November 25th ~ Southern California
Michael and Laura with Joanne and Tim
OK – Thanksgiving menu. What to fix???
I’m guessing that few of you had as many challenges to handle as our dear friends did in planning yesterdays meal for our family. Continue reading
Tuesday, November 1st ~ Quito, Ecuador
Poor Tim! He had a very rough night. I have written about his sensitivity to MSG and Free Glutamic Acid before, but here is a link with a little more information for those not up on what this entails. A few nights prior he had a reaction serious enough that I spoke to the onboard doctor. Besides the “normal” symptoms of nausea, severe cramping and explosive diarrhea, he was also running a fever which resulted in bouts of shivering and then burning up.
By that next morning he was exhausted, but OK enough to soldier through the days excursions.
Last night it once again hit with a vengeance and I helplessly listened to his moans until just before dawn when he finally dozed off. Continue reading
Monday, October 31st ~ Goodbye to The Galapagos, Hello to the High Andes, Ecuador
Leaving the islands, wishing us a happy return
Today was primarily a transition day – going from the Galapagos Islands back to the mainland. The highlight of the morning before we disembarked was a half hour slide show that was presented by our very talented on-board photographer, Nicholas. He has promised to email us a link to the presentation and I am hopeful that I will be able to add it to a post in the future as I guarantee that it will encourage anyone with any interest in visiting here to get packing! Continue reading
Sunday, October 30th ~ Floreana Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The Santa Cruz II as seen from Floreana Island
Day 5 ~ This was our last full day on the ship. Although I enjoyed Floreana, it was my least favorite of the islands we visited on our itinerary. Still a few fun memories, but not the WOW factor we experienced earlier. Continue reading
Saturday, October 29th ~ Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Harbor town of Puerto Ayora
Day 4 ~ Even on Santa Cruz Island where it is most populated, we are required to take the panga ashore. Todays excursions begin with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and giant tortoise breeding center. Side by side, next to the National Park administration where the two work hand in glove for the preservation of the Galapagos Islands. Continue reading
Friday, October 28th ~ Tagus Cove, Urbina Bay, Isabela Island
Darwin Lake
Day 3 ~ Before we take off on todays excursions, I wanted to share more information of what day-to-day life is like on board the Santa Cruz II. There are several primary large areas where meetings, or lectures, or meals can be served, the Panorama Bar, Rear Sun Deck, Library and the Dining Room. Continue reading
Thursday, October 27th ~ Galapagos Islands ~ Isabela and Fernandina Islands
Santa Cruz II
Day 2 ~ A ship wide wake up call at 7:00 and breakfast served at 7:15, with a planned departure (again via panga boats) promptly at 8:15. Our day will be divided up into two sections. The morning on Isabela Island with our sightseeing all done from the small boats as we creep along the cliff line searching for the tiny local Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorant, and marine iguanas. Continue reading
Wednesday, October 26th ~ Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Arrival at the airport in Batra
Day 1 – Getting off of the airplane I was already wondering where I was and what had happened. This surely was not the Island paradise I had envisioned. In fact far from it. Can’t say why I had envisioned lush and tropical, but the reality was hot, humid, arid, volcanic rock, cactus, and not much else. Had we taken a wrong turn and landed in the wrong place? Continue reading
Tuesday, October 25th ~ Guayaquil, Ecuador
Arboreal Iguana
Our Gate 1 tour officially begins today. For this portion there are just the four of us, Tim and I, Rica and her husband Fred. Our local guide, Fernando, picks us up at the hotel at 10:00 and we are off to see the city.
First stop is Parque Centerario which Tim and I had walked through a couple of days ago on our way to the Malecon. In the center is the Monument of the Independence Heroes. We also got a small introduction to the local trees and birds. Continue reading
Sunday October 23rd ~ Guayaquil, Ecuador
Guayaquil, view from our room at Hotel Oro Verde
Everything worked the way it was supposed to yesterday, flights mostly on time and smooth with little turbulence, no problems with short connection time in Panama City, quick-moving lines in the Customs hall upon arrival in Guayaquil, a Gate 1 representative met us as we departed the terminal with our luggage, and the hotel check-in was smooth. WiFi here at the hotel is strong, there are numerous free hot spots around town. Continue reading
A Note From Abroad 