is the traverse of Ambrym Island and the overlook of the asonishing lava lake on Marum. Then the nightime visits to Tanna Island down south in the archipelago where Yasur volcano has a Strombolian eruption about 40 times an hour - plus shockwaves. And the Vanuatu people are some of the nicest anywhere.
(Richard Henley, Australia, about the Vanuatu Volcano tour)
"Hello Tom: I think I am finally over jet lag after the 30 hours total travel from Rome to Australia. I want to thank you for another superb trip. I've done Vanuatu, Java and now Italy with you and your people in only 14 months (!).
All of the trips have been different and all excellent. They have certainly enabled me to get closer to active volcanoes and their scale, which is exactly what I wanted to do after a lifetime looking mostly at mineral deposits in eroded dead volcanoes. I fell in love with the Mediterranean islands - and, yes, Santorini is definitely on the list!
Best wishes
Dick" (Richard H., Australia, about the Volcanoes of Italy tour)
"Hi Tom,
We have just finished our trip in Java : we enjoyed it a lot, all the family is very happy and we will all remember these holidays all our life.
Andi is very professional, very nice and did his best to make the trip interesting for our kids. My husband was very happy to take beautiful pictures. And I was happy to do some trekking on volcanoes.
I hope other families can enjoy this trip in the future.
We look forward to make another trip with Volcano Discovery,
Thank you for all the organization,
Kind regards,
Maud" (Maud S., Singapore, Volcanoes of East Java custom tour"
See also: Frederick's photos from the tour
Hi VolcanoDiscovery-Team,
We have just finished our trip in Java : we enjoyed it a lot, all the family is very happy and we will all remember these holidays all our life.
Andi is very professional, very nice and did his best to make the trip interesting for our kids. My husband was very happy to take beautiful pictures. And I was happy to do some trekking on volcanoes.
I hope other families can enjoy this trip in the future.
We look forward to make another trip with Volcano Discovery,
Thank you for all the organization,
Kind regards,
Maud
"Hi Tom.
Caroline and I returned safely to the UK at the beginning of last week, after a truly excellent tour round Iceland with Chris. You may have heard from him that we had unusually good weather - only a few hours of rain in 16 days, and lots of warm sunshine. We are lucky enough to have traveled a bit and seen some wonderful places, but neither Caroline nor I could think of anywhere we've been with such wild, spectacular and varied scenery day after day. Truly amazing. I've become a bit more serious about photography since we journeyed to the Danakil Depression together, and of course Iceland is just perfect for practising photo technique. Honestly, a splendid trip.
We also wanted to tell you - as we're sure you hear from everyone - what an outstanding tour guide Chris is. He did all the driving, shopping and cooking for us for 14 days, but managed to make it all seem easy and effortless. Nothing was too much trouble. His knowledge of Iceland is truly remarkable. And he is so enthusiastic. We have made another good friend through our trips with Volcano Discovery. Of course we said thank you to him as we left, but please do tell him again from us how very much we appreciate everything he did for us.
A few months in the UK now, but we are already thinking about volcano trips in 2014. If you decide that trips to the Congo become possible again, would you let us know dates as soon as possible please?
Meanwhile, as always, thanks and best wishes to all at VD!
Kind regards from Tom and Caroline"
(Tom + Caroline from UK, Iceland Photo Tour)
"
We returned from our trip to Bromo and Ijen on Sunday evening. This is the first time now that I can sit to my computer and - believe me - my very first act is to write to you about our trip.
First off the overall opinion of my family is that this tour was one of the best in our lives. We visited many beautiful places in exceptionally good weather and with a very professional and caring tour guide Galih.
I've been living here in Indonesia for one and a half year and I've learned that timing and information handling is a bit strange here for a European. But this time it was quite different. I got immediate responses to my SMSs and emails from Galih, his planning and execution of our days were just flawless. They were very helpful to us, he explained everything in details, always adjusted the pacing of the day to our experience level, supplied us food snacks and drinks in the right time.
Keep up the great operation!!
Best regards:
Gyorgy" (Hungary, Volcanoes of East Java tour)
"Hi Tom, ... , I was on the May Vanuatu expedition. I have to say that it was the most outstanding holiday of my entire life."...
"Tom, You're welcome to quote me by name, but I should add a bit more.
I've done several expedition tours with various outfits over the years,
and VolcanoDiscovery is clearly the best that I've encountered."
(Bruce V., Australia, about the Vanuatu Volcano Expedition).
"... The reality was that I thoroughly enjoyed the Round The World Adventure, yes that's what it felt like, an adventure. But one where I increased my knowledge of Volcanism and got close up and personal with lava. We were a small team of four which was supplemented by expert guides on each continent..." Read all (Roger, UK, about the Round-The-World tour)
"Hi Tom,
Many thanks again for a very memorable trip that has whetted our appetite. Here's your picture on Stromboli. Apologies that it took me so long to get around to sending it.
Best wishes,
Robert and Aneta."
(from the Netherlands, Stromboli to Etna trip in May 2013)
