When animals attack … no!

While on holiday in Cape Town, South Africa, we had a “when animals attack” experience … almost like the ones that you see on the television show, ”When animals attack.”  I have to confess that I have never seen the show except for the promotions, but in retrospect, I can laugh about our almost-animal-attack.

We were on a tour, or should I say adventure, around the Cape.  As citizens of the United States, we had never seen baboons in the wild.  Our first siting was on our way to the Cape of Good Hope. 
We thought, how cool.  Our tour operator, Hendrien, warned up that these “cute” animals are animals and can be quite vicious.  So, she gave up some tips about what to do if a baboon approaches up.

1. don’t run, stand still.
2. show the baboons your palm, not fist, or threatening.
3. don’t look the animal in the eye.
4. look slightly away.

  We learned that human expansion, much like what is occurring in parts of the United States, is encroaching upon their territory.  Frequently, these baboons are attracted to food and will fight for it.

So, as we are walking to the parking lot for the lighthouse, a baboon, seemingly from no where, starting running toward us.  Remembering Hendrien’s advice, I remain still, show my palms, and look away.  To my surprise the baboon stops! 

So, the moral of the story, animals attack when human encroach.

When does a tour become an adventure?

Not quite “to be or not to be”, but this question of tour or adventure has been nagging me.  Some tour operators, such as G.A.P. advertise their vacation/holiday packages as adventures instead of tours.  Okay, I understand that a tour is a journey that starts at a starting point and typically ends at the starting point too, while an adventure is some exciting experience that can be risky or dangerous.  I don’t think that these adventure sellers want to say that their adventures are dangerous … well, maybe some.

I would say my tour of Delphi was an exciting adventure without the danger.  I would say that my adventure in Hawaii, say at the National Volcano Park, was an awesome tour.  Is a tour sedentary and an adventure active?  Does risk or the possibility of danger differentiate the two?  Is the difference minimal or the terms interchangeable?  Do operators use the term to attract a targeted audience?

I must admit that when I saw this description, adventure, I laughed at the operator for their play on words to describe their offerings, but perhaps I was a little hasty in my dismissal … the jury is still debating this distinction.