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Galapagos Multi Sport Adventure

By : Rod Lewis
Trip Begins October 24, 2008
Trip Ends November 1, 2008

A fab adventure trip and experience with a great group and guide. Action packed and lived up to the description with activities. Each day was filled and we went to bed at night ready for sleep and to restore some older muscles. Memorable and great fun.
See my photos : Galapagos Multi Sport Adventure

Want to go? Galapagos Multisport

I went to: Galapagos, Ecuador
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October 24, 2008
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First day in Guayaquil

Guayaquil, Ecuador

Brimming with excitement to get the adventure off on time we woke up at 5 AM and drove to the airport, JFK, bright and early. We selected to fly into Guayaquil since there was a direct flight on LAN, which turned out to be a very good airline. Most of our tour members flew into Quito, but we figured that since Guayaquil was the departure point for Galapagos the next day, it would be better which we're still not sure of. There's probably more to see in Quito. Our flight was about 7 hours and amazingly we linked up with our son, Russell when we landed in Guayaquil. Amazing since Russ left SF airport @ 1 AM and had 4 stops before arriving at Gualaquil; and his luggage arrived with him too! We stayed right in town at the Guayaquil Grand Hotel and walked around town to the new boardwalk area by the ocean. Not much to see but we were tired and hit the covers early that night.

October 25, 2008
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Guayaquil to San Christobal

San Cristobal, Galapagos

Our local A.L. guide picked us up at the Hotel and drove us to the beautiful modern Guayaquil airport. There we boarded the plane and met our guide, Fabrico, on the plane. Once we landed we drove to our hotel which was probably the nicest one we stayed at with a great staff and had the whole place to ourselves. Then we took a hike to Frigate Hill, the highest point on the Island with great views and lots of stairs to climb. We walked back as the sun was setting and then had a great dinner at the Hotel where we got to know our fellow travelers as well as reviewed the next few days agendas.

October 26, 2008
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First snorkeling & sea kayaking

Leon Dormido, Galapagos

The next morning we got to do some sea kayaking and learned that it's a little trickie for first timers and that maybe married couples would be better off splitting up in 2 person kayaks. We paddled along the shore and saw loads of sea life with sea lions, crabs, and many varieties of beautiful birds. Then we had our first snorkeling in shallow water which was excellent and the sea lions were out to have fun with us. The bably lions were playful and swam around us, blew bubbles toward us and pulled our swim fins. The sea life with colorful fish and rays was spectacular. Fortunately Russ had an underwater camera and shot some great photos which are posted on this site. Later we got on a boat and went to Kicker Rock where we snorkeled in deeper water with sharks. Our guide told us not to fear since the sharks were night feeders and peaceful. We saw the sharks, but never got too close to them which was fine by us, see photo. With so much activity, we were glad to have dinner and hit the pillows after a short walk into town to visit some bars.

October 27, 2008
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Tortoises & Volcano crater

Lobos, Galapagos

We visited a tortoise park and saw the huge creatures up close. Got a park tour and understanding of the tortoises. Then drove to the highlands to visit a large extinct volcano now filled in with water. Much climbing was involved and the hike was complicated by wet slippery mud but we managed.

October 28, 2008
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Off to Isabela Island

Isabela, Galapagos

This morning we got on a small plane which was the size of a cigar and barely held all of us but it was an experience, and flew to Isabela. We dropped off our stuff at the hotel, then got mountain bikes to ride to the the other side of the Island where we saw a huge man made rock wall built years ago by prisoners. The bike ride was about 8 miles and was fine on level road, but then there were these hills where our legs turned to jello. We were exhausted after the ride and happy to have the afternoon off to ourselves where we walked on the beach and later saw flamingos.

October 29, 2008
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Horseback to the live volcano

Isabela, Galapagos

This morning we drove to the highlands on the Island then picked up our horses that were used to get to an awesome live volcanic area which was about 8 miles in circumfrence. When we started that morning the weather was overcast and light drizzle but by the time we got to the volcano, the sun was shinning. Most of us greenhorns had great fun when the horses started galloping while we held on tight to the saddle horns to stay aboard. Fortunately the horses were sure footed and knew what they were doing, even if we didn't. Most of us were giggling since we were at the mercy of the horses when they decided to do more than walk. It was one of the many highlights of the trip.

October 30, 2008
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Off to Santa Cruz by boat

Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

This morning we walked to a 35 foot boat for our 2 1/2 hour ride from Isabela to Santa Cruz and we flew over and through the waves. Once we docked we checked into our Hotel the Red Booby, then hiked to an isolated beach where some swam in the surf.

October 31, 2008
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Darwin Center

Charles Darwin Center, Galapagos

We walked a short way through town to visit the Darwin Center where we saw huge tortoises and took loads of photos up close with them. Hard to believe how old they were and how they are able to move around. In the afternoon we drove to a free range tortoise farm then had a great lunch at an outdoor restaurant. On the way home we stopped at a volcanic tube site where we saw how lava had carved a large tunnel way through the rock. That night we had a wonderful outdoor farewell dinner at an outdoor restaurant.

November 1, 2008
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Back home; we don't want to leave!

Guayaquil, Ecuador

Today we boarded the plane at Santa Cruz and bid our new tour friends good bye which was sad since we all got along so well and such a great trip together. Everyone was compatable and along with our great guide, it was probably the best vacation we've ever had. This was our second trip with Adventure Life, the first one was in Costa Rica, and that was so great that we knew we could count on them for another wonderful experience. We still are in touch with our fellow tour members and have shared the photos that are a great reminder of our experience.

My Photo Album: Galapagos Multi Sport Adventure
3 Lewis with 2 friends in backgroundGreat tourtoise race finish line!Barb & Sue come out of their shells!New meaning of Rough Riders!All this fit into that plane?New meaning of scrambled eggsRookie couples should not share same kayaks Russ & his new girl friendUpside down lion blowing bubblesBaby lion nibbling at finsYikes; theres a shark!