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| After we had breakfast at the Marriott in Quito, we waited a few minutes for the buses that took our group to the airport for the flight to the Galapagos Islands. We would come back here a week later, so we checked a bag with souvenirs and rain gear we wouldn't need for the next few days. |
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| We started to meet more people and found that a large number were from California, some from Miami and several from the UK. We met Phoebe and Pieter from Canada, Jo and Randy from Iowa, Virginia and Ed from Silicon Valley, and Robyn and Walter from Australia. There were five teenagers and several folks in their seventies (including yours truly). So we had quite a diverse group of passengers; about 90 in all. |
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| Another short bus ride took us to the dock where we were met by the local welcoming committee. After donning life-vests, we stepped onto a Zodiac that took us to the ship. Getting in and out of the rafts is quite easy. A guide gives you the "Galapagos Handshake" (a way to hold onto each other's arm as you step aboard) followed by a set of steps with handrails. |
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| The ship never docks at the islands, so everything - including luggage, supplies, even fuel - has to be delivered by Zodiac or one of these barges. Hence, all our shore excursions involved a ride on one of the rafts. |  |
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Before we actually departed, we had to attend the mandatory lifeboat drill. Most, or all, of the passengers had done this before and the exercise was over in no time. |
| I don't want to bore you with a lot of details about the ship. But let me mention that there are three decks of cabins, a main dining room and an outdoor grill. All meals are eaten aboard (no food ashore, except bottled water) and are served buffet style, except for some BBQ on deck. In our opinion, the food quality was average, but the deserts were fine. Keep in mind that a lot of the food has to be imported from the mainland. |
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| The top deck has a hot-tub that was not used much because we were always on the go-go. After dinner there would be a show or some presentation by the naturalists in the lounge. |
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This was the most popular spot after shore excursions and before dinner. All drinks were included, so this was a good time to experiment. A couple times I had a apple-tini made with some Cointreau, while. Sharon tried the BBC -blended banana, Bailey and coconut cream. After watching the blue-footed-boobies ashore, fancy blue drinks became in vogue. |
| Thursday evening, on our way to Isabella and Fernandina Islands, we crossed the equator. I remember my dad, who had been a merchantman back in the 1920's, tell us how King Neptune would come aboard and dunk the first timers in a vat of sea water. Our happening was more "civilized". When the King came aboard with his helpers, he promptly selected Sharon to be his queen. She was crowned and quickly selected eight slaves who bowed in front of her. A huge fish (cleaned but real) was passed around with the chant "kiss the fish". Virginia was one of the first to kiss the beast, followed by some of the slaves. The rest of the trip I had to endure the wrath of her Highness and her demands. |
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| For our last evening in Puorta Ayora we had dinner on deck. Later a local dance group performed for us with the ladies wearing long skirts with appropriate designs. |
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The following morning we flew back to Quito, stayed one more night there and continued on home. But wait, we haven't even seen much of the islands and its wildlife. So, click here to continue with the excursions and the wildlife. |