Bird lovers unite! Today we visited Genovesa Island, one of the best islands in the Galapagos for bird watching. We strolled through a white-sand beach path brimming with nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, frigates and storm petrels. We were also greeted by several lazy sea lions lounging on the beach.
We had our first snorkeling excursion that afternoon, and we all bundled up in wetsuits to prepare for the cold Humbolt current! We boarded the zodiacs - routine at this point- and headed out for the coral reefs. I was a little nervous, as I'd heard the water was less than ideal at this time of year. It did initially take my breath away, but I was warmed up and sensitized to the cold after just a few minutes of swimming around. We saw plenty of colorful fish and coral, as well as three white-tipped sharks!
The staff treated us to an on-board BBQ in the evening on the upper deck. Hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage, chicken…everything you could imagine grilled to perfection by our on-board chef. The crew mingled with each table, chatting with us about our home countries, jobs and life in Ecuador. I really enjoyed getting to know the crew and was happy to have such personable staff on board with us! We all jumped in the Jacuzzi following dinner to warm up with a glass of wine and a hot tub before bed. On to day 4!
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.