June 6, 2012
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Arrive Quito
Hotel Eugenia, Quito
Late and bewildered. It all works out - no problems in customs, hailing a cab, or our rooms. Ah, wonderful sleep.
Create your Trip Journal [click here]Galapagos - Spontaneously!
By : Colleen Wilford
Trip Begins June 6, 2012
Trip Ends June 16, 2012
"If you risk nothing, then you risk everything." Geena Davis
Want to go? Galapagos Multisport
I went to: Ecuador, Quito, Hotel Eugenia, Otavalo, Galapagos, San Cristobal, Casa Opuntia Hotel, Charles Darwin Center, Isabela, Iguana Crossing, Leon Dormido, Santa Cruz Island, Angermeyer Waterfront Inn, Highlands
Trip Begins June 6, 2012
Trip Ends June 16, 2012
"If you risk nothing, then you risk everything." Geena Davis
- Jun 6 - Hotel EugeniaArrive Quito
- Jun 7 - Hotel EugeniaUnesco Old City Center
- Jun 8 - OtavaloTo Otavalo
- Jun 9 - Casa Opuntia HotelTo the Galapagos
- Jun 10 - Charles Darwin CenterFrigates dip in fresh water
- Jun 11 - Leon DormidoDay on the water
- Jun 12 - Iguana CrossingSnorkeling with Penguins
- Jun 13 - Iguana CrossingThe long walk
- Jun 14 - Angermeyer Waterfront InnBoat ride to paradise
- Jun 15 - Our Last Day
- Jun 16 - Charles Darwin CenterHome
Want to go? Galapagos Multisport
I went to: Ecuador, Quito, Hotel Eugenia, Otavalo, Galapagos, San Cristobal, Casa Opuntia Hotel, Charles Darwin Center, Isabela, Iguana Crossing, Leon Dormido, Santa Cruz Island, Angermeyer Waterfront Inn, Highlands
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June 7, 2012
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Unesco Old City Center
Hotel Eugenia, Quito
17 churches. Wonderful peaks, color, noise, food.
"John" like Wayne explains that we need a guide.
We relent and he ends up being right: 7 tons of gold lining a church, kids playing fuse-ball in the street, views of the Madonna.
June 8, 2012
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To Otavalo
Otavalo, Ecuador
Santiago our guide is wonderful; friendly, knowledgeable, helpful with a wonderful smile. What else to ask for? The old market is amazing. I finally have the 3 dimensional textile wall hangings I have dreamt of since college!
June 9, 2012
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To the Galapagos
Casa Opuntia Hotel, San Cristobal
Here is the dream come true. The ocean, the birds, the amazing little town, with a sweet little lodge on the beach. Sea Lions moan, groan and nip at fins. Frigates wheel in the air above. Incense trees scent your fingers. All faces smile.
June 10, 2012
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Frigates dip in fresh water
Charles Darwin Center, Galapagos
Hike to crater, filled with fresh water where Frigates clean off wings.
Back in time to sea kayak to Darwin Bay. Can I be on vacation all the time?
June 11, 2012
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Day on the water
Leon Dormido, Galapagos
To kicker rock. Hopes were high because the group from yesterday saw hammerheads and whales! We saw schools of white tip sharks, hammerhead, and other fish . The geography, birds, and ocean were beautiful.
June 12, 2012
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Snorkeling with Penguins
Iguana Crossing, Isabela
Ahh, Isabela.
The hotel, Iguana Crossing lovely!
The beach town to die for. Could there be a better place on earth?
The boat trip, to remember. Snorkeling with Penguins!
Then a trip to the wall of tears, biking past 200 year old cactus, tortoise, and lava tubes. We are not in Truckee anymore!
June 13, 2012
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The long walk
Iguana Crossing, Isabela
The hotel sits across from the beach. The Iguanas cross the sandy road with their tail marks left in the sand. The boardwalk takes me to feeding and bickering Flamingos. The beach stretches out filled with treasures.
Could I stay on vacation forever?
June 14, 2012
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Boat ride to paradise
Angermeyer Waterfront Inn, Santa Cruz Island
We saw giant Tortoise on a ranch high in the hill overlooking Santa Cruz Island. The tortoise were huge, and the ants bite! The views were amazing. The lava tube was great fun. The lunch that followed was divine (I can not remember the name of the place). The proprietress had a voice like Lorene Bacall, and was an amazing cook and hostess. I will never forget the meal. All this was followed by a sea kayak where we saw Blue Footed Boobies perform their mating dance. Heaven on earth.
June 15, 2012
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Our Last Day
Off to the Darwin Center via water taxi. The center was fine, but the company wonderful! The land Iguanas beautiful. A look at Lonesome George just days before he died (sigh). Than on to a bus, which took us to a ferry, than to a plane. It's an Adventure Life, and an amazing one that none of us will forget.
June 16, 2012
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Home
Charles Darwin Center, Galapagos
Flight home from Quito, uneventful.
Trip amazing.
The whole family gives this trip 5 stars!
Juan Duran our guide is a national treasure. I have spent less time with people I call close friends. He made all of us feel like we were part of something special - and we were. Thanks to all our guides and to Adventure Life, you do a great job.
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