October 18th ~ Southern California
Sunshine is streaming through the windows here in our mountain hideaway. After being back in Southern California for two months, I’m becoming more and more acclimated to being sedentary. As much as I used to chomp at the bit to get on to our next travel adventure, I am slowly transforming to a home body. Not an easy admission for this global wanderer.
Rather amusing for me to be mulling over this transition, as today I am spending the hours completing multiple loads of laundry as I begin the sorting, choosing a wardrobe, and packing for our next trip.
We leave on Saturday for Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
Of course I am looking forward to seeing all the animals who thankfully have always been protected and do not know to fear humans. We are planning on packing our good cameras (Nikon) as well as our pocket point-and-shoot models (Sony RX 100) just in case a photo opportunity presents itself 🙂
Equally excited about exploring and spending two nights in the Amazon where we will interact with the people of a local tribe.
I have no idea what we will expect regarding internet connections so it is possible that I will only post a few updates on our Facebook page, or brief “photo of the day” type blog posts until we return home and I am able to give more in-depth descriptions.
When we first started blogging, I made an effort to blog on the go, with daily updates. That too often meant I was up until the wee hours trying to keep up. It was a duel edged sword for sure. I loved that I could jot down events and memories while they were fresh. From a diary standpoint it was much more valuable and thorough for me. However, the lack of sleep and pressure to keep it up can also take a toll and I became susceptible to coming down with whatever nasty bug or virus was passing by.
Somewhere I know that there is a happy medium for me and I hope to find just the right balance on this trip.
Here is a sneak peek of where we will be exploring, our anticipated highlights, and in case we don’t come back, someone will have a starting point on where to look for us, lol.
15 Day Ecuador with 5 Day Western Galapagos Islands Itinerary – Gate 1
On Saturday, October 22nd we fly from Los Angeles, via Panama City to Guayaquil, Ecuador. We pre booked two nights in a hotel there prior to our official Gate 1 tour beginning on October 24th which will include:
- 2 nights Guayaquil
- 5 nights M/V Santa Cruz II (in the Galapagos Islands)
- 2 nights Quito
- 1 night Otavalo
- 1 night Papallacta
- 2 nights Punta Ahuano (Amazon)
- 1 night Baños
We also tacked on three extra nights on our own at the end of the trip to have more time in Quito before flying home on November 10th.
Here are the noted highlights for this itinerary:
- Embark on a journey to the beginning of time in the Galapagos Archipelago of volcanic islands
- Travel along the coast on a panga while Naturalist-Guides explain the area’s dramatic geology
- The unique environment encourages sea lions, Sally light-foot crabs, penguins and flightless cormorants
- Walk in an impressive cactus forest surrounded by land and marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies
- Snorkel on magnificent white sand beaches with plentiful marine life
- Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station’s giant tortoise Breeding Centre
- Visit Colonial Quito and walk through its cobblestone streets
- Stand at the Middle of the World monument
- Browse for local goods at the traditional Otavalo Market
- Stay in the heart of the Amazon
I must admit that reviewing the itinerary has reminded me of what initially had me so excited about this trip. I would be a fool if I was not counting my blessings about now! You can click here to see a short YouTube video presented by Gate 1 about the Ecuador trip.
We hope that you will join us as we explore the Middle of the World and straddle the equator, try to capture pictures of the blue-footed boobies, attempt to avoid altitude sickness high in the Andes, snorkel amongst giant tortoises and sea iguanas, and witness the untamed Amazon.
GRATITUDE MOMENT: Today I am grateful for being on the threshold of yet another journey off to witness nature in all her magnificence.
A Note From Abroad 
How wonderful and how fortunate you are to be able to see such marvels of this World of ours. I so look forward to not only seeing photographs of your trip but all the descriptions of all you will see. I wish you both well and a very safe journey there and back. Take care, all the best. God Bless, Anna.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your message and encouragement. Seeing both the Amazon and the Galápagos Islands in one trip is pretty darn amazing. Can’t wait to share!
LikeLike
Wow, you two are truly intrepid! The trip sounds exhausting but exhilarating! I’ll have to bookmark this itinerary for … someday!
