A trip to a remote Pacific atoll to view the total eclipse of July 11 was certainly on my bucket list and given the expense and planning I think we had the justifiable expectation that it would be properly organized and financially solvent. As it was, the tour organizer (Jen Winter) barely made contact with the group, and appeared to be inconvenienced by our presence. While the primary purpose of the trip was met during 4+ glorious minutes of totality on Tatakoto we were disappointed that the promised activities of star gazing, shell collecting and beach barbecue were simply window dressing for the glossy brochures Astronomical Tours produced for the event. We were told by other eclipse travelers that the demands for additional money during a trip are a regular feature of an Astronomical Tours trip and we soon found out this one was no exception. Many of us left with the impression that Jen Winter is a consummate scam artist and makes a habit of ripping people off to further her own personal goals.\r
\r
The best organized part of the Astronomical Tours trip to Tahiti for the July 11 eclipse was the organizer's rapid departure for the Marquesas the following day. By disappearing, she was able to avoid facing the throngs of angry eclipse viewers who were left to cover hotel bills (and even ferry tickets to Moorea) they believed had been paid through their advance deposits which had evidently remained in Ms. Winter's pocket. For many, this was a disappointing and expensive end to the trip of a lifetime. \r
\r
Avoid Astronomical Tours and anything organized by Jen Winter!\r
more