It’s all too easy to complain, isn’t it?
We don’t like a restaurant/product/whatever and, quick as a flash, we complain, write a snarky Tripadvisor review, or simply badmouth the company.
Good service, however, is a different ballgame altogether.
Once the event is over, we always mean to write and say “thank you” or “well done” but we rarely do. Life takes over, and we forget.
Bit like meaning to write a thank you letter when you were a child, right?
Well, before city life sucks me back into its routine, let me write my own version of a thank you letter to White Magic Adventure Travel, who have yet again delivered a flawless mountain experience, in very trying conditions.
We were 10 trekkers earlier this month, on the high altitude trek to Panpatia Col in India’s Uttarkhand state, and we encountered it all – insane pilgrim traffic, heavy snowfall, hailstorms – you name it, we saw it.
When I tell you that 7/10 of us were repeat clients, it gives you an indication of the nature of White Magic. A thoroughly professional team delivering a top class experience – weather and crazy traffic delays notwithstanding.
Helping the 10 of us was a massive crew: guides, cooks, and 28 porters.
As well as meeting up with 4 different friends from previous WM trips, there is always the joy of meeting up with the wonderful WM guys – Sanjeev Ganju who led the trek, Nitesh Sati, Nawang (all three of them last seen on the frozen River Zanskar) and the one and only Mohan.
It’s a bit like a family reunion, really.
I have a confession to make.
I was woefully under-prepared for this trek.
Under-trained and it showed.
I was the weakest link, always the slowest and the last into camp, but never for one single moment was I made to feel inadequate.
I knew it of course, and felt deeply embarrassed by my own sub-par performance, but the staff could not have been sweeter or kinder or more helpful, and I was thoroughly spoiled, always having someone to lend me a helping hand.
Not proud of my performance, but it brought out the best in the amazing team that is White Magic.
We had lovely new tents for this trip, numbered and we got the same tent each night, making it our responsibility to keep our tent clean. Or not. As we wished. A WM mattress and a rubber ground mat completed the furnishings.
The “usual” big mess tent and 2 toilet tents – this was our little pampered world, with food and hot drinks and snacks and hand wash and daily oxygen saturation tests and lights and even a little heater when it got really cold.
This is my 6th?/7th? trip with White Magic Adventure Travel and over the years and the trips, their standards have not wavered for a second.
Safety is their #1 priority.
After earlier pre-WM travels with a company who should be banned for their shocking dereliction of duty, I cannot emphasise how important this aspect of White Magic is. I have seen at first hand serious accidents at altitude and a cavalier disregard for client safety.
With White Magic Adventure Travel safety will never be compromised and you know it.
And if that means a slow coach like myself taking forever to descend an icy slope, there will be no chivvying, no pressure, just a kindly hand to help.
Health and cleanliness are also vital to keep everyone in good condition, and I saw with my own eyes this time the way a sick porter was looked after and cared for.
Nothing but praise for this company and the uber-hard-working, ever cheerful team.
From bed tea in your tent first thing in the morning to hot soup before dinner.
From hot water to wash to hot lunches served on the go – White Magic Adventure Travel is a class act.
My latest crazy gang 🙂
And, as ever, our last night of camping cake 🙂
I think some of the WM guys know by now that I blog, but never once, never, ever has anyone suggested that I write a review for them
As I just said – total class act.
I cannot recommend this company more highy.
I paid my own way (of course) and am already planning my next adventure with them.