LikeLike
I think with a couple days on our own at each end of the tour, we will have a chance to catch our breath. The Gate 1 itineraries do squeeze a lot into each day, but I understand people wanting to see and do as much as possible after traveling a long way from home.
LikeLike
Bon voyage and safe travels. I look forward to the accounts of this exciting trip.
LikeLike
Thank you so much Bernadette
LikeLike
Enjoy and take lots of photos 🙂
LikeLike
Taking lots of pictures is a given for this gal 👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Snuck away and hid our for a couple of months, huh. 🙂 From my perspective, that is the way to see the world. I am looking forward to your next set of blogs.The Galapagos are always special. –Curt
LikeLike
Yes, a little home bonding does a body good. 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohhhhh take me away, I want to go and this has to be for sure a bucket list must do.
LikeLike
😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know you will have the *best* time! Galapagos is extraordinary, a once in a lifetime experience that you’ll never forget. And I’m sure you’ll enjoy Ecuador too. It’s a pretty amazing country. Have fun!
Alison
LikeLike
Allison, I do think this trip will be amazing. Not sure if I am more excited to see the Galápagos or the Amazon. Both hold huge interest for me. Can’t wait to find out my favorite.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have a wonderful time. If you have five minutes, watch this video; cute and relevant to your trip. 🙂
LikeLike
Hey Paul! I’ll grab Tim and have a look. Thanks for thinking of us. Hugs to you and Linda!
LikeLike
Yep, they are REAL, and I am hoping to take a picture to also prove it! Thanks for sharing the video…
LikeLike
You must be experiencing mixed feelings about the trip, with excitement uppermost! Despite age and more delicate health, I sometimes feel like a caged butterfly (perhaps a moth might be nearer the mark…) but have done my share in the past and can imagine myself in other folks’ trips – which is a bonus! Have a fantastic time, keep safe and take masses of photos. Look forward to sharing. Good luck!
LikeLike
Thank you so much Joy. I’m betting the farm (not that I have one) that we will take tons and tons of photos. Hoping to get a few that will WOW you. So glad you will be following along!
LikeLike
This sounds like a wonderful trip. Do you have any opinion about the cost factor?
LikeLike
Yes, it is very expensive! Especially when you are going to the Galápagos. We did watch for when Gate 1 had a 50% off for companion which saved us quite a bit.
LikeLike
Looking forward to your Ecuador adventures Tim and Joanne, I was there a couple of years ago and enjoyed it immensely. I would post my “straddling the equator” picture but don’t know how to do it on this blog. Have fun!
LikeLike
Asif, we arrived last night in Guayaquil and are getting settled in. We decided to come a couple days early before our tour starts to enjoy some exploring on our own. Just wrote a post that will be live in the morning about out first impressions. So glad you are following along on our latest adventure 🙂
LikeLike
Sounds like a great adventure, you just enjoy the trip and don’t worry about the blog. I for one can wait to read when you have the time. Don’t make yourself sick, time to enjoy is in the moment.
LikeLike
Thanks so much for your kind comment. I may have no choice in the matter regarding doing my posts on the fly. Although we have very good Internet here at our hotel in Guayaquil, I am hearing that it may be limited or even non existent in other areas we are headed for. Time will tell 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks amazing! I live in Mexico and strongly considered moving to Cuenca. I see you’re not going there, though. I will be flying back to LA for a visit soon. Thanks for liking my blog post 🙂
LikeLike
No, Cuenca is not on our itinerary, but we still have quite a few other amazing places to check out.
LikeLike
We are enjoying all of your travels,
Love, Alice & Rod
LikeLike
Hello Alice and Rod! So happy you are following our journey through the Galapagos Islands. We would love to get together with you two after we return. Dinner on us this time. Love to you both.
LikeLike
how was quito?
LikeLike
Dan, sorry but we did not end up being able to explore in Quito. My husband became ill and we chose to come home early from there. Here is a link to that story: https://anotefromabroad.com/2016/11/11/trip-interruptus-flying-home-early/
LikeLike