Our Tour Consultants enjoy traveling too. Senior Tour Consultant and Group Specialist Janet enjoys the Galapagos so much, she's been several times. Here are some of her thoughts.
Even before I experienced Africa, I visited the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador,
and have been happy to make repeat visits. The weather in the Galapagos Islands is pleasant any time of year and I have always been fond of smaller ships.
Over the years, the vessels have become more luxurious, like the 20-passenger "Coral I" and 36-passenger "Coral II" yachts. Some families still like the larger ships like the 100-passenger "Galapagos Legend," or the 90-passenger "M/V Santa Cruz." Other cruisers enjoy the 40-passenger "Isabella II".
No matter which style of sailing you enjoy, the adventure begins when - adorned with life jackets, we get to board the small zodiacs or pangas for the fun ride ashore to exotic places like Bartolome Island. All the island visits are great, spotting plentiful land iguana, or marine iguana, or walking among Blue footed boobies and watching the Frigate birds inflate their red chests!.
But most memorable to me was the visit to Bartolome, arriving at an ancient island evolved from black volcanic flow, looking like something from another planet. The black sand is untouched here - instead walking on a boardwalk above the sand, and upstairs all the way up the hill for a spectacular view of Pinnacle Rock. As there is almost no rain or wind here, a wayward footprint would still be there months and years later.
Next our zodiac took us to an official swimming beach and a chance for snorkeling, too. We were greeted by a Galapagos penguin who had swam over from another island for our visit. We were thrilled. As with any wildlife trip - no two trips are the same and you never know exactly what you will see. While swimming the sea lions joined us too. You know it can happen ... but when it does, it's absolutely amazing.
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